Shiny Happy Crepeys

[Blackduck]

Over here all........

I realise that I got rather left behind with everyone's news over the last few days... Crem, I meant to commiserate about dd's Edinburgh woes. Very hard on her. Hope she's able to feel ok about it all after she's had a chance to get over her disappointment.

couldn't be plainer, QQ, but that's what I wanted - and note sale price

www.selfridges.com/en/Shoes/Categories/Shop-Women/Shop-Flats/Brogues-loafers/Lexus-leather-penny-loafer_942-10105-0076501000013509/?cm_mmc=PLA--Google--Shoes-_-DUNE&ci_src=18615224&ci_sku=40489957&$$ja=cgid:9968545294|tsid:35948|cid:180583774|lid:62443100254|nw:g|crid:35959607254|rnd:723837521388331406|dvc:c|adp:1o1&gclid=CKL7yqKexr0CFWzHtAodWX8A2Q

how about you CV?

Those are v nice Addle, and Dune shoes seems to last well.

Am off to in-laws this morning for a couple of days, have packed already, but need to do all that getting out of the house, watering plants, feeding fish stuff that seems to take forever.

Good luck to singers this weekend, I'm sure you will all sound tremendous.

I have had a lightbulb moment re next week, thanks to comment from someone in my choir: am going to pay (a) both Inferiorettes small sums to tidy and dust our house (frankly if this is the only way to get it done, a couple of fivers are well-spent) (b) DD1 to do some basic baby-sitting, park outings etc with her sister (again, a fiver will sweeten what would otherwise be greeted with sighs and eye-rolling). AIBU, do you think? I have, after all, slung plenty of cash at slightly older teenagers for similar childcare...

MI, that is most definitely a good plan! Your DD will be doing really well to get paid for minding her little sister

CV Does your cleaner need glasses?!

MI, sounds like a good idea to me. Sorry I am not sure of the ages of the 2 of them, but a bit of responsibility never goes amiss, in my opinion. And yes to the light housework - if my 3 yo GS can go round with the duster, I am sure your DC can, particularly with a sweetener!

Good luck to all the singers, I would have liked to have done a singalong Faure's Requiem tomorrow but I can't manage the practice during the day.

I like the Dune loafers: very stylish, I think.

Great, I'll do it then NU, they're 13 and coming up for 11.

They have a sleepover on Friday. Suggested to DP we go out. Er, he said, I'm having an after-work drink with a colleague .

This is a good idea MI,the only drawback being that they then expect to paid the whole time (voice of bitter experience). They won't lift a finger without a cash incentive.

Love the Easter bonnet Herbs I could never have made that.

I am compiling a vegetarian menu for the German exchange student arriving tomorrow. I am feeling quite proud ( not to mention organised) although I have supplemented with tiny asparagus tartlets found in Picard.

MI, I am pretty certain that I was babysitting for cash for neighbours children at that age (DM was usually at home, though). I suggest you do mention that you also expect them to do some helping for free as well. Perhaps say something like, "I would like you to contribute to running the house by helping for ... every week, but if you do that I will pay you xxx for another hour's help". (You understand I have no idea if this is practical or will work, just trying to head off them always expecting to be paid).

MI, I did the outings thing with my two at similar ages. I didn't actually pay dd but I did give them dosh for whatever their hearts desired in park cafes/H and M/turned a blind eye to sweet buying etc. It worked well for that brief in-between period - I got a few hours clear to work and they got some fresh air and learned new bus routes for less than the price of eg ds sports camp. Win win. I have to say I find it slightly harder now, with them dribbling around the place all morning half asleep (second day of hols blues).

I once had a boss who saw the big picture while I saw the small. It worked brilliantly, we both liked what we did and really appreciated each other's strengths .

Good luck to all singers. Lovely shoes Addle (loafer agnostic).

Thanks QQ -dd seems resigned and getting used to the new possibilities .

