Jigsaw Gift &The Return of the Prodigal

Sunday 10th April

I put my book down at 1.15 am and lights out. It was a while before I slept and when I did it wasn’t for long as I was awake again at 1.47 am. I don’t think it was for too long. The day began again at 5.24 am. I went straight to the kitchen for my meds but couldn’t face breakfast this morning though I bet it might have been different had bacon been on offer. Maybe I should go and see if Pauline has a small pack this morning. I’d finished with the meds and made my coffee by 4.45 am so I put the washing machine on and brought the coffee back to my room. Once I started with the mail time just ran away with me and I only remembered about the washer at 7.00 am so I had to go and put the drying cycle on. That was going to take three hours. I’d have to see if I could remember it at 10.00 am. I finished the first wave of mail at 9.35 am and took a break to change Joey’s seed and water. I stayed there for a while in the hopes of nodding off but I suppose the thought of Jade turning up and me missing the doorbell put the mockers on that idea. At 10.00 am I watched a programme asking if Shakespeare was ahead by touting equality for women in his characters, black guys can be good and not slaves and other forward thinking in his plays. This was compared to the bible and whether it promoted the same or whether all the characters in the bible are one sided and uninteresting. Not my usual fare but some good points were raised. At 11.00 am I came back to work in case more mail had come (it had). I worked until 11.50 am then went to see to lunch. Today a pre-done roast beef dinner from Tescos. Not bad but maybe ASDA have the edge on meat quantity.

At 1.00 pm I returned to work again. I was still living in hopes of Jade coming and giving me a hand with the bed at that stage. There was plenty of work coming through but as Jade hadn’t come ( and my will to live was rapidly disappearing) I decided I wanted to see a film at 2.30 pm. The film finished at 4.20 am and I’d been so distracted I hadn’t noticed the deadline for Jade had come and gone. A surprise is no phone call of apology for letting me down or of hampering any plans I wanted to make. I wonder if I’m just accepting girls who are too young, who don’t yet have a work ethic, but then again they’re the only ones who seem to be advertising. I wonder if she’ll text about coming this week? I am paying over the odds so she may not want to lose the money and to be fair she isn’t overworked here. Anyway, I came through after the film ended and worked on post until 5.15 pm. Then it was time for tea. I had a corned beef and pickled beetroot bap and some chineapple punks to follow. That’s part f my five a month taken care of.      I want to say that I sat there watching TV until 9.00 pm. I want to but I can’t. I watched something unmemorable (Rango??) early on until about 6.30 pm then turned over to watch Snow White and the Huntsman. I don’t know why as I missed about an hour of it when the Zzzz’s were flying overhead. When I woke it was quite dark (poor Joey) but at least we hadn’t had the final battle scenes. I put the light on and watched the rest including the killing of the Queen and the new coronation of Snow White. It’s lucky I knew the storyline.

I turned the TV off and went to take my meds. As I came back through Joey had gone into his cage so I was able to wish him goodnight and turn the light off again even though I felt I owed him some light time. My work was awaiting me, and what a lot there was. That took me until 10.45 pm and before I started the blog I got undressed. I don’t have any mirrors in here in case I catch a glimpse and know I need an iron. Before I got into my night attire I tried the trousers and waistcoat I bought last Tuesday. What? Of course you remember, the Prince of Wales check I told you about. I thought to wear them tomorrow to show Yvonne if it isn’t pouring down. They fitted fine so I spent two hours removing labels and unstitching the waistcoat pockets. Then at last I was able to start the blog. It will be done by 11.30 pm or at least before I’m due out in the morning.

The Happy Reader

Pops’s little Beauty.

This is for all my Australian friends with thanks for the great music

Monday 11th April.

You should never tempt fate in case one of the small gods is listening, and if they are it might be Somnos. He has less a sense of humour than a sense of spite. I;m never sure what the lesson is I’m supposed to have learned at the end of it and it’s no use asking because he hasn’t either.                                                                                                                                  I was in bed at 11.40 pm with one greased leg outside the covers for a while. I stopped reading and put my light out at 12.29 am. I couldn’t sleep and my mind was racing with thoughts of Ju and Yvonne. I turned the light back on at 1.48 am and had a cigarette to calm myself. The light went off again at 1.57 am. I saw 2.02 am roll past and must have slept…….until 4.01 am when I got up. I knew then I was looking forward to the bus journey when I might nod off again.                                                                                                               After my usual Olympic Triple Jump I signed onto me post box and started on the mail. I was doing quite well when I stopped at 5.00 am to take my meds and have some breakfast which today was a toasted bap. It was while I was leaning on the food counter eating that I looked at the kitchen windowsill and realised I hadn’t done Ju’s flowers from the new ones I’d bought on Friday. I brought her vase in so I wouldn’t forget. Once breakfast was over I put all the old flowers in the sink and sorted the dead from the live. Then I snipped all the old ones and put them back in the vase. I had two bunches of new ones, one of which was the same carnations that I already had in the vase so I just opened those out into a vase on the kitchen windowsill. The bunch of mixed flowers I arranged among the old ones until it looked artistic enough. Fresh water and some flower food then I put them back where they belong in the lounge.

I took my coffee and returned to work. I was done with the mail by 6.30 am apart from odd ones coming in. I wouldn’t touch the flood as I’d be almost ready to leave for the bus stop then. I’d be wearing my jeans after all as it was bucketing down outside. I got dressed. As time went on I left the house and half way to the bust stop the rain ceased. How typical is that. The bus was a few minutes early so I put my cigarette out and got aboard. The bus sat there for five minutes before moving off again. I can see a pattern emerging for today. The journey was at least restful.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     In Chester we were a couple of minutes early and there was no sign of Yvonne so I lit a cigarette and walked to meet them, hiding behind a column when I saw them coming so I  could say ‘BOO’ to Roobs. It was good he reacted with a smile. Things looked up for me a bit when I was successful at finding a gift for my great nephew’s birthday and was able to get a tee-shirt for Roobs and a little dress and cardie for Amelie from the same place. No arguments from Yvonne. Wow!! We went over to our usual shop for coffee an I was able to hold Amelie. Poor little lamb is still coughing though the doctor says she’s OK. She hasn’t slept well either but it doesn’t seem to have changed her happy nature. While Yvonne fed her I had a little look round and picked up a couple of nice cushions, a single bed set and then some shoes for Ami that Yvonne found and I snatched off her. I know it’s rude to snatch but it’s the only way to win an argument with her.

A Wander down the street because Yvonne wanted some things for the changes she’s having in her kitchen. Washing up bowl,plate drainer, cutlery holder etc and Roobs wanted a toy crocodile. I managed to hand cash over to the young assistant while she saw me confiscate Yvonne’s credit card. Winner again.YES!!  I shut my ears and started to hum then. Amelie was coughing again and I agreed it was worrying so Yvonne spoke to the doctor and made an appointment for this afternoon. We visited a last shop when I managed to find a leather belt in the sale and a pair of braces (suspenders) and I think another tee-shirt for Roobs. Then it was time to walk to the bus stop again. I had a nice journey home but didn’t sleep, probably the excitement at being so successful this morning. I managed to call in on Pauline on the way home then went home to have some lunch.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             After lunch I had to walk to the chemist’s to hand in my repeat prescription request and on the way back I saw Bert by his door. He indicated a parcel had arrived for me. When I got it home I opened it to find the gift I’d chosen for Jo’s birthday in a million pieces so had to start trying to get hold of the seller . I took photographs to send and that meant messing about with batteries in two cameras before I managed it, then having to connect a multi usb port to the computer so I could link a card reader to that. I did that and linked a report. Later on they responded they’d try to get another to me. It looks like I don’t have to post the pieces back to them as it wasn’t insured anyway. I hope they’re able to do it as I think it’s the perfect gift for her.

Finally I was able to start on the mail. It was about 2.00 pm. I had to work through until 5.00 pm to break the back of it and I’m ashamed to say there were ones I just deleted today rather than deal with them. I had a message from Yvonne that the doctor had sent them to the pediatrician who is keeping Ami in overnight. They say she has brochiolitis (which I’ve never heard of) with a reflux problem. I hope they manage to fix things quickly and it doesn’t lead to asthma later like her Dad.                                                At 5.00 pm I broke off to watch my Cold Case. I was there till 9.30 pm tonight as I fell asleep at the start of Sanctuary. Joey kindly woke me up nattering, probably to tell me it was his bedtime and I was snoring or something. I took my meds and came through. It was 10.51 pm when I finished the mail. Or at least what had come through till then. There may be more by now. It’s 11.40 pm and I’ve nearly done here so should I go to bed or check to see id there’s more mail to do? Hmmm, quandry.

Feeding squiggles

I shouldn’t watch horror stories before bed.

Tuesday 12th April.

12.05 am into bed after dealing with a little more mail. I read until almost 1.00 am and turned the light out. Sleep wasn’t far away. I woke this morning convinced it was 6.05 am but I was either telling a lie or living in Hope. Since Hope is a village in Wrexham and the saying goes, Live in Hope , Die in Caergwrle  which is the village next door, I preferred the lie. Ir was actually 3.26 am. I  started on the mail and had a couple from Yvonne to show she’d not getting much sleep in hospital with Amelie. Am has had 2 coughing fits and one big reflux vomit which have all been missed because she isn’t hooked up to any monitors. Here’s hoping they do something right and get to the bottom of this.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 At 4.30 am I went through to take my meds and have breakfast. VEGETARIANS PLEASE LOOK AWAY NOW AND KEEP THINKING CORNFLAKES.  It’s been on my mind so much lately and I’ve seen so many cruel blogs mention it, that yesterday I bought a packet of bacon. Knowing I had it made the need much greater and this morning I had two bacon baps for breakfast. An even worse confession……..I wasn’t even enjoying them and almost gave up after one, but the last few mouthfulls did it, they restored my faith, well that and tomato sauce. I returned to work, complete with smirk at 5.01 am. I was done with the first batch by 5.55 am. I went to sit in the lounge for a while.

When I returned at 7.00 am there were just a baker’s dozen to be done. By 7.15 am that was up by 100. I made the scream as silent as possible though I know my right hand neighbour is currently in hospital, I didn’t want Bert to wake up and be jealous I had a girl in here. I got stuck in. Poor Joey , I’d opened his cage but not stayed with him and he was creating decibels of grumbling. Still, I carried on and worked until 9.56 am then left the rest and went through. He shut up for all of 30 seconds when I arrived then started with the recriminations about giving him time. I put HUtH on and thought that might soothe him. Not one iota. He went on and on and on right up until I left the room again at 11.00 am and that finally shut him up because he hadn’t finished. I finished the work that I’d left and most if the new mail before I put my shoes on at 11.40 am for the second part of the promise to myself. The Chippy for some curry sauce.                                                                                                                                                                                              Disaster struck. I took my pre-foodies and dashed to the chippy.Sausage, chips, mushy peas and curry sauce all safe in my bag. Another dash home before the 15 minutes is up where I have to eat. I just about made it. Chips out on plate, add sausages, add mushy peas, add cur….What! This is gravy Gahhh. Don’t get me wrong I like gravy but if I wanted that I could do it at home. It wasn’t a very happy meal with me chunnering away on one side of the room and Joey chunnering away on the other. To add insult to injury, Bargain Hunt was presented by the one so called expert I really can’t warm too. He’s annoying to the N’th degree and I haven’t met a fan yet. I wasn’t keen but I really went off him when he broke something in someone’s shop on The Road Trip and tried to hide it……..in front of millions of watchers!!

Before 1.00 pm I’d had enough of my lunch and of the presented so I went to put the rest of my chips in the food recycling bin and then washed up. I took my two post-food tabs and came back through to my room until 2.15 pm when I’ll either see the Dr Blake mystery or sleep through it. I made it in time for Dr Blake though it’s one I’ve seen before and I didn’t sleep through it. Nor did I sleep through the Indian Doctor. At 3.45 pm I was back on another catch up mission till 5.00 pm and found out that they might let Amelie out of hospital this evening as the x-ray is clear and the blood tests aren’t conclusive as they keep coagulating. Now it seems though that they think she has whooping cough which is news to me as there’s none of the distinctive sound at all, and she’s been innoculated against it. Anyway I disappeared at 5.00 pm for my usual shows…and I slept through none of them…… and came back to my emails to find that they’ve released her from hospital and told Yvonne to carry on with what she’s doing and that if there’s still reflux and no weight gain she’ll have to wean her. They’re to go back in 6-8 weeks for a check to see if her weight has gained (Amelie’s not Yvonne’s). I can’t really tell how happy Yvonne is (except to be home again) but I know it leaves me a little confused

Back to the plot.For some reason there was a lot of mail at 9.00 pm and it’s not like I’ve ignored any worse than usual. I ignore all equally. It was 10.47 before I was straight again. Then on to the blog with the bad news that I’ve run out of photographs and Yvonne hasn’t had chance to take more yet. Make this one last.

Almost fluorescent.

This is special

This is your Music.

Wednesday 13th April.

Bed 11.45 pm.Light out 12.30 am as I thought I was ready for sleep. When I slept there was a minor hiccup at 2.18 am which was over quickly. I slept until 3.36 am without another problem. A quick hop to the loo and I was back in my chair ready to do battle with the mail like I’dd never been away. At 4.40 am  I’d dealt with the 22 that were there and decided it was time for meds and breakfast.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    When I came back after my cornflakes there was fresh mail waiting which took me till 6.25 am so I nipped to my chair in the lounge and got my head down while I’d a chance. Like an infernal alarm clock Joey woke me at 7.30 am so I let him out and came back to work. The floodgates had opened. I worked till 10.00 pm when I’d almost done and went to watch HUtH. I had a text from Jade to say she’d be here at 12.30 pm.                                                                                                                                                                                                    I returned to the labour at 11.00 pm and worked until 11.45 pm when I went to feed myself on a minced beef hotpot with a buttered bap and a Rolo pudding for afters. It took a while to do after I’d taken the pre-foodies but I was still in time to see Bargain Hunt from the start. Annoyingly I was still there to see Bargain Hunt at the end too.

I came back to work. About 1.15 pm though Jade arrived with her young stepson in tow. First she helped me make the bed I’d been fretting about then I left her to carry on with the lounge while I occupied myself with the thoughts of all my friends. All I can say is, Stop thinking so much will you, or at least stop writing it down. If you must write it down, write slower as I can’t read very fast. I could hear Jade getting on with the cleaning in the background, the hum of the hoover and the swish of the mop on the kitchen floor. Heavens, such descriptiveness, I should write a novel. When she’d finished I still had a few messages to do but nothing to worry about. I went through to pay her and also to give him a little something for his help. I know he carried polish and dusters for her. As soon as they left I was settled in my chair to watch The Indian Doctor. I was there until 4.00 pm which hopefully gave me enough time to finish whatever messages there were before Dil’s arrival. I just about made it for 4.30 pm and got through  to the kitchen just as he arrived. I was making his tea as he entered the lounge.                                                                                                                                                                                                   We nattered a while about our weekends and he told me his fitness regime had now lost him a stone and 5 pounds. He has a watch on his wrist that counts his steps- he has to do 10,000 a day Tells him how many calories he’s burned off so he can be sure to eat less that that amount during the day. It can tell him how many sets of stairs he’s climbed. It’s really quite amazing, but it can’t wash the pots. Anyhoo, Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is appears to have replaced one programme and I didn’t realise it until I turned on for our quiz. I must be sure to try and see that tomorrow.

After the quiz was over the TV went off and the Yahtzee came out. That bit of lead I poured into the dice last week is working, the bandages didn’t get in the way too much. The first set finished 3-3 but the second set was 4-2 in my favour. I forgot the weighted dice would work for him as well. That went away and we both made a bolt for the loo, I don’t know why as the key works perfectly well. Out came the Trivial Pursuits. What a chase. Dil landed on the segment questions and got 3 in short order. I could answer questions but not get on the important ones. Before too long I caught up and then took the lead to 4-3, 5-3, 5-4 and 6-4. While Dil struggled to get his last two pieces I struggled to reach the middle. If I needed a 2 I got a 3 always I went straight over the middle. I actually got there when Dil had earned his last two pieces. Naturally he asked me a sports question which I wasn’t going to get. Dil worked his way round trying to get to the middle and he actually got there before I managed my second visit. He didn’t get the question right though and had to leave with a curse. I didn’t get my second question in the middle right either. He had a horrible smug grin on his face as he landed there again. Time was getting on so I didn’t go for the worst question on the card. He answered it and won. Reasonably honours even again.

After I’d said Good riddance bye and Dil had gone, I tidied up, washed the pots and closed Joey’s cage. Wishing him goodnight I came through to start work again. The mail took me to 10.40 pm then I was able to start the blog. It’s going to be about an hour in total so I can get some sleep before MuJo tomorrow.

Ambition.

Terrible miming but a fantastic song and a film everyone should be made to watch.

Thursday 14th April.

In bed by 11.45 pm and light off at 12.30 am. I stopped reading when I realised I was happily reading the same paragraphs more than once. Sleep wasn’t too long in coming once the light went off and I turned on my side. Up time was 3.58 am so quite a reasonable night. There were a few false starts at the Triple Jump Olympic pee trials this morning so it was a few hours minutes before I got to log on. While the mail was loading I went to my bank and checked the pension had gone in. Next week I shall be checking on my private pension and seeing if that’s increased so I can notify the housing benefit people again and the Council Tax. I think all benefits will probably end from then. It’s strange that so often the only way I know  about an increase in my private pension is when I get it  rather than be notified in advance. That always means when I notify the relevant bodies and the increase is processed it creates an overpayment. Whereas if I knew in advance, I could get the notifications in before an overpayment happens and just adjust my payments. Some years there have been no increases so there’s no problem.

Once I’d finished with my banking I signed out and started work on the morning mail. At 5.00 am I broke off to take my meds and have breakfast. I was also able to set the washing machine going with yesterday’s bedding. I’m so glad I don’t I*on ( I can’t bring myself to swear) it as that pile is getting ever higher. I may have to raise the roof soon. There was a fair bit of mail, a lot of which had links to other blogs I needed to check out but I didn’t feel under pressure and in fact had caught up by 6.15 am. I tried laying on the bed and seeing if I could manage a little more sleep. It worked, I was there till 7.05 am. Then as I was working on the post some fool opened the floodgates and I was stuck at my desk until 9.32 am before I could go empty the washing machine. Once I’d emptied the machine I flitted up to the chemist and asked of they could deliver my drugs last thing because I’d be out with my visitors. They know which side of their chocolates are buttered and said No Problem. I had my lottery done at Pauline’s and was still home before HUtH. I only got half way through it today before MuJo arrived.

I went to see to drinks while Joey told them off for talking while he was interrupting. We had a good natter about what’s been happening in the fortnight since we’ve seen each other. Muriel loved her books but John really loved the canvas I’d had done of him in his black robe, he looks positively sinister and he loves it. We went out at 11.30 am and headed to Holywell so Muriel could go to the Post Office, it gave John the chance to visit the three charity shops he likes so much and as usual he came out with a couple of things. We went into the chippy which was pretty empty for a market day but it meant quick service and I finally got my curry sauce. Muriel managed to snaffle the bill this time by colluding with the waitress. After lunch we headed off to Flint. We hit two places for Mu to do some shopping before going to the retail park and having a coffee at Temptations. At least I got to pay there. I handed over the chocolates to Ceri and Sian and Ceri asked when Mike would be back. I had a text to say he was home and would see me tomorrow night after he’d been to Manchester to see his Dad. Ceri isn’t usually in on a Saturday morning these days so won’t see him anyway.                                                  We went off to B&M where John got some plastic flowers he wanted and I found a blue poppy design throw which I want to try on my settee with the two beautiful blue cushions I bought in Chester on Monday last. What, you’ve forgotten already?

It was gone 4.00 pm before we headed home and I was a bit worried about my drugs but it was OK, Pete came about 4.45 pm which was perfect. I’d found a note through the door to say a delivery had been left next door so I went to ask Bert about it and left MuJo being told off again by Joey. Bert didn’t seem to be in, but as I closed the door at home the bell rang and there he was. They were two small parcels and both for John’s birthday so not the replacement head (intact) I’d been hoping for. MuJo left me about 5.00 pm. I made a sandwich then watched the last few minutes of PYMWYMI before going to my Cold Case, (awake) Without a Trace (awake) and SG1 (I saw the first 15 minutes). When I woke it was 10 minutes into Sanctuary so I just turned off knowing there was a lot of work waiting for me after my outing. It took me from 8.20 pm after my meds until 10.50 pm to reach any semblance of order so that I could start the blog. I’ll either carry on with mail afterwards or finish it tomorrow morning. The worst news in my post is that Amelie is back in hospital again having spent last night throwing up again. This time she’s being fed on a drip to give her some nutrients to stop weight loss and to prevent dehydration. I think they’re treating it more seriously this time. I feel sorry for Yvonne if it’s another overnight stay as there’s no sleep to be had on a ward like that unless you’re a baby.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         To cheer myself up here are two pics Yvonne sent me of when she was OK. I just love this face.

Gorgeous.

Gorgeous at play.

For Fun…..

Music….

Friday 15th April. The Prodigal’s return.

Well, nice and easy last night. I stopped work at midnight regardless of what post there was and went straight to bed. I read until 1.05 am so I could finish a third chapter. My brain wasn’t too unkind and I managed to sleep right through to 4.29 am. I must have been really tired. I started on the mail as soon as I’d been to the Piddle Palace then broke off at 5.15 am so I could take my meds and prepare next weeks lot in the empty boxes. I also had some breakfast then returned to my room ready to carry on at 6.00 am. From about 6.30 am I spent time cropping a photograph that was taken some years ago on a good camera that didn’t have a lot of megapixels going for it. It’s a very rare thing to have a photo of MuJo together so I was using the old one but trying to get rid of so much background to concentrate on them. I was worried that two crops would mean they couldn’t do a canvas so I’ve submitted the end result to them to find out before placing an order. I’ve been pleased with what I’ve had from this firm so far. I’ll wait and see what they have to say.

The new mail started coming in as I was working so even though I suddenly felt like a kip I carried on until clear at 9.18 am. I ran from the room to make sure Joey was OK and thought I’d stay a while in case he needed me. cough. I actually stayed until HUtH was finished at 11.00 am before running through towards my room. I didn’t get further than the front door because at that moment the bell rang and I could see the postman’s coat. Yay, a parcel. And that was it, a parcel singular, not what I’d expected or hoped for today. I thanked him and came through to open it, I knew it wasn’t the replacement head which was just as well because I could hear movement. It was a window washer and all was well. Feeling a bit uninspired I sat at the computer preparing to beat out my masterpiece of such biting wit when the doorbell went again. This time it was the postman from the post van , not the foot soldier and I knew he had in his arms just what I wanted. I shook it gently but heard and felt nothing so signed my name and brought it in to open. It’s a bugger trying to use scissors with your fingers crossed. It was in one piece so I packed it away safely until I can wrap it.                                                        It was now almost 11.30 am and I’d done nothing. I started work but had to finish at 11.55 am to go and start peeling my potatoes for lunch. Bangers, mash and beans today and I just managed to finish preparing them before the goods went to the auction on Bargain Hunt. The first thing I see when I turn on is Charles Hanson, I swear he’s haunting me now, on so many shows, and presenting it again today. I’ll have to start giving it a miss.

At 1.00 pm I returned to work and just managed to bring myself up to date by 2.25 pm. Relieved I took a break and found The Indian Doctor was on, a double bill  so I enjoyed myself. Between 4.00 pm and 5.00 pm I got my head down and finished the fresh mail so I was free for the evening and the promised return of the prodigal. The message came at 5.40 pm ‘On my way Bro’. I thought it would take him till about 6.30 pm if the Friday night traffic wasn’t too bad. At 6.30 pm during the adverts in Without a Trace I put sugar and coffee in his mug an set the kettle to boil. SG1 had started at 7.00 pm before he finally arrived wearing his striped blazer like he was on holiday or something, in our climate too. Naturally he was talking ten to the dozen. Worse than Joey he was. At 8.00 pm we watched Celebrity Mastermind before I went for a shower. But he came to wash my hair like old times before I washed which made my life so much easier. Much less chance of an angina attack.                                                                                  After the shower I went back through to the lounge and watched Have I Got News For You with him before coming through to work. Plenty of emails waiting for me then. It was 11.15 pm before I was clear. Fast typing gibberish on the keyboard means bed will be about midnight with luck. I think I’m on target for that if I can find a good song tonight.

No photos of the kids today as Yvonne and Amelie were in hospital again last night and a good bit of today. But they let her out this afternoon again as she must be breathing a bit easier. Yvonne has been told though not to hesitate to go back if she feels things aren’t any better. I hope that’s not going to happen.                                                                         So, I’m going to share a picture with you of Julia an the day she was a very excited Mummy at our daughter’s wedding.

The embodiment of pride and excitement.

Saturday 16th April.

Bed 12.05 am, lights out 12.55 am Zzzzzz to 3.56 am. Is the condensed version, but I’m happy with that. A swift skip to the loo and at 4.05 am U was signing into the mail. Makes you wonder what life would be like if I actually lived it.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   I worked until 5.00 am then broke off for breakfast and meds .When I returned about 5.30 am there had only been another 6 delivered so with what was there I was free at 6.15 am to do the food bin and the recycling bags. Easy-peasy lemon squeezy.                                                                                                                                                                                                   Before Mike had gone to bed last night he’d asked me what time he was to get up. To be fair, I’ve never specified a time, he just knows I like to shop early away from the crowds. This time I just answered “When you get up” because  I’ve no idea what jet lag does to a body. This could be dangerous as you can tell from what time he often rises on a Sunday, heck, it could even be Sunday before he gets up. All I can do is prepare his mug and take a coffee through as and when his alarm rings.

Mike dragged himself out of bed at 6.30 am and with a bit of effort was ready to leave at 7.10 am. I’d done all the rubbish by then and was raring to go. When we arrived it was just like we’d been there before, him trolley, me cash machine. I picked flowers for Ju and then we had a look at the sale where I picked up a sweet little outfit for Amelie. Roobs wasn’t so lucky this time. After w e’d finished there Mike put the shopping in the car. He’d mentioned last night needing a set of shelving, freestanding and solid as his wall wouldn’t take the weight of shelves attached to it. I asked whether he’s checked Argos and he said yes but he didn’t like what they had. He had a specific type in mind. So, leaving there we headed for the new store The Range, no joy. The same at B&M and then Charlies. Mike suggested a second hand place close by and on our way to Temptations. No joy there either. When we reached Flint I suggested we have a look in a Trade place for builders etc but nothing doing. We went to Temptations so he could let them know he was back and use that as an excuse for a quick grope. I don’t know how he gets away with it…..but he does. Ceri was amazed I didn’t order a teasted toecake for him but little did she know he’d had a huge breakfast bap in The Range.

Coming out I just checked again whether he’d been to Argos and he admitted he hadn’t but thought they wouldn’t have it. I marched him there Toot Sweet ( what a linguist) and we checked the catalogue. I found what I thought he wanted and it was. And the price wasn’t bad either. Even better when we typed the number to see if they had one in stock it was a third off ( No missus, all the shelves were there, I meant the price) a full £13 off. No hesitation he bought it. Feeling greatly relieved we went to lunch at the CookHouse in Prestatyn. The sun was shining and there was a little warmth in it so quite a few people were eating in the garden, most managed to ignore the little tinge of blue to their skin. Mike and I sat inside to make sure the food didn’t run away before we got ours. The meal was lovely and the meat as tender as usual. When we came out Mike commented I should now get rid of the red cushions (my contrast) from the settee now the throw is blue and there are two dark blue cushions. Being close to a shop I’ve used before I begrudgingly bought four lighter blue ones, two for the settee and one each for the armchairs. Now he says he doesn’t like the feel of the cushion behind him. When I suggested another place for it he moved out of reach.

We came home and once the shopping was away and Bert had been with my parcels (more canvases) I was able to come and work. I did from 2.00 pm to 5.30 pm then went and joined Mike for a break. I had another little stint between 8.00 pm – 9.00 pm when there was nothing within the range of my patience on TV. I know some very funny naturally funny people ( Mike is one) and many write blogs. Chris, the story reading ape is one and like me, many of my friends follow him. But fairly recently I cam across a gem of a man with impeccable timing. Some of you will know him and follow him but for anyone who doesn’t please allow me to introduce you to Bun Karyudo                             on https://bunkaryudo.wordpress.com/2016/04/16/pockets-hugs-and-the-onset-of-spring/    enjoy!                                                                                                                                                When I went back to the lounge at 9.00 pm Mike had put a film on which looked interesting enough for me to stay around so I did . When it finished at 10.00 pm I shut Joey’s cage, took my meds and came through for the rest of the night. Mike stayed put until 11.00 pm then came through to say goodnight.It was about that time I started the blog and I’m fast approaching the end of it now. I’ll be in bed around midnight I think.

Poorly Granddaughter

Sympathetic Grandson

Scrooge is alive and Well & Dongle Dismay

Sunday 6th March

I was in bed at 12.17 am last night and my light out for about 12.45 am due to being tired. I hate being deprived of my power naps and sulk so much you could rest a cuppa on my bottom lip. Wake up time was 4.36 am but I didn’t feel begrudging. Maybe I’ll get double the power naps today. After the inevitable skip to the loo (my darling) I started work on the mail. At 5.15 am I broke off to take meds and make a coffee to bring back then returned in the hope of clearing all before 6.10 am. I finished my last post at 6.08 am. Of course my break was only for two minutes before it all had to start again. I just carried on and was clear at 8.55 am for a while. I’d just stood up to go to the lounge and see Joey when I heard Mike’s alarm go off. I was shocked. Joey got his cage door open but I had to go and put the kettle on.

I took a drink through just as the second alarm sounded. A few burbling sounds greeted me and I knew he wouldn’t be up in a hurry. It was 9.30 am with the last bit of his alarm ringing in his ears. By that time I’d almost snuggled down in my chair and nodded off but he wasn’t having that. I left him in the lounge with his coffee while I went for a shave and to get dressed. We were out of the house a little after 10.30 am and on our way to the Greyhound Retail Park in Chester. We had a good look round the shops for a console table or something similar to hold the heads he bought yesterday but nothing seemed to please him. We both ended up buying another head each, me a very slim Buddha’s head and Mike a skull with inscriptions all over it. Gruesome but intriguing.                                                                                                                                                                        Dinner looked like it would be a problem as Prestatyn is in the opposite direction to where we were. I din’t want a pizza place again and wasn’t keen on going to Frankie  and Benny’s. I suppose we could have gone a short distance into the city for a pub meal but we settled on a cafe inside ASDA. Mike was really taken with the coffee.

Afterwards I suggested a look round one more shop for ideas if nothing else. It was remarkable, all the time wasted earlier and I take him there. He picked up a box of three children’s wall cubes down from £15 to £5 and decided they’d be perfect ( Scrooge). A head on each. From now on I’m going to plan the route and then cross off everything except the last. We came home again and I leaned against the front door (the inside or I’d have fallen over) and refused to let him go until he’d done the flowers. I stuck around till they were done then threw him out. He was intending to listen to his team play as he drove home. I was able to start work. It was 4.00 pm.

I worked until 6.00 pm then went and made some tea. I remained with Joey through Beowulf and then The Midwife but gave up at 9.00 pm and came to start again. That took me until just gone 10.30 pm when I was able to at least start the blog. It should be an early night hallelujah.

It wasn’t me!

Monday 7th March.

My early night was so much wishful thinking thanks to a late flurry of mail, but I suppose 11.55 pm counts. It was just gone midnight before I slid between the sheets and I use that word advisedly since I’d just slathered my legs in gunk. I enjoyed a read despite thinking I’d be too tired for that and the light went out at 12.48 am. Even then it was a while before I could sleep as I had to find cold spots for my legs to help stop the itching. I woke this morning at 4.53 am.                                                                                                A quick hop, step and jump to the loo and then to the kitchen to take my meds. I didn’t bother with breakfast as I wanted a run at my mail first. I brought a coffee back and signed in. There was more mail than I expected with friends still commenting on Saturday night’s blog post.  I got stuck in but couldn’t clear them all before the new day’s mail burst into being.

At 7.30 pm Joey was tweeting again without even using a computer. The mornings are much lighter for him now. I opened the cage and returned to work. At 8.45 am I went to start the washing machine, something I should have remembered to do when I first went to the kitchen. When I came back I worked until 9.20 am to finally get up to date. Time to go to Pauline’s. There was quite a queue in the shop but I wasn’t in a rush. When I got to the counter I expected conversation about the weather but it was actually about chips with curry sauce.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 The tumble drier went on when I returned as the wash cycle had finished. I did that then went to Mike’s room and put the box with the computer on the bed and carefully unpacked it. There was a little table there which I set up close to the plug. Lee said I should check it before he comes to be sure I have no problems with the seller. I didn’t have time to do it just then as the warden-Bev- arrived earlier than usual. She stayed for a good half an hour chatting before going off to meet a social worker.

Joey came out and landed on the mirror (as always) and started tap-tapping his beak against the beak of the impertinent bird the other side of the glass. I took the opportunity to bring his cage down to floor level so I could remove the base totally and take it through to the kitchen for cleaning. Before that I had cleaned all the detritus off the objects under the place he often sits in the cage. With the base replaced and fresh sand paper added I put the cage back and went to pick up a fruit and honey seed stick for him as I’d run out of seed bells. He didn’t even seem too bothered as I replaced the cage right under where he was sitting. At 11.00 am I went through to set up the computer to test it. An older desk top base and a slightly newer monitor but the necessary cables were there so despite problems I managed to put it together. The most awkward problem I could see if that there were just two USB slots. With the mouse and keyboard in place I’ll have problems. The printer should be OK I hope as I don’t think that’s USB but my webcam will be and so will my speakers I think. Now I think about it, I don’t recall a place for my headphones either. Still, these are minor crises that can be overcome. Since there isn’t a slot to read memory cards I’ll need a USB for a card reader too. Ebay here I come.

