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.

trace hope the pains clear up soon. I've had a coil twice in the past, but for some reason now the doc tells me they'd have to knock me out to put one in as they'd have to rummage about so much. It was certainly incrediby painful when they tried and failed to put one in after Max. If only I'd known I could be sterilised at the same time as having a section I'd definitely have ticked that box. Glad you're so pleased about going back to work. What do you do?

P got the bus to school briefly at our last house but it kept being cancelled in the bad weather (we lived on a hill), then it was in an accident and then we moved. I'm happy taking her in, and once M starts in two years I'll be taking the two of them. I like getting up and out in the morning, but it can be a pain having to drop everything at 3pm.

ZJ think of you peeing all over your hand, I was reading yesterday about uses for urine and am almost tempted to give some of them a go! Since I've stopped using shampoo obviously the gutter's the limit for me! farmers don't retire, they just keel over in a field on a sunny day, aged about 107 - that really amused me! Glad DD has suddenly turned a corner.

Kiwi sorry things are so difficult. Hope it improves soon.

Just about to send DD up to bed, we're back to school timings from today to get her sorted for Wednesday's return to school. Had a marathon shoe, wellie and uniform shop for DC yesterday, cost poor DH a bomb as we got them Start-Rite and Clarks. I can't wait to get back to normal, but it's a real bugger that DS has dropped his nap as I lose a very valuable two hours working time a day. We can't afford an extra day at nursery so I'm just stuck. It's a real pain as we're so busy atm, lots of events coming up that need planning and publicising, but timing has never been DS' strong point.

Have been a domestic goddess today. We found in the car park in Hereford yeserday a mass of blackberries and elderberries, so today I made elderberry cordial, which is absolutely delicious, and I have elderberry and apple jelly partly done. We now have enough blackberries in the freezer for a good batch of jam, and I made pear chutney with leftover supermarket pears that woudn't ripen, and pears from my parents' garden. I have another ton of pears from their garden waiting for the next go tomorrow. I love pickling and jamming, it feels like a very ancient thing to do.

Right, must drag myself away from this docu on obese American kids and go up to DD.

Kiwi will check what dh thinks.

E much better and even managing to do 4-5 hour stretches first thing at bedtime (every two hours still after that but it's a start!)
But, s has started being a nightmare instead... Becuase on holiday we left her bed guard at the first place we stayed (doh!) she fell out of bed once, and insisted that dh stayed with her til she went to sleep. Since then iy's been taking longer and .onger to get her settled, she now repeatedly gets out of bdd wailing 'mummy cuddle' and even when told no more charlie and lola or puzzles on. Ummy's computer, still does it. We've been giving her lots of extra cuddles in the daytime , tucking her in with dolly etc, she still goes Want one more cuddle. Then even when she agrees that is the last one, she jumps straight up again crying ( and woke E up again . Friday was our anniversary :) but we ended up having dinner to the sound of her wailing on and off for an hour.
Any ideas? We did a reward chart with her before, 5 nights staying in bdc and she got a special book. This time she says she doesn't want any books, losing c&l doesn't seem to matter. Obv I feel awful when she's wanting more cuddles, but it's getting ridiculous, we can't be spending the whole evening up amd down the stairs :(

Nb dh says antihistamines ok, nasal spray should be the best as gets straight to problem area

Oh and trudy, any recipes for the elderberries please? Big bush at the end of our neighbours garden that leans over our fence!

3 and out...

JJ Elderberry Cordial:

Strip berries of the plant - a fork is the ideal way. Put them in a pan with just enough water to cover them. Simmer for about half an hour, then strain off the liquid (that's the bit you want) and mash the pulp around a bit to get the extra. Some people add lemon juice and/or ginger - it's to your taste. Use 450g of sugar for every pint of liquid and add 10 cloves and simmer til all the sugar is dissolved. Bottle. It's meant to be brilliant against colds and flu, and a couple of teaspoons in hot water tastes similar to mulled wine. A few drops in wine is nice too.

I'm part way through making apple & e'berry jam - I've got the stage of straining off all the liquid but will boil it up with sugar tomorrow - just ran out of time today with doing a roast plus a veggie main course.

