Whizz and Bang

How are you? I have the Royston Committee tonight so I am taking the opportunity post work and no point travelling (15 miles in the opposite direction and back again, plus another 15) to write to you.

A* came back from Israel (thank goodness Arafat was kept alive until then) and had a good time. Lots of shopping trips and facials so not quite the expose of kibbutz life I might have wished for her to unlock her writing abilities, but still – something could emerge on reflection. She also did not do an essay while she was at home and has missed the deadline. As the deadline making aficionado I don’t approve of her lack of self-discipline and the loss of marks this may incur, but heh! I’m just her mother and this really isn’t my responsibility any more.

I went to a great firework display on Saturday. I haven’t been to one for years and was amazed how the technology has advanced. The visual display seemed to have texture as well as delightful colour, a range of whizzies and bangs and was just awesome.

Siobhan got the house no questions asked on the basis of a quick chat between the two barristers so she was delighted. Another single parent cameo to add to your mental collection is Elspeth. She is a Scotswoman who is the Tenant Participation Officer for North Herts Homes. One of her sons is a basketball pro and over in the states, another a drug addict who, she told me last night at a residents’ meeting, stole the £500 she had saved to take him on a 3 week trip to the states on Saturday. This is just family issues beyond the pale of what I have experienced and puts my angst well and truly in perspective. She also told me about a book club she attends in Hitchin which I may join as I’ve been looking at the idea for some time and have thought about trying to set one up. The current book is ‘Death and the penguin’ by Andray Kurkov. Never heard of it – have you?

J1 is doing extremely well with his driving. He rings up daily for a cancellation (the test date is early Feb) and I shall be very surprised if he doesn’t pass first time.

I’ve bought and wrapped all my Christmas presents other than gifts for A* and J2 – how nauseous is that?!! The reality is I buy a lot on holidays and throughout the year to spread the cost and usually get so knackered by Christmas time that the thought of endless Saturdays fighting/queuing in crowds would be horrendous. J2’s birthday is also in December and he wants a watch and a new mobile phone so that should be pretty easy. A* wants a digital camera.

How is the work on the house progressing? Do the dark nights make it more difficult and provide less incentive? How is the rugby watching and wine consumption these days? Are you able to eat and drink what you want or do certain things give you chronic gut ache.

Noonoo is sort of settling other than manic tail chasing accompanied with frenzied growling which sends Specky (the Dalmatian and 4 times her size) cowering in a corner. I doubt I am going to be able to expel her neuroses in 3 weeks, but she is getting better. We just ignore her.

The picture is from blog.timesunion.com