OS Singlies - We Do It Our Way!

mothernerd

Sympathy and hugs for Mum2one.

The childrens' programme was Mr Benn but I don't think it works with men. Having men who know what to do with their hands is a good strategy for lovers (my ex OH had zero diy skills) but they don't necessarily help out when needed.

My last lover was undertaking a much bigger renovation project than mine - his 'house' (a building site for much of the time we were seeing one another) was 2 small terraced houses knocked into one, which had once been the miners' club in the tiny pit village he lived in. I have helped him clear his hallway of rubble and cleaned his kitchen with him when he was depressed (had to clear a way to the sink and scrub it and put down bin bags to put the cleaned pots on before we could move onto cleaning surfaces - took all day). He never helped with anything at my house. He was useful at talking through jobs I didn't know how to tackle.

My posts have been a bit dis-jointed (no pun intended). I went for a scan on Tuesday (had lots of x-rays instead) and I have severe arthritis in my right hip, severe enough to be referred for a surgical consultation (may not get a new hip but possibly injections). So a bit of a shock (surgery is the option of last resort) and a lot of thinking to be done.

Mum has offered to pay for any remaining work to be done to get the house up for sale (we have a mr and mrs builder who are very cheap - I'm just so broke I have been trying to do everything myself). Not happy about taking money from mum but I am all out of options - need to be away from this house (and debt-free) and the doctor I saw wasn't happy that I had walked to my appointment, let alone going up ladders etc.

So life is going to change - let's make it a good one.

JustKeepSwimming_2

Hugs to Mum2one - hope things improve soon.

Winter_Phoenix wrote: »

I don't know whether it will help, but I also live in a place which "everybody" wants to visit, and as well as the predictable requests from old friends etc., I also get, "My penfriend/cousin/bridesmaid/whatever from (insert random country here) has ALWAYS wanted to see that area, could you possibly put them up for a few nights while they are in the UK?"

Now, my experience is that 99% of these people are fine, I've made some good friends and have received "return invitations" for all over the world. However, I have learnt the hard way to send everyone who is coming to stay (including old friends) a copy of the "house rules", which spell out exactly what is expected of them. I found it quite difficult and embarrassing to do this at first, but in fact people really like being clear about what is, and is not, OK in this household during their visit here. The house rules are perfectly reasonable, they cover things like not smoking in the house and what they are expected to pay for, and anyone who doesn't like them can always opt for a local B&B instead - but no-one ever has!

Of course, I can't write rules about absolutely everything, so there is always going to be the occasional problem (who would expect a 35-year-old to trampoline on their bed and break it?!?) but they do seem to save a lot of misunderstandings, cultural differences, and potential friction.

I wouldn't be offended if I received such a set of house rules, but I know I'd struggle to write such a list myself as I'm such a woss. I just expect guests to behave, but I've also been caught out (wouldn't have seen the trampolining incident coming either though). I guess living in a boring town & having few friends that want to come & stay has its advantages :rotfl:

On the rare occasions that I've stayed with a friend I've always offered to help out but this particular friend is always very insistent on not taking anything except allowing me to pay for the odd beer (I have paid for my own share of meals out, entrance fees etc. but she says as I only have 1 income coming in, then she doesn't feel good about me contributing when her OH has a well paid job). I've offered several times & its always been refused, so last time I arranged for a case of nice wine to be delivered to her address, which went down well.

calicocat wrote: »

...I bought some fence paint a while ago..called harvest brown. Began to brush some onto my table........harvest brown my arris....it's ruddy orange!!. So, wiped that off, and oiled table instead, which now looks amazing compared to how it did look. Now just got 4 chairs to go....which will take ages.

Will have to take fence paint back and pretend I got the wrong colour, as need to do the decking too while the weather is good.

I've had fence paint that has looked horrifically orange while painting it on, but it has dried to a decent colour. If I hadn't seen it myself I wouldn't have believed the difference. Maybe yours will be the same?

Anyone remember that kids programme where a bloke would go into a changing room and come out wearing 'whatever' (can't remember the name of it right now)....anyhow, that's what we need. you stand outside the cupboard and say...."i need you to be an electrician/plumber/chef/vet/mechanic..today".....and hey presto.....he walks out......lol.

