General Chat

<3 <3 <3 HAPPY BIRTHDAY LEWIS <3 <3 <3

I hope you are feeling a bit more “with it” now Frank and manage to get to your teeth man.

My goodness Gill, you have worked hard again. I don’t think I’d be washing as much as you do. I dread to think what your water, leccy and detergents costs are like. Don’t overdo it or you will end up with a migraine again.

I hope none of you had any damage in the winds yesterday and last night. We heard an almighty crash late last night, looked out but couldn’t see anything so we assumed it must be somewhere over the back from us. This morning we found that one of our cast iron garden chairs had been blown over on to a pot of grasses. We’ve got a table and six chairs on the patio and they are really solid and heavy so it must have been one heck of a gust to blow them over. The pot had smashed and, of course, it was an expensive large glazed one, not a cheap nasty one. Isn’t it always the way? It rained heavily during the night and this morning but the sun has just come out.

OH has just made a sandwich which I must have now because I need to get out for my chiropody appointment. I daren’t miss this one! Might BBL

Afternoon all,

Just back home. Fitting of teeth went smoothly, there should be ready Friday afternoon at 2.30 pm. Barry (Dentist) has been to MADERIA on Holiday, he chatted for a good half hour. I expect he gets fed up with his own company all day, and pleased to have a chat.

We called in at Tesco for Ros to fill the car with Petrol, so she's set up for a couple of weeks.

Still not feeling 100 %. I hope these new meds aren't causing this horrible feeling. I will take it again tonight, and if I am like it in the morning again, I will call the doctors.

Just going to have a warm roll and a bowl of soup. I did have breakfast this morning, but still feel peckish. This is so unusual for me, as if I have breakfast I don't eat again until the evening.

Ros is busy making wool poppies to go around the village for remembrance day. there are quite a few women doing them. I have bought her/them 200 black buttons for the centres. I will order more if they need them.

Everywhere is flooded, as you drive along the roads. The fields look as though they will never dry out. poor Farmers if they have crops to sow. Today is bright and sunny, but still very cold with that horrible wind.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY LEWIS. Have a nice day.

Ros is talking about having a CAR PORT built down the side of the bungalow. Another job for Harvey. !!!! I will have to ring him, for him to price the materials, and see when he has the time to do it. I know he keeps sp busy, but hope he can fit it in.

Soup and roll just arrived, so will sign off. Bless you all.xxxx

Hope it's not the meds making you feeling the way you do Frank, I suppose if it is the doc will give you something else.

Oh no Vera, I'm sorry to hear it was an expensive pot that got damaged. You must of had a very strong gust of wind to blow the chair over, cast iron isn't the lightest of materials is it? I hope the plant inside the pot survives, do you have another pot to put it in?

I've had a really relaxing day today doing nothing. I've felt quite tired all day but have refrained from sleeping otherwise my body clock will be all over the place and I'll start going to bed late and waking up late which is what triggers off my migraines. I've been really lucky lately ever since I've taken all your advice and haven't had any migraines, just the odd small headache at the start then nothing, I could get used to not being in pain all the time. I've even managed a little bit of chocolate every now and then to, but have kept an eye on how much I eat now I know that triggers them off.

Going to drink my cuppa now before it goes cold. I think I'll be having an early night tonight to try and get back into sleeping properly, I only had a few hours sleep last night.

Afternoon All,

<3 <3 <3HAPPY BIRTHDAY LEWIS <3 <3 <3 I hope he blows all his candles out and enjoys the smartie cake Mandy! :-D :-D

The little oven sounds good at that price Mel and ideal to keep for baking the clay. I'm dying to see what they will turn out like when you have done them! Pity you have shopping to do, but isn't it always the way for us ladies. Men can get on without these interruptions and setbacks! I have shoulder bags too but tuck them across my front under my arm if needed! lol.

Gill I would have been fed up with that extra work too and think I might have left the other coats for now. Good idea to have a rest today and watch recordings with Sandra.

