Friday 31 October 2014

Best Laid Plans!!

Well the plan was to go to Tescos this morning..do a bit of eisurely shopping for the weekend and then have a Costa.  Huh!!! When we got to the store, the cars were driving round the block, the queues out of the petrol station bit, and nowhere to park.  Obviously going to be busy. Lord knows why,Maybe it is the Half Term effect plus the Halloween effect too. Anyway people everywhere, cars everywhere, and even worse the Costa was jammed. Hardly a seat to be seen anywhere. 
So,it was get round, do the basic shopping, get the things we needed and hope that the Costa would be quieter by the time we had finished. It wasn't in fact it looked even busier, with a queue at the counter too. So, we decided that we would go hom,e and have a tassimo instead. I had bought Vin some tassimo milk pods so he had an Americano with one of those and I had a kenco cafe crema. very nice. 
Jane rang up just as we were having those and she was on her way to work till ten tonight.Long day for her. She is on her night duty on Monday. That should be interesting for her. 
Tonight we are having:
Fishless fingers
Mushy peas for Vin and green beans for moi
Chips..200grms
Tartare sauce.

Thursday 30 October 2014

Internet Christmas...

I have got a few things for Christmas already. mostly off the Internet I might add. I have one nice thing for Vin..hope he likes it, and another came this morning for Jane..hope she likes that too.  Already bought some things for John and Ann for their parcel. It is quite a good way of shopping especially early before the rush, because that is when things go missing, and deliveries get awkward. 
Didn't go out today, because there were one or two things to do. Vin had a go at clearing the kitchen, especially the dishwasher which was spattered with tiny blobs of cat food. Did the floors so they are nece and clean now.Of course little Rusty comes out of her hole and sits by the mat which the cat food dish sits on, and looks like she is never fed. She is of course, and the mat wasn't there because it was being washed in the sink. little monkey. I always thought it was Bobby who splashed the cat mat, but not so sure now, Rusty makes a good job of it. Butter wouldn't melt in her mouth would it.
I just did a bit of typing up here today, getting darker much earlier now, Autumn is really here now. 
Tonight we are having:
maybe a macaroni cheese,
Butternut squash with sweet potato,
A bit of garlic bread for Vin.

Wednesday 29 October 2014

Lovely Autumn Day..

It is a beautiful Autumn day today. The sun was shining and very bright. 
I wish we were here though. new England in the Fall. Absolutely gorgeous photo opportunities at every turn. this was the sight that greeted us just around the corner from the hotel where we were staying. Just unbelievable. Pumpkins everywhere.   Nothing like that round here though. 
We went off to Dobbies this morning for a bit of a mooch and our free coffees. had a look at the decorations and got myself covered in glitter from somewhere.. but didn't see any that I liked. Vin was looking for a diary but didn't see any that he wanted either. Then we went for our coffees. I asked for an Americano but the girl did a large latte instead!! and Vin had a flat white in a small cup. So, he didn't have the heart to point out to the girl that it should have been an Americano so what we ended up doing was swapping cups. i had his flat white and he had my large latte. very nice too. It was really busy, far busier than normal, probably the half term effect, lots of grans and grandads with kids, and mums with buggies. Still room to move though.
We had a look round the food hall, and noticed they had a favourite chutney back in stock so we got two of those. One for the cupboard and one for the box upstairs where we keep things for special occasions etc., like Christmas. 
Tonight we are having:
Escalopes from the freezer,
Baby new potatoes squashed and boiled
Carrots beans and broccoli
Sauce maybe hollandaise.

Tuesday 28 October 2014

Dark and Dull!

