S’cuse Me, I have a Ladder in my Lights.

From bed at almost 1.00 am last night I slept until 2.20 am then got up as I decided my bladder needed emptying. That done, I wondered if I might not snuggle down and go back to sleep. Forlorn hope. Actually A forlorn hope is a band of soldiers or other combatants chosen to take the leading role in a military operation, such as an assault on a defended position, where the risk of casualties is high. So maybe I’m best not being compared to that for my loss of a little sleep.                                                                                  As the day has started proper it shows all the signs of being  a real Spring Day. The sun is really shining though not giving out heat yet as it’s still very cold. Official Spring tomorrow and they predict rain. That could mess up my day.                                                    I worked until caught up just before 10.00 am then took a break for an hour returning to my desk at 11.00 am I worked until  11.50 am when the doorbell rang. It was my neighbour Bert come to see how I am to day. I’d only had a moment at his door when I took him some cakes round yesterday as he had visitors. He nattered about this and that and I have to really concentrate as he has no teeth and is a little difficult to understand. He’s a very nice man though and invariably returns my bags and bins after they’ve been emptied on a Saturday. He stayed jut over an hour so I missed my Bargain Hunt today and also my lunch while I watched it. I soon corrected that with a chips and curry sauce. After lunch I had a kip for an hour and a half before returning to work. I knocked off at 5.15 pm. Joey and I had a bonding session, Well I did anyway. I gave up at 9.00 pm and came back to work. 11.50 sees me caught up. Oh yes, today I saw the cover for the Chinese version of my book. I’m pleased.

                                                             A Bit Picasso.

Lights off at 12.25 am then up again at 2.21 am seemed a little ungenerous this morning but I can cope. There’s always the bus to catch up on. The forecast has changed to bright spells so I don’t expect to be rained on. I think there will still be a chill wind too lazy to go round me. One of the benefits is that I freeze to deaf. The earwax goes solid and prevents any sound getting through, it’s wonderful. Even if it’s not true you can pretend it is and ignore any instructions from your daughters about not giving more chocolate to your grandkids or buying her a jumper. I’m not sure in life just where it happens but children suddenly become the responsible ones who feel they’re responsible for you too like you’ve suddenly passed a certain point and started down the path to senility. I swear Yvonne considers me her third child when we’re out.                                                                  I set off for the bus at my usual time of 7.00 am and was three quarters of the way up the hill when the bus passed me. It stopped to let someone off but then shot away despite me being close. It was barely gone 5 past the hour and it wasn’t even due for 5 more minutes. I was a little cross as I went home and sent Yvonne a text to let her know I’d be late. I waited ten minutes at home in the warm then headed out again. There was another bus beggaring off into the distance, not one of my usual ones but I could have caught it if I’d stayed in the cold. Still, I’d gone out to catch the next one anyway, and that’s what I did after a fifteen minute wait. By the time I reached Chester my bladder was doing the Hallelujah Chorus and I had to do a very fast crutch run to the Supermarket we were meeting. I didn’t get to smoke much on the way. When I arrived I thrust my bag of gifts at her. turned and ran for the loo, gasping and holding my breath when I got there. As I came out I was blue and my heart was keeping time to Ode to Joy. We had a great morning together and I even got away with buying her a treat…..I snatched it out of her hands and ran to the till. Soon enough it was time for the bus. I’d bought sweets for the Chippie to save time when I got home but delays on the bus meant when I got there my bladder was just doing the traditional clearing of the lungs before breaking into song. I had to wave at the chippie as I went past. After visiting the loo at home I had to have a bing meal and settled on a beef dinner.                                                 Michael returned tonight as he has an appointment with his father at hospital tomorrow. He’s going to be staying a few days this week. I’ve been hard at work catching up with mail and notifications tonight. 11.58 pm the end.

3.10 am this morning sounds good until I admit I didn’t turn my light out until 12.50 am since after finishing work I was feeling bolshie enough to still want to read, so I did. I think I paid the price this morning as when I went to do some toast the bread wouldn’t stay depressed ( a good psychiatrist maybe?). Then the kettle wouldn’t boil, the washing machine was out of commission and as I walked towards the hallway I saw the runway lights were out. Oh No. 3.30 am and the ladders are out. I’m in my nightwear (Welsh Dragon leisure pants and bright red Bazinga teeshirt ) moving the wheelie bin off the front step and setting up the ladders. I climb up, torch at the ready and see one of the switches has tripped in the mains box. I flicked it back on, descended the ladder, closed it up, replaced the wheelie bin and came back indoors. Ladders away, went to grab my control box for electrics in the lounge and turned the runway lights back on. After washing my hands I put the toast on, and this time it stayed on and waited for my breakfast.                                                                                                                                            For some reason a lot of mail this morning, especially things like Groupon and Wowcher having sales. Normally that word attracts me like no other but thanks to Ebay recently I’m all shopped out. Mike got up at 7.30 am, or at least his first alarm went off then. I called that his coffee was on the table in the lounge and then continued back to work. I did hear him get up about 15 minutes later but I left him to it as I was in the middle of a long missive.  I was just coming to an end when he appeared in my room dressed and ready to go. I hadn’t heard a thing from him. Away he went.                                                      At lunchtime I went for my sausage and chips which I enjoyed and then I allowed myself time to do a bit f work before having a kip. I got an hour and twenty minutes then Mike arrived home again. At 3.15 pm we put a made for TV film on to keep us going, I took half an hour to play catch-up before Dil arrived, then Dil arrived. At 6.00 pm we started playing but with three of us it took so much longer and it was almost 9.00 pm before we finished the Yahtzee. I had won 5 games, Dil had won 4 and Mike languished behind on 3. Dil left for home and I left for work leaving Mike to watch a film.                                    It’s gone midnight before finishing but I’m still going to have a read. 12.16 am.

