The advice thread for random problems #7

[OnlyHereForTheLolz]

I found a set of keys on the pavement of the road I live on. It has a car key, perhaps a house key and a fob. I tried the car key on the road to see if it opens any cars of the same make of car but it didn’t. Husband put it on the neighbourhood group chat but no one has replied. There isn’t a police station here I can drop it to. What shall I do?

If you can tell the make of the car key fob then return it to the dealer. They can contact the owner

 

[cowtastrophe]

Tomorrow, we are going for lunch and a dog walk with a former friend of Mr C. It’s kind of a long story which I won’t go into completely except to say that the guy was a racist, a misogynist and had issues with me, then behaved appallingly to my husband so he cut him off. They’ve had no contact for about 15 years but we bumped into him and his wife at a mutual friend’s party.

He‘s seemed very keen on meeting up with us again and has texted Mr C a few times. I think he was also hesitant about it but has finally agreed to. Personally, I don’t think this guy has changed all that much but I’ve reluctantly agreed to go to support Mr C.

When we saw them at the party, the wife went off on a rant about left wing conspiracy media. Sigh.

 

[Captainmouse]

Any advice on how to stop a dog pissing on my lawn and driveway? Someone on the lane let's their dog walk way ahead of them and their dog at least once a day pees on the top of my driveway or on the lawn or the bark. Tonight, it's came right down the driveway and pissed on my front door so ive reached my limit. It's driving me insane as I have young ones who love helping me garden, yes theyre gloved 90% of the time but still. I've put vinegar down as read that can do the job but any advice is appreciated. Crapbag wont let me pull her, says its petty

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

 

[Ray1403]

I’ve a bridesmaid who got married during covid, so couldn’t do a lot of the wedding planning stuff I’m doing. She’s trying to take over all the stuff I’m doing, it’s an almost daily text of “I know you wanted this, but this looks better. No don’t do that for your wedding. You have to go and visit at least 3 dress shops on this day” I’m finding it exhausting, like I’m losing control, and quite frankly, regretting asking her to be a bridesmaid

i know it’s easier said than done but you just need to ignore her and carry on as you want. if needs be, remind her it’s your wedding not hers. you deserve to have the day YOU want.

 

[ReginaPhalange3]

I've never tried the adults but the kids ones are terrible they go lumpy and horrible very quickly

Dunelm are great for pillows.

 

[Padparadascha]

Apparently there’s a big market for worn shoes, socks and knickers. You have to be creative with your advert though, because eBay and Vinted don’t allow obvious sales to perverts. A friend from uni topped up her student loan by selling Primark knickers smeared with Vaseline on the gusset

Now thats genius. That way her DNA wont be on them.

 

[Bread]

I had a water leak (leaky loo) and got an email from the water company to say my bill is high check for a leak. The leak was fixed start of December. I just got my water bill in the post and it's gone up again (£47 I live alone). It says the billing period is July-december so I assume I'll just have to wait 6months to see the improvement of fixing the leak?

If you had a leak and can prove you got it fixed you should be owed a rebate from the water company.

 

[GoldSilver]

Thank you all
I’m 36 now so it’s time for me to move on but I do feel quite sad about it and it all feels a bit scary and huge! I’m sure the excitement will kick in, I’ve just never moved away from home once not even for uni so it’s a big deal

It is so hard to buy a house these days so you should be extremely proud. Congratulations, wish you all the best

 

[Magwitch]

To be honest, if you can hear the person they are speaking to on the phone, the sound insulation must be terrible and there is nothing you can really do about that other than try to mitigate it with noise cancelling headphones etc.

 

[Carapop]

Hello everyone. My fridge freezer has broken down. It's ancient and honestly doesn't owe me a penny. So, I need to replace it.
The trouble is, my kitchen is upstairs.It's a converted cottage and my bedroom is downstairs. Living room and kitchenette upstairs.
I will need to order online because I've had back problems and struggle with pain and mobility.
Does anyone know of a firm - like John Lewis for example who will carry it upstairs for me and remove / dispose of the old one ?
I'm really stressing about it. Anxiety is a bitch.
Thank you

Hi there! Sorry for your troubles, I get so anxious about all these things too. Most of the appliance providers will deliver to the kitchen and remove the old appliance. They might just charge at extra few quid with it. Harvey Norman did it for me!

