Looking Good, Feeling Crepe.

[CointreauVersial]

New thread, anyone?

I'm not that scary in real life Rudy, much better at egging on from the side lines but too much of a team player/people pleaser at work really. Which is why I have been in mrsS's position more times than is fair. I think it's partly a gender issue though - my male colleagues seem to find it much easier to walk away from a mess whereas I tend to feel an obligation to try and sort it out. I've not been able to work out whether they genuinely don't see the problem or see it and don't care.

Montserrat, congratulations to your DH

Rudy, no you didn't dream it and no I haven't - thank you for looking!

Congrats to MrMonty!

Best wishes to those having foul medical procedures today (or have I got the dates wrong?).

MrsS, kick up a stink. They are a bunch of backstabbing scumbags at your workplace.

Not heard from dd yet today. She was feeling a bit better yesterday, but still on a lot of pain and also in a mental mess about sorting out uni stuff. Have told her to get as much done as poss via email and phone while she is immobilised. Not sure if this is happening.

Have spent large amount of time traversing the B and C roads of the West Country. Now still in the car park of a public school waiting to see my Professional Practice Tutor. Have already been to another school this morning. Am tired and have big headache and apparently the person I am going to see is very high-powered. Not feeling like doing this today.

Yep, I too have more often been the scapegoat than not.

It has to be a gender issue, doesn't it. And also the way it's considered. Because if I/MrsS submit something late and inadequate, blaming others certainly won't cut it...

Har, I do like being directed to "the drawing-room" in a school...

Thank you for the kind words re DH

Stropps, am thinking of you. Poor DD - must be a terrible shock for her as well as being uncomfortable.

Dinner - given that some people need to leave early, would it be an idea to meet at restaurant instead of Waterstones, to maximise time for people to meet, esp as it is the first time Cloud and Mrs W have come and Cloud needs to leave earlier? I am sure the resto would be more than happy for us to have the table to just drink for a bit and then we can order food for those who wish to stay later. Would this be a plan?

Oh but....cocktails! (D&S's in partic) What's the worry Monty? Is it that W and C in Cov G are far apart? And thank you for being the booker

Rudy! I did wonder about it being heartburn. That tickly sore radiating through to the back?

Aah Lalsy, we have circumvented the 'pesky EU lowering the suck of a Henry' and ordered a Charles! Apparently because Charles does wet and dry he's allowed to get round the rules..... that's all so phwar, I can't believe I'm discussing a Hoover

In Hoover newsI have this very morning bought a steam cleaner and have shone the F** out of my bifold doors. Now having a short recline as have knackered self.
Monty I'm so damn pleased for M. Caballe, and the job. Even if it is semi-perm , these things tend to lead on to other ops. for all your organising efforts too. You are really bloody good at accommodation everyone.
Mrs S, What a wee gobshite this bloke is. I am sure you could wipe the floor with him if you wanted to, but it can feel impossible if there are extenuating circumstances or a knock on effect for you. Can we set him a trap? There is nothing so satisfying when some one is 'hoist by their own petard' non?
Waf you are really doing brilliantly with the diet and exercise thingmy. Brilliant woman.
Twinkly you are very welcome. Please don't mind how fast this thread moves, just jump on and post. We really are friendly and love our newbies.

Am getting first dose of spinach ( vitamin B12) this afternoon, and then meeting a friend for coffee later.
Second dose plus iron tomorrow. Wonder how long it will take to work?

OK for the 11th - Mrs S's recommendation looks great - I can book online but need a definitive list plus a preferred time 12.30/1pm?

MrsSchadenfreude
HattyMattie
MrsWobble3
Rosebag
BTM
Herbs (poss)
Addle
Rudy (poss)
MI

Anyone else?

Good news for Mr Monty and sorry to Mrs S for continuing shit at work.

Had nice book club last night with much discussion of the Orange One. Our poor American member is in despair.

Huge congrats to MrMonty. BTM, B'ham was dd's insurance choice and was much praised by alumni that I spoke to. It sounds like your dd's uni investigations are going well. They are so young, and it takes such maturity.

Stropps, my horrid innards rummage is tomorrow, but you can hold me in your thoughts today if you like.

Goodness MrsS that is the height of shittyness. I would be inclined to make some noise with lots of email back up evidence. That lot really do sound the pits.

