A few weeks back we got a letter from Robbie’s school, to say that as part of his Art course he would be doing a drawing of a nude. We had to sign a permission slip to say this was ok. Well today was the day. Last night Robbie was a bit reserved and unsure about what it would be like, and even whether the model would be male or female. So, I gave him my best advice… if it is a female, do not make any comments such as ‘nice boobs’ etc, and if it was a male, draw ‘it’ small.

This evening I got in from work, and asked how it went. Well, said Robbie, it was a female model. And ? I asked. She was about 60 and very large, was his reply. . Not quite what Robbie had in mind.

I was in London today, travelling on the underground cattle trucks, which seemed packed. Tricia has just gone out coaching, she didn’t seem particularly keen, I think she would have preferred an evening in front of the fire. Nikki reported yesterday that her first day in Watford hospital went well.

Here is a photo from saturday evening…. Tricia and me in our finest charity shop clothes.

Rob has just beaten me at darts for the second evening in a row. We play round the clock, and finish with a 25 and then the bull. I hadn’t hit the 25 when he won. More practice will be needed, I can’t have this!

After a late night, an early start, and having cooked the Sunday lunch, I only really wanted to sit in an armchair on Sunday afternoon. But, Robbie announced he needed a piece of 6′ by 3′ mdf for an art project, and so off we went to Aylesbury. Homebase had the mdf but the wood cutting machine wasn’t working. So, off to Wickes who had the wood but no cuttig facility, before B&Q were able to oblige. Robbie carried ‘the plank’ out to the car, and I was immediately reminded of all those old comedy routines with a plank of wood… Fortunately we got home without Robbie having knocked, broken anything, or decapitating anybody.

Saturday night was a ‘safari supper’ night with friends from the village. I have been down with a cold most of the last week, and wasn’t feeling particularly brilliant on Saturday, so spent most of the afternoon in bed. I went out in the evening, but didn’t last the full distance, and about 11pm left and went back to my bed. The theme was ‘charity shop challenge’, where people had to dress themselves in under £10. We started out in the garage of one of the group, who had done it up like a charity shop, and done a terrific job.

I am feeling a bit brighter today, and even got the bike out and cycled the last 14 miles into work. It was good to get some exercise.  Nikki managed a javelin session on Saturday, then played hockey in Wycombe, her team drew 2-2. Robbie’s new band seem to be getting better, although Rob is a bit more concentrated on the drum playing he has to do in his school production – Back to the 80’s – he has to play on 21 songs. Ellie is just getting over a cold too, so has not been a 100% either. Tricia managed to go training on Sunday morning, after the safari supper the night before, which was a good show!

I spoke with my brother Stephen last night, he brought me up to date on how poorly his wife Justine has been since Xmas. I was oblivious to this, and feel bad about not knowing, having got bogged down with work and family life. So, best wishes to her, and we hope she picks up soon.

Monday evening was parents evening at Robbie’s school. Normally these evenings are tortuously long as you have to queue to see a multitude of teachers. But of course with Robbie just doing three subjects it was easier, and even better we went dtraight from one to the one, with no delay. All teachers gave Robbie excellent reports, his Graphics teacher described Robbie as ‘top of the class’, and the Head of Art took time out to talk with us about what courses Robbie may look to do when he has completed his A Levels. All very upbeat, so well done to him. He certainly seems to have a strong work ethic at the moment, putting a lot of effort in. But then again, he is doing what he loves. Art and Music. Rob is busy rehearsing at the moment for ‘The 80’s show’, a school production, and Rob is playing drums for 21 songs. This is good for him, as it breaks him out of the ‘heavy metal’ world, and gives him a different challenge. The show starts in 2 weeks.

At the weekend Tricia and I went to the engagement party of an old school friend of mine, Bryan. It was a good opportunity for me to catch up with some old school friends. Bryan’s first marriage had failed, and so I was pleased to see that (in his own words), he had found happiness again. This photo as of some old school friends. I am the bloke who has still got his hair (even if it is grey !)

With a busy weekend, I didn’t get the chance to get out on the bike, and I haven’t been able to cycle to work for various reasons, and now I think I am going down with a cold, and the weather is horrid rain. So, the exercise regime has come to a halt. Perhaps the weekend will be better.