Lights out was 1.00 am time up 3.23 am. I had breakfast took my meds and came back ready to work. I’d only just signed in when I heard a ‘good morning’ that almost scared me to death. “You were asleep and snoring when I came through at 2.30 am” he said. Immediately on the defensive I responded “Just like you were when I came through to you at 3.25 am.”It appears he was feeling a little sick but no further than the back of his throat at that time. He made himself a coffee and took it back to bed where he started reading a book on his tablet. I started work and at 5.15 am when I was temporarily clear I headed for my chair in the lounge. it was glorious, I slept till 7.10 am. It was back to work then, I stayed until almost 9.30  am, Mike got up at 9.40 and suggested we watch HuTH  between 10.00-11.00 am and then go shopping, especially for lunch. So that’s what we did. We had to dash home for some lunch at 12.30 pm though as Sharon was due around 1.00 pm. We picked up hot meat baps to take home for lunch, hot beef and onions for me and hot pork with apple sauce for Mike. Sharon arrived while we were still eating and the News was on TV. One year since a Terrorist had driven his vehicle into pedestrians in London and then gone on to fatally stab a policeman on guard at The House. The terrorist was shot that day.                                                                                             I came back to work after lunch and after bantering with Sharon a bit Mike went to bed still not feeling very well. Sharon left at 3.00 pm and I sat down to watch Escape to the Country. I saw the first two houses that probably took us to 3.30 pm but then I was forced to check no-one had applied make up to my eyes as they were starting to flicker. Next thing I knew it was 5.00 pm and Mike was back up. I had no time for catch up before my PYMWYMI  was due on. Aw bother it, there was no point in going back until 9.00 pm. Mike went to bed at the same time and I stuck my head in at 10.45 pm and found him fast asleep so I turned the TV off and left him. Hopefully he won’t be wandering the house too early in the morning. I applied myself to catching up which took until 11.50 pm at which time I went to bed to read.

I put the light out at about 12.30 am but really struggled to sleep as my itching foot was now very much my stinging foot. Eventually I found a position on my left side which seemed to work and I went to sleep. I got up at 2.31 am not exactly full of the joys of Spring, but not too bad as far as concentration went. At 3.00 am I went through and took my tablets then filled up the containers with tablets for the week to come. Once that was done I was able to think of breakfast and I’m sure you won’t be surprised when I mention I had toast. I took a coffee with me after breakfast and started concentrating  on my mail. I beavered away at it until I was surprised by a voice saying “Hello” to me at 4,30 am. Michael drifted into my room wearing just his shreddies. He started asking what time it was and once 4.30 am penetrated his skull he turned round and went straight back to bed.                                                                                                                                             I slept in my chair from about 5.10 am to 7.15 am so my night wasn’t too bad. When I came back through there was a fair bit of catching up to do and it took me until 8.55 am. I hadn’t asked Mike if he had any appointments today and I thought he hadn’t done too badly for sleep so I made him a coffee and called him. He must have been on the point of waking as he responded straight away. He didn’t move straight away though, that took another ten minutes. I put the TV on for human company. He didn’t actually leave until 11.00 am then I went  to work for 45 minutes trying to work out direct debit figures for the rent from April. I managed a few messages before going to make lunch. Sausages, new potatoes and beans today. Mike got home about 5.30 pm and reminded me he’s leaving Sunday as an old girlfriend is coming to stay. I’m so glad I’m not his neighbour.

From a 12.30 am light off I was up again at 1.58 am. I was sitting there quite happily working at 2.45 am when my mobile decided to notify me of a text. Considering the notification is the opening bars of Elbow’s ‘A Day Like This’ I didn’t really want it waking Mike up so I grabbed it. A pile of books, letters, tubes of cream and a box of plasters (band aids) headed for the floor. The message was the first one of these I’ve received.        Funds have been allocated for your accident claim, £2223 has been awarded. Ring this number…… One of the newer cons which will either cost you a whopping great phone bill, say £500 or, if you ring the number may ask for bank details to post your award in. Whumf and your bank account is empty. Obviously they’re not targeting specific numbers or people or they wouldn’t be doing it at that time of the morning. I headed off and had my morning meds and my breakfast.                                                                               I was on my way back with a coffee when I stopped for a wee.(in the loo obviously) and I could hear Mike chunnering in his sleep.  As I finished what I was doing and prepared to leave the bathroom I heard “Should we ?????  or are we supposed to retire in boredom.” I’d so like to be able to record all his words one night. Refusing an opportunity to stay and eavesdrop, I returned to work. At 3.53 am following  a shuffling sound, the Night of the Living Dead arrived at my room. “Is it time to get up yet” it asked in response to my only slightly sarcastic Well, well,well, it happens again. “3.53 am” I replied. After a short delay to digest and regurgitate the information, I got “should I go back to bed then”?     “good idea, I said, good idea.” And that’s how to deal with zombies children, send them back to bed. We eventually met up again after 6.00 am when I told him his coffee was waiting. We were out of the house by 7.00 am, in the store by half past and out again by 8.30 am. Time for a sprint over to Flint by 8.50 am for an eye test. That went really well and for the second time I didn’t need a new prescription. What I did need though was a pair of glasses  so I had 2 pairs. I was a good student of maths in my day but I was utterly bamboozled by the different formulae floating round my head dependent upon which frames I wanted and which lens. Trying to pin the girl down was like trying to sit on a sunbeam. I had to keep asking questions and swerving her away from the dearer frames. In the end I got a frame that had been £69 and was now £45 and therefore free which I assumed took care of my NHS voucher, then I just said I’d have the basic £49 varifocal lenses. I expected to pay the £49 but no, she did a calculation and came back with £26.50 such magic. As she loaded it onto the computer I got my wallet out and she asked for £14.00. Wow ! In two weeks I should have them, they’ll probably be like bottle top lenses half an inch thick and I’ll have to tie then on my head but I” have won?                                We did a little shopping in Flint then went for lunch before coming home so I could work. I nodded off between 5.00 -6.30 pm then watched TV with Mike till 9.00 when it was catch up time again.

