June 07...You put your left leg in, left leg out, left leg in and you shake it all about......and hopefully dislodge your clingy toddler ;0)

[LackaDAISYcal]

For norty....and pinguthepenguin if she is lurking

Welcome back storm elvira! Sorry about your poorly holiday. Lovely to have you back though x

A homemade or really cheap SS sounds fun! I love bargain hunting!

meant to say about Dr Who jammy......DD will probably just ignore it. DD "watches" all sorts of stuff that isn't age approproate, but she really has no idea what it is so it just washes over her.

Although she has been watching Real Rescues quite happily this morning sat next to me on the sofa.

My new boots have just arrived . DH will complain as they are suspiciously identical similar to the old ones. He doesn't understand that that's exactly why I bought them.

homemade would be a good challenge for the SS, no? although whoever is on the receiving end of my efforts might be disappointed

Morning. I'm up for secret santa (have been dying to ask for ages)

Jammy, i don't know about Dr Who, all DS1s mates started watching it when it came back and I thought they were too young then (because Sylvester McCoy scared me as a child) DS2 watches it with DS1, I don't know if he likes it but he won't go in the other room. I think it depends on the imagination of the child how scary they find it. I don't suppose DD would be glued to it from start to finish though? Good luck to DH

Good news about DH daisy.

Hi everyone

Ria, you are making me feel my age.......it was Tom Baker and the cybermen that scared the life out of me

Any more news on DH's shoulder?

sorry

No news for DH,though there might be a PT job on it's way (our new neighbour manages a local pub and has had DHs CV on his desk for a couple of weeks... they were talking the other day when DH was supposed to be tidying the garage). It could take weeks for the PCT to sort the funding, though Dsis thinks they would probably push it through as urgent. We both need a boost...

Ekka was it you who stiches? (when not busy with DCs and babies etc) There was a thread on charities about stiching squares for quilts for really ill kids.

I've just had the loveliest conversation with a man called Daniel, the founder of BabaSlings, about donating some slings to my group! He was so nice and is sending me two slings and to phone him if I need any more! He has also given me contact details for other sling manufacturers who he thinks would be willing to help. What a lovely man!

I am completely up for a homemade SS! The gifts may be a bit shit, but they will be from the heart!!

nice to be home though "E" (why Elvira?)

sounds a nice man Holly - will he ring me??? Your DPs boy sounds a bit of a spoilt brat, if I were DP I would take his phone off hime, he's obviously not grateful. It is bloody hard work isn't it. DH hasn't heard from his DS since he took him home, and hasn't even had a thank you text for his b'day present (good manners and all, ok it was a crap present... we bought him an electric razor) He has only just had a FB message from his DD who said DS has put back all the weight he lost he (and more) has gone back to watching cartoons all night and sleeping all day and didn't go to sign on or to any interviews. Well, you can't make up for 15 years of parenting in a week. We might have him back to "boot camp" after christmas (not before - I can't afford to feed him on our budget). Hats off to people who are good step parents. (not implying you and I are not, just that it's not easy )

Trace, if you're around, really sorry to hear about Chloe, she sounds such a star bless her. Were you asking a while back about clothes? I have no girls stuff (obviously!) but have vests and fairly neutral babygros from 6m + if you're interested?

Must go and continue the outting stuff in the conservatory tidying.

oooh, haggis . Could really really go a haggis supper for lunch right now...with chippy sauce of course!.....but

a) no such luck in england and
b) the heartburn would nearly kill me

DD has started reacting very stroppily to not being allowed things she shouldn't have. All I have to say is No, not particularly loudly or firmly, and she goes on the rampage, throwing and kicking and hitting things and slapping herself in the head. I keep telling myself this is normal behaviour for a toddler, but I'm a wee bit concerned about it

Meant to say earlier your news about DH sounds good Daisy. Be good to have him home with you.

My DH is shellshocked after his interview. Might be next week before we hear the result too

I have agreed to volunteer on a parent's forum at our local children's centre, to help organise groups doing activities that the parents want etc. Not sure if I'm just letting myself in for loads of hassle, or if it's be fun

Good news for you and DH Daisy! And fingers crossed for Mr Jammy

Nice to have you back Elvira, I missed you!

What was our budget before? A fiver or tenner? I'm all for doing a low-cost SS - very fitting for these crunchy times (but I can't promise I won't go a bit mad )

I like the idea of homemade SS.

I am also happy to organise if anyone wants me to.

god the site is soooooo bloody slow today; it's doing my head in!

I think the budget last year was £10, but I'm all for setting it at a fiver to make it more of a challenge. I already have a few homemade ideas up my sleeve.

I am still in my PJs today and getting cross that I have to sort myself out before the school run.

All my uterine activity of last night has stopped again...hey ho!

elvira, I have no patience for knitting at the minute (and a combination of DD and a sparky cat makes it nigh on impossible anyway). I have a few UFOs lurking around, including a lovely little baby jumper that just needs finishing off. Poor DS has been waiting on a sweater for three years (I keep having to buy more yarn as he goes up the sizes) and DH for nearly six!!

Jammy, I take it they put DH through his paces then? Good Luck for next week.

I do wonder if it's better to be a resident step parent as that is pretty much "proper" parenting in that you are in on setting boundaries and stuff. I agree being a part-time family is not nice, but DSS ignoring DH until something is wanted doesn't make it any easier for anyone. We would probably handle it all differently with hindsight, but that's life hey? I am grateful we have had no nasty texts like Hollys though.

I liked Elvira anyway, but the reason is excellent

I have a clean and tidy living room (except the bookshelf by the computer cupboard that I'm sure DH said he was going to do

I think the whole step-family thing is hard for everyone. Parenting is hard enough to get right at the best of times, but it adds a whole new set of issues.

Thanks Jammy Should we set an earlier a date, given we are making things?

My house is a bit of a state Ria Am of a clean and tidy living room. Jamlet is asleep (finally!!) so I should be tidying up (most of it is just surface clutter) but I can't be arsed to be honest .

DH is stressing about his interview. He doesn't know if it went well or not, is afeared that it went badly, and is now wandering round repeating "I suck" He has another one at 4.45 today, for an hour and a half, so I hope he can slear his head before then.

I take my hats off to those who are part of step-families. Always that bit more awkward to negotiate, and I imagine more of a nightmare if the children are not living mostly with you.

"Thanks Jammy" - is that someone taking up my offer of organising all the June 07 Santas? I'm happy to do so and agree if we're getting into making stuff we ought to get it set up in good time. How about anyone who wants to be in on Secret Santa emails me with their details by Friday Oct 24th? Then I can draw names for each person that weekend and we should have 7-8 weeks to get things made and in the post?

DD has just very proudly presented me with a poo in a plastic jug - Was not sure whether to laugh, cry or be impressed at her aim . It makes a change from wee in pants though