I was 5 foot 1 and a half last time I measured AnnG and have the same bosom trouble. I take more multi coloured tops on holiday now so accidents don't show so much while I'm out. I've even carried a spare top in the boot just in case!

What a shame a nice pot got smashed in the wind Vera. It was bad though to have moved your iron chairs and as you say it is always the expensive things that get broken! Was the plant in it ok?

OH's glasses we picked up today were both fine so that's good and his hearing test looked the same as mine was so there was little change. It wasn't the optician where I got my glasses, but they had a look at them and said the flexible sided ones tend to creak and move about. They were very good though and took the arms off to lubricate them and tightened them up so they are better than they were. I then paid my cheque from ERNIE into the bank and saw the branch is closing in May. The nearest branch then is in the city with it's high parking charges, so I must open another account with a nearer Bank. If I switch instead and close my present account I will lose my free travel insurance which has a few years to run yet. Also the mobile and breakdown insurance. :-S

That's good your teeth fitting went well Frank, but it's a shame you don't seem to be well on the new medication although you do seem to have your appetite back. Maybe you will feel better tomorrow.

was thinking of Jane today when I saw blood oranges in Lidl.

Oh changed his mind about the oven and has ordered another one which was dearer but has a 60 min timer as the cheaper one only had 30 min timer nd I may need more time than that.

Very tired tonight so thats why I did'nt post.

Morning all

Very windy here at the moment and they say we're in for more rain later. On a positive the weather is suppose to brighten up next week. With a bit of luck we may be able to cut the grass with it being so warm, it's quite long now and spoils the look of the garden. At least we've finished sorting the borders out front and back, which makes them look much tidier and better now.

It sounds like the new oven will be better for you than the one your OH first bought you Mel. Let's hope it does everything you need it to do. I hope you had a good nights sleep and feel refreshed when you wake up today.

I was going to leave the other coats Ann, but knowing my OH he would of put one of them on and I would of had more washing to do anyway, now they're all done he can wear which ever one he likes now. I still think it was a daft thing to do but he did it anyway.

I think he's going through a mid life crisis at the moment as he's been causing a lot of arguments lately, Sandra and I are really fed up of it and OH and I nearly split up last month. He used to be a very quiet person but since his dad passed away 7 years ago he's gone very argumentative and seems to like to upset Sandra and I. It makes me wonder what he's going to do next. I suppose Sandra and I will just have to put up with it as I can't see him changing now after all this time. I just wish he'd stop being so moody all the time. I've sugested he finds a job but he doesn't seem to want to do that, so it's down to me to cover all the bills as he's not claiming benefits either because of the savings we've got. It's really starting to get me down now. I feel like I have two children to look after and don't think it's very fair. I was up until 4am in the morning doing all the washing the other night. He never says he's sorry for his bad behaviour and I end up crying most days, which doesn't seem to bother him. I don't know how much more of this I can take. Sorry for venting, I just needed to get it off my chest, I hope you don't all mind?

I didn't have anything planned for today so I might see if there is anymore sorting I can do. I'm thinking of starting to do the packing with us wanting to move, it'll save me some time when we sell as I'm the only one who will be packing everything for the move. I can't see OH doing anything and Sandra might not pack her things properly and I wouldn't want any of her things broken when we open the boxes at the new place, she'd be so upset if that happened, so it's probably best if I do it for her, she can always help by bringing me the things if she wants to. It's going to be a massive job so I really should make a start now as it's going to take months on my own and I can then do the sorting at the same time as I'm sure they'll be lots of things to go to Charity shops or the tip. It'll give me something to do as Sandra is still busy with all her Christmas presents and OH, when he's not arguing, just ignores me anyway.

What is everyone else up to today?

mORNING gILL AND ALL,

wE HAVE FILTHY WEATHER AGAIN TODAY. iTS DULL DREARY AND VERY VERY WINDY AND THAT IS BLOWING FROM ALL DIRECTIONS. (Sorry was labeling files.)
The rain is lashing against everything today.

