NOT SURE...

... about watching the match tonight. Everton are certainly in-form and pretty solid at home. Great!! Not feeling confident at all. On the other hand - there's nothing else to do, so I may not have much choice!

CHRISTINA SEEMS...

... a bit agitated this morning. Nothing too extreme, but needs watching. I think she's going to work in Morpeth for the day, so it'll be good for her to be out of the house. Hopefully, she'll have a positive day and will come home feeling more settled. No further news about Grandma. Hopefully this is a good sign. I think that there is likely to be a whole raft of tests going on today as the regular staff will be back after the weekend. It really doesn't do you any favours if you fall ill on a Friday does it?

WE'RE EXPECTING CHARLES...

... To come home today, although we haven't heard how Grandma is, so I suppose it will depend on that. Christina and I met up with James and Claire in Morpeth earlier for coffee. That was nice.

GORGEOUS WEATHER!!

Christina and I have just got back from a lovely walk down Villa Lane and then towards Harecross Farm with the girls. t really is the most perfect afternoon. We were talking about the amazing summer we've had this year. It seems to have gone on and on. Wonderful, especially after the washout of Olympic Year. Actually we're both struggling to know what to do with such a relaxed day. Normally by this time I'm shattered, my feet are killing me because I've been on them all day and all I want to do is collapse in a heap. Today I feel as if I've done absolutely nothing and it has really dragged. It's still only just gone 4 pm for goodness sake. How on earth do we relax for another seven hours until it's bedtime?

BETTER NEWS FROM PRESTON

Obviously she's still very poorly, but Marion is able to move her arms and legs although speaking isn't happening yet. Charles is still over there and I hope he will stay for a while until there is some sort of prognosis. There will be a lot to think about and to organise, so I guess we need to be pretty flexible about making any plans for the next couple of weeks. In the meantime, Christina and I have spent the morning together in Morpeth. We've discovered a dress agency that's just opened and stocks some incredible designer clothes - pre-worn of course, but incredible bargains. We might raid our wardrobes to see if we have anything to sell and clear a bit of space for new stuff!!

CHARLES IS...

... In Preston tonight. He left the radio show early after his brother got in touch to say their Mum had been taken to hospital. I haven't heard from him since he got to Preston and won't ring him because he'll be at the hospital, but I really hope everything will be okay and that he will be heading back home soon.

NOT SURE...

... If I'm going to be able to last out for the whole of Charles's radio show today. I'm feeling extremely sleepy and in need of 40 winks. Nothing to do with the quality of the show believe me, it's just that I've finished today's work and have relaxed a bit and suddenly feel in need of a few zzzzzzzzs.

CHARLES IS AT LIONHEART...

... He's taken cupcakes up for the Macmillan Coffee Morning. I hope he'll be back shortly because we're supposed to be meeting up with Hannah for coffee before going to the Centurion. Charles is back on the radio this afternoon for a four hour show, so we haven't got much in the way of flexibility today! Still getting over my quiche marathon yesterday. Feel pretty tired.

WAS JUST ABOUT TO...

...call it a day at 5.00, when I got a call fromCenturion asking if I could possibly produce £100 worth of quiche for tomorrow ( or Saturday but we're really desperate. It's flying off the shelves!) Anyway, just letting you know that two and a half hours later I have, in fact, managed to make that much quiche!

NOT THE BEST OF GAMES...

... But the two goals were great and the result was what was needed after last weekend. It has to be said though, that the Leeds fans put us to shame. They sang and chanted pretty much right through the game and certainly made more noise than could be heard from the rest of the ground. At times it didn't feel like a home game. Anyway, by the time we got home, the draw for the next round had been made and we'd bagged Man City so, even though it's at home, I think that'll be the end of our cup run for this year. Charles is out doing deliveries. It's a beautiful morning by the way! I'm going to Morpeth for coffee with a friend and then for my weekly appointment at SAKs, then I need to get back to make some cakes for Charles to take to Lionheart tomorrow for the Macmillan coffee morning. Am delighted to be able to report that I think I've completed all the flowers and foliage for Rachel and James's wedding cake, I now have boxes and yet more boxes of delicate creations stacked all over the house!! Right, need to get on, there's washing to sort and jobs to do...

