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Original poster

Zombie's Surgical Adventures and Beyond

960 replies

IamtheZombie · 09/11/2015 17:02

There's still plenty of room for posts on the current thread but I'm starting this one now as I may be offline for some time.

I've asked iklboo to keep an eye on my FB timeline and to copy / paste the updates here so they should appear as and when.

Make sure you have your chianti and fava beans ready for the 11th!

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iklboo · 17/12/2015 20:50

I'm not brave enough for AIBU so I'm asking the phalanx...

DH just spoke to his dad. FIL is notorious tightwad. He's told DH that, for DS's Xmas present he's putting £250 into his child trust fund. He's not getting him anything else, not even a cheap wrap up to open on Xmas day.

While this is a generous gesture, DS is just 10. He can't access the fund until his 18th birthday. He won't even remember he's been given it in a few weeks. £250 in 8 years time might only cover the cost of a bag of chips & a packet of Hubba Bubba for all we know. Of course we're grateful - we pay £50 a month in for DS as well.

But am I so wrong in thinking a £5 wrap up wouldn't go amiss? Just something for a small boy to open? Even a selection box?

Mummylin · 17/12/2015 21:41

Honestly Ikl, my opinion is that your FIL is being very generous. Although I understand that you would like your ds to have something to open. I would suggest that you maybe buy a little something but say it's from grandad. You can also tell ds that grandad has put something in the bank for when he is older. I can't think of anything else but maybe someone else can.

iklboo · 17/12/2015 21:46

That's what I mean Lin. I really appreciate he's being very generous. It's a nice lump sum to add to what's already being paid in. Apparently it's an 'incentive' to do well at school (DS doesn't need an incentive, he's brilliant, but I get where FIL is coming from).

I'm just being mard Grin

DoctorTwo · 17/12/2015 22:15

Evening all. Thanks for the PM Zombie, I kept checking The Other Place for new Dustbins and never thought of looking here. Just skim read the thread and want to add my love and best wishes.

Mummylin · 17/12/2015 22:15

If you have a good relationship with your FIL , could you ask him for a small amount from the money and buy a little gift so that he has something to open at Christmas from his grandad ? Or would he be offended ? If you think he would I wouldn't mention it but just get something yourself.

iklboo · 17/12/2015 22:26

Ach it'll be fine. DS won't even really notice. He's a pretty unmaterialistic 10 year old (fingers crossed this continues through teenage years).

I wouldn't be surprised if DH has mangled the message. He has form (like MIL)!

Like I said, it's just me on one again! DS is very lucky to have such generous grandparents who take an interest. I know many aren't anything like as fortunate and I do so appreciate all they do for him & the time they invest in him.

BewitchedBotheredandBewildered · 17/12/2015 22:34

What about asking Grandad to write a letter for DS to open, explaining what he's done with the money, doesn't have to mention the amount, and outlining various things that DS could do with it when he gets access.

DEar DS,
I've decided that now you are 10 you are old enough to have a more grown-up present.
When you are grown up there will be lots of things you might want to do.
Like, learn to drive, have a car, travel, go to university.
All those things are quite expensive so I have decided to put some money away for you now so that you have something towards doing those things.
I would love to hear about what you fancy doing when you are grown up.
Lots of love
Grandad

Obviously tailor it to your DS and his aspirations.

BewitchedBotheredandBewildered · 17/12/2015 22:40

Sorry, a bit clunky, but you get the gist.

My FIL has written letters to my children over the years, the content is almost irrelevant, they treasure them still.

iklboo · 17/12/2015 22:50

I do B3. He sees DS every couple of weeks - but I like the idea of 'let's chat about what you can imagine spending the money on'. DS would like that.

SEE I knew you lovely ladies would slap me upside the head make me see sense! SmileWineCake

Original poster
IamtheZombie · 17/12/2015 23:02

Glad you found us, DoctorTwo.

Even more glad I've worked out who you are

Grin

Well done Phalanx on helping ikl. I was napping...

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BewitchedBotheredandBewildered · 17/12/2015 23:08

A hand written letter is quite a rare thing these days, especially for children to receive.

A novel present for now, but lovely for them to keep.

magimedi · 17/12/2015 23:13

Magi has been away drinking gin in Tenerife ( their measures are generous!) to celebrate DH's 3 score years + 10 birthday.

Got home about 3 hours ago & have just logged in & just wish there was a WOOOOHOOO firework type of emoticon to celebrate the great news from Zombie.

Can't begin to tel you how happy I was to read & catch up here.

