Bit of a random update

• We are basically all fine although J & I have been struggling with colds/viruses & he had 2 days off last week.
• P is working hard on the house, we have had a major sort-out of the utility room & he has put up 4 shelves in there. We are also sorting out the study & P is painting our book-case from the old house which was dark wood but is now white. Plan is to clear out junk from study & move book-case & keyboard in there. P also has made & put up barge boards & is planning new sewage system. As well we are trying to clear out his Dad's house which isn't easy. A friend of someone at church is moving from a caravan to a council house & is taking the fridge, cooker & 1970s cupboards which she loves. Always happy to help someone escape from a caravan.
• I have taken up jam & jelly making as a hobby, mainly due to the large amount of fruit this year. Have had some issues re deciding when it's set so in some cases have made toffee instead.
• J is approaching his Grade 2 piano exam which is so stressful. He has this habit of playing his pieces at twice the speed they should be but his teacher says this would lose him marks & it would be a totally crazy reason to lose marks & he's never ever had a pupil lose marks for playing too fast before so please don't be the first. Every practice session is accompanied by shouts of 'Slow Down' & 'I AM BEING SLOW!'
• J seems to be enjoying school this year, he has started Graphics as his GCSE Technology option & really likes it. With a father who works in Graphics though his homework has to be perfect!
• We went to a local Dyslexia charity yesterday & they were really helpful & gave us some good advice & tips. They recommended a study guide to help J with essays & I thought it might actually help me with my essay. I'd just love to get beyond this one so I've finished the module & can start another one. I've ordered the book anyway. We've got an appointment to see the Special Needs co-ordinator at J's school next week (at 7.30 one morning!) to discuss the situation re his GCSEs.
• P has been planning to retire next May but they've asked him to stay on. He's not sure what to do now but I think if they want him to stay they will in some way have to make it worth his while.
• For the first time yesterday went into the adult section to buy J some new trousers. He's now taller than me!