Off camping next week but been told no cooking stoves allowed now - so no hot water, no hot food.
There’s no pub or shops nearby either.

The site is saying we are inside 14 day cancellation so they are charging to move the dates back and we’ll lose full amount if we go elsewhere (although not even sure where else since the phone alert).

Camping with kids, with no hot food or drink - would you do it?

Does anyone know a site where we could cook still?

A lighthearted thread, for men and women to join - just a distraction from the news really ❤️

Mine - never had a good one, but planning to once dd goes to school 😉
Worst - classic story - guy 'exploding' and then pulling a 'welp' face and leaving, bless him 😩

Husband hates the dresses I loved - mob btw! He says the colour is wrong, the shape doesn’t suit. I felt fantastic in them ☹️. Ditching dh isn’t an option. Are they awful or is he being unreasonable?

I'm getting married next year. Just wanted to hear your thoughts on whether you'd expect a free bar at the venue?

I've been to many weddings over the years, some have a free bar, most don't. I'm not a huge drinker so am always happy to buy my own at weddings.

We do have wine at the tables to have with the meal and champagne for the toasts.

Does this seem reasonable? Many thanks all!

Anyone watching. I love Jack.

Never read the books

On episode 2

DC has a very rocky relationship with her dad. She’s 7 and he’s never been actively involved in her life. She currently has contact with him every other weekend, but there are no overnight stays due to his living arrangements. Since she was little, he’s made very little effort. He doesn’t attend school events, activities, sports days etc. There have been numerous occasions where he simply hasn’t turned up for contact.
The difficult thing is that he doesn’t actually cancel. I’ll message through the parenting app beforehand to try to confirm that he’s still having her. If he confirms that he is, I’ll take her to the agreed meeting point, but there have been occasions where he’s still not turned up despite saying he was coming.
Then, sometimes days later, he’ll message saying he was poorly, something happened, or giving another reason why he couldn’t make it. There’s very rarely any communication at the time to let me or DC know that contact isn’t happening.
I could probably count on one hand how many times he’s actually seen her this year.
This has become a continuous cycle. Communication between us is through a parenting app because things have become difficult in the past when I’ve challenged him about his behaviour. I always try to remain completely neutral with DC and encourage her relationship with her dad. I never badmouth him to her or let her see how I feel about the situation.
It’s now got to the point where DC gets extremely upset about going. She’s old enough to understand that he repeatedly lets her down, and it genuinely breaks my heart watching her get hurt by it. Hes expecting with his partner and this seems to be another reason why contact hasn’t happened, such as his partner being unwell or things going on with the pregnancy. I completely appreciate that life happens and circumstances can change, but this has been going on for years and isn’t a one off. I’m honestly at my wits end. She deserves consistency and to not constantly be disappointed. AIBU not sending her? There is a court order in place which he has never consistently followed. I know the proper route is eventually going to be going back to court, and that is something I intend to do when I can afford to, but that isn’t something I can sort immediately. I mainly got the court order as he was threatening to report me to the police for taking her on holiday with my partner. I’m really struggling with what the right thing to do is. I don’t feel I can keep putting her through the same cycle of being let down.

Just curious as nobody in my house did (we don't live particularly rurally but there is no phone signal here so we rely on WiFi calling). When the system has been tested previously we bavn't had the alerts then either.

It seems a but of a flawed system if it doesn't get through. I can only assume it's due to our poor signal unless there's a different reason.

