As it's a Leap year this year we had a bonus day and luckily I spent half of it in the garden, in the sunshine!
Sophie didn't go into university today and we spent a couple of hours in the morning catching up with the Oscars. She thought she'd recorded the whole thing last night (originally she was going to stay up until 5am) but it hadn't worked for some reason. It meant we caught them two hours in but we did see all the big winners and we were delighted to learn that The Revenant won Best Director and Best Actor, which was brilliant.
As the sun was shining outside I decided to cut the lawn. It hasn't rained for a while so the grass was dry, something I doubted I'd ever see again after all the rain we've had this winter. The lawnmower gamely tackled the long grass and when I'd finished it looked so much neater. All the while I was working the little robin sat and watched me from a branch and he got very excited when I started digging and hoeing the borders! I chatted away to him and he cocked his head at me as if he knew what I was saying!
Sophie made me a toastie for lunch and I sat in the sun to enjoy it. As well as the robin, the sparrows were about and waiting for me to to finish so they could resume their constant eating. I cleared out some of my pots and trimmed back some bushes that needed pruning after the winter. Now all we need is some warm and sunny days to do some more work!
Monday 29 February 2016
Sunday 28 February 2016
Sunny Sunday
Sophie was back at work today but didn't have to go in until 11am so we could all have a bit of a lie-in. I didn't, of course, and I was up early as usual!
We took her to work and popped into Aldi to get some milk and the place was packed. I also took my filthy dirty car through a very thorough car wash and was extremely pleased with the results. It's very cold at the moment and I didn't fancy washing it by hand. When it warms up a little bit it will be a pleasure to wash it in the sun!
In the afternoon I went around to Mum and Dad's new house as I was going out with my mother to Beckworth Emporium. They both looked a little stressed as there is so much going on for them at the moment but I said to take it easy as there's no rush. They are planning to move in on the 22 March but in the meantime they're taking bits and pieces over to the house and were even planning on painting the kitchen which I thought was a bit mad!
We had a lovely mooch about in Beckworth and enjoyed a cup of tea and a slice of cake after a fairly lengthy wait. That's all I seem to do just lately...wait around! Mum bought some plants for a hanging basket and, again, I resisted buying Spring planters that won't last five minutes!
We took her to work and popped into Aldi to get some milk and the place was packed. I also took my filthy dirty car through a very thorough car wash and was extremely pleased with the results. It's very cold at the moment and I didn't fancy washing it by hand. When it warms up a little bit it will be a pleasure to wash it in the sun!
In the afternoon I went around to Mum and Dad's new house as I was going out with my mother to Beckworth Emporium. They both looked a little stressed as there is so much going on for them at the moment but I said to take it easy as there's no rush. They are planning to move in on the 22 March but in the meantime they're taking bits and pieces over to the house and were even planning on painting the kitchen which I thought was a bit mad!
We had a lovely mooch about in Beckworth and enjoyed a cup of tea and a slice of cake after a fairly lengthy wait. That's all I seem to do just lately...wait around! Mum bought some plants for a hanging basket and, again, I resisted buying Spring planters that won't last five minutes!
Saturday 27 February 2016
More waiting about!
Sophie didn't have to go into work today so it was bliss to be able to get up and not have to rush off anywhere.
We all pottered about the house in the morning and in the afternoon Sophie and I went off to Tesco in Kettering as she needed to get me a Mother's Day card. On the way we called to see if Mum and Dad were at their new house but we discovered they were in Homebase looking at fireplaces!
We went to Tesco and while Sophie shopped I mooched about the aisles and then got into the slowest queue of all of the checkouts. I am an expert at this and I should really wear a placard on my back warning people not to get into the queue behind me.
I gave up with the queue and inadvertently bumped into Sophie who yelled at me for looking at what she'd bought (I didn't see anything). I then got into another slow queue so as a last resort I went to the self-service checkouts where the till took exception to the bag of walnut pieces I wanted to buy!
Back home we chilled out and I did some ironing before Sophie painted my toe- and fingernails. Bliss!
In the evening Mike went off to a party so we had a late night picking him up to look forward to. Keith volunteered to drive so Sophie and I enjoyed a bottle of red with the Coq au Vin I'd prepared in the morning. The call came at 11.30pm and when we picked our son up he stank of cheap perfume which Heather had sprayed all over him. I don't really want to know why she felt the need to make him smell like that, but all the way home in the car my eyes were watering from the fumes!
We all pottered about the house in the morning and in the afternoon Sophie and I went off to Tesco in Kettering as she needed to get me a Mother's Day card. On the way we called to see if Mum and Dad were at their new house but we discovered they were in Homebase looking at fireplaces!
We went to Tesco and while Sophie shopped I mooched about the aisles and then got into the slowest queue of all of the checkouts. I am an expert at this and I should really wear a placard on my back warning people not to get into the queue behind me.
I gave up with the queue and inadvertently bumped into Sophie who yelled at me for looking at what she'd bought (I didn't see anything). I then got into another slow queue so as a last resort I went to the self-service checkouts where the till took exception to the bag of walnut pieces I wanted to buy!
Back home we chilled out and I did some ironing before Sophie painted my toe- and fingernails. Bliss!
In the evening Mike went off to a party so we had a late night picking him up to look forward to. Keith volunteered to drive so Sophie and I enjoyed a bottle of red with the Coq au Vin I'd prepared in the morning. The call came at 11.30pm and when we picked our son up he stank of cheap perfume which Heather had sprayed all over him. I don't really want to know why she felt the need to make him smell like that, but all the way home in the car my eyes were watering from the fumes!
Friday 26 February 2016
Feeling a bit flat...
I'm not quite sure what was up with me today but I felt a bit nauseous all day, which was unpleasant. Maybe I just ate too much last night!
We had to stay in the house, though, as one of my rear tyres had a slow puncture and after some investigation yesterday we decided to get both tyres replaced. After the service I had last month it was recommended we change them anyway so it was the push I needed! I'd arranged for Etyres to come out and replace them and they phoned me in the morning to say they were coming out in the afternoon.
I took Sophie to uni in Jazzy Jim and the tyre man arrived just after I went to collect her at 1.30pm. He confirmed there'd been a nail in the tyre so I was just glad the car got us home on Wednesday. I would have hated to have broken down on the busy A34!
Within half an hour it was all done and I was £200 poorer! I seem to be spending a fortune on my car at the moment!
I made some chocolate chip muffins in the afternoon and by the evening I felt a bit better. Mike said he had felt a bit sick this morning so maybe we've picked up a bug somewhere!
We had to stay in the house, though, as one of my rear tyres had a slow puncture and after some investigation yesterday we decided to get both tyres replaced. After the service I had last month it was recommended we change them anyway so it was the push I needed! I'd arranged for Etyres to come out and replace them and they phoned me in the morning to say they were coming out in the afternoon.
I took Sophie to uni in Jazzy Jim and the tyre man arrived just after I went to collect her at 1.30pm. He confirmed there'd been a nail in the tyre so I was just glad the car got us home on Wednesday. I would have hated to have broken down on the busy A34!
Within half an hour it was all done and I was £200 poorer! I seem to be spending a fortune on my car at the moment!
I made some chocolate chip muffins in the afternoon and by the evening I felt a bit better. Mike said he had felt a bit sick this morning so maybe we've picked up a bug somewhere!
Thursday 25 February 2016
The long wait...
This evening Sophie and I went out for dinner with my friend Lynda and another old chum called Claire who we hadn't seen for at least two years. We'd arranged to go to The Oriental Paradise in Billing but unfortunately Lynda hadn't booked a table and when Keith dropped us off she was sitting in the foyer area looking very unhappy.
I hadn't told Lynda I was bringing Sophie so I was a bit worried about her reaction but she was fine about my daughter accompanying us. She wasn't fine, though, about the long wait we had for a table as the restaurant was fully booked.
Claire arrived and couldn't get parked in the car park so she had to leave her car in a neighbouring pub's car park. We ordered some drinks and debated about leaving to go to Frank's Hamburger House nearby but after an hour's wait we were finally able to get a table. We'd all been looking forward to a Chinese meal so it was lovely to be able to sit down at last and choose from the menu.
We had a great chat and it was lovely to catch up with Claire and find out what she'd been up to. The last time she'd seen Sophie was when she was very small so she was amazed to see my daughter so grown up!
We had a lovely, if very filling meal, and Keith came back to pick us up at 11pm, by which time the restaurant had emptied out completely and we were the last to go!
I hadn't told Lynda I was bringing Sophie so I was a bit worried about her reaction but she was fine about my daughter accompanying us. She wasn't fine, though, about the long wait we had for a table as the restaurant was fully booked.
Claire arrived and couldn't get parked in the car park so she had to leave her car in a neighbouring pub's car park. We ordered some drinks and debated about leaving to go to Frank's Hamburger House nearby but after an hour's wait we were finally able to get a table. We'd all been looking forward to a Chinese meal so it was lovely to be able to sit down at last and choose from the menu.
We had a great chat and it was lovely to catch up with Claire and find out what she'd been up to. The last time she'd seen Sophie was when she was very small so she was amazed to see my daughter so grown up!
We had a lovely, if very filling meal, and Keith came back to pick us up at 11pm, by which time the restaurant had emptied out completely and we were the last to go!
Wednesday 24 February 2016
Funeral in Salisbury
Keith's ex-work friend died earlier in February and his funeral was today in Salisbury. We dropped Mikey off at school and started our journey straight away as we weren't sure how long it would take us.
