Dec 08 Mums - still biffing on

[LadyThompson]

Yes, yes, it's a bit lame. I wanted to say: "Still fucking on!" but wary of causing offence....

I know 'biffing' is a bit PG Wodehouse, as well. You'll just have to humour me

Vag I agree with Beans, he needs more interesting work to motivate him! It isn't concentration that's the problem if he applies himself so well at violin. Could you do a project at home on a subject that really interests him? I became mildly obsessed with prehistoric history when I was about 7. I've always been geeky though .

RT Yellow moon is ace. L made coasters last year for family gifts. Also how about getting her making gift tags with glitter and a seasonal stamper? Other sitting down ideas- playdough, collage, decorating cakes - I can't think of anything that isn't really messy.

Rubes Have you tried any on? That might help you decide!

You make a good point Hons. Is there anywhere that i can try these on? I would buy online I reckon as they both seem cheaper, but not really sure where to start looking for wellies retail?

I meant to say earlier - and Hons reminded me, the same thing, sounds like ds2 is much like my ds and daydreams if he is not challenged / motivated / inspired. My DH exactly the same too

RT I hope this pg goes better for you. How many weeks are you?

Urgh, am still feeling very lackluster. Hope I snap out of this soon. It's multifactorial I think, but all the little thing seem so stupid on their own. Have just realized I haven't been out of the house except to put rubbish out will perk up with dog walk later I suspect.

Rubes I got mine from an independent country shop. The sort of place people buy fishing rods, wax jackets, padded jackets with embroidered pheasants on them!

I got mine from DH for Christmas a couple of years ago.

Are anyone else's DDs driving them princess insane? DD1 just wants to be a princess and get married. And, rather strangely go to a football match to do it!! Driving me potty. She wafts about the house in her fancy dress, boring on about a handsome prince marrying her.

To my great delight, one of my fantastic school friends rang today from where she lives in France, and shes organised a weekend for DH to look after the girls, while she and I go to a local b&b/hotel for the night, then the next day, 5 of my other friends come up and we go for lunch at the local pub, which is amazing! How lovely is that? They want to treat me because I'm having a bit of a rubbish time at the moment. DH has been in cahoots all along and I've had no idea! I'm so touched and chuffed. Feel like weeping, but have done enough of that!!!

PS I think I'm making a slow descent into alcoholism. Just not sure if rose even counts as booze??

I'm right there with you Beans...... Erm I actually questioned your FB update the other day when you said wine was already opened??? Couldn't actually figure out what the problem was with that
PS what lovely friends you have.

Hons, hmmm anything like a big garden centre?

No Princess obsessions here, but I suspect it's yet to come. Right now everything's Dora.

The other car has failed MOT badly and we are royally screwed for a bit as not worth fixing. Going to have to find a way for a new one earlier than planned (Although desperately needed) Wish it was the beginning of Summer as we could hold out. Might be walking to nursery 3 x a week for a bit. I'm going to get fit at least!

Aw, that's really nice, Beans. you definitely deserve it.
How far is nursery, Rubes? Can you hire one for a bit to avoid the expense of buying a new one?
Liked the piece, LadyT, and of course it's made me want to go and live in York and try some of their excellent mushroom cakes .
Someone a while ago asked about my very dull yet epic search for somewhere else to live. However, we've decided that actually the best thing is to apply for jobs and go and live near where the best one pays, thus allowing circumstances to make the decision for us. We realised that it didn't make any sense to think about moving again without knowing what the job situation was going to be like. All the jobs in our field are in London though, so could go full circle again

Rubes can you cycle to nursery?

Loving all the wellies talk, I feel like a walk in the country and a visit to a farm shop now.

Thanks for your reassurance on DS1, its true he is focussed when he is inspired or motivated by something & his teacher was very positive about that, saying if he wasn't then that was a problem. Being a montessori school they are a bit more into letting him go with what he wants to do in a day. But at the same time they need to be sure that he learns to use his time productively. Its just that he is staring into space so much of the time 60%, that it is effecting the important, albeit mundane stuff that he needs to be doing. It's all that repetitive maths stuff & reading that while boring needs to be done. It is quite sweet, we explained why he needs to do this stuff and why its important (was long & involved but worked with him wanting to be a robot scientist one day) and that seems to have been the motivation he needed. Though will see how it is in a month. DH and I were laughing at how easy it is to tell DS1 what to do. If we ever have any issues like this with DS2, any suggestions we make will get a big fat no.

Had a nice night out with DH, we went late night shopping and bought loads of new clothes, all my clothes are getting a bit big. For the first time in a long time I didn't feel horrid and fat trying on clothes in the shop. And even better the clothes actually looked like they thought I would in my mind, IYKWIM. I often see a dress or top and have an image in my head of how it is going to look on me, but then when I try it on the rolls & wobbly bits make the reality a lot different to the fantasy.

Beans, I think that is just wonderful, what a lovely bunch of friends, I'm not surprised though, you would attract only lovely people. Just what you need, turn your back on everything and give your attention to some wonderful women and several bottles of wine.

X-posted, Vag. That is so sweet that a little chat with DS1 is motivation enough. You have done an ace job with him, and there is nothing wrong with being a natural daydreamer. He is such a lovely little chap.

Haha Spot DH actually said if we had only had DS1 we would have thought, after the conversation, that we were excellent motivational, nurturing parents. However, we are very aware, and have been for a while, that DS1 is a very rare specimen of a child, and his sweet disposition is nothing to do with (infact is despite) our parenting. RT will know what I am talking about.

