dec 2008- Who will stonk it in & be crown queen of the thread?

[HRHvagolaJahooli]

He we are ladies though I may need to change my name as royal title may be stripped.

Hello everyone, hope you?re all well?

I love the sounds of these roombas. Can you go out and leave it working and come home to your hovering done? It?s just like having your own cleaner (albeit one who can?t clean the loo or do the dusting). Have just seen the price though, drat

Rubes your tip about raising the stair gate is genius, I?d never thought of that. The gate at the top of our stairs is actually on the first step, so is a bit low and we?re concerned that DD could topple over it, but it would be so easy to raise it to the level of the landing. However we also need to put the gate across her bedroom window (weird house with floor level windows on the 1st floor, that stop at waist height, and no window locks), so we were thinking about trusting her on the stairs now

Trudy you don?t sound like a basket case, in fact you sound far more in control and aware of your self than I ever feel. I hope your course makes a very sharp u turn and becomes much better

Hurrah for good nights out with friends Deids!

And double hurrah for little Rumpelstiltskina Jump

Summer that is quite scary that MN was logging people into other accounts. Very of your meal tomorrow, you must report back

Beans that is an impressive time, well done you! And Trace I am definitely not running anywhere, and double definitely eating lots of chocolate (which actually is the law, in my condition, isn?t it?)

Kayz I?m sure one of our gang got married just a couple of months before December 2008 (Indith, maybe?) ? anyway, whoever it was had a gorgeous dress and looked beautiful and I was actually quite envious that I didn?t need a maternity wedding dress

Latitude sounds fabby Aspa, but what a bummer about DD1?s pox. My 8th birthday party was cancelled because of the pox and I?m still a bit bitter now. Will she still be contagious in a week?s time? Or could you have a party with the Latitude gang? Is it right that they are at their most contagious just before the spots come out, in which case she?ll have passed it round all those children anyway. Poor love

Trace I?m up to meet up in August, would be fab to catch up with you. I haven?t told anyone in RL yet, although we?ll probably tell the ILs this week (we?re going away at the weekend for a week, and then they go away before we get back, by which time I?ll probably have had a scan and will be ready to tell the world). Then we?ll tell my parents next week, as we?re going away with them, so can?t see me laying off of the booze all week without anyone noticing. And anyway, if I don?t, Mum will notice my fat tum and my constant eating (soooo hungry, all the time) and will start being critical about my size, which with my hormones will just make me be rude and/or cry. I?m glad to hear your feeling better today, I always find posting something really calms me down somehow, so maybe writing it, even though it didn?t post, helped. How was bedtime tonight?

On Saturday I took DD to a party, the older sister of the baby who had the heart surgery 10 weeks ago. I was thrilled to see the little baby (6 months old last week) is THE chubbiest thing around, fantastic cheeks and thighs. Considering she barely put on an ounce from being born to having her surgery because she was so poorly, she is more than thriving now. And of course, she has tons of energy and couldn?t get enough of waving her arms and legs at all the toddlers who were running round, high on sugar. So gorgeous

I have a rather gross hygiene problem with my kitchen sink, so I need a domestic goddess to help me (I?m thinking Rubes, but I?m sure many of you have cleaner houses than mine). If you are feeling at all delicate, look away now. The kitchen sink has one of those half bowl little sinks, which we mainly use to drains pans when we?ve been cooking, so inevitably bits of food and gunk get down there. I noticed that over the weekend we suddenly had lots of little flies in that corner of the kitchen and I tracked them down to this little sink, and when you look down the drain it is really gungy and manky, so I guess a fly has got down there and laid its eggs [bleugh face]. So I chucked a kettle full of boiling water and a load of bleach down there and the flies have all gone, but the mank is still there. It doesn?t smell and isn?t blocked, but is still gross. Any suggestions how I can get all that out (without taking the whole sink out ...)? Sorry if I?ve put anyone off their tea

ZJ (sadly) I'm chuffed you thought of me in a wierd way
Right, you need one of those foaming kind of sink unblocker things that shoot the stuff down which I think you can buy at Tesco / Sainsbo's? (think) also, as well as or after, some caustic soda solution down there should fix it!

Re the Roomba - yes you can program it to clean anytime! Or just press it to go at anytime as well. it recharges after a couple of hours and heads back to the base charger on it's own but does our downstairs in one go. I heart it. Vag has one too who reminded me this may be my dog hair answer! And yeah, the new ones are a bit pricey unfortunately.

It has taken me age to catch up and its late and my.phone is low but I just wanted to say Woohoo Beans, that is amazing I've got tears in my eyes I'm so stupidly proud of you.