Felling weary, so this will not be an extensive blog. A couple of cycle trips over the last few days have left me feeling a little tired this evening.

Last week at work seemd like an eternity, not because the work itself was an issue, just that I seemed to have adjusted to a having all the time off over the Xmas period. The highlight of the working week was a good end of year appraisal, where I was complimented on my professional approach. Not quite sure what that says about everybody else!

Friday evening was rehearsal (no dancing, seems the adult class has been moved Tuesday, which Tricia and I can’t get to, so that is the end of that), I do fear our latest production will be a debacle. I intend to take my part seriously, but take no responsibility for the mess that will otherwise be going on. Other than that it has been a quiet weekend. We had some friends come in for a couple of hours on Saturday night, but that was about it.

Nikki had an eventful Thursday evening. She was driving back home on Thursday at about 9pm, as she had her car booked in locally for its MOT on Friday morning, when somebody hit her on a roundabout. Not much damage to Nikki’s car, and the driver accepted repsonsibility, as he had cut across her, but it shook her up nonetheless. Fortunately, she is ok, and her car now has it’s MOT.

Rob and Ellie are back into the swing of school. Rob has had a good report, the school are predicting A grades in Art and Graphics and a C in Music at the moment. If he achieves that we will be extremely pleased. He is into darts at the moment, and bought himself a set of darts. Ellie has been using movie maker to create an animation of her high school musical dolls…. not sure where all this creativity comes from. Not from me.

Anyway, I am v.tired, so its an early night.

Well everything is getting back to normal. All the turkey is eaten, and the decorations came down today. Friday evening Tricia, Robbie, Ellie and me went across to Northampton to meet our friends, Deb and Carlos, for a meal. It was good to catch up, although the time went quickly.

Saturday, I went with Tricia and some of the other ladies from the village, to Cirencester. They were shopping for dresses. It was a nice day out, but flipping cold, and by about 1:30 my patience was starting to fade. Still my spirits took a lift when I found out West Ham had beaten Barnsley in the cup

Back home in the evening I had to drop Robbie off at a friends, who was celebrating his 18th. Then it was a quick change and off to some friends for the evening – pretty much the same people we spent New Year with. Today, after picking up Robbie, taking down the lights outside and cooking lunch, I slumped in a chair and finished building a web site for the safari suppers we do in the village. www.safarisupper.co.uk

And now I am tired, and the new week looms. Oh well, off to bed….

 Tricia and I went to some friends to see in the New Year, we had a great time, but I am feeling a little tired this morning. Nikki went to Milton Keynes with some friends, Robbie had a friend around to see in the New Year. I hadn’t been too enthusiastic to go out, I am not normally a big New Year fan, it’s just another day to me. The house was warm, and although it was only a five minute walk, I didn’t feel like going out. However, knowing that I had to, I thought I would at least make an effort. Hence the painted face

The photo of Tricia without the idiot is a good one ! We had a great evening, lots of laughs, and managed to get back home for 2am. One of my many New Years resolutions is to get more sleep… not a good start!

Ellie learnt some essential life skills for a girl yesterday… how to cook a chocolate cake. She was vey pleased with the outcome.

I have spent much of the last few days working on building a web site for Tricia’s catering business. I finally finished the first version last night and loaded it up. www.tlccatering.co.uk – any feedback or comments welcomed.

Nikki goes back to Hatfield later, she is working from 1pm today, so she at least gets a lie in. Robbie has been staying at Nikki’s for the last few days. With just Tricia, Ellie and me in the house it has been very quiet. I have found some time for a bit darts practice, and was whooping when I managed 2 treble 20’s in 3 darts. I had to take a photo! It doesn’t happen often!

I have been watching some of the world darts championships the last few days, but not much else. Tricia and I watched the Shooting Stars Xmas special, which was absolute pants. If Vic Reeves was ever funny, it must have been a long time ago… he certainly isn’t now.

And so we are in 2009. We have fighting in Gaza. Nothing changed there then. Two more high street chains gone into administration, probably a sign of things to come. But, I will try and maintain my usual optimistic outlook to life.

Happy New Year. May you all have health, wealth and happiness for 2009.