It is tough NOW. So how are we coping

Caterina

Hi all

I am having a furious non-OS attack today, help help help!

This morning for the first time in AEONS I decided to treat myself to a hot bath, nice and deep. I normally have a very quick shower (electric shower 8.5kW, really Green and all that...) so I did not feel bad at giving myself a treat.

I went to run the bath and the warm water just trickled in, taking ages, never getting really hot, then I had to top up the bath with 5 full boiled kettles, but by the time one kettle was in the water had gone cool again, in the end I was crying and sobbing at the injustice of being 51 having worked hard all my life and still living like in a bloody student digs.

Thanks to my adorable DD I pulled myself together and had a lukewarm bath.

But no sooner I was dried I was on the phone with someone to give me quotes for a new boiler and lalala... Today I feel like I have had it with always scrimping and saving, being careful and green and responsible, no car no flights, recycle to the last scrap, compost, buy local, eat millions of locally grown parsnips, reuse leftovers, freeze bread, wear an extra jumper... ah you all know the song, don't you?

I am having a little fit of madness, want to go and do some anti-environmental, purely pleasurable and self indulgent activities (it has been so long that I don't even know what I would like to do), and the first one is TO HAVE A BLEEDIN' WORKING BOILER THAT ALLOWS ME A HOT BATH ONCE IN A BLUE MOON.

Sorry, feeling really down and I just needed a place to let rip. And I am not even premenstrual (it must be the pre-menopause then...who knows....).

Does anyone ever get FED UP with being so good?

Thank you for "hearing" me out, you know I am not usually like this, it is just one of these days. I should probably go to my Five OS Pleasures for the Day thread and count my blessings, but today I am finding it difficult.

Crying as I type. I must have really lost it today!

Edited to say: and me saying to Sarah in a few posts back "just as long as you don't use gallons of hot water...." I am really ashamed of myself today.

Sylvan

You have my sympathy. Lukewarm baths are so frustrating.
It was obviously the straw that broke the camel's back too. :grouphug:


Try to console yourself with the thought that a new boiler will be more energy efficient... (We had ours serviced yesterday and he gave me a sheet telling me how much we would save over the year (and over 15 years) if we changed it - yeah, but!)

Yategirl

!!!!!!!!!!{HUGS}}}}}} Caterina... am sorry to hear you are having a down day..

is the boiler definitely on it's way out or could it be coerced into being co-operative? ours goes through phases of playing up and dh coaxes it into behaving for a while longer...

I have down days... fed up of watching the pennies, fed up of not being able to do stuff, fed up of seeing others on supposedly low(er) incomes buying organic foods, buying expensive clothes and other items and we have to scrimp and save and justify every little thing...

perhaps a new boiler would be more efficient and maybe save you money in the long run? sometimes we have to buy these things as we do need them....

mags50_2

massive massive hugs Caterina....hate to see you so fed up....you usually cheer me up and make me laugh....but I will allow you one bad day in a while....:p:D

you take care of yourself and hugs again
x

Nitha

When I was pregnant last year our boiler went about this time. I was distraught! I drove to my mum's daily to have a hot bath!

MRSMCAWBER

Afternoon all

Caterina... With everything else you do to be green and frugal please don't beat yourself up about wanting a big hot bath once in a while.. There are lots of things I would go without -but Im affraid my hot bath isn't one of them -I don't have as many as I used to..but I can't imaine giving them up..

On a happy note -i have been talking to my mum today..and she has just had her 1st gas statement since we chatted and she decided to have a blankie when she was cold, wearing thermals etc..the heating still goes on for an hour before my brother gets up and a couple of hours in the evening (he works out doors all day)... anyway -the estimate was £175.... she phoned through her reading and it came to a little over £40 for the quarter:j they owed her just over £90 last time -plus the last 3 months DDs -so they now owe her over £160 :T although she has asked them to keep hold of it whilst she does the winter period.... She is thrilled as they have hardly noticed any difference in the house. So when her cold winter payment goes into the bank its going straight into her savings :T

mardatha

Does anyone ever get FED UP with being so good?
*********
Caterina, I belong to the Mae West school of life. I am never good enough for long enough to get fedup OF it !
I dont have showers. Bits of me stick out and get cold !! I have a boiling hot bath upto my nose. Probly the coal I burn is killing the rain forest...

elona

Anytime I run a bath for me it is the signal for the phone or doorbell to go.

Bits of me stick out of the bath and then freeze so the shower is a better option at the moment, but there is nothing like a long bubbly bath in peace and quiet.

You deserve some comforts Caterina so please don't feel bad.

Think of the new boiler as an investment both for your comfort, health, the home and saving the planet by being more efficient.

Big hug

Nitha

I now really want a hot bath! But DS is not looking like he'll be taking a nap anytime soon!! It makes me laugh - when he was tiny I never wanted him to nap - now I hate days when he doesn't take a proper nap as nothing gets done!

Bobbykins

(((hugs))) Caterina - I know how you feel. Try not to beat yourself up. You do far more than many others to be green and you SO deserve a hot bath once in a while as a little reward.....
and anyway, with new energy efficient boilers, it is your green and frugal DUTY to get a new one . .

Seriously, I hope it is manageable for you in your budget, it really will save you a lot in the long run if you can manage it.