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.

DB, couscous, pasta salad, sausage rolls, chicken nuggets, pasties, mini ploughmans. Oooh am hungry now.

AAA, I share your lack of dryer problems but feast your eyes on this baby. I have one and have recommended it so many times. Everyone loves it. If you pop a load on at night it is dry by morning and only costs 3p / hour to run. It's a lifesaver.

Any news on the offer Beans? Am unable to ring as my phone is flat out of charge but will call le weekend and carry on our convo from yesterday.

Vag, I would love to meet you when you are in the big smoke. I can do any day with enough notice though Thurs and Fri evenings best as I have work the rest of the time and so have to lay off the sherries a bit as I am too old for a hangover at work.

Talking of old, I am 42 next week. Same day as Lady T's nephew je crois. How did I get to be 42? It feels so old, though I feel about 26 inside. Don't bloody look it though. I am as grey as a badger, but can't have my hair done as we keep passing head lice round the girls in the family. I can't bear the shame of the hairdresser finding one. Yuck!

Lunchboxes - cheese and crackers, hummous and carrot, raisins, yoghurt etc. I am too lazy to do it every day so it's days out only.

L back at school after her disastrous year last year. Spangly new teacher and all was going swimmingly til I saw her this am. I reckon about 4 months gone and so will leave at Christmas. Bloody brilliant. Thrilled for her but such a pain for us.

Happy Friday everyone.

Wow, I love that clothes dryer. Just what we need (another drier-less household). It doesn't set itself on fire, does it?

Well DS1 was sent home early from day 1 of school after being sick and I sent him again today in fear and trepidation (no temp, just wound up I think) and he was fine. I forget how worried he gets at change, as he's so confident in familiar situations. He's found a little friend and his teacher seems really nice. Still I'm glad it's half days to start with, though he's impossible in the afternoons and mooches about whining like a teenager about playing computer games .

Vag: I can usually do Thurs or Fri evenings in London :).

Effie, I should be on commission from lakeland as I have suggested the dryer to so many people. It is a revolution. It makes the room warm but has a nice fat fuse so will cut out if there is a problem. Sorry to hear DS1 is wobbly. DD2 goes on MOnday and I will be a basket case but hope she can hold it together. They are still so very young aren't they? It seems a world away from when they were wee.

Talking of which, I am fascinated by all the talk of no 3 on the thread. It was rather thrust upon me (ooer) and so I ended up with 3 by default but would not change anything. My young fellow is splendid. His sisters adore him. DH and I are besotted. He is a very laid back, happy, gregarious child, so used is he to other people and, to an extent, to being ignored a bit. He just slots in, is as happy in his own company as with others and is very cuddly. I couldn't go for no 4 (too old, poor, incontinent etc) but could eat my no 3.

Happy weekend everyone.

AAA I don't have a drier, and since moving I don't have a huge conservatory/drying room either I have a system that involves one drying rack in the utility room and another over a hot water pipe on the landing. I often put things outside even if it's a gloomy (but dry) day as I find they dry just enough to finish off overnight on the racks. I drape towels and sheets over the bannister. It's tedious, and I have been known to take the odd load to my parents' to borrow the tumble drier. I'm glad we don't have one though as it would cost a bomb in electricity. It's really hard at this time of year before the heating goes on. I love the look of Sybs' heated dryer but we just can't afford it

Vag we live miles'n'miles'n'miles from London, but I'm sure someone will want to play!

Deids we use the library a lot. M likes it but after a while the temptation to press the lift button and race up and down the stairs overcomes him and it's a race against time to get the books checked out before he makes it out to the road! I can recommend Craig Russell's Lennox series and Jan Fabel series (same author, two different sets of books), the first set in 1950s Glasgow, the second in contemporary Germany or Holland (brain fade). Both are crime/thriller, but very good, I love both series but esp Lennox. Re school lunches I get all twitchy about sugar sitting on teeth (DD's teeth are made of tissue paper) so I don't give juice or yoghurt - shocking amount of sugar in yoghurt. This week DD's had for her 'mains' a Quorn beef wrap (she's veggie), pasta with Quorn ham and pine nuts, and a roll with egg mayonnaise. Other bits have included cheese scones we made at the weekend, a School Bar (a rare concession on the sugar front from me! She's allowed them twice a week), cucumber, red pepper, jelly (okay, so I was a pushover in the first week...), plums, and today she had two pancakes too. I've really gone to town drawing up a list of possible lunch items and DD places her order - it's to make up for having to say no to hot lunches (too expensive - £40 a month!) and so far it's meant she's had a huge variety of foods.

