It was great to have a bit of a lie-in this morning as Sophie didn't have to be at uni until 10am. After dropping her off I went to the Weston Favell Centre to buy ingredients for tonight's dinner - breaded pork escalopes. I bought the pork, some golden breadcrumbs and pine nuts to add to them, plus new potatoes and a mushroom sauce.
Back home our smart meter was being fitted and it was quite alarming to see the electricity usage being measured on little coloured bands. If they were green then it wasn't too bad, but switch the kettle or the iron on, and it shot into amber. Luckily I never saw it go into the red zone but it will make us think carefully about how we use our electricity from now on!
I went back to get Sophie and before going to school she helped me change my bed, putting on the new sheet I'd bought and using the pillows which I'd ordered from M&S using my gift voucher. They were fat pillows stuffed with duck feather and down and they looked great on the bed.
Work was fine and we managed to get out again for a short while. It was nice to get home and all three of us prepared dinner which was delicious. Adding the pine nuts to the breadcrumb mix definitely gave it a bit more texture and crunch and we'll cook this again as it was so easy to prepare and lovely to eat.
No sooner had we eaten than it was time to drive back down to Luton to pick up Mike and his mates. I'd been in touch with him on Messenger so I knew he was still alive and hadn't fallen into a canal, and I asked him to text me when his flight landed, at around 9pm. Sophie came with me and we had a good journey down with no hold-ups.
Unfortunately, our good luck ended when I decided to park in the multi-storey rather than wait for him in the drop-off zone (£3 for 10 minutes and £1 a minute thereafter). However, the multi-storey looked busy so I carried on, forgetting that to get back out you had to go through the barrier and pay £3...so it cost me that to just drive around the road!
As Mike and his friends weren't through passport control yet I had no option but to go back and park in the multi-storey which was packed. We finally found a space on level 2 and we dashed off to the terminal where they were waiting for us, all three of them looking like they were attending a funeral! At first I thought they'd fallen out but Mike assured me they were all just exhausted. He said Amsterdam had been very expensive indeed and that taxis to and from the airport had added about 50 euros to his expenditure, something he hadn't really thought about. Welcome to the real world, Mikey!
We headed back to the M1 and were really dismayed to see the motorway at a standstill, with a wall of lorries in the inside lane. We waited ages to join the traffic and then crawled for the next 45 minutes as all three lanes of the busy M1 became just one. We were warned there was a workforce in the road but all we saw was a van and a couple of blokes milling about, while all around them was chaos!
We eventually dropped Will and Libby off at 11pm and made it home just after. I was very tired and not looking forward to the prospect of getting up at 6.30am in the morning for work!
Wednesday, 14 March 2018
Tuesday, 13 March 2018
A very early start!
I set my alarm for 2.45am this morning and felt very bleary when I got up! We woke Mike up and by 3.15am we were ready to go to Brixworth to pick up his friends, Will and Libby.
On the way we saw a badger cross the road in front of us and a little Muntjac deer. I really didn't want to see any other animals and risk hitting them! We had a great journey down to Luton and arrived at 4.15am. Saying goodbye to the kids in the drop-off zone cost us £3.00! Daylight robbery! I just fervently hoped that my son would come back in one piece!
We sped back to Northamptonshire and I went back to bed for a few hours, waking again at 8am. Keith had stayed awake as today is the first day of the Cheltenham races and he wanted to study the form!
Sophie and I went to Riverside this morning as she wanted to get an interview outfit in Next. She chose a short skirt to begin with and a black top, but the skirt just hung on her so she picked out a pair of checked trousers which looked great with the top. I bought a new sheet for my bed and we ambled off to Boots to get some toiletries. I thought we would have time to go to Costa for a sandwich but we realised that we'd been longer looking at clothes than I thought, so we bought some sandwiches in Boots and ate them in the car.
Today has been a lovely sunny day and it was great to roll the car windows down and enjoy a bit of sunlight and warmth! I then took Sophie to uni and returned home where I picked a horse for the 1.30pm race at Cheltenham. It was called Brahma Bull (Sophie loves Brahma beer) and I decided to put any winnings towards a DNA test that Sophie wants to take. She wants to take the more detailed one which traces the mother's side of the family back and it costs almost £200, so we're going to start a savings fund for it! Unfortunately, Brahma Bull came nowhere but Keith did have a winner in the race!
