WHAT A GOOD DAY.

For the first time in years, the four of us went out for the morning. We went to the Barbour store in South Shields first off, followed by a visit to Grandma, who seemed a little unsettled to me today. Shopping followed with the main focus on buffet items for tomorrow afternoon. A couple of hours at home for chores, more food prep for lunch tomorrow and dog walking, then it was off to Newcastle for a quick coffee before the match - WHICH WE WON!! Charles and James stayed on in town because they were joining up with a certain Stag and his mates, while my lovely daughter-in-law brought me home and stayed for a lovely meal, cooked by Christina and shared with Sean as well. We followed this with a good dose of Strictly. Annoyingly though, I have just stuck a couple of cakes in the oven because I ended up with an order for Monday from Kevin (I had hoped they could last until Tuesday because of being so busy getting everything ready for the family get together tomorrow) but I'm planning on staying up until at least another hour so that I can book my Tesco delivery for 21st December and the slots will be released at midnight. (Yawn!!)

GETTING READY...

... for a lovely family get-together on Sunday. Both my sister AND my brother and their families will be here (apart from Little Og who is still in Oz!) - Just hope they are bringing their appetites with them and not being all silly about pre-wedding diets, because I've spent the day cooking lasagne, chilli, fish pie and dozens of desserts and can't wait to get stuck in!

CAN'T APPLY FOR THE BAKE OFF NEXT YEAR...

... because I already earn a living (well, sort of) from baking. Not that I was seriously thinking about it, but Charles shared the GBBO link and was suggesting I give it a go and on closer inspection (Yes, I admit it, I DID have a look at what I needed to do) it transpires that I wouldn't be eligible. Shames really. But then, who would have supplied the coffee shops while I was slaving away in the tent? It was always going to be a non-starter

BUSY BUSY BUSY...AGAIN!!!

It's becoming a bit of a theme. James sent a text asking if we would like to arrange a date to go over to Rowlands Gill to look for a Christmas tree at the garden centre there. (He knows the owner and reckons we'll get a bit of discount. Good plan Jim!) Sounds like a great idea, but I've just looked at the diary and almost had a fit at how few weekends there are left before Christmas. So much to fit in and so little time to do it in!! This weekend is taken up with family and football. Next weekend is busy as far as cakes are concerned (birthday cakes and beginning the wedding cake), but apart from that no other arrangements have been made. The only available weekend for Tree shopping is 14 - 15th because the one after that is the Big Wedding and essentially that is the beginning of Christmas for us.

AND BREATHE!!

First thing this morning, still in PJs and slippers, I as out at the shed checking the freezer and I am delighted to report that the red light is OFF and everything appears to be working normally. Must just have been that the door hadn't been closed properly. What a relief!! Going to Morpeth shortly with Christina then lots to do when I get back, so I'll check in again later. #muchhappiertoday

WHY IS THE RED LIGHT ON IN MY FREEZER?

This is really worrying. I've just taken a batch of quiche out to the freezer in the shed, only to discover the red light is on and everything appears to be slightly softer than it should be. I've turned the thermostat up (or down) and put the fast freeze on and now its like Blackpool Illuminations with the red light being joined by the green and amber. Hopefully, the red one is going to go off shortly and everything will be okay. It MAY be that the door hadn't been closed properly. I hope this is the case. Because I stand to lose all the baking I've done ready for Christmas, baking for coffee shops and lots of meat - and I will be really upset if that is the case.

3PM ALREADY!!

Where o earth is this day going? I don't feel as if I've done anything with it really. Charles and I did the Radcliffes drop, then I whizzed into centurion to pick up quiche tins. Charles dropped me in Gosforth while he went to James and Claire's to wait for the TV man. I went to the bank and had a bit of a walk around the shops on the High Streey, then walked down to meet Charles, only to discover that the TV man hadn't turned up. An hour later he still wasn't there, so Charles brought me home and was then going back to James's, before going to see his Mum. Meanwhile I''ve been baking quiche this afternoon, so I suppose I have done something worthwhile. Christina seems better than she has been over the weekend and has managed to get an emergency appointment with her doctor tomorrow, so that is a considerable relief. Right, tea-break over - better get back to the kitchen where I belong!!

