Housemistresses

[Liz Jay]

Hi Kerren

I'm so looking forward to reading that book - just hope I find it amusing rather than terrifying! My husband is going to hate me for a day or two as I know he'll have to put up with me reading extracts out to him all the time!

Alex and Caroline - of course I remember the racing snails, which were regularly returned to the pond and therefore probably survived their escapades. They had a better time of it than the tadpoles, which no sooner made it to the miniature frog stage than they died of "overhandleisation" (diagnosis from Alex the frog expert)
I also remember some excellent funerals and wakes!!!

Love

[kerrensimmonds]

Hi Liz
Not sure about 'amusing'.
Think of drinking gin without the tonic....
Your husband is in for an interesting time.....

[Liz Jay]

Hi Kerren

Gin without the tonic sounds scary.

I'll prepare for each chapter with some deep breathing and a few lit candles, shall I?

Time to face the demons of the past! What did others think??

Will it drive me into therapy????

[icomefromalanddownunder]

Hi Kerren

Gin without the tonic sounds scary.

I'll prepare for each chapter with some deep breathing and a few lit candles, shall I?

Time to face the demons of the past! What did others think??

Will it drive me into therapy????

I'm really keen to read the book, but was hesitant to ask to borrow Kerren's copy after reading that 'she may need it in a hurry'. However, I could have it back in the UK within 24 hours courtesy of a courier.

If anyone is willing to trust their copy to me I would be more than happy to pay for registered postage or a courier in both directions.

Best wishes

Caroline

[Angela Woodford]

I'm trying to remember the racing snails, but can't! Where did they race?
Must be suffering a memory lapse here.

I'm pinning all my hopes for "Half to Remember" on Katharine's copy, currently with Rosemarie!

Certainly I have never given up hope of my Posture Badge. Without an E-cup Bosom to weigh me down, it can now be awarded to me at any time, or indeed, postumously. I feel I deserve it.

I was trying to remember the best inspiration I had at CH. In the V1 form, we had some D of E lectures, though I don't think anyone in my year had particular ambitions for D of E. I had opted for Home Nursing. We were taught by a wonderful retired nurse, who, along with rather fascinating things like temperature, pulse, respiration and kaolin poultices, would talk of how even the messiest and most disorganised patient would need, when sick, complete tidiness and immaculate organisation around them.

This idea was not entirely new to me. Had I not rather taken to the concept as stated by Cousin Helen in "What Katy Did"when very young? But suddenly I could understand the benefits of a tidy discipline in a way that even the most tedious/furious/exasperated forms of punishments and reprimands over the past six years had failed to show me.

I love to think of Liz talking to horses in German! How was the World Dog Show????

Munch

[Liz Jay]

Hi All

Back from my trip to the World Dog Show at Poznan (which was fascinating and great fun too) and still catching up with myself, but just wanted to let Kerren know The Book arrived safely and I have begun ploughing through the chapters.

It is somewhat rambling and indigestible in parts, and the early chapters of DR's childhood and early life don't resonate with me at all, could be reading the autobiography of anyone AND it could do with some editing/proofreading (not that I'm critical ha ha...) Now I'm into Hertford days it's getting more interesting.

No wonder my late father was impressed with her!!! Just his cup of tea. He was a dreadful snob also of the intellectual variety, and something of a sociopath too. Having a daughter at such a school, with the promise of a finished product both well-disciplined and braggable, must have fair made him salivate in anticipation. .... No wonder he was so pig-sick when I wanted to leave!!!

Munch and Caroline, I owe you both a long posting ASAP, and will get round to it shortly, but you must understand I am awfully distracted with "Half To Remember" right now so I apologise.

Love

[kerrensimmonds]

Hi Liz
Glad you are enjoying it!
Don't get indigestion or whatever.. you probably need to pace yourself.

[kerrensimmonds]

PS
I should say that I am going to see the author (i.e DRW) again on Sunday this week. Any messages.....from anyone?

[Angela Woodford]

PS
I should say that I am going to see the author (i.e DRW) again on Sunday this week. Any messages.....from anyone?

Hello Kerren!

Will see you on the 27th!

