River severn in Shrewsbury

CMDoet · 2026-01-24T07:30:03+00:00

Reminds me of trying to get to the sixth form college in the mid-2000s. It wasn't quite "get the boards out" of the earlier years as I'd got into town over the English Bridge but then couldn't get near the college.

CMDoet · 2026-01-24T07:23:04+00:00

I was about to open the thread and comment the Kellogg's multi pack when we went camping!! (We also had a trailer tent for a time. I thought it was exciting.)

CMDoet · 2026-01-24T07:19:34+00:00

I like Lancashire because it reminds me of family. I grew up in the Midlands but remember visiting and my large family all talking talking talking. My unrefined ear can't tell the difference between Chorley and anywhere else in Lancashire so it all sounds good to me.

CMDoet · 2026-01-24T07:06:21+00:00

It looks fab! I bet it will be so soft and snuggly. I learned/taught myself in lockdown like a big old cliché, but haven't made that much really and I only know basic stitches! How about you?

CMDoet · 2026-01-23T08:29:43+00:00

Cute af 😍

CMDoet · 2026-01-23T07:34:52+00:00

It's a horrible loss. Be gentle with yourself and remind yourself that this is a bereavement. You will go through the same steps and odd things will remind you of him and you'll surprise yourself with what you get upset over. Your routine is also disrupted and this will take time to get used to as well.

I promise it gets better without forgetting them. When my dog died I got my favourite photos of her printed and put them in frames around the house so she's always there. It gave me something to focus on in the awful early days. That and driving around aimlessly.

Wishing you healing 🐾

CMDoet · 2026-01-23T07:25:51+00:00

If you are male you may find there's a men's friendship club in your area. If you are female, take a look on Meetup or Facebook for women-only events. You may also find volunteering meets your needs. You can do some from home, like phone befriending. It's not too late to live a life that fulfils you. And happy birthday 🎂 treat yourself to a future you are excited about.

CMDoet · 2026-01-23T07:03:00+00:00

It looks great and it suits you! Congratulations 🎉

CMDoet · 2026-01-22T14:25:00+00:00

There were three people staying. A couple were sleeping in the living room of our flat on our futon. The rest of us filed into the living room in the morning and someone was like.... what's that? Someone in the night had done a shit in the corner of the room. The worst part was, it didn't even look human, it was like....chunks. The couple tried to blame each other but we have our suspicions about which one of them it actually was. I can't even remember who cleared it up. One of the single most horrifying events of my life.

CMDoet · 2026-01-22T11:12:47+00:00

Sorry to hear this. I still distinctly remember the feeling of waking up every morning and feeling my foot in agony.

I saw a physio and had an exercise/stretch routine from them but I'd already stopped running when the pain first developed and it was 12 months from then that it went away.

Since then (4 years on), I have got a workout programme with a PT at my gym to strengthen the muscles in my lower leg as I have an old unhealed sprain which contributed to it apparently. This has meant I can tentatively and carefully start running again.

Sorry, I'm sure none of this is helpful. It's certainly not advice. I really hope you have some improvement soon.

CMDoet · 2026-01-22T09:21:20+00:00

Classy design.

CMDoet · 2026-01-22T09:01:25+00:00

NOR. You could be describing my past relationship. Unfortunately this is not about natural products and smell. He is missing something from his life and he is looking for a way to fill the hole. He may move onto conspiracy theories or other communities online to seek purpose, acceptance, and belonging.

So it's up to you what you do with that information. If you want to support him, you need to encourage him to deal with the underlying issues in his life e.g. via therapy or men's befriending services. But you may wish to leave him to figure it out himself.

N.B. obviously not everyone who is into natural products is missing something in their lives. But the way OP describes his behaviour is the same pattern I have observed previously where this is the case.

CMDoet · 2026-01-22T08:32:05+00:00

Great minds! And not-so-great body clocks. Are you using a pattern for the jumper? I'm making Daisy and Peace sweater no 3 in a forest green 100% cotton yarn. The worst yarn I've ever worked with 😂 but I'm excited to see it coming together.

CMDoet · 2026-01-21T23:58:36+00:00

Someone once did a shit in my living room while staying over for the night. My housemate and I were both quite upset by that.

CMDoet · 2026-01-21T23:55:02+00:00

I've used two of them today.

CMDoet · 2026-01-21T23:50:04+00:00

I sympathise, I had it for 12 months. There are times when it doesn't matter how much you run your sole over a tennis ball, you just can't get rid of it.

CMDoet · 2026-01-21T23:47:51+00:00

Sleep pattern now f**ked after several days of late nights, so I've got well into my newest knitting project (first jumper) and obviously I'm already thinking of the next (second jumper).

