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Moderator (server) Wed Feb 23 03:31:00 PM EST 2011
Our chat about FFL UK starts at 4 pm Eastern US
Aha! Here is the room. Thank you, Jeff! Please say hello when you join the room... I am making a cup of tea, and I'm on early. Welcome!
I think it wasn't set to appear until 3:31 our time. Have a great chat. I will check in later.
Thanks! Neal gets to cook dinner tonight (although I prepared it - he just needs to turn on the oven and make salad).
Hi Sue.
Oooh i got in. Unprepared no tea made or pj's on, back in a mo
Hi Laura and friends across the pond!
I'm a bit early
Hey Danni - How are you?
HellO all
Sasha is 16 now. I must change the message
Our chat about FFL UK starts in 10 min in the 'FFL UK' room.
I'm fine thanks and you?
Hi Jackie!
I think that quite a few UK parents are away because its half term here in the UK
Hi Laura
Yes don't think there are many people on the list this week
Hi Danni
Always a reason.No worries - whoever is on the chat... we'll have a good conversation! The Orlando FFL chat had over 25 people at one point - was a bit difficult to follow!
Hello Laura,Danni and Jackie
I think that Jacqui D might be away or busy
Where do people go on half term break in the UK? Here, people go south (to Florida), and break is usually in March or April.
Hi Sue
Some go skiing i think!
Not sure. Some families take short break in europe somewhere sunny. Other go and visit relatives
I expect they go to Florida too!
Evening all
Evening ladies!
I'd love to join them in Florida. It was below zero (F) this morning. I'm hiding indoors today.
Hey Shiv - How are you? You loving the new job?
Hey Laura! I start the Outreach Co ordinator role next week I think!
My son was just born when your Sam was diagnosed Laura
Hi Shiv you will be brill!
Florida if only. I hate working this week, too cold and wet to do outdoor stuff and anything indoors costs a bomb and is packed
Hello everyone
Since this is our first chat, let me explain how we do it. The general topic is "Friends for Life UK" - and that said, especially since this is so early, it's a good chance to simply talk, ask questions, meet other people who are going to the conference, etc. Any question is fair game - so ask if you've got one!
Thanks Danni I can't wait, Outreach is a really new dept in JDRF UK so loads of room to make it grow and expand!
Hey Mike! For those of you who came to one of the first two conferences, you remember Mike - he is our wonderful dietitian. He creates all of the CWD menus, works with all of you on good choices for the gluten free buffets, etc. Thanks for being on, Mike!
Glad to be here.
Danni - rub it in that I'm old!
Ahhh Mike! What have you got palnned for the vegesaurs this year lol!?
planned whoops
hello peeps!
Hi everyone
Hey Paula - How's your crew?
Just starting with Chef Chris on menus...any suggestions I should send his way?
Hi Mike
lol Laura how old is Sam?
and what about fusspots?
Mike - Are you going to involve a Committee of UK parents in helping with the veggie and gf menus this year?
Hi Jackie
Hi all
all good thanks Laura. literally just back through the door after hosp appt then a little tea and reatil therapy on the way home!
Loved the fish in batter that was wonderful and the home made chicken nuggets/strips were lovely and the twins talked about them for ages after
Veggie menus...ooh I like the sound of that!!
Sam will be 21 on March 20. Yikes! He was 8 when dx'd.
Mike - so loved those fish and chips last year and more homemade cookies, we ended up with a biscuit as they didn't make enough
I have 2 daughters older than Sam
I'm cracking out the peanut butter cookies tomorrow if anyone is interested :P
Sounds fun, Paula. I love retail therapy! Hope you found some bargains.
Mike - can we start with last year's menus as a base, and make changes as far as things that didn't work out? And get enough cookies??? I didn't get one.
Still don't think you look old enough Danni
mmmmh, cookies
Me and Abi were very happy with the GF food. It was fab. In fat Abi has been upset this week about being coeliac and being different, and she actually commented that the only time she doesn't mind being coeliac is at FFL. So I think that's praise indeed.
yes, i thought that went well last year and I received alot of great input. If you assisted last year, you will be getting an email from me soon. If you didn't help last year but would like to this year, please send me an email.
lol Adrienne
I think with the cookies, they were trying to get them out 'freshly baked' - and with 400 people, you need some really mongo ovens to have enough for everyone. It's ok for them to make them the day before!