I shall be having a day off today after yesterays running around. When I oh unloaded the shopping and I put it away there was only time for a quick cuppa and I had to go for the fish and chips. I was glad wehn it was all eaten and I could just sit and relax as I seemed to be on the go all day.

Gill it could be the weather getting oh down perhaps he has SAD.

Hope Frank is feeling better today and is not too wobbly had a good nights sleep again.

Thinking of our Jane and sending love and hope the dizzyness is getting batter now.



<3

Good morning gill and everyone. a bit grey here but dry so OH is looking at the leak situation. We have to stay in anyway because we have an Amazon parcel arriving today, we have ordered the air fryer.

Gill Please feel free to Vent, or PM if you would rather, nothing worse than constant tension at home, and, happy as we all seem I am sure we have all been more or less like you and your OH at times.At least when we were your age. I can remember some good rows and sulks when we were in our 40s/50s although nothing serious in the end. Maybe we have become more placid as we have got older.

It sounds rather as if your OH is bored, my OH retired when he was 55/6 and had 5/6 years on his own at home before I retired. That is why he started doing the ironing and housework and has continued with the ironing. To prevent boredom he played a lot more golf, and also took over a lot more of the gardening, both of which he still does as you know. Your OH does do a lot around the house and garden which keeps him physically occupied, I don't think we know what he did before finishing work but he could be missing the companionship of his colleagues. And because he is bored he starts a row over what you see as nothing. (I am assuming he is not unwell and worrying about something he is not talking about).

Also, with three adults in the bungalow and you and Sandra do seem to come as a 'pair' Natural of course with Mum's and daughters and more likely when your daughter is dependant on you. Maybe he feels left out sometimes and resents that he doesn't have you to himself, even though he know why.

I wonder if he actually knows he can't claim benefits because the savings will prevent that and knows if he tries to instigate a claim he will have to look for work.

you say it is since his Dad died. Was he very close to his Dad? Perhaps that is the close 'friend' he is still grieving. I don't think I have been much help here but just trying to give you things to think about that may be the cause. Maybe also, now he sees you making an effort with eating and being sensible with things to prevent your migraines he might be less angry with things.

I don't think it was very sensible of you to stay up until that time to wash all the coats. Maybe it would have been better to have left them a couple of days to see what he would have done about them, by staying up you only made yourself feel tired all the following day so would be more likely to bite back if he snapped.

Hopefully Gill it is just a phase, January and February are renowned for arguments and unrest in the home, the weather is horrible and we are mostly stuck indoors. Maybe try and plan some time for just the two of you to enjoy a meal and a film, Maybe when Sandra is asleep in the morning cook a nice breakfast for the two of you, anything to make him feel he matters as much as Sandra to you. When he is not in a mood can you talk to him about how things are?

Sorry gone on a bit there, hope you can find a solution and sorry if you didn't want my input.

I think OH is having a bit of a problem finding out how to stop the leak but we will see the next time it rains. It feel a lot colder here today. Must get on and make hime a coffee. :-) <3

Afternoon All,

The wind's getting up again here. I had my hair cut this morning and by the time I'd walked to the car afterwards it was standing on end and I must have looked like Ken Dodd! lol My hairdresser is within a Leisure Centre on high ground that the wind whistles around.

Oh Gill I just want to give you a hug!! (( :-)) Don't ever worry about talking to us as I'm sure we all want to be supportive to you. I think AnninG makes some good points and it sounds like your OH may have bottled up feelings about his dad passing away since the change in him was around that time. I remember it seemed my OH seemed to be mentioning his parents most of every day for a long time after they died but I knew he needed to talk it all out to be able to deal with it. Both being at home together can be a mixed blessing at times and is still a work in progress here!

