A Crepey Advent-ure

[MontserratCaballe]

Over here, my darlings....

BTM, hang on in there, thinking of you all .

Cocoa, hope the planning goes smoothly. The registrar bit doesn't take long, but I guess they allow for waiting around?

MrsS, I can't believe how rubbish that system is. Who invented an online calendar that can't generate alerts/reminders?

Monty, glad you feeling a bit brighter.

A vat of Epsom salts and gin to all.

BTM, we discovered Heart Christmas on our car radio but think it might be a digital station. Wall to wall Christmas music, I never knew there was so much and just how awful some if it is.

Good luck today Tilly....it's very hard to be measured and diplomatic when really we just want to scream. And being sleep deprived doesn't help, of course. Hoping for some good news soon. xx

Oh MrsS It's beyond what anyone can stand. Maybe start with moving one or two things to where you want them i.e. not in the middle of a key space like the living room. That I would do without a "by your leave." I have to keep my DH's hoarding tendency in check....I'm never off his back about it but in the long run, after I have ranted and raved, I get the best results by saying something like..."let's do this together...Ill help you with that stuff...I know, lets do a run to the tip and then go out for lunch...."

doesn't always work though and then I go back to ranting I'm to admit I do chuck stuff without his permission sometimes. Mostly he doesn't even notice....

Monty glad things seems bit brighter.

DH has man flu. 'Nuff said. but at least he has plodded off to work instead of moping around the house....I am teaching this morning and must do a shop this afternoon...no food in the house. DD has a matinee later.

In my darkest moments, I have to do the thing of finding one thing each day to smile about ....as we approach the shortest day, I'm sure this has an effect on all our moods...
made me laugh

BTM - How horribly worrying. I'm so sorry. Will be wishing you strength today and for the outcome you need for ds.

Cocoa - glad you're getting another evening that will be just the way you want it. Would DH hear you if you described your feelings dispassionately, e.g ' I'm having waves of despair, sadness and exhaustion and need you to understand that I will often be in an altered state for a long time.'

I feel like we have to make a space around us and keep reminding people to respect it (and to expect the unexpected) when we're bereaved. This is in response to your comment a few days ago that if you aren't crying, DH thinks you're OK.

Monty, v glad Dad is happier. Not liking school is so hard on both of you.

Oh Monty what an awful typo, so sorry! .

BTM - sending you love and good wishes for today at the clinic. Be fighty. (I am sure you will be.)

We have 1.fm Always Christmas in the kitchen, but it is a digital station. I used to like it when it was American, but we seem to have a UK version now that is non-stop adverts. Will have to give Heart Christmas a whirl!

Mrs W - go to Vienna on your own if necessary. The Christmas markets are lovely - the one by the Rathaus is one of the bigger ones, but there are lots of little ones in smaller squares. Have a coffee at Cafe Centrale, eat ribs at the Purstner restaurant on Braunerstrasse (if it's still there). Vienna has the best cakes: Topfenstrudel, Mohr im Hemd. Avoid the famous Sachertorte - rather a dry chocolate sponge with icing. Cafe Landtmann is also nice. I lived in Vienna for a year in my yoof, working in the Hofburg. I think Vienna is at its best in winter as it looks more cosy, particularly with the fairy lights in the Christmas markets.

The Stuff has never been an issue before as we had a larger apartment and plenty of storage in Paris, and before that we had a house with a loft and garage to fill. And he won't get rid of it because "it will be worth something one day". He shouted at the cat last night for clawing his portable gramophone that only plays 78s... I have got rid of so much of my own stuff over the years - cut glass vases and decanters, old toys (final three dolls in bag ready to go to charity shop), books. He has an entire box full of old pay slips, bank statements and credit card statements which go back about 30 years. (This is separate from the more recent documents which need to be kept for tax purposes.) We don't need shit like this, but he can't bring himself to throw it out.

Oh BTM. And everyone else.

Well, I have firmly taken Mr Inferior off The List for coming home early (for him) yesterday and cooking the FHW oven-roasted ratatouille I was going to make (and v nice it was) in response to my WAAAAH phone call. I did an hour of much-needed singing practice - if I do the same tonight there is hope for our concert - and went to bed and slept quite a lot of the night and went ladyjogging today. Have done the ruthlessly sensible thing and put the novel on hold for as long as it takes to sort travel etc.

He nearly went back on The List for being horribly grumpy this morning but he had just done a mercy- drop of DD2 to school. DD1 is white as a sheet and clearly not well but has given it a go.

In other Relatively Cheering news I had a dental checkup last week and my gnashers continue to be fine.

MrsS, thanks for the travel tips - that's exactly the type of break I am hoping for. And i'm not at all surprised to hear you lived there - the challenge will be to find somewhere you've not been! I'm dying to meet you as from what I can glean from your postings your work (if not domestic other than the cats) life is very close to dd3s dream future.

MrsS do you have an open fire or log burner? Those statements would go up a treat....... and I certainly would have shredded the lot....
Here ds in bed looking pale and interesting (I suspect it is largely PE avoidance today, but as long as he makes it in tomorrow....).

I maybe in London around 22/23 - anyone up for a D'n'S?

Mrs Wobble - just go. Can't think of a nicer place to be... Whats not to like? Some time out, twinkly lights, Christmas Markets, cake. And more cake. And probably wine.

