Elevenses !!!!!!

[MaryAnnSingleton]

ah, we can only do 1000, so here's the new one, hope you find it !

Poor you. Not fair to still feel so yucky.

We were in Sainsbury's too! About 11:30 I suppose. Dh bought a pair of shorts. Our Sainsbury's doesn't have clothes, so we always take the opportunity to have a browse if we're near one.

My lemon drizzle smells wonderful, but won't cook in the middle. The top is quite brown now, but a skewer still comes out covered. Boo hoo!

I need to walk the dog, but can't until the cake is done. We should meet for a dog walk sometime....

Ah no, we were there around 3 pm. Never mind
A dog walk sounds fine, am just worried dizzyDill would keep jumping on your poor doglet...

Not sure what to do about the drizzle cake - cover in foil so the top does not burn any further and keep in the oven until the middle is done?
Tricky...
Hopefully MAS will be along later, I think she knows more about all things baking

I'm here, but not sure about cake - would it be better to turn oven off and leave cake in to cook in the residual heat and not burn ? sounds yum though.
Poor hippi being so bunged up - nasty.
Have my schedule for radiotherapy now..am to go on Monday to be set up in the simulator and then it all starts properly the following Monday when it'll be every day until 10th July...have arranged my pick ups -but am a bit anxious because it says they are for people unable (in a physical way) to get to hospital..I am feeling as though I don't deserve the lifts-though the whole reason we picked Southampton -apart from it's being connected by the consultant to Basingstoke & both being Hampshire - is because the breast care nurse told us I could have transport if we chose there -otherwise I'd have gone to Guildford..the idea of driving 20 miles each way to G was daunting and the propect of being taken and brought back,despite it being a longer journey felt more manageable and less stressful..oh dear..I'm doing what I was told I could do, but feel bad
Anyway...have been to post office and posted 2 packages to you - hope they arrive safely tomorrow

If they offered you the transport, then you are perfectly entitled to accept it. You are like me - it is the exact thing I would be fretting about!

I am looking forward to the parcel

Are you doing anything special with T for his birthday tonight? I also cannot believe he has nearly finished his first year at secondary school! That has gone sooo fast!!

We saw niece and nephew on Sunday, nephew has got over his disappointment about his science and maths classes and is back to shrugging his shoulders in typical 14-year old fashion
Niece is fine, can't wait to leave secondary school. She is lucky though, she is going to Farnborough College next year with lots of her friends, so it is all just a big adventure!

Thanks hippi ! I suppose it is ok,if they lead me to think it was-they didn't say it's only for those incapable otherwise I would have gone for G'ford - I shall fret now though as I can't bear to not do the right thing. If I did have to drive to S though I think I'd be a nervous and shattered wreck
We are having a nice tea tonight (take away Thai or Chinese -T's choice) and birthday cake - mum made it -they are coming over to eat with us. Next w/end probably doing something to celebrate,but not sure what - T hasn't decided ! Amazing to think of him as nearly finishing yr 7 - where did the time go ? and where did 12 years go !!

Oh thank you MAS. How exciting!

I would say you absolutely are allowed to have transport to/from your appointments if that's what they offered. If it takes away some of the stress involved, then it's definitely a good idea. Try not to worry about it.

Cake turned out fine. Typical me panicking unnecessarily The middle seemed to cook in the last few minutes, so all OK.

Hippi, I really wouldn't worry about the doggy jumping at all. Our dog is just as likely to be silly, but I'm sure they'd quickly calm down. We could have a try???

Definately have a try hotcross And MAS, if you felt up to it then it would be lovely for you to join

Glad to hear cake is fine - I really fancy some now...

Have just collected O from tennis, he has not been home two minutes (long enough to raid the biscuit tin) and he has dashed across the road to see his friend C.

Right, am off to make a cup of tea.

Oh hotcross, I need to pick your brains - E has been on the same level reading books since the end of Feb. She is reading them with no problems at all - even the teacher's comments are along the lines of 'pleasure to hear her read' etc. I am worried they are forgetting to move her on to the next level. Shall I say something or is that waaaaay to pushy
You have been a teacher, is it possible they have forgotten about her? Or are some levels just longer than others?

dog walking sounds fun - only wish I had my own doggle !
T has had a lovely birthday supper - have emailed you some pictures !

Pictures are lovely I showed O and E. O wishes T a very happy birthday for yesterday and E wisely stated: "oh yes, I remember that boy"

Necklaces are here and beautiful. Will pop a cheque in the post
I am not sure I can hold out until Christmas to give these to the girls - they are beautiful and very very funky!!
I may need to ask you for a ballet one around November time. E's little friend A is ballet mad and she would love one of these for her birthday. But will worry about that nearer the time. (They go through phases of not speaking/playing for months )

oh I am glad necklaces arrived and that you like them !! Will reserve a ballerina for you.

Just got back to a lovely parcel! B is going to be thrilled I had planned on keeping it for her birthday in July, but fear I will give in and give it to her tonight... Will pop a cheque in the post asap(basically when I unearth the cheque book)Lovely pictures too!

