I was working today, mainly to help Sara out as she had worked yesterday and would have been in every day for almost two weeks. I didn't mind, but I would have preferred to have been at home!
I was working with Denise and the day passed pleasantly enough, with nicely spaced calls and some work to do for Sara, which kept me busy. It was a relief to go at 4pm though, especially as there was a wrestling match on in the main hall and it was very busy and noisy! I sped home and learned that we hadn't sold anything this week on eBay, but Sophie had put some more items on, mainly bundles of DVDs and PS3 games. She had also made some banana cakes and cookies so we sat down to read the papers and had a cup of tea with a slice of cake.
The weather outside was cloudy and cool so we didn't venture out for a walk. Keith made Coq au Vin for dinner which was delicious and after we'd eaten we settled down to watch The Cry, which is turning out to be very good, despite the numerous and annoying flashbacks!
Sunday 30 September 2018
Saturday 29 September 2018
What a shambles!
Mike, poor thing, was working today and Keith took him in at about 6am. I picked him up at 10am just after we'd finished breakfast so at least he had a few hours overtime!
I had arranged to go out for lunch with Fiona, Andrea and Lynda today and we'd booked a table at The Aviator Hotel in Sywell. It was a gorgeous day and when I arrived people were milling about watching the planes and sitting in the sun.
Andrea and Fiona had already bought their drinks and were sitting in the lounge area so I joined Lynda at the bar and she bought me a sparkling mineral water as we couldn't start a tab. We then joined the other two ladies and sunk into deep armchairs that were very difficult to get out of! It sort of set the tone for the rest of our visit!
When our table was ready we were handed scruffy menus but they looked a lot different to what was advertised on the website. Lynda had obviously taken a look as she had already chosen what she wanted but all they were doing were sandwiches, salad platters and a handful of hot meals, accompanied by sides. There weren't any starters. I have to say we were all a bit disappointed! Fiona even mentioned going somewhere else and I wish now that we had!
We asked if there were any specials and the waitress disappeared and then came back with a hand written list. She mentioned smoked salmon and lobster tails and we asked if this was a salad, to be told it was. The girls ordered that as their main course while I opted for the lambs' liver served with a spring onion mash, bacon and seasonal veggies. As a sort of starter we ordered two portions of bread, olives and balsamic vinegar dip.
There was no wine list on the table so when the waitress re-appeared again I asked her to bring it to us so we could choose. She said it was "out of date" and went on to recite a list of white wines, so we had no idea what we were ordering or how much the wine cost! It was comical! I settled for a Pinot Grigio and this rapidly arrived accompanied by tiny 125ml glasses! It was like something out of the Ark!
Our bread and olives arrived and we were warned that the olives still had the stone inside. The bread was cold and clearly not fresh and the butter pats (one for each of us) were rock hard and impossible to spread on the chilled bread. Had it been previously frozen? We weren't given side plates and when the waitress brought them out after we'd asked for them, she just plonked them down on the table!
But even better was to come! When our starters were cleared away our main courses appeared, but instead of the lovely colourful salad the girls had been expecting, they were presented with pots of fish pie, accompanied by more hunks of bread! Fiona looked horrified as it was clear she does not like fish pie so she asked for the salad that was already listed on the menu. The girls agreed with her and asked for theirs to be sent back and they re-ordered the same salad! It was atrocious!
My liver arrived and although the mash and gravy were tasty, the liver was overcooked and one piece even crumbled into a mush. It became obvious that nobody was in charge and that the two girls serving hadn't got a clue what they were doing. The restaurant was empty - there was just us and another large table sitting down to eat and I'm sure we saw another couple of meals go back.
We didn't have the heart to order dessert so we settled for a coffee each and they were lukewarm. Mine was served with the milk already added but I needed more so the woes carried on! When it came time to pay, the staff disappeared and I think we could have got away with just walking out. I was sorely tempted to! The bill was £91 and we left a small tip as I really think the waitresses should have had better training and some direction from a manager in charge. It was a total shambles! We all arranged to meet up before Christmas and thankfully there was no mention of the Come Dine With Me evenings!
Back home I learned from Sophie that Georgia had been to see Mike with her Dad! I'm not sure whether he was checking us out but they had gone by the time I had arrived home. Sophie and I went for a walk to see the horses and we fed them some apples, which they loved! Their big rubbery lips scooped up the fruit and they crunched it with gusto! I stood and stroked one of them and he/she (think it's a she) just stood there and let me scratch her all over!
I had arranged to go out for lunch with Fiona, Andrea and Lynda today and we'd booked a table at The Aviator Hotel in Sywell. It was a gorgeous day and when I arrived people were milling about watching the planes and sitting in the sun.
Andrea and Fiona had already bought their drinks and were sitting in the lounge area so I joined Lynda at the bar and she bought me a sparkling mineral water as we couldn't start a tab. We then joined the other two ladies and sunk into deep armchairs that were very difficult to get out of! It sort of set the tone for the rest of our visit!
When our table was ready we were handed scruffy menus but they looked a lot different to what was advertised on the website. Lynda had obviously taken a look as she had already chosen what she wanted but all they were doing were sandwiches, salad platters and a handful of hot meals, accompanied by sides. There weren't any starters. I have to say we were all a bit disappointed! Fiona even mentioned going somewhere else and I wish now that we had!
We asked if there were any specials and the waitress disappeared and then came back with a hand written list. She mentioned smoked salmon and lobster tails and we asked if this was a salad, to be told it was. The girls ordered that as their main course while I opted for the lambs' liver served with a spring onion mash, bacon and seasonal veggies. As a sort of starter we ordered two portions of bread, olives and balsamic vinegar dip.
There was no wine list on the table so when the waitress re-appeared again I asked her to bring it to us so we could choose. She said it was "out of date" and went on to recite a list of white wines, so we had no idea what we were ordering or how much the wine cost! It was comical! I settled for a Pinot Grigio and this rapidly arrived accompanied by tiny 125ml glasses! It was like something out of the Ark!
Our bread and olives arrived and we were warned that the olives still had the stone inside. The bread was cold and clearly not fresh and the butter pats (one for each of us) were rock hard and impossible to spread on the chilled bread. Had it been previously frozen? We weren't given side plates and when the waitress brought them out after we'd asked for them, she just plonked them down on the table!
But even better was to come! When our starters were cleared away our main courses appeared, but instead of the lovely colourful salad the girls had been expecting, they were presented with pots of fish pie, accompanied by more hunks of bread! Fiona looked horrified as it was clear she does not like fish pie so she asked for the salad that was already listed on the menu. The girls agreed with her and asked for theirs to be sent back and they re-ordered the same salad! It was atrocious!
My liver arrived and although the mash and gravy were tasty, the liver was overcooked and one piece even crumbled into a mush. It became obvious that nobody was in charge and that the two girls serving hadn't got a clue what they were doing. The restaurant was empty - there was just us and another large table sitting down to eat and I'm sure we saw another couple of meals go back.
We didn't have the heart to order dessert so we settled for a coffee each and they were lukewarm. Mine was served with the milk already added but I needed more so the woes carried on! When it came time to pay, the staff disappeared and I think we could have got away with just walking out. I was sorely tempted to! The bill was £91 and we left a small tip as I really think the waitresses should have had better training and some direction from a manager in charge. It was a total shambles! We all arranged to meet up before Christmas and thankfully there was no mention of the Come Dine With Me evenings!
Back home I learned from Sophie that Georgia had been to see Mike with her Dad! I'm not sure whether he was checking us out but they had gone by the time I had arrived home. Sophie and I went for a walk to see the horses and we fed them some apples, which they loved! Their big rubbery lips scooped up the fruit and they crunched it with gusto! I stood and stroked one of them and he/she (think it's a she) just stood there and let me scratch her all over!
Friday 28 September 2018
Phew! It's Friday!
I was working a longer day today so we arranged for Keith to take Sophie to work so I could pick her up at 5pm as I was only ten minutes away. He dropped her off and went to do the shopping and I had a good session at work with plenty to keep me occupied. Mum and Dad popped in again as they want to become members but I wanted them to see one of the gym instructors first because of their dizzy spells and my Dad's unsteadiness on his feet.
I finished at 4.30pm and sped down to get Sophie. We took a different route to avoid the main roads and we were home by about 5.15pm. Keith and Mike went to the pub and Sophie and I settled down to watch 90 Day Fiance with a drink before preparing dinner of fish pie.
I have to say it was the nicest I've ever done and even I enjoyed it, despite not being a huge fan of the dish. With all the cooking Sophie and I have been doing, I've been adding seasoning (something I rarely did) and I sprinkled some mixed herbs over the fish as well as using white wine and cream when I mashed the potatoes. There was nothing left at the end of the meal and Keith was scraping the lovely bits off the side! I was very pleased!
Mike's at work over the weekend so Keith retired to bed a bit early as he will be taking him in the morning. Ugh!
I finished at 4.30pm and sped down to get Sophie. We took a different route to avoid the main roads and we were home by about 5.15pm. Keith and Mike went to the pub and Sophie and I settled down to watch 90 Day Fiance with a drink before preparing dinner of fish pie.
I have to say it was the nicest I've ever done and even I enjoyed it, despite not being a huge fan of the dish. With all the cooking Sophie and I have been doing, I've been adding seasoning (something I rarely did) and I sprinkled some mixed herbs over the fish as well as using white wine and cream when I mashed the potatoes. There was nothing left at the end of the meal and Keith was scraping the lovely bits off the side! I was very pleased!
Mike's at work over the weekend so Keith retired to bed a bit early as he will be taking him in the morning. Ugh!
Thursday 27 September 2018
Enjoying the sunshine!
Keith took me into work this morning as he was off to a funeral later - a good friend of ours who used to run The Royal Oak in Walgrave, had died suddenly at the age of 61 which was a huge shock. My parents were also going as Peter used to look after the Nans when they came to stay while my parents were on holiday years ago, and really looked after them very well, taking them out to lunch and treating them to drinks. They loved him!
Work was busy with both phone calls and admin jobs so the time flew by. I finished at 2pm rather than 3pm today so that was a little bonus! Keith came to pick me up but as Mike was doing an hour's overtime we had some time to kill. We discussed going to Waitrose for a coffee but in the end went to The Windhover for a quick drink as it's literally two minutes from where Mike works.
Over our drinks, Keith told me about the funeral and how many people had attended. There were so many that Keith couldn't get into the church! I was pleased about that as I had wanted to go myself, and it was lovely that so many old friends and acquaintances had turned up to pay their respects.
Mike didn't finish until 3.30pm so we sat in the car and I think at one point I fell asleep! We eventually arrived home at 4pm, two hours after I'd finished work! As it was such gorgeous weather again I went to sit in the garden with the newspaper until I heard a knock on the door. It was Sue who had come to collect all of her sloes that she'd stored in our fridge! She had asked to store cakes for the Macmillan coffee morning in the village but had put the sloes in there instead. They were all destined for the Warner Edwards distillery where she reckoned she'd be able to swap them for two full size bottles of Sloe Gin!
She had about 20kg of the fruit and I helped her over the road with them. Just as I was saying goodbye Richard and Michelle appeared and we had a chat before I went back to the garden to find, to my dismay, the paper scattered all over the garden!
Sophie arrived home early from work and we relaxed with a drink while Keith cooked dinner tonight, a delicious beef pie!
