Crepeys of a consistently high standard

[Stropperella]

So there. :)

I have studiously avoided looking at my bank account for about six months (I know, very responsible), and have just had a peek. And have got a couple of thousand more than I expected! I can have my hair cut, after all! And don't need to the bar job I saw advertised, just yet. Though rather tempted by the prospect of working at our local gin distillery, Mothers' Ruin. Could be a right larf.

Greetings from sunny Provence. It is too beautiful here I wish I could sit here sipping wine and gazing at the beautiful view for ever. It is impossible to sleep through as it's so hot at night so we are on some sort of weird timetable where we sit outside and read very late and when there is no more light we go and watch a box set of The Walking Dead which has been left here. Of course, after that I really cannot sleep!.

DD1 is now heading for Slovenia. Loved Prague but found Vienna too conservative. They are going to Ljubljana and then to Pula for the beach.

Auriga - that is really worrying about your sister. Hope it gets resolved before you leave.

CV - they had a whole thing on the French news about deaths from drownings in quarries and lakes etc. Your PC did the right thing.

Herbs, I'd do that job - loved being a barmaid as a student!

Auriga, that is worrying, but maybe the change of scene with your DM will do her good?

Dashing in - yy to mini-MU with Rose on Tuesday 21!

And yy to Cremo MU in Sept - would prefer 26 but 19 also possible

And yy to mini-MU in August, apart from the first week

I'm looking at flights a we speak, but wanted to jump on and say how sorry i am about both your sister MI and yours Auriga. Terribly , terribly sad for you both.

Right I'd say 26th prob better as we are only back from dps en France on 9th of Sept. Going for a late holiday this year, well, because we can. Although there were ructions with other family members when we booked their usual slot. Tough titty. It'll be quieter due to La rentree, and I get to look at naice French autumn winter clothing .....

Right away to skyscanner....

Ok I can whizz in on sat 26th, have a MN jolly and fly back Sunday 27th lunchtime. Just afraid to stay any longer as I will prob be unemployed by then unless I go to the papers and tell the world what's going on with public money , or land the job of my dreams which would involve stroking cats or dachshunds for a living, or testing French patisserie.

Dp home - hoorah! DDog left deposit this morning as a welcome (that'll be the cheese and onion loaf then!).
Up late talking so now very tired - sort day and early night hopefully. It's also the countdown to redundancies do everyone is in a strange mood. Hard to be focused.

MrsS have you booked hols? Saw your FB post re cat sitting.
We are off to have needles stuck in us ahead of trip....

Thanks all. My sister has had problems with alcohol for years, never really faced up to them despite some 'counselling'. But it seems to have got a real grip on her now. And it got my brother years ago.

And DM, who finally agreed to go to Dr after weeks of dismissing my concerns, is in heart failure, probably from valve disease.

In fact I'm the healthiest in the family and I'm a wreck

Oh Auriga :(. So sorry - that all sounds really tough.
The job you just left - was that one you went to fairly recently?

Auriga - very sad re your sister. One couple I know who were pretty hard drinkers have recently gone teetotal as they were shocked by the dependence of some very old friends.

BD - where are you going that requires needles? Sorry if you've said this and I've missed it.

Today is the Fête de La Figue in the village so we will have a lazy day investigating and consuming.

Crepeys - we seem to have been adopted by small but very friendly cat on holiday. She hung around all last night and came in and slept on the sofa till we went to bed. I have given her milk but no food. She is still here this morning. She obviously wants company but I'm thinking either her family have gone on holiday and she is being fed but is just a bit lonely or she's been dumped. Anyway do I feed? We are only here for the week.

Oh Auriga

- MI and Auriga. Can they do anything for your Mum, Auriga?

Hatty - does the cat look well fed, like of the Six Dinner Sid variety, or thin and scraggy? I would not feed her, I think, in case she does have other owners, and also she might become reliant on being fed by you - the next occupants of the house might not be quite so kind.

My hands are covered with eczema - first time in years. Work goes from bad to worse. I am on leave this week, thankfully, but don't want to go back.

