dec 2008- Who will stonk it in & be crown queen of the thread?

[HRHvagolaJahooli]

He we are ladies though I may need to change my name as royal title may be stripped.

PS Also, in a shallow way, his fiancee now is so incredibly thin and beautiful and young that I think I feel even more ravaged and chubby. Am glad we didn't get married or anything as he clearly has higher expectations than I can provide!!!

Beans all any man wants is a women who doesn't mind an alfresco poo.

Then I could have had my pick of them all!!!!

5k. 30 mins and 13 seconds. How close to 30??!! Anyway, am delighted as fastest previous was 32 mins 53 seconds!! Yay!

Beans that's fantastic well done. I always have a rule when recording race times that I round down to the nearest minute. So that is actually 30 mins bang on, and your previous best would have been 32mins. Your DH must be pleased with that.

Very quiet day home with the boys, both much improved but only wanted a small dinner. I've managed to book our two campsites from Paris down to condom, we are staying 2 nights in Paris then on the island of Oleron near La Rochelle. Rubes & Lady have you decided where you are going in France?

urbs - if you missed out on Sunday, apparently Pulp are due to do a gig at the Brixton Academy on 31 Aug - DH quite fancies it and must confess so do I - sad nearly 40 relieving my youth! And yes, the late licence is def the magic of the ICA - for a while, I worked at a place which was more or less on top of it and they just paid our membership so we could use it as the office canteen/bar. Those days are long gone I reckon. It is (or i should say was) the most bizarre place - I used to more or less dine out on surreal conversations overheard at the ICA.

LadyT - thanks for asking, almost a year in, job is going pretty well. Had my official annual review last week which was reasonably glowing, though a bit frustratingly that doesn't seem to make any difference to speeding up career progression etc. Not going to fuss about it too much though as basically I am happy enough - they're a pretty harmonious and pleasant bunch and I am getting to spread my wings a bit and get credit for it.

Sorry for the pox misery - Mr J had it over his birthday last Dec. Worst of it is 2-3 days IME so hang in there. And at least if its bad, you can console yourself with the thought they won't get it again.

Vag - you need to talk to my DH about Morrissey. For a bloke of a certain age from Manchester, he is god. I never quite got the appeal myself, but hey.

Beans - I am tired just thinking about running - that 5k sounds brilliant!

Oh and LadyT - how is the new house feeling now you've been in for a little while at least?

The pox misery is intense chez asparagui. Dd2 has it really, really badly. Hardly slept all night and when she did it was in my bed holding my hand and writhing around ensuring I got little decent sleep. Big yawn.

LadyT - you sound like you have met Caitlin Moran. I'm glad to hear she is nice in person. In her book she comes across as so funny but also very optimistic and glass half full. I love people like that. The book is full of great quotes and points to wind DHs up with, so much so that DH is now reading it to be able to defend himself. Even he is laughing at loud despite it very definitely being a book aimed at women (buy then DH is odd like that, his fav tv show is Desperate Housewives).

When I read my posts back I am amazed, every single time, at my ability to mis-type. Sorry. I would stop posting on my phone but then I would never post at all.

Hello. Asparagus - poor you. That's horrid. You must be knackered. I thought I would sleep like the dead last night, but DD2 was coughing away in the night and although it didn't seem to bother her, it kept on waking me up! Plus my right ankle is so sore today. It seems to be a recurring thing now. No swelling or anything, just very painful - sharp pains when I walk on it in the wrong position and just generally uncomfortable and throbbing most of the time. Bugger. I really have doubts for my 10k. I think I might swap to the 5k race instead. Is that really bad??!

Invis - your job sounds like it's going really well - hurrah!

Right, I need to go and do some cleaning of the house. DD1 in nursery and DD2 about to go for an attempted morning snooze. I'm hoping she will as she and DD1 came to support me last night. The race didn't start til 7pm, so they weren't in bed til 8, which is SO late for them. Then she wailed til about 8.45. And up on and off with the coughing. She must be tired. I know I am. Headache from hell!

xx

Beans, I don't think it would be bad to swap from the 10k. If you exacerbate your ankle you won't be running at all. Great time, by the way. I would love to be able to run 5k.
Are you going to the ex's nuptials? Any more house viewings on the horizon?

Aspara, that sounds truly horrendous with DD2. Oh my. Could you try germolene instead of calamine? When my mozzie bites were driving me mental, the
anaesthetic in it really helped me. I have only met CM a couple of times but she is a friend of a friend and she is, genuinely, nice as well as being (old fashioned word) decent. Obviously she is a talented and funny writer as well (and I don't often say that as am a bit fussy about journalists).

