I was making a cuppa and was thinking how glad I was that I invested in a lighter kettle at the beginning of my journey and that I bought an easy open jar for my (now) decaff teabags and decaff coffee. I don't need to wake anyone else to enjoy my cup of tea. Independence - yay!
My only problem is that now I want another cuppa and I can't take the sealed top off a new milk in the fridge! 😕
Got me thinking...what have you changed that makes your life a little easier for you now and gives you that oh so important independence?
I'm off now to wake someone so I can enjoy my second cup of decaff tea😊
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Moomin8
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Don't know if you watch cookery programmes on tv but Delia does mashed potato with an electric whisk/ hand held blender.I have tried this myself in the past and you get the most fluffy mash with added butter or cream whichever you like - or both even..Only thing is it does cool the potato down rather quickly,so needs to be reheated before you eat it- a quick blast in the microwave does the trick but it is really fluffy.
First time I did it this way I did it for a bit too long and ended up with very liquid mash as I put loads of cream and butter in too.however I now like it this way you can almost pour it- but it's personal preference.My hubby prefers it without the cream.Thats easy enough I take out his portion first then carry on and mutilate mine.
The other gadget I have is a potato ricer.Cost about £12 so cheaper than an electric masher but a pain to clean afterwards.
I am slowly preparing myself. I have plug pulls on the plugs. I have a sock pull-oner ready. When we did some of the kitchen in May, the microwave was changed to one which has a large handle. The kettle is changed to a hot water dispenser, which has a large water storage, which I can top up using a jug and gives enough water for a mug, or can be adjusted to give what I need for cooking. I also have my own chunky peeler. Not bad for 8 months.
Is there such a thing as plug pulls, seriously I could be doing with a few. Having so as that I have noticed a few plugs that have 'lips' on each side so it is much easier to get them out......xx
completecareshop.co.uk/sear... Jean. The site is full of lots of helpful things. I've used it quite a few times as it's near to where I live so able to pick stuff up. x
Hi the potato masher sounds good I might invest in that but it's amazing that when we have to adapt we get there in the end, it might take us longer but we get there
Mine is a simple plastic leaver to lift those blessed ring pulls on tins... nothing worse than stood with the ring in your hand cos it twisted off rather than lifted and the tin still sealed or the tin on the floor and me jumping on it cos I can't lift the.blessed ring at all!
One thing I really struggle with is opening a twist cap bottle or jar so I have a very simple gadget to assist me.It is a piece of rubber about the size of a small cup and similar in shape but tapers to almost a point.
It wil fit over bottles and most sized jars and then I can press and manage to turn it relatively easily.
The time will come when I can't use this any longer but has certainly been a godsend for a few years.
I discovered something similar but I think better......do you know the roll of rubberish type drawer cover hat keeps things from sliding about. You will see it in the £ shops. Anyhow I cut some into 4in squares and use one on the jar cap and one on the jar itself for double grip.......I hope iexplained it clearly. I find the cap grip isn't enough when the jar can slide or more importantly cause a lot of pain trying to hold it in place.......the more I explain the more this sounds confusing.......1jar with 1 square on lid and 1 square on jar then twist in opposite directions......does that sound better.......god I talk far too much.......XX
Hi my best piece of equipment must be my Brabantia universal jar and bottle opener. I have yet to find a bottle or jar it can't open easily. Its only about 8 quid as well. Its stainless steel so won't break.
I have lots of Oxo Good Grips things.... salt & pepper grinders, all manner of canisters, measuring jug & whilst not in the same range a brill mixing bowl with a non slip base. An old particularly grippy washing up glove helps undo jar or bottle tops, I also use a knife for milk bottle seals, such a pain. Ikea drinking glasses (Skoja) are easy to hold & really cheap. Probably the two things that have made housework easier are the Gtech vacuum & handheld cleaners, wouldn't like to be without those with two dogs who shed!
The grippy glove works quite well doesn't it? The shedding of hairs is continual with this weather so I try to vacuum every day that way it's easier. Forgot the the things I now take for granted like all door knobs have been changed to lever since getting stuck in the bathroom, all taps have been changed to lever ones too. We were fortunate in that all our white goods were sold with our house so I was able to try out each replacement for ease of opening before we purchased them.... all have handles which make things much easier. The washing machine & tumble drier have buttons as I struggle with gripping the dial controls.
Hello Heels, i have a Dyson Animal for my two animals! Only one melts but she could melt for Ireland! As I'm not very mobil these days, long story for another time, I don't even lift the thing so my lovely granddaughter Gemma is doing all my cleaning for me these days.
I too moved over to leavers on doors and the taps in the kitchen and bathroom, makes things much easier. I bought a wee red single cup water boiler as well. To me it looks like a red mushroom thingie. It's made by Morphy Richards and I would be lost without it.....I'm sure it would be available on line......I can't remember where i got it but it was recommened on here too about 5/6 years ago and I'm still using it 4/5 time a day.
What I still haven't found it a way to take of and put on my bra everyday......the pain of it! Physio have been useless too. They just recommend turning the back to the front......more self inflicted pain IMHO. If you a 'big girl' it can be one of the most painful things I have to do twice a day.......getting to the point where I'm considering going 'commando'......but only on the house.......XX
Hiya Jean my lovely. Sorry things aren't good at the mo, update me when you can. Sounds like Gemma's living up to her name though & is a little gem, is she the one you hand things on to?
I'm sorted kettle wise, spent enough on the one we have. We chose it for it's grippy handle but the different temp options come in handy for herb tea & it keeps warm for a good while too so quite efficient. Once it gives up the ghost I'll certainly look at options similar to yours though.
