WHAT A FRUSTRATING DAY!!

Charles needed to go to eye casualty and I had my appointment with Mr Fig. We spent over four hours waiting to be seen, although I was in and out before Charles was seen at all. Eventually went down to get his prescription, only to discover that it had the wrong name on it, so had to trek all the way back to the eye department again. On this occasion I actually didn't need a new prescription and all appears to be clear as far as my left eye's concerned, but I do still need to take the anti-coldsore meds every day. Rushed home to try and make up for lost time in the kitchen and have just about managed to catch up. I have however eaten far too much shepherds pie and am feeling extremely uncomfortable now. Bill is spending his last night with us. He's going to work at the house tomorrow and then head back to Yorkshire. He's clearly relishing the thought of going back to school on Monday! NOT!!

SCRAPING THE ICE...

of the windscreen. Wht a joke this summer is!!!

HELEN'S GONE HOME...

... with Tex, but Bill's staying on for a couple more days as work on the house in Gosforth continues. I suspect the girls are going to be a little confused about the whereabouts of their cousin and it'll be interesting to see how well they sleep tonight as we have had a run of unbroken nights while he's been here. Hopefully, they've got back into a batter pattern now. We'll see! Helen took an emergency delivery through to Radcliffes for me this morning. There's another one to go tomorrow and we're going to combine it with a nice little visit to the RVI for my check up with Mr Figueredo (or minion) and to eye casualty for Charles because he is really suffering after his second cataract op. His eye looked really painful yesterday and is clearly troubling him a lot, so he needs to get it checked out. For me, there will be lots more baking tomorrow, but a break on Saturday when it's hairdressers for most of the day followed by a meal at Loch Fyne in the evening to celebrate Claire's Mum's birthday. As we've got a home game on Sunday afternoon (The Vile!) I'm going to have to organise my time really efficiently in order to get everything ready for Monday's delivery. Busy days!!

ONE DAY TO GO...

... Uncle Alan seems to be suggesting that there will be no additions to our squad and yet I'm still trawling through all the Newcastle sites praying for a snippet of gossip that might suggest otherwise!! Sad or what?

LOOKS LIKE...

... there won't be any transfer dealings at Newcastle before the end of the window. Got to say I'm hugely disappointed, but not at all surprised.

CHARLES HAS JUST STATED...

... that the summer holiday is nearly over and we've done absolutely NOTHING! It's true, we haven't been anywhere or done anything of any significance at all.

NOT A GOOD MORNING!

Nothing in particular except everyone seems a bit fractious. Tex is being sick everywhere, someone's walked on the lounge carpet with muddy feet, the cake delivery is proving more complex than I first thought and now involves the postman (don't ask!!), we're supposed to be going curtain shopping with Rachel and Helen but have had to delay that for a while because of aforementioned postman and deep cleaning the house following dog vomit incidents... Aaaaaarrrrrggggh!!

THIS IS WHAT...

... I've been doing this afternoon!

FEELS LIKE...

... an Autumn morning, which I suppose isn't too surprising considering we're nearly into September, but a little annoying considering there's been no Summer to speak of. I honestly think there will be a lot of people who suffer depressive symptoms as a result of the lack of the summer feelgood factor. Helen and Bill have just left to start their labouring duties in Gosforth. Charles is doing the Jesmond run in a while, dropping me in Morpeth on the way and hopefully picking me up later. I've got a birthday cake to finish this afternoon and some coffee shop prep to do. I think I'll get the cake covered, then do the baking and finish off with the rather more relaxed activity of decorating the cake. (Doing it this way largely because I haven't got a clue what I'm going to do yet!) ABSOLUTELY NO GOOD NEWS FROM NUFC - SICK AND TIRED OF IT ALL NOW.

SLEEPING BEAUTIES!!

Wish I could take a photo of this, but they'd never forgive me... ... Helen and Bill returned from working on the house at about 7pm, ate dinner, sat on the sofa and were asleep within ten minutes. I hardly like to wake them up to go to bed!

