Tea Room the Tenth: Tea and cake and rock and roll

[MadBadandDangerousToKnow]

Welcome back to the tea room.

In the search for the perfect venue, we have now decamped to a rambling country estate. The once-decaying castle, now restored, is a boutique hotel, popular with rock and roll gentry and visiting bishops, and the tea room (which never closes) is located in a tastefully converted barn. The charming garden contains a duck pond and ends in a haha. We need the haha, of course, to stop the bison trampling the herbaceous borders. Mellors the gardener is, as ever, in charge of the grounds.

Please come and join us for a celebratory drink.

Until a minute ago I had not one but nine buns in the oven. Would anyone like a freshly-baked crusty roll to go with the lunchtime soup which, as ever, is bubbling away on the aga?

A holiday, Cmot? Oh how fab. Where are you going?

I understand your mixed feelings about brother's divorce!

Yes please.

Am feeling extremely low and stressy about tomorrow's interview

Here.

How long is it since you've had a paid job, Mary? You're bound to feel nervous, but try to focus on the positives. First, they have picked you for an interview so they must have liked what they saw on your application form. Second, remind yourself of why you're fitted for the job - relevant skills you've acquired in previous jobs, in voluntary work, running a home or wherever. Keep chanting "I am a capable and resourceful person and I can do it". Third, what would make you feel confident on the day? Favourite clothes? Perfume behind the ears? Promise of a gin and tonic in the tea room in the evening?

Sorry if any of this is hopelessly inappropriate. Am terminally bossy.

Lovely soup and rolls MadBad. I'll be making red velvet cupcakes this afternoon, out of my new Hummingbird Bakery book

My top tip for interviews is to always remember that most people hate thinking of questions to ask, and by talking lots (keeping to subject) they feel good about you.

We are going to Cornwall - DS is looking forward to riding everyday, DH not looking forward to leading him round the menage trotting, since DS has announced that his wishes to do more of that this time

Its 6 months since I worked. Am useless as talking lots - I tend to forget where I am going with the conversation. I'm extremely over-qualified in many ways, but I've never worked in a school, so that could cause issues. Its also the first time I've declared my Asperger's on a form too.

Will wear my favourite Jaeger suit (poshest thing I've got!), because it feels nice, I look good in it, its flattering etc.

It's also DS's birthday tomorrow, so getting that in hand too. Have just been on hands and knees scrubbing kitchen floor!

And I've got a meeting tomorrow with the job centre manager, due to the letter full of constructive "suggestions" I sent in re: dealing with a 'client' with Asperger's.

Hmm, Cmot. Thank you for the compliment but these rolls are extremely crusty, aren't they?

Mary - Have you ever been a school governor? You could mention that as relevant background, if so. Or any other experience of being part of a small team. And forgive me blundering in with what might be an ill-informed stereotype, but is attention to detail an AS-ish trait? If so, I would guess that it could be an asset for this job. I'll be thinking of you tomorrow.

MadBad - thanks for lovely soup and for the buns! Am thinking of witty reposte about there being no buns in my oven but I can't....

MaryS - good luck tomorrow. I think the best thing is to remember to smile and look at the people interviewing you - they are people too, after all, and will probably be dreading the interview as much as you - for different reasons. The suit sounds wonderful and you can come in here afterwards and tell us all about it, and have a cream cake confident nothing will get spilt on your lovely skirt

CMOT holiday sounds fab. I am envious and have only been back a week!

No, never been a school governor - DH is, and we can't both be . Attention to detail IS an Aspie trait, and I'm also good with figures, problem solving, and lots of other things too. I have worked in a team, spent most of my life working in a team, in one way or another.

Its a dark suit, so hides spillages pretty well!

Well, that's great, Mary! Make sure you let the interviewer know about all those relevant skills and experience.

Am very of the Jaeger suit!

Well I put it on my CV, so they will be aware... still, no harm in drumming it home.

Got the suit to go to a wedding in, its a shift dress and jacket. Bought it in the sale with 60 or 70% off! Its a few years old now, but still looks as good as new and is so flattering its unbelievable!

oh god, don't mention dark suits.

I have spent a happy weekend picking mashed potato out of mine....

I now change in the hall doorway - sort of superman-esque - leave house in track pants, twirl in hallway, emerge from home in suit.

End of day - reverse - but I forgot on friday

A paparazzi shot of Daisy on her way to work!!

Daisy, you don't look at ALL pregnant in that outfit!

Daisy, as I assume you spend your working life in dark suits, have you seen any nice, fairly conservative ones, that are a bit more interesting in detail than usual ? Or indeed, have you had one made ? I am totally failing in new suit quest, and must have a new one before first week of November.