I'm fortunate with boulder holders as I can wear magnetic front fastening ones but I'm more pebble than boulder I was buying some knicks in M&S last week & saw a front fastener on display so just looked online & it's this one marksandspencer.com/total-s.... Don't know if it'd suit but there are others out there which are front fastening, just depends on sizing really doesn't it? I think as long as you're comfy going commando sounds the right thing to do! xxx
I will defo have a look at those from M&S.....my problem is that I need bras that are more scaffolding than simple uplift!
Not great these days Heels. I'm on Gabapentin and I can't find a timing routine that makes a difference. I'm in a lot of pain from my jaw to my toes. All I can do is take the meds and live inbetween them working. I'm only on them until August 23 and then I'll get a steroid injection to see me through my very much anticipated and needed cruise with my brother......we have great craic together.
After that it's gold injections and if they do t work is some other drug from the dark ages......if it doesn't work, and I'm told not to build my hopes up, there is simply nothing else for me but pain relief. Already I find my two last fingers on my left had are almost flat on my palm......they just naturally go into that position. I can make them go up but when I'm not looking down they go again.......bloody disease.
On top of that I now have two rapidly aging parents to look after. My mother is 88 and can only walk in small spurts and has now been diagnosed with Dementia, she has taken to carrying her purse in a paper gift bag! My 92 year old father is slipping slowly into senility.......and me along with him!
I'm the only one here, four brothers in the US. Having said that my parents are old school Irish so even if my 4 brothers were here in Ireland as the 'girl' it would just befall me to do the looking after........god I really, really do need a holiday. My brother and his have booked the 'drinks package' and I can tell you we Intend to 'rock that boat'........I'm 66now Heels, this could be my last chance to have a blow out, what do you think? JXX
Sorry to say but I had no relief with gabapentin. It just didn't work & I gave it a good go but my GP agreed so I tapered off it. The pain relief that seems to have worked best for me are BuTrans & the amitriptyline for my neck problems (not sure if that's muscular though). I know constant pain is so hard though & I know just what you mean about looking after your parents, I'm so sorry. You've enough dealing with your own health but it's the way, both with such difficult problems can't be easy. You do have care & support planned don't you? If not it might be a idea to set things motion whilst they're still somewhat able. It's not nice to have to think about the future but broaching the subject of power of attorney if you haven't already, especially with there only being you close by I would certainly recommend? Oddly enough my f-i-l gave my h his passwords for various accounts this morning, says he's not long for this earth!
You've plenty more opportunities to rock the boat, & knowing how you'd loved travelling before stupid RD that will do you more good than anything else! Get sailing & drinking whilst you're not taking anything that limits you I say Jean!!! xx
My mother gave power of attorney to my father and mother son last year, girls not allowed to deal with that sort of thing......just the pee, poo, vomit, lifting and laying etc, etc.
I have one person on my side, and theirs too I have to say, their social worker Eillish, pronounced elish. She has used their daily careers from twice a day to four times a day. This is a huge help to me. They are also getting two meals a day cooked for them. It hasn't started yet but I'm hoping it is installed before I go away on the 1st of September.
As for myself is they are sorted then I'm sorted. It will be a huge relief, physically, mentally and emotionally. As anyone who works with elderly people will tell you.
They are both still at home for now but I know too that that could change at any time.......as they say 'nothing stays the same'........
After what you said about the Gabapentin I think I'll have a word with my GP when he returns from holidays......I'm with you they are useless. I'm I'm 400mg 4 times a day.....Id get more relief smoking a joint!
There now I've started to rant so I'm away.......take care Heels. XX
I'm just back from an all inclusive cruise round the Med (Celebrity ) and had a drinks package 😊I stopped taking my mtx in order to enjoy it and took prednisolone instead - enjoy 🍷🍸🍾🍷🍹
Moon I just can't wait. It's my first time cruising so it will all be new to me. We're doing 11 days departing from Barcalona then France, there cities in Italy, three Greek islands, Turkey and the after leaving the ship in Athens we are going to spend two nights there. Can't wait to do the water slides........with the help of a really strong steroid injection!!!!
I think the hot water dispenser in place of the kettle was the most effective change. Additional grab rails and new microwave - I xhanged to a push button as I couldn't pull the handle on ours!
Had some spectacular fails though! One button jar opener...useless! One button tin opener? Ditto! M x
My husband changed taps in kitchen for lever type so no more having to struggle turning tap on.My electric can opener is good but sometimes then I struggle with it.
If I can't open a jar I lever end of teaspoon round it.
I'm up first, as normal due to another agonising, painful, fitful sleep, and I've got to start ANOTHER NEW MILK!!!!! Aha....me thinks.....I'll use the 'knife method' (ade_bell) 😆thanks peeps- sorted😃!
Well you all seem to have everything covered. Nothing much I can add. I will give you one tip though. When you need your kitchen decorating try putting your hand blender on high speed when mashing your potatoes. It worked for me!!!!!!!!!
Try this for help with your cuppa - keep a plastic jug by the sink. When the kettle needs refilling, just run a cup or two of water into the jug; transfer to the kettle and set to boil. Sounds long winded but saves the wrists and is eco conscious too as you only need to boil what you want. Works for veggies in saucepans too.
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I was buying some knicks in M&S last week & saw a front fastener on display so just looked online & it's this one 
Methotrexate side affects 
Smoky hot summer is making me misrable....when oh when will it rain?
Pip
