Dec 08 - tears, tantrums, giggles and piddles - and that's just the mums!

[traceface]

Or maybe piddling whilst giggling is just me?
It's so sunny here I feel Spring has sprung - where's that daffodil emoticon gone? Had a friend round this morning for a natter and cake - muchos snot and tears but all good. Think I might go for a little bike ride now to blow the cobwebs away.
And no vag - not a chance!
rubs don't you dare spend all your time tweeting - your first loyalty is here!

Oh and Jam and Effie - glad you had a nice meet up. I'd be up for a drive over there at some point - or over Lady's way if anyone wanted to go out that direction. Weather is so nice and all. promise I wouldn't make you drink a bottle of wine each (since I'd be driving)

Thanks also for all the kind compliments about my ds and dd in their pics. They are quite charming still at the moment, despite ds completely ignoring me and doing about a hundred laps of RFH during our afternoon.

Right, didn't get a chance to come back yesterday - I took the girls out as the weather was so nice and then we met DP at the pub after work. This weather is great but I seriously need a pedicure - my heels were all nice on holiday and now they look all cracked and horrendous. Been wearing my FitFlops (which are pretty gross anyway, notwithstanding grotty feet)...

Beans, that is SUCH good news about your MIL. Hoorah. And the house looks gorgeous. Always worth a punt with an offer. Are you a cash buyer? That can help when making a lower offer.

JB, I think you both sound like you are doing really well! I know packers are a bit costly but I think under the circumstances it would be a good idea...

Vag, that woman is bad news. Do everything you can to avoid her. She is only going to make you miserable. Ugh, I bet you thought she'd never leave!

ZJ, I love it when they tell you tales of what's been going on. Gosh, I'd have thought it would be too dry for a frog indoors!

Summer, your day sounded v nice. I don't know when we are moving. There's no sensible word to be had out of DP while this trial is on. The jury are out now so not long to go. He was mumbling about taking some stuff over there this weekend but he has the chambers AGM on Saturday and then we are having lunch with his godmother in Hereford on Sunday. I will deffo post some pics when it is done but it is still far from being photoready Great you have stopped dieting.

Jam and Effie, you sounded like you had a jolly day as well. Trace is right, Effie - a little knitting business on the side?

Spot, you do sound better - I really hope it all works out. But I am sure you are right and that you all, including him, need a break from the heavy intervention as it sounds like it was almost becoming counterproductive. Healing, restful vibes Brightonwards...

Crikey WG, I hope you can see a doc today. Like Trace, I do wonder/worry about your wound.

Smashing about work, Trace, but as to the funny feelings I would say keep testing. I know pregnancy tests are a bit expensive and I had some from the pound shop (I am such a cheapskate) and they seemed to work....

I had my first MN dream last night. We had a cheerleading squad and we all staying at Rubes' house to run through the routine (except it wasn't her house, if you know what I mean). And her DH was in it, as was ZJ's DH (probably because I have met them in RL). Everyone had glittery pom poms. But when we performed at the big American football game, you were all step perfect and I didn't know the routine. Ha! Sorry about that, girls

I am waiting for a large refund of tax from the Inland Revenue. I have been waiting for weeks and it keeps being delayed for mystifying, bureaucratic reasons and I really need the money now as I am up to my overdraft limit and have maxed my credit card. It is really messing with my head. They reckon it should have arrived a week ago but I am hanging on because if I say the cheque hasn't arrived and they have to cancel and reissue, it will take at least another 6 weeks. UUUUUUUuuuuuuurrrrrrrgggggh, it's so STRESSFUL. So cross your fingers, girls!

X-posted with you, Rubes. Good luck with the Ebaying, I also have loads to get rid of but still haven't started! What are good things to seel? Do you do it a lot?

