BEREFT!!

The girls have just left with Uncle Chris. Must apologise for not being very chatty, but I always find it difficult when the girls are going away PLUS I'm beginning to feel quite stressed about everything. That said, within seconds of them leaving, their crate was dismantled and the drinks table for tomorrow has taken it's place. It was lovely to see James at lunchtime. He's now finished work and is beginning to look forward to The Big Day. He's had the wedding haircut this afternoon. Apparently his hairdresser, the one who's done his hair brilliantly for years, was really nervous today!! We're going to have an Indian takeaway tonight - yum yum. The dining table is covered in cakes and desserts, so it'll be a tray on the knee job this evening. Can't wait for tomorrow, when the wedding cake will finally be taken to JDHH. It's currently nestling inside a purloined Greggs bread tray. Doesn't look good!!!

CHARLES HAS JUST OBSERVED...

... that Lily and Rose seem very quiet and subdued at the moment. Clearly they know that things are going on and that stress levels in the house are just a smidge higher than usual. Hopefully when they get to Uncle Chris's house they'll be their usual selves! (Or maybe he'd prefer them like this!)

CRIKEY!!

If I feel this excited... ... what on earth do James and Claire feel like???

OKAY...

... that's most of the party shopping done. The nice people at M and S and Tesco are sorting out the majority, but I've got all the bits and pieces sorted today. Two massive apple pies are done. One Jubilee cake finished - I thought we'd better give it a cursory nod!! Absolutely starving now, so off to get tea ready...

THAT'S ABSOLUTELY...

... fine Chris!!!!

WEDNESDAY!

No significance to that, just commenting that's all. Three days till THE BIG ONE! Lots to do. Last delivery to the coffee shop before the bank Holiday weekend. Thank goodness they're closed Monday and Tuesday. I've pretty much run down the stocks to free up some space for party stuff, so I'll need to do a mammoth baking session after all the festivities are out of the way, but I'll cope with that when it comes. I need to do some more BBQ shopping today and then make a start on mega apple pies. The bases for the pavlovas can be done tomorrow. Again, we've got a grey, damp morning. The forecast seems a little brighter over the weekend, but much cooler than the previous week. We'll have to wrap Nan and Grandma up in blankets for the Friday night party!! Have now got lists of my lists!!! How is there so much to do, when we're not even organising the wedding? My main concern is getting the wedding cake to JDHH intact. I'm trying to decide how we're going to move the bottom tiers as they're so heavy and I don't want any accidents occurring - obviously. Need to think about that one. I suppose I'll have to pack a bag for Lily and Rose before they go off on their mini-break. I'm going to miss them so much, but, under the circumstances, it's absolutely the right thing to do to have them out of the way. tensions are rising, there's so much rushing about going on and the house will be full of strangers, so they'll be much happier with Uncle Chris and Auntie Wendy!!!

AM VERY AWARE...

... that this blog has become a bit of a 'nothing blog' at the moment. Mostly this is due to my activities being very repetitive and probably not in the least bit interesting to anyone else. Obviously The Wedding is taking up most of our waking thoughts at the moment. I know that James and Claire have done all the organising for the Big Day, but we've certainly got caught up in the peripheral planning!! Fortunately, I got a call from Radcliffes about an hour after I returned from my delivery, giving me the NEXT order which they want tomorrow. This is absolutely the last one before the weekend and comes a day earlier than I was expecting, so it gives me some much needed time towards the end of the week to get ready for the two parties we're throwing. I'm feeling pretty guilty about the girls actually, as I don't seem to be giving them any attention at all these days. Hopefully after Sunday, things will settle down and I'll have a bit more time for them!! Have just read our village magazine and discovered that the village is going to be celebrating the Jubilee in a big way on Sunday, including a pipe band, fun and games on the village green and fireworks late a night. Oh boy, the girls will be past themselves with all that going on!!

WELL, IT WAS...

... nice while it lasted, as they say. Much cooler this morning and damp and grey. Not too worried about that as it looks as if it will pick up a bit by the weekend. It may not be as warm as it has been recently, but should stay dry, so that's the main thing. Penultimate coffee shop delivery before the Big Weekend coming up this morning. I see Radcliffes are doing a bit of promotion stuff on facebook - some lovely photos on there, good stuff. Right, off to load the car up. Back later...

FEEL TOTALLY...

...PAMPERED! What a treat it was this morning, having our make up done. Okay it was only a trial run, but I've come home feeling a million dollars and wondering why I never look like this when I do it myself! Can't wait for the real thing on Saturday now!!!

