The OS Doorstep - a helpful and supportive thread in these tough times

FairyPrincessk

Morning all,

Monnagran, stories like that get to me. Maybe I'm just soft, but I'd rather allow a few cheats get away with scamming the system than put anyone through that. Honestly, your friend with cancer has been through so much, if they really must have prognosis information can't the benefits system communicate with the NHS instead of putting her though that?

I don't miss being a teen girl one bit. There might be a few days of my early 20s I remember fondly, but mostly I'll take the peace and quiet over the drama any day! They're lucky to have parents like you who will listen and support them and help them to make good decisions when needed and step back when not.

On carpets, my dad had one of the sample patchwork carpets in the 70s. I've spent all but a few years of my life in rentals and its given me strong opinions. I'd rather have some form of wood with rugs everywhere except bathroom and kitchen where I'd want tile. Yes, it is cold I suppose but I have an active imagination when it comes to what lives in my carpets. I think the bound carpet option sounds like a good idea. Pooky, your parquet sounds lovely!

Fuddle I just want to chime in and agree with everyone, you did the right thing.

I have a nice weekend although it seemed far too short. Managed to get through most of the washing mountain although slipped up with a dark green shirt in the wrong load that I didn't notice. It only got on two things, both pyjamas which now have a lovely minty green colour on all of their formerly white bits. Oh well. I've run them through with a dye catch sheet overnight and will go down and have a look at them in a bit.

Lots of work to get through this week, and Weds night a friend is coming round as OH is on a trip with the pupils and won't be back until late. She is bringing the recipe book I gave her as she wants to show me all of the things she added. I'll also be sort of starting a new regimen at the gym. One of the personal trainers has worked out an exchange, he'll help me with some things I'm struggling with if I'll give him so new moves for the women he trains. I'm a bit nervous, it sounds like hard work and sometimes I get an allergy to that!!!

Still, this weekend is the trip to Bath, so lots to look forward to!

Princess, Gailey and Debbie, haven't heard from you in a few days, how are things?

Hugs to any and all.x

FairyPrincessk

p.s. Monnagran, growing up in the U.S. I was taught there were two pronunciations of Carribean. I know one is more popular in certain regions of the U.S. whereas the other is popular in others. I suspect it may be a U.S./U.K. cross-over thing, particularly as cruise companies start servicing both countries.

A friend of mine and her husband (both American, she is just finishing up her studies here) recently visited Tunisia. Every time they told someone where they were going she would get..."Where?" and I'd have to translate. Americans tend to say Two-nee-shuh instead of Two-nis-eeuh (if that even makes sense!)

Visiting my parents I caught myself using one pronunciation of tomato with them and then turning to my OH (same conversation, same room!) and using another. Between my dad's fairly strong U.S. Southern accent and my OH's strong Mancunian accent its amazing they can communicate at all!

cornishchick

Really quick post to Monnagran re friend and cancer,please support her to contact macmilian they are fantastic, they also have huge resources to enable people to fight things like this. And they can help get things like media attention to fight it..

Reading along but so busy and emotions All over the place....hubby still going, but his health is going down hill at a noticeable rate.. hugs and love all..

grandma247

Hugs cornishchick

I get the feeling we will be seeing more and more of this nastiness from those with such power over us.


I had an Italian friend when I was young( in the 70's) and her dad who I think was a carpet fitter did their whole, very large Victorian terraced house out with fitted sample squares.

Possession

Big hugs to you Cornishchick. And Monnogran that's just awful re. your friend with cancer. It's as if the world has gone mad.
It's a work day for me today so trying to carry on as if last week had never happened. It's noticeably colder here and I've turned the heating on continuous instead of just the usual twice a day. Who'd have imagined though that on 20th Jan I could say that had only happened a handful of times. I guess the energy companies profits won't be quite so extortionate this year.

fuddle

It does seem so cold and unfeeling, especially when you see how it effects those who are just trying to live but slip up in the eyes of the tick box systems. A girl I spend a lot of my working time with is my age and has MS. It effects her like you wouldn't believe. She has to fight to get basic help at the moment when she would love nothing more than her independence and work life back.