Well it is nowQuite a nice morning to start with, Vin was in the front and baack garden tidying up bits and bobs for the Autumn. He did a bit of lead flashing on the flat roof at the front where the guttering was in need of it. Bits of washing and a bit of sorting out too. One of those days .
As i type this it is pouring down, hope Jane isn't out in it. She wasn't sure whether she was going into the hospital today to get some more data for her assignment, she'll probably ring later on. The clocks going back at the weekend have made a heck of a difference actually. it is already getting dark, and I don't think there has been anywhere we have been today that we haven't put lights on.  Something nice and warming for tea tonight I think.
Tonight we are having:
Quorn chicken stye fuillets with a white wine and herb sauce,
Rice 
mixed vegetables and extra mushrooms for Vin.

Monday 27 October 2014

Let There Be light!

Yesterday Vin went off to Homebase to get a new bathroom light fitting that he had seen. it is a three light fixture, and is myuch brighter than the one we had before. Thing was it was 20% off if he bought it yesterday, but when he got to the til there were further reductins so it was a good buy and instead of it being £33 it was £19 so he was well pleased. he fitted it just before lunch and it is now a matter of getting the lights at the right angles now.
We took ourselves off to Waitrose this morning because we had two vouchers one for £3 off ten on cleaning products and another for £1 off dairy. All of which we needed so that was worth the trip. Together with the free newspaper and the free coffees it was worth going. Went round quite quickly and got our veggies for the week also so we don't have to go anywhere tomorrow if we don't want. 
Jane rang up at lunchtime on her way to work. One thing she did mention was that she didn't like her middle name!!!!! This is Lara and her daddy chose that. I chose the first name..Jane after my mum and always said if she was a boy he could choose the first name which actually was going to be Alexander, but obviously she was a girl so he chose the middle name..lara. She doesn't like that  and wants it left off her graduation certificate. Oh well you can't win them all. 
The clocks went back on Saturday night, so we got an extra hour in bed on Sunday. makes a difference to the light too. As I type this it is getting darker and it is only a quarter to five. 
Tonight we are having:
Pizza for Vin with salad 
maybe a poached egg for moi.

Friday 24 October 2014

A Clean Sweep!

Not quite. One of the things that Vin wanted to do today was to contact the chimney sweep to get our chimney done for the winter and the start of the fire season! he did ring them and is presently waiting for a ring back.
Since the windy weather has calmed he went outside to do the garden bench which he has used a water based product on. It looks great actually, seems to have given it a lovely gleam, and will be ready for putting away for the winter nw. Anther stage in his wintering of the garden plan!!
Jane rang up this morning on her way to work, she was starting at two today till ten so a longish day for her. She was telling us about a friend of hers from Uni a few years ago, and it had been posted on FB that her sister had died. terrible shame, she was nly about 29ish. Seems to have been the result of a chest infection and asthma.Just awful for the family, they must be devastated and it appears to have been quite quick too. No age that, it doesn't seem fair at all.
Tonight we are having:
Fishless fingers 
Chips 200 grms 
Mushy peas for Vin and butternut squash for moi
tartare sauce.

Thursday 23 October 2014

Yay! An outing !

Haven't been ut of the house for over a week now, so thought a little outing would be in order. 
So, tesco's it was and of course a Costa. just right for a bit of a mooch. Quite busy actually, the car park was fullish so Vin dropped me off at the entrance and he went off to park the car. i got some money out of the bank machine while he was doing this, and then we went into Costa. Bust in there as well so we didn't get our usual table, but got a nice little table round the corner. I had an Americano with the new limited edition coffee and he had a caramello with soy milk which he likes. lovely sit down and chat about all sorts for ages. Then had a little walk round the store for a few things that we needed and home. very successful.
Jane rang up after lunch to have a bit of a rant really. She had been into Uni this morning and was frustrated because she said they didn't learn a thing today. The groups are having meltdown at the moment with all of the work that they have to do and no-one is helping themj at all. It's all a bit much with their study, work, assignments and her part time work as well.  It is going to be a tough year poor kid.  She was on her way to the city to meet her friend and have a bit of a look round town. Hope that cheers her up a bit.
Tonight we are having:
Amy's kitchen macaroni cheese
Butternut squash and carrots
garlic bread for Vin.

