Malawi & More

   Irritatingly I woke up early and just could not get back to sleep so gave up and got up and then set about doing a good old garden session, channeling my inner M by clearing away dead stuff, digging up a sad looking lavender that was spoiling the height lines and deciding that the bench was best left to the woodlice. Harvested the potatoes before the slugs destroyed it all and sorted the little vegetable patch as best I could. All this with a gentle breeze and cloud cover so I didn't get at all hot and I felt really rather pleased with my efforts.  A had a lie in, having been shattered by the physical week of work. I love spoiling her, breakfast in bed and making her food she enjoys. We had a lovely afternoon in the garden, chatting away and had our dinner there too before a bang on average film and me off to bed. Sunday I went to roller derby practice and was able to take part for the first hour but didn't try the much more hitting bit so headed home to get bits ready...

  My morning was delightful as my still teenage child was already up and in the garden with an iced coffee she'd made herself and I got her tiny paddling pool out and we sat with cool feet while we told each other about the night before. She had seen school friends, including her two favourite history teachers and me with old work school pals.  I'm of course that's age where I was really looking forward to seeing a pal but almost equally delighted when he said he wasn't feeling great so we did not do the bottomless brunch in boiling hot London. Instead I set about doing a cupboard sort out to fit the plastic plates Margaret had donated. I'd taken a good load into school and still have some left. I cleaned one freezer draw and did a general tidy in anticipation of 2 of A's uni pals who were coming for the week ahead. That evening we had a very nice time with a different pal who bought over stuff for a rather lovely evening of cocktails. Very chilled and relaxed e...

I had a blissfully uneventful Saturday in which I mainly read a book. Sunday a little busier, skating and a little house party to celebrate our friends twins turning 18. That's was lots of fun and we met lots of family which meant being there felt like we were kinda family too.  BogA had a bit of difficulty finding a vehicle that could fit in ayla's art that is now home. And has been trying to find people to not quote us insane money to fix our drain pipe. At this rate I suspect he'll do half the job himself, the demolition part so they can't say it cost nearly £6000.  The heat has been interesting, the loud and long thunder storm on Monday night woke the house, which included the cats. My school refusing to shut and still, for some unknown reason, insisting on ties on. I did 2 mornings for the training I deliver, so useful for me and does make me pine for a little more autonomy at work. But the longer I'm there the more I remember that the simpler life is often the...

  It was so lovely having you stay M&D. We very much enjoyed finishing off the lemon cake.  I woke to BigA sending a WhatsApp to A as in the middle of the night she sent a message to tell us she was in A&E. Her very sensible boyfriend had called 111 and on advice she went in. I'm so often filled with pride for my child and the mature way she told us and kept us in the loop was one of those moments. I was also pleased I'd slept through the first and second messages so woke to a mini emotional rollercoaster ride which happily ended with, she's fine! The Drs confirmed she had done the right thing coming in but actually all is well, just an oddity of life.  Then to getting up, which I reluctantly did, not because I wasn't looking forward to the day more that it still felt so early and I wished I could sleep longer, despite nearly 10 hours of sleep. I'm told this is normal for women of my age. Pondering this I also thought about the fact I'm still very clearl...

Good morning beautiful pals  I have successfully not had a drink since the epic weekend I'm about to describe... I really think my liver is in need of recovery and I'm due out with uni pals today. I'm very much hoping that like many of my now middle aged perimenopausal mates they are off big drinking and we'll talk about symptoms including lack of sleep, and then laugh lots about how much we used to drink when it was fashionable to wear clothes you could see your underwear through. The good old, long gone days.  Here's the email J and I had a healthy breakfast, drank lots of tea and then I made brunch and we all feasted on that. While we got ready BigA and K investigated the cause of our drain pipe flood by removing the skirting board and cutting another hole in the wall. Once we were all dressed, smart casual, we grabbed umbrellas but happily missed most of the rain as we set off to London town for a day of games and silliness.  First stop at The Counting House, ba...

 With just the weekend left of our break we packed it in, a much needed garden tidying and trip to the tip, the usual house clean and tidy and then over to D and D's while BigA watched the football and joined us later. I went to big skater training on Sunday and although still not allowed to do the really fun part I'm still glad I went.  The heat and sun are bearable when you are not at work and I found the radiators on in my studio, my new school will not win any eco-friendly awards any time soon. It was nice to be back, I felt prepared and ready to meet more new classes (the yr 7 and 8 rotate each half term) although I was quickly tired this week and quite grumpy on Thursday, the contrast with my wonderful week the week before made being a work a bit of a grump making feeling when I wasn't being listened to. Although I have had some of the usual lovely interactions and some of those horrid ones you get being a teacher. A highlight including one of my form letting me help ...