grandadknows

Grandadknows (nearly 55!!)

2011-03-20T20:13:00.000Z

Believe in yourself. Positive thinking will determine your successes.

I have had my own doubts, over the last year. Claiming on Insurance for water damage in the house, leaving us in a caravan for a year. A three month job takes a year!
Have you had problems with a claim? I would like to hear how things went.
It is a shame that these mega large companies can't show care and attention to their client's needs, physical and emotional. Families are people not values on a spreadsheet. Shame on you.

I will be writing more about this in the future.

ChildLine

2011-03-11T19:23:00.000Z

ChildLine

Believe in yourself. Positive thinking will determine your successes.

Asthma UK - Charity of the year

2011-03-11T18:56:00.000Z

Asthma UK - Charity of the year

Believe in yourself. Positive thinking will determine your successes.

AddThis - Share & Bookmark (new) - Google Chrome extension gallery

2011-01-16T21:05:00.000Z

A great way to share your experiences and photos with friends and family, and others of course.

AddThis - Share & Bookmark (new) - Google Chrome extension gallery

Believe in yourself. Positive thinking will determine your successes.

A lovely day at Loch Ness.

2011-01-05T21:29:00.001Z

TOO MANY MANAGERS?

2010-12-04T19:41:00.000Z

To bring you up to date, the Claim for repairs the our home, after water damage now closes in on its second christmas. Not because of the extent of the work BUT due to the lack of positive management and the failure for that management to show the skills to salvage the damage already done by their failings.
When we started the remedial works we were told "don't worry, WE will do everything for you and make sure your home is sorted"
I have had to chase everything AND without the help of the contractors in this Claim, we would be suffering a complete disaster. We are living in a Static Caravan, behind the house, and suffering frozen pipes and -16 degree temperatures. We have icicles hanging from the windows, which reach to half way down the window.
Low commitment and virtually zero guidance and advice from the people who should know have driven us to the brink of a zero credit rating and the prospect of a Christmas in a caravan.

Have you suffered at the hands of Loss Adjusters after an Insurance Claim?

More to follow, depending on the Loss Adjuster's ability to alter their commitment to our family.

Believe in yourself. Positive thinking will determine your successes.

INSURE HANDS - WHEN CLAIMS GO WRONG....

2010-11-02T19:08:00.000Z

It is a cold and bleak day and the wind is blowing hard against the windows. This is to be expected in Scotland, in December 2009. Christmas is around the corner and through the wisp of cinnamon scented candles we realise there is no heat coming from the radiators. Well, someone must have took the setting off continuous is the first guess. Who would do that??

On checking, the setting is sound and the boiler seems to be OK. Until it dawns on us that if the boiler is running why no heat? Get the boiler engineer, "that's going to cost, this close to Christmas" is the resounding chorus. Anyway he is available within a few days and when he attends he discovers a "possible" fault. He changes a part and being satisfied that this will, probably, sort it, he goes. As he disappears along the lane a cheer breaks the air "heat". Or well, the cost was harsh but at least we have heat.
We woke the next day to a freezing house and the boiler had "locked out". I checked the oil in the tank and sure enough it was empty. I called for an emergency delivery (that's going to cost). Our supplier of the time decides that if we want a delivery we should settle our account, in full BEFORE we can receive their service. After a fairly heated discussion I decided to pay my account in full AND cancel my account with these morons and that would teach them! What a plonker!!!! Near Christmas and no oil, no supplier and no heat. I called a local oil company, actually in the same village area as myself. I explained the indifference of the previous company and the situation at home, including the wife and I being disabled. They were out the next day, WOW. They signed me up to a budgeting account without any guarantees and my faith in mankind was restored.
Having now bled the boiler and having heard the raw of the ignition and fire, the promise of a toasty Christmas and New Year seemed certain. NO WAY, the boiler "locks out" and no heat.
We held out over Christmas and called for the boiler engineer between Christmas and New Year, yes you got it, "that's going to cost". On this visit he brings in two bags of tools and a "thingy" that he stuck in the flue and attached various wires to the boiler. It was definitely being done this time. A few hours on the diagnosis wasn't good, he would have to come back with another part. (more cost). On the 28th January 2010 another engineer turned up, he stripped the boiler down and found it needed a new nozzle, a good clean out as it was "sooted up". He got it running and the radiators burst (not literally) into life. Wayhey!.
£121.03 later the heat stopped again, not two days after he had left.
The weather, which had no care about our predicament, blew and blew. Our little, decorative fire (in the lounge) was blasting out heat like it was going out of fashion. We snuggled up in the lounge and tried to sleep on the settees. We did this until the poor fire blew its little heart out and said good bye (there goes £204.00).
We bought those electric oil-filled radiators to try and salvage some sense of control over our lives and we struggled on until the engineer could come back to us. This would be the 4th and 5th of March 2010 when, at the cost of £49.35 it was established that we "most likely" had a leak in a hot water pipe, "somewhere in the house". Bless the man, he helped us search the house, until he believed the leak to be in the bathroom (under the floor). We opened the floor and true enough there, for all to see, was three to four inches of water, stood evaporating (as water does) into our home. So, for at least three months, water had been evaporating through our home. Yes, we had mould and mildew growing from every location. we had fungi growing out of the wall in our bedroom (or should I say, "what had been our bedroom").

