Searching for Less.

Helloooo Monday and all you lovely people. I have a terrible confession, it’s been a while since I’ve been able to see my shoes when I’m standing up unless I happen to be swinging one of my legs back and forth. My stomach looks like a camel going out expecting a six week drought at least. Mike’s stomach is no smaller and I tease him about it as he teases me. It got to me yesterday though when he pointed out that I eat twice as much as him at lunchtime. I’m sure it isn’t every meal, just Sunday’s where I help myself to food after I’ve been given meat. I know what the trouble is, I love potatoes and just recently they’ve been doing 3 lots, boiled new potatoes, mash and roast potatoes. I shall have to make an effort to cut down. The silly thing is I had some trousers in a 38″ waist that seemed big and I thought they were just generous but on checking I have no problems fitting a 36″ now. Dare I go any smaller and have to buy new trousers opening myself up to fresh scorn. I’ll keep you abreast as to whether I can exercise food control during this week.

                          Mike’s friend emphasises his Pregnant Pause.

Because of comments on my last post (nothing to do with me catching an afternoon snooze that lasted for 2 hours) I was late to bed last night and read until 12.30 am before trying to settle. I was back up at 2.23 am ready and raring to go. Not exactly the feeling I was enjoying at 6.30 am when I needed to get dressed to leave the house at 7.00 am for my bus.I’d faded enough to put a brown jumper with black trousers but that only lasted until I opened my eyes. The fresh air would revive me and I could nod on the bus as long as I didn’t sail past Yvonne at the other end. Well I didn’t sail past and they met me at the bus stop as I got off. A kiss off Yvonne , a big hug from Reuben and permission to kiss Amelie’s forehead. We went first to the supermarket that has a Costa so I could nip to the loo before refilling again. As I came out of the loo I could seem Amelie was out of her pushchair and she was enjoying a run around, Yvonne was at the counter getting the drinks. As the drinks arrived Amelie calmed down walked round the table and gave me a kiss. It quite made my day. We had a nice drink though I was jealous that I didn’t get a flake on my saucer like some people did. We had a good mooch round the shops where in a sale I actually bought some chinos for £2. I found a nice little cardigan for Amelie. Ami refused me a kiss for my journey home so I think she must have decided I’d had my ration  for the day.

Wednesday was marked by my falling asleep in the afternoon (when I  should have been working) and Dil had been sitting there laughing at me for quarter of an hour before I woke. I was prepared to blame him for fixing the cards in his  favour but then I won. Overall the night was mine, so much so that I’m prepared to allow the use of his name in my presence this week. Yahtzee was a draw at 6 games each but Nomination whist and cribbage  just slid into my grasp easily.

Unruly kids? Rent a lobster pot.

Thursday. I ordered a Welsh flag and the flag of St David on Monday ready for the 1st of March. They were delivered today. I lost a neighbour last year and he celebrated every St. David’s day with both flags run up a flagpole outside his door. I think the flagpole went with his children. This year I’m the old man with the flags except mine will be indoors hanging in the window of the lounge and the kitchen. Cymru am byth.                    Sharon came in the afternoon and gave me a thorough cleaning. Those feather dusters don’t half tickle. Mike turned up in the evening before I’d had chance to lock and barricade the door. He almost had me choking when he asked me to make sure he’s up for 6.00 am tomorrow as he needs to be in Manchester early. I’m sure anyone who’s read this blog before knows that I ‘try’ to get him up at that time on a Saturday morning and that I consider eating suppositories fun by  comparison. I wonder if I should do it and then tell him not to come back so I can avoid repetition and frustration on Saturday.

After Music Class, Playing the Cornet.

Friday started with me trying to get Mike up for 6.00 am. This was even worse that it is on a Saturday but he was supposed to be out of the house by 7.00 am. I did manage it but at 6.55am he was still sitting in the lounge with a coffee and not dressed for the outside. As he left the room I must have nodded off and when I woke at 7.10 am he’d gone. I returned to work which I’d started early this morning. Being the rebel that I am, when I got dressed at 9.00 am I didn’t put any socks on. I know how to live on the edge. When it came to undressing for a shower later the time saved by this one act made it all worthwhile.

Saturday morning up at 1.51 am. Considering I didn’t stop reading until about 12.15 am I have to wonder if it’s worth coming to bed at all. There was the usual struggle to get Mike up at 6.00 am but in fairness we are usually on our way at 7.00 am and he’s fully dressed I’m guessing it’s by a colour-blind man with no sense of style, certainly not like my friend Stephanae at  https://boldblindbeauty.com/  who has great style sense. I know that because I try and borrow it though the make-up goes awry. I did manage to get him up and even managed to get him out though I had a moment of panic when I noticed him driving with his eyes shut. We managed everything we needed to and even a trip to Broughton Park as Mike wanted to but something else he hadn’t managed to get enough of at the first shop. I can’t say what as they’re presents and I’m sworn  bribed to secrecy. We drove back to the Dragon’s Rest for lunch and I had my first really disappointing meal. Mike took me to get some freezer shopping just before we came home and poor Joey finally had his cage opened.

Sunday. Slept from about 1.30 am to 2.53 am then went directly for breakfast. Yesterday Mike persuaded me to but a new bread by Warburton’s called The Lancashire Thorough Bread, a type of soft bloomer. I didn’t really take it’s shape into account with the toaster. I had to cut something off each side and off the top to get it to fit. Breakfast over I returned to work until I’d caught up at about 7.15 am. I found I was ready for a quick kip and climbed back on the bed. I woke again about 9.00 am and nearly died of shock to find Mike was up.”Thought I’d let you sleep” he said with a big smirk.                                             After we’d got dressed we needed to exchange a pair of jeans for him as button flies were got by mistake.We delivered some bags to Yvonne while we were out with her portion of the mystery birthday gift. Then we pulled into the town centre while we did the exchange which actually only took moments though selecting the jeans to have with the zip fly took hours.Coming out we put a red light atop the car and I opened the window and shouted nee-naw all the way to Prestatyn and lunch. I had to be thawed out first and getting a lime and lemonade with ice didn’t help. Lunch was great as usual. We went home after that so we could fall asleep in our chairs. I know I did anyway. Mid-afternoon I waved Mike off then had a couple of hours work before watching a film on TV. A remake of Total Recall that must have left the graphics lovers feeling euphoric but were a bit much for me. I think I prefer the original.

I wish you all a wonderful week full of the usual hugs. I wish such luck to the youngsters of America who are trying to bring about such an important change. We need to all get behind them and bring sensible gun control in and take out the second Government of the U.S, the NRA.

 

 

 

Oops, I did it again.Delayed

Recently Mike updated his phone and I was given his cast off previous one because it has bigger buttons and a 6 inch screen the better to see things. I’m not exactly without technical skills but it’s as close as it gets so I set myself the task of working out how to get it to make my morning cuppa. Mike says I’m asking a bit much but is there anything he can show me what to do while he’s here. “Yes” says I, “show me how to get tunes on to differentiate between text messages and phone calls please.”                                                    He put Bitter Sweet Symphony by the Verve as my phone call ringtone and chose one himself for text messages and since he didn’t show me what to do I was left with them. I do know that he put Zedge on the phone for the music downloads. Anyway on Tuesday morning early the phone played One Day like this by Elbow, which had been his choice and I love it, but there was no sign of a text. My big, fat fiddling fingers made it appear there had been (or I made) a phone call. So when we were sitting with a coffee I asked Yvonne to ring my phone to see if it played the right thing, which it did and then to text me just to check that. My phone correctly played Elbow and her eyes lit up “I love this” she said. “Me too” I told her,”as soon as I heard it for the first time this weekend”                 “Oh Daddy, don’t you remember this played as Ugo and I walked into the ballroom after the wedding, we danced to this.” “I know I knew it from somewhere” I said, digging my own grave.

Wednesday started well. I was up early as usual and up to date with my mail before I got dressed at 9.00 am. I found a parcel under my coat rack that proved to be the last parcel I’ve been waiting for recently. It must have rolled when it was dropped in. I settled in to watch HUtH at 10.00 pm and was just about to nod off, examine my eyelids from the inside, when there was a knock on the doorbell. It proved to be another sparkie. This one had not come to the shower but to change the wiring box for the house and the fuse box at the same time. Quite a job. Promising I was in for the next few hours, he started. Currently the boxes are inside a little cupboard about six feet off the floor outside near the front door. When I went back later to see if he wanted a drink it was funny to see a pair of legs sticking out of the wall as he sat in the cupboard somehow and worked. The bugbear of course is that while this was going on I had no HUtH and no computer to take my frustrations out on ( now now missus, behave, everyone else knew what I meant). Finally about 2.30 pm he’d finished. He came in to check lights and other points were working and everything seemed fine. Once he’d gone I was able to get Joey back in his cage (the electrician had scared him counting plugs, the electrician was counting, not Joey). I was able to get back to work on emails. I had to break off at 4.30 when Dil arrived.                                                                                                                                                     My night did not start well when I lost the first game of Yahtzee 6-0, I’m sure the dice are weighted. The second game was 3-3 but it didn’t help when he kept saying I was catching up. Nomination Whist started much better though Dil seemed to be holding his own most of the time, I stopped him doing that and let him use the loo free of charge (This time ). I’m just so generous. Anyway a sudden surge towards the end sent me into an uncatchable position. With it being one game all we both approached the cribbage carefully but heck, I was able to put an ace and a four in his box give him a head start and still beat him tonight. 2-1 to me is not as good as his 3-0 over me last week but at least I know the small god of gambling is not on my case now.

Bubbles at the music class.

For all you ladies out there.

I ordered some pillows for Mike’s bed and mine last week. They came this morning so while Sharon was cleaning the lounge for me this afternoon I thought I’d put mine on. I’d ordered four for each bed even though mine is a single as I like to sit up. I took the old ones out of their pillowcases and took them away ready to be taken to the skips this weekend. I replaced them with the new ones without paying any particular attention to what I was doing until all four were done. I came to stack them up and found I’d almost be sleeping on the ceiling to get to the top pillow. Two would have been quite adequate compared to the four old ones. Oops. At least Mike can have two each side of the double bed.

Saturday we attended a birthday party for Dil who will be 60 on Monday. Sunday when we returned from lunch I was without the internet.

Tuesday evening and the internet is back. No charge as it was an outside fault. It seems whoever reconnected lines to a new telegraph pole thought it must have been a fun idea to give people someone else’s number as there were quite  few affected. People can have my phone calls with pleasure but I’ll keep the net myself if that’s OK.

Have a great week everyone, make it full of happiness and hugs.

 

Have you reclaimed PPI ? & The Unicorn

Sunday 1st May.

Bed 12.15 am
Read to 1.10 am Ready for sleep.
Up at 6.18 am Miraculous.

Straight through to take my morning meds then grab a coffee to bring back. I signed into my mail and was horrified it was already over the 100 mark and the new stuff hadn’t even arrived. I got stuck in. At 7.00 am Mike’s alarm went off . It was dry outside despite the forecast but I just went through to his room and told him to turn the alarm off when it rang again. He could sleep in. By the time he got up at 9.40 am I was practically done so I let him make his own coffee and went through when I’d  done. I was tired out as though I hadn’t had my own lie-in this morning. I had to fight the idea of snoring in my chair.

There was a little mix up as to whether we were going to take some things over to Yvonne this morning, but it seemed they were going out. Then this afternoon they were going to a street fair. We could have taken the things in between their two outings but I thought that would make our timing very tight and we couldn’t enjoy a visit. Mike offered to drop them in on his way home by which time they’d be back from the fair.That was great. It was as well things worked that way as he nipped out to help the daughter of a neighbour move a piece of furniture they’d got jammed in the door. Thankfully he got dressed first.                                                                                                                   We left to go for lunch about 11.40 am  and ended up at the Bells of St Mary’s. It was good timing as they were just opening the carvery. A bit of a queue but not too bad. I’d been telling him to prepare for a shock, they’re introducing a pizza bar with help yourself salads. I should have let him sit down first. I noticed that they’re closing tomorrow until the 20th to prepare. We spent half out lunchtime speculating as to where it will go.

After lunch we headed for Prestatyn and a shop I hoped would give me some inspiration with gift ideas for my niece. It did.  I got two nice things the equivalent of the head I got Jo, only these weren’t broken yet. I thought maybe delivering by hand might prevent that from happening. Mike was asking if there was anywhere else I wanted. I answered “No thanks but I’m happy to carry on if there’s anywhere you want.” When we got back  in the car he brought us home which I thought was unlike him but when we were in the football went on and I understood. That gave me chance to work for an hour and a half though I kept nodding over the keyboard so we’ll re-assess that to an hour. When the football was over I went through and found he’d done the flowers already at half time. We started watching a Steve Martin film which would go off the minute Mike left unless he stayed till the end. He did leave at 5.20 pm so the TV went off and we carried the bags out to the car . There were quite a few and it would have made my journey on Tuesday quite difficult.

Once he’d gone, I put some episodes of NCIS on and settled until 9.00 pm. I locked Joey in, took my evening meds and came through. I went back long enough to  demolish a piece of rhubarb tart Mike had left me. I settled to work again. Another chunk. I was done with mail by 11.05 pm and able to start the blog. Early finish with luck.

Mates Day.

Teething troubles

 

Monday 2nd May.

Bed 11.55 pm                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              Read till 12.45 am                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      Up again at 1.53 am. I hoped to be able to try again in a couple of hours.

I found myself working until 6.51 am on the existing posts but there was a mysterious gap between about 3.00 a and 4.15 am where nothing was done though judging from the fact that the mouse was hanging off the desk until 4.15 am an attempt or two might have been made. What struck me as particularly lucky is that I hadn’t been answering a message or commenting when darkness struck or another famous ‘coded’ message might have appeared in Australia or somewhere. We’ll say there was just a Zzzz bridge between two periods of useful activity. As I finished that last period at 6.51 am, at 6.52 am new mail began to appear. I took a two minute break then jumped right back in the pool.

By 9.30 am I was stretching and pulling the ‘I’m so tired I’d better relax in the lounge’ card but that may have had something to do with HUtH being on early today. I went to watch it and only returned to work at 10.45 am. One thing I notice is that not enough people are taking advantage of the holiday to go out. The volume of mail is at an all time high today. Bargain Hunt was on early too at midday so I gave up in here at 11.45 am and went to make myself some lunch in the shape of some very healthy beef salad baps followed by a strawberry yoghurt. Once Bargain Hunt was over I found my jeans superglued to the chair and sunk into deep thought for a way to get out.              I woke had revelations at about 2.20 pm and found my hot-bot must have melted the glue and I could move. That saved me getting a hernia trying to climb out of them where they were. I went back to the office to work yet again. I worked hard until 4.30 pm then returned to the lounge for PYMWYMI, they were in an antiques market on the Continent today and the envy was dripping from my chin. So many nice things, not too expensive and me here.One of them got a beautiful figure of a greyhound.life size for £15. I had a work break from 5.15 pm to 5.45 pm while the quiz was on then I made tea (healthy ham salad baps this time, with a rhubarb yoghurt). I watched Without a Trace then SG1 before watching Sanctuary apart from the last two minutes when Joey set up a huge racket so I have no idea who is invading who but I know it’s in Indonesia. Thanks Joey. It’s possible this was because I was due to lock his cage and say goodnight but as he was already in there when I did it I’m not sure. When I got back the in box was overflowing again. I had to ignore many of the ‘likes’ and quite a few of the reblogs where I’d seen the original. Also if people had done a lot of posts I couldn’t go through them all so I did just some of them. Sorry Peeps but I’m tired. It still took me till 10.35 pm.  This blog has been shorter than usual but has still taken till 11.20 pm. I just have to add pics and music and I can go to bed. Out in the morning.

Look of expectation.

But I’m hungry……

THEN 1960’s

Tuesday 3rd May.

Bed 11.30 pm                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        Read to 12.35 am Ready to sleep.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               Woke at 1.18 am and thought B*gger this for a game of soldiers, and refused to move. Up at 3.12 am. Could live with that.

Though accepting my wakefulness, I did sit on the edge of the bed for a minute or two trying to decide in which order to do things this morning. I settled on work, meds and dressed so turned on the computer and signed into my mail. 42 since I closed down last night. I had my meds and some breakfast at 5.00 am then came back to work 30 minutes later. I worked until 6.38 am when I finally finished the first batch- plus the answers they generated, and stopped to get dressed. It’s possible I won’t get more now until about 7.10 am, but they’ll have to wait until I return from Chester this afternoon.                                                                                                                                                                                I left the house at 7.30 am and walked to the bus stop. Naturally the bus beat me to it and I had to speed up but the driver was outside having a non-smoke when I got there gasping for breath. We were soon under way and I sent Yvonne a text to let her know then shut my eyes. When I arrived in Chester a couple of minutes early there was no sign of them but then got a text to say they were on the way. I walked the length of the street to meet them. I spotted Yvonne texting and guessed it was to me so got my phone out. The message said ‘Just round the corner’, I was going to text back ‘So am I’ when she saw me and laughed. Her morning crisis, she’s left her purse in Ugo’s car.

We went to get a coffee and give me chance of bladder relief which is not some new kind of health cake. any more than bladder wrack is some kind of health issue or torture, though some people may not agree with me. After coffee I had a quick look upstairs at the clothes and the bedding but didn’t see anything. I did however manage to persuade Yvonne to let me get her a couple of things downstairs.We didn’t even come to blows about it. From there we went to another shop as Reuben had been promised the chance to look for alizard. He didn’t find one but did find some Power Rangers figures instead. Another shop where we bought nothing and then a wander downstairs in a WH Smith’s where there id often a lot of clearance stock. Today was no different and I managed to get as few little things for the kids and craft stuff for Yvonne. Then Reuben saw something he wanted. Yvonne patiently explained maybe next time as he’s chosen a toy today. That got thrown to the floor, he didn’t want it now. Yvonne was very patient but the screams started so we had to take him away from the toy altogether. Up in the lift, through the shop and outside in the street the screaming persisted, though not altogether convincing but he wasn’t backing down. I was delighted to see neither was Yvonne. Eventually the tantrum ran it’s course but not before every window on the street was wide open and people leaning out wondering where they air raid siren was.                                                                                                                                                                                 He’s a beggar for trying to force your hand by playing to the crowd but I’m so proud of Yvonne for the way she handled it because all parents know how embarrassing it is when the howling starts and the world and his wife thinks the child is being mistreated rather than the parent is.

When it came time to go I was at the bus stop about a minute before the bus was due to go. It was ten minutes later I realised it had gone. RATS! I had to say my goodbye’s and walk to the main bus station to try for one of the company that has a different route and takes longer. I got there about 12.05 pm and had to wait until 12.30 pm. Fine. I got on the bus and wondered if I should have waited another 20 mins and got my usual from there. The journey wasn’t too bad but I’d done my usual hour’s journey and only got as far as Flint, and that’s where my normal bus number passed us. It took another half an hour to get home, till 2.00 pm. Lucky for me the chippy doors were still open so  I went and ordered chips, sausage and curry sauce. I told her how upset I’d been to find myself pouring gravy instead of curry sauce last time. She took it in good part. Despite an argument she charged me less and also gave me an extra sausage. I was the last customer of the lunchtime session.

I came home and ate as I was apologising to Joey for deserting him so much later than usual. Then I had to desert him again to come back to work. I worked till 4.30 pm and then again between 5.15 pm and 6.00 pm I managed to get the post down but not complete it. At 6.00 pm I put Without a Trace on but don’t remember seeing the end. I missed SG1 and also Sanctuary. It was dark when I woke and some kind of haunting thing was on. On the TV that is, not in real life. I have Joey for that. Neither of us were happy. Me because I’d missed my programmes and slept past 9.00 pm, Joey because I hadn’t put a light on so he could come out to play. I had to shut his cage door before I dared put the light on. I took my meds and came through.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          It took me until 11.15 pm to clear the accumulated mail before I could hit the blog.Consider this a late one.

Tickle Attack

Faintly amused.

FROM 1981

Still there in 2015 LIVE

Wednesday 4th May.

Bed. 12.06 am Legs slathered.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          Read 1.13 am Book 4 The Burning Land and still as exciting. Fairly quickly to sleep.                                                                                                                                                                                  Up. 2.27 am  A trip to loo land then back to sign in to mail. I hoped to doze off again before breakfast.

The first round of mail kept me going until 4.50 am so that was the perfect time for breakfast and medications ( to keep The Hulk chained). At 5.20 am I thought trying for an hour in my chair was a good idea.It was an idea that didn’t come off as I remembered while I had breakfast to put the washing machine on. I returned to work after breakfast until the washer was due to finish, when I put the washing on to dry. As I was already around, I checked the post box, saw more had arrived and just sat to do it which covered me until 6.52 am. I got dressed.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              At 7.00 am I sat in my chair in the lounge, stretched out my legs and closed my eyes. I must have been giving secret code signals in budge because Joey chose that exact moment to start attacking his swing which has bells on, his ladders which have bells on and in turn his two mirrors which also have bells on. All this accompanied by his rather melody free singing.  I talked gently to him and I tutted and even imitated the budgie squeaks for “Your place or mine” but I couldn’t shut him up. I had to sit it out until he went quiet. I nodded off but at 8.05 am was woken by the phone. It had to be a stranger as everyone I know avoids ringing me as I don’t answer the phone. I had to go and check for messages anyway in case it was urgent but it was  the millionth call to ask me if I’d reclaimed my PPI. Let me make this as clear as I can, SOD OFF AND LEAVE ME ALONE. Don’t call me I’ll call you (never).

