October 2007 - these little piggies are growing up fast!

[alicet]

Ok so a pretty boring thread title but thought we needed some distance from the last one!

WWAJC sending you great big hugs and a glass of wine xxxx Glad to hear it went better than expected but sorry it has come to this. Thinking of you - if there is anything I can do or if you'd like to chat then you know where I am xxx

Floria that recipe looks great - you are a star! I have a desert in mind - a Nigella chocolate cheescake which looks to die for! Was thinking about Lamb shanks for meat main but will look at lancashire hotpots too - you are just my sor tof cook with filling comfort food - yum yum!

Individual Lancashire Hotpots

Serves 4, freezable, ready in 2 hours (but would give it a lot more)

1lb 12oz potatoes, peeled and cut into1/4 in slices
salt & freshly ground black pepper
a handful of fresh Thyme, chopped
2lb lean fillet of lamb, cut into bite size pieces
2 large onions, thinly sliced
2 large carrots, peeled and sliced
1pt lamb stock
1 level tbsp lamb gravy granules
steamed greens to serve

1. preheat oven to 180c/350f/gas4. Line 4 individual casserole dishes with a layer of potatoes, season with s, p and 1 tsp thyme

2.layer lamb, onions and carrots on top of the potatoes seasoning with s, p and thyme. Finish each dish with a layer of potatoes overlapping each other. 3.mix stock with gravy granules and pour into each dish to come to the level of the top layer of potatoes. Season again

1. cover each dish with foil bake for at least 1.5 hrs until meat is tender...uncover and cook for another 20-30 mins until potatoes are browned and crisp at the edges. Serve with steamed greens.

Lovely ladies how many of you would be up for coming here for a meetup? Know it isn't that close for lots of you but I have loads of space and toys and it might mean that we would have a good chance to chat if there was plenty for the littlies to do!

Could arrange for any Thurs or Fri in the next couple of months....

hello everyone
i'm sorry that i'm not able to remember exactly what everyone said at the moment, but just wanted to say:

crotchet - sorry that things have been so awful with changing the ADs, and the CBT session. i hope that you cope better with the new tablets, and if you decide to stop bf-ing M, then please have no doubts that you have done a great job for her - i could never have manged as long as you have (hugs)

WWAJC - what a night you have had. bet you feel absolutely drained. Sounds like you were very brave and very strong to have the conversation and not get drawn into the 'whose fault is it?' angle. i do hope things move quickly so that you can get on with getting your life sorted (hugs)

hello to everyone else, i hope you are all ok - hopefully i can get on later in the week - i read to catch up on my phone at work but it would take ages to write a post! xxx

Malibu Roulade

5 large free range egg whites
110g desiccated coconut ( I soak this in 1tbsp Malibu)
225g castor sugar
icing sugar for dusting
225mls double cream
1tbsp Malibu liqueur
100g pineapple pieces (drained) (I soak these in Malibu too)

1.Whip egg whites until stiff. Add castor sugar and whisk until forming stiff peaks. Fold in the coconut.
2.Line a Swiss roll tin with baking paper. Fill the lined tin with the mixture and bake in a preheated oven Gas3 for 30 mins.
3.Remove from the oven and cover with a damp tea towel for at least 2 hours.

1. Place a sheet of baking paper on the work surface and dust with icing sugar. Turn the roulade out onto the dusted paper.

5.Whisk the cream with the Malibu until thick. Spread the cream evenly over the roulade. Scatter the cream with pineapple. Using the baking paper roll the roulade from the short side. Place on serving dish and dust with more icing sugar. Keep chilled until ready to serve.

Alice; I really want to meet up but Thurs and Fri are not easy for me as I have to be home for teaching at 5pm latest on Thurs (and Fri I start at 2pm) so sadly I have to decline. I'd be happy to host a meet up here and will defiantely do a BBQ early this summer.

WWAJC. I'm sure you are absolutely drained and possibly a little numb/shocked but it looks like he has been expecting it (even provoking it)and I'm relieved that he has insisted on doing the moving out and so glad the big talk was not quite the ordeal you anticipated. Well done you for managing to avoid being dragged into a slanging/blaming match and I also hope a flat for H comes up soon because as you say I cannot imagine that it will be easy now the decision has been made. If you want a baby sitter, or need help or an just an ear/shoulder... anytime ... just call.(((((HUGS)))))

Sorry I haven't got much time either, have been reading but not getting chance to post.

