More Work More Money

30 November 1999

It is World Cup fever around here at the moment. Everywhere you look it is staring you right in the face. Flags on cars and houses, weekend parties at the neighbours, school “football” days and constant TV coverage....

Guess what? I am probably one of a very few men in this country that don't really like football. I think it probably stems from never really being very good at it at school. I was always the last picked for the team and would rather do something practical than kick a football around after school.

Claire thinks she has hit the jackpot with me. All her friends complain about their husbands not wanting to do anything over the next couple of weeks. One has even had to rearrange a family holiday just in case England make the final. I think it will be a wasted sacrifice – but I might be wrong.

Even little Katy (I have taken to calling her that as she is great at squeezing under sinks and into small loft spaces!) is asking if we can have the radio on to listen to the results. I have relented and allowed her to at least listen to it. But I am not wasting my time by heading to the pub after work like half her mates seem to do.

Any way I am feeling a little bah humbug about the football. But having said all that, there is a good chance I will watch the final if we make it. It is like Wimbledon – I only watch the final.

So our holiday is just two weeks away and I am already considerably poorer. New clothes have been bought and Claire has booked herself in for a new haircut and to do all those other essential things required before showing yourself off in a swimsuit. She looks great as far as I am concerned, but she reckons a spray tan and some judicial waxing is essential.

So my aim is to earn as much money as possible over the next two weeks. I have our usual house renovation to do. We have started a new one which is a smaller job and should be finished before we go. But I have managed to pick up a couple of small side jobs I can do. It does mean working into the evenings but the extra money will be worthwhile.

Even though I am now working almost exclusively for one person, I am still getting constant calls from old clients who want me to do things for them. I am trying to fit in the smaller jobs, but I can't justify the bigger jobs. It is flattering I guess, but I hate to let people down.

So the next couple of weeks will be busy as usual. I love a bit of stress, it will make the holiday seem like a walk in the park in comparison. But if you are worried you might miss out on the holiday gossip, have no fear. The hotel has WiFi and I will be making my usual post to let you all know about Mickey Mouse and his friends!