Lady, that is hilarious can't wait to tell dh, and I feel very honoured that I hosted the Cheer leading rehearsals Speaking of which, we must have a MN BBQ at mine over the Summer before I go back to what I will loosely refer to as "work"

I go in fits and starts with eBay. Probably buy a lot more than I sell, but yes have sold quite a few things in the past. Unwanted mobile phone upgrades, loads of baby stuff that I randomely buy, use for a bit and sell, as I just don't see the value in buying new all the time. My P&T for eg, and ds's bed frame, chest of drawers for the kids (almost new). This time I need to sell a barely used cross trainer amongst other things and I will be nearly ready to sell dd's swing as she's getting too long for it!

Hello,

Sorry I'm being rubbish at keeping up properly...

trace fantastic news on going back to work! Do you feel ready? Don't be daft re the cost of your meds. The deficit in the NHS is not going to be down to you needing a slightly more expensive tablet for a short time. I'm still on the labetalol (?) but my GP reduced the dose today. I thought my BP was still a bit on the high side to say I'd only taken the tablet an hour before but we'll see what happens.

ladyT Lovely dream! Fingers crossed re the cheque. Hopefully it was just sent out a bit later than they thought.

spot Hurray for B feeding well!

Right, I'll have to go L will be back any minute and I've still got shopping to put away from my Tesco delivery.

Oh before I forget... zoe My dad once had aquatic frogs which managed to escape from the tank. Months and months later they were having their oven replaced and out hopped a very dusty (my parent's house IS dusty!) frog from underneath.

Gosh, what a lovely day again. DD1 up in bed chatting away. I am going to go and sit in the garden with my book for 15 mins or so. Bliss. I have cooking to do, but frankly can't be arsed. Evil me.

Any tips on salmon recipes for 9 month olds? Not Annabel Karmel. Have done hundreds of hers!

I have never quite dared sell anything on ebay - not sure why. Although I did put my wedding dress on there. It didn't sell. How rude!!

Lady - loving that dream! Yes, we're cash buyers - does that mean we have a deposit and no chain? If so, then yes! I am rubbish, sorry! Last time I bought a house was 1996 and my sister dealt with it all as I was at university still and went in with her!!

Trace, don't you dare feel bad about your tablets. Apart from the fact that you pay your taxes and national insurance whilst employed (something the tablets are helping you to be), you are yourself a necessary part of the NHS. When you were a neonatal nurse the cost of you caring for a baby in hospital was obviously more than a baby born with no complications. Did you ever look at those babies and think, little one your costing a lot more than the average child, hope your worth it. Also, being a part of the NHS yourself, the tablets are ensuring that your school kids are not without a nurse. Finally though I think that GP is bloody cheeky telling you this! What did he/she think they would achieve by telling you this. I'm actually quite annoyed with them.

Lady I'm so sorry about the tax cheque that is hard. Speaking of cheque, does anyone else get annoyed when people spell that cheque as 'check'.

The scary dutch women called me, I ignored her call, but then she sent a text wanting to catch up this afternoon. Luckily I have a permanent Thursday afternoon playdate kids dinner thing at a friends house who has kids the boys age. I didn't write much in the text reply just "no I can't come'. She wrote back "ok see you next time ;)" not sure why she winked. I also forgot to tell me before the thing last week where she came over for the toilet stop, she also came over the previous Friday and knocked on the door unannounced. Thankfully I wasn't home I was at the park. But the weird thing is I don't know how she knew where we lived, I hadn't told her our house number. She knew the street but its a very long street.

Beans that house looks amazing. No harm in offering.

Gotta go its nearly school pick up time.

Trace, excellent news about going back to work. And don't be worrying about the tablets, I reckon that is still quite cheap :-) Don't think you will be bankrupting the NHS with them (not that it would matter if they were 600 quid for 100 tablets). Any chance the new meds could be causing the funny symptoms. And do another test if you are worried (I also used cheapy ones from Asda last time, though they did give me a -ve to begin with!)

Lady i hope you get your influx of money soon. Haha at the dream!

beans I like the house but I think the swimming pool would be a bit of a money pit and it would put me off. Yay stevenage is not that far from me, we will be able to meet up.

Salmon recipes, I just give DD what we are having now. I would make a load of fishcakes and have some with her, they freeze well so you could defrost an individual one give her one on her own as well if you were eating separately. Or fish pie?

vag oh god that dutch woman is a pain in the ass! How cheeky.

