turps | (no subject)

I got my new dishwasher yesterday. I don't think I said but when I was looking at the second hand ones, I realised that I still had the Amazon vouchers I was going to spend on gift cards at Christmas, but couldn't. There was enough to buy a new DW and after having a battle with myself over spending so much, and that yeah, a new one was much more expensive, but would hopefully, last much longer than another second hand one, I pressed the button and bought a new slim line.

I had a 7am to 7pm delivery window, and the day before had to get the kitchen ready as they said the delivery people needed a clear space to get in, with animals out of the way.

So yesterday I was up and dressed well before 7, then got a shock when I checked the app, and it said the delivery was six stops away. Then realised right at that time the delivery van was still in Leeds, so those six stops had big distances between them.

In the end it came about 11, and after a pain free delivery, I got in touch with my brother to ask if he could install it for me, and amazingly, he was at my house five minutes later as he was having a day off. I'd like to say it was an easy install, but it wasn't, the water pipes are behind the washer, so that needed hauling out, where we discovered that the washer had a leaky pipe connection that must have been going a while as the floorboards were saturated.

But, that was eventually sorted, and the new DW was installed, and Chris also put the bath panel back on my bath properly ( they apparently have a little hook to keep them in, I had no idea about that hook so have had a gap at one end for ages ) I also had a good long chat with him as we really don't get enough one to one time.

Then he left, and I had the mess to deal with, and a load of packaging.

The DW is great, though the eco wash is over 3 hours long which was a surprise, also, the door pops open for the drying cycle, which again, a surprise.

Also, a surprise yesterday, but a bad one. The letters came to say it was time to change from working tax credit to universal credit. This is something the government is making everyone on tax credits do, and on first check, it looks like we're going to be significantly worse off when the switch over happens. James is going to make an appointment with his union benefit specialist for next week, because we will need help with the whole thing because these first figures look way worse than just belt tightening.

My MiL phoned at one point, a few days ago she went to the eye infirmary for a pre-op appointment for cataract surgery. While there they found out her oxygen levels were really low, and she obviously had a chest infection which she'd told no one about. So, surgery delayed, and they arranged for antibiotics to be sent and her at home oxygen level has been more than doubled.

She phoned me for sympathy saying how my SiL had been annoyed, saying that my MiL needs to say when she's feeling ill, and yeah, not getting sympathy from me for that.

Kayleigh was supposed to be coming over but has just messaged to postpone, so I feel an early bath and book are calling my name.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

From:

misbegotten

A 3-hour ECO wash? Wow.

From:

turps

I know. I read the instruction booklet a few times in case I wasn't understanding right. But yeah, apparently that wash uses the least power and water.

How I don't know, that dishwasher magic is beyond me.

From:

misbegotten

I mentioned the dishwasher thing to Mr G. He suggest that either the dishwasher is using the condensation inside of it to soak off food debris, or the dishwasher is waiting for a weather front to pass through and take care of everything. ;)

From:

turps

Mr G's comment made me laugh out loud.

Though, he could be onto something weather wise. They say that the door opens for the drying cycle, in reality it may be to let the clouds in *g*

From:

wenchpixie

Uhg, the Universal Credit switch has been an almightly mess from start to finish. I hope the Union specialist can help out significantly (they probably can, in theory there are supposed to be a whole lot of allowances and thinga that mean it works out much the same in the end, but of course the DWP won't work that out and people end up missing out. The specialist should have a good insight into what's possible). The other place that's worth a look is the Moneysavingexpert.com forum. I have fingers crossed for you <3

Sounds like the DW fitting came at a good time to fix the WM leak! Thank goodness you found out about that and could get it resolved. The new machines (WMs as well) seem to run the eco mode by using less water and less power and more slow soaking/water recycling which takes forever but is fairly quiet doing it. It feels very counter-intuitive though, and I'm not sure about the door popping open... that seems potentially problematic around pets and kids. Hurrah for a shiny new efficient machine, though.

I hope your bath was brilliant

From:

turps

in theory there are supposed to be a whole lot of allowances and thinga that mean it works out much the same in the end

I really hope so, because looking at figures the amount we'd lose is scary. That's why we're doing nothing until we have some expert advice and help. It's frustrating, though, how they always seem to mess with things that don't actually need messing with.

You're right that finding out about the washing machine leak was a good thing. I don't need more water damage in my house!

It feels very counter-intuitive though, and I'm not sure about the door popping open... that seems potentially problematic around pets and kids. Hurrah for a shiny new efficient machine, though.

It does seem counter-intuitive, and yet seems to work very well, and very quietly, so they must know what they're doing. It also shows what a leap there has been in technology from my second hand machines to the one I have now.

But yeah, you're also right about the door situation, especially with Kevin around. I do know one of the settings includes a child lock, and I may investigate that and see if it's something that can be left on. I'd rather the door stay shut and not dry as efficiently, than end up with a cat exploring where it shouldn't.

