Mission Crepe: no surrender

[Collymollypuff]

Here ya go...

Have arrived at parents but am still directing operations at home via FB messenger and text.

Truly a thing of beauty, MrsS.

Gah, Herbs, it does sound as though OfstedMania may have kicked in at your ds's school. I still cannot get my head round the way the teacher spoke to your ds. She clearly needs a special new Ofsted grade all for her. And it wouldn't be 'outstanding' . Handwriting does come under the literacy bit of the curriculum and is assessed during Sats. But the teachers shouldn't be passing their stress about it all on to the students.

Ds is now coming home saying that his teachers say that the government want to take away their Golden Time on Friday afternoons. And also that because David Cameron studied lots of SpaG at Eton, he wants everybody to do more hours of SpaG. Ds now has a few messages he would like to give DC. I'm not sure that the teachers passing on these kinds of messages to 10 year olds is particularly helpful. I think the teachers should leave that kind of thing to me.

I have rewritten a small but significant chunk of my novel on the sole basis that it would take longer than I originally thought to get from Oxford to Birmingham in 1840.

MI, that reminds me of a line in the film Robin Hood, when Kevin Costner arrives at the white cliffs of Dover, and says "we'll be in Nottingham by nightfall"! I know everyone up here fell about laughing....

The storm seems to have blown itself out in the night and it's a pleasant, but cold, morning - so much for the Met Office naming "great" storms - Abigail fizzled out.

Stropps, I think those conversations will be being had in many classrooms around the country! Tell him that Golden Time won't exist at Secondary anyway

MrsS

Wish I could say for the storm here! We were blown to bits and it is actually freezing, which is horrific considering it was 17degreesz on Monday. proper coat on this am.

Rose, what a dreadful time you are having. I am sending all kinds of sympathy. So sorry the work has been cancelled, and also sorry about your dmum Not Making Sense. It's all very unfair.

Herbs, I know this may be too late, but can you not just set up forwarding in outlook for work emails? And bypass the middle person. I do this( probably illegal) and it saves mucho time.
Re the security levels it is bolleaux isn't it? We also have this, plus a different 6digit code for every door. I often stand looking at doors for 10minutes, desperately trying to remember how to get in.
Our security passwords have to change every 6weeks.

Here the Spark has gone at last. And now am in the process of cleaning up, not helped by ex-cleaner having broken the Dyson. Prob as some kind of revenge. Going to get a part for it now.
So much for a week off. Grrr.

Auriga - stay warm, in bed and watch cats and dogs on YouTube for as long as you fancy.....

Rose, I am angry on your behalf. If dm needs to go somewhere, can she not ask the staff to pay special attention for a couple of hours? That is part of their role, after all.

I am finally going to the nurse this afternoon with the results of my blood pressure monitoring, which frankly, is shockingly high. I would like to be referred straight to the Pharmacy. I think I will probably get a stern telling off about being too fat, not fit, drinking and smoking. I may either cry or get angry - anything's possible at the moment..... (but she said my hormones are 'normal' so I must just be like this!)

Tonight dd2 is singing in the Children in Need choir - one song at 8.20 and one at 8.41. I think the 8.20 one might just be the local one, so we may stretch to Stropps, but the 8.41 is the national one. I will be in attendance, in a castle no less!

Beachy, they were very good at my GP and I got put straight onto the tablets - I take Ramipril which apparently is an ACE inhibitor. Whatever that is! Fingers crossed for you.

Also, I was put on HRT despite my hormones not showing that I was "in" menopause - it was because of all the awful symptoms. If you are finding that your GP is not supportive of your problems (whatever is decided re meds, etc), is there another you could see? Not all are that well informed.

Thanks for the solidarity Crepeys. The staff at the home are amazing and so kind. I have reiterated that to DM and said [brave emoticon] that he doesn't need us to man the post 24 hours a day. She won't listen though. DM is playing out her guilt and I think this is what is behind her unreasonable behaviour...and she's ill now. Anyway, she's staying in and then off to the Dr this afternoon. I went to the home this morning. Poor DDad has to be fed liquids and purees only now through a syringe. He can't open his mouth. He's not able to talk any more but can nod yes and no. He's much more awake for some reason, and is comfortable and in no pain. I thank god for that small mercy.

