December 08 ers still going strong.

[Vagolajahooli]

Hello ladies, can you believe we will be entering into a 6th year of this thread this year?

How do you open the water thing. Do you take it out, does it come out or split apart inside.

ds2, after spending the evening coughing and crying has spent the night doing his golden night of sleep thing. He woke at 3am and that's all. He is still asleep. I have a shift so been up since 5.30. I wad rather hoping for hours golden night tonight so i could enjoy it!

Hello my dears

Just a quickie as I am shattered. I think it's more mental than physical though (and I do realise some people on here are suffering mega sleep deprivation - Indith (for example) - wish I could buy you some sleep and send it up to the North East!)

So....FIL's funeral is a week today in London. I've organised the whole shebang. I'm speaking and I am uncharacteristically nervous. I just really miss him, it's horrible. And all the stuff with the coroner/insurance company is very draining. And then this week, my Uncle died - my Dad's brother. Amazingly, of the exact type of leukemia that FIL had been diagnosed with. Under a fortnight from when he (my Uncle) been diagnosed to when he died - absolutely shocking. So I have kind of been loath to come on because it's all a bit difficult and I don't want to bring everyone down. But it's been lovely to catch up. I enjoyed the chat about slippers That's about as controversial a topic as I can stand at the moment.

Actually, I have a love-hate relationship with slippers, genuinely. I love wearing them, I get through a lot of pairs, find them massively comforting. But I think what whatever sort you get, they just don't look that nice. They look all dreary and mouldy and housewifey. But I suppose ostrich-trimmed mules wouldn't be half so comfy

Arti, sorry to hear you have had a rough run with illness, esp with DS. That must be stressful. Is there any way you could find a childminder who would be willing to do relief care if DS can't go to nursery sometimes? You might have to pay a higher rate but it might be a bit of back up. I totally agree that it is immensely difficult, cost-wise, for childcare (partic if one has more than two). Well, for what it's worth I think you do amazingly to juggle work and the kids. Please give yourself a giant pat on the back. Things will get easier in time - truly.

Did I read you did somersault over a stile, Rubes? Couldn't quite work it out. House news? Any other news? I know you will ask me about No.3 in a minute! Well, there's nothing to report. I think I keep forgetting that if you want a baby you actually need to do it. Well, slim chance of pregnancy this month (but doubtful, surely) - after that I need to knock it on the head for a few months cos we are off to BALI in late Oct and I don't want to be in a position where I lose the cost of the flights cos I am upduffed and can't fly. Still have mixed feelings about it all (another baby, not Bali)

JJ - I had a quick think about your friend, and I once met the kids of Deborah Hutton, a journalist who died of cancer not long before my DH. They were remarkably happy and well adjusted and seemed inspired by their Mum and like she'd managed to ignite them with her love enough to last them a lifetime. Well, as it happens, she wrote a book about what to do when people are dying of cancer. Don't know whether it's worth getting...It's called What Can I Do to Help?

Vag, you will make a smashing teacher but wot are the Australian Govt up to? Seems crackers! A loss to nursing, but teaching's gain, I guess.

Hope you are doing ok, Jam. Well done on the weight gain for DS.

I cannot get the house warm so I am going to bed with a camomile tea and the electric blanket. Rock 'N' roll!

Love to all. Sorry it's another rather crap catch up!

Just popping on before bed and get to read a message from our Lady. Sorry to hear of more trials and pain for you my lovely, but it is nice to read something from you. With all that goes on you still manage to pop in a little hooroo to us. Thinking of you. Your FIL was very lucky that he had such a loving devoted DIL.

We are off down to Brussels tomorrow afternoon to see friends and have a little Australia brew or two. Unfortunately between now and when we leave for Belgium we have DS1'S swimming club, a gymnastics comp and have to get DS2 to & from.a birthday party. Ahh so looking forward to some yummy belgian beer tomorrow evening. Unfortunately I have to drive back alone because DH has to fly off to the Artic vortex which is Boston on Sunday afternoon, so will fly out of Brussels.

Hey Kayz I saw on FB you booked your theory test. Good on you. Did you watch the game?

Oh lady sorry to hear more sad news, understandable not wanting to post. It'll turn a corner soon x Won't bore you with my woes as they pale into significance. We'll catch up soon xx

Oh, but do bore me with your woes, Rubes! Not that you bore me anyway. I like distraction at the mo.

DP is away all weekend. The house is even messier than normal so planning just to stay in and be quiet. Also, busy weekend next weekend: funeral on Fri, Madrid Sat/Sun and then uncle's funeral on the Monday...

Anyone read any of the two big historical books by Hilary Mantel? The size of Wolf Hall puts me off.

Made myself a nice celeriac and spelt soup for supper. Whilst still a terrible cook, am quite good at soups cos we have a Magimix and they make it so easy.

All I can think about is holidays. That's what gives me hope and cheer. Andalusia for a week at Easter. Friend's house in France in Aug for one week. Bali trip in Oct also one week. Will keep jamming them in!

Vag, I have booked a driving course in March. I'm sick of getting wet and the DC getting wet. DD will not stay under a raincover. Plus the car sits doing nothing for 2 months. It's a waste. I am going to do it this time. Must be positive about it.
I did watch the game. They were great, I am fed up of no one giving us a chance at the league when we've been top for most of the season. I'm off to my second team today with my brother and DS2.

Lady, sorry about your uncle. Your holidays sound lovely. I would love to go to Madrid.

I've lost 5lb in the last fortnight. Only 76 to go.

Hope everyone is well.

5lb is good, Kayz. 2lb a week is supposed to be the sensible maximum to lose. Good on you about the driving thing. I am planning to do the same. I will book a residential course for a week, which I will hate, and hopefully just get it done once and for all. I will have to do my theory test again cos although I passed in 2008, it expired ages ago.