Wednesday 22 October 2014

Lady gaga!!

Jane rang up quite late last night on her way homefrom seeing lady Gaga in the manchester Arena. She had got two free tickets with Ticketmaster one for her and a plus one so she took a friend with her.  She picked the friend up at her house and they went for a Bar burrito first which is a good start, then on to the venue.
Sounded like they had a really good time. She said they had great seats, worth about £110 and an excellent view of the stage which is a terrific bonus. I am so glad it all went well for her, she so deserved that treat, she works so hard. She said it didn't cost her much because she had a voucher for a bogof at Bar burrito  and a coke when they got there and she bought a t-shirt on the way out for half price so they did well. XXXXWell done Janey, you deserve that.

Today is a bit rainy and dull and still quite cold although the wind has dropped now a lot. vin brushed some of the leaves from the front, and then it started raining so he has done things inside. We ordered some new vacuum cleaner bits for the panasonic one which needed a new handle off Amazon so that should come early next week.In fact I have just looked at an email from them to say it has been sent already so that was quick.  
Tonight we are having:
Something from the freezer,
potato croquettes
A few mixed veggies,
sauce of some kind./









Tuesday 21 October 2014

Blowy here!

Certainly is blowy here today. Aftermath of some hurricane today and tonight. Gonzales I believe. terrible weather all morning, but sunny. However, it is now absolutely pouring down with rain and looks very nasty. Vin has been out quite a few times already fastening the plastic and the cover to the bench down because it keeps blowing up. 
He went off to Tesco this morning to get some stocks in. A lot of cat food, cat litter and of course a few things for the humans in the house. 
he did ring me up from there and the wind was terrible on the line. Itr even blew his till receipt away this was a bit of a pain because he always ikes to show me the receipt, not that I am worried about it. Just his way, bless him. We do have a thing that we do thought with the shopping where we scan all the purchases for a scanning company. We have done it for years and have built up a lot of points which you redeem in vouchers etc., Anyway he went back inside and got the girl at customer services to print out another so that was ok.
Tonight we are having:
Cottage pie..quorn one.
gravy with mushrooms for Vin
carrots.

Monday 20 October 2014

Enforced Absence...

Been away since about Wednesday because of another blocking of the gastric bits. Getting to be a bit of a pain in more ways than one. Ah well these things are sent to try us. Poor Vin has been wearing the stairs out again tending to my needs. What a sar! Between me and Rusty he certainly has his hands full. Thanks my lovely. XXXX
Quiet weekend, Jane is innundated with work, keeps ringing up usually on her way to and back from work at Ticketmaster. She is off to see Lady Gaga tomorrow night in Manchester so I really hope it's a good night for her.She deserves a treat. The rhyme Monday's child is definitely true for her. Saturday's child works hard for a living and she certainly does that in spades.  I wonder if Vin was born on a Saturday too. Might try to find out on the google sometime.
Little Rusty is doing ok., Vin keeps her going, and her eye and nose cleaned so that must make her feel better.
Tonight we are having:
Whatever anyone feels like. I think Vin will possibly have his pizza because he has a nice half pack of salad left, and I might have a poached egg again.

Tuesday 14 October 2014

Snip..Snip...