UP EARLY...

... Thanks Bill! Baking well under way. Going shopping in a minute. Helen and Bill are over at the house in Gosforth. Charles will probably be grabbing forty winks when everything calms down in a while!! Lucky thing.

TODAY...

... we're going to meet up with James and Claire and her Mum and Dad and we're going to view a property together that J and C saw yesterday. I love the fact that the two of them value our opinions enough to ask us to go along with them. Hopefully we'll all go for coffee afterwards and then I guess we'll call in on the workers in Spittal Terrace to see how they're getting on. Charles spent the day there yesterday with Bill, James and Rachel and I think they made good progress with painting the hallway. Today should see the start of prepping the landing and stairwell. No mean task judging from the height of the ceiling! Can't see Charles wanting to help with that because of his fear of heights!

WOULD YOU BELIEVE IT!!

After weeks, if not months, of broken nights, we've just had TWO completely undisturbed sleeps on the trot. It can be no coincidence that the girls' cousin, Tex, has been sleeping in their room right next to their bed and it's almost as if Lily (the one who's been doing all the middle of the night waking) has handed over all responsibility for guarding the territory to him for the duration of his stay. As he's as deaf as a post nothing is going to disturb him anyway and clearly Lily has realised that if it doesn't bother Tex, it needn't bother her. Might need to keep him here!!!

GREAT!!

It's chucking it down this morning. So much for Helen and I having coffee outside Central Bean this morning! The boys have both gone off to the house in Gosforth for a day of painting. Helen and I are planning to have a morning in Morpeth. Just checking out the wellies, raincoats and umbrellas first.

ACTUALLY THINKING OF THIS...

... as a bit of a holiday weekend, which is a sure indicator that, although I'm technically retired, I'm actually NOT at all. Retired from teaching maybe, but working pretty much full time nevertheless. I've never really had much time for Bank Holidays before as they were always incorporated into a school holiday (apart from May Day), but the thought of a more relaxed weekend is certainly appealing right now. The weather's going to be pants of course, but I could always force myself to settle down with a good book.

BUSY DAY AHEAD!

Off to Jesmond via Amble! Bit of a convoluted route but we need to take the jeep in for it's MOT, so needs must. Helen rang last night to ask if she and Bill (and Tex I guess) could come and lodge with us for a few days - long story, but involves building/decorating work on Rachel's new house, access to beds and showers and the need for a bit of catching up. So, we need to do a bit of shopping and laundry (bedding) as well as getting the freezer replenished with coffee shop bakes. Might not get back on here for a while!!

DIDN'T BLOG MUCH YESTERDAY!

Not sure why really, except we were out all morning, enjoying an interesting chat with wor Kevin (!) and a good old catch up with Helen, sitting in the sun in the garden at Adrianno's deli. James came up for Parents Evening which was lovely. We spent the evening looking at properties for sale around Gosforth. Fine for him and Claire, but a total non-starter for us as we have still had zero viewings despite the change of agent. I'm expecting a delivery of flour, sugar and other dry goods this morning so Charles is going to wait in for that while I go into Morpeth. After that it's getting ready for Friday's delivery and then a little break over Bank Holiday weekend as the coffee shop doesn't open again until Tuesday. Yay!!

HAVE JUST TRAWLED THROUGH...

... twitter, facebook, NUFC Mad and Ed's blog and NOTHING of any significance about anything at all seems to be happening anywhere. Booo! I want to wake up to NEWS, preferably of the Newcastle variety and not just that AP has accepted the FA charge! That aside, I'm up, dressed, hair washed and sort of done, house cleaned, washing on, delivery boxed up and I'm good to go, whereas the rest of the family are still in bed. Tardy or what? Going to call round to Rachel and James's place in Gosforth after we've been to Kevin's. It'll be interesting to see how the work is progressing and, as Helen is also there, we're going to take the opportunity to go for a coffee together. How times change! We usually spend our summers together, but this year, because of circumstances on both sides, we haven't even had time to grab a couple of hours. I'm not sure I'm liking this.

