40 + yummy mummies with baby tummies and those who've 'popped' - come hither!

[jeanjeannie]

Come join our merry (talkative) band of ladies who lunch - feel sick - are getting fatter - sleep deprived or run off their feet with babies! Some of us suffer all of the above - while trying to retain an air of calm and mystery

All we ask is you play nicely, eat cake and indulge in the occasional gossip and moan about our ills....or anything else that we can think of.

We're like grumpy old women....only not so grumpy...

Ohh hedgepig what a joyous chore
We found the shelves pretty bare at M&S too...we had the antipasti, the duck with chips and the melt in the middle choc puds with the pink cava...yum, yum.
mum41 I got a card!
Crosses on the door in the Tosca household too...I should invest in Calpol shares.
Well the laptop has been recussitated but is running like a bag of spanners and worse we wont be replacing it as Dh has just been given 30 days notice of the company going on a 4 day week
got to go make him a cheery breakfast...

Morning all. Well mum41 you win the mostest spoilt 40+ award this Valentine **hands over trophy with a smile of an Oscar loser!

JW your eve sounds a bit Florence Nightingale. My Valentine's eve was spent watching the telly - on my OWN - why? DP made a brazier and burnt all the cut down trees till 11am Now his SF has turned up (in a brown overall looking like Mr Arkwright) and they're chainsawing down the rest. Oooo, I think a picture is brewing.

floria Oh heck luvvie - DH on a 4 day week! Crikey - did it come out of the blue or has it been brewing? It's all getting quite scary now. Good to see life breathed into laptop.

I saw Max Clifford talking about Jade and he said that he'd promised to ensure she made enough money for the boys to get through private education....so I guess that's what she's doing. Have no time for her fella....hopefully her will is water-tight

Gosh - it's all smoke and chainsaws outside

Hi JJ, there was little warning...last week they were told that the German parent company had taken a 20% across the board pay cut (but the German government give everyone 50% of it back)but the Uk branch are doing better than average atm so they weren't expecting to be told to do the same, (without the government help)...oh well...I'm sure if we draw our horns in we will survive...just so long as there are no redundancies it means that our garden will be getting lots of attention too. Hope your chainsaw massacre is over soon(we did that 2 yrs ago..18 leylandii...the smallest was 30 ft!...just never got round to doing the drainage and re vamp)

How romantic JJ! Cutting down trees and burning wood. Have you noticed that menfolk are in their element following such pursuits? The old man next door to us isn't happy unless he's got a bonfire going (usually when my washing is on the line) LOL @ Arkwright appearing!

Oh poo floria What awful news for your DH. Does a 4 day week mean 4 day wages too? Hope things perk up for him and I think the cheery b/fast is a superb idea

DH and DSS arrived back from walk in clinic with prescription for penicillin. However not to 'cash' it yet as it's not tonsillitis but if it turns, then we're to administer the strong stuff. DH makes me put head in hands on regular basis but today's offering was him telling me that the nurse had to show him what tonsils looked like. He had got to the age of 39 thinking it was the dangling bit at the back of the throat I asked him if the plural hadn't been a clue....................arrrrrrrrgh. Give me something to work with, please!

I have DD#1 + b/f coming for their sunday lunch later on and inbetween being lady with the lamp, a visit to DS#1 to take him some of my red cabbage and bacon creation DD#1 is 23 on thursday so our tribe are all going for a Japanese meal. DH has eagerly offered to babysit as he says he hates japanese food which he's never tried. Unless the Japanese have invented roast beef and yorkshire pudding there's no way I'd even get him through the door Parochial tastes? lol. Nevah!

Oh floria that's not nice. What line of work is he in? Is it across the whole of his profession? I do worry about DP - but so far it seems mainly construction sites that are affected not the home market. In fact folk seem quite prepared to do work rather than sell. We're taking nothing for granted I have to say. We've also cut back massively - it's make-do-and-mand here at JJ towers...wartime spirit and all that!

Chainsaws are hard at work. Hate seeing DP 30ft up a tree tying a rope to it.... They're just tackling the 'big one' right now. We've not been able to tell the neighbour... Mind you - he's there 2 days a week and is soooo ODD! He's NEVER opened his curtains in 10 years DP has been here The house is an over-grown wild, falling down wreck - kids throw stones at it and it's VERY creepy. We're just happy it's not attached to our house. Our environmental lawyer mate across the road (handy) has taken pics - and told us we're ok and trunks are on our land and we can't sink posts for a fence down a trunk - to it's bye, bye. Plus they're self sown - not part of a proper boundary planting.

OMG - the HUGE branch has just come down and smacked against the house.....it's all ok but damm scary. Don't worry all...I got a picture -I'll post later

Morning...well nearly afternoon Ladies!

floria how awful. Hope things pick up soon for your DH.

JJ yikes, watch out for falling branches!

Really, JW when shall I be there for dinner?

Quiet day around here. Slept badly so been lying on the couch all morning reading the internet while DH plays video games. Just the way I like my Sundays and relishing them before baba comes and quiet mornings end!