Getting through the rush hour traffic in Northampton wasn't as bad as I thought and soon we were on the A43 and heading towards the M40. It was another gorgeous day with clear blue skies and sunshine but it was quite cold and the temperature didn't really rise about 5c the whole way.
We stopped for coffee at the emptiest and coldest Little Chef I've ever visited and enjoyed a Latte. I had a truly horrendous headache which lasted the entire day and might have been down to the wee dram of whisky I enjoyed before going to bed last night. Not a good idea when I'd been drinking Prosecco!
We arrived at Salisbury Crematorium an hour early so we drove into the city and parked in a foul-smelling car park near the centre. The stairwells smelt of stale urine so it wasn't the best first impression of a place we'd never visited before!
Luckily, as we made our way towards the Cathedral, the city improved and the area around the huge church, called "The Close" was lovely. There were several sculptures by a woman called Sophie Ryder that were huge and very striking.
She seemed to like hares!
We had a walk around and went into the Cathedral cloisters which were beautiful.
We learnt that the cathedral houses the Magna Carta and has four copies. Obviously we didn't have time to go and view it today but I would like to go back one day and spend some more time in the city.
We walked back to the car along with a crowd of teenage boys from the private schools that are very near to the Cathedral. This area was much more pretty than the area close to the car park so we forgave Salisbury and both said it would be good to come back and spend more time exploring.
We arrived at the crematorium with half an hour to spare and met some more of Pat's friends who had arrived to say goodbye. The service was different to any I'd been to before with a lot of music and memories from Pat's life. The music selection was eclectic to say the least and included Duelling Banjos!
After the service we went to Pat and Eleanor's house for a light buffet. My headache was still terrible so I swallowed some Nurofen and hoped fervently that it would go before it was time to drive back home.
Luckily, it abated and we left Salisbury at 3pm. The plan had been to stop in the village of Hinton-in-the-Hedges for a drink but we were there for 5pm which we thought was a bit too early to be stopping for a drink. It took us another hour to reach our village because of the rush hour traffic so we went the pub for a drink and a chat about the day. The kids had curries for their dinner but Keith and I made do with some oven chips and a pizza for our meal. Not really what I had in mind for this evening but never mind!
Getting through the rush hour traffic in Northampton wasn't as bad as I thought and soon we were on the A43 and heading towards the M40. It was another gorgeous day with clear blue skies and sunshine but it was quite cold and the temperature didn't really rise about 5c the whole way.
We stopped for coffee at the emptiest and coldest Little Chef I've ever visited and enjoyed a Latte. I had a truly horrendous headache which lasted the entire day and might have been down to the wee dram of whisky I enjoyed before going to bed last night. Not a good idea when I'd been drinking Prosecco!
We arrived at Salisbury Crematorium an hour early so we drove into the city and parked in a foul-smelling car park near the centre. The stairwells smelt of stale urine so it wasn't the best first impression of a place we'd never visited before!
Luckily, as we made our way towards the Cathedral, the city improved and the area around the huge church, called "The Close" was lovely. There were several sculptures by a woman called Sophie Ryder that were huge and very striking.
She seemed to like hares!
We had a walk around and went into the Cathedral cloisters which were beautiful.
We learnt that the cathedral houses the Magna Carta and has four copies. Obviously we didn't have time to go and view it today but I would like to go back one day and spend some more time in the city.
We walked back to the car along with a crowd of teenage boys from the private schools that are very near to the Cathedral. This area was much more pretty than the area close to the car park so we forgave Salisbury and both said it would be good to come back and spend more time exploring.
We arrived at the crematorium with half an hour to spare and met some more of Pat's friends who had arrived to say goodbye. The service was different to any I'd been to before with a lot of music and memories from Pat's life. The music selection was eclectic to say the least and included Duelling Banjos!
After the service we went to Pat and Eleanor's house for a light buffet. My headache was still terrible so I swallowed some Nurofen and hoped fervently that it would go before it was time to drive back home.
Luckily, it abated and we left Salisbury at 3pm. The plan had been to stop in the village of Hinton-in-the-Hedges for a drink but we were there for 5pm which we thought was a bit too early to be stopping for a drink. It took us another hour to reach our village because of the rush hour traffic so we went the pub for a drink and a chat about the day. The kids had curries for their dinner but Keith and I made do with some oven chips and a pizza for our meal. Not really what I had in mind for this evening but never mind!
Tuesday 23 February 2016
A little bump!
Mum and Dad phoned this morning to say they were going back to Market Harborough to visit the carpet showroom we went to last Wednesday, as the price they had received for the carpets was different to the one they had in the beginning, and not in a good direction!
I said that Sophie and I would go with them and they arranged to come over at 10am. When we all got into my car to go I reversed out of our drive a bit too quickly, forgetting that my Dad's white Astra was behind me...and crunch! I hit his car!
It sounded worse than it actually was and after fetching a cloth and wiping off the black paint that had transferred, the damage was nowhere near as bad as I feared, thank goodness. Dad already has a scratch on his rear bumper where a nice person scraped it in a car park and had been intending to go to Chips Away anyway. I might go as well, as my rear bumper has a few marks from where we loaded stuff in the back!
We drove off to Market Harborough and I was dismayed to find the small car park already nearly full. I squeezed into a space but dreaded trying to get out, especially after my little incident earlier!
Unfortunately we didn't have a good experience in the showroom and the service we received was abysmal after the help we had last week. We were all a bit mystified as to why the price had almost doubled and the lady we saw last week was unavailable. The man we spoke to made us all feel very small as he queried the budget my parents had and was most unhelpful. I will not be going to Brookside Carpets in Market Harborough again, and nor will we be recommending them! My parents have a lot to pay out for at the moment so I don't think trying to stick to a budget is unreasonable!
It took me a fair while to get out of the horrible car park (I had to reverse out into the main road in the end) and we drove into Market Harborough to park in our normal place. My Dad treated us all to a coffee in Caffe Nero and then we walked about in the lovely sunshine. Sophie bought some clothes in New Look for her forthcoming Rome trip (in April) and we had a mooch in Accessorize but she didn't see anything she liked. As it was almost lunchtime we decided to head home but before we went we bought some lunch in Tesco. It was great to sit in the conservatory and enjoy lunch in the gorgeous sunshine!
Sophie had an appointment for her nails at 4pm so I drove her there and waited in the car. We were looking forward to a girls' night in tonight as Keith was out at a football match and Mike was at Army Cadets. Sophie and I enjoyed a glass of Prosecco, Chicken Kiev and a rom-com, "How To Lose a Guy in 10 Days" which was very enjoyable!
I said that Sophie and I would go with them and they arranged to come over at 10am. When we all got into my car to go I reversed out of our drive a bit too quickly, forgetting that my Dad's white Astra was behind me...and crunch! I hit his car!
It sounded worse than it actually was and after fetching a cloth and wiping off the black paint that had transferred, the damage was nowhere near as bad as I feared, thank goodness. Dad already has a scratch on his rear bumper where a nice person scraped it in a car park and had been intending to go to Chips Away anyway. I might go as well, as my rear bumper has a few marks from where we loaded stuff in the back!
We drove off to Market Harborough and I was dismayed to find the small car park already nearly full. I squeezed into a space but dreaded trying to get out, especially after my little incident earlier!
Unfortunately we didn't have a good experience in the showroom and the service we received was abysmal after the help we had last week. We were all a bit mystified as to why the price had almost doubled and the lady we saw last week was unavailable. The man we spoke to made us all feel very small as he queried the budget my parents had and was most unhelpful. I will not be going to Brookside Carpets in Market Harborough again, and nor will we be recommending them! My parents have a lot to pay out for at the moment so I don't think trying to stick to a budget is unreasonable!
It took me a fair while to get out of the horrible car park (I had to reverse out into the main road in the end) and we drove into Market Harborough to park in our normal place. My Dad treated us all to a coffee in Caffe Nero and then we walked about in the lovely sunshine. Sophie bought some clothes in New Look for her forthcoming Rome trip (in April) and we had a mooch in Accessorize but she didn't see anything she liked. As it was almost lunchtime we decided to head home but before we went we bought some lunch in Tesco. It was great to sit in the conservatory and enjoy lunch in the gorgeous sunshine!
Sophie had an appointment for her nails at 4pm so I drove her there and waited in the car. We were looking forward to a girls' night in tonight as Keith was out at a football match and Mike was at Army Cadets. Sophie and I enjoyed a glass of Prosecco, Chicken Kiev and a rom-com, "How To Lose a Guy in 10 Days" which was very enjoyable!
Monday 22 February 2016
Making plans...
This morning Keith and I met my parents at the Lok 'n' Store in Northampton as my Dad wanted to start moving the garage stuff into the new house. We put some shelving in my car and met them at their house after calling into ours to pick up our kettle. Mum and Dad had put on a little lunch for us as they had to be at their new house to see a man about some blinds and curtains.
We were thrilled to see a big red bow on the door of their house and they'd also received a hamper from Redrow which was a lovely touch!
Keith hadn't seen inside the house before so we showed him around and then had something to eat. I took some photos for posterity!
They have a lot of things to organise, including carpets and flooring for the bathrooms, curtains, blinds and wardrobes. It makes me realise how lucky we were when we moved into our house as everything was included, even the turfing of our back garden and a burglar alarm.
