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Busy busy obviously as GCSEs hit the ground Monday - I had 7 subjects running and for 3 of them I had no papers due to exam board cock ups so a lot of extra hours etc going on even on Day 1
Now have to answer a FB messenger message from wicked sort of step mum as today is the anniversary of Papa Podds' demise...........can't work out how to confess that to be honest I've been so stupidly busy I've barely given the anniversary a thought and that even if I hadn't been that busy I'm not really a brooder over these things...........but I hate lying!!
Ah Tubs what a smashing photo
Yums - shame your mother has dumped you - but - yahoo!
that sounds like a very nice little break Sluggy
I'm working at home today as I had a docs appointment this morning, makes life easier
had a week of jury service - nice to be away from work but ended up on the jury of an unpleasant case
Another week to go - hopefully will just get some criminal damage or fraud or something....
youngest son's birthday today so had a house full of teenage boys
MC, I would love to do jury service but don't envy you the unpleasant case
Mr P did jury service a couple of years ago and really enjoyed it - found it interesting. I've met others who found it rather dull. My SiL had to serve on an unpleasant case, although (of course) we don't know what it was.
Did you do Liverpool Rock&Roll marathon (or half) JFF? I saw a FB photo of you that said you were in Liverpool.
All fun and games here. No running but we did acquire six pregnant cows at the weekend
I did cycle 25 miles in the last few days though!
That is a super photo of you and your sis, Tubbs and I'm so glad you had a whale of a time.
Podds, I get the anniversary thing. I think diplomacy might be the best course of action unless of course wicked stepmother really is wicked. GCSE foul up is the last thing you need. Theyre lucky they had you in the csse andit got sorted for the students.
Sluggy, are you a pointless fan? I Can never answer the questions so it feels pointless.... how is lovely SB?
Good luck with the jury service MC. Unpleasant cases must be tough so look after yourself.
A walk in woods with carpets of bluebells is so uplifting. How lovely to be able to lead it
Working from home is the way to go apparently , Mrs Farfar. Hope docs is routine and you're ok.
I wish my mother dumping me meant I get a night off but I just juggle my arrangements and go another night. I'm dumped again Wednesday this week. She's not particularly settled so I try to encourage her to take friends up on their offers.
Yums, sounds like you are still spending a lot of time with your mum, which will mean a lot to her, but it's good she is also enjoying things in her new home. Did you manage to find the wicked car-scratcher after the prang in the carpark? These things can take a lot of energy you don't have, especially if you are being used as a problem-fixer at work. And I bet you know more than any of the rest of them, whatever the question! BTW are you getting new colleagues to help with post-Brexit? In the flatlands they've hired 750 new customs bods already and expect to hire more....
Pippi----respect! I could never, ever do a zip wire. I used to love that kind of thing until I pregnant with C1 and since then I've been scared to death of it.
DL, male-pattern baldness and lemon curd: a combination only you could dream up :-) Good on you for getting back to your chugging, though. Not easy at the best of times, and hot weather isn't the best of times...
JFF, so glad Mr FF is feeling better. Makes it easier for everyone. Hope you checked out OK at the doctor. Might be worth asking for medical advice about your Littl'uns early onset hair loss? There may be something they can do, and he must be sensitive about it.
Tubs, what a lovely photo of you and your sister! We can't choose our relations, but it's so nice when they turn out to be people we actually like. She looks like such a nice person.
Sluggie, must have been good to get away for a few days, especially as you got to see SB. He is still in London, and enjoying the advertising world?
Podds, death anniversaries are always sensitive so I'm with Yums: just be as diplomatic and vague as you can. With GCSE's running you don't need any more aggro. Hopefully that will be behind you in another week or two.
MC, happy birthday to your youngest! Always hard to believe that they aren't still babies. I was interested in your account of being on a jury; as a lawyer, I would always get knocked out at the beginning, so everyone's stories about it fascinate me. But it can be a tough job when you get some of the difficult cases. They can be very hard to listen to (which is one, but only one, reason why it's getting harder and harder to recruit judges).
Daffs, your case must have been especially sad, with the accused actually having made a suicide attempt. On a brighter note, with six pregnant cows on the job your garden lawn must be looking both shorter and, erm, better-nourished! ;-)
The funeral, the first Jewish funeral I've been to, was short and dignified and yet very personal to the family. We were glad we went. Otherwise, we've got the garden looking reasonable again, had some friends to stay for a couple of days, and just generally been chilling. It's back to the flatlands on Saturday for a couple of weeks. Busy, busy ;-) Must see if I can't persuade my leggies to try a bit of chugging....maybe... ;-)
Yums, I'm glad your Ma is starting to socialise a little with the other residents but I expect it will take her a little while to really settle. I know that I was very reluctant when Mum moved down here but it actually worked well as she was still active enough to make a good circle of friends (leaving aside that bliddy TF woman!).
Daffs, how exciting to have pregnant cows - will you need to act as midwife for them?