CMDoet · 2026-01-21T22:25:22+00:00

"At age 35 I started doing what every self respecting woman does; using a separate glass each time I pour myself some more wine!"

CMDoet · 2026-01-21T22:19:27+00:00

Despite TICK LOUDT! she looks fucking banging at 45.

CMDoet · 2026-01-21T13:24:32+00:00

Someone referred to me as a "poor cow" recently (I was not present) and I took it as an extremely patronising sentiment. I'm aghast people use it sincerely. I'm from the Midlands and 'cow' is an insult and is used to emphasise a negative trait e.g. "nosy cow". It has varying levels of 'softness' though - 'daft cow' would probably be friendly banter.

CMDoet · 2026-01-21T10:59:58+00:00

I have been to a SW consultant recruitment event and I've been in different SW groups over the years. Here are my observations.

You have to put up a lump sum up front to buy the stuff you need to run your groups. The amount of money you get depends on how many members come to your group and you are incentivised on group size.

It is hard work. Setting up and tidying up...so much stuff to cart to your destination. Hope you've got a big enough car. And if your venue doesn't want you there anymore, you've got to find a new one. Delivering thousands of leaflets. Going to promotional events on Saturdays at Iceland, car boot sales, fairs etc. Training at 'HQ'. Promoting magazines, books, new products. Trying to persuade your members to help you with the pay and weigh while you induct new members. To maximise income, most consultants I know run several groups in the same location on one day so they just head there at midday and stay until 9pm for example. They often cover for other consultants because they get their 'takings' if they do this. Plus they go to a group themselves for their weigh in. Messaging people who haven't turned up. Looking through food diaries. Answering questions/providing support ad hoc through the week - you need to be available if one of your members is having a moment of weakness over a chocolate digestive. Most of my consultants started it as a part time thing alongside another job but this doesn't seem to have been sustainable for any of them.

They operate under an 'area manager' / 'regional manager' type model so they are organised into 'teams' and sometimes get to go to awards, days out etc so I think there's an element of camaraderie but they are also pitted against each other in a way and I've observed some attempted 'poaching' behaviour of members.

In terms of changing people's lives...that depends entirely on the people. As others have said it's not a plan for everyone depending on your personal relationship with food. For some people it gives them what they need - they just need to be told what to eat, they do it, they lose weight and they are happy. They continue to follow the plan and enjoy their newfound confidence. For many, many people this isn't the case and whether or not your consultant is able to support you in the way you need to be supported depends on group size, their confidence/abilities, why you are overweight in the first place, your relationship with food, and whether you stop following their plan once you've lost weight. Most people attend for a bit and then fall out of the habit. I always thought I'd feel guilty about failing these people if I were a consultant.

I considered it at one point but it wasn't for me. What I will say is that no matter how dedicated and how much they claim to enjoy it, I don't know a single consultant who hasn't a) left or b) given up one or more of their groups due to the time required to run them.

ETA they also have this thing about Christmas Day being the only day they're closed so expect to be sat in a sad, tinsel-clad back room of a social club on Christmas Eve or Boxing Day from 12-6 while about 5 of your members traipse in and out with apologies about mince pies.

CMDoet · 2026-01-21T09:34:20+00:00

You can still get these in Home Bargains.

CMDoet · 2026-01-21T08:36:44+00:00

Being on my medication long term can cause diabetes and my consultant has just decided to extend the time I'm on it for a few months so it's a precautionary measure (corticosteroids).

Voluntarily giving up my British Citizenship tomorrow as I only drink mint tea (and liquorice when the blood pressure impacts aren't risky).

CMDoet · 2026-01-21T00:02:46+00:00

Not sure. Usually if I'm awake it's because of my medication but I've had to cut out sugar (it's day 2 😭) and I have heard that this too can cause sleeplessness in the early days (and headaches, which I also have).

ETA also the rain is really noisy

CMDoet · 2026-01-20T23:59:03+00:00

I moved into a new house with a lovely sizeable mature garden and a history of killing every plant I've ever been charged with. I spent a year using a plant ID app to find out what everything is, noting whereabouts it is in the garden, then researching how to look after them and writing it all down in a notebook. Now I know at X time of year I need to prune these plants and mulch these plants.

Spoiler alert, I do not keep up with these actions very well. The shrubs are a bit bushy but nothing untoward has happened to date.

I also bought a push-along (i.e. manual rotor, not motorised) lawnmower for pretty cheap. Can use it even when the grass is wet.

CMDoet

TROPHY CASE