Toasted Marshmallows Anyone?

 

This morning was spent phoning the insurance company to get the wheels in motion for the claim.

For the time being my poorly car has a sticky plaster strip of duct tape ensuring the wind doesn't whip off the unhinged bumper.

Its still hard to see how that little bit of damage can cost so much money!

Having spoken to the insurance company they were happy for me to go with the garage I visited yesterday, or one of their recommended ones, which wont make my warranty invalid for Ford, and also they will provide me with a courtesy car.

So, although I was a bit dubious to start with, not going with the garage Ford had recommended, I felt my loyalty was more with my insurance company than Ford, so went with their recommendation.

They were happy to collect my car tomorrow but with a funeral to attend I delayed it to Thursday.

 

With the phone calls out of the way, I had shopping to do for the funeral refreshments and also wanted to try and find something for Hubby for our wedding anniversary this week.

I had no idea what I was going to buy, but stumbled across a couple of unusual things...you will have to wait til Friday to see though....just incase he is bored during his lunch hour and decides to see what I have been up to today!

 

As the tip was nearby I took a boot load of garden waste and some bits and bobs that some unkind person had dumped by our garage door.

I also had a single broken tile....which I couldn't believe the tip wanted to charge me £2.50 for!

They now charge for soil, rubble and tiles ...you would have thought he could have let me put in a single tile wouldn't you!

So I brought it back home and as he suggested may put it at the bottom of some plant pots...or it may make its way into the general waste!

 

 

Whilst I cracked on with icing the coffee and walnut cake for tomorrow...

 

 

... Teen One cracked on with some baking for tomorrow's firework supper party.

 

 

 

Inspired by this online cupcake design...

 

 

...she made these cute little mini bonfires.

 

 

We didn't have enough icing for the last cake...so had to sample it of course...

not least because not only was it gluten free...

 

 

...we added some pumpkin pie spice, for a seasonal twist, and it was very yummy indeed.

 

Tomorrow will be a busy day and I have taken a leaf out of FQ2FF and made myself some lists of what to take to church, how many slices of bread to use for each filling etc (cos I know someone will ask me rather than do it on the fly as I would!)

 

I have managed to avoid social media today and so can happily sit down and watch Bake Off tonight, even though my favourite went a few weeks ago!

I must confess, I promised myself I would watch it when it went over to Channel 4, but who can resist it!

I do however prefer our dear Mary Berry and Mel and Sue and hope the BBC come up with a new programme for them.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dented Pride...Bank Balance...and Car!

 

Apologies for the "no show" these past couple of days....here is a quick catch up of life with us!

Saturday was a chilled out sort of day, with a few essentials errands done, such as Hubby's car going into the garage, our turn for church cleaning, and Hubby finally getting to making me a little work station above the washing machine.

I forgot to do a "before" photo, but at this angle all you could see was ugly pipes and the drain, so now its all blocked off and much easier on the eye!

 

 

Round the front is much nicer too...with a good working area for holding detergents, baskets etc.

The work tops are actual table tops from Ikea at just a fiver...although since we bought them they have gone up to £6 I see, but still a bargain!

The inside of the table top was chipboard colour, so we bought a roll of self adhesive wood effect vinyl from The Range which matched up pretty good I thought.

 

In the evening we went out to a church meeting in Bognor, followed by a drive thru McDonalds Mc Flurry!

 

 

Sunday was the usual day...until....

well the above picture says it all...or does it!

I was trying to find a parking space in the evening and was slowly reversing down our road. I thought there might be a space at the end of the road, at one point my parking sensors beeped slowly, meaning I was near but not dangerously near the vehicle on my right.

So I adjusted my steering wheel slightly...no point being too near if  I don't need to be...

Kept checking in the mirror, no more beeping....then BANG!

Out of nowhere!

No warning beeping, no long loud BEEEEEEEEP meaning I was way too close, just BANG!

For a few seconds I was stunned as to what had happened, as were the Teens and student I had with me.

When we got out, we saw I had reversed into a stationary car!