I got the now dry washing out and put it on the airer. Then I returned to work to deal with the latest stuff. There was quite a lot of it but I was determined to pace myself. I paced myself up to 9.55 am then went to watch my HUtH. Joey was having a fierce argument with the bird that inhabits the big mirror. He kept rapping his beak against it but the other bird countered with precise raps of it’s own. I don’t know what he’ll do if I ever take that mirror down and replace it with a big picture instead.                                    At 11.00 am I returned to work for a while trying to clear as much as I could before lunch I finished at 11.45 am to go and start it. I was having the liver and onions today with some micro chips. It was very nice. I watched Bargain Hunt until 1.00 pm. Jade had sent a message to say she was coming today which shew changed to say she ‘d come tomorrow instead if that was OK. I had to say it wasn’t as MuJo may come Thurs or Friday and I don’t know which. So,it was change back to today again and about 1.30 pm. Fine, that would leave me clear for Dil’s arrival.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               It was 2.10 pm before she arrived and I was worried that if she did her two hours it might just conflict with Dil’s arrival. When she did arrive I said I was going to try and get my head down for a while in my bedroom because I was short on sleep. That was OK she told me. Beggar me, I’d nodded off nicely when at 2.35 pm the hoover started up outside my bedroom door. I returned to work again. At 3.30 pm Jade asked if there was anything more she could do. I should have gone and checked but I just said not if there’s nothing she could see. I passed her pay and she left. I carried on working until 4.15 pm then decided that was enough and went through. Dil arrived at 4.25 pm so I made him a cuppa before the PYMWYMI started. He’d been to see his grandson, my great nephew Nathan before coming to me. Nathan is 1 today. I’ve got his gifts here as I haven’t been able to get them to him. Lee says it’s not a problem, he can have them on 22nd when we get together for his and Karen’s birthdays. Not a solution I like but the choices are few.

When TV went off at 6.00 pm the ritual humiliation started. I was beaten 7-5 at Yahtzee. I was beaten by just one slice of pie at Trivial Pursuits and then hammered at cribbage just to put the boot in. Somebody left for home whistling. I nailed the door shut hoping he might have left his car keys behind then I went and did a quick tidy up, washed the pots, took my meds and then locked Joey in his cage. I put the landing lights on in the hall then went through to my room.                                                                                 I worked on emails until 11.00 pm then started on the blog. I intend to be in bed for midnight and will catch up on the remains of the mail in the morning.

Wide Eyed.

The slippers that tickle.

Thursday 5th May.

Bed .12.00 am                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                Read 12.58 am.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                Up at 2.21 am though in fairness that should read awake at followed by up at 2.33 am when I knew I wasn’t going to fall asleep again..

I can’t recall a time when I didn’t get up early. In the RAF, I never had a problem being up before the sergeant came in to suggest that we’d better be holding our socks. I suppose the only difference I can recall is that I had to get dressed early whereas now I can lounge about for hours before I need do that,unless I’m going out of course. Most of our supermarkets have a strict no pyjamas policy. Of course they don’t enforce a strict policy of battledress or best blues like the RAF did but standards are dropping everywhere. I wouldn’t mind going back to those days when I had a 28″ waist. . I still have the 28″ waist of course but now it keeps warm wrapped in another 10″of blubber. Anyhoo, back to today,I worked until glancing up at the clock it was 4.37 am. Unfortunately, what made me glance at the clock was stretching my neck after having nodded off over a hot keyboard. I don’t know how long I’d been out but I came up like  unicorn where I’d been resting my head on a pen and the skin had grown round it. I just hoped it was still the same day.

At 5.45 am I went to take my meds and get some breakfast. It was getting quite light and when I’d finished Joey had changed position in his cage so I opened his door so he could exit when ready. When I returned with a coffee, my face bearing a grin that despite the shakes here was still some coffee in the cup, I just continued where I’d left off. Post was coming in all the time, especially at the 7.10 am mark so it was 8.25 am before I had an empty mail box. I’d make an effort to keep on top of it, but for now I could get dressed ready to go to Pauline’s at 9.00 am. I want to get back as I’m expecting deliveries today with luck.                                                                                                                                   I got back from the shop and unpacked my bag. After just finishing a couple more pieces of post I headed fro the lounge to sit with Joey. If he started squawking again I was prepared to sit on him. My HUtH cme on and I was enjoying it. Naturally that meant I started to nod but I came awake with a start when I heard something. When I finally realised what it as I almost broke my neck dashing to the front door. The Postman had turned away to leave but I did the only thing I could and jumped on his back. I spent three hours explaining to the police I wasn’t trying to steal the mail. I got all the parcels I was waiting for and sat opening them while HUtH was still on. Once it was over I came through to leave feedback and to deal with any mail that had come in. I worked until 11.50 am and then being clear I could go and see to lunch. I settled on salad baps again today. My oh my, I’ll be so healthy. I must be miles ahead on the 5 a month thing now.

Following lunch and Bargain Hunt I returned to my room to see if there had been more mail. I really didn’t want to get behind today. By 3.00 pm I was clear and thought I might just treat myself to Escape from the Country. I think I got as far as Escape before my eyes went and the picture taped to the inside of my eyelids became fascinating again. My ‘Put Your Money Where  Your Mouth Is’ started at 4.30 pm but I was still practising  with the buzz saw at that point and didn’t regain consciousness until 4.43 pm. No way was I leaving the screen to come and check my monitor then.                                                                                                                                                                                                                   Mike arrived for the last 15 minutes so I quickly made him a coffee so he could enjoy it. We caught up with a natter during the start of the quiz Countless which was on next. I knew I wouldn’t be returning to my room for a while yet. At 6.00 pm I turned over for Without a Trace which had quite a sad ending this time. Part way through Mike refused my offer of making him something to eat ( he’s no fool) and opted for the chippy. Let me be totally clear now, I did not have anything after showing how healthy I could eat at lunchtime. ( Just as well he hasn’t seen the last couple of days). At 7.00 pm he was back with his meal and watched The Great Antique Road Trip with me. Two good competitors and a great show.( Charles Hanson wasn’t on this one).

At 8.00 pm I channel hopped again to ‘Sanctuary’ which I’ve started following. They were being audited by a particularly unpleasant Government lackey who was making threats. How dare they threaten Amanda Tapping like that. I’d love to go and live in that house she and the others occupy. I’m guessing it must be a massive landmark in Canada though at first I thought it was a church. At 9.00 pm as it ended I went through to take my meds, locked Joey in his cage and deserted Mike. Ireturned to pay the price for being absent so long. It took until 10.57 to clear the mail and be able to start the blog. I think I’m online for an 11.45 pm finish if I’m lucky and if not a lot more mail has arrived.

Enjoying the Spring sunshine

Reuben makes a conquest. Cor…..

Friday 6th May.

Bed. 12.05 am  Mike had been talking to me bout the terrible effect the non-smoking tablets are having on him. Bad dreams and depression. I told him to stop taking them.  Read until 12.58 am was probably asleep before the light finished fading after I switched it off.                                                                                                                                                               Up at 2.25 am. A trip to tinkle land didn’t mean I could go back to sleep where I left off. If I was having a mucky dream I’d have to catch up later.

I’d finished the first lot’The Overnighters’ by 4.15 am so went through to the kitchen to take my meds and refill the trays with another week’s worth. I thought I might as well have breakfast while I was there so toasted a bap and smothered it in butter. It was 5.00 am before I returned to my room with a coffee and started on the mail again. 5.43 am and I was clear. I was going to sit in the lounge with Joey and hopefully get the buzz saw out but I decided to search ebay for Reuben’s birthday gift. Yvonne told me he wants a giant Hulk so I’m watching one now at 12″ tall, I haven’t seen anything bigger.                                                                                                                                                                                   At 6.30 am I did go to the lounge and nodded until almost 7.15 am. Joey seemed to say “About bloody time” when I came to, but he soon kicked up a stink when I left to come back to work.  There was quite a lot in but I could only work until 8.55 am then go and make a coffee for Mike which I took through.  I was waking him early as when MuJo had arrived last week it was round about 10.00 am . I wanted him semi conscious and at least dressed before that happened. But, he did say he had a meeting to attend this morning so in fact he must have been glad to be up. He left at 10.00 am and I sat watching HUtH. When there was no message on my phone by 10.30 am I came back here and checked Facebook where John insists on messaging me. There was a message to say they weren’t coming as Muriel was unwell. I said I hoped she’d be OK and signed out.

Once 11.00 am arrived I knew I could return to work so had a blitz to bring me up to date for 11.50 am. It was time to rush and peel some sweet potatoes then but I just didn’t fancy sausages so I had corned beef, mash and beans. It was lovely. Bargain Hunt came on and I waited till it was over to settle in my chair for a kip. I only got half an hour then but it helped. I had more work in to do and I needed to go to ebay as well. Instead of watching Escape to the Country at 3.00 pm I lay on the bed for a while. I times it well as I got up at 3.55 pm which gave me time to hammer at the mail I’d received before leaving at 4.30 pm for PYMWYMI. Mike sent a message to say he was on his way back and he arrived at 6.00 pm just after the quiz. We watched Without a Trace then I went for a shower while Mike fell sleep in his chair.                                                                      After the shower I went back through and watched the rest of SG1, and Mike woke up at the end. I made us a sandwich each to eat while we watched Sanctuary. At 9.00 pm I came through to my room for the final assault. It took until 10.42 pm to finish the mail and then it was blog time. Bed by 11.30 pm.

Champion of The World

At the Farm.

Saturday 7th May.

Bed. 11.40 pm                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            Read until 12.45 am sleep didn’t come easy.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     Up at 3.05 am . An improvement again? 2 hours + maybe. I think I’d like to be starting this conversation  from 6 hours +.

I wonder if it might be possible to change the sleep pattern without the pressures of a deadline to keep. Perhaps I should try it for a week or so. A proper break.                          Anyhoo, I started work on the mail taking a break at 4.50 am to take my meds and get some breakfast. The time had no relevance but I’d just finished a personal message and thought it a natural break point. I returned to work at 5.20 am with a coffee for company.                                                                                                                                                                  I was up to date at 6.15 am and as Mike’s alarm hadn’t gone off I carried on with getting the rubbish and the recycling out. I came back to find an interesting post about tweaking Amazon’s listings by Nicholas C Rossis  http://nicholasrossis.me/2016/05/07/how-to-tame-amazons-algorithm-to-increase-your-sales-rank/ it made interested if a little complicated reading. I think I’m glad I don’t write any more and have to worry about things like his. I had finished reading by 6.30 am and was just waiting for the alarm so I could do coffee for Mike.

No alarm came so I guessed it hadn’t been put on last night, or been put on to go off later ( the latter proved to be the case). At 6.40 am I took a drink through and woke him. I spoke loud and long enough so that he had to form answers and therefore wake up. He did, and even got up within 5 minutes too..no reminder…no alarm…no kidding!! What’s more, we were out of the house by 7.30 am and on our way.We were out of ASDA by 9.05 am and hadn’t bothered with a drink there so that Mike could have a bacon bap at The Range. While he did so I chose a couple of throws for the two armchairs in the lounge and a cushion which I couldn’t resist even though it doesn’t match with anything at all.                                                                                                                                                                                                                          From there we drove to Flint. A walk around my favourite shop Homies got me a few items then a visit to Jolley’s next door sorted Joey out with a couple of seed bells. We took the bag back to the car, picked up the chocolates for Temptations and went for a coffee. Ceri and Kyle were on duty this morning . I ordered the drinks and passed the chocs over. Kyle took for the drinks and put the receipt on the tray so Ceri knew what to make, though she could have done it blindfold. She came over for a chat when we sat down and told us she’s handed in her notice and leaves in a month. It’s good news for her but not great for the rest of us. Most of the customers enjoy the banter with her and she does draw in custom.

After we left there we paid a visit to B&M (known as BUM Bargains) which is a great shop and even Mike bought things there too. Time was getting on now at 12.35 pm so we decided to go for lunch. A game of rock, paper, scissors , lizard, Spock ( Thanks Big Bang Theory) didn’t get us very far so we decided to stay local and go to The Bells in Holywell. It’s quite basic but it’s cheap and cheerful. After lunch I got to go to the much bigger Homies  here which was good, I managed to get a few things here as well including something no home should be without…..an extending fork.!! Great for pinching chips off someones plate in the restaurant and looking innocent.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      After that we came home, getting in about 2.00 pm. The shopping was soon put away and I came through to work. It took me to 6.00 pm to clear the mail and then when I got into the lounge I just nodded off in my chair. About 7.15 pm I made us a sandwich and got our cakes out. We watched half a DIY S.O.S and then a full one which took me up to 9.00 pm when I  went through my usual routine before coming through. It had been a beautiful day but outside it was pouring down with a lightning storm from France (Thanks a lot Mel). It took until almost 11.00 pm to deal with the mail before starting the blog. Mike has promised to do my legs before I publish so I have to be quick.

I’m in need of a break and I know I’m becoming a bit more insular again at the moment. I’ve decided not to blog for a while or deal with any messages or posts. Please understand that if you comment on this post and don’t receive thanks, it’s not a lack of manners on my part, it’s that I’m trying hard not to live my life in front of the screen making sure you all know I care. I do care, but you’ll have to take it on faith for a while. Please forgive me and look after yourselves.

Cogitation.

Some of you wondered what the front of my nieces birthday cake looked like recently and until now I only had pictures of the back. Here it is….

Front of Jo’s cake.

Hugs to you ALL. I hope you have a wonderful week full of dreams come true.

 

 

Jo’s Party & Attempted Murder

Sunday 24th April.

I managed bed by 12.10 am last night, I didn’t dare go anywhere near the inbox though. I finished reading at 12.45 am and settled for sleep. I think I had time to blink once and open my eyes before I was up again. It was 2.06 am. It was 5.43 am before I had emptied the mail box and decided to go have my meds, some breakfast and then an investigation of my inner eyelids in my chair. I was awake again before 7.00 am and wandered back to my room after opening Joey’s cage. I did the loose post and then worked on the main post as it came in. It took till 9.43 am to clear that lot.

I took my mug through to wash and then prepared Mike’s mug and put the kettle on. It was about 9.55 am I took his coffee through. He;d been asleep since about 10.30 pm the night before. We got ready and left the house at about 11.00 am so I could go round a couple of shops before heading for Jo’s birthday meal. I bought myself another head, in red this time. Mike suggested I should try buying one that worked for a change so I could swap it for the one on my shoulders.                                                        We arrived at the pub at 12.20 pm and I hadn’t realised so many people would be there. It was lovely to see Dil of course and there was my great nephew Taylor with his Mum Deb, ex partner to my nephew David. There was Jess, Dil and Lynne’s daughter and her young son Rylan with whom I had some fun. Lee, Jen and Nathan and of course Jo and Karen and a surprise to me, Jo’s boyfriend whom I knew nothing about.

The birthday girl and boyfriend, Karen and Amelie

 

Jo creating a fire hazard

It was a nice enough meal but the wait for food was terrible.  The atmosphere on the other hand was brilliant. Rylan and Reuben played and though noisy they played nicely. Amelie was in good humour and Nathan was as full of smiles and waves as always. I think Lee and Jen liked the picture of Nathan I’d had put on a canvas and I think Yvonne liked the jumper I’d got her and the outfit and stuff I’d got Amelie. Reuben liked his toys. Karen and Jo seemed to love the big shoe lamps I’d bought them yesterday ( pre-birthday pressies) and they liked their canvasses. Jo liked her birthday gifts but I was devastated when opening the Tattoo Phrenology Head I’d bought of which the first one had arrived smashed, to find this one broken but not smashed.She’s going to try to glue it but I’m ready to get yet another.

When the party broke up we headed for home. I made Mike a coffee then we did Ju’s flowers before I fell asleep in the chair about 4.00 pm. When I woke up at 4.30 pm he’d gone. I started in on the day’s work and carried on until 7.00 pm when I went to make a sandwich. At 8.30 pm I took my meds, locked Joey in ( his lawyer lost a last minute appeal) and came through to carry on. I finished the mail at 10.40 pm and started straight in on the blog which should be done by 11.40 pm with luck.

Jen, Amelie, Nathan and Lee. ‘Cuzzins’

Monday 25th April.

Bed.11.30 pm                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         Read till 12.20 am. quickly to sleep.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 Up    4.28 am. It feels pretty good.  I worked on mail until 5.00 am then decided to get my meds and have some breakfast, only a toasted bap but that’s plenty. I got back at 5.40 am and carried on with the post, gathering more as I went. It was 9.42 before I could shout PARIS !. It didn’t mean anything but I wanted to shout something that began with a capital. My mailbox was empty and I quickly dressed and got my shoes on to take my prescription request to the chemist.                                                                         On the way back I made a quick call at Pauline’s before heading home. I was back in time for HUtH.

As that programme came to an end Bev knocked on the door. I opened it and she came through to do a test call on the intercom using the pendant which I’m supposed to wear all the time when I’m in but which I had to go and get from the hall where I hang it. She stayed for more than half an hour chatting, mainly about diabetes this week. When it was time for her to go it was approaching lunch time and she’d given me pause for thought about food. I decided against a liver and onions meal and settled for a chips with curry sauce and two buttered baps. Fair play, I did have a healthy rhubarb yoghurt afterwards though.                                                                                                                  After Bargain Hunt I was going to have a power nap but I’d just got my head down when my phone went. It was a text from Jade to check Wednesday at 10.00 am would be OK. Since we missed last week altogether except for what I did, I said that would be great. Awake now I went back to work. What was there kept me going until almost 3.00 pm then I went to watch Escape to the Country. I expected to close my eyes then but somehow didn’t. However, I did straight afterwards and didn’t wake until 4.40 pm, ten minutes in to my PYMWYMI antiques programme. I watched the rest of it then came back to work for 50 minutes before going to have a light tea and watch Without a Trace. SG1 followed and then Sanctuary.

I turned the TV off, locked Prisoner 99 up and said goodnight to him then went to the kitchen for my meds. Finally I headed for the bedroom/Office/Pit. Plenty of mail waiting for me which took me until 10.37 pm to deal with before I could do the blog. I will be in bed for 11.30 pm and ready for my trip out tomorrow.

Running riot at the park.

Terrible Twosome.

Tuesday 26th April.

Bed 11.27 pm last night.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 Read till 12.25 am. Lights out but sleep took a short while.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      Up at 2.39 am. Not as happy as I could be. A visit to Loo Loo Land and then back to open my gmail box. 37 showing at the moment. I was done at 4.53 am and went through to the kitchen for my usual. I had some toast while there. Coming out I went to the bathroom to trim my moustache before going out. I think it must be the fastest growing hair on my body. Cleverly I snipped my top lip at the same time but it seemed to be OK. I took my coffee to the bedroom and went back to work. I lit a cigarette and was distracted wondering when I’d bought red filters. It sunk in, I hadn’t. It took a while to stem the flow of blood, not helped by the occasional sip of warm coffee that set it off again. I finished the coffee, decided I didn’t need a blood transfusion so went back to work. Or I tried to, everything I tried to open wouldn’t. The little icon spun the wrong way and the message came that they took too long to respond. I kept trying and eventually it seemed to be OK again. I stopped work at 6.00 am to get dressed.

At 7.30 am I walked over in the freezing wind to get the bus. An hour of eyelid inspecting and I was there. Unfortunately, no-one else was. I had chance to smoke a cigarette and take a walk round a shop while I waited fr them to catch up.Reuben chose a good time to have a lie in, he must have known how cold it was this morning. We met up just in time for a visit to out usual watering hole and just in time for me to rid myself of the morning coffee voluntarily rather than the way that has me slinking home in shame. Yvonne ordered my new coffee while I got rid of the last.                                                                                                                                                                                                    When we’d finished in there and I’d had my hugs with Amelie it was time to shop. Reuben is going into his ‘big boy’s bed’ and though I’d bought him a duvet cover a few weeks ago, he needed sheets, pillow cases and their protectors plus pillows. I have a new duvet he can have. I managed to load myself down with everything and make a bolt for the counter even picking up a jumper for Ugo and one for myself on the way past. Not too much in the way of argument today. With the bags hanging from the trolley it made Amelie’s ride very much like that of the Bumper Car and she was riding into them as they passed.

We had a look in a new jewellers then waltzed round to the supermarket for a pizza for Reuben as that’s what he said he wants for his lunch. There seemed to be plenty of other things needed when we got in there and also one or two things we didn’t know we needed like a rhubarb pie for me. We moved on to a shop where Yvonne could look at the things she’d like to decorate Amelie’s room with ( if we ever win the lottery). Eventually all good things come to an end and it was time to head for the bus stop which coincidentally was just outside this shop. I’d barely got there when we saw the bus coming. I got a rare kiss from Reuben and a nice hug and kiss from Yvonne. Amelie was asleep by then. I got on, waved and the bus pulled off.                                                                                                                                                                                                                     With no need to stop at Pauline’s I was soon home again. Joey seemed pleased. I made lunch and at 1.45 pm went back to work. There was a lot waiting. I was just getting into it when the sneezing fit started. You know the old rhym, One for Sorrow, Two for Joy, well 36 is redecorating your computer screen. Three packets of tissues later and someone has given me a tap on the head which had been left open so my nose is constantly running. It’ got a lot more energy than it has a right too. I have a cold.

