Crepeys do Christmas...

[oldqueenie]

Will this fit the bill. Dull but seasonal?

[motherinferior]

Oh good luck with the checkup!

I am contemplating new boots. One of my more reliable pairs of boots has definitely fallen to bits. I could get these (to be a cheapskate) or these

[FuckingWonderwoman]

Get the kiddyboots, MI.

[motherinferior]

You're just saying that to make fun of my feet, aren't you?

(DP and the Inferiorettes continue to insist those tiny socks looked just the same as the sample I gave them...)

[Grincherella]

The tiny socks thing was truly ridiculous. And as for the size 20 pants.. Still, I suppose he tried. A bit. Or then again, maybe not. Dh can't even be arsed to buy his own pants, let alone anyone else's.

I second MrsS - you should get the kiddyboots.

[herbaceous]

Gah. Had harboured fantasies of returning to a complete-ish kitchen, or at least a sitting room I could walk across. But no. As well as most of the contents of the old kitchen, the 'sitting' room now contains 120 pieces of ikea kitchen, two fridge freezers, two ovens, a hob, sink, dishwasher, washer/dryer and four meters of work top. And, when we got back, a load of tools and half an inch of dust over absolutely everything. Dispiriting doesn't cover it.

Still, lots of lovely presents were waiting among the rubble: a pestle and mortar, a lovely 'made' necklace, and my new Mariella bag, which is luffly.

[Blackduck]

CV ALL shopping centres are hellholes as far as I am concerned

Herbs, how tedious - irate the two ovens intended, or is one the old one?

Stropps - good news on the work! And good luck to dh on appointment.

Ds had piano exam yesterday - sight reading not good, but lack of practice doesn't help

I am having a hellish time at work and feeling very stressed.

[bigTillyMint]

Strops, great news on the job front and good luck to your DH.

MI that you can fit into cheaper children's shoes

Herbs, grit your teeth...

BD sorry you are having a hard time at work. I can't believe that I am actually still holding up under the strain of working full-time

[herbaceous]

The two ovens are intended - one's a combi microwave, one a standard issue. The two fridge freezers are less intentional - one's the old one, currently in service, the other is the new one.

Girding my loins to weigh myself. A week of fish and chips, cakes and minimal movement I fear may have taken their toll.

[bigTillyMint]

Herbs, you're a braver woman than me - i haven't weighed myself since before the summer

[herbaceous]

A couple of years ago I had no scales and a stone crept on over the course of a year. I kept blaming clothes shops for making their sizes smaller, dry cleaners for shrinking my clothes, etc. When I eventually bought a set, and they told me the hideous truth, I packed them back up to return to the shop as they were 'obviously faulty'! It was only when I got on the public scales that the penny dropped.

So now I've gone the other way, and weigh myself most days to prevent pound creepage. Or, if not prevent it, be aware of it!

[Grincherella]

Back from dh's appmt and the news is good! Blood test results indicate that things are doing what they oughta. So we remain optimistic. Hoorah!

Thanks for all the sympathy re: nicked suitcase. I am sure I am now going to spend 2 weeks frothing and seething whilst SW trains completely ignore all my communications on the subject. Dear God, I hate all the automated phone thingies and how you can't speak to an actual person any more, so you are forced to send them an email that they can ignore . Will have to send a registered letter or somesuch, I suppose.

Herbs, much sympathy re: kitchen chaos. Gah, the dust and the way everything seems to take twice as long as the builders said it would.. We had our bathroom and extensive electrical work done 2 years ago and I was supposed to be redecorating the hallway, stairs and landing afterwards. I got about a 3rd done and then had to spend so much time clearing up after the electricians and bathroom installers that I couldn't cope with the thought of getting a plasterer in to sort out one of the walls. So it still isn't done and the walls are still only one third painted. By the time I feel strong enough to deal with it, we will need another new bathroom.

[herbaceous]

It's grim. Even the bedclothes are covered in dust. So I wash my hands all the time, and they get dry, so I put on handcream, but that too is covered in dust. Gnnn...

