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Michelle overslept and was late for work for the first time in three years this morning. She was adult about it and told the truth without feeble excuses and found that people were pretty understanding. The truth has a certain ring to it and Managers would rather know the truth because if they suspect they are being lied to they lose confidence in the person. They were OK about it because it hasn't happened before and she was professional about it.

She has joined Weight Watchers and I am going to follow the diet with her as I feel grotesque. I hate being so fat and recently I have put on a load of extra weight so my clothes don't fit and I feel ugly. It is Sean's 70th birthday in March and I can't embarrass him by looking the way I do. I will do my best, but I am on two medicines that have weight gain as a side effect, plus I am peri-menopausal and it is normal to gain weight at this stage. It isn't so bad if you were slender to start off with, but I haven't been slender in decades. I realise these factors, combined with the problems involved in exercising, it will be difficult. Difficult yes, but impossible, no.

My Mum is starting to feel better now that the Dr has put her on an antibiotic for a respiratory infection she had before she went to South Africa. As she has had the bug for so long it will take a while for her to be back to her old self, but at least a sensible start has been made. She took Wendy swimming this morning, and Wendy has learned delaying tactics. My Mum gives her a warning that it is nearly time to stop swimming so the request to get out doesn't come as a surprise. After 5 min or so, she says "we have to get out now" and Wendy says "Coming!" but doesn't. My mum has to tell her again, and gets the same response. "Coming!" but doesn't. Then the bribery/blackmail starts. "Do you want us to come swimming again?" "Yes" "Well then, you must get out now or I won't bring you again". Actually, the only real hassle my mum has with her is that she can't get herself dried and dressed at the same time as Wendy, who is apt to wander off, so its a bit tricky. Wendy and my Mum enjoy each other's company so much. Its good for my mum's general fitness and well being, its good for Wendy to have a bond with her great grandma and its good for Caelyn to have a break. Wendy is a real livewire and, being pregnant, Caelyn is very tired. Wendy is very lovely and sweet but she is exhausting. She has a lively curiosity and you can't take your eyes off her for a minute.

A Fransiscan Missionary priest in Evander, Father Tony Thouard, once told me that children are brought up by the 3 B's - Bribery, Brutality and Blackmail. I was mildly shocked and took it as a witticism, but after all these years have passed, I think Fr Tony had a point. I wonder how he is and where he is. God Bless you, Fr Tony. Your kindness and gentleness are remembered with affection.

Sean was in London today for a dental appointment and it went well, as it jolly well ought, considering it cost him an arm and a leg. He had a pub dinner with a neighbour, Colin. He also had a blast by his brother in law who, most unusually for him, wasn't being quite fair. Sean had a disturbed night last night so I hope he will be able to settle tonight as a family quarrel can stop someone sleeping. Sean really feels it if he doesn't have enough sleep, so I hope natural exhaustion will win out. This is undoubtedly a storm in a teacup, but these things are upsetting until they blow over.