I worked until 4.30 pm then watched my PYMWYMI through blurry eyes. Pointless I saw except for the last few minutes as I was helping myself to rhubarb pie and custard in the kitchen. At 6.00 pm Without a Trace came on and like a switch had been thrown I was asleep. I woke up for part of SG1 and for some of Sanctuary then I was gone again until about the last ten minutes of Sanctuary. I should probably add that to whatever sleep I get tonight now. At 9.00 pm I locked Joey up, took my meds and came through to start again. Mail took me until 10.57 pm and then it was time for the blog. Midnight is my target for bed.

Playmates and competition for food.

The Cisco Kid.

Wednesday 27th April.

Bed at 11.55 pm.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          Read to 12.40 am as finished the third book and I’m bereft. Nothing to read now.                                                                                                                                                                                    Up at 2.32 am.   Not exactly raring to go but decided I’m willing to return to bed at any time the fancy takes me. I made a flying visit to the Kingdom of Looe and then came back to sign into my mail. Over the last few days I’ve been going into the blogs I follow and changing them back from daily to immediate which is making a great difference. Firstly it seems to be working again, a problem that had prompted a change to daily in the first place. And Secondly, the deluge is much more a dignified trickle now and easier to cope with. There are still blogs I need to change back from daily but there’s no rush. Everything else is coming to me as it’s being sent and though it spreads it out more over the day there are less to clear at any one time. So, I might have been tied to the desk until 8.52 am but at least the numbers never looked overwhelming.

I had an argument with myself about whether to go to Pauline’s or not. I won. Just as I was getting my socks on I overruled myself and couldn’t go. That left me sulky and grumbling for ages but I knew I’d need lottery there tomorrow and my TV mag so better stay in the warm today and pick up a few more card tricks and learn some more Trivia answers before Dil arrived this evening. The postman came and brought a letter to say no increase in my private pension this year. THANKS Government !! At least it makes notification to the benefits people easy. He also brought me a voucher for £10 from the Government for answering questions on the survey I did. No wonder there’s no money for pensions. Before Jade was due at 10.00 am I received a message to say she was running 20 minutes late. Not a major problem really as I’m here all morning but it was actually almost 11.00 am when she arrived. As usual I just left her to it.                                                                                                                                                                                Marta Beaman, a lovely lady from  https://plainandfancygirl.com/2016/04/27/all-creatures-great-and-small-the-power-of-pets/  did a nice post on animals /pets and made mention of Oscar and his winning ways as my alarm clock. As it’s been a long time since he’s been mentioned I thought I’d share a photograph of him occupying my chair to make sure I don’t get to sit there.

Oscar takes a chair

And a subtle reminder of his book.

There are old posts from me going back into pre-history describing the cruel and unjust methods he used to get me out of bed.                                                                                              When Jade left I was able to make lunch which was two beef salad baps and a yoghurt today. I sat and ate watching snooker as my Bargain Hunt was over  I suppose I could have watched the end of it as she left at 12.40 pm but I was starving. At 2.00 pm I returned to work and stayed here until 4.10 pm. I’d only been in the lounge ten minutes watching a little more of the snooker when Dil arrived. I made him a tea then turned over for our Antiques programme.                                                                                                            We chatted about Sunday and seeing everyone. We’d both just had texts from Jo to confirm we were going to meet again on 22nd May for the next batch of birthday celebrations. I must check though as I don’t think she mentioned where.

When the quiz was over the TV went off and battle commenced. The Yahtzee was a draw at 4- 2 then 2 -4. The Trivia which was the longest and most drawn out game we’ve had in a long time ended in a worthy win for Dil after answering How do you write 99 in Roman numerals. It was time for him to go after I threw his coat at him and ordered him to ‘Begone’. I locked the front door and drew the curtain against the cold. Joey had just gone in so I locked the door then went into the kitchen to wash the pots (which I dirtied by eating the rest of the rhubarb pie) and taking my meds.                                                                                                                                                                                                                          By 9.45 pm I was back in my room with the ton of mail that had arrived. It took until 10.55 pm to clear what there was then so I could start the blog. I shall be getting my beauty sleep about 11.45 pm ready for an outing with MuJo tomorrow.

Face off

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Here under sufferance

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I know some people have wondered about the gift I got for Joanne that got broken twice. I’m waiting to find out if she managed to glue it before ordering another.

Tattoo Head

Thursday 28th April.

Bed 11.50 pm                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            Read till 12.25 am as I just had a brochure to read. Lights out and sleep not far behind.                                                                                                                                                                            Up at 2.18 am.

First of all was the inevitable trip to the loo then I came back and signed on. I checked the bank and then wrote out an email to the Benefits section at the local authority to let them know there is no increase to my private pension but that I am not now paying tax. I gave them the new figure to recalculate benefit (if any) from. Once hat was out of the way I concentrated on my emails. I worked until the box was empty at 5.02 am and then headed for the kitchen to take my meds and have some breakfast. When I returned at 5.30 am I carried on working  until the box was empty again at 8.42 am. A perfect time to get dressed ready to go to the chemist and chase up my missing drugs and to Pauline’s for my TV mad before I forgot it. I thought I might as well do the lottery while I was there. It actually looked beautiful out there but I wasn’t going to trust the temperature. On went the woolly jumper.The chemist was having a problem getting one of my drugs and it would be next week before they did though there were enough to tide me over. I asked if I could take the rest but no, as the chemist wasn’t on the premises they couldn’t release them. I was so cross I didn’t even bother reiterating that I always ask for my drugs to come when they have them an anything missing can come later. I don’t want to leave it till the last thing is in. I think they’d have made me wait until next week so I arranged for everything else to be delivered after 4.00 pm today. The chemist should be in when the shop is open but I know he travels quite a  way. The jumper was a good idea as the sunshine carried no heat this morning.

Before I reached Pauline’s I saw one of my neighbours  stroking a dog, I called “You never stroke me like that”, so she did. Shame she had to call me Good Boy too though. I wasn’t long in Pauline’s and got everything I wanted except some Liquorice Allsorts . I knew Mike would want to eat his if he came tonight and would hate for him to eat alone. I also asked Pauline for the winning Lottery tickets, so who knows. If you hear a shout of ‘Ey up’ outside your house, it may well be me. Don’t throw shoes ( unless they’re a very stylish size 10 ). I returned home at 9.25 am and did a little more work but stopped at 10.00 am to watch HUtH with Joey but I think he was in a mood because I’d hardly seen him this morning. Also I had to put his millet in his food tray as the stalk wasn’t strong enough to hold it.  I relented and got a fresh one out.                                    MuJo arrived at 10.00 am which is very early for them. I saw to the drinks and we chatted a while but at 10.30 am they were anxious to go. I pointed out the time as being far to early for lunch but they said Muriel needed the bank and the Post Office first. Given that I asked if it was OK if I made a quick nip to Home Bargains. It was. What a success that was. I practically flew round the store but I knew where I was looking for what I wanted. Yvonne is going to be doing up Amelie’s bedroom and had seen some nice lights for the wall when we were out on Tuesday. I was pretty sure I’d seen some at this branch of my favourite shop. I had, and what a bargain.

I was just walking out with my purchases when I met MuJo who’d come for a look themselves. Great, I got to go round again at a more liesurely pace and picked up some gifts for my Great Nephew who will be One next week. Muriel managed to find a few things there and I know John got something too. When we left it was straight back to the car and then off to lunch. It was pre-decided today that a return to The Bells of St Mary’s was on the cards. We were there only minutes after they started serving. The till area was almost free and we could quickly order but the line of people waiting to get their meal was massive. I was disappointed that when I got my meat there were hardly any boiled onions, very few carrots and scrappy roast potatoes. If I waited there for new dishes to be brought everything else would go cold. Still what I had I enjoyed.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          After lunch MuJo asked if I’d mind going to Abakhan for my coffee. I didn’t mind. It’s an old mill where they sell material and everything related to fabrics even to wedding gowns and those funny little hats women wear for such occasions. I know of old they also have a good craft shop, a wool shop and a gift shop though that is very expensive. We enjoyed our drink and a look round the various departments. It was still pouring down as we headed for home. We were back by 2.30 pm which was unusual and because of the weather they weren’t too long before leaving to travel home themselves. Once they’d gone I saw a text from Mike to say he was on his way so I started work. I broke at 4.30 pm. I was watching PYMWYMI when Mike arrived so I made him a coffee while he dropped his luggage in his room. Then my drug courier arrived just before 5.00 pm so I c0uld stop worrying about that.                                                                                                                                                                                                                       When the quiz Pointless was on I made Mike something to eat. We watched Without a Trace but think I may have nodded off towards the end, either that or they now amalgamate part of SG1 into the story because when I opened my eyes that’s what was there. I was out a good hour and yet still somehow managed to miss a chunk of Sanctuary as well. At 9.00 pm I took my meds, locked Joey away and came through t work. It ook until 11.00 pm to finish the emails and start the blog. It’s going to be close to midnight I think.

Nursery play.

Dig that rhythm n’ blues man.

 

Friday 29th April.

Bed 11.58 pm                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       Read to 1.15 am Couldn’t sleep.

I got up again at 1.45 am and started to read again being prepared to fall asleep reading if I must, which I did sometime after 2.05 am which is the last time I remember. I was up again at 4.00 am. After a trip to  the loo I went straight to the kitchen and took my meds then brought the drawer through and replenished the drawer from the stuff that arrived yesterday then replenished the drugs tray for the next week. I returned with a coffee and set to work on my mail at 4.35 am. I finally got clear at 6.56 am so I was able to have a short break before it started coming again, That lasted for just a couple of minutes and then I was at it until 9.00 am.

I’d gone through to the lounge and was relaxing with Frasier when Mike walked in about 9.10 am. Not bad for someone who’d slept from before 10.30 pm last night. I only know as I turned his TV off at 10.30 pm. I made his coffee while he struggled to raise the venetian blinds on his eyes. I stayed in the lounge with HUtH till 11.00 am and Mike only moved long enough to make himself a second coffee.As I went back to work Mike went to his room to get dressed ready to go out.                                                                 The mail was going down OK when he came in to say goodbye, he’d see me tonight. I carried on until 11.35 pm then decided to go peel my sweet potatoes for lunch. Once that was done I took my pre-foodies, put the sausages on the grill and cut the potatoes ready to be boiled. My potatoes were mashed, peas were in the microwave while I dished up the sausages then prepared the chipshop style gravy before adding the peas and putting the gravy on. I was ready to eat at 12.05 pm. After Bargain Hunt I was ready to return to work. I just didn’t know it would keep me occupied until 4.30 pm. At 5.15 pm I returned to it until 5.50 pm when I was pretty clear. I needed to be as I wouldn’t be returning to it until at least 9.00 pm.

I was watching Without a Trace when I got a 6.30 pm text from Michael to say he was on his way back. I saw SG1 then at 8.00 pm went for my shower. When I cam back to the lounge Michael still hadn’t arrived but about 8.30 pm he walked in. I made a coffee and he told me how bad the traffic and the weather had been. At 9.00 pm Have I Got News For You came on so I decided to stay for that too. When I’d taken my meds and finally came through there were 51 messages waiting with more coming in. Sometimes you answer one at one end of the list which generates a new one at the other end. I worked until 10.45 pm then started the blog. I intend to be in bed by midnight as it’s shopping day tomorrow and I have all my early morning duties with the rubbish, the recycling and turfing Mike out of his bed.

Sunshine, in case you don’t remember it. Not today though.

Exotic colours.

Saturday 30th April.

Bed 12.01 am after doing a little more mail.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              Read to 1.05 am Last visit to loo.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     Up at 2.21 am first visit to loo .

I put myself straight to work on ebay ordering what I’d decided I wanted for Lee’s birthday. Though his lovely wife Jen says not to get him anything I find I can’t do that. Lee has been important to me for his whole life. I have to think hard about Karen now to find something special .                                                                                                                       I worked on the mail until 5.00 am then went for my usual jaunt to the kitchen.I had toast with lashings of butter and by 6.30 am felt sick. But, after breakfast I’d seen to the kitchen bin and the food waste bins. I’d taken them outside but left the bins on the step to take down when we went out.  After washing my hands I’d returned to work   on the emails taking delight in the fact that I had time to enjoy some of the stories, especially the Guitar Mancer serial by my friend Teagan.                                                              https://teagansbooks.com/2016/04/30/guitar-mancer-episode-6-audition/                                                                                                                                                                                             At 6.00 am Mike’s alarm went off so I finished what I was doing and then went to the kitchen and made a coffee. One more alarm had gone while I was in there and then the third just as I took his drink in. After the alarm going off I expected a better response than Uh Uh when I said the drink was there. I returned to ework but there was no movement from there until after the fourth alarm. At least I’d only made the one visit.

I went through to the lounge to open Joey’s cage at 6.45 am  and was surprised to find Mike awake rather than sleeping in the chair. We decided what flowers we’d want for Ju’s vase this morning. Somehow we were on our way at 7.00 am. We parked up and I got cash while Mike grabbed a trolley. Inside the store I went to get my spuds while I asked Mike to choose the flowers. Then in tandem we went round the rest of the shop getting what was needed.Towards the end of the supermarket I asked Mike to pick up my pop while I got some milk. There was one of the large carts they use to transport the milk in the aisle and I had to go behind it to get the milk. I was just leaning over to get the milk when I felt a thump on my right hip and I started to topple . “Murder” I cried and two heads came round  the end of the cart. One was a member of staff who’d been using an industrial floor cleaner  and had gone into the front of the cart with a real wallop which had then sent it into me. He grabbed my arm to pull me upright as I tried to get my crutches into a position to support me, The second face was Mike who was trying to get the crutches back on the ground since he felt there was more support that waving over my shoulders like a paralytic spider. The accident prone polisher who tried to polish me off was very apologetic and offered to get me a chair so I could sit a while. I said I was OK.

Mike and I moved off though I was moving quite gingerly since the floor was wet and slippy where the machine had been. I have to admit my hip hurt and I said to Mike that I should maybe faint now and then sue the store. He suggested I might get my shopping for free at least. I suggested he run back and pick up a 55″ screen TV first.  When we finished in the supermarket we headed to Th Range again for bacon baps for breakfast. Don’t blame me it’s all his fault. I’ve bought great salad stuffs this morning again. There’s another good shop close by where I managed to get a few things I wanted  before we got in the car again and headed for Flint.                                             When we parked up we stopped to have a cigarette and walked to a shop I needed before we went fore coffee, His mouth opened in a big drool when he saw it was Sian on today. He almost behaved himself when he saw her son was working with her, but not quite. Coffee was nice but it was time to move on again. Next door as it happened. Mike found a nice picture frame he wanted.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  Finally it was back in the car again for a ride up to Holywell where I managed to get just what I wanted to complete my gift for Amelie’s room. After that I left Mike the choice of where we lunched. He decided on The Dragon’s Rest just off the A55 at the Holywell exit.

After lunch it was time to come home. We made it for 2.00 pm. We unpacked and put away the shopping then I came to work. I stayed until almost 6.00 pm then leaving just a small amount in my inbox I headed for the lounge and some relaxation. To make life fun, despite being hit inthe left hip, my problem all evening has been my chest , the left side of which has been very painful, almost like it felt when I had pneumonia. But I’m still breathing much to his disgust.  We were watching a programme that didn’t finish until 9.30 pm so I was later coming through than usual. total mail at that point 63 so it took me until 11.05 pm to finish and that was while I was being ruthless ( It’s true, I haven’t had a Ruth for ages) having to ignore some posts that have been reposted a lot or if people have sent multiple messages. I shall post at midnight come what may and then I’m in bed toot sweet!!

Am I next on the menu?

I’m amazed, dumbfounded , shocked!

 

Slaughterhouse Blue & Birthdays and Arrivals

Sunday 17th April.

I expected last night to be the usual but I was to be surprised. Bed at 12.10 am, read till 1.00 am then sleep. That part followed the usual plan. But I had a small period of wakefulness at 2.17 am then a longer on at 3.22 am when I visited the loo and decided to walk into a wall on the way back to my room. I brought a picture down which lodged partly behind a radiator with a heck of a clatter bringing me to my senses and waking Mike who called out to see if I was OK. Apart from dented pride I was. I still had to spend some time sitting on the side of the bed having a smoke and trying to decide what had happened. I went back to sleep at the time I’d normally be getting up. I slept until 7.04 am. I started work on the mail as soon as I’d taken my meds and brought a coffee through. I was in a panic as the normal deluge had started arriving by then.              I was startled to have Mike appear in my doorway. I looked at my watch and it was only 9.30 am so I was even more startled. I went through to make him a dink and stayed to let Joey out and try and sort out what we were doing today. I left 74 pieces of post in my inbox at that time.

We decided it would be a good idea to head for Flint to see if Argos had the electric screwdriver he wanted and they were showing in their catalogue so at about 11.00 am we left. Flint didn’t have one but they checked and found Mold did and kindly reserved one for him. We had a quick coffee in Temptations ( a chance for him to drool over Sian) and then headed off for Mold about 15 minutes away. Once we’d parked up I showed him the way to Argos and he got what was needed. We were leaving the store when a loo became a necessity, the shop advised him there were no public loos open today (?) so I guided him to the nearest cafe I knew so he could go. We ended up having sandwiches for lunch but as he pointed out, we couldn’t complain as we’d had our Sunday lunch yesterday.                                                                                                                                                                After lunch we walked round a couple of shops looking for some gift wrap and I picked up about half a dozen sheets. I’ve got a little time before the next batch of (unwrapped) birthdays hammers on my door. April, May and November are the worst months for birthdays for me but at least this month’s are wrapped now.

Coming back it was fun with the sat-nag on listening to the way he wanted us to go while Mike and I had decided on the pretty route over the tops. The poor fella in the sat-nag must have been going frantic looking up all the roads to try and adjust to our route.He did pretty well. We were home for 2.00 pm and did Ju’s flowers before sitting down to try and watch a not very good film. I fought bravely to keep my eyes open. About 3.30 pm Mike asked if I was going to sleep and I told him I’d better go and start work. He decided that would be a good time to start for home. I turned the TV off. After making sure he left and running a metal detector over his luggage, I locked the door and returned to the computer. The figure now could almost have been a historical date  like 1066 it was so high but I don’t know any events from 213 AD except I think the Romans were still slaughtering the Brits at that point. I worked until 6.10 pm and then went for some tea. I think I started watching something like NCIS but it wasn’t long before I was undergoing eyelid inspection from the inside again. I didn’t wake up until the closing music of one episode at 7.55 pm.

I scorched the carpet moving fast enough to get back here. It took me till 10.35 pm to clear the mailbox and that was with cutting corners. I’m (fingers crossed) gong to be greased up and in bed about 11.30 pm.

Looking Hopeful.

Blatant Advert placement.

Monday 18th April.

I was in bed fully basted by 11.45 pm. I read my book until 12.45 am then it was lights off and settle down. At some stage during the night I got up to go to the Piddle Palace but no accidents  and no ciggie on the side of the bed either, just back to sleep. I woke this morning at…wait for it…….6.32 am. Am I becoming human again and starting to enjoy a proper sleep cycle or is it just Somnos on holiday? I woke with a terrible headache but that seems a small price to pay.   After the usual visit to the loo I went straight to the kitchen and took my meds then made a coffee to bring back with me. No breakfast today. I signed into the mail and found 56 messages overnight. It was 6.50 am so the next batch wouldn’t be too long in coming.

The next batch arrived late but just as I was finishing the overnight lot. Oddly enough, it seemed to come in fits and starts today rather than en masse. I just had to keep going. I was clear at 9.37 am and was exhausted. I knew more would come but decided that what I needed just then was rest and my chair beckoned. I just lay there with my eyes closed wanting sleep. Joey had a singing squawking session but I couldn’t move.  Somehow I managed to turn the TV on in time for HUtH .  The feeling that I needed to sleep wouldn’t go away though I did manage to stay awake for the whole programme. When it finished I came back to work but after twenty minutes the bell rang. It was the warden and she came in for half an hour to chat about things and see how I am. When she left there was no time to come back and finish off, I needed to get on with lunch. Braised steak and mash today.

Lunch and Bargain Hunt out of the way I returned to where I’d left off to try and get myself into a good position again. I sat there going through the motions (no missus not THOSE motions, stay with the script and stop writing your own lines) until I was clear a few minutes before 3.00 pm. I was sure if I went to my chair I’d get my power nap and feel OK again but the Zzzz’s wouldn’t come. I watched Escape to the Country which I have often missed thanks to the Zzzz’s filing an inappropriate flight plan. At 3.45 pm when it finished I came back to see what else had arrived and to clear it up. I even managed a little look at Ebay. Lots of birthdays next month too. At 4.30 pm I went to watch PYMWYMI (see Blog Cast List) and then since my Cold Case appears to have finished, to watch a quiz. At 6.00 pm Without a Trace came on and I had to use matchsticks to keep my eyes open as I was going to watch The Antiques Road Trip next. I managed it. Then it was time to watch Sanctuary before coming back to work. I turned over and didn’t even get to see the start before I was asleep. I didn’t wake till 9.30 pm either which meant I was late. I closed Joey’s door and wished him goodnight, took my meds and came through. Clearing the post took until 10.50 pm so starting the blog was late. I’m aiming for 11.45 pm and given that it’s only fifteen minutes away and all I have to do is sort the photographs and choose my music I’m sure of making.