GOING TO THE MATCH TONIGHT!

Let's hope we get a better return for our ticket money than we did last Saturday! We're going with James, who has arranged an early finish from work, giving us time to have dinner at Landmark before the game. Just hope the team play with a bit more spirit today - because Leeds certainly will!

BIT OF A CHANGE...

... In the weather. Still warm and muggy but cloudy and a bit damp. Can't complain too much though, the last few days have been glorious. I'm going into Morpeth with Christina in a while. Not for anything in particulars, just for a bit of a mooch. Tried to book New Year's Eve dinner at JDHH for about eight of us, only to discover its a mere £95 per person and they can't accommodate us at the time we wanted, so might have to give it a miss this time! Still bags of time to make arrangements like that though.

WHY OH WHY...

...When I've decided I want to lose about half a stone before Christmas, when I've been foregoing my usual endless cups of cappuccino and have substituted them with black coffee with the merest hint of skimmed milk (lovely-NOT), when I haven't let a morsel of cake or a biscuit crumb pass my lips since last Thursday, WHY... ,,,DID I BUY A BOX OF 36 MACARONS WHEN WE WENT TO BOOKERS THIS MORNING???? Why would I do that? I honestly don't understand myself sometimes. I've been so good, I felt so proud of the effort I was making and I go and blow it all because I couldn't resist the gooey prettiness of those little French temptations. Aaaaaaaaaargh! I'm so cross with myself.

JUST HALF AN HOUR...

...until Downton starts! Yippee!!!

ALMOST LIKE SUMMER AGAIN!

What a fabulous day it's been! Warm and sunny,reflect for a stroll down a country lane picking blackberries which is what we did this afternoon. Charles lets the girls off their leads which terrifies me, but actually they are really good and never stray far and always come when called. Rose is always close to Charles's heel, whereas Lily likes to wander a bit, but so far they've been extremely well behaved. Just had a long chat with Helen about arrangements for Christmas this year and, for the first time ever, it appears that they will be spending the Big Day up here. Mind you, as this is a mere three days after their other extremely BIG DAY it makes sense really. Sadly I can't see how a big family get together for lunch on Christmas Day is going to work, especially as nothing has been booked yet. But there will be plenty of opportunities for us all to be together between Christmas and New Year. Talking of Christmas and bearing in mind that it is indeed still only September, I think I should point out that Asda already have shelves full of mince pies and Christmas puds, so you'd better get along there pretty damn quick if you don't want to miss out!

FEEL SORRY FOR...

...Loic Remy. scored two goals but still the team lost in a toothless, gutless performance that left the fans more exhausted than the players. Rubbish. Hate supporting the roller coaster that is NUFC at times.

DIDN'T SLLEP WELL...

... Last night, I fact had probably the worst night I've had in weeks. Was awake for hours so read a lot! Also, whenever I was about to drop off I started thinking about the wedding cake that I'm working on - which isn't needed until the end of December let me tell you - and I reckon I pretty much completed it in the couple of hours sleep that I DID manage to get in the end! Honestly, if I'm dreaming about it at this stage what will I be like just before the actual wedding. Doesn't bear thinking about. Anyway, I've been working on more foliage and adding new petals to the roses. Everything's drying at the moment, so I'm now just sitting around before we start getting ready to go through to town for the match. Think I've drunk too much coffee actually. Feel as high as a kite!!!

CHARLES IS BACK...

...from Preston, and straight out to do the radio show.The girls got all excited and then were disappointed again! Such is life, girls! I've had a rather pleasant day really. Had a pretty leisurely start, then went to Morpeth to have at wash and blow dry, pottered around the shops a bit, then came home and continued with the foliage for Rachel's (and James) wedding cake. Managed to get the ones I'd made yesterday painted and have another batch drying out now. Also made a start on the roses, just getting about five petals on for now and leaving them to dry out overnight before making the next layer. Not sure whether I'm looking forward to tomorrow's home game or not. Hopefully my new best friend, Hatem, will be playing!!!

VERY QUIET!!