I’m getting very confused. Have I slept for two and a bit hours or for 3 and a bit hours considering that when I woke up at 3.07 am the clocks had moved forward an hour? It’s a strange feeling, walking from one room to another is like entering a different time zone when some clocks were adjusted last night and some saved for this morning. In which case Mike walked into my room at both 2.08 am and 3.08 am depending whether it was bedroom time or lounge time. It was almost stain on the carpet time when I turned round and there he was. I nearly jumped out of my wits. He’s like a little ninja chimp, standing there asking if he should go back to bed now. I agree it’s a great idea and off he trots.                                                                                                                                                           My room in case I’ve never admitted it is a trifle on the small side. In order for me to find a place for my desk yet still be able to sleep in here  was from an order of mathematics the world isn’t ready for yet. But, placed as it is if I ever had the curtains open, any light would shine on my screen. It’s therefore a dark little place where I try to keep the mushroom crop down. So it was fantastic when I went through to the lounge at about 8.30 am and saw what a beautiful day it looked. A genuine Spring day that puts a smile on the face. I upset the bird by leaning over the cage to get the big clock down and he was out of there like a shot flying round the room dive bombing my head, pretending to be scared. Mike came through and was given a new parting he probably didn’t want in his comb over. I changed the time and put the clock back but Joey dropped behind the TV and gave the odd ‘help me’ chirp of desperation. We didn’t fall for it and eventually he came out and flew to his cage.                                                                                                            We got dressed mid-morning after coffee had animated him and we left the house about 11.15 am to head for Prestatyn. I thought having the roof down might just have been a tad early in the season so he sulked the whole way. Lunch was lovely and my lime and lemonade never more welcome as the sun sent heat through the windows. Afterwards we went shopping for an A4 picture frame then headed for home. It didn’t take me long to nod off when we got back. I woke at about 4.00 pm and was in time to say goodbye to Mike before he left, roof of the car down. I delivered some cakes to my neighbour Bert then came inside to work. There was a lot of catching up to do. About 7.00 pm I went to the lounge and put the light on for Joey then watched a couple of episodes of the Restoration Man while he told me off. At 9.00 pm I gave up for the night and came through.                                                                                                                                                It’s been a weekend where the young of America have got together to remind us oldies that they will soon rule the roost and perhaps it would be better if we started paying attention to them instead of dismissing them as children. Maybe with their determination they will manage to get the changes they want. Perhaps not all at once but anything is a start. Congress could learn a painful lesson if they don’t heed these wishes but instead bow to the pressure of those organisations who pay for their elections. I wish the youngsters well and hope maybe this is a giant step towards peace and equality.

May you all have a wonderful new week and may the hugs be easy flowing between nations. I hope Spring drops in for all the Northern hemisphere friends as the snow disappears in time for the school’s Easter break.

Eyes Wide Open.

Due to my only getting off the computer at midnight plus minutes, my last cigarette (or two) and my nightly chapter (or two) were delayed starting and I didn’t turn my light off until approaching 1.00 am. I woke at 2.46 am and felt a bit cheated. Not that I was still tired but that getting out of my nice warm bed was almost a task too far. I did get out though as my bladder suddenly dictated a change of pace. From the loo I went straight to the kitchen and put my washing machine on Fastwash cycle. Then I put some bread in the toaster  and proceeded to take my morning tablets. That gives enough time for the toast to pop up. I have a piece of toast then take two more tablets  then finish my toast and take the last two tablets. That’s a dozen tablets from start to finish. I now make my coffee, change the washing machine to the drying cycle and take my drink back to my room to start work. It’s now 3.30 am and I’m still bright eyed and bushy tailed.                  There’s a lot of mail because of last night’s post so I make a start. About 5.00 am I’m in the middle of an email to my Chinese friend and translator. I can’t afford any mistakes but I’m starting to feel tired. I don’t want to stop in the middle so I do the only think I can. I prop my eyelids open with a couple of matchstalks. Now if you look at me I either appear very startled or like a goat with the matchstick looking like the centre of the goat’s eye. I struggle on but eventually the tiredness overwhelms me and I go to sleep Eyes Wide Open with my face hovering just inches above the desk.                                                            Waking up suddenly at 6.11 am I find I’ve not quite completed my letter, at least not in any English terms I know I make my deletions and strive to finish so I can send it. The matchsticks in the meantime almost require major surgery to come out. I’m not sure if the wood has sent out roots or if they thought they were part of a new style piercing. I know it’s a couple of hours after they’re out before I can blink. The mail didn’t slow down all day and despite my staying in my seat most of the time it accumulated until I panicked. The last of my gloves was delivered today as was a book I ordered for the kids but I’m told it’s very dark but with good lessons so I may have to read it first. The mail kept coming all day which has kept me out of mischief, but it’d time for bed and a short read now as I’m going out tomorrow. G’Nite.

Lights out by 12.30 am this morning. Back up at 2.10 am, At this rate I’ll soon be getting up before I’ve actually been to bed. I was able to work for a while before going through for breakfast and the morning fix. I had jam on one piece of my toast today for a change then brought my coffee back to my room. I’ve been having a conversation with a friend over coffee. At one time the most expensive in the world was Jamaican Blue Mountain and believe me it’s still one heck of a price. But, the big new thing is Vietnamese Civet Coffee where civets eat coffee beans and then must pass them out whole. Currently you can get a kilo of the stuff for $500. What really grips my imagination is how someone found that coffee beans which have passed through a civet should make a good drink. Gives a whole new meaning to the term shit coffee doesn’t it? Think I’ll go back to drinking tea. At 9.15 am I went out to the Post Office to send a book to China, the postage was more than the book, a real ouch. Then I went to Pauline’s where I managed to get a loaf with a good date, my TV mag for next week and some cigarettes to last me till Thursday. At 11.30 MuJo arrived for a visit and it’s been ages since I saw them. We went out for lunch and then for a coffee at Temptations in Flint afterwards. Time passed too quickly and before long it was time for them to head for home. After waving them off I started work until interrupted by my drug dealer ringing the bell. I gave her sweets to take back and share out. I returned to work until 5.30 pm then watched a new series of PYMWYMI (see cast list at front). I stayed nap free with Joey until 9.00 pm then came to start work again. 11.30 pm finish tonight.                                                                                      Remember the best gift is a Hug as One Size fits All.

