We had another school in today and this time, rather than bring packed lunches, they took advantage of our catering so Polly came in to do the cooking.
I managed to escape for most of the morning by driving off to Booker and the bank and arrived back in time to find all the children tucking into their lunch, so it was a bit quieter!
When they left at 2pm, it was time to clear up again, but there wasn't much mess as the eating had been confined to our party rooms. I left at 3.30pm and went home to wash my car as the delightful birds that inhabit our car park had messed all over it! There's gratitude for you!
Sophie was off on a jaunt to Milton Keynes shopping with some of the friends she's going to Barcelona with. She told me she was then going off to the cinema to see "The Fault in our Stars" and could I pick her up when it was finished, probably at about 11pm...and I thought my taxi driving duties were over for a little while!
Monday, 30 June 2014
Sunday, 29 June 2014
Non-day
Today I didn't do half the things I wanted to do and all because of the weather. The forecast was for a dry, sunny day so I'd planned on varnishing our garage and front door and tidying up the garden but every time I went out it rained!
I did manage to varnish the garage door, though, so at least I did something! Sophie was at work all day and after I picked her up to take her home I called to see Mum and Dad to help them connect their little Sky box to the internet. It was a lot easier than when I did ours and within half an hour they were connected up to hundreds more television programmes!
Back home I watched the first ever episode of Wallander on Netflix while Keith cooked dinner tonight. It was his turn!
I did manage to varnish the garage door, though, so at least I did something! Sophie was at work all day and after I picked her up to take her home I called to see Mum and Dad to help them connect their little Sky box to the internet. It was a lot easier than when I did ours and within half an hour they were connected up to hundreds more television programmes!
Back home I watched the first ever episode of Wallander on Netflix while Keith cooked dinner tonight. It was his turn!
Saturday, 28 June 2014
In search of meditation...
Today has been exactly as forecast - wet, grey and much cooler than of late. I was up late after being awake in the night. Keith woke me up at just after 9am and I'm glad he did as I dread to think how long I would have languished in bed!
After a much-needed cup of coffee I prepared the beef for tonight and then went to get ready as Sophie and I were headed for Market Harborough. When we left it was chucking it down with rain and the countryside was dripping wet. Everything looked very green, though!
On the way to Market Harborough we went to the Nagarjuna Kadampa Meditation Centre in Kelmarsh and had a cup of tea in the World Peace Cafe. I am very interested in learning how to meditate as I can forsee some very stressful times coming up at work! One of the things I dislike about myself is the way I worry about a lot of things so I'm hoping that meditation can help. There will be a free talk on meditation and mindfulness on the 16 August so I'm hoping Sophie and I will be able to go.
We had a lovely cup of tea and it was such a shame we couldn't sit outside in the gardens. After looking in the shop we drove off to Market Harborough and had lunch in Caffe Nero before browsing in Monsoon and then going to see Duncan.
We had a tasting of some delicious wines from France and Portugal and I treated myself to a bottle of Irish Whiskey that I hope Keith will enjoy as well. We staggered back to the car with our purchases, stopped off at home to pick up our gym bags and then went to Virgin where we intended to have a swim. However, the pool was very busy so we stayed in the spa which was full of very loud young men all shouting over the noise of the gushing water! Not very relaxing!
After a quick chat with Sarah who was off to pound away on the treadmill, we headed off home where I finished off the preparations for dinner. I have to say the recipe I followed, Mary Berry's steak and mushroom "pie" with Dauphinoise potaoes, turned out very well! Phew!
After a much-needed cup of coffee I prepared the beef for tonight and then went to get ready as Sophie and I were headed for Market Harborough. When we left it was chucking it down with rain and the countryside was dripping wet. Everything looked very green, though!
On the way to Market Harborough we went to the Nagarjuna Kadampa Meditation Centre in Kelmarsh and had a cup of tea in the World Peace Cafe. I am very interested in learning how to meditate as I can forsee some very stressful times coming up at work! One of the things I dislike about myself is the way I worry about a lot of things so I'm hoping that meditation can help. There will be a free talk on meditation and mindfulness on the 16 August so I'm hoping Sophie and I will be able to go.
We had a lovely cup of tea and it was such a shame we couldn't sit outside in the gardens. After looking in the shop we drove off to Market Harborough and had lunch in Caffe Nero before browsing in Monsoon and then going to see Duncan.
We had a tasting of some delicious wines from France and Portugal and I treated myself to a bottle of Irish Whiskey that I hope Keith will enjoy as well. We staggered back to the car with our purchases, stopped off at home to pick up our gym bags and then went to Virgin where we intended to have a swim. However, the pool was very busy so we stayed in the spa which was full of very loud young men all shouting over the noise of the gushing water! Not very relaxing!
After a quick chat with Sarah who was off to pound away on the treadmill, we headed off home where I finished off the preparations for dinner. I have to say the recipe I followed, Mary Berry's steak and mushroom "pie" with Dauphinoise potaoes, turned out very well! Phew!
Friday, 27 June 2014
Flood!
