Sept '07 - I'm sitting..I'm sssitting....I'm sssssitting......I'm ssssssssssssssssitting...... THUD!

[sophus]

thought i'd start us off

Hello all

Dal, glad you liked the joke. I have a friend who sends me loads, and I have to confess to not reading quite a few of them , but I liked that one! What building work are you having done? Did you have some work done last yr too?

Lolly, sorry to hear about the problems you've been having. I hope you get that job you went for. I'm glad you're learning to drive, you'll never look back once you get your license, it gives you so much independence.

Hope everyone else is well. bear with me, AM 1 handed typing now, Niamh not wanting to go to bed!

kINKI, haven't heardc from you for Ages, aer you ok? Am bit worried.

We had a lovely day today in Milton Keyenes, great lake to walk around but also loads od activities for the boys.

Well, it's Monday now and, seeing as I haven't heard, am guessing I didn't get the job (probably down to limitations on when I'm available as there is only one creche and it's only open 9 til 2, ho-hum).
Anywho, my friend told me today that there's a hairdressing course on at the college and, as we both started a course a few years back but had troubles with the salons here taking "older" trainees, and the cost we were both 19 at the time, we had to give it up, we can finish our training starting september! (We'll both get help paying for it because we get child benefit and there's a creche there too!), although I now have to phone the college, find out exactly which days they are planning to set the lessons on and then phone DD1's pre-school and book her days for when she's 3 as they're fast filling places!! Am slightly tempted to just book her in for every single session per week and just cancel the one's that she'll be in the college creche when I find out the course details (as I honestly don't think the college will know until they know the amount of students they will have attending the course. . . will find out tomorrow when I phone though!).

Anywho, am feeling a bit better today, despite disgusting cough/cold, had a day in town with my friend and her LO, it was nice just to have a little bimble round on a bank holiday, but that also meant that the one shop that I needed to go into was, of course, closed! Ho-hum!

Hope everyone's good and your week's have all had a good start!
xXx

Hi everyone

Hopey - yes, last year we had some work done - one of the bathrooms and painting done. Just more bits and bobs really - a little more painting, getting some cupboards built and getting air con installed. The top of our house gets so warm in summer, we had to get something sorted. The owners of the company came round yesterday and they werent at all happy - so we reckon they need to bring their guys back in for another 3 days from tomorrow. Will look great when its done though. I have come to the conclusion that houses are just ongoing maintenance. But I guess that's what makes a house a home, putting your own mark on it over the years.

Does anyone have Kinks mobile no to drop her a text? Am definitely worried, has been a few weeks.

Lolly - sorry about the job, but fingers crossed on the hairdressers course!

Hope everyone had a lovely bank holiday. Wasnt the weather lush? We had such a lovely weekend, it makes such a difference being able to sit out and have breakfast.

Hope everyone ok and we get some posts today - be great to catch up on everyones news!

Hugs.

Hi everyone. Had a catch up on posts yesterday and was going to post myself when DP phoned to say he was planning on taking a half day off work as the weather was so nice so we ended up having a day by the river with a bit of lunch

Isn't this weather sooo lovely???

The news here is that we think we finally have nursery sorted-fingers crossed! After visiting the one we liked and them telling us they would only do a mimimum of two whole days (we only needed a half day!!) we phoned a busy bees nursery and luckily they had one place left and that was for a friday-talk about fate!!! . They advised that we secure it with a cheque ASAP so we did that yesterday and we are having the tour on Friday this week. Just hope we like it!!!

Millie will do a whole Friday as that is their minimum and with the vouchers it will cost us £130 a month which isn't bad, (if it's a good nursery!)

Millie is doing well at the moment, over her eye infection and surprised her father yesterday when he plonked her in her cot and turned around to get her clothes out of the wardrobe. When he turned back she was standing up!! Turns out this is now her favourite trick-pulling herself up and standing proudly!!

Might start a thread on here about what to do to prepare for nursery-im sure ill forget something. Im due back at work on June 20th.

I have some EBM in the freezer but there must be other things I have to start organising...

Something I am doing is trying to get Millie's bedtime from 8pm to 7pm so she will be getting up earlier.

Dal-We have a loft conversion that gets really warm-it's Millie's bedroom so now the weather is warmer we have bought a fan and it does the trick for her.

Lolly-Still heard nothing about job?? Sorry you have a cold!!!

PLP-Any further news re the modelling? How is Cerys?

Am feeling really lazy today-Still not dressed

Hello everyone. Just had a run through of the messages since I was last here. Didn't mean to cause worry . But thanks for the concern. I'll say in a bit why I was gone.

