In Crepey Remembrance Of CremCat Past

[GiddyGiddyGoat]

Hope that's an OK unilateral decision!

I used Holidays please, and I'm using them again this year.... if you pm me and mention my name to them, I get a bottle of fizz

I think the provision for counselling on the NHS is shit. A few years ago, my mentee tried to kill herself. Thankfully she didn't succeed, and was only offered three counselling sessions - after that she was on her own. Fortunately her parents paid for private sessions, which helped.

I still can't get my temperature down and can't have any more paracetamol or ibuprofen today, so am lying naked in bed under a cold, wet towel. I wonder if it is a UTI, as I've got a strange pain low down in the middle of my stomach.

Agree with everything you say about school, but DD1 needs to take some responsibility for this mess and understand that if she doesn't hand work in for graded assessments or ask for help, then she will fail. And I don't have a spare £40K sloshing about for her to retake her final year.

Gosh, it has been a while since we've heard from you Auriga. Hope you are ok.

Some brilliant suggestions re counselling BTM , and good advice. Just wanted to throw something else into the mix. There is an online CBT course you can do called MindGYM. It was put together by University of Sydney or similar and is very good. You can dip In and out and do it yourself when you want. I thought I'd mention it as it can be such an effort to get started with counselling and getting back to feeling calm. You might find it useful. X

Just finished work Crepsters. There's got to be better that this,surely.

MrsS, I hope you get yourself to the doc tomorrow, because it sounds like you need to.

With regard to dd1, I fear you are being massively ripped off by the school and their "organisational tutor". As POTUS would say: Wtf? Your dd is 18. She is an adult. She will make her own mind up about whether she does the work or not, and, in the final analysis, if she decides not to be arsed, there is no amount of organisational tutoring that will make any difference. As for the maths "teacher" who can't teach a class of 8... Pfffft.

GGG - amazing work.

MI, congrats on the work - yay!

Addle, pirate ceilidh?? Hope you didn't get bruises from all the wooden legs

MrsS, if you are not appreciably better this am, I would get an appointment with OOH presto pronto, esp if you are suspecting a UTI. If not treated you may end up with a kidney infection which is even more uncomfortable, not to mention dangerous. Please phone first thing. Thinking of you .

I am sure Sister would be advising similar. I do hope she is OK.

Crem, sorry for rubbish job with long shifts and late finishes. Are you working today? And what's your pattern like over the Christmas period? Is DD coming home with her friend?

GGG, your fundraiser sounds amazing and huge congratulations on making so much ££££.

Herbs, you asked about my job. I teach law to various people - undergraduates, postgraduates who want to become solicitors or barristers, people without law degrees, international people who are qualified in their own jurisdiction but need an E and W qualification, the odd FILEX. I used to be a Family lawyer but not really doable part time and certainly not compatible with 3 children. Today it's people who are doing an online PG course. They can't do Interviewing online so that's where I come in. Many fly in for this from abroad so I hope they find it useful .Will be done by 4 then popping to Primark for a few bits for the kids on the way home.

Happy Saturday, Crepes .

Temp now under 39 (well it's 38.8 but that's the lowest it's been so far). Now have stomach pains and truly explosive diarrhoea. Also feeling nauseous.

Very much hope that Auriga is OK. Am missing sister's squeaky shoes as she does ward duty.

Morning!

I've just come from an AIBU thread. It's years since I've wandered around there, and it's really rough! Full of goady people. It's lovely to come here and have a civilised chat.

Reasons to be Cheerful:

1. DS is in Queenstown and so is his bike (Thank you Quantas)
2. I am still in bed with tea...
3. I got assessed for counselling yesterday at local hospice. It was only an assessment, but I had a good cry, and felt better.

They ran that test to ascertain how depressed I was, the questions referring to the last 2 weeks. I scored pretty low. If they had asked me about how I felt 3 weeks ago, then my scores would have been much higher.

This roller coaster of renal Cancer is the pits. It consists of a big dip, then a plateau-ing out of Dfs condition. It's been like this for several years. When we're on a plateau, things are OK. When he dips, we all run round like headless chickens.