VERY, VERY WORRIED...

... about Christina at the moment. Won't say more than that, but can't wait for Monday morning when we might be able to access her mental health team.

BIT OF A MIXED DAY!

Impressed with the care home in Blyth, but quite upset at how frail Grandma is. Good result - although it was a tense finish! Migraine on the way home - feel really wrung out now. Christina struggling this evening, but trying very hard to cope. Worried about her.

MATCH DAY!!

And Michelin woman is just about layered up ready to brave the big chill!! Still haven't managed to find the definitive number of layers that enable me to keep warm but still be able to move!! On our way, we're calling in at Blyth to see Grandma, then going to Gosforth to meet up with James. Hopefully, we'll be in town with a bit of time to spare so we can go and get a coffee - or something. No baking today. This makes a change.

THE EAGLE HAS LANDED!!

Or... ... Grandma has completed the move from Lancashire to Northumberland. Getting settled in this evening. I expect we will be calling in on our way to the match tomorrow and then Richard and Sarah are coming over on Sunday, so we'll be back there again. Bet Charles is shattered!

AT LAST...

... the rain has stopped. I think we should have a few bright, but cold, days ahead of us which will make a very welcome change. Had a call from my brother earlier on today asking if he and his family can come to see us next weekend. I'm not sure how it'll work with the football and a certain stag do, but hopefully we'll manage to arrange something with them. Been pretty full on busy again today. Shopping this morning, baking for Radcliffe's this afternoon and working on our Christmas cake as well. Tired now, so going to get ready for bed. Night night!

LEAST SAID ABOUT THIS EVENING...

... the better really. Terrible weather, lousy traffic, grumpy Charles, too many shoppers... ... but having said that - good family company and fab food and drink. Be thankful for small mercies.

SO IN THE END...

... I spent a sleepless night worrying about what I hadn't got planned for the day! What's this all about? Decided to get on with two Christmas cakes that have been ordered, so decorated them this morning. Pretty traditional Christmas colours. Pretty pleased with the outcome actually. Now twiddling my thumbs waiting for Charles and Christina to get back from the care home in Blyth where his Mum is going to be moving to on Friday. I think they are measuring up and finding out what she will be able to take with her. No doubt we'll be there at some point on Friday to welcome her and get her settled. We're all going into town later for Mexican food and shopping. Can't wait!! By the way, this 5:2 diet is brilliant. Charles has lost over half a stone and I've lost nearly the same! (I'm only mentioning this because tonight will NOT be a diet night, but we've got a fast day planned for tomorrow so it should even out in the long term!!)

I FIND MYSELF...

... in the strange position of not having any plans in place for tomorrow - or at least nothing in place for daytime tomorrow as in the evening we're going to town to do a bit of shopping with James and Claire, preceded by a meal at Las Iguanas, whish I'm really looking forward to. No, it's the rest of the day that is largely unplanned at present. I'm not sure if this is a good thing or not. Normally I will have some idea of how I need to send the day, but I seem to have baked as much as I can for now, all the freezers are stocked, the delivery for Centurion is complete, so I've kind of ground to a halt really. I could go out and buy some cake boards and festive sugarpaste and make a start on some of the Christmas cakes that I've been asked to do (even though I did say I wasn't doing any this year!) Or I could leave that until later in the week... I'm not sure if having no plans is more or less stressful than knowing that there's a jam-packed day ahead of me.

ALL I CAN SAY IS...

... WOW!! Gravity is absolutely unbelievably amazing! The film that is! Obviously the pully down force thing is pretty smashing too, but it's the film I'm referring to really. 90 minutes flew past with me sitting on the edge of my seat from beginning to end. I've never seen anything quite like it and it will stay in my memory for a long time. I've always thought f Sandra Bullock as a bit of a lightweight comedienne type - but she was excellent in this film. Also need to point out that the new cinema in Cramlington is probably the cleanest, most comfortable and stylish cinema in the area. Will definitely go there again. Very impressed!!

