2017 seems so long ago, now they're fledgling graduates.

[latedecember1963]

4 years since A Levels and the wait for August and confirmation of where our chicks were about to fly the nest to.
It's been 4 years that has sprung a few surprises along the way, not least this lovely series of threads.

Wishing your ds and al your family a wonderful day on Friday @latedecember1963

My other daughter had about 200 guests so 200 v 13 is quite a change. (I had 30). All 3 weddings were lovely. Son did his law resit exam today. If that is passed (won't know until Oct) that is a huge relief. At least the revision etc is over and he can relax for a month until the next course starts. If he has failed the resit he has to leave his next course in October and presumably restart it once he passes the 2nd and final resit (you cannot resit more than twice). Anyway hopefully it won't come to that. it looks his twin will carry on with his para legal job until the day before the next course starts. I think he should have taken the month or 2 weeks off before but I think he is enjoying it.

Hope the wedding goes well, though I fear you may need a brolly.

DD was a bit discombobulated by her BF reporting back that someone is parked in her space (it's a little off road car park with allocated spaces). Hopefully it will move before she goes back else I may have to start a parking thread. but it prompted her to get a parking permit sorted for the road.

Have had the best couple of days! On Tuesday morning there was a knock at the door. It was DD! Now the travel restrictions are lifted she had booked on the first flight (She had arranged it with DS). After 11 months of not seeing her it was amazing. DH said I cried for an hour - and couldn’t stop hugging her. She is really enjoying her life in Brussels and knows it is a wonderful opportunity. She could only stay two days but we will see her again at the start of September at the family reunion holiday in Luxembourg. Her boyfriend is coming as well so will be good to meet her and also be able to see my parents and sister.

@latedecember1963 - have a lovely wedding. I’ve really enjoyed going to weddings most weekends recently as the backlog is cleared.

What a lovely surprise!

Aww, what a gorgeous surprise, Parker. 💖

How lovely, Parker, enjoy those hugs and happy tears!

Ds was going to come home yesterday but his housemate has been in contact with someone positive so I've suggested he holds off until there are some all clears. I'm a bit paranoid right now as ds1 has some fairly critical things going on next week (UCAT test, new job start) that would be kayboshed by Covid so as much as I want to see him I'm taking a firm line.

Awww lovely surprise @Parker231!

DDs had her second jab this morning.

The only other person in the waiting room afterwards was someone she recognised as being the year below her at school, who was also in the waiting room when she had her first jab - but in their uni town. Same school, same uni, same schedule for jabs.

Sending thoughts and good wishes for a lovely day tomorrow @latedecember1963 💒💍

@ErrolTheDragon, don't forget the diagram if you start a parking thread! 😆

What a fab surprise @Parker231 👍

DS still doing the diss. He considered becoming an Olympic triathlete the other day after watching Team GB success. I did remind him he needs to be thinking about getting a job instead of the Olympics, although secretly I'd love it if he DID become one! 😆

@Xenia, I hope the resit went well for your DS. 🤞

Yes, good luck with the wedding., All well here. I have made up 3 beds for 3 guests coming to stay today now my son's exam is over and the other son's girl friend left this morning so Hotel Xenia continues to be popular... a girl they were going to meet in London today has cried off as has covid symptoms so that is just as well.

One son managed to get through to his course provider today who at last have registered him and are sending a form / survey for preferences. Supposedly you can choose 4 half days or 2 full days etc but I think this year they are going to assess demand first. (My sons want 2 full days to reduce days travelling into London and want to be in the same group - first time ever actually as even aged 4 when asked if they wanted to be in the same class at school they said no).

DD was rather poleaxed for a couple of days by her second jab, glad she was at home for it. But she's been selecting furniture with her BF - his measurements of the house were detailed and he's built a 3D model in SketchUp, carefully including radiators, shelves etc. Then they were able to import exact prebuilt models of IKEA furniture and work out how to fit in desks etc.