I suspect if your OH isn't claiming benefits he isn't signing on either which means he doesn't get credits towards his retirement pension or possibly any widow's entitlement so that would be a worry? Has he had a pension forecast done to check this? (obtain forms from HMRC) To get a full state retirement pension he needs to have paid in/had credits for sufficient years or the amount he gets at pension age could be less than the full amount.

You say he doesn't want a job but perhaps mention of it pricks his conscience about him relying on you and Sandra and the fights come from him being fed up with himself, but maybe it's what he needs. He must realise he would have to get a job if you split up! A voluntary job might give him some purpose and responsibility and self esteem to be helping others and he would be chatting to people. Any charity would be grateful for help and it may lead to something he wants to do. Nothing will change unless he tries. I also think it would help you to cope if you did something to get you out of the house for a few hours. You were going to do a sewing course once weren't you? Could you look into doing something like that again. OH could look after Sandra for a couple of hours I would think.

Well the rain is lashing against the window now, so I'm glad I stayed in. OH was at a meeting in Oakham this morning and says he had a nice bacon bap at the Co-op restaurant there first as he got there early! I have FOMO!! :-)

I'd better get on with some paperwork next while OH is doing his tax return.

We don't eat breakfast so making him something wouldn't work. All I can do is wait for him to show signs of improvement, everything I try doesn't work, so I might as well give up. I've tried all day to have conversations with him be it only about three but each time he's blanked me and won't answer anything I ask. I tried talking to him about the car tyres as they need to be replaced and each time I asked him a question so I could look online he wouldn't give me a straight answer, then he stormed off, not sure when he'll be back, but it'll probably be more of the same when he gets home, so i don't see the point is trying anymore. I've asked him to bring down a couple of boxes from the loft I'm still waiting, I doubt he'll do it his normal response to anything I ask for is "NO" and that's the end of it, even if I leave it for a while then ask again the answer is still the same. I wouldn't mind but the boxes are right by the loft opening, he knows I can't climb that high (our ceiling's are about 9 foot high) to high for me to climb, so I'll have to wait until he's in the mood, but he'll probably forget so I doubt it'll happen. I was hoping to do some packing today, but without boxes that can't happen, so I'm bored at the moment. Even Sandra's noticed he doesn't talk to me anymore, unless he's arguing, which we're both fed up of now. He has friends and goes to see them quiet often leaving Sandra and I alone here. We hardly ever leave the property. We haven't left the property for three weeks now. OH goes out every day. I haven't driven for years after an accident back in 2008, the car we have now is massive so I wouldn't want to drive it, I did mention that I'd like to swap the car for a smaller one so I could get back into driving, I doubt that'll happen and without a car Sandra and I are housebound as there's no where close to go to by foot, so walking it out.

He's back so I'd better go.

It's just happened again LOST MY POST.
\
Here we go again, I HOPE. !!!!

Not a lot happening this end. Ros cooked last night, and has made a LEEK PIE for tonight. So no cooking for me. I have said, I don't expect her to cook at all. She does all the washing, Ironing, Cleaning, and Gardening (Weather permitting) Which leaves me sitting and lazing about all day.

Still not feeling 100%. Awake until 3.00 am this morning then slept until 8.00 am. Laid until 9.00 am and got up. No breakfast again but had TWO cheese rolls at lunchtime, with a coffee.

Gill, I think BOREDOM is part of your OHs trouble. Being a YOUNG MAN compared to me, he should be in full time work, and keeping his brain/mind active.I think I would have been the same at his age. Had I not had my STROKE at 66, I intended working until I was 70 plus. As I had loads of energy and enjoyed my work. My BOSS said I would be WELCOMED BACK at ANY AGE. But never got the up and go again.

With a bit of luck I should get my new teeth tomorrow. I just hope I get on with them, and don't get that horrible GAGGING FEELING, and need to get them out.

Good luck with the Oven Mel, I bet you will be making lots of things that you can "BAKE" and sell on your stall in the summer. Someone in the village is starting up a Pottery Class, which I am considering joining. The last time I threw a pot was in 1959 when in the RAF at WEST RAINHAM.

