The Ultimate Incentive part 10. The only thing holding you back is you.

Cinny91

My train gets there about the same time as Tete's so I'll text you when I'm there, Tete! Will PM you my number too, Kavics. It's better to have too many numbers than not Good luck with your test!!

ETA: I'll put it on the FB group instead, then we'll have a master list of numbers!

We can always take some breaks, Birdie! The British Museum is just off Oxford Street isn't it? I don't know London very well if I'm honest Was hoping a cheeky trip to Forbidden Planet might be on the cards but it's a little out the way and not everyone's idea of a good time!

Dinah93

Birdie85 wrote: »

Sorry about your horrible morning. Sounds like the stress of rushing about certainly adds to the general feeling of 'I should be home with my baby' but we all have to pay the bills somehow. I'm gutted that I'm going to be back at work so soon after having Baby Birdie but there's no way around it, unless we win the lottery!

Hope the phone and internet are fixed ASAP, I hate for either thing to be out of action, but both would have me shaking in the corner (internet addict, moi?!).

How long are you planning off? My colleague is only taking 4 months but in a way that's better as they're still very much at the baby phase, the hard part is going back as they start to talk and get mobile and like interesting little people.

Internet is back at home, I have a temporary mobile, the landline is still screwy but at least we have something. In good news though I went to EE yesterday to send my phone off for repair and they've just brought out a new landline package that includes overseas calls at anytime, if we swap from the Post Office + O2 for broadband we'll be saving £8 a month basic but probably closer to £15 as we usually have a few phone calls made during the day etc which bump up the cost a little, but with this they'll all be included.

Birdie85 wrote: »

Surely it's Gingerist Cinny?! Anyway, you know Gingers have no soul so surely it doesn't matter what I say?! :rotfl:



I totally agree that menfolk still seem to get away with working without feeling any guilt from society in general as they're 'supporting their family', but women are made to feel like failures whatever they do. Such an enlightened time we live in, eh?! If only it was possible to have a decent standard of living from one average wage (not talking about bankers here, obviously!) then we could choose which parent stays home with the children whilst the other works and it'd be fine. It's that so few of us actually have the choice that bugs me.

See I've found the opposite, women feel like they need to apologize if they stay home whereas men almost get applauded for being 'modern'. If housing wasn't such a stupid price family life would have a much happier balance as people could make choice decisions rather than being forced into them.

I think we're on the same train as you Birdie - is that the Grand Central?

I do need that sign Cinny, I'd love it but I think I'd be fired for not being committed enough to my job! We were hoping to find out on redundancies yesterday but no news yet, just on tenderhooks all the time. Every other team but ours knows.

Cinny91

No one is on my train with me Although I am excited, I think I've magically been placed into the quiet section.

Hope you find out about the redundancies soon. OH is having a rotten time at work right now, they just seem to be randomly picking people and firing them. He's had a few nights where he straight up hasn't slept a wink, and that's with just worrying over how he'll support himself. Must be horrible thinking of a little family!

Getting excited for Saturday now Have my kindle charged and Peter Pan ready to go, only downside is I need to get up at 5am

Birdie85

We've not got any plans set in stone for maternity leave yet (haven't even told work when I'm leaving yet! ) but it'll probably be about 6 months. We've discussed it and decided that I'll put down 9 months but will come back when we really need me to, which is likely to be 6. Just have to see how we manage but even if I get away with 9 months, there's no chance of getting away with another 3 months unpaid.

I think I'm on the Grand Central, if I see you on there I'll see you, if not, see you at the station!

Hope you hear about the redundancies soon, it's awful being in limbo like that. also really hope it's good news for you, obviously.

Cinny, I have no idea about London either, whenever OH and I go we wander around lost for most of our time there! I just know that when I stayed at a hotel in Russel Square we walked past the British Museum! No idea how close that is to Oxford Street though!

ETA: I'm too excited about Saturday too! Got Glee to watch on my tablet, as well as a load of Phineas and Ferb that I never got around to watching on holiday! Good times for Birdie!

wendz86

They can't ask when you are off when you are coming back, you just have to make sure you give 2 months notice or something (can't remember) so don't make up your mind till it comes to it.

Hope they don't string out the redundancies too long.

Birdie85

Thanks Wendz, all this ML stuff is confusing! Just been reading the policy though and learning all sorts so I'm going to have to sort something as soon as I've got my MATB1 form from the midwife! I didn't realise that KIT days aren't compulsory, for instance. Also nice to know that we accrue bank holidays so I can tack them onto the end of my ML.

I'm so excited about tomorrow! Not even having to wake up at silly o'clock for a Saturday is spoiling it! :j This week I've gone from slightly tubby to full-blown preggo complete with waddle-walk so I get to crack out my super sexy maternity coat for you all. Don't all die of jealousy as you check my stylish look!

Dinah93

Lol my work refused to allow me do to a KIT day, as a result the officer I've been training under for 8 years retired while I was off and I was just left with boxes and boxes of files rather than any kind of hand over of current work, and I'm still trying to work out whats what.

How many weeks are you now Birdie? I'm jelous, I never got a waddle walk as I never got more than a titchy bump!

Birdie85

I'm 22 weeks now, waddle isn't quite as bad today but yesterday it was awful as baby must have been lying in a bad position and made walking very uncomfortable. Struggling to get up off the sofa at home now too, once I get sat down that's me for as long as I can get away with it!

Everyone I've known at work has done KIT days so I assumed they had to do them!

Kittikins

Birdie - you also accrue proper holiday, not just bank holidays (unless things have changed recently!)

Birdie85

I knew about the normal holidays, just wasn't sure about bank holidays.