Crepeys on the Verge of an Examination Meltdown

[whattodoforthebest2]

Not sure if I should be starting the new thread as I'm the last poster on the old one - is this how it works?

Just coming on quickly to mark place whist I wait for the pasta to boil.

The wind has changed here and the temperature has literally shot up over the last two hours. Also, I spied an ant in the kitchen so summer must be here.

Ooh, that sounds wonderful BTM, what a good idea. (Thinks...)

Where - I've rented a house for the week through Booking.com. Since DS2 and his gf are impoverished at present, they're gracing us with their presence! I have another spare room in case any other friends/teens decide to tag along.

Well we (DD and I) had a fab holiday in California two years ago and I'm thinking of going back to the US, but maybe to New Orleans and/or Florida. Flying and driving around, booking places as we go. It worked well before and I like having the freedom to choose where to go and how long to stay. I really ought to research it a bit...

But I've also been looking at Intrepid Holidays - their tours around Thailand and Sri Lanka look fantastic.

As you can see, I'm not one to plan too far in advance.

whats can I come can I come?? Seriously if I were you (or your lucky DD) I'd go Thailand / Sri Lanka esp if you've already done the America thing. Seriously sounds amazing I personally like to notch up as many diff counties as poss (not easy when you have a DH who likes 'safe' holidays!!)

hattie I spied 2 ants earlier so summer is def here

Where - yes, I agree, I'm looking all over the place atm. Being my youngest, it won't be long before she won't want to be seen outdoors with her old Mum and I'll be looking at the solo traveller holidays. I'm single and most of my friends are either coupled-up or not up for that type of holiday for one reason or another.

Btw, of course you can come, mind you, by the time DD has packed her make-up bag(s) into the boot, there won't be much room for more than a flip-flop or two!

Haven't had time to catch up on the end of the last thread. I hope the exams are going well this week? Just seen NDN who asked me if I was as exhausted as I looked! Gee, thanks (but yes, I am). Beamish today with DGC where I spent time with DGD, just 2, while DH took DGS, 4, into the drift mine. DGD was a little touchy and I think I would have been better down the mine in the cold and dark. She has become unreasonably attached to a packet of Peppa Pig tissues. I offered a late lunch at home, McDonald's or a pub, and DGS chose McD's as he had never been before and his friends go there. Peer pressure at 4.

Only a week to go until Canada.

How exciting NU!

We went to Thailand a couple of years ago - it was soooooooo relaxing. I really, really want to do a Cali trip - Maybe next year. We are going to NZ because that's where DH was brought up, so we will be touring both islands and catching up with friends. I haven't been to the South Island, so that should be good.

Ooh Canada I'd love to go there. I have a friend from Vancover who tells me lovely stories about growing up there. It's on my bucket list. Where are you staying NUF?

whats I think I may eventually go down the solo traveller route when my DS is a bit older as I'm much more adventurous than hubby. I figure you have your children until they are about 16 and once the grand old age (!) of 17 rolls around they def don't want to be on holiday with their parents - which is understandable. I can remember secretly hating being on holiday with my folks from about 15+ although they was camping holidays so hardly the most thrilling!

Once exams are over we are thinking of moving house! Quite excited to down size actually.

Ooh WWIB, can we look forward to some property porn? I would also like to go to Canada!

BTM not sure if what I will be looking at will be classed as property porn unfortunately..

Anyone else thinking of moving soon? I feel like it's one stress after another at the moment although I do look forward to down scaling. When my DS goes Uni there is no way me and hubby can rattle round here plus I'm sick of paying bills for a house that is too big for us. The older I get the more I want to free up my cash to join whats on her solo mission round the world - how does that sound whats? - who's in?

Ooh yes Where, my bag's already packed!

I'll be downsizing as soon as DS2 can stop spending his earnings on beer, trainers and jeans and start thinking about moving out - I'm thinking it could be a while unless I give him a shove!

DD will be off to uni sooner or later and then, like you, Where, I won't need all this space and will look forward to having smaller bills etc and freedom to travel.

So What and Where are signed up, is there a Who, When, Why and How Much that would like to join us?

Yo, crepsters, I have officially finished all my teaching practice. I have a hideous workload this week, plus dh is whinging about me not doing enough of our business work, plus I have to do my Friday invigilation work, but tonight I am indulging in . Because a) I have finished all my TPs with flying colours and b) dd has managed to drag herself to her biol and chem AS exams and has tomorrow off, before embarking on statistics and 2 lots of crit thinking and finishing her exams on Friday. Phew. Decided I will celebrate tonight as I will most likely be working on Friday.
I am an Ur-crepey who has never been brave enough to start a thread, as I am too weedy to be a threadstarter on MN in case people throw things at me for choosing the wrong thread title.

