Spring has Sprung

In the end Harriet opted not to go to Jersey on Friday. She had a rough night on Thursday and felt really rough on Friday morning. Luckily she got a self certification and was able to cancel her flights without incurring any cancellation charges which means she can use her flight another time. Of course, her cousin Jessica was disappointed but it made the best sense. Jess suffers with Cystic Fibrosis and already has a weakened immune system so with the two of the sharing a bed there was a good chance of catching Harriet's virus plus the two of them had a weekend of clubbing planned and Harriet wouldn't have been able to enjoy herself. Poor Harriet took to her bed all day on Friday and all night so I was very surprised to return from the gym on Saturday morning to find her pounding away on the exercise bike. Talk about miraculous recover! After a twenty minute stint I had to laugh when I found her slumped over over the bog in the downstairs cloakroom, her exertion had made her feel sick. I got her a glass of water and luckily she wasn't sick. I was glad she was feeling better but obviously she really wasn't well enough to exercise.

We had a good weekend. Phil was less grumpy had we had a really productive day on Saturday. It was a glorious day which and sunshine always makes me feel better. We were awake early and were at the health club by half past nine. I spotted a 70% discount sign for the DW shop so after our workout we went upstairs to see if we could get Phil some new trainers. He ended up with 2 pairs, one pair of Reebok trainers and some plimsolls. Afterwards we popped into Asda, Phil got petrol, we picked up some bits for the kitchen cupboards in the garage from B&Q and we also had time to get books from the library before going to lunch at the carvery at Shenley. Our roast dinner, was as always, very good but they have swapped the roast potatoes for small pellets which were as tough as nuts and positively revolting. They need to do something about this otherwise we will not be going back. We got back home, Phil fitted the kitchen cabinets back up in the garage and then we walked to the city centre to see a film. I messed up a little on the film choice; I decided that we would see 'Limitless' which I thought started a 2.40pm but when we got to Cineworld we couldn't it see on the screen listing. Turns out it doesn't come out until Wednesday. But never mind, no worries we decided to 'The Adjustment Bureau' with Matt Damon instead. It was a good film and it was nice loosing ourselves in front of a big screen for a couple of hours with scooby snacks and red wine. The sun was still shining when we came out and we had a brisk walk home, getting back at 6pm just in time to catch Georgina before she went to work. She had come round to pick up her coat and also to borrow our sat nav because with her first day of driving, she had got lost a couple of times. The remainder of Saturday night was spent drinking red wine whilst watching the latest series of Heston Blumenthal which Phil had recorded.

Phil was awake early again on Sunday morning but this didn't matter, he brought me a cup of tea and we had a leisurely couple of hours, me in bed reading the newspapers and Phil on his laptop doing some research for his book. After breakfast I went into the garage with the hoover; I gave it a good clean and sorted out the wall cabinets, a job I've been dying to do every since they fell off the wall. We went to the gym and had a reasonable workout. Poor Phil got blisters from the walk to the cinema the day before. These were caused by holes in his socks. He is really suffering at the moment and although I complain about him, I do feel sorry for him. As predicted, the doctor put him on tablets for his high blood pressure and warned him that they might make him feel dizzy. He was okay on Saturday but he had a funny turn in the jacuzzi yesterday and had to get out. Hopefully things will settle down because after only a couple days they have already brought down his blood pressure.

 

We walked down to the Ship Ashore for lunch yesterday as we enjoyed it last week. Phil had the pate as a starter which we shared. The pub was busy, probably we were a little later this week. Unfortunately, once again the service was slow and we had to wait ages for our main course to arrive. Phil had the beef brisket from the special menu which was tasty but wasn't served with any vegetables. Well, that's not strictly true, there was a slither of carrot on the parsnip but that was it. I gave him my carrots and some of my green beans. I had the roast beef from the set menu but I was disappointed, my meat was tough and the usual roast potatoes had gone and had been replaced with bullet like pellets very much like those at the Shenley carvery. We did indulge in a very nice bottle of Spanish Rjoca which came in handy with the long wait. It's a shame really, after last week, I had high expectations for this pub. But they need to sort out their service and look carefully at the menu. The morning was cloudy so it was nice surprise to see the sun out for our short walk home. Spring really has arrived and its about time too.

