The Bluestocking: it's the season of mulled wine, conversations about pineapple and, of course, gerbils. Confused? You will be...

[EdithStourton]

Welcome to the anarchic and marvellous women-only on-line pub, the Bluestocking. The booze won't give you a hangover, the cakes won't make you fat, and the conversations are fascinating, covering knitting, health and safety, the Muppets and anything else that comes to mind.

Climb Peak Woo, have a cuddle with Rosie the Red Panda, and watch out for capybaras busy with any necessary building works.

Welcome in (and name change at the door if you need too).

I've had my internet off most the afternoon as I was cleaning down the back (blghhhhhh, so many spiders had moved in) of the tv cupboard, as you do. Finally got everything cleaned and the right cables in the right holes. Spent five minutes messing around with what plug goes where so the internet box was on off on off on off.

Five minutes later I get a text and email.

We see you are having internet problems.

Please switch it off and then on again.

Erm....

NO!

I wish they were so quick to email when the issue is their end and not just me doing some housework.

@lcakethereforeIam

Happy birthday! I hope it's been a lovely day.

Well. I have managed to purchase most of the presents, make 3 Christmas cakes and three (whispers: Nigella) Christmas puddings. And put up the tree. All in a weekend.

Although I am now considering some (strictly medicinal) brandy as the daft dog jumped over a chair and landed square on my (already wonky) spine while I was sitting on the floor. Queue me flat on my face with bloody idiotic 25kg collie using me as a trampoline. Surely brandy is allowed??

I am now going to watch something totally mind-numbing before making my packed lunch for tomorrow. Wheeeee

So if someone could arrange for the cute and cuddly staff to chuck a large brandy my way that would be wonderful.

Brandy is definitely allowed, Nun! Have some cake while you're waiting.

Ah - it is your birthday, Magpie - I didn't hang around long enough for your reply to my earlier question, sorry,
So very happy birthday Magpie, a bit belated, but there's a few hours left to have a lovely time in🍾

You must be knackered, Nun.
Hope your back recovers from the collie.

Consider it done, Nun😄
You deserve one of those epic Bluestocking-size helpings of brandy after all that excitement!

@MedievalNun Collie: gorgeous rough or bonkers border?

Happy birthday, dear Magpie...🎼

Making all the arrangements you can to take as much difficulty out of the journey as you can is a good idea, Woley.
The funeral is the 15th, if I remember rightly? Let us know when you are travelling so we can wish you well.

You'll be coming back with the DS2+1's visit to look forward to, from the land of origin of so many of our cute little friends here at the Bluestocking

The funeral is the 17th, @MarieDeGournay - we are travelling to London on the Monday, then down to Penzance on the Tuesday - doing it in a day is possible but tiring. However, we are doing the homeward journey in one day, so dh can get home for the dogs.

Just calling in for a nightcap after my first carol concert of the season - a hot chocolate please gerbils, with a dash of Tia Maria to give it a kick.

Happy Birthday to @Magpiecomplex. I hope you've enjoyed your day 🍾

Oh, and it wasn't me who threw myself at the crown jewels yesterday. That was a very inferior apple crumble!

Anyway, I don't like custard

I've got a Nigella cookbook that I get out every Christmas. It's just the right girth to straighten our wonky Christmas tree.

The gerbils have been minesweeping the unwatched drinks at @Magpiecomplex birthday bash.

Turns out it's the triplets, oldest Greta, middle Greta and youngest Greta's birthday as well, and with Christmas approaching they are saving money by gatecrashing Magpies's do.

Someone (Germoleen) thought pin the tail on the balrog would be a good idea.

Grunhelda has had to use the fire blanket 6 times in five minutes.

Oh, I STILL miss the laugh emoji. 😂😂

Duplicate post.

As part of the interview process for this job, I have to meet some people for a half hour online meeting tomorrow afternoon and some other people for a 45 minute online meeting on Tuesday afternoon before the big presentation and interview on Friday afternoon.

If the gerbils aren't too busy, can they do some silent non-distracting cheerleading at these times?

If the gerbils aren't too busy, can they do some silent non-distracting cheerleading at these times?

They're working on their mime routine but to be honest, it's not looking good.

All the best for tomorrow, dear Myrtle.💙

What a week for you, @MyrtleLion . I suppose it gives you time to recover between meetings.

All the best for this afternoon. 🍀

The gerbils have been minesweeping the unwatched drinks at @MyrtleLion's birthday bash.

You mean winesweeping, surely, Boily.

Woley and Myrtle, you both have busy weeks coming up, Myrtle this week and Woley next.

Fingers crossed for Myrtle that all tbe meetings/interviews go swimmingly.
And fingers crossed for Woley that all plans go... well, to plan.

The mime experiment, didn't work very well, Myrtle, but down in the secret laboratory in the basement of the Bluestocking we've come up with an invisible soundproof shield to put around them while they do their enthusiastic and unfortunately very squeaky cheerleading this afternoon and Tuesday and Friday😄
Best of luck this week, Myrtle!

@MyrtleLion

Huh! Who knew.

Turns out we have a top secret psyop room in the basement.

Gretal is their top agent. Gertrude will be getting reassigned to the kitchen and Glottalstop is in need of a holiday.

And why does AI think Laptops have the screen at the back?