Progress not Perfection

Sun_Addict

EssexHebridean said:

On the fire SA, how about plugging it in to a smart plug which you could control from your phone - you could then keep an eye on its use and switch it off if it is clearly on heat mode?! (Or track the amount of energy it's using, and declare with a huge worried sigh that since the energy costs seem to have gone up massively you're starting to think that the next holiday might not be affordable... )

He's had the talk about energy costs and how I'll be able to tell from the smart meter. Since I said this he hasn't touched it but then it's been quite mild, not sure if he'll heed my warning once winter kicks in. The smart plug is a great idea, thank you. 

I hope I'm not sounding mean but he doesn't usually sit in the dining room as he doesn't know how to work the TV (it's on a Roku box). He's a devil for sitting in short sleeves then complaining he's cold.

Sun_Addict

A bit more decluttering has been done this lunchtime. I bought a rattan storage box from BnM yesterday for just £14, it was in the bathroom section, and it's the perfect size for storing A4 plastic wallets. I've been chipping away at it over the past few days one wallet at a time and shredding anything out of date before putting things back in the wallets. This is to store anything to do with the house, Mr SA's medical stuff, etc. I'm also going to do a folder for our wills and any bank/pension details.

Still got loads to sort out but making good progress. Filled another two bags to go to the charity shop.

I've also phoned the skip hire place asking them to pick it up next time they're in the area. 

Cherryfudge

EssexHebridean said:

On the fire SA, how about plugging it in to a smart plug which you could control from your phone - you could then keep an eye on its use and switch it off if it is clearly on heat mode?! (Or track the amount of energy it's using, and declare with a huge worried sigh that since the energy costs seem to have gone up massively you're starting to think that the next holiday might not be affordable... )

Great idea - but surely the beer budget reduces before the holiday one?

foxgloves

The rule in our house is that our lovely gas stove in the lounge (one of those which looks like a woodburner but without the work) can ONLY be switched on if the chilly person is wearing a sensible warm layer & not just sitting in a T-shirt. I have reminded Mr F of this rule twice this week & as he continued to sit there in his T-shirt, the stove was not lit.
F

Sun_Addict

A job that has been on my to do list for a very long time has now been done. Nothing onerous just book some theatre tickets. I can't book online as Mr SA has access requirements and I get a free ticket as a carer. So we're going to the pantomime on 17 December, a Christmas music type thing on 23 December and Only Fools & Horses in April. We've been wanting to go to the Only Fools show for a couple of years but it always falls when we're on holiday, we'll be going a few days beforehand so will be a nice start to his big birthday celebrations. 

The past couple of times we've been to the pantomime, I've had my leg in plaster and ended up in a disabled seat at the back with a chair to rest my leg on. Fingers crossed this jinx has passed - surely! 😬

Need to don my witches hat now and help out at the Halloween event. 

Baileys_Babe

We have a similar rule in our house regarding both the solid fuel stove in the living room and the heating. When we had the cold snap a few weeks back, teenager #2 moaned how cold it was and asked us to put the heating on in their room, the response from the rest of the house was to dress more appropriately for the weather, to stop wearing only shorts and a t-shirt, to layer up, wear your vests, you own slippers and oddie style jumpers wear them, are you using HWB? Since that day, we have heard no more about the heating but they are dressed more sensibly.

I'm also encouraging all of us to get up and move regularly as that also helps to keep us at a comfortable temperature.

badmemory

When I had my hip replacement they advised getting up and moving every 30 minutes.  I think that my experience has proved them absolutely correct in this.  Obviously I am older than most on here so I suspect these things impact me more, but I can tell without question when I haven't moved for over an hour.  My fitbit reminds me when I need to move even if my timer doesn't.  Who ever thought i would be living by the clock even when retired for so long.

beanielou

I am going to the pantomime on the same date! 

Sun_Addict

The Halloween event was a resounding success at over 300 visitors. Our road was absolutely heaving with kids (and parents) dressed up. Glad I wasn’t home to answer the door to that lot! Next year I think we’ll go out. 

badmemory

The door knockers were very persistent here.  Mrs Scrooge told them it was an American holiday & I am British.  If I had bought sweets for them there wouldn't have been any left anyway.  I don't know where those kids came from though because it is the first time in years anyone has been.