Phil got stuck into his research when we got back home and I made a bit pot of quorn chilli, some for the week and a huge batch to freeze. After cleaning up I gave the lawn a quick cut. Our garden needs lots of work, I don't have green fingers but I really do need to take time out this week to blow up some leaves and get rid of some weeds. My problem is that I'm never too sure what are weeds and what our plants. My strategy if it looks straggly then whip it out. I have noticed that the fences also need painting so I shall have to get some from B&Q and slop it on. I like to do this before the wasps come out.

Unfortunately our over indulgence, lunch out on both days, cinema treats and lots of red wine has meant that we have both put on 2 pounds. I am not bothered but I am worried for Phil. He has worked so hard to loose his weight and I don't want him to give up when he has tried so hard. The trouble is, that the side affects of his hormone pills is weight gain and we noticed that this is the same for his new blood pressure tablets. Its like fighting a loosing battle but he must try and conquer. With the weekend over, we are back on the wagon and I am sure by mid week the extra pounds will disappear.

I have to apologise for the lack of photographs today. Phil took quite a few which he took on his iPhone but he had a major trauma with this last night and has lost everything. I am not sure what he was doing but he ended up restoring his iphone to the factory setting loosing all of his photographs, his podcasts and his precious 'aps'. He was up early this morning trying to load them all on again but I have a feeling it is going to take me a long time. He is not a happy bunny. Oh dear. This doesn't bode well for a good week.......

Holidays & Hormones

Claire has been a very boring girl this week so please don't expect too much of me today in my rounding up of the week blog. Phil will, as usual, give me stick about this but that's nothing new. I'm not sure if his short temperdness is a side affect from the hormone tablets he is taking, who who can tell, but he is certainly highly critical of me these days. Mind you, he's not much fun to be around, most nights, all bar Wednesday night, he is in bed by 7pm and when he is up all he wants to do, is watch 'Homes Under The Hammer.  Phil's hormones and me going through the menopause don't really bode for a happy household. Such is life.

This week has been so unremarkable that its a struggle to recall. Phil screwed a piece of wood on to the garage wall where the cabinets fell off, so after Monday's lunch, I got out my paint pot and painted the right side of the wood which is the only bit that will show slightly when the cupboards go back up. Christine came round after work and stayed the night. I hadn't seen her for a while so it was girlie catchup in the kitchen with red wine. She is only two weeks away from her retirement and is counting the days. Lets just hope she enjoys her freedom when it finally comes.

I knew that John & Marie arrived back in the UK on Monday evening after spending 4 and a half months living in their camper-van in Spain. I thought it best that I let them unpack before phoning as there is so much to stuff to sort when you've been away from home for such a long time. Anyway, I phoned on Tuesday morning just to make sure they'd got home safely. Its always nice to speak to them but when Marie picks up I have to tell her all our news and then step dad comes on the line and I have to go through it all over again. In the end I was on the phone for over an hour. They are keen to catch up face-to-face so I will have to set up a day to meet them for lunch in Cambridge.

Sand Dunes in Maspalomas

On Tuesday, having gotten over my disappointment at not getting the keys to the OB flat, I spoke to Phil at lunchtime and we decided to book a holiday. His boss gave him the okay to book a week and I spent most of the day on the internet searching for a good deal. By good, I mean cheap of course. We both decided for weather reasons, we would opt for the Canaries which are always a safe bet. Phil said he hadn't been to Gran Caneria so I centered my search for self catering. I'd seen some cheap deals a couple of weeks back but since then it appears prices have gone up. In the end, I booked a week at the Koala Garden Suites Apartments in Maspolomas for £150 each. With one bag and transfers to hotel, total cost came to £336 which I didn't think was too bad. We fly from Birmingham. The return flight is midday which is great but the outgoing flight is early morning so I've booked us into a hotel the night before. Again, found a great deal, one double bed and 8 days parking for just £59. Now I just can't wait to go.

