Dec 08 Mums - Onwards and bloody well upwards!

[Beans36]

How's this? Thought I'd just press on with it!

[DeidreBarlow]

I think your right Vag, you need a balance between being on computers/outdoors etc. I love my nephews dearly but they are addicted to their computers. Lucky to get a grunt off them. It's all they have ever been on since being very small and it shows. They have no social skills.

However both DD & DS use our phones or DS just make sure we call time on it eventually. But they are a godsend for occupying them on long journeys!

Well, now it seems FIL is to pay for whole meal on his card and we can argue who owes what at a later date! I despair....

[McKayz]

Deids, it might be more of a pain but can't your BIL pay for his on a separate bill? One of my friends did that recently as he was on a night shift and started at 10. So he asked for his meal to be done on a separate bill so he could just pay and go.

[VagolaJahooli]

I should add I personally don't have a problem with other peoples kids playing violent games, its just they make me feel a bit scared, I think I might be a bit of a woose though. I highly recommend the Phineas & pherb game, DS1 plays it with his friends and it isn't just a game where they look at the screen and direct a character around, they have to interact with the person they are playing with and work together to get through the levels. I also love the dancing games.

[VagolaJahooli]

Crikey missed a whole page.

That's nice that they are good with paying for the kids Kayz. We go to yum cha with a few families and we have different amounts of kids. We generally just split the bill per family as some kids eat loads and some hardly any so it kind of evens out. One of the dads who eats loads of meat and has three kids always tries to pay more but I know I physically eat more than his wife does & my DS1 nearly eats his own body weight in rice & noodles, so we and the other family always shout his down. I think he feels bad but I really think everyone would rather just split to save trying to work out all those little yum cha items costs.

DB in all this I feel sorry for your FIL, he just wants to be happy on his birthday, and I guess it must be hard for him with his wife not celebrating. The least his son could do is push the boat out a little on his birthday. It's his 70th for goodness sake, he shouldn't be getting his credit card out at all.

[DeidreBarlow]

Your quite right Vag! DH & I said that we would pay for FIL, but then I got the feeling we were complicating matters. Plus BIL is bringing his twin boys (16). Surely he could leave them at home and thus push the boat out for once! I suspect his wife is behind all this. oUt was all sorted till FIL spoke to them. She is an odd woman but that's a whole other thread!

I don't like the violent games. They are so graphic with the sole purpose being violence & death. Horrid. My nephew was playing one time while I was there. I asked he turn it off or go to his room as DD was captivated and it wasn't family friendly viewing!!

[LadyThompson]

Girls, I just did the longest post ever and it vanished. Weep. Hope to return later.

[LadyThompson]

I am feeling my age today. I took DD1 to pre-school and also took DD2 and stayed to three hours (a ?stay and play?, which you have to pay for but they should have paid me as I was basically another assistant and the kids all ran me ragged), dashed off to an hour long meeting about Friday?s Halloween party, then back to pre-school to get DD1, then home where DP was having a paddy about money (lack of) which lasted about two hours.

I made the celeriac gratin last night, it was worth the ball ache. Yes Rubes, I do make the odd savoury thing on the sly these days (but only things I either love to make, or love to eat). It?s the baking and caking I can?t do, largely because I don?t care to eat it. Tech stuff ? I hate to see kids surgically attached to a DS or whatever, but as others have said it is all about balance. Which your kids will undoubtedly have because your DS is already passionate about cars and trains round a track, and there is no way he will not end up dotty about bikes like your DH Computery stuff is important and is likely to become more so, and there is no doubt it?s often educational. Like anything, it?s just if they do it to the exclusion of all else.

I think we have been fairly slack on tech stuff. Mainly because we are skint these days. We have one good laptop plus two which barely work. I am not moaning, I am grateful for those! The girls aren?t interested in ?em as yet. DP sometimes shows them things on his smartphone but again they?re not that jazzed. I don?t let them use my BlackBerry because it is in a hideous state of disrepair and I don?t get an upgrade until Feb ? also, I couldn?t bear the nagging. Am I mean? Wow, reconditioned iPads for £50?? Tell me more! I would like one for Christmas, as would DP (that?s about our price bracket at the moment!) What are they good for?

