'Lo all. I've missed you all this week, but been very busy here so I've only just been able to read back and catch up. Forgot half of it, of course, but
Nogs, GIANT CONGRATS to GD!! She's obviously a natural, with bags of talent, lots of discipline and the support of loving grandparents---a winning combination for sure. And you can be certain that one of the very best bits for her will be making you and HL so proud. Fab for all of you! Oh and BTW: your mouth will start to feel better quite quickly now, and getting rid of a really bad tooth solves such a lot of problems.
(((((((((((Yums))))))))))))
Glad you had such a nice time with your mum. And yep, a virus can for sure drag your spirits right down into the cellar, so hopefully by tomorrow things will be looking up. And it does sound to me too as if the response from your sis, if not exactly gracious, but at least civil and therefore mildly encouraging. But I liked your donation to the Sally Army nonetheless 
Pippi, congrats on the results on your paper, clearly you're going to be like Daffs and Snaily and more than uphold the WAISter reputation for brilliance!
XB, sounds like an interesting and fun day, and you must have been the perfect subject for the study, being so fit 
Podds, glad Mr P is returning to the land of the living----hope you keep clear of the virus. Do let us know the, erm, results of your visit to the shelter
Westie, LOVED that video of the lady setting off the airbags 
Justice is served!!
Clare, how good to see you back! This might not be the ideal time of year to look for disciplined training, even from WAISters, but we are very happy to have you home, so sit down and tell us how the new job is going.
Daffs, I have to say I love lilacs; and if your is giving you lots of birdlife, as well as the incomparable look and fragrance in the spring, it's worth it!
((((((((((((((((((((((((Flibs, MummyFlibs and husband))))))))))))
Hope the tests show nothing too serious, Do let us know.
Sue, that looked like a pretty tough race--do let us know how it went!
Spence, luuuurve the woodburning stove! It looks great, and they really do throw out a lot of heat. Lucky you!
Snaily, VERY good news for your mum! Getting out of hozzie will give her a huge lifr, and hopefully she will be in her new home early in the new year.
Melds, hope you've had a riotous weekend and that your bed stays nice and dry this week
Tuybs, you and MiniTubs have so much fun together, it's brilliant! Another lucky grandchild. How are your eyes now, BTW? Any improvement, with all the massaging and stuff?
My Secret Santa has arrived----thank you SS! I feel silly running in heavy cycling gauntlets so usually my hands just get cold so these gloves are a PERFECT prezzie But just one thing.....I know you're a SECRET Santa, but you DID say you might come to see me this year, so maybe you could drop me the teeniest hint so I could start looking forward to your visit now?????
C1 and I had a totally fab time in Cologne. It's not a very large city, and until about 1850 it was only 4 square km, inside the city wall, so it's very walkable. The Dom is totally astonishing, can't begin to describe it, with a chest containing relics of the Magi (Wise Men who are supposed to have visited the Christ child)---the chest is covered in gold and precious stones and is STUNNING. And the Christm
