General Chat

I filled in forms for a living for years but still needed help to claim when it came to caring.The forms I was used to filling in were not their forms and all forms have ambiguities.
I might add that this is the first year they have not routinely cancelled my allowance because of a technicality.
I don't know what it is like where you are but it is non-stop admin and organizing here.Luckily the bodily functions are taken care of but you will be doing the work of a well paid PA without the pay.

Another update on the carer’s payment. I handed the forms in to Centrelink yesterday. Most of their computers were ‘down’ so had to queue for almost half an hour. As we live and hours drive away it wasn’t feasible to go back another day. Didn’t have all my ID though so she logged it all in anyway and told me I might not need the birth certificates. I took them to my local agency today to be sighted and have copies sent off just in case. She thought everything was in order and seemed Ok but then at the agency this morning the lady there tells me that a lot of people get knocked back, “but don’t worry, if it does, I’ll help you fill in another one properly”. Didn’t make me feel good. I was feeling quite confident but she made me wonder. I refuse to worry though, I’ll just see what happens.
Sydneybloke, I have memories of being an 18 year old and dealing with the DSS as it was then. They were rude and horrible and I hated going in there. Now days I find Centrelink to be on the whole quite good although I still worry before I have to go in there. I also don’t like them wanting to know what I spend my money on when my bank account details change!

Hope all are well all around the globe. ((((((((hugs))))))))))

Alison

To Ann, Carole, and Liz..... I just came on for a minute to see what's what... and saw your message.
It made me feel so good knowing that you *claim me* as YOUR eedjit.... ;-0)
It did make me smile.

I have been staying off the pooter in an attempt to rest whatever is wrong with me, and to be honest I have been feeling a bit better.
The mind has settled down and I feel a little *rosier* so it must have been depression, what do you think?
I'm on tablets all the time and still get bad times ??

How is Caz?
And all the others I rarely mention, I'm sorry but I do think of you all the time. I feel so guilty when I don't speak to you all.

Today's news?
Toilet is backing up.
The man came and he says that the drains out the back of the bungalows are backed up!
Some one will be here later.
Oh the romantic lives we all lead....

Look after yourselves everyone, and Mary how are you and yours.

Liz, I am still on the same book!

You know, before the stroke I used to have a friend in Australia and we chatted often.
since I have been out of hospital I have forgotten who she is!!!
What I have NOT forgotten is that , I miss her.
If you recognise yourself, please e-mail me.

Right that is enough for today.
Oh... Tony bought me one of those Snuggle blanket things.... they should be handed out on Prescription!! ha ha ha

Lots of love and hugs to all.
Deanna XXXXXX

Sharon happy birthday .You go out and enjoy yourself ( says she who has not been out socially for 4 years !! and that was to my friend's mother's funeral !!!! )

Thank you to the peeps who wished my son a happy 21st and to liz for his card .You will be 100 before he gets round to thanking you himself !!!! He is quite well off now so you can start sending the begging letters .

As many of you know I help out at a history society and am also part of the research team which I love as it keeps my brain active .I also from time to time do research for people on different boards .I never charge anything apart from what I have to spend eg getting certificates .Well this bloke in Canada has cost me over £25 and has not paid me .He has gone silent on email .I am really disappointed and it has made me think twice about doing it in the future .On the other hand the poor bloke might have died or had an accident .

Any way moan over .

Hope you are all well

Kathy xxx

Hi all, Helen I didn't see your post either but, as Carole says, it is sort of easy to guess at what it was about from others' posts.

Please feel free any time to PM me if you want a 'moan' off the boards. I don't suffer with depression myself but I have a sister who has done, and a niece and a friend who is Bipolar so I can fully empathise with anyone.

Spent all the morning grocery shopping (well it seemed like all morning!) in Tesco, then we went out for fish and chips in the Brewers fayre nearby, so no need to cook tonight.

Sharron enjoy your birthday meal.

Hi Helen, I didn't see your thoughts that you deleted, but reading the posts of others you did get some feed back. Pleased to meet you and hope to see you posting here with us.
The rescue remedy Liz told you about is very good I used it a lot when I had panic attacks. x

Gail I forgot that one, I too think I'll hoover, cause I can't watch tv or use the computer when the electric goes off xx

Deanna you are not just an eejitt you are our eejitt xxx

Sharron have a lovely night out (I have a wig I found at my aunts is it any good to you)? xx

You don't realize quite how badly you need a cup of tea until the power goes off do you?

