Catch Up

Wednesday, 21st January 2009

I had a great time shopping with Mum and Elena yesterday. Mum bought me a lovely soft "highlighter pink" hoodie from New Look and I bought myself some brown boots, they go really well with my beige trousers and look fab with jeans.

After watching Big Chef takes on Little Chef I have really fancied some scrambled egg, so for tea tonight Matt made some, with a little bit of cheese and marmite on toast, yummy!

It was the final episode of the Little Chef program as well tonight. Heston came back, got the Popham branch refurbished and ready to run.I'm very happy to say it did really well, everyone loved the food and the decor was great, they even had singing toilets and urinals! The idiot at head office has said that he'll review whats happening and whether or not it'll be rolled out to all branches after 3 months!!

Mum & me in NewportElena & me in Newport

Thursday, 22nd January 2009

I spent about 6 hours at Age Concern today (wearing my new boots). I found out that all Age Concerns are registered as local charities, meaning all the money they raise in their area they get to keep, so all the money the island raises stays on the island, how cool is that. They provide 9 essential services to the islands elderly and need to raise a further £140,000 to carry on. In order to do this they have come up with the idea of "Be a silver star day", they are trying to get businesses and schools involved in some sort of mufti day where people wear something silver.So today I was helping Ellen sort out who would take part.

After having some lunch back at the flat Matt and i decided that we'd go for a walk along the beach. We went down Fisherman's steps and this time instead of turning left towards Sandown we headed right towards Luccombe. We went around the point and up and up some wooden steps where Matt showed me an amazing waterfall. We carried on up some steps made of mainly mud and a bit of wood. Through Luccombe woods and then back down to the flat, it sounds quite a short way, but it really wasn't and walking up muddy steep steps almost killed me, I thought Matt might have to carry me back, lol.

Tree trunk on the beach

Steps up to LuccombeSteps with waterfall behind them
Waterfall coming through part of the walkwayWhat looks like a castle tower in someones back gardenA gorgeous little thatched cottage in Luccombe woods
The thatched cottages gate

Friday, 23rd January 2009

Went round Mum and Dad's at for 10 o'clock today to take delivery of their new fridge/ freezer. Thought I'd have a quick shower while I was there, as its lovely and warm and powerful, which beats the cold drip at the flat hands down. Had to leave the bathroom door open though as I was really worried the delivery guys would turn up.

I waited till 1 o'clock and thought I'd make myself some lunch, managed to make it to the kitchen when they actually turned up! Sod's law or what. Lol. Well it was certainly a bit of a palaver trying to get it in the house. Eventually, after a few phone calls to Dad, we put it in the conservatory. When I opened the patio doors one of the blokes looked in and said "Hey love, I think you've got a bit of a problem... I think your bird's are dead!" In the corner Mum and Dad have got a lovely cage two pot budgies in.

After having some soup for our tea Mum, Dad, Elena and I made our way to Red Funnel in Cowes. Then made our way up to Auntie Claire's, 250 miles inn Derbyshire. We arrives there around 10.30 ish , and soon went to bed as we were all shattered.

It has been raining quite a lot on the island, this picture was taken rinning down the curb from our driveway

Mum and me in their new monster fridge freezer

Saturday, 24th January 2009

We went to see Nana-Jean in hospital today, she looked well, tiered but well. We stayed there for 2 hours and then on our way back to Auntie Claire's we popped in at Sainsburys. It was huge, they even sold clothes! Mum and Dad got Nana some books as she had finished all the ones she had with her and was rather board.

After having some pizza we went back to see Nana for an hour, well we got to stay a bit longer as one of the ladies who had kept everyone else awake the previous night had died whilst we there in the afternoon, and she was still there when we left that evening!

On our way home we picked up a Chinese for our tea.
This house is down the road from Auntie Claire, I love it, if it were on the island it would be perfect.

Sunday, 25th January 2009

Dad woke us up this morning so we could get ready to go back home. We set off at 10.30 and by 12 o'clock we were at Teresa's!

Teresa made us a lovely cup of tea and some hot cross buns, we all had a good old natter, and at 1.30 got back in the bus to travel back down to the island. When we were stood in the kitchen Max came in with my glasses on upside down, he's so cute.