Sorry, apple & elderberry jelly, not jam

hi guys
glad to see I didn't completely kill the thread with my ramblings - I was getting worried there!
kiwi that sounds really difficult. Any idea when you will get somewhere to move to? Can you not stay at in-laws?
jj we have been through a similar bedtime struggle to you, with P refusing to settle without a list of demands, then coming out of her room repeatedly - for hours some nights. Well she settled better for dh than for me, so we just decided I was not on offer from bedtime till morning, so whenever she woke up yelling for me, she got dh, and she has actually improved a lot. I can usually settle her back off now, although now I'm 'available' again, she does seem to be asking for more cuddles again. I think it's one of those things like controlled crying, which is horrid and difficult while you do it, but it only takes a few days to break the habit, so perhaps just put her in bed and refuse to pander to any demands - much much easier said than done but might pay off quite soon?
trudy I'm a school nurse I'm based in an office and cover 9 schools (1 secondary, 8 primary), doing some lesson teaching, supporting kids and teachers of kids with health issues, supporting familes with ishoos like day/night wetting (ironic with my ever-weeing toddler!), headlice, diet and exercise, behaviour, growing up ishoos, sex and relationships stuff - and a big fat caseload of child protection , so I'm involved with any child in my schools who has social care involvement, supporting the kids and the families and attending Serious Meetings. I work 20 hours over 4 days, so can usually drop L at school and pick her up myself, which I'm really pleased about. About once a week I am late home (when doing after school home visits), but her school has after school club, so all works out fine! I've only been doing this since having P - prior to that I was a paeds staff nurse on the children's ward. Did you want that much detail, or would 'school nurse' have done?!!!

and yes trudes you are a wonder-wife with all your fruit products! If we get the 'project house' we will have several apple and pear trees, so I'll be coming to you for inspiration! Otherwise it'll be apple and pear crumble every day

OK, so I didn't come straight back but no one noticed anyway Actually the computer ran out of power and it took me so long to find the cable (DP is away until tomorrow night) that I ended up getting sucked into other things.

Hennyway, now I am cooking supper for myself. So will do this in parts.

Trudy, you would be shocked at what is going to waste in our garden - apples, two different sorts of plums, pears (ok, we are eating the pears and I have frozen a giant bag of plums). I'm too busy to keep on top of it...One year I WILL make jam but as I haven't got a sweet tooth, chutneys are much more my thing.

Kiwi - my consultant told me Beconase nasal spray is safe in pregnancy. Trouble is, it's a bit weedy as a result. But better than nowt.

Ooops, something's burning....more later

Right, back now. Have that Fred West drama on in the background, heaven knows why as it's not the sort of thing I'd normally watch. Anyway, seems very well written, acted etc, but is obviously grimola.

Trace, I must say both those houses look really nice, so I see your dilemma. I guess the $64million question is whether you could live in the house as you get stuff done, and whether it would bug you to get things done slowly (assuming money is no object!) Yes, O dropped her nap about a month ago - or rather, I dropped it for her as, when she woke up, she was having a 45 minute crying jag/tantrum and I couldn't stand it. But I feel that she probably needs it still, really, though she does sleep well at night. But I need it much more - how I miss that little window so I can get things done!

Arti - your favourite hotel in Somerset - was it BH?? Je suis tres jaloux.

Although I have a nice weekend in York to look forward to in a fortnight's time ZJ, am really looking forward to seeing you. Trace, may I lure you out for coffee? Still compiling schedule but vaguely thinking late afternoon on Sat....as long as I have got a lot of sights ticked! A weekend without the kids is also quite a thing. Usually one of us has them...My Mum is minding them but I a little worried (about her, not them, as she is a worrier. They will be totally fine.)

Happy hols, JB, though you may be back by now! And welcome back, DB. Is that it for hols for this year or might you escape somewhere for half term?

Am just going to post this and then do some more. Am paranoid about losing it, I seem to have a knack of losing posts recently.

And I just lost one! Grrr.

I didn't mean money was no object, Trace, I meant that all you need for the project probably isn't sitting around in a bank account. Doh. It's lovely to hear that you love your job. Such a rare thing to hear!

I was looking at a book with DD1 this morning and there was a picture of a judge. I said "Oooh, he wears a wig like Daddy," and she was horrified and insisted he didn't and really cried. Unfortunately, DP wasn't around to show her that it was no great shakes. The poor child has developed a stammer (or is it a stutter? I don't know the difference, if there is one) - just in the last couple of weeks. It's really marked. I haven't mentioned it as that's my hunch that it's the best thing to do, but I am concerned for her as she starts pre-school on Wednesday and I don't want other kids mentioning it. Any thoughts anyone?

Good luck with the back to work, SL!

WG - a way back you asked about kid friendly motorway services - Moto ones are particularly good as they have nappies/food/microwaves etc.

Effie - an evening meet up is a lovely idea. I know we tried to organise one earlier in the year but after the immediate few weeks I may be able to find a Friday - 23 Sept good for anyone??

