For some reason I had fondly imagined that today would be a relaxing day...how wrong was I! We had to take my car in for a service at 9am and I was worried about the snow, but we hadn't had any more significant showers since yesterday evening so that was a relief.
We dropped my car off and returned home to collect Sophie and take her to uni in ET. I then suggested a light breakfast in Waitrose so we headed there and enjoyed sausage and bacon baps with a hot drink. I chose a Flat White but I'm afraid Waitrose haven't got it quite right yet! It was more like a normal coffee with hot milk!
From Waitrose we went to Jones's and I bought some bird food for our poor feathered friends who are really suffering in this freezing weather. Throughout the morning we had snow showers but in between the sun came out and it was lovely, if bitterly cold.
We returned home and I caught up with some jobs before I went to the doctor's with Keith. As we were getting into the car Sophie called and asked if we could pick her up at 2pm - we'd been waiting for her to let us know what she was doing so I told Mike we were heading into town as he had asked for a lift. I took Keith to the surgery in Brixworth and then returned home to collect Mike who was finishing getting ready. On the way I became caught in a blizzard and the snow and wind was so bad I could barely see! It was a complete whiteout! By the time I got home it had stopped and the sun had come out again! What weird weather!
We headed back to Brixworth where I had a bit of a shock as there was an ambulance in the car park! Thankfully, Keith came out as we drove in and we were able to dash off to uni to collect Sophie. We then dropped Mike off at college as he was meeting a friend. I had just half an hour to get to Broughton and pick up my car from the garage before I started work at 3pm! Phew!
It hasn't risen above -4c today and despite putting proper windscreen wash in the car it still froze up so driving was really difficult. My car was ready and the mechanic said he couldn't get my windscreen washer to work either! Keith drove the car home and I took ET to the school. I was hoping that the children would all be picked up early today but we were still there until about 5.45pm and it was absolutely freezing when we came out. The wind was really fierce and there's talk of us having bad snow and blizzards tomorrow.
For some reason, I'd left ET in "drive" and the engine wouldn't start. I didn't know this at first and called Keith to come and help but once I realised it needed to be in "park" to start I was fine and I gingerly drove home! What a twit I am!
Wednesday, 28 February 2018
Tuesday, 27 February 2018
Flooded!
I answered a call from my Mum at 8am and my heart sank as they'd been flooded again and the water stretched the entire length of their kitchen. Keith and I rushed over there to help and I started trying to mop up the water but realised it was going to take forever. I asked Mum to get some hand towels and spread them out and after about half an hour we'd mopped it all up.
It looked like it was the water pipe leading to their outside tap again, the one that should have been fixed the last time it happened back in December. This time it was much worse though as my parents had woken much later than before. We left them with loads of wet towels and promised to call in after we'd dropped Mike off at college.
When we returned they'd called a plumber who was going to try and get out to see them today. We had a cup of coffee and then went home to catch up on some jobs and see Sophie who had been working away in the conservatory.
We've had snow showers all day today but certainly not as much snow as we were expecting. It looks like the "Beast from the East" went off to see other parts of the country! I took Sophie to uni at 2pm and on the way home tried to take my car in for a wash but the machine was closed due to the low temperatures! It's covered in salt and mud and is going in for a service tomorrow but it'll have to go in and be dirty! Unfortunately the garage we use don't offer a valet service as well!
After-school club was OK except I had one child crying because the others were having a bit of a go at her. She came for a cuddle and then brightened up, so that was good. We didn't go out at all because of the snow showers and the freezing cold wind so it was a bit tough being cooped up in the hall for the whole of the session. I'm just hoping that after this week the weather will improve!
Towards the end of the evening, the snow started in earnest again and was really coming down hard so we all stood at the living room window and watched. If it carries on like this overnight, we'll definitely have a snow day tomorrow!
It looked like it was the water pipe leading to their outside tap again, the one that should have been fixed the last time it happened back in December. This time it was much worse though as my parents had woken much later than before. We left them with loads of wet towels and promised to call in after we'd dropped Mike off at college.