Well that was a shock!

I cant blame anyone for that can I!

However why didn't the sensors pick up the car was there?

Hubby thinks there is design fault if it cant pick up all models of cars...this one I hit was an old high model.

On the plus side no one was hurt, just my pride and of course the bank balance!

Having taken it to the dealer today the initial estimate is £1400!! Can you believe it for a tiny bump!

It will have to go through the insurance for that amount, my first ever claim of course.

I did protect my NCB last year, but reading the paper work it doesn't seem to make any difference to the possibility of the premium going up...so what is the NCB there for I ask!

 

 

 

The rest of the day was spent getting ready for a funeral on Wednesday, starting with a lemon drizzle cake.

I also visited my Monday Recycle Teenager in hospital.

Sadly she is deteriorating fast and I suspect she wont be with us long.

It was a sad visit.

 

 

The weather has turned quite chilly today, although lovely and bright, but cold enough for a fire to be lit.

The bunnies are enjoying the warm rays coming off it that's for sure!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Brick Live

 

 

Yesterday was a very long, busy, but fun day.

We set off early for the NEC Birmingham for the annual Brick Live Lego event.

Teen Two of course is the reason we go, but there is always plenty for us all to see and get involved with.

However, Teen One and I have decided that after four years of going, we will leave it to just the boys next year.

We found we had seen all we wanted to see in next to no time....

 

 

 

...but had gone well prepared....

 

 

...to amuse ourselves...

 

 

...whilst the boys had fun elsewhere.

 

 

One of Teen Two's favourite zones was the Warrior Bots....being a huge Robot Wars fan, this is a combination of his two big loves!

 

 

Imagine how thrilled he was when he was chosen to do battle with one of the Lego bots.

Not only that....he won his battle!!

 

 

Of course there was plenty of Lego around, with various themes, for everyone to get building with.

 

 

There was also an area to make animated films, which is also something Teen Two enjoys.

 

 

There were plenty of amazing models around to admire, including a whole Safari area.

There was on unpleasant moment...when we were evacuated due to a bomb scare!

The horror of terrorism felt very real and I have to admit to being close to tears, wondering how it was all going to end, and not least because we weren't with Hubby and Teen Two.

Thankfully it was just a scare and we were eventually allowed back in.

Bizzarely enough Teen Two and Hubby were unaware of the drama, the evacuation hadn't managed to extend to the end of the hall they were in and Teen Two was blissfully aware whilst he was on the stage taking part in a Minecraft challenge!

We were very thankful to be reunited soon after and also thankful there wasn't actually anything sinister going on.

 

We left when the event closed....by which time the hall had emptied out so much we could see all the exhibits much easier!

It was 6pm and we had planned to stop off and be eating by around 6.30-7pm then arrive home around 10pm.

Unfortunately when we went to the local Resort, all the restaurants had long waiting times, so we headed out to see if we could find something on the way home and ended up in Warwick before we found anywhere...which was a local chippy as it turned out.

It was 8pm by then and we were hungry and tired so were thankful to be munching our freshly cooked food ( which was exceptionally good!) in the comfort of our car!

 

By the time we arrived home it was getting on for 11pm and we all just flopped into bed and enjoyed a lie in this morning.

 

Today has been a take it as we find it day, with some shopping ( got the Christmas turkey crown!)

washing and general pottering.

Would like to have achieved a bit more today, but we really needed a down day after yesterday.

 

Teen Two popped round to see Grandma and thrashed her at Rummikub whilst Teen One caught up on some course work.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A Surprising Day!

 

Well when I woke up this morning little did I know I would be connecting up with family I didn't even know existed!!!

My cousin in Australia has been doing a lot of family research and was over here last year filling in bits she was unable to do online.

She also sent off for a DNA profile with My Heritage

Earlier this week she emailed me asking if I knew someone called Gail, who was a 3% match with her DNA.

Well I didn't know of anyone with that name, but we both agreed the pictures we found of her online ( she was a mayor so was easy to track down!) looked very familiar!

