Tea Room the Ninth: I love rock and roll, put another dime in the juke box baby

[MadBadandDangerousToKnow]

Welome to the ninth incarnation of the tea room. It's been a long and eventful road, from a tea room overlooking a cathedral garden to a beachside cafe, with a diversion via a yurt. Now - voila - we are in a music lounge. We cater for all tastes and, as this is a tea room of requirement, it manages simultaneously to be many things at once. For some, it is a 70s glam rock disco with a cool boho edge - glitter balls, smoke machine and much wearing of platform shoes and eyeliner. For others, a jazz bar where mellow music is played as cocktails are served. For still others, it's a concert performance of Spem In Allium. We still have a garden, with shady parasols for the summer, and a menagerie of pets. Our membership is international.

The tea room has few rules. Everyone is welcome. But anyone visiting with the sole intention of causing hurt or shouting abuse will be ejected by Mellors, the multi-talented gardener-handyman who (it turns out) is also a guitar wizard and rock god.

Please come in.

oh Thumb, I feel your pain. the very dread of the long haul flight means we (well DaisyBoy and I, obviously not DaisyBloke) have travelled no further than france since birth...

that was helpful wasn't it!

Hello and welcome back Tea and Racing Snake.

Kittenito has been in a stinker of a mood today: we have had tantrums because breakfast/dinner and tea were not to his liking. He didn't want his nap (only to sleep then for 3 hours), didn't want his bath and certainly didn't want to go to bed. I finally got him off at the back of nine. [exhausted emoticon]

I am concerned about his health as he still has the cough and runny nose he picked up on the plane (but no temperature). He also has being having very liquid poos since Friday. No more than usual but certainly not normal consistancy.

Now, I don't think he feels (too) bad with all this or that his testicle is hurting, as such. He's crying is angry, not upset nor seeking cuddles. He doesn't complain for his nappy changes, nor mind when I put sudocream on. In fact, I'm inclined to think he is missing his papi.

He asked for him first thing and I think he had been dreaming about him he keeps telling me that a plane took him away (an idea given to him by our recent trip) and I keep telling him the plane will bring papi home soon. If I am lucky hhe'll go into raptures about planes then papi will be forgotten. Today I resorted to showing him planes taking off and landing on Utube. He was enchanted, I was bored to tears Still it made a welcome break from the screaming.

I'm fine thanks for asking Daisy. I think it's becasue there's no time in the day to think about how I feel, so I just solider on. I'm just exhausted by the time Kittenito has gone to bed.

Ah yes, "people chasing". It just means shouting "man" or "nena" (girl) at passing folk and then running on after them. This being Mxico, most stop and say hello. Kittenito particularly likes shaking hands, so that goes down a treat normally.

I couldn't possibly recommend it, of course, but I have heard of people using things like Medised for long journeys with toddlers. I have also tried a bottle full of chamomile tea and lots of tooth powders (chamomile) and a good hefty dose of calpol.

shame on you Racing shouldn't you be packing or something

I am wondering if Mistle hasn't patented a new diet method - i keep thinking of RacingPig as the new Mike TV from Charlie & the Chocolate factory - all tall and thin...

Roll up! Roll up! Worried about putting on your swimming costume on the beach? Here, come to Wriggle's birthday party and within hours you will be taller and slimmer - no faddy diets, no 5 a day, just "pull it together" and go go go!!

Do you think it will catch on

Just a quick pop in - I have a day off as we were going to the Birmingham Breastfeeding picnic. Which was lovely. DS is passed out in bed.

He did make it to the Natural History Museum, and had a fab day. One of DS's higlights was going in a 'proper' taxi. He sang us a song about it . Dh was granted 15 minutes in the minerals gallery to give him a geology fix.

Back later..

CMOT, do you know when you're going to be in Anaheim yet? And where will you be staying?
We are going to Santa Monica Beach today. Went to Universal Studios yesterday, very fun.
((((HUGS))))to everyone who needs them - I only have half a sec but wanted to say hi!

Hello everyone.

We had guests here for the weekend, so I'm now trying to catch up on news.

((Wince)) for Kittenito's sore testicle. Hope it'll be better soon. And another ((wince)) for Daisys's mangled leg. I once fell up the stairs at the tube station and had a striped bruise from the brass edging on the edge of the steps for weeks.

And it's good to see Tea and Racing here again.

((Hugs)) for anyone with housing/visa/relocation grief. And ((wince of recognition)) at Racing's description of the Holiday Accelerator.

Anyone else for a snifter?

housing ouch continues. still no idea if we CAN move into rented house on a date that is ONLY 1 week after we move out of here. Or indeed if our buyers are going to get arsey about that date being 1 week later than they want to be in here....
I reallllly don;t want to make myself homeless for 3 weeks with a 3 yr old. 1 week at my parents we can cope with. tho what will become of my plants I don;t know. the potted plum tree is my particular worry as its too big to go in teh car and too dear to me to leave behind. being a sort of not quite a memorial to pip1 who didn't make it to birth.