'GRAVITY'

I think that's the title of the film we're going to see. I tell you what though - it had better have me on the edge of my seat because, if its anything like here, I'll be asleep within 5 minutes of the start! I'll let you know!! Actually, I;ve ended up having a really productive morning, despite what I said earlier. I suppose having started on the loft yesterday had got me into sorting mode. I knew that Charles wasn't keen to continue with the loft, although I was desperate to continue. So I accepted that it would need to wait for w few days... ... but not that many! So instead I started on the kitchen cupboards at 10.30 last night and just carried on with that this morning, except it kind of spread into other areas - as it does - so I've ended up having a really good tidy up and throw out. I do however need to stop now because if I send Charles to the tip again, I may well be ending up on it myself!

SUNDAY MORNING!

EASY LIKE!! No delivery tomorrow, so can have a bit of a day off. Christina is working until about 4.00ish and then the three of us are going to the cinema to watch some film about someone who floats away in space or something. Charles's choice. I can't wait.

FEELING GUILTY!

I've been so good this week and have really watched what I've been eating, especially on the fast days. Mostly I'm doing it to support Charles, although if I can lose a few pounds before Christmas I won't be disappointed. However, I've just let myself down by scoffing a whole mince pie (homemade) with brandy cream. Feel really disappointed with myself actually.

IT'S FLIPPIN' FREEZING TODAY!!

Foolishly I set off for Morpeth at lunchtime thinking that, as it was sunny it would be warm (!) and ended up getting so chilled that I haven't managed to warm up all day, despite Charles turning the heating up high (Yes, you read that correctly.) Obviously, after yesterday's announcement that I would blog only when I have something worth blogging about, you'll realise that that didn't last very long at all.

NOW FEEL...

... really bad. Aaaaargh!! 'It's just your OCD' - tells self!

HAVE DECIDED...

... onlt yo write on the blog when I feel I have something to say. At the moment I get stressed if I don't post everyday - and it's usually about nothing of any significance and extremely repetitive and must be deadly boring for anyone else to read. So there may well be fewer posts from me from now on!!

WAITING FOR CHRISTINA...

... to get home and struggling to stay awake. It's been another full on day, although this time I've been mostly baking for the family as opposed to coffee shops which makes a change. Come on Christina. I need to get to sleep.

SO IT PROBABLY WASN'T...

... a good idea to make the following on one of our fast days: Chicken, leek and mushroom pie, Mince pies, Apple, cranberry, almond and calvados tart, Plum pie and worst of all - Corned Beef Pie. Oh the aromas coming out of my kitchen are to die for. Aaaaaaaargh - this is purgatory!

IT TAKES TWO.

I'm becoming strangely addicted to this programme! The glamour and romance of it all combined with the sheer hard work and nerves - great stuff. In fact, that's me for the evening now. All the baking is done for today, so it's a night in front of the telly for me.

IT'S BEEN A LONG DAY!!

But a good one I suppose. Started with the delivery to Radliffes and then some shopping on the way home. Started work on the quiche for Centurion which took most of the afternoon. Then their order came through and I realised there were ingredients I needed to get, so it was off to the shops again and back home to get everything done. I've just finished, but feel pretty pleased with what I've achieved today.

BEAUTIFUL FROSTY MORNING!!

Clear blue sky, brilliant sunshine and a very definite nip in the air! Just waiting for Christina to get back after spending the nights at a friend's house. Oh - she's just walked in now - and seems fine, that's good! We'll be taking her to work shortly and then we need to pop into Morpeth to get a few bits, before coming home for THE MATCH!! Not holding out any hope, because it would be too much to expect consecutive wins for our club, but at least it would be good to get a draw. I've got the order for tomorrow sorted already, so can have a pretty relaxed day today (apart from during the match obv!)

5 : 2 DIET

We started this yesterday. At least, we had the first 'fast' day yesterday. It wasn't too bad at all. 600 calories for Charles and 500 for me. Doesn't sound much but I certainly didn't feel hungry. (Mind you, I DID when I got up this morning and couldn't wait for a cup of coffee!!) Two days of normal eating coming up. I've told Charles that 'normal eating' doesn't include the consumption of vast amounts of rubbishy snacky foods, so if he can cut those out as well, it could be a bit of a double whammy. Anyway - I'm 1lb lighter this morning. Not sure about Charles!!

