OS Singlies - We Do It Our Way!

ellie99

CRANKY40, that's a bright boy you've got there

I wish I could get the message through my head that the forecast is often wrong. How can 4 hours of heavy snow (not light snow, not snow showers) just not appear, not even a little bit? :rotfl:

I'm sure my winter obsession with what the weather will be like is all wrapped up with the whole "coping on my own" thing. My thinking is that at least I'll be prepared...I even brought my snow shovel in last night :rotfl:

mum2one

A little update, racked my brains all weekend over the dds friend, talking to Dd last night, knew there was more to it than was said, turns out friend had said something to Dd, she was too scared to say anything, the thing it right is a very serious accusation, reassured de she did the right thing by telling us, phoned the school, I explained not sure if it is right, and then my other issues which have spoke to school previously over, the lady was really nice, said normally with what I said would be an instance police and social services call, but partly due to my concerns and some ongoing issues there dig deeper before gets a mass call out.

Reading between the lines, the girls known to the relevant people in school, I can presume some of it could be a wild imagination, they've promised won't be revealed who told them anything.

I know kids will be kids, but some of what the girl said to me, caused alarm bells, I've sat with her and Dr and explained why certain things aren't right and how grooming takes place, and how a Instagram picture is not always private, facebook etc, not to put them off but to explain there's good and bad with it all.
I knew I couldn't sat on this last piece, part of me wanted to shout help, what do I do, but knew if there was a 1% chance of a straw of truth wouldn't want it to be going on, xx

Horace

Mum2One I thought kids couldn't have a facebook account until they were over a certain age? Well done on ringing the school about this troubled girl.

I have had quite a successful day despite nearly falling over several times. I left home at 10am to get the bus to town, my neighbour stopped and offered me a lift but he wasn't going my way (he even suggested that I should go to the village with him instead), standing in the road was like standing on an ice rink. The tarmacked pavements had a layer of ice on the top with no dry bits to walk on so a few times I slipped and managed to stop myself from falling and then crossing the road was scary too (I do wish the council would grit the side streets too), I was ok when I reached the main road.

I went to M+S and came out with two tins of biccies (reduced to a fiver each) which look like decorated trees and they are musical, a box of coffee chocs for me for my own xmas box, 2 packs of coffee flavoured walnut whips (no walnuts). I also managed to buy my best pal a couple of presents - one is a mirrored trinket box with silver cherry blossom on it (it looks glittery), I had wanted a photo frame in the same pattern but it was chipped and I also bought a little jar that can be used as a tea light holder containing some Burt's Bees lip balm, hand cream, and lip salve (she keeps bees so thought she would appreciate it). I also had lunch there - a turkey, cranberry & stuffing pie with mash & gravy, a caramel latte and a slice of lemon drizzle cake. I used my discount card - I now have £39.95 left to spend on it (it had £50 on it).

I cleared my own table (they were really busy) and explained that I worked in Sears doing the same thing. Even when I had finished, I carefully stacked my plates, cup & saucer and gravy jug and handed them in.

I attended a meeting about setting up a time bank and as a result the decision was made there and then to set one up (we get free software) and launch it in February - the time bank will be for my local area but run by the friends group.

LavenderBees

mum2one wrote: »

A little update, racked my brains all weekend over the dds friend, talking to Dd last night, knew there was more to it than was said, turns out friend had said something to Dd, she was too scared to say anything, the thing it right is a very serious accusation, reassured de she did the right thing by telling us, phoned the school, I explained not sure if it is right, and then my other issues which have spoke to school previously over, the lady was really nice, said normally with what I said would be an instance police and social services call, but partly due to my concerns and some ongoing issues there dig deeper before gets a mass call out.

Reading between the lines, the girls known to the relevant people in school, I can presume some of it could be a wild imagination, they've promised won't be revealed who told them anything.

I know kids will be kids, but some of what the girl said to me, caused alarm bells, I've sat with her and Dr and explained why certain things aren't right and how grooming takes place, and how a Instagram picture is not always private, facebook etc, not to put them off but to explain there's good and bad with it all.
I knew I couldn't sat on this last piece, part of me wanted to shout help, what do I do, but knew if there was a 1% chance of a straw of truth wouldn't want it to be going on, xx

Important to follow your instincts and conscience. It could all add up to a big fat zero, but you don't know that, so well done for ensuring it can be investigated.

I've been working from home again today. Usually, if I work from home I get bored and lonely as there is no one to talk to, but this project has me so busy, and I'm talking to people in different time zones, so I reckon my kitchen is the busiest office in the company at the mo. And the real positive is that while "stuff" is being sorted, I'm getting lovely secret cat kisses and cuddles, as my two pusses vie for attention with the voices coming out of my laptop screen. I don't get kisses and cuddles in the office, mores the pity :rotfl:

...though knowing my male colleagues, that's probably a good thing :eek:

Anyone heard from JustKeepSwimming...not seen her post for a while, and I know she was having a tough old time of it...that being an understatement. If you're reading, JKS, hope you are doing ok.

LB xx

Horace

JKS I hope you are ok?

Hello peeps

I managed to do some chores today - all the washing up has been done, I dusted the hall (I could write my name in the dust on the whatnot:o). I went to the park and paid the Tai Chi instructor - sometimes it is easier just to go and hand over the cheque than send it in the post. I didn't stay for class because it was too cold and I had stuff to do.

