the minutiae of family life

This is the sky as seen on a good day this week... (but the photo was taken a while ago, on an outing at the beginning of July. I don't feel like taking photos when it is all dark and wet)

As nothing exiting has happened in my life since my last post you'll be treated to some more family minutiae* and an assortment of other random notes. It is Friday morning and not a moment too late for it, too. We have just three days of the summer holidays left. I am so glad we have nearly survived another one. I get so fed up with the long break and would much rather have multiple shorter holidays. We spent a small fortune on childcare for the privilege for working. Of course this would be no different with shorter holidays.... On the note of school: We have yet to empty the school bags and sort stuff into keep and recycle piles. I wish I had the sense to do it seven weeks earlier.

I was working at home yesterday, keeping an eye on the two youngest of my brood whilst trying to concentrate on the Krebs Cycle without boring myself to death. Unless you are a biochemist or similar this is not likely to be of any relevance to you but trust me, it ain't entertaining. Distractions from the tedium were needed frequently. I looked at slide and hide oven doors pictures online and decided that we don't need one of those, I looked at special offer Debbie Bliss yarn and decided that I don't need any yarn, particularly not overpriced yarn. I drunk several coffees and went to the loo frequently because it seemed like a good excuse to step away from the computer.

Luckily, it was a short day because yesterday was the day of our annual work BBQ. In true Scottish fashion, the weather turned from bad to frightful just in time for the party. Still, with children welcome, it was an easy family meal. There was so much left over that I took two packs of finger rolls and a bottle of ketchup home. Richard and Sam brought home more of the same, when they returned much much later than the rest of us. We'll be eating finger roll sandwiches with tomato sauce for weeks!

On family meals, we've not had a decent one all week. Every meal was quick and unimaginative (pasta and pasta and pasta). For good measure, we had a Chinese take away, which is almost unheard of in our house. This to celebrate Sam's National Five exam results, at his request.

These were excellent and I a delighted for him. Sam would hate for me to write about his marks and I'll respect that. I spoke to another dad yesterday whose son also had sat his National Five exams. Seven A's and a B. Fantastic, yes? I was saddened to hear his son thought it necessary to apologise for the B. I hope Sam never feels it necessary to apologise for any of his marks.

The quote for the German kitchen was as high as I expected. However, I was given a quote for 'top of the range everything from the top of the range brand', including a warming drawer. You know, one of those things were pretentious people pre-warm their plates when normal mortals warm theirs in the oven under the roast chicken or in the microwave, if at all. The quote went down by 3K for mid range everything from the nearly top of the range brand. Seriously, it did. I am now waiting for the quote for the same kitchen with British cabinets. We have now decided on a layout at least.

The laundry that has been folded neatly and packed into a blue Ikea bag for distribution on Sunday remains untouched. Two further bags of clean unfolded laundry have joined it. I am resigned to tidying all away this evening. Leaving it sitting clearly visible is not hint enough it appears.

I am looking forward to a evening with friends. It is a Muthaclubbers night. I hope it is going to  be busy. It often isn't and I feel a bit sad for my friend who puts so much effort into organising a good night at the bowling club.

The weather has been grim, some of our fruit trees had leaves stripped of their branches. We had water in the porch, a sure sign of really bad weather. I added my warm crochet blanket to the summer duvet, no doubt soon to be replaced with the winter duvet, then with the winter duvet and blanket...

And so I could witter on.. but I'll leave it at that. Have a lovely weekend! xx

*I borrowed this term from Leanne's comment on my last post.