Far away thoughts.

Ready for anything.

Tuesday 19th April.

I was safely in bed by 11.50 pm after dealing with an extra message that came in. I read my book until thee were just white pages left and felt cheated that the author hadn’t at least put a few doodles on them. My light went out at 12.40 am and I settled quite quickly.   I had no problem getting up this morning and was going to go straight into getting dressed until I realised a) it was still quite dark without the light on, and     b)  doing that might mean a damp carpet as I hadn’t been for a wee yet and wanted one. I resolved that straight away and turned the light on as I left the room. It was 4.10 am so I guessed the last couple of days were flukes.                                                                                                       Coming back from the Pee Parlour I logged onto the computer and my mail box. Just 31 to deal with seemed OK .That took me until 5.54 am  when I shuffled down the passage to the kitchen and the waiting drugs and breakfast. I put the washing machine on while I was there. After breakfast I returned to my nest with a cup of coffee. More mail was waiting. A friend I was worried about recently had the love of her life, a much younger man who didn’t know of her feelings break his friendship with her. It was childish and petulant. She was angry and I thought that was good. The problem was she didn’t stay angry but after 3 days got in touch and ended up declaring her true feelings for him. Now he’s responded and also declared his love for her. At this point I should be pleased for her and wish her much happiness, and I do. But I’m worried about the effect the next time he has a tantrum and unfriends her on Facebook again.

I finished the main batch of mail at 8.45 am. Today the people are coming to see if I have asbestos in my kitchen ceiling before they do the kitchen and bathrooms. They could only give a time of between 9.00 am and noon so I wanted to slip out to Pauline’s just before 9.00 am so I’d be in. I was back in the house by 9.05 am having been to Pauline’s and to the sandwich shop to get myself a ham SALAD bap for lunch. I’m pretty sure I’m covered for my 5 a day for the next month now.                                                           I checked ebay and found I needed to pay for something I’d won which was great as I’ll have it well in time for when needed now. At 10.00 am I watched HUtH with Joey though his vocal support almost frowned out the programme. After that I returned to work but had only managed a few messages when the man came to check me out for asbestos. Well, not me personally but you know what I mean. That was about 11.15 am and he was doing so much more than I expected, taking samples from all the rooms for a start. He’d said it would take about an hour when he came and yet I was surprised when he said his goodbyes at 11.45 am. He said he wasn’t leaving me in a deathtrap but I had to ask him to repeat himself as the voice was a little muffled by his mask and the hand he held over his mouth.

I took my pre-foodies and put my ham salad bap on a plate, picked up a yoghurt and went to my chair. I turned the TV on ready for Bargain Hunt and after 15 minutes started eating. The bap made a really nice change though I don’t want you to start equating the words salad and nice together in my mind. When 1.00 pm came I went back to work. There seemed to have been a breech in the dam and heavy leakage in my direction (it’s my age I think). It took a while to clear up but I was back in there for 3.00 pm to see Escape to the Country. Again I returned to work at 3.45 pm and had a little session of ebay too.  At 4.30 pm my serious viewing started with PYMWYMI followed by Pointless which was in turn followed by Road Trip and Sanctuary during which I stayed awake.  That made it easy to take my meds and to say goodnight to Joey with no rush. I ambled through then feeling that wasn’t enough, I went back and came through with my now infamous Quasimodo walk. I was disappointed to find I didn’t have a belltower to climb and beams to scamper along as I made the bells talk to me. I made do with the mail instead. And this time there were 72 waiting, cruel, very cruel.                                       I was clear by 11.05 pm but only because I ignored most of the messages by a multiple poster who writes quite a bit on a subject that doesn’t interest me.I do respond when the subject does.

I think I shall still be in bed before the witching hour makes me become human again.

Prepared for rain

Liquid eyes
to hypnotise.

Wednesday 20th April.

In bed at 11.56 pm and because the new book I ordered hadn’t arrived I had to re-read a pamphlet on poltergeists. I didn’t want to start on a full book and have to leave the new one alone if it arrived today. I am really anxious to continue with the Uhtred story. My light went out at 12.27 am as I headed towards sleep.                                                     I’m pretty sure I had been lying in bed awake and thinking of my mother for a while before swinging my legs out this morning. It’s possible I was dreaming though as I hadn’t looked at the clock until I moved. When I did it was 3.34 am. I thought it was later. After a visit to the Palace of Piddle I returned to my room and signed in. I worked on my mail until I finished one at 4.44 am and decided that was a good time to break for breakfast and my meds.  Rice Krispies and toast this morning since I couldn’t decide between the two. I’ll be the size of a barn shortly. (Whaddye mean I already am, and no,I didn’t call you shorty). After eating I washed the pots and brought a cup of coffee back with me.

The overnight and early morning mail kept me occupied until 7.11 am. I had time to get dressed before the deluge hit. When it came it was in fits and starts again so for a while the figures didn’t look too bad and they refilled only when I got low. At 9.15 am I broke off to go to Pauline’s for tomatoes and cucumber to make sandwiches at lunch time, I didn’t bother with a lettuce because of the waste, I’d probably throw it straight in the bin. When I got back I checked my phone for messages from Jade, nada, and then carried on with the mail until 9.55 am when my TV session with Joey called. HUtH. It was good today.                                                                                                                                       At 11.00 am I came back to work and carried on with the messages until the box was clear at 11.55 am. For lunch I made two beef and partial salad baps which I ate while Bargain Hunt was on. I kept trying to tempt Joey to come and eat with me but I think he prefers manners. I was going to catch a quick forty winks at 1.00 pm but I’d no sooner shut my eyes than I got a text. Jade asked whether she could come tomorrow instead. I replied that I didn’t know if I was having visitors tomorrow or Friday and I’d have to let her know.

I went back to work until 3.45 pm. I dealt with mail and also with some things on ebay. I was doing searches and sending some of the results to Yvonne in the hopes she’d let me buy something for them. I don’t know where that child got such an obstreperous nature from. She seems to forget that I reign supreme and that my word is law. In fact I’d go so far as to say she deliberately thwarts me every chance she gets. I don’t know where I went wrong but I’m paying for it now. I bet she’s not like this with her husband, unless of course it’s he that has usurped my authority. But no, she was like this pre-Ugo.                                                                                                                                                                            At 3.45 pm I at in my chair and closed my eyes, even Joey wasn’t going to stop me. I Zzzzz’d until 4.26 pm which couldn’t have been better since PYMWYMI started at 4.30 pm. I was surprised not to find Dil there grinning at me but tonight it was almost 5.00 pm before he arrived. I made him a cup of tea and we had a little natter before Pointless. Ae 6.00 pm the TV went off and the games came out. In the Yahtzee he won three straight games and then surprisingly so did I. On the second sheet it went 4-2 in my favour. In trivia he had four pieces of pie before I’d got my first but I fought back and managed to reach the sixth. When I got to the centre he asked a kind question I was able to answer and it was all over bar my dancing on the table shouting “Ha, ha, I won, I beat you! Could you help me up off the floor carefully please.” We did have time for one game of cribbage and he took a great lead which he maintained most of the way round. At the critical juncture though I pulled the pair of 5’s from my sleeve and gathered enough points to win. I led him out of the house to say goodbye so he couldn’t slam all the doors as he went. This was the Slaughter House and he was blue.

After washing the pots, taking my meds and saying goodnight to Joey I came through to see how bad things were, I hadn’t been here in 6 hours. It was bad, but not in a Let me out I’m leaving home kind of way, more a Heck, I’d hoped to get some sleep tonight kind of way. I was knocked for six though when I opened a message from my friend Hugh to say that Victoria Wood had died. This is a great loss to entertainment as she was a superlative performer. A real talent with her comic routines and a very talented writer of both comedy and serious material.Then I had  message from Yvonne with the same news saying “Bloody cancer again.” Because she was ill such a short time I wonder if it was pancreatic cancer that took her do quickly.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          I finished the mail at 11.15 pm and went straight on to the blog. It will be midnight.

Bite size

You spin me right round baby…..

Thursday 21st April.

Bed was actually 12.15 am and reading took until 1.20 am before I realised I was only halfway through a long chapter and had to put my book down anyway. I marked the place carefully, nipped to the loo (and back) and turned the light out. I saw it was 1.27 am. Sleep wasn’t long in coming. It was an awful dream filled night so I was glad to see 5.32 as I woke, and about four hours isn’t bad.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 First job of the morning was another visit to the loo then back to log on. Firstly to the bank to check my pension was in- it was, then straight to the mail. I worked until 6.30 am then went to take my meds and get a coffee to bring back. Once back I cranked up the output to try and finish what I had before anyone flung new stuff at me. I didn’t make it so was at my desk without a break until 9.35 am.

You’d have been proud of me with the speed I decided what to wear and how quickly I put it on. So ,  what if I wasn’t exactly colour co-ordinated and had put my lounge pants on in error. I changed and looking a little more subdued went to Pauline’s to get my lottery. I accidentally bought a Twix as well which I accidentally ate when I got back. There were just a few extra messages to clear and I just had time before going in to change Joey’s seed and water and putting HUtH on for us.                                                                 MuJo arrived about 10.30 am which was a pleasant surprise. I saw to drinks then passed John his birthday gifts to open or not as the mood took him. He said he’d rather wait until we got back from wherever we were going.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      There were a lot of questions raised about where t go for lunch, all of them raised by John because we just reminded him it was his birthday, his choice. In the end it was decided we’d go to the Bells of St Mary’s. We left the house very early at 11.20 am even though they don’t start serving until 12.00 pm, I think it’s a case of once a decision is made you act on it before it gets changed. We arrived about 11.40 am and I got the carvery tickets and the drinks while John found a seat. Then he and I took our pre-food tablets so we were ready for the kick off. Noon found us lining up to be served, the first in the queue.

I had my usual roast beef dinner but here they serve onion gravy with huge chunks of onion in and the mashed potato is really nice.We all seemed to enjoy what we had. From there we went into Prestatyn to look at a couple of shops. I managed to get a toy each for Nathan and Reuben to make up for an outfit I’d got last week for Amelie. I’ll be able to dish them out on Sunday when we go to Jo’d birthday meal. I also picked up an extra head, this one in black and a Buddha. John seemed to be the fittest I’ve seen him in ages walking round shops. I had to stop. About 3.15 pm we set off home with a detour to John’s mother’s house. She’s well into her 90’s and he wanted to check she was OK. We got home about 4.00 pm and John started on his gifts. He laughed at the Dalek and at the motion sensor whistling parrot. He adored the hip flask designed by my friend Sarah of First Night Design  http://firstnightdesign.wordpress.com  , she’s a fantastic artist as well as a lovely lady. He liked his fleece but I think he was impressed with my choice of his porcelain soldier figures as he didn’t have any of them and on was of the green jacket rifles like Sharpe in the books by Bernard Cornwell.                            I’d just put the antiques programme on when the doorbell rang and it was Bert with a parcel. We were having quite a long chat on the step when  Mike arrived like a bolt of lightning. The speed his little legs were moving told me he was due  an urgent visit to the Piddle Palace. Bert said goodbye and I went in.

MuJo were on the point of leaving having seen Mike arrive so we said our goodbyes and they promised to come again next week. I came back through and watched to the end of the show with Mike then excused myself to catch up,promising I’d be back in by 7.00 pm no matter what. I juggled as much as I could then kept my promise. Only when I was back in did I find they’d cancelled the Antiques Road Trip to show a programme about Victoria Wood. So many funny clips.                                                                                            When it was over I came back through to work and Mike said he fancies an early night too. Now I know this one is an alien.                                                                                                      I caught up about 10.45 pm so might be in bed by 11.30 pm tonight.

Muriel and John aka MuJo

If she tells me to ‘Say Cheese’ just one more time when I’m lactose intolerant……….

Friday 22nd April.

I slithered into bed at 11.45 pm last night and took to my book. I read until 1.00 am ans only stopped because I feared reading until the end of a chapter which was many pages away. I need to pace myself too as I don’t have the next book in the series which Muriel says she’ll bring with her next time.                                                                                          It was strange when I got up. I wanted to go to the loo which as ever wasn’t a problem, but on my return I couldn’t find my glasses. Quite seriously I must have spent ten minutes looking for them. I looked beside my bed in case they’d fallen, in the bathroom in case I’d put them on the windowsill, in my dressing gown pockets and in the lounge in case I’d been in there and put them on my table. I don’t think Joey appreciated the light going on. I checked the kitchen too. It was at least he full ten minutes before I realised I was using them to look for them. At no point had I checked my boat-race.                                                                                                                                                                                        Worse still, I came back to my bedroom after having apologised to Joey and putting the light out to start getting dressed. It suddenly occurred to me how dark it was. I glanced at the clock and it was just 2.35 am. I hadn’t even slept for an hour and a half and here I was preparing myself for a new day when my compost was most definitely not mental.

I signed into my mail and started working on the messages. By 4.00 am I was up to date and took a chance on a lie down, it worked, I lay until 4.50 am. Getting up I checked on new messages and there were none at that point. I decamped ( love that word, I feel like Baden-Powell) for the kitchen where I took my meds then prepared the boxes for the next week. I brought a coffee with me when I returned at 5.40 am and found more messages had arrived. All in all I stayed with my face glued t the screen until almost 9.30 am when Mike got up. I left the last few messages and went to make him a drink. Joey was delighted to have us both in the room. I put HUtH on at 10.00 am bu fell asleep in the chair for part of it. When I woke, the postman had been. The last picture I’d ordered, a shame it hadn’t come yesterday.                                                                                   At 11.00 am I got up to start peeling my sweet potatoes and Mike went to get dressed and then came through to say goodbye. By the time I’d finished I just went ahead and started the cooking and took my pre-food tabs. I ate at noon.  I waited until Bargain Hunt was over at 1.00 pm before washing the pots and then going to face the computer. There were 121 pieces waiting for me and odd bits more coming in. I wasn’t able to move from my seat until 4.22 pm, and believe me, my seat was feeling it. I took a break for my antiques show then worked 5.15 pm to 5.45 pm and took another break when Mike sent a text to say he was on his way.

At 6.00 pm I has Without a Trace on and held back my scream when Mike arrived back and I missed the important conclusion where one missing person dies and one survives and I’ve no idea how or which. I made a coffee for him and left it in the cup honestly. At 7.00 pm I went for a shower and Mike washed my hair for me as usual. He mentioned something about a haircut/beard trim again but luckily I was deafened by water in my ears and didn’t hear a thing, especially as the forecast is for a very cold weekend with snow possible. Question of Sport was on when I came out,my team lost. I watched Sanctuary and then Have I got News for You. At 9.30 pm I closed Joey’s door, went to take my meds and wished Mike goodnight as I was coming through to work. As I was working on the mail he kept popping in and out until finally at 10.30 pm he announced he too was going to bed. I finished the mail not long after at 10.40 pm and was able to start the blog. Hopefully I’ll be done by 11.30 pm (ish) and can get back to the half chapter I left last night.

Horticultural Guy

The groupies follow him everywhere

Saturday 23rd April.

I finished reading with the end of the half chapter and turned the light off at 12.27 am.  Sleep was almost instant. When I woke I felt as though I’d been aboard a ship all night and didn’t have my sea legs. That didn’t make going to the loo easy. ( “Vertigo?” Mike asked later,”No” I replied “it was only about 4 metres/yards.”) You can imagine the fun trying to keep my aim true, a drunk with palsied hands. Still, at least I managed not to walk into any walls this week. It was 2.07 am and if I’d been dreaming about Vikings after last night’s reading I couldn’t remember where I’d buried my hoard this morning.I suppose I’d have had a problem being a Viking though being neither a Dane nor a Saxon but a Briton that both sides fought after they’d invaded my Country and pushed us further and further back until the border between us and them made getting to us difficult. Wales held the original inhabitants of the whole Country just then and I don’t mean 2.07 am this morning.

After ‘loo time’ I did emails until 5.00 pm then went through to the kitchen to take my meds and have some toast for breakfast. I brought my coffee through and carried on until 5.45 am. At that point my box was clear. I was just relaxing onto the keyboard when I was startled into wakefulness by Mike’s alarm going off. It was 6.00 am. I headed for the kitchen to make him a drink and the alarm was still going. It honestly occurred to me that maybe he’s popped his clogs in the night. Suddenly it came to an abrupt halt. Had it run out or been turned off? I put the kettle on and then stuck my head round his door. He was still with us as I could see he’s changed position. I made a drink and took it through. When I said “Coffee up”, I got a reasoned response with minimal foul language.                                                                                                                                                            He was actually in the lounge with his coffee at about 6.15 am. Amazing. He ‘s going to bed early, going to sleep early and now getting up early. Not understanding the change that’s come over him I carried on and dealt with the  recycling stuff, getting it outside ready for collection.By 7.15 am he was dressed and ready to go. Even claiming to  be awake at that point. We left Joey at the window looking sad at our departure.

Things went well at the Supermarket as in I got what I wanted and even what I needed to a degree. Of prime importance were flowers for Ju and we picked three nice bunched including some Iris’s Mike found. We zipped round and found the till that our friend who insults Mike and receives as good as she gets was in charge of. Once he’d had a good session with her we were ready to go. By pure coincidence today Mike remembered he wanted some lights for his fish tank so we decided to forego the coffee in McDonald’s and go to see if they had any elsewhere. Well, we had to try The Range first. They didn’t have quite what he wanted so we had to have a drink and a bacon bap to console ourselves him. We tried a big pet shop close by and then the pet shop in Flint. That meant a drink in Temptations and another round of female- Mike banter. I suggested a couple of places that may well have the lights he needed and we set off for Rhyl. One shop had almost exactly what he wanted, just not long enough. We made a note of the make to try later on the net. We went for lunch.

After lunch we had a little wander round the shops in Rhyl and I found something I hoped would appeal to both Karen and Jo. As I’m seeing them tomorrow I’ll find out if I’m right. We headed home. Once the shopping was unpacked and away I was able to come and check the mail. I worked from 2.30 pm to 5.45 pm getting it down before feeling I could take a break. Mike was watching his beloved Manchester United play a game on the TV. Not literally on the TV, the programme was on TV. At 6.00 pm when it was halftime he went through to his bedroom and TV  so I could watch a film in the lounge. I made him a coffee and some tea as a thank you.                                                                  Ugo was coming to put something in the garage later so I was ready to help. We got it done very quickly so that just after 9.30 pm I was able to start the rest of the mail and the blog. The mail was done by 11.15 pm.

Can you see the reflection in the eye?

Can you see a little flying saucer just above his head?

 

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

New Queen of Bacon & Unbeatable

Sunday 3rd April.

I turned my light out at 1.02 am last night. This morning I’m still this week’s sacrificial lamb with getting up at 2.42 am. It isn’t that I’ve fallen out with sleep, heck I haven’t even fallen out with Somnos or his kin for a change ( as far as I know). I think sleep and I are playing hide and seek and he’s winning. I opened the mailbox and started to work. I don’t know what has come over me last night to do two blogs when I have enough with one. It’s all the fault of youtube reminding me about John Farnham. And could I just skip onto a different song?  Oh no,I had to listen didn’t I and then start thinking (actually that’s when I stopped thinking properly) and do a blog.                              Of course I’m paying for it this morning in comments. I’d ask Joey to give me a swift kick up the rump if I wasn’t afraid he’d lose it.There must be middle aged spread+ from all this sitting down.

At 5.45 am I was clear and decided it was a good time just to relax for a minute so I lay back on the bed. I woke at 7.32 am. It  was the triple jump to get to the loo while holding my knees together. Once back I opened the mail box again and decided I felt unwell. Unfortunately I didn’t believe me and had to start work. The doorbell rang at 9.00 am and it was my neighbour Bert come to check I was OK  as he hadn’t seen me all week. ( His kitchen window is whited out pending the arrival of new blinds). I asked if he wanted to come in for a cuppa but he declined in case he had a visitor. I had to stand letting the heat out and the chill pervade the bottom of my dressing gown for 15 minutes as we chatted instead. As he left it reminded me that I hadn’t had a coffee this morning nor taken my meds so that was the next thing to do before resuming my seat. My seat was in fact pretty numb by the time 10.48 am came round and I’d cleared things enough to go through to Joey.

I watched a DIY SOS while I was in there and then at 11.55 am took my pre-foodies and put a meal in the micro, a Beef Sunday Dinner. I enjoyed it while I watched a second DIY SOS.At 1.00 pm I left the room with a large lump in my throat at people’s kindness. Then, working on the mail I found a comment on the blog which left me with a lump in my throat like I’d tried to swallow a large and very hot roast potato. You can tell I’ve tried that before can’t you. I worked until 4.30 pm then disappeared back to the lounge to have a break. I watched some tripe on the TV (Why are Sunday’s so bad?) then made some tea. A piece of gala pie ( pork pie  baked with a whole egg inside it) some strawberries and cream and a doughnut. After washing the pots I returned to the TV to see what I could find, answer virtually nothing and I amazed myself by sitting there with Disney’s Snow White on. At some point before too much singing started, but after the Queen had poisoned the apple I nodded off. Then things got surreal, because in my mind I came though to work, turned round and saw my bed had just one pillow and went through to the lounge to ask where the others were of my mother? I sat down while she was on the phone and then woke up in the chair to find I was on my own, it was 9.10 pm and I was very surprised. I took my meds, said goodnight to Joey and came back to my room still convinced I’d been here working before I’d seen the bed.                                                                                                                                                             Fair play, the pillows were back which was a comfort but seeing the amount of mail waiting was not. I had no choice but to plough on. I finished those at 11.02 pm and started straight on with the blog which is now well under way and I can safely see myself in bed with a book at midnight.

