• Gibsonhasafluffybutt@aussie.zoneEnglish
    20·
    7 days ago

    Decided not to have a wild one tonight. Mood was a bit eh for historical reasons, but still go to see my friends which is awesome.

    All in all, a really great day.

    Thanks everyone for the birthday wishes, you guys are amazing. You’ve all been an incredible support during some of the hardest times I’ve had in recent memory.

    Thank you, from the bottom of my heart ❤️❤️❤️

    Time for some ambient and down tempo music making I think.

  • tombruzzo@aussie.zone
    14·
    8 days ago

    Happy birthday DT. I know a few people here have a birthday today and it’s my boys’ birthday too. As far as I’m concerned, November 16th can be like the horses birthday for DT

  • Llabyrinthine@aussie.zone
    14·
    8 days ago

    Got flowers today… Nothing like feeling you are seen. 🖤

    Flowers

    Also, they are massive… Like I had to dig out my 50+ cm vase for them.

    Feel absolutely blessed. A millions miles from how I’ve felt the last couple of days.

  • just_kitten@aussie.zone
    12·
    8 days ago

    My friend has helped me move out about 70% of my stuff (deadset legend).

    But I have vastly underestimated how much stuff I have, and how much stuff I can realistically store at this next place…

    I am REALLY working hard to keep myself together. Wow this is a huge huge downgrade. I really did not prepare myself for this. Even my friend looked at the other place and (reluctantly, after I was whinging) said “yeah… it’s a place to crash at after a long day, not a home - it’s a good thing you’re only there for six months”.

    The plan will work, I just need to get everything out of here by the 19th. I will cull and sell further once it’s been moved, none of it is too heavy.

    • Seagoon_@aussie.zoneOP
      7·
      8 days ago

      so many hugs

      And let this new place be a home, just a little home, get to know your new neighbourhood and some local people. Try to keep some of your old habits. It will be fine. 😘

    • melbaboutown@aussie.zone
      6·
      8 days ago

      I’m really sorry. I know how it is to live somewhere you hate.

      Re the fridge, I used to live somewhere the kitchen was so small it didn’t account for a fridge (literally no place for even a bar fridge - not built to accommodate one) so I kept my fridge nearby in the lounge. If it turns out that the fridge just doesn’t fit you can get creative or you could use a buy nothing/swap site to get a smaller one just to last you for the 6 months.

      (If you have the money you can be a little lenient on convenience/tinned/fast foods just until you get out of there, or cook one pot food. Snacks help greatly.)

      I’m sure Givit would take the big fridge, and perhaps the drawers(?). You might get a tax discount for the donations too.

      This might not be legal in Australia bc food safety but in Slav countries the washing machine is in the kitchen with hot plates sitting on top because of space and also that’s where the plumbing allows it to be.

      And this is hypocritical because I am a packrat/clutterbug when space allows - but I definitely did have ways of storing things/things I would cook or ways of doing things that helped me manage in a small place. Hit me up if you want some tips.

      Just focus on survival for now, you’re in a great position to move in with family and save up for a strong return. It’s a lot easier to tolerate a bad situation if there’s an end date in sight.

      Edit: I also know that Diabetes Victoria does pickups of clothes and other stuff, and there was a thing I used where you could download a prepaid postage label and mail donations to the Iconic.

      However if it’s too much hassle or you don’t have time just do whatever you have to do. I should have thought to tell you this stuff earlier

      • just_kitten@aussie.zone
        3·
        8 days ago

        Thank you for the considerate and thought out reply - it’s helped me see things in a bit better perspective and to work out what I can do within this space (and it’s ok to stay in survival mode just a little longer). I do think I’ve been rather spoiled in my current place with so much built in storage that I’ve sort of sprawled over everywhere. Not having a linen cupboard is a big drawback but I think I can make it work.

        I went back to my place and the fridge I have will JUST fit with about 1cm of space at the top and 2cm on the sides. My washing machine will also fit in the tiny closet (?!) that they have for it. I’ve culled my clothes as much as I could - I suspect some will just stay in boxes until I leave, especially the winter stuff. It’s sad that I won’t be able to cook as freely as I could but I guess it’ll help me narrow down my focus to work and study (and a bit of fun - outside the home).