Chuggy, I am glad that the funeral went as well as these things can. Hope you have a good journey back to Clogland.
We enjoyed seeing Pointless filmed but it is probably my least favourite 'quiz' program. I don't have enough esoteric knowledge to get through and am particularly bad at music, film etc. I did manage 3 pointless answers in a final round recently but it just happened to play to my strength. In reality, I would not have got to the final as I did badly in the previous rounds.
SB is well and still enjoying life, thank you. He is living near to Stoke Newington, up in the north of the city and likes the area. I believe he has had a couple of dates, but nothing serious and, to be honest, he doesn't really have the time or inclination for a serious relationship. While we were there last week, he told me that his ex is getting married soon (there go all my hopes of a reconciliation!) - they have managed to remain friends and he is going to the wedding.
Knuffles to all xx
Been busy so apologies for not catching up sooner, yay to sibling discoveries, mothers having social lives, bluebells, pregnant cows, healing ankles and successful offspring.
Jury service - I dodged Ofsted at my school years ago to go to the Old Bailey - fascinating. OH recently did it and had a dramatic turn of events when the accused slit his throat during the verdict - superficial wounds but means she is exempt from ever doing it again due to the trauma of seeing it. Hope yours isn't so dramatic MC
We have had a number of murders and attempted murders in these parts too. This week 2 mice failed to survive but an injured baby bird was returned to the great outdoors. No charges have yet been brought.
Obviously attended a wedding at the weekend (virtually) and have a real one to go to this weekend. Luckily the dress code isn't as formal. Happy days.
interestingly, the accused wasn't in court for the trial last week - we were told he had a head injury but they decided to go ahead with the trial. After the trial they told us that he had thrown himself off the balcony in Nottingham prison after being arrested.
I am now on another trial which is probably going to go into next week and is another nasty one. Not looking forward to hearing the evidence. I also found out the the case that I was in the pool for but not selected was another child abuse case (I know because it is over now and in the press). So three out of three being sexual offences - I guess judges and lawyers have to distance themselves but it must be very hard to listen to and I wonder how many cases there are, it must be tough for them.
gosh DL - how on earth did the accused manage to get into court with something to use to slit his throat? What an awful thing to witness.
Oh DL it's murder capital with you. What is casual dress for ladies in comfortable shoes?
Ah Daffy , pregnant cows to mow your lawn is wonderful.
Sluggy, your pointless answers are far more than I have ever managed. SB sounds settled which must be lovely for you. And how mature is he that him and Fliss stayed friends. I'm sure he'll find a nice young lady soon for you to adopt.
The Jewish funeral sounds interesting, chuggy. It seems like only a short while ago you arrived in France and now you're back to the flatlands ( my phone substituted Falklands)
We are recruiting like mad, chuggy however we've lost so much experience the skills have been watered down and sadly I don't know everything! My new temporary job is as a business analyst writing rules for the new import/export declaration system. In typical fashion I have few skills and no experience in this type of thing. The volume of data is considerable!
In better news my hedgiepig feeding station is in use. The last 2 nights Mr and Mrs hedgiepig have been doing the dance of love . He circles her and she plays hard to get accompanied by plenty of snuffling
Actually rather jealous of horrible jury service - I got a seriously boring case and would have loved something meatier......but I'm afraid that's probably because I'm the sort of person who can listen to horror stories about humans (but not animals........) does that make me a bad person?
Was in Nottingham last weekend and away to Switzerland this weekend so what little non exams time I have is taken up with washing and packing - and that's just for the pooches!!
I love Switzerland - have fun
Podds, you are far from being a bad person! Your brain is possibly wired a bit differently from many other people, which is what allows you to stay calm in circumstances that others would find impossible to manage. Vive la difference!
Chuggy, I hope you have/had a good journey back.
Mc, I'm sorry you had to miss The Outlaw
Yes, I am very proud of SB, particularly for the way he has maintained a good friendship with the ex and clearly wants her to be happy
I am sitting on my bed posting this message, Skycat is asleep alongside me with her lovely tummy exposed (rather fatter tummy than it used to be, because of the long-term steroids, but vet is very happy with her general condition)
hello my lovelies
yes Pippi I was in Liverpool doing the marathon
I stayed with my running pals - shared a room with 2 other ladies, and to be honest it was rather nice to get away from the family for a few days. And if that makes me a bad person I don't even care 
The race was quite tough - it was a warm day and a lumpy course, I lost the plot a bit after half way and didn't maintain the pace - but 4:44 so still not bad and I'm pretty pleased with that
when I got home there was plenty of mess and some crisis or other with the dear children and I was soon wishing I had got stuck in Liverpool!
I'm shocked at all your tales of court proceedings and all the accused injuring themselves! when I did I they all just changed their plea to guilty and I was sent home
Sluggy my Bigun is also still single and I would love him to find a nice partner - he would too but he just seems to meet girls on dating sites who are younger and it never goes anywhere. he's 26 and I hope he will start growing up sometime soon!
