Start your runners (talk) and your new jars of Jam, 'tis the season-almost.

[Vagolajahooli]

Here we are ladies, time for all that talk of christmas table runners and chrissie deccy colour combos. And will we be getting some new Jam in this thread! Maybe not quite.

hope tests are nothing kayz. ds has an umbilical hernia. Dh practically dismissed it despite my panic. Think it's closed up now. I'm sure they'd have called your dad in earlier for anything serious.

I'm so fed up of this house fiasco. dh just will not communicate like a normal person with his mother. So I've just left her a message breaking it down for them. I was not mincing my words sorry but they dance around effing everything - not surprised the 90 year old vendor is effing pissed off. will wait for the fireworks later. get to the bloody point people!! I can't bare it! dh shattered. On leave and worked half day in Essex yesterday and in Bournemouth today. Nearly fell asleep in ds's second nativity performance last night (at 5pm) and ds pissed off as he didn't see dh clapping. (he was in a sleepy way)
just back from looking at a rental. dh not enthusiastic as still optimistic about house purchase. I would love to but have to put realist hat on and keep bases covered. ds has left 2 bottles of cava in the freezer in the past 48 hours and both have exploded. vag what was that gizmo you were getting dh? oh and noodles sound fab! I lived in Japan for 18 months effing years ago and loved noodles for brekky! but I agree not so fab to prepare at am.

Rubes I think I would be more concerned about your 5 year old son getting hold of the cava rather than the fact it exploded in the freezer.

I'm confused about the house thing. What is your MILs involvement.

I have raked my brain but I have no idea what you are talking about with the gizmo Rubes. Did I say what it did?

Oh dear Hilarious vag! Clearly not ds! That would be bad. However he's prob better and remembering to take it out the freezer if he had put it in! The gizmo was some kind of instant beer cooler to avoid putting warm booze in the freezer to cool quickly. Or maybe there was no gizmo but you wished there was? Can't remember. Perhaps I was hoping you invented one. I know you can get those quick wine chiller things. Perhaps I has better.
Re the mil. The last time we pulled the plug on the purchase then went back to it they ended the 95% mortgage so dh asked mil to borrow a bit. She has agreed but it fraught with issues on my side his side and hers. Way too complicated to expand on in text! After a convo tonight I think he agrees with me that it may be better to pull the pin on it! [sigh] for about the tenth time.

Rubes, that sounds incredibly stressful. What a shame.

I have got 6 members of my family coming tomorrow, I've had a carpenter here for three days and the house is in uproar. Yet again I can't post but once Monday comes, I'm clear. Love to all!

DD1 has bags under her eyes like I've never seen! Deep purple! We're down at Mum's now for the weekend and it is HEAVEN. The girls are loving it and little T was out cold at 6.15. So relaxing. Am now tucking into a large glass of white wine while Mum puts the girls to bed. Happy days.

I hope you're all doing ok and your Dad is ok, Kayz.

Beans I know what you mean! The kids came out of school super excited but both white as sheets with dark circles under eyes. DS had a proper strop earlier then burst into tears. Said he was too tired. He looked so happy when I said he didn't have to go to school for 2 weeks, although he did say he would miss his friends! Bless.

Yep my two are the same DS1 has been poorly for a month need him to kick the illness and get healthy again. DS2 is so over excited he cant even sit still. Had a big crying strop at bedtime wailing that he was just too excited.

Another stretch and sweep again today. Had the midwife do it then the student so double whammy. Apparently I am very ripe and ready to go. Was told to go home have a long walk then spend the evening relaxing. It was very sweet the student midwife is on her last day of placement today but because she has seen me the last 3 times she asked could she be called when I go in so that she can be there for the labour.

Oh Jam, that's lovely! Lets hope tomorrow is D-Day. Will keep my legs and fingers uncrossed.

I kept DD1 off again. Spoke to the head yesterday and she said it was a good idea. She just can't stop weeping! DD2 not really any different, just better at hiding it. Mum and I have drunk far too much together. She has wept quite hard about Dad. Feel quite close to her, despite a few comments about my weight. Heyho!

X

Come on jam!! Let's get the little fella out. Am 'uncrossing' everything for you!

Oh and my SS turned up today. I couldn't wait so opened it. The 3 wise men from the biscuiteers. Love their biscuits so yummy. Thankyou!

Girls shattered here too, I started getting them ready for bed at 6pm tonight but as I was solo parenting and they both want extra cuddles when they're tired they disrupted each other for 2 and a half chuffing hours before they finally got to sleep. Which means another tired tomorrow. Blimey, I hate bedtime. The good news is DH has finished with post-midnight finishes now and is 'only' working 6 til 6 this weekend.

That is so lovely of your student Jam. I had a 6th form work experience girl who came in to talk to me while I was in labour with DD2 and she was so sweet and non-intrusive I was happy for her to stay for the birth. DD2 was born at 230pm and not long after I heard her outside the delivery room on the phone to her college asking for permission to stay beyond 330pm as she hoped that she might be allowed a cuddle of the first baby she'd ever seen born. Of course I let her have a cuddle, who could refuse it. I love students! Good luck (DD1s birthday is Sunday, so if your DS hangs on til then, he'll have picked the best birthday IMO)

Jam, how lovely to have your baby so close to Christmas. I am keeping everything open for you and sending you dilating thoughts and good vibes for a sneeze him out birth.