ANOTHER WARM DAY...

... but apparently a change is on the way. Shame really, I could get used to this. Just hoping and praying that over the weekend there will be some good sells of sunshine, particularly around BBQ time on Friday, all day Saturday and Sunday afternoon. Mind you, it's bank Holiday weekend - and we all know what the weather is like normally on these occasions! Ready to go for the make up trial - and am wearing NO MAKE UP, so feel somewhat naked and vulnerable. I can't remember ever going out of the house with no make up on at all, not even a smear of mascara. Thank the Lord for sunglasses I say!

ISN'T IT FUN...

... to wash your car on a day like this? Got two sparkling cars on the drive now (the jeep looks better a bit scruffy) and Christina and I had a lovely time with buckets and hosepipes! Too warm to do too much really. I've tried frosting the cakes for Radcliffes and SOMEHOW, it IS staying in place, but only just. Have now run out of eggs so can't do anything else until tomorrow. Talking of tomorrow, we've got the make up trial in the morning. (Christina and I, not Charles) I'm really looking forward to it. It's the first time I've EVER had someone else do my face for me!! (May well be the last time if she doesn't manage to make me look at least twenty years younger!!) Think we'll eat outside tonight, mainly because of the weather, but also because the dining table has disappeared under wedding cake and goodies for Kevin.

COULDN'T SLEEP!

Either because of over-eating last night or excitement about the week to come. Or a combination of both probably. So consequently, the oven is on, brownies are in, chocolate cake mixed, house sparkling - and I'm ready to go back to bed!! Mind you, it's another gorgeous day, so maybe it should be spent in the garden - on a lounger!

HAD A LOVELY EVENING...

... one that was almost certainly better than Engelbert Humperdink's!! Fab company, amazing food. Admittedly I'm feeling stuffed now, but I actually don't care. It was lovely, all of it.

WISH IT WAS...

7pm, cos I'm soooo hungry! Charles has had me perusing the menu for tonight's meal and I have to say I'm ready for it right now. Salmon, chicken, pork fillet, beef, prawns - what's a girl to do?

SUCH A...

... glorious start to the day again. (Weatherwise, not any other way. Charles overslept for his rendevous with James so was somewhat stressed when he realised he had half an hour to get up and get to Gosforth!) Anyway, that aside, it's warm and sunny, bit of a breeze to keep things pleasantly bearable. The girls are sunning themselves outside. I'm waiting for Christina to wake up. Not going to rush her. She needs her sleep and there's nothing spoiling. I've been up for hours, enjoying a bit of time to myself and thinking about this time next week. Felt quite emotional to be honest. Looking forward to a family meal out tonight.

LOOKING FORWARD...

... to a relatively relaxed weekend. (I hope!) No delivery until Tuesday, nothing to do to the Big Cake until next week - just some tidying up in the garden, a mooch into Morpeth with Christina tomorrow and hopefully a bit of time to enjoy the good weather. Oh - and a meal out at Fujiyama's tomorrow evening with all our lot and Claire's family. Really looking forward to that. James and Charles are going off to collect the wedding suits in the morning, so that really IS the beginning of it all, but I'm not involved in that bit!

STRUCTURAL ENGINEERING...

... completed this morning. Lots of use of rulers, dowelling, spirit level and royal icing! But, success I'm delighted to say. Also more flippin' scones baled and now in the freezer and all the bedding washed, ironed and put back. Am now putting my feet up for a well-earned coffee break. Breathing enormous sighs of relief!!!

BACK HOME...

... and pleasantly surprised to find the grass cut, edges trimmed, drains ungunked and block paving pressure-washed. Pity we've still got last year's Christmas tree on the patio though!

GORGEOUS WEATHER...

... DAY THREE! How much better does everyone feel when it's like this? Actually, in Charles's case he probably isn't loving it right now because he's been pushed outside to tackle the extremely overgrown back lawn, a task he doesn't enjoy at the best of times, but finds particularly challenging in hot weather!! Christina and I are off to Morpeth for a girly afternoon at the hairdressers. We've got a few of these girly sessions coming up as we've got the make up trial before the Big Day on Monday morning. I can't wait. I've never had my make up done before so it should be a real treat. (So long as she doesn't try to use red lipstick which I hate.) The girls are basking in the sun at the front of the house. Well, Rose is soaking up the rays and Lily is lying in the shade where she seems more comfortable. Happy days!

HAVEN'T HAD MUCH TIME...

