Another gardening project

Keith and Sophie were both in at work with me today. Sophie was off as her school was closed because of the strike which was a good thing as she was able to help out in the kitchen. Keith and I did slightly more strenuous work - clearing the bit of land next to the kitchen of a forest of weeds which have grown up over the last few months.

Thankfully it wasn't too hot and there was a fair amount of cloud so it wasn't too uncomfortable to work. Armed with secateurs and a rake we cut down all the vegetation and wheelbarrowed it out to our big skip. It took us about 3 hours of steady work to clear it all and the next step will be to put down a plastic membrane and then tip gravel on top. Hopefully we can put chairs and tables out there so our customers can sit outside if the weather's nice. We'll also have some tubs with flowers and plants in to make it look pretty!

Wednesday 29 June - back to school for me!

Today I'd agreed to give a talk to Sophie's class at school about the business I run with my parents. Her Business Studies teacher had given me a list of topics she wanted me to cover so armed with my notes and copies of our leaflets I went into school at 2pm feeling a little bit nervous!

Luckily I was in the classroom as all the pupils trooped in, including my darling daughter, so at least I didn't have to walk in and face them all! I spoke for almost an hour about the business, how we set it up and a few stories which had happened along the way and then the class asked me questions, some of which were very good. It was an enjoyable experience, I didn't make an idiot of myself (thank goodness) and I hope I've helped them a little bit with information as to how a business runs.

Later in the day I walked up to mum and dad's house with Mikey and had a good chat. Mum is feeling a bit better now and we're hoping she can come into work next week. I've certainly missed her!

Tuesday 28 June

Thankfully Tuesday was a bit cooler than Monday so after work Keith, Mikey and me went for a walk over the fields with Max the dog who had the time of his life. Max thought he knew where we were going but we went a different way, much to his delight, as there were loads of new places to sniff and explore! Sarah was pleased as he hadn't been for a walk during the day and it was lovely to see him running off with his tail wagging!

What a scorcher!

Today has been HOT! It was 30c when we went out at lunchtime to the bank and I felt sorry for the school that visited us today even though we put all the fans on and opened the windows in the roof to let the hot air out.

Yesterday, as we drove home, I could see the temperature rising steadily as we moved inland and it was stiflingly hot last night. This afternoon it clouded over and I'm longing for a big storm to clear the air and make it a bit cooler. I don't mind these temperatures on holiday but I'm not keen when I have to go to work in them!

Sunday 26 June - a day at the seaside.

On Sunday morning we set off very early for Southwold, picking up Sophie's friend Susie on the way. The weather forecast had been for sun all day, but we drove to the coast in a fair bit of cloud and only saw bright blue skies about 20 miles from the sea.

We managed to park the car before the hordes arrived and Keith and I sat with our backs against the sea wall and watched the children play on the sand and in the sea. It was lovely and warm and I slathered sun cream on the kids, especially Susie who is very fair.

At lunchtime the children changed out of their wet and sandy clothes and then we walked along to the pier for fish and chips. Southwold pier is lovely with lots of places to eat, shop and sit in the sun. Half way along is the arcade of funny little games and novelties and the children had great fun trying them all out!

As is the case on the east coast, we had a few moments of sea mist coming in and it grew quite chilly. I can remember going once and there was a heavy mist hanging over the whole coast while inland it was swelteringly hot!

As we walked back to the car I suddenly realised I hadn't got the keys...then I remembered that Sophie had taken them from me when she went to get changed and we must have left them in the boot...along with the girls' bags and iPods...

I ran back to the car but everything was intact, even Mikey's tee shirt and hat that we'd left on the boot to dry. Southwold is such a lovely place! Phew!

On the way home we stopped at the village of Peasenhall for tea and cakes - my diet has gone out of the window today but I am allowed a little treat every now and then!

