Episode 34 - The Tearoom moves to New England

[beanandspud]

At this time of year New England is famous for its glorious foliage as billions of leaves change from green to a kaleidoscope of colours. The air is crisp and cool ? perfect for hiking, biking or a drive along back roads, where farm stands are piled high with crunchy apples and orange pumpkins.

Everyone is welcome. There are tea, cakes and wine aplenty so pull up a comfortable chair and join us.

The usual rule applies - no fisticuffs please!

Thanks, Maud. I tried not to dwell on that thought regarding the letter and haven't mentioned it to MrScout as he's happy with our family of three (so am I but when peers of Toddler's are about to be big brothers/sisters for the third time it's hard to not feel a bit about it). To be honest I think Toddler's happy and likes having not only the one-on-one attention being an only provides but the peace and quiet it provides. He enjoyed holiday with his cousins, the balls of noise they are but seemed visibly relieved when we got back to my PiL and then home where he was a solidary child with control over his toys and the ability to just sit and think/ponder/explore/play at his leisure.

I have calling the GP on my list of things to do this week, Maud. To be honest I was spittin' mad last week and if I had contacted the GP or the hospital I might have said something I would regret.

How's the lovely Girl, Maud?

Right, who would like some chocolate?

I have ice cream, sauce, sprinkles, bars, drinking hot & cold, biscuits and cake.

I'd love a hot chocolate, please.

The Girl is (obviously and naturally) fabulous. She has a badge for you, which I'll mail in the week.

::Proffers cookies::

I think I have chocolate marshmallows somewhere, Maud, would you like some with your hot chocolate?

Oooohhhh, a badge. I like badges. I have "go to the council shop and buy badges" on my list of things to do next month when we go home.

Yes, this one is a new badge and a goodie!

No thank you to the marshmallows, but I'll have the hot chocolate as I'm on my way to bed now.

::rock and roll lifestyle::

Good night!

Don't forget your warm fuzzy blanket -- it's a chilly night tonight!

I'd love a hot chocolate too please!

Just enjoying half an hour of peace. GPs are still here and we've had a great weekend but sometimes I just need a bit of time to myself to think. Mr Bean is away all week so from tomorrow it'll just be me and Small Bean in charge.

No good advice Oxeye I'm afraid as we did, in theory, have a choice as to whether to have another child but for all sorts of reasons it wouldn't have been the right thing for us. I love being a little family unit but I do occasionally get the 'what if?' pangs and also the 'is it really too late to change our mind?' feeling. It happens less as Small Bean gets older and the hypothetical age gap increases, I just can't imagine trying to entertain a 7year old and a 2year old for example. Small Bean did announce tonight that he would have four children (apparently single-handedly ). I also second LaBelle in that I find Maud's wise words very comforting.

Marshmallows are here on the side if you'd like some.

Yum, yum!

::Waves to Bean as she climbs the wooden hill to Bedfordshire::

Yum, thank you Scout. I do hope you get some answers from the hospital/doctor this week.

(((hugs)))) all round - thank you my dears, just your immediate understanding makes me feel better!
sorry not to post but MN has been on go slow.

Bean you hit the nail on the head, I think technically possible to make another attempt but impossible for all sorts of other reasons, but a friend has just had a very late baby which suddenly makes me think am I just living a safe life and avoiding the issue? And Oxboy is so very keen - although with the idea I think rather than the reality - but like MC he would be a great big brother

I too find Maud very comforting - thank you all

Scout how frustrating about the treatment

and yes, I stroked the full size cut out lying down Bond

with that thought I am off to bed

Mmmm, turkey coma. Happy Thanksgiving JM!

BeanandSpud - you're very welcome to use mistlechick as a quasi older-sibling... we're not that far away. I suppose we too could have continued trying - but I think it would have been detrimental to our mental health, possibly marriage, if not physical health... Enough was enough. Buggy sold to a mner now which sort of puts a good line under the whole thing.

If anyone knows of someone with medium sized cross breed puppies that might be suitable, please let me know. Willing to travel to get the right one to fit in (will need to be able to keep up with mistlechick and want to play hide and seek in the woods and generally become part of the team)

Again, we could have tried to have another, but decided that we couldn't put ourselves through the possibilities of repeated miscarriages again, and the possibility of another prem birth. Although I have the occasional pang, I know that was the right choice, and now physically I couldn't manage, so thats that.

