Today has been a really lovely day and a great end to what has been, at times, a stressful week!
We left Sophie snoozing in bed this morning and took Mike to college. He breaks up for Easter today so we'll have a respite from the school run for the next couple of weeks...hooray! On the way we drove to Kingsthorpe and Keith treated me to a coffee in Waitrose as we wanted to pop to the post office and the bank and they weren't yet open.
Back home I caught up with some chores and at midday Sophie and I went to Beckworth for lunch. It was my Mother's Day treat from my daughter and the place was packed as usual. Although there was a queue. we didn't have to wait that long and we were soon being seated in the outside area but out of the sun. The sky above was blue with fluffy white clouds and it's been another beautiful Spring day.
We chose the same for lunch - Thai inspired chicken slices and red peppers in pitta breads served with salad and french fries. The meal was delicious. We even had a sneaky glass of wine with our lunch and shared a spaghetti ice-cream afterwards!
When we'd finished we walked around and looked at the plants and I bought our March heart which was decorated with flowers and a Blue Tit. As these birds are always in our garden I thought it was fitting for a Spring month.
Before heading home we went to pick Mike up from college and he was very relieved as he'd had to do a presentation today and was very glad it was over! Now he has two weeks off, lucky thing!
Sue came to see us in the evening as she had a job for Mike to do over the weekend. He had to cut down a row of bushes in a neighbour's garden and then clear away all the cuttings and put them into a giant skip bag. Sue had given him two hours to do the job and he would be paid well for his time. We walked up to the house with Sue's friend Fran who was very chatty and friendly - all in all it was a very pleasant late afternoon!
Friday, 31 March 2017
Thursday, 30 March 2017
All things domestic!
Sophie and I were out at just before 8am this morning to finish the deep clean on the house in Brixworth. The owner of the house was there all the time but we just got on with it and by 10.30am we were finished. He seemed very pleased with what we'd done, but in all honesty the house wasn't really that dirty!
We sped home, had showers and went with Keith to do our weekly shop, calling in to see my parents for a quick coffee on the way. Today we had to get more food as we have my parents coming around for a meal on Tuesday and then we needed to get picnic items for our trip to London next week. I also bought some ice-cream and cake decorations in Tesco as Sophie wants an ice-cream cake again for her Birthday!
It's been a glorious day today with temperatures reaching 23c this afternoon. Once we'd arrived home and put all the shopping away we sat in the garden with Monty and soaked up the lovely Spring sunshine. Bliss! All too soon it was time to pick Mike up from college and we all went as I needed to pop into Morrison's on the way home to pick up a parcel.
As soon as Mike climbed into the car he asked if we could go to McDonald's and he got his wish! The place was packed (after school treats, no doubt) and we had a long queue to pay and get the order!
Back home it was almost 5pm and I marvelled at how fast the time has passed by today! It's been a really busy week!
We sped home, had showers and went with Keith to do our weekly shop, calling in to see my parents for a quick coffee on the way. Today we had to get more food as we have my parents coming around for a meal on Tuesday and then we needed to get picnic items for our trip to London next week. I also bought some ice-cream and cake decorations in Tesco as Sophie wants an ice-cream cake again for her Birthday!
It's been a glorious day today with temperatures reaching 23c this afternoon. Once we'd arrived home and put all the shopping away we sat in the garden with Monty and soaked up the lovely Spring sunshine. Bliss! All too soon it was time to pick Mike up from college and we all went as I needed to pop into Morrison's on the way home to pick up a parcel.
As soon as Mike climbed into the car he asked if we could go to McDonald's and he got his wish! The place was packed (after school treats, no doubt) and we had a long queue to pay and get the order!
Back home it was almost 5pm and I marvelled at how fast the time has passed by today! It's been a really busy week!
Wednesday, 29 March 2017
A more relaxed day!
It was great to be back at the CAB today - the last couple of days have been a bit hard and I have more cleaning to face tomorrow...not really what I had in mind when I stopped working! I really wish I could get a similar job as I enjoy meeting people and the variety of each day.
I met Frank near to the car park and we walked down to the Guildhall, stopping at Greggs for bacon rolls and coffee - a lovely start to our shift! Today wasn't manically busy and I left at 3pm to go and pick up my new parking pass from the office. I will need it when I return on the 12th April! I honestly can't believe that it will be April on Saturday! This year is flying past!
On the way home I called into Aldi to buy dinner for tonight and treated myself to a bottle of wine. Sophie was due to be out tonight at her friend's party but at the last minute she decided not to go as the only other girl she knew who was going dropped out because of sickness. It was a real bonus not to have to go out again and we enjoyed the bottle of wine while playing cards in the conservatory!
