School's out for crepeys

[lalsy]

Ooops, sorry, I didn't mean to finish the thread.

Off out shortly to my 40th party in (disgusted of) T Wells. My nose is a little out of joint. The friend in question is from my NCT group, and we became very close. I've stayed at hers a few times since she moved to TW, and supported her when she was going through some dark times. I also rewrote her website for her.

Me, her, and one other NCTer spent lots of days with our three boys.

I was told in no uncertain terms that the party was 'no children', so as we have no overnight childcare, DP is staying behind. I have been instructed to arrive at 6.45, as I'm staying with a neighbour. The other NCTer texted me earlier to see if I wanted a lift, at 3pm! So there's an earlier get-together for the chosen few! AND she's taking her son, though she doesn't need to as she has grandparents who look after him all the time.

I'd been feeling for a while that she was cooling off, and now feel v much like I've been demoted to 'second tier' friend. I wouldn't go, but I've bought her a very thoughtful and lovely present, and want to make her feel guilty!

Also, was going to get the train so I don't have to drive with a hangover tomorrow, but my watch stopped and I didn't realise, so going to have to drive now. At least I make a quick getaway in the morning.

Oh Herbs hate it when that kind of thing happens. Have to admit I'd be in the won't go camp, but I'm not really a party animal....

That said I'm off to a 50th (she has the figure of a 20 year old - I hate her) in a field, with four bands and various other entertainment....

Ds at a sleepover.

Herbs, that's a pisser. Get drunk and enjoy yourself! At least you're not having to fork out for a hotel.

BD, how can you say you're not a party animal - you and Stropps seem to spend every weekend going to some festival or bbq or whatever!

DS is off to his mates for a last minute sleepover. And I'm going to a jazz club. DH is manning the phone in case of emergencies!

BTM - it's the only form of entertainment available for us country bumpkins! Have to make our own amusement :)

DP admits to feeling stressed about tomorrow and freely concedes that Legoland is a truly stupid idea (it wasn't his). They are going to be jet-lagged up the wazoo (when they stayed here all those years ago they made NO ATTEMPT to change their body clocks, creeping about the house at 2am (and eating the beef rendang they brought with them. SIL doesn't eat Foreign Food). They are right by Windsor Park, he points out. We could have a nice day and lunch somewhere with a decent wine list menu and go when they were knackered. But no.

MI, watch they say they are too tired to continue round and slope off to the hotel, leaving you with the DC

Thanks, BTM. It's the support I get from you lot that keeps me going.

The beef rendang was made by their cook, btw. Princess Bride doesn't cook. Nor does BIL. Which may be why they continually expected DP to rustle up plain rice for her when they stayed (see aforementioned refusal to eat forrin food).

She's the Indian version of Brits abroad then?!

You truly deserve a medal for having to put up with all this bollocks MI.
Wishing you much strength and patience in advance. I would aim for an impenetrable force field of none of this being either my idea or in any way my problem... you are merely a partaker who has been good enough to come along to share in the occasion...

Greetings from the sofa. Having a lovely time here. Ds1 has been at the festival since Thursday afternoon and been camping there. Dh meets up with him twice a day to exchange money / food / clean t shirts and give him the once over. It's a steep learning curve (for me at any rate). So far so good though. All he has said to me on the phone is that he's fine... It was an acquaintance mum who sent me a cheery text today, saying she understood he was having a great time hanging out with her daughter and all her friends... Blimey!

Must be nice to have a princess in the family, MI! Tbh, they sound like a nightmare and you have my sympathies having to deal with them.

DH, the GC and I caught the bus into Newcastle as it was raining this afternoon - bus was almost half an hour late, and consequently every other bus was also late. There was a festival on in Exhibition Park and I got to wondering if this was the festival your friend had a hand in, MI? I debated wandering up to St. James's Park to see the tributes to the Newcastle fans who died in the Ukraine, but decided against it in the end.

Rudy, I love the thought of your DC hiding in the cupboard and giggling - such a lovely thing to do - blessedly normal, ie it's nice that they can still enjoy childish things.

Herbs, I am sorry that "D"Friend is treating you like this; I am afraid that it does happen sometimes - I hope you enjoy the party, though.

Rose, if you feel old because you were 15/16 in 1976, imagine how I feel - I was 24!

Herbs, that's such a horrible feeling - to find out you've been treated like that. Do you remember my posts about being left out of some group by someone I had thought of as a friend ? It was awful. Maybe that's what living in TW does to you eh?

I'd be very tempted
(a) to drop something into the conversation to let her know you know and
(b) to leave under your own steam as and when it suits you - and would probably go home tonight spurning the b and b at the neighbour's and
(c) not to give her the lovely thoughtful present but rather a whole load of nothing / some garage flowers...
(but then I'm a bit of a caaaah when crossed / badly treated).

NU, it almost certainly was. SIL (my sister's partner) is Grande Fromage des Arts up your way.

