The fred where the BESH practise DIY. Scan the chart below. Customers are kindly requested to keep readers informed of relevant colour and consistency.

[Ariesgirl]

BESHityourself proudly presents...

The BESHtone colour matching system, for all your interior colourways

000 Clearest eggwhite
001 Watery white
002 All that jizz?
003 Cottage cheese
004 Cunt-ry cream
005 Hopeful Yellow
006 Hint of a Tint
007 Excessive Cigaring
008 Stretchy but streaky
009 Palest Pink
010 Implantation Imaginings?
011 Itty Bitty Brown
012 Brahn String
013 Ovaltine Ochre
014 Sludge Brown
015 Clotty Red
016 Purest Scarlet
017 Possibly Green*
018 Barely Black*
019 Sump Oil Surprise*
020 Nothing. Nadda. Where the fuck IS it?

*Available at specialist retailers

Well Cass had tantalised with her thread and then buggered off. Someone had to do it.

[saltyair]

well, with all the goat blood, everything will be sticky...

[Scorpette]

Am lighting velcro candles for Extreme everywhere. Love ya XXXX

[Ariesgirl]

Where is everyone ?

[kat2504]

No candles available but sending top strength superglue, hope it helps

[AlpinePony]

Anyone else?

[BarbiesBeaver]

I will crack open a Yankee Candle later for Extreme. How rotten. How far gone is she?

Excellent work on new fred ScaryAll, although I WISH your post about brushing testicles with nipples re. Cass Chiro-porn had been the last post.

I have actually been down DIY stores all weekend doing hard work hence lack of posting. We were working till bastard o'clock last night, no chance for playing in the sun for us.

[Casserole]

My friend is annoying me.

She is 22 weeks diffed. It took them a long time, nearly 2 years, though they weren't actively trying for all that time. We spent a LOT of time with them during this time, supporting them, laughing, crying, etc - it's been a close friendship. We were so happy for them when it happened for them, even though it was in the middle of our trying and after I got off the phone I spent the weekend in floods of tears. Of COURSE, was never anything but happy in front of them.

They knew we had been trying awhile but after they got pregnant, never asked how we were doing. We didn't see them over the earlier part of the summer as she was being sick and not feeling up to it. Actually we saw him a few times, but not her. Then in the latter part of the summer, I was being sick, so we didn't see them much - Mr and Mini stew saw them a couple of times while I was ill or at college. She knows I have exams, hasn't wished me luck or anything.

So I hear on the grapevine she's annoyed at me that we haven't been in touch more. I don't think this is particularly fair but whatever, we're grown ups. So I thought a girls evening out might be a nice and easy way to ease back into things. Sent her and 2 other mutual friends an email a week ago asking if they fancied a meal out. The other 2 have replied - she hasn't!

AIBU in feeling like my bit is done and to not chase any more?

Sorry for the Jeremy Kyle-esque posting.

[Medee]

sounds a tough one, Cass. Could one of the mutual friends find out if she wants to come?

[Casserole]

I will make subtle enquiries if I don't hear soon

Said friend can be quite high maintainance generally, and both mutual friends find this too. But she is also v kind and thoughtful and has been a very good friend over the years. Basically she puts in a lot and expects a lot back - now, I think this is A Good Thing, but I also realistically think there will be times in life when other stuff happens and you can't do as much as you would normally do. I would categorise this summer as one of those times. But with a good friend of many years' standing I'd think you just both pick up again when the horizon becomes clearer and in the meantime, rest in the knowledge that you both matter to each other, just real life has gotten in the way a bit? But she has felt a bit neglected in the past so I suspect this is what's happening again. But the whole first half of the summer us not seeing each other was because she didn't feel up to it

Ah well. I need to stop thinking about it.

[MrsFC]

I have a couple of high maintenance friends. They are younger than me though so I can always pull the 'I'm a Mum you know' card if I need to, and they let it go.

I've also cut a few friends the years, and also been the friend who's been cut. I think the older we get the less time we have for energy vampires, and I would say cut your losses and go out with the two friends you are still in touch with and have a lovely time without her.

No one needs the emotional upheaval. And besides - you have all the ESHes on your side!

[milanomum]

Oh, high-maintenance friends are hard to handle. If I were you, I'd call her or send another email and just mention that you haven't seen each other in aaaaagggges because of X, Y and Z (go heavy on the fact that you had exams etc etc to make her feel guilty) and that it'd be lovely to see her. And then just leave it. If she's a friend worth having, she'll get in touch.

