May 2007 The sun is out the sky is blue

[charleymouse]

theres not a cloud to spoil the view.

[AprilMeadow]

Hi Ladies

Happy Friday!!

Am almost packed ready for my trip to MrsJB's! I have checked in online and am currently printing my boarding passes

Been quite bust the last few weeks nothing specific just things plus a few work related bits and bobs.

I cant believe that this time next week my baby will have completed his first year at school!! His report was brilliant . To be an 'average' child you had to get 6 out of 9 across 13 areas. He got 2x6's, 3x7's, 4x8's & 4x9's I am so proud of him and just needed to boast share

[AprilMeadow]

for bust read BUSY

[charleymouse]

Well done J, I can't quite believe they have finished a year AM. Have a good trip and give MJB a hug from me.

I'm afraid the meet up is a no go as we have booked a last minute break to CP. Not sure whether to be gutted or excited. Poor DH tho, they cancelled DDs sports day due to rain and have rearranged it for his 40th. [
Grin] We had planned a nice day out with lunch and now we are going to sit in the local park watching sports day.

LGT how was court? DHs exam and Js birthday? And the anniversary celebrations?

Jam it is the law of sod they would rather play in hhe garden than participate in your carefully arranged activities.

TMAM can you tick some of my boxes please? Have loads to do and just to lazy hot.

PM well done on the reports and the potty training.

MJB so glad everything went well, how are the DCs coping? Hope you and AM are having a lovely time.

TSM and PJ, AL fancy a mini meet over the summer?

Oh I beg of you, now we know Scoot is alive and well and hiding in FB shall we coax her back here?

You too SOH. I've seen you posting on other threads.

My Mum has gone away for the summer, (She always does) and she had not seen the DCs for weeks. I rang her to check when she was off and she informed me she was babysitting her friends grandkids that night. She hadn't seen her own for weeks. And would be off in the next few days, could she have the DCs before she went? No ringing to tell me when she was off or asking to see them until I rang her, she won't be back until Sept. I can't arrange Hs christening whilst she is away but she then told me she might come back for her cousins sons wedding party. Not even the blardy wedding as she is not invited but just drinks at her. Cousins house to celebrate the wedding. Priorities hmm.

Also had a massive bust up with SIL who in the middle of a row when I asked her not to swear on my childrens life (she was lying about something) turned on me and said "After all I did for you when your baby died"

Any way hope everyone ok and hope to see you next year at the annual meadows towers feast.
.
I am still so upset about it, DH is hopping mad.

[charleymouse]

[JamInMyWellies]

It's your cheesy feet Charley.

[charleymouse]

right just been in shower and put peppermint foot lotion on. Smell all fresh and lovely. Good enough to eat, even though I do say so myself.

[charleymouse]

Well sat here at CP with a glass of vino watching a tame rabbit (dropped off by kids in villa next to us ) meet his wild friends, tempted to sing Bright Eyes but it always makes me cry. I'm just concerned his domesticated groomed look is only gonna get him picked out as not from round these parts boy.

Hope everyone is well, any hints & tips on how to survive the sumer hols much appreciated. Blardy sports day was cancelled again yesterday.

Oh DD told me yesterday that (insert name of school friend) mum had a soft smooth bottom like a little girls because she is fit and slim whereas mine is fluffy as I am fat and unfit. To be fair she may be right as the CS overhang does make cutting the grass more tricky . I did explain her friends mum just trims hers but she looked a bit doubtful about it.

[Themasterandmargaritas]

Charley . I tell you, our parents are a spoilt and lost generation. Very selfish However tell dh I am very cross I won't be seeing you on Monday. Have fun in CP.

I'm in Dorset, but where did the summer go?

We went to France and had fun, got rained on, watched the REAL Tour de France, it was rather amazing (sorry Tils) I picked up a newspaper for your dh, but now I see you are not coming to the meet . I'll have to give it to PC plod.

Inspite of strikes we made it back, then today we survived Legoland, even without my dad, April, he only went and fell off his bike at the beginning of the week and broke his arm! We had a super super time, it was really great fun and we all went on loads of things and the dc declared that Miniland was the best bit . They are so innocent.

So now I am in a flat, I now have to do the washing up, take the washing out of the machine and do the ironing. I beg of you what kind of a holiday is this?