My hair was getting quite straggly, so i rang my hairdresser yesterday and made an appointment for today aat 11.30. So that was the plan for today. go and get my hair cut, and then go off to Waitrose just up the road to get ur veggies. I also thought it would be a good idea for Vin to get his done at a barbers as well then we are all done at once.
Anyway, he dropped me off at my hairdresser and noticed a barbers a few doors down so he went to have a look in there. He absolutely hates hanging around so if there were people waiting he won't stay. However, there wasn't anybody in there much so off he went there. great . I got mine done and he got his done too.We both came out at roughly the same time, his haircut is one of the best he has had done, and he seemed really impressed. it really looks good I am very pleased with mine too the gtirl that I have does it just right.
So our hair nice and smart..off we went to Waitrose just a bit up the road.Quick whizz round the veggie dept., and a few other things we needed, very quiet today too for a change. Then to get our free coffees. Beautiful Lattes today in proper glasses too.  So we sat and enjoyed those.
Home to littloe Rust6y waiting for us..or more likely waiting for her dinner :) :) 
Tonight we are having:
Escalopes with leek and cheese
Baby potatoes boiled and squashed
Mixed vegetables
Hollandaise sauce.

Monday 13 October 2014

Little Monday Outing!

Just for a change we decided to go out to Dobbies for our coffees and a mooch this mo5rning. No r5ush and Jane had rung because she had been into the hospital to get some more chests done for her assignment, but  it was a strike day, so there were no patients. She did say that she had a word with some of the other radiographers and so she had an idea of what to do, so that was ok. She was going to get her hair cut then and off to her friends to do some work.
We went off to Dobbies then. A bit drizzly on the way but not too bad.  We split up a bit when we got there and had a bit of a look round. Just before we went Vin had a brainwave about some initial letters that I had bnought for John and Ann for Christmas. When we got them home the last time we went I tr5ied standing them up. No trouble with the A but try as I might the J wouldn't stand up at all. So he thought that we could tyake it back and swap it for one that did.  He couldn't find the receipt which is totally unlike him but it didn't matter actually because it was a straight swap, and the girl just exchanged it so that was good. 
Lovely cup of coffee then, I had an Americano and Vin had a flat white which comes in a much smaller cup so we shared my one. Very nice chat too. Bought some stuff from the food hall some chutney, biscuits, a fruits for cheese and Vin spotted a bar of white choc that he likes. So, a good trip.
Tonight we are having:
Pizza and green salad
Avocado and baby plum tomatoes
Pasta salad with spinach and pine nuts.

Friday 10 October 2014

What a Chat Up Line!!

Indeed! More later...
I had decided that we should go over to Ormskirk this morning to get some stuff from Holland and Barratt. Mostly fishless fingers and other things that they have. Quite a nice morning so off we went.
Parked behind the M&S, quite easily today, and went ande got our things from H&B first. Vin had tried ringing them but they weren't answering, but it didn't matter, they had three packs left so that was good.Picked out some other things and my vitamins which were on the penny sale and back to the car. Vin popped into the M&S to get some pears then we went to the Morrisons for our coffee. This is where it gets interesting.! 
He got our coffees while I bagged a table, very nice coffee actually, and half the price of a Costa..not that we mind that. Anyway,he had a packet of sugar in his fingers, flicking it the way you do I wasn't particularly watching, then I heard an Aye..Aye from behind me, and Vin had got out of his seat and was conversing with a woman on the table behind. Apparently the sugar packet had gone flying out of his hand and landed on her table :) He went to retreive it and picked it up, but the packet opened and the sugar went all over her trousers. ! What a hoot..They took it in good part though so no harm done.  i said to Vin you can't take you anywhere. :)
Quick mooch round Morrisons and got some more Quorn things and other bits and bobs we don't get anywhere else, so a really good mornings shopping. Home for lunch then.
Tonight we are having:
Fishless fingers,
Mushy peas for Vin and carrots for moi
Chips 200grms
tartare sauce.


Thursday 9 October 2014

All Change!

