pebbles

Sorry my twitter name is @revivedlondon but under the name Pebbles :) Kes - I've only had time to read your c-sec post. Seriously well written, well done you, I nodded my head throughout reading it. I look forward to reading more Keep writing everyone :)

yes subscription is a great idea. my father in law always buys me a different subscription each year and I just love it - I never treat myself to magazines but love reading them :)

The really annoying thing about Friday night was I tried to phone 3 local friends for them to go over to our house to tell my husband that i was stuck on the motorway but everything was fine but they were all on Orange as well and I couldn't get through to them either - I'm really losing my patience.

What's your budget?

Interesting that it's your first ever posting rmarti!! I know at least 10 children at Bessemer and both them and their parents couldn't be happier

I've just spoken to them again. Aghaghagh So he admitted mast down but said there was no information anywhere as to whether it is even going to be fixed!!! He said if and when we can start making calls we can then phone and ask for credit but there's nothing set in stone and with regards to breaking the contract as they are not providing us with a service he said good luck it will never happen as the contract as every eventuality covered. So basically he said thanks for phoning but there's nothing I can do To say I'm annoyed is a understatement. I was stuck on the motorway for 7 hrs on fri night but I couldn't contact my husband as he was at home with no reception!!! If Anyone has any info on breaking contracts etc pls share :)

My son is only in reception so we haven't really come across the "hidden costs" yet but I just wanted to say that we buy his trousers, shorts and PE kit basics from Sainsburys/m&s. From the school we have bought his shirt and jumper (and when he's a bit older his tie and jacket but that's a while away yet). I'm unsure Smiler as to why you think birthday parties would be any more expensive if they were at private school or not??? Sure some people like to spend money on kids parties but you don't have to. This year my husband and 2 of his friends will be entertaining our son and his class in the park with lots of sports - the only cost being the food!!! Cheap as chips and the kids will have a ball. re childcare - obviously having more holidays will entail higher childcare costs unfortunately. A lot of my sons friends have childminders, nanny's or use the before and after school clubs (I'm not sure of the costs of the school childcare but obviously childminders and nanny's will be the same if at state or private). In the holidays they seem to split between childminders/nannys and holiday camps. Sorry I can't be of any more help but I'm seeing a friend tomorrow with kids further up the school so I will ask her about more costs as they get older. Good luck with your decision

Ha ha Pamela, I love that guardian article - a little scary to say the least. I try not to put anything too embarrassing about the kids. When I read back my posts I always ask myself will they be ok with reading this 10 years from now. I've found my Facebook my twitter accounts have been good at sending traffic over to my blog however I have to work at it and when I don't my stats really see the difference. I'm loving reading all your blogs and have picked up quite a few cooking tips. BrownCoffee - I think i'm going to buy that book as I'm going through quite a dry spell with my writing so it will be useful to have some help.

Hi, I also blog at http://www.pressiesbypebbles.com Initially it was to help me launch my little crafting business however it then became a release for me to write about my insomnia and since then to let off some steam!!! I've slowed down recently due to being really busy with other things but I like that it's there for if and when I feel like writing something down. The feedback I've had is truly phenomenal from the "blogging world". I never really got it before but now I love it. Since I have stopped blogging so often I actually had 9 people (strangers) contact me to check that I was ok as they hadn't heard from and me and my blog - i couldn't quite believe it!! What are you finding expensive to maintain? I'm self hosted with wordpress and apart from the actual domain which i have paid for and will continue to do so there haven't been any other costs. I agree it is time consuming, especially to get "followers" you have to read and comment on so many other blogs but it's part of the enjoyment i think. Although I'm not lucky to have insomnia I am lucky as it means i have an enormous amount of time on my hands in the middle of the night which is when I do my writing, reading and commenting :) I'll pop over to yours now and have a read. Keep at it, it's a wonderful release I find :) xxx

So my phone worked for about an hour but now not working any more. Is anyone else having any luck?