Lazy day

All plans for going out into the garden and tidying it up went out of the window today with one look at the weather - showery and overcast. Giving into the inevitable, I began working on the novel I wrote a few years ago and which needs a lot of editing! My dream is to get it published but I'm realistic about its chances. Still, it was very enjoyable to work on it and as it's set in France, it was great to lose myself in the words and escape for a few hours!

Keith made the brave decision to barbecue in the evening and amazingly, despite a dark grey and stormy sky, the rain held off!

Friday 24 June - we're on telly!

Friday was a quieter day, thank goodness. Keith and I went to Booker to do the big work shop and as we weren't busy I went home at 4pm. Sophie and I just had time to squeeze a walk in before I took Keith to the pub.

When I picked him up he had an old menu with him that had been given to him by one of the staff in the pub. The back had been signed by a team of Middlesborough football players from the 1970s. We're not sure of the actual year but the prices in the menu made for fascinating reading. For instance:

"Appetisers"

Avocado pear with prawns 60p
Pate Maison 45p
Grapefruit and orange cocktail 15p
Snails Bourgignonne 60p

 "Soups"

Clear turtle soup with sherry  40p
Victorian cucumber soup 30p

"From the Lakes and Oceans"

Scampi Provencale  £1.10
Fillet Sole Bonne Femme  £1.00
Dover Sole Baked in Cider  £1.25

"Cold Pantry"

Royal Victorian Beef Slice   £1.00
Game Pie   80p

"From the Kitchen"

Today's Roast from the carving trolley  80p
Chicken Maryland   90p
Braised Ox Tongue in Cherry Sauce 65p
Escalope of Veal Holstein  £1.00
Grilled Fillet steak  £1.25

"Flambe Dishes"

Scampi Pernod   £1.35
Steak Diane  £1.35

"Sweets and cheese"

Banana Flambe   55p
Crepes Suzette (2 persons)   £1.20

Oh, how I wish the prices were the same for eating out today!

After dinner we settled down to watch "Come Dine With Me" as they were showing the programme where they filmed at work back in January. It was great to see our place on the television and although it was only brief, the place looked really good. Sarah, the contestant who came to us with her children, didn't have a very good experience as her outspoken nature didn't go down too well with the other guests. Her American meal wasn't a hit either, but despite her frankness I actually liked her so I'll be sending her an email inviting her back with her children!

Thursday 23 June

Today was a busy one! Keith came into work with me and we covered Reception. Polly is on holiday at the moment and, for me, she can't come back quick enough! It was a steady day for customers but being on Reception is not my favourite thing to do! By 3pm my relief member of staff was in so I was off home at 4pm. Rather than go for a walk (I'd been on my feet all day) I had a lovely relaxing bath and then enjoyed a game of cards with Keith.

He cooked a delicious dinner and then at about 9pm we drove into work as I'd left our bag of change money on my desk and I was nervous about it being on show, considering what had happened last weekend, so we went in and I put it in our safe where it should have been in the first place! On the way in we saw a little Muntjac deer cross the road in front of us which was a treat. We know they're about where we live but we very rarely see them!

I forgot to say...

...I lost another three pounds yesterday so that's eight pounds in total! I was very pleased! Obviously all the walking is helping, as well as cutting out alcohol in the week!

Walking the dog

After I'd spent most of Saturday evening cuddling Max the dog, I realised I really missed taking him for walks over the fields. So, after work this afternoon all of us went off and had a lovely walk with him and it was so good to see him bounding ahead of us, his tail wagging in enjoyment. Although it had rained hard on the way home from work, the sun came out and it was a beautiful early evening. Sophie took her bike and once we were in the village Mikey put max on his lead. When he was younger he was difficult to walk on the lead as he pulled like a train but now he's getting on a bit, he was a lot more relaxed!

Keith and I played cards for a while and then sat in the garden with our drinks for the first time in ages!

Tuesday 21 June - Longest Day

The longest day of the year started off grey and miserable but luckily, by the afternoon the sun had come out and after a busy day at work, Soph and I went off for a walk to clear our heads. She is having to do a lot of exams at the moment and my mum is still not well at all, so it was bliss to get out and enjoy the fresh air and countryside, plus we had all the added benefits of exercise!

