In the bleak midwinter, frosty Crepes may moan

[Collymollypuff]

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

He went in - after FALLING DOWN IN THE STREET - by ambulance yesterday, and was in overnight and hopes to be released tomorrow. I would definitely go (grrr) if I really didn't have all this other stuff - I can't walk out on the performances except for a real, blue-light emergency. Ringing the hospital is a good idea, if he's still in tomorrow.

I have an invite to the press preview of this tomorrow morning. It is the ONE thing I've been determined to go to...

Gosh MI - I'm really sorry to hear about your Dad - lets hope that he rallies tomorrow.

Oh MI, you really have had a tough year. I hope your forthcoming travels are restorative - I am sending this from the Vienna departure lounge, slightly footsore but with spirits well and truly lifted. I hadn't realised how out of equilibrium I was I think. I really hope that MI and Cocoa and all others who need it can find similar cheer.

And Cocoa, I have no idea what the right words are to support you tomorrow - but whatever they are I am saying them. May all go well.

Yes, given he was well enough to call you and he thinks he may be discharged tomorrow, I think you are right to plan to call the hospital (not too early - wait till the doctors have done their rounds ) tomorrow morning. Then if it really is necessary, you can sort out going over.
But hopefully it won't be.

Cocoa, will be thinking of you and your family tomorrow.

Oh MI, what a to do. Good plan to get a proper sitrep and decide. And pace yourself.

BTM, you sound like you are hanging on in there - grimly - you poor love. How was ds today?

Finished off piece of work today and sent it off so tomorrow am going to do my volunteering and make the mother of all lists. And perhaps write some cards.

MrsW I have so enjoyed your despatches from the land of fun!

NU, hope all goes smoothly.

Oh good grief, MI. Call the hospital tomorrow. He may just be on huge doses of antibiotics to sort him out.

I would like to report that my blackberry and apple gin is delicious. DH says we can't have another one, otherwise there won't be any left for Christmas... Oh dear...

Is it no longer available MrsS??? I'd drink it.. :)

My sister got hold of the hospital, identified the ward (sometimes having a very obscure surname in the UK helps!) and spoken to them. He is indeed on mega-ABs and I'm hopeful he'll be OK but am just worried about what happens when he is let out. Thank heavens he did actually fall over in the street, rather than keep going and keel over at home.

It was such a relief when he was in India and my cousins (who are very lovely) were in charge of him.

Cocoa, much love and good thoughts for tomorrow.

And DP says if necessary he'll nip up. Mr Inferior is moving off the subs' bench

Mmm, now sampling the Raspberry and Redcurrant Gin... Mmmm...

Secret Satan dispatched! Huzzah.

Learners finished all their exams. Most passed. And three of them gave me presents. And they were beside themselves with joy that I'll be teaching them next term. And one of them, unprompted, told my superior about how wonderful I was as a teacher. All together, a good day.

And MI - sorry to here of father problems. I know just what you mean about the inner 'AAAGGGHH' when this stuff happens. And not always entirely unselfish!

Also liked your phrase 'bracingly sympathetic' re DD's packed lunch. Made me once again think of the definition of 'Clisby' from the Meaning of Liff:

CLIXBY (adj.)

Politely rude. Bliskly vague. Firmly uninformative.

Useful when confronted with a Clabby:

CLABBY (adj.)

A 'clabby' conversation is one stuck up by a commissionare or cleaning
lady in order to avoid any futher actual work. The opening gambit is usually
designed to provoke the maximum confusion, and therefore the longest
possible clabby conversation. It is vitaly important to learn the correct,
or 'clixby' (q.v.), responses to a clabby gambit, and not to get trapped by
a 'ditherington' (q.v.). For instance, if confronted with a clabby gambit
such as 'Oh, mr Smith, I didn't know you'd had your leg off', the
ditherington response is 'I haven't....' whereas the clixby is 'good.'

MI, so sorry to hear about DDad; ringing tomorrow sounds right. I hope you don't have to go rushing up.

BTM, what a time you are having. I hope DS turns the corner soon. And it's quite understandable that DD is finding the situation stressful, too.** Oh, and this will be our fifth DGC

I liked the dress, CV, I am really quite jealous when I see lovely clothes with short skirts, I should probably be covered from head to toe now. I have never frozen a pavlova, I just put them in an air proof tin for a few days. I would be worried that I damaged them in the freezer.

Loved the Lebanese business man after shave, MrsS, but am having difficulty visualising him. Good to hear that DD's school is now doing something, but very poor of them.

I will be thinking of you tomorrow, Cocoa.

Hatty, DD met her DH in the first year at university, seems a long time ago now).

