Friday 24th May

So dawns the morning of the eldest’s last AS exam. It certainly feels like we’ve all been through the mill with her, but she’s worked hard and will hopefully get the marks she deserves. That means she has both next week, which is half term, and the following week, which is a study leave week, off. I’m not sure if she’s happier about finishing her exams or getting two weeks off. The youngest by contrast will have to revise through half term as his exam week is the following week. He’s a bit more phlegmatic about these things though, so it shouldn’t be quite as tense in the Perry household as it has been.

Having fed them breakfast, seen them off and tidied up, I’ve a day of jobs ahead of me. First stop is a bit of landscaping in the garden, though I’m possibly over selling it. Basically my borders and lawn run into each other, and not in a straight line. So I’ve got some old skirting board and intend to insert this between the two to give me clean edges and nicely defined borders. Apart from hitting the odd root and the odd rock it goes well, and whilst I don’t expect to be invited to exhibit at the Chelsea Flower Show next year, it’s a definite improvement.

The morning having pretty much disappeared I pop out for petrol, beer (I know exciting times), and to collect the prescriptions I requested the other day. My opinion of Mrs P’s GP’s new location in the local hospital has not changed from Tuesday. On second inspection it still feels clinical, but not in a good way. There is no warmth to the place.

After lunching on my own, as the eldest went to a friends for hers I cut the grass and tidy up some of the debris created by the recent high winds. Catkins might look nice but they get everywhere and are a right pain. Then the eldest calls and jay-le-taxi goes to pick her up from the station, only to find that she in her wisdom has decided to get off at a different stop to the one we agreed on this morning! Once home I decide to burn some old papers plus some garden debris in a bin I have for this purpose. Now that we have to pay if we want to have our garden waste bin emptied, I may well be burning more than anticipated. Today’s lesson learnt was that moss produces a lot of smoke for a long time, but fortunately the high winds dispersed it pretty well.

Then I’m on to the usual run of ironing, making tea, clearing up after tea, and then jay-le-taxi drops the youngest at cricket practice. The eldest is off to a party this evening at a friend’s house and during tea when asked what time she wanted collecting, informs us she is sleeping over. Mrs P and I are somewhat surprised as this is news to us, although the eldest is sure she had told us before. Do every generation think they are the first ones to do these things? Teenagers don’t seem to realise that whilst we might seem old, parents were once teenagers too, and everything they’re doing now, we did in our time. Jay-le-taxi is due to drop her at her party, on the way to collect the youngest, but surprise surprise she’s not ready. How long does it take to get dressed? So I go for the youngest and she has to wait. Eventually I’m back to pick her up and get her to her party albeit a bit late, and head home for a reviving cup of tea. Do I think her punctuality will improve? Not a chance. 

Yours been there and done that.

Jay

Diary of a House Husband will be back on Tuesday 28^th May