Summer is here!

Hello, Lucy!
So glad to hear that the job is going well, although I feel that your boss has seriously underestimated your talents - time will tell and the truth will out! Chin up dear. And as for housework, look to my motto - perfection is not all it's cracked up to be - that'll do will have to do; don't beat yourself up. Do the grocery shopping on-line; teach the little Lattes some responsibility by having lists of things that they need for that day on the door. Mummy can't and shouldn't be responsible for everything, should she? I firmly believe that, if you're not looking after yourself, the whole family unit will crumble. Do take care of yourself. I shall be visiting shortly to check up on you!
Life has been lovely up here, lately: I have finally treated myself to a new food-processor after struggling on with only a Sainsbury's Basics whisk for a couple of years; Mr Chino and I thoroughly enjoyed Mrs Brown's Boys, but I couldn't possibly repeat any of the jokes to you - far too 'earthy'! We also went to see Tom Jones in concert a couple of weeks ago - what a great show, although I don't think he topped Barry Manilow, if I'm totally honest; and went camping for the first time in a couple of years. I went on a spa day for the bargain price of £25 and, yesterday, we saw a chimney being demolished, a first for us all; it was very graceful and, somewhat, sad - it only took seconds to destroy something that has dominated the Hartlepool coastline for years. As a result of all this galavanting the ironing has piled up and I've only baked one batch of chocolate muffins, but I don't care! We're having a MARVELOUS summer, the sun has shone and the Chino children are managing to behave so far...
More exciting news! We have a new follower! I believe your Herman The German experience may well have been the bait that drew her in, but, whatever the reason, welcome to Cathy! I hope that this is the beginning of a better friendship than Margo and I share... (She's always so critical of my baking efforts!)
Well, Lucy, dear, that's all for now. I'll be seeing you soon, so make sure you are, indeed, looking after number 1.

Much love, Cathy x