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 don't have Tupperware.

Shoes are a nightmare for me - size 42/43 wide fit, so I don't have a shoe hobby, just what I need when I have to. I currently have:

Smart AND easy to walk in
Ballet flats black
Mary Janes black

Evening
Red velvet heels
Black ballroom dancing

Winter
2 pairs flat fake fur lined boots, black & brown
1 pair burgundy brown doc marten style

Summer
Flat black suede sandals

I know, it's sad isn't it!

How do you dry everyone’s bath towels? There are four of us so can be four damp towels that need to air and dry and the only place seems to be the bannister but that is a bit of an eye sore.

Re cold weather dressing:

I absolutely love fleece lined tights and leggings. Big knickers. On a nippy day worn with a skirt & slip (layers) I was SO much warmer than in jeans. Add thermal socks and boots higher than your skirt hem. You'll also look smarter than those in jeans.

On top, layers again. A damart vest, fine knit polo neck sweater and a thicker sweater. A snug scarf and fleece lined gloves. A wool hat. A waterproof coat with a hood.

A dehumidifier works great. If you get a decent one it will dry a whole load of washing overnight inc. towels
Edit to add . Sorry that might not answer you question! As it seems you are asking about after each use.

Re sofa cushions:

Replace them and rotate seasonal covers.

With grey: Burgundy, navy, midnight, turquoise, teal, purple, cream, pink

Christmas / winter / autumn - velvet, cable knit, fake fur and matching throws

Spring / summer - linen, silk, flowers, leaves, nautical

We need way more towels than most of you are suggesting. I would say you need at least two sets per person of bath sheet/ / bath towel / hand towel- one in use, one in the wash. Then extra hand towels for whichever loo is used by day visitors. You also need sets of bath sheet/ bath towel/ hand towel for as many overnight guests as you typically have.

Don’t forget about beach/ swimming towels.

Tupperware - ideally get nesting lock & lock sets. All our plastic storage containers are stored in large plastic baskets in the cupboard above the microwave.

Our Towels as a family of 4. 2 adults, 2 small chn.
I have 2 sets so can alternate being washed. In each set we have:
bath sheets x3 adults
bath towels x3 chn
hand towels x3 change daily
plus 1 matching bath mat

That gives us a spare in each size. I also have written names on ours so others don’t use my towel 🤢. Then we wash every 3-4 days. Using white vinegar, bicarbonate soda, tea tree oil and lavender oil. Then tumble dry with wool balls to keep fluffy.

**I know someone that has a family of 3 plus 2 step chn every weekend. They have a new towel each day. I don’t have the time for that much towel laundry in my life.

Strongly recommend Black and Blum: not cheap, but when I need new ones I have been gradually replacing them. They are microwaveable even though the bases are metal and having the same size lids has transformed my life! https://black-blum.com/products/meal-prep-square-box-set-x2?_gl=11mg7upx_upMQ.._gs*MQ..&gclid=Cj0KCQiApL7KBhC7ARIsAD2Xq3DKd2WU1cREH1he9pYS1_rsKb7MZByy27FVOttFJWXmA8eAy8W4RGwaArkeEALw_wcB&gbraid=0AAAAACuqAhRALPHgFrrgDaSZDW1IieQYr

Also great are the stackable colour coded Joseph boxes. Each box has a spot on the base that’s the same colour as the lid. On sale at the moment! https://www.johnlewis.com/joseph-joseph-nest-lock-airtight-storage-containers-set-of-5-assorted/p3539056?s_ppc=2dx_mixed_home_BAU&tmad=c&tmcampid=2&gclsrc=aw.ds&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=20155424063&gbraid=0AAAAAD2el1zClRa_otGkfKOmGvfOY-2rP&gclid=Cj0KCQiApL7KBhC7ARIsAD2Xq3CeF3slDWpWPskGF7ruM9VLwD94LThmCQxD0aVTTSB280Tt2mbeUmAaAqBvEALw_wcB

My problem: please suggest easy high protein breakfasts not involving protein powder.

Store tupperware with lids on: dedicate a cupboard to them and stack them.

One big towel and one medium (the right size for wrapping round long hair) per person, then double it. 3 or 4 little hand towels (for everyone to dry hands after loo) per bathroom - they get dirty faster.

