I was dad's only caretaker for years. When he became unable, I became the repair person around the house. Power tools became the norm. I put up hand rails on both sides of the steps to aid dad. Things around the place that needed upkeep or repaired, inside and outside was part of my job.
As far as yard work goes, I was already helping dad with that when I was a child. I took over all the yardwork even before I took over the handywoman work.
I lived with my grandparent through my teen years. They were gone most of the time (they worked at their bar next door) and I felt like I lived alone. It was great! lol. I tended to the house, I would cook for myself and bake homemade bread, did my own mending, etc.
In my early 20s, I wanted to go to a movie. None of my friends were able to go. I mentioned this at work one day and the guy I worked with said, "Go by yourself." I asked, "Do people do that?" And he replied, "I do it all the time. Try it. You'll like it even better." Well, I tried it and I did like it! I've been to the movies by myself so many times, I've lost count. I really enjoy going by myself, but I also don't mind if someone else goes with me (depending on who it is).
I've eaten at restaurants many times on my own. I go to concerts on my own. For a long time, I didn't go to concerts on my own. One day I decided to start going by myself (everyone I knew either was unavailable or didn't want to go) and now I've been to several by myself. There is one or two coming up that I'm looking at attending.
I've flown 17 round trips, all by myself. I like doing this alone.
Btw, I also love flowers!! I have a toxic thumb when it comes to outside plants. I am actually pretty good with inside plants.
Anyway, I've only received flowers in one relationship (my longest relationship). It was probably over 3 years into the relationship when I mentioned that I'd like flowers. The next several times I arrived, there was a bouquet of flowers on the table. When he became unable to get out due to health reasons, he'd tell me after I arrived and when I went to do the grocery shopping, "Get yourself some flowers." I always found that very sweet.
My goodness, @CarriePie!!!
You are a One-Woman Force of Nature!! Literally!!
I love reading about the things you have accomplished and wish I could aspire to even a small fraction of the things you can do! (I have to admit to using a power drill for the first time and finding it somewhat addictive... I started looking around for other things I wished I could use it on -- just for the feeling of RAW POWER!! AR AR AR!!!)
Your family and friends have been truly blessed to have someone so talented and resourceful in their lives.
Many kudos to you, and I hope God will bless you many times over for the things you have done to take care of those around you.
and a lot of praying 
I can picture cinder changing a faucet while the plumber stands and watches....
Hey Everyone,
First, a disclaimer -- this thread is in NO way meant to insult either men or women, nor is it trying to ignore or put down God's calling to those who are to be married. Rather, this discussion is meant to be a light-hearted look at some of the things we've learned to do on our own without a partner -- whether or not God has one for us in the future.
I love flowers, and one of the things I've greatly appreciated in the past were the few times when a guy brought me flowers.Sadly, we went our separate ways after 8th grade (literally, as we went to different schools,) but I have loved flowers ever since.
Over the years, I've had a very tumultuous relationship with plants, as I seem to kill at least half (or more) of the ones I bring home, no matter how "easy" they're supposed to be.
But last year, for the first time ever, I was able to grow pansies from seeds; this year, ironically, NONE of the pansy seeds sprouted, but I DID wind up with a pot of cosmos.
View attachment 278131
Now mine don't look NEARLY as good as this picture (they're a little thin and scrawny,) but almost everyday, I have at least one cut flower I can put in a bowl in my kitchen -- and it feels like an accomplishment!
My next big step up was to buy a rose plant that has produced clusters of small pink roses, and if I have any success with that, I plan to upgrade to full-size roses next year (but all in containers.)
A few days ago when I had collected several flowers to put on display, I jokingly thought to myself, "I don't need no man!"
Please realize, I AM JUST KIDDING. I am NOT trying to insult men in any way, nor am I trying to embody the spirit of Jezebel, or invoke some evil feminist agenda that tries to say women don't need men! And no, I'm not trying to say that I would try to use a man to buy me flowers (I can buy my own -- it's just that I've been experimenting with buying them both in seed and plant form!) These days, cut flowers are so expensive and die so quickly, even if I did have a guy, I'd suggest that if we were to spend money on flowers, we could get something we could grow ourselves.
I have a guy friend from CC, though he's not here anymore, who also loves flowers and generously cheers me on whenever I take a picture of my latest "harvest" (but also doesn't make fun of me when I send shots of my -- many -- failures.)
I feel very thankful that in my single time, God is teaching me how to grow a few things on my own (SLOWLY, very slowly!), and if I ever meet a guy friend close by or have a significant other who likes flowers, I just might be taking flowers -- to HIM instead of the other way around!
How about you? What are some things in your single life that you've learned on your own, that you might have otherwise relied on a partner for?
* What kinds of skills and hobbies have you picked up/worked on/honed? Are they things you hope to share with a future spouse?
* What things have you learned to repair, renovate, or redo by yourself? (Cars, appliances, furniture, squeaks and creaks, etc.?)
* What are some domestic chores you've had to take on by yourself? (Sewing and mending clothes, putting things together or back together, cleaning out ducts, etc.)
* What things have you learned to adapt to (eating in restaurants alone, going to movies alone, traveling alone, etc.) that make YOU jokingly say, "I don't need no man or woman -- but I'm open to whatever God's will is for me!"?
. 
Hey Seoul superb thread
I have become a handy woman. I have a tool box. I nail, I screw and unscrew, I mount and dismount. Install and uninstall. I use to carry heavy things but after falling sick, I stay away from heavy stuff.