It's morning now and I can't remember much of what I read yesterday now. I saw that JJs friends bubby is doing well which is wonderful news.

Trace I didn't run yesterday, but I didn't eat choccies, but I did eat some very yummy biscuits.

Avo, your poor DS1, that is heart breaking all the things she'll miss. Is it possible to check if any of her friends have had CP.

SL I'm quite excited about your dinner at the maaterchef man's pub.

Beans how are your legs.

ZJ you could always wait for your mum to make a comment about how much your eating and then say "ta daaa I'm pregnant". The Roomba can do its work anytime, if it runs out of energy it just takes itself back to its charger. It also has these little sensors you can put in doorways or around the house to stop it going somewhere or to get it to do a full room before it moves onto the next. It is expensive but it is the one appliance I think is worth every penny. We use it every day and apart from having a couple of bits replaced because of wear and its usual servicing it has kept up with our dusty messy house. I think it makes me tidier because if I want to put it through I need to tidy up completely as it will get caught on stuff. Once a week I completely tidy all the bedrooms and then throw roomba in each room. Then everyday I do the livingroom/kitchen area.

DS2 & I have managed to start the day with a raging fight with each other. I don't want to wish away his toddler years, but I really want him to be at an age where he stops communicating his anger or sadness with screaming! It's too much and I hate my reaction to it. Avo how is your DD2 with yelling and screaming. By the way that photo of DD2 giving DD1 a cuddle was just so sweet.

Oh Vag - you poor love. It's so tough fighting with children and I do feel for you. Horrid. I know what you mean about not wanting to wish away toddler years, but they are frustrating. Conversely, yesterday I was wishing DD2 was DD1's age so that she wouldn't just sit there and scream, but would actually tell me what was wrong. Your comment about my run made me well up - you kind bear! Thank you. Ankle v sore today. Been referred to GP to physio, but bet it's really expensive!!! But I tripped on the bottom stair today and almost saw stars with the pain of it! Bugger.

ZJ - it must be so nice to be going public gently. So lovely to be able to talk to someone about it, apart from DP!!

DD1 spent most of last night on the potty doing poos, or trying to. She had been complaining about her tummy ache all day and at 12.30 it came to fruition with a great big squit. Then I was up another 5 times in the night getting her water, or wiping her nose or taking her to the loo again, with no result. At 5.30, I was so tired I told DH he could do the next trip as he'd slept through it all! I'd ignored her last plea for doing a poo as she'd cried wolf so often. Turned out I ignored it at my peril as she'd done massive squits in her nappy!!! Luckily DH caught that one and had to clear it up. Poor chap. But fortuitous for me! Hee hee! I managed to snooze til 6.30, so only an extra half hour from him. I took her to nursery this morning, which was a bit naughty of me, but she was absolutely fine. Anyway, guilt overcame me and I've just been to collect her early. Apparently she's been v weepy and clingy and complaining about her tummy ache. Oops. Just had to get GP visit done and so hard with two of them. Hard enough with DD2, who is going through a screamy "phase". Grim. But at least she slept through last night!

Just had a slightly odd conversation with my Dad. Sorry to put it on here, but I'm wondering whether I should say something to him. It's not really applicable to us as our children are too young, but in the summer, we all go up to North Wales to stay in their holiday cottage and the families rotate. I very rarely cross with my oldest sister, but usually with the middle one. Their children are between 11 and 6 and there's a tradition that in the mornings they go and get into bed with Granny and Grandpa for half an hour or so. Doesn't apply to us really this summer, as I said, the nippers are too young, plus we're staying in the posh caravan in the garden, so won't go over to the house that much.

Dad said on the phone that they're going to limit the morning visits from the grandchildren to every other day, so that he and Mum get some holiday. I can see their point, absolutely. However, they have every single morning to themselves the rest of the year. I'd have thought that they'd want to see more of their grandchildren. It's all very odd. Just with recent events with me going to see them and things (which I also bored you about last week!). I think they'll regret it. They're not going to look back on their lives in 10 years and think "Oh, I wish I'd spent more time in bed and not with our grandchildren". I think they'll regret it. And they're up every morning at 7.30 or so anyway, so it's not like they'll be asleep. I guess I kind of get it in that my middle sister's children are there for about 3-4 weeks, but they actually don't go in there every morning anyway. It's just a bit sad. I think my parents are gently alienating themselves from their children slowly. They're lovely and kind and generous on the one hand, but it's always got conditions, if you know what I mean. Ho hum.

It has taught me that when/if I have grandchildren, I will make sure I am always open to them and will let them come and stay whenever they want and will be kind and generous to them!!!

