March Forward Into Spring 2026

Rhyddid2026

I feel like I haven't stopped all day! I've done another load of washing and lots of dishes. Did my three Randomly Allocated Tasks. That last one, wiping things in the conservatory, was a killer and I really didn't want to do it. I reminded myself it was only 10mins, put a podcast on, and did 15mins cleaning some of the windows and windowsills.

I tried to unclog one of the sinks but the unclogging gel is just sat in the sink not going down. I've tried sticking metal twirly down the plug hole too. It's not shifting. That problem will have to roll over til tomorrow. All of the plumbing in this house is awful.

I'm going to relax a little now as I need to keep enough energy to remake my bed later.

beanielou

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82002410#Comment_82002410

Take it you have tried boiling water?

Rhyddid2026

Yes @beanielou. And vinegar and baking soda. It was draining really slowly this morning but seems to have stopped completely now. It's not a sink I use often, so not urgent, just annoying.

Rhyddid2026

Tried a plunger on the sink, it just splashed chemicals at me.

First randomly allocated task was cleaning the little glass table at the side of my sofa. Second task was bringing the ash bucket/scuttle thing in from the conservatory where it's been since I had my chimney swept weeks ago. I thought that was a quick easy task until I saw it was still full of ash and it was raining heavy. Anyway, done now.

Third one is cleaning the washing machine drawer. I probably won't get it done in ten minutes because I want to properly pull it out and soak it first. The actual cleaning of it will be done in ten minutes though.

I had a late start with them today because work was busy.

greenbee

Sounds as if you might want to take the trap/ubend off the sink. Put a bucket under it before you start…

Wanna_Bee_Free

I have achieved OATs. I dropped the dress and two paperbacks into my favourite charity shop. I checked the book prices on bookloop first but went ahead and donated the 35p. With the house on the market keeping the house tidy and decluttered is also important.

I posted the final OAT on my diary earlier. Thought of another OAT which would save me money. Go into the library and get their help with the ebooks thingy as it didn't work last time I tried. Err. Probably a couple of years ago. I bought two kindle books recently to get me through but it would have been avoidable if the library one worked. First step try it again and check it hasn't mysteriously started working again.

Currently sitting in the library smiing wryly to myself. First I had to remember the ebooks thingy name. Libby. Second step, download the app. Log in with library number and pin. Tricky moment remembering a rarely used pin but it was the first one I thought it was. Chose a book to borrow. All worked swimmingly. Obviously doing it sitting in the library rather than anywhere else made a difference. This has been an OAT since June 2022! Turns out it was a much easier OAT to take care of than I thought. £15.98 spent on 2 ebooks over the last two months. I plan to make that figure zero now.

beanielou

Interesting. I could not get Libby to work either. I may try again.

Rhyddid2026

Urgh @greenbee I think you're right, but I was really hoping one of the other things I tried would work. That's gonna be a messy job, especially with the chemicals that are now sitting in it. Gross.

annieb64

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82004689#Comment_82004689

I had to get the librarian to help me set up Libby

Rhyddid2026

Yesterday was a complete write off, I worked and I slept and that's about it.

I have now however cleaned the washing machine drawer. I think there is a conspiracy amongst manufacturers to make it as difficult as possible. I think there must be a yearly awards ceremony where they win for having the most awkwardly placed and the most number of nooks and crannies.

Next on my RAT list is cleaning the bedroom windowsills.