A milestone birthday!

Sophie had two appointments this morning and I offered to go with her and drive, which she appreciated. Her first was at the beauty salon in Northampton and I managed to get the last space in the tiny car park. As I was sitting waiting for her, a car came into the car park and minutes later, a woman knocked on my window asking if I was going. I said no and then she asked how long was I going to be? Sophie had already texted me to say her appointment was running late, so I told the woman about twenty minutes. Obviously, the two women in the car didn't want to park out on the street so they dumped their car on the double yellow lines behind me, making it difficult for other cars to reverse out! How selfish!

Sophie eventually came back and had to guide me out as I reversed all the way. I was fuming! What's the point of having double yellow lines in your car park if you don't enforce the rules! I am certainly becoming a grumpy woman!

We sped over to Wollaston where Sophie had her fourth acupuncture session. I sat in the car and read, which was lovely and relaxing! The journey home, though, was not relaxing and the roads were hectic! It was a relief to get home and out of the car!

At 1pm, we went to Tesco and I bought my Mum a bouquet of flowers and a box of chocolates. We then headed to the Care Home to celebrate my Mum's 80th birthday! We set everything up in the lovely lounge next to their rooms and managed to get a record player going with Elvis Presley's love songs. Mum loved her flowers and chocolates, and we enjoyed another bottle of Champagne, toasting her milestone birthday!

I don't know why my parents don't sit in this room more often as it was so pleasant and peaceful. Building work is still going on outside and I would have loved to sit there and watch all the comings and goings if I was them!

We stayed for over an hour, chatting and reminiscing about other birthdays and sipping the very good Champagne. I'd bought Mum a new silky dressing gown and I just hoped she liked it.

As dusk fell outside, we cleared everything away and returned home via the scenic route, seeing only a pheasant and a family with their two young children on the narrow road leading to the village. 

Back home, it was definitely time for a treat:

It's that time of the year!

It's been noticeably colder today so worthy of a hot chocolate! We spent the early evening sitting in the living room, candles lit, and reading while Keith watched the football. He had prepared a chicken and mushroom pie for dinner and it was delicious, as always.

After we's eaten we decided - in unison for once! - to watch The Bourne Identity. It was great!