You definitely do not need a doggle to dog walk. Our dog is very very friendly and will gladly adopt you MAS. How exciting!

Hippi, about E's reading. Do you have a reading record book? Could you write that E is reading so well, maybe she could do with being challenged a bit more? Or is there something in particular the teacher is focusing on at this level, that you could be following up at home? I wasn't cross when parents wrote that sort of thing at all. It was if they just wrote 'too easy' that it got my goat a bit. Tbh, they were usually parents of the children who could read the words, but not the meaning IYSWIM? If E's comprehension is as good as her technical reading, then it sounds like she's ready for more. Definitely talk/write to the teacher! BTW, all schemes are different, E's level may be longer than others

Just been in school. They had a supply teacher today, they know her well, but I've never been there when she's been teaching. Boy is she strict They seem to like her, but they weren't getting away with anything. I felt a bit sorry for her though - the computer and whiteboard weren't working properly, and her whole lesson was based around using them. The children had to do a lot of waiting around.

I nearly posted in AIBU last night. Yesterday a lady up the road basically bullied me into agreeing to babysit her two dcs tonight. TBH I have a bit of a phobia about babysitting at night, and haven't ever done it before, but I couldn't think of a good enough reason to say no. I was dreading it, really panicking, which is ridiculous, but thankfully she's just rung to say she doesn't need me. PHEW! I don't know why I don't want to, years ago it would be no problem, but since all my illnesses, allergies etc, I think I just feel too vulnerable looking after children in their house, on my own. I'm always happy to do it during the day, and regularly have my friends twins for a couple of hours. Anyway, AIBU saying no? She actually asked me last week and I couldn't anyway, but thought I was off the hook. Couldn't believe it when she asked again. I'm going to have to be honest I guess.... Why am I so pathetic about it though????

Hi Hotcross - ohhhh you are so like me....I too dread things like babysitting etc. Luckily I don't get asked very often but when I do I don't know how to say no so always end up agreeing to something against my wishes.

Thanks for the advice about reading. I may ask if there are things she has to achieve we are not forcussing on. She can read the text, she can re-tell what the story is about, she can predict what may happen next, she can explain why a character may feel sad etc.
yesterday she brought home a chapter book (but still banded white). She read it faultlessly, with great expression, in one go. She is currently trying to read George's Marvellous Medicine by herself.
Might pop a polite note in the diary

Hotcross, we won't walk miles, honestly
And yes MAS, Dillydog will adopt you too. He will however plant muddy pawprints on your trousers to make the adoption official, so wear old ones!

Right, off to do the hoovering and have some lunch.

good advice from hotcross about the reading,I think.
As for babysitting - it's bad of that woman to bully you into babysitting in the first place - and YANBU either. I would only consider doing it for my good friends where I am comfortable with their dcs and their house. I never used to do it as a teenager actually,or at least very rarely.
Am glad your necklace for B arrived too ! And I'd love to be adopted by your dogs Seriously though, now T is really comfortable and confident with cats,thanks to close proximity of my mum and dad's three,I will work on dh about having a doggle !

Good morning

Another day - still full of snot. Bleurgh! I actually dreamt last night that it was swine flu
Still have a nasty cough and am coughing up all manner of horrid stuff so must have had a chest infection of sorts. Grrr.

Have to go to the secondary school (willr efer to it as WC from now on, easier to type) this afternoon to invigilate. Am looking forward to it
And then this afternoon it is gymnastics again already. Time is flying by

E had her little friend P for tea yesterday. He is gorgeous and a bit small for his age (E towers over him even though P is only 4 weeks younger) and speaks very properly in a high pitched nasally voice. He was telling me how he had had to wait for E at lunchtime as she takes so long to eat her lunch. He said: " You will have to make her sandwiches smaller or only give her one. You may also wish to tell her to stop chatting so much whilst eating" I nearly fell over laughing so much, I thought that was priceless

@ at little P !!!! it's so funny when they come out with proper things like that,and probably said very seriously !
I have my prescription for tamoxifen to get today - I get an exemption form too so no charges to pay..am feeling a bit still but I know it makes sense. My gp had it all ready for me last night when I saw him (I was the only one in the surgery !) as the oncologist had sent him a letter that day.
Horrid miserable weather - must go out but don't want to. Am picking up dcs today until 4.45 so hope it's not rainy then as S likes to play outside and we have to collect H from rugby too.
Sorry to hear you are still snot bound hippi - have you got lots of karvol or olbas oil ?

I am very pleased you get your tamoxifen prescription free - rightly so! Hope it does not make you feel poorly.

Horrid weather indeed - have just done Sainsbury and still need to walk doggle before heading off to WC.

Reading back my description of what little P said sounds like he is a bit precocious, but honestly, he is not. He is just the cutest, slightly too serious, gentle, generous, kind little boy. In fact E bosses him around something horrid and whenever I pull her up on it Little P tells me: "I don't mind". He is sooo sweet

I have bought shares in Karvol such is my 'usage'. The whole house smells of it now and dh complained yesterday that he was getting stick from the lads at work for 'smelling like a chemists'
I love the smell - when I can actually smell it that is -

he sounds a dear !
I too adore the smell of karvol

Sorry you're still feeling grotty Hippi. I love Karvol too!