We had a lovely lunch and then we left my parents to wait for their man to come out and measure up while we popped to Kettering to get some diesel for my car. Keith is out tonight with his chums from the pub so when we got home I hoovered it out to make it look a little more decent!
I picked Sophie up earlier than usual and we went to Jones's as we needed a few things. I bought Monty a cat bed as he is really too big for the cushions we have and I don't want him sleeping on the pouff that Archie used. After we finished shopping my naughty daughter persuaded me to take her to a nearby McDonald's where she polished off some chicken strips. It was very pleasant sitting in the car park as the weather has been gorgeous today with lots of blue sky and sunshine.
Back home Keith made himself ready for his night out with his mates and drove off without his wallet!
We were thrilled to see a big red bow on the door of their house and they'd also received a hamper from Redrow which was a lovely touch!
Keith hadn't seen inside the house before so we showed him around and then had something to eat. I took some photos for posterity!
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| Mum preparing lunch in her new kitchen |
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| The living room |
We had a lovely lunch and then we left my parents to wait for their man to come out and measure up while we popped to Kettering to get some diesel for my car. Keith is out tonight with his chums from the pub so when we got home I hoovered it out to make it look a little more decent!
I picked Sophie up earlier than usual and we went to Jones's as we needed a few things. I bought Monty a cat bed as he is really too big for the cushions we have and I don't want him sleeping on the pouff that Archie used. After we finished shopping my naughty daughter persuaded me to take her to a nearby McDonald's where she polished off some chicken strips. It was very pleasant sitting in the car park as the weather has been gorgeous today with lots of blue sky and sunshine.
Back home Keith made himself ready for his night out with his mates and drove off without his wallet!
Sunday 21 February 2016
Waiting around
Mike wanted to get his hair cut this morning so after dropping Sophie off at work we returned home to pick him up and take him to the barber shop in Kettering. He went to wait while we drove to Tesco next door as we said we would wait for him in Costa Coffee.
Now, I like Costa but I didn't really want to sit in there for over an hour which is what we did while waiting for our son! In the end we walked back to the car and Keith strolled over to the barber's to see what was happening. Luckily he was being seen to!
When he was finished we drove back to Moulton to drop him off at Heather's and then it was finally home for some lunch. It felt like we'd wasted a whole morning!
We did very little for the rest of the day and then it was back out again in the evening to pick both our offspring up. It was lovely to get home, pour a glass of wine and look forward to a turkey dinner. It's not just for Christmas!
Now, I like Costa but I didn't really want to sit in there for over an hour which is what we did while waiting for our son! In the end we walked back to the car and Keith strolled over to the barber's to see what was happening. Luckily he was being seen to!
When he was finished we drove back to Moulton to drop him off at Heather's and then it was finally home for some lunch. It felt like we'd wasted a whole morning!
We did very little for the rest of the day and then it was back out again in the evening to pick both our offspring up. It was lovely to get home, pour a glass of wine and look forward to a turkey dinner. It's not just for Christmas!
Saturday 20 February 2016
I am a winner!
Today Keith and I tackled the housework as we didn't have to run the children anywhere and we could just get on and do what needed to be done. Sophie had stayed overnight with a friend from uni who drove her into work this morning and Mike had no plans to go anywhere either.
We worked until 2pm and Keith went off in the afternoon to see his local football team play. I had a bath and settled down to watch a DVD that my Mum had lent me and I really missed my beautiful black cat snuggled up beside me. Monty is an affectionate cat but he never sits on our laps like Archie used to.
Keith's football match went into extra time so I left to collect Sophie and on the way I called to get Fiona a bottle of wine and some chocolates as it is the final of our Come Dine With Me tonight. It was supposed to have been held in December and then in January but it had to be postponed three times so tonight was the night with a Parisian (or French) theme.
Back home Sophie did my hair and make-up, bless her, even though she was shattered and dying for a shower. I decided to go as Michelle from "Allo, Allo" so all I needed to do was don a beret and put on normal clothes with my raincoat over the top. We collected Lynda on the way who gave me Birthday presents for myself and Mike!
We were the first to arrive and Fiona looked great as a saucy French maid! Lynda was a garlic seller and also sported a beret and a jaunty black moustache!
It was great to get out and have a laugh and a chat with the girls and when Andrea arrived she looked fabulous as Marcel Marceau!
We were treated to a glass of Kir Royale and then we tucked into a starter of mackerel which Fiona had mixed with peppercorns. Spread on toasted sourdough bread, it was delicious!
Our main course was confit du canard, a leg of duck with lovely crispy skin served with Dauphinois potatoes, green beans and long stemmed broccoli. Fiona's kids wandered in and out all evening as we were seated in the kitchen so that added to the atmosphere!
For dessert we enjoyed a very good apple tart and then it was time to do the scores. Fiona's son Patrick added them all up for us and I was declared the winner which was lovely! I didn't win £1000 but it was great to know that the others had enjoyed my wartime austerity evening back in November.
Keith picked us up at midnight and after dropping Lynda off we returned home and sat and read the paper until well past 1am!
We worked until 2pm and Keith went off in the afternoon to see his local football team play. I had a bath and settled down to watch a DVD that my Mum had lent me and I really missed my beautiful black cat snuggled up beside me. Monty is an affectionate cat but he never sits on our laps like Archie used to.
Keith's football match went into extra time so I left to collect Sophie and on the way I called to get Fiona a bottle of wine and some chocolates as it is the final of our Come Dine With Me tonight. It was supposed to have been held in December and then in January but it had to be postponed three times so tonight was the night with a Parisian (or French) theme.
Back home Sophie did my hair and make-up, bless her, even though she was shattered and dying for a shower. I decided to go as Michelle from "Allo, Allo" so all I needed to do was don a beret and put on normal clothes with my raincoat over the top. We collected Lynda on the way who gave me Birthday presents for myself and Mike!
We were the first to arrive and Fiona looked great as a saucy French maid! Lynda was a garlic seller and also sported a beret and a jaunty black moustache!
It was great to get out and have a laugh and a chat with the girls and when Andrea arrived she looked fabulous as Marcel Marceau!
We were treated to a glass of Kir Royale and then we tucked into a starter of mackerel which Fiona had mixed with peppercorns. Spread on toasted sourdough bread, it was delicious!
Our main course was confit du canard, a leg of duck with lovely crispy skin served with Dauphinois potatoes, green beans and long stemmed broccoli. Fiona's kids wandered in and out all evening as we were seated in the kitchen so that added to the atmosphere!
For dessert we enjoyed a very good apple tart and then it was time to do the scores. Fiona's son Patrick added them all up for us and I was declared the winner which was lovely! I didn't win £1000 but it was great to know that the others had enjoyed my wartime austerity evening back in November.
Keith picked us up at midnight and after dropping Lynda off we returned home and sat and read the paper until well past 1am!
Friday 19 February 2016
Sad Friday...
All of us were very subdued and sad today and I just couldn't stop crying about Archie. I kept thinking it wasn't him on the road and that it was another cat, but deep down I know he'll never come home.
To make it worse, Sophie was off to Uni today and then was staying for the afternoon and evening with her friends so I wouldn't see her until Saturday evening after work. She was off out to The Lamplighter again and I really wanted her to go and enjoy herself after our sad day yesterday. I took her in at 9.30am and then came home to find Mike also getting ready to go and see Heather.
I took him to Moulton, came back and had a bath, all the time feeling very sad. Every time I went outside I thought I would see Archie trotting down the road and I expect it will be some time before I accept that he has gone.
Keith and I decided to go out and get the newspaper but just as I was getting ready Sophie called to ask me to pick her up as her friends were all in lectures in the afternoon so there was no point in her staying. I was delighted to go and get her and we decided to pop to Costa Coffee on Riverside where she treated me to a Flat White and a piece of cake.
It was good to get out of the house for a while and we had a nice chat in a very busy Costa. The whole of the retail park was busy, probably because of half -term. Sophie treated herself to some make-up in Boots and then we headed home.
My daughter was collected by her friend Hannah in the early evening and as soon as Keith went to the pub I drove to pick up Mike. The previously beautiful weather that we've had over the last couple of days changed this evening to rain and wind and this is set to continue over the weekend.
Back home I finished off preparing Keith's cottage pie and he came home at 7pm after drinking lime juice and soda in the pub. We took the opportunity of Sophie's absence to watch the latest episode of Vera and throughout most of the night I was in touch with our daughter via Messenger! Definitely not complaining about that!
To make it worse, Sophie was off to Uni today and then was staying for the afternoon and evening with her friends so I wouldn't see her until Saturday evening after work. She was off out to The Lamplighter again and I really wanted her to go and enjoy herself after our sad day yesterday. I took her in at 9.30am and then came home to find Mike also getting ready to go and see Heather.
I took him to Moulton, came back and had a bath, all the time feeling very sad. Every time I went outside I thought I would see Archie trotting down the road and I expect it will be some time before I accept that he has gone.
Keith and I decided to go out and get the newspaper but just as I was getting ready Sophie called to ask me to pick her up as her friends were all in lectures in the afternoon so there was no point in her staying. I was delighted to go and get her and we decided to pop to Costa Coffee on Riverside where she treated me to a Flat White and a piece of cake.
It was good to get out of the house for a while and we had a nice chat in a very busy Costa. The whole of the retail park was busy, probably because of half -term. Sophie treated herself to some make-up in Boots and then we headed home.
