The OFFICIAL buddy bench/naughty bench thread No. 5

[Teaandcakeplease]

Come hither all those who haven't found their place on mumsnet, have scrapped in Aibu or crossed words in chat. The buddy bench shalt not judge.

The buddy bench will hand out wine and cakes, it will join you on your scoffathons getting pissed

All those who sit on the bench, will have their sins erased and be given a warm welcome and cheerful chat from CheerfulYank, gomummy, tired mum, Elmo and far, far too many more to mention.

Welcome to the buddy bench, we look forward to meeting you all

Oh and don't forget, last one to leave polishes bench and locks up!

Giving bench quick flick over with feather duster, and leaving door ajar just in case someone else drops in.....goodnight all.

Welcome to the bench izzy

Glad you had a great day on your birthday tea x

cheerful I am that the mums of the dc invited would be cheeky enough to bring their siblings along too. I like Izzy's idea of printing the invited childs name in BOLD letters and explaining in the mean time to the mums that you are restricted with numbers etc . Good luck xx
Sorry you feel torn between your mum and your Auntie [hugs] not an easy situation to be in .
Tiredmum I hope you are resting that ankle of yours

Welcome izzy

Cheerful i think izzy has it wrapped up for you try something like that and see how far you get, you havent done anything wrong, i hope your mum understands that

So shall i expect a plane ticket and party invite in the post cheerful

And i have to say izzy the bench looks sparkling, gomummy will be proud

I have been resting, well as much as i can anyway

Are you ok elmo, how is dd?

Tiredmum , I'm good thanks , all the better for getting a half slice of toast into dd (easily pleased emoticon)

Morning all! :) Welcome Izzy!

I like Izzy's suggestion as well on the birthday guests, it is much more diplomatic than I would be, lol! :)

Cheerful I understand the family not speaking to each other (for years/ever) very well, we're actually quite well adjusted to it, sadly. What I mean by that (we're a "well-adjusted, dysfunctional family", there's an oxymoron for ya! ) is that we all sort of operate on the unwritten rule that you treat people in accordance with how they treat you - not by how they get along with others....and everybody pretty much respects that.

So - if your aunt is respectful and friendly with you, there's no reason for you to not be the same with her. You aren't dismissing your mum's issue with her, it's just not your issue, iykwim. If your mum can manage this same approach, it shouldn't really matter if you mention to her that your aunt had called and you've spoken. Sorry if that sounds a bit convoluted, it's hard trying to articulate the way our strange family does things, but this really works for us.

Elmo, how is DD? Toast sounds positive!

Glad you had a good birthday Tea, what did you get up to?

Aww thanks gomummy i love the bench, i am so well looked after

Elmo so glad dd managed to eat something even a little is such a good start, so a huge well done to your dd

anyone? Its been warmish but raining here today, it looks depressing out there

Yes, you and your LO's are all definitely invited to DS' party. :) You'll have to cover the plane tickets/cost of gas on your own...but you don't have to bring a present. :o There will be bouncing followed by lunch and cake.

Ooh, toast is good Elmo!

Thanks for the advice on my family situation. I know it'll be fine, I'd just really rather not have to think about it at all. But that's life!

cheerful

Dh says we cant afford plane tickets, so plan b - lunch 'n' cake sent via air mail

Just kiddin, although if you are doing goody bags i may be persuaded

Spiderman goody bags with bubbles, temporary tatoos, and spidey pencils... :o

I'm genuinely curious as to how this is being received across the pond.

Computer Generated Diana

I know what my reaction was...what do you ladies think of this?

I think that's vile. Poor William probably would have given anything for his wife and his mum to have met, and it's like they're mocking that. That's my first reaction, anyway!

That was mine too Cheerful. It seems awfully disrespectful.

Good grief no no no that is terrible, i am disgusted, how dare they, nasty people, i dont understand how they could do that

Hello benchers!

Sorry I've not been around for a few days - had my mum staying. How is everyone? :)

I saw that computer generated Diana picture earlier in the paper - tbh I didn't even raise an eyebrow, journos will do anything to sell magazines I have a feeling Diana would LOVE the fact she's still in the papers (wink) but I do feel for her boys in the same way I would for any kids that lost their mum.

I think people abroad are more 'royalist' than Brits these days tbh - I don't really know anyone in our social circle who is even mildly interested in the Royals these days ( the whole Roayal wedding celebration was far more to do with having SO many Bank Holidays in April and an excuse for a knees up! ) I think most people are just fed up at how much it costs for them to travel from one end of the country to the other in a time when most people are struggling to make ends meet and feed their families.

That said, I think when William ever gets to be King, it will be interesting to see how he handles things because I think things will be much lower key.

go bet you wished you'd never asked now don't you?

@ valium, i bet gomummys head is swirling now

I bet that was nice having your mum stay, did you do anything nice, or was it just relaxation time

LOL sorry about my rant !

Yes it was nice thanks elmo :) How's dd now, on the mend?

BUgger - sorry I mean TIRED not elmo - been a long day!

Tired how's your ankle?

Elmo how's your dd?

And we just had lots of relaxation time - walks, shopping etc :)

Don't be sorry Valium, that's exactly what I was wondering! There is very little interest in the Royals amongst people I know irl, but of course I wondered if it would be different over there. I did find the computer generated photo distasteful and disrespectful though. I can't help but imagine how upsetting that would be for William.

Tomorrow is Canada Day, so it will be a holiday here...weekend begins in a few hours, yay! Hopefully we get nice weather tomorrow for all the celebrations. I am excited as DS is old enough now to really get into all the events.

What are you all planning for the weekend?

valium, that made me laugh, glad you had a lovely time
The ankle is still swollen, i still have another week before i go back, if its no better by then

I really cant wait to relax in front of the tv tonight, today has just dragged by

That sounds lovely gomummy, i bet your ds will love it i wish i could come

The boys want to take daddy to the park at the weekend and play some fooball, i am sure i will find something to occupy my mind at home, whilst they are wearing themselves out

No, not really different here go - they come on the telly, we roll our eyes and tut a lot and moan how much they cost us etc etc

tired was it broken or soft tissue damage? You poor thing :(

What does Canada Day involve - sounds good! :)

They were still saying it was badly sprained thats why they wanted me to wait til next week and if its the same they will refer me to the orthopaedic surgeon to see why its still swollen maybe they will get round to xraying the rest of it

Well, sprains can keep an ankle swollen for ages, in some ways a break is better as it heals quicker. Ask for physio and see a sports one that uses acupuncture - FAB for getting rid of swelling - literally deflates in front of your eyes.