the hedgehog's balloons.

[Deleted User]

Hope the week is better than you expect!
You're juggling so many things and you've achieved so much under very difficult circumstances I think you should be proud of yourself! See if you can sneak a bit of 'you' time into your day here and there - even if its just sneaking to the bathroom to have a coffee in peace :D

the_cross_rabbit

Took your advice squirrelgirl and had yesterday off. Feel alot more chilled out and ready to face another day. We took DD2 to see the christmas tree that her learning support group from school did at the local church. There must of been about 40 trees decorated, obviously our favourite was the one she has helped decorate (covered in handmade peacocks) and then it was a toss up between the bright paper children chains by oxfam, handmade poppies by local vetran group, mini bells by the local bellringers or one that had used recycled cork by the local wine merchants. Lots of lovely innovative ideas raising money for the local church.
DH went out with old work collegues last night and today out with new work collegues but is giving his liver a rest and is driving.
Found a company on line who deliver recycled toilet roll in bulk and not shrink wrapped in plastic, impressed that they give 50% of their profits to charities who build toilets. Appparently they started their company by crowd funding it and one of them refused to get off the toilet until they reached their total. 14 and a bit hours later they made, I'd have pins and needles if I sat that long on the toilet (short legs). Anyway going to give them a go especially as they knocked £5 off as we subscribed. What amused us was that they reckon a family of 4 would go through 48 rolls in 12 weeks. People must be using a quilts worth everytime they wipe their bum to get through that amount:rotfl:. Currently looking at reuseable sanitary pads for DD1 who has agreed to give them a try ' BUT ONLY AT NIGHT MUM, PEOPLE ALREADY THINK I SOME SORT OF ECO GNOME!'. So if anybody can recommend would be very grateful. Also bulk bought bamboo toothbrushes as they work out cheaper than branded plastic ones.
DD1 chemistry teacher was asking what her plans were after 6th form, anyway long story short he's advised her to apply to cambridge/oxford to do her degree:eek::j. Obviously she is super pleased and just abit smug (she does work hard, asked for extra chemistry work over the holiday:o, I think I was given the wrong child). My Outside face was like wow thats fantastic, inside face OMG no! Not sure how I feel about it other than no.
Moving on quickly, need to start wrapping pressies, another one leaving today. DD2 and I have made recycled candles (for her granma's) and she glitter (edible) bombed the house last night when she decorated them:rotfl:. Its everywhere, DH is not amused:mad:. We'll be finding it in unusal places for months to come:rotfl:. Well better get ready to visit my dad's, as gran is visiting and need to call on the way to pick up some flowers.
TT of 78p
Only 4 more sleeps everyone:santa2:
CRX

Karmacat

What a great post :j:j:j

I've just signed up to UFM January, and I'm definitely going to examine eco bulk deliveries. And do you have a linkie for the bamboo toothbrushes?

I went to a local Christmas tree festival too! They must be a thing now, I've heard of several. I absolutely loved it, the atmosphere was gorgeous.

Congratulations to DD1 for her hard work already. I know some ordinary universities (like Hull) have fantastic chemistry departments (or did - family graduates from there were 10 years ago) but Oxford/Cambs is going to be a good thing if she can We have a recent Oxford arts graduate in the family, it doesn't hurt, thats for sure.

Hazelnutty

Seconded on the great post! You really bring all your family happenings to life!

I went to Cambridge (although not sciences) from a state school. Happy to answer any questions you have about what it's like (although it was a while ago!). But definitely don't buy into all the league table stuff. There are excellent courses taught by excellent staff in lower-ranked unis and there are poor experiences in so-called 'top' universities - it's finding the right fit for your daughter. It's really worth finding out what a particular course involves, how it's taught, by whom, how she'll be assessed, things like support and pastoral care, accommodation, facilities, societies, other opportunities like placements and study abroad etc. A visit can tell you a lot particularly if you can get past the spin and talk to real students and lecturers to get a feel for the culture and ethos of the department (not just the overall uni - a lot of the student experience is quite 'local' to the course). Anyway, I'm on the admissions team for my department so happy to help if I can

the_cross_rabbit

Thanks Hazelnutty for the offer I will probably take you up on it when we get closer to time.
CRx

