Coffee, Cake & Chat (with wine!)

[MalcolmTuckersOmniShambles]

A thread for those of us who were part of (or lurked on!) the Zombie threads.

We like coffee. We like cake. And we definitely like to chat!

Previous thread here:

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/other_subjects/2842166-a-whisky-whiskey-for-the-zombie

All are very much welcome! Come along and join in.

FFS...in bits over the first named victim and her mum being by her bedside as she died. Also in floods of tears now. It's so fucking unfair!!! 😢

There is an 8yr old girl missing. She was at the concert with her mum and sister. Both her mum and sister were injured and are being treated in separate hospitals. No-one has seen the 8yr old. Same age as DD. Choking back the tears

Reports say she died. Sorry girls but FUCK THAT!!!!!

I know, it's just horrible. 😢

Really horrible EDBD. This played on the radio earlier. Incredibly poignant lyrics. Even more so today xxx

That's very very moving. 😢

Didn't want to upset you EDBD....just expresses eloquently how I am feeling. So angry. So sad. So numb. So sorry. So resolute. So disbelieving. Feels like it could be the start and that is terrifying! Having the military on the streets from tomorrow is going to be strange but I guess reassuring...

Evening.

Still so shocked and sad. That poor little girl. DD2 is 9. I can't imagine. I've had to try really hard to keep the tears at bay in front of the children today. How do you explain what happened? I mean, it was a concert aimed at pre-teens and he blew himself up right where parents were waiting. All those poor, poor people.

I spent the evening with my dearest friend. We spoke about what happened and agreed we wouldn't let the bastards stop us. But it's so hard not to feel utter despair at the depths to which someone can descend in the name of some fucked-up version of religion.

I need to try and get to sleep but I just don't feel tired.

Also need sleep Malcolm. Was up til gone 2.30am this morn, didn't sleep much, got back up at 6.45am....but also finding it difficult to switch off.

DD had swimming tonight. Was stroppy mare beforehand and as I was tired we had a falling out. We resolved it but not without her being in tears. I could kick myself, neither of us needed it especially today

They are bastards too. Utter bastards You're right, we have to carry on but I will be more wary of situations and places.

I wish I could scoop up everyone impacted by this and somehow make it better.

I hope we all manage some sleep xx

Morning! Drinking coffee and watching BBC world news. 😂☕

A lovely poem by Tony Walsh, Mancunian poet, on the news just now.

Morning EDBD Yes saw that yesterday.

Back to work today so will be busy, in some ways good as other things to occupy my thoughts although will still be following events. Wondering if I will see any armed police round work....

Hope you both have a good day xx

Morning, guys.

Just had a chat with DD2 about events. She was listening to an Arianna Grande song and then started talking about what happened. She was so matter of fact about it. I don't know if that's worse, like this is just a part of life and almost to be expected.

Anyway, it really helps being able to vent on here.

Just saw that a mum and dad waiting to pick up their girls were killed. Those poor children, they lost both their parents. How do you deal with that?

It's just horrific.

Horrific! Also RIP Olivia Campbell

Crikey....just come downstairs from putting DD to bed. Reading one of the How To Train Your Dragon books. I burst into tears reading the last paragraph...something along the lines of hope in the goodness of human beings even in the worst darkness...DD gave me a cuddle and told me it would be ok!

Aw, Sassy, it's those things that really get you, isn't it, right when you're least expecting them?

I was listening to the radio earlier today and they played Don't Look Back In Anger by Oasis. Seemed really poignant, plus it's one of my favourite songs from my yoof innit(!), but it's been going round in my head all day.

I've actually had a really busy day. The weather was gorgeous here, so I got the water play tray and toys out for the babies and set it up in the garden. Then I tackled the long-overdue weeding while they played. It was lovely being outside and also doing something physical. I often used to garden when I needed some time to think, I don't really get many chances to do that nowadays!

Didn't really stop with one thing and another until gone 8, I think it's done me some good keeping busy, but I tell you, I've given my children some pretty fierce hugs today - apart from the 17-year old, he's a bit past that, although I know he'd give me a hug if I asked him.

How's ED'sLad doing, EDBD? Has he made it home yet? Sorry if you've already updated and I've missed it, but I've been thinking of him and hoping he's feeling much better.

Right, early start tomorrow 😫 so I'd better try and get some sleep, not that I'm feeling particularly tired...

Love to you both x

Malcolm, great minds! To try and lift myself I went outside to water the garden as I also feel better out there. Anyway I ended up stealth watering my garden 😂
I have an outside light that is movement sensitive so when bending down watering kept going off! I was a night watering ninja using the cover of darkness to sneak up on unsuspecting plants and soak them! Occasionally I come out of stealth mode to jump up and down windmilling my arms furiously to get a few seconds of light!

Bit mad I know but put a smile back on my face! Your day sounds good Malcolm. And yes, family hugs really important to me too at the mo.

Hope you're ok EDBD?