Mike, what's the best email to contact you on? I'd love to help in any way I can.
hello all, we're very much looking forward to our third ffl
Carol is very fussy, but as long as you have chips and cheese she's happy
That's the plan, Laura. Looking at some revisions and some things that were a hit will remain this year also
You can reach me at mike@childrenwithdiabetes.com. I appreciate the help!
oh my goodness, i can feel my giddiness levels soaring already
Yes fish was lovely, ketchup was scarce tho. Never saw a cookie, my boys probably ate my share
No problem! I'll drop you an email over the next day or two
Keep calm, Paula!!
I am not being unsociable but I have a stomach upset today and I am sitting her with a hotwater bottle on my tummy not feeling too good
Mike and I also talked about simply having the 'usual' Beaumont breakfast instead of asking them to make anything different. We lost a few items in translation... like the hash brown potatoes (no one knew what they were, and they surely weren't edible...)
better bring our own ketchup then...
I think the food was fantastic, it just didn't come out fast enough for the amount of people at one time
We will certainly address the shortage of food with the Beaumont staff. I apologize for that last year.
Oh, Jackie. Sorry you're not feeling well. Stomach bugs are the worst.
I thought the food was very good last year though I know you have problems with there being enough at times
......and we all thought the food was great in october too...hope you feel better soon jj
Is that what those things were - hash browns, well I never
LOL
Who ate all the cookies!?
How many sleeps Paula?!
Jackie hope you feel better soon...
Yes they were pretty unidentifiable!
Quite interesting, weren't they?
Any food items that you think would be a good addition? Mike and I did decide to add tea and biscuits to Friday evening after the opening keynote (and while we are honoring Joe Solo).
Will there be 2 sittings for meals this year. Or did I dream that
247 sleeps
Yes tea a biccies is a very good idea becasue there was quite a gap
247 is that all!!
Whilst in Florida in November I bought my own set of your American cups ! I am bringing them to FFL so I know what I'm doing
Not sure re: 2 sittings. YOu didn't dream it - we talked about it. It depends how many people come. If we get additional sponsorship and we can add more families, we will need to consider two seatings. There are 180 people on the waiting list now. That would bring us to almost 500 if everyone comes.
This is weird. You've all been before? This will be our first time and I don't really know what to expect
What a great idea, Adrienne!
Tea and biscuits and
Joe Solo's cake sound good
More soup but a veggie one becasue everybody will eat that
180 WOW
Monica, you and Carol (and anyone else coming with you) will LOVE FFL
OMG Laura. Do you need us to write to anyone 'from a mum', I can just send the same letter I sent to Medtronic but make it personal to relevant companies - just shout
Francesca Annen is coming this year to help with carb counting! She's going to lead a lot of sessions about carb counting, and also she'll be available during meals.
On my list Danni
sorry guys, dont want you to think i wasnt interested, was just about to logon, when tom got a call about his grandad, sounds like bad news, will pop back in a bit, if everythings ok xx
All 4 of us are coming, shiv. Mike has already said he won't dress up though
You'll LOVE it Monica!
It will be great to meet you! I promise, 100%, you will love FFL and wish every weekend was like it!
NB veggies don't eat fish or chicken!
LOVE LOVE LOVE it.
Hold off on writing for now. There are a couple of companies interested, and if they do sponsor, we'll be able to clear the lists. And then close registration entirely because that would fill up the Beaumont!
Damn that is where I was going wrong then Danni
I certainly hope so. We've booked to go to legoland beforehand and are staying at Beaumont then too.
Monica I don't dress up... Paula does!!!
Ok Laura, you know me, too damn eager
I've got a great pic of some of the dressed up Mums last year!
Paula was unrecognisable! he he he
Adrienne - You did a great job mobilising everyone last year for letter-writing. I will let you know just as soon as I know if we need help. I'm expecting a decision from one of the companies in the next couple of weeks.