I went back to get Sophie and then it was off to work. We managed to get the children out for the whole of the session which was a bonus, even though at times, the wind was a little cold. In the evening, as a treat, Keith took us to The Lamplighter pub where we spent a very pleasant evening. We enjoyed garlic bread, chicken burger (me) beefburger (Sophie) and fish and chips (guess who?). Followed by a shared dessert of chocolate brownie and ice-cream it made a very enjoyable end to a long day!
On the way we saw a badger cross the road in front of us and a little Muntjac deer. I really didn't want to see any other animals and risk hitting them! We had a great journey down to Luton and arrived at 4.15am. Saying goodbye to the kids in the drop-off zone cost us £3.00! Daylight robbery! I just fervently hoped that my son would come back in one piece!
We sped back to Northamptonshire and I went back to bed for a few hours, waking again at 8am. Keith had stayed awake as today is the first day of the Cheltenham races and he wanted to study the form!
Sophie and I went to Riverside this morning as she wanted to get an interview outfit in Next. She chose a short skirt to begin with and a black top, but the skirt just hung on her so she picked out a pair of checked trousers which looked great with the top. I bought a new sheet for my bed and we ambled off to Boots to get some toiletries. I thought we would have time to go to Costa for a sandwich but we realised that we'd been longer looking at clothes than I thought, so we bought some sandwiches in Boots and ate them in the car.
Today has been a lovely sunny day and it was great to roll the car windows down and enjoy a bit of sunlight and warmth! I then took Sophie to uni and returned home where I picked a horse for the 1.30pm race at Cheltenham. It was called Brahma Bull (Sophie loves Brahma beer) and I decided to put any winnings towards a DNA test that Sophie wants to take. She wants to take the more detailed one which traces the mother's side of the family back and it costs almost £200, so we're going to start a savings fund for it! Unfortunately, Brahma Bull came nowhere but Keith did have a winner in the race!
I went back to get Sophie and then it was off to work. We managed to get the children out for the whole of the session which was a bonus, even though at times, the wind was a little cold. In the evening, as a treat, Keith took us to The Lamplighter pub where we spent a very pleasant evening. We enjoyed garlic bread, chicken burger (me) beefburger (Sophie) and fish and chips (guess who?). Followed by a shared dessert of chocolate brownie and ice-cream it made a very enjoyable end to a long day!
Monday, 12 March 2018
A grey start to a new week.
Today has been grey and dull, with not a lot to report, if I'm honest! I drove myself into work and it rained so not the best start to a new week!
It was pretty quiet on the phones and Sara asked if I'd like to give some admin jobs a go. Seeing as sitting there waiting for the phone to ring is not much fun, I readily agreed! At 2pm I drove home to have a chat with Sophie and Keith and then it was off to the After School Club.
Lisa said she'd hit a pothole near the village yesterday and it had damaged a wheel on her car. These potholes are becoming a real menace at the moment and if you hit a bad one at speed it could seriously damage your tyres and wheels. Every now and again gangs of road workers mend them but with more cold weather forecast for this coming weekend, no doubt the repaired ones will break out again!
In the evening we relaxed after dinner but I was very mindful that Keith, Mike and I had to be up at 3am in the morning...Mike is off to Amsterdam!
It was pretty quiet on the phones and Sara asked if I'd like to give some admin jobs a go. Seeing as sitting there waiting for the phone to ring is not much fun, I readily agreed! At 2pm I drove home to have a chat with Sophie and Keith and then it was off to the After School Club.
Lisa said she'd hit a pothole near the village yesterday and it had damaged a wheel on her car. These potholes are becoming a real menace at the moment and if you hit a bad one at speed it could seriously damage your tyres and wheels. Every now and again gangs of road workers mend them but with more cold weather forecast for this coming weekend, no doubt the repaired ones will break out again!
In the evening we relaxed after dinner but I was very mindful that Keith, Mike and I had to be up at 3am in the morning...Mike is off to Amsterdam!
Sunday, 11 March 2018
Mothering Sunday
I was given chocolates and alcohol from my children this morning - they know me so well!
Mike started work early today so we dropped him off at 10.30am and then popped over to Mum and Dad's. I bought my Mum a bunch of lovely flowers and she was thrilled with the picture I'd bought her. It will go very well in her kitchen as all the colours are very similar.
We'd told Mum and Dad about next door's house going up for sale on Friday and they were very interested. My Mum has never been completely happy in her new house and she has always wanted to move back to the village. Having them next door will solve a few problems in the future so they have arranged to visit tomorrow. I have a feeling, though, that a lot of people will be interested as it's a lovely house in a sought after area.
