In the bleak midwinter, frosty Crepes may moan

[Collymollypuff]

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

DH's scent of choice was the result of me marching into Les Senteurs and demanding something that would make him smell like an expensive Lebanese businessman. On reflection, and looking at the price, I should perhaps have gone to Superdrug instead.

@ MrsS and "smell like an expensive Lebanese businessman" - you're your own worst enemy, you are

Crem, I reckon your fierce goat knew that goats have top Christmas billing in Scandinavia - predating Christmas reindeer by quite some time, appaz. Yule goats - little teensy ones made of straw on the Christmas trees...

BTM, sorry to hear about 3am waking - it really is a god-forsaken time to be awake and stranded alone with one's worries. :(

Grrr. I have been chasing an interviewee for weeks now. The only reason I've been commissioned to interview her is that she was supposed to write something - she offered - and hasn't, so this seemed a better way. She didn't respond to emails. I finally fixed one via her PA, which was postponed at short notice. I checked again today that she was on for 2.30 and was bumped to 10.30. Rang her at 10.30 and she said "oh is this the interview, I thought it was just a chat about it?"

This is a woman with a senior position who SUGGESTED THIS IN THE FIRST PLACE. Pinned her down to 8am on Friday. Why the fuck would I want just to "chat about" the interview rather than get her to talk immediately?

MI is she bonkers or rude?

Lovely M&s offering is my thing today. Talking of scented gentlemen
this is my fave
Loving Christmas goats. Got me one of these this year

She sounds mental MI. Or that she feels the earth and its timescale revolve around her.

Have found two cheap presents for DP: 'justice for Barb' pencils (offshoot of Stranger Things) and a 'beard bib'. Smells I approve of include Terre d'Hermes and l'Occitane's Cade. Both lovely and woody.

MiL moved into a hospice yesterday, away from Nurse Ratchet. Coincidentally, the cqc came to the hospital yesterday. Said nurse had never heard of the cqc.

I think she is just vv self-centred.

The hospice is a good move.

Herbs, that's good news for your MIL - is your DP able to go to work or is he on duty?

DH has never worn after shave or any other fragrance AFAICR. I don't think it's much of a thing in NZ!

MI, she sounds bonkers.

Have had a pretty purposeful morning - done a lot of wrapping and have done my meeting (though felt like I was winging it the whole time!)

I am on a conference call with management....have been for nearly for two hours. Yawn....scream....

MrsS - you have just induced in me a full belly laugh at your 'Expensive Lebanese Businessman' smell.

herbs - never heard of CQC???? I hope the CQC get to hear about the nurse. She sounds appalling.

Hospice is probably the best place for MiL. DF missed going in due to various medical circumstances, but I hear only good, lovely and kind stories about ours. They're special places...

Maybe the Crepeys should attend one of Collys suggested courses...? (With drinks before and after obvs.)

Which one should we go for?

Just got back from walk with Dear Friend who lost her DM in January, and whose DF is now in palliative care. Oh boy, did we have a good collective sob. Still feel v coldy, but in a better place mentally.

I'm at a meeting with a canteen all set for Christmas dinner. I am now very hungry.

I'm getting DH various bottles of beer (a request). A SAD light. A thing to keep lemons in in the fridge and touch screen gloves.

at Lebanese biz man.

The best Guardian Masterclasses are the ones where Jonathan Jones, Guardian art critic, takes you round an art gallery. He is a rather unprepossessing little chap, until he opens his mouth and starts talking about art, whereupon I certainly fell in love with him. Especially when he talked so lovingly about artists I worshipped in my teen years.

I have also been wondering where Auriga is. Hopefully she is just very busy with Christmas arrangements. The first Christmas after your mum or dad has died is very tough indeed. Hugs to all Crepeys to whom that applies. (How many is that? So many!)

Oh yes, I need to take DS to the local craft beer emporium to choose a selection for DH.

MI - I also had a plaintive request to run something up to the school. It was DD1, who was missing a print-out for her Art GCSE exam. I'm afraid I did dash over, mainly because it was a fairly important exam, and I can get there and back in fifteen minutes.

Am wearing a lovely new burgundy dress from Warehouse. Trouble is, it requires my tummy-flattening pants, which constantly slip upwards, cheesewire my upper thighs and give me a ferocious wedgy.

My SS has arrived

Bet you look lovely in it, CV. Sorry about the wedgy.

DD2 has rung sounding remarkably cheery. I suspect she has the potential to become a Chronic Flirt.

One day to go at school tomorrow. Off out for curry with Book Club tonight.

DD1 and BF have gone to Versailles. He is very sweet and polite I think I quite approve. He did Eurostar Snap where you only pay £29 for a ticket and they give you a train time based on unsold seats. Consequently he will be leaving on the 6.30 am train tomorrow.

Phew! Posted the last of the panic written cards. The Netherlands et Français people will just have to wait for them, likewise the Oirish ones which despite being 'down the road ' take the longest time to get there. Have been listening to Spotify Calm Coffee break and wrapping gifts in my wee home office.
What else? . Oh iVe made a pavlova for bunging in the frizzer as a Just in case job.
And a leek and goats cheese pie with filo pastry which may or may not be a success. Looks a bit dry or something. And roast potatoes just BECAUSE we never do them and I felt like it. Ha!
How did everyone else get on?

Is this a new English beau Hatty?

Hatty, glad your DD's BF is a hit. Is he a new addition?

CV at wedgies! Don't all knickers bar thongs do this? Yes, I know, thongs are up your crack, but with a minimum of fabric...

Cremo, is the pav filled or just the meringue? I have never thought of making and freezing one.

Not a lot achieved here this afternoon - feel like I'm in an out-of-body state atm!

Very English Crem. He's been around almost a year now. The acid test will be if they survive after leaving uni when they are working in London.

Need to absolutely get cracking on Chistmas cards.

Is it her final year, Hatty? That seems to have gone by fast!

Addle, how is your DD doing? I bet she's on her knees. But I love Christmas in primary school

There was a children's choir singing carols in the hospital when I took DS yesterday - had to keep swallowing really hard

Talking of hospitals, my dad has just rung. He's in hospital (at least he knows the layout) with pneumonia. Herewebloodygoagain....

He didn't sound too terrible but obviously is pretty ill. Wants to be out tomorrow. Has "lots to do". Told me about the lecture he gave in Delhi. I am now back to feeling wrung out AND I DO ACTUALLY HAVE A LOT TO DO AS WELL. Including two (2, ii) concerts over the weekend so I can't go up there unless it really is an emergency.

Fucknuts.

Oh no MI! If he is well enough to ring... Could you ring the ward and ask what they think - do you need to go up? Is he actually in or being assessed? And can they say how long they think he will be in?

MI :( god it doesn't rain.....