Voice from My Boots & Welcome to Rapid Wrap.

Sunday 6th Dec.
I managed to finish last night, get to bed for a read and have my light out for 1.00 am. I was tired. This morning I was up at 4.03 am and yes it was another day where I had to repeat the system restore. I wish there was a way to stop it happening, it just wasted so much time. I went to my gmail and was surprised to find so much new mail so early but of course the blog had gone out so there were comments to read.Wonderful, thank you.  I worked till 5.45 am then went to the kitchen for breakfast and meds. I was going to add tap dancing lessons but kept falling in the sink. When I returned with my coffee all was wonderful, I looked and there were just four pieces of new mail. I started doing one of them. As I finished and clicked delete all hell broke loose. The three grew to 52, 71, 87, 97, 104 then I stopped breathing, decided I was really tired and fazed out for ten minutes.

When I came back it wasn’t a dream. They were there. Drat. I had to make a start. By 8.30 am I was flagging badly and at 8.40 am knew I either lay down or fell down. I chose the former and was out like a light. I heard a sound and woke. My clock said 9.20 am and I realised Mike was up. How or why I don’t know but my fingers were crossed it didn’t involve washing sheets. I didn’t go straight through as masochistic as I am I wanted to see where I stood now. Look at it this way I should get a lot taller. Mike came through to say he’d seen me sleeping ( and heard me snoring but that’s just hearsay) and was going to leave me. I wondered why he’d had to practice the drums that woke me then. I dried my tears and went back in with him in case he couldn’t find the kitchen to make his own drink.                                                                                                        I let Joey out of his cage and saw to fresh seed and water then Mike and I just sat and talked about what I wanted from life. He ruled out a set of traffic lights in the hallway. There were some problems deciding who wanted to do what today. He knew if we stayed in I’d be on the computer so that was a no-no but he wasn’t prepared to come up with suggestions.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             I reminded him that he wanted to get some Maple Syrup for his son ( a reasonable exchange I suppose)( Sorry Anton, you know I love you really) but we both knew there was a problem finding it last time so I suggested we start at Tesco’s ( because it’s very close) and he said “Great, let’s go to the one at Broughton Park.”                                            By the time we’d got dressed and I’d laughed my socks off at Mike trying to get into the jeans we’d bought yesterday, a size bigger that he’s worn for 12 months., it was getting towards 11.30 am. We set off and were in Broughton around midday.

When we’d (well him really as I don’t drive remember) parked up at Broughton we went into Tesco’s and did manage to find some Maple Syrup. I picked up a couple of other things from the food aisles but nothing important. We took a look upstairs at the sale goods in the men’s section but nothing stood out. Finally at getting on towards 1.00 pm we left ( sorry, we PAID and left, I don’t want a knock on the door from the police) and walked over towards the restaurants. Mr difficult as usual didn’t make it easy and most of them were closed before he’d decided where he wanted to eat. In the end the choice came down to one that we found really was closed, a pizza place or Frankie and Benny’s. The latter was the one we chose.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             Being seated wasn’t a problem and neither was ordering drinks. When the drinks arrived we were ready to order and it was at that point they chose to warn us the wait was 15 to 20 minutes. I needed to know for my tablet so I ordered and said I’d wait ten minuted and then take the pre-foodie. It turned out the wait was 35 minutes and I’d already had my tabs 25 minutes before the food came. I took the blame as they’d been looking for my gammon steak. Mike thought they’d been looking for the pig. Mike got another coffee.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        The meal was nice. Freshly cooked and warm and quite tasty but with a bill at the end of coppers short of £40 I didn’t see a meal that was worth that. My full Sunday roast in Prestatyn is only a little over £20 for the two of us including drinks and cheaper than that at less than £20 at the Bells of St.Mary’s.  Still, we were out somewhere different and afterwards seeing some different shops.

It was 3.40 pm before we left for home and the rollocking we knew we’d get from Joey for leaving him alone for so long, and in the dark. Oh sorry, did I say we’d get? Only someone didn’t put himself in the line of fire for that and instead grabbed his bags ready to drive home. I left the lounge light on for Joey and did speak to him a little but departed for the disaster zone as soon as possible. I could hear Joey through the door…… 6 inches of solid oak with a vacuum seal. I worked from 4.15 pm to 6.00 pm then went to have some tea and a serious talk with Joey. Sit down before I tell you……..I had an apple. I rewatched Bruce Almighty because I like Morgan Freeman then at 8.00 pm came back through. I had to keep going until  the backlog was all gone. 9.46 pm. Then I started the blog a little early and voila, it’s 10.55 pm and I can clear whatever else has come in and get an early nigh ready to be MuJo’d tomorrow.

Mischief planning

Monday 7th Dec.

The day started with a disaster of the ‘I’m pulling my hair out’ proportions. I got up at 3.37 am and after my visit to the Pee Palazzo I came back to power up and log in.         ( Sounds like something a superhero says.)  I got the usual ‘not responsing’ message do you want to ‘wait or kill’ I had a pretty good idea of my preference at that point. I did a system restore as I’ve had to all this week but it didn’t work. Knowing it had worked up to midnight yesterday I tried another restore using that as the time but no joy at all. I tried waiting, that didn’t work, I tried killing and it wasn’ t interested. I don’t know how many times I tried. At 5.15 am I went through to the kitchen and took my meds and had breakfast. For a certain Aussie who isn’t keen on my diet, I had a banana. How’s that for progress. I brought a coffee back with me to keep trying.

It was just before 8.05 am I checked back to when the problem first started and found it was after a Microsoft update on 3rd Dec. In desperation I did a system restore back to 2nd Dec and tried that. It worked. I started rethreading my hair. My fingers are crossed it will work tomorrow morning now. I only had until 9.00 am to scratch the surface of the mail as I needed to go to the chemist with a repeat prescription request and the Post Office with a card for Germany. When I got back I had to sooth the ruffled feathers of a budgie who sought release and didn’t have it. I let him free, spoke to him a bit and came back to work. The Postman came at 10.00 am with the remote plugs I’d ordered . Then I had to text Bev to let her know I wouldn’t be in if she called. She replied to say she’d just called and it was OK. I hadn’t heard her at the door and was in the kitchen doing Ju’s flowers we’d forgotten yesterday. I apologised.                                                                                                                                                                                                    I hadn’t finished the flowers when MuJo arrived so they had to hang on a few minutes for drinks. We chatted as I worked. As usual  being Brits it was about the weather but flippin ‘eck, there’s been something to talk about recently. I finished up and saw to drinks and passed Mu a couple of little gifts I’d picked up.

At 11.30 am we went out and headed for town. Mu wanted the main Post Office and John the charity shops before we all went for lunch. After we’d eaten Mu bought something in Iceland and we dropped it off to go in my freezer as we were heading for Flint. They’re getting some of their Christmas meat early to be sure it doesn’t disappear. Then we headed for a Supermarket in Flint where I bought chocs for Temptations and then we went to Tempies itself. John had an orange juice and a cake to save for later. I ordered Mu a chocolate Indulgence that had whipped cream and marshmallows toppling from a great height, she also had a cake today. I got my latte. Afterwards we did a few shops then came home.

They left for home about 4.00 pm so I was able to get to work. I did as much as I could before 6.00 pm then had my Eggheads. I came back to work at 6.30 pm until 8.00 pm then skived for two hours. The first hour was a programme on the Cathars in whom I’m very interested. The second was a DIY SOS where I even had to pass Joey a tissue. Then night night Joey as I came back through to do the blog. I still haven’t managed to do half the mail. I’m taking Yvonne’s birthday prezzies tomorrow so it’ll be no better then.

I’m going to show a photograph now but it’s for the attention of my friend Merril so please no-one else look at it as it’s a secret.

The Afro days.

OK, now it’s the photo for you lot.

A mighty roar.

Tuesday 8th Dec.

Yesterday had a disastrous start while today’s was just strange. I woke at 2.55 am sitting in my office chair with the computer already on just waiting for me to sign in. It wasn’t as though I’d sat down on my way back from a loo trip either since I found that was the first thing I needed. The second thing I needed was a brass band. I wanted to celebrate actually getting on the web today. My fix of yesterday had worked. I’m for hire Microsoft .                                                                                                                                               By 4.42 I was clear and hopefully could keep on top of anything coming in except the 6.10 am deluge. I had to be out of the house by 7.30 am to catch my bus.I went through and took my meds and had some breakfast, cornflakes today.                                                                                                                                                                                                               When I came back from breakfast I got dressed. I’m getting quite grown up now remembering which sock goes on which foot without help.  Damn, I got it wrong.

I worked until 7.10 m which was as late as I dared before getting my shoes and coat on. Then grabbing my crutches and the two big bags for Yvonne I made my way slowly to the bus stop. It was just as well I’d left when I did as I was getting towards the bus stop when the bus went past. Not so far that it would miss me and leave without me. What was a surprise was that it didn’t stop to let me on. As I got there the reason became apparent, Howard wasn’t driving. I asked if he was on holiday again only to be told he left the company last week to start with a different company who don’t have buses on my route.                                                                                                                                                     For most of the journey I nodded so it was over quite quickly. I walked towards where my deadly duo would normally appear until they came into sight. My poor baby was walking so badly after her fall I really don’t know why she came out.  I hugged her and wished her a Happy Birthday (Penblwydd Hapus). I gave Roobs a kiss on his forehead as that’s what he offered and he’s too low to bend further. I was taken aback with the clarity of his speech and sentence structure, ” Hello Pops, are you alright?” Yvonne asked what I wanted to do first and I just said LOO to which she  replied “And me” so we went into the Nero coffee house near to where we were.                                        Over coffee Yvonne opened her prezzies and was thrilled. We had the usual argy-bargy about money inside her card but I put on my best “Do as you’re told, I’m your Daddy” voice from my boots and for once I think it worked. She loved her watch. Mike had got her a great knitting kit and she really chuckled at it.

We went from there to our usual shop where I couldn’t stop my hand grabbing a jacket in the sales and rushing off with it. No good, they made me come back and pay for it. Yvonne picked up a couple of things for the baby  having roped Reuben to the pushchair and then we moved on. The next shop had toys. Roobs had a new one, a wolf,from before they met me but of course he wanted every other toy in this place and was willing to leave the previously chosen toy behind. I dis a Cassandra and predicted tears before bedtime but in fact only had to wait about two minutes. The not so convincing tears along with the I wants came along and were largely ignored. The screams that followed weren’t. Luckily I’d brought him chocolate this morning. Pops learns.                                                                                                                                                                                             We moved to another shop where the protests weren’t as bad and then finally thinking Yvonne had suffered enough we went to a Supermarket where we could have coffee and where I could buy Yvonne a birthday cake. Stupidly we let Reuben off the leash and he delighted in going too far pushing his poor Mum to her limits. Not coming when called and knowingly going out of sight. You can really see why it’s called the Terrible Twos.                                                                                                                                                                 It was time for my bus so we ambled off to the stop where I didn’t have long to  wait. I was allowed to kiss Reuben but only on the forehead again though I did get a little wave too. After huge hugs from Yvonne I told her to head home and got on my bus. I nodded most of the way back again and when we arrived I stopped at Pauline’s.

Once at home I put stuff in the freezer then went through to let Joey out and see to my lunch. As I was so worried about my mail I made a chips and curry sauce and chatted to Joey as I ate. Once I’d washed up I went through to my bedroom and opened the mail. OUCH. I started work. That was about 1.30 pm. I stopped at 2.15 pm to see a series I’m watching (hah) then slept through about half of it. I never found out who dunnit. Back to work until 5.45 pm I managed to clear a lot but nowhere near enough. I started watching the last few minutes of my quiz but Joey wanted one on one time. We talked. I explained about work and managed to negotiate some TV time too.                 Back to work  at 6.30 pm to 8.00  pm and I managed to get the mail right down at that point. At 9.15 am when I came back through the mail didn’t seem so scary and I managed to clear it before starting on the blog. It could be my lucky night.

12 months ago. The BEST Father Christmas.

In memory of John Lennon who died 35 years ago today. This is one dream we shared and I still hope for.

Wednesday 9th Dec.

I want to find a time loop and go back to start this day again. If anyone has a Delorean they don’t want……….                                                                                                                                 I woke at 5.40 am sitting in my chair in the lounge. I had my dressing gown on and I’d put my cigarettes and lighter in the pocket but strangely enough, not my inhalor. I could say I was confused for a minute but it would only partly be true as I’m still confused now. I have no recollection of getting up and no knowledge of a reason why. To be honest I don’t even remember any trips to the loo after my light went off at 1.00 am.

So late it made sense as I was already in the right direction to go and take my meds and have some breakfast. For some reason I settled on my cold toast again  which I couldn’t finish today so a round and a half of bread doesn’t seem too bad does it?                                                                                                                                                                                           When I’d finished I went straight to my room and powered up the computer and signed in. It was gone 6.10 am so I expected problems but not what I got. Yet again trying to get onto the net brought up the message that it was unavailable would I like to kill or wait. I tried a wait. I tried a kill. In the end I had X out of it. I tried again a couple of times but nothing had changed. I rebooted and it was still stubbornly keeping me out. In the end I had to resort to system restore and I had to try that twice. It worked very slowly but when it came back up and I signed in, everything was hunky dory. It was 7.40 am at this point and since I was bald from the last time it happened I started depilating my legs instead …ladies you have my sympathy. As that celebrated poet said ‘ It’s The Pain Wot Keeps me Sane’ (David ap Rosser 2015).