Work was busy with both phone calls and admin jobs so the time flew by. I finished at 2pm rather than 3pm today so that was a little bonus! Keith came to pick me up but as Mike was doing an hour's overtime we had some time to kill. We discussed going to Waitrose for a coffee but in the end went to The Windhover for a quick drink as it's literally two minutes from where Mike works.
Over our drinks, Keith told me about the funeral and how many people had attended. There were so many that Keith couldn't get into the church! I was pleased about that as I had wanted to go myself, and it was lovely that so many old friends and acquaintances had turned up to pay their respects.
Mike didn't finish until 3.30pm so we sat in the car and I think at one point I fell asleep! We eventually arrived home at 4pm, two hours after I'd finished work! As it was such gorgeous weather again I went to sit in the garden with the newspaper until I heard a knock on the door. It was Sue who had come to collect all of her sloes that she'd stored in our fridge! She had asked to store cakes for the Macmillan coffee morning in the village but had put the sloes in there instead. They were all destined for the Warner Edwards distillery where she reckoned she'd be able to swap them for two full size bottles of Sloe Gin!
She had about 20kg of the fruit and I helped her over the road with them. Just as I was saying goodbye Richard and Michelle appeared and we had a chat before I went back to the garden to find, to my dismay, the paper scattered all over the garden!
Sophie arrived home early from work and we relaxed with a drink while Keith cooked dinner tonight, a delicious beef pie!
Wednesday 26 September 2018
Traffic misery!
I took Sophie into work this morning as I had a two hour training session to attend and the plan was to finish at 11.30am and then have lunch with her. I dropped her off at 8.45am as the traffic had been terrible this morning with long queues on the main roads. I sped back to my work and had a coffee while we waited to go up to the function room for the presentation.
The training was about retaining customers and was held by a man who had a PHD in Behavioural Psychology. The main talk was an hour long and he talked at length about Disney and Starbucks, so it was quite interesting. The chairs were uncomfortable, though!
As soon as we'd finished I went to get Sophie from work and we went to Next at Riverside for a coffee. I enjoyed a sandwich and a slice of almond cake, and afterwards we had a mooch about the store but although I had a £20 gift voucher to use (from my Mum) I couldn't find anything I liked. I did spray myself with lots of different perfumes, though! Sophie bought a pair of trousers and some tops for work and they looked really smart.
I dropped her back off at work and went home to mooch about until it was time to collect Mike. As soon as I got back I decided to wash my car, which was dusty and muddy and badly in need of some TLC! It's been another gorgeous day today with warm temperatures and sunshine so ideal to spend some time outdoors. Of course, it's very social as well, and I said hello to our new neighbour, Sue, and my friend, also Sue, who lives opposite!
Keith and I went back to get Sophie at 5pm and drove back through the town as a lorry had broken down on the A43 near Sywell and was causing horrendous queues. Dinner tonight was paella and Sophie and Keith cooked it while I stood in the kitchen and completed some crosswords with a glass of wine. Bliss!
The training was about retaining customers and was held by a man who had a PHD in Behavioural Psychology. The main talk was an hour long and he talked at length about Disney and Starbucks, so it was quite interesting. The chairs were uncomfortable, though!
As soon as we'd finished I went to get Sophie from work and we went to Next at Riverside for a coffee. I enjoyed a sandwich and a slice of almond cake, and afterwards we had a mooch about the store but although I had a £20 gift voucher to use (from my Mum) I couldn't find anything I liked. I did spray myself with lots of different perfumes, though! Sophie bought a pair of trousers and some tops for work and they looked really smart.
I dropped her back off at work and went home to mooch about until it was time to collect Mike. As soon as I got back I decided to wash my car, which was dusty and muddy and badly in need of some TLC! It's been another gorgeous day today with warm temperatures and sunshine so ideal to spend some time outdoors. Of course, it's very social as well, and I said hello to our new neighbour, Sue, and my friend, also Sue, who lives opposite!
Keith and I went back to get Sophie at 5pm and drove back through the town as a lorry had broken down on the A43 near Sywell and was causing horrendous queues. Dinner tonight was paella and Sophie and Keith cooked it while I stood in the kitchen and completed some crosswords with a glass of wine. Bliss!
Tuesday 25 September 2018
New experiences!
Apart from Mike who was at work early, the rest of us got a bit of a lie-in as Sophie wasn't meeting her manager until 11am, at my Mum and Dad's house.
She wasn't very happy today which was a shame as I hated to see her like that. I don't think she wanted to go out on business, but I did say it broke up the week a bit and made for a change. The weather today has been glorious and after seeing Sophie off we had a coffee and a chat with Mum. It was then off to Tesco to get dinner for this evening and tomorrow and we popped into Screwfix on the way home to get a new handle and lock for our cloakroom door which has been playing up and wouldn't close properly.
After we'd picked up Mike I mowed the back lawn and was delighted to see it look a lot healthier than a few weeks ago. I'd put some grass seed down on the bare patches and it looked so much greener! After cutting the grass I tidied up the border at the back of garden where it's shaded by our trees and put everything onto our compost heap which is looking good. Our garden bin is full, though, with a lot of greenery I haven't put onto the compost heap (big branches and some nasty wees) so we'll have to make a trip to the tip soon to get rid of it. It hasn't been bad, though, as the last time it was emptied was June!
Sophie arrived home a lot earlier than we'd expected which was a huge bonus! She had had an interesting day visiting a prison for the first time and was a bit overwhelmed by the attention she received! It was lovely listening to what she'd been up to and hearing about her new experiences!
She wasn't very happy today which was a shame as I hated to see her like that. I don't think she wanted to go out on business, but I did say it broke up the week a bit and made for a change. The weather today has been glorious and after seeing Sophie off we had a coffee and a chat with Mum. It was then off to Tesco to get dinner for this evening and tomorrow and we popped into Screwfix on the way home to get a new handle and lock for our cloakroom door which has been playing up and wouldn't close properly.
After we'd picked up Mike I mowed the back lawn and was delighted to see it look a lot healthier than a few weeks ago. I'd put some grass seed down on the bare patches and it looked so much greener! After cutting the grass I tidied up the border at the back of garden where it's shaded by our trees and put everything onto our compost heap which is looking good. Our garden bin is full, though, with a lot of greenery I haven't put onto the compost heap (big branches and some nasty wees) so we'll have to make a trip to the tip soon to get rid of it. It hasn't been bad, though, as the last time it was emptied was June!
Sophie arrived home a lot earlier than we'd expected which was a huge bonus! She had had an interesting day visiting a prison for the first time and was a bit overwhelmed by the attention she received! It was lovely listening to what she'd been up to and hearing about her new experiences!
Monday 24 September 2018
More Birthday celebrations!
I volunteered to take Mike to work this morning as a treat for Keith and we were up and out by 5.45am. It was so dark! What a difference a couple of weeks make!
Work was OK this morning and as soon as I'd finished and picked Mike up I returned home, changed out of my work clothes and drove to the Wyevale Garden Centre at Wootton with Keith. We returned his size 8 shoes and swapped them for a pair of size 9s which fitted perfectly.
As a treat, Keith bought me a coffee in the Costa there and I enjoyed a slice of banana and pecan cake while Keith had a late lunch of a chicken salad sandwich. On the way home we called into the post office at the Weston Favell Centre so I could send out our eBay items.
We arrived home at just after 5pm and as soon as Sophie got home, she changed and we awaited Georgia's arrival before all heading into town to have dinner at The Lamplighter.
The pub was very quiet and we found a table by the window to have a drink before we ordered. I sometimes think that Georgia feels a little overwhelmed by us as we can be quite loud and as a family we're really close, despite our occasional squabbles!
The meal was lovely, as always, and we ordered garlic breads and nachos served with beef to start, followed by the usual burgers for the children and me. Keith ordered fish and chips but they were off, so he had to settle for a steak and ale pie and Georgia chose the sausages and mash. We urged her to have a dessert but she went all shy on us and had a hot chocolate instead! Mike bought a couple of rounds so all in all it was a great night!
Work was OK this morning and as soon as I'd finished and picked Mike up I returned home, changed out of my work clothes and drove to the Wyevale Garden Centre at Wootton with Keith. We returned his size 8 shoes and swapped them for a pair of size 9s which fitted perfectly.
As a treat, Keith bought me a coffee in the Costa there and I enjoyed a slice of banana and pecan cake while Keith had a late lunch of a chicken salad sandwich. On the way home we called into the post office at the Weston Favell Centre so I could send out our eBay items.
We arrived home at just after 5pm and as soon as Sophie got home, she changed and we awaited Georgia's arrival before all heading into town to have dinner at The Lamplighter.
The pub was very quiet and we found a table by the window to have a drink before we ordered. I sometimes think that Georgia feels a little overwhelmed by us as we can be quite loud and as a family we're really close, despite our occasional squabbles!
The meal was lovely, as always, and we ordered garlic breads and nachos served with beef to start, followed by the usual burgers for the children and me. Keith ordered fish and chips but they were off, so he had to settle for a steak and ale pie and Georgia chose the sausages and mash. We urged her to have a dessert but she went all shy on us and had a hot chocolate instead! Mike bought a couple of rounds so all in all it was a great night!
Sunday 23 September 2018
Early celebrations!
On Sunday morning we called to see my Mum and Dad as they had a card and pressie for Keith as it's his birthday tomorrow. We had a cup of coffee and asked if Sophie could meet her manager at the house again on Tuesday as she's going out on business and it's easier for her manager to pick her up there.
The weather this morning has been rainy and drizzly but we were really pleased to see the sun come out after we'd popped to Tesco to get a joint of beef for tonight's dinner. Sophie and I are cooking a roast in honour of Keith's birthday and we'd agreed to buy the meat. It cost £20 but it was a really substantial joint which should give us leftovers for sandwiches in the week. We also bought him beer and cards - we're really late this year!
Back home I prepared the vegetables for dinner and had lunch. In the afternoon we went down to Riverside and visited Next as I wanted to get Keith some shoes. However, he really needs a wide fitting shoe at the moment and there was nothing suitable so we went to Wyevale at Hardingstone where they have a Pavers outlet. We spotted a perfect pair of shoes but I couldn't decide whether to get a size 8 or 9... In the end I bought the size 8 and just hoped they would fit and that he would like them!
We also popped into Waitrose and bought another couple of beers and a scratchcard! I had £2 in loose change in my purse and walking back to the car we fantasised about what we would do with the £100,000 if we won it! Travel featured quite prominently!
Back home we checked eBay and we were pleased to see we'd sold three items so we packaged them up and then decided to go for a walk and see the horses. I also wanted to see the friend who works for BA and take back some of the paperwork we'd borrowed (very late!) and give her some chocolates to say thank you for her advice when Sophie was preparing for an interview with them. We walked to her house first but had to turn back as we met another cat, the one that Monty does not like!
The horses were over at the far end of the field again but came running over when we shook our bag of carrots at them.
All four of them came over so they had obviously realised we had food to give away and they loved the carrots we'd taken and an apple that I'd cut up. They kept eyeing Monty who darted in and out between them but dashed off when they got too close! The earlier horrible weather had given way to sunshine and blue skies and it was a gorgeous late afternoon.
After our walk I made Sophie and I a cocktail with the remainder of the Vodka. We'd bought a bottle of Prosecco this morning so I made a concoction of the spirit, lemon juice, honey syrup and raspberries and topped it all off with the sparkling wine. Delicious!