THE GIRLS SLEPT THROUGH...

... until 6.00 this morning. This might not sound much like news but as we've only had one unbroken night in weeks, it's quite significant to us. Maybe it's because we kept them up till nearly midnight and they were just too tired to be bothered to wake in the early hours, I don't know, but it was a pleasant change. Beautiful morning - warm and sunny - almost too nice to be in the kitchen, but that's exactly where I'll be heading shortly, wearing my baking shoes obviously! I think it's a pastry day today. Apple pies and quiche here I come...

JUST SPENT...

... a very pleasant couple of hours in Morpeth, wandering about ON MY OWN! BOUGHT A PAIR OF BAKING SHOES!! These are, of course, extremely unfashionable but very comfortable shoes that will hopefully prevent my feet from killing me after a full day on them in the kitchen. So far, they're proving to be highly wearable! Also bought a lightweight jacket and a sloppy sweater. Had my favourite espresso frappe and drove home with thetop down on the car. Very nice!!

GOOD MORNING!

One delivery winging it's way to Jesmond, work started on the next. Back later...

BEAUTIFUL MORNING!

Not a breath of wind outside, warm and sunny - very pleasant. Quiet too at the moment. I've been up for a couple of hours on my own, just pottering about, as you do. The girls are fast asleep with Charles - I know, it shouldn't be allowed, but if it buys a few more zzzzds then why not? The plan for the day largely depends on Kevin who should be sending his order in first thing. The problem is, Kevin's idea of 'first thing' is vastly different from mine!! Christina is away at Tim's place. Perhaps I haven't mentioned the new boyfriend yet, possibly because it's still relatively early on in the relationship, but there IS a relationship and Tim (a sheep farmer no less) is rather lovely. So, we have our fingers crossed that things work out for the two of them. Right, I'm off to make my second cappuccino of the day. Will be high as a kite by the time Charles gets up!!

GOOD DAY!!

Lovely relaxed morning, then late lunch at Landmark with James, followed by the match. Bit scrappy to be fair, but the result was good. Great to be back to emotional football at SJP. Oh and Hatem Ben Arfa showed us some sublime skill today.

FIRST MATCH OF THE SEASON!!!!

WHOOP WHOOP WHOOP!!! Excitement building, nerves jangling!! HWTL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

MUM'S HOME FROM HOSPITAL!

That's something of a relief, although she had clearly had some sort of angina incident. Helen brought her home this afternoon and I think she just wants to rest, so I'll give her a ring in the morning. Just noticed that, for the first time in ages, the table in the livingroom is totally devoid of cakes. Nice! Called into Applebys this morning. Can't see them being ready to open before the middle of September. There's still a lot to do. Gives me a bit of breathing space though!! Okay, time for feet up in front of the telly, with Rose the little hot water bottle!

WORRYING NEWS...

... from Helen this morning. Mum was admitted to LGI yesterday after feeling unwell during the afternoon. Paramedics took her in, Helen stayed with her until 11.45pm and will update me this morning when the consultant has been round. Mum's on the cardiology ward.

FRIDAY ALREADY!

I suspect the weeks are flying by far too quickly for Charles as, by my reckoning, there can only be a couple left before term starts. In fact, he's going into school this morning after the delivery to Radcliffes. Boo!! It's a bit of a miserable morning - grey, cool and damp. Not a lot new there then really. I'm going to Morpeth this morning and might call into Applebys to find out more about their intended opening date for the coffee shop. May well have a bit of a panic depending on what they say!!! We've got Christina's mental health nurse coming at lunchtime. Wonder if there'll be any news about therapy??? I'm guessing that'll be a big fat "NO"!

OKAY, GOOD...

... we have made a signing at last! Welcome to Newcastle Anita! Just a tad worried about Saturday's opening game - no ben Arfa of Cabaye apparently - but also excited at the same time! Glad to be having a sit down for a few minutes. It's been busy in the kitchen again and now have a few new lines to try in the coffee shop this weekend. If they are successful it may mean that my workload becomes considerably more complicated than it has been up to now!!

