Walking in a Crepey Wonderland!

[MrsSchadenfreude]

I couldn't see that anyone else had started a new thread, after Stropps carelessly finished the old one without starting a new one, so here you are.

Thanks, BTM. I made a resolution during the last blow-up at the end of November/beginning of December that I would do everything in my power to remain calm and not get "sucked in", but...

I know, I know, it is really hard. Sounds like you did really well there though.

I wonder when our meeting will start?...

Sorry to hear about your rubbish morning, Stropps, although it sounds like you handled it really well and it did get defused - and she got to school and said thank you. The hitting ds is tough though. Would she understand the argument that by hitting him she is sending him a message that he is somehow deserving of being hit and that it's not just a case of her letting off steam and "he doesn't mind really"? One of my sister's favourite games when I was small was to take my own hand and hit me with it, all the time saying "Why are you hitting yourself?". I realise this game has been played by siblings since time began, but the thought of it still makes me sweat, I hated the feeling of being completely powerless and looking like a fool.

Ruby - I would be at your guest too - bloody cheek. However, please don't let it spoil your lovely day. Just make one pointed comment about extra numbers to make yourself feel better and then just top up your champagne flute and enjoy.

Herbs, sorry about ds and his concerns about his shell. I hope you find some help with explaining it - I think the making the face grow well sounds like a good route, and one that kids can understand. When he's older, would some role models with one eye help? Nelson, Sammy Davis Jr?

Ohh Stropps sending {{ }}
Sounds like you handled it well, but yes the violence to ds has to stop - this reminds me a lot of my administrator and her two. The girl was quite unspeakably vile to her brother (both physically and emotionally).

Herbs - the face growing thing sounds like a good approach, and, yes, role models - mention of things like braces?

And indeed the fact other kids will be wearing all sorts of things from glasses to patches at different times...?

I'm just booking my train ticket for the 17th. Have we decided on a venue yet?

Yes, I think we should get our fingers out!

So we need a bar/restaurant where we can drink for a while before eating whilst everyone arrives...
Waterloo bar+kitchen?
Tas?
The Fire Station - seems to maybe do bookable area in the bar
Any other ideas?

I liked Tas a lot. (That was where we went last time, wasn't it?) But the Waterloo bar+kitchen was also good.

Venues for the 17th - I really don't have an opinion, so once again will go with the flow. I like the Fire Station, though.

Strops - sorry about your stressful morning, but look on the bright side - she cooled down fairly quickly and made it to school, and you seem to have been the very epitome of calm. To be honest, it's not dissimilar to DS's teenage flare-ups - underneath, he's usually annoyed with himself, but of course he lashes out at everyone else around him because he's too immature to take it on the chin. A typical example is him being late for something because he lounged about instead of getting ready, then shouting and swearing at me because I didn't pick up his bag/remind him a sufficient number of times/buy a house closer to school/get in the car quick enough. And he gets really enraged and unreasonable.
And yes, sometimes his sisters cop it (but rarely DH, as he doesn't stand for it).

Our first morning back went swimmingly, actually; anticipating bad traffic I got everyone out of bed extra-early, and the bridge was OK to cross to get DD2 to school (although the water level had risen again by pick-up time). No chance of a slow start at work, though.

c'mon someone make a decision!

You got everyone out of bed early, CV - you deserve a medal!

We are all going back tomorrow and I don't want to go!

I liked the Waterloo Bar and Grill too; there is also a new Wahaca opened in Waterloo, if anyone likes a bit of street Mexican.... sort of tapas style, so lots of variety. Not sure if you can book though.

I'm so sorry about teenage upsets, although I think you handled it very well. Passage to school at a reasonable time and a thank you; that's a result in my book. If I can get dd2 through one meal, having eaten something and not being sent out or crying, I feel I have a result. (Don't often get one though!)

Thanks for all the words of encouragement. :) I really feel I can give myself a pat on the back for staying calm and not engaging with all the nonsense. 2 steps forward and 1 step back and all that.

Wahaca sounds interesting.. Who's going to decide? I will be happy to go along with anything. All the places we have been to so far have been fit for purpose, so I trust you. It's my birthday on the 31st, so we can make it a joint b-day celebration, if BD doesn't mind? :)

Many thanks for the BB cream recommendations, btw. I am trialling the No. 7 one in Fair/Medium. It gives me a bit more colour than I am used to, but the family seem to think it is ok (and dd would waste no time in telling me if I were orange). It's def better than the dusty old lady look, anyway and does appear to be agreeing with my skin so far.

Waterloo Bar and Kitchen or Tas is my vote. Fire Station is OK but gets very busy and noisy on a Friday night.

I too am easy to go along with anyone who has decisive / strong views... my suggestion would be waterloo thingy as we went to Tas last time...? Agree Fire Station too busy and indeed NOISY for me on a Friday pm.

Right, Fire Station is off the menu!

Looks like WB&K is favourite? With Tas as second choice?

Any more opinions?!

I'd be game for wahaca, but only if it takes bookings. The website is unenlightening in this regard.

Ooh, Wahaca !

Stropps, let me add to the chorus of approval for your calm in the face of teenage tantrum .

Sorry I can't help with restaurant choices, don't know any of them but happy to follow the leaders.

Thank goodness choir has started again

Wahaca would be fab, but they definitely don't take bookings

Rudy, is it your party today - have fun, hic - my day at work doesn't quite match it, although I am quite looking forward to seeing their little faces again, plus some new ones!

Oh, and on a crepey note, I had a dream last night that I had sprouted a chin-full of black hairs. Suppose it makes a change from the recurring dream of losing all my teeth

Have fun today Rudy

I'm on the train already, it's dark and windy and I forgot my gloves and scarf. I'm not impressed.

beachy

Hello Crepeys - just catching up on all the gossip having survived the rentree. Now I have got through the stress of Christmas and New Year, I have come down with a nasty cold - but nothing that can't be handled with bouts of neurofen.

Stropps - that sounds awful with your DD. I think you handled it much better than I could have ever done - it is so difficult when whatever you say, you can't win. I am lucky in that mine seem to love going to school - inspite of the moans - I think I obviously make their home life far too boring for them.

I've got two tricky situations - one of which is that we had some some friends whom we've known for about 5 years over for drinks, got into a political argument and discovered that they are slightly to the right of a certain 1940's fascist leader. This is what happens when you avoid talking politics and only concentrate on superficial and school stuff, you miss the deep unsavoury hidden side. Their views disgust me and I never want to see them again - yet they live round the corner and in an expatriate situation it's very difficult to avoid bumping into people. I think on the whole they've done a pretty good job about covering up what they really think about stuff and are popular members of the community.

Secondly - my DH's best friend, just divorced, slept over for New Year with his DC's. His teenage DD slept in my DD's room as she was out. My DD is now missing two pairs of silver earrings. It is possible they've gone astray but it's looking bad and we don't want to launch into accusations to very traumatised father. I think we're going to have to put this one down to experience although DD was very fond of one of those particular pairs

I think we're going to lock ourselves up and avoid people.

As usual - v jealous of crepey meet-up.

Stropps more than happy to share joint celebrations ;)
On venue - BTM looks like you are in the driving seat! If Tas was good (and you all raved I think last time) why not there again unless there are strong objections. I am taking a half day so can arrive early (and hopefully cold free)

Hatty - how distressing on both counts. Yes, sometimes you think I really can't be friends with people who belive that! and the earring s :( - can the 'fav' pair be replaced?

Here - as Beachy said, howling a gale -we sleep in an attic room with nothing between us and Wales and I seriously have wondered if the windows will hold out in the last couple of days!