The advice thread for random problems #7

[Kim Mild]

Does anyone struggle with feeling exhausted in the morning and if so have you found anything to help with it?

All my life I've always struggled with mornings, doesn't matter if I've had a perfect night's sleep with no disturbance or if it's been broken sleep, it's always a struggle to get out bed and leaves me feeling quite honestly pissed off, I don't use an alarm because I naturally wake between 7am an 8am and so long as I am up at 8 then it's fine so it's not like I am being woken from an alarm either, once I am up an had breakfast then am fine, but it's just the whole trying to get out of bed an that drowsy feeling I can't get rid off

Just because you are naturally waking doesn't mean you've had adequate rest .

 

[Kim Mild]

Any advice on how to build muscle mass? I haven't got time to start a gym unfortunately, but everywhere I read the advice is to build muscle mass! It seems like its the new fountain of youth...and now I'm in my 40s I do think I need to start trying. But I dont know where to begin.
What sort of weights should I start off with? How many times a week etc? Anyone to follow on you tube?

Sally Gunnell has straightforward, easy to follow workouts on her social media.

 

[cowtastrophe]

I booked a helicopter trip for my husband through one of those companies. They kept cancelling at the last minute then saying they couldn't reschedule for another 1-3 months so in the end I demanded a refund. They don't normally issue refunds but I somehow got to speak to someone who didn't realise that and they did it without any trouble.

 

[Phil Anne Throw Pee]

What’s the best thing to do with very worn, stained baby/ toddler clothes? They are in too bad condition to sell or give to a charity shop. Should I throw them away (which makes me feel bad but I don’t think I have any choice)?

Could you use them as cleaning products - dusters etc? At least gives them a use.

 

[littlepup]

Yes and I feel fine

My Nan used to give us raw eggs with milk and honey to drink in the 80s. Can you imagine?! We lived to tell the tale too

 

[OnlyHereForTheLolz]

Need advice on how to approach my boss about this without it coming across as being cheeky or just not wanting to do it

My boss wants me to send out a promotional email to all our clients, which usually is fine, however this promotion is specifically about weight loss, now I don't have a problem putting it on our sites an such, but personally I feel like weight is a sensitive subject for most people an since I don't know what these people will be like I just feel like it really shouldn't be getting sent out as an email to them

If it was a list of different promotions then I'd see no problem with it but it's only about losing weight

Would anyone be offended if they were to receive an email about that? I feel like for some people it's not going to go down well, an I'll need to tell her this tomorrow but am just unsure as to how I can get it across that something like this could have backlash

I personally don’t think people will be that bothered. However if you are hesitant then have the conversation with your boss. If she still insists then just send the email. At the end of the day you are just doing your job

 

[Bawsack89]

Hi everyone, I'm jumping in here because I need a bit of advice and I've nobody left to ask IRL. My friend got a labrador puppy back in October, we have been friends for 15 years. He had the dog about 3 months before he was told the dog was unable to continue living in his current accommodation. The landlord basically said the dog goes or they both go due to neighbours complaining about barking and his roommate was allergic to him. In January, he talked me into taking the dog. I find it very difficult to say no or put myself first because I am a people pleaser due to autism. I have struggled since day one. I thought I would manage because so many people say how amazing dogs are and how they couldn't be without them. I only heard positive things. I have tried and tried, spent hundreds of pounds on training but he is so energetic and I am so stressed. I cannot do anything, I can't sit down to have a meal, I can't read to my toddler, I can't play with my toddler, leaving the house is an army mission. I am shattered, stressed and really not enjoying this at all. He is now 11 months old, absolutely gorgeous but way too much work and I am not coping. I have had three heart attacks (I'm only 35) with the most recent in may this year and have been diagnosed with angina so the constant high blood pressure from the stress is making me ill. He has hurt my 2yo a couple of times stealing food from her and knocking her over, never intentional hurt but hurt all the same. It's got to the point where I have told my friend that I can't do it and he needs to be rehomed with someone who can give him everything he needs. I am too ill to manage this. Friend has gone ballistic, blocked me on everything and won't speak to me. He is angry with me for not coping and is furious that "his dog" needs to go. He can't take him back because of his circumstances so I have suggested a rescue which got me blocked.