Keith opened his presents and cards this evening as I knew that tomorrow morning would be manic and as soon as Sophie gets home in the evening we're off to The Lamplighter for a meal. He loved his shoes but they were slightly too small so they'll have to be exchanged tomorrow. Drat!
Sophie and I cooked dinner tonight and it turned out a success, thank goodness! The beef was delicious and we let it rest for an hour before Keith carved it. My potatoes were crispy on the outside and fluffy inside and the gravy was thick and dark and flavoured with the onions I'd put under the beer when it was roasting. It made a lovely change to have roast beef and Keith was very impressed. Phew!
The weather this morning has been rainy and drizzly but we were really pleased to see the sun come out after we'd popped to Tesco to get a joint of beef for tonight's dinner. Sophie and I are cooking a roast in honour of Keith's birthday and we'd agreed to buy the meat. It cost £20 but it was a really substantial joint which should give us leftovers for sandwiches in the week. We also bought him beer and cards - we're really late this year!
Back home I prepared the vegetables for dinner and had lunch. In the afternoon we went down to Riverside and visited Next as I wanted to get Keith some shoes. However, he really needs a wide fitting shoe at the moment and there was nothing suitable so we went to Wyevale at Hardingstone where they have a Pavers outlet. We spotted a perfect pair of shoes but I couldn't decide whether to get a size 8 or 9... In the end I bought the size 8 and just hoped they would fit and that he would like them!
We also popped into Waitrose and bought another couple of beers and a scratchcard! I had £2 in loose change in my purse and walking back to the car we fantasised about what we would do with the £100,000 if we won it! Travel featured quite prominently!
Back home we checked eBay and we were pleased to see we'd sold three items so we packaged them up and then decided to go for a walk and see the horses. I also wanted to see the friend who works for BA and take back some of the paperwork we'd borrowed (very late!) and give her some chocolates to say thank you for her advice when Sophie was preparing for an interview with them. We walked to her house first but had to turn back as we met another cat, the one that Monty does not like!
The horses were over at the far end of the field again but came running over when we shook our bag of carrots at them.
All four of them came over so they had obviously realised we had food to give away and they loved the carrots we'd taken and an apple that I'd cut up. They kept eyeing Monty who darted in and out between them but dashed off when they got too close! The earlier horrible weather had given way to sunshine and blue skies and it was a gorgeous late afternoon.
After our walk I made Sophie and I a cocktail with the remainder of the Vodka. We'd bought a bottle of Prosecco this morning so I made a concoction of the spirit, lemon juice, honey syrup and raspberries and topped it all off with the sparkling wine. Delicious!
Keith opened his presents and cards this evening as I knew that tomorrow morning would be manic and as soon as Sophie gets home in the evening we're off to The Lamplighter for a meal. He loved his shoes but they were slightly too small so they'll have to be exchanged tomorrow. Drat!
Sophie and I cooked dinner tonight and it turned out a success, thank goodness! The beef was delicious and we let it rest for an hour before Keith carved it. My potatoes were crispy on the outside and fluffy inside and the gravy was thick and dark and flavoured with the onions I'd put under the beer when it was roasting. It made a lovely change to have roast beef and Keith was very impressed. Phew!
Saturday 22 September 2018
An afternoon of laughs!
On Saturday we awoke to grey skies and a much more chilly feeling. Autumn is definitely here! Sophie and I went into town in the late morning as we had a parcel to post and we were going to lunch at Pizza Express before visiting the Northampton Filmhouse to see Mrs Doubtfire.
We parked easily in the Derngate car park and walked to the post office in the rain, where I attracted a strange woman who admired our hair, asking how we managed to get our locks so shiny! She even asked us which shampoo we used!
We were the first ones in Pizza Express but it soon filled up with lunchtime diners! We enjoyed doughballs to start followed by a large pepperoni pizza and a side salad. With a glass of wine each and a shared dessert the bill came to just £30 as we had a Nectar points voucher for £15, which certainly helped!
We left at about 1.30pm with the idea of having a coffee in John Franklin's bar but I realised that Kinky Boots was still on and the place was heaving, as all the bars in the theatre were closed. We eventually had a cup of tea and a soft drink from the bar in the cinema and watched the foyer fill up with, mostly, women!
There were very few of us in the cinema but as usual we managed to get a rustler behind us. I have no idea what the person was eating but they didn't stop rustling the bag for a good half an hour! The film was excellent on the big screen and for some reason, so much funnier than I'd thought before! Both of us were in stitches!
After the film we drove home to find the house empty as Mike was out and Keith had gone to see Sileby play at Irchester. It was raining so the plan to have a barbecue was firmly cancelled! We grilled the food instead and enjoyed new potatoes with the meal, but we'd eaten all the salad from last night so we had no veggies! I was glad I'd ordered a side salad at Pizza Express!
We parked easily in the Derngate car park and walked to the post office in the rain, where I attracted a strange woman who admired our hair, asking how we managed to get our locks so shiny! She even asked us which shampoo we used!
We were the first ones in Pizza Express but it soon filled up with lunchtime diners! We enjoyed doughballs to start followed by a large pepperoni pizza and a side salad. With a glass of wine each and a shared dessert the bill came to just £30 as we had a Nectar points voucher for £15, which certainly helped!
We left at about 1.30pm with the idea of having a coffee in John Franklin's bar but I realised that Kinky Boots was still on and the place was heaving, as all the bars in the theatre were closed. We eventually had a cup of tea and a soft drink from the bar in the cinema and watched the foyer fill up with, mostly, women!
There were very few of us in the cinema but as usual we managed to get a rustler behind us. I have no idea what the person was eating but they didn't stop rustling the bag for a good half an hour! The film was excellent on the big screen and for some reason, so much funnier than I'd thought before! Both of us were in stitches!
After the film we drove home to find the house empty as Mike was out and Keith had gone to see Sileby play at Irchester. It was raining so the plan to have a barbecue was firmly cancelled! We grilled the food instead and enjoyed new potatoes with the meal, but we'd eaten all the salad from last night so we had no veggies! I was glad I'd ordered a side salad at Pizza Express!
Friday 21 September 2018
Online grumbles...
Friday dawned a lot quieter than the night before with sunny skies and no wind. It was off to work for three of us and I'm sure I saw my friend Lynda on the treadmill as I walked to the office. I tried to catch her eye but she was too busy powering away on the machine! She looked great!
At 2pm I went to collect Mike from work and sat for a while reading until he arrived. He is still having problems getting a tax refund back from his employer and I offered to go to the office with him to try and sort it out but he wanted to go home. He said he had broken the golf ball cleaning machine and had reversed into a door so he didn't want to hang about!
We called into the post office and the Co-op on the way home as I had a parcel to send out from a sale on eBay. We haven't done badly this week and we've decided to postpone going to another car boot sale for a while. The weather this weekend is set to be wet and windy!
When I got home I discovered that a marriage certificate I'd ordered had arrived so I was able to find out the name of Keith's Great-Great Grandfather on his mother's side. He had married his wife in 1868 in Glendale in Northumberland and I would love to go and visit and stay in the area.
After recording the marriage certificate on my family tree I spent the afternoon pottering about and contributed to a discussion on our Facebook residents' page about the parking on the estate. Some of the people who live here have got their collective knickers in a twist about proposed restrictions on parking even though most of them have large driveways that are able to accommodate three or four cars! I would hate to see our lovely estate littered with badly parked cars and sometimes it makes it difficult for us to get in and out of our drive if a car is parked near us. I even got home today to find our neighbour's son's car parked at the end of the driveway!
I suppose in any community you get a broad range of people, but we seem to have more than our fair share of strong personalities, with a couple of people standing out and being, in my opinion, quite bullying. Obviously there is someone on the estate who has complained, which is why the parking restrictions have been raised, but it looks like if you have a difference of opinion to them, they don't like it! I tried to write something that took the middle path, but no doubt they'll have something to say!
Sophie arrived home unexpectedly early from work which was a real bonus, so we could start the weekend straight away! Keith walked down to the pub and Sophie and I caught up with 90 Day Fiance with glass of wine. Dinner tonight was very easy - just prawn cocktail for Keith and I and chicken goujons for Mike and Soph. Unfortunately, my prawn salad was tasteless so I nicked a few of the goujons! I think with all the different cooking we've been doing lately Sophie and I are sometimes disappointed by blander foods and tonight I was really disappointed. Maybe I should start shopping with Keith again!!
At 2pm I went to collect Mike from work and sat for a while reading until he arrived. He is still having problems getting a tax refund back from his employer and I offered to go to the office with him to try and sort it out but he wanted to go home. He said he had broken the golf ball cleaning machine and had reversed into a door so he didn't want to hang about!
We called into the post office and the Co-op on the way home as I had a parcel to send out from a sale on eBay. We haven't done badly this week and we've decided to postpone going to another car boot sale for a while. The weather this weekend is set to be wet and windy!
When I got home I discovered that a marriage certificate I'd ordered had arrived so I was able to find out the name of Keith's Great-Great Grandfather on his mother's side. He had married his wife in 1868 in Glendale in Northumberland and I would love to go and visit and stay in the area.
After recording the marriage certificate on my family tree I spent the afternoon pottering about and contributed to a discussion on our Facebook residents' page about the parking on the estate. Some of the people who live here have got their collective knickers in a twist about proposed restrictions on parking even though most of them have large driveways that are able to accommodate three or four cars! I would hate to see our lovely estate littered with badly parked cars and sometimes it makes it difficult for us to get in and out of our drive if a car is parked near us. I even got home today to find our neighbour's son's car parked at the end of the driveway!
I suppose in any community you get a broad range of people, but we seem to have more than our fair share of strong personalities, with a couple of people standing out and being, in my opinion, quite bullying. Obviously there is someone on the estate who has complained, which is why the parking restrictions have been raised, but it looks like if you have a difference of opinion to them, they don't like it! I tried to write something that took the middle path, but no doubt they'll have something to say!
Sophie arrived home unexpectedly early from work which was a real bonus, so we could start the weekend straight away! Keith walked down to the pub and Sophie and I caught up with 90 Day Fiance with glass of wine. Dinner tonight was very easy - just prawn cocktail for Keith and I and chicken goujons for Mike and Soph. Unfortunately, my prawn salad was tasteless so I nicked a few of the goujons! I think with all the different cooking we've been doing lately Sophie and I are sometimes disappointed by blander foods and tonight I was really disappointed. Maybe I should start shopping with Keith again!!
Thursday 20 September 2018
Midnight bickerings...
This morning we had rain and grey skies and Keith took me to work as he was off to do the shopping straight afterwards. Work was OK and the time really flew, which was great. Keith picked me up at 3pm and we headed home to find Georgia hanging out with Mike. He had taken another day off sick as it was a friend's birthday last night and they'd all headed into town to celebrate.
Mike asked if Georgia could stay for dinner and as we were having cottage pie it was lovely to have her eat with us. When Sophie arrived home we all played cards and tried to teach Georgia our take on Rummy. It was very difficult playing with five, though, but we had a good laugh!
The two of them disappeared after dinner and said they were going to McDonalds, but not to eat, I hoped! I was fast asleep in bed when Keith nudged me awake and mumbled something about taking his last pill of the day. I told him to go and look but Sophie was still awake so she went downstairs to check. When she came back upstairs I asked her if Mike was home because by now the weather outside was atrocious with heavy rain and strong winds. It was about 11.30pm and as he had work the next day I really would have preferred it if he was home!
