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

pollyanna_26

Well i managed to get my reply stuck in draft.  Never had that happen before but did know I'd written a reply yesterday.

You have decades of experience MC so I'm sure you will manage to come up with an idea  to still use that knowledge without physical pain.A while back you were condidering online lessons or similar.

I'm not suggesting you put the hours in as Elaine did but now times are tough for so many something as simple as Wonderbag instructions could add to your income without worsening physical pain. Oer the years people have used their skills to boost their income and I'm sure you could come up with ways which aren't all repairs and have some less demanding makes.

As an example the Montessorii nursery where my 2nd dd is a senior safeguarding officer began paying a couple of crafty mums to do the embroidered logos on both staff and childrens polo and sweatshirts. It pays well for a short task and I seemto remember both you and mum had embroidery machines\

I don't know if ypu did the printed sewing instructions and patterns you once consideredbut durong the pandemic many became interested in crafting as well as gardening and are keen to learn.

A few local schools have moved away from sole expensive school uniform suppliers who overcharge for the sake of must have logos and found local crafters and also left the expensive school meal suppliers and brought everything in house and affordable. There has been a very good cook  and kitchen staff at the nursery dd2 has always been based in who make everything from scratch and suitable for food intolerences according to each childs needs. Austerity has people thinking differentky now a lot of the time and if you are entitled to any help with the cost of living I hope you're claiming it.

I'm still searching for my original Wonderbag instructions I copied years ago from her blog. Still have the Stormy Skies Shawl and haxe knitted a lot of those but the wonderbag instructions disappeared from my bookmark swhen Elaine had the bad gateway problem on her free blog. I made quite a few wonderbags but have fogotten how now.    it's been a lomg time now but I still have a large bag of polystyrene beads. The PPE overtook that at the start of the pandemic but I do think this could be the age of the wonderbag again.

pollyx

pollyanna_26

Happy birthday to the birthday boy try not to make yourself sick today and keep granny away from any bunting! pollyx

Savvy_sewing

Yes I have been selling a lot of wonderbags. Using recycled duvet covers and sheets. 

I have a Facebook page for them.
but they don’t really make me a wage. 

We have had a day at the caravan as the children were happy playing etc however it is 10.30 at night and they still keep talking and messing around. Santa will be on the roof before they fall asleep at this rate!
 I was hoping to sell lessons but I have so much technology to learn and not enough time to do everything. I am not sure if it will come to fruition If I don’t get to grips with the technology. 

Tescodealqueen

Happy Christmas SS xxx

Savvy_sewing

1st March 3023!
well that time has certainly flown by!
I ham pleased to say we are all alive and well. We did have all the usual winter bugs going the rounds, but I am hoping that will be in the past and I am so grateful that I can see the signs of spring popping up in the garden.
 I have had a few weeks of the Black Dog lurking but I have finally got it under control. 

I am looking forward to time away at the caravan this year, and we have a week’s family holiday in my happy place, Portugal, booked in the June school holidays.
 I returned the electric car yesterday, and am going to share my old car with my Son for a while.
 I am happy to say he is doing well, settled with a very sensible lady and has a good job since he passed his HGV driver license.
My Mum was 87 in February, and she is becoming frail but is still sound of mind and funny. 

I have slowed my work down to be able to be Carer for the family, and be available for all the meetings, etc and doctors appointments. 

So I have lost the Working Tax Credits. 

It’s a huge drop in income but we will continue to tweak the budget and get there.
Bringing up children with mental health problems and supporting one of the twins is kind of difficult when you have health problems as well. So I am aiming to simplify my life as best as I can. 

I hope everyone is doing well and staying positive in these times of insecurity and recession signs all around us.
 I might be visiting a few more places on the forum to help me that’s for sure.
time willing. 

24ta

Always good to read your updates.
wishing you well 😊

pollyanna_26

It's lovely to see a post from you MC. I've been in the land of the sleepless the weather has turned much colder the last couple of days and the joints aren't happy.

I'd just made a hot Cappuccino and filled a hot water bottle when I noticed your post. Good to hear you are all well and your mum is still around athough frailer.

I was thinking of you a few weeks ago/. My eldest dd has been in Portugal for a few weeks visiting the friend she met many years ago when they were both visiting what was to become their chosen university.

Her friend settled in Portugal when she got married and dd goes to see her often.

I hope twin2 is managing ok. Your son sounds much more mature nowadays and settled in life. 

It's a shame you lost the working tax credits that will be a real miss but as you say you do need to be there for school and other meetings etc.

When I had to tske erly retirement from teaching to home educate youngest dd I worried how I'd cope. Phoning when it was time to trigger my pension led to being told about Pension Credit which could top mypension up was a surprise but it's a bigger one now that Pension Credit has brought in the Cost of Living Payments which are helping offset some of the bill increases.