We returned home and Sophie decided to get all her documents together for an upcoming interview. She needed her GCSE certificates but could only find her IT ones which was a bit puzzling. We searched everywhere and turned the house upside down but we couldn't find them so the only place left to look was the loft.
Keith went to get the step ladders and we bought two boxes down but had no luck. I could see another box tucked away but we needed the larger step ladders so I went to get them and trailed a load of dirt all through the house...grrr! Keith bought the box down and while he and Sophie looked in the loft some more I rifled through the contents. You can imagine my surprise and delight when I found them in a brown envelope! Sophie was so relieved!
We put all the boxes back and I hoovered the house and did a bit of cleaning. Not really what I had in mind for today, but there you go! It needed doing! I was finished at 3pm though and did manage a very short cat nap on the sofa before going and getting a bath.
Sophie and I picked Mike up at 6pm and at 7pm we drove over to Mum and Dad's house for dinner. My Dad had made us Margaritas and we sat in their living room sipping these and enjoying some crisps before the meal.
My parents served pate and toast to start, followed by beef in a pepper sauce with mashed potatoes and vegetables. The meal was delicious and I'd bought the 25 year old bottle of vintage wine that my parents had given us for our Silver Wedding anniversary last year. It was lovely but the colour was a kind of brown brick hue as it was so old! Keith was driving tonight so I was able to have a couple of glasses and we left the rest of the bottle for Mum and Dad to finish.
Sophie decided to wash up for my parents and Mike helped so I was very proud of both of them! They had had a little bicker but things were definitely improving so that was a bonus!
Mike started work early today so we dropped him off at 10.30am and then popped over to Mum and Dad's. I bought my Mum a bunch of lovely flowers and she was thrilled with the picture I'd bought her. It will go very well in her kitchen as all the colours are very similar.
We'd told Mum and Dad about next door's house going up for sale on Friday and they were very interested. My Mum has never been completely happy in her new house and she has always wanted to move back to the village. Having them next door will solve a few problems in the future so they have arranged to visit tomorrow. I have a feeling, though, that a lot of people will be interested as it's a lovely house in a sought after area.
We returned home and Sophie decided to get all her documents together for an upcoming interview. She needed her GCSE certificates but could only find her IT ones which was a bit puzzling. We searched everywhere and turned the house upside down but we couldn't find them so the only place left to look was the loft.
Keith went to get the step ladders and we bought two boxes down but had no luck. I could see another box tucked away but we needed the larger step ladders so I went to get them and trailed a load of dirt all through the house...grrr! Keith bought the box down and while he and Sophie looked in the loft some more I rifled through the contents. You can imagine my surprise and delight when I found them in a brown envelope! Sophie was so relieved!
We put all the boxes back and I hoovered the house and did a bit of cleaning. Not really what I had in mind for today, but there you go! It needed doing! I was finished at 3pm though and did manage a very short cat nap on the sofa before going and getting a bath.
Sophie and I picked Mike up at 6pm and at 7pm we drove over to Mum and Dad's house for dinner. My Dad had made us Margaritas and we sat in their living room sipping these and enjoying some crisps before the meal.
My parents served pate and toast to start, followed by beef in a pepper sauce with mashed potatoes and vegetables. The meal was delicious and I'd bought the 25 year old bottle of vintage wine that my parents had given us for our Silver Wedding anniversary last year. It was lovely but the colour was a kind of brown brick hue as it was so old! Keith was driving tonight so I was able to have a couple of glasses and we left the rest of the bottle for Mum and Dad to finish.
Sophie decided to wash up for my parents and Mike helped so I was very proud of both of them! They had had a little bicker but things were definitely improving so that was a bonus!
Saturday, 10 March 2018
A moochy-about sort of day...
Today has been grey, breezy and rainy. Not very nice at all! After dropping Sophie off at work Keith and I came home and had poached eggs for breakfast before pottering about and catching up with the usual Saturday jobs. I also prepared a Coq au Vin dish for this evening's dinner and I peeled a mound of veg to go with it. I had really wanted to get out into the garden but everywhere was a wet, soggy mess!
Unfortunately, we caught a glimpse of a rat again but I think this is a different one as it was very timid and as soon as I moved inside the conservatory it scampered back under the bushes. It didn't seem as big as the one we saw last week, but it propelled Keith into setting up the humane trap we ordered and putting some of Monty's fishy cat food inside. I personally don't think we will catch any rats with it, but we'll wait and see. At least we can then release any we do catch over the fields!