She called him and he said he wasn't far away so I tried to go back to sleep, but failed. When I thought I heard him come in I went downstairs to check and let Monty out, much to Sophie's annoyance as she thought he would be in danger from the terrible weather! We had a loud bickering argument at the back door as she came downstairs and tried to get him back in. Outside the rain was falling in sheets across the road and the wind was moaning. Not a great night to be out!
Monty was nowhere to be seen so Sophie was furious with me. We both went upstairs and after ten minutes I headed back down to open the door and the cat shot in like he'd been fired from a pistol. He gave me a few loud miaows and settled himself down on the sofa. Sophie came downstairs again to give him a cuddle, but then it really was time to go and get some sleep!
Mike asked if Georgia could stay for dinner and as we were having cottage pie it was lovely to have her eat with us. When Sophie arrived home we all played cards and tried to teach Georgia our take on Rummy. It was very difficult playing with five, though, but we had a good laugh!
The two of them disappeared after dinner and said they were going to McDonalds, but not to eat, I hoped! I was fast asleep in bed when Keith nudged me awake and mumbled something about taking his last pill of the day. I told him to go and look but Sophie was still awake so she went downstairs to check. When she came back upstairs I asked her if Mike was home because by now the weather outside was atrocious with heavy rain and strong winds. It was about 11.30pm and as he had work the next day I really would have preferred it if he was home!
She called him and he said he wasn't far away so I tried to go back to sleep, but failed. When I thought I heard him come in I went downstairs to check and let Monty out, much to Sophie's annoyance as she thought he would be in danger from the terrible weather! We had a loud bickering argument at the back door as she came downstairs and tried to get him back in. Outside the rain was falling in sheets across the road and the wind was moaning. Not a great night to be out!
Monty was nowhere to be seen so Sophie was furious with me. We both went upstairs and after ten minutes I headed back down to open the door and the cat shot in like he'd been fired from a pistol. He gave me a few loud miaows and settled himself down on the sofa. Sophie came downstairs again to give him a cuddle, but then it really was time to go and get some sleep!
Wednesday 19 September 2018
When the wind blows!
I took Sophie to work this morning as tonight we're off to the Northampton Filmhouse to see The King, a documentary about Elvis. We left at 8am and had a stress-free journey to work and after sitting with her in the car for a few minutes as we were very early, I returned home to clean the house.
I wasn't really keen on doing it but it had to be done and we even roped Mike in to clean his room. He called in sick this morning as he said his ankle really hurt, but Keith and I both had our doubts about that!
I started upstairs and hoovered away all the tiny brown leaves that had been blown in through the windows. It's very windy at the moment as the first of the 2018/2019 storms have arrived in the UK. My name has made it on the list this year!
They are:
Ali
Bronagh
Callum
Deidre
Erik
Freya
Gareth
Hannah
Idris
Jane
Kevin
Lily
Max
Niamh
Oliver
Peggy
Ross
Saoirse
Tristan
Violet
Win
Storm Ali mainly affected the north of the UK and Ireland but we have another one (Bronagh) approaching later this week with weather warnings covering our area. I'm not sure we'll get to Jane but it would be fun if it was an interesting storm!
As usual, whenever it's windy, we had a gathering of leaves by the back door and it drove me mad that as soon as I'd hoovered them up, they all came back again and even made it into the house!
By 2pm I was all done and feeling quite tired. Not only had I cleaned the whole house (OK, Keith did the bathroom) I'd changed our bed and Mike's bed as well! At least it was easy getting the washing dry as the wind was ferocious! I fell asleep on the sofa and woke up at 3.30pm to get showered and ready for our evening out.
I picked Sophie up at 5pm and we drove straight into town and parked in the Derngate car park. I'd noticed that Kinky Boots was showing in the theatre in the evening so it was good that we were early and able to find a space.
We'd discussed what we were going to do to eat and in the end we settled on getting a Chinese takeaway on the way home. We had a glass of wine in John Franklin's and then walked the short distance to the cinema at 6pm. We're also going again on Saturday, to see Mrs Doubtfire, and I tried to change my tickets as I'd booked seats right by the wall instead of by the aisle, but they couldn't change them. We caused havoc as three members of staff tried to sort it out!
The documentary was very interesting but was as much about the USA as it was about Elvis. The film-maker took Elvis's Rolls Royce across America, inviting different people into the car along the way (including famous actors) to talk about Elvis and the way the country is today.
We emerged at about 8.30pm and picked up a takeaway on the way home, which was delicious! Keith had enjoyed an evening to himself and Mike was out, as usual!
I wasn't really keen on doing it but it had to be done and we even roped Mike in to clean his room. He called in sick this morning as he said his ankle really hurt, but Keith and I both had our doubts about that!
I started upstairs and hoovered away all the tiny brown leaves that had been blown in through the windows. It's very windy at the moment as the first of the 2018/2019 storms have arrived in the UK. My name has made it on the list this year!
They are:
Ali
Bronagh
Callum
Deidre
Erik
Freya
Gareth
Hannah
Idris
Jane
Kevin
Lily
Max
Niamh
Oliver
Peggy
Ross
Saoirse
Tristan
Violet
Win
Storm Ali mainly affected the north of the UK and Ireland but we have another one (Bronagh) approaching later this week with weather warnings covering our area. I'm not sure we'll get to Jane but it would be fun if it was an interesting storm!
As usual, whenever it's windy, we had a gathering of leaves by the back door and it drove me mad that as soon as I'd hoovered them up, they all came back again and even made it into the house!
By 2pm I was all done and feeling quite tired. Not only had I cleaned the whole house (OK, Keith did the bathroom) I'd changed our bed and Mike's bed as well! At least it was easy getting the washing dry as the wind was ferocious! I fell asleep on the sofa and woke up at 3.30pm to get showered and ready for our evening out.
I picked Sophie up at 5pm and we drove straight into town and parked in the Derngate car park. I'd noticed that Kinky Boots was showing in the theatre in the evening so it was good that we were early and able to find a space.
We'd discussed what we were going to do to eat and in the end we settled on getting a Chinese takeaway on the way home. We had a glass of wine in John Franklin's and then walked the short distance to the cinema at 6pm. We're also going again on Saturday, to see Mrs Doubtfire, and I tried to change my tickets as I'd booked seats right by the wall instead of by the aisle, but they couldn't change them. We caused havoc as three members of staff tried to sort it out!
The documentary was very interesting but was as much about the USA as it was about Elvis. The film-maker took Elvis's Rolls Royce across America, inviting different people into the car along the way (including famous actors) to talk about Elvis and the way the country is today.
We emerged at about 8.30pm and picked up a takeaway on the way home, which was delicious! Keith had enjoyed an evening to himself and Mike was out, as usual!
Tuesday 18 September 2018
Same old...
Keith and I went to Aldi and Tesco this morning (as is usual on a Tuesday!) to get dinner for tonight and some other bits and bobs we needed. It was then home to have bacon baps for a late breakfast and mooch about doing some little jobs until lunchtime. I have only two more Tuesdays free, as from the first week in October I'm going to be doing extra hours on this day, which is great as I need all the hours I can get at the moment!
We drove down to Sophie's work to take her out for a break and headed for the Weston Favell Centre as she needed some petrol for her car. After we'd filled up we called into Costa on the ground floor of the shopping mall and I enjoyed a lovely decaffeinated Flat White with a packet of biscuits.
We dropped Soph back off and headed to the Golf Club to pick up Mike who arrived looking dirty and tired, poor thing!
In the evening Sophie cooked a chicken curry while I sat in the kitchen and completed the crossword. I really would love it if we had a kitchen with an island in the middle so I could sit comfortably. I drag our bar stool in from the study and sit on that at the moment!
We drove down to Sophie's work to take her out for a break and headed for the Weston Favell Centre as she needed some petrol for her car. After we'd filled up we called into Costa on the ground floor of the shopping mall and I enjoyed a lovely decaffeinated Flat White with a packet of biscuits.
We dropped Soph back off and headed to the Golf Club to pick up Mike who arrived looking dirty and tired, poor thing!
In the evening Sophie cooked a chicken curry while I sat in the kitchen and completed the crossword. I really would love it if we had a kitchen with an island in the middle so I could sit comfortably. I drag our bar stool in from the study and sit on that at the moment!
Monday 17 September 2018
Thwarted plans!
I took myself off to work this morning in Sophie's car as Keith had to take her over to Thrapston for 10am, as she was off to a prison in Thetford with her manager for an event promoting the services
their business has to offer. They are an awarding body for adult education and have just started a contract with the Ministry of Justice to educate prisoners so they have a chance of work when they finish their sentence. Sophie is enjoying the work very much and a fair amount of her duties will include travel to prisons all over the country!
Work, for me, was quiet at first and then it became a little busier around lunchtime. I left at 2pm and went to pick up Mike who was twenty minutes late coming out. I didn't mind, though, as I was quite happy sitting in the car and reading. Bliss!
At home I decided to give Sophie's car a good wash, inside and out, as the weather was glorious. This morning had been grey (and dark) on the way to work, but the afternoon was sunny, warm and dry. As always it was a good chance to gossip with the neighbours and we had a long chat with Sue. I also took a call from Lisa (after-school club) about the new women who were doing the job (not very well, one had left already) and spoke to my Mum, so progress on the car was rather slow! I hoovered and cleaned the car inside while Keith checked the oil and filled up the washer bottle.
The plan had been to go to a nearby pub on the way home from fetching Sophie but she was caught in terrible traffic near Cambridge so that idea went out of the window. She eventually arrived back at her manager's house at 7pm so far too late to go and have a drink as we were all hungry and wanted dinner.
By the time we got home it was 7.30pm so I shallow fried the potatoes we'd prepared and we put two pizzas in the oven. With salad it was a lovely meal and only took twenty minutes to cook!
their business has to offer. They are an awarding body for adult education and have just started a contract with the Ministry of Justice to educate prisoners so they have a chance of work when they finish their sentence. Sophie is enjoying the work very much and a fair amount of her duties will include travel to prisons all over the country!
Work, for me, was quiet at first and then it became a little busier around lunchtime. I left at 2pm and went to pick up Mike who was twenty minutes late coming out. I didn't mind, though, as I was quite happy sitting in the car and reading. Bliss!
At home I decided to give Sophie's car a good wash, inside and out, as the weather was glorious. This morning had been grey (and dark) on the way to work, but the afternoon was sunny, warm and dry. As always it was a good chance to gossip with the neighbours and we had a long chat with Sue. I also took a call from Lisa (after-school club) about the new women who were doing the job (not very well, one had left already) and spoke to my Mum, so progress on the car was rather slow! I hoovered and cleaned the car inside while Keith checked the oil and filled up the washer bottle.
The plan had been to go to a nearby pub on the way home from fetching Sophie but she was caught in terrible traffic near Cambridge so that idea went out of the window. She eventually arrived back at her manager's house at 7pm so far too late to go and have a drink as we were all hungry and wanted dinner.
By the time we got home it was 7.30pm so I shallow fried the potatoes we'd prepared and we put two pizzas in the oven. With salad it was a lovely meal and only took twenty minutes to cook!
Sunday 16 September 2018
A rude awakening!
