Hi, Ahh, a week’s staycation, a night out, and a long weekend? Well, colour me well chuffed and tiptoperoo ? Engage smug mode ? ( For the non Midlands Massive, owt – said ‘oat’ – means ‘anything’. Typically used as a reply to an accusation. “Me? I’ve haven’t done owt!” ? ) Chilling Out With the Easter holidays in their second week, myself, the Ever Lovely Mrs J, and Child 2.0 had time off. Okay, technically Child 2.0 was already off, but they did attend some pre exam top-up lessons for their art GCSE, bless them. Crikey, extra lessons out of term time: he is dedicated ? We did a few trips out ..read more

Hi, Another week, another post ? Get on with it, Jones! Conversation Last time around you may recall me dithering about – as per ? – over Wookieness. The quick answer is we talked about it as a couple. Of course, being a right Nervous Nelly – or Anxiety Andrea? ? – I managed to tie myself up in knots, emotionally speaking. ? Anyhoo, the conversation was along the lines of not wanting to cause upset and embarrassment, rather than seeking permission. Does that make sense? As ever, the Ever Lovely Mrs J continues her wisdom and wifey loveliness. We talked about how it might help, how most of my l ..read more

Hi, I’m not quite sure why, but I just feel knackered. I’m not sure if it’s been a case of doing too much, lack of lunch naps, and/or the annoyance of late night ‘busy brain’. The latter being I put my head on the pillow, start to daydream (nightdream?), and my mind floods with thoughts and ideas. No brain, they’re day thoughts, now it’s sleepy time. ? Luckily it’s Friday off for me, so a chance to sort the household chores and take it easy before the school run…. …. Ah, and call an emergency plumber ‘cos the upstairs heater has popped its clogs and decided to leak through the kitchen roof. St ..read more

Hiya, I was going to lead in with an apology for not having a pun about a certain chocolate and caramel biscuit snack. Well, two fingers to that idea ? International Women’s Day Firstly, happy IWD and I hope you saw some positive news stories or events wherever you are. This year’s theme is Inspire Inclusion and PinkNews have a list of amazing queer women who are inspiring and leading change. I was deeply moved by Jess Philips and her speech around the lack of progress for women’s safety. The ineptitude and shrugging off around the need for us to improve legally is, well, shocking… and yet uns ..read more

Hi, Leap year? Loafing about more like ? Yeah, I had Feb 29th off but more by accident than design. I had some holiday leave carried over from last year, and Thursday was booked so I didn’t lose it. Now, I’ve been both enjoying and benefitting from a shorter working week for a while now. Okay, it’s every other Friday off, but that still helps. It’s not just the psychological and physiological boost I get, but having the time to do things, means I can run errands and try my hand at the housework. With apologies to Ms Austen, it is a truth universally acknowledged that a man who tidies, must poi ..read more

Hi, How’s things? Hopefully good for you. I’m going to apologise in advance if today’s post jumps all over the place. My thoughts feel like a swarm of butterflies and words focus hard. ? Deep breaths, Lynn…. To be unhurried Due to carrying over some holiday leave and a need to use it up before the deadline, I found myself with an extra day off. This both shortens the week, extends the weekend, and gives me that feeling of a No Rush Weekday. I’m not going to complain about the morning routine because I’ve no issues with it. I guess it’s like the difference between making yourself breakfast and ..read more

Hi, Yay for Fridays! The magic of what might be as the weekend stretches out before us. Mind you, the above is no less, even if you’ve been a work dodger, like me, and had most of the week off. ? But, it’s half-term and I think I can safely say, everyone at Jones Towers was in bed of a break. Certainly Child 2.0 (exams + school), the Ever Lovely Mrs J (difficult to be that awesome day in, day out), and Muggins here…. who just needed a break to recharge. Past Behaviours As it was half-term, Mrs J and I have been balancing child care, looking after the hounds, and Life Stuff – so far, so typical ..read more

Hi, How’s things? Hopefully good and if not, fingers crossed they improve for you. It’s been a rather busy week at Chez Jones: another round of mock exams for Child 2.0, bless him. Plus a training course for Muggins here. Both of us are glad to see the weekend, as our collective brains are in need of a rest. Chams It was Chams this week and yet nearly wasn’t. I’d made a mistake with the web site and that was showing the wrong information. Luckily, I’d logged on to check the forum, and a few of our more alert attendees had already spotted the error. Oh dear, Lynn, do you need a sit down and 40 ..read more

Hi, There are times, I think, when it’s better to be in the slow lane. This afternoon’s dog walk was unhurried. Letting me feel the cool but not cold wind and giving the Hounds of the Basketcases sniff and -ahem- decorate the woods. Likewise, some garden tidying and taking things to the recycling yard. No looking at the clock and worrying with the next appointment is. Getting those “To Do” items out of my head felt good as well. While I’m certainly feeling the dip in monies, I think I’m finding the time back more useful. Talking of time, I’ve booked myself in for some self care / beauty treatm ..read more

Hi, A somewhat later post given a busy day and driving Child 2.0 there, I wait, & we go back again in the electro-dad-mobile. I should add for clarity, that the car is electric, not me. Then again, I’ve not been on charge for a long time. Might that explain the lack of get up and go? Go and get made-up I set off slightly later than usual for Chams. The Ever Lovely Mrs J had been to run her folks around, and holding back for thirty mins wasn’t a massive issue. Not only would it mean Child 2.0 didn’t need to look after the hounds, Mrs J would arrive while I was home, and the post rush hour t ..read more