A Singularly Lonely Christmas

calicocat

sophieschoice wrote: »

Another thought provoking article I think

http://www.theguardian.com/books/2014/jan/11/why-society-problem-being-alone

I had a quick read of that yesterday morning and thought of this thread (but can't post links on my phone). Worth a read.

spirit

trifles wrote: »

Have just read whole thread at one sitting-all evening! Very uplifting and a great source of support to single people-I'm one,too.Will hope this thread continues in some form.In answer to the reed diffuser question-yes,you can re-use them.I've done this before using aromatherapy oils diluted in water. The fragrance will not probably last as long,and I would say choose an oil that is close to the original fragrance eg lemon or lavender etc. Just fill original container with diluted oil-5 drops to 10ml of water works best I've found-and put reeds in.:)

welcome trifles, and thank you for the recipe. :A

moneyistooshorttomention

boddy wrote: »

I tend to panic if anything goes wrong in the house. The worse was when my radiator sprung a large leak all over the bedroom. I know how to re pressurise the boiler so I've managed that a few times.

yep...I'll also panic if anything goes wrong in the house (or with my health) and head straight for the Internet to try and find a solution.

It's telling that one of the items I bought with Christmas money I was sent was a book on dealing with emergencies (the Readers Digest book on "What to do in an emergency"). I've not read that book yet, but it's comforting already to have it to hand.

Nowt like an emergency situation and you haven't even got the Internet up and running yet to focus the mind:rotfl:

spirit

Winter_Phoenix wrote: »

Found this thread a couple of days ago, and have plodded my way through it a bit at a time, watching as it seemed to change from "A Singularly Lonely Christmas" to "A Singularly Lovely Christmas".

What a friendly, helpful thread it is, too.

I spent most of the break on my own, but was very content to do so. A big family get together, with the potential for sulking teenagers, over-tired infants, stressed-out hosts and squabbling in-laws is my idea of hell on wheels.
:eek:
So there was no enforced seasonal merriment for me - just the full range of iPlayer at my beck and call, food which I wanted to eat when I wanted to eat it, and a peaceful harmonious atmosphere at all times. Bliss!

On Boxing Day I went for my usual walk, and everywhere was full of men with children and dogs - presumably a lot of mothers had ordered them out from under their feet. One poor young man had a baby strapped to his back, a rebellious toddler who didn't want to be in his pushchair and was busily undoing the straps, a little girl who had to be restrained from showing off and running into the traffic, and a large (but fortunately very placid) dog tied to the pushchair. He was just about coping until the dog sat down to poo on the pavement, at which point he didn't have enough hands to do everything and was in serious danger of having the baby topple out of the sling on his back, while the other two children escaped. He just about managed without losing any of his offspring (or the dog), but I don't suppose he got much sympathy when he got home, if mother is the usual carer in that family!

A belated happy new year to everyone - may 2014 bring you many good things, and may all your resolutions prove easy to keep.

Welcome and a Happy New Year to you too winter phoenix. :A

I plan to have next Christmas on my own this year. This last Christmas I went to my DD and son-in-law to be, for the day. I left there about 4.30 so I could get nearly home before it was pitch black. There was some bad flooding on the A4 which I could see clearly in the daylight, but not at night. It was lovely to get home, settle in with a cuppa and Strictly and an early night.

The following day i got cracking on the Spring cleaning. I don't mind putting the tree up early, but then as soon as Christmas is over, I like to get rid of the !!!! of the old year and prepare for the new.

This morning so far I have done my ironing and some tidying up. Watched BB on catchup and Casualty. Will do my hair in a minute and then go shopping.

calicocat

LB...........there's a barnevelder cockerel going for free on Freecycle...dont know how quick you are planning your brood....seaton sluice.

spirit

calicocat wrote: »

LB...........there's a barnevelder cockerel going for free on Freecycle...dont know how quick you are planning your brood....seaton sluice.

You often see cockerels free to good home around. Lots of us can't keep them due to possible neighbour complaints. The place my girls have gone too has a cockerel and he is just the most handsome boy ever. He is a Welsummer just like from the cornflakes box.

If you are interested in joining, there is a faceache group called Down the Lane which is invaluable for help, advice and n'er a day goes by without someone shares a cake with us :rotfl:

MummyBobble

LavenderBees wrote: »

We haven't had any appropriate song lyrics for a few days...I was lying in my bubbles listening to the Beautiful South and heard a new song to me "I'll sail this ship alone".