My daughter was collected by her friend Hannah in the early evening and as soon as Keith went to the pub I drove to pick up Mike. The previously beautiful weather that we've had over the last couple of days changed this evening to rain and wind and this is set to continue over the weekend.
Back home I finished off preparing Keith's cottage pie and he came home at 7pm after drinking lime juice and soda in the pub. We took the opportunity of Sophie's absence to watch the latest episode of Vera and throughout most of the night I was in touch with our daughter via Messenger! Definitely not complaining about that!
Thursday 18 February 2016
R.I.P. our beautiful Archie...
Today has been one of the worst days of my life as our beautiful furry bear, Archie, was killed last night on the main road outside our estate and Keith and I found his body this morning on our way to do the weekly food shop.
He didn't come in first thing this morning, which I found worrying as he is always first in to be fed and virtually pushes open the door to get to his bowl. I called him for the next few hours but as he sometimes disappears for a couple of days I wasn't really that worried.
Keith and I did our list for the shopping and Sophie came to sit with us in the conservatory as she had an online test to do and was stressing about it. As we drove out of the estate and quite a way down the road I saw what looked like an animal on the left hand side. Fearing the worst, we drove to the village and turned around and on the way back we couldn't see it that well. I went back to the entrance to our estate and as we drove past we saw a black cat lying on the grass verge. We knew at once that it was Archie and I was distraught as I never, ever thought we would lose him on the road like that.
Keith placed his body in a carrier bag and we took him home where I had to tell Sophie what had happened. She was almost hysterical with grief but the awful thing was that she had to carry on with her test as she'd started it while we were out. How she managed to do it, I'll never know but when she had finished Keith and I walked down the road and saw that it was a little Muntjac deer that had also been killed and was lying on the path. If I hadn't seen that out of the corner of my eye I don't think we would have found Archie until much later, so in a strange way, I was grateful we were able to find him and bury him in the garden.
Rest in Peace Archie...you'll be forever with us.
He didn't come in first thing this morning, which I found worrying as he is always first in to be fed and virtually pushes open the door to get to his bowl. I called him for the next few hours but as he sometimes disappears for a couple of days I wasn't really that worried.
Keith and I did our list for the shopping and Sophie came to sit with us in the conservatory as she had an online test to do and was stressing about it. As we drove out of the estate and quite a way down the road I saw what looked like an animal on the left hand side. Fearing the worst, we drove to the village and turned around and on the way back we couldn't see it that well. I went back to the entrance to our estate and as we drove past we saw a black cat lying on the grass verge. We knew at once that it was Archie and I was distraught as I never, ever thought we would lose him on the road like that.
Keith placed his body in a carrier bag and we took him home where I had to tell Sophie what had happened. She was almost hysterical with grief but the awful thing was that she had to carry on with her test as she'd started it while we were out. How she managed to do it, I'll never know but when she had finished Keith and I walked down the road and saw that it was a little Muntjac deer that had also been killed and was lying on the path. If I hadn't seen that out of the corner of my eye I don't think we would have found Archie until much later, so in a strange way, I was grateful we were able to find him and bury him in the garden.
Rest in Peace Archie...you'll be forever with us.
Wednesday 17 February 2016
Donating
The weather today has been truly awful and it has poured with rain all day and all evening. I went over to Market Harborough with my parents at lunchtime as they were picking out carpets and vinyls for the new house, which they will complete on, on Friday.
We parked in the small car park of the carpet showroom and we were overwhelmed by what choice there was for vinyls. One brochure we picked up was for flooring costing £100 a square metre! The saleslady said it would last 20-30 years for that price. I should think so!
Mum and Dad were able to take a swatch of different colours home with them so we went to park in the town centre and walked to Caffe Nero for lunch. It felt very strange to be there without Sophie! We had sandwiches and coffee and then we had a mooch about the shops before calling to see Duncan before we headed back to the car. He was in fine form and his wife Megan was in the shop with him so we had a good chat. I bought two bottles of wine and a bottle of beer for Keith and then we decided to return home as there was no way we could walk around in the awful weather.
Mum and Dad came in for a cup of tea and then it was time for me to go and get Sophie as we both had an appointment to give blood at 4.30pm. My daughter has been working all day today as it's half-term and with this weather I'm sure they were very busy!
Giving blood was fine and we were out by just after 5pm. We collected Mike from Heather's house and headed home to relax and sip a glass of the Spanish white I'd bought!
We parked in the small car park of the carpet showroom and we were overwhelmed by what choice there was for vinyls. One brochure we picked up was for flooring costing £100 a square metre! The saleslady said it would last 20-30 years for that price. I should think so!
Mum and Dad were able to take a swatch of different colours home with them so we went to park in the town centre and walked to Caffe Nero for lunch. It felt very strange to be there without Sophie! We had sandwiches and coffee and then we had a mooch about the shops before calling to see Duncan before we headed back to the car. He was in fine form and his wife Megan was in the shop with him so we had a good chat. I bought two bottles of wine and a bottle of beer for Keith and then we decided to return home as there was no way we could walk around in the awful weather.
Mum and Dad came in for a cup of tea and then it was time for me to go and get Sophie as we both had an appointment to give blood at 4.30pm. My daughter has been working all day today as it's half-term and with this weather I'm sure they were very busy!
Giving blood was fine and we were out by just after 5pm. We collected Mike from Heather's house and headed home to relax and sip a glass of the Spanish white I'd bought!
Tuesday 16 February 2016
A cold and frosty walk
Today the weather has been stunning with deep blue skies and beautiful winter sunshine. We took Sophie to uni and went out as soon as we got back. It was very cold but so lovely to get out into the fresh air and feel the sun on our faces.
I took quite a few photos!
Walking with the hard ground under our feet was so much easier than sinking into muddy grass. It was lovely to hear the snap and crackle as we trod on small branches and crunchy leaves. We saw a hare in the distance, a squirrel and heard pheasants but there was a lack of any other wildlife, although Keith swore he saw a little deer through the trees.
Once back out into the fields we noticed that the streams were very high with rainwater after all the bad weather we've had so far this winter. The weather forecasters are predicting snow here for tomorrow evening and into Thursday and I would dearly love to have a covering so we could go for a walk in the snow!
I took quite a few photos!
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| The track leading down to the Nature Reserve |
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| Frosty fields |
Walking with the hard ground under our feet was so much easier than sinking into muddy grass. It was lovely to hear the snap and crackle as we trod on small branches and crunchy leaves. We saw a hare in the distance, a squirrel and heard pheasants but there was a lack of any other wildlife, although Keith swore he saw a little deer through the trees.
Once back out into the fields we noticed that the streams were very high with rainwater after all the bad weather we've had so far this winter. The weather forecasters are predicting snow here for tomorrow evening and into Thursday and I would dearly love to have a covering so we could go for a walk in the snow!
Monday 15 February 2016
No snow...
Well, the predicted snow never arrived, although it was very frosty indeed and all the paths and roads were white, so maybe we might have had the merest dusting in the early hours of the morning.
Sophie woke up Mikey by mistake as she forgot it was half-term so that didn't go down too well! I took her into university while Keith went for a walk, and after dropping her off I went to get some diesel for my car as Keith was going out tonight with his three mates from the pub for a jaunt into town. Standing and filling up the car was not pleasant and it was lovely to get back home and sit in the warmth of the conservatory to do some work on my counselling course. I made a start on completing my assignment and worked on it for the rest of the morning so I was pleased I'd done that.
I also took a call from John, Keith's friend, who had phoned to tell him he couldn't make their date tonight as his daughter was home to visit. Keith then decided to cancel the pub crawl and stay in so that meant I didn't have to cook dinner...yippeee!
I pottered about the house until it was time to go and collect Sophie and before going home we called into the bank to get Sophie's new card activated. We managed to get five copies of The Herald and Post in Tesco (free) so that certainly pleased my daughter! She can then take some copies into uni for her friends.
Back home we were able to relax with a glass of Prosecco before dinner of spaghetti and then a good drama on television about O.J. Simpson that Sophie was keen to watch because of his link to the Kardashians. I remember he was on the run when Keith and I were in France on holiday, but it certainly doesn't seem like 22 years ago!
Sophie woke up Mikey by mistake as she forgot it was half-term so that didn't go down too well! I took her into university while Keith went for a walk, and after dropping her off I went to get some diesel for my car as Keith was going out tonight with his three mates from the pub for a jaunt into town. Standing and filling up the car was not pleasant and it was lovely to get back home and sit in the warmth of the conservatory to do some work on my counselling course. I made a start on completing my assignment and worked on it for the rest of the morning so I was pleased I'd done that.
I also took a call from John, Keith's friend, who had phoned to tell him he couldn't make their date tonight as his daughter was home to visit. Keith then decided to cancel the pub crawl and stay in so that meant I didn't have to cook dinner...yippeee!
I pottered about the house until it was time to go and collect Sophie and before going home we called into the bank to get Sophie's new card activated. We managed to get five copies of The Herald and Post in Tesco (free) so that certainly pleased my daughter! She can then take some copies into uni for her friends.
Back home we were able to relax with a glass of Prosecco before dinner of spaghetti and then a good drama on television about O.J. Simpson that Sophie was keen to watch because of his link to the Kardashians. I remember he was on the run when Keith and I were in France on holiday, but it certainly doesn't seem like 22 years ago!
Sunday 14 February 2016
Spring is in the air...
