The summer is going okay ...so far!

Well the referendum happened and my reputation as a political guru is unmatched...I got it 100% wrong again. The country as a whole voted quite decidedly to leave the EU with only London and Scotland voting to stay, so we get to leave. The Labour party seems to be hell bent on destroying itself with most of the front bench MPs resigning and more than 75% voting against Corbyn in a vote of no confidence. He is still grimly hanging on...what a surprise, so we will see what excitement the next few weeks bring. Cameron resigned as of October as Prime Minister so the Conservatives are looking for a new leader...non of the front runners would appal me which makes a change!

Other than that DS1 has come home for the summer and unlike previous years he is actually framing and sorting all the stuff he needs to do. Its been easier for him to work as DP has been working away quite a bit so he's able to put his stuff on the table in the kitchen to work on it and just leave it there rather than having to spend all his time tidying everything away so DP doesn't mess with his stuff or offer 'helpful' advise about what he 'needs to do'.

We have managed to get through an impressive list of jobs this year from sorting DDs stairlift and getting her triple glazing fitted to replacing the boys bathroom and sorting the last bits of the roof at the back. Some of the jobs have been on our 'one day' list for ages and its really good to see them being sorted. We now have a new list of stuff that needs doing, naturally-

• get the front of the roof sorted and pvc put over the front of the loft extension
• replace the computer
• buy DDs wheelchair when her contract runs out
• sort a new car via Motability for me
• sort the deposit and first months rent for DS1 in London...he's moving into a shared house with friends - assuming they ever get their act together to sort it
• replace the cupboard doors in the kitchen
• replace the windows in the attic...DS2 has broken the locks with a pair of scissors so badly the whole windows will need replacing.

I'm sure other things will be added to the list, like paying for DS1 to pass his driving test, but having worked through the last list the new list is less daunting than it might be.

DS2 is mostly sorted having been moved over to Adult Social Services and the money is starting to come through. The whole thing is a total scam as DS2's money comes from Housing Benefit, he is classed as a lodger though he a patently not. He is also paid Income Support as a disabled person, which he isn't really, and this money is then paid to me to support him. Fostering was simpler and more honest but at least all the paperwork is done and DS2 is now, with his new name, settled here for as long as he needs.

However the best bit of the summer is DP being away so much! Its made everything so much easier. He is off to Australia for just over a week soon and we are all looking forward to that enormously. Unfortunately once that's over he's home pretty much the rest of the year but at least he doesn't have any holiday booked, well not more than an odd day or two so I'm sure we'll cope. He is just so dull and boring to have around as he has absolutely nothing to do and no interests so just flops and heaves and sighs. Its pathetic it really is.

Unfortunately DD is still deteriorating quite sharply and is almost totally house bound now. We may have some days out over the summer but are unlikely to manage many. Its a real shame as DD still wants to do so much but her illness places severe limitations on what is possible. Still we manage what we can and enjoy what we do.

My DM is steadily getting increasingly ill, still smoking, but still shows no signs of dying yet. But hope springs eternal. DM is delusional, she was informing me of a family party in September and letting me know I would come but DD wouldn't....having a severely ill granddaughter is an embarrassment for DM I guess. The best though was when I mentioned DS1 wouldn't be able to come as he would be back in London by then...my DMs response...'we'll see!' as though she can dictate what DS1 does...the woman is batshit.

But anyway the rest of us are looking forward to a fun summer, hopefully saving lots of cash to work through list 2 of 'one day' jobs! As well as doing fun stuff and eating well!!