Well, just 5 more days to go. Everything goes up a gear now, well except me. Last night was almost totally sleepless except for small spurts and I still managed to get up before 5.00 am albeit to rest in my chair. I leaned over to get a drink last night and nudged my lamp. The bulb blew. That was about 12.15 am. I thought it a sign so I put my book down , turned on to my left side and tried to relax into sleep. Right side, back and sitting soon followed but it was an age before anything worked. It was about 2.00 am when I went searching for another bulb. No joy I seem to have most bulbs in except the thick screw in ones that this lamp demands. I’ll have to try and get out today to find some or crawl around trying to connect a different lamp. I apologised to Joey for disturbing him then and later at 4.20 am for the same reason, so I could read my book. I took it through to the lounge and read there instead. I only wanted it to make me tired. I read till I was tired and then nodded in the chair for a while. At 6.05 am I took my meds not forgetting the ones for my current chest problem then took a coffee through and signed on. There was no way I could do all the mail but I could cherry pick some to reply to. I managed as many as I could before the lethargy hit again. I tried to hit back but the scream was piercing. I went through and put the washing machine on to do the bedding. Then it was time for the chair again and another nod.
Mike came through at 9.05 am which was another unwarranted attack on my system. I saw to his coffee and then sat talking to him until I realised he was asleep. He actually gets up for a nap??? I tried a coughing fit and he did wake up if only to complain about the noise. I got him to agree to take me to town t 10.30 am when the washing was dry and folded. Long story short, we got my bulbs and forgot the bag he wanted, I got my own way where we had lunch and Mike who was insisting he was taking me out for Christmas Dinner at £40 a head was told in no uncertain terms to forget it, but to ask in the place we were if they were still doing Christmas dinners which we could collect on Thursday to eat Friday, answer yes. We chose the two course option and it was £7.99 each. A bit of a saving and I said it suited me fine that way. Even coffee and a mince pie after the pudding thrown in.
After lunch we came home to be in for our visitors. I was delighted to have one extra, There was David my nephew and his wife Gina. There was his youngest daughter age 7 Hollie, his son by another partner Taylor 18 who’s a really nice lad I rarely see and his daughter by yet another partner his eldest at I think 24 Marissa. Then Marissa’s partner Paul and their 2 year old my great grand nephew Kayden. Being on the ball I had all their gifts bagged ready. After sorting drinks out my poor nephew had to stand by the front door because he’s allergic to Joey so I had to watch and Mike had to watch that Joey didn’t get the chance of his big break (out). Lovely to see them but by the time it was goodbye my eyeballs were spinning in their sockets. Mike left a few moment s later when I said he couldn’t watch Pinochio. I came though for a few minutes but at 6.15 pm I’m going to go back to bed for a while so I need to lock the doors. Typically I couldn’t sleep so I went back through and put Hellboy on. I swear, withing ten minutes I was zoned out and only came to ten minutes in to War of the Worlds. Time to tidy up ( is that for the bogeyman?) and wish Joey a good night.
I’m supposed to be having a MuJo visit tomorrow but haven’t heard anything for a few days so I’ll have to wait and see.
Monday 21st Dec.
Although I read in bed, my light was still out well before 1.00 am last night. It was a tossing and turning night though and I was still awake at 2.03 am when I nipped to the loo ( being awake on those occasions certainly helps). I probably drifted off soon after that. It was 5.14 am when I woke so I’ve nothing to complain at. I’m still weary though and may just keep company with Joey in my chair after taking my meds and a hot drink. First though I checked my mail while I still had the energy. Some beautiful wishes from my friends for Christmas. I’m a truly lucky man. Some very entertaining blog posts also showing the never decreasing talent available out there. Some very perceptive pieces too as always. I worked until 6.15 am then went to feast on all the tablets and have a coffee. I nodded off in my chair.
I had no choice but get dressed today as I had to get my repeat prescription in. So, at 9.15 am I took chocolates for the Post Office and the Chemist and handed it in. The drugs will be brought round on Wednesday afternoon but I hope not to be here then. Stuffing my face with a Titterton’s Pork Pie doesn’t come along very often. There’s been no word from MuJo this morning so looks like no visit again. But. The Postwoman (from the post office) came round with more mince pies she’d made me and then my warden came round to visit and warned me she’s away for the next two Monday’s so I can get up to whatever I like. The rest of the day I relaxed with Joey, still trying to make up to him for Sunday’s traumas.
It was a quiet afternoon and I slept a lot. I stayed away from the computer and just rested as much as possible. Since there was no word from MuJo I sent them a text this evening but have had no word back.I left a note on Skype too but that’s hasn’t garnered a response either. I’m getting a little worried about John now. Tomorrow will be a strain as Yvonne has spoken to my nurse who wants to see me tomorrow morning, they’re so busy this near Christmas I’ll need to see her. I know it’s won’t be easy with distances and breathing so I’ll leave early. About 8.00 am tomorrow morning. After that I’ll rest as much as possible ready for my outing on Wednesday. I’m sorry, I really am trying to get back to work before Christmas but this is a bad bout.
Tuesday 22nd Dec.
I don’t know who put what in my Pepsi Max last night but my light was out a few minutes before 1.00 am and I didn’t open my eyes until 6.17 am this morning. What’s more, I hadn’t wet the bed. It’s a bonus not having to paddle to the loo. Not having been all night the urge was upon me so I skedaddled in that direction. I can see from the water level that the wind is fierce this morning. I hope it drops before I have to go out. After the loo it was straight to the kitchen to swallow the pills and potions and to eat a little breakfast, a toasted bap today. Then it was time to get dressed and I was able to open my bank info and check my money had gone in and finally to open the mail. I’d already worn myself out so no way had I chance of doing the mail and anyway, I’ve no time since I’d be out at 7.50 am.
At 7.50 am I pulled the front door shut and locked it. It was very windy and I just had to grit my teeth and walk facing it. Two steps forward one step back up the hill. I wa in time for the bus and in town before I knew it. In fact I was seated in thew surgery trying to get my breath back at 8.30 am. When I was called at 9.00 am I had my breath and was able to smile for the delectable Sister S. I was given a prescription for more antibiotics and steroids in case this first lot don’t do the job totally. I was also told that in the New Year I can have the drug to help me stop smoking. In my case the contra-indicators say I need to be monitored closely but we settled on once a week visits yo the surgery.
I caught the bus down, visited Pauline’s and then made my way home where I flaked out in my chair. Judging by the noise Joey was happy. The only other time I had to move was when my drug runner arrived. It was unexpected today. I’m looking forward to tomorrow when Dil comes and takes me round to see my nephew Lee and his family before games night.
Wednesday 23rd Dec.
I must be getting better. 1.00 am light out and settle for sleep. 4.17 am up again. Back to normal sleeping habits must be a good sign, unless of course my body dexcided to try and sleep the day away. That might prove a little awkward (and rude) today as Dil is coming this morning for our outing before games night. We’re going to see his eldest son and family where I might even show I love someone enough to part with a pork pie. Since it’s never happened before we’d see if I could actually go through with it. ha ha. At 6.00 am I turned to breakfast and taking my meds for the day.Back to my cold toast for breakfast and managed OK today.
After breakfast and before I could find an alternate excuse I went to Mike’s room and started wrapping again. I managed all of Reuben’s prezzies before thinking of a reason to stop. There are just two to go now. Maybe Mike and I can take one each tomorrow afternoon???? Provided he’s here of course. If not I shall be looking at a way of collecting the dinners before lunchtime is over. By 8.30 am I was dressed and sitting with Joey. Dil arrived at 10.15 am and we set off firstly to deliver a sputum sample to the hospital and then on our way to get Titterton’s Pork Pies. We arrived at 11.30 am and put in our shipping orders then went for a drink. I needed a cuppa in order to take two pre-foodie tabs. As soon as I’d done so, I was able to walk through the town precinct with my mush wrapped round a medium pie. I finished it as we reached the next shop I wanted which was to buy a pair of jeans for Christmas day. I did that quickly so I could get out and take the two post-foodie tablets.
We headed back to Wales and spent the afternoon with Lee, Jen and Nathan. Nathan was in very bouncy mood and full of smiles which was great. As evening approached we came home ready for games night which started as soon as the quiz was over. 6 games of Yahtzee each tonight. Mike arrived before the Trivia started so he was able to join in, never again though as he won. I don’t know why I made him something to eat afterwards and included one of my precious pies.
I remained up and chatting until 11.00 pm but needed to rest as I was tired out. So, a few fast words to you all and I’m retired for the night. More fun tomorrow.
Thursday 24th Dec. Christmas Eve.
As usual the light went out at 1.00 am. It was 5.16 am before it came on again. I must have been tired last night, but right now…..I needed the loo and it was almost tippy-toes time. The sigh of relief echoed down the empty passage way almost loud enough to wake Mike. OK a slight exaggeration on my part there, but it certainly made Joey blink. Once ‘d looked at my mail 6.00 am arrived and I went to take my meds and get my breakfast. I was surprised to hear Mike’s alarm start at 7.10 am so I made him a coffee and then left him to it for the other 4 alarms. He got up at 7.40 am when I had to wake him in the chair and remind him coffee was there. Somehow we still managed to get out for 8.00 am.
We went to our usual Saturday supermarket. Mike wanted trousers for his Dad and I wanted some last bits of food and some flower for Ju. We whizzed round quite quickly both fairly lucky in our tasks. Then after the till it was McDonalds where I drank a cup of mud that I didn’t enjoy a bit and it didn’t even remove my thirst. Back home then to start putting things away and to have a short breather. Then it was up to town to buy some mince pies and go for lunch. After eating we collected tomorrow’s meal which had been prepared ready for us by the Bells Cafe. Back home again it seems I fell asleep and Mike later took great pleasure in describing how I was with that. I watched the Original Scrooge with Alistair Sim and enjoyed every minute of it. There were quizzes and comedies on and pure laziness while I brought my chest under control.
I came to the computer late to record this and just check any urgent mail. It’s well gone midnight and I need to be asleep before Santa comes.
As it will be gone Christmas before you see this….
Friday 25th Dec, Christmas Day.
It was late before I managed sleep,perhaps because I ‘accidentally’ ate Santa’s mince pie. I know I saw 1.00 am come and go. I got up at 5.04 am and he’s been. Unfortunately he revenged himself by eating one of my pork pies which I obviously hadn’t locked away securely enough.This could mean war. I busied myself getting my meds and deciding against breakfast today. I moved Mike’s gifts to the couch and sat opening a few of mine that had been left before the day. I left Mike’s gifts to me until he was up and we could open together. I needed to wait till he was up before being able to start on MuJo’s too as they were in his bedroom.
Mike’s alarm went off at 8.30 am and I took a coffee through. So I didn’t come back empty handed I brought a pile of my MuJo gifts asking mike to bring a big box I couldn’t carry. He did. I had a splendid time opening them to find some beautiful gifts. The big box held a fantastic tealight holder with tulip heads to hold the tealights. There was a lovely figurine of children p;laying leap frog, a beautiful old tig and a swirling snow led Christmas Tree. John and Muriel have my taste off pat. Mike bought me a waistcoat, a cardigan and a beautiful ring which was a major shock and a real delight. Fortunately he seemed genuinely pleased with his watch, a hat that fits and the other items he found.
For lunch all we had to do was reassemble the meal and microwave it. I confess I’ve eaten worse meals. I’d even have it again rather than pay to eat out. Especially given the fact that neither of us even bothered to get dressed all day. Early evening I had a shower then relaxed with Mike in front of the TV. I am feeling better but just not quite there yet.
Discovery
Opening
Wonderment
Saturday 26th Dec. Boxing Day.
I gave myself a little time looking on the posts for yesterday last night and then found it was almost 2.00 am. I still needed to read my book-which I finished- so I could be ready to start my new one. I got up at 5.44 am, took my meds and had a toasted bap. I was able to return to work until 7.30 am when Mike’s alarm went off. He ddn’t rouse quite as quickly today so it was 8.45 am before we were on the way out. Boxing Day found us hitting the sales, only what a disappointment we found it. Just as well we’d actually gone there for food to take with us to Yvonne’s. With just a couple of days to go, she’s not in the best condition to be catering a party, but a party there must be as we have our get together with my nieces. Once we’d picked up a variety of meats and cheeses, fresh bread and butter, biscuits and pop we went to have a coffee. I went for a latte today rather than the mud I had last Thursday.
At 10.30 am we were on the road again on the way to Yvonne’s. Surprisingly parking was quite easy outside the house. We carried everything across from the car and knocked on the door. Ugo answered and took some of the bags from me. I didn’t realise at that point that my two nieces had already arrived, we took the food through to the kitchen in readiness for the buffet. We gathered in the lounge and started giving out the gifts. I had some wonderful things like a homburg, shoes, slacks and a shirt as well as some Bazinga teeshirts and some humorous gifts. Mike was over the moon with a gift from Yvonne, Ugo and Roobs of a red fedora. It was fun watching Reuben with his gifts but he was really slow. Eventually we were all done and the paper cleared for recycling. It was time to eat. Karen and Jo hid their Titterton’s pies just in case we ate them by mistake. Drat! It was a lovely buffet and the fresh bread I’d bought went down very well. Afterwards when we were back in the lounge, in the warm and with TV on the inevitable happened.
Sunday 13th Nov.
Whilst it took me a little longer to clear up the mail last night than I’d hoped, I was still in bed and ready to read by 12.15 am. My overhead light had blown ( after about a month) so I left it to cool down and used my lamp to read.
I was up again at 2.47 am and after a visit to the loo logged on to my gmail postbox. Quite a few because of last night’s blog mixing with the normal mail. Because I wasn’t under real pressure I took my time and was clear about 5.30 am, a perfect time to get my meds and breakfast. That took a little longer than expected and when I came back with my coffee it was 06.12 am and the flood gates had opened. What’s more it was still raining. I worked until 9.10 am when Mike got up ( sorry, I should have warned you, let me help you up again) and was still left with 66 messages when I left to join him in the lounge.
There wasn’t too much time this morning as I reminded him while he drank his coffee. He’d mentioned yesterday that he wanted to look for a specific jumper for his son. Typically he’d mentioned it minutes after we’d left the place they sell that jumper and he’d seen it on sale there weeks ago and we go every week…….are you getting the picture of prevarication here? He agreed we should go on our way to meet Yvonne. We managed to leave the house about 10.00 am and got to the supermarket about 10.15 am. First we went over to the jumpers and for one horrible minute thought we were going to be unlucky. Then he found about four of them buried at the bag of different design, and they had the right size. We picked that up then collected some bulbs as the main light in my bedroom blew last night. Since I’m using halogen in there now I was surprised it had gone so quickly. Just about a month. If it happens again I’ll change back to the standard.
We got back in the car and headed for Chester. Yvonne texted me and said she’d meet us in town instead of at home so we parked up at about 11.20 am in a spot near to where we were to meet. So lucky to get a town centre spot especially on a Sunday. We walked to the £ shop where I said I needed and they were there to meet us. I mentioned going to a new shop yesterday morning, one of the things I bought was a really good sizes hessian shopping bag that looked top quality. I like it so much I decided to buy another couple today as I’d used mine to stick Yvonne’s crackers and something else in. We managed to find 3 so I took them all. Yvonne needed another shop so I took Mike in to the shop I got my jacket and chino’s in to show him what was on sale. We agreed to meet up at Noon outside the place we were eating. We were just entering there when my phone beeped with a text, we saw Yvonne and Reuben just as I read “Turn left we’re in the first room”. Lunch wasn’t too bad at all today and my sausages were safe as Yvonne was sharing her burger with Roobs.
After lunch Yvonne wanted to show me the dinner service she wanted which was currently at half price. It was only done in a set of four place settings. Just imagine the arguments that ensued if you can as we both said we were buying them, and I got two boxes in the trolley and Yvonne chose matching place mats , coasters and a teapot. She was adamant she was using birthday money when I knew there wasn’t enough left after buying some boots. So as per bloody usual at the till I’m trying to pay cash and snatch Yvonne’s card to stop he using it. I think I’m doing OK until suddenly Mike enters the fray and tries to put his card in. There’s a whirl of arms and legs as we battle it out. Somehow Yvonne won because the woman wouldn’t take cash with a card in the slot. Personally I think it was just women supporting women and a need ti get us out of the shop since we weren’t the cabaret. I managed to give Yvonne enough money to pay for half so I counted it as a partial victory.
