My biggest fear is when I die, Jamie sells my tools for what I told her I paid for them!
2026
Pissing down at 5 when I finished work after being sunny all day so it was take Reagan to piano then took Lincoln to drumming and in between Billy got 20 minutes because it wasn’t raining!
September is here and nights are drawing in, the rain is back and everything is green again. Lincoln is back at school Reagan goes to college, mom and me work all day the routine is back just like that!
I don’t mind knowing what we are doing every day routine is good but dark nights wet days will quickly grate on me and then the temperature will drop blah blah blah
I need to find joy everyday that is not to say I am not happy, I am, but it’s a long time before spring!
Today I made Jamie smile when she finally remembered to clean “the disgusting microwave” only to find I had cleaned it and the cupboard it lives in, yesterday. Its weird what can bring me joy but I love making her day better it makes me feel good!
Managed to finish cladding the extension on my shed but it did make me notice how much weather the facias at that end had recieved in 4 years. Neglecting them has allowed them to retrievably discolour, a good lesson that both sheds need to be treated regularly if the vibrant colour is to remain!
I think it looks ok and I can spend the winter making a window to finish it off!
Whilst spending my day working on the exterior of my shed on an increasingly rare sunny afternoon listening to my new favourite thing Spotify I could not have been more content until I heard a scream.
What the hell was that was my first thought then I heard it again but it sounded more like a bird screeching so I popped my head around the shed to see Billly tail wagging furiously interested in something and I was now convinced he had caught a bird.
I grabbed some gloves thinking I would grad it and place it over the fence out of his way at least. He was staring at the planters by Jamie’s office so assumed it had taken refuse under one and got on me hands and knees to look. When it screeched again it was odd that I couldn’t see it because it sounded right there?
Billy was staring at the grid not the planters and as I looked through the grate I could see it still convinced it was a bird but how the hell had it got in there and how was I going to get it out because the grate was held down by the drain pipes and some cement.
Then it move and then I realised the obvious IT WAS A RAT!
All my bravery and determination to free the prisoner vanished immediately now the pipes and cement didn’t seem quite enough. Npw my only thought was, it got there by it self it can go back the way it came. The problem was it just kept screeching and it was loud Jamie finished her session just as Reagan and her mate were leaving for a day out in Crewe I ushered them away hoping it didn’t screech Jamie was like what the fuck is wrong with you too.
As we waved them off I turned her and growled WE GOT A RAT! The look on her face was a picture of shock fear and disbelief…Is that what I could hear from office, where is it?
We both looked down the grid and it screeched and moved and she turned to me and designated me the man and head of the household instantly then asked: What am I going to do about it? Now I know my place and rat catcher is not it!
She is the brains of the relationship and began troubleshooting How did it get there? Why is it there? Ring your brother…?
My answers were: Through the drains, It can see light and wants out and what the fuck is he going to do?
She said probably more than you ya big wuss!
Whoa I don’t see you rolling your sleeves up!
She said: If it likes light put something over the grid so it goes dark for it and it will just bugger off back from whence it came?
This was just what I was about to suggest but I allowed her to think she’d come up with a brilliant idea and went to get a carrier bag and a brick.
Once it was covered it wasn’t long before I heard a splosh and assumed it was the rat leaving but decided to leave the cover in place for a few hours
I can confirm Roland had gone when I removed the bag…What would they do without me, the head of the household, man of the house and problem solver?
The day started with a chance meeting with a fellow dog walker who had just taken a catapult of a kid, who was shooting at ducks, and threw it into the canal. Travellers are the scurge of Middlewich and these two kids causing trouble because they are not in school and as we were talking a pajama and robe clad traveller ran towards us to reminstrate with the guy.
We moved to a safe distance to call the police incase it got ugly because she was apoplectic, he stayed calm and once she said her ignorant piece she turned to us a yelled at us. We were still on the phone to the police who reasured us we had done the right thing.
I hope the guy doesn’t get any problems because he did the right thing but the police will never be able to properly protect people from these people because hey can move around before they are brought to justice.
Today Reagan started college yesterday Lincoln began year 10 the routine of life returned, music lessons on Tuesdays etc
Reagan came home buzzing about her day even if it was just an orientation day and its going to be the same tomorrow but after that she a fully fledged student.
Lincoln is fizzing at his new timetable filled with subjects he loves including drama and music but also higher English although not top sadly and surprisingly the highest set in maths.
Both did really well on the return after a long break and hopefully the joy and enthusiasm will continue
Asked what was the best part of their days Lincoln predictably said drama which continues to light his fire, but Reagan said getting her lanyard. Its basically her key to the college and made her feel very grown up which is a big thing at that age.
Lincoln seems to be taking it in his stride but we need to be careful not to assume he’s ok after the trials of last year.
Reagan is an open book when she needs to be and it was reassuring to hear she made a freind on her first day and also saw some familiar faces too which will help her transition into college life
Im proud of them both and hope they continue to flurrish
Having spent years amassing a catalogue of music I have been listening to for years I finally got around to adding that playlist to Spotify
It took a couple of days and something googling to firstly understand how it works then to search find and add all the songs albums and compilations to my profile but I got there.
First impressions are great it works its easy now I understand how things work. The sound is a better quality because I have been listening to lower quality mp3s and the shuffle seems better.
Downside I have some songs and some versions of songs I can not find but that isn’t very many and I am sure I will happen upon them eventually?
Apart from that first impressions are I wish I’d done it sooner….
Decided to do dry September not a usual month to do dry but here goes.
Im stubborn enough, I just need to stop and I thought taking the kids to music lessons was going take up most of the first night and every journey starts with a single….well as I right this day one’s done just 29 to go.
Spent me Bank Holiday Monday rearranging me shed to allow me to create a window at the far end. A little project that I do indoors (no need to go outside) and I can finish the bottom shed in good weather and the outside of mine too.
Having made a few mistakes on the original window, it will be good to see if I can make this one better?