I had a bit of a panic on Wednesday. The day started well, I was up at 6am and had all the ingredients for my vegetable and chicken curry in the slow cooker by 7. It was a new recipe which required 8 hours cooking so hence the early start. With dinner on, I was in the gym before half eight and was happy contemplating life on the running machine when I suddenly remembered Phil saying that his car was booked on Wednesday at the garage. I jumped of the treadmill, grabbed by handbag and threw a cardigan over my gym gear and drove to Phil's office to get his keys and swap cars. Phil had booked the Freelander into the garage at Whaddon so they could see if they could discover why it was overheating and hopefully fix the problem. When I arrived at the garage there was a queue at the reception. Well its not really a reception, more like a cow shed, anyone that's been to Cowleys will know what I'm talking about. Barbara normally lets Phil borrow the little courtesy KA but she said the only car I could use was her Range Rover. Now, I'm not the most confident driver and was very apprehensive to say the least, especially as she asked if I could drop a couple off in Stony Stratford. They were a nice couple, turned out they own the lighting shop in the high street but I did feel sorry for them having to be driven to work by me. If they were nervous, they didn't show it but I did! I dumped the range rover and keys off at Phil's work and got back my Chevrolet. Then it was back to the gym to finish off, shower and then back home to check on my slow cooker. The curry was okay but not one of our favourites but Phil is so hungry these days he will eat anything.

After lunch I popped over to Westcroft to see Jan. She was looking much better than she did last week although still in a great deal of discomfort. Daniel was at home and he made us both tea whilst we chatted away. Or should I say, I chatted away, sometimes I don't know when to shut up. Poor Jan. Anyway I was telling Jan it was Phil's mum and dads 60^th wedding anniversary next week and Jan said that it was also her mum and dads silver wedding anniversary as well. What a coincidence, they were married the day after Phil's mum and dad. I wouldn't have realised it was a special anniversary, had not Phi's mum asked me not to do anything special for their anniversary and not to go putting any adverts in the Melton Mowbray Times. I did this for their 50^th and I think they were very embarrassed. Anyway, thank god Phil's mum asked me not to make a fuss because otherwise their 60^th would have passed away without being marked. Yes of course I was always going to do something, but for this anniversary I shall be more subtle. Jan has arranged for a special congratulatory anniversary message from the royal palace to be sent to her mum and dad and forwarded me details of the website http://www.royal.gov.uk/HMTheQueen/Queenandanniversarymessages/Anniversarymessages.aspx

It took a few phone calls and a bit of hassle but yesterday I gave the details of George & Bets wedding to the registrar and she will contact the Buckingham Palace. I have left it to the very last minute because their special day is only next week but the registrar confirmed that the card will be delivered on the day. Rather than flowers, I have arranged for handmade truffles to be delivered. I have no idea whether they will like the card from the Queen or not but it does show they we (that's the royal 'we') have given some thought and effort into the occasion albeit very last minute.

When I was in Asda the other day I saw that they were selling small suitcases suitable for cabin luggage so I had to get one. I also picked up a couple of new bikinis while I was there, well who could resist at £4 a piece. I am so into holiday mode that I have even packed my suitcase. And yes, I know its a bit premature but I had to make sure that I could get all my stuff in and I could. I am going to get Phil some new things to go away with but because of his weight loss I am going to buy these last minute. Phil has done great this week, after a weight plateau he has lost another 3 pounds. He is working really hard and eagerly jumps on the bike when he gets home from work. He seems to have spent quite a lot of time at the doctors this week. Tuesday he was at the Neath Hill centre to get his feet seen to by the podiatrist. Phil said that she told him that his feet were in fairly good nick and better than some people who don't have diabetes. Also, she said that he wouldn't necessarily qualify for free treatment. I went straight out and brought him a foot file and some cream and will have a go at doing them for him.  On Wednesday he had a 5.30 appointment with Louise, his diabetes nurse.  She is very pleased with his weight loss.   And this afternoon he has back at the doctors to give him his BP readings and based on these, I'm guessing he will come away with BP tablets.  I suppose better safe than sorry.

