The Lucas North Faculty of Parachute Studies at the UMN

[DumSpiroSpero]

Not entirely tasteful, but it's what we all hoped really isn't it?

Ewwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww, no he's not, Maud :)

Yup! I went looking for the Beatles one (I like the song and the visuals), remembered Altered Images and then stumbled upon all the others. It's a whole other world on there.

I'm now waiting for Washing Machine Repair Man to pronounce on the sad demise of my washing machine.

::Resorts to taking washing down to the Thames and bashing it on a rock::

Really, Twiggy? He was quite cute, as far as I can recall. And we know about your propensity for cradle-snatching.*

::Thinking of Harry. And I don't mean this one. Or even this one::

• although in real life he must be older than you.

don't do that Maud, think of what David Walliams has been swimming in to make him so ill.

::Burns the washing instead::

Nice to see you do have some standards, Twigs .

How is the birthday boy?

I think he was a popular crushee, Maud - just not one of mine. I was sure I was older than him but I Googled and yippee, I'm not :)

Birthday Boy is very happy thanks, LadyD (and thanks for his birthday wishes, everyone!) I'm feeling a bit bad as he keeps wanting me to play with him but I have things to do for his tea party (am cooking pizzas at the moment, hence nipping on here for a few mins). We're taking him to soft play later though.

Has MissSpiro gone to school today?

Hang on, who's Harry?

Yes she's at school, and not opening her pressies til after her party this evening.

Harry was Harry Judd, Strictly contestant and, or so I thought, Twiggy's prospective toyboy.

Oh, we always have a frenzy of present opening in the morning before I pack The Girl off to school.

::Would never countenance allowing her to skive on her birthday, even though I never had to go to school on mine emeoticon::

Here's a from me too. With apologies to everyone I neglected to send one to, before. That was only because I didn't realise they were available.

So it's for all of you, too. Wishing the birthday folk the bestest day ever, and that goes for the non-birthday peeps as well.

Glittery choccy pancakes sound good. Though Gizzy might think it was witchcraft.

Oh of course, silly me - I didn't link that comment to the toyboy thing. Duh. Lovely birthday choons, thanks!

I never send MissTwigs in on her birthday but luckily it's not an issue with the boy today, as he's only at nursery anyway so they don't mind if he doesn't go in.

Hope MissSpiro has a lovely day at school and, in case we don't get a chance to check in later, I will be thinking of you at party time and hoping all goes well for you!

Oh I am a bad mother then, I sent Smallboy in to be fair he did want to show everyone his toys and bring in birthday treats.

Oh no Small, not bad mother at all - if mine actually wanted to go then I'd sure as heck send them in :)

You're okay, Small. Send the perishers in, is my motto. No one gives me a day off for my birthday.

I give myself a day off on my birthday, Massive and on many other days too.

That's all very well and good, Maud, but if no one is listening to you, it rather defeats the purpose.

I suppose one could lock one's self in the bathroom with the lappy, having first secreted chocolate and drinks and Gizzy behind the linen basket, but otherwise...

Yes, I do understand that, Massive. I was thinking more of taking the day off from paid employment (where I flatter myself they do notice my absence) although it probably helps too that (unlike you) I do such a negligible amount around the house that one day off is neither here nor there.

I don't do that much myself tbh,Maud. It's mainly going round in circles. I never seem to get anywhere with it all.

Even so, I must Get On. Wish me luck.

Good luck, dear heart.

::channelling Ermintrude emoticon::

I had a nasty housewifely shock this morning, when pulling out the washing machine for the doctor to examine it. The amount of grot that has accumulated underneath it is such that I need to call in the biohazard team to decontaminate it.

I suppose one could lock one's self in the bathroom with the lappy, having first secreted chocolate and drinks and Gizzy behind the linen basket

Sounds like heaven...

I always thought Heaven might be a little more spacious.

Well, as the poet said, Maudster:-

A Book of Verses underneath the Bough,
A Jug of Wine, a Loaf of Bread-and Thou
Beside me singing in the Wilderness
O, Wilderness were Paradise enow!

Well, indeed, but I still think there's a world of difference between loitering with Messire Gisborne in the wilderness, quaffing wine in a shady bower, and getting frisky in the tight space between the linen basket and the towel rail.

::imagines dreadful entanglement between the huge sword and the pile of spare loo rolls::