I met Frank near to the car park and we walked down to the Guildhall, stopping at Greggs for bacon rolls and coffee - a lovely start to our shift! Today wasn't manically busy and I left at 3pm to go and pick up my new parking pass from the office. I will need it when I return on the 12th April! I honestly can't believe that it will be April on Saturday! This year is flying past!
On the way home I called into Aldi to buy dinner for tonight and treated myself to a bottle of wine. Sophie was due to be out tonight at her friend's party but at the last minute she decided not to go as the only other girl she knew who was going dropped out because of sickness. It was a real bonus not to have to go out again and we enjoyed the bottle of wine while playing cards in the conservatory!
Tuesday, 28 March 2017
Birthday shopping.
I had an early start this morning as I was due to help Sue for a few hours. We were off to a farmhouse deep in the Leicestershire countryside so we started at 8am. Again, the weather was horrible - thick fog and a damp atmosphere, but with the promise of a better afternoon to come.
The house we were working at was lovely and there were numerous sheep and lambs in the field, as well as chickens, geese and a very friendly black cat who kept us company the whole time we were there! Sue pruned a bush that had taken over a wall while I swept the surrounding area and then collected all the prunings. We met the owners who were very friendly and planted some herbs in the vegetable patch.
By 10am we were finished and driving towards Brixworth where we did half an hour at a garden and then another two hours at a regular house that Sue looks after, where Bella the cat lives. By now the sun had come out and it was a glorious day with blue skies and lovely warm temperatures.
Back home I had a quick shower and Sophie and I drove to Market Harborough as my daughter had been invited to a surprise get together on Wednesday evening for her friend Daisy's 21st Birthday and needed to get a gift. We called into Gallone's first and enjoyed a delicious ice-cream sundae before hitting the shops and looking for presents.
We didn't stay long in the town as I felt a little weary and very soon we were driving back home through the gorgeous Spring countryside. Everything is blossoming now and the trees have a definite fuzz of green on them!
The house we were working at was lovely and there were numerous sheep and lambs in the field, as well as chickens, geese and a very friendly black cat who kept us company the whole time we were there! Sue pruned a bush that had taken over a wall while I swept the surrounding area and then collected all the prunings. We met the owners who were very friendly and planted some herbs in the vegetable patch.
By 10am we were finished and driving towards Brixworth where we did half an hour at a garden and then another two hours at a regular house that Sue looks after, where Bella the cat lives. By now the sun had come out and it was a glorious day with blue skies and lovely warm temperatures.
Back home I had a quick shower and Sophie and I drove to Market Harborough as my daughter had been invited to a surprise get together on Wednesday evening for her friend Daisy's 21st Birthday and needed to get a gift. We called into Gallone's first and enjoyed a delicious ice-cream sundae before hitting the shops and looking for presents.
We didn't stay long in the town as I felt a little weary and very soon we were driving back home through the gorgeous Spring countryside. Everything is blossoming now and the trees have a definite fuzz of green on them!
Monday, 27 March 2017
A breakfast outing.
This morning we all went for breakfast at the Buddies American Diner near to Junction 15 of the M1. Keith said that he wanted to treat me as I'd prepared lunch yesterday and I wasn't going to argue with him!
After the lovely sunshine of the last few days it was a bit of a shock to see grey skies and fog. We had been promised it was going to clear at some point today, though, and I was hoping for a sunny afternoon.
We had a delicious breakfast at Buddies. I opted for pancakes served with sausages and fried potatoes while the rest of my family went for the traditional fry-up. With lashings of coffee it was great to sit and relax and have someone else prepare the first meal of the day!
I had arranged with Sue to do some work with her after we'd enjoyed breakfast so we returned home and I waited for her to call. She was having carpets fitted mid-morning but it seems they had been delayed so we didn't actually start any work until 1pm.
She mentioned about cleaning a house in Brixworth, so I made a start but it quickly became apparent that it was going to take me far longer than I'd anticipated and I wasn't really prepared to blitz a whole house from top to bottom! Especially not after having a large breakfast! Sue was out in the garden and when she popped in I suggested that I'd just do the one hour I'd already worked and come back later in the week at 8am. I had had trouble using the Dyson vacuum at the house and I need the proper tools for the job!
Sue gave me a lift home and I explained to Keith and Sophie what was happening. I was hoping Sophie would help me out on Thursday!
After the lovely sunshine of the last few days it was a bit of a shock to see grey skies and fog. We had been promised it was going to clear at some point today, though, and I was hoping for a sunny afternoon.
We had a delicious breakfast at Buddies. I opted for pancakes served with sausages and fried potatoes while the rest of my family went for the traditional fry-up. With lashings of coffee it was great to sit and relax and have someone else prepare the first meal of the day!
