EVERY CAKE TELLS A STORY...

SINCE I STARTED SUPPORTING...

... PSG earlier today (!) I have to tell you that what had been a pretty debilitating weight on my shoulders has incredibly completely lifted. Of course I will still have an interest in Newcastle, but I just can't cope with the constant disappointment that is part and parcel of being on the receiving end of Mike Ashley's sordid business dealings. It had got to the point where it was making me irrationally irritable and angry - and I just don't need it. I want to team to do well - but as a supporter I don't want to be made a fool of. I don't want to be misled and lied to. I want to feel that the club has some ambition and doesn't just want to 'make do'. I'm not, and never have been, a 'make do' person. I don't understand the mentality and I don't want to be a part of it any more. I've been waking up for the last few nights, checking the Newcastle fan sites and News Now! I have honestly!! What on earth for? What was the point? How much of an idiot do I feel? Well it's the last time you make an idiot out of me Mr Ashley.

LAST DAY...

... of the transfer window. Total shambles again for Newcastle. Still dreading tomorrow. Feel as though us fans are just being conned over and over again. Sickened and sad to see what's happening at our club.

ONLY HAD TO WAIT...

... three hours for my eye appointment today. But hey - I did actually see Mr (no, make that Professor) Figuredo - top man in his field. Had an interesting chat with a very frustrated Sister who admitted that she is unable to get him to change the system to speed up the ridiculous waiting time and explained that he has to check every single file that is to be dealt with each day HIMSELF and doesn't trust his staff to do that for themselves! She said that she thinks he should act in a trouble-shooting role and shouldn't plan appointments for himself, but he refuses. Clearly he is a total control-freak, but that doesn't help any of his patients really. Not good management at all but at least I can kind of understand why there is always such a long wait, even if I find it totally frustrating.

MEXICAN TONIGHT!!

James is coming over. We have chilli, checked fajitas, sticky ribs and choc mousse for pud, or sticky toffee pudding if you've still got room! I could actually eat that lot right now. Shame we've got to wait till this evening.

PARDEW LOOKS....

....totally sick on SSN today. Reckon he's been told to forget a replacement for Yohan. Oh - and apparently we've decided to appeal the red card. Is that in the hope that we might have Remy on Saturday? How desperate are we now?

THINK I'M STILL IN SHOCK!

About the Cabaye business. Feel as if I've gone into a bit of a depression actually, which is absolutely ridiculous but indicative of the hold that NUFC has on me (us). For God's sake at the end of the day it's a GAME!! I think that gets kind of lost these days. We're certainly going to be up against it on Saturday - Derby day. I'm absolutely dreading it because, unless this de Jong guy puts in the most amazing shift, I cannot see where we are going to get goals from. Sunderland will be full of themselves and I just feel that it's too big a shout for us at the moment. Yep, that's me - defeated before we even get started!

GUTTED...

... that Cabaye has actually gone. Not at all surprised, but there's a silly little bit of me that imagines that these footballers might love Newcastle as much as I do and just want to stay here for the rest of their careers. Told you it was silly. Right now I feel totally let down (again), frustrated at the lack of transfer activity (again), scared to death about the derby on Saturday (again), totally bemused about what our club is about any more - certainly doesn't seem to be about football, that's for sure. We're playing Norwich tonight and I honestly couldn't care less. Thanks Mr Ashley.

CABAYE!

I know we lovingly refer to him as "Dreamboat" but I have to say that I didn't appreciate a sleepless night worrying about whether or not Newcastle are going to sell him by the end of the week, laving us with a seriously weakened squad and certainly a lot less eye-candy. #pullyourselftogetherwoman

BACK FROM LUNCH!!

And, surprise surprise, Grandma DID join us after all. I think Charles was just joking earlier!

GOING OUT FOR LUNCH

We were supposed to be taking Grandma for a run out to Low Newton with lunch at the Joiners, but with the really heavy rain we've decided that Charles should go over to see her in Blyth this morning and then we (and Christina) will go out for lunch as planned. Trouble is, tensions are still bubbling under the surface. I just hope we can get through a meal together without someone losing the plot.

HAVEN'T ENJOYED TODAY AT ALL

If I was Chris I would probably pour it all out, but I'm not, so I won't. Just take my word for it, it's been pretty stressful. it's probably no coincidence that Christina is back on the road and purchased her new car yesterday. I'm delighted for her that she is mobile and independent again, but can't help remembering how it used to be when every time she went out we would worry about her. I know I've got to let her get on with it and must trust her but it is hard. After quite an unpleasant row and major fallout, Charles and I met up with James and we all went for coffee in Gosforth and for a bit of a mooch around Jesmond? I so wish we lived there!!!! WHEN will we sell this house, it's been nearly two years since we put it on the market. So fed up. This afternoon I put the finishing touches to the static caravan!! Not as easy as I thought it would be!!

