Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

Please or to access all these features

One-child families

Got questions about only having one child? Find the answers here.

Tea Room the 23rd - The Canadian Rockies

996 replies

Jacksmania · 11/02/2011 16:49

Welcome to the 23rd incarnation of the One-Child Tea Room. Not to be misleading - although its inmates inhabitants mostly have just one child, we also have mums of many (but no dads yet... hmmm...). Everyone is welcome.

The usual rules apply - no bunfighting. If you like that sort of thing, go elsewhere.
Other rules: bring Wine. Or [tea]. :o

We find ourselves in a lovely spacious log cabin in the Canadian Rockies. Enormous west-facing windows show a gorgeous view of the sunset over the mountains, and there are log and/or gas fireplaces in every room, even the priest hole (which is a Hiding Spot of Requirement for Those In Need) and the bathrooms. In the open-concept living room, we find the Aga gently simmering against the wall, the bar fully stocked, and the cappuccino bar prepared to dispense any hot beverage of your choice.

Fluffy duvets and colourful pillows abound on the deep, squashy couches and armchairs. Outside, we see a vista of deep snow, dotted here and there with deer and bunny tracks. The walking trails and access roads have been ploughed clear of snow by our able (and hunky) handyman, Mellors, who is also available for massages and facial treatments in the Log Cabin Spa.
There is a hot tub outside on the west-facing deck, with a mini-bar conveniently nearby.

There are no aspidistras in this log cabin, as the cold of the Rockies causes them to shrivel and die. However, the Naked Mohawk Babies have come along and are swarming along the rafters, and in the adjacent stable, the Tea Room horses, Earl and Lady Grey are available for snowy rides. The bison are frolicking in their snowy paddock, and I have no idea if the bishops followed the trail of breadcrumbs or not.

(For newcomers, the last paragraphs obv. makes no sense - just go with, all will be explained.)

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
Tee2072 · 14/02/2011 15:12

::throws herself onto the fainting couch::

I've just spent the day defrosting the freezer. Happy Valentine's to me. Hmm

UnSerpentQuiCourt · 14/02/2011 15:25

Yup, definitely sausage factories. Which is why Wriggle is not there atm.

Just got home from giving blood. Had a dodgy morning when I found AP in tears because she has no money (she has, although not a huge amount) and sister cursing and swearing at life in general. I don't mind looking after all the various members of my family - in fact, that is my function, I feel - but why do they all make me guess what's wrong?????

Anyway, it all improved no end and my sister and I sorted out a couple of niggly little things on my to-do list and I got some gloss painting done. What is rather frustrating is that blood-removing nurse told me on no account to continue painting when I got home, so here I am doing nothing in the middle of the afternoon!!. I must admit, I do feel a little faint and funny. I am happy to give blood to the NHS ... but they didn't say that they were taking half my day. Hmm

Donki · 14/02/2011 19:22

Hmmmm
Hospita sent me a follow up ultrasound to the gall bladder one - but the appointment got lost in the post over Christmas. So I missed it. Hospital not happy.
Nor me!

apparently, whilst the gall bladder scan was clear there is something in my liver they need a closer look at..... "probably nothing to worry about but..."
:(

oxeye · 14/02/2011 19:27

Oh Donki I hate that kind of thing. Can they expedite a new appointment?

Serpent hope you're feeling a little better. Afternoon on the sofa doing nothing sounds heaven

Donki · 14/02/2011 19:28

GP has re-referred me.... hopefull the appointment will come through fairly quickly.

UnSerpentQuiCourt · 14/02/2011 20:25

Hooves crossed for Donki.

The next time I decide that giving blood is 'all a fuss about nothing' (my words Blush) and decide not to bother with the tea, biscuits and crisps (crisps?? Hmm), I wish to be reminded of this most unpleasant afternoon, trying to feed/water animals/aged parents/Wriggle while sitting down every 5 minutes.

