All I Want For Crepemas Is Youth

[MrsSchadenfreude]

Phew

Spoke to DP a while ago. His mum has rallied a little, but all her vital signs are still all over the shop. She's determined to have radiotherapy, even though the doctors don't think it will make any difference. So she's coming off the steroids she's been on, and which they suspect have cause this crazy diabetes. So, basically she seems to have a stay of execution, but who knows for how long. Days? A week?

Poor DP had some kind of breakdown in the hospital, where he couldn't walk or talk or move from the nearest seat for 20 minutes or so. He's been holding all the worry and grief in, and it came out today.

DS has made him a card on his Kano, saying 'Dear Daddy. I miss you. Love DS.'

DP will be staying with his sister near the hospital overnight. I will be holding the fort, then going to see my family tomorrow. Ho ho bleeding ho.

A huge hug from me Herbs. {}

Herbs {{ }}

Oh Herbs, how awful for you all. Here's hoping a change in treatment stabilises things a little.

Well, we're just home after spending Boxing Day and night with DM and DSDad. Usual dynamic: stressed DM, over-refreshed DSDad interrupting DM with ill-timed wisecracks and re-telling the same old tired anecdotes, DB losing the plot after some or other perceived slight, loudly whispered arguments in the kitchen, DSDad stomping off to his study in a huff, DM getting tearful....oh, it just wouldn't be Christmas without all this.

Just thought I'd show you a little picture. On the left, the lovely Swarovski pendant DH bought me for Christmas. Pretty, huh? And on the right? The one he bought me last year. For some reason he got a bit huffy when I mentioned this, as if I was being picky, and difficult to please. Well, no, it's a lovely necklace, but so is the identical one you already gave me! I have obtained the receipt....

Here's the pic....

Ah yes, it's my Chanel 19 stash all over again

Ha ha CV... But when they get it right....

Haha CV!

We have been out for a bracing walk, took DM for a huge meal and DH and I have just been sorting through her paperwork. And had many conversations with her about how to operate her TV and why the heating isn't permanently on. Not sure what she has actually taken in!

CV - agree with BD - he's sticking to what he knows.

Haha! Mine asked for specific recommendations for unguents then went and bought something completely different. However, what he bought is Aesop unguents, and from Liberty, so the boy still done good.

A Good Thing. Am slowly (well, as slowly as is humanly possible) working my way through a box of Paul A Young chocolates I have abstemiously saved from my birthday. Man oh man. I didn't know chocolates could be so good. Each one is filled an amazing flavour (though don't know what, exactly, as there's no 'map). Though it's spoiled me for Quality Street.

Oh. Just realised that as they are 'fresh' I should have eaten them by 3 December. What harm can it do...

I must research those chocs, Herbs.
I am very sorry to hear about your dmil. Your poor dp - and poor all of you. Your ds is a wise and lovely boy (but you knew that ).
Here, Dd's Christmas spirit had run out by yesterday when db and family and Dm came to visit. Predictable, but Dm wasn't happy with her dgd staying in bed for the whole day. Oh well.
This evening, I am drinking champagne that db gave me. For no reason. Dh, in a Glaswegian moment, said just now, 'Yar blootered.' Or words to that effect.

Good chocolate is faaaab. Bad chocolate is, well, bad chocolate......

Stropps, one year I made two NY resolutions: put more hooks on the backs of doors; and drink more champagne (and less of other things). All thrusting ambition, me . Christmas spirit does run out, even without other things in the mix. I can do three champagne-fulled days of good cheer.

Herbs, so sorry your family is going through this. And what a treasure your ds is.

Herbs any news?

Party last night, and drinks round ours tomorrow.... A dry day today I think....

How are you all today, Herbs and Stropps?

Off to see DP's aunt and uncle. He is vv fond of them - he and his older brother lived with them in the school holidays when they boarded in England. I find them rather stressful and indeed realise in their company that I have more in common with my own parents. Must mention plans to pierce my nose and slag off the government.

Where is everyone? I am trying to be up by 8...lying in is giving me a sluggish air. I like the idea of tilly's bracing walk. But it's so grey and drizzly here.