Yes thanks, Invis, am feeling pretty good about house. I love my bedroom particularly and the other bedrooms are shaping up nicely. Kitchen and upstairs bathroom aren't right yet but not far off. The only room which makes my heart sink a bit still is the living room. Oh, and the grotty front door! But it's starting to take on an atmosphere of home instead of just 'the house where we work'. Ah, the ICA, bastion of ponce. I wonder if Ekow Eshun is still involved - an interesting but slightly confounding fella. Morrissey I have always had quite a pash for. Shame he, er, ain't one for the ladies I am so pleased to hear that you feel broadly positive about the job. Excellent, though it doesn't seem like a year! Am reading Jeff in Venice, Death in Varanesi by Geoff Dyer at the moment. He has the same agent as me, it turns out.

Any a fan of Kate Atkinson? Not read any of hers, keep hearing she's brill.

Vag, we aren't off to France any more. Cricket tour was cancelled due to French not being able to commit, and friends with house there have invited us sometime in August but I don't think we are going as we are having a hol in autumn.

Have more to say but dislike posting on phone and a crisp copy of The Times is calling me.

Beans, I don't think it would be bad to swap from the 10k. If you exacerbate your ankle you won't be running at all. Great time, by the way. I would love to be able to run 5k.
Are you going to the ex's nuptials? Any more house viewings on the horizon?

Aspara, that sounds truly horrendous with DD2. Oh my. Could you try germolene instead of calamine? When my mozzie bites were driving me mental, the
anaesthetic in it really helped me. I have only met CM a couple of times but she is a friend of a friend and she is, genuinely, nice as well as being (old fashioned word) decent. Obviously she is a talented and funny writer as well (and I don't often say that as am a bit fussy about journalists).

Yes thanks, Invis, am feeling pretty good about house. I love my bedroom particularly and the other bedrooms are shaping up nicely. Kitchen and upstairs bathroom aren't right yet but not far off. The only room which makes my heart sink a bit still is the living room. Oh, and the grotty front door! But it's starting to take on an atmosphere of home instead of just 'the house where we work'. Ah, the ICA, bastion of ponce. I wonder if Ekow Eshun is still involved - an interesting but slightly confounding fella. Morrissey I have always had quite a pash for. Shame he, er, ain't one for the ladies I am so pleased to hear that you feel broadly positive about the job. Excellent, though it doesn't seem like a year! Am reading Jeff in Venice, Death in Varanesi by Geoff Dyer at the moment. He has the same agent as me, it turns out.

Any a fan of Kate Atkinson? Not read any of hers, keep hearing she's brill.

Vag, we aren't off to France any more. Cricket tour was cancelled due to French not being able to commit, and friends with house there have invited us sometime in August but I don't think we are going as we are having a hol in autumn.

Have more to say but dislike posting on phone and a crisp copy of The Times is calling me.

Beans, I don't think it would be bad to swap from the 10k. If you exacerbate your ankle you won't be running at all. Great time, by the way. I would love to be able to run 5k.
Are you going to the ex's nuptials? Any more house viewings on the horizon?

Aspara, that sounds truly horrendous with DD2. Oh my. Could you try germolene instead of calamine? When my mozzie bites were driving me mental, the
anaesthetic in it really helped me. I have only met CM a couple of times but she is a friend of a friend and she is, genuinely, nice as well as being (old fashioned word) decent. Obviously she is a talented and funny writer as well (and I don't often say that as am a bit fussy about journalists).

Yes thanks, Invis, am feeling pretty good about house. I love my bedroom particularly and the other bedrooms are shaping up nicely. Kitchen and upstairs bathroom aren't right yet but not far off. The only room which makes my heart sink a bit still is the living room. Oh, and the grotty front door! But it's starting to take on an atmosphere of home instead of just 'the house where we work'. Ah, the ICA, bastion of ponce. I wonder if Ekow Eshun is still involved - an interesting but slightly confounding fella. Morrissey I have always had quite a pash for. Shame he, er, ain't one for the ladies I am so pleased to hear that you feel broadly positive about the job. Excellent, though it doesn't seem like a year! Am reading Jeff in Venice, Death in Varanesi by Geoff Dyer at the moment. He has the same agent as me, it turns out.

Any a fan of Kate Atkinson? Not read any of hers, keep hearing she's brill.

Vag, we aren't off to France any more. Cricket tour was cancelled due to French not being able to commit, and friends with house there have invited us sometime in August but I don't think we are going as we are having a hol in autumn.

Have more to say but dislike posting on phone and a crisp copy of The Times is calling me.

4 and I'm out

I need to leap on to stop LadyT breaking the thread - almost back to the good ol' days then!!!

Avo - have you tried bicarb in the bath? Chemists sell it in huge drums. Also max dose piriton (or get the GP to prescribe Phernigan) to help with itching and inspire dozing. Poor you. My DD2 was in hosp with it and it was miserable. She rallied quite quickly though and has only a few scars now. Ice cream good if lots in mouth and sore to eat.

Back later I hope.

I love all the tips on here for illnesses.

DD2 been asleep for ages. I could have got so much cleaning done. Instead have read my book. Rubbish. Oh and booked us in to see a couple of houses to rent in Bishops Stortford next week. Feck all on the market though for rental. Bumholes.

