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?

What - I have pm'd you :)

NU, sorry to hear you are still a bit stuck. Hope you get to your destination soon.

NU - what a trek!

Here, I have given myself a tension headache helping DS with his Physics. I fear he hasn't given it as much revision time as the other two Sciences, and it shows.

We've got the first A level 'exam' tomorrow. Art and Photographt are in and done, so tensions are high, coupled with me being stressed about the organisation of dd1's 18th at the end of next week, coupled with a few of ours coming to knock our 50th on the head at the same time. All feeling a bit overwhelming....

Crem, I'm sorry for all woes: dd, foot and job. It's too much at the same time. Is there any chance of dh visiting if he has the best line of communication open to get a clearer idea of what the bf is and how their relationship is?

CV, I hadn't realised our mutual friend did invigilating. She's not tomorrow because she's meeting me for a dog walk!

Thanks again everyone.
We are collecting dd from docks tomorrow,that is I hope we are.
I will be channelling a veneer of good cheer and slight bewilderment , in the style of Molly. I will also be playing up my broken foot to full effect, in an effort to illicit assistance in All Chores.

Oh and what, bring 2 pairs of wellies each to TITP. That's my top tip. Because of its idyllic lakeside location it will be WET. Even if the sun is splitting the trees. If you need any other Top Tips re TITP please ask. Dh took dd with another Dad and daughter.i have worked it a few times too.
Glastonbury it is not.

Thank you Crem, I'm writing lists already... different to Glasto in what respect? Commercial aspects? Organisation?

We've arrived in sunny Vancouver and I am sitting in the window overlooking the beaches and harbour - the apartment isn't large but the views are stunning. We're having a cup of tea and then venturing forth to have some fresh air after being cooped up inside for two days.

Crem, good luck with DD.

I hope the exams continue to get done and that soon they will be over, also that the jobs are not being too difficult atm.

NU - glad you got there finally! Fond memories of Vancouver.

So yesterday evening was eventful. DS1, with whom I had a minor rift last year and a major one earlier this year, offered an olive branch. 3DC, 2gfs and I went out for dinner, at his invitation. I hadn't seen him for several months, despite him living nearby. We had a lovely meal, lots of chatter and laughter. I am cautiously optimistic. He is his father's son, some of the good, some of the bad, and we have had a very rocky time since XH and I split up 8 years ago. There's been a dark cloud hanging over me for a long time and the repercussions have been felt by all the family. I wish I could have wrapped them up in cotton wool, but the fallout's been bad for all of us. Fuck it.

(Pulling myself together...)

Morning whats that sounds like a lovely evening but why the dark cloud?

NU I can't wait to read more of your posts I'd like to book Canada for next year so I have my pen and paper handy ready to make notes of your top travel tips!

Where - I've had 8 years of issues with DS1, we clash constantly, he doesn't get on with his dad at all. On the outside he appears to be successful, degree, good job, flourishing sporting career, but his personal life is fractured and lonely. I think counselling might help him, but I'm sure he'd laugh at me if I suggested it. He's put up a strong facade.

It does sound like he needs something like counselling especially as it sounds as if he doesn't get on generally with both you and his DF. However be careful he doesn't play down his relationship of his father to you. My friends son would often play the two of them off against each other, almost because it seemed that he felt the other parent was comforted by the fact he said he didn't get on with the other. They found out when they eventually built bridges. Do you and exDH have any sort of relationship where you could discuss this?

On a lighter note - aren't you off to Dorset today will DS1 be joining you?

NU, that sounds fabulous!

Cremo, great that you are getting DD home. And that you have a valid reason to get her to help out with All Chores Yes surely this must be the time for things to turn for the better.

Good Luck to BeachyDD. And what a full-on time organising 18th/50th too!

Yes we're off today. I have work to do and still haven't packed... Argh!

XH and I haven't spoken for 4 years, at his instigation. I know about his relationship with DS1 because DS2 and DD keep me up to speed. It's very frosty, but DS1 has behaved very badly to both of us in the past, so it's kind of understandable. He's playing rugby this weekend and is working, so can't come to Dorset.

Oh lord, that does sound very hard to negotiate...

I can happily report that the Ivy is very nice. My friend, who is a Bad Influence, then led me astray into TKMaxx and possibly a small post-birthday drink at Dishoom-. I bought v nice white top in the sort of linen that can be crumpled. I shall have to work tomorrow morning but that's not going to be a problem - I'd rather have had Norty Break in the week. I don't get out much.