I managed to find her on Facebook and sent a message a day or two ago, with brief family history and wondering if we were related.

This morning she came back to me, and looking through the information I had, we discovered her granddad and my grandmother were siblings!

It appears he had lost contact with the family and his son (Gail's father) had actually been trying to trace family members very recently but without success!

As the morning unfolded and we started to exchange names of great uncles etc it became very exciting, particularly for Gail and her father.

They were quite overwhelmed and for Gail when she saw my photo, she said it was the first time she had seen pictures of someone who she looked like, other than her dad!

 

So, the morning went in a whirl of messages and picture posting!

I know my cousin in Australia is going to be in for a huge surprise when she opens her emails tomorrow morning!!

 

 

With the morning  (and part of the afternoon) spent on the family tree, there was just enough time to pop into town for one or two things....for me it was a trip to Clarks for some shoeboxes....I did feel a little guilty when I walked in to an empty store, with three assistants eager to sell me something, and all I wanted was to take something away for free!

I also felt a tad guilty when she said "that time of year again...shoebox appeal!"

The boxes are infact for family presents...our theme this year is "it must fit in a shoebox!"

 

The weather has been surprisingly lovely and I wish we had gone to the pumpkin patch today instead of the dreary day yesterday but nevermind, it would all have been a rush with this family thing going on.

 

Teen One wanted to clean her car so I suggested she took us to town at the same time, partly to help her black box score as it was a short journey.

However when we went to the jet wash there was already someone there and a car waiting, so we pulled up behind and of course switched off the engine....but then we had to turn it on again ( and switch it off ) to move it in place, then start it up again when we went to town....then when we came home...throw in an accidental stall and that makes five journeys as far as the black box is concerned!

I did suggest we push the car into place at the jet wash but Teen One thought that a little unnecessary!

Having checked her scoring just now, thankfully its all tens!!

 

So today has been a very unexpected and surprising day  indeed.

 

 

 

Well What Would You Have Said?

 

Going back to yesterday's blog....I had a rummage in the garage and found this can of WD40 lookalike...and I can say without any hesitation it was the best method by far, for removing the sticky residue left by duct tape.

In under a minute I had the last remaining strip completely removed....how much time we could have saved ourselves had we known that tip beforehand!

 

 

You may remember, I mentioned on Saturday that Teen One was making muffins....as in "English Muffins" not the blueberry/cupcake sort.

It was from an M&S packet mix and was to be fair rather out of date.

The dough was very "tight" to say the least, but I thought with some extra proving it might be salvaged.

Well we left it in the conservatory, on top of a tall cupboard and promptly forgot about them until today!

They had risen a little, and I thought it would be interesting to see how they turned out once baked.

Well....they were nothing like a muffin, but very similar to some bread rolls I have attempted to make over the years...a very close texture, wouldn't pass Paul Hollywood's steely critique, but were nonetheless quite edible!

Some might call them divers food....but I happily ate two!

 

With some ironing out of the way, it was visiting time at the hospital, so I went up to see my Monday Recycled Teenager.

She was in good spirits, and for the first time in days was no longer nil by mouth.

Although sadly she wasn't really in the mood for the omelette they had served her up.

As the visit went on, I began to realise that whilst she was making total sense, what she was saying was actually not likely to be true!

When she got to the bit about the boat race being held just outside her window and she went for a little jaunt up the river on the boat, I realised we were on different planets!

Then when she kept looking at the wall behind me and saying

"I really don't like those creepy crawlies do you? Or is it just me seeing them?"

Well what would you say?!

I did the only thing I could think of and changed the subject!

"How are the staff?" I asked

"Oh very lovely, but they do work them hard, its the same staff on nights as days...one gets so tired she comes into bed with me!"

Well the conversation continued in this manner, and as humorous as it was, it was also sad, but I am hoping its just a water infection that is making her this way.

She knew who I was  (I sneakily checked!) and for that I was grateful.

Having visited another dear soul for years, it was hard at the end when she didn't know me.

 

 

After lunch the Teens and I took a drive out to the country.

