In the bleak midwinter, frosty Crepes may moan

[Collymollypuff]

Earth stood hard as iron, my heart like a stone.

I agree about what are they doing, MI. Yes she is responsible, but to let a teen who is struggling to engage sleep all day when in your care - well, it isn't even providing the basics - a bit of company, stimulation and a cheery kick up the backside.

MrsW, that just sounds gorgeous and has cheered me up.

Stropps, me too. I have been wandering around charity shops wondering why all the Christmas cards are so darn festive. But we had a low key family version this weekend and it was just lovely, really relaxed and proper fun with no expectations. I hate New Years Eve too.

Glad you had a nice family weekend, Lalsy. Yep, I also feel the same about NYE.

MI, sorry you didn't get the lecturing work. Am also sorry that I keep answering posts only in my head instead of on screen. My brain appears to be v scattered at the moment.

Beachy, sounds like a good call about FT. Hope the GFT works (once she has finished her relationship with Brian).

I think part of the problem was that the person who was supposed to set up the support suddenly went off sick on long term sick leave (he is seriously ill) and I don't think it got set up. We assumed that it had and that the support was in place. They seem to have been content to let her bimble along without actually doing much at all, but a few months from her final exams, it is all coming to a head. Surely they must worry about their precious results, if nothing else? And the tutor is actually going way beyond her remit and getting the teachers together to sort out DD1, But the sad thing is that no-one can actually make DD1 do any work - it is up to her at the end of the day, and if she's not prepared to put in the effort, she can't be forced. Perhaps a nice year at a local college doing a BTEC in something dreary will sort her out. But this school is the biggest waste of money of my life and I am angry beyond belief - primarily with DD1, but also with the school. She seems to think it will be alright on the night, but it won't, as she has majorly fucked up, or simply not handed in, controlled assessments in at least three of her subjects - and these are worth 20% of the mark for each subject - which is one of the reasons that her grades have dropped so markedly. At the start of the year, she was predicted 42 (it's out of 45). This has now dropped to 35 and is likely to plummet further if she carries on the way she is going.

I've applied for a job overseas which starts this summer. I am actually quite tempted to go off with the cat, say "fuck the lot of you" and not come back. But that would be unfair on DD2 (who has an interview for an art scholarship at her school in January).

Excellent thread title; thanks Molly.

NU - aww, that's wonderful news!

MrsW - Vienna at Christmastime sounds absolutely heavenly. I love a bit of Klimt (quite partial to gingerbread, as well). Each year we say we're going to do a Christmas market trip, and we never get around to it. I'm truly rubbish at planning ahead where holidays are concerned; it's a miracle we made it to Cali this summer.

Rose - Max Factor Rosewood is my default lippy. Tis a classic.

BTM - poor DS. And you sound so down.

So we're into the final push before the Christmas break, and I have only five (!) more days in the office. As Chief Elf all Christmas duties fall to me, so I'm busy with festive e-cards, secret santa, Christmas party planning and charity bottle raffles in addition to all my regular work. I spent an hour this afternoon on my knees sorting 43 cases of wine into mixed cases for staff Christmas gifts, and I have a heap of vouchers to mail out tomorrow. After work, I unexpectedly found myself in a deserted carpark with Colleague I Can't Stand (long story...) and we ended up having a long chat and putting a few of our differences aside. It's not perfect, and he's still an irritating jobsworth with a Napoleon complex, but I can work with that, I think.

Don't get me started on NYE...

MrsW, Vienna sounds lovely - please keep posting, I am holidaying vicariously!

Stropps, result on the Christmas pressie!

Lalsy, glad you had a lovely weekend

CV, well done on all the elfing, and the deserted carpark with the CYCS. Was alcohol previously consumed? (I am guessing not if you were in a carpark!)

MrsS, well done on the job applications. At least she wasn't lounging in her bed right under your nose, I guess!

BD, just noticed the time of your post. Sending big hugs and matchsticks

NU - joining everyone else to say congrats! lovely news

And Mrs Wobble - lovely, evocative post

Rose - yes, I should have known and will in future. I will never be forgetting that interlude

BTM - hope today is better. Pair of gold pyjamas sounds just the thing

Yes BTM who had the crepey matchsticks last? Woke up thinking about a work situ and other stuff.

MrsS I would be incandescent both with the school and with DD1 - it isn't just about the money, it's the principle. Good luck with job apps - when are you likely to hear?

Hope everyone has a calm day (I think that's about the best I can hope for).

Worryingly my back is twinging and I really don't want it locking up....

BlackDuck - get thee on the floor gently, and try some stretching excercises for your back. I've been to the Chiro twice in the last 2 weeks. It's stress.

BTM - you may have the matchsticks, but I may need them back. Had long meeting w supper, DBro, DM and the Vic about Dfs funeral last night. Drove home sober as a judge. Felt horrible tickle in throat all evening. Couldn't sleep for ages. And ages. Woken this morning with definite signs of cold. Need to lay low and dose myself up.

Suggestions of mega cold attacking drugs...? Most of the stuff is out of date in our cabinet.

DM had awful weekend and spent most of it in bed. Turns out DBro had same scenario on Sunday. Just went to bed and cried.

