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).

<Wanders in>

Oh! Did I miss the opportunity to start the next thread? Damn and blast

<Breathes sigh of relief>

Thanks @ifIwerenotanandroid

You're welcome, Boily.

Sending love to everyone who has difficult stuff going on this week, anyone who's feeling a bit peaky & anyone doing anything that needs a gerbil mime act/ gerbil cheerleader team/ mahoosive hot chocolate/ internet engineer/ soothing massage. 💙

Oh, & we need another 22 posts to finish off this thread.

I'd love to help but I'm ensconced at the new thread busy making a gerbil feel important.

Yes, trailers attached and happy to help!

<gazes around and wipes brow> Wow, ok, that's a whole lot of teacakes... guess I'll need to drop these ones off and come back for another load.

I know it's exciting but could someone PLEASE ask the gerbils to sit still while we're moving. I'm worried about load stability - we're at risk of a Tunnock's tsunami...

Thank you Android, I was getting a bit anxious in case I had to do it - having to come up with a thread title for Christmas😬
The only thing I could come up with was
Deck the Halls, But Not With Decking, tra la la la la..
Yours is much better

Thank you for the lovely pointy hat I have in your image, Myrtle, and it looks like I've gone for a daring No. 1 all over haircut!

I'm going to have to google what Katherine Parr looked like, LEG - oh yes, I see what you mean. I prefer my point-hatted self.

Isn't it cheating that Shiny is riding a shiny blue tractor instead of being a shiny blue tractor - or is that being too literally literal?😄

Thank you for liking my username, NotAtMyAge. That, and my pointy hat, has brought about something of a reconciliation

Everyone, Blue was mistaken. She is transporting scampi fries stored in old Tunnock's boxes.

Blue, If you can park up round the back when you arrive at the new thread. Knock once. Then two quick knocks then a single knock. Maud will let you in and open up the Tunnocks hiding place scampi fries storeroom.

Thanks.

You have to press the correct button.

https://amzn.eu/d/8nqt0EI

I'm going with Amazon vouchers for everybody this year, apart from one university student who just wanted alcohol. So that's what she is getting. I might shove a piece of tissue paper in the top of her bag!

That sounds legit. On it!

(I get a cut of the booty, right @Boiledbeetle ?!)

I'm ok to be the tractor when I'm the size of a remote control car. Can't go far wrong. Any bigger than that though and we need to get a driver involved - it's cos of health 'n' safety innit..

Keep a box for yourself for your troubles and we won't mention this conversation ever took place.

<Winks>

Had to go to hospital for a Cardiology appointment (Infectious diseases need to check my heart on these antibiotics).

Arrive 10 minutes early they said. You have important things to do beforehand.

I was very early so popped to the coffee shop for refreshments where I discovered the gerbils had gone on ahead and left me some treats (only 75p each, which was amazing as a small black coffee was bloomin' £3.15!!!!).

Arrived in Cardiology 15 minutes early, which, given the lift was out of order and I had to use the stairs, despite hurty paw and shortness of breath because I am superflu poorly ick, was a miracle.

Called in at 10 to 2pm and it was just for an ECG! No important things to do beforehand and I was done and out of there before my official appointment time!

Found a lift down - walking down is harder than up - and it took longer to walk back to the car than the whole appointment took.

Now safely ensconced at home.

They do like to make a meal of things, MyrtleLion. I'm glad you got the caramel wafers. Hope you're on the mend soon.

What a day. But don't get to comfy this thread is about to shut. You've got about 10 posts before you have to move.

Gesundheit is serving flaming gluhwein in the new thread. We can all have some once we've filled up this thread!

How do I know when it's full?

Look at the top there's a number by the title

Can I have some of the pineapple before this thread closes? I caught flu A on my travels last week and fruit is the only thing I can bear to eat at the moment.

Certainly.

<hands over 24 tins>

It will save the gerbils a trip.

Perfect, that should do me until I can leave the house again.

Right, come on stragglers I'm stood waiting at the door.

Sign is ready.

Link is ready.

Come on Greta, speed it up.

Gubbins.

Leave the triangle.

Please.

I have had asthma for 54 years ans I used to get around six serious chest infections a year, resulting in 10 days to two weeks off a time. Eventually I was put onto montelukast which has really helped.

Unfortunately this superflu (it has to be flu because I feel so awful, despite my flu vaccination) has gone to my chest this time. I am so breathless and tired. I was also prescribed a salbutamol inhaler for emergencies. My new inhaler is a preventer and reliever, but still doesn't fix the asthma as well as the reliable Ventolin.

But even that is not relieving it. I wouldn't mind but I have to finish the interview presentation tomorrow and attend the interview in London on Friday. The timing is not great.

Though I should be better before Christmas.

Shutting the door

Locking the door.

Checking the sign

https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/womens_rights/5457910-the-bluestocking-next-stop-christmas

No image as someone slipped in with a post!!

Looking at you Myrtle.