Harriet the hypocondriac was also at the doctors yesterday.  She has yet another does of tonsolitus.   I'm not 100% sure it is tonsolitus but she certainly is not well, that's for sure.  I felt very sorry for her yesterday.  She got up, got ready for work, phoned the docs then left work for her an appointment with the nurse when they called her.  Then she came home, took pills and went straight back to bed.  She is flying to Jersey today to spend the weekend with her cousin Jessica.  Personally, I'm not sure, she should be going or as I blog whether she actually will be going.  Shame to lose the flight which has cost her a 100 quid but when she's so ill, I'm not sure she will have such a good time.   I was looking forward to having a kid free weekend but G might be staying.  She did manage to pass her driving test yesterday which is good news but I'm not certain she has sorted her insurance. 

I do feel rather shallow writing about the strifes in my life especially in light of all the recent tragic events happening all over the world.  The earthquake in New Zealand was bad and the floods in Oz really upset me, because all though the Jordans were all okay, I know for sure that some of the peope that we met on our travels are sure to have been affected.  But the earthquake and tsunami in Japan and the media coverage is utterly devasting to watch.  I heard on the news that the estimated death toll is expected to exceed 10,000.   How the people in Japan must be suffering and I do wonder however will the country recover. It's going to take a long time.

March Monday Moans

A phone call to the letting agent late on Friday afternoon made me very angry. The tenant, due to vacate tomorrow, had been into the council to check her legal rights and they informed her, that there was a technical error on the section 21 (notice to vacate) and that she is within her legal rights to remain at the property until she is served the correct notice. The agent was 99.9% certain that their paperwork was correct but I am doubtful. It could go to court but that would take ages, so the only option is to serve the notice in person again. What this means, is that if the sale goes ahead on the Caldecotte property, we will have 2 flats to refurb at the same time which also coincides with Phil starting his radiotherapy. I am not a happy bunny and made sure that the agent knew this. When things like this happen, I am tempted to sack the agents all together and handle the management myself like I used to in the old days. When, and IF, I get the keys to the OB flat, I will not be using this agent again, that's for the sure. Sorry, just had to get that off my chest, Monday morning moan over!

Our weekend was a little disjointed and a little messy. Phil had to go the doctors after work on Friday to get his other ear syringed but when he got there the nurse said his ear was clear. But whilst he was there, he ended up having several blood tests for various things and come away with a blood pressure testing kit. As his BP is high, he has to test it at home several times a day and take his readings to the doctor next week who will decide whether he needs to take tablets for high blood pressure. If he does, that will be another pill to add to the list. Phil doesn't seem to mind popping so many pills, in fact the more the merrier but I would be concerned if it was my body. I think doctors are all to keen to give a prescription for a pill without treating the cause.

After visiting the doctors, Phil had to drive over to Northampton to pick up G from home and then drive back to MK and drop her at Zizzi's in the theatre district where she was starting a part time job working in the kitchen. I made up the spare bed and Phil picked her back up at 9pm when she finished her shift. Harriet went bowling and managed to wake Phil up when she rolled in at 2pm. On Saturday morning, Phil took G back to Northampton and they went out for some driving practice in the KA, her last chance before her test on Wednesday. Lets hope she passes this time.