And I never wish to forget Wriggle's 'Serpent is lovely' song to the tune of Old McDonald, designed to keep up moral.

Wondered why no-one is in the tea room, then remembered Valentines Day. Will just go and take my sensible Brew over to the window and gaze out at the moonlight on the distant peaks (and keep an eye on the conservatory).

Scout19075 · 14/02/2011 20:33

Hi all. Happy V-Day. We don't do anything for it except exchange token gifts. No way would you catch me going out tonight!

Tee2072 · 14/02/2011 20:34

I'm here, Serpent. Tonight is an ordinary night in TeeVille, because it's MrTee's late lecture night and he didn't get home until nearly 7. We did Valentine's on Saturday.

LCT brought home his first colouring today from daycare. A Valentine's Card for me and MrTee. Sniff. It's hanging up on the wall. [sentimental mummy emoticon]

mistlethrush · 14/02/2011 20:36

I'm all alone at home. Despite MrMT working at home this week. He's got rehearsals and performances every evening. So benefit from not being a single parent for perhaps 90mins per day - although that's better than nothing.

Donki - hope all OK. They never tell you sufficient info. I have a scan on Thurs - to see whether there's any reason for the monthly flooding apart from age Hmm

Its funny - mistlechick can be such a wonderful little child - I picked him up from yogabugs that he has as an afterschool club on a monday and as we left he said to the teacher 'x, your lessons are really great, even though I'm older now' What a nice thing to say - there was no need for it - but wouldn't you like to be told that by your 5 yo pupil? Smile

UnSerpentQuiCourt · 14/02/2011 20:39

M. Serpent does a late class, too, Tee; he'll be home at about 10. We bought ourselves a rose bush (for the price of 6 odourless red cabbages roses).

Oxeye, am I right that Oxbloke is at home this year?

CMOTdibbler · 14/02/2011 20:46

DH brought me home a Starbucks, gf brownie and some lilies - this is as far as we get. DS insisted on making suprise pancakes for tea - strawberry and squirty cream. I protested hugely of course

mistlethrush · 14/02/2011 20:48

Well mini's behaved perfectly for me tonight - not a peep - whilst he was up 3x by 10 last night for dh Grin

UnSerpentQuiCourt · 14/02/2011 20:53

I love my evenings on our own (but great sympathy for those who are on their own tonight and not enjoying it). Sadly Wriggle fell asleep really early, while I was waiting to watch the baking programme with her.

Tee2072 · 14/02/2011 21:01

LCT did his usual 'I'm not either yawn tired. Really I'm yawn not...zzzzz' at about 8. Grin Now if he'll just stay asleep...

Donki meant to say I hope everything is okay. MrTee is going through something similar and we are waiting to hear about a liver biopsy.

I think I am going to bed. MrTee just turned on Outcasts. It's.so.bad.

Scout19075 · 14/02/2011 21:04

I'm doing SS paperwork. Blurgh.

UniS · 14/02/2011 21:35

I got back from work a bit later than UniP and Boy, have done a few jobs, unloaded van, parked van on our drive - which was challenge , but I managed it with about 8 inches either side.Sorted big box of tools down to small bag of tools for tomorrow as I won't be driving van home and may have to catch a bus if I miss UniP finishing work. ( he can't wait for me as boy has to be collected from CM).

Valentines day ... what about it?? we have as usual ignored it. Shall exchange token gift and card tomorrow to celebrate 19 years of coupledom.

Boy and UniP wrote a letter yesterday to the school council, asking if Year R can play football at lunch. He had a letter back from Head teacher today, saying that she will pass on his letter to the YR reps (yr 6s) for consideration at school council meeting. How cool is head teacher. Boy is very happy, tho he does think that one of YRs TAs is the head teacher...

Mug o tea? Brew or hot choc

oxeye · 14/02/2011 23:19

Hi all, yes, Serpent, Oxbloke is here this year - I made a card for Oxboy and gave one to OxBloke. We're not very valentiney but he sent me an ecard

Only problem was he got the names wrong (said it was too him from Anonymous) so I thought he'd forwarded it to me because he'd received it... so I was trying to work out who it was from... he's not very good at filling in forms Grin I never let him do our online check in ....

