Family Affairs

Bqck qgqin only ,o,ents lqter _ zith sq,e proble,:::the french keyboqrd is significqntle differnet to the english keyboqrd:

However, now I’m feeling immensely cool because I’m in an INTERNET CAFE with my children! Previously, before I became a blogging addict I thought only drug addicts, homeless people and hooded youths used such cafes. It’s lovely in here. Lots of books, coffee, cake, chess – very civilised; I wonder where I can buy a hoody. I love embarrassing my children – they are sitting as far away from me as possible and are pretending they don’t know me.

I’ve been painting with the children too. My 7 year old did a lovely still life – carefully composed by me to include lots of one colour items like a cardboard box, rather than a bunch of grapes. “How do you draw blood?” He asked. “Grandma was talking about that little boy in the village who always draws blood when he bites someone”.

I have absolutely nothing to report. I have zoned out of London life and moved into life in the slow lane. The highlight of our day is buying pain au chocolat in the local village. It’s wonderful. I’m here to spend time with my children and my parents. My father is on chemo, but coping remarkably well (except for sore hands and feet and no taste buds) compared to my mother who is in constant pain with her back. She can’t walk very far without having to sit down – the sciatic pain is always there. It’s not at all easy for either of them and I am amazed that they both remain as positive as they do under difficult circumstances – I just hope we don’t stress them out by being here. My father says being on chemo isn’t as bad as everybody thinks. I bloody hope it works.