Sybs bad news on the teacher :( Has DD had a difficult time with school so far? I can't dye my hair either as I get a really itchy scalp, even with not using shampoo any more. I'm lucky to have just a very few grey hairs and they're not noticeable, but when they are I'll just have to live with it.

I'm a dryer convert. I have never had one, but when we moved to this house I found we were getting moldy walls around where I hung the washing, and that was in march when it was possible to open a window. We found it necessary to get a dryer. In summer I hang in the sun as much as possible but that has been tricky lately. My concession to try to reduce its use is when the boys are at home I get them to reuse already worn clothes, not filthy ones but just a little dirty, but if we are going out they put clean stuff on. I have gone from washing at least 7 times a week or more to more like 4-5 and sometimes less times a week. So I'm hoping that goes someway towards countering the cost of the dryer. That and the lower heating bill as our house it tiny so the dryer would at least half the house.

DS1 flatly refuses fruit, so no fruit in his lunchbox, but he usually has yoghurt, cheeses, & cream cheese & bread sticks (dairy features quite prominently in all Dutch lunchboxes) & I also make him oat & banana biscuits (no sugar TV & very easy to make) & a sandwich.

I can definitely do the Friday. we are quite pushed for time so I need to lock in a day so I can let DH know. we will have to take turns having a night out while the other stays with the boys. we are staying with friends but feel a bit cheeky asking them to babysit as well. I'm staying in St Katherine docks so can go anywhere really, if being near to a particular train station is best I can do that. DB one day we will meet up :) Sybs it would be brilliant to meet you finally.

has anyone heard from Urbane? I'd love to get our DD1's together again.

Yikes - sorry for deleted post - used a real name by mistake so had it withdraw, but have copied my post beforehand so will re-post (sorry I'm a tool)

Argh, trying to keep up.
Beans, crikey, if dh can do any handywork you could do the lot for under 40K - get a few quotes. We did our 2 bed flat for 18K (and I use the term "we" quite loosely!
Also, have you tried www.localsurveyorsdirect.co.uk/ to get a builders survey? Quite good site I hear.
Vag - I'm knee high back at work that week, but the Fri night is ver ver maybe possible, at this stage, but that's prob my only chance.
LadyT - garden centres, MIL visits, gardening, Windsor castle visit soon, Kew gardens soon etc fancy any of that?.... Will get back to your text shortly x
Tumble Dryer - bought one when preg with ds and couldn't do without since kiddies, plus sweaty lycra from dh's commute - leccy bill up but heating in Winter down here I salute anyone with kids who doesn't own one and use it.

Golly quiet on here today!

All this talk of tumble dries has made mine break! Best root out my clothes horse.

Been v good diet all week so am going to treat myself to a V & T, should be a G but haven't been able to stomach it since my 18th.

Same here DB!! G&T beyond the strength of my guts after puking episode in youth.

Would v much like to meet you, Vag, am hoping can do that Friday. Am typing this on parent's sofa with v fat cat pummelling my very full bladder while purring and dribbling. It's usually a vicious bugger. Probably hungry!

Off to bed. Sweet dreams xxx

Had a lovely evening, friends over for dinner. DH made an awesome meal and I managed to match up a couple of lovely reislings with DH's spicy tom yum soup & hot stirfry. He also mixed up some tasty caprinias to accompany my chocolate mousse cake and mascapone. Mmmm it was all yum.

DB I'm very distressed about your dryer breaking. Did you guys have a sunny day today too?