[AprilMeadow]

Oh no TMAM your poor Dad!! Glad you survived the Land of Lego! Jack LOVES MiniLand - we can spend hours there... sometimes i try to avoid it lol

Charley, have a wonderful time in CP. We are off for a week there in August and last night i booked to go away at the start of the Feb half term for a weekend. Was looking online at the Treehouse Villas at Sherwood...... OMG!!!!! Beautiful BUT ££££££'s! For a week (cant remember when) it was £3599 or a weekend was £2799!!

Had a wonderful time at MrsJB's. Had it extended by 2 days due to the air traffic strike. The children played really nicely. We went to a beautiful lake where the kids could swim and play on the beach area, went to a softplay place that Lucy loved and spent a lot of time in the huge swimming pool! The weather was mostly baking . AND i got to see the famous cupboard - will post pics later

[AprilMeadow]

What a lovely afternoon we had Was great to see you and sorry that there were some that couldnt make it.

Jam, how is dh?

[Themasterandmargaritas]

Jam what's going on with dh? Is he ok? Have you got help with the boys? x

[JamInMyWellies]

DH is ok. He has had loads of tests lumbar punctures and CT scans but they think its a migrane or just unexplained. Hopefully he will come home today. The boys have been looked after by the outlaws. Cheers for asking.

Still gutted about MOnday hope you all had a lovely time. x

[JamInMyWellies]

DH still in hossie. They are now back to thinking its a TIA (mini stroke). He is utterly fed up and just wants to come home.

[Themasterandmargaritas]

Poor him and you. I hope he is soon home.

[AprilMeadow]

You poor things! I hope they are able to give you the results very soon. Lots of love to you both xx

[Moijaimelacountry]

Jam, I hope DH is on the mend soon and that you get some answers. Lots of love to you all. xx

[AprilMeadow]

Any more news Jam? Is J back at home with you?

We have had the bug in our house this weekend! I spent 4 hours on the big white phone on Friday night which was not pleasant! I havent been sick for about 3 years so i guess it was my time again.. Jack was up at 23.30 having been sick in his bed, thankfully just the one though. Made it through yesterday although felt very tired as hadnt eaten since lunchtime on Friday.

Thankfully we are all back up to full health, dh is the only one to have been spared it.

Lucy is in full on speed demon crawling mode and is really trying to pull herself up onto anyone and anything she can. Very cute!

How is everyone else doing?

[JamInMyWellies]

AM hope you are all feeling better.

DH home, infact back to work today. Contracting sucks if he is ill no pay so we lost alot of money last wk.

He is absoloutely fine. Dr's are struggling to give a proper diagnosis all test have come back clear which is great but he has to go back in for an eeg and a couple of other things but that can be done as an outpatient.

Am now playing catch up after not doing loads of things last wk. Have just spent 2 hours dead heading all my pots and sweeping up the garden, dull.

[charleymouse]

TMAM could you not bring the help with you for a holiday? Sorry to miss you this year.

Jam so sorry to hear about your DH, hope he is feeling better.

April glad you are feeling better. When we went in April we had to stop at the treehouse building site each day for G to admire the digger and the trenches for the pipework for the treehouses. Looks like they are progressing now though. Not due back now until new year. Think DH is CPd out .

MJB is your cupboard getting much summer hols use? Think I may have t get one myself.

Whilst at CP I left H for the first time. I went for some grown up time with DH in the spa - until the time out club rang and said she had woken from her nap and had been crying and would not settle. Twas nice whilst it lasted though.

Put DD1 and DS into nursery today and went out for the day with DH suit shopping for a christening we are godparents at. I have yet to get myself kitted out. Any advice from you fashionistas much appreciated. What does a fat lumpy 40 year old who may need to breastfeed wear to a christening, apart from a hat as I love hats and will wear one at the drop of one IYSWIM. May get to wear it twice as have got Hs christening in September as well and different people at each one.

Hope everyone is okay.

