The Nordic Tearoom (Number 31)

[beanandspud]

We have moored the barge for the winter and have moved to a beautiful, cosy log cabin in deepest Scandinavia overlooking a frozen lake and surrounded by pine trees.

Mellors has lit the log fires and candles, it is snowing outside and there are comfortable seats for everyone and fleecy blankets to snuggle up in. For the more active tearoomers there are skis and sledges outside as well as a steaming hot tub for winding down after a busy day.

So pull up a chair. The kettle is on for and there is always plenty of depending on your mood and time zone. (Alternatively there is schnapps, smorgasbord and smoked fish).

Everybody is welcome ? share as much or as little as you like ? but no fisticuffs please!

:o the shepherd's angles

Poor MC re nerves and guinea pigs etc - he sounds like a boy who takes things very much to heart, mistle? JB can be a bit like that over some things.

I'll take dozens of pictures of JB but I draw the line at taking a picture of his willy, covered in glitter or not! :o

We didn't repeat the accidental no-Pull-Up night yesterday, not brave enough. I'd have to have the assurance of a waterproof mattress cover to risk it in our bed.

Amber, I was so sorry to read of your crappy day yesterday. Gentle ((((HUGS)))), and to all those who need them.

Oh CMOT - so pleased for you that riding went well. How's the arm? I was thinking of you yesterday at work because it's been so cold here and wondering how it's doing (thought of the custom glove operation :)) - are you still having nerve pain?
MN often reminds me that some people have real problems (not just made-up crap their minds feed them - although I'd just like to report I've been feeling really, really good - thank you to all of you who've kept asking) - one of the many reasons I'm grateful I found this site, and you all .

Arm is still crap, and now I have a keloid . But a hand surgeon has offered to present my case at a national 'difficult hand cases' conference to see if anyone else had an idea. Hand dislikes cold still, but at least this year I don't have any splints, so getting into gloves/mittens is a bit easier - dh bought me some xl down mittens for my birthday. Still wearing my canadian special order ones ! And my wristwarmers from unis

Great to hear you are feeling better - you've been in my thoughts

Good typo that one wasn't it

Mc is very sensitive. He appears to be a very robust small child, who is happy to get on and do things, and get in the middle of things and not really take much notice of sillyness and not take things to heart - but that's all on the exterior, and on the inside he's actually a very sensitive plant that really does care about things but doesn't want it to show.

Thankfully, after having wound me up completely by the time we got home, and stomped off upstairs in a huff, DH managed to coax out some of the worries last night - and when I offered a cuddle he was down (bypassing DH) for a hug and a sob.

He had a fab day at the 'integration' day when they go up and see the 'big' school - and was really sensible with meal choices etc. However, he's already worrying himself about things, even though he's not going to be there for nearly a year. Although he clearly has taken a shine to the head of year and hopes to be in his class (and yes, he'd be a better option as the other male teacher looks a bit fresh faced )(both the two female teachers appear nice though too).

Have a referral letter through from health service re appt at Drs in Oct - but no actual appointment sorted yet. Very glad that we're doing this now, when its perhaps not urgent, so that hopefully we've got some of the coping strategies in place before it becomes an issue again (although hopefully it won't of course).

Fingers crossed for you both, mistle - he sounds like a sweetie, I wish I could meet him. Actually I wish I could meet all of you, and see CMOT again.
Sh*t re keloid :(. If you ever want me to find you fur lined gloves or mitts just let me know - no lack of them here! :o

Sorry CMot, crossed posts there - sorry to hear about arm - and scar - is it itching/ hurting (the scar) as well as the hand still now? (I hope not).

Are you riding one-handed? I did quite a bit of that as quite often used to take the little pony out for a trundle when I was taking the horse out anyway - he needed the exercise even if no one was riding. Horse didn't mind, and pony quite liked it - luckily both fairly bomb-proof so no issues.

CMOT, a difficult hand case conference??! Well I never. Hope they come up with something useful. You need science to fix that. Makes you wonder if we're really in 2011 sometimes, doesn't it.

MT, arrgh re delay in the referral appointment.

