The Garden Fence - proper Old Style support and chat!

Floss

NM there was an item on Radio 4 today about prepaid funerals...think there is something on the BBC news website too.

Softstuff

monnagran wrote: »

On that subject, KnitWitch and mar, I agree, the noise missiles (mossies, tablet, mossies)make is horrible but I have never understood how, in films, people slap various parts of their bodies as the missiles ( Ive told you once, I'll not tell you again) bite them. I have never felt a bite when it actually happens, it's not until later that it makes its sore, itchy presence felt. Midges are anothe story.

We can slap em here. But frankly some of them are so large and unwieldy they're slower and they stick around long enough until you do notice them. The yick factor when slapping them.... I won't carry on.

Lamewolf, I married my dishwasher too We'll never own a dishwasher. I've lived without a washing machine (not pleasant, but doable - like you, getting it dry enough to hang was the issue), lived without an oven (not bad really), lived with just 1 working hob (fine for 6 years), don't own a tumble drier but think I'd really struggle without the fridge.

Nursemaggie, my mother has a prepaid funeral (it's the same one my dad had, and my grandad had). Having seen those in action with our local funeral directors, I can say that certain ones are very good (we had nothing but the flowers to take care of money-wise). Hers (and theirs) is a dignity funeral plan: https://www.dignityfunerals.co.uk/funeral-plans/
We went in, sat down, were shown various things, she made choices and her decisions were noted and all is ready.

Nargleblast

Thanks for all your support, Fencers. My OH is back home now, feeling much better. We now know that whilst the primary cancer has gone, he has secondaries in his spine. He has started medication for this, plus new analgesia and steroids, and there will be radiotherapy to come soon. All this will protect his bones and help with pain relief. When he went into hospital he had his new car delivered that afternoon (not brand new, a few years old but very good for its age). Today, on arriving home his first act was to say hello to the dog, the second was to grab the car keys and go and sit in his new toy. Twenty minutes later family visitors arrived for the weekend so only then did he come in and sit down whilst I got the kettle on the go for tea.

We know a large part of our lives from now on will be dealing with hospital appointments of one sort or another, but que sera sera. We now have a definitive diagnosis and a plan of action. Let the games begin!

nursemaggie

Nargle your going to need that car. You will know if you have read through some of my journeys. I hope it is very reliable and gets you there and back with no problems. I hope he gets through his treatment without too many side effects. If he gets side effects get him to have medication to help. They at least don't tend to have side effects.

I just realised I am taking 5 different tablets to counteract my side effects. Hopefully his treatments wont be daily for life, though he may get one tablet for life. I don't know if they give it to men.

I spent a long time praying for him last night, I will keep it up.

Look after yourself. You will get tired too. Don't refuse any help from relatives friends or Macmillan. Macmillan are there for you too. I challenge you to find anything they won't cover apart from getting you a volunteer to take you to hospital. I would willingly pay but not to be picked up at 6.50am for a 3.30pm appointment.

nursemaggie

softstuff There is a thread about it. I have been on there. My parents had Age Concern as it was then. There is an Age UK office in town so I think I will go see them. If I ever make head or tail of all this bumf I have from my pension provider. I had forgotten about it as I only paid into it for a couple years.

There will be no need for an addressed envelope for sending my pension back, very few people have them now.

I started looking at it today because of one of Martin Lewis's tweets this week.

monnagran

Morning all.

Doesn't it make a difference when you manage a good night's sleep? I managed 7 hours last night and can't remember when that last happened. So.........let battle commence.

I have to start this morning with a trek to the main village to fetch my prescription. Should have done it yesterday but was too tired so it's the first job today.
Then a quick clean round. In spite of all the floors being vacuumed and steam cleaned yesterday I noticed an unpleasing pattern of doggy pawprints this morning. We had a conversation about wiping our feet on the mat provided but Im not sure that the offender took it as seriously as she should.

Pre-paying my funeral is one of the things I intend to do when I have some extra money from the sale of the house.....when! I did try once before but had a frustrating time trying to deal with the firm I was advised to go with. You could only leave a message and they would get back to you, which to be fair they did and left a message on my phone, so I had to ring back and leave another message on .......and so on. I will keep the firms you have mentioned in mind nm and ss.

Not much else to say as yet. I heard that cheer Hester.
Have a good weekend everyone, especially those who are still working in the week.

THOUGHT FOR TODAY

Weak people revenge.
Strong people forgive.
Intelligent people ignore.

fuddle

Well nargle I think we had all best roll up our sleeves as we've a fight to help out with. You're doing remarkably well at staying chipper but here is the place to wobble. I,'m worried about your shifts and wellbeing so please don't turn into a blue arrised fly. Oh nargle i' m trying my best at humour but I just am not cutting it. I'm hardly going to help with laughing in the face of adversity am I?!

