tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-56483104067837440332024-03-19T12:32:45.849+00:00Diary of a (retired) teacherJoyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16116524003944939298noreply@blogger.comBlogger5401125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5648310406783744033.post-89886100393140505772024-03-18T19:45:00.002+00:002024-03-18T19:45:23.650+00:00Monday evening, 18-03-24Hi, everyone, welcome to the blog. What a lovely day it has been, packed with small pleasures.<div><br /></div><div>The sun was shining as I set off for Circuits. We were a small group today, two of us to start with (plus Lindsey, of course) and then H turned up too. It's much easier to feel energetic in the sunshine. :-)</div><div>So when I came home again . . .</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1wiZgimxcxtJV3E2xt9ghu97Fye9qwg-asJaOdEhvnXdTUX1rVORpjQdcjsvu48zg-j0oI7wnPUYiQDKnzPvrYxDU1I2iFPIPmyYzudOkEaOWA0SfoFrksBrY4JDcTO6CgpsjtA3qAf8uiK4mPqgQ_ZOnatrwUyVrI6ywova-N3nyhGcaAQMpmhY82uw/s2320/P1250596_edited-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2320" data-original-width="1908" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1wiZgimxcxtJV3E2xt9ghu97Fye9qwg-asJaOdEhvnXdTUX1rVORpjQdcjsvu48zg-j0oI7wnPUYiQDKnzPvrYxDU1I2iFPIPmyYzudOkEaOWA0SfoFrksBrY4JDcTO6CgpsjtA3qAf8uiK4mPqgQ_ZOnatrwUyVrI6ywova-N3nyhGcaAQMpmhY82uw/s320/P1250596_edited-1.jpg" width="263" /></a></div>. . . I opened up the garden room, uncovered the egg chair, swept off all the spiders' webs and moved it - like this.</div><div><br /></div><div>And enjoyed my post workout coffee in the sunshine.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilttHcVrny29SYLHChpPeyY7r_So0rgsf35LGDthILR9cBo1K48wQUNl3eZWjHMO0PWLCt_oXsiXSJOiFqBVa3Zm9dgxOZvMQiB2W8TWm11nXsE4o0Qu0OU0DBjpR2lzW0nMJ996h8yH4oXG1MURvoQHK86EXIDl2xjw18XHd9tTZGvmTG4UgqXmhRQa4/s2274/P1250604_edited-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1731" data-original-width="2274" height="244" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilttHcVrny29SYLHChpPeyY7r_So0rgsf35LGDthILR9cBo1K48wQUNl3eZWjHMO0PWLCt_oXsiXSJOiFqBVa3Zm9dgxOZvMQiB2W8TWm11nXsE4o0Qu0OU0DBjpR2lzW0nMJ996h8yH4oXG1MURvoQHK86EXIDl2xjw18XHd9tTZGvmTG4UgqXmhRQa4/s320/P1250604_edited-1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>I had my breakfast outside too. Lovely.<div><br /></div><div>One of the nicest things, for me, about summer is being able to have my first coffee and my meals in the fresh air. Bliss.</div><div><br /></div><div>It was just warm enough while the sun shone. Later on, the sun went in and it wasn't quite comfortable enough so I shut up the bifolds, covered the egg chair and came back in.</div><div><br /></div><div>I changed my plans a bit after that.<br />As I had started a sort out in my bedroom, I decided to focus on that and get it totally done so I got everything out, sorted all my clothes, put the Arctic stuff (boots, gloves, hat, yaktrax, thermals) up high because I really doubt I will need any of them before next winter now, made decisions about what to keep and what to donate and packed the donated stuff in labelled black bags so Lindsey won't have to sort them. They're now sitting on the spare bed waiting for when Lindsey starts asking for donations. And a few things got chucked away but really not much - I was happy about that.</div><div>Once all was tidy again, I cleaned, dusted, swept and, finally, changed the sheets before sweeping the landing too.</div><div>I felt so, so good when it was all done - I love getting into a freshly changed bed, don't you? And the old sheets are now clean and drying.</div><div><br /></div><div>I walked and tapped my way to Morrisons for some milk as I had run out. It was definitely feeling a bit chilly by then. Then, finally, I made a batch of rice pud in Thermione - cheaper than in the slow cooker because it takes under an hour.</div><div><br /></div><div>Tomorrow starts with the walk to Groove with Chris, tapping a few boxes as we go, and the walk back again afterwards. <br />Then, after breakfast (outside? who knows), I'm off to Beth's. She is on holiday this week and is doing some clearing out too so I offered to lend a hand. </div><div><br /></div><div>Have you had lovely, springlike weather too? I do hope it hangs around; I've checked BBC weather and it looks to be dull but dry so maybe the sun will break through - you never know.</div><div><br /></div><div>Have a good evening and tomorrow, whatever you have planned. xx</div><div><br /></div><div><br /><div><br /></div></div>Joyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16116524003944939298noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5648310406783744033.post-30167747041279344842024-03-17T20:22:00.000+00:002024-03-17T20:22:27.051+00:00Sunday evening, 17-03-24<p> Good evening, all. Back on track again this evening.<br />Goodness it was a dull, wet old morning although it brightened up this afternoon and we even got some sunshine which was nice.<br />I contacted Lindsey and, yes, she's doing a pop up shop again in May so the stuff I am sorting out has somewhere to go. I like that; it will either raise some money for the Blossom Suite or will be taken over to Ghana (I think it's Ghana) for people in a village there. A really good incentive to continue sorting out and clearing things I haven't worn this winter.</p><p>Sunday lunch was a whoppa (healthy and loads of veg!) and, when I sat down after clearing up, I promptly fell asleep. Nice.<br />Really, I should have done a bit of gardening but . . .</p><p>Tomorrow it's my middle brother's birthday. I don't see him much but we stay in contact. Happy Birthday, John - have a lovely day. <br />In the diary, there is just circuits but, of course, being Monday, it's downstairs cleaning day and, as last week was a bit of a light touch affair, I need to take a bit longer over it.<br />I don't need to do a 'weekly shop' but I do need some milk so a nice, roundabout walk to Morrison, tapping a few boxes on the way, weather permitting, is on the cards.<br />And that's tomorrow.</p><p>Sleep well, everyone, and have a great Monday. xx</p>Joyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16116524003944939298noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5648310406783744033.post-68232748944785425132024-03-17T07:00:00.000+00:002024-03-17T07:00:48.830+00:00Saturday evening - ooops, I mean Sunday morning, 17-03-24 <p> Morning, everyone. Really sorry this is late (the other blog is late too); I was so tired yesterday evening that I snoozed the time away and went to bed early-ish. I had a good night's sleep too so must have needed it.<br />So it's back to a morning post just for today and the evening one will be up this evening.</p><p>Yesterday was a really nice day. The weather played ball with a bit of sunshine and some warmth although it seemed to chill off later.</p><p>I joined Lindsey and the group online for the Saturday SET class first thing before getting out the ironing board and clearing the basket. I then had a good old sort out in my cupboards before putting the ironing away (and I need to finish that off today).</p><p>Lunch with Beth and Alex was lovely. We went to the Hare, a favourite place in the past. It went rather downhill after lockdown but seems to have picked up again - service had got very slow and inattentive but it was really good yesterday and the food was nice. Nothing special, but then nor are the prices anything to faint over, and it was all very acceptable.<br />We'll go back.</p><p>It was late afternoon before I got home and I felt really weary. Maybe it was the big meal at lunchtime, I don't know, but I turned the heating up a bit and snoozed on and off for the rest of the day, hence this not going up yesterday evening. Oh, well.</p><p>Anyway - on to today. I want to finish the sort out first. I know I will have to do another one soon to change over from warmer to cooler clothes but not yet - the weather is just not consistent enough nor warm enough. <br />However, there are some things I haven't worn all winter and, as Lindsey is doing another pop up clothing thing in May, I think, I can put stuff aside in bags for when she wants them.</p><p>Apart from that, it's just lazy Sunday stuff. It's now just four weeks until my Center Parcs break so I have started making a few lists (as you do); it's self catering so I need to take basics - salt, stock, pata, rice, just small amounts, as well as dishwasher powder and so on. I refuse to pay Parc Market prices for basics. </p><p>Back to the new normal this evening. It is lucky I don't have anything planned this morning and that I woke early-ish but tomorrow morning there's circuits so I don't want a rush first thing.<br />I hope you slept well and have a great day. xx</p>Joyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16116524003944939298noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5648310406783744033.post-60653760149081906802024-03-15T19:58:00.002+00:002024-03-15T19:58:46.908+00:00Friday evening, 15-03-24Evening, everyone. Have you had a good day?<div><br /></div><div>We actually had sunshine again today - that's two days running. We did get some heavy rain this morning and my heart sank because I had walked to Slimming World but, by the time the meeting was over, it had stopped and the sun was out again. Phew.</div><div><br /></div><div>I have lost this week - two and a half pounds which makes up for last week's gain - and I won the raffle which was some useful food stuff for my cupboards/freezer - pittas, can of corn, onions, a pepper, tomato puree, Italian herbs, pointing the way to making a pitta pizza, I suspect.