Crepeys in the Long Grass of Life

[CointreauVersial]

Thanks Beachy for the frisky title suggestion.

Well, here we all are!

Stropps - notebook at side of bed, write it all down, then go back to sleep. Up to you then if you look at it in the morning or just tear it up, but writing it down may help to empty your mind, in an "I'll deal with this later" way and you may find it easier to go back to sleep. It works for me, anyway.

Auriga - the Cotentin peninsula doesn't seem to get terribly busy, and a short drive from Cherbourg if you get the ferry there, and a little longer from Caen. Beaches, Normandy landings, good cheese, cider and pretty cheap eating. I love it there, and if we ever get in a position to buy a holiday home in France (as if), that's where it will be. Wish we had been able to go back this year.

Well the good news is that the fitters are working on the kitchen. The bad news is that the girl from the kitchen company clearly didn't get everything down right and several units are wrong and we can't sort it till Monday... Not good.

The best laid plans, BTM, and all that - infuriating for you, though.

Auriga, we also have had several holidays in the Cotentin peninsula - we found it quiet but with plenty to do (mind you with the WW2 Anniversary celebrations it might not be so peaceful this year). I am pretty certain it was there where we had a lovely experience: we were cycling silently down this country lane which was leading to the coast; blue sky, a canal at our side, when one of us spoke. There was a "plop" and we looked down to see an otter which we had startled. Magic for me.

Mind you I also have a magic moment of eating trout cooked with apples, Calvados and cream in Normandy!

NU, I love otters! We were just talking in the car about how DS was our little otter when he was small as he had short hair and swam really well!

Aaah, BTM, how lovely.

That reminds me of a dentist friend who once said to a little boy, "and what does mummy call you? " The answer: I am mummy's precious lsmb"!

Oh how sweet! We used to call DD1 The Howling Orange as she used to scream a lot when she was newborn. Once she had started eating solid food, and stopped screaming, she became the Cherub because of her big red cheeks and squidgy button nose. Both of which she still has.

I am so tired I feel ill. The kitchen is a tip, and we have a friend staying tonight, who is sleeping in DD2's room. I can't even get in through the door as she's just dumped all her cases from school in the room. I have climbed over to change the bed, and have chucked a load of dirty clothes in the wash, but I still have to do something about the chaos. DH, conveniently, has spent the afternoon having a nap.

MrsS, LEAVE THE CHAOS. They can sort it out.

I am bone tired and fell asleep on the sofa. But I love my new maxi and am consumed with the urge for a red one. New Look has a red one in its Shortarse range which I could get Fri. ASOS. How long do you give me till give in?

Auriga, we always end up in drivable range in France - this year we're in the Parc nationale de Bresse. Though the combination of DD's lovely experience of Italy (she got back at 1.30), DP's urge to celebrate his 50th in Venice and my determination to get us a bit further afield may finally pay off next year.

Well, we had a cracking evening at the festival, catching up with old friends, with a fair amount of crazy dancing and several pints of local beer. Afterwards we weaved across the fields to our company flat, finally crashing at 3am. My clothing choice was pretty perfect, except for the fact that one of my friends turned up in the same top (oh, the perils of purchasing M&S). No rain.

DS had an athletics competition this afternoon, and by 11am I honestly didn't think I'd find the energy, but DM and DSDad decided to stick around, so I threw down a couple of Nurofen and packed a picnic. Quick stop en route at the local lavender farm to admire the stunning view and stock up on lavender fudge, then off to the meet. DS wasn't on top form, but the weather was lovely and his grandparents just loved the opportunity to see him compete. My hangover has most definitely kicked in now.

Gah, I hate Sunday afternoons. Just had big three-sided row with DH and DS1.

wordassociationfootball, I know exactly what you mean about the nostalgia-drenched toys. We got rid of some tatty old garden stuff recently and even that was sad. I don't think I will ever be able to get rid of the cuddly toys.

BTM what a bugger about the kitchen units

CV, sounds like a great Sunday. Sorry to hear about your row OPM - would be par for the course here!

Builder and fitters still going strong with the units that are correct...

Just been regaling DH and DS with a retelling of the phone conversation I had with DM earlier. She said she had been watching "the men with their things" on TV earlier. When I obviously didn't understand, she said "the things with two bits on."

She was talking about the TdF. Obviously.

Recommended strategy for dealing with old cuddly toys: take one black sack, fill to the brim and then put sack in shed/garage/loft. Leave to mature for 10/15 years. Remove toys from sack to discover cute toys looking sad and dirty - empty into rubbish bin.

Lavender farm looks lovely, CV, and I particularly like the sound of lavender fudge.

We have just been to see the new baby who now looks even more like his dad. Amazing the difference a week makes: he was having his first bath. DDil has the talisman of 5 lbs and 36 weeks in her head, so fingers crossed for next Saturday that he might be allowed home then.

BTM, my mind is boggling (and I am having a quick giggle).

NUFC that's great that the baby's making good progress - lovely news!

Aww, lovely to hear the baby's doing well

Had a wizard day today. FB readers will have seen me sporting a helmet and riding a Segway at our local TdF family fun day. It was all free! And really empty. And now I want a Segway. So easy to ride, and such larks.

DS was a difficult little sod all afternoon. Angelic for me, then full of teenage attitude as soon as DP got home. 'You can't make me,' 'It's my house, I'll do what I want', 'tough' (when told we wanted him to put his shoes on after the bouncy castle). DP threatened to cancel his birthday and throw away his presents. A moment of disbelief followed, then much furrowed brow as he trailed along behind us. The only time he was nice was when he wanted an ice cream.

Oh and TdF goes past the end of our road, just about, at 3pm tomorrow. I'm just anxious it doesn't interfere with my pre birthday prep - cake, party bags (and contents), industrial quantities of wrapping paper (presents include a guitar and a globe) and giant helium balloon in the shape of a 5 (five, V).

Aww, Herbs, what a lovely mummy you are

DD has had her birthday present months ago. I guess I will have to find something to give her - maybe paint and wallpaper as she wants her room done...!

BTM - a paintbrush? Sorry to hear about the problem with the kitchen units - so annoying. We we had our kitchen done, they managed to deliver the entire wrong kitchen. Which was not good.

Glad to hear the new gs is doing well, NU. Hope he will be able to come home soon.

Entire family vvv tired here. I have skimmed through the new SEN code of practice today and also got some work done. But now I can hardly keep my eyes open. Unlovely FB pics of me at last night's event have appeared - honestly I have no idea why anyone thinks dd looks like me. I am trying to continue with my strategy of going "lalala, it doesn't matter if I look like an old washerwoman, lalala" in my head and Not Dwelling.

Cor, Herbs, I've just been checking out the TdF route - I won't start trying to guess where you live though .

Stropps you are lovely, lovely, lovely (go to bed singing this) and clever clever clever .

You is fab, I loves you :) all strength and power cos you is amazing

Thank you, BD.

Stropps, we are all rooting for you and will be cheering you on on Tuesday, waving virtual pompoms in cheerleader stylee, so enough already with the negativity. Agree with BD, chant something positive as you're mantra! .

Can't see any new photo's of you Stropps, but you are lovely and clever and well done on doing some work and skimming through the new CoP