When we returned they'd called a plumber who was going to try and get out to see them today. We had a cup of coffee and then went home to catch up on some jobs and see Sophie who had been working away in the conservatory.
We've had snow showers all day today but certainly not as much snow as we were expecting. It looks like the "Beast from the East" went off to see other parts of the country! I took Sophie to uni at 2pm and on the way home tried to take my car in for a wash but the machine was closed due to the low temperatures! It's covered in salt and mud and is going in for a service tomorrow but it'll have to go in and be dirty! Unfortunately the garage we use don't offer a valet service as well!
After-school club was OK except I had one child crying because the others were having a bit of a go at her. She came for a cuddle and then brightened up, so that was good. We didn't go out at all because of the snow showers and the freezing cold wind so it was a bit tough being cooped up in the hall for the whole of the session. I'm just hoping that after this week the weather will improve!
Towards the end of the evening, the snow started in earnest again and was really coming down hard so we all stood at the living room window and watched. If it carries on like this overnight, we'll definitely have a snow day tomorrow!
Monday, 26 February 2018
A visit to the theatre
When I awoke at 6.30am (by the alarm I hasten to add...typical!) I noticed that the house felt cold, which wasn't good as the heating was due to come on at 6am... I went downstairs and every radiator was stone cold! I had to wake Keith up who fiddled with the pressure valve and finally got it working! Phew! It would not have been good to have had no heating or hot water during the coldest week of the winter!
It was -2c when I drove into work but at least the sun was up and the sky was blue! I was given another error checking task to do today, which was a bonus as it kept me busy in between answering calls. I dashed home at 2pm through a brief snow shower, and had a quick chat with Sophie and Keith who then left to go and collect Mike from college. The snow was coming and going and I was a little worried about our trip to the theatre this evening and wondered if we would get a refund if we couldn't get into town because of the weather?
At the after-school club we only had four children (plus Lisa's two) so it was a very quiet session indeed. Three of them had been picked up by 4.30pm so that just left one little girl who went at just after 5pm. That was a huge bonus as it meant I could get home early and get ready for our trip into Northampton to see Love From a Stranger at the Royal!
We picked Mum up at 6.30pm and drove into town. I was able to park in the Albion Place car park and this was great as it was a very short walk from the theatre and all on one level. We had a drink in John Franklin's first - two wines and a Mojito - and then took our seats in the stalls. This, much older theatre, is far more intimate than the Derngate with smaller seats and we were all very cosy!
The play by Agatha Christie was very enjoyable with great acting by all the participants. In the interval we had an ice-cream and then it was back for the climactic ending! While we'd been inside it had snowed but the roads were all clear until we reached Mum and Dad's estate. It was great to get home and maybe dream about a possible snow day tomorrow!
It was -2c when I drove into work but at least the sun was up and the sky was blue! I was given another error checking task to do today, which was a bonus as it kept me busy in between answering calls. I dashed home at 2pm through a brief snow shower, and had a quick chat with Sophie and Keith who then left to go and collect Mike from college. The snow was coming and going and I was a little worried about our trip to the theatre this evening and wondered if we would get a refund if we couldn't get into town because of the weather?
At the after-school club we only had four children (plus Lisa's two) so it was a very quiet session indeed. Three of them had been picked up by 4.30pm so that just left one little girl who went at just after 5pm. That was a huge bonus as it meant I could get home early and get ready for our trip into Northampton to see Love From a Stranger at the Royal!
We picked Mum up at 6.30pm and drove into town. I was able to park in the Albion Place car park and this was great as it was a very short walk from the theatre and all on one level. We had a drink in John Franklin's first - two wines and a Mojito - and then took our seats in the stalls. This, much older theatre, is far more intimate than the Derngate with smaller seats and we were all very cosy!