Well, maybe not technically as it felt very cold indeed today, but when Mum and I went to Beckworth Emporium in the afternoon there were spring flowers and arrangements everywhere!
Of course, it's Valentine's Day today but it's a day we don't usually celebrate. It didn't stop other people (women) from posting photos of flowers, chocolates and romantically-set dinner tables on Facebook which always makes me slightly suspicious. If they have to brag about it, maybe there's a hint of insecurity about the relationship?!
Anyway, Sophie was at work all day and Mike had gone to see Heather so it was a quiet morning at home. I picked up my Mum at 2pm and we drove the short distance to Beckworth for a slice of cake, a cup of tea and a mooch about. The queue wasn't that bad for the cafe and we were seated inside for a change. It was a shame as today has been as glorious as yesterday was awful and we've enjoyed blue skies and lots of sunshine. We've even been given a weather warning for snow from today until tomorrow lunchtime and I would dearly love to see a proper covering when I wake up tomorrow morning!
After a delicious slice of cake and a lovely pot of tea we had a quick look at the plants outside but I resisted the urge to buy arrangements of daffodils and primroses. They looked very pretty but I knew from experience they wouldn't last very long and I would rather wait until May and go for a riot of colour with my bedding plants.
I did buy two bottles of Prosecco, though, as tonight we were going to have a three course meal to make up for not having an orgy of cards, chocolates and flowers. Sophie sounded a bit stressed when I got home and contacted her on Messenger so I knew she would appreciate a glass or two of bubbly!
Before I went to collect her from work I made a strawberry trifle and prepared a prawn cocktail for Keith and I. The children were going to have pate and toast and for mains we'd decided on steak and potato wedges. I even found a loveheart tablecloth!
Dinner was very good and we ate in three stages. In between courses Sophie and I watched A Place in The Sun: Winter Sun about a very lucky couple buying a holiday home in Costa Rica. They had over £300,000 to spend but were very picky about what they wanted! Some of the properties were stunning with gorgeous ocean and mountain views and I would have been happy with any of them!
After dinner we watched the BAFTAs and we were delighted to see that The Revenant scooped so many awards including Best Film and Best Actor for Leonardo di Caprio! Brilliant!
Of course, it's Valentine's Day today but it's a day we don't usually celebrate. It didn't stop other people (women) from posting photos of flowers, chocolates and romantically-set dinner tables on Facebook which always makes me slightly suspicious. If they have to brag about it, maybe there's a hint of insecurity about the relationship?!
Anyway, Sophie was at work all day and Mike had gone to see Heather so it was a quiet morning at home. I picked up my Mum at 2pm and we drove the short distance to Beckworth for a slice of cake, a cup of tea and a mooch about. The queue wasn't that bad for the cafe and we were seated inside for a change. It was a shame as today has been as glorious as yesterday was awful and we've enjoyed blue skies and lots of sunshine. We've even been given a weather warning for snow from today until tomorrow lunchtime and I would dearly love to see a proper covering when I wake up tomorrow morning!
After a delicious slice of cake and a lovely pot of tea we had a quick look at the plants outside but I resisted the urge to buy arrangements of daffodils and primroses. They looked very pretty but I knew from experience they wouldn't last very long and I would rather wait until May and go for a riot of colour with my bedding plants.
I did buy two bottles of Prosecco, though, as tonight we were going to have a three course meal to make up for not having an orgy of cards, chocolates and flowers. Sophie sounded a bit stressed when I got home and contacted her on Messenger so I knew she would appreciate a glass or two of bubbly!
Before I went to collect her from work I made a strawberry trifle and prepared a prawn cocktail for Keith and I. The children were going to have pate and toast and for mains we'd decided on steak and potato wedges. I even found a loveheart tablecloth!
Dinner was very good and we ate in three stages. In between courses Sophie and I watched A Place in The Sun: Winter Sun about a very lucky couple buying a holiday home in Costa Rica. They had over £300,000 to spend but were very picky about what they wanted! Some of the properties were stunning with gorgeous ocean and mountain views and I would have been happy with any of them!
After dinner we watched the BAFTAs and we were delighted to see that The Revenant scooped so many awards including Best Film and Best Actor for Leonardo di Caprio! Brilliant!
Saturday 13 February 2016
Technological arguments...
Today hasn't been the best of days as the weather has been horrible and I haven't done much all day which has made me feel guilty and cross!
Sophie went into work at 9.30am and we had barely arrived back before we had to take Mike into Moulton as well, as he and Heather were going shopping. By the time we eventually returned home and had a late breakfast it was almost midday and we had done nothing!
Keith was off to the football in the afternoon and I was convinced it was going to be postponed but miraculously it was still on! Sophie contacted me via Facebook Messenger and said she felt lousy and there was a chance she could come home early. I suggested Keith collect her at 5pm when his football match finished and then he could pick up Mike as well.
This was too late for Sophie who came back and said she would prefer 3pm, which drove me into a fury as that would mean another trip out for me and then we would need to go back out at 6pm to pick up Mike! To cut a long story short we had a brisk argument via Messenger and she reluctantly agreed to finish at 5pm.
Once my family were all out of the way I had a long luxurious bath and then settled down to watch Cary Grant and Deborah Kerr in An Affair to Remember. I've only ever seen snatches of this film before so it was great to be able to see most of it before Sophie and Keith arrived home. My daughter was in a foul mood so Keith suggested a visit to the pub for the two of us may be a good idea! Mike was being driven home by Heather's parents so we zoomed off to the pub and had a very pleasant hour sitting in the window and slowly getting more relaxed!
There was a beautiful Husky dog in the pub and he had the most vivid ice blue eyes. His owners were standing at the bar and not paying him much attention so I kept smiling at him and trying to get him to come and see me, but he was tied up and not very happy about it. As we left he climbed onto one of the sofas and started trying to burrow his way into them so someone alerted his owners! Sometimes I think dogs can be worse than children!
After dinner this evening we started watching the excellent "Trapped", an Icelandic murder mystery that had snow by the bucketload! I wish we could have some here!
Sophie went into work at 9.30am and we had barely arrived back before we had to take Mike into Moulton as well, as he and Heather were going shopping. By the time we eventually returned home and had a late breakfast it was almost midday and we had done nothing!
Keith was off to the football in the afternoon and I was convinced it was going to be postponed but miraculously it was still on! Sophie contacted me via Facebook Messenger and said she felt lousy and there was a chance she could come home early. I suggested Keith collect her at 5pm when his football match finished and then he could pick up Mike as well.
This was too late for Sophie who came back and said she would prefer 3pm, which drove me into a fury as that would mean another trip out for me and then we would need to go back out at 6pm to pick up Mike! To cut a long story short we had a brisk argument via Messenger and she reluctantly agreed to finish at 5pm.
Once my family were all out of the way I had a long luxurious bath and then settled down to watch Cary Grant and Deborah Kerr in An Affair to Remember. I've only ever seen snatches of this film before so it was great to be able to see most of it before Sophie and Keith arrived home. My daughter was in a foul mood so Keith suggested a visit to the pub for the two of us may be a good idea! Mike was being driven home by Heather's parents so we zoomed off to the pub and had a very pleasant hour sitting in the window and slowly getting more relaxed!
There was a beautiful Husky dog in the pub and he had the most vivid ice blue eyes. His owners were standing at the bar and not paying him much attention so I kept smiling at him and trying to get him to come and see me, but he was tied up and not very happy about it. As we left he climbed onto one of the sofas and started trying to burrow his way into them so someone alerted his owners! Sometimes I think dogs can be worse than children!
After dinner this evening we started watching the excellent "Trapped", an Icelandic murder mystery that had snow by the bucketload! I wish we could have some here!
Friday 12 February 2016
Famous!
Keith went off for a walk this morning and after taking Mike to school I came home and sneakily did the ironing. I say sneakily because this has turned into Keith's job over the years (not that I'm complaining) as he likes to watch whatever sport is on while he's doing it.
I took Sophie into uni at 10am and then sped home to have a bath before Keith arrived home from his walk. While he was showering I made breakfast and then it was time to go and get Sophie again!
My daughter has a terrible cold at the moment, poor thing, so we planned to stay at home in the warm for the rest of the day. It's quite cold at the moment with a nasty wind so it was lovely to bake some banana muffins and keep warm.
Later in the day Sophie received a text message from her friend Daisy to say that her photo was in the local paper! We had a good search and discovered that it was a picture of Sophie in New York with the other students taken outside of Madison Square Gardens! We immediately leapt into the car and drove to Moulton to try and get hold of a copy of The Herald and Post which is mainly delivered to homes for free. Not one newsagent was selling it so we had to admit defeat and come home empty handed.
As a consolation, we ate the still warm banana muffins with a cup of tea and very good they were too! I'm not a fan of bananas raw but I love them barbecued or in yoghurts and milkshakes!
In the evening Keith took himself off to the pub and Sophie watched A Nightmare on Elm Street. It was very scary and although I wasn't really watching it I managed to see all the really gory bits! Not a good idea when I later had to go out into the dark garage to get to our freezer!
I took Sophie into uni at 10am and then sped home to have a bath before Keith arrived home from his walk. While he was showering I made breakfast and then it was time to go and get Sophie again!
My daughter has a terrible cold at the moment, poor thing, so we planned to stay at home in the warm for the rest of the day. It's quite cold at the moment with a nasty wind so it was lovely to bake some banana muffins and keep warm.
