A new 'tougher' thread... and so it continues

tink1981_2

parsniphead wrote: »

Morning all.

Nettle beer sounds interesting. Do you have a link for the recipie. Just starting on my journey into beer making.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/wordofmouth/2011/may/18/homebrew-from-the-hedgerow

Sorry for delay posting, was trying to remember where we found it. We followed the recipe apart from using brewers yeast and followed my dads tip of floating a slice of bread in the barrel spread with fresh yeast. Worked fine and had quite a kick to it when it was done

mardatha

I can't get any heat into me at all, am going for a hot bath. Its so bleak and raw outside and even the kitchen feels chilly. They are talking about another 2 big storms for next week, on the Netweather forums.

Byatt

I've been lurking for while, but just wanted to introduce myself. Things are pretty tough, and currently I can't afford to heat my home (I rent and have to have a key meter as the landlord won't change it). As a result of some unexpected bills (I lost my front door key and landlord couldn't find their copy) and it cost me £130 to get in.

Anyway, I'm wrapped in a slanket, fingerless mittens and cuddling a hot water bottle. My thermometer (sp?) says "danger of hypothermia" and my breath comes out in clouds! I wonder how I've come to this, but at least I have food.

I don't want to admit any of this to friends or family. But it's some consolation to do it here in an anonymous way.

xxxxxx

angelsmomma

Byatt wrote: »

I've been lurking for while, but just wanted to introduce myself. Things are pretty tough, and currently I can't afford to heat my home (I rent and have to have a key meter as the landlord won't change it). As a result of some unexpected bills (I lost my front door key and landlord couldn't find their copy) and it cost me £130 to get in.

Anyway, I'm wrapped in a slanket, fingerless mittens and cuddling a hot water bottle. My thermometer (sp?) says "danger of hypothermia" and my breath comes out in clouds! I wonder how I've come to this, but at least I have food.

I don't want to admit any of this to friends or family. But it's some consolation to do it here in an anonymous way.

xxxxxx

That is awful for you. What do you mean about the landlord not changing it? Is the account in your name? I don't think the landlord can stop you changing to a credit meter. Have you asked on the renting thread? Sorry for all the questions I just can't bear to think of how cold you are.

7_week_wonder

(((Byatt))) I just wanted to say welcome, and try and take care of yourself. Can you make yourself plenty of hot drinks (using a flask so you only have to boil the kettle once)? I find hot diluting juice warms me up better than tea or coffee.

Take care.

Fruball

Byatt wrote: »

I've been lurking for while, but just wanted to introduce myself. Things are pretty tough, and currently I can't afford to heat my home (I rent and have to have a key meter as the landlord won't change it). As a result of some unexpected bills (I lost my front door key and landlord couldn't find their copy) and it cost me £130 to get in.

Anyway, I'm wrapped in a slanket, fingerless mittens and cuddling a hot water bottle. My thermometer (sp?) says "danger of hypothermia" and my breath comes out in clouds! I wonder how I've come to this, but at least I have food.

I don't want to admit any of this to friends or family. But it's some consolation to do it here in an anonymous way.

xxxxxx

I used to have tenants and they just changed the meter (to a key meter) without asking me and there was pretty much nothing I could do about it... If its the difference between being comfortable or not, I would just get it done. I think the worst that would happen is that you would have to pay £50 to get the meter changed back when you left. Thats what I have been quoted to change it back to bills, altho I refuse to pay as I didn't change the blinking meter I'm in an ongoing battle with them! lol

Also, would your family want you to struggle? Would you want them not mentioning it if it was them and you were in a position to help out? Please try to tell someone.

Soup is cheap to make and for some reason, warms you up much better than hot drinks. a couple of leeks, a couple of potatoes topped up with stock makes a fab soup and leeks are 49p at ald! at the moment.

Keep eating hot meals and wear a hat even when indoors - most of our heat is lost through our heads.

I feel for you

Byatt

Thank you for all your kind posts. I really don't mean to take up space here; I just needed to feel less alone. I will call the energy supplier on Monday; I did try last week but they were so busy, no-one answered. I always thought my landlord had the power to keep it as a key meter. I would of course change it back if I left, but as that is unlikely for a long time, it shouldn't be a problem.

I'm keeping warm by wrapping up and drinking hot drinks and going to bed early. I just can't tell anyone. I'm incredibly independent and stubborn about dealing with my own problems. Thanks for caring.

xxxx

Fruball

Byatt wrote: »

Thank you for all your kind posts. I really don't mean to take up space here; I just needed to feel less alone. I will call the energy supplier on Monday; I did try last week but they were so busy, no-one answered. I always thought my landlord had the power to keep it as a key meter. I would of course change it back if I left, but as that is unlikely for a long time, it shouldn't be a problem.

I'm keeping warm by wrapping up and drinking hot drinks and going to bed early. I just can't tell anyone. I'm incredibly independent and stubborn about dealing with my own problems. Thanks for caring.

xxxx

You def aren't alone hun. I remember last year, one of the posters on this thread couldn't afford to have any heating at all, all winter... It was dreadful for her and her dh and I remember feeling dreadful that I couldn't do anything to help.

Fortunately she is now back on her feet and facing a very different winter this year, to last year.

Change the meter - don't mention it to landlord and change it back if/when you need to. You don't need to go mad with CH, just background warmth will put you in a better place than you are now.

xx

Byatt

Frugal wrote: »

You def aren't alone hun. I remember last year, one of the posters on this thread couldn't afford to have any heating at all, all winter... It was dreadful for her and her dh and I remember feeling dreadful that I couldn't do anything to help.

Fortunately she is now back on her feet and facing a very different winter this year, to last year.

Change the meter - don't mention it to landlord and change it back if/when you need to. You don't need to go mad with CH, just background warmth will put you in a better place than you are now.

xx

Thanks Frugal. :A

kidcat

Byatt - its definitely up to the tenant who supplies the energy and what type of meter so go ahead and contact your supplier, also worth looking into which supplier is cheaper and threatening to swap if needs be to get it changed. As far as your family are concerned, I am sure if you were part of my family and friends and didnt mention your troubles I would be devastated - I know how hard it s to admit you may need a little help (I have been there) but I also know how awful it feels to find out a member of your family have suffered in silence, the guilt is tremendous. Please speak to them - maybe you can do it in a jokey way - drop into a conversation that if anyone is looking to buy you a gift then some credit of your meters would be good?

Mardatha - its so good to know you are ok, am marginally jealous of your snow.:)

HObsons - maybe your DS is worried about you spending the money on hotels and petrol? WHy not tell him that you have decided to book into a hotel anyway as a treat.

Prepareathome - well done on venturing out.

Horlicks I havent had in years but am suddenly craving it now, will definitely have to hunt some down on MOnday just in case

Have spent a magical Christmas day in the forest today, every year we go to see Santa in his grotto and have a lovely day, we took my parents and had a really special day, my dad and OH took the boys on a landrover driving experience for half and hour whilst my mum and I took DD5 to hold a barn owl. All were thrilled, we visited Santa in his winter wonderland grotto and they all got a small baby Christmas tree to plant out. Santa took the time to have a proper conversation with each child. We went on the forest train and had lunch whilst being serenaded by carollers.

That was the magical side which was closely followed by the disastrous side - DS7 wandered off and was missing for twenty minutes, thankfully we were able to think in the right way and finally located him but it was a very long twenty minutes.

Now however am exhausted and cannot get warm, I was also rather stupid in that the kids all wore wellies but I forgot and wore my good boots which are now covered in mud.:eek: