Happy New Year!

It's getting close! Whatever you're doing this New Year's Eve, I hope you're enjoying yourselves!

Here's to a Happy, Healthy and Successful 2013!

Cheers!

Celebrations.

Today has been another busy day starting with a hairdresser appointment with Amy for her to colour Sophie's hair and to do my roots, which badly needed doing!

When she left at lunchtime, Sophie and I popped down to Boots at Riverside to get some girly gifts for one of Sophie's friends and then it was back to go and see Sue for her Birthday drinks. It was a very small gathering but it was lovely to sit and relax with a glass of wine and have a chat with Sue and Paul and their friends and family.

Although today has been better, weather-wise, we just didn't find the time to go out for a walk which I would have liked. Roll on Wednesday when things return to normal and we can get back to the gym!

Shopping in Milton Keynes on a Saturday?

Sophie wanted to go to Milton Keynes today to do some shopping with her friends so I was chief taxi driver. It wouldn't normally be my choice to go on a Saturday but it was the only day she could go before her Winter Ball takes place next week and there was an urgent need for new shoes, a new bag and yet more make-up!

I was dreading it, to be honest, as I had a feeling it would be really busy with people going to the sales but it wasn't too bad and we managed to get parked pretty easily. I bought myself a newspaper and sat in Caffe Italia as I'd arranged to meet my parents there for lunch.

Unfortunately we were having some problems with staff at work but Mum and Dad dealt with it and met me just a few minutes later than planned. Despite it being busy, we had an enjoyable afternoon browsing in the shops and I tried on a couple of coats, the best being in M&S. However, it wouldn't have been very practical so I resisted the temptation...and the hefty price tag!

By 3.30pm I'd had enough but I'd arranged to meet Sophie and the girls at 4. Mum and I went to Tea Monkey, which was a first, and I ordered a pot of tea for the two of us. It arrived in a cafetiere and when I poured it out, there were loads of tea grounds in the bottom of the cup! Yuk! I took it back and one of the assistants kindly gave me a tea strainer as I said I couldn't drink it with bits of tea floating in it. The thought makes me shudder! What's wrong with a good old fashioned pot of tea??

I resumed taxi duties again and dropped all the girls off at their respective homes and then it was back to my own home and a relaxing session on the sofa with a glass of wine!

An unexpected journey...

My Nan had to go into hospital yesterday as she has an infection in her legs so Mum and I drove down to Kent to see her today. I was really not looking forward to going as the weather was grim and miserable again and hospitals are not my favourite places!

We had a great journey down until we were about six miles from the bridge and everything slowed down, with no apparent reason why, so we didn't arrive at the hospital until about 1.30pm. After a quick sandwich we went into see Nan an hour earlier than normal visiting hours and sat with her until about 4.30pm. She was in her own room and was very moany so we quickly told her to stop with that as there wasn't anything seriously wrong with her.

Both Mum and I were under the impression that she was really not very well, so we were preparing for the worst but I can honestly see her getting her telegram from the Queen!

The journey home was fast and uneventful and I popped into the pub to say a quick hello to Keith and Dave and to pick up my car. Keith suggested I come back to pick him up a bit earlier and have a drink with them both, which I did! A very relaxing way to end a tedious day!

Mmmm...leftovers!

Last night we couldn't have leftovers from Christmas Day as we would normally do because I don't think my parents would have appreciated eating them! So tonight we had cold turkey and bubble and squeak, with me trying to do something different with the cold vegetables...maybe not a good idea after a couple of whisky and lemonades!

I decided to make breadcrumbs from some leftover bread we had but I think I added too much egg to the finely chopped brussels, broccoli, cabbage and mashed potato as it went a bit gloopy. I made balls out of the mixture, coated them in flour and then rolled them in the breadcrumbs and fried them. They acutally turned out quite good and the breadcrumbs added a lovely crunchy texture!

With the rest of the veggies I just made them into a fat pancake and fried it...

It was delicious!

Every day feels like Sunday!

Well, Christmas has been great - very relaxed and quiet which is just how I like it! Keith and I went to the pub yesterday at around 12pm and although it was quiet at first, within half an hour the place was packed with people having a drink before their Christmas lunch.

We didn't eat until about 6pm and our meal was delicious. It was a bit heated when I dished up as we'd cooked so many different vegetables, but we all had a great time and even played a game of charades after eating which amused the children!

Today dawned bright and sunny, but we didn't get time to go out for a walk as I hoovered downstairs, gave the conservatory a good clean and set the table for dinner while Keith popped to Tesco to get some more vegetables for tonight. Unfortunately, I have managed to catch Keith's cold so I went and had a long bath in the afternoon, followed by a nap, in an effort to feel better for our meal in the evening.

