Dec 08 Mums - We wish you a Merry Christmas and a HAPPY NEW THREAD! And lots of lovely birthdays!

[Beans36]

Here is a new one - let's hope it's a happier one for us all. xxxx

beans that is super wonderful news!! Hope he recovers from the pneumonia quickly.

I got my secret santa today!
'tis under the tree, very exciting.

A friend sent DD and Ds a playmobil nativity today through the post, DD (still off nursery as she did another vom this morning) having great fun throwing baby jesus out of his manger and ripping the roof off the stable. I am feeling a bit better but still off work - boo, hope am better for Xmas. Hope you are better too rubes. DD just so cute at the moment. I asked her earlier if she wanted a sleep and she said "es" and walked to her room! Ds would never nap without a fight.

Not watched The Programme yet wg. Too ill last night, in bed all evening, asleep at 9pm, but will try and persuade DH tonight. Gotta do my Xmas ocado order too though tonight.

Salmon recipe not online Zoe, shall try and find it and post it on here

Here it is:

500g Le Puy Lentils
250 ml red wine
750 ml hot vegetable or fish stock
530g sunkissed tomatoes in oil, drained and oil reserved
2 bunches salad onions, trimmed and sliced into 2cm lengths
2 cloves garlic, crushed
6 salmon fillets, skin on
300g cherry vine tomatoes, cut into 6 sprigs
470g washed spinach
20g mint, leaves shredded
2 tbsp red wine vinegar

Instructions

Preheat oven to 180 degrees, gas mark 4. Rinse lentils and simmer in a large pan with the wine and stock for 15-20 mins, until tender.
Heat 1 tbsp of the reserved tomato oil in a frying pan with an oven proof hangle.
Gently fry salad onions and garlic until softened. Remove and set aside.
Add another 2 tbsp tomato oil ato the pan and fry the salmon, skin side down, for 4-5 mins. Add tomatoes to the pan and season. Transfer to the oven and cook for about 10 mins until salmon is opaque and just cooked.
Drain any liquid from lentils, add the reserverd salad onion with the spinach, in batches and cook 1-2 mins. Stir in the drained sunkissed tomatoes, vinegar and mint. Season to taste.
Server salmon on a bed of the lentils and garnish with the roasted vine tomatoes

My Secret Santa arrived! I'm afraid I ripped into the parcel, not realising what it was . It's a beautiful pop up Christmas book and the boys love it too - the doves are now on our tree . I can see it diffusing many tantrums!

Hooroo from Oz. Yay beans what a lovely Christmas gift for you all. Hope he recovers from the pneumonia. Are they expecting he will be home by the big day?

Bleeding heck what is going on with the NHS!!!??? A doctor who checks a pulse with her thumb another one who weighs a baby with the scales set on a mattress and a midwife who has no faith in her own assessment. On that last one, ZJ I would contact the hospitals PALS office and make a complaint and ask if you can not be seen by her on the grounds that you do not feel confident in her care. Cant hurt to ask? I'd hazard a guess that her colleagues would quietly thank you for it.

DB sorry your mum had the fall and horrified that she spent so long being assessed. Was she given pain relief while she waited?

WG I loved the programme going to watch it again later.

SL sorry about the dodgy belly.

On the meat no meat dinners. DS1 loves meat but DS2 not so much so I make spaghetti & meatballs with red lentil cooked into the pasta sauce. That way I can load one meal up with meatballs and the other with only a couple but with protein in the sauce. You can also add quinoa flakes to pasta sauces or soups or anything that needs thickening, to up the protein level. They only take about 90 seconds to cook and basically disappear into the sauce. Just throw in a handful towards the end of the cooking. Green beans are high in protein so making soups or meals with those in help.

Having a nice time seeing friends but all a bit hectic. The boys are starting to find it all a bit hard being dragged around and presented to new people. Thankfully a lot of friends have kids so that helps. But I should have organised to get my nieces to spend sometime with us before Christmas to help the boys as they adore them. But they will see them soon. We have Christmas with my family soon. That should be interesting. We will all be together for the first time in 16 years and the last time my brothers saw each other they had a huge fight and haven't spoken since. I am also meeting my new SIL (the wife my brother left his previous wife for, I am quite good friends with his ex) for the first time, she is apparently dead set on getting the boys to talk about their argument. So all should be interesting. DH is all set to wisk the boys out of the house to play outside at the first sign of trouble. But I'm sure we will all survive and worst come to worst we have 16 days in Asia to look forward to.