Today was supposed to have been a completely lazy day with, hopefully, a lie-in, but we were woken at 6.30am by the phone ringing. Keith went downstairs but it had stopped by the time he got to it. It then rang again and when Keith answered he heard background noises but no-one spoke. He returned the call but it just rang out. I was worried it might be Mike who had stayed out with friends last night so I texted him, but neither Keith nor I recognised the mobile number that had called so it remains a mystery! It was a bloomin' nuisance because by now I was wide awake and concerned that it was one of Mike's friends calling us. He eventually returned my text and said he hadn't called so at least that was a relief!
We went out early to Thrapston to find Sophie's manager's house as she was meeting her there on Monday for a trip to Thetford. We found it easily and as we headed back I asked Sophie to contact Mike as I had a feeling he wanted a lift home....which turned out to be right! He was in town so we drove all the way to Northampton and picked him up before returning home. The morning had gone already!
In the afternoon Sophie and I listed some more stuff on eBay and immediately sold her faux leather jacket and a denim skirt! Maybe we should have stuck to the auction site after all! I went and had a lovely bath, and afterwards snoozed on our bed before we decided to go for a walk to see the horses, and take them some carrots. They were over the far side of the field but came running when we shook our bag of carrots and called to them. Only one came right up to us and couldn't gobble down our offering fast enough! The others did come over eventually but they had to be content with a handful of long grass! Monty was having the time of his life as usual, but soon scarpered when the horses came too near! We went around the estate but didn't see any other cats or dogs today!
Back home I made Sophie and I cocktails again. We had run out of Triple Sec but I mixed two measures (each) of the Bison Grass Vodka with lemon juice, honey syrup and raspberries and stirred the contents this time, applying a bit of pressure to the fruit to release the red juice. I then poured them through a sieve into wine glasses, topped up the cocktail with Prosecco and added some raspberries for decoration. Sophie said the drink was delicious and I liked it very much as well!
We sat in the conservatory and researched restaurants in San Francisco where we could eat lobster rolls, something Sophie wants to try. They ranged in price from about $15 to $35 so we might have to sell a bit more if we want to enjoy them! My daughter is keen to try lots of fish and seafood on our trip which is great!
Keith cooked dinner tonight as Sophie and I were having a break today. He cooked roast chicken with all the trimmings and when Georgia arrived to get something from Mike that he'd borrowed, we invited her in for dinner as well. By now Sophie and I were a little tipsy so we had a hilarious dinner and I dread to think what Georgia made of us! We were surrounded by all the stuff we'd tried to sell yesterday and at one point Mike spilled the entire contents of the salt grinder all over the table!
After dinner Mike's friend Connor arrived and Sophie met him properly for the first time. As he is 6'6" he towered over her, something she found very appealing. If only he was a bit older!
We went out early to Thrapston to find Sophie's manager's house as she was meeting her there on Monday for a trip to Thetford. We found it easily and as we headed back I asked Sophie to contact Mike as I had a feeling he wanted a lift home....which turned out to be right! He was in town so we drove all the way to Northampton and picked him up before returning home. The morning had gone already!
In the afternoon Sophie and I listed some more stuff on eBay and immediately sold her faux leather jacket and a denim skirt! Maybe we should have stuck to the auction site after all! I went and had a lovely bath, and afterwards snoozed on our bed before we decided to go for a walk to see the horses, and take them some carrots. They were over the far side of the field but came running when we shook our bag of carrots and called to them. Only one came right up to us and couldn't gobble down our offering fast enough! The others did come over eventually but they had to be content with a handful of long grass! Monty was having the time of his life as usual, but soon scarpered when the horses came too near! We went around the estate but didn't see any other cats or dogs today!
Back home I made Sophie and I cocktails again. We had run out of Triple Sec but I mixed two measures (each) of the Bison Grass Vodka with lemon juice, honey syrup and raspberries and stirred the contents this time, applying a bit of pressure to the fruit to release the red juice. I then poured them through a sieve into wine glasses, topped up the cocktail with Prosecco and added some raspberries for decoration. Sophie said the drink was delicious and I liked it very much as well!
We sat in the conservatory and researched restaurants in San Francisco where we could eat lobster rolls, something Sophie wants to try. They ranged in price from about $15 to $35 so we might have to sell a bit more if we want to enjoy them! My daughter is keen to try lots of fish and seafood on our trip which is great!
Keith cooked dinner tonight as Sophie and I were having a break today. He cooked roast chicken with all the trimmings and when Georgia arrived to get something from Mike that he'd borrowed, we invited her in for dinner as well. By now Sophie and I were a little tipsy so we had a hilarious dinner and I dread to think what Georgia made of us! We were surrounded by all the stuff we'd tried to sell yesterday and at one point Mike spilled the entire contents of the salt grinder all over the table!
After dinner Mike's friend Connor arrived and Sophie met him properly for the first time. As he is 6'6" he towered over her, something she found very appealing. If only he was a bit older!
Saturday 15 September 2018
Somewhat disappointed...
Sophie and I both felt a little bleary this morning but we were up and out by 8.30am and heading to Duston. I still hadn't had any confirmation that a table was booked for us in the community centre and had had weird dreams all night of being hidden away in the building so nobody could buy anything of ours!
However, my fears were allayed when we arrived and saw a table with our name on it. Phew! They were very close together, though, and we had real difficulty getting all of our stuff arranged. We gave up on the clothes rail as I was worried it would collapse, so we hung the clothes from boxes that we'd placed on the table.
I'd asked Mum along but had said she'd needed to get a lift with Dad as my car was full up! They called to say they couldn't find their way even though they had an in-built SatNav in their car! I'd just sent the Google map directions to my phone, but the community centre was tucked away a bit, so it was quite difficult to find. This stressed me out a little bit and I just had to hope they found us, which they did, about ten minutes later.
Mum had brought loads of lovely clothes with her and there was just no way we could fit them all on our table so they asked the woman in charge if they could have a table of their own. About four people hadn't turned up so just before 10am they were able to bring all their stuff in and start selling!
Unfortunately, we didn't do very well and we certainly didn't sell as much stuff as I wanted. The area we were in wasn't very affluent so the crystal I had to sell would never have gone, but we did sell our portable DVD player, some DVDs and a few cuddly toys. My Mum even bought some nail varnishes that we had on display! We reckoned we sold enough for two cocktails at The Top of The Mark in San Francisco, but I think it's back to ebay for us if we want to carry on generating some "fun" money for our trip!
I had thought the sale was on until 2pm but when people started packing away at 11.30am I realised I'd made a mistake! We carted most of our stuff back out to the car, said goodbye to my parents and drove home for some lunch.
As a treat Sophie and I went to Beckworth in the afternoon and had a cup of tea and a slice of cake. It was busy but it was lovely to sit and have a chat about our day with the delicious gooey cakes! I resisted the temptation to buy loads of pansies for the garden and we headed home to relax. At Beckworth I'd bought some raspberries and lemons as I'd found a cocktail online using the vodka Keith had bought me. I mixed up one each for Sophie and I before dinner which was lovely, and which I've christened The Sophie Jane!
However, my fears were allayed when we arrived and saw a table with our name on it. Phew! They were very close together, though, and we had real difficulty getting all of our stuff arranged. We gave up on the clothes rail as I was worried it would collapse, so we hung the clothes from boxes that we'd placed on the table.
I'd asked Mum along but had said she'd needed to get a lift with Dad as my car was full up! They called to say they couldn't find their way even though they had an in-built SatNav in their car! I'd just sent the Google map directions to my phone, but the community centre was tucked away a bit, so it was quite difficult to find. This stressed me out a little bit and I just had to hope they found us, which they did, about ten minutes later.
Mum had brought loads of lovely clothes with her and there was just no way we could fit them all on our table so they asked the woman in charge if they could have a table of their own. About four people hadn't turned up so just before 10am they were able to bring all their stuff in and start selling!
Unfortunately, we didn't do very well and we certainly didn't sell as much stuff as I wanted. The area we were in wasn't very affluent so the crystal I had to sell would never have gone, but we did sell our portable DVD player, some DVDs and a few cuddly toys. My Mum even bought some nail varnishes that we had on display! We reckoned we sold enough for two cocktails at The Top of The Mark in San Francisco, but I think it's back to ebay for us if we want to carry on generating some "fun" money for our trip!
I had thought the sale was on until 2pm but when people started packing away at 11.30am I realised I'd made a mistake! We carted most of our stuff back out to the car, said goodbye to my parents and drove home for some lunch.
As a treat Sophie and I went to Beckworth in the afternoon and had a cup of tea and a slice of cake. It was busy but it was lovely to sit and have a chat about our day with the delicious gooey cakes! I resisted the temptation to buy loads of pansies for the garden and we headed home to relax. At Beckworth I'd bought some raspberries and lemons as I'd found a cocktail online using the vodka Keith had bought me. I mixed up one each for Sophie and I before dinner which was lovely, and which I've christened The Sophie Jane!
Friday 14 September 2018
A late night
It was my turn to train someone at work today, a young lad called Alex who, I later found out, knew Mike! They'd been at school together and Alex also worked at the same golf club that Mike works at. It was a busy morning, with almost non-stop phone calls, so it was great to leave at 2pm and know I had the weekend off. I went to get Mike from work and this was a little highlight of my day! I sit and wait with the car windows down to catch the breeze and read my Kindle on my phone. Bliss for about ten minutes!
At home I quickly changed and Keith and I went over to the Weston Favell Centre to get a float for tomorrow. I changed £40 into fivers, pound coins and 50p pieces in anticipation of lots of people buying our bits and bobs tomorrow! We also popped into Tesco to get something for tonight's dinner as Sophie and Mike are out and the original plan had been to have fish and chips, but we're taking Sophie into town at 7.30pm and we would have ended up eating far too late. We picked out a quiche and some salad which was perfect to come home to after our running around.
Mike went out in the evening with his friend called Connor who popped in to say hello. He is 6'6" and towered over Mike who is about 6' himself! We chatted about car insurance as Connor was driving and he said he pays about £200 a month for insurance and has loads of jobs to pay for it! Blimey!
As soon as Sophie arrived home from work she showered and changed and we picked Keith up from the pub at 7pm and drove into town. We dropped her off at a bar called "Revolution" (Revs) where she waited for her friends Daisy and Laura to arrive. She wasn't too happy that they were running late!
Back home Keith and I had dinner and then watched the television until Sophie texted me to ask us to pick her up at 11.30pm. Yawn! We drove into town and managed to park right outside Revs to wait. As usual, we saw some real sights and I'm just glad that Sophie's trips into town on a Friday and Saturday night are rare!
She was a little tipsy when we picked her up and didn't stop nattering in the back with Daisy when we gave her a lift home! She'd had two strong Long Island Iced Teas so no wonder!
At home I quickly changed and Keith and I went over to the Weston Favell Centre to get a float for tomorrow. I changed £40 into fivers, pound coins and 50p pieces in anticipation of lots of people buying our bits and bobs tomorrow! We also popped into Tesco to get something for tonight's dinner as Sophie and Mike are out and the original plan had been to have fish and chips, but we're taking Sophie into town at 7.30pm and we would have ended up eating far too late. We picked out a quiche and some salad which was perfect to come home to after our running around.
Mike went out in the evening with his friend called Connor who popped in to say hello. He is 6'6" and towered over Mike who is about 6' himself! We chatted about car insurance as Connor was driving and he said he pays about £200 a month for insurance and has loads of jobs to pay for it! Blimey!
