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

[herbaceous]

As requested!

Argh, BD, that's just what you don't want to hear re: care home. Hopefully another option will manifest itself soon. Hang on in there.

at Herbs coming over all unnecessary. Presume you'll have to pop round with a cheque? With an alluring twinkle in your eye and a few buttons casually undone?

I have just come back from the charity shop, with a bagful of stuff. Boden skirt, Gap jumper, Monsoon top, Autograph dress, Next dress....somebody stop me. If Cancer Research report record profits this year, you'll know why.

I think I shall submit a bouncing cheque, and have to be terribly contrite, and think of a way to make it up to him.

My post re teaching teenagers got a bit garbled, due to doing it on my phone without my glasses. I meant my preparation wasn't helped by having to drive speedily home to collect my lesson plan, as couldn't print it at college due to mac/PC irreconcilable differences.

Sniggering at Herbs’ Presentation of her Bouncing Cheque (fnar). Presumably followed by breathy “Ooh, I’ve been so naughty!”

I have managed quite a bit of work today, and also to negotiate a fat fee for some other work.

Great thread title, Herbs. I like the idea of the oily mechanic ...

Auriga, sorry that things are so rough with your DM and DSis.

BD, I hope you can get your DM sorted out soon; it must make things even more stressful for you and DDad.

Good to know that DM is having visitors, BTM, and I think dropping the DFriend sounds like a good idea.

Lots of good advice as usual for you, Rose. I bought a poncho type thingy last year and it's so useful and warm, definitely a good buy.

I hope you're feeling better now, Crem?

Retreat day yesterday was excellent, and the countryside was so beautiful on the drive. Today we took DGD2 to Cullercoats on the Metro - best described as bracing.

Herbs, it must be the sap rising, as there's a thoroughly gorgeous young man sitting opposite me on the train (not the short wearing weirdo I normally see). This one is not at all oily, exceptionally pretty, but doesn't look very bright. Can't say I care about that bit

Thank you all. Ddad phoned tonight - fingers crossed - another possibility on the horizon.

Was there talk of any earlier meet as I don't think I'll be able to stay late Saturday so would like to at least see some of you! (Working round Ddad and rest of family...)

BD, glad there's another possibility on the horizon. And yes, plans to meet for pre-drinks - just have to sort a venue (MrsS is on the case!)

Beachy, glad you enjoyed the view

CV, you are in danger of becoming a bag-woman/shopaholic/serious ebayer. Stop going into charity shops

Had a nice catch-up with ex-work colleagues last night, some of whom are rather nearer retirement than me

I can't remember where we are going on Sat! Or when!

I believe it's the Mulberry Bush! Though don't know when. Sadly, I now don't think I can go. My pal meeting is still on, and with lots of other people, so I can't drag them all along.

I'm having a senile vocabulary void moment. What are those long necklaces called, that one wears over otherwise boring garments? Come to boob or belly button level. Pendants? Something else? It's been troubling me for a couple of days now...

My brain is also a void Herbs, I know what you mean but I have nothing coming to me either.
Sorry it looks like you won't make it.Boo. Buy Ooer to Mechanical interaction. I had this with a young gay colleague. It lasted all but a week, but phew he was gorgeous!

I am betterish this am, thanks NU. Cooker cleaning man is here making erugh face whilst looking a gunky oven.
I am still flopping about the house, but hopefully will be AOK by Friday.tired mostly.

BD I have fingers crossed for Plan B. You deserve some good luck after all that has gone before. Sending love

Mulberry Bush

Hooray to better health, Crem! I'll give you a piggy back to the Mulberry Bush if you want.

MrsS and other bag enthusiasts: if I were to see a Radley bag that I simply had to have, is there a sensible way to get it a bit cheaper? Or are other crepeys up for a Radley bag heist? I think we are the right age - maybe a bit young. Bagsy I not driver - we would never get away. I could do explosives.

I'll drive. Especially if someone sets up a pile of cardboard boxes I can go through.

I can do the shouting in strong menacing Belfast accent:
"On your knees bag lady! On your knees or I'll take the Mulberry totes as well"

I have got one, Herbs, but I don't know what it is called! A pendant?

It is the MB, booked for 7pm but hopefully those who can and want to can meet before (5ish?) for drinks - just waiting for the name of MrsS's suggestion!

Cremo, keep flopping and let your cookerman do the work. You must be better by Friday!

Molly, TKMaxx? Debenhams sell them too I think - maybe they have some on sale?

Oh great, BTM, I'll look in Debenhams. I hate TK Maxx as a rule.

In other, earth-shattering, news, I have read on another thread that one crumbles Oxo cubes INSIDE their foil wrapper! Undo corners, squash, snip corner, pour. Revolutionary. Not sure what Linda Bellingham thought she was doing for all those years in the Oxo Family ads.

In Oily Dreamboat news, I have a cheque to drop off on my way to Sainsbury's.

And my father continues to collapse weeping. My MUM is sorting out some counselling via the local MacMillanequivalent. I did point out he could pick up the phone himself. She says it is all getting very wearing. DCousin is fab, and one of her old friends will be visiting (bossily but cheering) but after that I definitely recommended she fix up a night or two respite at the hospital to GET AWAY FROM THE GLOOM.

Molly, there are often Radley outlets in places like McArthur Glen, if that helps. Also Boundary Mill do them cheaper, if I remember correctly. (None of this may help you if you don't live anywhere near the outlets I have mentioned). We're off to Harrogate for a couple of nights next week, and I may go to McArthur Glen at York, do you know what the bag is called and what colour you want?

Glad to hear you're feeling a bit better, Crem.

DH is not happy, one of DS's cats has decided to use the bath as his toilet. We're enjoying our last day of peace before they get back from Jamaica - I am feeling the need to buy something so I think I will go browsing this afternoon.

Oh dear, MI, it just goes on.

Herbs, the Oxo cube thing is a real revelation. Who knew?

MI - I am lost for words when it comes to your father.

I remember the crumble in your cooking ad (Linda Bellingham?) & she did unwrap it & crumble it in. Used to make us students laugh as it looked just as if she was crumbling a certain -ahem- substance into a certain -ahem- type of smoke we all indulged in.

A certain kind of baking, perhaps?

Very special brownies

I avoid all cube-crumbling dilemmas by buying my stock in a little bottle.

I buy long-lasting sachets of veg stock. They are as much a staple in my kitchen as frozen chopped onion.