2026

Reagan left for school somewhat unprepared or so it seemed, still revising History while struggling to eat any breakfast, watched by her friend who had to  wait while she gathered her things before they both left.

French and History exams awaited them both and although the first one was important to do well in I was concerned that she may struggle in History a subject she intends to study at A level, if she feels unprepared.

Let’s just say I need not have worried as she burst into the bedroom where I was working proclaiming Best exam ever although Physics maybe still number one!

Dad it was perfect everything I’d revised was on the paper even the big question was on what I was revising on my white board at the breakfast table. I found it quite easy. I told her that’s because the hard work she’d put in was paying off!

I asked Did every one else find it easy which she said actually no most people seemed to say they struggled which means they just didn’t work it hard enough.

She said French was great as well and feels confident she did really well in that too.

I am so proud of her and how she is handling these exams proving to herself mostly that hardwork pays of, and that might prove the most valuable lesson of all, but for now I just made sure she knew how very proud I am of her!

Good win tonight against a tricky side Albert’s Corner with some good pool played by all. On a personal level although not perfect I have played quite well the last few weeks winning 5 of 6 frames I’ve played a real upturn in performance since changing the way I play. My concentration level is better and I consciously stay down on each shot which has really helped me improve. I go earlier and get a few practice frames which also help a lot too.

For some reason Physics has finally clicked with Reagan and last night she was buzzing that the revision was flowing and she just seemed to get what they’d taught her finally.

So it was fingers crossed today that she carried that confidence through into the exam it self!

When she arrived home she gushed with excitement “Dad it was brilliant, easily my best exam so far,I even answered the circuit questions…!”

Wow

We calculated our debt this morning, when I say we I mean Jamie who for the past 14 months has been able to finally manage our debt without drowning in interest since we transferred 6 grand of high interest debt to an interest free credit card. Basically putting it to one side while we pay the rest off that accrued little or no interest, it made Monday morning feel a little more bearable knowing that in two pay checks time we will only have 5 grand of interest free debt that has a couple of years grace on it allowing us to either throw everything at that or just put £230 per month towards it for the duration and just allow it to be paid off a month the before the interest kicks in!

We may celebrate if that actually happens?

What the actual….

Usual Sunday walked Bill to me mums and back a bit of washing in and an afternoon in the shed so I thought!

With hay-fever kicking my arse I took one of Jamie’s mega antihistamines when I got up and by midday I can only think that my drowsiness was down to that? She did say they made her feel tired but nowhere on the packet does it say ‘Do not operate machinery’

By 2:30 I was asleep in the garden and after being woken I got into bed and carried on being drowsy

We did eventually get our arses into gear and took Bill but ended up at Kings Lock

Finally got a chance to go in me shed this afternoon and have a crack at making a step for Jamie to use to get in and out of her plunge pool. She had not asked for it I just had the idea when I saw Kath put a rickety looking bench out for the scrap man and thought the cast iron legs were perfect they just need the wooden laths replacing and it would be perfect to help Jamie using her pool.

Anyway I spent all week wondering if I was good enough to be able to make something that was not only practical but looked great too. It was my first time using hardwood (I always use pine) and just wanted to make it “perfect” in the end the laths were edges routered, marked and drilled then countersunk to accommodate the bolts. I applied 3 coats of clear varnish & bolted it all together and I think it looks OK?

Reminding Lincoln and Reagan that she was 82 on Friday they both decided to go and see Nannie and wish her a happy birthday.  Having already arranged to go see his girlfriend today he skated up there yesterday and surprised her which she loved and Reagan texted her this morning arranging to go making sure she’d be there before setting off.

Reagan was still there when I arrived after dropping Linc off at Liv’s and she’d alerted me to Nannie needing some shopping so after giving her a card and flowers we took her to Mozzas for her birthday treat lol I did get the chance to pay for her groceries which felt nice to do.

Jamie was still in Bristol and only arrived into Crewe at 19:08 so it was about all we could do to eat and go to bed once Lincoln and Reagan (who had gone into town with her mates earlier) were both home safely.

Talking to me dad tonight unpacked how dependant he had allowed himself to become on Liz and how helpless he is when she is not there. He said how pleased he was with himself changing his own Stoma bag again even though he has been capable of doing it for years! He doesn’t know how to wash clothes because he has never used the washing machine so had to ask for help eventually getting Lizs daughter to do it rather than learn… He is managing to feed himself by eating left overs from the weekend at the rally they were at when she had the first heartattack.

I never want to burden anyone especially if I am fully capable of not burdening anyone!

I took Jamie to the train station first thing this morning she is working in London Cardiff and Bristol over the next few days and I was working too although at home. Being Wednesday I was playing pool tonight and had to make sure Reagan and Lincoln were fed before I left which I did and before I left I asked them to make sure they cleared anything they used so that the kitchen was clean. It just helps me when Jamie is not around and not a lot to ask which they did above and beyond when I returned later the kitchen was spot on.

Lincoln slept downstairs when his room felt too warm but he was on hand at 2am when the LOUDEST thunder storm woke everyone in Middlewich realising that there was washing still on the line cushions still out and the canopy needed retracting, non of which had to be done but he rescued it all before comforting Billy who was barking at all the house and car alarms set off by the biggest clap of thunder I have heard in a very long time

Got some worrying news late last night that Nannie Liz had been taken to hospital in an ambulance with chest pains, after returning from an engine rally. Obviously our main concern was if she was going to be ok so first thing this morning I called me dad to ask the question, his reply stunned me but not for the reason you would think?

“Hi, Dad how is she?”

“I’ve no idea!”

“What do you mean you’ve no idea?”

“I’m sat here waiting for her to call so I can go and pick her up!”

“What?”

“They said they would call me, and let me know what’s going on, so I’m just waiting”

“Ffs Dad she might never call because she can’t, and they are not going to call you, here’s Leightons number give them a call and find out what’s going!”

Oh my fucking god I looked at Jamie who was open mouthed, as stunned at what she just heard as I was.

I said there would be NO-WAY I would have left your side nothing would have kept me away and he’s sat there waiting for his fucking breakfast?

He called back later and they had told him they were keeping her in until they had done more tests which was good so he knew what was going on and he could go and see her at 3pm

Later he rang and said “Are you sitting down, Liz has had a heart attack!”

I was like No shit sherlock but just said “Oh dear, she in the best place, they’ll look after her , now you need to go and see her to make sure she has everything she needs!”

It was like he was totally incapable of sorting it out himself, he then said I’ve managed to change my Stoma bag myself for the first time ever, Liz has always done it. It made me think she’s been his nurse maid and no wonder she’s had a heart attack what with looking after him on top of mauling the caravan and packing up the engine in 32deg heat. It was the hottest day I have experienced for a long time and found it difficult to motivate meself to do anything and I am not 77 years old, yet.

I have been WhatsApp’ing Liz since as I feel I get more sense out of her and she seems to be on the mend although “I had a couple more episodes over night” does not sound great. Hopefully they will get her on some good meds that manage the situation and she can go home at some point but for now she is where she needs to be. I do feel that me dad will struggle more than he should because he has allowed her to look after him rather than doing stuff himself

I hope they’re both OK and get through this but it’s not going to be easy for either of them?

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