But first I wanted to talk about normal baby news! Ds2&3 both have had chicken pox. Ds2 got it when we were on holiday, typical. He wasn't too bad at all, not a lot bothers him really. Then a couple of weeks later little Liam got it, and boy did he get it. He was completely covered. He was uncomfortable with it but was very brave and uncomplaining. Especially as 4, yes 4, new top teeth came through during the worse of it. We're at that stage where the scabs have mostly come off but the pock marks are still there. Poor little baby looks hideously scarred for life (I know it'll get better!).

Developmentally, he's still not in a mad rush to do things - like sitting or rolling. I've given up worrying. I'm hoping it's just a case of taking after ds2 and not ds1 (who was the first at everything). Ds1 was walking on his own at about 6 weeks older than Liam is now. Interestingly though, although ds1 is quite sporty I think ds2 (the much later developer) is a lot more agile and sure of himself physically at age 3. Liam's quite vocal. He says mama for me and all sorts of other sounds for goodness knows what. When he wants a feed he blows raspberries at me! Ds1 has taught him to say 'eeeee' when he reveals himself when playing 'boo'.

Hands up who's enjoying this sunshine? I am, it's lovely. I hope it lasts. I must get into the habit of slapping on sunblock on the dc.

Anyway I must fly, got to pick ds1 up from school (after school golf club tonight). Sorry I haven't had time to reply individually this time, but it was lovely catching up on everyone's news.

Finally about my absence. There's 2 reasons really. One is that I have been trying to come off the steroids (I shouldn't have been on them in the first place). It seems my body has become addicted/dependent to them as I have been experiencing horrible withdrawal problems. I had to go back on them last week as it was just too painful. And the other thing is my marriage is probably over. I just can't deal with my husband anymore. He has pushed me to extremes that no woman should ever have to put up with. And I've had enough. Sorry, have to go now on that happy note! Take care all. I'll try not to let it go so long next time.

The weather is lovely! I have virtually been camping out at Hampstead Heath - Ryan is mesmerised by the pond and swans!

Edie - great news about the nursery. It is such a relief when that gets sorted! Cannot believe your LO is pulling herself up to stand! But then our LO's do start doing things rather unexpectedly.

Kink - so great to see you posting on here. Sorry to hear about your DC's - but I guess they are out of the way now, so that's good news. Onto the final part of your post - Kink, I really am so sorry. I know I have only met you once but all I can say is that you are a lovely lovely lady. Your DC's are wonderful children and I am so sorry for whatever has gone on. Reading between the lines, he doesnt sound as though he has been a very nice person to you. Please continue posting on here if you think it will help. Or is you fancy another trip into London to meet up, let me know.

Hope everyone else is ok - no doubt enjoying the lovely weather. Ryan is 8 months old today - cannot believe it - where has the time gone?

Hello ladies, the weather's been lovely here the past couple of days and I've really been making the most of it

Edie £130 for four days?! That sounds extortionate to me!! And I thought the nurseries here were expensive Crikey!

Kinki Lucky you to have got the chicken pox out of the way, DD1 still hasn't got it yet, think I might have to go and hunt some diseased children down and rub them against her! lol Sorry to hear about your marriage, sounds aweful!

Lolly's teething something chronic now, and DD1's been terrible, on and off (she had been great all day today but as soon as DH entered that was it!), so I've been a bit less patient the past few days but have made a good start on the vegetable patch so hoping to get that finished and get some of the veggies in there this weekend (finger's crossed).

Received an email this morning from the college about the hairdressing course, the woman didn't give me any clue as to which days they're planning to run the course so I now have to go into DD1's pre-school tomorrow and explain that I will have no clue as to which day's she'll be attending in September until the college know. . . , am thinking about booking her in for every session and just cancel a few when I know which days I'll be at the college, that'll assure her a place wont it!

Anywho, am off again for mindless chit chat with friends. . . on FB
xXx

Kinki - sorr to hear your news

Lolly - I would just book her in for all, better that than not having a place for her when you need it.

Sam goes to nursery 1 full day a week and it cost me £124 per month.

Ben was 7 months old on monday, he is sitting up well now, will do 10 mins quite happily. He has got an awful cough though and keeps making himself sick, he has also gone right off his milk, I am struggling to get 14 ounces down him atm. His skin has also flared up, I'm gonna book him into the docs tomorrow I think. It seems as if he is teething but I can't feel any hard lumps yet!

My friend had a little girl last night, 11 days late, she went in yesterday morning to be induced but at 9.25 last night she had her first proper contraction and Emie was born at 11.04, she did it on gas and air only nice and quick labour though I feel sorry for Sam and Ben though, apart from one friend who has a boy who live too far away to see too often, everyone else I know have girls. I am organising Sam's 3rd b'day atm, there are 3 boys coming and about 10 girls My hope for another boy now turns to another friend who is due in July

kinki, i'm really sorry xxxxx

No Lolly it's 130 a month for a full friday a week-it's £42.50 a day but we get money off with the vouchers.

