Mission Crepe: no surrender

[Collymollypuff]

Here ya go...

I would also add Betty Blue and Chocolat. And Dead Poets Society if she hasn't seen it?

I'm also getting dd1 Hideous Kinky - early Kate Winslet sort of hippie/drugs/Morocco thing.

Off to the doc's in a minute to hopefully get my bp tablets. I really hope they make a difference. I feel like I'm being told off by everyone at the moment - a man told me off yesterday because stupid dog barked at him, the hygienist told me off for not flossing (during her 20 min torture session this morning) and no doubt the doctor will tell me off for my diet, lifestyle and anything else she can think of.

My brain is also super fuddled at the moment - my notebook is full of reminders for each day. They almost start with 'Get Up' .

Still all small issues in the scheme of things.

Love to all and strength to Rose this difficult week.

Ooh yes, Sherlock. DD1 has watched some at school and has declared it must be our next fix after Glee. She told me all about it, in case I'd never seen it.

Thanks very much for all the suggestions. Keep 'em coming! I am adding things to my Amazon basket.

Hope you're feeling a bit better today, Molly. And Auriga. And anyone else who has got the lurgy.

I am back from an observation day in my new workplace. Have timetable etc and am starting to get my head around the massive culture shock. I have a HUGE amount of prep to do before Jan. And I'll be going into the school again once or twice before the end of term, as it will all help me to hit the ground running next term, I hope. And now back to the other job.

Dd is stressing massively about her Ucas application and the fact that her teachers haven't turned everything round instantly. She is complaining of umpty-two physical symptoms (headache, stomach ache, exhaustion, etc etc) and on even more of a hair trigger than normal. She is not getting the idea that when I leave the house to go to school, I'm uncontactable and she will have to sort herself out. She sent me two texts today complaining about one of the biology teachers not providing a reference and how it was all doing her head in. Then she rang my phone for about 2 mins while I was driving back. I pulled over and tried to ring back, but of course she then didn't pick up. I sent a text enquiring what was up, but have received no response and she's not home. I suspect she will come in and have a massive meltdown about something later. I think next term is going to be horrendously difficult, as she is going to find the fact that I am unavailable 3 days a week very hard to deal with.

Ds just wants to know when he can go to the "posh" school.

Stropps, much sympathy for putting up with all those demands to date!

May I join in? So much on these threads resonates with my life ...
Stropperella your dd might enjoy a French film called Les Untouchables - good practice for her French studies? - but is a hilarious and touching true story. Might put a smile on her face through all the UCAS woes (I have been there , my dd now launched and increasingly independent ).
In S&B vein, the Marks and Spencer beauty advent calendar is really worth getting . £25 if you spend £30 on other beauty products . Lots of stock in store even though the calendar appears to be out of stock online .

Hello and please do!

BD just seen the news - your kids ok?

Stropps - you can tell your DD that my DD's school has sat on her UCAS for three weeks now

Hatty, I have passed the message on Dd rolled her eyes and said, "Why are all schools so crap?" She has found out that her chemistry teacher from last year appears to have given her a reference. But she's not done chemistry since the summer term. And the biology teacher said her reference has gone missing. And the person proofing her PS hasn't got back to her for a week. Blah, blah, blah. It is true that the school's system does indeed appear to be a little rubbish.

Hi there, Gonegrey, and thank you for the recommendation. I shall look that one up. It rings a vague bell - is it the one about the chap in a wheelchair and his carer?

Have just also seen the news. Hope all is well with your family and friends, BTM.

Hello GoneGrey! I did look at the M+S advent calendar but am trying to resist!

DM seems better than she has in ages. Not sure I'd this is due to the almost empty bottle of brandy and sloe gin on the side

Beachy I have weeks exactly like that( constantly being told off for misdemeanours health wise.plus much fog on the brain) see you round the back for a fag and a bottle of scrumpy.
Gone grey , you are so welcome. Am off to pilates punishment hour, but will snoop on M&s later.

