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.

[JustRubes]

Yes. dh is a tinkerer unless I give him a task to do, or unless I piss off out the country leaving him in charge. However, he's often tapping away at work, but still... also tends to "wait for pages to load" then get side tracked on the Chain Reaction website.....
Right gotta collect ds shortly then take him to swimming lessons. Having only landed at 2:15pm, I'd rather stick pins in my eyes, but hey ho.

[Vagolajahooli]

A chain reaction order of mine for DS1 got lost in the post so you have reminded me I need to sort out the declaration thingy saying I never received the order. Such a faff.

Waiting for DS2 to come out of gymnastics. It's suddenly a bit chillier here. I hope that artic vortex isn't heading this way.

I'm not sure if I told you a while back about a friend of mine who was diagnosed with breastcancer earlier last year. She had a mastectomy and has finished her treatment. But it has been hard. Anyway a couple of weeks ago their house burnt down. Thankfully no one was hurt but they lost everything. Poor thing. I'm looking forward to seeing her at the end of February, she is a mate from Derby. But how hard can life be huh. Sometimes life just deals out some difficult cards.

[JustRubes]

Your poor friend vag. What an ordeal.

[JamInMyWellies]

hurumph I posted from my phone this morning and its not here. Ever since I updated my iphone this happens. Will try come back later.

[RTjoke]

Same keeps happening to me Jam. V annoying.
How are the boobs?

[JamInMyWellies]

Boobs are loads better the cracks and craters have healed still v soft but I think my supply is ok. He comes off milk drunk so hopefully all ok. Will find out when we see the midwives on sat. Hopefully I will be discharged. Totally forgot how hideous the first few wks are. Have had him in the sling lots the last couple if days which helps in the afternoon when he gets fractious.

Poor DHs flight got canned last night due to mechanical failure. Guess better to find out at Newark than halfway across the Atlantic. He is now due to land in the next half an hr. I really hope he will be able to WFH tom. Boys were gutted he wasn't home for after school today.

Vag such sad news for your friend.

Rubes I can't believe you did swimming personally would have sacked it off.

How's everyone else doing?

[ShadyLadyT]

Hello lovely ladies. Sorry for prolonged absence. Thanks so much for your kind words and thoughts - I'm touched. It's all been pretty horrible. Can't even organise a funeral yet because FIL is still with the coroner...Still a mystery what happened - apparently it was the gas fire but now they don't think it was faulty, just that papers near it caught fire. But that doesn't really explain why he didn't escape. Anyway, I have just had endless dealings with the insurers, I had a terrible virus and actually lost my voice for days, the girls are upset...oh my. Also, it just seems to have raked up DH's death as well (for me). Well, I am just moving my way through it slowly and trying to keep calm. The girls are a massive comfort (as well as making things more difficult as I feel like I am not giving them proper time at the moment, and also they have been a bit naughty, I expect because they feel upset and confused. They are talking about what's happened, though, which I think is a good sign).

Also, last week we had to attend a council meeting as there has been a Traffic Order which basically prevents us from parking near our house. It has caused a lot of aggro in the village. DP and I both gave presentations but though I think we couldn't have spoken better, we lost. The whole thing was such a stitch up. But I will bore you about that another time...

I haven't even been lurking. But it has been nice to read through just now. It's lovely to read it all in a big lump. I am just going to randomly mention a few things:

Indith, I am so sorry about your Mum. But as you must know, Stage 1 is a great cause for hope. But still scary for all concerned, I realise.

Arti - I go out perhaps once a fortnight. Sometimes it's twice in one week. But not often. And DP and I get to go out on our own practically never! Which is not good, really.

Jam - you are being such a trouper. My gosh, you poor old sausage. I just really hope things get better.

Rubes - sorry to be thick but what's the latest on the house?

Kayz - re: baths - could you try making the bath very shallow? Getting her excited about a new toy and building it up all day? Could you find a very exciting bubble bath?

I know this is only a little post but I am easing my way back in. I like hearing about your travels, Vag. I am taking myself off for a supercheap weekend in Madrid at the end of the month. Just me, a rucksack and the Velazquez exhibition.

Sorry for the crapness of the catch up.

[Vagolajahooli]

Lovely to hear from you Lady, sorry everything is so crappy at the moment. Would be nice to think next winter will go by uneventfully for you. Madrid sounds perfect. Where is the exhibition? Not really a Reina Sofia style artist so I guess not there. The Reina Sofia in Madrid is one of my favs.

hooray for less hurty boozies Jam. Is DH home now? Can he work from home tomorrow then?

I should have gone to bed an hour ago but started watching Wild Brazil. I want to go to Brazil now.

[Mckayz]

Lovely to hear from you Lady.

Vag, that's horrible about your friend.

Jam, I hope feeding is getting a bit easier.

We'll need a new thread soon.

[RTjoke]

Good news on the milk Jamster!

It's so nice to hear from you Lady. Bless your little girls having to process the loss of another grandpa figure when they are so young. It must be so hard for you being reminded of the loss if your DH. I hope your DP is being supportive. We are all here for you.

What possessed me to have three children, in three different schools/child are establishments, with a full time job? I'm on my knees with tiredness just settling DS into the work nursery and I'm not actually working until Monday. Unsurprisingly a rush hour Tube commute with a baby is proving stressful.

[Honsandrevels]

Just quickly as food is ready. Lady It must be awful not being able to make preparations. Much love to you xx

[Vagolajahooli]

So a bit quiet on here. Shall I start another thread?

[Vagolajahooli]

here tis