lol. Indith, we are still in the same boat re: unpacking! It's soooo different after children The Kitchen Maid looks cool. I don't know if we have anything like that here. I do a lot of hanging over chairs and railings

Ds2 is having his Star Wars Birthday party tomorrow. Thanks loads to oli's suggestions for the cake. And toys r us for the gifts. He is currently in bed singing "We will. we will rock you!" I had no idea he was so into Queen...

Boo

Hope we are all enjoying the fact that it is the weekend and relaxing ahead of what will, of course, be a far better week than the last.

My kitchen maid arrived today, it is a Christmas present from MIL, she has her uses . we've even managed to put it up without the ceiling caving, we'll turn into diy enthusiasts I tell you! Have put a picture up in the dining room too. One day this house will actually be properly unpacked <deluded> Dh has been using a packing box as a footstool so now that he doesn't need it we have a random box full of random odds and sods left to unpack. It is very tempting to throw the whole thing out without opening it, if we've not missed it yet it can't be that important! Unless it contains the paddle for our ice cream maker.........

I totally understand the freedom and relief that come with resigning - not unlike what I felt at selling up and moving into a rented house, in a way (the feelings, not the practical implications, of course). Hats off to you, DM, and also to your dh, Castles. Healthy choices

As for my house move...omg, what a saga its been these past few weeks. Man selling this house is very odd (polite version). But in theory we exchange on Monday and complete on Friday. Still don't believe it.

Had a whole morning at GP surgery today: dd1 (needle phobic) for her second SF jab, then to pick up dd2 from dh after her second SF jab (and before dh's appointment with doctor for asthma review); then me for weeks of nagging lower abdo ache, now facing eventual joys of a colonoscopy...am almost sure its just stres related, along with sacro-iliac backache on that side, but suppose its best to be safe, right?? Can't think of anything I'd less rather do, though!

Indith - I love it when they're just soo loveable. I do wish she's sleep a bit more for you.

Lenni - these things happen for a reason. It's hard to think that there will be a better job out there for you but trust me (- I'm a soon-to-be unemployed MNer ).

Aw castles - my DAunt has just been diagnosed with depression. She had my mum in tears when she said she didn't like anything that mum suggested. I told my mum that Da needed our patience to get throught this. She lost her ex-h last year (amicable tems) but I think she's found it hard to resolve her feelings towards him.

Castles, you've had so much to deal with too. It's been unpredictable with your DH and his job for a while. I can completely understand the weight being lifted off your shoulders once you have resigned. Our household has been much happier generally. (although I'm still a little worried about making ends meet but IMO that's a small price to pay).

Oli - I never fail to be amazed at your cakes. I have tried to emulate your style but I have a long way to go!

Eli- I still haven't caught up with your house move - goodness knows how you do it.

I have only a few weeks left before I'm a free woman(work wise)!

Phew. Well done DH...FWIW, when B is under pressure and apparently handling it (well, he really is, but in a male not-so-emotional sort of way), I often seem to cope less well myself. I suspect I'm carrying the emotional side of the stress for both of us at those times! So maybe your DH resigning will take pressure off both of you in more ways than one...though I'm sure there are other pressures as a result.

I do mean it, though admittedly am better at the listening/chatting sort of help than the very practical sort . Always willing to attempt the latter too, though, if you're willing to risk the outcome! xx

Thanks and thanks for offer of help Eli am very touched. Yes, AQ, same email address as before DH has resigned (yeah) which has certainly made me calmer. I could not have done the school/nursery run today without him especially as DD2 had a meltdown and refused to go. He handled it brilliantly. And brutally I am still going to pursue the CBT as he is only here for 3 months and I am terrified of it happening again.

I think your explanation is spot on Eli.

CBT is awesome. That's the only reason we were able to have ds2. My wonderful therapist helped me recover from the PTSD of ds1's birth.

oh god castles, it's worse than I thought from your post before. Did dh resign today? Will he be around? I'll email re: cbt, is it still same email? I got it via my gp, they had psychologist at surgery. I'll admit I was on ad's to try and calm down as well before it started working. Some are more for anxiety than depression. Are you still on ad's?

Castles, must have read too fast before, because didn't realize you felt that bad...is there anything I can do? (unlikely, I know, but if there is you know where I am - or actually, you probably don't, but its not far from where I was before!). FWIW, in my own experience I think coping and surviving can go very much hand in hand with depression and anxiety...I guess our bodies/minds have to go to whatever lengths necessary to get our attention and care (not least, in your case, because you're so good at looking after others). Though I know biochemistry plays a big part too...