Sophie went off to the gym this morning and downstairs in the kitchen, we discovered a strange pair of shoes in the kitchen cupboard - it looked like Mike's new girlfriend Gemma, had stayed the night...
Keith took me into work again and the time flew past as I was training a new lady called Emma. She was really lovely and we all tried not to overwhelm her with the amount of information we have to know. I received a couple of random phone calls that just demonstrated what we have to deal with!
At 2pm Keith picked me up and we headed home. I realised I hadn't had my lunch or even visited the loo all morning, I'd been so busy!
In the afternoon I tackled the leaves on the driveway and hoovered some up that were on the lawn. It's been a sunny day today but it's turned a lot colder. The weekend is forecast to be horrible, which is a shame!
This evening was the last of our non-alcoholic wine nights...I made it! Keith is very proud of me (as I am of him) and I proved Sophie wrong as well! It goes without saying that the alcohol free drinks helped a lot!
Friday, 30 November 2018
Thursday, 29 November 2018
Hanging about!
It was a wild and woolly morning as we have been feeling the after effects of Storm Diana in the UK. Keith took me into work and then went to do the shopping, even though I had suggested we both go when I finished at 3pm. He has a cold and a cough at the moment, given to him by Mike.
I had a pleasant session at work and once Keith had picked me up we returned home where I mooched about and hoovered downstairs again! The leaves were gathering around the back door, but at least I have a weapon to deal with them now!
Dinner tonight was a minced beef stew served in giant Yorkshire puddings. We watched Gino's Italian Adriatic Escape and it was blissful seeing the scenes filmed in Italy while outside it was cold and dark.
At about 8.30pm Sophie and I took Mike to Brixworth as he was having an interview in one of the pubs there with a local builder. It would be ideal if he got the job as the builder lives on our estate and could give him lifts!
We returned home and I just hoped that Mike wouldn't be too late as I didn't want to be hanging around all evening for him! When it got to 10pm we texted him to say we were coming over, but half way there he told us to go home as he hadn't even been seen yet! He would find his own way home!
I had a pleasant session at work and once Keith had picked me up we returned home where I mooched about and hoovered downstairs again! The leaves were gathering around the back door, but at least I have a weapon to deal with them now!
Dinner tonight was a minced beef stew served in giant Yorkshire puddings. We watched Gino's Italian Adriatic Escape and it was blissful seeing the scenes filmed in Italy while outside it was cold and dark.
At about 8.30pm Sophie and I took Mike to Brixworth as he was having an interview in one of the pubs there with a local builder. It would be ideal if he got the job as the builder lives on our estate and could give him lifts!
We returned home and I just hoped that Mike wouldn't be too late as I didn't want to be hanging around all evening for him! When it got to 10pm we texted him to say we were coming over, but half way there he told us to go home as he hadn't even been seen yet! He would find his own way home!
Wednesday, 28 November 2018
Drinks and nibbles.
Keith and I spent all morning cleaning the downstairs of the house and re-arranging the furniture in the conservatory, both in readiness for putting the decorations up this weekend and also because Sue and Michelle were coming around for a drink and nibbles in the evening.
It's been very mild today so I was able to open the windows and let some air in, but everything felt a bit damp. It was great to get the conservatory cleared out and tidied up and it looked lovely when I'd finished and set the table.
After having a shower, we went to get Sophie from work and went to Riverside. After having a quick lunch in Costa, Sophie and I went into Next while Keith went to Wilco's to get some batteries and light bulbs. I still didn't see anything I liked in the store so we met up with Keith and took Sophie back to work.
We went to buy all the nibbles at Aldi and Tesco in Kettering and I bought some delicious buffet foods. Before popping to Tesco we went into Next again and I spotted a silver table runner with six tablemats that would look lovely in the conservatory, so I bought them along with a star-shaped Christmas candle with my gift voucher. At last!
We spent more money in Tesco and I really think I bought too much food! However, the buffet was going to feed all six of us and I didn't want anyone to go hungry!
Back home my Mum called to ask if they could pop in on the way home and when they arrived I made them a cup of tea and tried to sort out a money problem for them. Before I knew it, Sophie was home from work and I started making preparations for the nibbles.
I had bought two bottles of sparkling non-alcoholic wine in Tesco - the usual Freixenet Cava and one from Australia - Rawson's Retreat. We only have three more nights to go! Yippee!
Sue and Michelle arrived and we had a great evening with a lot of laughing and gossip. The food went down very well and both of them loved the Cava (they each had some but had bought their own wine). We weren't so keen on the Rawson's Retreat, to be honest. It tasted like it was corked to me!
By 11pm we were all washed up and back to normal and I was more than ready for my bed!
It's been very mild today so I was able to open the windows and let some air in, but everything felt a bit damp. It was great to get the conservatory cleared out and tidied up and it looked lovely when I'd finished and set the table.
