Crepeys in the Long Grass of Life

[CointreauVersial]

Thanks Beachy for the frisky title suggestion.

Well, here we all are!

Well, really. It is a little vexing.

MADLY vexing. Is your relationship such that you can have a flaming row over it?

Not really.

Aforementioned coruscating email accusing me of being a shit aunt (at a time, incidentally, that I was suffering multiple miscarriages) has made me walk on eggshells around her rather, while getting my dander up when she fails to live up to the expectations she places on me. I know she's busy, but aren't we all.

I am sorry.

YANBU.

LTB!
Siblings can be Very Provoking ime. In our families things that are problematic between the adult sibs often get played out through the children - and birthdays / Christmas and especially the exchange of presents (or not!) can be particularly fraught. Dbil and sil gave my 2 boys one present between 2 (for birthdays 6 weeks apart)... I think because they have just one child and it was therefore 'fair'. Take the moral high ground - mention his bday celebrations loudly and often to her and buy her dcs fab presents. ?Passive aggressive emoticon?

Herbs, you need to give her a taste of her own medicine and do what QQ says!

Oh she's bought him a nice present (via Amazon, so no effort really), and she does love him dearly. And she is married to an arse of a man who even at 40 gets narked if another grown up (ie, me) doesn't send him a birthday card, so she anxiously reminds me to send one well in advance. Yet she never sends DP one, and as he's not an arse, I don't remind her.

It's so tiny and minor, but so Provoking, in the light of her massive telling off for not doing 'my duty' to her children. Whatever the hell that is.

I try to let her off, thinking she may have had PND from the birth of her second, or from being continually told how shit our family is by Arse BiL.

That would make me even less likely to send one/remember!

Ho hum

wonder how Stropps is doing?

Fingers crossed for her.

Herbs, I think I would probably not bother to send her family cards either and let her know why. But as I don't have a sister, I am not really well-placed to offer advice!

MI any good? salebutnotcheap
prettystillsillyprice
www.wraplondon.co.uk/fashion-Z809/search/index.htm slightlycheaperbutannoyingtassels]]

Do you think you might have a bit of post-viral blues? Hope you feel more positive soon xx

Herbs I have one like that although no direct confrontation. Just tends to make general announcements before her kids birthdays along the lines of "…if anyone's wondering what to get DS/DD I've written a list…"

Other DSis gives the same every time…a fiver…she lives in the sticks in the US and has no concept of inflation.. and DBro never bothers.

The present bit gets silly as they get older. Might as well just have a rotating cheque

I am v lucky in my sister, who is much better at presents than I am. And forgave me for sending her birthday card late.

Rosebag, those are pretty but I'm looking for something more fitted - to wear with my new collection of maxi skirts .

Question for you - is it naff to have a wipe clean tablecloth? I don't mean a thick oilskin one, but more one of those thinner ones that don't look plasticky? I am tired of washing tablecloths all the time, and none of them fit properly, they are either too big or too small. Something like this?

I like it but don't use me as an arbiter of taste!

Well we have one which is permanently on the table unless we have guests! It is a thicker oilskin one and is really great.

(and we have a Christmas one!)

I like yours too.

SPANK ME SOUNDLY.

I girded loins, and asked sis if she'd by any chance sent a card 'as the post is being a bit flaky round here'. She has - it was made my her youngest daughter.

We had a Cath Kidston oilskin in the kitchen in Paris, which was great (although it seemed to stain badly). These tablecloths are as cheap as chips in France, on sale in all the markets. I would wait until I go back to Paris (going back for a paaaartaaaay in September), but I think I should just bite the bullet and get one now, in my fight against Squalor.

I like it, MrsS, particularly the colour combination. We have a glass topped table in the kitchen and I just use mats. On the rare occasions we eat in the dining room I use a cloth, but generally ones that don't need ironing.

Herbs, sister sounds ridiculous, although I must admit that I do cards and presents for my DSis, husband, her children and one GC. I feel that there aren't many of them so am happy to do it.

The sun has at last come out - 1 yo GD is sat on the floor in the conservatory with a stainless steel steamer on her head! Cute.

I like MrsS and am quite tempted myself.

Crepeys, thank you kindly for all the good wishes posted last night and this morning. I was gibbering too much with nerves to post. I got back from the interview about half an hour ago. I felt absolutely sick with nerves this morning and was constantly rushing to the loo. But hey, I made it there and did the biz. I was interviewed by some students first (with someone taking notes), which I wasn't expecting and then by the SEN top brass. I have no idea how I did, but I don't think I said anything outrageously daft and I only burbled a bit. :) They said they will either ring later this evening or tomorrow morning to let me know. There were three candidates this afternoon (should have been 4 but the other one didn't turn up) and another bunch this morning. Ah well, at least I got my nice dress on and went and did a real interview.

Ha, just re-read that and see that didn't come out quite right. I did indeed make it to the loo when I needed to , but I also made it to the interview.

I could really do with a big glass of wine now, but I won't as I should go to circuits later........

Well donne Stropps - that sounds really great! Sod the circuits.

I am pondering cooking something different for supper .

Stropps - sounds great. Sod circuits - have a glass of red....

Stropps Well done indeed for doing so well despite the toilet emergencies!!

MI
butnotcotton
tooloose
anythinghere