Oh lumme, it's half ten. Have some stuff to do before I turn in. Mum bought me some nice red suede ballet pumps last week. Oh man, I would really like a couple of new items for autumn. Heaven knows what.

hello girls

Only just got my computer back after its bath in tea and our holiday. Hope you are all OK. We have the builders in for a new kitchen, bathroom and extension. It will be lovely but we have no back on the downstairs so currently is a bit cold!

Am at work tomorrow but hope it will be quiet so I can catch up then.

Love to all XXXX

lady I often just fling stuff in the freezer and use it when I get round to it but yes, I am quite cat's-bum-face at how much you're wasting

trace that was interesting - I didn't know how big a job a school nurse is.

sybs the extension sounds great - computer in tea less so. M has now thrown two of DH's mobile phones in a cup of tea [schock]

Last two days of the summer hols here - altogether now, yippeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!

Good morning all time for a proper catch up while DD sleeps and DS lounges in front of CBeebies!

Lady Did you have a nice time at your mums? Re:stutter/stammer,I'm not certain but I'mpretty sure that around this age they are quite common. Not sure why. DD still stumbles over her words sometimes. Its almost like her brain is working quicker than her mouth and she can't get it all out properly iyswim. Anyway, I'm sure she will be fine on Wednesday.

trudy Your jelly/jam making makes you sound very domestic goddess. I am far to much of a lazy mare to do it!

vaj Has DS2 settled in nursery now? You seem to have been a bit quiet the past few days, are you okay?

Sybs Welcome back form holiday, was it good? How long will the building work take? I find living in the mess the most depressing thing about having work done. Its the dust it just seems to get everywhere....however, all that said its always worth it onceeverything is finished

Trace That leads me to your houses. In an ideal world I would love to take on the 'project' one and do it exactly how you want it. But the reality with 2 children is that due to me being a lazy mare and hating the mess I would probably opt for the finished article!

Going to post this bit now DS is wafting a book at the laptop and I might lose this....

Right, book now out of my face!

Kiwi How are you this morning? Did youget hold of any antihistimin spray? Also apologies if you have already said but have you got a house lined yet?

JJ Re: putting DD1 to bed, I'm afraid we opted for the cry it out method, after a few nights DS got the hang of it and now goes to sleep without a peep. Can she get out of her room? We put a stairgate accross the door, he still cried but couldn't actually get out, which saves some of the trips upsatirs.

And rubes Is your mum and friend still staying with you? hope you are enjoying the visit,and hope things are settling back to a normal pace for you. Please catch up soon.

Despite DD being a real stroppy madam I'm actually a little sad that she is going back to school tomorrow, and I'm dreading going back to work. I do quite like my job and will be fine after being back 5 mins and having a breakdown at the amount of stuff I need to do!

Oh and DS I'd say is fully TT'd. All car journeys took about 40 mins longer on holiday due to having to continually stop for the toilet. On the way to Devon I actually put him in a pull up in case he fell asleep & wee'd. But then we got stuck in a traffic jam in Birmingham for an hour and DS refused to wee in it and just screamed "ouch need wee-wee" on and off till we escaped the traffic and could actually stop. How sad being proud of his immense bladder control!

Morning from The Tube of Doom where I am squashed next to an unwashed man who stinks of last nights beer and all the committed around me have their Metros turned to an article with the headline "Working Mothers At Depression Risk".

Lady - sorry to hear O is stammering. I know nothing of treatment buy suspect you are right that it's best not to make her self conscious about it. I suspect wider MN could offer some good advice. And yes my favourite hotel is BH and we had an AMAZING 24 hours courtesy of my estranged step father was has mysteriously come over all friendly and very generous despite the fact we have never ever been close in any way. Most generous present anyone has ever given me.

ZJ - I hope you enjoyed your iron boosting steak. Spatine water sachets mixed in juice are an effective but gentle iron booster. Sorry about your stress last week, did your DH apologise for prioritising the tractor?

Trace - I had no idea you covered so many schools. I am sure that back in my day we had a whole nurse to ourselves. Does that never happen now? What do schools do if a child needs to go to sick bay and there is nobody to look after them? Parents can often take ages to arrive.

Sybs - sorry to hear about your 'puter. Was Nofuck fun? I am doing Couch to 5k at the mo and thinking of you. I am now on week five and actually feel fitter. It's quite an exciting feeling!

Veg - I saw on FB that you have to got rid of one of your cats. Are you OK about that? Is it the fluffy, fluffy one?

JJ - I am glad E is on the mend.

Summer - when is your first day back at work? How do you feel about returning? Are you doing four long days?

Trudy - good job on all the jam making.