<br />Sometimes there's raffle stuff I don't use and then it goes back into next week's Slimmer of the Week basket because there's no point wasting it, is there?</div><div><br /></div><div>I'd put in a load of washing first thing so when I got home, out it went onto the line where it dried nicely. I MUST do some ironing tomorrow.</div><div><br /></div><div>Apart from that, I cooked yummy meals (details over on t'other blog), read, watched telly/YouTube, made some rice pudding in Thermione (a treat for tomorrow) and had a bit of a snooze in the afternoon. A thoroughly lazy day, in fact. I bet I still sleep well though.<br />I made the classic mistake of taking an ovenproof frying pan out of the oven, forgot and touched the handle a few minutes later. Ouchity ouch!! Three slightly sore fingers but only one obvious blister - I'll survive!</div><div><br /></div><div>The biggie for tomorrow is that Beth, Alex and I are having lunch out for Mothering Sunday. A week late, I know, but it won't be crowded. I'm really looking forward to that.</div><div><br /></div><div>Better stop waffling and get this sent. Have a super day tomorrow, everyone. Sleep well. xx</div>Joyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16116524003944939298noreply@blogger.com23tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5648310406783744033.post-23811893102946448512024-03-14T19:22:00.001+00:002024-03-14T19:22:43.020+00:00Thursday eveningHi, everyone.<div><br /></div><div>Today has been another really nice day. It was cloudy to start with but then out came the sunshine and I actually got a load of washing properly dried on the line.</div><div><br /></div><div>After a busy start making those flapjacks . . .</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6iheOQglCnEIl_UtukEcECzvEpUvPDMAQLGGVXvj7jp_jzIihYkWRW0m31amahJA7uy7oNlpKxDh05t2h5KuMOGEZfU3zzVQsBZXXWtz2zlnOISmVaGcX-zcsUoZ9PWiuzpsUdR9GWTsuNJ4JSOPL7qR7jZjGvo3clbIKPvHK7kuhy4xJnAZ7KaiwG4Q/s1812/P1250553_edited-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1530" data-original-width="1812" height="338" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6iheOQglCnEIl_UtukEcECzvEpUvPDMAQLGGVXvj7jp_jzIihYkWRW0m31amahJA7uy7oNlpKxDh05t2h5KuMOGEZfU3zzVQsBZXXWtz2zlnOISmVaGcX-zcsUoZ9PWiuzpsUdR9GWTsuNJ4JSOPL7qR7jZjGvo3clbIKPvHK7kuhy4xJnAZ7KaiwG4Q/w400-h338/P1250553_edited-1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div> . . . and a nice, big wholemeal loaf, Chris came round at ten and we had a great time. She took the rest of the flapjacks (four - I made a small batch) home for her and Steve to enjoy later.</div><div><br /></div><div>Then I just pottered in the house - washing, bit of cleaning, sweeping, etc.</div><div><br /></div><div>Later on, I went into Teams for this SEND governors 'forum' (that's what it is called) which was actually really helpful and interesting, well worth the time.</div><div><br /></div><div>Now it is evening, the kitchen is all clean and tidy and I am slowly starting to chill. Sadly, we have had just a bit of rain this evening and tomorrow looks a bit dodgy but we will see, won't we. I'd like to walk to SW but not if I'm going to get wet - I'm a softy!</div><div><br /></div><div>I ought to get out the ironing board but I'm not going to, I'm just going to relax and see what's on telly, YouTube or iPlayer for a while. How do you typically spend your evenings?</div><div>Sleep well and see you tomorrow evening. xx</div>Joyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16116524003944939298noreply@blogger.com19tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5648310406783744033.post-53292576534481935952024-03-13T20:07:00.000+00:002024-03-13T20:07:16.724+00:00Wednesday evening<p>Good evening, lovely people, and welcome to my blog. </p><p>It is Dave's birthday today. Unlike me and Beth, he tends not to make much of a thing about it and, to be honest, wouldn't mind if I forgot completely, but I remembered to send a card and will give him something when he and Anna next come round.</p><p>I texted Chris yesterday and she was keen on doing Lindsey's ad hoc Beat the Street walk too so we made plans to walk down to the hall where it started and go from there.<br /><br />Then, this morning, I got an email saying that my parcel was arriving today at the very time we were going to be out. However, I followed the link and they were OK to leave it on the doorstep. As I live down a short cul de sac and the doorstep is hidden by my car and the neighbours' cars too, it's as safe as any place is going to be so I was happy to go with that and do the walk.<br />I was rather happy it was coming early, to be honest!</p><p>And - the best timing in the world - it arrived just as I was leaving for the walk. How lucky was that!?</p><p>It was one of those days where everything seemed to go well. My car insurance renewal stuff arrived. I opened it with some trepidation to see that it has gone up by the grand total of . . . £9.02. Under a tenner. Phew, what a relief.<br />I'm not sure why it is so small an increase. Maybe it is the age of the car, who knows? But I'm not complaining. All I need to hear about now is the teachers' pension increase.</p><p>The walk was really good. I wondered if Lindsey would go around our estate but no, she took us round the next area along at a fairly spanking pace. Great exercise and I was thoroughly lost for quite a while with no idea where we were. It was a bit chilly but by the end we were all warmed up and, to be frank, a bit sweaty. And I'm well over 10k steps today - my target each day is 5k.<br />I have lost my Beat the Street card though. It must have fallen out of my pocket during the walk. I was using my phone to register boxes so didn't miss it until I got home. Oh, well . . .</p><p>Personal Training was, as always, good fun and hard work - as it is supposed to be. What with that and the walk, I should sleep well tonight.</p><p>I've unboxed the cutter and used it. It's just as expected - works well and is very solid and 'substantial'. Good oh! Yes, I've used it. Never were carrots more beautifully sliced!</p><p>Tomorrow it's Chris' birthday. We have agreed not to do presents for each other but I have a card and I will bake some flapjacks for our coffee and chat time using the basic 3-4-1 ratio. We don't have any edibles usually so that will make it a bit special.<br />I'll do the SET class later on to make time for the flapjacks. Lindsey records this one and pops it onto YouTube so that will be OK.<br />Then, in the afternoon, I have a Teams meeting with the other SEND governors in our academy trust. I'm not expecting it to be all that interesting but it will be OK, I am sure.</p><p>I'm feeling really tired now. It's only eight so I must stay awake a little bit longer but I think it's an early bedtime for me.<br />How has your day gone? Hopefully, really well. Sleep tight and pleasant dreams, everyone. xx</p><p><br /></p>Joyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16116524003944939298noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5648310406783744033.post-77867315275142022882024-03-12T19:11:00.002+00:002024-03-12T19:11:25.540+00:00Tuesday evening, 12-03-24Good evening, everyone. Has your day been a goodie - I do hope so!<div><br /></div><div>After I signed off yesterday evening, I was doing a final trawl through Facebook before closing everything down and, in the Thermomix page/group (not sure which), I noticed that the cutter is finally now available in the UK. This is a grater/slicer that fits onto the Thermomix bowl; it's been out for a couple of years now but until recently has only been available in the UK as part of a new Thermomix deal - highly annoying to those of us who are perfectly satisfied with the Thermo we have and have no wish to shell out £ < cough > on a new one!!<br />As it has become available in other countries, it has sold out immediately - which should have told the company something about how many they make but perhaps the comparatively late inclusion of the UK is a bit political - I don't know.</div><div><br /></div><div>Anyway, I went straight onto the UK Vorwerk site and a cutter should now be arriving by the end of the week. If it is up to the usual Thermo-standard (and I have seen nothing to indicate that it's any less), it will be excellent quality and I'll will definitely be using it a lot. I've even started thinking of meal plans to include it. Silly me!</div><div><br /></div><div>I got a nice surprise when I checked my building society account as the interest for the year had been added. It is interesting, though, that my premium bonds, which are less than what I've had in my YBS account until December, has paid me more - despite it being pure chance.<br />Anyway, no complaints about either and it boosts the savings a bit, doesn't it - and makes buying the cutter a bit less 'naughty'.</div><div><br /></div><div>Today passed as expected. A drive to Groove which was such fun (the drive and the class), a drive back, breakfast, a Morrisons shop (I have plenty of fresh stuff again now, phew) and a sort out and tidy up followed by ironing. I didn't do any washing so I really must do some tomorrow. The forecast is better than it was today (it couldn't be any wetter, that's for sure) so maybe I can get the washing out on the line. We will see. </div><div><br /></div><div>It's Dave's birthday tomorrow so I must get his card to him and it's Personal Training in the afternoon. Also, Lindsey has organised a Beat the Street walk around here which I might do depending on how the housework and the weather goes.