NST April 2020: Fools we are not!

mothernerd

BBK we don't mention the 'C' word because Father 'C' has to shoot an elf every time anyone mentions the 'C' word before November - use 'C' or put asterisks in.

New suggested turtle rule - Don't mention the 'N' word -n o r m a l. I hope we are never going back to n o r m a l because the crazy way we have been living our lives is what has brought us to this, valuing money before people (and people's lives), underfunding the NHS, social care, company downsizing forcing too few people to do any and all work required, spiralling levels of stress, blaming others for our problems - harrassment of refugees, migrant workers (including those who came in the 1950s or earlier and have given long years of service to this country), the homeless, the unemployed, the long term sick and disabled (many of whom face obstacles and hardship many of us cannot imagine), poverty pay, working people forced to go to the food banks, lack of affordable housing, poor rented accomodation, denigration of poorly paid workers ('too thick to be worth more' Dominic Cummings) and professionals - teachers, firefighters, health service workers (many of the shortcomings are down to the constant drive to save money eg outsourcing cleaners - division into core and peripheral staff led to the decline of hygiene standards in hospitals as one agency cleaner covers many wards with consquent rise in superbugs and dangers of cross-contamination), ignoring and ridiculing those with expertise in  environmental and other matters (even now scientist and doctors views are dismissed or silenced) and a total lack of compassion and empathy for others.

Siebrie thank you for your kind words. I wasn't feeling great yesterday (just under the weather). It should have been cleaning day and it didn't get done (and still want to go round wiping all the door and cupboard handles etc just to cut down on the usual winter ailments). I have noticed several minor health problems and am taking what steps I can to correct them - need to look at sleep/ rest, water consumption (and may still be adjusting to mum's water although the filtering helps), eating things in order of needing to use them has put a bit of 'sameness' into my diet and I may be missing some vitamins and minerals. The 'tiredness' in my eyes needs addressing and I think I'm coming down with a cold.

I get Carer's Allowance of £66 something a week To qualify for this I have to do more than 35 hours a week. I am usually (if I want us to ban n o r m a l I have to abide by it myself) here on Mondays, Tuesdays and Fridays from around lunchtime until anywhere between 7pm and 9pm. I go to any appointments that fall on other days with her (including staying over the night before for recent early appointments), swap from Friday to Thursday with the cleaner during school holidays/ as needed and do stuff like shopping (both online and physically slogging round from shop to shop in search of specific or random items) and any other errands. Most of mum's paperwork is held at my house as if eg there's a query on her Council Tax, it's much easier to take it out of the file and pop round to the one stop shop in the library then remembering to go through the file here, dig out the paperwork, take it home, go to the library (maybe have to go back for a piece of supporting evidence), then report back.

I am self-employed as an embroiderer. My original business plan was to be a clutter clearer (when I was looking at houses, so many people had garages and attics stuffed full of stuff), with being a Traidcraft rep and doing the embroidery as sidelines when the weather was bad. Due to an endless list of boring health problems, I'm left with the embroidery. Currently in dispute with the Working Tax Credit people who have decided I am not entitled and are trying to reclaim the last two years.

Just realised that I have 'moved house'. Not brought the furniture but would have had a man and van for that. No pots and pans but have brought loads from the pantry (have run down the cupboards, fridge and freezer ahead of previous moves) instead, all my clothes, sewing, reading, laptop, meds, toiletries. All in under a week, 4 days in fact - cut yourself some slack mothernerd (sorry keep turning bold off and it keeps coming back on). Even had that feeling of 'never coming back to my little house' and didn't have time to go round each room sayng goodbye.

So thank you Siebrie, going to have a pamper day, will do mum's dressing change and include her (always put lots of moisturiser on as the dry skin flakes off), work out a plan of action and chop the herd of elephants into small pieces. I know some of the things I do agravate mum and I get irritated by things she does/ says ('there are weeds at the front' - just went to count them, one small clump of grass, two sets of leaves 2 or 3 less than the size of a fingerprint and one patch of a very pretty low-growing weed that can take over if not dealt with firmly). I will work it out. Later turtles

apple_muncher

Nice try, Siebrie, but you have to be naughty to get on the naughty chaise longue! Or threaten elves by mentioning that C word.

Siebrie

Frugal health: "wiping all the door and cupboard handles" Please, also wipe above and below the handles, just check where you actually hold the door/s when you open them. Usually, you hold the door at the wood to stop it from flying against something; soapy wipe those areas, too!

dolly84

I wonder if the people out clapping for the NHS are the same people who have complained about them for years, complaining about cancelled clinics, can't get a GP appointment, cancelled operations, elderly relatives left in corridors dying of dehydration and now all of sudden there can't be a word said against them. 