Rubes - I hope you are having fun with your mum and that she is helping with the kids more than usual. When are youvdue to return to work?

Spot - I've accidentally deleted my bookmark to your blogs. Can you link again? I googles "blog" and your real life name and another lady with young boys and a nice writing style appeared. I've been reading her all week and just trigger that she is not you!

WG - did you show your DH my post about favouritism? Did it help him to see it happens to others? I hope so.

Right have to go. I was going to bore you with my DC3 planning vs not having dilemmas but you have been dashed by the bell (or Tube stop).

Hello All! Responding to requests for links - here is the house we're looking at. It's literally at the other end of the close. No pics of the inside as it's a total total pit. A poor old lady died in it a few months ago and they literally haven't moved a thing since. It's pretty depressing inside, with even the food going off etc! Anyway, I'm heading in tomorrow afternoon with a builder (who happens to be a friend of mine from uni) to have a rough pricing of how much it would cost to make it a big open plan downstairs and move the bathroom to the front of the house upstairs, therefore changing the size of the two bedrooms on either side, and also doing a loft conversion with ensuite bathroom etc. It could be lovely and a great project for me to have, which is exciting. Sybs - is it that hellish going through it??? We're hoping that we can carry on living where we are until the works are done, but who knows!!!

DB - well done your DS - that's ace. I'm weedy about long journeys and still put DD1 in a nappy for them as she will go in her nappy, but only just. She's back in pull ups at night, though. I couldn't be bothered with changing the sheets! Although now she's got a spare set - in the shape of my old duvet cover from when I was her age! Found it at Mum and Dad's and it makes me quite emotional as I remember it so well!

I'm keen for an evening meet up as well. Hurrah! Can do most nights if it's in Londres.

Trudy (nearly wrote Turdy by mistake!! Potty mind!) - you are amazing with your chutneying and jamming. I am rubbish and in awe. DH makes the chutney in our house. I can't be arsed. Lady - I would be as wasteful as you, I'm afraid. Am rubbish!

Lady - re the stutter, I've heard it's quite normal too. They are so excited about being able to talk that they can't get their words out quickly enough. DD1 does it too, although sometimes she just has to stop and have a long think mid-sentence. I have to stop myself from finishing her sentences for her!!

Arti - how's work going?

DB - think of the freedom of work... AND you can have lunch out!!!! I so rarely do that with DD2 snoozing at lunchtime.

We went to Brockwell Park on Saturday afternoon. What a lovely place! I cycled with DD1 on the back of my bike, while DH jogged with running buggy. Was ace as v slow pace, so my legs weren't too knackered (had done first 5k run in 3 weeks that morning!). Girls loved water park and sand. Then we went to get train home and missed one. So we had chips in a local cafe - best ones I've ever had, I think! Girls scoffed the lot. Then we tootled home and watched a DVD with lots of red wine. Lovely. I'd been a total bitch to DH all day. Felt terrible, so was very loving in a drunken way. I think he thought I was a bit odd! Never mind.

Kiwi - are you ok? You sound v distressed. Thinking of you. xxxx

Beans, you HAVE to buy that house. I would like to buy it myself! It is a total, total steal for the location and whatever you spent on it you would recoup it and more. How exciting!

Thanks for the advice on the stutter. I just don't know why it would start now, she was a really early talker, but maybe she is stressed...I really hope not.

Arti, that sounds lovely of your stepfather, how nice that he seemingly wants to be closer! Does he live in London? How do you feel about it? Am dying to hear your thoughts about DC3. In my heart of hearts I know three for us would be a bad idea but I would still sort of like another one. Hmmmm.

DB, bet you will soon get back in the swing of things with work. How long do you think you will do it for? I know before you were thinking of maybe doing something else, think you still will? I am applying for a job which is 30 days a year. It it totally pie in the sky and nothing like I have done before but I really fancy it. Part of me thinks it's not even worth applying as I haven't got half the experience, but another part of me thinks it's worth a whirl. I had a fab time at my Mum's, thanks, as always. How is your Nan getting on these days?

Your works sound quite extensive Sybs, but keep in mind how lovely it will be when it's all done and dusted (literally!) - think of, for instance, Christmas at your house when it's all done.

PS I have just ordered a pair of these shoes for DD1. They are £19.50 in the shop, but have found them on a couple of other websites for £13 + £3 P&P. I am going to go online for them. Cheeky shop eh??!