Cocoa, glad DS has arrived safely. Sorry you are so low. I so rarely venture outside this thread these days that I am always shocked by how ghastly so many people are. Rude, ignorant, aggressive - awful. I'd much rather stick with the gentle Crepes. Sorry to hear about your DF - will you be able to start some counselling? for you.

MrsS, I think it is OOH for you. It's not enough of a drop in temp to be significant and you have additional symptoms too. I am so sorry you are unwell. Hope DH is looking after you. Are the girls back this weekend?

Lovely and quiet in my office and found a shortcut into work which I have always been a bit anxious about taking in the car in case it pops me out in north London, which I don't know at all. However, I put the Sat Nav on and gave it a go and it was fab. Little things, eh?

MrsS, agree re OOH. PLEASE.

I have been for a swim and am waiting for DD2 to vacate the shower as am going to go up to the British library and attempt to sort out a chapter.

MrsS, yes, doc. You sound not well at all.

And yes agree re dd1especially about handing work in. I thought Giddy's questions were good ones. And yes wasn't suggesting another year there! (tho realise IB may complicate other options).

Cocoa, . What a grim and bumpy ride cancer is.

Yes, I went on an AIBU a few weeks ago because I thought people were being horrible to a clearly distressed OP. They made all sorts of insulting assumptions and constructed vast straw men to sneer about.

dh replaced me with a satnav a few year back and we both love it. So much stress and rowing just vanished - pff!

Have a good one, MI.

Ooh monty, your job sounds verr interesting and high powered. And lucrative!

Mrs S. I third/fourth seeking medical attention. Could it be a virulent form of food poisoning? And re DD and her useless school, if she fails exams can she resist them at a state school? The horror of that prospect might focus her mind...

She could do worse.

I have just left the house after the world's quickest shower. I think DD2 is attempting a Teenage Bathroom Hogging record.

Sorry I haven't posted. Sister sends her apologies & asks the nearest person to lay a cool wet flannel on MrsS's brow & fill up her water jug.

Have been dipping in to thread, commiserating or applauding but not keeping up, except in spirit. Sorrow, sciatica, side-effects of meds & migraines floored me for a while.

Knew I was turning a corner yesterday when overtaken by urge to tidy things. Tried valiantly to resist.

Urgent pain clinic appointment has come through....Feb 1st

Reasons to be cheerful:

Trees planted in the garden at last, one for each lost baby; fiercely looking forward to seeing them grow;
Visit planned to DD's beloved German exchange family in December;
DH helpfully doing loads of extra driving so I don't.

Happy teaching Mont.
Happy writing MI.
Mrs S, sounds grimmus maximus. Hope you get a doc round.

Cocoa, I love that soap pump v much.

Am thinking of offering (demanding) to do Christmas Day. Sis love/hates doing it but I would like a turn. Chilled DH can do the timings and be busy and away fron the chatter and I'll do all the pre.

Have had ridicu-cough for days and was hacking in the night. Still abed with cat. Lovely chat with dd1 when she came in to dry and straighten her hair. Managed to doze when hairdryer full blast so must be knackered.

Delicious meal out with DH last night. Both shed a tear that he's not himself.

Keep thinking of other fab ensembles for the shoes. Must launch them at soonest op. Can't tell you what a surprise they are. I live in Converse and boots/DM Chelsea's.

Another one here saying get to the OOH doc, MrsS. Sounds horrid.

Cocoa, glad your DS is safely arrived, and that you have had counselling assessment but sorry that you are suffering so much. A roller coaster of serious illness amd emotion is so hard.

Monty, glad you found a new route to work! One of DH's old friends from NZ was on about doing a conversion course in London and came over a couple of years ago to do some assessments. His swagallicious outfit is still a source of entertainment - in a way that only a middle-aged Kiwi FOB would carry off. He is absolutely lovely and so is his wife, but would be so out of their depth in Fulham

DH will never want to replace me with a satnav - we both love maps in fact there is an exhibition that I want to go to somewhere in town...

Reasons to be cheerful:
The sun is shining
Have dropped DD to coaching and been to the gym
Have a full pot of coffee and a bowl of some cinnamon cereal that DS doesn't really like but is yummy!