We took everything to Yvonne’s house so that we could also collect some gifts for Mujo who said they were visiting tomorrow though judging by the fact they haven’t been in touch tonight to confirm, must be off. That’s OK as I’ll see Lis now. Once the gifts were wrapped and ready we headed for home. We sat together for a while before it was time for Mike to go, about 4.00 pm. The moment I’d closed the door I had to come to work. I was horrified by what was waiting and I remembered Mike saying “When there’s that much, just delete it all, tomorrow is a new day”. Fortunately I also remembered he says lots of daft things so I just got stuck in. At about 7.00 pm I wandered through to see Joey and have a sandwich ( not chicken with him in the room). I had an individual trifle and a piece of chocolate cake,all suitable for diabetics of course. I’d stuck the TV on and there was a vampire type thing on which I’m sure there have been follow ons to. I wasn’t following the story but kept seeing this young mas zipping through the trees with someone on his back after introducing her to his family who I’m guessing were all vampires, though possibly goodies. I fell asleep. It lasted less than half an hour but I knew I’d have to move soon if I were to finish tonight. Somehow I was there till 9.00 pm talking to Joey. I wished him goodnight, tookmy tabs then came back through.
It’s now 12.07 am and I’m only just coming to an end. Still nothing from MuJo.
Ready for bed.
Monday 14th Dec.
I got to bed finally at 12.30 am last night, I only read for half an hour though. The evening was long and I was tired. I remember being awake for a while trying to find a comfortable on the pillow. I was aware of a waking dream starting which involved motorcycles. I’ve no idea why since I know nothing about them and don’t have an interest in them neither. But Ju did so maybe this was her dream. I woke again at 2.21 am for a trip to the loo but knew I wasn’t up to stay. I slept again but woke at 2.53 am for the last time. Since there was no need of another loo trip I powered up the computer and logged on. By 4.20 am my post box was empty though mail was still coming in and needed constant attention. Mike had left the idea of decorating the hallway from the front door in fairy lights so I tried that with the small led’s I’d bought recently. It’s an area of darkness after you leave the bedroom, especially if you don’t want to turn the lounge light on. I wasn’t too keen on the lights up and I had the runway lights Mike had put up the other day though I didn’t have the remote. So, no decoration, but functionality reigns. Anyway the runway lights keep my face in darkness and let the world see I still have a pert bum.
I went for breakfast and tablets at 5.30 am I had some toast using the new bread I got Saturday when mine wasn’t available. It was very crunchy. They call it farmhouse bread and I think they left the walls in. I made myself a coffee and took it back to my room. I was just in time to see the new post coming in. There was a van and some little postman with a smirk on his face was just throwing sacks on the ground and then he roared off. I thought that was it until I saw him drive up again and repeat the process. I’m putting virtual tacks on the ground tomorrow. I so wish I could go back to instant instead of daily notifications. I nipped back to the kitchen and put the washer on then made a start. At 9.45 am I went through to put the now dried (ha ha, not today it wasn’t) on the airer then I got dressed and went to the Post Office to send a card to Germany. The postmistress Rosetta was there and I thanked her for her kindness with the cakes. She said she’s baking again on Saturday and will include some for me. The spirit of Christmas is alive and well.
Back at home I did without my house progamme and carried on working. I could hear Joey chirping away so he must have expected the music. I took 5 minutes to go and talk to him. Bev, the warden came early today at 10.30 am so I was able to give her a card and her chocolates for a change. Had MuJo been coming I’d usually have missed her. There was a ring at the doorbell and it was Lis so as she came in Bev made her escape (Foiled again). How wonderful to see Lis who’s proved a great friend this last 10 years or so. I caught up on all the family news until midday she made to go. ( And foiled yet again). She left my card and gift for me which I placed under the tree. I gave her the birthday card and gifts to carry and said I’d carry the Christmas gifts for her and Charlie to the car. I waved as she left. Despite the interruption to work I didn’t return straight away choosing to see to my lunch instead. I fully intended to return to work at 1.00 pm. That was thwarted when I fell asleep just before the end of the auction on Bargain Hunt. I stayed asleep until 2.05 pm and knowing my Australian Doctor mystery was on next I stayed there. It was 3.10 pm before I went back to work.
It wasn’t a wise move to have been away so long as I swear that evil little man had returned again in my absence. It took me until 5.45 pm to get clear so I could watch what was left of my quiz. I was out of my room until 9.10 pm after deciding it was as late as I dared leave it tonight. But when I came through, things weren’t as bad as I expected for a change and I was able to make quite a dent in it until 10.30 pm when I started this post. I can clear up any odd ones after this and leave nothing. Of course there will be more in the morning but I’m out so won’t get much done until I’m back.
Time for Daddy.
Tuesday 15th Dec.
I was in bed for midnight with no mail outstanding. I managed to finish my current book and went to choose a new one which necessitated clearing an Everst sized mountain of gifts from in front of the bookcase and then rebuilding it after the book was chosen. When I got back to bed I decided not to start the new one but get some sleep before today’s outing. My light went off at 12.50 am. I struggled to get to sleep but eventually did so. I woke up this morning at 2.12 am feeling quite chipper and sleep satisfied. I know when I’ll be able to nod off again and that wasn’t the time. I powered up the computer and logged on to my gmail steadily reducing the amount of mail in my post box. Funnily enough, by 3.30 am I was yawning but didn’t dare lie down in case I slept past my bus departure time.Within half an hour I had my second wind anyway. ( Don’t worry, no-one had to put me over their shoulder and burp me).
At 4.30 am to fight off the next wave of tiredness I went to the kitchen to take my meds and have some breakfast. Kellog’s Cornflakes today ( Fees for product placement direct to my paypal a/c please Kellogs). I’m using the individual portion boxes to make sure I don’t overdo the eating, it’s lucky I find the milk quite filling. When I came back with my cuppa there weren’t too many emails so I was able to do a search for another watch since one of those I bought for my nieces has proved to be less brand new than was advertised and sold. My own fault that I left feedback on it before starting it going. The second hand doesn’t work and the jeweler Mike took it to yesterday said the innards are wrong. It’s very rare I have a problem with anyone on ebay but why choose a time when I needed a gift? I’m annoyed, but mainly with myself. I’m going to buy one new and this one when repaired will be a spare for me. I have to find the best Rotary or Seiko watches bargains now. I want both girls to have a good quality watch to fall back on as well as getting them a good prezzie.
Some big firms do special offers via the ebay pages do I managed to find a few to go for tonight at 7.55 pm. I turned my thoughts back to the post and had cleared last night’s nicely in time for the new ‘dump’ at 6.10 am It trickled through at first, just 20 or so but by the time I was half way through it was on 54 and then 87. When 7.20 am arrived and I was due to leave the house it was at a level where I didn’t want to leave the house. I was at the bus stop in plenty of time as I wasn’t sure if the new driver would hand around. I got my seat OK and after about 10 seconds he drove off before I was even sitting down. I’m not sure the lady in the seat behind would have welcomed me on her lap so I was grasping for the uprights to stay in place. I swung round and sat as soon as I’d got the crutches off my arms. As usual the journey went quite quickly as I dozed and it was just good luck that I woke for the right stop as Yvonne wasn’t there to stop him running away with her Dad. I’m assuming she would have stopped him? I walked up to meet her and was approaching the shop they sometimes go in if they’re early when I heard a voice. Yvonne, on her own was beckoning me from the other side of the road. OK ladies, get your tissues handy. It seems Roobs is ill, shivering and flu like. So is his dad who is staying off work so Yvonne had left the two of them together to come out with me. She didn’t want to stop me coming and spoil my day. I have to say, we shopped in an atmosphere of calm. We even managed after more than two years to visit The Rows which are an upper level of shops in the black and white old timbered buildings. It’s very difficult to get up there with a pushchair so it’s been largely ignored. We had a nice breakfast in a cafe called Ruben’s.
When it was time to catch my bus I was carrying very little but I’d enjoyed the morning. I said goodbye to my baby and boarded…..safely this time. Like earlier I nodded on the way home. I was awake at Holywell and as we started the hill then I must have gone again. Had the bus not juddered at he right time I might have missed my stop here too and that would have meant an agonising walk up a very steep hill from their depot, or waiting until the next bus was due out. Pauline’s was my destination, I thought I could do it and still make it home in time for a wee. I almost bought my TV mag until I remembered I’d bought the Christmas double edition last week. I got a chips with curry sauce and some cigarettes and left. I made it home and poor Joey had to wait a bit longer to get out. As I’d predicted to Yvonne, he wouldn’t talk to me at first. But, as I jabbered at him from the kitchen he warmed up a bit. I had my lunch just listening to him then once I’d washed up came through to work. Only till 3.15 pm though so just about one and a half hours worth. Once Dr Blake’s mysteries were over I returned here and stayed until 6.30 pm when the mail was finally cleared. I went through and put the TV on again for Joey while I got myself a yoghurt and a bit of cake for tea. He dive bombed me a couple of times but didn’t land so my food was safe. I stayed and watched a couple of historical things then wished Joey goodnight at 9.00 pm and took my meds before coming through.
There was plenty of mail again but not a scary amount. I was done by 10.15 pm and ready to start the blog. It’s back to ebay after this. No Reuben pictures until he’s well again I’m afraid.
Wednesday 16th Dec.
What a weird night. Bed at midnight, light off at 1.00 am. Up again at 2.00 pm.I sat with a cigarette and was sure the sleeping wasn’t over yet. Another try and it was 5.45 am before I roused. That’s almost hibernation for me. After a trip to the loo I couldn’t go back to my room straight away because of the time. I needed some breakfast and my meds. Once the duties were done it was back to my room with a coffee. An eye opening, brain reacting, system shocking coffee.
I powered up and had logged on about 5 minutes before reaching the room. Coffee lets you time travel. What it can’t do however is the bloody post on your behalf. 126 there now and I just know there’s more to come. I made a start. Every time I did three, two more would arrive to replace them. By 9.55 am I was still at it and hadn’t had chance to get dressed yet. It was the next thing I did before going through to let Joey out and put Homes Under The Hammer on the TV. The moment I did that, the postie came and delivered some CD’s I’d ordered. I was checking the rest of my uninteresting mail and hanging up some lovely Christmas Cards while trying to keep up with the houses. Joey occupied much of my attention for few minutes sitting atop his cage going up and down like a demented spring and giving someone a real tongue lashing. I don’t think it was aimed at me as I had the less attractive end of his body to face. Perhaps it was to that very aggressive bird he keeps meeting in the mirror. He settled down, did a circuit of the room neatly parting my hair in the middle and went to attack the millet in his cage. At 11.00 am I returned to work in the hope of clearing the decks before lunch. I did it with minutes to spare. At midday I turned the microwave to my latest culinary delight. Cottage pie. I watched Bargain Hunt and tried to pay attention but I faded towards the end. What a shame it didn’t last as I was awake again at 1.10 pm.
I worked on new stuff and also tried to get into my talktalk account. It said my password or sign in was wrong which was amazing as it’s the same as yesterday. I may pay talktalk for my phone but I get the impression they don’t like me at all. I’ve no ebays until tomorrow as I’ve been unsuccessful so far. I don’t care what it takes, I’ll do it. I just daren’t leave it too long to allow for delivery. At 2.15 pm I broke off to see Dr Blake in action and converse with the bird again. He was in a better mood. I reurned to work at 3.10 pm and managed to clear the post for 4.00 pm. I spent a while on ebaystill looking for this watch then at 4.30 pm I went through to the lounge, turned the TV on and the landing lights in the hall ready for Dil’s arrival. He arrived about two minutes later and as I was in the process of preparing his mug, I just carried on to make the tea and letting him think I’m psychic. We watched Flog It while we chatted and he spoke about taking me to see Lee next Wednesday to deliver prezzies. He’s off during the day. He also mentioned perhaps going to get some Titterton’s pies that morning. That could be lunch taken care of. After we’d seen our Pointless , out came the games table and out came the Yahtzee. I don’t know how it happened , as he was getting Yahtzees, but I won four games of the six. In an effort to give him chance to even up we played again. It happened I won four of the six there two. It was a resounding victory but while I did the victory dance, he threw the papers in he bin to obliterate the evidence. So, I realise it’s hard but you’l have to take my word for it. Anyway, isn’t it said that the victors write the history?
The Trivial Pursuit came out next. I made short work of getting all my segments which didn’t please Dil but as I was trying to get to the centre and answer a question of his choice he was catching up. In the end as 9.30 pm approached I asked him an easy question so the game would have a winner. All the time I knew that if we’d carried on I would probably have won from all the cards I’d memorised. Oops, did I say that out loud. Once Dil had gone I tidied up and washed the pots. I took my meds and also locked Joey’s cage with a little promise of seeing him in the mornin Then it was time to come through and start on the mail for a time and then at 10.30 pm do the blog post. I still can’t get into TalkTalk and they’ve now suspended me for getting it ‘wrong’ ten times. Looks like a midnight tonight and I feel like a good sleep is due. Fingers crossed.
Thursday 17th Dec.
I got to bed at midnight. Having said last night I felt I needed a good sleep, I only bread until 12.30 am. My head was quite muzzy so I grabbed 2 headache tablets, turned the light off and settled down. I was quickly asleep lying on my right side as usual. I woke at 2.02 am with backache so after a trip to the loo and a cigarette I decided to try sleeping on my other side. No problem getting off there either. I woke at 3.59 am with the same backache and hoped being upright might help. Overnigfht I developed a cough. I know it’s not flu as I’ve had the jab so maybe it’s bronchitis. It’s been a while.
I logged on and went to the bank to see my Pension is there. It was but the balance is lower than expected. All my bills seem to have been coming out just recently. Once I’d checked it I could leave and go to my gmail account. Not too bad at 37 which was enough to occupy me until 6.00 am when I went to get my meds. I know what will await me on return but here’s nothing I can do about it.If any day needed to be kind to me om numbers, this is the day. I felt lousy as I returned to my room, he damage was done but it was faint compared to usual lying as it was in the early sixties. I did a few and the numbers actually went down. As much as I could concentrate I concentrated on them. I finished about 8.45 am. Time to get dressed and go out to Pauline’s. That was really hard work and I was gasping for air when I got back.I had to sit down for a while. Joey didn’t mind.
I made Mike’s bed with some difficulty. It took me over half an hour. Then grateful that it was time for Homes Under The Hammer so I could just fall into a chair. After that at 11.00 am I went back to the computer to play catch up until about midday. I didn’t feel like lunch just then so I sat in my chair and next thing I know it’s 1.15 pm and I’m just waking up. I did an hour on my mail then went back to see Dr Blake. I still didn’t feel like eating but I put something in the micro so I could have my second set of diabetic tablets. When Dr Blake had solved his latest mystery I left the TV on for Joey and returned to work. I was clear by 4.50 pm and decided to get my new bedding out. When I’d done so I hadn’t the energy just then to do anything about it. I have no idea what-if anything- I did between 5 p m – 7 pm I’m fairly sure no quizzes were involved. I decided to try and do my bed. A text from Mike to say he’s on his way and I just said “I may be in bed, you know where everything is.” He should be here about 9.00 pm ish. By 7.30 pm I’d made the bed and was ready to collapse into it. So I did. Mike arrived at 8.45 pm and I roused slightly but he wouldn’t let me do his drink, insisting I stay in bed. That wasn’t too difficult.
See you all tomorrow.
Friday 18th Dec.
