OS Singlies - We Do It Our Way!

A_Frayed_Knot

JackieO wrote: »

Hi there I am a 'singlies' and have been for the past 10 years plus since losing my late OH ,but I keep quite cheerful and positive (if a bit cranky at times when I could really do with a hand to get the top off a jar :):)).
Nice to see a shiny new thread
welcome to anyone else who follows :)
JackieO xxx

Just came across this thread today and the first post I see is yours - I know it was a long time ago but if you are still trying to "get the top of a jar". I have the same problem with jam jars, beetroot jars and the like. Then try this - works every time for me.

Hit the top of the jar with the back of a spoon a few times. Then try opening it. Hey presto.

Now, off to read the thread.

mum2one

Good news today dad has got discharged from the stoma clinic - just be ring if he needs anything.

Cinema this morning with dd the movies for juniors saved a few pennies��

greenbee

LB - car seats. You'll need to take advice on it as new regs come in soon. Rear facing system till 4, then one for older kids. Having just transported my brother's kids for 3.5 hours, I'm glad I've got seats with proper backs, headrests and 5-point harnesses. And story CDs.

Lots of books.

Not too many DVDs!

And don't use anything precious of your own, as some kids deliberately damage things they know you care about.

Also be prepared to let them take a 'favourite' item with them when they leave to help them settle in.

Plenty of bedding sets - maybe allow them to choose the one they want to use for their stay so it gives them some control over their environment. And a toy box/chest so they can keep out the stuff they want in 'their' room and put the rest away.

Children's markets are great for second hand stuff - clothes and toys. It's always worth having jumpers, Wellies, coats in different sizes. And LOTS of pants! I have a basket full of boys and girls pants in different sizes for visiting kids that have accidents whose parents frequently don't have spares.

Vinyl table cloth. Smaller crockery and cutlery. Plastic beakers (ones with lids are good for small kids and nighttime drinks). potties if you're going to have little kids (you can never have too many). Steps so they can reach basins to wash hands. Steps up to the bed. Tall chairs/high chair (if you will b having kids small enough to need a high chair you may need reins and a cot/cotbed too). Puzzles. Noisy plastic toys. Activity mats (I use these in the bedroom, they have waterproof backing). Bath toys (squirts fish, boats, beakers).

If you are going to do painting, get a plastic tablecloth and painting overalls.

Bubbles are always popular - we spent an hour getting the kids to chase bubbles today.

You'll have a fantastic time!

LavenderBees

Wow! Greenbee! That's a fab helpful post, thank you.

Some of those were definitely NOT on my radar, but now are :T

I don't think I will have any children under my "target" age range of 7 to 12, but I guess some could be small (in height). I only have a small house so inventive thinking needed as there is only limited storage room

But as some of these children could also be developmentally younger than their biological age, then things like beakers etc will be very useful.

I did look at bubbles the other day, but couldn't equate such simple delights from my childhood with today's sophisticated an electronically switched on kids. Clearly, I was wrong :T. They'll be back on my list :rotfl:.

Much appreciated!!

LB xx

JustKeepSwimming_2

Hi All,

been away for a few days down by the sea with out kids - it was fab even if I did get so wet on two of the days I had to wring my pants out when I got back to the B&B along with my trousers :eek: & I was wearing a waterproof coat that covered my nether regions (or so I thought). Did have a few good days of glorious sunshine too, so did spend a lot of time on the beach, reading & deliberately ignoring real life. I wanted to weep on the train back home, but thankfully some very amusing drunk rugby fans shared my table, the one opposite & the seats behind so I was entertained, & one even carried my case for me when we had to change trains.

Much prefer rugby fans to footie fans

But now I'm back to reality & hurriedly trying to catch up with all I've ignored. I've splashed out & am having a garden makeover along with having the flat roof done, as until the chap had moved some of my garden carp, I hadn't realised how dreadful my fence panels were. As I'll probably be here for at least another 6 years its probably worth doing & hopefully they'll get it into a state I can then manage.

If any of you remember project buddleia from last year - well, I've had to have 4 patio slabs lifted & the roots dug out. No more buddleia for me :rotfl:. Sure it'll all be lovely when its finished, as long as I don't touch any of the new plants

Have managed to change a sticking door handle on my own, but not quite so successful with the window handle - the workman cut down the spindle to the right size for me, but because the window is in an awkward position & cant be shut I managed to drop one of the screws out of the window, onto the shed roof, where I couldn't reach it

Kind workman climbed up today & got it for me (I'm not tall enough even dangling on a ladder) so I tried again today. Got the first one screwed in but dropped the second one as I just don't have enough hands :rotfl: Can't face asking him again, far too embarrassing, so I've screwed a much longer screw in so the window can be almost shut. Better than before, I suppose.