I managed to forget my sunglasses, I didn't realise until about an hour later when the sun was shining in my eyes! Teresa is very kindly sending them back down to me.

We got the 6 o'clock ferry back and on our way home picked up the Indian I had ordered, banquet night at Taj Tandoori, you get a starter and main meal with either rice or naan bread all for £8.50, bargain! Matt met us back at Mum and Dad's, it was really nice to see him as I'd missed him so much. I know we only spent 2 nights apart, but it was really weird not waking up next to him.

Monday, 26th January 2009

8 o'clock this morning Matt dropped me off at Mum and Dad's so I could get a lift into Newport as I was going to spend a few hours at Age Concern again. Ellen was going to a couple of schools today- Sandown High being one of them, Elena's school- to give an assembly, so I finished around 12.30. Today I updated her spreadsheet of all the people she had contacted.

Whilst waiting for Matt to come pick me up I had a wander around the shops. Which is horrible when you have no money as your always guaranteed to find really nice things, well I thought I was very good, I only bought a book. There's a new film coming out on the 6th February, it's called The Secret of Moonacre, and it's based on a book called The Little White Horse by Elizabeth Goudge. I think it's along the same genre as Harry Potter, J.K. Rowling is even quoted on the cover saying how she adored the book.

Didn't really do much fro the rest of the day as I felt really tiered.

Tuesday, 27th January 2009

I fancied some scrambled egg on marmite on toast this morning, but we had run out of margarine, and I've found that marmite is a real pig to spread on toast with out butter. So I thought I'd pop down the shop and get some, only when I got into Shanklin did I realise that I had forgotten my door key to the flat, and it's on one of those automatic locks! Matt was in but he hadn't slept well the last couple of nights so he was still in bed and his mobile in the other room. I don't think I've ever known anyone so difficult to wake up, but once he's asleep that's it, he's out of it! There could be an earth quake and I don't think he'd wake up. Wish I was like that, all though Mum is much worse than I am.Lol.

So I thought I'd go to Tesco's get the butter and some soup for tea tonight. I text Matt to say when he got my message to phone me and then went to Mum and Dad's. Mum was just coming up the road as I put my laptop back in the car, so I spent a bit of time with her, had a cup of tea and a chat.

Once back at the flat I read a few books. I read The Tales of Beedle the Bard and 2 and a bit books of the Spiderwick Chronicles.

Wednesday, 28th January 2009

I opened the front door this morning to find it was really foggy, I thought I'd take a leaf out of Mum's book and get some pic's of the island in all the fog. So on my way to the job centre in Ryde I drove round the boating lake, usually from Ryde you get a cracking view of the mainland, no such luck today, you could just about make out Ryde Pier!

In the job centre I bumped into Lyn P, who left Woolies in the summer to work at the job centre, Kerry and one of the Sue's from Shanklin. Kerry told me that Laura, another lady we used to work with who left last year to move to the mainland, is coming down to the island on Monday to meet up with everyone, so I might go and meet up with them.

In my wisdom I thought I'd drive up Culver on my way home to get some more picture's. Well the fog was even worse up there, I could barley see where I was going!

Popped into Mum and Dad's again today, where Nana and GrandJack were supposed to be bringing Jack and Jordanna round to see us, but for some reason they didn't, they didn't even mention it! Had a letter on the side when I got in, my last pay slip and P45 from Woolworths!

Mum and I talked a bit about her upcoming holiday to the Maldives, I hope they have a great time.

Other than that haven't really done much else today, but best get an earlyish night as I'm at Age Concern again tomorrow.

View from Ryde boating lake, where you can usually see the mainland

Very foggy road up Culver
Culver monumentSheep in one of the carparks up Culver

What to do?

OMG woke up with such an awful headache this morning, my own fault I know, all from pigging out on the chocolate last night, I knew I shouldn't have eaten so much.

After having a nice long soak in the bath, I didn't want to get out of it, I turned on my laptop to see if anyone had heard any more about Nana- Jean. Dad had spoken to Auntie Claire again last night after I had left, and was told that the hospital were going to carry out some tests but had to wait a few hours first. Poor Dad doesn't really know what to do with himself.