People chasing- I recognise that. Boy does lurking near people till they see him and say hello. He was popped over the barrier at footie yesterday ( by grandad) to go and lurk near the Spurs players and get autographs., he came back with 3. Yes we were watching not playing. It was spurs legends V exeter legends. I have odd coloured painted toe nails in honour of the occasion. One foot red and white stripes and the other blue and white halves.

Best of british with those Visas, they can take forever, I'd be pessimistic and expect 4 months plus. Send Dh on ahead and then attempt to blank teh plane trip from your memories ASAP. Read riot act before you fly, bribe while you fly. run him round a lot at airports. dole out snacks in VERY small portions frequently. Have a few new and old favourites on dvd .

Uni - I think I understand about plant. I have a Norfolk Island Pine which is about 5 feet tall and very scraggy but was a present from one of my first boyfriends. Nowhere in the house to put it and I would love it to find a kind and loving home, but can't really think where. It is a kind of cross between a memento and a pet.

Am also dreading 24 hour journey with Wriggle, but no DVDs on train and a child who doesn't care about food. Still, we have long corridors to walk down. Drugs do sound appealing.

Oh dear, UniS. That sounds very tricky. Wish I could think of some brilliantly simple solution.

Racing - Hmm. Could you freecycle it, if you truly want rid? But I think we are all entitled to keep a few discreet reminders of past amours (looks at trove of teenage letters written on Snoopy paper). I too have heard that Calpol can be an aid to successful longhaul travel.

Still no visa but I have a baby sparrow.
It fell out of its nest and landed on my drive; how I didn't run it over I don't know cos it was only a few inches from my wheel - I thought it was dead (lying on its back with its feet in the air) until I tried to pick it up when it clung on to me and flapped wildly. Now it is in a plastic "nest", which was on the outside of my bedroom window sill (as near the nest as I could get) but it got too cold so it's on the inside of the window, between the window and the curtain. It has shredded newspaper, kitchen towel and cotton wool to keep it warm - and has been dropper-fed mushed oatibix and water. I fear it thinks I am it's mummy now cos it chirps until it sees me, then stops and opens its beak very wide.

I left it outside for ages hoping its parents would turn up but all our sparrows seem to have disappeared in the last day - Dad reckons there has been a sparrowhawk around and they have gone into hiding - hope "my" baby hasn't lost its parents altogether . It is nearly fully-fledged, just lacking a few featheres and the ability to get airborne, so I'm hoping if I can keep it alive the next couple of days it will fly the "nest" and I can feel all virtuous and warm and fuzzy about it.

Aah, Thumb.

oo lovely - so long as I don't have to chew it first and then disgorge it into Thumbsparrow's gullet

Quick, where's that champagne gone...

It's asleep at the mo, I thought it had died when I came out of miniThumb's room, it was so quiet - so I poked it to see and woke the poor little thing up! Fed it more so it hopefully has a full tum.

Lol Thumb at poking the sparrow - don't we all do that with our babies - ahhhh! it's too quiet and still, is it ok? Poke. Scream. Feed. Lesson learnt

At least I have no chance of mistaking DaisyBoy as a sleeping sparrow took about 15 trips up to bed tonight (including me hanging on to outside of door knob with him on inside "mummeeeee please don't tie me in, muummmeeeeee!" there has to be a better way?!?

Racing so you are training it to France are you? I am so hopeless I have yet to book anything, we aim to go in 3 weeks, hmm,perhaps I have left it a little late

We are off to see the Tiger who Came to Tea tomorrow!

Hi all,

Sorry to hear of your housing woes Unis I hope you manage to find a solution for the potted plum whatever happens.

Racing Good luck with the train journey. At least you can wander up and down the carriages and play "spot the". I hope it goes better than you anticipate.

Poor Kittenito apparently has a congenital defect in his testicles. There is a leaky tube apparently that needs mended asap, otherwise there is a risk that part of said wonky tube might break off and end up forming a hernia. Also his testicles will just keep on swelling as more and more liquid seeps in.

I am all in tiss, the whole idea of an operation makes me want to cry. Also I am trying not to think that it is something provoked by my diabetes (ie I might have had a high sugar day the day he was forming said tubes and thus caused the anomily).

Obviously Mr. C is in Austin. I havejust spoken to him and he is going to try to come home early. I said it wasn't necesary as Kittenito needs to have pre-op tests and his diaherrea (sp.) and runny nose have to clear up before there is any op. But, he says he wants to. I have to admit to being pleased. I could really do with a hug from him right now.

Oh Catita, you poor thing poor Kittenito

Good for Mr C coming home, that is just what you need - a big hug and the ability to snivel

I totally understand your feeling of being responsible for the congenital anomaly that feeling of total responsibility for crafting this wonderful being and then the desire to care and protect and make life a totally perfect bubble around him in which he can thrive and flourish

I think at bottom that is the fundamental difference between being a mother and being a father - but do not blame yourself. He made himself and he built himself - perhaps one of his little synapses was having a rest the day that bit of testicle tube formed you can just do your best to provide the right environment for him, and then let him fly.

