Jules-and-Boo

you'll be surprised how naturally they take to a younger sibling. Just keep them involved... the more they can do, the better. They love to help. Perfect time to make sure they don't get jealous.

how about the acronyms on mumsnet? DD (darling daughter) BM (birth mother) DH (darling husband) DSS (darling step son) EWCM (egg-white cervical mucus) - I mean, really?????? FFS

Talking of chains, I'd not complain at all if there was a Busaba Eathai or Waga's. In fact, I'd probably eat out even more. Subway is just another thing to walk past.

Our binmnen are really nice. They don't put the bins back in our garden either but why would they? Doesn't everyone who can put their bins out/ bring them back? AS for things being taken out of your bins - sure it's not someone rifling through them? In my experience they bin men either take it - or just leave it and I have to work out why... Never seen them selectively choose the bits they won't take.

I think the question should be re-phrased. If you could do anything, would you do what you are currently doing? If you didn't need money, how would you spend your time that would give purpose to your life? If the answer is that you do not require a sense of purpose to be fulfilled, then that's easy. Otherwise, what would you apply your time to? What would give you most satisfaction?

we have sky broadband and it's great. SKY TV can be expensive but we have basic package and cinema - we negotiated a deal as have been customers for so long. New customers also get deals. You could just get the broadband and then get a TV box or dongle for channels.

you could get a plug cover which catches hairs, so they don't go down the drain. Wondering what it says in the contract? Best to get the plumber to say what the cause is and go from there.

oh for goodness sake..... It's generally known that men have their own affectionate names - which are universally recognized. Childern have baby names for LOTS of things - I wouldn't necessarily worry them with your adult issues with it. Having baby names is not the same as saying 'as your mum I'm too embarrassed to explain your genitalia to you'

why on earth would you put butter on the tops of their feet - the idea is they can smell their way back home...??? Also - get cat micro-chipped

devsdev, there's nothing wrong with that.... but what would you have a child call a tummy ache? Maybe you would enjoy The Vagina Monologues? They're really funny. http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0244283/

oh, in that case, I agree with Gaynor

no, really... I didn't 'get it' from the OP I wouldn't watch it anyway, but might if it's local.

You know cats will do what they want. We had a tom who decided he didn't want to live with girls so he moved out and lived feral. He was quite happy, I'm sure but we weren't. He took a fancy to a neighbour and started going to his house. On day, he was shut in, taken to the vets, given the snip and now lives happily ever after with Tim and his cats. We didn't like the idea of him fathering lots of litters when there are so many stray cats already. Male cats roam when they are unneutered. So, either do the same, or leave him to do his thing....

I've got a rice steamer , which is really easy - although the microwave packets of rice are even easier (and I buy those so my daughter can make rice for herself after school).. What's wrong with frozen veg? I thought it was fine - we've always frozen it.....

Seems like you can make up any name you like.... In our house, it's an Eeny. No idea where that came from. Probably easy to say and a made up word that wouldn't get muddled up with anything else.

well, they haven't been in the news much for anything else recently - can't help thinking they need attention.

oh, I hadn't realised... I thought it was a 3rd update on Phil's hunt around ED. Don't watch enough daytime telly.

right next to the new school! Wise.

all the money in the world can't buy happiness.

Kings - good. St Thomas - bad.

raise the complaint with the station staff

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no, Alice.... I don't. Showing compassion for another creature is never 'distateful' and should only be encouraged. Perhaps chanelling it into something proactive would also be beneficial - education, working with charities to raise awareness/ funds etc to relieve the problem at the outset....

:-) Food is good! Quick good food is even better!

Excellet idea! Mine quick win is noodle soup; Green curry paste (1 tblsp) 1 block of coconut (probably use half) - instructions tell you how much water add - chicken cut into strips so cooks quickly mushrooms (I like cut in quarters) chilies - if you like it hot once chiecken is cooked (five mins or so) add noodles - I'd use two nests Of course, it's REALLY simple, and really versatile.... you can use prawns, chicken, aubegine, courgettes, cauliflower, brocoli (which I dont' think I can spell) or anything you like. You can substitute the green paste for red curry paste or any other at all! Red curry is good for beef... Doesn't really work with Indian curries so would have to be Thai / Indonesian... Sainsbury's sell some too And you can add more milk, more water.... the noodles make the soup thicker. Coconut milk is good for you - the healthy fats :-)