I once got to a big customer meeting to discover a snot stripe down my trousers

School visit arranged for tomorrow morning

Wow - when I grow up I wanna look like Daisy!!

We had a fantastic weekend away. Our American college football team, the University of Washington Huskies, who were ranked 85th overall (out of about 90 teams - so this is pretty bad - they had a losing season last year - no wins at all) have a new head coach, and they trounced University of Southern California, 16-13, with a field goal in the last 3 seconds of the game. USC, before losing to the Huskies, were ranked 3rd overall. And they beat the Huskies 56-0 last year. What makes this even sweeter is that the new head coach and defensive cooridnators both coached USC last year. It was a glorious game. The excitement was almost unbearable in the last few seconds.

I hope everyone had a good weekend?

I briefly checked into the other thread last night but refrained from posting as bucharest said exactly what I would have - "grow some empathy, woman!!". I suspect this poster is someone we know except that some details don't fit. The one I'm thinking of adopted a child because she claimed to have had no desire to give birth herself. (Initials would be MM, or FofA.) If this isn't her, they must be related.
Hopefully Allyinoz will come visit, she sounds lovely.

Any Bolly going? I could do with a wake-me-up .

Glad you like my Pregnancy Hiding Cinch Belt

Here's some bolly JM - what is best about your post is from it I surmise (a) you went to California this weekend and (b) your local footie team are called Huskies - WOW I want to be you when I grow up!

CMOT sadly I haven't bought a suit in years -probably should though! - fab but teeth clenchingly expensive suits are from Paddy Campbell (oh, my wonderful colleagues!) there are a few wrap dresses in use as well - I am currently wearing black trousers from Principles. They have no detailing whatsoever but a comfy zip and they go in the washing machine

Yay the Huskies!

You could always get a cassock Daisy

Am feeling in a better mood now, am a bit yo-yo-ish at the moment

DS wants me to tell you he is 8 tomorrow!

For some reason, me and TM Lewin (who I swear DH should have shares in as he buys so much) seem to have an issue re my shape and their clothes - major incompatibility results. I am a wrap dress fan, but this one conference requires me to be wearing a sober suit and heels (we are checked to be conforming to the dress code on the booth).

My beloved suit is from Next, and totally machine washable. I should have bought multiples as the detailing is fab, and fits like a dream. Have worn it too much.

Happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you, happy birthday dear miniMary, happy birthday to you

Being eight is really great!!!!

x x x xHappy birthday BSboy!!!!!x x x x

Happy Birthday to Mary's boy!

Hmm, MadBad, I think we're suspecting different posters then because I don't know who you're referring to. No matter. The vile ones are vastly out numbered by the nice ones. Especially in the Tea Room.
I did see that last remark and was gobsmacked. Oh my gosh. Words fail me.

Daisy, actually we went to Seattle, Washington - the Huskies are the UW team. The team they beat was from California though. Southern Cal is a bit of a drive - 19 hours I think? We prefer the 2 1/2 it takes to get to Seattle.

I am girding myself for my afternoon appointment with the GP. The annual smear exam. Which, after all my ladybits issues, I am dreading. Not that I think anything's going to hurt... but I think my body still thinks it will, if that makes sense.
Any Bolly going to fortify me?

Bolly coming up, Jacksmama!

Happy Birthday, Mary's Fine Boy! Let's put up the birthday bunting!

--

happy bathday to Marys DS.
Is that still what one gives a small boy annually these days?

If so, mines a freak, he LIKES baths.

Had to drag him into teh city centre today for a lightning fast shoe shop. 1 hour on teh car parking and have to pick up Dh at 1hr 20... So of course teh large (cheap) sports shop didn;t have any shoes that fit my lad in any colour other than WHITE. cue him bursting to tears coz he wanted to take home teh black skate shoes that looked cool but were WAY too big. I route marched him ( super quick) to another sports shop and found YAH they had a promotion on some suitable trainers and had one pair in black left in his size, HURRAH.
So, is kappa considered to be a chavvy brand?

Dh is heading rapdly for 40, hes having (another, mild) midlife crisis and wants a new musical instrument... a penny whistle, to add to the recorder he picked up last year and the trumpet he bought while I was pregnant. Right now he is sat on sofa tootling on the recorder leafing through a book of trumpet tunes. So playing everything an octave and a semi tone out.

Jackbaby loves baths, too. They can be odd together .

I have a question - could any of you who live in the U.K. explain to me, what is a council house? Or a council estate? And why are council houses or council estates mentioned in a sort of derogatory way?
Thanks!!
[foreigner emoticon]