Mike wanted to go to Brixworth at midday so I dropped him off and came back to mooch about some more. How I long for lovely Spring days when I can get out, wash the cars and do jobs in the garden! I did, at least, wash the front windows as they were very dirty so I felt much better about that!
We picked up both children in the evening and then returned home to relax and enjoy our French dish - I have to say it was delicious!
Unfortunately, we caught a glimpse of a rat again but I think this is a different one as it was very timid and as soon as I moved inside the conservatory it scampered back under the bushes. It didn't seem as big as the one we saw last week, but it propelled Keith into setting up the humane trap we ordered and putting some of Monty's fishy cat food inside. I personally don't think we will catch any rats with it, but we'll wait and see. At least we can then release any we do catch over the fields!
Mike wanted to go to Brixworth at midday so I dropped him off and came back to mooch about some more. How I long for lovely Spring days when I can get out, wash the cars and do jobs in the garden! I did, at least, wash the front windows as they were very dirty so I felt much better about that!
We picked up both children in the evening and then returned home to relax and enjoy our French dish - I have to say it was delicious!
Friday, 9 March 2018
A foggy start
We had thick fog and frost this morning so driving to work was a little tricky! The fog disappeared though, to be replaced with grey skies and in the afternoon it rained heavily. I definitely preferred those cold days we had to this mild greyness!
Work was very quiet this morning for some reason so the time dragged a little. It was great to speed home at 2pm, have a quick chat with Sophie and Keith and then go off to the last After-School club session of the week. We watched Gnomeo and Juliet and the film finished at just after 4.30pm which was a problem! We couldn't go out as it was pouring and the children were, as usual, a little hyper. However, we got them doing some drawing and very soon they had all been collected by their parents...except one, of course, which is always the way!
I dashed home and met Keith half-way so I gave him a lift to the pub. Back home Sophie and I watched Married at First Sight and I prepared dinner, which tonight was very simple...tomato soup, crusty bread and croutons!
Work was very quiet this morning for some reason so the time dragged a little. It was great to speed home at 2pm, have a quick chat with Sophie and Keith and then go off to the last After-School club session of the week. We watched Gnomeo and Juliet and the film finished at just after 4.30pm which was a problem! We couldn't go out as it was pouring and the children were, as usual, a little hyper. However, we got them doing some drawing and very soon they had all been collected by their parents...except one, of course, which is always the way!
I dashed home and met Keith half-way so I gave him a lift to the pub. Back home Sophie and I watched Married at First Sight and I prepared dinner, which tonight was very simple...tomato soup, crusty bread and croutons!
Thursday, 8 March 2018
Dance off!
Today dawned sunny and cold and I drove myself into work. Needless to say, there was no snow! The morning passed fairly quickly and Sheila, who had given me the error checking job, hinted there may be more work in the pipeline for me with some extra hours.
As soon as I arrived home, Mike wanted to go to Brixworth so Keith and I took him and then it was time for me to start work. I'd been dreading this afternoon as Lisa was accompanying her mum on a hospital visit and I had a feeling I'd be on my own...on the busiest evening of the week!
I set the hall up and just as I was checking the children off, Lisa arrived, so I was very thankful! Normally we have about sixteen children on a Thursday but a lot of the Year 3 and 4 pupils were taking part in a Strictly Come Dancing competition so they were practising in the playground. We took our lot out and it was good entertainment!
We were finished by 6pm and it was home to another game of cards and an episode of Death in Paradise after dinner. I then fell asleep as I'd brought out lovely thick quilt down and I was so warm I nodded off!
As soon as I arrived home, Mike wanted to go to Brixworth so Keith and I took him and then it was time for me to start work. I'd been dreading this afternoon as Lisa was accompanying her mum on a hospital visit and I had a feeling I'd be on my own...on the busiest evening of the week!
I set the hall up and just as I was checking the children off, Lisa arrived, so I was very thankful! Normally we have about sixteen children on a Thursday but a lot of the Year 3 and 4 pupils were taking part in a Strictly Come Dancing competition so they were practising in the playground. We took our lot out and it was good entertainment!
We were finished by 6pm and it was home to another game of cards and an episode of Death in Paradise after dinner. I then fell asleep as I'd brought out lovely thick quilt down and I was so warm I nodded off!
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