Vin thinks that I nly order things from Bon Marche online so that I can go to Maghull and change them, and get a Costa coffee while we are there. Not true..well not exactly,but it does make it more pleasant!
I had bought a new fleece jacket which is nice and am keeping and also a top which is a bit thin and see through, so decided to take that back.It was raining this morning when we were having our breakfast, but then started to clear up so off we went over to Maghull. I don't think that Vin minds going there because he goes in some of the baargain shops and i can go in the Superdrug and the Bon Marche. Changed the top for a nice soft touch jumper which is better for this weather now, in a very nice purple colour. As usual!! Got my stuff in Superdrug, and Vin got his bits in Home and Bargains, then he put them back in the car, and we went round the corner to Costa. Luckily our sofa at the end of the shop was free so he parked me there and he went off to get the coffees. I had a lovely Americano with the new limited edition coffee and he had a Caramello, and we shared half a pack of little shortbread biscuits. We had a really pleasant half hour or so people watching and chatting, then he went next door to the card shop to see if they had any tea lights. He's having a bit of a problem getting decent ones these days. Most of them are cheapish and don't burn very well or for long enough. Must keep my eyes out for some decent ones online.
He called in at the garden centre to see ifthey had any bench covers in yet but they didn't. Why is it that you can never buy what you want at the right time of the year?? Pain. maybe he will find one online.
Tonight we are having:
Quorn fillets in white wine and cream sauce
Baby carrots and butternut squash and broccoli 
Mushrooms for Vin,
Baby potatoes, peeled and squashed,

Wednesday 8 October 2014

Best Laid Plans...

Indeed..best laid plans of mice and men etc., We had planned togo out this morning, but we got up a bit later, and by the time we had our coffee and chat, and got downstairs for breakfast it was a bit late so decided not to bother. We will go out tomorrow instead. I wanted to go over to Maghull to change a top I had bought before the month was up but there is a bit of time yet so no hurry. 
Vin did some of his sorting out, washed some socks he had found in his cupboard, and his summer jacket that he doesn't look like he will be wearing any more this season.
Yesterday he sorted out some of the shoes that we have in a little pine shoe box in the front room. What a surprise! He found ssome of them with disintegrating soles..so much so they were coming apart from the seams.. and some of my sandals  with mildew!!! really only fot for throwing away. He was googling these shoes last night and it seems that it is quite common for shoes that have polyurethane soles, especially ones that are shall we say ageing..
Jane rang up this morning after having been to Specsavers for an eye test. A bit worrying because the optician has given her a referral note for her GP to be reffered to an eye speciallist. it appears she has papilledema in both of her eyes so needs further investigation. She was going home with her happiness burrito and then to copy the letter for the GP then drop that off at the surgery.  We shall have to wait and see what happens with that. She does need new glasses, but it was suggested that she waits until this has been sorted. Fingers crossed.
Tonight we are having:
Pasta with cheese sauce,
mushrooms and a bit of garlic bread for Vin
Butternut squash.











Tuesday 7 October 2014

Well I Think Summer Has Gone!!

Yes definitely gone.At least it certainly feels like it today. very wet outsideand pouring down this morning..but..it has cleared up a bit now as  I type this.
I was planning to go out for some veggies etc., this morning but Vin didn't seem too keen, so mind changed. Doesn't matter. He whizzed out to Waitrose this morning to get the veg. they do have nice veg there, and it is easy to get to. I stopped here and had a bit of a go on the puter, there were a few things I wanted to look up so did that. 
He got home very quickly actually, with everything on the list, and we then had our nice coffees from the T.  Wonder if Jane is still enjoying hers, I would imagine so.She sounded quite pleased on the phone yesterday, because she has found a nice little number for her options next term, so is a bit chuffed. That's good. 
One thing I wanted to do today was to order a new debit card from my bank so Vin helped me do that after coffee. Once you have found the number it wasn't too bad to arrange. It is a terrible faff re-doing all of the card details on the different sites, and some of them need doing quite quickly now. There is one site I use where you can buy things on easy pay over three months, and they won't accept my card at the moment because it would expire before the payments had been finished. So, I can get that sorted now. They are going to send my new card within three to five days. Done! Very nice chap on the phone too I might add.
Tonight we are going to have:
Escalopes with mozzarella 
Baby new potatoes sliced and fried.
Mixed vegetables.