Wouldn't that be handy :rotfl: Today I could do with a man to do some heavy moving as I'm sorting out my store cupboard (my AF order came yesterday & I got a little carried away ) & pick, wash & stone the many plums that are on my tree. I love plum pie, but I hate the faff that goes into the preparation.

MummyBobble wrote: »

...As for internet dating, I tried it a few years back and the ex came up as a perfect match. Made me instantly realise not to believe a word of what anyone had written about their self because his was a load of b@llocks! :rotfl:

Must try to do something useful with my time during the summer holidays, but for now I think tea and toast are called for Have a great day all xx

MB - sorry to smile at your dating comment, but I have to agree with you about it all being rubbish. Tea & toast is a help though.

Mothernerd - sorry to hear your news; it must have been such a shock. Never had arthritis (but I'm sure its coming at some stage) but I have spoken to a few who have raved about steroid injections. Do you have an orthopaedic consultant as well as a surgical consultant?

I really should get some motivation from somewhere as I'm still feeling rubbish (& inadequate after reading how busy some of you are :rotfl:). Think I've been wrapped up in a bubble for too long as I've realised I haven't spoken to anyone who isn't a shop assistant/bus driver for 12 days now . Even if I hadn't hurt my leg so I had to stay at home, I'd only have been out with myself & I'm a bit fed up of my own company by now.

Still kids will be back on Sunday, so I'll be rushed off my feet again....

calicocat

Mothernerd...........sorry about your news, and hope whatever you decide to do helps. Wouldn't surprise me one bit if I end up with this the way I feel sometimes. Getting older is krap isn't it.

And yes....that's it ...Mr.Benn....lol. I can remember liking that whole concept as a kid......wouldn't mind it now to be fair.



Well kids......i've been on a roll......

Table oiled again, all four chairs done and will re-do in a bit (having a break).

To late about paint...was in homebase by 9 changing it.

Decking and shed and two tables painted...!!!! I ended up with forest brown..which has ended up more me, not a hint of orange, and is a bit of a dark donkey brown so looks very natural.

I also have a tin of wild thyme....this looks lovely, but I thought it would be really expensive as quite a bit just for a small tin. I may try it out on a section of the fence and see what I think. I think it's best that the decking area is a dark brown anyway as furniture is that colour, and even darker now oiled up. Plus the decking being dark will be more serviceable for mud etc in the winter.

If I like the thyme colour, I could do the other area of the garden that colour. My garden is Tiny, so also thinking of getting a huge mirror for the diagonal corner section to make it seem bigger. I have seen these work really well and look great, provided you can either get one from salvage, or grow clematis or honeysuckle up around it.

I got the paint that is meant to be good for 5 years so if I end up tight for money it should last....with luck, although when you pressure wash it any paint comes off anyhow. I think I will put two coats on the decking if the weather holds up today.

SO....today I should have a large part of the garden stuff painted, which will leave next week to do the carpet and hunt for stuff I like for dining room. ....however this has proved hard to find so far as the stuff I have liked so far is in Laura Ashley, and think it would be better to be keeping costs out of that price range.


I'm so pleased I got my arris moving yesterday and today......yay....as secretly I think I may in a former life have been a sloth.



Right......off to oil chairs again, and see how 'wild thyme' looks whilst I seem to be on a mission.

greenbee

Calicocat - I had four HUGE mirrors to get rid of from some fitted wardrobes I took out here. Ended up getting a friend with a van to take them to the tip. It might be worth you asking on freegle/freecycle locally as if someone does have them they are a PITA to get rid of!

moneyistooshorttomention

I've obviously not quite woken up still yet. I looked at phrase "tin of wild thyme" and thought "Right...thyme the herb" <slap head smilie>.

Having said that, maybe a strong lattice work type wooden trellis or two fastened to that fence in your garden Calico and hang some nice pots from it with herbs in (eg thyme) might be a nice idea possibly??:) Dual purpose, as in something decorative on the fence and some herbs for cooking with. Maybe nasturtiums as well. I like nasturtiums = they're edible and I like to have some of the leaves and flowers in my salads.

calicocat

greenbee wrote: »

Calicocat - I had four HUGE mirrors to get rid of from some fitted wardrobes I took out here. Ended up getting a friend with a van to take them to the tip. It might be worth you asking on freegle/freecycle locally as if someone does have them they are a PITA to get rid of!