PHALANX! Gather round! Belated E N O R M O U S gin ration for you all!

I am so happy to come home to such good news!

BewitchedBotheredandBewildered · 17/12/2015 23:23

Hi magi

Missed you...

iklboo · 18/12/2015 19:24

Magi!

In another in law related matter, I've just seen BIL2 has given our gift to him back to us. He's just taken off the label. I know because I recognise the way it's been wrapped (cos I wrap all our bleedin' presents for DH's tribe ). Cheeky bugger Wink

Original poster
IamtheZombie · 18/12/2015 21:42

Don't you think "cheeky bugger" is a bit mild, ikl? Grin

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iklboo · 18/12/2015 21:47

Well.......,,Grin

Speaking to BIL1 he's done the same with him.

Mummylin · 18/12/2015 22:26

Evening everyone hope is good for you all. I have just wrapped another load of gifts. I'm bloody fed up with it now. House looks like a bomb site, as my ds is still staying here so I can't put all my gifts in the bedroom he is in.
Magi welcome back to the phalanx.
Ikl what a cheeky sod your BIL is ! I would save it and give it back to him again next year!
Zombie hope everything is coming together so you can relax and have a really good restful Christmas. It's a shame you have to wait for your chemo but on the other hand you won't be suffering any side effects over the Xmas break. How many more sessions do you have to go before it's complete ?
BBB how is the building coming on ?

Original poster
IamtheZombie · 19/12/2015 13:13

I'm delighted to announce that loose tooth is now ex tooth. I had a couple of sneezing attacks last night. Each sneeze loosened it a bit more. A bit of Christmas pudding and brandy cream at 2:30 this morning completed the bloodless process.

To be safe I shall be sticking to porridge, scrambled eggs and soup for a couple of days while the wound heals a bit more.

lin, I will be on chemo for the rest of my life. It's the chemo that's keeping me alive. When my current chemo stops working (which it no doubt will at some point) they'll move me on to another one.

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BewitchedBotheredandBewildered · 19/12/2015 17:13

That's outrageous Ikl, will you call him on it?
Or just give it to him again!

Building going surprising well thanks lin. Still at the muddy stage but should get the excess soil taken away next week. Walls for the extension are ordered and new windows for the whole house.
It'll start getting exciting in early Jan. Smile

Congrats on tooth loss Z, hope you get something nice from the fairy Grin

iklboo · 19/12/2015 17:23

You known B3 - I might just leave it wrapped up & give it to him again next year. I'd tell MIL & she'd give him a flaming but he'd just shrug it off.

Good news about the toofy peg Z - now we need it to heal up nice & quickly so you can tuck into all the festive gin goodies.

Original poster
IamtheZombie · 19/12/2015 21:48

A few days ago I got a Christmas card from an old friend. We worked together 35 years ago (!!!!). I have seen her a couple of times since but not for at least 20 years. She said in the card that she and her husband are going to be in London the last week of July and could we meet up for a meal.

I did a bit of digging around on Facebook and found her husband first; he has a less common surname than she does. I then found her on his friends list and sent both of them friend requests. She accepted and we've been messaging. They're still coming in July, but she's now looking at dates for her to come sooner. I have wonderful visions of sitting up all night drinking champagne, reminiscing and bringing each other up to date.

The reminiscing should be great fun. Those. WERE. The. Days.

Grin
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BewitchedBotheredandBewildered · 19/12/2015 23:24

Ikl it's bizarre, I think you should re-wrap it and give it back to him this year Grin, disguise it as a different shape?

That's fab Z, there is nothing quite like old friends, or even aquaintances.

We've been to a party tonight, the first since we moved back here. There were people who we knew well for 20 years, through school and kid stuff, not all close friends but a lot of shared history.

Was nice, comfortable.

Just something special about people you've known for a long time.

Original poster
IamtheZombie · 20/12/2015 00:28

Good night Phalanx.

SW&SD.

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iklboo · 20/12/2015 17:01

Evening all. I hope everyone has had a jolly weekend? DS is at another of his Christmas parties - the kid's got a better social like than me - and DH is doing that 'pottering' that blokes do to look busy.

So I took the time to write the last (probably) Strictly blog of the year. Here y'all go It's the Strictly final - who got their hands on a nice big ball?

magimedi · 20/12/2015 17:40

Pleased to hear the tooth is gone. Make sure you swill your gob with some mouthwash or even salty water for a day or so to prevent infection. Suspect even gin would work.

Old friends are the greatest aren't they? I've met up with a couple of chums that I hadn't seen for about 15 years & it was as if we'd only seen each other last week.