It's at the BL, BTM! Come and meet me for lunch there one Sat! Rose and I were thinking of doing so too.

Reasons to be cheerful:

I am on my way to get my head down with writing
I have enough work in to support writing habit
I am off to two (2, ii) parties in succession later today (with DP. More time together than we've spent in months, which may or may not be cheerful ).

Auriga at trees. Sorry you are still in pain and the appointment is so far off. Glad your DD has a lovely exchange family - like my French one, 40 years of friendship

MI that sounds like a great plan - was thinking of dragging DH and DS alon at some point but I'm sure you two would would be infinitely better company!

WAF meal sounds good. Was it local?

from work. Auriga so sorry for the wait to be seen. Hope the GP can get you enough pain meds to help you survive until Feb.

Phew, can't keep up.....

Cocoa - glad DS and bike arrived safely - he's going to have the time of his life!

MrsS - you need to see a doctor. A temperature that won't come down needs more than paracetamol. Hope you feel better soon. Difficult to know what to suggest re: DD1, but from my own experience it has to come from them, when they wake up and smell the coffee. DS has just failed a Biology assessment, and is having to stay in after school next week to re-take. I'm actually a little pleased, because it has given him a kick up the arse. He has been coasting somewhat recently, and schoolwork has taken a back seat.

GG - fantastic fundraising! You must feel really proud of yourself.

Auriga - sorry to hear you are still struggling with the pain. May your new trees grow strong.

MI - well done landing the lucrative work. Great timing!

Herbs - I just love your osteopath's Make Like a Lighthouse suggestion. One I should definitely follow myself. Or in my case, it would be Foghorn.

BTM - sorry to hear it's still up and down with DS, but at least he's getting to school, and the normality and support of his friends will hopefully do him good. Agree - don't forget yourself - counselling is definitely a good idea to consider.

Rudy - ditto. If you are feeling bereft now the counselling is over - you need more.

Well, another busy week has whizzed by, the DDs' bedrooms are finally back together, and the pile of teenage crap has gone from the living room. The playroom cupboards have been emptied of board games, sticker books and crafty junk. We went to IKEA earlier in the week to buy bedding/accessories and whatnot, but unfortunately I failed to supervise the DDs during the "select from warehouse location" operation, and we got home to find we'd bought a completely different mirror (hideous, and three times the price) to the one we'd chosen. So I have to go back next week to change it.

We managed to get over to DSis's house to see cute new pup, who is cute, but not housetrained - very amusing to see super-houseproud Sis following her round with a cloth and a spray bottle. The cats are not impressed, and give her a smack if she comes too close.

Off to Midlands today for big family reunion with long-lost cousins (the one I met again at DAunt's funeral during the summer). I shall see my DAunt (her mother) for the first time since I was 15, and meet her DCs at last (18 and 21). Plus other cousins and offspring. DS is grumbling mightily about coming, but he has no choice.

Reasons to be cheerful:

House is tidy and there are no chores to do
The sun is shining
I have a hot bath waiting upstairs, in which I plan to wallow, with a cappucino, a glossy mag, and Graham Norton.

Auriga, I shed a few tears at your post re the trees. I am sorry that the appt for your back is such a long way off. MrsS, echo what fellow Crepeys say about visit to OOH; you really can't go on like this. Rudy, you sound positive going forward which is good, and there is always more appointments if need be. I find beauty treats do me a power of good and am trying to go fairly regularly through the winter and not giving up with them just because I am more covered up. GGG, well done with the fund raising.

CV, visits to IKEA are my idea of hell, although I do drag myself there occasionally. I wish my house was tidy; DH has emptied the utility room again to get on with his painting, and there is stuff everywhere (plus wrapped Christmas presents waiting to be transported down to the Midlands on Wednesday).

BTM, look after yourself (and you, too, BD). Well done on the work, MI and Herbs.

Reasons to be cheerful:

1. It's a lovely sunny day and the frost has gone.
2. We're going away on Wednesday.
3. My contribution for Christmas Day Lunch is providing the turkey and crackers, and to make up some little bags of sweets and chocolates for everyone - a real doddle.