Keith had been cooking all day and was quite the domestic God. He'd made a delicious bread and butter pudding with leftover bread that would have ended up in the bin and a gooey, moist banana cake that was a hit with the kids when they had it with ice-cream for dessert!

Monday 20 June

Keith came into work with me on Monday and with our handyman, fixed the metal grille back into the wall with the aid of quick drying cement. As I'd been in all over the weekend (or so it felt like!) I had an early day and knocked off at 3pm. I went round to see Mum and Dad and gave Dad his Father's Day present, which he was really pleased with!

In the evening I made an unexpected visit to Sarah and Liam's house to help them with some computer stuff and was rewarded with a lovely bottle of red wine, the same one that I'd enjoyed on Saturday night, when I was so rudely interrupted!

Clearing up,,,again.

We treated the children to a McDonald's breakfast as we had to go into work and sort out the grill on the window. Keith managed to put it back into place and secure it with the old screws until we could buy new ones. Sophie was asked to work so we all went home and while she was showering, Keith and I popped over to B&Q in Kettering to buy some things to fix the window.

The hardware aisle in any DIY shop must be the most scintillating place on earth...not! We wandered up and down until I - note it was me and not Keith! - found the screws we needed. We also bought a padlock and chain to secure the two waste bins together as the burglars had used our big recycling wheelie bin to lever themselves up to the window. Back home we collected Sophie, drove into work and Keith managed to screw all six fastenings into the wall so at least that's secure.

After grabbing something to eat and a much needed cup of coffee, I spent the next few hours doing essential housework before it was time to fetch Sophie again. I've been through a tank of diesel like nothing on earth over the last few days!

I finished cleaning and went and had a lovely, relaxing bath. I deserved that as well!

Saturday 18 June - an 18th Birthday Party and a bit of a shock...

Saturday was a lovely day...right up until 11pm when things went a bit pear-shaped...

First thing, I went and had my hair cut which was lovely as it was badly in need of a chop. Sophie came with me as we were going on to Market Harborough afterwards but had to sit in the car as the spare seats in the salon were all taken. She was not amused!

We drove to Market Harborough in torrential rain but the town itself was dry. What weird weather we're having at the moment! First stop was a skinny latte for me and a chocolate milkshake for Sophie who does not have to worry about her weight... We then popped into New Look and Soph tried on some very pretty clothes, but decided against buying them even though I offered to lend her the money. We meandered around the shops and then made our way to Duncan's as I wanted to get a bottle of whisky for my dad, for Father's Day. The shop was paked to the gunnels so we passed on the tasting and went straight for the whisky selection. I chose a peaty one called Finlaggan and a treat for Sophie as she was babysitting, a low alcohol sparkling wine made with strawberries.

Later in the afternoon all four of us went for a lovely walk, dodging the showers, which was a real bonus. Next door I could see a tent in the garden and lots of teenage voices so it looked like the party had begun. We fed the children, got ourselves ready and went around to find all our neighbours there and the party in full swing. We had a lovely evening, chatting and laughing but at 11pm my mobile phone rang and I looked at the number in dismay...it was our security patrol again. We'd been broken into.

I was so upset and angry that it had happened again when we were out enjoying ourselves with our friends. At first I just wanted to switch my phone off and pretend it hadn't happened, but I had to deal with it as Dad was away flying his model aeroplanes in Eastbourne and Mum was down in Kent. I spoke to the security guard who said he couldn't get into the building which surprised me as he had all the keys he needed. I eventually made him understand the door he needed to go through and then we set off for work, dreading to think what we would find. The children were still up so we decided to take them with us and I think they were more excited than frightened.

We drove in and met the security guard to find that the metal grill on our office window had been wrenched off and was lying on the grass some distance away. The window itself was open and they must have set off the alarm when they reached through. On the CCTV we could see they'd broken in at about 10pm, when it was still very light and that there was four of them again. I do wonder if it was the same people as last time. We locked everything up, left some lights on for security and went home where I found it very difficult to get to sleep!

