All I Want For Crepemas Is Youth

[MrsSchadenfreude]

Phew

What ho crepeys. Happy belated birthday, BD. It sounds very lovely and low key. Rose - I have given up having too many expectations re presents. Often it works out, but often even when he asks what I want, he'll ignore. Or go just slightly off piste. For example, he asked what kind of unguents I would like for Christmas. I pointed him towards various eye creams and posh facial moisturisers. But not towards exfoliators, body cream or shower gel as I have a few of those in my 'waiting' box. So, what does he buy me? Yes, exfoliators, body cream and shower gel. Admittedly Aesop, so very lovely and hideously expensive, but why ask in the first place?

Spent today in the sixth form college. First period I just watched Kill Bill. Second two periods in the art lesson, with the laziest bunch of little darlings you can imagine. For two hours, some of them did literally NOTHING. Except chatting. Extraordinary.

Have my outfit sorted for tomorrow night's 'disguise' party. Darth Vader Relaxing at Home. I have a DV helmet, smoking jacket and cravat. I even have some black rubber gloves with flowers on, which will do for his gauntlets.

And in 'Sainsbury's clothing' news, I bought this mildly alarming number after realising that 95% of my wardrobe is white, black, grey or blue.

Blimey, that's lively, Herbs!

I'm typing with the soundrack of the two Tim's doing meccano on the outside of the ISS. I've just driven through Major Tim's parent's village (where apparently they are sitting, watching him do his DIY while he whizzes around above their heads). It's fascinating listening - it's all a bit 'does it go into the left or the right?', then NASA says 'hang on, I'll just check that for you', then Tim 1 or 2 says 'well, I've bunged it in this way', and NASA says 'Nice Job Tim'

Well done on the UCAS, Rudy - I thought we were cutting it fine doing it last weekend! We have one interview already, from a uni up norf (which would be great, but obviously she's so far down south, the logistics are awkward).

TFIF! I feel tired. Though thankfully not as exhausted as I felt last week. And I have a spa weekend to look forward to tomorrow!

Well done to your DS on the UCAS front, Rudy.

Herbs! That would probably be THE worst colour in the world on me, but I'm sure it'll look spectacular on you.

I went out for lunch with a freelancer friend. We ate curry and drank prosecco. I am feeling considerably better .

MI, that sounds a lot more fabulous than my day!

I must say, I'd always though yellow makes me look like a corpse, but it must all be on the tone. This is surprisingly ok. Well, it was in the neon glare of the sainsburys sitting room. I'm feeling so ultra-hagfish at the moment, though, that my judgment may well be warped. 'Does it make me look more like a bulldog?' 'No?' 'I'll buy it.'

Oh, the Tim's have been pulled back in to the ISS.....heading for the airlock now!

US Tim got moisture in his helmet (aaarf aaarf)

Fnarrrr! Bet it wasn't the first time!

LOL at TimWatch. Who knew such entertainment was available?

Actually, not long ago I watched one of those True Life Lucky Escape programmes about an astronaut who did get moisture in his helmet in a big way, and very nearly "drowned". It isn't just a case of popping through the hatch and whipping off the helmet, apparently - it's a long process to get back inside and remove it, and they nearly didn't get him out in time. It was really quite stomach-churning to think about.

Herbs - the jumper is ace. I love a bit of yellow, especially with navy.

BTM - at spa weekend. Where are you off to?

Well, I just arrived home to find the council have been busy outside the house. We have a drain gully at the bottom of our drive (which slopes steeply down towards the road), and it has been blocked for at least three years. So every time it rains a huge muddy puddle collects, through which we have to drive/walk every time we leave the house. Not a major disaster, but one of those niggling little things that had really started to annoy me. Anyway, I phoned the council about it just before Christmas, expecting very little interes or action, but au contraire! Action taken. Nice shiny new drain and no puddle! Little things make me happy.

thanks for Timwatch Beachy. It was very exciting indeed!

Sorry BD, I am oft confused, not least when I am peering at the screen

BTM , sounds like you've had a tough week. Do enjoy your spa!!

MI how are your Prosecco-specs holding up?

I am off with DD1 to local theatre where I've been with Wilbur (who will I trust return to us soon)!

Love Mulberry bag and Tesco knickers

LOL at Mulberry bag and Tesco knickers. Is that fur coat (or red hat) and no drawers for this decade?

I have a month of travel looming and just wish my boss would decide what she is going to do and what she wants other people to do. Otherwise it will be all scraping about for visas at the last minute and having to do odd combinations of flights with dodgy airlines as all direct flights are booked.

CV, Eastbourne - The Grand Hotel! Never been to Eastbourne before.
Glad the drain is sorted!

DH has never bought me a Mulberry (or indeed any) bag or Tesco (or indeed any) knickers

I do have a Delvaux bag that was a bit spendy. It was a present from DH, back in the day when he gave me presents some thought and some consideration.

Slightly fed up for no good reason, but glad it's the weekend.

DSis2 ' S operation didn't go as planned. Tumour was more extensive than expected & it took a long time. They removed all the lymph nodes on that side. She is v sick.

I've had two days of dealing with stairlift companies. Dear God, they're in cut -throat competition & reek desperation. Once they have your number they call you four times a day on various pretexts. And you need eyes in your bum - one quote was short by £400 (four hundred pounds, £CCCC) because of a detail that would have been a deal-breaker for us.

Won't bore you with the saga of trying to get opiate analgesics from the GP.

So, didn't get much work done & getting twitchy about some deadlines.

Wishing everyone a restful & restorative weekend, sorry I missed your birthday BD, glad it was a good one

So sorry to hear about your sister, Auriga. So very tough for you, on top of everything else. You carry a very heavy family load.

Auriga, so sorry about your sister. The shit is really piling on you at the moment, isn't it? Any chance you can escape for a drink/coffee/lunch next weekend?

Thank you, Molly & MrsS. Would love to see you next w/e, if I can creep up on these deadlines a bit. Will keep an eye on the arrangements

Auriga - sorry about your sister. Stairlifts sound a nightmare as well.

Had lovely evening last night - went to The Louvre to see The Raft as we just read the book and then out for meal. I always say I must go into Paris more often but on cold evenings, wine and the sofa tend to beckon.

Auriga, I am so sorry to hear about your dsis. I hope you can take a little time for yourself .

Auriga so sorry about Dsis.

And the stairlift info has got me worried as ddad is talking about going this route.....

Oh Auriga, so sorry to hear about your sister. And the stairlift saga. I agree, a drink with the crepeys could be just what you need.

BD, my DM was thinking about a stairlift a couple of years ago, but thankfully she realised she didn't need one yet. TBH, I think she will need to go into a care home before she needs one, which would be easier and safer for her.