is it Friday already?

This week past so quickly! I am slowly rewinding the clock in my head to bring the memory of these past few days back. Here some random pickings, in no particular order:

I am dog tired. Richard was away for two days and I had to make my own coffee in the morning. I am so spoilt that I actually feel a little annoyed if I have to get out of bed and gingerly walk downstairs to make my own. I am a bit creaky in the morning I noticed and stairs are no good. I usually take the first three steps sideways. It must be my age.

On Tuesday I took my mum to the airport. She stayed with us for 10 days, which is the longest she has ever been. It was half term during her stay and we spent a lot of time just pottering around in our pj's. It was rather nice. My mum and I went to the Good Food Show at the SEEC on Sunday, courtesy of a friend of mine who couldn't use her tickets. We went for opening time as we had to be back early. It was nice because that early it was not so busy. There was amazing produce and some rather cool gadgets, too. I bought a Diablo toastie maker for Sam, who is always hungry. It makes just one toastie on the hob. It looked teenage proof and the toastie was scrumptious, too. He'll get it for his Birthday in November. I missed out on some sampling because I am really not that keen on gin or smoked fish in the morning. Something rather fabulous happened at the show: my mum bought us a Kenwood Chef Titanium machine. Thank you mum! I still can't quite believe it, it is something I always fancied but there were always more pressing expenses to consider. When it arrives I shall make a ginormous Pavlova for it can take 12 egg whites. Just because I can. Richard plans to make sausages with the sausage making attachment.

On Monday I had an unexpected job interview for a teaching position at Uni. I only found out the Friday before. I was ill prepared but guessed the other candidates would have had as little time as I did to prepare. I did not get the job. I am not devastated but still, it would have been nice. Having said that, I do now have a different job, starting in November. It is a temporary left over maternity cover for a technical lab post. I am overqualified for the post but it will be a good opportunity to get my lab skills up and running again, should I decide to go back into research. It will be nice to be working with Richard again.

The puppy has been hard work. Jack is like a nappy free mobile baby. He is getting better with his potty training. He doesn't actually use a potty :-) but puppy pads and newspaper. He is now regularly peeing on his pads but still hides in corners for his big business. I am glad that he is allowed outside soon! Jack is quite good with the sit command but pretty useless with all other kinds of dog training. Jack kills his road-kill racoon toy at least 20 times a day. It squeaks when he bites it. The cats have made his acquaintance, too, but for now keep a safe distance.

Sam has displayed some weird behaviour these past few days. He got up before 7 am, showered and dressed and made his own breakfast, including a cup of coffee. Mind you, he didn't make me one. This is the boy who usually needs to be dragged out of bed and threatened with a complete screen ban before he gets himself showered. He  usually swears by a "Lynx" wash. I do really hope this untypical behaviour lasts for a while.

 

I made two batches of soap yesterday, one English rose scented and the other cucumber and aloe vera. One is marbled dusky pink and white and the other marbled green and white. Rather pretty I should say. It is quite amazing what difference the fragrance makes to the saponification process! The cucumber/aloe vera fragrance speeded the process up significantly and marbling didn't work that well because the soap set so quickly. I have started making facecloths for to bundle up with soap for presents.

And now you must excuse me. I am going out for dinner with two old friends and need to check my face for blemishes and wrinkles. I am hoping for a low light venue as I am sure I my face looks more like slept in sheets than usual. I also need to shine my shoes and dig my bike lights out so I can see where I am going. Have a lovely weekend! Cx