I had arranged with Sue to do some work with her after we'd enjoyed breakfast so we returned home and I waited for her to call. She was having carpets fitted mid-morning but it seems they had been delayed so we didn't actually start any work until 1pm.
She mentioned about cleaning a house in Brixworth, so I made a start but it quickly became apparent that it was going to take me far longer than I'd anticipated and I wasn't really prepared to blitz a whole house from top to bottom! Especially not after having a large breakfast! Sue was out in the garden and when she popped in I suggested that I'd just do the one hour I'd already worked and come back later in the week at 8am. I had had trouble using the Dyson vacuum at the house and I need the proper tools for the job!
Sue gave me a lift home and I explained to Keith and Sophie what was happening. I was hoping Sophie would help me out on Thursday!
Sunday, 26 March 2017
A lovely day!
We've had beautiful weather again today but it's still been windy!
Our clocks went forward last night so when I woke up it was almost 9am, but it was really 8am...I hate losing that hour! First thing I made a loaf of bread to go with our lunch and while it was rising in the airing cupboard, Keith and I went to get the Sunday papers. When I got back Mike was awake so I opened my lovely cards (some beautiful words from both children) and received a pretty plant and some chocs! I did very well!
I had a quick cup of coffee and then I tidied the conservatory while Sophie hoovered. I prepared the lunch and Sophie made me a salad which looked beautiful when she'd finished. My parents arrived at 1pm and my Mum was delighted with her rose, the chocolates and her card.
We ate a delicious, but very simple, lunch of salad, new potatoes, cooked meats, quiche and nibbly bits washed down with Cava and a Bordeaux red. The conservatory was looking lovely in the afternoon sunshine and I was really glad it was a beautiful day. For dessert we enjoyed a chocolate gateau that I'd bought in Tesco (I haven't had time to make anything over the weekend!) served with whipped cream. We were all stuffed when we finished!
It was great to have a good chat over lunch and the children were on top form making my parents laugh, which was lovely. It's so good to all sit around the table and enjoy ourselves.
My parents left at nearly 4pm as my Dad looked ready to fall asleep even though he'd only had a small glass of wine! Once they'd gone, we cleared away and relaxed...although in Keith and Sophie's case they were comatose within half an hour!
Our clocks went forward last night so when I woke up it was almost 9am, but it was really 8am...I hate losing that hour! First thing I made a loaf of bread to go with our lunch and while it was rising in the airing cupboard, Keith and I went to get the Sunday papers. When I got back Mike was awake so I opened my lovely cards (some beautiful words from both children) and received a pretty plant and some chocs! I did very well!
I had a quick cup of coffee and then I tidied the conservatory while Sophie hoovered. I prepared the lunch and Sophie made me a salad which looked beautiful when she'd finished. My parents arrived at 1pm and my Mum was delighted with her rose, the chocolates and her card.
We ate a delicious, but very simple, lunch of salad, new potatoes, cooked meats, quiche and nibbly bits washed down with Cava and a Bordeaux red. The conservatory was looking lovely in the afternoon sunshine and I was really glad it was a beautiful day. For dessert we enjoyed a chocolate gateau that I'd bought in Tesco (I haven't had time to make anything over the weekend!) served with whipped cream. We were all stuffed when we finished!
It was great to have a good chat over lunch and the children were on top form making my parents laugh, which was lovely. It's so good to all sit around the table and enjoy ourselves.
My parents left at nearly 4pm as my Dad looked ready to fall asleep even though he'd only had a small glass of wine! Once they'd gone, we cleared away and relaxed...although in Keith and Sophie's case they were comatose within half an hour!
Saturday, 25 March 2017
The arrival of gifts!
Yesterday, two gifts arrived for Mother's Day. One for me, one for my Mum...
Sophie ordered me a custom named Vaseline pot. Her nickname for me is Janes and we call Vaseline "butterbean" after I misheard what she was saying once! My present to my Mum is an Everlasting Rose which was delivered yesterday and I re-potted it myself. Along with a box of chocolates and a pretty card I hope she'll be pleased!
Today has been another glorious day with plenty of sunshine, but that wind is still about. However, it didn't stop me from putting the rest of my Spring plants into pots and sitting with Monty in the sunshine!
Sophie ordered me a custom named Vaseline pot. Her nickname for me is Janes and we call Vaseline "butterbean" after I misheard what she was saying once! My present to my Mum is an Everlasting Rose which was delivered yesterday and I re-potted it myself. Along with a box of chocolates and a pretty card I hope she'll be pleased!
Today has been another glorious day with plenty of sunshine, but that wind is still about. However, it didn't stop me from putting the rest of my Spring plants into pots and sitting with Monty in the sunshine!
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