In the bleak midwinter, frosty Crepes may moan

[Collymollypuff]

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

Crem - we're doing hard cash for the uni students with socks, knickers etc just to have something under the tree.

School have finally put a rocket up DD1's arse. She was woken up this morning, and when she had showered and breakfasted, was taken to the dorm office where she was supervised doing her work, according to the plan that the tutor had drawn up for her. Dorm parent made appointment for her to see her history teacher re the extended essay, and said she will take her there physically if necessary, or take teacher to DD1.

Had fantastic day today as Groucho Friend dropped by my office (he doesn't work with or near me - doesn't even work in London, so that was a lovely surprise). So we had fun and frolics in the office and were shrieking with laughter. A friend of his then turned up, whom I hadn't met, but he had "heard of me". He was very easy on the eye and fun as well. Everyone was looking to see what was going on, as we never get visitors to our office (particularly my boss, who was clearly desperate to know who these people were and was equally desperate not to ask) as we were being a bit loud. Am meeting up with GF in the new year. He is such a nice man and has the best sense of humour.

Re make up, I am an absolute convert to Nyx. What's not to love about eyeshadow sticks called French Fries and Sparkle Leopard and a lippie called Eurotrash? They also do "lip lingerie" which comes in every shade of nude and is very long lasting.

Ohhhhhh.... Nyx. Lovely name. Will go and peruse as I'm a sucker for lippy.

Meanwhile in S&B news I give you this: Frog Prince Lipstick

It is FAB. A friend also bought the blusher, too.

Mrs W - normally I pass through Vienna airport on my way to Draconian Clinic without stopping. I think I must do so next time, and to hell with the consequences :)

Threw myself at the mercy of Boots lady and wailed I HAD to go to a funeral in 48 hours and NEEDED to be better. I walked out with Boots own brand Day Nurse, 'Dit Nurse', soluble aspirin & throat spray - with her words ringing in my ears "Don't take it all at once..." Nah... I'll give it at least 10 minutes between each thing.

(ONLY JOKING)

MrsW I suggest a strategically placed gift bow with attached tag :)

MrsS glad to hear the school have stepped up - long may it continue!

MrsW, did you have a Sachertorte? Your trip sounds lovely and how great to have a good travel companion.

MrsS, that sounds good news re DD. Finally! And your GF sounds just the tonic you need.

Poor DH is not having the best birthday ever, but at least we were out with friends on Saturday.

Aww, happy birthday to your dh, BTM. Sorry it's not been great. :(

Loving the Viennese updates, MrsW. I should love to go back there sometime, although dh has a tiresome step-daughter (same age as me) who lives there and who I would rather avoid. So maybe not..

MrsS, hooray that the school have finally mobilised - and glad to hear you had some fun with GF. I must go and find somewhere I can see those Nyx nude lippies. I can't do strong lipstick colours, but I do like a nice taupe

Hatty, I am at your dd2's experiences. I asked dd and she said hardly anyone can afford to drink at her uni, never mind take drugs. She said there was a bit of it about in the first couple of weeks, but nothing since, and she's definitely not anyone losing it as badly as you describe.

Groucho Friend is one of those people who instantly makes you feel better and happier about yourself. And he has a wicked sense of humour.

Stropps - I am all about the nude lippie too. My mouth is too small for bright colours.

I am home alone with the cat and listening to the rat Pack Christmas, which always reminds me of my childhood Christmases. Less fun is washing an entire suitcase of clothes that DD2 sent back this weekend.

Oops, it has, er, just come to my attention that I have not yet sorted my secret santa. I will be on it tomorrow!

MrsS - GF sounds fun. Friends like that are like gold dust.

Hatty - DD2 is clearly hanging out with the wrong crowd, or in the wrong pubs. I'm sure not everyone is like that!

DH's gifts...he'll be having a pair of posh selvedge jeans, a shirt, a book and a fiendishly expensive bottle of aftershave. And my undying love and affection. I have sent him a link to a lovely Coach bag that I'm hoping he will put on my 50th birthday list.

