December 2007 - Not Quite Two, Already Terrible ;)

[claraquack]

Just checking that this worked....

Yes the one on a boat, if you click on photos you can see some more of his pics without being friends with him.

Am shattered, ds up all night with a temp and saying "it hurts". Still haven't established what hurts though.

Yay great news for your friend

Ok sooo
We ended up going out this afternoon, went to Cheddar, had a coffee, wandered around and went in a cave. Had a really nice afternoon and got on well, he was very chatty (which was good cos I can be a bit quiet sometimes), he looks less old irl but I do not fancy him at all. He wants to see me again though...

Ooh Clairey that's a tough one. What a shame you don't fancy him - but if you don't you don't. I used to hate going on dates with men I didn't fancy, I always felt so awkward, especially at the end when I just wanted to run in case they tried to kiss me. Are you going to see him again or chalk it up to experience? I'm glad you had a good time, at least. Hopefully it made you feel good about yourself, too.

There was a bit of that Clara, I was edging towards the front door because I got the feeling he was about to move in (also wc's nan was looking out of her window at me which made me )

Not sure about seeing him again, I wouldn't mind but don't want to give him false expectations or get myself in a situation where I end up giving him a pity snog or something (yeah done that before!)

Oh what a shame clairey. I guess if you do see him again you need to have a chat so that he knows you're not interested. Could you possibly imagine fancying him the future? I have only fancied about 10% of boyfriends initially - but you seem pretty sure you don't so maybe not...

Have to say I've gone out with a few guys over the years post-separation and I've learnt that you do need to trust your instincts. Having said that there's no harm in having a bit of a fling with someone who's really into you!

Good for you re exH. I have tried to do exactly the same over the years with DD1's father. Mostly I succeed but occasionally the mask slips. It's a very hard charade to maintain for years and years, funnily enough DD1 will often now say "Dad's not very nice" or words to that effect and I find myself defending him!

Yay for your friend DrSkid :)

DD's first day at new nursery went well, she was all smiles tonight. A relief, especially as it turned back into winter today with hail this morning so the kids were stuck inside all day.

I've also thought about your friend a lot Clara. I guess it was to be expected he'd try this. In a way it probably makes it better that he found out before they left?

Glad dd's first day went well buzzy.

I have to say I find the whole 'dating' thing a bit odd anyway. Would far rather just go out with a group of friends or to a gathering of some sort-if there is someone I click with great then we can take it further, if not then I've had a good time with friends. Find going on dates with people I barely know a bit forced and unnatural! But maybe that's my 18 year old student mentality coming out!

Yes I know what you mean! But where to find said gathering of friends that includes at least one likely single bloke amongst the mix?? I don't know maybe there are dozens that I meet every day through work and just don't realise...I have a friend that separated from her ex only 4 years ago and since then has been engaged once, then broke that off, and is now expecting a baby to another guy in Dec and they got married 2 months ago. She works in a similar-ish job to me and has an 8yo son so what am I doing wrong? I have a strong suspicion that I give off bad vibes

maybe you are more picky (in a good way) buzzy?

clairey - I have a new neighbour - age 32, Italian, tall dark and unbelievably handsome - you should come round for a cup of tea and have a look! Agree about dating - very wierd. Evening classes/book groups are surely the way to go for meeting nice men in a non-wierd environment?

just had a proper look at him on facebook and he looks quite nice to me but then I'm not fussy judging by the state of my DH!

Ooh when shall I come skid?! Does he have nice forearms?? (weird I know but I do love nice strong arms on a man![not a feminist in the slightest emoticon])

Buzzy yes it is a problem

I also have a friend who has had several seriousish relationships since splitting frm her ex but I'm afraid from seeing her in action I think she is someone who doesn't feel complete without a man and throws herself into relationships very quickly (even if they aren't really right for her). When she was first single she went out to bars every week and joined loads of dating sites and it really did seem like any man would do. She moved in with the next guy then met somone else so kicked him out then got engaged to someone else entirely. Now she is with another man and they've been together a year so fingers crossed it works out this time.

I think you should be fussy! Why should you settle for anything less? And if you don't fancy them, you don't fancy them.

You know you are worth it :D

Halloween now so thought of a suitable name. Not that it will make any sense unless you have watched the new BSG.

Sorry if you are currently watching it but not season 4!!

Ok BT not only have I not watched any series of "BSG" but I'm going to admit to total stupidity here (or plead ignorance from living overseas) - what IS BSG? Not some kind of vaccination, I take it?

Dd1 has just earned her first pay packet! A marketing company here was looking for a young caucasian girl for an advertising campaign to do with the airport expansion and as there literally about three blonde, caucasian girls of her age living on the island (she is the only white girl in her year), they asked us. She was brilliant and did everything they asked of her - mostly holding upa toy plane and looking into the eyes of the pretend air stewardess who was holding her, while smiling - but afterwards saying she didn't want to do it again! Bless. Anyway it has earned her either approx £125 or £50 depending on whether they use her image or not - which isn't bad for an hour of her (and my) time. I asked her what she wanted to buy with the money - all she could come up with was an umbrella (it's been raining her a lot recently...)