They've drilled a hole in the wall for the hood outlet, rather than going through the ceiling. This is going to look shit. But to get them to re-do it will create even more mess. Have I got the energy?

And that's great news re DH and his tests. A weight off the mind, all round, at least for the moment.

[herbaceous]

Oh, and in fat news, I've put on five pounds in six days. How is that even possible? It would mean consuming 3,000 extra calories A DAY.

[bigTillyMint]

Great news Strops!

Not so great news Herbs - that is why I am not stepping on the scales till Jan!

[wilbur]

Glad to hear dh's good news, stropps - that's great .

Herbs - many sympathies re the dust and general disaster area, have been through it several times and will do it again soon. I would say though, if you can face it, get teh builders to do the cooker hood properly - you're knackered an dfed p now, but in a few months you will look at the hood and think "WHY didn't I insist.....?) I speak from bitter and twisted experience.

MI - love both boots too, but the kiddieboots look uber comfy and you can buy yourself something else with the money you save.

I had a little shopping spree in local charidee shop this week and did v well. Got a navy Cos silk top with epaulettes (well it's a tunic and as Crepeys have established they are boxy, so I am going to shorten so I can tuck it in like a shirt), a John Smedley cardi, and one of those little sweaters with a shirt collar and cuffs attached which will be great for work and is from Anne Taylor in the USA which is my absolute fave clothes shop ever. All the above for £20. Bargain!

[motherinferior]

Wilbur

I shall get the kiddiboots, though should point out they only have furry stuff round the top, not inside. Then I can buy a longer pair in the sales too.

I have suddenly realised the perfect storm of Things That Have To Have Time Taken Off For around Christmas (dur-urrrrr). I think my head is going to explode. One of these is a concert I'm singing in, too, and I really should do some practice .

[FuckingWonderwoman]

I have to get another job application in this week. Wish me luck, because I will definitely need it.

[CointreauVersial]

MrsS - good luck!

Strops - brilliant news about DH; long may things continue on the "up".

MI - you lucky swine having petite feet. I like both pairs of boots - I actually ordered on the Norley Wood ones; they were very comfy but slipped off my heel when I walked, so no good for me. I also need some flat comfy boots, as both my current pairs are knee-high, and I've gorn orf them. No chance of me getting my boat-like feet into a kiddy size.

Herbs - miserable, isn't it? We spent most of 2009 and a fair amount of 2010 living in a bombsite, but luckily we had a spare room to store the 7,000 boxes of new kitchen, so the living room stayed clear. But boy, the dust. We broke two hoovers. Look on the bright side - no pressure to have an immaculate house for the next few weeks.

Wilbur - I heart charity shops. I shall be rocking a little £4.99 black velvet number at the office Christmas party, which I have just "improved" with a needle and thread.

[Blackduck]

Good luck MrsS .... How was the away day?

[bigTillyMint]

Good luck from me too MrsS and update us on the AwayDay!

[CointreauVersial]

Crepey fashion update - my cream Guernsey from Woolovers arrived at long last. It is gorgeous - thick and woolly, just the right size, and perfect for the current cold snap and about half the price of similar offerings from Celtic Sheepskin and that ilk. I'm wearing it already.

I'm off out tonight with work colleagues (but client-sponsored, hooray). I've just painted my nails in silver-grey magnetic nail varnish, which looks very cool. And first outing for my coating black jeggings, possibly.

Any nice plans for the weekend, crepeys?

[herbaceous]

Ooh CV, I had my eye one one of those Guernseys. Is it nice and fitted? It looked a bit 'square' on the website.

Fatness update - it now seems I only put on a pound or two on hols, so that's not too hideous. DP is off away for the first few days of next week, so I shall get bizzy with the salad.

Weekend plans: avoiding builders, again, but this time without DP who is at a conference. Outdoor activities not appealing, due to cold snap. Then big birthday meal with my bestest friends. Hooray! Could involve presents. Sunday: recovery.

S&B news: wore my new Uniqlo coat and garnered many compliments. It's also toast-o-rama. V slightly tight across the 'bust', but this shall encourage sensible eating. Perhaps.