Two O’clock and All’s well, almost, it was actually 2.06 am and all was well bar a headache which wasn’t there a minute ago. Turning on the computer was fine though the delay while an update was processed caused no hassle and when I tried to log into ebay to be told there was no internet didn’t cause more than a flicker of the eyebrows, I just turned on internet access and seconds later I was in. Being faced with just  28 pieces of mail wasn’t going to cause any stress. No. I think it must have been brain freeze from seeing Amelie’s picture after the ice cream. How can one little person make such a mess? Actually, that was a rhetorical question. I know (unless you’re Sheldon Cooper) messmaking is part of the genes until at least age 6. I think that’s when I stopped though I still occasionally wet the bed that year. Embarrassing that I couldn’t accept invitations to sleep over at my best (read Only) friend’s. Roll on 7th birthday when they get  tidy. (Ha). I took a couple of painkillers and a few minutes later at 3.00 am went to observe my morning ritual with food and drugs. I made myself a coffee to bring back and decided to do a weather check on the rest of the week as people say were down for heavy snowfalls. Well, not according to the BBC we’re not and I went a week ahead. Looks to be a bit of rain but this is the UK after all and a few pleasant days perhaps. I hope Spring has sprung as I prophesied to Yvonne recently. If I’d been wrong she might have made my life very painful, and she’s married so she knows all the ways.                                                The mail was up to date more or less by 7.00 am so I went to sit in my chair in the lounge and nodded off until just before 9.00 am. I don’t know whether Joey was objecting to my snoring but as I woke he was giving me a right bollocking with his head going ten to the dozen. I apologised and left the room hurriedly. I got washed and dressed then settle to play catch up again. At 10.10 am I was able to go and see homes under the hammer and I hadn’t missed much.  11.00 am and I worked again right up to lunch time at noon. I had a small beef joint and settled to watch Bargain Hunt. I washed up before they reached the auction stage so that when it was over I could just put my feet up and search the inside of my eyelids for tonight’s strategy. I managed to catch up before Dil arrived so was ready with a cup of tea as he was ready to sit. Once we’d seen our usual programmes out came the table and the games. Very early on I was hurt when he said he thought I was cheating, ah well, probably not as hurt as I would have been had he caught me. The insults flew thick and fast but I still won the Yahtzee 8-4. The Nomination started alright but went badly awry a few hands in. Towards the last quarter I started making a huge come back but I swear he was keeping the aces back. He beat me by just 3 points. That left the Cribbage and I had to contend with an early surge into the lead by him but two well played hands brought me back into contention and a third gave me a slight edge. I won ans was able to do my lap of victory round the room. He left. I locked the door, took my drugs and wished Joey goodnight thanking him for winking when Dil had a good hand. Turning the lights out I came through to work.

From about 12.45 am to 2.42 am I was an also ran in the sleep Olympics. On previous showing I doubt I’ll ever be placed in the medals. If I could enter Mike under my name I’d be up there with the best. After breakfast and my morning fix I brought my coffee back to the office. I cleared the mail which was an important job, checked my pension had gone to the bank and then prepared myself for a terrible start to the day, changing inks in my printer. Last night I got the message that they all needed changing which is unusual, I knew in advance this would be awkward. At least I was ready with new cartridges. I turned the printer on and hoped something would appear on screen to tell me they needed changing. No such luck so I opened up the settings and brought up the printer. I checked everything 3 times and nowhere could I find anywhere to do it. I got some clipart and asked it to print hoping that would say I needed ink, it did but offered me the chance to go to Epson to buy some ink or mark that I’d already done so when it took me back to the start point. Such frustration for over half an hour until I finally stood up in defeat and noticed a message in the screen of the printer itself. All I had to do was press start and the box moved into position. I struggled to get the old ones out and even more to get the new ones in but it was done. I let them charge for a few minutes then cancelled the printing job and turned off. I wonder if I’ll remember how next time. After lunch I had to write a letter which gave me an excuse to check that the printer was OK again. I’m glad to say it was. I spent the afternoon trying to keep up to date while Sharon did her work. I wanted to be ready for Mike’s arrival and for my PYMWYMI at 5.15 pm.As it happened Mike came late as he’s been in Manchester all day even though he’s going there again tomorrow. He didn’t see the programme and came in with fish and chips as he was starving, How he can starve inside a month with that food storage thing bulging out beneath his chest, I don’t know. But then I couldn’t make that claim either. And it’s no use me saying I’m pregnant, for some reason that didn’t work either.              So, I had some company, watched some TV and at 9.00 pm was ready to come back to work.

12.30 am light off but what a improvement this morning, 3.42 am before I woke up again. I went through to take my current drugs then started to fill my trays again for the next week. That done, it was time to take my diabetic ones with my usual breakfast. As it got lighter I was able to make out a neighbour’s cat on the windowsill in the lounge and he seemed to be giving Joey ‘the eye’. Joey of course was not appreciative and was telling him off, or telling me what to do, I’m not sure. I went to work on the morning mail and was pretty clear by 7.30 am. I was going to go through to the lounge when I heard Mike get up shouting, as I went through to meet him he was hopping up and down asking me what I wanted, why had I called him. It took some tome to convince him I didn’t want him and hadn’t called him. I suggested he’d perhaps heard someone shout at the back of us though I knew well no-one had. It was all a dream he was having. Anyway, I was about to ask if he wanted a coffee but before I’d drawn breath he was back in bed snoring. So much for that and I wasn’t tired anymore. I returned to work then tried again at 8.30 am. I was a little more successful this time and I woke at 9.10 am when I heard Mike on the move again. I made him a coffee. We put the world to rights then watched Homes Under the Hammer. At 11.00 am he disappeared to Manchester with a slight detour to the Old Town Hall in Holywell with the letter I’d written yesterday.                 The weather was so atrocious I didn’t get out for my sausage and chips today so I had a bing beef dinner.                                                                                                                                 At 2.00 pm I had an appointment with a lady from the Office of National Statistics . She spent almost an hour asking me lifestyle choice questions until her computer decided to crash. I shall receive a voucher for £10 in a couple of weeks for taking part then I’m safe for two years. I returned to work then got a text from Mike to say his dad is ill and he’d be late back. I had a shower early evening then at 9.00 pm wished Joey goodnight and left him to snooze. Mike arrived back about 10.30 pm so poor Joey was woken up again as we chatted after I’d made his a coffee. 11.15 am and I cam back to battle.

