Though She Be Crepey, She Is FIERCE!

[QueenQueenie]

Ta Da!

Beachy ds is 12, met a couple whose children were 7 and 10 and they had done a lot of safaris! I think the key thing is knowing your child and knowing whether they will do exactly as they are told and accept the fact that they may not see everything they want!

Loving the travel news BD and BTM. Not at all, no. Leave all this?

BTM - I also have a DS who has recently discovered photography, and suddenly thinks he can make a career of it. We went to a talk at the school a few months ago where we were told it was very important not to crush their dreams but....

Herbs - I read that thread too, and nearly contributed my own, but was distracted by some or other domestic disturbance. As tends to happen a lot at the moment. I got back from work yesterday to find the DDs (still in PJs) having a screaming match in front of MarioCart on the Wii. I nearly walked straight out again. Actually, going off to my office is definitely saving my sanity during the school holiday.

MI - I'm trying to think of projects for mine, without much success. I'm trying to persuade DS to put in some hours at a local bike project - they restore lost/stolen bikes donated by the police/railways and if anyone under 16 puts in eight hours at the workshop they give them a free bike.

at BD/Herbs Wife Swap! And to Herbs for qualifying with such fantastic feedback. The world is your oyster (even if you do have to move to Malvern ).

I am so enjoying following Tilly and BD here, and on FB and the wonderful details of the intrepid travellers! Wow.

Congratulations to Herbs…go forth and apply for jobs knowing you are suitably praised!

MrsS I can't bear shtummers at gigs….I mean what's the point although I am more likely to sit down until later in the proceedings these days and hate it when the people in front of me stand up at the first song Good ole Tom.

Good luck for tomorrow Cremo. Crepeys are hand holding xx

NU have given up having a go at DD….am running out of steam with this whole school thing…

Off to the flat shortly. Then flying tomorrow. I walked smack into a door frame last night…and am developing a black eye and a bump on my nose….nice.

Nowt wrong with Malvern CV

Here I am busy doing nothing.... It's great work if you can get it

Yes, crossing everything for you Cremo.

Really not sure about the 'doing everything she is told' bit! Probably would if ds wasn't there, but their combo at the moment is fairly electric.... I think the dynamic of family holidays once dd1 has flown the nest could be disastrous. I may stay at home.

Oh Rose, sorry to hear about your shiner ! Oh dear.

Well I set off for work in the car this morning and got a mile down the road and threw up. So am home with the lovely Brian beside me feeling shaky and nauseous with a banging headache. Can't keep anything down at all.it may be a change of meds I started at the weekend. Or a bug. Who knows? Boo.

Oh Cremo
Hope you are better soon!

Oh Crem, how miserable. Hope it's not a manifestation of all the work-stress.

Rose - just don't use the words "oh, I walked into a doorframe". You'll get the look....!

Crem, hope you are feeling better now, that's all you need.

I have been clothes shopping with ds, first time in years I think, for his 6th form suit. Assistants did a wonderful job in telling him how cool he looked when I am sure they wanted to coo and one very gorgeous young thing gave him a handy pep talk on how important it is to stay on top of your essays at A level. I am going online to give her some stonkingly good feedback .

Completely run out of steam and I am not even working properly, just tying up loose job ends and sorting mountain of family admin including endless bank confusions. Why is it so hard to prove who you are? Hols on Saturday, must dig out my fleece collection.

How is Brian, Crem? Have you been gazing lovingly at him all day.

I officially hate my job and have been shouting all day. I have introduced my US boss to the term 'pants' as in 'I'm not taking over all their pants deals!' The more passive and non-actiony she gets, the more I shout. I'm exhausted and at some point I'll cross the line (wherever that is) and she'll sack me.....and I won't care!

That's it, rant over. I'm just leaving London and will be home at 945pm, probably to do laundry

I am at the stage where I feel massively successful if I manage a small percentage of a normal day's output.

Oh no Cremo, you poor thing. Hope you start feeling better soon.

Lalsy, that's a result! I bet he does look cool sixth form clothing hasn't been mentioned here yet - probably as she doesn't know where she'll be going...

Here I am savouring the early morning quiet, having had the full 8 hours last night

Yes, 28 days return policy most reassuring (for all eventualities - it was so trendily tight he'd better not build any muscles surfing). I've never really been in men's shops before - very impressed. Presumably men wouldn't stand for the sort of service women get?

I am really enjoying the holiday updates too.

MI, I have resorted to the old trick of writing a list that includes things I have already done .

Brian, Black eyes, Bikes... my you have been, um, busy.

Crem, mind your back with all the honking, I managed to slip a disc during some violent vomiting in my yoof, which may or may not have been alcohol related.

We are collating the fleeces, walking boots, wellies and waterproofs ready for holiday, too. Quite glad not to be going to France this year via the tunnel.

I am tired and seem to be incapable of doing anything much.

Yes, dd (who has no time to pack) said she is planning on just taking flip flops - bless - I will be slipping in some sturdy waterproof trainers and thick socks for her too. I am delighted with my new kagoul, crepeys, 'tis the holy grail....so every cloud.......

We are off on the Shot over Jet this morning, eek! I am a leetle frightened.

Me an Brian, we is moving in togever innit.

BTM don't know what that is but sounds like you may be sharing Brian at the end of it.

Do you think it would be terribly rude of me to be sick over HR tomorrow?

hello crepeys, finished clearing my dad's flat with help from my wonderful dp and aunt - just 3 empty rooms. it's all so sad.

although obviously I will cheer up a lot when dp 'drives' my dad's mobile scooter back to our house where we continue our unavailing attempt to sell the damn thing

btm what on earth is the s o j? BD sounds marvellous

I think it would be nothing short of perfect to puke all over HR tomorrow.

And take Brian with you.

Posted to soon - hope you feel better asap.

Oh addle

Well done on feedback from course Herbs.

We got back on Sunday evening in time for me to take DM to a medical appointment on Monday. Plans for the rest of the holidays are fluid, as it has emerged that her breathlessness is due to severe aortic stenosis (narrow, stiffened heart valve) and while we were away she has developed angina.

She now doesn't want to go to my sister's, she wants to stay with me. In fact her exact words were 'you're my Mummy now'. Not very surprising tbh, at least for me, as this is the diagnosis I was expecting, whereas DM was keeping a firm grip on her denial. That seems to be loosening a bit.

We're supposed to be going to the Lakes and then the Hebrides in just under three weeks. Will see what emerges. Urgent cardiology appointment could turn out to be smack in the middle of it.

Meanwhile iller of the two sisters is going downhill again & not answering phone or getting out of bed

German holiday was fantastic stress-buster, though. Apart from the drive to the airport right at the end, when the tailgating at high speed put my blood pressure almost back up to where it started - but only temporarily.

Good to hear about other people's travels and lazy days. Sorry you're ill, Crem, hope your 1:1 is constructive in some way. Also sorry that Addle's had a difficult and dispiriting job clearing DF's flat. Hope there is some restorative, relaxing time ahead for you both.

Oh Auriga, that all sounds terribly hard

And Addle

The Shotover Jet is an extreme experience, apparently a must-do thing here - very high speed, twists/turns and 360s in narrow canyon. I thought I might need Brian urgently, but I was OK. VERY cold though and hard to breathe when facing into the wind
After that we went up in the gondola above Queenstown and did the luge a couple of times (kind of downhill go-kart) and then went for pies at Fergburger We are now just chilling before golf range at 5

We have booked DD in for a belated birthday bungy jump tomorrow. I am very worried about it but she is dead keen DS thinks she is completely bonkers he's not wrong there