Good morning. Gosh, JJ and JW you are having busy Sundays! Here at the magic roundabout, DC are tidying their rooms (after which they get their pocket money), DH hoovering, I've made an aubergine, courgette, mushroom, tomato and mozzarella bakey thing and this afternoon we will go for a walk along the disused railway line (prettier than it sounds) before seeing that Mystery of Moonacre fillum at the cinema and going to Nando's for tea. Hurrah!

Tee relish these times while you still can. But don't despair; lazy Sundays will reappear in a few years' time. Well, lazyish .

floria bad news re DH's job - hope the missing day's wage doesn't squeeze you too much. We've had a nice gradual decline from 2 full-time wages to DH's f-t and my puny p-t freelance things, and so it's been fairly painless - fingers crossed the situation stabilises or improves for you v soon.

Mum41 I told my DH about your valentine pearls and he eyed my swelling bozoom and said he'd give me a pearl necklace any time I wanted. . Poor chap, I also reminded him that come the 3rd trimester I might actually get my libido back, as some of you ladies have discovered, and he muttered something about 'mounting a small hippo' . . By then he'll be too grateful to complain.

Hope coughing children get better and that hedgepig has no more exploding nappies to deal with.

arrrrrrgggh wrote a whole post and the internet crashed oooooooh I Hate That!

jj thrilling times chez vous with all the man stuff going on

tee yes, relish those lazy Sunday mornings - Mr D decided that 5am was getting up time this morning

jw Lol at your DH - that's probably a common misconception. Sounds like its still Worf General at yours - poor you! You are going to be medically qualified at this rate! Poor DS also as it does sound v nasty and at half term too when he can't even get the compensatory benefit of a few days off school!

Aye poor Jade - seems she's doing it all for the sons so there is enough money to educate them so they don't end up like her, but she must be in terrible pain - who in their right mind would want anyone seeing them like that - never mind the general public? You have to wonder at Jack Tweed's motivation but I guess if it makes her happy... Even if she has made a watertight will he will no doubt make a fortune off the story in the tabloids afterwards.

Speaking of tabloid awfulness - I see that there are now several other lads in the running to claim paternity in the 13 yr old babyfather case. Yuk. And the 13 yer old parents are squabbling over who gets to sell the story. Its all too Jeremy Kyle

'ere ladies - my last day of matenity leave has dawned - boo hoo for me

/wails
/gnashes teeth

Ha ha ermintrude at your promise of a pearl necklace Sounds like a very nice sunday to me, especially as I'm rather partial to a spot of Nando's. Hope you all enjoy the film.

We had a nice evening and I was quite impressed with the M&S fare. Though think we may have used up all our month's food miles in the one sitting - scallops from the Faroes, green veg from Kenya etc - and that's not to mention the unrecyclable plastic packaging it all came in. On the plus side there was bugger all to clear up which meant we were in bed for 9 watching Collateral. Have seen it about 3 times before but I'm a big fan of Michael Mann and it's probably the only film I like Tom Cruise in. Brilliant soundtrack too.

mum41 I do know the sex of this baby but I'm not telling! It's a lovely secret that DH and I are sharing. I'm not sure about your theory of the testosterone you are 'carrying' making you feel sexy as I was just the same when pregnant with Elizabeth. How lucky you are to get jewellery as a prezzie.

We had decided not to do gifts this year as we are belt tightening, along with quite a few of you on here so it seems. Sorry to hear your news floria. Hope it won't be too much of a strain.

Hope you'll be relaxing today mrsb. How was the venison bolognaise? Never had that before, though I did have a very delicious wild boar ragu once.

arf ermintrude

floria bad news on the work front, here's hoping it will not last too long or stretch the finances too far.

I am indeed relaxing ladymac although OH nad the wee fella have just gone round grandma's to see visitng great grandma so I will have to take the opportunity of being home along to get the house in order.

vension bolognese was an absolute triumph. Very yummy indeed. Meltingly tender and v fragrant with star anise, cinnamon and juniper berries. Would be a very good Christmas dish.

Morning

jw glad to hear K is on the mend, hope DSS doesn't turn to tonsillitis, and maybe go a little easy on DP as it is also a fact that tonsils shrink as you get older

Emintrude he he, note, I did say he got me a ring and matching earings so you can imagine the inuendo later with offers of completing the set although I too like jw fell asleep owe him big time now bless!

Floriatosca oh no, illnes hit your houshold too hope all are well soon. Bl...y He.. when is it all going to end hitting all sectors now and yet those who caused this not only get to keep their jobs but get a bonus to boot!

Ladymac well done you I'm rubbish at keeping secrets

JJ sounds really exciting in your neck of the woods no pun intended, work in progress, we're in pretty much the same situation as you, work not suffering really as like you say people extending, adding and updating property rather than selling, we have a lot of retired London folk in this area to who don't seem to be affected too much and I did see on the news that least hit is where I am (on the East coast) and somewhere in the south west, due to various factors but as we all know nowhere is safe, just gets worse every day, not good!

mrs boogie that does sound delicious can I ask, have you ever tried ostrich? or any of you tried it as our local butcher says its as tender as fillet steak, we're going to give it try, any ideas of best way to cook would be gratefully recieved

Sorry..... Afternoon

afternoon too. I think O has a bit of a jippy tummy now we have had several exploding nappies today, so with his snotyness and poorly eye he is feeling a bit sorry for himself.

