Hey gang,
I've been a busy bee. Trying to catch up so I can have some time off in mid-August and the price I pay for that is burning the candle at both ends beforehand. I've got some really heavy cases at the moment, and as my big boss keeps telling me, "Brah, you simply don't have the ability to say no." If I am representing a client, it's all or nothing. I couldn't do it any other way. We are talking homeless asylum-seeking youngsters, young Mums potentially having their babies removed by the local authority and maltreatment from foster families. It's heavy-duty stuff, and I specialise in children's law and their rights and entitlements, especially when care experienced.
Anyhow, you lovely bunch always make me smile. Mrs Ems, I bloody love you - you have the best turn of phrase, and anything that you write invariably has me either giggling or displaying a knowing smile. I bet you are amazing fun in real life. You remind me of the Irish comedian Joanne McNally. She has a great podcast with Vogue Williams - "my therapist ghosted me." I listen to it whilst I am driving around the county, trying not to stress about my cases, and it provides light relief. I have now started thinking, 'MrsEms would say that'. Oh God, you'll listen to it and hate it....perhaps not, though.
My 16-year-old son arrived home tonight after two weeks away with his Dad and Step Mum exploring Europe. His twin sister stayed at home with me. She has missed him so much (it's the longest they have ever been apart), and their reunion was akin to a Hollywood blockbuster. Yes, I had a teary moment, but it was so lovely. Then the dogs realised he was home, and a whole new level of chaos ensued.
Harri - I am a shower girl and often twice a day. Baths freak me out as I don't like the idea of lying in my dirty water, and I like to wash my hair and invariably think it will be covered in residue from the bubbles. And I shudder at the thought of barf bombs. I would love to indulge in a hot bubbly bath with candles, champagne, and music, but I just don't get the appeal. And I hate the bit at the end where you have to climb out, and you are wet and cold. My one luxury would be a chamber that you could enter after a shower or bath, and it would magically dry you - a bit like a body-sized Dyson hand dryer. If it extracted a bit of cellulite as a bonus, that would be better still.
Ems, bolognese sounds divine. I have been an accidental vegetarian for the past few months, but I do miss a slow-cooked bolognese then baked in the oven to make the best pasta bake - lots of mozzarella on top and a big handful of peppery rocket on the side. That was my death row meal until I somehow stopped eating meat. It wasn't a deliberate decision, and it's easier in the summer. I'm salivating at the thought of pasta bake.
Notty, please don't go however, if you feel you must, please make it temporary. Even if it's a random emoji every now and again, so we know you are ok?
Midsummer, I also have an app on my phone - my teenagers love it though as they can tell where I am as well as the other way round. Works for us. Life 360
I'm off to have a thimble of wine and watch crap TV for half an hour. I'll tell you about my disastrous hairdressing visit tomorrow!
Oh and my keyboard is playing up. My L and N aren't working. FFS
Love to you all. Sweet dreams.
It's hard knowing when to step back a little as well! My little boy is 19 now
Seriously when he drives to work in the morning I check the local traffic reports before he leaves and 20 mins in....
thanks for doing the new thread Webby, bless you. And congrats Dolly on your title too 
Awww.
. They know I’ve still got it though and don’t mind. They can take themselves off it if they want to. Had it when they still lived at home so I knew when they were on their way home from work, so I could put the dinner on.
Chickens are such bloody idiots!