Wow. Quiet on here. I am already queen poster, I reckon. Count down to bedtime then out for supper. Yum.

Just had a rubbish dinner. DH working late so I usually eat on my own....so dissatisfied I am craving pizza.

Avo the pox sounds miserable and exhausting for you both. I hope the worst is over soon.

Beans you did so well on your 5k. Not bad to downgrade from the 10k imo. You don't want to do any lasting damage. My hip hurts at the mo after a run, so I'm trying to not over do it until it gets better.

ggrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr. Just wrote an 'I've not been on for ages let's do a massive catch up' post and MN ate it!!!
I shall have to attempt again another time as I'm too sleepy now.
xxx

Beans I think you have two options with the 10km. Either downgrade to a 5 km & aim for the sub 30 or stick with the 10km but do the first 2 km really slowly then run the next 5 km like a 5 km race then slow right down again for the last 3km. You might be quite surprised by your time. However, in view of the ankle and how much time you have I think the downgrading is the best option. It's either do the 10km & risk hurting your ankle training for it or do the 5km & train for the sub 30 time.

Lady always lovely to hear from you, again & again & again. Shame about France, will DH take any time off over the summer? You could have a potter around the house.

DB I've got a lovely spinach pizza in the freezer you could have, I've already got a big pot of chilli going on the stove for our tea.

I had a lovely run today for an hour around the sand dunes bit near the beach. It was baking hot so a run on the actual beach would have roasted me so I kept to the shaded areas of the dunes. Hopefully the boys will be all better tomorrow so we can have a little afternoon at the beach. Though they have been enjoying our back garden.

Beans loved your FB photos though am about to do a proper browse through. Sorry about the house rental drought, our Derby tenants have just given notice but the agent us pretty optimistic about us finding someone easily enough as there rental department has been really busy.

Oops I forgot to post this.

Oh and Avo, calamine lotion isn't so good for CP as it dries up it can make them itch more. there is a mousse type topical application that you can get in Boots I can't remember the name but if you ask for something for CP they will find it.

Had a v nice morning with JJ and her two gorgeous DDs. T could hardly believe his luck, they were soon chasing each other naked around the pool, and B and E were having a good old grope. Am hoping we can do a double wedding and marry them both off, then I can have two lovely DILs. And JJ looked v good I must say. I did get a small insight into the gender divide as JJ's DD1 cuddled her little sister, while T has taken up singing 'B is stinky, he smells of poo.'
Bit knackered, up a lot of the night with B as his travel cot had broken and we weren't able to put it at the right incline for him. Just shows how much he still needs it.

Lady, sounds like the house is coming on nicely, I like Kate Atkinson, have read a couple but can only remember Behind the Scenes at the Museum.

Avo your poor, poor DD, that sounds just horrible. How is DD2 at the moment? This horrible heat can''t help.

Beans that is a fab time and I would listen to what your body is telling you re-the 10k. Plus, which would allow you to indulge in more wine and choc in the run up to the race?

Hi Invis, good news on the job front. Am v of people who have challenging and enjoyable jobs. And then I remembered that I could too if I got off my arse and did some work. I have a lazy journo's sense of employment entitlement, it's very unattractive.

Vag, you are a fountain of energy - I guess your ankle is completely healed now?

I've only just realised how ironic my username is, considering I not only come on and moan a lot but also have to take happy pills. Maybe I was just being aspirational...

You could always go back to 'Sugarrations' Spot.

My ankle still hurts a bit after a run but I'm on a mission to go home svelte in December, and right now I am whatever is the opposite of svelte.

LadyT - there are two definite phases of Kate Atkinson - early, with Behind the Scenes at the British Museum (which I like), Human Croquet (also good) which fall into the generic literary novel category and later, where she basically turns into a rather superior detective novelist (Case Histories and after). Just saw that Amazon is buying Book Depository and can't help finding it slightly depressing. Am glad about the house, sounds fab!

Spot - of your meet up with the JJs! BTW I think there was passing talk of evening meet ups - would happily be up for pretty much any evening in London.

Beans - good luck with the house hunt.

Thanks for all the encouragement about work. I am enjoying it (shame about the paycut compared to the last one though). Mind you there is nothing else like seeing what other people are doing to put everything in perspective. Ended up doing some random surfing and found a chap I used to know is now mayor of newark and is apparently a rising political star. Ho hum.

Hello, just putting my head round the door briefly as M being rather intense this morning and school run time is looming.

Sorry to hear the pox is so bad. I put bicarb in the bath for DD. M has so far avoided it but is very snotty again today and so quite touchy. I'm on another mission to get him to say please but I think I'm on to a loser. I wouldn't mind so much if he didn't order me about. I don't do what he orders - "get me some milk!" - but obv I'd like to train him out of it.

Beans sorry to hear about the ankle. Oh, DD needs her tresses dressing, Later.