turps | (no subject)

It has been an expensive last few days.

Earlier in the week the boiler went off again. We managed to get it working but decided we needed to be adults and pay for a service before something bad happened and we would have to pay mega money for repairs. So, that was done and the boiler has been fine tuned and should now be fine for the winter.

The same day we bought a second-hand fridge freezer for my In-Laws. Long story short, their house is still a mess, their cooker broke and because the electrics are such a mess they couldn't have a new one fitted. So they're cooking on a halogen oven/hot plate combo. This is on top of having no ceiling lights in the kitchen, then their fridge freezer broke because mice chewed through the wires. At first they said they'd manage, but after a day of living with no way of refrigerating stuff my MiL agreed we could buy them something second hand, which is a huge thing for her. It's an early joint Christmas present as vets bills have left us very low of funds, but, I'm just glad they accepted the offer. So, that was another chunk of money paid out the same day.

Friday we met up with Corey for an early birthday dinner for James. We went to an Indian restaurant close to where Corey lives, and the food was delicious and we had a lovely night. But again, more money, especially as we paid for all.

At some point last week we also saw Knives Out, which was fantastic. I wasn't sure of it at first as it started slow, but I was soon engrossed and loving all the twisting details. And one morning we spent at the limb centre. It was supposed to be a quick appointment to check James' new leg, but they found it had been made wrong which meant major adjustments that took hours. Thankfully I've learned my lesson there and always make sure I have cash for a coffee from the cafe.

Today it's James' birthday but I'm not sure what we're doing. Maybe going out to eat later and then seeing Charlie's Angels. I'm sure James will want to put up the tree, but if we do go out that will have to wait until tomorrow. However, I have just opened the first door on my advent calendar, which is great. We've an Aero one each and also a candle one, as I do love a Christmas candle.

James is doing a bit better now. He was at the doctor's on Friday and she's signed him off for a week for now, but one suggestion was to cut down one of his painkillers he takes at bed to see if it helps the tiredness issue. Problem is of course, it's a balancing act of keeping him pain-free but also alert. Something he thought he'd cracked yesterday when he was full of energy and we had a very full, busy day. Which apparently backfired as he's now fast asleep on the couch.

Crossposts: https://turps33.livejournal.com/1348925.html

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From:

sperrywink

Good luck to James and his med mix, and also Happy Birthday!

Everyone from my conservative Aunt Peggy to you have enjoyed Knives Out, so I guess it has moved onto my "definitely see" list.

Ouch at spending all the money. I'm glad your in-laws caved about the fridge/freezer, but yeah, more money out the door.

From:

turps

I passed on your happy birthday greeting.

Knives Out is so good! I can't remember if you've seen it yet or not in your social and work whirl, but if you haven't, I'm sure you will enjoy it.

I was so happy when my MiL said they'd take the fridge/freezer. They really needed one and pride shouldn't have been an issue, but so often is for them.

From:

wenchpixie

Oooft, that's a lot of outlay all at once, but at least some of it should prevent future outlay, which is a bonus.

Happy birthday James! I'm glad they've sorted his leg, but what a faff, and the med balancing sounds difficult.

Happy Advent! :D

From:

turps

I hope it does prevent future outlay. No, I'm sure it will, especially the boiler. Any problems for that really did need to be nipped in the bud.

I passed on your birthday greetings to James :)

From:

glitteryv

Oooof, that's a lot of dough to fork over in a short period of time. Though, at least, you won't have to worry about the boiler going when the deep winter really kicks off AND your In Laws won't be struggling as much. <3

Happiest of birthdays to James. Here's hoping he gets to find that good balance with his meds soon!

Aaaaah, Knives Out! I LURVED IT!!! Have seen it twice and have a lot of thoughts about it (which means I'll probably get around doing a spoiler-y post sometime this week (maybe?)). :D!!

Charlie's Angels was way better than I'd expected. Like, I wasn't waiting for the MOVIE OF THE CENTURY. Just, you know, something that would be fun and centered around women being BAMFs and friends with each other. And, that's exactly what I got, LOL.

I do think the movie was marketed really poorly (from the trailer that didn't do anything to show ppl why the movie was worth checking out) to the frankly anemic promos (including placing the movie in an embargo--which, in turn, meant that the critics couldn't even tweet their first impressions on the movie). It sucks because, although not a fantastic movie, it's deffo one worth seeing.