</div><div><br /></div><div>Have a lovely evening and sweet dreams. xx</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Joyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16116524003944939298noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5648310406783744033.post-48246163226583047202024-03-11T19:16:00.002+00:002024-03-11T19:16:54.893+00:00Monday evening, 11-03-24Evening, one and all, welcome to Monday evening. It's been a dreary old day outside today; no rain, thankfully, but no sunshine either. <div><br /></div><div>Circuits was great this morning. Almost a full group and some new exercises to work on, including a very stretchy one on the new standing rack. We all had a go and we all managed it to some extent.<br />When I got home, I whizzed around to get downstairs a bit cleaner. I wouldn't say it was a particularly deep clean but it was OK and I got everything finished, including lunch prep, before Mel turned up.</div><div><br /></div><div>We had a good old chat and she described the garden remodelling she and her husband are planning for their garden. It sounds exciting and should look really good. They're doing it all themselves too; very impressive.</div><div><br />Later, I watched the final of the Pottery Throw-Down. No surprises, right prevailed and it all came to a happy ending for this series. I do like how they let us know what each contestant has been doing since their time on the programme.</div><div><br /></div><div>That was it as far as scheduled stuff was concerned but I did have a good think about the possibility of the Prague trip and decided, after a lot of thought, to leave it for this year. I am trying to rebuild my savings after a spendy year last year and, let's face it, Prague isn't going anywhere, is it? I'm sure One Traveller will be doing another one next year, probably several, in fact.<br />I took into account that not only do I have two short breaks next month, I have several really interesting day trips booked and there's every chance that I might do something with Beth and Alex at some point.</div><div>So - no, not this year.</div><div><br /></div><div>(Unless the old premium bonds come up trumps in which case - obviously . . .)</div><div><br /></div><div>I don't really mind saying no. I do have a good old life, plenty of nice things happen so no grumbles at all and one of my targets for the year is Economy, isn't it?</div><div><br /></div><div>Tomorrow, the weather forecast is Not Good and it looks as if Chris and I will be driving to Groove rather than Beating the Boxes. Then, I am going to Morrisons to do a shop - I'm getting short on fruit and veg plus a few other bits and bobs like cheese, yogurt and milk. In fact, I have totally finished off my cheddar and what is life without cheddar, eh?</div><div>I have some washing to do and some stuff from today in the ironing basket so, with the upstairs to clean, it's a fairly full day. </div><div><br /></div><div>Have a lovely, relaxing rest-of-evening and sleep well, everyone. xx</div>Joyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16116524003944939298noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5648310406783744033.post-79786976614147291812024-03-10T19:11:00.001+00:002024-03-10T19:11:28.018+00:00Sunday evening, 10-03-24Good evening, everyone. We are now a third of the way through March which seems pretty impossible but we really are. Such a shame today's weather didn't reflect that Spring is so close. Wall to wall rain pretty much all day, a complete contrast to Saturday. Oh, well, it takes all sorts of weather, doesn't it?<div><br /></div><div>Today was a bit of a nothing day really. I slept like a log which was lovely and just did the necessary - meals and clearing up, finished a bit of washing, did some knitting, sorted a bit of meal planning - just the usual stuff.</div><div>I had intended to join Lindsey for an online stretch session but I forgot - ooops.</div><div><br /></div><div>On to tomorrow and it's the usual circuits class first thing before coming home and having a quick downstairs clean and dust before Mel comes round with my Avon order and to stay for lunch. Really looking forward to that. The weather tomorrow is supposed to be dull but dry so fingers crossed.</div><div><br /></div><div>I do hope you all have a lovely Sunday, whether you are a mum or not. Good night, lovely people, and pleasant dreams. xx</div>Joyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16116524003944939298noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5648310406783744033.post-13464630802968014682024-03-09T20:46:00.001+00:002024-03-09T20:46:34.734+00:00Friday and Saturday evening, 09-03-24<p>Good evening, one and all. How has your Saturday been? <br />I've said this before but it sometimes strikes me pretty strongly how, despite being retired for nearly eight years now, weekends still feel 'different' somehow. I no longer have to rush around catching up with homey things - quite the opposite, in fact - but even so . . .<br />A really nice feeling.</p><p>Let's go back to Friday.</p><p>I went to Slimming World as usual before driving over to The Broomfield car park. An unexpected and disappointing one pound gain but that's the way things sometimes go so I'm not fussing about it.<br />I was rather early to park (so plenty of room) in the village hall car park so there was plenty of room. We all boarded the coach and I found myself sitting next to a lady called Helen while the other side were Trudy and Lyn, all of us 'singles' on the trip so we decided to gang up and stick together. A nice coincidence was that three of us had theatre seat tickets together as well. </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz7Wsxbij0qQ6_uA7c6HSqGeK0x3cEl2rUR0lLZLFnFFbPLKB2pIXf3ZQYvkX-p8_2AETJ5X3SdBBbBeDTWOoSDZt0jwZzn_aDyuib104F6H4X3cjUwfgiMuzwOQmHySGGe2Bjzj-PXuz3wP5lon2YneyhmH4XEZkSrPxt27Uh3xjaTsH0hYI1LtIW8Pw/s2016/P1250421_edited-1.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1528" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz7Wsxbij0qQ6_uA7c6HSqGeK0x3cEl2rUR0lLZLFnFFbPLKB2pIXf3ZQYvkX-p8_2AETJ5X3SdBBbBeDTWOoSDZt0jwZzn_aDyuib104F6H4X3cjUwfgiMuzwOQmHySGGe2Bjzj-PXuz3wP5lon2YneyhmH4XEZkSrPxt27Uh3xjaTsH0hYI1LtIW8Pw/s320/P1250421_edited-1.jpg" width="243" /></a></div>Once we were there, being ladies with aging bladders, we located the theatre (just down the road) and then went into the Cambridge, a pub/eating place next to the theatre to use their loo and have a coffee before going into the theatre.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwPPfMMeMxed2FraDSqFZvszn-4luCeemtxDMCVld4yVoWOnGeFNPQgT9v8HgP8JOZi3MkPoab8IfW7bh3XD_oa3vv1I37o2w5d3RDkwPsm_ZQ0QamgaGnxG1J_26AsvbUcDL7j86WBN9IbwwB0Wjatuw7SGEfFwSRZBYeHv630znOdEXmmP1PnCLoazc/s2472/P1250414_edited-1.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1503" data-original-width="2472" height="195" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwPPfMMeMxed2FraDSqFZvszn-4luCeemtxDMCVld4yVoWOnGeFNPQgT9v8HgP8JOZi3MkPoab8IfW7bh3XD_oa3vv1I37o2w5d3RDkwPsm_ZQ0QamgaGnxG1J_26AsvbUcDL7j86WBN9IbwwB0Wjatuw7SGEfFwSRZBYeHv630znOdEXmmP1PnCLoazc/s320/P1250414_edited-1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>We'd all eaten our packed lunches in the coach but it looked so very nice inside that we booked a table to dinner between the shows and it's just as well we did as it was packed later.<p></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSZRh2E1Nxka1twyQdIzi-tBFsCxuywRwkas7qnSJnqRmnCgesdEbqUXW27m_HYSoZVJ1pfnOG2wB9pocPHwZeQcaqjMngxFxYN4m43MtnhxPpuIenZzeQb_GkepfAj2h7iMwwflJbe8mzU7myYSE6IzeKEbPjZrfUUSo-uCQUon3m5bnKijHHmpdHLgM/s1824/P1250432_edited-1.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1824" data-original-width="1665" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSZRh2E1Nxka1twyQdIzi-tBFsCxuywRwkas7qnSJnqRmnCgesdEbqUXW27m_HYSoZVJ1pfnOG2wB9pocPHwZeQcaqjMngxFxYN4m43MtnhxPpuIenZzeQb_GkepfAj2h7iMwwflJbe8mzU7myYSE6IzeKEbPjZrfUUSo-uCQUon3m5bnKijHHmpdHLgM/s320/P1250432_edited-1.jpg" width="292" /></a></div>Outside the theatre.<div><br /></div><div>Before you could go in, there were security checks. I felt so sorry for the chap doing mine as my bag was pretty full with just about everything one could possibly need - I will know better next time!</div><div><br /></div><div>I wasn't allowed to take my second healthy wholemeal roll into the theatre but the fruit, the crisps and the boiled sweets were OK, as were the drinks (water and a sugar free thingy) - go figure!</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9vwKV2R4ns1gdXRTjZV425o2JYwhxAzyoUKoRrwv3HDYl-xLNOWbIn0Vm_AWAjFoo3Ww73Jrbt663jMfZWTRLsYdmXat86fkBzO7oNkGAfixKLE2Qq5mQc7-d811IX-gptVEBFYQArjezLaqnl7-c6zoaZlH1KEKm5I2gqN_dlJIxA32ccjW8ybQ8e4w/s2004/P1250431_edited-1.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2004" data-original-width="1832" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9vwKV2R4ns1gdXRTjZV425o2JYwhxAzyoUKoRrwv3HDYl-xLNOWbIn0Vm_AWAjFoo3Ww73Jrbt663jMfZWTRLsYdmXat86fkBzO7oNkGAfixKLE2Qq5mQc7-d811IX-gptVEBFYQArjezLaqnl7-c6zoaZlH1KEKm5I2gqN_dlJIxA32ccjW8ybQ8e4w/s320/P1250431_edited-1.jpg" width="293" /></a></div>A close up of the nest thingy! It looked dramatic, even more so later on when it was lit up.<div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvHzDNLLWAFtSDQQEGXmMUZ5oT9LBPtl37wiAh0zYBOCUhZrlP4B7LZ517Lg4BhKGIeJnjIpyjZGEQqzSDYWdJlXrNYG_A5vjUE-ZXv_SyqGHeXQO7OrB74R0OiYc_qyEV8f3ZjmhyHrDKxmTFVhV0VEFUBKxt7aoPde-H-xm8quCMuYzWVkOJB_Ih-cs/s2394/P1250434_edited-1.