Autumn Term At Crepey Towers

[QueenQueenie]

I did it!

I mean this HALF TERM. I am clearly in need of my own lunch.

DS and DD1 have a canteen, so can spend what they want, although there is a £3 daily limit, and I can check online exactly what they've ordered (cue regular chats about "healthy choices"). They have packed lunches two days a week.

DD2's school charge the standard Surrey rate of £2.05 per day.

In S&B news, I'm surrounded by Clarks boxes - my ankle boots arrived! (I always order multiple sizes and alternative styles). QQ - the Marble Cool boots are actually silver and slightly glittery. I shall be channelling Alvin Stardust.

Strops - you mentioned MN upgrades and browser problems - I have just had to open MN in Chrome in order to actually post.

Whassappinin?

School lunches v expensive here too, but they are good quality at least. Although ds1 now has a lunch card that we load with money and a daily limit and they have just changed systems so that i can now see what he is buying . TBH, I don't really want to know, he's old enough to eat whatever shit he likes during the day (although I fear for his expensive new braces) but of course I couldn't really resist looking at what he ate over the past year, or rather his top ten purchases from the school lunch room. Waffles were very popular, as were a variety of other carb -based treats. I think there was a sandwich in there somewhere .

Herbs - re face creams, I would try some of the Lo'real wrinkle-busters, I think they are v good quailty for the money. If you can find some kind of tester, it's worth trying ahead of time, as one of them (can't remember which) was a bit harsh on my dry skin - I think it was one with retinol in, maybe?

I am desparately trying not to put the heating on until October after last year's bills. Probably won't make it - I stood looking feebly at our freezing bathroom this morning (no heat in there at all, even with the heating on) and could hardly bear to get my pjs off to dsh into the shower.

I'm quite glad I can't spy on what dd is eating at lunch time, as if I could I would almost feel duty bound to check up on her. And it would only be another thing to fuss about.

CV, I've had to install Chrome to post. Google has too much of my life on file already, I don't like using it here too.

So let's try again - I can't post either (am now in firefox)
I am with Stropps - no heating til 1st of October - put another jumper on....

Dinners £2 - local place does all the small primaries around here...

Mum in for pre-op today - fingers crossed, all okay - op tomorrow....

School dinners seem yet another area of chaos at DS's school. His is one of the few that isn't supplied by the local authority, but at the moment their kitchens are out of action so they're getting them from another school, which I think must be on the LA scheme, as the rota of macaroni cheese, chips, etc, seems the same as on the LA website. Not sure when/if kitchens will be finished! And feel sorry for the other school, having to make enough extra dinners for a four-form-entry primary!

Boot review!

These are the ones I really wanted to like, and I wasn't disappointed - very comfy, good "go with anything" colour, and funky snakey bit at the back. Sold.

These were similar colour, but too loose around the heel and had a hint of "rigger boot" about them. Going back.

And these - ho ho - QQ's silver specials......well, they were a bit strange really. Very stiff and smooth, like cast iron pixie shoes. I wanted to like them, but......Anyway, QQ, they are available in lots of sizes now, if you want to give them a try. Don't let me put you off.

Still on clothing, I wore my new White Stuff work trousers to work today, and they are fab. Well-fitting trousers are a Holy Grail for me - I have countless pairs that gape at the waist, sag round the arse, disappear up where they shouldn't, or are too short/wide/tight, but these are amazing. I can't link as they are from the Outlet.

Re school dinners about £3 here at big school which will get you a panini a piece of fruit a drink and a tray bake / cake. All made in school.
I tend to buy enough for dd to throw a pack lunch together as I always bring my own healthy salad or soup and bread.

Re face ironing cream , I like avene eluage and dr hauschka rose day cream if I'm feeling spendy or my sister needs a pressie suggestion!

Started using this new Aveeno gear recently and it's lovely

Bd all the best for tomorrow.

Oh yes, BD, good luck to your ma.

It's my DSM's op tomorrow too (gall bladder, so not quite so scary).

Cv of your perfect trouser . I am yet to discover such an item.
Shoe boot no 1 is divine . Like wearing little mushroom elf boots

I lost an auction on eBay today for my perfect coat. The Etsy coat debacle is still rumbling on.
Clearly I am destined to last another winter borrowing dh's anorak. Glamour you do elude me....

Good luck BD (and mum) and CV (and DSM)

CV, those boots do look good. I also quite fancy the idea of silver pixie boots, but you are not selling them to me!

DD's latest moan is that she wants to give up drama - she is in a class with 3 other girls and at least 10 boys all of whom are idiots. And it seems that there may be a performance coming up....

I beg to differ BTM, am finding the idea of cast iron pixie boots extremely appealing!

I bear news from MrsS, who is weltering in unpacking including two microwaves and two tellies. She sends her love

Good luck to all in hospital!

Oh excellent MI
Glad she's back safely in Blighty

Starting to get excited about Friday week.
Hope I won't need a warm coat

What size are your pixie boots Crem? If they'd fit me I'll buy them off you next week....!

Mine, you mean? They are a 7, which is probably half a size too big for me.

They are extremely silver. If they were a bit roughed-up they'd probably be perfect; maybe it's the shiny-smooth newness I don't like. Or maybe I'm an old gimmer stuck in a fashion time-warp

QQ I have no boots to sell
I was trying to buy a coat on eBay
????
Confused .com

Ah I see.

Sorry Crem, didn't mean to confuse you!

CV, it was you I meant. I am definitely a Clarks 7 and I need want those boots... could I buy them off you?

I quite like the rigger boot ones, maybe its the builder in me.... but I won't make you drag multiple pairs of boots to a cocktail bar, but I will pop to Clarks and take a look there.

Well, dd1 has finally started 6th form college and its been a bit of an organisational do-dah getting her to and from the station to fit in with her timetable. It will all settle down, but I suspect there will be a fair amount of pyjama clad station trips in the car over the coming year.

Rock on summer when she can take her driving test....

Am very much looking forward to meet up. Could someone please pm me details as I'll never find the venues and am happy to meet early for cocktails. Might wear the Darth Vadar poncho .

I may have to pop into Clarks and check out the taupe boots, CV. They sound fab (and I am crepily impressed with the sound of the cushioning in the sole). On another S&B hunt, I have decided that after 6 years of wearing the same effective but drab weatherproof coat from October to March that I should have something else to wear. I quite fancy a pea coat but am worried it will be too short and will cut me in half just at the wrong point in the hips. Lands End do several kinds this one is nice and I was thinking navy or grey, but then I see that Debenhams have got the LE black one on sale for 30% off. Dilemma! I think I will just have to order a couple and see how they fit.

BD - hope your mum gets her op and all goes well today.

MrsS - if you can hear inside your packing box, hope it's not too exhausting and that you have found both cats, the kettle and the gin. Everything else can wait.

Oh am liking those first boots CV 9do NOT need new boots BD - stop it!)

Mum went down 20 minutes ago so fingers crossed....

MrsS I think the order should be gin, kettle, cats.... :)

Fingers crossed BD