Monty I am so happy for DHs news. I don't think we have actually quite got over my DHs redundancy last year, actually. The memories of the strain it put us under as a couple are still very raw. Here's hoping that Mr Monty's contract opens the doors to something more permanent and you can all recover some equilibrium.

Stropps you are running yourself ragged although the professional activity does sound good. I hope DD starts to recover soon from the infection, and you can both formulate a plan for things going forward. Is there no way that she can continue at Uni?

Crem I am sure the first couple of doses will start to make a difference. I detect a change for the better in your mood already, just knowing what the cause is....have a nice time with friend.

WAF you also sound a smidge better.... I don't know if I found ATY sexy or just compelling to know what happens next. That actress, they always put her in those sorts of roles but I don't think she's hot at all. Maybe that's the whole point. My biggest problem with the al fresco knee tremblers would be finding forgotten knickers stuffed into a coat pocket later when I was riffling around for my keys....The rape scene was brutal...

In S&B news I am sporting the threatened combo of burnt orange sweater and short red velvet skirt. I like it. But I suspect I would be excoriated by those MN echelons insisting on being well-groomed, tasteful and ladylike.

Monserrat - you tell me where to be for cocktails, and I'll be there.

However, to start cocktails at 5.30, then expected to be upright and coherent to more Crepies about 8.00 who I've yet to meet - is a tall order!

(That tale of me 'n' Babette Cole getting smashed on rum was about 25 years ago - I'm a Crepey, now...)

I think I'll try and meet friends for either lunch and or tea. Line the stomach a bit...

My DFriend has had her brain tumour op cancelled several times - her new date is the 25th. I may, instead, be hospital visiting, but suspect not.

Great news on Mr Montys new job. 'Success breeds success'. Onwards and upwards.

In Housekeeping news - I know we have covered hoovers today - could we also cover new irons?

My old one blew up yesterday. I can only ever keep them going for about a year. No idea how to keep them for longer. Already use special water and empty iron out every time I've used it.

(Overtakes Lalsy on the most boring post so far today)

Colly - am firing up the Vibe-O-meter ready for tomorrow. You will start to feel the force very soon

Re domestic appliances, I rarely trouble ours for any activity, which may explain their longevity - Miele Cat and Dog vacuum has been faithfully sucking for about 15 years, and the Phillips iron still irons I believe-despite being filled from the tap.

Mrs S - agree with the redoutable Mrs W that your organisation treats you appallingly. Time to fight back, cunningly if needs be. How would a man react if he was treated like you? Do that.

Not that I'm one to talk. I complained to my line manager about the amount of unpaid admin we have to do as tutors, and she just shrugged and said 'that's teaching for you'. To which I retorted 'but which other profession is expected to work twice the number of hours it's paid for and be grateful' and listed the amount of shit we have to do. She went a bit quiet.

Pah! Not even close, Cloud. Here goes: dh bought some irritatingly vast steam generator thing (NB, not an iron) which looks like it could power a rocket over a year ago. It is still going. NB, I almost never use it. He loves it.

MI, I tried on a short red wool skirt in Jigsaw sale yesterday on my shopping outing (go me) and looked at myself and thought Mmm, that would look good on MI!

In other not quite S and B news, my cords are coming in handy this winter - WIBU to wear both pairs on top of each other tomorrow for my chilly volunteering?

AAAGGGHHHH tax return. Bloody hell. Better do it, I guess, even though I didn't even earn enough money that year to pay tax. Ooh, maybe that means I don't have to do it. Ooh.

And YES to fleece-lined tights. I have some from Primani which are just dandy.

Lalsy, you need some baselayer under your cords!

Our irons last year and years and our lovely cleaner prefers the old Henry from DMs to the Dyson. I'm not sure what that says about me!

I think we should stick to usual venue for cocktails as nowhere else seems able to match their D&S's - it was only a short hop to the Cote we went to at Christmas though that might have been the Shaftesbury Ave one?

MI burnt orange jumper and red skirt sounds great - I have my bright coral puffer coat on today - that would be quite a combo!

Good news on the DS front today though I am only too aware that it is two steps forward and any number of steps back!

Hurrah re DS. I agree re D&S. And now I'm going to track down my fleece-lined tights!

Oh lord that is marvellous