In Crepey Remembrance Of CremCat Past

[GiddyGiddyGoat]

Hope that's an OK unilateral decision!

Rudy, don't feel it's your last counselling session. Surely if you want to continue, you could?

Young minds have a parent section, with contact numbers - I haven't called them, but I have had a session on my own with CAMHS, which may or may not have been useful. I wasn't particularly in tune with the therapist there.

Aaaah, a year ago, we were all rushing around getting dd2 ready to sing in the national Children in Need choir (where 20 choirs across the country sing the same song at the same time!).

Just rushing in to say I'd have loved to come on Sat but both dc are home for ongoing dh birthday celebrations (Sketch! tonight!) so it looks unlikely. The weather's going to be great, though. Good things:

1. DS will be home
2. DD will be home (although she would be incensed that she's not Point 1)
3. Sketch!

DH back from school. Maths teacher admitted she "could have been more helpful" to DD1, and admitted that she hadn't taught IB maths before (so why give her a final year class to practise on?). DH said he made his displeasure felt, and teacher said she would go through the lesson after school with DD if she didn't understand something, rather than telling her to look it up on the internet. FFS, she has 8 kids to teach, why can't she make sure that they all know what they are doing?

Other classes less awful, but same old story about not handing in work on time and not asking if she doesn't understand.

Yes, they have study hall periods for doing homework, but as DD is 18, I guess they don't check that she is doing her work. And the help from teachers is there, but she won't ask for it, which is why we ended up getting the tutor.

DD's predicted grade has slipped from 42 to 35. Which won't get her in anywhere she wants to go, except Aberystwyth. She is very bright (on the so called "highly able" programme) but has always been "awkward", for want of a better word. She also hugely lacks self confidence, which holds her back.

Oh Rudy - if you feel panicky at the thought of finishing counselling, surely you should continue? Is there an option for sessions from time to time on an "as required" basis, rather than regularly?

Rose - thank you for the dyspraxia advice - I now think she possibly does have it. She also has problems socialising with the other girls and often says she's nobody to play with bless her. You obviously needed a good sleep in, similar happened to me a few weeks ago. Your roast dinner sounds delicious - I'm regretting my Friday night pizzas now.

The jumper is gorgeous and I also want it in every colour.

Thinks have been partially smoothed over at DH's work (after two sleepless nights). He is walking around muttering about "petit Napoleans" though.

Was there a Crepey who used Holidays Please? There is a very helpful girl who assures me she can sort out a fab holiday. It's just I'd like to know somebody who'd used them.

Oh that's a shame Molly. But nice for you to have your DC home!

God, MrsS, they sound like a bunch of fucking incompetent teachers That is unforgiveable with classes of 8 (or even slightly more) But perhaps they aren't trained teachers? Really fucking lazy.

When you say she is "awkward" do you mean socially awkward, or an awkward customer? Or both?

BTM - if you goggle IAPT plus yr borough, you can see waiting times. 10-12 weeks for counselling after 1-2 weeks for telephone triage for mine (think you the same?) but they say they do have cancellations so it could be quicker. Would it be worth applying online for that, and if you are able to also looking for something private (perhaps after the triage as you could ask them what they would recommend)? Might it also be worth looking at something like mindfulness classes/courses off the peg as it were to help you relax and sleep as a quicker fix? When dh did the tapes, there was a big improvement within 3 weeks (but he didn't have ongoing massive worry - it taught him to live with a stressful job). Don't know if that is at all helpful, jus ignore if not.

MrsS, I would have thought they should have instilled the routine in her by now. If she doesn't get the grades, would she consider a year out to redo and maybe get into a better working habit?

Those jumpers are lovely, Rose.

I have felt queasy today and spent much of it in bed ignoring the vast piles of stuff I should be doing. dd coming home for flying visit so may go and meet her train.

And me too with the WTF, MrsS.

I am loving my woolovers slouchy merino and wondering about a red jumper dress. In fact I am wondering about the Boden one and the woolovers one. I feel the need to become Red Dress Woman now I've stopped dyeing my hair. It could be my Signature Look. I've already got the M&S stretchy one and the cotton H&M one from the chazzer.

Ooooh Molly, I have heard wonderful things about Sketch!

Thanks Lalsy - will google! I have no trouble getting to sleep, it's waking in the night/v early that's the prob.
I will look at Mindfulness again, just didn't really do it for me when we had the training at work ( at memories of many of us saying that a couple of drinks was our way of relaxing)
And I will see what yoga classes are on if/when DS is out to school in the mornings - keep meaning to get back to it - did it ante and post natal, 15 and 17 years ago!

Yes, that was dh problem, with sleep patterns - the physician he saw said that was very common with stress unless I have remembered wrong. He did 20 mins twice a day for months, kicked in properly after 3 weeks or so, but of course it doesn't work for everyone and I tried it a couple of times with him and fell asleep!. Yoga sounds good too - there are probably closer places but the one my end of BP does morning classes I think.

MI, was it the longline merino? I think you look fab in red.

BTM - Find someone here www.itsgoodtotalk.org.uk/

Others will add in I'm sure but my pennies worth is that a BACP registered therapist is a good thing.

