Festive W. London Chat

[vbus]

Hello

Just popping in and saw thread already full up! The craziness of November is well and truly under way. Sorry I'm behind on your news, hope everyone is well.

The scarf video, I thought she was going to hang herself for the final tie

Still undecided about floor, have got loads of samples ordered. I want a fresh, modern look whereas Dh wants more clinical, utlitarian (sp?) look, need to find something that we both like

sfx - are you putting in an application? Richmond to Spelthorn not too bad, I think. Not sure about Guildford. Only ever been to the cathedral and U of surrey. Still, probably good to try it.

Does anyone's DC play with GoGos? It's a most bizarre toy. I got them some for Christmas because they've seen them at one of their friends' and loved them and they haven't stopped playing with them yet. They named them all, attribute various properties, make up new ones etc etc and even keep them in the box I got for them (bloody miracle). And I still don't know what GoGos are supposed to be ... Perhaps someone can enlighten me.

copper Spelthorne might not be too bad from Ealing, I am extremely tempted it is something I would love to do. and yes dd has a few of those that and Moshi Monsters which all look the same to me.

On another subject dd just finished reading HP and the Order of the Phoenix, she has read them non stop from the first since the Summer, she has asked to carry on but I am not keen, on this book she struggled to understand some of the emotions involved and I think it best to wait a couple more years at least, on the other hand she is less keen on the books she has read since, but I guess that is normal after such prolonged involvement with the same characters?

Big rant at work about

1. how there is nothing to eat in this country - it's not natural that one should be have breakfast at 7, be hungry at 9, and 10 and 11. Must be something wrong with the food.

2. how everything conspires against the part-time worker.

Shall draft shirty email to bosses tomorrow.

Re: minisfx and HP. I think it's natural to feel that everything pales compared to your current obsession. I tend to comfort-read between obsessions, IYKWIM. How about the Hiccup books? Or A wizard of earthsea? Dragon of wayward crescent? Or Artemis Fowl? Percy Jackson?

By the way isn't spelthorn Staines? There used to be a fast train from Richmond to Staines...

I don't really know copper too tired and emotional to consider anything rationally at this point, the more I think about full time the more I worry about dd and how no one would be around for her

True about books she asked again tonight it is withdrawal symptoms

sorry about work trouble, what can be done?

Hello

Sfx - yes I'd seen Campb 'extras' Are you going to go? I think you should apply for job, it will be good interview practice if nothing else. Tough decisions re: childcare though

Copper - not seen these toys, it's still all about cars, lego & star wars at ours!

Lovely class assembly this morning, followed by overdue trip to hairdressers, bliss

do I have the only school where parents don't attend assembly? I just found out there is a school song

anyway vbus yes we hope to go, would buy the tickets now but think we will wait a little bit longer, and also go for camping plus for convenience sake

and Hot Chip is a good headline act for Friday, was amused to see Henry Rollins on the bill too

sfx - if you resort to nepotism can you get part-time work to ease it all in? It's easy to over-think these things and it won't do to let it cripple you. (Having said that I was all stressed out last week at the thought of getting someone to pick up the kids and look after them for one hour after school just for one day . But would happily send them to CM at half-term and holidays. There is no explaining such things.)

They have "sharing assemblies" and no doubt many other kinds, and assemblies where parents are invited. But no school song.

nepotism not possible at this job it would be a huge gamble but the upside of such jobs is that it would be office job hrs with the odd duty weekend thrown in but thankfully not the insanity of shift work and spilt shifts and so on

it would all depend on dh's very unreliable hrs, if he had a nearby job dd could be at school at 8-8.30 then maybe pick up at 6, all very stressy, although I understand choice is a fine thing

A lot to be said for predictable hours. Why not just go for it?

I did not even know those kind of jobs existed it is very much part of the changing agenda in social care, so will also look for nearer similar ones.
It is worth noting, however that the people at the bottom, the ground level workers are getting a worst deal by the minute zero hrs contracts to basically be slaves I think the scandals will follow shortly and they will come thick an fast

Good morning!

Had nice CNY party yesterday. Now exhausted. Will attempt to do nothing.

How goes the attempt to do nothing copper? Up late but non stop since.
Think M&S have the £10 offer can't be bothered cooking

Didn't do much. Leftovers for lunch. DS1 cooked rice, I heated up leftovers.

Am thinking camping. Anyone for camping? In the summer, obviously.

Camping in summer, Festival at least although might investigate the possibility of camping in France, only taking camping gear on a train does not appeal, and don't want the car option, dh keeps forgetting to drive on the proper side of the road and that makes it stressful.

Hope everyone had a good wkend

Sfx - that would cause a slight problem
We will probably do CampB, do you think Camping plus worth it? We are also contemplating that, otherwise will defo try and camp in same spot as last year, close enough to arena but far enough away from teens

Copper - I think I bookmarked the campsite you went to last year and we will try and go there sometime in Aug

Wkend was great but Monday morning seems to come round too fast

Happy Monday!! Hope everyone had a good weekend

Sfx, ikwym about working - I don't like the idea of the dses going to after school care, would much rather be around for them. But applying for the jobs and going for interviews is good practice, you can always turn it down.

vbus it might be worth it just to shut up DH who constantly moans about distances carrying stuff but I guess he will just then moan about the extra expense just to have something to be miserable about, anyway maybe just send him to France on his own without a navigator, I am really feeling the love today

tilly it is very hard trying to find the confidence and deal with the anxieties about being around for dd, partly this is where being an only is so hard, no one to share with, the good and the bad, I have cried a lot this past week. It is actually very hardly being unable to share this but hey ho

anyway sorry about the misery hope the week improves
glad to hear weekends were nice, I managed to spend time with dd on both days and have been studying as well.

Is it bed time yet? >

DS1 has to do Roman buildings for homework. I hope forts at Hadrian Wall had "No elephants" signs.

Copper I think it was Hannibal who was find of elephants
I went to bed before 11 and still did not manage to sleep before 2am
Annoying

They had elephants for games - mosaics found of elephants. Book from library had Claudius coming to Britain and army had elephants - presumably to impress the natives ... Will google "elephants in ancient roman army" later. Which reminds me - Eagle of the Ninth suitable for 8yos?

Copper - might be a bit heavy going but you could try if your DS keen

Sfx- sorry to hear about tiredness and general angst, must be hard

Builders been back yesterday and today, DC greeted them like long lost friends ! Only electrican to come back and finish off whenever that will be. Going for a quick swim now before picking up DS2

Copper I loved visiting Hadrian's wall and the different settlement recreating they had dotted about, in fact that trips was great visiting Durham and the gorgeous Northumberland coast.

vbus hope this is the end of refurb. I am really fine just venting and stressing out loud really, worst things happen at sea, apparently.
actually last night there were news of a rowing team crossing the Atlantic capsizing so I guess

off to call the consulate saving running for later when I will really need it

quite an experience being put on hold in 2 languages fancy