We Wise ladies Avidly are, bearing bags and links from afar.......

[notyummy]

New one!

Ok, following red's theme of photos in building sites I've added a quick hair picture on a background of plasterboards. Lighting crap but you get the idea.

Glad you've had a good day Ollie. Lightbulb incident v funny!

That's so cute of dd carciofi!

Morning All. DD3 who is 9 years old, still poorly, so I will take her to work with me today.
Great skirt Bloss, can I see your photo please Icey.
Sounds like you had a lovely birthday Ollie.

Icey fab hair. Really suits you, and yes, you could go even shorter a la Bloss and still look great, you have a great shaped face. Plasterboard a really good backdrop imo

I keep smiling about the lightbulb thing too! DH's familiy never give presents (other than at Sinterklaas) so he's been raised to think they are not important - which of course in the grand scheme of things is mostly true but was a little bit peeved (which I kept to myself) when it turned out he'd not arranged for the boys to get me anything tho - I shouldn't raise my expectations like that but I have a hang up about them understanding how nice it is to show their appreciation for people even on a small scale! Does all that make sense?

Am following Portia's new strategy and sending him specific links for me for Christmas and will suggest he takes DSs into a dept store and give them each 10euros to spend on whatever that want for me which should be more than interesting!
At the risk of sounding like a spoilt brat (esp given how good he is in so many other ways), I continue to live in hope of a grand gesture. One day, one day.

Morning.

Sorry that DD is still ill portia.

Lovely hair Icey, really chic looking. So sorry to hear that DH's uncle sounds so ill.

ollie you lightbulb story made me laugh, and reminded me of a situation that happened when I was heavily pg with DS. I had the same fainting thing then, and I was practically housebound as I just fainted as soon as I walked anywhere. Anyway, I was about 36 weeks pg and DH made an annoncement that we would be driving the Harrods one Sunday. I had been moaning that I would have loved to have my nails done, legs waxed etc and so I convinced myself that he had organised something like that as a surprise for me. To my mind he was acting strange closing down emails when I came in the room etc.

So the day came, I was being really lovely to him thinking what a kind man he was. We get to Harrods, have a look round, buy a Christmas pudding for his boss and then get in the car to go home. Even when we were half way down the A3 homebound I was convinced something was still going to happen. It never did.

2 weeks later, within the space of a few days, I gave birth, had a birthday and it was xmas day. He gave me some saucepans.

If he knew what went on in my head, he'd think I was mad.

Ollie and Wan, love the role that 'fantasy' has in your relationships .

Wow icey, you've had loads cut off, it definitely suits your face. You didn't fancy a short blunt fringe then? I love the dyed red, blunt fringe look .

Portia I thought DD was 9/10, such a nice age. I hope she gets well soon.

Icey love your hair, you look great. I kept laughing last night after I read your post about the number 2. Dh was most put out, saying it was him that used to make me laugh .

Ollie dh is not so good at the unprompted gesture either. Well he is really good at ordering really lovely flowers from here but I've said stop. They cost a fortune, I would rather something I can keep.

Oh i love London. Great journey here, lovely evening with my Mum, sisters and brother and off to see my friend with Dd whilst Ds hangs with his Oma. Is rare that i get to leave him with someone i love and trust and is so great to be able to so do. Playdate this afternoon and out with two of ny closest friends tonight. Hurrah .

Ice your hair is wonderful. Agree that you could go even shorter with your face shape. Really sorry to hear of your uncle-in-law, hope things aren't as bad as they seem.

Blue, how horrible for you both. That what if feeling is awful.

Ollie so glad you had a great day.

Lovely skirt Bloss.

Big wave to everyone else, will be back later - hate posting on my phone.

Ah yes, can people reveal what their gifts were if already opened? Am nosy.

Love the hair Icey - really, really suits you.

Sorry that your DD is still ill Portia.

Loving the stories about your DH's ollie and WAN. We are the opposite in the house - DH is great with surprises/presents and is v thoughful (most of the time!) I can be a bit rubbish in comparison. Must try harder!

