Someone left a Crepe out in the rain

[BeachysSandyFlipFlops]

Here we go, ready for the Autumn.....

Teenage party not going so well

[Collymollypuff]

Daffodil bulbs are really poisonous apparently. You could do murder with them, probably.

[florascotianew]

MI - I think it was a Very Good Thing that the daffodil-eater was sick so quickly (presumably because of the booze he'd already consumed). It turns out that they really are poisonous. This site is extremely informative - and quite fascinating in its own macabre way: www.thepoisongarden.co.uk/atoz/narcissus.htm

Crem - good to hear better news of your father. Rudy - all the very best. Herbs - hope your trip's going OK.

[florascotianew]

Oh - and I do hope you get the tickets sorted, NU. And the medications. Both very worrying.

[florascotianew]

Sorry - cross posted, Colly! At least we're agreed!

[motherinferior]

I love a poison garden, me.

[hattymattie]

I heard a story where an old blind lady fried daffodil bulbs thinking they were onions. She died.

[Cremolafoam]

And yet, tulip bulbs were eaten in wartime Holland . I know this because my late brother wrote a piece for the Gruniad once upon a time, about this phenomenon. Tulips are edible nut clearly daffs mot. Interesting.

[motherinferior]

Someone eats an incredibly valuable tulip bulb in Deborah Moggach's novel Tulip Fever.

[CointreauVersial]

Happy Birthday, BTM. A bit of a miserable old day weather-wise, isn't it? Hope you have something celebratory (and indoors) planned for later.

NU - what a nightmare with the flights! I must say, I tend to book directly, but there's always the worry that something will go awry. Hope it's all sorted. Say hello to San Fran from me once you get there.

Rose - that dress is gorgeous on you - your figure is fantastic. I'd like to say that my promotion requires a new wardrobe, but alas it doesn't. My payrise will mostly be going towards our holiday credit card bill, which has made a serious dent in our cash reserves (i.e. reduced them to zero). When you add up what DH and I now earn, we should be very comfortable indeed, but somehow - whoosh - the money just goes. Every month.

I have been doing lots of tedious admin today - I feel like I'm back at work. College stuff for DS (I've a feeling they don't have the correct email address for me, as there are lots of things I should have received, but haven't), bill paying, plus various dull housey things which need following up (where's our cavity wall insulation? where's our smart meter? why hasn't that bloody driving instructor called me back?). DH is outside in the pouring rain burning the last few bits of the shed and doing some light pruning (he is under strict instructions not to massacre anything; always a risk once he gets going). DS is on his way back from Emirates Stadium, so I will have to venture out shortly to collect him from the station. Brrr...

[BeachysSandyFlipFlops]

Where's your cavity wall insulation???? In yer cavity wall, innit

[CointreauVersial]

Well, you'd hope so, Beachy, but several months after paying the deposit and having the survey it has not been forthcoming. Lots of waffle about funding applications and government grants.

Anyway, in indecisive offspring news, DS has decided that he'd rather stay on at school after all. I will go into school on Monday with him to see if we can talk to someone; at least I made sure they kept him on the role. Doing A Levels at school will involve him ditching PE, the subject he did best in at at GCSE, but something he's really not interested in pursuing.

[hattymattie]

CV - have had DD1 on phonr in a bad temper complaining about the rain. I have to say it's gorgeous here. Have likewise spent a day doin lots of admin. Think I am vaguely in control of things now.

Thanks for the address Crem. Will drop you a line to finalise arrangements.

[NUFC69]

The pouring rain here all day has matched my humour. However, things seem to be sorted regarding the flights home, but literally in the last five minutes. DH has just received an email with flight details for our approval (this was supposed to be sent no later than an hour after DH spoke to them at noon). Can't tell you how relieved I am.

CV, what's he like, your DS. Has he explained why he has changed his mind?

I have the family coming for breakfast tomorrow (bacon sandwiches and pastries); they were quite surprised that I hadn't invited them for lunch as I do like to have a "last supper" as it were when we disappear abroad, but I really didn't feel up to it.

[motherinferior]

Rudy, how horrible.

[hattymattie]

Oh Rudy - thinking of you xx

NU - glad your flights are sorted. I think you're brilliant at laying on meals for everybody.

[NUFC69]

We're all still with you, Rudy, poor lad. Is he able to sit up and take notice of things now?

[Blackduck]

Oh god Rudy :(
Yes pissed down here all day, but on the plus side I know my mew patio doesn't leak.... Silver linings and all that....

And ds bought out Hay on Wyeand intends to drag us back ... In the first shop he said ' I love the smell of books'. (Job done :) )

[CointreauVersial]

I wish my DCs read books, BD. None of them do. Ever.

Oh Rudy, sorry you are still being put through it. Has the clot cleared, at least?

NU - DS had always intended to stay on at school for sixth form - he is a cautious lad and doesn't like to leave his comfort zone; he was just thrown by the timetabling problems. But he was never very happy about the thought of college - I could tell! Once he really thought about his subjects he realised he could manage without one of them. After our discussion, I drove him over to a friend's house; as he got out of the car he said thank you for listening. I asked him how he felt now he'd made the decision to stay at school, and he said "relieved". Says it all, really. I guess he's lucky to have had the choice of a good college and a good sixth form.

[MrsSchadenfreude]

Good that he's got it sorted, CV, and can now move forward.

Sending you love and good vibes, Rudy. xxx

Spent the afternoon at a barbecue where I was the oldest person by at least 15 years (most of them were angsting about turning 30, and the dilemma about whether to settle down or travel). The host was my former assistant from Paris. Lovely boy, and excellent cook. Wlll make someone a lovely wife - bright, funny, good looking, plays rugby, good job, would be every mother's dream son-in-law.

[Rosebag]

Am dancing to Wham.... Wake me up before you go go

[motherinferior]

Rose, you go to all the best parties.

I am mostly feeling annoyed with DP for non-specific reasons.

[motherinferior]

I'm so glad he's relatively on the mend.