When Phil eventually got back back home we decided to go for a quick gym session. Phil is always changed and in the gym way before me so as I started running, I began to wonder why he hadn't appeared. I racked my brains and then I realised he'd probably forgotten his trainers as they have been living in the conservatory all week where he has been using the bike. I abandoned my session and sure enough I was right, I found him in the jacuzzi. Shame really, I was in the mood for a good run. As the sun was shining, we decided to walk to The Giffard for lunch. Every man and his dog had the same idea and the pub was packed. Long queues to get a drink which made Phil grumble. Still, some pub grub later, a couple of pints and wine, we were much happier bunnies. The rest of Saturday night was telly, more telly and an early night. Harriet had been out clubbing and woke us up once again, this time it was midnight, which is early for her. I could hear her honking up in the bathroom and assumed that she'd over indulged but the next morning she said she was perfectly sober and was sick from a dodgy kebab. Yeah right!

Whilst I was shopping in Asda last week, I went hunting for a large saucepan. There was one that I fancied but it was rather expensive but I spotted that the slow cookers were on offer so I decided to buy one. Of course I had to try it out and on Saturday I cooked up a chicken chausseur which we had for Sunday lunch. Phi's mum dad drove down from Melton to join us for lunch. Its a bit of a hike for them but its an outing and also saves mum from having to cook lunch. As usual, they arrived with tons of stuff, flowers and magazines for me and others various bits and bobs. They do this every time even though I tell them just to bring themselves. It was a shame that the weather wasn't so nice on Sunday but I don't suppose it mattered, it did brighten up in the afternoon. Lunch was delicious, the chicken fell of the bone and I did loads of veggies and a big bowl of cauliflower cheese. Cheese is not really allowed on the diet, we're meant to be dairy free but I think a treat at the weekend is okay. I brought a cherry pie from the Farmers Market because mum and dad are partial to a sweet and they said it was very nice. After lunch was cleared away, we took them for a drive to show them the outside of the Caldecotte house. Of course they couldn't see much from the outside but they liked the area and seeing the boats out on the lake. We got home, made tea and then waved them off.

 

And that was our weekend. Nothing very exciting but that’s the way it goes sometimes. It was nice to see the sun shining for the best part of the weekend and even though Jack Frost is out this morning, brights skies and warmer temperatures is a sure sign that spring is on its way. I shall look forward to the clocks springing forward in a couple of weeks. I'm not sure of my plans for the week; I was all geared up to start painting in the OB flat but now that's not happening, I feel a little lost. Never mind, sure something will turn up to keep me occupied. Right now I need to get myself to the gym. I've not worked out for 2 whole days and I need to make up for it.

Music to my ears

In all the excitement of Mads 50^th birthday, I completely forgot to mention that last week that we made an offer on another house.  We weren’t looking to buy anything and it came about by pure chance.  Aaron who used to work for Morgans phoned Phil and told him about a one bed maisonette at Caldecotte that had just come on the market.  We’ve known Aaron for years and have always had a good relationship with him.  Anyway, I decided to go along with Phil to the viewing last Wednesday night and Phil liked the house so much that he offered the full asking price there and then.  I could see why he was taken with the place; although it’s only a one bed it’s got a huge loft that you can actually stand up in and with good a design for a stair case, could easily meet building regulations to create a second bedroom.  The other attraction is that it is only a stones’ throw from Caldecotte Lake which is very scenic.  It’s also close to the Open University which is good for letting potential.  

The house itself is actually in quite a fair condition but me being me, will need to refurbish; new kitchen, new windows, new front door, redecoration etc, etc.  When Phil & I first started with rental properties we had no money and to made do and bodge wherever we could.  Money was really tight in those days and I wonder now how we managed what we did back then, given that we both worked full time.   Mind you, that said, money is an issue because we don’t have any left.  And by that I mean no actual hard cash, all our dosh is tied up in bricks and mortar.  There is no way, on the salaries that we pay ourselves, that we would qualify for a mortgage so Phil has bribed Harriet into taking out a mortgage in her name.  He will stump up the deposit by cashing in our ISAs and hopefully there will be enough left in the pot for the refurbishment, which is where I come in.