Morning all....2 more days at work and that's me till the new year, can't wait!

vag Sounds like your having a lovely time. Yes mum did get some paracetamol, and it is broken in two places. She's a trooper though and is getting by,although I have to go round later and dye her hair....she is concerned about having grey coming through for Christmas

WG I have to say how utterly FAB DP's programme was! Even DH loved and that in itself is very high praise as he never likes anything!

ZJ I would defo ask to see another MW. When my mum was a MW she was always aware of the 'weak links' in the team and often ha patients ask not to see certain ones. Like vag said her colleagues would probably be aware of her.

lady How is DP?? Sounds awful poor man. I hope you are holding up okay too, has your mum and sister gone back now?

Sybs My two have been horrible these past few days. the weather has been foul and so they haven't been able to get out much and as a result are way too excited for Christmas with too much energy which means they place nice for 10 minutes and then spend the next ten trying to pull each other's heads off...arrgghh!

SL Hope you are on the mend and feeling better for Christmas.

Its all gone bonkers here. DS1 sent home form school with flu on Friday I succumb on Monday and now DS2 has it. Everyone is going stir crazy. The boys are now playing musical statues to christmas music while I try not to cry into my pancakes as it feels like I am swallowing razor blades. Thank god for nuromol.

Happy Christmas all.

Oh and I should add they are rewarding themselves with a quality street sweetie everytime the music stops which is often as we are listening via spotify and our internet connection is rather haphazard.

Deids you come from strong stock. Your mum has just delt with the loss of her mum, complicated by the whole being in another country when she became ill. Then came back sorted out a memorial, and now has to cope with this! She is quite remarkable.

DH's family are lovely but quite strange in the way they interact. We have been staying with them the last few days but they never seem to be around and now tonight his brother really wanted to play with the boys so I made sure DS2 had a daytime sleep so he would be in good spirits when his brother got home. But as soon as he came home he went straight back out again. He'd said he would be getting takeaways for us all but got one dish then promptly left so I whipped something up for the boys (the one dish he bought back was full of large pieces of broccoli ) so at least they would be fed when he got back. I figured then when he was playing with the boys later, I could eat some of the takeaway (DH had to do a big conference call thing for work so would be busy with that). Unfortunately DS1 mysteriously vomited up his dinner just as both BIL's arrived back so I rushed him upstairs for a quick bath and threw DS2 in as well. DS1 felt loads better after the bath but when we came downstairs no one was about. I figured they had popped out to get more takeaway so settled in to wait. We couldnt work the TV so were stuck with one boring channel. Finally DH finished his call at 9pm, he called his brothers and they were over at the other brothers house and asked if we could come over there at 10pm when the baby wakes up for its next feed!!! Wtf! The boys were shattered having been awake waiting, but were asking for their uncles as I had promised they would be around to play. Instead we had been stuck watching boring Tele. Anyways DH has gone to see the clearly more interesting baby and I am completely baffled as to why they didn't want to spend time with our boys esp as I'd planned the day around it as far as getting DS2 to sleep, and well we've only fricken flown from the other side of the world to see them.

Vag how bizarre!

Have just received my secret santa one of the gifts says to open away from small children, intriguing. Am being good and putting away until Christmas day.

Hello all lovelies! How are you? Sorry have been a bit quiet of late. Have been to see Dad yesterday as he's still in hospital and quite possibly will be for Xmas, but if not, he won't be strong enough to go and stay with my sister and also to have my littles around for a visit. Poor him. And poor Mum. It's not pneumonia, as it turns out, but something called pneumonitis, which is a side effect of the chemo. A bit of a blow as he's not terribly well and it may mean that they have to stop the chemo, or certainly change it, as his lungs are pretty damaged. Bugger. But we don't yet know the full extent and he's getting some blood test results later. Ho hum.

BUT I have just opened my Secret Santa. So sorry to do it early as I know it's cheating, but I just felt I needed a little boost! And WOW did I get one! Who is this lovely SS??? I think I love you! A brilliant brilliant book, that I've been recommended by loads of friends and I'm so excited about reading! AND chocolate galore AND, icing on the cake, in so many ways - A TOY DOG POO! MARVELLOUS! How exciting! Thank you so very very much, whoever you are! AND I've just bought myself a lovely shirt from Oliver Bonas sale, which is a bit of a treat! I thought I deserved it!!