Crumpets

Just popping in to say Merry Christmas CR :xmassign:

Is the loo roll you're talking about WGAC? we've been using them for about a year now and think it's great :T I didn't subscribe though, I just order a box when we're running low (like now :cool:)

Re- reusable pads, I like cheeky wipes, I've had no problems with them. I have tried honour your flow too but didn't find them to be as good a fit, although I have a night time one from then which is amazing[STRIKE] and enormous[/STRIKE]. It kind of resembles a stingray in shape but prevents any leakage :rotfl::rotfl:

Well done to your dd, it shows all her hard work is paying off :T

the_cross_rabbit

:xmassign: Crumpets yep it is WGAC toilet roll. The nerd in me wants to unravel one and compare it to our usual one to see if there is more per roll, even though I can see just by looking in is considerably more:rotfl: DH has banned me from doing this even though I tried dressing it up as an MSE experiment. Thanks for the advice on the pads, I'd looked at several sites but just couldn't make a decision, the front runner was cheeky wipes. I find looking at the reviews in general confusing as they are usually mixed and trying to sift through them is too time consuming. Much prefer word of mouth. Will look at ordering some in the new year. Have the stingray tune as an earworm now:rotfl:
Been out to DH favourite bird reserve with my dad and his wife today, bloomin cold. It was nice to get out together with no kids. Only cost us petrol as we are members and my dad's wife paid for coffee and cake. Organised a family walk at one of the wildlife trust reserves for New years day.
DH just put up the last of the christmas decorations up, he's feeling quite smug as he's managed to preserve the paper chains for the 3rd year running, before he stood on them. Think he wanted a round of appaulse for it, but wasn't amused when I just said ' well done your no longer a grey green eco warrior more sage green'.
TT of 70p
Main priorities now are drink wine, eat soup and wrap pressies
Only 3 more sleeps to go.
CRx

the_cross_rabbit

TT of 54p. Christmas and Boxing day were fabUlous. Santa definately sprinkled plenty of sparkle on those 2 days and the bonus was I didn't have to cook on any of them which is a first. The girls were very pleased in general with their presents from the various relatives and friends. Very little tat/plastic entered the household this year. Everyone made the right noises over their eco presents (hankies,womens are very hard to source - ended up at the market) after they were prompted :rotfl:. Still have one present to give and recieve which will be done on Sunday when my best friend and hubby come over for a walk and tea. She was really ill when we arranged to meet up over the Christmas holidays. Hope she likes it, she's another trying to cut down on plastic so have bought her make your own wax wraps, a homemade gluten free christmas cake and cheese. The cheese however might not make it to her but be diverted to my belly mmmmmmmm.
Today was a flob day although DD2 decided she wanted to go swimming except i wasn't invited. So DD1 and I flobbed. Watched a film I've wanted to watch for years but its not OH cup of tea. The next couple of days will be about leftovers, even though I didn't cook!
Hope you've all had a merry christmas
CRx

the_cross_rabbit

TT of 62p this am. Off to give blood for the first time this morning, hoping I'm not a reject. I was diagnosed with anaemia in September and was prescribed some heavy duty stuff, which I couldn't take and had to resort to over the counter stuff instead. Hoping my levels are back to normal, I don't feel as tired anymore so hoping thats a good indicator.
DD1 has gone to work with her dad today and DD2 is going with her grandparents to see her great grandma whilst I'm out. Need to aviod going to the supermarket today, I don't need anything but can hear their sale siren calls in the distance.
Off to get DD2 up and dressed as they will be here soon.
CRX

[Deleted User]

Hi CR....really glad you had a lovely few days....you really deserve it! Hope the rest of the holiday break is relaxing and chilled