Serena Pond

Wowee I stopped blogging. All got too busy I guess. And now people are twittering. Hmm....
Well. its hot hot hot.
Mum is in a psychiatric hospital.
Son and boyf and his son are all fine.
Interesting times.

Lovely weekend. Lunch with cousin in town on flying visit from USA. So nice to see her. Dinners out too -with kids on Friday and then just us in romanticky one last night. Huge and glorious bunch of flowers which I'll take to Wales. Such a nice boyf.
Friend who died has a Wikipedia entry:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richard_Gordon_(Scottish_Author)
Top chap.

Well, he didn't get in, which upset me. After a bit of grumping, B has forgotten about it.
A life-long family friend died last week. Not old. Very sad. Very sudden. Just - gone.

Off to Wales for half term next week. Looking forward to it.
Have been helping out with a 'College Week' in school, 3 days of papier mache with variety of kids. Most really fine, just a couple really annoying. Its good for them all to try different stuff. B is doing indoor golf (?!) later and Greek myths tomorrow. PTA coffee morning tomorrow too. Am I baking biscuits? Nope. Putting off ironing. Could start planting stuff I reckon. That's always cheering.
Hope you're all ok out there.

Well, I am glad Saturday is over. I was way more stressed than Ben. He said he didn't have time to finish two of the three papers, but sailed through the math one. So I have no idea how he did and we have to wait tol see if he gets called for interview. We were late for school this morning so didn't see the others - two others in his class sat the same exam. James dropped us off and there were plenty of kids from his son's school.

Went to party, baby sitter was fine. Party was very casual, in a pub, but live music which was fun. Boyf insisted on paying for sitter and all drinks. Very unlike previous people, apart from B's dad that is. He was generous too.

He's a good chap this Jamesie boy. He takes the stressey huff-girl in his stride and remains calm. He suggested a game of Scrabble last night which took my mind of everything and I won handsomely.
Its overcast and cold today. Have been to the gym for an hour and volunteered to help in some school week of random workshops. We collect bikes after school... whooo!

School, swimming, Bed Time, homework... trying to make time to relax and have fun together. Prep school 7+ exam this Saturday, both a wee bit stressed. Many kids, few places, esp for scholarship. Swotting a bit; boy's doing ok. No idea if he's got a hope or not. Tutor optimistic, but she would be, surely!
Boyf has a party (pub, birthday) Sat eve and has asked me.
Buying new bike to cheer self up! Thanks Mum! Been trying loads, don't see point in a mountain thingy as er, I'm in London and a town bike would be better.
Feeling rather generally ARRGH and have shoulders like the board. Stiff as. Hey ho. A glass of Sauvignon may help. Help not to air the argh anyway.
Ugh, step-pa saw the evil ex whi ignored him, the ignorant arse.

The sun is shining and I've just been to the allotment for the first time this year. Took up black fleece which cousin had covered bulbs with. Believe plants need light!
Christmas was... long, peaceful and fun! In Wales, obviously, boyf and son came on Boxing Day and we all came back on Jan 1st. Too much drinking, no surprises there, but no real fall outs. I was rather emotional one evening with mum and James, but have very little recollection! Wintery walks with the boys, who gathered friends and grew to a gang of five! Lovely!
Went to the sea side on NY Eve afternoon, another bright and sunny day with views to the Llyn peninsula and Bardsey Island.
Really strange to be back in London. Had some time just B & I, went skating, then getting used to being trio with boyf this week, and now a weekend when we are four. Which will be fun! Life is very nice at present. Happy New Year everyone!

Another weekend, another wedding. My old flatmate. Middle of bloody Winter, middle of bloody nowhere but it was really rather lovely. Again, so nice to see the family and friends. She looked like a tiny petite ice princess, he looked cool in tails. Ben boy looked fab and was a star despite dreadful cold and cough. We stayed in a hotel by a rushing river, steam train chugging by. All v scenic. James and I stepped (rather than fell?!) off wagon and drank and smoked and had a jolly evening. Hotel had the most uncomfortable beds ever so I am looking forward to my super mattress, even if sharing with cough boy rather than J! Really nice wedding, as they go.
My mama sat next to the boyf in the 'wedding breakfast' and asked if it made him want to do the do. 'Would you recommend it?' he asked. 'NO!' she replied. Thanks Mum! I guess you have to laugh. It was nice to go to a different part of Wales. V scenic and sunny. Fab spa just boyf and I on the morning of the wedding.

Boyf better hurrah, and we both quit drinking and smoking. Which is getting easier after one week. He's being really nice at the moment. Fixed heating, getting an old friend to fix my car for 'mates rates', being here lots but not too much so Ben doesn't get too jealous etc. Lovely. Flat is REALLY messy as it is doubling as my studio as I make papier mache things for the school Christmas disco. The other arty parent is a dad called Liam, and his surname is Wales. Which was a bit spooky!
Things in production include Father Christmas, an Elf and ooooh might go for a small reindeer too. Am nuts but enjoying it. Which is the main thing.
Got B smart wedding clothes so all set for weekend too. Should be fun.

Poor boyf not well so staying here for TLC. I am so not a natural nurse; don't DO ill people, but am managing to be relatively nice and caring. Offering tea etc. He's v sweet and appreciative and B v tolerant. Too nice day today though, so got cabin fever and went for long walk. Good to keep own space and give sick boy some time to bathe and sleep. Bless.
Lunch was fun, C is so laid back and lunched out. 'I can get lunch on expenses, so I'll pay and we'll go halves,' said he. Rubbish, if its on expenses, you can buy me a bloody Pret sarnie dear! Credit cruncher.
On that, question is - do I buy or rent an outfit for 6 yr old to wear to wedding? M&S, Ebay or search out hire thing, if there's time. Wedding's in 2 weeks..