Right must to be, am tipsy and sleepy.

hello ladies
No-one around today? Hope you're all having nice Sundays. Vag and deids I hope you're not feeling too groggy from your drinks last night
I would like to come to London and meet you all - too far though
Ladyt and ZJ are we on for next Sat in York? I might need to have P with me but not sure yet. JB can you make it? What about kayz? Lady I'll PM you with my mobile number - ZJ has it already I do believe
Oh, and I have already met ZJ on a few occasions and she is every bit as lovely as you're all imagining...if not a little bit more
Rubes we have a tumble dryer and I like it a lot . I even prefer tumbled clothes to line-dried ones (please don't all hate me!!!) because they're much easier to iron! I find the fresh air makes them crispy! I do use the line when it's good drying weather, mainly to ease my conscience!
Tis exciting about the 08 siblings starting school. It doens't seem 5 mins since L was starting, and now she's a junior Although it was only last week that I realised I hadn't replaced any of her PE kit since she started school , so I asked her if her PE kit was still ok, and she said "kind of, but the shorts give me a big wedgy"!!!! so I bought her some new ones. Let's see how long I can get these ones to last!
Where is superspot? And WG? And it's too long since we heard from urbane. Is she on FB? Or can anyone text her to check she's ok?
I got my flippin period today. I usually have 4-6 weeks bewteen periods and it's only 3 since my last one, so it's taken me by surprise a bit! The coil can disrupt things for a bit so I guess it's that, but the problem is (TMI alert!) that, until I've had my coil check next month, I'm not allowed to use tampons Now, I usually use a moon cup, so I'm wondering if that's allowed, as it doesn't sit as high as a tampon, because I can't bear pads yak yak yak yak yak. Might ring Family Planning in the morning and ask. If I have to wear pads yak yak yak yak yak, then I don't know what to wear for work, because I'm sure the big puffy pad and massive pants would be noticeable through my work trousers! It's hard being a woman sometimes
On that note I shall bid you goodnight
xxx

ooh ooh db I forgot to answer your packed lunch question!
L usually gets a sandwich of either tuna mayo, egg mayo, cheese, ham, salami, chicken roll or jam (only allowed once a week!), plus some fruit, and then sometimes a yoghurt, sometimes malt loaf, sometimes crisps, sometimes cake. Sometimes instead of a sandwich she has chicken drumsticks. Oh and sometimes I do the sandwich as a wrap for a change, and if I'm feeling super-nice I use a cutter to vary the shape of the sandwiches

we're going to need a new thread soon ladies...

is it very bad that I'm getting addicted to a sudoku app on my phone?

Will gladly read more tips on packed lunches - its going to be a struggle working round madam's allergy list and the school's rules. First day of school tomorrow and I think we are just about ready. Has been a mass of build up as there was a school opening party last week and then a home visit from her teachers. DD even ended up with her picture in the local paper. DS had a blast pulling apart their pristine new classroom to pieces.

Have been reading intermittently, but hopeless posting. First and foremost, congraulations to pingu - great news and a lovely name, with new house a bonus!

Vag - if its an evening will happily come out to find you in London - would be great to finally meet you.

ZJ - this is going back some, hate to disappoint you, but Jarvis is nearing 50 (although you absolutely wouldn't think it to see him)! They were pretty much old timers already in their mid-90s hey day

Beans - offer on the house sounds vv exciting - hope it works out for you

Hi all

Wow, slow couple of days on here! Managed to get my two into bed fairly quickly tonight. DD1 fell asleep on the sofa, which was dinky! But has gone to bed ok, with a story about Mr Monster, Mr Fox, Fred the Big Bad Wolf and Owly Oo and a couple of renditions of Winkle Winkle Little Dar and something my Dad used to sing to me, called Roses Whiskers. No idea what it means!

DD2 doesn't get any of that, poor love!

Had a fantastic weekend down in Kent with my parents. Loved it. Could do with another weekend like that, although with more sleep!

