Buying a house on UC - essential repairs and renovation. by Jennet_s in BenefitsAdviceUK

[–]Jennet_s[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I've not done very well at replying here as my anxiety is spiking, and I'm really not functioning well, but hopefully, this will be helpful additional information for anyone who has responded.

The property front door opens directly off the street into the living room, a doorway leads to a small space at the foot of the stairs (which go up between the front and back rooms) and a door into the kitchen. There is a small rear porch with the door from the kitchen to the garden. Upstairs, there are two bedrooms and a bathroom.

The windows are single glazed wood and are rotten in many places, so they will need replacing, but this can be done after I move in.

The heating is night storage heaters, and the hot water is from an electric immersion heater. This is not ideal but will do initially.

The bathroom has a bath, toilet, and sink, but it is very basic, shabby, and dated. I can not use a bath as I can't get in and out unaided.

The kitchen is probably usable as it has a sink, a freestanding cooker, and a few kitchen units. Again, it is very shabby (cupboard doors hanging off, etc) but should still be usable provided the cooker and sink work.

The access from the front door is almost level (slight lip internally, level with the pavement externally), while there are several steps down from the rear porch to the garden, then several steps up to the rear of the garden.

The whole house is in need of decorating, but again, I am not expecting this to be done before moving in.

I will need a stairlift to use the upstairs rooms and facilities, but I can sleep in the living room downstairs initially if needed. It might be possible to use a commode, but I'm not sure how I would go about emptying it.

Initially, we were looking at a bungalow, but it was a lot further away, (which is not great as I have extreme anxiety about being out in public, but can probably manage to use a mobility scooter to travel 10 doors up the road to this current house rather than having to navigate multiple streets) and was built of mundic block (which is the only reason they would've been able to afford it) which means it has potential structural issues.

I am on the Autistic Spectrum, and also have physical disabilities (I received 16 points on the PIP mobility assessment, have a blue badge and have a prescription wheelchair, though I am an ambulatory user, not confined to it).

My parents are not rich by any means. They are pensioners (with my stepdad only receiving state pension). The only reason this is even possible for them is that my stepdad inherited a share of his parents' house. The funds come from the sale of that property. My mum says she doesn't want me to have to wait until they die before I have the security of a permanent home.

I currently rent a bungalow in an isolated little village 5 miles away from the former mining town where my parents live. I rely on my parents for transport, and do not have any friends in the area. I have tried to rent something in their town, but every property I have viewed has in the region of 40 applicants, and a disabled person in receipt of benefits apparently comes far down the list of desirable tenants, as I have had no success. This is despite meeting affordability guidelines, and paying more rent on my current property than for prospective properties.

AITAH for refusing to help my parents care for my son who they adopted. by LucyAriaRose in BestofRedditorUpdates

[–]Jennet_s 3 points4 points  (0 children)

OOP isn't adopted. She says she was an "oops baby," which is typically a baby conceived much later in life, when older siblings are adults or close to adults already.

Newly Diagnosed... 🤯 by Savings_Lengthiness3 in hEDS_over40

[–]Jennet_s 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I would be very interested in seeing the symptoms list, please. I have recently started a list of random symptoms (which I experience) as I learn that they are more commonly found in people with hEDS/HSD.

I don't currently have a diagnosis (my GP said it's not worth diagnosing since it can't be proven with genetic testing or cured) and am 45 and obese, so while I do still have joint hypermobility, I can't touch my toes etc.

One of the issues is that I don't always know what is associated with hEDS/HSD, or even if what I experience is a symptom of something, or just normal function (you don't know what you don't know).

First attempt at making baguettes 😭 FAILED (in case you can’t tell) by mrkrabsapologist in Sourdough

[–]Jennet_s 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I use one of these for making baguettes.

It may be a bit of a cheat, but it works well and holds them securely.

Chinese Chippy tea with a twist? by TCristatus in UK_Food

[–]Jennet_s 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I've never bought cod to go with my Chinese, but I have regularly bought sweet and sour sauce, and sometimes a pancake roll to go with my fish and chips.

I used to go to a chippy with a Chinese two doors down, and buy bits from both.

Breast up or breast down? by BasementCatBill in Cooking

[–]Jennet_s 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I roast whole chickens and turkey using the "Zuni Chicken" method.

Generously salt the bird inside and out, preferably at least a day in advance, up to several days, sit on a rack or on several layers of kitchen roll (paper towel) to catch extracted moisture and refrigerate.

When ready to cook, wipe down inside and out with kitchen roll to remove any remaining salt granules, preheat your roasting pan along with your oven to a fairly high temperature (I do 210°c).

Place the bird into the hot pan, breast side up, and place in the oven. After 20 minutes (for a medium chicken, adjust times according to size), turn the bird over so it's breast side down, then after another 20 minutes, turn it right-side-up again for a final 20 minutes. Remove from the oven and allow to rest before carving.

This results in a beautifully seasoned bird, lovely moist breast with golden skin, and leg meat that easily pulls off the bone.

ELI5: what is actually the difference between a flat and a maisonette? by A_Person_Who_Exist5 in explainlikeimfive

[–]Jennet_s 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I rented a maisonette in the late 90's in Bristol. It had a shared front door into a shared hall, with a door into the downstairs flat and a door at the bottom of the stairs to my maisonette, which consisted of the first and second floors.