Fiona is excited about dressing up. Carol is a follower and will only dress up, if the other teens are
haha Danni
Laura - how exciting! Fingers crossed
Is there swimming for the kids this year...in the sessions?
The other day Sam said the only time he ever feels really safe is when he is with ..... And reeled off about 20 Cwd kids.
Oh and LOVE Francesca Annan!
Awww Sam....
Remind Mike and me of the name of the sugarfree beverage that your children drink - it's orange, right? We aren't bringing the Crystal Lite punch next year. Or making iced tea. I have to remind myself that American foods aren't popular everywhere!!! I will make my own iced tea from brewed Earl Gray - much better anyway!
We met the Animas lady yesterday and she said she'd be there joining the teens
I can't wait for everyone to finally meet the Prof and Becky from UCLH
Sue - I get the same - I feel safest when I'm with other people with type 1. Thankfully there's quite a big community of young adults in London that I see a lot of!
Squash, right?
Sue - That is an awesome comment. Will Sam be a teen or a tween this October?
Noooooo I love iced tea and drank loads........
Laura - do you mean squash?
Robinsons no added sugar squah orange or blackcurrant are staples here x
squash
FFL is the place I feel safest to let Jessica wander without me following her at 2 foot !
Yeah sugar free orange Squash
Laura - Orange squash or blackcurrant or apple/blackcurrant or apple or tropical fruit......etc. etc.
No swimming this year during sessions - that was a fiasco last year. Too many crazy rules around the swimming pool. So - if your child wants to swim, bring your swimsuit and bring it into your free time (whenever that might be!).
What is a good sweetened beverage that can be made from concentrate or powdered form in the UK?
how do you make sugarfree ice tea? do you use sweetener? silly question, but I have to ask anyway.
Teen like last year but This time loads of others like Joel will be with him.
Good to know about the flavors, Monica
I dont like squash myself but mine drink diet coke and water.
Well I don't think squash is that popular really...we never have it in the house...don't think thats just me... Would much prefer jugs of water...yes there wasn't much water!
To drink generally, Mike? Not for hypos etc?
Hahahaha yep squash which you can get in lots of flavours. Squash is not a product name it is a descriptive name for all makes of this type of drink. So there is Robinsons, Ribena, Tesco's own, Sainsbury's own, but they need to say sugar free or no added sugar.
Mike, no added sugar squash is readily available in any supermarket here
SF iced tea - I think some places make it from a mix. Ugh. The best way is to just brew it by the gallon, add ice, and have sweetener and lemon on the side.
You can buy squash everywhere here! In every shop!
Yes in general
But it's just sugar free squash...to answer your question!
it's a concentrate in a bottle
I can only speak for myself, but I don't really drink sweetened drinks. I just have squash - which is a bit like cordial, but...nicer!
One of the things we're addressing with the Beaumont is that there needs to be adequate amounts of water and diet coke at break time. We pay delegate fees per person so that everyone has adequate amounts of those things. That was a real problem last year. I remember looking for water on Saturday, and couldn't find any. We're going to insist on coolers with beverages - plenty of them.
think squash is probably more useful for littlies, but lots of jugs of water would be fab too
Jugs of water!
Also - there won't be barrels of sweets sitting around. The break food will be what, Mike?
More water available on the list also...
Yes, I mainly drink water too
it was hard keeping my two away from the crunchies!
I thought cordial was just a posh name 4 squash
I'm doing away with the candy bars in the lounges and only having glucose tablets and juice/soda for lows. For snacks, things similar to last year, pretzels, popcorn, cheese, etc. Anything else folks would like to see?
mind you its hard keeping Tess away from most things......
break food, oh dear, if Carol isn't on the pump by then.... I don't think she'd want to inject
I thought the snacks last year were great, it was nice to have different things each break too
and Rich..........
It is Sue
yes the chocolate was far too much temptation. i don't think they'd miss it at all. it was just a case of if it's there they'll want to eat it!
Yes I like the sound of that Mike... but can't remember popcorn etc last year?
Oh no did you miss the popcorn Danni, it was fab
we enjoyed the GF crackers and cheese at breaks at the first FFL
Think it was on Sun PM snack
Scotch? Hah! Just kidding.
