I am surprised to hear that some media channels say the cost of living crisis is over.

I have never seen any information online or on TV. I have not heard anyone speak of this.

If so I would be writing about it in my diary. I would have hope again.

Food costs are still rising and private rental homes are still increasing, here in Stonehaven.

I noticed my broadband bill has jumped from £25 to £31.99 and I've not had heating on throughout the summer.

Today, the Scottish Government released the latest homelessness statistics. The results are utterly shameful:

⬆️ A record number of children are living in temporary accommodation – 9,595

⬆️ A record number of households are living in temporary accommodation – 15,039

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 45 children become homeless every day in Scotland

Scotland is in the grip of an unprecedented #HousingEmergency. We can’t wait a second longer for the Scottish Government to get its act together and commit to serious investment in delivering social homes.

I am looking forward to some routine now that our children here in Scotland are back to school.

Not having to worry about my daughter being fed during the day and how I am going to keep her entertained now the summer holidays are over.

I feel selfish even thinking this way but life is just so hard.

Although it's June, in a house that doesn't receive much sunlight through small windows, and the temperature outside is 10° in North East Scotland, I am cold. Back to sitting in a dressing gown over my clothes in the house.

Local news of pizza delivery service in town has closed due to being unable to afford the increased rates of the premises. It was an occasional treat for us to have a pizza delivered and delicious too.

I applied for a discretionary housing payment from Aberdeenshire Council in February 2023 to help with the private rent which is over the housing benefit cap.

It has been 10 weeks since I applied and after many online complaints, they apologised saying they are overwhelmed with applications and running 5 weeks behind.

The Scottish Government, provided all 32 Scottish Councils with a Cost Of Living fund at end of 2022.

I saw via social media that other Scottish Councils were dispensing £150 gift cards to low income households who meet the criteria of being in receipt of housing benefit. There was anger from both those who received, as the card could only be used in certain retail outlets and cafes, not budget supermarkets; and others who claimed their taxes paid for "wasters and drug abusers" to get another entitlement.

Nothing was mentioned in social media or Internet searches of Aberdeenshire Council having this fund.

I contacted all local councillors, of which one replied (SNP). Yes the council had the fund, which the councillor claims she was unaware of until I contacted her. She said she would look into how it was to be dispensed. It took 3 months and 2 delays for the council to post out 12,000 gift cards with the value of £100 to low income households.

The shops that accepted the card were mostly tourist gift shops, although a budget chemist and small supermarket in the area accepted it.

The next issue was, these shops, could not yet accept the gift cards due to the council had not connected the online payment program yet.

This caused stress and embarrassment to many who filled their trolley with groceries and had to put them back on shelves.

No councillor can justify why every other council dispensed £150 per household whilst they dispensed £100. 12,000 x £50 = £600,000.

Where has the rest of the fund gone to?

This is the same Conservative led council that cannot account for £5.2 million spending to the auditors.

The same Conservative led council who the local community are asking how a promised £1.4 million extension and refurbishment of a leisure centre, tuned into a £300,000 disabled toilet in the run down leisure centre with damp growing on the walls from the swimming pool in it.

Wishing I stayed in bed.

Carers monthly meeting cancelled.

Aberdeen City Council secured funding for low income families to provide a £125 gift card and £20 extra winter payment on top of school clothing grant as its a cost of living crisis.

Aberdeenshire have offered nothing.

Wrote to local MPs and councillors, I await their response.