At 12.15 pm, assured that everything was working OK  I broke off to watch Bargain Hunt. Before it started I grabbed my pre-food tablets. As the start of the show isn’t (to me) as important as the finish I was able to put my meal in the microwave and empty the drier, putting everything on the airer. I dashed through once the microwave binged me and got my meal to eat in front of the TV. I didn’t miss any of the auction nor one team making £135 profit on one item. An antiques show and the best profit is on an item made from  resin!                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     At 1.00 pm  I turned the TV off much to Joey’s disgust and came through here adding to his disgust and his squawking displeasure. There was plenty to do which also included a visit to Ebay as I’d promised myself. I was spoiled for choice.                                                                                                                                                                                                           At 3.00 pm I started playing yo-yo by going back to the TV for  A Place in the Country  until 3.45 pm then back here until my regular departure at 4.30 pm. The cycle then proceeded as usual, Flog It, Cold Case and Without a Trace until 7.00 pm and then new to this channel for me Stargate. The only problem has been that I saw the start of Without a Trace then nodded off until halfway through Stargate. Two programmes where I couldn’t follow the storyline.

At 9.00 pm I reminded Joey it was bedtime and like a good lad he went into his cage. I wandered through to the kitchen and took my meds with my eyes roaming everywhere for something to chomp on. I wasn’t hungry, just a greedy pig. In the end I had nothing as my willpower shone through. Lights out I came through to work knowing there would be a good bit to catch up on. Who cares, sleep is overrated anyway.

That crockledile is ready for those fingers. Any mo’ now.

Note, I wore a more conservative yellow for St. David’s Day.

  Sorry,it’s the best version I can find.

Tuesday 8th March.

Bed was around 11.30 pm and of course I had to read for a while. Two chapters of this one took me more or less to 12.25 am and lights out. I didn’t have much wriggling last night as I’d read with my whole body out of the covers and my legs were col. Some nights it’s just too nippy to do that. I was up at 3.09 am this morning so had time to clear a few items of mail before having to leave for Chester. I had my fingers crossed for a nice day as most of yesterday had been. Bright but with a crispness in the air. I’m fed up of the damp now.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               Once the triple jump to the Kingdom of Karsie was done I came back and logged on. There was plenty of mail and I had a good start with it. I did break off at 4.00 am though to go and get my meds and have breakfast. Indecisive as ever I couldn’t settle on either cereal or toast so my wonderful diabetic intuition told me Both. The cereal was Rice Krispies ( come on Kellog’s, I’m doing product adverts for you here). Things were going well Having had a spoonful of cereal I went for the toast next bu dropped it from a height. Somebody’s law (Murphy’s?) dictated where it had to land and moments later it looked like I had facial boils, including my glasses. Oliver Cromwell and his ‘ Paint me, boils and all’ would have been proud. I looked like a plague victim and so did the surrounding work surface. Fortunately for me I didn’t have to have reconstructive surgery (though many say I should) nor even go round with a sterile needle.

It was about 4.45 am when I returned to the computer which I thought should have come awake a lot quicker given that it had slept longer than me. I continued with the mail and was clear at 5.35 am though stragglers kept coming in. I opened up Ebay and started looking for coz presents ( here’s a present coz I love you). Sometimes it’s nice instead of an egg at Easter. Hm, sometimes it’s nice as well as an egg at Easter.I had a message from Lee who said he was surprised I could only find 2 USB ports on the new computer since it’s standard to have more. Knowing I’d ordered the hub with 4 on I didn’t worry too much but something made me go and take another look. First off, there are two USB ports on the front of the base which is magic for putting my card reader on, but on the back I found 4 more (I think) apart from the two I’m using. How the heck did I miss 6 ports like that? Tomorrow night it should all be up and running and I don’t mind admitting I’m nervous. I almost tried to persuade Lee to put Windows 7 on the existing computer and I’d carry on with it for now, perhaps update the memory and the HDD at a later date. What surprises me is how blase he is about the change. He reckons 10 minutes to download the files I want to the slave HDD and then just attaching that to the new one and uploading them. It will take a while but doesn’t need my attention. The thing I want most at the moment is my SKYPE back.

At 7.20 am I got my coat on and made ready to leave. I opened Joey’s cage so he had freedom while I was out, closed the lounge door and left. I’d put on a sports jacket because it looked quite nice but of course it started raining half way up the hill. I tried to speed up, I may be shrink proof but I’m not sure about the clothes. Two other buses stopped to see if I wanted to get on but I waited for mine who was almost back to the old time of 7.45 am. The journey was OK except I had to keep trying to do a Whoopi Goldberg and get the traffic lights to change. There were delays with roadworks. Somehow we were only about 3 minutes later than usual. I thanked the driver and got off. They were waiting for me in the bus shelter as it was raining in Chester too.                                                                                                                                                                                       There was a big grin off Reuben and a lovely hug from Yvonne. Amelie snored gently in her pram. We headed for an old shop in new premises to get out of the rain. It was very nice, a lot more stock and very roomy. Once we’d had a good look round and Reuben had a new toy we left to go for coffee. He really showed his displeasure when we bypassed a toy shop he wanted to go in even though Yvonne said we could go there after a drink. Heavens, Reuben can throw a better tantrum than me when he doesn’t get his own way. Take me out of a shop when I’m looking and watch me perform.

We had our coffee and I had hold of Amelie who’d woken up. She wanted her breakfast too. When it came to feeding time Roobs was watching something on Yvonne’s phone and she was obviously otherwise engaged, I said I’d take a walk. Now you have to be fair here. I found some nice bedding in the sale but didn’t buy it. However, I walked round the gents section and came out with a shirt and 3 jumpers for less than 20 quid. It’s not my fault, If Amelie didn’t want feeding and if Yvonne didn’t give in to her, I wouldn’t have been alone and seen this stuff. Yvonne looked very surprised when I returned with my bag and said t was time to go. I didn’t admonish her as I’m a very generous chap.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      We moved on to the shop Reuben had wanted before and I found a book there for emergencies. He got another toy. Again we moved on, this time to the Grosvenor Precinct which is the main shopping centre on Chester. I managed to get something nice for Amelie and some lovely long gloves Yvonne liked as well as a watch for Ugo. Then it was time to go for my bus. I was on time and had a decent journey home. I called into Pauline’s and for some reason bought 3 scratch cards. When I got home and had a tongue lashing from you know who, I took my pre-foodies and set a chips and curry sauce on. It’s a new make and the timings are very different. It has more chips and more sauce and the latter has a very fruity genuine curry taste though still very mild. I enjoyed it. Once lunch was over I couldn’t go to sleep so came through to see what the damage was.

I worked from 1.30 pm  to 5.00 pm before having a break. I hadn’t caught up. I had my programmes from 5.00 pm until 9.00 pm before coming back to have another go. More had come through since the world never sleeps. It kept me going until 10.40 pm until I was clear and able to start the blog. It’s a midnight finish.

At Betws y Coed

Also at Betws y Coed

Wednesday 9th March

I made it to bed at 11.50 pm  and read until about 12.30 am when I put my light out. Falling asleep wasn’t a problem, staying asleep was though. I’d fall asleep for to or three minutes and was then awake again. That must have happened 5 times. Eventually I fell asleep and stayed that way until 4.18 am when I woke properly and ready to face the new day. Well almost. First the Piddle Palace and then the kitchen where I took my meds including my pre-foodies and then had breakfast, a toasted bap today with strawberry jam. I came back to start work coffee in hand. I worked until about 5.00 am when Microsoft informed me it was closing down for updates. I told it to postpone for 4 hours and threw myself into the mail. After about 20 minutes it suddenly closed down. I hate that happening. Luckily when it came back it brought the appropriate pages where I’d been back up again.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      I started again and finished at 6.05 am. I sat in my chair head back, relaxing. Not enough to nod off though. Eventually the new lot came. 14 at first and I thought all would be OK. I’d only done 2 when it jumped to 33, to 64 and thence to 97. I just kept going and had to fight the urge to nod off, especially as I relaxed and burned my hand on a cigarette I was holding in the other hand. 9.42 am showed on the clock before I finally finished. Joey was delighted.

I did watch HUtH with Joey but as he yattered all the way through it I’m beginning to think he doesn’t care about the programme, just about me being in there suffering earache. Some gratitude that is. At 11.00 am I returned to work and wondered why I hadn’t heard from Jade who assured me last week that it would be Wednesday this week. Mind you, she did say that the week before as well. At 11.45 am I was clear again and went for lunch. I took my pre-foodies then went to the chippie. I’d just got back when Jade sent me a text to say either 3.00 pm today or 2.00 pm tomorrow, she’d let me know within the hour. By 3.30 pm it was pretty clear to an intellect as sharp as mine that she wasn’t coming today. A fair chance she wasn’t letting me know either. Fine, next week I’ll work on ESP alone maybe.                                                                                     I kept the mail down as much as possible all afternoon and only stopped at 4.00 pm when I wanted to be handy if Dil came. He turned up at 4.30 pm so I made him a cup of tea and we chatted. At 5.15 pm we watched out quiz but Lee turned up at 5.25 pm. He and I deserted to look at the computer. I thought all was going to go well now and that Lee would show me how to get the files I wanted onto the slave drive and then I could bring the new one through and transfer the files. I think there must be a new small god I haven’t met yet. My computer wasn’t recognising the slave drive. Lee spent as long as he could trying to find out why not and see whether the problem lay with the computer or the drive. Typically it’s the computer. Quite a major glitch if something has crawled into the woodwork on the back of something else.                                                  He decided the way forward was to put the files I want onto discs and so he showed me drag and drop. That seemed to work. I did one disc and thought I’d try the transfer when it finished. He looked at my skype problem and said just download it as new on the new computer as it’s a bad problem on the current one preventing it. By 6.30 pm he had to go, understandably as he’s been at work all day.

I left all computer related stuff and rejoined Dil for our games. Is there by any chance a small god of the dice too? In the first Yahtzee run I lost 4-2. Not too bothered I started the second run hopeful and won the first two lines, then we had our first ever draw and he won 2 lines. I was determined the last one would be mine. I can still hear the mocking laughter. A disaster. And so, out came the Trivial Pursuit. I was able to answer questions no problem as long as I wasn’t on the square that won me a coloured piece of pie. Dil just romped away. He had 5 pieces in before I got my third. I almost grovelled at his feet when it was time to go and he said “We’ll have to call this a draw” or this would have been the worst day in a long time. Once he’d gone I had a very quick tidy up then washed the pots. I came through and got the disc which I took through to the new computer. I managed to open it no problem but couldn’t find a way of downloading the files. It was quite hard in Mike’s room as I have no computer table in there. OK, forget the files, let’s see if we can solve the Skype problem. I opened the Google Chrome button but it said there was no internet. WHAT !!? I came back here and sure enough the internet is live. On the new one it said no internet detected, none available to connect to. I haven’t an ethernet cable and if I had it’s too far to the box. I think I need to call a professional in to sort it and pay through the nose. Sobbing and chewing a cushion to drown the noise I gave up and came back through to see to the mail. It took until 11.08 pm to clear the last of that and start the blog. Midnight is going to be touch and go.

Scared at the cinema but Roobs is OK.

Looking out for l’il sister.

Thursday 10th March.

Well, midnight came and went and I got to bed at 12.28 am. I read until 1.15 am or until my eyes were ready to close so I didn’t even finish the chapter.  It was another of those nights where I slept for a couple of minutes then woke again as though I’d heard something, I hadn’t.  I woke at 2.28 am as though it was time to get up but I fought back. Eventually I slept again as I knew I would. I woke at 5.12 am and it was getting up time and not in  the delicious sense that means you have a partner still. I did the triple jump to Pee Hall and came back to log on. I was part way through a response to a message when without warning, Grrrr, Microsoft decided to provide some updates. My computer closed down and not a thing I could do about it. That really annoys me. Sometimes I get warning and can postpone things but not today.                                            I headed for the kitchen and took all my meds then made a coffee to bring back. When I got here the screen was waiting for me to log back in. It was 6.15 am and going back to the net I found I’d lost all the response I’d made to the message I’d been reading and had to start again. Worse still of course was that my mailbox was filling with the daily deluge.

At 9.15 am it was time for Pauline’s for my bread and lottery tickets. I walked back with Margaret, one of my neighbours, and we nattered all the way back.I have no idea  what we spoke about so it may have been talking for talking’s sake. So much for my inner calm this morning. At home I managed a few more messages before deserting and going to watch HUtH on TV. The postman brought my USB hub during the programme. I won’t tell you what Joey did on one of his bombing missions. Suffice it to say I hope it’s lucky and that his pocket money will be stopped to pay the cleaning bill. At 11.00 am I returned to work and stayed until 11.57 am when the box was finally cleared. Now time for lunch. I peeled the sweet potato, put the sausages under the grill and when they were due to be turned put the sweet potatoes in the microwave for 7 minutes. I’d just finished plating up when I found myself glancing at my pre-foodies which I’d forgotten to take. No way was I waiting for 15 minutes so I settled on 15 seconds today. I enjoyed my meal and at least remembered to take the two after meal tablets.

At 2.30 pm I received a text saying Jade had been asked to cover for sickness and would be here on Saturday instead. I explained I’m not in on a Saturday but I’d see her next week. She promised Wednesday 100%. I told her I’m keeping the text handy. I spent the next hour online trying to find out which end of the feather duster I hold, it only took so long as I found a few novel ways and enjoyed them. I plugged the end of the hoover wire into the wall but no noise issued forth nor did it pick up anything from my carpet even though I tested it with a plate of biscuit crumbs. I started to put it away and found a little switch on the wall which I clicked. No, still no noise but the music from the radio was nice. I had to take a brush to the crumbs in the end but even though it was specified as a crumb brush it took forever. I need help or at the very least written survival for a single man instructions.

Crumb brush and tray, late Victorian Art Nouveau.

I alternated the afternoon between bouts of working while sobbing uncontrollably at the unfairness of it all and joining Joey for a bit of leisurely TV watching.I the end when I’d vented my frustration on all you in the unreal world, I stayed with TV starting at 5.00 pm with my Cold Case. It was good but I can’t say the same for Without a Trace as I only saw the first ten minutes and fell asleep. The last five minutes at the end made no sense as I made tea in the kitchen instead. Mike had sent a text at 5.00 pm to say he was on his way so I expected him about 7.30 pm. I was watching Star Gate when he sent another text at 7.30 pm to see if I wanted anything from the chippy. My hand acted independently from my brain and sent ‘No thanks’.  He arrived at 7.50 pm and I had to sit here watching him fill his face. It almost made me miss the beginning of Sanctuary. At 9.00 pm I said I was coming through and I waited for him to complain, he must have known I’d stick my arm down his throat as he didn’t say a word.

He went to bed about 10.45 pm and I nipped through to tell him about the scratch cards (which I see I forgot to mention to you). Each card had 4 lines on. On the first card I had one line winning £2 on the second card I had a line of £1, another of £1 one of £2 and the last was again £1. On the third card I won nothing. Can you imagine it, taking my money under false pretences like that. Mike pointed out I’d won £7 for a £3 outlay as though that made a difference, and where was his share. At that point I remembered the bread baking in the oven and had to run. I was done with mail at 10.57 pm and able to start the blog. I’ve assured my fingers of a rest at midnight.

Time for sleepy byes.

The gardener to be….

Divine.

Friday 11th March.

Midnight it was. I crawled into bed and read for slightly more than an hour then lights off and settle down. I must have slept fairly quickly which was good.  I woke up at 2.18 am. I knew there was more sleep to come but first I needed to scratch the skin off my leg then apply some cream  which stung. Not exactly the way the treatment plan was supposed to go but it works for me. I had a cigarette, hobbled to the loo and back then settled down again at 2.30 am and tried to ignore the itching. When I woke properly this morning at 4.43 am I saw that I’d better put a dressing on my leg. I found some steroid cream to hold the dressing on while I taped it , crossed my fingers and hoped for the best. It was itching again before 5.00 pm as I walked towards the kitchen but with a display of will power I ignored it…..for a minute.

I took my drugs, then being Friday I needed to replenish the drug tray. I got my drawer from the lounge and started to stock up, marking the repeat prescription with things I needed again next week. It’s ready to go to the chemist on Monday. Once done, I set the Tassimo to make my coffee, returned the drugs drawer to it’s home, disposed of all the empty packaging and was back just as my coffee was ready. I came back to the bedroom and signed on. It only took until 6.07 am to clear the existing mail. Time for a breather. A short breather by necessity as within minutes the box was filling up again.                                                                                                                                              By 9.20 am I was free to go see to Joey. He’d been very quiet so far which was strange. No admonishment for leaving him locked up in daylight. He was still subdued as I opened his door and as I sat in my chair talking to him, and before you say it,Yes, he could get a word in edgewise. All I could wonder is whether it was the sound of a drill from next door upsetting him, but it wasn’t loud. I put Frasier on the TV. At about 9.40 am Mike emerged from his pit and went straight to the kitchen to make a drink. Up at that time with no alarm, I wondered if it was the end times. You know, the Mayan calendar not having made an allowance for leap years all those centuries ago.

At 10.00 am HUtH came on but Joey still kept quiet. Mike didn’t though, he chose that time to go into a very detailed explanation of something and I almost missed a property in Tonypandy. Joey came out and sat on the mirror and did a headbanging spectacular with his oppo in the mirror. Ah, maybe it’s concussion keeping him quiet. After the programme I returned to work and Mike went to get dressed and go off to Manchester and his father. Margaret who I’d talked with yesterday called round with details of one of the computer repair shops in he area. I’d meantime found another one much closer but my emails were being bounced back. Maybe I’ll have to deal with the one in town. I worked until 11.50 am then went to start seeing to lunch. I actually remembered to take my tablets 15 minutes before I’d eat today. I ate very quickly so none of you would see what I was eating (again) then sat watching Bargain Hunt. Joey never made a peep. I fell asleep in my chair ( the next one who says ‘How unusual’ in a voice dripping with sarcasm is in trouble) until 2.03 pm when yet again I returned to work.

Messages consumed me until 4.30 pm when I knocked off till late evening. A few minutes of Flog it before my Cold Case came on. Mike sent a text about 7.00 pm to say he was on his way.I saw my Without a Trace peacefully and also Star Gate. I was watching the semi final of Mastermind when he arrived.  He sat and watched with me as he likes quizzes as much as I do. At 8.30 pm I went to get a shower. Instead of having a coffee Mike was there to wash my hair to try and prevent more angina attacks this week. After that, I watched half an hour of football with him then disappeared to work. The mail was clear before 10.30 pm and I was able to start the blog. Woo Hoo, it’s an early night for me.

Erm’ has someone forgotten my seat belt?

Mummy said I could slip into something comfortable. I did, their bed!

Saturday 12th March.

Bed at 11.45 pm, read till 12.50 am light off. Sleep. Wake at 2.12 am. I decided just to class this as a trial run for the real thing so after a visit to the loo and a ciggie I got back into bed. I next woke at 4.41 am and this was the real thing. Bright eyes and bushy tailed are just two of the things that didn’t apply to me this morning. I got stuck into the mail until 5.30 am when I went and had some toast and my meds. I took a coffee back with me to carry on knocking the post out of the court but I knew I’d be defeated soon. At 6.10 am the mailbox was filling up nicely and at 6.15 am Mike’s alarm went off. I went to do his coffee and take it through to him. The usual grunt in reply and after 5 alarms he got up at 6.50 am. I’d done a bit more mail by then.

While he was perched in his chair with matchsticks holding his eyes pen I did the bins, household and food and took them outside. Once that was done I just had to wait for Mike. He came to move me along at 7.00 am. On our way out I met my other next door neighbour Dorothy who complained that despite living next door she never saw me. Mike suggested she count herself lucky. Dorothy could chat for Britain and rarely pauses for breath but he’s a delight and I didn’t want to be rude. Bert came along and gave me the excuse I needed. Mike complained that despite being dressed and ready early, we were actually still only getting out at our usual time.                                                    At the supermarket not long after I got the cash while he got the trolley then we went to select Ju’s flowers. We ended up with two nice though small bunches. Further into the store Mike went to find some deodorant to take to Canada ( don’t they sell it there?) While I went to  find some dressings and some micropore tape. Next is round the corner and a few degrees due West to the kiddies clothes. Amelie was lucky today. We edged towards the gents clothing as Mike still needs some things to take away.

Once Mike is sorted we move towards the object of this exercise-Food. But first we pass the toys and I find something fun for Reuben that makes up for not getting any clothes. I know which he’d prefer anyway. As we pass more shelves with food, the trolley starts getting less and less room. In goes the bread, the cakes, the sweets, the pop, the coffee pods, the milk, micromeals, roast beef slices, sausages and we mustn’t forget biscuits and yoghurts. I paid up and we went for coffee.                                                            When we’d finished we headed for Flint and undertook a minor detour to ALDI so I could look at Easter eggs. I decided they were unusual enough that I got four from there and Mike added a bunch of daffodils to my basket for Ju’s vase to add a little colour at the front. We headed off again and parked up by Temptations. Making sure I had a bag in my pocket we walked over to Homies enjoying a cigarette. There I got the last of the Easter eggs I needed. They made me pay for them before I could leave the shop though. I must get bigger pockets.

We walked over for our coffee and Mike’s breakfast. Ceri was on with a young lad we hadn’t seen before. It turned out he’s Sian’s son. We were gobsmacked to say the least as Sian never seems to be over about 25 and this lad was not in nappies.( at least as far as we could tell). We said hello to quite a few of the regulars and enjoyed some banter with Ceri that can’t be repeated but which was funny. When we left we had a look in a large catalogue returns shop at computers and TV’s for no real reason then got in the car and had the usual ‘where to now’ conversation we have every week. We settled on going to Holywell where I think Mike hoped to persuade me to visit one of the computer service shops but which I was in no mood to do. He took the opportunity to visit his building society and then we walked down the street. There in the window of a charity shop was the perfect console table and instead of it’s usual £100+ price, it was £25. The only problem was it wouldn’t fit into Mike’s car unless it could be disassembled. He went in to ask about it. A few minutes later he was out again. He’d paid, and they’d agreed to take it apart while we had lunch. We ate in the top Bells.

Coming out Mike walked up to where we’d left the car and drove round to the other end of town so he could access the main street which is one way when it isn’t fully pedestrianised. He parked in front of the shop. There was a youngster of about ten helping , ready to open the door for me. First Mike and I took all the shopping out of the boot and put it on the pavement then he set the roof to lower into the boot space. The youngster was fascinated. I told him Mike was preparing for space mode. We brought the table out and packed it behind the front seats. It was a tight fit. Then out came the roof again and back into the boot went the shopping. I gave the youngster £1 for his help. I know he’d have done it for nothing if he could have retracted that roof just once. We came home and emptied the boot.

I put the shopping away and made my excuses to come away and start work. I made Mike a coffee while he tried to move the table to the boot though I warned him it wouldn’t go, he swore it would. I was disappointed that my card reader still hasn’t arrived though it was due Thursday. Anyway, I started work. There were over 100 messages and they kept me pinned to my chair from 1.45 pm to 5.55 pm when I needed a break.Mike had been in a couple of times to see if I was awake and whether I was coming through. I stayed watching the box with him until 9.00 pm and then had to come and start again. I won’t have this problem for the next month. I’m trying to keep pace with the mail as I do the blog tonight so there’s nothing there when I’m ready to turn in.

Wishing you all a Great New Week and the opportunity to spread a few more hugs around.

What shall we talk about next?

Share my food. What choo talkin’ ’bout?

A bonus track by the same beautiful lady, taken from us far too soon.

 

 

 

A new Computer ( just not unpacked yet) & Predictive Text.

Sunday 28th Feb

I was actually in bed close to midnight, or at least on bed as I slathered myself in enough gunk to do a Channel swim. When I’d thrown out a couple of anchors to keep me in place I started reading which I ended just gone 1.00 am. It took a short time to find a cool enough spot for my legs and then I slept. The first period lasted until 2.28 am and then I woke ready to go to the loo. No problem as I hopped back into bed straight after a cigarette and was able to sleep again. The second session ended at 5.01 am which seemed on a par with usual really. This time I didn’t need an immediate visit to the Piddle Palace and so was able to log into the computer. I made a start on the mail from overnight but broke off at 5.45 am to get my meds.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        When I came back I was heading towards completion when the new batch arrived.  I ended up working until 8.15 am before the first clear patch and the chance of a break so I disappeared to the lounge to let Joey out and sit with him for a while.

At 9.15 am there was a knock at the front door. It was my neighbour Bert to see if I had a mirror he could use to see the back of his head as he trims it. I do have one somewhere but I couldn’t find it so he left empty handed. I did say if he had no luck later, to call and I’d trim it for him.                                                                                                             As soon as he’s gone, Mike got up. Very unusual for a Sunday. I made him a coffee while he asked what Bert wanted. We watched a couple of episodes of 8 Simple Rules from the early series while John Ritter was still alive. Then I went to get dressed. When I was done, Mike toddled off to his room and got ready. At 11.00 am we left the house in search of mirrors. We went to Tesco where we found two mirrors on stands at £2.50 each which were good but I asked to go to Home Bargains in case they had a hand mirror. The first think I found were two mirrors on stands like the Tesco ones but with a magnification of 3X on one side and they were just 99p each. Mike found one hand mirror.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     When we’d finished in Homies we gave some thought to lunch. Knowing Mike wanted to get away early this afternoon I didn’t want to suggest anywhere and he didn’t want to decide either so we gave the car it’s head. The Cookhouse was the choice. Wise decision, there were so many moans of ecstasy coming from our table at the taste and tenderness of the beef (plus pork in Mike’s case) we were getting a lot of funny looks. Four people just ordered “Whatever they’re having.”                                                                   After lunch we came home and I fell asleep the minute I hit my chair. Not too sure when Mike left but he’d gone when I woke. I was glad as I hoped it would give him time to get the problem sorted with his visit to Canada in a couple of weeks. He’s been given 10 days to sort it yet it took them 3 weeks to notify him there was a problem.               I turned to work. It was 3.15 pm and I stayed until 6.00 pm when I went to have some tea. I stayed there until after Beowulf and then came back through to make sure the mail was cleared before starting the blog. It took until 10.49 pm but I’ll be in bed before midnight I’m sure.

Feel the force

Getting the punch line.

Monday 29th Feb.

T’was a funny old nite. I was in bed for 11.45 pm and I could only read until about 12.15 am as I did feel tired…of what I’m not sure. I don’t imagine it took me long to get to sleep but waking at  2.01 am came as a bit of a shock and didn’t feel right. I sat and had a cigarette while I decided what to do and after some consideration, going back to bed seemed favourite. I lay there for some time willing sleep to come but it obviously missed the first few buses so I took to my chair in the lounge. That worked  and it was 5.34 am before I resurfaced. Despite the fact I was still yawning it didn’t seem a bad length of sleep.                                                                                                                                                    I went straight to the kitchen and took my meds realising that I’d completely forgotten last night’s again. Oops! I made a coffee to bring back to my room stopping off on the way at the House of Pee when I realised I was hopping from foot to foot.

I signed on and started on the mail. I was making real headway before the new batch arrived but they didn’t seem so bad this morning. I was finished by 8.50 am and able to get dressed ready to take my prescription request to the chemist. Mail was still coming in but in much smaller , more manageable batches. I went to let Joey out and tell him I’d be back to watch TV with him later, then walked up to the Shop Parade as it’s known and tucked my prescription request in the box provided. I know it will be back on either Tuesday afternoon or Wednesday. It was cool out but fairly bright so I chanced a sports jacket instead of my leather one. I was well layered beneath it though. It was really nice and it seemed a shame to be coming back indoors. I hoped tomorrow would be a similar day so I could dress as though Spring has sprung.                                      When I got back in I returned straight away to the mail to keep some kind of control on it. At 9.55 am I went through to join Joey for HUtH. I know it’s his favourite because he chirrups through it.

Once it was over and I’d taken in a parcel from the postman I returned to my mail. Quite a few in while I was away. One I found absolutely amazing was here….                           https://meatdoesntgrowinmygarden.wordpress.com/2016/02/29/ausones-notebook-22-nd-instalment-amwriting-mondayblogs-cats-iartg/    It seems that in Belgium in the town of Linkebeek there were elections at which the same French speaking candidate was elected 3 times but was not empowered as Mayor by the Regional Dutch speaking Authorities who instead appointed the second place man who then had to step down as he had no majority. The area is predominantly French speaking of course. And people wonder why I laugh at the idea of a United Europe and want to leave the fold.                                                                                                                                                                         I thought I must have missed my warden again despite telling her (by text) to come in if the door is unlocked, but even as I thought it she knocked. We had a good natter then she left to go elsewhere and I saw to my lunch which today was a beef stew and dumplings. I watched Bargain Hunt and enjoyed seeing two teams of youngsters make a small profit each.

I came back to work again and found a message from Yvonne asking me about a new coin the Royal Mint are going to do. Grandparents it’s time to prick up your ears or maybe your eyes. What a delightful keepsake for a child and possibly a small investment too.  Maybe a full set of 4 of the general coins in uncirculated condition?                     http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/royal-mint-making-coin-honour-10963753  I only needed to work until 3.00 pm and the box was empty again. I was supposed to be looking at starting something creative but after staring at the screen for about 5 minutes I gave up the ghost and went to talk down to Joey. He doesn’t like it but he’s not big enough to matter. See how brave I can be ! I fell asleep, but then you expected that didn’t you. I wasn’t out for long as I wanted to spend from 3.45 pm to 4.30 pm in here in case more mail came and also to leave feedback on ebay for this morning’s parcel. From 4.30 pm I fully intended to be watching Flog It, and I was. For tea I had some biscuits and a yoghurt so I could take my tablets For a change I had dark chocolate digestives and was so proud of myself for having the half chocolate covered item for a change. Talk about health conscious.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            I watched Cold Case, Without a Trace and then an ancient episode of Murder She Wrote with Malcolm McDowall, It was one of the early Iron Age Episodes and I think we’d just started occupying roundhouses. The various grunts and beatings of the chest left me a little confused so at 8.00 pm I locked Joey in, took my meds and came through on another catch up with my peeps who I can at least understand. Well, some of you anyway. I’m tired and intend to have a very early night. Fingers crossed it doesn’t result in a very early morning too.

Mum, Amelie is going to pick her nose.

Tuesday 1st March. St David’s Day.

10.40 pm bed and I only read until 11.15 pm before attempting to sleep.  I know midnight had come and gone before I was able to do so as despite the applied creams my legs, especially the left, itched like mad. It was difficult to even relax when all I wanted to do was scratch. At some stage I fell asleep but woke again at 1.12 am, it was the itching. I was still tired so I moved to my chair in the lounge and fell asleep with my pyjamas legs rolled up to the knee. I slept until 3.17 am and that was the end of sleep for another night. The early night had been countered by the early morning. Ah well, at least I was guaranteed an early start on last night’s mail considering how early I departed.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            The mail took me until 5.20 am and I chose to go have my meds and breakfast then. I was surprised just how awful it sounded outside as I hear nothing in my little room usually. When I’d eaten my toast I sent a text to Yvonne to see what she wanted to do today as I didn’t want her to get drenched bringing the babies out. On the other hand I haven’t seen them for a week and I do have some choice prezzies to take. By joint agreement a few minutes later I’m not going to Chester today. No point in all of us being wet and miserable, I can do that at home. I will ask Mike if we can meet up with them on  Saturday morning after Reuben has been to the cinema.

So, I was able to stay with the mail  until completion. I had a small break at 9.00 am to go to Pauline’s for chips with curry sauce and some cleaning materials. Then I came back and continued until 9.40 am when I could shout Huzzah from the rooftops, or I might have done if I could have reached one of the perishing things. The mailbox was empty! Temporarily I know, but for now empty. I went to talk to Joey who was actually having a (not very intelligent) chat with his friend in the mirror. Isn’t it amazing how they’re both as aggressive as each other and he still hadn’t noticed.                                                                                                                                                                                                                At 10.00 am I put on HUtH to distract him. It did, he flew from the mirror straight into the kitchen and straight back out into his cage. Even Bev yesterday noted how much he loves his cage. Strange when the door is open and there are a multitude of perches in the room he could try if he wanted, including my head and/or shoulder. After a while I was distracted from my programme when he came out of his cage and landed on the chest of drawers to the left of the cage, plopped himself down in front of a photo of Ju and tried to start an argument. Of course it may have been his reflection in the glass again but who knows.

At 11.00 am I returned to work and turned the TV off. Joey shut up immediately I got out of the room while the miracle was still happening. There wasn’t too much post I’m glad to say so at 11.40 am I was able to give some thought to lunch. Ha, don’t make me laugh, I’ve been thinking about chips and curry sauce since I bought it. I took my pre-foodies and buttered some baps before doing it so it was 12.10 pm before I was ready to sit and eat. I saw Bargain Hunt out.                                                                                  The minute it was over, I rushed back, found 3 pieces of mail only and decided to have a power nap first. Back in my chair I closed my eyes and blinked…..one long blink until 12.55 pm.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       Then I came back to try and decide whether to risk buying one of the computers I’m looking at on ebay. They call them refurbished and they have 8G of RAM and 1TB of memory, Windows 7 and are dual core. My nephew is trying to dissuade me from getting one of these and suggests another site but they’re twice as much and more there. I think he may have relented a little as I sent him the details of two more a little later, both on ebay. He must have realised my financial limitations and said whichever one I chose he’d help me with.