Little P sounds gorgeous My mum still retells the story of my little friend Andrew who lived down the road. One day we were sitting in the kitchen having juice and biscuits(as you did then, now it would be fruit and a smoothie probably!) and out of the blue he said "Mrs hotcross you need a new fridge" and he was right! The fridge was a bit rusty on one corner. She thought it was hilarious. He also used to pop round for a cigarette for his mum, when she was a bit short of cash

Well done for getting the prescription MAS. Of course you shouldn't have to pay for it - it's not like you don't need it or it's a luxury. How long will you have to take it for? Try to think of it being a positive first step to getting all this over and done with. Not much fun though, I know.

I was tutoring this morning. The mum is very very happy with what I'm doing. Apparently the little boy loves me coming, so I must be pitching it right. I'm determined it's going to be through play. Forgot to ask for the use of a computer though... Would make it so much easier.

Didn't end up babysitting last night. The Dh was ill, so didn't go to work. Phew. Mustn't be such a walkover...

cigarette for his mum ?! that wouldn't happen today, or would it ? I used to go out to buy fags for my great aunts as a child - 20 Olivier and 20 Craven 'A' Filter tips !!
Well done for the success in tutoring - it does sound as though you've pitched it just right for both the mum and the wee boy - that's fab.
Phew about the not having to babysit too...be very firm next tinme she dares to ask !
I have my tamoxifen - will take it tomorrow morning. I have to have it for 5 years.
Something nice happened today - I emailed the designer about my roughs for this updating job to see if she'd got them and whether they were ok, and she said that both she and the editor loved them and felt that they were of sufficient quality to go straight to print - crikey !! can't quite believe it as it saves me the job of redrawing into 'best' and I get the same fee ! I had to keep asking whether she was sure they were good enough ! My usual editor rang me too to see how I was and has a job for me but it is a fast turnaround and would be needed very quickly,probably in middle of radiotherapy,so I suspect not practical, I do hate to not do stuff if offered...she has promised another job soon though.

well..I've accepted the job-so had best get cracking !

MAS, don't take on too much - look after yourself please....
But well done

Feeling a bit crap this afternoon. Went to invigilate and as I crossed the courtyard to go up the steps there was a Y11 boy who is in a wheelchair. (he only has use of one arm and is training to sail in the 2012 paralympics so he is brilliant!) and he just caught my eye and he saw me look at him so now I am panicking he thought I was starting
Because the same thing happened last week - I was looking across the hall just generally looking (full of cold so not really noticing anything) and when I focused my eyes I noticed I was looking directly at him and he was looking back.
Argh, am sure he thinks I am some ignorant woman who stares at disabled people. Feel really really bad.
And the worst thing is - both times I genuinly was not staring. Last week I was just facing his way, not on purpose, and this afternoon I was scanning the courtyard for my niece (she usually waits for me before and after exams)

Anyway, if he puts in a complaint about me (should he, would he? [fret]) I will just have to say what I said above.

Did finally see my niece after the exams - she was grey with fatigue and looking really really rough. Feel so sorry for her

Right, better go and collect O and E and whizz E off to gymnastics. I wonder which equipment she will be asked to tackle today?

Brilliant about the tutoring hotcross - if the boy enjoys it then stick with it, you are doing a great job!

MAS, don't take on too much - look after yourself please....
But well done

Feeling a bit crap this afternoon. Went to invigilate and as I crossed the courtyard to go up the steps there was a Y11 boy who is in a wheelchair. (he only has use of one arm and is training to sail in the 2012 paralympics so he is brilliant!) and he just caught my eye and he saw me look at him so now I am panicking he thought I was staring
Because the same thing happened last week - I was looking across the hall just generally looking (full of cold so not really noticing anything) and when I focused my eyes I noticed I was looking directly at him and he was looking back.
Argh, am sure he thinks I am some ignorant woman who stares at disabled people. Feel really really bad.
And the worst thing is - both times I genuinly was not staring. Last week I was just facing his way, not on purpose, and this afternoon I was scanning the courtyard for my niece (she usually waits for me before and after exams)

Anyway, if he puts in a complaint about me (should he, would he? [fret]) I will just have to say what I said above.

Did finally see my niece after the exams - she was grey with fatigue and looking really really rough. Feel so sorry for her

Right, better go and collect O and E and whizz E off to gymnastics. I wonder which equipment she will be asked to tackle today?

Brilliant about the tutoring hotcross - if the boy enjoys it then stick with it, you are doing a great job!

Oh bugger, what happened there then? Sorry

oh hippi, you really are a worrier aren't you - am sure the boy won't be thinking anything of the sort -please don't fret. Am sure I can cope with everything - I will worry in advance, but this job is too good to miss.
Dh has booked us a weekend away (just after my bday) in a very lovely,posh wee hotel in New Forest - yay !

I know, can't help it (the worrying bit)

Oooh, how nice, a trip to the New Forest for your birhtday Is T going aswell?

Dh has bought some stamps so I will post your cheque tomorrow Sorry for not doing it today.