... for blogging, or even to appreciate this glorious weather. Still keeping fingers crossed that it'll last another ten days or so! Waiting for Charles to get home with a Chinese takeaway and for Sean to arrive to share it with us. Have had a pretty busy session in the kitchen this afternoon as I know there's going to be a big order for Friday, but Christina and I are both having our colours done tomorrow - and that will take a sizeable chunk out of the day, so I needed to get as much prep done today as was possible. Just thinking that this time next week James and Claire will be finishing work and starting the Final Wedding Countdown!! Can't tell you how excited we all are!

BEAUTIFUL MORNING AGAIN!

Sleeveless top - check. Sandals - check! How much better do you feel on a morning like this? I'll be going off to Jesmond with the top down and looking a fart, as James would say! Love it!

NOT EXACTLY...

... a relaxing birthday, thanks to an emergency order from Kevin AND the fact that we'd decided to have a roast chicken dinner at home on such a warm evening (I'm not complaining dannymatt!) and I was the one cooking it, but that aside, it was lovely to see all my family this evening. Thank you for some lovely gifts. You have spoiled me. xxx

YEP...

... it's my birthday. I have a table covered in cakes - and not one of them is for me! Boo!!! However, the sun is shining and it's actually WARM this morning, so that kind of makes up for lack of cake, especially as I'm trying very hard to avoid excess eating at the moment anyway. Got a busy day ahead. Another tier to do for the Big Cake, a meal to prepare for this evening when James and Claire come to join us, a visit to Morpeth for an appointment with Christina. I'm expecting three deliveries during the day and can pretty much guarantee that all three will arrive during the brief time that we are out! Sod's Law!

YAY!!!

Bottom tier done!! Had to resort to oilcloth on the dining table to give me a big enough and smooth, surface for rolling out. Lifting the sheet of sugarpaste wasn't much fun, but it's on at last! Might stop waking up in a cold sweat, worrying about it now. Just four more tiers to go, but the rest will be much easier - I hope!

NEW WEEK...

... but same old routine, apart from a visit from the plumber this morning (you really don't want to know, but it's WC related!) - and the small matter of a wedding cake to cover. Off to the coffee shop shortly with a delivery that will hopefully get them through to the end of the week. Quick stop off in Morpeth for supplies and then home to make a start on the bottom tier. Wish me luck!

WHAT A LOVELY AFTERNOON!

Eleven of us, talking excitedly about the Big Day. Lots of laughter and teasing. Can't think of a lovelier group of people to spend time with. Fab meal at the Anglers. Feeling much more relaxed now!

MORNING!!

Yes, here it is again and, once more, I'm up and the others aren't. No matter, I've managed to do the cleaning, get my hair done, put a big chocolate cake in the oven and am just about to complete a load of quiches for Jesmond. We're expecting a houseful around lunchtime so I wanted to get all my jobs out of the way well before then. I must say an enormous thank you to dannymatt who clearly picked up on the degree of tension around our house at the moment and who has offered to take the girl for their Bank Holiday Mini-Break a day earlier than we first suggested. Seriously dannymatt, you have no idea how much easier that will make the last few days before the Big Event. Thank you so much!

HA HA HA DANNYMATT!!

Didn't even notice that! Just goes to show how stressed I'm feeling right now. Have taken things into hand however and have pulled out of the village hall thingy that was going to take hours of preparation at a time when I just don't need it. We've started sorting things for one of the buffets - My M and S are going to take care of that, thank you very much. Preparations for assembling the cake are okay. Cakes made and chilling, frostings mixed, sugarpaste at room temperature, baseboard covered, marzipan on bottom tier. Birthday cake that goes out on Wednesday is in the oven right now. Coffee shop prep done as far as possible... ... so all going okay so far. May have some time off tomorrow to go for lunch with James and Claire and Helen and co. That'll be nice. Going to watch the footie now. Thank God it's not NUFC - that might have tipped me over the edge!

IT'S ALL VERY QUIET...

... in this house this morning. Everyone's still asleep, girls included, apart from me (obviously) who has been up for hours worrying about 'stuff'. I'm having a complete crisis of confidence over this wedding cake, foolishly agreed to do a Cakes A-Go-Go stall in the village hall next weekend, need to prepare for the coffee shop and still have two parties to organise over Bank Holiday weekend. ing Feel a little bit overwhelmed to be honest.

MY BAD DAY...

... has suddenly got so much better. Christina has cooked the most amazing Lancashire hot pot, complete with neck chops and I have enjoyed every single mouthful. Fabulous food. Thank you for making my day Christina!