A bit of protein in with the carbs for each snack break. When I've been there doing site visits, they've had those big barrels filled with nuts (cashews, walnuts) available. But we need to be nut-free... and creative!
It was in the bar area - there were snacks there every break
Yes those BIG bars of choc...Joel thought all his Christmases had come at once!
Peanut butter based things!
Gah, no nuts...
Did your children enjoy the goodie bags at the Halloween party? Should we do that again? (especially since candy won't be readily available during the day as it was this year - the bags would be a treat). Your thoughts?
A majority of the gf foods we got through Sainsburys last year. Probably will be our source this year. It also helps that our chef has a son with celiac!
Right! Who ate all the popcorn!!!?? Shiv?
LOL, I did have a lot of popcorn I confess! Didn't you see the snack things Danni, they put them on the bar? Fruit, cereal, popcorn, etc - different hing each break
I remember fruit!
the goodie bags were fantastic. and for them to be carb counted too was just bliss. they still talk about them now. abi was thrilled that there were special GF goody bags. i really think at this stage abi (non-D) gets more out of FFl than Jess does.
Yes the goody bag went down a total treat with my 10 year old
Fruit and cheese - yum. Would the children eat yogurt at a.m. break?
Yes Joel liked the goodie bag... well he scoffed it anyway!
my two would eat yogurt
Sorry I keep leaving and coming back. Sainsburys have fresh roll and fresh GF bread now
No, mine wouldn't eat yoghurt at break
Yoghurts are funny things...Joel wouldn't eat it...unless it's a certain brand and flavour...sigh...
It sounds like they are stocking more now, right jackie?
I know its not that healthy but one packet of crisps may be better as potentially a packet of crisps could last the whole duration of the break
Sainsburys fresh GF bread is definitely one of the nicer ones
plus only yoghurt with no bits........ far too fussy
They have some of their frozen range back in again but they had said that they were going to add more but havent yet
They
Snap, yoghurt has to be smooth without fruity lumps in it
Translate - a 'crisp' is a what? Cracker? Potato chip?
We may want to reevaluate the yogurt for breaks, maybe leaving it at breakfast?
Laura would it be possible to have more bar staff or at least ones with a bit of gumption?
potato chips
mine would go for smooth yoghurts definately
LOL potato chips
Ok. Maybe yogurt isn't a great idea!
They have fish finger, chicken nuggets, chicken steaks and some GF chips.
Sorry yes of course, lost in translation. A potato chip in a packet
smooth yogurt gets my vote too. its one thing getting fruit into them through yogurt, but i don't like to remind them thats what i'm doing
here chips are french fries and crisps are potato chips
Crisps or popcorn for a snack is an option...on the list...
crisps are potato chips...like pretzels
JJ is on main course, we are on snacks hehehehe hope you are ok JJ
Oh, now there's an idea, Mike. Grab a muffin or something from the breakfast buffet, put it in your bag, and have it for a.m. break! Mommy skills!
In the UK Potato Crisps are those thin crispy things salted in bags.
Perfect Laura
Chips are what you call fries
Are we allowed to grab stuff and put in our bag!?
More bar staff is on the list of requests.
Danni. Shhhhhhh. Mums are always allowed to do that.
Yes the bar - maybe more staff and can we do anything about their ridiculous prices or is that just standard?
Danni, when I had those sets go wrong and ended up with ketones etc, I took a plate of food from the lunch buffet and took it back up to my room to have later. They even cleaned my room and left the plate of food!
Not keeping up sorry. I keep having to go and lie down lol. My stomach and back are hurting. Dont know what it is
haha Danni. i wouldn't have had you down as being averse to a little ...erm...clever manipulation
oh dear, do we need to bring the bank??
Jackie take care ...go to bed xxx
Paula!!!!!
The prices are standard. And unfortunately outrageous. I bought a few beverages, but also brought my own, which was helpful when I just wanted a glass of wine in the evening and the line was really long.
Dried fruit, little boxes of raisins, Dried apRicots?
Monica - bar prices were v expensive - but Beaumont provided or were supposed to provide Diet Coke for everyone which we could help ourselves to but it did keep running out
Jackie - go to bed. Feel better. We'll have more chats. And this transcript will be posted, probably tomorrow.
