Hi all!
I really feel for those of you still going through the "witching hours" of dinner, bath, bed. And those experiencing broken nights, tantrums, and poo on the carpet. 
All those "gently" relentless unacknowledged tasks. I remember them as utterly knackering on some days (even with just one child) when dh was away! Hang in there folks, it won't be long before the young 'uns will be skipping up the stairs and putting themselves to bed, sleeping through, and using the "big lav" I promise! 
And sending patience and strength to Cag and Zoo neither of which I would have in sufficient quantities to do home edding (or the self-discipline for that matter!) to do what you both do
Anyway, apologies for being away from thread! I was out of town yesterday. And had an "interesting" night involving mahoosive thunder storms and a loud "crack" in the small hours which signalled another substantial plaster fall which set the furries howling ... just spent a full hour cleaning it up ... gah, we need to do something about this house before more bits start dropping off... .
Taking things slowly this morning though as not feeling wonderful.
On a positive note though: woke up to the most beautiful bird song that had me going over to the window to try and identify the "culprit". Heartbreakingly lovely. And right bang in the middle of town!
And lovely fortnightly ironing lady has been and gone and left numerous tidy piles of laundered clothes behind her! She is a veritable whizz at ironing , I don't know how she does so much in so little time! I take three times as long to iron one of dh's shirts!
Oh no Foxes that is awful about work complaint 
. Sounds like a poor communication issue from up above. Can you get management to have a word to clarify the things that are your responsibility and those that you have done as a favour? Sounds like someone has their wires badly crossed! Good luck with it
Ouch I've that spd sounds really, really, grim. Can you take any rest at all? Do take it as slow as humanly possible x And cripes re: this September! Certainly sounds exciting! Would it be potentially more manageable if baby arrived after start of term and not the other way around?
Cordelia (Fwiw, I quite enjoyed Anne with an E but [sacriligeous statement coming up] always skipped the fluffy whimsical descriptive bits in the original book anyway and preferred the stuff with a bit more grit in it (relatively speaking)!) . Essays on things unrelated to Flylady are always welcome! Makes the choring so much more interesting! And well done for being ahead with this week's kitchen missions! 
What a lovely picture of Scoutcat Zoo. And how fab was he at the vets?! Fingers and paws crossed for good test results.
Sorry about family issues . Families are difficult. I know this because I have an enormous one. And well, it is just difficult frankly. Sometimes, love is just not enough.
And would (long shot) your ds enjoy watching West Side Story as an "introduction" to Romeo and Juliet or the Baz Luhrmann film which was set in California (with Leonardo diCaprio I think)?
Lisette moving away from long-standing job and friends and having your family distant (geographically and in terms of relationship) must be very hard . I really identify because I would never in a million years choose to live here if it weren't for dh and his work and found leaving family, friends, job I loved very hard indeed! Initially came out for "two" years! and I never expected to stay here permanently but have made peace with it now.
I think being displaced is perhaps easier for those sociable people (like dh) who can happily live out of a suitcase and not us more introverted "home-bodies"! .
I know exactly what you mean about that "witness protection programme feeling" but it does wear off eventually I promise
Fwiw, the times when it was easiest to make friends was (a) when dd started primary (b) when I started a monthly "hobby" club - met loads of like-minded people there and latterly (c) when we bought wreck2 in the country where everyone seems so much more open and friendly (latter solution a bit drastic though maybe)! Horse-ownership is also very sociable (ditto!).
As for friends, I feel a bit guilty now Toostressy because I am turning in to one of those dreadful people that only does very sporadic arranging. And I know that is very poor form indeed. I have a ginormous extended family (17 first cousins on one side all roughly my age and we have been getting to know other side since my parents died) and I am close to many of them and to my brothers and sisters (although things a bit complicated at times)and nieces and nephew and that takes up a lot of time somehow. Plus dh and I are godmother and father to eight "sets" of dc so other friends tend to get left out a bit.
Dh have quite a few "couple" friends (one pair very close) and we used to entertain a lot but that has reduced massively since we bought wreck2 as we don't have the time/energy/funds. I have eight friends but sadly two of them moved back to their home countries and I only see them when they pass through town once or twice a year 
. And two of the others I have been seeing less frequently for various reasons on both sides.
I don't know things seem just quite "intense" recently, with illness, being aware that dd will be sixteen soon and we need to make the most of the time she is at home, loads of renovating projects and of course the business which seems to absorb huge amounts of time and energy. Must try and do better! 
Laurajjj any questions, please don't hesitate to ask!
Wishing you a productive day Toostressy! Cheery waves to Bower Chic Honu and everyone else I've missed! [Sorry can't do cherries on this device!]
Must get on - dd and her boyfriend coming to lunch - and on-line grocery shop arriving after that !
Have a good afternoon everybody!