BAD DAY

GETTING STRESSED DON'T WANT TO TALK ABOUT IT ALRIGHT?

NO, I'M NOT BEING TARDY...

... I've spent the whole of the morning covering the bottom tier of The Cake. Not an easy task I have to say, basically because of the size and depth of the cake. BUT, it's just about done now I'm glad to say. Just another four tiers to go...

WAITING...

... is NOT something I'm good at. Can't go out until Charles gets back (says he's stuck in traffic, but maybe he's just avoiding The List) because someone's got to be here for the deliveries. Have made a batch of scones while he's been out, which have had time to cool and be packed into the freezer, so haven't entirely wasted the morning, but am getting a bit twitchy now...

COUNTDOWN TO...

... the Big Day is gathering speed. Did a bit of guest sorting out last night and today am turning my mind to the catering plans for the night before and the day after the wedding. I'll be making a start on the cakes next week. The fruit cake (bottom tier) is done and is being liberally fed with alcohol, but should be ready for covering in the next few days. I'll be glad to get that one done as it's pretty big and will be the most difficult to do. As for today, we've got an order to go to Jesmond first thing, then I'm expecting my own delivery of dry goods to arrive later on. Christina and I need to go to Morpeth for supplies and then I need to start the round of replacing the stuff that's gone out today. Charles has his own list. This comprises stuff like going to the tip, finding a plumber and buying cans of paint to touch up the areas where the girls have made their presence known. Lovely! So, nothing spectacular, but it'll fill the day nevertheless.

JUST TRIED ON...

... my 'Mother of the Groom' frock. Fits perfectly. Don't need to lose weight. Going to eat a chocolate brownie. YAY!!!

BANANA BREAD...

... in the oven and smelling delicious. Housework done, ironing done, just waiting for the cakes to come out of the oven then I'm off to Morpeth. It feels very strange in the house this morning as Christina was away for the night and isn't due back until this afternoon. I've got so used to her company that it seems really quiet without her around.

AS PREDICTED...

... I failed miserably in the dieting stakes last night. Charles wanted an Indian which we picked up in Morpeth on our way home. So chicken tikka, jalfezi, samosas, naan bread and rice all found their way into my mouth somehow. Grrrrr. Don't know why I'm bothering really. I only want to lose a couple of pounds. Maybe I'll start again next week.

SOUNDS LIKE...

... we may met up with James later. As well as the book launch there's a 20% off night at Fenwicks apparently so me might just have to have a bit of a mooch! Now I'm really wishing I hadn't eaten that cheese scone cos I bet there'll be some mention of eating out when we're in town - and I know for a fact that I'm not going to choose the less fattening option. Hey ho!

HAVE JUST HAD TO EAT...

... a cheese scone, fresh from the oven. It was a reject (slightly tilted to one side) so it would have ended up in the bin (or in Charles) BUT I still feel guilty because I'm supposed to be on the "I've got to get into my Mother-of-the-Groom dress" diet and now I feel as if I've let myself down. Even worse, it was washed down with an extra large cappuccino, admittedly made with skimmed milk, so in theory a skinny cappuccino, but nevertheless, probably half the day's calories in one go - and it's only 11.45. Cup-a-soup and fruit salad for dinner then.

BOOK LAUNCH

We're off to the launch of Dan Smith's latest book at Waterstones in Newcastle this evening. I'm a great fan of Dan's writing so am looking forward to getting my hands on his new work. Never been to a book launch before. What does one wear?

WELL DONE...

... Mr Pardew! LMA award last night. Great recognition from your peers and well deserved.

WHEN IS IT GOING TO...

... warm up a bit - or preferably A LOT? It could be March. Oh wait a minute, it was actually significantly warmer in March wasn't it? Come on - we want warm, balmy summery weather to arrive in time for June 2nd - PLEASE! I've just loaded today's delivery into the car, and nearly got blown into next doors garden while I was doing it. (Talking of next door - I've just discovered that they have 4 black lab pups for sale, good working pedigree, ready now apparently, if anyone's interested!) Still trying to get my head round all the excitement of yesterday's footie. How must it feel to be a Man City supporter this morning. (Probably pretty hungover) What an amazing end to the season that was. Gotta feel for the Man Utd fans - or maybe not!!

WHATEVER HAPPENS TODAY...

... Newcastle United have had an AMAZING season and I've enjoyed every minute of it! Being the glass half empty sort of person that I am, I can't see the results today getting us into the champions League, but it really doesn't matter. It's still been a brilliant season.