The afternoon was charged with little darts back and forth between the lounge and work. There seemed to be less to do today which was great as most Tuesdays are frantic. So, had I gone to Chester I wouldn’t have been too stretched when I got back. There was a knock at the door about 3.00 pm which because I was expecting my drug dealer I answered. There was a man in a white coat and I panicked. But when he spoke it was someone from Grimsby selling fish. I’m shocked since we have Conwy a few miles down the coast with it’s own fishermen. Grimsby is a long way from here and there must be somewhere between here and there that they could market their fish without driving this distance. Perhaps not. Approaching 4.00 pm the doorbell rang and this time it was my dealer. In exchange for  a month’s supply I passed over a box of Quality Street. I’m sure most dealers don’t work so cheaply.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      At a few minutes to five I had some chineapple punks and then watched Cold Case which was really quite sad as it involved lobotomies. Then it was Without a Trace which I missed the very last couple of minutes of by dozing off. It’s bloody annoying. Why I punished myself by watching another ancient Murder She Wrote where our heroine played herself and her London cousin at the same time I don’t know. But I did. I have actually enjoyed this series in the past  but some are really old hat.

At 8.00 pm I came through intending to stay and make sure the mail is kept down before doing the blog. It’s possible I may have slipped into ebay here and there purely by accident of course. Actually I was sending a friend the number of my Himalayan Salt lamp which she’d never heard of. It’s supposed to help the air when it’s on. But it’s really quite pretty too. I also ordered a new computer which will arrive Thursday.

Not for sale.

Kraftwerk?

Wednesday 2nd March 

I got an early night and was in bed by 11.00 pm . I read until 11.45 pm, it’s a book by Gerald Seymour and promises to be good. Sleep wasn’t as hard to come by as last night but a couple of times I dropped off only to wake up seconds/minutes later.Eventually after a proper sleep I woke at 3.13 am in my chair in the lounge. I sort of have memories of  going there but can’t remember when or why.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      It being far too early to take my meds I picked up a fresh bottle of Pepsi Max and went back to my bedroom to sign on. I did my gmail first then at 4.25 when I had emptied that, I turned to ebay to check out the temporary insanity of yesterday and ordering a new refurbished computer like I did. Since it’s Windows 7 and has 8 Gig of RAM and 1TB of memory I’m hoping for more speed out of it and perhaps being able to get my skype back. Lee says I should back up my files to the slave hard disk drive but I have no idea how to do that. This Silver Surfing thing only goes so far with me.

At 5.00 am I went through to the kitchen to take my meds and have some breakfast. Toast again this morning, but a bap rather than sliced bread. When I came back with my coffee afterwards I took the bull by the horns and decided to learn how to back things up. I started it going but am not sure if I’m backing it up to the right place- the internal or external HDD. The choices were limited to 2 things and one of those was the DVD writer so I opted for the other with was labelled D Drive. I’ve set it to do a weekly back-up from now as well.

I started again on the gmail stuff that had come in. At 6.10 am more and more started coming until I thought I’d be here all day. As it was, I was clear by 9.40 am. As it was very light now I went through to let Joey out of his cage and to change his water, seed and millet. Obviously I had to wait for him to come out before putting the millet in. He was in a very good mood this morning, very chatty. As usual all I understood was Joey,Joey, but he seemed to enjoy me repeating it to him when he said it. He could just think I’m a trained parrot of course. I stayed with him until 11.00 am when it was time for another turn in the trenches. This time I was occupied until 11.50 am when I thought it time to start my lunch or I’d miss Bargain Hunt. Today I had some corned beef, micro chips and a small tin of beans. I’ll use another one of the micro meals on Friday but tomorrow is my bangers and mash day. At this rate I’ll only need to buy one meal for next week.

1.00 pm should have been a return to the computer but my backside just sidled down the chair and I closed my eyes. Forty minutes later I was as fresh as a daisy. I wnt back and worked until 3.00 pm when Escape to the Country was due to start. I had everything under control so I was happy to leave a few till later and disappear to watch it. Big mistake! I returned to the bedroom at 3.45 pm and sat down. I had just opened the first email when I heard the front door open very quietly. As I leaned over and looked towards the front door, there was Dil almost an hour early. I’ve asked him whether it’s worth working these days. He’d been on a site meeting fairly local and just finished. It wasn’t worth driving all the way back just to finish and come back here again. Anyway, the boss said it was OK and he’s the boss so who’s going to argue.                So, I went through and made him a cup of tea while he took his coat off. We chatted about our weekends then watched half a quiz, an antiques show and then our usual full quiz.

At 6.00 pm as the TV went off the table came out- the top fell off- it was replaced and I put the Yahtzee on the table. OMG, he won the first sheet 5-1 I didn’t know what had hit me. I won the second sheet 4-2 giving him the over all win. The Trivia came out. the opposite of last week Dil was the first to start collecting pieces and he had 3 in before I got my first. I did manage to get the sixth and last piece just before him but that didn’t help much. We shuffled round trying to get to the centre. I missed an answer and then Dil missed two on the trot. Finally I managed to get back thee for another try and he asked me one I knew. That’s one game each. We had time for one game of Cribbage before he was due to leave and he beat me with a street to spare. I swear he’s better at cheating than I am these days.                                                                                               I waved him off, quietly regretting it wasn’t raining harder then came back in to tidy up and wash the pots. I wished Joey Nos da but all he did was hop into the corner of his cage as the cruel master locked him in for the night. A quick nip to the kitchen to take my meds and then through to the bedroom to start work again. It was bad. It’s going to be another midnight finish.

Masterchef.

Is it love I see?

Thursday 3rd March.

I was in bed at 11.50 pm and had a good read for an hour before turning out my light. Sleep wasn’t too long in coming once I made myself comfortable. No wake ups in the middle of the night and I slept until 3.11 am. After a nip to the loo I came back and signed on. First job was to check the bank. My pension was in OK but there was no deduction for further rent or Council Tax so it looks as though they’ll have to take everything on 15th March so I don’t end the year in debt.  That could be a fair old chunk of money from January.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             I started on my emails but broke off around 5.00 am to take my meds. I also filled 3 small Pepsi bottles from a big one and put them in the fridge. A much easier size to keep next to my bed or on my side table in the lounge. After making a coffee to bring back I returned to work. I finished the emails before the next lot were due to arrive so I started looking at ebay. At smart TV’s of all things. I was so tempted last Saturday at Argos, a 43″ screen at a cracking price that would have been like the cinema in my lounge but I reckon my ‘bro’ wouldn’t be able to say he couldn’t read the quiz questions on Pointless any more.

I worked until 9.15 am then nipped to Pauline’s to get some bread and other things including my lottery. I had to leave a note on the door to say I was out for 5 mins unless Jade turns up. I still have no idea what time she’s working today. When I got back I’d had an email to say my computer will be delivered between 13.28 pm  and 14.28 pm which I thought was very specific . I did some more mail until 9.55 am then left the rest while I went to watch HUtH with Joey. Once that was over and the turning off of the TV stopped his running commentary I went back to do some mail for about 40 minutes then went through to the kitchen to peel my sweet potatoes. At 11.15 am I had a text message from Jade to say she’d be here at 2.00 pm. Good, I thought in case I needed someone to carry the box. (joke).                                                                                                  At 1.00 pm I started to clear the next lot of emails that had arrived and since there was the opportunity to follow the driver of the van bringing me my computer I decided to  do so. It showed our relative positions on the map. Alan is currently delivering parcel No 43, you are No 38, Alan will be with you in approx half an hour. I followed him along the coast road until he ended up a little past me doing drop No 40. Alan will be with you in approx 15 minutes. At 1.35 pm he arrived. I signed for the box thinking it was a bit small but of course there won’t be all the polystyrene to get rid of if this is a refurbished model. I slid the box along the carpet to Mike’s bedroom and left it hopefully where he’ll catch himself on it. If he breaks it I can sue him for a better model. If he breaks a toe I can laugh.

I was tired this afternoon but as Jade would be coming I wasn’t going to get any rest until she’d gone and before Mike arrived. That’s if he”s still coming today. At least I could stay up to date with my mail. Jade arrived about 2.15 pm and got straight down to work. She was going to top up the lounge (naughty Joey) and do Mike’s bedroom today. She didn’t need me underfoot. I slipped into the lounge about 3.05 pm when she’d left so I could see Escape to the Country, my emails were up to date so I wasn’t exactly skiving. She came back through after seeing to Mike’s room about 3.40 pm and knowing she had another job to go to I sent her away. She offered to reduce the rate for not doing the full two hours but I told her to buy a box of chocs for herself.                                                                                                                                                                                              Since I knew I would be skiving at 4.30 pm I checked on the e.mails but I only needed to do about 5 so I dodged off earlier and watched a different quiz to my usual. For some reason I stayed awake. At 5.00 pm it was Cold Case and at 6.00 Without a Trace. When I checked my phone during one of the advert breaks (it was in the kitchen on charge) I saw Mike had sent as text at 5.50 pm to say he was setting off.  I got his cup ready about 8.00 pm but it was half past before he arrived. It seems it was filthy weather out and had been all the way. I hadn’t heard the rain until that moment beating against the windows. We chatted about his week and at 9.00 pm started watching Law and Order. I had to make a sandwich in the break and that should be against the law sometimes. At 10.00 pm I came through to start work and Mike followed me to ask about my Skype. I told him I removed it completely and then tried to download it again but it still won’t work. Amazingly there wasn’t much mail to deal with ‘cos I’ve sent everyone to Coventry this week so I was able to get to the blog much earlier. Perhaps even an 11.30 pm bedtime.

My lovely Great Nephew Nathan. 10 months old.

Slurp!

Friday 4th March.

I got my bedtime around 11.30 pm as hoped and I only read until 12.15 am before settling down, albeit on my wrong side, for the night. When I woke up at 3.41 am I was on my right side which is the right side and tells me I don’t keep still at night and my  body ignores it. I still don’t understand how it can ignore moving as far as another room though which at least wasn’t the case today.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      I paid my all important visit to the Piddle Palace and realised my intuition that there was someone else in the house was correct for a change when I passed Mike’s open bedroom door and I saw a misshapen lump in the middle of the bed. That could only be Mike. I came back and started work on the mail until 5.00 am when I went through to take my meds, prepare my next week’s meds in their container and then have some breakfast. It was 5.50 am before I returned and started work again but I was done by 6.05 am and just sat enjoying my coffee until the next batch arrived.

At 8.30 am Mike’s alarm went off. I knew he had to be gone by 10.00 am but that was early for him. But,I took his coffee through and made sure I woke him properly so he knew it was there. I even got a sensible answer but he still didn’t get up until 9.10 am. I went through to the lounge and woke him by standing on the toe he didn’t break on the box. He was out at 9.55 am and promised to text when he’s on his way back.                                                                                                                                                                                              I went back to work and cleared the box at 11.00 am. I know Joey is disappointed to have missed HUtH but we all make sacrifices don’t we?                                                                By 11.45 am I was clear and able to think about doing lunch. Lamb and colcannon today. I very much enjoyed the latter but I’m going to say my imagination let the lamb down, the thought of all those little white clouds sproinging (I like this word ) along in their fields in a few weeks………  I watched Bargain Hunt and then allowed myself a power nap. Oops, when I woke up Doctors was on and I found myself watching it before I realised. I managed to break away before 2.00 pm though. Work until 3.00 pm then Escape to the Country. At 3.45 pm I did some other work and wrote a few personal emails before clearing the decks again in time for Flog It.

I ran the gamut of my ‘almost’ usual Friday viewing,  Flog It, Cold Case, during which I had a very late delivery of pyjamas for Amelie and  at the end of which Mike sent a text ‘On Way Bro’, Without a Trace, an episode of Mash during which I got another text to ask if I wanted anything from the chippy. Naturally I said no because of my diabetes but for some reason the predictive text wrote Yes, chips, get here now, then A Question of Sport which was halfway over before Mike arrived back from all the way round the corner. I almost tore his arm of helping him put the food out with one hand and buttering a bap with the other.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         At 8.00 pm I went for my shower aiming to be back for Mastermind. It turned out to be a special for celebrities rather than a semi final or the final but hey,it was OK. At 9.00 pm was the important bit of the evening, no not more food, the last episode of  Shetland. Fair play to the writers, they’re excellent and just when you think you’ve the story figured out ( and you’ve translated the Scottish accents) they put another twist in the plot. Look away now if you don’t want to know whodunit. It was, Aaaarghh. Is there a doctor in the house, oops, perhaps Jessica Fletcher or  detective then?                                                                                                                                                                                                As always on a Friday I knew it would be a push to catch up on my mail and do the blog. Midnight tonight I reckon.

Wot a larf

Nursery with Bug Boy

Saturday 5th March.

I managed 11.33 pm bed and enjoyed my book until about 12.30 am when I paid my last visit to the loo with my light going off a minute later. I woke mid-dream at 4.35 am hoping I had time to make it to the loo. I actually wanted to go to the cellar first (?) but the need was greater. By the time I reached the loo I was aware that the cellar didn’t exist and was just a lingering past of the dream, but I was glad I hadn’t tried to make the detour first.                                                                                                                                                  Vastly relieved, I washed my hands and tried to get a grip on the dream. I know Ju was there and I think it was for her I was going to the cellar to collect something but I think it was for someone else, possibly Mike. That sounds reasonable I suppose, him using my legs rather than his own. I gave up and headed for the kitchen where I took my meds and then made myself some toast for breakfast. It was 5.50 am before I got back to my room, just enough time to finish the last of this morning’s mail before the new lot descends. I’ll be a little stuck when that happens I think, making Mike his coffee if he’s set his alarm. I need to get the rubbish and the recycling out ready for collection then.

The alarm went off and I made and took through a coffee. I know I reached into his sleep because my bellow got a grunt in return. However, as always it’s all promise, no action with him. I listened to every alarm he ignored until 7.00 pm before he finally moved.I dealt with all the bins while Mike went to sleep in the chair but I turned the light on, made a noise with the bins and coughed a fair bit. We left the house at 7.35 am. At the supermarket we decided to buy the flowers last today, on the way home so they didn’t get knocked about in the boot. We carried on and I bought a bunch of kids clothes so they’ll be OK till they’re about 14 now. Once all the shopping was in and Mike had insulted another Mike who works there and we’d got insults in return, we went for a coffee. It was much needed.                                                                                                        From there we headed for Flint and Home Bargains, then B & M then finally Temptations taking a box of chocs in for the girls, who just happened to be Ceri 1 and Ceri 2 this morning. After he’d filled his face with teasted toecake and we’d finished coffee we stood outside for a cigarette. I realised how late it was getting and we set off for Chester to be there ready to meet Yvonne and the family. They’d taken Reuben to the cinema this morning.

When we arrived at Broughton Park Mike and I went into Tesco where he found some good items in the sale to take with him on holiday.Two or three jumpers, a pair of jeans and I think a teeshirt. He was just in the queue to pay when I had a text to say they were out of the cinema and where did we want to meet. I suggested a pizza place close to where they were standing so they could get out of the cold. Just a couple of minutes from where Mike and I were. We found them OK and I had hugs from Reuben and from Ugo but Yvonne was wedged in her seat with a fast asleep Amelie on her knee. We ordered drinks and when those came I was able to take my tabs and we ordered food. I wasn’t pleased to find I couldn’t have an Hawaiian pizza as they don’t use pineapple.It was a shame we hadn’t chosen the pub where we used to meet. Anyway I took Amelie and passed Yvonne the gifts. She seemed to love all the clothes and all the baking /cake decorating and mini wines for herself. Ugo liked his shirt and tie and his chocolate puddings. The meal came, Ugo took Amelie and we ate.

Once finished Ugo was taking the family home then going to play football. We were very close to a shop we both like so Mike  suggested we go there before going back to Tesco’s to buy the flowers. It could have been a mistake. Mike saw a phrenology head he liked though he didn’t buy it. I pointed out a glass head, and said I wouldn’t mind having it and using it as an ornament/hatstand, alternating the look by changing hats. I decided to buy it. Mike loved the idea so when I saw another one round the corner I said I’d buy that one for him, then he found a third which he’d buy himself. Of course then he had to have a discussion with himself about whether to buy the phrenology head to put in the middle. Something caused a break in concentration and it didn’t get bought. We had to go and look for a console table next to stand them on but we were in a very expensive shop and he blanched at every price ticket. I was following behind with a bowl expecting him to throw up. He nipped next door to look and while he was away I got the heads and met him outside.  Headhunting over Mike took the bags to the car while I walked slowly to Tesco’s. He met me there and I got the flowers needed for Ju. We came home.

Joey was over the moon to see us poor soul.It must have been a long lonely day for him from 7.00 am to almost 4.30 pm. We unpacked the shopping and got it put away then I left Mike with his football results and came through to start work. I’ve had two bouts of angina this week, when I saw the mail box with letters bulging from every seam I nearly had a third. I was tired following a 4.35 am start and having missed my power nap this afternoon. I worked till 7.00 pm then made some tea and took a break. Unfortunately the break lasted until 9.00 pm and I almost nodded off but Mike decided it was a good time to talk to me. When he goes to Canada on 17th he won’t be able to moan at me working or wake me when I’m going to catnap. YAY. At 9.00 pm after watching a programme of Dusty Springfield songs I came back to work and have put my nose to the grindstone. Anyone got a spare plaster? At 11.00 pm I had to break off to start the blog but I’m still hopeful that I’ll finish before it’s time to get up again.

Wishing you all a Wonderful New Week full of dreams come true. Hugs Galore one and all.

Happy Girl.

Engrossed.

 

Competition for Breakfast & Pension Idiocy.

Sunday 24th Jan.

03.38 am was son up this morning, at least this son. It hardly seemed fair since I’d only turned my light out to sleep at 1.00 am Even by my standards it was a little on the mean side. Still, there was every chance I’d make up for it later.I didn’t realise that I’d start about 5.00 am by falling asleep over my keyboard and my typing fingers would fill my screen with lots of stuff from the deep background of the computer. At least my head didn’t hit either the keyboard or the desk since I was sitting so close my fat stomach wouldn’t let me fold that low. I was awake again and trying to sort the screen out by 5.45 am and I drifted to the kitchen to take the morning meds.                                 Coming back with my coffee afterwards I ploughed into the mail as there were still over 100 pieces left. Some of the mail came from comments put on the blog last night.

There was work enough to keep me going until 10.00 am but I had a quick break at 9.00 am to wash my mug and to let Joey out of his cage. It seemed a big lighter earlier this morning. After 10.00 am I’d had enough and needed a break so sat in the lounge talking to Joey. That can’t have lasted long until I was asleep again. I came to at 10.50 am and wondered where Mike was. The answer it seemed was still in his pit. I mad a coffee and took it through to him. Once I’d woken him I went back to my bedroom to see if there was more mail. I heard Mike go through to the lounge and a “Bloody Hell” when he saw the time. I went through to see he was OK.                                                                By 11.30 am he’s asked about our plans for the day and been told we had none but going through to get dressed I’d said I wouldn’t mind finding a jumper somewhere. He reminded me he’d bought me two for my birthday. They’re nice but not the colour I wanted. However I decided to put one on. The other we found was the wrong size and like so many f us had relied on the coat hanger rather than the ticket. That changed the tone of the day as Mike wanted to get it changed at Marks and Spencer. That would mean Prestatyn which dictated where we’d eat.

By 11.45 am we were on our way and were parking up about 12.10 pm. We went straight for lunch at the CookHouse first and found the beef was just falling apart it was so tender. Mike was sorry he’d had half and half gammon and beef. We finished there and went back to the car to collect the bag with the jumper and then into M & S. It didn’t take long to get permission to change it and Mike said I could find a different one If I wanted but I decided to stick with his choice and just got the appropriate size.                  From there we drove home but Mike stopped at LIDL so I could get a brochure. I picked up some pyjamas for Reuben at the same time.                                                                       Back at home we suffered a telling off for going out from the demented green thing before I stuck on indoor bowling and fell asleep. I don’t know if Mike slept too but he was awake when I woke up and said it was time he left. I helped him carry his bags out and waved him off before coming back in and locking the door. Straight in to start work then.

I worked from 3.30 pm to 5.45 am then went to get some tea. I was late with my antibiotic too so I was glad I’d gone. Somehow I got caught in  what I was watching on TV and missed half of Beowulf. Mike texted to say he was back home safely and suggested I just watch it an hour later on the catch up channel. Doing so would have meant I’d be out of the room until 11.00 pm as Endeavour was on straight afterwards and I wasn’t missing that too as it was the last one of 4. So I came through here at 10.00 pm and started work on the mail and then the blog. I think I might just make midnight in bed.

Monday 25th Jan.

I made the midnight deadline and had a good read until 12.55 am. It took some wriggling to find a position comfortable for sleep. I did drop off and the next thing I knew was waking up at 3.02 am. Not the best time of the night but not the worst either. No doubt I’ll be able to extend the period today sometime. I’ve become quite adept at the power naps. Mike would probably tell you that few people have as much power. Mind you, he’s no slouch in the power stakes either.                                                                                I set to at my gmail account and spent until 5.05 am reading posts or comments and making comments of my own where appropriate. Then I went to the kitchen to take the morning round of meds. I couldn’t be bothered with breakfast so I’ll have to eat at teatime but that’s no problem. I hung around there filling small bottles of Pepsi Max from a big bottle and trying to get them in the fridge. One I took back to the bedroom with me for my nightstand as I ran out last night.

When I got back to my room it was almost 6.00 am so I just completed the post that was there while waiting for the flood. What flood? The 6.10 am lot came through in small easy to cope with parcels so that it never seemed too much. They still took until 9.52 am to clear though. Time to give Joey fresh water and seed as well as a bit of attention. I turned the TV on ready for Homes Under the Hammer and missed half of it asleep. I was woken by the closing music so turned the box off in disgust and came back to work, putting the washing machine on before I left.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   Work had accumulated again so I cleared that up in time to see to lunch at 11.55 am, and put the washing on to dry. I was a little distracted as Val hasn’t been this morning. If she calls and gets no answer she usually texts to say she’s been. I had lunch and watched Bargain Hunt. Joey wasn’t interested and just went for a kip in his cage. I showed him what will power is all about when I returned to work at 1.00 pm.

By 2.30 pm I’d returned t the lounge and shown Joey the proper time for 40 winks. I was still there at 3.45 pm and had to motivate myself to move by reminding myself I wanted the TV again at 4.30 pm. I got back up to date and then checked Facebook which I rarely do, but some people choose to message me there instead of my email. I caught up there too. I enjoyed my Antiques Road Trip and then made myself some tea, baked beans on toast which I’d fancied all day. I had a bit of trifle afterwards. There was still time to enjoy some of the quiz. Then came Eggheads which was good but between 6.30 pm – 7.00 pm I had to play catch-up again as I intended to be away from the computer until 10.00 pm. First came the Celebrity Road Trip which was followed by an episode of Lewis where he returns from retirement. That means that I’ve had to dash to make sure all the mail is done and the blog tonight. I’m off out in the morning and don’t want to leave anything behind except tomorrow’s mail.

First they tell me about the Big Bad Wolf, then they dress me as dinner.

It’s OK Daddy said I’m a wolf in sheep’s clothing.

Tuesday 26th Jan.

Despite pushing my luck a bit last night I still managed to scrape to bed at around midnight. I still managed to read until almost 1.00 am before I turned my light out. I was ready to get up when I woke until I saw the time was 1.38 am. That’s the kind of sick puppy joke of Somnos himself. I just swung myself back into bed and willed myself back to sleep with laughter ringing in my ears. I was ready to get up when I woke at 3.22 am though. I didn’t dare go for another session just in case I ended up missing my bus later.   Anyway, I was due for an antibiotic at 4.00 am. I wandered through to the kitchen, filled a couple of small Pepsi Max bottles then took an empty bottle and an empty milk bottle through to the plastic recycling bag.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                Going back to the kitchen I took the antibiotic and the first of the two anti smoking tablets then opening a fresh bottle of milk I took the rest of my meds. Because I intend to have some breakfast with Yvonne this morning I had nothing at this time. That meant I was able to get back to my room much quicker with a cup of coffee.

After signing on it only took me until 5.05 am to clear the gmail box. After that I got dressed and then either did each piece of mail when it came in , checked the live feed on Facebook or checked out Ebay. Nothing too strenuous. When 6.10 am arrived I was put to work on the new post. There was just so much of it. At 7.10 am I had to stop and get my things together ready to go. I’d have to leave the house at 7.20 am as the bus is getting their earlier in competition with the other company. They say the other company has changed it’s timetable to go early to try and put them out of business.                                                                                                                                                                                      I left the house and reached the bus stop in time. The journey was beset by problems, mainly roadworks, and I had to text Yvonne to tell her I’d be late. I suggested she head into Boots the Chemist and find something nice for Amelie that I could pay for when I got there. That caused the first disagreement of the day…… by text.                       When I did eventually get there fifteen minutes late I joined them in the shop and found something for both Amelie and Reuben anyway. We went off to get breakfast. It was just as well as I needed a wee and then a cup of tea.We ordered breakfast and then had argument number 2 about who was paying. I gave in with good grace as it was a battle and I needed to win the war. That came next when I gave her £60 that she’s posted to my bank account to pay for meals on my birthday. I wasn’t having that when everyone else had let me pay. Eventually she took it back.

I has Amelie on my knee and she was as good as gold except she let me know when she was hungry. Frightened she might be competition for my breakfast I foisted her back on her Mum who fed her. Then she came back to me. Breakfast came and  Amelie went in her pram while I ate. It was lovely and filling. After we’d both done, we took a walk out to our favourite shop just like old times. I was able to buy a couple of things for Yvonne as well as things for the children. Arguments ensued but it was good to be back and even the staff raised their eyes when they saw who was coming to the counter arguing as usual. I just ignored the arguing and went my own sweet way as usual.         We were on the way out of the shop when we saw what time it was. The morning had flown by. My bus was drawing in over the road. I kissed them both goodbye and sent a hug back for spotty Muldoon. I got on the bus and waved as it drew away.

The journey back wasn’t too bad but having been without a cigarette the whole time I was out I called into Pauline’s and bought some. After a visit to the loo it was the first thing I did, light a fag. Bliss. Breakfast having been late there was no need to eat so after releasing Joey from his cage I went straight to work. I worked from 1.00 pm to 2.15 pm then from 3.00 pm to 4.30 pm to clear the backlog. Then I stayed in the lounge from 4.30 pm to 9.00 pm before closing Joey’s door and wishing him goodnight. I came through to work for the last stretch.

Oi ! Stop looking up, I’m down here.

It’s such a hard life staying awake.

Wednesday 27th Jan.

I was in bed before 11.30 pm last night and my light went off when I’d had enough of reading (is this possible?) at 12.15 am. The next thing I knew it was 3.14 am though it didn’t feel like that. Before swinging my legs out I put my glasses on and the time now read 1.34 am. I turned over,plumped up my pillows and waited to go back to sleep. It obviously happened because I next woke ( verified by wearing glasses) at 3.48 am. I paid a visit to the loo and came back to sign on to the computer.                                               I checked last night’s Eurolottery and found I hadn’t won. In fact no-one had again and there was yet another rollover. It’s estimated to be something like £113 m on Friday night. Still dreaming of how far I could spread money like that I went to my gmail and started reducing the bulk.                                                                                                                          At 5.00 am I went for breakfast and to take my meds. I was obviously not concentrating as I took my two post-foodies before I even started my breakfast instead of two painkillers.

Returning to my screen I carried on working and watched the flood at 6.10 am without worry. After all, I had time enough today. That was what I thought right up until I got dressed at 8.00 am and remembered I needed to go to the hospital this morning. I managed to open Joey’s cage before I left at 8.20 am. The bus came at 8.30 am bur when I managed to get on, sat there until almost 8.45 am. When I got to the hospital through the wind and rain I didn’t have long to wait before being seen. It was the same nurse and this time she was much more chatty, talking about her own success using Champix, the same non-smoking drug I’m using. She did say I was doing well but that this week I should have nominated a day to quit and suggested Sunday. She told me to return to the hospital on Saturday to have the leg checked again.                                         I left and walked back to town. It wasn’t especially cold but the wind and the rain were unpleasant. I had half an hour to wait for the bus. I called in at Pauline’s on the way home and bought a chips and curry sauce as well as my bread.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  Back at home I had chance to do just twenty minutes work before watching Homes Under the Hammer. Then I intended to return to work but fell asleep until 11.45 am. That meant I had to start thinking about lunch so had a cottage pie. Of course I watched Bargain Hunt but I made sure I didn’t fall asleep after that and returned to my desk. I had to fight all afternoon to get the messages down to a reasonable level and then to finish them completely but I was done by 4.05 pm. I had no idea what time Dil would appear but I wanted to be ready.

I was ready. I’d just started watching the Road Trip when I saw him appear. I got up to make him a drink. When he came in I was able to say the contestants were local in Ruthin and working their way to an auction where he lives in Colwyn Bay. We spent ages looking for people we knew. We caught up on our week since last Wednesday and exchanged news. We watched Pointless as usual before turning the box off and starting the gaming. As far as Yahtzee, Trivia and Cribbage are concerned, we played and I never want them mentioning again. Needless to say it wasn’t my day. When Dil left to my cheers and his crowing like a cockerel, I tidied up, washed the pots, took my meds and locked Joey away for the night. I came through to start on the mail and the blog hoping I’d get an early night. I think I will with a bit of luck.

So what d’you want to talk about Pops?

And who gets the prize for Most Surprised Look?

Thursday 28th Jan

I was in bed by 11.30 pm last night and had finished reading by 12.15 am as I was tired. It didn’t help much by getting me up at 2.13 am this morning even though I fought a valiant fight for more sleep. The small gods probably want me disappointed for longer. That’s because when I’d signed into the computer I went straight to the bank, my Pension Credit payment is £102.80 less than usual based on my new State Retirement Pension award, trouble is, the SRP people haven’t told me yet what my pension is  and it certainly hasn’t gone in the bank today. I’ve heard of other people having to survive on no income for 3 weeks until the SRP people get their act together. I seem to remember that Mike had problems with them. Not the best news to wake up to. That could severely curtail what Mike and I do at the weekends, like eat for instance.

I started work on the inbox of my gmail account and just broke off at 4.00 am to take an antibiotic. I was clear by 4.35 am. I lay on the bed and willed myself to sleep, just as well I’m strong willed. I was out until 5.40 am which was great. There was time to take all the usual meds before the post started pouring in.                                                             When I got back there was just one in my box. I quickly did it hoping that was it until about lunchtime, but no, that one was just the cork holding the flow of others back. It quickly grew to over 60 which even so was quite light by normal standards. I just kept going and going till suddenly there wasn’t one left and it was only 8.45 am. I let Joey out early in celebration.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             I didn’t know what to do as I’d promised myself I wouldn’t go out today (except maybe the chippy at lunch time) and there was no washing to be done. I couldn’t hoover the lounge because I’d let Joey out. He panics if the hoover goes yet in his cage he goes to his little corner and is fine. I was almost grateful when I saw more emails beginning to trickle through. I just sat there dealing with them one by one as they arrived. Anytime there was a pause I turned to Ebay, there were some fantastic bright red grandad collar shirts on there. What a temptation.

At 9.00 am I went through to chat to Joey, he really likes company. I stayed to watch Homes Under the Hammer then I returned to work for a while. It was daft, I’d been away 2 hours and only 12 messages in all that time and the ones I expected weren’t there. So at 11.15 am I went to the kitchen and peeled my sweet potatoes and an onion. After laying my sausages out to cook I had a cigarette before taking my pre-foodies and starting to cook the sausages. A quarter brown I turned the sausages and put the potatoes on. When they were done I mashed them while the onion cooked. I plated up the potatoes and then the sausages , added the onion to some gravy and poured it over the meal. I really enjoyed it. There are even sausages left in case Mike wants a sandwich tonight. Provided he’s coming tonight, I haven’t heard yet.                                        At 1.00 pm after Bargain Hunt I returned to work again. There was plenty in but still not some I expected. I hoped everything was OK.                                                                          There was a message from Yvonne though who’d had some success with the Pensions Service this morning having found out how much they’re paying me. They’re supposed to be writing to me. The only problem I can foresee , and I think this is ridiculous, is that they’re going to pay me 4 weeks in arrears. Why don’t they prepare you for that after having paid weekly before. How do they expect many people to survive without money for 4 weeks?

At 2.00 pm I was free again my mail box empty. I was just wandering back towards the lounge when I heard my mobile beep a message had been received. It was Mike to say he was on the way. I could expect him around 4.30 pm then. I watched The Father Brown Mystery then had a short catch up period before watching a bit of the new antiques programme. I spent another half an hour or so clearing mail then went through to wait for Mike. Unfortunately I fell asleep for a few minutes and when I woke up he was in his chair next to me. Luckily the kettle was still hot so I knew I hadn’t been gone long. I made him a coffee and we were able to see Road Trip together.                        We chatted through our programmes and I was there until 10.00 pm after Murder in Paradise.                                                                                                                                                             I took my meds and came through to catch up on any new mail. I was glad to see that which I’d missed during the day was there. Then blog time. Bed by midnight I’m sure.

It’s boring doing nothing at all.Maybe I’ll just……

Hang on, did someone mention a party?

Friday 29th Jan.