Yes bar prices are ridiculous
Its only the bar price thats expensive. Most other things to eat and drink are paid for alread
Yes Monica, fraid so. I glass of wine was about £5
Shiv - The diet cokes and other beverages are only for the daytime - included as part of the delegate fee during the meeting. Evening beverages you'd need to bring or purchase.
Ill go in a minute
Suek, I like the dried fruits...on the list...
We bought wine with us and asked the bar for glasses....
did you bring a bottle of vodka Laura in your bag?!
more chats...oh my....i'm not sure i can take it. all this talking about FFL is second only to being there
That's ok then, I don't drink anyway. But Mike is partial to a bit of alcohol
Ah sorry Laura my mistake
yes - but i bought a coke for Alex and it was 2.50
Bar prices are very expensive anywhere these days. We went to a party not long ago in a pub. The bar was very expensive but we dont drink a lot these days
Well, we'll have to bring some it then. We did that on our cruise. A can of coke was £3
so keep this in mind when you're packing for FFL....bag big enough to hide your alcohol and pockets big enough to stash your breakfast goodies. better order us all a size bigger t shirt laura to hide everything under
I went to a gig last night and it was £4 for a bottle of beer
Are you in disguise Alexmum (I know who you are)
NO worries! I didn't explain it very well. This year, we'll make sure that everyone understands what is included during the day, and what you're on your own for in the evening (and that it's ok to bring stuff... we are families and we need food). I also found it difficult to get real food in the evening. Saturday night, I ended up eating my 1/2 of a peanut butter sandwich left over from Thurs on the plane.
bar is expensive but nothing else tO spend money on so not that bad. Kids got far more money to spend at Thorpe park than I would have given them.
Rich was disgusted to pay a fiver for a pint in central London last week
and us for us cheap northerners, well we needed oxygen after we'd heard the bar prices
LOL Paula
lol paula
Shall we all bring bottles of wine to share then!?
what's the pool like?
lolololol paula!
Ah Thorpe Park - teens will likely be going there again. It's nice to have a bit of spending money; for food or a small souvenir. Some teens need multiple snacks!
Remembering though we do have children to look after!!!
i didn't even have an alcoholic drink at the disco.....Batgirl is always on duty
Joel will love Thorpe Park this year
I'm booked into my own room this year - midnight feast/booze up in my room...
The pool is deep the entire length. No 'kiddie' area where you can sit on the edge and smaller children can wade and play. It's really for swimming laps.
KIDDING
You can always smuggle stuff in your flat cap Paula or eat your whippet
oh nooo, Fiona will be sooo jealous, if the teens are going to Thorpe Park
Mike and I would love helper chaperones for the teen dance on Saturday.Very cool place to be.
LOL....or perhaps our pigeons could air lift the supplies to us
Laura, that's ok for us, my two are good swimmers
Probably the first time he's been anywhere like that on his own...
I would chaperone, but Carol would hate me for the rest of my life
Shiv we parents have to get to bed!!!
I LOVED it the very first year, very first dinner, when so many families whipped out bottles of wine at dinner. In the U.S., they never do that. That was one of my first thoughts that 'the culture is a little different here' - love it!
Oh, if you are the parent of a teen, you aren't allowed to chaperone the dance. Rule #1!
joel wouldn't go in if I was helping at the teen dance!
Hi everyone.... just back from Aberdeen and popped in to see you all!
that's ok then lol
I think I might be on JDRF at some point so I will probably need my beauty sleep too
Monica - you'd need to be with them in the pool. Kids can't go by themselves.
Hi Aileen!
Hey Aileen! How are you?
hi Aileen
Hi Aileen
Hi aileen
Hiya!
Laura, as long as I don't have to swim...
We are spending the best part of a week at Beaumont
Ok, thanks Laura. Just drove up to Aberdeen to see the University with Marc... 7hr+ round trip!
I'd be happy to help chaperone the teen dance for an hour or so Laura....give me a flavour of things to come....eeek
Monica - you don't have to swim. You just have to be with them. Very strict rules, which I suppose are good because they protect the children. Too difficult to work with a group, though. We'll have plenty of other things to do!
