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Further education

You'll find discussions about A Levels and universities on our Further Education forum.

Class of '18 now in 2019. blimey.

949 replies

OhYouBadBadKitten · 14/01/2019 10:53

hang on....

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OhYouBadBadKitten · 23/02/2019 08:46

That's a wonderful surprise Marmite :) Good luck for today!

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marmiteloversunite · 23/02/2019 17:11

We did well. Got the dress at Camden cream lace with baby pink corset and shoes from irregular choice in Carnaby street. I have a very happy 16yr old!

MsAwesomeDragon · 23/02/2019 17:25

That sounds lovely Marmite. How wonderful for dd1 to surprise you like that! I'm shocked about the Jewish comment, it's not something I would ever expect someone to say.

DD has started taking medication and seems to be feeling slightly better already. She's managed to go to the assessments she needed to go to, and 2 of them were better than expected but one did not go well apparently. She's even managed to make herself a doctor's appt for next week, which is amazing for her. I do worry that there's stuff she's not telling me, especially as she's still only communicating via messenger.

It's been a bit of a crap half term holiday here. Obviously I've been worrying about DD, then dh's uncle died so he's been helping his mum organise a funeral and clear a house (they've only got 2 weeks to clear it). And amongst all that I've been decorating dd2's bedroom because I'd promised her I would way before anything else kicked off. That would have been a crap week off, even without the mental health issues and death in the family. I haven't managed to do any work yet, and I've got stacks of marking and planning to do. And to think, a couple of weeks ago I had been thinking I'd just about got a handle on my life. Not this week I haven't!

OhYouBadBadKitten · 23/02/2019 18:21

That sounds gorgeous marmite!

I'm glad your dd appears to be picking up MrsAD, it sounds like she caught things early and hopefully being proactive will mean that things recover quickly. Bummer about half term. I'm sorry about your ds uncle. The problem with half terms is that they are so short and that puts so much pressure on them to both get things done and have a break.

dh and I got out for a lovely afternoon in the sunshine. It was really enjoyable. The combination of thick mud in places, winter trees and 17c was a little surreal.

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TheFirstOHN · 23/02/2019 19:32

marmite I'm glad she found a dress she likes.

MsAwesomeDragon it sounds like you have a lot on your plate at the moment. It's good that your DD is accessing some support though.

PandaG · 23/02/2019 20:29

Hugs MrsAD, that sounds like a rough week. Well done to your DH for such a lovely surprise Marmite.

I know what you mean about mud and sun Kitten. Yesterday DH had the day off ( I don't work on Fridays) and we walked along the canal to the canal basin where there was a celebration of 200 years of the canal, which included a flotilla of narrow boats. The weather was glorious, but it was pretty muddy underfoot along the path. We then took advantage of DC2 having gone to visit DC1 for the weekend, and a rather splendid raffle prize, and had a night away in a hotel only 20 mins from home, the only cost being the alcohol we drank pre and during dinner! We also saw the flypast yesterday morning, honouring the 10 American airmen who died 75 years ago www.facebook.com/127439507270196/posts/2566297853384337/ Lonicera I think you are quite near me, did you see the planes? We had such a lovely 24 hours.

Nettleskeins · 24/02/2019 20:32

we have a new puppy, first dog for me!! (although I've done plenty of dog sitting)

ds1 sent us a message saying he was looking forward to meeting the dog, how sweet etc. Dd said to me something had happened to ds at university, and he must have had a personality transplant as he is usually very anti dog...

we have had a doggy weekend as a result. I think the dog is allergic to dustmites or pollen as he has been rather a lot of sneezing (although he is vaccinated) So I said to dh I would be trying harder to deep clean the house in future. He looked at me as if I was mad...did you need a dog to motivate you to DUST? It is a poodle crossed with a terrier so very small so it doesn't need much walking (an hour, breeder said a day eventually) but what it does need is someone at home all day, which suits our family patterns.. I wouldn't mind long walks - if only I lived nearer some! [concrete jungle closes in as spring approaches, unlike your walk kitten. We have been sitting out in the garden (very very muddy) all day drinking up the sunshine.

This year is now feeling like the year that ds went to university and the year we got a dog!!

marmite Londonders are weirdly rude, they are" used" to all cultures and religions, but then they tend to come up with some very odd stereotypes. And prejudices to match.Sad Convenience store owners have strange lives, I fancy. I bet you looked lovely in your hat, dd2 is certainly going to look fantastic in the lace and pink prom dress.

MrsD ooh it makes me so stressed when ordinary stuff which must be done clashes with other more serious emotional stuff, and neither can be jettisoned and you just feel you cannot explain to either "party" why it was so hard to fit x in. Today I was meant to go to my auunt's memorial mass (she died a month ago) but dealing with the dog/puppy and not wanting to upset immediate family members by disappearing meant i had to let down some other family members, luckily they were dog lovers so understood small puppy big problem.