Addle am so pleased you had brilliant listening from DH.
Re BP tomorrow, I think my DH would like a walk so I'll be park-walking elsewhere.

Molly enjoy your meal.

MI - great about the big bucks editing job.

Glad the new jacket hit the spot Hatty.

Herbs, that web editing job sounds da bomb. Blurry good luck.

Reasons to be cheerful/grateful:

1. Nice colleage helped me with work thing I was stuck on AND I can deliver it Mon, not Sun.
2. Hair cut turned out OK. On a scale of Angela Merkell to Debbie Harry, not right down the Angela Merkell end.
3. Birthday prezzie I procured for DD2 to take to party pronounced 'Bare peng and swagalicous'

It was indeed, Lalsy. Thank you. I shall continue on my journey to be a Scarlet Woman, which I always promised myself once I ditched the dye.

DP teaches meditation doesn't stop him being a grumpy git.

Red dress and red lippy sound the business MI .

BTM - hope you can get some counselling sorted out., I always sleep like a log after the evening yoga session.

Lalsy - hope you feel better.

Mrs S - only 8 students - they should be able to organise them all perfectly for that. Agree with BTM - lazy fuckers.

Oh and Rudy - my first thought when you turned me down for 26th, was phew, I might not bother cleaning the curtains then
And echo what others have said. You could always have more counselling. Make a note of what you're feeling and see how it all looks in a couple or three weeks.

Oh and they need more than just study hall periods, MrsS.

Btw anyone heard from Auriga?

I'm sorry not to be able to join you in BP tomorrow but I am working (boooo!) for ££££ (hurray!) and it's the world's easiest sessions - interviewing, so i set them up and then they interview each other, with me walking round from time to time nodding sagely. I also get to drive in so can take my new paintings and some Christmas tut to cheer up my office.

Love the idea of you in scarlet, MI. I think your new hair is a total triumph and really flattering.

BTM, there is a lot of daytime yoga round these parts - Yogapoint, Lido, our local church etc all have daytime classes for after school drop off. My room mate at work also saw a counsellor in F Hill for a long while. I could get the details if that would help?

Molly, Sketch is supposed to be fab. And with both your children - heaven.

MrsS, I'd be raging in your shoes. What a poor show! Hope you are feeling a bit better with your cold, though.

Rose, your chicken supper sounds wonderful. I am a huge fan of sleep and am looking forward to an afternoon zzz on Sunday. Sorry to hear DH's work is up and down. How long has he been in the job now? When is DS2 home for the holidays?

Addle, glad to hear DH listened. How is he doing at the moment?

Reasons to be cheerful (part 3 - i loved that song)

1. DD's head of year rang to see how she was this week after our chat on Monday. I am very impressed by the communication from school and how much they seem to care.

2 DH is making the dinner so I don't have to

3 Although I am working tomorrow, I get to hook up with a pal for lunch who only works weekends and who has left London, so I rarely see her these days. And I get some Christmas cash. Win win.

BTM - how about 3pm for a stroll? will text you.

Monty - DH bit better thank you. Very, very sleepy.

WAF and Monty - hope to see you in BP soon

MI - congrats on work and I too think you look fabulous in scarlet

Off to a pirate ceilidh, crepeys. DH bafflingly unkeen.

Evening Crepeys
TGIF and all that.
Auriga, are you OK? Missing you on here - and hoping you might be able to come out to play with us on the 26th? You're needed by Mrs S in your nursing role.

BTM, Yes to whoever said a BACP registered therapist was a good starting point for finding someone to talk to if GP / IAPT is going to take too long etc. It is vital to get some help and support for yourself.

Reasons to be cheerful...

1. Fundraising thing raised an amazing ten (10, X) thousand pounds!
2. Have a weekend of invitations involving food and drink - lunch saturday and Sunday and a party on Sunday evening,
3. Just had a haircut and it's just how I wanted it to be.

Yes MI, scarlet woman definitely the way to go.
No enthusiasm for a ceilidh Addle? How extraordinary!
Mrs S - get well soon and grrrrrrr re expensive and useless school. What does dd1 have to say about it - she's going to find life hard if she isn't able to get help when she needs it. Is she upset, indifferent or in denial?
Herbs, slow down lovely. "Make like a lighthouse" Arf.

Beachy, sorry you don't need a bed, relieved I don't have to tidy up... (if you change your mind let me know),

Thanks for all the pointers crepies - will get looking.

Glad to hear new haircuts are good. IM getting min done next Fri as long as nothing scuppers it.

Addle 3pm sounds great

Yes Auriga, hope all is OK?

GGG, that is amazing, what an achievement!

GGG, does your haircut involve a quiff again? I loved your quiff. And top marks for fundraising. Was the event the one involving pots?

Have just picked up DP from City Airport. DS made a sign, like the one chauffeurs have, saying 'Daddy. We are here. Welcome to London.' Then we went out for tapas, and are now enjoying the compulsory airport giant Toblerone. Un-Brexited, mercifully.

Monty, what is it you do? No doubt you've said, but I can't keep a thought in my head.

And Mrs S. Once again, fuming. Eight pupils in a class, and she can't be arsed to ensure they've understood? That's kind of the basic requirement when teaching a class of 30.