Let me know if you figure out the shoe thing.

i have a big box for my tupperware and contrary to popular opinion i store them with their lids on, ideally

Don't think of it as "sticking to something" as that's 'all or nothing' thinking - and it makes you hit the 'f*ck it' button if you think you've slipped up, meaning a cake that you wish you hadn't had becomes a pile of crisps, a massive bar of chocolate, bottle of wine and a takeaway which then turns into "might as well start again on Monday". Just think of it as choosing something healthy for the next meal. If you slip up it's one meal - but the next one can be a healthy one.

This has really helped me to lose 7 stone. I have also used mounjaro but the mindset really helped me.

The other tip I came across (and linked to the above tip) is "make your floor higher". If your floor is your worst day - perhaps the day when you give up, inhale crisps and slob on the sofa - then if you can improve that it will have an impact. So maybe wallow with some crisps but then get out for a walk or dance around your kitchen for ten minutes.

I also deliberately followed a lot of nutritionists and sensible exercises gurus as that means that I tend to see healthy content now.

I've also decided that exercise for me is a grin and bear it thing. Endorphins are made up swizzle as far as I am concerned and I genuinely don't believe I will ever enjoy exercising but I make myself do it. I get my stuff out the night before and tell myself it's just 30 minutes. I hate every one of those 30 minutes but I tell myself it's medicine I have to take.

Great idea for a thread.

High protein breakfasts I'd go 'English' - eggs (probably scrambled), sausages, beans.
Or yogurt.

My question -
What's the best way to back up 1000s of photos?

I want a kitchen table covering that stays on most of the time. Is an oil cloth or a plain cotton one best?

We installed hooks on the wall above the bathroom radiator to solve this. We also have an overdoor set of hooks on the bathroom door if you want to move them when dry.
Make sure to air out the bathroom regularly as drying wet clothes/towels indoors can lead to mould.

I haven't RTFT yet, sorry if this is a repeat. plug in hobs can be low power or high power, I'm not sure of the technicalities, I paid very little attention and just listened to the headline when our kitchen company talked us through it. They said if you bought the wrong power level it's be very frustrating to cook on. DH sorted out the details and we bought a higher powered/voltage hob. So my guess is he's bought the lower powered version. IDK though. I would just replace with what you actually want, providing you can afford to that is.

Oil cloth as it's wipeable. I got some nice ones in Jvsk, they cut the length you want and have pretty patterns. Last for years.

I know this one.

The best way is: to ask a male family member to do it. For some reason the male species seem get very keen about doing this sort of thing. I glazed over during the explanation of why its the best way, but I believe their answer was to use One Drive to back up -because it's easily accessible from multiple devices.

There was much more to their explanation, but this was what I gleaned. If you Google 'how to upload a large number of photos to OneDrive, it has some tips.

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/upload-photos-and-files-to-onedrive-b00ad3fe-6643-4b16-9212-de00ef02b586#:~:text=Using%20the%20OneDrive%20website,and%20adding%20them%20to%20OneDrive.)

I have an oilcloth one and it stays put all the time, easy to wipe down. I have cloth ones to throw over if I want to, but then I have to wash and iron them. I intend to get a bit of that soft table protector stuff to go under the cloth, I just haven't sorted that out yet. So I'd go for oilcloth.

We have one of those radiator towel dryer things with lots of bars which heat up.

It's possible they might be called a heated towel rail... but I might also have made that up.

You have to fold them in half for the big towels but we can fit 4 on.

They dry ok by the next time you want to use them and don't get damp smelling or anything.

1. We have one bath sheet each and they get washed/dried on the same day. We have spares just in case or for guests. Dh and I have a hand towel each and I have a hair turban thing for when I wash my hair. There’s a hand towel in the DC’s shower room.
2. I wish I knew! I organise it and then it gets untidy again (I have a big drawer full of it. Periodically chuck out odd lids.
3. Black boots in winter.

Resist the urge to keep Chinese takeaway plastic containers instead of tupperware. See also old margarine tubs

I love the idea of glass tubs, but am too clumsy, sadly

I have sunburn and it really hurts. What should I put on it?

Thanks ! That's a great idea. We will do this.

I feel somewhat overwhelmed by the choice of plastic drawers for art stuff. I secretly love organisational things for stationery items and feel I've got decision paralysis from too much choice / wanting it to be absolutely perfect.