If it's no better in the morning, get some antibiotics asap. Nothing else will shift it as quickly.

DawnF, so sorry about your nasty experience with the dog today. You were definitely right to report it. Hope your neck feels better tomorrow than you fear.

Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaarrrrghhhhhh, both of my wrists are really cramped up and in pain, and I have studio time booked for this weekend, and a full schedule of gigs Not good

ouch ...hopefully you've woken up today in better shape...

I am feeling unwell and have to cancel work for the next couple of days. Just when it was going so well too.

Henry, who is too off colour to scream today.

Better than I feared yes. I CAN move but I ache so..... More Ibuprofen to be taken today then...



Oh dear matt. Hope you feel better today.




Oh dear poor henry

AAAARRRRGGGGGGHHHHHHH VODAFONE

Too boring to go into details, but they've been causing me a huge amount of stress for months and we're now back to square one, reinventing the wheel with yet another call centre person The bosses should be sacked as unfit to run a business, they really should

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAARGGH!

Student loans people and Natwest seem to be joining forces to make my life a misery!

You're scary when you're angry!

Good luck getting that conundrum sorted out...

I'm going to take a detour via the bank on the way to my recorder lesson and see if they can work it out for me as, at this rate, I'm going to end up in Durham with a load of cancelled cards and things with the ones that work in Cambridge and inaccessable. Not quite sure how that's going to work... and that's before I even think about actual money.

Can you not just temporarily transfer some funds on to whatever card account you usually use? Although the cards for other account(s) may be cancelled, you should still have access to internet banking to do transfers and the like?

I suppose the fact that thousands of other people are going through the same sort of nightmare with the student loans people is a small consolation. At least you'll have something in common that you can talk/moan about with your peers straight off the bat when you get there!

The only other account I have is a savings account, so I can't set up the insurance and things on that and don't particularly want it muddled up in the mess. The internet banking letter is one of the ones that has gone astray. At the moment, there is literally no way I can keep track of what's happening in the account, so although I could set up direct debits and things, I wouldn't be able to tell if I was going over the overdraft limit (which would happen if the two lots of insurance took the money at the same time.) And having no card or cheques is going to make paying for things when I get to uni a nightmare, given I can't even get cash out of a machine.

Hopefully things sort themselves out a bit in the next week, but I can't really see it happening.



Lol, right now the student finance thing is the least of my problems and I think I probably have it better than a lot of other people do. The only thing wrong with that is that they think I'm going to the wrong university
because they can't make clear what to write on forms and can't deal with paperwork in anything less than about a year. They have sent me letters saying that they will give me money though.

Comedy of errors! I suppose in the worst case you could ask your parents for a wad of cash to tide you over. You'd better start practice your asking nicely/sweetly skills in case!

The postal delays are probably not helping things either

Oh dear Skylark ..... and I was thinking of switching my mobile service to ASDA who use Vodaphone's network. Maybe I should think again .....

Sorry to read that, Henry. Get well soon!

I sneezed a couple of times today, and my nose has that "tickling" feeling - and it's the Bishop's Award exam in the morning at Derby Cathedral. Never mind, there's nothing above an Fsharp in the 4 pieces tomorrow.

As long as you don't start oinking, you'll be ok

not really aaaaaaaaaaggghhh but still made me a little cross. On thursday my teacher e-mailed me and asked if I could move my lesson to accommodate two young brothers who could not do any other time in the near future.

He suggested monday evening and I declined the offer as I have orchestra. He then says ok stick with Friday evening. Then he calls me later on thursday to say mother of the brothers is really pressuring him to teach them.

I ended up having to give up my lesson slot and have no lesson this week as a result. I even found out the boys now go to a boarding school and don't want school lessons as they don't get on with the teacher.

Sorry for being long winded just made a bit cross.

That would make me crosss too

Me too! Is he planning this for more than just one week?

This was a one off. The brothers could only do this time and would not be free for lessons again for another month.

The only other time he moved my lesson back was when he had to stay on late at his school where he works part time and only told me that morning. He made itup to me by giving me the next lesson free of charge.