You talking to me pal?

They call me mellow yellow.

Monday 4th April.

I finished my book at 12.50 am last night. I chose a new one to start tonight them turned the light out. Sleep didn’t come easily and at 1.32 am I had to get up,take a drink, smoke a cigarette then nip to the loo before trying again at 1.51 am. I chose my left side and that seemed to do the trick. I woke at 4.38 am  and knew that was it, or for now at least. I think the sleep I had yesterday has thrown me out or I’d have slept longer.                                                                                                                                                                               Anyway, I was up so I might as well sign on and check my emails.. I was distracted when I got on with the news bar do had a quick peep at the weather. It promises rain for today, how bloody unusual. Before starting work I suddenly decided to take my meds and while there to put the washing machine on. I added breakfast to the list. So, I headed for the kitchen, took my pre-foodies, put the washing on, had my other meds and left the kitchen. Fortunately I hadn’t quite reached the bedroom before I remembered breakfast and went back. I had a toasted bap, made a coffee , took my post food tabs and checked I’d done everything before leaving this time.                               The overnight mail took until 7.10 to finish and I took a break not knowing how many would be thrown at me by the morning rush. I went to see to Joey’s seed and water before opening his door.

When I returned to my screen the tide level was rising,slowly at first and then getting bigger. It took me until 9.43 am to clear them and still allow me time to go and empty the washer/drier to put everything on the airer. I was grateful to the little fairies who live in the non-run sheets that keep my colours intact. I had new red bedding in the wash alongside my partly white ( red dragon) lounge pants, and somewhere in the mix a maroon shirt. I was safe, my pyjamas stayed white.                                                   The window cleaner came this morning and so did the Warden after missing the last 2 weeks. She stayed chatting almost an hour this morning.I didn’t realise until she’d gone it was 11.55 am . I was peckish anyway and ended up having another roast beef dinner. Two down, one to go.                                                                                                                    Once Bargain Hunt was over I had to return to work before I fell asleep as I’d dodged missed so much of the morning . There was a tidal wave waiting to swamp me but, after checking to see if there was anyone outside who wanted to earn a few bob answering my mail, I buckled down to it. I even tried the Blind Beggar, Oops, no, that’s the Inn in Treasure Island isn’t it. OK I might have exaggerated a little bit. I worked until 4.20 pm and as the box was empty decided it was an appropriate time for a break          (for four and a half hours).

I made myself a sandwich and chose a strawberry yoghurt for afterwards then sat and annoyed Joey for a while until my Cold Case was due to start. Once it was on I showed him who’s boss by hushing him, and he showed me who’s the bigger boss by carrying on chunnering. I lip read the programme instead so he didn’t beat me. Next was Without a Trace and I wouldn’t have minded falling asleep then, but didn’t. During SG1 I was wide awake and was a bit annoyed that it said To Be Continued as I’m guaranteed to fall asleep in the next one. Then it was Sanctuary and again I didn’t nod off and that also ended To Be Continued which no doubt means I’ll sleep through two programmes tomorrow.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 Joey was in his cage so I just closed his door then went to take my meds in the kitchen. I came out and wished him goodnight saying I’d let him out in the morning before I leave. It’s going to be very awkward tomorrow that I’ll be leaving just as the new mail now  comes in and it will gather more and more to it before I get home wanting some lunch tomorrow. Maybe I should have breakfast and then starve myself till tea time. I checked my mail box tonight and it wasn’t as bad as I feared with only 49 waiting. By the time I’d finished those another 7 had rolled in. It was 10.26 pm. Time to start the blog. I think 11.45 tonight with luck, a prevailing wind and no more mail.

About a foot apart, six inches deep in sandy soil. Water well….

Again with the camera? I’ve not done my hair yet.

Tuesday 5th April.

11.45 pm was close enough last night. I started my new book ‘A Pale Rider’ the second n the Last Kingdom series, and read until almost 12.55 am.  I had a series of mini sleeps when I dozed off for a few seconds then woke again before I managed a deeper sleep. I woke at 4.42 am but lay until 4.44 just luxuriating in the warmth of my little cocoon.It ejected me and so it was the new triple jump record to the loo and back and a sign on to the computer. I worked until 5.45 am then went to take my meds and have breakfast, it was to be cornflakes today with fresh cold milk. I returned to work at 6.17 am and worked until 6.52 am when the box was clear. When the flood starts I shall be on my way out so it will be waiting for my return, hiding in the dark of the base. slowly multiplying ready to create creases in my brow and drag the screams from my lips. Still, as long as it doesn’t interfere with my eating.

I left at 7.25 am and walked up to the bus stop. The bus must have reverted to it’s proper time and not be fighting for trade with the other company, I had time for a cigarette after I’d got my breath back from the walk. The bus came at 7.40 am. I was the first passenger but I didn’t get a prize. When we reached Holywell I sent Yvonne a text to let her know I was on my way. Then I rested my head on my sticks and feigned sleep. A text came back from Yvonne that things were going well and she’d meet me on time if poomageddon didn’t strike. When I arrived in Chester a few minutes early at 8.40 am she texted again to say she shouldn’t have tempted fate, poomageddon struck them both as she closed the front door. I told her it was OK I could look round Wilko’s while she caught up. We met up at 8.57 am just in time for Primark opening so I could use the loo then have a coffee to refill me. That was nice.                                                                                                                                                                                                                   I’d said I wanted another single sheet to match the bedding I got in the Primark sale and I found a sheet and some pillowcases I liked. Before going to pay for them I found a lovely pair of trousers in Prince of Wales check but I was cross that I couldn’t find a waistcoat in the right size….just before I did on the wrong hanger. Both in the sale so I was very pleased.

When we left there we had a wander round another shop as Yvonne had a few things she wanted like a years supply of bum wipes. Then we headed for a supermarket which has a clothes shop attached for sale items……….no, I was very good and some random bully wouldn’t let me buy the kids anything today. Inside the supermarket the same random bully bought two packets of bacon, TWO, and she, I mean the bully, is the only one who eats it. You know, it’s not like I was invited back for BLT’s and I swear there were eight slices in a pack. I’m going to join this fatness, fitness, diet club if you can eat lots of bacon and as many potatoes as you like. Mmmm potatoes. It soon got to time for me to walk back towards my bus stop. They walked with me (to make sure I left I think) and waved as I left.  With my eyes closed the journey was over in no time. I called in at Pauline’s on my way home and got some micro chips and bread etc. When I got home and calmed Joey down I put one of my beef joints on and then had the micro chips with it. With apologies to Joey once I’d eaten, I had to come and see to the post.

I worked from 1.50 pm to 4.35 pm to clear the backlog and then took a break. It was a chance to check out my ebay. I wanted to order a canvas for John’s birthday. After doing that I turned the TV on for Cold Case.  Quite a sad one today with someone dying from a brain tumour killed by too much morphine. It was a mercy killing in the end. Then Without a Trace came on. I’ve said previously I’m a bit unconnected to the characters /the actors in this, I can’t quite put my finger on it as though they don’t exude any real warmth. So, as it was on I happened to look at Joey’s cage- he wasn’t in it at the time- and noticed a lot of little white pyramids below his favourite perch. I lefted the who cage down to the floor and scrubbed the deposits off the ladders etc then took all the dishes out to wash then finally removed the base so I could dispose af all the seed husk and put in new sandpaper. I might as well use newspaper really as he never goes down to the base so his nails don’t benefit. I did all that, replenished the seed and water and replaced the cage. Then had to sweep up the mess on the floor before Jade comes tomorrow. I got back to the show before it fisnished and Joey went in to check out his new surroundings, or more correctly to fill his face with seed.

Next was SG1 which was even more annoying than last night as it’s another to be continued which I’ll miss because it’s games night. At least with Sanctuary the two parter finished tonight so skipping an episode won’t hurt. I was now on 9.00 pm so went to take my meds and open a new spray for beside my bed. I said goodnight to Joey and came through to take up the slack again. The mail was done by 10.40 pm and the blog started. I’m predicting an 11.45 finish, mainly because that’s in 5 minutes from now and I’m not far off finishing. I just hope there are no more emails to spoil it.

Utter contentment.

Comparison of them both at about the same age.

I like this song but I wish they’d stop putting people on top of tall buildings. I have trouble holding on to my stomach when they go to the edse.

Bonus.

Wednesday 6th April.

I was in bed by 11.50 am and picking up my book to enjoy. Lights out 12.45 am Lights on again 4.08 am but I didn’t wriggle my l’il bottom out of bed until 4.22 am. After turning on the computer a message flashed up to say Adobe needed updating. I really didn’t trust the message and refused to do it from that so spent ages checking the Adobe site to see if I could see a critical update. 3 hours ago they were talking about getting one out on Thursday. I decided to download Adobe again making sure to give permission for them to update automatically so I shouldn’t get notices anymore with luck.                                                                                                                                                                    When I got as far as my messages I was gobsmacked to find a wonderful review of My Barsetshire Diary by another author/blogger whose blog I follow. Donna D Vaal of the excellent My Heartstrings…Fiddledeedee ,   https://fiddledeedeebooks.wordpress.com/2016/04/05/my-friend-lord-david-prosser/ author of The Living Miracle, a love story.Her blog is very diverse and covers a multitude of subjects. I was so taken aback by this wonderful gesture I even re-blogged it.

Naturally there was plenty of other mail as well which I started doing,taking a break around 5.30 am for breakfast and my meds. Back to work at 6.05 am until I was clear about 6.50 am. I went to sit in my chair in the lounge until the new post was in. At 7.30 am I came back through and wished I’d got something bigger than just a canoe because the waves were threatening to overturn me. Each wave deposited a new batch of mail on the beach. I was paddling like mad until it was brought under control at about 9.50 am when I had chance to nip to Pauline’s. Oh fabjoy, the cigarettes, MY cigarettes hadn’t been delivered yesterday because they had no price marked packets. I know my kind , considerate Government increased the price in the budget so I know I’ll have to absorb an increase. Why not send the non-price marked packets?                   I came back and watched HUtH with Joey.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     Part way into the programme the postman came and I really felt sorry for him. There were 5 books (2 missing as yet) and 4 canvas prints A3 size, which weren’t light, in his bag for me. I really liked the quality of the prints too, they improved on the original pictures, and I can happily recommend deco_matters from ebay if anyone wants a canvas doing from a photograph.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        At 11.00 pm I returned to work to try and clear the mail before lunch. Since it took till 11.45 am I was a little pushed but managed to stick the third and last roast beef dinner in the micro. I watched Bargain Hunt and woke near the end with a start when I burnt my finger again. No warning I was about to go.

Since I’d had no word from Jade and she hadn’t arrived ‘Same time next week’ as mentioned last week, I sent her a text. She replied hoping that tomorrow afternoon would be OK. I said “No problem” but in fact it’s good news and bad news. The bad is that I have to clean up more of the mess I made doing Joey’s cage last night before my brother arrives tonight, the good, at least I don’t have to change Mike’s bed today as I’ll ask for her help tomorrow now. During lunch of course more mail had arrived which needed to be dealt with, and I also needed to leave feedback on the goods that had come so I was stuck back at my screen again from 1.00 pm. At 400 pm I stopped work and went to the lounge. I’d no sooner turned an episode of The Indian Doctor on when Dil appeared. I went to make him a drink hen we nattered about our respective weeks since last Wednesday. He’s still wearing the watch that counts his footsteps and works out how much energy he’s used up as it also checks his calories taken in against the allowed amount depending on his days exercise. He said he bought a new set of scales at the weekend that must have been a bit wonky, it added 5 stone to his weight after a long walk on Sunday. Proves what I always said, that exercise is bad for you.

While watching one of our programmes I must have nodded off and come to before the quiz was over, but realised Dil must have changed channels to the quiz while I was away with the fairies. I do feel guilty but I have to get my cat naps where I can. At least I was ready for battle. On the Yahtzee I won the first round 5-1 and the second 3-2 with one game drawn. I won the Trivia quite convincingly too. Going on to the cribbage we end the evening with I won both games. Dil said about the only thing he won was the cut to see who goes first. Just to add insult to injury, it was bucketing down outside when he left.                                                                                                                                       Once he’d left for home I tidied up then made myself a corned beef sandwich before washing the pots. I closed Joey’s door and wished him a goodnight. At 9.50 pm I started on the mail and finished at 11.05 pm. I think it’s going to be a midnight bedtime the way things are going.

Ready to Charm…

Looking very tall.

Thursday 7th April

It was midnight ass predicted before I got to my book  last night. I read for the full hour almost, putting the light out at 12.54 am.  I stuck a new battery in the internal alarm clock hoping to get a small lie-in this morning but instead it became the infernal alarm clock and woke me at 4.03 pm. I didn’t shift until 4.12 am though. I sat for a moment and tried to concentrate on teleporting myself to the loo but it didn’t seem to work and the time wasted meant I now had to run. Lucky the runway lights were still on  or I wouldn’t have noticed the large candle that was lying in my path ready to stub my toe. I replaced it on the console table and carried on my journey. My deep sigh moments later spoke of great relief.

I came back and turned the computer onto mail and I also opened my ebay to check how my bids are doing on birthday prezzies. Mail first though. I worked until 5.05 am and then went for breakfast and to take my meds. It was 5.30 am before I got back and carried on. By 6.50 am I was clear. On ebay I was outbid on one item, winning on one and on one hadn’t reached the reserve price. The latter one really annoys me, why not set the start price as the reserve price so everyone knows where they stand. I never understand setting a start price of 99p if no-one can win the item until it’s reached £20. Just stop wasting my time and/or building up my hopes please. A couple of times I’ve had the highest bid when an item ends but I can’t have it because the reserve hasn’t been reached. I might not have bothered if I’d known what the reserve was.      OK,gripe over. Coming back to the mail at 7.30 am I found it had crept in quietly while my back was metaphorically turned. I wish it had just cr*pped and crept out again.

I got dressed before tackling the new day so if I lost track of time I wouldn’t get caught out  at the front door in my ‘Animal’ lounge pants aka my pyjamas. At 9.50 am I came to one of those natural breaks where you know the next one is advertising junk.I checked outside and there was a short lull in the rain so I put my shoes on and went to Pauline’s for my lottery and some ciggies and bread. I wasn’t too long and got back in time for the postman with the missing two books and a parcel for Mike. I gave him a box of sweets and apologised that I have two heavy months of birthdays coming up. I was also in time for HUtH with Joey who was really very raucous today. Someone was getting a major telling off. I hoped it wasn’t me. Typical though, I nodded off a few minutes before the end and was there till 11.30 am. I couldn’t get stuck into peeling my sweet potatoes yet as I needed to check the post. I cleared what I had by 12.05 pm.                                                                                                                                                                                           Then it was time to start peeling and putting the sausages under the grill ready. As soon as it came to first turn on the sausages the potatoes went in the micro for 8 minutes   (they were big chunks). They were done a couple of minutes before the sausages so I had time to put the veg in the micro and mash my spuds. Potatoes on plate, add the sausages then the veg. At that point I did some instant thick gravy and poured it over. It was only 12.30 pm so I still had most of Bargain Hunt to watch. I left the washing up till the programme was over.

At 1.00 pm it was back to my desk. A message from Jade says she’ll be here about 2.30 pm so I could take my time with work. I was tempted to nod off again but I didn’t. When the mail was done at 1.40 pm I checked a couple of pictures to see if they’d make good canvases then put an order in. At 2.25 pm I had a text tom say Jade was stuck in traffic on the M6 but would def be here by 3.30 pm or tomorrow afternoon if I prefer. I told her I don’t mind which but that I couldn’t be late tomorrow as I have been threatened that Ugo is coming to take me shopping as Saturday morning isn’t possible. I’ve said not to worry but since when did anyone listen to me. I guess Jade had chosen tomorrow afternoon as well when she hadn’t arrived by 3.40 pm either. That’s OK for me but I must remember to get some help to change the bed before Mike is back and I don’t want to take chance on another week where the appointment keeps changing or as once before moving to the next week instead. No use if he comes back and finds me dead, wrapped inside his duvet cover because I tried to do it alone. I know him, he’s use my duvet cover instead.

I knocked off at 4.30 pm when there were no more messages and I’d stopped spending on ebay. If I buy my gifts too far in advance I’m likely to give them well in advance of the day just a ‘coz presents and have to start buying again. As it is I’ve nearly got this month covered but once they’re done will need to start on next month when I have Karen, Lee , Nathan, Matt and Jess to contend with. I ate a yoghurt and a piece of chocolate cake then washed my plate just in time for the start of Cold Case. I thought I was OK but there must have been a lazy bug flying around which stung me because I fell asleep during the last ten minutes. I completely missed the next hour of Without a Trace and woke up ten minutes into SG1. It’s awfully hard to make sense of the third programme when you’re still expecting the first. The costume is different for a start. You don’t expect  Tilk, with the metal logo in his forehead to be investigating a Cold Case. I managed to get my head round it  and to watch Sanctuary without getting any more confused even though we were left wondering which orifice a bug had entered someones body without being noticed ( answers on  postcard please). We do at least know it came out again via the mouth. At 9.00 pm the TV went off and I wished Joey goodnight. I took my meds and came through to work. Mail was done by 10.20 pm and the blog started. I’m looking for an 11.30 pm bedtime with fingers crossed I can sleep tonight after having so much earlier.

I nose you know.

I’ve got a tip for you.

Tonight’s song is dedicated to my good friend Merril at   https:// merrildsmith.wordpress.com for her post Railways

Friday 8th April.

It was close to 11.45 pm last night and I read until 1.00 am. here was lots of yawning once the lights went out but sleep was along time coming again. I was paying the price for so much sleep yesterday I think. When I did nod off it was only to wake at 2.18 am where I refused to get out of bed and managed t sleep again, then again at 2.57 am  and finally at 4.59 am when I knew I wasn’t going to be lucky a third time. I decided I’d have to stand all day to make sure I didn’t sleep this time. Ha, fat chance.                                      A visit to the loo was followed by a trip to the kitchen to take my meds, and once done, to replenish the pots for another week and prepare a prescription request to go in on Monday. Looking at it I got a little cross because I realised how long I’ve been taking statins now and yet my surgery refuse to issue co-enzyme Q10 to offset the damage they can do despite me having given them the research done on the combination and the fact that some countries don’t issue one without the other meaning they take the research seriously. Australia and Japan are two of those countries if my memory serves me rightly. Even more annoyingly, my B/I/L’s surgery took the research seriously and issued them to him and just recently he’s changed surgeries and the new one has also agreed to issue them. For a long time I bought them myself but had to stop as it was too expensive to do so. It’s time the National Health Service issued instructions that co-enzyme Q10 should be issued with all statins and showed they’re not the penny pinchers many people think them at our expense.

Another gripe over. After doing the drugs, I made a coffee to take back to my room where I started on the mail. There was enough to keep me going until 10.00 am with a slight pause for the postman who brought me another picture which is a gift for someone. Nothing was going to stop me breaking for HUtH though which I enjoyed even more when I got Joey out of the cage so I could replace his millet and also  get part of the cage back in correctly that I notice I’d ballsed messed up the other day when I cleaned it out. After the programme, which I managed to stay awake in, I came back to work on the post I hadn’t managed earlier and the new post just in. It was just enough to keep me until 11.35 am and let me see to my lunch. I want that out of the way before Jade comes and I don’t know what time that’s happening yet.                                                   Well, I quite enjoyed my lunch and the episode of Bargain Hunt before coming back to work. I found an order I made to Zazzle this morning hadn’t completed. I won’t be buying from them again if they only ship from the US as the postal price doubles the cost of an item which in this case was just too appropriate to refuse as a birthday gift.

It was a funny old afternoon. I worked till 3.40 pm all the time expecting Jade to appear. I know she’d had an appointment at a Manchester hospital on Wednesday which is why she didn’t come and I just hoped she was OK. I did a quick catch up from 4.30 pm to 5.00 pm then sat and watched my Cold Case. I guessed she wouldn’t be coming at that time. But because they can’t take me shopping tomorrow, Yvonne had said Ugo would take me this evening.There were messages going back and forth between us with me saying “He’s worked all week, feed him and let him put his feet up” and her saying “He’s coming and that’s that.” Time went on and ‘Without a Trace’ came on. I though it was Yvonne to say he’s on his way and I was getting ready for another try but it was Jade to say Sorry and could she do me (Oh fan me I’m fainting) Saturday or Sunday. I said of course. At 7.50 pm Yvonne did text to say Ugo had left and my pleas fell on deaf ears. He arrived at 8.20 pm while Sanctuary was on. I said to check my local Supermarket rather than go to ASDA and I was in luck it’d late night on a Friday. I was out before 9.00 pm and home not long after. I’d even put the shopping away and taken my meds by 9.20 pm. By the time I’d got my coat and gloves off and settled at my desk it was 9.30 pm.  Into the valley of death rode the 600, well OK there was only me but I should get credit for dramatic effect. Perhaps I should have tried, Into the Valley of the 600 rode me. It felt like that many though of course there weren’t, it was just about 10% of that but that makes for a lousy poem and virtually no dramatic effect at all. Banging my head on the wall would be better, but not necessarily from my point of view.                            Anyhoo, I was clear by 10.50 pm and able to start the blog. At least I won’t still be working come the morning.

