Embracing the new family dynamics and looking forward to the future with optimism

beanielou

Keep plodding! 

pollyanna_26

I hope the black dog has slunk awaySs. I think many of us are having black dog days for various reasons in these strange times.

During a quite challenging time a few years ago I read Stronger than the Storm which changed some of my reactions to stressful situations. Later the mantra "Be the Storm" made things much easier. It's taking as much control as possible over life events whenever possible. I changed from quiet to determined. Never rude but refusing to accept totally wrong waffle from various medical professionalls.

All we can do is challenge what's within our power to change. At the moment you aren't getting the support you're entitled to as are many. It's been agreed you are entitled so keep nudging, I know it's like trying to wear away solid rock by dripping water on it. Keep dripping . Different situations but there does come a point when they prefer to act correctly than handle repeated reminders.

If it's possible can you delay trying to sell the camper until next Spring? There's a small possibility you may sell now but with lockdown and the possibility of the tier system being around over the winter it may not happen.

If we get through winter there may be some easing of restrictions which will make the idea of a camper and safer getaways after repairs are done more desirable. You may be lucky to hear from someone who'd enjoy renovating it now but with winter and shorter days on the way I doubt you'll have much interest. Low offers are likely but not fair, see if you can hang on until it can be seen in Spring sunshine.

I hope Twin1 is ok , you haven't mentioned her for a while so I hope she's managing..

ETA I know you're hoping to build the business but is there any form of benefit you could claim if you put the sewing on the back burner until next Spring ?

There's a line in a Beautiful South song. " You're trying to walk like Giants but you're wearing Plutos shoes" I'm sure you're familiar with Pluto and his shoes with children and grandchildren.

They aren't a good form of footwear. You're trying to walk like a Giant. A little help for GS1 and DGD and that's pretty well all. It's a big burden to carry so if you could find a way to not worry about sewing and the business if you can access some financial support it might help.

pollyx

Cairn

Selling in spring is an excellent idea. Didn’t the value of caravans and whatnot increase in the summer due to people having staycations? I doubt overseas travel will be back to normal next year. 

Either way I hope you sell it and get some respite. 

Savvy_sewing

Financially I am ok.
thats not a problem as long as I average across the Year, my Tax Credits will still boost my income if my earnings are low.
peace of mind, personal strength, emotional strength, grit and dogged determination are the things that I need.
 Yes I would love the Respite, but it is not going to be forthcoming with the budgets etc the system has.
 I will continue to knock on the doors, but I doubt many will answer.
 I would like to keep the campervan but it is too big and the highways have told me that I have to move it as it is overhanging the pavement too much.
 I hit my car on the damn thing and it is going to cost me nearly £700 to get it fixed. So the van repairs will have to wait.
if I do manage to sell it I would get something smaller, or maybe a caravan as my car does have a towbar.  We will see.
currently we are on our second stint of Dgs1 having to self isolate from Covid in his class room. That means I am with him as he can't go anywhere outside of the house and garden. Which means I can't.
that is getting to me. It means that each time it happens I cannot do my caring for my Mum, who is still in isolation. We both wear masks and visors etc when I do go to her house.
But on the plus side this year she hasn't ended up in hospital with a chest infection.
 I sometimes long to have peace and quiet and a sunshine holiday, but at least with Covid I have not been able to, rather than blaming it on the extra family members.
The year is speeding past.
( except for black dog days!)
tomorrow we have Zoom classes and somehow I have a virtual meeting with a series of professionals from one team, the school, the nursery and Early help so let's hope that one, I get to attend it all, and two that they actually have something to put in place as we move from early help to post adoption team.

pollyanna_26

You have a lot on your plate Ss. I had no idea the highways dept had contacted you so was just trying to think how you could get the best price for the van rather than stupid offers.

I wasn't sure if you needed the money now but thankfully that's not a problem at the moment. I know you'd prefer a decent offer but is there any chance you could take less if it needs moving asap? Could be worth posting on fairly local sites the really dedicated people are on. Rather than find the funds, time and labour to fix it there are many who'd enjoy bringing it back to a good condition. You wouldn't get top price but you wouldn't be looking at repairs etc when you need to satisfy the highway rules.

Black dog wise do what I and many others do take each day as it comes. Do what you can and don't sweat the small stuff. Try to deal with anything urgent asap and leave less important things until you have more time to.

I'm so glad your mum is ok. I've wondered how she was after the hospitalisation etc so am glad she's staying well. Hope your friend and her family are ok. I seem to have bit of a problem remembering names at the moment. Not sure if it's Kitty but her signature is I will not fear. Think of that Ss Fear is a mind killer . Try deep breaths or whatever helps when you're feeling overwhelmed.

You've gone thorugh too much over the years so find little moments to try to find a bit of you time. Not always possible but as much as possible take care of you.

pollyx

Savvy_sewing

I am still alive. Just plodding along trying to get through each day the best I can. 

Need to start to plan December and make sure I haven't missed anyone off my list etc. Also want to run some no spend challenges and cash neutral ones etc. I still have goals and dreams to zone in on. 

Today is the first day in a couple of weeks that the boys have gone to see their other Granny and I got to have a sleep.
twin2 is still here and planning to stay until after Christmas ( and of course with lockdown then she couldn't go home anyway). It was her 32 birthday this week so we had a high tea delivered from one of my friends Cafe. Not cheap but it was very nice.
Mum is well, although her eyesight is getting worse so I got her a Kindle. But she's struggling to get it to work. Practice required. At 84 she likes to complain about technology etc but actually she does most of it quite well.

badmemory

Has she tried turning it sideways as just increasing the font size makes the lines very short?

oystercatcher

My elderly mum finds one of those touch screen pen thingy's helps her use a tablet computer. When she finger taps nothing happens.

hb2

oystercatcher said:

My elderly mum finds one of those touch screen pen thingy's helps her use a tablet computer. When she finger taps nothing happens.

I like to use these to overcome the dreaded !!!!!! (Fat Finger Syndrome  ).

hb2

Didn't realise that the above post had replaced the initials for Fat Finger Syndrome with !!!!!