I know Mike was very good and fussed over me but to be honest I couldn’t focus very well last night. This morning there’s no inclination to move at all so I’m not going too. I was awake at 1.30 am,2.25 am and 3.10 am though. No mail and I’m not going to let it panic me. No food because I just don’r feel like eating. Mike let Joey out before he left and will lock him up once he’s home. I tried to sit in front of the TV but just fell asleep so I’ve gone back to bed for the day. Sorry folks, normal service resumed ASAP. Mid-morning I had to get up to answer texts on my phone so while up I tried to do a little mail. That earned me headache and future lessons in spelling. I did manage to get a couple of more important ones away which was good. I had a text from My great niece to say she ‘s coming up to see her father and will try and call on me on the way provided she feels confident with given directions. To be honest I wouldn’t trust me either.
Reuben gets Monster Hugs
Saturday 19th Dec.
I’m so sorry. Today is day 3 in my death bed scene and right now I’d hasten the end if only the insurance company wouldn’t look so askance at it . The world is drained of joy except for a few high spots, You know who you are, thank you. Food isn’t welcome and shops are going bust ( especially those that sell chips in curry sauce for some reason). On the other hand I haven’t been able to do much wrapping to help my poor brudder out so there is plus side.
Tomorrow I have visitors come to make sure the will is up to date so I must look pale and wan and cough daintily. If I have anything left after that I’ll beg for permission to come online. I’m sure the antibiotics and steroids will have kicked in by then.
Reuben’s Monster giggles
Have a Wonderful New Week full of Hugs and Dreams come true.
My light was out at about 12.30 am and I did fall asleep only to wake around 1.30 am. I expected a difficult night but after a smoke I tried again and went off no problem. I was incredulous when I saw the time I got up today, 7.12 am !!! That’s worthy of an encore 7.12 am. That’s a normal night for you sleepers-in people isn’t it? Heck that’s almost a coma. Of course there were drawbacks like my bladder for a start. I felt like a camel who’d stocked up. Also, I wasn’t able to get straight to work as I had to deal with my meds first so after the loo I carried on to the kitchen, a whole lot lighter though. I took my coffee back with me and signed in. First job of the day was to check the Lotto and the Thunderball then get all the swearwords out of my system before answering any mail. I can’t afford to lose any friends at this time of my life. I could get back to the pretense of being a gentle man after that.
Secondly I logged onto ebay to see if I had anything due to finish that I wanted to bid on today. There was but not until 5.20 pm. Plenty of time said he whose words come back to haunt him. Thirdly, I logged onto the first on my email addresses. OK, at that point there were just over 100 in that one but I had time. I was flicking between my blog comments to answer them and other blogs to make comments of my own or just to ‘Like’ if that what was required. There were personal messages too which took some time but they’re always nice to have. I didn’t pay much attention to the time and just kept going to bring the numbers down. Suddenly a sound startled me. In comparison to my own gentle stop-start flow, this was the Amazon rushing over a waterfall. 9.57 am and Mike was up. No alarm, no call, just a bladder. I left the computer and went to make him a drink. He walked into the lounge and plonked himself in his chair, not a sound from him.Once he heard me pour the water in his mug he moved though, just like a scalded cat, obviously afraid my shaking hands might spill some of his precious fluid. He says he moves that fast to help me if I fall but only after he’s enjoyed the sight for a minute and hidden the grin.
We had one of those long meaningless discussions about what to do, where to go of which the latter half is usually “You decide”, “No, you decide” until I suddenly mentioned that I wanted a pair of jeans. specifically light blue, slim fitting ( stop laughing at the back) or even skinny ( well, my legs are) and we had to figure out where best to go. So it was that it was almost 11.00 am before either of us got dressed and it was 11.30 am before we left the house. That was mainly due to me not being happy with the standard fit pair of jeans I was wearing nor with the colour which didn’t go as well with my tan jacket as a pair of light blue ones would. OK, I admit I might not be dressing my age exactly but I’m OK if you accept mental age. We got into Rhyl just after midday and found a parking spot on a side street. We were actually very lucky as it being a holiday weekend there were plenty of grockles (holidaymakers) about. Our first target was food. We decided to go to the Red Cafe as usual but when we approached the street saw a small cafe we’d been in once before and it was OK so we trotted in there. The menu was mainly breakfast dishes but I rarely turn down a bit of bacon so….. We had a large breakfast each. Mike had my horrible potato thing and I had his fried bread. Once I’d taken my after food tabs we left, lit a cigarette each and walked into the High Street. The clothes shop there didn’t have what I wanted or anything like it. The next shop had the size but neither the slim fit not the light colour. That meant a walk to the Matalan store and I was very shocked not to find what I wanted there either. I said we’d have to wait until next weekend and try the ASDA where we shop.
It was approaching time for Mike’s team to play so we headed for home, arriving here something like 3.15 pm We both separately had a look at ebay to see if there was anything there. There was and I may have to use it as a fall back. I also checked on the item I wanted to bid on and the price hadn’t changed from this morning. I’d be ready. I opened my email address again and found 204 messages since we’d been out added to the ones I hadn’t finished this morning and I hadn’t even open my second address yet. I stifled a scream so he didn’t call me a big girl’s blouse. I never know whether that means I’m the blouse belonging to a big girl or just a big sized girl’s blouse. I got stuck in. Mike came through at 5.15 pm to say he was going so I walked him out to the car in case he tried to sneak back. I stood and waved him off to be sure he was really going, then I came back in. A few more messages and you’d have heard the thump as I kicked myself. Not one of you remembered I was due to bid just before 5.20 pm and so thanks to you I lost the item and it went for the price I’d seen earlier , sob. I don’t think my nephew is ever going to get this jacket. I carried on until 6.00 pm then made a sandwich which I brought back to eat as soon as the 15 minutes for my tablet was up. I took the plate away and carried on, and on, and on. The nearer I got to the end the more work you monsters sent in. It was 7.42 before I actually finished the first address. I clicked out before I could see anything more.
I had to call a halt to the second set of mail at 10.30 am to start the blog. I had made good progress though, all things considered. Later on or tomorrow may not be so bad now.
Singin’ In the Bathtime Blues
Monday.
The light went off at 1.00 am last night. I’d been so busy I doubted I’d have a problem sleeping but still I found myself waking at 2.05 am. Like the night before I sat with a cigarette and then tried again. If it worked this time I’d have to consider changing my allegiance. I got up at 6.51 am, that’s two nights on the trot now. I’m having to wonder if Somnos is now playing fair with me and honouring his side of the bargain. I paid a visit to the loo then walked on to the kitchen and got drugged up for the day.I didn’t want breakfast so I took a coffee back to my room and signed on. The amount of mail was ridiculous, doesn’t anyone remember it’s a holiday? However, one piece of post stood out for me and I opened it straight away.
I guess I don’t have to wonder any longer who is affecting the sleep this last few days. Fair play, if he helps me I’ll help him. If your sleeping habit’s a dead loss, just say a quick prayer to Somnos. If the mood takes him he might help.Just don’t tell anyone I told you, as a small god he’s manageable.
I didn’t move from my chair until 9.15 to get dressed and then until 11.05 am when I’d had enough but was close to being up to date. I went through to the lounge and turned on the TV and sat watching DIY SOS over lunchtime. They only do a three day stint or I’d ask them to come and tidy my bedroom. For lunch I had a chicken dinner with roast potatoes and two veg. No sprouts I’m happy to say. It’s the first time I’ve seen what amounts to a Sunday lunch for the microwave. If I see one with beef and a Yorkshire pudding I’ll try that too. At 1.00 pm I returned to the bedroom. I didn’t even need a power nap at that stage. Lots more mail in so I worked through until 4.00 pm then took a break until 5.00 pm then had one little blast until 5.45 pm. Things seemed to be easing off a bit so taking a few breaks seemed OK. At 7.00 pm , after my quiz I came back for almost an hour then left again to watch a film from Marvel Comics with Thor, Loki, Iron Man and others in. I haven’t seen them since they were in the comics I got as a young boy when I was pretty sure I should have been a Super Hero but refused to wear my underpants on the outside.
I can’t decide if I enjoyed the film or not though I did actually snigger a couple of times like when Loki suggests The Hulk should kneel to him as the ruler of Earth and The Hulk just wipes the floor with Loki and says “Puny God”. And credit where credit is due, the special effects were quite good though they sometimes moved a little fast for these old eyes. On reflection, I perhaps wouldn’t go out of my way to see it again but I’m glad I’ve seen what they’ve done with some of the old comic book characters. Now I need to see The Green Lantern to see how he fared. So, I returned to my room at 10.15 pm and did messages for 30 minutes before starting the blog. I may have time to go back to the messages tonight.
Quizmaster
Look Hans, no Mum
Tuesday.
Not one of my best nights. Light off about 1.00 am after a little read. I dropped off but was awake again before 2.00 am . I slept again until 2.26 am then sat on the edge of the bed staring into space until 3.11 am when I finally got up and decided to work, not before a trip to the loo though to teach my bladder to let go. I think it has issues and might require therapy.I know I felt major disappointment when I saw my wife’s bed was empty. I was fully convinced she was there today. On my return I logged in and signed onto my main mail box and was so surprised to see it only had about 20 pieces of post, remarkable. I worked my way through some and found my machine was very slow to load everything so I logged out and after a minute signed in again. Much improved. I finished that post and opened my second one and did the same. I was clear by 5.56 am and went through to take my meds and have some breakfast.
Things were going so well this morning I felt I could afford a break so after breakfast I rebelled and didn’t return straight away. Instead it was Countdown and two episodes of Will and Grace. Even then I wasn’t sure about coming back but conscience got the better of me. Anyway, I thought, if there isn’t much work maybe I can get on ebay for a while. By not looking at the mailboxes I estimated I was still ahead of the game and was om ebay to my heart’s delight. Approaching 9.am I got dressed and readied myself for going out, not to see my lovely daughter as usual, but to get to the chemist with my prescription request a day later than usual because of the holiday. On the way there a post van passed me and seemed to hesitate, I wondered if it was Darren pausing to give me a wave as he turned the corner. On the way back I called in at Pauline’s to pick up a few pieces like the wonderful chips in curry sauce. When I’d got it I remembered I have the curry sauce mix and could do my own if I bought just micro chips, so I did. I’d just had time to unpack the bag when I got home and taken out the Twix that must have accidentally fallen in there ( I did pay for it, honestly), when there was a knock at the door. There was Darren with a big parcel for me. I was amazed it was here since it had only been posted on Saturday and second class at that. It wasn’t due until Thursday. That’s great though as Mujo can come anytime now even though it appears it will be Thursday anyway. Once I’d had a look at the jacket, and it looked fine, I found myself back on ebay as I left feedback. I’ve a few days before anything comes up in Matt’s size and now I’m going to be looking for one of my nieces too.
If you hadn’t been distracting me so much I’d have looked at the mail boxes so much sooner and seen a build up on both sides. Not a problem, it was still early and I had plenty of time. Still, it did take me until 11.50 am to catch up so that I wasn’t worried about going to lunch. I wish I hadn’t eaten the Twix earlier though. Having said that, I still managed some Jersey Royal potatoes, a lamb shank and peas with carrots. No pudding today though. Bargain Hunt was very good in warning me at the start there were some unfortunate surprises at the auction. It meant I didn’t feel too bad about missing the end as the Zzz’s floated past me. I slept through the next hour as well and woke at 2.10 pm to see Lawrence Llewelyn Bowen on screen tracing his family tree. I didn’t even remember turning over. I gave it an extra few minutes and decide I wasn’t all that interested, so came back through. I’d only been here moments when there was a knock at the door. A very polite Sikh gentleman had come to read the gas meter. Odd, they usually read both at the same time but I showed him where it was, and because I had no notice of him coming I hadn’t cleared it- even though I’m not supposed to. He just entered inaccessible on his hand held gizmo and left.
I started back on the post and was a bit startled when a message popped up on my screen. “David you old bandido, where are you? Off getting yourself a Filipino bride?” That last told me who it was. In fact could only be, John. Absolutely no concept of how to be P.C. He told me MuJo are coming tomorrow instead of Thursday and then, even though I’d see them, we had to have a conversation about our respective weekends. I sometimes wonder if he doesn’t feel starved of male conversation. Oh well, at least you know in advance when I’ve been ‘Wednesday-ed’ as my backlogs are always awful due to games night following. No-one should speak to me on Thursday if they want to retain their head. The conversation continued until 4.40 pm when I pointed out he was missing his antique show. That meant I only had 35 minutes of work until my first quiz. Never have my little fingers worked so fast on the keyboard. There were less mistakes when I fall asleep there but needs must when you’re trying to get to a quiz. I made it, but the mail boxes weren’t empty. 2 quizzes and an episode of Big Bang later I returned here. Taking my life in my hands I refreshed the screen(s) and got to work. Amazingly I was almost done by 8.15 pm and thought why not treat yourself ( meaning me) to some Would I Lie To You, so I did but only until 9.30 pm then I turned the TV off completely, took my evening meds and came back through to face the music. At first glance things didn’t look too bad, about 45 in total which I could cope with. I was so cocky I bet myself I could finish them all by 10.30 pm. I lost but wasn’t worried as I welched on the bet. It was actually 10.45 pm when I finished those and came to start the blog.
Tired out !
Wednesday.
When I got up at 4.17 am I didn’t feel as refreshed as usual. Putting my glasses on explained that, it was 1.47 am and I’d been to sleep for no more than 45 minutes. I went through to the lounge and settled in my chair and was soon well away again. I’m not sure what time I woke again but as it was still dark I went back to bed. My clock read 2.56 am. When I finally emerged refreshed and aware I’d slept it was 4.03 am. Everything felt right this time as it started with a visit to the loo for the spectacular (not) Niagara Drops. When gravity alone had done it’s job I returned to the bedroom and powered up ( the computer). Signing on I was reading the news and the piece that caught my eye most was about our Prime Minister David Cameron talking about making sure our lowest paid workers are removed from tax. I thought “That’s great” I’ve always felt the Tories have tried to keep money in the worker’s pockets. But as I read on, not for the first time recently my faith in the Conservative Party was shaken. In the Queen’s Speech where this announcement will be made Cameron talks of workers who work 30 hours a week on the minimum wage being kept from tax which to me means those normal people who work a 40 hour week will not be exempt and yet on the minimum wage they won’t be earning much. Then what caught my eye was a comment about the people of the UK giving the Conservatives a clear mandate to govern. Even I as a Tory voter know that isn’t true. They got in with a majority because people didn’t want to vote in a Labour Party in coalition with the SNP (Scottish Nationalist Party). The consensus of opinion was clearly that no-one wanted the SNP to be having a say in England’s legislation as well as Scotland’s. In truth, if there was any chance of a Tory Government in coalition with the Liberal Democrats everyone would have voted UKIP, so disliked are the LibDems after their recent coalition. I don’t know whose idea it was during the last Government to attack the disabled but I noted that not only is it to continue but that a new raft of plans to cut benefits is going ahead. Cameron is going to bring his Party down and it could be a long time before they get in to govern again. As far as money saving goes, it’s been shown that more would be saved by ensuring that tax is paid by foreign businesses operating here, and even more by chasing tax dodgers. I imagine some of this new legislation will stick in Her Majesty’s throat as she reads it out.
So, I opened my mail and found it not too bad again. I was able to rattle through it without too much pressure. I was up to date on the first box at 5.55 am and went through to have breakfast and to take my meds. I put two pieces of bread in the toaster even before I started on my sprays. With breakfast done and the washing up out of the way I took my coffee back to the bedroom my office and opened my other email address. Again there were less than 40 and some of those were duplicates so that too was empty by 7.30 am. There were probably plenty of things I could have done had I put my mind to it but after a short play on ebay I settled on going to watch some US comedies on the box for a while. At 8.45 am I went through to get dressed then had a general tidy up before I was descended upon. Once that was done I lit an oil burner in the lounge and came back to work until they arrived. That happened at about 10.30 am so I finished the message I was working on and went to see to drinks. I passed John a bottle of lime and lemon and a glass to help himself and opened a bottle of J2O for Muriel. Because it gets a little cramped where John sits in the lounge I suggested he came through to the big bedroom to have a look in a bag to see his missing birthday gift, the jacket that finally arrived. There’s more room in there. He tried it and liked it and in his rush to take a look in the bathroom mirror knocked over a candle stand they bought me for Christmas. There was no way I could have caught it and the big glass inner that protects the flame was shattered. Poor Muriel and I had to get down to clean it all up and hoover the hallway after the glass was collected and removed. By 11.00 am it was done and we were ready to head out.
We found a parking spot but John insisted there was another further up in a better place though Mu and I disagreed. She had to drive up to look and as we said there wasn’t one and someone else took the one we’d found first. We ended up having to go back the way we’d come and then carry on to eat at The Bells of St. Mary’s. That was fine as we all enjoyed it. Coming back we knew Muriel still needed town but said it would be better to do it coming back from Flint as the journey is easier. John convinced her she needed to do it first in case the shops shut so we went back into town, went to the necessary shops then back down the hill again and off to Flint. Muriel needed a couple of supermarkets so I was able to get some gerberas in case Ju’s vase needed brightening as well as some chocs for Temptations. After this we went for coffee where I saw Helen and a young girl I don’t know. They were quite busy so there wasn’t much chance to talk. When we’d finished we had a wander round a few shops looking for strimmer wire for Muriel to no avail and eventually went home. They left me at 4.30 pm which didn’t give me long to work before Dil and Matt arrived at 5.15 pm.
As usual we enjoyed the quiz but with Dil still maintaining he can’t read the questions on my TV . With me asking “What’d he say?” Dil didn’t get to hear too many either. At 6.00 pm the night started in earnest ( not strictly true, we were still in Greenfield). Out came the Yahtzee. Far be it from me to brag but I won 4 of the 6 games and was therefore declared The Victor. We opted to go straight on to cards and had a game of Chase the Lady. I’d like to say To The Victor Go The Spoils but it wouldn’t be true as I got hammered and Dil won hands down. Nomination Whist was no better as I trailed in third and last behind Dil. They refused to stay on after 9.30 pm to give me chance to regain a little honour and as they went they left behind a heartbroken and dejected shadow of a man. I waved them off though to be fair I may not have used all my fingers to do so. I tidied up , washed the pots and then made myself a sandwich so I could take the tablets I’d forgotten to take out at lunchtime. At 10.00 pm I went through to work but was only able to do so for half an hour before having to break to do the blog. I was sorry to hear Yvonne and Ugo were at the hospital with Reuben whose hand had swollen up badly and was very painful. They waited three and a half hours to see a nurse by which time the hand seemed less painful so they took him home and will take him to their doctor in the morning. The rest of the mail will have to wait till morning.
Catch-up time
Full of purpose
Thursday.
I read until 12.50 am last night and finished my current book. Off went the light. I must have caught the ‘I’m not stupid syndrome’ because the couple of times I woke I put my glasses on, saw the time and just said “Forget it!” 3.26 am was the wide awake , time to get up time. I might have complained had it not given me a chance to start last night’s mail remnants. I say remnants but when I got into the first mail box it was the whole cotton mill, so bad in fact that it took me till almost 5.00 am just to do up to midnight. From 5.00 am onward it seemed easy going. A break at 6.00 am for breakfast and to take my meds then from 6.25 am right up until I found I was writing gobbledegook because my eyelids had closed. I’m only guessing that was around 7.15 am as that’s the last time I remember seeing on the clock. I wasn’t away too long as a fir of coughing woke me, it was mine and having my head banging up and down on the keyboard wasn’t helping. As I sat up I saw it was 7.52 am. I don’t want to start my antibiotics too soon and the spray I carry to help me breathe had finally given up the ghost last night.( No doubt the shock of losing so many games). I took a couple of puffs of one Mike left here. It’s one they’ve tried me on in the past but which wasn’t very effective but I’m sure you’ve all heard the phrase Any post in a storm. I went and lay down on my bed for a while. Not to sleep but to try and relax the chest muscles.
Just after 10.00 am there was a knock at the door and it was my delivery from the chemist. I was so grateful. Not least because he agreed to take a letter into the Post Office for me which was ready to go out. I handed over a box of chocolates as usual for the staff . They’re very kind there. I doubt I’d even shut the door properly before I was tearing into the bag like a junkie after his next fix which is exactly what I was of course. I opened the spray on the move and took a dose. I’m sure it’s psychsomatic but I was sure I could feel the effect straight away. Only in improving the breathing of course, not clearing the bronchial tubes of their gunk. I need a sink plunger for that. Now I was off the bed I supposed I’d better get back to work. My timing was perfect. On my way back from dropping the meds off in the kitchen Darren delivered the post. One letter from the gas board with a prediction of how much gas I’d use in the next 12 months. I was thinking if Mike lived here I could just pipe him up and cut out the gas board altogether. I went back into my first address and finished off there and then opened the next one and started again. I hope you people have a conscience about how much ebay time I have to lose for you !!
At 11.45 am I broke off for lunch, a corned beef hash which I didn’t much feel like eating ( though it was very nice) but I have to take a second dose of the diabetes meds in a day. I watched Bargain Hunt while I ate and at least I stayed awake long enough to finish eating and washing the pots. I was away again sometime before the auction took place but was fully awake as the programme ended and was able to turn the TV off and come through. I spent some time on ebay and ignored the mail until I could do so no longer. I was preparing to knock off at 4.30 pm when I got a text from Mike to say he was on his way. About 7.15 pm I reckon. As he’s been looking after his grandchildren all week I didn’t expect him to get away so early today. So, I stayed an extra 20 minutes and brought the post up to date before I went through to relax. It was nearer 5.00 pm when I did knock off and fed up of coughing I ate a Rolo chocolate pudding as a treat then watched quiz 1, quiz 2, and Big Bang Theory. It was just 7.00 pm hen I saw Mike approach so I went to put the kettle on for him. When he came in we started talking about our week and how he’s hurt his ankle but doesn’t know how. He says he can touch it without it hurting but when he puts it down it’s an Ouch. I reckon he shouldn’t put it down then. He’s tired as it’s been a long week with his grandchildren. He loves them dearly but entertaining children isn’t fun at our age.
I stayed with Mike rather than come back through for a while. It’s nice to have someone around even when we don’t talk but on this occasion he was sewing a hole in his pocket and I wanted to see if he attached it to his finger. The spoilsport didn’t. I got to see a new Big Bang Theory and Brooklyn Nine Nine, magic but finally I had to come back through at 9.30 pm after I’d taken my meds. As usual I only worked on the mail until 10.30 pm so I had chance to do the blog, after that no matter how quickly I finished I was heading for bed. If I’m no better in the morning I’m starting the antibiotics again.
Friday.
Mike asked me last night to make sure he leaves no later than 10.00 am today and to take no stick when I go through to get him up. That should be fun since I went to the loo last night just before 1.00 am when I turned my light out and he was still playing games on his tablet. I might even have to revert to the glass of water he suggested as a way to make him move. Oh, this could be an excellent day.
I got up at 5.03 am and started as I finished with another trip to the loo before coming back and logging on. I have to tell you that this morning because I wasn’t really paying much attention, I almost fell foul of something I warn you about all the time. Below is one of the messages I got this morning. It looks completely genuine and made me panic at the amount it appeared my paypal account and ultimately my bank had been debited. Maybe that’s the intention. As it’s in German, also intentional I assume, and I don’t speak German my first instinct would be to click the link to go to paypal. I’m guessing that the sign in would have been recorded. Luckily I’ve trained myself always to open a new page and sign in to paypal away from whatever link I get. Once there I was able to see that my account was fine and I could delete this post as yet another con.
Sie haben eine Zahlung über 129,50 EUR an Carparts-Online GmbH (info@carparts-online.de) gesendet.
Alle Details zu dieser Zahlung finden Sie in dieser E-Mail.
info@tesabpoint.net This was the address the email came from and had I looked there first I would have known this wasn’t a genuine paypal message. Please, please, if you get a message like the above, always check the address it came from. NEVER sign into paypal from a link in a message like this. Sign in separately to make sure your account is in order and then delete the message so it can’t spread anything to your computer- if it hasn’t already.
The rest of my mail was straight forward though plentiful. I had a break at 6.30 am while I went and took my meds and then refilled the container for a week. Then I brought a coffee back and carried on working. I was clear and able to sign into my second box at 8.20 am Unsure of how it would be this morning attempting to get Mike out of bed I put the kettle on at 8.45 am and made a drink to take through.I thought I could appeal to his good nature first and if that didn’t work just lie and tell him it was much later than it is. Anyway, I didn’t have to lie. I took the drink through and woke him saying it was there, then reminded him he had to leave early and as he’s about to nod again, followed that up with the fact I needed to ask him a favour. I departed for the lounge to see if it would work. Would he be so intrigued as to what my favour would be he couldn’t go back to sleep. It took about 5 minutes and I thought I’d failed but in he walked. One call and no alarms is something of a record. He walked over, stood in front of me and asked what the favour was. I told him I’d like him to go to Pauline’s for me as I needed my lottery tickets and some milk. ” No problem. So you’re not getting dressed again today?” he asked. I told him no, I didn’t feel well enough. He has a very big heart. Thereafter followed a conversation about me starting my emergency antibiotics, I already have. Have I told Yvonne I’ve done so so she can let the surgery know. Yes, I emailed her this morning, she’s going to do it later. ” Good, as I was going to phone Yvonne and let her know you’re ill,if you hadn’t.” He has a very big mouth too. Of course I already have Yvonne on my case but that’s ok from a distance, it’s less comfortable closer to home. He’s shocking at keeping secrets as he’s more scared of her than he is of me. I don’t know how that’s happened.
Mike went to Pauline’s and picked up what I needed and a lot quicker than I would have been. I felt mean as it was pouring with rain and he was a bit of a drowned rat when he got back. I asked if he’d like another coffee before he left but he thought the sooner he got there the better. It was about 9.45 am when he left. As he did I came back to work so I could perhaps keep pace with the mail. I worked until 11.45 am except when the postman brought physical mail to deal with. I stopped for lunch. I had to have a curry and chips as Michael said so and because he ate my lunch last night when he got here. Though to be fair he didn’t know that until he was halfway through. Conscience didn’t stop him from finishing it though. He did tell me it was nice. A nice beef goulash with dumplings. I could have enjoyed that with bread and butter at lunchtime. Sigh. It was Bargain Hunt again today and I managed to stay awake for the auctions too. I did fall asleep after that though but woke up at 1.07 pm so not exactly a lengthy kip. Having been away from here for an hour though I thought I’d better return. I just kept pace with the mail all afternoon, not wanting it to get too far ahead as it will do when Mike gets back and I offer him my company and find out how things have gone with his dad today. Mike always has a lot on his plate and unfortunately I added to it this morning. Thoughtless.
I stopped work at 4.30 pm today. Not because Mike was due back yet but because there was an antiques show ‘Flog It’ on before my quiz and I quite fancied it. Then it was the first quiz up till 6.00 pm when Mike texted to say he was on his way, and the second until 6.30 pm. Then I had BBT till 7.00 pm followed by an episode of Who Do You Think You Are with Robert Lindsay for an hour. Mike arrived home at the halfway point so I made him a coffee to go with the mean he’s picked up at the chippie. Luckily this week he’d texted to see if I wanted anything and I’d missed the text. At 8.00 pm I went to get changed and take a shower, Mike came through to see to my hair so there were no hands above the head just to add to my woes. When I came out there was an interesting programme on an Egyptian Pharaoh I’d never heard of who appeared to have died from battle wounds. The confusing thisng was it seemed one blow from a spear would have paralysed him from the neck down but that would was healed. So two massive axe blows were inflicted ( one by an Egyptian axe) sometime later on a man unable to fight back. The question was, was he a prisoner of his enemies at that time or back in his own palace? I hung round a further half hour at 9.00 pm to watch a satirical news quiz Have I Got News For You where I couldn’t help but grin at the sarcasm and innuendo awash on the studio floor.
Finally I had to come through at 9.30 as I’d been missing so long. I had to work on mail until 11.10 pm before being able to touch the blog as the last two weeks I haven’t had chance to catch up on a Saturday morning and I’m really hoping to be allowed out tomorrow to do my shopping. and poorly or not I have to go early to avoid the crowds.
Saturday.
I managed to get to bed for midnight and enjoyed a read until 1.00 am. Once the light was out there were a few wriggles to get comfy but I think sleep came fairly easily. I don’t remember any false starts in the night and no calls to go to the loo. This morning I woke at 5.32 am so not bad by any standards. I grabbed the antibiotics from the kitchen and was able to take one at 6.00 am as I worked, i knew in advance I wouldn’t get far this morning. At 6.20 am I had to go back to the kitchen to get the kettle on for Mike and to take my normal meds. Just after his first alarm had finished I took a drink through for the second awakening. I made about half a dozen unnecessary statements to focus his mind on being awake and received a grunt to each. I left him then to make my own coffee. I happened to be in the hallway outside my room when the alarm rang again,I’ve never seen him move so fast. Straight out of the bed without disturbing the covers, and through to the lounge. I finished two more pieces of mail and joined him. He was just showing signs of life though to be fair, if that’s an indication of life then the rest of us are hyper when we’re asleep.
Things moved well and as we left the house and got in the car he took great delight in pointing out it was only 7.28 am. Yes, almost a new record I didn’t think it worth pointing out that meant it had taken him 58 minutes to reach this point. It took quarter of an hour to reach the supermarket where i got some cash and we went into battle. I got some potatoes while Mike looked at flowers. When I joined him we chose some stocks and some alstroemeria to replenish Ju’s vase. Next stop man’s fashion but I couldn’t find the jeans I want. I can get the jeans but not the colour or the colour but not the jeans (slim-fit), it looks like I may have to rely on ebay after all. I must remember too that the jacket I want for my nephew finishes today. So, it was on to doing the shopping instead. That didn’t take too long and we were soon having a coffee at MacDonalds. When that was done we both picked up cigarettes and made our way out to the car. On the way to the car I asked Mike for a minor detour on the way to Temptations. He agreed and soon pulled up in from of ALDI for me. I went to find some socks I’d seen the other day with Muriel, I shoul have bought them at the time really as I was only able to find one set in shades of brown and none of the patterned ones I’d seen on Wednesday. Still, I’d got some and at a huge discount. Then , before leaving I walked over to the fruit aisle Special Bulletin for Australia– I bought, bananas, grapes and strawberries. Real fruit. Mike even said “Now I know you’re ill”. He was shocked. I smirked and paid for the stuff I’d bought while he was still getting up off the floor. We went to Temptations where Kyle started pouring as soon as he saw us enter, and in went the teasted toecake for Mike.
Mike teased Ceri when he saw her as usual especially as another customer was sharing the information that she over indulged last weekend at a birthday party. She said recovery was a two day job. From Temptations we visited a couple of my favourite shops and the freezer shop before heading for home. Once there we unpacked and put stuff away and both settled down to look at ebay for a few minutes. My item wasn’t until 16.40 pm so after a quick look I started on mail again. It very soon came time to think about lunch. Mike needed a car deodoriser which we hadn’t found earlier and I thought I might check out a couple more shops for the jeans so we settled on Prestatyn. We couldn’t decide where to eat though and ended up deciding on the way. The Bells of St Mary’s was the final choice and we had a nice meal though Mike wasn’t very happy hat he was refused a sausage as they were being saved for the super sized meals. He should have got one as that’s what his plate looked like anyway. So just ignore him if he starts saying the same thing about me now, I didn’t have a sausage by choice. Afterwards Pestatyn was a bust for me but we did find the car smelly. Back at home again at 3.30 pm football was due on the TV at 4.00 pm so I left him to it and came through to my mail. When I nipped in at 5.00 pm it had only just started so back I went until 7.00 pm, when I took a break. Almost up to date. YAY.
