The Crepertoire - put on your peignoir and get into the boudoir

[MrsSchadenfreude]

And out of the armoire.

I can't change the past, well said Magi. I am wrestling this one out in my family just now. Nor can we be other people or know what being them is really like.

MI, I am not sure it is realism, all due respect to your dm's achievements. If your dps had valued them more, I suspect you would feel differently about your own talents and achievements. And I agree, up there is bringing up engaged, kind young people.

Herbs, your post made me well up.

Crem you must be exhausted. As must all other crepeys on the sleepless bench. I have been sleeping log-like but waking up exhausted but feel better today.

Cremo, my lilac is not quite in bloom yet - maybe a week away?

I too am knackered, despite it being the holidays. DH and I are off out to meet his BFF's who we haven't seen for ages as they live on the other side of London. I think I may fit a short nap in before sorting food for the DC.

BTM - I have had a nap. I don't understand how I can nap so easily on the sofa yet I cannot sleep at night.

All lilacs in bloom here and am a little sneezy.

Have suddenly wondered what I will do in the school holidays when there is no longer DS. I cannot just sit around waiting for DH. I should have thought of this before I got a job in a school.

Herbs - brilliant yet sad post. Agree with Rudy - we should just try to live decent lives, have fun along the way and attempt to bring up the next generation.

Cloud - any news?

I am heading out for dark & stormiest with a gentleman friend. I will think of you all! Probably going away with DD1 in early July, but may head to Rio before then.

Rally interesting and some sad observations on family life, Crepeys.....

We were very much influenced by my mother who came from North America and was aghast at the 'old school' here in the U.K. in the 50's. So her primary goal was to let us be whatever we wanted to be and to support that.... she wasn't affectionate or overtly proud of us, but she didn't imprint expectations on us at all. Obviously you certainly knew if what you were doing was Not Right she also threw lots of culcha at us and waited for some to stick!

Neither of my parents were particularly academic or intellectual, but both professional people who dealt with all the people they met very equally, regardless of money, position, etc. They were both very strong, in their own ways.....

We are not much of a family really, just a collection of individuals connected by genes (which I think might not suit some people, but I like it just fine).....

Really interesting.... not Rally. Makes me sound like Tim Nice But Dim.

I am in the hell known as a Trampoline Park, watching dd2

Hatty, that would be my best thing about the job - if only DH wasn't in teaching too

Beachy at Tim nicebutdim!
I quite fancy a trampoline park (used to love trampolining) If only I hadn't had 2 DC!

Beachy @Tim nice but Dim.

I think many of that generation weren't overly affectionate. It just wasn't the done thing. My DM was brilliant with small babies, not so good with older children or teenagers.

Ooh, I went to a trampoline park on Wednesday. It was great! Not hellish at all. At least, not like soft play, by which all other child-based hells shall be judged.

I did lots of bouncing, which put a huge smile on my face, and no wee in my pants. Slight problem with the foam pit - seem to be designed for lighter people than me, as I got stuck. They're very deep, and with nothing affording a purchase to shove against.

DS and I had lovely afternoon at Mudchute (snigger) farm in Docklands. He rode a donkey, made friends with a loudly baa-ing sheep, and came out with some cracking witticisms.

Witticism 1: Seeing an alpaca from behind, with all his goolies, DS said "You can see the whole butcher's shop from here." A rather marvellous expression, I thought.

W 2: We saw an amusing little guinea pig, with very tufty fur on his head. DS immediately declared it a 'guinea wig'.

We then met up with DP and looked at the archaeology of Crossrail exhibish at the Docklands museum. It then all went wrong as we made the grave error of dining in La Tasca next door. Everything comprised bland overcooked items, deep-fried in stale oil, apart from the 'char-grilled vegetables' which were raw.

Ooh gak Herbs! Olden cooking oil is manky. I belly laughed at ds witty remarks .The apple 🍎 doesn't fall far from the tree🌲 .

Work has finished for today. I am cross eyed.

Thank You for your good vibes. It worked. Yay! They want me .

