Laburnums,
Brookfield Drive,
Hartleford Regis
CR4 9PY
6th March 2019
Dear Penelope,
So sorry for the delay in writing my New Year’s update. How is it even March? As for 2019, they’ve got to be kidding, where did 2017 go? Is it really 45 years since we worked together in that dismal basement in Foyles?
Thanks so much for your Christmas card and the very informative letter about your family. I was so impressed by Clarice and Andrew’s achievements and their beautiful new cars. They must have wonderful jobs despite their rather mediocre academic achievements!
Jack and I were in Bristol last month for Leonard’s Masters graduation, he is still working at McDonalds but has great hopes of a diplomatic career.
I have enjoyed admiring the pictures of your arts and crafts on social media. What inspired you to turn unwanted musical instruments into wall-hangings? As for the chalk-painted 1960s modernist furniture with the Victorian decoupage… words fail me. I have never seen anything so original. This, despite the worries of your ingrowing toenail operations and Auntie Agatha’s prolapse.
I am fit as a fiddle, I have to be. Jack has always had an individual approach to skeletal systems and is now on the waiting list for a hip replacement. Grannie’s alcoholic liver disease seems not to hold her back, she is the life and soul of her nursing home – we visit when we can.
My condolences on Gertie’s passing. She was a great age for a pug and had a good life. I so understand about the new carpets, furniture and flooring. Don’t feel bad mourning your dog more than your father, I hadn’t realised you even knew who he was.
We just lost our 17years six months old border terrier Arno, He was such a live-wire. Do you remember how he used to terrorise all the friends the boys brought round and nearly pushed you down the stairs that one time you visited? The lovely thing about pensioner dogs is they are some much more mellow, we can almost forgive them for their ‘little accidents’. We still have the good memories and the kitchen doesn’t smell so strongly of ammonia now that I’ve found this wonderful solution on Amazon.
We all enjoyed the pictures of Clarice’s wedding, what a day you must have had. 400 guests and only one fatality. I bet you really needed the round the world cruise after that. We enjoyed a lovely cruise last year, four days from Cardiff to Ireland.
Keep well and keep smiling and I look forward to next year’s newsletter.
Lots of love. XXX