When I returned to the lounge Mike knew the team he was hoping would win didn’t stand a chance. He agreed to turn the TV over and for an hour we enjoyed the Sounds of the Sixties which was great then an hour of the Seventies which was less so for me with the birth of Punk, no, not Mike he was the Forties. Most age groups bring about new styles and changes of music, I don’t think either word was appropriate for Punk. When I say it was truly revolting, I mean it. They wanted a revolution but had no alternative to the way of life we had. The disco era came and at least it was more about the music then. In the UK there was also a resurgence of Teddy Boys and a rather Fifties style of music but though the drape suits in their varied colours were enjoyed, it was never going to last. It was very brave of me but I didn’t even come back to work at 9.00 pm since there was a comedy film due to start with some big names, Dame Maggie Smith, Billy Connolly.Michael Gambon amongst others as fading opera stars in a retirement home. I turned coward within three quarters of an hour and left Mike to it. I took my meds and came back through. I should have come sooner. I worked until 11.00 pm on th mail boxes and then started my weekly farewell to you.
I hope you all have a wonderful new week, filled with joy, success, good fortune and HUGS.
Stop whatever you’re doing right now ( unless it’s reading my blog of course) and give thanks for the munificence, the magnanimity of the lesser god Somnos and his brothers (that I know about ) Porcinus and (My) Brother Jake. Last night it was gone midnight when I posted my blog and I still had some messages to answer. When I finally got to bed it was gone 12.30 am so that it was 1.20 am before my light went out. Sleep did not come easily due to ‘tickle leg syndrome’ which is a name I just invented for a very annoying condition. But, did the great Somnos get me up at my usual time? NO, in his kindness he allowed me to sleep until 5.24 am, may blessings rain about him. I actually felt as though I’d slept.
By the time I’d done my skip to the loo routine and returned to the bedroom the computer was ready to go. There was a lot of mail ( Yay, for Sunday mornings) but I only had time to respond to two messages before it was antibiotic time. I went through to the kitchen and turned the overhead light on. Such excitement in the tank. I had to watch for a minute before turning on the tank light. The fish had been more or less in the corners but having ‘seen the light’ they flew to the centre of the tank, sat on their tails and waited for the great hatch in the sky to be opened and provide bounty. All except for Big Al who stayed in his corner quietly contemplating whatever fish contemplate. I opened the hatch and to their great joy fed them. It was fun watching them push little pellets about with their noses like footballers dribbling but not much fun if every player has their own ball. I closed the hatch and started to turn away. Big Al turned his head slightly and gave me what seemed a sorrowful look and with a slight shrug he turned back. I could hear the implied sigh even if I couldn’t see a cause. I’m not much of a fish psychologist am I?
I had my sprays then poured some milk and took my antibiotic followed by the morning meds. Adding two sweeteners to the remainder of the milk I used the Tassimo to make a coffee. I think when the latest batch of pods are used up I might revert back to the old style of making hot drinks as I only have the one a day at home. It doesn’t seem worth occupying the space with a machine now for that. I took my drink back to the bedroom and started work. It’s always a delight on a Sunday morning to look at the comments on the blog. You can’t jut write it an say that’s that. It’s important to know if people enjoy it, if they enjoy the music videos or if they think it’s just inane chatter and I should be doing something better with my time. The odd thing is, I AM doing something better with my time but it’s nowhere near as popular. (Yet) https://lorddavidprosser1.wordpress.com/
By 9.00 am my eyes were going and I was about to dent my forehead on the edge of my desk. I went to get washed and dressed hoping that would wake me up. It didn’t so I had top admit defeat and sit in the lounge. Wham! I was gone and didn’t resurface until 9.35 am . I returned to work. Perhaps I wasn’t quite as with it as usual but I soon regretted the placement of the K & L on my keyboard. I referred to a fried Jane as Kane and hoped someone had a wonderfuk week which though I’m sure they might have appreciated it, I caught in time. Dammitall, If I can’t, why should they? I just kept ploughing on but by 10.15 am I was still only around the 6 am mark. I heard sounds from Mike’s room and broke off to prepare a coffee. He strolled into the lounge at 10.30 am and I only had to pour it and carry it through. I used the term stroll but it was more of disgruntled shuffle really, I swear he begrudged getting up, but he didn’t hold me directly responsible so that was good. Not that it would have helped him, my hands were shaking so much, one wrong word would have earned him a coffee shampoo and this week his son Anton got the clippers so there’s not much hair left to cushion the head.
I stayed with him a few minutes deciding what we were doing today to see if he remembered fish. He did. But there was obviously no rush at all. By the time he’d finished his drink, washed and dressed we weren’t leaving the house until 11.50 am. We decided to lunch in Prestatyn where we’d been before Christmas and earned a 20% off voucher, that way I could look for some greetings cards I needed. All we had to so was keep an eye on the time as the fish shop in Rhyl close at 4.00 pm.
I ound what I needed for now an after going in a couple of other shops looking for car coats for Mike we set off for Rhyl. There was a shop we needed there too to get a container for some plants for Mike. We were successful but now it was nearing 3.00 pm. We burnt rubber, so I got him to take the handbrake off and we left. It was a little more difficult to find the shop from this new direction but we made it. We both trawled the tanks ( fish- trawled- geddit) until aftera while Mike decided on two hoplo catfish like he got me last week. I settled on a 6″ synodontis that looked like a hoplo but which I had to reject when I found out it ate small fish. Instead I found a nice 2″ pepper catfish and a couple of bronze corys. (Like Little Al but lovely colours.)
Pepper Catfish
Bronze Cory
We came home and Mike dropped me off so I could get the fish in while he drove home to get his fish in his tank as soon as possible. I came through to work for 20 minutes while the bag with the fish in adjusted it’s temperature to that of the tank. The amount of work gave me heart failure, my main address had 249 messages waiting. There were 48 on the other after I got rid of duplicates. I managed to do three in 20 minutes then went through and added water from the tank to the bag. Another five or six messages in the next twenty minutes then I went through and released them. They seemed to be fine. Not sure I was though. It was 11.07 when I got to a stage where I was clear (before refreshing) and able to start the blog. It’s been a funny old day again.
Monday.
Early morning note. I think this is WAR. I finished the blog at 12.10 am , did just two emails of a personal nature and went to bed at 12.25 am. In an effort to confuse the issue I slept in Mike’s bed since he’s not here and most definitely has no trouble with Somnos. It’s dark in there and has no light from a clock as does my room, so when I turned the light off at 1.00 am after a short read, I expected to go to sleep right away. I took a short while to get comfortable but I don’t think it was too long. When I woke up I felt OK I came through here via the loo and turned on the computer before noticing the clock. 2.41 am. It’s WAR. But first. I’m going to do a few emails, leave the computer on and try and sneak an extra sleep in my chair in the lounge. I hope to report my success tonight.
I have to report IT WORKED. The computer being on must have fooled him. I did my last email at 4.10 am then casually sneaked away. I slept in my chair until 7.28 am. That’s about a 5 hour night. The only problem with this of course is that I was late for my 6.00 am antibiotic and I was late for the fish. I moved with as much speed as I could muster. Te kitchen light gave cause for a celebration of the dawn and the tank light for enhanced celebration of the new day. The fish were squiggling everywhere with two notable exceptions. The young synodontis had not emerged from their hideaway and Big Al was in a corner with the new Pepper catfish face to face. I don’t know whether they were having a friendly chat or whether there is a regime change on the way. Pepper has the edge on size. I opened the hatch and stuck in some food. Things changed immediately. Morecambe and Wise darted to break some of their flake off rapidly followed by Sharkey who nibbled a good chunk before taking it downstairs to eat. Meanwhile, the only activity downstairs was finding a pellet and keeping it. That meant a few bumped noses, but no fights. I closed the lid and left them to it, just catching the emergence of the synodontis for their share as I turned. As usual my next job was my meds and a coffee to take through.
When I came back through I refreshed my emails and carried on as though there had been no break. Obviously this new batch was quite high but I knew I could whittle it down. I was still whittling at 9.30 am when my phone beeped to say there was a message. It was MuJo about a visit. The snow must have moved from there. I said ” Great, see you later then.” and got half dressed. I left off my shirt/jumper until nearer the time and gave the socks a miss too. I realised I needed to do a batch of washing so put the machine on for an hour and a half cycle. I hope to be able to start the drying before we go out for lunch. Then back to work. There was a message from one of the Freebie sites about some new Gillette razors so I took a chance and entered. I was also offered an Amazon gift card for an amount of £2 and above in exchange for some shopping information. I thought Why Not and started filling in the form. I came to a dead halt when I saw they wanted my phone number and it wasn’t optional. That’s where I stopped and exited from the site. £2 from Amazon isn’t compensation enough for all the annoying phone calls you get when they’ve finished selling your address and phone number on. Mike had charged up and left his smokenosmoke kit for me to try when he left. I sat here taking a few puffs while I went through the rest of the freebies site to see if there was anything else I wanted. It seems a bit strange to be smoking plums.
The washing machine finished before MuJo arrived at 11.10 am so I was able to set it to dry, that’s always pot luck as to which cycle it goes on as I don’t separate the laundry before it goes in. I wonder if Somnos has a brother in charge of washing machine cycles? MuJo arrived and I made drinks then we caught up on what’s been happening in our lives before I made the effort to dress properly. I left the socks and my shoes till last. John suggested the chippie for lunch and neither Muriel nor I objected as it’s been a while so off we went. It was bitter outside with a lazy wind. I was glad I was wearing a thick jumper under my jacket. Even so, I decided it would be a coat day tomorrow. The lunch was very nice but very filling. After we left the cafe to go to a couple of shops I could tell there was a problem. I was on my moped, and I had to keep veering away from people so they didn’t hear anything. Especially the young who already hold enough beliefs about anyone with a grey hair. Yes, I know mine are white but I wasn’t being specific to me. OK? Rather than go inside the shops I stood outside smoking. I’d left my cigarettes and lighter at home but as luck would have it, I was still carrying the cigarillos I’d bought a week ago Saturday, and was carrying a spare lighter.
When we reached the car to head to Flint I was desperately holding myself in check. When we finally arrived I almost stumbled out of the car and was surprised the trapped gas didn’t carry me away. Then the gas became untrapped but MuJo were on the other side of the car by then. I risked a quick trip round Aldi to get some chocolates for my girls at Temptations and things seemed to settle a bit. Muriel got the shopping she needed and we got back in the car and headed for Temptations and our coffee. It was Kyle and Sian on the counter today as Ceri was off. Maybe they’ll save her a chocolate. We enjoyed the drink then went off to get some new swim goggles for Mu as the chlorine in her local pool was bad last week. John an I crossed the square to B & M Bargains ( known as BUM) while Muriel put some stuff in the car. The (actual ) wind was awful, really cold so we were glad to get indoors. Mu joined us and they bought a new single bed quilt while I amazingly bought nothing. We headed for home. John had a drink while Mu went to get their lottery in case the forecasted snow stops them getting out on Wednesday and beyond. The weather is less kind to them in Ty Nant than here on the coast. Because they’d bought frozen food in Flint they were soon on their way home again. As it was 4.15 pm I saw no point i going back to work. I made myself a sandwich for the sake of my tablets then watched the Antiques Road Trip. If I’m to be completely honest here (spoilsports), I watched some of it then woke up at 5.30 pm during the next programme. I came through.
Well, I’ve been here ever since, whittling away again. There were only 163 on one site and about 16 that actually needed answering on the other but it all takes time. I broke off from the mail at 11.05 to do the blog and then if I have chance will go back to the mail until midnight. Anything left can wait for the morning. Let’s go see what today’s music will be.
Tuesday.
I don’t wake up slowly. One moment I’m asleep and the next I’m awake. I think that’s a good thing. I mean it doesn’t make you any brighter as attested to by the number of times I’ve woken and got up half an hour after falling asleep. It can’t actually make you look at a clock. Because I normally sleep either on my back, so sitting up would mean I see the clock or on my right side where a glance gets me the time I’ve figured out that the times I must hiccup must be where my sleeping position changes. As it happens I slept on my left side last night because I’d had a problem getting comfortable, but I did remember to check the clock when I woke. It was 4.40 am. I was awake but it didn’t guarantee my brain was in gear hence the slight confusion at finding I couldn’t get out of bed because there was a wall in my way. Who would have built that overnight and why. A couple of tries was enough to just nudge the gear lever into place and I turned over and got out of bed the proper side. There is one thing to this, at least you can never say I got out of bed the wrong side.
Following my regular trip to the loo I settled down in front of the ‘puter and faced my emails. Time just went nowhere and t seemed moments before I was off to the kitchen for my antibiotic. First off I thought I’d do the fish but before putting their light on I stood watching them for a couple of minutes. There was activity but it wasn’t frenetic, just a very relaxing flow to their movement. The ones I could see most clearly were the two hoplos and Sharkey. I could see Morecambe and Wise but the overhead light didn’t penetrate the tank enough to distinguish which was which. I had to move a bit closer to make out the bronze corys and the two synodontis. The plecs I couldn’t see as their camouflage is too good and they tend to be still. Then I saw Big Al lined up in a corner and right next to him in what seemed perfect companionship was Pepper. I’m beginning to wonder about those two and just hope their parents gave them ‘The Talk’. No wonder I haven’t had any clashes with Big Al for the last couple of days. I was wondering what had been happening to Little Al without his mentor but just then he zipped into view and swam with the bronze corys. Fish obviously hold no prejudices. I flicked the tank light on , there was an air of expectancy so I fed them.
I took my antibiotic and the rest of my meds then made a coffee. I must have been more occupied than I thought as I noticed it was almost 6.30 am. I needed to get dressed. Id solved the problem of indecision by choosing my clothes last night. I’d even got two overcoats out of the wardrobe in case the snow had come early but the ground outside looked fine so I could go in my leather jacket. One washed and dressed I was able to go back to the emails and my coffee. Twenty past seven came quickly and I hadn’t finished all the mail but it would wait. I got my shoes on, sorted out two bags of gifts I had ready to take, knew I couldn’t manage the third, put my jacket and gloves on, grabbed my crutches and went out the door. I’d made a rod for my own back trying to get uphill to the bus stop laden down with bags. I finally made it, gasping for air as the bus came.Dammit, one minute earlier and he could have picked me up lower down the hill. I settled in my seat and tried to doze to make the journey seem faster.
Getting off the bus one of my crutches slipped and I nearly came a cropper. I composed myself as I stepped down as Yvonne and Reuben were there to greet me. He really seemed excited to see me and he’s really making an effort saying Pops. Yvonne took the bags off me and admonished me for carrying such a weight. It was ten minutes before our cafe opened so we had a wander round one of the shops.I bought some cold pads for my ankle. Then we went for coffee asking Reuben to push the button for the lift which he can’t reach but he pushes at a keyhole and thinks that works. I sat and we put Reuben in a chair next to me while Yvonne went up to order. In the meantime she passed me two bags of birthday gifts to open. The girl who tells me off for carrying weight to her, is giving me as much weight to carry home. There was a cardigan in beautiful browns, some bedding, a box of mint chocolates and an assortment of (big) books. The card from Reuben carried a picture of him and I on it. We had toast and drinks then Yvonne started going through the bags I’d brought. A duffle coat for Reuben and some chocolate, some beer for Ugo and Irish coffee drink for her with some toiletries, and a jar of good coffee to take on their little holiday next week.
After coffee we had a look round the store we were in. I managed to get about ten items of clothing for Reuben from here and by dint of snatching while she was looking away, a black jumper for Yvonne too. The girl on the till had to tell us to stop squabbling though she meant Yvonne of course. One of the others just said “You can pay for my shopping if you like.” That spurt of shopping had taken a while so we wandered down the street looking in the odd one until we reached the precinct where I had another coffee before going for the bus. Yvonne had some iced water which I had to keep feeding Reuben sips of.
They walked me back to the bus stop when Yvonne had a call from the doctor about my leg. There’s a doctor coming out at lunchtime tomorrow. I don’t know why as it’s doing OK. I had to leave them talking as I saw my bus in. A quick kiss each and lots of waves from Reuben and I was aboard preparing to doze again. The journey wasn’t too bad. Wen I got off at this end though I knew I wanted to pee. That blew my plans of getting a nice (healthy) sandwich for my lunch, and also the stop at Pauline’ to pick up a TV magazine and some cigarettes. Instead I was just trying to pick up speed all the way. By the time I reached the front door I was desperate and doing an imitation of Feet of Flame on the doorstep while I got my keys out. I opened the door threw the shopping bags down , stumbled over them and just made it. I spent a while putting things away and then went to check the emails. It was 1.30 pm.