I have recently had surgery and I am pretty immobile … just about get around on crutches indoors. Friends (m and f married couple with 10 year old daughter) wanted to visit me at my home. I’m not really up to guests to be honest but they more or less invited themselves. I agreed and they said they would arrive around 11am and stay until about 3pm (they live a couple of hours drive away from me). Since this timing clearly spanned over lunchtime I thought it was only fair to warn them I wasn’t really up to making a meal for them, which is something I usually always do when they visit a few times a year. The wife says oh that’s not a problem we will bring something with us. i thought oh that will be nice … a bit of company and something nice to eat brought in!
Well they all arrived carrying big cool bag and busied themselves putting things in my fridge etc. We chatted for a while and then wife stood up and said she would fix lunch… checking with me where I kept my plates etc. whilst I remained sat in the lounge. When everything is plated … individual pots of salad, wrapped up sandwiches etc. kind of picnic style and she announced it was ready, I suddenly realised that she had only put out 3 plates for them and had not included me! She then turned and said ‘Oh are you going to make yourself something and join us?”
I was so shocked I just mumbled oh I will make myself some toast. And then sat there with them eating a couple of slices of toast whilst they had their individually plated picnic goodies! The funny thing is I truly believe they thought they were being considerate bringing their own food so I didn’t have to bother cooking.
I can sort of laugh about it but I am also gobsmacked they could think that was ok! However, now looking back I guess I did make an assumption that they would bring something for me to eat too. AIBU? Love to hear people’s thoughts on this!

Which one should I buy??

I had a blood test recently as I generally have low iron. The latest test has come back as follows:

haemoglobin 122
ferritin 18
haemophilia 28.7
b12 570

I don’t understand the haemophilia result in particular and when I have googled it it seems worrying? The Gp has sent a message for me to book in an appointment asap but each time I call I can’t get through. I’ve been feeling really low and emotional recently (last few weeks) and I just feel really stressed about these results. Can anyone help? I will obviously keep trying to speak to GP

Firstly I appreciate this is not the same for the rest of the country

but we’ve had it horrific here (London). I’ve never felt so shit in my life as I have for the last 10 weeks. I’ve spent between £250-350 a month on electricity (portable air conditioners). I’ve felt anxious, headachy, it’s FUCKED with my peri menopause (brain fog, no words, cognitive decline). I’ve felt tearful and as if it would go on forever. There are moments where I’ve thought I can’t take another moment of this. My sleep is proper fucked.

this has to change. I’ve done everything on a personsl
level I can. Air conditioners only when necessary, above 26 inside (DH has long Covid so literally throws up in heat). His asthma is exacerbated. The dogs have had the shittest summer. I’ve had a couple of rescues that can’t go out about 22 degrees. I reckon they’ve been walked briefly 3 times a week. We deliberately went away on a cheap caravan holiday twice just so they could smile. There were endless days I couldn’t work as too hot in my home office and clients cancelled.

I cannot wait til Saturday.

I hope for solidarity from others. I want to wear a fucking hoodie again. I’ve spent every day sat around in my underwear inside for vast stretches of the day. This is not sexy.

Hey.

just for context, I’m 29 and my friends husband who I’m talking about is 39. My friend is 35 and my husband is 33. Just for context, it’s not really about age- but it might show some maturity / immaturity later on.

we used to all get on as a group, did lots together with our kids, even went on holiday - but since I got a promotion at work and gone full time again after my 2 children, my friends husband has really had a problem with me.

He’s turned really rude, and just not enjoyable to be around, actually very insufferable.

I am really bothered by a few things that I’m reading on Instagram, he seems to be digging at me indirectly & has even put something quite mocking up.

for example;

1. when I got oasis tickets via the ballot… he put a Instagram story up saying ‘it’s clear to see the answer to the question of ‘how many times have you seen oasis before via the ballot was 0!!!!👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼’
2. I have started running, for my health - mainly mental health, and I’m running the marathon for my little boys charity ( he was born prem with a few complications ) - I put one progress picture online, proud of me.. and then he went out of his way, to clearly download a TikTok to add to this Instagram story, mocking runners…
3. the recent solar eclipse, I put a few pictures of my kids smiling with their eclipse sunglasses before it even started & the sunset after it happened online for family to see, and then we watched the whole thing via the glasses- not that I need to justify myself but half of my family are in Australia and it’s the easiest way to see eachother sometimes it was fallowed by another Instagram story, saying ‘why are people taking pictures and not watching the eclipse themselves?’