Sleep well both and sweet dreams xx

Morning! Lovely weather here again today. My parents are up in Scotland and they're still in jumpers and coats!

Busy day for me, got quite a bit of admin stuff to try and get done, plus the usual jobs and then DH bought a quite splendiforous paddling pool/slide/showery thing which DD3 is desperate to go on, but that necessitates me being outside with her, so trying to get my jobs finished as quickly as possible!

Hoping you both have a nice day.

Hi both! Hope your days have gone well? Sooo hot here. Lovely when got out in it but bit rubbish being mainly office bound today....

We had a rubbish start to the morning. Had a missed parcel card through the door yesterday and parcel been left at local bakery. Anyway much excitement as only thing on order is DDs fidget spinner! (bit late to the party and she's so pleased to be finally getting one). Anyway tell her last night that if we're up early we can go and get it before school. She gets up at 6.30am (unheard of, normally have to drag her out of bed at 8am!) so we get sorted and leave in time to go to bakery. Woman goes to get parcel. Not for us. Bloody Yodel had posted delivery card to wrong house. Not even for one of my neighbours. Wrong bloody street! Cue upset.sigh.....

Anyway....thought I'd post this link here. It's for the official Manchester City Council book of condolence. I have signed it so just thought I'd add it in case either of you want to.... x

www.manchester.gov.uk/

Oh Sassy - bloody Yodel!!! They're so crap, although my local driver has recently changed and he seems pretty good. Your poor DD! Hopefully it'll arrive tomorrow.

Thanks for the link, I'm going to think about what I want to say overnight and sign it tomorrow. No words can ever be enough, but I want to try and get it as right as I can.

I cried again watching the Queen visiting a mum whose daughter's friend's mum was killed in the blast. You don't often get a glimpse of what the Queen is feeling, but I thought she looked so moved and concerned, and also a bit like she is carrying the weight of this on her shoulders. I thought she looked tired.

I've had another busy day, I got through as much admin stuff as I could (though not all) before deciding that I really needed to let the babies out into the garden to play in the paddling pool - which obviously meant I had to stop what I was doing and go out with them. It was lovely watching them, but I do feel pulled in so many directions just at the moment, there are so many different things I need to get done and never enough time. I feel like I'm not doing a particularly good job at any of it, really.

Oh and they were distinctly underwhelmed by the paddling pool and refused to go in it until I plonked them in! Then DD3 promptly got out again saying "no, no, NO!" and DS2 burst into tears. So I got out the water tray stuff which DD3 loves - and then she almost immediately tipped a bucket of water over DS2's head! 😱 Needless to say, he was particularly unimpressed by that and so I had to take him back indoors, dry him off and get him dressed. He wouldn't go back out again!DD3, however, would still be playing out there now, if I let her! Stealth playing, to go with your stealth watering, Sassy!

Hope you both have a good night's sleep. It's like a flipping oven in my bedroom, my GroEgg says it's just under 26 degrees!!! I've opened up the blinds and pushed the windows open even further to try and catch the breeze.

See you tomorrow!

I just went with my gut Malcolm, signed it whilst at work. Some people have just left their name, others a simple one liner, others a longer message.

Yes, I caught that on the news. She called it "wicked" and that's precisely what it is!

Hmmm...DD was really upset about it. Had a look online at the tracking and doesn't look like it's anywhere near yet (coming from China)

Stealth playing sounds like fun! I totally get what you mean Malcolm and feel similar regarding not achieving much....but you know after Monday, I am trying to be a little more laissez-faire...because actually? The everyday isn't the end of the world....

Yes v warm...was 30 degs in DDs room earlier...more of the same tomorrow. Nice to see the sun though!

We had a major security alert tonight in town. Thankfully false alarm but evacuation and lock down went on. Worrying times.

Anyway hope you both sleep well, night both!

Stealth watering, stealth playing... 😂

Picked DS2 up, went to the park, picked DD up, had supper in the Sainsbury's café, DS2 had chicken nuggets, chips and peas, DD had tuna pasta bake, I had quiche salad, DS2 had a strawberry Pavlova tart for pudding, DD had triple chocolate fudge cake, I had a billionaire's shortbread. 🍗🍟🍓🍰

Thanks for the link Sassy, I've just signed it.

You're welcome EDBD

Loving the dessert choices yesterday btw! Yum!

Morning Friday. Yay! DD goes to her dad's tonight until Weds night though so not particularly looking forward to that. Had made plans tomorrow day & evening with a friend but looking like she may cancel so going to be a pretty quiet Bank Hol for me! Shame we're not all closer, we could have gone for coffee.

Right, best get up and get on...enjoy the sunshine today!

DD not long left

I think it might be o'⏰

Picked the DC up 15 minutes early, went round the art exhibition at the school, had steak stroganoff for supper, DS2 was in bed by 8, DD's going now. 🎨😴😂🍸🍺🍻🍷🍹