Floria OH pants to DHs employers, I work for a German company too and it does seem quite often the like to hit the subsidiaries even when it is the business at home that needs a good kick up the arse!

JJ chainsaws how exciting it does seem your DH gets on with things you only planned the garden last weekend. DH and I are awful we have been having the do we move or extend debate for the last 3 yrs and we never conclude. I think we have decoded to extend but I keep checking out rightmove just in case something large and cheap comes up in the village we want, ha ha ha

MrsB enjoy your afternoon it will be fine tomorrow, and you can go to the much improved pub for lunch . Is it a grandma day tomorrow or nursery?

hedgepig tomorrow is a nursery day but happily I'm off again on Tues and Weds as his second nursery day doesn't start til April. So, easing myself in nice and gently...

if its radio silence from me tomorrow it will be that they have blocked MN but at east I will be able to chat again in Tuesday.

mum41 I don't think I have tried ostrich but I am keen to, I was after some recently as I heard it is really good in a stir fry. Didn't manage to get to the farmers' market but now you have reminded me I must look out for it again. So, stir fry I guess, to answer your question! It is supposed to be very nice meat.

ps sorry to hear about O's exploding bottom- - we have had a bit of that here too today although I think it is just the weaning taking effect.

I just feel so hopeless in trying to make him feel better MrsB, I was thinking he was getting over the cold and now this. We have just tried the old calpol (well actually its cheaper cousin Tescopol) to see if that settles him a bit.

My excitement of the afternoon is I have joined freecycle to try an get rid of some stuff, the problem is that I am seeing stuff I want rather than decluttering.

I know its awful - you feel so impotent when they are suffering - lots of cuddles is all you can do and tell yourself that kids are meant to get sniffles and sicky tummies. D has had a runny nose since he had his cold weeks ago. No idea why.

DC vetoed Nando's so we ended up in Chiquitos and the trouble with Mexican food is that I always eat too much of everything, topped with too much of everything else so am now feeling bleeurgh. Serves me right - although I was v hungry because I lost all my lunch shortly before leaving the house . I'm resigned to the fact this MS is never going to disappear completely and am trying to feel grateful that I'm at least having several days between each bout of projectile puking.

mrsb hope tomorrow goes smoothly and that you start to see a way you might actually enjoy going back to work, and that D has a super day.

Going to bed at 9 to digest and do sudoku and get some zeds, so night night all.

Chainsaw massacre over for another day - phew!
Pics of the destruction for all to see!

hedgepig I'm so sorry poor O is still rough - poor lamb - it's been a long haul Hope he (and you) get a rested night x

mrsB Hope your last day of freedom was a good one. Check in when you can - and we'll be thinking of you

ermintrude - move up chuck - I'll join you for some sudoko and zeds..I've just sunk a chinese and feel..... bleurgh!!!

jw hope your DSS is feeling perkier. Did LOL@you dh's lack of adventure in the food arena. Shame the Japanese haven't invented the roast beef sashimi and yorky pudding hand roll

So - for those of you with older ones what are the plans for half term? and no - hiding under the duvet isn't allowed

JJ half term is going to be a bit difficult unless O gets better soon poor B will be going stir crazy if we can't get out and about. Had to cancel my friends tomorrow because I don't want to spread conjunctivitis to her children. I'm feeling a bit glum about next week to be honest. Garden looks like 2 men with chain saws have rampaged through it

JJ I would agree with hedgepig, looks like men with chainsaws were in the garden.

hedgepig sorry about poor O. Hope he feels better soon.

Good luck tomorrow, mrsb. ermintrude and jj not too far behind you in the early bed stakes. Only I'll be reading the 'net on my PSP in bed!

Awww hedgepig it's so hard when the LO is really little isn't it - and the big one isn't yet big enough to pootle off to a mate's house and be bored there! Finger's crossed that O rallies round x

Hahaha yes, the garden looks exactly like that! I'm thinking of not entering Gardener of the Year

Tee EEEk about going hypo in town. Hope you're okay now - but bloody scary!

MrsB good luck for work tomorrow - hope it's not too much of a shock.

Jw glad K is getting better but shame the boys are making up for it. Seems the whole lot of us need the cross ont he door not just me.

emrintrude - snort at necklace.

M has been fine ever since saturday morning. Although waking up at 6:30 is just not ruddy funny. Shattered. She used to wake at about 7:20 and I can't cope with this hour's shift. Bleuuurg. Valentines day for me was a lovely card and a HUGE bunch of tulips (that I like better than roses), plus a box of chocolate truffles I bought in Quality save for a quid but are my all-time favourite chocs! Friend came round and we ended up with a vegi-curry fest from the local take-away. Yum! So much left we've just had it for tea today [pats inflated stomach]

Oh been out for a lovely Italian meal and had a few glasses of wine and now home with an after dinner coffee Baileys, keyboard skills probably lacking somewhat but just wanted to say GOOD LUCK tomorrow mrsb

have a great day MrsB