[AlpinePony]

I'm with MrsFC - it can be hard, but I cut those from my life who are emotionally draining or permanently negative. Life is too short to "carry" someone and some people thrive in an environment of negativity which is hard for me personally as it drags me down and that's not how I wish to live my life. I also can't be doing with this passive-aggressive nonsense - none of us are 12 - you shouldn't be hearing of her woes on the grapevine, she's a grown woman, she can contact you herself!

[Ivegotmrbitey]

cass I would ring her- emails and texts are far too easy to misconstrue. As I am a bit of a cowardy custard I have been known to ring when there is a guaranteed no answer to leave a message on their voice mail

My sister stopped talking to me for the last six months of her pregnancy, the hormones sent her proper barking. I say this because if this happening with your friend then I don't think rationality is the answer! otherwise I agree with italianmama.

Haven't pee'd near a stick but did hold unopened one while having a wee this morning this morning and giving myself a stern talking to. Then had spotting which has fuelled the munkulling and led to a hot chocholate and welshcake break as the baybee needs the sugar.

I don't know extreme but will head into the garden section to light a BBQ for the goat and the nut-roast and wish her well.

[Casserole]

Thanks ladies. I've sent a lighthearted little chaser but after that will just leave it and have a nice evening with the others

What day are you Biteme ?

[rocketleaf]

Morning hags, wise words from milano there cass I know high maintenance friends can be a pain but this one sounds like she might be worth another go? If you email her personally then she can't ignore it, and if she does then you know the score and you can enjoy the date with your other 2 friends. It will be her loss.

Sorry missed candle lighting for extreme was at a b'day party all avo and felt shite when I got home cos everyone was smoking (bork) I hope all is well.

[owlshoes]

Yeah, rational defintely doesn't mix with prg any more than it mixes with ttc. Perhaps she has just gone loopy.

What is a welshcake? And, more importantly, where is mine?

How many DPO, Bitey ? And well done for the non-stick-peeing. I still have none of the evil tempting feckers in the house and will not be buying any more as they are the work of satan.

[PerfectDromedary]

Background: extreme was one of the original BESHes, who lurks occasionally but doesn't post very much. She had her OMGIVFTWINZ!!?!111!!?embryos put back just over a week ago. And they need to be sternly told to stay put.

Cass Am with PennineGoat on the can't be arsed with emotionally vampiric friends front - but not sure if that's what's going on with your mate. Still, if she was being all early pregnancy and is now having a tantrum, that's kind of her problem. I'd just leave her to it, but then I'm unpleasant and impatient at the moment.

[Ivegotmrbitey]

Cass i am not sure! I didn't get a positive OPK despite doing a LOT of them but got EWCM 11 days ago for three days and SWI'd for four days. Droid expected in seven days and all regular PMT symptoms present and correct so deep down I know I am faux diffed.

Birdieboots welsh cakes are spunk cakes only bilingual like flat scones with raisins and all spice and butter in them and are made by mammies on sundays.

[BarbiesBeaver]

Thanks for that Drom I didn't realise she had done IVF. She must be going spare.

[rocketleaf]

oh in diffed bakery news, my patisserie chef friend was trying to make spooky cakes in the run up to halloween. She has made some Casper the ghost shaped meringues with silver balls for eyes. But basically the look like meringue spermz. I told her I could probably find a mail order market for those amongst you guys :D

[rocketleaf]

poor extreme thats must be so worrying, I really hope it is just them bedding in. sending super glue vibes her way.

[PerfectDromedary]

No probs! I don't think she's been here for AAAAAGES - was fuelling the menkul too much - but the thoughts of the ESH sisterhood are really helpful in times of great need.

[Ariesgirl]

Hello Dromster. Lovely to see you. Nice weekend?

Cass, I second WiseWelshBitey but it sounds as though you had already taken the advice anyway. Welsh cakes are yum by the way, and have got to be drunk with gin tea.

In menkulling news, today Matthew, I feel a bit dizzy and lightheaded. Perhaps I ought to eat something hearty.

[AlpinePony]

aries well ye-es, you could eat something, but cheese is out. Cake is out. Pizza is out. Risotto is out. Meat is out. Pineapple is out. Here, dust? Plate 'ol' dust fer yer?

[Ivegotmrbitey]

How about a welshcake aries? What is your DPO siuation? When are you expecting the rusty one?