WEdnesday 31st August

The end of the summer holidays. Lucy goes back on Friday, but Nick has got another couple of weeks. The weather is glorious today. Really hot, perfect blue skies, light breeze. Gorgeous! I painted the inside of the front door this morning, so can't go out becasue of wet paint, and open doors. I had planned thatNicholas would be in all day, and I could nip out down the beach for an hour, but he has gone out with James. Lucy has gone into town with her friends who slept over last night. They want a lift back, but will only get it if Nicholas is back - you know, wet paint, open doors etc!

It's quite sad to think it's the endof the hols, and probably the last really hot weather of the year. But we must look forward, and I quite like the idea of cosy winter evenings. It's the last day of August too. Lucy said last week that August is like a Sunday. I know what she means, it's kind of lazy.

My items are selling on ebay, which is quite exciting. I keep checking them, far too much really. Unfortunately, they are all Lucy's so she will pocket the money. Maybe I'll deduct some becasue of the work I've put in.

Got agility later. Don't really want to go, it will be hot. I will go to the end of this 6 week period, I think we have 3 weeks left, but I may well give up after that. I don't like the fact that it's so late in the evening. I like my early bedtimes!

Rang sarah this morning, and had a good chat. Meeting for lunch next week. Where shall we go?

Scrapbooking. In the middle of a lo of weddings of MUm and dad and aunties and uncles. I'm using the paper that Andrew got me form USA. It looks OK, especially with the B&W photos. Of course, it took ages to scan them in and print them! Now I have an idea to use a file folder, and I printed a template from WORD, but it needs to be a little bit bigger. Off to do that now,and will probably have a look at UKS at the same time.

Bank holiday weekend

I competed in my first (and last), dog agility competition on Sunday. Merlin and I were absolutely useless! I have to say Merlin and I, becasue it's probably 80% owner, 20% dog. There is a lot of skill involved, and I haven't got it. And I get so out of breath running after him!!! There is an awful lot of waiting around - we were there for over 4 hours, and did 3 runs of about 2 mins each. I think Merlin was just raring to go each time, so he just went where he wanted, not over the jump he was supposed to. Maurice took some video, which is really funny, especially as he managed to get the best as comparison!

The weather has been lovely this weekend, and Maurice has nearly finished painting the front doors. They look so much better. But, as we spent so long at agility, he had to paint yesterday, (BH Mon) so we couldn't go out for the day. I took Lucy to buy school clothes, not a good thing to do on BH! Ended up going in a really trendy shop for black trousers, but not too expensive, but not terribly good quality - oh I do wish she would have M&S or Next trousers for school!

M, N and L went for a really long bike ride late yesterday afternoon. They were gone 2 hours! I sat and read my book, and did a bit of scrapbooking. We had salmon for tea, and I cut some courgettes from the garden, and roasted them with tomatoes from the garden and peppers. Really tasty.

Today, I am helping at the family centre pirate party!

27th August 2005

We did go out on Thursday. We met Maurice in Brighton, and ate at Donatello's. Lovely spaghetti marinara! M and I went for a walk with Merlin round the block, talking about GCSE results, are exams too easy? Who are these employers who say kids can't read or add up?

Yesterday, I wasted a lot of time. I hate it when I do that. I seem to not be able to get on with anything if I'm waiting for N or L. Took Nick to work (Small computer shop), and went for a walk with Merlin along the fields at Cissbury. Very nice. Took Lucy to Rachel's house, where she is sleeping over tonight. Bit worried about it, becasue she has only just met her, through MSN, via friends from old school. I'll soon see how she got on. Met Linda A and Chris LJ for lunch in Worthing. Really nice chat, Linda's son has just done A levels and is off to uni!! Can't believe it - seems like only yesterday we were going out with the NCT lot, kids aged about 3!!

Went to see mum and dad, got some more photos for my family album scrapbook. Must spend some time scanning them in and printing them. Regarding scrapbooking, still not sure what style I want to do! CM is easy and less creative in a way. Quicker too, but is it what I really want to do. I suppose I am a little influenced by UKS who think CM is old-fashioned, but then, noone needs to see my LOs except me!!!

Nick went to Doug's party in the evening, but came home early because he didn'r know anyone, and they were all getting drunk! I went to sainsbury's and bought us an Indian take away £7.99. Plenty of food there, and very tasty.

This morning I have made a list, and am working through it. Actually, writing this was not on my list, woops! Just cleaned the bathroom, and going to make the beds.

Me, August 2005 

Nick, maurice and Lucy on holiday in Spain, August 2005 

25th August

Just got back from getting my son's GCSE results. I wanted to go into school with him, but decided to sit in the car and wait because I didn't want to be the only parent! Anyway, the results are very good, he is a real clever clogs! Hopefully we'll go out to celebrate tonight!

I got up about 7.45am because I wanted to take our dog, Merlin, for a walk. Went up to Highdown, but didn't see many other people I know. I really enjoy the social side of dog walking, even if it's just a comment on the weather! The weather was gorgeous this morning, clear blue skies, and felling fresh after yesterdays rain. I could just about see the Isle of Wight.

I'm off to Worthing to take Lucy and a friend to the cinema. Nick and I might go as well, and have a celebratory coffee and icecream!