We all cope though.It is what life is about.
This cold is amazing and now the old man has it.Partner is back at work because he has been off with it that he just has to go today or lose the plot completely.
We are booked,four of us to go to a Greek night tonight to celebrate my birthday so must have a bath and wash this strange matted substance on my head.Got to psyche myself up for it because I AM GOING OUT!!!!!

I didn't feel comfortable leaving my thoughts on here so deleted them but I would like to thank-you for your kind comments. I will look in from time to time, I have never heard of 5htp so will look it up. xx

Liz I actually also threw out 6 place mats that were very faded and had holes and had also shrunk, been sitting there for a few years. Thought I might use them one day. Trouble is they are still in the garbage bin and keep thinking about getting them out as may need them one day. So having a struggle with that. Determined to leave them there but still think about it. Next time will make sure I chuck things on bin day so wont be tempted.

Yeah! I know silly bugger.

Gail

Just a quick response,

Gail, glad you are back in your own bed and hope the pain will ease after a few night's proper rest. Well done for doing the cupboard. Do you want to pop over here and do some of mine lol

Helen, hope you will feel able to offload more to us as it will help you when things are difficult. If you are not on lots of medication or can check out whether it is ok, maybe you could take something to help you through. I take 5htp instead of antidepressants and find that helps, also good old Rescue Remedy is fine with most stuff, and you can take as much or as little when you feel panicky, upset or whatever, it seems to cover a multitude of sins!
Claire, you take care and try to treat yourself when you can find time, you have so much to cope with and always stay positive.

Hoping our Mary is ok and coping - I am so glad you have resigned Mary and hope once the dogs arrive which should be fairly soon, life will become less stressful for you all.

Ann, Carole, Ben, hi and hello, you all seem to be coping well.

As for Deanna, well you be careful my friend, we know you are an eedjit but we love you and wouldn't want to think of you not being able to talk to your family and friends. Don't do what our Y Caz does sometimes and push yourself too hard, determination and independence is fine but you have to recognise your limits, what's the point of cream crackering yourself just to be able to say you did something, that someone else would happily do for you.

I am still really tired and fed up with the weather and company at home, so staying in bed a lot of the time, it's warm there
It's coming up to my difficult time of the year so if I am a bit quiet or not around much till mid Feb just excuse me and know I am dealing with things the best I can.


love and hugs to all
Lizxx

Helen none of what you have written is trite. Your OH is depressed and this will be an extra load on you as well, I know because I am sure it gets my own OH, at times it is a struggle for him then he get down as well. Hope that makes sense.

First thing I did when the power went out was try and put the kettle on. Dinner was just starting to cook (had dinner at 9 pm) and yes did try to put the radio on. Main problem was went back to the kettle a few times. Then thought I would vacuum the floors. Ended up getting my Certificates and sorting them at the kitchen sink as had the most light in the house.

I knew it was going to storm badly as it was like dusk at 4 pm, this time of year it is still light at 8 pm. We ended up with 15 mil of blessed rain, some people had large hail.

Back later

Gail
Edit
Bedroom is lovely, best thing is back in my old bed and can get myself out when I need to. Now just have to work out why so much pain in the hips, probably from not being in my old bed for so long.

love and hugs

Gail

Just a very quick post as I must go to bed...
Hi Helen, here is a fab place to talk about how you feel, sound off ideas and celebrate the good things in life.
Just because your oh is need of support, does'nt mean his need is greater than yours. Would changing your gp practice be an option for you.
Please come back and tell us how you are, lots and lots of lovely caring people here.
I have made some great friends in the year or so I have been posting.
Happy birthday thread and thanks to our Carole xx
Not going to mention anyone personally today but thinking of you all xx
Life sucks here at the moment :( but hey ho it will all come out in the wash (as my dear old Nan used to say)
Love to all
Claire x

Carol, that is like when the water is cut off and you immediately need the loo (or think you do)

Bless you Ann. Your company is much enjoyed by us all xx

Gail do you have silly thoughts when your electric is off? You know the Tv won't work, so think you'll put the radio on, but of course that is run on electric too.