By the way I like your wait and see where the work takes you attitude. It is pretty much the way most of my expat friends here live.

Hi Spot! Great to hear from you. I think good idea too. I can assure you there was no face palming from my end. I raised my glass to you I hope work brings you my direction [selfish me]
Actually we've needed (and talked about) a new car for ages, and what we would get, but have put it off as dh was cycling to work at the time we officially decided to put it off, and later he just started using my old car more an more to commute, when he started working /studying loads and then got unfit again as it just snowballed. When he was cycling to work we had thought we would actually just have the one car when we got a newer one, but now he's going to be traveling further for work (starting next week) and all over to 3 different locations in the week, and Winter etc coming.

The other car that failed MOT won't be going back on the road at all (will be a project when dh is old) as the work needed is more than it's worth! It's really deteriorated.
Anyway, we will look at cars at the weekend maybe as we are both off for the first time in forever.
Nursery is 2.3 miles as I just google mapped it so I guess 30-45 min. Yes could cycle I suppose except DS going through an anti bike trailer stage as he wants to ride solo, but it's not quite practical yet! I could still do it, but I know with my lack of morning organization that we'd end up at nursery by noon as I'm flat out getting int he car so doubt I'd hitch the trailer up and all that. However, I may walk once and decide to cycle after that!

Where is everyone? DD1 at party, feverish DD2 and DS on sofa, DH away scattering his poor old dad's ashes and i am upstairs folding laundry. Happy days.

Hi Sybs! I am having a moment of calm while DD2 sleeps and DD1 smears paint absolutely everywhere creates masterpieces. Hope your day gets more exciting!

ps sorry that came out a bit flippant re your poor DH. Hope it's ok for him

Beans, your friends sound lovely.

Sybs, I hope your DH is ok and DD2. Is she not well?

Very nice to hear from you Spot.

Rubes, my school run is 1 mile each way which is fairly tiring as I do 3 round trips a day. 2.3 miles sounds exhausting.

DH is 27 on Monday, which means I'm nearly 27 so nearly 30. I am already thinking of things to get DH for his 30th.

Hope everyone is ok.

Oh no! Chinese take away line engaged! Disastrous. So hungry after a massive walk and gardening all afternoon! And pitifully small picnic sandwich for lunch. Dribble!
Sybs, is your DH ok? X

Beans, I'm hearin that. If it was Thai, I'd be livid.
Kayz, Crikey, 3 round trips? 6 miles a day? Why 3?
Sybs, hope DH ok too.
Is there any talk of meetup before Christmas? I think the planning should begin.
I'm toddlerstyle giddy about Christmas this year! (Mainly as my family are coming) but I do love Christmas in England!

Rubes, I have to take DS1 in the morning, DS2 at lunch to nursery and then pick them both up.

Morning all
How are you on this fine morning?
Think we're coming to the endgame with Dad. Mum is very scared. DH going down today to help her move his bed downstairs as he's too breathless to get upstairs now. Can't really chat much either.
Such bad timing on us getting this dog. I don't really want it for the next few weeks, plus DH's sister is due her baby this week, so MIL won't be able to deal with the kids and dog for me if everything starts going downhill now. Shit shit. Think we need to look at getting a nanny for a bit. I don't really want to, but don't think we will be able to muddle along...

PS I meant the dog is bad timing, not Dad!!! that sounded terrible!

Beans - if you explained the situation to the dog breeder would they not keep it for a few more weeks? It is worth asking. I think a nanny sounds a good plan. I'd try and find someone now so the girls can get to know them. I'm so sorry that your dad is deteriorating. Big hugs.

Beans speak to your beeder am sure they will hanf on for a bit.

Do you need help? I am not far away can take the girls of your hands for a bit if you need help.

Beans - are you using sitters.co.uk? Would it be worth striking a relationshop with one of the girls now so you can call on them at short notice? Many of them do daytime as well as evening sits. Am sure breeder will also hang on with dog. As a dog lover, she would prefer the dog to go to a calm home in a few weeks rather than foist dog on you when you are not ready. Thinking of you all. Huge hugs.

How is the sickness RT? Did you sort out the skipping rope in the end?

Thanks for kind words re DH. He is fine and said it was all peaceful on the beach in Yorkshire. Home at tea time. Kids and I off to Asda to get wherewithal for welcome home cake.

Do you realise we have been going for over 4.5 years? Result. I bloody love this thread.

Have a great Sunday. Love to you all X

Beans Sorry to hear your dad is worse. Def speak to dog breeder. You've got so much on at the moment. How's your heart now? Has everything settled?

I've got J's bug and spent all yesterday in bed. DH took the girls to an open farm and they had a wonderful time. It was lovely cuddling then when they got back all cold cheeked and fresh-airy.

Sorry to read about your Dad Beans. We had to delay picking up our puppy after we'd bought her, and the Breeders were fine. When are you suppose to collect your pup and how old will it be?
Garden Winterisation began today, but ended up just going silly cutting back stuff rather than cleaning toys and putting stuff away
Kayz, crikey, that's good exercise! I think we will go and look at cars this week but I'm liking the idea of exercise I can't avoid
I've got out of working on Tues (fingers crossed) so that has solved a transport issue there, however I didn't exactly get out of work for such reason
Sybs I was thinking the same and may have actually chatted to LadyT about the longevity of this thread on Monday - did I lady or was that just in my head

I'd love to see more of you lot in real life though!
Strewth, on review, I'm a bit smiley-face happy!