I suffer from Asthma and gradually this was being aggravated by the cold and wet atmosphere. I became ill and required anti-biotics, a ventilin machine to help me breath and finally I needed to get out. Doctors orders, get out of the house or suffer severe health issues. Hey, believe me, we were all suffering. The dangers of mycotoxins in mould and mildew are not to be taken lightly.
After the last engineers visit I called my Insurers, 5th March 2010 and made a claim for damages. I was told a "Loss Adjuster" would be assigned to my claim and would be in touch shortly. I believe it was a few weeks into March 2010 that I got a call from their man. He would visit and all would be well. Don't worry, we will deal with everything for you. You know, the whole "put your mind at rest" thing.
He came and wrote on a piece of paper, his name, reference number and telephone "the printer isn't working in the office", I'll get back to you.
He had seen the standing water, the fungi, the black mould and heard of our failing health.
On the 1st April 2010 I spoke to Laura, told her we were suffering, sleeping in the lounge and our health was in danger of being worsened by the delays. "Don't worry, the claim has gone to our Ms G******** for attention. Having heard nothing, I called the last company I understand was dealing with my claim. On the 4th May 2010, NO, they are not dealing with it anymore call C********, Kirsty said "They should have been contacted by now". I called the new number on the 6th May 2010, I was transferred to their "property department" downstairs "thank you Lauren. I told Lauren our situation, health, mould etc,etc. They would get right to it. I wrote to their "Property Department" 6th May 2010.
11th May 2010, I called again and was told " the person dealing with it will call your mobile".
Over the following months, I wrote letters, emails, texts and made phone calls. I saw Contractors, A Drying Company and a Removal Company, who would take all my possessions into store.
I was told to look for a temporary home but when I found one the Loss Adjuster took too long to act. I became resident in a caravan at the back of my house. Or well, it would be done by September 2010. It might be a good experience and we can be back in by winter.
Various hospital appointments later and severe asthma attacks, the wife going through terrible pain due to the cold and illness and being told I have skin cancer, on my face, who can tell me when we will be relieved of this massive burden?
Well, here we are 2nd November 2010, no floors, walls and ceilings. No heat in the house and no end until 14th December 2010. THEN, we might get our clothes back and all our other belongings.
My wife doesn't cry herself to sleep anymore but we have had the year from hell.
Christmas 2009 was ruined for us, maybe Christmas 2010 will be too?

Isn't it amazing what some people will take for granted, how some companies assume you are OK and that all is well. I believe I was with the best, and that I would be looked after BUT my family has had to suffer at the hands of large companies who should be ashamed of themselves.
We pay our premiums for our insurance "just in case" the unthinkable should happen. We've had all the promises, now is the time for action. If its not from them, IT WILL BE FROM ME.

Never underestimate the power of the people, especially good, honest folk who are stepped on, once too often.
Technology has given even the quietest, the loudest voices.

HAVE YOU SUFFERED AT THE HANDS OF A LARGE COMPANY WHEN MAKING A CLAIM?

**************************************

Give too much of yourself for too long and soon you will have nothing to give. To be able to look after someone, you first must look after yourself.

THE AIR TURNS BLUE OVER BLUE BADGE...

2010-08-06T01:11:00.000+01:00

To care for, or about, someone you first have to care about yourself.
False love cheats everyone. One child goes MISSING every 6 minutes, lets ensure that our Social Responsibilities safeguard these vulnerable children.

DISABLED PARKING BADGE - ABERDEENSHIRE
For many years now, my wife and I have been disabled. She, I believe, having suffered to the degree of desperation and hopelessness. The BLUE BADGE has become a 'lifesaver' for us, in our journeys to town and beyond. There was, as there always is, a fee. This fee was a nominal charge "to cover administration" of £5.00, for us this obviously became £10.00 (two badges).
This year both our parking badges came to their designated end of term and required renewal. We planned a visit to the local Social Services Department for advice and was told the fee had risen to £15.00 EACH. Now our remittance (for both) leaps to a whopping £30.00. How is it that the cost of Administration has rocketed so??
We now are having to wait for the renewal of our Badges, until we have the £30.00 required.