You could hear a pin drop in this house at the moment. (Love that expression. It always reminds me of my lovely Gran for some reason.) Charles is away for the day, Christina has returned after a day at work and is in her room, probably asleep. The girls are gazing out of their window ans, as nothing is happening in Fram right now, they are being extremely quiet, which is a bit unusual actually. So unusual, I've just been to check that they're not getting into trouble, but they're not at all. Been a bit of a mixed day today. I started early with some fairly leisurely baking. Just needed to do two quiche, three tray bakes and a couple of apple cakes. I tried one of these with blackberries as well as the apples so it'll be interesting to see how that turns out. Then I drove over to Gosforth to the cake decorating shop to collect some bits and pieces for the Christmas wedding cake that I'm making for a certain niece. I just wanted to make a start on the foliage today, so I've spent a couple of hours doing that and not I've got a tray full of leaves and berries ready to be painted tomorrow. Foolishly I decided earlier this afternoon to clean the oven and have applied the stuff only to discover it recommends leaving it on overnight. So whatever we have for tea will have to be cooked on the hob. Soup it is then. Or beans. Or cheese on toast - I could use the grill of course. Time to catch up with facebook for a while I think...

IT'S OUR...

36th wedding anniversary today! We're just back from afternoon tea at Jesmond Dene House Hotel and in a while will be going out to Marabini's to meet up with James and Claire! Such a lot of food! Tea at JDHH was delightful as it always is and was made quite exciting. By the presence of Hatem Ben Arfa, looking a little shy and gauche. I probably didn't help because I had to tell him what a great start to the season he's had and that he's my fave NUFC player! Poor lad! He did however, thank me and shook my hand - clearly has good manners!! Charles is going to his Mum's tomorrow and staying overnight, which means the girls will be edgy until he gets back on Friday morning. Right - need to go and get ready to go out again!!

AND FOR MY NEXT TRICK...

... I'll empty a pint of double cream all over the carpeted boot of the RAV. Not one on my best moments, but not really my fault. Everything was good when I left the supermarket, but by the time I got home the carton had upended and spilt out. Great!! I spent about half an hour trying to get the worst of it out before realising that it was going to need a professional valetting job. Fortunately Charles is still on a high from the freelander acquisition and probably cheerily thanked The Lord that I hadn't been driving said vehicle this morning. Talking of the Freelander, I did have a bit of a drive yesterday. We took it to Heighley Gate just before they closed so the car park was pretty empty and I could practise a few manoeuvres!! Drove it back home afterwards and loved it. Apart from the cream mishap I've had a productive day, getting the order for Centurion made up and making a topper for a carrot cake that Radcliffes are donating to Jesmond Library. Will post a photo later. Am now knack erred and intend to lie on the settee watching rubbish TV all evening. Oh wait a minute, it's the GBBO - so I take back the bit about rubbish!!

PICKING UP THE FREELANDER TODAY!!

At least that's the plan, but Charles is stuck in Gosforth at the moment waiting to lock up James's house once the plasterer has finished. Actually, Charles has just rung to say he's on his way but because we've cancelled the Peugeot insurance from 3pm he is going to us to whizz over to the garage in Amble where it has just had it's MOT then he will take it over to Riding Mill on his own while I drive the RAV back home. Very complicated! Looking forward to seeing the. New vehicle though!!

WELL DONE...

... To everyone who took part in the Great North Run today. It always makes me feel incredible idle, lazy and a bit pathetic that I have never been able to even think about entering. There was a guy on the TV who is a mere 92 years old, taking part, having the time of his life, hamming it up for the cameras - and I thought he was absolutely brilliant. Hannah and Rachel have both run it today - despite Rachel's mammoth hangover!! Our friend Nick has taken part, coming over from Spain to do so and to raise money for Mind. His lovely wife Caroline took her own life a few years ago, as did her brother and we have had their Mum and Dad staying with us this weekend to try to feel close to the action. We've had a truly lovely time with them. They have suffered more heartbreak in their lifetime than any couple should have to bear, losing their first son in a motorbike accident in the early eighties. I honestly don't know how they keep going and remain so warm, caring and such good company. I need to go into Morpeth shortly before going to Eshott to pick Christina up from work. It's blowing a gale now!!

FIRST CHANCE TO GET ON THE BLOG!!