From:

turps

Though, at least, you won't have to worry about the boiler going when the deep winter really kicks off AND your In-Laws won't be struggling as much. <3

That's very true. I could have put off the boiler service really, but it was easy to imagine it going off completely over Christmas, or when it was really cold and having to wait ages for a fix. So, it very much was a case of suck up the cost now and get it done.

I passed on your birthday greetings to James :)

I had a feeling you'd like Knives Out. I'll look forward to reading your thoughts if you ever do post about the film. I didn't really say much about it here as my post was already long, but I loved so much about it. Not just the characters and plot twists, but the actual filming style too. The use of light and shadows to frame scenes was really powerful.

I also enjoyed Charlie's Angels. I expected a popcorn movie going in, and yeah, it was that, but a very good one. I loved the interaction between the main characters and actually got goosebumps at the end when all the men went down.

It's a shame that it wasn't marketed well, as it should have gained more recognition and viewers.

You'll be halfway through your list of movies you want to see now, well, going by the ones that have came out here anyway. I don't know if I've said but the JoJo Rabbit trailer has just started to be shown and I think of you every time I see it.

From:

glitteryv

I don't know if I've said but the JoJo Rabbit trailer has just started to be shown and I think of you every time I see it.

Oh, that is v. sweet.

Jojo Rabbit deffo made my top 10 of the year. I hope you get the chance to see it soon!

FTR, I ended up going to see KO 3 times (tho the last one was for ficcy reasons). I'm trying to be 'good' and not going to see it a 4th time until AFTER I catch some of the remaining films I have on my list (Waves, Portrait of a Lady on Fire, Black Christmas, and SW Ep.9). :P

And I think I'll save up on my KO squee for my 2019 Films wrap up.

From:

romantical

Money, man. I'm sorry you guys had to shell out so much all at the same time. Seems to be the way it happens anymore though, right?

Knives out made me so happy. Chris playing a complete asshole was just delightful. It gave me the same happy feelings as Clue does. It's very different, but also in the same vein.

Happy, happy birthday to James!!!!

From:

turps

Seems to be the way it happens anymore though, right?

Yep, I think sometimes things conspire to break together, just for that added element of shock at spending so much money.

Knives Out was so good! I really enjoyed Chris in it and he was obviously enjoying playing an asshole. I also liked that the twists surprised me. I knew something was going to happen, but never exactly what.

I passed on your birthday greetings :)

From:

romantical

There's a appliance conspiracy. I KNEW IT.

I love it when people are clearly enjoying what they're doing, and Chris was obviously having a blast. I really enjoyed it. Now I just need it to come out on DVD so I can own him. It. Um. It.

From:

frausorge

Happy birthday James! I hope that the week off lets him rest and recuperate and that the right balance of meds can be found.

Those all sound like worthwhile purchases, so I hope you (and the people you treated/gifted) get to enjoy the benefit of them without money anxiety detracting from that.

Happy Advent! I opened my first calendar door too. \o/

From:

turps

I passed on your birthday wishes to James :)

They were all worthwhile purchases, it's just a shame they all had to happen so close together, and so close to Christmas. But, they're all paid for now and really were needed.

I love opening the doors of my advent.

From:

badfalcon

Getting that balance of pain-free and alert is like walking a tightrope, I hate it - and how often it changes! Good luck to James on finding it

From:

turps

Getting that balance of pain-free and alert is like walking a tightrope, I hate it - and how often it changes!

I feel for anyone having to walk that tightrope, and how frustrating it has to be when something that worked previously, suddenly stops working at all.

I do hope you find your balance, and keep it, too.

From:

sylvaine

Ooof, so much money /o\ good and necessary things, but it's still painful when that kind of chunk goes missing from your account!

Happy birthday to James!

From:

turps

It was so much money. All the stuff needed, but you're right, it is painful to spend.

I passed on your birthday greetings to him :)

From:

turlough

That's so inconsiderate of your boiler! This time of the year is expensive enough as it is!

A belated Happy birthday to James! Please give him a birthday hug from me. It's good to hear he's doing a bit better. Hopefully it means he's on an upward path now.