After having a shower, we went to get Sophie from work and went to Riverside. After having a quick lunch in Costa, Sophie and I went into Next while Keith went to Wilco's to get some batteries and light bulbs. I still didn't see anything I liked in the store so we met up with Keith and took Sophie back to work.
We went to buy all the nibbles at Aldi and Tesco in Kettering and I bought some delicious buffet foods. Before popping to Tesco we went into Next again and I spotted a silver table runner with six tablemats that would look lovely in the conservatory, so I bought them along with a star-shaped Christmas candle with my gift voucher. At last!
We spent more money in Tesco and I really think I bought too much food! However, the buffet was going to feed all six of us and I didn't want anyone to go hungry!
Back home my Mum called to ask if they could pop in on the way home and when they arrived I made them a cup of tea and tried to sort out a money problem for them. Before I knew it, Sophie was home from work and I started making preparations for the nibbles.
I had bought two bottles of sparkling non-alcoholic wine in Tesco - the usual Freixenet Cava and one from Australia - Rawson's Retreat. We only have three more nights to go! Yippee!
Sue and Michelle arrived and we had a great evening with a lot of laughing and gossip. The food went down very well and both of them loved the Cava (they each had some but had bought their own wine). We weren't so keen on the Rawson's Retreat, to be honest. It tasted like it was corked to me!
By 11pm we were all washed up and back to normal and I was more than ready for my bed!
Tuesday, 27 November 2018
Running on empty!
I was back at work today and it was a horrible, foggy morning. I had taken Sophie's car this morning as she was going out with friends in the evening and the plan was to pick her up from work and take her into town, to Alice's flat.
Her car was low on petrol but I had to rush home when I finished work and go to the doctor's surgery with Keith as he was having a Doppler test on his legs to measure the blood flow. We were there for ages and didn't get out until 4.30pm. At least it gave me a chance to have a good read of all the home and garden magazines and drool over some of the houses in Country Life! The good thing was that the test was good and there's no problem with his veins, which was great news!
We left the surgery and headed into town despite a queue up ahead in the roadworks. I really didn't fancy turning around and going back to Moulton, but I wish I had now as the traffic held us up and we were still in town at 5.15pm, later than when Sophie finished work. It was then that I noticed the fuel gauge had gone from showing 30 miles to empty to zero, so panicking slightly, I decided to go to a nearby Morrison's and get some petrol. Every time we stopped at a set of traffic lights I turned the engine off as I was dreading running out of fuel!
We finally made it and I filled the car up and we set off onto the gridlocked roads once again. It was as if someone had said a meteor was going to hit Northampton and there was a mass exodus taking place! Was this really normal rush hour traffic?
We finally got to Sophie for 5.45pm and sped off into town, depositing her at just after 6pm. It was then time to go home, grab a quick bite to eat (well, Keith did) and then I took him to the football ground as Sileby were playing. We thought it was better for me to pick him up after the game finished and head back into town to pick Sophie up.
I returned home, had a non-alcoholic lager (tonight I did really want a G&T) and made myself some toast before sitting down to watch a programme about a couple running a hill farm in Yorkshire with nine children and loads of sheep!
I went back out at 9.30pm, picked Keith up and we headed to sleazy Bridge Street where Sophie was enjoying cocktails at a bar with Alice. We waited a little while for her and I was mesmerised by the seedy looking people hanging about. Not the sort of place I would want to visit!
Sophie was a bit merry when she emerged with Alice and kept us entertained for the whole journey home. I wonder what her head will feel like in the morning!
Her car was low on petrol but I had to rush home when I finished work and go to the doctor's surgery with Keith as he was having a Doppler test on his legs to measure the blood flow. We were there for ages and didn't get out until 4.30pm. At least it gave me a chance to have a good read of all the home and garden magazines and drool over some of the houses in Country Life! The good thing was that the test was good and there's no problem with his veins, which was great news!
We left the surgery and headed into town despite a queue up ahead in the roadworks. I really didn't fancy turning around and going back to Moulton, but I wish I had now as the traffic held us up and we were still in town at 5.15pm, later than when Sophie finished work. It was then that I noticed the fuel gauge had gone from showing 30 miles to empty to zero, so panicking slightly, I decided to go to a nearby Morrison's and get some petrol. Every time we stopped at a set of traffic lights I turned the engine off as I was dreading running out of fuel!
We finally made it and I filled the car up and we set off onto the gridlocked roads once again. It was as if someone had said a meteor was going to hit Northampton and there was a mass exodus taking place! Was this really normal rush hour traffic?
We finally got to Sophie for 5.45pm and sped off into town, depositing her at just after 6pm. It was then time to go home, grab a quick bite to eat (well, Keith did) and then I took him to the football ground as Sileby were playing. We thought it was better for me to pick him up after the game finished and head back into town to pick Sophie up.
