Crepeys in the Long Grass of Life

[CointreauVersial]

Thanks Beachy for the frisky title suggestion.

Well, here we all are!

BTW I do realise that in a proper MN-approved relationship we would sit down and have a frank talk and so forth. This, however, is real life. Which is usually messy.

MI, LTB! It's obviously the only answer.

I have no suggestions, but I feel your pain (actually I could almost hear your pain). Why do they do it? It's all so obviously false. A stiff G & T might be the answer - at least now, not perhaps the right thing when they actually come - or perhaps it is!

On another thread I'm reading, MNers are reminding each other of easy and traceless ways of murdering one's DP. Tripwires on the stairs, and 'being unable to stop the car on ice when he's in the way' are two ideas you could use.

I also feel madly guilty about being so rude to them last time, of course. So we are both projecting guilt on each other.

MI - do you have to go to Legoland? Can he not accompany his relatives without you? TBH the food at Legoland is the least of your problems (the crowds, the cost.....).

Or could you amuse yourself by being so incredibly 'life and soul' while they're here, laughing at everyone of their jokes, making more drinks than strictly necessary, but only very slightly OTT, so you can rightly look innocent if DP dares to look askance?

MI can you not just say 'stop being a bloody martyer and stop trying to make me out to be the baddie in all this. I have agreed to it, I will do it, but I won't be made to be the villain of the piece'.
And slap him round the head for good measure?

Dp has been a star and bathroom is ordered (from various suppliers) - here's hoping it turns up in time for fitting...

Herbs my AEG is 10 years old and still going strong - must have been a dodgy one.

CV, I absolutely have to. It is the one day we are due to see them. I had a faint hope our Disastrous Concert would be on that day but no.

I know. I really do not want to go to sodding Legoland. I can think of 101 things I would prefer to do, starting with sticking pins in my eyes.

I think I might go for Herbs' approach.

On a similar note, DD2 is dissolving into pass-agg tears every time she is asked to do anything whatsoever. I am gritting my teeth but it is infuriating.

The AEG is still under warranty, if I've registered the machine. No idea if I have, or how to if I haven't. A delight for tomorrow.

MI are you going with smaller children than yours? It is really only for under 10's IMHO!

BD

DH is dithering (as bloody usual) over accommodation and itinerary for our hols. I know he will try and foist the decisions onto me. TBH, I can make a decision in a nanosecond, and it is usually the right one! However, when he causes me to doubt myself, then all is lost.

Herbs, when our freezer did that it was because it was seriously iced-up, in a way that didn't show. (Which reminds me, we're supposed to do a big two-day defrost every few months and we haven't).

MI it sounds infuriating. Hints and implications make it worse. Can it all be smacked out into the open? Sometimes works on my Mum.

BTM, happy kitchen-warming.

Yes, they have two kids and it's the youngest's birthday. Not that DP knows how old the child is. DD2 will probably enjoy it - she has wanted to go for ages. DD1 is a nice person...

I could spend the day at home, banging out a chapter of my book and taking myself out for a nice lunch at the Peckham Indian place and perhaps inviting a few nice friends round for Prosecco. But no.

Sorry, was slow posting. What Blackduck said. Or murder, obvs.

Auriga, it sadly has a little way to go before being finished! Hopefully tiled this week then we are postponing the decorating till we are away on holiday!

Ah, MI. I guess you will have to grit your teeth. Unless you go down with some last minute illness. But then they will think you are avoiding them

Good wishes to bad appliances, or their owners if it's too late.

Major tech meltdown sorted by nice, fast, inexpensive computer man so no more phone posting from me.

I am very sorry for daft work situation Mrs S. Hope rash not caused by perfume, which looks like it would be gorgeous. May make special detour when next in west End to inhale. (None of my biz, but do hope your DH realises that was HIS spur of the moment idea and not an early Christmas/birthday present)

Stropps your lucky dip and plucky dancing brought a smile to my face.

I'm with what BD said MI. But I can't do any kind of pretending very well. Zero poker face me.

Don't know Mary Chapin Carpenter. Will have a listen.

Me neither, WAF! Are you coming on the 25th? And Auriga?

I do believe I am, BTM

Yay - lots of takers for the 25th!

To clarify, MI, by 'herbs' approach' did you mean unimpeachable good humour, or murder?

Rudy, I am staggered that you feel that you have to pay so much - ours was 378 (not a washer dryer, though). As I said I am very pleased with it and it seems to do everything I want.

"Sometimes you're the windshield, sometimes you're the bug" - Mary Chapin Carpenter was my divorce music, I seem to remember :)

MrsS - nooooooooo. :(

MI, is it time for a bit of bin-jumping? Sorry to hear the concert didn't go awfully well.

Didn't get an interview for that job, somehow don't think it's worth me applying for any more TA jobs. Too over-qualified and clearly not able to strike the right note in my applications. I have the possibility of some voluntary work with adults with literacy issues, so that may take me somewhere. And trying to find out if I can spend my savings on a course in the near future. Trying not to get disheartened and panic.

Well done on the fab party, Herbs.

I helped out at the cubs end of term party this evening. Lots of cheesy Doritos left over, yum. :)

I made an abortive attempt at swimwear shopping today, as I have had to admit that the swimwear purchased last year is really not up to shoring up my saggy chest. Was depressed to note that another year of circuit training has left me with more muscles but less fat and this is, in terms of skin sag, not good. I have wrinkles All Over. I feel this is a tad unfair as it should be about another 20 years before I got to that stage. Boo. I clearly need to eat more cheesy Doritos. ToT? Bah, I should have kept my blubber. I mean, I'm not even thin, but I am clearly too thin for my skin.

Dd has gone to London(-ish) for a few days with BFF after going to another (lunchtime) party on the beach today with some other friends. Tomorrow they are going to Thorpe Park and on Wed they are off into London. Big change from a year ago, when she would still refuse to pay for an ice cream herself and want me to do it for her. She says she will also be happy to go most of the way across France by herself on the TGV next month. This was the girl who had a panic attack last summer when a friend asked her to meet her in town to go shopping... I worry all the time that this normality can't possibly last... Maybe my re-found social life is inspiring her. Her BFF has said I am "cool". Yay