The post level was alarmingly high but since there was no handy bridge to jump off I just ploughed into it. I ploughed up until 12.45 pm. That was when I reached the point where all mail had been seen to. I was aware that I created a problem for myself after answering someone posting of a poem with one of my own that I wrote there and then. Stupidly I posted it to my Buthidar’s blog as I thought it relevant to a few other posts I’d seen. This meant of course that people would read it and create more mail. Could I possibly be any more stupid? Probably, but let’s not go there eh. During the morning I received my 5th Christmas card and when I took a short break with Joey, I actually started my wrapping ( alone since none of you volunteered). There was also a knock at the doorbell and Rosetta the Postmistress had kindly brought me some mince pies and other cake she’d made. Aren’t people capable of such kindness.

I had a lamb hock and some boiled potatoes for lunch with mixed veg. It was nice and Joey was glad of the company. It only lasted about half an hour though before I was back here working. I promised him I’d return at 2.15 pm which promise I kept.I stayed there listening to him for just about the time it took (coincidentally) to watch The Dr Blake Mysteries, an excellent Australian series. After that I apologised and returned to work at 3.10 pm. I could only work until 4.15 pm as I wanted to prepare something before Dil arrived. As the time came I got my ladders out and put up a wire with a light bulb holder on it. It has an expanding grip on it for things like headboards. There’s a small vent in the ceiling which I attached it to then added a bulb. Down below at the plug end I inserted one of my remote plugs and then added the light plug to it. On test with the remote it worked fine.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 I was finished in time. I saw Dil  approach a few minutes later and waited until I heard the front door open. As soon as it was, I clicked the remote from inside the lounge and turned the light on in the hall so he could see coming through. He grinned as he entered and said I’d been having fun with my remote again. Then I was able to say I’d bought him a prezzie and give him the set I’d got him with twin remotes so he can leave them in two separate rooms if he wants. It will be a boon for his back. He knows his wife has got him a sound bar for Christmas and says he’ll have to move the TV etc then so that’s a perfect opportunity to fit the plugs.                                                                               I made him his cuppa rosie lea (tea) and we settled to the last of Flog It and then watched our quiz. The moment that was over battle commenced.                                                      The first game of Yahtzee I lost 4-2  and the more we played the saltier my  language got, especially when issuing threats. The second game went better and it  was 2-2 at which point I said “Well, I need to win the next two now for honours even”. He smirked. But with the help of some very kind dice giving me some lovely Yahtzees the smirk was wiped from his  face. That game, 4-2 to me so 6 all at the end. Couldn’t be better ( except 7-5 to me).                                                                                                                                          Out came the Trivial Pursuit Centenary Edition. It was a real chase today. I can claim I filled my dish first with the segments I needed but I struggled to reach the middle. We were doing a lot of laughing as whoever compiled the questions seemed to have a fixation on surveys and mainly done in 1997. It got to a point we didn’t even name the year. Anyway, time getting on and Dil reached the middle and got his question right so he came out ahead this week. I must memorise the answers for next week.

After Dil had left by the light of the new lamp of course I tidied up, washed the pots, took my meds and then locked Joey in as I wished him goodnight. I came through to deal with outstanding mail (67) and the blog. I should be in bed for midnight. I wonder if I should strap myself in tonight. It wouldn’t be so bad if I could learn to sleep wrap my gifts.

Live Long and Prosper Mr Spock.

Thursday 10th Dec

I was in bed for midnight and only read for half an hour before turning off the light. I decided against tying myself down in case the need for the loo was urgent. There was no early call for the loo but there was an early call. There I was at 1.53 am wide awake and working. By 3.03am I’d finished the outstanding mail in my box and was back to wrapping presents.Since I made the space to do it on my bed I was able to stop and answer any mail that came in.                                                                                                                         About 5.45 am I stopped to take my meds, have breakfast and make a cup of coffee. The horror when I found just one saccharine in the box, I might have to have real sugar (Yay). But no, I found another box of the damn things lifesavers. I came back with my coffee at 6.15 am and it didn’t look like the bomb had dropped at first, just 14 waiting. But after I’d done that first one the post box filled right up. 107 now, 111 next until it rose to 118 with me working as they came.                                                                         I’d made a real dent by the time 9.00 am arrived but I needed to go out to Pauline’s to renew my lottery tickets and get some shopping . When I got back I released Joey from captivity then carried on working. I couldn’t even have my Homes Under the Hammer today and I don’t think Joey is impressed.

Around 11.00 am I found a half of an hour to spend with Joey, cleaning the cage, getting fresh millet, food and water in. He obliged me by coming out so I could get on with it. I had another half hour at work then went to the chippie to get lunch. I could sit with it on my knee and have Bargain Hunt. I couldn’t finish the meal, if that was a small chips I dread to think what the normal or large portions are like. I washed the pots and settled for the auction. Big Mistake ! I was gone from about 12.50 pm to almost 2.00 pm.  I returned to work dreading what I’d see but there were only 43 in the box. Time to start work and solve a murder on the side, oh wait a minute, that was Dr Lucien Blake not me. I must have veered off course to watch it.  I finish the last email for now and decide to take a break, It was almost 4.30 pm so I felt no guilt. I started with Flog It, Joey likes the music, then came the two quizzes the second of which I dropped off in but just for about ten minutes. Joey went quiet.                                                               6.30 pm saw me back in my room on catch up, I was only destined to be there till 8.00 pm though as Thursday is new Big Bang night which was to be followed by The Last Kingdom at 9.00 pm which in turn was to be followed by a very fast sprint to my room for the blog and any remaining mail. No more wrapping tonight.

Mike walked in at about 9.15 am and I missed part of my programme answering “Who’s that and what did he do” questions about it. I gave him a coffee and tried ignoring both him  and the bird. As it ended I went to the kitchen and took my evening meds intending to go back to work. Mike had other ideas as he’d brought along another set of light for me to put in the hall. This time to be attached to the skirting boards and look like landing lights. Luckily they didn’t take too long to set up and should surprise Dil when he arrives next week. So much for my hard work the other day. Anyone in the market for a second hand lamp socket with a clamp for a bedhead? Only one previous owner.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 For some reason when I reached my room I started on the mail first so I persevered and cleared it by 11.20  pm. I’m writing quickly so I can get to bed by midnight.

Friday 11th Dec.

In bed midnight, light off 1.00 am. I woke at 5.15 am in exactly the same place I went to bed. What’s going on? There seems to be no consistency to this plot to send me ga-ga. Or perhaps it’s because Mike was here last night and they wanted no witness to their plans. Not that even the god’s could have woken him up given how many problems I have. Anyway, I went straight through to take my meds and then do the tablet trays for another week. Once that was done I took a pre-foodie, smoked a cigarette to help with timing and then had some cereal for breakfast. Yes, they still shake, rattle and roll snap, crackle and pop as they used too. Things took a turn for the worse when it came to doing coffee. I pierced the top of the pod before it was in exactly the right place. When the water came it was leaking everywhere and discharging coffee ground too. I had to move the machine while still going and mop up with copious amounts of kitchen roll. There was about an inch of coffee left in my mug and I’d have been chewing it. I returned to ‘The Office’ with a Pepsi Max, always my drink of the day.

I almost died of shock when Mike came through at 9.10 am. I finished a couple of messages and joined him in the lounge. Just after half past ( when I turned TV on ) I was asleep.It was only Mike going out at 10.00 am that woke me. Even though I knew I had a shed load of mail I watched Homes Under the Hammer with Joey then I turned off to come back to work. It was about 11.40 am , just before I broke for lunch, when I got a text from my friend Lis asking if I was in as she’d like to drop off my card and prezzie. I sent back “I’m in” and panicked. That usually means I have about 20 minutes before she arrives and though I have all the gifts for the family they’re not wrapped. Wouldn’t you know it, the gifts for Lis and her daughter Charlie are the worst to wrap since they have to go in a gift basket. Out came the baskets, the shredded paper, the polythene, ribbon and cards. Then I had to collect the mini wines and chocs from the kitchen and their main gifts which were in a bag in the big bedroom. I hate wrapping and I’ve never worked so hard at it in my life. I’f finished at midday and breather a sigh of relief.

By 12.30 pm I was a tad worried but also starving so I made my lunch knowing I could stop if she arrived. I finished and ate my lunch, still no Lis. At 1.00 pm I was very worried so sent a text with visions of some ambulance driver reading it. Lis apologised and said both my texts had just arrived and she was on her way home with frozen food. We’ve rebooked for Monday.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        I came back to work and tried to hit it hard but when I stopped at 2.15 pm there were 61 still in the list. I was away till 3.10 pm and it had gone to 81. But, my fingers flew over the keyboard and by 5.30 pm I was done. Time to join Joey for some of my quiz and wait to see what time Mike is arriving back tonight.                                                                At 6.00 pm I returned to my room to take on the mail again, I win battles but never wars.  I stayed there until 6.55 pm then returned to watch Antiques Road Trip. I’d just got into the lounge when my phone went, I got a text “On way bro”. I knew to have the kettle on about 8.00 pm. He got in about 8.10 pm and watched the rest of Mastermind with me then washed my hair as I took a shower. Said he felt guilty about a minor angina attack last night after putting my arms over my head to remove the clamped light socket. It’s not as though it was his fault as I chose to do it.

Anyhoo, after my shower I made us both a bit of supper for while we watched ‘Have I Got News For You’ . I hung around to watch the end of a programme on boy bands as it promised the 4 Tops ( I missed them) and the Temptations as well as groups like E17 and Take That. It was quite good. I couldn’t avoid coming through any longer though so I locked Joey in and wished him goodnight. Not too much mail was waiting for a change and it wasn’t long before I could start the blog.I’m looking at an 11.30 pm tonight so I’m rested for the great battle I face in the morning. Getting Mike out of his bed. Volunteers wanted. (Especially if they can wrap prezzies).

Saturday 12th Dec

It turned out to be midnight before I made bed after a visit from Mike about a phone call from his sister in  Canada. After a read it was 1.00  am before the light went out. I dawned again at 4.14 am. I hit the loo (much nicer than missing) then came back fingers crossed to log on. Everything went smoothly. There was quite a bit of mail which I dealt with what I hope was nicely until I came to a post about politics. I generally try to avoid controversy but this morning I couldn’t keep my fingers still, they have a big mouth.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                At 5.30 am I went to take my meds and have breakfast to hold me while out. Shreddies today. Very nice as I haven’t had them in ages. I did the bins and took the bags outside  then came back and collected my coffee. I had half an hour before the commencement of battle.

At 6.30 am I didn’t hear Mike’s alarm but went to make his coffee thinking he’d perhaps forgotten to set it. (See how generous I am with the benefit of the doubt). I woke him when I took the coffee through and had half a conversation to wake him up. He had to use real words and not just grunts. I returned to my room. I heard him swear as the alarm went off at 6.40 am, sigh at 6.50 am and give an annoyed grunt at 7.00 am. It was only then he moved which wasn’t bad I suppose as I’d only called him  the once as I was preoccupied.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   Somehow, and don’t ask how, we were still out of the house by 7.30 am and on our way to the supermarket. Mike had a text from his sister in Canada and I suggested he speak to her on the phone while sitting in McDonald’s. While he did  that I went round the store getting what I needed. I’m not sure how the trolley got quite so loaded but when I reached the tills Mike was there and was joking about how much it would cost. He was wrong, it was more and he was even more pleased. If he had his way the moths in my wallet would be getting pneumonia about now.

We moved on from there and Mike pointed out a new shop on the estate where we go to Pets At Home sometimes. We’d gone past by then but he turned round and went back. I spent very little but I did get Joey some stuff from PAH. We headed back towards Flint and stopped at ALDI so I could buy John from MuJo some cherries in Kirsch for his Christmas stocking. Once that was done it was off to park by Temptations. Whilst he nipped in to use the loo I went over to my Homies store and got a couple of things. When we met up a few minutes later it was to get the chocolates from the boot of his car for the girls then go in to order our drinks and crumpets for him today. I had a strange mince pie which had a topping like a Bakewell tart ( and I don’t mean the streetwalker here folks).                                                                                                                           Using all my devious superior charm I managed to get Mike to agree to help me with some wrapping so as soon as we left Temptations we picked up some more paper and some nice labels, got in the car and headed for Holywell for lunch. We went to the Bell’s Cafe (not the Bells of St Mary’s) and had a small roast dinner before going home and unpacking the shopping.

Once everything was away Mike called a break so I came and worked on the mail. I was actually making headway when he came through to start. I got roped in too as he said he was to help not take over. Bloody Barrack room lawyers. We made a start  and did a few , especially the ones that would need to go first. Then when Mike started to wrap a few of his own ( cheek, on my time too) I slipped away to work again. By 5.15 pm I was practically there and was able to join Mike in the lounge. I watched Celebrity Mastermind while he followed his football team on his tablet.  From the occasional loud swear word I could tell how the game was going without taking my eyes of the TV. We had the news, our regular quiz then I fell asleep.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     I came too i time for Detective Murdoch and the rounded the night out with Murder in Paradise (which is excellent) before running back here to start work again. I’ did mail till 10.45 pm then started on this blog post. If there’s time later I’ll try and get through some more.