As soon as Sophie arrived home from work she showered and changed and we picked Keith up from the pub at 7pm and drove into town. We dropped her off at a bar called "Revolution" (Revs) where she waited for her friends Daisy and Laura to arrive. She wasn't too happy that they were running late!
Back home Keith and I had dinner and then watched the television until Sophie texted me to ask us to pick her up at 11.30pm. Yawn! We drove into town and managed to park right outside Revs to wait. As usual, we saw some real sights and I'm just glad that Sophie's trips into town on a Friday and Saturday night are rare!
She was a little tipsy when we picked her up and didn't stop nattering in the back with Daisy when we gave her a lift home! She'd had two strong Long Island Iced Teas so no wonder!
Thursday 13 September 2018
A little disappointment...
It was an absolutely gorgeous morning with mists and shafts of sunlight as I drove to work. Not for the first time I wished I'd had my camera with me and the time to take photographs! Keith took Sophie to the station just before I left as she was going to the NEC again but this time with a different colleague.
Work was busy and we had lots of swimming lesson queries again - some parents really get heated on the subject! I finished at 3pm and returned home to pootle about and wait for Sophie to call us as we were picking her up from the station.
She pulled in at about 6pm and predictably the traffic was busy both on the way there and on the way home. Keith had been shopping today and he'd bought me a Bison Grass Vodka as my usual Elderflower Gin was out of stock. When we got home from collecting Sophie he mixed me a cocktail but I hate to say I didn't really like it - it was a bit like aniseed.
We had a delicious dinner tonight of beef casserole served in giant Yorkshire puddings and I switched to a smooth Californian red to go with the meal. Sorry, Keith!
Work was busy and we had lots of swimming lesson queries again - some parents really get heated on the subject! I finished at 3pm and returned home to pootle about and wait for Sophie to call us as we were picking her up from the station.
She pulled in at about 6pm and predictably the traffic was busy both on the way there and on the way home. Keith had been shopping today and he'd bought me a Bison Grass Vodka as my usual Elderflower Gin was out of stock. When we got home from collecting Sophie he mixed me a cocktail but I hate to say I didn't really like it - it was a bit like aniseed.
We had a delicious dinner tonight of beef casserole served in giant Yorkshire puddings and I switched to a smooth Californian red to go with the meal. Sorry, Keith!
Wednesday 12 September 2018
A long shift!
We took Sophie to my Mum's this morning as she had to meet her boss there at 8am. From there we drove through heavy rush hour and school traffic to a very quiet Tesco's at Kettering, bought some food for tonight's dinner and then returned home to have breakfast. I was just biting into my toast when my phone rang and it was work asking if I could go in a bit early as one of the staff was feeling poorly. I said I could make it for 11am which meant I was facing a nine hour shift!
I was in for 11am and worked with Sue until 2pm and then Wendy thereafter. She was a bit of a natterer but the time did pass fairly quickly so that was a relief! Sophie had had a great day at the NEC and had met lots of people. She was able to text me to say that Dad had picked her up and she was home. I left at 8pm and walked back to the car with a crowd of people which was great as I was a little worried about walking through the dark grounds of the leisure centre to the car on my own...it's not the sort of place you want to hang about!
Back home Keith made me a drink and we enjoyed cheese and biscuits for supper. It was far too late to have a big meal so that was perfect. It was lovely to sit and catch up with what Sophie had been doing all day and I was pleased she'd enjoyed herself!
After dinner we watched an episode of Zombie House Flipping and it was the perfect end to a busy day!
I was in for 11am and worked with Sue until 2pm and then Wendy thereafter. She was a bit of a natterer but the time did pass fairly quickly so that was a relief! Sophie had had a great day at the NEC and had met lots of people. She was able to text me to say that Dad had picked her up and she was home. I left at 8pm and walked back to the car with a crowd of people which was great as I was a little worried about walking through the dark grounds of the leisure centre to the car on my own...it's not the sort of place you want to hang about!
Back home Keith made me a drink and we enjoyed cheese and biscuits for supper. It was far too late to have a big meal so that was perfect. It was lovely to sit and catch up with what Sophie had been doing all day and I was pleased she'd enjoyed herself!
After dinner we watched an episode of Zombie House Flipping and it was the perfect end to a busy day!
Tuesday 11 September 2018
A full day!
It was great to have a day off today but I was very busy! I spent the morning sorting out stuff for the sale on Saturday and ironed more bedding and clothes. Outside it was grey but breezy and rain had been forecast for later in the afternoon.
Sophie sent me a text with a colleague's address as she is going to the NEC in Birmingham tomorrow and will be brought back to a house in Desborough. As I'm working until 8pm tomorrow night, it'll be Keith that has to go and pick her up so we drove over to find it.
On the way back the weather grew drizzly and misty - horrible! We drove down to collect Sophie from work at lunchtime and took her for a Costa at Riverside. It was lovely to catch up for an hour and it really breaks up her day. I had a chicken pasta salad for lunch that was far more pasta than chicken - I found just two slices of meat!
Back home we pootled about and I did some research on Keith's family tree. I learnt that his great-grandmother was living on a farm in Berwick-upon-Tweed in 1861 and was a servant to two unmarried brothers and their unmarried sister. She was 17 and I can only imagine the sort of life she had, right on the Scottish borders where it would have been freezing in winter. The brothers were 56 and 65 and I can't understand why none of the family were married? It really intrigued me!
In the evening we all went out to Akasaka for a meal and I think Keith enjoyed his first real taste of Japanese cuisine! He went for the Chicken Gyoza and then the Katsu curry while I tried the octopus meatballs as a starter.
I was given four and they were delicious! Mike sampled the crispy fried squid with a chilli dipping sauce and he said it was lovely. It was much busier than it usually is, which was a good sign!
After the meal we went to the Errol Flynn (now re-named the Northampton Filmhouse) to see BlacKkKlansman which was by turns funny and sad, especially the last scenes of the film. We enjoyed the movie but it was very thought-provoking.
It was a late night and we arrived home at 11pm. Yawn!
Sophie sent me a text with a colleague's address as she is going to the NEC in Birmingham tomorrow and will be brought back to a house in Desborough. As I'm working until 8pm tomorrow night, it'll be Keith that has to go and pick her up so we drove over to find it.
On the way back the weather grew drizzly and misty - horrible! We drove down to collect Sophie from work at lunchtime and took her for a Costa at Riverside. It was lovely to catch up for an hour and it really breaks up her day. I had a chicken pasta salad for lunch that was far more pasta than chicken - I found just two slices of meat!
Back home we pootled about and I did some research on Keith's family tree. I learnt that his great-grandmother was living on a farm in Berwick-upon-Tweed in 1861 and was a servant to two unmarried brothers and their unmarried sister. She was 17 and I can only imagine the sort of life she had, right on the Scottish borders where it would have been freezing in winter. The brothers were 56 and 65 and I can't understand why none of the family were married? It really intrigued me!
In the evening we all went out to Akasaka for a meal and I think Keith enjoyed his first real taste of Japanese cuisine! He went for the Chicken Gyoza and then the Katsu curry while I tried the octopus meatballs as a starter.
 |
| They look like muffins! |
I was given four and they were delicious! Mike sampled the crispy fried squid with a chilli dipping sauce and he said it was lovely. It was much busier than it usually is, which was a good sign!
After the meal we went to the Errol Flynn (now re-named the Northampton Filmhouse) to see BlacKkKlansman which was by turns funny and sad, especially the last scenes of the film. We enjoyed the movie but it was very thought-provoking.
It was a late night and we arrived home at 11pm. Yawn!
Monday 10 September 2018
Start of the working week!
I really didn't feel like going to work today and had a terrible headache. However, after a coffee and a shower I felt better, but Keith took me in, just in case! He'd already taken Mike to work as he's back to normal this week after his short break.
We had a busy morning, made worse by my colleague training someone on how we worked, so I had to answer most of the phone calls! There was so much information for the poor woman to absorb, no wonder she looked a bit shell-shocked, and she isn't even going to be working in the contact centre anyway!
Keith picked me up at 2pm but Mike was working a bit later today so we went home, calling into the pharmacy at Mawsley on the way to say we were going to go back to our surgery to get our prescriptions. Our doctor hadn't been too happy when we confessed we'd swapped and had explained how it affected the surgery, so we decided to swap back!
Back home, Keith and I decided to catch up with the drama series, Bodyguard, but half way through, Mike called to ask us to pick him up. Of course, this coincided with the school run so the roads were hectic! I hope this isn't going to be a permanent arrangement as it suits me nicely that he finishes at 2.30pm and I can pick him up after work!
Mike went out in the evening with Georgia, so there was just the three of us for dinner again. They appeared later in the evening and I was reminded of how lovely she is. I just hope it lasts!
We had a busy morning, made worse by my colleague training someone on how we worked, so I had to answer most of the phone calls! There was so much information for the poor woman to absorb, no wonder she looked a bit shell-shocked, and she isn't even going to be working in the contact centre anyway!
Keith picked me up at 2pm but Mike was working a bit later today so we went home, calling into the pharmacy at Mawsley on the way to say we were going to go back to our surgery to get our prescriptions. Our doctor hadn't been too happy when we confessed we'd swapped and had explained how it affected the surgery, so we decided to swap back!
Back home, Keith and I decided to catch up with the drama series, Bodyguard, but half way through, Mike called to ask us to pick him up. Of course, this coincided with the school run so the roads were hectic! I hope this isn't going to be a permanent arrangement as it suits me nicely that he finishes at 2.30pm and I can pick him up after work!
Mike went out in the evening with Georgia, so there was just the three of us for dinner again. They appeared later in the evening and I was reminded of how lovely she is. I just hope it lasts!
Sunday 9 September 2018
A very busy day!
Sundays, just lately, have turned out to be very busy indeed, and today was no exception! Sophie said she wanted to go to the gym this morning so we agreed that she would go while Keith and I went to see Mum and Dad. When we all got back the plan was to sort out all the stuff we're taking to the table top sale next Saturday.
We went off to get the Sunday papers and had a coffee with Mum and Dad. While we were there, Sophie called to say that the main dual carriageway she uses to get to the gym had been closed completely and she was going to call off her visit and come home. It sounded like a serious accident had happened. We returned home as well and I discovered that a pedestrian had been knocked over and killed by a police car in the early hours of the morning and the road remained closed all day.
I made breakfast for Keith and I and then Sophie and I tackled all the stuff we intend to take next week. We sorted out some bed linen that we no longer wanted and washed and ironed most of it, as well as washing some clothes Sophie didn't wear any more. Today has been beautiful and the most perfect laundry day as it was dry, sunny and breezy. It was so good seeing the clothes and sheets drying on the line and then ironing them! I should have been a laundry woman! We also found some crystal that I no longer wanted and I washed and polished that before wrapping it in old newspapers.
We managed to find time to go for a little walk in the afternoon and went to see the horses. We'd forgotten to take some carrots with us but we gave them a handful of grass and they seemed happy. Monty was very inquisitive and the horses sniffed at him before he disappeared under the hedge! We were going to walk around the estate but we came across some neighbours with their dogs so we beat a hasty retreat!
In the evening Sophie and I made chicken and mushroom pie from The Hairy Bikers' Chicken and Egg cookbook. Earlier in the day Sophie had cut up some mushrooms and an onion and I diced two packs of chicken thighs. We then cooked the meat and the vegetables and added some white wine and cream to the pan before mixing it all together and letting it cool down. We had bought puff pastry (we're not quite up to doing that!) and after rolling it out and lining a dish, we let it chill in the fridge while the pie mixture cooled.