I will be thinking a lot of you both. x

thriftmonster

Morning all,
Finally back after no internet for nearly 3 weeks after the house move - wow - a lot of posts to catch up with! So in no particular order:

Nargle - thinking of you and OH and loads of prayers and positive vibes heading your way

VJsmum - thank you for the bicarb/ bleach tip - some will be applied to the tiles in the bathroom here. Also hope all goes well in the future with your dad's house

LameWolf - hugs and hope that you are feeling a bit better. Dogs make everything better - enjoy Honey. Also thanks for the orange and carrot cake recipe - love the tip about freezing the juice and zest. Will definitely be trying that one.

Mrs LW - really exciting news about the house. Fingers crossed everything goes smoothly.

Ivyleaf - you're probably on holiday now but re comfy shoes, I don't know if you have a Deichmann near you. I thought they were only a German shop but there is one in the Manchester Arndale. They stock a brand called Medicus which I find super comfy and quite smart looking. I have some navy suede trainers and also some low heeled black shoes for work. You have to look for them as they are surrounded by loads of fashion shoes but worth a dig. Quote my German best friend - my mother wears those. Yes - they're comfy specially for those of with feet so wide they're practically square.:D

Three weeks in the new house today and a third viewing on the old house today so fingers crossed. The people viewing are coming up from the South Coast so presumably they'll be looking at several others:eek:

Dsis is coming up today from Surrey till Monday (more of the family checking up on me :rotfl:) which will be great as we never get time just the two of us.

Ddog is with the ex this weekend. He hasn't asked to take him at all but then has made comments about me stopping him seeing him :mad:. So I rang him and asked him if he wanted him this weekend. Then being the evil c*w I am, I dashed home from work early yesterday to ensure that the new house looked really good, did a buffet tea (had offered to feed him) - oh look what you threw away:p Anyway he can only manage the dog till tomorrow so hopefully that will sort that one out. Does that make me weak according to your thought, Monna?:rotfl:

A bit damp here this morning - about to make an apple cake in a minute for dsis. It's an Apfelkuchen - sehr fein - from the Dr Oetker website - a friend had made it last weekend and sent me the link to the recipe. She says it's quite light. Looks like a sponge with apple quarters in the top which have been sliced into hedgehogs.

Hope you all have a good day

Tinydancer

Phew!!! It's taken me about an hour to catch up with you all. so much going on for you at the moment, and most of it, not pretty.
Nargle, I am in awe of your positivity during this traumatic time. It is fantastic and long may it continue to bring good results. I am glad Mr N is feeling a little better.
VJs, such a difficult situation for you when the alternative would be easy. Sadly, there are other factors to take into account. I hope it settles for you.
FPK, keep on plodding hunni, your dad seems to be progressing well.
Good for you Islandmaid, on the organ donation. Personally, I wish they would change the system to opt out if you want to. That would save many people the decision.
Welcome, Taurusgb......I am new here too, so grab a coffee and we can get to know each other.
Monna, well done on the house cleaning AND managing without a WM......eek!!
NM, another one that needs a gentle pat on the back for cleaning and sorting the flat. You do seem much more upbeat of late.
LW, enjoy that new doggie and keep smiling.
I managed to sand the top of the table on Thursday but we were out all day yesterday so I am going to paint the legs today.
Gentle hugs to you all, I am sending positive thoughts to you and yours for a happy Saturday xx

ivyleaf

Ooh thanks thriftmonster - we do have a branch of Deichmann here so I'll have a look on Monday. I'm here until Friday! Lovely to see you back on the thread.I wish you much happiness in your new home, and hope the old one sells quickly.

nargleblast sending love and big hugs, not to mention prayers xx

Cleaning grout - I have some Method bathroom cleaner, and tried it for the first time on the tiles yesterday. Slightly to my surprise, the grouting then came clean using just a cloth. But bicarb and bleach is of course much cheaper

nursemaggie I have a pre-paid plan with Golden Leaves as they were the cheapest, but I don't think it covers all the little bits and pieces (e.g., payment for use of the church if you want a service, but to be honest if you have a service at a church you attended regularly I'd be surprised if a charge was made anyway). I had to pay it over 5 years in order to afford it, but only have 18 months to go now, thank goodness.
I was shocked to find prices had almost doubled since my friend had pre-paid for one through AgeUK only four years previously, so I couldn't pay it as a lump sum and am having to pay interest.
I had to pay a little more because I'd like my body to be taken to the church the evening before the funeral (because they have to get the hearse out twice), but that's just a Catholic thing.

I get my State pension next month and feel as if I'm going to be as rich as Croesus, whereas it really just means I might be able to pay a decent amount each month off my credit card and soon get rid of the debt. And then start saving, all being well. I do put a very small amount into a savings account every month, but should be able to increase that