Where were we? Flipping those darn flat pancakes again

[BeachysSandyFlipflops]

Hello, damn quick work there by MNHQ

I met DD for lunch (library is near my work) - DS's eyes nearly popped out of his head when I strolled in to collect her - he clearly thought I was checking up on him He looked very happy surrounded by all DD's beautiful girl-friends apparently one fancies him Had a lovely lunch in the park with DD on the grass in the sun

Wellies, that link is SO our world.

Wellies, love the dress & the flat Gabor shoes.

Also love that link - so very true.

Rosen, bring suncream! Am just back from an afternoon on the beach. In bathing costume & had to cover up, despite factor 30, as was scorchio! About a dozen people swimming - I paddled & it's too cold for me but it was tempting.

It's statement sleeves that are doing my head in. Last season cut out shoulders on jumpers this season things that will drape on your soup...

Gawd. I so want to go swimming.

I'm off to the Wimmin's Swim in an hour, leaving my offspring with Greek salad and hummus and pitta. DD1 seems to feel physics was OK....

Hmm, yes, that link explains exactly why I refuse to have a cleaner. The fuckers (i.e. the other inhabitants of this house) can learn to take responsibility and clean up after themselves. Dd managed to do the hoovering this week and ds has now realised that if he wants the house to look presentable when his mates come round, he needs to do his bit. It appears that after 14 years, dh may finally have learned what evening to put the rubbish out. Last night, he put it out without me asking. I have previously put it out every time. For 14 (XIV) years. Proof that ranting and frothing pay off in the end.

Dd has nearly finished her second course of antibiotics in 2 weeks, but she is finally feeling better and the pain is much reduced. She has applied for some more summer jobs. No exams will be done, but that is for the best, I think.

Leaving the hospital in Weymouth, I stopped to let 2 young persons in their swimmers cross the road with their kayak. Almost wanted to stop and ask if they would let me have a go in it. Have been discharged from the muskulo-skeletal clinic and the lovely (crepey) medic and I spent a long time during the appointment discussing adolescent exam angst and paddleboarding. Dd and I are booking in for paddle-boarding lessons soon. Must dig out the wetsuit tonight and check whether I can squish myself into it (unlikely).

Crem, I have a Belfast sink. But it is in the garden and full of osteospermums. I had it in the garden at my previous house and insisted that the removal men put it in their lorry. This uncovered a family of toads, which I then removed in a neighbour's garden, before leaving the house forever. The removal men thought I was a loon. Funnily enough, toads made their home under it in the new house too.

"to a neighbour's garden" obvs. Reminds me, I haven't seen our toads for a while

BD, I love those sleeves, but I so can't get them as they would DEFINITELY trail in my soup and everything else!

I had 2 Belfast sinks in the garden. Mostly full of weeds

I don't like any of them! Stamps foot. Men don't struggle to buy clothes that cover them up and allow basic manoeuvres like handwashing, soup-eating and dishwasher-loading. The woman in White Stuff told me the idea is you buy bikini tops to wear under your clothes because clothes are no longer expected to cover your bra. Sod that for a game of soldiers.

And I have a footwear crisis. Both pairs of comfy sandals have died over the winter. I need moulded, cushioned soles.

Have spent the afternoon in central London - cheerful and (apparently) unarmed police in evidence, and a stranger gave us tickets to the Chelsea Flower Show. I am glad I didn't pay for it - seemed to be mainly a packed trade show for people whose local garden centre has an insufficient choice of trowels or who want to sit in baking sun in crowds drinking expensive champagne. And some of the displays were downright sinister. But overall, it felt very soothing.

I have been for a swim and am feeling v smug.

I have been to Zumba and am feeling v sweaty.

I haven't been anywhere and I feel very tired.

Good lord, Ms Martin - how come the tickets for Chelsea?

Lidl flyer advertised tandoori halloumi wraps - ultimate in multiculturalism?

I've done pilates and am ever so slightly creaky.

I have spent £100 in Sainsbury's on clothes and make-up. I went a bit mental. Well, it is 25% off...

Highlights include:

this very nice quality shirt dress

'Useful' draped summer skirt

'Fun' trousers

'Useful', inoffensive trousers for when I can't think of anything to wear

I tried on this statement sleeve (note singular) but it didn't fit across the Bust.

About the only non-boxy top in the place...

Green t-shirt

Plus an eyeliner and a nude eyeshadow palette. I feel quite giddy.

I have been to breakfast club (7.45), work (8am), Sainsbury's, DS's choir, a vicar's garden for tea and biscuits, and am just home. I haven't had dinner. I am fat, but have no time for exercise. Except now, and I can't be arsed.

I have suffered through Pilates and am in a sweaty heap. Now watching Benôit and Cherish eating patisserie on bbc2. The most bizarre reality TV judges of all time.

My dad is wibbling YET AGAIN about what to do with my mother's ashes. We make suggestions, he rejects them...

...actually what really gets to me (apart from the fact that when I see him on Sunday he will keep bursting into tears) is that I think he wants/expects my sister and me to sort something. In the same way that I kept having to handle all the consultant/medical stuff when she was ill.

I think he should bury them in the garden she loved but he won't.

I like the inoffensive trouser with jade fancy sleeve top Herbs.A good haul.

Oh dear MI, what can you do? Does anything have to be done at all? Could he just keep the ashesin the house? Sorry you are having to deal with this.

Over its hot. Cool shower beckons.

Oh MI, that's tough. Are you happy for him to "do nothing" with the ashes while he wibbles? Or are you keen to have a bit of closure?

Herbs - you enabler, you. I love the shirt-dress (but is it short?) and the skirt. 25% off, you say? I'm on a spending ban, as I have no idea right now how we are going to pay for the lovely wood floor we have ordered.

Apparently the crematorium has got in touch and said he has to decide (I think they can keep them for a year, and the funeral was 2 June). They can scatter them, or bury them, or he could take them...he doesn't want to keep them as ashes.

Indeed, mi. Is he likely to come to his own decision in a few months/years? Is there any harm in just letting him wobble away? other than driving you batshit, obvs.

Cv - shirt dress is about knee length. I shall be wearing it with leggings, due to aforementioned repellent flab, much of which hangs from my knees. It really is very nice quality - lovely details, and all crisp.