My Littlun has had to go to the docs today with sores on his bottom! (not funny) he's in a lot of discomfort, and has been diagnosed with shingles - 2 lady doctors conferred to give him this diagnosis- he was mortified!
I took Mr FF to the hospital yesterday - plaster removed, x-rayed and has been given an air boot. sadly no sign of bone healing yet so another 4 weeks of no weight bearing - give me strength!!!!!
sorry that was very me me me!
Jenni - poor Littlun, shingles can be very painful! I hope Mr FF is happier in the air boot.
Pippette and I have been in Stratford (again). We had wanted to see Macbeth with Christopher Eccleston, but couldn't find a free weekend when it was on, so we went to see the Duchess of Malfi instead. It had great reviews, the front row had sheets to protect them from the blood splatters! We also went to see Anne Hathaways cottage, Mary Ardens house which is a Tudor farm, and today went to Charlecote house and saw lots of deer. This time, we didn't get stuck in snow on the way home.
I'm a bit peeved cos i was asked if I was a concession ... mind you, she then wondered if Pippette was 17 ...
Mr P was on nights, so hasn't missed us really.
Tomorrow we are off to do the Cheviot, the last part of the Pennine Way (apart fro one gap we have to go back to, because the snow was so deep we missed it out!). We are staying in a guest house which will pick us up and drop us off near a halfway point - there isn't anything for 25 miles otherwise ...
Pippi - surely the concession they thought you were eligible for was the student discount.
Are you expecting the patter of tiny hedgehog feet Yums? They must be really tiny!
Hope the shingles is getting better and the air boot making life easier Farty.
Wedding last weekend reintroduced me to the joys of the head over the toilet bowl. The perils of a free bar. It has been many years since the last time and I feel assured it will be many years before the next. It was a jolly shindig though and OH's speech went down a great so all in all a good night out.
This long and growing longer weekend I go to Lundy for a pal's 50th. It seems to have stretched to a 5 day affair involving booking time off work and leaving OH at home as she can't take the time off her course. Must find my happy place!
Hard to do at the moment as teenager is being a complete nightmare at the moment. That and then3 day hunt for the mouse which Blur released into the house only to capture and release agaga at midnight last night. An hour later I prevailed and it was set free. Wonder when we will see it again!?
As such running hasn't happened for a while .so yay to 4.44 marathons, outlaws and Swiss adventures.
Onwards and upwards people, onwards and upwards
The Waister lounge is decorated - bunting, Happy Birthday banners, ribbon and none harmful balloons that will be deflated and disposed of correctly. The Waister pets are sprawled comfortably on the sofas with the exception of his honour, the GPO who is curled into a small ball on the large corner sofa. He who glares wins :0) Happy, chatting Waisters are sitting on the floor looking excited. A Thunder of hob nailed boots and the Oompah Battery Powered ( with apologies to ELO ) Improv Peasant Orchestra enter the lounge, clattering instruments and laughter. They form an orderly rabble against the back wall and the rather imposing conductor, sporting a nifty bow tie atop his rough wool smock mounts his podium. He taps his baton and the OBPIPO fall obediently silent, as do the assembled Waisters after the conductor throws a meaningful glance in their direction. His attention back on his orchestra he spots a gap in the ranks.
“ Where are the violinists? “
“ Finding a parking space for the hay cart sir, “ pipes up the Oboeist.
“Still?!”
“Perhaps there's a queue in Starbucks Sir, they can't fiddle without a flat white”
“Give me strength.” Mutters the conductor.
And spots another gap.
“Where is my head trumpet?”
“Blackpool sir”
“Call him at once and tell him to get back here immediately”
The chastened Oboeist makes the phone call. Muffled screams and rumbling can be heard coming from the phone.
“What on earth is he doing?” Roars the conductor
“He's about to go on the BIg Dipper Sir”
“you!” Shouts the Conductor, pointing at the second Trumpeteer.”Assume Head Trumpet position”
Muffled sobbing.
“What d’you mean you don't like being in the front!”
Taking a moment to gather his composure with slightly anxious Waisters looking on, the Conductor sighs, “Kindly turn to page 273 of your Celebration Music books”
Slowly a trembling hand rises from behind the Uphonium.
“Tell him to share!”
“He can’t see past his uphonium Sir, but he says he'll be ok it's mostly sharp F’s”
With a loud rap of his baton the Conducter cries “ And a one, two, a one, two, three, four”
And Happy Birthday fills the Waister lounge, followed by For She's a Jolly good fellow and hip hip hurrahs!
In comes the Waister Cake, a huge confection of spun sugar, marshmallows, dog and cat treats.
Plates are filled, glasses clinked together and raised in a toast to our very own Chuggy
HAPPY BIRTHDAY CHUGGY! xxxxxx
Happy Birthday Chuggy!! xx