Rudy - yes you do need an Epsom Salts Bath. I think we all do.
Epsom Salts
I got mine in a small bucket off t'interweb.

BTM - and for later when its all over for the day

WAF - Yes - very eloquently put. I may try that out on DH.

Good Lord crepeys. What a lot of angst hereabouts.

Mrs S. Re DH and his shit. How about just getting rid of one thing each fortnight. Either he decides or you do. Or just do it. I bet he wouldn't notice if his box of ancient paperwork disappeared. Or a few records every few weeks. Re your school's communication, how utterly shit. DS's school uses an automated system called Parentmail, which sends out texts or emails about dates to remember. It works very well, and can't be expensive or difficult to administer as the school is not rolling in it.

BTM - I'm so sorry that worry about DS continues. It's so hard to hold mentally firm when the future is so uncertain. I know it's a platitude, but you need to make some time/space for yourself in all of this.

Re reappraisal bench - DP is currently not on it, though of course performance can go down as well as up.

Applying for YET MORE JOBS this morning (yawn), and doing unpaid work for FE, then off to Westfield later. Mum bought me, at my request, a down gilet from Uniqlo. But it's very straight up and down, and not terribly flattering. So I'm going to have a look around to exchange it, either for another gilet (perhaps from another shop) or perhaps a cashmere jumper... Mmmm...

Are Epsom Salts what they use in floatation tanks? ....

Here ds mainly sleeping and he is very warm whilst I am bloody cold...

Ooh yes, the cold. Our bedroom is freezing, ever since we put a wardrobe in front of the radiator. Doh. I was so cold last night I couldn't sleep, not helped by DP's snoring.

Sigh. This ideal job I found has one of these infuriating online systems, whereby you upload your CV and it supposedly extracts the relevant info. Except it doesn't, so you have to spend hours titivating in tiny windows. Maybe it's some kind of trial to weed out those lacking in moral fibre.

Monty, I do love the way you are so solution-focussed. Silver Saints, eh? Do you get to send them back if they are anything less than saintly? Also, I am waiting for your life launderer recommendation - although I am doing PRETTY WELL all on my tod. I have found there is a momentum in chucking stuff out, which is as strong as the initial resistance. Who knew?

Dhs should be kept in fear of the subs' bench, and yes, I am grateful that there is no chance whatsoever I'll find myself on it.

Molly, Silver Saints are men on motorbikes in silver leathers who can do all those bits that one's DH (or indeed oneself) should get round to doing but doesn't. They are amazing, turn up when they say they will, you can request your favourite one and book online. I love them - to be honest they had me at the motorbike and silver leathers...

My roommate has not yet appeared but I will ask her when she gets here. Life laundry woman lives in SW London appaz so presumably could help lots of Southern crepeys. I love throwing things away and have often lusted after a skip / hippo bag just to dump acres of crap from the house into.

Think DH would quite like to put me on the subs bench but lacks motivation. He's gone for a job interview today and may have a bit of work for next week from another freelance gig. I do hope so, as his self esteem is taking a real bashing.

Now imagining myself saying "oh, Mr Motorbike, I've got this little job my husband doesn't do, could you lend a hand"...

I have GOT a Hippo bag! But so far we have managed by dh scurrying off to the dump. And then, disappointingly bringing himself back.

You can pick whichever Saint you fancy, and their pix are alluring:

www.silversaints.com/

I think I'll have Patrik.

True dat, Colly, about momentum when you get going being as strong as initial resistance. It will heretofore be known as Colly's Law. Gavel.

Those in need of a further larf (thanks for link, Rose) kindly Google buzzfeeds funniest Twitter pics of the year (no Linky, on phoney). I PROMISE you at least one Proper Belly Laugh.

Rudy, thank you for sharing your analogy reliance. Really interesting.

Sounds like DS wasn't swinging the lead BD.

I am uncharacteristically boiling at night this winter and sweltering under my summer duvet.

Hope DH gets the job Mont. Mine has had two I/vs at a local place who pointed out he was v over-qualled for the second one. Impossible to couch an I/v friendly 'yes but I'm having a midlife blip and just need steady work'

I have had a skittish morning involving choc Florentines and daydreams.

He wasn't offered either job but managed not to go into a decline.... or hid it well.

I have to admit somewhat that I googled the silver services whoops, I mean saints, a couple of days ago when monty mentioned them first time around. mi you norty girl. Do you think they do after sales service.... monty you've given me my smile of the day....and waf I shall look at the buzz feed thing. Need all the laughs I can get these days.

Good luck to DH monty I am willing him to get an offer....same with wafs DH for future interviews.

Arf at collys law

I have had a nice morning teaching delightful women second timers, and have just done a sainsbos shop. Now loitering in Starbucks as not enough time to get home before picking up DD. Have texted DH to ask how his cold is. No answer. This is not usually a good sign.

rudy when you say analogies....?? I am hopelessly straight taking and literal... lIke when DH took delivery of a LandsEnd black Monday haul and said the jeans fitted him very well....and I said, "they are too low waisted...look at that mile of muffin mushrooming over the top... (is than an analogy for "you're a fat bastard....lose some weigh"? He's was not pleased.

WeighT

In cords news has anyone mentioned the Seasalt 20 percent off?