Yesterday I didn't write my blog as there was very little to say! It was the usual routine of work and getting things done, but Sophie and I didn't go to the gym in the evening as all I really wanted to do was go home and just relax. It had been a busy week and there was something going on every night, so it was bliss to pick Sophie up from school at 4.15pm and just go home!
Today, though, has been very busy and a bit fractious! After I made a cooked breakfast for everyone Keith and I took Mikey to the hated local shopping centre as he was convinced that the Game shop there had Play Station 4s. It's bad enough having to go there in the week because we use the bank there, but to go on a Saturday was like plunging into the depths of hell. But actually, when we arrived it wasn't too bad and we were able to get parked straight away, which was a miracle!
Foolishly I left the men to their task thinking that there was no way they were going to get their hands on the coveted console. I went into Tesco to look for buckwheat flour to experiment with the blinis that I'm planning to cook for the Come Dine With Me evening. I was gone a fair while as I just couldn't believe that the huge Tesco store did not stock buckwheat flour! I scoured the shelves, even going off to the ethnic section, but there was none.
When I emerged from the store I bumped into Ian who helps us at work on a Monday and then went off to find Mikey and Keith. Thinking that they would have to admit defeat I was astonished to see Mikey carrying a huge bag...
My first words were, how much? as Mikey had told me tales about his friends getting their hands on a PS4 as a bundle, which included various games and equipment for far more than I had budgeted for. Keith told me a price and I was shocked because, as expected, it was more than I wanted to pay for Mikey's Christmas present. I was very angry indeed and demanded to see the receipt, which turned out to be more than Keith had told me, which made me even angrier!
I had a bit of a rant all the way back to the car and to cut a long story short, Keith and I fell out in a big way about how much he'd spent. I was angry because he hadn't thought to consult me about the present and had just gone ahead and given into Mikey's expectations.
When we got home I disappeared into the shower and while I was in there Keith went out, not telling me where he was going, which made me all the more annoyed with him. I spent the day cleaning the house, wrapping presents and putting up some little lights in the tree outside the house. I'd asked the children to decorate the white tree in the conservatory but by 4.30pm I'd given up on them, so did it myself. When Sophie found out she called me a "knob" so all in all, today hasn't been the best of days!
It was around 5pm when Keith eventually returned having been to watch a local football team play. This time I went out while he was in the shower (just to get some eggs) and when I got back we had a talk about what had happened and we both got over our argument. Mikey was very contrite and I told him that on Christmas Day I wanted him to spare a thought for all the children who wouldn't get what they wanted but I think it fell on deaf ears. Maybe I'll get him to start working for me to repay some of what was spent (I did expect a contribution from his savings!).
Keith and I went off to the pub as we'd ordered a Chinese from the van in the village so relations between us were repaired somewhat. I just hope that this hasn't set the tone for this year's festive celebrations!
Saturday, 7 December 2013
Thursday, 5 December 2013
Christmas shopping!
This evening, after work, Sophie and I drove to Milton Keynes to make a start on my Christmas shopping. I wasn't looking forward to it at all, especially as the weather was really stormy and there were fallen trees all over the county. Mum was supposed to have come with us but her knee was still painful so it was just the two of us.
It was the first time I'd taken my car on the motorway and we had a great ride over to Junction 14. The traffic was very busy indeed but the shopping centre itself was quiet and I had no problem parking in the multi-storey. Sophie wanted a bite to eat first of all, so we went into Starbucks and I had a decaffeinated coffee while my daughter feasted on a ham and cheese croissant with one of their Christmassy lattes. Thus revived, we hit the shops!
First up was Schuh where I bought Sophie a jazzy pair of Converse trainers, then it was onto Debenhams as my Mum had given me some money to buy her Mac make-up. I'm not a fan of the way the make-up is set out (with no prices showing!) and Sophie managed to exceed the budget and chose two blushers and a gift set of eye make-up and brushes. Luckily they had 10% off so we did save a little bit! I had a look around for a jumper for Keith (to replace the one that Sophie had put in the tumble dryer) but I didn't see anything I liked or that came up to my daughter's fashionable standards. I did find a very cosy onesie for him, though, and some pyjamas for Mikey. As they had 30% off I was very pleased with my purchases!
Next we looked in House of Fraser for jumpers but they were either wildly expensive or just plain boring so we walked up to Next where I bought Keith some aftershave and a watch for Sophie. I was a bit worried that she knew all her presents but she assured me that she would rather have something she wanted than an unwelcome surprise!
