GCSEs 2018 (14): the aftermath

Loose did he only do the subjects he intends to take or did he try out anything different as well?

Sorry I've been a bit absent today. Long day at work and then too much to do this evening.

Tomorrow is the first university open day for DS2. It's going to be crowded, hot, tiring and long, but will hopefully be useful for him.

Ellen
Korma your dd is a well done to her!
Terf you're doing a lovely thing for your cousin, I'm sure it's very much appreciated.
Well, DS had a good day - loads of taster lessons and lots of positives about maths. It was good to see his option choices look like the right fit for him! He also got to his bass guitar lesson no problem and had a great time.
Sostenueto - he agrees with your dgd that Biology A level is more interesting than gcse, he's even looking forward to dissecting things!

Well done Chicken's DD. My DD is going alone in my car too. She's been downstairs trying out her dress tonight and I think she looks beautiful. Anyone got any tips for what we can use to cover up multiple tan lines from tennis dresses with a backless dress?

He's going to borrow DS2's chinos. Lucky that they fit him.

Thank you for your support, I shall wear it always! Ta bum tish!

Agreed! I never post more than twice on a thread!
Sost that made me laugh - half price funeral Thank goodness you had your children young or what would we do without your musical antics to laugh about (and your biography to read!)
Chicken well done your DD. What she'll remember won't be the dresses or the music but the fact that she faced her fear and did it anyway 👍

I think this has been one of the most supportive threads I’ve ever seen on mumsnet ever (& I’ve been here since 2002)

These are emotional support cards for Sost. Actually, the top one has given me an idea for the title of the next thread whenever we get there: GCSEs 2018 (15) More supportive than a 38DD.

Ellen I would err on the side of caution and wear jeans. Could he bung his shorts in a backpack?

chicken so glad your DD had a good time at prom and pulled off a selfie updo.

Sost I imagine you are relieved you had your DDs relatively young.

I like the postcards idea for people having treatment. Will file for future.

Wow, sost I'm glad you had already had DC by then. We'd not have your exemplary grand parenting skills on this thread. And for your cousins, terf

DS3 has his induction day tomorrow for his preferred sixth form. He's going to walk up with an old primary school friend whose mum I'm still friends with. The boys have pretty much lost touch but it'll be nice for him to go there with someone he knows, even vaguely. The big question is does he wear shorts in this heat or the 'smart clothes' requested which can include smart jeans? Jeans will be boiling! Shorts probably a bit too casual.

terfterf all my best wishes to your cousin and hope they will do something for her quickly. That is the cancer I had at 28 and I lost my womb and ovaries. I am still here though cancer rears its ugly head every decade or so since. But with regular screening they catch it early. Have lost several bits of me over the years so I shall go out with a lot less than I came in with. Wonder if I can get a discount on my eventual funeral as only half of body to bury?.
alexander hope dh is recovering well with enforced rest and best wishes to you all.

Loose I hope you see less of Clapham Junction than I did yesterday. I think we could have done with Terf's pool! It's funny how we all get a homing instinct when we're low. I'm sending my BF postcards every fortnight as she is having horrible medical treatment every second Sunday. This week, however, she will be receiving a huge bunch of pinks from the Isle of Scilly, as I don't trust DH to remember to post my postcard to her when we are away & it certainly won't arrive on time from Norway. I hope your cousin enjoys your messages as much as I think BF does.

Sounds as if you are doing a great job of supporting her TerfTerf.

DD1 had her prom last night and not only survived but actually enjoyed herself. She did her own hair in an up-do which blew her friends minds, as she is totally uninterested in fashion and had refused to engage with all the hair-and-make-up talk. She enjoyed traveling in the ridiculous stretch limo. It was very noisy at the venue, but she found some quieter spots, had her photo taken, chatted to several people and ate lots of cheesecake, flying saucers and jelly babies. For her, this counts as a social triumph and I'm very proud.

Trains are a nightmare everywhere! Feel for those using them in this weather and getting stranded for hours.