12.30 am light out. 2.20 am light on again and a start on my emails until grub-up time at 3.00am. Toast and tablets for breakfast today with two sprays one of which is the strangest little thing with clear capsules taken just once a day. The other spray  is different too in that it charges up just by opening the mouthpiece. Once you’ve breathed in the contents it can be put away till next time.                                                                            Following breakfast I emptied a couple of small bins ready to take the bags out for collection later. Then it was back to work where I read an interesting article about blood groups. RH Positive groups are descended from Rhesus monkeys (? I question that one as we still have rhesus monkeys and surely they would have all evolved at the same time). Those people who are RH negative ie were not descended from the rhesus monkey may either have evolved from aliens or from the survivors of Atlantis since nothing can be found on Earth for them to have evolved from.It appears I’m one of only 9% to have B Rhesus positive blood but it’s not enough to have got me gills and flippers like the Atlanteans. It’s not fair.                                                                                                                        One of my messages this morning was from Mystic Mog to tell me I’m on the point of a big win again and a small amount of money will get the date. Since she’s not been right in the past the odds must be getting better that sometime she’ll be right. I’m still not going to pay her upfront as I’ll just be patient till it happens. If it does I’ll send her the price of a first class stamp for her message. Well, I believe in sharing.                                    At  6.00 am I heard Mike’s alarm go off so I went to make his coffee. I placed it on his table and went through to tell him. It’s honestly worse than trying to wake the dead. I get an ‘Oh yeah’ response which is automatically programmed to his brain but absolutely no movement. Nor was there any movement when the alarm went off next ten minutes later.But eventually even the dead rise as so it looked if you’d walked into my lounge, eyes a little averted for respectability’s sake as he’s very loosely dressed.                             We eventually got out and did the shopping then headed for Flint to pick up odd things and go for a coffee. We took our time even though the day was freezing and still got home well before lunchtime to put the freezer food away. We ate at the Dragon’s Rest as usual then drove from there to Abakhan Craft Mill to meet my niece Karen who was in the area. Eventually we got home and I spent ages trying to bring my post under control. I had some time keeping Mike company before quitting at 9.00 pm to concentrate of finishing the post for the day.

I woke up to snow on the ground this morning. Damn the weather report I read for this morning that showed nothing. Yvonne will be after me for predicting Spring’s arrival now. My kneecaps could suffer. That was at 3.00 am and it was still snowing then. By the time 8.00 am came round the snow had stopped and there still wasn’t much on the ground but with the temperature at zero it was going nowhere. By 8.50 am my mail was clear and it wasn’t worth waiting for dribs and drabs to come in. I wandered through and let Joey out then turned the TV on for the political interviews and chat of the day. I saw a very nice Russian gentlemen denying any wrongdoing on British soil while making a great point of saying Britain has said his country has ‘Probably’ done it but not definitely. Since the man is considered a traitor to Russia it seems unlikely another suspect will come forward. What up set me about the whole thing is that they were happy for his young daughter to die also as well as a British policeman. Collateral damage I suppose and therefore acceptable? I certainly suppose it’s a good warning to any other possible traitors that they won’t be forgotten.                                                      After a while Mike got up and took over the watching while I took over the dozing. I was awake in time to get ready and dressed to go out for lunch. Lunch was wonderful as usual but hanging around in zero degrees when we came out was not. We made our way as rapidly as possible over the road to a warm shop entering by their rear door and made our way through to the front door which was considerable nearer the car. We drove home. About 2.30 pm I fell asleep. At some stage I woke and saw Mike was asleep so I descended again. When I woke at 4.30 pm he’d gone. I went to work. At 6.30 I took a break to watch a film and at 9.00 pm I turned off and came through for the night.

I wish you all a Happy Week and an improvement in the weather (unless you’re in the Southern Hemisphere where it should already be nice). Bear a thought for all women who don’t have the freedom of voice and action they want and deserve. Bear a thought for all those suffering the destruction of their homes and families in war and for those whose freedom is being whittled away day by day by dictators. Don’t forget that hugs can make the world a better place. Hugs to you all.

Gypsy’s Curse?

It’s possible I splashed a Gypsy when I was younger, perhaps I ruined her stock of lucky heather with my carelessness. I’m basing this observation on the preponderance of rain in my life. I could be grateful that the rain washed away the last of the snow yesterday but why is it I’m wishing for the transformation of the rain back to snowflakes again just to stop me being miserable when wet later on. The rain doesn’t seem to have stopped yet. The rain stopped and hot on it’s heels came the window cleaner going like the clappers before it started again. If it’s like this in the morning I’ll be off to Chester.                              The window cleaner is the only human I’ve spoken to today unless you count a reflection. This isn’t the week where I take my drug order to the local baron and I didn’t need bread or cigarettes which left me with no excuse to go out.  I did my washing and concentrated on keeping up with my mail. That only worked until early afternoon as I went through at 3.00 pm to watch something and at some point fell asleep. I didn’t wake again until 6.10 pm. I made myself a sandwich and watched what was left of Warehouse 13. At 9.00 pm I came though for my last big catch up before bed. I finished at 11.15 pm. Nite all.

1971 Live performance Lindisfarne.

Up at 3.20 am this morning, almost a full three hours. No sound of rain from outside which means I can go to Chester this morning. You’d think it was my birthday, but I’m glad it’s not. I had toast for breakfast after taking my meds. I’m sure I mentioned having to buy a new toaster a couple of months ago when my super-dooper metallic red one which is part of a set went kaput on me. Things are built with a self destruct button these days. The new one is rubbish in that it doesn’t take a slice of bread. If I use a slice from a full sized loaf I have to cut the slices almost in half to get them brown all over. With one of the small sized loaves It will almost toast a full slice. Who buys bread in the sizes this toaster wants?                                                                                                                                        At 7.00 am I was on my way to the bus stop. Ten minutes later I was on the bus, using free wifi to listen to songs on Youtube, I must get some songs on the MP4 or it’s a waste. I started dozing too so no-one would talk to me. When I arrived I had time for a hello and a hug from Reuben on his way to school. I went to the Supermarket to have a post-bus wee and to wait for Yvonne and Amelie. We had a coffee (and a wrigglebottom Amelie cuddle) before we hit the shops for a mooch. Yvonne being her usual unhelpful self in picking something for Easter as she doesn’t want an egg. She going to have to rely on me finding something she likes now. Late morning they took me to the bus stop and waved me off. By the time I got home I needed another wee and I was starving. In went a bing meal and I got my relief. I worked through the afternoon but finished at 4.30 pm in time for my Antiques Road Trip. I must have been awake until at least 6.00 pm as I turned over for Warehouse 13 but I don’t remember watching it and I remember nothing until I woke at 8.15 pm to find Babylon 5 on screen. I took my evening tabs said goodnight to Joey and came through to pick up the slack on my mail. Well gone 11.00 pm before I finished.