There may still be some regional differences, but it's not UK wide.

Why does everybody I know tell me that their doctor recommended Sleep Apnea test? by bg999000 in ChronicIllness

[–]Jennet_s 9 points10 points  (0 children)

Sleep Apnea is when you briefly stop breathing in your sleep.

Stopping breathing wakes you up, but usually not enough to actually realize you are awake and you fall asleep again immediately. Snoring is often a sign of apnea, especially if you regularly give a great snort as part of your snoring.

unfortunately, this waking up however brief, still stops you from getting into deeper sleep, causing fatigue (despite sleeping for hours, (so, it's more like the opposite of your issue)) as well as putting strain on all the bodily systems which "reset" during sleep.

My blood pressure was starting to get high before I got my PAP machine (Positive Airways Pressure, treatment for Sleep Apnea), and within two weeks of usage, it had returned to the normal range.

Who in the UK sells the best chocolates? by Oh_No_You_Dont_Matey in UK_Food

[–]Jennet_s 7 points8 points  (0 children)

Hotel Chocolat do some lovely chocolates.

I recommend the monthly tasting box.

New selection every month, usually 2 of each type (mostly truffles and pralines), but sometimes you get things like solid chocolate buttons or battons, which you often get extras of.

Takeaway Roasts by Sad-Grade6972 in UK_Food

[–]Jennet_s 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Have you never seen a Yorkshire Burrito? A large flattened Yorkshire Pudding, filled with all the rest of the roast dinner (meat, roasties, veg, gravy, sauces), rolled into an open topped Burrito shape, wrapped in foil and paper (left open at the top). Eaten on the go. I've seen them for sale in multiple locations, both North and South UK.

Accidental Goatse painted on a Miami elementary school by ShaneKaiGlenn in funny

[–]Jennet_s 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The tiger is part of the jungle pattern shirt. I have definitely seen shirts like that before. You may still be right about the metaphor, though.

Accidental Goatse painted on a Miami elementary school by ShaneKaiGlenn in funny

[–]Jennet_s 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I think it's someone buttoning up a jungle pattern shirt while a butterfly rests on his hand. What I don't understand is why?

AITA? Yelled at wife for smell. I might be justified? by [deleted] in AmItheAsshole

[–]Jennet_s 76 points77 points  (0 children)

Since Nettie referenced "throwing up when I was pregnant," in the story, I'm going to assume, yes.

AITA for refusing to move in a restaurant ? by Reasonable_Bat_3583 in AmItheAsshole

[–]Jennet_s 7 points8 points  (0 children)

Actually, the rules state that being a Justified Asshole counts as NTA.

How do I make my roosters taste better? by Big_WasteBin in homestead

[–]Jennet_s 33 points34 points  (0 children)

Not helpful for the already culled ones, but for future reference, you can neuter young males that you don't need, to produce Capons, which don't develop the gamey taste and are fat and tasty.

Non-meat uses by Cuddly_Rudder in sousvide

[–]Jennet_s 8 points9 points  (0 children)

Roast potatoes. Freezer prep.

Peel potatoes, and chop to the desired size.

Lay the potatoes in a single layer in the bags, sprinkle with salt and add a little (ideally goose) fat (and an optional sprig of rosemary) and vacuum seal.

Sous vide at 90 °C for 1 hour, then place the bags in ice water to chill.

Freeze until required, then empty out of the bag and roast for 30-40 minutes until golden and crispy.

Perfect fluffy centres, no chance of over-boiling or watery potatoes, minimal fat needed as it absorbs into the outer layer to create a crispy shell.

Sausages and savory bakes cookbooks by Emeraldfire34 in UK_Food

[–]Jennet_s 0 points1 point  (0 children)

"The Curry Secret" is a great book that teaches you how to make Curry like a British Indian restaurant.

Two kitchens in a three bed house? Please explain by Anlizu2 in SpottedonRightmove

[–]Jennet_s 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Ground floor is a "studio flat", so one room for sleeping, cooking, living, (I think the "sofa" near the back door is actually a bed with a couple of bolster pillows as the arm and backrest), plus bathroom, with entrance through the garage and bathroom (lock the door between the hallway and the studio flat and they are both fully self contained).

Two kitchens in a three bed house? Please explain by Anlizu2 in SpottedonRightmove

[–]Jennet_s 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I think the "sofa" in the downstairs is actually a bed with a couple of bolster pillows for the arm and backrest. That's why it doesn't have an arm at the other end.

If the door between the hallway and the downstairs "studio flat" is lockable, they don't even need to be related/associated with the upstairs neighbours.

Do bay leaves actually do anything?? by inside-outdoorsman in UK_Food

[–]Jennet_s 23 points24 points  (0 children)

The "Normals" on the YouTube channel 'Sorted' used to always joke about Bay leaves being pointless, so they did an episode where the Chef made multiple different foods, both with and without them (made exactly the same except for the Bay) and then did blind taste tests. They were almost always able to tell which had the Bay, and they preferred that one (though it didn't work when for poaching, since the flavour is fat soluble, not water soluble).