I went to see Cousin J (womb cancer) yesterday. Took DS, the traffic was awful, 3 hours drive each way - only 90 miles! - and took a picnic lunch for us all. Her mother has a lovely outdoor pool so we jumped in as soon as we arrived then lunch then another swim while I chatted to cousin and we had a good laugh about all sorts of things. Definitely cheered her up - she is stir crazy with her mum and (very elderly infirm) stepdad. So I feel very noble and entitled to my day off today lying in the garden
She had a scan on Monday suggesting tumour is now 15cm, and is seeing cancer gynaecologist Friday and taking a doctor friend with her to take notes. She is desperate to go 'home' to Africa, even though medical treatment there is almost non-existent. At least it's sunny, colourful and she has friends and neighbours. Meanwhile I and all her friends just send a quick email every day to amuse her

Just checking in. Will read properly later. Dd has been having some problems this week with regards to a niggling injury, some minor bullying and a couple of other things plus there have been appointments etc for dh but I will catch up with everyones news soon.

Sost oh no - bad enough without someone telling you to be quiet. Make sure you keep chatting to us! I really hope those painkillers are working because it sounds very painful. We're here for you! for when you feel better. And hugs for now!
(I use the district line for work. Enough said!)
I need the trains to work today though because DS needs to get back, pick up bass guitar and then change via Clapham junction for his lesson. And get back again...

Sost

Ahhh! DD has received a hospital appointment for one of the two enrolment days at college. I've told her that they are bound to move the appointment over the next couple of months and that we can request a specific day at college, but now she's worrying about the sports trials which are all or nothing on specific days.

She is going to two induction days, trying her least likely options at the least likely college and her preferred options at the other one. Then she has a week long window to re-confirm her place (which happens to be while we are on holiday) and then nothing until 23 August.

Thanks Farangatang.

Sost I'd far rather have your positivity in that situation than miserable silence.

stickerrocks and mmzz I am dreading that SW Trains commute come September when I start my new job - first time relying on trains to get to work for a long time. Glad you got home safe, but how very frustrating a journey like that was!!

I've been informed DD is in London stocking up on HP merchandise at the Primark - she's been empowered by her 'solo' travels! So pleased and proud she is branching out . NCS starts next week so that will be another milestone. She enjoyed breakfast with DH this morning as BFF is at a 6th Form Induction day.

Only 4 more treatments after today which is great! But no male nurse today but heyho I will see him next week! Have held up well but my pancreas has not. Now have extra pain but it will ease with opiates.. Usual cure for acute pancreatitis is starve for a few days haha! I've been doing that already! Well enough gloom its a lovely day with a bit of breeze here. One woman told me to shut up yesterday as my compatriot beside me and I were having a lovely chat about this that and the other and having a laugh to try and take our minds off treatment. I always chat too much and banter too much no one else minded just this one poor soul. Ah well, people handle situations differently but I just refuse to think doom and gloom all the while. Better to laugh than cry me thinks.

@LooseAtTheSeams - no news is good news, I'm sure he'll have got there!

I'm not going to worry about the pair of them falling out. I'm going to enjoy sports day and end of term show.

sandy ouch! That sounds a bit tense and I don't imagine the heat will improve the mood much! Hopefully though the open day will be so interesting they forget the other stuff!
Ok, so no text from DS is good news - must have caught the right train.
He's slightly worried they will make him do a physics taster lesson. I'm pretty sure he swapped it for biology at the open day but he can't remember! He's allowed to change his mind at the end of the day, though.

@mmzz and @Stickerrocks - I saw the pictures at Waterloo, madness! I'm utterly fed up of the Thameslink. It feels like all the trains in London have given up for the summer.

DS1 off with DH today for first open day. Both are in foul moods so I predict a massive falling out. They're particularly cross that DS1 cricket match has been cancelled tomorrow because of a clash with the football. V glad I'm not in the car with them.

Sostenueto that sounds a lot fun! DS seemed to enjoy his induction day yesterday although it was a lot of getting to know you rather than lessons. He seemed to be texting a lot on his phone last night. Today he's off for taster lessons at a sixth form college. This is a bit more of a train expedition. Hopefully nothing like what mmzz and Stickerrocks had to deal with!