[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]And what a lovely June it’s been. With mostly good weather, people aren’t feeling so burdened by the cost of electricity and gas and other extra winter costs. It’s wonderful to be able to have a cup of tea in the garden or at least look out onto a sunny world.

I was reminded about the inevitable return of cold days ahead. Channel hopping I was astonished to see two TV channels offering programmes concerning the making of Christmas decorations. Can Easter eggs be far behind?

Life has scurried along, with visits to friends and family – can’t ever have too many of those. And then there was the incident of the frog in the bucket in the shed. Yes, I know – sounds odd – but it’s my kind of life. My cat decided to bring home a very lively large frog quite late one evening. Having rescued it, I put it in a bucket with a bit of water and a half brick so that he could a dry island. It was far too late to walk it round to the woods and put him in the stream so, having spent the night in my garden shed; I released him in the stream the next morning. Walked back to find a repeat performance awaiting me. This was an even larger frog with a very loud voice. So, off I set again, frog in bucket, back to the woods. I have stopped wondering what the neighbours thought!!

I’m a tennis fan, so the French Open, followed by the British championships has been a real pleasure even though it’s meant sacrificing sitting in the garden reading a book after a session of digging or some other activity. Of course, the World Cup has been an extra sporting occasion and it’s been interesting to see the flurry of patriotism which has accompanied it.

The big family news is that my son started his new business venture on the 21st and appeared on the local TV news and radio too. This was after months of preparation. He is getting lots of support from the family and friends. Trudy – his wife – has played a major role and is mainly responsible for the very impressive shop layout. Harriet and Izzy – their daughters – have been helping with all sorts of technical stuff – the face book page etc. I have been designated head of the ironing department. It’s just one thing less for them to have to fit in and I’m more than pleased to be helping (especially as it means I can spend some time with their lovely dog, Oscar). He ‘helps’ by collecting socks which means that there is a always large basket full of odd socks waiting to be paired up when Oscar has finished with them.

Harriet had her school prom on the 26th. I remember being sixteen – more than just a few years ago! I had been at work for a year and was beginning to feel really grown up, taking my mum out to tea on my birthday and paying for it out of my £5 a week wages. And Charley, my not-so-little step great granddaughter, is six months old.

My lovely cat, Jaffa, had to have an emergency visit to the vet. The timing couldn’t have been worse. My car was being repaired and my daughter’s was being MOT’d. Fortunately, my neighbours were on holiday and they provided the transport. I’m just so lucky to live here – good neighbours on all sides. I like to be independent but there is always that safety net of help about. I live just round the corner from my daughter Sarah so she and her husband, Steve, have drawn the short straw. He would only be bored without the ongoing chores list I always have at the ready for him. He did come today to help with gardening even though he has some muscle strain. I knew he wasn’t 100% because he didn’t want his usual tea and chocolate biscuits!!

Rather than choosing Wrong Trousers Day – 27th June (I know what you’re thinking!) I was glad to see that 1-7 June was Volunteers week. All these people play such an important part in our lives – everything from the St. John’s Ambulance staff who were present at the theatre where my granddaughters were in a show – to Age UK. I have personal experience of this organisation, both as a volunteer and receiving their sound advice and help when I needed it. I have no idea how many organisations are being kept afloat by volunteers but I dread to think what would happen without them.

Just had a happy afternoon at the school where I volunteer one afternoon a week. We have been busy making goods to sell at the Summer Fair on Saturday. Our family will be represented there by my daughter Sarah, my step-grand daughters Hayley and Jo, baby Charley and me – more of an invasion really. I’m going to put my feet up now while I watch some Wimbledon and then end my chores today by planting two shrubs given by another lovely neighbour.

Hoping that July brings us all lots of nice things; especially strawberries and cream in the sun.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/1″][mk_padding_divider size=”40″][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/1″][mk_icon_box title=”Read more of Ann’s Monthly Natter” text_size=”16″ font_weight=”inherit” read_more_url=”https://www.moveitorloseit.co.uk/anns-blog-archive/” icon=”moon-book” style=”simple_minimal” icon_size=”small” rounded_circle=”false” icon_location=”left” circled=”false” icon_color=”#005cb9″ icon_circle_color=”#005cb9″ box_blur=”false” margin=”30″][/vc_column][/vc_row]