There is a tiny elderly Korean lady in my garden and I want to go out.

[Boysclothes]

Sold our summerhouse on gum tree. Dude came to look at it this morning about 9am, paid and was back by 11 to dismantle it. DH all togged up to assist but the guy politely and firmly refused as he wanted to take it apart himself so he could put it back together himself.

He pulled his van into our side return and installed a tiny elderly Korean lady (he is also Korean) on a deck chair on our patio.

He then spent an hour writing on every plank and taking 1500 photographs.

He then spent two hours peeling off the roof felt painstakingly. Korean lady has been to toilet twice. As far as I can see she is here for the day out.

However she has just been to the car and produced steaming hot noodles, broth and vegetables and they have had a lovely leisurely lunch on the patio.

He has just now resumed work and has actually started to remove the planks. Slowly. Methodically. I know because he has told me that there are 85 planks. Plus window. To removed and carry to car. DHs help has again been refused although he has taken matters into his own hands a bit and is carrying planks to car.

Elderly lady back on deck chair.

Help!! We want to go out and thought that this would take 2-3 hours max. It's been 4 and only the roof felt is off. We could lock the back door and leave them in the garden but what about elderly lady's toilet needs???? And water etc? They have a little tea break (from a flask) every now and then and have refused drinks but they must need water at some point.

Tantrum's babysitting thread. She looked after a friend's 3yo for a weekend - chaos ensued

I'm missing the tale of EKL this morning, but am glad it wasn't today as it's not a day for sitting in the garden. Well, not here anyway.

My only bone of contention is that technically she should be known as the TEKL as per the thread title. It doesn't have quite the same ring for 'What would EKL do?' though so will let that one pass
I'm going to have a series running in my head 'EKL supervises...' and imagine she's watching me carry out those tricky tasks that need calm.

Hello D, it was probably one of those you had to be there live events

I've read this thread twice now. I loved every moment.

My highlights were your ds holding her trousers, your dh needlessly chopping down a tree and the pink translucent visor.

An elderly Chinese lady swiped, well slapped, my toddler dd's hands away from the tap when she was washing her hands at the airport. She grabbed them and washed them crossly under the tap whilst berating her in loud Chinese. Then dried them in the terrifying Dyson dryer. Dd went along with the whole affair and never mentioned it.

I love the pathos and tragic symbolism of your DH chopping a tree down to express his sorrow when he realised EKL was soon to leave you. I would have felt the same - she brought you a golden afternoon. This is my favourite thread ever. The thread equivalent of a relaxing massage with lovely music in the background.

Definite classics. I want to be able to come back and savour it :)

Good middle of the night feeding read.

I loved this. I have had a weekend in hospital with daughter's broken wrist and last night when we got home we both sat in bed and read this. All is good in the world and I want an EKL.

So funny, op!
And I just knew you'd be New Malden-way; I used to live in WP and I loved the Korean community (such cheap/good food and family values). Quite surprised at how many posters live over that way.

In the future, whenever we are unsure about what to do in a given childcare/spider-related/noodle/neighbour's cat situation, all we need do is think, "What would EKL do?", and we cannot go wrong!

This thread looks amazing- great title OP!

Will have to wait til I have a spare hour or two to sit and read it!

Boysclothes.

You forgot to mention next door's cat when recounting the tale to your friend. I feel this would have made a difference to her enjoyment of the story. It certainly made me laugh.

Checking in to read whole thread later.

EKL is going to join the MN lexicographic as secret code for 'I'm not a troll'

Op I really thought you were talking about Ekl being a little statue for your garden at first!

EKL is clearly a Grandmother.

I want to be a Grandmother like that. One reprimand (no shouting) and instant obedience.

My DGC take absolutely no notice of me

I wonder what kind of life EKL has had, what she has lived through. If she lived in Korea she may have seen all sorts of hard times - Japanese invasion, division of N and S Korea, Korean war, poverty, upheaval.

Such a lovely thread! :)

I don't feel well today, I need EKL to come round and put her hand on my brow and heal me. Then make me noodles.

I need EKL today. The house needs vacuumed. I bet EKL would just give the crumbs a stern look and they'd be gone.

Really loved this story, OP. Do you have TEKL contact? Please keep in touch with them!
MN, please put this in classics.

I humbly apologise for ignoring this thread when I first saw it and only clicked on it due to a link on a thread on secondary.

What a lovely thread. No swearing, no one was arguing. no one got hurt and we all learnt something about EKLs and what is important to trying to help but it not being needed men .

Anewyear that doesn't count as read enough to comment! You have to read it all. It is worth it.

That's just beautiful OP, thank you for the thread.
I had my neighbour tortoro in my mind as well :)
EKL is a legend.

Thank you for this.

Please consider using your talent for writing OP. You have perfectly conveyed a truly lovely moment in time.

We all need an EKL in our lives from time to time.

Yes I have loved this thread. Very soothing through two day drive back from holiday and chaos at Eurotunnel Calais. EKL would've sorted that nonsense out. I vote her for next PM.

We all need an EKL in our lives from time to time. Absolutely!

I might as PP said take to hanging out at the back of Korean supermarkets/restaurants. Or move to New Malden and buy a summerhouse to sell strategically