From Frugal Foundations to Fortified Family Future

EssexHebridean

35p for the mince pies in MrS GP - assuming they're the same everywhere. MrEH nabbed a box at lunchtime apparently! 

Greying_Pilgrim

I see the header picture on the MSE thread about 'Chrimbo discounted stock' featured c0op mince pies EH - I reckon next year, you're not gonna be able to get a boxed mince pie for love nor money, as shops seem to have been left with a boatload of them this year.  Someone at DH's work had brought a load in yesterday - I think those were supposed to have been M&$ ones, discounted.  

LG has been dropped round to club, and January's fees paid.  DH will pick them up later.

DH and I had L/O quorn fricasse (from Christmas day), a baked tattie ('Amanda' variety from MrS today - nice, fluffy, tasted of tattie), and some steamed cauli.  LG had an omlette, L/O mash and some baked beans.  Cheap and cheerful teas and some things used out of the freezer.

The washing had dried a bit.  It certainly wasn't sopping.  I brought it in just before the school run.  In hindsight, I should probably have brought it in just after lunch.  I think the temperature had dropped and the cold was turning to damp (if that makes sense).  But it was probably worth doing - I have clothes to wear again.  I put the dehu on for 1 hr when I brought it in, and it is on the airer in front of the radiator, so fingers crossed it dries completely now.  

I can't think of anything else to report on an MSE vibe, so I'll push orf.

Ta for reading.  Greying X

greenbee

I'm very relieved that you have clothes to wear!

Greying_Pilgrim

Good Morning MFW'rs

I was reading several diaries and was saddened that several MFW'rs are facing issues in their lives - which can be described as 'curveball' situations.  No-one wants to face issues of ill health, job loss, income loss; to themselves or members of their family - and yet as the world keeps turning, these situations come (often relentlessly) to our door.  I wanted to express my gratitude for the candidness of posters on this thread (in particular), when these curveballs come calling.  Your openness in describing the situations, along with possible plans to counteract these episodes is so helpful to read.  It also helps when other posters proffer ideas, solutions, or just good-old-fashioned "sitting in your corner" support.  

I have been sitting here, reading, and thinking to myself that buying this house was possibly one of the worst decisions we'd made.  LG is yet again experiencing problems at school, and it was fast becoming our very own version of 'Groundhog Day' as exactly the same situation occurred several years ago, with the same central players and the same energy and joy sucking shenanigans being played out.  I was feeling miserable that our only option to afford to buy, had been this house, remaining in this catchment area - when originally, LG should have attended a different (much better) school, with all their chums.  For a wide range of reasons, not all of school's making, I was feeling like an utter failure of a mother yesterday afternoon, as the latest episode of woe fell from LG's quivering lips.  

And no, dear reader, I am NOT in any way equating school playground missteps and squabbles with illness, redundancy, accidents or any other human-centric scenario.  But it was the problem that was tapping on our front door at the time.  

So I took action.  I crafted an email to the class teacher.  I tried to keep it brief, but sometimes the 'Why' is just as relevant as the 'What' that happened.  I pressed 'deliver'.

Now we're here into the school day, and I've had a positive response from the school, I've received a summary of the direction future activities will take place and reassurance that we should not have a re-occurance of what happened before, as LG isn't the guilty party.  

I still don't like this house/neighbourhood.  But taking action and speaking up has moved something.  Hopefully for the long-term, but let's just take one day at a time, eh?.  Getting older does have advantages; you've seen (much) of all this s**t before, not alot is new under the sun, however you brand it, and it does become easier to just disagree with people and not feel like you have ruined your social standing "forever" because of it. 

But I can't ignore the positive impact of being HERE - amongst this online community - has had in helping me to 'age gracefully and be a better parent' because of it.  I've always been willing to 'stand by what I say/do' and accept the consequences, but I have always found it hard to find the courage to speak out in the first place - mostly because it's felt like I've always been swimming against the tide and "everyone else" disagreed with my standpoint.  And yet actually, I am finding that more people do actually hold similar (not necessarily identical) views/values/morals/ideas/thoughts to my own.  And will not only 'agree' with me, but will work to change things, tackle issues or just plain and simple protect LG from harm.

It takes action.  And action is only possibly if you're able to give a good amount of commitment/concentration to your plan and watching how it unfolds - willing to re-callibrate, U-turn or change course if necessary.  The energy to take action needs support - not always slavish agreement - but support.  I can't even calculate how much 'energy' I derive from MFW/DFW, through the support of you all.  Knowing that whatever we all face in our lives, we will have a go - somehow - to change/challenge those circumstances, which in turn inspires me to stand up and take action against those ills that affect me/my family.

To everyone that posts.  THANK YOU.

Greying X

ladybird1106

Your post really resonated with me in so many ways , both happy and sad. 

Love 🐞

Blackcats

I love reading your posts but rarely comment.  However, I am compelled to say that your presence here is all of the good things you talk about.  Your openness and wit provides inspiration and support to many people.  I still use your "I have enough" mantra from one of your previous diaries.
I hope that the school use their experience and influence to tackle the current situation.  Well done for raising it,

rtandon27

@Greying_Pilgrim - That was a beautiful post GP! Thank YOU as always for being so candid, I find it quite inspiring and as always food for thought xxx

themadvix

I hope the school's action resolves the issues and I'm sorry you felt that way yesterday GP. You are doing brilliantly as a mum, I am quite sure from your thoughtfulness and consideration (both things that seem to be wholly lacking among many parents today).

I, too, appreciate knowing that there are other people like me out there, even if they're not much reflected in my RL circle. It definitely helps and gives me courage to tread my own path.

Nutcase243

GP I rarely comment but I have to do so now. We all frequently feel like we are failing at parenting. You are not; your determination to do your best, and to bring LG up in a thoughtful way, to enjoy the little pleasures of life and to see that people matter more than things is an inspiration to read. Your posts encourage us to keep on at the little things, because 99% of life is dealing with the little things. Keep plodding on. 

BookWorm

Blackcats said:

I love reading your posts but rarely comment.  However, I am compelled to say that your presence here is all of the good things you talk about.  Your openness and wit provides inspiration and support to many people. 

Blackcats is absolutely spot on here and I totally echo these thoughts.