THREE WEEKS TODAY!!

To the Big Day! Can't tell you how excited I'm getting. It would be nice to think we'll wake up on June 2nd to a morning like this. It's actually warm and sunny for the first time in ages. Might try to get into the garden later, once we've done a few other bits and pieces. I've got a cake collection this morning and Charles has to do a quick run through to Gosforth, but apart from that the day is pretty much unplanned. So, now I'm planning it. Weeding and tidying up the borders would be a good start, followed by a little bit of planting. Charles'll love it!

UNLIKE SANTA CLAUS...

... I have to regrettably inform you the the Cake Fairy is not real, does not exist and is totally fictitious. I'm only say this because I've just had a request for a 90th birthday cake... for Monday!! As in four days time! #itsnotgoingtohappen

MORE RAIN, WHICH MEANS...

... that Charles is no doubt breathing a sigh of relief as I HAD said I wanted to get into the garden this week to do a bit (a lot) of weed-blitzing. #notgoingtohappen

JUST PUTTING THIS UP AGAIN...

... because I think it's cute!

FAIR-WEATHER DOGS!!

Hmm, so it's raining and neither of the girls are prepared to go out in it, even though they must be pretty desperate! I thought Westies were supposed to be hardy creatures, used to the harsh conditions of the Highlands? My two must have missed out on that gene!

SHHHH!!

Whisper... ...It's gone 9am and everyone else is still asleep - and yes I am including the girls in that! They were up at the crack of sparrows, but I managed to get them to settle with Charles and they are still in there with him!! Oh, not for much longer! I can hear the patter of tiny paws!!

CHICKEN FAJITAS...

... and chilli con carne for tea tonight. Can't wait, I'm starving!

WEDDING HAIR...

... appointment booked... ...and MAY even have Urban Spa coming to do our make up at the house!! How posh is that!!

BEAUTIFUL MORNING!

Warm and sunny - about time too. We've been trying to decide what we're going to do for the pre-wedding party on the evening before the Big Day, and, while a BBQ seems to be the favoured option, it's difficult to think about it while the weather is so unsettled. Woke up thinking about the wedding this morning, so if I'm doing that, what must James and Claire be doing? Baking today, running Christina into Morpeth, then James is coming for dinner. Charles has just left the house singing, "See you later. Thank God it's Friday!"

WONDER HOW...

... many class registers are going to be filled in on the wrong day today? I keep thinking it's Monday and I'm guessing there'll be many others who do too. So, now that I've established that it is in fact Tuesday, my plan for the day is: Do the coffee shop run, go to Morpeth to pick up Charles' contacts and do a few bits and pieces, come home, take Christina to see the doctor over in Alnwick, come back and finish the birthday cake I've been working on, then start baking to replace the stock that's gone out today. Fairly quiet then!

MUST HAVE BEEN...

... distracted this morning, as the last post remained unpublished until I noticed it just now. Anyway, we're back from a very successful shopping trip. Christina has a fab dress and gorgeous shoes and will look a million dollars. We bumped into Claire's Mum and Dad in John Lewis - they seemed to be doing wedding shopping too. Strange that! Back home via Morpeth and a snack in Bar Luga. Just about to start on a roast beef dinner for later this evening.

GOING SHOPPING TODAY!!

Nice shopping I hope. We're taking Christina to look for a wedding outfit. Hopefully we'll combine it with some general mooching and coffee consumption. I've spent the early part of the morning making quiches ready for tomorrow and made sure I got a head start on the Gruffalo/Hello Kitty cake last night by getting it covered and assembled so that it's just ready for final details and lettering.

JUST IN CASE YOU THINK...

... this blog has ceased to be about the girls, here they are looking very smart after their recent haircut...

WHAT A ...

... glorious start to the day. Warm sunshine and a cloudless sky. Lovely. Getting ready for the match and, have to say, I'm somewhat excited, but sad too because this has been such a great season I don't want to have to wait over three months until the next home game! The plan is, pick up Matthew, then James, head into town, go to the statue of SBR and then Fujiyamas for early lunch (they've been forewarned that we want to be in and out pronto!) then up to the ground ready for the Big Match. If we don't get a result I won't be gutted as long as the boys play out of their skins.

THE DAY BEFORE...

... the last home game of the season. Can't wait for tomorrow. I reckon the ground will be absolutely jumping! Norwich have done us a big favour today. Now it's all up to the boys. COME ON!

THIS MAY BE TEMPTING PROVIDENCE, BUT...