Sharron glad you are feeling better x

Alison hope your claim goes through quickly, shame it can't be back dated. x

Hello all, good to see a lot of people posting. Alison good luck with the carers allowance, hope it all goes through OK. Colin, hello again. Deanna, so pleased that you are feeling better, who knows what strange viruses are around that make us feel down?
Sharron glad you are better too.

Gail, how annoying to get a power cut just when you were getting going with tidying the house, or more importantly, just when you needed a coffee. are you enjoying your newly decorated room?

See Carole, how grateful we all are to you..... take a bow!!! I don't need the support most do but I do need the friendship and I have certainly had a lot of that on here.

Thanks Ann... I am fine.
Carole, I am sorry I thought it was an appointment... but .... have you been yet?
Liz, look after Liz.... X
Excuse me everyone for not being here lately.
I am not ill, I just could not muster the enthusiasm to come on.....a bit of whatever I was feeling the last time I had a moan to you all no doubt.
I do feel a little better now though, so I am trying to do a little of everything to catch up.
I could not even read my book, which is a good read.
I came on the other night to pay something on my Club..... and forgot how to do it. After the experience of the Stroke, it did frighten me. BUT... I did it.
I did promise myself last year, that I would NOT through myself into anything if I felt the need to rest. I have had a friend who did, and she ended up after her FOURTH STROKE, unable to speak. Her frustration is so painful. She is such a clever woman too and I am afraid that I may do that to myself.
SO... I feel the need tp rest!... I rest, although this was more mental than physical.

I do miss you all when I don't come on, but I really do not know what was wrong with me, so I feel better now which tells me that I was in trouble.
Life is such a puzzle.... ain't it? ha ha ha

Love and hugs to all who need it, and look after yourselves.
Love Deanna XXXX

Hello,I am back in the world I think,having pretty much overdosed on Fred Dibnah for a few days.

I too would like to thank Carole for starting this thread.It has provided some much needed support for many of us.A little safe hole you can dart into.

I am so pleased Mary has given up work.Silly old biddy should have done that a long time ago! One less worry!

Love seeing Auzzies on here as well as all our UK and Canada people.

Well have been busy with my head stuck firmly up my tree, plus trying to get the house back in order, the last couple of days. Then when I finally make the time we get a blackout, not uncommon here, very annoying when you want a coffee desperately.

While black out was on, I did manage to get my laundry cupboard cleaned out, much over due as well. AND, threw some junk out, so proud of that. It is now all neat and tidy. Cleanest cupboard in the house.

Great news Carole finding the letters and photos, very exciting when they are found.

Alison know what you mean with Centerlink, they are daunting to deal with.

I have made some great mates on here as well, it has been my main avenue of communication on nearly a daily basis. I do not post I try at least to read. It is a life line of sorts.

Sydneybloke, I also understand your wariness on here at times, when the nasties come out they are like a pack of hyenas. In saying that there are also really nice helpful people. Unfortunately, the nasties stick in your mind more than the nice people, part of life I guess.

Big HI to our Y/Caz,

Now must go and try and work out how to delete my camera card, it is full, and for the life of my I cannot remember how to do it or find the book to tell me how, plus both sets of the batteries and flat.

Love and hugs

Gail

Hello Alison, nice to see you're getting on with Centrelink. I have bad experiences of them, but my contact was because I was unemployed and of course you know what unemployed people were called, even after working for more than 30 years. I got another job without them or the privatised job network 3 years ago now, but not looking forward to dealing with them when I finally do retire.
I will stay more or less anonymous as I got burned late last year on another thread. I don't have any issues with this one but am avoiding a couple of others. Otherwise keeping interested. I have a whole new branch of my tree to explore so fun all round.
C.

Hello Sydneybloke (great name) and everyone else,

Colin is it? I come on here sometimes to talk about how I deal with/cope with my husband's mental illness. I think Carole is a star for starting this thread up too. My husband has me to talk to or sound off at but I ahve no-one or should I say had no-one until finding this. I don't write overly often although my husband tells me that I should.

Anyway, an upodate for those you read my post about applying for a carer's payment through Centrelink. I went along with B to his dr's appointment and very reluctantly and with a great deal of embarrassment asked her to fill in the medical part of the form. She was very surprised that I was not already receiving the payment, apparently as far as she was concerned I should have been getting it for a couple of years. I am handing the form in tomorrow so will see how we go from there.

Hope everyone is going OK

Alison.