Mum and Dad came around for dinner and told us all about their Christmas down in Kent. They said they'd enjoyed it but said the meal they had definitely wasn't worth the price they paid. It never ceases to amaze me what restaurants charge for a normal roast on Christmas Day, especially as their meal was a carvery!

We cooked a beef casserole and that went down very well, especially with the beautiful Pasquiers Grenache Noir wine I served with it. I'm going to go and get some more of that from Beckworth! We had Christmas pudding for dessert and we all had a glass of the Honey Bourbon with it - delicious!

Mum and Dad had brought around a Roulette game with them and we had great fun playing it after the meal with Mikey accumulating a considerable amount of winnings...he put it all on black at the end of the game and lost the lot!

So it's back to reality tomorrow when I return to work after six days off. It's been great to have a break but I am ready to get back into the normal routine. It feels like it's been a continuous run of Sundays since Christmas Eve!

Happy Christmas!

Well, it's been perfect so far! Last night, after watching Lady and the Tramp and Salmon Fishing in the Yemen, I had a sudden urge to get out and have some fresh air so we walked the cats around the estate three times. It never fails to amaze me that they follow us, even on the third lap when I'm sure they would rather have been snuggled up on their beds!

This morning dawned grey and rainy instead of white and frosty, but never mind. At least we turned our heating off! The children had a great time opening up their presents and I was over the moon with mine - a beautiful bottle of Chanel Sensuelle and some Malt Whisky, Auchentosan, from Keith, Redwood Creek Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon from the wee ones and a bottle of Port from my friend Lynda...is there a theme here?!!!

Mum and Dad popped in on their way to Kent and Keith and I were thrilled to get a voucher for a night in a hotel from them! Wonderful! They were both very pleased with their presents and the children were delighted with theirs.

After all the excitement, it's time to do the veg for dinner and then we're off to the pub for a lunchtime drink to say Happy Christmas to Ian.

Have a wonderful day, everyone!

I'm not liking this grey Christmas...

I woke up at 5.45am this morning and although the thought of a cup of coffee and a chocolate biscuit was tempting, I buried my head under the covers and went back to sleep. When I did get up I watched a recorded programme of Joanna Lumley in search of Noah's Ark. Looking at the disgusting weather outside I think that it may be time for us all to build another Ark!

I had an appointment to give blood at 10.30am so I drove off to Sophie's school through flooded roads, gazing in shock at the lakes forming in the fields. It was still pouring down and I feel so sorry for anyone who has had their house or business flooded this Christmas.

Luckily, I was seen and up on the bed quickly to give my 29th (this time around anyway) pint of blood. The nurse said that my arm had a bit of scarring where they insert the needle so it was more painful to get it into the vein this time. I only wish I could use my left arm as well, but I can't straighten it after falling over (when I was 8 months pregnant with Mikey)!!

I relaxed afterwards with a coffee and a Club biscuit and made an appointment for May as the next time they meet at the school will be when we're in Florida! Time is whizzing by!

At lunchtime we all went off to the pub for lunch which was lovely. There was a great atmosphere as usual and it was nice to sit and relax and not worry about doing the washing up afterwards! Once lunch was over Sophie and I drove over to Market Harborough to have a wander around the shops and then we called in to see Duncan and Nick and wish them a Merry Christmas (not difficult when they're surrounded by wine and spirits!). Sophie asked Duncan if he had any Honey Rum, but he had Honey Bourbon instead so we had a sip (delicious!) and I ended up buying a bottle as a treat, with a couple of bottles of strong beer for Keith as a tree present and to cheer him up as his cold is really rough.

Back home it was time to get cosy and curl up on the sofa to watch Lady and the Tramp!

Merry Christmas everyone!!!

Christmas Eve Eve

Today has been as busy as yesterday was slothful. Keith and I were out early to get the papers and called in to see Mum and Dad on the way home to take my Nan's present (they are going down to Kent on Christmas Day) and have a cup of coffee.

When we got back home we had a half hour slot to make breakfast before we had to go to work to pick up our turkey. However, minutes after getting home we had a phone call to say that Tesco had been so we rushed off earlier than planned!

Everything had been delivered so that was a relief! I have this dread that Christmas Day arrives and we have no turkey! From work we drove to a local Farm Shop to get the vegetables and the place was heaving! There was an air of hysteria as everyone rushed about making sure they had enough sprouts and it was quite funny really as there was plenty of food on display! We bought broccoli, parsnips, cabbage and a beautiful pork pie as a treat...not to eat with the turkey, I hasten to add, but for supper on Christmas Eve. I eat pork pie so rarely that it's a real treat to have one at Christmas!

Laden with our purchases we headed home and then Sophie and I went off to the gym for a swim and some lunch. It was lovely and quiet there (we were alone in the pool at one point) and we had a delicious lunch, wishing the cafe staff a Happy Christmas as we won't be back until after all the festive madness has finished.

As today has been lovely, weather-wise, we went off for a quick walk and to try and capture some sunset photos. However, we met Jenny on the way as we were saying hello to some horses and we had such a long conversation that it was almost dark! We also saw several other neighbours so it was a very social walk, but not many photos were taken!

Back home I curled up on the sofa with Mikey and we watched The Holiday, always a Christmas favourite. It was bliss to sip a glass of wine and realise that Christmas really is here!

A very lazy day!

Today I have done very little, and I don't feel guilty about it at all! To be fair, the weather has been atrocious with winds and heavy rain all day so there was nothing I could have done outside. When I took Sophie to work the roads were awash with water running off the fields and I dread to think what will happen if this rain continues.

It was lovely to just potter about, watch a few Christmas cookery programmes on BBC iPlayer (Keith was watching wall-to-wall sport) and keep an eye on the rain falling out of a dark grey sky. We certainly need all the twinkling lights we can get at the moment to chase this gloom away!

Last minute gifts!

Well, the world didn't end today, but then I never, for one moment, thought it would! It would have put a bit of a dampener on Christmas, though, if it had!

My Christmas holidays started today as I took the day off work and it's been very pleasant indeed. I took Sophie into school for her last day (of not doing much at all!) and then sped home to print off the photos I took last night. I was very pleased with the results but I needed to get two more frames with mounts as the photo didn't quite stretch to the very outer edges of the paper! Hmmm!

Keith came home from shopping (he's a brave man), we had breakfast and then we set off for Jones's for last minute gifts. Michael has a little (girl)friend who delivered a present to him earlier in the week (out of the blue...grrr!) which meant I needed to get one for her.

The traffic was starting to build as we headed into town and I can only imagine what it's going to be like tomorrow. As today was also the Winter Solstice, it was lovely to see some sun for a change, even if it was only for a few hours this morning. More rain and winds are forecast for the weekend which is certainly not good news!

We got the very last (I sincerely hope) of our shopping and then returned home where Keith wrapped himself up and settled himself on the sofa. He has a bad cold which is really bad luck coming up to Christmas and I just hope I don't get it as well!

I finsihed wrapping all my presents, was very pleased with the framed photos for Nan and Mum and then it was time to pick Sophie up from work where she'd gone for lunch with a bunch of her friends.

They were heading into town to get their nails done, going back to Abi's house and then going out for dinner. When I got to work they were finishing lunch and two boys had joined them! It was really good to see Sophie surrounded by her friends (both male and female) and it looked like they were having a great time!

I drove them into town and dropped them off in one of the large car-parks which I can only describe as "low-life central"...what a horrible place! It took me ages to get out of the car park and onto the main road as the traffic was horrendous!

It was bliss to get home, light all our candles to celebrate the Solstice, curl up on the sofa and watch a good film! I felt a bit guilty that I hadn't gone to the gym but I'm sure, after Christmas, we will both make up for our sloth!

Panto time!

It's always been a tradition for Mum and Dad to take the children to the Pantomime at Christmas and although we've missed a couple of years, we went along this evening to see Cinderella.

Dad drove so I was able to enjoy a whisky and lemonade before the performance and we all had a great time. The Panto starred Bobby Davro and Denise Welch and the cast, costumes and jokes were all brilliant. There was something for everyone - lots of adult humour, plenty of laughs for the children and it was very entertaining indeed. We even had two Shetland ponies on the stage when Cinderella's coach turned up to take her to the Ball!

Before we went I took some photos of the children as I'm going to print one off each for my Mum and Nan as Christmas presents...

Fairly typical behaviour!

Evening Tipple: Whisky and lemonade

Bucket List

2013 is looming and today I thought up 13 things I wanted to do next year as a way of having something to look forward to every month. I know that, technically, a Bucket List is a list of things to do before you die, but I thought it would be great to have one for next year, and Keith and Sophie have been thinking up some of their own ideas!

Here are mine:

1. Visit Saltaire near Bradford - a Victorian model village built by Sir Titus Salt for his mill workers. 
2. Drive to Berlin (maybe a bit dodgy this one but I'm going to persevere).
3. Visit a UK Christmas Market.
4. Walk through Dovedale in the Peak District.
5. Make a Christmas cake.
6. Write a short story - it's about time I got back into my writing.
7. Visit Coton Manor Gardens.
8. Climb at least one of the highest mountains in the UK - either Scafell Pike, Ben Nevis or Snowdon (hmmm...got to get that treadmill at the gym on a higher incline...)
9. Visit Portmeirion in Wales.
10. Ride one of the scarier roller coasters when we visit Florida, but NOT the Hulk!
11. Visit the National Gallery.
12. Read Wuthering Heights.
13. Grow a Sunflower from seed.

