The advice thread for random problems #7

[Lizz17uk]

What weed killer do you use? You need to ensure it’s the right thing for the weed you’re dealing with so may need two different types, ones that kill the roots. If you happen to know any farmers, they can get the industrial stuff.

We have large gravel/stones and don’t have a cat problem, if yours is more small shingle maybe you can top it with some larger stones when you come to do it assuming the size puts them off.

Honestly in the past we’ve only used the stuff you get from say b & q, we have two cats and a dog and there are a lot of neighbourhood pets hence the poop issue it seems so we ve been trying to be careful however. It doesn’t work that well so we’re thinking of looking for something stronger and we will lay the membrane and gravel straight away and keep the pets in out the way, I have heard that larger stones puts them off so we will prob give this a try!!! And keep our fingers crossed! Thanks!!

 

[Snippysnips]

How do people handle stress? I feel stressed with work, I feel stressed with my family (family drama ), I feel stressed with the state of the world! I am stressed!! I’ve never been stoned but I’m tempted to get stoned to chill out!

And I go see a therapist now and again but I don’t think talking will help!

I don't read, listen or watch news, have found that just switching off from the world has been great (can't do anything about it anyway so why watch what I can't fix) also let family know am here if they need but am not their personal therapist or assistant

Also I know it's not everyone's cup of tea but video games is a huge stress relief for me, even if I don't want to "play" as such just blasting a few things with a rocket launcher on GTA does wonders

I'll also mindlessly doddle or colour, just anything I can switch off from, have also deleted about all my social media so am not mindlessly scrolling (insta was so bad for that)

 

[Django]

VIP members can generate codes, but not all of them.

I used to be able to do it but I can't see the option now

 

[OnlyHereForTheLolz]

This is an outrageous comment Creatine doesn’t make you fat, whether you exercise or not. It can cause a modest increase in weight on the scales initially, but that’s only cos of increased water retention within the muscles, not fat gain. It’s one of the most extensively researched supplements, with well established benefits for muscle strength and performance, and recent evidence of potential cognitive benefits. And it’s absolutely not banned in professional sport. Where on earth did you get that information? (Big creatine are not paying me to write this post)

It is banned in a lot of sports. And it will cause weight gain sorry if I used the word FAT i stead of weight gain. How do I know? It happened to a friend who used the stuff and didn’t exercise. Ballooned like an elephant

 

[Snippysnips]

Thank you I never thought of asking tbh I'm one of those people who hates asking & putting people out, my hair personally is absolutely awful, has zero curl just pure frizz, I straighten it, tie it up & that's it, i sweat so bad if I wear it down heat literally comes off my head even in winter its so weird, I've just never been shown how to style it properly & had the piss taken out of me by my so called mother during my teenage years I've kind of just accepted it, i used to try & wear it down occasionally as a teenager using a whole can of mousse in the process giving it that crispy horrible texture. I just hate the fact a lot of hairdressers have you sitting in front of a big window like you are in some kind of freak show as well.

I know it can be hard to find a good hairdresser, but a good one will understand an also help you out with advice on what can help your hair, I don't know your area but could you even just go into some around your bit an just talk with them? Just see if they have experience with your hair type, it helps going to someone who knows what they are doing an sometimes certain hairdresses are only experienced in specific hair types

 

[chickhicks86]

I need my hair cut but I have no idea what I want done. It's long and in this heat is just irritating

Is there a website where I can upload my photo and it'll show me what hairstyles will look like on me please?

The dreaded Chatgpt will do this for you.

 

[Former_Antelopee]

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

 

[Snippysnips]

I take some B-vitamin in the morning or something like berroca

I take magnesium and 5HTP and multivitamin pills

Would taken these eventually help if they are in the system?

I actually feel fine when am up an dressed, don't feel the tiredness or the strong want to stay in bed, it only seems to happen when I first wake up despite the fact am naturally waking in the first place

 

[chickhicks86]

If someone seems uninterested whenever you have ethnic hairstyles and not straight hair would you say they don’t like you at all? Gone on a few dates and he can’t even look at me when I have natural textured hair.

I think I'd have to mention it to him! What would happen if your relationship progresses and you ended up living together or getting married? Maybe it's something as simple as him not realising that hair straighteners exist and wondering how your hair is so different, but it seems strange to be bothered by it!

 

[Snippysnips]

My manager asked me to do something which isn’t so much higher than my pay grade and I’m not paid to assess. Not sure what I should say but I don’t know why I would have to use my time and mental energy figuring something out which I’m not qualified to do. I don’t know why she’s picking my brains but I don’t want to be rude and I have got my own things to get on with.

