Snowflake Challenge Five

[turps]

Challenge #5


In your own space, talk about an idea you wish you had the time / talent / energy to do. Leave a comment in this post saying you did it. Include a link to your post if you feel comfortable doing so.

I've been thinking about this one since I saw it.

My initial thought was it would be cool to be able to draw. I love looking at artwork and have always had a mental image of Tints verse Mikey and Frank in my head I'd love to see as an illustration. As I can't draw for toffee, that illustration will have to remain in my head. Though it is funny how certain mental images lodge tight. Those fics are ancient now, and yet I can still see both characters from it so clearly.

Practical wise, I wish I had the nerve to get back to learning to drive. It frightens me so much and I suspect it didn't help that my first practice was in our car which is a big SUV so it felt like I was driving a big hunk of potential murder metal.

Again, not time, talent or energy-related, but I wish I could finish my WIP already. I won't say which one as I'll be pelted by virtual rotten apples or cheese or bone broth. Secret nod to T who may be reading.




Other things, sadly it wasn't the brushes so my washer is going to go to the big scrapheap in the sky. The repairman said it was a control panel issue and would cost more to repair than to buy a new washer.

Thankfully, some phoning around and a second hand one is being delivered after four this afternoon. The delivery guy will also plumb it in and take away the old one for a little over the price we'd set aside for repairs.

I'm glad it could be arranged so soon because out of all the white goods the washer is the one I really can't do without. I know a lot of people manage quite well without one but I'd rather wash dishes by hand for years or dry over radiators than give up having a washer at home.

But in some good news, James finally had his sickness review meeting today and all warnings have been wiped clean. Meaning no worrying about being moved on to another more serious stage if he's off sick again.

The meeting has been hanging over his head for a bit as his boss had to go off sick herself, but it finally happened today, and I'm sure he's breathing a bit easier now.

Comments

[sylvaine]

Oh dear, yes - I think the only one I'd do worse without is a fridge. Or freezer, maybe, hmmm 🤔 at any rate, I'm glad you're getting another one soon! Doing laundry by hand sounds horrific to me, and going to a laundromat hardly better ;P

Oh man, learning how to drive. That's one for my wishlist! It's neither practical nor economical for us at the moment (quite apart from the terror of having that much immediate responsibility over other people's lives), but I would love to have that freedom to just go places without worrying over bus timetables.

[turps]

Being without a fridge and freezer would suck too. I think what this shows is neither of us is cut out for an olden days life without appliances *g*

The new washer is here now and already making a dent on the washing mountain.

but I would love to have that freedom to just go places without worrying over bus timetables.

That would be such a plus. I hear you on the economics too. While I'm insured on James' car via the notability scheme meaning I can practice in our car, no way could I afford the number of lessons I'd need right now. And that's if I ever get over the fear.

Now I'm just going to sit and gaze at your icon a while.

[wenchpixie]

re: the driving thing, if you ever decide you do want to progress, I discovered that there are lessons available particularly for nervous drivers (there was a fair waiting list here, which is why I didn't go that way, but it looked quite reassuring - you're in a safe location and can get used to moving the vehicle before any other humans are anywhere near you).

That's SUCH good news about James' sick review, I'm so good that's finally out of the way. And I'm glad that the washer's more or less worked out, it would be a bloody nightmare not to have one, such a pain that it wasn't just the brushes, but it sound like you got a good deal.

Tints verse is a perennial favourite - I have JD's podfic set up for loud brain nights and it soothes me right to sleep ♥

[turps]

At this point, I suspect I'll have to take those nervous driving lessons, even if it's just to get past that initial fear of driving at all. I'm in a good position in that I'm on the insurance of our car via the Motability scheme, so could practice at any time. But right now I wouldn't dare try to go on the roads.

The sick review is such a relief. Those stage warnings have been hanging over his head for a very long time so having a clean slate is great. While his work have always said they understand his disability means sometimes he has to take time off, there was still the threat of being moved to a higher stage if he did so. So yeah, such a relief for him.

I did get a good deal on the washer. It's not shiny and new but it works beautifully, looks smart and was delivered and plumbed in within a day. I can't complain about that.

♥

[dreamersdare]

Fascinating how many writers want to be able to draw. It's not a sentiment I tend to see expressed the other way, funnily enough (and not all artists write)

God, dishwashers and tumble dryers are a luxury (unless you live in a house with no central heating in November, at which point a tumble dryer becomes more critical if you want clothes to wear, ever). But a washing machine really is the essential in the kitchen. Glad you managed to track down a replacement without financial ruin!