On another note, Maud, could you advise on suitable bulbs to layer in our new big planters (3 x 6 ft by 2 ft) which form a retaining wall in the garden. I'd like to put them in at different depths to give as long a display as poss without me doing anything with them

Toddler woke up this morning talking about the "'venture in my sleep" (dream). So we asked what adventures did he have and he said "Balloon blow away. Got it! I got it!" So I think in his dream he managed to rescue/save the blowing away balloon. He was smiling talking about his dream and I think hope he's now made some peace with his blown away red balloon. He also fell overboard almost off our bed this morning and hit his head on the bedframe. As he sobbed he said "Feel better! Make feel better!" Normally he tries to shrug off most attempts at hugs/kisses/rubs better.

I noticed this morning how long he is. The 4T pajamas I put him in last month had a bit of a sag to them (all-in-one footy PJs with zipper so bum down to his knees) and this morning the bum is more where it should be in the bum area. He's been impossible to keep full this past week and on Saturday evening ate almost an entire individual pizza (I don't push food and normally just cut up what I think he'll eat but he kept saying "More cut pizza!" and then scoffing what I cut). I'm going to try to get hand prints, foot prints and height measurement of him on his third birthday (isn't it the third birthday they say measure them on and times it by two to get their full-grown height?).

I think Small Bean would love having MC as a quasi-brother - we should try to get together before Winter sets in?

:: makes for everyone and passes around warm scones::

::waits (notebook ready) for Maud to come back with bulb advice::

That would be lovely Bean, yes please - we could see if Donki could spare an hour or two from her studies too (I have her phone number).

I have been trying to get some long-sleeved school shirts for mc (he's still in summer uni at the moment with short sleeves). I go for the version in the renowned store that indicates that its very non iron (as I try to avoid ironing).

We got him some 'standard' 10s - and also some 'long' 10s and have discovered that, even though he's only 7.5, we really need the 'long' 10s if there's any chance of the sleeves being long enough by the end of the Easter term! I know DH is large, but this is ridiculous!!!

scout- glad TS had a dream about red balloon he was happy with. Measure at 3 sounds plausible. I just look at the centile lines in Boys red book. he has stuck very neatly to the same line since age 1, so I think its a reasonable guide. Boy will be a 6 footer, which is not a surprise as all the men in my family are 6 ft or more.

I have just spent 40 minutes hunting for my house keys :-( we had to walk to school ( in the rain ) as no house keys means no bikes out of garage. I found them, eventually. under papers on the desk. Why I put them there I do not know.

yes please to virtual choc in celebration. a bar I think.

Choice to be small family here. I don't seem to get broody , in fact I have very little desire to even visit friends with tiny babies and find my self thinking " you mug" rather than "congratulations " when people announce subsequent pregnancies. Even if we did change minds, its too late, have taken irreversible steps.

Boy is in long trousers for school for 1st time this term today. Also had central heating on for 1st time this morning. Tis very dismal and soggy today.

It is grim isn't it ? DS wears shorts all year round, which is a good thing based on growth velocity - yesterday we went to a donutting party at a dry ski slope and his age 7-8 leggings were so short he needed to put on knee length socks to cover up. Red book says he'll be 6'5, which is about right based on his cousins

Anyone for calorie free hot drinks and cakes ?

UniS - I'll force mc into his trousers after half term. Not sure when I'll win on trousers rather than shorts at home though! DH has a tendency to wear them from March - November....

Toddler also keeps asking for a balloon at Nana & Grandpa's house for his birthday. I think I'll have to go and get him a mylar one to wake up to on the day (his birthday is on a weekend day and we'll be at the PiL to celebrate).

I'm lucky that Toddler still wears what I put him in. He rarely protests.

We have a different plumber coming on Wednesday to sort out our boiler. I last one last winter was rubbish. He kept saying "I'll order this part and be back" and never did despite MrScout harassing calling him regularly. I'm hoping this means our hot water will be properly hot and we won't be at risk to waking up with no heat. We haven't turned the heat on yet this winter and I think we're trying to hold out until the boiler is fixed.

GP appointment to discuss hospital stuff booked. Gah. Why am I nervous about this?

Because dealing with authority figures is always a bit unnerving, Scout especially if you're a wimp like me.

Right. Bulbs. First some questions.

Is there/will there be anything else in these planters - shrubs, ground cover etc?

What sort of look are you after - bold and architectural? Pretty and dainty? Modern and funky? Classic cottage garden?

What sort of colour scheme? Again, bold and bright or pastel and restrained? Any colours you definitely do or don't want?