DP is more conflicted about these things than me, even though he is more interested in technology than us girls. Same with telly, he limits their intake and frets no end about it. I watched loads of telly as a kid, my parents didn?t once comment. Or tell me what to do generally. Yet I also read incessantly, played out on my bike, couldn?t have been more happy and stimulated doing a wide variety of things etc. DP?s upbringing was far more regimented and I don?t think it has worked as he is a terrible self-motivator and I am a good one

Indith, my Blackberry costs me £13 per month for unlimited texts, calls and data. Which is a v good deal but doesn?t beat your £5 for three months You know also that we live in a village sans gas. I find it a pain. I tell everyone we live in the Land That Time Forgot. You are good, doing your school application. I need to get a wriggle on as it ends in Nov in Oxon.

The dress is Nicole Farhi, pale green silk, spaghetti straps, low back, silk roses above the bum. Quite long. It?s lovely, but it?s a 10 and I am a 12. It fits, but??doesn't look as good as it could. Also, what shoes/bag? Black shoes and black bag (both sequinned), green satin sandals and bag (similar green), or silver bag and shoes. Or none of those?

Kayz ? breakfasts ? I am going to shock you all. DD2 eats toast, dry cheerios, bananas. DD1 has chocolate digestives on school days. Or dried fruit. Or occasionally dry cheerios. I can?t get her to eat anything else for love not money and digestives are wholegrain so I just think sod it, at least she is having something. Sometimes she will have Nairns oatbiscuits instead.

Hons ? sure I can give you a clue about my potential date. He was in the most famous band in the world, he has recently married for a third time, and he did two high profile gigs this year. Yep ? HIM. He must be a frillionaire! If I?d got together with him I would not have been reduced to selling my old pants on Ebay. YES! I have even sold pants.

DB, that?s nuts about that meal. How depressing! Thing I hate about not having money is not being able to pay for everyone as much as I like to. But however impecunious I was, I would never split a bill like that ? such bad form! Especially on a 70th!

More later as I have to do the DDs? supper. And then we are having Cabbage Surprise for supper. The surprise being that there isn?t anything else to eat with it except Quorn sausages which I am BORED of.

[spotofcheerfulness]

Lady I am a total dimwit as still can't imagine what the biggest band in the world is. Any chance of some initials? Also, your cabbage surprise sounds like something Baldrick would dream up. Sorry! Sounds like you've had quite a day of it, though .

BEans I hope you got through today. I've been thinking of you a lot.

Tech-wise, we are nowhere, but I am letting that come in its own time. We are also skint due to job stuff so kids will not be getting loads this Christmas but I am planning on scouting around on ebay and in the local chazza shops as I reckon there are some areas around here you can get a pretty good haul if you keep your eyes open.

Really good to hear about balance bike success. T is not the world's most coordinated child (mahoosive understatement) but is ok on that so will maybe try and find a basic second hand bike for Christmas and not bother with stabilisers.

Big news here - I have a job interview! It's for one I'd really like as well. There are a few issues though - it's not paid enough for it to be the only wage in the house, it's full time and it's based in Olympia! I'm going to go for it though, and ask at the interview if they're open to working from home a bit of the week - at least I'd get to see the kids at lunchtime and dinner time a couple of times a week that way. Thing is, it's the first interview either of us has got, despite applying for jobs every day, so I feel a lot is riding on this.

Also planning on launching my book next week. Eek!

DP's birthday today and he's ill. Feel like I'm coming down with it too. Kids been ill this week as well - it's definitely the season.

I do feel like I'm settling into the village a bit more - had a playdate this morning and afternoon. No amazing bonds yet, but pleasant enough people to have a cuppa with and that's a good start.