E.T. comes home again.From mother to son after 20+years.

I’m a poor little lamb who has lost his way, baa, baa, baa.

Have a Good Week everyone. Much joy, Huge Hugs and peace in the World find us all.

 

 

Just a Widdle Bit & Sartorial Elegance

Sunday 29th Nov.

I eventually got to bed last night. It was about 1.15 am when my light finally went out and that was with just the briefest of reads. I was up again for the loo about 2.25 am and had to make myself go back to bed rather than disturbing Joey and going to my chair.
My day started at 4.11 am and no matter how I wished it otherwise, I was awake. I turned on the computer and let it power up as my pea sized bladder took me to the loo again. When I got back I started on my gmail and was chuffed to see so many responses to last night’s blog post.                                                                                                                           At 5.45 am I went through to the kitchen to  take my meds and get an early breakfast. When I came back with my coffee it was almost 6.20 am and by heaven the storm had hit. The numbers were jumping as I sat there trying to do them. It was 9.00 am before I was able to get away and let Joey out.                                                                                      I stayed with him for a while hoping he’d come out so I could fix his millet which he’d managed to knock off again. He was in quite a chatty mood but didn’t seem to want the freedom offered by the exterior of his cage.

At about 10.00 pm I returned to my room to play catch up.Joey squawked as I left the room. I wanted to watch a DIY SOS at 11.00 am so I prepared to o through a few minutes early. That’s when Mike decided to get up. I’d forgotten he was still here by then.It was a bad one today where the  house was in a terrible mess, a couple and their three children occupying one room because of damp and holes in the wall. The man of the house had terminal cancer but handled it with great courage. I could hear Mike sniffing next to me and I knew there were tears in my eyes. A few ‘Best Boy Joeys’ in a deep voice would hide how I felt I thought.                                                                                       They made a fantastic job of the house with lots of help from locals and I almost cried allowed when one business owner put up a 2 storey extension for free and then told us all she’d seen her specialist the day before and she didn’t have long either. Such generosity of spirit. I was glad to go and get dressed in the adverts. I did one and Mike did the other and probably both used the tissues.

We left the house at midday to go for lunch. The weather was atrocious with strong winds and rain so we stayed local and went to a pub called the Market Cross in Holywell for lunch. It’s part of a group called Weatherspoon’s where the food is pretty basic and bought in. I had faggotss which were pleasant enough but I wouldn’t repeat them. Mike had a mixed grill which seemed strange as it was mainly meat but excluded bacon . There were things like rump steak,pork loin, gammon and lamb with a few chips and peas, no egg. We did a little shopping after that, mainly for me for stocking gifts as it worked out. That wasn’t the intent. But, I did also get some remote plugs to replace my current ones so I can turn the power on without bending. Since my power supply is behind the TV I son’t have to move that. One click and the power is on and I can do it to four different place and just use the one remote so maybe turn an electric blanket on without having to go through to the bedroom and maybe a lamp so I can see my way through. Very clever things.

When we came back Mike did the flowers and I did a few minutes with the post. When he finished I joined him until it was time for him to go home. That was about 4.00 pm. Once I’d waved him off I came back to work until I’d cleared the post which was about 6.30 pm. I went through and put the TV on and interacted with Joey. I must have nodded off about 8.00 pm and was woken by a loud advert at 10.00 pm.  Back  in here to do the blog only to discover another 67 pieces of mail. I wish I’d woken myself earlier by snoring now. It’s not to be an early night .

The look of Wonder.

It isn’t Pops is it?

Monday 30th Nov.

I got to bed eventually.I was awake enough to read thanks to the sleep I should have missed before but the light went out at 1.15 am. I got to sleep with no problems but was loo bound at 2.35 am. Sleep was no problem after that either. I woke for the final time at 4.07 am ready for what the day might throw at me, however if it included snow, gales or rain while I was out or unmanageable workloads when in, Forget It! I’m going back to bed and staying there. It didn’t.                                                                                               The early morning post was fine and kept me going steadily until 5.45 am when I went for my breakfast and my sanity pills.

I returned at 6.10 am just in time for what I expected to be an influx of emails. There were a few but nothing major. Nor at 6.15 am or 6.30 am. What was going on. Did most of you take a break from writing yesterday? I don’t believe it. Just as well I didn’t as 7.00 am and things started happening. 3 email, 14 emails until it read 84 emails. As I did them, more came.but at 9.40 am I was officially clear though I didn’t know for how long. I went through to run the (new- yes another) hoover round the room as well as trying to keep Joey settled while I did it. Then we settled down to watch Homes Under the Hammer. I’m sure Joey likes that programme as he seems to get excited/agitated in some parts. Usually the parts I want to hear.                                                                                                                                                                                                                             From 11.00 am to 11.45 am it was back to work and then time for lunch. As always I watched Bargain Hunt while I ate.  But as I was going out I had to turn it off at 12.45 pm to get my shoes and coat on. Joey was really showing his disapproval when the TV went off and so did the light, and as for me leaving the room you’d have thought I’d just tried to murder him.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              The rain is so atrocious today I had to wear my long duster coat with the flaps tied to my leg so they didn’t-flap that is. I was wearing a hat too but it was soon off my head and in my bag as the wind picked up. I knew I shouldn’t have had beans for lunch. It was a long walk to the bus stop and I was drenched and blind. On the bus I held my travel pass over the scanner for a ticket but nada. The driver took it to check and it seems I was holding my shopmobility scooter card instead. He said no chance was I driving. I got off near the Tesco Supermarket and crossed the road to the bank. Then I walked up the street. The rain eased a little.                                                                                   I wanted to waste a little time so I went in a couple of shops but I was out fairly quickly as they had customers for some reason and I couldn’t cope with stray conversation on my own.

I visited LIDL for a brochure because it wasted a few more minutes and got me out of the rain.I was early. In the end I walked to the surgery because my pea sized bladder started talking to me. I tried to log in but as always when I reached the end the machine blew a fuse before registering me as there.’There is a problem with your appointment, please report to reception.’ I don’t know why I bother. It was 2.00 pm and my appointment was at half past. How best to avoid going to sleep while waiting??? I know, put one of your crutches on a foot and rest on it. The pain will keep you awake………. or make you faint maybe. I stayed awake.                                                   I was called right on time.Sister S is delectable . She’s also pleasant and quietly spoken and you want to please her. So, when she says how are you and you have pneumonia you say “Fine thanks”. We rattled through the flu jab which she was willing to give without me making an appointment. She did BP and blood oxygen levels and then the notorious breathing tubes which either gives me angina or leaves me whacked. Not much change and not for the better. Who knew?                                                                                  It’s at this point we usually have our serious discussion about smoking or rather the giving up of to be more precise. I’m an idiot. She arranged for another blood test for my heart and was going to find something else out for me by Wednesday when I’m there again. She opened her mouth and I knew it was coming so I stopped her. “I’m going to surprise you this time” I said ” I want to ask about Champix because my brother has had great success with it.”                                                                                                                        “I wasn’t going to mention the smoking this time” she said. For now I mentally kicked myself but the real thing would follow. She did tell me she had to find out if she could prescribe that one for me due to some contra-indications she mentioned. She’ll try and get an answer for Wednesday. I suppose I’m going to have to ask for he to see if she got the answers now.

I walked back to town-without having a cigarette which would have fallen apart even if I could have lit it in the rain. I didn’t have long to wait for a bus and I was soon home again. I squelched when I walked in.  I don’t know if Joey laughed at me or gave me a bollocking for leaving him but either was he was vocal. I dried my hair and beard and went back to work. It was 3.15 pm  and I worked till 5.15 pm. I fully intended coming through at 6.30 pm to carry on but I decided to watch The Secret Life of Bees which went on until 9.00 pm. Time enough to do the blogpost and catch up on the mail and still manage an early night.

Donkey ride with Santa’s Little Helper.

‘Elf and Safety’ bring Rudolf out.

And just because Christmas is coming at the gallop….

Tuesday 1st Dec.

I got my early night and enjoyed a good read. Lights out at 12.45 am ( memo to self, pay electricity bill). Up this morning at 4.11 am,full of beans, I knew that midnight snack was a mistake. It felt a little foggy, now that could either be the beans or my imagination because it’s Dec 1st and to me fogs always feel ‘Winterish’. On the other hand there might really have been a fog but I couldn’t see one through the window. Mind you, at 4.11 am what the heck can I see through my window?                                                       I took a leisurely 100mph trip to the Piddle Palace then came back to sign into my gmail. There were enough to keep me going for a while, possibly until the influx of the daily digests. But at 5.10 am I took a break to have some breakfast and take my meds. It was toast again this morning as I’m sure my moustache is empty now.                             At 5.30 am I returned and carried on to be ready for whatever the world threw at me.

From 6.10 am it threw bricks at me. I was sitting at my desk totally unprepared for the floodgates to burst open as they did. I worked on them without seeming to get anywhere. At 8.345 am I got dressed and as 9.00 am came I went out to the Post Office to send some cards to the world in general. Over £33 for  about 8 cards and 2 calendars. Just as well I have a supply of beans in the house. When I got back (via Pauline’s) I went back to work until 10.00 a when I had Homes Under the Hammer. Joey said I mustn’t miss it. I did some polishing while I watched it but couldn’t do his mirror.                                                                                                                                                                              Back to work at 11.00 am until 11.50 am when I was finally clear and able to go and see to lunch. I had a chips and curry sauce I discovered in the freezer.( I’d put it there around 9.30 am ).                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           Among all this morning’s mail I received one from a company I’ve used quite a lot over the years. If you have friends or relatives in the U.S. who may be missing some of the treats from the UK or maybe if you’re an ex-pat Who lives in the U.S. you can still get your Cadbury’s chocolate or your favourite biscuits from this firm. I buy and have them delivered over there which saves a fortune.   englishteastore.com  do take a look at some of the treats they have and the excellent Christmas gifts.                               After Bargain Hunt at lunch time I really wanted to nod off but today I fought the urge so I could come back to keep on top of the mail. If I keep it  down maybe I can stay up to watch a late film or something.

It looks like the late film wasn’t on the cards after all as I had a break at 3.00 pm for Escape to The Country and fell asleep anyway. We were part way into the next programme before I woke. As I did I caught a glimpse of someone standing on my left, dressed in a grey pullover and it looked like they were having a shave. I thought it was mike and flashed my left arm out to play the bongos on his stomach  but he faded away. I perhaps should have realised that as my chair is against the window no-one could have stood to my left but I was a bit slow on the uptake.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  Yet again I returned to work and this time stayed until almost 5.30 pm e’en though my quiz had started at 5.15 pm. I was temporarily clear again. I celebrated with a mince pie and a strawberry yoghurt. Joey came out of his cage and I was able to set him flying round the room as I got the old millet from his cage and then put a new one in. I noticed something out of place. He’d broken the set of balls/bells in the cage and they were on the cage floor. I put my arm in this time and not a move out of him at all. He just sat on the edge of the mirror looking at me. I wondered how I’d repair it when I found it wasn’t actually broken. Somehow he’d opened a key ring (in miniature) and slid the chain link out until it was free. The weight would be enough to make him drop it. I really don’t know how he manages such precision work. I could open the key ring with my thumb nail but it was so small I couldn’t slide a link of chain back in. This will have to be a job for when I have time and I’m sitting down. I know he misses ringing this bell as he keeps going to the place where it hung. I don’t think a lecture from me on leaving things alone is going to help.

I returned to my room at 6.30 pm for half an hour’s catch up then went to see The Antique Road Trip with two members of my Eggheads Quiz . A bit of light relief. Both teams made a profit I’m glad to say. Not much of one but a profit nonetheless. After that I watched DIY SOS  before bumping into walls on my way back here due to tear blinded eyes. In truth I wasn’t so bad today though I was still astounded at people’s generosity. I wished Joey goodnight and shut the cage. He was fine about it if a little quiet.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    I worked on mail for the first hour before turning to the blog. I had the opportunity to enter a competition to win some Elizabeth Shaw sweets but I drew nil on each of the three boxes I opened. I didn’t even tweet about it as I though why offer you lot chocolates when I didn’t get any. If I remember I might try again tomorrow. They’re doing other prizes too like watches I  think all the way to 25th so if anyone is interested just go to the Elizabeth Shaw page on Facebook. I get 10% if you win though.                           I’m predicting bed before 11.30 pm tonight and I need a good sleep. As I’m back at the doctors for another review tomorrow and I have to pee in a tiny jar first thing I need to be awake. I could be there half an hour trying to fill it stop, start. stop , start or it could be a rush where it overflows before I’m ready. I hate that. What I really, REALLY hate though is carrying it in my pocket all the way up there and worrying about a leak. Everyone on the bus will think I’ve wet myself from the smell. Wonder if I should send it by taxi and meet it up there?

Hey, What’s up Doc?

Wednesday 2nd Dec.

I just made my 11.30 pm deadline and was considering sleep at midnight only I got a text bout a visit today from MuJo. I explained about the diabetic review but offered to meet them in town at about 11.30 am.. There was no response for a long time so I turned the light out and prepared to sleep. My phone went off again. They decided to put the visit off to a day when I don’t have any appointments. There’s only Thursday this week and they have a visitor that day it seems so the visit will be next week now. I remembered to tell them I’ll be in Chester on Tuesday for Yvonne’s birthday.I’ll wait for a text next week now. The light went off again at 12.20 am.