        I think there’s going to need to be a tip run for some things - an old rug, an old ironing board, an old POANG chair scratched up by a cat, an old swag that I’ve done my best to clean the mould off of but there are still visible marks… and an old feather doona - donated by friends, they shrank it in the wash and it’s now badly stained anyway. RSPCA won’t take it as it’s got feathers in it :/

        Plus this long couch nobody wants…

        • melbaboutown@aussie.zone
          3·
          8 days ago

          That’s ok. The place where you live is a really important component of wellbeing.

          I’ve got a strategy for lack of linen cupboard if you want it. Or a few. Depends on what you’re working with. A lot of these tips are about being flexible with what you have.

          Make sure you leave enough space at the back of the fridge if you can! Top and sides I think is less important (I think) but it needs the air gap at the back for ventilation or could overheat.

          The clothes could be shrunk down flat in space saver bags but it depends on the quality. Cheap ones reinflate themselves even when well sealed, saving no space -_-

          And yeah. Hate to say it but if things aren’t in a condition anyone would take them they might have to go to landfill.

          • just_kitten@aussie.zone
            2·
            8 days ago

            I’m keen to hear your linen cupboard-less ideas! I’ve had the same experience with space saver bags back in Singapore when I was storing all my winter clothes from living in Australia - they’d just reinflate.

            • melbaboutown@aussie.zone
              3·
              7 days ago

              Ok - this isn’t for everyone but I kind of break up where the linen is stored into the rooms where the cloth is used.

              The clean tea towels and cloths for wiping the bench get folded into a kitchen drawer. They are NOT being stored in the bathroom.

              The bath towels get folded and stacked on top of the freestanding over-toilet unit (which also holds a small tub for hand towels and cleaning rags, tp and cleaning products). Yes, I hate it but no real choice. I keep them right at the top and always put the lid down to flush but if you want to put the towels inside a plastic tub with a lid to avoid germs go for it. I might actually do that.

              Another option is a narrow vertical corner shelving unit or drawers. I’d suggest storing them above the washer (there are freestanding over-washer shelves) but sounds like your washer is enclosed.

              Storing towels in the bathroom does risk mould but you know. No linen press. All I can do is consistently use the fan when showering and keep an eye on the situation, for now they remain clean and dry. It’s been years so fingers crossed. I don’t have many so they all frequently get used and washed.

              The pillowcases sheets and doona covers get folded or rolled small and stored in those cloth shoe shelves that hang from the bar in your wardrobe or from a clothing rail. (Bulkier blankets or doonas go in airline carrier bags or space saver bags at the top shelf of the wardrobe.) It really depends if you have a spare wardrobe or enough leftover space in the main one. I have only 2-3 bedding changes for space but keep more pillowcases as they take less room and need to be changed more often.

              You can also buy a bed with drawers underneath, buy under-bed cubes or those long flat rectangular tubs on wheels, or put bricks under the legs of your bed to raise it enough that standard storage tubs can easily fit underneath.

              I used to like to keep my kitchen linens separate from clothing or bedding for hygiene reasons, but I don’t have room for another hamper so everything goes in the same large hamper. But each category gets washed carefully as its own load.

              • just_kitten@aussie.zone
                3·
                7 days ago

                Great recommendations, thanks so much!

                There’s only one in-built cupboard in this whole place. I probably would draw the line at storing fresh towels in the bathroom (not to mention it’s tiny so no space there really). I suspect what I will do is leave most of my clothes in boxes ready for the move out (it’s mainly winter gear, technical wear, and dresses taking up space). Put the absolute essentials in the closet and make more space for three sets of linen and three towels.

                Good tip with the shoe shelves - I use one of those for my undies. I think I’ll get another one, need to utilise more of those space saving hacks. I’ve got one of those flat rectangular under-bed tubs for essential documents, might try and get a couple more and that’ll really bulk up the storage! Alright, this is feeling a lot more doable now :)

                • TheWitchofThornbury@aussie.zoneEnglish
                  2·
                  7 days ago

                  Fully agree with melba about keeping cloths where they are going to be used. If you have a built in wardrobe, then the top shelf is real resource. My ‘linen cupboard’ is used for other things as it’s connected to a larger cupboard that houses the vacuum cleaner and shopping trolleys etc. and the smell of dust was contaminating my linens so I had to find another solution.

                  I found that a fitted sheet, flat sheet and 1 pillowcase fits nicely in the other pillowcase to make a neat flat bundle. Other linens likewise can be packed into useful bundles or rolled up. I put small tensioning rods in the top wardrobe shelf just far enough apart to hold these bundles oriented vertically, making each easily accessible while taking up a minimum of space. I found I needed two rods to make a vertical division that holds securely. The lovely thing about these rods is they are completely removable when you move out. They can’t hold much weight when installed horizontally, but are completely fine to control sideways movement of an object when installed vertically. eg stop it tipping over. And you can change the spacing to suit your needs.