[JamInMyWellies]

TMAM someone needs your help

[Pebblemum]

hello all

Does anyone know anything about fighting banks over unauthorised direct debits??? Back in May 06, Dh was going to set up a direct debit using our joint account with Nationwide, the company it was for sent him a form to sign with all the details on but at the last minute dh changed his mind and used a different account with a different bank and so we shredded the form and were under the impression that that was the end of it until 2months later i got a letter from Nationwide telling me that i was being charged for an unpaid direct debit. I went to see them, told them it should never have been set up and they supposedly cancelled it. The following month i got another letter saying that as i hadnt paid the charges from the previous month that i now owed more and that the direct debit had once again gone unpaid and therefore i had that charge to pay on top too. Cue another trip to the bank where i once again explained the direct debit should never have been set up, i even put it in writing yet still the following month i got another shitty letter. This went on until i wrote a very verbal letter to head office threatening to take legal action if the matter wasnt sorted and the account closed. For the past four years i have heard nothing about it until last week when i got a letter from a debt collection agency asking for £439. I went to speak to the manager at Nationwide, who after trying to look back into it all decided she couldnt do anything and that i would need to phone head office. After 3 attempts and 56mins on the phone i found out the account is still open and the direct debit was still set up, yet i havent had so much as a single letter/statement regarding the account in 4yrs and Nationwide now have to try to trace all records to see what can be done. If anyone has any advice i would be very grateful. I think once this is sorted i will be looking for another bank which is a shame as ive been with them for 21yrs and the kids account are with them too but this has really annoyed us.

On a lighter note Ive been looking at LG&Ts pics of the meet up on fb, its hard to believe that when we all first 'met' none of the little ones were around, hasnt the past few years just flown by? A has her dates for all her visits in regards to starting pre-school and on Tuesday we are going to the open evening so she can meet her 'teachers'. She is so excited, she cant wait. I know she is more than ready but its horrible thinking she is at that stage in life already. I was watching her play with E and D today and she just looked so grown up, a lot older than 3 They just dont seem to stay babies for long.

Speaking of which D is an absolute nightmare, i swear he is part monkey, the way he just seems to be able to climb absolutely anything. He has just found out he can climb the stairgate although luckily he hasnt been able to get right over but i know it wont be long, he is so determined. I definately know i have him lol.

I hope everyone is well and enjoying the summer hols even though the weather has been pretty crap some days, typical british summer lol

[Themasterandmargaritas]

All back home safe and sound. I don't know whether to feel happy or sad.

How is dh Jam? Have you had a fab time with your best friend and dsis?

April are you over your bug?

How were the beardy weirdies SOH? It looked like you all had a fab time. And how did court go LG&T?

Did you get an outfit Charley?

[AprilMeadow]

Glad you made it home safe & sound TMAM.

Yes thank you am now over the bug which is good. Was nasty and didnt help with the other thing either ;-)

Jam, how are things with you?

MrsJB, are you enjoying having all the family over?

LG&T, you look like you are having a great time camping!

Charley are you all sorted? What did you go for in the end?

SOH, we NEED to see pictures of the new do!

We are off to Center Parcs today for the week which is nice, although i have so much to do as we only got back from the touring cars at Snetterton late last night. I'm waiting for clothes to go through the machine an then have to try and work out what food to take. Would be much better if i could feel a little more motivated in the mornings.

Lucy is all over the place at the moment and is babbling away. She can say things that sound like 'garden' 'duck' 'what is it' and 'lucy'. All very cute and she knows it!

How is everyone else and are you surviving the summer holidays?

[JamInMyWellies]

AM is there something you need to tell us??? Unmotivated in the morning, pukey bug???

Shattered here does anyone want shmoks? Back tyo rubbish sleeping. He is really cute during the day and lovely but the nights are a horrible. DH decided that we are going to go on a holiday this summer after all. So we are looking all over for places to go, Cuba is looking pretty good.

CAnt help you with any of those bank troubles Pebble. But I would suggest you contact the financial ombudsmen they should be able to help.

How is everyone else??

[Tillyscoutsmum]

Hi all. Hope everyone is well.

Jam - how is DH doing ? I've always fancied going to Cuba. Am v

AM - hope you're feeling better

Charley - how are you doing ? Will fb you about meeting up if you're still up for it ? If you're brave enough to start a thread in S&B, you'll get some fab ideas. Will happily have a look but I'm far from a fashionista

Gin - love the camping pics. You are very crazy brave. We did lots of camping pre-dc's but need a bigger tent

TMAM - glad you enjoyed your trip

I'm off to get Ferg weighed for the first time in months. He eats almost as much as Tils (who is far from shy when it comes to grub) so I'm hoping he's not toooo hefty