Fab Feb 2009 - pass mummy the gin, its potty time!

[dinkystinky]

New thread as the old one got filled up - hope you all find it ok!

I'm in! Just seen the Facebook message Dinky. I haven't been out for ages, and DH still owes me from his 2 weeks in Canada .

All going well here with school. Orlena has done brilliantly and is doing full days this week. She's been upset a couple of times but a little bit of 1:1 sorts it out. I need to brush up my Makaton too! They use it all the time at the school.

SM - what ages are the ASD children in the class? Are they new starters? O is a bit of a celebrity becasue she's a girl! So many more boys affected by ASD.

Better get back to work - am doing reduced hours at the moment to fit around childcare (really struggling to find someone to take O after school).

Let me know about Saturday if it's on - would be lovely to see you!

Hurrah! STW, MoS and me - its officially a quorum. Will see if can rouse Stillontheline and MrsY. Would around 8 work for everyone?

So pleased O is doing well at school STW - must be a huge weight off your mind.

yay, so where are we going? 7.30pm would be a bit better for me as don't want to get back too late as problems with trains here. Apparently our local train station is closed this weekend for maintenance and the next nearerst has a very infrequent service. No worries if everyone prefers 8pm. Place down the road from Victoria? That was really nice last time

If 7.30 works for most that's fine by me - may be slightly late as have mad manic day on Saturday doing stuff with kids culminating in a 5pm haircut session for the boys (fun fun fun). Giraffe in Victoria also good for me.

dinky don't worry, stick with 8pm as its better for you. What was the name of the place we went last time? Where we had nice mojitos?

Mos I can't come saturday really can't afford it this month but when I've caught up with the council tax at least I'll be able to go out for a bit one evening........would love to see you all.

STW There are 5 kids in the class, 3 are reception age, so 4 and 2 year 1's so age 5/6. They are all new starters, yes. A few of them have been to nursery previously.
Yes, boys are far more likely to suffer these kinds of conditions than girls. All about the different way the brain is wired between boys and girls.
Out of 5 kids, 1 is a girl and in my class in the last school, out of 8, 1 was a girl.
We're still only on half days, they go full day next week, but if they're not ready (which 1 isn't) then it will remain at half days.

Hope you have a good meet-up. Wish I could be there.

Bums - I saw Swampy say she couldn't make the 17th and talk of chaning the date so now I've gone and made plans for Saturday. Sorry chaps. Must be better at catching up, but, I've been a bit preoccupied with nasty morning sickness recently so I've not been on as much as I should have liked.

SM you cant make it but hopefully get to see you next time round.

MrsY - sorry you cant make it but about the sickness - congratulations. Hope all goes smoothly.

Just blame me, MrsY! Hooray for morning sickness - my magic bullet for it was zinc.

OMG MrsY Congratulations!!!!!!!! I am so pleased for you all.
Hope the morning sickness passes soon though.

My best friends dad died today. Lung cancer. 60 years old.
he was such a nice man. I have very fond memories of him through my teenage years.
My friend is distraught and I'm gutted I can't be there to hug her
My poor girl.

Am so sorry for your friend's loss and your loss SM Sending virtual hugs to both of you.

SM so sorry to read about your friend, it is very difficult, she is lucky to have a friend like you to be there for her x

Thanks guys.
I'm not there though, which is horrid. I'm here, at home, not with her :-(
Am sure she understands that I don't have the freedom to drop everything and run. She has asked me to go to the funeral, which I will, of course. Just not sure whether to tell work it's a funeral or just to call in sick in the morning of the funeral.....
She seems to be bearing up ok, which is a relief, I was and am very concerned about how she will get through this one.
MOS, no joy on hearing about an interview? Their loss, you'd be a true asset to any school.

SM I'm sure she will understand you can't drop everything. I think it is important to go to the funeral if you can, she will need support. When a friend of mine lost her partner around 3 years ago I flew back from KSA to go to the funeral just to be there and show her my support.
Not sure I'd lie about being sick, no need really. If they are decent, they will be ok. If she is your best friend obviously you will have known him well and therefore he was a friend. I'd be cautious about lying as these things have a way of tending to trip you up!

