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December 2013 chat

Louise
Parenting specialist DoppleMe

Morning, sparkling, glad you have finished work. I am sure your sister was glad to help, I know you hate to ask though. Have you got some ideas about what you need to sort? it is the food bit that I find stressful as my boys seem to eat so much! Mind you, when they were tiny and I was married to their dad I used to get one of those Family Circle magazines and it always had the complicated recipes and there was a section for things to have on standby "in case of unexpected revellers dropping in" I would faithfully make some dreadful concoction and put it in the freezer and do you know what? I never had any unexpected revellers (or maybe they had heard about the standard of snacks available at my house? HA)

How is everyone today? I am singing at the old peoples' home this afternoon, eek.

Posted on: December 21, 2013 - 8:57am
Looby
DoppleMe

Morning lovelies!

Can someone please tell me where December has gone? How can it be Christmas in four days?! I really must wrap some presents.

Things are good here for me and J. His nativity play was awesome, even though he was changed to the king who brought gold instead of Frankenstein! Work has been as busy as ever, roll on Monday when I break up. Things are ok with the new mr, although we have had words over the fact that I have planned things for while J is with his dad at Christmas and not taken into account the fact that he might like to see me! So not used to thinking about anyone but myself!! I have also signed the form to consent to ex divorcing me on the grounds of two years separation. Yay! Hopefully 2014 is going to be a good year. 

Posted on: December 21, 2013 - 10:03am
sparklinglime
DoppleMe

Hi Looby - nice to 'see' you.  Glad things are settled.

I have been out getting food this morning.  Some little bits and pieces too, so feel a bit calmer about Christmas day actually happening.

The rain was torrential as well as gales here, so I'm now back in PJs while my jeans (yes, jeans... Still can't quite believe it) dry off. 

How are things pq?

I hope you enjoy the singing Lousie Smile

Posted on: December 21, 2013 - 11:18am
Louise
Parenting specialist DoppleMe

Glad you are feeling better about things, sparkling. Jeans, wow. Although I prefer PJs Smile

Good to hear that things are going well, Looby even if you are not used to having the new Mister around. J will have enjoyed his nativity play and I am sure he is very excited about the big day.

The singing was hilarious. In itself it was pretty shambolic but what made it really funny was that one of the old ladies kept shouting out "Shut up!" and "B*gger off!" really loudly HAHA.

Strictly final tonight Laughing

Posted on: December 21, 2013 - 5:52pm
Skyflower
DoppleMe

Thank you Louise, I will phone the number and will try to stretch the time as now my children are 13 and almost 11. Thank you very much for your support x

Posted on: December 21, 2013 - 5:52pm
sparklinglime
DoppleMe

You take care Skyflower 

The singing sounds hilarious Louise!

Posted on: December 21, 2013 - 7:27pm
hazeleyes
DoppleMe

Hi all. Just putting my head round really, not read any posts!

Not had great couple of weeks. C is now being hit daily so a battle between myself and school. Same child since year 1. My neighbour that has known me since birth, and pulled me together after my Mum died, sadly passed away on Friday afternoon. All so sad, but C deserves a Christmas, so today I'm trying to shake off this pure empty feeling I have. Yesterday, I stayed in my room, and felt terrible for doing that to C, but couldn't get a grip. I feel as if I've lost my Mum all over again, although that sounds daft, even to me, as no one on earth could ever have taken her place. Such a sad time for her family.

I hope you are all okay, and organised for Christmas. I am definately not, although thankfully the tree went up a few weeks back, if it hadnt, i'm sure there wouldnt be one now. Love and best wishes to you all. 

Posted on: December 22, 2013 - 10:31am
rudimentary mary
Parenting specialist DoppleMe

Hello one and all! Just thought I'd say 'HIYA!' - I'm back on the boards over Christmas & look forward to 'seeing' the long term One Spacers again & 'meeting' any new peeps.

hazeleyes, I'm sorry to hear you & C have had such a rotten couple of weeks. Hope the school take some affirmative action in the new term (by the way, I edited your post as you'd had a slip & typed his full name). With regard to your neighbour, I am so sorry to hear of your loss. It is hard whenever we lose someone important to us - so this is your bereavement as well as her family's - and the echoes of grief are peculiar and far reaching. Be gentle with yourself.

