*The Holly and the Ivy* and the You Know What 2013 Chatter Thread.

caitlyn22

Ahhh, it's given me such a giggle seeing that pic Nanamia and the subsequent story from Pinksteps! OMO: small, mighty and seductive to sailors!

Love to you Pinksteps, I know parenting is generally hard work but caring for someone is oh-so-exhausting in ways you don't even realise you can be tired! It's a mix of physical tiredness, mental exhaustion and then a weird blend of exhausting emotions! Do take some you-time whenever possible.

Not even going to get in to the exams issue, I work in higher education, though not in teaching/student recruitment but my colleagues are all in turmoil about ever-changing criteria, ever-increasing pressure and ever-decreasing resource. Really worried what Government changes to education are going to do to this country.

Great spot on the cello cones poppygirl, I was on the lookout after my mammoth supply ran out, thank you!

Trendyjenny, have you tried writing? I like to keep a journal but over the years it's really just evolved into a place where I can 'dump' my worries, fears and insecurities. Somehow seeing them written down is like that saying - it gives me the sense to see the things I can change, and the things I can't, and the wisdom to see the difference!

Well done on the insurance Feisty! I didn't change my home insurance last year. I know Martin says shop around and save pounds rather than automatically renewing but I now insure a couple of books and pieces of jewellery separately so it's always a greater effort than just filling in a form on some comparison site. Anyway, I actually did do it, found a cheaper option then OH did the maths of the time/phone call involved in shifting and asked me whether it was worth the £1.27 saving! I decided not! He's all about the value of time though, I'd be far more likely spend ages trying to save money but his view is time is just as precious and unless you're making a huge saving, don't sweat the small stuff. The busier I am with my mum and work, the more I'm inclined to agree with him but having grown up wondering where my next meal would come from and spent my early years cold and hungry, it's hard to shift a penny-pinching attitude!

OMO, on the subject of 'when you're dead', I have a beautiful, cosy armchair that whenever my sister visits she ALWAYS sits in it and says "I can have this when you die right? It's SO comfortable." It's good to know however that a comfy seat will ease her grief and suffering! :rotfl:

msgigglewick, so pleased to read you got the money through. Enjoy x

princesskitty/snugglebunny, feel for you both with regard to upcoming changes, it's not easy is it. I'm the opposite and tend to suffer if things stay the same for too long, hate routine and familiarity, if anything it brings on stress for me, but my sister really struggles with change (to the point of making herself ill at times, as she just sits and goes over all the worst case scenarios) but the reassuring thing is she always copes. One foot in front of the other and the obstacle need just be a hurdle, as they say! Snugglebunny I hope your neighbours know how much you'll miss them, I don't think we always tell people how much we care often enough!

Well I survived the flowergirl dress shopping but it was an insight in to how much one very little girl rules SiL's household. She decided what shops we went to, what she tried on, what I bought, where we went for lunch, what she AND mummy HAD for lunch...then told me she'd see about whether she felt like wearing the dress on the day or not! Honestly, I know you shouldn't judge the way other people raise their children but I was actually just doing this face all day :eek:

Own_My_Own

caitlyn22 wrote: »

OMO, on the subject of 'when you're dead', I have a beautiful, cosy armchair that whenever my sister visits she ALWAYS sits in it and says "I can have this when you die right? It's SO comfortable." It's good to know however that a comfy seat will ease her grief and suffering! :rotfl:

:rotfl:
We went to the States 3 weeks after 9/11. My best friend was coming in and collecting the post. When I got home I found written on my kitchen blackboard-

If for any reason I do not return, I here by leave all my furniture and ornaments to my best friend **** :rotfl:

Crowdpleaser

Lol. My nan has a necklace which when you spin it, it says I love you. It's fab and ive always sat on nanas lap as a littly and played with it. I always tell her that ill have that when she dies! It's turned into a bit of a running joke now! X

FeistyFidget

its official, I'm addicted! Every morning that I'm working from home (and not rushing like a loon) I open my eyes, reach for my phone and load this thread up! :rotfl:

I've just 'rescued' two guinea pigs from my mother. They are currently in a bare cage - no house, no toys, no stimulation my mother has already replaced my dog with a new puppy, they collect in march and I'm worried about the guinea pigs being fed etc. Have pandered to her whims just to get them out. In all honesty, I'm not overly keen on guinea pigs, but it breaks my heart to see any animal in distress and these poor piggies are definitely neglected wish I could rescue my dogs mummy too, but sadly my mum would never give her up

Any tips on how to cut down the costs on caring for these? There are two females in a starter cage and I would really like to extend the space if possible, but the cages are so expensive!

Sorry for the rant everyone.

PoppyGirl

FeistyFidget wrote: »

its official, I'm addicted! Every morning that I'm working from home (and not rushing like a loon) I open my eyes, reach for my phone and load this thread up! :rotfl:

I've just 'rescued' two guinea pigs from my mother. They are currently in a bare cage - no house, no toys, no stimulation my mother has already replaced my dog with a new puppy, they collect in march and I'm worried about the guinea pigs being fed etc. Have pandered to her whims just to get them out. In all honesty, I'm not overly keen on guinea pigs, but it breaks my heart to see any animal in distress and these poor piggies are definitely neglected wish I could rescue my dogs mummy too, but sadly my mum would never give her up

Any tips on how to cut down the costs on caring for these? There are two females in a starter cage and I would really like to extend the space if possible, but the cages are so expensive!

Sorry for the rant everyone.

Sorry to hear this, I also cannot see any animal in distress! I used to want to be a Vet nurse but my mum wouldn't let me - said I'd just have a house full of every 3 legged dog and bald hamster their was!