The play by Agatha Christie was very enjoyable with great acting by all the participants. In the interval we had an ice-cream and then it was back for the climactic ending! While we'd been inside it had snowed but the roads were all clear until we reached Mum and Dad's estate. It was great to get home and maybe dream about a possible snow day tomorrow!
Sunday, 25 February 2018
Doggy mayhem!
We awoke to another very cold and frosty day and I was up early again at 6.30am, despite trying to go back to sleep! I sat and watched about five or six episodes of Neighbours as we really have got behind with the daily show! Having the ability to record programmes so easily is a huge bonus but we do sometimes get behind with what we've got to watch and then we have to "binge" watch a few episodes to catch up!
Keith and I took Mike to work and then we came home to enjoy a breakfast of scrambled eggs on toast. In the afternoon Sophie and I picked Mum and Dad up and we drove into Leicestershire to see their old friend Marie, who has been involved with Great Dane dogs for 66 years! She's now 81 and about to move into her own bungalow, but she won't be taking any of the huge dogs with her!
Linda and her sons now run the family business of dog and cat boarding and a doggy day creche. I was very good friends with Linda when we were both a lot younger and it was great to see her again and commiserate with her as we both turned 50 in January. We had a tour of the boarding kennels and saw a cat that looked just like Jake! It was a bitterly cold day with an evil wind blowing but the animals all looked very snug as they had heat lamps in their little bedding area.
Marie and Linda keep five Great Danes in the house so it was all a bit mad at times, as the dogs are huge. We had a cup of tea and a good chat about old times and then left at about 4pm to drive home via Market Harborough.
We dropped Mum and Dad off and then returned home where we just had time to eat a quick muffin before going to pick Mike up from work. When we returned home, Sophie made me a strong Margarita and we enjoyed that while we relaxed for half an hour. We were both doing dinner this evening - Panang Chicken stir-fry - and we had fun making it, adding honey, soy sauce, garlic, ginger and curry powder. It was delicious and having another Margarita was the finishing touch!
Keith and I took Mike to work and then we came home to enjoy a breakfast of scrambled eggs on toast. In the afternoon Sophie and I picked Mum and Dad up and we drove into Leicestershire to see their old friend Marie, who has been involved with Great Dane dogs for 66 years! She's now 81 and about to move into her own bungalow, but she won't be taking any of the huge dogs with her!
Linda and her sons now run the family business of dog and cat boarding and a doggy day creche. I was very good friends with Linda when we were both a lot younger and it was great to see her again and commiserate with her as we both turned 50 in January. We had a tour of the boarding kennels and saw a cat that looked just like Jake! It was a bitterly cold day with an evil wind blowing but the animals all looked very snug as they had heat lamps in their little bedding area.
Marie and Linda keep five Great Danes in the house so it was all a bit mad at times, as the dogs are huge. We had a cup of tea and a good chat about old times and then left at about 4pm to drive home via Market Harborough.
We dropped Mum and Dad off and then returned home where we just had time to eat a quick muffin before going to pick Mike up from work. When we returned home, Sophie made me a strong Margarita and we enjoyed that while we relaxed for half an hour. We were both doing dinner this evening - Panang Chicken stir-fry - and we had fun making it, adding honey, soy sauce, garlic, ginger and curry powder. It was delicious and having another Margarita was the finishing touch!
Saturday, 24 February 2018
An early start to the day!
I was awake at 6.30am this morning, a little earlier than I wanted to be, I have to admit! I got up and watched an old episode of Ever Decreasing Circles with a cup of coffee and Monty for company. It was lovely knowing I had the whole weekend ahead of me!
It's been a gorgeous day today with clear blue skies and sunshine but the wind was freezing! I spent the morning preparing dinner and making a batch of muffins and then sat in the conservatory with a snoring Monty soaking up the sunshine through the glass. It was gorgeous!