Lousie, I'm with you. PJs all the way. I'd still be in bed today if I had had any say in the matter to be frank - am worn out! Almost organised now though. For those of you who don't know, A's birthday is on Christmas Eve, so I have a bit of a double whammy on my hands. She is 10 this year, so she had a disco at the beginning of the month which has taken the pressure off a bit; but I made the mistake of asking if she wanted to go out foir something to eat on her birthday. Cue me taking out a small bank loan, as she wants to go to a well known sushi restaurant. Kids, eh?! Laughing

Either Louise or I will be on every day throughout the holiday period, so do look in & let us know how you're doing.

Love and best wishes to all,

M x

Posted on: December 22, 2013 - 12:34pm
Looby
DoppleMe

So sorry to hear about your neighbour Hazeleyes. 

Hiya Mary, good to see you back. 

Me and J have been to the carol service at church tonight. Felt sorry for the woman sat next to J. He sings enthusiastically but not necessarily the right words. Ding dong merrily on high? J's version is ding dong merry lemon pie. He loves the Gloria bit at the end too. He enjoyed himself though.

Sat waiting for my shopping to be delivered. Anyone like to guess the number of substitutions there will be?

Posted on: December 22, 2013 - 10:19pm
kiera

hi looby i had my shopin delivered by tesco and didnt have one substiution, thank god

Posted on: December 22, 2013 - 10:51pm
sparklinglime
DoppleMe

Loads of hugs Hazeleyes.  xxx

Hi Mary.  Good to 'see' you here.

We had a home delivery yesterday, but only some essentials.  Our challenge this year is an extremely tight budget after the WTC thing.  Christmas dinner is sorted though, so, lucky for me, that is what my lot seem to be wanting most of all.

The house has been tidied.  Just to mop the floors and hoover the place - again.  Christmas music on most of the time.

I like to think I cheered the office up on Friday as I had Kelly Clarkson, Under the Christmas Tree, on youtube, and kept pressing play randomly.  While I'm not ordinarily a fan of hers, I'm loving that song.

I've been sleeping rather badly for a few days now.  Not sure why, so I just get up and potter.

Take care everyone.

Posted on: December 23, 2013 - 6:23am
Louise
Parenting specialist DoppleMe

Good morning everyone

How are you all? You were up early sparkling. Sounds as if you Have A Plan, well done you. Ooh I am definitely going to have a look for that song now.

I am having my shopping delivered this morning, my guess for substitutions in mine is 5. Looby my guess for yours was 4. I had to giggle at J's words for Ding Dong. My eldest used to sing "Away in a manger, no crisps in his bed" Laughing

Hazeleyes, how lovely to see you but I was very sorry to read about your neighbour. You said it was like losing your Mum again, well in a way you have lost one of your connections to your Mum, someone who knew her and could talk to you about her. BIG HUGS for you. it is horrifying about this boy continuing his behaviour to C, are they saying it is acceptable for him to be hitting or are they just denying it is happening? Hope you are feeling a bit brighter this morning and ready to focus on Christmas.

Mary welcome back, we always love to see you. I expect A is getting VERRRRRRY excited regarding tomorrow's birthday as well as Christmas. When is she with you/with her dad over the next few days?

Kiera are you all sorted?

Skyflower how are you today?

Hopeful has your Mum arrived yet?

PQ are you feeling more rested?

Right, better get squared round to be ready for the unlikely event of the shopping coming before the last two minutes of my two-hour slot, back later

Posted on: December 23, 2013 - 9:20am
pancakequeen
DoppleMe

Morning all,

My weekend didn't quite pan out as expected. I went out friday night as planned and had a lovely time. However H was on her kness when I picked her up so all plans for saturday were cancelled and we all mooched around the house watched TV and played games. Sunday was pretty much the same with a couple of hours shopping thrown in. I am now finally 'ready' for christmas, the girls are starting to feel better, one more day of work and it will be time to have some fun!!