3.22 am was the next time I woke. I’d put the sample tube in my dressing gown pocket so I didn’t forget to do it. I went to the bathroom.  On went the light as this was a procedure not left to chance.The trouble starts when I wonder how much I should fill the tube. I can’t allow myself to start until I’ve decided. How much do they actually need to get the information they want? I decided to fill the damn thing and they can dispose of what they don’t want. I make the same decision every time so why don’t I just ask? How much should I widdle in your tube? For all you ladies out there, w’re not bragging when we say we don’t fit inside the tube. If that makes it difficult for us heaven help the problems you must have. Now, you’re obviously holding the tube in one hand and yourself in the other. When you’re widdling you have to decide on a cut off point somewhere before it overflows. You have to cut off the flow with the non-tube hand and keep the flow off while you move the tube to a safe place. Then you can widdle to your heart’s content, finish and turn to put the top on the tube. Then what. Do you leave the tube in a prominent place so you don’t forget to take it or do you place it in your coat pocket in advance? I chose the latter but then I’ve been known to put on a different coat to go out. Maybe my subconscious does these things on purpose as it knows I hate the thought of it being in my pocket because of leakage. As I said last night, I’m scared of it happening while I’m travelling with it. These early morning thoughts might wake you up but they’re not very welcome.

So, I started on the mail. Not too bad really, mid twenties, but enough to keep me going until 5.15 am when I decided to have breakfast and take my meds. I returned with my coffee about 5.45 am to do some more. I was coming to an end gradually on the the few that had come when 6.10 am arrived . With it, someone opened those flood gates again and it poured, it poured and it poured some more. Damn umbrella was no use at all. I just had to keep plodding on. I let it go as far as 9.00 am then I got myself ready to go out, making sure I had the right coat with me. I went back to work until 10.00 am.                                                                                                                                                                 I was walking up to the bus stop when one passed me and drew up at the stop. Someone got on, but as I moved closer it started to pull out.Then it paused and for a moment I thought he’d used his mirror and seen me. Instead someone ran to the bus from the front and got on. I was much closer now but he still drove off.                                                    It was almost half an hour before another bus came and it was driven by my usual driver Howard. It got there at 10.35 am and reached town at 10.45 am. I just hoped I could make the surgery on time. With borrowed wings on my feet I made it.                                                                                                                                                                                                      I had to go to reception again as the registration machine rejected me as usual. I must have too much electrickery in my fingers. The appointment was OK but my blood sugars are up a lot so they’ll consider changing part of the medication. She noticed that I needed blood tests for a couple of things and I said I’m going on Friday anyway and told her what for. Kindly she offered to take the lot today and save me a trip she knows I don’t want to make. She also weighed me, 13 st 2 lb fully clothed including very heavy gloves. And perhaps I’d breathed in.

I’d got outside and was walking back to town when I decided to have a smoke. I put my hand in my pocket and encountered the infamous bottle of pee. I had to turn round and take it back. Lucky for me she didn’t have another patient in. Back to town I went and didn’t wait too long before a bus came. When I walked down from the bus stop I noticed it was 11.50 am and then I noticed the chippie was open. For no other reason than to save me messing about when I got in, I detoured. Small chips, 2 small sausage and somehow I must have said out loud a small tub of curry sauce. I was able to take a tablet when I got in and then have my lunch at 12.15 am when Bargain Hunt came on. As soon as it was over I nodded off for an hour. It felt wonderful.                                                                                                                                                                                                                          At 2.00 pm I returned to work. With Dil coming sometime I didn’t want anything left. I stayed her till 4.30 pm. I got up when the doorbell went and I heard the door opening but as I looked towards the front door from my room it wasn’t Dil unless he’d been keeping secrets from me. It was a district nurse looking for Joe who lives almost opposite. It’s funny, I’d seen him in the surgery when I was there only not to speak to. Five minutes later Dil came in and I heard hi say “Come on, get off that computer now”. I had to say I’d only just got back on.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  We went through and as I made him a cup of tea we chatted then I turned our usual programmes on until 6.00 pm.

Out came the games table and out came the Yahtzee. The minute Joey saw the box open he started chunnering. There weren’t enough play sheets so I left to print some off and when I got back Joey hadn’t paused for breath. The first sheet of sic games Dil won three then I won three. For a draw we had to play again. The next sheet he won 2 I won one, he won one I won two so  it was a draw again and we gave up at six all. Joey had chunnered throughout the whole of the game and only stopped as we put the box away.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    I got the  Trivia out and decided to use the millenium edition this time to see what it was like.  Out came Joey to sit on his mirror and just repeat his name constantly. I was repeating it too him so he knew someone was paying attention. This edition of Trivia is slightly different from the usual.  The number of spaces round the board are different and the question categories are different too.  Some of the questions themselves were rather funny (peculiar) and had us bursting into laughter. As time ran out Joey gave up and went to bed. I reached the middle mof the game but got my question wrong. However it was deemed I’d won as I had all six segments to Dil’s five. Spurious but I’ll take what I can get.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    After Dil had gone and like a good big brother I’d told him to be careful, I tidied up and washed the pots.  I closed Joey’s cage door and wished him goodnight. Catching up on mail took me until 10.50 pm and then I remembered I hadn’t taken my meds and had to  creep back to the kitchen to do so. Once that was out of the way I was able to start the blog. It’s just gone 11.30 pm and I don’t think I’ll be too much longer and then I get a read.

Thursday 3rd Dec

Well I got to bed about 11.50 pm last night and read until about 12.30 am. My get up and go time was 2.21 am,and when I’d been I couldn’t get back to sleep. I powered up the computer and logged on. Talk about frustration, getting onto the net was no problem but I couldn’t open a single bloody programme when I did. I just kept getting a message about it not being available, try again? Time after flippin time I did so until finally after logging out and in again I had to System Restore to 30th November. It was almost 4.00 am by then so I had to fly to try and get the mail that was already waiting done.                                                                                                                                                                     At 5.30 am I had to break off to get my meds and some breakfast. I returned with a coffee about 5.55 am and carried on. I was probably down to about 6 when at 6.10 am  I was hit repeatedly by a mail sledgehammer. They came in and the numbers just went up and up. There must have been a million before I stopped counting but oddly when I looked properly there were only 104 though there must have been more as I was working as they came in.

At 8.30 am I got dressed. I find it better to do so as people look askance at me in the shops with my big caveman slippers and my Red Dragon leisure pants under my red and black striped dressing gown. Sartorial elegance and style always worry people not used to such sophistication. Instead I changed into my black jeans ( now more grey) and a black and grey top with a little orange. I don’t remember that being there before I had my curry sauce yesterday.                                                                                                            I picked up bread, ciggies and my lottery tickets ready for Friday’s draw. When I got back I unpacked my bag, gave my bedroom a hoovering ( I bet that shocked the carpet) and settled to, for another half hour on the computer before going to watch Homes Under the Hammer at 10.00 am.                                                                                                Joey was perched high in a corner of his cage, probably trying to dislodge the millet branch to attract my attention as it was empty. I wasn’t going to do anything about it while he was in there. For most of the programme he stayed in the same place then suddenly he relaxed and ventured down to a perch near his door and started talking to me. There must have been some queries in there as I could see the odd question mark drift past my eyes  but since the only words I recognised were Joey, Joey I was a bit lost. I promise to renew the millet sometime today.

From 11.00 to 11.45 am I worked again and did quite well but that was my time to make lunch so I had to break off. Baby potatoes,mixed veg and a small beef joint for lunch. Very nice but I couldn’t finish. I’m thinking about my blood sugar being so high. I still ate my rhubarb yoghurt though. I was asleep before the Bargain Hunt action so that could have been any time from 12.45 pm onwards. I woke with a bad headache at 1.15 pm. A couple of tabs, a quick Joey, Joey Best Boy at the bird and I returned to work. I stayed until 3.05 pm when I was clear again.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               It was time to do some more Christmas cards, not a job I enjoy.  Working my way through I realised I was at least one special card short and I was very soon out of stamps too. That means another bank loan I suppose.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               At 5.15 am my first quiz started so the cards went away. I watched TV until 6.30 pm then once again went into battle with the mail. Mike sent a text at 7.30 pm to sayhe was on his way so I reminded him to be careful in the rain.At 8.00 pm it as The Big Bang Theory. I saw the episode I’d missed last week as well as the new one. Magic!!! That was followed straight away by the next episode on The Last Kingdom. Today Alfred went into hiding in the fens, for once we saw a more human side to him and a new determination too. I’d just turned off and gone to the kitchen for my meds when Mike arrived. I had the kettle on so made him a coffee but apologised and left him to it so I could come and see to the blog post and the remaining mail. I shall be in bed by 11.45 pm t the latest.

Hmm, indecision. Straight on or right turn?

A few more feet and I’ve finished first.

Friday 4th Dec

Disaster!! I got to bed by midnight but didn’t start reading straight away as Mike stuck his head in to talk. Once he’d gone I finished the book I was on and knowing he was awake went through to pick a new one from my bookshelves. I didn’t read too much of it and my light went out about 1.00 am.                                                                                              I was up again at 2.00 pm though it wasn’t for too long. But when I lay down I just couldn’t drop off again easily. When eventually I fell into a sleep I was there until 7.21 am. When I get my hands round the neck of Somnos I shall wring it like a Christmas peal.                                                                                                                                                                          Being Friday it’s the day I prepare my drugs for the week so that was next on my list. I went to the kitchen to take this morning’s doses to leave the container empty. I didn’t have time for breakfast. My drug drawer is next to Joey so I had to go carefully in case I disturbed him though it was light enough at that time to see me. His head swivelled as I arrived but not a murmur from him as I pulled it out and returned with it to the kitchen. Once the meds were all  done I returned the drawer and got the same reaction again. It seems as long as his door is shut he trusts me, but when it’s open……. he panics and I expect his beak in my eye at any moment.                                                       I took a coffee back to my room for the next phase.

Power up, log on and sign in. Sit there for 15 minutes as the system tells me that it’s nor available (again) before finally groaning in frustration and doing another system restore. By the time I finally got there I  could hear the gods sniggering in the background as I opened my gmail. It was on 104. I worked solidly until about 9.45 am when Mike stood in my doorway to let me know he was up. The body of a God- Buddha, standing there in his shreddies ( underpants) scratching his bum with one hand and his head with the other. As he went to the loo I went to make his coffee.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  As he came through he noted it was almost time for Homes Under the Hammer so we turned it on. I was waiting for Joey to come out of his cage so I could re-hand the bell toy he’d dismantled earlier in the week. I’d managed to re-attach the balls and bell to the hanger. He just sat in the cage and chunnered without coming out. At 11.00 am it was time for the TV to go off as I returned to work and Mike left to visit his dad. When I returned to the computer the mail was at 96 again though I’d got it to 72 earlier. All I could do was sigh.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        No  way could I stop for lunch and my usual Bargain Hunt so I worked on until 1.10 pm when I was clear, if only for the moment. The Post Man had delivered an implement to help me get the tops off difficult jars so I left my feedback and then went through to have something to eat. I settled on a small cottage pie today with some bread and butter. It was quite nice and as Joey came out to see me I nipped up  and put the bell in and a new millet spray. I had ten minutes of snooker on the TV then returned to work having promised Joey I’d be back for 2.15 pm. He made me put it in writing the distrustful little thing.                                                                                                           Just before time Joey started shrieking so I went to see what was wrong and found Dr Blake just starting so I sat and enjoyed it. Joey was peaceable which was nice. I still needed to return to work after that but he let me go. I was only to be away until 5.15 pm anyway.                                                                                                                                                          At 5.15 pm I returned to watch my quiz and as it ended I realised it was Friday and the planners had stolen my second quiz off me. I sat and watched an old Star Trek for fun instead. Mike texted me at 6.15 am to say he was on his way home. Then it was Mastermind at 7.00 pm during which I almost wet myself when Mike arrived at 7.15 pm. He told me he was part way through his journey when he texted me earlier………….of course he didn’t think to mention that at the time. Joey greeted him and the language was a lot less choice than mine. We watched ‘Would I Lie To You’ until 8.00 pm then I left him with his football while I went for a shower. Yes, I had to have my head down between my legs to wash my hair and almost went A over T as they say.

After the shower I came back to work until 9.30 pm when I went to see how his day had been. I was a little too soon as the game was still on and he was being as vocal as ever. It wasn’t made any better that Joey was just as bad and seemed to have suddenly learned to whistle. Bang go the eardrums. As the game ended I quickly turned away from that channel and caught a programme on ageing rockstars. Should a man approaching 70 be singing about sitting in the back row of a cinema with his 18 year old girlfriend. According to the rockstars the answer is no. The programme that followed was fascinating for both of us as it was about the birth of 10CC  and their musical creations. From getting together until their musical divorce was quite a journey and one I enjoyed with them at the time. When I realised it was 10.45 pm and I was still sitting there I got up to come back here. Mike took great pleasure in reminding me I wasn’t drugged to the eyeballs yet so I had to detour first.

Hm, I don’t usually get to pet my meals.

I still think that’s my Pops or maybe Uncle Mike’s tummy.

