Mumsnet Talk

Sorry that was Wed last but don't get hopes up Probably is useless in your circs but just mentioned that in some cities during the long summer vac, university accommodation is often available to rent so wondered if Dublin colleges had any such arrangements. Might be a tall order as far as young DCs are concerned.

Maybe the Dublin tourist board could offer suggestions re: B&Bs that are family friendly? Not quite the pampering hotel type option but more affordable.

on the Dublin thread I mean.

Can't see your post Donkeys....what did you say?

Oh I posted on that Dublin Q thread Good probably not very helpful but just a thought...

Forgot to ask how DH got on with his forklift training, fingers crossed he does hear from his old employers.

Hope you all have a good time on DD's birthday

I'm full of hayfever, but yes...life is good. I look back aghast at how we were living before really. Things aren't perfect, I could really do with a payrise, but no chance of that and dh really needs work, but not much on the horizon there either. Although, he did his fork lift course and he's heard on the grapevive that the company he used to work for may have won their contract back after losing it (but it's all a bit vague) so he got in touch with the guy who recruits for them to remind them he's around IYSWIM. If he had work, even only 1000euro take home, we'd be OK. Just a bit worrying skating by on my shit income alone. But we're doing what we can...my work know I'm interested in promotion and he's doing what he can to find work.
I'm a bit obsessed with what I can only describe as holiday daydreaming. . we can't really afford to go anywhere but, when we lived with DM she made it clear we "couldn't" go anywhere as she "couldn't cope on her own". It made me feel so trapped and depressed, to the extent that I rebelled and when an old friend got married in Amsterdam last May, I said we were going, come hell or high water. She even tried to get DB to come over for the week to "look after her". As it turned out she was fine and even drove while we were away. So, now we can go away I spend hours day dreaming and researching all these places we can't afford would like to go. . My latest one is visiting DB in Dublin.

Well, outing passed off without incident, excellent! Life must feel good, (knocks on wood surreptitiously).

Good luck! Hope it has all gone OK.

It was all fine. DCs and I took her to a lovely nature park (with a duckpond and area with sheep, chickens, donkeys etc.) about 20 mins away. I'd made a dozen cupcakes (a packet job...only cost me 1.70 eur...bargain) and got DS to decorate with a million sprinkles the day before so we took those and a thermos of coffee. We had the cupcakes with the coffee on a picnic bench under the pines and put a little candle in one and DS helped blow it out. The place is lovely and really shady and we walked around and looked at the animals and had a good chat about the 5:2 diet as she's read about it and I've just restarted it. I'd got her a lovely rose and honeysuckle handcream and a pretty glasses case at a craft fair the week before and she really liked them. She said a couple of times she'd had a really lovely morning and that it had felt really special and a day to remember, which was great. Then we had the excuse of leaving at about half twelve as it's DD's 2nd bday on Tuesday so we went to see the PILs as they won't see her on the day, whereas DM can.
So, all in all it was very pleasant.

Good luck! Think how far you've come

Good luck. You are doing so well you will be fine.

DM's 70th birthday tomorrow. Wish me luck!

I love spring and autumn here but the real summer is horrible. July and August it's 40º and above every single day, so hot you can't sleep, can't go out anywhere with kids as it's so hot. If you go to the park you have to leave by about 1030am as it's too hot already. No air con in this house (and couldn't afford to run it anyway).

Thanks for the tip I'll take a meaningful lurk.

Me too Jux and Donkey I would love to live somewhere sunny although dh would hate it as he burns in daylight .

Enjoy your day Good, but don't forget to just sit and enjoy the peace and quite in your home.

Donkey come over the misery may thread. It's all about cutting costs and saving money. As food shopping just getting to expensive even just the basic foods.

Me too Jux.

Hi Good nice to hear from you and not at all waffly or boring. You seem to be handling your mum's fluctuating moods far more smoothly. What an improvement! Btw like Lavenderhoney's idea re: sheerness of kaftan captured on film.