Yes, it is indeed the film about the wealthy man in a wheelchair and his impoverished carer . Heartwarming !
The M and S advent calendar is great for those who travel - lots of small size products .
Feeling very on edge at the moment - my dd living in Paris at the moment .

Welcome GoneGrey! And yes about edginess, it is hard to pin down but nonetheless very present I think?

Stropps, imagine your joy when the big red button is pressed......Good stuff on the job - it will be an adjustment for dd but on the other side of the stress scales is regular work, in a place you enjoyed being interviewed at ?

I think mine is subsumed into general edginess. I spoke to my mum's v nice GP earlier. It's quite, well, scary disconcerting to have it so clearly set out that yes, this is a when not if scenario.

Evening all, and hello Gonegrey.

Way too busy to post for the last few days, but I'm pleased to report the charity casino night went extremely well, and many thousands were raised. I was rushed off my feet all evening, meeting, greeting, and selling raffle tickets like a demon, and didn't get to bed until 2am (OK, that was my fault, propping up the hotel bar, setting the world to rights with one of my favourite colleagues over a pint of amaretto), but I very sensibly took yesterday off and had a nice leisurely morning to make up for it.

Tomorrow it's five weeks to Christmas Day. Just thought I'd mention it.....

And in possibly S&B news I have hardly removed my DM ankle boots since they arrived.

GoneGrey, I have now tormented myself trying to source this elusive calendar.

MI, that too. I am glad you can talk to the GP though.

On a light-hearted S and B note, what shoes can I wear with a skirt? I normally wears jeans with trainers or Land's End slip-ons-- and as you all know, am extraordinarily fussy about my foot comfort. But I now have a skirt, courtesy of Oxfam. I have a couple of pairs of comfy boots but my grandmother would have approved of them. And my calves are....sturdy.

Mmm, typing fail.

Hello, Gonegrey, (I have Gonehighlights). Must have a look at the Advent calendar.

MI, it's brutal to hear the truth, even though you really know it in your heart. CV, well done on the charity fund raising. A relaxing morning sounds attractive.

Today I finished the Christmas present shopping for my D Sis and her family, ready to be delivered to Derbyshire next week. The cake is made (aided by DGS1 yesterday), and I have bought some cards. I have no idea what to buy the DC, although these days I tend to give them a cheque plus one present per person, which does make things somewhat easier. I bought DH an early present last week when he saw a leather jacket he liked (was very cross when an expensive item had to go in my shopping bag, Primark have got it right with their paper carriers.

I hope the lurgies are going, and Rose, how are you?

I'm tempted by a long stretchy skirt, woolly socks and my DM boots, but I'm very aware that I will be wearing what I wore 30 years ago and I know I won't carry it off.

I got some tablets, I've taken one and suddenly I feel better. Frankly I'm a good candidate for placebo's. I think it's just the idea that I've handed the problem over to 'the system'.

Just come back from a NT Live showing of Mice and Men with ds. It was amazing, really enjoyed it.

Crem, can you bring more scrumpy? I think we've finished the first one

MI so sorry to hear.

MI - very difficult news to hear .

Here DH - brian the bucket - I think more general exhaustion rather than anything else. We need a quiet weekend.

I am going to meet a friend for lunch in Paris and then I'm going to La Defense - I need my M&S goodies in such dark times.

Beachy - DS had just read Mice and Men - would have been fab to have seen that. Likewise Pinter's The Homecoming, DD's text, is about to premier in London.

MI

I think DD would have killed me if I'd suggested OMAM which was her set text last year - she did watch the film (which is very good) a few times! I'm not sure if DS is doing it - didn't Gove ban American lit?

Lalsy, can't you just wear boots with your skirt? I only wear shoes for smart/evening do's!

NU I must make my cake - maybe this weekend if I can fit it in. Also no idea what to get DM who doesn't need anything and has too much of everything and she keeps most of it out in sight so she doesn't "lose' it.