Hope things are calming down with DMIL and DP herbs, even if the outlook is grim. and good luck with the other rellies today.

...and that potential and actual beef with extended family fizzles out without too much shouting for all Crepeys.

We are backwards and forwards from the theatre...lots of shows, DS doing extra as the MD forgot one of her rotas (wtf???). In many ways it's flattering for DS as she and the rest of the band obviously trust him. He was looking tired yesterday after two shows though...he has another two today and same again tomorrow. We collapsed in front of the telly to watch Gypsy on BBC4 when we got back...watched act 1. Imelda Staunton is quite amazing really
although I thought she massacred 'Everything's coming up roses'

DH has just taken my mother home. She was supposed to go last night, but asked if she could go this morning instead, so we had another stilted night in front of shit telly (Surprise, Surprise, anyone?) blasting out at full volume. We did watch "Les Parapluies de Cherbourg" though, and had an interesting discussion on whether it was a happy ending or not.

Her stupidity drives me insane though. That song "It must be true, because I read it in the Daily Mail" was written for her. Some gems from this holiday:

I don't believe in global warming. It's all made up.
I go out of my way to buy food that isn't fairtrade. I don't see why someone should benefit from my shopping.
I never buy free range meat. Why should I care what sort of life the chicken had before it died?
Black babies are so cute, it's such a shame they have to grow up.
They don't teach art in grammar schools. (She argued this one till she was blue in the face - ditto drama or any other subject that isn't academic.)
"Do you like that top you're wearing? Oh you do? Well I suppose that's alright then, as long as you like it, it doesn't matter what other people think, or what you look like really, does it?"

I asked her brother if he would like to see her over Christmas - we could take her up to Norf Landan. He said "No, not really. And I've told her we're in Devon over Christmas, anyway."

I have refused to let anyone have any of my Secret Santa chocolates, and am, apparently, very mean for this. Good.

I'm here Rose, shovelling down yet more food in the Premier Inn all-you-can-eat breakfast. I live the high-life, me!

Herbs, how's your DMIL/DP doing?

DP's aunt sent us all a link to a Telegraph piece on how climate change was all made up (because obviously the work of actual climate scientists couldn't be right). I must also mention how very well my girls are doing at Latin at their comp, how school gets kids into Oxford to do classics and so forth. This is actually true though I've

Though I would be tempted to make it up anyway.

Rose, I am here . Your DS's schedule sounds very hectic but I am sure he must be getting a real boost by seeing how highly thought of he is. How are you feeling, my lovely? Have you managed to carve out any time just for you since you got back from the flat? I hope you are being kind to yourself and that DH is looking after you

Hello, BTM, I love a hotel breakfast too. Thank you so much for the book token, BTW. DH very pleased with the books I have bought for him. Have a good day.

Mrs S, your ma sounds deeply hard work. Poor you. I hope you can have a fine restful day of reading, eating and drinking to compensate.

How are things today, Stropps? Sorry the truce didn't last but hope you are managing. And how is your brood, Herbs? Thinking of you all.

Well done on the dry day, BD. I didn't drink much at my mum's but rather made up for it when I got home last night. Perhaps I will have a day off too .

Good luck for your family day, MI. Any link to the DT must be suspect. My mum is a fan, though.

It is nearly 11 and I am still in bed. The kids asked if they could crack into my Ferrero Rocher for breakfast so I agreed. Paul Young chocs they are not, but I do love an ambassador . I am a bit worried about DD1. I think she has whooping cough , although she is not now ill apart from the cough. I will try to get a Dr's appointment tomorrow to see what she says. That might be a bit optimistic though, but I don't think she is bad enough for SELDOC, and there doesn't seem to be much treatment anyway....

I am also wearing a rather short red velvet skirt which I am sure she will feel is unsuitable for a woman in her 50s.

Your dm takes the biscuit MrsS. as do climate change deniers and their ilk.

Off to see frends now. Everyone still very cheerful and even verging on the cooperative. We have never had a holiday without a big row before.

Go MI!