Pola

Hi I have had acrylic in- fill & shellac applied every 4 weeks to my nails for the past 15 years. Whenever any of my "nails" fall off before my next appointment, which is very unlikely but does occasionally happen. I use the "4 way buffer" from Boots the Chemist. Follow the instructions - seriously. I always have a new set of acrylics applied every 3 months Hope this helps you.

Hahaha given the name Pola, I am indeed a lady.

Hi Cloudless13 Thank you for your reply. You certainly did not come across as a horrible person but more of a straight forward person - a spade is a spade sort of person. I have never ever made any "bones" about that I only want the good times to be the "grannie" my children never had. I still work full time and have no intentions of retiring any time soon. I have a lovely partner in my life having been divorced from their dad for a long time. I have done my time of sleepless nights, teething, nightmares, homework ... and so on. I always tell the parents this is where you will build your memories of your family as I have of all of you when you were this age, that age and the next age... enjoy, enjoy, enjoy. Nobody nor anything can take these precious moments away from you however I, too, am entitled to a happy life filled with new memories and experiences.

Wholeheartedly agree with you. I have 2 grandsons: eldest just over a year old and little brother 2 weeks old. I told both my lovely daughter and her equally lovely husband that there would be no over night sleepovers with the eldest until he was at least one year old. I would on occasion watch him to let them have a night out for dinner, meet friends, go shopping but they would have to be home at a reasonable time as I, too, have a social life. They both have respected my wishes as I have respected the boundaries of being a grandmother. My situation is that my own mother died before I had any of my children and my late father was a man of his time (was in his 70's when my children were born) : your children, you look after them so my children were used to me being at home 7 nights a week. There was no-one else I could ask nor trust with my children. The same rules apply with the newborn. Then the 2 of them can sleepover. This allowed both the parents to establish a routine with the first born and will allow them to establish a routine with the second born. When I had the first one recently for a sleepover I followed the parents routine for feeding, bath time, bedtime etc until he woke up at 7am on a Saturday morning with the "mum,mum,mum..." Then I understood why my late father "was a man of his time!"

I do not do Christmas cards either, like you paisley pattern, I make a donation to a charity of my choice. Have done for many years and will continue to do regardless of whom agrees or disagrees.

I would love to go back in time to do all the lovely, simple things that I enjoy with both my lovely daughters and son such as lunch, chit chat over a cup tea, have a family dinner made by me... I lost my dear mother 43 years ago to a terrible illness which she endured for 13 years before she died, 30 years ago. I was 10 yrs old at the time. I wear her wedding ring everyday to remind me of how both her and precious my own lovely family are to me.

My siblings and I live in different countries therefore 20 - 30 something years ago when we all had our children, we all decided no Christmas or birthday presents. When we are able to meet as a "family" we all go out for a meal and a catch-up. No added expense, stress or hassle. We just enjoy each others company and have a good time.

Thank you jeanymay for your lovely, kind words. I never, ever thought that I would meet my "Prince Charming" either. It took a lot of patience (on his part) and a lot of courage (on my part) for me to agree to go on a date however as soon as I met "my lovely gentleman" I knew that I had met someone whom I could love, trust and depend upon. I can honestly say that I never knew that such a "gentleman" existed until 4 years ago. My actual words to both his parents on our first meeting 6 months after we met were: "Thank you both for bringing up such a lovely gentleman who has restored my faith in men." Prior to this I was a complete man hater who could only find fault with every man who crossed my path! I feel completely embarrassed now with the way my feelings and attitude towards men were however in my defence, until someone (male or female) has been subject to the extreme jealously, controlling abuse of an ex then they will never, ever understand. I still get angry with myself, also, for putting up with it for so long given all the signs/signals of abuse: name calling, dictating what I wore, who I spoke to, how I behaved in front of HIS friends (the usual flirting with them, behaving like a whore, being called a whore for having a mind of my own, dressing to entice them... that old chestnut!") however due to my so called "family" "not losing face" I had to stay! The same people now wonder why MY children and I have no more to do with them. The best revenge on everyone who in their narrow minded opinion "thought" that I should have stayed is "Good-bye forever." These people have no part in my life, my children's lives, my lovely grandson's life and especially in my life with my "lovely gentleman."

You have my respect jeanymay

The "green eyed monster" left me a single parent 10 years ago. Could no longer bear it after 25 years of listening to the same old "record!" Wasn't able to leave sooner due to other "pressures!" Met a lovely gentleman 4 years ago who does not possess a jealous bone in his body. He knows the extent of my ex's jealousy. My lovely gentleman is open, secure and mature with his feelings. I always refer to him as "my lovely gentleman" because that is what he is.

Hi everyone another newbie here too.