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.

MI, it all sounds very sensible, given how uncertain the timing is, and how time at the bedside does that weird stretchy thing, not sustainable for long. I suspect a sprinkling of normality for you and your dsis will benefit everyone in the long run, including your father.

She needs it. I was worried about her on Monday. I'm very pleased she has decided to put herself first, actually - rather than her tendency to take on more and more and more.

MI, I think you and your sister are right. Go back when you were planning to and let the professionals support till then.

CV, I don't blame him for feeling a bit unnerved, but at least he knows what's what now and not as a sudden shock on results day?

Had lunch in the sun with my lovely colleagues

Great about that B grade Cv !

hatty DS2 has his Spanish Orals today. In the plural as I'd forgotten he'd decided to retake the AS oral from last year as well as the A2. Mad. Anyway he texted to say the AS one went well and he really liked the examiner, who was from Bolivia...which suited him as their assistente ( or however you spell it) is South American and they had to get used to the accent! A2 oral is happening as I type. And so it begins. Shoot me now.
rudy X 3!!! One doesn't think of this when erm......making babies....

herbs how is the class going...it's today isn't it?

Mi this is as good as it can be in the circumstances. Lean on the carers, and be cared for yourselves. Hopefully today has had pleasant and affirming activity thus far.

I am feeling a smidge more positive today. Meeting first off and then singing for an hour. Arranged a date to meet outside of lesson time with lovely singing teacher to plan joint workshop...we have done this once before and got good feedback. Then instead of collapsing into a fit of Nothing Very Much I have done a good, long walk to the garden centre ( about 3 miles) and will do the same in reverse. The weather is glorious and I really enjoyed the walk. Now celebrating with food I shouldn't eat in the caff.

In other news, an ex trustee from annoying trustee organisation got in touch. Now I know why she left in such a hurry and it's made me feel a lot better. She called Annoying Trustee 'toxic'. She has also recommended me to a new private client who is coming for an appointment next week

Rose, glad to hear you are feeling a bit more positive and that it's not you who thinks the trustee is toxic. Fingers crossed for your DS!

Gosh Rose that's brilliant . I do so hope it proves fruitful with the lucrative client. We too had a Chilean Spanish teacher who was all "sss" and not 'Thththt
'Twas discombobulating indeed.

Dd hath texted to say her Politics1 exam was not too bad but Arabic was horrific . I hope she won't fail it as it's one of her fave subjects and shed like to do it next year (3)
Other news is mainly about her cat rather than the gf. I wonder about this tbh.
Today I am mostly doing finishing off jobs rather than anything solid. I hope it will be satisfying come bedtime.

Hope your day went well Herbs and that you are getting a proper break MI. Rudy three at exams means you are a complete blimmin hero in my book. Much love .
X

Rose glad you're feeling more positive and good luck to all the Spanish speakers. DD1 had a South American for her oral and there was much moaning I recall. DD2 it seems, had a bonafide Spaniard.

Crem - Arabic sounds impressive - your DD's exams are really early. End of the month for DD1.

Have made a quiche - I even made the pastry but not enough to cover the sides of the pie dish, so made more - I have a jigsaw like quiche. MiL seems to make fab pastry in 5 mins, without a recipe book and does non of that fridge/pre cooking business. I cannot get her secret out of her - she says she just does it!

Herbs - hope you've survived.

Hatty, I find shortcrust v easy but I buy puff!

Just been to see the dishy dentist and I am booked in for 4 (IV) extractions after we get back from Vietnam. Gulp.

Oooh Tilly does he have a reclining chair...

Hatty All my pastry is like a patchwork quilt...it tastes good but handles really badly. I don't have the gift!

Crem Good on DD. Arabic is a fiendishly difficult language. I can understand a bit, but wouldn't even begin to know how to read.... Do you think things might have run their course with gf?

DS is satisfied with his performance in the Spanish Orals. Said the class agreed that the examiner was top hole and got the best out of them. He does seem utterly exhausted though...taking a break from revision tonight, whilst I shove him full of nourishing food.

BTM that's not sounding like fun even with the dishy dentist involved. Noo!
Dm is a genius at pastry and her secret is not to bother with butter , but she uses trex or stork. Honestly the best crispiest pastry ever ( savoury) At cooking school we learned up make all butter pastry with an egg yolk instead of water to bind. No waiting for chilling , as there's no water , there's no shrinkage.
It's lovely shortcrust but RICH.
Meh to making puff. Life's too short.