I renewed my library books online and I don't need to take them back until 29 December. I also went shopping to Mr M's - I went for milk and bread but came out with a trolley full. I picked up 3 loaves from the whoopsie shelf and these are in the freezer. I got myself a decent joint of beef from the whoopsie shelf too (a piece of topside). I got English apples and carrots (I refuse to buy French produce), milk, a bag of sweets (shouldn't really have them but they last me a goodly while), I also picked up two bags of vegetable crisps (they are really yummy) as well as a few other things that have gone into the freezer, fridge and store cupboard.

I visited my next door neighbours, as usual the husband was tinkering with the computer again and after a while he managed to blow up his hard drive as there was an almighty bang and clouds of smelly smoke. He cannot leave things alone and always has to tinker. He also refuses point blank to contact the chap that looks after my computer and instead prefers to deal with rip off merchants (but I am a woman so what do I know?). I had a catch up with Grace - she is doing quite well which is good. She keeps an eye on my house when I am out at work. I have told her that I don't open the curtains on the days that I work because by the time I get home it is dark and I need some light to see by.

They are not my parents but I worry about them, their house was bitterly cold and they did not put the central heating on until 4.15pm. They fret about money for heating but won't change suppliers. I do what I can but there isn't much I can do. My house is considerably warmer than their's but then I do have the central heating on (it is on a thermostat so that when it gets warm it switches off for a while). I switch it off completely at bed time. I cannot stand being cold.

I saw a heron today too - perched on a neighbour's roof as I came home from Tai Chi. I haven't seen one around here before.

3forholidays

:wave: Hi everyone

Hope everyone is ok as it's very quiet on here at the moment.

Real life keeping you busy

Planning to write my Christmas cards this afternoon. :xmastree:

Horace

Hello

Feeling a bit meh and unsociable. I think it is the weather. I wrote more cards today and made the decision that I will only send cards to my family to save on postage. People that live on the same street will get their cards through their letterboxes. I am afraid that everyone else that normally gets a card won't this year.

I have spent time today sorting out my energy supplier who decided despite being in credit by a huge amount that they wanted to up my monthly fixed rate to £67 from £55. It would appear that a fixed rate supply at a fixed fee does not actually exist and they can put their prices up if they wish. The upshot is that I am now on a better tariff and my price is fixed until 2016 and I only need pay £50 a month for dual fuel. I will look at changing next year.

I had to ring my new employer to say they had an incorrect address for me (the twerps at Purrtemps had given them the postcode for their office). I have a contract to sign - I must do that today. The contract is until 27 December after which time I will be confirmed as passing my probationary period, the wage is £6.67 an hour. I still haven't been paid and will have to let the dole office know when I sign on tomorrow.

Should be cooking up some mince but can't be bothered. Have just washed my hair but don't know if I can be bothered to dry it.

Hope everyone is feeling ok?

grassgirl

Hello all
New on this thread, just popping in to say hi
What's your fave technique for Christmas saving and are you all done yet? I haven't started...oops c

mothernerd

Hello grassgirl. When my children were small I would iron out all the large pieces of wrapping paper for re-use. I try to use some plain / basic pattern paper which co-ordinates with the Christmas wrap but can be used up for birthdays etc during the year. Brought up 3 boys with no maintenance from their father so got very good at pooling money from my mum, brother and mum's cousin to make big purchases - one year it was a playstation and an N64 and the deal was you got £10 off the price for every game you purchased, the consoles ended up being free. Did the same when they all got bikes, any axtra cash went to buying helmets, water bottles and other accessories.

For several years I have made note of what food is left after Christmas and made cuts the following year. I also started asking the boys for their top ten foods - if they hadn't put it on the list they couldn't say 'Oh you've forgotten'.

From a young age I've been good at making things, sewing embroidery and general crafts so made a toy kitchen from pampers boxes (strong but not bulky card) - only bought some sticky backed plastic and a small bowl to make the sink, used bright yellow drawer knobs for handles/ oven knobs. Used to make gifts with the boys for all the people who helped out over the year - my mum, aunt, grandma (I tried to study to improve my job prospects when they were young).

Mostly make home-made decorations but bought one special one per boy each year - one year it was delicate white metal filigree decorations from our local photography/ art shop - one of the boys picked a fire engine. Prefer to use small lavender/ ivy plants on the window bottom with the odd bauble thrown in (usually use green star balloon weights now which were originally purchased for DS2's 21st birthday. Plants go into the garden after, lavender is 3' high now.

Make food ahead of time and grab 'party food'/ special bits if you see them on the ys shelf, lots of things freeze. Don't buy presents for the sake of it (see Martin's thoughts on the subject).

Buy things for children that are appropriate for their developmental stage. That sounds boring but it's more thinking about something that will keep it's interest not whatever this year's 'must have' toy is. One year I bought my youngest a marble run - lots of plastic tubes, put the marbles in at the top and watch them run through to the bottom. Mum and her partner called to see what Santa had brought. They had just visited another boy the same age who was already bored by what he had, whereas I hadn't managed to get mine out of his sleep suit or change his nappy - he wouldn't stop playing with the marbles and was endlessly fascinated by them.

Hope that's enough to get you thinking. I am sure everyone else can add to it.

bexster1975

Oh Horace don't get me started! For the second month in a row my energy provider has done this so I called and 25 minutes later a solution which sees my DD remain the same ( I should point out that as of today I am two months in credit! Last month they tried telling me they were doubling my DD. Both times I have simply stated section 27 to them about increases in DD must be clearly explained. On neither occasion could the advisor do so. I am also on a fixed which I have been since April. In no month so far have my charges exceeded my monthly DD. :mad:

Bexster:)