Friday 17 June

I drove mum down to Kent today and whilst the journey down was good, the trip home was marred by heavy rain. The heavens have certainly opened now and the drought seems to be at an end. Back home, I waited for Sophie to come home from school (with Mikey - he had a day at her school today to learn about scientific things) and then I took her into work before going to the bank. As it's Fathers Day on Sunday I then drove to Booker and bought a case of beer for Keith as a present from the children.

No sooner had I got home before it was time to take Keith to the pub and then go and pick up Sophie from work. It was a real relief to get home, sort the dinner out and put a bottle of white wine in the fridge to drink later. I definitely think I deserved it!

Walking the cat

This certainly made me smile today! At about 9pm I suggested to Sophie we walk around our estate and she readily agreed as the sky was a beautiful mix of blues and pinks. Monty was snoozing on the sofa beside me so I picked him up (he wasn't too happy) and we took him outside. In the past he's accompanied the children along the road but tonight he walked the entire way with us and was obviously very happy to do so as he had a whale of a time sniffing all the bushes, tail held high as he pranced about in front of us! At one point we heard the tinkling of a small bell and he stopped and listened, then disappeared into some bushes. As we moved off, he emerged, just as another cat, wearing a bell on its collar, leapt over a wall - he obviously knew what the sound was!

It made a lovely end to a somewhat stressful day!

This week...

...has not been the best of weeks. My mum is not well at the moment and it's a worrying time for us all. Tomorrow I'm taking her down to see Nan and for her to spend the weekend there. There's nothing like your mum when things are not going well.

Tuesday was busy at work and sorting Mikey out with a jacket and tie for his Dance Afternoon, which was held today. Yesterday Keith came into work with me and we had to take the aforementioned jacket back as it was too big...typical! I finished work a little early and Soph and I went for a lovely walk which certainly got my heart pumping! I thought we were going to be caught out by the rain but we managed to get round before the heavens opened. I'm still not having any wine in the week and managed to lose another two pounds which I was very happy about!

Today was our last ever Dance Afternoon and it was a bit sad to think that Mikey will leave school next month. We've been going to Dance Afternoons, Sports Days and Christmas concerts for 11 years now so his last day will be a little emotional. Luckily the weather managed to stay fine and sunny so it didn't have to be postponed like last three years!

Monday 13 June

We had a school visit on Monday - about 50 children and their parents and boy! what a mess they made! They brought their own packed lunches and I think 90% of the food ended up on the floor. As soon as they left we set to and between the five of us we did six hours of cleaning to get the place back to normal again! I shouldn't really complain as it's great to have the extra business and they did spend a lot in the cafe! We have another three school visits lined up before the summer holidays start so we'll be busy cleaning again!

When I got home it was straight into the bath and then I did a short work-out on the Wii...I think I'd already done enough exercise for one day!

Sunday 12 June

Mum and I went off to Kent today to see Nan but the weather was horrible and it rained the entire day, making the driving very unpleasant. She treated us to lunch and then we took off for a little drive, taking in Sevenoaks and Biggin Hill on the way. It would have been great if we'd been able to get out of the car and go for a walk, but alas it wasn't to be!

The journey home was a bit stop-start and it was certainly very good to enjoy a glass of wine when I sat down and relaxed in the evening!

Saturday 11 June

Tempers were a bit fraught this morning in the house due to the children arguing about technology, namely squabbling over the TV and the Playstation. Honestly, I sometimes wish we had nothing, the arguments it causes! Last night Mikey downloaded something on his PS3 and because he paused it overnight when he was asleep it went wrong so we had to do it all again this morning. There were a few tears and raised voices, I'm afraid.

To get a bit of peace and quiet, Keith and I escaped for a walk and it was absolute bliss!