Phil is excited about this project and the sale is already progressing.  But I, on the other hand, am slightly apprehensive.  I am due to get the keys for the OB (Oldbrook) flat next week and am all ready to get going on that refurbishment.  There is a complication in that the tenants who have been served notice have nowhere to go.  They want to stay on for another 2 months but I have said no.  Okay for a couple of weeks at most but certainly not 2 whole months.  This makes me sound mean but it’s just a matter of project planning.  We have to get this flat done before we go on holiday in May and also before Phil starts his daily radiotherapy sessions in Northampton.   I am predicting that the sale on the Caldecotte house will happen at the end of May bearing in mind that it takes 6 weeks for the search to be done.  It’s good to keep busy because it keeps me out of trouble but 2 house projects at the same time is not good for the soul, nor my poor back.

It’s been a funny old week in more ways than one.   On Monday afternoon I took round the photographs from the party to Mads in Olney.  I had them developed at Boots and got them copied to DVD.  She was pleased with them as she wanted something to show the girls in work.  She had loads of birthday cake left and I came away with a huge slab of the fruit, the plain sponge and the chocolate.  Very generous, but certainly not very good for the diet.  BTW Phil is still doing very well on the diet in spite of his excesses last weekend.  He is exercising every day and is loosing about 2 pounds a week.  This may not sound a lot but slow is more sensible and I think he is more likely to keep it off.  I think once he gets in the 15’s he will be even more motivated.  Long may it continue.  This week has been easy with the food department, Quorn chilli that my sister made and the cauliflower and potato & spinach curry that Phil so loves.  I’m not so keen on the latter and feel I have gone hungry this week.   Tried a new soup this week, spicy sweetcorn soup, Phil says its his favourite so I guess I'll be making this again. We had baked spuds yesterday so that was easy and today is a shared portion of fish chips and mushy peas from the The Brothers Fish & Chippie at Eaglestone.  We always used to go to the one in New Bradwell but we both think that it has gone right downhill.  Definitely not as good as The Brothers.

I really don’t know where the week has gone.  I’ve done a friend a favour and even helped Sandy’s lodger, Julia, pack up her kitchen stuff.  I did say I’d help pack the rest of flat up but I had to bail out because I’ve got too much other stuff on.  Phil wants me to do some flat information finding and there is much work to do on the end of year accounts.  I dread this job every time it comes round.  Especially this year, because I have barely made a start.

I went to pick up the PO Box post yesterday and was very pleased to open an envelope containing a cheque from Nationwide.  They have agreed to pay for the bath replacement which needed doing whilst we were in India, way back in November.  I was surprised, but obviously very pleased that they paid out and it was well worth putting the effort into the claim.  They didn’t pay for all of  the works but more than half of the cost.   I guess my premiums will go up when the renewal comes round but I will just shop around and go elsewhere.  I also received another cheque in the home post box yesterday.  Another £10 cheque from my scratch card wins.   It’s not lottery winnings but every little helps, hey.

Yesterday while I was in Asda I heard the song ‘Someone Like You’ by Adele playing on the sound system and decided on impulse to buy her CD.  This is the first time, in what must be nearly 10 years that I have brought a CD.  Music, like a lot of other things, seems to have completely disappeared from my life, which is very sad indeed.  How did that happen?   I really don’t know but there hasn’t been any music playing in this house and that maybe something to do with the fact that we don’t actually own a CD player.  Never mind, not a problem, I have a CD in my new little car so I can play it there and sing away to my heart’s content as I tootle around Milton Keynes. 

