It’s officially upon us
28 September 2007
Christmas that is. I wrote a while ago about dreading the moment Christmas takes over;well it has. Our local butcher has a notice saying “12 weeks until Christmas”, which wasn’t strictly true three weeks ago, but it was to “remind people”. Like we need reminding!
Earlier this week we had a delivery, which arrived at 7.30 in the morning. The delivery man explained that this was due to the “Christmas rush”! It’s still September though! Sadly, or so it seems, Christmas has begun. The Christmas goodies have already found their way on to the supermarket shelves. Everything has had to do a move around to accommodate them, which makes shopping a nightmare as I can no longer find anything. Read more
A whole new world
21 September 2007
Son Number Two is settling into his new school well. He’s joined the football team and eventually has 
been persuaded to join the rugby team too. Despite us telling him he was a good player he was not convinced. However, one word from his PE teacher and he was raring to give it a try (pardon the pun). I was pleased to see he’d written that he was looking forward to the opportunities available to him when asked to write an essay for English.
He’s also taken up drumming lessons again. He’s had a drum kit for a few years and did well when he had lessons, but unfortunately football training and matches meant that the lessons got pushed to one side. His new school offers after school tuition in many musical instruments, so he’s back to drumming again. First on the shopping list was a book ‘Rockschool Drum Debut’, which I had never heard of. After much searching I found the book at Musicroom.com for £13.99. The book was ordered on Friday evening and here on Tuesday morning in time for the next lesson on Wednesday. Thankfully, I had got the right book. Read more
Don’t read this book!
6 September 2007
I should add, unless you have a plentiful supply of tissues that is. The book in question is ‘Marley and Me’ by John Grogan is the story of a couple and their Labrador retriever, who is described as the world’s worst dog. He is expelled from obedience class and steam rollers his way through everyone’s life. Despite all this and true to his breed he is a loving, gentle companion especially to the couple’s children. I began reading this after Jim, who disappeared one afternoon on holiday and came back very quiet and pensive. When I asked what was wrong he said he’d finished the book and Marley had died. I laughed at him for being silly. It’s usually everyone laughing at me for crying. However, when it was my turn to near the end of this book I was sobbing; not little tears, but big heaving sobs. I woke Jim it was so bad and through my tears told him he should have warned me. He should never have let me read this book. It was all his fault!
In saying that Marley dies at the end is not spoiling this book. It is the story of his life, so the ending is clear, but what I didn’t expect was how much you would fall in love with this dog too. As bad as he was he was also so lovable. Anyone who has or has owned a dog, especially a Labrador, will relate to at least some of the tales in this book. I would also suggest any would be Labrador owners read this before making that final decision. As crazy as the breed may be, I have found from personal experience that the owners need to share this characteristic too!
Another holiday?
4 September 2007
This so called summer has really got me down. I could take no more rain and Jim agreed (like he has a choice, he’ll say) that we should head off to find some sun. The only caveat was he’d like to go somewhere he hadn’t been before and so the Algarve was to be our destination. Again we booked a villa through James Villas. It was described as in a peaceful rural setting. In fact the brochure description didn’t do this villa full justice.
Our chosen villa, Casa do Gato in St Barbara de Nexe, which is about 17 kilometers from Faro, was set in the hills with beautiful views down to Faro and to the hills behind us. The villa is clearly used by the owners and as such is both tastefully and comfortably furnished. It boasted three double bedrooms all en-suite, a fully fitted dining kitchen with dishwasher and washing machine plus a large lounge and separate dining room. Outside there was a large swimming pool, which had much use by the boys. Read more
My baby is grown up!
3 September 2007
I know I’m not alone as I often visit ‘parenting sites’, but that didn’t make it any easier for me when my ‘baby’ AKA Son Number Two left this morning for his first day at high school. He was so excited even last night. I was terrified for him. What if he got lost? What if he didn’t make loads of new friends? What if, what if etc? I, of course, kept my fears to myself and packed him off to bed at 9pm. He set his alarm, as he wasn’t going to rely on me any more to wake him. He was too old for that now! I also set mine for 1/2 hour before his just to be sure!
I heard the alarm go off this morning as I lay in my bed. It kept going and going. Son Number Two has never been good at getting up, but I thought I should leave him to it, meanwhile wondering how could he sleep through an alarm for so long! However, a few minutes later came a little tap on our bedroom door. He didn’t know how to switch the alarm off! Read more
