It was another very foggy start to the day and Sophie called to warn me how dense it was. Keith dropped me off at work and then went to do the shopping as he felt a lot better this morning.
Half way through my shift I was on the phone but aware of the other staff looking shocked and upset. I could hear Sheila crying so I finished my call and discovered that Stella, who is the lady in charge of all the cinema admin, had died suddenly this morning at home. I was covering for her today as she had booked a day's holiday and I couldn't quite believe what I was hearing, it was such a terrible shock.
We were told to turn off the phones as we absorbed the awful news and Sara said we could go out of the office if we wanted and get a drink. All of us looked so shocked and Sheila went out to sit in her car for a little while.
We turned the phones off until midday but then we had to get back to work. I sat there in a daze and kept thinking about all the times we'd chatted and how lovely she was. The worst thing was thinking about her family and her little granddaughter who she doted on.
Keith picked me up at 2pm and we went home where I suggested going for a walk as it was such a lovely day. We walked up to the village and then turned around and came back so we were out for about half an hour.
In the evening Sophie and I took Mike to the train station where he was meeting Abbie off the train. I gave them a lift to Abbie's mum's and then it was home to quickly prepare the dinner and have a glass of wine. Keith had bought a bottle of non-alcoholic Cava in Tesco but Sophie brought the wrong one in - a Freixenet real Cava! I didn't realise until I was pouring it into the glasses but there wasn't much I could do then and I wasn't going to waste it!
Sophie and I enjoyed veggie meatballs for dinner with pasta while Keith devoured a roast chicken. While Sophie was upstairs watching Love Island, Keith and I went to the Caribbean and soaked up the sun with Death in Paradise. I could certainly do with some lovely hot sunshine at the moment!
Friday, 7 February 2020
Thursday, 6 February 2020
Poorly Keith
Keith had a bit of an upset tummy this morning so I told him to stay at home rather than take me to work and then go shopping. It was very cold this morning and the temperature gauge showed it was -2 on the way to work. I haven't seen a minus temperature for ages!
Work was fine and at 3pm I returned home, picked up Keith who was feeling a bit better and drove to Kettering. We just shopped for tonight and tomorrow as Keith was hoping to go again tomorrow.
Despite the cold temperatures this morning, it's been a gorgeous day with more blue skies and winter sun. Sophie came home from work saying she'd had a bad day so she made herself a Moscow Mule! I made myself content with a 0% San Miguel from Tesco and it was very good!
Dinner tonight was a vegan pizza for Sophie and I, diced potatoes and salad. Much better than last night! After we'd eaten Keith and I watched the second James Bond film, From Russia With Love. The acting was a bit dubious but it was enjoyable nonetheless!
Work was fine and at 3pm I returned home, picked up Keith who was feeling a bit better and drove to Kettering. We just shopped for tonight and tomorrow as Keith was hoping to go again tomorrow.
Despite the cold temperatures this morning, it's been a gorgeous day with more blue skies and winter sun. Sophie came home from work saying she'd had a bad day so she made herself a Moscow Mule! I made myself content with a 0% San Miguel from Tesco and it was very good!
Dinner tonight was a vegan pizza for Sophie and I, diced potatoes and salad. Much better than last night! After we'd eaten Keith and I watched the second James Bond film, From Russia With Love. The acting was a bit dubious but it was enjoyable nonetheless!
Wednesday, 5 February 2020
It's all about blood!
Keith and Mike went to the barber's in Kettering this morning while I stayed at home and did a spot of housework. It was a beautiful day outside but cold. The morning had started off foggy but this had given way to sunshine and blue skies.
In the early afternoon I went to the surgery in Brixworth to see one of the doctors about my blood pressure. We had a chat and she took my blood pressure to find it high again. The second time it had come down a bit but she's organised a 24 hour monitor for me and an ECG to make sure all is OK.
I'd suggested to Keith that we go for a walk around Brixworth country park afterwards but we swiftly changed our minds when we saw how much it cost to park - £3.20! We wanted to park for just an hour so we decided to go to the car park by the Brampton Valley Way instead and walk along there.
