Shall we Avidly sprint to the sales for some Wise purchases? Trench coats and cover ups, sadly.....

[notyummy]

There we go!

I am really struggling to find anything I want, sales or otherwise! I think it's partly because with DS2 being so high maintenance I hardly ever even get to shower in the morning (except to the soundtrack of sobbing), never mind pick a stylish outfit, unless I get up at about 6am. Definitely need new skinnies, a watch and a bit of knitwear, but am struggling beyond that. Easy to find lots of work clothes I like, but will prob only be doing HoC a couple of days a week initially, so don't need 85,000 outfits

My lovely colleague and friend has her last day of work today before she goes on mat leave. I cannot travel 300km to say goodbye as DH is in London today and will be back late. Feel a bit sorry for myself for missing out and have just called the hotel where my colleagues are meeting tonight and have ordered a bottle of champagne to send my best wishes. I know she has the occasional sip of champagne, so not inappropriate I hope.

hopefully Could you take DS into the bathroom while you have a shower? I always did that when DD was little to keep an eye on her. She always had a lot of fun emptying a basket full of brushes, lotions etc and also found it hilarious to see me get wet.

every Go out with this guy! Coffee can be "your thing" .

verity Good to see you!

notyummy Both dresses sound gorgeous! Have fun tonight!

DD has a friend over for a sleepover tonight. Have prepared a lasagna. Popcorn and DVD at the ready too.

What a lovely, lovely thing to do Fritzi - not inappropriate at all.

Good to see you Verity - do you feel settled in yet?

Hopefully you'll get there, you know you will. I think we have a similar-ish age gap between our two and it is really, really hard work. Is DS2 walking yet? I did a really terrible thing and started making DH get up a little bit earlier in the mornings to get himself washed and dressed so as to take the DC down for breakfast and give me the chance to do the same without the raiding of my dressing table/jumping on my bed/attempting to straighten one another's hair (really ). He has a cup of coffee ready for me as I get down on the proviso that I can no longer be a grouch in the mornings.

Everything DS also has quite a lot of anger at the moment - withdrawing to his room is an answer for us (although if in a real rage he will then throw something at the wall in anger). I struggle to remain calm at times, but know that I must. What's the problem with pre-school? Definitely arrange a coffee with suit man.

Lovely, lovely Gracie Amber. How nice are your new jeans?

I think it was 3/4 months tbh SE. Not constant but on and off. It was if she had only just realised that she was t wholly in charge of everything and was bloody furious about it!

I just lost a black Gracie in tragic circumstances.

Will explain when I have got over my loss.

Oh no MiM! Am hoping you have a tale of some nasty cow elbowing you out the way for it, rather than having bought and then lost.

Fritzi he stays in the bathroom with me, it's the breaking of physical contact that he objects to. He is literally touching me 90% of his waking time, and the other 10% he is crying because he can't (unless I'm out the house, in which case he is v easy )

Mim I hope the tale doesn't involve you parting with cash!

Fritzi he stays in the bathroom with me, it's the breaking of physical contact that he objects to. He is literally touching me 90% of his waking time, and the other 10% he is crying because he can't (unless I'm out the house, in which case he is v easy )

Oh MiM - sounds upsetting. Hope its case of you not being able to buy one rather than as Red as said, buying and then loosing?

Everything I used to get really wound up about DSs breaking or marking their toys but think its just what boys do. They dont really care about a toys condition as long as they can still play with it. Coming from a house full of girls, I found it all v strange.

Im also finding the 123 Magic book a v good read. Only a third of the way through it but it makes a lot of sense esp the bits about controlling your frustration and anger with DC. Its true that when I rant, they stop listening which makes me rant even more.

Fritzi what a lovely, thoughtful gesture. Im 'leaving' for DDs swimming lesson in 15 mins - any chance of a bottle of bubbles will be waiting at the pool? Would make the whole experience a lot easier to deal with!

Tulip cookies on sticks turned out looking far too much like a pair of boobs on sticks so have made butterflies on sticks instead!

Hopefully what happens when you leave the house without DS2? Does he cry for a bit and then calms down or transfer the clinginess to DH etc? Must be so difficult for you. Have you tried that thing of leaving the house for 10 mins and coming back and then trying it for 15 mins a few days later - so he gradually gets used to trusting that you will always come back?

The days are fixed, yes. It's definitely not the cheapest option, but we definitely want to keep DS there (has some free hours and is term-time only place) as he is so settled and completely thriving there. For him, it's definitely the best childcare going and he was uprooted last year (I know kids are flexible, but he needs consistency). DD is the pricey one as it's a year-round place in the younger bit of the nursery. I can't drop off in two places though as it will already be tight to get to work on time after dropping them (only one car). I could go for a nanny option and just have DS in for his pre-school hours, but I don't think it will work out very well; DD needs to blossom away from DS. Own. Worst. Enemy

He cries for a bit then settles, normally. He transfers clinginess a tiny bit, but nothing like as bad (whines v briefly when put down, then stops). Has been the same since birth. I have biceps of steel from carrying him so much!