Saturday 5th Dec

I got into bed about midnight after Mike was kind enough to do my legs properly for me. I think the rubbing aids the circulation too. Naturally I read a while and it was about 1.00 am I extinguished the light ( Saturday and I’m still using big words). I got up at what I thought was 3.21 am but which turned out to be 3.01 am, maybe I should try opening my eyes first. I visited the loo and saw the water level way down because of the strong winds outside. I tried to raise the levels singlehandedly.                                    When I came back I had the same frustrating quarter hour trying to get in before having my third system restore on the trot. I know there’s a major problem but have no idea what to do. The £5 won on Thunderball last night isn’t going to pay for a new computer.                                                                                                                                                                When I finally got in I opened my gmail and started on the mail. A few of them led to a post about the latest in a long line of killings in the US. Some people believe that more belief in their god is what will solve the problems. They blame the killers because they follow a different god without for one minute thinking it’s the fact that so many innocents are killed in places like Libya that the people there might be upset enough to seek revenge. The best way to stop these killings is to stop killing. Many people believe like me that the UK is wrong to agree to more bombings over there. They’re sending recruits to ISIS with their actions.

I finished with the mail at 4.49 am and took a break to sit in the lounge. I wasn’t sure whether to risk sleep in case I didn’t hear Mike’s alarm. I thought I’d give myself half an hour then return to clear any new mail and if there was none then ebay beckoned. Since I was still awake at 5.15 am ( yes, I cheated, it’s not half an hour) I went through to the kitchen to load up on meds and to have some breakfast to hold me. I enjoyed it.                                                                                                                                                                                Also enjoyed was bringing my coffee back at 5.45 am and finding just one item of mail in my box. That was soon dealt with and I headed off to ebay with nothing specific in mind. At 6.10 am I heard Mike go  to the loo. I asked him whether he was going back to bed or did he want his coffee 20 minutes early. “Let’s just see when my head hits the pillow” he said.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           We drifted up to 6.30 am when Mike’s alarm went off and I went to make him a coffee. When ready I took t through but heard no second alarm. I woke him.”OK ” he told me. There was no alarm at 6.50 am either so I knew he’d turned it off. I gave it 5 more minutes and went to call him again reminding him a coffee was there. If he didn’t move after that I’d leave him till he was ready to move. At 7.05 after what should have been 4 Alarms and 2 Calls, he finally moved. Somehow we were out of the house at 7.30 am and on our way.

We selected two nice bunches of flowers for Ju this week and I’m sure that was my most important purchase. Just now I can’t think of anything else I actually bought but I know the bill was coppers short of £70.00. Ah yes, I bought some fruit and Mike is still laughing about it.It must have been very expensive fruit.                                                       We seemed to get round quite quickly and were soon having a coffee ( or molten lava) in McDonald’s. The weather is atrocious with gales everywhere. There are floods across parts of the country. These storm fronts change so quickly, I think this one has a male name and begins with D following Clodagh from last week. When we got outside we didn’t hang about. We set off for Flint but detoured slightly to ALDI for a brochure on the way. We both bought a few things but again if you asked me what, I have no idea. The trouble is, when you unpack things are put where they should go so it’s out of sight out of mind. Perhaps I’ll remember when it comes to wrapping them.

When we parked up outside Temptations Mike went inside to warn them we were around while I started walking over to Homie’s and smoking a cigarette. Lighting that was a treat I can tell you. Mike joined me there to carry my bag expecting us to go on to another shop for more stuff. I thought we had what was needed and a coffee would be nicer so we went straight back to the car for chocolates and headed into Temptations. Kyle was preparing the tray as I reached the counter but I had to cancel the teasted toecake much to his surprise ( he fell over in shock) as Mike has decided on crumpets today.                                                                                                                                                                  We had a little chat with Ceri and with Sian who was on the card section again. I finished my latte and went outside for a ciggie while Mike finished his drink and leering at the girls. We had a small run round another shop ( yes, he’s right. I find it difficult to go into a shop without spending only he puts it less politely), then got in the car. The usual question reared it’s awkward head, “Where next?”                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             I’d have been quite happy to go home and start work on the backlog but Mike had other ideas and drove right past and ended in Prestatyn. He gave me the choice of where to lunch and for once it wasn’t the CookHouse. We went to a tiny cafe and had a brunch for me (Mmm bacon) and a large all-day breakfast for him. It was really nice and I saved a fortune too. Back to normal tomorrow I expect.

There was no real reason to stay out in this foul weather so Mike brought me home. We were in by 2.00 pm. First job was to open Joey’s cage so he’s stop shouting at me (I told him it was Mike’s fault) and then on to  unpacking and putting away the shopping. I had to be very fillosoffical after that and come through to start work on the mail waiting for me while Mike got to watch ‘It’s a Wonderful Life’. The way Joey was hammering on his bells I’d say a lot of angels were getting their wings today.                               Because we have an agreement that when he visits I don’t leave him sitting in the lounge all the time while I work, I knocked off at 5.15 pm to watch Mastermind and them Pointless, our usual one. After that it was OK to come back to work until 8.00 pm when the series about the early Canadian Detective was on. I do hate to miss that. But then I got caught up in A Murder in Paradise until 10.15 pm and had to get my skates on then. I’m doin’ OK though, don’t worry about me, after all who needs sleep anyway?

Crafting for Christmas

Decorations for Great Aunt Mu.

A time when there was such great hope with youth. I was 18 and sure I was at the start of something special. It’s not too late.

An extra track but there are some very upsetting images on here so beware if you’re sensitive. This has to end.

Have a wonderful new week and I hope it’s filled with dreams come true and Hugs galore.

Suffering from the Wind & A Mouthful of Tea.

Sunday 15th November.
After finishing the mail last night, I went to bed and enjoyed a read until 01.10 am. There’s been a gale howling all night long. I was up at 4.18 am and was surprised after signing on to get a skype from MuJo as they’d been up all night with the storm. Sometimes it gets quite concentrated where they are. I started on the mail which was gentle enough at that time then as 5.00 am rolled round I went for my meds and some breakfast. I brought a coffee back with me.  When I got back all the Daily reports had been released to me and the mail outstanding was at 122. I must have done about 50  I thought before stopping for breakfast.                                                                                                          I remember seeing 8.15 am when I was working.All of a sudden I was coming awake and it was 9.25 am. Oops. I went through but Mike was still sleeping. I put the kettle on anyway. He got up at 10.10 am. I went through and joined him and also let Joey out of his cage. The storm was still blowing outside.

I managed to nod off in my chair for a short time too. I was tired but with lunchtime approaching I went to get dressed. Mike did the same. He said it was time for a drink as I was saying it was almost time to decide on lunch. He asked for bacon sandwiches at home instead of going out. I was happy to agree. While I  did the bacon, Mike cut and buttered the baps. I put a feel-good Christmas film on the TV and we ate.                                                                                                                                                                                                           We decided not to go out at all today but I suggested Mike went home early so he could travel while it was still light enough to see branches brought down by the fierceness of the wind. For once he agreed with me. So  , at 3.30 pm he gathered his stuff and said goodbye. As soon as he left I said my goodbye’s to Joey and came through to work. By that stage of the day It was already over 300 pieces of  post, not counting what I’d already done. I ploughed in and worked till 5.30 pm when I went in to give Joey a surprise and turn the light on. I had a piece of strawberry and rhubarb tart for my tea and watched a little TV.

At 7.00 pm I went back through to work and to see how my bid was doing on a snow suit for the baby to be. In the end I could have bought a baby for less so I searched for a couple more to bid on. Next one 8.30 pm. I caught up on mail and at 8.05 pm went back through to the lounge and my flight instructor. I’m apparently spending too much time in front of the computer,I know my rear end would agree.                                                                                                                                                                                                                 The TV turned on alright but I was a little puzzled when it wouldn’t turn to the channel I wanted. I sat on my chair like a lemon trying to find the right position where it would work. It wouldn’t. It kept skipping between a channel showing a fishing competition between 3 men somewhere in Africa and The Antiques Roadhow ( not to be confused with the Road Trip). I might have lived in peace with one or other selection but my head was close to exploding when it would change channel in the middle of a sentence I wanted to hear the end of. I think I’m haunted. I even changed batteries in the remote in case that was the problem. Still,it forced me out of the lounge earlier than it would have. No doubt Joey will complain he was locked in and the light turned off but as I’ve already warned you, he exaggerates.

I was back in time to bid on a snowsuit for a baby which I won. I was also in time to put as bid on a Le Creuset casserole dish that I didn’t mind if I won or not. Mainly because I hadn’t 100% convinced myself it was exactly what the person wanted. I won it anyway so that rounded my night off nicely. I changed my  email address with ebay and then remembered to do it with paypal too.

Monday 16th November.

Last night I got up to date with mail, had a read and still managed to get the light out at midnight. Granted the light was only out a minute before I remembered I hadn’t taken my meds. The terrible thought that maybe it could have me standing naked in the rain beating my chest as a coachload of returning female bingo players passed by, made me get up and take them.  I’m not sure what time I eventually got to sleep but I’m sure it wasn’t long.                                                                                                                                     It was 3.53 am when I got up. I would normally be glad of the chance to attack my post as I should have been going to Chester today . Yvonne and Reuben are booked for their flu jabs tomorrow when I would normally go. However I’m not going because poor little Roobs isn’t well. He seems to have a chest infection and a bad cough. He seems prone to things like this.It obviously runs in the family though I’ve been fine recently ( touch wood). So, I have all day to keep the mail in check now.

After a flying visit to the loo I came back and logged on to the computer. At that time there were only 20 emails which took no time at all. By 5.30 am I  was clear even with another batch of emails in. At that point I decided to go for breakfast and to take my morning meds. I was back by 6.10 m and mail was still a steady trickle until 7.00 am today, then it was an avalanche. It came, it came and it came. I remember a point where I read 83 so I worked on about 6 of them and checked,it was now 97. The more I did the more that came. At about 9.00 am I realised I’d made real headway and had just 26 again. As I checked them I found they were responses to the ones I’d already done and I was just creating an email echo. No  matter what I did something would come back at me.                                                                                                                                                  It was 9.55 am when I was able to go through to release Joey, see, it’s all your fault he complains not mine. As a treat I hung a new honey seed ring in his cage.He’s given up on the main one since he found the fruit in it. He’ll have scurvy soon if he’s not careful. I quickly swept the floor around his cage to get rid of the seed husks and then turned on the TV for Homes Under the Hammer.

I had time to return to work at 11.00 am and play catch up but my warden came at 11.30 am and was here chatting for half an hour. It’s great, some weeks she’s the only company I have bar Joey and he bullies me if I stay with him too much. After she’d gone I made lunch, watched Bargain Hunt then nodded off for an hour. I had to play a lot of catch up after that to make up for the sleep.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            I didn’t return to the lounge until 5.15 pm when the quizzes started. I was there until 6.30 pm then legged it before Come Dancing or whatever came on. Again I worked until 8.00 pm when I went to watch two DIY SOS’s. I have to be reminded of the goodness still in the World and what people are capable of.                                                                 At 10.00 pm I said goodnight to Joey, turned everything off and came back through to do the blog and any remaining mail.

A cough won’t keep me down.

When Mum asked if I wanted a penguin I thought she meant the chocolate biscuit.

Tuesday 17th November.

I managed an early night last night. Even though I read quite a bit I was still  able to turn the light out at midnight.  I had a small comfort problem which took a while to adjust to but I did get to sleep….until 1.00 am. After a visit to  the loo  I went to sleep the rest of the night in my chair. I woke at 3.03 am. I was still tired but that was the sleep for that part.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        It was time to log onto the computer. I was quite surprised just how much mail had accrued in gmail. It took until almost 4.30 am to complete. It seemed a good time to try and get another 40 winks so I lay on the bed, shut my eyes and was away. The next time I woke felt much better, it was 5.42 am. Before starting work I decided to go for my meds but didn’t want breakfast this morning. I brought a coffee back to face the fray.                                                                                                                                                                          It started well enough. Just ten messages on screen. As I worked my way through them the numbers increased. I had done a lot and saw the balance was 68 to go. I did a load more and the balance was now 66, and so it went on. The last one to be done at 8.36 am when the squawked demands of Joey sent me through to open the cage door. I was pretty sure he wouldn’t come out yet as it was still dark and overcast but he’d won his first battle of the day just getting me there to  talk to him.

I stayed with him a while and then at 8.50 am I got ready to go out. I started out fully intending to get on the bus but once outside started diverting myself towards Pauline’s instead. I gave myself a massive mental kick and moved back towards the bus stop. I stood far enough away that no-one in the queue would talk to me but I didn’t see a face I recognised anyway. When the bus arrived I let everyone get on so I had chance to change my mind at the last minute, but I did make it. In town I intended letting everyone get off and go about their business but someone kindly stopped and indicated that I could go first which was really nice. I got off at the best speed I could manage and walked towards LIDL.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         A quick waltz round the shop brought me a few things I could use for Christmas and I was able to get the weekly special offer brochure too. I left and started taking a slow walk down the High Street. The sky was looking grim but the rain held off. Half way down the street is a passage between two buildings. I went through there , through the library car park and into the new Home Bargains. I spent a full half hour in there and got a few nice things which will be perfect as stocking gifts. I felt much happier knowing I’d done it , scared and proud that I’d managed a trip alone albeit a short one and I’d stayed clear of people.