And we're back to pies

DSis took a lot of reassuring it was OK to go home. I have managed some work and also a long lunch with a friend, including a very good charity shop haul!

MI - you and your sister both need a break - tell us about the charity shop haul.

Crem - I think MiL uses an egg - will try next time - this is obviously the key. Is trex - like White Cap? - I can't find lard like that here - it's called Sain Doux - but none in the Supermarché. I think it does make lighter pastry than butter.

Re pastry, I do half Trex and half Stork

He does have a reclining chair, but you're right, I'm not really thinking that way when I'm in it

MI, is there actually any space in your wardrobe for all your charity buys?!

I make 1960s style pastry with Stork and lard. I also have an easy recipe for rough puff pastry if anyone is interested.

I have had a shit day at work and have Kir. Grapefruit Kir.

I'm something of a whizz at pastry, as it happens. It's all in the cold fingers.

Back from my double-ender of teaching, and am BUSHED. Classes went fine, and reminded me of why I do it in the first place. I get such a buzz. Admin however. FFS. What a palaver.

AND... it turns out I'm on a 'variable' contract. So while I did seemingly get paid for the course I was supposed to be teaching last term, in fact I've actually got to make the hours up. So I'll essentially be teaching the extra course this term for no extra money. And I've had to give up a day of teenagers.

No rest for the wicked. Have to apply for East End school website/comms job tonight, and have an interview at an agency for literacy TA tomorrow afternoon. And plan for next week's lessons. This weekend I have three parties and a fete. Next weekend we're having an NCT get together, and staying overnight. The following weekend we're in Farnham for the weekend. The one after that family shindig in Putney.

How am I going to fit in masterchef?

I had a friend who had a mad crush on her dentist for years. She used to say things like "I'm seeing her next month" and we all used to have to point out that wasn't a date, it was a checkup.

My haul was: an East black silk/mix velvet dress and a Jigsaw silk frock in a washy teal print, both to be worn with leggings and chunky boots; a mango-coloured Zara knitted short sleeved top, loose, mainly cotton with a bit of nylon; a charcoal M&S wool cardigan with a paler grey edging; and a hardback copy of the latest Girl with a Wossname book. Spent less than £30 in total.

Crikey Herbs - contract sounds not such a good deal. The East End school sounds the way to go.

You sound like a total party girl - I would be exhausted with that pace. I'm quite happy with the occasional outing and MasterChef.

Is that 1960's, MrsS? It was what DM taught me and in my Home Ec lessons in the late 70's! I do it with the KMix now though

Herbs, you sound rather over-booked - far too much of a party animal

In exciting news, DD has booked for a uni open day. Only she booked the wrong day

Regarding pastry, I know my limits. I buy it ready-made. In fact, I buy my quiche ready-made.

Good haul, MI! Tomorrow I shall be wearing a lovely linen/cotton shirt dress I picked up the other day in Cancer Research. And I was chuffed to win a Jack Wills shirt on eBay that I missed out on buying last year. It was too expensive at full price, then when it went on sale my size was out of stock. Then, as I was idly flicking through eBay yesterday - there it was! I had to do some surreptitious bidding on my phone while sat at my desk (who on earth finishes auctions at 11am on a weekday?) but I bagged it.

Crumbs, Herbs - you busy person, you. My diary is largely empty, just a couple of football club trophy evenings/end-of-season BBQs to "look forward" to. I'm wondering whether to plan something nice for the weekend - actually enjoy the nice hot weather, rather than just do chores.

Actually, I do have one thing to look forward to - DH and I are going to see Julian Clary tomorrow, in the local theatre. Looking forward to an evening of high camp and Sticky Moments!

Forgot to say 'Go Rose'! In your face, Annoying Trustee.

Make sure you give him a 'warm hand upon his entrance ' CV . Fnar fnar. I once drove Julian and Fanny ( the wonder dog ) from the local airport to his festival digs. He was lovely. #anotheroneofCrem'sweirdjobs.

I think DM's pastry recipe is also the 1960's one. Likely from a Cordon Bleu magazine.

Excellent haul MI. Impressed. What a great wee boost as well.

I am toying with having a Crepey 50th partay round a table somewhere in London.
Whadaya think? September probably.

I think YES PLEASE!

Lol and Giddy piped up!!!

I am imagining style and beauty obvs, and amazing food, and us lot, in flying form.
And maybe some gin? Don't really know where. But something to look forward to and maybe an excuse to buy a new outfit

'Tis true that I'm v predictable....