TRYING SOME NEW...

... lines today, thanks to Kevin's brainwave yesterday!! Chicken, tarragon and mushroom tarts and Mediterranean vegetable topped focaccia. This'll be interesting. He also had a theory that individual bread and butter puds would be good idea, although I suspect he was just fancying one himself at the time. Anyway, we'll give them a try although I suspect these may fall at the first fence as they're going to be difficult to reheat properly. Other than that I should have my dry goods delivery, the window cleaner is due and there's a cake to be collected, so I'm pretty much tied to the house for the day. By the way - we had the best night with the girls for weeks. They didn't wake up at all until 6am and even then just needed to go out for a wee and settled down again until nearly 8.00. Hopefully this is a pattern they could get back into!!

VERY, VERY TIRED!

Yawn... I can't believe how shattered I feel tonight. Might go to bed in a minute actually. It's been another full on day. Up early to bake scones, delivery to Kevin's where he had LOTS of really interesting ideas for new savoury stuff (aaaaargh!!!). Quick visit to Rachel and James to check out the building project, then shopping, then back home to start the whole thing again. James and Claire came round this evening and that was lovely, but since they left I've been overcome with sheer knackeredness. So, the girls are in their bed and I'm away to mine!!

SUNFLOWER CAKE!

To brighten the day...

WHEN IS THERE GOING TO BE...

... ANY TRANSFER NEWS FROM NUFC????? Season starts on Saturday, we've got a whole list of players out with injury already and NO ONE'S COMING IN. This is getting depressing - and very frustrating.

HAVING A BIT OF A...

... Spring clean today. A little on the late side I know, but there you go - can't do everything! Curtains are down and in the wash, bedding being laundered, floors and woodwork mopped. Windows are thrown open. Lovely! Got a Birthday cake on the go as well. A sunflower cake this time. It's going to look really bright and cheerful!

JUST TO LET YOU KNOW...

... I'm the only one up in this house and have been for the last couple of hours. It's very peaceful and rather pleasant.

NOT SURE...

... what I thought about the closing gig last night to be honest. I'm sure the rest of the world probably think we're clearly bonkers! Highlight for me? Eric Idle! How hilarious was that routine? Cringe moments - probably too many to mention!!! Bring on the Para-Olympics I say!

ACTUALLY...

... lunch was very good at the Hog's head. Typical Sunday carvery, but masses of meat, beautifully cooked and a good variety of crisp veg along with possibly the biggest Yorkshires I've ever seen in my life! Excellent varied choice on the main menu, as well as lighter bits and a breakfast/brunch menu. Worth another visit I'd say. ot in to find that the yellow banner on SSN is claiming the we've agreed a fee for Anita. How long has that taken???

TAKING GRANDMA...

... out for lunch. Going to try the newly opened Hog's head Inn at Alnwick. Menu sounds fab and, as I've spent the whole morning baking, I'm starving now!

ALL OVER!

Can't believe how much I'm going to miss the Olympics. The whole thing has been uplifting, exciting and mesmerising. I've loved every minute of it. Hope the closing ceremony is as wonderful as the opening one, although I'm sure it'll be completely different. There'll be a big gap in a lot of lives next week!

MORE FAMILY HERE!

... got Grandma, Richard and Sarah here for the weekend, so I've spent the morning rushing around getting ready for them. Lunch (which was a selection of tapas) ended up as a two sitting occasion as Christina and Tim were going away for the weekend and needed to get on the road early this afternoon, so they had theirs and then our visitors arrived just as they were leaving. We sat down to eat after they'd left and had a long relaxed lunch washed down with jugs of Pimms! Very pleasant. Now everyone has collapsed soporifically in front of the telly watching the last day's events at the Olympics. (or snoozing through them in some cases!) I think James and Claire are joining us later for an Indian, but I don't really want to think about that yet.

BACK HOME...