To be fair, I think they'd take most people as long as they passed their spacial awareness test, and can pay. I plan to use them, then abuse them for their close contacts with industry.

I suspect that I will be required to put some serious work in come September. No question of any holidays inside term times, either.

Funnily enough, I wandered around C Harbour and the showrooms feeling like I'd come home. I feel it here (taps chest... OK norks).

I will, however, probably winge. It's been a looooong time since I did serious work. Just make soothing noises and ignore me...

Hockney was great. I have to admit, I'm a sucker for his later works. Anything from his Californian stage and later. Love the polaroids, the pools, the portraits, the Yorkshire stuff, and especially the iPad compositions. Very clever to see them appear before your eyes.

Def worth a visit.

Oh fantastic, well done, Cloud! You will love returning to study, though I'm sure you'll moan like the rest of us. It has been the saving of me. It's such fun having classmates again, and people who value your contributions.

Things are better here, Crepeys - thanks for last week's solidarity. I have a houseful, including dd revising and ds and his gf, briefly home from abroad, so you may imagine what they wish to do. I was dreading the ructions, but I have used advanced diplomacy skills and hard cash to solve the problem (so far). Dh meanwhile is just out pursuing his secondary hobby.

Oh well done Cloud. That will be brilliant to be starting back into study. Molly, glad of settledom chez Colly. It must be great to have the dcs Home again unless they are throwing dirty clothes your way

No, they don't chuck dirty clothes at me. They do however completely fill up my fridge, freezer and cupboards, and keep the dishwasher in constant use. OTOH they tempt me with new delicacies. Dd is pretty much vegan now. I was worried about conflict between them, but uni appears to have civilised the younger one. She lives with students of social work, and they appear to be into boundaries - in a good way. I could kiss them.

So overall I am content to have them all round me. The dog, too, is mildly pleased.

Oh, poor doggy.

I am annoying DP by quietly getting on with my morning.
He is grumpy and clearly wants me to do something he can snarl at me about. He was particularly annoyed by the fact that I did have a complete right to get to the toaster and that I wasn't the one who put away his Favourite Egg Boiling Saucepan. Don't mess with me, buster, I can pass-agg like a bitch.

Oh Rudy what's wrong with DDog?

I am feeling meh but I think that's the not going to work effect..... Thoughts whizzing round my brain. Wondering if I can justify some new sandals .....

You can, BD!

Wasssup with your doggie, Rudy?

Oh and congrats Cloud! I loved the ipad art - so interesting.

BD, get the sandals. They will make you feel all summery. I have bought some hasbeen alikes from clarks which make me very cheery.

Well done, Cloud.

Molly, glad you are feeling more chipper. Must be fab to have them both back home.

Rudy, oh no re dog. Hope he rallies soon.

Off to John Lewis for new house phone then to Sainsbury's for Easter eggs. I left it late one year and there were none left. Eek.

In s and b news, I can thoroughly recommend Phillip Kingsley elastizer for thick tresses (Dd1) or even fine flat hair (me). Very softening and shiny making. Usually in those m and s beauty boxes too.

Gosh, Rudy, did he say why (if you can say)?

Cloud, woohoo, excellent news, so pleased you have something for you to focus on.

Molly, that sounds better, how long have you got them back for?

Herbs, we love that farm especially the goats. dd took bf there recently on his tour of London landmarks.

Which sandals do you want, BD? [misses point of post].

Congratulations, Cloud.

Get those sandals, BD. 'Tis summer.

Sorry about your dog, Rudy. I remember DS also saying he wasn't going to go to uni, wanted to go to 'The University of Life'. () & I just said it was fine but took him to see the town again (was not far) and, of course, he fell in love with it again.

Grumpy early in the day drives me mad, MI.

My usual request for anyone wanting S and B light relief.....but with knobs on this time.....where can I buy some tops? This year they all have random bits cut out of them designed to reveal a delicious flash of bra strap or armpit or billowing sleeves unsuitable for washing up. Shirts don't usually work for me as designers seem to think either women have no boobs or they have them back and front.