Monday 6 October 2014

Funny Things Happen In Your Cupboards!!

Indeed they do.We have a cupboard over a work surface that has bits and bobs of condiments, marmalade etc., in it. Vin was looking for some black peppercorns and thought we had some in there. he did find a honey container that was leaking though so that led to a bit of a clear out, lo and behold..he came across a jar of horseradish sauce right at the back in a corner which has been there for seven years! The poor sauce had all congealed in the jar..and...the jar lid had completely rusted through. never ever seen that before. i have seen jars and cans blown but never seen a jar lid so rusted it disintegrated. It's amazing it didn't blow up really. We think it must have been bought in error for a jar of tartare sauce which we use, because it's by the same maker, and looks the same. We have cleaned the cupboard before so it must just have been pushed to the back without us looking at the sell by date!! That's our story anyway.
Jane's Tassimo machine arrived on Friday, she got a pack of Oreo drinks with it, and also went to Tesco to get some Latte drinks. She seems keen on it too. So that's a success.
Didn't go out today. It dawned very grey blowy and rainyish so didn't look promising. It has cleared up nicely now though, and the sun is shining.Did some clearing up in the extension, Vin washed some bits, and the cushions to the bench which it looks like is being put away for the time being until the sun comes out agin in the Spring. Definitely looking like Autumn now, looking out of the window in jane's room the trees that are over on "the plot" are colouring up nicely, I bet it loks lovely in New England right now. Dream on Jennifer...Deep sigh!
Tonight we are having:
No idea at all. With not having pizza last night we don't have tht to use up, so something from the freezer. 
It will be a wait and see tea.

Friday 3 October 2014

Is it Friday?

Can't believe it is friday again already. These weekends come round with monotonous regularity. Really your lives are spent in little routines. you have one when you are at work, and another when you have finished work.Get up, breakfast, do something, morning coffees, do something more, lunch, watch something, a bit of computing and afternoon coffees with Countdown. Watch the news, teatime ,watch evening things then bed. There...isn't that exciting?We do have a laugh though vin and me, and there is little Rusty to tend to during the day. 
Vin is presently in the garden looking at the bench that we bought last year, working out the best way to cover it up for the bad weather. I don't think that we will be using it much more this Autumn now, but he remains optomistic.
Vin went off to Tesco this morning. he had a list of things to get, which didn't include pizzaq and salads stuffs. We are going to give them a break for a bit, see if it is the pizza etc., that is affecting my digestin. So, the plan is to have some different things this weekend especially Sunday nights.
Tonight we are having:
Vin is having some little potatoes sliced and fried.
Maybe sausaqge rolls and beans,
I think I will have a baked potato..nice and simple.

Thursday 2 October 2014

Bit of a Rough Few Days...lse

You get them. Good days and bad days. I have had a not very good couple of days really. Started on Monday with what was looming up to be a blocking, makes you feel uncomfortable and veery tight round the middle. Ended up in bed yesterday mainly because it was too uncomfortable to move much.  It is a matter of waiting for it to clear, but vin rang the nurse at Aintree in the afternoon for some advice and she had a word with the consultant next door who booked me in for an x-ray today. It did clear last night however, but since the x-ray was booked we went there this morning.
Poor Vin..he has been just wonderful. really wonderful. All i kept doing was saying I'm sorry which is totally stupid, but there isn't anything else to say really. He is so lovely and patient.
Went for the x-ray this morning. Still a bit wobbly but got there. Very nice dept, and had the tummy and ribs area done, and out quite quickly. Just over the half hour so had to pay the parking but never mind. £3 for an x-ray is quite cheap really. 
Home by half past one and we both had a hot hocolate from the machine which was nice actually. never had one of those and it wasn't too sweet.
Last night Vin had:
Half a cottage pie,
Some mixed vegetables.
Tonight we are having:
No idea at all. We shall have to wait and see.