We had a very pleasant walk for about 40 minutes and saw a gorgeous little robin sitting on a fence post as we strolled by. He looked at us intently "Got any worms?" but flew off when I took out my phone to snap a pic.
Unfortunately, Keith's shoes had a malfunction when the sole came away from the upper so we had to return. I was annoyed as these were his fairly expensive shoes I'd bought for him last year!
Back home I pottered about and made some toast for Sophie and I because we were going back out to give blood at the community centre in Moulton. We arrived to find the place packed with people but it wasn't long before we were being called and questioned briefly and then escorted to the reclining chairs.
All was fine and after a quick drink and a biscuit we headed home to help Keith finish dinner. Tonight it was veggie burgers but they were a bit tasteless... oh dear!
In the early afternoon I went to the surgery in Brixworth to see one of the doctors about my blood pressure. We had a chat and she took my blood pressure to find it high again. The second time it had come down a bit but she's organised a 24 hour monitor for me and an ECG to make sure all is OK.
I'd suggested to Keith that we go for a walk around Brixworth country park afterwards but we swiftly changed our minds when we saw how much it cost to park - £3.20! We wanted to park for just an hour so we decided to go to the car park by the Brampton Valley Way instead and walk along there.
We had a very pleasant walk for about 40 minutes and saw a gorgeous little robin sitting on a fence post as we strolled by. He looked at us intently "Got any worms?" but flew off when I took out my phone to snap a pic.
Unfortunately, Keith's shoes had a malfunction when the sole came away from the upper so we had to return. I was annoyed as these were his fairly expensive shoes I'd bought for him last year!
Back home I pottered about and made some toast for Sophie and I because we were going back out to give blood at the community centre in Moulton. We arrived to find the place packed with people but it wasn't long before we were being called and questioned briefly and then escorted to the reclining chairs.
All was fine and after a quick drink and a biscuit we headed home to help Keith finish dinner. Tonight it was veggie burgers but they were a bit tasteless... oh dear!
Tuesday, 4 February 2020
Being good...
I drove myself to work this morning, but not on the new road, I hasten to add! The traffic was even worse this morning so I hope that when the dual carriageway opens it improves a bit or will it all have been worth it?
Work was fine and at 2pm I sped home to find Keith looking like he wanted to go out. He suggested going to Tesco as we didn't have any nachos to go with the veggie fajitas tonight so I agreed, on the condition that he would buy me a coffee!
We meandered around the store afterwards and I had a good look at the non-alcoholic drinks on offer, but decided to stick with sparkling water during the week. Outside we thought the sun was going to come out but then the sky clouded over and it looked really stormy! Brr! Time to go home and put the heating on!
I didn't really miss not having a nice drink this evening - instead Sophie and I sipped on sparkling water and had a bowl of popcorn between us to tide us over to dinner. The veggie fajitas were lovely and I made the perfect wrap, something that normally eludes me - I usually manage to spill most of the contents down whatever top I'm wearing, much to the amusement of the rest of my family! Mike ate with us tonight, but only because Keith had cooked him a portion of chicken!
Work was fine and at 2pm I sped home to find Keith looking like he wanted to go out. He suggested going to Tesco as we didn't have any nachos to go with the veggie fajitas tonight so I agreed, on the condition that he would buy me a coffee!
We meandered around the store afterwards and I had a good look at the non-alcoholic drinks on offer, but decided to stick with sparkling water during the week. Outside we thought the sun was going to come out but then the sky clouded over and it looked really stormy! Brr! Time to go home and put the heating on!
I didn't really miss not having a nice drink this evening - instead Sophie and I sipped on sparkling water and had a bowl of popcorn between us to tide us over to dinner. The veggie fajitas were lovely and I made the perfect wrap, something that normally eludes me - I usually manage to spill most of the contents down whatever top I'm wearing, much to the amusement of the rest of my family! Mike ate with us tonight, but only because Keith had cooked him a portion of chicken!
Monday, 3 February 2020
Pastures new!
Keith drove me to work this morning and the plan was to go on the brand new part of the A43 that opened at 6am. Sophie had already driven on it on her way to the gym and said it was a bit confusing in the dark! The new stretch of road is behind an estate that's being built, and will take traffic away from the old part of the Kettering road, hopefully making it easier to get to work every day!
