The problem of not being a bull or a bear

Cleaver

wageslave wrote: »

I have looked round more houses with ill fitting laminate flooring, ceramic tiles falling off walls and upside down wallpaper than I care to remember.

Dedicated DIYers are a blight on the bliddy nation and I would no more buy one of their little "palaces" than I would attempt to build a garden wall with no foundations (my neighbour, two years ago. Needless to say it was interesting to watch).

I paint, fill holes with polyfilla, put up shelves, assemble furniture from Ikea or similar and can attach a washing machine. Pretty much everything else is done by a professional.

In our last flat we had really old, mouldy blinds in the lounge (two big windows) and in the kitchen and spare bedroom. I bought blinds from the internet and decided when they arrived that I would make the effort and put them up. Just one glance at all the bits and bobs in the box showed that I was out of my depth so I did something I've never done this before and rang up a local 'handyman' out the newspaper. He was a lovely chap (a retired fireman who didn't want to be bored during the day) and he spent just over an hour putting up five blinds at the cost of £40. I'm pretty sure that that is one of the best value purchases I have ever made.

dopester

Cleaver wrote: »

It's the little things I struggled with. My Dad isn't a particulary practical man either, so it wasn't as though I grew up watching him tinker with cars or fixing boilers etc.

My first thought was you could have borrowed my drills and gear and saved some money. At least we have the internet to provide many a how-to helping guide, or video-guides even, on many DIY tasks (example drilling tile with water)- even when you're not a DIY natural.

Cleaver, these Wet N Fixes come in useful sometimes. I've not mastered the best way of getting a clean finish every time with crumbly old plaster.

Wet-n-fix - the solution to oversize holes
You know the story, your putting up shelves, drill a hole, go to push in the wall plug and dam!, the hole is too big and the wall plug is wobbly. Then you have to drill another hole, and move the shelves up an inch and get out the filler to repair the other hole.

This problem usually occurs because you are either crap at DIY or- you have soft plaster that crumbles when drilled. Well curse no more, simply soak the Wet-n-Fix disc in water, wrap it around the wall plug and push it in . 3 minutes later it is ready for screwing - magic!

I have found this product to be extremely useful when repairing other peoples bodges (like loose curtain rails and collapsing shelves) Obviously I have never bodged a job myself but keep some available just in case.

I hope you're wearing padded gloves, eye protection and using something like this detector before drilling.

abaxas

PasturesNew wrote: »

One answer to the OP's query might be that everybody was out having a Valentine's meal ... because it'll be half the price this week that it will be next week.

So town was full of cheapskates...

We do that.

What pay lots of money for a mediocre meal, when you can go the week before or after and have a proper posh one.

Valentine's day is a con, celebrate your relationship not someone elses bank balance.

SingleSue

I miss Valentines day....I used to be treated like a queen on that day, flowers at work with a little present (usually a Piggin which I collected), a babysitter booked and a plush meal out and a night in a posh hotel at some point between valentines day and March 17th (we met on the 21st Feb, our wedding date was 17th March so we used to combine it all to make a really special occasion).

Now it is just a case of looking at the cards, the little gifts and all the blooming annoying adverts about someone special.

DIY - Hmm, after years of watching Ex hubby swearing and generally getting very eek with DIY, I know what NOT to do. I have always done the decorating but now I can install new light fittings, light switches, sockets (yes I do turn the power off first before working with electrics), build furniture which stays together and is not at all lopsided or rickety but haven't quite got the guts to attempt car servicing!

Restaurants - I very rarely book a table, we tend to just turn up and hope...we do book for Mothers day though (should say eldest books for mothers day...and then they pay for it).

dopester

2 new restaurants have opened near us. I know permissions are being sought in a nearby village to change the use of an ex-Woolworths that's been empty for ages, into a restaurant.

Perhaps those still in a position to spend are spoiling themselves more with happy treats such as meals out... but spending a lot less on other things like latest flash TV or camera, or Gortex jacket, not replacing carpets and floors as frequently, plan to keep their car longer... economising in other ways.

I'm considering a wider overview, and also suspect the is a phase. Enjoy it whilst it lasts. Many a restaurant positioned to clientèle where they can charge a higher profit margin, has harder times coming as more people begin to feel the deflationary squeeze on their financial circumstances in one way or another. More value orientated joints will have their own difficulties in turning a profit a business owner can survive on.

Cleaver

abaxas wrote: »

Valentine's day is a con, celebrate your relationship not someone elses bank balance.

You can be romantic on Valentine's Day without spening lots of money. Breakfast in bed, baking your partner something nice to eat, meeting them from work and walking somewhere hand in hand. I'm an old romatic at heart.

A couple of years ago for Valentine's Day I bought Mrs C a Kit Kat Chunky, a bottle of rose, a copy of Look magazine, a bath bomb from Lush, ran her a bath and said that she could spend the entire evening watching Hollyoaks, Eastenders and all the other cr*p she's into without a single moan from me. I'd even pour the wine on demand. The smile on her face was bigger than if I'd taken her for dinner at the Ritz.

carolt

Cleaver wrote: »

You can be romantic on Valentine's Day without spening lots of money. Breakfast in bed, baking your partner something nice to eat, meeting them from work and walking somewhere hand in hand. I'm an old romatic at heart.

A couple of years ago for Valentine's Day I bought Mrs C a Kit Kat Chunky, a bottle of rose, a copy of Look magazine, a bath bomb from Lush, ran her a bath and said that she could spend the entire evening watching Hollyoaks, Eastenders and all the other cr*p she's into without a single moan from me. I'd even pour the wine on demand. The smile on her face was bigger than if I'd taken her for dinner at the Ritz.

There's a man who truly understands women. :T

b0rker

Cleaver wrote: »

"You made an error Cleaver." You sound like Hal 9000.

I am putting myself to the fullest possible use, which is all I think that any conscious entity can ever hope to do.

sjaypink

Desertfox wrote: »

Correction. No man truly understands women. Heck, not even women understand women.

Of course we do. We know everything

carolt

Touche.

Spot on, sjay.