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1911" data-original-width="2394" height="255" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvHzDNLLWAFtSDQQEGXmMUZ5oT9LBPtl37wiAh0zYBOCUhZrlP4B7LZ517Lg4BhKGIeJnjIpyjZGEQqzSDYWdJlXrNYG_A5vjUE-ZXv_SyqGHeXQO7OrB74R0OiYc_qyEV8f3ZjmhyHrDKxmTFVhV0VEFUBKxt7aoPde-H-xm8quCMuYzWVkOJB_Ih-cs/s320/P1250434_edited-1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>The palace theatre is really quite splendid inside. It has a really interesting history - I think it's really interesting anyway - but rather than just regurgitating it, here's a link to the Wiki page if you're interesting.<br />I love that the D'Oyly Carte productions of the Gilbert and Sullivan light operas started here. Just the first one but even so . . .<div><br /></div><div><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Palace_Theatre,_London">https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Palace_Theatre,_London</a><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJRk0yXRp_Nb55Z07sb42ae_93fVuWNnQ4An8IAtjQDmFZa9GVpdk-Thvybm5ubyqCbj1mTOn9KiT3zG3FBY4qB_BSxvbCJADnIHy3RjQYiXymNGGQ8kFUQMpBchtK87nTKwGdFgmhdH1QSH2zyJciPvBakLkdiF0wvMi51LQLhClYVT7b3d_uWIhh2Rs/s2532/P1250441_edited-1.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1908" data-original-width="2532" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJRk0yXRp_Nb55Z07sb42ae_93fVuWNnQ4An8IAtjQDmFZa9GVpdk-Thvybm5ubyqCbj1mTOn9KiT3zG3FBY4qB_BSxvbCJADnIHy3RjQYiXymNGGQ8kFUQMpBchtK87nTKwGdFgmhdH1QSH2zyJciPvBakLkdiF0wvMi51LQLhClYVT7b3d_uWIhh2Rs/s320/P1250441_edited-1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Awful lighting and this doesn't show the impact of the four tiers of balconies.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1119E6NGrgjlWHdhu9A31STbrGXV7M5nR3A3VSAtGUwS5fv2wXU2-zgMuVdvgHQKA0F1zqu24xVUiU23DAjRaPlWEp-ViiLTUTcbX9GLfM7ROdaV6wrxwPCHf7hKF1N78Idg6pzm1r7I383U7LlugUyImAQHoIQ_wZfebwxUwFpExyr80w494OgR6IBQ/s1632/P1250438_edited-1.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1248" data-original-width="1632" height="245" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1119E6NGrgjlWHdhu9A31STbrGXV7M5nR3A3VSAtGUwS5fv2wXU2-zgMuVdvgHQKA0F1zqu24xVUiU23DAjRaPlWEp-ViiLTUTcbX9GLfM7ROdaV6wrxwPCHf7hKF1N78Idg6pzm1r7I383U7LlugUyImAQHoIQ_wZfebwxUwFpExyr80w494OgR6IBQ/s320/P1250438_edited-1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Obviously, we couldn't take photos during the show (although some did) but this was what greeted us when we took our seats . . .<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXCXWKNEhsfpfBZxMfy3Gt2VmnDsNUJRfrLnF0_z-IkZaC_AVqIHgcqM9EFlNreHEZov0GexoDc0IlQpBwm8POr5rO8DMR1uIEkHe9xA5dEY4Tbx4Z1vb0PFsFGj-_j9qJdJqfxl3ZJoLJEzhoAl_9nmgDIq1ur1_FHC6zvD6ho6t2gsyXV2JDxVTE7FA/s1347/P1250462_edited-1.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="939" data-original-width="1347" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXCXWKNEhsfpfBZxMfy3Gt2VmnDsNUJRfrLnF0_z-IkZaC_AVqIHgcqM9EFlNreHEZov0GexoDc0IlQpBwm8POr5rO8DMR1uIEkHe9xA5dEY4Tbx4Z1vb0PFsFGj-_j9qJdJqfxl3ZJoLJEzhoAl_9nmgDIq1ur1_FHC6zvD6ho6t2gsyXV2JDxVTE7FA/s320/P1250462_edited-1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>. . . this was after the interval in the second part in the evening.<div><br /></div><div>The whole production was simply amazing - stunning special effects, people disappearing, magical charms, curses, etc, going back and forth through time, scenery changes and the dementors were absolutely fantastic and genuinely scary . . . </div><div>I could go on for ages but suffice it to say, if you get the chance to see these two plays, grab it with both hands. It was worth every last penny.<br /><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAjNhhVWF8v7Hhp18hXtn-TxgtUv-K_gH59WF96zSyUd6SDk6V8bkrm3jzQtdNvVeS2qLcgbeMCvMRnlLN4zTnTVdF31tUAqEYNY54Hh0uHuqPs6U4nhqxM9b7zFq4daReIndSKY4_l-lnGla-HHqqOKpMjrJK42Ci1VQUsy6R3czvlFiqp_SnLR8ebQs/s2226/P1250442_edited-1.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1464" data-original-width="2226" height="210" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAjNhhVWF8v7Hhp18hXtn-TxgtUv-K_gH59WF96zSyUd6SDk6V8bkrm3jzQtdNvVeS2qLcgbeMCvMRnlLN4zTnTVdF31tUAqEYNY54Hh0uHuqPs6U4nhqxM9b7zFq4daReIndSKY4_l-lnGla-HHqqOKpMjrJK42Ci1VQUsy6R3czvlFiqp_SnLR8ebQs/s320/P1250442_edited-1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Between the shows, we trundled back to the Cambridge for our early dinner. They were, of course, all geared up to between shows diners so service was very pleasant, quick and slick but not feeling rushed in the slightest.</div><div><br /></div><div>I loved this on the wall . . .<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLnXDo9Ded4SxmTl37QFOvzfLHg_BH4IgkyEPOnFzsKdB2zN-W6GQj4n9nHYTQQuUvVdy1MxhWfOzYVpTiz5l5isNRQgjG53FkGe3UO6l2pyWMGhcXwA0FJkjIKdVQn3Oq1M7Jsdeg1EqZwwm6TZLS04SZgR5FeIvHHj7t-FcDdaxPSPzOMelPeJXD3v4/s2124/P1250446_edited-1.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1656" data-original-width="2124" height="249" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLnXDo9Ded4SxmTl37QFOvzfLHg_BH4IgkyEPOnFzsKdB2zN-W6GQj4n9nHYTQQuUvVdy1MxhWfOzYVpTiz5l5isNRQgjG53FkGe3UO6l2pyWMGhcXwA0FJkjIKdVQn3Oq1M7Jsdeg1EqZwwm6TZLS04SZgR5FeIvHHj7t-FcDdaxPSPzOMelPeJXD3v4/s320/P1250446_edited-1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>The food looked great. Two of us had fish and chips, one had the biggest pie I have seen in a long while - it would have done me three meals - and I had a chicken, bacon and avocado salad which was a proper salad with loads of different salad ingredients - leaves, cucumber, edamame beans, pumpkin seeds, carrot . . loads of different stuff - and a dressing that wasn't too oily and 'sticky'.<br /><br />We shared a bottle of white and, fair enough, the whole meal wasn't cheap, but it wasn't outrageous either, good for London prices, we thought.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLwjYBov0t-OBJw9gvAAaLTUYUCEnIumlOpCnV3BlVpSW7GgmKuGAPh4I16vwoWvpaYvNWDzE51wqdYA_LqacALWG1IKNUe-LRbCZ24hqs1FaZ-Q2no4fxs8DWs6tkRoQ4XpO_XXqrK9jlRpGVowkOSrHjnWoNboCqEjEZPpuUCiytYtPyOxgctA1ipLg/s1896/P1250455_edited-1.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1896" data-original-width="1836" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLwjYBov0t-OBJw9gvAAaLTUYUCEnIumlOpCnV3BlVpSW7GgmKuGAPh4I16vwoWvpaYvNWDzE51wqdYA_LqacALWG1IKNUe-LRbCZ24hqs1FaZ-Q2no4fxs8DWs6tkRoQ4XpO_XXqrK9jlRpGVowkOSrHjnWoNboCqEjEZPpuUCiytYtPyOxgctA1ipLg/s320/P1250455_edited-1.jpg" width="310" /></a></div>Just one more photo - the front all lit up before the second show. Very dramatic.</div><div><br /></div><div>Afterwards, it was a quick and short walk back to the coach and we were on our way home. This was the only hiccup; the traffic was heavy and there was a serious hold up at one point caused, we discovered, by a bad crash and a resulting short diversion.<br />Couldn't be helped and at least we were comfortable and relaxed and not driving!!</div><div><br /></div><div>The four of us - me, Helen, Trudy and Lyn - seemed to get on really well and have started a What's App group. If trips coincide again, it will be nice to have someone to go round with.</div><div><br /></div><div>Sitting on the doorstep when I got home was the Council Tax letter regarding the new payments. To my relief, it really isn't that much more. I get a discount anyway, being a sole adult occupier, and now I can update my accounts going forward. Seeing as they don't add anything for paying over ten months, I am spreading the load and keeping it the same.</div><div><br /></div><div>So that was Friday.</div><div><br /></div><div>This morning, I woke feeling very achey, especially around the shoulders - tension, I expect - so decided to have a really nice, easy day.</div><div><br /></div><div>It's Mothering Sunday tomorrow, of course. Beth, Alex and I are going out for a meal but not tomorrow; it will be too crowded everywhere, we've arranged to go out next Saturday instead. <br />Now, as my lovely Mum passed away on Mothering Sunday, I have two days to remember her specially. I do all the time, of course, but this is a bit more that usual. Coincidentally, both my vase of alstroemerias and the daffodils Julia gave me just looked a bit too bedraggled so they saw the inside of the compost bin and this afternoon I went out on a gentle stroll around the neighbourhood to tab a few boxes and to stop off at Morrisons to treat myself to some nice flowers in memory.<br />Any excuse, eh???<br />It made me smile, how many people were out clutching bouquets, bottles and boxes of choccies. Hopefully, there will be plenty of happy mums tomorrow.</div><div><br />Lindsey had organised a walk through South Woodham Ferrers to find and tap boxes (SWF is also doing Beat the Street) but I pulled out because I know she would set a fair old pace and I was feeling the effects of yesterday in aching shoulders and a general weariness. Perhaps that was wrong but . . .</div><div>And I did do a bit locally, didn't I? :-)</div><div><br /></div><div>It' nearly bedtime and I'm slowly relaxing and getting tired. The aches have pretty much gone and I'm hopeful of a really good night's sleep. Or is that Famous Last Words? </div><div>Good night, everyone - sleep well. xx</div><div><br /><div><div><br /><div><br /><p><br /></p></div></div></div></div>Joyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16116524003944939298noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5648310406783744033.post-46714304682115550412024-03-07T20:23:00.000+00:002024-03-07T20:23:15.081+00:00Thursday evening, 07-03-24Hello again, everybody! Another day over and I'm getting a bit more comfortable with evening blogs. I suppose it is more like a 'real' diary, rabbiting on about what has happened rather than what will/should happen! 