The Garden Fence - help and support in tough times

nursemaggie

So glad it was not as bad as you thought Hester. Keeping positive vibes coming L&Ms way re-another job.

Hard_Up_Hester

Thanks for you comment Lillibet, I think you are right, hubby lost his dad when he was a teenager

ivyleaf

((HUGS)) Hester, thanks for letting us know what happened. I'm glad it was better than it might have been.

Floss

Hester, glad it was a lower cut than you feared, is that gross or net?

nursemaggie

Lyn sorry I have been so long in answering you on the cooked meat at Ald!

I have been today. It was a struggle on my own we normally go together to Ald! once a month, have a big stock up and get a taxi back. Its just over than a mile by car but a lot further on the bus and the nearest bus stop is nearly a mile away from Ald!.

My big problem is packing everything on those high packing areas. I cant reach the top of the bags to put things in and of course I cant reach the handles to lift the bags off.

Ds has been having appointments on his day off like doctors the hospital and he still has to sign on as 10 hours are not enough to sign off especially as he is only on a temporary contract too.

I was right about some more winter to come, high winds, driving rain and barely above freezing today.

The shortest date I have on any of my deli purchases is 10th May on some ham and longest chorizo 7th July. My Duck & Orange pate is 13th May I do usually manage longer on that.

That's what I love about Ald! is I can buy treats like duck pate for 89p.

I would think if they are increasing their custom they would get through stock quicker and have longer dates. It must be your shop or is everyone else taking from the back and leaving the stuff at the front.

There were no wienerschnitzel today unless they have moved it. DS will be disappointed as we have not had any for weeks. We both enjoy that about once a fortnight.

I usually put cooked meats in the freezer if I am not going to use them for a few days. You do have to remember to take them out about 12 hours before you need them and leave them in the fridge. That way they thaw out slowly and stay firm.

If anyone know someone expecting a baby Ald! have lots of baby things from cots to high chairs all very reasonable. Blankets, sheets, baby sets all sorts of things. They have wool in and lots of gardening stuff.

monnagran

I wouldn't say that is good news Hester but it's certainly not as bad as we all feared. At least it gives you a bit of breathing space.

Islandmaid: as well as BHF the local hospice has a furniture warehouse. Sorry, I don't know if they deal with electrical goods.

Isn't life wonderful?
Today I had an appointment to register with a new doctor. The appointment was for 3.30 but would I get there by 3.10 to see the practice nurse. Sure. I walked to the bus stop, rode to the next village,arrived at 3.00, sat in the waiting room for 30 minutes and was ushered into the practice nurse. All the formalities were completed and she said, "Now I'll make you an appointment to see the doctor...hmmmm......we can do 4.00 tomorrow." So I do it all again tomorrow. The good thing was that i managed to scoot outside in time to get the hourly bus home. It was too cold to sit on the village green for an hour waiting for the next bus.

That is all the excitement I can offer you today. I bet you're glad you've got to the end of this.

x

Hard_Up_Hester

Floss, it's net.
I'm cooking sausages and sausage rolls at the moment, each department at work, takes it in turns to provide treats in the staff room occasionally.
It is my teams turn tomorrow, I am supposed to be making a cake as well, but after today I begrudge making one.
I know I haven't lost a large amount of money, but some of my colleagues have been hit harder than I.
These pay cuts do not affect the teaching staff who already earn a lot more than we do, we also have a lot of senior management who are also unaffected.

monnagran

Hester. My DB was a headmaster in a first and middle school. He had to get rid of a cleaner in school because there simply was not enough money in the budget to cover her wages. I think he nearly had a nervous breakdown over it. I do know that he was so upset that he seriously considered paying her out of his own pocket.
I think my SIL pointed out that was the thin end of a very large wedge and where was it all going to end.
When I had to close my school the only person that I couldn't find another post for was me.

I think you have had an unfortunate experience with your school and your DH even more so. Things seem to be very different now. DB and I were in operation over 20 years ago when things were more relaxed although they had started to get much more pressurised even then. The paperwork was getting ridiculous and the personal touch was being choked out.
In the end DB took early retirement on medical grounds and the chap who once told me that he would teach for nothing if they didn't pay him because he loved it so much, couldn't wait to leave.

This has nothing to do with your situation but I feel it is so sad that schools can no longer take on the caring and nurturing role that we knew. Individual teachers manage to crawl under the radar but they are not encouraged enough.

Gingerly climbs down from soap box.

x

Nargleblast

Hester - £120 a year, £10 a month. A true Old-Styler like you will be able to handle that, I am sure, and obviously it means you still have an income while you and your DH sort your plans for the future.

I got a pay rise equating to the princely sum of 14 pence an hour or £23.50 a month. Ok, personal allowances have crept up a little, but National Insurance contributions have shot up due to people having an employment pension no longer being allowed a discount on NI contributions. That, plus tax, plus council tax gone up this year, plus fuel creeping up again......pay rise? Don't make me laugh!

Having said that, I know I am fortunate to be in a secure job with a reasonable salary and decent pension scheme. The job itself is extremely demanding physically, mentally and emotionally, but I like my work and the team I work with. It is just the stinking politics and Government interference I can't stand. Anyway, I know others are worse off so I should count my blessings.

Hard_Up_Hester

To be fair to the head,Monna, she was very upset and hated passing on the bad news, also these sort of decisions are made by the governors and the finance bods.
We have had only one pay rise in 11 years, 2.5%, but everything else goes up in price. Schools are seen as businesses now and many people who run them have no expertise in financial matters at all.
We also now know what our budget is for the future and once we have no mortgage it will be manageable, tight but manageable.
My next task is to make lists, lists of things to sell, things to give away, every where I look there are things.
I have printed off your saying Monna.
It's only stuff and stuff can't love me back!
Nargleblast, I'm counting my blessings too.