Beachy lovely about the choir. the nurses at our practice don't go on at anyone about anything. they are somewhat overweight themselves and look like they partaaaay a lot! I am sorely tempted to have a secret fag these days........

Ahh golden time. My fond memories of golden time is how poor DD had always lost hers by Monday afternoon..... And spent most of what would have been her golden time crying in the resource room.

MI you seem to be going great guns with your book! Shall we arrange a rehearsed reading of excerpts?

I am avoiding going home. I must bite the bullet....

I want some blood pressure medicine. When I had some after DS's birth, the only time I've had high BP, it made my ankles lovely and slim!

Rose - your poor dad. And poor you. It's just too sad.

I think I could do with HRT. Lot of headaches at the moment, and night sweats. And everyone being really annoying.

Oh Rose, your poor DDad. And you coping with it all.

TFIF! Though today hasn't been too bad as we went to see a local screening of Cinderella which was very good. And I'm off to meet a friend shortly.

I'm going to have my hair professionally coloured for the first time soon. Ronald McDonald no longer!

Ooh, BTM. I just LOVED LOVED LOVED that Cinderella. All my feminist credentials flew out the window. I want that dress, I want a golden carriage, I want a ball, I want a prince, and I want them NOW.

I agree, Cinderella was fantastic.

Well, nurse said I have hypertension but I need to have an ECG and another appointment to get mess.... So I've booked them for next week. Of course, at short notice you get the random doctor, so I'll make do with that and then book in with one of the lovely lady doctors who are much in demand for a proper chat. Prescription whore that I am.....

I am much distressed by talks of offers (obviously delighted for your offspring) as dd1 has failed to complete her UCAS form at all and being so far away, it's really hard to sort it all out. She vaguely wafts ideas around in phone calls, but pen to paper, or finger to keyboard are strangely lacking.

Not mess, I have that in spades! Medicine!

Yes and it was a bit tear-jerky - some of the boys got quite upset and one said to me that she cried a lot in it!

Good that you're on the way with meds (not mess!) Beachy!

It is strangely quiet here - both teens said they want dinner at home, but not sure if they are in/out/asleep as I haven't ventured upstairs yet...

Rose, much strength for you and your DM over the next few days/weeks. It's a blessing that DF is not in pain.

Beachy, I hope you get sorted out with appropriate meds. Lovely about DD and the choir.

BTM, have you found the DC yet? And how did DH get on in the end with his Ofsted (don't answer if you would rather not).

I have made an effort towards Christmas today - the dried fruit is soaking in cognac as I have used up the last of the Russian brandy which I found in a cupboard. The kitchen smells lovely, what with that and the Beef in Beer which which is bubbling away in the slow cooker. Last night I tried a new recipe - Lamb Ragout with Sweet Potato Parmesan Mash - delicious, and definitely to be added to my menu list.

That sounds delish, NU, and I think you should share the recipe.

I have too much work and still don't know what I am doing. Will be radio silence from me from Monday to Friday afternoon.

My Saga Cruise outfit is coming along nicely, as several bits arrived from ebay today. Am vv tempted by that bag. It will go so well with my gold leopard print scarf and studded shoes...

Mmm, NU, can I come round? I have had a measly salad and some crisps for supper and I am now very peckish.

Have just watched the most important bit of Children in Need - well done your dd, Beachy.

Had a little contretemps with the attendance person at dd's school this morning as I informed her that from Jan I will frequently have left the house before dd gets up in the morning and will therefore not be available to ensure dd gets to school or for being questioned when she doesn't make it there. The attendance person said "Can you not ask dd to text you if she is not going to school, so that you can send us an email?" I said no, because I will be either driving or teaching and will not have my phone on in either case. I suggested that it might be more efficient if they simply called or texted dd herself if she has not appeared when she is supposed to. This is, apparently, not doable. So appaz I'm not allowed to y'know, have a job where I am not immediately contactable, even though dd is 17. And a bit. Fgs.

MrsS, can I come to China, please? I know some v good swears in Chinese. I am sure they will come in v handy on your trip.

That sounds ridiculous Stropps there must be lots of other parents in a similar position

NU it does sound delish Can reveal the outcome of DHs OFSTED but it didn't go as badly as it could have.

MrsS, go for it!

I am going to need serious proof that spending HUGE amounts on professional colouring is worth it...

Rudy, you will just have to retype it!

MI whaddya mean?