I wonder how many I will achieve before the end of 2013?!

Evening Tipple: McEwans Champion

Festive niggles!

Most of my working day today has been involved with sorting out staff for the Christmas holidays and placing an advert for a new cook as our current cook will be leaving in the New Year. I really wish, a lot of the time, that I could run a business that didn't involve employing a lot of staff!

We also went to Booker and bought all the staff gifts, which I always enjoy doing! It really feels like Christmas is very near now but I don't think the weather is going to be very festive, after all. The forecast is for rain and heavy winds over the next few days so it looks like we'll be having a grey Christmas rather than a white one!

Evening Tipple: Sparkling water

Moody Monday

Today hasn't really been the most enjoyable of days, but then compared to the poor people who have lost loved ones in Newtown, it's probably been paradise.

Keith was in at work with me today, but Ian had some personal family problems so he was out for most of the day. They'd both intended to do some repair work on one of our Fire Exit doors but that's had to be postponed until after Christmas so Keith, very bravely, accompanied me to the bank. I say bravely, because we were queuing for about thirty minutes with only two cashiers available, and one of those was occupied for the whole time we were there with a man who had about £1 million in 1p and 2p pieces! The queue stretched out of the door at one point with everyone grumbling about the wait! The whole bank is undergoing a complete refurbishment, which I think is completely unnecessary! If it ain't broke, don't fix it...just give us more staff so we don't have to spend half our lives in queues!

Back at work I made a festive lunch as this is the last Monday we are closed before the school holidays start. My turkey and cranberry sandwiches followed by mince pies went down very well, I think!

After work it was off to the gym for Sophie and me and unfortunately, a lot of things were broken, which was a bit annoying! The television screens on the cross-trainers and treadmills were going haywire and the piece of equipment I was on kept telling me that my heart rate was over 200...er, I don't think so! Having it keep flashing up with a warning was a mite disconcerting so I switched to another one and was reassured that I was within the normal range of bpm!

As swimming lessons have now finished we went off down for a swim and then a quick dip in the jacuzzi which was full of loud-mouthed men...time to head off home, we thought, and maybe a glass of delicious wine!

Evening Tipple: First Cape South African Shiraz

To the rescue!

Mum and Dad called this morning to ask if we could go and help them put the cover on their caravan, as they felt it was something they needed help with! We didn't hesitate, so after a quick breakfast and a shower we met them at their house and then followed them out to a village about ten miles away where they store their caravan.

It was a beautiful sunny morning with only the slightest hint of frost and the route took in lots of gorgeous countryside. There's a very good pub near to the farm where they keep the caravan and it's somewhere we always intend to go back to...but not today!

Putting the cover on the caravan was surprisingly easy and it was much better with the four of us doing it. Mum dispensed hot coffee and with the sunshine it was a very pleasant way to spend an hour in the fresh air. Mum and Dad were delighted that their pride and joy was all tucked up for the winter!

As soon as we returned home it was back out again to the gym for a quick swim followed by lunch in the cafe. We'd arranged to meet Mum at 3pm to go to Beckworth Emporium which was heaving with people, most of whom were either eating and drinking in the busy restaurant or taking part in the ice-skating.

I gave in to tempation and bought a couple of Christmas tree decorations, some little presents for the childrens' stockings and some mixed nuts for Keith. It's very easy to spend an awful lot of money at Beckworth but I was very good and didn't give into too much temptation!

Mum invited Soph and I in for a drink and then it was home for roast beef (delicious) and a spell of lolling about on the sofa!

Evening Tipple: South African Shiraz

Quiet contemplation.

Today has been busy but enjoyable. Our new hairdresser, Amy, arrived at 10am to cut mine and Sophie's hair and she managed to fit Keith in as well, which pleased him. Mikey stayed in his room as he now wants to grow his hair long again!

Once Amy had gone I hoovered up all the hair on the kitchen floor (lots of it!) and then it was time to take Sophie to work, before heading back home for lunch and a walk at 3pm. As the fields are so muddy (the rain last night was torrential) we walked into the village and down a rough track to the Nature reserve. It was a beautiful late afternoon and I'd forgotten how lovely this walk is as it's quite high up so the views across to the different villages and the fields and woods are wonderful. At the bottom of the track I just wanted to stand and savour the peace and the views but it was getting dark so we headed home in the dusk.