TODAY I'VE MADE THIS!

Obviously not that actual one in that location, but a sugar version for a cake next week. It's the Atonement Statue and can be found on Redcar's promenade. I think it's rather poignant. Mind you it's going to get a bit lost on a cake that features a static caravan and two Bedlington terriers!!

BEEN FAR TOO BUSY...

... for blogging today!! Making dinosaurs, tractors, toolboxes - in fact generally having a really nice time. Radcliffes don't need anything tomorrow so that gave me some extra time, although Centurion have placed a big order so I needed to put the finishing touches to that, but once that was done I just enjoyed being a bit creative. We've just had an Indian takeaway, but I actually didn't really enjoy it, which is very odd for me, usually I love a good Indian. Right - time to put slippers on and laze around in front of the telly. Can't wait - Silent Witness tonight!

DITTO!!

That's all I need to say about today - just more of the same. Hair appointment, shopping, baking - could be any other day really. Went to look at a Mazda MX5 that has caught our eye recently, but not making any decision about it yet!! As it's Wednesday it's on of Charles's fast days. He's doing Monday, Wednesday and Friday and is certainly seeing the effects. I think he's coping really well because he knows that the next day he will be able to eat normally, so, although the fast day might be quite tough, it doesn't last long.

AND IT REALLY WAS A BUSY DAY!

As predicted. (Must buy a Euromillions ticket. Have just head the jackpot on Friday is something like 40 million.) Got all the jobs done this morning, back home around lunchtime, then set to work in the kitchen; thought I was finished around 6.00 then checked my emails and discovered I hadn't looked yesterday and there was an order there from Applebys, so I had to get started on that. It's not their fault I didn't get the order - I really much remember to check each day.

DINOSAURS DONE!!

Three of them. Don't ask me what they are - just cute dinosaurs that won't scare a two year old! I haven't done as much of the creative stuff as I hoped to do today, mainly because I ended up doing lots of baking to replace the stuff that's going out tomorrow. Tomorrow morning will be busy. Delivery, collect quiche tins from Centurion, hopefully pay in cheque at bank, shopping, probably go to see Grandma, then home to get on with Centurion's order and a John Deere tractor!

MONDAY MORNING!

A big order through from Radcliffes already, plus two birthday cakes to be getting on with. I've started the Bedlington terriers and static caravan for one of these and later on hope to start the dinosaurs, hammers, axes and John Deere tractor for the other one. Don't ask!!!

THE ONLY DECENT THING...

... about this weekend was the football result yesterday. Everything else has been tedious and boring. I've been stuck in the house waiting for the washing machine part that Charles assured me would arrive yesterday, only for it to be a complete no show. The weather is crap and even the dogs don't want to be out in it. I have nothing really to do for the coffee shops, as there was no order from Radcliffes yesterday so I can only assume that they don't need anything until Tuesday. Charles was supposed to be getting back yesterday, so I cooked a huge piece of gammon with all the trimmings and made his favourite treacle tart, only for him to announce that he wouldn't be back until later this afternoon. Just been down to Morpeth to do some food shopping and got drenched, so the hair that I paid to have done on Friday lasted all of two days. Not at all happy today.

MISSING MIKAEL.

There was a certain inevitability about the outcome of this investigation, sadly confirmed this morning. Nothing about it sounded plausible from the outset. He hadn't been seen at nursery since Christmas. Usually slept with his twin but didn't on the night he disappeared. The sighting of a tiny child on his own walking along the road early in the morning. Now the mother has been detained after the body was found in the garden of his aunt's house. So, so sad. Rest in Peace Little One.

AND TODAY'S CRISIS IS...

...that the handle on the washing machined has broken clean in two! It would be so nice to have a week when nothing ended up having to be repaired because at the moment we just seem to lurch from one breakage to the next. Typically I chose today to change the beds, obviously before I realised I had no washer. So I've been up to my elbows in soapy sheets while I've tried my best to wash them in the bath. Annoyingly, my OCD is such that I couldn't leave them for another day. Maybe my son will put me out of my misery and offer the use of his washer if I get desperate!!

