The advice thread for random problems #2

[JoeBloggs]

Has anyone been in a housing estate that's come with a garden maintenance thing? When we moved into our house almost 13 years ago we knew it was something we had to pay yearly for which at the time was fine because the gardens around the area were being done as was the park, however as the years went on work slowed, company's changed an now work is not being done

We have a community page an the vast majority don't want to pay anymore, they built new house an put everyone's bills up plus included billing the new houses, they said it was because there was more land to cover, but the new land they need to cover is tiny since the new house company didn't put in any gardens, now we have a bill for plant replacement at £200 but none of us know where these plants are, no one's been seen since last spring working, they also take 3k a month (split between all houses) for inspecting the playparks that again no one has ever seen them at, an it's not a quiet area, there's always people going about an more than enough houses looking onto all these areas

Is there a way to get out of this? I had thought this was only a 10 year contract

Are you leasehold or on a private estate? If so you will have paperwork, likely your lease/title that explains costs you are liable for. It’s unlikely it’s a 10 year thing, who would be covering the costs after 10 years?

You are legally entitled to request copies of the invoices, contacts etc. Contact who sends the bill and raise it will them.

 

[littlepup]

I appreciate this thread is probably for more heavy/life advice, but I have a ridiculous question right now.

I froze some puff pastry when I bought it, but took it out weeks ago to defrost in the fridge and completely forgot about it. I have just found it now right at the back of the top shelf in the fridge. It's a new unopened pack, use by date is 6th Nov. I can still use it right?

Or has freezing and then allowing it to thaw for so long caused some sort of hideous bacteria to be able to thrive?

I’d bin it just in case but it goes sticky and smells yeasty when it’s past it so you’ll probably tell. If it’s not too far gone it makes good single use play dough for little ones though if you’ve got any.

 

[Tjlm88]

Bit of a tricky one, I wouldn't think it fair to tell her no when it's not her fault her dad has gotten into a relationship when there's other kids there, is she disturbing the baby? Perhaps you can talk with her an let her know that so long as your schedule with the baby isn't disturbed then she's fine to stay, I'd understand if she was being loud an making noise but if she's being quiet then it would be a bit unfair if she wanted to be there with her dad

I’ve not directly said to her that she can’t stay, I get what you are saying though and like I said i would
never want to make her feel pushed out as I know
I wouldn’t want my own children to feel that way. She doesn’t disturb the baby, no. She does at times think she can pick him up when she wants, which can get frustrating but at the same time I don’t want to be the one telling her not, my other half does deal with that. No she isn’t loud or making noise.

He's her dad and school days should be as much his responsibility. If you use that line he may turn that on you one day.. "well your the mum so school days are on you". I think he just has to reassure you he's going to step up and take care of her on that day so that you are not dealing with extra stress. I think you really need to let her stay, think of the long term goals here.

I probably am being a bit out of order there by saying it’s down to her mum, think that stems from what I’m used to with my own kids, they go to their dads every other weekend and tea during the week so maybe it’s a case of what I’m used to. Think he does need to take more of it on too, I do majority for her when she’s here which i don’t mind but it can get a bit much at the same time. My house also isn’t very big and when my daughter isn’t at her boyfriend’s or dads then his daughter has to sleep on the sofa which I feel isn’t very good for and better off in her own bed.

 

[rainbowlemon]

Thanks guys!

Fingers crossed they do accept it. She is the type of person who really can hold a grudge and said she would not go back again if they didn't.

Lesson for her to also use her planner.

 

[tomato_paste]

I tried with salt water, pumping, oil, tweezers and nothing.. they never actually said what it was really I said I have a milk blister and they all just said ‘it’s fine don’t worry about it’

Are you sure it's a milk blister? https://www.webmd.com/women/ss/slideshow-women-itchy-nipples has more options. Might be thrush even.

 

[WeHadFunRight]

hi hope this is allowed here. basically i live in a 3 story house and currently my bedroom is in the converted loft area but for various reasons i want to moove into a regular smaller room on the 2nd floor, and this would involve alot of moving heavy furniture arround so was wondering if anyone knows if it's possible to hire someone to do the heavy lifting and moving things arround. i know obviously removal companies move furniture but usually from one house to another not just between rooms. a double bed and a king sized bed would both have to be dismantled and moved, pluss a book shelf, draws and other things. so what sort of company would i contact for this sort of thing. i couldn't really find anything online

I think you just need to approach a local handy man, they’ll have done all sorts of odd and sods jobs for people so best people to talk to.

 

[CoffeeMamma]

Hi all dip in and out of these threads but I am in AGONY right now and need advice. Anyone had facial virus it's like herpes... Not contracted from anyone else it seems when my immune system is shot to bits and my health is bad as it has been lately, I break out and this time it's the entire lower half of my face. Internally and externally it is sheer torturous pain. Big angry red raised lumps burning under the surface. What can I do aside from medications as can't take any. Please help, it's excruciating!

It sounds like the cystic acne me and my sister get, sounds really weird but athletes foot cream helps and a wash with salycylic acid in. But as someone above has mentioned definitely have it checked out first

 

[Snippysnips]

So anyone with a air fryer, do you just put everything in a drawer on top of one another or space it all out?

Folks finally managed to get a two drawer one but the drawers are tiny I feel, ended up using the two drawers to cook the wedges because I had them all spaced out so none were on top of one another, do I need to do that so they cook fine or would they cook just the same if I had them all in a pile?