Nettleskeins · 24/02/2019 20:36

Panda and everyone, I wonder if you remember that Tv series from our youth called Thursday's Child in which an orphan ends up on a canal boat...my entire knowledge of canals and narrowboats/barges is based on that. It was a book by Noel Streatfield.

Nettleskeins · 24/02/2019 20:48

I forgot to say MrsD I hope someone is looking after you for at least five minutes, or that you are demanding that someone is looking after YOU for five minutes, you sound as if you are being superwoman trying to look after so many other people, especially all your pupils too.

marmiteloversunite · 24/02/2019 22:15

I loved Noel Streatfield books. Think I might still have a copy of Thursday's child somewhere Nettles!

MsAwesomeDragon · 24/02/2019 22:24

Ooh nettles a puppy! How exciting!!! We'd love a dog, but since we're all out all day it wouldn't be fair on a dog for us to get one (and I think I underestimate how much work it would be tbh).

There isn't really anyone to look after me right now, but I'm ok. I can keep going til everyone else is sorted, then I can fall apart for a bit.

marmiteloversunite · 25/02/2019 06:43

Mrs AD, Nettles is right that you need to look after yourself too.

I sometimes think that as parents we are a bit like Weebles. They keep knocking us down but we just bounce up again for the next problem.

At certain points though it is ok to just stop and take a minute for you.

marmiteloversunite · 25/02/2019 23:02

Student finance has opened today for next year. Saw it on Facebook today. Wink

OhYouBadBadKitten · 26/02/2019 08:21

Thank you for the heads up Marmite

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NoHaudinMaWheest · 26/02/2019 18:15

I didn't make it to see dd in her reading week. My knee pain flared up so badly that I was virtually bed ridden for days. Dh went on his own. It was good for him to see dd in situ (though I am not sure how the looking after my mum bit went).

OhYouBadBadKitten · 26/02/2019 21:43

That must have been very frustrating NoHaudin.

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HesMyLobster · 26/02/2019 22:45

NoHaudin so sorry to hear that, must have been horrible. I hope the pain eases soon Thanks

HesMyLobster · 26/02/2019 22:47

Oh gosh, student finance again already - only feels like 5 minutes ago we were discussing it for the first time!

Knotaknitter · 27/02/2019 11:36

NoHaudin I'm sorry that you didn't get off this time but there will be others. I'm planning to go and see DS this week, subject to both grannies managing to stay upright. Fingers crossed.

OhYouBadBadKitten · 01/03/2019 08:51

student finance was much easier this time round. You will need their Customer reference number before you do your bit.

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Nettleskeins · 01/03/2019 09:53

puppy now at bitey stage...long dangly cuffs and jumpers are now trigger for shark attack. I am trying to teach the command "drop" with a constant supply of replacement chewy things and treats.
This morning both cats were sitting blocking both exits of a poor mouse that had holed up behind the fridge.
It feels slightly like some farm at the moment, the mud, the pens , the bellowing and baaing, feeding troughs and variety of different animals requiring my intervention. Ds2 has started calling from the top of the landing every morning..Pants where are my pants, and dd was complaining that her porridge had not been sufficiently garnished with chia seeds and banana slices.

marmiteloversunite · 01/03/2019 12:23

Oh I hated the bitey stage! Puppy hanging from your trouser leg as you try to cook tea!

Going to try and do the student finance at the weekend. Glad to hear it is more simple this time.

Went for my first swim since last July today. Really enjoyed it after initial nervousness! Thought I might end up swimming in a circle with only one boob! Grin

HesMyLobster · 01/03/2019 12:48

Well Done on the swim Marmite, so pleased you enjoyed it. It must feel so good to start doing normal things again.

I'm not looking forward to the bitey phase. We have tentatively reserved a puppy that's not even born yet! Exciting but feels surreal still at the moment.
What breed is your pup Nettles?

Nettleskeins · 01/03/2019 13:20

toy poodle bichon cross, but I think more poodle character than terrier. white with apricot head. 14 inches high as adult he will be. I've just taken him for a walk, and he does not like walking on a lead...the minute he saw some children and a pushchair he rushed towards them hysterical with delight. Then we had some men. Delighted again, rushed towards them. ditto dogs. Just sees no point in walking on pavements with no goal in sight. Very reminiscent of walking with a toddler in tow.

no word from ds - I spoke to him about a holiday week in August and he was nearly asleep - it was 8pm! He said he wanted to get up early the next day so was having an early night...I think again his sleep pattern is out of synch, and he has been clubbing all night. He says he wants to come on holiday with us, definitely.

OhYouBadBadKitten · 01/03/2019 14:58

Yay for getting out swimming marmite :) I'm glad that you are still able to swim in straight lines Grin

Nettles what a hilarious picture!

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