SO, SO BUSY THESE DAYS!!

No joke - it's just mad how busy I am right now. Retirement? Hah - I laugh in the face of retirement!!

THERE WAS I ...

... expecting a nice, relaxed day today when an order came through from Radcliffes for a delivery tomorrow. I have no idea what's going on over there but they are getting through ridiculous quantities of baked goods this week. So, although I had a couple of hours off to meet up with a friend for coffee in Morpeth, the rest of the day has been spent in the kitchen again. Have just had the estate agent on the phone. Apparently the family who came to look round last week loved the property, but won't be putting an offer in as it hasn't got enough south facing windows. I've heard it all! Charles has been out all day at some Generator music conference thing, so I'm just waiting for him to get back. The girls are on Dad watch because I happened to mention to them that he should be home soon, so they are rooted to the French doors awaiting his arrival!!

GIRLS LOOK FAB!!

My goodness - they did a good job at 'Hair of the Dog" - so good that we've booked the girls in for their Christmas haircut already. (17th December - plenty of time before the Big Wedding as well!!) We took a bit of time out this morning and went into town to have a little wander around the shops. Treated ourselves to coffee and chocolate brownies - yum yum. Oh - apparently the coffee shop has sold out of the mince pies and the crab, chorizo and coriander tarts we took in this morning. That's great - for them! Not brilliant for me though as they're a bit of a faff to produce. Waiting for James and Claire to arrive. Hope they're not too long because I'm starving!!

WE'RE TAKING THE GIRLS...

... to a new doggy beauty parlour this morning - not that they'll thank us for it! Don't want too much off, but a good old tidy up is in order. From there we need to do two deliveries into Jesmond and town as well as some shopping, so by the time that's done the girls should be ready to come home. Got James and Claire round this evening for chilli and fajitas - yum yum! Good luck to Hannah who sets off on her travels today and commiserations to Helen and Bill who have Ofsted.

THE GIRLS ARE NOT ENJOYING...

... Bonfire Night one bit! They're prowling around in the house and barking furiously every time they hear fireworks. Can't wait for it to finish so we can have a bit of peace! The tension in the house has lifted a tiny bit today. It's still not right, but a little easier than before. Right now, my thoughts are with my sister because Little Ogg is leaving for Australia tomorrow for her Big Adventure and I know that everyone will be felling nervous and apprehensive tonight. Have fun Hannah and keep safe! xx

STILL...

... pretty stressed and tense in this house. Hope we have a better day tomorrow.

NOT HAVING...

... a good day today. Stress levels through the roof and very uncomfortable atmosphere in the house. Not good at all.

VERY PLEASANT DAY!

In as much as the weather has been bright and sunny. A bit on the breezy side, but nevertheless a welcome change after a couple of dismal days. Also, a pleasant day so far as I'm concerned really. I actually do feel as if I've had a mini-holiday and it was quite nice to think about what I needed to bake for Radcliffes instead of feeling it was all too much of an effort, which is how I have been feeling recently. I've got a chicken in the oven, a crumble made and am looking forward to a roast dinner in about an hour. Then its an evening of Strictly and Downton. Doesn't get much more chilled than that.

WELL. THERE YOU GO...

... I don't go to the match, so we play a blinder! Typical!!

AM BACK HOME!!

Admittedly with a pounding head after overindulging on the champagne and white wine last night, but I'm home and looking forward to a little shut-eye once I've finished the laundry! Charles and Christina are at the match. I could have gone as I was back here in time, but just couldn't face it today, so disillusioned am I with everything to do with the club. Had a great couple of days away. It was so good to catch up with my Mum and to be able to go to Betty's with her and Hannah and Helen. Helen and I had a great time shopping in Skipton and Ilkley and probably spent too much but, what the heck, it was fun. Best of all, was seeing my brother and his family last night and being able to sort out our differences so that we are all able to get along again. Feel so much happier now that that has been done. Right, I think the neurofen are starting to have some effect! Time for a lie down...