I loved my bath, though am reading a book that's not grabbing me right now. It's not so bad I won't finish, but at the same time, will be glad when it's done.

From:

omens

Our dishwasher in Belgium took 3hrs, which was a shock to me at the time, too!! But since we've been back to Canada and had new dishwashers, the cycles are two hours now anyway, which still seems longer than I recalled from earlier dishwashers of my life. They're good on water these days, though. So they can take their time while I wander off 👋 the robot vacuum takes a meandering approach to chores, too, and when I used it I was just like none of my business how he wants to clean! I'll be upstairs!

From:

turps

All these long cycles. There has to be a reason for them, but it seems like such a long time. I mean, not that it affects me in any way, I just set the thing off and go away. But it was a surprise when the time flashed up.

the robot vacuum takes a meandering approach to chores, too, and when I used it I was just like none of my business how he wants to clean! I'll be upstairs!

Ahahaha, I love that. But you're right. If they're doing the cleaning for us who are we to dictate how its done.

From:

turlough

Congratulations to your brand new dishwasher and its speedy installation!

That sounds quite worrying about the change and I'll keep everything crossed it won't be as bad as you fear!

No, she definitely doesn't need sympathy for something she's caused herself.

I hope you'd a very nice time with your bath and your book!

From:

turps

Hee, thank you! I was surprised how fast it was installed, especially my brother being off and therefore able to come over pretty much as soon as I messaged.

The change is worrying, and I really hope our figures are wrong. Sadly, I suspect they're not.

I had a lovely bath and book. Very relaxing.

From:

kat_lair

Hurray for a new dishwasher. I am, for the first time in my life, living in a house with one and it is revolutionary.

From:

turps

I am, for the first time in my life, living in a house with one and it is revolutionary.

They're so great!

I was talking about this with my brother, that yes, it was quite possible to live without one. But, they're so convenient that I really missed having one to use.

I'm glad you have one now, too.

From:

raynedanser

YAY dishwasher! I hate my new one. I really wish we'd gotten something different. Sigh.

What is it with MIL's and mom's hiding illnesses? Mine has hidden a UTI before (also not something you mess with when you're older) and ... Jeeez!!!

From:

turps

Getting the perfect appliance is such a shot in the dark. I'm liking this one so far, thankfully. Sorry yours is a pain.

I know you totally get the frustration of hiding illnesses. What gets me is my MiL knows how serious being ill could be, she's had the talk with doctors about how they wouldn't resuss. And yet, still hides things like having a chest infection.

From:

raynedanser

It really is! When we move into Lee's mom's house and begin renovating, we're getting all new appliances (all of hers except her stove are older) and I'm going to be SO picky about my dishwasher. LOL Well, all of them really.

My MIL is no longer able to understand how serious things can be so we have to watch her closely. Yikes.

From:

jacieleigh

Yay! for the new dishwasher and a handy brother to install it! My new DW from 2021 runs for 4 hours and 21 minutes! I'm sure there is a speedier cycle, but "normal" doesn't seem to clean everything every time, and if I don't use "extended dry", something is still yet. So yeah, over 4 hours it is. I tend to run it late in the evening or early in the morning. I hope you enjoy yours!

From:

turps

Well, your dishwasher makes mine seem speedy! *g*

Mine has shorter cycles too, but this one works so well I don't think I'll investigate much as it's quiet and no hassle to just set it away on an evening.

From:

pensnest

Yay for a new dishwasher, and also yay for having the leaky connection identified and put right. Those things are so sneaky. We (by which I mean, Beast) run the dishwasher during the night when the electricity is really cheap, so it doesn't matter at all that the eco program takes a surprisingly long time. I'm guessing (very vaguely) at lots of soaking and not that much water heating? Anyway, I hope it works out.

Ack, UC. I hope your specialist can help.

From:

turps

The leaky connection was sneaky, as I had no indication there was an issue. But the soaked floor boards showed otherwise.

Soaking makes sense. I was reading the guide again and there are programmes that are much faster, but the ECO one is good, even if it does take a long time. Plus, once I set it away it doesn't matter how long it takes really.

I'm liking the DW a lot right now, though did have a frustrating time yesterday when I managed to put it on a time delay and had no idea how to turn that off. I suspect the guide will be in grabbing distance for a while yet.

The UC is a pain in the backside and the last thing we need.

From:

spikedluv

Yay for a new dishwasher! Boo that the instal wasn't easy and uncovered another issue. (Though, at least that issue got fixed, so maybe yay? *g*)

Bath and book sounds lovely!

From:

turps

Boo that the instal wasn't easy and uncovered another issue. (Though, at least that issue got fixed, so maybe yay? *g*)

I'm going for a yay for that. The leak could have caused big problems if left too long.

I love my bath and book. Though, on days like today when it's so cold getting out is always a chilly experience.