How are you all doing? DH and I went Xmas shopping for his family yesterday, which was lovely. Then he'd booked us into Poule au Pot for a very posh Xmas lunch for the two of us. The girls were in nursery, so we tucked gaily into a MASSIVE bottle of red wine and ate ourselves into oblivion. Was bloody marvellous and we laughed and laughed. Remembered why we married eachother, I think! Poor little Whizzer isn't 100%, but well enough to be at nursery - aaagh! Evil Mummy! But they've got Father Christmas going in there today and she'd be gutted if she missed it!

Vag - I have to say, that is very odd behaviour. Are you ok? Poor you.

Lady - are you ok? Bit quiet!

WG - DH and I loved The Programme - bloody brilliant! AND Gus was in it at the beginning! Brilliant! Just thought it was absolutely smashing! Well done your DH - hurrah!

I am off to eat my lunch.

xxxx

PS Jam - get better soooooooon! xxxx

Gosh Beans you aren' t half on a roller coaster at the moment. Such lovely news about the chemo working followed by worrying news about your Dad's lungs. Where will you spend christmas now? I am very jealous that you went to Poule au Pot. DH and I had some early dates there. I always used to have the pan friend skate wing with black butter and capers followed by tarte tatin (I reckon that their tarte tatin is the best ever). Mmmmmm.

Veg - that is annoying behavious from your BiLs. What did your DH think? I would have been quite annoyed and porpbably made some barbed comments. How does it feel being in Oz? Is it whetting your appetite for a move home?

Jam - sorry that you are ill. I really home that Family Jam are better for christmas.

Lady - how is your DP today? Have the antibiotics kicked in? Might he be in hisptial over christmas? If so do you have others to spend the day with? I hope everything is OK.

WG - we loved Bleak Old Shop. Especially loved your DH's cameo appearances. How did he feel about it? Also how is your coil scare?

On the subject of scares I am three weeks late, have sore boobs and nausea. The thing is that I CANNOT be pregnant. The baby would have to have been concevied through a condom at a very unfertile part of the month. That cannot happen so I have been refusing to test. I am sure its just that I am run down and tired. It is playing on my mind though. Might test tomorrow just to make myself relax.

Arti!!!! WOW! Let us know, won't you?

Lady - I totally missed post about DP not being well - is he ok now?

WG - what was your DH's cameo? I missed that totally!

Gosh I hope I am right about the cameos! Maybe it wasn't him. DH and I thought we saw him in the first scene and then as the vicar at the end.

Jam that sounds awful. Poor you. What is neuromol?

Thx for the kind comments about dh's programme. It's either your cup of tea or not, but there's been some mad vitriol in the guardian about it. Ppl can be so vicious out there.

Suffered 3 hours of soft Play this morning. It is hell but does make my children happy.

Relatives are odd. Sounds like your dh needs to have words with his brothers though vag and point out that they are small children.

Lady T hope dp is doing ok.

Beans thinking positive thoughs for your dad.

Jam fingers crossed you are all in better shape for the weekend!

Arti, wow, that is very late! erm you know you have to poas right?

Bleak was great fun. The write up in my TV guide called it cosy and engaging which I suppose it was. Comfortably funny is good though, not everything has to be new or shocking or cutting edge or whatever. Most of the crap that is supposed to be hilarious new comedy (usually on offer on BBC 3) is utter crap. There isn't enough around that is just plain giggly without trying too hard in the way of Blackadder or Red Dwarf.

Yes arti, you are right. Tiny bit atbeginning and vicar at the end.
Test test test NOWWWWWW, please.

Re my scare, nope all symptoms gone away so much so I completely forgot about it.

Vg -that's mental behaviour. Other ppl are weird

Beans - sorry for the rollercoaster ride you're on. Brings back memories.

Arti get yourself to Boots pronto!

Ooh, test . We're all waiting!

Jam: hope you all feel better soon. I pinched your idea of musical statues and amused the boys for a whole half hour. They have been trying today. Mainly boredom I think - DS2 going bonkers and DS1 inflicting violence on DS2 every chance he gets. Sigh. At least most of the shopping is done - have to collect a duck tomorrow for Xmas lunch and that is it. Only no Quality Street. May have to spring for a tin .

Beans: hope your Dad improves soon.

Vag: that is very peculiar. They're missing out on a lot!

Arti, when are you testing? You have to test!!!

Vag, that is wierd!

Jam, hope you feel better soon.

LadyT I hope DP is better soon.

I am craving washing up liquid I keep sniffing it and very tempted to drink it.

I have some good and bad news. DP has been offered a new job which pays over £1000 more than his current job. That is obviously fabulous. Bad news is that we have had to postpone the wedding. He won't be here so we have decided to get married after the baby comes.

Hope everyone is ok and enjoying the build up to Christmas.