BEEF IN RED WINE FOR DINNER TONIGHT!

It's been in a slow oven for the past couple of hours and the smell is driving me insane! It reminds me of the Cafe du Pont where Helen, Bill, Charles and I spent many happy hours and where you can get the very best beef in red wine ever. Hope mine is half as good!!

HAVEN'T BEEN OUT OF THE HOUSE TODAY!!

No shopping, no delivery - just hard graft in the kitchen! Feel knackered now to be honest, but pleased that I've managed to put a hefty order together for Centurion. Looking forward to an evening in front of the telly. Really enjoying the Sport Relief Bake Off this week!

HAD A RUN OUT TO TYNEMOUTH...

... this afternoon as retired people do no doubt. I was really upset to see all the boarded-up sea-front properties. The whole area had a shabby, sad feel to it. Okay, it may be out of season, but even so it was disappointing to feel the general air of delapidation and decay.

SLOW START TO THE WEEK!

I know it's not yet Monday lunchtime, but this morning really seems to have dragged. Admittedly we were up early waiting for the dishwasher repair man to ring and let us know what time he intends to be here. That hasn't happened yet - none of it, not even the phonecall. To be honest, the dishwasher IS currently working, but the problem is that it sometimes decides not to, so I think we are justified in calling an engineer out, although he'll no doubt make a song and dance out of it when he realises that it is working today. The coffee shops all seem to be a bit slow as well. I had an email from Applebys late last night letting me know that trade is really slow and they've still got supplies in the freezer so don't need a delivery yet. Radcliffes are certainly ordering less than they did before Christmas. Not that I mind too much - it's quite pleasant having a bit of extra time to myself. And anyway, it won't be long before people give up their New Year diets!! Still getting over the disappointment of yesterday's match. Listening to the pundits and the likes of Dermot Gallagher explaining why it SHOULD have been allowed isn't really helping either!

BACK FROM THE MATCH.

Gutted doesn't begin to describe how we feel after that debacle. Before the game we all agreed that we didn't expect to win but hoped that the team would put in a performance. They certainly did. BUT the main talking point about the game, which we lost in the end, was the refereeing decisions, one in particular that robbed us of a goal from Tiote. A goal that appeared to stand at first and was only disallowed once their goalkeeper started complaining. A goal that Gary Lineker thinks would have been a contender for goal of the season. There were many other poor and seemingly biased decisions today and it ruined the match. Hopefully there will be a lot of talk about it later on MOTD.

OFF TO THE MATCH!!

Usual predicament: How many layers to wear whilst still being capable of movement. It's probably the frostiest morning of the winter so far. Bitterly cold, but beautiful (the weather, not me). Not looking for ward to this one at all. Wish I had the optimism that Charles always has before a game! Can see us being thrashed all over the park today. Still, Charles has a voucher (inwardly groaning) for a Chinese restaurant that we haven't yet tried and we are booked in there for lunch, along with the usual suspects, James and Matthew. Hmmm!! Maybe there's a reason why a) we haven't tried it before and b) it's using vouchers to drag customers in?

CHARLES'S MUM...

... had another run out today and enjoyed a light lunch at Bar Luga in Morpeth. It was lovely to see her out of her room in the care home.

WATCHING MAN UTD...

... v Swansea atm. Would be so much fun to see Man Utd lose again. Already feeling very nervous about our game tomorrow. Absolutely do not expect to win, but really hope we don't end up getting stuffed!!

THOUGHT ABOUT IT...

... and of course I had to do it. Once the idea is there, it HAS to happen. So now have sparkly clean oven again. (Won't stay that way for long.) Haven't done much else mind you. Radcliffes is pretty slow at the moment, so I'm not exactly rushed off my feet with orders. Not that I mind after all the chaos in the build up to Christmas. Apart from the match on Sunday, I'm not sure that we've got much planned for the weekend either. I'm so glad I've got my Kindle well stocked!!

THINKING ABOUT CLEANING THE OVEN!

Only thinking!!

QUIET MORNING!!

All on my own in the house. Charles is out with his Mum. Christina is seeing a client and I'm still skipping round the kitchen to 'Old Town' trying to decide which version I like best - the Lynott one or the Corrs - and being completely unable to make up my mind so having to listen all over again!! (Gary Barlow is on hold until I get this out of my system! Sorry Gary!!)

AFTER A BRIEF REPRIEVE...

