I was woken rather suddenly this morning by Keith answering my mobile phone as our cleaner at work was ringing to say she couldn't get into the building. Keith had mended the lock yesterday but it seemed it was a bit stiff this morning so Jeanette had trouble unlocking the door. As she was talking to me she managed to get in but Keith and I said we'd pop in after dropping Sophie off at school to have another look.
We'd had a bit of a disturbed night as at 1.30am we were woken by a strange noise which is still a mystery! We think it may have been one of our smoke alarms freaking out a bit so I just hope it doesn't go off when Mum and Dad are here!
We dropped Sophie off at school, had a quick look at the lock which was behaving perfectly and then went to do some essential food shopping at Tesco. Luckily it was quiet so by 10am we were driving out of the car park and home to a quick breakfast and then a multitude of tasks that had to be done before we leave tomorrow.
After picking Sophie up from school we'd arranged to go to the gym but neither of us felt like going and I still had packing to do so we decided to abandon the idea and work extra hard when we next go! It was pouring with rain and was a real misty Autumnal evening so it was sheer bliss to get home, do the last bits of packing and then relax on the sofa with a glass of very good Californian Pinot Noir (from the Hahn Winery in Monterey) and watch Grand Designs. Tomorrow we are off extremely early to catch the 6am flight to Berlin from Luton airport so it's an early night for Keith and I!!
Thursday, 11 October 2012
Wednesday, 10 October 2012
Last day at work for a while...
Sophie was off sick from school today as she keeps feeling unwell. We left her at home and rang her regularly and by lunchtime, when we popped in to see her, she felt a little better. If she carries on feeling sick (but not actually being sick) we'll have to seek the advice of the doctor.
It's been a glorious day today and although we did talk about going for a walk when we got home from work, we decided to have a night off and sort out what we're taking to Berlin on Friday. We only have hand luggage which will be a first for us so we have to be very economical with our packing! It will seem very strange not packing any toiletries!
It's been a glorious day today and although we did talk about going for a walk when we got home from work, we decided to have a night off and sort out what we're taking to Berlin on Friday. We only have hand luggage which will be a first for us so we have to be very economical with our packing! It will seem very strange not packing any toiletries!
Tuesday, 9 October 2012
Getting things done!
I have a short week at work this week so today was spent getting essential things done as I'm off on Thursday and Friday. I worked through my list and managed to get Mum and Dad to do some tasks as well so all was good when I finished!
Keith and I went for a walk after work and watched the farmers wrapping the hay bales in black shrink wrap. They looked like enormous loo rolls! It was a beautiful evening but there was a definite nip in the air. Wearing a tee shirt is no longer an option on our evening walks!
Keith and I went for a walk after work and watched the farmers wrapping the hay bales in black shrink wrap. They looked like enormous loo rolls! It was a beautiful evening but there was a definite nip in the air. Wearing a tee shirt is no longer an option on our evening walks!
Monday, 8 October 2012
Not again!
Today was much less fraught than last Monday, thank goodness,with only one extra person in doing some work for us so it was lovely and peaceful.
I went off to the bank and had a shock when I saw the speed camera again. I was doing 31mph and so I'm praying that I won't get a fine but these days you never know...If I have, I'm going to contest it!
I spent the afternoon painting and then it was off to the gym after work. I seem to have bags more energy at around 4pm in the afternoon and I certainly worked harder than I did yesterday morning so maybe that's the optimum time for me! We had a quick dip in the spa and the saunarium (not as hot as the sauna) and then it was time to venture out into the gloomy evening. We met Liam coming in as we were going out and chatted about wine...always a good subject to discuss!
I went off to the bank and had a shock when I saw the speed camera again. I was doing 31mph and so I'm praying that I won't get a fine but these days you never know...If I have, I'm going to contest it!
I spent the afternoon painting and then it was off to the gym after work. I seem to have bags more energy at around 4pm in the afternoon and I certainly worked harder than I did yesterday morning so maybe that's the optimum time for me! We had a quick dip in the spa and the saunarium (not as hot as the sauna) and then it was time to venture out into the gloomy evening. We met Liam coming in as we were going out and chatted about wine...always a good subject to discuss!