Sorry to hear things haven't been great for you hazeleyes, big hug from me.

Looby, glad things are going well for you.

Hello Mary!

Glad you got things sorted for christmas sparkling.

Louise, your story made me laugh out loud! I was on one of the care of the elderly wards last week and a patient was singing his heart out, another patient was telling him to 'shut up' it did make me chuckle!

Posted on: December 23, 2013 - 10:07am
sparklinglime
DoppleMe

I'm glad the girls are feeling better pq.  I hope the day flies by smoothly.

Posted on: December 23, 2013 - 10:16am
Louise
Parenting specialist DoppleMe

That sounds like a good weekend as it happens, PQ. Yes the old lady shouting out was really funny. The icing on the cake was that my friend was taken to one side by the daughter of one of the other residents and she said how much her mum and various other ladies had enjoyed it, she said don't take any notice of that particular lady, she tells EVERYONE to b*gger off!!

Sparkling, I've had a listen to that song, thank you, it's a really "feel-good" tune

Posted on: December 23, 2013 - 1:17pm
Skyflower
DoppleMe

I phoned the number Louise, it was a very nice person, he was trying to find a number for me and then asked me if I was from that area so I think they can see my phone number. I asked them for advice but they can only listen.

Glad everyone is so organised and ready for Christmas and thank you, Sparklinglime,  for the Kelly Clarkson song, it does make you feel better

 

Posted on: December 23, 2013 - 3:12pm
Looby
DoppleMe

Yay work is all finished!!! We got to finish early today so went and sat in the pub for an hour, which was really nice.

My shopping had six substitutions and one not available. He was also over an hour late although he did phone to let me know. I am on my own from Christmas Day until the Sunday so have brought some really nice bits just for me, that J would turn his nose up at! We are off to the cinema to watch Frozen tomorrow and will then go to the crib service at church. J is super hyper excited today, as he has been at holiday club and everything has been Christmas themed. He just keeps asking if Santa will really come tomorrow night!

Posted on: December 23, 2013 - 7:08pm
Skyflower
DoppleMe

That sounds so nice Looby, I hope you have a great time with him !

Posted on: December 23, 2013 - 7:22pm
rudimentary mary
Parenting specialist DoppleMe

Hello all!

Sounds as though we are all busy with the preparations...I like to have christmas tunes on too, sparkling (my personal favourite is 'Christmas Wrapping' by The Waitresses Smile )

Ah Looby, J sounds as though he literally can't wait for his presents! A is being a bit cooler about things this year, as she has discovered 'the truth' about Father Christmas - though she still keeps wondering aloud about what she might get, for both birthday & Christmas! I'm being 'luscious' again in the morning then she is coming back around 2pm. My mum's popping over for the birthday present unwrapping before we go out for our meal; then I have A to myself Christmas morning. Once she goes off for Christmas lunch with her dad & his family, I'm going over to friends' for the rest of the day. I'm taking dessert with me - chocolate & lime mousse cake, anyone?!

Hi pq! Hope Christmas is now coming together nicely x

Posted on: December 23, 2013 - 9:00pm
Louise
Parenting specialist DoppleMe

Hello everyone

One more sleep till Santa! Hope everyone is feeling ok-ish in the run up to tomorrow.

Happy Birthday to A, Mary and hope you have a lovely time. Your dessert sounds delish. Don't forget to take your onesie to your friends' house Wink

Skyflower, glad you had a chat, yes they can't really give advice but I think it is great to hear another voice and to know you're not alone, even in the middle of the night.

Looby what are the special treats you are having? My shopping had eleven subsitutions!!! Only one wasn't any good, simply because it duplicated something else I had already got. They gave it to me for free anyway, thank you very much, £4, and I have put it in the freezer.

How are you all today?

Posted on: December 24, 2013 - 11:40am
sparklinglime
DoppleMe

I hope A has a lovely day Mary. 

I need to hoover.

My home delivery had no substitutions. 

 

Posted on: December 24, 2013 - 1:08pm
pancakequeen
DoppleMe

Happy christmas eve everyone.