As the Shakespeare quote in Twelve Night says “If music be the food of love; play on”………

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s_Zs7XS3XUo?v=s_Zs7XS3XUo

Celebrations

I knew Mads 50^th birthday party was going to be a good one because I knew about all of the preparations but it turned out to be one of the best parties I'd been too. In true Mads style, totally OTT but executed perfectly and she carried it off beautifully. Angela and her staff had done wonders with the restaurant and Mads magical touches, the balloons, the cakes, the flowers and the red carpet all made the stage for a great night. We arrived early at half five to help out with any last minute preparations but in fact everything was pretty much done so we headed to the bar. The food is always good at Robinsons but these time Darren surpassed himself. With Mads & Steve footing the bill I expected a set menu but on the night we had a choice of 4 starters, mains & desserts. With the appetizer the inbetween palate cleansers, the coffee and petit fours and birthday cake and pink champagne there were 8 courses in total. After dinner and speeches were all over, Maddy presented us with a Anthurium plant for our wedding anniversary and she also gave one to thank Angela for all her hard work.

It really was a fantastic night as you can tell from the photographs and Phil was on good form. This doesn't happen much these days and its nice to see him let his hair down for a change. Angela's daughter Lola has singing lessons and performed a solo for everyone which was very brave really because it wasn't planned and she is only 9 years old, bless her. Mads booked a live singer that played at Sarah & Ed's wedding and he was brilliant. When he finished, Paul, the DJ started with the disco and I think everybody got up to dance at some stage during the evening, even Phil! And yes I was up there in the beginning and there at the very end. What am I like! In the end we got a lift home with DJ Paul & his wife Jill after he'd finished packing up his equipment. We got in at 3 am and it was quite fun and games getting Phil's shoes off and getting him up the stairs to bed. Unfortunately we woke Harriet up in the process. Sorry Harriet!

As anticipated, we were both suffering with hangovers and sleep deprivation on Saturday morning. It would have been good to have stayed in bed but there was no chance because Phil had an appointment with a mortgage broker at half eleven. I'm afraid the diet went out of the window and we had to start the day with bacon and egg rolls, always the best cure for a hangover. On Saturday afternoon I cleaned the house & mowed the lawn because we had a house viewing and Phil went over to Northampton to give G some driving practice. Saturday night was telly and an extremely early night.

It was our 3^rd wedding anniversary on Saturday but although we exchanged cards we'd already decided to celebrate on Sunday instead. We went to the gym in the morning and then early afternoon walked to the Ship Ashore for lunch. Both of us had the roast which was really nice but the service was slow which was surprising given that there weren't many others dining. It was such a beautiful afternoon; we had intended to walk to the centre and catch a movie but there were a couple of bits of pressing paperwork jobs to be done so we walked home instead. We finished the day by whizzing over to Winslow to drop a letter off at Sally's our solicitor. I could have done this today but Phil insisted on doing it yesterday. Sunday evening was telly, papers and another early-to-bed night. Its nice to party and stay up all night occasionally but when you get to our age it takes 3 days to get over it. Getting older is very sad.

Party Balloons



Me posing before all the guests arrived

Note the red carpet!

Phil & Steve

Mads Mad Family

Cheers Phil!

Mads & Lola

Phil wearing his napkin on his head!

Girls from work

Jan, Kevin, Al & Debs

The Cakes

Paul & Jill & Clive & Nicola

Mads watching the surprise slide show

Pete & Sasha

Paul & The Chef

Carla & her bloke

Chris contemplating life

Our very own personalised napkins

Beautiful Trifford presented to us by Mads for our wedding anniversary

Party Dresses & Cool Cars

I am really glad that we are now into March; January was horrible, mainly because of Phil's diagnosis and even though we had a free holiday; February was just downright miserable. At least with March, the nights are beginning to get lighter and there is a chance that we may just get some spring sunshine. That said, its been bloody freezing this week. I have whacked up the central heating and even resorted to putting on the underfloor heating on in the kitchen. But don't tell Phil that, he will freak out!

With all said and done, its been a fairly steady week. I met Sue at the hospital and went along with her for her annual mammogram. These things are not pleasant but are necessary and I think its nice to have someone go with you. I suppose the examination itself is not such a big deal but the 3 weeks waiting for the results is a worrying time. Sue brought me tea from the hospital café and we sat and chatted for half an hour. It was nice to see her but sad at the same time; Sue's life is not a lot of fun at the moment but she's trying very hard to remain cheerful. I wish I could wave a magic wand and take away all the pain or otherwise wind the clock to wind back to happier times. But alas, I cannot, there is nothing I can do, which makes me feel pretty useless if I am honest.