Still can't blog on my laptop and Charles has had the iPad with him at the studio, so this is my first opportunity. Not that I have. Much to blog about. I suppose I should start with a confession. My car is in the garage having its MOT. This was due in July and I completely forgot about it. It's only because we're getting it ready to sell next week that we've discovered it. I feel awful but in my defence m'lud I have to say I hardly ever drive it and tend to use the RAV all the time - which is why we're selling it!!

I THINK...

...we've just bought a Freelander this morning!! AND part-exchanged the Peugeot for a fair bit more than I would have got from webuyanycar.com. This is all very exciting. I don't think we'll be in a position to complete everything until the back end of next week because number plates need changing over and Charles is insisting on a full service before handover, but certainly something to look forward to. We've been to see James and Claire briefly on the way home. They're having a new window fitted in the lounge, so they're in a bit of a mess, but at least they can start to think about decorating soon and by Christmas should have a lovely cosy lounge and a smart spare room upstairs. Christina still looks stunning by the way!!!

MIGHT BE,,,

... Going to look at a Freelander tomorrow after we've done the delivery to Radcliffes. The Peugeot will have its original plates back on in the morning so we're going to take it along to see what we would get in part exchange. Anyway, we'll see - the Freelander may not be suitable yet, so I may be getting ahead of myself. Christina has been restyled at the hairdressers today. She left the house as a wispy blonde and returned a brunette pixie. Looks fab and incredibly stylish. Really wish we'd gone along to Steve Harper's testimonial tonight. It sounds as though it was an incredible evening. Well deserved Steve. Right, it may be late but there is still ironing to do. Christina and I have been sorting out our winter wardrobes and have created piles of laundry as a result of getting stuff down from storage in the loft. Could really do without having to iron it all now, but, thanks to my OCD, just can't leave it till tomorrow!!

GOT THE LAPTOP BACK!

But I'm using the iPad thing. Not because I prefer it, but because the laptop still isn't working efficiently. Appear ardently it performed perfectly while its been away, so clearly the problem is to do with our router. Charles had a long conversation with some IT chaps this afternoon and they are supposed to have done something remotely to the laptop to make it work better (or even just to work) but it still takes forever to connect to t'internetand wouldn't load the blog at all. Very frustrating.

OKAY, SO SOMEHOW...

... it's got to 3.00pm without me having the slightest idea how. Not that we haven't been pretty busy since we all got up this morning, but I just feel as f the day has passed me by and I haven't appreciated it one bit.

MAKING VENETIAN ZABAGLIONE CAKE...

... again. But, sadly, I've got to take this one to the coffee shop tomorrow. It is honestly the most delicious cake ever. Well, more of a dessert cake really. Absolutely going to make it for our next special occasion!

BACK HOME!

Had a lovely time with my boy. Got to town just as the shops were opening. Had our pick of parking places, had breakfast at the Olive and Bean without having to queue, shopped happily without battling through crowds. Actually discovered the delights of the Grainger Market - Mmmm Newcastle in particular - and had a generally very pleasant morning together. Got home early afternoon to find a huge order from centurion for next week. Fortunately, they need most of it towards the end of the week for the great North Run so I have a bit of time to get it together. Planning on having a quietish evening with a takeaway for dinner this evening. Yum!!

OFF OUT...

... for the morning. Meeting James at his house, then into town. No doubt we'll begin with breakfast to set us up for the serious business of shopping!! I think he wants to go to a Fenwicks Outlet somewhere as well, but haven't really got a clue about that. Anyway, I'm looking forward to it. Back later!

WOW!! WHERE DID SUMMER GO?

What a thoroughly miserable, cold, windy and wet day we've had today. oops like it may. Be set for. The weekend as well. Quite a shock to the system after the fab summer. I'v had an easy day today. Morpeth this morning for a bit of shopping and a hair appointment. This afternoon has been all about scones and birthday cake sponges, so pretty straightforward. I had a request yesterday from a customer at Radcliffes to make something called a Venetian Zabaglione Cake.Did a trial run last night and, although it doesn't look spectacular it is actually the most amazingly delicious cake I've eaten for ages. The fact that it contains half a bottle of Marsala contributes to that I'm sure!! Charles is off to Alnwick to do his radio show. I think he's standing in for someone else today as it's not his week AND a later than usual slot. Just heard that the folk who are supposed to be repairing my laptop can't actually find anything wrong with it!!! How can that be? It just doesn't connect to the Internet at all here. Nothing else struggles to connect, so I don't understand this at all. Looking forward to a morning with James tomorrow. We're going into town and hope to be there by 9am so it'll be an early start to the day for me!

