The OS Doorstep - a helpful and supportive thread in these tough times

stiltwalker

VJsmum - I did that many moons ago for my 16th. The traditional 16th amongst my crowd at school was a skol and lambrusco sleepover with lots of scary movies but seeing as I already had a taste for good wine and real ale (don't ask!!) it didn't really appeal. So I decide to be 6 again and had a party from 4-6 on a Saturday afternoon with proper party tea including Foxes iced party ring biscuits and a pirate cake, things on sticks in half a grapefruit covered in tinfoil, sausage rolls and little sandwiches. For games we had pass the parcel, clean consequences, the chocolate game, the smartie game - Get a big bowl in the middle of the floor filled with Smarties and everyone gets a little bowl round the edge of the room and a straw, the idea is to get the Smarties from the big bowl to your little bowl by sucking on the straw! We also played statues. Everyone came in appropriate clothes - pleated skirts, knee length socks and bunches were a popular choice and mums came to pick them up afterwards (no-one wanted to be caught dead walking home or getting the bus dressed up like a 6 year hold and clutching a party bag - lol!)

Had a good potter in the garden today - shamefully it's the first time I've really had the chance to get out into it this year, it's either been pouring down, or DH or I has had an essay to do, or I've had appointments or kids stuff to do so I refuse to feel guilty - just a little sad that I haven't any home grown produce. Have sown some late quick growing stuff so may get a little bit of stuff.

I have also written 900 words of my 2500 word essay that is not due in until next Tuesday so feeling very pleased with myself and enjoying a little glass of grown up grape juice as a reward for being so good!

Lyn - hope Docky is ok - give him a big gentle hug from me, avoiding any sore bits.

Sheila - hope your little furry is ok too.

Pooky - good to hear fluffy kitten is doing ok.

Hope you are all ok - take care and hugs where needed - X

monnagran

savingqueen wrote: »

Hugs to those with poorly animals and ouch to those with sunburn and suffering from the heat. I am plastering myself with the kids' all day factor 50 - a sort of nappycream effect, very flattering if you are a Victorian lady I'm sure!

I am the opposite to Mardartha, I wilt in the sun and have no energy, lack of sleep (cos it's too hot!) isn't helping. Glad you are perky though Mar!

I really CBA to cook at all, tonight was a very un-OS pasta and sauce 5 min job. Tomorrow kids have fajitas without the spice, chicken already cooked from Sun thank goodness. We will have whatever I can be bothered to cook. We will be late in from swimming Tues and Weds (6.30pm) and kids need immediate feeding so not easy as best of times and I am running down freezer so no homemade meals to help. Baking bread and cakes are no-go whilst it's hot though I really don't like buying shop bought now.

Monnagran - has the Rev taken up karate? :rotfl:

Glad the dentist went ok for DS VJsmum, sounded pretty painful, I find drills difficult to bear. Lemon drizzle cake..... mmmmmm DD's party sounds really fun - I want one!

Thank you for the suggestions nitnurse. The kids want nets and I said we will wait til we go on holiday and also will check for any vouchers. Thanks very much.:D

sq:)

Not that I know of, but I am suggesting a 'Home Repair' course.

VJsmum

stiltwalker wrote: »

VJsmum - I did that many moons ago for my 16th. The traditional 16th amongst my crowd at school was a skol and lambrusco sleepover with lots of scary movies but seeing as I already had a taste for good wine and real ale (don't ask!!) it didn't really appeal. So I decide to be 6 again and had a party from 4-6 on a Saturday afternoon with proper party tea including Foxes iced party ring biscuits and a pirate cake, things on sticks in half a grapefruit covered in tinfoil, sausage rolls and little sandwiches. For games we had pass the parcel, clean consequences, the chocolate game, the smartie game - Get a big bowl in the middle of the floor filled with Smarties and everyone gets a little bowl round the edge of the room and a straw, the idea is to get the Smarties from the big bowl to your little bowl by sucking on the straw! We also played statues. Everyone came in appropriate clothes - pleated skirts, knee length socks and bunches were a popular choice and mums came to pick them up afterwards (no-one wanted to be caught dead walking home or getting the bus dressed up like a 6 year hold and clutching a party bag - lol!)

Love the smartie game idea!! And you've given me an idea for fancy dress. It is fancy dress and OH and I weren't going to do anything, then thought we would to surprise her - initially I was going to go as a hippy but I now think I might do "schoolgirl" which should be quite easy.

Thanks everyone

CRANKY40

VJsmum wrote: »

OK you got me - dying fly game????

It's sort of musical bumps, except that when the music stops you have to lie on your back and wave your hands and legs like a dying fly. Last person down is out, until you have a winner.

You can also do musical chairs, but rather than risk your own chairs use paper plates on the ground. You could also have a few background tournaments going on if you have any childrens games. Buckaroo and operation are particularly good for this. Kerplunk is fun but it takes too long putting the straws back in. Don't forget hunt the thimble too, although I'm not sure you will fancy having your house taken apart by a load of 17 year olds. Hide it in the garden instead.

I am 46 going in 10. Oh, and I'm awake at this unsociable hour as the heat woke grumpy the house elf up and he needed a sandwich and a drink of milk. He's a growing boy.....

Popperwell

I've never really grown up though real life keeps trying to do all it can to make me behave otherwise.

At present I have regained some of my Peter Pan attitude...I'll make the most of it whilst I can...

tattycath

Looks like I've got some reading to do in the morning to catch up with this thread.

Popperwell

Could be:p

I've thrown the bedding off, have a window open and am posting video's on my blog of the Proms Concert and Bands in Durham on Sunday...even with broadband it takes ages...

Thinking of earlier in the night...I purchased some booze(I drink very little)but sometimes in the sunny weather its nice to do so...I can't believe I went shopping in a T shirt, Hawaiian patterned shorts, trainers and my new straw hat...me!:eek:

[Deleted User]

Years ago I used to take my two DDs up to Durham from "down 'sarf" and we loved the place I have even climbed the cathedral tower four times (couldn't manage it now though) I loved the carvings on the tree down by the river of the Last Supper I don't know if they are still there. It is many years (over 30) since I have been.I found Durham and the surrounding area a smashing city and we stayed at a place, I think it was called Wolsingham at the Bay Tree Hotel,it was really a very nice pub but excellant value and the girls and I loved it there.
We went originally when my late OH was working away in Africa and it was the February half term.I drove up from London and we appreciated how beautiful the countryside was.Whilst in the pub eating breakfast one morning a local chap came in and said High Force is frozen you must come and see.I had never heard of it and he took myself and my two children in his Landrover to see it I must admit I was impressed and in the summer when my OH was on leave, we went up again to see this amazing waterfall and he couldn't believe that it could have been so cold it was freezing over.The people were so friendly when we were there and always said 'Good morning are you enjoying your holiday' everyone seemed to know we were visitors
One chap came into the pub and asked if the girls and I wanted to go riding and we went up on to the 'Tops' and rode some lively ponies in the snow It was freezing but a wonderful memory for myself and my children.The cathedral is just so enourmous and awe inspiring to walk around .I got chatting to a monk and he showed me round the refrectory and the roof which is held up with wooden pegs and has stood for a 1000 years As a history nut I was facinated .Great place to visit if you have the chance

Possession

VJ's Mum when it all gets a bit chaotic my favourite is Sleeping Tigers to shut them up!
Looks like it might be another scorcher here.

Still2Trace

Thank you Fuddle and of course thanks to Kitty for the original idea that got all of us like minded folks together.