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Oct. 5th, 2021 04:11 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
turpsI finally planted all the spring bulbs yesterday. I'm sure the things were multiplying in the bag, but eventually, they were done. I also moved the butterfly bush Pauline gave me in memory of dad. It was growing really well in the raised bed, but while out and about I kept seeing huge butterfly bushes that were thriving in tiny amounts of soil, so I started to worry it would take over that bed completely. So, I dug it up and put it in a container where it can grow, but not too much.
I also gave the garden a bit of a tidy and started to bin the tomato plants that are finished. I've had such a good crop this year, the best ever, and it's sad to be coming to the end of the growing season. It was lovely and warm in the greenhouse, and I started to wonder if it was a stupid idea to put the clothes horse in there once all the plants are finished.
The sharp jump is electric and gas prices has worried me. While we're signed with one of the big companies, so our supplier hasn't gone under, the rates have shot up so much I'm trying to be careful in terms of usage. I always line dry when I can anyway, but my thoughts were, on sunny but rainy days I could put the clothes on the clothes horse in the greenhouse to dry them a little before finishing in the tumbler.
Or I guess I could stick to putting them on radiators etc in the house, especially when it's cold enough to have the heating on. Whatever I end up doing, I'm glad I did the garden yesterday as today it hasn't stopped heavy raining since I woke up. It's only fit for the ducks out there.
We bought Milo some new steps the other day. These were from B&M and each step has storage space in them so that's handy. The first set are now upstairs next to the bed because Milo has started going up again. Not for long and he doesn't tend to stay there, but I'll often be in the bath and hear him thumping up the stairs.
James' Motability car is due to be swapped at the beginning of January and has to be ordered next week, so the last month or so we've been looking at which one to get next. In all the times, apart from one, since he's been driving we've had Vauxhall's, and we would have got another Mokka X but they've redesigned the bodywork and now it's got a lower-body shape which isn't ideal for James' comfort while getting in and out.
It's going to be weird going to another garage after so long, but this time we're going for an MG SUV and best of all, it has an electric boot. That's going to make James' life so much easier and is the only car with that feature that we've seen that's reasonably priced deposit wise. It's also got heated front seats, which I'd miss terribly now if we couldn't get them, and a sunroof which sounds great. The deposit is more than we usually pay, but James will be putting in for another Access to Work grant and I think they'll be fine with the bigger deposit simply because of the electric boot.
Sadly they only do it in a few colours so no more orange cars. So goodbye Clem, hello, Apple?
I also gave the garden a bit of a tidy and started to bin the tomato plants that are finished. I've had such a good crop this year, the best ever, and it's sad to be coming to the end of the growing season. It was lovely and warm in the greenhouse, and I started to wonder if it was a stupid idea to put the clothes horse in there once all the plants are finished.
The sharp jump is electric and gas prices has worried me. While we're signed with one of the big companies, so our supplier hasn't gone under, the rates have shot up so much I'm trying to be careful in terms of usage. I always line dry when I can anyway, but my thoughts were, on sunny but rainy days I could put the clothes on the clothes horse in the greenhouse to dry them a little before finishing in the tumbler.
Or I guess I could stick to putting them on radiators etc in the house, especially when it's cold enough to have the heating on. Whatever I end up doing, I'm glad I did the garden yesterday as today it hasn't stopped heavy raining since I woke up. It's only fit for the ducks out there.
We bought Milo some new steps the other day. These were from B&M and each step has storage space in them so that's handy. The first set are now upstairs next to the bed because Milo has started going up again. Not for long and he doesn't tend to stay there, but I'll often be in the bath and hear him thumping up the stairs.
James' Motability car is due to be swapped at the beginning of January and has to be ordered next week, so the last month or so we've been looking at which one to get next. In all the times, apart from one, since he's been driving we've had Vauxhall's, and we would have got another Mokka X but they've redesigned the bodywork and now it's got a lower-body shape which isn't ideal for James' comfort while getting in and out.
It's going to be weird going to another garage after so long, but this time we're going for an MG SUV and best of all, it has an electric boot. That's going to make James' life so much easier and is the only car with that feature that we've seen that's reasonably priced deposit wise. It's also got heated front seats, which I'd miss terribly now if we couldn't get them, and a sunroof which sounds great. The deposit is more than we usually pay, but James will be putting in for another Access to Work grant and I think they'll be fine with the bigger deposit simply because of the electric boot.
Sadly they only do it in a few colours so no more orange cars. So goodbye Clem, hello, Apple?
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Date: 2021-10-05 05:57 pm (UTC)Aww Milo is so sweet
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Date: 2021-10-05 09:17 pm (UTC)that's a perfect description for today's weather here, too. it's been pounding down since I got to work this morning - I'm not looking forward to getting soaked when I leave.
Milo's steps with storage seem like a very good idea - I might have to look for something like that if Olivier's current aid (a rubbermade storage tote) becomes too high for him to hop up on)
cool that you'll be getting a new car with helpful features, but too bad it doesn't come in orange. that certainly helps spotting it in a parking lot!
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Date: 2021-10-06 05:19 am (UTC)I spent the summer of 1980 in England visiting an old school friend who lived near Princes Risborough. Her husband had built her a clothes drying rack on a pulley system, that hung above her wood stove.
It wasn't triangular, but this gives an idea of what I mean.
I have no idea what your living space is like, or what heating system you use -- but maybe you can find a place that works, and have someone make you a similar system. Lower it to load it up, then pull it up and the clothes are out of the way while they dry. It would save you having to head out to the greenhouse in cold and/or wet weather.
