Tea room the Eighth - sun, sea, sangria, and perhaps a sandy Mellors

[DontCallMeBaby]

Greetings, welcome to the eighth incarnation of the tearoom.

The tearoom has been, and will be again, a virtual safe haven for anyone up for rather random chat and a comprehensive range of virtual snacks. Nothing in the tearoom will make you fat, or drunk (unless you want it to) or cause an allergic reaction.

The new tearoom location is a beautiful beachside cafe (no need for factor 50, the virtual sun will just lightly tan you, bring out your freckles or simply warm your skin, as you prefer) with a range of garden swings, hammocks, sunloungers, deckchairs etc (as well as a rather incongruous, but well-loved, chaise longue). For those in need of sanctuary, we have managed to fashion a new priesthole out of woven grasses.

Our fellow residents include Mellors the rugged gardener of few-but-well-chosen words, the naked mohawk babies, a coterie of bishops, various domestic pets, and a selection of others. On the human side, all are welcome - while we live in the One Child topic some regulars have more than one, and we are welcome all (except people who put their heads on one side and tell those of us with one child that it's just not fair to have only one child).

Please help yourself to a glass of Champagne and a canape on the way in ...

Jacksmama - I didn't mean to correct you. Just that if he was of British stock he might have been referring to the total effect and not just the embonpoint!

Yes, of course, to wine and lemonade. In two glasses or as a cocktail? It's approaching wine o'clock here.

I know its a tagent, but talking of cheesecake has made me imagine and conjure up a most delicious mango cheesecake (mangos courtesy of our backyard).

Anyone fancy a piece? If you do, hurry, because I am more than capable of eating it all myself.

Madbad I've been lookig aat the wrap dresses and have come to the conclusion that they aren't for me. All seem to be pretty v-necked, which for someone with a non-existant bust is not a good idea. They look lovely though. I also had a look over here, but seeing as we're at 40 odd degrees it's all very summery and not quite the thing for the east coast of Scotland. Frankly I'd be blue. I might have to sneak in a shopping trip sometime before my conferenceeI think.

Amber Yes, scholiosis. Never diagnosed as a child, I just kept being shouted at for not sitting up straight. It wasn't until I took up swimming in Mexico City that my coach noticed and sent me to the physio. That changed my lifeequite a bit. Less pain, and a least an explanation to whhy I could only carry on one shoulder and why my cloohes always hang funny. Swimming the best thing I think. Only if you enjoy it though...

my boobies are called tweedledum and tweedledee (long story don't ask me)

Niamh is 15 months old. She does enjoy helping with the laundry and helping with the washing up (a wee basin of water on the floor). We have a paddling pool but DH reckons it's still not warm enough it's 24 degrees up here ffs

our garden is sloped which is a problem but we shall be getting decking in a few weeks which should help.

I've never met an aussie so I don't know if their accents would be easy to understand.

I wonder how a New Zealand accent would be to lipread? I once met a Kiwi who said the NZ accent only has one vowel sound, and you know, she DID have a point. That's got to be tricky to lipread?

Have spent today sourcing and filling a 'NORMOUS paddling pool. DD has been snorkelling in it.

Don't worry MadBad, I only took it as an elucidation, not correction. I have no idea if the old guy was British or not --- I just remember being mortified .

Not to be disgusting but wine over ice with a splash of lemonade would be lovely. I was given some disgustingly oaky Chardonnay last week - DH poured me a glass and nearly PHSL at the face I pulled . But last night I needed a glass of wine so I poured some, tasted it, pulled the aforementioned face and then happened to see the yummy organic lemonade in the fridge... poured in a splash and hey presto - it didn't taste like wine-with-lemonade (which sounds like a big turnoff) but rather it softened the oakiness of the wine so it was quite lovely!

Scottishmummy, you realize you now have to tell us why your boobies are named what they are.
And Niamh (lovely name - is it pronounced like Liam or differently? Pardon my ignorance, I'm Canadian, so I don't know) is the same age as Jackbaby. His birthday is Feb 13. He hels to load and unload the laundry dryer, tries to help unload the dishwasher [eeeeek!! emoticon] re plates and knives... , copies me cleaning (grabs rags and wipes down the coffee table or anything else he can reach...

But he does get into things, oh my lord, does he. Yesterday it was the Sudocreme. Which explains why I needed that wine. He was lathered in it. As was the carpet, the ottoman, his T-shirt, his bedspread... it was one of those "extreme self-control required" moments. However - he knew he was in trouble because as soon as he saw me he tried to wipe his Sudocreme-covered hand off frantically (which didn't help matters) and flung the jar away as far as he could, and then tried to do an end-run around me... I will admit it was rather cute but at the mess...

But he's still my little love bug [soppy emoticon].