Heading back up the street I was thirsty. There was a little cafe with no-one in. I think I know why there was no-one in. I asked for a tea. It was a cup rather than a mug but I could live with that. First two tries though the man held the cup under the machine and pressed a button for water which came from another nozzle  from where the cup was. Third time lucky ( and he was bloody lucky not to have scalded himself) and he got water into the cup. It was a small cup and he only half filled it. He dropped a tea bag in the water, gave it a few stirs with a spoon took the tea bag out which now included some of my water, added milk (without asking) and charged me £1. It was as well I  had some saccharine with me as they had none. There was just about a mouthful in the cup ( now now, no need to be rude to me) which was gone almost as soon as I reached the table. Oh yes, I’m on crutches and carrying two bags but there was no offer to carry my tea over for me. There were some nicely handcrafted things in the shop but I didn’t stop to really look at them as I didn’t feel like buying there again.

I walked slowly to the bus stop and didn’t have too long to wait before one came. Ten minutes later I was walking into Pauline’s and picking up my TV mag, some micro chips and some chips with a certain added subject that some think I over-indulge in.  Back at home it was 11.00 am and I stood unpacking the shopping as I talked to Joey. He seemed quiet this morning. I left to do 45 minutes on the post before going back to do lunch. I can’t mention what I had but the two baps I had with it from LIDL’s fresh bread range were beautiful.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   Bargain Hunt was on as I ate and Joey didn’t make a sound. Afterwards I closed my eyes in the chair and didn’t hear a peep from him. I slept till 1.55 pm and then had to return to work. I was away until 5.15 pm and expected a fuss when I got back to the lounge. Not a sound though he’s still moving around as usual. I had the last of the strawberry and rhubarb tart for my tea and just sat talking to him. I was there until 9.00 pm and though he came out to sit on the mirror he was quiet all evening. I really must be in the dog house. Just as well I’m in all day tomorrow.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                At 9.00 pm I took my meds, turned the TV off and said goodnight to Joey. I left the lounge door open so I could hear him but he’s still been quiet. I had a good catch up on mail then did the blog. It will be an 11.30 pm bed night I think.

Dick Turpin’s ride to York.

Black Bess, the faithful steed.

Wednesday 18th November.

I achieved my 11.30 pm bed more or less. I read till 12.30 pm, turned my light off and settled down. I woke up at 1.21 m thinking it was later, once I’d focused I suggested Porcinus ( for it could only be he from the laugh) go away and procreate. I didn’t even bother swinging my legs out of bed I just went back to sleep.                                                   I woke again and my bladder suggested I get up, so I did. It felt as though it was light outside as I moved but on reaching the bathroom I could tell it was not. I could also tell from the fresh laughter that Somnos was on the case and I was now wide awake. It was now just 2.01 am.                                                                                                                                I refused to show any disappointment or anger so I just signed onto the computer and started on the mail. By 3.15 am I couldn’t stop myself yawning and as I  got up to date on the mail decided to go sit in my chair in the lounge and see if I could sneak a little more sleep in. I couldn’t but at least I couldn’t sense the presence of the gods. By 3.30 am I was back at work which was still trickling in. At 4.15 am I lay down on my bed, pleased the mail box was empty. I closed my eyes and woke up at 5.00 am refreshed.  Time for my meds and some breakfast, Rice Krispies today since I don’t want to hide another tub of butter in my moustache.

I return complete with coffee at 5.35 am and pick off the odd email whilst waiting for the onslought of the daily notifications. It started at 6.05 am and grew and grew. I was thinking I’d never leave this room today but of course I did the moment Homes Under the Hammer was due on. That was the time Joey decided I was worth talking to at last.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       At 11.00 am I came back and started again. This time I made real progress and cleared the last one at 11.55 am in time to do lunch. One noticeable thing was that there had been no sign of the postman up to that time but I suppose I could have missed him as the weather was foul out there and for a while I was concentrating on the TV screen to try and hear what was being said. I just got yup to walk to the kitchen when there was a knock at the door which made me jump about three feet in the air. The delivery of some green baize to cover the card table.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          Lunch was pleasant and uneventful. I left a lot but it was meant to feed two so that was expected.  I watched Bargain Hunt and saw it to the end but did manage to nod off in the chair after that. Even half an hour perks you up  so I was twice as perky as that. I came back through to leave feedback and to deal with more mail. I’m glad some parts of the world must be asleep now. I’ve decided that I should ask that people who want to write do so between 12.00 and 12.02 am BST and if they can’t manage that not to bother. I’m sure I’d cope fine then.

At 5.00 pm I went back to the lounge. Dil had sent a text to say he was running late and would be there between 5.00 – 5.15 pm. I prepared his cup and put the TV on ready for our quiz. He was there in time for the start. We watched that and then out came the games table and the Yahtzee. In the first game Dil won three on the trot and I won the next three. There was no chance he’d want to leave it a draw so we started a new game.  One of the gods must have felt they owed me a favour as I won the first 5 of the 6 games and I’d had Yahtzees in 4 of the games, one even having 4 Yahtzee and a score of over 600. Dil tore up the score sheets at the end smaller than confetti so no-one could see them.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             We moved on to Trivial Pursuit. We both managed to get 5 of our segments pretty quickly but struggled to get the last. I achieved it first then Dil a few goes later. Then it was a struggle to land in the middle though when I did he asked me a sports question knowing I’d blow it. As it was approaching his time to go, when he reached the middle I asked a  reasonable question which he answered. At least now I was sure he wouldn’t kick a cat on the way out now. Honours more or less even again.                                              I had a quick tidy up then washed the pots. I took my evening meds and went through to close Joey’s cage door and wish him goodnight. It was time to come through and catch up on my mail and write the blog. No problem, I reckon another 11.30 pm bedtime but I’m not sure I’ll read tonight.

I’ll take a running jump I think.

You watching Mum in case I whiz past?

Thursday 19th November.

I slept until 4.07 am today from about 12.30 am. Not too shabby for a change. My snoring obviously didn’t disturb Joey and his occasional chirp didn’t disturb me. Though I must add that it’s funny, the past twice I’ve slept in my chair,Joey hasn’t come out of his cage early on but has stayed in a little fluff ball, head down, asleep. I paid my morning visit to the Piddle Palace and then came through to the bedroom to sign on. As with most days there was plenty of your post to keep me going but today I only did half so I could break off at 5.00 am for meds and breakfast. Cornflakes today, heck I’m so health conscious.                                                                                                                           After that I made a coffee to bring back and start the second half. A few more had trickles in but I wasn’t worried. I was making some progress when at 6.10 am the deluge started. Over 100 messages in about five minutes. I started working in earnest ( a little village in the back of beyond) but by the time I finished at 8.40 am I was workimg on answers to the ones I’d just done.

I went through to the lounge to open the cage door for Joey. He looked at me as if to say ” Shhhh, budgie sleeping” then curled his head back under his wing and ignored me. I sat down and had a cigarette trying not to disturb him. As soon as the cigarette was out I went to put my shoes on and my coat then headed for Pauline’s. I needed bread and milk as well as the lottery tickets. I left a note on the door just in case any parcels came while I was out. They didn’t.                                                                                              Back at home I unpacked in the kitchen. I told Joey I’d be back in time to watch TV with him then came through to answer the next set of mail. My wonderful friend in Australia had written her usual comic responses to my emails to  her. That kept me going for a while. In fact just long enough for ‘Homes’ to start.                                                      After my programme was over I was well behaved and returned to work without complaint. No audible ones anyway. I knew I had only to work for three quarters of an hour and I’d be off again, this time to prepare lunch. I peeled sweet potatoes, set the sausages going on the grill (or under it if you prefer) and opened a tin of veg. In the very last minute I made myself some onion gravy and I was set. It was wonderful.

I came back through at 1.00 pm with the intention of staying here until 5.15 pm but was rewarded when my hard work meant an empty box at 4.45 pm instead so I got some Flog It. The only time I made appearance in front of my desk was from 6.00 – 6.30 pm because after that I had an antique show, The Big Bang Theory and The Last Kingdom. Once 10.00 pm and I stopped swinging my seax (no that’s not a dirty word) at the Danes (sorry Birgit, you know I love you) I came back to my room. I didn’t know what time Mike would arrive tonight so there was no point in staying up. I might as well work till he got here which as it happened was 10.30 pm. I made his coffee  and had a quickish chat with him before coming back to finish off the right side of midnight.

Oh, there was one thing I wanted to share with you all tonight…

Five weeks tomorrow is Christmas Day !!!! But less than that when you get to read it. he he

Advert. Stuck for gift ideas?  Ebay is full of them. I was looking for a personalised box the other day and came across this gem

A brilliant personalised gift.   Number  371469034697

Filled with a variety of teabags or maybe sweets this could be a very special gift. Check the size of the sections first as there are others specifically for teabags.                              P.S. I understand you don’t have to have a friend called Samantha, he he.

Friday 20th November.

Lights out about 12.40 am, I was ready to sleep. Up again at 2.21 am but not ready to wake. I nipped to the loo and saw Mike was still on his tablet. It seems like me he’d been to sleep and the woken. He couldn’t get back to sleep though and was waiting for sleep to come and drop  the tablet from his hangs. After my loo  visit I went back to my room and took up the book again for a short while, about a cigarette’s worth. I turned the light off again and slept. Up again at 3.33 am  but this time I knew I was awake. I went through to check on Mike and at last he’d fallen asleep again. Great, I couldn’t cope with the two of us wandering around and bumping into each other. I may be awake but I’m not sure I’m sociable.

I opened my email on the computer and there were enough to keep me going until 4.51 am. I had a cigarette then went through to the kitchen to take my meds and to prepare my pillboxes for next week. That’s my boxes for pills and not machine gun nests. I returned coffee in hand about 6.40 am and just took my time with the emails that trickled in. At 6.10 am the flood started when all the daily notifications from WordPress posts were sent to me.. As I worked I watched the numbers jump,23, 49, 67, 93 until finally they started responding to my work and coming down. It was 9.20 am before I managed to get clear and release Joey from his confinement. ( no , he wasn’t having a baby).                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           After a major struggle with his alarm clock and with me bringing him coffee, Mike got up around the same time as I went through to the lounge and joined me. He was really pushing his luck as he had an appointment in Manchester at 11.30 am and he was still sitting with me at 9.55 am. I’m not sure how he did it but he left the house at 10.05 am. He has a turn of speed Superman would be proud of but it’s one I’ll never see on a Saturday morning.                                                                                                                                         After he’d gone I watched Homes Under the Hammer with Joey doing a running commentary in fluent Budgie. Then I came back to my room and started catching up again.

I wasn’t clear until 12.05 pm and had to scoot to get my lunch.                                                                                                                                                                                                                            Once lunch was over I fully intended returning to work straight away but somehow I just ended up dreaming about it. I know you’ll find it hard to believe that I could fall asleep in the middle of the day ( cough) but it just happened. If it’s of any comfort I missed the auction part of Bargain Hunt again.                                                                                    The long awaited return didn’t happen until 1.50 pm so to make up for it I did without my early entertainment and waited until my quiz at 5.15 pm. At 6.00 pm when I could have worked I got hooked on a programme about King Arthur which was interesting and left a lot of questions at 7.00 pm it was the Celebrity Antique Road Trip and Mike returned halfway through it and then at 8.00 pm was Mastermind. Such hard work all this viewing.                                                                                                                                        At 8.30 pm I went for a shower and Mike washed my hair for me to save me putting my arms above my head. We both know I’m in a delicate condition today. Then I went back to the lounge, made a sandwich for us and watched Michael Portillo’s train ride through Germany until 1.00 pm when I came back to work. I was pretty sure I’d be in bed before midnight at that time but Mike came and did my legs afterwards and now I’m not so sure. There was a fair bit of post.Still, if you all read a bit faster than I type maybe I’ll make it yet.

Saturday 21st November.

Lights out 12.30 am. Lights on 2.10 am I was having doubts about Somnos’s parentage. After another try I gave up and went to sit in the lounge. I smoked a cigarette for the heat and light as it was freezing last night. I’d have snuggled up to Joey but he was having none of it. I did drop off again and woke at 4.50 am. Now I knew for sure that Somnos worked behind a bar. Saturday, the day I shop early and he allows me to sleep late. I had to have breakfast , take my meds, do all the bins and recycling bags and then try to get Mike up at 6.30 am as well as try to get some mail done. It’s not like the small god doesn’t know that I have a flood of mail at 6.10 am. I don’t know where or when but there will be a reckoning. It’s not even like I’ve refused him any favours recently, mind you, I haven’t done him any either.

I’ll make it easy this week and just tell you the score with Mike was 1C -3A  I would have called him more than once but I was busy. Anyway to be honest, taking first the food waste and main rubbish out and then the recycling bags ensured blasts of cold air right into his bedroom which I’m sure worked better than a call. The three alarms were all it took then. I left him alone while I tried to shift some post but he got dressed and presented himself ready to go out at 7.25 am.                                                                        I had only to throw my coat on and add a dashing flat cap and we were away. Though there were cars with snow on there was no snow on the roads. We got to the supermarket safely. Tatws first and then flowers. I was ready to leave then but Mike suggested some food first. I went to the chocolate aisle. OK, I added some meat and sausages to the mix and even some biscuits, milk , butter and yoghurts. See,you’re surprised now. I bought a couple of nice candles for Christmas too.                                            We sat with a coffee and discussed our next move. It was as cold as ice (cue for a song there) outside but the sun was blazing down in our eyes. We headed for Flint.