In bed at 11.44 pm and lights out at 12.45 am. Sleep must have come reasonably soon since I remember just a short period of annoying, repetitive thoughts.                               The lark was up and bade me follow at 2.43 am even though I tried to make my way back to sleep instead. Sometimes the small gods are truculent beings because further sleep was not on the menu despite an hour after moving I was yawning my head off. At 4.0 am I took my antibiotic which meant I couldn’t have breakfast and take my other meds for an hour. In fact cross breakfast off the menu altogether (pun intended) as today is the day for doing my drug tray for the next week. That takes so long to do I can’t afford time to eat as well. I had my surgery appointment at 8.30 am again and I needed to clear as much work as possible before leaving. I decided to take my other meds at 4.00 am as well and go straight into doing the replacement tray.

When I returned at 4.40 am with my coffee I was amazed to find no more mail waiting for me. I was tempted to try for sleep but was afraid if it happened it might make me late for the surgery. Mike wouldn’t get up of his own accord even with an alarm to remind him.                                                                                                                                                            Instead I looked for and found a free crossword site and sat doing those until I saw any new messages enter the box. At 5.30 am I got dressed just to give my bum a break from the chair. I was wearing one of the jumpers Mike got me for my birthday. I think they call this a cowl neck.                                                                                                                          At 6.10 am the mail started coming through and unlike yesterday it came virtually all at once. Whoosh 80 short pause 94 then trickles. I had almost an hour so I started and just kept going. When 6.25 am arrived and I had to make a coffee to take through to Mike I was still on 73 outstanding. His alarm went off to coincide with the arrival of the coffee, I still announced it in stentorian voice of course. After the third ignored alarm I was going to go through but he stirred and went through to the lounge. I was down to 61 by then but I had to leave it to be sure we’d get out on time for the appointment. Thanks to him shaking a leg we did.

I’d only just confirmed I was there and sat down when S. called me. I didn’t check my watch. Really there were only a few questions to answer,How was the leg? How is the non-smoking going? Any change in mood noted? All my answers were positive, well I was positive they weren’t exactly lies anyway. She was pleased and happy to leave me on the drugs for another week, and I needn’t see her next week but the week after. (Now that’s a shame). I said goodbye and left. At the reception desk I noted I was leaving before I was even due in this week. I cancelled one appointment and made another. Then battling the strong winds I made my way slowly into town. I decided to call into the supermarket rather than freeze in the bus shelter so I picked up some strawberries for Mike’s supper. Later I didn’t have long to wait at the bus stop and was able to call into Pauline’s for my lottery tickets when I got off the bus.  Then I bought a bacon bap from the sandwich shop.                                                                                                                           I reached home and checked Joey was OK. Having half an hour to spare before Homes Under the Hammer I restarted work and ate my bacon bap as I did. That way I’d only be a little late with my antibiotic and I could take my time over my second meal of the day now breakfast was done. At 10.00 am the number was at 58 which accounted for more having come through and not that I’d only done 3 messages.

After HUtH I came back to work ready to concentrate only to be frustrated as they took so long to load and messages came up to say no internet connection. The little arrow at the top of the screen was going anticlockwise and refused to budge. Each one was excruciatingly slow but I persevered. Finally just before 1.00 pm I cleared the box. I went through to watch the news which included  tales of this latest bout of inherited weather sending atrocious winds to batter us. I was going to watch Father Brown bu found my eyelids were in the way. I was awake before the end and found I’d seen it before anyway so I watched the antiques show instead. I cam back to work from 3.45 pm to 4.30 pm just to  be sure  I’d cleared what I could then went to watch my Road Trip. No text from Mike so he was going to miss it. Perhaps he’ll stay out as Man. Utd. are on TV tonight and he’d have to watch it in his bedroom.

I was cross at 7.00 pm when I turned over for my Celebrity Road Trip only to find it wasn’t on.  It’s annoying when the TV companies make changes after they’ve given the programme details to magazines . We sit there like lemons waiting for something to come on. Mike sent a text about 7.15 am to say he was on his way. I was surprised as he’d miss the start of his game. I’d nodded off before he arrived back and only woke to see him leaving the room to go ant turn the TV on in his bedroom. I went to do him a coffee. There was a programme at 8.30 pm putting certain products to test which I watched then at 9.00 pm told Mike he could watch the main TV while I went for a shower.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             Following the shower I came through to start work on the accumulated mail and the blog. Nice clean mail from me now. It’s currently 11.20 pm and I expect to be in bed no later than 11.45 pm.

Is this a raspberry on my head?

Oh wait, I’m a fashion icon not a fruit bowl.

Saturday 30th Jan.

I made it to bed by 11.45 pm and started to read. I was going to put the book down at 12.30 am but found I wasn’t tired. Moments later Mike came in to say he couldn’t get to sleep. He’d heard a short time ago his Dad was at the hospital again after another fall and he’s hurt his head this time. Mike’s sister has gone to the hospital and will be keeping him up to date.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  I finally put my book down a few minutes after 1.00 am. Sleep didn’t come easily but come it did. I woke exactly at 3.30 am no question but it was time to get up. A quick visit to the Piddle Palace and I was ready to start work. First of all I checked Skype to see if there was a new message from MuJo. I haven’t seen them since before Christmas and their gifts are still here waiting for them. John has been quite poorly though it took him a long time to admit it.  Judging by the frequency and type of his recent replies he’s well on the road to recovery. There was a new response which said ‘See you soon’ which is great, maybe they can open these gifts before the next ones are due.

I went onto my gmail next and started work there. It only took until 5.10 am to finish that lot and it seemed a good time for a break so I wandered through to the kitchen and took my meds and had breakfast. At 5.30 am I returned with  coffee to see what else was in until it was time to start taking bins out and getting a coffee to Mike to kick off the process of him getting up. At .15 am the alarm went and I was running to get the kettle on. The coffee was delivered with the second alarm. Amazingly he got up with the third. More amazingly we were out of the house at 7.15 am playing dustbin men and dragging the bins t the end of the path. The winds were so bad this morning I’m not putting any recycling out, they can have it next week instead. Otherwise I could end up looking for the bags the next County over.                                                                                     We were almost pulling into the store car park when I remembered I was in a different coat and hadn’t transferred my Blue Badge disabled parking permit over.Still, at this time we weren’t exactly fighting for space. We ended up very close to where we normally are.                                                                                                                                                                 Going round the store was quite quick which I put down to my organised list but I was horrified to have spent £70.00 bar pennies and of course Mike was delighted. I did get the kiddies some clothes.

We had our usual drink before setting off again, this time in the direction of Flint. Mike detoured to ALDI so I could get the latest brochure. We parked outside Temptations as usual and headed for Homies to get a couple of things I needed. Instead of carrying on round the shops we decided to go for our drinks and see Ceri. Plus it was warmer in there than outside. After teasing her as much as possible we left in search of a bag Mike wanted to take to his sister in Canada when he goes in March. We could get everything except what he wanted.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    We upped sticks and headed off to the hospital in Holywell where a lovely nurse removed the dressing and said how well it was doing. We decided to leave it open to the air now. I’ll just have to keep my fingernails to myself.

We drove over to Kinmel Bay to get fish food for Mike ( for his fish really) as it’s the only place we know that stocks the brand he wants. Then as it was lunch time we headed back towards home and stopped for a meal at the Bells of St Mary’s. Not up to scratch today but worth the visit to see the new meals they’re doing now.                          At last we came home and after unpacking and putting away the shopping I was allowed to come to work. I started just before 2.00 pm and finished at 5.50 pm. It turns out that was handy as the Road Trip I was deprived of last night was on tonight. I managed to stay awake through that and turned over afterwards for a detective show. I seemed to sleep through most of that just waking once in a while to try and convince Mike I’d been following the plot all the way through. It didn’t work.                                       At 9.00 pm I came through to catch up but that didn’t take as long as expected for some reason so at 10.15 pm I was able to rejoin Mike for a while. Then I had no choice but to return to battle and do the blog.It’s been a good day.

Roobs celebrates his recovery at the beach.

My wunnerful niece Karen with Amelie.

I wish you all a wonderful new week full of dreams come true and with Hugs Galore.

Windscreen Wipers for my Glasses & The White Stuff Finally Appears.

Sunday 10th Jan.

Things are at least stable at the moment. I got my bedtime read until 1.00 am then turned the light off. Sleep wasn’t to long in coming. Neither was wakefulness though which caught me this morning at 4.54 am. We’re still hovering around that 4 hour mark. I don’t know whether the small gods have set that as my limit or perhaps they’ve gone (for now) and it’s my own body that’s betraying me.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           Being so late, I went straight to the kitchen to take the anti-smoking tablet and took all my other tablets while there. This new tablet has to involve food so I had 2 small slices of toast from a mini loaf. That meant waiting around and having a cigarette to help me with timing. Maybe I’ll have to buy a kitchen timer soon.                                              I returned to work and stayed there hard at it until clear at 9.40 am. By that time I was yawning so often I never did get my mouth shut ( oi, play nice you lot) and the tears in my eyes were causing double vision. I went to the lounge and sat down. Well,I changed Joey’s seed and water first, then I sat down. I fully intended nodding off but got caught up in an episode of Matlock.

Mike got up about 10.45 am and didn’t seem much better. I said I didn’t mind if he went home almost straight away to get back to his bed and seeing a doctor. He said he wanted dinner first. We got dressed at 12.00 pm and about 12.30 pm headed off. It was Mike’s choice and he chose Prestatyn. We had a nice lunch though Mike didn’t have the appetite to finish his. When we came out of there it was a visit to a shop close to the car to look for a jumper in the sale. It was no M & S no, that’s not a sale price. We went back to the car and drove home.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 Mike didn’t even get out of the car. I waved him off so he could go home and visit a drop in health centre before going to bed. I just came straight through to work. I worked through until about 6.00 pm then went through to have some tea, and to put the light on for poor Joey. He seemed quite talkative so we are obviously OK.

I stayed through there until Endeavor was over at 10.00 pm. I was able to come straight through and start work again on the blog and on catching up on the day’s mail. I think I’m looking at about 11.30 pm bed if I panic and write quickly enough. No doubt you’ll have caught on to the fact the blog is a lot shorter. It’s because My arms have shrunk and I can’t reach the keyboard.

Roobs asleep on mummy.

Ready for bed.

Monday 11th Jan.

Well, how things are looking up. I read till 1.00 am and turned out the light before falling asleep. I woke at 3.02 am but didn’t feel I had  to get up so didn’t. I lay there spending the lottery win I haven’t had yet. Yes, don’t worry, I hadn’t forgotten you of course. I’ll send a cheque. At some point I must have bored myself to tears changing all the rooms in the new house to accommodate all the guests, yes of course you’re one of them, need you ask? I fell asleep again. Next think I know it’s 5.44 am.                      I needed the trip to the loo and after an age of stop, start, I think I’ve finished, no I haven’t and don’t want wet feet, I went to the kitchen to start on the meds. The anti-smoking one first then the sprays, then the diabetic ones and lastly the usual crowd of 7 in 5+1+1 order. Then a cigarette while I put the toaster on with 2 small pieces of white bread. Tomorrow the anti smoking one is twice a day and then next Monday it’s double strength. Before day 14 I expect to be sucking my finger for timing instead of smoking a cigarette.

It was 6.30 am before I got back to my room with a coffee and I knew the avalanche would have occurred in my mail box to add to what I hadn’t done from midnight onwards. It was showing 94 when I started. Twenty minutes later it was showing 97. That’s not the way it’s supposed to go with hard work. It was about 8.15 am  when I paused to get dressed as I think my warden returns today. It was 10.05 am when I finally cleared everything and went through to the lounge to see Joey and also watch Homes Under the Hammer just in case I invest my Lottery winnings in old property and become a Landlord.  No, not Rachmann dear, I’ll be nice. Joey came out so I could replace his millet then went straight back in as soon as I had. At least he’s in chatty mood today.                                                                                                                                                           After homes Bev had still not called so I went back to work for a while.                                                                                                                                                                                                               At 11.50 am I was clear and still no visit so I went and made my lunch. The people at Weightwatchers would probably have screamed if they’d seen me have two rounds of bread and butter with the bangers and mash but to be brutally honest, the onion gravy was the best part of the meal and I wasn’t wasting that.

When Bargain Hunt ended I should have gone to check my mail box but I was too busy snoring by then. If Bev came I didn’t hear her. Maybe her holiday has gone a little longer than expected. I slept until 2.45 pm and even then finished a quiz that was on before moving. I felt so guilty when I went back to work that I stayed until clear at 4.40 pm and missed ten minutes of The Antiques Road Trip. I remained with the TV, except when I made myself some tea, until 9.00 pm when I turned off and wished Joey a good night. I took my meds then came through to play catch up. I’m due in Chester tomorrow and want to be as up to date as possible.

Wot choo doin’?

Haaaaiiiiieee ya, Take That !

Tuesday 12th Jan.

Arseinthis was less than generous this morning. I’d read until almost 1.00 am as usual then settled down snugly. After changing position a few times for comfort I dropped off. I woke or should I say was woken at 3.53 am to the sound of Arseinthis trilling, presumably in her bathtub. Something about Old fashioned Millionaire’s if I remember rightly. Not that I don’t appreciate a classic song or even that I deny someone the right to miss every key they aim for, it’s just a more appropriate time if preferable. Four hours in the future would be perfect. The big puzzle of the morning is why I’m attuned to her at all. She obviously didn’t intend to speak to me so no ‘favours’ were needed by her boyfriend or his kith and kin.

So, I was up. Might as well get on with some work so I signed in and hit my gmail post. As always I was moved by some and entertained by others,especially one from a friend who described how her State Governor has opened his mouth to say something ridiculous  and racist. Then he’d denied saying it at all before, in the face of video evidence, claiming the press was out to get him. This is a man who somehow despite similar gaffes in his first term of office managed to get re-elected and still won’t shut up. Perhaps a sign of things to come if Trump is elected President?                                                                                                                                                                                                                      I worked till 5.05 am then went to take the first of the anti smoking tablets of the day and my regular meds which included the pre-food ones as I intended to have breakfast today. Cornflakes it was and though tasty, I’m still not a fan of breakfast. I wasn’t sure if I had a sore throat starting but it seemed to disappear so I was still planning on Chester. I took a cup of coffee back to my bedroom office and started again.

At 7.00 am I got dressed and was dreading going out as I could hear the wind and the rain outside. At 7.20 am I left the house with my two bags of gifts which meant only being able to use one crutch properly. I wasn’t ten yards from the house when I was soaked to the skin thanks to rainwater running off my leather coat. My suede shoes were a much darker grey than when I put them on. By the time I reached the bus stop I couldn’t see.(I never did find windscreen wipers for my glasses). The rain was running off my hair, down the slick path  that is my forehead and straight into my eyes. I couldn’t put the bags down because of the puddles.                                                                 After 5 minutes the bus came. The driver must have felt sorry for me as he took my pass and scanned it himself. I sat down and put the bags down on the floor. Then I tried to get tissues out of my pocket to deal with my glasses. Doing anything with wet hands wasn’t easy. The journey passed in little bursts of me having my eyes closed.

Once I got off the bus I headed to a shop for more tissues. The rain in Chester was sporadic but was still there. It’s quite a long walk to Yvonne’s house so it took me a while and what a drag it was with those bags and the rain. When I rang the doorbell I’m sure Yvonne didn’t know whether to laugh or not as I must have looked a sight. I got rid of the coat and my gloves which helped and then unloaded the bag of gifts I’d bought. There were only Yvonne and Amelie downstairs. so they had theirs. Yvonne said Reuben would want Amelie’s penguin money box as he’s penguin mad.                                                                                                                                                                                                             Yvonne made me a warming cup of tea and then Reuben came down. He liked his Gruffalo book but he seemed to love his Elmo toy which was a surprise. Ugo came and had his hat and fancy sticky tape  dispenser. I took my tea through to  the lounge as Yvonne took Amelie through. I held Amelie on my lap and she was as good as gold. Yvonne warned me she wouldn’t be quiet for long but I didn’t hear a squeak from her all morning and she was only away from me for a feed. It seems I’m the lucky one she’s chosen to be calm with which is lovely……or lucky.

At midday I announced I had to go as I had a lot of work to catch up on. Ugo said he’d run me home rather than go out in the rain again. On the journey I decided to have sausage and chips from the chippie rather than spend time making (heating) something. Ugo pulled up and came in with me, He had fish and chips to share with Reuben. Reuben was really good with Joey, keeping his distance and just talking about him. There was no destructive mood either but he wasn’t very good at eating any fish. When it came time to say goodbye I waved them off then came back to wash the pots before starting work.                                                                                                                                                   I worked till 4.30 pm then went through for my Antiques Road Trip. I was asleep before the set had warmed up. I woke up in the adverts afterwards. My quiz started, I saw a little of that and bang, I’d gone again. I was awake in the adverts and had to force myself to watch the second quiz, then a Railway Journet before the Celebrity Antiques Road Trip at 7.00 pm. No way was I falling asleep during that.

At 8.00 pm after my programme was finished I decided I’d better turn off before I fall asleep again. I said bye-bye to Joey but I’d see him again at tablet time, and came through. I worked and answered mail until 9.15 am when I broke off to take my meds which included the second of the non-smoking tablets. Maybe we’ll see of this makes a difference. After that it was a proper goodnight to Joey and I returned to the attack, the blog past had to be done too. I was clear of mail by 10.10 pm so able to do the blog at my ease and I can pick up any stray mail later and still manage an early night.

Amelie and Me.

Family trio.

Wednesday 13th Jan.

It was a 2.53 am start today which isn’t as bad as it sounds since I turned my light off for sleep early last night having only read until 12.30 pm. I know I’ll reach ‘zonk’ stage at some point today but I’ll have to hope it isn’t mid Yahtzee. After  visiting The Palace of Piddle I came back and signed into the computer and headed for my gmail. By 4.20 am I’d cleared the first lot and was taking a well earned breather. I’d been reading about the plight of the orang-utan in Borneo as a result of the slash and burn policy of those growing the palm oil crops. Their are respritary problems and deaths of humans as well as the orang-utans but nothing seems to stop the increase in the palm oil trade. An excellent piece by Darcy Alexander Shilllingford brought this to life for me  http://travelingspaceopera.com/2016/01/08/bornean-sanctuary-part-ii/   I hope something can be done. I don’t think we can afford to lose another species, especially one so important.

I’d taken a drink of my Pepsi Max and had such a pain across my chest that it was putting me off drinking again. Ridiculous isn’t it. Suddenly I felt mortal and started to think about all my family and friends. Then I decided there was no way I was going to pop my clogs before my beef dinner on Sunday and my birthday on Monday. Sorry, I stopped thinking about you all and risked another drink. I survived and carried on working until 5.35 am when I went for breakfast and meds. Two rounds of toast and lashings of butter I had and it was lip smackingly good. I put the washing machine on quick wash and took my coffee through to the bedroom. It was 6.06 am when I started again and just managed the one before the three became eighty eight. This was hard graft. At 6.20 am I checked the washing machine and put my stuff on to dry for 3 hours.

By 9.00 am I was doing quite well but I stopped anyway and got dressed. It was time to visit Pauline. Horror of horrors, not that I wanted one, she had no chips and curry sauce left. I had to buy a liver and onions with mash, not that I wanted one. I got bread and my TV mag plus some cigarettes. Once I got back home I sorted Joey out then hung my almost dry washing on the airer. No avoiding it any longer I had to return to work. I was clear at 9.45 am and had a little search on ebay for a shirt. I dream of finding one like I had in the 60’s, my favourite shirt ever.Instead I bought a different one as there was nothing like  mine there.                                                                                            I wen through to watch Homes Under the Hammer with Joey and I slept through part of it wondering if the Lotto was going to come up for me and give me the chance to buy and redesign a house or would it go to someone with good taste.  The postman has come while I was asleep and left a card to say he’d tried to deliver a parcel that needed signing for. I didn’t hear a thing so it’s likely he didn’t use the bell.                                                                                                                                                                                                           After that I returned to my screen to play catch up again and to have another peep at ebay. I was there till 12.10 pm before going back to do my lunch.

From lunch I went straight into sleep mode for three quarters of an hour so it was 1.45 pm before I got back to the bedroom. There had been a little surge so I was occupied until almost 3.15 pm. TV till 3.45 pm work till 4.30 pm then Antiques Road Trip. I wasn’t many minutes into it when I saw Dil approaching. I went to make him a cup of tea before he came through, he was too fast. We watched the end of that and then as usual watched Pointless. As soon as that was over off went the TV and out came the table and the Yahtzee. I won the first game 4-2 despite Dil having Yahtzees. Somehow my game was just glued together better. The second game was 3-3 so I still won overall much to Dil’s disgust, he’s convinced I copy him.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           The Trivia didn’t go my way at all Dil had more pieces than me all the way through and I couldn’t hit the place where the pieces were won. To be fair he played very well though I’d never tell him that as it’s more fun moaning at each other. Anyway he reached the middle and answered the question. There was still time for one game of cribbage and though I had some reasonable hands, Dil had good ones and he played for my points. He won by about a dozen points and went home the victor. I told him I’d see him Sunday and he didn’t think I knew about it. I told him it’s a freebie and he said it isn’t so I have another argument on my hands now.

Dil left at 9.30 pm. I washed the pots and tidied up before wishing Joey goodnight and coming through. Just as well as there is plenty of mail again. Still, I reckon another early night is on the cards.

The Champion’s Fist.

Mummy’s Love

Thursday 14th Jan.

It’s truly remarkable. I woke this morning again at 2.53 am, I felt for the lamp to turn it on and couldn’t find it and something seemed out of place. I found I was already sitting up on the edge of the bed scratching my left lag. I’m so glad I trimmed the talons last night or I doubt there’d be any skin left. I have no idea how long I’d  been sitting there. As my internal alarm went off or before that maybe? I visited the loo and then came back and signed on. I was so frustrated when doing the mail as I’d just reached the last lime in a long letter when the system closed down on me. It was only as it automatically restarted I realised what had happened.  Microsoft updates again with no warning so it could be postponed. It took from 3.40 am to 3.50 am and I was so relieved to find it had saved the email I was working on.                                                                         At 4.50 am I broke off to have breakfast and take my meds. I also decided to peel my sweet potatoes for lunch and an onion to make onion gravy at the same time. I was going to have a beef joint with the potatoes but that already comes with gravy so I settled on sausages. That way there will be some left for a sandwich for Mike if he needs it.

By 5.30 am I had also taken a full bag of food waste out and started a new one. I came back to my room to start on the mail again but there wasn’t much there. The perfect opportunity to have a look at ebay before the mail came pouring in. I did what needed doing and at 5.45 am signed into ebay. I’ve always been fascinated by the steampunk clothing, I think most of it very stylish. So when I did a search for brocade waistcoats I wasn’t surprised to see a lot of them were steampunk. It also brought up some very stylish Edwardian jackets/coats. I’ll say here and now if I’d won the lotto last night I’d be needing a new wardrobe. Though I do wear Edwardian clothes, the steampunk just add a new layer of style completely.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         Between 6.10 am and 6.20 am the mail started coming and then kept coming. I concentrated on it to the exclusion of anything else except when I read a piece by my friend Geoff at Tangental who happened to be in Denmark and made mention of bacon. At that point I had to divert long enough to stem the flow of saliva by planting a couple of tissues in my mouth and using a couple more to clear the puddle from my keyboard..

It was 8.40 am before I cleared that first lot. It was a good time to get dressed ready to go to Pauline’s for my new lottery tickets. It was raining on my way there but I noticed a number of cars going past with snow on their bonnet so it must have been snowing in Holywell and the villages beyond probably. It was raining even harder when I was going home again. I was glad to be in it was really quite cold outside. Joey was happy to be released from his cell and must have been feeling quite chatty. He came out to visit his mirror so I was able to put some new millet in for him, that should last all of ten minutes. A few pieces of mail had come in which I cleared and at 10.00 am I was ready for Homes Under the Hammer.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                Once that finished I worked for 35 minutes and then went to make a start on my lunch. Of course I forgot to take my pre-foodies before I started so there wasn’t a 15 minute delay between taking them and eating as there should be. There was a least 5 minutes though and I’ll add an extra 10 minutes to the breakfast ones, how’s that? The meal was very enjoyable, especially all the onions in the gravy.

I heard from MuJo that John has been ill with his Angina again and now it snowed all last night and shows no sign of letting up today. I hope I see them before Summer  or I’ll be buying the next set of Christmas presents.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            I also heard from Mike who still feels rough and won’t be over tonight. How inconsiderate of him, I’ll have to eat the sausages I save him for a sandwich now. All he thinks about is self, self, self. He’s not going to see his father tomorrow either which is most unlike him. In a way it’s good (I hope) in that the home will have to see he gets safely to the hospital for an x-ray instead of always waiting for Mike to arrive from so far away or arranging his appointments for a Friday because Mike is up. It means he doesn’t get good visits with his Dad.

I spent the afternoon making sure I stayed up to date until 4.30 pm when my time was my own. Nothing could spoil my Antiques Road Trip ( other than one of the dealers who was on). Then of course came quizzes 1 & 2 followed by a quick nip in here to see things weren’t getting out of hand so I could get back to WHAT!! It’s not on? Oh no, I had to quickly rearrange my viewing. It turned out if didn’t matter much as I watched something from 7-8.00 pm  then fell asleep during the first half of the surprises London has to offer beneath the ground from Churchill’s War Cabinet Offices. To the Silver Storage place and now the floors being built beneath street level for the British Museum, four floors I think. At 9.00 pm I came through rather than waste more time

I had been working on the mail for a while to get me to a reasonable state again. I shall try to describe my room to you. A square-ish room I sit with my back to the window. To my left is my bed and in front of me the wall on which the door sits, which is almost exactly to my right ( I never said it was a big room). Right, it was about 10.00 pm and the hairs on the back of my neck rose. From the corner of my eye I saw someone walk into the room beside me, dressed partly in green I think. My first thought was another cheeky burglar though I wasn’t in a panic. I looked up…..and nothing, no-one. I’m either going doolally tap or I’ve just been visited by a ghost. I promise I was not dozing at the keyboard as I’d have accepted that  and laughed it off. I think it was a male and almost definitely not belonging to me. Is it time for a new pair of glasses? I wrapped up the mail quite quickly to concentrate on the blog and the chance of asking you about this. To my mind, this is now the second time I’ve had a definite visit I can’t write off to being ‘More of the gravy than the grave’ to quote Ebeneezer.

Hoping for quite an early night as I have the surgery at 8.30 am again.

From 7th Jan

From 14th Jan 2 wks old today.

Friday 15th Jan

3.21 am saw me up and about today.I’d got my early night at 11.30 pm and turned my light off at midnight so not too shabby all things considered. Nothing disturbed my sleep and I got up quite happily. After a visit to the loo my main concern was mail so I signed in and started on that straight away.  At 4.30 amthough I took a break to go and take my meds as well as prepare next weeks meds in the container. Once that was done I put two slices of bread in the toaster, took my two pre-foodies and my anti-smoking tablet. For the sake of irony I then smoked a cigarette for timing before having the toast. I took my two after food tabs and brought the coffee back to my room. By 5.45 am my post box was empty so I got dressed. I could hear the rain coming down out there still so I knew I’d get soaked on the way to the surgery later.

I left the house at 8.45 am and underwent a major surprise. It had been snowing overnight and though the rain I hear had lessened what was on the ground, the rain had now ceased and it was snowing again. I had to hope there wasn’t a long wait at the bus stop as I was shaking with the cold.                                                                                                      The bus came quite quickly and I was in town by 8.00 am. No point in going round the supermarket so I stepped out for the surgery trying to avoid slippy spots on the way. The worst place was the surgery itself as it was quite a slope down from the footpath to the doors and there was ice about. Inside it was nice and warm but I made sure I didn’t go to sleep.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       It was just 8.10 am when I got there so I’d done quite well. Twenty minutes to wait for my appointment and sure enough dead on time she was there. The appointment itself lasted all of 5 minutes but it was worth any time when she agreed to call me David and said “And I’m S…….” which was unexpected but nice.

It was time to walk back into town. I was there from 8.50 am to 9.15 am and frozen to the core. The bus shelters offered no respite from the biting cold. I was never so glad as when the bus finally came except maybe actually getting in the house 15 minutes later. The warmth was glorious. I let Joey out, told him I’d be back at 10.00 pm to see our programme and came back to restart work. I worked from 9.30-10.00 am, from 11.00-11.50 am and from 1.00- 3.55 pm before catching up. After that I went through to join the bird who’d been calling his name quite loudly to get my attention. I found a text on my phone from Mike sent at 1.14 pm that said he was on his way so he shouldn’t have been too far from 4.00 pm arriving. It seems the roads weren’t too nice and he arrived at 4.45 pm while I was watch the Antique Road Trip. I made him a cup of coffee anyway because I’m good like that. Between the two of us coughing and spluttering we sounded like the doctor’s surgery.                                                                            I caught up on how Mike’s doing and what kind of a week he’s had. Rough by the sounds of it. I mentioned it might have been less rough if he’d gone to the doctor on Monday and he just made some nonsensical noises about pots, kettle and black.

We watched Pointless then for some reason I thought it was 6.30 pm and being nothing much on I’d go for a shower. It was of course only 6.00 pm and I missed Eggheads because I didn’t think to check. To be honest I think I was starting to drift off for a power nap which I hadn’t managed today. Anyway with Mastermind and A Question of Sport there was something to come back to and then we tried the first episode of a new series. Quite good but I was pee’d off that it wasn’t a complete story each week so now I have to make sure I watch it for the next 5 weeks.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            At 10.00 pm I came through to  play catch up with the mail and to get the blog done. Shopping tomorrow.

Roobs starts a zoo

Cows join the Zoo

Saturday 16th Jan.

I was in bed for midnight and after a short read found myself turning the light off at 12.30 am and snuggling down under the quilt. Time up today was 3.50 am and after the obligatory trip to Looville I went straight to the kitchen to take my meds and have some breakfast. Today is the first day of week 2 of the non-smoking meds and the strength doubles. I’m expecting great things of the altered receptors in my brain over the next couple of days. I’ve heard such good things about this drug, and seen it in action with Mike that I can’t accept failure. I hope there’s a miracle in the offing.

Coming back from the kitchen I logged on to the computer and opened the mail. Not too bad at all. I was able to get clear by 5.50 am. That meant I would be clear when the deluge started and ready to leave it to get Mike up. Leaving it when I know it’s there has always proved hard. Like last week his alarm went off at 6.15 am. I darted through to the kitchen to put the kettle on, there was plenty of time though. He totally ignored that first alarm and also the second one which went off before I delivered his coffee. I woke him to say the drink was there then returned to my desk. There was another alarm which was also ignored and then one last one which was followed by some real groaning and the patter of tint feet (size 6’s).  4A and 1C is better than some weeks. After ten minutes I followed him through to the lounge. I could see the shape of him in the chair hunched over like a bird of prey. I suggested he minded his eyes (no response) so I turned he light on. Yep, fast asleep again. I woke him and suggested he drink his coffee.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          I managed to do a few pieces of my mail then paused to get dressed. I heard Mike go through to his room to do the same so I guessed he might just be awake. We were on our way out at 7.20 am but it was minus 2 when we went outside and the car windows were caked in ice. We still managed to get to ASDA by 7.45 am and I found the one cash machine with any money so things were going well.

I didn’t need potatoes today so first stop was flowers for Julia, we chose a nice mixed bunch and I added a bunch of Welsh daffodils to decorate the front of the vase. I bought some candles and also some decorative model houses which burn tea lights. I didn’t think I’d bought a lot of food today not a lot of gifts but the bill at the till certainly gave me pause. Mike gave applause to the cashier for giving me a heart attack and we headed for the cafe so I could sulk and recover. From ASDA we drove straight to the Parcel’s Office in Flint to collect the parcel I’d missed on Wednesday. It turned out to be two shirts I was waiting for. We moved on and parked up outside Temptations. There was time to have a cigarette as we walked over to the shops first where I didn’t pick up much and then after picking up so seed bells for Joey we went to Temptations. I ordered the drinks and Mike’s teasted toecake and passed over a box of chocolates for them to enjoy. I wasn’t expecting Ceri to hand over a card and gift to me. I sat down in surprise and asked if I was to open it today or wait till Monday. Today was best. A lovely birthday card which unfortunately showed the right age so I knew where their information had come from now. The gift was a beautiful boxed pen. I thanked everyone who was there.

We had a look round a couple more shops that were showing Sale signs but the only thing we bought were a pair of innersoles for Mike’s shoes. As it was getting on towards lunchtime Mike asked what we were doing. Thinking of proximity I suggested a place then came up with another idea, a cafe we’d visited just once before where I could satisfy a craving for bacon and Mike could have a meal if he wanted. In the end I had a sausage, bacon and black pudding toastie, Mike had the same content but in a bap. They were very filling. Finally we could go home.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         Once we got here the shopping was unloaded and put away. Joey was released from his enforced imprisonment and I was able to come to work. I stayed here solidly from 12.45 pm to 5.15 pm until I was clear. I knew that wouldn’t be an end to it but I could devote some time to keeping Mike company and watching TV. We seemed to take turns at nodding off and missing chunks of programmes but we did have two episodes of Beowolf and the final episode of Foyle’s War. At 10.00 pm I came through to finish the night off with a mail catch up and finishing the weekly blog.

All in all not a bad week.

Spot the Baby.

We are the Champions.

Thanks for popping in. I wish you all a wonderful new week with wishes come true and Hugs Galore.

 

 

Headrest from Hell & Drowned Rat.