Catita - mangoes in your backyard???? [intense ] I wish - I love mangoes. Could eat one every day.

aw aw aw - Milk did her first ever "knocking for a friend" today.

He said "Yes" - they are playing in the courtyard as we speak his Mum and me hanging out the window at least twice a second to check all is ok!!!!

(The courtyard has weeds and bins in it and no mangoes - unless you imagine really really hard!)

Awww, Tea. That's cute. MadBadBaby knocked for a friend today. He promised to come round later. And didn't. Boys, eh?

Is Racing around? In trying to catch up with everything that's happened this week, I neglected to assure her that there is at least one person in the world who won't be expecting her to be a Jolly Good Sort when announcing a pregnancy or needing emergency childcare when their waters break. Me. OK, so I am only a hairy trucker called Dave on t'interweb, but I am definitely remaining a mum of one forever.

Now, would anyone like a drink on this balmy evening?

I know - it was so so so exciting!!!!!

She knocked on the door then got so overwhelmed when it was answered that she just sort of panted and waved her arms around.... then after some confusion said "Daaaaaave" (her friend's name - we will call him Dave on t'internet)!

Dave's Mummy said "Are you lost or something?" So I had to call down from my place of observation (the bedroom window which is closest to their little house next door) "No she is not lost - she wants him to come out and play with her."

They played for ages and his Mum, Beerfortwo and I sort of took it in turns to watch them and do jobs.

Rolls eyes at madbadbaby's 'friend' not turning up - has she recovered?

Also, Madbad - Yes, yes, yes - well done for mentioning her royal loveliness Racingsnake. I'd love to know how she and wrigglesnake are today....

I don't mind if I do, a pimms O gigglylio for me thanks. I'm enjoying Mellors and the bishops have a late evening Thi Chi session on teh beach. They all look very chilled and bronzed.

Wahat nice warm summery day that was. . Picture me if you will , blue T-shirt and not quite so red arms as yesterday, putting up my NEW tent for teh first time . We took it to teh rec ground as not enough grass in our garden with out a tree. Didn;t use teh rec ground near here tho. We were veiwing a couiple of possible new to us houses so took a picnic and spent a while at "village under dartmoor" rec ground.

Have seen a V nice house- bit big but not so bad that we would rattle. but over priced. and according to teh agent they have turned down a couple of offers as " not enough££" , so much to ponder.
We accepted an offer on here during teh week. now finger crossed it all works out, have been here before with this house and buyer pulled out after months of faffing.
It would be nice to know where to try and get boy preschool sessions for september BEFORE teh summer hols start.

One pimms-gigglyo coming right up!

Tell me more about the tent, UniS. I think I could easily become a tent geek.

OOoooh - so much to catch up on - sure I won't manage, but here goes...

JM - very pleased to hear of the good report. I also know all about 'those' scans - had one just one week after a 2nd erpc (pre ds) - was very and [ouch].
Catita - sorry, not great on clothes - I mainly survived on one pair of black trousers and a variety of tops...
UniS - hope all goes well with the house - good to be in the situation of having sold (and if necessary renting) until the right place comes up. Cycling sounds great too! Sorry about the sunburn - hope better now!
Donk - sorry, didn't you find the hay? It was here, honest, we just tucked it behind that palm tree over there - I hope the NMBs haven't hidden it.
DCMB - nice to see you around!
TW - get back to that packing!! (but do come and have a drink on and off here to help)
Tea - MJ tends to stand on the top of his climbing frame and shout at the next door twins to see if they'll play
MadBad - where abouts in Yorks? We've been in the Lakes - really great weather - two days not sunny, one of which we went inland and refound the sun.
ScottishMum - Hello! Pasta shapes to glue on. Fuzzy Felt. we started on puzzles, sandpit is good for days that are too cold for paddling pools...
RS - Art group sounds good - we did a coffee morning, music group and swimming - but we had to take the dog out for a walk every day anyway so that took up quite a bit of time when MJ was at that age.
Daisy - where have I missed about Nanny? Have you had to change recently?
Amber - I'm very pleased that you're still around and happily settled in

I hope that I've not missed anyone else!

We've had a great week in the Lakes. MJ did LOTS of walking - normally at the front - and occasionally holding hands when walking up hills after a while. But he has gone further than we anticipated - and after some food, quite often was up for more again! Two things on his toungue - go for a walk and 'food' - normally 'ham sandwich' but occasionally some other options were allowed... He has even managed to get a tan through factor 50.

ohh the tent- its one for tent geeks alright. DH ( bless him) gave into my pleading and and gave me for Christmas a Hillerberg Nallo4GT . A gloriously lightweight tent of ample proportions for a family of 3 ( I hope). We are taking tehtent away with us and will be doing teh odd night camping between staying with family and friends, and then finishing our trip with a weekend camping at a cycle rally.