Wednesday morning and despite my extra long nap last evening I still slept last night. My light went out just before 12.30 am and my personal inner light didn’t come on until 4.28 am.. Yes, I know, my breakfast toast was more like brunch at that time. I was back in here at 5.05 am starting on the mail and it just kept coming and coming until about 8.45 am when it finally slowed. I went then to put new batteries in the toilet ‘guidance’ light but they musty be duff as I can’t get it to work. I’ll have to get fresh ones at the weekend or I could be standing in puddles.(joke, honestly).                                                                              My HUtH (See Cast List on front page) was on at 10.00 am ……..By ten past I’d fallen asleep and missed it all. It was almost 11.10 am before I came round. I dashed back to the mail. I wonder if that means people could refer to me as dashing? At 11.45 am I was up to date again and went to start my lunch. Boiled potatoes, sliced beef and garden peas with a piece of bread and butter for the gravy. I watched bargain Hunt while I ate and managed not to fall asleep.(Bloody miracle).                                                                                                    Work took up most of my afternoon but I was ready for Dil when he arrived at 4.30 pm We watched out usual programmes before starting but at 6.00 pm the TV went off, the games came out and the gloves came off too. No matter how hard I moved the magnet beneath the board the Yahtzee still didn’t go my way. I think he was moving his own magnet around on his side. It ended up 6 games all. The Nomination Whist started well………for him, and stayed that way right to the end. He displayed a real lack of heart in not having the cards I expected him to. He started the Cribbage well too but I did catch up and overtake. You just have to remember to move the back marker as well as the front. I beat him in that so it was even Stevens at the end. I’m buying a bigger magnet at the weekend. while we were playing my blood sugar dropped so I ate four chocolate biscuits, so when Dil left at 9.00 pm I just took my meds and came through without supper. I worked on mail till 11.30 pm and then today’s blog. It’s gonna be a late one.

Thursday started much more as expected.I’d gone to bed at midnight and read for just over half an hour. There I was, wide awake at 2.23 am, not even 2 hours and I hadn’t even spent the evening before asleep, though you might not believe it given the result at games. I breakfasted at 3.00 pm and walked about oblivious to the world and scratching my bum because no-one was here. It was about 5.00 am I just happened to be passing through the lounge again that I glanced out of the window. The arrival of Spring? I don’t think so. The snow was coming down thick and fast and had already built up quite a layer. Damn, I thought that was done with now. At 9.00 am I went out and was no more than 6 feet away from my door than it started raining. Not your normal kind of rain though, it was the heavy one that crawls up your shoulder to slide down your collar on the inside. I forgave it as it washed the snow away.                                                                        At 11.45 am I started walking to the chippy with my black leather coat fastened over a thick scarf. As I opened the front door I was almost bowled over or should that be boiled over by the bright sunshine with heat that bombarded me. Just how many seasons are you allowed in a day anyway? Once I returned with my food I vowed not to set foot outside again in case Autumn arrived.                                                                                        Sharon arrived at about 3.00 pm today as she’d been to her doctor first. I knew she’d be late, I also knew she’d be worried about her little girl after school so I let her just work an hour and then go home. I did pay her the normal amount though so she didn’t lose out. I could have had her come yesterday instead for the full time had I wanted but I didn’t want the distraction. Mike arrived about 5.00 pm and it was just two old codgers moaning for the rest of the evening.

A picture of snow promised to my friend Andrea.

12.45 am lights out to 2.07 am up again doesn’t leave a lot of sleep time in between. It’s no surprise then that I zonked out sometime after 3.00 am and 4.10 am. It’s also no surprise that the position I was sitting in (upright and up close), meant my stomach was against the desk and prevented me from folding as per usual. Instead my head just lolled on my neck and I woke up with my head on one side for a few minutes. This didn’t help when taking tablets as the milk escaped from the corner of my mouth. Just as well it didn’t last long. It clicked and with a long drawn out groan from me, it came upright. I was able to set out my medication for the next week then have my breakfast. Once that was done it was back here to attack the mail again.                                                                                            Mike managed to get himself up for 9.45 am but everything was in his cup ready I turned on the TV for the last bit of a series he’s been following where people try to get their ancestor’s murder charge reversed or at least registered as an unsafe verdict. As Mike pointed out they can hardly have a retrial after 100 odd years. We watched Homes Under the Hammer and while that was on the postman delivered a package that proved to be a new wallet with RFID protection. I’d expected some new gloves but they didn’t arrive. It’s been so cold I’ve even ordered a pair with fingers. I normally have fingerless of the type weightlifters use or wheelchair users because of the padding on the palm, but I always have leather. Online they’re much cheaper than in the shops. As Mike went I concentrated on catch up again and I worked until 11.50 am before going to start lunch. Sausage, bacon, beans and some microchips today though I fully intended to have bangers and mash earlier. After lunch I did two more letters than settled down to sleep until 2.15 am. Mike sent a message that he was on his way back which was really early and so I had to go play catch up before he arrived. I managed to get up to date before he arrived back at 4.15 pm.                                                                                                                      I had a shower this evening and Mike washed my hair as usual for me. We made sure we watched Mastermind then I took my meds and retired to the bedroom as Mike started on a marathon phone call to one of his friends. 11.50 pm finish tonight.