At 4.30 pm I broke off work at about halfway through to watch Antique Road Trip. I swore I’d stay awake for the auction this time. I didn’t, and woke up again at 5.30 pm during the next programme. I turned the TV off and returned to work.The break seemed to ave done both me and the computer some good and I flew through the remaining messages. At 7.00 pm I was even brave enough to refresh the screen and to go in and check my second account.Yes, I’m stupid, I admit it. By 8.00 pm I was getting frustrated at the slowness of my screen. Rather than swear at it and have it going off altogether in a sulk, I decided to take another me-time break and watch a little Big Bang Theory. At 9.00 pm the rest seemed to have done the computer some good and it had speeded up for me. Of course more mail had arrived but hey, into every life a little rain a bloody great deluge must fall. I worked till 10.00 pm. took my tablets and worked some more. At 10.50 pm the last message was done ( yes, without refreshing) and I was able to do this blog post.
R.I.P Demis Roussos who died today 27th Jan 2015.
Wednesday.
I got up at 2.38 an and went back to bed at 12.39 am once I’d seen the time properly and let Somnos have his little joke of me having about five minutes worth of sleep. I did manage to drop off again without too much trouble.
Shall we try again. I got up at 3.06 am There seemed to be a bit of a breeze outside and I wondered whether the snow storm might have started. I checked out of the lounge window, not a sign. Still. there’s quite a lot of day to go before I can say the forecasters got it wrong again. To be fair it must be likely now as so many predictions say it’s imminent. After the lounge I went to the bathroom on a bladder call before coming back to boot up.First job was to check my bank and yes my pension was there along with two paltry sums from Amazon for what looks like the sale of a paperback and 3 e-books. I live to eat another day.It’s not exactly going viral is it. lol. I loaded up my mail and checked the lottery while I was waiting. There’s another disappointment. I don’t know who they’re employing but they certainly don’t seem to pull the right numbers out. One out of five numbers they gave me. What good is that?
There was plenty of post this morning so I got my head down and beavered away at it. At 5.55 am there appeared a natural break before a long email so I decided to deal with the kitchen. Big Al and Pepper came across to the front of the tank together. It’s like prisoner and escort. Big Al just doesn’t seem happy but I’m keeping an eye open for any “Help me, I’m being held hostage” messages on the glass. Maybe Pepper really is a lady with a strong personality, ” We’re getting married and that’s that”. Everyone else put in an appearance except the two shy synodontis which are still hiding in their shell and must eat when I’m gone. I fed them and left them all in peace. My tablets were the next job and my sprays, once those were done I could make my drink. I took it through and carried on working until 8.20 am when I was almost up to date. I spent some time getting washed and dressed. To have a break from the screen I sat in the lounge once I was ready. Naturally I fell asleep and only woke at 9.10 am. The wind was howling outside and there seemed to be occasional bursts of hail. I’d better go to Pauline’s while it was still safe. I got what I needed and came home. Back to the computer as more post had come in since I’d been away. That kept me going until midday when I went to take my foodie tablet before lunch. I put an old Jimmy Steward film on the box, Bell, Book and Candle. What an amazing part he played and how well behaved was the heavily manhandled cat Pyewacket. I decided to stay on that channel till it finished and I ate my lunch in front of it.
At 1.00 pm I went back to work for half an hour then came through to wait for the doctor. She arrived at 1.50 pm and after checking the leg decided after another week of these antibiotics I should be OK. I was reminded that should it ever flare up again I must let the surgery know immediately. I asked her if that was likely and was told yes. After she’d gone, put socks and shoes on and walked in the wind up to the chemist’s which in the village is also the Post Office . I handed over the prescription to be dealt with, then to save wasting time, went to take something to the Post Office side . When I’d done there my prescription was ready. Ready to face the wind again I left and came home. I took my right sock off and went back to work straight away, no Father Brown for me today. I worked hard until 4.30 pm and was making great progress but it was time to break off for the Road Trip. That finished at 5.15 pm and it wasn’t worth going back to work as the guys could be here at any time. I went and prepared their cups after checking there were no texts on my phone cancelling because of a blizzard elsewhere.
It was almost 5.45 pm when Dil and Matt arrived. Not because they’d fought their way through a blizzard but because of road works on the expressway. I made the drinks while they watched the end of Pointless. Out came the table, the Yahtzee, the cards and we were ready to go. There was a text from Lee to say he couldn’t make it and probably not next week either. We started on the Yahtzee. As usual I lost the first game but then a Winter Miracle happened and I won the next four on the trot with multiple Yahtzees. I lost the final game but who cares, I had the overall win- In Yahtzee!! I was so elated we were four hands into Nomination before I realised it and they were four hands where I hadn’t won my call, but both Dil and Matt had. A couple more hands went the same way and it was time to pull up my socks, or in this case sock. I started a come back until after a hard fought battle I won. Now the knives were out. We started the Crazy 8’s and I was getting, 7’s dropped on me with some regularity, then the accumulative 2’s and 3’s started being dropped on me. From a zero point first hand my score started climbing. Matt was pleased as he was not only chief instigator, he was currently winning.It took all kinds of connivance to get things turned round so that Dil’s score went up tremendously and Matt’s score at least began to approach mine. I couldn’t quite do enough though. We took Dil’s score over the top but Matt and I ended level. He wanted to settle it with Rock, Paper, Scissors but I wouldn’t play unless we added Lizard and Spock like they do on Big Bang Theory.
It was 9.30 pm and the boys had to leave and face the non-blizzard going home. I tidied up, washed the pots and made myself some sandwiches as I’d only eaten once today. Roast beef and raw red onion, wonderful. I ate them while working. I managed to clear the post and do the blog for midnight.
Thursday.
4.46 am today. I was on my left side but my brain accepted I had to turn over and get out of bed that side. That’s over 3 hours of sleep, could it have something to do with sleeping on that side? Trouble is, I could try to go to sleep on that side with no guarantee that I’d still be on that side in the morning. Still it might be worth a try. After a trip to the loo I came back and signed in to find plenty of messages waiting. I started work thinking to myself I never worked this hard when I had a job. But stupidly, I did. At 6.00 am I broke off to see to my antibiotic and the fish. I crept into the kitchen and didn’t turn the overhead light on intending to surprise the fish and see what they were up to or whether they were still in bed. What an idiot. Because it was dark I knocked a bottle over near the tank which then fell on the floor with a clatter and woke the whole street, never mind the fish. When I turned their light on they were flitting back and forth in agitation which is just up the road from Wrexham I think.. Well, most were but not all. I was on the point of covering my eyes with my hand when I realised I have no idea how fish ‘DO IT’ but Pepper was laying on top of Big Al and I think the Big Bang Theory went out the window as the noise hadn’t disturbed them in the least. Am I in at the start of a budding romance or does Big Al just make a suitable pillow?
The other fish calmed down a bit at the sound of my voice and even more at the sound of the hatch. I put food in for them and watched as they all ( correction, nearly all) tried to follow their own bit of food as it floated down through the water. Pepper and Big Al separated ready for breakfast but I couldn’t see my synodontis ( don’t be vulgar madam, it’s a fish). No doubt I’d catch them later.I took my sprays, the antibiotic and my other meds then made a coffee to take back with me. 8.01 am saw me finish the last message on that account and open the second. There were just 5 to deal with on that one after I’d deleted the unimportant and he duplicates. By 8.20 am I was in the lounge watching Frazier. Though not for long If I’m honest as I quickly nodded of to the sound. I slept until 9.07 am theen came through to get dressed before going to Pauline’s for my lottery. I could see there was no snow on the ground though everywhere was wet. When I went out I could see why as there was snow and sleet falling together. No way it was going to stick.
Coming back I was walking into the lazy wind that was pushing the sleet at my face. I was glad to get in again. I checked the forecast on the computer and it says the snow will be falling tonight. Being coastal we may continue to be lucky. I went back to work. Things were steady up till lunch time when I broke off to eat. Then what a shock. The roofs were white and the grassy areas too. It was snowing great big flakes but quite slowly. The paths were quite wet still and nothing was sticking there. While I was making lunch it must have stopped, I didn’t notice. They’re still saying it will be heavy tonight. I enjoyed my lunch of chips in curry sauce, I enjoyed the episode of Murder She Wrote that I saw, I even enjoyed the little Zzzzzzz session I enjoyed straight after the programme albeit for just half an hour.I had three quarters of an hour to work in before Father Brown. I managed that and made good progress because of my guilt. Not that I was guilty enough to work through the programme though. It finished at 3.00 pm and it gave me an hour and a half this time to work before the Antiques Road Trip. I worked so well in this period I was actually up to date five minutes before I needed to be. I had time enough to stroll through nonchalantly.
I enjoyed the programme and managed to stay awake. It finished at 5.15 pm but I got engrossed in the first few minutes of a quiz. My period of absorption was brought to an end when my phone beeped. It was a message from Mike to say he was on his way to me from Manchester. It would take at least an hour so there was chance to get up to date again and be ready to spend some time with him. That’s what I did and at 6.15 pm came through to see to his mug and put the kettle on. I hadn’t eaten my second meal of the day and was eyeing up a chocolate gateau that had followed me home this morning. Little twinges of conscience told me I should wait till Mike arrived and offer him some. Bigger twinges of conscience suggested I offer it all to him. Before I could get consciences foot out of the door and close it, Mike arrived. He as carrying a small parcel. I was making his drink as he brought it through, a meal from the chipshop, and, oh no, extra chips for me. I was sure I was screaming out loud Get thee behind me but in fact it turned out I was buttering bread for a sandwich. My self esteem slumped lower when I had half the gateau anyway. OMG, fat camp next year.
I stayed with Mike a while then came through to catch up before heading back to watch a comedy at 9.00 pm. He was asleep in his chair. I had to wake him as he needs to sleep in bed so I can get him up tomorrow. Come to think of it maybe I should start trying now. At 10.00 pm I came through for the night and suggested Mike went to watch TV in bed. There’s been a series of programmes recently where one story dovetails into the next. I think it’s called Banana and he’s quite interested in it. It’s supposed to offer insight into something he doesn’t understand at all, which is being gay. At least he’s tolerant of an alternative lifestyle and not dismissive. I got to do some more work until 11.00 pm when I stopped to concentrate here.
Friday.
4.45 am today. I was robbed of another minute. That’s still somewhere short of 4 hours again. I’ll either start hallucinating soon or spend an entire day asleep and miss it. First port of call was the loo to stop my bladder pressing on my heart.. I must learn to drink less in the evenings. Next up was to sign in and see how many messages were waiting.It was less than a hundred and livable with. I made a start. By 6.00 am I had made quite a dent in it and was actually smiling as I went towards the kitchen. I bet that worried the fish. I did the main light first and then the tank light. As I wished them Good Morning Morecambe and Wise both swam to the upper corner nearest me in response to the voice. Sharkey, Big Al, Little Al, the two bronze corys and one of the plecs were swimming in circles directly beneath the food slot. Pepper was in the bottom left corner, back to me as Big Al so often is. Of the other two plecs and my two synodontis there was no sign. I dropped some food in and was going to leave them to it when one plec appeared climbing the glass at the back and the two synodontis both appeared from a direction I hadn’t expected, the large amphora. I was really pleased to see them as I love their markings.
I had my sprays and took all my meds which emptied my tablet tray so I started to fill it again. I didn’t need the instructions as it’s all second nature now. Once I’d returned my meds drawer I was free to make a coffee. As by now it was approaching 7.00 am there was no point in returning to work yet. I boiled the kettle and made Mike his coffee. He says he wants to be at his father’s at 9.30 am so he can make sure the screed is laid well today.I had to get him up at 7.00 am to accomplish this. I didn’t hear the first alarm though I’m sure it went off ( probably as I boiled the kettle). I however did make sure my voice was loud enough as I called “Coffee’s up bro. You don’t have time to play with today.” “Why not” he asked. “because you have to get to your Dad’s” I told him. He went back to sleep. The alarm went off twice more and twice more it was turned off. Finally at almost half past I went to remind him his coffee was getting cold. ” I can’t get my legs to work” was the answer. A minute or two later I heard him move to the lounge. Leaving just a few messages in my box I went through to the lounge and joined him. He complained of a terrible night but I’d had no choice about waking him as he wanted to be at his fathers when the workmen came. He drank his coffee, went to get washed and dressed and finally left the house about 8.15 am. I’ve no idea when he’ll be back after the screed has been laid but chances are I’ll have the usual fun getting him up tomorrow to get to his Dad’s for the laying of the flooring.
I came back to work and stayed here on and off all morning. No sign of any snow outside but I still didn’t want to face the day. I tried to clear up a problem getting into Moonpig.com but decided the problem must be at their end. I had an email about an educational tablet for children reduced to £5 but which always went to £10 at the checkout. I sent the company an email and they sent back a code which I was able to use to order one. I’m not expecting Reuben to start spelling yet or do sums, but there’s a song facility which might keep him occupied for a while and might also keep his hands off his mum’s tablet. At 11.35 I broke off ready for lunch. I had sausage with sweet potato mash and onion gravy Mmmm Mmmm. I watched Jessica Fletcher gt her man or woman in this case and it should have been called Accident She Wrote. Is it too late to ask for my money back under the Trades Description Act? I returned to hard labour straight afterwards and slogged away until 2.15 pm when it was time for Father Brown unfortunately I nodded off in that. I struggled back to work again but did get up to date which was handy as Mike returned from his father’s at 4.15 pm. As he’s going to be away again tomorrow I checked he was taking me shopping this evening. I put shoes and socks on (not necessarily in that order) then watched The Road Trip with Mike.
We were on our way out at 5.20 pm. I didn’t have the courage to shop where we usually go as I knew it would be crowded . Instead we stayed local. I did the bulk of the shopping in Lidl and I must have chosen the right time as it was comparatively empty. The last few items I got from Tesco which again wasn’t too bad but I was very quick. We came straight home, unpacked the shopping, enjoyed another Road Trip then Mastermind. Mike did himself some tea at the start of that. As soon as it was over I went for a shower. Mike did my hair for me as usual then returned to his TV while I, once the shower was over, came back to work. There was just so much of it. The only thought I had to keep me going was that with not shopping tomorrow I shouldn’t get into my usual stress-mess. I stopped doing the post at 11.00 pm or there would have been no time for this post. Anything not done can be dealt with in the morning.
Dead or Alive were a Liverpool group fronted by singer Pete Burns. Here’s how Pete Burns looked after plastic surgery. Think twice folks.
Saturday.
4.06 this morning. Since it wasn’t an early night last night ( after I finished reading ) it’s just possible I’ve upset someone. If so, I don’t recall any dreams last night that would give me a hint. On the other hand it could be the weather that’s done it. Last night there was the sound of hail beating on the roof and carpeting the ground outside, and then the sound of furious rain throughout the night that almost had me coming back to the computer to invest in a boat, Noah’s Ark seemed appropriate. I am quite a light sleeper so sometimes these things disturb me though usually it would only be off key things that would make me get up ( not burglars obviously). I attacked the mail after paying my usual homage to the gods of water. I thought there was quite a bit but suddenly at about 5.30 am I was done. I refreshed and did he few that came and I also opened my second email address and dealt with that. By 6.00 am I was free to go and face the fish. Face them I did. I turned the kitchen light on, then the tank light and moving slowly put my face against the glass. For a moment or two I just watched the activity but Morecambe soon came zooming towards me. I said Good Morning to her and that brought Wise over and they commenced to wag their tails as I spoke to them. Two of the plecs remained on the floor while the largest was stuck to the glass at the side of the tank. Obviously they’re oblivious to my charms. The two bronze corys were flitting about as usual, just looking for food, that’s all my presence meant to them. The hoplos were in a world of their own just going from floor to surface like divers going for air. Of the two synodontis there was no sign just then. Little Al came into sight from under the bridge where perhaps he’d been taking a nap. Big Al was pointedly ignoring me from the corner he had his head stuck into and Pepper was doing the same from the opposing corner so maybe Big Al and Pepper were ignoring each other and not me. I feel sorry for Pepper as she/he is on his/her own species wise and might be quite sociable if with his/her own kind.I’ll look for another. I fed them.