I returned home, had a non-alcoholic lager (tonight I did really want a G&T) and made myself some toast before sitting down to watch a programme about a couple running a hill farm in Yorkshire with nine children and loads of sheep!
I went back out at 9.30pm, picked Keith up and we headed to sleazy Bridge Street where Sophie was enjoying cocktails at a bar with Alice. We waited a little while for her and I was mesmerised by the seedy looking people hanging about. Not the sort of place I would want to visit!
Sophie was a bit merry when she emerged with Alice and kept us entertained for the whole journey home. I wonder what her head will feel like in the morning!
Monday, 26 November 2018
Monday off!
I had today off, which was a lovely feeling! Sophie went to the gym and after getting up with her, I went back to bed! Mike had an interview at an employment agency in town at 10am so we went with him and waited in the car park. He was gone ages but then came back and said he had to go back tomorrow with his ID documents! Why couldn't they have told him that when they asked him in for his interview?
We had planned on going to Ikea as Mike's wardrobe fell apart yesterday but he said he just wanted a clothes rail, which was a bit strange! We asked him to come with us but he said he'd rather stay at home so we dropped him off and drove over to Milton Keynes.
The weather today has been a mixture of sunshine and showers, with dramatic skies. It's set to get stormy and mild over the next few days, so no snow on the agenda just yet! We were surprised to see Ikea so busy but we managed to park under cover and decided to have lunch first. Keith liked the look of the fish and chips and I went for my usual choice of meatballs with mashed potatoes. I won't need to eat tonight now!
We had a good look around and found a clothes rail for Mike. In fact, we bought two as well as some drawers for him to keep his underwear in. If I had my way (and the money) I'd love to get him fitted wardrobes in his room...maybe one day!
We bought lots of little things, including two new pans, glasses, pillows for Mike's bed and some candles. After we'd paid we visited the food section and I bought frozen meatballs, smoked sausages and Elk sausages for Mike as well as some scrummy biscuits!
We drove home and immediately Keith started putting everything together while I sorted out the mess in the kitchen. We could tell Mike had been at home alone! It took me an hour to clear up!
Mike had dismantled his old wardrobe and had thrown all the clothes he didn't want onto a chair in the living room... the house was a complete mess and I despaired of it ever looking OK again! I took all the packaging out to our recycling bin and tried to tidy up before Sophie came home!
Luckily, by about 6pm peace had been restored and Mike had even hoovered his room! Wonders will never cease!
We had planned on going to Ikea as Mike's wardrobe fell apart yesterday but he said he just wanted a clothes rail, which was a bit strange! We asked him to come with us but he said he'd rather stay at home so we dropped him off and drove over to Milton Keynes.
The weather today has been a mixture of sunshine and showers, with dramatic skies. It's set to get stormy and mild over the next few days, so no snow on the agenda just yet! We were surprised to see Ikea so busy but we managed to park under cover and decided to have lunch first. Keith liked the look of the fish and chips and I went for my usual choice of meatballs with mashed potatoes. I won't need to eat tonight now!
We had a good look around and found a clothes rail for Mike. In fact, we bought two as well as some drawers for him to keep his underwear in. If I had my way (and the money) I'd love to get him fitted wardrobes in his room...maybe one day!
We bought lots of little things, including two new pans, glasses, pillows for Mike's bed and some candles. After we'd paid we visited the food section and I bought frozen meatballs, smoked sausages and Elk sausages for Mike as well as some scrummy biscuits!
We drove home and immediately Keith started putting everything together while I sorted out the mess in the kitchen. We could tell Mike had been at home alone! It took me an hour to clear up!
Mike had dismantled his old wardrobe and had thrown all the clothes he didn't want onto a chair in the living room... the house was a complete mess and I despaired of it ever looking OK again! I took all the packaging out to our recycling bin and tried to tidy up before Sophie came home!
Luckily, by about 6pm peace had been restored and Mike had even hoovered his room! Wonders will never cease!
Sunday, 25 November 2018
Meeting old friends.
Sophie, Mike and I had appointments to give blood this morning but only Sophie actually donated. Mike said he felt too ill to go (he's coming down with a cold) and when I arrived and told one of the staff about my stomach pains they told me to skip this time. I was really annoyed with myself and felt a bit of a fraud, to be honest! I was also really angry with Mike as there wasn't that much wrong with him.
The hall at Moulton was packed, though, so there was no shortage of donors today, which was good. I sat with Sophie while she donated her pint and then we had a lovely chat with one of the staff afterwards who is a really lovely lady and always chats to us and makes us feel at ease.