The girls have gone to their dads for the night. This is the first time in my whole life I have been alone on christmas eve or christmas morning. Trying to keep busy and not  freak out.  I have wrapped all the presents with a glass of cava. I have discovered spotify so am listening to motown at the moment. Will have something to eat then have a bubble bath and head off to bed I think.

 

Posted on: December 24, 2013 - 8:05pm
kiera

hi everyone im gona start wrappin presents when my little girl asleep, got loads to wrap, ad really good day, met my eldest dawter was so good to see er, we went iceland and did big shop, then went macdonalds with my little girl, ad snowballs at home, and watched harry potter on new boys 42 inch tv, got turkey in fridge now, x

Posted on: December 24, 2013 - 8:35pm
Skyflower
DoppleMe

Happy Christmas eve. 

Everything is ready, boys have found the indoor fireworks, lighting them outside. Of course I can't stop worrying about it and wish I never bought it but must admit it looks really good. I hope you are managing tonight and tomorrow Pancakequeen, it must be hard. I hope tomorrow afternoon comes quickly for you.

How wonderful you have done it all Kiera and that your eldest daughter is there, and great the TV is working for your son.

Yes Louise it is wonderful to know there is always someone to listen...

Hopefully a good day tomorrow for everyone,

 

Posted on: December 24, 2013 - 10:03pm
Louise
Parenting specialist DoppleMe

Thinking of you all in your different situations. It's cold outside and time to snuggle up. Tomorrow is an emotional time for many of us but whatever time we have with the children, whatever day it is, we can make the most of that.

Wishing you all a lovely day tomorrow, I will check in of course!

 

Posted on: December 24, 2013 - 10:44pm
Skyflower
DoppleMe

Thank you Louise, I will make the best of the time that I have 

 

Posted on: December 24, 2013 - 10:51pm
sparklinglime
DoppleMe

Hope you're ok pq.

Wishing everyone a peaceful Christmas.

Posted on: December 25, 2013 - 12:03am
Immi
DoppleMe

Man, Christmas is such a heart-hurty time.  I have my kids until about 3 tomorrow and I'm already close to tears at the thought of them going.  

Big hugs to everyone.  xx

Posted on: December 25, 2013 - 12:18am
Louise
Parenting specialist DoppleMe

Merry Christmas everybody, and the very best day we can have. A special hello to those who are without their kids this morning Kiss Remember, it's not that different from being without the kids on a different date on the calendar (just that it's better telly today) and having a little cry is not a bad thing if that's what you feel like doing. We are strong and FABULOUS!

Just_immi, it's great to see you in the chat section, I have given you lots of info and some bits to have a look at with your other post, click here to see it.

Big HUGS to everyone today!

Posted on: December 25, 2013 - 7:41am
sparklinglime
DoppleMe

Loads of hugs immi.

I hope you have a lovely time with your children.  Loads of hugs for you. 

Posted on: December 25, 2013 - 10:00am
kiera

happy exmas to everyone well ive got a turkey in sink full of cold water, ad it in fridge since sunday,lol. got get giblets out of it,  well my little girl as alot dolls and stroller , and a tablet for er age, my sons got clothes and trainers, my parents and my eldest dawter cumin later. x

Posted on: December 25, 2013 - 11:20am
sparklinglime
DoppleMe

That reminds me, I put the oven on ages ago... Perhaps I should stick the turkey in it!

Have a lovely day Kiera.

Posted on: December 25, 2013 - 12:49pm
Skyflower
DoppleMe

Turkey is ready to be cut in 15 minutes, merry Christmas everyone !

Posted on: December 25, 2013 - 12:58pm
Immi
DoppleMe

Merry Christmas everyone. And thank you :) due to my exceptional organisational skills,  our Christmas dinner will be served two hours later than planned. I'm hoping its awesomeness will make up for its tardiness! 