Sunday, 7 October 2012
Keeping busy!
Normally I love lazy Sundays but just lately both days at the weekends have been very busy indeed! Sophie and I did our normal stint at the gym in the morning, followed by lunch there and then after dropping Sophie off at home as she had mounds of homework, I picked up Mum and we went off to the garden centre as Keith had read about "grease-bands" which stop fruit trees from being attacked by pests over the winter.
I haven't really got into the garden over the summer- everything felt so damp out there except for that one memorable week right at the start of the summer holidays when we had a spell of glorious weather!
We went to the cafe for a cup of tea first and it looked like the restaurant staff had lost it. There were no trays or cutlery and the young lads behind the counter had a look of panic despite the fact that there weren't that many customers. However, I know that feeling well, I'm afraid, on the (thankfully) few times we've been extremely busy at work and it just all goes to pot! We had a moany woman behind us in the queue and I made the mistake of making eye contact and that was it, she was off, complaining about everything in a loud voice which sort of dragged me into her argument as well! I honestly do believe that I have some sort of sign on my forehead inviting complete strangers to talk to me and tell me their life stories!
We pottered about looking at the plants but I wasn't tempted by anything except the grease bands which we found after a bit of searching, not ever having looked for them before! I just hope they work!
I dropped mum off at home and went home to persuade Sophie to go for a walk with me. Instead of the forecast rain today we've had a beautiful Autumnal day and I really wanted to try and make the most of it before it got dark. Luckily she was agreeable so we went off and took some photos of the fields and the waning sun.
Mum came around for dinner in the evening as Dad is in Eastbourne for the weekend, flying his model aeroplanes. We had a very delicious dinner but I overdid the wine as I opened a bottle of Vouvray first which was gorgeous, then couldn't resist trying the Italian Merlot that Mum had brought with her. Hmmm!
I haven't really got into the garden over the summer- everything felt so damp out there except for that one memorable week right at the start of the summer holidays when we had a spell of glorious weather!
We went to the cafe for a cup of tea first and it looked like the restaurant staff had lost it. There were no trays or cutlery and the young lads behind the counter had a look of panic despite the fact that there weren't that many customers. However, I know that feeling well, I'm afraid, on the (thankfully) few times we've been extremely busy at work and it just all goes to pot! We had a moany woman behind us in the queue and I made the mistake of making eye contact and that was it, she was off, complaining about everything in a loud voice which sort of dragged me into her argument as well! I honestly do believe that I have some sort of sign on my forehead inviting complete strangers to talk to me and tell me their life stories!
We pottered about looking at the plants but I wasn't tempted by anything except the grease bands which we found after a bit of searching, not ever having looked for them before! I just hope they work!
I dropped mum off at home and went home to persuade Sophie to go for a walk with me. Instead of the forecast rain today we've had a beautiful Autumnal day and I really wanted to try and make the most of it before it got dark. Luckily she was agreeable so we went off and took some photos of the fields and the waning sun.
Mum came around for dinner in the evening as Dad is in Eastbourne for the weekend, flying his model aeroplanes. We had a very delicious dinner but I overdid the wine as I opened a bottle of Vouvray first which was gorgeous, then couldn't resist trying the Italian Merlot that Mum had brought with her. Hmmm!
Saturday, 6 October 2012
Creatures of habit
Today has followed almost exactly the same pattern of last Saturday, although instead of doing outside chores - despite the glorious weather - I concentrated on cleaning the downstairs rooms of the house as Mum and Dad are staying here next week while we're in Berlin...
After finishing the housework I had a lovely long bath and then picked up Mum as she was coming to the gym with us. I showed her the car park at work which had been repaired by a local tarmac company this morning. When I'd left Sophie they had been just about to dump a load of hot tar on the surface of the car park and I wondered what on earth they were doing! Luckily it was a company who we'd asked to quote for the repair of the potholes and as they were doing some work at Baca next door to us, they'd decided, off their own back, to do some work for us! The only payment they wanted was some free tickets which I was happy to give!
