June 08- the shoes, the food, the glamour!

[pureeandpearls]

Struggling to load pages these days and saw we were over the 900 so took the liberty of starting a new thread.

PP- Hooray for your guy!!

Morning Debs- I'm just ahead of schedule for once. Off to work have lunch with Poppy!
360 cup very weird- has magic lip all around the top so, although sealed, can be drunk from at any point. DD has one though not overly enamoured.

[waves to all then dashes to get coat on]

deb, sadly no revising till later. DH had last minute trip to London organised so on parent duty today.

PP this is why some people really slag off HR! Your lawyer completely right that company policy cannot overrule the law. Our policy is that you cease to accrue holiday after 4 months of sickness absence, but it doesn't affect your minimum rights under WTR. They grey areas are really about the minimum rights (because the Labour govt introduced a higher minimum entitlement than that set in Europe) and conflicting guidance on whether or not minimum hold can be carried over if you're sick.

Sorry, that's HR class finished for today

skipping the HR stuff since it doesn't apply to me anymore (yeah! silver lining!) I didn't hear back from my interview two weeks ago which is a bit disappointing, not that I would probably have been able (childcare, DH's commitments) to work anyways .

I've been shopping too - who was it who was looking for a rainjacket a few months back? I need a long one that will be both warm and keep my thighs dry. I'm getting soaked on a regular basis as we're into random rain season (sunny most days but we get a random 30 minute shower at some point).

Anyways, I was tempted by the Urban Mac at Boden and actually ordered one in orange (with a 10 week wait!) but then had second thoughts (another mother has it in patterned already) and ordered a different one from Aigle. Has anyone tried their outdoor wear before? Is it decent? It's not exactly cheap so I'm feeling a bit guilty and hope this will be the best rainjacket/warm coat ever...

the only thing is that I spotted this raincoat in Country Living - does that make me old? or just old-fashioned? definitely not stylish anyways.

sponge how are you doing today? I'm sending lots of hugs and love your way - what bad luck on the mastitus. Please don't stress too much about breastfeeding - I like what going said - we're here to support you however it works out - and Michael will thrive one way or the other!

Pumpkin - enjoy your lunch with Poppy

BDQ - you're let off the revising as you have a cold, hope you feel better soon

Abdn - there was no link to the coat, how''s F doing now? Has all the swelling gone down?

Thanks Deb.

Yes links please abdn. Am bored on the sofa already. For those not on fb this morning, I have a stinking cold and home alone with S all day. Not a fabulous combo.

For the moment he's quite happy watching cbeebies, his bean bag chair (red one, from jojomamanbebe - bought with birthday money - sorry, haven't mastered links on iPod) finally arrived last week so he's enjoying sitting on that. It is very cute. We're slowly reclaiming our living room - the alphabet mats, play tent and assorted walkers have all gone, so although he still has plenty of toys in his corner it looks a bit less like a nursery now!

I wonder how Sponge is getting on? Hope she gets some good advice and support from the clinic today.

J seems to be allright this morning thanks Debs.

PP - NZ is getting close now!

I like the Michael McIntyre sketch about when he met Gordon Brown.

The company I used to work for had the most hilarious HR department, it consisted of only one old bloke, the HR director, who was on the most ridiculous wage, at least 8 times what I was on, and who spent a fair proportion of his days down the pub and the rest of it wandering round telling dirty jokes. He used to do a great training session about coping with stress where he told us to go to the pub for a few hours if we felt stressed during the day.
I asked him about the maternity policy when I was pregnant and his response was "I don't have time to know about that" and told me to ask the MD's PA, hmmm obvious person to know the details of the maternity policy.
Anyhow he has recently been retired off and replaced by someone of a similar age but who has his mind a little more on the job.
This is not to say I think all HR people are anything like that BDQ, far from it, I know he was a complete oddity and when I worked there I wished they had someone decent who was actually of some use.

Abdn - I really need to get a coat as well, must be cheap as it's only likely to last me this winter.

Abdn, sorry you didn't hear back about the interview, although should say more than a two week wait isn't that uncommon in some sectors.

Amber and whinegums, how are things progressing on the house move front?

Hi BDQ x post, rubbish that you have a cold. Reclaiming your living room! I love that idea, you can barely move in ours without setting off some noisy toy. We are moving J into a bigger bedroom soon so baby can have the little one so I think some of his toys will get moved upstairs once he is in, can't wait!

LOL and at your old HR director ktpie!

On coats - if you're looking for a bargain I got a really nice winter coat from Tesco last year. Stll wearing it this year and people always commenting on it. It's more a smart coat for work etc but I'd def look at their coats again.

BDQ - he has managed to highlight the importance of a decent HR department to me!

I was thinking of Tesco, had a look a couple of weeks ago and they had some very reasonable stuff. Need a few bits and bobs so might pop in there today.
Got J a new coat the other day from Ebay, cost me 99p and is a lovely thick monsoon coat with a hood, has made me feel a bit better about the lost (stolen) coat. The new coat has loads of pockets including one inside with a little button, presumably for his wallet. Will try not to lose this one.

The toys just take up so much space don't they ktpie? You'll have all the new baby stuff to add to the mix again soon too! Good news on the coat front! Let us know if you have any success in tesco today.

Well done on the coat bargain Ktpie, sounds like a result!

Sorry to hear about the cold BDQ, have a cbeebies day. In times of illness/tiredness cbeebies have saved my sanity several times, god bless 'em!