Sunday 3rd Jan.

Lazily in bed before midnight and published the blog early. I started a new book, one which Dil bought me for Christmas by Clive Cussler. He’s an author I used to read a lot of but haven’t done for a few years. It was lights out at 1.00 am and settle down for sleep. I don’t think it was long in coming.                                                                                                It wasn’t too long before it went either. I woke to a faint smell of wet goat at 3.28 am and figured Porcinus had paid a visit. Since nothing was said I have no idea if Porcinus had woken me on his own account or under instruction from Somnos. No doubt all will become clear when they feel like it if there was any reason other than petty spite. It may  be they feel neglected.

As I was awake anyway I started on my mail. There was plenty due to having posted the blog last night and the comments came in as usual. Answering them always gives me joy and seems to lessen the distance between me and my friends for a while. At 5.30 am though I wandered through to the kitchen for my meds and decided to have breakfast. I had the usual two rounds of toast even though my brain did mention a couple of times that a bit less butter might be good. Fortunately my hearing was going. As I returned to the bedroom with a coffee the 6.10 am train to Yuma was ploughing it’s way through the logs on the line to deposit all the new post in my box. Next time I’m adding more logs to the pile and cutting down any telegraph poles as well.                                                                                                                                                                                                  By the time 9.45 am came I was falling asleep over the keyboard and had to go through to the lounge. I was fairly clear at that point. I put the kettle on ready for Mike and he walked through just minutes later so I made his coffee. I tried to stay awake but as soon as he sat down he was asleep in the chair. I gave my jealousy free rein and must have been asleep soon after. I did wake up lots of times but not for long. I was however awake by 11.00 am when Mike said “At last”. I put a strange little programme on called I think ‘Money for Nothing’ and tried to explain it to Mike.

As lunchtime got ever closer I asked Mike if he was going to his Dad’s early or having lunch first. “Plenty of time for lunch first ” he said. So at almost noon we got dressed. We sat in the car at 12.30 pm pondering the where and fortunately settled on The Bells of St Mary’s. I say fortunately because when we were in the queue for the carvery I spotted a man a couple of places ahead start to collapse. I called to Mike and another man close by to say “He’s going down” and they were quick enough to catch him before he went totally. Someone brought a chair and they managed to get him sat down. When the manager came over they got him over to the table he and his mother were occupying and hearing he’s a type 1 diabetic and hungry, had a meal brought over. We queued up again and got our carvery.                                                                                     Once we’d eaten it was time for home again. I’m afraid it wasn’t long before I was asleep in my chair again.I only came too at the point where Mike was ready to go. A hug at the door and he was on his way. I waved at the car then came back inside and went straight to work. From 3.00 pm to 6.00 pm I worked then went for some tea and a chat to Joey. At 7.00 pm I put Beowulf on and watched ten minutes before snoring again. I was awake in time for Endeavor at 8.00 pm though and I stayed fully awake for that. I have the feeling it won’t be the small gods keeping me awake tonight, it will be the amount of sleeping I’ve done today.

At 10.00 pm I said Goodnight to Joey and came through. Plenty to do with the mail and the blog but I’m still trying for midnight bedtime.

Kissing Little Sister while friend holds her.

Monday 4th Jan.

I was wrong, not that it’s a major surprise or anything. My light went out at 1.00 pm after a short read and sleep wasn’t long in coming. There were no nighttime loo visits and no other disturbances before a natural awakening at 4.38 am. A visit to the Piddle Palace was then on the cards before I could come back and start on the post. I started on the post until an arbitrary time said I needed breakfast. So at 5.52 am I went and had my cornflakes along with the morning meds. By the time I got back the morning avalanche had arrived putting the post up to 93. I continued on until 8.45 am then got dressed and took my prescription request to the chemist. Coming back I worked until 9.50 am to bring the post balance to nothing.

On my way out I’d found a card through the letterbox and then a parcel on the step showing an old friend of mine from work had called. It’s the first time in years I’ve missed Jonathan calling and more annoying because I was obviously in. No doubt dozing in my chair again. I have his gift on one side waiting for him as well. His gifts to me were some metal brain puzzles and wooden ones. I’m not likely to let my brain cells die off at this rate.( Should there be any left.).

At 9.50 am I went through to let Joey out and to watch Homes Under the Hammer. As I did the postie arrived bringing me a message from the DWP to say they needed proof of my marriage before calculating my pension. This despite being told I’m widowed. They included a envelope to return my marriage certificate. I think I’ll leave it until tomorrow and send it recorded delivery. I put the washing machine on and took my place in my chair. At 11.00 am I came back to work but left the TV on for Joey. I was up to date again at 11.50 am which fitted in nicely for lunch time. Today I was being good and trying a Weightwatchers meal of sausage and mash. Oddly enough the quantity wasn’t bad and there were lashings of onions in the gravy but I did have problems with the texture of the sausages and ate just one.                                                                  After the meal as I took my plate through I emptied the washing machine then went to finish off Bargain Hunt. After that I printed off a few pictures of the baby to place in a foto-cube and watched an episode of Father Brown, mainly from behind my eyelids I’m afraid.

The afternoon flew by with little bits of programme and little bits of catching up. I got an email from my young friend to say he’d come again after work tomorrow. I said to walk in just in case I’m insensible again. I had some tea about 6.00 pm but I’m not saying what as someone is bound to say Jaffa Cakes aren’t part of a diet. I had seen my quiz and watched the news until the Antiques Road Trip came on. To be honest I dozed through part of the news and struggled a bit with Road Trip. Then I had an hour of Medieval Dead and wished I’d slept through that instead. At 9.00 pm I wished Joey goodnight, I think he said it back though he could also have been telling me to get a haircut for all I know, but at least he was talking. I took my meds and came through to work.                                                                                                                                                                  There was plenty of mail to go at but I knew I could cope with both that and the blog while still getting to bed before 11.30 pm.

Amelie Rose at home.

Tuesday 5th Jan.

I was in bed for 11.30 pm….just. I read for n hour and turned the light out at 12.30 am. I saw 1.00 am arrive and go before falling asleep though. Up time was 4.54 am with no interruptions. The only downside to the night is the headache and cricked neck when I woke. I played with the mail for half an hour before going to the loo and then the kitchen for breakfast.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   After anointing my moustache with the prescribed amount of butter from my toast I returned to work in time for the morning rush. Some very slim posts getting through while the larger ones fought their way through the blocked doorway. I was pretty much able to deal with them as they came in for a while. Then the doorway was smashed open and a load came together. I was not perturbed however having reached an enlightened state of mind from the morning meds. Peace reigned along with the belief that any blogs I couldn’t cope with would just slip over the edge of this flat world I inhabit. If not I’d just ask the small gods to remove them. As it happened they were all fine and by 9.00 am I was clear, dressed and ready to depart at 9.30 am for a retinopathy examination. I just hoped the questions would be easy.

I caught the bus at 8.40 am and was in town by 9.45 am I stuck my head in LIDL to pick up a brochure then worked my  way slowly to the hospital. I was quite early so I had a cup of tea in the League of Fiends cafe. At 10.20 am I walked over to the trailer and rang the bell then heaved myself aboard. It wasn’t many minutes before I was called into room One. Some easy questions to answer about my name and address got me full points but the prize wasn’t much fun. I had to tilt my head back and keep my eyes open. Right, like you can do that when you know there’s something heading for them that stings. She did the first eye then said she wasn’t sure how much had gone in, yanked up my eyelid and dropped another dose in. The second eye she was ready and held it open as she did the deed. It stung.

I fumbled my way half blind to the sitting area again to allow time for the stuff to take effect. Then I was called into room Two. In here all I had to do was rest my chin on a pad on a machine. Trouble is I’m not small and this was set for a midget. No way could I bend my spine like that………or so I thought. Amazing what you can do when you’re anxious to get out. I followed the red light with my eyes as instructed , was told I’d get the results in the post in 6-8 weeks and left. I fumbled my way back to town apologising to lamp posts because of my blurred vision. Then I put my glasses on and was fine.                                                                                                                                                             Once I got off the bus near home I remembered to post a letter I’d meant to post in town then went to Pauline’s. I got my TV mag, a lottery ticket for tomorrow as the prize has to  be won this week and a packet of chips in curry sauce for my lunch. I was now ready for home.

It was almost 11.30 am so not worth starting the mail again. Instead I went to chat to Joey who actually seemed pleased to see me and then at 11.45 am I made lunch and watched the TV. After lunch instead of watching any more, I left the TV on for  Joey , washed the posts and went to work. It took me till 2.30 pm to clear things after which I  went to look at a new antiques quiz . Joey was still interacting well. I wanted to be able to watch the Antique Road Trip at 4.30 pm so I kept going to keep up to date with work. I knew my friend Jonathon was calling after work but wasn’t sure what time. I saw my programme and the usual quiz until 6.00 pm then as I stood to go to the kitchen I saw Jonathon approach. We worked together for  about 5 years and have been friends ever since despite a big age difference. He’s kept contact with me even after I had to retire early. The contact has been a blessing.Normally I’d have seen him on Christmas Eve but this year he had hospital appointments. He had his Christmas present waiting and opened it while he was here. He seemed to like the novelty of it. Joey wouldn’t speak at all while he was here which made me feel a right lemon after saying how well he did.

It was a little after 8.00 pm when he left so I made myself a sandwich (don’t ask) had a Deep  Space Nine episode then took my meds, wished Joey goodnight, shut his cage, and came through. I wanted an early night but it’s almost 11.00 pm and I must have about a quarter hour more to do if no more post comes in.

Pre first bath.

First bath.

Wednesday 6th Jan.

The only thing I can say about last night is “Weird”.  I read until 12.30 am then turned my lights out and prepared for sleep. It looks like sleep hadn’t prepared for me though. I got up again at 1.10 am and signed into the computer for a look round ebay. Instead I found myself doing mail again first. At 2.20 am I thought maybe I was ready to try again and went back to bed but I left the computer on just in case. I did get to sleep.                                                                                                                                                           At 4.35 am I was up again and seemingly ready to start the day.I know I got up, I know I sat at the computer and I know I did some emails but I have no idea how many or how long they took. Next thing I know I woke up sitting at the computer at 6.15 am and I’d signed out of the internet. Why? When? Does Arseinthis bear a grudge?

At 7.00 am I went through and took my meds ( hoping for sanity) and had breakfast.A bowl of Rice Krispies, just right. I don’t think Dil will be here tonight as his daughter, my niece Jess ,who is pregnant has been taken to hospital with severe pregnancy sickness and they’re having problems bringing it under control. It must have happened yesterday or Monday but I only found out last night from Yvonne who had it from my niece Karen who finds everything out. So, I imagine Dil will probably be at the hospital. I don’t know when/if I’d have found out if I wasn’t being bullied into having a birthday meal and Yvonne had asked Dil where he and Lynn his wife would fancy eating out of two choices. Either the Bells of St. Mary’s or The Cookhouse as they’re both roughly halfway between us all. It looks as though it will be the Cookhouse so if we go this weekend I must see if I can snaffle a menu to see what Dil can be tempted with. I want to pay for this meal and I know there will be opposition from all sides.

After breakfast I returned to work until almost 10.00 am when I got dressed and went through to release Joey and share Homes Under the Hammer with him. He’s  not been as chatty today. At 11.00 am I came back to work again until at 11.40 am I was clear and able to think about lunch. Today it would be cottage pie with bread and butter, followed by a yoghurt. I managed it without spilling it on my jumper and for all it was a Weightwatcher’s one, it was both enjoyable and filling. (I should go for sponsorship). I watched Bargain Hunt…..fully awake…..before falling asleep and only waking up in Father Brown. That seemed a good time to leave and do a little work. Luckily there was enough to keep me going a while after which I had a good lok round ebay and saw a fantastic teeshirt with ‘This is an Awesome Granddad’ underneath an arrow pointing to the face of the wearer. I mean they do it for Dad as well but who needs that? Actually I suppose the same person, you’d need to be an awesome Dad to get to the granddad stage wouldn’t you? But which one would you wear….oh forget it. Who needs another teeshirt anyway.

I stopped work at 4.00 m like most Wednesdays deciding I’d watch the same programmes as I usually do when Dil comes and treat the evening as a break even without my games.. The surprise came when I saw Dil approaching the house at 4.45 pm. I was very surprised. It turned out he’d visited Jess before coming to me. She’s a little perkier but still on a drip and on anti sickness drugs. We chatted as we watched The Antiques Road Trip and then our usual quiz.                                                                                                        The moment the TV went off, out came the Yahtzee and off came the gloves. His anyway. It’s so upsetting I can hardly talk about it. Tonight was a real massacre. I was beaten 5-1 in the first game and the 4-2 in the second. At least after I dried my eyes I beat him at Trivial Pursuits. Somehow we had a little extra time at the end and he pulled out the crib board but I won 2 games to nil before it was time for him to go.                                                                                                                                                                                       Once I’d wished him a safe journey I tidied up, washed the pots, took my meds and came through. 43 emails waiting to be done before the blog so I rolled up my sleeves and got started.

I’m happy to say I’ll be in bed by 11.30 pm tonight.

Talk to the hand.

Awareness.

Thursday 7th Jan.

I made my 11.30 pm to bed deadline last night with minutes to spare. Out came the book (The Thief-Clive Cussler) and I wriggled into a comfortable position- almost. The wriggling had moved my mattress topper down the bed and formed a ridge under my bum. I could either move myself up the bed a bit in which case I’d be sitting uncomfortably at a right angle or move a little further down the bed so that I’d be doing more lying than sitting in which case I’d find it difficult to read easily. Instead I had to get out of bed and try to drag the offending topper back to the top of the bed. That done, I settled down to read. I found my eyes going a bit just before 1.00 am so off went the lights and I curled up on my side with all the pillows trying to dislocate my neck. I snuggled further down pulling just  two pillows with me.                                                 There was a quick stretch and suddenly my feet were out of bed so I had to get out and tuck the quilt back in at the bottom of the bed. Ridiculous really as I’ll soon have my feet out of bed on purpose at the side. I fell asleep.

I woke at 4.24 am not having moved all night. I turned the computer on as I passed going to the loo and then I carried on to the kitchen to take my meds. Coming back with my coffee and not having had breakfast I signed in. First the bank to check money had gone in. That was fine. Then to the mail. I played the game until 9.00 am then got dressed and went to Pauline’s. I needed my lottery as I’m still in with a chance, both the Euro and normal lotto have rolled over again.  I gather the lotto has to be won this weekend or the money will probably be dispersed amongst the lower prize winners or something. The Euro can go on building up or it could if I wasn’t going to win it on Friday night. I think it’s my turn. I also wanted cigarettes and was disappointed when Jim only had one packet until tomorrow. I need to have a supply in as an excuse to finish them off.The bread and a chips in curry sauce I picked up must have been a substitute somehow.                                                                                                                                             I walked home a broken man, but had to remain chipper for Joey who had been promised release and a good clean (his cage at least) on my return.

I saw to joey then came back to the computer for another quarter of an hour before Homes Under the Hammer. At 11.00 am it meant I had to move myself to get the post up to date before it was time to do lunch. I made it with 5 minutes to spare. Then came a message from Yvonne to say the district nurse wasn’t happy about a lump found under Amelie’s chin. In a panic Yvonne had to get baby to the doctor . I didn’t ask but I’m guessing the whole family went as I know Ugo is off on paternity leave. I had sorted some small potatoes out for lunch and put my sausages under the grill before a message came back that the doctor had no idea what it was but wanted to monitor it for changes for  6 weeks. I said I was relieved it’s nothing serious and am happy we can all keep an eye on it. To be honest it’s a little worrying the doctor has no idea what it is herself. I had my sausages,potatoes and some beans. I must remember to put sweet potatoes on my weekend shopping list.

After lunch the inevitable happened and I nodded off.  I was away with the fairies for over an hour and almost scorched the carpet in my speed to get back to work. Only because I wanted nothing to stand in the way of the Road Trip at 4.30 pm. Nothing did and I had a good laugh. As my quiz followed that I made myself some sandwiches to eat while I watched. Eggheads was next and took me to 6.30 pm when  I had a half hour window to catch up before the celebrity Road Trip came on to entertain me. That was just coming to an end when I got the message from Mike “On way.”I had an hour in work then returned to try the new Murder in Paradise with a different actor in the lead role. Kris Marshall has done well in other parts I’ve seen him in but he didn’t impress me this time. Nor did the other cast changes. Not one that will be a regular for me. Mike turned up just as it ended. I made him a coffee but couldn’t get away to work until almost 11.00 pm. I’m very late tonight but at least he’s going to run me to the surgery tomorrow.

Cowboy neckerchief

Pretty in pink

Friday 8th Jan.

I made it to bed at about 12.15 am (Thanks Mike, I really needed to see even more shoes on ebay) so by the time I’d tried to relax with my book it was 1.00 am and the light was going off. I was tempted to leave it on in the hopes that Somnos would think I was still awake and leave me alone but I thought he’d have had his fun with me this week. In an effort to remind me he’s always here he just made it very difficult to  get to sleep. I just had the joy of listening to the canned laughter he uses at times like this until I finally dropped off. To be fair, there were no more visitations in the night and I slept through to 4.48 am. Only a little over 3 hours, but unbroken.                                                    As it happens I could have thanked him if I wasn’t scared of encouraging him. Being Friday and having the weeks drugs to do, the more time available in the morning the better. Once I’d paid my waking visit to the loo I went straight through to the kitchen. There I took my sprays and assorted meds then got my drawer from the lounge (without disturbing Joey) and started refilling the trays.Replacing empty boxes from the new delivery from earlier in the week. I finally returned to my bedroom with a coffee at 5.35 am.

I had to start on last night’s mail before the box filled up with today’s offerings. By 6.10 am I still had a few to do but nothing came through and I felt great relief until 6.15 am when the floodgates opened. All of a sudden from about 6 I was up to 94. I just kept hammering away. Unfortunately because I was off to the surgery this morning and because Mike was dropping me off on his way to take his dad for an x-ray, his alarm was due to go off at 7.00 am, at least for the first time. I had to break off to make him a coffee. The first alarm heard, I took the coffee through then came back to get myself dressed. I heard the second, third and fourth alarms while cursing him and mentally telling him to get up. After the fourth he did. I went through to the lounge to say “Good morning” and found him in a sorry state. Had he not been going to Manchester I’m sure he’d have gone back to bed.His chest was bad as was his breathing.

Not long before we were due out Mike announced he felt sick and went to the loo to show me what he meant or to be more accurate to make me hear what he meant. He was still determined to go so we got our coats on. I was at the surgery 5 minutes before the appointment so  had time to get my breath back from the walk from the car. When the ever beautiful Sister S called me in my breathing was normal. She ran me through the details on the stop smoking drug I was getting and explained again why for the first 4 weeks she’d want to see me weekly and how she hoped the family would keep an eye open for the contra indications too see whether I needed to be taken off it. I’m sure I’ll be fine. Away I went with a prescription and some leaflets. I booked four more appointments  before I left the surgery. Next came a walk back to town in the pouring rain and a wait for a bus to take me home.I only had to wait about ten minutes. After getting off the bus I went directly to the chemist only to find they didn’t have the drug and would have to order it to arrive this afternoon. It would be delivered when it came in.

I called at Pauline’s dripping with rain and feeling like a drowned rat  just picked up two packets of cigarettes. No-one will believe I’m actually still smoking my supplies from last Saturday. These were to make sure I last until tomorrow, or rather the cigarettes do. A suicidal chips and curry jumped into my basket so I took it home to care for it.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            Back  at home I released Joey, talked to him for a few minutes and then returned to work which occupied me all morning. Just before noon I stopped for lunch and Bargain Hunt plus he inevitable examination of my eyelids which since it lasted just ten minutes I’m not counting.                                                                                                                                         I was only back at work for half an hour before being up to date with everything and ready for a proper break. I went to sit with Joey and then watched Father Brown, a new Antique Quiz and then Homes in the Country (or something). What an idle afternoon, and even worse I had just 45 minutes to work before I was due for my Antiques Road Trip. When I did go back to watch it I found a message on my phone from Mike to say he was on his way back.

He walked in as the Road Trip finished so I made him a drink. He wasn’t feeling sick tonight but was still chesty and coughing. I stayed with him until 8.30 pm hen I went to shower and he tucked himself in bed with a drink. When I came out there was a programme on the Templar Treasure I wanted to see so it was 10.00 pm before I was able to return to work. You sneaky lot had as usual done all your writing while I was away which left a lot of catching up. Clearing that took until 11.15 pm and then came the blog. This is going to be a late night I can tell.

Underfoot

Contemplation.

Saturday 9th Jan.

This  was a yo-yo night. Light off at 12.50 am to go to sleep. I snuggled into the warmth of my quilt and let sleep take me away. I think there must be a petrol shortage as it was a short journey and the round trip only lasted until 2.06 am. Then I was wide awake again and within minutes was being driven ( sorry, I forgot about the petrol) coasted crazy. I soothed my legs with my Aveeno cream (with menthol) then signed into the computer. First job was to check the Eurolottery. I’m charging the small gods with ignorance for not listening to my pleas to become a filthy rich peace ambassador. It’s rolled over again so I dream on until Tuesday. Of course I have the normal lottery tonight which I haven’t checked yet. All  fingers crossed please. At 3.26 am I went back to bed and tried again. I succeeded.

Next up at 5.48 am. I had to be quite nippy  as I needed my normal drugs but also needed breakfast as the new drug must be taken with food. I had my fingers crossed that the nausea contra-indication wouldn’t come to the fore today of all days. Mike’s alarm went off before I’d finished in th kitchen o I made a coffee and took it through hoping he’d be feeling better than last night. He got up at the third alarm and brought his coffee through to the lounge. I turned the light on and joined him with my own coffee. He’s not feeling sick today but has a sore throat and is chesty. He refused to go back to bed though and says he will shop as usual.                                                                          We were on our way out by 7.15 am having dealt with putting the bins out ready for collection. It was only just gone 7.30 am when we got to the Supermarket. We were both still expecting to find rails of clothing in the sale but nada, nil and nowt. They’re so often before Christmas now that the concept of the January sale has gone.

Without the detour the rest of the expedition went quickly enough and we were soon in McDonalds for a drink. And fairly soon out of there too as the goodies were going into the car boot at 9.00 am. We had a detour to a large shop we like so I was able to pick up cough medicine with something for his throat too, plus some cough sweets. Kill or cure I think. From there we went to Flint and picked up a couple more items before going for coffee. I asked Mike to get stuff for Joey but Joey says I can’t send him again as he’s neither canary nor finch. For once I think Mike had glasses with him but vanity prevents him putting them on.                                                                                                     Ceri was on this morning so Mike got to drool while I nipped for a wee. Then I came out empty to refill the tank with a latte. Once we’d finished there we’d finished to all intents and purposes though we did look round another shop. We talked about what next and I said I was happy to come home and work if Mike wanted to go back to bed. That’s what we did. I worked from 1.00 pm to 5.00 pm and Mike slept roughly the same then came through to the lounge where I made him something to eat.

We had some TV surrounding another small period of me playing catch up but the last programme we watched was Judge Deed. That took us up to 10.00 pm which was my deadline for coming through to tear through the mail again and prepare the blog.                                                                                                                                                                                  Some of you have asked how Reuben has taken to the new arrival.

Little Sister

Big Brother

I hope you’ve all had a good first week of the New Year , I hope next week is even better. Huge Hugs to you all.

The Great Potato Escape & The Cleaner Starts….and Finishes?

Sunday 27th Sept 2015.

My light was off at 12.30 am and I was ready to sleep. It was a pain to be up again at 1.04 am though after a trip to the loo I went straight back to sleep until 4.06 am.Then it was definitely time to get up to start dealing with mail. I paid another visit to the loo first then powered up and signed in. It only took until 5.30 am to clear the talktalk mail and then till 6.15 am to clear the gmail box.Next I spent a little time answering comments on the blog before disappearing for my meds at 6.55 am. Meds all done I brought my coffee back and did some more emails then checked on ebay and put a bid in on a black homburg dating from about 1910. About 9.00 am I went to open Joey’s cage and got the cold shoulder even though I sat chatting to him. Scratching his itches seemed more important and I suppose I can sympathise with that. I went back through at 9.30 am to check comments on the blog and heard Mike get up at 9.45 am- Unaided ! He’s currently taking tablets designed to curb the urge to smoke. You take them for a month . For the first couple of weeks you take them and smoke normally, then the dosage changes. Today he seems to be smoking much less than usual and certainly much less than me where we would normally keep pace with each other. Maybe I should ask for some.( Don’t even think it). We talked for a while then he went to do the vase for Ju’s flowers and I started to give Joey more millet and another seed bell. Then I had to sweep the floor around the cage.

At 10.30 I was back on the computer and keeping an eye on the hat I was bidding on. At ten seconds before the end I increased my bid and was winning but at 5 seconds someone gazumped me by £1. I was as sick as a parrot even though I do it myself. The hat was just my size. To make me feel better Mike got dressed. ( believe me it’s always better to see him dressed) and we went to lunch. For some reason we decided to try Misty Waters and we haven’t been here since Ju died I don’t think. They always seemed to have spectacularly great meals or as bad as they come. I’m pretty sure ownership might have changed and there’s a new chef. The meal was great. I had roast beef and Mike had half a lamb. The quantities were good too, the only trouble was the potatoes seemed to have knife resistant skin. One of my roasties shot of the plate when I tried to cut it. It bounced off my lap and onto the floor. It almost happened again with my small boiled one. Mike thought it hilarious and knew he was safe because he’s slathered his meal with mint sauce which I  despise with a passion.He suggested mine were the leaders of the escape committee.  After the meal we started towards home but broke the journey to go to a supermarket. It didn’t take long to see we wanted nothing so we came home. Mike shot off to see his Dad and I came in to speak to Joey and to catch up on mail yet again.

At 5.00 pm I broke off to have some tea. Some rhubarb crumble I must have accidentally forgotten to send back with Michael. It would never last till I see him on Thursday evening. I had it with custard and not to rub salt in the wound but it was fantastic. After washing the evidence I sat with a film on, nattering to Joey every time he came out to do a circuit of the room. That meant I talked most of the way through my own film. It was quite funny as he stayed in his cage during the adverts. At 9.30 pm I abandoned another film starring Adam Sandler whom I never really seem to have got on with. If Mike had been here it would have stayed on for sure as Jennifer Aniston was in it with him. At least it gave me chance to come and clear more mail and respond to comments on the blog…. one of which by my lovely friend Teagan sent me hotfoot to her blog where she’d made the most kind comments about me, and others had joined in. I’m still glowing now. I would have been going to her blog anyway for my weekly helping of her serial which keeps me on the edge of my seat. Once the mail was clear I made sure to close down ebay for the night to avoid further distraction, more late nights and a further emptying of the bank account. That done I was able to start the blog safe in the knowledge I’d be in bed before midnight.

Monday 28th.

If you heard a strangled scream about 12.38 am BST this morning I apologise. It was me waking up about five minutes after I’d gone to sleep and finding out I needed the loo. And yes, I did go before I turned the light off. I was much happier second time round at 2.47 am as I knew I’d be able to see the green cheese that’s the moon a lot closer and the partial eclipse. Hmmm, it didn’t look very green to me but it did look awfully close and the effect of the partial eclipse was wonderful. Very ethereal, it was worth standing out in the cold in my dressing gown for. Yes, the old jokes are the best….this morning I opened the door in my dressing gown. Why have you got a door in your dressing gown? I’d been to the loo when I got up and come back to log on and start my mail before venturing out. I made a belated wish when I came back in since I forgot when I saw it all. Back inside the house I carried on with my post and with the comments on my blog.People are far kinder than I have any right to expect. My music choices seem to be hitting the spot for some of you. I just hope the memories they bring are all positive.

At 5.50 am I went through to the kitchen for my meds. I had breakfast so I took my pre-foodie, stuck bread in the toaster, had my meds and then a cigarette as a timer so the toast would be cold, then slathered in butter I had it. Wonderful. About 6.15 am I came back to check on further messages, cleared them and headed straight to ebay to see what I’ve got coming up today. A hat, not sure, a broach, don’t really need it now, a pair of trousers, Oh yes, I need those and an antique Victorian embroidered smoking hat, no question I need this. There’s also a bulk buy of watches would be great for Temptations if I can get them reasonably enough. Fingers crossed. Just as well my private pension kicked in today. Approaching 7.00 am I opened Joey’s cage door so he could fly free whenever he was happy with the light. I thought about putting the washing on then put it off as MuJo are coming today and I hate going out while the drier is still going. Instead I turned the TV on and sat down in the lounge with ‘3rd Rock from the Sun’. At 8.15 am I went to get dressed so that I could take my prescription request to the chemist at 9.00 am.

When I went out some kind person has kindly let their dog foul the tunnel connecting the bungalows to the main road. It was either like an Army assault course trying to avoid the pieces scattered about or like Rudolf Nureyev doing a series of spins across the stage on one toe. I made it and wondered whether to take the long way round on the way back. I knew I’d have to sweep the tunnel anyway. After I’d dropped the prescription request off I did come back the same way and after doing my pasodoble I got my brush out and swept the mess into the garden verge. My postie gave me a surprise by coming early this morning. Another sign-for package and I wasn’t sure what it was going to be as I’d forgotten a piece of jewellery I’d won at the end of last week. I checked it out and came to do feedback. It’s possible I may have spent a minute or two more on there. I needed to go to the kitchen to wash my breakfast post and prepare drinks for MuJo. I’d no sooner got in there than I saw them passing the window. Just 10.30 am a bit earlier than usual. Since I haven’t seen them for three weeks we had plenty to chat about though and Joey entertained them with an aerial display.

We left the house at 11.30 am and I hadn’t seen Val by then. I hoped she wouldn’t think anything was wrong. Up in town John visited his charity shops then we went to the Bells (not the Bells of St Mary’s) for lunch. I had some braised steal with boiled potatoes and they both had a roast pork dinner. After lunch we went to the new Homies shop in Holywell and it was great, bigger even than my favourite shop in Flint. Then a card shop and back to the car to head for Flint.First Mu wanted ALDI which was fine and we picked up what she needed before heading for Temptations. I’d bought the girl’s chocolates in Holywell so we could go straight into Temptations and order. Sian served me and then a few minutes later I saw Ceri and got a wave. There were a couple more shops to visit before we headed off again. Back in the direction of Holywell again so Muriel could visit LIDL for flowers and loo rolls. My loo rolls were sold out so she couldn’t get those. We went home where I made John a cup of tea to take his next tablets with. They left around 5.00 pm. I went to talk to Joey and got a rollocking again.

I had some tea then did some work until it was time for one of my auctions at 7.37 pm. I won that one. Being up to date I went to sit in the lounge and watch a comedy with Joey performing his acrobatics again. I remained there until 9.30 pm when I was due to check another lot but I decided against bidding as the price had gone up so much. I have a few tomorrow with luck so I was able to start the blog at almost 10.00 pm and with luck will get another early night.

Tuesday 29th.

Light off around 12.15 am and I was ready to sleep. I got up at 3.24 am and knew I’d been dreaming about having an argument with somebody.Since I can’t remember who it was in order to avoid it I’ve decided to go into isolation and avoid everyone today. I shall therefore be locking myself in the loo from about 7.00 am so I can’t start with Joey. Today’s blog may therefore be even more boring than usual if that’s possible. My first job of the morning after he initial visit to the loo was to check the bank. After I was satisfied an expected receipt was there I was able to start on the mail boxes. Both done and dusted by 5.00 am. That meant I was able to put the washing on as I’m not visiting Chester today, I have a cold I don’t want to pass on. I was also able to start some cleaning. Joey feigned sleep so he didn’t have to help but he always thinks he does his share by making the mess in the first place. I keep telling him not to spit but he gets seed husks everywhere.

I did my cleaning, I did my washing ( the machine got stuck on the drying cycle, the stuff was almost rigid when I realised). There was nothing interesting in the post and I fell asleep during Homes Under the Hammer which was the only interesting thing on the telly this morning. I was so confused when I woke up I  took my pre-foodie and ended up making my lunch half an hour early. I fell asleep before Bargain Hunt even started.                                                                                                                                                        After lunch I came through to attack all the work I’d missed by skiving off in dreamland and had a fair bit of catching up to do. A knock at the door surprised me but it was my friend from the chemist with my prescription a day earlier than expected again. Much better than the often three days late. I had to keep hitting myself over the head with a stick so I didn’t fall asleep again as I have an important bid on during my Antiques Road Trip tonight.                                                                                                                                  I took a break to watch Homes in the Country at 3.00 pm but was conscious of my bids all the time. At 4.35 pm I sat by the computer watching the countdown and with my 10 second strategy. I lost what I wanted because the same sneaky burger as before sneaked in. However 20 minutes later I won the next one by adopting his strategy over mine. The one after that I lost because I was involved in answering an email and only turned over just as the item was won. Still, along with one I won yesterday, this will mean I have enough of a decent present for the person intended.

After the stress of losing I returned to the lounge for the last of the Road Trip and then for my two quizzes. Joey was in full chatter mode to his small mirror in the cage and I’m sure he wasn’t answering questions with me. As I turned the volume up to hear it, he turned his volume up too.                                                                                                           From 6.30 pm to 7.55 pm I concentrated on my mail to keep myself clear but at 8.00 pm I watched a DIY SOS followed by a search for the bones of Alfred the Great, King of Wessex and founder of modern day England. It seems that Henry VIII’s dissolution of the Monasteries did much in helping to lose the bones of King Alfred and his family when Hyde Abbey was destroyed. I can’t help but wonder sometimes what would have happened had William not invaded and the country had been left with Anglo Saxon rulers. Finally I turned the TV off and said my goodnight to Joey before coming through to try and convince you my life is interesting, and again clear my mail.