However, the queues still stretched up to the new roundabout so we had no choice but to go our usual way to work! Keith dropped me off and then went to do some shopping for tonight and the next couple of days.
Work was busy as is usual on a Monday. There were just the two of us manning the phones so it wasn't as noisy as last week, thank goodness! At 2pm Keith collected me and we did take the new road home which seems a lot longer than the original! It felt really strange and the surroundings looked so different, especially with the new estate being built!
At home I quickly changed and then went around to a neighbour's house to help with the sorting of the recycling. We sorted it all out in their snooker room as Elaine didn't mind a mess being made in there...and there was a mess when the enormous bags were emptied onto the boards across the snooker table! Four of us sorted the various crisp and snack bags, the pet food pouches and loaf bags into boxes which were then emptied into large plastic bags, to be sent off to Terracycle later.
We finished at 4pm and I took four bags of pet food pouches home with me, to be taken to Milton Keynes the next time we go. I was dying for a cup of tea and a biscuit after seeing so many wrappers!
However, the queues still stretched up to the new roundabout so we had no choice but to go our usual way to work! Keith dropped me off and then went to do some shopping for tonight and the next couple of days.
Work was busy as is usual on a Monday. There were just the two of us manning the phones so it wasn't as noisy as last week, thank goodness! At 2pm Keith collected me and we did take the new road home which seems a lot longer than the original! It felt really strange and the surroundings looked so different, especially with the new estate being built!
At home I quickly changed and then went around to a neighbour's house to help with the sorting of the recycling. We sorted it all out in their snooker room as Elaine didn't mind a mess being made in there...and there was a mess when the enormous bags were emptied onto the boards across the snooker table! Four of us sorted the various crisp and snack bags, the pet food pouches and loaf bags into boxes which were then emptied into large plastic bags, to be sent off to Terracycle later.
We finished at 4pm and I took four bags of pet food pouches home with me, to be taken to Milton Keynes the next time we go. I was dying for a cup of tea and a biscuit after seeing so many wrappers!
Sunday, 2 February 2020
Last minute decision...
I had no plans for today and after breakfast Sophie suggested we go to Milton Keynes to do some shopping. I had a voucher to spend in M&S, as well as some Christmas money from Keith, so I agreed.
By the time we arrived it was lunchtime so we went to M&S and enjoyed a coffee and a sandwich. After we'd eaten Sophie bought herself a really pretty bra and then we had a look around the housewares section but I didn't see anything I liked. We still haven't bought a mirror or a cabinet for the bathroom so we left and wandered up to John Lewis to see if they had anything I liked the look of.
I don't think either of us were really in the mood for shopping today as nothing caught my eye in John Lewis, and I was astounded at how many things were available to buy. I dread to think how much of their money is tied up in stock!
Both of us are coming around to the idea of shopping in second-hand stores or splashing out on "experiences" (days out, meals, etc) rather than buying for the sake of buying. With the money that Keith gave me for Christmas I might treat myself to a beauty treatment or an afternoon tea as a treat.
Before heading home we popped into M&S again and I bought some healthy salads for lunch at work next week and a bottle of non-alcoholic sparkling wine to enjoy this evening.
The journey back was fine and we called to see Mum and Dad for a cup of tea and some lovely biscuits. After a good chat we drove home via the scenic route and then it was time to relax and enjoy the fizz while Keith cooked veggie Toad in the Hole!
We sat and watched the BAFTAs tonight and Keith and I were both delighted that 1917 won so many awards!
By the time we arrived it was lunchtime so we went to M&S and enjoyed a coffee and a sandwich. After we'd eaten Sophie bought herself a really pretty bra and then we had a look around the housewares section but I didn't see anything I liked. We still haven't bought a mirror or a cabinet for the bathroom so we left and wandered up to John Lewis to see if they had anything I liked the look of.
I don't think either of us were really in the mood for shopping today as nothing caught my eye in John Lewis, and I was astounded at how many things were available to buy. I dread to think how much of their money is tied up in stock!
Both of us are coming around to the idea of shopping in second-hand stores or splashing out on "experiences" (days out, meals, etc) rather than buying for the sake of buying. With the money that Keith gave me for Christmas I might treat myself to a beauty treatment or an afternoon tea as a treat.