Why are we all being hammered by these covert taxes and yet are expected to get the same value from our disability benefit as we have previously (in real terms - as the polititions tell us)?

I accept this may still be value for money but the "pot" never gets any bigger, does it?
Do you have any comments or experiences? Maybe you could share them with us?

Take care and stay safe.

Free solar panels worth £12,000: Save £120/year on your electricity...

2010-08-05T14:37:00.000+01:00

Free solar panels worth £12,000: Save £120/year on your electricity...

To care for, or about, someone you first have to care about yourself. FALSE LOVE CHEATS EVERYONE.
One child goes MISSING (NOW) every 6 MINUTES.

2010-07-21T22:10:00.000+01:00

To care for, or about, someone you first have to care about yourself. False love cheats everyone.
One child goes MISSING every 6 minutes, lets find these lost soles and save our social responsibilities.

iGoogle

2010-04-26T19:19:00.000+01:00

iGoogle

To care for, or about, someone you first have to care about yourself. False love cheats everyone.One child goes MISSING every 10 minutes, lets find these lost soles and save our social responsibilities.

DRUGS AND UNBORN BABIES

2010-01-02T19:04:00.001Z

DRUGS AND UNBORN BABIES - A MOTHER'S WORRY?

Following up on previous research in the conditions for mothers and baby, in a drug related environment. I have discovered a really interesting site "Phoenix House" in the USA has done some incredible research into the whole affects of drugs and pregnant women.
Please use the link to access their site and take a look at the trauma that can fall to baby to carry the burden of DRUGS, even before it has been born.
Mental Disability, disfigurement, small heads, lack of limbs etc etc.
Would you purposely bring a baby into the use of drugs, I don't think so? but year after year babies are born with drug, substance and drink dependencies. Did they ask to be born this way?? NO.
To allow yourself to become vulnerable to rape, sex within a drug, substance related haze could lead to being pregnant - leading to the possible birth of a substance dependant child and all the horrors that entails.
Take a look at your surroundings, can you leave the position your in?; can you control your behaviour?; can you provide for a baby, if one was to "arrive"?. You might feel that drugs are COOL, "they make me feel able to cope with my problems", DO THEY REALLY, HELP?

Drug MISUSE is a one way ticket to a dead end lifestyle, one of exploitation, fear, dependency and abuse (in all its forms).

Take a look back in your life, like you would reset the computer, after a crash, to a time when it worked properly, (if you can) and rewind your life, face your parents, your family, your real friends, and ask for HELP. A simple, gigantic, terrifying, step back to a time in your life when you had a feeling of being in control.
Think about the child, your child, your friend, your family. If we could find a point in our lives when drugs did not infest every corner of our society, we could become a whole community again, caring about everyone around us. We could all have neighbours we trusted and could depend upon and support all who needed it.
"THINK BEFORE YOU DRINK" "SHRUG IT BEFORE YOU DRUG IT".

DO YOU HAVE A STORY?? MORE TO COME ON THIS ISSUE.

eBay Daily Deal

2009-06-25T22:50:00.000+01:00

eBay Daily Deal

To care for, or about, someone you first have to care about yourself. False love cheats everyone.
One child goes MISSING every 10 minutes, lets find these lost soles and save our social responsibilities.

2009-05-18T21:30:00.000+01:00

To care for, or about, someone you first have to care about yourself. False love cheats everyone.
For that one child who goes MISSING every 10 minutes, lets find these lost soles and save our social responsibilities.

TCNS Teen Challenge NE Scotland. Drugs and/or Drink Abuse? HELP.

2009-02-19T19:03:00.005Z

"Offering FREEDOM from Addiction"

Supported housing for young men and women.

Please check out this site for help, if you have difficulty coping with life, due to a Drink or Drug dependency. A proactive lifeline in nearly 100 different Countries, supporting almost 10,000 people out of their dependencies on Drugs and/or Drink. One of the world's largest drug and alcohol outreaches, operating since 1958.
Their goal is to help people return to society free from self abuse and with a greater understanding of their own worth, encouraging valuable people (you) back to your rightful place.
Dont' let drugs and drink take your life from you, YOU ARE WORTH MORE THAN THAT.

"a good place to be"

grandadknows says...
To care for, or about, someone you first have to care about yourself. False love cheats everyone.