... after Matthew and Sarah's evening reception. Think they've had an amazing day. The cake looked fabulous - lots of compliments and an order for another wedding!! Will post photos on facebook, but here's one to be going on with...

CONGRATULATIONS TO...

... Mr and Mrs Bray! Married today at Cambo Church. Looking forward to seeing them this evening at Longhirst Hall. Before then however, it's been the usual delivery and shopping, with a quick visit to the house on Spittal Terrace to see the labourers, Bill and James. It's going to be amazing when it's completed, but what a massive task they've taken on. Also called in to give the staff at Jan Fosters a bit of a tongue lashing and came away with their agreement that we need to take on a local agent as well. So, over to Sam Allan...

JUST TAKEN ON...

... another Estate Agent seeing as Jan Foster Estates have done ABSOLUTELY NOTHING to market our property. Let's hope Sam Allan Estates does a better job! Managed to get the wedding cake to the venue in one piece and added the very pink butterflies against my better judgement. Didn't look TOO bad I suppose but would have been better to have been left as it was in my opinion. Actually, we've had a relatively quiet day today. We managed to take time out for coffee together and I finally got round to upgrading my old phone and am now the proud owner of another iphone, which might seem a bit excessive, but I'll use this one mostly for business and it saves changing numbers and faffing on, plus I got a good deal. (Must have done cos Charles agreed!!)

IT WAS SO NICE...

... to have everyone round here last night, even though three of them arrived straight from either the building site that is Rachel and James's new home or a long run home from work and had to jump straight into the showers. Fortunately I'd been pre-warned so fluffy towels were at the ready as they staggered through the front door! I love having everyone together and it doesn't matter how long it's been since we saw each other last, we just pick up from where we left off and have plenty of laughs and fun. I think Christina enjoyed herself too. This is something that certainly wouldn't have been the case in the past a family gatherings were difficult for her, but she coped well last night. Mind you, that might have been helped by the arrival of her new man who bravely met up with the extended family in all it's glory. Quite a baptism of fire, poor lad!! Today we've got to get Matthew and Sarah's wedding cake to Longhirst Hall ready for their big day tomorrow. It will be something of a relief to get it there to be honest, especially as we are transporting it fully assemble due to the complex nature of the decoration. As it took a full day to decorate there is no way I could have done it at the venue, so fingers crossed, we manage to get it there in one piece. I'm going to photograph it as it is now and then again when I've added the pink butterflies that the Happy Couple want to add. Personally I don't think they add anything to the cake at all, in fact I tried to dissuade them from adding them, but it wasn't to be and it IS their wedding so who am I to disagree? Apart from that nerve-racking journey it will be a normal day of baking for the coffee shop! I've just taken a batch of quiche out of the oven and they smell delicious. Sometimes I'm amazed that we manage to get everything to the shop without losing a few portions beforehand!!

JUST WANT TO SAY...

... my daughter has bought a pair of tight white jeans today and looks absolutely stunning in them, with her legs that go on forever... ... and I'm ridiculously jealous!! #notgoingtostandnexttoher!

GETTING A BIT FED UP...

.. with the lack of any decent transfer news from NUFC. Time's getting on Alan. You need to be having a serious word with Mike and Dekka ASAP>

HAPPY BIRTHDAY CHARLES!!

Hope he has a good day today - although I've sent him out early to do the delivery this morning! We've got the Oggies coming round this evening and James and Claire too of course, so we should have a good time together. Other than that he'll probably spend most of the day in front of the telly watching today's events at the Olympics. That's not so bad though.

WHAT ARE WE GOING TO DO...

... when the Olympics finish? And has anyone else been surprised at how good the games have been? I never imagined I'd be sitting watching the cycling - but I'm actually mesmerised!! Great stuff. Don't imagine though that I've been sitting in front of the TV all day. I have it on in the kitchen while I'm working! Been busy again. Wanted to do a couple of things in the kitchen ready for Charles' birthday, then had to go to Morpeth to buy presents, then back to do coffee shop stuff. Just waiting for mini-banana loaves to come out of the oven before putting in a lemon drizzle cake and then I think that'll do for the day. Still having extremely disturbed nights with the girls by the way. They wake at least twice each night and pace the bounds, with Lily being particularly agitated. Yawn!!!