For the rest... my goodness you sound energetic; I'm impressed! I've been so slack about getting out to clean my yard and pond...
And yay for Milo getting around! So happy he's adjusted.
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Date: 2021-10-06 05:13 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2021-10-06 06:25 pm (UTC)Yay for a new car! I hope all goes well with the acquisition and that it's comfortable.
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Date: 2021-10-07 12:34 pm (UTC)Thank you. The new car will probably arrive in early January, it always takes a while to get all the paperwork sorted.
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Date: 2021-10-07 12:42 pm (UTC)I do know what you mean, and that hoisted up dryer would work nicely and give a lot more drying room. I do actually have space for clothes drying, Corey's room is empty 99% of the year and I have a spare bedroom too, so either would do. And thinking about it, the solar heater tank, which despite being big and ugly, will probably throw out some heat in the spare bedroom, so that's a good option.
Really, I just want to mostly dry stuff so I don't have to run the tumble dryer for too long. I got a smart meter recently and that along with the jump in electric prices has made me conscious of trying to dry things naturally as much as possible.
It's not as impressive as it sounds energy-wise as I suspect my garden is a hundredth the size of your land. But, I was still pleased to get things done, especially as it turned so horribly wet.
Milo is doing so well. People said he would probably be okay, including you, with examples of other tripaws, but it's one of those things where reassurances were great, but seeing him actually adjust was even better.
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Date: 2021-10-07 02:39 pm (UTC)The rain is great, when you can look at it from inside. It really didn't stop for the full day here, but thankfully I could stay in where it was warm and dry.
Milo's steps are fantastic and so handy with having the three different sizes of storage space. I think they would be perfect for Olivier when he needs a helping hand.
I'll miss having an orange car, the last two have been that colour, and you're right, it makes them easy to spot.
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Date: 2021-10-07 02:41 pm (UTC)Milo can get up and stairs so well now. He still can't manage to jump up on the beds without the steps, but considering how he was only a month or so ago, he's doing just fine.
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Date: 2021-10-07 02:43 pm (UTC)You are the best ever. Thank you!
You know I'm going to watch them all.
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Date: 2021-10-07 02:45 pm (UTC)I’ll likely watch single all the way, it sounds fun
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Date: 2021-10-07 06:36 pm (UTC)I think putting a clothes horse in the greenhouse sounds like a great idea!
It makes me so happy to hear that Milo is now well enough to go upstairs!
An electric boot sounds very practical and something all cars should have. I still find it strange that British cars usually don't have heated front seats. Here in Sweden ALL cars have them. Sad that you couldn't get an orange car this time but still, a red one is pretty neat too.
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Date: 2021-10-07 09:46 pm (UTC)Yeah, hang drying clothes is so much more energy efficient.
I wish I had an electric boot too. Mine is manual, which is useless when you are carrying all the things. I want one where you wave your foot and it opens.
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Date: 2021-10-08 06:03 pm (UTC)If by butterfly bush you mean buddleia, they actually like being cut back really hard every autumn, and it makes them flower better. So yours will do fine in a big pot, I think! Just top up the soil if it gets lower, I found my bay tree eats its way through an inch or so of compost every year just using up the organic parts.
I always thought electric boots were a silly add-on, but having seen one in action, they're so useful! Especially being able to close them without having to reach up and haul!
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Date: 2021-10-11 04:08 am (UTC)I hope the new steps and the new car (when it comes) both serve your family well!
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Date: 2021-10-18 03:14 pm (UTC)I'm glad other people don't think it's a silly idea. Like today, it's alternating sunny and showers so it would have been good to have clothes in the greenhouse on the airer. Once I get the plant pots tidied away I think I will do it.
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Date: 2021-10-18 03:18 pm (UTC)A big polytunnel would be fabulous, both for drying reasons and growing in summer. I do have a good tumbler but it costs quite a bit to run so anything that dries the clothes a bit before I switch it on the better.
Apparently I do mean a buddleia, I just Googled and never knew the real name. It is in a big pot so I'm glad it should be fine. While I don't want it taking over my garden, I don't want it to die either.
The electric boot sold us on the car. We had one when we needed a hire car once, and it helped James so much. Me too. Right now we have a string hanging from the boot handle and it has to hang outside, and so many people people point it out. They're being helpful I know, but it happens all the time.
Also, hi! It's lovely to see you. Hope you and the four foots are doing well.
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Date: 2021-10-18 03:21 pm (UTC)I have to admit, I prefer just shoving the wet clothes in the dryer, but electric prices have shot up so much I try to get the clothes as dry as possible now, so line or airer drying it is. Then finishing in the dryer.
Exactly! It's horrible when you're carrying things and have to put them down or juggle bags to open the boot. James can't reach the door of ours either so we need to hang a cord from it, and are forever having people pointing it out.
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Date: 2021-10-18 03:24 pm (UTC)I hope so. I'll say something though, those bushes are hardy. The one I have had repeatedly been repotted and moved now and is still thriving.
I'm glad people don't think the clothes horse in the greenhouse idea is silly. It made sense when I was thinking about it.
Milo is now sleeping on the bed again. He gave me quite the shock the other night when he climbed up the steps at the foot of the bed. It's like he takes his time before trying something new, then masters that and never looks back.
I wish British cars did all have heated front seats. We went to multiple garages this time and only two of the mid level brands had heated front seats. They're very much seen as an add on for luxury models, which makes no sense to me.