So a quiet weekend beckons ahead. A weekend of knitting, reading, dusting (only because it gives me an illusion of being in control of my surroundings) and chickflicks. Two days of joss sticks (they make him sneeze) pizza, chocolate I don't have to share and 48 hours in which to indulge in face packs and lavender scented sheets. No yelling conversations between rooms, twangy guitar or shouting down the phone (all telephone calls are conducted at Dom Joly levels).

He's off camping (in all senses of the word) with his besto hermano.

I do love living with him. Really...

I did it!

Look! I passed my assessment and I'm now a HLTA http://www.tda.gov.uk/support/support_staff_roles/learningsupportstaff/hlta/background.aspx

It won't mean a massive change just yet, but come September, I'll have my new job in the Speech and Language Centre, an increase in responsibility and best of all, an increase in pay!

Don't underestimate this achievement for me; it's the first formal bit of studying I've done since 1981 and it didn't come easy. I have discovered that dawgone book learnin' ain't for me...

See...can't even be bothered to keep this together. over two weeks since my last post and OMG! my * *ust came off the keyboard (clue: it's a letter and it comes after I and before K) Can I get it back on before Alex freaks out? Find out in the next thrilling installment.......

Too much work - not enough time. I've got an assessment Friday - could lead to a pay rise and of course, me being me, I've left all the work 'til the last minute.

In other news: slippery roads made the journey to work treacherous and snowball fights at school were banned.

Life's exciting!

Snow in the garden and...

icicles on the honeysuckle...

What a wonderful day. Bettter than Christmas even. First that oft longed, for so rarely realised, joy of waking up on Monday morning and discovering you really don't have to go to school. At first a blank, unbelieving look; then a leap across the room to the window and cheering!!!!!

East Dulwich was on fine form today. All the grumps had stayed at home and only those, truly rejoicing in the impromptu holiday were about. There was a riot of a snowball fight in Dulwich Park, between all the local schools. The pubs were heaving and we must have seen at least fifty snowmen today.

Never, ever, have I known London without a single bus; no trains and barely any traffic. Not one school remained open. We should take special note of today because it may never, ever hapen again....

So this is what happened to the lovely sea foam of crispy topping on my lemon meringue pie. It's taken me four days to work it out and then only because the vacuum hose was strangely sticky.

Call me a slattern if you dare.....

Joke #1

My dad: If I grow my beard longer, I could be Father Christmas.

Me: No - you could be the Anti-Father Christmas

Who's he kidding??????