Before heading home we popped into M&S again and I bought some healthy salads for lunch at work next week and a bottle of non-alcoholic sparkling wine to enjoy this evening.
The journey back was fine and we called to see Mum and Dad for a cup of tea and some lovely biscuits. After a good chat we drove home via the scenic route and then it was time to relax and enjoy the fizz while Keith cooked veggie Toad in the Hole!
We sat and watched the BAFTAs tonight and Keith and I were both delighted that 1917 won so many awards!
Saturday, 1 February 2020
A day of treats!
Today has been a lovely day and just how a Saturday should be! Sophie and I went to get our hair cut this morning at 10am and although I would have liked to have been offered a coffee, it was a pleasant experience. My hair was badly in need of a trim and it also needs a touch up of colour, so looking at myself in the mirror was not fun! However, we came out into the Saturday sunshine looking a bit neater!
Sophie had promised me lunch for my birthday and I decided on Farndon Fields so we went and queued up with lots of other people to sample the delights they have on offer. Sophie, Keith and I are trying to be vegetarian this month so we decided on a halloumi and roasted veg wrap for me, served with salad and coleslaw and three different bowls for Sophie - chunky chips, halloumi fries and a smoky roasted vegetable stew. We're also cutting out alcohol so no glasses of wine for us either!
After we'd eaten we strolled around the farm shop and bought some olives, a gravy sauce for dinner on Sunday night and macaroons. There were so many tempting foods on offer!
From Farndon we drove to Market Harborough as Sophie wanted to visit the charity shops. We went first to The Attic where she picked out a gorgeous lightweight jacket and I found a scarf that matched my coat perfectly. She also found some lovely tops in a couple of the other charity shops in the town, which were a bargain as the average price was about £3. The tops are perfect for work and I can't see why she would need to pay full price in the shops!
Although it's been dry today, it was very windy and to escape the cold we popped into our favourite little cafe for a cup of tea and a slice of cake. This place is a little haven of peace and quiet and it was bliss to sit and enjoy the surroundings for half an hour.
We walked around for a little while longer and then it was home to unwind and prepare dinner which tonight was vegetable curry. Sophie did all the work and stood and cooked it and it was delicious, although I did miss some juicy chicken, if I'm honest!
Keith and I watched Dr No in the evening. The new James Bond film is coming in April and I suggested we watch them all in sequence and then go and see the new one in the cinema. Dr No was very enjoyable - Sean Connery was definitely a dish when he was younger!
Sophie had promised me lunch for my birthday and I decided on Farndon Fields so we went and queued up with lots of other people to sample the delights they have on offer. Sophie, Keith and I are trying to be vegetarian this month so we decided on a halloumi and roasted veg wrap for me, served with salad and coleslaw and three different bowls for Sophie - chunky chips, halloumi fries and a smoky roasted vegetable stew. We're also cutting out alcohol so no glasses of wine for us either!
After we'd eaten we strolled around the farm shop and bought some olives, a gravy sauce for dinner on Sunday night and macaroons. There were so many tempting foods on offer!
From Farndon we drove to Market Harborough as Sophie wanted to visit the charity shops. We went first to The Attic where she picked out a gorgeous lightweight jacket and I found a scarf that matched my coat perfectly. She also found some lovely tops in a couple of the other charity shops in the town, which were a bargain as the average price was about £3. The tops are perfect for work and I can't see why she would need to pay full price in the shops!
Although it's been dry today, it was very windy and to escape the cold we popped into our favourite little cafe for a cup of tea and a slice of cake. This place is a little haven of peace and quiet and it was bliss to sit and enjoy the surroundings for half an hour.
We walked around for a little while longer and then it was home to unwind and prepare dinner which tonight was vegetable curry. Sophie did all the work and stood and cooked it and it was delicious, although I did miss some juicy chicken, if I'm honest!
Keith and I watched Dr No in the evening. The new James Bond film is coming in April and I suggested we watch them all in sequence and then go and see the new one in the cinema. Dr No was very enjoyable - Sean Connery was definitely a dish when he was younger!
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