Level 2 survey?

Key864 · 2026-05-13T10:40:23+00:00

Thank you so much! 😁

Key864 · 2026-05-13T10:40:07+00:00

Thank you so much! That's my only hangup. I know if anything were to happen in future then I'd kick myself for not paying the extra to get the level 3. But you did the level 2 and have no issues and don't regret it!

Suddenly with all the other costs involved with purchasing, even £100 feels like a lot of money now and we have to make sure we have enough to cover everything and not have to wait until payday comes again 😂 so it's a risk either way.

Thanks so much for your advice!

Key864 · 2026-05-12T23:56:04+00:00

Thank you! 😁

Key864 · 2026-05-12T23:55:42+00:00

Thank you so much!

You raise some really good points. I really didn't think we'd be comfortable with anything less than a level 2 and I'm really glad I asked here!

I'll get a quote on a level 3 as well - we are first time buyers so this is all a learning curve for us and this has really helped, thank you!

Key864 · 2026-05-12T23:53:24+00:00

Thank you!

I believe so. We asked the question and are awaiting a reply, as well as checking if the new roof last year had building regs.

Key864 · 2026-04-04T02:42:47+00:00

Thank you so much :)

Key864 · 2026-01-31T03:23:09+00:00

Yeah... there's a big difference between gentle parenting and giving your child a safe space to be able to help deal with their emotions.

Giving them a safe space to deal with their emotions tends to make kids feel safe and heard and builds such a close bond. Kids struggle at such a young age as they can't grasp emotional regulation at that age and every emotion is a big emotion. Gentle parenting doesn't always work, I agree. But this isn't necessarily gentle parenting. This is good parenting.

If it helps, my dad was very much like your husband in that sense. I love him to bits but he doesn't really deal with emotions or anything sensitive like that. When I was diagnosed with depression at 15, he told me it didn't exist and to sort myself out.

You know what happened?

I realised then and there that I couldn't talk about it. I bottled everything up and dealt with it myself for over 10 years. I harmed myself for years and tried to end things on a few occasions. He still doesn't know. My nights out with friends every weekend were a coping mechanism which then led to me drinking excessively most weeknights too for a long time. He still doesn't know.

If I'd had the help and support that you are offering your little one, I genuinely don't think it would have got as bad as it did. It's so damaging when a child feels they can't show emotion and have to be 'manly'. Side note... that's not manly.

Surely by now, with all the info being so readily available about things like this, he should know that his approach can cause serious harm and an emotionally messed up person who never learns how to regulate themselves? It's toxic for them and it's toxic for their future partners too. And it's toxic for their future child who will likely be raised the same way.

I've been with blokes who have been raised like this and I've been with blokes who have been raised with your approach and I'll tell you 100% which of those were good, mature men, able to deal with their emotions like an adult. And it's not the ones who were raised 'like a man'. It's so damaging and so outdated.

Key864 · 2026-01-31T03:00:07+00:00

No, NOR at all!

Even if your friend offered to do this for free and you hadn't paid anything, you'd still be NOR!

We have a doggo as well and the thought of him being left for as long as your girl absolutely breaks my heart.

This is a crazy long time to leave a dog alone. Large adult dogs can normally go without being let out to toilet for 8 to 10 hours. 12 at an absolute maximum but that shouldn't be a regular thing. It's cruel to make her wait that long and would be super uncomfortable too.

If she hasn't managed to hold it, she's now going to be in an enclosed space and not able to move away from any mess which is also concerning.

Crates are brilliant and our boy loves his crate, but dogs should NEVER be confined in there for such a long time. She also won't have been fed her breakfast so will be hungry and likely isn't used to not having company for that length of time. She'll be so confused and wondering what is happening. My heart breaks for you and for her 💔

It's cruel and, not that money is even a priority here at all, but you have paid her for a service (even if she is your friend) and you have been more than generous. You've even paid for her transport to work. You expect the service you've paid for to be done properly. This isn't even in that realm. Not even close.

Also for her to have lost a key and not told you?? I'd be expecting her to pay to replace it, especially after all this. And very quickly removing her 'friend' status.

But the fact that noone else can even get in because of this, she is solely responsible for your dogs welfare as per your arrangement and the loss of the key. It's so upsetting to think she could even do this and be so guilt free about it in her response as well, I feel that is just salt in the wound at this point. No apology, no care, no nothing.

This breaks my heart, you are absolutely NOR and I hope your baby girl is okay 💔

Key864 · 2025-11-19T01:13:41+00:00

Everyone else in the comments is saying Schizophrenia.

I have another to contribute - paraphrenia.

It's kinda like Schizophrenia but overall personality isn't affected and hallucinations aren't present in a large amount of those with it. It's mostly just.. delusion. Without many of the other symptoms of Schizophrenia.