WWAJC-Hope you feel okay about things, it's going to be tough, but hopefully the right step for you. Please keep in touch, especially if you're feeling really crap and need someone to chat to.

Crochet-So sorry you're having to give up bf BUT if the tablets work then it will be for the best all round, my friend is on them and seems a lot more 'stable' and happier, not that I'm saying you're unstable, actually, I think I mean more settled iyswim

Alice I would be up for meet up, can only do Thurs unless its going to be in half term, kids break up 12th. If you do manage to make it for then, then I'd prob try and get a cheap travelodge either night before or that night, I hate driving for too long.

Hi everyone else, should be on tomorrow as waiting in for a parcel.

Hi all

WWAJC - how are you this morning? How's things in the house? I think this is one of those 'waiting to exhale' moments where finally you can breath again. You sounded calm and resigned and well done you for not entering in to a tit for tat dissection of why things went wrong.

Crochet - sorry you're having to give up b/f like the others have said you've done an amazing job though I know this isn't how you wanted it to end. It's tough when you're in the situation living from day to day but try and project yourself forward looking back on these couple of years. They've been really tough but M will never remember the day mummy stopped feeding he. (You will though, I remember the days I stopped feeding my boys and sobbing that I was letting them down that I wanted to do it 'better' this time ect ect and I didn't even do the recommended 6 months with any of them!)

Try to take stock of what you have acheived and it really is an achievement especially as Floria says you've been working too. M needs you in another way now, she needs you to be as well as you possibly can to cope with what life throws at you all but not just M but R and J too. You also need to be well for yourself.

I was out walking with Tobias (in the pram) just before Christmas and it was freezing but I had the most amazing sense of inner happiness for that moment, a real bursting chest moment. I enjoyed it to the full and did think how things have changed and how far I had come. I saw my Doctor who I saw through my depression a few months ago and she said how well I looked. I said that there was light at the end of the tunnel but the tunnel was long and winding but eventually I did find the end. Some days the light felt further away than others but I got there in the end and you will too xxx

Ask for help whenever you need it but above all talk, talk and then talk some more.

All fine here, dh back to work after our bug. Toby rolled over again this morning in front of Ollie who thought it was the best things ever. He's slept again till 7am so we're hoping he's turned the corner.

Loving all the food talk, will have a look at the veggie recipe

Love to all
xx

WWAJC - Phew its finally over, glad you feel ok about it, it really does sound like the best decision for all of you, and also good that your H is going to move out. Lets hope he finds somewhere quickly. If you fancy a break at any time you are more than welcome to come see me in Derbyshire, we have a spare room available :-)

Alice - How far are you from Derbyshire? is it driveable in a day? I could do a meet up but only during half Term/Easter break unfortunately seeing as I have quite a way to get Sam from School. Also only on a Tuesday or Thursday as Ben is in nursery those days, although if push came to shove he could miss one of them

It feels forever since we last met up and I would like to meet some of the other lovely ladies too. Also we ought to arrange a night out for us all, sometime over the summer?

Where would be middle ground for us all? I could do Birmingham/Manchester/Leeds?

Crochet - I hope you get everything sorted out soon, at least you have taken the first step

Birmingham/manchester fab for me. I think I'm the furthes south along with Evalongoria

If everyone wants a Manchester meet up I'm happy to provide a venue...I'm completely free all day every Mons and Tues.. free every Thurs 'till 5pm (apart from swimming which we can miss)..free every other Weds untill 5pm but only free on Fri until 2pm ..(I'm assuming no on wants to do a weekend until the BBQ)we have loads of toys to keep the los entertained and I'd be happy to make a pot of soup and a few sandwiches...

LLL I am in newcastle so prob a bit far for a day trip although you may be more adventurous than me! Thought that would be the case for most of you but thought I would offer in case! NC if you are up for it we can def find a date to suit - maybe Dal would be able to come too

Very happy to do York again for those of us in the NE - my free days are Thurs and Fri. Manchester would be too far for us for a day trip as it would take about 2 and a half hours.

