May 2009 - A new start. Mine's a large gin please.

[runningmonkey]

Here you go ladies.

I'd quite like the idea of a private journal. I think we all forget that this board can be read by anybody.

Blotted good luck with your new venture. We took the plunge last JUly and it has transformed our lives. It has been stressful at times; it feels like we are working 24/7 sometimes but in other respects it has been the best thing we have ever done (bar the darling children, of course!) We try and meet once a week to discuss long-term stuff, marketing, new opportunities etc as it is very easy to get bogged down in the day to day things that must be done immediately. Oh, and don't under-estimate the requirements on the financial-side. The best thing we did was to "interview" a few different accountants to get one that was the most helpful. Our bank have been great, as have the Business Link people. Oh, and final thing, although we thought it a bit cheesy networking events have been wonderful for us. Other people have spotted opportunities for us that we wouldn't have thought of.

Better dash...the DCs are squabbling. Off for my shopping trip in a bit, can't wait!

Thanks Llare, that's really helpful! And Belgina too, yes being paid off has certainly paid off so to speak!

Livejournal is a blogging site with the ability to create 'communities' where members can join and post. It's kind of difficult to explain it to someone who has never used it, but if you think this might be an idea can I suggest that you go and register for an account there - it's free - and see how it works for you.
The advantages (in my opinion) are that entries can be locked so that only friends see it & the community can be set up so that only people we know are permitted to join. The disadvantage is that it could perhaps be difficult to maintain long conversations because it's more of a blog and comment style. See what you think

ok... have been having a potter on live journal and set up a private members only community for us. I don't know if it'll work how we want but a few more of us need to join to try it out...

so here's what you have to do to
join our community...

If you're on FB send me a message with your email address so I can send you an invite to the private live journal group. You will have to set up a live journal account which as blotted said is free (and VV easy).

Or you can set up a live journal account by going here and clicking on create an account and then let me know your live journal username and I'll find you & invite you from within the site.

When you get into the private group you can click on leaf of the cafe and then view all comments to read what comments are there. To add something you just have to either hit reply or leave comment...

Anyway see what you think? It's all private and if anyone else fancies being a moderator let me know?!

I have to get our dinner organised but i'll be back on later... I've set blotted up as a moderator so she can send invites too... so you could fb blotted also

Lol, fi I had just set up an account to see how it works. I'll send you my address so I can join the community group.

found you belgina I made a guess you had the same user name as I used my MN username too

ok looks like the easiest way to add people to the group is to just let me or blotted know your live journal username here or FB and we just add you to the group members list!

Are you guys setting me up for a new internet addiction

Can't believe my MN username was already taken. Don't invite the imposter!

Livejournal community sounds good, thanks Fi and blotted. I'll have a look when I have a bit more time.

MIL died during the night . FIL phoned at 3am to say she had just passed away. DH and BIL went over to the hospital so they could say their goodbyes as a family . Poor DH has looked as white as a sheet all day. FIL came over earlier and was a bit better than I thought he might be - think he was expecting it more than we were, and is buoyed up by all the good wishes from their family and friends. Not sure when the funeral will be - they can't do anything about it until after the bank holiday.

Sorry to me, me, me post and run but I think I'd better be company for DH for a while rather than sit in front of the laptop.

Hope everyone else ok x

Hmm, reading that back perhaps good wishes isn't the right term but you know what I mean!

Spangle

So sorry to hear this. Yes - your dh (and family) will need lots of tlc in the coming weeks. You have a tough week ahead .

Btw, you made me smile with your apologies for a 'mememe' post. I think you have every right to it and certainly no need for the apology.

Oh Spangle what horrible news I'm so sorry for your family's loss.

Those of you who I've found on LJ I've invited to the group - go here to accept the invite.

Spangle
Take care.xxx

spangle to you and your family.

spangle so sorry to you all xoxox

belgina pula & llare you should have your group invites now

spangle - so sorry to hear about your MIL. Take care of yourself and your DH.

fi- i'm in the group, but not sure what it's all about yet!

I "allowed" my DH an afternoon off with his male friends in the pub today- the DW of one of the male friends came round here with her 2 DCs (aged 3 and 5) for the afternoon, so I am glad of the peace and quiet now . DH had about 5 pints and is sleeping it off on the sofa. Hope he doesn't get a bad hangover!

spangle - so sorry to hear your news. Thinking of you, your DH and family xx

pula i'm still finding my way around too

spangle about your MIL. If there were ever a good reason for a mememe post that would be one. Go ahead and off load on here whenever you want. Sounds like your DH and his family will need lots of support over the next few weeks and months.

fi pula blotted Not quite sure what to do with Livejournal too. Does that mean we'll slowly move the convo over there or will it be used for something else

Well I just had the ap's family round for dinner. I always find that very strange. Us being a hospitable sort of family invite the ap's family over for dinner whenever they're visiting. They tend to arrive with empty hands and then don't really thank me for my hard work afterwards either. It must be a Dutch thing I think. The oddest thing was that they all said a prayer before the meal, something we never do. This in itself isn't all that odd, but it just seemed odd to do it in another family's home, IYKWIM. The dcs were already munching away on the food and I had to stop them I always thought that guests follow the habit of the host in that respect.

Spangle so sorry to hear your news. Sending lots of love your way.

Belgina your facebook status makes sense now. I agree that you follow the host at all times.

Well, I had my personal shopping thing today and it was a bit meh, really. The woman was very nice but very professional and I just didn't warm to her. I wasn't really in the mood for it but I came away with this dress and this top and this jacket.

It was a bit odd as I wouldn't have picked up any of the items as they firstly from concessions I never look at and I really never wear prints. I'm not sure I even like the top to look at but when I put it on it looked great.

I really recommend going. There was no pressure at all. I just sat in a comfy chair while the shopper brought me things to try on. Once I selected a dress, she started bringing me cardigans, jackets etc to try on with the items. I was probably a disappointment to her because I already had a cardigan to wear with the dress. She gave me lots of advice about what to wear and was very honest; unlike friends who can be too nice sometimes. The jacket is to wear with black trousers which I had already, so she was really good at working with current items in my wardrobe.

I'm tempted to save and save and do it again in the Autumn. I really can't afford to lose any more weight and I guess I'll never have the luxury of buying a new wardrobe again but boy, it has been fun!

Livejournal I'm all signed up but I can't really see anything on there. I'll have another look tomorrow to see if I can make sense of it.

belgina they do sound quite odd! Oh well at least you did your hospitable bit

As far as live journal goes... i'm not sure either. For the moment we can have a potter about, see if it works for us & if it does then maybe it could replace any future threads here?

hiya llare I LOVE fenn wright manson stuff sorry you didn't warm to the lady but i'm glad it was still good fun & lovely purchases

llare Your shopping trip sounded nice. Not too sure about the dress myself, but love the top and the jacket I like the idea of just sitting there while someone just fetches clothes for me to try on.

I'm glad it's not just me who thinks these people are a bit odd. I've never ever had that happen before and I've had quite a few religious people over the floor in the past.

Right, bedtime now. I meant to go an our ago, but my pottering about on livejournal made me stay up late (yet again)

I've just finished updating my blog! The first time in a very long time so it's off to bed for me too...