WEEKLY CHAT (non-osprey) SUNDAY JUNE 25, 2017

Annette - Amber is tall but I don't think she's been measured yet. Her daddy, our Eldest, is over 6ft just like my OH, and his younger brother, my Youngest, is another inch or two taller than them. The men in my family were tall but my mother was not, and so I came out in between, at 5ft 5"

All the men in my OHs family were quite tall.

Here's today's pic:

The pretty clematis which grew right up through our plum tree.

Heather B said:

CLARE,- We may well have to take up your suggestion re MP if they still maintain that daughter has been overpaid by £3000. She will phone the caseworker tomorrow and reiterate that she always phones them about a change in her circumstances. She is more honest than some, I'm sure. If her hours at work are increased, even if only for a few weeks, she always tells them. Grrrr:-(

When the tax credits people finally woke up to the fact they'd been getting our payments wrong for years they abruptly changed our four-weekly payments from £360 to £39, without warning.  I think half of Felixstowe must have heard me shouting down the phone at a supremely unsympathetic woman who clearly wasn't bothered that this amounted to financial catastrophe for us.  Happily, my last words were that I was going to contact my MP over it - which led to the tax credits complaints department contacting me to ask if I had contacted the MP, and who the MP was.  At the time it was John Gummer - and at that point I learned that he was clearly a very effective MP with a good reputation.  The reaction of the tax credits bloke was unbelievable - he admitted that all the mistakes had been theirs and they would sort out our case immediately.  £5000 written off, just like that.  I wish I'd thought to get a recording of the grovelling!!  I hope your daughter's MP has a similarly impressive reputation.

AQ - pleased to see your OH has had his Nanny status reinstated now the more difficult weeks are over!

Everything is drying out here today - so far.  Wondering whether deck man will reappear.  J got his letter confirming his contract for next year (supposed to get it a month before end of term); it still could change, as last time he was moved to primary for a year, the change came about three weeks into the holiday, but he feels a bit more secure than he did.  He could have volunteered for a move which would have given him an extra day each week, but he didn't want to risk being sent into nursery after the things he had to do there last time!

HEATHER - I saw on FBook that your Son's business seems to be attracting customers - well done.

HARELADY - I hadn't realised you were in the middle of a house move at such a difficult time - two of the most stressful life-events at the same time - prayers.

There is a new Blog - mainly about insects, from Alice at LG.

OG - the weather seems to be against progress on your decking, unfortunately. But better, drier weather is on the way, apparently. Good that J has got his new contract sorted.

I'm in the usual sea of laundry, plus sorting out a few problems which have cropped up in our absence, mainly minor thank goodness. But my OH has just come back from a drive to the allotment, reporting that something is wrong with his old car - we may have to have a Major Committee Meeting about whether to spend any money on it as the car itself is worth only scrap value!

AQ - I looked at the satellite view yesterday, so could see what you mean about the tight corners!

LINDY - yes, an Emergency Committee Meeting is called for! Two cars are a luxury, LOL.

CLARE - Daughter is going to dispute the overpayment. It isn't as simple as I thought. She did indeed notify them about a change in her circumstances, and they have a record of that. Unfortunately it would appear that she doesn't read her missives from them properly. She should have apparently picked up that they hadn't reduced her payments by the amount that they are talking about now. She accepted a reduction in payments and thought that it must have been correct. She has admitted to me and them that she didn't read info properly, just assumed that they must be right. A hard lesson for her. Even so, I think that they are at fault for not acting upon her notification. Unfortunately, the GOV website seems to blame the recipient rather than themselves.

Deck man did come, and the sub frame is almost complete - it is a big deck!

LINDA - good luck with the Major Emergency Committee Meeting re the old car - hope there is a unanimous verdict!

HEATHER - what a pity your daughter didn't re-read and check the various correspondence, but understandable with two jobs and all the worry about Amy.  Maybe she could call on you to check future letters.

Hoping overnight rain will clear us before going to rheumatology tomorrow morning!  J's birthday - he is going out with a few work colleagues after school, and has bought goodies for all to share during the day.

Hi OG-

Middle daughter is fiercely independent and usually demonstrates more basic common sense than the rest of her siblings. However, she did struggle a lot at school. I've offered before to go through paperwork with her but have to tread very carefully. Maybe I'll have more success in that direction, now.

Glad the deck man turned up!

I did some garden work but absolutely hate working outside when it is windy, as it was today. Quite a strong North/Easterly. So did the dreaded ironing, instead!