Malawi & More

Good morning  On Saturday I was nervous as I was NSOing for a roller derby game. Non skating official. My job was penalty box timer. Mostly fine but the pressure! BigA and A were able to watch the games and enjoy that, I felt envious of those on track, one day.  A worked all day Sunday, she was shattered and so I understood why she decided to stay at home when I went off to sing at the Folk 33 event. As it was father's Day there were lots of tributes and dedications, lots of dad's favourites and ones that just make me think of him. It was tough not to cry, I held it together for most of it but not all. Ayla had drawn a lovely picture of her and her dad for his gift. Very special. It proudly sits in our room.  My work week had its usual ups and downs, some frustrations with behaviour but again, a little better, even with the heat. Some parents being supportive when I called to say their child was rude etc, sadly some less so. Almost asking what I did. I pointed out that I ...

 I woke up 3 times on Saturday morning, one because BigA's alarm went off as he set off on a mini frisbee tournament. I mooched about for the day, and then got ready for my ex pupil to take me out to dinner. It was so lovely to see him and his new wife and we managed to find pictures of the olden days. I still find it remarkable that he credits me, he'd told a work colleague he was meeting his old teacher and they had said his much they wish they could meet up with the one who had helped them. It felt good. I've been trying to get proper confirmation of surgery date for a couple of weeks now. I know well enough how easy it is for these things to get lost in the system. After a few blind alleys I got through to my nurse, she'd been off for a couple of weeks. She worked her magic and on Thursday I got confirmation for the 9th July. They called BigA as I wasn't picking up. So, all being well that's the day. I'm pleased and of course a bit worried and frightened...

  Our Saturday was mostly spent with M and D, eating in the garden for lunch and inside for dinner. M did a good weeding and sort of the garden and I was once again pleased to have guidance on what is a weed and what I can pull out, cut back or leave. More colour is bursting out and as if for their arrival a clematis bloomed with a beautiful reddish pinkish purple flower. The rain this week has been welcome, the flowers are thirsty and as I type I've noticed a beautiful red tall poppy which wasn't out yesterday. I always think self seeding flowers are such a bonus in a garden and I never quite understand how they do so well when I plant out things on purpose that never grow. It makes me think of the bright orange flowers (Marigold's I think) in Malawi that I would pick the seed heads of and wander around distributing merrily to get colour across the whole garden.  As Sunday rolled around I felt some nerves at joining the main league and my first scrimmage for over 8 years. ...

  After a little weights and a nice shower I headed to The Thames for a day with one of my oldest pals - at in from 6th form - to do a speed boat trip. It was loads of fun. Classic music of our youth blasting us and a funny tour guide and a good face full of spray. We whooped and laughed. We got Thai food and I had a big slice of chocolate fudge cake that made me think of my dad.  Once home it was a quick change (I'd splattered Thai food down my new top) and we headed to Tetbury. We left the girls behind to work and study. We arrived to the smells of lovely food and lovely hugs. Our weekend was very relaxing, R and I did morning yoga in the open air looking out onto the fields and expansive clouds. I hopefully taught M how to hang up washing and we had walks and lush food, one evening a Sri Lankan curry. All too quickly we came home and found a pretty tidy house so my next morning wasn't all about tidying up for the imminent arrival of my mum and Hilman. We managed to watch a ...