We went to a PYO farm, in the hopes of picking our own pumpkin.

There was a beautiful display of gourds, squashes...

 

 

...and pumpkins just about everywhere you looked.

 

 

We followed the muddy trail to the pumpkin patch...

 

 

...but were rather disappointed that not only were the pumpkin already cut, a lot of them had been damaged by slugs, mice etc.

So we trudged back to the farm shop (quoting lines from "We're going on a bear hunt" as we went!)

The farm shop has all kinds of interesting, local and unusual food items, so we brought back a basketful which will hopefully make welcome Christmas presents.

 

 

After visiting the lovely ceramic shop nearby for another Christmas present, we then treated ourselves to a cuppa in the tea barn.

I had a delicious slice of orange polenta cake, whilst the Teens had giant meringues with compote and cream.

 

 

Back home my Market Research lady called in to ask me questions of the box of tissues I have been using for the past week....and for my trouble she gave me a box of chocolates!

I was happy enough getting a box of free tissues if the truth be told!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

"What You Need Is....."

 

 

 

 

 

 

Today didn't seem like a Monday, partly because with it being half term, there was not the usual hubbub of kiddies and parents walking past our house on their way to school, and partly because I wasn't setting off to see my Monday Recycled Teenager as usual.

I felt quite sad about this second week of not seeing her at home.

I intend visiting tomorrow, I would have gone to hospital today but knew others from church were going, so wanted to spread the visitors for her.

 

After my usual visit to the supermarket, I wanted to do something to take my mind off feeling a little sad at this change in my routine, housework wasn't going to cut it, so I tackled a job Teen One has been plodding on with....trying to get the duck tape residue off her car.

The L plates always flew off, so we taped them on, but boy oh boy has it been hard to get off.

Googling suggested all sorts of ideas, including fighting fire with fire...use a piece of duck tape and the residue will want to adhere to that rather than the car....nope that didnt work.

Then there was the baking soda and vinegar solution....lovely volcanic display but not budging an inch of that sticky residue.

So Teen One has been using neat washing up liquid, as recommended by Hubby, well little by little it has been making inroads...but so painfully slow.

Hubby also recommended hot water, that helped a little.

 

Today I went out armed with a kettle of hot water, a plastic pan scraper, washing up liquid, lime scale remover, Bar Keeper polish, furniture polish...basically everything I had in the cupboard!

You know what worked best?

Hot water and elbow grease!

I did use the plastic scraper to criss cross over the sticky mess, in a bid to break up the glue a bit, and that seemed to help.

 

The picture shows the final strip left, hopefully you cant see its mirror image a few inches higher up.

As I was rubbing away a postie walked passed.....he backed up and said
"What you want love is WD40!"

A few minutes later a pizza leaflet guy walked past

"T Cut" is all he said, looking back with a cheeky smile.

Five minutes later another leaflet lady walked by

"My boyfriend borrows my nail varnish remover to get the stickers off his bike"

She helpfully said as she popped leaflets in  a nearby house.

Aren't people helpful!

 

Having almost got rid of the top mark, I decided to finish off that section, then tomorrow Teen One can have a go at their suggestions....I'll get back to you on the results!

 

 

I had received an email from my late neighbour's son asking for help.

He is deaf and cant hear on the phone, and has been experiencing some issues with his insurance company over his change of address and also a no fault claim.

He asked if I would call them for him as every time he wrote to them, saying he cant hear on the phone and could they reply by post or email, they send him a letter saying there is an issue with his policy and can he ring their customer care line!

It didn't take long to get the problem sorted, but it is looking like he will be changing insurance companies as Churchill have told him they are a call based company only.

Whilst there he gave me a bag of pears from his uncle's tree...

 

 

...and a bag of faller apples.

 

 

This afternoon  I took the Teens to a local trampoline park, meeting up with a friend and her son.

 

 

It does look fun, but I am never tempted to try it out myself!

 

 

And to end the day, its got to be another bunny piccie....am quite sure you are bored silly with seeing these two, but the novelty hasn't worn off for us yet!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



Stroop Tacos Anyone?

