First frost and Christmas cards!

We've had our first proper frost of the year. 

Good job I went out in the garden before and picked the last of the figs. 

They weren't squidgy and jammy but they were edible

It's been a very good year for my little fig tree.

I've had this week off. 

I got the all important hair cut and colour done on Monday.

Had a couple of coffee and catch-up dates on Tuesday. 

A check-in with the HRT nurse on Wednesday morning 

And then a trip to our local cinema in Wells in the afternoon.

They do a 3pm matinee screening for £5 with a free coffee and biscuit!
We are so lucky to have it and I do believe it's the classic case of  'if you don't use it, you lose it', so I do try and go when something vaguely of interest is on, particularly when it's grey and cold out!

I have also made the most of the dry couple of days we've had, to get out and walk!

It's been beautifully cold, dry and frosty, perfect walking weather.

I went out to Ham Wall on Thursday morning.

As always, the robins were being super friendly. They have signs up now, asking you not to feed the birds, so I think they come close, in the hope you may have something for them.

On Friday, it was more of the same.

I instructed Jeff to wake me up if it was frosty!

I decided not to de-ice the car, and instead, walked down the hill....

...along the main road....

....up to the top of Wearyall Hill.

A bench with a view!!

We are so lucky living here, with so many lovely walks near by. 

They weather changed for the weekend. I am not a rainy day walker!! So I decided to start on my Christmas cards. I LOVE cards!! I can't resist buying a nice card. Sometimes it'll be with a person in mind, other times just because I like it!! I have a box for Christmas cards, that I add to. A mix of some left over from the previous year, some I will have bought in the sales, and new ones from this season.

Taking advantage of the fact Jeff and Sam were working, I then took over the kitchen table. Laying out everything I had squirreled away and then working out which card was suited to each person. I still send about 70 cards, which does work out expensive, if you choose nice cards and then add on the postage. But, I like to send cards, keep in touch with people, particularly who I don't follow on social media and it's the only time I get to check in with them and catch up on their news. 

I know some people say they aren't buying cards this year and giving to charity. I personally think some people will do that but that the vast majority use that as an excuse not to bother and don't actually give anything. Shoot me now, but that's what I think!

It does take time and effort, to buy a card in the first place, select a card for each person with thought and consideration. Find time to sit and write each card, adding a personal message, or I will admit to printing off a round robin type catch up note, to pop in with a card too. I would like to think people appreciate that, when a card gets posted through their door. If not, no worries, I get pleasure from doing it anyway. And on that note, I must get back to it and finish off some more cards. I have a really busy week ahead and will need to get my airmail cards in the post early December. Best get cracking!!

 

55!!!

Happy birthday to meeeee..

Friday was my birthday!

55!!!!

The weather was a wash out, rain, rain and more rain!! 

So I changed my plans and did nothing. 

And it was lovely. 

I didn't realise that I needed a day of doing very little!!

I've been in school all week....

.....doing exam invigilation.

Year 11 mock exams, both morning and afternoon sessions for the past 6 days. 

I now have a week off, before going in to do a couple of days chaperoning.

It's been incredibly mild up until today. 

A northerly cold front is moving down across the country and the temperatures are supposed to plummet! To be fair, it will feel a little more seasonal. I have a pile of jumpers in my wardrobe that haven't even been worn this year, yet!!

So, back to my birthday!
We don't 'do' presents! 

All I ask of my lot, is to get me a nice card...

....and I had lots of nice cards!

And a delicious tiramisu x

And a visit from our friendly hedgehog!

We first saw it in the summer and it's not hibernating yet!!

On Saturday I met up with Sophie in Bristol.

We had a look around the new 'huge' M&S, did a little Christmas shopping, enjoyed a delicious Italian at Moltobuono, a fab little independent Italian restaurant on Park Street, before......

.... the main event.....

MAMMA MIA!!

I think it's our fourth, possibly even the fifth time, Sophie and I have seen it on stage. 

Such a feel good show. We have vowed to go and see it, every time it comes to Bristol.

We first saw it together in London, in 2013, just before her 14th birthday and have subsequently watched all the films, and plan to go to Skopelos, the Mamma Mia island that Jeff and I visited this summer, on holiday together one year! She needs to get the full Mamma Mia experience x

Sam was waiting for us as we came out of the theatre. He'd been in Bristol for a few days visiting Poppy, so we gave him a lift home and for me, a rare 'birthday treat', I had the pair of them home together, for one night only!! Sophie stayed the night and met up with a friend today, heading to Bath for the day and then getting the train back from there. Sam is back in work today! He certainly doesn't love it, but until he finds something else, it's a job and he gets to save by living at home. Jeff is entering the final three weeks of term, with more and more added on top of everything else he does! A busy bee for sure. 