Actually, this is kind of bollocks. Maybe I'm looking for the worst in the conversation, not understanding their point of view. But it's slightly sad in some ways. Never mind. Ho hum.

I can see where your coming from Beans I find it a shame that they don't want to spend as much time as possible with them. But then they older and your dad has been through a lot recently and maybe that bit of time in the morning is something they want to have just for themselves. Maybe the Welsh air makes them a little frisky in the morning or maybe they just find the kids being around them from first thing in the morning just too tiring.

Hee hee! Vag, you've made me feel better, thank you. I hope they're getting frisky, would be nice for them! I guess I just think they have that time just for themselves for the rest of the year...

How are you getting on with DS2 now?

Woo-hoo beans that is an excellent time! Well done you...now to sort your ankle out. I think I'm getting shin-splints from running, very sore even just walking up the stairs. Bollocks.

I know what you mean about your Mum & Dad beans, I think I would feel a little upset too. But maybe after all that your Dad has been through they just want total R&R away from home. Or maybe they are just feeling randy

Rubes, seriously I have to get a roomba, it hoovers while you are out? Genius.

avo Your poor DD1, is she very poorly too? Is it definatelyth epox, will she not be over the infectious bit by the party? I always get confused when they are contagious and when not.

zj Yes the drain-unblock-foam thingsare great. Any supermarket should sell them. It was all a bit yuck, but reminded me of my wheely-bin problem last year. I'll leave it there

We are off to Angelsey on Thursday camping for a few days with my folks, really looking forward to a break... Oh shitty shit, its my anniversary today. DH working till 9ish, he never said this morning. I wonder if he has remembered?? We are not the most romantic of couples about Anniversarys but still, 8 years isn't that long to have forgotten getting married...oh I don't know if I should at least nip out and get a card....

DB if we lived in UK we could meet you for a little camping weekend, maybe TeamEffie could come along too. Can't tempt you over for a French camping adventure can I? Which reminds me, Rubes, what did you decide, US or France?

DB, DH & I were married 7 years this year and remembered that date for the first time ever. Unfortunately it was 8pm on the day by the time I remembered so no chance for cards or a nice dinner out.

Beans we are getting on better this afternoon, I'm trying to be more patient with him. We had a nice morning out with an American friend who is being repatriated, she and her family are leaving on Friday. It a bit sad her two girls are the same age as my boys and they are also mixed race, their dad is Vietnamese. Both girls adore DS1 and constantly fawn over him. He of course loves it. But also its nice for them all to have friends who look similar to them, and have similar looking parents to them. They have always really liked each other. It will be sad to see them go. We are meeting up with them for the last time tomorrow, and DS1 has chosen a special necklace for each of the girls.

Beans have you had your foot and running assessed for which shoes are best for you?

And have you ever had this pain before? I think you may have increased your time & training a little too quickly, but hey you did 28mins Woohoo (remember previous advice to round down time).

Aww Vag that is sad about your friends moving. DS sounds such a sweetheart though picking the girls a present.

Just put DD to bed and she said she didn't like school anymore because noone will play with her:( Broke my heart. I'm sure its just playground squabbles but I hate it. Poor sod there's years of this ahead.

Oh DB - that's heart breaking. I am dreading those years ahead. I now know what my parents must have gone through to some extent when I was bullied. I once even wrote a suicide note, planning to jump out of a window. I left all my Lego to my best friend from prep school. I was only 11 at the time! Then the supper bell rang, so I had to go down. Tummy first! It wasn't the best experience of boarding school, but then I went onto another one with normal people in and had the best time and most of my friends are from there, so they're not all bad. Dear GOD it was hellish, though. I hope my daughters never have to go through that.

Vag - I went to Profeet to have my trainers fitted to my feet for me and tested etc. BUT it was just before I got pregnant with DD2, so maybe things have changed since then. Certainly, I think my feet are wider. The GP said it sounded like my ankle workings aren't working as a unit any more since pregnancy, which is probably due to ligaments rather than anything else. Joy.

I've eaten an enormous amount today. Took the DDs to feed the ducks this afternoon. Was really lovely. Then got home and DD1 needed a poo again, having complained of sore tummy on and off all afternoon. This one wasn't a "nana poo" apparently. But a "castle poo". Dear God, what has my life come to? Nor was it remotely solid and I almost vommed as I got rid of it. Bleugh.

Hello everyone,

Well done on your run beans. Wow, I'm very impressed.

trace I'm halfway through a pack of chocolate fingers. I felt I had to make you feel better . I had exactly the same loss of a massive post as you. I'm sure MN is going wrong somewhere.

asp Loved the sound of Lattitude. I'd love to do that with the DDs when they are a bit older.