Have also managed to sand down & repaint the outside wooden window & door frame & outside door, just need to do second coat when he garden work is done. Also managed to sort out the shed/storage area & get rid of some carp - some is on freecycle & the rest will be going to the tip when I can get someone to take me up there. May get around to painting it inside, but then I'll have to clean it all first

Glad I have an osteopath's appointment tomorrow (still got my £84 a month habit ) as I'm feeling very achy from all this work. I know he's going to nag me about yoga lessons :rotfl:

LB - fab news & lots of good advice given already. The only things that struck me are;

* cheap PVC shower curtains (sometimes in £land) make good mattress covers for single beds & are easier to clean & quicker to dry than fitted mattress protectors. I used to put a large old bath sheet on top of it if DD complained it was too slippery. Cheap shower curtains are great cover alls for carpets, sofas etc. - doing craft can get pretty messy :rotfl: Am I the only one who is secretly glad that they'll never have to do craft with small people again?

* Huggies baby wipes are fab for cleaning up most things quickly. I still use them for cleaning my bathroom floor & wiping down doors as they're so much stronger than other makes. We also use them at work for cleaning a lot of the equipment that gets used - I don't like the throw away aspect of using them, but they do save so much time. Iceyland often have them on offer, & just make sure small people can't flush them down the lav (as that will be expensive!).

Mum2one - great to hear about your Dad :j

Byatt wrote: »

...Anyway guys, I'm disappearing for a while from all things internet including FB...so don't worry or miss me too much.

Just need to find a balance right now and not live in the t'webb so much. Be good...xxx

Hugs Byatt. Lots of hugs.

Hope all are doing OK - guess you're all watching Bake-off, which is where I'm heading, with my Ovaltine. Party on :rotfl:

mum2one

Another bit of good news - saw the consultant, there pleased with his progress, his blood counts are all ok, - go back again Nov, by then he will have had his 1 yr mri scan, thats our next big hurdle to challenge.

Not to bad here, still plodding along, the weather been mixed, hoping for some nice weather, taking DD up the coast - for break xx

JustKeepSwimming_2

mum2one wrote: »

Another bit of good news - saw the consultant, there pleased with his progress, his blood counts are all ok, - go back again Nov, by then he will have had his 1 yr mri scan, thats our next big hurdle to challenge.

Not to bad here, still plodding along, the weather been mixed, hoping for some nice weather, taking DD up the coast - for break xx

That is great news :j Have a lovely time away.

I'm now going to rant about public transport - again! I've just agreed to help an acquaintance with a small project that will take an hour or so each Wed for a few months, starting in 2 weeks. Not a problem getting there as the bus goes right past her door...

Only in 2 weeks time it doesn't :mad: They've changed the route & instead of going straight from mine to hers on 1 bus in about 40 minutes, I'll need to go all the way into the big city & come back out again, making the trip a few minutes under 2 hours each way. No way can I spend that extra time on a bus each week, so I've had to let her down & she wasn't very pleased, although she understood. I'm sad as I'd hoped we'd become better friends during the next few months, but it would appear that ain't happening.

Then the same bus route has also been changed going into my town. It used to go from about 10 minutes from my house straight up to hall where DD does Guides, & near to where her friend lives (50 minute walk from home). It now doesn't - she'll have to get the usual bus into town & then the new one back out which doesn't go as near to the hall. Not only that but as it's now 2 different companies the fare has increased by £1.75 each way :mad: Of course they've announced that the route & timetable are changing on the 23rd, but have they actually put up the new times on their website so I (& everyone else, this is a very popular route) can plan our journeys? Have they ****.

Last straw is I booked train tickets months ago to come home from time away over the bank holiday weekend - train company may be on strike that weekend, they haven't decided yet . Customer disservice said I could either choose to not travel that weekend, stay away longer or make alternative arrangements - so helpful. Can't lengthen stay, coach service is about 7 hours & expensive & I'd need to get to the nearest pick up point anyway, & no, I haven't got a nice partner or family member who can come & collect me & the kids.