Sophie called while we were walking and wanted me to pick her up an hour earlier than agreed. Keith came into work with me and we had a good look at all the different Christmas decorations that have been put up outside people's houses...some very tasteful and some very naff! Whatever you think, it's still lovely to see the lights twinkling and I do miss them when they have to go down in early January. I sometimes think that that's when they're needed most, in the dark miserable months at the start of the year!

Once Sophie was delivered home, Keith and I went to the pub for an hour, to make up for being so lazy last night. Again, it was quiet and cosy and we had a very pleasant time chatting to Ian and soaking up the atmosphere!

Evening Tipple: Chablis

Drenched!

Well, the cold and frosty weather has disappeared to be replaced with dismal fog and then torrential rain! Keith helped out at work today and we went to Booker, which was a bit of a raw deal as we had to load and unload the car in a cold, driving rain. We got soaked!

The plan was to go out for a drink in the evening but after having a lovely, deep soapy bath I just felt like staying in as the weather outside was atrocious! Keith agreed so we lit candles in the conservatory and played a few games of cards over a bottle of wine and a couple of bottles of beer. With a three course meal to follow, courtesy of Tesco Finest, we had a very relaxed and enjoyable evening!

Evening Tipple: Chablis

Celebrating 93 years!

It was my Nan's 93rd Birthday today but it was also Sophie's 6th form Parents' Evening as well so I had to do a bit of juggling to make sure I could attend both!

I drove down to Kent on my own which I have to say was an enjoyable experience! I listened to Ken Bruce on Radio 2 and sang along to the songs and made very good time! Mum and Dad left 20 minutes before me but I caught them up on the slip road from the M25 at Dartford, which I thought was pretty amazing!

Nan was surrounded by cards and presents when we arrived and was having a lovely time. We had arranged for someone to come and test her hearing with a view to getting a hearing aid, which she wasn't too happy about, but it's a real pain to have to shout at her all the time and it must be horrible for her not to be able to hear what anyone is saying.

Rather than go out for lunch my Dad and my uncle went off to get a KFC take-away (awful) and then we had a cake, sang Happy Birthday and sat and chatted. By 3.30pm it was time for me to say goodbye and drive home so that I could pick Sophie up from work and then go to the school with her. Her three teachers were all very happy with her progress and said that she should do well in her forthcoming exams in January. I didn't know that the exams next month were the real deal and Sophie explained that they learn a certain amount and then have an exam! When I did A-levels we did two years of study and then sat an exam! How easy they seem to have it these days! No wonder so many people go to University!

When we finally got home after a fairly long day I sat with Keith in the conservatory and had a chat over a very good glass of South African wine. I said that I'm not going to the gym tomorrow because we've had something on every single night this week. Time to get home from work and just relax, I think!

Evening tipple : South African Merlot/Cabernet Sauvignon/Shiraz

Four stuffed pears...and a mix-up with coats!

Today the landscape has looked beautiful. It's been one of those rare days when the trees and bushes were coated in white frost making the fields and hedgerows look magical. I just wish I'd had the time to take photographs.

After a busy day and a visit to the gym I went out with three friends to the Four Pears pub/restaurant in Little Houghton. Keith very kindly drove Lynda and me but once in the village it was clear that there was a lot going on as masses of cars lined the narrow streets. People were pouring out of the church so there must have been some sort of carol service going on and apparently it took Keith 15 minutes to get out of the village and onto the main road.

Andrea and Fiona were already well into their Gin and tonics in the lounge so after ordering more drinks at the bar we settled into the comfortable chairs to peruse the menus. The pub was not as busy as the last time we visited but there was still a nice atmosphere and the waiting staff were very attentive. I chose a spicy prawn broth to start, followed by pork belly with stuffing, creamed cabbage and mashed spuds as a main course. I was rather glad I went to the gym beforehand!

The food was delicious (the pork was sublime) but we managed to find room for cheese and biscuits, which on reflection, could have been shared between us as the portions were so big! There were four different cheeses, walnuts, grapes, celery and two different chutneys and by the end of the meal I felt well and truly stuffed, especially as I was wearing the jeans that are two sizes smaller than I normally wear!

We waddled back out into the lounge bar in search of our coats, only I couldn't find mine...I asked the waiter if he'd taken any coats somewhere else but he said no. There was one coat on the rack very similar in colour and style to my own coat so I had a good look at it to discover it was a Jaeger coat, three sizes smaller than mine! As there were still some women in the restaurant area I went back in to ask if the coat belonged to them, but no, it was unclaimed.