When we went into town on thursday for teh family cycle fest stuff, did I remember to tell you guys about that? I rode one of my bigger wheel unis that I havn't ridden for a while. Twas a joy to ride, smooth fat tyre and short cranks making it just float along. Is a bit of a looker of a cycle as well, black hub, frame , cranks, pedals and black leather saddle. Steel spokes, rim, and seat post. let down slightly by green saddle bumpers... ho hum. But any how, it was really good fun to ride a nice fast uni again. MUST do it more often.

Wow. That is a cool-looking tent. Our tent allegedly sleeps five (sardines, maybe) but the vestibule is nowhere near as big. We stayed near Ripon, which I'd never visited before and thought was absolutely lovely.

Nightcap, anyone?

nightcap woudl be fab thanks MadBad!

Tents, hey - not my forte. DH has Ideas about us going camping in Australia - [hmmm] - too many snakes and whathaveyous in the undergrowth for my liking!

JM - Niamh should be pronounced Neeve - mh is a V sound in Irish/Gaelic, as is bh (hence Siobhan being Shevaun)

Eeeeeek - snakes!! No thank you. Didn't that nutter who used to be on the Discovery Channel before he got harpooned by a manta ray (or something) say that of the million gazillion varieties of poisonous snakes in the world, most of them live in Oz? [ugh emoticon]

Ooooh, I knew about how Siobhan was pronounced (so pretty) but couldn't figure out Niamh. Lovely. There is a rather terrible former teen actress (now she's older and just as terrible) called Neve Campbell in the U.S. I suppose her parents just bypassed the entire "now how do you pronounce that??" thing.

I am having wine with lemonade. (Still have two more bottles to get through, would anyone like some?) Jackspapa is out with "the boys" tonight, and Jackbaby, having exhausted himself at the water park, is fast asleep sprawled on the canapee sofa.
And I am MNing while drinking wine... it's a good night!!

Ah, tents, yes.

We are the honorary tent-holders for the rugby club "event tent", a massive beast of a contraption that has sheltered all 15 lads plus kit plus assorted parents and coaches from the worst of the winter weather at tournaments and festivals here and abroad. Bringing it back, soaking wet, and drying it out in the depths of winter requires a sort of raving madness I think.

Large pot of tea/coffee/whatever suits people now available, as is toast/croissants/fresh fruit/large fry up.

MaryBS says she's found that actor chap Gerard that lives just outside Paris, wrestled him into the boot, and will be bringing him back, by the way.

ah JM, but if you look up Neve Campbell on IMDB etc. it states that for some reason her name is pronounced Nev!! (i.e. not Neev) Bizarre! Something to do with her mother's maiden name, I think.

just dashing in on the fly - sooooo much to do today, it hurts!

Hello all....

I was also mning last night - social life r us, hey???

I was on an AIBU? thread about sisters and got myself feeling really down and out about me and my sis....

I love her dearly but when we are together - even on msn or simply linked by the magical power of a phone line - it usually ends in someone being upset...

which I find overwhelmingly sad. How can two people who love each other (in a family kinda way ) be so destructive to each other ? And how can one of those people be ME - I feel so so guilty!?!

I posted about this and now feel a deep weight - just talking about our relationship makes me feel sad, guilty and a bit angry at myself all in one go. I think also I am guilty for telling everyone about it.... I didn't go into any details - but what I said was true and sensitive and maybe I shouldn't have published it on an open forum.

But then again - it's not as if I was telling the world about my ladybits or anything!!!!!!!!!!

Tea, the dynamics of family relationships are a great mystery to me, but I can manage a nice cup of something for you, and a soothing brow-rub from Mellors whilst you recline in the sunshine if that helps?

Ladies. I hear that some of you are feeling stressed or fraught. So I have set up my massage table on the verandah and am offering a range of brow-rubs, shoulder massages and foot rubs for anyone who would like one.

< A startled Amber stares open-mouthed at the melee, wondering what a fuchsia Mary Jane is, and whether it was related to anything else a bit rude

She retreats to the safety of the small area behind the potted palm and peers out from behind the fronds>

Fuschia Mary Jane for you, amber, nothing rude.

When Mellors is finished with the rubbing etc, could he come and give me some composting advice? My parents came for a barbecue, and brought a beehive composter with them (my birthday present ). I suspect that filling it with nothing but strawberry hulls and the fruit from jugs of Pimms is not the way to go.

Oh phew, shoes! Thanks!

Ah, he seems to have left his composting notes in the bookshelf. It says "do not include animal products or too much woody material. Layer your compost - so a bit of grass, some leaves, some vegetable peelings, grass again, etc. Wait a year for a really good compost to happen".

Works for ours

Oh tea. for you.
Wish I could help but have nothing spectacularly intelligent to say.
Would a ((((((((((((((HUG)))))))))))))))))) be welcome?