Not sure what we're going to do - holiday insurance won't pay out if we don't go (so what is the f'in point of having it?) & kids will be so disappointed if we don't go, plus I'll have all the expense of feeding & amusing them which I've already paid for during the holiday :mad:

Just hoping the strike gets called off, or at least they'll run some trains that day. Its not like we normally get to sit in an actual seat on this line, so we weren't expecting to travel in comfort :rotfl:. But I was expecting to get home again even if we did all have to sit on the floor of the buffer car like the year before last.

Sorry to rant - I know I mither a lot, but this feels personal now Sure I'll feel better in the morning...

ellie99

JustKeepSwimming, that's rubbish for you, what a shame the bus changes will inconvenience you so much. Having to rely on public transport really makes your life so much more difficult, doesn't it.
And the train causing problems as well!
No good ideas, but lots of dodgy hugs :grouphug:

Nothing exciting to report this week, still painting! well, occasionally...it feels like every time I eye up the paintbrush someone appears wanting something done! another visit to the solicitors this week, had to cancel everything for that, had to cancel walking with a friend, which I don't like doing. Keep telling myself I'll get some free time soon

JKS, I remember project buddleia...good for you getting it sorted...would you like to come and sort my garden out too?

JustKeepSwimming_2

ellie99 wrote: »

JustKeepSwimming, that's rubbish for you, what a shame the bus changes will inconvenience you so much. Having to rely on public transport really makes your life so much more difficult, doesn't it.
And the train causing problems as well!
No good ideas, but lots of dodgy hugs :grouphug:

Nothing exciting to report this week, still painting! well, occasionally...it feels like every time I eye up the paintbrush someone appears wanting something done! another visit to the solicitors this week, had to cancel everything for that, had to cancel walking with a friend, which I don't like doing. Keep telling myself I'll get some free time soon

JKS, I remember project buddleia...good for you getting it sorted...would you like to come and sort my garden out too?

Ah, I'm not actually doing anything towards project buddleia except paying a man to do it :rotfl: Its gone :j, but the last few patio slabs still need to be relaid.

Thankfully this man seems to be OK at doing what he's supposed to. The flat roof is done, but hasn't yet been fully tested by a downpour (as we're away to the beach soon I'm sure the downpours won't be far behind ). Most of the fencing has been done & looks great, but is taking longer than planned due to ridiculous amounts of concrete being used for old fence posts.

Am going to have to leave the planting till the spring as my soil is in such bad condition it needs lots of going over so hoping kids will help with that as I don't think it will help with my osteopath habit. Then he's going to come back & plant it all out in the spring with indestructible plants that I cant kill, & hopefully that will be that.

Friends have been amazed at how much it has cost (lots of "Oh, my Dad would just be called out to do it free of charge" comments) but none have offered to help out so I can keep the costs down :rotfl:. Not that I'd necessarily expect them to, but I'd like them to realise that I'm not just being extravagant, or wasteful - I really don't have a choice if as the work needs doing.

When its all finished then I'll also have painting to do, so I'll keep you company Ellie. The outside doors & window frame need a second coat before winter; boring but not as boring as skirting boards, so I'm trying to be pleased they don't need doing. Actually, I haven't looked that closely & they may need doing after all :rotfl:

I really need to find single friends, without families & ideally some of them single parents too - think they're all far too busy just trying to survive & don't have time to socialise

Had a good old moan last night, didn't I? Sorry all, but transport is a huge issue for me, & public transport in my area seems to get worse & worse each year. Also looks as if one of the Sunday services I use has changed, but again, no new timetables are up yet to check. Bus company have helpfully stated "These changes will provide a more clock face departure". Any idea what that means :question:

Hope all are enjoying their weekends. I get kids back in an hour, so I'm enjoying my last cup of tea in peace for many months & wondering how quickly they'll trash the relatively tidy house.

ellie99

JKS, sometimes we just have to pay someone to get the job done (especially as LB seems to be hanging on to the MITC :rotfl:)
As long as we get someone reliable who does the job right, and so far you seem to have that.

JustKeepSwimming wrote: »

Bus company have helpfully stated "These changes will provide a more clock face departure".

Well that's all right then :rotfl:
Seriously, I wonder who writes this stuff!

Have been painting all day, totally bored with it now...if you ever notice me deciding to paint anything else please all shout at me at once!

DS1 and DB are outside repairing (?) a car, at least they're out of the way. Thinking we'll have to have takeaway for tea because the whole kitchen is wet paint. Wondering whether to invite DS2, whilst DS is well behaved, I suspect a getting-bigger-every-day hairy puppy and wet paint may be a bad combination