Though She Be Crepey, She Is FIERCE!

[QueenQueenie]

Ta Da!

MI, I hope you hear soon what is going on.

Stropps, I have had that thought too. That sounds really tough - what is dd up to this summer? Has she got stuff (that doesn't need her to be feeling positive or motivated) on at all? Holidays can be the pits.

Stropps, I too have thought that: I grumble enough with a couple of comparatively angelic girls.

Apparently docs will decide later on what to do. Might be surgery. Which she was dreading. My dad calls it a 'bowel obstruction' which is confusing me but presumably something that hasn't been removed.

Had guilt-inducing conversation with DP about how (in his view) I should go there more often. Friend staying there says carers should be told to contact GP if they're worried, but I don't think that's feasible. Suspect what I need to do is soul-destroying conversation every day about how are they. Thing is, then my mum just guilt-trips me about going there and how "it would give her so much pleasure" and frankly I am TIRED and going there is a CHORE. Waaaaah. Thank you for listening. I would be rather bereft without you lot.

MI, . So, so tough for you and your dsis. I think that's right about what it means.

The guilt-tripping thing is so corrosive - dmil does it to dh and it has damaged their relationship (and he works most weekends, so isn't like her tactics could ever have worked, even on planet zog where guilt is a good motivator and family dynamics don't matter). I sort of understand why she does it but it is counter-productive.

Shit MI, sorry to hear about your dmum. I really hope it is a straightforward procedure. Am slightly cross at dp guilting you over your visiting. How utterly uncalled for.And untrue . You are doing ALL you can in the circumstances short of moving in with them, which would be of no benefit to any of you. Hold fast . And activate Operation Fierce if you have to.

Had a long chat with dd last night on the phone, as I was feeling a bit maudlin and I suppose addled after the 1:2. Crepeys. She is going to come home for a few days for my birthday. All a bit risky, but the olive branch has been offered and I grabbed it.
Fingers crossed it comes to pass. Now organising a birthday tea with family the day before my birthday. I hope.

BD sympathies to ds re vomming etc. I hope it's not detracting from the hols too much. Tell Dh that I too would like to retire to that villa.
Re the job, nothing finalised so all could still go tits up.I am crossing everything for you too.

Very quick check in to send hugs to all who need it. Will talk more later. Passed a fitful night....didn't sleep well but that's typical for me in an unfamiliar bed. Bit shaky from abortive landing attempts. Was very calm at the time. DH snoring. DC arguing. Going along the Prom. Des Anglais now. Pool later, I think.
I have just seen Tilly's fb vid. OMG!!!!
Laters, lovely Crepeys. Xxx

So sorry to hear that your mum is not so good, MI. Hope she can get more comfortable soon. I think you need to put your own oxygen mask on before helping others - don't forget that you work FT, as well as look after the house, DDs etc etc - and it isn't going to benefit anyone for you to get worn out and ill by going up to N all the time. It's not exactly round the corner, to say nothing of the emotional cost.

Auriga, sorry to read of your family woes. How is everyone now? Thinking of you.

Cremo, fingers crossed for the return of DD to be cheering and go well. How are you feeling today post Brian? I always think a dose of D and V damages the spirits for a few days as well as the insides, so do take it easy. Fingers crossed for the job.

BD, sorry you have needed Brian as well for DS. Hope he is on the mend. Your holiday looks amazing. Hope you are feeling a bit restored after the last few horrible weeks, knicker washing aside

BTM, that bungee jump looked amazing but so scary. Bet DD is thrilled to have done it. Hope for your sake she doesn't want to do it again.

CV, your evening sounds fun. I love Stella and Dot. I also love a nose in the neighbours' house - must have been interesting, especially when you have lived next door but not really been in. Why does no one round here do Stella and Dot parties? Here it's all the Bloody Pampered Chef, which I absolutely loathe.

Stropps, sorry things with DD are so tough. Thinking of you

Herbs, huge well done on your fab achievement. I hope you find something which suits you workwise very soon. You would be an asset to any college and they would be lucky to have you.

Day off today and DCs taken off to Latchmere by trusty childminder. I am supposed to be writing a report, but have the car insurance to sort, a credit card balance to transfer, some stuff to put on Ebay and a couple of calls to make first. Eek. I went out for a friend's birthday last night and feel a little hungover jaded. I am also having eyelash extensions this afternoon for the first time, so need to buck up for that.