The threatened thunderstorms arrived this evening and luckily Sophie and I were still at work to clear up all the water that cascaded down the drains and into the kitchen!
The sky turned dark grey and I rushed to close all our roof windows but I was a bit late. We hadn't got many customers in as it was almost 6pm but when the kitchen flooded we had to close a bit early as we needed to clear up for a private party coming in at 6.30pm. We have one customer who comes in regularly with her grandchildren and she always finds something to moan about. This evening she followed me around telling me that there were leaks and I could have strangled her. I was sorely tempted to tell her not to bother coming back as she never seems to be happy when she comes in!
Sophie and I had planned on going to the gym after work for just a session in the spa and I was determined to go and relax, although by the time we got into the jacuzzi I was a bit fed up with water!
We had a lovely time, though, even though I discovered the till key in my jeans pocket which I had to return to work on the way home! We didn't get back until almost 8pm so Keith was in charge of dinner tonight. He didn't mind as tomorrow it'll be my turn to cook when I make Mary Berry's steak and mushroom pie with a dauphinoise potato topping!
During the evening we had more thunderstorms and torrential rain - the garden certainly needs it! Sophie was shattered as she'd been up late last night and was awake early this morning. We were both glad this week was over!
The sky turned dark grey and I rushed to close all our roof windows but I was a bit late. We hadn't got many customers in as it was almost 6pm but when the kitchen flooded we had to close a bit early as we needed to clear up for a private party coming in at 6.30pm. We have one customer who comes in regularly with her grandchildren and she always finds something to moan about. This evening she followed me around telling me that there were leaks and I could have strangled her. I was sorely tempted to tell her not to bother coming back as she never seems to be happy when she comes in!
Sophie and I had planned on going to the gym after work for just a session in the spa and I was determined to go and relax, although by the time we got into the jacuzzi I was a bit fed up with water!
We had a lovely time, though, even though I discovered the till key in my jeans pocket which I had to return to work on the way home! We didn't get back until almost 8pm so Keith was in charge of dinner tonight. He didn't mind as tomorrow it'll be my turn to cook when I make Mary Berry's steak and mushroom pie with a dauphinoise potato topping!
During the evening we had more thunderstorms and torrential rain - the garden certainly needs it! Sophie was shattered as she'd been up late last night and was awake early this morning. We were both glad this week was over!
Thursday, 26 June 2014
Silent house...
Today has been exceptionally quiet at work, even though the weather has been no different to yesterday when we were quite busy. My daughter was a little bored and spent a good deal of time in the office with Mum and I, which I have to say I enjoyed. It's been great having her at work with me!
Luckily, Paula came in to cover again so we left work at about 3.30pm and went home. I had a sudden craving for a scone so Keith and I made griddle scones on our George Foreman grill. I'd never made them before and they were very easy to make. Within twenty minutes, Keith and I were enjoying a cup of tea and scones!
It's been a very quiet house this evening as no sooner had Mikey arrived home than he was out at a friend's house to go to the Marine Cadets in Kettering. His friend goes twice a week and Mikey is interested in joining as well. I'm not sure about it as Thursday was our only free night of the week, but he assured me he can walk to his friend George's house and get a lift home.
Sophie spent most of the evening getting ready to go out with two of her friends for cocktails - yes, it was another 18th celebration - and we took her into Northampton at 8pm. She was then staying over at her friend Laura's house and I'll be picking her up tomorrow morning after taking Mikey to school.
When Keith and I eventually arrived home we ate the dinner that we'd planned originally for the four of us - pulled pork - although it wasn't quite the same as when I made it the other week...less said about that, the better!
Luckily, Paula came in to cover again so we left work at about 3.30pm and went home. I had a sudden craving for a scone so Keith and I made griddle scones on our George Foreman grill. I'd never made them before and they were very easy to make. Within twenty minutes, Keith and I were enjoying a cup of tea and scones!
It's been a very quiet house this evening as no sooner had Mikey arrived home than he was out at a friend's house to go to the Marine Cadets in Kettering. His friend goes twice a week and Mikey is interested in joining as well. I'm not sure about it as Thursday was our only free night of the week, but he assured me he can walk to his friend George's house and get a lift home.
Sophie spent most of the evening getting ready to go out with two of her friends for cocktails - yes, it was another 18th celebration - and we took her into Northampton at 8pm. She was then staying over at her friend Laura's house and I'll be picking her up tomorrow morning after taking Mikey to school.
When Keith and I eventually arrived home we ate the dinner that we'd planned originally for the four of us - pulled pork - although it wasn't quite the same as when I made it the other week...less said about that, the better!
Wednesday, 25 June 2014
Late night drinkies...
Life is very busy at the moment with a lot of driving about and our holiday can't come soon enough! I think, by the time it arrives, I will be more than ready to have some relaxation!
I was expecting to be at work until 6pm today but Paula came in at 4pm to cover Reception until we closed. I thought she was in tomorrow, but we grabbed the opportunity, nevertheless, and sped off home. I felt a bit tired today as I hadn't slept well last night, so rather than be virtuous and go for a walk, we sat in the garden for a while to soak up the late afternoon sunshine.
