Noise

 Work on converting the single storey old barn next door to a 2 storey holiday home has started in earnest now, there are 3 blokes working out there - the builder, our neighbour and his brother, both of whom seem to be supplying the labour.  There's a digger in operation and some kind of machinery inside the barn, sounds like a cement mixer maybe (what do I know?  I can't see it so am just guessing, I'm not familiar with building tools).  The 3 blokes are all shouting to be heard above the noise.  The neighbour's son, a lad of around 6, is also out there, his mother has gone to work so I guess the father has no option but to have the kid with him, which doesn't seem very sensible (or safe) on a building site - not my business though.  The child, who's pleasant enough, is one of those kids who is constantly talking, he's calling out "Dad, dad, DAAAAD" all the time, asking multiple questions and then when he finally gets an anwer, it's "Why?  Dad, why?  WHYYYY?".  I'm trying to keep occupied indoors and stay calm, but on a hot day with all our windows and door open, it's impossible to not notice all the noise and upheaval.  At least they haven't got a ghetto blaster blaring out! (yet).

I don't particularly want us to go out - too hot and school hols - I wouldn't want to leave Betty home alone with all that noise going on and she's not really happy in the car nowadays, she whines and seems uncomfortable.  It's also too hot for a dog in the car.  As with most annoying things, I'm sure we'll get used to the noise sooner or later.

Husband got me a really nice anniversary card.  He's nearly always found lovely cards over the years, apart from a couple of errors like birthday cards on our anniversary, or vice versa, and one saying "On your anniversary" rather than "our".  He did once years ago give me a so-called humorous card which was actually quite offensive, he never made that mistake again.  His gift giving has been somewhat erratic over the years, it was usually a case of me buying what I want and him giving me the money for it.  Nowadays, by mutual agreement, we've stopped getting each other presents, it's too much pressure for him (and me, come to that) and quite honestly after all this time there's not much we actually want or need.  A nice meal out, or bought in, is just fine.

The last 2 nights have been just too hot, sticky humid heat meaning none of us have had much sleep.  One more night of similar and then from tomorrow onwards it's forecast to be much cooler, thank goodness.