The ABC of university life (2019/20 cohort) - Will NewModelArmyMayhem18 forgive me?

[MrKlaw]

previous thread www.mumsnet.com/Talk/higher_education/3701968-The-ABC-of-university-life-2019-20-cohort-settling-in-we-hope

Hope you don't mind - people have pent up comments about cheese graters and traffic cones to get out of their system!

Taking DS back to Nottingham tonight .. came down this morning to the good old protein shake powder spilled everywhere, cupboard doors hanging open ... and his room back to its usual mess !!!!
I do miss him loads ... but the house is so tidy when he's not here !
I've got him temping at my work over Xmas which will mean a top up of over £1000 for his funds !

Our house is so tidy too. I see why parents of only children are so chilled now.

Still deliberating on whether to visit DD this week now I’m on half term. She said she’s fine and not desperate for a visit but said she’d like me to meet her friends, which was nice to hear. It’s just such a long journey and don’t want to do a round trip in a day. DD2 and dog at home too so that complicates things. DH off at the end of the week so might go on my own then. If she was a couple of hours away it would be so much easier.

Currently decorating the absent ds1 new bedroom. Well I will be when I get dressed into my scruffs. We are visiting him next weekend and plan to take him for a pub meal and visit somewhere local. He won't be home until Christmas. I am now getting excited as I realised that it would be nice and sensible space wise to put an old fashioned bureau in his room so when he comes home he will get a nice surprise. I bought myself one a few years ago and he said that he would like one. We have a local charity furniture shop that always has them.

I'm decorating as well

DD has sent me yet another picture of a meal she has made. She had a curry night in with a couple of friends, and they all pitched in. She isn't one for wild parties, and would far rather socialise with a handful of friends over a meal. I said that loads of people have been asking after her (a roundabout way of asking if she is OK), and had a cheery response.

Right, off to get my painting rags on.

@Clankboing yes we are still finishing bedrooms ready for the swap. Carpet arriving this week. Funnily enough I’m supposed to be painting a bureau today. It’s been various colours in DD’s room but DD2 has gone all grown-up now and requested cream! It’s used for storing makeup and toiletries rather than stationery though.

I'm painting the room a pale duck egg blue to cover the garish colour that ds1's brother had. It looks lovely - I have a feeling it will be two coats through. The floor had been done recently but is a bit dark so I'm getting a thin rug to lighten it. Basically I'm spending the day repairing his younger brother's choices!! I did check with ds1 whether all this was acceptable but tbh he would accept lilac with yellow dots he is so chilled.

@Benjispruce painting a bureau sounds a good idea - I may pinch that!

Well it’s not a nice wood, it was a mid century, dark and unattractive one . We tarted it up with nice handles and a bit of paint.

@minesawine, glad you've had a lovely time and your DS seems settled and feels he has made the right choice.

@Benjispruce, could you do an overnighter to visit? Staying in a hotel/bnb rather than on her floor

I agree re the tidy house -v- having them home! TBF, DS isn't too bad, it's more DD. Who may be back home in the summer after her final year

Yes I could @bigTillymint but it’s still a long way and the expense of petrol and accommodation. Don’t get me wrong, if she was in need I’d be up there now but don’t want to get up there and she’s busy with lectures and pub crawls!

It is an expense and it took us 6 1/2 hours to get back yesterday! Twas really lovely to see him though and Durham was very pretty with all the Autumn trees.

Just watching Eat Well for Less - £300 a week on food for four students!

Had a video call with DS. He has quit his job at weatherspoons was not finishing till 3am said it was too much with lectures. His job is still open at home so he can do that in the holidays. He is cooking more as are the others. Says going out is just too expensive so they tend to congregate in the kitchen with food and booze.

Sounds good to me @justasking
@MrKlaw where were they getting the money from? Bank of Mum and Dad?

@Benjispruce not entirely. they were working during term but wanted to save money to be able to work less approaching their final year to focus on study

Have to say DD surprised me yesterday. She sent a photo of something in her room and I noticed the bedding was the same set we put on a month ago. I gently reminded her it might be time for a change and she quickly replied to say that they were back on after 2 changes of bedding! Says she doesn’t mind doing laundry as it’s close and easy! Wonders will never cease. Our washing machine isn’t exactly far either

Oh not so bad then @MrKlaw.

@MrKlaw, I was just at them buying real coffee and red wine! Red wine is not usually a student drink

@Clankboing I painted the bureau today. If you decide to, I recommend a small sponge roller and several thin coats. Goes on quickly and dries in minutes.

I’ll have to watch that show now I’m on half term.

Have name changed a lot but been here since the beginning. Off to see lovely DD this week.

@Trewser Got behind with the thread, glad the boys are pulling their weight with the non-eating boy.

@Dunlurking. Hope your daughter is improving now. It must be a double edged sword being an ex-GP.

On the admin side, I don't think we forgot to pack anything so keep meaning to type up my list for the next two!

Red wine is not usually a student drink

DD likes red wine
Talking of which, I am sat here with a glass after a day of painting a bedroom. My shoulders ache, and I am happy to have finished.

Me too @Ginfordinner cheers!

Dd loves red wine!