Have a lovely day, Rose, and perhaps have a quiet coffee away from arguing children to get over yesterday. The flight thing sounded super scary. Glad you are OK.

MI, you do what is right for you - dont let your DP make you feel bad because his opinions are diffrent to yours. They are adults and they have made/are making their own choices - if they are not making good choices (and you have really tried to help with this), then they have to face the consequences.
But it is hard

How come I have never heard of Stella and Dot? It isn't a thing round my ends. Of maybe I'm just not in with the right crowd

Just watched a horrid film - The Calling, with Susan Sarandon - en famille.They all like that kind of thing

I think DP thinks I should go there quite a lot. We've not had a Frank Conversation about it, because in all honesty the topic is better avoided. Have spoken to DSis, who is on some remote Scottish island, and told her very firmly she is not expected to come back. I think she and I are at opposite extremes with all this which is possibly why she is on heavy duty meds and I'm not.

Oh MI.
thanks Monty

Update from DM (who rang me, sounding remarkably coherent - must be the morphine which apparently she's had); some sort of internal 'kink' in the intestine, not uncommon after abdominal surgery - may sort itself out or may need small op. I have reluctantly agreed to go up and visit her in hospital on Sat.

Also slightly dying to know about Monty's new lashes. Do they do the full Ermintrude?

Talking of ocular hair, I need my eyebrows threaded. For only the second time ever. I am now so long-sighted I can't see to tweeze them myself, and wearing glasses just makes it v awkward. And with my new short haircut, I need sharpness in the eye area.

Also pondering colouring said new hair. Any ideas, crepeys? I could go super blonde, a la Wilbur, or red. Not black.

And yes, MI. All sound advice from Les Crepes, as usual. I think you've hit a good balance between duty and sanity. Is your DP perhaps projecting his own guilt on to you?

I will try to do before and after pics. Quite a few pals have them done, with varying results. You get the full ermintrude if you go too long I think. One friend has this but really likes it. I prefer thick rather than just long. We shall see.

As instructed I have no eye makeup on and feel very naked.

Herbs, I'd go blonde. With your new 'do it would be most striking

Ooh, Monty - eyelash extensions - what a good plan. Is it costly?

MI - I also have a DSis who is considerably more "attentive" to our parents than I am, even though we both live 100+ miles away from them. In the main, it has been DSM (so DSis's actual parent) who has been the ailing one, so I have been let off the hook rather, but at some point DDad will need more support so I will have to do more. DSis is very good, and never tries to send me on a guilt-trip, but she doesn't have to....I have come to realise that she is almost certainly a better person than I.

Crem - good to hear the olive branch has been waved (if not actually grasped). Maybe it will do DD good to hear some of your woes and offer you support, for a change? It might shake some of her self-centered-ness.

BTM - Stella & Dot is vair nice jewellery. Not cheap, though.

Herbs - at eyebrow plucking woes. DM has the same problem. I bought her some fancy tweezers with a light on, but she said it just illuminated the blur.

Oh phew. Dmum just rang. Without TMI, I think she may be on the mend.

MI good to hear...

Here Zanzibar Brian (who was a large green bowl - god only knows what it was/is used for but you could swim a small child in it) has been decommissioned ahead of diving tomorrow....

MI, well put and good news.

Our car is disgusting. It spends most of the year storing camping kit and a Generation Game style selection of random objects that we can't work out how to dispose of. I have cleared out all this out today in readiness for holiday, revealing thick layers of grot, grime and enough soil to pot a small plant .

That's good MI.

Monty, I was much relieved when DD decided not to get false eyelashes (individual ones) as I'd heard they cab pull your own lashes out - is what you're having different?

BD hope the diving is fun. Snorkeling?

Here it is grey, after a beautifully bright sunny day yesterday. We are off to the West Coast when the DC get up and we have packed up. DH has just brought me a tea in bed - wonder what he is after?

BTM, they are individual ones but I am assured they will fall off like normal lashes unless you pull them.

CV, it was a groupon and£39 instead of £80. It is a lash place recommended by friends though so not totally a leap of faith. I bought for my hols but alas groupon expires in Saturday so let's hope they last. I will try to share photos. I like them but probably not £80 much.

Great news about your mum, MI. glad she is feeling better. Will you still need to go on Saturday?

Eye before any treatment

Ta dah! Nice but probably not worth full cash and similar to a good mascara