Another path ....... the journey begins

[chopc]

Hello @321zyx @AvocadoPlant @bendmeoverbackwards @BigWoollyJumpers @Braveheart35 @calculatorqueen @ChimneyPot @Dobbyisahouseelf @Eastisup @jano69 @Majaso12 @MidLifeCrisis007 @NCTDN @Notagardener @OnTheBenchOfDoom @Parsonage63 @Pumpkintopf @Peaseblossum22 @quest1on @Peaseblossum22 @SATSmadness @SeasonFinale @Tenpastseven @Vargas @Xenia

Apologies for anyone I omitted to tag

Snap!!
I was supposed to visit DD yesterday but she’s got a lot on at the moment - socially and academically, then yesterday one of her flatmates tested positive for covid (PCR) so just as well I hadn’t gone to visit!
The others have all tested negative so far, and most can continue as usual, but a second flatmate is also stuck in self isolation as he hasn’t had both jabs yet.

Hiya I am currently abroad visiting family (now that I can) and managed to have a whole 30 minutes (yes 30) chat with DS down in Bristol yesterday. House sorted and bizarrely in small world scenario is sharing with the son of the solicitor on the other side of one of DH's deals so that has caused some amusement between them.

In the end I had to cut DS off who is usually a hurry I have to go to dinner, a lecture etc 2 minute catch up as I was going out somewhere for a specific time. I certainly hadn't expected him to want to chat to 30 minutes (or actually it would have been more) when I whatsapp called him.

It's so lovely hearing all of your stories, I have been lurking but haven't really had time to reply.
DS is having a lovely time in Birmingham, he's in halls just a couple of minutes from campus (although it is a half an hour walk to the main accommodation campus to see friends)
He's been clubbing and sorted out a fantastic house for next year with 4 girls! No reading week, so we're travelling up to see him tomorrow for the day.

Great to see so much activity in this thread and updates from old friends.

Thank you all so much for the virtual hugs and dms. You've all made me feel so much better, and for learning some of you are experiencing similar situations. I guess I'm expecting too much and need to embrace even those 1 minute calls!

Hi all.. nice to hear how everyone’s Dc are doing. Yes- personal statements and Ucas applications already seem a lifetime ago!

We are visiting Dd at the moment. It has been lovely!

Pre visit, I was a little surprised at the lack of communication. Like others have said, I was mainly just getting messages when things were going wrong or something was needed. However, it soon became clear that everything was really full on and the visit has also it brought home just how busy she is .

I’m really glad she’s thrown herself into it all though and is making the most of opportunities that uni has to offer. It sounds like there are so many interesting societies and exciting events to be involved in!

I'm so glad that you are enjoying your visit Longtimenewsee

Durham looks beautiful in the autumn.

It's great that your DD has settled in to life there and it is nice to be able to see that for yourself.

I know when I visited a few weeks ago I left happy in the knowledge that DS was thriving, had made friends and was getting 'stuck in' to college life.

Make the most of the rest of your time together-it goes so quickly :)

I've been pleasantly surprised that communication with DD has settled into a weekly Whatsapp chat at the weekend. She was never the type to contact us when she was away with scouts or school, so my expectations were low, but it seems to be working so far. I text first to check when is a good time. I dont think she would want a visit, she is too busy/ independent, but I'm looking forward to seeing her in 4 weèks.

Thank you @NotEnoughTime. Yes it’s so lovely to see them happy. You can relax. Let’s hope it continues!
Yes -Durham looks very beautiful atm. The colours of the trees on riverside are stunning
There is much bustle on the peninsula in preparation for Lumiere .. it all looks v exciting

@ChimneyPot I bet the deer in the common room will become a hilarious story in years to come but they are indeed destructive as hell when terrified and enclosed.

@quest1on must be lovely to have him back. Good luck for getting a C interview.

It is lovely to read everyone's updates. Ds must be broken as he is in contact at least every other day. Sometimes it is just small stuff like what he had to eat, if he went out, but we also tell him stuff about what is happening here too. We video chat on a weekend for at least an hour. We share a document folder on Google drive for recipes and I asked about any Christmas food as we had already started talking about this yesterday with Ds2. He immediately opened the document and started reading through the Christmas menu plan, saying excellent, good, good. He loves food.

We are sending him an advent calendar as he will miss the first 10 days of our reusable one here. To make Christmas extra special we have secretly got him his own 6' Christmas tree and Ds2 too. Ds2 will decorate both trees which will live in their dens. I am also planning to decorate the dining room window with a festive scene of houses and trees. I just want it to feel extra special plus my nephew who is 4 will be visiting so he will get to enjoy it all too. It feels like he is old enough to get it a bit now, didn't see them last year because of lockdown so he was only 2 before that. I love Christmas.

@OnTheBenchOfDoom your Christmas plans sound absolutely lovely!

@chopc my childhood Christmases were not always the best so we try to make it special now with decorations, traditions and food.