On Tuesday afternoon, Harriet's friend Rachel came round to put some bleach mesh highlights in my hair and give me a cut and blow dry. She took away most of my grey with a half head and the lighter colour made me feel much brighter. Better still, she only charged me 35 quid which seeing as she was here for nearly 2 hours was a bargain price. After lunch on Wednesday I forced myself to go around the city centre in search of a new dress for Mads 50^th party which is tonight. I could wear the dyed vomit stain dress but now I have lost weight it is way too loose. In a panic, I ordered a pink flower print dress from eBay; its okay for a summer holiday dress but too skimpy to wear at this time of year. Thankfully I didn't have to hunt too long and found a very simple pale pink dress from Quiz. The best thing about it, was that it was cheap as chips and its a dress I will wear again. Furthermore, I think it might be something Harriet may want to borrow. Maybe......

I am really loving my new car and thats the girl,that-hates-driving, but I have been enjoying driving out and about around town. It only cost me £35 to fill up with petrol and it will be interesting to see how many miles to the gallon I can get. When I was in Asda I picked up some floor mats because I noticed it didn't have any. Because its so immaculate, I am going to try and keep it that way. I have in the past, spilt paint in 3 different cars and seeing as I have a paint project coming up in the next couple of weeks, I am going to have to be extra careful. My insurance is due for the renewal on the 12^th of March and I got a really good fully comp price from Churchill so I have switched from Direct Line. Their renewal quote wasn't giving me anything for my loyalty over the past 10 years so I thought sod them. My new policy also includes breakdown cover so that's a real bonus.

Yesterday I met up with Christine at the OU for coffee; I had to pick up a parcel of Amazon books for Jan but it also gave us a chance to catch up. Since I last saw her, Christine has turned 60 and had a surprise birthday party followed by a few days in Rome. My life is so boring in comparison. After lunch, I drove over to Olney to see Mads. I wanted to show off my new car and also wanted to see what she was wearing for her big night. Also she wanted me to pick up some goodie bags and some fags from MK and take them over. Whilst I was there, she gave me a fake tan courtesy of her Sisley products. The overall colour was impressive but it had a horrible smell.

Mads & Steve cottage is lovely but early in the New Year their boiler did something weird and over the course of a few days let out some kind of gas which has made all the walls and all the carpets black. Bedding, clothes, carpets, curtains, furniture, walls, ceilings, doors, appliances, you name it, every was smeared with black. I knew that they were going to claim on their insurance and Mads told me the house was in upheaval but I hadn't realised what chaos they have been living in. Mads is my friend, and I love her to bits but she is prone to exaggeration. Not this time though. All their possessions are in boxes, professional cleaners have been in but carpets needs to be replaced and the whole cottage needs redecorating. I couldn't live in such a mess, it would drive me crazy. What is so sad about the whole thing, is that they had just finished decorating the cottage from top to bottom. I suppose that's why we pay for insurance, but even so, you can't put a price on stress, upheaval and major inconvenience.

Mads has been very busy over the last couple of month making preparations for her 50^th party dinner tonight at Robinsons. She has made and iced a 3 separate tier birthday cake, embroided napkins for all the guests, made name badges for the waiting staff and has goodies bags for each of her guests. The cake is spectacular and perhaps one of the best I have seen. Of course, in true Maddy style, she is stressed out and I mean STRESSED with a capital 'S'. It wouldn't be Mads if she wasn't. After self tanning we tried on party outfits and then wrote out drinks vouchers for guests that were not having wine with the meal. I think its going to be one hell of a party. And me thinks its also going to be one hellofa hangover the following day! Phil & I are on the top table so after gym and housework, I am going to dedicate a few hours getting ready. This is one occasion when I really must try to look my best.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MADS!  50 T0DAY