The Crepey Buds Of May

[GiddyGiddyGoat]

Err, how did that happen with no one noticing!
It's because we're all on the dark and stormy, sloe gin and prosecco innit.

Sorry for the not v inspired title but I panicked.

Magi

I think we would all like to drop dead on the spot (though not right this moment!) I am crossing everything that the powers that be sort out some sort of euthanasia by the time I get there.

Sending you huge hugs, dear Magi .

Out last night and had 3 glasses of wine. Now feeling rough as anything. They were small glasses, too. I am clearly losing my drinking boots.

Laters.

... or it was bad quality wine Monty

I have a really nice day planned - although am trying to walk and bike everywhere owing to petrol shortages - one crazy country

Oh Magi , but lovely that you have been able to be there so much.

Petrol shortages, Hatty?

Magi, with you and DH being around so much I think your aunt will feel your love even if you are not there at the precise moment

Sounds good, Beachy. Hope you hear good news and head out straightaway to get those chinos

Stropps, I like swimming and pilates for stress busting but I suspect that's because I'm too competitive for competitite sport. Also getting out and away from source of stress (home)

Monty - I think it's vv variable at our age so don't lose faith in your drinking boots

BTM - is dd straight into A2? or is there loads of study leave?

WAF - thanks for kind thought on rubbish honeymoon - It's not unusual as far as I can gather and probably not helped by only going out together for 3 months before deciding to do the marrying thing

Hattie - what's your really nice day?

Hatty, things sound grim , what with the air traffic controllers on strike and the petrol situation. High drama. Bike sounds like a plan.
If you want to pm me your email address I can use that instead?
Fell asleep after Pilates last night but will get details to you today.

MM Dhs aunt sounds like she was a wonderful woman. I think you are both being fantastic caring for her in this way. What a lucky lady she is. A good death is as important as having a good life.

Personally I just want to have a quiet exit sitting in a chair in the garden.

Strikes, blockades, general French union chaos. Ddad is very anxious as he's due to go to France with dbro next week for his hols and keeps asking us advice! Unfortunately it's up to dbro to sort.....

MM, you and DH are being there, in mind if not in body, for his DAunt - she will know that you love her.

Hatty, I hope you are managing with everything which is happening - the scenes look grim on the TV.

We have almost lost our guests: another couple of days and, hopefully, everything will be gone. They actually slept in their house last night and DDiL hopes to remove more stuff today. I am making plans to have the carpets professionally cleaned, rather than do it ourselves with our Vax - it will be bliss to be able to see the floor again in the utility room (sad, sad person which I am - I am not a tidy or houseproud person normally). We delayed getting new flooring in the utility and kitchen so need to get that sorted asap.

Work for my charity this morning, then I might just go and buy myself something nice, no idea what.

MM, with you on the dropping dead front.

I have conducted a second Ladyjog of the week and must try to put words on the page and/or generate some paid work, which is getting v worrisome.

Monty, watch the programme on alcohol that was on last night - DS and I watched it - quite interesting! It made me laugh when all the presenters/doctors, etc kept saying that they liked a glass or two - I don't know anybody who sticks to the guidelines in the way they are supposed to!

Addle, she gets 2 weeks for half-term (because she's finished all her exams) then back in to start A2's and other stuff for 3 weeks, then off for the summer How about your DS?
Sorry you had a rubbish honeymoon all those years ago, but glad things got better!

Cremo, hope you had some sleep last night - I slept for an hour after work last night. Had a fairly decent night last night and feel better than I did yesterday!

A family friend went quietly, in his own armchair, watching Wales trounce England at rugby. Hi last moments will have been watching his dream come true .

MI, I think it is really hard to pick up the threads of freelance normality as things so very far from normal, and priorities all jangled. Can you set yourself small but achievable things for each day and then when done take some time for yourself - perhaps more chance of sustained productivity that way?

Yes, Lalsy, that's really good advice and I shall follow it . I really need to get through to after the funeral, too.

That was the best way to go Lalsy

I have fallen into the trap as freelance when other things are tough of thinking I will throw myself at work and that will help. In fact, I achieve little and add feeling crap about that to pile of other crap feelings.

I second lalsy's words. Why can we not allow ourselves a bit of a stop gap? We are afeared of the world moving on without us and losing the work to other people who are waiting to pounce, I suspect. Especially when freelance I suppose.

magi you've been a dedicated and attentive carer for your DHs aunt. Even from a bit of a distance now, it's worth so much.

I am in a pub on the A24. Driving across west and south west London was really slow but the roads out here are open and empty thank goodness. I have had a lovely cheese and chutney sandwich. As I eat bread so rarely, it's a huge treat. I suppose my gut will complain later but what the hell. The weather is beautiful. DD had a better night but is still very coldy. She felt she could be left if DS stayed in touch by phone ( he's revising in school). DH is getting the train down later. I am going to a mini MU with beachy this afternoon. It's DHs birthday...I have bought him an electric toothbrush

DP has been made redundant. Whilst not entirely unwelcome, this does focus the mind rather on salary.

Oh Fuck Herbs!
Im so sorry

Oh shit Herbs
I know he wasn't that happy with his job - does he have a plan for what next?

Blimey Herbs . Will it be 'easy' (ha) to find something else (no idea what MrHerbs does.....)

Gosh, Herbs, I am so sorry. Is this a bolt from the blue or has it been on the cards for a while? Thinking of you

What a bummer, Herbs. Does he have any irons in fires that he can pull out? Are there plenty of jobs in his field?

Glad to hear you got away, Rose. It's pretty miserable here - I have the heating on it's so cold.

Herbs

Sorry to read your news herbs.

I have had a bargain day. Was heading to Cutbitts to look at glasses frames, stopped in TK Maxx on Tottenham court rd and bought a pair of Tom ford frames at £66 instead of £195.

BD are you there.? Is everything OK? Am feeling your radio silence, and wondering about your dm. Hope all alright.
x

He has, in fact, been wanting to be made redundant for a while. However, he has no jobs on the horizon, and has been looking v actively for the past year. Could mean we have w nice few weeks en famille over the summer hols, though, so every cloud...