All the lyrics are appropriate to me, but I thought the chorus of sailing between sharks and treasure was particularly appropriate to this thread for singlies

I've thoroughly enjoyed listening to this CD (bargain bucket buy months ago), and must confess to a wee bop around the living room tonight

ETA - I lost the link for a moment - http://www.lyricsfreak.com

/b/beautiful+south/ill+sail+this+ship+alone_20015220.html

I love the Beautiful South and have been lucky enough to see them a couple of times. Good As Gold is probably my favourite. I adore the chorus (who wouldn't want their "sun-drenched, wind-swept Ingrid Bergman kiss"), but also the reality of the repeated line "I'll carry on regardless" because that's what we all do.
http://www.lyricsdepot.com/the-beautiful-south/good-as-gold.html

Also (being a bit old and untrendy) I've always had Abba's I Have A Dream as one of my favourite songs simply because of the lines "I believe in angels, Something good in everything I see". When my depression isn't dragging me down I turn into Pollyanna and try to find the best in everyone and everything :j

Off now to take DD shopping for a dress for a wedding we're going to in a couple of weeks - wish me luck! xx

BookWorm

Good Morning All

I was up early today and got a head start on my chores and errands that I wanted to run so can have the bulk of the day to chill.

Very cold here and we had big old frost overnight. I did a double take when I looked out the window as just for a second thought we had snow!

Think I've just given the neighbours a good laugh. Was outside trying to read my water meter and the cover is in the middle of the pavement. The meter itself is quite a way down too so there I am kneeling on the pavement - bum in the air trying to read the blasted thing! :rotfl:

Have now retreated back inside for a consolatory cup of coffee lol

BW

LavenderBees

sophieschoice wrote: »

Another thought provoking article I think

http://www.theguardian.com/books/2014/jan/11/why-society-problem-being-alone

Interesting article...I'm a bit confused though. I often feel pitied, patronised or just plain overlooked because I'm single, but feared? Unless, the pity and the rest stems from fear...there but for the grace of God go I, kind of thing?

I always had a little smile when I read Bridget Jones and her referral to "smug marrieds". I knew exactly where that was coming from, having experienced the smugness (or at least the perception of it) many many times. You cannot possibly be complete without a partner. But having experienced how easily that house of cards can come crashing down around you, there's no room for smugness or complacency, and I for one would find the whole relying/trusting someone very difficult now.

Finding reliable friends is difficult enough, let alone a partner, but my quest for friends will continue. This will mean that my solitude is not just easier to bear, but is actively wanted and required to keep me sane, as an antidote to the world outside my front door.

It's interesting that the article mentions that people who seek solitude are sometimes seen as "mad". Me, I think that given that people inevitably disappoint each other, retreating to your own cosy cocoon is absolutely the sane thing to do.

It's a sad fact of life that introverts are not valued anywhere near as highly as extroverts. Now that makes me mad!! :rotfl:

LavenderBees

MummyBobble wrote: »

I love the Beautiful South and have been lucky enough to see them a couple of times. Good As Gold is probably my favourite. I adore the chorus (who wouldn't want their "sun-drenched, wind-swept Ingrid Bergman kiss"), but also the reality of the repeated line "I'll carry on regardless" because that's what we all do.
http://www.lyricsdepot.com/the-beautiful-south/good-as-gold.html

Also (being a bit old and untrendy) I've always had Abba's I Have A Dream as one of my favourite songs simply because of the lines "I believe in angels, Something good in everything I see". When my depression isn't dragging me down I turn into Pollyanna and try to find the best in everyone and everything :j

Off now to take DD shopping for a dress for a wedding we're going to in a couple of weeks - wish me luck! xx

Yes, I almost posted the link to those lyrics as well :T...Is it too much to hope that the support from this thread is going to help us all achieve the equivalent moment (whatever that is) of our sun drenched wind swept Ingrid Bergman kiss? Let's hope so....

I always shed a tear at Barry Manilow's "One Voice", too....corny? maybe...but the sentiment of one voice singing out their hopes and fears, and being joined by a whole host of angelic voices singing out theirs is just too lovely for words to describe. And not exactly inappropriate for this thread either.....

Sniffs away a tear...