 

Ex is here,  I've totally dropped my anger for the day  he turned up with a gift for me - a silly thing,  the strip light in the kitchen has been broken for ages and I haven't been able to get a new one, so he brought one round for me. He also got me a gift from the kids, reminding me that in my red hot glowing anger towards him lately I had completely forgotten to get something for him from the kids. Felt awful, apologised, he said it was absolutely understandable considering the circumstances and not to worry. 

I really hope that we'll be able to sit down and talk about everything one day soon now that the sight of him is not making me want to tear my own eyes out. 

So far, so good. Bit of xmas magic in my house today. 

Hope you're all having a wonderful day,  whatever you're doing and whoever (if anyone) you're spending it with. 

Posted on: December 25, 2013 - 1:34pm
Skyflower
DoppleMe

Immi I am so glad you found some Christmas magic in your house today,have a wonderful (late) Christmas dinner !

 

Posted on: December 25, 2013 - 1:38pm
Immi
DoppleMe

Thank you :) you too xx

Posted on: December 25, 2013 - 1:50pm
kiera

u av lovely day to sparklinx

Posted on: December 25, 2013 - 2:05pm
kiera

well im avin glass baileys now, turkey in oven,my dad cum and got giblets out for em lol put foil round it, b dun bout 3, ive hoovered upstairs and down and polished, kids av all ad bathes, walked shop with my little girl and er new strolller took ages lolxhave good day everyonexx

Posted on: December 25, 2013 - 2:07pm
sparklinglime
DoppleMe

Well done immi.  My ex came round for dinner the first couple of years.  The thing we can sometimes do for our children...

Posted on: December 25, 2013 - 3:09pm
Louise
Parenting specialist DoppleMe

Glad to hear all your news. It is good if we can have a reasonably co-operative relationship with our exes but it's not always possible.

I feel like I have had a plague of locusts here, the boys eat so much. Two human hoovers. I got what I wished for in my Christmas stocking though; eldest is pulling out of the Territorial Army process Laughing

Posted on: December 25, 2013 - 7:56pm
Skyflower
DoppleMe

Yeeeee! Louise that is a brilliant Christmas present I am so pleased for you ! what wonderful news ! 

I am grateful to all of you as you have been so supportive and kind, everyone has such a kind word for someone that needs it, every time again, whilst we all go through difficult times. 

I have read through threads as this is my difficult time and you are all so amazing.

 

Posted on: December 25, 2013 - 8:04pm
hazeleyes
DoppleMe

Merry Christmas everyone xxx

Posted on: December 25, 2013 - 8:56pm
Hopeful
DoppleMe

Hope you're all having a lovely Christmas!!! xxx

Posted on: December 25, 2013 - 11:19pm
Louise
Parenting specialist DoppleMe

Good morning and welcome to Boxing Day. What plans today?

Hopeful what did you get for your Christmas Eve feast?

Hello Hazeleyes, how are you feeling and did the day go ok?

Skyflower, I am so glad that our support is helping, it's a very caring community here and we do all try to buoy each other along through the good times and bad. Do I take it that you are finding the evenings the most difficult time?

Immi, how are you doing?

Kiera hope the turkey dinner was a success. We had chicken wrapped with sausage and bacon and I could only eat about half of mine but my youngest finished mine off.

Sparkling did Christmas Day go well? How about you PQ? Hope you enjoyed your time with the girls.

Youngest is at work today so eldest and I are lolling aroung. Have just told him there's a sinkful of pots with his name on it, HAHA

Posted on: December 26, 2013 - 9:57am
kiera

hi louise yes ad pigs in blanket very nice, well i was upset cos i didnt end up eatin with my kids, my dad shouted at my little girl cos she screamed and it hurt his head he ad brain hemoarge and any loud noise hurts his head, so i went upstairs upset, my eldest dawter talked me down, so was gutted i dint eat with kids, wea re on edge incase my little girl makes noise, i actulay cudnt wait for my dad to leave, feel awful sayin it, ad gud exmas nyt tho, watched gud film with my eldest dawter, its very frosty ere in north west, av walk shop soon get gas and electricx

Posted on: December 26, 2013 - 10:42am
sparklinglime
DoppleMe

Louise, I'm so pleased for you.