I think Birmingham is probably the most central / easy to get to place for a Mums night away - I would do my very best to go whereever for this although it would need to be a weekend so I had dh for childcare!

Muppet you write so eloquently esp about how you have worked through your depression. I am sure it is really helpful for Crochet to hear you have got through it!

Anyway - i have to go pick up boys now... Will prob be back on later xxx

Just thought that Manchester / Leeds might be better for Mums meet if Stefka 9sorry can't remember new name!) and Inzi want to come from Scotland - maybe best to see who is interested and then pick a venue? There may be somewhere that is logistically easier for people to get to even if it isn't necessarily the most central point?

Anyway best go get my boys!

I am up for a meet-up, both with and without lo's. I've still got a couple of days holiday to take before end of March so I could do any day really given enough notice - not bothered where it ends up being as am happy to stay over somewhere cheap! You have no idea how liberating it is just to be able to write that straight away without having to worry about what H will think, or find an excuse not to be able to come.

FT - those recipes sound delicious.

Muppet - glad you are all over the bug. Good news about Toby's sleeping - hope it continues.

LLL - thanks for the offer of a break. One of the things I've been looking forward to most is having little holidays with Anya - we've only had 3 so far and they've been stupidly stressful - so, actually yes, now I might start doing what normal people do and visit their friends!

I've been out with Anya most of the day - deliberately really as H is trying to be invisible while I'm in (by being at the opposite end of the house). He went out this morning - presumeably round the local estate agents although he's not said anything to me. I feel quite sorry for him now - I'm feeling fine about things but he looks as though he's been hit by a truck. At least all the aggression has disappeared now so the atmosphere is loads better. I have no idea what Anya makes of it - she doesn't seem affected yet although she's giving me loads of cuddles and kisses, which seem to be more for my benefit than hers iyswim! My parents have got Anya tomorrow - I've not told them yet because I won't be here when they pick Anya up mid-morning and I didn't want that to be awkward for them - H will be able to put on an act for the 10 minutes that they're here and at worst can always blame flu/tummy bug/etc. I might tell them tomorrow evening when they drop Anya off. Friday's a problem - H says he doesn't know how he's going to cope with Anya all day - the best I can hope is that my parents are free on Friday as well and can have her again for a few hours.

So still in limbo then but at least it's a peaceful one now - makes all the difference!

Night all
x

WWAJC; So glad that now it is all out in the open the tensions have cleared. I'm sure H is as desperate to get a new place and give himself some distance as you were, so it shouldn't be awkward for too long. I'm sure it has hit him hard but it is not your fault that he has allowed the baggage from his past to taint your relationship and refused to get help for it. If your parents can't take Anya tomorrow I would be happy to have her until 2pm (working at 3.00 this week) and Alex would love her company...if that would help at all.

Stan has a doggy date in 1/2 hour -wish us luck!

This is with the lady who looks after her daughter's JR called 'BOB'

Bob is on the way too so hoping they get on on a walk!

Hey Muppet. How did it go? Are Bob and Stan now best buddies? I sincerely hope so. The right home is always there if you look hard enough...did I tell you about the JR who belonged to a bloke who sadly won't be coming out of hospital?;social services would only pay for 3 months kennelling then it was RSPCA and the big needle because 'Jimmy' though physically as fit as the proverbial butchers dog is 14, deaf, getting cataracts and has never been socialised so flies at every dog in a 10 yrds radius with his teeth!!! But my cousins mil took him on at Christmas and my cousins Dh is bringing him to class and working a minor miracle on him. I hope this lady has the right home for Stan.

Well what a morning I had!!!

The lady (Jill) phoned and said she had got lost and was in Cricklade and her car was smelling of burning. I went out to find her and stopped off at a garage to get some oil. We then went for a little walk with Bon and Stan and they loved running after sticks and generally got on!!! BUT! We were on our way back to the car and we noticed something poking out of the car and realised it was the fan belt and it had broken. Jill then phoned her rac people but found out that as she only had 3rd party insurance she wasn't covered. (her husband has just died so it had lapsed) she phoned the local garage and they are taking her back to the garage but I have said I'll go and pick her up should she need any help as I'd hate to think of her getting cold in a garage (she's an older lady though very trendy and certainly no shrinking violet ) But she loved Stan and we're planning that Dh goes over to hers on Sat and has a walk around where she lives with Bob (and Henry) with a view to her picking Stan up next week for a few weeks trial. Hopefully (fingers and toes and everything else crossed ) she's the one!