... I just want to say that, after having Christina living with us for just over a month, everything is going so much better than I ever expected. She has been an absolute joy and we are so grateful for that. There will undoubtedly be times of crisis in the future, but at least we know that we have strategies for dealing with these when they occur. All credit to Christina for accepting her situation and working with it. She's a brave girl.

PRETTY QUIET...

... day today, hence lack of posts! Settling down to watch Birmingham v Blackpool. Come on Brum. Chris Hughton's The Man!!

I'M LATE, I'M LATE!!!

... for a very important... ... well, nothing actually. Just late! Had the first proper lie in ever, or at least since we got the girls. HALF PAST EIGHT! That was when I shot out of bed in a major panic, thinking the world had come to an end because I'd overslept. Don't know why I'm in such a state though, because there's absolutely nothing on the cards for this morning at all, whatsoever. I think I've just got a bit of a thing about not wasting time - and sleeping in seems to fall into that category. Silly really.

WENT FOR MY...

... contact lens fitting today. I've been waiting for weeks since the last appointment when I entertained a veritable roomful of students who had "probably never seen ANYTHING quite like this before." It took at least an hour to do all the measurements on that last occasion - only on the left eye I hasten to add, as, being the NHS and what with all the cost-cutting, it's not possible to actually do BOTH eyes, despite the fact that I really need the right lens replacing, but hey ho, there you go. At the time I was told that the lens should arrive within a week. Anyway, a mere six weeks later I got the call to go in a try my fab new lens, meticulously crafted to accommodate all the scar tissue blah de blah. So, after meting James for lunch, doing the Jesmond delivery and a quick Waitrose shop, off I went for the fitting. This time I only waited three-quarters of an hour, which was good. However, things started to go wrong as soon as I clapped eyes on the new lens. IT WAS MASSIVE! About the size of a marble in fact. I DID comment on this at the time, but I'm not sure the consultant who was clearly from one of the eastern block countries understood what I was saying. Putting the thing into my eye was not easy, but I persevered and then felt as if I'd stuck a dagger in it. Could barely actually close my eye and couldn't see a thing. Hardly encouraging. BUT, we weren't going to give up, and apparently it just needed a little tweak, so we went through all the eye tests again, despite the fact that every time I DID manage to blink, any bit of vision disappeared completely. In the end, it was decided that the consultant who took the measurements in the first place ought to come and have a gander. "Wow, that's one very big lens" was the initial comment, followed by some rapid checking of the file. It then transpired that the lens I'd got in my eye, was the wrong size and wrong prescription, in fact just the WRONG ONE. Profuse apologies followed, while I tried to extract the wretched thing. This took a while - both the apologies AND getting the lens out of my eye, but in the end we agreed that I would need to go back in about three weeks to have the proper one fitted. So no doubt I'll get it in bout three months then!

WATCHING...

... the extended highlights from last night - again! That goal has been replayed over and over on SSN this morning - and I still gasp every time I see it.

STILL CANNOT...

... believe that wonder goal from Cisse last night. Both goals were stunning, but the second one was something really special. Could watch it over and over again.

HEY DANNYMATT!

In response to the comment you made (and which you've probably completely forgotten about as it's taken so long for me to get back to you) a) the girls are delighted to be coming to stay with Uncle Chris and Auntie Wendy and b) we've actually gone with Jan Forster Estates. Not the obvious choice for a rural property, but there you go. Have we had dozens of interested parties arranging viewings? NOT ONE! Getting a bit fed up actually. Why does no one want to buy our lovely house? Is it the fact that it's so far out in the sticks? I'm sure if we do manage to get someone to view it they will immediately fall in love with it...

SO COLD THIS MORNING!

Winter woollies back on. In fact, many layers of them!! It's bitter out there today. Unfortunately Christina and I have to go out this morning, otherwise I would have been more than happy to stay put in the toasty kitchen. Charles has gone off practically whistling this morning as he approaches a five day break. Two NUFC games in that time frame as well. Can't be bad. (Well, it could be I suppose, depending on what sort of performances they put in.) Dreamt about wedding cakes last night!! Aaaaarrrgggghhh...

YEP...

... there it is in black and white. A year ago from THE BIG DAY was so hot that the girls couldn't be bothered to chase each other round the dog park and lay under the bench in the shade!

MAY 1ST!!

Just a month to go until THE BIG DAY!! Wow - How quickly has that come round? Hope the weather improves a fair bit before then. I actually wrote a post about the weather LAST June 2nd as it was such a glorious day - wonder if I can find it on this new Blogger? I'll just go and look...