I hope Jane is well, as I do for all of you, I will be back tomorrow, have nice evening.xxxx

Oven arrived just afterlunch and oh set it up in the kitchen on our cooker top.

We have been testing it all afternoon. We have now marked it to where I need to turn the knob to for the right temp. I hate that smell of a new oven.

The air fryer has arrived, it is a bit bigger than we expected but there will be room when OH moves a small shelf that has a TV on it. I shall have to get to grips with it over the weekend I think. Might experiment first with roast potatoes.

Gill it does give the impression that he is suffering from depression, but there would be nothing you can do about that unless he admits it and takes himself to the GP. But keeping you, and particularly Sandra, shut in the house is cruel. She needs some outside stimulation. Are you not near a bus route at all? when it is dry is there anywhere you can go for short walks with Sandra?

You say he is not talking to you at all. You mean he is sulking? But last week he was helping you in the garden, was he not talking to you then?
Regarding you moving? Are you sure that is what he wants to do? Could his 'sulk' be because he doesn't want the upheaval and expense of moving and you talking about packing things up means he is having to face it? Which could explain why he won't get the boxes down for you.
I suppose if he goes to see friends at least that leaves you in peace. Are you feeding him or is he getting meals out? Are his friends single?

Afternoon everyone

Oh dear Gill, I wish we could give you a hug and tell you everything will be OK, but sadly life's not that simple is it. Get your frustration out on here anytime you want or pm or email any of us; I am sure we will all want to offer you support. When I read of your problems my reaction was similar to AnnG and the others. There are a couple of things that struck me.

Do you think your OH is feeling inadequate and perhaps guilty that he is not providing for his family and you hold the purse strings and this makes him kick out? He does sound as though he may be suffering from depression.

Do you also think he might be feeling pushed out and marginalised? You are always working in the house or garden and, as Ann said, you and Sandra do come as a pair. This isn't a criticism as you are clearly a very good mother but you are, understandably, very protective. It would probably help Sandra and would give you a little time on your own or to spend with OH if you could find, say, a club for adults with learning difficulties or special needs. Just one afternoon a week would be a start. I am sure there will be something in your area. You could probably go with her once or twice until she is used to it and I am sure transport could be arranged. We have something here called the Bridge Project which has all sorts of activities for special needs adults, and they even provide a meals on wheels type lunch service and a café where the men and women help prepare and serve the food. They all seem to have a lovely time and make lots of friends.

It seems to me you must somehow get out of the house yourself and also make time to spend with OH without Sandra, hard though that sounds. It also concerns me that you feel you need to be doing washing in the early hours. You don't need to be the perfect wife and mother with the perfect house. You will end up being ill and then being no good to yourself, Sandra or OH.

I am sure all this sounds a bit harsh and critical but it's not meant to be. I only want to see you happy. I am sure it's not much consolation but I've been through difficult times in my marriage and I am sure most others on here have as well, so we do understand.

I am glad you have got your oven all set up Mel. They'll be no stopping you now - I expect to see photos of lots of lovely "baked" objects now :-D

Frank, I would love Ros's recipe for leek pie. It sounds good. Meat pie for us tonight, not potatoes but lots of other veg.

I must go and put the kettle on as OH will be back soon. He has gone to the hospital to pick up a friend who is having chemo. He took him this morning as well and will do the same tomorrow, so that's 160 miles there and back he will have driven over the two days. Other friends are taking a turn too as the poor man is also having to attend cardiology clinics and eye clinics as well. I think OH will be ready for a cuppa when he gets back in.

He does talk to me but not very often and not about anything much. When we were doing the garden he was busying himself with his wood and moving it to the side of the shed, it was Sandra and I sorting out the plants. I did ask him for help towards the end but again he got in a mood.