I could do with an economy drive myself - it is too easy to renew policies without checking competitors' rates. The shopping bill at the supermarket was awful this week I don't think we have especially lavish tastes.

My DSis sent an un-birthday gift yesterday so my immediate response was to look online for a little something to send her next month. How easily restraint flies out of the window! Perhaps I'd do better to get some 'treasures' sold on EBay.

Glad the dog is better .

No, it was good to hear. Very jealous of your good weather as ours was here for a few days but has gone away again! How I would love to live somewhere where it was warm for more of the year than it was cold!

So, I am back. DH is doing the fork lift course all day so I have no car, but I don't mind as it means I am forced to stay at home all morning. I'm looking forward to doing some boring housey things like sorting out the laundry and ironing and clearing out the pile of plastic crap kids' toy box and dyeing my hair and other stuff. It's a gorgeous day and the weather's heating up so I'm going to sort out my summer clothes and pack the winter ones away. DCs are at school and nursery, so it's peaceful . I haven't really had any time to just have a quiet morning at home since we moved in here. Took the dog for a walk this morning and felt so relaxed. Brilliant!
Things are going OK with the mad mother. On Saturday I was baking a cake and needed a couple of eggs so popped over to hers and she came back here and had a cup of tea and sampled the cake when finished. All very civilised. Then Sunday we popped out for a coffee in the park with her. All fine. Yesterday DD's nursery went on an "excursion" to the park behind DM's house, so I invited her along and she seemed to enjoy herself.
She was wittering on about the referendum in the UK about leaving Europe and is fretting that the UK will leave Europe and as a pensioner here using the reciprocal agreement between Spain and the UK (as part of the EU) that she'll not be entitled to health care here any more. (doesn't affect me as my health care here is based on me working and as I have been here so long and am married to a Spaniard I am entitled to Spanish citizenship if I wanted). I've said before that there's no point worrying about it as it's all based on a lot of ifs, but at least now I can just say that and the walk away, whereas before I'd have then been fretting about it myself or having to listen to her going on about it.
DH is on an economy drive (he does the shopping and cooking) as with DS' birthday and Easter and DB visiting etc we've gone over our budget recently. He's keeping a tally of expenditure and doing cheaper (but healthy meals).
Had an e mail from a translator friend about some courses she's running and I'm really pleased she's doing so well, but made me feel a bit sad that I couldn't make a go of it. But, gave myself a good metaphorical slap and a talking to and feel a lot better now. I have a job I mostly enjoy and, money in the bank and sometimes I get other income through translation. Also, she has 2 masters and a professional qualification, so not really fair to compare myself. If DH could get some reasonably stable work even at 1000 euros a month we'd be OK. Did my tax rebate and we're so poor we get 1800 euros back! Whoop whoop!
Anyway, better stop...I'm sure that was a very boring waffle. xx

Hi, re the transparent short dresses- do you have an iPad? Film her with the dc in the bright sunlight in the garden, play it back and she will say " omg, my dress is completely see through and really short!!!"

And you can say " so it is! I didn't realise..."

Just a thought. Happened to my mil

Pretty well, thanks for asking. I'm just glad to hear that things are calm your end

Hi Wingdefence Things are going OK. The dog is much better and things have been relatively calm with DM. Have to go to ed now as I'm knackered but will post again soon. How's things going with DC2?

Hi GtB - hope it's all going well for you

Thank goodness.

The reason they said cancer was they did an ultrasoud and say suspicious shadows on the liver, but the blood test came back normal, so looks like inflammation (hepatitis).

Blood test came back and it sounds like hepatitis, which can be treated, so that's a relief. DM came with me (she's very fond of the dog) and was very kind. She wasn't wearing her crazy kaftan gear so I didn't say anything. Going to have a cup of tea and try to mentally get off the rollercoaster iyswim.

Oh GoodtoBetter. UnMN hugs to you. Hope your dog is ok. Thinking of you