MI - could you not do Windsor Castle instead of Lego Land? If you book online and get timed tickets, queueing should be minimal. Or will Princess Bride think she should get a personal invitation from The Queen and sneer at the idea?

Herbs - what QQ says. Get her a shitty scented candle and keep the nice present. I've been badly treated by a friend, and it ended with me telling her that you can't treat people like that, and to go fuck herself. I deleted all contact details and blocked her email. It felt very empowering, and although I was very hurt by her at the time, it was absolutely the right decision.

I am in a huge rage with DH and can't even speak about it as I am so angry.

Sorry to hear that you're angry at DH, MrsS, it's obviously more than he hasn't put something away which drives me mad at times. Deep breaths and a stiff drink, do you think? I hope you and he can sort it out.

Oh MrsS. Herbs, how goes it?

We are grumpily preparing to go. DP in total state. Just in case Legoland wasn't enough on its own, it turns out that (a) another family is coming along (and I am prepared to bet the farm I won't find a soulmate therein) (b) my perimenipausal system has chosen today, yes today to impose one of those fabulous periods that defy all modern flood defences and knock you out at the same time - and it isn't, I suspect, the sort of company where one can frankly explain and request time out. Oooh, it's the day that just keeps on giving. And it's limit 8.30

MrsS, MI, Blackduck, let me share my sister's wise words. They are as follows: if a man says he will do some job about the house, he'll do it. There's no need to keep reminding him every six months.

Yesterday began with 4am horrors, when I woke up miserable & anxious. It improved when I threw myself into dog-walking, baking & a delightful choir barbecue with singing. It ended with midnight horrors, when cousin phoned with news of aunt's operation and asked after my ill sister. She'd had no idea how serious things were & it was an upsetting conversation.

In transport news, the old car died again yesterday & RAC man couldn't revive it. Hoping the garage can resurrect it; French holiday exactly a month away .

MI, good luck with the Princess Bride
Monty Python today (live screening at the cinema)

Ugh, good luck, MI.

We are going to Aldi...

MrsS hope all is okay?! Not a shower related issue?

MI - erm, I was going to say have fun, but I guess you'd think I was being sarky :). Try not to kill anyone! And let's hope the weather is good (no idea what the forecast is today)

Auriga - :)

MI, surely they won't miss you if you slope off?!

Auriga, MrsS, hope today is better.

Had a great night out last night - jazz club turned out to be fabulous. AND there were cocktails

DD text to say the party was "live" so it sounds like it went OK!

Wishing you much strength, MI. It'll all be over soon.

Curtains are twitching in the village this morning, with rumours of a "suspicious death" and a nearby street cordoned off by police......

Hugs to people facing a stressful Sunday. Herbs quiet dignity and keep your distance in the future. Sometimes friends just aren't really. Her loss.
MrsS Rage has to run it's course before you can think clearly. However sometimes a monumental tantrum bears fruit…I find. and
Auriga Hope anxiety is calming now. Car trouble…aaaargh Poor you.
MI what can I say…strength and fortitude to you. As I suggested before…start limping, and ask for lots of sit downs. If it's any consolation, sounds like your DP is going to suffer more than you…
OOOh CV…will it make the papers. There are murders around here regularly… Plus they found the suicide bombers den from 7/7 in a block of flats walking distance from here…
BTM you look gorgeous in the fb photo at the jazz club
Right …off to a friend's barbecue. Have made savoury rice, and 2 treacle tarts. Now my only problem is how to explain to DH that he looks a dick in shorts, socks and trainers….

Just say it Rosebag!

Here I have put a wash on and packed my bag for the 10 days from Wednesday, the boden crepey dress is in but will not be making an appearance Friday night.
I am about to do ds's and dp needs to do his. After Wednesday the next time I will see dp is the other side of this damn conference. (Nervous breakdown is penciled in)

I am also feeling somewhat flaky from last nights party - too much white wine I suspect!

Ohh CV exciting!

Have a LOVELY day MI. It sounds delightful in every way.

I am returned from the party - having not slept a wink in a strange bed - and have made up with friend. It turns out I was in fact a bit shit, and she felt hadn't reciprocated her hospitality or her friendship enough. After getting all close, and staying at hers a few times, we never returned the friendship, in her eyes. I NEVER phone people, whereas she's a real chatter, so it must have seemed to her like I was not interested, whereas I was just being mildly crap.

She thought I was backing off, I thought she was backing off, neither was true. Anyway, all sorted now.

Mrs S - is the husband dead yet?

Rose, I also had to put the brakes on DH's sartorial ambitions this morning - he was wearing turquoise and pink checked short, a pink polo shirt, and was about to put on a pair of bright red trainers. I suggested that some slightly more sober footwear might go some way towards avoiding the "children's TV presenter" look.

I agree Rose, I just say it. And so do the DC in even more uncertain terms! Thanks re photo - it was a lucky shot!

Herbs, glad you and friend got sorted