The week ahead is calmer, no work for me but lots booked in already....a hair cut and colour, coffee dates x3 (so far) a trip to the cinema, a check-up with HRT nurse... and so the list goes on, and if the forecast remains as it is, and Thursday looks dry, I want to get out for a walk. I feels like it's been ages since I've had the time to get out in the fresh air!!

Benson Boone, birthday treat

What a week!

We've had a birthday to celebrate

My Sophie is.....

....26!!!!
How did that happen? Where have the years gone?

I headed up to Cardiff on the Monday, stopping off at Cribbs en route. I stayed the night at Sophie's and then we headed to London, by train, on Tuesday morning (her actual birthday) We had a mooch around Marylebone before we could get into our hotel near Waterloo. 

Ready for the main event, our reason for being London bound...

The one, the only, BENSON BOONE!!

And it was!!
THE best live performer I've seen.

He was incredible

The best night ever!

And we were sooooooo lucky. 

He brought on Brian May at the end and did Bohemian Rhapsody.

Honestly, it was a once in a lifetime moment. The atmosphere was electric!

An absolutely incredible evening.

We joined the throngs leaving the O2 and headed for the Jubilee line back to Waterloo and our hotel. Could not get to sleep, still on a huge high, so was exhausted the next day.

We had a few hours to kill before our train back to Cardiff, so after a much needed coffee, we headed to Liberty's, Selfridges', John Lewis etc and had a mooch around their Christmas departments, getting a little inspo! Didn't buy much, everything was so expensive. 

I didn't take many pics either, as I didn't want to get my phone out, from the fear of it been grabbed by a bike thief, especially on Oxford Street!!  We were a day or two ahead of all the light switch on's and window displays being unveiled, which was a shame. 

We got back to Cardiff about 6'ish and then I had the drive back home. 

Was exhausted but my cup was well and truly filled! What a fabulous couple of days and I feel very lucky that I got to share it all with Sophie. Not many daughters want their mothers around, so I feel very lucky that we enjoy each others company. 

And I was home for the Traitors final!! Although Sophie and I texted each other throughout!

Was back to work and exam invigilation on Thursday, with a bump!! English mock exam, with 9 students with computer reader, extra time and rest breaks. Made working out all the timings, feel like I was doing a maths exam!!! Worked all Friday too, as I felt bad not being available at the beginning of the week, so have had a quiet weekend. 

I did however, go out on Friday evening to meet up with friends from my Sainsbury's days. 

Was lovely to have a catch up. I do miss the people but still glad I left the job!

Time is whizzing by again.

Just 4 weeks left of the term, before we head off to Italy for a few days. 

I'm invigilating all next week, morning and afternoons. Have Friday off, as it's my birthday. 

I did offer, but said, only use me if you really need me!! So far, I haven't been allocated anything.

I then have the following week off  but it's already filling up with appointments and coffee catch-ups!! So busy, but all good things, and then I'm back in for two days of chaperoning, a very welcome extra bit of money, as we throw ourselves into the festive season!!

Half term round-up!!

A quick catch up from this past few days, since returning from Lisbon. 

It's been a busy end to half term. 

Jeff's done a lot out in the garden, planting out all our bulbs ready for next Spring.

I got my eyes tested on Tuesday, was long over due a check up! Bit of a prescription change and was given some intense eyedrops to try for my dry eye! So will see how I get on.

I met up with my sister in Bath for a catch up.

Completely forgot to take a picture of us but did take one of our breakfast!!!!

Friday was the last day of October (a pic round-up) and we headed to Cardiff.

Jeff had bought tickets to see ABC - The Lexicon of Love album with a live orchestra. 

They were never a favourite of mine, still not converted but I did recognise 4 songs.

And Jeff enjoyed it, so that was the main thing!

Had plenty of leg room!!! HA!

Saturday morning, and 'A pinch and a punch....' and we are in November!!

From Sophie's we all headed to Bristol.

Sophie and I had bought tickets to see the Book of Mormon, a good year ago, before Jeff had bought the ABC tickets. In retrospect, he should have got a ticket too. Whilst Sophie and I went to the show, he had to kill time in Bristol. He exhausted his annual shopping outing!! HA! He's not a shopper!! Sophie then got the train back to Cardiff and we drove home.

Today is a catch up day. Sam has just left for work. Jeff has got back from refereeing and I am working my way through my 'to do' list! I'm heading back up to Cardiff tomorrow. Sophie and I have tickets to see Benson Boone in London on Tuesday at the O2. Although he had to cancel his show last night due to illness, so we may end up having an unnecessary, expensive trip to London instead. Fingers crossed, he'll feel well enough to perform, if not, we'll make the best of it, maybe go and see a show!?! It's Sophie's actual birthday on Tuesday, so I'll make it special one way or another xx