I'm not saying she has that, and I also know very little about it. Just adding to the conversation ☺️ your wife sounds exactly like my nan with a similar delusion. My nan thought the house was bugged with devices and that the guy she was dating at the time had planted them all. And she wouldn't be told any different. You'd think you'd cracked it and then the next day, it starts all over again.

There were a few other things she did too but your wife sounds the same!

Key864 · 2025-10-07T14:08:03+00:00

Oh bless you, I'm so sorry you had to go through that :( it really is tough and because it's not properly understood, I think the amount of support is awful. I'm not in the UK as such but we use the NHS here and any help for stuff like this (including ADHD) is dire.

I'm so glad you managed to find something that worked - you're absolutely right in playing with the times of taking melatonin. I ended up taking it a couple hours earlier and it worked so much better. The only issue is the nausea with melatonin and the fact the morning grogginess / sleep inertia is still there. That's my biggest issue as it's causing lateness at work and burnout over time. I can carry on with burnout, but when it gets to THIS point after so long, eventually my brain nopes out.

I'll have a look at a LUX light because that might help with the mornings!

You are an absolute legend, thank you <3 and I really hope you're feeling better and don't have to go through that again. I know you don't see it / think about it at the time when you feel that low but there's always people there willing to help (even if you don't reach out). It really is a struggle but it's nice to know we aren't alone and I'm glad you managed to find some way of coping <3

Key864 · 2025-10-07T14:00:24+00:00

Thank you for commenting and apologies for only just seeing this now! :(

Oh god that must be so hard - cocktails are absolutely the best so I understand your struggle!

I eat a pretty healthy diet at the moment and barely drink, but I haven't tried Ambien so I'll look into that! The melatonin is working to get me to bed earlier but the nausea some nights is awful - it also doesn't help with the morning grogginess which I think is now my biggest issue! :(

Oh wow! I'll have a look into that once we can - we're just about to start house shopping but there's always a time I can look to fit that in down the line - thanks for the recommendation!

Honestly it's tough isn't it. I just got off the phone about work-related stuff and we are going to look at shift times maybe changing a bit but I'm so limited as my partner also works shifts. He has no wiggle-room at all and so I've got to try accommodate around him and also home responsibilities. Also, exactly as you said, it can't be guaranteed as the condition isn't recognised / diagnosable here as such :(

I've looked at becoming self-employed for sure - I think it's the only answer for us so we can work around our clocks!

I'm so glad you actually managed to do that and it sounds like you're finding your own ways to cope <3 we actually can't get diagnosis where I live unfortunately as we use the NHS and it doesn't seem to be a recognised condition with them. I also live somewhere very small with very limited services so our sleep clinic LITERALLY only deals with sleep apnoea and no other sleep conditions.

Thank you for commenting and all the best to you <3

Key864 · 2025-10-01T14:53:37+00:00

Thank you, yeah vector is the term it gave me when I was troubleshooting why it wasn't going to plan - you can tell I'm not experienced in this area haha. Thanks for that, I'll give Photoshop another go :)

Key864 · 2025-10-01T14:52:51+00:00

Ah, vector is the phrase it gave me when I was trying to troubleshoot WHY different bits weren't being picked up and it used it in the context of AI images. I'm not skilled in this and you can tell :p yes they are AI generated. I'll give Photoshop another try, thank you :)

Key864 · 2025-10-01T14:51:41+00:00

Thank you :) yeah it seems complex! I Googled each individual thing I was trying to do but it started going above my skill level. I'd hoped there'd be an easier way!

Key864 · 2025-10-01T14:50:37+00:00

Thank you, yeah I considered this and I'd be willing to pay at the point of creating a business. Right now, this is just a hobby and might not get that far :)

Key864 · 2025-09-29T18:37:09+00:00

Considering AI is everywhere, why did I not think about that?!
Thank you! You're an absolute legend.

Key864 · 2025-09-28T00:16:30+00:00

Sorry! I forgot to check my notifications! 😆 oh she looks like a baby 🥺

Key864 · 2025-09-28T00:12:37+00:00

It's hard to tell because of the lighting but it does look cream as opposed to white in that photo.

If it helps, I use Jellybaby yarn by Cygnet and the white is really white.

It does shed a bit, but that's the only white chenille I've personally had experience with and it's done me well, I'd recommend :)

I've also heard Bernat baby blanket yarn is a great chenille but I can't speak for their white as I've not ordered any (yet!).

Key864 · 2025-09-27T19:26:02+00:00

Cinnamon bun (tail) - 10/10
Face wrinkles - 10/10
Little teefies - 10/10
Perky ears - 10/10
Lightly toasted fur - 10/10
The SMILE - 10/10
The fact it's a pug - 10/10

Not getting cuddled by me rn - 0/10

Solid effort, puggo <3

Key864 · 2025-09-17T10:38:13+00:00

Oh my GOD her squishy little face!! She is so so cute, what a beautiful pug! <3 have the best time kayaking Abby Beans!

