General Chat

As a single parent you have to be able to do all those grotty little jobs and put flat packs together single handedly that usually require 3 people to assemble. I've got a power drill and electric screw driver and loads of gadgets.

You name it I do it, Electrical,mechanical (not on the newer cars though)plumbing,wood chopping,anything with a hammer & nail,paint ,plaster,cement. I am not blowing my own trumpet It is more a case of necessity as we can't afford professionals & I hate cooking & housework. Cilla

Louise, With your lino, (bathrooms are difficult - not enough room and toilets etc in the way!!!) Hopefully you willl have more than you need. Find the least cluttered wall, and start from there. Put your lino along this wall, with a bit going up the skirting board (to allow for the wall not being straight), work backwards from here, cutting the lino approximately, but ensuring you have excess. When you reach the loo, make a T cut, the I cut for the loo, the _cut for the front of the loo, or if you feel confident, a U cut. Push the lino into the edges. I usualy leave it like this for a few days (exhaustion) but it also helps the lino to 'settle', then I go back and cut it nearer where I want it to be, but being a coward, still leave 'excess'. Wait for it to settle a few more days and finish off. I put lino in a bathroom once, but put cork tiles in my present one - cos it was easier (apart from having to varnish in the wee small hours) LOL (could say it was retro but I'm too honest!!) maggie

My first marriage.... i had a Range Rover, was told to put the hose in the tank......the water ran and ran and ran, eventually he said, are we almost there, no says i.....in the end he came and looked, i had the hose in the oil bit....oopps, what a mess and what a fortune it cost!!!!!

i still remind him of it when he gets too flash ! there i was , puffing on me woodbine, waiting to connect the hose pipe ....... the blokes from the gas board really thought the emergency phone call wa a wind up ! am just gratefull he did not use one of them soldering iron thingies ! i would not be her etoday....... bloody hell..... just scared myself thinking about it ....... lol

ok louise here goes ! hubby fancies himself has a diy'er- like most men ! when we moved to new house - he plumbed the washer in fine [ set up already there !] then he decided we needed an outside tap for garden and fishpond. he did whatever he did- then asked me to stand in the garden- turn the tap on- and shout to him what the flow was like . the flow was lovely- but...... not water....... bloody gas !!! WHEN the gas board arrived [pmsl] trying to keep there faces straight - they explained how lucky we had been !!! like i needed telling ! he had joined the gas pipe to the tap . need i say more. at the moment he is building 10 ft X 6 ft gates for the side driveway........ i wonder........

That Asda story is terrific! And Maz's Mum sounds great! lol BC

Louise If you want to plumb in a washing machine, go to your local DIY shop, or failing that, B&Q. and buy a machine waste that cuts into an existing waste pipe. You can also obtain hot and cold taps that cut themselves into existing 15mm copper pipes. Ask them to show you how to fit them. If they can't, don't buy them, go somewhere else. B&Q or WICKES may also have a leaflet showing you how. I don't know for sure as I've not been to either lately. Whole job should take less than 15 mins. David

Well, Jenny, I think the Committee of Two have voted and indeed yes, I believe that anything is possible.....I think you sholuld definitely, positively, do....er....whatever it is we think is best for you! and fun! so come youngster, give it a go.....lol BC

louise , are you still there- i have a story to cheer you up .....

buttercup - am trying to talk her into you know what and when ! would be a wild weekend ! honest jen- you would love it !!c'mon BC- join forces with me, get your daughter a taxi jen- i promise you- it will be worth it !!!

and....Louise.....good luck with your Knight :) XXBC

Jenny.....dont forget you are coming here as well! lol BC

Mandy, not too worried about seeing the Sea. Only ten mins walking away from Tynemouth Long Sands. But it would be great to come and help you. Just name the week and I will be with you. Could really do with a break. Lol. Jenny.

ooh , jen - cheeky, lol.

BC. Will defo come and visit, But it will be with Sue. I will definately not be laying tiles. Lol. Jenny. xx

Well Louise, as my talents are so limited, I would suggest that Jenny (Mommylonglegs) would be able to help you.....JENNY!!!!!!

Can't wait BC Getting Plaster(ed) or the Plastering course either would be good at the moment :-) Pat x

Awwww Davo.....what a little sweetie :) XX BC

My 8 yr old grandaughter arrived today, and asked to go in the garden, collected the shed keys, got out the broom and swept all the paths, and round the side of the house. She said she had also weeded the onions that she planted earlier in the year. Dave