The Bluestocking, where the cheese is plentiful and the Champagne is on Boiledbeetle

[Magpiecomplex]

Welcome one and all. Quick précis - women's pub, rodent staff, apparently we're sane.

Fat fingers! Well, a fat finger.

ETA maybe my fingers should go on a diet.

Yay and well done Maggers! I weighed myself on New Year's Day and again on Thursday, one week later, and have not shifted an ounce, though to be fair I haven't been trying.

I have also read (and have on my bookshelf) the entire Aubrey/Maturin oeuvre, but DH probably enjoyed them more than I did. Actually, make that DH1 and DH2 as the series was one I brought across the Atlantic with me as it had originally belonged to DH1 and I introduced them to DH2.

One thing we are both currently enjoying - he for the first time and me for the third - is a daily read of Samuel Pepys' diary, which comes in a daily email of what he recorded on that day in 1661. As DH came to bed last night after me, he entered the room saying "Poor Elizabeth! He's been an asshole today" and I knew exactly what he was talking about.

I’ve had rather too much fake Baileys.

oops.

Highland cows. They look like highland cows.

Are you SURE you haven't seen them?

And you'll be pleased to know I've put 2 pounds on this year (or 3 pounds if you factor in the fact I lost a pound first then put on 3 taking me to 2 lbs heavier than January 1st.

I suspect your weight loss is following the cat distribution model.

Or... I made the mistake of opening the McVities Jamaica Ginger cake.

Highland cows? Oh! These ones on my feet, you mean? Just warming them up for you!

One can never have too much fake Baileys.

I used the love the Aldi one. It was more moreish than actual Baileys.

Well done Magpie - as a veteran of many diets I know that takes a lot of effort!

Thanks to an aibu thread, that I now can't find, I have discovered the most wonderful item...

Snuggly socks that go up to above your knees and have a flap so you can fold the foot bit up. They are bloody amazing. I'm currently wearing a pair on my legs and a pair on my arms (keeps my arm warms whilst it's stroking the on top of the duvet cat)

I'm in love.

After some searching on Amazon the cheapest on next day delivery:

Cheapest single pair £3.59

https://amzn.eu/d/2XgRQo7

Cheapest 2 pack £6.99

https://amzn.eu/d/hGuM6JV

I'm currently wearing the £3.59 ones. The 2 pack will arrive tomorrow.

I can believe how much difference having warm knees makes!

I don't believe in weighing myself. Nothing good will come of it.

Why do you need socks that bare your toes? Mittens, I see the use in that. Long underwear with a trap door, not to my taste but I can see the...access would be useful. But socks? Do you suddenly need to climb a tree, or a cliff. Need to pick up a pencil and cba to bend down? Wish to wear legwarmers but can't commit to bare feet? Want to paint your toenails but are prone to cold ankles?

I presume so that if you for some reason get hot feet you can tuck the foot bit out the way?

I can report that I have had 10 showers in 10 days and my running total of items evicted from the house stands (55 items went today) at 185. And some of it was notebooks! I'm on a roll!

Playing footsie in a cold room?

Congratulations Boily! Very impressive!

That'll just make the top of your foot hotter. Dexterously eating After eights and knitting.

Or, make your ankles nice and warm as you can tuck the whole foot up into the leg bit! And when I get to the point in the night when I want to kick my socks off then I can just free my feet and keep my legs warm.

I've just checked and to my utter horror...

WE DIDN'T FINISH THE BOTTLE OF BAILEYS.

I am shocked, I tell you, shocked.

Carrying an egg when your hands are full. Actually two eggs or spare toes. If your ankles get really cold you could use the toe flap for holding those warmer things that use magic, I think, to warm up.

Wonders if a fairy's magic can be replenished by boiling it...

Wonders if Boiled Beetle is magic...

I'm putting it down to the fact that I've been on antibiotics and not drinking as much. But we still drank every day and the Walrus had to take the empties to the tip we had so many!

@MyrtleLion yet...you didn't finish the Bailey's yet.

Me and fella did the grocery shopping yesterday. He made the mistake of leaving me alone in the homeware section. I decided I needed a new spatula because I'd had to bin one and I found this thing that makes large spherical ice...cubes? If I'd realised at the time I'd have no idea what to call them I might not have put one in the trolley. Too late now. They're going to be so fancy in a tumbler with Bailey's.

Well done with decluttering Beetle. I think I'm going in the other direction.

Many congratulations, Magpie, on your weight loss! Amazing news xx

Except we're on dry January, no white carbs, no alcohol, eat between 11am and 7pm. Since the 5 January till our wedding anniversary in early February.

And now I know it's there. Calling me...

Funny reviews on Amazon:

P. Anderson
2.0 out of 5 stars
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 30 December 2025
Verified Purchase
Ugly!!! Cheap and nasty looking but warm, so if you constantly have cold feet in my opinion buy some ugly fleece long strange looking socks.

William M.
2.5 out of 5 stars
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 30 December 1886
'I do not believe them to be beautiful, but I know them to be useful'

OK so I made up the 2nd one😄
But the first one made me laugh - cheap, nasty and ugly, but buy them anyway!

😄

They are definitely cheap and ugly, and nasty looking and I'm sure whoever made the originals, that they are all copying, probably used much nicer fleecy stuff but they have brought me great joy and no Raynaud's throbbing white fingers and toes since they arrived at lunch time!

I may have to leave a review. If I can manage to leave one for toilet seat warmers I can do one for these!

And I'll be giving more than 2 stars!

I'm currently debating whether to take my warm toes and fingers downstairs to make a coffee with Bailey's instead of milk.

Yes! Do it!