Don't want to be using two drawers for wedges since the idea is one drawer for something an the other drawer for another thing but I have no idea how well it will all cook especially meat if it's all just laying in a pile

 

[chickhicks86]

I’ve got such an tickly throat that will probably turn into a cold in a few days. but i hate the first bit where you can feel it all in your throat

any remdies please people of tattle ???

Coldzyme! It's amazing stuff (and expensive), but you really need to keep remembering to take it.

 

[Rxt156]

If they know you would have known who they are I would introduce yourself. It’s best to be honest from the offset.

It’s that’s the case I don’t think it’s an issue at all. Just ring and say what you want to say

 

[Blond3g1rl]

Not sure if I count in the bigger boobs department - I'm a 65E/30DD and had good success with the Wonderbra Strapless - comfortable and it has these grippy bits inside so it doesn't slip down all the time. I survived two weddings + dancing in it
They do more sizes than displayed on that page, I had to shop around a little bit to find my size.

Second the wonder bra one

 

[WeHadFunRight]

Talk about a random problem!

My hair is super static since the cold snap. I’ve never had this before. I swear if my hair was short I’d have a fro.

Is there anything I can do? It’s very annoying

I would opt for some hair serum lightly applied to ends and roots once you’ve styled and then hair spray over that - should weigh it down a little and the serum adds moisture which should combat the static

 

[TwooTwooTwitTwitTwoo]

Wondering if someone can help me.
Where do I recycle old clothes/textiles that I don't want/can't use? I've got old clothes with stains (like bleach and ink etc) on them and bedding that's a bit worse for wear with stains from tan and nail varnish. They are years old anyway but they are in no state to donate/re-use.
Equally, I don't want to put them in landfill. Anyone know where I can take them?

My local tip has a specific textiles bank. I'd guess most do but not 100% sure.

 

[CoffeeMamma]

Anyone successfully got money back from Fitbit? My husband has just been charged £80 for a premium subscription (no emails, no in app warnings) and when he contacted the company he said “they don’t refund subscriptions”, instead we have to ask Apple for our money back. Apple say no chance because they’re a third party. I mean it’s fine it’s not like we wanted to eat this month or anything.

 

[shadowcat5]

Runners - where do you put your phone when you run? Bum bags don’t work for me, I find they get in the way and I can’t find a decent top or jacket! Help please!

i haven’t run since lockdown but I got one of those arm band pouches. I think it was about 2 quid in home bargains. It’s got a separate pouch for my key

 

[queenbees]

How did they get your number?

Apparently the police gave them my number? The police rang me afterwards to tell me that there was a witness on the scene and claimed it was a hit and run which wasn’t the case. I told them that I went into the bollard and the man that had rang me previously had told me there was cctv footage of me going into their car and if that was the case they’d see me getting out and checking the car beside the bollard to make sure I didn’t hit it as well and didnt see any damage so I did drive off, but they’re now claiming that the back bumper and paintwork has been taken off. I also asked the policewoman what damage had been done and she wasn’t able to tell me which I found strange and asked about the cctv footage and she said she’d have to get back to me on it. I did ask the man on the phone too to send over photos. He told me he didn’t have a smart phone but his wife did and she would send them over but haven’t received anything at all

Ignore them. I had somebody leave a note on my car saying I bumped into theirs. Why would I park next to a car that I just bumped? Anyway I ignored it. They contacted my insurers and my insurers told them to do one as they had no evidence it was me.
Bonus was I had a dash cam at the time that also proved I didn’t touch their car. Although my insurers told me it’s not necessary as the other person had to prove I did it.
But be careful if this is a place you park regularly as in my case it was by my gym and my car kept being scratched. Clearly the person who accused me. The police advised me to stop parking there as we couldn’t catch the person

I’m gonna get onto my insurance in the morningand leave it in their hands. They’ll obviously have to provide evidence that it was me!

 

[BaffledWarthog]

Anyone with Crocs for advice on how to clean them?

Pink stuff paste and a bristle brush with warm water. I usually put them in the shower

 

[littlepup]

Sketchers are apparently great. My Mum, MIL and SIL swear by them.

I realise my privilege by saying this is a problem but I’m going to go for it… we’re lucky enough to have a cleaner, we’ll call her Jane. Yesterday my 2yr old child walked into the bedroom and said “Jane tidied up bed” -it’d been made and sheets changed.
Child loves Jane, Jane counts them as a grandchild, they give Jane a kiss goodbye, she came to their bday party, always excited that Jane is coming and to show her things, Jane is family.
But I don’t want my child to think that a cleaner is ‘normal’. Child helps mummy with laundry, knows ‘tidy up’ etc. Also knows mummy works for “Dave” who is our friend and people have jobs but do I explain it’s Jane’s job while Mummy plays? Just generally don’t know how to address it? Any advice would be appreciated.

 

[tomato_paste]

@tomato_paste @chickhicks86 I’ve put thrush cream on before never got any better. Sometimes it’s dry skin and peels. It’s like a white round bit on the end of my nipple

Could it be a wart? I have those on my hands and they're very very itchy until they've "established" themselves.

 

[chickhicks86]

I don't think it damages the radiators at all but does put moisture into the air. So if your house isn't well ventilated or is prone to damp you could get damp patches and/or mould. It's why a lot of rental properties have a "no washing drying indoors" clause in the contract

Yep, I am banned by my hubby! I will do in rooms with extractors, so kitchen and bathroom, and I do sometimes sneak things that just need the thickest hems etc finishing off after they've been on the line. Never straight from the washing machine though. I have no idea what we will do this winter, as I'm really trying to avoid the cost of the tumble drier.