                  Curtain/blind shops have them, as they are intended to hold lightweight lace curtains etc. on metal window frames that you can’t screw into. Maybe Bunnings too but I haven’t looked there.

                  Have been considering using them in my pantry to control stacks of tins etc. but I need to get more. The very small ones are the ones I use, and they can be hard to find.

    • PeelerSheila @aussie.zone
      4·
      8 days ago

      A wise man once said to me, “you can only do what you can do when you can do it.” You did what you could, when you could. And you will continue to, that’s the legendary achiever you are. That is enough. Even the wind can chip away at a mountain, the sea at a cliff. You’ve done awesomely for the time and financial constraints you have. It’s not your forever story.

      • just_kitten@aussie.zone
        3·
        8 days ago

        yep… I will learn from this experience and look back on it - just another one of those Adulting things living with what you chose. I love your last sentence, it’s not a forever story! I do need to remind myself of that from time to time. Thank you for the immensely kind words.

  • Rusty Raven @aussie.zoneM
    12·
    8 days ago

    There’s just something about “I’m a pensioner and I need to travel a long way will you give me a discount” that makes me want to say no. The attempted emotional manipulation combined with a sense of entitlement just pisses me off. Not sure why it pushes my buttons so strongly but it really does.

    • Seagoon_@aussie.zoneOP
      3·
      8 days ago

      I’ve had people try that entitled shit on me, I ask and find out they are younger than me … 😹

  • tombruzzo@aussie.zone
    11·
    7 days ago

    Today was a big day but the party went great. These council community centres are perfect for parties like this. I could tell things were going well when people didn’t start leaving immediately after cake and presents. We just left out some toys and large janga and connect four and all the kids had a great time

  • TheWitchofThornbury@aussie.zoneEnglish
    11·
    8 days ago

    Life lesson for today. When you buy a remnant of corduroy to make something, please please please zigzag the edges BEFORE pre-washing it. I am now going to have to run a cleaning cycle on my washing machine which I did not plan to do today. The lint was abominable.

  • Alamutjones@aussie.zone
    10·
    8 days ago

    🍒 The season has arrived 🍒

    I just bought half a kilo of cherries for my pocket change. I am delighted

  • Bottom_racer@aussie.zone
    10·
    8 days ago

    Here’s the schedule for mum’s eye things. Was a bit drunk with the rhs I will redo that.

    I’ve tried phone alarms / apps but this way seems to have a higher success rate. She’s also supposed to be dropping 2 times after 8pm but she likes her baileys so that’s up to her.

    i’m trying I hope it’s logical :( it’s a lot of drops.

    • Nath@aussie.zone
      5·
      8 days ago

      I understand the paper solution, and I’m all on-board with it. But I’d still whip that up as a spreadsheet and print it out. Not because I couldn’t make such a chart by hand, just that it would never occur to me.

      I’m a little impressed. 👍

      • Bottom_racer@aussie.zone
        4·
        8 days ago

        Interestingly the paper / handwritten seems to be more effective than a printed spreadsheet. I think that might be because we sat there together when I was drawing it up, was an activity to get her involved and get her thinking about time intervals for the various drops in the hope she remembers.

    • indisin@aussie.zone
      4·
      8 days ago

      Sorry for replying twice and this is a significantly more effort intensive solution.

      As it’s her vision reading that effectively might be hard.

      Have you considered a smart watch she has to wear? It could vibrate at the time required and display the you must do this exact thing now, or maybe could be set to even vibrate/beep differently based on the required task.

    • indisin@aussie.zone
      3·
      8 days ago

      I’d personally include the after 8pm times so that she’s got a reminder and a subtle call out for missing them.

      If it’s working for her it’s working for you too.

      Also please make sure you scan it so you can print it next time!

    • anotherspringchicken@aussie.zone
      2·
      8 days ago

      That’s great! Clear, colour-coded and easy to see where you’re up to by crossing things off. I think with older people, written down stuff can be easier for them than dealing with technology (based on how my own parents were).

    • tombruzzo@aussie.zone
      2·
      8 days ago

      This is what my grandpa has to go through at the moment. It’s hard keeping up with all those drops for anyone