Crepey wattle and daub

[herbaceous]

At last! I get to use my thread title.

Over here, my hags.

Auriga - if any of your book discards would work for dd who reads like a fiend but is addicted to pop trash (imho), I'd love to have them. Any readable classics? She keeps trying Little Women without success, but liked The Secret Garden.

Sorry pressed post too soon. QQ - that is nice, the green Cos sweater. I may order them both and see what layering options I have that might work.

Molly, is she doing it at A'level? It is one of DD's choices (along with just about every girl she knows!)

DH went to bed at 8 and tossed and turned all night. He says he has a chesty something, but will no doubt be up for work shortly

Yes, BTM, she's really enjoying it and I think it's a great subject to do. Plenty to discuss and pontificate about. If you're reasonably competent at maths (for the stats side) it's quite an "easy" subject it seems. Dd's teacher apologised to her for the rowdiness of the class, saying that psych always attracts the "characters". Whatever that means! I kind of feel that dd is a bit safer, so to speak, because she's actually studying emotional issues so, I hope, would at least have some inkling of how to deal with emotional crises which might hit her.

LOL, I think that's why DD is so interested - she has inside information on the emotional issues! Sounds right up her street.

Auriga sorry to hear things are tough - you seem to have had a rough ride recently.
Loving all these stories of demos and sit ins and egg throwing! Wilbur I remember the car park prices sit in

Here avoidance continues - we stood at opposite ends of the car park last night and studiously avoided eye contact. I go from finding the whole thing quite pathetic to angry to not bothered. The bottom line? I am too old to put up with that kind of childish rubbish. I think Rose asked if I wanted this person in my life and I guess the answer is not enough to fight any more for it. I apologized. I received no response. As I said I'm not 15 anymore. So I will be relieved when today is over because the Raster break will create a natural gap and life will move into another groove.

Work however is a whole other thing - it is currently like nailing jelly to a wall.

Oh dear GOD. Best alto in choir down with laryngitis. Concert Sat. Can I dep for her in her solo in Hymn to St Cecilia? Well, I'll have to but will make godawful fist of it.

MI no way would I sing solo - but then I am not a great singer!

Oooh, respect, MI. I cannot sing at all and honk away tunelessly on three notes. Strangely, both of the DDs are quite musical, and arty. I failed grade 3 clarinet and wasn't allowed to do CSE art (never mind O level) as I was so bad.

I am up for a Russell Square lunch at some point.

It's only four bars but involves a TOP E. I'm more of a Ladytenor.

We don't have many altos.

I did an interview at 7am and now have to write it up. V impressive woman at other end of the phone. Inferiorettes now off for extended hols while school is rebuilt; I imagine they'll surface some time...

Much respect, MI. I don't know how anyone can do that [helpful].

Auriga, that all sounds very wearisome and I am sorry about dd. Are the school being helpful about it?

I used to march and still do occasionally, though at the back with people-who-have-taken-their-children-to-drama-classes-first-brigade. Which takes me seamlessly to the exciting news that Ocado has some interesting gins on special offer.

Hatty, hope you are having a lovely time with dd. My dd gets back tomorrow and ds leaves on his belt-wearing trip, so they won't see each other. But dd and I have plans, including Belgium next week.

Oh gosh auriga that does sound a grim time you're having of it at the moment. I do hope the migraines calm down and things will be smoother for DD. Like you say, exam stress gets the better of all these kids on occasion.
wilbur the best thing I've ever got across the pond is Calvin Klein jeans...they fit like a dream and were less the half the price ( as seen in Fenwick recently)
Put him in the spare room, if you've got one tilly.
BD if she isn't gracious enough to accept an apology and keep things at least civil, you really can't do more.
MI you'll be fine. You can do it. Shame you live in the wilderness....I'd have given you a vocal session.... I'm pleased to say I got back in the saddle yesterday and have started seeing my singing teacher again. Passed the MOT and have booked on to one of her classical workshops for July.

Emails back on after yet another password change that DH had to do while I went to DSs concert. I have a quiet day today until this evening when everyone goes in different directions including DS and DD at two separate music nights. I am particularly pissed off that the theatre where DS is doing the band night, stated clearly that there wasn't room for parents this year. And then yesterday I find out by chance that there's a waiting list for parents, should all the tickets not be taken (they're reserved for the yoof membership only or so we were told)

On the plus side, meeting with HerrD yesterday....he wants to pay me to do some coaching sessions for the students.....yay. But I have a major dilemma.....about which I shall be needing your wisdom, dear Crepeys, very shortly. He also asked for the script......

ocado? Gin?

EA, I am perversely reassured that even in the idyllic countryside people have neighbour problems.

V jealous of Wilbur's NY trip. My guilty secret is I have never been to NY. If I can keep the book momentum going I may need to go to India again next Jan but alas to a smog-filled concrete city.

Millers is on the offer BD [hyperventilates]. Sounds like you deserve it. I have a Saturday morning delivery of gin and fish fingers. Living the dream.

Yes I have gory thrillers MI, Lee Child kind of thing, any good?

I do have lots of psychology, not elementary but will see if I can find anything of interest.

Tearful over plane crash here, those poor exchange families, all the bereaved teenagers

Rose, well done on the work front.

Gin? I think I could do with some of that - not living the dream ATM in our house, but please God there are no more problems before the holidays start.

I am dreaming of DM and her memory/confusion/assessments/care, etc, etc. Sooner I find out the reality the better, I think.

BTM - worrying about your dm must be so stressful, I think getting some professional opinions will help - at least you will be able to plan.

Auriga - agree about the plane crash, it's utterly heartbreaking and the reports that there were parents already at the airport waiting to collect children when the news came in is just desperate. Ds2 is on a school trip at the moment, back this afternoon (no planes involved, thankfully), and I will be holding him very tight when he returns. And apologising for shouting at him so much.

Rose - lovely to hear about you getting your singing mojo back on track.

And thank you for the Calvin Klein jeans suggestion - will certainly look at CK stuff while I am there as I am a huge fan of their bras which fit my shape perfectly and have the right level of everyday padding for the small of boob. Yep, wearing one now.

Auriga, it unbearably sad, especially the latest news.

Rose, that all sounds exciting - hope dilemma is a positive one.

Will add CK jeans and bras to my list too!

Thanks Wilbur.

Yes, terribly sad about the plane crash, and the updates are increasingly terrifying.

The news on the plane crash is horrific. I can't imagine how terrifying it must have been over the last ten minutes.

On a brighter note have had a lovely morning shopping with DD2. She has fleeced me for jeans, cotton shirt and the inevitable cocktail dress. She looked so good I caved in like the sucker I am.

MI - I would love to be able to sing. Is it Berlioz - Mass to St Cecilia? That is beautiful.

Britten's Hymn to her. I am screeching a bit...

I have dispatched my darling children to get DD2 a new swimsuit at Sainsbo's (obvs) with instructions to Linger In The Café.

Top E, for an alto? Inhuman. Get me down there, MI. I love an E. As it were.

Plane updates are so chilling, aren't they.