There is some stuff you never imagine you will ever do.
Let me put it another way.
There is some stuff you never imagine you will ever have to do, as you always imagine your other half will do it.
When I was with Mr B he became responsible for certain jobs – they just sort of fell into his lap. For example he put the bins out, mowed the lawn more often than me, washed the car, locked up and put the alarm on at night, and checked out weird noises in the dark.
He did more than that, but you know, these are the tasks that immediately spring to mind as things he did; and I did not do. So in the last almost two years of being a single mum, I’ve done many new things. Built flatpack furniture, dealt with swarms of odd creatures, taken my girls away for the first time ever to a festival, built mountains and spitfires and ancient ruins with Miss E, and become chief spider remover, health and safety officer, gardener and waste disposal expert.
But this Christmas I tackled something new.
I built a house.
No really I did.
I dragged out my screw driver,
Grabbed a cup of Yorkshire tea (yum) and some chocolate buttons (for energy), and set to work.
And look what I did
Oh my Bob the relief and the huge puffed out proudness of it!
I was so so nervous about putting this together as it was Miss M’s main prezzie and if I messed up, well it might take some of the shine off, literally.
I had a back-up plan.
If the roof was wonky, or the doors didn’t close or the windows were all upside down and inside out and had that stamped-on-out-of-frustration look, then I was going to blame it on a young elf who was ‘only learning and had done his best so we should let him off and it’s still lovely isn’t it M?’
Admit it. I’m good.
Miss M loves her huowge pink house and it is now home to an enormous family of sylvanians. Even better, every time I see it I get this little hiccup of joy.
Sighhhhh. T’is not the receiving, nor the giving, but the building.
Happy Christmas lovely people. Ours has been lovely. Weird, in the sharing of kids between Mr B and myself, but I think we did ok. Here’s to a wonderful 2011. Mine will begin by finally getting to cuddle my tiny new nephew and I can’t wait. Hope yours is happy and hopeful and full of good things.
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December 29th, 2010 at 3:55 pm
well done you! I’ve had to work out transformers this year… here’s to single mum’s everywhere making our kids happy this Christmas x
January 3rd, 2011 at 5:07 pm
Thanks Becky. Single Mums and Dads rock.
December 29th, 2010 at 5:03 pm
Wow, that’s amazing. Charlie is completely obsessed with the doll’s houses at all his girlfriend’s houses and we toyed with the idea of getting him one of his own… but then realised we’d have nowhere to put it. Sigh. Well done though, very very impressive.
January 3rd, 2011 at 5:09 pm
Hmmmm, we still have to find somewhere to put it.
December 30th, 2010 at 1:54 am
Well done you! Being a single parent really does stretch your skills – I’ve done all sorts of things I would never have imagined, and when you manage to do them is very satisfying isn’t it?
January 3rd, 2011 at 5:11 pm
notSupermum it does doesn’t it? And I ‘mostly’ enjoy the challenges. My shelf putting up wasn’t too successful, but my doll houses are fabulous.
December 30th, 2010 at 2:48 am
I hope you don’t mind me saying but you’ve coped admirably Jo, I feel sure that I would have fallen to pieces for a long while. Way to go you
January 3rd, 2011 at 5:13 pm
Awww thanks lovely. When you’ve got kids you just have to keep plodding don’t you. I don’t think you would fall to pieces either lady. But Alex sounds like a keeper.
December 30th, 2010 at 6:24 am
Well done you. What an inspiring post and so heartwarming, I couldn’t have built that house. Here’s to a super 2011. Very glad to have found your blog.
January 3rd, 2011 at 5:14 pm
Thanks so much lovely Honest Mum. And definitely, here’s to a fab 2011.
December 30th, 2010 at 9:26 am
You did a great job, Jo! Without falling apart! Good for you.! Who knows what other wonderful skills you’re capable off?
January 3rd, 2011 at 5:15 pm
Nora I love that. Bring it on 2011, hee hee. You’ve done it too though lovely. Separation is hard but it brings out new things in you that can be so rewarding. Hugs.
December 30th, 2010 at 10:40 am
That is one achievement! I bet she does utterly love it
Wishing you all a wonderful 2011 xx
January 3rd, 2011 at 5:16 pm
Happy 2011 to you too lovely LIz. Hope you and yours are well and that lots of good things are coming your way. Hugs. x
December 30th, 2010 at 11:16 pm
you rock, Jo!
I know this feeling. I built Sugar’s wooden kitchen all by myself….and felt like a star. ♥
January 3rd, 2011 at 5:17 pm
Awwww well done my gorgeous. Happy New Year to you lovely lot. Big kisses x
December 31st, 2010 at 8:54 am
HOORAH! Horah for Jo the Builder (yes she can). Happy New Year to you old buddy.
GBS
January 3rd, 2011 at 5:18 pm
Happy New Year to you too lovely lady. maybe this is the year we’ll get to say hello in person. xx
January 3rd, 2011 at 3:22 pm
Looks perfect! I have a friend here who also put together a dollhouse for her daughter—no small feat!
And may 2011 bring you health, wealth and happiness!
January 3rd, 2011 at 5:18 pm
Same to you Susan. Health, wealth, happiness and lots of love. x