When everything was ready we rolled out the other half of the pastry for the top and popped it in the oven for about forty-five minutes. It turned out to be delicious, but the top hadn't really risen, and certainly not like Keith's does when he makes it, but then he does use the whole of the pastry for the top!
We went off to get the Sunday papers and had a coffee with Mum and Dad. While we were there, Sophie called to say that the main dual carriageway she uses to get to the gym had been closed completely and she was going to call off her visit and come home. It sounded like a serious accident had happened. We returned home as well and I discovered that a pedestrian had been knocked over and killed by a police car in the early hours of the morning and the road remained closed all day.
I made breakfast for Keith and I and then Sophie and I tackled all the stuff we intend to take next week. We sorted out some bed linen that we no longer wanted and washed and ironed most of it, as well as washing some clothes Sophie didn't wear any more. Today has been beautiful and the most perfect laundry day as it was dry, sunny and breezy. It was so good seeing the clothes and sheets drying on the line and then ironing them! I should have been a laundry woman! We also found some crystal that I no longer wanted and I washed and polished that before wrapping it in old newspapers.
We managed to find time to go for a little walk in the afternoon and went to see the horses. We'd forgotten to take some carrots with us but we gave them a handful of grass and they seemed happy. Monty was very inquisitive and the horses sniffed at him before he disappeared under the hedge! We were going to walk around the estate but we came across some neighbours with their dogs so we beat a hasty retreat!
In the evening Sophie and I made chicken and mushroom pie from The Hairy Bikers' Chicken and Egg cookbook. Earlier in the day Sophie had cut up some mushrooms and an onion and I diced two packs of chicken thighs. We then cooked the meat and the vegetables and added some white wine and cream to the pan before mixing it all together and letting it cool down. We had bought puff pastry (we're not quite up to doing that!) and after rolling it out and lining a dish, we let it chill in the fridge while the pie mixture cooled.
When everything was ready we rolled out the other half of the pastry for the top and popped it in the oven for about forty-five minutes. It turned out to be delicious, but the top hadn't really risen, and certainly not like Keith's does when he makes it, but then he does use the whole of the pastry for the top!
Saturday 8 September 2018
End of an era...
It was a lovely feeling waking up this morning and knowing I had the weekend off! Sophie wanted me to take her into work today as she had planned on getting some gifts for the people she worked with, because it was her last day. We popped into the Co-op and she bought some wine for Maureen and Polly, and cakes for the other staff.
I dropped her off and went home to have breakfast (chocolate pastries from the Co-op) before doing some housework. I then spent a lot of the afternoon researching Keith's family tree online and, as always, it turned out to be a frustrating exercise!
Keith went to see Sileby play in the afternoon and I had a long soak in the bath, which was lovely. It hasn't been the best of days, weatherwise, and there's a definite hint of Autumn in the air. When we went back to collect Sophie from work I realised that it was the end of an era for us, as although I work for the company that now owns the activity centre, I will have very little to do with it from now on so it was a bit sad. Perhaps it's for the best, though. It's been three years since we sold the business and it's time to move on!
Back home we relaxed with a drink and Keith cooked beef in a black bean sauce. Mike had gone out so it was just the three of us tucking into the lovely meal!
I dropped her off and went home to have breakfast (chocolate pastries from the Co-op) before doing some housework. I then spent a lot of the afternoon researching Keith's family tree online and, as always, it turned out to be a frustrating exercise!
Keith went to see Sileby play in the afternoon and I had a long soak in the bath, which was lovely. It hasn't been the best of days, weatherwise, and there's a definite hint of Autumn in the air. When we went back to collect Sophie from work I realised that it was the end of an era for us, as although I work for the company that now owns the activity centre, I will have very little to do with it from now on so it was a bit sad. Perhaps it's for the best, though. It's been three years since we sold the business and it's time to move on!
Back home we relaxed with a drink and Keith cooked beef in a black bean sauce. Mike had gone out so it was just the three of us tucking into the lovely meal!
Friday 7 September 2018
Friday again!
Keith took me into work again this morning as he had a doctor's appointment at 2.30pm and there wouldn't have been enough time for me to get home to give him the car. It's certainly taking some getting used to us having to share the Audi!
Today was very pleasant at work and the time passed quickly. At 2pm we sped off to Brixworth but we had to wait ages to see the GP. Keith's leg is still not right so the doctor gave him a new prescription for antibiotics that will hopefully get rid of the infection once and for all.
Back home I pootled about until Sophie arrived back, and then I could relax and start the weekend! She is at work tomorrow for her old job but it'll be her last day - the thought of her doing the next four Saturdays after working all week was a horrible one!
Keith walked to the pub and we settled down to watch 90 Day Fiance. Tonight we cooked a recipe from the Co-op magazine - chicken breasts rubbed with paprika and chilli flakes and baked in the oven with new potatoes. I also served green beans and asparagus with the meal and it was delicious.
It's certainly getting darker at night now, and we had to have the lights on in the conservatory while we were having dinner. Afterwards I indulged in a little relaxation with Gardener's World before Sophie and I watched Eight Go Rallying. Sophie fell asleep on the sofa, poor thing. Just one more day and then that'll be it!
Today was very pleasant at work and the time passed quickly. At 2pm we sped off to Brixworth but we had to wait ages to see the GP. Keith's leg is still not right so the doctor gave him a new prescription for antibiotics that will hopefully get rid of the infection once and for all.
Back home I pootled about until Sophie arrived back, and then I could relax and start the weekend! She is at work tomorrow for her old job but it'll be her last day - the thought of her doing the next four Saturdays after working all week was a horrible one!
Keith walked to the pub and we settled down to watch 90 Day Fiance. Tonight we cooked a recipe from the Co-op magazine - chicken breasts rubbed with paprika and chilli flakes and baked in the oven with new potatoes. I also served green beans and asparagus with the meal and it was delicious.
It's certainly getting darker at night now, and we had to have the lights on in the conservatory while we were having dinner. Afterwards I indulged in a little relaxation with Gardener's World before Sophie and I watched Eight Go Rallying. Sophie fell asleep on the sofa, poor thing. Just one more day and then that'll be it!
Thursday 6 September 2018
Being quizzed!
Our office was very quiet this morning as there were only three of us in. We didn't have many calls first thing and then it went mad at lunchtime with lots of queries about swimming lessons! I was at work until 3pm and Keith picked me up as he'd been to do the shopping and needed the car.
I had plans to go home and do some housework but that seemed to go by the wayside and even though I did some chores that needed doing, I felt like I'd wasted the time I had! I have to say, though, that it's great to not have to go back out again and work from 3pm until 6pm!
In the evening Sophie, Keith and I ate early as we were off to the pub quiz in the village. Sue had asked us as they were short and needed three people to take part. The heavy rain that we'd had earlier had cleared away so we walked up, but unfortunately Monty thought it was a good idea to follow us, something he's never done before when we've walked the other way out of the estate. In the end, Sophie was so worried that she and I walked back and locked him in the house while Keith carried on up to the pub.
The pub was packed and we met an old neighbour who told us, very sadly, that the landlord who used to run the Royal Oak in Walgrave had passed away today. To say I was shocked was an understatement as he was only 61 and we used to be really good friends with him and his (now ex) wife. We knew he'd had health problems lately but I never thought he would pass away so young.
We joined Sue at her table as she'd had a meal before the quiz and met the other members of the team who were all ladies of a certain age! Paul was also coming along later to take part. Keith was very disappointed with his beer which was completely flat so he was already looking a bit grumpy!
The quiz eventually started and we were given a sheet of photographs of Radio DJs. Paul and Sophie had a mega argument over one picture as Sophie thought it was a young Terry Wogan while Paul was convinced it was Noel Edmonds. I found it difficult to choose!
We didn't do badly in the quiz rounds and I wished we'd taken one of my answers and one of Sophie's answers as the correct ones as we would have come joint third. The photo turned out to be a very young Noel Edmonds, so that result caused a lot of hilarity! It was a good night, but it did drag on a bit and we eventually left at almost 11pm, way past my bedtime and that of a lot of other people too! At least Sue gave us a lift home so we didn't have to walk!
I had plans to go home and do some housework but that seemed to go by the wayside and even though I did some chores that needed doing, I felt like I'd wasted the time I had! I have to say, though, that it's great to not have to go back out again and work from 3pm until 6pm!
In the evening Sophie, Keith and I ate early as we were off to the pub quiz in the village. Sue had asked us as they were short and needed three people to take part. The heavy rain that we'd had earlier had cleared away so we walked up, but unfortunately Monty thought it was a good idea to follow us, something he's never done before when we've walked the other way out of the estate. In the end, Sophie was so worried that she and I walked back and locked him in the house while Keith carried on up to the pub.
The pub was packed and we met an old neighbour who told us, very sadly, that the landlord who used to run the Royal Oak in Walgrave had passed away today. To say I was shocked was an understatement as he was only 61 and we used to be really good friends with him and his (now ex) wife. We knew he'd had health problems lately but I never thought he would pass away so young.
We joined Sue at her table as she'd had a meal before the quiz and met the other members of the team who were all ladies of a certain age! Paul was also coming along later to take part. Keith was very disappointed with his beer which was completely flat so he was already looking a bit grumpy!
The quiz eventually started and we were given a sheet of photographs of Radio DJs. Paul and Sophie had a mega argument over one picture as Sophie thought it was a young Terry Wogan while Paul was convinced it was Noel Edmonds. I found it difficult to choose!
We didn't do badly in the quiz rounds and I wished we'd taken one of my answers and one of Sophie's answers as the correct ones as we would have come joint third. The photo turned out to be a very young Noel Edmonds, so that result caused a lot of hilarity! It was a good night, but it did drag on a bit and we eventually left at almost 11pm, way past my bedtime and that of a lot of other people too! At least Sue gave us a lift home so we didn't have to walk!
Wednesday 5 September 2018
A challenging morning!
I was in at work today as an extra shift - now that I no longer work at the school I need to find at least another ten hours a week, but I haven't quite managed to achieve that yet!
We had a busy day with some grumpy people calling us so it made for a challenging shift! The girl I work with went to the doctor's for an hour and the phones went mad! My Mum and Dad made an unexpected visit as they are looking to join the gym so I popped out for five minutes to see them and arrange for someone to show them around.
As Keith had been stuck in the house all day I drove him over to Brixworth to get a newspaper. We know how to live! Mike's new girlfriend, Georgia, was at the house when I got home and I really like her. She seems very friendly and down to earth.
I had plans to hoover or wash the car but somehow I managed to achieve very little! Our new neighbours have moved in but we haven't seen them yet and I just hope they're going to be friendly. They have just returned from a long holiday in Australia so are probably very jet-lagged!
Sophie arrived home and seemed a lot happier. She has some travel coming up and is off to the NEC next Wednesday. She looks very smart in her office wear and it feels a bit weird to see her all dressed up like that rather than in her blue polo shirt and leggings that she normally wears to work!
Mike went out in the afternoon with Georgia and didn't come home for dinner so it was just the three of us. Sophie was supposed to have been going out but a friend cancelled so we had soup, garlic bread and pudding. Not what we'd planned but it had to do!