MY SS is here - I am going to wait to Wed if I can. Thank you to whoever thought of me. I am still to post mine. I promise I will do it today.

Beans, that is a bit remiss of your mum to mention your weight. You have only had a baby 3 months ago and look very trim in the photos I have seen of you since. Glad you had a good evening otherwise.

Off to Sussex to see my folks today. My poor old dad is in a bad way. He has refused to come out of his room at the home for the last few days, so my lovely mum has missed a lot of the Christmas festivities by having to hang out with him while he rants and raves at her. I have said that if he is in a bad way today we will stay for half an hour then go out for tea to try to cheer her up. Dementia is a rubbish way to end your days. Poor him and even more poor her.

Oh sybs that is rubbish my lovely My Gran had it. Thoughts are with you.

Not even a sniff of a tightening.

You are 41 +1 now Jammy I think? Has anyone mentioned when they would induce? You are ready to go so it shouldn't be too horrendous.

Thanks for your kind thoughts. Blowing a gale here. Glad I am not driving. I foresee a cup of tea and a copy of a house mag for the train....

Are you having lots of sex Jammie? That is what you need. Someone once told me the prostaglandins in sperm are most effective when taken orally. But I think that person was a man with no medical qualification.... My MW said orgasm is the best labour starter (yours not his!).

40+6 Sybs.

Arti we did try last wk but I am so tender it was very uncomfortable might just give it a go tonight though. Need to get this monkey out!

Jam, I hope you go into labour soon.

Sybs, Sorry to hear about your Dad. Hope you have a good day and can cheer your Mum up.

I had a student MW with DD. She seemed a bit ditzy when I went for routine appointments but was amazing during the birth. I was her first home birth and first water birth. She was using me for some case study or something in her uni work. Lovely lady.

Rubes that all sounds very complicated. Fingers crossed you get a resolution soon.

Come on Jammy!

I've heard the sperm/oral thing too. Not sure though, it is the cervix the prostaglandins need to work on to surely local effect better? Otherwise they'd use oral tabs not pessaries for induction wouldn't they?

Beans glad you and your mum have had a nice bit of weepy bonding. Bittersweet I expect. Apart from the weight bit, wallop her for that .

Poor ds2 has horrid mucous cough, not slept for days, tis just cough cough vom cough scream.

dd's party tomorrow! just waiting for party food laden tesco man with more icing sugar to finish the cake.

So it turns out my children have inherited my tendancy towards onboard spews on car journeys. 1st up was ds2 all over his car blankets and every item of clothing then DS1 much the same except he added a pillow. Have rinsed everything out as our apartment doesn't have a washing machine but will be throwing the pillow away.

Anyway other than that, after a 5.30am start we motored through and got to our little Auatrian snowboarding haven a little before 6pm. Woot woot. The boys are super excited about ski school tomorrow and as long as DH and I can get out of bed we shall all be on the slopes tomorrow. Woohoo. I shall toast all your health with a rum & hot chocolate tomorrow, or/& a Jeager Tea.

Beans your poor mum & I also have a mum who comments on weight so I understand how that can throw you when you're having special moments.

Jam, rosebud, ROSEBUD!

Sybs lots of strong white light vibes for your mum, that's hard (& a little white light knuffel for you).

I love how the bring on baby myths are oral sex and curry, not hard too see which gender thought those up.

ZJ I for one appreciate your DHs efforts. I recently found out sprouts have a short shelf life so harvest to table is a pretty intense time.

Indith DS2 has had that cough and got it from me!

My boys are super tired too. Ds2 had the last three days off school. But DS1 pushed on. I guess a ski holiday wasn't the most relaxing idea, but they'll sleep well.

Vag, I want you to be my tour guide one day and I just get to turn up when you say when and where. You're getaways always sound fabulous I've become lazy with work trips where I get off a plane with transfers waiting and money loaded onto a card hope the sickies get a good nights sleep and a great trip!
Jam hurry up. I reckon all this spicy curry talk is rubbish. But go with it as it's a guilt free fat dinner poor you. The longest I had was 39 weeks with dd and I was OVER it by then. Anyway standing by.
Have had yet another 5 year old party today! #wornout
Loved the Strictly final. I think the best one won.
Beans so nice your mum has you near by and you can help each other thru. A weepy night over lovely wine is always beneficial. Where did she move to after selling the house? Did she move far?

You're / your obviously. Sorry am tired, so tired these days.

Oh and Sybs hope your trip was better than expected and your dad was on good form x

Vag I've only just noticed your new name reading back twice! Must get more creative here!

Oh I put on a pretty name for you all, make it all nice and festive and no one notices!

Rubes I don't like to brag but I do sort out a bloody good holiday. DH is constantly amazed by my ability to find the best accom for a good price and the best places to go. It comes from loads of online research and reading other peoples reviews.

I'm going to have a blatant brag. With all the stuff at school with DS1 I think I'm due one. The boys went to ski school today and DS2's instructor said he is very talented and put him up to DS1's group. Tomorrow DS1 is actually going up to another group but still woohoo ds2. He's in a group with much older kids. DH and I already looking at where we will need to live to ensure adequate access to the snow. Maybe Canada?