If anyone thinks we’re ready to go back to this I think we should revive the 60’s

I slept from about 1.00 am until 3.41 am and think that pretty good. It was obviously well gone 4.00 am when I came back to my desk with coffee after breakfast. So engrossed did I become in my mail I almost forgot when 6.00 am rolled around and Mike’s alarm went off. I quickly made a coffee and out it on his table in the lounge then went to shout him. Given that he swears he always gets up on the third alarm ( sorry, just let me chuckle here) I left him to it and concentrated on one longer letter. I finished it at 6.40 am and went to see how he was getting on with his drink only to find he hadn’t started it yet because he was still lying in his bed after turning the alarm off. Difficult to get up at the third one now eh? I let him know what time it was and returned to work. I heard conscience give him a prod and he got up. We left a little later today.                                Shopping went easily and just an hour from when we arrived we drew up in front of the next shop for Mike to have breakfast. The coffee machine was broken which nearly gave him apoplexy so I asked the staff if I bought  jar of coffee whether we could used the hot water to make our own. Yes, they said so I went off to buy one and left Mike to order food. It was only when I got back and he’s made coffee’s that I realised I hadn’t left any money with him to pay for food but he made it his treat today. I had a nice teasted toecake because of my earlier breakfast, Mike had the full thing with bacon, sausages and black pudding. From there we went on the look out for a gift for Mike sister. She will be 65 while he’s there. He’s looking for a bone china mug but we’re having no luck so far. Eventually we had a coffee in Temptations then as lunch time approached went to the Dragon’s Rest to eat. The afternoon went work, sleep, view, and back to work.

Sleep lasted from about 1.00 am to 2.59 am and though I felt fine when I got up, the feeling didn’t last much beyond breakfast. I was working on my emails when I suddenly became tired, wearisome. Rather than give up I just carried on. I saw the clock at 7..00 am but the next thing I knew I was lifting my head with a groan and it was 8.12 am and I had a lot of kisses (x) on a page. I was almost on my knees with gratitude that I hadn’t dispatched the page in question as I don’t think the recipient would have been too understanding being male. At 9.30 am I gave up and went to have a look at a political interview on TV, if only I’d known it worked better than Mike’s alarm clock. I made him a coffee while he worked through his caveman routine of scratching in places never meant to face the sun. Once the grunting was through I carried his coffee in and hoped not to hear him crunching any little hitchhikers he’s found.                                                                    Neither of us got dressed until 11.00 am and we’d finished throwing insults at the screen or at each other since we disagree on almost everything. We headed off to Prestatyn and despite it being mother’s day in the UK we found our table free, probably because people taking Mum out to dinner require more than two seats. As it wasn’t midday it wasn’t too crowded yet anyway. At noon we lined up to get our carvery and as we say eating the place started to fill up. I saw plenty of six and seven year olds who must be getting too much pocket money to be able to bring mum here for lunch.                                                    I finished my meal and drank the rest of my lime and lemonade with my last two tablets. Mike finished his coffee and we went outside for a cigarette. We saw through the window they hadn’t even let our seats get cool before they filled them. We ambled back to the car and came home to spend a typical Sunday afternoon. Half an hour of TV the straight to sleep. I woke at 4.10 pm just as he was putting his coat on to go. I carried his case to the car after checking it’s weight for items of cutlery etc. After waving him off I started work. It was 7.05 pm before I was almost clear so I went through to see what Joey was watching and turn over to Sheldon then the Big Bang Theory. I only stayed out until 9.00 then after taking my meds I came through to finish.

Have a wonderful week. Spread the word that the World can actually survive with peace and not to let the creators of weapons prevent it in the name of profit. Share Hugs and smiles to brighten another’s day and enjoy it when it happens to you as you may have started it.      Massive Hugs

Whether the Weather is right.

It was cold today. When they talk about Monday making you blue I doubt it was a cold like this they had in mind. It’s from Siberia so it looks like the Russians are interfering over here too. They’re trying to freeze us to death, I had to go out to the chemist this morning and believe me it was the quickest trip I’ve made. I shall travel by heated sedan chair next time as befits my position of Benevolent Dictator of the World or my half as I’m sharing the position with my friend Diana Wallace Peach since I’m sure she’ll be able to extricate me from the little mess I’ve created over Maternity leave. I’ve also got my commissioner of housing renovation DeBorah Palmer of Dancingpalmtrees active on the derelict and abandoned properties in New York. There will soon be adequate housing for the homeless and needy of New York, I’m bringing in a Maximum rent policy too for certain properties to take the pressure off those struggling. Your city could be next.            The forecast for tomorrow is icy cold again with snow in some parts but it could be everywhere by the end of the week and here to stay for a couple of weeks vacation. Let’s see if my Tuesday Chester trip is on.

It’s not. At 3.00 am this morning I trimmed the bread to fit the toaster and then decided to throw the odd pieces out for the birds. I opened the door and tossed the bread on the grass. No problem, the bread stood out against the green. At 3.20 am I had eaten and was taking my coffee back to my room with a couple more scraps in one hand. I opened the door and couldn’t see my earlier donation to the starving birds fund (I tried to donate Joey but they weren’t interested). The birds were not up and about but our Siberian gift was. In such a short space of time the ground was covered in a thick layer of snow and it was still coming down thick and fast. I went back in and added two jumpers to clothes pile. It stopped snowing sometime before 8.00 am but I would still have had problems getting to the bus stop and I’d texted Yvonne so she wouldn’t expect me. At 9.00 am I managed to get to Pauline’s for bread and ciggies so I can barricade myself in now. I think more snow can be expected today and it’s also forecast for Thursday.                          I haven’t seen it snow again so far and a kind man from the Council came to scrape my path and the footpaths to stop anyone falling. Yvonne told me it snowed much more in Chester and eventually they closed Reuben’s school so she had to go out a second time to collect him. It was a beggar trying to manoeuvre Amelie’s pushchair in all the snow.

Well I put down my book at 12.30 am and proceeded to try and beat one of my new pillows into submission. It wanted to retain it’s shape while I wanted it to fit into the side of my head and not impede my breathing.I think Mike has swapped this pillow for one of his own that he’s been able to train in the noble art of covering the mouth and nose simultaneously. I did eventually get to sleep. I woke at 3.57 am, very late by my usual standards especially with regards to my breakfast and my morning drugs.I dealt with that then checked to see if there had been any fresh snowfall, There’s none due here until tomorrow. There was none but there was a definite nip in the air at -4 degrees. So no further snow during the day though my brother in law tells me there’s a foot or so where he is and it’s still snowing. He lives in the tiny hamlet of ‘Blinkandyoumissit’ just an hour away from me but in the hills. I haven’t heard anything from Dil so I assume he’s not snowed in and the games will go on.                                                                                          And go on they did. He didn’t find the magnets so I won the Yahtzee but I can’t believe he deprived me of both the other two games. Oooh he’s good, I can just glimpse something speedy from the corner of my eyes but I can never catch him in the act. It’s terrible to think ones own brother would cheat one. Wot choo talking ’bout magnets? I don’t know what you mean. How could you be so…… Oh, those magnets, yes, they’re just some old midge fragnets I keep for luck.