Babywalking duties.

They’re always rabbitin’.

Saturday 9th April.

Midnight in bed last night as I’d spent a couple of minutes putting cream on my legs. I was actually able to ignore them after that. I don’t mean I didn’t make use of them as I walked to the loo afterwards or I’d be as close to the ground as Michael. I stopped reading and put the book down at 12.59 am and settled to sleep.I didn’t have too long to wait.This morning came at 4.53 am with no disturbances throughout the night. Not too bad at all. After a hop, step and a jump I made a start on the mail pausing at 6.00 om to take my meds and fill my face with cornflakes. Then I did the bins and the recycling bags in case the lorry turned up early again (no, not on it’s own, that would be creepy). Once done I sorted some clean lounge pants out for tonight and some clean clothes for the morning before making a coffee to bring back to work. It took until 9.35 am to to empty the box. I joined Joey for a while.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             At 10.15 am the postman arrived with two more gifts for birthdays. Things are coming along nicely. Not too heavy for him today. The binmen arrived and remembered to empty mine this time. Even the recycling lot came early and left me a bag more than I’d left out. I hope someone claims it later.

I checked the deliveries were unbroken and that they were suitable as pictures online don’t always give the full story, but all was OK. I left them in Mike’s bedroom which is where I always store gifts. I must try to leave him room to get into bed when he’s back next week. More mail had come in so I dealt with that while I had the chance. I know you’ve heard this before but Jade might come today and I don’t know what time. At 11.25 am I knocked off so I’d be free to see to my lunch. I was undecided what to have but I know I miss going out to eat. I’m glad that will be resumed soon.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            In the end I had braised steak and mashed potatoes with onion and carrots. Very tasty. With no Bargain Hunt on a Saturday  I checked TV and found a film to watch for a while. Every adverts I came through to see if there was any mail. All the time I wondered if Jade would arrive and I wouldn’t see the end of the film. I saw two! By the time 4.00 pm arrived I knew she wasn’t coming today and so it must be tomorrow. With luck she’ll text me a time.

So, at 4.15 pm I came through and settled to get up to date again and managed it by 6.40 pm and decided at that point to lock the front door and go for a shower. I thought it might be an idea to do the washing tomorrow as next week I’m out on Monday instead of Tuesday. If Jade come’s tomorrow and I get her to help me make Mike’s bed I can do that washing on Tuesday. I know if she doesn’t come I’ll have to do it myself which I can manage slowly. The shower went well but I hate getting in as that’s when all the bits of cold water spraying from the edge catch you. When I was out and dry, I got my fresh night clothes on- Minion lounge pants and a tee-shirt with a lightweight dressing gown.I hope it’s going to start getting warmer again. I stayed with the film channel for a while then watched a sci-fi TV programme which took me to 10.15 pm, a full hour later than I usually stay there. I had to get a move on to come through. It would have been awful had I not spent so much time catching up at shorter intervals and If I’s been out during the day as I usually am with Mike here.It still took me until 11.05 pm to finish before I was able to start the blog. Since I post around midnight on a Saturday I should be able to finish by then.

I’m sure someone called me a cheater.

The dino-mite dancer

Chasing Keyboards & In Memory Of.

Sunday 27th March.

I made bed just on midnight and read until I finished my book at 12.40 am. I struggled to get to sleep and at 1.02 am had to get up and put cream on my legs before I took the skin off. This morning I slept until 4.22 am, actually 5.22 am since we lost the hour during the night. I opened gmail and started work, there were a lot of messages from last night for some reason. I managed the last one at 5.30 am just before going to take my meds and then deciding to do Ju’s flowers. I doubt I’ll be winning any competitions for ikebana any time soon.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 I returned to work at 6.25 am ready for battle. I was shocked to find just 56 in my box. I’d cleared that many before going to the kitchen and unleashing my feminine side. This time though was evil. I got down to 51, started on the next one and it was up to 57. I didn’t get beyond 49 until gone 9.00 pm and it was 10.35 am before I actually finished that first rush. I got dressed and went through to see Joey. I sat with him through an episode of 8 Simple Rules then returned to my room.

I worked on and off till lunchtime, or what I thought would be lunchtime. I was convinced Yvonne had said they’d pick me up at noon so about 5 minutes beforehand I decided to check since they usually text to say they’re on the way. It was a while before I got a reply and that was to say disaster had struck. Amelie had thrown up in the car and they had to return home to get her changed. Then she demanded food so the time went from 12.00 pm to 12.30 pm to 1.00 pm which meant her calling the CookHouse to explain and also those that were waiting for us. We got there before 1.30 pm.                                                                                                                                                                                              We said hello to Lee and Jen with Nathan and to Karen and Jo. When I tried to get them to write down what they wanted for lunch I was thwarted as they’d already ordered. That was a blow, a host who doesn’t provide the meal. I found out what Ugo and Yvonne wanted and went to the bar with the order, seeing the lady that Mike and I usually see, at least she didn’t make Mike’s coffee by mistake. Ugo came with me to help carry the drinks. As we got back to the table the other meals had arrives so I took my tablets then Yvonne and I went to get our carvery and Ugo looked after Amelie. By the time I’d found someone strong enough to carry my plate Ugo’s meal had arrived so we did all manage to eat together. I saw Jade there though I don’t think she saw me. I’m glad she believed me enough to try it, now I just have to hope she enjoyed it.

My meat was fantastic as usual, just falling apart. The rest was incidental though I made sure there were enough incidentals on the plate.When we finished I was at least able to order a few puddings. Lee, Jen and Nathan had to leave not long after as they were meeting someone else. Eventually we had to pack up and leave too as the table was booked again from 3.00 pm. It was a quarter to. Hugs and kisses in the car park with my girls who liked their Easter Eggs as did Lee and Jen and then we were on our way again. I was home before 3.15 pm. It was pouring down as I waved them off . I said hello to Joey and put the light on to relieve the gloom. Then I came to work. To be fair it wasn’t as bad as feared and I was free just before 6.00 pm. I had some tea with a small trifle and then for some reason started watching some of The Devil Rides Out. When it finished at 8.30 pm I thought I’d try for an early night.As long as I don’t see blue eyes hovering above me like Charles Grey’s I should be OK. I worked on emails until 10.40 pm then started the blog so I think no later than 11.30 pm and everything is going to plan so far.

Teddy waits for lunch.

My ‘Bright as a Button’ girl doesn’t understand the shirt.

Monday 28th March.

11.28 pm found me sitting on the edge of the bed trying an aloe vera cream recommended to ease itching. By 11.35 pm I slid into bed easily. I started the new book , Those In Peril by Wilbur Smith. I need to restock as it’s my last book too. I put my light out at almost bang on 12.30 am  I took the hint and put the book away.                                                Getting to sleep was difficult as the itching was still pretty bad. I must have fallen asleep but was awake again at 1.27 am no eyes hovering above the bed though. I had a cigarette and tried again. That was fine and I slept until 4.02 am this morning.                                                                                                                                                                                                 After a visit to the loo I opened my mail and enjoyed working until I went for breakfast at 5.45 am. Even though I expected a full mailbox again on my return I spent a few minutes reading reports on yesterday’s atrocity in Pakistan. So much more evil, so many  more innocent deaths. I know they were mainly Christian and that was the object but the people who did this don’t care much more for the non-Christian deaths. They don’t believe in playing for hearts and minds do they, much preferring fear.. It makes you wonder how they manage to recruit from the West even among the disenfranchised and disillusioned. I can only imagine they play the Religion card and yet I don’t think by any stretch of the imagination you can really call these people religious as they don’t even follow the tenets of their own faith. Put bluntly, ISIL are just killers.                         I also prepared an e–card to send and checked to see if there was anywhere I could get a new keyboard if I went out today. The weather is so foul I probably won’t though.

The biggest surprise after I’d finished my other little jobs was returning to my mailbox at 6.25 am and finding just 11 pieces of post there. Where is the deluge? I waited until 7.10 am to see if it forgot the hour from yesterday. No, that made no difference. Could it possibly be that people are taking the holiday off? I hoped so. At 7.15 am I went through to release Joey and replenish his millet that he loves so much. I stayed with him until 9.00 am and then came back to check. Yes, the deluge had come but at the strangest of times, 8.17 am. I worked on it until 9.45 am and then left to watch HUtH which was on a bit earlier today. I didn’t hold out much hope but did wonder if the Warden might not call. She was off last Monday so maybe not this one? She didn’t call.

For lunch I had a cottage pie and it seems to have been a while since I had one so it went down well. A lovely rhubarb yoghurt to follow. I didn’t watch Bargain Hunt for a change as there was something more appealing on another channel later so I went back to work for a while. There’s been a conscious decision to take off much of the day off as possible because it’s a bank holiday. At 1.30 pm I went to watch the film The Fall of Rome with Sir Alec Guinness. I love these kind of spectaculars with all the chariot races etc. Seeing the Presidency Caesarship sold off to the highest bidder at the end reminded me of something, just can’t put my finger on it. It lasted about three hours so I felt I’d better check the post before starting anything else. There were quite a few to do but I still managed to get back in time for my tea ( chocolate cake and a strawberry mousse) and my episode of Cold Case. I also saw Without a Trace which was the second half of one from Friday but though I saw the first half of SG1 I nodded off for the rest and also the start of Sanctuary. It’s very strange seeing Tilk on trial for his life one moment and see a humongous squid fighting an odd looking giant scorpion the next.

At 9.00 pm I turned the TV off despite being tempted by a Marvel Superheroes film. Joey just sat on his mirror reluctant for the day to end. I went to take my meds and coming back he hadn’t moved. I turned a lamp on and the overhead light off and left him to it. After half an hour on the computer I went back and he’d gone in so I was able to close the cage and wish him goodnight. No reply.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      So, back to work again and pestering Yvonne for some photo’s from yesterday. She’d complained that somehow I’d managed to stay out of a lot of them. He He. The mail took until 10.43 and I was able to kickstart the blog. I’m doing well and reckon 11.45 ish tonight.

Square dance

Denim Trendsetter

Tuesday 29th March.

I made it to bed at 11.50 pm so I wasn’t far off. I stayed on top of the covers in case the warmth fried my legs in the cream I had on. I read for an hour then turned the light out. I expected to go to sleep quickly but my power nap of yesterday evening must have blunted the need. I know I did drop off eventually or I’d be complaining I never woke up this morning which could lead to some misunderstandings. Anyhoo, I did wake up at 4.29 am only I didn’t move until 4.31 am because the dream I was having seemed to carry on a bit and came to an abrupt halt when it realised it was being viewed in the real world. So, because of the two minute delay I had to move my little (actually long and slim) legs a bit faster to get to the loo. I came back and signed on to the computer and opened the mail. This morning it took until 5.56 to clear the box and I was able to go for my meds and some breakfast.

I returned to work at 6.32 am and there was just one message in my mail. I can’t understand what’s going on. I dealt with that and a couple more that came through, took my mug to the kitchen and washed it and came back via the bathroom to get dressed. The mail finally decided to appear at just gone 7.30 am. I think that’s taking the Easter break just a little too far.I broke off at 9.00 am to take my prescription request to the chemist. By getting it in early I stand a chance of getting it back the next day. I also dropped into Pauline’s. Back at home I carried on working until I was finally clear at 9.50 am. Time just to check  ebay. I’m hoping there was a nice picture from Sunday I can use for a new canvas so I’m checking out the best deals. Believe me, if you want a photo on canvas there are fantastic deals on ebay and I haven’t been disappointed in quality yet. Now all I need are the pictures which Yvonne says she’ll send today.                                                                                                                                                                                                             I went through and watched HUtH with Joey who seems chatty enough today. Then things went a little awry. I nodded off before the end and didn’t wake until 11.30 am. Then I had mail to clear which included a lot of pictures from Yvonne. By the time I’d done it was 12.05 pm and I had to go get my lunch. I took my pre-tabs then spent time buttering bread before putting my beef stew and dumplings in the micro. I started watching Bargain Hunt while it was cooking. By the time I sat down to eat and then had a sweet Bargain Hunt was over and the news came on. A man hijacked an Egyptian plane claiming he had a suicide bomb strapped to himself. The plane was forced to land at Cyprus. The man was arrested and it turned out he wanted to see his ex-wife or something.  Some people laugh and say how ridiculous that he either got through Egyptian security or they allowed a lie to win. I personally think this man is almost as bad as a terrorist. Planes rarely carry extra fuel because of the weight so he risked the plane going down with 60+ passengers before they reached Cyprus. Also the fear of the people who he told he was a suicide bomber. They don’t expect to survive the journey. That terror must be awful, to fear not seeing those special people in your life anymore.

At 1.30 I returned to my bedroom and started work again on the mail. I’m not sure when I finished but I started sorting through all the pictures Yvonne had sent me. I didn’t think there was one of Sunday good enough to do canvases for everyone who’d been these but I’m having one. I did choose a nice picture to do for them though and the presentation was really nice. As I was doing that I kept pace with mail coming through so that at 4.45 pm with nothing in the box I could disappear. Not like the invisible man or I’d be out trying to get a Christmas bonus off the bankers.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     I had a piece of cake for my tea and a pickled onion crisp sandwich.  I watched Cold Case and Without a Trace without an incident. I got most of the way through SG1 before I found it necessary to inspect the insides of my eyelids and unfortunately it was such a thorough inspection, it took me till half way though Sanctuary. I got thoroughly confused when I found one of the leads from SG1 was playing in Sanctuary and I wasn’t sure what nightmare world I was inhabiting. It was the nice lad who wears the glasses, in this he’d been a bit of a rogue smuggling things through a  flap in his stomach. Funny really as back on SG1 the same flap would be where they housed one of the alien  Goa-uld.          

At 9.00 pm  I closed Joey’s cage door, went through to take my meds, wished Joey goodnight and came through to attack the mail. One was upsetting when I heard that Yvonne thought they had a home for the two cats, which they have to rehome because of allergies that both Ugo and Reuben share. It seems the new home was with someone who’d had pets removed previously by he RSPCA, so no way could they be left there. Yvonne has been missing a lot of sleep recently. That and the fact that Thursday is the anniversary of Ju passing is making her very emotional. She had a long walk this morning to get to the doctors for Amelie’s  jabs only to find she had a temperature and they wouldn’t do it. Another hour and a half back home. I didn’t go today because of the appointment. I was going to make myself go out to find a keyboard but used the weather as an excuse not to. Anyway, I cleared the mail at 11.01 pm and started the blog. It’s going to be a midnight finish at least after I’ve chosen tonight’s pictures and music.

Ugo, Jo, Yvonne, Karen Lee, Jen & Nathan, Guess who with Amelie. Reuben in hiding.

Ami and Nate, cousins

Wedsnesday 30th March

Bed 1.05 am because I had to play grease monkey again. After reading until 12.50 am the lights went out and I probably went out like a light. Awake and up at exactly 4.00 am this morning. I found myself whistling ‘Skip to  the loo’ as I did just that and decapitated a figure on the console table with the rope. So much for healthy exercise, it’s dangerous. Coming back from the loo sans rope and at a normal walking pace and wondering where I get all this energy from, I flopped down in my chair and turned the computer on. Right, that’s enough exercise for today, no more jumping to conclusions or anything else.                                                                                                                                             My inbox was empty by 5.15 am and I went to take my meds and have some breakfast which today was a toasted bap, a very yeasty bap at that.By the time I returned about 5.45 am there were more messages to deal with and more comments to write. On one I know I was a bit bumptious but I’m blaming the yeast for that. At this point it was only trickling in so at 6.10 am I went to ebay and ordered a card reader in place of the one I ordered two weeks ago that never came despite the sellers promise that if I (was stupid enough) would end the case I opened on ebay he’d send out a duplicate. I did, he didn’t. It’s not much money but I hate being duped by someone who has no intention of either refunding me or supplying the goods ordered.And of course, I can’t reopen a case with ebay or paypal for a refund now the case is closed. Colour me naive.

By 7.00 am the mail had started to arrive but not in the usual flood. I got 38 in the first batch which is often nearer the 100. I just started work and kept on working. The post kept on coming but not in quantity. By 8.00 am I’d been able to get dressed and go through to open Joey’s cage. At 8.45 am I donned shoes and coat and headed for the bus stop. The bus came at 9.00 m and even as I got on I had no idea where I was going. But when we reached Holywell at the top of the hill I thought maybe I’d have more chance in Flint so I stayed on. When I got  off and crossed the road to where the trading estate is I detoured slightly and called into the small ASDA thinking as I’d forgotten the keyboard when I was in the large store maybe the little store would help. I was out of luck, no keyboard and miracle that it was, I restrained myself from buying anything else. Next port of call was Sainsbury’s where I know they’ve sold them before. I detoured up a couple of other aisles that looked interesting and almost collected a picture frame (you never know when you might need one) but I was to be disappointed again with the keyboard so the frame stayed. I did however buy some chocolates (Ferrero Rocher) and some bread. The Outlet let me down, but Steve reminded me that Argos sell them and what do we have round the corner? Yes, an Argos store ( that was easy wasn’t it). I went down the aisles in B&M as I was passing anyway then went to Argos and bought one of the two in stock.

Having got my prize now dangling from the handle of my crutch (come on, keep it clean now) and clanging as I walked. Still, better that than the chocolates which I handed over two minutes later as I ordered my Latte in Temptations. They were looked at lavisciously by Trudy who announced “The diet starts tomorrow.’ I sat and enjoyed my drink and the little saucer biscuit that Mike normally has then after saying goodbye I headed over to Home Bargains where I did in fact get a dew bargains before heading off for the bus stop.The direction I took meant having to climb over a gate then jump off a wall. I hadn’t even hit the ground when the bus came. That bright idea about having a cigarette while I waited was thrown in the bin. I got my usual solo seat and propped my eyes open with two lighters as I had no matchsticks handy. I didn’t want to miss my stop and end up in Rhyl, Jade is due about noon.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              I got back safely and unpacked my bag before folding it up and slipping it in the back pocket of my jeans ready for the next outing. I started back on my mail after a brief word with Joey. The brief word was ‘Later’. I was clear just before midday so went through to take my pre-food tabs and make a sandwich to have when waiting time was up. I had it in my room as I worked and too a yoghurt as well. I hadn’t started that at 12.30 pm when Jade arrived. We had a little chat and I said I’d seen her on Sunday but she hadn’t seen me. As she went off to start on the bathroom today I went back to eat my yoghurt of the strawberry persuasion. Very nice it was too.

In between the odd email I was on ebay looking at their prices for usb keyboards thinking maybe to have a spare in. If I ever need to get on the other computer the keyboard with that is rubbish with one key that sticks all the time. To be honest I was just filling in time anyway until I could get to my chair and have a power nap before Dil gets here, though that could be anytime these days.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            At 2.00 pm I reminded Jade she needed to think about her next appointment so she finished what she was at and put the stuff away. I paid her and gave her some chocolates as a treat then said goodbye to her. I did some more mail then headed for my chair about 2.45 pm. I couldn’t nod off and that was partly because my chair is now haunted and tried to eject me. I was just nicely settled and it suddenly started rising. I was scrabbling about trying to get my arm down between the chair and the canterbury to find the remote, I just managed it in time and got the chair back down again but I was wide awake. I was resigned to not sleeping until tonight. I saw a homes in the country programme than at 3.45 pm went back to see what was waiting. I was halfway through sealing with something from Pinterest when the door opened. 3.50 pm and Dil was here. I couldn’t help but laugh so followed him through to the lounge then made him a cuppa.                                                                                                                                                                 We watched one of our usual programmes while we chatted about the weekend then when it finished I was rude and nodded off. I came to after about 15 minutes and found we were on the wrong side for out usual quiz. There was no way I could explain this one away, he couldn’t help but notice.

Once the quiz was over at 6.00 pm battle commenced. The first Yahtzee was keenly fought and came out at three games each. The second , I think he cheated when I wasn’t looking since he won five-one. Luckily I was on form for trivia and beat him at that. I always knew memorising the cards made sense. Finally cribbage, lets just say I took no prisoners ( mainly because it’s too expensive to feed them and I’m renowned for being tight). We only had time for one game but it was a whitewash. Dil left at 9.30 pm as usual heading home for his dinner. It’s a very long day for him. I had a quick tidy, washed the pots and took my meds. I said goodnight to Joey and came through to my room to work. It took until 11.10 pm to get the mailbox cleared so I could start the blog. I’m not taking bets on midnight tonight.

Easter treats

Easter morning

Thursday 31st March.

I managed to be in bed for 12.15 am and as usual read my book. The light went off at  1.20 am and that was the last thing I knew until 6.50 am. So glad I went to the loo before going to sleep. Today is slightly different so I don’t intend to blog in my normal way you’ll be pleased to hear no doubt. I’m going to spend the day with my own thoughts and not deal at all with mail unless it’s urgent.

