Tea Room the Eighteenth - the Cricket Pavilion

[thumbwitch]

Welcome one and all to our new abode - a lovely old-fashioned Cricket Pavilion, with decks outdoors and a rather lovely Members' Bar, complete with deep-seated leather comfy chairs and any drink you care to mention.

Our outdoor amenities include the well-tended cricket pitch, kept immaculate by Mellors, our multi-purpose man; a couple of tennis courts round the back for those who prefer the Wimbledon scene; and another multi-purpose pitch (can be used for hosting Fine Lad-style rugby matches, or Little Kickers' football, or the occasional All Comers' Lacrosse Tournament.

Bishops abound, mostly snoozing in the leather armchairs; there are sundry animals around - guineapigs and bison mostly - and of course the Naked Mohawk Babies, fetchingly attired in cricket whites (most unusual for them!)

The cricket pavilion tea room is open to all - those with only one child who need a safe haven predominate but having more than one child is fine - come in, have an egg'n'cress sandwich and a glass of Pimms!

*other fillings and beverages also available.

Whoops. It's coffee cake.

We had far fewer T&Ters this year. Or maybe they called while we were taking SmallGirl to and from a party.

coffee cake tooo.. let me at it.

please

ank ou... unis showers crumbs over all nearby surfaces.

It always was coffee cake. I just had a brainstorm when typing.

It's very nice. Yum yum.

Ah, I am deeply in love with our home/ community/ little slice of the Big Smoke = we had a wonderful T&T experience all round. Oxboy has been waiting for about ooooh, 11 1/2 months - and despite a near frenzy of excitement this weekend, it didn't disappoint

Racing - I hate that facial bruising, so big and panda eyes, and then it sort of drains down the face because it takes so long to absorb - poor Aged P. Yes to tea room in Southernmost tip of France, sounds heaven. I would love to try a trip, not sure, let me look at some dates - can you do weekend or must it be week, and if so what are your days?

Small - thank you for offer - it made me teary!

Mary, sorry for your leaving vicar

Amber, your breakfast of requirement is wonderful and I am always fascinated by your explanations of the world

Catita - congrats and yeah yeah yeah

Roslily- such crass comments always hurt because it is a blow on a bruise - we are currently at the stage when Oxboy says he is going to have a baby since we won't

love to all,

quite agree about Laurence, yuck. I too effected a change of Eng Lit book to avoid....

Well, it may not work because of mundane things like work, blah, blah, but I think of all the tearoomers I live closest, so if you need an extra pair of hands you just have to call on the Spooky Old Batphone.

Night one and all!

yes, yes, my dear. The Batphone.

("Fascinating" is indeed a word oft used by various people when I try explaining how an Amber works. There have been other words used .)

Mary, they'd better tell you what's going to happen when your current Vicar goes, because I cannot imagine you being delighted to have a 'surprise novelty vicar of the week' who's going to expect you to cope instantly with anything they suggest. You know if it were me I'd be on the phone to the Bish already to point out the need for a stable Mary-friendly influence (not one with a real stable...), so he can be thankful he has you instead!

If I thought it would help to get on the phone, then I would, but my experience is that telling people what I find difficult only makes it worse, at best, they believe me and listen, more commonly they don't listen or say they can't help, or even don't believe me or maybe think I'm not fit for ministry if I can't cope.

Last time I struggled, in full view of 50 people in ministry, I broke down, and many were concerned at the time. Not a single one bothered to get in touch after the event to make sure I was OK.

Its easier to pretend I'm OK and to struggle in private where no-one can see

Thanks for your support though...

Oh Mary that is horrid although I understand- at work they say they support my MH issues, but if anything happens they just say I obviously can't cope.

Glad T&Ting went well- we had 2! We have loads of sweets left. Last year Little Man was 2 months old and we had loads and hardly any sweets!

I am just going to curl up in corner of tea room and nap. Little Man has been awake since 4am, hysterical screaming. Blah, I am not good on no sleep.

Mary, not one of them bothered to find out if you're OK?

I'd make more of a contribution: but just to put the icing otn the cake; on Saturday night, my neighbours had a karakoe party in their backgarden from 12am to 6am (old time 1-5 new). They had microphones and speakers set to "as loud as you can get". No sleep for any of the Hatita household then.
At 3am Mr. H phoned the police; but nobody came. Not really surprising the neighbours in question are more than super-rich and very well connected in the state government. I was all for going round on Sunday morning (very early) on giving them a piece of my mind, but Mr. H pointed out that powerful enemies are not what we neeed just now. Especially ones who live three doors down from us.

So, I'm left with angry impotency (it's at least the 4th such party the year, I might add).

That and the snoozing before this nice fire....

Hugs of a no threatening nature for Mary and Roselily.
Amber, how's Mr. A getting?