😁<div><br /></div><div>First things first. There won't be a blog post tomorrow because I won't be back until late-ish and will be heading straight to bed. I'll tell you all about it on Saturday. </div><div><br /></div><div>As almost always, today was a lovely day. It started with a walk to Morrisons to get some flowers (there was such a choice because of Mothering Sunday coming up), then back for SET online and then, having looked up the whole shingles/chicken pox thing, I went over to Chris' for our coffee and chat after all and I'm glad I did. Goodness, how we can talk!!</div><div><br /></div><div>Then Val arrived and we had a really good catch up session which I thoroughly enjoyed. We missed our get together January and February for very good reasons, so there was a lot to talk about.</div><div><br /></div><div>To my delight, because I had forgotten, the latest Marion Todd book was out today. I had it on pre-order as I do for all her books, and it's on my Kindle. I've been very restrained and haven't started it so I can enjoy it on the coach tomorrow and if there's time to 'waste' between shows. Perfect timing.<br />Do any of you know Marion's books? - if not, it's worth giving them a go. They're Scottish detective/police stories with the same characters and so very readable. There's now eight of them and I have really enjoyed every one of them. </div><div><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/series/272107-d-i-clare-mackay">https://www.goodreads.com/series/272107-d-i-clare-mackay</a></div><div><br /></div><div>And now I have used the back pack I bought for the cruise and packed it for my day out tomorrow. It's a good size, plenty of room, not too heavy, just right for that purpose. My usual handbag is a small back-pack style thing anyway so it will feel fine.<br />I'll be going to Morrisons early to buy a few bits for a packed lunch, things I didn't buy when I went today because I couldn't guarantee they would remain uneaten until tomorrow (!!!), then into Slimming World group. I'll have to leave SW early to get to where the coach is picking us up to take us into London - and we go from there.</div><div><br /></div><div>Hoping your day has been as lovely as mine. Sweet dreams, everyone. xx</div>Joyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16116524003944939298noreply@blogger.com20tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5648310406783744033.post-13243674785077369232024-03-06T20:00:00.002+00:002024-03-06T20:00:34.619+00:00Wednesday evening, 06-03-24Good evening, everyone. The weather decided to play ball today. The sun came out and it was quite nice. A bit chilly but not that bad.<div><br /></div><div>I took a walk to Morrisons this morning. I needed to get a few items and also some cash - I like to carry some cash and thought it might be worth getting more before Friday's trip into London. just in case of need.<br />I tapped two boxes going and learned from Lindsey this afternoon that I could have tapped them going home as well. Interesting! Once home, I set to and made lunch for tomorrow so I don't have a mad rush before Val comes for lunch.</div><div>I got downstairs all nice and clean before going over to Lindsey's for personal training and a good old natter as I worked.</div><div>And that was that - just a normal day really with nothing exciting happening.</div><div><br /></div><div>Still pondering Prague.</div><div><br /></div><div>Tomorrow I want to go back to Morrisons early as I want to get some flowers for Val (there's a good reason) and didn't want to get them today. Then it is SET online before having an online chat with Chris this week as her husband has shingles, poor chap. </div><div>Then there's just time to make salad, finish off lunch and set the table before Val gets here.</div><div>Once she's gone, I need to get things ready for Friday's trip to London to see The Cursed Child - a packed lunch and anything else I want to take with me.</div><div>So it's going to be quite a busy day.</div><div><br /></div><div>Good night, all. Sleep well and pleasant dreams. xx</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Joyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16116524003944939298noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5648310406783744033.post-59523903337739223512024-03-05T21:00:00.000+00:002024-03-05T21:00:12.481+00:00Tuesday evening, 05-02-24Good evening, everyone.<div><br /></div><div>First of all, before I forget, a few links about Beat the Street, as promised in one of the comments.</div><div>It's not a new thing; the info on this site was written in 2016 but I've never heard of it before. Perhaps it's the first year this has happened here - I don't know.</div><div><a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/case-studies/beat-the-street-getting-communities-moving">https://www.gov.uk/government/case-studies/beat-the-street-getting-communities-moving</a></div><div><br /></div><div>Here's our local link - if you scroll down, there's a video clip showing how it works.</div><div><a href="https://www.beatthestreet.me/chelmsford/">https://www.beatthestreet.me/chelmsford/</a></div><div><br /></div><div>And finally, here's an article from the Merton site from last year which gives a bit more info.</div><div><a href="https://news.merton.gov.uk/2023/03/10/the-popular-physical-activity-game-beat-the-street-gets-underway-in-merton-next-week/">https://news.merton.gov.uk/2023/03/10/the-popular-physical-activity-game-beat-the-street-gets-underway-in-merton-next-week/</a></div><div><br /></div><div>Lindsey is one of the core team organising it here and she's really thrown herself into it. She was doing school assemblies yesterday and has organised 'find the boxes' walks as well as contributing classes as prizes, bless her. She's also running a one-off Shimmy 'n' Groove Fitness-Family taster session near the end, once the schools break up for Easter.<br />Anyone local interested? I've been to a few of her family sessions - they are great fun! Here's the link.</div><div><a href="https://www.beatthestreet.me/chelmsford/events/fitness-family-taster/">https://www.beatthestreet.me/chelmsford/events/fitness-family-taster/</a></div><div><br /></div><div>This morning, Chris was quite happy to walk and tap with me on the way to Groove. It had been raining but we were so very lucky - it stopped before we set out and started again after we got home. Yes, there was a real dampness in the air but it wasn't raining. Groove was great fun and Chris and I are never short of things to chat about so it was a lovely morning.</div><div><br /></div><div>I did some upstairs housework because I remembered Val is coming round on Thursday so I'd want to give downstairs a quick going over beforehand. No point doing it two days on the trot - not in my book anyway!</div><div>I did get all the ironing done though which I was pleased about. </div><div><br /></div><div>Did Facebook go down for you too - it took me a while to realise that it was them, not me, by which time I'd changed passwords and generally faffed around. It seems fine again now, so fingers crossed.</div><div><br /></div><div>I know I said about holidays, etc, this year but something has come through from One Traveller regarding a six day holiday in Prague - four really, not counting travel days - and it sounds really lovely with lots of included excursions and, being One Traveller, a bedroom per person, whatever the size. I'm pondering . . .</div><div><br /></div><div>On to tomorrow and the only thing in the diary is Personal Training but I want to do out downstairs and also to make as much as I can of the lunch for Val and me so I will have enough to keep me going.</div><div><br /></div><div>So now, at around nine o'clock, all I have to do is warm up my comfy bed using the electric blanket, get ready for bed and then read until I drop off. Lovely.<br />As Mum and Dad used to say to us when we were little and they had tucked us in and given us a hug and a kiss, and which I turned into a sort of rhyme in my head . . .<br /><br /></div><div>Good night,</div><div>God bless,</div><div>See you in the morning and</div><div>No more noise . . .</div><div>xx<br /><br /></div>Joyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16116524003944939298noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5648310406783744033.post-65352721361435040792024-03-04T19:00:00.001+00:002024-03-04T19:00:00.346+00:00Monday evening, 04-03-24Good evening, everyone. It's been quite a pleasant day round here. Fine, dry, some sunshine and my washing dried on the line - ready to iron, anyway, if not completely dry. OK, so it's been a bit cold, but that's what extra layers are for.<div><br /></div><div>I enjoyed Circuits as much as usual. All great fun and I do feel I'm putting in some energy. It's a good group now and it's hard to believe that this time last year, Lindsey was concerned that it might be too small to continue. Not a chance of that now! </div><div><br /></div><div>Once home and after breakfast, hanging out washing, etc, I set off to Morrisons for a very few items I forgot last Friday and also to pick up my blood pressure prescription - and to find a couple of boxes to tap. I've discovered there's one just at the top of our short cul de sac that wasn't on the map although it is on the online map and, with the one outside Morrisons, that makes two I can probably tap every day (you have to tap two boxes within half an hour for the points to start counting) and I've suggested to Chris that we walk a different way to the hall for Groove tomorrow so we can find a few more.