A Very Crepey New Year

[Cremolafoam]

Will this do ??

Yes, re Lalsy's darkness - I think I might clean out a cupboard as my internet is not co-operating with my desire to power through some work!

Crem, this has gone on too long hasn't it? When is your hol?

for all in need of reprogramming after negative parenting. MI, how is the ladyjogging going? Do you find that helps you think less about it, or at least more positively?

I have indeed resumed Ladyjogging and I think it is good for both body and mind.
Though not always for my knees.

That's great, I am sure you are right. To my astonishment, my pre-skiing squatting for England regime seems to have stopped my knees making loud and alarming noises when I wave my legs around on the sofa (hours of family fun).

Running in to post a new footwear decision based on Cloud's Way Of Shoe.

U likely?

The thread sure is a reflective place today

Just waving back to nu as we head towards Morpeth!

My parents loved us all but my mother was too insecure and my father too messed up by his own upbringing to be able to express it. And I was the oldest and we moved around a lot. As a result I feel other people's happiness is my responsibility and also find it hard to take up space. Doesn't make me any nicer, mind. Goodness this is all sad.

Thinking of you Herbs.

MI, any value in therapy? Such a shame to have innate sense of self so at odds with the vibrant, stylish, funny, intelligent person you are.

Like those very much, waf.....

Hope today is OK, Herbs and dp.

Fascinating 'what makes us human?' on R2 this lunchtime by Kriss Akabusi talking about his childhood and how it affected his outlook on life. Don't think it's been uploaded yet, but I found it quite interesting.

I suppose the focus is not to look back, but look forward and do the best we can.

MI - I agree with Addle - you are all the things she mentioned and more - the way others (myself included) see you is totally different to your self perception.

Oh - the washing machine has finished its first load - we are back in knickers and socks hurrah.

Addle - Arf at not 'any nicer mind.' Hope dh anxiety abates. Take up lots of space in Seahouses, cos you're v interesting.

Hope no-one thinks I'm feeling too smug re enforced weight loss. My visog has taken a massive hit, looks crap. Also zero choc, cake, booze, pizza... like none since Boxing day. Dared to have tiny amount of feta Weds... Was fine!!! First cheese!!! Woohoo. Significantly better last two days so pushed boat out and had lunch at Leon. May burn to regret.

Fab meeting this morning avec 2 delightful Frenchmen. I alluded to your recent Paris weather reports, Hatty.

Hatty 4.5hrs long? DH would have an apoplectic if ours was that long!

Durrr re Lalsys darkness. But hey, there is an orange light glowing

WAF love the shoes - reminds me of my yoof.

Got the outlaws arriving imminently. At least DS is pleased

WAF, 2 French men?

@ the orange one!
I am immersed in intellectual and medical bliss. Maybe my brain hasn't atrophied after all...Will catch up later.

BTM - I think everything takes longer to economise energy these days. Will have to plan around it a bit though. There is a time manager thingy if I need to whizz a quick load through. You'll all be excited to know that the second load is on (tops and t shirts).

WAF - still below zero in Paris - what are you doing on Seahouses - don't get stranded.

DS has just had a diva fit because I picked up his "ornamental mug" from his bedroom and put it in the dishwasher because it was full of dust. .

Some Mumsnet Recommends Ugg Wilcox boots have appeared in my sidebar - I love them - they are only -30% off in Paris but -50% in the UK. I think I'll go and try them on and order them to DD's if they fit. I don't really need another pair of boots this style but they are calling to me.

WAF, hyperventilating at your gorgeous shoes. And of course not re loss!

addle - you are very nice - now take up as much of the NE as you can .

Hatty, good god, that's going to challenge teen organisational skills.

Gosh - the crowds seem a bit sparse at the inauguration - I'm sure they went right down the avenue for Obama.

Rudy - is the sizing right? I've found the code.

Poor DS - I hate endoscopies.

I think I'm going to crack open the wine - the orange one has given me the excuse I need.

Fingers crossed for your DS and you, Rudy

Here we are watching the TV. Grandad and DD are having loud arguments about the pro's and con's of the orange one and associated matters. DD is wiping the floor, but Grandad carry's on like an English version of Trump and all the red-necks It's all banter at the moment, but....

Thanks Rudy - if you could snap them on your feet so I can see how high up they come as well that would be brill.

So....the Orange One has taken office.

Wow, WAF - fab shoes. I can never wear anything too bold on my feet, as I don't like to draw attention to them.

BTM - wishing you the fabbest, most relaxing spa weekend. You totally deserve a couple of days of de-stressing.

Herbs - hope today has gone OK.

Just had the all-clear following my smear test. Phew.

So sad, hearing about all the difficulties visited on some of you by your parents. It just goes to show how resilient we are really. My childhood was a thing of two halves - the first half with DM and a single mother, joined eventually by DSDad and DBro. A quiet, tidy, well-behaved (dare I say dull) household, not a lot of money, and very little socialising as a family. I went off to boarding school at 11. Then, when I was 13.... bang! DDad reappeared in my life with a new wife - both of them so different from DM/DSDad - full of fun and charisma, bringing with them two glamorous older step-sibs. Suddenly I was spending huge chunks of time in a totally different household - laughs, chaos and late nights. I became two different people.

I realise I am hugely lucky to have FOUR fantastic (and currently still healthy) parents. DM and I have always got along well; she's a plain-spoken kind of person, not particularly demonstrative and no sense of humour, but hugely capable and always always supportive and proud of me. It was her determination that pushed for a cure for the epilepsy I suffered from as a baby, and got me a scholarship for an amazing boarding school, so I could leave the rubbish local comp and eventually make it to Oxford. On the other hand, DDad is a real character; unreliable and a little selfish, but makes friends wherever he goes. DSM is lovely, and has treated me like a daughter since day one. DSDad and I had a difficult relationship throughout my childhood but I adore him now. It pains me to think of losing any of them.

Jesus. That was emotionally draining. Welled up as soon as I saw the hearse and didn't stop crying for about two hours. She was so LOVED. The church was packed. DP did the most amazing speech, saying missing his mum was like being able to see and hear her through the kitchen door, but not being able to reach her.

Had a bit of an epiphany. She was all about making other people happy, and has a huge effect on her world by this quiet loving care. I'm going to try to be more like her.

Oh Herbs. She sounded like a lovely lady.

Aww Herbs it sounds like an amazing send off and she does indeed sound like a lovely lady. Glad it went as planned, try to have a relaxing evening now.