Crepeys/Hagsnet - come to the candlelight!

[MrsSchadenfreude]

As the last thread is now full...

Ah, I did wonder. I think it was mittenkitten that mentioned having drops at an eye test and I thought, hmm, should I be having those? My optician came recommended by an eye surgeon friend of mine, so he ought to be OK.

I translated a book on blind dogs once. I can tell you all about eye disease in canines .

My dad had the drops eye treatment for glaucoma, but still ended up with valves in his eyes, poor old chap. It was late onset, though, and then he also had age-related macular degeneration.

I don't think I can make enough baked goods to persuade anyone remotely sensible to have ds. He is v. tired and unreasonable. I think the Ninja Turtles are babysitting for a large chunk of today

I have noticed that I can't really write a coherent post on my netbook. Not even when the family are not all peering over my shoulder. Maybe it's the size of the screen and my rubbish old eyes (I usually work on 2 large monitors).

Strop - agree re netbook - dh has one and I use it sometimes and find my fingers are very mcuh not at one with the flimsy keyboard. BTW, I did snort at your family finding out your MN name - busted!

Yes, everyone needs to have eye tests - places like D&A or Boots as they are now, I think, often have offers so the test is completely free and there's a discount on the specs. In my most recent one I was praised for my brilliant peripheral vision [preens]. It's just a shame I can't see anything that's right in front of my face...

Have left ds1 and dd at a sleepaway camp in Devon this week so it's just me and ds2 which is rather nice for a change. The camp is idyllic with yurts and teepees, but we did get a phone call at 7.30 this morning saying that dd was locked out (heart attack, vision of dd shivering somewhere outside all night)..... of her suitcase.

MI - glad you had a productive day yesterday. It makes such a different, doesn't it? I know we are all supposed to be zen and not hung up on achievements, but I finished off some annoying painting in the bathroom yesterday (I will be able to wash my children again soon, yay) and it felt like I'd conquered Everest. The task for this coming week is to do my taxes before we go to France, so once that's done, I will be invincible.

Oh, yes the drops are to dilate the pupils so they can look at the back of the eye the retina. They tend to be a bit jumpy about this in my case because of the familial history of retinal detachments etc. Hate the drops though as they make my vision go all blurry and my eyes really light-sensitive for hours afterward.

My dad developed cataracts and they completely replaced his corneas with artificial lenses. He no longer has to wear glasses now. Sounds a bit spooky to me but is apparently quite ordinary these days.

Visit from the black dog these past few days but wanted to mention my latest ageing skin miracle . . . flax seed oil. Two tbsp a day . . . internally. V anti-inflammatory and has after two weeks made the skin all over my body much smoother and softer and taken some of the redness out of my facial skin; DH actually said, "Your skin looks really good" the other day. Crepey backs of hands slightly less crepey as well. Bon appetit . . . .

LOL at Stroperella on her ancient bike!

Mine also dates back to London life pre-DCs and has recently been called back ino service to do the weekly Brownies run with the DDs. By the time the bikes have been dug out of the shed, helmets found, locked gate negotiated etc. a leisurely ten-minute walk has somehow become a half-hour bike frenzy. And of course we always seem to cycle on the days when they have something to bring home; the other week I came home carrying a swimming trophy and balancing an enormous stuffed elephant on the handlebars.

Well done to those of you getting stuff done and landing new work. I just need to muster the energy for the final push on the house decorating (the stairs!), then, like the Forth Road Bridge it will be time to start again at the beginning.

Haven't been on this thread for ages but hope someone can help. The skin on my inner arms is starting to look wrinkly despite doing loads of arm exercise - my arms look really toned but it's just this one bit that's the problem. I think I may be dehydrated. Can anyone recommend a cream that would help?

Flax oil. Nom nom nom . . . .

But otherwise, something with peptides in.

thanks will try that
have been goggling and can see lots of folk praising aloe vera gel and something called gold bond cream as well. Will have to nip to boots I think.

I have been using flexitol on my gnarled and wrinkly claws, and I think they look a bit better.

