Sarah Todd: Eggs prove a safer business than the perils of housework

They hung on before sending the information out to the school newsletter, just in case it was a blip and egg production hadn't really got into gear again.

"We don't want to look silly," said one of their young owners. "We're better waiting a while than not being able to meet orders…"

But, having consistently collected half-a-dozen a day for a week, they think it's time to get back into business.

Regular readers will remember our daughter has suffered with tonsillitis for about the last three years. If she's been looking forward to anything then, as sure as eggs is eggs, she's struck down with a sore throat. It's happened for the last two birthdays and the same number of school plays.

We finally saw a consultant and she's going to have the tonsils taken out during the Easter holidays. He kindly asked her if she'd like to

sign the official documentation alongside her mother.

"Yes," she declared with feeling. "I'm sick of them". The consultant was taken with the practised signature and asked about its origin. "I need to sign for my bank account," she replied. "It's where I put all the money I make from selling eggs. If I need to take any out to buy new hens, then I have to sign for it."

It has to be said that she only had to buy four new hens last year, being lucky enough to be given five. They had been crushed in a delivery lorry and the farmers nursed them back to near-health before giving her them.

There were a few days over the worst winter weather when it seemed some of them might not make it. The odd wing started drooping down to the floor again and their funny little hops became proper limps. But amazingly they're all here to tell the tale.

We might try and get to a point-to-point meeting this weekend. We ought to make an effort as it must be so frustrating for the organisers to have so many of these fundraising events cancelled because of weather.

It will all depend on my back. It's been injured in a laundry accident. Dangerous business housework. It was the first time this year bed sheets had been hung outside on the washing line (well, the sun was shining) and then, as one was hauled off to be folded up – crack...

The following funny managed to cheer me up. The Husband's mobile phone has been upgraded and he was gamely trying to put somebody's details in down at the rugby club. A surprise then to receive a text message from a young lad standing behind him to tell him he was holding it the wrong way around.