Tearing myself away from the fish I gave my attention to the morning meds, starting with the antibiotic. I can’t remember if I’ve mentioned how hard I find it to swallow tablets these days but the antibiotics are like huge torpedoes . Mike howls laughing when he watches me because once the tablet is in my mouth I have to psych myself up to swallow it. That seems to involve moving my head back and forth as I seek the opportune moment. He says it’s like watching one of those birds that sip your drink.
So, it’s good that he was still in his bed because today my throat didn’t want to co-operate. It’s nodding bird first, then a group of 5 tablets/capsule that are much smaller I take as one which is less the nodding bird, then come the two painkillers which means nodding bird, nodding bird. Imagine the fun he’d have had.Even worse if I was having breakfast, the first the pre-food is manageable (just) but the two post food ones are also torpedoes so two more nodding birds. No breakfast today though as I need to start getting the rubbish together and the recycling as it’s bin day.I didn’t relish taking the bags out as it was pouring down. Still, I waited until 7.00 am so I could be noisy.
It was a 2A 4C day. I heard the alarm at 7.00 am just before I took his coffee in. He got his first call as I did that. I tried telling him he’s need to dig the car out but it got no reaction. I went to the kitchen to collect the food recycling and on my way out gave my second call to remind him the coffee was going cold. “OK”, he said. I hoped he wouldn’t notice how close together the calls were. I took the recycling outside and put the bags at the end of the path, it had stopped raining at last. As I came beck in I called for the third time and heard the alarm go off for the second time. Surely that would be enough. I went outside to move the main bin to the end of the path and as I came back in could see Mike sitting up, but leaning to the side resting on his elbow. I thought he was looking at his tablet. After I’d washed my hands I noticed he was still in the same position and went in to pick up his dirty mug from last night, The fresh mug hadn’t been touched. He’d gone to sleep again. My fourth call to say his coffee was cold worked and he got up and took his coffee to the lounge. It’s hard work ensuring he gets out on time.
As I walked into the lounge I was greeted with Queen singing Liar from his phone. He quoted me every song title with lie and liar in he could think of. I just told him the snow had washed away in the time it took him to get up. I’m not sure I convinced him. In the end I managed to get him out of the house at 8.10 am which is worse than most Saturdays but will still get him there in time. It felt very strange not to be going out too. He said he’d see me about 8.00 pm this evening. I got dressed and returned to the mail. It took some concentration on some and I was so involved with one I shot out of my seat at the noise on the window behind me. It took a moment to realise it was my window cleaners at work. I’ve never seen them on a Saturday before. Not that they look any different today, just that I don’t think they work on a Saturday as a rule. Then it became strange because I’m sure they didn’t do every window and they never came round for payment.
At lunchtime I stopped to try a cottage pie from Lidl. It’s smell didn’t do much for me but when I tasted it, it was fine. I put the TV on afterwards but promptly fell asleep the minute the volume came on. Personally I think I’ve been snatched by aliens and brain altered as I’m sure I used to be able to finish a programme. Now I have problems starting one. I was out for an hour and I know it would have been longer if a double glazing salesman hadn’t chosen that moment to ring. If he could have sensed what I was thinking at that moment he wouldn’t have picked up a phone ever again. I worked through doing bits and bobs, checking facebook ( and finding three messages there ) and checking ebay. It kept me going if not busy. But at 5.00 pm I called a halt when I remembered my 2.00 pm tablet. Oops. I took the tablet and also swallowed a pre-food one. After a cigarette I indulged in two Cadbury’s little chocolate steamed puddings with two little servings of chocolate custard. Now I’m telling you this in confidence of course so I don’t want it spreading round. For clarification I will just add I loved then.
I’d gone through to do a little more work but found that I was keeping pretty much apace so I wasn’t stressed unlike most Saturdays. At 7.30 pm I went back for a break and put the TV on to one of the NCIS shows but must have nodded off and of course Mike chose that moment to walk back in and ask if that’s that’s how I’d spent my day while he was working.Of course I denied it as I could hardly admit that’s just what I had been up to. It was pretty amazing I’d even bothered to get dressed. He was pleased though that the work was pretty much up to date and I’d give him some company. I stayed there till about 10.00 pm and came out to make sure I was clear for doing the blog later. I was really feeling like a sandwich but thought I could do without. After that it was the only thing I could think about. Mike was watching episodes of 100 that he’s missed or I’d have gone through to try and take my mind of it. In the end I had to admit defeat and make myself a corned beef and beetroot sandwich and eat it in front of Mike probably making him hungry again too. Having eaten a small bread and butter pudding when he came in, he didn’t dare admit to it though. I came back through having washed up and started the blog as it was now gone 11.00 pm.
I wish you all a Wonderful new week and a Fantastic New Month.
Sunday. It’s ridiculous, bed at 1.00 am after finishing the blog and having a short read. Up again at 3.10 am. There was no doubting I was awake since I stubbed my toe nipping to the loo. I was able to take a gentle look at my post and see who’d read the blog and commented. Always a great part of my Sundays. I’m often surprised but always delighted at how kind people are. No screams of ” Go back to bed you boring old fart. Give up writing till you have something of interest to say.” By 5.45 I’d come over all of a do-da and needed to lie down. I slept until 07.25 am. Much refreshed I went through to the kitchen and turned the tank light on. I decided not to feed the little beggars as they hadn’t stopped me yesterday when they were fed by accident. After the shake, rattle and roll of meds I took my coffee through to continue with the mail. By 9.30 am I was able to get washed and dressed and I decided to make my bed. I was going to do Mike’s bed too but he’s away for long enough that I can take my time.
You’ve never seen such a poor performance in your life. I managed to strip the bed without too much hassle. A little heavy breathing maybe but that’s normal for a bedroom they tell me. Getting clean pillowslips on was also easy but getting the sheet on tired me. Getting the duvet cover on was an utter disaster though. I almost ended up inside it and after having succeeded it took over half an hour for my breathing to come back under control. I wonder if I burnt off any calories. I sat down in front of the computer to relax and keep the post up to date and that’s where my nieces found me at 10.45 am when they arrived. I gave them some little gifts and also their Easter Eggs as I won’t see them next weekend. Karen borrowed the computer to check her emails as her laptop has gone to the great byte ground in the sky. By the time she’ done I had my shoes on and was ready to go.
What a journey.Karen was driving and asked me if I knew the way as she’d forgotten. I said yrs, I could direct her. She wanted to go the part of the route she knew but I don’t know how to get there from that direction. All the time we’re deciding how we’re going to get there we’re actually driving and getting near to missing the way I knew. In the end I was made chief guide and directed Karen to an exit off the expressway. We were approaching Chester when Karen mentioned perhaps parking in town so we didn’t have to walk from Yvonne’s with my bed chest. We settled on that and proceeded to go round a big roundabout to go back on ourselves. We found with my disabled badge we could park for free in the law courts and so parked there. Then we realised Yvonne was expecting us and we tried to ring her to tell her to meet us in town.Neither Jo nor myself could get through. We also realised that the walk from the Law Courts was just as long as the walk from Yvonne’s and we’ gained nothing. I kept stopping to breathe which made it a long journey and as Jo still couldn’t get her I rang and left a message on Yvonne’s phone. She rang back a few minutes later and we arranged to meet. We were well on the way by now but Yvonne and pram still arrived when we did.
Dinner was in a pub chain and rather than try to get the lift activated to get upstairs we carried the trolley down 8 steps to the basement level. The meal was OK though nothing to write home about. Standard pub fare. We’d finished and were jut leaving when Ugo arrived but he wouldn’t stay for a meal and drink on his own so he had a soft drink while pushing Reuben round a clothes shop. What joy for him.Luckily the torture didn’t last too long. We all went to Cafe Nero for a drink ( Frappe for me) but Yvonne ordered cakes as well and I ended up with a wedge of chocolate Fudge cake. I really tried hard to fight against having it but I couldn’t see it go to waste. The girls had to share an extra cake as Karen is sworn off cake for Lent. We gathered outside on the pavement when we’d finished and looked like a protest group. It was time to say goodbye to Yvonne, Ugo and Reuben as we were heading off to a Supermarket before they closed. We mad it but not by much and all three managed to get what we needed.
The girls dropped me off at home and Karen put my shopping away for me. Then they had to leave. It was 4.30 pm and I felt quite alone. I came through to answer the mail I’d missed being out and was done by 6.00 when I went to have my tea and watch a Jennifer Aniston film Marley and Me before Endeavour came on. I watched that till 10.00 pm. I ‘ve been here ever since catching up and doing the post. Sorry I’ve kept you all up so late. I’ll try and do better tomorrow. It’s 12.10 and I’m off to bed sulking because I forgot to look at ebay earlier on.
Monday. I’m not going to mention what time I got up this morning but it was at least ten minutes before I went to bed. There was plenty of time to take it easy doing the post and because of that I did it wearing my headphones and had a music-fest all my own. I moved back and forth between the years and actually had a little Michael Jackson session running through some of the great songs he did. No matter what you think of the person it would be hard to deny he earned his title as Prince of Pop and amazed us with his many changes of song type. He was a humanitarian and an environmentalist …. I’m currently listening to Earth song and it was one that moved me greatly. Anyhoo I decided that I’d give you a few records this week as I’m going along and will try to be chronologically faithful, but don’t hold your collective breaths as I don’t want to be the world’s biggest mass murderer.
I did my tablets about 8.00 am, saw to the fish ‘pause'( sorry, it’s Buggles with Video killed the Radio Star) OK, then got washed and dressed. I returned to the mail but with one eye on the clock ( I was praying it wouldn’t roll off as I haven’t swept the carpet) as I wanted to go to the chemist with a repeat prescription. When this one is returned it will have the extra tablets to control this peak in my glucose levels. Heck it’s almost Easter I need them under control before eating all my eggs. (The Knack – My Sherona). The journey was swift. I wore a new hoodie so I could travel incognito. People said it would have worked better if I hadn’t worn one of my waistcoats on top- DRAT. It had rained overnight but the sun was shining brightly. Still a bit cool but if that’s as far as it goes with the threatened wintery blast before the heat wave I’ll be happy.
I returned to the mail and typically my short sojourn outside meant another 3 sacks had been delivered. It kept me going until almost 11.30am when with a sigh of relief I broke for lunch. Today I had a cottage pie and two buttered baps. ( Sorry, It’s Mister Mister with Broken Wings now). It’s possibly the warmth of the meal that brought on the tiredness but I had almost 2 hours in my chair before I had to gird myself up ( it’s not rude honest) for battle with the mail bag again. In truth can you imagine how boring my days would be without the personal messages from friends, the comments on my blog to answer or being able to share the blogs of others and try to make rude comments as Anonymous. Actually the blogs I read have my emotions up and down so often I’m newly engaged to a venetian blind. The world is full of idiots and evil where women and children can be traded as commodities, where life is so cheap and profit matters more than what we do to he planet and to animals. For instance I was reading about palm oil. Doesn’t sound important does it and yet great swathes of forest are being destroyed to plant palm trees for oil. Many of your Easter eggs will contain some but it’s a profit thing for the makers and does nothing for flavour. We don’t need palm oil as there are plenty of substitutes which can be used and which don’t need to have the Earth denuded of forests to get them. If you can buy Easter Eggs that don’t contain palm oil please do before another tree is knocked down to provide it thus losing all the species like orang-utans which are killed in the process. Many thanks to Chris at the Story Reading Ape for this……………… http://thestoryreadingapeblog.com/2014/04/14/spare-an-orang-utan-guv/
At tea time 5.30 pm I wasn’t on my best behaviour and had 2 small chocolate puds with custard then settled to watch my Law and Order. I must have blinked towards the end because suddenly it was NCIS and about half way though. I stayed to see if I could make sense of it and gave up when the end came.Whoever the black hat was they didn’t get him for a change. I decided to call it a night and have an early night myself so back to work on the posts. I hope you enjoy the music interludes and forgive the fact I have no real news to share.
Tuesday. The coughing got to me last night. If I could have I’d have stamped out of the room and gone to sleep on the couch, but this is one of those coughs that follows you. Anyway, I was probably in the best room not to disturb any neighbours. I tried lying down, I tried sitting upright- which isn’t too difficult when you have 5 pillows and I even tried a drink of milk. That’s my concession towards health foods for this month. At some point I obviously dropped off and this time I wasn’t sitting on the edge of the bed. I woke at 4.35 am and started on my mail before I even remembered I wanted a wee. After adjusting myself I popped to the kitchen for a couple of aspirin and notice a few snails on the glass of the tank. Right, action required. I went back to the computer and signed into ebay. Say hello to the two newest to be members of the household…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
These are my bumblebee assassin snails. I hope they’ve got a good appetite as I want them to get rid of the little breeders in my tank. Fortunately I checked, these are very slow breeders and when they run out of escargot for lunch they hoover up old food from the tank floor. I worked until 8.00 am and then turned on the tank light and fed the fish. I issued no warnings of what was to come. After taking my meds and making a coffee I went back to work for a while. By 9.30 I’d mopped up, even the two offers from ‘Hi you don’t know me , but’ women who had suggestions enough to put me on my back or at least in bed all day. I washed, dressed and went to get some stamps and some cough medicine. I called in at Pauline’s for next week’s TV magazine and, well, next weeks TV magazine. I came back and was disgusted to see that you lot have been shirking and I’d run out of excuses to leave the i***ing. I ended up doing my single bedding, a pair of jeans and four shirts plus one tee shirt. I found the tee shirt I’d put a picture on last week had not survived well so after leaving that implement to cool down and putting the board away, I went back to ebay and ordered some Fruit of the Loom teeshirts at great prices and some new transfer sheets so Yvonne could have a go at making some as gifts. The reason mine didn’t fare well was because I didn’t press the transfer as I was supposed to.
After a lunch of lamb shank and mashed potatoes I studied the inside of my eyelids for some time and then watched a little TV. BY 2.15 pm I was wondering how the mail was and came through to check. I was working on it when there was a tap on the door, I didn’t turn it on though. I opened the door and there was my friend Dawn from the chemists with the items I’d requested yesterday. I passed her some chocs to share at work and took the drugs through. The bag seemed lighter than usual and when I checked prescription inside I had forgotten to order any of my sprays. I don’t know how I did this as I’ve taken to trying to order my drugs at about the same time as I did the previous month and I do this twice a month. At least I had the new drugs for the diabetes control. Ah well, I shall have to pay another visit there tomorrow- the third this week. This looking after yourself game isn’t all it’s cracked up to be.
I worked until 5.30 pm then had a ham sandwich and a yoghurt before watching my Law and Order. It’s getting bad when I’m watching repeats of repeats. At 8.00 pm I’d had enough and came through. Much more waiting for me this time. Causes to be followed, Petitions to be signed. arguments to be had. There’s an amazing young man called Kenneth using his weekends to travel round the US to sit in coffee bars to chat to anyone who wants to chat. Fellow bloggers. authors or just people who happen to be there. He’s creating a remarkable society of tolerance and understanding because people are relaxed and able to speak openly. Bonds appear to be forming, not just with Kenneth but with each other. Here’s his blog, and don’t let the heading put you off. http://culturemonk.com/2014/04/15/cocaine-jesus-hitchens-really/ . It’s been quite an interesting evening really but like all good things it must now come to an end. One last blast from the past for tonight.
Wednesday. 4.45 up and about and coughing. This linctus is lovely but fairly useless. By tomorrow I’ll be needing a different one, hope it tastes as good. It takes me back about 50 years and more to a time when one of the top cough medicines was called Owbridges. They also made Owbridges Pastilles which were fantastic for coughs, colds and just eating as sweets. I had many a packet before they realised they shouldn’t be eaten that way and withdrew them from sale. I wonder if they still do the mixture? I know it’s only Wednesday but I’m starting to feel boxed in even though I do enjoy keeping up to date with all my post. I’ve got cabin fever and it’s only 6.00 am. HELP!!!