Sophie and I had to go to Tesco afterwards as we had decided to make Paella for dinner (well, Sophie was going to cook it!) but before we went we had a sneaky McDonalds as we were both hungry! The whole area around the Weston Favell Centre was busy with Sunday shoppers and I do sometimes think back to when I was growing up and Sundays were lovely and quiet as all the shops were closed!
We met Liam in the supermarket and had a lovely chat as I hadn't seen him for well over a year! He suggested the four of us going out for a drink before Christmas, which would be great.
Back home we mooched about for a while and then took Monty for a walk to see the horses. We took some carrots but only the white horse came over to see us so she had the lot. When the others came over we were empty handed!
We carried on around the estate and met some of the children I knew from the after-school club. It was great to see them playing out and enjoying the fresh air. Today the weather has been lovely with blue skies and sunshine, a bit different to what was forecast, so that was a bonus!
We packaged up our last eBay item as we're giving it a rest now in the run-up to Christmas. It will be a bit of a relief not to have to dash to the post office every Monday! We might even do a car boot sale, though, but we'll see. A month today is Christmas Day!
The hall at Moulton was packed, though, so there was no shortage of donors today, which was good. I sat with Sophie while she donated her pint and then we had a lovely chat with one of the staff afterwards who is a really lovely lady and always chats to us and makes us feel at ease.
Sophie and I had to go to Tesco afterwards as we had decided to make Paella for dinner (well, Sophie was going to cook it!) but before we went we had a sneaky McDonalds as we were both hungry! The whole area around the Weston Favell Centre was busy with Sunday shoppers and I do sometimes think back to when I was growing up and Sundays were lovely and quiet as all the shops were closed!
We met Liam in the supermarket and had a lovely chat as I hadn't seen him for well over a year! He suggested the four of us going out for a drink before Christmas, which would be great.
Back home we mooched about for a while and then took Monty for a walk to see the horses. We took some carrots but only the white horse came over to see us so she had the lot. When the others came over we were empty handed!
We carried on around the estate and met some of the children I knew from the after-school club. It was great to see them playing out and enjoying the fresh air. Today the weather has been lovely with blue skies and sunshine, a bit different to what was forecast, so that was a bonus!
We packaged up our last eBay item as we're giving it a rest now in the run-up to Christmas. It will be a bit of a relief not to have to dash to the post office every Monday! We might even do a car boot sale, though, but we'll see. A month today is Christmas Day!
Saturday, 24 November 2018
Out for breakfast!
Keith suggested we go out for breakfast this morning and who was I to argue? Mike was still in London (although it looked like he was actually heading home) so it was just the three of us who went over to Beckworth.
We arrived at about 10.30am and already the place was packed! We hoped it was for the ice-skating and not for people eating! We were seated quite quickly and I chose the hearty porridge served with berries and seeds. I don't think my stomach could have coped with a full English! Keith had poached eggs on toast while Sophie opted for a sausage sandwich accompanied by hash browns.
I think Beckworth were a bit overwhelmed by how busy they were this morning as the usual service we receive was a bit lacking! Sophie was not at all impressed with her sandwich and said it was greasy. My porridge was lovely but the table behind us complained about one of their dishes and we just had a feeling that the servers were more harried than usual!
After we'd eaten we mooched about looking at the decorations but we couldn't find any gonks. I bought some peppermint teabags and some chocolate stirrers for Soph and Mike to make hot chocolate with and then we returned home.
The rest of the day was spent doing very little as my stomach is still not right. Mike had arrived home while we were out and had gone straight to bed (we later found out he hadn't slept on Friday night at all!). Sophie went to the gym in the afternoon and I lounged about on the sofa feeling a bit sorry for myself and annoyed that I didn't have the energy to do what I wanted to do!
We arrived at about 10.30am and already the place was packed! We hoped it was for the ice-skating and not for people eating! We were seated quite quickly and I chose the hearty porridge served with berries and seeds. I don't think my stomach could have coped with a full English! Keith had poached eggs on toast while Sophie opted for a sausage sandwich accompanied by hash browns.
I think Beckworth were a bit overwhelmed by how busy they were this morning as the usual service we receive was a bit lacking! Sophie was not at all impressed with her sandwich and said it was greasy. My porridge was lovely but the table behind us complained about one of their dishes and we just had a feeling that the servers were more harried than usual!
After we'd eaten we mooched about looking at the decorations but we couldn't find any gonks. I bought some peppermint teabags and some chocolate stirrers for Soph and Mike to make hot chocolate with and then we returned home.
The rest of the day was spent doing very little as my stomach is still not right. Mike had arrived home while we were out and had gone straight to bed (we later found out he hadn't slept on Friday night at all!). Sophie went to the gym in the afternoon and I lounged about on the sofa feeling a bit sorry for myself and annoyed that I didn't have the energy to do what I wanted to do!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)