[spotofcheerfulness]

Sorry, that was very me me me .

[Honsandrevels]

Wowsers ladyT! If I'm guessing properly that's very impressive! He seems lovely but with very bad hair.

Deids Bill splitting is such a pain. We have friends (a couple) who want to pay individually when their stuff was cheaper and divide equally when they've had steak and lots of booze. They never tip either. So embarrassing.

Spot Well done getting an interview!

[spotofcheerfulness]

Oooooooo, just worked out who it is. Gorblimey!

[McKayz]

Bloody Hell LadyT!!! That has got to be the most famous man in the whole wide world!!!!!! Geeeez

I was well impressed with my Heartbeat actor

[LadyThompson]

Yeah, but I didn't go! In a way I wish I had (only to meet him, not to marry him). But his relative was very pushy and I just found it all a bit much. And I felt slightly uncomfortable with the fact that she had "told him all about me" (saying what, I wonder - I suppose that I was a vegetarian widow )

When's the interview, Spot? Yay! Now listen my dear, keep applying for other things in case it doesn't come off. Not that you aren't fabulous and anyone sensible would be lucky to have you but it's all about ironS in the fire.

No cabbage surprise - DP has rustled up something more exciting

Hons, your pals....no words. That is excruciating.

RT - we are just about to watch Bake Off. DP loves it. I somehow get sucked in to these cooking progs.

Beans, I hope you have had plenty of champs to toast your lovely Dad.

[LadyThompson]

I have got various other things to say to other people but supper's nearly ready. Wowzers, I am ravenous. Another busy day tomorrow.

Anyone reading anything good?

[JamInMyWellies]

Bloody hell Lady that beats all my celeb stories

[JamInMyWellies]

I am reading the crapest book in the world at the mo. But after a FB convo with the lovely Indith I have just downloaded all the Anne of Green Gables books.I am going to redevour them on my trip to NY.

[VagolaJahooli]

Rolf Harris? Just joking, the only one I can think of is the chap who did the queens jubilee & the lympics closing ceremony, and he has dabbled in some classical stuff in decebt years. Likes ebony & ivory.

I love celeriac, looks so ugly but so yummy. What is the gratin recipe? Is it online? I think the silver or black, but silver most.

I have an 8 km race this weekend and I'm quite looking forward to it. I'm running it with the girls who I run with who have only started running since spring. I'm going to try to pace them up to a decent time. I'm so proud of them, its their first race and its a long one for a first. They have done really well I think to go from nothing to 8km in less than 6 months. It will also be nice to do a race with other people and it ends in a stadium so that's nice. DS1 has a little race too and it also ends in the stadium but I won't get to watch him because it starts just before mine.

[VagolaJahooli]

Crikey how did I miss the last hours worth of posts. Must refresh more. Yay for the interview Spot

I snogged a guy at school who is now a sports pundit type person with the World service...that's it, that's all I've got. He's very sweet though and I was a bit jel when I saw a photo of his house now. He lives in Ireland now as his wife is Irish and they live in a gorgeous place in the countryside. It has a driveway!

[SummerLightning]

Blimey what a lot of chat!

beans I hope today went ok or as ok as can be expected

ladyt wow at your near date. Super duper famous! Is is bad that I laughed at you being described as a vegetarian widow? I have no famous stories. DH says Cameron Diaz smiled at him at LA airport, the way he goes on about it you'd think he got to date her or at least snog her but no, he is very proud of it though, what a saddo.

I do think this thread has a lot of people who know more than average famous or famousish people. After all mr kiwi and mr wg are sort of famous, and ladyt's DH of course as well.

On technology stuff we let the kids use ipad and computer and phones and stuff, but they are not mega into it. We don't really do games consoles, but expect we will as the kids get older and can ask for it. Violent games - I have to say I was a bit when I saw rubes saying that her DS played Grand Turismo. Then I realised that this was not the same as Grand Theft Auto , you know where you get to shoot prostitutes and deal in crack and stuff!
I quite like that one though...not so keen on Grand Turismo.