I was utterly exhausted after my 2nd jab @ErrolTheDragon. Didn't feel ill, just SO tired, felt like I was wading through treacle.
I might suggest DS holds off having his until he's submitted his dissertation.

I've ordered some letterbox brownies from M&S as a little surprise/last push treat for him. 😉 His studies have mainly been fuelled by Jaffa cakes, etc!

Love the attention to detail with the house measurements. 👍

Hope your son's resit is successful, Xenia.
DS2 had his 2nd jab yesterday and is flattened today, which is not like him at all.
Errol, your daughter's BF sounds like my friend's DH. She comes up with ideas and he creates a design for their house. A great talent to have.
Does your son have a submission date deadline, Horsemad? Chocolate brownies sounds like an excellant incentive to finish.
Has he asked you to SpaG check it for him? DS2 always asked me to check his Law essays and I was very glad when he opted out of the dissertation module!

Hope everyone is enjoying the wet weekend. After last week’s excitement of DD’s visit and several weekends of visiting friends or attending weddings, we’re having a lazy weekend
We’ve been out for our usual Sunday brunch and DS is now finally clearing up the mountain of stuff he brought back from Uni. The washing machine and tumble dryer seem to be on permanently so it looks like he is making some progress.
DH and I trying to sort out some odd jobs which need doing on the house. It’s going to be rented out when we move to Quebec.

This week we have DH’s sister and her family visiting from the US. Thank goodness for the change to travel regulations. Looking forward to seeing them all and having a f2f catch up with DSil over a couple of bottles of wine!

That sounds like a perfect way to spend Sunday.
My friend has just gone to visit her son in Spain. He and his wife had a baby 10 months ago and it's the 1st time she's been able to see him in person. She says she can't stop cuddling him.
DS1 and my DiL had a lovely wedding on Friday. The rain held off at key moments and DS1 said in his speech how lucky they felt to be able to have the wedding they'd planned, although everybody was still being very sensible.
I have no great secrets so I'll add a pic of DH and I that doesn't have anyone else in the background that is recognisable.

Stunning pic @latedecember1963
You look so happy (and just how I imagine!) I love your dress and hat. Congratulations again

Oh @latedecember1963, your outfit is gorgeous and what a lovely photo. 🙂 Happy Times. ❤️
Have your DS and DIL gone on honeymoon?

DS's submission date is beginning of Sept, yep, both DH & I get asked to do the SpaG; neither of us mind doing it, although it depends on the subject - some are more interesting than others to read! 😆

@latedecember1963 - lovely photo. I’m really enjoying the postponed weddings we’ve been going to. Seem even more special when the couple have had to wait.

Thank you, we both wanted to do him proud. I hope your son's exam and new job go well this week and that your other son is able to visit you soon, Haffdonga.

They are setting off today for the Cotswolds, then into Cornwall, Devon, Dorset and Wiltshire. They are Air BnB ing a couple of nights in each place for just over a week. They are going to include a meet up with DH's eldest brother and wife who felt too nervous to travel by train to the wedding due to rising C19 numbers.

Yes, I know what you mean about subject matter, Horsemad! 😂
DS2 did modules about drug cartels, gangs and sex trafficking as part of his course. I had to smile at the parent/child role reversal where he was warning me in advance that there might be upsetting content and was I sure I was ok to read it?

So glad the wedding went well - and the tour of the West Country should be lovely.

Since my last post, an advert email for a certain Swedish furniture company has arrived, I don't believe I've had one from them before.

What a lovely pic @latedecember1963, you look great!

DDs Masters diss is due mid-September, but she is worrying that she will need an extension (diss tutor slow at getting back to her and she needs support) and has a job starting in October…

I get asked to do all the SpaG too (despite having gone to a MUCH lower ranking Poly) Most essays fairly interesting! DH was able to help out with one of DDs essays which had Economics content