Had nice stir fry supper, nothing special but peaceful. we are lucky that we have a (mostly) very happy and lovely relationship

ComeIntoTheGardenMaud · 14/02/2011 23:27

Just got back from a lovely cosy evening with Colin Firth.

Sympathy to all who are in the throes of medical stuff - and special feelings of solidarity with Mistle, 'nuff said - and I made the mistake of making my blood donation appointment for half term so will have to take GardenGirl with me. How dumb is that?

oxeye · 15/02/2011 00:13

Wwwwwwas Co-co-colin Firth scrummy Smile

ComeIntoTheGardenMaud · 15/02/2011 00:25

He is very scrummy, isn't he Oxeye, and just all round lovely?* My friend in the thee-ay-ter says that he is genuinely nice. So there it is, personal testimony in a slightly less than six degrees of separation kind of way.

And, besides, it wasn't about his scrumminess. It was about his brilliant and award-winning portrayal of a pivotal moment in British history. (Slightly seditious thought: as you know if you've seen it, it had so many of the great and the good of British theatre in it that it reminded me of those Comic Strip productions. Anthony Andrews is Stanley Baldwin! Timothy Spall is Winston Churchill!)

*Plus he's the right age for me, unlike these callow di Caprio types.

oxeye · 15/02/2011 01:03

that is a very lovely photo thanks Maud
nobody who smiles like that could be anything other than genuinely nice

My friend of a friend in the whatnot luvvie world says Alan Rickman is likewise most genuine - he sent a postcard to my friend's kids. I nearly wept and triedtosureptitiouslystealit

Heh ho, here's for some Brew man ....

Jacksmania · 15/02/2011 07:32

Hi all, sorry for absence, crazy weekend with parties for JB (his party Saturday, his friend's party Sunday, family diner Sunday). When I was younger, "partying all weekend" had a different meaning than it does now. Strangely, I am just as tired, Hmm

BTW, WTH - MN changed the cup emoticon? Sorry, but IMO, this one's ugly. I really liked the cup and saucer. DISLIKE.

I probably won't be on much in the next few weeks - I have a horrendous backlog of paperwork to catch up on and MN and FB are too much of a distraction. Plus, I find myself not talking to DH so much and he doesn't I don't like that.

Also feeling a bit shit because saw orthopaedic guy last week and will need more knee surgery. Left lateral meniscus. Gah. And am having some other issues to do with all the stuff that I thought was resolved :(
So, am not in a very good mood and have nothing positive to say - and also feeling crummy because it's nothing compared to what Amber is going through and moaning about my wee owies seems a bit disrespectful of someone with cancer... so I will be making myself a bit scarce, I think.
Someone leave a trail of breadcrumbs if you move out of the Rockies before I'm back.

OP posts:
Tee2072 · 15/02/2011 07:35

Hey! Not nice JM!!

I can't speak for Amber, but I hope you don't stay away for that reason. I know I hate it when people talk about a small pain and then say 'but I shouldn't complain, since you deal with so much more every day.' Oh please. Everyone is entitled to a moan!!

Mmm, lovely pic Maud. He doesn't really do it for me, but I can admire that beauty!

MaryBS · 15/02/2011 08:30

I prefer the cup to the mug too... I guess I'll just have to make do with Wine

amberlight · 15/02/2011 08:45

I don't understand human dynamics very well at all, but I would be very Sad indeed if people decided to leave because of my situation. Heck...it's not a competition, honest. Life is a whole bucketload of things - how we're feeling, how much support we're getting, what responsibilities we're trying to balance, how our bodies are behaving...and lots of medium sized problems add up to easily as much or more than I'm coping with. Please please don't abandon here because of me. I'd rather it was me that left.