JUST HAD A ...

... sisterly chat with Helen. Both of us sharing our grumbles about different stuff and now feel a lot better than I did first thing today. Looks like we're going to have a bit of a houseful on Wednesday evening to celebrate Charles' birthday and we're going for either the takeaway or the meal out option. This is good! Just waiting for the birthday cake to come out of the oven then Christina and I are going into Morpeth. I've got to try to find some navy shoes for Matthew and Sarah's evening reception on Friday, but as I know I'm only going to wear them once I don't want to spend much!!

REALLY LOVING...

... this whole Olympic Games thing. Booked a slot in front of the telly at 2pm for the gymnastics this afternoon. But before then it's off to Radcliffes, shopping and baking. I'm beginning to feel like I could do with a little holiday actually. But that's not going to happen, is it?

FINISHED!!!

Yay!! Just hope all those roses stay put now! Just had James on the phone. Sounds like there may be a bit of a houseful for Charles' birthday on Wednesday. Better make a cake then! Actually, that means I'd better start thinking about other food too... ... Aaaarghhh! Don't want to think about it yet! Too tired...

STILL HERE!!

Just the small matter of the Bride's cake, the Groom's cake and the actual Wedding Cake to finish!! Have done really well today actually and am a lot further on than I thought I'd be at this stage. The small cakes are finished. The big cake is dowelled, stacked, ribboned and I'm beginning to attach all the roses. This last bit is taking a bit of time as I have to start at the bottom and let each flower dry before I attach the next. Could be here for a while!!!

WHAT A BRILLIANT NIGHT...

... for Team GB! The excitement is amazing just watching on the telly. How incredible would it be to actually BE there?

HAD AN EARLY START...

... today, and was in Gosforth at the cake decorating shop by 9am. Whizzed back to Morpeth to meet James and Claire for coffee (sat outside. Was nice.) then rushed home and started a marathon baking session, getting everything done for the coffee shop next week, so that I can concentrate on the wedding cake tomorrow and Monday. We're off to SJP in a few minutes for the quarter final between Brazil and Honduras. Hope there'll be a good turnout. Christina's dog sitting, so I hope they behave!!

I HAVEN'T FORGOTTEN ABOUT THE BLOG...

... honest!! Just have SO much to do and no time to do it in! In Wedding cake mode as predicted. There may not be much sense from me this week!!!

STRESSFUL TIMES!

CHRISTINA NOT GOOD. Nothing else to say.

GOING INTO...

... wedding cake mode shortly. Matthew and Sarah get married next Friday and I'm on Cake Duty. Most of the pieces for the cake are now made and drying out, next step is to start making and covering the tiers. It's going to be an interesting one, nothing conventional about it at all! Had yet another very disturbed night with the girls. They seem to have got themselves into a pattern now and are waking up frequently during the night. I think it may be time to dismantle their crate and give them a bit more freedom about where they sleep. One things for sure it couldn't be any worse than it is at the moment, so I think we'll give it a try. However, before that happens I need to go to Morpeth, stock up, have a relaxing iced coffee, then come home and bake for tomorrow's delivery (including an extra chocolate cake for the 'boys at the gym'!) So, off I go...

BRAZIL 3 - NEW ZEALAND 0

Good game, but still no atmosphere. Nothing at all like a Newcastle home game. I think we've been spoilt!

BRAZIL V NEW ZEALAND!

That's the match today. We're going with Edward, James's best man. He's a rugby guy really and this will be his first visit to the hallowed Ground. Hope it's a good experience for him. I think, once we've swung by Radcliffes with a delivery of quiche and cakes, we're going to take Ed to Fujiyamas so that he gets the full match day experience. After the game we will be heading back home for an evening with James, so we're looking forward to that. I've told Kevin there will be no delivery tomorrow, so at least I don't have to worry too much about baking today!