Sophie was off to a friend's house later in the evening and after dinner she went off to get ready while Keith and I watched the last ever episode of Wallander. I've certainly enjoyed watching this latest series and I can catch up with all the earlier episodes on Netflix, so I didn't feel that sad (even though the last programme was very sad).
Sophie's friend Susie was 18 today and had been out for a meal with her family, so she asked Sophie to go to her house at 10pm! The girls were going to have a little gathering and then some of them were heading into town afterwards. Sophie had decided that, with work tomorrow, she would just spend an hour with Susie and then Keith and I would pick her up at about 11pm. Rather than drive all the way home we headed off to the Althorp Coaching Inn in Brington for a couple of drinks.
Predictably, at 10pm, the pub had emptied out so we had a very pleasant and relaxing hour sitting at the bar and chatting. The Althorp Coaching Inn is a lovely old place with all the ingredients of the perfect pub - low beams, stoneflagged floors, a hint of woodsmoke, good beers and wines and an interesting menu.
We left at 11pm and picked up Sophie and her friend Danni who we were giving a lift to. The girls had had a good time, but I did wonder about all the effort they'd gone to for just an hour!
I was expecting to be at work until 6pm today but Paula came in at 4pm to cover Reception until we closed. I thought she was in tomorrow, but we grabbed the opportunity, nevertheless, and sped off home. I felt a bit tired today as I hadn't slept well last night, so rather than be virtuous and go for a walk, we sat in the garden for a while to soak up the late afternoon sunshine.
Sophie was off to a friend's house later in the evening and after dinner she went off to get ready while Keith and I watched the last ever episode of Wallander. I've certainly enjoyed watching this latest series and I can catch up with all the earlier episodes on Netflix, so I didn't feel that sad (even though the last programme was very sad).
Sophie's friend Susie was 18 today and had been out for a meal with her family, so she asked Sophie to go to her house at 10pm! The girls were going to have a little gathering and then some of them were heading into town afterwards. Sophie had decided that, with work tomorrow, she would just spend an hour with Susie and then Keith and I would pick her up at about 11pm. Rather than drive all the way home we headed off to the Althorp Coaching Inn in Brington for a couple of drinks.
Predictably, at 10pm, the pub had emptied out so we had a very pleasant and relaxing hour sitting at the bar and chatting. The Althorp Coaching Inn is a lovely old place with all the ingredients of the perfect pub - low beams, stoneflagged floors, a hint of woodsmoke, good beers and wines and an interesting menu.
We left at 11pm and picked up Sophie and her friend Danni who we were giving a lift to. The girls had had a good time, but I did wonder about all the effort they'd gone to for just an hour!
Tuesday, 24 June 2014
Rushing about!
Today has been a manic day! Keith went for a walk around Pitsford this morning before spending the afternoon meeting up with his ex-workmates at a pub in Northampton, something he does twice a year. I took Mikey to school and Sophie and I went into work as she is covering for Polly every day this week.
At lunchtime I went to collect Keith and then we popped to the Co-op in Moulton to buy some stuff for work. It gave me the opportunity to eat a sandwich on the way back to work because that was all the lunch break I was going to get before taking Keith down to the pub on the outskirts of Northampton.
From there I rushed back to work before Dad and I went into town to see our Solicitor for a meeting, and then it was back home to be there for Mikey when he got in from school! I suggested we go back to work for his tea and he jumped at the chance as he loves Maureen's Aberdeen Angus burgers! Much better than the lasagne we'd bought for him!
Luckily, we were all able to leave work at 5.30pm to go and pick up my tipsy husband. Getting to the pub in the busy rush hour was like being one of the entrants in the Wacky Races - I'm so glad I rarely drive in the evening rush hour! Keith was a bit merry so we headed straight home as Mikey was off to Army Cadets. I knew that I'd be in charge of dinner tonight, which was a Tesco Finest special - a good plan as Keith promptly lay down on the sofa on the pretence of watching the final England game and fell fast asleep!
At lunchtime I went to collect Keith and then we popped to the Co-op in Moulton to buy some stuff for work. It gave me the opportunity to eat a sandwich on the way back to work because that was all the lunch break I was going to get before taking Keith down to the pub on the outskirts of Northampton.
From there I rushed back to work before Dad and I went into town to see our Solicitor for a meeting, and then it was back home to be there for Mikey when he got in from school! I suggested we go back to work for his tea and he jumped at the chance as he loves Maureen's Aberdeen Angus burgers! Much better than the lasagne we'd bought for him!
Luckily, we were all able to leave work at 5.30pm to go and pick up my tipsy husband. Getting to the pub in the busy rush hour was like being one of the entrants in the Wacky Races - I'm so glad I rarely drive in the evening rush hour! Keith was a bit merry so we headed straight home as Mikey was off to Army Cadets. I knew that I'd be in charge of dinner tonight, which was a Tesco Finest special - a good plan as Keith promptly lay down on the sofa on the pretence of watching the final England game and fell fast asleep!
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