</div><div><br /></div><div>Once home again, it was the usual stuff for Monday. I didn't get all of downstairs done so that can continue tomorrow. This evening, there's ironing to start - might not get it all done either but it's a start.</div><div><br /></div><div>Tomorrow starts with Groove and, hopefully, taking a different route there - Chris hasn't confirmed that she is OK with that yet but I think she will be - followed by more washing and housework. I now have four scarves to take to Potters in April and I'd like to have more so knitting is also on the agenda. I know, I know, such an exciting life I live! 😁</div><div><br /></div><div>Has your Monday been good? Take care, stay warm and sleep well. xx</div>Joyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16116524003944939298noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5648310406783744033.post-48940769161945511212024-03-03T19:22:00.000+00:002024-03-03T19:22:19.864+00:00Sunday evening, 03-02-24Hi, everyone. It's been dry today, thank goodness. Quite cold but it's nice not to have had to dodge the raindrops when going out to the shed and it was great to see the sunshine too. Long may it continue.<br />I had such a lovely sleep overnight. I think I woke once for the loo but, apart from that, I came to, all warm and cosy, around seven. Just what was needed.<div><br /></div><div>It's been a typical Sunday; I was thoroughly lazy, taking things very easy and just doing homey stuff. Very restful, very settling and contented.</div><div><br /></div><div>Friday evening, Julia brought me some bunches of daffodils and by today they had opened in the warmth. They are so lovely and cheerful so I took a couple of photos - they filled three vases but I photo-ed two of them.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8ZEGGMozoN0tGMPWNoUwHNuIe41eNMblMe2aSfYQFSJn1mDMDjpixWiszIYJ3sKj-N2HbmFKPIFe4urrtgAjRT-QXrYMjqM9wyV-_6j7FvmYtQMqJUKCYttMdqVHMncE7VF4NNf5e37Gekq6NY9aX9Jjw6M1HHQZRiHZUZalzjtHYE2QQY1EkCm2blaY/s2379/P1250339_edited-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1470" data-original-width="2379" height="396" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8ZEGGMozoN0tGMPWNoUwHNuIe41eNMblMe2aSfYQFSJn1mDMDjpixWiszIYJ3sKj-N2HbmFKPIFe4urrtgAjRT-QXrYMjqM9wyV-_6j7FvmYtQMqJUKCYttMdqVHMncE7VF4NNf5e37Gekq6NY9aX9Jjw6M1HHQZRiHZUZalzjtHYE2QQY1EkCm2blaY/w640-h396/P1250339_edited-1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6619bQ4iIiNhQVj9RhNkOIx-Ro70Xcn-DHiB4kN5p-b3FaAViLjkhCFHaFIOcI2It6iK-6LY14iFb2r7SvQvuMP7QCNOHwTaoHvM0-B5z9MM_MfPwKdpIwhx0eWmSMx6rRNt5oOuLsvJVSZ3xgeff__WqkZuWq7Kg0Ix2m90vU3rjSA454-U-_AFEh2A/s1767/P1250342_edited-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1749" data-original-width="1767" height="396" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6619bQ4iIiNhQVj9RhNkOIx-Ro70Xcn-DHiB4kN5p-b3FaAViLjkhCFHaFIOcI2It6iK-6LY14iFb2r7SvQvuMP7QCNOHwTaoHvM0-B5z9MM_MfPwKdpIwhx0eWmSMx6rRNt5oOuLsvJVSZ3xgeff__WqkZuWq7Kg0Ix2m90vU3rjSA454-U-_AFEh2A/w400-h396/P1250342_edited-1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div>There's just something about daffodils, isn't there?</div><div><br /></div><div>I was going over the finances for February. I had to pay for some coach trips, the headboard and my exercise classes plus a couple of annual payments (as well as the usual monthly outgoings, of course) but apart from that, I did quite well really and was able to move a bit more into savings at the end of the month which I was pleased about.</div><div><br /></div><div>March should be pretty frugal too, with nothing going out for council tax and water, etc, but in April the car insurance is due so I doubt very much I will have any left over to move into savings for a couple of months. It's not a worry; I feel very blessed to have the income to cover the essentials and am always grateful.</div><div><br /></div><div>Given that energy is one of my words for the year, I've been - well, not exactly unenergetic with the exercise classes I do, but I haven't done any extra. I didn't feel like Beating the Street today so I didn't. If I'd made myself do it, I am sure I would have enjoyed it very much indeed. Bad me, eh?</div><div><br /></div><div>Tomorrow is classic Monday. Circuits, downstairs cleaning, etc, and a few loads of washing. Nothing exciting but it should take up a reasonable part of the day once you include meals, etc. It is supposed to be pretty cold overnight but a lovely, sunny day tomorrow - great for drying my washing outside. Fingers crossed.</div><div><br /></div><div>It's just after seven now and I've done the evening kitchen clean and tidy so all that remains is to sit, knit, watch telly . . . the usual evening rest and relax stuff.<br />Have a lovely evening, everyone, and sweet dreams. xx</div>Joyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16116524003944939298noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5648310406783744033.post-25321317019530892732024-03-02T19:43:00.002+00:002024-03-02T19:43:23.868+00:00Saturday evening, 02-03-24Good evening, everyone. How are things going down your way. Have you had a good day?<div><br /></div><div>Yesterday evening was the best time ever. We talked and ate and ate and talked and it was pretty late by the time everyone headed off to their homes. I did a little bit of tidying up, sorting out the food, before heading upstairs at nearly midnight. I had expected to sleep really well so set the alarm but, actually, didn't sleep very much at all. I think my brain was buzzing and, frankly, I'd eaten too much. I usually eat early in the evening and one course plus fruit sometimes so a full three courses was several mouthfuls too far. It was so delicious though - worth every twinge of indigestion!</div><div><br /></div><div>By quarter past eight this morning I was knocking on Lindsey's door for my personal training session followed by the SET class. Both were really good and I wouldn't have missed either for the world.</div><div>I was tired afterwards though and had a bit of a snooze around midday.</div><div><br /></div><div>The weather started off shocking - absolutely pouring and gusty too so it felt really chilly. Back home, I turned up the heat and put on my oodie which dealt with the shivers. The rest of the day was spent pottering around - cooking, meal planning, knitting, watching stuff on the telly - a really lazy afternoon which I appreciated very much, especially as the sun came out between showers and things felt generally warmer.</div><div><br /></div><div>I'm weary now so, fingers crossed, I'll have a much better night's sleep tonight. Tomorrow I have some washing to do and, weather permitting, I want to have a Beat the Street walk around this area: BBC Weather seems to think it will be nice. Cold but fine.</div><div><br /></div><div>It's a bit early to go to bed so I'm going to recline, read, knit or see if there's anything for me to catch up with on the telly for a while. Sleep well, everyone, sweet dreams. xx</div>Joyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16116524003944939298noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5648310406783744033.post-14155184740555320072024-03-01T19:00:00.001+00:002024-03-01T19:00:00.134+00:00Friday, 01-03-24Hi, everyone. Welcome to March, possibly the first day of spring, depending on which date you go by. It was absolutely pouring it down this morning but by the time I came out of Morrison's, the sun was struggling through and it's been much more pleasant. It feels cold though, I don't care what the thermometer says!!<div><br /></div><div>Slimming World was, as always good fun. Plenty of people there and a lively second half. Then I dodged the raindrops for the fifty metres it took to get to Morrisons and did the first shop of the month. It was a bit ouch - well, the bill was - but I needed to stock up on bits and bobs that won't appear on the list for a while. The only naughty thing was a treat - a small leg of lamb joint that I intend to thoroughly enjoy on Sunday!</div><div><br /></div><div>The email came through about next Friday's London jolly to see the Harry Potter plays. It's mostly just times, of course, but it's exciting as I've fancied going for a long time now. I'm not even going to think about dinner because there's loads of places to eat and, if worst come to worst, I'll hardly starve and there will be refreshments in the theatre. I'm taking a packed something for lunch.</div><div><br /></div><div>I'm typing this late afternoon because I'll be otherwise occupied this evening. I've got as much ready as I possibly can so thought I'd get this done and schedule it to post later. I hope you've had a fab first day of March/Spring/St David's Day. xx</div>Joyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16116524003944939298noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5648310406783744033.post-90800547304440828982024-02-29T20:29:00.001+00:002024-02-29T20:29:29.978+00:00Thursday, 29-02-24<p>And who did you propose to today?<br />Evening, everyone. It's been a pretty rotten day, weather wise - rain, rain and more rain. I was so glad I didn't have to go out.</p><p>The SET class online was, as always, good fun . There's just enough time between SET and Chris coming over (or me going to hers) to freshen up a bit and change out of exercise wear so that works really well. <br />As always, we had a great old natter and laugh over coffee.