Kinki-so [sorry] about your news, we are all here to listen to you. What an awful time.

Oh just read your post back Lolly and yes its for 4 days-that's quite good compared to some!!

Why did I think there was a sorry emoticon? Kinki, I meant ...

Edie I'd kind of expect a nursery to look after my baby for less than I'd be earning if I were to use one to go back to work (otherwise I'd then have to find more money to pay the fees after the tax comes out of my wages IYSWIM ) otherwise, what's the point in even trying to go back to work if they're taking all my wages (obviously I'm not qualified to do a job of any major importance but would still be well above minimum wage).
lol there should be a [sorry] emoticon. . . shall we request one?
We, still, can't get vouchers towards child care because DH earns just outside of the WTC limit, it burns me up to think that if your just outside that limit you're pretty much cut out of everything. . . we get HB and higher rate CTC and CB but that doesn't leave anything left to pay for DD1's pre-school so we're now taking that out of the food budget for now (just until she hit's 3 in July).
Ooh stop me now, I'll only start going on about the freaking government again. . . (I think they should make a green emoticon. . . next stage of anger = incredible hulk!! )

xXx

Lolly-I didn't think it was based on earnings? My friends all get the busy bees vouchers, it's just a salary sacrifice thing. Have you def checked?

I think there are different kinds of childcare help. There's one type you need to qualify for, where you get additional money towards childcare. Then there's the childcare vouchers, which as you say Edie are a salary sacrifice thing whereby you still pay for the childcare, but you save the tax. I think - I'm no expert!

Kinki - just adding a quick message to say how sorry I am to hear your news about your Dh and also that your DS'S have had the pox ! Take care of yourself xx

Oh kinki, so sorry to hear about you and dh, hope you're holding up OK? ((((((big hugs)))))) Glad to hear DC's are over all the illnesses - DD1 had chickenpox aged 3 months and it wasn't fun! Has he got any scars on his face at all? Hope everythings OK with coming off the steroids too xxxxxx

Hello to everybody else!

We got the suppositories yesterday and did the first one this morning. I was a bit nervous of how it would stay in but it did the trick (was getting concerned as she didn't poo AT ALL yesterday and the consultant has said she has to poo every 48 hours for the rest of her life!). I had terrible nightmares last night about it all but it turned out OK in the end thank goodness - just got to do it every other day for the next few weeks, then once a week till our next check up.

I had a look through and did some research on the modelling agency (Models Direct) and the over-riding opinion was NOT to pay them any money so we're leaving it for now. However, I am thinking of looking around at some other ones that seem to have good reputations so I'll keep you posted!

Cerys now has TWO TEETH, yayyyyy!!! She is eating more and more finger foods and sits up for what seems like hours now. She doesn't seem to have any inclination to crawl or pull herself up which is fine by me for now lol! She's full of energy all day long and sings at the top of her lungs when we get in the car (we always have music playing and sing along so I guess she just joins in!). Her new best friend is the dog - she is always talking to her and loves it when she comes near. Her name is Ember and we're quite sure she has been trying to say her name lately bless her!! Apart from that, its all BABABABA, DADADADA and MAMAMAMA etc with some sort of phlemmy thing inbetween (sp?). Will try to post some more recent pics on my profile as I've got some crackers (those on fb may have already seen them).

Love to all, gotta dash as Cerys is waking up but will pop back on again soon xxxxxxxx

Oh, just a quick one - DH is selling his computer!!!!! !!!!!! I'm really proud of him doing it and it was all his idea. We're so skint lately and he's really nowhere near fit for work just yet (support worker is coming round next week). He just said its the only way he knows how to provide for the family without working and it will hopefully enable us to sort out the garden for the summer and possibly even go towards a new car as there's just no other way we could afford it.

That was it really, I'm still in shock myself (he LOVES his computer, so its a big thing in our house!). It just means my laptop is now up in the bedroom so I'm not on it as much but that seems to be a good thing too as I've actually managed to get some housework done lately lol!

xxxxx

Edie: I don't think there's a busy bees in our area, so that'd be why I haven't heard of it lol
We did apply for the social inclusion fund to help us out but that's based on whether or not you receive WTC ( yet another thing we miss out on, for the sake of not even £1000 per year, I don't get how they work this thing out?).

PLP: Glad things are going well with the suppositories I know exactly what you mean about the phlegmy noises that Cerys is making, Lolly does that most of the time, a sort of gargling sound.
We sold our computer a few weeks back and are living with just the laptop now too (we hadn't actually used the main computer for a little while so it was easier for us to let it go) but the money didn't last long as it sort of went towards the money that we lost out on when DH quit his job. . . so, with the JSA that he got, it just made our income for that month up to the equivalent of his wage! lol But, every little helps!