I spent today travelling back to the hills of Scotland... 9 hours from door-to-door. I wouldn't normally complain, but took my temperature when I got in, and it was 39C... =/ And now I'm wheezing when I breath(e?) and squeeking and all sorts. My forehead feels like it's being hit repeatedly with a mallet or a huge atlantic salmon and I swear they should make tissues less painful on the nose. I got home, and my bedroom window had been left open for weeks and there were leaves all over the floor. My keyboard (which I'd been hoping to practice some piano duets on this week...) has disappeared and been replaced by huge folded up boxes. I had mistakenly thought my parents weren't being entirely serious when they said I had to pack *everything*. I feel like a visitor here and an unwelcome one at that. My dog didn't even come to see me when I got in, as I later discovered he was shut in with my mum who had gone to bed. I'd been looking forward to seeing him(!) And then there's the fact that I miss mwl1... *sniff* Sorry for the rant.

Oh Flossy, what a shame

I hope things improve for you today xxx

Saturday night is meant for going out with friends, telly watching, relaxing, reading the papers, just generally chilling out?????

So last night I spent an hour and a half writing a report on an event I had just been to.. illustrated with photographs, facts and figures etc ... all from a few rather sketchy notes made quickly on the day but mostly from memory.

Then when I had polished it until it shone I hit 'upload'... (it was for my new website).






...





And the whole thing promptly disappeared never to be seen again!!!


I have absolutely no idea what happened and I tried everything I could think of but it was completely gone... along with all my witty sentences and smooth wording. I was so upset I couldn't do it all over again last night and it's nearly late on Sunday and I can't find the heart to even start again because I know it's a big job and I've forgotton half of what I wrote.

Do you know what the filename was and where it was saved?

Try Pandora Recovery.... http://www.pandorarecovery.com/

You may get lucky.

Hysterical Floss here...

Just before tea tonight I heard my mum refer to me as The Guest. At tea I calmly said to her that I'd kind of like her not to do that. She launched into a huge rage absolutely slating me, and telling me how I'm only with Matthew to go against her, etc. She told me that I have caused all the problems she can think of and that I'm just an awful person and that I can only come home at Christmas *if* she invites me. I tried to stick up for myself, but was told that I am a child who deserves nothing, and was screamed at to go to my room without having eaten, and not to come out tonight. I'm hyperglycaemic so... yeah. I've just spent 5 weeks being treated like a human being so this is a bit of a culture shock.

I can't do much, but

I'm sure everything will calm down when you go to uni

Another thought.

Is there any way that you and your mum can agree to sit down and just talk things through? With a third party there to make sure you talk through everything?

Sorry, I'm not being very helpfu here....

This time next week, Floss....xxx

You are being helpful, but... No. I actually think one of us would end up being quite seriously hurt, and it wouldn't be her...

That's why I'm suggesting another person to be there

I'm not suggesting you have to be best friends after, but if you can at least have a conversation without getting at each other it's good.

I just think it woud be a shame if you went off to uni with things like this. Obviously I have no idea what is going on... but it sounds as if she is being entirely unreasonable and I can't even imagine how hurt you are right now

Some people might hate me for doing this, but I want you to know how it is...

My mum came into my room 20 minutes ago. She just left. Among the things she said, in a perfectly calm manner...

"You are not my daughter, you don't even have a name."

"You are unhinged, and everyone thinks so."

"You have no friends."

To my dad - "I don't care if she has to sleep in Inverness train station..."

"I'm going to erase you from my life - anything you leave will be thrown out."

"You can come back for the day if you are invited... you won't spend another night here."

"Child psychology? That's ridiculous." And she stood there and laughed at me. My own mother ridiculed me for what I want to do with my life...

I'm sorry to post this, but I'm tired of having to pretend to be one of those happy families that lots of people here seem to have.

As of 6pm tomorrow, I apparently am homeless. I suppose I'd better get packing then.

Just to say... sorry to hear this Floss. How awful.
Hope things improve soon...

p.s. Is this normal behaviour for your Mum?.... It could be she has some difficulty accepting you are pretty much a grown woman with a right to make up her own mind (and her own mistakes too ) and that she has to let you go off and make your own way in the world.

I had some issues with my Mum as I became an adult and she wasn't ready to accept it.... Nothing like this though! ... and it doesn't justify the behaviour but might go a bit of the way towards explaining it.....????