As usual I work until 8.00 am then do the rounds, fish tank, meds coffee. Knowing I wanted to get the prescription request in early in the hopes of having the sprays tomorrow I got washed and dressed early. I still wasn’t up to date when I let the house at 9.05 am and walked up to the chemist. It didn’t take too long and the sunshine was wonderful. As I was approaching home I saw the post van pull up and Darren posted something through my door. I was anxious to see what had arrived so moved my legs a little faster. In amongst the larger stuff was a very small padded envelope which I opened excitedly. Inside were two small containers used for putting daily tablets out. Inside each one was a little ball of moss and a bumblebee snail, my assassins. I placed them in the tank straight away and then read a not which said they could take up to 48 hours to move. That should be fun when I’m leaving feedback. It was odd. I’d seen both drift down but I could only see one.Maybe their colouring is good camouflage against the stones on the bottom of the tank. I watched for about 10 minutes but no movement.
I went back to working on my mail and every third one was back to being dodgy messages from banks plus one firm who have credited me £310 for my work and they’re desperate to pay me. Very kind of them. This kept me going until 11.10 am when I decided to go through to the lounge. One piece of mail from earlier proved to be the tee shirt transfer sheets for Yvonne. They were quick, and I also had a nice Easter card from friends. There was an epic on TV, The Fall of the Roman Empire so I sat down for a laugh since the history is barely acknowledged. But there was some good acting here and there. When the film ended at 2.15 pm I had a quick update of post and then went back to my chair and slept for an hour. When I woke up I heard someone outside say “I’m glad he’s stopped using that buzzsaw.” It was back to coughing again so they’d have something else to moan about but who cares, I have my honey and lemon linctus. I rushed through the messages and was back in the lounge for 5.15 pm ready for my visitors. I put a quiz on as they usually arrive for the last bit and try a few questions. Tonight the traffic must have been bad as they didn’t arrive until it was ending. Probably just as well as the last set of questions were on the Spice Girls.
As I made drinks Dil set up the table for Scrabble. I wish he hadn’t bothered. Nothing I did was right. It was a slaughter and I went from second place in the first game to third place in the second game. Thank heavens we don’t play a third. I’m actually a good player but I met my match and my Waterloo tonight. As I made the second drinks the cards came out and Matt prepared a score sheet for Nomination whist. OMG, I barely got out of double figures. Again I was third. I knew at that point exactly what my record of the night was going to be. But, before you enjoy my discomfiture let me say that by sheer luck and some prestidigitation with the pen I won Crazy 8’s.
They left at 9.30 pm giving me chance to tidy up, wash the post and take my night time drugs. I came through to finish up on my mail while listening to some music and then concentrate on the blog. Time to say Goodnight and go for a short read.
Thursday. I got to lie in until 4.50 am today , trouble is , last time I looked at the clock before going to sleep it was almost 2.00 am. Some noisy beggar with a cough was keeping me awake. By the time I’d had a wee or six then washed my hands it was 5.00 am and time to start on the emails. And what a lot there were this morning. You’d been a busy bunch overnight. Especially Dear Kitty-Some Blog http://dearkitty1.wordpress.com/ who always has such fascinating content it would be more than rude not to read it. My problem is that often they’re very emotive and drive me to comment or in some cases to want to create a blog on the subject myself. I had a message to let me know I won 3000 Euros compliments of Microsoft which is lovely. They said they’ll write to me so I’ll wait and see since they don’t have my address and couldn’t tell me how or why I’d won it. I think the con artists are dredging the bottom of a very deep barrel now.
At 7.30 I went through to deal with the fish and sort my tablets for the next week. It often takes quite a while to get them all into their little compartments. I never include the diabetic ones as I have some in my pockets for meals out and the rest in front of where I plate up at home so I shouldn’t forget then. Today is the first day for doubling up on one of those so I have to remember to take it 15 minutes before eating…..or 30 seconds if I forget. I must remember to take two in to take after the meal and if you ask me, I think they make a pretty poor pudding. I took my coffee through to continue with the mail but decided to get dressed first because I wanted to go out about 9.00 am. I choose that time so I’m usually back before the postman gets here. Today we arrive back at the same time and I was able to relieve him of a parcel of tee-shirts for Yvonne. She still doesn’t know it but they’re so she can create some gifts with Reuben’s pictures on for various family members. I checked them , pinched one for myself and put the others aside for when I see her next….by which time she’ll probably have read this post and there’l be no surprise.
At 11.00 am I’d finished and went through to the lounge where despite coughing enough to wake the dead, I fell asleep. It was strange as I could hear music, one of my favorites in fact and it was the late realisation that it was my phone that woke me. Naturally it was in the bedroom just as sitting here now I realise it’s in the lounge. The phone said 3 calls missed from Yvonne. Oops. A message came that she’s spoken to a doctor at the surgery and he’d checked my file out and was faxing a prescription to the chemist for some new antibiotics, some boob enhancing steroids and some medicine. She wasn’t sure the chemist would be able to deliver so could I pick it up. I know she doesn’t want me in hospital this year so she’s organised this and I’d better do as I’m told if I don’t want to be in hospital this year- she has a mean right hook. I got my shoes on and strolled up to the chemist. It’s fairly dull now and the wind is chilly. I wonder if the forecast of weekend rain is right, Ha, of course it is it’s a British bank holiday. There was a bit of a queue a bit of a wait and then Zaq the chemist called me over. I’m to take two of these antibiotics straight away with a pint of water and with food, then take one a day with the same rules. Won’t that be fun. 6 steroids to be taken at the same time every day and this mixture which taste of rotting sweet apples. It’s Ugh!!!! But my honey and lemon has run out now.
I wandered in and out of the computer mailroom until it was time for my programme. At 8.30 pm after watching the new Big Bang, BAZINGA, I went back again to catch up before Person of Interest at 10..00 pm. Of course when that finished I had o leg it to finish the mail and get to the blog.
So I leave you with this…..
Friday. I wasn’t sure today about writing the blog as I haven’t much to be proud of. I got up early as always, did mail, saw to fish..erm No actually, I’ve just realised I didn’t see to the fish then or later. If there’s no blog tomorrow you’ll know they got me….erm no you won’t as you won’t be reading the blog at all.I shall have to rely on my daughter to post something to describe the hideous condition in which I was found after the fish have done with me. I did remember to take my meds including the steroids and the new antibiotic, I even had some cornflakes so the antibiotic was OK though I didn’t have a pint of water. Having breakfast meant I could take the diabetic drugs early and be able to leave tea out today. I segued straight into the coffee routine and took it back to the pit to continue working. Being a bank holiday so many people were off and able to send mail or post blogs instead of spending that time with the family and in the case of the UK out in the sunshine while it lasts which isn’t long if the forecasters are right this time.
I knew I should get washed and dressed so I had shower and put on some clean clothes. I made the excuse of not going out because my hair was damp but if I’m honest that wasn’t the reason. I couldn’t face it, not even the corner shop. here would be so many people out and about and I didn’t want to see them. Still, the hair was a good excuse for a while. I was fortunate that no-one came to the door. The chemist was shut so I’m saved delivery of my sprays until Tuesday. I bought baps yesterday so I had two at lunch time. I had a bag of crisps with them and for pudding…I’m taking the fifth. Having my second lot of tabs meant I don’t have to face a third meal.
One of my favorite groups of all time and what fun I’m having listening to them.
I spent the afternoon alternating between the TV, nodding off and keeping the mail as up to date as possible. I try very hard not to respond to posts that offend me when it all comes down to just a difference of opinion, unless that difference is over something like the mistreatment of others. I have lost ‘friends’ before over the subject of the Health Reforms in America because I thought they sounded good at first and only sounded bad after they’d been watered down so much in the Senate. Now to me it sounds the same as before, a dream scenario for Insurance Companies. I honestly thought if anyone could have made a success of a free Health Service it would have been the US. For a long time I’ve thought they don’t really care about the people over there and half the senate are in the pay of the NRA or Monsanto. They’d forgotten who they work for. Imagine my delight today when I hear that one state has passed a law that any food made from GMO crops must be labelled. Then I hear that a group of women ‘Concerned Women’ are complaining because the President spoke to Uganda about the law that says homosexuals will be jailed for life. They see nothing wrong with that law at all.
I had a text from Yvonne that Ugo wants to bring his Mother and her partner round on Sunday. I’ve met her twice and him only once. He seems a nice chap but it seems he asks after me whenever he speaks to Ugo. That’s very kind of him. Anyway, I knew his Mother was coming and I’ve bought some chocolates for her but I’d nothing for Dale of course. I think that means I’m going out in the morning. I watched Law and Order, Special Victims Unit and decided to call it a day. More mail, more music and the blog. See you tomorrow I hope.
Saturday. I didn’t rise from the pit today until 4.50 am. That’s piggin’ typical when I decided last night I must go out. I know full well that much as I love Pauline’s she won’t have the kind of thing I want. So, I did as much of the mail as I could then saw to the fish at 6.30 am…and YES, I really did see to them today and made sure they got fed to make up for yesterdays debacle. I had my sprays, chomped through some cornflakes and took the 1001 tablets of the morning regime then too a coffee back to my room to have as I got dressed. I needed to be ready to leave the house at 7.30 am and gave myself no time to think about it. I made it and walked up to the bus stop. It’s early so obviously few people will be about and I don’t have to speak while I use my bus pass, just nod and smile at the conductor. There are only two other people there and so far apart as to be as antisocial as me. It was a short ride to town and again, all I had to do was press the bell as we approached my stop. I’ve only been on the damned thing fr 5 minutes and I can’ wait to get away from ‘the crowds.’ The Supermarket is open but also quite empty. Brilliant. I go to the cash machine and as the cash comes out shout “I won”. Then I grab a trolley and take a slow walk round. I do the slalom course round the shelf stackers cages and mark myself full points for not hitting any obstacles, despite one of them dropping a strawberry under my wheels. He must have bet on another driver. First stop flowers for Julia’s vases then my baps, hmm, nice and fresh, good date I’ll take two packets. Next stop cakes ( Honestly Andrea, it’s for the visitors not me…unless they leave some behind). Then milk. So that’s necessities taken care of that I could have got down the road but I’m here for a purpose of course. Still, no rush is there, so I buy a meal, some yoghurts, crisps, ( I completely bypass the freezer with ice lollies and BFG’s) and get a packet of biscuits and then some diet pop for me. Well, it could be three weeks before I can get out again. Finally I arrive at the chocolate aisle and get two blocks of special chocolate much more likely to appeal to a man that an Easter egg. Lastly round the corner to the beer aisle where I buy a bottle of Welsh beer for Dale and Ugo.
By now my trolley, which initially I used for support is getting quite full. So I head for the till knowing life is about to get awkward as I can’t do self service now. I’m so pleased, though still shaking, that the cashier s a young lady Ju and I used to see a lot and the two of them chatted together. She smiles at me but doesn’t make my life more difficult with chatter. Instead She asks If I need help packing and If I need bags. A nod and smile on both counts. My trip for chocolate came to £50.00 and I got a voucher for £5 off my next shop of £40.00 or more. What’s that saying about hell and ice? Anyhoo, there was no-one behind me and I asked her if she’d use the freefone to call me a cab ( please don’t insert your own jokes here). She did, and with a grateful smile I rolled the trolley outside in the hopes that the damp I could feel on my legs was sweat and in the hopes that no-one stuck a drinks mixer in my hands to shake the martinis. I put the bags by the kerb, dropped off the trolley and lit a cigarette. I was even allowed to finish it before the taxi arrived. ” For David” he said and picked my bags up like they weighed nothing and dropped them in the boot. I had no choice but to proffer my address or we could have been rolling about all morning. We arrived very quickly and the driver carried my bags to the steps. The cash transaction plus a suitable tip was soon done and I was able to go in and unpack. After that was done I put the fresh flowers out and wished I’d chosen more. It’s annoying that they’re nice flowers but quite expensive for small bunches there. They did look nice though.
It’s not 9.30 am yet so I go back to the computer and start on the mail again. I’m doing OK.
A little pause for thought borrowed from my good friends C.J. and Mousie http://morguemouse.com/2014/04/18/heres-a-jellybean/
It was about 10.30 am when I heard my phone go. It was Yvonne. She said she and Ugo had been hoping to spend some time with me on Monday after his Mum had gone home. Now they were arriving by coach today and as Ugo didn’t have to go to Birmingham to collect them would it be OK if they spent some time with me today instead. I asked whether this was instead of tomorrow too but no, that visit is still on. Yvonne said she needed an ALDI shop and would I like to go? I wasn’t going to text back and say I’ve been to a supermarket as that would have meant a lot of texts so I said Yes please but I don’t need anything. Well, they arrived about 11.45 am to collect me and off we went. It turns out Ugo’s young nephew is coming too and of course I haven’t got anything for him so I’m going to a supermarket aren’t I? I see more flowers and get two nice bunches for Ju and some for Yvonne, I see books for Reuben, a jumper for Ugo. I get Ugo’s chocolate fudge cake and find an old favorite of mine too a strawberry and rhubarb flan with a crumble top. Well you have to don’t you. The nothing I wanted in this place cost another £30.00. I dread to think what Yvonne’s was from the number of times she said “It would have been at least £150.00 in another supermarket” but her trolley was laden. From there we went to another shop, why? Well she needed tissues and I didn’t want to ask why she hadn’t got them where we’d just been. Anyway, she also found some shelves for her cousin’s birthday. I bought some wine ( not for me) and since we’d decided to lunch in the Ivy I had to get some sweets and some small chocolate Easter Bunnies for all the girls there. The ovely Helen ( AKA Crazy Cat Lady) has been keeping in touch by tweets so I know they’re missing their sweets though she does say she’s missing Mike and I too. I’ve been saying all week I’m missing my meals and my friends there.
As we drew up at the Ivy, Tariq was coming round the side of the building. We waved an he looked genuinely pleased to see me. In all fairness, he’s such a nice man he’s genuinely pleased to see everyone. He walked us indoors and said he’s preparing the outside play area now ready for the season. He never stops working. He took the order for drinks and left us a minute to decide on food and Yvonne fed Reuben. I passes the sweets etc over to dear Angie who then brought a big hug round the counter. C’mon be fair, of course I love it. It’s the nearest I get to a woman these days. Tariq took the food order then leaned down to talk to Reuben. He loves kids and it looks like the feeling is mutual. We had a wonderful meal and I got out the money to pay so I could go out for a smoke. Tariq approached before I could get up to ask if I was in a mad hurry. I answered “Not if you don’t need me to be”, so quick, just like that. He asked me to do him a favour to which I agreed straight away…I’ll never learn, though I did make him take the payment for the food first. We had to undergo the usual ten minute argument about getting it cheaper- like nothing, or a bit cheaper-like half or just bloody take it and put the change in the tips!! The favour was to let him do something for me. Eh?? “He never lets me do anything for him” he complained to Yvonne/Ugo.He wanted to take a photograph of myself with Reuben and frame it or put it on canvas. I agreed on the proviso that I’d let him take the picture if he let me pay for the framing. An argument for another day he said. He must have taken a dozen shots which pleased Reuben no end. One in particular stood out for me and I do look forward to seeing it when done.
We left and came home where I was able to give Yvonne the transfer paper and T-shirts I got this week. I’m sure I can bring her round to the idea, but Just in case, I told Ugo to make her do it. My beard was a mess and my hair not much better so Ugo cut my hair ( sorry Bro) and then Yvonne attacked my eyebrows with glee. I really am having a problem teaching her that you close the blades fully and cut the hair, not partially close them, drag the hair out then close the blades. Because of their visitors arrival they had to leave. It was magic for me to see them and spend time like that. I may not see Yvonne tomorrow because of a space in the car problem now the nephew is coming. He’s a lovely young lad though so maybe he’ll offer me support tomorrow.
I went straight back to the computer for 2 hours then had a couple of hours break cleaning loos, sinks and dusting tables. A little bit of inconsequential TV and then at 9.00 am back here for a last blast. I’m going to finish with a great song tonight even though I’m not a massive country fan, this one is great.
barsetshirediaries 