Well, I've had, yet another, eventful day, lots of running around trying desperately to stop us from getting into stupid amounts of debt! Luckily I decided to open the mail quick this morning just before we left the house and I had two letters, one from HB to say that we owe them just over £100 and one from the bank to say that, because I went over my OD by £1.59, they're going to charge me £15!
So, got into town, sorted out the HB debt, that's coming out of the payments that we'll be getting again once DH sorts out the "going back to work" forms, only about £8 per month so not too big a dent.
Then the bank, should've steered well clear of this one! ("What? Again?!" I hear you all cry )Checked my account, they had already taken the £15 out and I had sent off a cheque the other day, after checking that there was enough in there to cover it so that'll make me over drawn again and it'll be another £15! Anyway the annoyingly attractive girl on the "Welcome" counter put her guard up straight away and said "I don't care what the bank has done in the past, I am not going to refund your £15 for you." So, after spending most of the day fretting about it, sending a text to DH telling him (still no reply) and finally sending a text to a friend who owes me some money asking if there's any chance I could get it from him, I go back into the bank, deposit said money and, whilst doing this, the lovely young lad behind the cashier's desk says "Did you know you're eligible to upgrade your account? Do you have a minute to talk to an account manager?" "Oh yes that would be lovely!" came my reply. . . anyone else see what was running through my head?! Needless to say, after going over the current situation, and my utter displeasure in dealing with the girl this morning, the lovely lady was happy to press a few buttons and make my £15 come back to me! but was then disappointed to learn that I could not afford the £7 per month cost that would be incurred if I did upgrade my account (so, you pay to have lower OD interest ).
Needless to say me's a happy bunny now! It was definitely a pleasant end to the day!

In between all that malarky, I took the girls to the park, (Lolly totally zonked out in the pushchair so didn't get to put her in the swings, but maybe next time), DD!'s been really well behaved, despite the heat and constantly wanting to get out of the pushchair, she's now happily having a well earned nap and Lolly's about to do the same (with any luck) so maybe I'll be able to get on and do some more beading. . . or maybe I'll just sit slumped on the floor with a glass of cold water?!
xXx

The Busy bees vouchers can be used at many nurseries but I think they are just for government workers. Could be wrong though...

Visited Busy Bees today and it was fab!!! It's quite like a school, it's on the hospital grounds and both are only 3 years old so it's pretty pristine in the inside. The staff were lovely and there were loads of them. They change nappies every 2.5hrs and when needed and will do with Millie whatever we do at home. They take them out, have plenty of space and the menu looked healthy too. They all have coat pegs with their photo on (even the babies) and most of it is aimed towards getting them used to school. We were really impressed by the whole feel of the place. Millie will love it. They are also pretty realxed with time so we can collect her early if we want to, DP is worried the day will be too long for her!!!

PLP-Sorry to hear about the money worries although good on DH for selling the PC. I had also heard about paying for a portfolio with a modelling agency and how good ones wouldn't ask for any money up front. Cerys sounds like she is doing fab-I wish Millie would get some teeth

Lolly-You don't make patchwork blankets by any chance do you? I saw a lovely one my friend made the other day and really want to make/buy one myself. (I have a really nice sewing machine but hardly ever use it!!)

Edie I've made a patchwork skirt and have had plans for making a blanket for ages (will probably get round to doing it for this winter), so can give you some tips on technique, suppliers etc if that's what you need?
Is Millie you're only child? You'd be surprised at how much you can get done during her naps if you keep the sewing machine set up, and it's great when you first make something pretty for her to wear too! (Not to mention a nice little number for yourself now and again! )
If there's anything you need just give me a little email (thinkpink90999 at aol dot com)!

I love knowing that other people are getting into sewing, it makes me seem less of a dweeber lol

Haha, yes id love to get into it but im crap!! Will mail you...

Yes Millie is my only child and she sleeps from 10 til 1 or 2 in the afternoon so id be able to get loads done. Am def keen on making a blanket-apparently you can get some nice squares on Ebay? I have a couple of lovely sewing/fabric shops very near me though...

I bought the patchwork squares from Ebay for the skirt, yes, they do have some lovely stuff here
(hope that works lol) and then just get some wadding and some plain white poly cotton for the backing and away you go!
xxx

just dipping in, off to bed in a sec. Been off line for a bit BLOODY TALKTALK!!! We were with Orange before and had no problems!

Kinki, sorry to hear you've been put through it, please when you can, come on and post. Have been thinking about you loads.

Cheers Lolly, that's great. Will buy some when I get paid. I can't wait!! Will probably be emailing you every few days with daft questions!!