The photo I took on our walk last week

We took the same route as we walked last week and we managed it a lot quicker without the children! It was beautiful - we're so lucky to have this on our doorstep.

In the afternoon Sophie and I went to Kettering to see Sue Moorcroft who has just published another book - Love and Freedom. She invited me to her book signing at Waterstones with the promise of chocolate, although I would still have gone without it! She took a creative writing class I attended some years back and we've kept in touch ever since. I bought two of her books and met a fellow student which was lovely.

On the way home, I dropped Sophie off at the cinema (she was off to see Hangover 2 with Susie) and then it was back home to relax with a glass of wine!

Friday 10 June

I managed to persuade Keith to take me shopping today, even though he vowed never to let me loose in Tesco again after last week when I kept wandering off with the trolley and he couldn't find me. I wanted to go to make sure I had some healthy snacks and things to eat but I was much better behaved on Friday! We had a cup of coffee first (a skinny latte for me) and it was very pleasant!

After getting home and putting everything away we drove into town to try and find a new shower head as the one in our en-suite has gone kaput. We went to Focus, which is sadly closing down, so there wasn't an awful lot of choice. I hate to see any business suffer and feel very sorry for the staff who will lose their jobs. Focus didn't have what we needed so we headed to Homebase where the choice was much better. Talk about a huge difference in the two stores.

I washed my car in the afternoon, just one hour before we had a huge downpour of rain. Typical!

Thursday 9 June

I seemed to have fallen way behind with the blog again, so slapped wrists for me!

Thursday was a pleasant day - sunny and dry - so a little quiet at work, which enabled mum and me to go for a short walk in the afternoon. It was lovely to get out and have some fresh air and it's something that I keep trying to do, even if it's for just 20 minutes. We're lucky we now have a window in our office and I think back to the time when we had no natural light at all and it was horrible.

I'm back to the short week again so Thursday was my last day at work. Hurrah!

A little bit of weight loss!

I weighed myself on Wednesday morning and was delighted to see I'd lost 3lbs! Yippee! And that was without really depriving myself at my evening meal and having a couple of glasses of wine at the weekend! I must admit it's hard not having a glass of wine in the evening after work as I really do like the taste of wine, but at least I can look forward to indulging a wee bit at the weekend.

I need to start doing more exercise now and I'm thinking of maybe joining the gym with mum. About 9 years ago I lost a lot of weight and exercise definitely helped but I do get bored on the machines at the gym, much preferring to walk or swim, so we'll see. 

Things have been pretty quiet on the work front lately. We still haven't heard from the police about our visitors last month so we're keeping fingers crossed that they did arrest someone. It would be a change after all these years to have someone accounting for what they did here!

Tuesday 7 June

I feel like posting a poem for Tuesday's blog and this one seems apt as I was thinking in bed last night how my life wouuld have turned out if I'd done things differently. I hope you enjoy.

 The Road Not Taken by Robert Frost

Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,
And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveller, long I stood
And looked down one as far as I could
To where it bent in the undergrowth.

Then took the other, as just as fair,
And having perhaps the better claim,
Because it was grassy and wanted wear;
Though as for that the passing there
Had worn them really about the same.

And both that morning equally lay
In leaves no step had trodden black.
Oh, I kept the first for another day!
Yet knowing how way leads on to way,
I doubted if I should ever come back.

I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I--
I took the one less travelled by,
And that has made all the difference.

Monday 6 June

Monday was a funny day. I was alone at work for most of the aftenoon which, I have to admit, was bliss! I did contemplate calling Keith to come in with me, but he was busy tidying the house so I left him to it! The weather was cold and overcast and we had no end of people coming to work to see if we were open, which we weren't. Oh well!

When I got home Sophie and I got the Wii out and I did some exercise - my Wii Fit Age was 59 so there's definitely some work to do there! But I had lost weight since the last time I stepped onto it so that was good! I'm back off drinkies again this week and I had mussels for dinner in a white wine sauce which were scrumptious!