Blimey on the stingy bill splitting stuff, I hate that sort of thing too. Though I do usually just exact split it when out with friends rather than one person paying. And we always try and pay when out with my parents and usually fail.

Indith I am going to be the voice of dissent and say I reckon the advent calendars is ok. Well i would try and dissuade if it wasn't ideal for me (no space, and would prefer a proper present, etc), but i don't think it's THAT bad and if dissuasion didn't work would just put up with it.

spot that is such good news about the interview, good luck, and hope they are up for home working a bit. Cool about your book too.

Good luck in the race vag

Cabbage surprise being something Baldrick would think up made me larf! My friend used to make something called Cabbage Surprise from Annabel Karmel for her DD, and DH and I would always at it!

kayz on breakfasts, for all I moan about DS's eating, he will eat almost any breakfast so sorry can't help on that one! Literally stuffs his face with any cereal or toast. i reckon it's why he's a bit chubby despite eating badly at any other meal.

Good books, no. I am reading Ken Follett's latest epic as it was cheap on the kindle and it was quite gripping (but trashy) to begin with and now it's just got a bit tedious. I did like Pillars of the Earth but even that was a bit of a guilty pleasure so I should have known better really.

[SummerLightning]

Oh I also wanted to say that with first gen ipads - be careful in that they don't support upgrading to IOS6 (newest version of apple OS). So gradually apps might not be so well supported on IOS5, and they will start to become obsolete. However, we have one so hoping it doesn't happen too soon! And for 50 quid I would get one if I didn't have already.

[Rubena]

Indith, I don't think you were being mean. I just know that I ramble and it tends to come out not sounding like it's suppose to Ive always been paranoid about people disliking me or finding me offensive because of that.
I would never let my kids play / watch anything violent. It's just Car Racing around a track, nothing like the other game SL almost mistook it for, and he isn't glued to it. We had a 4 hour walk yesterday and he learnt about how the locks on the canal work - although A trolly dolly from my neck of the woods probably not the best teacher
Veggie, see I've done it again. I didn't mean he can actually read the story, I should have said he "tells her a story" He gets the books (she always wants the same ones) and since he's heard the story so many times read to him, he knows how it goes roughly, and together with the pictures he makes up the words / story to her.

Beans Hope its OK

[Rubena]

Oh, and SL, I haven't seen an Ipad for £50! I was talking about that I had seen Ipod touch on ebay & refurbished NintendoDS in HMV.
Lady. V impressive potential date. Remind me to tell you the goss I heard about his ex!
I have no famous dating stories, although my bro's ex dated Peter Andre before him Big wow. Had to deal with an unruly Ms Winehouse once though.

[LadyThompson]

It's me who thought you'd seen an iPad for fifity quid Darn, I wish you had.

And don't worry - your DS is into all sorts of activities as I have seen many times, and I am sure everyone else realises that too! I tell you what, you have flagged up how I need to raise my game a bit with the girls re: computery stuff.

Sorry, I wasn't trying to upstage everyone re:potential date, I just wanted to make you all laugh And no, SL, it isn't wrong to laugh at me being described as a vegetarian widow (quite a niche appeal, now I think about it) Anyway, RT snogged J. Donovan. That impresses me more.

Gotta dash, taking FIL out xxx

[DeidreBarlow]

Ladyt, get you and your 'almost date'. . Sadly my famous stories only extend to some randoms off Hollyoaks when I was at uni. Ha ha, my phone just predictive text 'Hollyoaks' as 'bollocks'! Brilliant!

Oh Rubes I loved Peter Andre...once...ahem. Did I actually just admit that? Ha.

[McKayz]

Right I beat all of you with famous stories.

I am doing my family tree and I am descended from William the Conqueror. Slightly illegitimately but still!!!!