-4.5 C this morning. I hung my flags up at the windows for St David’s Day. The Welsh flag with the red dragon and St Davids is black with a yellow cross.

                                                 

As it was 3.30 am I wasn’t going outside with them. I might have frozen my little tootsies off. At just gone 9.00am I couldn’t put it off any longer, I needed my lottery tickets. Oh heck it was Siberian with a nasty little wind. The snow is still on the grass but nothing new. At lunchtime I braved it again to go to the chippy. Pieces of my moustache were going brittle and dropping off and then a few yards out it started snowing. I was glad to get back into reheat my frozen meal. The snow soon stopped and didn’t stick.                    Sharon came to clean and was moaning with the cold, she’s stick thin poor woman. Later on Mike arrived . We ate (me just a sandwich honestly) and we watched both Big Bang Theory and Sheldon which was quite funny. When it finished I stood to come through and just glanced through the window, Snow, lots of snow and it was sticking. I shall have to sleep with fingers crossed that it goes before morning or Mike won’t be able to get to Manchester.

Who would believe my crossed fingers exert such influence on the weather. The snow wasn’t a problem this morning, it still clung to the grass verges but the roads were pretty clear. Mike checked his route to Manchester and that was clear too yet had he been approaching Manchester from the other side he’d have had problems. Mind you, if he’d approached Manchester from the other side he wouldn’t be going from here so who would I have said goodbye to this morning?                                                                                    I tried to keep on top of work as it came in but that came to an end when Mike got back. He’d had a breakfast when he got to Manchester in case he had to dash back but the snow behaved for him. I had my bangers, mash and garden peas at lunchtime. I did us a sliced beef sandwich with the last of the bread so I guess I’ll be having Weetabix in the morning. I left Mike at 9.00 pm to make my mad dash for clearance and he went to his room to watch TV from bed. Ah well, bed and a read for me, shopping on the morrow.

           No, the £6 doesn’t include Amelie…..but her mum might look at offers

I woke at 2.28 am this morning and everything looked strangely bright. I knew what it meant. I donned my dressing gown and headed for the kitchen but stopped to peep through the lounge window as I went. Yes, it had snowed again and it now covered the previously uncovered paths. The light from the street lamp was being reflected through all the windows giving it a slightly eerie look. I turned the kitchen light on and started taking my drugs. Once done I had two Weetabix (I’m not like Amelie, I can’t manage three). I took my coffee back to my room to have while I dealt with my mail. Once I was clear a little after 5.00 am I quietly set about ridding the house of it’s rubbish and it’s recycling. Setting everything out for collection sometime this morning. Plastics, tins, papers and glass bags for recycling, a food waste bin and a household rubbish big black bin, all placed neatly by the kerb.                                                                                                      I got Mike up at 6.00 am and we were on our way out just after 7.00 am.We shopped for food than went for breakfast ( OK don’t whisper, I only had a teasted toecake and it had been nearly 7 hours since my official breakfast). We got a few more things then headed for Flint I was pleased as I’d made real inroads into my Easter egg shopping. While out, Mike mentioned his boots (worn for snow) were really rubbing and he could do with some shoes. We looked in Flint without success. We went home for long enough to put the frozen food away then headed for the balmy shores of Sunny Rhyl where there are shoe shops. First we had lunch in the Red Caff as it’s known. Not very salubrious surroundings but the food was hot. Afterwards I pointed him at the first of the shoe shops whilst I had a leisurely ciggie. He didn’t seem to be finding much when I eventually strolled in and I feared an afternoon of his inability to make a decision. I wandered down to the far end of the shop and was shocked. I called to him and gestured to come here. He didn’t look too impressed until I showed his one pair in his size and pointed out it was on a clearance price to go of £4.99.He almost set fire to the carpet taking them to the desk. He bought some thinner socks and we were done. Back home so I could start work, Yay.

I got up at 2.30 am and decided to work for half an hour before breakfast. I couldn’t get the internet going then wallop, next thing I know is it’s 5.10 am and I’m coming round at my desk with my glasses (intact) on the floor. I took my meds, had breakfast and came back to try the internet once more. I turned to modem off and counted to 60. Turning it back on I found it had worked so ploughed into my mail. 8.28 am and I was up to date for a while  at least. I went to let Joey out and give him fresh seed and water. I turned TV on a little later for the news (naturally for no other reason) and it must have disturbed Mike as he came through. To make amends I did him a coffee.                                                            We left about 11.15 am to go to Prestatyn for lunch and got there in time to grab our favourite table. The beef just melted in the mouff ( sorry, shouldn’t talk with my mouth full )today, Mike had gone for pork and beef today and raved about both. Replete we wandered outside. Mike had tried to buy something for his sister yesterday from the place he usually got it but it looked like they’d stopped doing it. We tried a couple of other places while we were in Rhyl but no joy. I suggested a place we could try today so after leaving the pub we walked there. Yay, there it was so Mike swept the last remaining stocks off the shelves, 6 shower gels and 2 hand washes. The look he got at the counter was fantastic, “He get’s dirty very easily” I said. ” Now I just want someone to be dirty with” he added. We came home. By 4.00 pm he was packed and on his way home. Once I’d thrown his bags out and waved, I bolted the door and came to start work on my mail. I thought I broke off at 8.00 pm to watch an episode of Endeavour but when I reached the lounge (slow walker) it was 9.00 pm so I took my meds, wished Joey goodnight and came through to finish off. 11.45 pm and I’m done.

                                                        Protecting the Peanuts.

I wish you all a wonderful new week full of all the things you want most. Keep spreading my Hugs for me util the whole world forgets to fight.