GOOD DAY TODAY!!

The sort of day I really love! I've been able to spend pretty much all of it working on the pieces for the Octonauts cake for next week and have thoroughly enjoyed myself. I haven't been out of the house, but don't feel in the least bit stressed today - unlike other days whenI run myself ragged and end up out of sorts. Got a bit cross with Charles though as he took photos of the prep and stuck them on facebook, when I really want it to be a big surprise, not only for the Birthday Boy, but for his Mum and Dad as well. So we had words!

WHAT A DAY!

Started at the crack of dawn when the order for Radcliffes came through.Not, as you might imagine, that this was a last minute order. It was actually Andrew getting a bit ahead of himself. However, because HE was up and organised, it meant that I needed to be too. So I've had a pretty full on day in the kitchen, broken up only by a trip to Amble to pick up the Rav from the garage where, somehow it got through it's MOT with only the brakes really needing to be seen to. I went from Amble through to Morpeth to shop for ingredients to replace everything that I had made earlier for Kevin. I spent all afternoon in the kitchen. Charles started painting the back fence - hooray!! (And I didn't even ask!) Once I'd finished that I started work on a submarine for the Octonauts cake. For the first time I had a go at making the structure out of Rice Krispies before covering it with sugarpaste. I THINK it is working!! I've got the main structure built and covered and am looking forward to doing the fun, decorative bit tomorrow. By this time it was almost teatime and I was tired and I just know that there would be anorder from Applebys lurking in my emails. AND THERE WAS!! Fortunately, most of their order was already in the freezer, so it didn't take long to sort them out. Right I am going to relax for a while - but before I do that I must ring my Mum!!

THERE'S A CAT OUTSIDE!

It's out there most nights around this time actually - and it drives Lily mad. She's on patrol around the house, protecting us all from the terrors of the black beast across the road. Rose is doing her best to ignore Lily's posturing. The problem is, that at this time of night Lily finds it really difficult to settle down and to get to sleep, so we're faced with either very late nights or letting them sleep in the bedroom!!! (TBH the bedroom usually wins!)

AM TYPING THIS...

...On one of Charles's iPad things. Very nice too! Meanwhile the ancient laptop is hopefully being repaired in Morpeth. Have had a pretty busy morning. We've taken a delivery to Centurion, picked up a cheque from Radcliffes (faint!) been into town, called into the DVLA to put my number plate on retention and managed to get back in time for the delivery of food colourings that will enable me to make a start on the rather cute Octonauts cake that I'm doing next week. I think we're about to take the girls for a walk and go and pick some blackberries now. Nice!

AM SICK OF EVERYTHING AT THE MOMENT.

Can't sell the house. The Peugeot that Charles says I should sell has lost nearly £1500 in THREE MONTHS since it was last valued. This laptop is CRAP. Kevin Radcliffe only pays me when he can be bothered - and that isn't very often. The settee that Charles sits on is falling apart. The loft needs a major clearout and I can't face it - and if I don't do it it won't get done at all. The fence at the back of the house has needed painting for ages and Charles said he would do it but that was weeks ago and nothing's happened. Now he's home all day he thinks we can go off and have fish and chips for lunch thus getting fatter and fatter. AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARRRRRRGHHH.

TRANSFER DEADLINE DAY

A day when it's never good to be a Newcastle fan. Woke up filled with dread. Wonder how many of our first team players will be out of the door by 11pm?

THIS LAPTOP...

... needs to go to the TIP. Which is where we've been this afternoon after sorting the shed out this morning, as you will see if you look at the before and after pics below!!

Silly me forgot to take this ridiculous excuse for a communications enabler with me. It's just taken me the best part of an hour to order some food colouring and another half an hour to get onto the blog. Am sick of this. May have to buy a new one!!!