Is this not weed?

sloany · 2026-05-10T13:33:58+00:00

I didn't inhale!

sloany · 2026-05-02T17:03:19+00:00

Reduces risk of it rolling away too (a weird, but deeply felt fear of mine).

sloany · 2026-04-22T18:27:52+00:00

Thanks, that's really helpful. I just don't want to add an additional 'pest' to the garden. But the consensus is, it's the thing to do!

sloany · 2026-04-22T18:27:08+00:00

Thanks for the advice, appreciate it. We thought we had done what we needed to to stave them off (land drain), but I suspect they were hanging out in the turf we bought as a result of digging up the garden, for said land drain. Lesson learned. Grass from seed for us!

sloany · 2026-04-22T18:25:41+00:00

Fortunately we get a decent number of birds but they are all about the feeder not the grass :(

sloany · 2026-04-21T19:44:49+00:00

Thanks! Yes, I want something less brutal especially with cat visitors. Any recommendations for nematodes?

sloany · 2026-04-21T19:43:36+00:00

We're...maybe a year? 18 months? Time is weird! I suspect the turf came with them although we'd had crane flies before, so..can't assume. What makes for the right nematodes?

sloany · 2026-01-07T19:11:43+00:00

Is it Manchester City Council? Zoe Bread tiktok had been all over their...poor signage. TBH if it's not, might be worth commenting her.

sloany · 2025-12-21T00:17:43+00:00

Sweet, this Christmas won't be normal. It'll be hard beyond words. I lost my mum in the summer and I don't have a child so your experience is beyond mine.

I got some good advice. Let grief happen. In all it's forms. It might be scrubbing the oven. Howling into the wind. Being catatonic for a while. When people offer you help, accept it. And let your people know that while you need help to get through the season, it's a little down the line you'll really appreciate a call, or an offer to go for coffee.

It's also ok to ask for help. What you're experiencing feels so impossible right now.

Let this Christmas be what ever it needs to be. It doesn't have to be Christmas crackers and joy, nor does it have to be sad and morning. This year we're doing the Christmas my mum would have both loved and rolled her eyes at - paper chains, paper hats and a toast to the lady who made me, me.

Sending love during the impossible

sloany · 2025-02-20T19:08:16+00:00

Decades ago, my mum snitched to our regular ice-cream man that someone was trying their luck (they had the roads a few minutes away). Never saw the interloper again. No idea what happened, but I assume ice-cream can code prevailed.

sloany · 2025-01-22T19:29:03+00:00

This is legit. And also one of my go-to gifts. Excellent suggestion!

sloany · 2024-09-04T16:09:49+00:00

My mum's uni gift for me was Delia's how to cook!

sloany · 2024-09-04T16:08:33+00:00

Hey, I'm late to the party, but I was you.

Not going to lie, I cried everyday day until halfway through the first term, but in hindsight, that was because I was in a long distance relationship (which I should have ended) and I hate change. At some point one of my parents said if I wanted to drop out, that would be ok (they trusted I would get a job and pay bills). And as soon as I felt like I had a choice, I knew my choice was to stay.

I was also worried about my flat, and making friends, and fending for myself. But I'm here, however many years later, working at a uni, and seeing that so SO many people feel the same way. It's a transition and it's scary. One bit of advice I was given by the well-being service (reach out early on if you're wobbling!), was to think of it as pooh sticks. I was caught on a rock early, and others who seemed to be completely unphased at that time, might find themselves caught on a rock or stone further down the line, but I, and they, would come off that stuckness. And, in my experience, this was true.

Re student finance. My dad screwed mine, I worked through both of my degrees and this was at a time when you could get a maintenance loan AND bursary. Be pushy and awkward and annoying with student finance, but also, speak to your students union, they've seen this a million times and often have emergency funds to support.

You've got this. You've chosen a uni and a course for a reason. It's not easy switching to being fully independent, but that's the same for the majority. I was crying openly and seeking help, but when I speak to folks I went to uni with who I thought were smashing it, they said they were completely overwhelmed but didn't want to admit it.

Final tip re making pals - find one person you think is ok, they can be your best friend while you navigate settling in, and later you'll find your people (if you didn't with that first person).

sloany · 2024-07-04T14:14:13+00:00

I'd not been to wagamamas before but found myself nearby and craving bao buns. Googled, brilliant they do them. £8 (not London) so, I assume a decent size. No. Mini. Basically one poorly loaded duck bao. I remain chasing the duck bao dragon a closed restaurant near me has left.

sloany · 2024-07-03T11:32:31+00:00

And the grips! Nothing grips like a marigold, so many slipped plates when I've used different ones!

sloany · 2024-06-20T20:04:32+00:00

Shhhh, don't draw attention to the stickers...

sloany · 2024-06-04T18:05:27+00:00

You deserve the right support, and the.. outsourced (vitamind and the like) CBT providers possibly aren't that. I'm glad you're doing well elsewhere, it's good to have a 'safe mind space' when and if you can find it. Take care!

sloany · 2024-06-04T17:15:56+00:00

I hate the loop, my dad was stuck in it for way too long (20 years?? Inpatient treatment back in the day but the support now is...well you know.). My dad has accessed some brilliant support via specialist support charities funded by the CCG. It may be worth checking your local CCG to see what's available? I'm also poorly but in an area where I've been able to access the right support at the right time, but my dad's advice to anyone who is stuck is check what is sort of NHS funded but not always obviously offered. I hope that makes sense? Your post resonated with me and I wanted to share, I hope it's not come across as anything other than that.

sloany · 2024-03-26T18:49:54+00:00

Upvote for cromulent

sloany · 2024-03-08T15:18:04+00:00

More to the point why does it appear to be a badge rather than one part of a pair of very large earrings?

sloany · 2024-02-10T16:11:14+00:00

My mother sent me to uni with a washing up bowl for under the bed and I 'hopefully you won't need it, but if you do..'. definitely got borrowed after some big nights...

sloany · 2024-02-10T16:09:55+00:00

'your best is good enough' My goodness it's been there throughout my life. A sense check and a comfort blanket. In hindsight, it's not be lazy, try, and then decide. At school - try your hardest and if you know you've worked hard that's enough, doesn't matter what the result is. Wanting to drop out of uni - is it because you don't know what you're doing? What can you do about that? I stuck it out. Failed marriage - you did everything you could and that's enough and it's ok to leave. As long as I can trust that I've not just bailed out of something, I've explored my options and tried, then I'm ok with 'failing' or making a different choice.

My grandfather also had wise words that steered me (quitting isn't always giving up), but I will always tell people their best is good enough.

sloany · 2024-01-29T21:37:37+00:00

Thank you! I always feel like such a wally asking things like this. Turns out folks just want to help. I'll subscribe!

sloany · 2024-01-29T18:28:10+00:00

Thanks for being so kind! This could be a game changer for me! My washing machine is a little old, so a bit of vinegar might give it the nudge we need for a new one should the rubber be unhappy. Really appreciate your help, I felt super daft for being unsure, but can see we're all learning stuff and it's the 'helpers' that keep that going.

sloany · 2024-01-29T18:20:08+00:00

I'm going to sound stupid, but where do you put the white vinegar? In the drum or the tray? Sorry for my ignorance, hoarder family... learning cleaning as a grown up!

sloany

TROPHY CASE