The waiter very kindly phoned a party that had been in and who he'd noticed trying on different coats but when he spoke to them they said they'd sorted out the problem and the woman had her own coat with her. I had no choice but to put the coat on as it was freezing outside and give my name and number to the waiter in the hope that the mistake could be put right!

I must admit, the coat is lovely and is about four times the price of my own that I bought in the Edinburgh Woollen Mill back on New Year's Day! However, I loved it, it was comfortable and my black gloves were in the pocket along with assorted tissues! The woman must realise that it's not her very expensive designer coat, surely!!

Evening tipple: A glass of Chenin Blanc followed by Chilean Pinot Noir!

Hectic evenings!

I can't remember the last time I just went home from work and stayed there, without having to go back out somewhere in the evening! Tonight was no exception as Sophie was working for us and rather than go all the way home, then drive back to work, then go all the way back home again, I stayed at work until 6pm. The weather today has been very foggy and frosty indeed and by 4pm it was really quite nasty, a real wintry December day.

I had barely got home before it was time to go out again, to take Mikey to his Army Cadets meeting, which he's really enjoying. There's only one night in the week now that we don't have anything on in the evening and I'm going to make sure that after Christmas, this one precious day will remain free for going home and just relaxing!

Evening Tipple : Nothing!

Two weeks today...

It will be Christmas Eve!

I'm the sort of person who tends to leave things until the last minute so although I've bought a few presents, there's still more that needs to be done before Christmas. It's also my Nan's birthday on Thursday this week - she'll be 93 - so I need to get her presents from all of us.

The forecast is for cold temperatures and snow this week which is not a good thing as I'm due to go down to Kent for Nan's birthday. On my own, I hasten to add, as I need to get back for Sophie's Parents' Evening at 6pm. Mum and Dad will travel down separately so I'm quite looking forward to the journey, in blissful solitude listening to Radio 2!

So, this week, no snow please!

Evening Tipple : Cotes du Rhone Villages 

Swimwear Malfunction...again!

It's been a pretty relaxed day today, which is just how Sundays should be!

Sophie had loads of homework to do so we postponed our gym visit until the late afternoon and just went for a swim. When I took my swimsuit out of my bag I noticed that the foam pads in the bust had somehow doubled over which made me look as if I had very weird shaped boobs! I tried to get them to go the right way but gave up and just shoved them to the side in an attempt to hide them under my arms but I felt quite self-conscious as I made my way down to the pool!

We swam for half an hour and then had a dip in the jacuzzi followed by a snack in the cafe. I have to say it wasn't one of the most enjoyable sessions I've ever had as there was a strange atmosphere in the spa for some reason...with some funny people wandering around! One man had an extremely hairy chest on which nestled a huge gold medallion! Not something you see every day, thank goodness!

Evening Tipple : Cotes du Rhone Villages

A wet and muddy walk!

 Today has been very enjoyable although the walk Keith and I embarked on this afternoon was extremely muddy and hard-going!

We were woken this morning just before 8am when my Dad called to say that there was a problem with one of the slides at work. I was in the middle of a vivid dream about trying to get to the hairdresser's by way of flooded fields on a bike...premonition of later, perhaps? At first I thought it was Sophie waking us by saying it had snowed (she thought it was Monday morning and we were all late for work and school) but then she said that it had been my Dad, so I called him to find out the problem. He'd left for work so Keith and I went in as well to find it wasn't a slide but one of our climbing ramps that had come away from its fixings. Dad was netting it off so the children couldn't climb it and said we would sort it out on Monday.

Keith and I returned home (I treated myself to a Costa Coffee Latte at the petrol station as a treat) and then I spent the morning doing household chores before taking Sophie to work at 12pm. Her friend, Abi, was starting work for us today so I did a quick induction with her, then headed home to wash my car and finish hoovering the house.

Keith and I were being nosey neighbours as a couple came to view Tim and Gill's house...she was blonde and driving a white BMW while he was dark and shortish and although I'm not certain, I don't think they'll be buying as they were barely there ten minutes. It's a shame we don't have net curtains as we could then be twitching them, but it's certainly fun looking out for potential buyers and seeing what they're like...after all these people will be living extremely close to us in the future!

At about 3.30pm Keith and I set off for our walk and once over the fields discovered that they were very wet indeed! We took a different route and ended up down at the stream that runs through the middle of the fields and it was very full and fast flowing. I let out a few shrieks as I tried to jump over the water, trying my hardest not to fall in and then have to walk home soaking wet!

By the time we reached home it was fully dark and groping our way across the fields and trying not to fall down a rabbit hole was not pleasant. I think we'll leave this walk for a while, unless it snows hard, as it's not my idea of fun to be slipping and sliding about in the mud and getting filthy! I think we'll have to invest in some welly boots or stick to the paths!