</p><p>Apart from that, the only thing of note was a delivery. The USB charger for my Kindle Fire was on the blink so I very carefully chose a replacement online yesterday, crossing fingers that I had the correct one, and it arrived this afternoon. Yes, it was the right one - phew.<br />I do wish they had standardised thingies that you push in (what're they called? heads?) rather than several different shapes. I'm sure there's a good reason for the differences but it's confusing for techno-twits like me!</p><p>Tomorrow is a bit busier. It starts with Slimming World, as always, and when that's over, I'm going to drive to the Clock Tower precinct to do the first shop of the new month. Then it's home to clean, tidy, set the table, get out the wheelchair ramp for the front door and generally make sure I am ready for our Girls' Get Together in the evening. I'm really looking forward to it.</p><p>Hoping your day has gone well, whatever the weather. Have you had this rain too, or have you escaped?<br />Take ca\re, sleep well and sweet dreams, everyone. xx</p>Joyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16116524003944939298noreply@blogger.com20tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5648310406783744033.post-50269348923845243292024-02-28T19:14:00.000+00:002024-02-28T19:14:43.051+00:00Wednesday, 28-02-24Good evening, everyone. How has your day gone?<div><br /></div><div>It's been another fairly lazy day for me today. I started off fairly busy in the kitchen, prepping and making my meals for today and also prepping some food for when the girls come round on Friday. <br />I did actually prep for Friday on Monday but the frying vegetables caught at the bottom of the pan, I thought I could get away with it and added the mince and finished the sauce and then realised it was bothering me. I won't waste it, I will have it myself, I just didn't feel comfortable serving it to others.<br />I now have a better version waiting for Friday. It's a sort pasta thing with lasagne vibes - a mince and veg tomato base, fusilli in cheese sauce poured over the top and baked in the oven until browned. The others are bringing starter, salad and dessert so that's all I have to do - apart from a vegetarian version for Beth.</div><div>I'll likely do pretty much the same thing with the earlier, less satisfactory version and freeze it in single portions. No way will I waste it just for a few burnt bits</div><div><br /></div><div>Late morning, I got a message from Lindsey - there was a bit of an emergency and she had to cancel personal training today. After some message exchanging, I'm going to do PT and SET back to back on Saturday morning. That should work fine and keeps things up to date - I do SET as part of my Snippets membership, you see. <br />A good thing is that I can test if the shake part of my alarm clock works. Must dig it out tomorrow and set it up. Fingers crossed.</div><div><br /></div><div>I do feel nice and tidy now that the lovely Sharon has sorted my hair out for the next six weeks. I'm so lucky to have her. It's pretty short this time but it does grow pretty fast. The next appointment is the week before my Center Parcs break which is great timing!</div><div><br /></div><div>And I remembered to read the gas meter and send off the numbers. I don't get a quarterly bill until April but I am very comfortably in credit so no worries. I wonder how long before they drop my monthly payments again - after all, the heaviest usage will be over by then. We will see.</div><div><br /></div><div>Tomorrow morning starts with Thursday's SET online and then Chris is round for coffee and chat. Depending on the weather, I might pop out to a garden centre and look around but if it's wet (it's supposed to be), I will probably stay in and do some sorting out, etc, etc, etc.</div><div><br /></div><div>Sleep well, everyone, and sweet dreams. xx</div>Joyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16116524003944939298noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5648310406783744033.post-15158889597466436832024-02-27T19:37:00.002+00:002024-02-27T19:37:14.402+00:00Tuesday, 27-02-24Good evening, everyone. How has your day gone? Has it been good?<div>It's been really pleasant weather here today. It started cold-ish with a hint of frost and then the sun came out. So cheering when the sun shines.</div><div><br /></div><div>Can you believe there's only two more days of February? Where has the month gone - if feels like I've blinked and missed at least half of it. But March sounds springlike, the days are getting very noticeably longer and, when we look around, there's plenty of colour again. Lovely!</div><div><br /></div><div>Chris and I find that the walk down to Groove warms us up nicely and the walk back is a great additional cool down. We've been so lucky with the weather for these walks; despite how wet it has been, we have only needed to take a car once. Groove was really good - a new playlist and new routines. This block is going to be great!</div><div><br /></div><div>Once home, I sorted out a finished load of washing and out it went on the line. Lovely! It didn't properly dry but not to worry, it's freshened up nicely and is now on the rack by the radiator.</div><div><br /></div><div>And that's about it. Some knitting, some housework, some ironing, some telly . . . all the usual stuff.</div><div><br /></div><div>Tomorrow the lovely Sharon is coming to sort out my hair and it's personal training. Beat the Street starts too so I might walk out and find a box to activate my card with - and maybe a few more too. When I say 'find', I do have a map so it's just a case of spotting the right lamp post! I'll try and remember to take my camera so you can see what I mean.</div><div><br /></div><div>And finally, note to self - don't forget to read the gas meter tomorrow or Thursday!</div><div><br /></div><div>The weather has been a bit chilly but so very pleasant today so here's hoping tomorrow is just as nice. Sleep well. xx</div><div><br /></div><div><br /><div><br /></div></div>Joyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16116524003944939298noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5648310406783744033.post-62726294011740836882024-02-26T19:55:00.001+00:002024-02-26T19:55:43.252+00:00Monday extra!May as well start as I mean to continue. Good evening, everyone. 😇<div><br /></div><div>The day started with circuits, first of the new block, and really good! It was pretty cold outside so it warmed me up nicely.</div><div>Later on, I got the downstairs housework done and one batch of washing which I dithered about pegging outside - when I decided to dry it inside, out came the sun but when I thought 'OK, out it goes', it started drizzling. Eventually, the washing just stayed on the rack and it's still there to finish drying overnight so I can iron it tomorrow.</div><div><br /></div><div>The biggie was that my new bed base arrived and it's now all set up and made, ready for bedtime. It's so nice to have a headboard after so long. </div><div>There was almost a problem. I mentioned taking the old bed and they said 'oh, we're not taking the old one'. </div><div>I said 'oh, yes, you are, I have an email to prove it' - or something like that. I did too, I checked when they arranged delivery date and time.<br />After some phoning, etc, they agreed that, yes, they were going to take the old bed away and all was sweetness and light again! And to be fair, they set it all up very nicely and would have put the mattress on except that I stopped them as I wanted to get the clean valance on first.</div><div><br /></div><div>And that was it really - mostly just a normal day - mostly! And I have a dust-free, unbroken, headboarded bed. And clean sheets. Yay!</div><div><br /></div><div>On to tomorrow and I have Groove (walking there and back with Chris as the forecast is good), followed by upstairs housework, washing, drying and ironing. Nothing at all interesting or exciting.</div><div><br /></div><div>Hoping you have all had a lovely day. Sleep well. xx</div>Joyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16116524003944939298noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5648310406783744033.post-51649363781532263092024-02-26T07:00:00.001+00:002024-02-26T07:00:00.138+00:00Monday, 26-02-24Morning, everyone. How are you? I hope you've all had a lovely weekend.<br />I have been keeping up with blog reading, just not commenting; back to normal now.<br /><div><br />I've been pondering and have decided that, seeing as I'm now waking at a much more civilised hour (usually) and that some of my Facebook admin stuff has to be done in the morning, I'm going to post in the evenings instead after today. I rarely go out of an evening so it should ease the morning pressure on those days when I have morning exercise classes or Slimming World. I hate being rushed first thing and I ben I'm not the only one - for so many decades, weekday early mornings were just one thing after another and I don't want to go there again. 😁😄😊<div><br /></div><div>It's been a bit colder round here. I was most surprised on Saturday to see that we had quite a dramatic frost that looked lovely in the bright sunshine.<br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzrVWZ70dEw1R9WbfLKUkxyaKUKtqKWEuvO03LlLYKQWSPrvfDeOPGfmqHnYf4LQle4GxsFXxhc99u5yjPaajPI7B8zAhRoanSC-P36D4ScCDG7nGsyX9q97EC3sT_bJBF6Arl0RW8pOmH-0jkWlBfSnQ8xQNn1luxXr_iiGmlhP9xNbpyCOO2g8VNUKA/s1992/P1250202_edited-1.