I'd just be upfront an honest an say that you'd like to politely decline as you feel you aren't qualified enough to take it on an you'd prefer it went to someone who is more experienced with it as with your own workload you feel it may be added stress

It could be they feel you are ready to take it on, but it also could be a way of seeing if you will just take on whatever they give an then you'd be in the position of getting more work an them saying "well you done it last time" if you try to decline it

 

[OnlyHereForTheLolz]

How do people handle stress? I feel stressed with work, I feel stressed with my family (family drama ), I feel stressed with the state of the world! I am stressed!! I’ve never been stoned but I’m tempted to get stoned to chill out!

And I go see a therapist now and again but I don’t think talking will help!

Spending time outside, even when raining or cold. Also exercise is fantastic for stress relief. Journalling to get some feelings out.
Also if the news is stressing you out then stop watching it for a a week.

 

[HoGi]

Did anyone else get a Our Future Health letter through the post about some study they are doing? If you did, are you going to sign up to do it ?

I did it a couple of years ago

 

[OnlyHereForTheLolz]

Struggling with a really negative colleague. We have the same manager, and I am in a more senior role than her but I do not directly line manage her. It's a busy time at work, 2 weeks out from our annual big event.

You'd think nobody has worked harder than her, more hours than her, or done more than her. Multiple times, our shared manager has remarked to me that she has been reluctant to take work on and that she is negative, and that we should find ways for me to be able to delegate work to her (as my workload is high). I said that she is often reluctant towards this as she's very aware that I do not line manage her. My boss' response was 'don't worry, she's got the same attitude with everyone'.

I tend to largely get on with my own work and ignore her moaning. We generally work well together, but she happened to snap at me in front of our shared manager today when I pointed out something to be changed in the final draft that I, fully admittedly, had put in. She said 'I need you to ensure everything you send me is clean because I am too busy for this'. I ignored it, because quite frankly, we're all busy and in a mad pre-event rush. My boss also said nothing.

But I just feel like this is a growing problem and I'm not quite sure how to address it. I've been assisting more and more of her work, which I am happy to do because I am in a more senior role and I am able to finish things quicker - both my side and also for my boss, who tends to have less rounds of feedback for me and trusts more of the process in my hands. Still... has anyone dealt with a colleague like this?

You need to nip it in the bud immediately. As soon as it happens. I know how I would handle it but a lot depends on your work situation on how nice you need to be when stopping her.
If you don’t stop it, it will carry on and get worse

 

[Pesky Tarian]

I really want wraps for my lunch next week but everytime I make wraps and try to roll them, the wraps get holes in them or never as tight as they should be. I’ve added less food in the middle to see if that helps - it doesn’t!
Anyone got any videos I could watch that makes it sink in on how to do a tortilla wrap?!

I find the reduced fat wraps are a bit sturdier for rolling. I actually saw Joie wrap ties in Aldi yesterday, might be worth a go!.

 

[Captainmouse]

I've bought a silent night heated throw. I've had it on for 40 minutes this evening and only half got warm. Surely it can't take longer than this to warm fully?. I don't know if I have a defective product or I'm impatient?!.

I bought one from amazon, not expensive, instant heat, monhouse

 

[Ray1403]

am i really boring for not being arsed to do anything for bonfire night? my dad has invited us round tomorrow night but he lives 90 minutes away. i’m at work all day til 5, toddler’s in nursery all day. i’m in the middle of potty training which is stressful and he’s also having huge bedtime resistance. i’m also 20 weeks pregnant. i told my dad no but feel guilty now

 

[Serene Serena]

I don't usually have this issue but painful ears when flying. Advice please? I've had a really snotty nose (I suspect hayfever) which I don't think is helping much

Barley sugar sweets for take off and landing.

 

[Lizz17uk]

If you are prepared to clear the weeds and poop, you could look at something like this - https://www.amazon.co.uk/Vuba-EASIH...9397155487-B0FHQVHGSK-&hvexpln=0&gad_source=1

Ooo I’ve never heard of this! Will def investigate thank you for the link!!!

 

[OnlyHereForTheLolz]

PS I just googled, you are correct not banned in all sports. Although it is banned in some sports, probay why I know it’s banned in the sport I support

 

[Chocolategoggler]

I want to buy new pillows as mine are looking gross!! I've got 4 of the same brand, which are quiet firm, but i think I want to buy 2 which are a bit softer. Anyone got any recommodations? I'm a side sleeper- willing to pay upto £30.

I got more of a rectangle box shaped one from The Range £11/12 as I thought it would look good in my bed even if it was no good. I had also just bought a super bounce one from Aldi so didn't get 2 box ones.
I don't lean against the box one and it has been very good for sleeping on.
I do lean against the super bounce one, which has gone flat now.
ETA I am a side sleeper too.