Crepeys say Bah Humbug, (it's not Christmas yet)

[beachyhead]

Here we go

BTM, dd doesn't want to learn as she can't see when she would use it living in London and the insurance is ruinous when they are young so then they need topping up with lessons and practice when it gets more reasonable....mind you. that's what I said and I never learned .

BTM, it used to be that if you learnt on an automatic that was all you could drive - not sure if it has changed, though. I went gliding in a tiny two seater glider plane from just outside Wooler - it was a glorious blue day and I ended up with a headache as I didn't allow for being so high up.

I have just received an appointment for my breast cancer scan - just the thing you want Christmas week.

Rose, not long to go now until it is over (the choir, that is).

I learned when I was 17 - it was a necessity to go pubbing and clubbing! We used to take it in turns to be the driver.

NU I know Wooler!

Lalsy, I was (am) like you... trouble is I now live in the sticks and can't drive!

Here I had hideous meeting with the colleague who was trying to second my member of staff yesterday - funny how she has a very selective memory of that original meeting. I said nothing, but inwardly seethed.

Cremo/Rudy hope you are feeling okay. SS bought (but not posted), now off to book train for Friday.....

I think it's still the case that if you learn on an automatic you can then only drive automatics, indeed. That could be just the excuse you're looking for, BTM!

A Christmas Truce has been called. I may have interfered a leeeeeeetle bit, when my mum asked me her opinion. I said I didn't want to get involved, but one suggestion I had is to at some stage go and stay with sis, even though it's a massive pain the arse.

This morning, she emailed sis with the suggestion that they come and stay on boxing day, while the rest of the family is there. Sis grabbed the idea with both hands. So, while there are still underlying issues to be resolved, at least Christmas should be moderately pleasant. There's always next year...

It took me five (5, v) goes to pass my driving test - there is probably still a thread on MN celebrating my final success, at 37 weeks pregnant and indeed five days before giving birth to the lovely DD2 . I am still not partial to driving.

Well done, Herbs.

Advice please. I have another Secret Santa to attend, a probably rather boozy local one of Nice Mums mainly I suspect from the primary school. All totally anonymous so cannot think 'oh so and so would probably like that' and I am fully aware from the horror of my fellow-inmates that my taste is perhaps a little individual (I'd blow my fiver on a nice vintagey glass or some such). Shall I play safe but kind, by getting a mini bottle of fizz? Given the company is unlikely to be catsbummouthy about booze?

I'd like either MI [unhelpful].

BD, yep, it does rather commit me to living where I do. dh said the other day it made him feel old and in the fullness of time he'd maybe like to move out a suburb or three to slightly leafier terrain - I am not keen! MI, I did try when pg with ds - got flu in the middle on an intensive course, and finally took test at 38+ weeks which involved a load of kerfuffle about towels and seatbelts. All of which was irrelevant as I turned left rather than right out of the driving school so failed within the first minute, despite what the bloke called an impressive performance under the circumstances after that.

DP occasionally mumbles about moving out of London, until I say 'well you'd have to learn to drive, as I won't be ferrying you about'. Goes a bit quiet after that...

MI - I'd be very pleased by a small bottle of fizz in a random SS. Better than a nose-hair-removing scented candle, or a golf novelty.

I failed my first driving test by going over a zebra crossing while a blind man was on it [gasp]

nose - hair removing scented candle! Fizz or indeed wine would go down well with most surely?

I took 3 goes to pass, the first the day after my DGodSis died aged 11, and the second with a tester renowned for being the worst. Still better than DFriend who took 7 goes

Well I leant to drive up north, had a couple of years gap and then had to have a couple of special lessons to adapt to driving in London it was so scary.

MI

I got my first car (yellow mini) from ex 's father and had baptism of fire driving back to Clapham via Hammersmith roundabout! However, ex did teach me to drive and park fearlessly in London

I would be happy with either of those, too, MI.

I have just done a quick calculation - in about 14 months' time I will have been driving for FIFTY years - I passed the test the first time. DH passed his test a couple of months after his 17th birthday and had one lesson. I on the other hand had 20 and they cost under a pound each! I shudder to think how much lessons cost now.

Herbs, sounds to me that you ought to be employed by ACAS - well done.

BD, sorry you are still having a bad time at work.

My week has just changed direction. DGD2 has impetigo and can't go to nursery until next Wednesday. We're out for a Christmas lunch tomorrow so her DDad will have to look after her then, but we'll have her for the rest of the week.

Did I say that last week when I saw the GP that I mentioned that DH still hadn't heard from the hospital following his tests at the end of September? The doctor said that she would get someone to chase it up. This afternoon DH has had a phone call asking him to see the consultant on Friday. Funny that.

Tilly My DDad had a yellow mini! I used to drive it all the time!!! I passed second time…I definitely wasn't ready the first time. Cocked up just about everything.

NU Do hope all is well for your DH on Friday. Such a long delay is atrocious!!!

I am off shortly to DS2's school music dept winter concert. He's doing quite a lot, I hear from other sources. He never volunteers any information. Gather DSis is going as DNeph is playing in the ukelele band. Hoping for a night of loveliness to make up for having to drive half way across London in this freezing weather!

Rose, mine was bright yellow Loved that mini!

Yes NU, hope all is OK for your DH.

DS now has DD's lurgy and is so ill that he hasn't gone to footy training

Would love to see the uke band, Rose. Can you do a vid for FB?

My cousin is in two ukele bands - last time we saw her she had just taken part in a ukele flash mob in Leeds town centre. What fun!

Rose, enjoy your evening - DS sounds very talented.

BTM, your DS must be poorly to miss footy.

DD is on the phone to DMIL (because I wanted BIL's address) - DD is so good at listening to her concerns and backing her up... but she is supposed to be learning her French

It is the interval. DS is on in the second half. I have stage fright. He is having a ball.

I am freezing my proverbial a off at a bus stop. My car is parked in a suburb. I am cold , and sniffing dramatically. Keep me company

Go Rosebag , go!

Oh poor you Cremo. How did you get separated from your car? Forgive me if I have missed an important bit of information.

Rudy, is that the voice of experience speaking?!

Cremo, are you all right?

Sorry phone died but I'm ok. Ended up on a bus that meant I had to hike to the car. Now defrosting .
Tea and toast. Sniff, weep.