... I have to report that the dishwasher is knackered. Sadly we have to wait until Monday for the repair person to attend. This is hugely annoying, especially as I knew it was seriously ill a week ago and we've just gained a few days grace by restoring the factory settings as advised by the very helpful(!) adviser (!) on the helpline. Thanks for nothing - we could have had it properly fixed by now. It's been a day of deliveries, shopping and visiting the Mother-in-Law - so a day like any other then!! However, I did hear a song on the radio (2) that I fell in love with and that has altered the way I feel about the whole day! (Amazing how a song can do that) I heard the Corrs version of 'Old Town' on our way to Jesmond, loved it, searched You Tube for it as soon as we got home and then discovered it was originally done by Phil Lynott - and that his version is beautiful as well. Have a listen if you don't know it! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f5DF-l7sVrI

ROSE SEEMS...

... to be fully recovered after her off-day yesterday. Back to normal eating and currently goading her sister into a game of chase around the livingroom! Thank goodness!!

POOR LITTLE ROSE!

She's having a really bad day. Off her food again, with a stomach that is making loud squelching and gurgling noises pretty much constantly. One end or the other is going to see some action fairly soon I would imagine - and it won't be pretty when it happens. It would make sense to starve her for the rest of the day I think, but then, do I do the same for Lily or do I try to feed her and hope that Rose doesn't notice? Maybe it won't do any harm to starve the pair of them for one day. Honestly, I hate it when they are under the weather. But, to be fair, other than wanting our attention a bit more than usual, Rose isn't showing any signs of distress or discomfort. Hopefully, she's going to be much better by morning.

HANGING ABOUT TODAY!

That's about it really. I've been hanging about waiting for Christina to get ready to go to work.Then I've got to hang about until she lets me know what time she needs picking up and HOPE it isn't after 3pm otherwise I won't be able to drive because of the light. Then I'll have to hang about when I get to Eshott - because that's what always happens. After that I'll have to hang about waiting for Charles to get back from Preston, so have decided to put a hotpot on for our evening meal, something that isn't going to spoil if it has to be kept warm for a while! Bet nobody kept RunGeordieRun hanging about!!

FUNNY OLD DAY TODAY!

Nothing much going on, apart from a quick trip to Morpeth with Christina so I could go to the wholesalers and she could get some rather nice things from Laura Ashley's sale. Charles is in Preston, clearing the house today and won't be home till tomorrow sometime. I've done all my jobs around the house and am feeling a bit bored now to be honest. I really do not do relaxation at all.

CALLED IN ON GRANDMA...

... this morning, to discover her walking about, admittedly with the aid of her walker, but absolutely against instructions from the staff at the home who say she should only be attempting to walk with a member of staff. Naughty, naughty! Actually, although she started quite brightly, she soon became confused and tired and, after half an hour, was quite keen for us to be going!! Anyway - we got back home around midday after doing some food shopping. I'm catching up with baking ready for next week. Charles has just left for the radio station. Christina's out with a friend. (Feel very tempted to put the timer on for the cakes that are in the oven now and have a little snooze while they are baking!!)

BACK TO WORK!

Actually a day early, but I got an order through from Radcliffes on Tuesday and had it ready for today, so it made sense to get it to them as apparently, they had nothing left! To be honest, it's been quite pleasant getting back to the old routine. I haven't pushed myself to put in ridiculous hours, just made a few bits each day over the past three days and I've quite enjoyed myself. Which makes me wonder if I just had Radcliffes, even though he does my head in, would it actually be better for me in terms of manageability, as opposed to driving myself frantic trying to complete the hug orders for Centurion? Probably, we need to work out profitability and stuff on the two accounts because we already know that the products that Centurion take are not making me much profit at all, whereas Kevin has such a range that overall I do make a healthy profit from him. Hmmm - just a thought!

FEELING FAT AND BLOATED.

Urgh! I HATE feeling like this and yet it is totally my own fault. I knew I was struggling after the starter and main, so I really didn't have to have any pud, but I couldn't help myself and managed to consume an enormous helping of Christmas pud with lashings of rum sauce. Believe me - I am suffering now. Another cause of my indigestion of course could be that we played West Brom today - and managed to lose as well as having Debuchy sent off and Colo sustaining an injury that's going to see him out for about six weeks. Oh - and typically on the day that I decide to cook Christmas lunch so that Claire can actually taste something now that her cold has gone - the dishwasher packs up. Wonderful!! We've dismantled the tree this evening. It had kind of got to the point where it was pretty much dismantling itself, so it really had to go today. Although I've enjoyed it, I really love the feeling of space and less-clutter when it's gone.