I do understand how hard it is to be the carer especially when like you there is more than one person to care for.

Think you're wise to pace yourself and aim for self care where possible. I was recieving carers allowaance when youngest was entited to DLA sthe forum the forums o hope you are being supported too.

Car sharing with your son sounds like a good idea. Could well be worth you posting on OS and other parts of  the forum as lots of good ideas on them.

If you're still up to gardening that could be very useful/ My early snowdrops are up but during the heatwave last year I was doing lots of batch cooking for the big chest freezer in the garage years old now but stil going strong all fruit and veg home grown and any meat bought on offer same with fish.

Take care of yourself I'll look forward to seeing you on the forum and hope the black dog  stays away and you will make it to Portugal- your happy place!

Take care pollyx

pollyanna_26

i was thinking about your planned holiday in Portugal thinking you usually went in July around the time of your birthday in fact one year you and your mum managed to go together  and you posted some pics of you enjoying a birthday drink on the balcony of your apartment.

i've just looked at your last post and notice your plan this tiime is to go in the June school summer break. You may already be there.

it's been far too hot here lots of thunder and lightrning and I haven't really slept for over a week

the laptop had been having hissy fits and I've had to silence the HP Announcer because it's driving me nuts. It's the first time I've ever had a laptop with an announcer andI 'm beginning to consider buying a diferent make before I hurl this one out of the window.#

If  you're already in portugal I hope you all have a lovely time and if you arent there yet safe journey and a chance to make some memories to recall when winter arrives.

Take care

pollyx

Savvy_sewing

Hi Polly,
the year is speeding by.
we went to Portugal the first week of June. 

It was a great holiday and the kids really enjoyed themselves. We did an all inclusive holiday so I didn’t have to do any cooking etc. The boys consumed their own weight in pancakes/crepes at breakfast and chocolate covered anything they could find!
copious amounts of drinks. Walks on the beach. Visits to the Zoo Marine, DGDs favourite place. 

We have spent a lot of weekends in the caravan in Poole. 

I’m in Weston super Mare this weekend and been hand sewing some mending. 

The surgeon has decided that he can’t do anything to help me with my hand, and his best response was to stop sewing. 

So I may be asking all my contacts to help me reinvent myself and create a range of sewing patterns and lessons to retail out and I have been toying with the idea of writing a series of books. 

pollyanna_26

it sounds as though you all had a great time on holiday. No cooking for you must have made it more relaxing or you as well as the family.. No surprise where DGD headed for. That's been her favourite place since she was much younger..

Everything sounds very calm so I assume the boys are quite settled nowadays. Time in the caravan seems to suit everyone so lots to look forward too.

Something that has become obvious is the cost of living crisis has become a real problem for many . My friend in the village has been taking orders for school summer dresses. Almost every school has relaxed the must be bought from the school supplier rules as staff are often struggling themselves.

My friend took a  trip to Liverpool to ab shop we oten bought abric and other things from. Much cheaper than the ticket price. DD1 and I otten shopped there and a ew years ago when Cath Kidston. The white Company, Laura Ashley and many others were selling their brand names to China we did a search around the shops . We were looking or the blue and white boats fabric andd went all the way to the outlet stores in bicester.

Picked up a lot of fabric and other bargains but finally found whole bales of he boats fabric in Waldmans in Liverpool.

My friend has  just  got all the pale blue and dark blue gingham fabric there for next to nothing,DDandI paid less than a fiver for whole bales of the Blue and White Boats.

I am so sorry to hear there isn't any effective help for your hand. Hanging bunting seems unbelievable to have that result..

Your knowledge and years of experience hopeuly will help earn an income. Make sure you claim any of the cost of living payments you may be entitled to.

You could teach if you still have the cabin or sell your sewing knowledge on paper or online as Elaine did until she went back to mind mapping.

You have a lot of experience of feeding a family well on a limited budget..With those skills you do have somethig to offer  those who are suddenly finding things much tougher then they ever imagined.

my friend and I were discussing Debbie Shore who wrote lots of little paperback books on sewing for different seasons Christmas etc.

Years ago I bought her Sewing Room Accessories book out  or curiosity and was surpried to make some useful things I use.

She went on to write a lot more and made a good living.

I think some sort of teaching without hands on is your way to go. ive no idea how things are with biggest and whether she is still working but remembered her helping you in the cabin.

I remember you saying you weren't very internet savvy. I'm not either but if things have improved it may be worth you trying an online presence as Elaine did.

I hope your mum and the twins and all the grandchildren are ok  a lot of time has passed.

pollyx