tigerfly

I rent a cottage and it still has the original heavy wood front door from the 1800's.

We no longer use it as when it is permanently locked we have more floor space. It is well secured with multiple locks.

I have 2 problems:

1) It's extremely drafty: it has gaps around the outside letting the wind in and it has gaps in the actual door (dependant on weather) where the pieces have expanded and retracted with the seasons.

2) Because of the gaps described above it's very noisy - we live on a main road.

Replacing the door is not an option. I'd like to seal it off completely in a way that will keep us snug but not damage our rented property... but I don't know how. Any ideas?

Many thanks in advance! :)

I've been living in a little market town in Surrey since I left home 7 years ago. I am very very bored!

I would like to live and work in London for a few years - ideally I would rent a room in a house share or rent a studio. Can anyone advise me of the more affordable/cheap areas to look around?

I'd like to buy a brightly coloured (not essential but would be fun) summer mac with a buckle belt but I can't find one anywhere! I've looked on Oli and in New Look, Dorothy Perkins, H&M, Topshop, Peacocks and M&S... so evidently my budget is limited! I would spend up to 40.00 ish GBP.

Any suggestions much appreciated! Thanks! :)

I'm getting REALLY frustrated - I really really want to see this film.

It came out in the UK on Friday but it's not playing at the Guildford Odeon or the Basingstoke Vue. Why not? It's supposed to be fantastic - it was directed by Del Toro who directed Pan's Labrynth and that was huge...

ANYone know what's going on?

i can't get on to facebook!

I'm planning for Glasto already (WHOOP WHOOP!!)

Is there a dry shampoo out there that will actually freshen my hair with out making me look like I lost a fight with a tub of talculm powder?

I'd be grateful for personal answers, websites with statistics or even best guesses from US natives! In particular I'm looking at salaries in HoustonTX.

Thanks in advance.

Hi

Later in the year I'll be moving to Houston, TX to join my father and American family.

I am in my mid 20's; my father spent a large proportion of my childhood in the USA and is now a US citizen.

I'm really looking forward to building a life out there, I am completely in love with Texas - but I am aware I view it with rose-tinted glasses. After all; I've only ever holidayed there - when I move I'll be living and working eating and sleeping the lifestyle.

Are there any ex-pats who have had negative experiences? Do you ever feel like an outsider, or is the southern welcome extended 24/7?

How does the business world compare? Do they have different office etiquette?

Overall, is the British stereotype a positive one in American eyes?

I know I have asked a lot of questions - I'm grateful for any answers you can find time to offer. Thanks!

(Just need to mention that I will be entering and working legally so no sod-off-back-home messages please)

I just have. It sucks.

I am 23, my parents divorced in my early teens so I am used to /accept/encourage my mother to look for a partner. She's had a few boyfriends, but it's not worked out for whatever reason. I moved out when I was 18. Almost 2 years ago she started going out with a new chap. It didn't get off to a very good start as far as I was concerned; all she could talk about was how everyone had a problem with him being 20 years older than her (including me) even though I had never met the bloke. I don't care about his age: it's none of my business. When I first met him he was very frosty towards me and made it clear he did not want to be friends and was fairly disrespectful towards me, saying that he knew my Mum better than I did etc. Over the 2 years my mother has been increasingly distant and often quite spiteful, up to the point of ignoring me and my OH when we saw them together on Bonfire Night. I don't understand why my mother would chose him over me or even why she thinks it's necessary to!

I rent a little studio. I have a rather limited budget and so it's cheap accommodation and unfortunately that means it's rather run down.

The floors in the bedroom/livingroom area are covered in 2 types of carpet, one greeny brown and the other beige and they are in bad condition. The landlord doesn't want to replace them and as I agreed to rent it in this condition it's up to me to make the most of it.

Now, I can't remove the gross carpet so I need a cheap solution to cover it up attractively. The room is an irregular shape so it would be hard to use rugs. Any ideas??

Is it terribley cringy and pervy or is it ok? Do you just chat and flirt a bit or do you have to make dreadful fake orgasm noises?

Just curious... I need to work myself out of a little financial hole I've created , I can't be out working 24 hours a day so I am condsidering all options. Just not yucky ones.

I'm waiting for my trial sizes!

Or should they be covered?

They are sort of dry and papery like dehydrated roots. The orchid is in it's 2nd full bloom this year, so it's not dying... are they supposed to be there?

I rescued it from outside my flat. It's in my living room now. Do weeping figs need a particular type of compost, and what food will help it recover best?

UK brands only please.

Thanks!

I found a big abandoned weeping fig in a pot on it's side outside my flat! I've brought it inside, so um, I how do I look after it please? What particular conditions do they like? I'm not very good wih plants.

I have the thumb of death for green leafy things. I even killed a cactus once.

The only plant I have had success with is my orchid, which is blooming for the second time this year for some strange reason.

I would like some more plants, a nice big one to stand in a corner and one or two small ones to go here and there.

My flat is quite dark, and it's damp too (nice, eh?) so I have to use a de-humidifier. I don't know if that makes any difference.

Can you suggest anything?

At the moment I use Sainsbury's or Tesco bio washing liquid, which is fab - cleans really well, but I am aware of it's impact on the environment. Is Ecover actually any good? I don't want to waste my money.

Thanks!

My father has a green card, is married to an American and has property and his own business and home in Houston TX.

I adore the area and culture and miss my new family. I would very much like to move out there, too. I think my Dad's residential status may influence the likelyhood of my immigration application being accepted but I know it in no way entitles me to anything.

I'm finding it hard to locate detailed information on how the immigration process takes place. I'd really like to speak to some kind of advisor - does any one know where I should start? The US embassy website isn't very helpful, it's only really good if you know what you want and where it is!

I am a hardworking solvent adult before any of you leave any nasty 'go away' answers. Any sincere helpful advice gratefully received.

I know it sounds stupid, but I don't know where to begin! Please could someone explain where the measurements start and end, eg. from the floor to seat or from the middle of spokes to the ...whatever! I don't know! Help! Trying to sell my bike on eBay.

Thank you muchly. :)