Bloody neighbours. I too would have been temtped to pop round very early, or di so,e loud gardening!

How has everyone's day been? I am counting down til bedtime. Honestly I have been thinking- people have more than one? Why???? But he has been screaming/whiney/tantrumy all day. Not his fault, but I am losing the will!!!

DH is out tonight, so roll on 7pm, hot choc, crap TV and the sofa to myself!

Just home from the deepest, darkest recesses of Berkshire. No where near Scoutshire. BabyScout had a lovely birthday tea and ate lots of food. Will catch up when he's in bed, but wanted to share some birthday cake and all of the left over Halloween candy.

(Roslily, how old is little man?)

T&T went well last night, I'm surprised JB was willing to wear his costume but he did!! He did get a little scared a few times, some people here go all out decorating and it's a lot for the little ones to take in... but he wanted to go again this morning, LOL!

He wasn't very happy when I dropped him off at my friend's with her and the nanny though... sigh. Thank goodness for them, though, they're so lovely with him!

Amber, Mary - re troubles... I wish I had something really useful and comforting to say. I can only shake my head at people and their intolerance and meanness. Can't really fathom it.
Sending non-threatening hugs. xxx

I am drinking wine at 5pm. I have just got such an awful French cold. As DH said, we are definitely paying for our holiday.

Small and Oxeye - it would have to be in the week. Generally Tuesdays and Thursdays are the only possible days. I often have another child with me, because Wriggle really really loves her two best friends and their mums are quite happy to lend them to us, since they both have another one.

Sympathy re difficult neighbours - I am frequently reminded how lucky we are that ours couldn't be nicer. Not the sort that I would have much to say to socially, but, as neighbours, ideal. They even voluntarily take RacingHound for a walk (on one side, the other is afraid of dogs).

More hugs and arm pats from me to Amber and Mary too. And yah boo to Catita's inconsiderate neighbours.

Roslily - I sometimes have the same thought. After all, outside the bigamist and polyandry community, nobody ever says "I so enjoy the experience of being married that I think I will marry again. I'm sure it will be beneficial for my first spouse to have a second spouse living in the house - they will have a rich and rewarding relationship and will be a comfort to each other when I've gone".

Although, of course, I didn't start from that position and would (if things had turned out differently) had another child.

Hot chocolate and a chelsea bun anyone?

Little Man is 14 months old. It is teething, but oh my goodness....today has been long...........

I feel MUCH better after chatting to my mum. Told her our decision and she agreed, and well actually I am coming round to the idea. Little man is much better with a healthy mummy, than a one that is ill and can't cope. I am much better on my medication, and need to stay on it, and can't get pregnant when on it.

Right, have a bucket load of cadburys chocolate left over......help yourselves

mmmm cabury's chocolate...

Mary - :( about losing your vic, hope the new one is a sympathique soul.

Glad T-or-Ting generally went well for those who indulged. We were not troubled by it in any way, just had our pumpkin lantern on in the house (and again today). Went out shopping today and found some Hallowe'en goodies on half price - so we had more fun this evening. Best buy was a torch with 6 different caps, that throws a pic on the wall or ceiling. MiniThumb rather loves torches, so it was a good buy for him.

Roslily - am assuming from bits of your convo that you are on meds for MH issues, hence no more DC?

I do wonder sometimes about the wisdom of continuing to ttc - getting older, love having miniThumb as a single, not entirely sure that I would cope well with another but am increasingly aware that it is getting less and less likely that I'm going to have the choice and it's not comfortable yet.

UnSerpent - boo re French germs. Typical that they are generous with things you don't want!
Am still coughing up half a lung every day and very peed off about it. MiniThumb not so bad now though so that's a bonus.

Catitia - much sympathy - I used to have a highly inconsiderate neighbour who did stuff like that, but thankfully not as frequently as yours. I had desperate fantasies of stalking in, throwing a jug of water over their sound system and stalking out again. Not as bad as friends of mine though - they used to live opposite a bloke who held large swinging parties! They were advertised on the internet (big business) and loads of cars would come, leaving around 4am. Headlights all went straight into friends' bedroom. They complained and were invited along to join in!!

That is hilarious- being asked to a swingers party. Well obviously not for your friends.

Thumb, yes I have always struggled with MH ishoos, but this year was diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder. Am on Lithium which makes me feel human again, but not really compatible with ttc. Also, I obviously don't cope as well as others with lack of sleep etc.

I know it isn't out of question in future, but it is better for me to try an accept just the one for now.

Wow - what a day - my Nanna didn't wake up this morning and my neice had to go to AandE because her ear drums burst!!!

It has been a day mainly spent on the phone to various relatives in England...

RIP teafortwo's Nanna.

Hope your niece is ok, and recovers quickly.