The CrepeVine

[MrsSchadenfreude]

How did we finish the other thread so fast...? Less than a month.

A cart-shed? I could do with one of those.

I'm still in my PJs, trying to put off the Big House Clean, but the sun isn't out today, so I've no excuse to put it off any longer. I think you are right, BTM, I may need to consider a cleaner. I hate housework, but find a grubby house very stressful.

More proud mummy moments - DS capped his most successful footy season ever, and yesterday won his third trophy in a week, the Surrey Schools Cup (the final was at the Chelsea Training Ground - very smart, and a nice change from the sloping quagmire they call a school field). This week's local paper has a big picture of DS and his Sunday team after last weekend's triumph. We are pretty footballed-out now, but just two more matches and a tournament to go. How people with more than one footy-mad son cope, I've no idea (my friend has FOUR).

After the match I went round to a friend's house for a girl's night in, where we celebrated three birthdays, including mine (about 11 weeks late...), lots of lovely gifts and far too much food. I was asked to bring dessert, but ran out of time to create something and ended up buying from Cook. Overpriced and decadent but, let's face it, utterly divine. I had thirds.

Bad luck on the pox, Herbs, but at least it's one to tick off the list.

CV, it s the best thing about working I hate cleaning!

And well done to your DS - great season! What position does he play? Both mine are centre backs, bizzarely as DD is very fast! And the season never ends here - training and tournaments/friendlies throughout the summer!

Am about halfway through my cooking, but will have to go round to the shops for some more spices (will be a vegetarian Indian feast) Followed by Baileys tiramisu as I have discovered a lot of Baileys in the cupboard!

Thanks very much, BTM - I will give that recipe a try tomorrow. I have a strange craving for flapjacks and ds absolutely loves them too.

Hello from Berlin which is rather fabulous. We are gorging on museums in child-free middle aged bliss though not at moment as have repaired to snazzy hotel in need of Culture Break.

BTM - DS is also a Back - either Centre or Left, depending on which team. He's not fast.

Evening, MI, hope your weekend in Berlin is wunderbar so far.

'Culture break'. Does that mean 'afternoon delight'?

Had lovely sing at South Bank today. Quick little concert in the Queen Elizabeth Hall foyer, then en-masse jollity with about 1,000 others, doing Jerusalem and Waterloo Sunset. Then leading a workshop, teaching a few ditties, including the infamous Moon River!

As DS couldn't come, due to the pox, recorded us singing one particular song (The Water is Wide), as it's his favourite. Playing it back made me think 'fucking hell. I'm not as good as I thought I was. And I didn't think I was great'.

Yes MI I too wondered about 'culture break'

Herbs moon river appears to have been quietly dropped.... :) we did well too, although froze in the garden! Our practise was great until we did 'oh how lovely is the evening' and my builders wife (one who died before Christmas) just dissolved. We rapidly decided to drop that song......
It was fun and we gained four new recruits!

Leading a workshop, Herbs? You must be good - everyone's voice sounds weird when recorded (well mine does and that's only when I'm speaking!)

DD had an amazing time at Beyonce - fantastic seats and much teen screaming and tears! They were also sat a few rows behind some boyband who they recognised from Xfactor who did heart signs to them

We also did Streets of London, a bit of a weepy at the best of times, but rearranged by our conductor to contain lots of those chords that make me cry. Diminished sevenths are they?

BTM - it wasn't me leading the workshop, but our choir. I'm only a very bit part player!

Argh, can't help you, Ruby.....just don't rush into anything. What do the DCs think?

We have another developer coming round on Wednesday (Berkeley Homes, apparently) to look over our garden, and the neighbours', to see if they want to make an offer. I would say it is 5% likely to happen, but I need to address the possibility before spending any more money on the house. And then there's the whole issue of where we might move to......oh, I'm exhausted at the thought.

On a positive note, the house is immaculate, and I am greatly enjoying doing very little.

We are celebrating 'sweet sixteen (horrible phrase)' here for dd1 so very little revision here today. She's out on her new long board, but as her cool friend is indisposed, she's gone up and down the lane with dh...! Not cool

I meanwhile, am trying to salvage the garden and plant veg... Only a month late!!!

The other two are killing each other with water guns!

ruby, what's the dilemma? Is there a house a/b or is it the one you saw/not? Have you done the pro's/con's list?

Can't imagine the stress if we were to move. There is nowhere I really want to move to, so it isn't really an issue ATM, thank God!

House immaculate, CV I wrecked my kitchen cooking yesterday. Now got to do a bit more, but just having a cuppa after our ride out to the O2 and back en masse!

I am back at Gatwick after my pricey but v good fun weekend!

What's up Ruby? Spill and maybe we can help?
I am about to crank up the BBQ and intend to drink a glass (or two) of white.,,

Mmmm, BD, I am just thinking how nice a drink would be....

We were originally planning to have a BBQ today, but it's decidedly parky outside (dry, but no sun). I might have to rustle up a ruby murray for tea instead.

The DDs have been baking lemon drizzle cake, so I dread to think what my previously tidy kitchen looks like now.

Oh dear. Accidental drunken-ness following lunch guests arriving at one, and consequent drinking of cave, the neighbours dropping in around six with black cherry martinis and ginger cocktails. Shitfaced. Yet planning to oil the worktops. DP has already retired.

Stay away from the oiling, herbs it won't end well. I once gave the dog a haircut after a day like that

I've just oiled. Looks lovely from here .

Well oiled, I presume?

The DC's alarms went off loudly as usual as it's a Monday and as DS is sleeping (ho ho) over at his mate's and DD went to sleep in the loft (as we were being too loud), I got to turn them off

So ruby, what is putting you off?