El Toreador fights the bull with his bare hands..

Wednesday 30th

I had an early night and it was great. I didn’t feel like reading and had to put my book down and turn the light off before midnight. I was probably asleep within a minute. It was an absolute pain to wake up at 12.10 am.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      However much I felt refreshed I needed more sleep so I went to my chair in the lounge and soon nodded off there. I woke at a much more reasonable 3.41 am. OK, I’m talking reasonable by my standards not yours. It didn’t take me long to clear the post from my talktalk mailbox but I was distracted by a search I wanted to do on ebay before I even started on my gmail stuff so it was almost 5.30 am before I was clear there too.                                                                                                                                                                   I applied cream to my legs to stop the itching ( I hoped) and went to take my meds and have some breakfast. I was unsure until the last minute what to have and ended up eating my toast hot for a change.

Breakfast over and excess butter removed from moustache I returned to work. A few more messages had come in while I was away so I worked to clear those. I confess that I was glad some did not need replies because I know I was distracted.                                                                                                                                                                                                   I’m having visitors next week. I’m both scared and excited to be meeting someone I’ve never met before even though we’ve known each other online for a while. I haven’t had visitors for many a year and to be honest I’m trying hard to think of ways to make them feel welcome and anticipate anything they might need even down to dishes for the dogs. As you can imagine, that’s going to please Joey no end as he’ll have to be cage bound a couple of days.                                                                                                                  Since I don’t cook here except in the microwave or via the grill, main meals will have to be eaten out but I want to make sure I can offer breakfast at least. So, I’m all the time trying to think of things for my shopping list for Saturday.

At 9.00 am I went to Pauline’s to get some cigs (even though it’s Stoptober tomorrow) some curry & chips and my TV mag. Guess what, a black forest gateau jumped from the freezer into my bag.I had to buy a loaf just to insulate me from the chill. It’s started defrosting now so I suppose I’ll have to eat it. Pauline also remembered that I’d never managed to find another cleaner ( is my reputation that bad?) and she kindly gave me the name and number of a friend who cleans. I’ll have to ask someone to get in touch with her for me.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 Naturally when I got back Joey gave me a telling off for going out.  I wonder if they make a harness for a budgie so I can take him with me? If I get a cleaner it’ll be nice that he gives someone else a rollocking for using the hoover. I came through to keep pace with my mail and had a lovely message from my lovely author friend Paula Acton who’s birthday it is.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    At 10.00 am I went to see the Homes Under the Hammer and made a real effort to stay awake this time. I succeeded- just! There was a 2 bedroom house for sale with a guide price of £10-15,000 which went for £25,750. It was tremendous. Nothing too major to be done. They spent about £8000 doing it up and got a valuation at the end of £60,000. That’s almost £30,000 profit (less fees) for a short period of work and the satisfaction of seeing a property look so nice. Renting it out would give an excellent yield too, much better than money deposited with a bank. There are still bargains to be had at house auctions.

At 11.00 I came back to do the mail and at 11.50 am I went off to do my lunch. I was dickering between something a little different that involved lamb and colcannon mash or chips with curry sauce. Then I remembered that the chippy should be open for lunch and decided to go there instead. I got two small sausages, chips, mushy peas and curry sauce. I may not want to eat again this week. In the end I lost the battle with myself and there I was in the queue at the chippie. To be fair it was very nice but the chips were pale enough for me to think they needed emergency treatment. It was just as well most were hidden under the curry sauce. I’m assuming Joey doesn’t care for curry either as it didn’t entice him over. After lunch I came to my room to work . I stayed until 4.15 pm then went to prepare a mug for Dil. I glanced out of the kitchen window and saw someone walking away from the door area. I hadn’t heard a knock or the bell. I went outside to look and a young lady, about to get into a car came back towards me and introduced herself as Kelly, the girl Pauline had told me about. I brought her inside to talk and Dil arrived which made it easier for me to speak. Anyway, she starts tomorrow for two hours. Wonderful.

Dil and I watched the Antiques Road Trip and our usual quiz before the weapons of war came out. Yahtzee first and I won 4-2 so we had to play again where I lost 4-2 so it was honours even. It had taken quite a while so we only had time for the Trivial Pursuit after that. I’m pleased to say I won that even if I fluked the answer to the last question. Dil left to go home for his tea with a call he’d see me on Sunday as they’re coming to the meal on Sunday with the girls. There will be ten or so of us this time as well as Reuben and Nathan. After tidying up and washing the pots I came through and was able to start the blog at 10.30 pm so not too bad tonight.

Thursday October 1st.

After ignoring any further emails that had come in I was in bed for 11.30 pm last night. After a read I turned the light off at 12.23 am and didn’t struggle too long before I was asleep………….until 1.27 am that is. I knew I wanted more sleep but it didn’t seem possible in bed so at 1.38 am I decamped to the lounge and nodded off in my chair. Joey didn’t seem to mind the company. I slept until 3.01 am which was the point when I was awake in the way that says “That’s your lot pal.”                                                                  I paid a visit to  the Wee Room on my way past and then got to my bedroom to power up and log on. What a strange morning. I tried to log onto talktalk mail and was told I didn’t have the right to access this. I tried for gmail instead and was timed out.I tried for the bank and got in, my pension credit was there but still not the money they owe me. I’m sure they just hate parting with it. Yvonne phoned them for me later on.                                                                                                                                                                                             I signed out of there and tried my Barsetshire Diaries site and was also blocked, so I tried ebay- no problems there. I started all over again. Talktalk-fine,  gmail – fine, Barsetshire – fine.  Great,I started on my mail.

At 6.00 am I called a halt and went to have some breakfast and take my morning meds. Following that I had a quick clean round and boxed some of the millions of ornaments before Kelly gets here to clean. I don’t want her to start off thinking I’m a slob. By 7.30 I was back at work but not for long as I was temporarily clear. I got dressed and went through to Joey to open the cage. Kelly is an animal lover luckily for him, and doesn’t mind him being out. She told me yesterday that she has so many pets, people think she’s an animal shelter and dump more animals on her all the time. She has dogs, cats and ferrets all in double figures. Those aren’t pets, it’s a menagerie.  I took a walk to Pauline’s to do the lottery and she reminded me that there are big changes due at the end of next week. I forgot to ask her how much more it would cost. They’re adding more numbers t the lottery which to my mind makes it harder to win but they’re increasing the prizes on some of the lower wins. They already seem as rare as hen’s teeth. I have a ticket she can scan that tells the machine my numbers and to produce a ticket for Wednesday and Saturday. She won’t be able to use that next week but I must ask her if it can be used after that or perhaps I can get a new one.

At home again I had a quick glance at Frasier which I think Joey must have put on. The phone went and I listened to the message left which was to say that on her first day Kelly had to go to the vets and wouldn’t be here until this afternoon. Obviously I couldn’t reply but it doesn’t matter anyway as I’m here. As long as I can get to the TV at 4.30 pm. And talking of the TV, I watched Homes Under the Hammer again this morning. I’m fascinated by the changes some people wrought on the places they bought. I think I’d quite happily have most of them to renovate a property for me.                                                                                                                                                                                                        After that I came through to catch up on my mail and leave feedback on a small delivery from my postman. But at 11.50 am everything stops while I get my lunch. I didn’t go to the chippy today but I did have chips with curry sauce from the freezer. I do have some normal meals like cottage pie in the fridge but I just have the taste for that today. I’m so easy to please.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        O.M.G. Something utterly strange and unusual happened, I fell asleep after my Bargain Hunt.!! I was unconscious until 2.10 pm and even then I had to try really hard to pull myself together. The sun was shining down through the front window tanning one half of my face a crispy bacon brown (Mmmm bacon). I struggled to my feet while Joey laughed and made my way to the bedroom (mine, not HIS) to check on my emails. One of them asked if I was OK as she was missing my comments on her blog. It made me think, there are a few I haven’t seen anything from just recently, some of my favourite people. I went through to wordpress to check I was still due to receive instant notification, and I am which worried me even more. I changed the rate from instant to daily to see if it makes a difference. I seem to remember someone once saying that wordpress cap the amount of blogs you can follow but I didn’t expect that to mean it would stop sending notifications to me of ones I follow regularly. No wonder I’m getting through my post so much quicker.

At 2.55 am Kelly arrived preceded by a knock on the door. I’d have to be a corpse to not notice what a pretty girl she is. It was during a brief conversation about my photo wall that it came out her husband died 4 years ago and that they would have been celebrating 15 years together this year. I thought she was about 18 and I think I have to start revising my guesses. Is this like the statement that policemen seem to get younger every year, I can’t guess a woman’s age at all now? We decided that she’d start to work on the kitchen and work her way round to the lounge and from there it depended upon how much time she had left. What she doesn’t do this week she can start on next week. She does know that she can’t polish on the TV table at 4.30 pm when the Antiques Road Trip is on. After being introduced to my hoover Kelly asked if it was OK just to do an hour today and to complete the stint tomorrow when she’s bring her own industrial hoover along. I didn’t realise mine was so poor. I agreed of course as it meant I’d be OK to watch my Antiques Road Trip on both days. She left at 4.00 pm and at half past I stopped work and went to the lounge. I stayed until 6.30 pm before coming back to work.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             

My phone was on charge in the kitchen so I kept an ear and an eye open for it. Mike texted at 7.20 pm to say he was on his way.  I stopped work and went through to prepare his mug at 9.00 pm and watched a Law and Order episode while waiting. Mike arrived at 9.40 pm and nearly turned my shoes brown when I went to check the front door and as I opened the lounge door he was there. I made his drink but he had to carry it as my nerves were shot. I was filled in on the information regarding his father and it seems the hospital are OK with him going to the new flat so he must be doing well. Maybe a couple of weeks respite before he moves in but it turns out the home is right next to the flat anyway so he can chart progress on the removals.                                                                                                                                                                                            Mike seems less stressed and happier at the news. I’m glad. I’ve told him about an invitation to Dil’s anniversary meal in November but I’m not sure whether he’ll be with me that weekend as his birthday is on the Friday and he may prefer to have the weekend with his son and grandchildren. We have the family meal on Sunday this week to enjoy as well which will be nice.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              I watched another episode of Law and Order with him before coming through at 11.00 pm to do the blog. The mail may have to wait till the morning.

Friday 2nd.

OK. It was a late finish last night. Bed about 12.30 am and light off about 1.15 am but at least I was able to stay in bed this time and I didn’t have to get up in the night wither. I got up at 5.11 am and felt rested. I had to pay my visit to the loo now and leaving it longer wasn’t an option. I came back and brought the computer to life then started on the emails. I had to draw a halt to it as it’s Friday and my drugs for the week need doing so at 6.00 am I went through to the kitchen and took my morning meds and a pre-foodie. I put two slices of bread in the toaster then grabbed my drug drawer from the lounge and started filling the compartments in my drug tray. That took me about twenty minutes and then I was able to have my toast and make a coffee to take back to work with me.

I heard Mike’s alarm go off at 7.30 am so I went through to the kitchen to make him a coffee. He acknowledged the drink when I took it through but didn’t move. Nor did he move for the next alarm or the next or even my call that his coffee was cold that accompanied it. Finally at the fourth alarm I heard him go through. I finished the message I was dealing with and followed Mike. By now there was plenty of light so I wished Joey good morning and opened the cage. He preferred to stay behind his mirror and pretend I couldn’t see him, at least f0r a while. As Mike had a meeting at 10.30 am I’m glad he left about 9.00 am. You’d have expected me to return to work straight away but no, I found myself watching Frasier again.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      The postman surprised me by coming early this morning and banging on the door but the parcel I had to sign for was one I’d been expecting. It completed a section of presents I wanted out of the way. For all my failures on ebay recently ( including this morning dammit) I’ve had some good successes. There are still more parcels to be delivered in dribs and drabs from them, probably Mon, Tues, Wed of next week according to their guesses and then the following week as well. Real progress which I’m pleased about as Mike announced it’s 12 weeks today to Christmas Day. Not long at all. I will be ready.

At 10.00 am I had Homes Under the Hammer for an hour. Well for 50 mins really as Joey had a right ‘paddy’ for the first ten minutes. I’ve no idea who he was telling off or why but he was ferocious and his little head was bobbing up and down with emphasis. It’s just as well the show does a recap of the properties and their problems as they show you the changes made or I’d have missed the first one completely.                                                                                                                                                                                                          It’s just as well we don’t all wake up in that mood or get angry all the time. I forgot to mention last night that Yvonne did phone he DWP about my money. Whoever she spoke to admitted the debt showed on screen but said no-one had requested payment in the office. This is now 8 weeks down the line from their admission. So he did it for me and told Yvonne it would take 4 weeks. She was seething, especially when he came back and asked for all my bank details to make payment. As Mike commented last night, why didn’t they just reverse the payment to where they took the money from? The DWP hold my bank details as that’s how they pay me. But it’s not worth getting in a tizz about. I am owed it, I will get it now. You do have to wonder at their efficiency though. What would have happened to some other poor soul who just accepted the debt and not queried it? How much interest have I lost on the money owed and what bargains might I have found on ebay with it?

I returned to work for an hour after my programme then broke at midday for lunch. I had a corned beef hash and I have to admit I don’t like the ones from Morrison’s now. Whether it was the herbs they seem to have added or perhaps that was a coat of mould I missed, it just didn’t sit well with me. I thought I might just shut my eyes for forty winks to sleep it off but though I tried hard it was no go.Disappointed I came back to work.                                                                                                                                                         There was plenty to go at too, and quite a few sales in shops I use. I was happy to note I beat most of the sale prices on ebay. One firm had the nerve to offer me a jumper at£14.99 instead of £19.99 yet last week I bought the same one from their ebay store at £7.99. I think it’s fun shopping for the best deals. Swings and roundabouts though as last week I paid £9.99 for a Goodsouls jumper I could have had for £4.99 today. I worked till 3.00 pm then took a break for Escape to the Country knowing Kelly was due back at about 3.30 pm after she finished her main job for the day. I was hoping her industrial hoover wouldn’t just suck my carpets up.Thank heavens for laminate.                Kelly didn’t come. No phone call with a reason, nothing. I’m beginning to think it must be me though I didn’t say enough to be offensive and I’m very easy going about how the cleaner would work. Neither exacting or demanding. But perhaps there’s something else that no-one will tell me about? I mopped the kitchen floor.

At 4.30 pm it was the last day of my Antiques Road Trip. I stayed awake, it was very good. I remained in the lounge until 6.40 pm. They said Eggheads was on but when I turned over it was Strictly Come Dancing. Not for me thanks. I noticed an old episode of A Fine Romance with Judy Dench and her husband the late Michael Williams. It was excellent. As soon as it was over I had to ram 40 minutes work into 20 minutes so I could go for my shower at 7.00 pm. No word at that time about Mike coming back so I locked the front door, grabbed my change of clothes and went to the bathroom. When I came out clean and dressed to relax I went straight into the lounge  and was just in time to hear my phone tinkle. Mike said he was on his way back, that meant with luck I could expect him around 8.30 pm. It was 8.20 pm as he was in time for the last bit of Mastermind. I found out his Dad is now in the home by the new flat but there is a question mark as to whether he’ll ever come out to try the flat. I suppose the biggest part of the decision making will be whether his Dad says he doesn’t like where he is at the end of the three week respite period or not. If he seems happy to stay where he is everyone will be happy.

We watched a programme on Patagonia of particular interest to me because of the Welsh families that moved there and still maintained the Welsh language and traditions. But they have some strange and amazing animals there too and some weather patterns that are quite unbelievable.After that I took my night time meds, locked Joey in his cage with a goodnight and headed back to work. Mike wasn’t too far behind and he seemed tired. As I was working I couldn’t hear the TV in his room so maybe he’s settled to an early night. I got my mail up to date by 11.00 pm and then started on the blog which I’m hopeful will still get me to bed early. I’m tired too.

Saturday 3rd.

I did manage to beat the midnight deadline last night and kept my relaxation reading down to the minimum so that my light went out at 12.20 am. I wriggled for a short while to find a comfortable spot then I was gone.  I woke and got up at 3.11 am. There was no urgency for the loo but habit took me there first before coming back and powering up and signing on.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          Before starting my emails I went to my WordPress reader and changed all my favourites back from daily to Instant to see if it makes a difference. I apologise to all my regular friends who haven’t been getting likes and comments, Sally, Olga, Jane, Mary J and Sue, all of you, I’m not ignoring you but I’m not being notified of any of your posts. If any of you have any idea how I can deal with this I’d be happy to hear from you.                                                                                                                                                                 After making the changes I waited to see if it made any difference to emails coming in. In the meantime, On with the Show, I opened my talktalk mail and my gmail account. The first was dealt with by 4.10 am and the latter by 5.55 am. I went through to the kitchen to take my meds and have some breakfast. I prepared Mike’s mug at the same time ready for his alarm going off at 6.30 am. I took my own coffee through to make sure I was still up to date with mail and to get dressed. As his alarm went off I was there with his coffee.I didn’t expect more than the neanderthal grunt I got and returned to my own drink pronto ! By 6.45 am I was up to date and I was dressed.

At the second ring of his alarm Mike sighed and got up. I heard him pad through to the lounge. I left him to it and had a search on ebay. I wasn’t in the mood for pushing him and decided he’d be ready when he was ready. He obviously wasn’t ready at 7.00 am. I should have been doing the bins but no, I wasn’t in the mood for that either. Somehow we were out of the house even earlier than usual at 7.20 am we were parked up in the Supermarket before 7.45 am. We’d actually finished the shopping by 8.45 am. One of these days I must remember to add food to my list. We were able to head for our coffee quite quickly.                                                                                                                     From there we headed straight for Flint and did a few shops before going to Temptations for our morning treat. This morning we had the pleasure of Ceri, Trudy and Sian, and those three had the pleasure of a bigger box of chocolates than usual. Mike had his usual breakfast. Trudy did our drinks which we enjoyed.                                                        Once finished Mike’s big question was what to do with ourselves for the rest of the day. He suggested my mood needed brightening (much like the weather as there’s a thick fog out) only he wasn’t anywhere near so polite.

I had no suggestions to make though wouldn’t have objected to the Tweed Mill. Mike would sooner extract his teeth via the door handle. As we left Temptations he turned towards Queensferry and then pointed out he’d taken the wrong direction for Broughton Park. I directed him another way. The place has changed enormously with the addition of 5 restaurants and a cinema complex, soon there will be three good shops to replace one that has closed.We parked by one of my favourite shops, Home Sense where I could get an idea about Christmas stocking gifts. We had a wander there, then in the ASDA home shop and finally Tesco where I picked up some more tins of sweets. That’s my postie and Temptations covered now. We went for lunch at a chain pub on the site but the service was atrocious today. The wrong things being brought though the orders had been quite clear. It’s never been this bad before.                                                                                                                                                                                                             We started what I thought was our journey home when Mike asked what there was between where we were at that moment and home. I casually said Buckley just as we passed the exit and I ended up having to direct Mike yet another way. We had a good wander there and I was able to get some nice clothes for Roobs and Nathan for when I see them tomorrow. We finally left and got home.

I was saddened to find a letter addressed to Ju on the mat as well as a card to say there was a parcel left next door. Thanks Darren. We put the shopping away then Mike went to retrieve the parcel from Dorothy and I took something to my room. I found a parcel on the mat behind the door curtain. That’s one more item I’ve been waiting for and the parcel Mike brought was Reuben’s Christmas books. Going to my room to work I was surprised to find as I left feedback that I’d been offered a second chance on a ring I missed. I missed it by quite a bit but am offered it at my offer. A five colour gold ring. It will serve as an extra gift sometime. I worked until Mike called me to join him for a quiz at 5.30 pm and stayed there until 9.00 pm when I came back to catch up on mail. At 10.35 pm I was able to start the blog. Five minutes after I publish I hope to be in bed.

I wish you all a Wonderful Week full of dreams come true and Hugs Galore.

Itty Bitty Spider & Somnambulism.

Sunday 16th August.

A late night deserves a late morning and that’s what I got today. It was 5.04 am before I opened my eyes. I swung my legs out of bed to head to the bathroom forgetting just how bad they are and almost fell over. Though I can stand on the right one, the left had decided it was on strike for better conditions. I managed to lollop my way down the passage to the bathroom, wincing all the way. On the plus side, it’s not itching. Coming back I turned the computer on and opened my first mail box.
I caught up ( temporarily) with that one at 9.08 am and went to open the second one.Today just had to be the day that TalkTalk had implemented changes to ‘improve’ their service to me. A new mail service totally with a pretty new display that so far does absolutely nothing. I tell a lie, it displays the messages piecemeal instead of in a continuous list, it takes an age to delete anything and an age to change pages. I gave up trying at 9.30 am and went to make a coffee for Mike. I was determined he was getting up before lunchtime. It took a while but eventually he trotted through to the lounge.

We left the house at 11.00 am and headed for The Tweed Mill to see if they’d had further deliveries of these fantastic Brakeburn shoes which are the most comfortable for me to wear. It’s like wearing nothing at all except your feet don’t get dirty or wet. Mike bought a pair two years ago when I did and has never regretted it. I was out of luck in my size but we did get to have a nice coffee ( actually I slurped a milk shake) before having a good look round. Then we decided to stay for lunch there and go on elsewhere afterwards. We both had a Sunday roast. The quantity was pretty generous I thought. Before we left I bought two pairs of Brakeburns for Yvonne thinking they might be comfortable for her during the pregnancy. That done, we headed for Butterflies at Kinmel Bay. Not for the cafe but for the fish place so Mike could get some special food ( for the fish) and some sponges for his air pumps. When Ju was alive we used to buy a lot of fish from there. Friendly knowledgeable staff and a great choice. She’d be very disappointed to see it now. So many tanks closed down. Still, they stock the food Mike wanted so it was worth the visit. Next stop Prestatyn which was on the way home. I needed some cotton balls from the £ shop to apply the calamine lotion. We found out last night that tissues aren’t very good. I spent £13 in there and I haven’t got the foggiest idea on what. Time to get home after that and we made it for 4.00 pm.

Mike went to work on Ju’s flowers so I made him a coffee then came through to make a start on the mail. At 4.30 pm I had to stop to say goodbye to Mike as he was heading home again though he says he’ll be back on Tuesday. I’d just had a message on skype that MuJo are visiting that day too since I’m not seeing Yvonne then. My day with her this week is Monday again. That’s good as I’ll be able to take the shoes through for her. Once Mike had gone I sat in front of the box for an hour skiving and eating some BFG. Then I came through and worked until 8.00 pm when I had an hour of MASH before calling it a night and apologising to Joey for the lack of company today. I’m pretty sure he misses us when we go out. I managed to get up to date on the mail and get the blog done before the witching hour so there’ll be time for a short read before sleep.

Monday 17th.

There was an early wake-up at 2.05 am but I declined that invitation and after a painful trip to the loo I managed to get back to sleep. At 4.24 am when I woke again, getting up seemed a much more reasonable proposition. I didn’t need the loo that time so only had to hop over to the computer and fire up. I was done with the first battle by 6.00 am and opened my other mail box to work. Miraculously it did work this morning and by 6.30 am I was clear there too. Maybe only temporarily but it gave me the opportunity to grab my sticks and go through to take the morning meds. I was going to get those out of the way then get dressed ready to visit Yvonne. It was only then I remembered I couldn’t see her today. They’ve both taken two weeks off to be with Reuben and have planned outings every day. It’s Reuben’s birthday on Friday but I won’t see him until Sunday when we have a little party for him. Lucky for me his main present, the rocking donkey, is already at their house. So, once I’d had the meds I made a coffee to bring back to my room.As I went to the sink to wash my spoon I found a tarantula waiting for me. It’s legs were stretched to either side of the sink. I had to find a container big enough to catch it in and a pack horse strong enough to carry it to the front door while I released it. I looked on the net to see what it was and was surprised to see it called House Spider. In all my years I’ve never seen one like that in my house and I wonder if they meant as big as one? For the first time ever, no more mail came while I was out of the room. If only every day was so kind. I shall still have to get dressed later to take my prescription request to the chemist.

I took my coffee back to the lounge and sat with Joey while I enjoyed it. After a while and it was bright enough I opened the cage door. Joey came out and circled the room a couple of times. His flight dipped as he passed me almost as if he was going to land but then common sense got the better of him and he headed for his mirror and the first of many self arguments of the day. I even managed to nod off a bit while he was chunnering. At 9.00 am I hobbled my way to the chemist and dropped my prescription off then came home and started work again. While there I checked ebay again and found a ‘Second Chance ‘offer. For those of you who haven’t had one, that’s where the winner of an item hasn’t paid and the vendor offers it to the second best bidder at the price they offered. I was amazed since I’d missed the winning bid by a country mile and I doubted my bid even reached the gold value. I accepted like a shot. Later in the morning, after watching Homes Under the Hammer I’d just restarted work when the new doorbell rang. It was the warden. She came in to chat and to wish Joey a good morning. She was pleased to see him come out of the cage even though he ignored her.At 11.30 she took her chocolates and left. I thought about preparing for lunch but received a text on my mobile which was charging up in the kitchen. It was Lis to see if I was in. As soon as I verified it she texted she’d be here soon. And just about midday, in she came.

It was lovely to see her again and it must have been quite a while as she knew nothing about Joey. We spent some time catching up until she left about 1.00 pm and I was able to make my lunch. Steak in Ale with mashed potatoes. Not bad at all really. Since I’d missed Bargain Hunt I didn’t watch TV. I just listened to Joey giving me a bollocking for something he imagined I’d done. Then I returned to work for a while, knocking off at 4.00 pm because I’m idle. Dammit, I fell asleep again in the sun coming through my window. I missed the programme I wanted to see and woke only during the first of the quizzes, Pointless, yeh that’s just how I felt. When the quizzes ended at 7.00 pm I came back through to catch up and then I went onto ebay to see how things were in my watchlist. There are still a couple of tempting items though I’ve held back from bidding so as not to encourage anyone else at this point. Nearer the time we’ll see how I feel. Of course there are things I look at on there that I don’t buy too, which perhaps seems like a waste of time but I get good ideas for future presents like that. Since I got my first Christmas catalogue last week Christmas must be on it’s way.

At 8.00 pm I broke off to watch a history programme that fascinated me about the prospect of King Arthur having really existed. It seems we know more about the period when he was supposed to be about than we ever did and that the Kings or Warlords did have huge fortifications ( they’re OK as long as you use the cream) and did trade abroad for things like wine and oil so will have traded in much more than that. I suspect they may have been quite sophisticated people rather than the savages they were once depicted after the Romans left. Of course I had to come back when it was over so Joey could get some sleep. I caught up on emails again then started on the blog. I’ll be in bed reading well before midnight.

On the Gruffalo Trail

Gruffalo found.

Tuesday 18th.

There was a very unwelcome period at 1.28 am where I had to go to the loo. As I swung my left leg to the ground the pain became intense. It was like granules running down the inside of my leg and gathering at the ankle. So difficult to walk yet when I did , it soon settled to a throb. I wonder if I have gout in that leg rather than the cellulitis of the other? The swelling and condition of the skin are so alike though. I came back and couldn’t sleep so I had a cigarette and told myself I was not getting up yet. I did fall asleep again and didn’t wake until 5.26 am. That was a treat, over 4 and a half hours sleep. I got up and hobbled to the bathroom again. Coming back I turned the computer on and signed into  gmail. I started work. There are still nice comments on the weekend blog which is great. At 6.00 am I broke off to have some breakfast and to take the morning meds. It wasn’t too bright at that time so no response when I wished Joey good morning. He stayed huddled on his perch. While in the kitchen I put some washing in on a fast wash cycle. By the time I’d had a cigarette and then eaten my toast the wash cycle was over and I set it to dry as I took my coffee through to my room to start work again. By 8.00 am both gmail and my talktalk mailboxes were empty. I went back through to let Joey out and to clean his cage.

Absolutely typical Joey decided not to come out just then but sat there playing with his bells ( I’m not even going to imagine what some of you make of that). No enticement would get him out. It took ages before I could move him and that was just by getting too close to the cage. Still, I was able to give him some more millet which he loves. After Joey I went back to the drier and put the clothes on the airer. Time to go and get dressed. It took forever as I couldn’t get my socks on and then pulling my jeans on was no fun either and they weren’t even the skinny ones. I was ready and able for MuJo when they arrived about 10.45 am I made drinks or rather poured them as they don’t have the hot drinks. We chatted for a while and then left about 11.15 am. Mu wanted the Post Office in town so John and I amused ourselves in a charity shop. When Mu joined us we had a quick look in another one then went for lunch. After we’d been served I managed to grab the bill before Mu so no fighting today.

We drove to Flint where Mu shopped at ALDI then went to park up outside Temptations while e went to get chocolates for the girls. That done we went for a drink. I saw Ceri and told her how much we missed her on Saturday mornings. A couple more shops afterwards and I got a text from Mike to say he was on his way. That was 2.45 pm.  Not long after we headed home where I found I’d missed my drug mule. Muriel was going for her lottery tickets and said she’d go  into the chemist’s for me. When she came back I checked the items and the spray I’d asked for an extra one of had been missed out entirely. My current one ran out yesterday and I was quite cross. The surgery make too  many mistakes like that. Mike arrived at that point. We had a chat for a while then MuJo left. Mike ran me round to the chemist to request the spray again but I’ll have to wait until Thursday now. When we got in I left Mike with the quiz and came through to start catching up. I had to take a break at 7.00 pm and give Mike some company so I made tea as well and we ate watching the box. At 9.00 pm I came back through and buckled down. At 11.00 pm Mike gave up and came through to plaster my legs with calamine lotion. Here’s hoping for an itch free night.

Voyage of Discovery

Meeting the Little People

Wednesday 19th.

Allow me a little Woo-Hoo here please. I’m wondering if I’ve entered a new phase sleeping pattern. Today is my fourth post 5 am start recently. It was 5.28 am today, that’s about four and a half hours again. I haven’t slept so much in ages….OK, discounting the afternoon naps that is. When I woke this morning I reached out for my glasses as usual. They weren’t there. My fingers scrabbling around like an agitated spider told me that. I was gently checking the floor with my toes so there was no chance I’d stand on them. I held my bedside lamp over the side of the bed to see if they’d slipped down between the bed and the chest the lamp occupies. I cast my hands over all my quilt cover to see if I’d taken them off there during the night. Still nothing. All I could think of was that I’d been to my desk, to the bathroom or the lounge during the night and taken them off there. Nothing for it but to go take a look. I leaned forward and placed my hand on the back of my office chair….and there they were. Perilously poised to drop at any time.How or why I came to rest them there is anyone’s guess as I know they went on the bedside chest as usual when I gave up reading at 1.00 am this morning. The older I get the stranger life becomes.

Glasses firmly on my nose I headed for the loo. It wasn’t a comfortable walk this morning. Having relieved myself of a river I returned to my room and turned on the computer. Naturally I went straight to gmail as the talktalk issues are still not resolved. I’ve never known an ‘improvement’ cause me so many problems. At just gone 6.00 am I broke off and went through to take my drugs. I decided on breakfast so took a pre-foodie tablet and put two slices of bread in the toaster. I took all my other drugs then lit a cigarette and sat in the lounge for a while. Joey was asleep on his swing just waiting for it to get brighter so his day would begin. Cigarette finished I went through and buttered my toast. While I was eating it I washed the grill pan to get rid of the traces of last night’s bacon sandwiches. All done I came back through and picked up where I’d left off.

At 9.00 am I made a coffee and woke Mike up. After about 15 minutes I went back to tell him not to let the coffee grow cold and he agreed he wouldn’t. I let him know I was going out to the shops, strained to get my shoes on then took a slow walk to Pauline’s for milk and bread as well as my TV magazine. It took me a little while but when I got back at 9.30 am guess where he was. Mind you, e must have heard me because within minutes he was up and in the lounge. I know this is my fault but I went to keep him company and turned he TV to Frasier. Mike didn’t make a move towards dressing. At 10.00 am I turned to Homes Under the Hammer expecting him to dress and go to his dads. Nope, he sat and watched that too. So, it was 11.00 am before he got dressed and fifteen minutes later before he left. It’ll be lunchtime before he gets to his Dad’s. I hoped he’d remember to eat as I couldn’t cook for him tonight with Dil here. As soon as he’d gone I returned to work .  I worked until midday then went to make lunch. I was in the mood for quick and easy today so had a curry and chips with bread and butter. Mmmmm. Both teams on Bargain Hunt went home with a profit, one of them getting a profit on all three items and one team making over £200 on just one item. I tell you this so you know I didn’t fall asleep. I know, you’re amazed aren’t you. I returned to work until 4.00 pm and then gave up for the day. Dil arrived at 4.30 pm and had a machine and tubes attached to him . I was quite worried until I remembered he was due to have a day where his BP was taken at intervals through the day. It’s been tremendously high for a few years, often over 200/120 and they needed to check to see if he has white coat syndrome where it rises when he has to attend the surgery.

Mike sent a text to say he was on his way at about 4.40 pm but he didn’t actually make it until almost 6.30 pm. The traffic and the weather were both bad. Dil seemed happy to give up the game of Yahtzee we were playing when Mike arrived as he said it was just a trial run anyway. Since he was losing 5-o at that point I didn’t blame him. The three of us started a new game which ended up with me winning 3, Dil winning 2 and Mike just 1. Next we got the Trivial Pursuit out and after a long game Dil had to leave. We declared him the winner as he had one more slice of pie than we did. He left happy. Mike filled me in with all his news of the day, he’d achieved quite a bit. I had to come through and start the big catch up then. It took me quite a while to get going but at 10.50 pm I was able to start the blog. I’m aiming to be in bed before midnight.