 

[Serene Serena]

Thank you so much, I knew it was suspect but your friend has really put my mind at rest so please do thank her

I have done, and I hope your friend is okay and won't send this awful man any more money.

 

[Darvos]

I'm all for petty reporting but I'd need to know why I'd be reporting him first!

I have a lamb bone left over from Sunday. I can't bear putting it on the food bin when it could feed some hungry foxes. But I don't want the foxes to crap all round my house like they did when they got into my food bin last time and I know you're not supposed to encourage them. Plus I think I have rats living under my decking (one came up the neighbour's loo while he was sitting on it) and I really don't want to encourage them either. What should I do?

Make stock.

 

[Captainmouse]

He is too polite for his own good! I've just ordered lion poo off amazon how bloody random but for 15 quid ill give it a go! The place is drenched in vinegar so if the little curly fucker does it after I've ve tried these methods ill absolutely give her a knock x

let us know how you get on. I know it works for cats.

Olbas oil is cheap, less than a fiver and widely available, just save your used teabags

 

[Rockin' Robin]

No problem, rice weevils aren't toxic or dangerous. I'd be more concerned about why you have 12 year old packets of rice in your cupboard.

It's been a while since we're had a clear out!

 

[Snippysnips]

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)?

I've seen people take parts of clothes an turn them into little memory bears, they are quite cute an a lovely way to keep a hold of something

 

[OnlyHereForTheLolz]

I’m quite dark skinned considering what we knew of my heritage so always thought there could be something interesting there. Nope, I am as white British, apparently northern, as it gets The most interesting it gets is some Italian and Norwegian 8 or so generations ago, it was rather disappointing tbh.

We did know my parent had a half sister they’d never met overseas and they’ve come up along with their child and grandchild. No contact has been made but it’s interesting to have found them on Facebook and see faces that share family resemblances. Apart from that it’s fun to see how genetics affects a bunch of silly things like how likely you are to have had hair at birth or if it bleaches in the sun.
I personally wouldn’t want the serious health information though - how likely you are to get cancer or whatever it tells you - not from a service like these.

Definitely don’t pay for the “health” information. That is a load of rubbish. Basically just a money making scheme

 

[T-time]

I feel like I've done the wrong thing, but not sure why. I borrowed a small garden tool from an acquaintance who said to keep the item as they would be able to get another. Well, silly me, returned the item, saying thanks very much for the loan but didn't want them to be left without, so I'm returning it. This happened within the space of a few hours. This was met with a rude, kind of haughty response. I don't know what I did wrong. I thought I was being nice by not putting the other person out.
Would anyone be offended if someone gave you back something that you'd told them to keep?

A guy once broke up with me because I gave back his shirt after I worn it. He thought that I thought that I was too good to wear his crappy shirt. That wasn't true at all. I just thought he wanted his shirt back

Maybe they were all up in their doogooder high and there you are, returning the item. Or they actually want an excuse to buy an upgrade and that fell trough. Or they thought you didn't use it at all. It could have been anything but I don't think it has something to do with you're

 

[BoogleC]

I'd love a robot lawnmower. I hate cutting the grass

 

[Ray1403]

Anyone done a mock interview on ChatGPT and did it help you? I’ve submitted the person spec and asked for a mock interview. First interview in 7/8 years tomorrow and I am NERVOUS

i have an interview tomorrow too. good luck!

 

[OnlyHereForTheLolz]

I am after a sim only contract, but only 30 day minimum term, as I need to update my phone at some point too.

There is a long story as to why I cant do both now. Anyway, which company would people recommend?

I second Lebara. Very good short term contracts