7 January 2004

[Alison]

Not quite sure what the appropriate greeting is at this time of year - seems a bit late for Happy Christmas, but Happy New Year seems a little premature - anyway, seasons greetings to all! I hope you've managed to survive/enjoy the festive period so far. I certainly won't be sad to see the back of 2003!<br><br>Anyway, I thought I would get a bit bossy with planning to go out. I think we settled for Wednesday 7 January (evening). So far the takers I've got are Lucy, Grace, Lou and me. Can't remember who else is in London/ the South East, but it goes without saying the more, the merrier!<br><br>I wondered about meeting for a drink somewhere from 6.30ish and then maybe going for a pizza, or something like that (leaving ourselves the option of dashing off after a drink if, having met each other, we all decide its been a terrible mistake to meet in person!!) I don't want to be too dictatorial (!) so I'll leave it to someone else to suggest a venue. Lucy will be coming from Luton and Lou from Portsmouth, so I guess somewhere central would be best. Who can think of somewhere good? <br><br>Love to all<br><br>Alison x

[Grace]

Hi girls<br><br>Yes, Happy New Year to all of us. I will be glad to see the back of it too. Mind you said that last year too....<br>Have had a nice quiet Christmas really. Just very relaxing. It has been great to spend some time with DH as things were so hectic before Christmas we hardly saw each other.<br>Alison I am glad you are being "bossy" and started this thread. I am still raring to go for the 7th. I am afraid I am useless at thinking of a venue though because sad as this sounds I rarely go up to town, and really have n't a clue. I suppose if we can think of somewhere central for a rendevouz we can take it from there.<br>I know Jen also said she might like to come along but she has been having a really difficult time so may not feel up to it yet.<br>Do you think we should put a notice on the main board in case some of the other girls fancy it but don't read this one??<br>Hopefully someone can think of somewhere.<br>Talk soon<br>Love<br>Gracexxx

[jen]

Hi Girls

Happy New Year to all of you and hope you don't mind me gatecrashing!!

This will definitely go down as the worst Christmas ever but hey we're in a New Year now and I'm feeling a bit better. I'm not back to work until the 8th so would really love to meet up with you all in London. Although we haven't closed the door on treatment yet we've all been through so much and it would be great to meet, have a few drinks and a chat.

Like Grace I'm only a train ride from London but don't go out up there much (just really know Wigmore and Harley St!!!). Still there must be loads of places, I'm sure you'll know of someplace Alison and thanks for organising this too.

Can't wait to see you all.

Take care, Love Jen xx

[Alison]

Grace - glad you had a good Christmas. I know what you mean about having some time to spend with DH. I feel like this last week has been the first opportunity we've really had for some quiet time together, and also to do some thinking - which has been painful at times but feels like moving forward.

Jen - so glad you're up for coming out. I'm really looking forward to meeting you.

Lucy, Lou and everyone else over here, I hope you're having a good break and maybe managing to escape the baby business a bit, but hoping too that you'll still be around on Wednesday.

I've racked my brains for a big easy to find venue which won't have many people in where we'll be able to find each other easily .... and can't think of anywhere! So I'll suggest the Pitcher and Piano near Trafalgar Square/Charing Cross - according to my A to Z is on William IV St. If you're coming down from Leicester Square tube you turn left when you reach Trafalgar Square - St Martins Church is in front of you and there's a pub called the Chandos on the corner where you turn. Sorry, I'm rubbish at directions... but you're all intelligent women, you'll find it! Anyway, I will be somewhere upstairs (I'm hoping there'll be more space and fewer people up there) with a glass of wine (possibly red, possibly white, depending on mood!) from 6.30. I've got shoulder length blond hair, a bright red coat, erm... and no very obvious distinguishing features! Descriptions of you would be most welcome! I suggest we stay there til 8pm to see who turns up, and then go in search of food.

I'll post on the main board too - I'm really quite excited! Love

Alison x

[Amanda A]

Alison,
Thanks for your message on the other side, it was really sweet of you.

I would love to come along too but at the moment I am just all over the place and I feel that it is a bit too early for me to venture out!

I hope that you all have a good time and that I could come along if you decide to do it again.

Love Rach XX

[Grace]

Thanks for this Alison. I am useless at organisation I am afraid. It sounds like a central location and even I should be able to find it!!
Great that you are coming too Jen. I am really exited, it is a nice positive way to start 2004.
I have blonde shoulder length hair too, tall about 5ft 8 and will be wearing a black coat.
Talk soon
Gracexxx

[jen]

Well another blondie - a bit longer than shoulder length, dark blonde hair and I'll try and remember to wear my grey coat. Oh and a bit of an Irish accent - Grace you should be able to recognise that.

Really looking forward to seeing you all and thanks once again for arranging it Alison. I think it's a real positive way to start the New Year.

See you next week then.

Love Jen xx

[luce]

Hi girls

Sorry, have been incognito for a while (haven't things changed on this site since I last was here!), but am still on for Wednesday and looking forward to it.

I too am blondish and it's a bit longer than shoulder length - haven't a clue what I'll be wearing but it will probably involve a black coat and a baby blue scarf.

See you then - will try to pull myself together for then - Christmas and New Year have been SUCH a whirlwind and I'll be glad for some normality starting tomorrow!
Love
Luce
xx

[luce]

Hi again

Just to say that I should be there by 7pm at the latest so don't disappear without me. I told Pete we were going to Pitcher and Piano and he now thinks we're all going out on the pull. Tee hee!

See you tomorrow girls - it's all gone quiet so I hope you're all still coming

Love
Luce
xx

[Alison]

Don't worry Lucy, we'll be there, and will wait for you! In the company of all these blondes I should perhaps confess to being a bit on the mousy side! Looking fowrard to seeing everyone,

Alison x

[Lorraine]

Just wanted to wish you all a great evening.
I think it will be a very powerful feeling meeting up with your board buddies - don't forget the Kleenex!
I know when I joined a fertilty support group I couldn't even open my mouth to speak but the emotions that poured out of everybody was like electricity!
Thinking of you all
Lorraine
A very definite boring brunette!

[Grace]

Just to let you know I will be there at 6.30 or as near as I can. I think there have been problems with trains going ancd coming from Waterloo.
Well they say blondes have more fun so I am sure we will manage a few laughs!
Thanks for your good wishes Lorraine we will think of you too.
See you then girls
Gracexxxx

[louli]

Dear Grace, Alison, Lucy, Jen ,Rachael and Lorraine,
apologies for not having replied sooner. This is my first visit to the computer and the site since way before xmas. I will hope to be there tomorrow at 6.30pm, just trying to work out the logistics of getting there and whether to train it or drive it. I am excited too. I will probably be wearing brown jacket with fluffy collar and cuffs and maybe brown trousers. Also have brown hair - so brown all over really!! Will look out for the blonde gaggle of vino drinking girls!! Look forward to seeing you - Lou

[jen]

Hi Girls

Yes, still up for it. I haven't checked the times of trains yet but I'll be into Waterloo and cabbing it to pub, should be there btw 6.30 and 7.00. Unfortunately I won't be able to have a few drinks though - I'm on really strong antibiotics after the D & C yesterday and they said strictly no alcohol, how mean are they. I'm feeling a lot better now that it's all over and looking forward to a good natter.

Love Jen xx

[fiona_lk]

Hi Girls,

Just wanted to say have a lovely time tonight - I found the FF gathering was absolutely brilliant so I hope you get lots out of your meet too.

I'll be thinking about you all.

Lots of Love


Fiona xxx