Crepe Oddity

[MrsSchadenfreude]

Sorry.

Stropps, it is great to be totally immersed in the here-and-now isn't it? No chance of worrying about other stuff whilst you are dealing with all of that

TFIF. I fell asleep on the bus home last night,and then again after dinner. Possibly result of tummy bug. Possibly result of a week of meetings at work that would be enough to finish anyone off. Training now planned for me to learn how to do the job I've been doing for 10 years.

BD much love and luck for interview escape plan. Fingers firmly crossed.

Addle, happy yomping hope you get at least one sparkling sunny day.you too NU.

BTM, oh bolleaux, I didn't realise you were being squeezed from all sides and I'm so sorry about dd and DM. One day at a time.

Stropps, was wondering about your dd as I was falling asleep last night. hope things are panning out.
Great to hear the job is proving to be a good fit ( if not technically up to date)

NU, I'm near Seahouses but I think in the middle of nowhere. Taking train to Newcastle then driving. Sorry, I don't know Northumberland at all so have no idea whether that's near you?

Thanks for the warning re weather. I found fab Boden down coat in Oxfam recently so was going to wear that and lots of layers. Thought I'd stick to walking boots rather than the snow boots from TK Maxx as it's forecast suggests it's actually been colder in London than Seahouses over the last few days.

Getting excited about singing and walking but also not thinking about meals/shopping/other people's plan for three whole days. am hoping my dearly beloveds don't contact me or at least not v much

Addle, I have visions of the Sound of Music in the grey and drizzle...

Addle, that sounds amazing.
^^
Rose, I meant it about the daily re-invoicing. I used to have one client so awful I did this every time: it would get to 28 days and I just resent it every day. It is an entirely legitimate thing to do. It's your money and you are owed it.

A wonderful image MrsS.

Rose, I agree with MI. It is your money. I know the last thing you feel like is a battle but I would start sending regular emails now, on autopilot if needs be. It is obviously on your mind, and you might feel better when it is sorted.

Rose - Crem is so right when she says that there is no timetable for grief. Take care of yourself - I am not surprised you are so sad at DS leaving.

&BTM* Sorry to hear about your Mum - it's such a worry for you. I hope you have the problems with DD sorted.

Had my first swim for a month yesterday (pool closed, cold & being away is what stopped me) I was pleasantly surprised how well it went.

All you crepeys have got right into my head! Last night I dreamt I was at the meet up.. It was all very odd - we were eating outside, in a yard & then a load of skips were being delivered. You had all bought your DHs & children! But the worst thing was that you wouldn't let me have poppadoms as you all insisted that they were bad for me.

Darling Crepeys def won't make meet up tomorrow. Dmum sick yesterday and rushed into hospital. Cue phone call from ddad at 2.30 this morning - twisted bowel, have to operate straight away 25% chance of success. Well she's a tough old bird as she is still here but now with a colostomy (something she avoided 15 years ago when she had bowel cancer).

Wrung out and knackered as took first train home this morning....

OH BLOODY HELL, BD.

I am so so very sorry.

If it is at all helpful to anyone with parents with dementia, I've now got some excellent contacts re hospital care and so forth.

Sorry about the poppadoms, Magi. Better than my dream I was at Herbs' house naked.

BD - so sorry about DM - try and get some rest, you must be exhausted.

Magi - poppadoms are lovely.

MI - I'd get that dream interpreted.

That was no dream, MI. On the plus side, you're looking gooooood.

BD - bloody hell. That was rather too dramatic. Poor old mum.

Rose - please do stay and 'drone on' along with the rest of us. If you have time during the week maybe we could meet up in a Norf London venue for some lunch/coffee/wine? Would that be cheering?

And addle -- your break sounds brill. Walking and singing. At the same time, I hope.

BD, sending hugs and best wishes for your DM.

Addle, about an hour away from me. I always enjoy Seahouses - a friend has a holiday cottage there so I know it quite well. A word of warning: last time we were there we had to drive almost to Alnwick to get phone coverage. Try Lewis's for fish and chips. And we usually drive to Bamburgh and follow the signpost for the golf club. Park when you get out of the village and go through the dunes to the beach - the view of the castle is stunning. Oh, and if you are walking the coastal path go to Craster and have the crab soup or sandwiches in the Jolly Fisherman. Where are you singing? I once sang Evensong in the church on Holy Island - wonderful experience.

DH has gone out on his bike as it is so much warmer. I am just sort of faffing around instead of being productive.

Oh no BD

Addle, enjoy! If you like kippers, Craster is the place where they smoke them, v close to Seahouses IIRC. I love the image of you as a Northern Julie Andrews!

Looks like I've got myself some private tutoring work! All I have to do now is work out exactly when I can do it...

BD oh no, what a horrible emergency. {{ }} xx

Tilly DM does sound confused, but in a benign sort of way. I think it's a good sign that the carers are aware however, and can intercept if need be, even if they are worrying you with emails and phone calls.

Addle singing and walking are two "favourite things"...getting precious little either at the moment, though. Have a lovely time! I can't get away for a break, MrsS...too much crap going on but I do have fantasies about it... one in particular about DH organising something for my birthday weekend but I can pretty much guarantee it's not happening.

The invoice, well I have been chasing it up. I am crippled by embarrassment which makes me procrastinate horribly. In the end DH said something to the CEO at the most recent Board meeting and I am even more embarrassed make that absolutely bloody mortified I am supposed to be getting paid forthwith, but nothing as yet. Yesterday I was at a meeting with another organisation I sometimes teach for and was circuitously asked if I'd take a cut in fee for some forthcoming teaching in March. Hopefully Crepeys, you'll be proud of me...I refused. Flatly. I feel a little strengthened as a result. Just hope I haven't shot myself in the foot.

Crem Thank you. You somehow always know the right thing to say. I'm not a great one for talking to spiritual leaders....although our new Rabbi is lovely. and thanks for all the other lovely and supportive comments from all of you lovely people.

On the positive side, DS1 is doing really well in his first days down under, and we are whatsapping at opposite ends of the day. I still can't believe he is on the other side of the world. DS2 is off MDing for a friend's Am Dram musical production. DD starts a new set of rehearsals at the theatre this evening for a show in March. Her application for the BTEC is submitted, so now we wait.

Herbs that is a spiffing idea...yes, yes and yes again. Do you want to PM me when you're free...?

ps Molly I'd love that link, thank you! MII and I have had musings about starting a Crepey Writers group, meeting occasionally to share work, give readings and express joys and frustrations. and eat and drink a lot Any takers?

Oh BD, I am sorry. I hope things calm down.

Rose, I think planning some small treats for yourself is a good idea. Addle and I had some fun buying our own birthday presents last year....

What time is lunch tomorrow, if I can make it?

BD that's rotten. I'm so sorry

Rose - thinking of you muchly. I prescribe that you buy yourself some beautiful fruit and put it on a lovely platter and then HIDE IT FROM THE REST OF YOUR FAMILY.

Magi - funny dream! were the skips to put the dh's and kids in?

Have a good time tomorrow them that are.

Might like the odd Writers Group sesh, yeah.

Strops. I know you're well busy but if you have any thoughts, I've got a 'retin A triggers my rosacea' thread I've just started and know you had same experience, so please post if you've had any crepe-reversing breakthroughs and please anyone else.

Crem - 'tis true. You do have the right words.

A lot of you/us do.

Seen mum, she doesn't look too bad but is in a lot of pain. Medical team are cautiously optimistic which considering they were thinking it was a real long shot last night is surprising. I really don't know how to feel about all this.

Rose hope you are okay.

Really would like lunch tomorrow but it will be a full on day with mum and dad.

Crikey. I've got to start teaching my new private tutee tomorrow morning! His mum is uber-pushy. I fear if he doesn't pass his exams, I'll be killed.

Oh BD, what a roller-coaster for you

Herbs, watch-out, they could be mates with Hatty's boy's parents!

Here I have been entertaining the outlaws for 2 hours. DH has just got back.

Good luck Herbs. Wear a bullet proof vest come results day! Is it for N London 11+ independent school entrance? THAT's a war zone. Take it from one who knows. Hope you're charging enough - going rate round here years ago was c £30+ apparently.

I have no access to internet or mobile in the office, so just catching up.

BD - that is grim, and I'm so sorry. What a bitch of a weekend for you.

I am staring at an empty fridge, hoping for inspiration. Wish me luck.

Am definitely up for Crepey Writers. Particularly if wine is involved.

BD, sending you strength to hang on in there. How awful for you.

BTM, thanks for that alternative route to Peckham, which I'll have to try another time, when up to it! And Lalsy, maybe you could teach me to love Clapham Junction...I have very seriously thought about spending a day chilling in its various cafes, as a kind of phobia treatment, like they do with arachnophobes at London Zoo. Plus learning where the fuck all the tunnels lead to would be very helpful.

I am definitely up for Crepey Writers. We can egg each other on and force each other to enter competitions and the like.

Rose, here's a link to the Latchmere Theatre - in fact the link should lead to a playwriting competition which I do think you should enter!

theatre503.com/theatre503-playwriting-award/

The 'child' in question is 18, but with 'challenges' in the literacy department, letting him down. He knows what he wants to say, apparently, but can't write cogently.

I said to his mum that the first lesson would mainly be assessing his problems and deciding how to help him. She seems to be expecting a fairly instant fix. I'm charging £25 an hour, which seems the going rate round here.

DP is whipping up a schezuan chicken dish for dinner. Lovely.