I often buy stuff on ebay, but can rarely be bothered to sell it. I did sell my birth pool on there though. Unless it'll sell for about 50 quid plus or is really small and easy to post I can't be bothered.

Oh zj you asked about MIL and whether there is a FIL, no he died about 3 years ago, which is part of the problem. Though he was almost housebound and in bad health so though it is bad to say she was kind of trapped while he was still alive, so at least now she can come and visit us (she never came to visit us here for years while he was still alive because he was in such bad health). Oh and when he was alive, yes I think he did pretty much do as he was told . Though she would say otherwise about how she was put upon and had to do everything.

I slept really badly last night as DD was making noises as she was trying to do a poo. I didn't really sleep until 6am! So now I feel like shit even though I got a nap in this morning. Going to try for a nap now as both tinies are asleep but suspect DD will wake soon.

vag in defence of my GP, it was because she was saying that my consultant likes to use my new tablet if others aren't working, and that she could see an incredible difference in me, now I'm on the new one. I asked why it wasn't used as a first line one, and whether it was cost-related, and she said yes, then looked up the actual costs - but I had asked her, so it wasn't like she was forcing the information on me. And I can't believe that woman had discovered your address - maybe she really has been stalking you?!
JB don't apologise for not keeping up! You've got enough on your plate!
Well I've finally spoken to my manager, who had to speak to her manager, blah blah blah, and the plan is that I return on next week, working just Tuesday and Thursday. Not sure why I can't return tomorrow or Monday, but hey, at least I have a plan now. JB you asked if I feel ready - and yes, I think I do! Although I'm not sure I'll fit in my work trousers any more

Right, better go and practise my cheer-leading moves

Yes swimming pools are expensive upkeep. I'd still want one though but I know from my brothers - they cost a bit to maintain so just need to factor that in.

Haven't done any eBaying as I can't get around all the crap in the garage to take a photo of the cross trainer. Instead have been weeding the lawn and dining alfresco with the littles although they are now asleep.

Lady I meant to ask you the other day what size dd2 wears now? I suspect some of dd's outgrown stuff may not fit her as dd has been wearing sizes under her age since she's so bean pole-ish What about miniJJ? Most of it is 3-6 months and even a few smaller things.
If we have any more meetups soon I will bring what I have along as I also have some cute Summer stuff since I went overboard for our trip home where it was so hot but I doubt it will fit her still in the mid Summer here!

Lady any sign of the cheque? Yes that annoys me too Vag (check) but I lived in America for several years and got use to it.
There's always tomorrow. When I'm waiting for things in the post they always come at the last hour.

DH said he was going to hammer through his clinic so we could bike to the pub, but I suspect that may be a long shot so might go back to weeding the garden.

Am a bit scared by all this cheerleading business does that mean I need to get my legs out and put a skimpy top on. If so in future LADYT can you dream we are in full on winter wear long trousers and jumpers please.

Sorry things are so tight LADY can the revenue not give you an interim payment to tide you over?

They are useless we just got a letter from them saying DH has not paid 20 grands worth of corporation tax and they are sending the debt collectors after us. I watched him transfer the money a month ago. [sigh]

OH i must ebay still not put our P&T or dbl Maclaren on there have got approx 10 tonne of childrens clothes to do aswell. Must get cracking as it can be holiday spendings.

Trace I wouldnt worry a dot about how much your meds cost, you need them and thats that. How did oyu get on with the EA taking more pics?

ZJ I love the frog story.

Rubes you are more than welcome to head on over.

Been to the zoo today and I have 2 very grumpy and filthy children. Early tea and bath for them. They are watching the Snowman right now it just feels wrong to watch it when its not the depths of Winter outside.

Oh and Trace cheers for asking the sicky thing went away as soon as I started to bleed so obviously I am some weird prego hypochondiac (clearly incorrect spelling sorry).