OMG, crepeys, I cannot believe I only have three more weeks of this course. And I don't have to get up at 4.30am for any of them any more. I am nearly there. Just a big old fat pile of assignment crap to get signed off and then I am done.

As I was doing my 4 hours of driving today and listening to R4 much of the way, I noted that I was pretty much unmoved by the passing of C. Kennedy and wondered if I should have a word with myself about my deep lack of sympathy towards persons with a history of drink/addiction problems. I feel terribly sorry for his son, poor wee chap, but otherwise....

You should see the state of the other people in my tutor group on the course. Seriously, it should come with a health warning. Everyone appears to have developed massive health issues whilst on the course, varying from really horribly aggravated skin conditions to gastric problems and back problems (yes, that last one's me, but there is no one in my tutor group who isn't significantly poorly). I am sooooooo glad it is nearly over.

CV, sorry what was that you said? Something about a black pudding scotch egg? That is the sort of thing Stropdog would like

Sorry, won't be signing up to the moving/travelling club. I live in a teeny hovel and by the time my ds leaves home, dh will be 80 and I don't fancy pushing him round the world in his Bath chair.

Stropps - well done for getting through all that work, teaching practice, invigilation etc etc - it sounds like a nightmare!

Well I started the thread and I'm still standing and no-one's chucked rotten eggs at me yet but give it time

I've thought about embarking on teacher training, but have decided I'm not only too old, but I'm also a complete wimp. Also I have a string of careers that have never properly got off the ground, so I don't need another one

whats I've decided as we are quite like minded we should move in together - (I hope this suggestion isn't too soon??) Where shall we live? I fancy near London maybe on the Thames or perhaps somewhere like a period house conversion flat in a trendy city? Thoughts?

stropps we'll send you a postcard

Stropps, that is AMAZING. And take your point re CK.

My solo is sounding good. Am pleased.

Goodness, Where, you're a fast mover! You've got me all of a fluster.

Well I was thinking of Hove/Brighton. There are some lovely apartments with roof terraces and sea views and so on. And WhattodoPuppy would enjoy walks along the beach every morning. Last time I looked, there was a very posh apartment on an upper floor of the Grand Hotel in Brighton for sale!! With lift and concierge and everything!

Wouldn't your DH mind you disappearing off into the sunset?

Brighton you say? Grand hotel you say? Ok fine put in an offer lets go. I'll pack my case.Who is this DH you speak of??

Seriously though love the idea of living by the sea. Very therapeutic have you decided that's where you'll end up?

No, I haven't decided. I have (older) sisters who live in sunny climes and that's tempting, but the places they've chosen are far too remote for my liking. I need to be somewhere near the hustle and bustle of a town/city, which is why Brighton appeals.

Stropps, fantastic, well done. And feel sympathy for who you like - it is complicated.

And Herbs, good luck with the final slog. It must be very tough.

What and Where . I hope you will be very happy. Do you want to say where you both live now (roughly)?

Just read Alistair Campbell's piece on CK (The Guardian) - had no idea about much of that.

Congrat's Stropps on finishing your course relatively unscathed.

We are going to Devon for hols so relatively unexotic.

Hi Lalsy - I'm in Surrey, so easy for meeting up in the smoke as and when...

lalsy I live in Kent at the moment. Not too rural though. Not sure whether to try to go closer to London or further out. My concern would be that living in a pretty village could become quite isolated the older I get. I'd like to be near a big city ideally.

I love the idea of living abroad but a) my husband would never even consider it and b) I don't think that works if you have children.

Is Brighton a long distance from you whats? How would it work for your family/DC's?

I have no family near me now anyway, DF passed away last year. DSis's are abroad and DBro in the West Country. DS1 and DS2 work in London so would stay within commuting distance and DD will go where the mood takes her. None of the DC would mind coming to Brighton to see me though - they all love it there. It's an hour or so from where I am now.

I am loving the fact that only two pages in, that What and Where are going to set up home together!!

I felt quite sad about Charles Kennedy. He was known as Piggy in this house, after he appeared as a guest judge on Masterchef years ago, and was shovelling the food in like there was no tomorrow. He lived a few doors down the street from us until quite recently, and used to rent the garage from the woman downstairs.

I have had it up to here with neighbour with dementia. Apart from banging relentlessly on the door this morning at 0710 because he "thought he saw DH leaving and wanted to talk to him", he was wandering about in the street when I came home from work this evening. I lurked a bit until he had disappeared off, before dashing in and locking the door behind me.