I agree with this. I hope you work something out soon. Maybe see you next week.

I'll not say anything more on here - you know you have my support honey. We'll get there. xxxxxxxx

Fiona, you have loads of support, here and elsewhere. We're all rooting for you.

Flossie - have just read this, so sorry. What a shock for you. I think your mum can't be well, as someone suggested - not that that helps you much really. We 're all thinking of you. x

She's told me that I can stay if I apologise.

I fully believe that I haven't done anything that deserves any of this. But... if it's the only way, then I'll take Matthew's advice and grovel.

At the end of the day, I love her, she's my mum and she can pretend all she wants that I don't exist but unfortunately for her, I do, and I'm here in the flesh to prove it. She can't just 'erase' me - I'm not a drawing.

No-one's perfect... probably me less than many - especially in her eyes... I only hope this doesn't constitute lying. I just want things to be ok.

I'm so proud of you honey. I hope she responds in a desirable way... xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Good luck Floss. Sorry to hear this

At least you will be away from it soon, and with people who treat you as you deserve to be. *hugs*

Flossy, I'm so sorry to read your further troubles As others have thought, it sounds like your mum isn't well to have said all these things. This must be very difficult to deal with, but you know you've got support from a lot of people, and one day when your mum is better, I'm sure she'll think and say differently. In the meantime, try and stay strong, and look forward to starting your new life with your friends around you xxx

Aww Floss this sounds awful.

*hugs*

I'll add my voice to those expressing sympathy, Floss.

I thought you might like to know that you aren't the only one who goes through this. It might be some, small comfort, I don't know. I have two close friends who have been in similar situations and know how terrible it is for them.

The first is considered useless by her mother, who nags, is unpleasant, b*tches and says similar things to what you have related. She avoids going home at all costs, and copes by saying nothing to her mother in reponse. I've met the mother is question, she is just a nightmare. I had to leave the room before I said something to her, myself!

The other friend was adopted. The moment she turned 18 her parents announced they hated each other, had only been staying together to give her a family till she came of age, and that they didn't want anything to do with each other or her anymore. I can only imagine how she felt being abandoned a second time. She has now, mostly, managed to reconcile herself with them, and sees them regularly, which is something of a blessing, though I don't think she's ever quite recovered from the shock.

Whatever happens, don't loose your self respect. Regardless of how heartless anyone might tell you are being, you have to keep faith in yourself and continue to believe you are in the right, here. (Even if you aren't. ) You certainly have my confidence and respect, however feeble and useless it is in comparison to that which you really want from your family.

Oh Floss x

Hi Miss Ross, what you describe sounds really awful, and you must be feeling really stuck. Your mother's level of hostility and anger sounds unusual and extreme - is it possible that she isn't well? Families are complicated things and normal parents don't always behave well but I'm quite shocked at her aggressive attitude, and lack of concern for your safety. Whatever our children do (and I'm sure you haven't done anything!) most of us just want them to grow up safe and happy.
I do hope you can maybe talk to your Dad about it somehow.

Look after yourself,

N

Hi Miss Ross

Will be thinking of you. Keep your end up - I think your mum must be unwell, as others have said. People do sometimes say the strangest things which they don't really mean.

I seem to have a really bad habit of double-booking things... Now I need to formulate a plan!

Perhaps I should get a PA!

Argh!

ARGH. ARGH. ARGH. ARGH. ARGH. ARGH. ARGH. ARGH. ARGH.





I wish someone would just kill me.

Don't say things like that, Floss!

Well, I'm apparently going swimming later. Good opportunity to see how long I can hold my breath for. I'm sure that would make my mum's day. Year, even. Get me out of everyone's hair.

Swimming can be very therapeutic and relaxing - I'd make use of that instead, personally

Oh Dawn, only just seen this post, I do hope that you have recovered now, that must have been awful for you.

ET



Hope that you enjoyed your swimming, I love swimming. I used to belong to a health club and go lots but once I started playing tennis I found I wasn't using it enough. My son desperately misses swimming too, told him yesterday that I would look to see if I could afford for us to join again - but that if I did we had to make sure that we go!

I'm having a Very Bad Week. I've just found that a close relative's house has Dry Rot. - The living room floor fell in. And this is something not covered by Buildings Insurance.