Back home it was into the bath for a well-earned soak and then I went to pick Sophie up from work. Keith and I had planned to go to the pub for a drink and order a Chinese take-away from the van in the village and we had a great time chatting to some old friends and soaking up the lovely atmosphere. We realised we've been going to our local for almost 24 years and I never tire of being in there and having a drink!


Evening Tipple : The rest of the bottle of Firemark Viognier from Argentina.

 

Road rage!

Incredibly, it's Friday again! I was expecting snow this morning but we awoke to heavy rain and grey skies, so a really miserable morning. However, within a few hours the grey gloom had gone to be replaced with blue skies and sunshine which was a good thing as we had to go to Booker and do the mammoth weekly shop for work. When we finished shopping Mum realised she'd left the cheque book on her desk so I volunteered to drive back and get it.

On the way I saw a lorry and a shiny black Audi TT wedged together on a roundabout...nobody was hurt but there were a lot of angry words being exchanged and I can only imagine what was being said, with each driver blaming the other! Keith, who has worked in distribution most of his life, has always told me never to overtake a lorry on a roundabout as it's so easy for the lorry to cut across a car and literally squash it! The amazing thing was that, only a few hours later, I saw it almost happen again, this time with a woman driving a Range Rover just in front of me! She at least had the sense to slam her brakes on and let the lorry go on its way!

Sophie and I went to the gym after work, even though I felt like just going home and lolling about on the sofa! I've had a headache and an achey throat and neck, but I think it may have been me sleeping in an awkward position, because once at the gym I felt a lot better and had loads more energy! We finished our session with a very relaxing dip in the jacuzzi, and I was so glad I went!

Evening Tipple : Firemark Viognier (Argentina)

We brace ourselves for Christmas shopping...

Although I do try and do a lot of my shopping online, I like to go and do some shopping the old fashioned way! Mum, Sophie and I went off to Milton Keynes after work to see if we could make some headway into our lists and I think I did pretty well!

We headed to Debenhams first and while Sophie and Mum looked at the Mac make-up I wandered around trying to get inspiration for what to buy Keith for Christmas. He said he wanted some aftershave so I visited the Chanel counter as I love Allure for Men and also their Bleu aftershave. I liberally sprayed myself with all the different scents so no doubt Keith will twig what I've been doing!

Mum and Sophie were still picking out different items so I went off to Marks and Spencers and bought my mum a new nightdress, which was very pretty indeed. The only thing was she came into the store just as I was standing in the queue so I hope she didn't see it!

Next up was the Menswear section and I managed to pick out a couple of very nice garments for hubby from me and the children. I just hope he likes them! I also saw a pretty bra and knickers set for Sophie but they didn't have her size so it's back to the computer for that, to maybe order it online.

The shopping centre wasn't very busy at all and it was quite comfortable to go from shop to shop without the huge crowds that appear at the weekend. We didn't go as far as John Lewis as the time was getting on but the centre looked very festive with gorgeous decorations. We left at 7pm and by 8pm we were all at home and I was stowing away my purchases in my hiding places, which I'm sure that the whole family know about!

Evening tipple: Cotes Catalanes Grenache

First snow!

We awoke to a very light dusting of snow this morning which thankfully didn't disrupt the day too much! Keith came into work with me and I had another very busy day, trying to get as much done as I could, including writing Christmas cards, wrapping presents for a party we have at work tomorrow and ordering the turkey! This week is flying by again!

The weather has been beautiful - cold and dry after the early snow, with blue skies and sunshine. The cold spell is set to continue, apparently, and if if stays like this I won't complain!

Sophie and I were at work until 6pm and then it was home for a quick snack before going off to the gym for a swim. We must be mad! It was freezing outside but it was great to get in the pool and get warm while we swam. Back in the changing rooms I was bemused to see a woman sitting half naked in front of the mirrors, rubbing body lotion into her boobs...surely there's a time and place?!!!

Evening tipple: Sparkling water

Catching up!

As yesterday was so busy I spent most of my working day catching up with office stuff and trying to get my head around the fact that we've reached another month end. Mum and I did manage to escape in the afternoon to one of the wholesalers we use and I bought crackers for Christmas Day, a tablecloth and some napkins...I'm getting the hang of Christmas! In fact, three weeks today and it will be the big day itself!

For once we didn't have anywhere to go to in the evening (apart from Mikey's Army Cadets) so it was bliss to get home and catch up with things there. I found more decorations stuffed in the top of our wardrobe and installed Jacqui Lawson's beautiful Advent Calendar on the home computer.

