Thursday 7th Feb

Nice exercise on a bright day, a brisk 2 mile walk to the library. Preferable to driving, far more enjoyable, and cheaper given the cost of petrol. Arrive at the library to be greeted by job seekers on the computers. It really is a ridiculous situation when some people looking for work, can’t access the government sites they have to because of their lack of computer skills. One guy’s trying to log on the library system using his jobsite User ID and Password! He didn’t realise you have to go through one system, to get to the other. He leaves feeling stressed and downhearted, being forced to use computer systems he doesn’t understand, to apply for jobs he is skilled to do, that he doesn’t need any computer skills for, but his lack of computer skills means he will struggle to find and apply for these jobs, that he doesn’t need to use a computer to do. I can’t help thinking there must be better ways to help people back into employment.

Spend the afternoon being house proud and cleaning. Funny it started out as a chore and soon enough becomes something I can do on automatic pilot. Feeling bright when I finish inside, so I decide to clean the windows as well. Something Mrs P has mentioned needs doing, on more than one occasion recently. We did have a window cleaner until a few months ago but he stopped coming. I suspect there are a couple of possible explanations for this. Firstly, he had in the past year fallen off his ladder a couple of times, the fact he invariably had a can of beer about his person is not necessarily coincidental. Secondly, he had on occasion been seen around the local magistrates’ court, so his absence may not be entirely optional. He is what we call a character, and hopefully will return. Back to the window cleaning, and crikey it was cold out there. Wet hands and a chill breeze don’t mix well. I stopped after the downstairs windows, the thought of being up a ladder to do upstairs, being something that can wait until Easter. I was up the ladder recently checking the gutters were clear, with Perry junior footing the ladder. Suffice to say it moved a considerable amount, due to junior’s lack of interest in keeping it steady, and whilst that is fresh in my mind I won’t be going back up.

Knocked out the ironing later on, to complete a thoroughly domestic effort. I’ll be getting housemaid’s knee and a pinny before I know it. Pasta for tea, nice and easy that one. Can’t say my domestic triumphs were noticed by the rest of the family, which leaves you feeling like an unsung hero, and wondering why you bothered. Still I suspect that’s been the lot of housewife’s for generations. So I’ll just hitch up my metaphorical pinny and carry on regardless.

Yours chilly and swayed

Jay