Busy Few Weeks - Sad Little Car

Well it has been quite busy here at home as daughter has not felt at all well the last 2 weekends so we have looked after the toddler for her. We went to see the trains and had lunch there, and also OH took her swimming a few times which she loved. Daughter is still poorly and was off work for 2 days this week due to a stomach upset (really hope we don't catch it.) The trouble is she works with kids and as everyone knows working with kids means you catch everything lol. On a visitor front we have had my sister (Amy) here on Sunday for her monthly visit. Never see much of her these days as she tends to call in either monthly or every single day - definitely all or nothing and I know which I prefer!

At least it's not this bad lol

Had the flu jab at long last yesterday Monday. Missed it in the Autumn as I was unwell and then forgot all about it. Yesterday was a really bad day as daughter was very unwell so I picked up the toddler from the childminder for her. While I was parked collecting the little one a woman came and told me she had hit my car! Passenger doors both dented and scratched so not happy. Good job I was not in the car at the time with the toddler. She just said 'I pulled off my drive as he was letting me go and I didn't see it' Unbelievable! Very reluctant to give me her insurance details but got there in the end. She said she supposed she would have to pay for it but I somehow didn't trust her enough for that. So spent yesterday on the phone to insurers - they do go on and on and on. Then today I had to go to assessors bodyshop so they could see it and send a report to the insurance company. Really hope they don't write it off as although it is 10 yrs old it has really low mileage 44k and is in good condition. Car went straight through an MOT in December with nothing even advised. Repairs will cost around £800 so it will be touch and go if the insurers pay for it or not. They did pay me straight away for a new car seat for the toddler though, as it has been in an accident so can no longer be used.

Actually it was lovely!!

I went to the supper club on Sunday which was very nice. Kirsty hosted the first at her home. She cooked pastries with cheese and onion on top, chicken with roasted vegetables, and roasted Mediterranean vegetables. Bella brought a rice and tomato dish with Parmesan cheese on top, Noel (the only man lol) brought 2 bottles of wine and a raspberry yogurt dessert, and I took the feta salad, Sangria, taramasalata and pitta bread. Considering we don't know each other, and have only met once for a coffee, the evening went really well and the conversation flowed easily. It was so nice to socialise out of the house as usually it is me hosting family here which gets boring. Real variety of people as Kirsty is a nurse, Noel has retired from the MOD, I'm retired and Bella runs her own cleaning business. Paula couldn't make it as she's not well but will be hosting the next one at the end of February. Really looking forward to it as I don't get out enough. Here's how I made the feta salad:-

Greek Feta Salad

2 large tomatoes cut in thick slices then halved
1/2 cucumber halved and thickly sliced
Tub of mixed olives black and green pitted
1/2 bag Mild rocket leaves
1/2 Red onion sliced and separated into rings
Feta cheese cut into dice
Garlic and herb salad dressing

Mix all salad vegetables in a large bowl with dressing. Put feta cheese on top and gently combine so as not to break it up too much. You could also use oil and wine vinegar dressing if liked.

Well that's all for now. Fingers crossed for my poor little KIA car.

All the best x

New Year catch up!

Wow such a long time since I wrote on here it was back in December! Well, Xmas went well and the toddler had everything she wanted and more. Her father never sent a card nor did any of his family so nothing new there. He chose not to see her, and his family all want nothing to do with her until she is an adult! At the family court they turned up with lots of 1st birthday cards for her with their photos printed on them and then her dad told the judge he had decided he didn't want any access, after applying for it, and all the family would obtain a restraining order against my daughter if she approached any of them about his daughter!! Lovely pictures appeared on Facebook of their cards a few days later, declaring their undying love for the toddler - but no presents have ever arrived, no birthday or Xmas cards since then, and no contact. Says it all really - all show and nothing sincere in any of them. However, dad does pay maintenance as daughter went to the CSA. Always hope at Xmas and toddler's birthday that they will send a card, or a gift voucher or a parcel will arrive with a toy for her, but nothing yet. Makes me feel sad that they don't care especially at Xmas.

Christmas was good here as daughter was here for the morning then went off to her boyfriend's parent's home for the night with the toddler. We all had Xmas dinner on Xmas Eve, so had a nice quiet Christmas Day here. I did a honey baked Gammon joint and a turkey crown for the dinner. We very rarely have Christmas dinner on Christmas Day as we prefer to just chill out in front of the open log fire and relax with salad and cold meats. This is the recipe I used for the gammon:-

http://www.bbc.co.uk/food/recipes/traditional_honey-glazed_52289

January has started well as we have booked a trip to Scotland at the end of the month with the toddler  - in search of snow lol. We did have a very light dusting here but it melted in a few hours so no chance to build a snowman or anything. It's 4 years since we saw snow here that stayed for a few days. Daughter is off to Spain for a hen do so we have the toddler for a week anyway. It will be so much nicer than staying at home. OH is driving up as he thinks his 4x4 will be safer if the roads are icy, than flying up and hiring a car when we get there. We will stay in Manchester for the first night to break up the journey then on to Ayr.

I have joined a supper club which I'm hoping will get me out and about a bit. The idea is that each of us (there are 4 at the moment) all host an American supper once a month where everyone brings something to eat. The first one is next week and the woman hosting it wants a colourful Mediterranean theme! I shall take a feta salad, some taramasalata and pitta bread and a bottle of sangria. Don't know what she is cooking but never mind, I'm sure it will be good.

Daughter has started going running with her friend tonight to try and keep fit. A few of my nieces also go running so it seems quite fashionable around here atm. I can't run so I wont be joining them as my chest is not up to it. Will try and walk further though - I used to walk miles and miles years ago but I guess I got lazy with the car outside lol.

Bye for now All the best