Although the weather forecast had said the weekend would be sunny and warm, the day started off very grey indeed!
It didn't stop me from going out into the front garden, though, and having a chat with Sue who had the same idea! Keith joined us as well and as the morning wore on, the sun came out and the chilliness disappeared.
We didn't do a lot in the garden, just tidied it up and swept away all the leaves from the front of the house. I made a cup of hot chocolate for us (Sue had dropped off some hot chocolate mix earlier in the day) but the one laced with chilli did not go down well with my neighbour who took a sip and spat it out! I liked it though!
After having a good chat (and we even said hello to our new neighbours) I washed my car and then it was time to go to Market Harborough with Sophie for the afternoon. We had lunch in Costa Coffee first and then it was off to New Look as usual and a mooch about in Monsoon. Lastly, we called in to see Duncan who was in very good spirits as he was off to a party that evening in Fancy Dress, the theme being "Dead Celebrities". He was going as Amy Winehouse and I begged him to post a photo on Facebook! I tried three wines but bought a different one anyway - a Viognier from South Africa to go with our Chinese meal this evening.
Back home I made use of the beautifully sunny early evening and sat and read in the conservatory. It was lovely to see the sky turn from powder blue to indigo and we watched the birds flit about in the garden - which reminds me, we'll have to start looking out for the bats again!
Sophie was staying over at her friend Chloe's house so we dropped her off and then went to pick up our Chinese takeaway from Walgrave. After dinner we watched a silly film about a group of Londoners buying a race horse...it's about time they showed some decent films on a Saturday night!
Saturday, 8 March 2014
Friday, 7 March 2014
Lazy Friday
For the first time in - I don't know how many years - I took another day off work as I still felt unwell. Keith went off to Tesco and my parents drove the children to school while I languished in bed. As I listened to the rain outside I felt very guilty...
So I spent today doing very little in an attempt to try and shake off this nasty bug. In the afternoon Keith and I watched a good film - Deadfall - which was very strange as it's something we never do during the day! The film was sent in the middle of winter with an abundance of snow and it was weird watching it while seeing the weather outside improve and become very Spring-like!
Hopefully, with more good weather forecast for the weekend I can get out into the garden and get some fresh air!
So I spent today doing very little in an attempt to try and shake off this nasty bug. In the afternoon Keith and I watched a good film - Deadfall - which was very strange as it's something we never do during the day! The film was sent in the middle of winter with an abundance of snow and it was weird watching it while seeing the weather outside improve and become very Spring-like!
Hopefully, with more good weather forecast for the weekend I can get out into the garden and get some fresh air!
Thursday, 6 March 2014
A Tapas treat
I woke up this morning feeling not the slightest inclination to get up and go to work, so I didn't. My parents took the children into school for us and Keith made an appointment at the doctor's surgery for me for later in the morning. My head felt like it was full of cotton wool and I had a hacking cough that made my head ache.
At the doctor's she said that I had Sinusitis and there was nothing she could do for me, as antibiotics wouldn't help. The only thing I could do was let it run its course.
After I'd seen the doctor we went off to Tesco as Keith had to get something for the children's dinner tonight. We had a celebratory Latte (tea for Keith) in Costa Coffee as today we have been together for 26 years!
The rest of the day was spent doing very little, except coughing and blowing my nose in a vain attempt to clear the blockages in my head! I was going out in the evening with friends to Les Olives, a Tapas restaurant in Northampton, so I had a bath and Sophie did my hair and make-up for me. I really didn't feel like going out but there was no way I could cancel again as the last time we'd planned to go here was when Keith was in hospital.
We picked Lynda up and then drove into Northampton and we found we could pull up right outside the restaurant. Fiona and Andrea were already there and the place was packed with people. There was live music and a flamenco dancer so lots of atmosphere!
A waitress came to take our drinks order but I must have been invisible as she went off without finding out what I wanted and then Lynda's drink went to the next table. Not the best of starts! We finally got ourselves sorted out and had a good look at the menu, choosing three dishes each for our main courses. For starters we had alioli and a broad bean mixture with lots of bread accompanied by a delicious Tempranillo.
For mains we chose a variety of Tapas including slow roast belly of pork, chicken livers, duck, pan fried strips of lamb and spicy chorizo. We also had langoustines, calamari and several vegetarian dishes including a delicious Spanish omelette.
