Autumn Term At Crepey Towers

[QueenQueenie]

I did it!

these are the leopard print shoes from TK Maxx that I bought. I am bringing out my inner Vanessa Feltz.

I did tell him. Quite politely. If he were eg a cutting-edge neurologist I'd been chasing for days who could only fit me in for this slot in between saving lives I might feel differently.

Aw lovely pussycat
Feline hugger and footwear.

Ah yes tights. I do wear the opaque variety but seem to be endlessly tugging them northwards due to narrow hips. The rest of me is pretty thunderous tho

Having a restorative coffee to get over a very difficult meeting which we managed to end fairly positively.

MI I would ask him if he coul possibly do earlier/whatever as because you thought you were meeting him today, you have something else timetabled in for that slot tomorrow!

Thank you beachyhead

My thoughts are turning towards autumn wardrobe too. Last winter I did the dress/thick tights/biker boots thing. I see no very good reason to change this MO - but I do need a couple of new dresses/tunics. So any suggestions gratefully received.

My DS1 and DS2 are both doing the Open Evening at their school (inner London comp) tonight so will just have DS3 at home until sometime after 8 p.m. [air-punch]

Chatty lot you are! Meanwhile, I've been working for a living.

BTM - I'm also in bare legs today, and sandals too. I can't quite bear to put tights on (although I prefer opaque hold-ups, unless it is really nippy round the nethers).

Herbs - what about an "experience" for DH? Theatre tokens? Visit to Vinopolis? (you'd have to go with him, of course...). DH is getting some photography lessons in the near future, as he is always grumbling about the rubbish photos he takes, despite having several hundred quids-worth of camera at his disposal.

Hey ho, must go collect DS, who was playing in a school match for the Y10s (he's Y9 - no idea why they couldn't rustle up 11 boys out of the 120-odd at their disposal).

These babies look worth the detour as might these or cheapo variants thereof.

OPM, my DD was asked to do an open evening tonight.... just wondering if they are at the same comp?! (she's not doing it tonight - next week instead!)

CV it'll be because he is better than the Y10 possibles!

I have a million pairs of tights and must not buy any more ATM!

MI - that reminds me of when I went shopping in John Lewis last winter with my Bridesmaid, who is glam and has a high profile job. We absolutely cooed over those tights for ages, "Oooh, cosy." She bought a couple of pairs and promptly got a job in Africa, where there's not much call for thermal tights. We must have sounded about 90.

Wait till I get started on vests. I love a vest, me.

I'm really selling myself as an S&B guru, aren't I. No wonder I've never lasted long on women's mags.

I now have to strip 300 cogent, catchy words out of a 13-page feature which was sent to me scanned so I've printed it all out.

I posted some stuff but the internet ate it. Ds is taking up the trombone. All yr 4s have to take up an instrument and they get free tuition. Some years they get offered string instruments. Not this year, clearly.

Trombone - I'd arrange to be out when he practises Stropps.

Ooh I love cutting features, me. I can boil 1000 words down to 100. Except if it's one of yours, natch, MI.

Blasted heck. Knives. I'm sure what he'd like are Global, but they start at £80. Lakeland talks highly of its ceramic knives. Any experience, crepesters?

Re tights, I always find after the first wash the waist halves in diameter, giving me digestive gyp. But hold-ups always roll down, and unevenly, so I get chafing. Can't win...

It is seriously better than a violin, though. I played the violin

Your post just reminded me to nag DD2 to practise her trumpet. And her saxophone. DD2 is allegedly musical. Unlike her sister, who has ears of cloth.

We've got a violinist and it's actually OK - it's the brass that really passes through the walls. There is somebody we hear playing the french horn in the middle of the forest on Sundays - I think it's the only place he can go where he doesn't drive the neighbours mad.

DS did the trumpet (well, cornet to start with) - it was very successful - he managed to get a Grade 1 which is some achievement for him as he is tone deaf with a poor sense of rhythm

And, hatty, our NDN said he misses hearing him practice

Ds already plays the piano and has his first exam in November. Dd is clamouring to restart piano lessons, 2 years after I refused to pay for any more lessons because she lost the will to practice. Should I let her restart? Neighbour has already asked if our shed at the bottom of the garden can be a communal practice room as her ds is starting the trumpet. Ahhh, what joy lies ahead. A bunch of 8 and 9 year olds tootling away tunelessly.

Ahhh, the freebie music lessons in Y4.....

DS did the flute, and I can honestly say I never actually saw him take it out of the case.

DD1 and DD2 both got landed with the glockenspiel, which quite frankly rubbish. They did bash it occasionally, but it's true to say that not one of my three is musical.

My DN, who is 12, has the voice of an angel, and I can see her actually making a career out of singing. She is one of twins, and the other one landed the looks, the sporting ability and the brains, so actually it's nice that she has something that she alone excels in.

Hmmm, Stropps, is that wise with the GCSE's looming?

Ah now ladies, spare a thought for me and my violin playing dd. 13 years of scraking and weeping.

She's pretty good now though, but there was actual pain involved .

Crem, I have to admit I was very much hoping this wasn't a strings year. However, I may soon realise the error of my ways..

BTM, indeed. I am trying not to roll my eyes too much. I am putting the sudden enthusiasm for taking up the piano again in the same basket as the sudden enthusiasm for learning Japanese: anything is better than what you are actually supposed to be doing for your GCSE exams, apparently. Apart from which there is nothing to stop her simply sitting down and playing the damn piano as she is a perfectly good standard anyway (between Grades 4 and 5). (Well done to your ds for his Grade 1 trumpet btw :) )

Hello crepeys

Apologies for absence since earlier in the week - it was my birthday yesterday and I am now even more crepey than before. I looked at the other mothers at pick up yesterday and realise that I am indeed quite old to have a 4 year old. But hey, I still feel like a young 'un on the inside.

Sympathies to all on the musical instruments. My 2 girls play the piano, with the younger one requiring me to "help" her practise and the older one just snarling her refusal. Not sure I could cope with a brass instrutment. DD1 has opted for the clarinet at school but I am hoping she won't get chosen.

Sympathies on the job, Mrs S. Hope something else comes along soon.

I had some OK tights for M and S last year with cashmere in. By the time I'd washed them a few times they were a great fit. I am currently in my velvet jeans for work, as skirts are too cold without and my summer clothes would look odd with thick tights. Think I'll change the clothes over this weekend.

Any ideas re coats? Currently braving the torrents in my North Face but stylish it aint.

Happy birthday, Sybil!

Actually (small boast) DD2 got a merit in trumpet grade 3 in the summer and passed grade 2 sax. So the really painful phase ("is she meant to be playing that?" asked her father) is over.

MI, well done your dd2. :)

DD1 is overwhelmed at the amount of work and pressure she is experiencing and oh nobody understands how dreadful it is. I wasn't sympathetic enough. At least you are young and gorgeous, kid, I am a raddled old boot with 72 spare tyres and I've got unreasonable deadlines.