Some one once whispered to me "Edith it is not good to be self sufficient, it not cute
I know I answered but I don't like being or feeling vulnerable.
That person was joking. Right? HAD to be joking.Hey Seoul superb thread
I have become a handy woman. I have a tool box. I nail, I screw and unscrew, I mount and dismount. Install and uninstall. I use to carry heavy things but after falling sick, I stay away from heavy stuff.
Some one once whispered to me "Edith it is not good to be self sufficient, it not cute
I know I answered but I don't like being or feeling vulnerable.
(This is a JOKE. I am not saying that men need to be fixed, or that they can or should be fixed by women. Rather, this comment is just kidding around for members who are familiar with some of personalities we have here in the threads!)
You are obviously quite handy to have around that's for sure. I commend you in taking over the household while at the same time caring for your dad. That is God working through you. Most impressed.I was dad's only caretaker for years. When he became unable, I became the repair person around the house. Power tools became the norm. I put up hand rails on both sides of the steps to aid dad. Things around the place that needed upkeep or repaired, inside and outside was part of my job.
As far as yard work goes, I was already helping dad with that when I was a child. I took over all the yardwork even before I took over the handywoman work.
I lived with my grandparent through my teen years. They were gone most of the time (they worked at their bar next door) and I felt like I lived alone. It was great! lol. I tended to the house, I would cook for myself and bake homemade bread, did my own mending, etc.
In my early 20s, I wanted to go to a movie. None of my friends were able to go. I mentioned this at work one day and the guy I worked with said, "Go by yourself." I asked, "Do people do that?" And he replied, "I do it all the time. Try it. You'll like it even better." Well, I tried it and I did like it! I've been to the movies by myself so many times, I've lost count. I really enjoy going by myself, but I also don't mind if someone else goes with me (depending on who it is).
I've eaten at restaurants many times on my own. I go to concerts on my own. For a long time, I didn't go to concerts on my own. One day I decided to start going by myself (everyone I knew either was unavailable or didn't want to go) and now I've been to several by myself. There is one or two coming up that I'm looking at attending.
I've flown 17 round trips, all by myself. I like doing this alone.
Btw, I also love flowers!! I have a toxic thumb when it comes to outside plants. I am actually pretty good with inside plants.
Anyway, I've only received flowers in one relationship (my longest relationship). It was probably over 3 years into the relationship when I mentioned that I'd like flowers. The next several times I arrived, there was a bouquet of flowers on the table. When he became unable to get out due to health reasons, he'd tell me after I arrived and when I went to do the grocery shopping, "Get yourself some flowers." I always found that very sweet.
That person was joking. Right? HAD to be joking.
A girl who can do it herself instead of nagging a guy to get it done... That is so incredibly cool! And hott. And cute. And a few other positive appelations.
So... What are you doing this Saturday night?
Thank You dear. That's encouraging.
I was dad's only caretaker for years. When he became unable, I became the repair person around the house. Power tools became the norm. I put up hand rails on both sides of the steps to aid dad. Things around the place that needed upkeep or repaired, inside and outside was part of my job.
As far as yard work goes, I was already helping dad with that when I was a child. I took over all the yardwork even before I took over the handywoman work.
I lived with my grandparent through my teen years. They were gone most of the time (they worked at their bar next door) and I felt like I lived alone. It was great! lol. I tended to the house, I would cook for myself and bake homemade bread, did my own mending, etc.
In my early 20s, I wanted to go to a movie. None of my friends were able to go. I mentioned this at work one day and the guy I worked with said, "Go by yourself." I asked, "Do people do that?" And he replied, "I do it all the time. Try it. You'll like it even better." Well, I tried it and I did like it! I've been to the movies by myself so many times, I've lost count. I really enjoy going by myself, but I also don't mind if someone else goes with me (depending on who it is).
I've eaten at restaurants many times on my own. I go to concerts on my own. For a long time, I didn't go to concerts on my own. One day I decided to start going by myself (everyone I knew either was unavailable or didn't want to go) and now I've been to several by myself. There is one or two coming up that I'm looking at attending.
I've flown 17 round trips, all by myself. I like doing this alone.
Btw, I also love flowers!! I have a toxic thumb when it comes to outside plants. I am actually pretty good with inside plants.
Anyway, I've only received flowers in one relationship (my longest relationship). It was probably over 3 years into the relationship when I mentioned that I'd like flowers. The next several times I arrived, there was a bouquet of flowers on the table. When he became unable to get out due to health reasons, he'd tell me after I arrived and when I went to do the grocery shopping, "Get yourself some flowers." I always found that very sweet.
Saturday nights are free can I ask you outThat person was joking. Right? HAD to be joking.
A girl who can do it herself instead of nagging a guy to get it done... That is so incredibly cool! And hott. And cute. And a few other positive appelations.
So... What are you doing this Saturday night?
Too late! I asked you out first. Around here, where I live, "What are you doing this Saturday night" counts as asking you out.Saturday nights are free can I ask you out
Too late! I asked you out first. Around here, where I live, "What are you doing this Saturday night" counts as asking you out.
teasing gone wrong. I now see why it's said language is culturally significant. So how would you say "ok" without sounding Formal and ignorant
You say, "Pick me up at 7" or "I'll be free for lunch."Oh I see.
In local parlance? "Sure thing."Oh I see.