I know that Yvonne will be suffering somewhat today as she remembers her bright as a button mother who never let a day go by without announcing ‘I Love You’ somewhere. Amazingly Ju stayed that was until the end though the end for us really came 12 hours or so before she passed away when she went into unconsciousness. My own memories are pretty much the same. Ju and I were great friends as well as life partners. We did lots of things together and it was no detriment to out marriage that we spent so much time in each other’s company. So really that the kind of thought I’d like to leave with you today. I hear so much about couples who marry but still want to have their own lives or ‘own space’. I think marriage is about togetherness, not that I expect couples to be joined at the hip or anything but going out should be together as the couple you chose to be. Yep, an old fashioned fart.

Ju on her 50th in 2006

I kept to my intention mainly today. Very little mail dealt with and only the urgent things at that. I sent an email this morning to the chemist to see if my drug mule would be arriving today and was assured I’d get my stuff before the day was out. I didn’t expect to be hungry even though I hadn’t eaten breakfast but force of habit had me making my bangers and sweet potato mash at lunch time.   During the course of the morning I’d looked at lots of photographs of Julia. Not in a maudlin way but just because of the memories they evoked.  And a s she watches me from various pictures all day wherever I am ( don’t worry, not the bathroom) I was able to glance up and give her a smile wherever I am. I love the fact that my favourite picture of the two of us is the background on the computer.  I nodded off in the afternoon and the chemist came then naturally and I heard nothing. I had to walk to the shop and arrange a second drop off. It came later.                                                                                                                                                 Ju probably loved animals as much if not more than she loved people in general though she was possibly the kindest person I know. We’ve opened out home to more than one waif and stray in our lifetime from battered women to the homeless, people were drawn to her. That’s not to say I wouldn’t help, just that I’m perhaps ready to be in the background more. At least my wallet was never closed. Even when I became ill I gave many thousands to good causes ( all my savings) and a fair few to causes Ju thought were less so but I wasn’t really able to tell the difference at that point. Still she didn’t murder me and we stuck together as we’d promised at out wedding.

It was a very unexpected blow when Ju became ill. It was a while before we knew what it was ( Pancreatic Cancer) by which time it was already too late. She never complained and said “Why me?” She just got on and did what she could. We were lucky enough to find a specialist, one of only four in the country, who could perform a special operation which cut some nerves near the site of the cancer. It wouldn’t stop the cancer but for a while, until it grew larger, it could take away the worst of the pain. Ju never complained about the chemo either though we did have to have a friend drive us to and from the appointments.  As time went on Ju carried on as best she could and even fund raised for the stables she used which wanted to start a riding for the disabled school. She didn’t stop riding and we actually went on the Tuesday before she was taken very ill. That was a Friday night and even though we live close to the coast the snow had come. Living on a very steep hill didn’t help either as it was very difficult for the Marie Curie nurses to get here and even worse for the ambulance later. They had a lot of help from (I think) the coastguard. Ju was taken to our local cottage hospital where Yvonne, Ugo and Myself slept in chairs to be near her. The following night we slept there again but with the addition of our two nieces Karen and Jo and the same on Sunday night but we used the staff lounge and enjoyed a Chinese meal.

On the Monday morning Ju was transferred to the hospice (St. Kentigern’s at St Asaph). She was conscious and as bright as she could be. Everyone transferred with her and even though most had to work during the day they were there at night. I can’t remember what happened to Easter that year as I’ve no memory of giving eggs and gifts out. We knew by the weekend that things were bad and she became unconscious and heavily sedated with opiates on the Easter Sunday 31.03.2013 and died very late that night with all of us around her. We were allowed to go and sit with her again until morning came after the staff had seen to her.

After riding 19th March 2013.

I just want to say I loved Ju and nothing has changed. I was very lucky to have met her and luckier still to be loved by her as I’m lucky today to be loved by our beautiful daughter Yvonne who shares so many of her traits, not least the kindness and generosity.

Here you are Ju. Just for you.

Also R.I.P Ronnie Corbett comedian. Died today.

Friday 1st April. Uh oh, All Fool’s Day. I”m staying in.

I wasn’t anxious to return to the fray today.  Last night I was listening to hard rock ( which is usually about as far from me as it’s possible to get) until late and then when I did get to bed I read until 1.20 am. It was hard to get to sleep and I know I saw 2.09 slip by me. I must have slept then because I woke at 3.22 am and lay there clock watching but not ready to move. I remember 3.58 am then I woke up at 4.37 am maybe a 2.5 hour night in total? I knew it was time to move, not just because I needed another skip to the loo (my darling) but being Friday, once I’d had my meds I needed to replenish the drug tray for another week. I brought a coffee back to my room about 5.15 am ready to start the mail.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                I was finished about 7.20 am and had time to go and see to Joey with water and millet. I’d been surprised no huge bunch of mail at 6.10 am or even at 7.10 am because they haven’t adjusted for Summertime but I was horrified to come back about 7.35 am and watch it piling up. Even though I know MuJo are coming today and said they’d set off early I knew I had time to work without any pressure. Having said that, I did get myself dressed first.

There were still a few left at 10.00 pm but I decided to take the risk and went to watch HUtH with Joey as I’d be out a fair bit later. They arrived at 10.50 am so I got them drinks and the little gifts I’d got them for Easter. We had a good old chinwag and I was not surprised to hear Ju’s brother had died, I was really shocked to find out it was just for 5 minutes. He was still unconscious when it happened and he had been for 2 weeks at that point and he was lying there with a tracheotomy. Three times they were called and told to get there and after the ‘death’ they were told even if he did recover ( which he wouldn’t) he would likely be brain damaged. It seems he wasn’t listening. When he woke this week after 4 weeks he mouthed the swear words he couldn’t vocalise  and claimed there was an attempt to kill him. No change there then.                            We left the house to go to town at 11.30 am and after we’d parked up John wanted to head to  a charity shop first where he bought a couple of things. They took them back to the car then joined me in the street where we headed for the chippy. It was great fun fighting for the bill again and even better when I won. After lunch it was another charity shop and then we headed for Flint. We went to my fave Homies first so I could get chocolates for Temptations then to another good shop for the kind of things you don’t know you need until you see them. Finally we headed for Temptations where both the Ceri’s were on duty. I only managed a short word or two though.

After coffee we managed another couple of shops. I think the weather has been so bad in the sticks that they were desperate to get out today with cabin fever. Finally at  4.00 pm they brought me home. John had his afternoon tabs while Mu and I had a look for some books she wanted. At 4.30 pm they left for home. It’s only an hour away but a different world away from the coastal area. I apologised to Joey that I was going to do half an hour’s work before joining him in the lounge. Sure enough at 5.00 pm I was there turning on Cold Case. I followed as always with Without a Trace then SG1 but then afraid of the work waiting I turned off before Sanctuary.                                    Because of the bin men coming so early last week I decided to take the food waste out tonight and also to empty the paper/card into it’s bag ready. As I was out of my seat I decided to check Ju’s flowers and put some new ones I bought today in the vase with last week’s survivors. I’m not sure I’ll need any tomorrow now. As I’m hoping to change my bed in the afternoon I went looking for a sheet of the right colour, I may have to buy one. I took my meds and with a final goodnight to Joey I came back through to work. No more skiving. It took till just gone 10.30 pm to finish and start the blog which at 11.25 pm is almost done.

Another branch of the family?

Happy Face.

Saturday 2nd April.

I finished the blog and a few extra pieces of mail by 11.35 am, a very quick lube job and I was in bed.  My light went out at 12.20 for a change. It was probably no more than a few minutes before I went to sleep though it seemed longer. Up again at 2.54 am, I felt cheated. Two and a half hours was not enough after only having the same the night before and then missing out on my extra snooze. I signed into the computer and started to make inroads into the mail. Taking it quite slowly I was done and dusted by 5.55 am even though odd ones still arrived, I went off to take my meds in the kitchen. When I brought my coffee back I got dressed and took the food rubbish and the recycling stuff outside. Not cold, but not a pleasant morning with the rain. Coming back I caught up again then brought my bedding through for a change later on.

At 7.30 am Joey started  shouting he wanted out so I walked through and had a chat to him after I’d opened his door. My normal daily post was coming in by now so I had to make a fresh start there. At 8.30 am I had a text from Yvonne that she wouldn’t be joining me today as she needed bulk shopping and there wouldn’t be enough room for us all AND the shopping in the car. If she thinks I’m fat why doesn’t she just say so. Sob.                                                                                                                                                                  Ugo was apparently just having breakfast with Reuben and then he’d come but she’d be sure to text me and let me know when he’d left. Ha, my son in law is an eating machine and might never leave there if he’s having a full breakfast. In fact he arrived at 9.45 am and gave me a shock as I hadn’t received the promised warning. She must have whispered. I rushed to put shoes on ( no socks), coat, gloves, grab crutches, bags and keys. I got in the car and we were travelling up the road when some little disembodies voice said blah, blah, blah, Pops. I nearly jumped out of my skin as I’d no idea Roobs was in the back seat.

We reached the Supermarket and each started our shop. We made a good start pretty much in tandem. Ugo grabbed veg while I sorted some flowers for Ju just to top up. We moved along to nappies and I hit the bedding for a sheet. From there o in we seemed to get further and further apart, It may have been he wanted more than me or perhaps just that his list was better organised so he hit shelves in a better order. I personally think it was just because he concentrated on cleaning products while my priority was chocolate. Eventually we did catch up again until he remembered bibs and had to walk back to the start. I went to the till. I was loading onto the conveyor belt and went to the trolley to put Ju’s flowers on last as I always do it. I couldn’t find them and was looking round to see if I’d knocked them off with my elbow. All of a sudden there was a burst of laughter. I looked in the direction it had come from and a member of staff that Mike and I generally tease on a Saturday morning has pinched them. They’re a saucy lot in ASDA. I went through the till and paid, astonishingly it was less than £50, I don’t know how Mike will take the news.

I stood and waited for Ugo to got through a till and we went for a drink. I ‘m not sure what happened but Roobs was in happy slappy mood then threw a wobbly where he screamed in growls so we couldn’t really understand what he was saying…..or anyone else either since he was so loud. It was a while before Ugo got him calmed down. It was pure tantrum as the tears weren’t real and the growling stayed throughout. Still burst a few eardrums though. After coffee Ugo took him to be changed but it seems the 6 month guarantee was already gone so we have to stick with him. He didn’t actually need changing so we caught up and went to the car. Withing ifve minutes there was a buzz saw coming from the back seat so maybe the tantrum was related to tiredness  though to be fair I never scream like that. I never got to nod off in the car all the way home. Out of kindness to Reuben we didn’t stop at any more shops.

I was home for about 1.30 pm and my first job was to take two pre-foodies before unpacking and putting away the shopping. Then I had something to eat, a warm sausage roll from ASDA which I thought was awful so I was glad of the baps  I was eating. Having given Joey some attention I moved to the bedroom to first make the bed and then start on the mail. I didn’t finish until 5.05 pm. Joey then got the pleasure of my company whether he liked it or not. He seemed to like it flying through the air and trailing his feet through my carefully coiffured hair. How he manages to reverse his feet so the toenails leave gouges I don’t know. I got my revenge though by having strawberries and cream without sharing. I went for  a shower at 7.00 pm and stood there wishing I had a bath, no horrible jets of cold water coming out of the side of the shower head and soaking me and the floor, no nasty shower curtain creeping up behind me and sticking icily to my back.                                                                                                                                 Once I’d finished I went back to the lounge to watch Perry Mason . It was good to see him again. I started another one at 8.00 pm and saw the usual killing, arrest of the wrong person and the stalled investigation before I nodded off. When I woke up it was still on but hang on, wasn’t it a different victim before and someone else arrested? Yep, it was 9.15 pm and I’d slept into the start of the next episode. I gave up.

It was time to turn everything off and shut Joey’s cage. I went to take my meds then shouting goodnight to Joey, I came through to check out the post. There was plenty of it and I didn’t clear it until 10.52 pm. Time to get a move on with the blog. We know it won’t be a midnight bed but maybe I’ll get a lie in tomorrow.

The hand is quicker than the eye.

Got a crush on you. Reuben and ‘Auntie’ Jo.

Have a wonderful New Week with Hugs Galore.

 

How the Mighty Are Fallen & We Have Lift Off

Sunday 20th March.

It was about 12.15 am before I got into bed and I think I was past the point of tiredness just then. I read 2 chapters of the current book and turned the light out at 1.10 am. It was a short while before sleep came thanks to the legs.
I woke at 2.36 am and using the landing lights, took a stroll to the loo. On my return I sat on the edge of the bed with a cigarette, it was pretty good company until it’s light went out. I shuffled back into bed and waited for sleep again. I woke the second time at 4.54 am and knew that was it for now. I didn’t mind too much as there was always mail waiting. I didn’t know how much. Apart from a minor hiatus at 6.00 am when I had breakfast I sat at the computer until 10.38 am. I think Joey hates me now. I can’t remember another Sunday with this much mail coming in.

I stayed in the lounge until after lunch time- which was a microwave Roast Beef Dinner- then returned to the computer. First in Mike’s room where I had another go at raising anyone via the skype. Nada. Then on my bedroom one and I went to Facebook where John came through on what he said was Messenger, which I don’t know. I could see him but not vice versa as my camera is on the other computer. We didn’t manage many words before it started cutting out and breaking up. I don’t know if that’s the fault of my headphones or of Messenger itself which I’m not signed up for. So, I still haven’t managed to get any news. I carried on answering mail,reading blog posts and retweeting. I gave up the ghost on messaging and at 5.00 pm when the mail box was empty I retired to the lounge.

I had a generous bowl of trifle for my tea, it does have fruit in after all. I sat watching a film until 7.00 pm then watched the last episode of Beowulf. It came to a very bloody end as expected but the goodies won (I think). I wasn’t ready to come back through at that point so watched an NCIS episode. I stood up from my chair after turning the TV off and tripped over my own feet or to be more accurate (It wasn’t me) over the cord from my slipper. I was going forward and was about to wear the TV round my neck. I even had time to be glad it was off. I had one chance and that was to twist sideways and sort of fold. I made it though as I landed I understand there were reports of an earthquake. I had the breath knocked from my body. I was quite worried Joey would be scared, not a bit of it. He came to the edge of his cage, hopped onto the door where the seed tray is and started eating. Just to add insult to injury the husk from the seed was going on my face and in my hair. As I slowly came to my knees and then stood he moved back into the cage until he was in his corner. I said Goodnight and shut the door. Feeling very sorry for myself I limped back to my bedroom sans slipper.

After tying the lace again in my slipper and putting it back on I had a couple of painkillers and started on the mail again. It was slow going. At 9.15 pm I went through to the kitchen for my spray and evening meds. By 9.53 pm I’d cleared all the mail that was there and started today’s blog which is much shorter than usual since Mike isn’t here to insult. I’ve been through to turn off the other computer but only after checking Skype. I can’t understand why John hasn’t received the two requests from me. I’ve also looked at this Messenger and can’t see how to do anything so maybe I need to get a new headset and try again though it works for me when I’m doing Youtube. Anyway, I shall be done by 11.15 pm tonight and soon with my book.

Trip out

Startled !

Monday 21st March.

It was closer to 11.30 am when I got to my bed in the end. I was a greased monkey except for my hands so that I didn’t stain my book. I read until 12.45 am then settled down to sleep. I didn’t move between going to sleep until  3.42 am this morning when I woke. I reckoned I’d done well and had I not needed the loo I’m sure I would have slept longer. However the journey woke me as I was still wincing from my fall, or as some youngster might have said, from enjoying my trip. By 3.50 am I was sitting at my desk signing in to my gmail box ready for an early start. At 5.20 am I took a break for my meds and some breakfast so I’d be back before the flood started. When I returned there was an email waiting from my friend and superb author SJ Sprague offering me some great advice which has given me plenty to mull over.

A Presence in Russell County. The Organisation Book 1.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Presence-Russell-County-Organization-Book-ebook/dp/B009QFC5GW/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1458537931&sr=8-1&keywords=SJ+Sprague This is the first book in a series with book 2 ( Mulberry ) already out and book 3 being written. A fantastic read. You’ll never look at small town policing the same way again.

I was back before the flood, remarkably sound considering I’d just tried to juggle with the bread knife and only just avoided amputating my right leg. I knew I should have completed the Online Ninja Training Course, I could have snatched that knife out of the air without squealing. It was lucky I’d already cut the bap for my toast in case it got covered with blood. Once I’d eaten and filled all the gouges in the floor with plastic wood I made myself a coffee to take back with me. I sat working again from 6.00 am as a trickle became a flood. At 9.20 am I had a text from Jade about working today which was fine, but I couldn’t have her 3-5.00 pm as suggested so we settled on 11.00 am to midday then 3 – 4.00 pm.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       At 9.40 am I went out to Pauline’s to ensure I had enough money to pay Jade. When I returned I worked a little longer then stopped to watch HUtH with Joey who was again determined to be a barber and part my hair for me. I’m sure he must have been a Hedgehopper in WW1. As the programme ended i returned to work yet again. Despite having worked from 3.50 am I still have 54 to go.

The doorbell went about 11.10 am and there was Jade straight from her work as a carer and in between appointments. I asked her to get stuck into the lounge because of today’s visitor. She did a good job though after she’d gone I noted she’d used my new squeegee mop but not emptied the bucket of dirty water or replaced the top of the bucket or the ordinary mop. Hardly a great problem. I did those and moved on to lunch. After taking my tablets I rammed a beef hot-pot in the micro and turned the TV on for Bargain Hunt. I can shout at the screen and give them the benefit of my nil expertise and more upset stomach than gut feeling. At 1.00 pm I turned the TV off which shut Joey up straight away as he wondered what was going on. I came back through and tried to get the upper hand on the mail. By 1.45 pm I was fading fast and needed my power nap. I went back through to the lounge, sat in my chair. I zonked until 2.26 pm.

Coonscience ( yes I have got one somewhere, or I did earlier on) got the better of me so I returned to work again. I’m not sure which of the small gods I’ve upset but I reckon he’s recycling other people’s mail through my address. Somewhere are a lot of people with smug grins on their faces because they finished early again today. Mine seems never ending. It was 3.20 pm when I was disturbed from my reverie by the doorbell. It was Jade back for her 3.00 pm shift? She attacked the bathroom with such gusto I began to think it as dirty though I knew it couldn’t be. She also hoovered in the hall. It was 3.50 pm when the doorbell went again and woke disturbed me. It was my expected visitor from the Office of National Statistics. I directed him through to the lounge while I finished an email and Jade finished what she was doing, which it’s just as well wasn’t me given the circumstances. Sigh. I logged off, paid Jade and she left……..left me to clear the mucky cloth and sponge from a bowl of dirty water in the sink.        I moved to sit in the lounge.

It’s quite strange and a little unreal to spend an hour or so answering questions about your finances for the Government. The thought has to flash through your mind that maybe they’re asking this to find ways of taking some back. All kinds of questions came like whether I own property, do I have savings, how much, do I have ISA’s and again how much. What is my income and how often paid, state pension, private pension(s), disability living allowances, housing benefits and the same from Council tax and how many bank accounts. Certainly there were times my mouth didn’t really want to answer but I’d agreed. Can I manage on my income, do I have credit and /or storecards. Very thorough I must admit. The purpose supposedly to see whether people are managing their money well and whether they can manage on their current incomes. It was 5.10 pm when he left. A very pleasant man but I was relieved. There was no point going back to work now so I turned into Cold Case followed by my usual programmes except I fell asleep again in SG1 and missed most of it. The smiles at the end of the show don’t really tell you about the crises that went before.

At 9.00 pm I turned off the TV and shut Joey’s cage. I took my meds and came through. The mail was up again and took me until 11.15 to finish so it looks like this is going to be a late night.

Art class

Artwork

Tuesday 22nd March

The age of miracles is not past. It was almost 12.30 am before I got to bed and took up my book. I got a little carried away and read until the end of a third chapter ( that’s upset the OCD a bit) so lights out was around 1.50 am. But, I didn’t wake his morning until 6.33 am. Taking my meds was the first priority and I felt it a little late for breakfast so I’ll have to remember to take some meds at tea time……and actually have a tea time. The only other drawback to getting up at this time is that I didn’t have chance to deal with last night’s mail before today’s started to come in. So, when I went back through with a coffee and signed on, I was faced with 86 already.                              Head down and into it I went, answer one, receive two seemed t be the formula until I shouted at the screen, “That’s a bloody nuff,” and it worked.

By 9.30 am I decided I needed a break, so with just 28 left to go I got dressed. With Joey squawking “Don’t forget me” I went to Pauline’s where I got Joey a copy of next week’s TV programmes while I got my bread and some cigarettes. The talk in there was of bombings in Brussels. On my return I turned the TV on and told Joey his HUtH wasn’t on today. The news was bad with 13 dead and 30+ serious injuries. It seems to be i response to the capture of someone involved in the Paris bombings just a few days ago. It seems they can react very quickly. There was mention of a possible suicide bomber and of shots fired and Arabic shouting at the airport. The second bomb was at the Metro. If the intent was to shut the City down it worked, if it was to scare the West it didn’t. I’m not about to say the West haven’t provoked these kinds of reactions with our interference in other countries for the sake of oil supplies but what the world needs to understand now is that no-one wants a world ruled by these fanatics and governed in such a way that women are disregarded as individuals and not worthy of education, not allowed to drive a car and unable to dress in fashionable clothes. A totally patriarchal society. Most of the Arab world don’t want it either so they must help the West crush ISIS  at every opportunity. It’s no use Saudi Arabia funding them and hoping to be left alone to rule as it won’t happen. If they get strong enough the ruling houses will topple under a headman’s axe and Sharia law will prevail.