i just feel absolutely fed up with it, it’s like a knee jerk to everything I put up- he obviously has a bug bare and it’s clear he thinks women are beneath men. I can’t believe my friend married him. I don’t know if I am being unreasonable… but wtf, I’m more bothered why my little ( quite plain and normal )life is bothering him so much.

i feel like I can’t say anything because of my friend, but I really need want too. My husband is saying to delete him from seeing my stuff- but I just don’t want to let this get in the way of mine and my friends friendship.

my husband did say ‘is she even a friend if she’s seeing her husband doing this and not asking who it’s about and why?’ - but again, I think he’d mute her anyway!!!

ugh! Advice? Haha x

Christmas topic obviously!
I’m planning to have a sort through my stash of decorations, and pull a colour scheme for the tree. We have lots of individual ornaments collected over the years, and plain baubles in several colours which fill in the gaps.

Inspire me with your colours and themes. I’m torn between all red/burgundy and full-on circus brights!

Not sure what's changed, whether it's the heat or just a general feeling of being 'done', but this summer, I have parted company with my bra. I'm middle-aged, not particularly busty, and am just not bothering to put one on in the mornings when I'm not working. I suddenly resent the idea of wearing one, as it's not as if I really need support -it really only sheilds the world from seeing a hint of my nipples under my top. DC are embarrassed to be seen with me and although I don't really care, I've noticed the odd person do a double-take when I'm out. I'm not wearing anything revealing, just a t-shirt, a buttoned shirt or loose-fitting dress.
Is going braless in middle-age really the social faux pas that my teens imply that it is?

Help! I have bought a very expensive velvet jumpsuit for my son's wedding. Bought months ago, I've piled on the weight and now I look like a purple whale. Don't know what to do and can't afford to buy anything else
Thanks

(nc for this)
DS finished university and has spent 18 months applying for jobs (450+). A few interviews who say they recruited internally or need someone with more experience (that old chestnut). Most just never reply. We live in London.

He finally gets a job but it’s in Oxfordshire. The company will let him stay at their accommodation (usually for customers) for a maximum of two weeks.

He cannot find any accommodation after this time. He has tried spare room app but when he gets a response people are asking for females only or more often there is no reply. He messages them a couple more times but nothing.

He doesn’t drive but willing to walk/cycle. He does have T1 diabetes so that is a consideration with distance.

He then put an ‘I’m looking for’ ad another site and a woman contacted him to say that, following throat surgery, she would be renting out her 2 bed house and moving in with family. It looked amazing and the woman said that the bills & council tax. A 25 minute walk to work. Paid the holding fee and arranged viewing for Sunday (he starts work on Monday).

DS was excited about job & house finally the months of angst were coming to an end.

So this morning he received an email from the lady saying that the rental company (?) wanted an extra £750 deposit before they would let him view the property. She said that she would pay £500 but he would need to pay another £250.

DS asked who this company was (not found on companies house) and their contact details so he could discuss it with them. She replied that they ’do not speak to prospective tenants’.

She also sent him her passport details by email as proof of her identity. Trouble was that the Passport had a spelling mistake in her name 🙄 🚩

Bank notified & they’re dealing with it.

Big problem is now DS is starting work on Monday but will have nowhere to live by the end of the month. As it’s quite a tourist area the Airbnbs and bed & breakfasts are thousands. He’s on the list at local estate agents but he has no salary history yet. They are really out of his price range but we’ll help him.

Just as an aside UC have paid him nothing for months, just the odd £15 here and there.

He’s desperately worried that he will lose his job.

Any ideas folks?
I’m so sorry for the long post.

Did you use a puppy nappy at all? She sleeps on our bed and its also carpeted upstairs so thinking of trying a puppy nappy. Downstairs is all hard floors. Ive put towels on the sofas.

Any tips?
What should we expect behaviour wise? Could her season get heavy?

As the title says. Ive been sick everyday for the last 4 weeks, usually just a little. This time it was quite a bit. Not sure why I was sick as not eaten nice lunch time. I have a doctor's appointment on the 19th for something else. Do I wait till then and talk about it adding to a list of things I have to talk to them about or call 111 in the morning? I'm not pregnant. Pregnancy tests are negative so not sure why I'm being sick. Dont usually get stomach pains with the sickness and nausea but tonight I'm in a fair bit of pain right in the centre of my stomach.

