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AIBU

Projects for the winter - any ideas?

(71 Posts)
papaoscar Tue 05-Aug-14 11:17:12

First priority - how to improve motivation.

Aka Tue 05-Aug-14 22:27:30

I always meant to get a round tuit Rose hmm

Notso Tue 05-Aug-14 22:43:14

If you're ever in Hastings, this shop will make you a Round Tuit smile

https://c1.staticflickr.com/3/2303/2280533436_a308de7c8f_z.jpg?zz=1

Ana Tue 05-Aug-14 22:48:12

I'm thinking of patenting my Mustard Mitt - when I get round tuit, of course! grin

rubylady Wed 06-Aug-14 01:10:13

For all the GN's who are affected by SAD or just don't like the electric light feel over winter, look up on Amazon and find Daylight bulbs or White Light Bulbs. They emit a white colour instead of the normal yellow of normal bulbs and so can ease the symptoms of SAD. I have tried mine now for a couple of winters and find my mood better. Also for crafting etc. they are a better light for your eyes to be seeing what you are doing. Buy them in enough time before the dark nights set in. smile

Mamie Wed 06-Aug-14 06:01:11

Quite agree rubylady, my SAD lamp made a huge difference last winter (and I only paid £45 in Maplins).
We will spend January near Malaga and see the grandchildren after a gap of eighteen months.
I will keep learning Spanish on DuoLingo, aiming to be able to be able to have proper conversations with my DiL and her family (thanks for the recommendation on the app thread).
I will finally finish the family history and get it made into a book for the grandchildren (anyone got any recommendations for best on-line book maker?)
I will keep up my low GI weight loss regime exchanging salads for soups. Now 10 stone 5lbs, aiming for 9 stone 8lbs.
Winter here will involve lots of walks and evenings in front of the wood-burner. First we have to stack the winter wood (8 cubic metres) which will arrive very soon judging by the sawing noises from next door.

AlieOxon Wed 06-Aug-14 06:29:57

FINISH family history, Mamie? Mine just keeps getting longer.....

I must get to the bathroom decorating that stopped when i broke my wrist!

HildaW Wed 06-Aug-14 19:02:59

Seriously, may I recommend Rag Rugging. Its a great recycler, can be any size from a panel for a cushion to a full on rug and can be done in low light even with less than perfect eyesight. You can even have one eye on the telly (if there is anything good on)!

rosequartz Wed 06-Aug-14 20:41:34

I read the other day that grannies are not all sitting with a shawl around them, knitting, they are having a life.

Well, that is again a generalisation. Grannies can knit as well as having a life - travelling, going out walking, looking after GC, gardening, charity work (in fact knitting is often for charity!), researching family history and publishing it, etc.

TriciaF Wed 06-Aug-14 21:04:02

I've bought a book called Windows 7 for Seniors, for Dummies, and hope to learn how to do complicated things on the 'puter such as "save" material, post pictures and other attachments.
We'll see.
And I've ordered a pattern to make a warm jacket.

rubylady Thu 07-Aug-14 00:18:16

Well my project was going to be decorating my new house but came 6th today on council's list for the one I bid for last week, so I'll have to keep on keeping on. Fingers crossed for next week. smile

JessM Thu 07-Aug-14 07:25:55

Tricia does this mean we can look forward to the For Dummies people releasing special versions of ALL their books - special simple versions for Seniors, who as everyone knows, can't understand ordinary dumbed-down books. And they could be even more chirpy than the normal kind, to keep up the old folks spirits as they read.
Maybe some Gransnetters would like to volunteer to further dumb down some of their forthcoming titles? One of those would be a nice little project for the winter months.
There are a few I know who would do a good job on English Grammar for Dummies. (If they could restrain themselves from holding forth on the uses of the subjunctive.)
Perhaps if we drew up a little list of volunteers? I have my hand up already: "Sex for Senior Dummies". Can I do that one Miss? Can I? Please, please, please?
www.amazon.com/Books-for-Dummies/lm/1TWH1UDQW9WY

TriciaF Thu 07-Aug-14 09:23:06

Jess - grin - I can hardly believe that link!

rosequartz Thu 07-Aug-14 09:25:12

Perhaps I am being a dummy but I am wondering why papa put this under the AIBU heading.

Perhaps it is unreasonable to even think of doing a project at our advanced age grin

rosequartz Thu 07-Aug-14 09:27:33

Is it that link to the American site? Perhaps they need more help and advice?

dorsetpennt Thu 07-Aug-14 10:03:35

I hate the winters in the country. Day after day of low hanging cloud making everything and everyone gloomy. I was brought up in Canada and lived in the U.S., our winters were freezing and we had snow for months in Canada. However, we'd get a few days of blizzard , which was always exciting, followed by wall to wall blue sky and sunshine. We did loads of skiing and sleighing, cross-country-skiing etc. Ottawa always had its Winterfest which was just charming. The Rideaux Canal runs through the city and freezes over in the winter. It's always billed as the longest ski rink in North America.
My project this year is to try not to get ill again. I had bronchitis two years ago and everytime I get a cold it 'goes to my chest' as they say.
I usually try and get some decoration done so may have a bash at the sitting room, it's been a while.

Penstemmon Thu 07-Aug-14 10:26:00

my project for the winter? Not sure i will have time for a project... too busy doing stuff!

suebailey1 Thu 07-Aug-14 10:29:56

We could have more get-togethers. I like the idea of starting a family history - mine will take me into Germany and wales I think.

tiggypiro Thu 07-Aug-14 11:20:59

I am going to try and finish my last winters job of clearing more land in next doors garden. It was billed as my ''winter warmer'' and works a treat at keeping the oil bills down - wrap up warm, work hard and then when I get in the house feels cosy warm at only 15'C. I got stopped last year when DD and 2 DGS came for a couple of months and then it poured down and now I have a broken wrist and it is too hot.
If it is too bad to get outside then I have a quilt to finish for No.5 DGS.
Both activities should be good physio for the wrist. Plaster is off in 8 days - 7 weeks in total. I thought 6 weeks was usual so am feeling a bit miffed about the extra week.

Penstemmon Thu 07-Aug-14 11:56:11

Sorry about the wrist tiggy sad but hope you are back in action soon.

papaoscar Thu 07-Aug-14 12:28:20

Some great ideas. Keep it up, GNetters!

Magmar Thu 07-Aug-14 18:06:18

papaoscar I can't think why no-one has mentioned the University of the Third Age (U3A)! I joined my local U3A recently and it's marvellous! All sorts of activities to keep you going through the winter and the rest of the year - anything from Art Appreciation to Family History to Tennis, walking groups and Yoga, with lots inbetween. Photography, philosophy, Scrabble, days out, badminton, painting....I could go on!

AlieOxon Thu 07-Aug-14 18:37:23

I took that one for GRANted.......

papaoscar Thu 07-Aug-14 19:36:57

Yes, Magmar, and Futurelearn provides free online diverse university courses. I took one last year on the causes of war and found it fascinating.

nonnanna Fri 08-Aug-14 09:18:50

I have a round tuit somewhere in a cupboard - must have a look for it when I get around to it. That can be my aim for the winter.

Jane10 Sat 09-Aug-14 17:48:38

I`ve just joined- looks such an amazing range of activities going on. Just hope I can overcome the urge to hibernate with TV and cats!