Am I being a dick? I have tried for 6 months and all it's done is stress me out and upset me. I cry most days because I don't know what to do. I'm not a monster, just not a dog person and the kids are miserable too.

Anyone been in a similar situation?

 

[littlepup]

Do people recommend using a mortgage advisor? I used one when I was a first time buyer and not long until my mortgage is due to renew. My first one recommended a 2 year deal but I said no I want 5 years so went for that. Glad I did as the rate went up a lot a few months later. Just makes me wonder whether or not I can just do it myself

I think it depends on how much you value your time, how savvy and good at finding deals you are and how tricky your situation is.

If you just want the lowest rate and can switch easily, go for it. If you want no early repayment fees, have a “different” history, have just changed jobs, have a low capital investment etc etc then a mortgage advisor will probably be worth it in the long run.

 

[Carapop]

Not an expert on dogs, but the advice to keep cats off is used teabags soaked in olbas oil. Or lion poo which you can buy in bags

I beg your pardon?!?!

 

[Former_Antelopee]

Annoyed I bought some stuff from denby a few weeks ago. Since they went into administration things were on offer. They had an offer on a casserole dish for £30 so I got one. Just looked at my receipt now and they charged me £53! I wouldn't have bought it for that much

 

[BettyRizzo]

I’m not asking for advice as such but is it just me who thinks it’s distasteful for our manager/head to joke about being broke when she earns double our wage which is well above the average salary and she knows we don’t earn like she does. I don’t know what she wanted us to respond to that. So strange and then it’s awkward when everyone goes silent yet a couple of weeks ago was boasting about how many properties she owns. So disingenuous.

Very early on in my career I was in a meeting with my Manager, a colleague and a family from our local community we were trying to support. This family didnt have 2 pennies to rub together and my Manager was talking away about her v expensive holiday. After the meeting colleague went ballistic with Manager and told her she should know better.
It never ceases to amaze me how ignorant people are.

 

[Jas28]

If you asked to meet up with a friend twice and she’s said shes busy both times and it’s been months apart would you just leave it for them to ask next if they do at all? We don’t live near each other and only meet up a few times a year.

 

[avabella]

This is a minor problem but it is driving me crackers. I took the cover off my baby's car seat to wash and now I can't find the handle for it anywhere. How can a fairly sturdy piece of plastic just vanish? I've looked in all the obvious places and it's just disappeared.

Have you maybe popped it in a little pocket/flap in the car seat? I remember in my kids ones, they had like little pull out parts for adjusting the straps etc.

 

[Serene Serena]

Thanks all, turns out a couple of others in our friendship group have already reported him.

Thank goodness for that

 

[Former_Antelopee]

I'm glad you guys said ignore it as I was 100% going to ignore it just wanted to see if others would to make myself feel better. It was crocs as well so not a small company so

 

[Bread]

My random problem is that I hate my job and I don't think I will ever get another one and I want to die.

 

[Captainmouse]

Well it’s within the confines of the apartment complex. So it’s private but for residents use. They’re entitled to use it. Although there are notices from the management company saying children shouldn’t be unaccompanied by adults. I spend €2.5k a year in management fees.

If they are unaccompanied, let the management company know.

 

[Strawberry13]

Is there anything stronger than paracetamol that I can buy OTC for period pain please? Not ibuprofen as no one will sell that to me as soon as I mention I have asthma

Cocodomal you can buy 8/500 over the counter. That’s what I take & normally I’m just about alive. Without pain relief I’m bed bound with mine for the entire week

 

[ReginaPhalange3]

Never tell the left hand what the right hand is doing Great advice from grandma Frances!

 

[Bread]

All my shoes come from FitFlop now. I've had so many foot/knee operations that I find them the most comfortable.

My feet have got wider thanks to the menopause so I had some insoles made by the NHS podiatrist and got some wider sneakers from D B Shoes which are nice and bloody comfortable!