Does DR know of this Forum? I don't suppose she has a bag stashed away with copies of Half To Remember? (I'm tempted to try to hijack your copy currently with Liz - think soothing thoughts, Liz! Take some deep breaths! Remember it has all contributed to the success you are today!)

I am thrilled to have an email from Sarah Titcombe via FRU.

Love to all

Munch

[kerrensimmonds]

Angela....
I don't think DR knows about computers let alone the Forum!
She did have a box of left over copies - her brother gave it to me (amongst a lot of other CH related stuff, most of which was broken or rubbish... I think they sold the 'good' stuff at an auction house in Lewes). I took the box to the Reunion we had at Horsham in April 2005, and the copies went like hot cakes. In fact the copy I now have was scavenged from that box because I lent my own copy to someone ages ago, and never got it back..
Great that you have heard from Sarah Titcombe!
Does anyone remember Lynda Russell-Whitaker (now Linda Thain). She has been put in touch with me to join Singing Old Blues, and it turns out she lives about 5 minutes drive away from me! She is coming to the Carol Concert, too - but is not free on 27 November. See you then....

[Angela Woodford]

Angela....
I don't think DR knows about computers let alone the Forum!
She did have a box of left over copies - In fact the copy I now have was scavenged from that box because I lent my own copy to someone ages ago, and never got it back..

Would it be OK if I hijacked your copy with Liz? I know Caroline in Oz is keen to read it as well. I could post it to her.... but you might be anxious to have it back!

Great that you have heard from Sarah Titcombe!

I've just read Sarah's message. Weirdly enough we both belong to the same womens' gardeners association! Later on, I must reply properly. I should like to go public with how Sarah wrote a splendid essay for one of my punishments, to enable me to revise for two exams - which I then passed. She allowed me to hide on her bed in Little Dorm to cram in enough Biology and Physics for this purpose. The Study believed I had written the essay myself, too! What kindness.

Singing Old Blues? Must pick your brain soon!

Munch

[kerrensimmonds]

Hello Angela et al.....
You (and anyone else) are welcome to borrow Half to Remember, from Liz... as long as I know where it is. DR's Rector has a card index box, with my details on her card, for when it comes to a funeral........
If I am asked to do anything I might just need the book to refresh my memory!
'Singing Old Blues' is organised by Sue Howell-Evans (nee Evans, 3's, organist, hockey player, cricketer - a couple of years younger than me). We meet about once every half term and once every school holiday (sometimes twice in the summer), usually on a weekday, either in Wisborough Green or Storrington - we number around 15 in total. I'm the sort of 'membership' person and keep people in touch with when we are due to meet. We sing more for fun than accuracy but sometimes it goes really well (it did last time, a couple of weeks ago). Next meeting Saturday December 2nd, when we are going to prepare the carols or whatever which we are going to perform to the diners at the West Sussex Old Blues Christmas Lunch on 4 December.

[Liz Jay]

Hi Kerren

A message for DR? Golly!

I doubt very very much if she would even remember who I am, though if as you say she has all her marbles still you could give it a try!

She will remember me as Elisabeth Plummer, whose parents went to Germany to live soon after I started at CH. My father taught in a Forces School.

She may remember I travelled backwards and forwards with Jo (Josephine McNamara) whose parents were RAF and also lived in Gutersloh. Jo was in Sixes too though a couple of years older than me.

Send her my kind regards. Don't mention the post-traumatic stress and all the therapy and self-help techniques I've had to go through to make sense of my chidhood years!!!!! It wasn't all the school, my father played no small part.

Enough of dysfunctional relationships......!! All in the past (thanks Munch).

Love - and rejoicing in the Now - !

[Euterpe13]

PS
I should say that I am going to see the author (i.e DRW) again on Sunday this week. Any messages.....from anyone?

yes - tell her I now speak 5 and a bit languages .... *@&% woman dismissed me as " not a linguist"...

[icomefromalanddownunder]

[quote="kerrensimmonds"]Hello Angela et al.....
You (and anyone else) are welcome to borrow Half to Remember, from Liz... as long as I know where it is. quote]

Hi Kerren

Thank you for sharing your copy with us. If it is truly OK with you for it to come downunder (on the priviso that I return it via courier if the inevitable occurs while the book is in my hands), I will look forward to its arrival with mixed emotions .

Best wishes

Caroline