He will be fine. There are some really good books about going to hosiptal - topsy and tim and usbornes that would prepare him (I had a Ladybird one when I was little and had to go to hospital) which can make the whole experience fun

piss wet miserable day. I am attempting to do some work. Boy is doing jigsaw puzzles on the floor behind me, he is in a remarkably co-operative mood.

CATOuch for kitten , good on Mr Cat that he wants to come home and support you.

Poor Kittenito, and even more sympathy for Catita.

How is the leg Daisy ?

Racing - could you take a laptop to play DVDs for Wriggle ? Some trains have power outlets for laptops now, which makes it more bearable. I've even MNetted from a wifi train.

Maybe you could ask on Freecycle cafe (if you have one in your area) to borrow someone with a van to move the plum UniS ? Ours is great for that - lots of people have a van and are willing to move something in the evening for a tenner or less.

Rain is terrible here also.

Our new tent has arrived, so hope to go camping soon. It is humungous tho - the comparison to our first tent is shocking.

Oh, CMOT thanks for asking, my leg is much much better - amazing what drugs can do! My pride however may take a little longer to recover....

Hurrah for your tent - the transition from snuggling up for 2 in a pod to 3 with elbows is quite shocking non?!?!

Yes, much as DS likes cosleeping, I dislike being slept on top of. And he fiddles with DHs CPAP which is annoying to say the least. Although waking up to someone peering lovingly in your eyes and kissing you can't be beaten DS thinks we should take his friend camping with us now we have room for her

New tent can have up to 3, 3 man, bedroom compartments, or two plus 'chef annexe' off the central area - they zip on and off, so flexible. You can even just have two bedrooms together if pushed for space.

I fell up some plane steps a few months ago. That was embarassing

daisy, glad your lef is ok.

Catita - for you and have a little idea of how you feel - miniThumb had an inguinal hernia repair when he was 7 weeks old - it's where the testes descend, there is a channel, and in about 2% of baby boys the channel doesn't close off afterwards, thus allowing bowel to go down the channel and cause alarming bulges. So he had to have that repaired under GA at 7wo - that was scary but it went very well.

news from the Thumb household - baby sparrow didn't make it. It woke me at first light and I fed it then but by the time we got up it was no more . Buried it in the back garden.

I suspect plum tree we will have to self move, IF we sort out renting the house we want I shall ask the land lord if I can deliver tree and a few other plants in pots to sit in the garden and wait for us. I have a workmate who will loan me a van if I ask. He and I will be working in the village about 3 weeks before we move in. wonder if plum will survive 3 weeks of neglect?

Sorry to hear about the sparrow's demise, Thumb It probably had some nasty internal injury from his fall or something.

But pleased to hear that Daisy's leg is much improved. Once after a job interview (that had gone well) I happened to meet with one of the interviewers on the university campus when I was looking for somewhere to have lunch. He offered to show me the best diner, and then I walked headfirst into an electricity pole (rather like a telephone pole in the UK). Very painful, but excruiatingly embaressing How I got the job I never know.

Kittenito is at nursery and oblivious to the fate that awaits. The first travail of course being the necessary blood tests. I think I shall need Mr. C back to help hold him down during them. Either that or I'll have ot ask my neighbour to come with me.

{sad] for thumb's baby sparrow.

Catita - (((((((((((((((((((HUG))))))))))))))))))))))) for you and kittenito. I'd be so scared of Jackbaby needed an op. I'm glad Senor Catita is coming home though. Good for him. Let us know when the op is so we can send hugs, supportive pats etc. Also - would you mind emailing me your postal address again - it's on the other computer which is at home. So I can send kittenito a postcard from Disneyland to cheer him up.

We went to Santa Monica Beach yesterday - gorgeous - but we all all medium to rare today. The sun is so STRONG here!! SPF 50 has done nothing for my shoulders. Jackbaby is getting blonder by the day. Will post pics when I have a chance to upload. Of course they will all have the evidence of his fall out of the camper on them - he fell down the steps and had a mahooooosive bruise and a cut on his forehead last Weds. Shaved ten years off my life and added about a thousand white hairs. But thanks to much application of Traumeel cream and homeopathic arnica pellets, it barely shows now when you look at him. But it still shows in pictures, I don't know how that is.

Tea Room Meet Up Friday!!!
Can't wait.

Apologies to everyone I haven't mentioned personally - I just skimmed - love and hugs to you all.

arrrrrrgh. I hate trying to find somewhere to live.
Landlord of house we would like to rent is being VERY odd and doesn;t seem to WANT to let it.
Mean while our buyers must have invented time travel as they want 1 month between exchange and complete AND would like to complete in 3 weeks time, we have not yet exchanged, nor is all teh paper work in teh right places to exchange.

SO I went and made jam tonight. This being teh tea room, you may all partake of it, blackcurrant, goes very well on scones with clotted cram.