I detest war and killing. I’m not proud of some things my country has done as in their creativity as an excuse to invade Iraq. But this is different as it’s not about oil for a change. ISIS are fanatics bent on changing the world to bend to it’s will. It’s evil and needs no excuse for it’s cruelty, though with so many beheadings recently Saudi Arabia also has a claim to that. There’s no democracy where you can’t criticise your Government without fear of imprisonment or death, where the Government will  brook no opposition to it’s rule. I don’t object if that’s the way a country wants to be but there are no countries who don’t have opposition to that kind of rule.                                                So for the first and hopefully the last time ever, I’m asking ALL Governments and ALL peoples who want some kind of democracy and those who believe that women have an equal right to the things men take for granted, to join together and stop ISIS in their tracks. Help the Kurds who are fighting them and ask Russia to stop bombing those who oppose President Assad in Syria. If he has committed atrocities against his own people because they oppose him then he has lost his right to rule.                                            Make the world a safer place, bring about peace and then stay within your own shores to protect your borders instead of invading someone else’s.

I’m a parent and a grandparent. I have seen death take so many of our children and ravage so many generations. We need leaders who are going to protect those who could grow to be the new Einstein or Rupert Brooke ,who may solve the energy crisis, find a way to repair Gaia or feed the World so that we can leave a legacy for generations to come. I don’t want my children or grandchildren to face the uncertainties of war or the death of their planet. Let’s learn to live as one and grow as we were meant to.

I worked until 11.50 am and then realised that lunchtome loomed, sorry, lunchtime, the other is a book you read while you eat. I went for speed so had a beef joint that can be done in the micro with some micro chips and mixed veg. The vinegar from the chips goes so well with the gravy. I watched a few minutes more of the news and obviously the death toll has gone up. The wilful disregard for life is sickening and these people don’t care at all whether it’s someone of their own religion who dies. However, I watched Bargain Hunt right through to the end before I allowed myself to Zzzzzz but I enjoyed about 45 minutes afterwards. Then as always I returned to the battle in the demented hope nothing more had come through. I was to be disappointed but it was my own fault as I’d posted the piece starting from 9.30 am today to my Buthidar’s site and it was bound to draw a reaction. I worked until the folder was empty again about 3.15 pm then went to look at Homes in The Country. I was destined to be jealous again but three quarters of a million isn’t in any of my piggy banks. I enjoyed the viewings though and what my imagination could do. I’m especially fond of the mystery house at the end.

At 3.45 pm I decided to try Messenger that John had mentioned to me. It took me straight there as though I’m already registered so it has to be through Facebook. Then as it happened while I was checking a few messages I had on Facebook, John rang me. He turned his camera on so I’d have the privilege of seeing ‘my leader’ and for a moment I was grateful my camera is attached to the other computer still or he’d have seem my face too. The disappointment in my smile. He says they’re back to visiting again next week. It’s been about 5 or 6 weeks now since I’ve seen them and it’s quite worrying. He sounds OK so I guess they’ve just been busy. If they were a bus ride away I’d try to get to them but they’re buried in the country.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               At 4.45 pm I excused myself and went to get some tea which I had while my Cold Case was on. Then Without a Trace which I find myself less fond of every day. This was of course followed by SG1 and Sanctuary which was almost a comedy show tonight. 9.00 pm and it was time to lock Joey in and wish him goodnight, not all jailers do that you know. I took my meds and came through to start work again. It had mounted up quite a lot but I had some time teasing Yvonne because she thought it was Wednesday today so that helped take the edge off things for me. I worked till 11.05 pm on the mail then started the blog. I will be in bed before midnight, a matter of seconds only perhaps but before midnight.

Pals at Play

Father and son portrait

Wednesday 23rd March.

I made the midnight deadline but I’m not saying how close the call was. I did the cream on one leg then rubbed them together to save time. I had to stop  when the sparks and smoke came though. I’m not sure I’m covered for arson around. I sneaked in three chapters and decided I had to have a fourth to satisfy the OCD need for balance. I lit a cigarette in readiness and started and for the first time ever turned the page to find the chapter ended halfway down the second page. What should have given at least half an hour’s pleasure lasted a minute or less. I couldn’t help but laugh. It served me right.The light went out at 1.06 am. It went back on at the end of my night which was 4.32 am which proves I spoke too soon (tongue in cheek) yesterday about the age of miracles. Hey ho, at least I had an undisturbed night.(No sarcasm intended O’great and mighty Somnos).

I did my mail until 5.55 am when I cleared the mailbox. I knew it would fill again while I was away having breakfast but I couldn’t feel guilty at not having done it as it hadn’t yet arrived. I had thick toast from an unsliced loaf I’d got from Pauline’s yesterday. I ate it fresh instead of letting it go cold for a change. Once finished it was 6.33 am before I took a coffee back to my desk. What is it they say, “I’m never wrong but I’m right again.” There was so much mail I couldn’t even see the postie behind the sacks. How can we all have so much to say? To be honest I was so engrossed in great poems and fine art that I lost track of the time. It was 9.20 am before I looked up and decided I should get dressed. Once I was decent again I took a walk over the road to the One Stop shop, I rarely use this as Pauline’s is handy and has most things I need. I think it must have been Jade who told me that the One Stop had flowers and it really looked as though I should have got some on Saturday. Anyway I went and they didn’t have any flowers left. They did however have a pot plant so I bought that. Now my record with pot plants is not good. Jade pointed out to me on Monday that I’m cultivating a stick on the kitchen windowsill. Once home I put the plant in a more attractive container and watered it. I have to try and make sure it lives until I get flowers on Saturday.

I watched TV at 10.00 am with Joey who’s doing a lot of chunnering under his breath this morning with the occasional exclamation mark thrown in as though he’s berating someone. For once it doesn’t seem to be me. But, as I turned the TV off at 11.00 am he went quiet with it. I carried on with mail until 11.45 am then went to see to my lunch. It wasn’t bad but I really wasn’t in the mood for it. I watched Bargain Hunt  then noticed two ladies walk past the front window, You can tell when they have a sense of determination and are coming to your door. They were. I opened it and there was Jade asking whether I got a text. I had to admit I didn’t have my phone in the lounge with me ( I usually do). Anyway she’d brought someone to meet me who either works with her or for her and who might cover for Jade sometimes if I don’t mind. I’m happy if someone cleans no matter who. They left in time for me to catch the auction part of the programme. Both teams made a loss.

I returned to the computer to leave some ebay feedback and to catch up on mail again. At 3.15 pm I was done and took a break until 3.45 pm. I’d come back and answered 2 emails when I heard the door open quietly. It was Dil who’d been on an outside job so I broke off and made him a cuppa cha. We had a good natter and watched our usual shows until 6.00 pm when war broke out. As always it was Yahtzee first and I was devastated to lose 4-2 on the first game. I couldn’t throw a Yahtzee to save my life while I had to check the soles of his shoes he threw that many. The second game eventually went 4-2 in my favour and I had to check the soles of my slippers too.                                    The Trivia started well and I got 3 pieces of pie in short order and was on my 4th before Dil won one. He soon bucked up and as I got my 6th he was just one behind. I managed t get to the middle 3 times and was thwarted by his choice of question twice, answering correctly on the last one. That game was mine. The cribbage also ended up one game all so the honours were fairly evenly spread except of course I WON.

Dil left at 9.30 pm and after I’d escorted him off the premises and locked up I had a quick tidy up in the lounge, renewed Joey’s millet and then made myself a sarnie. I’d just washed up and taken my drugs when I was left in the dark. It seemed only the kitchen and lounge were out so I had to grab the ladders and go outside to check the fuse box. I found just the one had tripped so flipped it back again and came in to check. The kitchen was back on but it looked as though the bulb had blown in the lounge. I decided that could wait until daylight. I came through to have a go at the mail which kept me going until 11.10 pm.  I’ve fought hard with the blog and don’t feel inclined to let it beat me so I predict bed at midnight.

King of the Castle

A proper girly-girl

This must have taken some organising………

Thursday 24th March.

My prediction was off by 5 minutes but on the plus side. I read for an hour then put the candle out in my Wee Willie Winkie holder ( in case the lights go again ) so by just gone 1.00 pm I’d settled down to just listening to every noise and wondering if the burglars were back. I slept until 5.32 am which is really good going. No broken toes from middle of the night wanderings so it was a win win night. I made a start on the mail but had to stop at 6.00 am to get my meds and my cup of coffee. When I returned the floodgates had opened.I turned everything off, went to Mike’s room and disconnected the new computer bringing the base back with me. Virtually lying on the floor with a torch I disconnected my original base part by part and putting them on the new base as I did so until the old one was free.I turned the new one on and We Have Lift Off.  I worked again until 9.15 am then made the effort to get dressed, no point in going out in my dressing gown as it was persisting down out there and I’d catch a chill coming back. I had to go to Pauline’s for the lottery before I forgot and I was due out tomorrow. I came back and took up the work  again until 10.10 am when done and I could treat Joey to an edition of my his HUtH.

Once our programme was over I did come back to work. I caught up on the mail and then checked on the times of the buses for tomorrow. My normal bus is the T1 which is on Sunday service tomorrow. Clever as it doesn’t run on a Sunday. The other option is the No 11 which goes a different way and takes longer. It’s also on a Sunday service which means 2 hourly so I’d have to stay in Chester an extra hour before getting home for my lunch. I sent a text to Yvonne to apologise. She came back with the idea of coming shopping with me on Saturday which would be great ( especially as she’s found a new shop she wants to go to) and then I’ll see her Sunday too.                                               At 11.45 am I went off to peel my sweet potatoes ready for lunch. That done I put my sausages under the grill for the first quarter browning then put the potatoes in the microwave as the sausages got their first turn. I had peas and carrots with it and some thick chip shop style gravy. Luscious.

After Bargain Hunt was over I settles for a power nap but a knock on the front door disturbed that after just ten minutes. By the time I realised what it was and opened the door whoever it was had gone. So, I came back to work and as it happens you’d all been busy while I was away. I also spent a little time with photographs ready to be used on the blog and then at 3.00 pm I broke off for Escape to the Country. Today it was a couple wanting to buy their first house together in Sussex. One was a lovely property from 14th C, absolutely beautiful. Globules of green jealousy were dropping off me and ruining the leather of my couch. I’m not sure how as I was sitting in a chair. I returned to work at 3.45 am and found a message from Yvonne that says it’s OK to miss tomorrow as she’ll come shopping with me on Saturday. That’s good news as she’s less restrained even than I am. I’ll get away with anything.

At 4.55 pm no matter what I abandoned my post (literally) and went through for some tea and my evening’s viewing starting of course with Cold Case. I was still awake for Without a Trace, I risked one eye for SG1 (it was a silly storyline) and then enjoyed Sanctuary with both eyes again. I don’t know whether Joey enjoyed them but he was in and out of his cage a lot while they were one. Problem was when he came out to his usual perch on the mirror ( the bottom of which is now missing all it’s gold leaf) his fiendish foe always seemed to be waiting for him. I was therefore treated so a session of headbut morse code against the glass. I don’t know why he either just doesn’t ignore him or at least takes the high road and befriend him. Probably too mean to share his seed. He’s not touching the honey seed stick despite there being no fruit in it. I think he just likes the shape of the bell version.

At 9.00 pm I turned off, then turned the TV off too and locked Joey’s cage. I had my meds and came through to tackle the mail which took until 10.35 pm. I’m doing wellwith the blog and expect to be in bed by 11.30 pm unless more mail has arrived by then.

Protective Big Brother.

You going ? Me sad.

Friday 25th March.

It was nearer 11.45 pm last night as more mail came in while I did the blog. No problemo. It was close to 1.00 am when I finished reading and put the light out and I don’t think sleep was long in coming. Unfortunately neither was waking which happened at 3.44 am. I say unfortunately because I was dreaming and it was an inopportune moment to wake. No-one can say Somnos doesn’t have a sense of humour ( I can…..and do) because he woke me as I was about to make love to a beautiful woman. Maybe he did me a favour to save me from causing disappointment or just from  trying to remember what to do. These days I’d probably have to feel my way round a woman by braille over the various lumps and bumps to remember what they are. It might have been Ju as I never quite got to see but I’m sure that after 5 years she wouldn’t have objected. She was taken from us 3 years next week and I’m dreading the day.

After a visit to Pee Paradise I came back ad worked on my mail till 5.40 am when I broke off to take my meds and have breakfast. Since it’s Friday and that means there’s not much Good about it, I also had to refill my pots with next week’s drugs, and prepare a prescription request of the drugs I’m low on. That can’t go in till Tuesday next week so It’s as well I won’t be going to Chester then. So, back to the mail then, lots of it having passed deluge time. I got dressed at 8.30 am and went out at 9.30 am. Pauline had my baps in but not my brand of cigarettes so I’ve changed brand for the day. They’re getting cheekier, there are just 17 in the packet now. Going home I did a little more mail before Joey insisted I spend some time with him so I turned HUtH on  and hoped he was in the mood. (No, not THAT mood you mucky devils).                                                              Once again when it was over I returned to work on the mail. I kept going until 11.45 am. It was time then for lunch.

I had bought a bag of Welsh potatoes to be used as baked spuds. There was a great instruction on the packet about how long to put them in the oven for but no similar destructions for the microwave so this would be a trial and error lunch. I chose two potatoes though I had no idea if I’d finish them, it just didn’t look a lot. In they went 7 minutes. Bing Out they cam to be tested, still a bit hard in places. I thought another two minutes should do the job so back in they went. I opened a tin of beans to have with them once ready. Bing Another test and they seem much better. In go the beans for 2 minutes while I do a deeper cruciform cut on the top to open them a bit and drop in a load of butter. Bing. The beans are ready and get poured over the top. I add a small strawberry yoghurt to the tray and go into the lounge. I turn the TV on and start to eat. Mmmm, not bad at all. OK, baked potatoes can go back on the menu but from now on just the one I think. The yoghurt was good. I washed my pots while the contestants in Bargain Hunt were still walking round the shop and was back in my seat well before the auction. Both teams made a loss again.

At 1.00 pm I returned to work but I’d promised as today was a bank holiday to work less so this little energetic burst only lasted until 2.00 pm. I went back to the lounge at 2.00 pm ans started watching one of the Dr. Blake Mysteries. A nurse is found dead on the floor and a patient sitting by her with the knife says he can’t remember. OK, it becomes obvious he’s had ECT treatment to wipe the memory and we know he doesn’t touch knives. Blakey is on the trail of who really dunnit when dammit I fell asleep. Somnos mocks me by letting me wake up just after the programme has finished. The next one is a new quiz so I stayed for that too.At 3.00 pm I had to return to my screen though as I don’t want to leave a mess behind me when I go through for the evening. I caught up and kept on top until 4.45 pm when I decided to have some tea. Then I watched Cold Case and Without a trace till 7.00 pm before I went for a shower. I do wish I had a bathtub instead. When I was a clean boy ( sorry, there’s nothing I can do with my mind) I went to watch SG1 and hadn’t missed too much. I’m not going to say I fully followed the plot but maybe I’m just going Mutt n’ Jeff. Sanctuary was last and If I don’t stop doing this silly Quasimodo impression and using a heavy lisp I’m really going to kick myself in the Esmereldas. Once it was over I locked Joey in and went to take my meds, then said goodnight to Joey as I headed for my room.

Lots of post to catch up on but not to bad I was done by 10.40 pm. When I’ve finished the blog it will be another pre-midnight bedtime, though I do need to do the legs tonight.

Excited face.going to watch Beauty and the Beast.

Tired baby. Not too excited.

Saturday 26th March.

Bed at 11.50 pm and read until 1.00 pm, slept pretty much straight away asking myself how it’s possible after my power naps during the day. I was awake at 2.18 am  knowing I’d want to sleep again later, just not sure when.  I hoped it would be soon. By 3.25 am I’d dealt with all the mail and decided to  try lying on the bed for a while. That stretched to 5.00 am. There weren’t many emails in when I woke again and I was able to enjoy Episode 1 of my friend Teagan’s new weekly serial with as usual, 3 things donated by the readers that she has to include. http://teagansbooks.com/2016/03/26/guitar-mancer-episode-1-luci/  . It’s always great fun if you want to join in and maybe even donate the three items one week.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 I had breakfast at 5.30 am then returned with a cup of coffee to work. I was in time for the start of the deluge which always starts with a minor trickle then throws the worst at you while you’re answering someone so you don’t notice.

I continued to work even when I heard the strangest sound outside. I thought it was Bert taking my bin down as it was 7.35 am and I’ve normally done it by now. I went and checked out of the window so I could say thank you but was shocked to see it was actually the bin men themselves. They were half a day earlier than usual and they’d come and collected my bin off the step for emptying it instead of ignoring it as they had last time. They even delivered the empty bin back to the step. The only trouble was they had the food bin collection too and I hadn’t emptied mine. Luckily there wasn’t very much and it will do next week. As they were disappearing in the distance I took out the paper, plastic and tin bags ready for the recycling collection whenever that might be.                                                                                                                                                                                      I ploughed on with the mail to get as much out of the way as I could before I’m picked up. I had an email at 8.30 am to say Yvonne, Ugo and Amelie were ready and willing but Reuben was still snoring. Considering the nights recently he hasn’t slept but kept them awake it’s just as well he’s sleeping now, just not very convenient. I said to bring his asleep and he can breakfast out but was joking.

At just gone 9.30 am I had a text to say they were on their way. I had all my begs handy ready to go and a full jar of copper to go into the machine if I could carry it that far. The post man arrived with letters about my council tax, yet another change in the amount I’ll pay next year (from April) and naturally it’s more. Still it has to be paid so the direct debit is in place. I’m getting closer to that date and I still don’t know what direct debits have been (or will be) set up for me to pay on the rent for the house or the garage. It’s very difficult to work out my monthly costs without that information. He also brought me some more jewellery for my stocks. I worked on my messages up to 9.55 am then put my coat on, braced my back and went outside to wait. I’d only been there a couple of minutes when they arrived.                                                                                        Off we went to ASDA.When we arrived Ugo dropped us at the door so he could go off for petrol. First he helped Yvonne get baby in a papoose pouch and Reuben into the trolley. I went to play the cash machine and try for the jackpot.

Inside, I had Yvonne pour the change into the machine and wait for a ticket. I went to get my sweet potatoes. The ticket came to just over £26 so of course we had the usual row when I told her to keep it and use it against today’s purchases. You might not believe this but I won. We were both picking things up as we were going round and we hadn’t even reached the food yet. I got flowers for Ju. I also picked up a couple of fun costume type things for Reuben and Yvonne got bibs for Amelie. I managed to pick up a couple of small gifts I wanted for tomorrow.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      As always happens, eventually we hit the food. Then it was a case of seeing who could fill my trolley faster. I went for bulk and at least got more space. Ugo came and took Roobs away to visit the loo while Yvonne and I headed for the tills. I must really be on form today. I let her stuff go through first. Ad the register showed the amount owed Yvonne handed over the voucher from the machine and while she or Ugo who had rejoined us went to pull cards out to pay the extra £12 I just handed over £20 to the cashier with a smile. Yvonne tried to stop us but I said “Too late, it’s been put on the till now.” Hola, another win! Mine went through and I laid it in the bags I’d set out in the trolley, such organisation. We went for a drink but certain surly people wouldn’t let me pay.

From there we went to look at The Range, a new store that had only opened yesterday. 16 different departments and 65,000 different products. It was great. Really nice stuff but I’d need much longer to look round properly and to stop for a drink while I thought. A weekday would be best when hopefully a lot quieter. There were too many people for me today. Time was really running away from us today and so we came home. It was about 2.15 pm when I got here. I made sure they took the chocolate and biscuits from last week with them then waved them off. I spent an age putting the shopping away and put Ju’s flowers in a vase out of the way till later. I made myself a late lunch and sat with a very excitable Joey while I ate it. Once done, I apologised to him and came through to start work. It wasn’t as bad as feared since I’d done so well with the morning’s post before going out. It still took until 5.30 pm though to get clear. It’s not worth say I watched TV during the evening as I seem to have been more asleep than awake and very sluggish and sneezy ( no missus, not the dwarf).

At 9.10 pm I shut Joey in and went through to take my meds.  Ju’s flowers were looking a bit worse for wear and I thought maybe I should have put water in those vases really.I did so and decided to let them soak a bit. I’d do the flowers properly in the morning. I came through and started work. The mail I got through by 10.40 pm and I started the blog though I tried to keep up with any more mail coming through. I know I don’t usually publish this until midnight but I shall be a little early tonight as I want my bed. Perhaps 11.50 tops.

Wishing you all a Great Easter Sunday, a wonderful Bank Holiday Monday and a Fabulous new week ahead full of dreams come true. xxx Hugs Galore xxx

The ‘Butter wouldn’t melt’ look

And the crockledile took two of Pop’s fingers Ami.

 

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.