BSG - Battlestar Galatica.

Going to start potty training in 2 days....

I wouldn't have known that either clara!

Good luck with the potty training BT... two or so months in, DS1 is finally pretty reliable and I haven't had to mop up wee/poo for a while! Hope your DS learns a bit quicker..

clairey - I am an old school feminist but I still like a man with strong arms - who wouldn't? I have to say I have never even spoken to him, let alone inspected his forearms - in fact I have only ever seen him hanging out his washing and gossiped about him with my (single ) neighbour!

wow at your DD's money earning skills clara - the next Alan Sugar? At least you won't need to worry about winter heating bills in your old age - she'll probably buy you a holiday home in Barbados (or St Lucia)!

I didn't know that either!

Skid couldn't you see his arms when he was hanging out washing?? Got told off by a (scarily) feminist friend when I said I liked strong arms, she said it showed I saw myself as a weak and pathetic female who wanted a strong man to protect me!

Good luck with potty training bt

Well done to your dd Clara. Shame she didn't enjoy it enough to want to do more though!

well I guess his arms must be pretty strong to hang out his washing so effortlessly... I think they were covered and I didn't notice them but will keep my eyes peeled next time I see him!

Don't agree with your feminist friend - I think it is views like that which give us feminists a bad name (man-haters and the like)

DS1 has wonky toes! Along with his wonky eyes and Eczema and being a middle child, he's def got the short straw . Can wonky toes cause problems with balance? He has this crazy run which I always thought was just his little way but now wondering if his balance is affected. Can I take my DS to the doctor for wonky toes???!

PS By wonky I mean his second toe curls out away from his big toe IYKWIM - both feet but worse on the right

Ok I will change my emoticon to [the non scary type of feminist like wot skid is emoticon]

DS has been cuddling me for an hour now!Think it is largely because I am refusing to put the heating on yet so the poor boy is a bit cold but the cuddles are nice and are giving me an excuse not to do anything else!

And re the toes it is probably ok but get it checked if you are worried. DD has hideous wonky feet, send you a pic to make you feel better if you like?? Her foot turns inwards, she has lumps on the sides of her big toe ball thingy that will probaly be bunions in later life and her second toes grow sideways so they are under her big toe iyswim. Poor girl, I'm her mother and I think they are horrible Specialist says not a problem unless her toenails start to cut into her feet or the toe goes at more of an angle than it does now. H and mil have the same thing.

gosh poor DD - maybe I should be grateful that my DS only has wonkiness and no lumps! Does your DD run ok?

[me and clairey are modern man-loving feminists emotion]

Awww your poor DD's feet :(, FO, but at your cuddly DS, mine is being extra cuddly too!
at your feminist friend, strong arms means they are more capable of putting the washing out and pushing the vacuum around the house

Clara - do you get copies of the pix of your DD? Sounds great.

Hi all!

Skid, my DS2 (with the wonky eyes) had a foot that turned in when he was small, he used to trot everywhere rather than walk or run, Dr and HV both said he should grow out of it and he has. DD has it too and also trots everywhere! Definitely check it out if you're worried though, it just sets your mind at ease!

Congratulations (V belatedly) to Melly!

I also think the way the child benefit is being axed is wrong, it should definitely be based on household earnings not individual earnings (wonder what Cameron and Clegg earn... [other suitably suspicious emoction]). Mind you, our joint income is a good long way below 44k so it seems like a lot of money to earn to me! I guess its not if you are used to living on it though, bigger mortgages etc.

Good luck with the potty training BT, still not facing up to that one here! We talk about it now and again but DD says she doesn't want to! She does sit on the potty fairly regularly but however full her bladder she still can't seem to let it go. A couple of nurse friends of mine have said that with girls particularly, its hormonal and they won't be able to do it until the right hormones kick in. With winter on its way now its probably easier not to potty train her just yet if she's not quite ready, I wouldn't imagine soggy tights are particularly nice!

beckle - think Cameron gets about £140,000 and MPs get about £60,000 - whatever it is I am pretty sure they won;t be qualifying for CB - especially as their wives probably earn more than they do...

I would def wait with the potty training - why put yourself through all that stress (and mopiing, washing etc) if she's not ready?

And thanks for the toe/foot advice - think I will leave it as it seems like his problem is very minor

DS2 now pulling himself up [weary sigh] and babbling [unbelivably cute]

Ah, not set at that level to benefit (ahem) themselves then!

Might be worth mentioning the toe/foot thing to HV just to be sure but it probably is fine, I think these kind of things tend to sort themselves out as they get older. I used to always feel I was at the docs with DS2, made me feel bad about mentioning things I was worried about!

You'll have fun now DS2 is pulling himself up, they don't stay babies for long though do they (but at watching them turn into proper little people)