Trace - I, too, am addicted to sudoku on my iphone - because of you!!! Thought I'd have a look at it, and I cna't stop doing it. Love it!

DD2 came up to me this morning, with a very telling smell of crap about her, looked me in the eye and said "poo poo". Good words I'm teaching her, eh??

Rubes - thanks for tips on getting price down. Sadly, it's things like moving bathrooms, loft conversion with Veluxes, removing walls and putting in RSJs and putting in new windows and things, so although DH is v good at DIY, he's not really up to Building Control standards!!! Not all necessary works, but to make it really good for resale, then they'll make it gorgeous. Plus somewhere I'd happily live for a couple of years. Although I'd happily live in quite a lot of places! Like the Caribbean.

I am trying to organise a night away sans nippers in November with some of my school friends, and apart from 3 of them, (2 of whom are single!!), it's like I've threatened to cut their heads off, rather than offer them the chance of a lie in!!! Quite extraordinary.

Hello,
Congratulations to pingu if shes reading! What a cute name also loved the photo of both dds screaming/ yawning on fb!
Beans i'll come away with you in november...your silly friends. Sounds idyllic. Your dd2 is a genius. Poo poo, love it. My dd has mastered quacking like a duck - this is the extent of her skills.

Vag i will come to londinium and see you too.
Sorry for lack of posting back at work and determined to not go on mumsnet at work as i know it is fatal for productivity! Work is surprisingly nice and with kids at nursery all day there is less tidying up! Bizarre but at the mo i don't feel more busy.

We have a nightmare with food/packed lunches. Have to provide lunch for tinies. This can be heated but they can't heat: meat (except mince) fish, rice or cous cous. In addition obv heating done in microwave so anything a bit minging reheated this way is out. Then we get home at 615-630 and have to cook tea in approx 10 mins flat or bed far too late. Add in Mr Fussface ds with his refusals and it is a bit of a nightmare. So suggestions welcome here too.
Other suggestions from me for packed lunches: pizza, quiche, frittata, veggie chilli wrap with sour cream (planned for dd but not given her yet, chilli is in freezer ready). Scotch eggs? Rice salad? Home made chicken nuggets (or bought ones). Dips and breadsticks.

Trace thanks for info on coil (going back a bit). Have things settled down now? Sorry dont know on the mooncup front.

Oh on number 3 - i feel no desire whatsoever. Completely feel like im done with all that and i have never felt broody anyway even before my 2 so don't have that either. So must not not get up duff - no no no!

Which reminds me books - caitlin moran - found it funny and readable but a bit self absorbed and her-centric view of the world if you see what i mean. Ie being a womans all about fashion and what you do with your pubes which i can understand but don't really relate to..and a bit blah blah blah i met lady gaga and she's all about feminism and i just wasn't that interested. However i did think her bit about abortion was amazingly brave and honest and i can relate to that a lot with my not wanting number 3 tnough not sure i would do what she did.

Oh and Beans and db sorry but did not really like the snowman. Should not read these types of books as i dont really like them but dh has so many of them! The end was quite exciting thougn!

Also trudy i am reading little gods which you talked about - really enjoying so far! Incidentally i now since my company was bought work for the worlds probably most opposite of an open source software company. Oops summer has sold her soul....for now at least.

Right must go. If you must know (beans) i need a poo poo.

Morning all! Thanks SL - I'd go away with me for the weekend too. But that's because I have to! Hee hee! Your packed lunch thing sounds a nightmare for tinies! That's one of the things I love about DD1's nursery is that it's a day off making her lunch for me!

I have just given DD2 a little fringe trim. She now looks a total geek! Oops. And have cleaned her high chair for the first time in ages. It was manky. I am a slummy mummy! Then she came in for a cuddle and a kiss. She wiped an enormous bogie across my top lip. Quite disgusting.

My sore lump under my armpit is back. Hmmm. I know if it hurts it's a good sign. But man, it's uncomfortable!

Beans did you go to the Dr about your lump? Can't remember the outcome, sorry. If it hurts, could it be a boil or a blocked hair follicle? I would love to go away with you. We would have a blast.