[turps]

I do wonder if it's because a lot of writers can picture the stories they're writing in their heads, so it feels like the next step to share those mental images.

I totally agree washers are essential. I was only without mine for a few days and was already feeling the lack of convenience.

This new, well, new second-hand one was a good price and is working beautifully with a six-month guarantee so I'm quite happy. Especially as delivery and installation was included.

[dreamersdare]

Maybe so. I don't get the mental images, but I'd like to be able to see what I'm 'visualising with words' as it were, which basically amounts to the same thing.

It is not unreasonable to ask for working kitchen appliances! it's a small thing, but it makes all the difference.

[cold_clarity]

aw, driving is scary!! i was really anxious when i learned to drive, and like. i like driving now, but i'm still very nervous on busy roads and what have you. <3 totally understandable fear.

Again, not time, talent or energy-related, but I wish I could finish my WIP already.
you can do it!!! *\o/*

i'm sorry about your washer. i hope the new one gets installed smoothly!! i feel you about needing one in-home. i used to have to travel to a laundromat and it was just. the worst.

congrats about james! i'm glad he's feeling a little less stressed. <333

[turps]

Driving is scary and I suspect leaving it so long to consider learning hasn't helped. I'm glad to hear you faced your fear and passed, and more than that, actually like driving.

Thanks for the encouragement. I really do need to get it done or I'll be talking about it for the next five Snowflakes *g*

The new washer was installed very smoothly. The delivery man was lovely and had the old one taken away and the new one plumbed in within twenty minutes. And I had a wash going five after that.

James is feeling much less stressed. Those warnings have been hanging over his head for a long time so to have a clean slate is great.

[greedy_dancer]

Hi Terri! I just wanted to drop in & say hi, and also that I'm glad to see you're still here and seem to be doing well! <3

[turps]

Hi you!

I got such a lovely surprise when I saw your name in my inbox.

Yeah, still here, I'm comfortable on journaling sites and am too set in my ways to go elsewhere now *g*

Hope you're doing well too. I've seen some photos/news via Mouse over time so hope the positive and happy times have continued.

[greedy_dancer]

:D

I just posted my own 2021 RL recap, and I'm going to be procrastinating working on a fannish recap over the next few days, too. I keep thinking I should really try and keep up with journalling more, especially because I'm so glad to have my older entries to re-read as a record of my life, and I am a little sad not to have that for more recent years -- and very sad to have lost touch with lovely people such as yourself.

But we're all doing what works for us, these days! And it's always so nice to come here and see familiar names <3 <3 <3

[turps]

Oh excellent, I'll be going to go read that asap!

A few people come back at the beginning of the year to do recaps and I like that. You all may be off elsewhere most of the time but it's always lovely to see you visit.

But we're all doing what works for us, these days!

Oh totally!

[sperrywink]

Good news for James! So happy to hear it. I hope his health holds out for years to come. ♥

I see your new washer arrived, so yay on that as well.

[turps]

It was excellent news for James, and yeah, I hope his health holds out too. He's actually doing some overtime next week. That would have been a dream last year.

It did arrive, and is working beautifully.

[turlough]

I hope you'll find the courage to try driving again some day. It would be very sad if you never got to do it just because you're so nervous.

And LOTS OF GOOD LUCK with your WIP!! *waves encouraging pompoms*

That's sad about the washer but wonderful that you managed to find a replacement so quickly! A washer is really one of those things you just HAVE to have.

That's excellent news about James! I'm so happy for him. Having something like that hanging over you must be awful and now he doesn't have to worry any longer.

[turps]

I'm sure I'll do it at some point, mainly because it'll be such a great backup skill to have. While James is fine now with driving that doesn't mean he'll be able to do it always.

Ahaha, I suspect I'll still be going on about this WIP next year.

I was so pleased the new washer arrived so soon and it has been washing away happily ever since. Seeing how the clothes are coming out now, damp but not wet, it looks like the old one has had an issue with the spin cycle for a while but I just got used to it.

It was such a relief when all his warnings were squashed. Despite being told his work understood that some days he would need time off, the reality was he was always worried a day off would lead to another warning. Now he has a totally clean slate.

[spikedluv]

I'm glad you got a washer so quickly!

Ours is going on the fritz and I'm dreading the day it dies completely. It makes weird sounds and stops doing what it's supposed to do (ie, I need to futz around with it to get it to drain and spin, which sometimes means unplugging it *g*). One day none of that will work. o_O

[turps]

I hate when appliances are on their way out. You just know the day is approaching when you'll need to replace, but, if you're like me, you'll keep on crossing your fingers and trying everything to push that day back.