I am full pelt this week. Christmas (what Christmas I do HAVE to do), funeral, advance planning for Thanksgiving service in early Jan, and a trip halfway across the world departing on Saturday.

I think I'm hanging on until I see DS. Then, I think I may lose it.

Sorry. Very self indulgent post ^^.

Bear with me. Normal service may return soon.

Cocoa, I swear by Boots own brand Cold and Flu relief. Some for day and some for night....

Ds limped off to school again, with sore stomach muscles from all the throwing up. He will try to bunk games again, I know!

I'm off to potentially get HRT tomorrow. Quite excited in a confused, not knowing what I'm letting myself in for, kind of way!

I need a restaurant on the South Bank for next Monday when we are having a meeting of the cousins. Age range 11 to 29, apart from me. Any ideas, must be bookable!

Not at all, Cocoa - you have a huge amount going on and it is very stressful holding everything together. Can you rest today a bit or is there too much to do? Yes, perhaps everyone does need to give way to grief at some point.

MrsS, it just sounds like they are failing in basic duties to me. Wanting to sleep all day is not a good sign. What are her friends like?

I can move off the trivial concerns sleepless bench today. Thinking of those of you kept awake by grief, and worry. BTM< hope ds has a better day.

Cocoa have you not realised venting is very much allowed....

Oh Cocoa but par for the course, I'm sure. Maybe the cold will force you to rest for a bit if at all possible?

Tilly BD and anyone else who needs a ]

MrsS I would be inclined to complain to the Governors, actually if you feel the school aren't providing value for money and doing their bit to support DD's learning. I can't remember if DD1 is the daughter who likes theatre? just sayin'
Good luck with the job application...

CV Monty I am just relieved to have found the lipstick that is the right shade after years of loving something and then finding it first discontinued, and then brought back looking really wrong! The Max Factor is a bit creamier in formula than I'm used to and has a funny vanilla taste but it's so damn close..I'm going love it. Do you have any other shades in the range that you recommend?

I had a strange evening yesterday....as a result of our recent gas leak I kept thinking I could smelling gas and got light headed going round the house sniffing obsessively, then convinced myself I was lightheaded because of a carbon monoxide leak...and then burst into tears when DH came home with the tension of it all (and not least, at the thought of teaching this morning and putting bunch of women in a certain condition at risk....) Anyway no one else could smell anything, and we are all alive and kicking this morning. I'm going nuts....so I am.

Venting is completely allowed, Cocoa.

Beachy, Le Pain Quotidien is always a good bet.

I am going to the Sarf Bank on Thurs for the press preview of the Moomins exhibition but must finish belated breakfast and get to the desk. Have ladyjogged. Have backache. Suspect that along with my fellow-inmates am not entirely well. They have all been exhausted and sleeping - though I hesitate to suggest the Schadenfreuline has the same bug...

Cocoa, vent away and look after yourself. And agree with Beachy's cold remedy, or the branded Day Durse and Dight Durse (as it is known here). Made a huge difference to me the other week.

Rose - that may just be the answer to our prayers for DD1. Do they take people with absolutely no qualifications whatsoever, if that is the route we are taking.

Yes, it is completely about the principle, but the fact remains that I am sitting in a flat that needs doing up rather urgently (and DD1 is the first to complain about it), so the loss of savings for me, and the waste of other people's money really piss me off.

Beachy - resto at BFI? There is not much bookable round there. I can recommend La Barca on Lower Marsh, which is about 10 minutes walk.

Yes MrsS they do. I have Pmd you about it xx

Aw Cocoa, please post away. You've had a wretched time of it, and a cold is all you need. Rest, paracetamol every 4 hours, lots of water. I like to juice carrots ginger honey and apples for a soothing slushee During recent flu it was comforting.i also suspect golden jimjams would be an enormous boost. And unlimited mugs of tea . What is the travelling ? Is that you going half way round the world? Am I confused.?

BTM hoping for a good day today.

Beachy is Oxo too posh for what you have in mind? Good luck with booking this time of year. Beurgh. Hope Brian safely stored and the GF feels better soon.

Tooth fixing for me this morning followed by a tootle to Poundland, BuM bargains etc for fun. Need small things for crackers to help out dsis , who is properly drowning, poor sausage.
Unexpected and cheering text from an old friend about cinema tonight to see Unknown Girl. Miraculously it suits, so am pleased.
I am a different person today, having slept. Makes SO MUCH DIFFERENCE.Its like a personality bypass.

Beachy oxo has a Brasserie too with nicest menus and bookable

MrsS point taken re flat.....

Glad Rose has a possible plan for your DD, MrsS.

Cocoa, sorry you are getting ill on top of everything else. Big blow-out night used to be just the ticket in my yoof

Been to first hospital visit of the day. Not good. HR, BP, etc back to where we were on 4th November. We have Cardiology this afternoon - I am just praying they won't want to admit him.

BTM, I was about to ask how you are.

Beachy - Skylon in the Royal Festival Hall is bookable, and has two levels of 'posh'. There are also old faves like the Real Greek nearby too.

Mrs S - I can fully understand why you would be incandescent with rage. And want to get a job as far away as possible. Did DD specifically ask for that school, just to add to the ire?

Sorry to hear of DS woe, BTM. Though it does sound like you're getting thorough care from the good old NHS.