One child goes MISSING every 10 minutes, lets find these lost soles and save our social responsibilities.

Everything and Nothing At All: Disabled Parking Abuse

2009-02-09T19:46:00.000Z

Everything and Nothing At All: Disabled Parking Abuse

To care for, or about, someone you first have to care about yourself.
GRANDADKNOWS link...

2008-12-28T20:57:00.003Z

To care for, or about, someone you first have to care about yourself. False love cheats everyone.

You would not want to be "left out in the cold", would you? So why would you want to see some one else out there? Help is there, if you know where to look; can "grandadknows" help you find that help??

COPYRIGHT RESTRICTIONS.

2008-12-28T12:28:00.003Z

COPYRIGHT RESTRICTIONS.
Photos, articles and ideas published by and on behalf of "grandadknows.com" are subject to copyright. Any reproduction should be applied for and receive written approval from "grandadknows.com" and its associated editor(s).

"grandadknows.com/" on Facebook

2008-12-19T17:50:00.004Z

Checkout my "Facebook" link and join a World of Debate and happy faces.

To care for, or about, someone you first have to care about yourself. False love cheats everyone.
One child goes MISSING every 10 minutes, lets find these lost soles and save our social responsibilities.

CHILDREN - AT HOME OR ADOPTED??

2008-12-08T17:44:00.006Z

CHILDREN IN LOCAL AUTHORITY "CARE". SHOULD NATURAL PARENTS GET THEM BACK??

It has come to my attention, recently of a young woman who has had her two young boys taken from her by the Local Authority Social Services. This action has been done, I believe, in good faith and for the safety of the children. The children went into care due to the misconduct and uncontrolled usage of Illegal Drugs by the children's father. Obviously the children were in danger and removed for their own safety. CORRECT ACTION.
Now, the ex-boyfriend, and father, of the two boys wants them to be taken into Adoption and away from the Mother. They are not married, she is not using drugs, she has a good job, a suitable home and another child on the way from the same father.
She wants to have the children, who she has visited every week for the last year, back and in their own home. She wants the father out of the picture all together, as he is a disturbing influence on the balance of the household. He wants the unborn child in Care too, and Adopted away from the Mother.
The Social Services are telling her that, as the father wants the children in an Adoptive family, she should concentrate on the baby, to come, and forget the two boys? Is this right?? Why should she NOT get her children back?? I know that as they are not married the "father" has few rights, without a Court Order for Parental Responsibility. He has his name on the Birth Certificate (apparently), this being a jesture that is haunting the mother. He should be showing the "powers that be" that he is worthy of consideration. If he is, alledgedly, still on Drugs and regularly unable to sort himself out, never -mind the children's future, how can he be given so much power over this hardworking Mother?? I am told that she has a new male friend who would be willing to devote time to her and all the children, with plans to buy their own house. He has a good job and works hard, he is interested in making things work for them and the three children and is offering a stable and secure future (as stable as things can be nowadays). There is no explicit advice from Social Services and she is left in a state of limbo while the Authority ponders its own decision making policies.
She is at a point of desperation and fears the worse for her loved children. A cloud of paralising strain hangs over her, as all decisions are removed from her influence.
WHAT DO YOU SAY??
My own enquiries continue....

DO YOU HAVE A STORY??

To care for, or about, someone you first have to care about yourself. False love cheats everyone.

Babies on Drugs?? Mother's desperation??

2008-12-08T17:34:00.002Z

Babies on Drugs?? Mother's desperation??

COMING SOON!

I have to apologies to you all for the delay in this item, originally presented on the 11th November 2008. I am finding information gathering somewhat confusing as some "professionals" believe different things about the same subject. I will continue with my research and get my findings to you in the New Year. So Sorry, I know some of you were looking for guideance on this concern. I will do my best for you all.

Watch out for updates.

DO YOU HAVE A STORY? TELL SOMEONE A RELIEVE THE BURDEN.

"To care for, or about, someone you first have to care about yourself. False love cheats everyone".

BLUE TIT ON HAND??

2008-12-02T20:29:00.005Z

NATURE NEVER CEASES TO AMAZE ME.

I had this little Blue Tit on my hand for a good five minutes before it flew to my old shed roof. What a wonderful experience and one I shall always remember.

HAVE YOU A STORY?? TELL ME ABOUT YOUR EXPERIENCES.

WE HAD SOME SNOW HERE!

2008-12-02T20:00:00.005Z

WE HAD SOME SNOW HERE!!!!!

We had that much snow up here in Aberdeenshire that we had to DIG OUT the Land Rover!