We had a great session at the gym and I was full of energy which was brilliant, especially as I really haven't done anything since Wednesday. I did twenty minutes on the crosstrainer but felt as if I could have done another ten! We finished our workout with a swim in the pool and then a lazy dip in the spa and Sophie chatted non-stop to Mum who had really enjoyed herself as well.
We drove home admiring the gorgeous sky, which would have been perfect for taking photos, but dinner was calling and a well-earned (tonight anyway!) glass of wine!
After finishing the housework I had a lovely long bath and then picked up Mum as she was coming to the gym with us. I showed her the car park at work which had been repaired by a local tarmac company this morning. When I'd left Sophie they had been just about to dump a load of hot tar on the surface of the car park and I wondered what on earth they were doing! Luckily it was a company who we'd asked to quote for the repair of the potholes and as they were doing some work at Baca next door to us, they'd decided, off their own back, to do some work for us! The only payment they wanted was some free tickets which I was happy to give!
We had a great session at the gym and I was full of energy which was brilliant, especially as I really haven't done anything since Wednesday. I did twenty minutes on the crosstrainer but felt as if I could have done another ten! We finished our workout with a swim in the pool and then a lazy dip in the spa and Sophie chatted non-stop to Mum who had really enjoyed herself as well.
We drove home admiring the gorgeous sky, which would have been perfect for taking photos, but dinner was calling and a well-earned (tonight anyway!) glass of wine!
Friday, 5 October 2012
Mrs Grumpy - par extraordinaire!
Really, at the moment, I should be in a padded, sound-proofed room away from other human beings...
I am so grumpy at the moment, it's unbelievable! I've been shouting at Sophie and Keith who I think are both fed up with me (Mikey tends to stay out of the way). Both Polly and Angie, our cook, were late into work this morning and it was manic, which is always to be guaranteed when we have no staff. A woman dropped a bottle full of water at our Reception desk which I tried to mop up in between customers and then the school phoned to say that Mikey felt sick. I dashed off to the school to get him and went straight home as I expected Keith to be there. Only he wasn't...and our back door was unlocked!
I tried his mobile and it went straight to voicemail so while I waited for him to return from wherever he was I did a multitude of household chores, fuming silently that he was uncontactable when he moans at me for never answering my mobile! Mikey was settled in the living room with a bowl of chicken soup and after half an hour I finally managed to track my husband down to find he'd gone out to change some money for our forthcoming trip to Berlin. He came home at once and we had a terse discussion about communication and security before I left to return to work.
Of course, the screaming babies were in at work today and so the dream of lying on a beach with just the lapping waves for company was even more attractive!
We had another missed Friday at the gym as Sophie went to see a friend and despite my good intentions of going out for a walk I ended up on the sofa with a glass of wine and James Bond. A good alternative in my opinion!
I am so grumpy at the moment, it's unbelievable! I've been shouting at Sophie and Keith who I think are both fed up with me (Mikey tends to stay out of the way). Both Polly and Angie, our cook, were late into work this morning and it was manic, which is always to be guaranteed when we have no staff. A woman dropped a bottle full of water at our Reception desk which I tried to mop up in between customers and then the school phoned to say that Mikey felt sick. I dashed off to the school to get him and went straight home as I expected Keith to be there. Only he wasn't...and our back door was unlocked!
I tried his mobile and it went straight to voicemail so while I waited for him to return from wherever he was I did a multitude of household chores, fuming silently that he was uncontactable when he moans at me for never answering my mobile! Mikey was settled in the living room with a bowl of chicken soup and after half an hour I finally managed to track my husband down to find he'd gone out to change some money for our forthcoming trip to Berlin. He came home at once and we had a terse discussion about communication and security before I left to return to work.
Of course, the screaming babies were in at work today and so the dream of lying on a beach with just the lapping waves for company was even more attractive!
We had another missed Friday at the gym as Sophie went to see a friend and despite my good intentions of going out for a walk I ended up on the sofa with a glass of wine and James Bond. A good alternative in my opinion!
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