We parked up outside Temptations then walked over to Homies and then to B&M (BUM) where we both picked up a couple of things. That went in the car and out came the chocolates for the girls and Kyle. Kyle saw us coming in and mouthed to me  “Usual”, I nodded yes and worked my way to the counter through the puddle of drool Mike was leaving as he spied Sian on the front counter. I paid Kyle, passed over today’s chocolates and picked up the tray of drinks with Mike’s teasted toecake.                                    Once we left there it was the Original Factory Shop next where Mike persuaded me to buy myself some new slippers as it seems my old ones have been disturbing him walking about on their own at night. Mike bought some gloves. Then we went to Poundland for some paintstripper anti-deodorant for Mike. He usually squirts it and applies a naked flame so he can get rid of the five o’clock shadow on his chin and that’s 5.00 am !

We were due to meet up with Yvonne in the afternoon and as yet didn’t know the time so we went home at 11.30 am to unpack the shopping. I had time to hit a bit more mail and at 1.00 pm when we went out I had it just below 100 left. We went to the chip shop in town and as we sat I had a text from Yvonne to say they’d just left Old Colwyn. Fine, allowing them half an hour travel we had time to eat so I texted back, “Meet you outside Homies at 1.40 pm” Mike and I ate and went up to the shop a little early. Note this daughter, UPHILL for two old men gasping for breath, I know this as we were right behind them. I checked my phone which said “Reuben’s gone to sleep, will drive slowly and meet you at 2.00 pm”. With a pair of deep sighs we walked back downhill to go round town . We were just coming out of the pet shop when my phone went again. It was 2.50 pm. “There now, a little early”. I’m bloody positive a feral growl came from my mouth as we walked back up the hill.                                                                 Ugo got Reuben from the car as Yvonne stood there shivering. We ushered her into the shop. It’s a huge shop which is why she wanted to see it. Mike and I bullied Reuben, Yvonne got to look round and Ugo got to nip to the loo nearby.I had Mike’s help to bully Yvonne so that I was able to buy a few things needed for baby to come and managed to fill a basket. I was really pleased. I said she’d pay for that bank transfer !!!!!!

We parted at 3.00 pm and Mike and I came home. I was straight onto the computer until 6.00 pm. Celebrity quiz time followed, Sharpe’s Rifles then Murdoch Mysteries which had quite a heartbreaking ending this time and I greatly appreciated the talent of the acting in those final minutes. After that I was free to return to work to ensure I was post free and blog free before midnight. And I’m going to make it too.

 

 

 

 

 

Flying Feathered Fiend & The Bus stops for a Loo Break

Saturday 31st October 2015

I am the slave of a brutal master. As a blog I publish every week to enlighten the world about his doings and comings and goings. I publish on a Saturday night at midnight. That is, unless my ‘master’ suffers a brainstorm and allows one of his digits to publish a day early upsetting my routine and confusing all my followers. Well, I shan’t stand for it anymore and if he doesn’t extract his (wayward) digit, I shall go it alone.                                                                                                                                                                                               In tribute to you, my faithful friends, I shall not just recount the new week from Saturday  but shall tell you the rest of his doings that you missed from yesterday. He didn’t even get dressed….all day. At 9.30 am due to problems accessing Talktalk he went through to release that feathered fiend from his cage , turned on the TV to watch Frasier and then Homes Under the Hammer and promptly fell asleep. He stirred only when the other one of his kind went through to the lounge. However he didn’t stir for long and was in and out of sleep up to 10.45 am.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         At 11.00 am he came back to work and sat moaning each time he tried to log on to Talktalk without success. He found a parcel by the door which meant he hadn’t seen the postie man, or heard him. The other one came through to say goodbye and left my master alone to keep trying. Eventually he managed to sign in and do some work. But at midday he was off again. Food this time.

The other one returned at 7.00 pm and my Master was up to date so I allowed him a break. He took advantage by not returning until 10.00 pm.

Since that’s an end to the day when I inadvertently pushed the Publish button, I feel I owe you a song. This one may test a few memories.

I was in bed reading before midnight but only read until 12.30 am. The new day started at 2.26 am and I couldn’t get back to sleep in either bed or chair. I started to clear my mail once I’d paid my usual visit. That went quite quickly after I’d cleared a few new malware threats that had arrived via Talktalk. By 3.55 am I was clear and the inevitable happened. I woke up at 5.06 am with a sore neck. One good thing is I hadn’t carried on typing while I snored.                                                                                                           I took my meds and had a piece of toast for breakfast. At 6.30 am I took a coffee through to wake Mike up. It was a 2 Call, 4 Alarm day today as he struggled out of bed at 7.00 am. He said he hadn’t slept well last night.

We did the shopping and visited all the usual places during the morning. Then we came back to Holywell to look in  LIDL for the weekly specials then a trip to the local Home Bargains for some Christmas odds and ends. We picked up some braised steak meals from Maggie’s Kitchen ( the best Chippy in Holywell) and came home to eat them so Mike could be here to try for a ring on ebay. He was kicking himself for falling asleep while the auction was on and he missed it at less than half he was willing to pay. On the other hand I was kicking myself for not falling asleep and losing one that went for twice what I’d expected. Don’t any of you say Swings and Roundabouts on pain of an excruciating ‘Crutch on the Foot’.

I worked most of the afternoon and only went through to my chair when sleep was calling.  In the evening I was in the lounge for Murdoch Mysteries and Death in Paradise. Then it was straight back to work to keep up. Since I changed instant notifications to daily ones I’m inundated with mail. At least there was no pressure to get the post ready to publish tonight.

A Monster comes

Monster at the Gate

Halloween at 2 months, at 14 months and at 26 months

Sunday 1st November.

I read until 1.00 am this morning before turning the light out and snuggling down. I slept well I think but when I woke at 3.16 am decided it wasn’t enough. I gave myself a good talking to ( saved the budgie a job ) whilst having a cigarette. A visit to the loo and I tried settling again. It took a while to find the right position which made it possible to sleep again, but I found it. New wake up time was 5.21 am and that was much more acceptable.                                                                                                                                                         No doubt you’re anxious to know whether such a short  space of time necessitated another Piddle Parlour trip, well don’t be daft, of course it did. After that I was able to sign in (although Talktalk took so long I wasn’t sure it was working ) and start work on the mail. At 6.15 am I took a break for my meds and some toast.                                          After that it was hard labour all the way until 9.30 am when Mike got up. For once my being up to date and his rising coincided.  It didn’t mean he stayed awake when we got to the lounge though. I did at least get a conversation with Joey though he seemed very subdued this morning, sort of like I was expecting myself to be as today was my anniversary.

I went to take another look at the mail at 10.00 am and to get dressed. After a while I heard Mike go through and get dressed and pack his bag ready for going home. I needed a few more things to make Muriel’s birthday bag a little more special so we left the hose at 1.30 am and Mike ran me into town, he said if I was good, he’s let me actually get in the car on the way back. So generous, that’s the downhill stretch. I wanted to find a fleece and there’s nowhere in Holywell for that so we gave it some consideration and decided to lunch in Prestatyn and then we have the choice of two or three possible shops there.                                                                                                                      It was a wonderful lunch. My beef was so tender it just fell apart. Afterwards we went into Marks & Spencer and found a fleece. I took out a mortgage and bought one but to be fair it is a blue one and they’re always expensive aren’t they? No, it’s thermal so it should be good for her. Afterwards we went to the new Sports Direct that has opened and I also found one there. It’s unisex and a hoodie but should be fine for her gardening. AND it was in the sale too !

The crowds were getting bad so we went to Costa for a coffee. I was promised double points if I ordered a No 9 blend Old something or other. We both had one. Then we came home and I tried to catch up on some post while Mike watched ebay for a few rings he was thinking of buying one of. I did sit with him as much as possible until he left at about 8.00 pm. Then I apologised to Joey and left him alone for an hour. At 9.00 pm I gave him the last hour of my evening until I took my meds and came through to deal with the blog and the rest of the mail.

Monday 2nd Nov.

Bed at midnight and then I read until almost 1.00 am when I felt tired enough to fall asleep. With light off I had a problem settling into a comfortable position and went straight to my chair. Sleep followed quickly. It was 3.16 am before I woke. I tried to go back to sleep but couldn’t. I even tried the bed again but since it proved impossible and I’d run out of options, I just signed into the computer and started on mail. It was done by 4.45 am. I tried the chair again and managed another hour. A trip to Tinkle City followed by a trip to the kitchen to take my meds and make a coffee and I was soon back at hard labour.                                                                                                                                 At 8.00 am I was able to go through and sweep around Joey’s cage before letting him out. I did have to encourage him out in order to be able to get my hand in the cage to replace his millet spray. That done I was able to go and get washed and dressed. At 9.00 am I was on my way to the Post Office to send a birthday card to  Germany and get a couple of other cards out.

I was soon back home again checking out the mail. I was clear withing about thirty minutes and went to make sure Joey was OK. He seemed fine. I sat in my chair and must have closed my eyes for a minute. It didn’t take long to open them again when I felt a rush of air and found Joey had flown close enough to make my hair stand up. He was in the mood for some low level flying yet still won’t land anywhere except his mirror.                                                                                                                                                                                 I watched Homes Under the Hammer and every time my eyes closed he was back. I hate efficient alarm clocks. Out of the corner of my eye I saw two postmen. It looked like a new one was being shown the ropes. One seemed to be carrying a package but when I got to the door all I had was mail. A letter to arrange a blood test and there was  an appointment with the diabetic clinic.I sent Yvonne a text to phone for the appointment and she got me a great one later in the month.

Programme over I came back through to work. Just as well as the post was mounting again. I worked until lunchtime then went through to take a pre-foodie tablet and put a corned beef hash in the microwave. I fully intended to come back to work as soon as Bargain Hunt was over but decided it was a good time to inspect my inner eyelids. That took till 02.05 pm when I slunk back here feeling guilty especially when Nanny Cool was talking about not going out in the sunshine because of her NaNoWriMo commitments. I worked to make up  for it.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        My Antiques Road Trip doesn’t seem to be on this week but as I went through at 4.30 am I thought for the sake of giving Joey some company , ahem, I could put up with Flog It which is also antiques based. As usual I stayed until 6.30 pm then worked until 8.00 pm. At that time it was History, the seeking of the real place for the battle of Agincourt since mass burials of the dead haven’t been found and then the Reign of Henry VII and the founding of the Tudor Dynasty. At last it was rime to tuck Joey in for the night and come through to battle with my keyboard before retiring to read for the night.                                                                                                                                                                  Chester in the morning.

Portrait of a Young boy with no taste in Rugby shirts.

Tuesday 3rd Nov.

Since my book went down and light went off at 12.30 am I’m pleased that I didn’t wake this morning until 3.31 am. It’s a shame I can’t say the same for either Talktalk or gmail this morning. Even though I signed into both as soon as I returned from my visit to the loo, neither actually loaded until gone 4 am. Talktalk loaded first at about 4.15 but gmail wasn’t until 5.05 am when I returned from taking my meds and eating breakfast. Luckily there was nothing before those times to cause pressure. I was nicely up to date by 5.50 am and took a break to get dressed after which I spent a while searching ebay and then Ikea for dining chairs for Yvonne.

At 7.30 am I left the house and started my walk. I hadn’t made it to the bust stop when the bus drew up alongside me to let me clamber aboard. I thanked Howard and asked if he’d had a nice holiday. “Yes” he said “but it was too short”. My journey was peaceful and I nodded off a few times. When I arrived In Chester Yvonne was a bit late so I went into the chemist to see if I could find the cooling non-itch version of my cream with menthol. They stocked the other varieties but not that one. I’ll have to buy it online I think. As I was leaving, Yvonne and Reuben were just coming in. We went to our usual shop for a coffee but more importantly….the loo.  After coffee I bought a Christmas present for someone and then because Yvonne is too fat currently to give chase I bought her a prezzie for looking after me.  Reuben helped me walk by gripping one of my crutches so hard I could hardly move it.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       I needed a few things today if we had time so we set about getting them. Some more Santa sacks, and though I bought the last 5 I still need at least 4 more, then a shade for my bedroom light. I remember seeing a metal one I liked in a shop but had no idea how much it was. I’d checked some out on the net and found I could pay as little as £9.99 plus postage then there didn’t seem to be an upper limit. When I checked the shop, I still liked them a lot and they were just £7.99 so I didn’t hesitate.

It was time to be walking back to the bus stop. I joked with Yvonne that if I didn’t get to the loo I’d have to walk past Pauline’s again today. But, as we arrived at the bust stop, so did the bus. I hugged goodbye and got aboard, not even my usual seat as a comfort. We pulled away and went to the main bus station where it looked like we might be there a couple of minutes. I asked Howard and he said I’d be fine so I scampered as quickly as I could to the House of Relief. Aaahhh, I’d be able to call into Pauline’s. Like the inward journey I managed to nod off and wasn’t having to cross my legs in discomfort. I called in at Pauline’s and bought what I needed plus a chips with curry sauce (now my signature dish) which I had once I’d unpacked my bags and let Joey out.                                                                                                                                                                            Once lunch was done I had no choice but to come through to work. It was 1.45 pm. It took me until 5.00 pm to get clear enough to take a break and watch my quiz. On my way I noticed a note through the door to say the postie had left a parcel in my cupboard. I don’t know how I missed it earlier. It was Yvonne’s birthday gift and I was pleased it had arrived.