My sister and I have very different views on this!

She and I have gone away many times, always for a week.

She always spends a good hour or so unpacking, setting stuff out etc on arrival and then a couple of hours repacking before we leave. I just live out of my bag/case and dirty clothes folded into a plastic bag when I take them off to chuck back in the case at the end of the week. Repacking takes less than half an hour. The only item I unpack is my "going out" dress, of which I only take one.

She thinks I am abnormal as "everyone unpacks!" I think its probably more like a 50/50 split and when you only have a week, time is of the essence so I prefer to use the time to holiday (made up verb of the week) than fanny about putting my knickers and socks in a drawer!

YABU - I unpack!
YANBU - I live out of my case!

Who knew penis rings (for fingers) were a thing?
Speechless

www.libertylondon.com/uk/18ct-gold-statement-signet-ring-R668919006.html?utm_source=google&utm_medium=shoppingiq&utm_campaign=shoppingiqfeed&utm_content=shoppingseo&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=20031110607&gclid=CjwKCAjws_DTBhB_EiwAXZknGb1OrG2T_fjDtc9Y6Ggv_sq7b0ipTbHin7cd5MrRaL08B88LK9C_uxoC138QAvD_BwE

When the alert went off did you, for a fraction of a second, think Vlad had finally snapped and pressed the button?

Disappointing if he had because I if I’d known, I’d have added more loo roll to the Tesco delivery.

We have planned a family get together this evening with a charcoal bbq in the garden. I hasten to add it’s a proper one not disposable.

should we still go ahead, or should I play save and cook the food indoors, what’s everyone else doing,

I mean, it stresses disposable bbq, says nothing about kettle ones in a garden. But I don’t want to cause any problems, and tbh we have a lot of trees around us and I’m a little worried, DH says I’m being silly but ?

I have a beloved JL strapless/multiway bikini similar to might like this at John Lewis: www.johnlewis.com/john-lewis-sling-halter-bikini-top-black/p6089752?s_share=jlappdroid this which you can prise from my cold, dead hands BUT it leaves me with a very large white bit in the bit where the gore of the top sits - basically the bit that you'd see if I was wearing a really deep v-neck top. My days of triangle bikinis held together with string are over, but is there a solution that allows you to get a bit of vitamin D on the white bits and still keep your boobs aloft?! I tried this from Amazon but the top wasn't the right fit although I liked it in theory.

If you have 32FF boobs and have experience with a solution please share 😀

They semi regularly send pictures of their kids to a family group chat. We would always comment “great pic” or “looking
good” something similar. Same with their kids achieving something eg winning a completion we will make a nice comment.

however if we send pictures of our children we often just get….no response at all. Not even a thumbs up 😧

similarly they ask us to sponsor their children once or twice a year (school fundraising etc) but won’t sponsor or donate back even when directly asked.

so what would you do here. Their kids are my children’s only direct cousins so ideally I don’t want to lose touch with them but this sticks in the throat.

Would you take a step back? I am just thinking of not sending any pics at all and also possibly removing them from my social media as I feel it makes it easy for them to see what we are up to without having to make an effort to keep in touch.

it seems like they want us to comment and gush over their kids but don’t want to reciprocate.

they live abroad and then when they visit we are expected to drop everything to accommodate them. Which we usually do. Because they do live abroad it seems important to send photos / updates but if you then get no comment on them or acknowledgement it feels a bit pointless.

I am so over this heat and v much looking forward to packing my sandals away until next year!
On that note, I’m looking to upgrade my everyday trainers and never quite know what’s currently trendy and comfy.
Are colours still in, or are we heading back towards neutrals? Not really a fan of anything too bold, but I do like richer autumnal tones burgundy, chocolate brown, dark green etc.
What are you all planning to wear this A/W? Any particular trainers you’d recommend? Would love some inspo!