The first Saturday in August I was feeling distinctly off, but I couldn't put my finger on what exactly the matter was. My plan had been to do some small DIY jobs that have been on the to-do list for an age, but my heart just wasn't in it. Instead I visited my local charity shop, which is always guaranteed to cheer me up. I came home with a few books, a mug, and a gorgeous mustard coloured bag. Later in the day, when it had cooled a little, I sat outside reading with a cat on either side.

On the Sunday my mood hadn't improved much. It was hot, I was restless, and couldn't settle on what to do. I read, and knitted an alien. By the end of the day I was feeling better.


The following weekend I was feeling really tired and lacking in energy. Cursing the fact that this was the second weekend in a row that I felt under par I spent the day pottering, making pom pom wreaths, and watched Xanadu on DVD.


On the Sunday I visited my Mum and her husband. They were looking after Rosebud whilst her owners were on holiday. She was adorable and we made friends instantly. Although it's hard to drink a cup of tea with a waggy dog on your lap.

The following weekend was photo an hour.


For the final weekend I spent the Saturday with Andy's sister. She was visiting with her husband and three children and we had a chilled day making pom poms. We'd got together a few days earlier to teach the children how to make them and made enough to create a pom pom wreath for Rara (aka Grandma). It turned out really well, and was enough to get my sister-in-law and nephew completely hooked! So another day of making pom poms was requested and I was more than happy to oblige. We made enough to make a wreath for an aunt for Christmas.

On the Sunday we all went to an aunt and uncle's for a BBQ. Uncle worked for most of his life as a chef, he's retired now but this was the most amazing BBQ I've ever seen. We had sausages and burgers, but also chicken in two different marinades, prawn skewers, lamb, steak, and pork belly... and then there was the sampling of his extensive wine cellar. I got to meet their three gorgeous cats too.

But the very best part of the day was that Andy and his Dad took the afternoon off to join us. There had been just enough rain to stop work, down tools, and spend the afternoon relaxing. Ordinarily when rain stops play they spend the time servicing or repairing machinery, so for them both to take the afternoon off in August is very rare. It's the first time Andy has had any time off since the middle of June. It was a really lovely afternoon. We returned home in the early evening with full bellies and just chilled for the rest of the evening.


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It was my wish at the beginning of the year to avoid that Sunday night feeling of a weekend wasted. My goal was to have a plan in place for the coming weekend by each Friday evening. August, much like July, seems to have been largely dominated by the making of pom pom wreaths, but it's also been a good month for spending time with family. My older nephews got their GCSE and A Level results and both of them did really well. Nephew no.1 starts an engineering apprenticeship in September. I can't wrap my head around how he can possibly be a fully fledged grown up already. Nephew no.2 has started a weekend job and is working all the hours he can to buy himself a pair of trainers for £120!! He's just started his A Levels. And I had my 43rd Birthday.