Later in the day Sophie received a text message from her friend Daisy to say that her photo was in the local paper! We had a good search and discovered that it was a picture of Sophie in New York with the other students taken outside of Madison Square Gardens! We immediately leapt into the car and drove to Moulton to try and get hold of a copy of The Herald and Post which is mainly delivered to homes for free. Not one newsagent was selling it so we had to admit defeat and come home empty handed.
As a consolation, we ate the still warm banana muffins with a cup of tea and very good they were too! I'm not a fan of bananas raw but I love them barbecued or in yoghurts and milkshakes!
In the evening Keith took himself off to the pub and Sophie watched A Nightmare on Elm Street. It was very scary and although I wasn't really watching it I managed to see all the really gory bits! Not a good idea when I later had to go out into the dark garage to get to our freezer!
Thursday 11 February 2016
Ho hum!
I honestly believe that someone has interfered with time and that it's been speeded up 50%. Thus, an hour now feels like half an hour and so on.
So, it's Thursday again and the day when we do the shopping and plan the weekly menu. I have to admit to enjoying accompanying Keith at first when I stopped working, but now I find it a chore...If I had my way I'd get it all delivered!
At least this week we did it properly and didn't forget anything vital, so that was good! Sophie sent me a message in the afternoon asking if it was OK if she went out with friends for dinner in the evening. She was going with her "New York" crew to The Lamplighter and I said of course it was alright for her to go. She'll be 20 in a few month's time! She doesn't need my permission!
This meant that our planned dinner of sweet and sour chicken was just for the three of us and I didn't really fancy it at all. Our daughter was home before 9pm though and a little subdued as a lot of the people who said they would go couldn't make it at the last minute and a certain barman wasn't working tonight...life can sometimes be a pain!
Four years ago we had snow...
So, it's Thursday again and the day when we do the shopping and plan the weekly menu. I have to admit to enjoying accompanying Keith at first when I stopped working, but now I find it a chore...If I had my way I'd get it all delivered!
At least this week we did it properly and didn't forget anything vital, so that was good! Sophie sent me a message in the afternoon asking if it was OK if she went out with friends for dinner in the evening. She was going with her "New York" crew to The Lamplighter and I said of course it was alright for her to go. She'll be 20 in a few month's time! She doesn't need my permission!
This meant that our planned dinner of sweet and sour chicken was just for the three of us and I didn't really fancy it at all. Our daughter was home before 9pm though and a little subdued as a lot of the people who said they would go couldn't make it at the last minute and a certain barman wasn't working tonight...life can sometimes be a pain!
Four years ago we had snow...
Wednesday 10 February 2016
Packed like sardines!
I did some more reading for my course today and had a good chat to Sophie about it. I just need to persevere with the study but I think it's going to take me longer than I imagined to complete and in the meantime I may need to do some voluntary work to help me learn and put things into practice.
At the moment, though, all I really want to do is potter about the house and enjoy the sense of freedom I have. I'd love to win the lottery!
At lunchtime Sophie and I drove over to collect Mum and Dad as we were all off to Ikea in Milton Keynes. We had a bit of a slow journey there, but arrived as hordes of people were descending on the cafe. Dad treated us to the meatballs, mash and green beans and very good they were too!
After lunch we split up and Sophie spotted a bookcase that would look great in her bedroom. She really doesn't have a lot of storage space and is rapidly running out of places to put her vast collection of make-up! We made a note of the aisle number and went on to buy various bits and pieces, including a beautiful new canvas picture for the living room.
In the warehouse area we looked at the flatpack of the bookcase and it was enormous and very long! Before we bought it I made sure that Mum and Sophie could sit in the back of my car with one of the seats laid flat. The picture I'd bought was also long so we had a bit of a task to get that in, let alone a long and heavy box!
We managed it though and I took it very carefully on the way home with the end of the box nestled between myself and Dad! We stopped off in Next so Mum could show us the sofa she's ordered as she's now a little worried that her choice of worktop and cabinets will restrict her when it comes to the colours she wants. We saw a Sage paint and said that she still had lots of shades she could use so I hope we reassured her a little.
It's been another glorious day today but much colder than of late. They're talking about snow again this weekend but I'll believe that when I see it!
At the moment, though, all I really want to do is potter about the house and enjoy the sense of freedom I have. I'd love to win the lottery!
At lunchtime Sophie and I drove over to collect Mum and Dad as we were all off to Ikea in Milton Keynes. We had a bit of a slow journey there, but arrived as hordes of people were descending on the cafe. Dad treated us to the meatballs, mash and green beans and very good they were too!
After lunch we split up and Sophie spotted a bookcase that would look great in her bedroom. She really doesn't have a lot of storage space and is rapidly running out of places to put her vast collection of make-up! We made a note of the aisle number and went on to buy various bits and pieces, including a beautiful new canvas picture for the living room.
In the warehouse area we looked at the flatpack of the bookcase and it was enormous and very long! Before we bought it I made sure that Mum and Sophie could sit in the back of my car with one of the seats laid flat. The picture I'd bought was also long so we had a bit of a task to get that in, let alone a long and heavy box!
We managed it though and I took it very carefully on the way home with the end of the box nestled between myself and Dad! We stopped off in Next so Mum could show us the sofa she's ordered as she's now a little worried that her choice of worktop and cabinets will restrict her when it comes to the colours she wants. We saw a Sage paint and said that she still had lots of shades she could use so I hope we reassured her a little.
It's been another glorious day today but much colder than of late. They're talking about snow again this weekend but I'll believe that when I see it!
Tuesday 9 February 2016
Little worries...
Both Sophie and Mike were back at school and university today and after dropping them off Keith and I went over to get some petrol for Jim at Tesco's in Kettering. Although it was quite cold there was a feeling of Spring in the air and a promise of sunny days to come. The clouds cleared leaving a lovely day and it was great to sit in the conservatory and do some studying.
I do feel, however, that this course isn't going to be as straightforward as I thought! It's been 30 years since I did any proper studying and when I did my wine exams (a long time ago!) the answers were of the multiple choice variety so it's been a fair while since I had to write essay type answers, even though at the moment with the course I don't have to write reams and reams. I had a good read through the course and felt a little bit overwhelmed if I'm honest!
I spent the rest of the morning and early afternoon pottering about in the house and went to pick up Sophie at 3pm. Back home I had a lovely bath as us girls were due out in the evening to The Lamplighter. Mike was supposed to be going to Army Cadets but he didn't want to go and Keith was off to the football, which, miraculously, was on!
After my bath I didn't really feel like going out into the cold but Keith very kindly dropped us off at the pub and then went on to his football match. Despite my reluctance to go out Sophie and I ended up having a lovely evening with delicious food and a nice chat with the friendly barman. Keith returned to collect us after his football and was pleased to report that Sileby had won 3-1! Amazing!
I do feel, however, that this course isn't going to be as straightforward as I thought! It's been 30 years since I did any proper studying and when I did my wine exams (a long time ago!) the answers were of the multiple choice variety so it's been a fair while since I had to write essay type answers, even though at the moment with the course I don't have to write reams and reams. I had a good read through the course and felt a little bit overwhelmed if I'm honest!
I spent the rest of the morning and early afternoon pottering about in the house and went to pick up Sophie at 3pm. Back home I had a lovely bath as us girls were due out in the evening to The Lamplighter. Mike was supposed to be going to Army Cadets but he didn't want to go and Keith was off to the football, which, miraculously, was on!
After my bath I didn't really feel like going out into the cold but Keith very kindly dropped us off at the pub and then went on to his football match. Despite my reluctance to go out Sophie and I ended up having a lovely evening with delicious food and a nice chat with the friendly barman. Keith returned to collect us after his football and was pleased to report that Sileby had won 3-1! Amazing!
Monday 8 February 2016
Storm Imogen
Sophie arrived home at 3.45am this morning and was I glad to see her! Of course, I wasn't asleep and had really only dozed since going to bed! I'm sure that I will need to get used to this as she widens her network of friends and attends more uni functions!
It's been another very blustery day today with strong winds and heavy rain. Keith (mad thing) went for a walk after we dropped Mike off at school and I came home to start my counselling course. I read through three chapters and found the content really interesting. In between reading I loaded the washing machine and the tumble drier and tidied the kitchen. When Keith came home he was covered in mud but felt great after his walk.
Sophie woke up around lunchtime - probably due to the fact that I'd got the hoover out and was busy vacuuming the downstairs carpets. We made some chocolate muffins in the early afternoon and they were delicious and very chocolatey!
In the evening Sophie went to her friend Daisy's house so I gave her a lift and on the way she bought a couple of bottles of wine - one to take and one to enjoy at home later in the week. I shall look forward to it!
I returned home to cobble together a meal from last night's leftovers. We were supposed to be having Macaroni cheese but Sophie forbade us from eating it without her!
It's been another very blustery day today with strong winds and heavy rain. Keith (mad thing) went for a walk after we dropped Mike off at school and I came home to start my counselling course. I read through three chapters and found the content really interesting. In between reading I loaded the washing machine and the tumble drier and tidied the kitchen. When Keith came home he was covered in mud but felt great after his walk.
Sophie woke up around lunchtime - probably due to the fact that I'd got the hoover out and was busy vacuuming the downstairs carpets. We made some chocolate muffins in the early afternoon and they were delicious and very chocolatey!
