Categories: uncategorized
Date: 20 March 2004 16:07:21
The Smudgelets have gone Mother's Day shopping. It's a work of art, I tell you, to give two boys who don't have pocket money a ten pound note, to draw a map for one's sister showing her how to get to the best cheap kitsch shops, and to bid them farewell for the afternoon without letting the slightest sign out that I might know where they are going or why. I deserve an Oscar, I reckon. Still, a quiet rainy Saturday afternoon without them is a mother's day gift in itself - firstly because they were definitely getting restless and secondly because it gave me chance to do something which is harder when they're here. It was supposed to be the ironing, completed while watching a video a bit more adult than Toy Story for a change. But then the marble run proved just too tempting. I wonder if they'll notice that the route for the marbles is a bit more complex than they originally made it? Oh the joy of being able to launch a marble from one of the start pads without being told which colour marble to use or where to launch it.
My sister J took Dad out for the morning this morning and has taken the boys out for the afternoon. She and I were going to go for a late night shopping spree in Marks and Sparks afterwards as she has a £50 voucher to spend, but a phone call has just confirmed my fears - Marks shuts at 6 on a Saturday. Hmmm..... looks like I won't be spending any time with my sister this visit. Wonder if I could justify three trips to the cinema within a week? Possibly, but I don't know if there's anything on I want to see apart from Starsky and Hutch and unfortunately J is a generation older than me. Not exactly a Starsky and Hutch fan.
My other girlie day is going to have to be cancelled too. Talk about frustrating. It was all planned so beautifully - drop the children at school and catch the earliest possible boat over to the mainland to spend the day with my friend Emma. Yes, another day of luxury and indulgeance, this time a mainland sauna, jacuzzi and massage and a bit of browsing the shops in Winchester. That was until last night when I saw Smudgelet's school newsletter. "Don't forget there's no school for the children on Monday"! Hmmm.. do you think I could take him with us and leave him in a locker in the changing room?
Tomorrow will be hectic but lovely. Early start, of course, for the customary swimming lessons. Then a service at church with flowers distributed by the children and the service led by a good friend and excellent preacher who occasionally visits our church. Then home to a lamb dinner with roast potatoes (my favourite) cooked by my lovely sister, and presents from the boys. Hmmm... do I wear my mother's day necklace or is that a bit tactless when my sister is there??? Then, of course, a mad dash to get her to the ferry terminal in time to catch it and set off on her journey home, followed by the delights of Literacy Homework to crown the day.
Oh dear, I can't set the ironing board up - the marble run is in the way!