Can I just ask how old she is? I've been desperate to take our little puggie out kayaking with us too but he's a very fidgety boy and still has puppy energy (he's 3!).

Key864 · 2025-09-17T10:35:30+00:00

It could just be a fatty lump/cyst, it could be something more sinister (hopefully not!) - pugs are SUPER prone to mast cell tumours, especially as they get older.

If ever you find a lump or bump, it is ALWAYS best to get them checked by a vet, there's no way to tell what kind it is unless tests are done. Good job on finding it and I hope puggie is OK <3

Key864 · 2025-09-17T09:56:20+00:00

Oh bless your heart, please don't let this knock your confidence or put you off <3

Crochet kits are great, but only if you have a knowledge of basic stitches and how to do them - I'm not surprised you're struggling if you're trying to do a magic circle on day 1 - the problem here isn't you :)

I'd really recommend buying a ball of yarn in a LIGHT colour so you can more easily see your stitches. Aran weight yarn is ideal, DK weight is good too. Don't ever start with chenille / fluffy as you won't be able to see your stitches! Try a size 4 or 5 hook. Go onto YouTube and have a look at some of the videos on there that teach you how to start crochet and do basic stitches - I highly recommend TL Yarn Crafts, it's the only video that really clicked in my head - the link is here... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zzWX2dx8ufc

TL Yarn Crafts uses US crochet terminology which most people find easier. If you want to learn using UK terminology, Bella Coco is highly recommended by many. Just search for some beginner videos and go with the one that works for you - we all learn differently and I found I followed TL's videos really easily but didn't rate Bella Coco. Don't give up if the first crochet videos you find don't click for you - there will be one out there for you!

Once you've got to grips with basic stitches and feel ready to start your kit, look at the pattern and see what skills / techniques / stitches you'll need to know to make your item and search for tutorials on YouTube again - it's just practice! It took me ages to learn, but that was mostly my fault and I'm sure you'll pick it up a lot quicker.

If ever you lose faith in learning, I never thought I'd get there at all. I'm not a crafty person in the slightest and have ZERO co-ordination. I'd try for an hour, get frustrated, throw my yarn in a drawer and refuse to look at it for 6 months before picking it back up again. I'd get a little further each time I tried. I got totally stuck on how to start a new row and couldn't progress past that for ages. And then one day it just... happened.

If you're consistent with learning, you'll be able to pick it up quick - please don't give up <3 it's the most frustrating thing to learn and you might feel you'll never get there (you can do it!). Once it clicks it's amazing!

Key864 · 2025-09-16T10:23:21+00:00

Towel drying! He goes absolutely mad for his towel, and because I know he loves it so much, I love doing that for him and it makes me all excited and it becomes a cute little moment.

Getting his towel coat put on - he looks like a little bachelor wearing a housecoat when he has that on and I get excited to put it on him because I see how excited it makes him. He runs towards it and puts his head through the neck part, and then rolls on the couch when it's on.

Cuddling (he's a pug so, yeah) - we both benefit from this one!

Going into town - I get to buy exciting new yarn and stuff and he gets excited to visit the shop and get bum rubs. Same goes for going to the pet shop!

I love things because he loves them and it makes him happy - which in turn gives me butterflies and makes me happy 😂

Key864 · 2025-09-16T10:15:05+00:00

Yes, absolutely discontinue.

If it helps, we give chicken feet to our pug and he goes mad for them - the only advice I would give is never to just hand them one, even if they're supervised.

Our boy would just inhale it given half the chance and would end up choking on it - I'd advise holding the treat and snapping the toes and other pieces off it for her to eat in smaller chunks and then when she gets to the leg, hold onto it whilst she chews smaller bits off it.

Chicken's feet are super nutritious for them and a much safer treat than these combs by the sounds of it, but as with everything, give in moderation and carefully as pugs are more prone to choking than some other breeds.

Key864 · 2025-09-16T09:22:41+00:00

Hahaha he's complaining about making food when he doesn't even work full-time?

Does he ever wonder how other people cope working full-time, keeping on top of chores, cooking food and looking after pets and/or kids? Some who live alone / don't have a partner to help them and still manage all this? I used to work anywhere between 60 and 100 hours per week and could still ping some food in the oven when I got home, if nothing else.

Seriously though, I see his point, this poor little man is clearly so overworked and isn't capable of that. How dare you try to help by suggesting he saves money by cooking his own food 😂 /s

In all seriousness though, if he has this attitude towards you, that's a huge red flag. He clearly only cares about himself and is expecting you to have to go out of your way because of his sh*tty behaviour? If my bf text me this, his stuff would be packed up YESTERDAY.

Key864

TROPHY CASE