MI I like your thinking. I have a distant memory of a chart with a list of chores and their corresponding financial rewards;
Empty dishwasher
Dusting
Feeding cats
Hoover
Water plants
Wash car
Sort recycling
Dd was quite keen at that age
Now I'd have to pay her to actually get up in the morning. Her bed hasn't been made for approx 5 years usually because ' there's a cat in it'
Gah!

RAGE. My DS's marvellous Easter hat creation looks like a tiny, shabby pile of shite next to the other creations on the 'hat table'. One of which was a yellow sombrero decorated with massive ostrich feathers by the art director dad of the girl DS declared last night he was going to marry.

Next year I'm starting in January on an intricate filigree birdcage containing faberge eggs. Take that, mofos.

He had his Perform class show last night. He scowled his way through it, telling us off for clapping or even smiling in his general direction. When I could actually see it, that is. Another mum parked herself in the middle of the front row and filmed the Entire Show on her phone, holding it at face height, with its cover open, thus blocking the view for anyone behind her. In the end I huffed and stood up at the back.

hatty, what kind of a German is he?! I thought they all ate sausages all day long

Yes NU, I was babysitting for neighbours at that age and so was DD! Lalsy's plan might be best - not pay, but money to spend IYSWIM!

Yes, I might send them to Primark to buy PJs with sodding unicorns on them and dally in Tiger.

I think we should do a mass Crepey hat creation for mini-Herbs. Or indeed, Herbs, you could pay my someone's GSCE art candidate to do it as an art project...

MI, YES! Places like Bromley v good for those expeditions we found. Hours pass by and it is bliss not to be there.

Herbs, congratulations on the interview.

Re chores, I seem to remember having a 'core set' we had to do, such as emptying the dishwasher, laying the table, etc (and about which we used to bicker), then additional ones could be done for pocket money. Dad used to give us 40p for bottling his home brew. Riches beyond our wildest dreams.

BTM - from Frankfurt - ironic huh?

DD2 said she ate very well at their place in Germany - she took the opportunity to go to Primark in Frankfurt and came back in a yellow sweatshirt, red jeans and a bright green handbag. I reminded her that we were now back in Paris and such colour combinations made one er stand out slightly to say the least. The yellow sweatshirt, which is not a thing of beauty has been consigned to the dirty basket, where I fear it will stay for a very long time

They have Primark in Germany? Hatty, those clothes would be fine here

Yup Primark in Germany but not yet in Paris with the result that my DD's have both come back loaded from their trips. I do see French people on the Eurostar laden with Primark bags.

Odd thing just happened to area where I fear I have infection in my bone/tooth root. Went all painful, then seemed to 'burst' and stopped hurting. Gross, but nice.

Bit worried about how I'll fit in any major dental work if it turns out I do need it. I can hardly take DS with me while I lie in the chair in torment for three hours. Also, I don't want to be unable to speak (or indeed drink) at FiL's funeral, but if I leave it later it could affect the PGCE interview. And if I just ignore it and hope it goes away, it could flare up massively for either of those two events...

Oh Herbs, that's a tricky one. Is there noone miniHerbs could stay with whilst you are in the dentist? Playdate?

Herbs rinse with salt water and see the dentist. Sounds nasty.
Easter-bonnet-gate sounds grim. Lol @ faberge eggs. Surely we can construct an entire farmyard scene for next year complete with chirping sound effects?

I could possibly prevail on a chum to look after him should it be necessary. People are always offering, under the DP bereavement circs. Though this is a bit different.

I fear I may need to bite the bullet, and at least get an appointment for it to be assessed. Worst case scenario, it's an actual op on the jaw I reckon...

Yes, bite the bullet - it may be a few appointments (speaks the voice of experience) with xrays and antibiotics if necessary, so some might be v quick - worth asking to speak to the dentist to ascertain what's what.

< cries > But I HATE the dentist. Traumatised years ago by a dentist prodding my live nerve. Yowser.

Appointment it is. Thanks crepeys.