We had a busy day with some grumpy people calling us so it made for a challenging shift! The girl I work with went to the doctor's for an hour and the phones went mad! My Mum and Dad made an unexpected visit as they are looking to join the gym so I popped out for five minutes to see them and arrange for someone to show them around.
As Keith had been stuck in the house all day I drove him over to Brixworth to get a newspaper. We know how to live! Mike's new girlfriend, Georgia, was at the house when I got home and I really like her. She seems very friendly and down to earth.
I had plans to hoover or wash the car but somehow I managed to achieve very little! Our new neighbours have moved in but we haven't seen them yet and I just hope they're going to be friendly. They have just returned from a long holiday in Australia so are probably very jet-lagged!
Sophie arrived home and seemed a lot happier. She has some travel coming up and is off to the NEC next Wednesday. She looks very smart in her office wear and it feels a bit weird to see her all dressed up like that rather than in her blue polo shirt and leggings that she normally wears to work!
Mike went out in the afternoon with Georgia and didn't come home for dinner so it was just the three of us. Sophie was supposed to have been going out but a friend cancelled so we had soup, garlic bread and pudding. Not what we'd planned but it had to do!
Tuesday 4 September 2018
Things improve!
We volunteered to take Sophie to work today as she had been told she couldn't park in the normal car park as they had visitors and would have to park in the pub opposite. We drove her in and left at 8am. The traffic was OK and we had a very sedate journey down to her place of work and arrived well before 9am. This could be down to the fact that the children haven't gone back to school yet, though! We also promised to pop down and take her out at lunchtime for a coffee, which she looked forward to, bless her!
At home Keith and I had breakfast and then I gave our kitchen a good clean. Over the summer we've had lots of flies in the house so I wanted to get all the worktops and the floor really clean. I worked away until lunchtime, had a shower and then drove back down to see Sophie. She seemed much happier and after a fruitless trip to the local Costa which was packed, we ended up at the pub opposite where we had a quick drink. It's been a lovely day today with blue skies and sunshine and we were almost tempted to sit outside!
After dropping Sophie back off at her office, we returned home and I started cleaning all over again after I'd had some lunch. I finished at 4pm and had just half an hour to watch the Tour of Spain before it was time to go and get her again! I'm glad we don't have to do this every day!
When she came out she was a lot happier so that was a relief! I hated to see her so miserable yesterday. We had fish for dinner and then settled down to watch Bodyguard afterwards. It's looking set to be one of our favourites!
At home Keith and I had breakfast and then I gave our kitchen a good clean. Over the summer we've had lots of flies in the house so I wanted to get all the worktops and the floor really clean. I worked away until lunchtime, had a shower and then drove back down to see Sophie. She seemed much happier and after a fruitless trip to the local Costa which was packed, we ended up at the pub opposite where we had a quick drink. It's been a lovely day today with blue skies and sunshine and we were almost tempted to sit outside!
After dropping Sophie back off at her office, we returned home and I started cleaning all over again after I'd had some lunch. I finished at 4pm and had just half an hour to watch the Tour of Spain before it was time to go and get her again! I'm glad we don't have to do this every day!
When she came out she was a lot happier so that was a relief! I hated to see her so miserable yesterday. We had fish for dinner and then settled down to watch Bodyguard afterwards. It's looking set to be one of our favourites!
Monday 3 September 2018
New job!
Sophie started work but didn't have to go in until 10am so she managed to avoid the rush hour traffic. Tomorrow she'll have to leave at about 8am!
I was at work today and we were fairly busy with calls and enquiries. Keith took me in as now Sophie will be driving her own car into work every day. We'll have to get used to the new normal!
Keith picked me up at 2pm and as Mike is on holiday this week we didn't have to go and pick him up from work. We had a bit of a hair-raising trip home as a couple of cars decided we were a target and aimed for us! I was glad to arrive safely and in one piece!
As soon as I got home I packaged up one last parcel we had to send off and we drove over to the Post Office in Brixworth to post it off. Back home we mooched about until Sophie arrived home at 5.30pm. I rushed out to greet her and was a bit dismayed to see her looking dejected. She felt overwhelmed, she said, by all the new things she had to learn, meeting new people and driving in the rush hour traffic, which she's never really had to do before. One horrible woman driver had sworn at her and sounded her horn because Sophie was in the wrong lane on a roundabout!
Keith and I sat with her in the conservatory for ages and let her talk it all out. I knew she would feel like this as it's a huge change in her life and she's really missing uni and the friends she had there. We sat and had a good talk and she was more like her old self after dinner!
I was at work today and we were fairly busy with calls and enquiries. Keith took me in as now Sophie will be driving her own car into work every day. We'll have to get used to the new normal!
Keith picked me up at 2pm and as Mike is on holiday this week we didn't have to go and pick him up from work. We had a bit of a hair-raising trip home as a couple of cars decided we were a target and aimed for us! I was glad to arrive safely and in one piece!
As soon as I got home I packaged up one last parcel we had to send off and we drove over to the Post Office in Brixworth to post it off. Back home we mooched about until Sophie arrived home at 5.30pm. I rushed out to greet her and was a bit dismayed to see her looking dejected. She felt overwhelmed, she said, by all the new things she had to learn, meeting new people and driving in the rush hour traffic, which she's never really had to do before. One horrible woman driver had sworn at her and sounded her horn because Sophie was in the wrong lane on a roundabout!
Keith and I sat with her in the conservatory for ages and let her talk it all out. I knew she would feel like this as it's a huge change in her life and she's really missing uni and the friends she had there. We sat and had a good talk and she was more like her old self after dinner!
Sunday 2 September 2018
Turning Japanese...
It was lovely to have today off but we had a busy time ahead of us! We did have a lazyish start, though, and then Sophie and I prepared the dinner by soaking the Shitake mushrooms in hot water and sorting out all the ingredients we needed.
I grated and chopped up ginger while Sophie measured out all the soy sauce, mirin, honey and rice vinegar for the sauce. I also cut up two shallots and some garlic and when the mushrooms had re-hydrated, I chopped them up and we added them to the turkey thigh mince, along with some breadcrumbs. This was then put into the fridge to chill and we made a start on breakfast while Keith went to get the Sunday papers.
Breakfast was lovely, if a little filling, and at lunchtime we drove the route that Sophie might have to take when she starts work tomorrow. It will undoubtedly be busy when she leaves for work and I'd suggested an alternative route that she did not enjoy driving! Back to Plan A, then! At least tomorrow she doesn't start until 10am so a gentler introduction to the joys of rush hour traffic!
We went to Starbucks on Riverside and then visited Homesense where I met my boss, Sara! We had a chat and Sophie and I kept bumping into them in the store. Sophie bought a diary and a notebook while I couldn't resist some wine glasses called Jane! As we are down to two glasses at the moment, we needed them badly!
On the way home we called into the new university campus at Waterside but we couldn't go any further than the entrance gate, which was a shame. We both wanted to have a look around but what we could see looked fabulous and so modern.
We returned home and mooched about, feeling a little disappointed that we hadn't sold more today on ebay. We're giving it a rest for a couple of weeks which will be welcome!
Dinner tonight took us an hour to prepare and we had a bit of a calamity with the bamboo skewers - the meatballs kept falling off! In the end we just moulded them into balls and put them on two baking trays in the oven. We also cooked rice and stir fried some vegetables to go with the meal. We heated up the sauce and the idea was to pour it over the meatballs in a pan until it thickened into a syrup. It was lovely but it wasn't as thick as I would have liked!
However, the meal was lovely and the meatballs were delicious. We'll definitely cook the recipe again but not bother with the skewers!
I grated and chopped up ginger while Sophie measured out all the soy sauce, mirin, honey and rice vinegar for the sauce. I also cut up two shallots and some garlic and when the mushrooms had re-hydrated, I chopped them up and we added them to the turkey thigh mince, along with some breadcrumbs. This was then put into the fridge to chill and we made a start on breakfast while Keith went to get the Sunday papers.
Breakfast was lovely, if a little filling, and at lunchtime we drove the route that Sophie might have to take when she starts work tomorrow. It will undoubtedly be busy when she leaves for work and I'd suggested an alternative route that she did not enjoy driving! Back to Plan A, then! At least tomorrow she doesn't start until 10am so a gentler introduction to the joys of rush hour traffic!
We went to Starbucks on Riverside and then visited Homesense where I met my boss, Sara! We had a chat and Sophie and I kept bumping into them in the store. Sophie bought a diary and a notebook while I couldn't resist some wine glasses called Jane! As we are down to two glasses at the moment, we needed them badly!
On the way home we called into the new university campus at Waterside but we couldn't go any further than the entrance gate, which was a shame. We both wanted to have a look around but what we could see looked fabulous and so modern.
We returned home and mooched about, feeling a little disappointed that we hadn't sold more today on ebay. We're giving it a rest for a couple of weeks which will be welcome!
Dinner tonight took us an hour to prepare and we had a bit of a calamity with the bamboo skewers - the meatballs kept falling off! In the end we just moulded them into balls and put them on two baking trays in the oven. We also cooked rice and stir fried some vegetables to go with the meal. We heated up the sauce and the idea was to pour it over the meatballs in a pan until it thickened into a syrup. It was lovely but it wasn't as thick as I would have liked!
However, the meal was lovely and the meatballs were delicious. We'll definitely cook the recipe again but not bother with the skewers!
Saturday 1 September 2018
Driving worries.
I was back at work this morning at 8.30am and working with Sue. It's much more relaxed at the weekends as there is nobody else in the office and we're just left to get on with our work. Sue left at 2pm and I carried on until 4pm, but Sophie had sent me a text saying that my Mum and Dad were at her work and she was worried about them driving home in the new car, so I called in to find out what was happening.
My Dad had made the mistake of picking up his new Golf and driving to the very busy Weston Favell Centre rather than just leave going there for another day, and had found it difficult to adapt back to automatic driving after having a manual car for a while. We went out around the estate and I showed him how the parking brake worked and explained about the stop-start system on the car.
I then followed them most of the way home to make sure he was OK and his driving was fine. It is a worry though, when parents get older and their driving capabilities change. I'm sure than when he adapts to the new car, he'll be fine and at least he won't stall it, like he did with the Nissan!
Back at home I pootled about doing jobs and Keith came home from going to see Sileby play. They had won 3-1 and seem to be getting their old form back which has pleased Keith! We then went to pick Sophie up from work as I had taken her car today as we needed two cars!
We barbecued in the evening and Mike went off to the local music festival. We sat in the garden for a while and then cooked burgers, chicken and lamb steaks, accompanied by new potatoes and roasted veggies. It was delicious!
My Dad had made the mistake of picking up his new Golf and driving to the very busy Weston Favell Centre rather than just leave going there for another day, and had found it difficult to adapt back to automatic driving after having a manual car for a while. We went out around the estate and I showed him how the parking brake worked and explained about the stop-start system on the car.
I then followed them most of the way home to make sure he was OK and his driving was fine. It is a worry though, when parents get older and their driving capabilities change. I'm sure than when he adapts to the new car, he'll be fine and at least he won't stall it, like he did with the Nissan!
Back at home I pootled about doing jobs and Keith came home from going to see Sileby play. They had won 3-1 and seem to be getting their old form back which has pleased Keith! We then went to pick Sophie up from work as I had taken her car today as we needed two cars!
We barbecued in the evening and Mike went off to the local music festival. We sat in the garden for a while and then cooked burgers, chicken and lamb steaks, accompanied by new potatoes and roasted veggies. It was delicious!
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