Just in case

[UrsulaPandress]

A safe space for worrying.

Can you elaborate on that please StarFleet.

Paid the accommodation deposit last night. Had to restrain DD2 from putting me down for paying for the accommodation all in one go.

Her Mtce loan doesnt quite cover the cost of Halls. So when her loan comes in she will transfer it straight to us we will pay that term's rent and then pay her a fixed sum to live on each week.

Only 4 weeks until she leaves!

We are going to pay for the accommodation then dd is going to live off the minimum maintenance loan she will receive. Ha ha ha.

Anyone any idea how much 'clubs' cost and are they capped? The only one dd is interested in (obvs) is the riding one which I'm hoping isn't ridiculously expensive.

But bless her little cotton socks she is planning on finding a Rainbows group so she can continue to work towards her Young Leader award for Guides.

Gnome DS had already filled the form in and left it for me to fill in the bit as guarantor. He had also put down to pay it all at once.

I was talking to a friend last night and worked out that the reason I despair is that I compare DS to me but not to myself at his age. I was just as clueless then because, like him I just hadn't done enough of these things to be good at them.

Hello you lovely lot!
I keep trying to catch up on thread but being distracted by hoards of teenagers, and tiny kittens . . !
It's been a full on couple of days - we've had pretty much a permanent houseful. I'm hoping for some calm today.
DD and I are planning an ikea trip tomorrow, and today is list making and robe (gown?!) shopping!

Morning :)
I just woke up. Hooray! dd was so happy last night, it was lovely to see her relaxed and chatty.
I may be slightly hung over this morning. [ahem]

I think dd is going to have a day chilling and gaming. Sadly we are braving ikea, but for ourselves. It's going to be bonkers isn't it?

We won't know which cookware to buy if any for a little while as we won't know if dds building has anything like an oven or a hob, or even a microwave. for a couple of weeks.

It's such a massive release to have the strain of not knowing what's happening next month removed isn't it. As you can probably tell I'm an over planner, so planning at least three different scenarios in my head to minute detail has taken up a lot of head space!

Ursula I bet they have a Guides and Scouts society at your dds university.
I don't think they cost very much but I did google riding at dds uni - still pretty expensive at £25 a lesson.

Knittinganewme I think that is a fair point you make. I dont despair of DD2, I am sure she will cope but I have no doubts there will be hiccups along the way.

They have phones and google to help now. I know that dd will be whatsapping for practical advice. But they will also be around students who are more practically minded who will advise.

I thought I'd be filled with sadness now at the idea of dd leaving home, but at the moment I am SO excited for her.

I'm all full of excitement too Kitten. Like you though, we won't know accommodation details for another couple of weeks so although DD and I are both chomping at the bit to get started, we still can't actually buy most things yet! Tomorrow's ikea trip is a recce only, to aid with list making!
I know what you mean about the headspace - suddenly we only have to think about and plan for one scenario for September instead of a possible 5!
Isn't it lovely?!

(Although some of the new space is all of a sudden being taken over by GCSE worry for dd2!)

ds has gone to Ireland with his sister.
It is a relief to have him out of the house, oh dear...My sister immediately set him to work shopping in Aldi (at my request)

I suddenly remembered - I'd booked a hotel room in Warwick just in case we needed it I've cancelled it now, so won't get charged.

ursula we are doing the same with the money.

The accommodation thing seems to be a total mix of approaches. DD2 knows which flat she will be in and the names of some of the other students in that flat. Arrival time is booked.

I'm sure I could have used that hotel room, OYBBK!

It's actually a nice, gentle way to let your DC go. They are only away for 10 weeks and then they're back as if they've never been away. Holidays are long, terms are short. As time goes on DS1 has stayed up for longer and time at home is shorter and his job has taken much of his time up. So slowly getting used to seeing less of him, ready for potentially getting a job in another town/city. Ulp!

Well 4 weeks today the horse will have gone.

4 weeks tomorrow DD will be gone.

Any bets on which is hurting my soul the most?

It's going to be very odd Ursula.

I was grazing him tonight and realised that my heart will break. It will mark the end of over 30 years of shit shovelling.

honest toil

but more time perhaps?

or more time with the horse...a reprieve of a week?

Nope. I've given notice on him. And as he has no turn out at the moment so it's for the best.

At least when dd has gone I won't come to bed to find a wet bath towel scrunched up on my bed, straighteners plugged in where my charger should be and a half eaten packet of cheese and onion crisps under the covers.

I've raised a minger.

When DS leaves I will be able to put a packet of biscuits in the tin and rely on being to have one with my milk the next evening.

Ah biscuits.

I've taken to freezing mine.

i occasionally resort to buying a packet of biscuits for the tin and a packet for the Tupperware cupboard.

Ursula