How naive am I thinking I could escape 'the family'. 11pm I was on the phone till last night trying to deal with a drunken mother crying that she's too scared to fly or get the bus down here. Not only that emotion but of anger at her telling me off for upsetting my sister. She's tired of 'being in the middle of it all' and that we need to grow up. Unfortunately mam doesn't see most of it is her fault.

I'm left today tired, angry, upset and feeling woe bludy me. Sister is cut off now. I'm not ever getting involved with her again, but mam, I can't cut her off because she really does want to see the girls and visit. It's just getting her here and if she can't help herself, sister can't help her, well then there's nothing I can do.

Rice pudding on the cards today. I've only an hours work this evening so I can relax a little today but will iron/put away, Hoover, dust skirtings and tidy/tickle clean kitchen - right after my coffee and catching up with last nights call the midwife

ivyleaf

Just had to de-lurk to send huge hugs to cornish chick and anyone else in need of some xx

And fuddle, just seen your post too so hugs to you too xx

savingqueen

Morning toughies and a cold and frosty one it is here in Essex.


First time this winter boys have had their fleecy blankets in the car and I used the trick of putting in 2 hotwater bottles to help defrost the icy windscreen. Then hotties are given to boys to hug (just warm by then) for school journey and I have the remaining heat under a blanket typing this with a cuppa (and the very last slice of my delectable birthday cake... too embarrassed to confess just how much cake was consumed by us all from Fri to Sun)


Felt pretty fedup over the weekend. Feel stuck in a rut with a messy and cluttered house falling apart at the seams, overweight, no energy and eeking out money til pay day. Feeling like I am not being the best parent, wife and person I can be but deep down I know that's not true, the anxiety/depression/perfectionism/upbringing all playing out.


Anyway I need to get my act together, moping gets you nowhere. I do however have to be realistic and set myself attainable goals so I feel positive. I have decided for now to go back to a rough and flexible timetable so I get a little bit of housework done every day, ditto cooking/baking, shopping/errands/social stuff to get me out of house, decluttering, exercise etc . No-one else is going to sort out me but me!


Happy Birthday to Lyn, our Mrs LW, our resident and lovely wise owl. Have a brilliant birthday!


(((((((((fuddle and Cornishchick)))))))) - big warm hugs to you both and anyone else in need. Cornish, can you arrange to get together with a friend at some point for a chat and a cuppa? Now is the time to ask for help when you really need it. In the meantime have a virtual hot chocolate with cream and marshmallows or a cup of soup depending on your preference.


Kidcat - hope your dental appointment goes well today, thinking of you.


Monnagran - Firstly thank you for all you do. You and the Rev are completely amazing.


I feel so outraged by your stories of people struggling whether with benefits, homelessness or other difficulties. Yes there are those who scam the system and that makes me very angry when there are genuine people through no fault of their own who have sanctions for a made up reason. Not to mention the 'working poor' who are struggling to both eat and keep warm.


A friend of ours wasn't sanctioned but was spoken to very rudely on his first visit to the job centre - for arriving 5 minutes early! You can't make it up. Said friend had lost his job through becoming disabled and his family with 2 young children lost their home. He is retraining and studying like mad to get office work as he can no longer do the skilled manual/driving job he once did. Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrr.


best get busy, will pop back later with another cuppa, trying to save the heating til kids are home


sq

savingqueen

Hello ivyleaf, how are you doing?

ivyleaf

Hi :wave: Thanks for asking Reading along regularly! I've recently been diagnosed with diverticular disease, so sometimes I feel fairly okay but other times my tummy's hurting and posting feels too much of an effort Don't know how you manage it Hester!

Today's a "good" day though, and wey hey, it's not raining it was frosty overnight but had mostly gone when I got up.

I need to try to get back to more OS cooking but it can be difficult as I'm still finding out what I can eat without upsetting my tummy.

Stew tonight though, yum A small amount of meat and lots of veggies.

Oh dear, what a boring post, sorry :rotfl: