Spring is sprung, the grass is ris, I wonder where the crepeys is

[herbaceous]

As requested!

Sounds most restorative NU. Have a lovely walk.

Funny that BTM. We just never got roused about it here really. There is a big parade in the city, and other celebrations, but mainly a day off for those in the service of the city, like me. It's only recently become a bank holiday here. Political football I suppose. it is the final of the schools cup rugby though which is a very important date on the calendar. [rugby]

MrsS I'd have gone for a long lunch with wine on my own... Why was he being such an arse?

Here got to work grabbed laptop and on way back as ds is not feeling too good.

In mum news they got her in a chair yesterday which is, I think, a good thing.

BTM how awful -so sorry....

Christ Mrs S. He really is a thundercunt.

I recommend applying the 'three strikes and you're out' rule. Even if only in your head. Rejects three restaurants? You choose the destination. Complains about three dinner options? He cooks. Etc.

Oh dear, MrsS the best laid plans, eh. Yes, another time, choose the restaurant, and take yourself there, with a look over your shoulder just the once to say "Coming?"

Tilly that's lovely news about DS! Not so good abut colleague...very distressing.

NU Love Harrogate. There used to be a dress shop there called "Dressed of Harrogate" where I got both my gowns for big family black tie events. It was worth the trip plus lovely lunch at Bettys

Happy St Patricks Day, cremo !

I am stuck indoors with DD who has one of her terrible feverish colds....her eyes always swell up and her tear ducts get blocked. She really is a mess. I am stressing about the class I'm due to teach tonight and one on Saturday plus a mandatory study day tomorrow near your neck of the woods, Molls. I'm still feeling very under the weather myself. Dh has agreed to WFH tomorrow if necessary. I think he feels bit guilty after I asked him to return what he bought me for our anniversary. Was I BU?

In more Mad Relative news my mum informs me that on my father’s side they are being particularly bonkers. Especially cousin – sister of the Very Lovely Cousin – who wrote my mum a letter starting: ‘I hear you are in bad shape and don’t have very long’. My mum binned it. She is getting very fed up and snappy with people who are mournful, and/or want to pray over her.

Ye gods, MI, how did you turn out so well?

MrsS, what an incredible waste, how could he?

We went to Carcassone when the dc were young enough to enjoy a good sword fight. And went to some Cathar castles - quite extraordinary, NU.

Had a lovely time walking around Harrogate: the Valley Gardens were delightful and we sat on lots of benches enjoying views and - ta da - sunshine on our faces. Delicious warmth, after being near the snow yesterday. Have just had a text from D DiL: the other day she thought that one of the cats had brought in a mouse. Today she was certain that he had as it ran across the floor in front of her! My indominatable (sp?) DDiL eventually caught it and returned it to the garden. DS is in London for the day and won't be back Until late so she knew she had to DO something.

MI, your DDad's family is awful, as Lalsy said how come you turned out so well?

Sorry, MrsS, missed that your DH was behaving like an idiot.

Didn't see that shop, Rose, so not sure it's still there. I did venture into Sports Direct, though, and bought a pair of Skechers trainers in charcoal grey, for £15 less than the last pair I bought. Off to McArthur Glen tomorrow to hit the designer outlets - it's my birthday on Easter Saturday and DH keeps on asking me what I want.

To be fair mad cousin's sister is amazing. As are my two Indian cousins. And I have various second-cousins who are also lovely as well as some bonkers ones...

Mrs S - v annoying DH - foot needs putting down.

BTM - - these sort of stories are really shocking. Great about DS though.

Beautiful day here had to help school librarian cover books. Got lots of bubbles under clear sticky stuff. I fear I will be fired.

Hatty, tackyback is awful stuff! What is it called en France?

NU, I am always a bit dubious about Sports Direct and the quality of the trainers. DS has had some very dodgy pairs of cheap footy boots from there - lots of brands seem to do the same style at 2 or 3 different prices. We quickly worked out that you got what you paid for But hopefully your trainers are decent!

MrsS [ angry] why does he get away with spoiling your much-needed day off?

Pretty desperate day here. DM rang bell in night for morphine, then slept but this morning had another pain that took longer to go off and was sharper. Then she was wobbly on feet, not safe to take a step by herself. She seems astonished by this, keeps forgetting & trying to walk about the place.

Got her to the loo but thought I probably won't be able to do this much longer. Took her to bathroom in wheelchair (delivered yesterday) to wash her etc. She let me dress her, could not have managed without me.

Palliative care nurse came & talked to her about accepting more help, letting carers come & help her wash etc. Took a long time & was v sensitive about it. DM agreed, then 5 mins after nurse had left she got arsey with me (as my dear ward sister used to say) & said she will not let them take her to the bathroom & wash her. Treated me as though it's abusive even to suggest it.

She is too cognitively impaired now to have a discussion about how she can't have it both ways (ie she doesn't want to be any trouble but she won't accept help from anyone but me).

I am supposed to be singing in a concert on Sat don't see it happening. Still practising the music, just in case

Not looking for advice, btw, just ventilating.

DSis2 is starting to recover from first cycle of chemo & has her wig. She's gone for something totally unlike her own hair, which is disconcerting some ppl. She felt guilty about the cost (£125, apparently, & lasts about 6 months). I said FFS some people spend that much on their hair every month.

Come & vent as often as you want, Auriga.

I know I can speak for every crepey that we'll always be here.

Sending you much love & hope you can take a few moments every day for yourself.

Auriga, do vent. I am thinking of you. You are such a kind and generous daughter.

Oh sod Mother Teresa, Auriga, they should make you a saint.

"D"H a bit more contrite today, but not enough.

Auriga you are amazing.

MrsS he'd need to be a tad more than contrite for me...

Evening, crepeys - been reading, but too busy with RL to post.

Auriga, MI - so sorry you are being put through the wringer guilt-wise. It's just not fair. Although I do think any compliment about one's OH is (indirectly) a compliment to you also. You are a unit, you chose each other etc. At least that's what I tell myself when my DParents (all of them) wax lyrical about my wonderful DH. Who is particularly wonderful this evening, having produced a huge Hot Whiskey in honour of Paddy's Day.

Change of font? Haven't noticed anything on the tablet, but it seemed nice and clear on PC at lunchtime (sorry).

All this reminiscence about university accommodation reminds me - my reunion is on Saturday. I will be billetted in a student room overnight, which will be a trip down memory lane. I just had an email to say they have managed to fit me into the main hall after all. Not sure where my BFs are going to be sitting now, but I'm slightly losing the will to live over it all. I'm having a clothing crisis, and will be asking for crepey input tomorrow.

DS's "renaissance" continues - he just scored a high B in his Maths mock, and has been revising every evening without being told. He has suddenly gone all "tidy", too, which is very odd. Please, please, please may it continue.

And the boiler is kaput. We had an engineer out who said that there is so much wrong with it we might as well replace it completely. It's only 7 years old, FFS. Thank goodness we had a new immersion heater fitted last year - we'll be OK for hot water, won't we? DH rummaged behind the tank, found a cable with a plug on the end, and plugged it in. We waited patiently for the water to heat up. Nothing. Detailed investigation revealed that DH had simply plugged a short piece of cable with a plug on the end into the mains. It's a miracle no-one died of electric shock. Then we remembered - we had the immersion fitted but never got around to asking the electrician to cable it in. Doh. Anyway, he's coming on Tuesday, and it's a limping boiler until then.

Rudy - we've booked two of the three places you recommended. Excellent!

Oh Auriga - agree you are a saint. I hope you are managing to get at least a little decent sleep through all this.

CV - our boiler is about 20 years old and he just patches it up - are you sure you don't need a second opinion? Mind you he always expresses surprise that it's still going when he does is annual check up.

I'm sure the Uni reunion will be fun although I would be having a similar amount of panic, I'm not good at these things.

Auriga, I agree with the others. But make sure you get to put your own oxygen mask on.

CV, fab re your DS! And your reunion on Sat - looking forward to hearing lots of stories on Sunday. You will look fab, you are on an S&B thread after all!
Your cable tale made me

Hatty, a 20 year-old boiler (like out 20 year old second freezer under the stairs) will probably have been made of stronger stuff than a 7 year old one.

Good catch up last night for my old NDN's birthday drinks (which also enabled me to escape DD moaning about how much work she has as well as preparing for her coaching exam...)

Auriga, I am so sorry.

How dreadful would it be if you simply said no to some of this? Dreadful for you, I mean, as well as her? Living at this level must be wringing you out.

Regarding boiler, it has been running "too hot" for a prolonged period, apparently, and has melted all sorts of wiring and probes, and badly damaged the burner. He showed DH the evidence. He is going to quote to "patch it up" as well as to replace, but tbh this isn't the first problem we've had with it, so for the sake of a few extra quid I'd probably rather start again with a new one.

Auriga, I'm sorry it's so rough at the moment. I really hope you make your concert on Saturday. You must have gone through such a long decision making process when you decided to look after your dm. I would be shouting (to myself), 'this was not part of the deal, this was not part of the deal.....' .

We are the end of term already. Dd1 will be starting her long trek home shortly - she is giving three massive boys a lift. I'm not sure they'll make it up some of the hills in Stropps' neck of the woods. Lovely to think that there are only two more cross country journeys for that little car to make.

I'm feeling so rough today - yesterday was so good, I managed to get loads done, felt really alive and kicking, so overindulged in wine last night - now paying for it...

Ah well, if she has three strapping lads in the car, they can push it up the hills

Reminds me of DS's tale of the journey to the sixth form footy match out in the wilds of Surrey last week in one of the schools old vans. Apparently the reverse gear wasn't working and the teacher kept missing turnings. Luckily there were a team of strapping boys who had to keep jumping out to push it!

Just back from mammogram. Found large shawl in my bag which helped with the quick change bif...

Auriga, I am so sorry to hear the latest developments. You are such a kind and loving daughter. Make sure you look after yourself and stay as well as possible. Sleep and nourishing food are what you need. Thinking of you.

Sorry for the short post. Am still feeling unwell with my horrid virus. Just cancelled a lunch for today as too ropey to get to Wimbledon. My poor old dad is also deteriorating rapidly and can no longer walk or swallow. The Dr has said it isn't possible to predict how long he will be like this - days or weeks or maybe months - but it is very sad as more bits of his brain shut down. I am going to see my mum tomorrow, but on the train as I am too shattered to drive and it's a long way. It is DD2's birthday tomorrow so I will do presents then go. Huge hugs to all with ageing parents going through these difficulties. It really is utterly ghastly.

Right, am going to sleep for a bit, then need to make a birthday cake and wrap presents. Back later.

God, it's becoming a macabre sweepstake on ancient parents round here, isn't it.