We admired the Christmas decorations outside John Lewis and ventured inside. I still don't like it in there after their re-fit. It's such a mish-mash of products with no clear walkway through the store and the ceilings feel too low. We went up to the first floor and had another look for jumpers (this was where I bought Keith his gorgeous Hodge Heg fleece originally) but again, there was nothing that took my fancy. We wandered over to the computer department and looked for speakers for Sophie and headphones for Mikey but the prices were extortionate! I couldn't believe that people pay so much for speakers and headphones!
From John Lewis we had a fast walk back to the car, stopping in HMV on the way where we found speakers for Sophie. She actually plugged her iPod into the ones she wanted, not realising that the sound was turned up really high and nearly gave a nearby assistant a heart attack! I also bought her a DVD of "How I Met Your Mother" and one for my mum of "As Time Goes By". I called Mikey as I couldn't find the brand of headphones he wanted - Razer, apparently! - so we gave up and returned to the car as by now we were both flagging a bit. This was where it was great to see that the season of goodwill was still very much alive as a man gave me £1.50 to put in the parking meter! I didn't have enough coins, only notes, which the machine wouldn't accept so we were on the point of trailing back down to the shopping mall to get some change when he gave the money to Sophie. What a lovely gesture!
The journey home was fast (the car does move!) but we passed two salt spreaders so we're obviously in for a cold night. By the time we got home it was pouring with rain and still very windy so it was lovely to sit down to Keith's homemade chicken pie and a glass of whisky and ginger ale!
It was the first time I'd taken my car on the motorway and we had a great ride over to Junction 14. The traffic was very busy indeed but the shopping centre itself was quiet and I had no problem parking in the multi-storey. Sophie wanted a bite to eat first of all, so we went into Starbucks and I had a decaffeinated coffee while my daughter feasted on a ham and cheese croissant with one of their Christmassy lattes. Thus revived, we hit the shops!
First up was Schuh where I bought Sophie a jazzy pair of Converse trainers, then it was onto Debenhams as my Mum had given me some money to buy her Mac make-up. I'm not a fan of the way the make-up is set out (with no prices showing!) and Sophie managed to exceed the budget and chose two blushers and a gift set of eye make-up and brushes. Luckily they had 10% off so we did save a little bit! I had a look around for a jumper for Keith (to replace the one that Sophie had put in the tumble dryer) but I didn't see anything I liked or that came up to my daughter's fashionable standards. I did find a very cosy onesie for him, though, and some pyjamas for Mikey. As they had 30% off I was very pleased with my purchases!
Next we looked in House of Fraser for jumpers but they were either wildly expensive or just plain boring so we walked up to Next where I bought Keith some aftershave and a watch for Sophie. I was a bit worried that she knew all her presents but she assured me that she would rather have something she wanted than an unwelcome surprise!
We admired the Christmas decorations outside John Lewis and ventured inside. I still don't like it in there after their re-fit. It's such a mish-mash of products with no clear walkway through the store and the ceilings feel too low. We went up to the first floor and had another look for jumpers (this was where I bought Keith his gorgeous Hodge Heg fleece originally) but again, there was nothing that took my fancy. We wandered over to the computer department and looked for speakers for Sophie and headphones for Mikey but the prices were extortionate! I couldn't believe that people pay so much for speakers and headphones!
From John Lewis we had a fast walk back to the car, stopping in HMV on the way where we found speakers for Sophie. She actually plugged her iPod into the ones she wanted, not realising that the sound was turned up really high and nearly gave a nearby assistant a heart attack! I also bought her a DVD of "How I Met Your Mother" and one for my mum of "As Time Goes By". I called Mikey as I couldn't find the brand of headphones he wanted - Razer, apparently! - so we gave up and returned to the car as by now we were both flagging a bit. This was where it was great to see that the season of goodwill was still very much alive as a man gave me £1.50 to put in the parking meter! I didn't have enough coins, only notes, which the machine wouldn't accept so we were on the point of trailing back down to the shopping mall to get some change when he gave the money to Sophie. What a lovely gesture!
The journey home was fast (the car does move!) but we passed two salt spreaders so we're obviously in for a cold night. By the time we got home it was pouring with rain and still very windy so it was lovely to sit down to Keith's homemade chicken pie and a glass of whisky and ginger ale!
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| Christmas lights (and concrete cows!) in Milton Keynes |
Wednesday, 4 December 2013
Pain, be gone!
My arm was really painful this morning so at lunchtime Keith and I went down to Boots at Riverside to see if I could get an elbow support. I bought one especially for Tennis Elbow and then we went off to Curry's PC World to buy Mikey an iPod charger cable. While we were in there we asked about the new Play Station 4 as he's asked for this for Christmas... They were unable to give us any information and it looks like there won't be any new stocks available until the New Year. Mikey will just have to re-think his pressie choices!