Ooo...what a fab idea, I hadn't thought of that at all, and I get the local freecycle emails. Cheers greenbee......monumental idea, I was looking at ones for 100 smackeroonies so far, thinking they won't last that long. Not that I mind then getting pitted, as that would be half the garden look, but eventually it would need replacing I guess.

2nd coat of oil on chairs.



Well....i have painted the diagonal bit of fence wild thyme...(and some of the ruddy ivy).....it hasn't dried yet, but I think it will look nice.

Problem is.....that paint isn't cheap. Not having painted fences for years....is 200 a lot..??? I'm thinking it is as I have just done decking, shed, 2 tables, and enough to do decking again for 20. Have used a whole tin on that one section!!.....one coat.


So...I now have one panel a different colour, and can't work out if it actually looks ok, and a bit of a feature, or if it looks completely insane.......i think it might look insane...

I can see why it isn't cheap though, it is a nice colour.


Off to think............

calicocat

moneyistooshorttomention wrote: »

I've obviously not quite woken up still yet. I looked at phrase "tin of wild thyme" and thought "Right...thyme the herb" <slap head smilie>.

Having said that, maybe a strong lattice work type wooden trellis or two fastened to that fence in your garden Calico and hang some nice pots from it with herbs in (eg thyme) might be a nice idea possibly??:) Dual purpose, as in something decorative on the fence and some herbs for cooking with. Maybe nasturtiums as well. I like nasturtiums = they're edible and I like to have some of the leaves and flowers in my salads.

Yep, got those,and clematis climbing up one section. Also bought 2 other trellis bits for later, and have lots of wood in shed to make a really sturdy one once I decide what to do.

Have got pots all over (thanks to kind LB getting rid of some), and have some hanging 'things' so I can have flowers now, and take indoors in winter for more herbs.

I even have an Australian outback plant happily growing in a basket at the moment. Pretty sure that will die in the winters here, plus we have had a fab summer this year.


This 'wild thyme' is looking quite nice I have to say.........bit annoying it's so expensive. ....and I think it opens up the area too making it seem a bit bigger.

Rugger rugger ruugger.....what to do.....lol.

springdreams

calicocat wrote: »

Yep, got those,and clematis climbing up one section. Also bought 2 other trellis bits for later, and have lots of wood in shed to make a really sturdy one once I decide what to do.

Have got pots all over (thanks to kind LB getting rid of some), and have some hanging 'things' so I can have flowers now, and take indoors in winter for more herbs.

I even have an Australian outback plant happily growing in a basket at the moment. Pretty sure that will die in the winters here, plus we have had a fab summer this year.


This 'wild thyme' is looking quite nice I have to say.........bit annoying it's so expensive. ....and I think it opens up the area too making it seem a bit bigger.

Rugger rugger ruugger.....what to do.....lol.

Maybe just use it for the shed?

Or perhaps someone on freecycle has some left over or didn't like the colour and couldn't be bothered to take it back so would be happy to donate it to you

BookWorm

Evening all - lots of activities in here today.

Work was uneventful other than the big boss bought us all ice creams this afternoon - which was most unexpected but very welcome :T I'm happily vegging on the sofa now and catching up on what I've missed.

Calico - you certainly have been industrious. I have lots of good intentions for my garden but very little gets done about it. Takes me enough effort to keep on top of the weeding and grass cutting. If you could see the size of my lawn (very small!) you would be amazed :rotfl:

Mothernerd - sorry to hear your news. Hopefully the injections (if you go down that route)will help.

BW

JustKeepSwimming_2

Lordy Calicocat - slow down & be a blob for a while :rotfl: I'm feeling ever so slightly lazy compared to you.....

I had a shock a few days ago - Mother had put her house up for sale without telling me a few months ago (I got an email from Rightmove - I put a property alert on her postcode as she's pulled this stunt before).

So after much fruitless discussion (sure I've mithered about this on here already) I decided to step back & hope she saw sense, & quietly despaired on the inside. Last week her house disappeared from general view on the site as "it may have been SOLD :eek: or removed by the agent"....

Cue phone call.

Thankfully she must be getting wiser in her dotage as she's decided to stay put in her lovely, adapted house as she's been suffering with the stress of it all :wall:. I am so relieved she can finally see this herself (because when I'd pointed it out I didn't know what I was talking about). Even though we have an appalling relationship I do worry about her - probably because she's given me lots to worry about over the years

Hope all are doing OK - hugs to those who'd like one :grouphug: