Finally Debt Free After 34 Years, But Still Need to Live Frugally

HairyHandofDartmoor

It's been sunny all morning so I put my washing out in the garden. About ten minutes later the heavens opened :mad:. How long will a clothes horse full of thick hoodies take to dry in an unheated house? :eek:

I tried to log in to my online NPow3r account to give my meter readings but it said my password was wrong. I tried to reset it twice but their email didn't come. So I tried their online chat option. It turns out they are upgrading their customer accounts and this is why I couldn't log in. Why couldn't it just tell me that rather than saying my password was wrong and stressing me out? :mad: Anyway I gave my meter readings to online chat man who promised to enter them.

Cherryfudge

Another idea for getting the washing dry is to use a non-sloping bannister rail if you're lucky enough to have one. It's especially good for sheets and quilt covers.

I put shirts and tee shirts on hangers if they can't go out of doors. The hangers then go in doorways and it seems to work well. I'm another who uses tops of doors too. As to having to dust them first, once dusted, the washing keeps them that way! LOL

Carboot, I'm a little bit concerned that you haven't gone back to your original weight despite eating well. Are you taking more exercise than you used to, or is it something to go to the doctor for?

HairyHandofDartmoor

Some good laundry drying ideas there Cherry.

Perhaps you should see the doctor about your weight loss Carboot. It can't do any harm.

[Deleted User]

Cherryfudge wrote: »

Another idea for getting the washing dry is to use a non-sloping bannister rail if you're lucky enough to have one. It's especially good for sheets and quilt covers.

I put shirts and tee shirts on hangers if they can't go out of doors. The hangers then go in doorways and it seems to work well. I'm another who uses tops of doors too. As to having to dust them first, once dusted, the washing keeps them that way! LOL

Carboot, I'm a little bit concerned that you haven't gone back to your original weight despite eating well. Are you taking more exercise than you used to, or is it something to go to the doctor for?

Great ideas for getting the washing dry indoors:T. I must try all of these. I've never used the tops of doors for big items but definitely will be doing from now on as so many of you recommend it. I often put things that are semi dry and need to be on coathangers (to save me having to iron them mainly) hung over doors to finish drying but not things like duvet covers. I always learn something useful whenever I come on here and chat to you lovely people:A


Thank you very much for your concern about my health:A. When I was ill first, the PA coming on, it coincided with a period of worry and grief when my brother got his cancer diagnosis and died soon after. We'd already lost OH's sister and our adored cat the few months previously and I was at a low ebb anyway. The fact that I lost my appetite and ate so little seemed natural in the circumstances and I didn't worry too much. But I was beginning to look haggard and friends who I hadn't seen for a while were forever asking me if I'd been ill:eek:. That's before I knew I was. I lost just over 2 stone in about 6 months. I wasn't overweight to start with and it really showed especially as I'm only 5 foot 1.


Since I've started on the B12 injections I feel almost back to normal. I've regained my mojo and most of my energy:j. I'm not taking more exercise than I used to when I was 100% well though. I've started eating a lot again (always was a greedy so and so:o) and haven't lost any more weight. I don't have any scales at home so only weigh myself when I see any public ones. I picked up OH's prescription at the pharmacy in the GP surgery at the end of last week and weighed myself on the scales in the waiting room. I think I'd gained 3 pounds since the last time but I suspect it was because I had more clothes on. I won't go back to see the Doc unless I lose any more. I've a check-up due at the end of December so will mention it then if there's no improvement. My face is a normal colour now, I've lost that washed-out grey pallor I had before:j

[Deleted User]

HairyHandofDartmoor wrote: »

Could you wear a belt with one of your dresses to make it fit better Carboot?

Or do you have smart trousers and a plain top you could wear? My mum often wore black or navy trousers with a plain black or navy tee-shirt. She jazzed these outfits up with patterned blouses that she wore unbuttoned over the top. She usually wore a bead necklace or silky scarf with it. She always looked very well dressed, but the outfits weren't expensive.

Do you have anything like that in your wardrobe? I have a dress with a bit of stretch in the material which is useful for weight fluctuations.

Thanks very much for the suggestions. Sad to say I don't own a dress except a summery cotton one that's been washed so many times it's almost colourless:eek:. I always wore dresses or suits when I was working but since I retired I live in trousers. I'm like your Mum in believing that smart trousers jazzed up with tops and accessories seem suitable for all occasions.

When I'd lost so much weight but felt it had stopped I treated myself to some new trousers. I bought 2 pairs, one navy one black. I've worn the navy ones a lot but the black ones are still unworn. They were quite cheap (and in the sale too so a bargain:j) and I think I'll wear them tomorrow. At least they don't fall down or need constant hitching up:rotfl:. Just need to find a suitable top now. Mine look huge but I expect I could get away with it for once. No one's going to be looking at me are they? I planned to wear the blouse I wore to my brother's funeral. It was a bit loose then but even more so now. Maybe I'll follow what your Mum did and wear a top with the blouse unbuttoned over it. I have a black top in a stretch jersey fabric that would fit the bill but is no longer smart/new enough to wear on it's own. Thanks for the idea, I feel a lot better about things now:T:j

HairyHandofDartmoor

I think your black trousers with the black stretchy top sound ideal for the funeral and if the blouse is unbuttoned then it won't notice if it's a bit loose on you .

Do keep an eye on your weight just in case Carboot. What is PA? Sorry if you've already told me .

[Deleted User]

HairyHandofDartmoor wrote: »

I think your black trousers with the black stretchy top sound ideal for the funeral and if the blouse is unbuttoned then it won't notice if it's a bit loose on you .

Do keep an eye on your weight just in case Carboot. What is PA? Sorry if you've already told me .

Thank you:)

PA is Pernicious Anaemia (B12 deficiency). I had to have a course of 8 injections over a 2 week period when it was first diagnosed and then an injection every 3 months forever. I don't mind injections and they are certainly working:j The condition is common among ladies of a certain age apparently. Nothing for me to get stressed about although when I went so thin and had absolutely no energy and felt dizzy all the time I did panic a bit, especially after losing my brother to cancer only about 3 months previously.

elizabethhull

carbootcrazy wrote: »

Thank you:)

PA is Pernicious Anaemia (B12 deficiency). I had to have a course of 8 injections over a 2 week period when it was first diagnosed and then an injection every 3 months forever. I don't mind injections and they are certainly working:j The condition is common among ladies of a certain age apparently. Nothing for me to get stressed about although when I went so thin and had absolutely no energy and felt dizzy all the time I did panic a bit, especially after losing my brother to cancer only about 3 months previously.

My daughters and I both have lowish VitB12 levels, DD1 being low enough that she self-injects regularly.
She has become rather a crusader for B12, tending to attribute all sorts of things to low levels, as it is undoubtedly true that many doctors do not think of it as a cause and are reluctant to do the loading injection you describe which will definitively determine if that is the problem. It is a cheap product, and pretty well impossible to overdose on, so there is really no reason not to at least consider it, especially for otherwise unusually low levels of energy, brain fog, peripheral neuropathy, etc.
My 96 yr old Aunt also has 3-monthly injections, and you can really tell - I get a 'new' Aunt every 3 mths !
The levels that are considered normal in the UK, would be thought of as low in eg Japan - so there is no real consensus.

The clothing suggestions sound perfect for you, CBC, I do understand you want to get the 'tone' right for a funeral.

Another one here who dries all sorts of things on hangers in doorways, and over the landing bannisters. I do a special wash that leaves things pretty damp, then once dried they don't need ironing - an activity I find a shocking waste of time & energy, though that might have something to do with not being able to stand & do it !!

HairyHandofDartmoor

I had very low energy levels and felt unwell all the time three years ago, so I booked a health check at the doctor. My test results came back as perfectly normal :huh:.

So I decided it must be stress, being overweight, an unhealthy diet, too much alcohol and no exercise. So I only drank alcohol at weekends, only had suger as a special treat, and started my park walks. I lost two stone in a year my energy levels went through the roof and it helped with the stress:j.

I know that isn't the cause of everyone's tiredness but it worked for me :T. I honestly thought I was ill before as I felt so awful.

[Deleted User]

HairyHandofDartmoor wrote: »

I had very low energy levels and felt unwell all the time three years ago, so I booked a health check at the doctor. My test results came back as perfectly normal :huh:.

So I decided it must be stress, being overweight, an unhealthy diet, too much alcohol and no exercise. So I only drank alcohol at weekends, only had suger as a special treat, and started my park walks. I lost two stone in a year my energy levels went through the roof and it helped with the stress:j.

I know that isn't the cause of everyone's tiredness but it worked for me :T. I honestly thought I was ill before as I felt so awful.

I'm really happy you got your illness sorted out, HH:beer:. I know how worrying it is when the things we used to be able to do without thinking suddenly become impossible. In my case, although happily not in yours yet:j, tempus fugit must be playing a part. Most of the time I don't feel much mentally older than my 30 year self when I think I was in my prime but wear and tear must be playing a part behind the scenes:eek:. I'm still physically active (although don't exercise as such apart from walking a lot) and have no aches, pains and stiff joints. When I started feeling so tired all the time, forgetful, lethargic, dizzy, disinterested in food and just generally 'out of it' I firstly put it down to feeling the years were catching up with me and it was time to act my age:o. Silly now, I know. I don't really think I'll ever grow up.


I couldn't put my symptoms down to any of the causes you mention causing yours, HH, as I drink alcohol about 3 times a year and wasn't overweight (give or take a couple of pounds now and then but still well within the normal BMI range for my height). We eat a very healthy diet, low in fat and containing lots of fresh veg. I've cut back on red meat for economy's sake but we eat plenty of fish and chicken. I never eat chocolate, puddings or cakes because I don't like the taste of sweet things. I sound like a paragon of virtue don't I:rotfl: but I'd eat this way even if it wasn't the healthy option.


I'm always doing something that involves moving or walking and when I go for long walks with OH I feel a bit frustrated because he likes to amble along but I like to walk fast. I've always been a fast walker and lots of times when I've just been walking along a street with friends much younger than me they'd be puffing and asking me to slow down:rotfl:. I think smoking (or not) might have something to do with that;)


What we do have in common, HH, apart from some nice things:j, is stress. You have far more than me as I haven't a family to worry about providing for but we both have the worry about lack of money. At the time you were ill you still had overwhelming debts hanging over you and there's not much else in life more stressful than that.