Elena spoke to me as soon as I had logged in, saying that Dad was contemplating on going up north to see her but was waiting for more news first. So Matt and I went round to Mum and Dad's to see if there was anything we could do. Mum had very kindly said I could use their washing machine as all the ones in the flats laundry room were in use, Mum's is definitely better though as my whites always come out a lot whiter when I use hers! Before we left the flat though I took this photo, it's the view out of our front door down the drive way.

Just as we got in the phone went and it was Auntie Claire again, Dad also got to speak to Nana- Jean, who she said that she was feeling better and for him not to come up as it was too long a journey. Well we've decided that we won't go up this week as both Mum and Dad have got loads on at work, we'll go next Friday, after their fridge/freezer has been delivered and then come back on Sunday, in time for everyone to be back at work and school. It's oing to be so cold, will have to pack loads of jumpers.

Matt went back to flat just after lunch, he said he wasn't feeling 100% but I think he wanted to get back and watch the snooker. After we had washed the pots and had a cup of tea Mum, Elena and I decided we'd go for a walk along Sandown seafront. We thought we'd park near Bogeys-the local night club, and walk from there.

As we were driving past the Caulkheads we spotted Nana and GrandJack, so we pulled over to see what they were doing and it turned out they had decided to go for a walk along the seafront as well. We went off and parked the car and waited for them to catch us up and then all headed off towards Yaverland.

We talked bout how Nana- Jean was in hospital and asked how Auntie Mal was doing, GrandJacks youngest sister who lives in France and who has also just been admitted to hospital. She's just got Guillen Barre Syndrome. Which is a rare disorder that makes your immune system attack your nervous system, and she is now paralysed below the waist!

It was very windy and cold along the seafront, we popped into the yacht club to see if we could get a coffee at the bar but unfortunately it wasn't open, so we headed back to Sandown and popped into the Jolly Sailor where GrandJack bought us all a nice hot drink.

After warming we said goodbye to Nana and GrandJack and headed back home where Dad was making one of his gorgeous roast dinners for us. It was lovely. Thanks Dad xxx

After tea Matt came and picked me up and we went back to the flat so we could pay the rent and check when we need to get out of the flat. Fiona told us that we may be able to have it for a couple more weeks as the building work isn't going as quick as they'd like it to, we have to check with them at the end of the month as to whats happening.

A Down Day

Well not really been up to much today. If I'm perfectly honest it's been a bit of a down day, I don't know why I just feel extremely fed up. Oh aren't I the happy ray of light, lol!

I was messing around on the internet this morning when I had a look on IMDb's news feed, one of the stories was about Bear Grylls, who was born on the island and grew up in Bembridge, and how his wife has given birth to their 3rd son Huckleberry! One of their other son's name is Marmaduke. I just can't believe how mean some people can be to their own children, still each to their own I suppose.

We took a trip out to Tesco's where we bumped in to one of Matt's old friends Mum, who was having a good old whinge about him (Martin her son, Matt's old friend), still it's always good to know he hasn't changed as he's always looking for an argument! We also saw Steve who we had a quick chat with before heading off to the checkout.

On our way back i dropped Matt off at his Mum's then I popped round Mum and Dad's. Poor Mum's had an awful day at work again today, but hopefully now the "big boss" is kicking his son's rear end it may start to get better soon- hang in their Mum xxx

I did her ironing for her as she offered to pay me, she also gave me some petrol and a tin of Bournville chocolate, which I love. Then we tried accessing Mum's hard drive so I could write my thank you letters for my Christmas Presents, unfortunately we just couldn't get the laptop to acknowledge that we had plugged in, and turned on, her hard drive. Technology, tut, it's great whilst it works but when it malfunctions I'm useless!

Dad came in about 5.45 saying that he'd just had another phone call from Auntie Claire, her and Auntie Debra had just been summoned to the hospital where my Nan is as she'd had a heart attack. So all in all I think every ones had a pretty rotten day. I've offered to go up with Dad if he needs to, so then at least I can look after Matthew and Zoe and keep Dad company on the trip as well.

Hopefully I'll have actually done something tomorrow so I have a happier, fuller post to give you.