WAN dont get me started about DH and gifts which turned out to be v different to what i expected! These have included a satillite dish ( just moved here and had no bbc) which turned out to be a hosepipe on a wheel, and a trip to Barcelona/Paris which ended up being just a suitcase! DH couldnt work out why i was looking in every compartment/pocket for the non-existent tickets! I can totally relate to your Harrods story which really made me smile.

annie Oh, I love this silver shopper. So much nicer than a LV Neverfull bag which a lot of women around here have.

I am sitting on my hands too annie

Completely different question for you all: Who can operate a power drill? Can I teach myself how to do it?
I have painted the back of DD's chest of drawers with blackboard paint. On the side there are little mirror stickers and I want to attach a IKEA spice rack (painted pink) where she can put her hairclips, hairbrush etc.

Thanks so much everyone for your kind wishes re DH's accident. Even though he is fine it is just so horrible thinking of him spinning out of control in the fast lane of the M1 of all places. I feel like I hate that stupid car, which I have always tolerated as it usually brings him so much pleasure. We've just heard it will cost ££££££ to repair and may not get it back till mid Jan so even the ever cheerful DH is feeling sad.

Your stories of DHs and their lack of understanding about presents are making me smile. I think mine might have tendencies in that direction but I generally make it VERY clear what will make me happy, whilst still trying to leave an element of surprise: eg "Oh DS I'm so looking forward to seeing the card and present you've got for mummy!" in earshot of DH. No subtlety involved whatsoever!

Love those leopard slippers. Have missed out on seeing Wendy in them which I'm sure will make me want them even more.

Lots to do today; should be getting on!

fritzi, impressed at your DIY. We do lots of that painting/ re-inventing furniture but I have the ideas and choose colours / new door handles etc and then stand back and watch DH do all the work! Am absolutely useless and don't think he'd let me near a power drill even if I asked. Good luck though; it doesn't look that hard...

ice I like your hair too. Lovely eyes as well!

red you sound so happy! Have a great time in London. Bet your outfits are fab.

Right, must put down iPad and get productive!

njc Thanks for the encouragement. Will watch tutorial later and let you know how I got on.

blue Usually it's the same here but I am a bit fed up with being dependent on DH/my Dad/ to do the drilling.

Hi everyone just catching up and popping in to say hello

Have had an awful vomitting bug for 3 days now and feeling dreadful..the upside is a very flat tummy,the downsides are many..bags,wretched skin and jealousy at everyone able to indulge at this festive time!

annie I hope you are coming on Saturday,I am crossing my fingers I feel better,I know you don't leave your DDs often to socialise so if DH around,grab that opportunity..a chat with the girls doesn't cure all but it certainly is a tonic.

portia what a feat of juggling with DD ill..I admire your reserves and hope she's much better soon.

Gorgeous bag fritzi love your cabinet idea..I have a friend whose DH is at home at the moment and she is too scared to leave the house in case he does any more DiY..he cut through a wire last week!

red enjoy being back at your old stomping grounds.

carciofi what a lovely moment re-your DDs.
For all bag;lovers and charity shop gals I saw a programme when we were in the States this year about a woman who bought 2! chanel bags for 10 dollars in a yard sale..turned out one was the real deal..a 2.55 I think(not a bag person myself)

icey I would love to see your hair.I have a theory with my 2nd DD..I say I went from 'hero to zero'..I'm a very 'relaxed' 2nd time mum..enjoy the difference!very very sad about DH's uncle but in worst case scenario good that he will see his son and vice versa.

I did exactly the opposite to annie with my SS gift..I opened a suspect parcel very carefully in case it wasn't wrapped but the invoice fell out and it was..a tomato knife I bought for DH for xmas and forgot about!

love all the DH stories re-pressies..mine comes up with some great ideas but can never keep his mouth shut before the event

pickled I bought that sequin skirt for myself this weekend as a reward for enduring Santa at Westfield and love it..was planning on wearing it to mini meet if well enough

blue horrible scare for you

belated best birthday wishes for mastermarsha and ollie

can you see from my epic post how much I missed you