Crepes and Mulled Whine in your pants

[Auriga]

Somebody had to do it

Others to consider:
Hotel Parc St Severin in the 5eme
Hotel Champs de Mars in 7eme
If I could afford 3 nights www.mobilehotel.net/Buci/here I'd be v happy

Oh ffs. DP went out to the shops inc. Sainsbury's (of course) this afternoon. I reminded him DD1 needs new warm tights. I bought her some last week, he said huffily. Yes, but that was two pairs. She goes to school five days a week....

MI - if I go to TK Maxx next week, do you want me to see if I can pick up a pair of the fleece tights that DD2 has? They are the same price as Primani and the colour and quality seem significantly better.

DH has come back from B & Q with some paint charts.

I would really, really like a few days off to mooch and not do much, but barely have enough leave to see me through between Christmas and New Year. Would also like to go back to Paris for a couple of days before Christmas, but don't think that's going to happen either. I feel my desire for some time off would not be so great if I had a proper job.

Tooth seems to be non-pus-y and not swollen at the moment. Dentist said to wait a few days after the antibiotics finished to see how it looked before going back, so I think I will leave it this week and then go back if it comes up again.

DD1 has had a tantrum because she wants to to volley every Monday until 10 pm! Quite apart from the fact that I would have to go and fetch her, she has her bac at the end of the year and she already has activities on two other nights. I said she needed to work - she said she could learn more quickly than me so I didn't understand .

Meanwhile DS's neck has swollen up like a hampster after a cold - should I leave this or go to the doctor? He seems fine otherwise.

Hatty, mumps? - not good for boys!

We have just been out for a restorative curry. The DC were whining and bickering before, but are now snuggling loudly on the settee. I am not sure this is better

I want some of those fleecy tights. To wear under my jeans at footy matches!

Ds's list was dealt with largely via Amazon (it was very reasonable, although the giraffe onsie took some finding...). Dp and I are giving each other Mexico. Shopping done.

Job, hmm... It is a step up in responsibility and a step down in pay (I think this is what they want to talk about). It is much nearer home..... I need to get all the info and think about it seriously - but nice to be asked
Ds wants me to take him to Paris so my be asking for tips post Christmas MrsS.

BD, I got DD a giraffe onesie! Primarni! Nearer home is good - will it sufficiently pay off the drop in pay?

DD2 also has a Primarni giraffe onesie, but it is getting a little small, so this year's is a penguin (her favourite critter).

Well, the divorce hasn't happened, largely because we ran out of time this weekend to put the bloody blinds up. DS had a football match and an athletics competition which took up most of the day; poor DH left without his wallet so the two of them had nothing to eat all day (even though there were people there he knew pretty well, including one of our antenatal buddies of 14+ year's standing - you'd think he'd pluck up the courage to ask to borrow a tenner, wouldn't you? Clearly not).

BTM - you were looking at laptops - we bought ours a couple of years ago from PC World, and it was a Compaq, the cheapest of the cheap at about £270, and it has been brilliant. It boots up in seconds, does everything you need it to do......no point telling you the model, as two years is a long time in computer terms, but what I'm saying is you don't need to spend a fortune.

Men, eh! I forgot my purse on Friday night, but luckily I had my emergency tenner in my phone case and DH came later with my purse!

Thanks for the tip about the laptop - I am aiming for cheap and cheerful, let's hope DD doesn't have a tantrum over it!

Home again, phew. Missed DD's concert, DH's concert and a visit from my sister by being away. But saw other sister, and also saw most of DD's concert remotely, as it was live-streamed on the web. She has another one tomorrow night, which I can go to if I miss choir. We're used to a few clashes this time of year but this weekend sets some kind of record. And that's without mentioning Dr Who...

Ruby, congratulations on new job

Strops, how is big project going?

MI, what's the book about?

MI - just seen what the book is about limping behind a bit here

Bugger - didn't think of Primani - to be honest I hate going in there, it's like a jumble sale.....

Go early if you can, BD. The Marble Arch one opens at 8, I think. Neither the Russians nor the French are up and out at that hour, never mind the Brits and Poles.

Buggery arsing fuck. Just called City University, and they don't make any exceptions for old people re the 2:1 requirement. UCL and Greenwich have the same requirement.

Back to the drawing board.

Oh herbs crapola. I'd have thought it was different for mature students.
Really disappointed for you . There must be another way , there just must

Trouble is, because I've left it so late (deadline is 2 December), there's so little time to find that other way.

I could do an undergraduate degree, but that's a) four years, and b) requires going through UCAS, so I've probably missed the boat.

Now wondering if I should stick to my literacy tutor ambitions. Though still can't work out how to become one.

bad luck Herbs. my sister is sort of connected with this sort of stuff (unnecessarily mysterious) - i'll email her and ask if there's any way round.

Herbs, they're going to say that at reception. Send in with faaaaaabulous supporting statement and they may have other views, dammit.

Ring this lot??

Oh, herbs, that's a shame. I bet if you could speak to an actual tutor, and put your case it might be different. Or submit the application with a passionate letter about your ambitions re the course, that might swing it? Is it a single year post-grad study? Is there an access course you could do, like they do for older folk who want to go into things like nursing?

BD - congrats on the job offer, although I'm sorry it's not loads of £££ AND close to home.

For those interested, here is ds1's roasted peacock Latin project...

Thing is, I know that 600 people apply for 80 places, and the woman on the phone (who does admissions for that actual course) said that it's very competitive so they don't make any exceptions.

The course is two years.

Thanks for any potential insight, addle...

Oh Herbs, that's a stinker. Just when you'd set your heart on it too. Hopefully there are strings about, which can be pulled......

Wilbur - most impressive bird! Did you pin down and forcibly pluck a real live peacock to get those lovely feathers?

I had been getting very slightly cold feet, thinking I might not be 'caring' enough, the therapeutic world being a whole new beast. A part of me is slightly relieved, but a larger part is gutted.

Oh Herbs, how gutting. When is the next deadline? Could you work towards that? Or forge a 2:1 certificate?!

I think you would make a smashing SALT and of course you are caring enough.

Wilbur, that is one helluva roast peacock. I can't imagine why you would need to make one for homework, but then neither I nor my DC have done Latin!

Oh Herbs, that's really sad - I was rooting for you.

I never got do do anything like roast peacock in Latin, more gruelling verbs, it looks fab.

Well DS is off school and has been to doctor, who says it's a virus - I'd send him back to school if his hampster cheeks weren't so obvious. Otherwise he seems fine.