Looking Good, Feeling Crepe.

[CointreauVersial]

New thread, anyone?

Stropps - sending love and strength. I'm so sorry things seem to have gone pear shaped.

I have a friend whose son is having to repeat his second year as he spent the first term gaming on the computer and thought he could catch up in January. Another I know has had to come back from his US uni for the same reason "World of Warcraft" or some such idiocy.

Mrs S - yay for DD1 and fingers crossed that DD 2 gets it together.

Rudy - did your boots arrive?

Cloud - sounds strong stuff but a great memory.

Oh god Stropps - really hope nothing serious. Doesn't rain, but it pours....

Holey Moley Stropps - I hope you are well on your way to ascertaining what has happened to your DD.

Oh hell Stropps, how stressful. Hope you know what is happening now and maybe can declare a family emergency and go there.

Cloud, what a story!

Welcome, Bob!

Love your story, Cloud!

Today I am marginally cheered by having discovered that I can retire at the age of 55 with a reasonable pension and lump sum. Would need to get another job for a bit of top up, or sell the hovel and move elsewhere, but I could do something I enjoy doing, instead of being barked at about "grip" and "strategy" and "bing picture" and "deadlines".

Have taught first lesson, now on my only free of the day. Not in a position to lose a day's income or drive 2 hours to Bristol unless situation really desperate. Have thankfully now heard from dd via Fb. She has cellulitis in her left leg. Has been discharged with ABs and pain meds. Have asked if there is any prescribed follow-up, but no answer yet. She tried to get an appointment with university gp yesterday, but was told there were no appmts for several days, so ended up in A&E last night. Have seen pic of leg with hospital scribble on it. Looks nasty. And big.

A lot to be said for being able to retire at any point, MrsS. I will be working until I drop dead. Which going by how I feel this morning, may be quite soon.

Ah Stropps, cellulitis is nasty. How on earth did she get it?
So so sorry to hear of this. Please look after self too.
I am a minuscule bit better today.

Wishing everyone a lovely day

Blimey, poor dd, Stropps. Glad she got herself to A and E. You must be shattered.

Crem, glad you inching towards better.

Good grief, Stropps. I need a lie down just listening to your life. Hopefully the DD business is a mere blip on her generally smoother path - and the fact that she took herself to hospital, and has treatment, are good things, no?

I too cannot retire, ever. Partly why I took up teaching, so I can carry on teaching literacy into my dotage.

Back on the 5:2. This fatness cannot be allowed to continue, and I keep reading about the benefits of intermittent fasting on brain function and general health. All sounds jolly good until about this time in the morning, when my tummy starts rumbling.

I have now caught a minor crepey cold. At the moment merely a rather sore throat and runny nose, so hoping it doesn't morph into full-blown 'Cremola Lurgy'.

It's actually snowing here now but small pathetic flakes. I preferred the freezing temperatures and sun.

Stropps - so glad she got to A&E - I'm not convinced about uni health services - DD2 had to make online appointments and on applying they never got back to her. She said her friend ended up with a burst eardrum as she couldn't get medical help.

I can't eat correctly in this weather - have had toast and peanut butter plus a banana for lunch and I keep wanting tea and cake.

Hattie, have you tried almond butter (if you can get it)? Lovely stuff and I stand by the belief that it's Good For You.

Instead of the red wool dress I am wearing my slouchy Woolovers red V-neck over a short purple velvet skirt. I shall wear my burnt-orange one over my short red velvet skirt. I am clearly trying to revive my youth, and/or show off my Ladyjogged thighs.

MI, go for it! Little more cheering. Would you recommend the slouchy one? I need a new jumper.

Herbs, good on you. I have discovered recently that I no longer need breakfast and feel loads more energetic in the morning as a result - and so enjoy my lunch.

I like the slouchy one. I got it in perhaps too big a size but then that works better with skirts - less mannered and ladylike.

Sigh. Yet more emails from DM asking the same questions about money that she asks most weeks, and which we answer. I do wish she'd learn about the 'search' function in email.

Feeling POA is inevitable...

Oooh thanks, MI. Very nice. Definitely don't want to veer into ladylike territory.

Herbs, I'm so sorry. But yes, it's time.

Sorry it all seems to be caving in again stropps. I was worried we hadn't heard from you in a while. And about Dds cellulitis which is going to want watching, isn't it. Poor girl....poor you.

Yes Herbs it's time. Don't delay. Sorry you have this stress on top of having just said goodbye to MIL. sorry about the cold too.

Tilly how was the appointment?

Looking good Mi

Hatty I have a mild addiction to toast and peanut butter... yum

I have a frozen NHS pension which is a good scheme but since I left in 2000 when DC 3 was born, it'll be worth not very much. After much nagging I have come to an arrangement with DH about our savings....

Poor DH...he has plodded off to work with a stinking cold which has been brewing since the weekend. I am being nice for once. I am in a moderately good mood after yesterday, and this morning have been taken out for birthday breakfast by BFF at previously mentioned local country house hotel which was most pleasing. BFF has given me a lovely set of silver earrings and has written such an obscene, filthy limerick in my card (one of her talents) that I can't display it on the mantelpiece but keep giggling...)

I am however somewhat about ConS for a number of reasons, not least for having forgotten my birthday...old git that he is. But it will not spoil my good mood and the glorious sunshine that I am sitting in, with a cuppa as I type.

Hmm - almond butter MI - will look out for that. The jumper is very nice by the way and I like the colour too. (love yellow walls too)

Apparently, overdone toast gives you cancer - who knew - I've been eating toast more or less everyday for my entire life - I don't think it's worth changing my habits now.

Herbs - I think DS needs POA, everybody will be less stressed that way.

BTM - also wondering how your appointment was.

The acrylamide story has been around for over a decade. I covered it when I was at Easy Living...

Oh really Rudy? I may give them a miss then as I have one foot 5.5 and one 6 which always makes me edgy about internet orders. Are they going back then?

By the way - I'm reading The Handmaid's Tale at the moment - a book I've always been meaning to read but never quite got round to. Some of it is scarily relevant.