 

Posted on: December 26, 2013 - 11:23am
Skyflower
DoppleMe

Normally I am alright on my own Louise and at times I will just have a bite out with a friend. At work I really have very nice colleagues. It's Christmas with my family far away and everyone else having their family around. And I live in constant fear right now, which doesn't help. 

I have organised a holiday away together and I will have to start packing as we will leave soon :). Will make it a brilliant time for long to remember, the children have had enough time to play with their new stuff and we will bring some along. Will make beautiful pictures, which I will be able to send to my family as well :) xx

Posted on: December 26, 2013 - 11:40am
pancakequeen
DoppleMe

Morning. Had a lovely day yesterday. Although A didn't feel well and slept a lot of the day. 

Not got a lot planned for today. Will be heading home later as I have work tomorrow.

sorry things got a bit tense for you Kiera. Christmas Day can be quiet stressful.

glad your son has changed his mind about the TA Louise. 

Posted on: December 26, 2013 - 11:41am
Immi
DoppleMe

Louise that's amazing news about your son pulling out of the TA, you must be so happy. Congrats :) Lolling around today sounds lovely, enjoy every minute!

Hugs to you Skyflower,I hope your holiday is everything you need right now. :)

PQ, I can't imagine having to do xmas eve and xmas morning alone... it'll be my ex's turn to have them xmas morning next year and the thought makes my heart wrench a little! Well done you for getting through it, and I'm glad the day itself was nice too.

Keira that sounds mega stressful, sorry things got a bit tense. xmas night sounded lovely though! I hope you're all feeling good today.

Sparklinglime, haha thank you! yes, I wasn't keen on him coming round at all, especially since he basically invited himself in front of the children just a couple days before xmas. I was hopping mad. It was ok in the end thank goodness.  I hope you had a lovely christmas.

hazeleyes, sending love and strength your way. I lost my mum almost 10 years ago and it's still hard to cope with even now sometimes.  And yes, when we're bereaved again it can bring all of that back and we end up grieving for everybody we've lost. I'm sorry you're going through such a hard time. 

Well, last night was a little more difficult than I anticipated - I really missed my kids. Visited my brother and his family for an hour which was a good laugh, but I sort of felt like I was crashing someone elses party, you know? After that I went round to my friends house - shes a newly single mum and was on her own with her kids yesterday - and once her kids were asleep we got really drunk on vodka and had a proper good laugh.  It was really good fun and a good distraction for us both.

it's Boxing Day and my kids aren't due back until tomorrow morning. I was really quite anxious about having a whole day and a night stretched ahead of me with nothing to do and nobody to see - usually on the weekends when ex has them i'll get the bus up to our nearest city in the day, and go out here in the evening with friends, but obviously today there are no buses and everyone is with their families!

So I've decided to have a really indulgent me-day. I went back to sleep this morning until almost 11am, which i NEVER do.  And in a minute I'm going to pack my sketchbook and camera, and go for a nice long walk along the viaduct which I never ever get to do without the children.  When I get back I'm going to have a LONG soak in the bath with my books and maybe a little glass of wine, and then I'm going to spend the evening editing my photos from today and watching bad movies.  The skies are very blue, the sun is shining, and I have absolutely nothing to do except fun things and a little bit of cleaning later.  Life is good today!

Posted on: December 26, 2013 - 12:45pm
Looby
DoppleMe

Happy Boxing Day!

I hope that everyone enjoyed their Christmas in what ever shape or form it was. Yesterday made me realise how far I have come in the past couple of years. J was picked up by his dad at ten and I won't see him again until Sunday. Before now this would have had me an emotional wreck, but dare I say it, I'm enjoying the me time! I went to my sisters for dinner yesterday, which was lovely. Saw other family throughout the day and collected lots of goodies, chocolate anyone? When I finally got home I had a candlelit bath accompanied by a glass of wine and no interruptions. I was in bed for ten and slept solidly for nine hours! Today I have been and got J loads of new clothes from the sales. He won't stop growing. I've come home and just lazed around. Work tomorrow so need to find some motivation from somewhere!!

Posted on: December 26, 2013 - 6:20pm