I grew up in a state where unions were illegal. That has rather coloured my views about the usefulness of unions. My opinions aside, the school may be victim to strike action next Wednesday and have helpfully come up with the most complicated schedule of operations I have ever seen. Given I have friends who work, it looks like I'll have her ( Read more... )

Was looking at the description for a hotel tonight, and it contained the following information:

More like an aristocratic owned private house than a country house hotel. With sloping floors, antique freezes, modern design pieces, ancient walls and a multitude of rooms to explore.

Oh, dear. Must resist urge to take portable heaters!

Husband arrived home earlier than expected. He walked the last 3 miles with his suitcase as no phones were working in Waterbeach. He's still miserable because of the heat in the US. He didn't sleep due to the heat and the uncomfortable bed. He didn't sleep on the plane on the way home. He still is full of cold. He's so glad to be back where it ( Read more... )

My husband made it to the USA. He's having a lovely time now his cold/fever thing has stopped hitting him so hard. It's a small conference, which suits him. It's apparently a very twee town. He finishes tomorrow and arrives home on Saturday. Summer is booked up with plans to visit family in the US and otherwise keep the kids fit with some free ( Read more... )

Finally got the husband sent to the airport.. he's totally miserable with a nasty cold. He stood next to the bed this morning, fully dressed and just looked at me and said, "I feel dreadful." I fed him breakfast and lots of drugs. He'd banished me to the sofa while he failed to sleep on the bed, so neither of us had any sleep. I'd made a trip ( Read more... )

Sri Lanka 400 and 82
England 491

Credit goes to Tremlett and Swann in the second innings with Broad to clean up the tail. Definitely some cricket highlights to watch tonight! (Channel 5 at 7pm, btw)

So. Turns out the Jobcentre applied on our behalf for Housing and Council Tax Benefit. No forms to fill in or anything. Yay. However, they need to know what kind of JSA we're getting. My kids are really enjoying free school lunches. Yay. Phoned the tax credit people, and they asked me why I needed to phone as the information I was telling ( Read more... )

It seems like when we get over one hurdle there are three more waiting! Looked more closely at the child tax credit/working tax credit information, and it is all incorrect, so who knows if we'll get any of that (I'd imagine not since it's a tax credit and if you don't have income and don't pay any tax, you can't possibly have a tax credit). We'll ( Read more... )

My son made it through his first sleepover, but he is rather tired. He had a great time, even if he went to sleep at 2:30am. Silly boy.

Appointment with jobcentre on Tuesday lunchtime to see if we get to ''sign on'' - great fun. We might qualify for free school lunches - kids are looking forward to those!

It feels odd! My son is at his first sleepover party. His first night away from home without me (last one was in hospital for an operation when he was 6). I keep thinking he's just upstairs, asleep. Ah, well. Hope he's having a good time with his friends.