Ooh, Lady - crossposted! I want to buy it too. And DH is coming round. He wasn't 100% sure as he SO wants to be in the country, but to get a 4 bed house round where we're looking is about £500k, which is nuts compared to this one! And we're not unhappy here, blah blah. PLUS the garden at that house is much bigger than our current one, which is enormous for London as it is. I am so so keen to. PLUS it's in catchment (ie. right next door) to a Grade 2 Ofsted school. And a good secondary school for girls nearby - although think we'll be well gone by then! Although it's an independent school, but we're hoping to afford that for secondary. Fingers crossed!

Ooh exciting beans let us know what the builder says and whether or not it could be a goer.

Lady funny you should ask about me changing direction work wise. I had a chat with DH about it all yesterday. Until DS gets settled in pre school nx year I won't do anything. But yes I am still thinking about teaching.

Also forgot to add I have started my diet again today. I am so fat its actually getting me down. I think part of my strains in running are due to the fact I'm too heavy and am putting to much pressure on joints/muscles. My friends have arranged a big girls night out in a few weeks and I don't think I'm going to go. They are all so slim, inc the ones who've had children. I just really feel like the fat frump dragged along as a token gesture and as a result I'm quite miserable when I do go out. Which is ridiculous and also the opposite of how I used to be. Anyway, I'm not going to moan but get off my fat arse and do something about it. I'll keep you all posted!

Can I do this in the 4 mins I have before DS goes up to bed?

So much house-moving and renovation going on - hope everyone gets what they're hoping for. We moved into our (rented) house in December and I'd be happy to stay here for a good long time. We're in catchment for the best high school in the county, but because DD is at the connected primary school and the high school clings on fiercely to its own and has whatever status it is that lets you set your own admission criteria, she should be fine to get into the high school even if we moved to Outer Mongolia. All that should also mean that M's admission to the primary school in two years time is a formality.

Deids I'm also feeling whale-like. I was 11st 10lb this morning, and am on a mission to lose a goal by Christmas. My main tactic is to eat smaller portions and eat only when I'm hungry. I know that sounds too obvious for words, but I will cheerfully eat if food is put in front of me whether I'm hungry or not. I was doing well til a wheat-intolerant friend came round today and I made flapjacks for her. I didn't pig out, but I did have two as they are just so good I'm going to look at Couch to 5k but I think lack of running shoes or budget to buy any will be something of an obstacle.

Arti glad you had such a lovely time courtesy of your step-father.

Lady good luck with the job - always go for these things.

Okay, that took six mins. One little boy is off up to bed!

DB, I feel just as you say. Precisely. I am still low carbing and the weight loss is infinitesimal (better than nowt, I suppose!) But the fact is, until I team it with some proper exercise it's not going to shift (in fact, even then I have my doubts whether it will shift, but I am trying to keep an open mind). It does actually slightly put me off socialising as well.

Fingers crossed for what the builder has to say, Beans! Am excited for you now.

Trudy, could you stretch to buying a mini trampoline at Argos? They are about £20, you don't need trainers and it's easier on your joints! Bet you could get a doozie on Ebay for even cheaper.

I really want to get mine out of the shed but the thought of the rats being in there, and as likely scurried all over it, makes me feel ill.

Aw, thanks for the interest, Arti, though I fear the other person sharing my name may have more interesting things to say! Here is the link to the general ranty blog, and here to the PND one.

Lady, what's the job? 30 days a year sounds pretty ok, can you say roughly what sector if it's in if you don't want to be too specific? Glad you had a good time at your mum's and I would echo what everyone else says about ignoring the stammer. She may be nervous about starting preschool and this is her way of expressing it.

Feeling fat too. I wonder if it's the no sleep that's to blame? Apparently people who don't sleep much are fatter than those who do, so I'm blaming that rather than the pizza/smarties/red wine combo I enjoyed this eve.

Trudy that sounds fab about the school situation. Sorry about M dropping his nap though, that is bad timing. Could you do an extra morning or afternoon, rather than a whole day? Good that your business is busy, though.

Had both children in bed at 7 this eve, a record. Though am not celebrating too soon as a) B has been up 4 times already, think must be teeth, he has loads coming at once and he's not eating a thing. and b) I sent T to bed with no dinner, bath or stories tonight. Sounds abit mean but he keeps hurting B at the moment and it's not on. It wasn't a random punishment though, he refused what I'd made him and I was buggered if I was going to make something else after a 3 hour drive from my mum's.

His collarbone is still bad and he's not able to do anything physical which is driving him mad (and i think contributing to his aggression towards B). Luckily DP home tomorrow after 10 day absence. We'll both be knackered, but it will be good to see him (and share some of the hideous nights with him).

Forgot to say def go for the house, Beans, you can't fail to make your money back whatever you do to it, esp as it's in a good school area.