Got a letter about job yesterday, lots of applicants, blah blah blah. To be honest, I'm always suspicous of these jobs as in 14 years of having DC at school I've noticed that these jobs always go the the friend of a teacher/headmisteress
In a way, I'm relieved as although it would have been the most convenient job to get in terms of location, I'm really enjoying getting DD settled at school and making new friends there (which wouldn't be easy if I was constantly rushing off to work) and am also looking forward to getting into a nice routine with H.

meet up so who is going and is venue decided?

ooh, meant to say AIBU?
we are having to rent out the bungalow (was mum's) down at South coast as DH not got a job yet and we really don't use it. Met a few estate agents in July and picked one and have instructed him, done all paperwork etc. He was supposed to put on rightmove immediately. This was on 1st Sept and still not done. Also, more importantly, we agreed it would be rented fully furnished. I'd bought all new bedroom furniture last year which cost a fortune and we have fully furnished with nice dining room table and sofas etc which we had (squashed in) our house. Spent a lot of time taking it all down there (hiring van etc) and also, more importantly, yesterday we went out and bought all the other things the agent said we needed, ie iron, ironing board, crocker, pots pans etc. So, we get home and have a call from them saying they have found us really nice tenants. Great. BUT, they want it unfurnished and want us to take EVERYTHING out! Bloody livid and DH and I are minded to tell them to sod off. A lof of the furniture is brand new and if we sell we will lose a fortune and we are not prepared to waste money on storage fees. Did that a few years ago when DH sold his house, paid about 150 pcm for storage for a few years and then ended up chucking most of it out anyway!

WWYD?

MoS - werent you thinking of buying a place for your DS in his uni town to rent out? If so, couldnt you use the furniture for there and try and store it somewhere in the house/garage in the interim?

I'd be tempted to say that if they will commit to a minimum 18 month lease you'd let it unfurnished or partially furnished (so dont have to move all the stuff out) but otherwise you'd prefer to let it furnished. And you want to see the tenant's references please to ensure its worth all the hassle.

Saturday - you, me, STW and SOTL in Victoria it is. Any other takers? Will give Giraffe a call to see if can book a table for 7.45/8pm so people can head there as and when they arrive. PM me your mobile no MoS and will do the same. Looking forward to seeing you.

SM - I'd say to work its a family funeral (as it pretty much is) so you need to attend.

MOS I know, but schools are really funny about people having time off during term time. We get enough holidays as it is!
Lots of them state days off for funerals will only be granted for family members.
I'd like to believe that jobs always go to those who have the best skills to offer, but am sure that's not always the case :-(
Oh well, there will be other jobs. If you do want to get into school work, try agencies to start, you'll get experience without having to commit and also look at the e-teach website. Sometimes there's stuff on there that's not advetisded else were

dinky, yes, well remembered, we were thinking of buying a place for DS in Exeter. However, it won't be until at least next May/June and we would have to pay to store it as no room in garage (all boxes from KSA still piled in it). No room for all bedroom, lounge and dining room furniture too. It will cost at least 100 pcm for storage around here. Agents will only do rental for 6 months initially and then extend (not sure if this is normal?) Just don't want to run risk of getting rid of it all, these tenants only staying for 6 months then the next ones wanting it furnished! Are we entitled to see their references? Never done this before!

Will PM you my mobile number. Is Giraffe in Victoria Station?

SM not being funny but surely the school can appreciate that people don't just die during 2 weeks at Christmas/Easter and 2 months in the summer! for you!

SM - just tell them its a funeral for a family member - a close uncle (which lets face it he is near as dammit!)

MOS - Giraffe v close to Victoria station - head out station to where Wicked is on at and its down the road from there. Will give them a call shortly to try to book.

Right - have booked table at Giraffe Victoria at 7.45 tomorrow evening. I under my real name which will PM you MOS and STW (and will go on fb tonight to let SOTL know). Booked the 9.95 2 course offer (so more money can be spent on wine/mojitos). If you put Giraffe Victoria into google MOS it will take you to its webpage and you can find directions there - v close to Victoria station. Looking forward to it.

yay mojitos
look forward to it

enjoy tonight ladies

Mos I would tell them its a furnished let.... end of!

I booked the day off. Told them it was a very close friend and that the family have done a lot for me over the years and I just cannot miss it.
They were fine about it.

I'm glad SM. I know you have just started a new job but some things are important. I hope it goes ok x