Hello everyone,

Oh I did chuckle at beans's secret santa! I think mine arrived today as I wasn't expecting a parcel. I'm going to get DH to open it and check as I like to wait till the big day!

jam Urgh, hope you feel better soon. Illness at Christmas is grim.

ladyT Hope DP is ok, not got the full details (not being on FB), but sounds grim. Lots of love to you all.

effie Duck! Interesting. Is that traditional in your household?

arti Oh my goodness. Stranger things have happened... do a test to put your mind at rest. I had some very strong pregnancy symptoms when DD1 was about 4 months old but it turned out to be nothing at all.

kayz Get yourself to a sweet shop and get some floral gums. They taste of washing up liquid!

vag I presume they know nothing about how children operate! Very annoying and quite strange.

deids Your poor mum. Who is cooking christmas dinner?

Indulge me with a moan please . I am so pissed off with DH. Firstly the girls woke at 6 which was at least an hour earlier than usual. He was so grumpy and unpleasant and then stayed in bed for an hour whilst I did all the morning duties. He came back from work for 10 minutes before going out on a jolly at his friends and he complained the house was a mess. "If I'd done nothing all day than stay at home this place would be looking tidy". Oh my goodness I am angry! As well as wash, feed, sweep up, etc etc. DD1 and I decorated 4, yes 4 Christmas cakes (two which are going to his relatives), made pizza and played a lot of farm. I feel like crumbling up the cakes into his shoes. Ahhhhhhh, I feel better already.

Hurrah hurrah, finished work for the year! Boo boo, still feeling shit, although went to work today. Still must get better soon, surely. MIL coming tomorrow though, boooo, though I shan't be tooo mean on here .

jolly your DH is an arse. Cheeky bugger. My DH would never dare say something like that as he knows I would probably lamp him one. Am sure he used to think such things though. Which is one good reason I am back at work. Funny though, as he has one afternoon a week off with the kids (works 4.5 days a week) and always makes a massivo fuss before every Weds afternoon about what he's going to do with them. Don't crumble up the cakes though jolly that would be a waste. Can you wee in his shoes instead? (this is standard advice on a mountain bike forum I frequent for something to do to someone who pisses you off)

vag your rellies are weird. That is seriously rubbish!

beans sorry to hear about your dad. Fingers crossed that the results of test are not as bad as you fear. Naughty naughty all this Secret Santa opening, mine is under the tree though DS asked what it was earlier and when I said it was a present for me he said "Why?". Cheeky boy.

jam sounds grim, hope everyone is better for Xmas.
lady hope DP is ok too?

deids hope your mum is doing ok.

kayz hurrah on the new job, but boo on the wedding. Will you lose deposit on the wedding venue?

Right I think I will trot off to bed now. I am seriously hungry but my stomach really hurts too so I don't know whether to eat anything....arghghgh.

No luckily the reception venue are fantastic and have just said to let them know the new date and they can move it as long as its free.

Sorry ladies, been awol...Beans, I saw your news about your Dad and the shrunken tumours and whooped then read the bit about the lung probs - but on balance, it HAS to be good. Maybe he can just have a break from chemo then go back on it again?

And Mr Jolly needs his ears flicked.

I received my Secret Santa last week and sent mine last week too. I haven't opened it yet - am saving it for Christmas Day!

Vag, that sounds a bit challenging...

Arti - woooooo, when are you going to test?? After what you said about living vicariously through my (doubtful) third pregnancy...I am sure you aren't though. I would tell you about my moans about DP but it seems a bit unfair given that the poor chap has been in hospital since yesterday. For those not on FB, he was admitted yesterday with what we thought was a broken foot (he dropped a log on it a few weeks ago) and it was v swollen and sore. Anyway, turns out to be a bacterial infection (cellulitis) which they think migrated from his sinuses, so bizarre. Anyway, they put him on IV antibiotics but they aren't doing anything and the infection is tracking up his leg. I've been in London doing viewings of my flat but I am going home tomorrow morning. He insisted I stay in London as planned but enough's enough and I will get to the hospital as soon as I can tomorrow. It's all such a worry, I feel so sorry for him. So 2011 is still flinging crap about.

Sorry for selfish post, I am on my phone and v tired. Kayz, I liked sniffing nail varnish when I was pregnant with DD1.

WG, I missed the show as my Sky in London was playing up so hoping it's on the iPlayer.

More soon....

Oh, and DB I am so sorry about your Mum's injury. What a painful nuisance.

And hope the illies are feeling better, Rubes, Jam and SL. Right - must sleep!