 

Good news!

48 hours after dropping her phone down the loo, Teen One's mobile is back in full working order!

Last night Hubby found a small packet of silica gel and added that to the rice box, and that seems to have done the job.

Phew!

She said now she realises how difficult it is to sort she will be even more careful than usual.

She is a very careful girl usually but I guess we all have lessons to learn.

 

 

The rest of the day has been the usual Church followed by a house of students and Grandma, all tucking into the usual roast dinner.

Dessert was a bit different...

...Teen Two had the idea of turning stroop waffles into "tacos" and then filling them with ice cream

So last night I popped each waffle into the microwave for 20 seconds, where they became pliable ( but mind the hot caramel!) then folded them in half and stood them in an upturned muffin tin to "set"...

 

 

 

...filled with some Ben and Jerry's and topped with whipped cream it was a dessert sensation, according to the young folk!

 

 

The afternoon was spent chatting....and of course bunny hugging!

One of our students helped with the bonding a couple of Sunday's ago, so saw some of the vicious attacks....he was thrilled to see them today finally at peace with one another.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Appreciating The Moments

 

Despite being shattered yesterday, it was one of those "can't sleep" nights!

At 2am I was still awake, and listening to the horrendous wind and rain lashing against the bedroom window.

 

Having an overnight visitor, I didn't feel I ought to turn over and go to sleep again when I woke at 8am, and neither did we indulge in our usual cuppa in bed, it was straight on with the day...well ...after a slow start with a cuppa and toast in the conservatory, with the sun streaming through.

 

My Monday Recycled Teenager is not doing too well sadly.

The hospital have said if the clot that is preventing the ulcer from bleeding again, dislodges, ICU won't take her back and with her medical history, no anaesthetist will approve  general anaesthetic, so we can only guess the prognosis.

 

I spoke to one of the daughters this morning, asking if it would be ok if I took Grandma and our Dear Friend up and was told as she is so poorly, she is allowed visitors any time.

 

We went up around 11am and were pleased to see her looking quite cheerful.

It's "nil by mouth" and bedrest, and I guess the hope is, this will allow the body to heal.

The three ladies, all in their mid 80's, who have been friends for so many years were happy to all be together, for what may be the last time, we just don't know.

We hope for better but are prepared for the worst.

In the mean time we appreciate the moments we can enjoy together now.

 

 

Back home, it was a day of bits and pieces.

I painted a few areas I had left in the summer, the little fiddly bits that I always intended getting back to but did get round to...

 

 

 

..and this area of leakage (drat  that useless masking tape!) we decided to just paint black.

 

I also painted a small part of Teen Two's wall that had to be touched up after the new windows were put in....18months ago!

 

In between the heavy windy showers I cut down a sack worth of bushes that were starting to get out of hand.

 

 

Teen One made some muffins....

 

 

 

...and drew some new pictures for the Friday Club points board...

 

 

...taking time out every so often to check her phone!

She dropped it down the loo at the museum yesterday...boo hoo!

What she was most upset about was it was a public loo, not at home!

It's still not working properly, but we are hoping another day might do the trick...we haven't finished paying for it yet...double boo hoo!

 

 

Teen Two has been wanting a proper "gaming mic" and today after much research, went out with Hubby about bought himself this.

So his afternoon has been spent experimenting and reminding us to shhhh when we walk into the room and randomly start to talk!

 

 

He has also been enjoying the bunnies of course...sorry if the following photos are of no interest whatsoever, but after the struggle to bond these two, we can't help "oooing and ahhhhing" at them now and once again appreciating the moments.

 

 

They get themselves into such cute positions...

 

 

...out for the count...

 

 

...but never away from each other for long...

 

 

 

...and always snuggled up as if there had never been any friction between them.

 

When Teen Two was cleaning them out today, he was alarmed to discover the litter tray sawdust was reddy/orange.

Having googled it, it seems this is quite common and due to plant pigments in what they have been eating.