He only went and passed!!!

Big week for Sam, his driving Theory test! The jammy bugger only went and passed! He did very little prep, in fact hardly any up until the past couple of weeks, and only because I kept moaning at him. Anyway it's done now and the test centre of Yeovil beckons in a few months time!

All the Autumn feels this week, the clocks went back last night so we're enduring the darker evenings for the next few months. I love Autumn and all the colours and changes but as we approach the darker nights, it's my least favourite time of the year.

Jeff and I ventured out out!! on Friday. It was truly awful evening, dark, wet windy but we had tickets, booked months ago, to see......

....Lisa Stansfield.

Wasn't sure what to expect but it was a thoroughly good evening, if you forget the weather. She was tiny, looked fabulous and sang the old chart toppers from the late 80's, early 90's.

Thankfully I had a day off on Saturday, spent a good chunk of it baking and just generally enjoying a quiet, nothing on the agenda, kinda day at home - just what I needed x

I worked all day today, leaving the boys on the quest to grab local Glastonbury Festival tickets and both were happy. Sam got himself a full ticket and Jeff a Sunday ticket, so lets start hoping the weather is on their side and they get to enjoy a sunny rather than soggy Festival.

Day Tripper!

I've been busy this week gallivanting!
Ages ago Sophie and I penciled in a possible date to visit her in Reading, well it came around pretty quickly and yes, she would still like to see me, so out the door by 6:30am Reading bound.

I was allowed to venture to the fabulous Cafe Yolk for a very welcome breakfast.

Sophie posted a pic from there during her first week back in Reading and I made her promise to take me the next time I visited, so worth the wait, delicious.

I didn't really have long there, after a 3 hour journey there (usually only takes 2), breakfast, the obligatory 'all expenses paid for' food shop, then back to hers for a coffee, before heading home. Back just in time to head straight back out again to Sam's school for an Apprenticeship Evening. He's not sure if Uni is for him, we've agreed on a year out but are exploring Degree Apprenticeships as another possible option. Trouble is they are few and far between, hard to find and highly sought after, so maybe it'll be easier said than done!

The time is whizzing on by again! Autumn really is here now, settled in, so far quite damp and miserable but always lovely to spot the first ghost pumpkins in the shops.

So on Saturday Sam and I were up and out early again - this time off to Cornwall for the day. Granny's had another fall, been in hospital again, the second time in a few weeks and to top it all now has pneumonia! She was sent home on the Friday, so we at least got to see her at home. Sam drove the whole way down, all but the chunk of motorway. We stopped via Portreath, just to see the sea and buy a pasty - couldn't go to Cornwall without having a pasty. Sadly only down for a few hours, quick coffee at Mum and Dad's, before turning around and heading back home. Sam and I both had work today, so it had to be a flying visit, catching moments when I can x

My sister is 50.....

My sister is 50.......

which means in 13 months I will be 50!

Eek! now that's a bit scary!

A couple of pics of us as children.

So yesterday I met up with my sister and niece, who incidentally turns 11 on Monday, for lunch (we missed you Sophie). We choose Italian, to keep with our theme of going to Florence in May, to celebrate both our birthdays. I gave her a little Italian coffee themed gift to celebrate - an Italian mug filled with amaretti biscuits, some Italian coffee and a Caffe Nero voucher - our intention in Italy is to drink copious cups of coffee, whilst sitting 'people watching' and just enjoying spending time together  x

Lunch was lovely, the whole place sang Happy Birthday to Jo's embarrassment!! 

We shared the tiramisu and it was delicious.

So a lovely day, with Florence in May to look forward to x

Hello October!!

Farewell September......

.... a full on month for sure.

 As Jeff and Sam went back to school, Sophie and I jetted off to Paris, just the two of us, a fab few days in the capital. We also had a flying visit down to Cornwall to see Granny and enjoyed trips to Bristol and Bath, before taking Sophie back to Uni in Reading. A full on few days packing and moving her in ready to start Year 2. Sam started driving lessons and Jeff slotted back into school life - busy!!!!

 

Pinch and a punch........ hello October! 

I can't quite believe it's already October!!

It's been a rainy few days but we've been treated to a few lovely run rises and....

.....on the rare blue sky day, I've certainly made the most of it!

My day off was spent cleaning!! But good to get on top of everything again.

Any spare time I've had has been out with Sam driving. We agreed to one school run a day, takes up a good hour of my day but gives him invaluable practise of everyday driving. Plus it means I get to spend a little extra time with him. He's a boy of few words, so it's nice to just chat for half an hour, feel a little more connected to the boy that hides away in his room.