I need to move because of personal reasons, which I can't talk about on here which he knows about and has agreed with me, he hasn't mentioned not wanting to move, nor has Sandra, so I assume they are both okay with it. I have mentioned to OH that I think he has depression but he won't accept it so won't see a doctor and like you said I can't do anything about it if he won't help himself.

I think he helps me because he can see how hard I work and probably feels a bit guilty if he sits around all day.

I was crying when he came in before, he didn't say anything (he never does) but he did get the boxes out of the loft when I asked him again, so that's something. I can now make a start on sorting out the cupboard in the dining room tomorrow now.

He does sulk a lot, but Sandra and I are used to it now. I don't mind doing most of the work but sometimes I need a bit of help but if he's not in the mood he just says "no" so I have to try and do it all myself. Sandra offers to help but there's a lot of things she can't do or be to dangerous for her to handle, she does help with a few smaller things though and when she see me upset she gives me a hug, which is nice. Most of the time I take myself off to the bathroom if I'm upset so it doesn't upset Sandra.

I'm starting to feel down with it all and can't wait to move. I'm really looking forward to unpacking my things, I packed them when we sold the house a few years ago but when we pulled out of the sale because we couldn't find anywhere to move to I never unpacked them again. At least I won't have to pack them again so that's a bit less for me to do.

Well I'd better go and sort dinner out. Thanks everyone for your kindness and sorry to vent so much. I know through experience that this feeling will pass as soon as I get stuck into a big job again.

Evening all,

Thanks everyone for Lewis's birthday wishes he had a lovely party and the cake went down well , he came up to me and said "Nanny you make some lovely cakes " bless him .

Oh dear Gill it does't sound as if your OH is getting very depressed ,i wonder why he doesn't want to work ,has he had any interviews since he left his last job ?
You really should get out of the house more ,didn't you say that Sandra use to walk to the library ? could you not see if they have any thing going on there that you could both go to ,most library's have some thing happening ,even just a walk out might help you ,you just seem to be doing house work or sorting out all the time ,make time for yourself even if it's only half an hour ,i'm sure Sandra would be ok with OH for a little while .

You'll be away now you have the new oven Mel ,i'm looking forward to seeing all the nice things that it can" cook " :-D

Morning all,

Quite brightish here this morn ing but at least the wind seems to have subsided but the sky is now grey out the front.

Am hoping to have a go at cooking something in the oven today. Just some test pieces to see how they come out before putting something good in there. As its not twindy today I may try it in the kitchen with the back door open.

Hope Frank slept well last night and is not to dizzy this morning and that you all had a good nights sleep.

Thinking of our Jane and hope she is getting along ok after this second lot of treatment and that she is more comfortable now. Sending best wishes and love. <3 <3

Morning all

Another damp and rainy day. I'm looking forward to next week as it's suppose to be lovely weather for a few days, that'll make a change.

I'm feeling a little better today, thank you so much everyone for all your support. A few years ago Mandy a lot of libraries were closing down, ours was one of them but they changed their minds in the end but now it's only open a couple of days a week. I did have a look at what's on there but it's a baby and mother group and something else for younger children, (I can't remember what it was now) so nothing for Sandra to do for her age group. Because that happened I contacted Social Services to see if there was anything in the area Sandra could do, after a couple of days they got back to me and said there was nothing. To be honest I wasn't impressed with the lack of help off them, but there's nothing I can do about it. This is another reason why we want to move to a place with more going on. We live in a small village and there's nothing to do. I looked into bus fairs and they are so expensive, even the travel tickets you can buy and we don't have many buses going out of the village without having to change buses all the time, so it's difficult to do anything without a car. I've also been trying to find things we all like so at least we can have a family day out, but the few things I have found we've done over and over and we're getting fed up of the same places. This is why I do so much with Sandra in the bungalow. I tried looking for properties online last night but couldn't' seem to find anything suitable, most properties we can afford need a lot of money spending on them which we wouldn't have, so I'm going to take another look today in different areas up and down the UK, I'm sure I'll find an area that suits us all with a property that suits us to. I'd like to live in the country but close enough to somewhere with things to do. Easier said than done on our small budget, but I'll keep looking.