Musical Interlude

A wringing of hands for Little Boy Lost

Thursday 20th.

I read till 12.30 am last night and then went through to the loo. I noticed Mike was still gaming so I went into his room. We chatted for a while about various things, not least of which was where to go today since he’s still looking for the ring, London Blue Topaz and nothing less will do. I suggested Chester, he suggested Llandudno. When I finally went back to bed I was awake again so decided to have a cigarette and another chapter of my book. I read three chapters and finished it. I got up at 5.12 am today and after visiting Piddle City I logged onto the computer. I attacked the mail and it attacked me back. At 6.00 am I went to the kitchen for my meds and stayed to have breakfast. Joey was awake and it wasn’t too dark so I opened his cage in case he wanted to come join me for breakfast. He didn’t, playing havoc with his bells was much more fun. I ate alone. When my mouth wasn’t full I spoke to him but apart from occasionally cocking his head to one side he paid me no attention. I came back to work. It kept me occupied and out of trouble for a while .  At 9.00 am I stopped and made Mike a drink which I took through to him and tried to wake him up. He wants to go to Chester this morning so I thought an early start would be good. It was nearly 9.30 am before he made the move to the lounge. Joey and I were watching Frasier.

So much for an early start. I dressed at 10.00 am but my subtlety didn’t work. It was actually gone 11.30 am before we even left the house. It was gone midday before we parked in Chester but at least because I have the disability card we were able to park on the main street. We headed for British Home Stores for lunch and were surprised to see a notice on the counter saying they’d changed suppliers and were very limited with stocks. Strange, you’d think a new supplier would keep them stocked up. Our choices were very limited and had to have sausage, bacon and chips to which they added an egg because they’d run out of peas and beans. Still, we were able to have our tablets. Then we started the round of all the jewellers I could think of. He came across plenty of women’s rings with the right stone but no men’s. His heart is set on London Blue Topaz but they haven’t really done many with that stone since the Victorian days. Once his ODC kicks in there’s no swerving his mind away from it.This could take years. We had a drink in a Costa before coming home but didn’t leave until almost 4.00 pm and arrive home until 4.20 pm. I’d hoped to get some work in before my evening viewing. I had to watch the antique programme then come through for the first of the quizzes. Then back again for the next two quizzes, an episode of MASH and one of Campion. Finally I was able to come through to stay at 9.00 pm while Mike watch Who Do You Think You Are on Actress Jane Seymour. I  nipped back to take my tabs but otherwise was very good at focusing on my mail. At 10.40 I was able to start on the blog so will be in bed before the Witching Hour tonight.

Friday 21st.

My light went out at about 1.00 am this morning having read three chapters of my new book. Sleep came fairly easily once I found a comfortable position but I was still up at 2.30 am for the loo. I couldn’t settle again so I had a cigarette on the side of the bed and tried again. I didn’t wake until 6.18 am. An amazing lie-in. Of course it’s the one day of the week I could have done without. I got up, paid a visit to the loo and then went immediately to the kitchen to take my meds and then to start filling the boxes with the drugs for the next week. That kept me going until 7.00 am. I replaced the drug drawer, said good morning to Joey then made my coffee to take back to my room. After powering up ( the computer not me) I signed into gmail. Wow, just 8 pieces of post awaited me. I hadn’t even finished congratulating myself before it suddenly shot up to 22. That kept me on the go until almost 8.30 am. When I tried to sign into talktalk I got a message that it was down for planned maintenance.  I got dressed and decided I’d try to get Mike up a bit earlier today in the hopes I’d get him to leave for his dad’s on time today. I took his coffee through and asked him to do me a favour and listen for my delivery man while I went to Pauline’s. On my return at 9.45 am he was up and in the lounge. He was asleep in the chair, but he was up. I checked my mail and found the delivery will be between 2.30 – 3.30 pm and will be brought by Alan.

Mike was dressed by 10.0 pm but was about to settle down with Homes Under the Hammer until I mentioned he needed to go. He left at 10.15 am after making sure he said goodbye to Joey or risk a bollocking. I watched the rest of the programme until 11.00 am then came back through to catch up again before lunch. T 11.50 am I went through to do lunch. It’s stupid but I’d chosen the time so I could take my pre-foodie tablet then make lunch in time for my antiques programme. On the walk between my room and the kitchen I forgot the tablet altogether and lunch was about ready to plate up before I remembered. I took it and carried on. I enjoyed my bangers and sweet potato mash and took my plate through and came back in time for the auction. I could feel my eyes going before we reached that point and didn’t see a thing. I woke at 1.30 pm and went to do the pots. Next was back through here to catch up again. At 4.00 pm I attempted to enter the TalkTalk email system still without luck. I kept getting the same message after signing in, that it couldn’t access the email server. I finally went through the help desk and followed the questions there but all I got was wait 15 mins and try again as the problem is solved. Let me tell you TalkTalk that the problem isn’t solved, and that having a phone help system in place isn’t good for some people, especially if that phone call goes out of the country and subjects us to accents we can’t understand. That statement is not racist. An email system would help for problems as at least I could access you via another server. At 4.30 pm I gave up trying and went through to watch my antique programme. Once finished I came back to see how many emails had landed. I was able to catch up on gmail but TalkTalk was still not live. I didn’t mind missing one quiz but I was back in the lounge at 6.00 pm for the next two. At 6.45 Mike sent a text to sat he was on his way back. That’s good as it meant I could go to my room until he returned and then give him some company when he’s back. The plan worked great.

At 7.40 pm I went back to the lounge and then to put the kettle on. Mike walked in about 7.45 pm so a coffee was quickly done and we watched the last of Question of Sport together. Glancing at the TV mag I found I’d missed the last twp Persons of Interest last night so Mike put the last one on for us. Once we’d seen that come to an unsatisfactory ending we watched an episode of Ripper Street until 10.00 pm when I felt able to desert him and come to work. Not too much post so I was able to start the blog at 10.35 pm and I’m almost done at 11.20 pm. Just add the song and I can go to bed ready for shopping tomorrow. I may have to race round the supermarket on an electric chair again but no way I’m letting Mike fiddle with the electrics as he threatens. Before Mike went to bed he came through and slathered my legs in calamine lotion. Maybe if it stops the itching it will mean he doesn’t have to rap my knuckles with a pen if I scratch. On the other hand, maybe he just enjoys it.

Saturday 22nd.

When I finished reading last night at 1.00 am I went through to the loo and since I could see Mike was still gaming I called in on him to see why he wasn’t asleep.He said his tablets hadn’t kicked in yet. Here’s to be hoped it wasn’t to long after that his tablets did. He was at least not gaming and was sleeping when I got up this morning at 3.43 am. I came back from the loo and signed into gmail and started work. Along with the normal mail there were a few causes today. One calling for the resignation of Iain Duncan Smith from his position in charge of the DWP after they admitted that the cases they identified as people benefiting from the benefit sanctions were ‘illustrative only’ or in other words a total fabrication. Since deaths have occurred fro people who have been sanctioned it’s surely time for a rethink and to look at real life cases of what the sanctions do. There was also an appeal to the Prime Minister to accept more genuine refugees into the country. So many are leaving war torn places like Libya and Eritrea, many losing their lives on the way that they deserve safe havens to be found by the countries of Europe. OK, off the soapbox now. It was 5.25 when I was caught up with mail and able to go take my morning drugs.

I was settled back at my computer at 5.40 am when I heard a scuttling sound. I went to check and Mike had gone to the bathroom. I said, ” A miracle, hardly seems worth going back to bed after this does it?” There was no response as he was asleep. He went back to bed. The moment 6.30 am arrived I stuck a coffee under his nose before his alarm had chance to ring. That was 1 C . Moments later the fist alarm came into play but was soon turned off. 1 A . There was no movement. After ten minutes the second aslarm went and it beat me so I didn’t call Mike. This time he moved to the lounge. 1 C & 2 A morning. But when I went through to the lounge, there he was asleep in his chair, until I scratched his head anyway. I’m not sure if that should count as another call, and when I returned from trying my new shoes on he was again asleep until I spoke to him. If I count that it could be a 3 C & 2 A day.

Mike got dressed and we were out of the house before 7.30 am and on our way to ASDA. I didn’t want much and we fairl whizzed round but it was still 9.30 am before we were out. We bumped into John and Vivienne who were kind enough to take me to a concert last year at Llangollen’s Eistedfodd. We got in the car and drove to Flint where I picked a few things up from one shop  even though we visited a few. We had a drink at Temptations and in Mike’s case he had a teasted toecake. Time was getting on a bit  when we came out and we decided to head home but bumped into our friend Tariq and chatted to him for a while. His news wasn’t good but there was nothing we could do to help but offer a shoulder. Since we’d be missing our Sunday roast tomorrow courtesy of Reuben’s party we decided to have a carvery at the Bells. It was pleasant enough but by the end we’d both decided to concentrate on the Cookhouse in Prestatyn in future. We came home and unpacked the shopping. With heads hung low in shame we accepted the telling off from Joey for leaving him in the cage this morning even though it was done only to make sure he’d be OK when we got back and doors may be left open. I came through to catch up on mail and left Mike with his football. Once the game was over and I was caught up I joined him and we both ended up asleep. It must have been for a good hour as I woke up part way into the celebrity edition of a quiz and Mike woke up not long after. Once that was done I came back here to assess the damage and do what I could. I rejoined Mike at 7.00 pm for a couple of programmes and retired here at 9.00 pm for the big push. Mike was watching Rebus at that point, a gritty detective series where you need a phrase book for the Scottish accents. I did so well I was able to have another half hour through there before doing the blog. I’ll be abed before the witching hour.

Have a Great New Week filled with Huge Hugs .

 

 

Tuesday’s Desperate Dash & Hiding from the fruit aisle.

Sunday.
I went to sleep sometime after 2.00 am this morning, and not for want of trying. Perhaps I should have tried the lounge but I was nicely supported where I was in a corner of the bed against the wall. I was also far enough away that Mike’s snores, snuffles and occasional batches of conversation didn’t bother me whereas in the lounge I was closer. I got up at 4.47 am, I know not why but it was a good time to start on my mail until it was time for my meds. There were some nice comments on the blog which took a good while to answer and I was also trying to comment on other blogs myself as well as send tweets. At 6.00 am I broke off to take the meds and to have some breakfast to take the steroids with. It was back to cornflakes again today. Once I’d done, I made my coffee, took my after food tablets and went back to my bedroom.  Between 6.30 am and about 8.00 am I managed to empty one mail account and make a good start on the other, but I was falling asleep on the keyboard again so I had to break off and decided to nod in the chair in the lounge till Mike got up.

It was bloody typical to be woken up by Mike as he came through to make himself a coffee. It was 8.40 am, what the heck was he doing up before 11.00 am? He didn’t know either. I had to rouse myself long enough to hold a conversation about what to do for the day. The forecast was a bit disgusting but as always, at least the gardens would benefit from the rain. In the end I suggested a visit to a Chester Aquarium/Garden Centre that turned out to be on the Wirral and not at all far away. By 9.50 am we were on our way. The place was quite a size and all the garden statuary, the various fountains and the paving flags were all displayed well outside and there was a beautiful big koi pond that also held moorhens. We went straight inside for a coffee ( I had tea) before starting to explore the interior. It was very well stocked and I found some of the tank lighting Mike has been looking for  for such a long time. But he blanched when he saw the price.

We wandered round looking at tank set ups and at the fish ( and some rats and birds too) and found plenty of things we liked but Mike would have to leave early if he bought anything today. He’d much rather stay and make me suffer as long as possible. At lunch time we went back to the cafe.  The meals were very basic but nicely cooked and tasty. This time I had a cold drink to take my tabs with and which I could reseal to sip anytime I was thirsty- like all the time in the outside heat. Once lunch was over, we had another quick flick round and then headed for the car. We drove back to Flint and Mike dropped off at Aldi to see if there were any specials, we did actually pick up a couple of things. Then he decided to divert to Holywell to try the Lidl Supermarket too. I bought some milk ice lollies in there mainly because Ju loved them so much. We started to head for home but were turned back at the top of my hill by the police. I’m guessing there was some kind of Catholic ceremony at the Holy Well. I had to blindfold Mike and guide him the secret way down to the coast road, he did well. When we got home he took charge of doing Ju’s flowers and creating a nice display for her.

It must have been about 4.30 pm when he left and my first opportunity to get back to my mail. Over 240 in just one account took a lot of thinning. At about 6.15 am I was starting to struggle with my eyes and had to give up. I went through and turned the TV on as that’s guaranteed to make me doze. The Hobbit was just starting but I couldn’t stay awake. I missed half an hour or so then woke up and saw the rest. That brought me back in here about 9.00 pm and I worked until 11.000 pm before taking my tablets and then starting the blog. I think we’re back to normal.

Monday.

Sic transit gloria Monday. At least the sleep part of it. My light went out at 1.00 pm after a short read. I’ve no idea how long it took me to drop off but the coughing and the constant need for cool liquid had me trotting back and forth to the loo. It occurs to me that maybe I should move my chair there so I don’t have far to travel. I woke ready for anything( that didn’t involve exercise) like a bullet at 3.03 am. Straight on to booting up the computer and starting the mail. To be fair, that didn’t take as long this morning as I’d only finished the mail from last night what felt like 10 minutes ago. I managed to empty both boxes by 5.31 am and went straight on to writing a letter to the DWP to ask if they’d like to have another go at correcting things for me, but maybe getting it right this time. I see no reason why I should pay for their mistake. I’m also a little grouchy that someone could phone last week to say all was done and OK without bothering to check that all was done and OK. She’s wasted my time and hers really and it doesn’t make her look overly efficient. How typical also that the letter she promised had been sent on Monday should not arrive until a Saturday when I can’t do anything. Build my hopes up just to dash them back down again.

At 6.00 am it was time to stop whinging and put a smile on my face. Well, I actually waited until 6.10 am after I’d had breakfast and all the associated meds. Once that was done and I had my coffee in hand I could come back to my bedroom and the post I haven’t been able to deal with recently. I’ve missed my friends. Somewhere before 8.00 am I wrote another letter to the DWP pointing out the catalogue of errors now following me. Once done, I got washed and dressed and plucked up the courage to ring them before sending the letter off as recorded delivery. The first lady I got was very pleasant and even better, very patient while I stuttered out the problem, A phone call says all is fixed, a letter says all isn’t, which is right? Everything fixed I’m told. Great so no overpayment any more. Oh yes, that’s still there and they’ll start recovery this week. It hasn’t been fixed then I told her. Well, she said, I think you should put the phone down and then ring the same number asking to speak to change of circumstances team. It seemed a bit pointless to keep pointing out there hasn’t been a change in circumstances and it’s that which has caused the problem. Anyway, I do as she suggests and I get an even nicer lady who listens to my tale of woe and agrees the early period of April to May 25th is what is causing the problem. But, she says, I only deal with state pensions not with pension credits. I was on the point of imploding but she added, however I’ve done an email to a friend who works on the pension credit team and asked her to look at these specific details for you. I managed to stutter thanks and put the hated phone down. I decide to take the letter to the post office so I have a record of having asked for the re-determination again.

A little later I started doing my lunch, beef, potatoes in sun dried tomato and veg. I received a text from Yvonne asking how I am. I said just  a bit stressed from having to use the phone and explained why I’m not the biggest fan in the world of the DWP at the moment. Seconds later my mobile rang and I could see it was Yvonne but I couldn’t hear anything. A text came said the DWP are ringing you now and my house phone went off. Bear in mind I’ve made 2 calls recently that have stressed me out and they’re the first in years. Well, it’s been about 8 years since I answered a phone and here I am having no choice, Yvonne would normally do this. Anyway it was Lynne, the lady who spoke to Yvonne last week. She apologised about the discrepancy and said she’s written off the £142 debt ( though why she’s done that instead of correcting the claim I don’t know). She added the problem occurred because I provided details of the gross pension in April and details of the nett in May. I suggested she lookin the file again because when I provided the gross figure and details that it was a 1.2% increase, I also provided a bank statement showing the nett payment going in. There was a lot of rustling but she found it. So now they accept I don’t know about increases until I physically receive them. That I am paid at the end not the beginning of the month and that I do provide proof of any changes when I get them. Hopefully this will be put to bed now and I’ll get a letter showing I owe nothing. On Thursday a figure should go in the bank reflecting the right rate . I’m going to ignore the £25 they still owe me rather than go through this again.

My lunch was cooling fast when I got to it but I enjoyed it along with the taste of success. Remarkably I even stayed awake for Bargain Hunt and saw both teams make a profit at auction. It was time to come back to my room and look  at the mail again. Two things caught my interest in the mail, One, a message from a friend I’d sent a box of chip shop curry sauce to had received it and intended having chips to celebrate, that’s despite the 30C temperature. Funny the things you crave abroad isn’t it. Two was in fact two items both purporting to be from my ISP Talk Talk. One message says they couldn’t collect on my phone bill of £92.00 this month, they’d be lucky if I spent 92p on a phone bill in this house. Very clever way to worry people into opening their bank details to make a payment. Whilst the second was even more clever, a message saying I needed to open my email account properly as the box is at capacity at the moment. This is a devious way of getting at your email  accounts so they can order things and can if needs be use your account to spam the world.

I nipped back through for an episode of Who Do You Think You Are with the actress Alex Kingston. I felt quite embarrassed for her when she discovered a great, great grandmother in court charged with running a Victorian Bawdy House. To my surprise she was soon chuckling away having taken it in her stride. It was funny to see at every census how she’d moved and gone to a better address. She owned two other properties which she could not have done had she remarried after being widowed. As a mother with quite a few children I think she did rather well. The rest of the afternoon drifted along nicely except I had to find an alternate quiz thanks to Wimbledon but since I accidentally fell over a chunk of BFG in the fridge for tea I thought it fair recompense. For part of the teatime ritual I watched an episode of Wheeler Dealers, if the BBC hadn’t taken over both channels I might have got another quiz. The heat is fairly unbearable today too and the evening hasn’t cooled it at all. I may have to take a fan into the lounge tonight. I’ve tried to keep apace with the mail and mainly done OK. but there may be times when I struggle a bit still as the heat affects my breathing too. That should just about cover me for every excuse going now if I need to skive.

With luck in the morning I’m going to try and see Yvonne and Reuben. I need her advice on a birthday gift if she can help too. But I’d like to buy her a gift for all the help she is to me.

Little Nathan.

Tuesday.

4.32 am And All’s Well! I don’t think I shall be knocking on too many windows to announce it though. Some of my neighbours have a very good aim and a strong throwing arm. I’m sure I must have got the full 3 hours last night but with the recent problems on the sleep front thought I might have been excused the early shift.  Once I’d been to the Piddle Palace the idea began to grow on me. Any work I could do this morning would be so much less than would greet me on my return from Chester. Anyhow, what the heck else was I going to do between then and 7.30 am?  I gingerly opened my first post box and started. It was good, things were going down well and the time was passing nicely.

At 6.00 am I broke off for my meds and to have some breakfast. That way I was able to have my steroids. I’m on the downwards dose of them now with just two days to go, whereas I finish the antibiotics today. Going back to the bedroom I concentrated on getting dressed. I could already tell it was going to be a warm day- possibly the promised heatwave- so stuck to jeans and a tee-shirt under a smart jacket. I need the jacket for the pockets of course, not to look smart. By the time 7.20 am had arrived I’d cleared the mail from my main box and was ready to go. As soon as 7.30 am arrived I stepped outside the front door and immediately knew what I’d meant by ‘Stuck to jeans’. It was really warm. I was sweating and gasping for breath well before the bus stop but was able to pause and stick a glacier fruit in my mouth so I didn’t feel as though I was trekking the Kalahari. Eventually I got there and tookmy glasses off to clean the steam off the lenses just as a bus went sailing past. Dammit, I thought, that’s mine and stuck my glasses back on just as my bus pulled up.

The heat on the bus was enough to send me back to sleep on and off for most of th journey but I was ready by the time the bus arrived at 8.45 am to find Yvonne and Reuben waiting patiently at the stop. I heard “Pops, Pops, Pops” in Roobs’ raspy voice when he says my name and had to fly over for a kiss. Yvonne said he’d been hugely excited all morning. Our usual Costa coffee wasn’t quite open yet and having recently had the McD special of strawberry lemonade I didn’t want to repeat it. So,we had a short walk round the £ shop for a couple of things and then headed for Primark where the Costa is sited. I gave Yvonne money to order which she brought back to the table part way through saying the till was broken and she had to use her card. I bided my time and when it came time to pay I sneaked up behind her and took her card from the machine, passing my money to the staff member direct. Even he thought I was part ninja. I had to get back to the table smartish though as I’d left Reuben on his own and heaven knows what he’d buy. I had an iced lemonade and an all day breakfast sandwich, Yvonne had an iced decaff Mocha so as not to make the baby hyperactive and some toast. Reuben helped himself to anything he wanted to go with his honey nut loops.

I was gobsmacked that I was able to get away with getting Roobs some shoes, trousers and a shirt without complaint and that I was able to get a top and some soft pants for Yvonne without the usual fighting and screaming, and that’s just me. By the time we got out of Primark we were thirsty again and went to the BHS ( British Home Stores) just over the road where Yvonne had an iced tea and got me a pepsi floater. Ugh, disgusting. OK, I don’t like ice-cream much but I do like my Pepsi and this tasted far too strong to be that. I went to get a teaspoon to give Roobs the ice cream but clever lad wasn’t interested. He’s one of the few children I know that doesn’t care for ice-cream. We finally moved from there to a Supermarket for Yvonne to get some shopping. Surprisingly we didn’t sit down for a third drink. I was able to find the birthday gift I needed during the course of the morning so that when I went home I had a couple of small bags and didn’t feel a failure.

They waved me off on the bus at 11.45 am and then waved again as they passed us parked a little further up. Then again as we passed them as we started to move off finally. The pattern of the inward journey replicated the outward one, snooze in the heat much of the way. Now, certain of my Australian contingent may wish to sit down. The plan was that I fancied something cool like a salad and so was going to call in at Pauline’s. The problem was I’d had two drinks out this morning then an hour on the bus. No way could I stop so it was straight home, throw the crutches on the floor and run! Eventually when the flow stopped I was able to rescue my sticks and go back out for tomatoes and coleslaw. I would have liked some new potatoes too but she didn’t have any. I replaced them with pickled beetroot so it was OK and I just added some cold meat and a slice of bread.

During lunch I watched another Who Do You Think You Are with the great actress Celia Imrie and her fascinating forbears from Britain’s leading families, during the time of James I and beheaded as a traitor, though pardoned some years later by William of Orange. Her 8 times Great Grandmother was also involved in an earlier incident as she sought to have her marriage annulled to another leading family of the time. She won but they took exception to it and tried to destroy her and her second husband. They found themselves in the Tower of London sentenced to be hung. Luckily the sentence was commuted and they were released though slandered continually she died not many years after she was released. After lunch I came back to work until 5.00 pm as the mail had built up during the day. At 5.00 pm I quizzed until 7.00 pm then I came back through and the slavedriver has kept me at it ever since. Whatever you do don’t give your conscience too much power.

Above is a song sent by my friend Author S J Sprague. I’ve never heard it or of the film it came from. Anyone else in the same position?

Wednesday.

I tried for ages to get to sleep last night and when I woke found it was only half an hour since I’d started trying. The heat was oppressive, no doubt due to the size of the room and the fact the windows were closed. I moved through to the lounge and managed t fall asleep in my chair. It was 4.21 am when I got up. Too erly for drugs and/or breakfast so after my nip to the karsie (Cockney rhyming slang- Karsie Moilet-Toilet)(Don’t ask) I came back and booted up the monster. I was soon in full swing emptying my mail box No 1. I did stop at 6.00 am for some toast and the associated drugs as well as my sprays. That kept me away until 6.30 am when I returned to continue my work. I was actually at it until 8.40 am with all the pieces that kept nipping in when I thought I was clear. 9.15 am saw me clear box No 2 which felt great. I need to do some house work this morning as well as checking to see if Pauline has any new potatoes yet.

I don’t know what directed my tootsies this morning but they took me over the road to Pauline’s competition-The One Stop. I managed to get some potatoes there and some hard boiled eggs, yes I could have boiled my own but that would have meant buying half a dozen and maybe wasting them. I picked up a bottle of pop a half cucumber and some nicer tomatoes than yesterday’s and finally some salad cream. So I didn’t feel too guilty about spending over there I took £3 off them for a lottery win. Then I crossed the road and trying to hide my purchases from Pauline picked up fresh bread, my TV mag and a couple of ice lollies that promised to be orange flavoured, they weren’t, it was just coloured water on a stick. I kept my bag on the floor below the counter hoping no-one would see the earlier purchases but I kept knocking the bag over until someone offered to come round and help. I squealed and said No thanks, I’d manage. What I really meant was, don’t worry, I can manage to mangle the bread and tear the magazine without help. I went home.

I had one of the ice lollies while I unpacked since my mouth now had the distinct feeling that camels had crossed it in the search for water without luck. The ice did at least relieve that. I went through to check the mail levels and didn’t notice the lolly was dripping precious water and my tee shirt and jeans were turning radioactive orange. A bit more washing later maybe. I tootled round with the hoover with some Shake n’ Vac and ran the mop over the laminate. I was sweating so much there wasn’t much chance of it drying. Last year we had a splendid Summer, the first in a long time but I don’t remember heat like this. I suppose at some stage I could turn the fire off and just have the radiators on stand by? Having used my valuable time for titivating it was soon lunch time, and I enjoyed my lunch much better than I had yesterday. And that’s with even just remembering at this very minute that I forgot my pickled beetroot. Still, I did have plenty and finished off with an Aero mousse. Somehow my lunchtime viewing ended up as rebuilding a tank from WWII by Suggs from Madness. I don’t even know why except that it would be the only one left working in the world if they could succeed. They did.

After lunch there was no excuse to dodge work any more and I came back to catch up on my post. There was a lot of it and it took some clearing but by 3.15 pm I’d managed. Knowing that it would still keep coming in, and not wanting to sit at my desk any longer I decided to go through and try for a snooze before games night. For some reason the snooze didn’t happen and I just sat there watching the rain come down though the heat was as intense as ever. We’ve been promised thunder storms in some areas, I hope they bring the heat down if they happen. it was almost 5.30 pm when Dil arrived tonight. The traffic has no changed pretty much to Summertime so he’ll be held up a lot unless he manages to get away earlier. We did what we could on the quiz before turning off and setting up the table at 6.00 pm. We played Yahtzee first  and the score was 4 – 2, I’m quite sure you don’t need to know who won, after all it’s the taking part that counts I’m told. Trivia was next and despite the fact my head stores so much rubbish trivia it didn’t help me win. Finally we played three games of Cribbage . I won the last game, the hardest one of course. Hrumph.

Dil left at 9.30 pm and I tidied up and washed the pots before taking my meds and coming through to work. Lots of mail again but I also need to allow time for the blog so I set a 10.30 pm limit on messages. By that time there was a huge downpour outside and it just started to get a bit cooler. It was wonderful.

Thursday.

After the storms last night it did seem to cool a little, enough for me to stay and sleep in my room anyway, though to be fair I think I was tired. Light off at 1.00 am I propped myself up in the corner and nodded. I woke at 4.01 am this morning and it was still grey and fortunately still cool. It wasn’t destined to stay that way for long. The lighter it got outside , the sunnier, the sunnier it got, the warmer. For some reason I thought it would be a good idea to celebrate the last dose of the steroids with bacon sandwiches for breakfast. It seemed a good idea at the time. At 5.30 am I went through to the kitchen to take my meds and to put the bacon under the grill. Yes, that’s right. A heatwave outside the house and this bright spark thinks of putting the grill on. Even the butter on my bread was melting before I could spread it. After I’d eaten and washed up I headed back to the bedroom and my waiting mail boxes. There was something trickling down my leg and I was left hoping it was sweat since I’d already passed the loo twice.

I worked on the mail until 8.30 am then decided to get washed and dressed. I wish I’d bought a pair of shorts this week even if my legs might cause offence. A shame I can’t get away with treating my lounge pants as outside wear. At 9.30 am, once the Mother’s Mafia had gone I went to Pauline’s for some extra milk, my lottery and ended up with a jam roly poly as well. That should make Mike happy if we have it for supper. It had gone a little dull outside and the air was oppressive. I’m expecting to see another thunder storm at this rate. I alternated between the mail and little dozes in the lounge all morning. I really want to shake off this cough and thought sleep might help, Ha, I’d have gone to sleep anyway. By the time lunchtime came around I had a corned beef hash and sat back to watch a car renovation programme. Why, I don’t drive and have no interest in cars? I think it’s that the presenters are quite entertaining and obviously enjoy what they do. After lunch I washed up and returned to the office.

I worked on mail all afternoon and at 4.00 pm got a message from Mike to say he was on the way. That would be a 7.00 pm arrival then if the traffic was OK. I finished work at 5.00 pm to watch a quiz and just stayed there. OK, I didn’t necessarily have both eyes open at the same time for the whole time, so sue me. Mike arrived at 7.00 pm so I made his coffee and we nattered to see how his week had been. It seemed to have been OK. He didn’t want a meal so I left it an hour and checked again. Still no, right I cut him a slab of my Cadbury’s chocolate roll to nibble. Obviously I couldn’t let him eat alone. We watched a little TV and then about 9.30 pm I took my meds and came through to work. Before breaking off at 10.30 pm to do the blog I’d been getting crosser and crosser following an argument between a friend and the leader of a cult church in the US. I say the leader now because at first it wasn’t clear. It seemed to to be a church supporter who didn’t want to be named. But leader it was, who then posted numerous ,messages of support to the Church all of which oddly came from the ISP. This group is demonising the LGBT world and with the supposed level of support is getting more donations and recruits than ever. There are the usual fears of children going to same sex homes as well as same sex marriage being wrong. Whether this is a hard held belief or just a suitable vehicle for collecting donations I’m not 100% sure but it’s clear the message will continue as long as the money rolls in. Another cult like this where the sick morally and mentally carry the message is quite likely to end with more killings. You know straight away they won’t hold up their hand as responsible don’t you. The world is sick.

Friday.

Mike actually said goodnight last night just before midnight and settled to sleep. That”s very early for him and I was quite pleased  as it might make getting him up this morning easier. I decided to nip to the loo at 12.30 am before putting my book down and trying for some sleep. I crept quietly along the passage until I reached the loo door then opened it and almost had a coronary as a little object muttering to himself walked out. There was that sweat rolling down my leg again. “I was asleep and woke up” he told me, “You don’t say” was my response “go back to bed while I clean this puddle up”. An hour later I was still struggling to drop off in the heat and packed up my treasures and headed for the lounge. At some point I succeeded and enjoyed a nice doze. I woke at 5.11 am.

Back in my room I turned the computer on  and made a start on the post. I could only work until 6.00 am before going to prepare some breakfast as I didn’t want to eat too late. So at 6.00 am I put two slices of bread in the toaster, took my pre-foodie, took my sprays and other tablets, set my post-foodies to one side and went to get my medications drawer. I tried to smoke a cigarette while I worked to give me a good idea of how long I had but practice tells me that this particular job always takes longer than 15 minutes. Eventually my trays were restocked, old packaging consigned to the bin and prescription request for Monday prepared. I ate my now cold toast and it was delicious then downed the two post-foodies I had waiting. It was 6.45 am , there was still time to concentrate on the post before having to worry about my ghost. It was approaching 8.00 am when I started to feel very tired. I was almost at the end of my first box so I tried to hang on but it wasn’t working. I was starting to nod over the keyboard. Mike is always worried about International Relations in case I write something inappropriate while I’m asleep. It would be a bloody miracle if I actually wrote anything legible. For the sake of Hands across the Seas I decided to give up and take a rest.

I didn’t want to wake Mike too early to go to his father’s but I had a choice. Wake him too early and suffer the swearing or wake him too late and suffer the swearing. I thought I’d found the ideal middle ground. I’d wake him now with a coffee and go to sleep straight away so I didn’t hear anything. That’s what I did. I took the coffee through, repeated his name till he actually moved, introduced him to the coffee , light the blue touch paper and retire. By the time he came through to the lounge with his coffee I had the TV on and was spark out. It must have been 9.30 am before I came round and first thing I noticed-no swearing. That’s because Big Bang Theory had made him smile. I’m buying DVD’s of that for the future. He left just after 10.00 am to go to his Dad’s and he seemed in good humour. Let’s hope it lasts.

At lunch time I made myself sweet potato mash with sausages and baked beans, wonderful. There are sausages left if Mike needs a sandwich later on. After lunch I worked on and got both mail accounts clear but that never last for more than a few minutes. I watched an old Who Do You Think You Are for an hour and then came back to the mail and to have a look at ebay which I seem to have neglected recently. I continued to monitor the mail until 5.00pm when I left to go watch a quiz.  mike sent a text at 5.40 am to say he was on his way back so I knew to put the kettle on after an hour. At 6.00 pm I cheered myself with a couple of old episodes of Big Bang. I put the kettle on at 6.40 pm and it boiled just as Mike walked in. It was good timing as the adverts were on. I brought his drink out of the kitchen and we watched the last of the programme together. I went through for a shower and Mike came to wash my hair for me before we returned to the lounge for ‘Would I Lie To You’ which as usual was very funny. After that I made sandwiches and got Mike to see to the jam roly poly. I haven’t the foggiest idea what we watched while we ate, nor what came after. It must have been enthralling. At 9.30 pm I made a runner for the kitchen to get my tablets then came through to do my last catch up on mail and the blog. I was best out of the way as Mike isn’t too pleased with me comparing his bald patch to the size of a tea plate.