The elbow support, miraculously, worked straight away and reduced the pain considerably! I wore it just below my elbow and the awful toothachey feeling disappeared. After work Sophie and I went off to the gym and I had a really good workout followed by some relaxation in the spa. Even Sophie accompanied me tonight with no moans about feeling unwell or falling asleep on the loungers!
The elbow support, miraculously, worked straight away and reduced the pain considerably! I wore it just below my elbow and the awful toothachey feeling disappeared. After work Sophie and I went off to the gym and I had a really good workout followed by some relaxation in the spa. Even Sophie accompanied me tonight with no moans about feeling unwell or falling asleep on the loungers!
Tuesday, 3 December 2013
Tennis elbow!
For about three weeks now I've had a painful arm and some days it's like having toothache in my elbow! I hate going to the doctor, but on Monday, when every movement hurt, I finally called and made an appointment at the surgery in Guilsborough.
So, after work today I dashed home to change and then made the fairly long trip over to Guilsborough where I waited half an hour to see the doctor. As soon as I explained the problem, she diagnosed Tennis Elbow straight away and printed some information for me to take home and read. There's little I can do except take Ibuprofen and try and rest the arm, which is impossible! She also recommended buying an elbow support so I'll pop to Boots tomorrow and see if I can get one.
Back home Keith took Mikey to Army Cadets while I had a lovely hot bath as I felt cold and achey. Neither of us felt like cooking tonight (I'd had Keith's leftover Chilli for lunch and very good it was, too!) so I snuggled up on the sofa with a very affectionate Archie and watched TV until it was time to pick Sophie up from her friend's house and then go and collect Mikey. I feel more like a taxi-driver than ever at the moment!
So, after work today I dashed home to change and then made the fairly long trip over to Guilsborough where I waited half an hour to see the doctor. As soon as I explained the problem, she diagnosed Tennis Elbow straight away and printed some information for me to take home and read. There's little I can do except take Ibuprofen and try and rest the arm, which is impossible! She also recommended buying an elbow support so I'll pop to Boots tomorrow and see if I can get one.
Back home Keith took Mikey to Army Cadets while I had a lovely hot bath as I felt cold and achey. Neither of us felt like cooking tonight (I'd had Keith's leftover Chilli for lunch and very good it was, too!) so I snuggled up on the sofa with a very affectionate Archie and watched TV until it was time to pick Sophie up from her friend's house and then go and collect Mikey. I feel more like a taxi-driver than ever at the moment!
Monday, 2 December 2013
Deck the halls...the last part - I hope!
Keith didn't come into work with me today as he was working with Ian at Mum and Dad's house, sorting out their electrics so they could have some Christmas lights in their garden.
After doing all of our usual jobs in the morning I tackled the two tube slides and put up our own white Christmas tree. I did hope this would be the last one I would have to put up! I'd bought some new decorations for it but discovered that they all needed little strings to attach them to the branches - very fiddly! I'd hoped to get the artificial snow down and our polar bear and reindeer set up but I ran out of time so I'll have to finish it tomorrow! Where does the time go?
After work it was off to the gym where I had a good workout and Sophie fell asleep on the loungers again (according to one of the men in the jacuzzi!). I did think that going to the gym meant doing exercise...maybe I'm wrong!
No sooner had I got home and parked the car when Mikey came out and said that Keith needed picking up from the pub as he'd walked down and had no doubt had a beer or two! I immediately got back in the car and drove down to the village where he treated me to a drink. After today I think I deserved it!
After doing all of our usual jobs in the morning I tackled the two tube slides and put up our own white Christmas tree. I did hope this would be the last one I would have to put up! I'd bought some new decorations for it but discovered that they all needed little strings to attach them to the branches - very fiddly! I'd hoped to get the artificial snow down and our polar bear and reindeer set up but I ran out of time so I'll have to finish it tomorrow! Where does the time go?
After work it was off to the gym where I had a good workout and Sophie fell asleep on the loungers again (according to one of the men in the jacuzzi!). I did think that going to the gym meant doing exercise...maybe I'm wrong!
No sooner had I got home and parked the car when Mikey came out and said that Keith needed picking up from the pub as he'd walked down and had no doubt had a beer or two! I immediately got back in the car and drove down to the village where he treated me to a drink. After today I think I deserved it!
Sunday, 1 December 2013
Deck the Halls, Part 2!
Today has been spent decorating the house ready for Christmas, although first thing this morning I really didn't feel like doing it! I can't put up the trees without the house being really clean so that had to be done first!