Work still craaaazy busy. As well as Elf duties there was a whole heap of buildings management stuff to wade through today - had a painter and a joiner in for quotes, a plumber in fixing an immersion heater, spent five grand on desks for our new office, and a similar sum on new carpet. It's like renovating a house that isn't yours. As I will have an assistant from January I have of course been given lots of new responsibilities, but they seem to be manifesting themselves already when I don't yet have the resource. Wahhhh.

Re: M&S Advent Calendar items without instructions - best to Google. Not only will you find usage instructions you will also see how £££ the full size products are!

CV - what is the expensive aftershave? DH wears Creed Bois de Portugal which makes me weep a little at the price.

MrsS - it's nothing flash (or particularly classy) - Abercrombie & Fitch Fierce. He fell in love with it in the US.

I haven't bought anyone's presents yet, other than the infamous train set for DS. Don't know what to get DP that is a) cheap b) can be purchased from the internet so I can use a credit card and c) he actually would like. Can't be clothes.

Just watched Love Actually all the way through for the first time. I love Richard Curtis films and don't care who knows it.

Re presents for partners, can I just put in a word for both Guardian Masterclasses and the How To Academy?

www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/how-to-academy-4277090513

I'm a big fan of both, and you can do one in an evening, or on a Sat or Sun, or whatever.They are all unremittingly brilliant.

Anyone seen Auriga recently - is she okay?

Im getting DH a subscription to Bann Valley fishing flies. They send you new ones every month after chatting to you to find out what you want. DH is a mad keen fly fisher.

I've wasted too much money over the years with presents that DH doesn't use. I'm hoping this one will be different.

Colly Those look fabulous and really inspiring. I fancy going to one or two myself!

I bought DH a River Cottage voucher to do a course down there. After 2 years and me renegotiating the voucher with RC, with NO hope of DH ever doing a course, I spent the money and took a friend down for a Saturday Night at RC. It was fab.

Actually, if it's within your budget, a day course at River Cottage is a great thing. I've done a couple of them. You could combine it with a weekend away. It's in a lovely part of the world.

In other news, I slept the drug induced sleep I needed. Got to shift this cold as much as I can before tomorrow.

I wish I had a DH that wore aftershave. I love the smell of some of them.

My DBro used to wear Eau Savage.

We called it Savage Water

Dp is notoriously hard to buy for (wants nothing) -doesn't do clothes or aftershave. This year he has run out of shaving soap (uses the old fashioned stuff in a wooden bowl which lasts years) so that's one present sorted.

I feel like I could sleep for a week and suspect I will be very ill once I officially stop....

Cocoa - so glad you had a decent night's sleep. Mine was gin-induced and am v grateful for it

DH's bday today and he can join all the DHs on the difficult to buy for bench - so Molly your academy etc looks fab. We're off by the seaside for a couple of days tomorrow so that will be it.

BTM I'm so sorry. Hope today is better and that you got some sleep

Day off on my own doing domestic stuff that hasn't been touched for weeks will be considerably enhanced by playing Christmas CDs loudly and maybe a bit of watching White Christmas this afternoon

DP is also convinced I'm supposed to be taking him to Venice. It's a long story and his old work gave him a trip as a leaving present which he didn't cash in so somehow it has become my responsibility it may be simpler to find a cheap flight, frankly. I have been known to shout I'LL GET YOU A TICKET which apparently is All Wrong.

I slept well, not unconnected to the fact that Mr Inferior was away for work.DD2 has left her packed lunch at home so I have been bracingly sympathetic WITHOUT offering to take it.

MI that's pants, and clearly unreasonable. But glad you slept well solo. I would be he same, see previous hog roast comments above

Addle, I am with you today on domestic duties.Meet you back here at 4pm for a mince pie and a coffee break.

BD, sorry for you re work and general grimness.

Thinking of you Cocoa. Glad you got a nights sleep. Hope it's just a cold and will lift soon.

Molly -also love the courses. Quite a few I'd love to do myself.

Cremo, I have a hog roast too! But I can't blame recent lack of sleep on him. Awake again at 3, but eventually dozed off on the sofa.

At home with DS today, with a dash out to a meeting later, so I'm around for mince pies and coffee too