In the evening Sophie went to her friend Daisy's house so I gave her a lift and on the way she bought a couple of bottles of wine - one to take and one to enjoy at home later in the week. I shall look forward to it!
I returned home to cobble together a meal from last night's leftovers. We were supposed to be having Macaroni cheese but Sophie forbade us from eating it without her!
Sunday 7 February 2016
Worry, worry!
Today dawned bright and sunny - what a contrast to yesterday!
After taking Sophie to work we popped into Tesco and then it was home for breakfast and a much-needed cup of coffee. I had some paperwork to deal with for Mikey as he has to get his application for sixth form back to school before the end of February. I also ordered him a "Leavers'" sweatshirt - it's hard to believe he finishes school this May!
In the afternoon I went with my parents to have a look at their new house which is almost ready. We had a little wait as the woman showing us around was also accompanying another couple of buyers. We sat in the kitchen of the showhome and I tried to imagine how I could convert my kitchen to something similar.
When Polly came back to take us we had a walk around the estate and saw that several houses were occupied already. Another couple were also about and had met my parents at a recent gathering which I thought was lovely. We didn't have anything like that when we moved into our house!
Mum and Dad's house was beautiful but Mum had forgotten what colours she'd chosen for her kitchen and had a bit of a shock when she walked in. As we'd taken ages some months ago choosing the cabinets and the tiles for the floor I was a bit surprised as well! She was under the impression that she'd chosen granite for the worktops but when she was told how much extra it would cost she rapidly changed her mind!
That aside, they were very pleased with how the house was looking and as soon as the carpets are fitted and everything is completely finished they'll be over the moon. Mum was also surprised about how large the garden was and they have a strip running down the side that will also need looking after. It'll be an ideal chance to get out and meet their new neighbours!
I made them lunch after we'd seen the house and the beautiful sunny weather changed from blue skies to rain and wind. Storm Imogen is due to hit the southern half of the UK tomorrow and as the evening arrived the rain grew heavier and the wind much stronger. Sophie was going out in the evening to a Superbowl night at her university and a friend was picking her up at 10pm to take her in. I was dreading it, to be honest and knew I wouldn't sleep a wink until she came home!
After taking Sophie to work we popped into Tesco and then it was home for breakfast and a much-needed cup of coffee. I had some paperwork to deal with for Mikey as he has to get his application for sixth form back to school before the end of February. I also ordered him a "Leavers'" sweatshirt - it's hard to believe he finishes school this May!
In the afternoon I went with my parents to have a look at their new house which is almost ready. We had a little wait as the woman showing us around was also accompanying another couple of buyers. We sat in the kitchen of the showhome and I tried to imagine how I could convert my kitchen to something similar.
When Polly came back to take us we had a walk around the estate and saw that several houses were occupied already. Another couple were also about and had met my parents at a recent gathering which I thought was lovely. We didn't have anything like that when we moved into our house!
Mum and Dad's house was beautiful but Mum had forgotten what colours she'd chosen for her kitchen and had a bit of a shock when she walked in. As we'd taken ages some months ago choosing the cabinets and the tiles for the floor I was a bit surprised as well! She was under the impression that she'd chosen granite for the worktops but when she was told how much extra it would cost she rapidly changed her mind!
That aside, they were very pleased with how the house was looking and as soon as the carpets are fitted and everything is completely finished they'll be over the moon. Mum was also surprised about how large the garden was and they have a strip running down the side that will also need looking after. It'll be an ideal chance to get out and meet their new neighbours!
I made them lunch after we'd seen the house and the beautiful sunny weather changed from blue skies to rain and wind. Storm Imogen is due to hit the southern half of the UK tomorrow and as the evening arrived the rain grew heavier and the wind much stronger. Sophie was going out in the evening to a Superbowl night at her university and a friend was picking her up at 10pm to take her in. I was dreading it, to be honest and knew I wouldn't sleep a wink until she came home!
Saturday 6 February 2016
A wet and windy day!
Today has been wet and windy all day long, so very unpleasant indeed!
It was back to the normal weekend routine today as Sophie was in at work at 9.30am and then Mike went to see Heather later in the morning. Keith and I pottered about the house and did very little - I stayed mainly in the conservatory and watched the trees being blown about by the strong winds!
In the afternoon I did make chocolate chip muffins and very good they were too!
I made six originally and as soon as Sophie got in from work she nabbed one!
It was back to the normal weekend routine today as Sophie was in at work at 9.30am and then Mike went to see Heather later in the morning. Keith and I pottered about the house and did very little - I stayed mainly in the conservatory and watched the trees being blown about by the strong winds!
In the afternoon I did make chocolate chip muffins and very good they were too!
I made six originally and as soon as Sophie got in from work she nabbed one!
Friday 5 February 2016
Out for the night
While Keith went for a walk this morning I had a look at the Counselling course I'd signed up for. I was originally going to do four hours a day but the advice was to do 1-2 hours a day. I had a read of the first chapter and it looks very interesting!
After picking Sophie up from uni we popped to Jones's to get some bits we needed and then we headed home as we were due to go and meet Mum and Dad at the showhome later in the afternoon. Sophie was coming with me to advise my Mum of colours and we spent a fair amount of time in the kitchen of the showroom trying to decide what colour sofa they should get for this large area. We also peeped at their new house which is almost finished now.
My Mum and Sophie thought that a grey sofa would look good as so many colours can be twinned with it. I looked enviously at the utility room and tried to imagine my own kitchen being refigured to include one!
In the evening we went out for dinner to Exotic Dining in Kettering with Sue and Paul. Sue and I were supposed to have been going to a Gin Tasting night at The Red Lion in Broughton but it had been postponed so we all decided to go for a meal instead.
It was a horrible night with wind and drizzly rain and we dashed from the car park to the restaurant. It was very busy and as the night wore on it filled up completely so it was good we'd booked a table. We had a look at the extensive menu which included ostrich, duck, venison and goat! I chose scallops to start while my three companions all went for Cinnamon Chilli Fish, which they pronounced delicious but my three scallops were extremely small so I was not that impressed. Luckily we'd munched on poppadoms before the starters!
For a main course I opted for a prawn curry with spinach rice and Sue, Paul and Keith also went for curries and the food was very good. We had a really lovely chat and a laugh and it was great to get out and relax. At the end of the meal we were too stuffed to have desserts so it was back out into the wind and rain for Keith to drive us home. Sue, Paul and I had shared two bottles of wine and as Keith is off the drink this month he had elected to be chauffeur for the night!
After picking Sophie up from uni we popped to Jones's to get some bits we needed and then we headed home as we were due to go and meet Mum and Dad at the showhome later in the afternoon. Sophie was coming with me to advise my Mum of colours and we spent a fair amount of time in the kitchen of the showroom trying to decide what colour sofa they should get for this large area. We also peeped at their new house which is almost finished now.
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| Showhome kitchen seating area |
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| Dad peering in kitchen cupboards |
My Mum and Sophie thought that a grey sofa would look good as so many colours can be twinned with it. I looked enviously at the utility room and tried to imagine my own kitchen being refigured to include one!
In the evening we went out for dinner to Exotic Dining in Kettering with Sue and Paul. Sue and I were supposed to have been going to a Gin Tasting night at The Red Lion in Broughton but it had been postponed so we all decided to go for a meal instead.
It was a horrible night with wind and drizzly rain and we dashed from the car park to the restaurant. It was very busy and as the night wore on it filled up completely so it was good we'd booked a table. We had a look at the extensive menu which included ostrich, duck, venison and goat! I chose scallops to start while my three companions all went for Cinnamon Chilli Fish, which they pronounced delicious but my three scallops were extremely small so I was not that impressed. Luckily we'd munched on poppadoms before the starters!
For a main course I opted for a prawn curry with spinach rice and Sue, Paul and Keith also went for curries and the food was very good. We had a really lovely chat and a laugh and it was great to get out and relax. At the end of the meal we were too stuffed to have desserts so it was back out into the wind and rain for Keith to drive us home. Sue, Paul and I had shared two bottles of wine and as Keith is off the drink this month he had elected to be chauffeur for the night!
Thursday 4 February 2016
All checked up!
Today has been busy and time has flown. Yet another week is speeding by!
My car was booked in for a service today so I drove Mike to school while Keith took the Audi to Broughton. Thankfully my journey wasn't too bad but I did encounter a tractor on the A43 which slowed us all down to 20 miles an hour. I was in a long line of cars and lorries behind it so there was no chance to overtake at all. Driving at the moment is certainly not a pleasure and last night, on the way to collect Mike from Heather's house, we came across a man jogging, wearing dark clothes with only a light attached to his head. He was wearing headphones which I thought was sheer lunacy and it was lucky I managed to see him and avoid him. What idiot jogs on a dark and busy country road when there must be plenty of opportunities to exercise elsewhere?
I met up with Keith who had walked to the newsagent in Broughton and we returned home to write down our weekly menu. After sitting there looking at each other and trying to think up meals that would please all four of us, we eventually came up with a list of dishes and then went to shower.
We took Sophie into uni a bit early as I had a contact lens check at the Optician's. While I was being seen to, Keith went into Tesco to get our "Tesco" bits rather than go all the way to Kettering like we usually do. My check was fine except for when she said she wanted to peer under my eyelids, which was very uncomfortable. She also squirted some orange dye into my eyes so I had to wear my glasses for the rest of the morning.
