AUGUST 2008 - New Thread LOL!

[TwilightSurfer]

Ta DA!

buckets maternity leave ended in June, mat pay ended three months before that. Gettin minimal tax credits. Problem is DP pays £325/month on travel so that's a huge chunk out of his pay. Been lookin for work, and it's just not happening. Even considering applying to iceland, but will have to leave my degree and audit experience off my cv to be considered there I think.
Ah, not going to talk about it any more. Just having a moan really.

It's tough though to feel like you are working really hard and still struggling.

Any progress on offering the music lessons Ann?

Thanks for the vaccination advice. Have booked appointment for Tuesday so will see what happens.

We too had a bad night last night. We've had lots of rain and storms the last couple of nights and DS woke at 1.30 and it took me 2 hours to get him back to sleep then he woke at 6.30 for the day.

DH's last day in his old job today so not expecting him to surface until the wee hours but will be making sure I get a lie in on Sunday morning.

Ann it's hard with things like that and feels most unfair but half the time you can't blame people like the lady you spoke to it just shouldn't be that way in the first place. No-one should be at a disadvantage because they want to support themselves or their families. Gosh am ranting now and I don't even live there any more!

TS hope Reese doing better now.

No1 going to re-name you Saint No1!

Ann gobby slacker friend probably has a mountain of debt under all that shopping and new house and one day it will catch up with her.

Or what Nez said if you are feeling reasonable by now.

When I saw benefits lady she told me even on min wage on 16hrs a week I would be better off than on benefits but I don't believe it because you have to factor in travel costs and extras like work clothes when you are working. It isn't fair is it.

It is particularly crap you didn't get the correct advice. They have closed down the job centre in our town so you have to go and sign on in Exeter - paying five quid for the pleasure of it. It does make you wonder doesn't it.

ANN at that lady! I don't believe in "working" the system for any reason.

No1 & Red sorry for your nights. I was right there with you.

I've not taken Reese temp since 3am but it was 100.9 then which is fine by me and doesn't warrent meds. She slept well but with us. Here's an odd tidbit I figured out last night. After her temp spiked at 11pm (103.4), her body radiated heat for HOURS. Oops I did take her temp often but only because she felt unbearable hot all over even her legs and feet. She was only in a diaper the whole time. Well it seems even though she felt like a firecracker her temp kept dropping. So the feels hot/has temp factor didn't work. The hotter she felt the lower her temp got. Very strange but I guess that was her body releasing the heat. And it was all over. I had a wet rag on the soles of her feet, around her neck, on her head....was funny looking. The whole time she was in tip top spirits.

And on another note, DH & I goofed and let her roll off the bed this morning. Our room is has cushy carpet so the landing wasn't horrible but scared us and her. As if she hadn't been through enough in the past 36 hours.

Morning all

Ann how frustrating. Dealing with Jobcentre has always been a massive PITA ime. But do remember that those who work the system are actually a small minority; for the most part, benefits claimants are ordinary people trying to make ends meet and get by (and often getting messed around in the same way you have The system is poorly administrated, to say the least!) I think that's what's so frustrating about it all - those who deserve the help don't get it because they're too nice to ask (a fortune goes unclaimed in benefit every year in this country) and the minority who know how to work the system professionally, as it were, get everything and more.

no1 you are indeed a saint Hope everyone enjoys themselves. How are things with you and DH at the moment?

VG wish we could make it down to Bath, looks fab...maybe next year.

I am a bit with my friend today. Have hardly seen her for the last couple of weeks, for one reason or another, so she suggested we meet up this afternoon. Was really looking forward to it, nice for DS to see her DS etc. Texted her this morning to arrange and got a reply that her DH has got the day off so she can't make it after all. Now, I understand wanting to spend time together, he works odd days inc weekends so am cool with that. But AIBU to think she could have let me know herself instead of by reply?

Ooh be careful what you say - I am sneaking on here from my DWP computer . I'm sorry to hear you have had such rubbish treatment Ann . Most of us would do whetever we could to provide an excellent service to our customers, but there are always crap ones, and with 100 000 staff in DWP there are probably quite a few. Sorry I can't really offer any advice as I never worked on JSA.

sorry, there was meant to be a after the

Fecking DWP staff, they're all bolshy...

Someone, anyone, please come back and say we're still friends

Sorry, got distracted by FBG pastry-making.

Cyteen you are not BU.

Anyone care to visit today? House smells of poo. We are on the change and reload thrill today. Pardon me while I ... you probably already know.

Phew

wotcha HP yeah still thread mates.

cyteen I would be cross too. I hate it when that happens, tis v rude in my book.

TS how is Reese today?

red wotcha.

I am baby free for a couple of hours. What shall I do?

Have a shower and shave legs could be top of the list, but what after that?

I don't have much packing left to do but I do need to go and get a couple more boxes.

I could iron my crumply trousers.

or I could do none of the above and MN

Red I got your back. Just give me a signal.

Steaky Reese is sleeping now. Subtract the poo and fever and you'd never know she's sick. Although today her desire to eat has dropped.

OH and she's not had a "bottle" in two whole days. She's refused milk in a cup too. Must not go well with her ickyness. Guess we are done with bottles.

And should I go and get six old fashioned preserving jars for 9 euros in the supermarket? Rekon they will look kewl in my kitchen and as they are being shipped I can bulk buy rather than having to do that thing where you decide which heavy item you buy at each shop.

MN would be my vote.

Now off to balance my checkbook.

ooh just used my goats arse milk and olive oil soap. tis rather nice and smells gently of sandalwood. I feel slighty hippyish.

Soap sounds yummy Steaky, and I vote for getting the preserving jars. We do have them in England too, but not at 1.5 euros each (although ask Buckets as they might sell 'em in Ikea)

TS hope DD2 is finally on the mend, and you found a few extra pennies when you were balancing

Red what you been making?

Cyteen YANBU, how rude of your friend hope you found something else fun to do.

Everyone else, helloooo

I am happy to report that the sausages were a delicious alternative to meatballs. I do usually make my own, I make loads and freeze them, but may not bother anymore

And, I went to Debenhams and got two tops including this which is actually nicer than it looks, but is not a dress Size 16 though Thank you Hot Mamas

Is it wine o'clock yet?

...

You OK Steaky?

Chicken and mushroom pie. Twas very nice indeed.

I've been off pastry for ages too, but had a hankering to do some baking today and know that pie is the way to DH's heart.

The BSL sign for people from Wigan is a mime of pie-eating. [fabulous fact emoticon]

I love that top Hotter and fab work on the hotmamas' thread. Is it wine o'clock for you yet?

It is in this house hotter Nice dress top thing.

Just had a lovely bath+bedtime with DS. He was all happy and cheery and climby and without tantrums, then just totally zonked out on the boob and went all snuggly in my arms [melt] How I love that boy.

Cyteen, that sounds lovely.

Did you find something nice to do this afternoon?