No cheque yet - it is actually going to a solicitor and not to me but they say they will transfer the money to my bank as soon as it arrives. Am having cold sweats about what will happen if it doesn't come tomorrow. I have already had so much bad luck with it already (they lost a form, which delayed it several weeks, then it was subjected to a random security check (several weeks again). The trouble is...they can do as they please and keep telling me it's 'procedure', they are the Revenue!

Beans, a cash buyer is someone who has the full amount of what they are offering in cash; but the fact that you aren't in a chain is a brilliant thing in your favour as well.

Rubes, DD2 is in 6-9month stuff (at least) and thanks for the thought but if it doesn't fit your DD it's definitely not gonna fit Tubby McTubster here. Oh gosh, she is beaming at me now. A little tooth is poking through on the bottom row since last night - I don't want her to have actual teeth! I want her to stay a little baby forever and ever!

JB - to let you know, you were very tall and supermodel-like in my dream. Bearing in mind I have never seen you, my brain made it up in that dreamy way. I am sure you don't feel very supermodelly at the moment, but there you go.

Trace...don't worry about the tabs! Swish your hair like a L'Oreal advert and tell yourself you're worth it, I say!

Oh, and JJ, sorry you aren't getting much respite from the lovely E. I am feeling a bit sorry for myself as the last two days I have felt like I have done NOTHING apart from feed, change, comfort and dance attendance on the two little sweethearts here. I wanted to take them out today - haven't been able to yet as someone or other has needed attention/food/nappychange/nap.

DP got a good result in his trial so has spent the afternoon in the pub I do understand why...he has worked so blimmin hard and needs to hang with the solicitors etc as well as celebrate, but I just wish he could've come home. It would be nice to have done something/had someone to share the load!

Gosh, Vag, that text with the wink is faintly sinister! What a very odd woman.

Anyone seen The Bounty Hunter with Jennifer Aniston? It's turned up as my LoveFilm and I haven't ordered it and DP reckons he hasn't either (hmmm) I find her a bit irritating.

Jam, I promise everyone looked great in their cheerleader outfits - we all had fake tanned limbs and everything. We've had The Snowman on again as well (well, last week) and I have to play Walking in the Air on the stereo most days. But it has been slightly usurped by 'Fight for your Right' by the Beastie Boys. 'Paaaaaaaaaarttaaaayyy' is DD1's favourite phrase.

Sadly the Revenue are being less than helpful because as far as they are concerned it has been sent, and all the delays are just, well, hard cheese. Meanwhile I am racking up interest on my debts (incurred only because of waiting for this cash) and again, they just aren't interested...yes, they are tossers.

Effie I have a couple of sweet pics from yesterday of your DS1 doing his cheese smile do you mind if they go on FB (my photos are private to only friends) if you would rather not let me know.

Jam don't worry we can all hide behind Arti's lovely toned legs, all the boys will be looking at hers so won't notice ours. I have cankles so would rather wear a tracksuit if that's alright.

I have the most painful tongue. Ive had these weird pimple like things on it for a week and they've gotten really bad today and really hurt. I'm tired but I'm not run down and don't have a cold so no idea why I have them. Having a very bland dinner.

Jam: no prob with the photos. Would love to see them!

Trace: don't worry about the pills, it's a small price to help you feel better. Hooray for getting back to work.

Vag: that woman sounds like a loon! Now I'm picturing you biking around the Hague with crowds of Dutch women running after you :).

JB: glad the hats got to you. I hope one of them fits. Baby J is doing so well - I hope your nips are recovering.

Zoe: that's very sweet about the frog :). I love the rambles - DS2 chats away but seldom makes much sense.

Isn't the sun great? I have a real day off tomorrow - I'm doing a spot of shopping and getting a haircut in advance of lurching into my late thirties at the weekend.

I'm a little worried at this cheerleading lark, being terribly unco-ordinated as well as pasty of leg and wobbly of tummy...

Hope your cheque arrives soon Lady. The guv'ment are good at hanging on to our money it seems.

Final one from me, promise!

