30 November 1999

Well, the cold weather is well and truly setting in now and boy am I feeling it. I don't know what it is about me, but I feel the cold more than anyone I know. I blame it on my slow metabolism – my body just has trouble getting going. This week I have rechristened all my thermals and started wearing long trousers instead of the shorts. I have no idea what I will do when the cold gets much worse. How many layers is it possible to wear?

This little bit of chill in the air and the torrential rain has got me thinking about global warming.

I am not one of these lefty, hemp jumper wearing types, but having had kids I have to admit my impact on the world has started to become important. Chloe is just 4 and already tells me to turn off lights and not to leave the tap on while I brush my teeth. Looking at my baby son Ethan, really does make it all hit home. Claire is one of these cloth nappy types and it guess it has rubbed off on me – I just can't make them stay on properly. If it were down to me, the nappy would be hanging round his ankles half the day.

So, I wonder what the real impact of my lifestyle is on the planet. The number of skips I fill each year is a bit of an embarrassment if I think about it, but what is the alternative? At least I can say that I am responsible in the disposal of my waste. I wonder if we really need to be replacing kitchens every 5 years and throwing away perfectly good building materials just because it is easier to buy new. Problem is that the throw away society keeps me in a job. And to be honest until we are waist deep in water each winter and the summers are like a desert – most of us just won't give a monkeys. Sad but true.

Ho Hum....that really lightened the mood. Have had a funny thing happen to me this week though. The kitchen I am working on is coming to an end and the lady of the house has been home quite a bit more than usual. I couldn't work out why at first, until she started making me lots of tea and making excuses for chats. I really am not imagining this but she is being a bit too friendly, if you get my drift. I have got her life story lately and all she does is complain about her husband and how he is never around.

Yes it is flattering, I suppose. She just isn't my type and never would be. She spends more time on her makeup in the morning than Claire spends organising the whole house. My wife may not be perfect or all that glamorous, but she certainly gets things done. I think this woman is really bored. She must be if spending time watching me lay floor tiles is her only form of entertainment!

Finally, I am sure you are all excited to learn that I lost another 2 pounds last week and I am still coping pretty well. I am hoping for one stone before Christmas. I have two quotes to do next week for two of the ladies I met at the class. One wants a new front door hung and the other needs some decking in her garden. Nice time of the year for being out side I don't think, but I take what I can get!