Ok, it's worked I have an iphone and this is what I did settings carrier automatic (on) - turn it off - searching for 5-10 mins - click on o2 or vodaphone (anything other than orange) and then click to go back and it will have no service and then click back into carrier and click on EE (there are 2 you can click on either one) - it will then show service and you should be able to make calls Fingers crossed it works for you too

I've just spoken to Orange. Bare with me as I'm trying the diagnostics that she told me to do (takes about 15 mins). Once I've done it (and hopefully it works) I will post the details. Fingers crossed

Yes me. I live on Friern Road and haven't been able to make outgoing calls since yesterday. I'm just about to phone Orange to see what's happening. I'll let you know

What an absolutely fantastic idea. Unfortunately mine are too young but I will definitely be sending them to this when they're old enough. I hope you have a great turn out

If you have a larger seating area I really recommend a built in bench with storage inside (perfect location for all things arty) - and with a bench you can fit lots of little bottoms along it. We don't have underfloor heating but if we were ever to do our kitchen it would be up there with an absolute must Agree don't go with gloss with small kids cos of finger prints We don't have a pull out larder (we bought the house with the kitchen and there are so many things i'd like to change) and agree it's a must We have a huge American style fridge double width and love it My mum has just done up her kitchen and she went with hoydens and they've been fab and her kitchen looks brilliant so i would definitely check them out - they have a place you can view all their kitchens in West Norwood Yes if you can go with drawers rather than cupboards as you can store so much more Lots of plug sockets How exciting, good luck xxx

My amazing eldest bro is taking our kids for the weekend at the end of June. We're to drop them off on Fri arvo and pick up on Sunday!!!! So where should we stay? We don't want to drive too far as that would be a waste of our adult time? I wouldn't mind being pampered and we love wandering around antique shops and sitting in pubs reading newspapers. Does anyone have any suggestions? Thanks Sally x

I've sent you a pm

I'm another fan of a larger garden. I have a boy 5 and girl 3 and they spend time in the garden every day all year round. In the winter they just wrap up warm. Our trampoline was our best buy as they spend HOURS on it and their friends love coming here and playing outside too. I hope you are able to come to a mutual decision :)

Yes please please sign. I couldn't have survived without it with my two when they were younger. I'm 35 years old and my Mother used to take my brothers and me there as well - please support

8ft absolutely fine for adults - if you live on Friern Road you may well see me bouncing up and down regularly!!!! :) = watch out for those pelvic floors though ladies :)

Ours is made by Plum and is 8ft. The best thing we've ever bought. Easily will fit 3. Fits my 2 plus friends without much injury :) Come and have a look if you want to see how it fits in the garden. We've put it directly outside the windows (overlooking the sink) so that I can still look out of the doors and gaze down my garden as we tried it at the back to begin with and I felt it ruined my view - if that makes sense. Let me know if you want to have a look but honestly a great buy - they probably spend 2 hours a day out there bouncing!!!

If i ever get to be on my own I always leave the house at 6pm and go for a wander or to see a friend - BECAUSE I CAN :) Eat cereal for supper!! And yes enjoy adult tv during the day!!! I hope you are able to make the most of it as she'll be back before you know it

Wow, thank you everyone so much for your comments and pm's. I have now pencilled something and will send tomorrow. Fingers, toes and everything crossed.

Hi I've just received a Jury Summons to start on 28th May 2013. I am actually quite excited about one day being on a Jury however I really believe it's going to be very difficult this time due to: that week being half term so having both children at home full time (we also have planned on going to my father in laws cottage for the week and friends have already booked their train tickets down there), but if it fell out of half term I'm a SAH mum looking after both children (eldest is 5 and therefore at school from 9-3 and I pick him up everyday and my youngest is at nursery 5 mornings a week and I pick her up every day). Has anyone got any experience of writing an Excusal Letter and if so what have you put and is being a mum at home a good enough excuse!!! I really don't want to get into a debate on whether it is right for me to try and get out of it just some help to do so. Thanks in advance Sally

Congratulations, am thrilled for you. So so exciting :) xxx