Oh Muppet. What a to-do! But it looks like you have got the right home...and probably a friend for life! Fantastic! I have my fingers crossed for everything going smoothly on Sat.
Off to cook a mushroom stroganoff for dinner..back later.

hi all

WWAJC-Can totally inderstand the feeling of liberation, I'm glad that you're feeling so positive

Muppet-What a day! Hope everything is okay with the lady, and fingers crossed for her taking Stan.

RE-meet up, I can do whatever but would prefer to not do Fris and miss college, whatever we do, I think we should get something planned asap or we'll end up forgetting again.

Meant to get on earlier, but went upstairs to hoover and ended up spending 5 hours doing DD1s room It amazes me how it can get so bad, was ruthless and chucked loads, then when she got home from school I made her take lots and lots of bags on the pram to the charity shop, if it happens again I'll be geting rid of her desk and computer, then again....her bed and wardrobe

Also, meant to say-I've been trying to eat more healthily and do a bit more exercise. Had my sauna suit on today whilst I did the cleaning, post man knocks with a letter I need to sign for, I lean round the door trying to not let him see me in the bright silver suit, he sniggers and says 'they're good them, I use them when I do boxing' Then walked off chuckling grr. My skin is tingling now, did weigh 2 lb less than this morning though, so must be doing something!

NC - lol at sauna suit, I have visions of you looking like an oven ready chicken :-D

WOW - 5 hours on one room

I am totally up for a Saturday evening night on the town, we could just get a travelodge somewhere. Or somewhere near a train station so I can be lazy and get a train, I hate driving to new places

muppet - today sounds positive, I hope it all works out

FT - Mmmm mushroom stroganoff, yummy

LLL-Thanks! I looked like this with my head on obviously. I love travelodges, we could find a £9 one! off to google!

Wow - now I remember why I have to check in every day!

WWAJC - just have to echo what everybody else has said - h is definitely being sensible and moving out himself. Really hope that things sort out soon.

Muppetgirl - thank you. From the bottom of my heart: you have always been a really inspirational person and have helped me get through the past 2 years more than you would ever realise. Thank you.

Meet-ups ... can't do anytime soon until the Easter holidays: we're away (at Bluestone, am very excited! ) for half term ... but might manage a night out in Brum (going back to my place of birth!) - although can't promise anything because I'm just generally a bit cr@p! Best thing is if meet-up is organised and then I'll come if I can!

Went back into work yesterday and had a long chat to the deputy head (a different one has taken on staffing - much easier to talk to!), and asked if she could sound the Head out about my going part-time. They've never allowed a HoD to go part-time before, but I suggested a sort of job-share arrangement, that Kev, one of the other teachers in the dept., would act up to HoD on the days I'm not in. DepHead thought it was workable ... and came back to me today with the answer that the Head is very keen to make sure I'm ok (she made that bit up I'm sure!) and that in principle I can go part-time from September! !

As for bf - have done some more reading (ably assisted by FT - thank you!) - and have decided to carry on, and just keep an eye on M. She doesn't feed when the drug is at its highest concentration in my milk, and it's such an important part of our relationship (she's such a daddy's girl - our bf time is the only time she wants me ), so I'm going to go for it and just keep a watchful eye on her.
In any case, documented problems have involved sleep disturbances, and as we've not had a full night's sleep since her birth, then there's not really a problem!!

Singing lessons going well - I spent a large part of last night breathing! (well, more consciously than usual! ) Analogies in lesson last night included: mexican wave stomach, not trapping an eagle in a budgie's cage ... priceless! She's lovely, but a real stickler!

to alice, LLL, FT, Needcoffee, and anybody I've not mentioned - hiya!!

Am spending some quality time with my sofa tonight! Speak soon!

Bradford, Leeds, Wakefield, any preferences for people? Was thinking end of July for a night out...?