@OnTheBenchOfDoom wow! I agree with chopc - can I come to your house for Xmas please?!

@Longtimenewsee blame Pinterest. I was actually getting ideas for a Christmas table setting and saw the window displays, so easy to do as you can print off anything, put it on the outside of the window and trace it inside with liquid chalk pens. It is simple, unlike this chap who does incredible window art with shading.

Food is simple stuff but also shared with family who come round. Every year after Christmas we reflect on what we loved and what we would change. I keep the notes for next time and I have spreadsheets for menus and food shopping. Traditions include cooking our maple and mustard ham with crunchy roast potatoes and veg on Christmas eve, left over ham on Boxing day, coated again in the glaze, warmed in the oven and served in part baked rolls hot from the oven. You can make ridiculously crunchy potatoes by adding some baking soda to the water. Science and all that. Here is the link if anyone is interested, it includes a video.

www.seriouseats.com/the-best-roast-potatoes-ever-recipe?utm_campaign=mar17&utm_medium=&utm_source=pin

Sounds lovely @OnTheBenchOfDoom . And it also sounds as though your DS appreciates it

@onthebenchofdoom Your decorations sound amazing.

I've just sent my DD a parcel with a Christmas advent calendar, black tie dress that she forgot to take to uni and more fairy lights! I think getting a parcel from home makes them feel special. I wanted to send chocolate advent calendars for all her flatmates but I thought I might be over stepping and she would be embarrassed! Perhaps brownies or a tin of celebrations to share instead.

@Dobbyismyabsolutefav a tin of chocolates would be welcome I reckon. I have been listening to Christmas music since October. I start early and finish early.

When does everyone expect their sons and daughters home? Ds's term finishes 10th December. What about everyone else?

We are collecting DS and his stuff on 9th as I work all day on the 10th and we cannot have his room emptied by 10am on the 11th . He will login for the lecture on the 10th

My daughter finishes lectures on the 9th so I hope to pick her up on the 10th.

@OnTheBenchOfDoom.. thanks v much for links!
Dd had packed some stuff for us to bring back with us this weekend. Mostly stuff she hadn’t used or summer clothes she doesn’t need since the season change. We are picking her up on the 10th/11th. I feel more hopeful now that most of her stuff will fit under her bed if needs be

Very early Christmas pick ups, that’s very soon!

Dd is in panto (oh no she isn’t 😂) so can’t collect her till the 18th. We go on holiday on the 20th which I’m a bit worried about. I wanted her to isolate at home just in case. Although I’m trying to get my head round the travel rules for the Canaries. I THINK that double vaxxed adults don’t need to do a PCR test.

I have a slight worry about dd, I hope someone can put my mind at rest. Dd knows she sometimes over works academically and seeing as it’s only first year, she’s been throwing herself into extra curriculars (lots of drama mainly). Her first essay back she got a high 2:2 for which I think is fine and she did as well for a while. But now she’s doubting herself as apparently some of her fellow course mates got ‘strong firsts’ for this essay. The first year doesn’t count towards the degree but if she wants to do this term abroad next year she has to get at least a 2:1 overall for the year. I’m reluctant to say anything to her as it will most likely stress her or result in a row.

Hmm it's difficult isn't it bend. I suggest being a sounding board rather than offer advise? I mean she would have got feedback and probably is aware of how she can improve for next time?

Yes she’s taking the feedback on board and she knows she can do better. However she has 3 more pieces of work due in before the end of term and today apparently she has TWO more drama auditions! I’m worried she’s not getting the balance right.

IMO in the first year I would be pleased the scales are tipping the way they are @bendmeoverbackwards

I think just trust your DD will be able to navigate her way through and come out on top

Lovely to catch up on everyone's news. DS has finally sorted his house (Exeter) but it was hard work, he's with 3 other boys and they were so laid back about it all. I'm still in shock at the cost £150 plus bills, DS1 pays £110 including bills at Loughborough.

We've also had our first online assessment trauma. It was a maths exam (30%) and DS's phone ran out of storage but didn't actually warn him of that fact and he couldn't get the scanning app to work and so ended up submitting it late. He's been asked to go and chat to them about it tomorrow.

And after partying at a music festival all weekend I've had a positive lateral flow, I went for a PCR test this morning but given how I'm feeling I think it will confirm the positive result.

@calculatorqueen

I'm still in shock at the cost £150 plus bills, DS1 pays £110 including bills at Loughborough

I won't tell you DD's rent then! I gave her a budget of what we are paying now, which is £165 p/w all inclusive, which of course we already have to sub with her minimum loan, and plus her monthly allowance on top. She and BF found a lovely, sumptuous flat, way over the budget, and fell in love with it. Massive error, never, ever, look at something you can't afford. Life lesson. Anyway, she and he, are going to pitch in with some of their own savings, and cover the excess, so fair enough. They will be hopefully, very happy, and will undoubtedly get lots of visitors .