PP, maybe you should point out to dh that having a baby after emigrating is a perfect time to extend your family! Just think of a33 the new friends you'll get to meet at the mum and baby clubs

What should I get for J to entertain him on the flight? Any ideas from frequent flyers?

BDQ - you might be reclaiming your living room now but wait until Christmas!! How are you feeling now?

BDQ - didn't mean,how are you feeling now I said that about Christmas, I meant are you feeling any better with your cold. I re-read my post and it sounded unkind!

Ha ha deb don't worry, I'm not offended! Part of the drive to clear away S's toys is in preparation for Xhristmas. We have some empty trofast ikea storage in S's room ready to be filled up in December!

Still feeling a but rubbish but I'll live. Had to go and get some supplies from M&S and S fell asleep in his buggy, so took the opportunity to potter round boots and next and buy yet more Christmas presents! Got some half price smellies for DH and a cute cost dressing gown for S.

Hi all, working today so can't write too much. Also am knackered with earlier and earlier starts to the day. We are meant to be exchanging on the house today. We didn't last week because one of the other solicitors did all the searches wrong. Still we are still set for a 6 November completion fingers crossed, touch wood etc etc. I am slowly losiong the will to live over it.

Did another early preggo test and it came out negative. I don't know why I do those things. Still. Next month.

Lots of love to Sponge and Michael. Hope the BF is going better today hun.

it's this jacket. I'm about the cost but did spend an hour at the park this morning getting wet while the boys marched through puddles.

I used to want a light jacket because I was pushing the buggy and found I overheated but now all I do is stand and watch and I'm getting cold. I'm also getting fatter - and no new baby to blame it on .

Speaking of shopping, is Fraser's godmother's birthday today. Any online recommendations for birthday shopping? She's currently 11 weeks pregnant (and stuck at a business meeting for the week pretending to be on anti-bs so they don't wonder why she's not drinking). What would be a real treat for early/mid pregnancy?

So is that a definite no for this month or just an early test Amber? I am going to see the doc tomorrow about my luteal phase - I know I said I would wait another month but patience has never been my strong point. They can apparently give me progesterone gel to lengthen the LP and give an embryo more time to implant, so might as well do it this month. I am really bad as well cos I keep thinking an August baby is better than September for school (even though it is worse for the child ). Well I am July and my dad Aug and we did alright .

Loving the HR chat! They are fab at my company, totally on the ball with everything especially maternity-wise. It's great you go the holiday pay PP. I really laughed at your solicitor 'company policy does not overrule EU law'

Debs, lol at Tristan saying Nigel should have taken Ethan with him! Would that be so Tristan could have a break

Hope Sponge and the boys are OK at the clinic today!

x-posted Abdn, nice coat! Not so nice price . But if it is going to last you a few years and you wear it almost every day, well it's hardly anything really is it

Ethan has finally given up and gone to sleep. From his cot he can open the door and he kept shouting for me...I've been in and out for 30 minutes and he was a right state so in the end he fell asleep in my arms and I put him back in. Haven't needed to do that for months. Think he's suffering with a cold and the after effects of his 2nd mmr last week.Typical when Nigel's not here.

be back later, must give those 2 older boys some much needed attention now.

AH how was Skye? Like the jacket too, a good combination of warmth and style. It has suddenly turned cold here today even though we are in the tropical South East. Need to buy P a coat, and possibly one for me too.

Deb new remote is on order as the old one is still down the back of the radiator. Even DH's best efforts with a golf club and a feather duster could not release it. Hope you don't get too lonesome without Nigel. How long is he here for? James and I have giggled at Nigel being sent shopping for the perfect sippy cup.

Amber fingers crossed for exchanging asap.

Off to the RHS gardens (again) at Wisley. They have "A Taste of the Autumn Fesitval" on, so I am hoping to nibble lots of yummy things. Better go.

neenz I don't think it's too early to talk to the doc - the earlier you raise it, the earlier they'll help i'd expect. As for babies - I really wanted summer babies but the school start dates are different here so the boys are in the middle which is excellent.

Amber x-posted. sorry that you're still not having luck - sending hugs.

neenz - it's a definite no (well nothing's ever that definite but it's extremely likely). Gonna do my temperature now my cycle has calmed down if I can. You may as well go to the docs. I was advised to go and demand a referral as it can take ages to come through.

Luke's talking is coming on leaps and bounds. He's properly calling me mummy now and I love it. Last night when I put him to bed, as I closed the door he called 'Mummy' and then when I went in he said 'Mummy night night'. I almost cried.

spider skye was lovely but wet - hence the jacket. We spent a lot of time outside on treasure hunts (one of us would go out first and prepare clues). DS1 loved it and Fraser really enjoyed running after him. RHS gardens sound lovely.

neenz I like your thinking

oh and amber fingers crossed your house sorts itself out quickly! I can totally see why you'd be frustrated!

Love the HR talk! I used, cynically, to think that HR people were really nothing more than evil henchmen

Despite all of that, I've been reading about the Trafigura/Carter-Ruck/Guardian case and it is making me really itchy to go back to work. I used to do some media law and I loved it. I've even amended my first draft of the above paragraph after realising that it was highly defamatory. I think I'd need to work in London though. My plan would be to spend 2 nights a week in London, so I could work in the office and not have to clock-watch (and also do nice London things), then work from home another day, and have 2 days not working. This would all be facilitated by a magically enlarged house in which we could accommodate a magically available loving relative so the children didn't lose out.

I think I'll have some more chocolate now.