Relaxed Sunday

I had a very late start today, probably because I was up until 1am last night and watching A Place in the Sun - Home or Away!

We had a very relaxed Sunday which has been lovely. In the afternoon I persuaded Sophie to come to the garden centre with mum and me and we chose some trailing plants for the very tall and narrow cabinet that Keith put up in the garden for me. It used to be in Soph's bedroom but I thought it would look good in the garden either as a mirror or shelving. There are eight little shelves so we chose small trailing plants to sit on them and I'm really pleased with the result. Once all the flowers start cascading down it should look beautiful. I will post pics!

Back home we caught up with the final of the French Open as Nadal and Federer were playing. It was still recording as we started watching and I really thought at first that Federer was going to win, but it wasn't to be. I was hoping for a titanic match like a couple of years ago at Wimbledon, but Nadal was much the better player today!

After dinner we watched The Tourist with Angelina Jolie and Johnny Depp which was very good and pure escapist fun!

Shopping spree!

I never intended to go shopping today as the plan was to do some gardening, but the wind was so strong and everything was so dry in the garden, I lost heart. So, at almost 3pm Sophie and I went off to Market Harborough and I treated myself to some new jeans and a pair of white linen trousers to replace the ones that were far too short for me. I also bought myself a really pretty little bracelet in Monsoon and three new DVDs, one of which I hope we'll watch tonight as there is absolutely nothing on TV!

On the way home we called into Mum and Dad's to show off Sophie's new hair colour...she's gone cherry red and although I was a bit worried about dyeing it for her, it turned out really well and was beautifully shiny. She's very pleased with it so that's a relief!

Friday 3 June

Today was a bit of a change as mum and dad took the day off and I went into work with Keith and the children. I'd forgotten I had an appointment with the police at 8.30am, to make a statement about the burglary, so when she called to find out where I was, I was mortified! Luckily she was very understanding so Keith opened up for me while I sat and went through what happened. The police have managed to obtain some DNA from the blood that was left behind and we're hoping that they will make an arrest.

Just as the policewoman was leaving, the Loss Adjustor from our insurance company arrived so I was beginning to wish that mum and dad hadn't taken the day off! He went through our claim and we should get a bit of money back, which was good news.

At lunchtime I treated the family to lunch at Subway. Sophie had been hankering to go and it was OK. As I'm on a health kick I just had turkey and salad but the children had their roll stuffed with meat balls! When we left the place was heaving!

The whole family went to Booker today to do the weekly big shop for work but the children weren't much help! They sat on the trolley for most of the time which just added to the weight!

Shock and awe!

I arrived home this afternoon to find that Mikey had had his hair cut - and it was very short! I stared at him for ages as he looked so different! Just lately he's wanted it longish and I haven't minded, but Keith took him out this morning and the deed was done then!

It's been another sunny and warm day today but we were still busy as we had a couple of parties, which was a good thing. Mum and I spent most of the morning out again, collecting paint ready for Monday (the main door needs to be painted) and retrieving the hoover from being repaired.

Back home Keith and I pottered about the garden, helped by Mikey, and then the three of us had a game of cards in our very warm conservatory. The fan made an appearance, dragged out from the depths of the garage. If this weather continues it will certainly get some use!

First Day of Summer

Wednesday was a lovely day - and that's not something I say very often when I've been into work! Mum and I managed to have lunch out and go shopping for shoes as we weren't that busy at work, a lovely perk of the job, I have to admit!

When I got home we all went out for a walk which was bliss and was definitely the highlight of my day. Having the children with us was lovely and we rambled over the fields enjoying the late afternoon sunshine and the heavenly peace and quiet. It's times like this that I really appreciate how lucky I am living in the country and having access to such beautiful scenery. I took several photos on my phone and once I manage to get them uploaded onto the computer I'll post them on here.

Back home, to finish off the evening, Keith and I played cards in the conservatory but no drinkies for me, though...I'm trying to lose some weight so am cutting out alcohol during the week. I'm hoping it'll be worth it!