Ah, soup du Norse, avec les rolls tres horn-like! Anyone else?

Scar is itchy, painful, and keeps cracking. Am seeing the dermatologist next week to see what can be done

Am actually using both arms - on the left side I can just grip the reins with my thumb. I find riding one handed makes me unbalanced in trot, and in spite of the tiny movement I can make, the horses seem to respond OK.

Oooh its really good that you can use it a bit at least - I know that you didn't think you would be able to at one stage.

Scar sounds bothersome - and just an additional problem that you really didn't need

(CMOT, I'm reminded of the owner of some Arab stallions who rode them without the use of a bridle of any sort and pretty much with no aids whatsoever - to great effect. I guess (a bit like most people on the autism spectrum) horses are built to detect the tiniest movement of the tiniest fly on their skins, so the tinier the aids, the more it registers with them. My paralympic gold medal friend is so amazing in the saddle - just miles ahead of anything I could ever imagine, but has almost no strength or movement at all. Wonderful levellers of people, horses. It's odd the way they respond to me, for example: In all my life, I've never once been bitten or kicked by a horse, despite owning them and being around them in their hundreds for 40+ years now).

Your friend is soooo amazing Amber. I am very, very much looking forward to seeing him ride at the paralympics next year

I think some people are gifted with animals - like you, my dad is never bitten or kicked by animals. He tells me they know us better than we know ourselves

I don't think I'm gifted with them or anyone else...I think it could be the same sort of dynamic where children with profound learning disabilities are sometimes found having wandered into the stables of horses with known violent tendencies, and are found playing perfectly happily with a perfectly relaxed horse, to the astonishment of the owners. I'm just too silly to realise they could be dangerous, and I think they're so astonished that they forget to be rudely behaved with me

'm sorry I thought Olga-da-Polga was a hamster, I've given up on her for the time being and ordered a book about the Wombles.
The only copy I could get had to come from America and was ex-library, with a 'few' marks.
So, thanks for your help.

Wonderful levellers of people, horses. It's odd the way they respond to me, for example: In all my life, I've never once been bitten or kicked by a horse, despite owning them and being around them in their hundreds for 40+ years now.

Amber, in way this part of your post almost made me cry. I may be wayyyyyy off track but when I read it, what I read in invisible letters after it was
I've never once been bitten or kicked by a horse unlike a lot of people who have bitten and kicked
I sometimes wish people were more like horses.

CMOT - to riding again, I hope that the dermatologist can do something to help. Do you have to appear in person at the difficult hand case conference?

MT - MC sounds lovely! It's funny how children get anxious about things that seem such a long way off. Will he be going to the new school with most of his friends?

. Is it Thanksgiving tomorrow or have I got my dates muddled? If so, then 'Happy Thanksgiving' to those who celebrate it.

I am on a mini tour of the UK this week . Have driven down to the South this evening and then working my way back. I may need lots of by Saturday!

~~Waves to everyone~~

<span class="line-through">> and points                   This way</span>>       <img loading="lazy" class="inline-flex mumsnet-emoji" alt="Wine" src="https://www.mumsnet.com/build/assets/wine-wt7_cM9H.png">

::joins in waving::

::wonders whether CatherineMacaulay might join us for an authentic Mexican wave::

You never know your luck.

::waves::

FFS. I'd like to shake some posters until their teeth rattle. There are some who really need to be banned slapped.

Errr - no-one here!! Just to clarify.

More .

::phew!::

:o

It's that bloody FabbyChick, apologies to anyone who is friends with her, she makes my blood boil

Hmm. I think I have witnessed her in action once or twice.

I must got to bed now so ((hugs))) and put it from your mind.

Since it's now Thursday in the UK -- Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

What's up, JM?

Joins in

Had fabulous day helped Mom finish the shopping and the crazy family from Ohio arrived. SO much fun and haven't laughed that hard in ages. Toddler just joined right in and was happy being in the living room with the six bigger kids (3.11 x 2, 6, 8, 10, 12/13 and 16) while all of the adults were peeing with-- laughing in the dining room.