Much as I'd love to make a bit of cash from playing with fluffy stuff, I think it's a bit tricky as a business model - if you add the cost of materials plus a realistic charge for your time things get very expensive! There might be a way of managing it though.

Hilarious! All this paranoia about the cheerleading, and I am the bloody host of rehearsals! Sorry folks......

Lady, I am wishing your owed money to you asap. I will dream about it tonight to pull focus off the cheerleading. btw - if anyone was crap it would be me. I'm SO unco!!
A quick thought, Lady, why don't you rent out your flat now, rather than the end of the year. The extra money will get your house finished, and then dp can rent his flat, and everyone's a winner. yes you'd be cutting off your accom options for London, but think of it as only temporary, and treat yourself to a nice hotel room when you do go in. You'd still have £ in your pocket! Thing is, if you are planning to rent it out at the end of the year - why not do it now and pocket several thousand extra pounds? I'm sure you have probably said why not, but I can't remember

Anyway, are you all impressed at my efforts at MN tonight? Even with American Idol on?
Oops gotta go back later

for Trace who doesnt have FB Trace if you click on the link you should be able to see the pics of Effie and my DS's playing. Although weirdly I didnt have any with Effies DS2 in, sorry.

Effie, how old are you going to be?
Lady, you poor lamb. Will keep fingers crossed for cheque arrival.
I have eaten inordinate amount of food tonight. Feeling revolting as a result. No cheerleading for me. I'll just lie down and watch, farting gently, if you don't mind?
Weather lifting my spirits so much at moment. Dd1 has given up her after oon sleep and isn't quite ready to. She is so tired and grizzly from 3.30 onwards and I get really stressed and shouty. Then feel terribly guilty. I love her so much but she drives me to distraction on a daily basis. Not feeling like a good mum!! But know it's a transitive stage and it'll get better!!

Jam: I think he spent most of the afternoon frowning at the rowdy boys from a distance!

Beans: am 36. Eek! The second half of the decade. Though a nice number I think.

I'm 36 in June. Hurray! I am very aware of my body going down hill of late. Feel like my boobs have lost all boinginess, my hair is even greyer than usual and my stretch marks are getting longer as gravity pulls my body downwards. Plus my nighttime wrinkly impressions from the duvet don't go for hours. And the tops of my arms don't get along with cap sleeves any more. I don't think I'm ageing well. Poor DH!!

Never mind. Shit happens. It's inevitable!

WG how are you feeling? I hope the Dr could help? Unless you get your strength back amazingly quickly, don't go to the PILs at Easter. Didn't you say they were 3.5 to 4 hours away, that in itself is too much. Put yourself first xx

Hurrah for going back to work Trace, brill news. Actually the Nhs are getting great value for money from your new pills, whereas before they were pouring £4 down the drain on something that didn't work. Wierd about the preggo symptoms

I can't see your beautiful mansion on my phone Beans, but probably a good thing as I think I'd be v

Jam and Effie your afternoon sounds gorgeous, lovely pics. How close in age are your DS1s?

Almost at work, will catch up on the next page later

Oh, does anyone use the boots no 7 protect and perfect serum? Any good? I've got one of their £5 vouchers to use this weekend

Hello ladies,

trace Hooray for going back to work. You sound so much better, the break has obviously done youthe world of good.

Spot How's B's feeding going? I hope that with his meds he goes from strength to strength.

Vag That Dutch woman sounds like a right weirdo! How could you just not get the hint?

Lady I hope your cheque arrived today. It must be really frustrating and quite worrying not knowing when it will arrive.

wg How are you feeling? I do hope that you are starting to pick up a bit.

beans Brilliant news on your MIL, and your dad how is he doing? Oh and the house looks just beautiful.

Hello to everyone else!

Cheerleading, I'll be the coach on the sidelines in a nice tracksuit I think.

DS been ill all week screaming and holding his ear shouting "ear hurt mama". The Dr said he is fine though . But he is in on calpol/IB 3 hourly and he is no better, and is up half the night. I'm friggin' shattered. Hats off to you all with newbies, I'd forgotten how hard having no sleep is.
Right, sunny day lots to do.