Lady it's so lovely to hear from you. I'm sorry that you've had more bad news. I think that the funerals will help bring a little bit of closure and you can start healing. I think it's smashing to have do many trips to look forward to. It breaks up the year and means you can keep going. DH did similar when MIL died.

Kayz great news on the weight loss. I've lost 8lb in 3 wks on WW. Like lady said 1-2lb a week is supposed to make for a more sustainable weight loss. Good luck on the driving too.

Lady How awful, what a difficult time you've had. Funerals can be quite celebratory of a life so I hope that in the midst of the sadness there is some 'joy' - can't think of an appropriate word there but you know what I mean.

My new slippers arrived They are very comfy and warm so good so far. Dh hates them and think they look like something you'd see on the feet of an oap. Don't think that was the look Celtic sheepskin were hoping for. Oh well! I like them.

Kayz Driving is practice and confidence. Mainly confidence! Can someone take you out for practice drives? Being able to practice between lessons makes all the difference.

Found you! Sorry, am having a work nightmare and finding it really hard to keep on top of it all, so not much time to read or post. I'll try to catch up this evening but I hope you are all well.

for you, Lady. So sorry to hear more bad news. Hope things get easier for you very soon. Much love.

Hello

Just popping on to send LadyT lots of love and further condolences. I hope the funeral goes well and feels like a fitting send-off. I also hope you are looking after yourself.

And a quick wave to Sybs and her busy work and Hons in her granny slippers.

On my way home from an 11 hour day at work. Have missed DS' bedtime so can't BF him so boobs have 12 hours of milk in them having fed every four hours yesterday. Ouchy, ouchy.

lady, so sorry for more grief. I am full of admiration for how you keep finding the joy in life, in the midst of it all. you asked about the Hilary Mantels. I've read them both, more than once. Loved them. She is very wise. I went to hear her speak a couple of years ago at the guildhall. Anyway, if you want to lose yourself for a few hours, I would recommend.

catching up and enjoying the slippers chat. I've always liked the idea and optimistically bought pairs for me and the DC but I think we're just a barefoot kind of household.

arti, well done for surviving the long days. I always find the days when I don't see the dcs at all very hard. just 5 minutes makes all the difference.

Kayz - good luck with the driving.

oh and vag, I think you will make a fantastic teacher - but really, nursing's loss. what a waste of all that skill and passion for what you do.

Have ran out of breast pads. Have gone to bed wearing sanitary towels in my bra!

Haha Jam tbat made me giggle. I popped into work once to show off DS1 when he was a few weeks old. One of the consultants asked me to sit in on a meeting. Just bbefore I went in I realised I hadn't brought any breast pads and was leaking. So I stuffed a whole bunch of gauze squares in my bra from the office community nurses supplies. I raced into the meeting which went for ages. It wasn't until I came back out that I realised the gauze squares stuck out like a very square boobie thumb.

Thanks Invis, I'm getting quite excited about it. Things are getting quite bad in the Australian health system, I know it will be tight in education too, but I've always enjoyed working in the school environment and it actually feels right.

DH is away until Friday. I opened a bottle of wine we had been given last night to use in a casserole for the boys. I just had a glass of it and it is super lovely. But I can't see myself finishing tonight or tomorrow. It won't last any longer will it.

had a lovely weekend, DS1 competed in his first all of south Holland gymnastics comp and ranked 9th out of 17 boys for his section. Which I thought was pretty good, in particular he got better scores than the last competition he competed in and they score harder at these regional competitions. He was 2nd out of his club. None of his club mates made the nationals but they did well. Then we went down to visit friends in Brussels, which was lovely, the boys loved seeing their son's again and it was lovely to be all together and they were very generous with their Belgium beer collection.

oh time for HIGNFY (learned that acronym on here)

Just had the sad news that my Gran has died. It means i will have to fly to Scotland for her funeral taking DS3 with me. Does anyone know the id requirements for him. I dont have a passport for him yet.

to you Jammy. You are best ringing the airline I think, not sure of requirements. I think it is usually photo ID but not sure what they would do for children. Perhaps birth certificate would be enough.

for you too LadyT. Life has been so cruely to you and yours recently. I hope that the funerals bring you some peace and you can reflect on all the good times and happy memories. You sound like you have a fair few trips planned, it will do you good to have some treats to look forward to and a good old change of scene for a bit.

I'm drowning in work. Really struggling. Very run down and I fear possibly anaemic but no idea when I can manage to get to the Dr to test. 2 weeks left of placement after this one and then jsut an exam to do to complete the year.

Jam, most of the airlines say infants don't need photo ID for domestic travel, it is good enough for you to vouch for them. But I think it is up to the airline so you need to check yours. Very sorry to hear you need to deal with this.

Thanks will more than likely be easy jet. They say he is ok to fly without id.

Lady so sorry to hear of your further sadness.

Sorry to hear about your Gran, Jammy.

Indith Not long to go now. You've done so well juggling your course and three children, you should be really proud of yourself. Can you get evening appointments at your gp?

Indith one of the few advantages of working in a hospital is you can get bloods done whenever you want. Get one of the girls to take your bloods get the ward admin staff to create a hospital number for you and send off your own bloods.

Jam sorry about your Gran. Hope the ID issue is all easy. When do you fly?

Both boys off school today. Over it, I've had to keep them entertained and finish an assignment. How to train a dragon on now then bed.

Oh Jam ,I'm really sorry to hear about your Gran and Lady, I'm sorry you've had more bad news. I hope you're both bearing up.

all well here. just bimbling along as usual. have finally applied for DD1 and 3's passports. phew.

no other news. at all. life is pleasantly steady and boring. DH being a bit of a legend.

Sorry to hear about your Gran Jam.