An Italian lunch

I was awake in the night and sitting downstairs with the cats at midnight. I've learned that this is the best way to deal with sleeplessness, as I make myself a mug of hot milk and watch whatever is on television. It didn't help that I'd fallen asleep in the middle of the Christmas special of Beyond Paradise, so I caught up with what I'd missed!

Sophie and I left home at 8.45am to drive to Market Harborough. We dropped off Dad's clothes at the Age UK shop, parked (Sophie flirted with a handsome stranger in the car park!) and made our way back to Just So Italian, our new favourite place to go for a coffee.

We ordered coffees and almond croissants again and sat and chatted as people arrived and left, some to sit and have breakfast, while others downed a double espresso and left. The panettone that was on display on Saturday had all gone!

From Just So Italian, we popped into Boots and then Sophie went to Toni & Guy for a haircut. I sat and relaxed while Sophie was pampered, and she looked fabulous when she was finished. The cut was fantastic and highlighted her new colour!

We meandered around the shops, and Sophie bought some clothes and a new throw for Mooney in a charity shop. He sometimes sits behind one of our armchairs, and Sophie wanted to put a soft throw down for him. We have very pampered pets! I picked out a beautiful scarf for my Mum for Christmas, in one of the pretty home and giftware shops on the High Street.

After some debate, we decided to go back to Just So Italian for lunch and chose the sharing platter of sausage rolls, arancini, pizza and mozzarella and tomato salad. Sophie ordered an Aperol Spritz, while I had a glass of white wine from Sicily.

The food was delicious, and I found room for a frangipane tart afterwards. Scrumptious! Sophie bought a portion of lasagne to take home and a tub of Tiramisu. We had planned chicken soup and garlic bread for supper, and I think she much preferred to have the Italian dishes!

After a quick visit to Duncan's to buy some Vermouth and a bottle of red German wine, we headed to the care home to see Mum. She was looking a bit bruised and battered from her fall yesterday, but seemed in good spirits.

Back home, I wrote Sara a formal email asking to work from home two days a week. I'd visited the ACAS site earlier in the day and knew I needed to make a proper request. As two other staff members are already working from home (one of whom is  Sara's daughter), I'm hoping there won't be any obstacles put in my way.

Sophie and I relaxed in the kitchen this evening, while Keith caught up with sport, and we then had our light dinner. I was glad because the platter we'd shared had been, in my opinion anyway, quite filling!