Keith went to the football in the afternoon but he was back within half an hour as the game had been postponed. He hadn't bothered to check before he went as he thought that the match would be on! I had just climbed into the bath and was having a lovely soak when my parents phoned to ask if they could pop in to see me. I hate to say that I put them off as Sophie and I are going out with them tomorrow anyway and the thought of getting out of my lovely hot bath was horrible. I did call them back and we had a chat and they understood...don't disturb me on a Saturday afternoon when I have a bit of a pamper...it's much needed!
I opened a bottle of Vouvray in the evening to go with our creamy chicken pie and it was delicious. Of course, it was a bottle we'd bought in France so not easy to buy again! Dinner was lovely and we made a change with the recipe as Keith had bought a pie mix from Tesco and the contents were mixed with milk (and some leftover white wine - bet you never thought you'd see me write that!) and then added to the pan-fried chicken and pancetta. The dish had a lovely taste and was very filling.
After dinner we decided to watch a new drama called Mosaic starring Sharon Stone but we gave up and reverted back to Modern Family!
It's been a gorgeous day today with clear blue skies and sunshine but the wind was freezing! I spent the morning preparing dinner and making a batch of muffins and then sat in the conservatory with a snoring Monty soaking up the sunshine through the glass. It was gorgeous!
Keith went to the football in the afternoon but he was back within half an hour as the game had been postponed. He hadn't bothered to check before he went as he thought that the match would be on! I had just climbed into the bath and was having a lovely soak when my parents phoned to ask if they could pop in to see me. I hate to say that I put them off as Sophie and I are going out with them tomorrow anyway and the thought of getting out of my lovely hot bath was horrible. I did call them back and we had a chat and they understood...don't disturb me on a Saturday afternoon when I have a bit of a pamper...it's much needed!
I opened a bottle of Vouvray in the evening to go with our creamy chicken pie and it was delicious. Of course, it was a bottle we'd bought in France so not easy to buy again! Dinner was lovely and we made a change with the recipe as Keith had bought a pie mix from Tesco and the contents were mixed with milk (and some leftover white wine - bet you never thought you'd see me write that!) and then added to the pan-fried chicken and pancetta. The dish had a lovely taste and was very filling.
After dinner we decided to watch a new drama called Mosaic starring Sharon Stone but we gave up and reverted back to Modern Family!
Friday, 23 February 2018
A cold wind blows...
It was another cold and frosty start to the day and Keith very kindly went out and cleared all the windows of the car for me!
Work was quiet to start with and then we had a mad hour or two mid-morning. It was just Kathy and I on the phones and I was given a little job to do by one of the other managers that kept me busy. The time did go by very quickly, which was a bonus!
At 2pm I sped home and sat in the conservatory with Sophie and Keith before going off to school. It was film night tonight and we watched Enchanted. Two of the older boys were a bit bored by the film so I went out into the playground with them while they played football. It was bitterly cold and we stuck it out for almost an hour before going back inside.
When the film finished Lisa took the children outside while I mopped the floor (I wanted to get warm) but she came in after ten minutes saying it was too cold! And it's supposed to get even colder next week when the "Beast from the East" arrives! We're due to have snow Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday and we have weather warnings in place.
Most of the children were picked up by 5.30pm when film night ends, but we had two children enrolled into the after-school club and they can stay until 6pm. It was nice to sit in the library area and have a chat about favourite meals!
On the way home I popped into the pub to see if Keith was there but he wasn't so I looked out for him on my journey home. I spotted him just before he disappeared down an alley and gave him a lift to the pub. Back home it was bliss to relax with Sophie, curl up on the sofa and watch Married at First Sight, a crazy programme about strangers getting married! Sometimes, on a Friday night, I wish I could pause time and just experience the enjoyment of looking forward to the weekend!
Work was quiet to start with and then we had a mad hour or two mid-morning. It was just Kathy and I on the phones and I was given a little job to do by one of the other managers that kept me busy. The time did go by very quickly, which was a bonus!
At 2pm I sped home and sat in the conservatory with Sophie and Keith before going off to school. It was film night tonight and we watched Enchanted. Two of the older boys were a bit bored by the film so I went out into the playground with them while they played football. It was bitterly cold and we stuck it out for almost an hour before going back inside.