I am so bonkers today. Appalling. I have cried on the builders and had to be sat down and made a cup of tea. I have so much work it is frightening. In additino, the lack of house is driving me insane. I really can't take much more of this, although there is probably another 4 weeks to go.

Oh Sibly we really need to get you some cocktails my love. You poor thing I hate randomly crying at people but what a lovely cup of tea making person that was.

Beans I'm finding myself thinking of you when a random poo event happens in my house. For example DS2 lost half his body weight on the loo yesterday and wanted a look before asking me to "flush it away now mummy".

Summer I might download little gods. Also I think DH likes to think he is making the world a better place by being an ethical hacker (as they are now apparently named, I think they were finding penetration tester a bit too rude) but his company does a lot of work with a company which I abhor and who I am currently boycotting because of their dodgy practices. So your soul is safe compared with his!

Trace I was going to say something to you but I cannot remember, it'll come to me

TV you mentioned head lice, we have a terrible problem with them as the boys have really thick hair. I can only ever get rid of them with hedrin, but I have also recently discovered a lice prevention shampoo & conditioner on chemistdirect.co.UK its dirt cheap & it works. There is lice at DS1's school and for the first time when those things are close by he hasn't picked them up. I actually quite like it as a normal shampoo (for my weekly-fortnightly hairwash) it got tea tree oil in it so a bit wiffy but only while your washing it, the scent doesn't stay. Speaking of nits, DS1 told us a lady came into their class and looked through all their hair. I asked him if she said what she was looking for and he said "ants" I think something might have been misunderstood in the translation there.

I'm shattered today, in general DS2 is quite a good kid but when he does kick off or do something difficult he does it big stylie. I'm finding myself getting angry & frustrated beyond what I should and at times wanting to hurt him. I got so angry at him today that u scared his brother. I think DS1 feared I would do something. I don't want to be a scary mum, I don't know where that has come from, I always thought o would be a chilled easy going mum, but I've just turned out a bit deranged. I fear again I'm breaking these lovely boys that have been given to me.

Sybs - when is your b'day? Happy B'day if I've missed it - I can't keep up since you're not on FB
Vag - loving your drunk updates! Hope to see you sometime when you're over! Will V V much make the effort.
Beans - We did that! We knocked out two major walls ourselves. Mum, Dad, and I (they were over here after our wedding in the US - nice diy holiday for them !) carried 2 walls worth of rubble from the wall down 3 flights of stairs to the car which dh took it off to a public skip about 100 times (not fun) also put in RSJ's as we made it major open plan, put in under floor heating, drained and re-did the central heating, as well as re-doing the entire kitchen and b'room plus completely re-wired the flat. We have a good contact for a leccy guy tho, and dh was able to do all he could himself then the electrician checked it / ok-ed it and certified it etc for hardly anything. Can give you his details if you want? He's a really honest decent bloke. You're on to a goldmine there, whatever you do, so good luck with it and v,v !!
DS had his first proper half day of nursery today. V sweet. Happy to go along etc, pumped about new backpack until he again realised I wasn't staying... Total meltdown clinging to leg type stuff.... I tried to quickly exit while 2 staff prised him off me, then picked up a very excited little boy 5 hours later Played, ate, had fun, only meltdown was coming in from the garden (normal as he does it at home!)
sL I feel for you. DS's nursery has a cook and does a hot lunch plus all snacks and drinks included, plus when I arrived there was a breakfast trolley like room service at a hotel incase he wanted to also have b'fast - crikey, I shall be taking advantage of that in future as I struggle to get him there on time
Suffice to say I have no advice on that but I would stick to cold stuff I guess, as it sounds like a hassle otherwise.

Vag - x-ed. Youre hardly breaking them!! You are v fun & super Mum. The Mum every child wants, truly.
I meant to say, Beans I have had lumps there - and everytime have turned out to be lymph nodes up. Get them checked of course, but don't stress too much.

OH and lovely to have family here and GRR at times too !