The food was great but I don't think I'm a huge fan of Tapas. I think the dishes are great as snacks for lunch or a couple before dinner, but it was strange having to pick so many different dishes as a main meal. Fiona and I had dessert - almond cake for me, chocolate mousse for her - and then it was an early end to our evening. Keith came for us at 10pm which suited me fine as I really didn't feel like having a very late night!
At the doctor's she said that I had Sinusitis and there was nothing she could do for me, as antibiotics wouldn't help. The only thing I could do was let it run its course.
After I'd seen the doctor we went off to Tesco as Keith had to get something for the children's dinner tonight. We had a celebratory Latte (tea for Keith) in Costa Coffee as today we have been together for 26 years!
The rest of the day was spent doing very little, except coughing and blowing my nose in a vain attempt to clear the blockages in my head! I was going out in the evening with friends to Les Olives, a Tapas restaurant in Northampton, so I had a bath and Sophie did my hair and make-up for me. I really didn't feel like going out but there was no way I could cancel again as the last time we'd planned to go here was when Keith was in hospital.
We picked Lynda up and then drove into Northampton and we found we could pull up right outside the restaurant. Fiona and Andrea were already there and the place was packed with people. There was live music and a flamenco dancer so lots of atmosphere!
A waitress came to take our drinks order but I must have been invisible as she went off without finding out what I wanted and then Lynda's drink went to the next table. Not the best of starts! We finally got ourselves sorted out and had a good look at the menu, choosing three dishes each for our main courses. For starters we had alioli and a broad bean mixture with lots of bread accompanied by a delicious Tempranillo.
For mains we chose a variety of Tapas including slow roast belly of pork, chicken livers, duck, pan fried strips of lamb and spicy chorizo. We also had langoustines, calamari and several vegetarian dishes including a delicious Spanish omelette.
The food was great but I don't think I'm a huge fan of Tapas. I think the dishes are great as snacks for lunch or a couple before dinner, but it was strange having to pick so many different dishes as a main meal. Fiona and I had dessert - almond cake for me, chocolate mousse for her - and then it was an early end to our evening. Keith came for us at 10pm which suited me fine as I really didn't feel like having a very late night!
Wednesday, 5 March 2014
Two days in one...
Not an awful lot happened on Tuesday and Wednesday so I've lumped both days together!
On the way back from Army Cadets on Tuesday night I got the feeling that Mikey's enthusiasm is starting to wane a bit, which is a huge shame. He was supposed to be away at camp this weekend but has said he doesn't want to go. We think he's having difficulties with some of the more complicated aspects of being a cadet, like map and compass work, so we'll just have to try and support him if he finds he can't do things. I, for one, will be disappointed if he gives it up as he has done much better at school after taking it up.
On Wednesday Sophie and I went to the gym after work. Not to do a workout, but to laze about in the spa as I still feel horrible with this cough and cold that simply won't go away. I sat in the sauna and the steam room but after half an hour we decided to call it a day, which was a good thing as Mum and Dad had been trying to get hold of me as they'd left their house keys at work and they couldn't get in to their home! I'd noticed and taken them with me so after a quick change they met us in Reception. I have to say I wasn't too keen on receiving 12...yes 12! missed calls while I was in the spa, but at least it wasn't a major problem!
On the way back from Army Cadets on Tuesday night I got the feeling that Mikey's enthusiasm is starting to wane a bit, which is a huge shame. He was supposed to be away at camp this weekend but has said he doesn't want to go. We think he's having difficulties with some of the more complicated aspects of being a cadet, like map and compass work, so we'll just have to try and support him if he finds he can't do things. I, for one, will be disappointed if he gives it up as he has done much better at school after taking it up.
On Wednesday Sophie and I went to the gym after work. Not to do a workout, but to laze about in the spa as I still feel horrible with this cough and cold that simply won't go away. I sat in the sauna and the steam room but after half an hour we decided to call it a day, which was a good thing as Mum and Dad had been trying to get hold of me as they'd left their house keys at work and they couldn't get in to their home! I'd noticed and taken them with me so after a quick change they met us in Reception. I have to say I wasn't too keen on receiving 12...yes 12! missed calls while I was in the spa, but at least it wasn't a major problem!