Can you get signed off, MrsS?

DS went off this morning looking completely knackered having not eaten last night I shoved some bars at him and told him to eat a good lunch, but I am a bit worried about how he will cope with doing the second half of his science ISA which I think is this afternoon.

Hatty - going on holiday so need inoculations....

Auriga sorry for the anxieties around your DSIS Is there any way of talking directly with her about it…if only in relation to looking after your DM?

Herbs I gave up party bags after I realised that most of it ended up in the bin or even discarded on the pavement as they were going home …At the end of the DC's parties, I stood there with a basket full of mini chocolate bars shouting like a sergeant major…"Only three each…!!!" Monsters…

Hatty that sounds blissful…my kind of holiday…and CV from where I am right now 2 weeks on the sofa is a very attractive proposition. Instead, in 2 weeks time we will be wending our way to Nice and arguing over what to do…DH and DS want to See Places, me and DD want to Sit By The Pool and in cafe's….

That must be a sign of stress, MrsS

Tilly hope DS is ok…the DC are all worn out…doing exams, mocks and ISA's at the end of term seems so cruel.

It's so lovely that some of you may be able to come to a mini MU on 21st!!! Just opportunistic…I shall be there meeting with a teaching union …trying to get our small profession to join it!!!! (We have no representation and a management side that would make Rupert Murdoch look like a pussy cat….) I shall loiter there afterwards and join any Crepeys who can come. I have written down Sept 26th and hope nothing gets in the way. Would be great to see Crem again.

Oh Auriga I think you mentioned once that your father had similar stuff going on, or am I confused?

Am nervously awaiting info on DM's most recent blood tests.

MrsS, you need to be SIGNED OFF.

mI I have me fingers crossed for the blood test.

Auriga that's very tough. I would be worried about leaving you dsis with your mum in her present condition. Is there any alternative?
I very much hope you do not have to forgo your holiday, which you need so badly. I'm so sorry.

BD are you going somewhere exotic?. Good on ya.
Ah yes I recognise the workplace of doom scenario. It's grim round at ours too. If only I could shut up the rumour mill. I know some of the staff here imagine that we will all be saved at the eleventh hour. I've an interview tomorrow, strangely with an organisation I previously worked for for 14 years. This may be a hindrance actually as they are all 'new broom' I really can't get up the motivation. must try harder .

Ok does the 26th suit enough peeps? Shall I book?

Oh and Hatty, happy Bastille Day. I wouldn't feed the cat as I've been told not to in similar situations. If it was my kitty and other people were feeding it I'd not be very pleased tbh. But it's hard to ignore them if they are so lovely and friendly......

OH hell and damnation. Blood test results not great. Could be a LOT worse but bastard cancer growing back. Slowly.

MI :( so sorry....

Yes off to Tanzania/Zanzibar (wobbles at thought of cost)

Cremo it's a bit like that around here - everyone is hopeful - I'm cynical.....

MI but they will try to keep it under control. xx

Mrs S - try and have a restful week - was wondering if the heat as well as stress might bring put eczema.

Have not fed kitty except milk and water - (it is very hot). I don't think she is overly hungry but has obviously been with a family whom she is missing.

BD - holiday sounds wonderful - you'll have to find an internet cafe to check in with us.

MI - keeping everything crossed for your DM's tests.

Thank you, Rose, yes, I know...it's partly that everyone else then starts barking at ME about what are they doing and when are they doing it and why aren't they doing something else.

Good day Crepeys. Just clocking in.

Apologies for woeful lack of contribution but have been thinking of you all.

More at some point soonish.

Just dashing in - and am so sorry, MI. And I completely get what you mean about everyone barking at you, because they don't want it to be true. But slow growth is positive. .

And Auriga, too. You carry a lot.

Crem, good luck for interview.

Am a bit of a wreck after a memorial event yesterday plus hours of Greek tragedy (theatrical not real). But have the house to myself for a couple of days so am going to fit in some small treats.