You can get extentions to cages that are sort of indoor runs for the piggies, may be worth looking at Gumtree or Freecycle type sites, I'm sure somebody will be getting rid of something you could use. Glad you have them now and can give them the care they deserve.
Does she neglect the dog she's got at the moment and has a puppy coming too?

Linda-Lou

Hi everyone :wave:

Sorry I've been MIA for the last few days - combination of problems with laptop, working , and enthusiatic burst of decluttering!

Have finally caught up again, have really missed you all. I agree with you Feisty - I am addicted too

Eljaycock - happy belated birthday, glad you had a good day.

OMO - loving the new avatar! ( By the way, when I was little , my dad used to breed racing pidgeons, and I had one of my my own - all white, named OMO! )
Sorry to hear you are ill, hope you and dds soon feel better. Sending healing hugs to you all x

nic2073 - hope you are feeling better now x

Opee92 - Congratulations on the engagement! Don't be overdoing it with the house move. ( Had to look up SPD on google, sounds pretty uncomfortable, so take care of yourself x )

Trendyjenny - I have a large high cupboard built into an alcove in our bedroom. Need to get the stepladder out to get into it, but it makes an excellent Xmas present storage place. Everything together in one place. I also store the wrapping paper and " mum's wrapping box" there. ( Just an old knee boot box, holds tags, sticky tape, Xmas ribbons and bows, scissors, paper cutter etc. Easy to pull out when the wrapping begins, and no hunting for things!)
Also, for the first time last year, thanks to a tip on here, made a spreadsheet to keep track of pressies. Nothing complicated, not very computer savvy, but it really helped me see what I had .

pinksteps - how's your ds doing? Glad he's home safely now and you can help him get better. Doesn't matter how old they are does it? They are still our babies, and we need to look after them. Sending hugs to you both x

moneysavingmumofone - I am also godmother to one of my nephews! Sadly I don't see much of him now, but he will always have a special place in my heart.
NB - re the dental/bld test phobia, pls ask for help with this. I am dental phobic, and see (when absoutely neccessary!) a great dentist who specialises in nervous patients. My DH is needle phobic, and unfortunately needs regular bld tests. He can just about cope, as long as he doesn't see the needle. Recently, a new nurse didn't listen to him, picked up the syringe in front of him, then had to deal with a fainted patient on her trolley! Bet she listens next time.

Crowdpleaser - I used to have one of those necklaces. Haven't thought about it in years, but I loved it!

Sorry for long post , and if I have missed anything important. Glad to have caught up, and feel back with you all.
Snow forecast, but nothing here yet.
Keep warm everyone, take care xxx

ps Nanamia - more sunshine pics pls. Lovely to keep hearing from you. Glad you are having such a great time x

FeistyFidget

PoppyGirl wrote: »

Does she neglect the dog she's got at the moment and has a puppy coming too?

They used to be very focused on all the pets we had, but sadly she now works 70 hours a week, her husband doesn't work, but refuses to clean out the animals etc and is always out of the house. As a consequence the animals are being shut away most of the day, people are forgetting to feed them (presuming the others have done it) and they aren't really giving them the time that they need. It came out that my sister pointed out my dog needed to go to the vet as she was having trouble breathing, but my Mum shrugged it off - no one told me and then my dog died 20 hours later. My Mum is claiming that there was nothing that could have been done and as even twisted things to say that she is glad she never took my dog to the vet as she would rather she died at home with her Mum

There not abusive on purpose, just negligent. Perfect example was when I popped in a few months ago and found the guinea pig door wide open. The cage is about 4 foot off a concrete floor and had apparently been left open for 2 hours :eek: Couldn't keep the image of a poor piggy breaking it's neck from the fall out of my mind

msgigglewick

if you can't get a cage that you like for them, keep your eye out for the large dog cages or even a chicken coop. Have a look on amazon too they often have the chicken coops on offer. Remember they need lots of vege in their diet aswell, wilkinsons will do the toys etc for quite cheap and theres lots of sites online which can help you with homemade stimulation toys... Im not a big fan of guinea pigs either, had some when i was little but we have rabbits now. After 6 years of my dd3 pestering lol

Snugglebunny8

princesskitty29 wrote: »

Oh snugglebunny i'm so sorry to hear you're upset, it is always upsetting when things like this change. It's difficult because the move for them would be positive and mean they are closer to their family, but leave a void for you. Will they be moving far away? Will you still be able to pop over for cups of tea or have them over? I know this is a very different situation to you but i'm going to be made redundant in a few months and I feel very sad about it because I really love the people I work with. I know this is different but i'm just trying to say that I understand that feeling of everything changing and not having people around you that are always usually there. I really hope they won't be too far from you. xxx

thank you hun and Im so sorry you are going through that as well They would be moving about 60 miles away. It would be wonderful for them and their family though and I do want them to have that as they so deserve to be happy and content. We have no family nearby, friends are always so busy and my family are not close geographically or emotionally - I trust very few people because of things that have happened in the last few years and our neighbours are some of the few people I would trust with my life, we've been through a lot together and I feel like my security is being taken away! I know in a way Im being selfish and I do want them to get the house they love as I know it would make them happy, its just making me so sad!! :( Im determined to be upbeat when I see them, Im just dreading bursting into tears if they tell me theyve sold!!

It is an awful feeling being made redundant, and losing ties with people you are close to - I hope it works out well for you and you are able to maintain ties,keep us posted! xxxx

lizalloareds

Snowing again!

got a bargain yesterday in superdrug picked up a mr men little miss trio of treats for 10p