All presents finally wrapped; hair highlighted and cut (gels coming off on Friday), I need to start using the special antibacterial showergell I was given tomorrow, so all set for Saturday, thank you Lalsy. We're off out tomorrow lunchtime for a Christmas meal with friends.

Five dgc, NU...surely that's just greedy...

I can visualise the Lebanese businessman.

Oh fuckingfuckington MI. Sorry to hear dad in the clink hospital. They will send him home with more abx no doubt and told to rest. As he's on his own I'd maybe let the GP know the sitch as well. These things always always happen when other things are shouting at you. I wouldn't go running up, but yes keep dp's offer up your sleeve. It might be better if they kept him in hospital actually. At least then you wouldn't be worrying about him doing something daft. Argh indeed.

Yes the pav freezes perfectly. You put it in a plastic cake Tupperware doodah at the bottom of the freezer to avoid it being dunted while removing the petit pois.Defrosts in moments.

We have at least 3 clabbys at work. They are often awaiting in alcoves ready to ambush you on the way in. I operate a Clixby manner at all times when accosted by arsey customers. I'd get a gold star in clixby when I'm totally hacked off. often

NU, You sound like you have everything organised.
Cocoa, will have you on my mind tomorrow. Take care.
Mrs W, I am so glad you had a lovely break In Wien. I loved hearing about the markets and museums. We definitely went at the wrong time of year, and must go back. I do love how well dressed the older damen unt herren are. And the proliferation of dachshunds.

Had masterchef is frustrating me tonight.

Thinking of you Cocoa. Hope you get a decent kip tonight and tomorrow isn't too much if an ordeal.

DP back on subs' bench for being an arse. He'd say I was being an arse. I really get worn down by the fact he doesn't really seem to like me very much. It's that - quite familiar - scenario where the things that make me me - being quite errm loud, and talkative, and all that, are the things I think he'd quite like me to squash. Even though they were the things he liked in the first place.

Hope DDad is back on his feet soon, MI.

NU - the dress isn't that short - just above the knee. Needs black opaques, though.

Ahh, The Book of Liff! Herbs, that's one of my favourites. DDad and I used to read out passages to each other and giggle.

I'm tired and snappy this evening - have just had a go at DH for breathing not doing anything particularly wrong. Raced home after work to find DD2 sitting frozen on the doorstep, as she'd forgotten her keys. At least she'd been able to get onto the WiFi. Then off to Zumba for a bit of arse-wiggling and whooping. Have barely had ten minutes on the sofa and it's almost time to collect DS from work. He's been asked to work an extra shift on Boxing Day evening (as well as Christmas Day morning) and I'm afraid I'm going to say no. There are no trains, and I refuse to cut short our visit to DSis's just to suit him. They are Taking Advantage, methinks.

MI sorry about DP - I feel like that too... Sometimes I think dp barely tolerates me. But I'd say it's a tough time at the moment and we are all tres crabby (aside from Flash who doesn't do Crabby) in BD villas so maybe the same in inferiority complex? Slack needs to be cut all round?

I have that conversation with dh, MI. I am loud and talkative - I can't creep about like a bloody woodlouse, much as he would like me to. And ditto, he did marry me because I am loud and talkative. Gah. I hope your dad is OK. Please don't miss the Moomins.

Cocoa, I too will be thinking of you tomorrow. Much Crepey strength.

I've got HRT now to see the wondrous difference it's going to make to my life! Voyage into the unknown.....

Strength to you Cocoa for tomorrow.

And to MI for dad's quick recovery, here's hoping you don't have to dash up there and miss your concerts.

Awaiting dd1's return tomorrow. Should have come today, but she couldn't be bothered to pack can't wait actually.

Cremo, I know what you mean about the well dressed Viennese. And given the temperature there was more than a smattering of fur coats around. But I did find them a little rude in that we got barged into quite a lot as we were sauntering along minding our own business and admiring all the twinkly lights. Dd3 thinks Londoners are just as bad and it's because we were meandering like tourists. I'm not sure but she's a lot nicer than me.

My other observation, at the risk of causing great offence, is that they are, on the whole, not a nation blessed with great physical beauty. This was clearest in the Belvedere looking at all the portraits. I had always assumed part of the job of a portrait painter was to flatter the subject - but if these counted as flattery then the poor painter must have been faced with some challenging raw material. Dd3 also thought this independently and as I've already mentioned she's nice so I am pretty sure I'm on to something here.

Hmm, the Hapsburg jaw perhaps MrsW? And yes to the rudeness, dh took a fairly irrational dislike to Austria, which he was unable to explain. He did like the natural history museum (dry). Loon.
Credit to dd3 for her perspicacity