We had to pull the Landy backwards, into the hole to free it from the snow drift. It was actually just over three feet deep (90cm to you youngsters).

Fun though and the wife had the fright of her life when the Land Rover dropped off the edge. Wierd really as the Land Rover then went on to scale the bank and take us home? Bless the old girl.

HAVE YOU GOT A STORY?? TELL GRANDADKNOWS...

ABUSE, RAPE, BULLYING, WHO DO I TELL??

2008-11-29T22:56:00.004Z

RAPE AND ABUSE. WHAT DO YOU DO?

Support and Information is all around, for the unfortunate persons who are dealing with Rape and/or Abuse. yet how many actually are encouraged to disclose the fact that they have be violated. The taking of someone's legal and moral right to be treated fairly and respectfully by others is classified as a severe and ruthless misuse of trust and respect.

Any body, of any age should be able to walk the street and feel safe and secure in the knowledge that their neighbourhood is one of protective support and unified tolerance. However, we constantly hear and see the effect of abuse and breakdown of community values.

It is bad enough for someone to have to suffer the indifference shown to them by their abuser but what do they feel and think if confronted by the thought of disclosing this "secret" to others?.

We, the unaffected, cannot ever know how it actually feel to be abused like this, yet there are people who have been through similar abusive experiences or have received relative instruction to provide specific support, at a supportive rate of disclosure as needed by the affected person.

People, no one, wants to feel as a victim and will find the situation desparate and oppressive.

The only way the abusers can be confronted and controlled decisively is by the disclosing of the crimes they have commited. The inability to do this allows these "people" to continue their reign of terror over others. Of course it is easy for me to say this but I do firmly believe that criminal behaviour like the abusing of another is unforgiveble and can never be condoned.

Some of the available support networks are easily contacted at http://www.rasane.org.uk/ or info from email: info@rasane.org.uk click on the link for access to helpful advice and support.

Don't let these abusers survive to abuse again.

DO YOU HAVE A PROBLEM? LET ME KNOW AND I WILL TRY TO HELP.

To care for, or about, someone you first have to care about yourself. False love cheats everyone.

WHAT PRICE JUSTICE?

2008-11-27T20:51:00.003Z

WHAT PRICE JUSTICE??
For many years now, I have witnessed a steady yet determined demotion of Parental Authority and of Authority in general. Gone are the days when society could rely on the predominant respect for persons older, in places of Authority and those in Service works. We see and hear of Fire engines being called out to a fire, only to be bombarded by youths throwing stones, wood etc at their truck. The Police, once at the pinnacle of respectful social status, now abused, assaulted and generally undermined by bureaucratic needs. Gone are the days when a "Bobby" could clip you round the ear-hole and tell you to behave and get off home or I'll tell your Dad. Gone are the days when Doctors and Nurses would be reverred for their wonderful life saving works. Gone are the days when one parent could go to work and provide for their home and children, giving support to their partner and young folk. The very bed-rock of society's security and behavioural master classes.
Now, as always, we have the minority of delinquent youths running a mock in our homes, streets, schools and countryside. Parents, now, are demoted to mere house keepers for the persons who will provide for our old age, they have limited authority due to the decay driven by short-sighted "do-gooders" who believe in "modern thinking" and forget that children are not, always, known for their rational thinking. Therefore the outlawed "smack" has become a stint in the local social services "lockup" or community service at costs of over £8000.00 per week per child (if in Secure Accommodation). Delinquents, who have ten's of, sometimes 100's of, convictions against them, are allowed to roam at will and subject their whims on any unprepared neighbourhood they favour.
The need for all this developing control is treating the very behaviour which our grandparents would have dealt with at home. The increasing likelihood of your young daughter becoming pregnant before she is 14 years old would have been generally assured by a family environment which provided boundaries and curfews on time out.
There are so many aspects of today's society which could be have been "sorted" by the methods of our grand parents and the prospects of future deterioration is depressingly real.
People in Authority, police, teachers and parents, etc are all not trusted and condemned by an ever increasingly demoralised youth folk. Too many cut backs on social finance has been seen to eliminate places of stress release, the creation of a social attitude which allows teenagers to leave home with support, at the slightest sign of discord in the family. Children, then free, to live a life of unrestrained drinking, drugs and child creation. These children then creating children with even less support and control, etc etc etc.

To stop the rot we need to support our families and allow parental authority to rise from the ashes and bring back the controls which led our children into knowledgeable and supported adulthood. Society needs this and so do our children.

DO YOU HAVE A STORY? LET'S SAVE OUR FUTURE.

To care for, or about, someone you first have to care about yourself. False love cheats everyone.