Paul Burman and his wife, Sian, are on a world tour but fortunately found time to pop in for lunch chez Mrs T! In addition, another blog buddy, Mike French, the editor of The View From Here and also my good friend Mrs A joined us to help sample the culinary delights on offer. (Obviously purchased and not home made.) There was much talk and laughter and I was so pleased to have had this brief opportunity to meet up with Paul, Sian and Mike.
Paul, I surmised, even though we have only communicatied by blog and email, knows me rather too well as he came bearing special gifts including a Thomas the Tank Magazine (complete with domino set), a lovely wooden bookmark, a boomerang (for the boys obviously) a tea towel to help me in my domestic chores (ho hum) and some Australian wine. What more could a gal ask for?! (Well except chocolate - but I am on a diet so maybe that's just as well!)
But today, I reflect on how quickly things change and how we must enjoy each day we have, for time is so very precious.
This morning I took Tash, the children's favourite cat, for an emergency vets appointment. I'm waiting for the result of the Xray this morning. But in my heart I know the answer will not be good. The time will come shortly when I will have to take the decision we would all rather not make. But I will not let her suffer, and I am glad that she has will not have a protracted decline like Little Miss Tigga.
This is gonna be a tough one after the deaths last year of my in-laws, Divya, my mother and only a few weeks ago Little Miss Tigga. The boys loved Tash; she was the perfect family pet. It is going to be hard telling them that she is gone.
Time for tears.

A very recent photo of Tash and Ben.