Saturday.

There was more rain during the night. The closeness had sent me scuttling for the lounge to sleep, and sleep I had. I woke up at 5.11 am  and it was both bright and light outside. There obviously was less time than usual so I ploughed straight into one of my mail boxes until 6.00 am when I put one piece of bread in the toaster and took all my meds. By 6.30 I needed to be ready with Mike’s drink. I was ready in time and the moment I heard him turn his alarm off I was in like a shot with his coffee. I made sure I was loud enough telling him the drink was there and also letting him know that I was going to be taking the rubbish out. There was a grunt so I left him a few minutes. Having done the main rubbish bin and the food waste, I can back in and called out “Time to rise and shine Mike, coffee’s going cold” even before his alarm went off th second time. I took out the recycling bags and as I came back in he was up and on his way to the lounge. “Remember ” he said “it’s a A 1 C 2 day so no getting inventive on your blog as though I never get up.” He’s a real spoilsport sometimes.

Having got him up with his drink but not yet ready to move out, I started the mail again and by 7.10 am managed to empty the first mail box. Mike started to get things together  so I got dressed so it wouldn’t be me who delayed us and give him the chance to rib me unmercifully. We were out a little late but still managed to get to the Supermarket before 8.00 am. I held up the cash machine while Mike tried begging for a £ coin to put in the trolley. And we were off! Some nice Welsh new potatoes first which has to be nicer than the pre-peeled ones in herb butter. Trying my very best to ignore the fruit and veg aisle I edged my way round to the flowers where we chose a nice bunch for Julia. As Mike has arranged for us to meet his daughter and two grandsons later we decided not to change the place we bought the flowers in case it costs us time. We swung round the outer edge of the shop until we reached the gents clothing but were disappointed this week that no-one had saved us any bargains. In a major sulk we moved on towards the food section. I felt obligated to buying food as I don’t think the diet story will hold water any longer. So I got some meat, butter, bread, yoghurts (health food), sweets and enough pop to float a battleship then remembered to add some milk and some cereal. We crept our way steadily towards the tills  looking to make a last minute dash if we found a gap. We did.

A few minutes later in the cafe we celebrated with a drink. Mike had his usual Americano while I had a strawberry milk shake that I could stand on my head sans cup. Every time I tried sucking it through a straw it laughed at me. But it was really cold and that’s what I needed. After loading the car we rode over to Flint where I picked up a couple of items from my Homies before we went for a drink at Temptations. Ceri thanked us for her birthday gift while Mike teased her unmercifully about how sober she was- or wasn’t. Someone hadn’t arrived at work and she was very busy. We left and went to the frozen food shop where I got a lifetime supply of ice lollies and some bags of ice cubes just in case I wanted to try a slush puppy (sno-cone). We shot off home to unpack before the ice cubes left a trail behind us. Once everything was unpacked and away we were able to have a short breather then head off again to meet my niece (Mike’s daughter) Lisa. That was back in Colwyn Bay where Mike and I first met(before Lisa was born) and where we both lived though we’ve been like Romanies since then. And even Lisa lives in Poland now. Mike treated us all to lunch then we had a wander in the sunshine and I bought ice  creams. We even bumped into someone we knew from 40 years ago and managed to do some catching up. Soon enough it was time to depart and after saying goodbye to Lisa and the children and a very swift hello -goodbye to Mike’s ex wife we set off home again.

Back here I was able to do a bit of catch up on my mail but as usual at 6.00 pm I went back through to keep Mike company. We ended up watching programmes about the final 3 days of Gettysburg. Such butchery. At 9.00 pm I was glad to be able to come back through and start again.

In da hood.

Da attitude

 

Have a wonderful week everyone, full of love, beautiful weather and Hugs galore.

 

The Meanest Tip & The Drying Cycle Re-Cycle

Sunday 7th June 2015

It’s possible I wasn’t fully compost mental last night. Light’s out at 1.00 am yet 3.00 ish am saw me wandering round the kitchen intending to find something to eat. My hand reached out for the pull cord to turn the light on without me even thinking that the kitchen has a light switch not a pull cord. What I did of course was set off the alarm. Within moments I realised I have the perfect way of getting Mike up straight away as he came galloping out of his room to see what was wrong. Then I got an intercom call from the emergency warden services to make sure I was OK. Considering I’d probably just woken her up from a deep sleep for a false alarm she was remarkably nice about it. Of course Mike was back in bed and snoring before I’d finished saying “Everything is fine.” Needless to say,I didn’t get anything to eat. I went back to bed and eventually got up as usual, fully aware this time, at 5.08 am. After a quick visit to the Jade Palace ( ever since I got a discount on a bulk buy of green paint from the fella painting the local Chinese restaurant), I came back  and powered up the machine and went straight into my first email address.

Heck there were a lot and many of them were comments on last night’s blog which I promised my lawyers I’d read more closely in future, ever since I read the blog had been well executed because I was in a hurry and it actually said I was a bloke who should be executed. Critics eh? I worked my way up the list until  6.00 am when I went through to the kitchen to take my meds and make as coffee to bring back with me. With a coffee and a fag to fortify me I was ready for anything. Actually most of what I had to deal with was easy but required comments or at the very least a like. Like all other authors I get notified of reviews and new books released and I think it’s my duty to tweet these and on rare occasions I’ll even send them into Facebook. Indie authors require every bit of help going to offset some of the advantages an author with a traditional publishing house sometimes has, a bigger budget promotion schedule rather than the odd free tweet from another author. If I ever write another book I’d want to go Indie again because of the tremendous cameraderie there is .

By 8.12 am I was pretty much up to date so I took my empty mug through to the kitchen and then came back to see if I was bidding on anything on ebay today. I played around on there until around 9.00 am then just refreshed my mail box and caught up there. I opened the second email address to see how bad that was and there were 64 so I went into battle there too. Not for long though. I heard a noise. It was 9.26 am. I moved towards the lounge only to be met by what seemed to be Mike in looks just coming out. “OK” I said, “just tell me what you’ve done with him. Then we can see about getting you back to your Starship.”                                                                                                  “Oh, har de har” he replied. I hadn’t realised he spoke French. He’d already got the kettle on for his drink so I left him to it. We sat together while we tried to remember what it was he’d asked me to remind him about yesterday and I’d forgotten, then a discussion on some music or other followed by an internet search on his tablet on the author who wrote the books depicted on the posters I’d bought for Reuben yesterday. Name of Shirley Hughes and she appears to have been quite prolific with children’s books since the 1970’s. We probably wracked up most time trying to decide what to do today until finally we settled on going back to Broughton Park where we went last Sunday, to see if we could find Mike some slim or skinny jeans. We left a few minutes after 11.00 am.

When we got to Broughtom we parked up and entered the Tesco store where I’d been so lucky in the sale last week. Amazingly enough he was able to find two pairs, one reduced to £8 and one pair to £6. Even better, when we got to the counter they had been reduced to £4 and £3 so two pairs for less than half the price of one originally. It was 12.30 pm when we came out of there and I suggested lunch and then carry on. We went to the pub where we’d eaten with Karen on her birthday. We were seated and had the chance to order drinks which came quite quickly. I took my pre-foodie and then we were able to order lunch. We both went for the Sunday roast option but went for the supersized because of extra Yorkshire puddings and what the menu described as lashings of tasty gravy. The meal came and we started. Mike was the first to voice disappointment that the ‘creamed mash potatoes’ were reconstituted and powdery. I wasn’t far behind him in finding that but I was also disappointed that the lashings of gravy wasn’t really enough. Fair play though, the meat was lovely. The stuffing balls were solid and I hoped the grave might soften them but there wasn’t enough. Mike asked the waitress if we could possible have some more gravy in a gravy boat. She said we could but they’d have to charge for it. I agreed so she disappeared. We carried on eating. We were getting towards the end stages of the meal before she re-appeared with the gravy boat. I think a thimble might have held more. This was gravy for two people for heaven’s sake. I wasn’t amused. When we got up to leave I left the meanest tip I’ve ever left in my life.

We had a trog round a few more shops before it was time to leave and come home. Mike hadn’t found the third pair he’d wanted. It was getting on for 4.00 pm when we got home. We had another natter for a while then I closed my eyes for a quarter of an hour though I didn’t sleep as Mike was still talking to me. At 4.30 pm my nerve broke and I needed to come through to work. Mike gathered his bags and I waved him off before locking the door and starting. 183 messages on the first account, I didn’t touch the other then. I worked until 7.00 pm then went through for some tea. I had a little trifle left over from yesterday and -wait for it- an apple. By 7.30 pm I was back hard at it.By 9.30 am I’d cleared most of what was there in both mailboxes and just had a few personal messages to answer.I’d done those by 10.00 pm and went through for a break. I watched half an hour of TV which was a comedy, satire news quiz. Then back in here at 10.30 pm to do the blog.

Monday.

OK. so it’s fairly obvious I’ve upset him unless he just thinks I’m not doing enough on his behalf. I shall have to resign, that’s if you can resign from a god with a contract. I turned the light off for sleep last night at 1.00 am. Next thing I know is I’m awake and ready to go to work. It was 2.26 am. I was left wondering if I knew anyone daft sensible enough to want a job as Promotions Manager for a god and his brothers. It doesn’t pay well but maybe you (may) get a good night’s sleep in exchange for some work. Still, there was no point in complaining, at least I get a head start on the day and the work won’t be in a backlog situation. I have a guest post I need to prepare for tomorrow and this will give me opportunity. MuJo were due this morning too so I was determined to be as up to date as possible before going out. There was absolutely no need to rush though, there was time aplenty.

I concentrated on the guest post first as I wanted to get it as near to a vision I had in my head but that would be easy to change if I didn’t like the end result. I was able to use up a couple of hours easily on it and was fairly satisfied with the end result. What confuses me is that the end result you see changes the minute you press preview. That which is written to the side of a picture is now written underneath. I’m sure if I reduced the size of the picture, the writing might appear where placed but I didn’t mind it the way the preview showed either so I settled for that. As I’ll be with Yvonne tomorrow it’s nice to know I just have to press the publish button now and it’s all done for me. Meanwhile this morning I was happy with the work I’d done and moved over to my main post box, and started there. It was a bit of a surprise how many were left from last night and how many were there, I think I was expecting about a dozen or so. I had to break off at 6.00 am to take my meds and make a coffee and then I carried on until I was clear ( for now) at about 7.15 am. By 8.30 am the other post box was also clear and I had time to get washed and dressed ready to go to Pauline’s and to the chemist/post office. Pauline’s didn’t take long as I got in before the Mother’s Mafia this time. I bought cigarettes not because I needed them but because I needed the change.

I walked up to the chemist and dropped my prescription request in the little slot in the counter and then joined the tail end of the queue of pensioners at the post office end of the shop.  I hadn’t been quick enough to get there first. By the time I’d reached the counter, sent birthday cards abroad and got home again it was 9.30 am. I wasn’t sure what time MuJo would arrive so I came back to my bedroom to clear any more mail that had come in and then went through to tidy the lounge and light an oil burner. No news via the postman about my pension being corrected and then at 10.30 am the warden Bev arrived. She told me she’d called last Monday but there was no answer was I OK? I couldn’t think back as far as last Monday but something was at the back of my brain to say it was wrong. She was here about half an hour and as she left I came through to check. Last Monday I was ill in bed but she couldn’t have called, it was a Bank Holiday. She’d come on the Tuesday and I was out with Yvonne. Normally she doesn’t come any day but a Monday. I wonder if I can remember to tell her next week. It was while I was checking that online that I saw skype flashing with a message from John. Odd, as I’d be seeing them anytime soon, or would I? The answer was No I wouldn’t. Someone was coming to empty the septic tank and they’d been unable to set out so the day was cancelled till Thursday if that was OK. I said it was.

At a little bit of a loose end now I came back to the computer and started on ebay until lunchtime. One item I was going to bid for was already too high so I found an alternative to keep an eye on. At 11.50 am I went to start lunch. A goulash today with dumplings. It wasn’t bad though the dumplings could have had a little less herb for me. I watched my Bargain Hunt right to the end and then decided to nod in the chair for an hour. It only lasted for half an hour before a taxi drew up close by and sounded it’s horn to tell a neighbour it was here. The sound made me shoot out of my seat like my tail was on fire, which I was glad to see it wasn’t. As I was already on my feet              ( Thanks ACE) I just returned to work. I worked from 1.30 pm to 4.45 pm on incoming then returned for my quizzes and an episode of Big Bang Theory. For tea I had a cheese and raw onion sandwich and then washed the pots before coming back through for what I hoped would be the final phase. I have something coming up on ebay at 10.25 pm which hopefully I’ll get to before doing the blog.By 9.30 pm I was shocked. I’d been going like the clappers to catch up but nothing had been coming in to build up again. I was FREE. I had to start the blog early or read. I chose to start the blog, after all I could break off at any time if more post arrived, and if there wasn’t much I could do it after the blog and then get an early night.

One email came though from Jane as a comment on last week’s blog. She suggested I must be doing OK on the female front with my new slim jeans look. I hope she didn’t look too closely at my female front or she might see I’m not far off needing a bra.( If I was dyslexic I’d only need a bar and that would be better). I had to tell her that so far I haven’t found a woman whose guide dog will allow me to get that close. I’m hoping to get old quickly as at least I’ll get close to the nurse bathing me.

Tuesday.

There were real problems getting to sleep last night with all the coughing. In the end I gave up. At about 2.00 am I went to sit upright in my chair in the lounge and slept until 5.06 am so I was quite pleased. I came through to my room to put a blogpost on that I’d worked on last night and which had been promised for today, then I made a start on the mail which it looks like I haven’t touched for a week at least.At 6.00 am I went to take my meds and get a coffee to rev me up a bit. I returned to my room and got dressed before carrying on with the mail until 7.15 am. I’d made quite a dent in it by then but I needed to get my shoes on ready to go out.

At 7.30 am looking undoubtedly young(er) and swish in my stone coloured skinny jeans I set off for the bus stop. Even at that time the sun was warm and the day bright. It felt good to be out. It’s so nice that the two days of Summer are here. The only trouble is, the other one was yesterday so what’s tomorrow going to be like? The bus came and I got in my usual seat, set my crutches at the right angle, stopped them from moving with my feet, and closed my eyes. I’m pretty sure either I nodded off or the bus has been fitted with jet engines to get us there faster. In fact we were late due to road resurfacing. I glanced in the direction I expected Yvonne to arrive and saw to my surprise she was pushing an empty trolley while Reuben on his reins next to it was running for all he was worth. He galloped up and clasped my legs. Yvonne was in fits of laughter because she says he started running the minute he saw me and she had trouble keeping up. I finished smoking my after journey cigarette before we went into a shop that opens before 9.00 am to pick up a few things. I bought Roobs some chocolate and then forgot to leave it behind when I came home later.

We went into our usual shop then to get a coffee and to give Reuben his Weetabix and let Yvonne have some toast while I had a latte big enough to float a battleship. Not a good thing for one who’s bladder is so small. After that we went into the store proper so I could look  for some skinny jeans in Mike’s size in the colour I’d asked him about on Sunday, stone like mine. Fortunately I was able to find some and also got myself a kind of long sleeves tee-shirt.  Job done we moved on to look for something for Yvonne which typically she wouldn’t let me get. At an H & M shop I found another tee-shirt which will make me look like Homer Simpson in a muu muu. Very bright and Summery. Yvonne was feeling a little dry so we headed off to get another drink, tea for me this time and a wee to make room for it. Then it was time to go and catch my bus home. They walked me to the stop but I wasn’t going to get much from Reuben as he was mid tantrum. I did get a ‘bye’ which was spit out with the speed of a machine gun and contained no warmth but he relented a little as I got aboard the bus and he was looking for where I sat. Only a little though as the driver was laughing at his fake crying in rage while his face was searching for me. I got a small wave as we pulled out. At least for a change I wasn’t watching them having to walk home in the rain.

Though I didn’t need the loo this time I still bypassed Pauline’s having decided to go there tomorrow for what I need. Today I wanted to concentrate on something to eat as I hadn’t eaten breakfast before going out today. Trouble was nothing really appealed . I’d bought sausages and sweet potatoes at the weekend but decided I might have those on Friday. Today I ended up settling for chips in curry sauce with bread and butter. Since I’d missed my antiques show, I watched the weather forecast that seemed to say more to come, before going to my room to start on the mail. I was a little surprised at only 183 fresh item since this morning but I knew more would arrive as I worked. And so it proved. I started at 1.30 pm and only felt I’d made real progress at 5.15 pm when I felt I could take a break. Be fair, I was going to take a break regardless as that’s when my quiz starts. I allowed myself until 7.00 pm when the Big Bang Theory was over and while I was still awake. It took me until 10.20 pm to reach the point where I could declare myself clear, even if for only a minute. I took the chance to work on the blog instead. There will perhaps be time to work on any more mail afterwards with luck though an early night wouldn’t come amiss.

Wednesday.

A 3.18 am day. I’m not too disappointed as my light went out at midnight after just a very short read and I consider I got to bed early to relax. So maybe I admit to skiving last night and not going back to the mail after doing the blog. I don’t feel especially guilty.Anyway, after a visit to the Palace of Piddle I came back and booted up the computer (as against putting the boot in the computer which has tempted me more than once). I logged on to check the Eurolottery from last night and wished I hadn’t bothered. Still, it was a rollover so maybe it’s waiting for me. That’s looking on the bright side. I logged onto my main mail address and the glass half full was suddenly half empty.There’s a price to pay for skiving. Then I found that many of them had been dealt with last night from the other mailbox. Phew, it didn’t take as long as I feared to clear that bit. When I really got going on today’s mail I finished at 5.54 am which was perfect timing for breakfast. I went through and popped a few pills and took my sprays. To waste some time I came back through and made my bed then put the washing machine on. I’ll wait until the cycles of washing and drying are over before changing Mike’s.

I took my daily coffee back to the bedroom, cleared the inbox of anything new and then opened the second mail box. That took me until almost 8.00 am when I suddenly remembered the washing cycle would be over so I went through and started the drier later than I should have done. It should be ready about 11.00 am. Odd pieces of post were still coming through so  I stayed here clearing them as they arrived until 9.00 am. I got dressed at that time and walked over to Pauline’s. She was quite busy but I noticed not a single one of the Mother’s Mafia from school, all the customers were male. Mind you, they must have wondered about me as I was wearing the muu muu I bought yesterday. It was a picture of tropical flowers that might have been better on a woman’s dress. Still, getting me out in a tee-shirt at all with no jacket on top is a rarity and the tee-shirt was my recognition of the sunshine so I couldn’t have cared less what others thought. I find sometimes I still have a little rebellious streak in me. When I came back and unpacked the bread etc I returned to work. I’m determined to keep a good hold on the numbers today so maybe it won’t be too bad when Dil and maybe Matt have been tonight.

I’d not had any luck last night with ebay ( thanks to my stupidity in forgetting the time) so I did spend some time there this morning trying to find new things to bid on. It’s still the nieces I have in mind. Between changing beds, washing, ebaying and catching up on mail it didn’t take lunchtime long to approach. I had a cottage pie and an episode of Bargain Hunt to watch, or in the case of the latter nearly watch as I fell asleep moments before the final auctions though I promised myself not to, and then woke up three quarters of an hour later as Doctors was starting. You’ve never seen such speed in turning off the TV. I returned to work. A fair bit had accumulated during my break and some of the new stuff was very interesting. I wasn’t rushing so I took my time to read what I thought was important. The afternoon passed quite quickly and quite interestingly though ebay is still doing it’s best to defeat me and succeeding. People are learning the ten second trick and probably doing it at eight seconds to prove they’re braver. It’s working, they’re winning more than me. Oh what I wouldn’t give for a faster computer.

Because I had breakfast I needn’t have tea now as I don’t need tablets but I went through at 4.30 pm to have an apple. A nice tasty green Granny Smith. I love the tartness that many people dislike. I’d be prepared whatever time they turned up now and I wouldn’t be caught unawares like I was last week. My brother is 6’4″ so it’s hard to miss him approaching so I was able to get in the kitchen and start making a cuppa as soon as I saw him. He was on his own again which was a disappointment though maybe it does get a bit boring for a youngster when he can be online gaming. Dil and I watched the quiz as usual and got some nice obscure answers. At 6.00 pm TV went off so the gaming could start. As usual we started with Yahtzee and for the first three games I didn’t get a look in , the jammy male server of drinks ( bar steward) couldn’t put a foot wrong. He got two Yahtzees, didn’t miss his bonuses and scored well. On the other hand I was struggling to get one of a kind with the dice never mind a Yahtzee. But on game 4 things changed and went my way a little.Such a shame (sarcasm) that the dice weren’t falling for him. I won the fifth game too. Game 6 was a struggle from the off. I didn’t think I’d get my bonus while he had everything he needed to get his. My name calling didn’t seem to faze him either. But all of a sudden things at the lower end ( keep it clean missus) started to work well. I neat him  by a short head. Three all, even Stevens and honour satisfied.

Next up was the Trivial Pursuit. I won’t lie, he got his 6 pieces of pie while I only had 5. No matter how I tried to get the mnumber I wanted to land on the last colour I needed, I kept going just past it. Dil achieved his and worked his way back to the middle.It was my choice as to what question he would answer but they all seemed simple so I just chose one at random. The beggar knew it but didn’t know my second choice. Arrrrgh, he beat me! First blood. We went for cribbage next and despite cheating being unlucky he beat me 2-1. I was crushed. I was glad he was going home so he wouldn’t see me have a tantrum and cry bitterly. He went home and I swear there was a swagger in his walk just to rub it in and he was so quick to say “Thanks, see you next week” in such a way that I knew it was a threat. I waved him off and hoped my neighbours hadn’t noticed I was four fingers missing on that hand.

After Dil had left I just tidied up a bit, took my evening spray and meds, washed the pot (there was only his mug) and then went through to start work. It wasn’t as bad as I feared but it still took me up to 10.50 am to get clear (without refreshing). It was time to start the blog so I can get to bed.

Determined face?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thursday.

Some days the light can quite fool me. When I got up this morning at 3.28 am you’d swear it was much later like 3.30 am or something. As I made my way to the Palace of Piddle I pondered the reasons why I should be awake at this time. Granted I skived off early last night and after a very short read was turning the light out at midnight but even so, I wondered how many others find themselves thinking three and a half hours sleep is adequate. When I returned to the bedroom I booted up and logged on. I went straight to the bank but my money is still down and next week they will start recovery of the non-existent debt. I shall be going round with a begging bowl at this rate. I left the bank and went to start my emails. I was halfway through answering a long one when the computer decided to shut down. The people in Flint thought a high speed train had gone past when they heard my scream. No bloody warning !! Usually when microsoft are doing updates I can delay it a couple of hours but not this time. I put myself in a calmer place ( with the help of a bottle of galliano) and waited. When the update was on and the screen came back to the sign on, I did so calmly. It was only when it brought up my last page and showed it was timed out I got aggranoid. All that writing for nought.

I started again but only until 5.00 am when I decided I’d have breakfast today. I put two pieces of bread in the toaster on took all my meds. While waiting I put Mike’s bedding in the washer and set it going . Cigarette finished I buttered my toast, made a coffee and enjoyed my breakfast. I came back to work afterwards but the emails took forever to load and I was getting frustrated. I closed one address and opened the other which is usually superfast. Even that was sluggish today.  At 6.30 am I went through to check the washer and found the cycle finished. I put everything om to day as cotton for 3 hours. I went out at 9.00 a to get my lottery tickets from Pauline and when I came back the drier said Cycle finished. I opened it up because it hadn’t had 3 hours yet and the stuff was still wet. I reset it for 3 hours calling it synthetics and left it. Back I went an hour later and it was ended again. The damned machine isn’t working by my watch that’s for sure. One more time I tried back to cotton again and gave it another chance to behave while I worked. I was up to date at 10.15 am and went back to visit the kitchen. One minute the machine said 1 hr 57 mins to go, a few minutes later it said 8 minutes.

MuJo arrived just before the time was up so as soon as I’d furnished them with drinks I turned to the machine and unloaded and folded each piece as it came out. I put it on an airer by the kitchen radiator. Obviously I was still holding a conversation with them while I worked and found out they’d had a bit of a rough week. By 1.30 am we were ready to go to town. It was market day but we still managed to find a spot in the first car park where it’s all disabled parking. Very handy. A bit further to walk but worth it for the room. We walked up the High Street and straight into one of John’s favourite charity shops. I actually saw a really nice oil burner but I didn’t get it then saying I’d call on the way back. Next stop the Chippie. I had liver and onions today but couldn’t eat it all. Muriel swiped the bill before I got to it and wouldn’t relinquish it. Next time is definitely mine. After lunch Mu went to the post office while I lit a cigarette and followed John up to the next two charity shops. There didn’t seem to be anything he wanted today. Walking back down the street afterwards they picked up a hydrangea from a stall and then Muriel went in and bought the oil burner from the first charity shop and presented me with it.

Back in the car we headed for Flint. Aldi first so they could do some shopping and where I bought some chocolates, then straight to the retail park and a drink in Temptations. I passed the chocolates over and said Hi to the girls then carried the drinks over. Once done I went out for a cigarette while MuJo relaxed a bit. When they joined me, John went to sit in the car while Mu and I looked round another shop to see if she could find, I think they’re called Palazzo pants. They’re very colourful anyway as she’s wearing a pair today. We didn’t have any luck for her though. We all had an ice lolly sitting in the sunshine and then started the journey home. Mike was on his way by then. I expected him about 5.30 pm. MuJo stayed with me a while and then left about 4.30 pm. I was able to get a little work done before going through a little late for the quiz.Mike arrived virtually on time about 5 minutes later at 5.25 pm so I made a drink and we enjoyed the rest of that quiz together. Then of course we had Eggheads and one of the Big Bang Theories. I said at 7.00 pm I’d have to leave Mike and do some work but I’d be back through at 8.30 pm for the new BBT. He let me go without moaning.

I remembered I hadn’t asked whether Mike had eaten so went back through at 8.00 pm. He was hungry so I did sausage, sweet potato mash, beans and curry sauce and had a little bit myself. I timed it beautifully for the start of the programme and then at part one adverts Mike washed the pots for me. I stayed with him until 10.00 pm then had no excuse to stay away from work for longer. I did half an hour on the mail and then started the blog.

I thought maybe some of you would like to meet Dil and Matt from my Wednesday sanity school.

Dilwyn

Matthew

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Friday.

My light was off by 12.30 am last night. I’d gone for a wee around 11.45 pm and found Mike asleep in his room so turned his TV off. Maybe it was early nights all round.I don’t think it took me long to get to sleep as yesterday lunchtime’s sleep hadn’t gained me much. I was up at 3.56 am this morning bright eyes and bushy tailed, raring to get into action. Unfortunately  when I reached the Piddle Palace someone was playing with the stop-cock ( bad pun sorry) and it was stop-start for ages. Oh the joys of age. Eventually I was able to go to the bedroom and power up, then sign in. Once there I went immediately for mail and found  lots from last night. I knew I shouldn’t have skived after the blog. Anyway, it got done and I got a good start on today’s post until 6.05 am when I needed to take my drugs. Once that was done, being Friday the trays were now empty and needed filling. I got the drug drawer out and also the goodies I’d had delivered on Tuesday and replenished the trays fully. It will be two weeks now before I need anything else. The drawer went back in place and I made myself a coffee to take back to work.Oh wait, I’m not going to call it work this morning since it was a pleasure to read most of the posts which were Summery. Oz is different of course as they head for Winter but it seems the sun is still shining.

I had one con letter this morning but it just made me laugh despite the sad story it related of the woman who has cancer and not long to live. It seems she’s chosen me specially after reading my blog to give her fortune to so it can be donated to charities of my choice that involve children. Anyone with half a brain knows that if you gave me a couple of million pounds I’d be off looking for skinny jeans in all the colours under the sun. It’s possible I’d need matching tee–shirts and maybe a few casual jackets in bright colours too. It’s also possible that I might need a new home to house all the new stuff too. I’ve no doubt some would reach a charity but not necessarily all children related. Oops, bang goes my hope of a windfall then. I worked on both email addresses and by 8.50 am was pretty much up to date. I felt ready to nod off. Instead I headed for the kitchen to wash up some glasses Mike forgot, and my mug from this morning. I also filled the kettle and put it on.It was a couple of minutes to nine when I took Mike a coffee. He doesn’t set an alarm on Fridays so it’s all down to call. I just said ” Mornin’ Bro, coffee’s up, time to rise and shine.” The beggar did. Straight away, no arguments. He’d only grunted in response to me so I was sure it was a 3 C day at least.

He carried his coffee to the lounge and I sat with him talking about the problem with the seals on the car. It’s a young car and the makers say there should be no problem with the seals at this stage. They’ve offered as a goodwill gesture to cover 50% of the cost. They approached the garage who sold this very expensive model and who gave a 12 month warranty to cover the other half but the garage after a long delay say they’ll cover 10% of the remaining half, or in other words just 5% of the whole. Mike seems to have no choice but to go to litigation now. I’m pretty sure the wig and gown won’t   suit him though. I managed a short snooze in the chair but felt aware of what was going on around me still  At about 10.20 am he left to post a couple of letters and then to carry on and see his Dad in Manchester. I took the opportunity to come back through to work.The postman seems to hate me at the moment as he hasn’t called in 3 days. I carried on working to keep up to date until 11.40 am then broke off to see to lunch. It’s the day of the corned beef hash but I don’t in the least feel like eating.The chest has broken and I’m breathing like old bellows and constantly coughing. It’s just as well Mike is out or he’s be whinging. I did eat my lunch and yes, I did fall asleep during Bargain Hunt.( again). I didn’t wake until 2.15 pm but at least Doctors was over.

I half heartedly returned to my battle with the post and tried to keep up but it was running away today and all I wanted to do was sleep. It seemed I could do that anywhere. I proved it by folding up over the keyboard for a few seconds. I stayed at it until 5.45 pm to whittle it down even though I was missing my quiz. A text from Mike told me he’d be late due to an accident on the motorway. I watched the last bit of the main quiz then Eggheads, before at 6.30 pm going for a shower. I didn’t come out feeling better but at least I was cleaner. I went back through to watch a programme on the island of Honshu in Japan which was fascinating. Mike arrived home as it was going to start. I made him a coffee and we watched it even though Mike had seen the same one last week. It was only needed until 7.30 pm when Question of Sport came on.  I was going to stick to BBC1 as there are no adverts where Mike can threaten me with calling Yvonne. Unfortunately at 8.00 pm there was a documentary on another channel about the conspiracy theories surrounding the death- or escape of Adolf Hitler.By the time it was over I was almost ready to ridicule the beliefs that he’d escaped to a secret place in Antarctica to train a new core of men. The fact that Russia had the bodies until the 60’s without admitting it obfuscated the landscape. Their tests say the body was Hitler but DNA tests carried out say not and they refuse anyone access to the bodies after that. What I did find myself believing with no trouble was that the OSS retrieved a huge cache of German gold that seemed to disappear. I imagine it funded the OSS/ CIA for a long time.

At 9.00 pm I came back through to see to as much mail as possible and then at 10.00 pm to do the blog in the hope of an early night. I want to go shopping tomorrow.

Director of Traffic

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Saturday.

Mike warned me last night he’d never get up at 6.30 am today If I kept him awake coughing all night. How do you stifle a cough? I suppose the tooth marks in the pillow give you an idea. I got to bed at 11.30 pm and read only until 12.15 am. I think Mike had turned his TV off at that point. Suitably propped up I eventually fell asleep but disturbed myself a lot with coughing. I wondered if I’d be up for the 6.30 am deadline. As it happens in was 3.22 am. Enough light coming through the windows that I could get to the Palace of Piddle without turning lights on. It was only when I came back I had to turn my light on as no light comes through the window. If I open the curtains I can’t see the computer screen. I was coughing a lot, trying to keep it down by keeping my mouth shut but it can’t be done for long. Having said that, he hasn’t moved once when I’ve coughed so I worried about nothing. I cleared the rest of last night’s post first then started on today’s. Just the one address at the moment. At 4.55 am I decided to go have breakfast and put two slices of bread in the toaster. I checked the milk and found there was enough for my tablets and coffee so I made the tablets the next thing and followed up with the sprays.

I was done in the kitchen at 5.20 am and took my coffee through. I refreshed the post and did the ten or so that came up. Then I logged into my second address and started again. I was clear by 5.56 am and went to get dressed. That didn’t take too long. I went through to the kitchen to prepare Mike’s mug and write down my Saturday morning prediction of how long getting him up would take. I’m thinking a minimum of 2 A AND 2 C. As it happened it was 2A and IC because he like spoiling things.

The day has been good with shopping and then looking at fish when Mike had been looking for a specific food. It’s as well I’ve spent much of the day either here or sitting in the car. The bellows are not good today and Mike is giving me a headache fretting. I’m really drained though so am going to apologise for breaking Saturday up and am heading for my bed. Maybe hospital tomorrow if he doesn’t think things are any better, we’ll see about that. I suppose I don’t want another bout of pneumonia.

It’s possible I won’t be up to dealing with mail in the morning so don’t worry if I don’t respond. Thanks to you all for being my friends. I give you full permission to let your imaginations run wild at Mike’s antics today.

Have a Great New Week full of Hugs.