Keith and I ate alone for once which was a treat as the children had decided to eat earlier in the evening so we had a very civilised chat over a delicious steak and stout pie!

Evening tipple:  Sparkling water

Murky mist

Well, after the freezing temperatures of last night it was a bit of a shock to wake up to see heavy fog, rather than the frost I'd expected. It was about 7 degrees centigrade driving into work and although warmer I would far rather have a cold day with clear skies and sunshine. It was so dark and murky!

We had an extremely busy day at work as not only did I manage to clean out one of our ballponds but we also had to put up all of the decorations at work as well. I did the display under the slides which involved a lot of crawling around on my hands and knees with my head shoved into the scratchy depths of one of our Christmas trees. Ian and Keith had to rig up some power for me so I could put together our polar bear and sleigh which light up and are very pretty. Mum and Dad decorated two other trees so by the late afternoon we were all a bit weary and fed up with festive cheer.

The last thing I wanted to do was go to the gym as I'd been bending and stretching all day, but we went nevertheless and had a good workout, although I only did five minutes on the exercise bike rather than ten...after twenty minutes on the crosstrainer and almost a quarter of an hour walking fast, I'd had enough!

We also managed a swim and then I really did feel as if I'd done my bit for one day. I ached everywhere so it was lovely to sink into the warm water of the spa and then have an invigorating shower before heading home. Thank goodness today is over!

Not enough hours in the day!

There was so much I wanted (and needed) to do today but definitely not enough time to do it all! Sunday morning dawned beautiful and sunny but I had a late lie-in so I felt like I'd wasted half the day! After a quick breakfast, Keith and I put up our new icicle lights outside which look great. I just hope we don't get any strong winds before Christmas though, otherwise the whole lot will come falling down!

We chatted to Tim and Gill who live next door and received a bit of a shock when they said that they'd put their house on the market. Not a time I would choose to do it with Christmas so close, I must admit, but I'll be very sad to see them go as they've been great neighbours. It's certainly a drastic step to avoid hosting the next Wine Evening!

After we spoke to Tim and Gill we had another chat with Paul and Sue and then it was down to the business of finishing off the lights and then putting up our two trees indoors. I enlisted Sophie's help with the conservatory tree while Mikey and I decorated the green tree in our front window. I had to separate the children because of the arguments, unfortunately...not the ideal background to the tradition of dressing the trees!

I cleaned the house downstairs and within a few hours we were looking very festive indeed! It's certainly early for us to be decorated so soon in December!

I would have loved to have gone for a walk today but we went off to the gym instead for a swim - it would have been great to have done both but we just ran out of time. Liam got into the pool just after us and apologised for not making it to the last Wine Evening. Naturally, I forgave him for abandoning us and we chatted about the prospect of new neighbours, deciding to vet them when they view the house and if they're not up to scratch, sabotage the sale by being very anti-social...maybe Keith and I could have screaming argument and throw things at each other...! I definitely don't think this idea will go down well with poor Gill and Tim!

Sophie and I swam for about 45 minutes, then it was into the spa and a spell in the steam room before getting dressed and heading home in the rapidly chilling night. It was at freezing point when we arrived home and I mentioned to Keith to be careful in the morning because of all the water still on the roads around us.

I had a blissful couple of hours watching "It's A Wonderful Life" and crying my eyes out, as usual. I've lost count of how many times I've seen this film but it never fails to make the tears run down my face. This is the line that has me weeping:

"You see George, you've really had a wonderful life. Don't you see what a mistake it would be to throw it away?"

Just wonderful!

December already!

I can hardly believe it's December...where did November go?

The idea was to clean the house in readiness for putting up the Christmas decorations tomorrow, but somehow we just ran out of time. Keith and I dropped Sophie off at work at 12pm then went off to Booker to get some more cups and saucers before popping into Homebase to look for some little hooks for the lights I'd bought for outside. I wanted icicles to hang around the front window but Keith was not pleased at all as he said they'd be far too long! We managed to eventually find what we needed and then we called into Tesco to pick up the swimsuit I'd ordered. The shopping centre was absolutely heaving and the thought of going in there and doing a weekly shop filled me with horror!

We took the cups and saucers into work before thankfully heading home to have a late brunch in the peace and quiet! I did manage to get all the decorations out of the wardrobe and test all the lights before putting them to one side and deciding to deal with them all tomorrow!

Before picking Sophie up from work at 6pm, I put my car through the car wash then headed to the gym for a half hour session on the crosstrainer and the bike. My time there was rounded off by a heavenly ten minutes in the jacuzzi (my new swimsuit fits perfectly!) and the steam room and then it was home to finally read the papers with a glass of wine before dinner. Bliss!