Keith and I moved the furniture around and made space for the slimline green tree in the living room and the lovely big white one in the conservatory. I've left the decorating of that to the children who were both out of the house all day. Mikey called us at almost 4pm to go and pick him up and it was lovely to get out of the house for a while. It's been a beautiful day again and the sky was streaked with pink clouds as the sun set. It would have been great to have got out for a walk but there's been too much to do in the house. Why can't we have more days like these?
Mikey never made it to dinner tonight as he had a bath and then fell asleep on his bed, exhausted by his Army Cadet weekend! I made beef stroganoff again but this time added some smoked paprika which added a lovely flavour. Not long now before it's my turn to host Come Dine With Me!
Keith and I moved the furniture around and made space for the slimline green tree in the living room and the lovely big white one in the conservatory. I've left the decorating of that to the children who were both out of the house all day. Mikey called us at almost 4pm to go and pick him up and it was lovely to get out of the house for a while. It's been a beautiful day again and the sky was streaked with pink clouds as the sun set. It would have been great to have got out for a walk but there's been too much to do in the house. Why can't we have more days like these?
Mikey never made it to dinner tonight as he had a bath and then fell asleep on his bed, exhausted by his Army Cadet weekend! I made beef stroganoff again but this time added some smoked paprika which added a lovely flavour. Not long now before it's my turn to host Come Dine With Me!
Saturday, 30 November 2013
Gardening and gossip!
I woke at 9am this morning after my late night and woke Sophie up as she had an appointment at the nail salon at 11am. I had planned on going to St Albans, to the Christmas market there, but by the time we left the salon it was midday and too late, I felt, to drive down the M1.
As it was such a beautiful day we went off to Meerkat Harborough and had lunch at Caffe Nero. The place was packed and the town itself was busy with people Christmas shopping. We had a mooch about the shops but I just wasn't in the mood today so we returned to the car and drove home. I really wanted to get out into the garden and clear away all the leaves so after a chat with Sue who was doing the same thing, I changed into a warmer top and ventured outside.
I swept up almost a whole wheelie bin full of leaves and chatted to Sue as we worked. Gill also came out and told us that her and Tim had bought a house and were due to move in January. Sometimes it's great to get outside and meet the neighbours and glean some useful information! Which reminds me, whilst I was talking to Sue another woman walked past with a dog very similar to Sue's Bailey (a cockapoo) and stopped for a chat but she didn't acknowledge my presence at all - she didn't even look in my direction! Afterwards I wondered why! I had just got home from shopping so wasn't dressed in my bag lady clothes so couldn't have been mistaken for a tramp who'd wandered onto the estate by accident! Some people are very strange so I don't think I'll be getting a Christmas card from this lovely lady!
After doing the gardening (and feeling pleased with myself for clearing away about a ton of leaves) I washed the mud off my car (surely Keith drove it across a field last night?) just as the light began to fade. Mum and Dad called me and said they had some stuff that needed to be taken into work tomorrow so they popped in and had a drink with us while Keith watched Newcastle play West Bromwich Albion. It was a very pleasant end to a very pleasant day...and an end to yet another month!
As it was such a beautiful day we went off to Meerkat Harborough and had lunch at Caffe Nero. The place was packed and the town itself was busy with people Christmas shopping. We had a mooch about the shops but I just wasn't in the mood today so we returned to the car and drove home. I really wanted to get out into the garden and clear away all the leaves so after a chat with Sue who was doing the same thing, I changed into a warmer top and ventured outside.
I swept up almost a whole wheelie bin full of leaves and chatted to Sue as we worked. Gill also came out and told us that her and Tim had bought a house and were due to move in January. Sometimes it's great to get outside and meet the neighbours and glean some useful information! Which reminds me, whilst I was talking to Sue another woman walked past with a dog very similar to Sue's Bailey (a cockapoo) and stopped for a chat but she didn't acknowledge my presence at all - she didn't even look in my direction! Afterwards I wondered why! I had just got home from shopping so wasn't dressed in my bag lady clothes so couldn't have been mistaken for a tramp who'd wandered onto the estate by accident! Some people are very strange so I don't think I'll be getting a Christmas card from this lovely lady!
After doing the gardening (and feeling pleased with myself for clearing away about a ton of leaves) I washed the mud off my car (surely Keith drove it across a field last night?) just as the light began to fade. Mum and Dad called me and said they had some stuff that needed to be taken into work tomorrow so they popped in and had a drink with us while Keith watched Newcastle play West Bromwich Albion. It was a very pleasant end to a very pleasant day...and an end to yet another month!
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