OH has woken up in a good mood, let's hope it lasts. He said he'll take another look at the drier today as it's blowing out cold air rather than warm, he thinks he knows what the problem is, so hopefully, even though we have to turn the drum ourselves before switching it on, it'll blow out the right air soon.

I hope your OH managed to sort out the leaking roof in your conservatory AnnG. What is the weather like by you, I hope you don't have the rain we've got if the leak isn't fixed yet?

Your oven sounds just the thing Mel, I'm looking forward to hearing and seeing the things you make in there.

I'd like to know more about the pension Ann, if it's okay with you can you PM me? I'm a bit concerned about what you said and now I'm wondering if I will get any pension with not being able to work properly with looking after Sandra from when I had her at 18 years old. I'm 53 now. OH is the same age, but he's worked whereas I haven't really done many years to contribute, which is a bit worrying. I don't know anything about it so don't know who to talk to or what to ask, I hope you don't mind me asking you to PM me about it?

I've woken with a bit of a headache so I'm going to take a painkiller, the last thing I want is another migraine. I didn't sleep very well last night and kept waking up every couple of hours, so it's no wonder I have a headache now.

good afternoon. We have just been to The Range and B&M for bits OH needed for the leak job and for the kitchen reorganisation for the air fryer, also in B&M picked up a few groceries that were cheaper than Tesco and which I needed.

The conservatory is still leaking a bit so OH will have another go at it today. He has bought some new sealant as the stuff he had had hardened a bit in the pump.

Gill It looks as though you have looked for things for people with disabilities to do. Maybe you could write to your Parish or town/borough council to ask their advice. (you could probably email them), It is very wrong if there is indeed nothing provided, even if you had to pay.

regarding bus fares, see below:

Disabled person's bus pass
You could get free bus travel in your local area if: In England, Scotland or Wales you have been awarded at least eight points for the moving around activity in the PIP test.

Carers travel free
If the person you care for has a National Entitlement Card and they need your help when they travel by bus then you will be able to travel with them for free.

Contact your local council to find out who issues disabled bus passes in your area as part of the English National Concessionary Travel Scheme. You're eligible

I am pretty sure that you will get a pension, it will be basic but, depending on how much you and OH get you would probably be eligible for various benefits. (That is as now of course but that will be quite a few years time and things could well change). It depends who OH has worked for whether he is eligible for any 'company' pensions, only he will know that.

Mel, good luck with your 'cooking'.

I hope your OH can fix the leak AnnG. We have lovely sunshine now, I hope you have the same then he can get on with the job.

Thanks for letting me know about free bus travel, I knew Sandra could get it but didn't know I could. Again Social Services not doing their job properly as I asked about it and they only mentioned Sandra. Bus fairs are really expensive around here even with a weekly ticket which is why we could never go out as Sandra can't travel on her own which means her free bus pass is rendered useless if she was to get one as it would cost to much for me to travel with her.

OH's in a bad mood again as he couldn't fix the dryer and now it's definitely broken. He said you would all stop talking to me if I say how I'm feeling, so I'm worried about that now. He's stormed off out again so at least I'll have a bit of peace for a while. Sandra's getting fed up of it and told him to be nice to me, maybe that's why he was in a pleasant mood this morning, pity it didn't last though. I'm sort of getting used to it now. I mentioned about him getting a job again, but he's refusing to even look for one, I'm starting to wonder if he even wants to work again.

I've been looking for somewhere else to live and have found a few nice properties around the UK. One was just what I was looking for but when I looked at the street view there was a massive tin garage next door with lots of vans and cars outside, so I've changed my mind on it now. It would of been perfect to as it ticked all the boxes and sat in half an acre of land. I'd of loved that and had already started dreaming how I would of done the garden if we were lucky enough to buy it. Never mind I'll keep looking.