I have a dilemma that I would like you wise old birds to help me with. DD2 was invited on holiday for a week with friends who have a holiday home in the Saaaaf of France . She went last year, and they mentioned her coming again when we saw them a couple of months ago. I emailed her a week or so ago, asking her if it was still on, if so, what dates would be suitable, and did her DD (who is DD2's friend) want to come here for a few days as well. I've had no reply. I do need to sort this out, as if it's not going to happen, we will go back to the UK, and she can go to Cornwall for a few days to see another friend. Should I email again, or text, or what? [wobble] I don't want to sound too pushy, and last year it was a bit vague and sorted out at the last minute.

Ooh, Mrs S, that's a tricky one. If it was all a bit last minute last year, I would just email again and say that you're trying to sort out a trip to the UK and what would be a good date for their dd to come to you so that you don't clash arrangements. That way, you are doing the inviting and not hassling about your dd's trip to them, but at the same time reminding them that there is a plan to be made.

Shall I text, rather than email? Not sure if they have email where they are, but I know she definitely has her mobile phone with her!

Thing is, I don't mind if they say no, tho DD2 will be upset, but I would like to know either way.

Text. And retext if you don't get a response. Do it in a kind of light-touch but straightforward 'if you're still on for DD2 that's great, ditto your DD, and what dates would work?'

I'll text tomorrow morning. I will need to book a few days leave if her DD comes to Paris, anyway. Am despatching my two to the Jardin d'Acclimatation tomorrow on their own. DD1 rides there and is used to going on her own, I just have to hope that she and DD2 are in a getting on together mood and don't have a huge row.

Have Uberboss coming round for dinner on Thursday so am going to marinade the pork and potatoes for the vindaloo. MI - I have bought frozen mackerel fillets from Picard to make Anjoum's mackerel coconut curry and DH has sneered at the idea of using frozen fish for it. Frankly, if he hadn't seen the packet, he wouldn't have known.

I'd make the sauce separately and spoon over the fillets, I think. But then I never get the chance to cook non-smoked mackerel anyway in this house

For those not in the Know - or the Savoir - Picard is the French equivalent of, er, Iceland. And proportionately more classy and delicious.

I think it is more like Waitrose on Ice than Iceland. Unless Iceland has started doing langoustines and posh mushrooms.

Reminds me I have mackerel in freezer I really must use..... Ds has developed a taste for fish so may try them on him. We are 'using up freezer' prior to going away. I am inordinately proud (mini boast), he wrote his own piece of music (okay, a few bars, not quite Beethoven's 5th) on Sunday, and named it, and wrote it all out properly :)

Mmmm, I love mackerel, in fact the whole family does. We regularly stink out the house with it.

Nothing wrong with frozen fish, by the way. A lot of what we buy is pre-frozen anyway; better frozen and fresh than unfrozen and past its best. MrsS - if my DH dared critique my choice of ingredients he'd be singing for his supper.

Anyway, I am time-wasting on here, I have stair-painting to do. Tell me to go away and come back much later.

CV: bog off

We buy a lot of frozen fish. And frozen veg. Mr Inferior doesn't really believe in fresh veg.

Had cocktails tonight with friend out from London for work at the Hotel de Crillon, which was lovely. Got pissed text from friend in saaaf of France, saying yes, deffo still on for DD2, just need to speak re dates. So will do that tomorrow.

We eat a lot of frozen veg. Fresh veg tends to go wrinkly or curly in the rotter (bottom drawer of fridge).

MrsS good news on the South of France! MI - why doesn't MR MI believe in fresh veg?
Dp and I had a 'talk' last night in an attempt to resolve some issues....he's not a bad stick really :)

He finds it a bit....suspicious, I think. He prefers - while funding right-on projects about healthy local food, doing lots of gardening and so on - to use veg out of bags. It is a maddening curious attitude. And the reason why we stopped getting a veg box as he never used the veg

strange man :)

Very odd. I find it almost fun to try and use up our veg box. Almost, mind you. And the novelty wears off after the 20th week of carrots.

Currently having a technical issue, which is making my scalp go all tense. I can get emails online, but not on the email program on the computer or on my iPhone. I DON'T UNDERSTAND. And I want to understand, otherwise it's yet another aspect of the modern world that has got one up on me.

Desperate for some new clothes. Where's a good place for cheap, moderately trendy clothes that account for tits n arse? Anything that goes straight up and down makes me look about 20 stone.

Dotty P? Sainsbury's?

I am wrangling kids and deadlines. THis is Not Good. I can feel stuff slipping off the edge. Including my sanity.