We headed to Aldi in Kettering and forgot quite a bit of what we needed! I had forgotten to put sausages down on the list for our toad-in-the-hole tonight and as we were driving home Keith suddenly remembered! We had no choice but to go to Waitrose where Keith treated me to a sandwich and a coffee, despite joking that he was going to sack me from writing out the shopping list! He went to sit down while I chose the sandwiches and in an attempt to communicate which type I'd chosen - egg and cress - I tried to imitate a chicken by flapping my arms at him. The man in the queue behind me thought that was hilarious (he probably thought I was an escaped lunatic) and Keith thought I'd chosen chicken so had a surprise when I plonked down the eggy ones in front of him!
Once we'd eaten lunch and bought the sausages (free-range ones from very happy pigs) we went home, unpacked all the food and awaited the call from the garage to say my car was ready. Before that happened, though, Sophie asked me to collect her at 4pm rather than 6pm and I was only too happy to oblige. As soon as we arrived home again we had to go out and pick up my car which was ready so today has flown by in a blur of busyness!
My car was booked in for a service today so I drove Mike to school while Keith took the Audi to Broughton. Thankfully my journey wasn't too bad but I did encounter a tractor on the A43 which slowed us all down to 20 miles an hour. I was in a long line of cars and lorries behind it so there was no chance to overtake at all. Driving at the moment is certainly not a pleasure and last night, on the way to collect Mike from Heather's house, we came across a man jogging, wearing dark clothes with only a light attached to his head. He was wearing headphones which I thought was sheer lunacy and it was lucky I managed to see him and avoid him. What idiot jogs on a dark and busy country road when there must be plenty of opportunities to exercise elsewhere?
I met up with Keith who had walked to the newsagent in Broughton and we returned home to write down our weekly menu. After sitting there looking at each other and trying to think up meals that would please all four of us, we eventually came up with a list of dishes and then went to shower.
We took Sophie into uni a bit early as I had a contact lens check at the Optician's. While I was being seen to, Keith went into Tesco to get our "Tesco" bits rather than go all the way to Kettering like we usually do. My check was fine except for when she said she wanted to peer under my eyelids, which was very uncomfortable. She also squirted some orange dye into my eyes so I had to wear my glasses for the rest of the morning.
We headed to Aldi in Kettering and forgot quite a bit of what we needed! I had forgotten to put sausages down on the list for our toad-in-the-hole tonight and as we were driving home Keith suddenly remembered! We had no choice but to go to Waitrose where Keith treated me to a sandwich and a coffee, despite joking that he was going to sack me from writing out the shopping list! He went to sit down while I chose the sandwiches and in an attempt to communicate which type I'd chosen - egg and cress - I tried to imitate a chicken by flapping my arms at him. The man in the queue behind me thought that was hilarious (he probably thought I was an escaped lunatic) and Keith thought I'd chosen chicken so had a surprise when I plonked down the eggy ones in front of him!
Once we'd eaten lunch and bought the sausages (free-range ones from very happy pigs) we went home, unpacked all the food and awaited the call from the garage to say my car was ready. Before that happened, though, Sophie asked me to collect her at 4pm rather than 6pm and I was only too happy to oblige. As soon as we arrived home again we had to go out and pick up my car which was ready so today has flown by in a blur of busyness!
Wednesday 3 February 2016
Little treats!
Keith went for another walk today while I took Mike to school. The journey was very unpleasant as a bus had become wedged on a tight corner and the car in front of me had to squeeze around it and go up onto the pavement to get around him. I followed and dreaded being well and truly stuck but luckily I got past! Phew! The roads in the village are definitely not designed for huge buses yet they pour out of the school and college on a continual basis every morning.
Back at home I had to wake Sophie up a bit early as my study pack was due to be delivered and I had to go and collect Keith from Pitsford at 9.30am. My daughter was a bit bleary-eyed as she still hasn't got over her trip to New York!
For the rest of the morning we cleaned the house again while Keith popped to the shops and had a hair cut. The weather today has been cold but sunny and there's still a stiff breeze about which is rather chilly. As a treat we went off to Boots at Riverside and had lunch at Subway before mooching about in Next where Sophie bought me a Flat White and a mini chocolate cake.
I arrived home to find my pack had been delivered so I had a quick look but decided to leave looking at it properly until Friday. I need to be very disciplined and have decided to study every weekday morning until the early afternoon. The course takes 140 hours so it will depend on how much I study as to how many weeks it will take me!
Back at home I had to wake Sophie up a bit early as my study pack was due to be delivered and I had to go and collect Keith from Pitsford at 9.30am. My daughter was a bit bleary-eyed as she still hasn't got over her trip to New York!
For the rest of the morning we cleaned the house again while Keith popped to the shops and had a hair cut. The weather today has been cold but sunny and there's still a stiff breeze about which is rather chilly. As a treat we went off to Boots at Riverside and had lunch at Subway before mooching about in Next where Sophie bought me a Flat White and a mini chocolate cake.
I arrived home to find my pack had been delivered so I had a quick look but decided to leave looking at it properly until Friday. I need to be very disciplined and have decided to study every weekday morning until the early afternoon. The course takes 140 hours so it will depend on how much I study as to how many weeks it will take me!
Tuesday 2 February 2016
Muddy boots!
I dropped Keith off at Pitsford today as he was going to walk some of the Nature Reserve. On the way to the reservoir I envied him but by the time we reached the car park it had started to rain so I was glad I was headed home to do the housework!
I cleaned downstairs and went to pick him up at about 10.30am. He looked extremely muddy as he'd tripped on a tree root while watching two Red Kites! I made him undress in the garage as he was so muddy and I didn't fancy having to hoover all over again!
After picking Sophie up from uni we popped into work to see Maureen and Polly. The new owners haven't started the refurbishment yet but Polly said they were hectically busy over the weekend, which was good news. I'm so glad the place continues to be popular and I have no regrets at all. Maureen gave us both a big hug and said she'd really missed Sophie being at work. She was still working lots of hours and seemed pretty fed up with having no time off. Sophie is back at work this weekend and is doing both days which is a bit of a pain. However, they have advertised for an assistant cook so hopefully Sophie can soon revert back to just doing Sundays.
From work we went to the nail salon as my daughter had an appointment and while she was being seen to I sat in the car and read my Kindle which was very pleasant! When we arrived back home we found that Mike didn't have Army Cadets tonight so we had another night free from driving about! Bliss!
I cleaned downstairs and went to pick him up at about 10.30am. He looked extremely muddy as he'd tripped on a tree root while watching two Red Kites! I made him undress in the garage as he was so muddy and I didn't fancy having to hoover all over again!
After picking Sophie up from uni we popped into work to see Maureen and Polly. The new owners haven't started the refurbishment yet but Polly said they were hectically busy over the weekend, which was good news. I'm so glad the place continues to be popular and I have no regrets at all. Maureen gave us both a big hug and said she'd really missed Sophie being at work. She was still working lots of hours and seemed pretty fed up with having no time off. Sophie is back at work this weekend and is doing both days which is a bit of a pain. However, they have advertised for an assistant cook so hopefully Sophie can soon revert back to just doing Sundays.
From work we went to the nail salon as my daughter had an appointment and while she was being seen to I sat in the car and read my Kindle which was very pleasant! When we arrived back home we found that Mike didn't have Army Cadets tonight so we had another night free from driving about! Bliss!
Monday 1 February 2016
A gentle walk
Keith and I haven't walked for ages so this morning, as I had a letter to post and no stamps to post it with, we walked down to the village post office as a way of getting back into doing some exercise.
It was a mildish day and we saw lots of daffodils sprouting up. Is Spring on the way already? It felt great to be out in the fresh air and although it didn't take us long, it was good to be doing some gentle exercise again. Keith has decided to give up alcohol for February (it is the shortest month after all!) and really wanted to get back into his daily walks.
When we were back at home I took the plunge and decided to enrol on a distant learning course to do a Level 3 qualification in Counselling. Hopefully the pack will arrive this week and I can make a start!
Sophie asked me to collect her early from university and after I'd picked her up we popped to the bank to sort out her new card. I had been worried that it hadn't arrived but she needed to see one of the staff to give a specimen signature so it should be all sorted now.
We then drove to see Mum and Dad so Sophie could tell them all about her trip to New York. They were thrilled to see her and we had a very enjoyable hour sipping tea, eating biscuits and talking about Sophie's trip.
In the evening Keith didn't go to the pub so it was a rare treat to not have to go out again to pick him up. Wonderful!
It was a mildish day and we saw lots of daffodils sprouting up. Is Spring on the way already? It felt great to be out in the fresh air and although it didn't take us long, it was good to be doing some gentle exercise again. Keith has decided to give up alcohol for February (it is the shortest month after all!) and really wanted to get back into his daily walks.
When we were back at home I took the plunge and decided to enrol on a distant learning course to do a Level 3 qualification in Counselling. Hopefully the pack will arrive this week and I can make a start!
Sophie asked me to collect her early from university and after I'd picked her up we popped to the bank to sort out her new card. I had been worried that it hadn't arrived but she needed to see one of the staff to give a specimen signature so it should be all sorted now.
We then drove to see Mum and Dad so Sophie could tell them all about her trip to New York. They were thrilled to see her and we had a very enjoyable hour sipping tea, eating biscuits and talking about Sophie's trip.
In the evening Keith didn't go to the pub so it was a rare treat to not have to go out again to pick him up. Wonderful!
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