Yes please do anna you can be our spy!
night all, and thanks again to all involved in the US for making this event happen again. Appreciated hugely xx
What happens in the teen disco stays in the teen disco lol!!!
What day is everyone arriving? The CWD staff gets in very early on Thursday. We fly overnight on Weds. That gives us a full day to walk around bleary-eyed and get used to the time change!
night Anna. xxx
My 2 are going to Israel for most of half term. Land back early hours of Friday Then straight to FFL.
I was just thinking of the evenings before FFL. We will arrive tuesday afternoon.
Friday - unsure what time yet - depends if I come with JDRF or I persuade one of these fab mums to drive me...!
i walk around bleary eyed permanently....why should you be any different?
lol
On the Friday, Laura. My mum wants to come again eek. I'm hoping that Joe Solo will be doing the grandparents talk again and finally she may well go to it !
The teen disco is SO much fun. I really enjoy chaperoning. We sit off to the side in lounge chairs, and we're just there in case the teens need anything (and we enforce the law as needed...). And we do a tour of the 'dark places' every half hour or so... just to keep things as they ought to be. Ok, you didn't hear that.
We are off to Legoland Wednesday and Thursday
I can take u Shiv if you can get to Hampstead
lol Laura!!!! I can't bare to think about the dark corners!!!
We could tie your mum to the chair in the grandparents room?!
Thank goodness I am not a teen. I was a bad ar*e teen
Thanks Sue!!!! Like I say unsure if I'll be coming with Katy from JDRF yet - will email you much closer to the time
What time does the teen dance finish - not too late I hope
Adrienne - I'm not sure Joe is doing the grands talk... have to look. Joe will be working a lot with the kids this year. Korey Hood, a psychologist with type 1 who has been working with us as faculty recently, will be coming. You'll like him. Entirely different from Joe.
Danni, you bring the rope
Teen dance will be over at 11 this year. Last year was midnight, which was too late for getting up and going to Thorpe Park the next day.
Ok Laura, never mind, she will never go now !!!
Paula - Bleary-eyed and young children go together. Part of the territory. With nighttime bg checks, too!
My heart missed a beat when you or Jeff mentioned 'making out' last year. Think we translate it slightly differently
Sounds like a good plan
Adrienne you're still bad a**e. thats how u get so much done!
Could we get Beaumont to set off an alarm in the whole of FFL block at 3am. Might save a few alarm clocks being set...
Hi Alex mum, sorry thought you were Bev but just noticed you are mum to 10 year old and that isn't Bev's Alex. Sorry my mistake
LOOOOL shiv
@Shiv. LOL! can you imagine the state the rest of the guests would be in!
Adrienne, I thought it was Bev too
JANE......
Adrienne - its me you numpty - he he
Shiv, great idea
BEV!
Someone send me a private message, please, and tell me what making out means. So I don't alarm anyone this year! The teens were just doing 'teen things.' And we adults were the bad guys; the Enforcers! Mike is a good enforcer.
haha Bev. you little minx you!
Laura: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Making_out
LOL...GRRRRRR
It means actually 'doing it' lol Laura!
We're getting to the end of the official chat, although the room will stay open, and I'll stay on for a bit - it's only 5:00 p.m. here! Does anyone have a question that I didn't answer? We'll have another chat next month... and every month until October!
Accchhhh! No 'doing it' in the teen dance.
I thought "making out" was an american expression!
Sandy and Danny in Grease were 'making out' in the drive through movie, does that help !
a mini FFL meet every month. woohoo!
LOL I am wrong then cos wiki says it never means going the whole way lol??!!
night night everyone x
Well, it means kissing in America. At least that's what it meant when I was younger!
Oh dear me, someone send Paula a rescue remedy or something
Snogging
night Jane x
Yep Laura that's right !
Were Sanday and Danny actually doing it though??!!
Thanks, Everyone, for joining in the chat! It's really great to connect with you. Can't wait to see you in person!
Yes, thanks for doing this Laura
I'll be there next month
Thanks Laura! 10pm already?!?!
Bye Laura! xx
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Last Updated: Thursday February 24, 2011 17:10:31
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