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1611" data-original-width="1992" height="259" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzrVWZ70dEw1R9WbfLKUkxyaKUKtqKWEuvO03LlLYKQWSPrvfDeOPGfmqHnYf4LQle4GxsFXxhc99u5yjPaajPI7B8zAhRoanSC-P36D4ScCDG7nGsyX9q97EC3sT_bJBF6Arl0RW8pOmH-0jkWlBfSnQ8xQNn1luxXr_iiGmlhP9xNbpyCOO2g8VNUKA/s320/P1250202_edited-1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>I was a bit worried about the lupins because that's how I lost the previous plants - but it was a longer cold snap that time and they seem to be OK this time.<div><br /></div><div>The sun kept shining well into the afternoon - lovely - before the rain returned.<br /><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9f9Hlk6lUgOOx6g7BqOU4E35Wjb_r-bGh_a-baLW0j4ZG4JNpxoqYRilunW9si-0vAxVv9XJmMsZhUJabaIVsaa-1DS38V8FxECGQctI5t1_lQ-x1D9Gt7eb1NiE9CjyWDy4oD_GdHIFBA3i-nQOvkCNlnJD9ibp2HRY0pfifGWPPxu2O31tUJvZoeEw/s2552/P1250203_edited-1.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1749" data-original-width="2552" height="219" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9f9Hlk6lUgOOx6g7BqOU4E35Wjb_r-bGh_a-baLW0j4ZG4JNpxoqYRilunW9si-0vAxVv9XJmMsZhUJabaIVsaa-1DS38V8FxECGQctI5t1_lQ-x1D9Gt7eb1NiE9CjyWDy4oD_GdHIFBA3i-nQOvkCNlnJD9ibp2HRY0pfifGWPPxu2O31tUJvZoeEw/s320/P1250203_edited-1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Cyclamen leaves always look gorgeous in the frost and Saturday was no exception.</div><div><br /></div><div>Sunday morning was slightly frosty but there was also some not-quite-fog hovering and some sunshine before - yup, you've guessed it - the rain returned again. Ho hum!</div><div><br /></div><div>What's the betting come the summer there will be muttering of drought, hosepipe bans, etc.</div><div><br /></div><div>I didn't do much over the weekend. There was no Saturday exercise class this weekend and really I just chilled and enjoyed the peace and quiet.</div><div><br /></div><div>The new Broomfield coach trips mailing list came through and I have requested (and got) two more trips, both in August. One is into London to the museums - Science, V&A and Natural History,- which are all close together. It's not organised, the coach drops us nearby and picks us up later so nearer the time I will do some 'research' so as not to waste the time. I haven't been to the last two for decades so there are bound to be changes and there might be some specials I can book.</div><div>The other is to RHS Wisley with a cream tea involved somewhere in the day. I always love my visits to RHS Hyde Hall, as you know, and have wanted to visit Wisley for some time but don't fancy the drive around on the M25. This way, someone else does the hard work. </div><div><br /></div><div>Today starts with Circuits at Shimmy Studio and then I have to stay home for the divan base and headboard delivery between one and three. It's downstairs housework day anyway so it's really not an issue. On Friday evening, I am hosting a Girls Dinner (me, Beth, Linda and Julia) and I'm providing the main part of the main course so I might get what I can made in advance and into the freezer. I'm doing a sort of pasta bake, one mince based and one bean based for Beth, although I bet everyone will have some too - we always do!</div><div><br /></div><div>Have a lovely day and see you again tomorrow evening definitely, possibly this evening! xx<br /><div><br /></div></div></div></div>Joyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16116524003944939298noreply@blogger.com23tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5648310406783744033.post-2020277423879031322024-02-23T14:33:00.002+00:002024-02-23T14:33:09.838+00:00Friday. 23-02-24Hi, everyone. Just to say I'm absolutely fine, just feeling very weary so I'm taking a break from blogging over this weekend. Back on Monday, for sure.<div>Have a great weekend, whatever you have planned.</div><div>xx</div>Joyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16116524003944939298noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5648310406783744033.post-22946446226215675612024-02-22T06:48:00.001+00:002024-02-22T06:48:04.710+00:00Thursday, 22-02-24Good morning, everyone. How are you all today?<br />I don't think it's raining right now but it is forecast, plus some thundery showers which doesn't sound nice at all. Let's hope it isn't too bad but I feel for the local children - such horrible weather for them (and their parents) over their half term break.<div><br /></div><div>I decided to take the bus into town yesterday, despite the rain, and I'm glad I did. It might have been wet but it was nice to be out in the fresh air for a while.<br />I went to John Lewis first and paid for the headboard so that's all sorted for Monday's delivery now. Then I headed over to the bedding and got a couple more fitted bottom sheets as the ones I have are pretty battered now. Just their basic ones which are perfectly good quality, although some of their more expensive ranges were really very lovely to touch and would be cosy to sleep on. But expensive!!</div><div><br /></div><div>I did a bit of meandering around a few shops but I was getting wet and decided to head back to the bust - there wasn't anywhere I particularly wanted to go anyway, apart from Boots to get some ibuprofen as I was completely out.</div><div><br /></div><div>Once home, I had a late breakfast before doing a bit of housework (not the garden room, I wanted to stay inside), making something for taster day at SW on Friday, making dinner (a curry so best to make it early and reheat) and getting the new sheets into the washing machine. They're now dry and ironed and ready for use (on Monday!)</div><div><br /></div><div>Personal Training was as good as ever. I do enjoy the sessions, although Lindsey works me hard at times. That's what I'm there for so I don't mind in the least.</div><div><br /></div><div>Today is pretty full although not exactly busy. I'm going to skip SET class online first thing so I can sort out a few things before going over to Chris' for coffee and chat. After that, Diane is over and, hopefully, we are popping over to Longacres for lunch and another chat!!<br />I'll catch up on SET later in the afternoon as it is the one Lindsey records and gets onto YouTube where I can save it in a folder to use any time.</div><div>So - a full day but not busy in the usual sense. Thunderstorms or not, I'm looking forward to it very much. </div><div><br /></div><div>Stay warm and dry, everyone, and have a good day. xx</div>Joyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16116524003944939298noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5648310406783744033.post-54414990070759586612024-02-21T07:49:00.000+00:002024-02-21T07:49:11.599+00:00Wednesday, 21-02-24A very good morning to you all. After a dry day yesterday, it had to break sometime, didn't it, and today I have woken to rain. It's not cold, just wet! <div><br /></div><div>The walk down to the hall for Groove yesterday was lovely, as was the session. We were a bit thinner on the ground because on half term but it was good - Lindsey used an old playlist and routines to ring the changes and it was fun to revisit them.</div><div><br /></div><div>I discovered that one of the ladies who is in my circuit group and comes to Groove is a keen knitter and is also knitting scarves for Potters and also things for the premature baby unit. She's also knitting little bees, also for the hospital, although I'm not totally clear why; I will ask Lindsey who told me about it in the first place. I already had the pattern but hadn't started so when I sat down yesterday I got going. The pattern is not totally correct, I think, but not to worry, I was able to work it out (I just hope it's not me misinterpreting it) and they are quick to make and very cute</div><div><br /></div><div>She brought along info maps and cards for this 'thing' that's happening from next Wednesday through to April called Beat the Street, a sort of game to find 'Beat Boxes' around the area and tap them with a card to record that you've found it. The idea is to get people out and about in the local area, on foot, cycling or wheelchairing and loads of the local schools have got involved. The map tells you where the boxes are all over town, it's not totally random.<br />Lindsey is one of the local organisers and, as you can form teams, I joined hers, Shimmy Sheneghans, when I registered yesterday. </div><div>If you're interested, it's <a href="http://beatthestreet.me">beatthestreet.me</a></div><div>.</div><div>Once home, after breakfast, I did the upstairs housework with particular attention to under and around my bed as I'm getting the new base on Monday. The under-drawers are now out and empty and all I have to do on Sunday is take off the bedding, wash it all, including the valance, and take off the mattress - I'll sleep in the other room Sunday night. So, when they come and take the old bed, I won't be embarrassed!!</div><div><br /></div><div>Today I'm off into town first thing to pay the rest of the bed order in John Lewis. I'll see how the weather goes; I would prefer to get the bus, obviously, but if it's raining hard, it will be the car. After paying the balance, I'd like to have a little wander around, rain permitting.</div><div><br /></div><div>Later on, it is personal training with Lindsey. In between town and training, I would like to give the garden room a clean. It doesn't get dirty at the moment so it won't take long to freshen it up.</div><div><br /></div><div>I have enough to do to keep me happily occupied, don't I? What are your plans for today? And what's the weather like your way?</div><div>Have a good day, whatever . . . xx</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Joyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16116524003944939298noreply@blogger.com12