Crepeys who try not to look like creepy clowns....

[BeachysSandyFlipFlops]

Would that be OK?

Must try to avoid a thread switch on a Friday night

Crem - try gargling with soluble asprin, then swallowing the mixture.

My GP gave me that tip when I had a mouthful of ulcers, and added that it worked for sore throats, too. Its now a staple in this house.

Apols to Matron who I can hear squeaking her way down the corridor as I type. I'm sure she'll have an even better solution. (Hides under covers)

MI - can you explain to a newbie on this thread what Mr Inferior is up to in Austria?

I am agog...

He is up to Hippy T'ai Chi. He has done t'ai chi for decades - well before he met me - and teaches it (unpaid: he has a perfectly respectable day job) and goes off on weeks of it in the holidays. Believe it or not he does a lot less of it than he did in years gone by.

Otherwise known as The Martial Art That Dare Not Speak Its Name...

Ask him to bring you a dirndl skirt and some schnapps MI - then you'll find out if he's actually in Skegness #cunningasafox

No, no, no, GGG. Some Mozart Balls, Mozart Ball liqueur and some Almdudler and Topfenstrudel or Mohr im Hemd for the DDs.

I spent a year eating cake working in Vienna.

Give him the whole list MI. Oh, and a Sachertorte in a wooden box from the Sacher Hotel... and a fur coat and some whipped cream...

The very idea of Mozart balls, a fur coat and whipped cream might bring untold joy or not to MI

Ho yes, "Sachertorte mit Schlagobers."

Sister approves of gargling and swallowing with soluble aspirin and prescribes lemon and honey as well, to take the taste away.

MI, Sister has awarded you a chit for a lo-o-o-o-ng bubble bath

Thanks for cocktail ideas.

Oh thank you MI. I would not have guessed Tai Chi. I have Austria pigeon holed into the Mozart chocolates/Sachertorte/ Aperol box. I can't envisage it as a Mecca for Tai Chi.

I was in Austria a month or two ago to sort out my digestive ishoooos which coincided with the Austrian Harley Davidson gathering. There were 10,000 of them converging up the road. The noise was intolerable. Day and night...

Suggest Mr Inferior also picks up Aperol. Mix it with ice and white wine. Recommended by Austrian doctor, so it MUST be good for you.

Am intrigued to know what Austria does for digestive problems - but if I am being too nosey tell me to b. off.

DH & I slept in the same room for the first time in 3 weeks last night. Not a success. He snored all night & had the nerve to tell me that I did as well.

I do have an image of Tai Chi being performed in lederhosen (sp?) running through my brain now

Aperol - YES.

I have just been perhaps unreasonable with DP's cousin from New York and his wife who are in London this weekend. Both DP and the only brother (there are four of them in total) who also lives in the UK are abroad. These two 'want to see the kids'. DD2 is busy literally all day (she has a sleepover). DD1 is being 15 and a bit obstreperous. I do not want to schlepp around London - I originally suggested the British Library at 4pm but I am TIRED and I slept badly and I feel that I'm being railroaded. I've told them 4pm at Blackfriars/ London Bridge/ Charing X, do they want to pick a place.

It all feels TOO DAMN MUCH. I am so tired.

And now I feel GUILTY and WORRIED they won't have got my message...

It is TOO DAMN MUCH.

MI You have to start saying 'No' to people. You have suffered a horrendous bereavement less than 6 months ago & you are, understandably & quite normally, exhausted. I don't think people who have not suffered the loss of a parent realise just how shattering (in every sense) it is. You need to look after yourself, your needs must come first. If you aren't careful you will get ill & you don't want to put your India trip in jeopardy, do you?

Strict words from me but I was pole-axed for about 9 months after my DM died. It is normal. If necessary go to the Dr & have a chat & then you can say to people that 'the doctor has told me to take things easy', if that would help you.

Ring up these cousins & tell them you have woken up feeling ill & can't meet. The world won't stop turning but it will help you.

Am sure Sister Auriga would agree/employ me a her deputy

Thank you. I have emailed, given them my number and told them the tea options. And now I am going to have a large breakfast.

Cross posted with yr last post. If they haven't got your message that's just tough. Start putting yourself first for a bit & stop feeling guilty. I bet they'd feel even worse if they knew how you were feeling.

MI, pick somewhere with a nice cafe nearby, and meet them for tea and cake. Not too stressful, and I'm sure the DDs will find a spare hour if there's cake involved.

MI I agree. And even without all that, one cannot necessarily deliver cheerful teens for family viewing at a set time. Jelly nailing and not worth the effort IMO (and it gets much easier so it doesn't matter). Tell them the dds are free at different times and you are you

Sorry x post too

to jelly nailing.

Never a truer word lalsy about teens and family viewing. We have this problem with DPILs. They don't realise that the DC won't play ball when they are expected to "present" themselves for inspection if they have social arrangements or just want to stay in bed. MI tea and cake Like CV says I a location convenient for you.

I now have the added problem that PILs don't seem to want to see DD if DS2 isn't around, which he isn't if course, being at Uni. She mentioned it the other day....."I don't think grandma and .... are that interested in me..." and I felt so sad for her.

Oh Rose

Yes, to the jelly nailing. Also 'what would they like' - I DO NOT KNOW. I have said the locations we can get to and left it there.

Mind you Indian rellies are worse.

I would certainly get your DH to say something about this to his parents, Rose. Really horrid for your DD.

And thank you. I have resumed Dossing About. At some point I shall do some writing and at another point make a spicy kheema mattar for tomorrow. Both girls at sleepovers tonight, DP off doing You Know What and tonight I have a friend's 50th.