Monday, 3 March 2014
Back to Monday again!
This morning found me at the Doctor's surgery waiting to have a 24 hour blood pressure monitor fitted. I must admit I wasn't that happy to be wearing it but at least I'll know if my blood pressure is OK or not!
I still felt rough with my cold so I didn't feel like doing any cleaning today. Hopefully next week I'll be feeling much better and we can get on with all the jobs that have been neglected recently. I'm hoping that this period of ill health will soon be behind us!
After work Sophie and I popped down to Boots at Riverside to buy some much-needed toiletries and then my lovely daughter treated me to a cup of tea in Costa Coffee. It was the highlight of my Monday!
Sunday, 2 March 2014
Dreary Sunday
Today the weather has been horrible and grey and although I did hope we might see some sun, the sky remained cloudy all day.
Keith and I took Sophie to work and then it was home to do various housework chores for the rest of the morning. My cold seems to have made a comeback and Keith is still coughing so it was a bit of a miserable household today. In the afternoon I watched a film with Mikey while Keith coughed all to himself upstairs!
We did manage to have a delicious dinner in the evening though...at least I could taste it!
Some photos of yesterday, taken by Sophie:
Keith and I took Sophie to work and then it was home to do various housework chores for the rest of the morning. My cold seems to have made a comeback and Keith is still coughing so it was a bit of a miserable household today. In the afternoon I watched a film with Mikey while Keith coughed all to himself upstairs!
We did manage to have a delicious dinner in the evening though...at least I could taste it!
Some photos of yesterday, taken by Sophie:
Saturday, 1 March 2014
A trip to the seaside
The morning, although foggy, held the promise of a glorious day, so I felt like we should make the most of it, preferably by going out and getting away from this house, which has felt like Germ Central at times this week!
Unfortunately, my family did not share my passion for going out for the day so a heated family argument ensued before it was decided that Mikey would stay at home while Keith, Sophie and I decided to head for the Suffolk coastal town of Southwold. I made sure I checked the weather forecast before we left (it said dry and sunny) but as we sped towards the sea the weather deteriorated considerably and we were pelted with rain as we neared Southwold...
The morning hadn't started well (the argument) had become worse with an ill-chosen breakfast in McDonald's (the breakfast wrap I had was abysmal) so this latest blow was not really needed! However, after we parked the car the rain stopped and although the sky never did materialise into the beautiful blue I'd imagined, it did stay dry.
We had a cup of coffee and a walk along the pier before venturing into the town in search of a chemist for Keith as his cough was getting worse (he hadn't stopped coughing the whole journey and was now really uncomfortable). I'd never visited Southwold out of season before but the place was still busy with people and we even managed a short walk on the beach to collect some pebbles for the garden.
By 2.30pm Keith had had enough so we headed for home, where the weather had been sunny most of the day! The one, highly enjoyable, part of my day was driving my beautiful car which sped along the A14 like an arrow. I'm going to have to keep a very strict eye on my speed as getting near 100mph was way too easy!
Unfortunately, my family did not share my passion for going out for the day so a heated family argument ensued before it was decided that Mikey would stay at home while Keith, Sophie and I decided to head for the Suffolk coastal town of Southwold. I made sure I checked the weather forecast before we left (it said dry and sunny) but as we sped towards the sea the weather deteriorated considerably and we were pelted with rain as we neared Southwold...
The morning hadn't started well (the argument) had become worse with an ill-chosen breakfast in McDonald's (the breakfast wrap I had was abysmal) so this latest blow was not really needed! However, after we parked the car the rain stopped and although the sky never did materialise into the beautiful blue I'd imagined, it did stay dry.
We had a cup of coffee and a walk along the pier before venturing into the town in search of a chemist for Keith as his cough was getting worse (he hadn't stopped coughing the whole journey and was now really uncomfortable). I'd never visited Southwold out of season before but the place was still busy with people and we even managed a short walk on the beach to collect some pebbles for the garden.
By 2.30pm Keith had had enough so we headed for home, where the weather had been sunny most of the day! The one, highly enjoyable, part of my day was driving my beautiful car which sped along the A14 like an arrow. I'm going to have to keep a very strict eye on my speed as getting near 100mph was way too easy!
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