Shall we solve each other’s simple problems?

[Merryoldgoat]

So. I have a whole load of shit I’m dealing with that cannot be easily solved.

However I also have a variety of very straight forward issues that I could do with people helping with - so how about we all solve each other’s simple stuff??

Things I need help with and would appreciate answers from people who know:

1. How many towels do I need for a family of four?
2. What is the best way to keep Tupperware properly organised?
3. What shoes do I need to be smart in all weather?

TIA?

I wear Heavenly Feet boots. They come in a lot of styles and colours/patterns. I’m a bit obsessed 🤩 I’ve started buying them “new with tags” off vinted so I can afford more of them 😁

Another foot-related one.
Bunions. One foot is quite severe and I'm finding that more and more of my shoes won't fit or press on the bony bump, not just on the side of my foot but on the top too. Anyone got any suggestions of things I can wear over the bunion so that I can get my shoes on and don't have to go out in slippers?

I'm already buying shoes two sizes bigger (which is difficult for the other foot which isn't as severe but means my shoe is too big on that side) just to have sufficient toe box space. Bunion surgery isn't an option for various reasons (and besides would be unlikely to happen for a long while, so would still need a workaround).

Roast the cauliflower instead of boiling.
Use rye flour and the roux method and make the sauce really thick. Use butter and at least semi skimmed milk (not skimmed; full fat is fine too).

If I want a quick cheese sauce, I do what I did whilst on a low-carb diet; Simply melt grated cheese into cream.

You lot are amazing. New travel mug ordered 🙂

Now, how about a bit of a challenge? I need a couple more packs of flooring to finish a DIY job. It's no longer in stock. But here's the mystery - what I ordered does not match the names on the packs I received..... So it's either Aqualock 10mm in Bayou Oak or Classen 10mm in Altea. Have searched ebay and FB Marketplace, emailed the original supplier, but no joy. Any other ideas??

I can recommend Altra trainers, and Josef Siebel sandals and boots. My feet are essentially the same shape as a duck’s, and those brands both work for me.

You can also get gel pads which sit on your bunion to cushion it. Leather shoes can be stretched over the toe box if you have a local cobbler. Podiatrist might have other solutions.

Thank you! I can't afford new shoes atm, so gel pads might have to do it for now. The bunion has escalated in the last couple of months and shoes that used to be fine now pinch like mad!

My hands are nowhere near as bad! They get cold when I'm outside,but indoors they are usually warm.

I would get this checked to be sure. I know someone who got skin cancer despite despising the sun and always wearing sun cream. You just never know (sorry to be a Debbie Downer!)

Was asking @Upwiththisiwillnotput to see if there may be any clues as to the splitting.

Also, why the rye flour?

I agree. You need to get this checked. I had two patches and my dermatologist said it's keratosis and needs to be removed asap.

Scrunch up some tin foil and rub it with a little water. Unplug it first, obviously!

Yes that's it 👍🏻

So pleased! 😀

1. I have that roasting the cauliflower rather than boiling, it does not hold water or steam to seep into the cheese sauce and seems not to split the sauce as it cools.
2. I don’t know the science, but I discovered this accidentally one day, when I used rye flour as I was unexpectedly out of “ordinary “ flour or cornflour. The resultant sauce was stable and lovely and thick. I have used rye flour deliberately since, and it has had the same effect.

Can anyone tell me why the skin on my thumbs are shedding randomly? No other fingers or body part. I have changed soap/shampoo/washing powder/handcream. Wash tote bags, avoid hand sanitiser as much as I can. Sorry I am just annoyed that I normally log into my phone with my thumb print and it has rejected it all evening.

Is it Sebhorric Dermatitis? (Google for mild version).

If so, Nizoral shampoo will work. You can use it on your head if you need it there too, but I only need it for my face. I have a similar spot on my hairline, but also on my eyebrow. SD tends to occur in hairy areas.

You just put a bit on the area and use like you would a foaming face wash, leave for 3-5 mins then wash off 2x a week.

You can also use hydrocortisone to get rid of the initial bit, then maintain with Nizoral.

Nixoral is an antifungal, it does get a bit more flakey before getting better once you start using it. Don't use hydrocortisone long term as it causes thinning of the skin.

PS - I also tried an antifungal cream. This didn't work, but Nizoral shampoo does. It's amazing.

Ooo! Actually I tend to use OO pasta flour in my cheese sauce - it’s lovely and smooth.

@Upwiththisiwillnotput I would also like to know how you're currently making your cauliflower cheese. The recipe that I use has never split so I feel I can offer useful advice!

Some of these ( excellent ) Tupperware solutions could really do with a diagram!😂

My own problem is how can I get oil paint off my fake fur coat? I sent it to the dry cleaners, it was in there for weeks and they finally sent it back not cleaned. Which probably means that you can't...

@purplecorkheart

Are you particularly stressed atm, cold weather and heating cranked up, change of soap or washing powder?

Try honey on your thumbs, leave for 30 minutes and gently rinse with cold water. Repeat the process three times a day for best results.

Vaseline may also help. 👍

Yes, @Upwiththisiwillnotput I’m also perplexed as to why a cheese sauce should split… Please tell us the ingredients and your method and we’ll get you sorted 😁

Are you using margarine or low fat spread? They have a much higher water content than actual butter which might be causing it to split.

Maybe dab with white spirit?