... to think that because I can't see a new IPOAT thread I should start one myself?

[PrincessFiorimonde]

Especially as I want to wish CheerfulYank a VERY HAPPY BIRTHDAY for today. Hope you are having a lovely day.

And here is the patron saint of IPOAT playing Happy Birthday To CY!

yes Hulls, that was for last term....

Times are gruelling, Mimi dearest, I am not surprised that your enterprise teeters on a heavy sea. I cross my fingers for your plan.

Oh indeed. bum. See how long you've been awway? Terms and terms.

And we've had no proper food at all. We've been living off warm and clammy mutton pie and walnuts.

We did let The Gentlemen out of the cellar though.

I have a plan! You should use DS as slave labour in the guise of HEing. Maths in the guise of doing the accounts, science = making a nice bechamel emulsion, english = doing menus and so on, utilising also IT....

Didn't we have some food nestlin in a bosom? And of course there was gfrilled grass and possets. But indeed it has been a poor show, nutritionally.

Hmmmm.....two guises...

'Twas clammy bosom pie. Forgot the grass though. Roughage is important.

you see, I turn my back for a few moments, and its food abuse...I am shocked. Disappointed, but most of all saddened.

We let them out against my good advices.

How are you dearest ?

Real life sucks. Stay here with us. Hully has been spreading love and happiness but the rest of us struggle so

Can you send an express to Monsieur Carême and let him know you're back? Cook is a dear woman, but there're only so many chitterlings a body can take.

Are you staying, Mimi?

Hully's love is all that sustains us, most days.

I say tis madness out there and I won't be venturing forth again!

Cheerful!

Oh let us show an ankle and sip upon a stirrup cup, tis just like Christmas.

Where are the other dear gels? They must meet Mimi.

You know, I think I might have to.

What a marvellous idea, Antoine and I can whip you back into shape.

I'm thinking stuffed peacocks, syllabubs, ratafia jellies, pork snouts in aspic....

I must swoon, alack. But in welcome I extend this small posy of teasels and grandfather's beard.

I have been spending my time with the delicate art of poetry reading, but I had to avert my eyes when I saw a most vexing rhyme besmirching the good name of our own dear Madame Pag. Luckily she and Madame Hully rose to the occasion with slashing, yet ladylike, wit.

Yank!

I haven't seen you I thought you'd been sent back to the monastery how the divil are ye?

I've been all right. Ridiculously hot here though, so my delicate constitution has been troubled considerably.

And you?

If your travels take you too the other, less refined place. You'll see that my dear father has taken a turn hence my sporadic visits, he us faring somewhat better now though but gave mother and I quite a turn.

Madame Defarge, pleased to make your acquaintance
Under guidance from Mistress Hully I have been tatting, plying needles and turning a neat ankle.

(Sympathise about business and exP. Contract expired, poss renewal in August but have 6 wks no income and not eligible for benefits. Thought things were more settled with exH till he appeared 2 nights ago threatening no maintenance next year for the 3 children, that he'll take ds1 with him and disappear... Some days I think the only thing keeping me from going mad is coming to IPOAT. Funny, considering the meaning)

Honeydragon, sorry to read about your dad. A worry, I know.

Re the Madness out there, in an effort to spread Love I posted about my XBox/Zombie/scruffy teenagers being spellbound by "The Secret Garden". Was a heart-warming tale and I got only positive responses and suggestions of other classics.
So all is not lost Out There. Dust off the batons.

Well done MissFiderer, splendid work.

Does your ex need a draught of something remedial?