When the film finished Lisa took the children outside while I mopped the floor (I wanted to get warm) but she came in after ten minutes saying it was too cold! And it's supposed to get even colder next week when the "Beast from the East" arrives! We're due to have snow Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday and we have weather warnings in place.
Most of the children were picked up by 5.30pm when film night ends, but we had two children enrolled into the after-school club and they can stay until 6pm. It was nice to sit in the library area and have a chat about favourite meals!
On the way home I popped into the pub to see if Keith was there but he wasn't so I looked out for him on my journey home. I spotted him just before he disappeared down an alley and gave him a lift to the pub. Back home it was bliss to relax with Sophie, curl up on the sofa and watch Married at First Sight, a crazy programme about strangers getting married! Sometimes, on a Friday night, I wish I could pause time and just experience the enjoyment of looking forward to the weekend!
Thursday, 22 February 2018
A somewhat annoying day!
I drove myself into work this morning and it was a cold and frosty start to the day. Sara was in and hobbling about very painfully as she has a problem with her back. It was slow on the phones and I was joined by Sadie who normally replaces me in the afternoon.
Unfortunately, Cacklehead was in and being very loud. Her coughing was unbelievable! Even a caller on one of the phones could hear her in the background! I got away a little after 2pm as the woman coming in to take over from us was late. This is annoying as I think the next shift should be in and logged on by 2pm, as we are in the morning when we start at 8am. This lady, although very nice, has a habit of turning up about two minutes before her shift starts and then faffs about gossiping rather than log on and relieve us! It wouldn't be a problem if I didn't have to rush off home to get ready for my next job!
I was supposed to have been seeing the headmaster of the school this afternoon to talk about taking the children out for walks in the afternoon or using the kitchen to do some cookery. He had said he was free this afternoon, but when I went to see him he'd disappeared into a meeting. A little later Lisa then saw him drive off which I thought was very rude. I now feel I've let the children down as one of the girls had given me a little list of things she'd like to do at after-school club, which I was hoping to discuss with him.
The afternoon itself was chaotic, as Thursday afternoons often are. One of the boys in particular was very hyper and screaming and shouting at the top of his voice even after I'd repeatedly told him to quieten down a bit. We were able to get the children outside for a while and when we went back in this boy started throwing balls about and hit Lisa's daughter in the face. Even when his Dad arrived to take him home, he threw himself at his parent, nearly knocking him over! I was very glad to get home tonight and relax by watching an episode of Death in Paradise after dinner of Beef Stroganoff!
Unfortunately, Cacklehead was in and being very loud. Her coughing was unbelievable! Even a caller on one of the phones could hear her in the background! I got away a little after 2pm as the woman coming in to take over from us was late. This is annoying as I think the next shift should be in and logged on by 2pm, as we are in the morning when we start at 8am. This lady, although very nice, has a habit of turning up about two minutes before her shift starts and then faffs about gossiping rather than log on and relieve us! It wouldn't be a problem if I didn't have to rush off home to get ready for my next job!
I was supposed to have been seeing the headmaster of the school this afternoon to talk about taking the children out for walks in the afternoon or using the kitchen to do some cookery. He had said he was free this afternoon, but when I went to see him he'd disappeared into a meeting. A little later Lisa then saw him drive off which I thought was very rude. I now feel I've let the children down as one of the girls had given me a little list of things she'd like to do at after-school club, which I was hoping to discuss with him.
The afternoon itself was chaotic, as Thursday afternoons often are. One of the boys in particular was very hyper and screaming and shouting at the top of his voice even after I'd repeatedly told him to quieten down a bit. We were able to get the children outside for a while and when we went back in this boy started throwing balls about and hit Lisa's daughter in the face. Even when his Dad arrived to take him home, he threw himself at his parent, nearly knocking him over! I was very glad to get home tonight and relax by watching an episode of Death in Paradise after dinner of Beef Stroganoff!
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