No awful events this week, hooray. First born thinks she is on her holidays, but apart from that is behaving herself and has even done some voluntary work, so I'm pleased with that.

It is Paul's birthday in a couple of weeks and he NEEDED an iPod touch (I wanted him to have a iPhone but he said he would break it at work). I searched for the best deal and found it cheapest at Asda Direct, bought via Quidco to get cashback, and with free speakers. The speakers are currently on Amazon for £60, reduced from £100, so I went for that deal. Harrison and I went to collect them at Pilsworth, getting soaked in that amazing downpour, and we were given an enormous box for the speakers. I was a bit worried about where they would go, struggled to carry it to the car and brought it home. When we opened it there were 4 speakers in the box, but my conscience can't keep them. I phoned up the shop and they laughed at me, but I'll take them back when it is convenient. After 3-4 days it has changed his life and he has embraced the world of apps and pings.

As if that wasn't enough, he now has a suit too! He has never ever had a suit, and I have never even seen him in a tie. He decided to take the plunge for a wedding we are going to, and I was kicked out of bed at daft o'clock on Saturday morning to start the search in the Next sale(s). With him being 6'5'' he needs extra long of everything, so getting a matching jacket and trousers was more difficult than expected. After going to:
Bury Woodfield
Bury Millgate
Bolton Trinity
Walton le Dale
Bolton Middlebrook
and finally, Manchester Arndale
we had quite a selection but only 1 actual suit. Luckily it is very smart and he looks good in it! My credit card managed to keep up but is looking forward to all the refunds that will go on it this week.

The schools finished on Friday, and I went to the special assembly held because H's teacher was leaving. H got his Gold Award while I was there so we were over the moon - he has been aiming for it all year but we didn't think he'd got quite enough merits. His report was great, but more for comedy value:
"H wrote a very persuasive letter to Sponge Bob Square Pants, asking if he would come in and visit us in class - I won't hold my breath for that one!"
"I have frequently been knocked off track during my lessons by Harrison's unique questions and comments such as the time that he asked for a drink of water because he had accidentally swallowed a piece of paper that had just 'floated' past him."

On Saturday afternoon we found ourselves childless, so went into Manchester for a Chinese and a couple of drinks. I had been recommended chocolate beer at The Angel, but it wasn't on when we got there. I had something else, just to be polite, then we made our way to The Marble Arch, which did have chocolate beer. It was a bit Guinnessy and didn't really taste of chocolate, but that didn't stop me having 2 halves. We then found out that Ms Aspery was at home recovering from a headache, so being the good friends we are, we got a carryout carton of the choccy beer, plus one of ginger beer, and stopped off at hers to help her on the road to recovery. It seemed to work and we eventually (after testing the sloe gin and rhubarb vodka)got home at a daft time.

Nearly finished (sorry, but I'm hoping to be spotted by a publisher so have to do this!)...on Sunday morning I was fit enough to collect H and go to the gym, where I ran (yes you read that correctly) for 20 minutes, as well as the other bits and pieces. In the afternoon I was persuaded to go to The Rock shopping centre that has just opened in Bury. It was heaving, and I struggled to find a parking place even though it was Sunday and I wasn't anywhere near the shops. I can't say I enjoyed it (but I did get a frock for the wedding). I've posted a picture, but it was taken on Saturday morning on one of my Next expeditions.

Right, I'm off to be Delia now - Tarts spaghetti. I'll try to write less next week.