Deni_debt-free_dreamer

Afternoon everyone
Hope everyone is doing ok; hugs to those in need.  My DDs have learned a new word - "unprecedented" - i guess that's why lots of us feel our emotions are all over the place.  My DDs and i are ok. i have struggled with WFH as i only started my job at the end of January and am still learning the role, plus not always been that busy so time has dragged.   The past couple of days i have been very busy and am today.  I am grateful for still being paid my FT wage.  
Shops here seem to be fairly well stocked - DD2 has struggled with eating issues so i am hugely grateful to have been able to buy the food she likes/will eat although it has meant going into a couple of shops rather than just in one.  
The weather is good so i have more washing on the line and we are enjoying going out for a daily walk.  We can get down to a river and back within 45 minutes which is good for the soul.  
Deni
x

Toni'sfriend

NSD No 3

Pension day so that's all the budgets sorted for the next four weeks.

Made some carrot and harissa soup to use up some more veg and a curry for tonight with nann bread which was lurking in the dark recesses of the freezer. Had omelettes for lunch to use some of the eggs. Still loads to go and since everyone else is in the same boat I can't even gift them to someone else. However, there are only two of us so families of four will probably need some before ours are used up. Wish I could bake but then I don't have any flour. Oh well, I can assure you they will not go to waste.

In an effort to shake of my Waynetta image I've done my nails (after a fashion). Decided it was maybe better just to keep them filed and relatively short. Also done my eyebrows. Since my eyesight isn't great I have no idea what they look like but if Himself starts laughing I'll know it hasn't been a success. Now is the time to work my way through all that hand cream and body lotion that is languishing in the bathroom.

I think everyone is feeling a bit emotional and confused at the moment. You're right, Deni. This is unprecedented. Never could any of us imagined this would happen so these feelings are natural. Just have to carry on and give and accept help when needed.

Today I'm grateful for:

Having enough money not to have to worry about paying the bills (not rich by any means but we can ride this out)
Some grape hyacinths that have grown on the path.
Not having to go out. I would like to go for a walk but I can do without
My wonderful son
And, last but not least, the gin and tonic that Himself has just made for me.

Stay safe.

mothernerd

DS1 was quite disappointed that all his training has gone to waste - not a zombie, vampie, alien or cyborg in sight

crazy_cat_lady

Hey
Not too much to report again today. It's a bit repetitive at the moment, although I know that it has to be. I had to venture out today for a couple of genuine essential items, all of which I managed to get at Bee Emm so I was really pleased I didn't have to go anywhere else or see anyone else. I have been out every day for my walk, and today was definitely the busiest day that I've seen - a lot of cars on the road and a lot of people out. I don't know if I believe that they're all essential trips, or if Friday is still payday for a lot of people. Bagged another nsd yesterday but not today obviously.
I'm a bit worried about mental health generally - I have always struggled with anxiety and whilst I feel ok I'm a bit worried about the kids and about how long this might go on for. Suppose that's where my anxiety is directed at the moment - worrying about whether my kids will be ok. But I feel a bit bored and like I have a bit of cabin fever and I don't think we're anywhere close to the end of this situation.
However, there's lots to be grateful for: 1. I got everything I needed today in 1 shop so I didn't have to go anywhere else, 2. Got loads of work done, 3. My department wotsapp group with so much humour and helping me stay in touch with other adults, 4. Being able to get out for a walk, 5. Cuddles with my kids and cats.

greent

No spends today. Took a walk to post box and back (around 45 mins in total) with DS3 to post a moving home card to my cousin and her husband - also counts as a (VERY) small piece of decluttering as the card was from my stash  

Thankful for the squirrel that we saw run in front of us during our walk, the sunshine, DS1 mowing the rear lawn, getting some seeds planted (and - for once- having cleaned all the seed trays before putting them away last Autumn!!) 

Corned beef hash for dinner tonight - will use up the bag of potatoes loitering around which have a bb date of mid Sept!  

A positive note from this situation we find ourselves in is that we are all eating dinner together most nights - usually the combination of after school activities for DS2 and DS3, late nights home from work (or staying away) for DH means we don't tend to manage it Mon-Fri, just weekends.

Minor niggles: trying to get refunds for things which have been cancelled when everywhere seems to have shut customer service telephones due to staff absence/ wfh. Argh! And work are still ignoring my furlough request - so am taking it to the next level up...  (By ignoring I mean no reply at all - not even a holding reply/ auto response) 

BadBookkeeper

Oooh sorry about the ‘c’word! Wasn’t aware! Poor elves 😭!
NSD 2/15 nothing bought today
Having pizzas out of the freezer for tea seeing as it’s Friday!!
Budgets - I queried our council tax band back in February, they have today confirmed we were overpaying and my monthly bill should reduce by £40 i was hoping it would be back dated to 2008 but apparently there’s a cap of 6 years so will be backdated to 2014.  Hopefully a refund will cover the cost of carpet for bedrooms as desperately needed but keeps getting put off.
Grateful for:
Friday.
Council overcharging me and agreeing to put it right.
DS doing some homework.
Easy tea
Feeling ok