JJ Hurray for your friend's baby. Have you been officially told the name yet?

ZJ How lovely for such a poorly baby to be better so quickly. How is the mum getting on with going to Toddler groups and suchlike? Is she getting good support?

at the sink problem. No idea but am experiencing something similar with our Green bin. In our new area you have to collect food scraps, cooked and peelings etc. It is just foul inside. The whole thing seems like a BAD IDEA to me as they only collect once a fortnight. Stinky cooked food sitting in a bin for two weeks, mmm, yum.

beans That's a strange one. Maybe they are just more tired these days or getting it on like others have said! I'm finding my parents increasingly odd the older they get. Very stubborn and firmly stuck in a routine. E.g. "We can't come on a Wednesday, we go to Tesco on Wednesdays" . Maybe the older parents they get the stranger they become?!

deids Oh that is upsetting. Tomorrow it will be forgotton and all will be well again but it must be awful for you when she says that.

vag It is a shame that your friend is moving. Is she moving somewhere good for holidays? Glad you have had a good day with DS2 today.

effie Did I thank you for the camping tips? I can't remember! Thank you. I've been putting some bits and bobs in DD2's baby treasure box and I put in the hats you knitted . They seem so tiny now.

Ooops eaten all my chocolate fingers.

Lovely to see you back summer. Love the sound of your meal. Very jealous.

kayz Hello again! Nice to see you back.

Yes please from me for a northerly meet up. Are we still thinking Skipton? I could maybe manage York but would have to look into train/driving times. We should do it soon while ZJ still has the energy! Should we thrash something out via email?

PS Won't be sending DDs to boarding school, despite my love of second one. DH and I decided that a) we can't afford it and b) if we could, we wouldn't because we'd miss them!!

JB - crossed with you! Chocolate Fingers. I want some! I'm so impressed with your baby treasure box thing. Maybe I should start one. Although a bit late now. I nearly chucked away DD2's first shoes the other day as they're falling apart. They were DD1's first shoes as well. Where is my HEART??!

And yes, think my parents are just feeling their age. I don't really blame them. Dad has recovered well from the big C, but he needs to have at least 1-2 hours sleep a day to last, which frustrates him. I think that's also partly to do with the fact that he's 70 as well.

Vag meant to say we have thought about camping in France. But DH changed his mind so if did it,it would be nx year now anyway.

Beans your first boarding school sounded hellish. I'm glad your second school was better. DD will be fine, she is quite a drama queen and 5 year olds can be a fickle bunch but by heck it just tugged the old heartstrings.

oh and asps Latitude sounded and looked Fab. The kids looked like they were having a ball on your FB pics!

Feeling a little blue tonight. Not sure why. Ironing probably. Enough to sap the soul of anyone!

Balls am missing meal out as am ill. Massive stomach pains. Had them for 3 days now but was determined to go out tonight anyway. But at 3pm they got worse and I was rolling around on the floor hardly able to see straight. Bit better now but still feel crap. Went to docs this morning as had been awake half the night with it - he reckons is nothing and could be constipation or period pains (for 3 days with no actual period??)

While I was rolling around on the floor though dd took her first little steps ...awwwww. Almost made me feel better.

Beans massive well done on run . Superb time and crazy improvement from previous pb! Maybe your parents just want less quantity and more quality time with gcs? Kids are so knackering! Nice that your sister spends 3 weeks with them anyway - I love my parents but they would drive me mad over 3 wks.

Zj your sink sounds gross. Think you need to get something industrial down it!

Going to post this now as on phone and can't remember what I wanted to say

Bloody hate ironing, its the work of the devil!

Oh SL - you poor lamb. Horrid. I hope they recede soon. Get thee to bed.

Is your DD taking her first steps unaided? Oh my, I'm so jealous! How old is she now? Mine isn't yet unaided, just tottering on holding onto furniture or my hand. But not on her own! Keen for her to get a wiggle on as DD1 getting v frustrated!

DB - agreed!

PS SL - Maybe you will let rip a huge fart, which will plaster your duvet to the ceiling. Does it feel windy? I had it last night and when I did one, I nearly passed out. DH didn't wake up to it, but think that might be because he was unconscious...

I quite like ironing. This is probably cos i hardly ever do it though!

Dunno what it is beans but farts and poos dont seem to help. Still awake as hurts too much to sleep.

Yes dd taking steps unaided. Only a couple though! She is 1 next month. Not sure how impressed ds will be when she is properly walking.

summer hows the stomach pains this morning? Hope it didn't keep you up. Beans' giant fart comment did make me giggle though