Ok, I can now tell you all about it. I type through tears!

Went to visit Gracie at HoF, to find themini black one at 50% off. It was love at first sight. Was chatting to another woman who said it was her treat for working hard.

I dithered, and then put her down as I felt guilty.

Then on impulse I went back to her and she was gone. In the arms of another. Last one too. Bought by the woman I was chatting too! All I keep thinking is, "yes, I am sure you have worked hard, but have you dealt with other peoples incontince for the last fifteen years'?

Basically DH and I have a joint cc. I would have had to put in on that, which in all honesty he would have been sort of ok with. However, it would have still required a conversation/explanation which I hate. I miss my financial independence so much! But, even at 50% off, that's the sum of my monthly 'spending' money and I have lots of birthdays coming up.

I need to cleanse my soul of bad thoughts towards that woman.

Back later with a far less selfish post!!

Excuse the dreadful grammar, spelling etc.

hopefully your DS and my DD should get married and cling to each other. I have exactly the same issue. I'm afraid I have hardened my heart and shower to the soundtrack of screaming every day. Some things I won't compromise on! It is hard though.

mim oh no! Hope not too tragic...

red new jeans are fabulous, super comfy, like wearing leggings!

mim, Anya and NaP sales not yet started... There is hope! She is definitely worth it.

Hopefully my left arm has had more strength training than my right. I always used to carry ds2 in my left. I think, one of them anyway. I joked I'd end up like a tennis player.

MiM nooo, I'm sure we can hunt down another for you.

Amber good work! on the sales. So pleased someone is out there getting the good stuff!

Red toughie. But I think sometimes a year goes so fast it's easier to do the harder bit first and breathe a sigh of relief when it gets easier.

Skimmed. Back in a bit to catch up properly.

MiM, why don't you call HoF in Westfield to see if they have the bag and can post it to you? They had a lot of stock while I was there. I would have rugby tackled her to the ground!

A woman in Waitrose this morning asked me where I got my shoes and bag (the new red one), she said she had been following me around the supermarket trying to decide whether or not to ask.

Hopefully, hope your mother is behaving herself today.

I am annoyed with my mil and sil, they have been in London since yesterday and are only popping over on Sunday to see the children. They haven't seen them in 8 months. How did my poor daughters end up with such disinterested grandparents?? They can all whistle for attention when they are in Shady Pines nursing home. DH won't be here all weekend and hasn't been home until midnight any night this week.

There are a couple of things on sale at Me&Em. I bought a pair of shorts, not very exciting. I wanted another dress but I need to keep money for an iPad.

Does anyone watch Gok Wan's Chinese cookery show? DD2 and I love it and went wok shopping this morning.

Well done, Bloss!

I bet you look gorgeous, Looby. Did you find someone to help out?

Verity, have you settled back in?

Amber, way to go on the bags, girl.

Fritzi, that was lovely of you.

Red, some nurseries give discounts to teachers around here, my neighbour is a teacher and gets a discount. Maybe ask them?

Everything, I'm now picturing you as a young Sharon Maughan from the Gold Blend ads.

Last one ... have fun tonight, NY!

Ooh yes, good thinking decam Westfield have lots, but not bloody green. I resent the fact I had to pay £75 more for the green, but it is such a lovely colour and I know I'll love it more than the red or blue. DH has just told me he has to go to Budapest week after next, meaning 3 trips away in a month. Any guilt about Gracie has just evaporated, it's a lot cheaper than a full time nanny

You're all being so sensible, I feel a terrible spendthrift. Worth pointing out that I never pay full price for anything ever. Nearly bought leopard print C/E denim jacket this am but decided not a wise purchase. In cold light of day this was a wise decision. I swear the sale fever affect my capacity for rational thought...

red when I go back to work we will actually make a loss after childcare and travel, not a huge one, maybe £50pm but still a loss. I know DH would be quite happy for me to SAH, but he's been totally supportive over my RTW. For us as a family it's worth it because DS loves his nursery and time with my parents, DD needs to have the apron strings severed a bit and I need to feel like an actual functioning member of society again (not saying you feel like that, but I definitely do). Short term pain, long term gain is how I look at it. However, I appreciate it's easy for me to say as we are very fortunate to have a great lifestyle on DH's salary (ugh, sounds so wanky, sorry) and if I had to exercise restraint with finances while working hard I would feel a lot more resentful. I hope you find a solution that works for you. I think annie speaks a lot of sense, as ever.