The sunscreen is the Soltan BB. I slather it on rather, more than I would an ordinary cream, so I do have to rub it in. I had to blot off a bit of extra with ahem kitchen towel today, but it doesn't show that I'm wearing a tinted cream otherwise!

Hatty I find you can get a lot of discontinued beauty stuff still by going online…for a while anyway. I have exhausted the past stock of my wonderful Dermalogica tinted moisturiser, though. And am now going to go on Amazon to see if there are any supplies of EL Invisible Fluid which I am gutted about them discontinuing. What lippy is it?

Swanage is lovely! Spent a lot of time in Dorset as a kid but it tens to be Sussex these days…just that bit nearer.

….are you near the hotel we stayed in? It was The Westin Bayshore, also on the harbour. It has a lovely coffee shop/bistro menu. We also spent a lot of time in Whitespot…the diner….

Good luck to CVand Beachy's (any others) offspring for the exams today!

What That's tough but everyone needs to take responsibility for their own behaviour…I took a really tough line with my DS1 (now 27 but was tiny when ExH and I split ) I was quite horrible really, just told him that shit happens (parents breakup) but it was down to him how he behaved and he had the choice to behave badly or properly. I'm not sure if it was the right line to take…in the hard times (teen years mostly) I just about managed to keep lines of communication open (between me and DS). Bloody good on you for accepting the olive branch. Have a lovely trip.

MI The Ivy? I am in awe

Todays delights…teachers meeting…then have to take DD back to the orthodontist…within one day of having it fitted…she's already broken it

Good idea Rose - and tell me exactly what your EL invisible fluid is. They had something like that here in the January sales. Our sales start on 24 June so I could see if there's still any about.

MI - Of the Ivy.

I've been on the machines and am red as a beetroot so am waiting half an hour before I venture out again as I may frighten people.

It was a set lunch - and I went veggie - but pretty fab. Though did have to sit through interminable presentation first...

What, the atmosphere at TITP has more edge. There is a lot of rowdiness and drinking, that is difficult to avoid, like you can in Glastonbury. It is much smaller site, so hard to get away from displays of craziness.and yes it is more commercial and less charity driven. At Glastonbury the vibe is kindly and inclusive. at TITP it's all systems go, with not much respite. Slightly endurance driven.( I blame the Irn Bru breakfasts)
My tips:
Bring the biggest tent you can carry- this will give you more personal space . Pitch it as far up the slope as you can get ( water flows downhill, and as far away from the action as possible.)
Bring sheewees and a bucket, so you don't have to yomp across the mud in the night.
Get to know the times they clean the portaloos and stand by at these times for a better toilet experience
Same goes for cash points ( they run out quickly )wait til the bank clerks have filled them.
Bring binoculars, the you can watch a stage from afar.

MI is it still Mark Hix at the Ivy?
Am well jel

What, just looking at the line-up for TITP - looks good

However, Cremo's post has just put me right off - must be getting old

Cremo, has your DD arrived yet?

I haven't been to a festival since 1987, when I went to Glastonbury, when it was all hippies in mud and acid trips in the Womad tent. (Not me, I hasten to add). Crem's post has made me realise I haven't been missing anything!

Hatty Invisible Fluid (Estee Lauder) was a very, very sheer foundation I bought a few years ago…and I've loved it. I only wear foundation for posh occasions (preferring tinted moisturiser/BB for every day) so the bottle lasted ages. It's probably been off the market for some time now…. I hope I can find some discontinued stock somewhere…it doesn't settle into wrinkles and you can just put it where you need it. The shades have funny codes…I'll have to check the box…

I am ashamed to say that I have never been to a festival. And these days, I can't do the rustic toiletting arrangements…

[joins BTM on the I'm too crepey for a festival bench]

Blimey, I am beat. Spending the day helping dd sort her belongings. Her room was full with her and most of her stuff at uni. Now she is back. We have had to allocate a large drawer to "uniforms, sentimental tops, pirate costumes and pyjamas". She has the sort of suitcase people emigrate with, just full of books. Off to do items of sentimental value, including broken dalek gadgets and an interesting collection of small sticks. I could so knock back a large ginger beer mojito now.

DD1 has just come home with some of her exam results. They're good. Nice good, as in "if I did GCSE maths now I'd get a B" (she only starts the GCSE course next year). But others in the (admittedly vv smart) maths set are totting up the A*s already and I have to bite back utterly stupid worries. FFS.