I worked again from 6.00 pm to 8.00 pm then watched an historical documentary on the Stuarts, in particular Bonnie Prince Charlie. It made excellent viewing. So many deaths from the dynastic rivalries between his followers and those of George I of Hanover. After that I came back through for a last push at the post and to do the blog.

Wednesday 4th Nov.

I changed the dressings on my leg before bed last night and then applied cream to the rest. It was just midnight as I got into bed to read and it was 12.55 am when the light went off. I woke up on the dot of 3.00 am ready and raring to go. Only after a visit to the Piddle Palace of course. I powered up and signed in. This morning there was no problem with the sign in to Talktalk or gmail so I was able to attack the post straight away.                                                                                                                                                                       I finished the first round at 5.25 am and went to take my meds and have breakfast. I returned at 6.00 am and started again.At 8.30 am I paused to get dressed then after emptying my mail bags at 9.10 am I went to release Joey. Any more post will have to wait now until all visitors have gone.

MuJo came and Muriel was persuaded to open her birthday presents a day early to please me. I didn’t mind really but nit was nice to see them so well received. It was decided that instead of the chip shop we’d have something to eat at Temptations so we avoided a trip into Holywell altogether. Poor John must have missed his charity shops as well as his favourite meal. So, we went to ALDI so Mu could shop and I picked up some things including chocolates for the girls. Temptations only had two flavours of Panini when we got there neither of which appealed to me or it seems to Muriel. John had a pulled pork one while Mu and I just had ordinary sandwiches. Mine were egg mayo.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 We had a waltz round the shops after lunch picking up odds and ends but Muriel wouldn’t let me keep them in case they were married. We soon headed home. Because we hadn’t been to Holywell we were much earlier than usual. They left me about 4.00 pm to go to John’s Mum who is in her 90’s. That gave me half an hour with the post before Dil arrived. I made him a cuppa and passed him his anniversary gifts before we settled to our usual viewing. At 6.00 pm battle commenced. In the first 6 rounds of Yahtzee I couldn’t do anything right and lost 4-2. In the second round it seemed I could do no wrong and won 4-2. With honours even we started on the Trivia. We weren’t far apart at getting the six segments filled after which it was a case of who could answer a question chosen by the other when we reached the centre. As it happened after three false starts it was me. Dil asked all 6 questions on the card to see if he could have caught me on another question but I answered them all. I even surprised myself.

There was still some time left so to the accompaniment of Joey trying to dislodge his cuttlefish from the side of his cage we got the cribbage board out. I was behind most of the way but towards the end of the second stretch I was catching up. Dil had first call and fell two short of winning. I on  the other hand galloped past him and won. There were threats. such grim and dark ones but Hey, that’s life, I won overall and I was smug.                                                                                                                                                                              At 9.30 pm Dil left to go home reminding me of the time we were meeting on Saturday night. I said I’d be there with bells on. I tidied up and washed the pots, some of which I’d just dirtied making myself a sandwich. Then it was into my room to face the mail ans do the blog.

Reuben copying how Pops walks……

How Pops should walk complete with swagger stick.

Thursday 5th Nov.

At midnight I removed the dressings from my leg and applied cream all round on both legs. There doesn’t seem to be a leak anywhere today so I left the dressings off. I swung my legs into bed and tried to get comfortable as I read. There was a tickle under the skin that didn’t respond to scratching that kept coming like a sexual surge and my legs kept jumping. I gave up reading and turned the light off just after 12.30 am. Somehow, somewhen I got to sleep. At least until 3.53 am this morning when the day started anew.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   For some reason I didn’t turn my light on straight away but headed off for the loo banging my toe on one of my crutches as I went. I imagined a few choice words and carried on. When I came back I turned my light on and moved the offending crutch then signed into the computer. Bank first. all was OK there and the manager reckons it’ll be even better if I put some money in. Then I turned to the post.

Ah the post. How cleverly it leads me on then sucks me in and spits me out. Talktalk wasn’t too bad with post just in the early 30’s though it still took some time to do. Gmail had less but took longer. I was clear for 6.00 am and went through to the kitchen. Just meds and a coffee today as my moustache is still butter saturated from yesterday. I took the coffee back with me and both mail boxes bit. Talktalk now does it in pages of 12 messages and showed 5 pages. I did page 5 and clicked on page 4 to start there but more had come in so the bottom half of page 4 now formed the top of a new page 5. I got it down to page 3 and clicked to start and found a new page 4 had appeared. One step forward one step back. I was at it until 8.10 am and then had to try and rush gmail in case more came in. At 9.15 am I went to Pauline’s to do the lotttery and get bread. When I reached the counter I found I’d forgotten to bring the lottery card out. I brought the bread home and went out again. Still, as Paulimne pointed out, it didn’t sound as much just getting the lottery as it would have the whole lot together.

I need to get a battery put in a watch but can’t face going to town alone so will have to wait until Mike’s here at the weekend. Instead, Joey can have my scintillating company unless I nod off. I can at least peel my sweet potatoes ready for lunch time. I behaved and didn’t nod off. After chatting to Joey with no response for a while I went to Mike’s room , filled his bed with hessian Santa sacks and started putting the appropriate gifts in the right bags. The bed was soon full and I hadn’t emptied all  the bags from the floor not placed all the jewellery and watches in boxes. I did note that I didn’t seem to have a jumper I should have though and after a thorough search decided I mustn’t have ordered it. I raced back to ebay to correct that mistake.                                                                                                                                                                                             At lunchtime I had my sausage and sweet potato mash, watched Bargain Hunt and then returned to work assuming (correctly) I’d be assaulted in my absence. I was part way through that task when someone knocked on the door. Dwr Cymru (Welsh Water) wanted permission to come and take some water samples and run some tests. Anxious to be sure there’s nothing in my water that shouldn’t be, I let them in. Twenty minutes later they were done and stood there admiring the effect of my library doors. I might have been less than subtle when I explained I needed to return to work. With stutters that took a further fifteen minutes. They left, I worked.

I gave up work at 5.15 pm to watch my quizzes until 6.30 pm. I needed to come back to catch up on work then as I intended taking from 8.00 pm to 10.00 pm off for the new series of The Big Bang Theory and then the series from Bernard Cornwell’s books about Uhtred of Bebbanberg, currently serving with King Alfred in Wessex. I did so and managed to stay awake the whole time. Then it was back  here to do the blog and have a final catch up with the mail before bed and a read of Terry Pratchett.

I have a giraffe growing in my hand…..

It’s getting bigger…..

Friday 6th Nov.

I read until 12.45 am and turned the light out. Caught a glance of something in my peripheral vision. Fell asleep. Woke again ready to get up and found it was just 1.21 am. Somnos was sitting at the end of my bed and suggested I’d slept enough yesterday to warrant a shorter night. I could use the extra time to glorify his name on the web. I treated him to a lesson in Olde English that included a few words I must look up later. Most of them ended in …..Off. I went through to my chair in the lounge where after a cigarette I slept until 3.52 am. I think Joey must have declared the lounge- his room- a god free zone as I wasn’t bothered again.

After a visit to the Piddle Palace I came back to my room and signed into the computer. I did the post until 5.00 am then went through to the kitchen to take my meds and also to do my meds for the next week in the appropriate trays. I had some toast for breakfast then at 5.50 am returned to work. Since the majority of the blogs I follow are now notified to me on a daily basis they come in en masse at about 6.00 am there were tons today.                                                                                                                                                      I went through to the lounge at 10.00 am to watch Homes Under the Hammer as usual and I still hadn’t quite finished the mail. Just as the programme started I saw the postie go past and he was carrying a parcel. I met him at the door. He had two. One was the jumper I’d ordered yesterday- great service, and the other was the Aveeno cream with menthol to stop itching. It’s supposed to work for 24 hours so I’ll cover my legs after my shower this evening. I’ll remember to save the box to show the doctor for repeat prescriptions. After the programme I worked for three quarters of an hour thn made my lunch which I ate while watching Bargain Hunt.

1.00 pm and I returned to Mike’s bedroom for the last stages of my battle there. Getting the gifts into the appropriate Santa Sacks prior to wrapping. This serves two purposes.1) It allows me to gauge whether I think there’s enough in the bag and see what’s missing. In some instances I know it was just selection boxes. and 2) It lt me see where I have spare gifts . The biggest disaster of the day was trying to get the watches I bought into the boxes I bought. Uh oh, no way Jose. That means I now have 12 boxes for bracelets of which I only have 3 and no watch boxes at all which I had to go online to order straight away.                                                                                                                  That little job whiled away most of my afternoon and at 4.30 pm when I would normally be watching an antiques programme I was actually clearing the bed and stacking the bags so Mike would have somewhere to sleep tonight. Then I had to come through here to deal with the afternoon post. I got back to my TV at 5.30 pm part way through my quiz.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          Just after I arrived back Mike sent a text to say he was on his way. I figured he’d be there a little after 6.30 pm. I hoped he’d have his keys handy as I’d be in the shower then so the door would be locked. I wanted to be out for 7.00 pm to watch Mastermind.

No sign of Mike when I got out of the shower and I watched Mastermind right up to the last contestant before he arrived. There had been bad crashes on the motorway and he’d stopped near home to pick up some food. I made him coffee while he got stuck into his meal then watched as he opened his birthday presents. He was very pleased with the wolf duvet set from Yvonne and he seemed to like his little pork pie hat that I’d got him. The good news, it seemed to fit.                                                                                       We watched a couple of American NCIS and Law and Order programmes before I departed at 10.00 pm to come and work. I left him watching a programme about a football team owned by stars of the team he supports worships.

Climbing aboard.

Ready for Take-Off.

Saturday 7th Nov

Light off 1.00 am and up again 2.19 am. Didn’t seem fair and my legs weren’t even itching. I went through to the lounge and sat in the dark listening to the budgie snore. I had a cigarette  and he didn’t wake to complain. Eventually I nodded off in the chair and woke to the sounds of Mike’s first alarm at 6.30 am I can’t remember the last time I did that. ( slept so late I mean).                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             Being so close to the kitchen I put the kettle on and started taking my sprays and meds. When the kettle boiled I took Mike a drink through and woke him. It coincided with his second alarm. I finished with my meds and made a coffee to take back to my room while I got dressed. It was pouring down outside so I wasn’t venturing out in my dressing gown with all the rubbish.

Mike got up with his next alarm.  C-1 A-3 seems to be the set pattern at the moment. He plonked himself in his chair and slept for a few more minutes. I left him to it as I was getting dressed. As soon as I was done I took the food waste bin out then the paper and the plastic collections and finally the wheelie bin with the main rubbish. The glass and tin bags will be OK for a couple of weeks yet.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 I finished my coffee and took my cup through to the kitchen. Mike was finishing his coffee and also went to get dressed. We managed to leave the house at 7.25 am.                 Mike got the trolley as I held up the cash machine. For some reason it didn’t take long to fly round this morning though Mike said it was perhaps that I forgot to put food in the basket again, I can’t understand why he won’t count chocolate as food. Even though we had a coffee we were still out of there before 9.00 am.                                                     We had a detour in mind before Flint. I wanted the Morrison’s store for some selection boxes though we managed to pick up sausage rolls and rhubarb tarts somehow too. I smoked a cigarette as we packed the boot and then as we walked to the Home Bargains store which is also a little different to the one in Flint. I didn’t buy too much in that one.

When we finally arrived in Flint I sent Mike off to Argos to collect a package sent there for him from ebay. I went into Temptations to order coffee. Young Sian was on the gift counter and smiled beautifully for me. On the coffee counter was Kyle with Ceri, back at work after an operation. Wonderful to see her again and I told her so. She was kind enough to say it was good to see me too. Mike arrived, shot straight past for the loo then came back and drooled all over her. When we finished we did one more shop together then headed for home.

After unpacking and putting away the shopping I came through to start work on what I knew would be horrendous amounts of post. With going out to the Silver Wedding Celebrations tonight I can’t afford a big build up. I left Mike with the TV. Partway through I had a break and wouldn’t you know he found a Katie Hepburn film to put on. Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner also has Spencer Tracy and Sidney Poitier my two favourite male actors. He’s a cruel, cruel man. I had to watch for a while but I also had to drag myself away or get nothing else done. By 5.30 pm I was up to date temporarily. Time for a breather before getting dressed to go out.

At 6.30 pm it was time to dress. I decided to stick to the same jumper but put on slacks instead of jeans. I was able to wear my grey suede comfy shoes. At 6.50 pm , the time we were due to leave, I was standing in the hallway with my coat on waiting for Mike to decide what to wear. And they say women are bad!! We made it out before 7.00 pm and reached the restaurant in Colwyn Bay for 7.30 pm. As I stood outside to have a cigarette Dil and Lynne arrived with Matt. We said hello and they went in. We followed not long afterwards. It was very warm in there but it turned out stripping was frowned on. Who knew? We said hello to those we knew which included Karen and Jo as well as Lee, Jen and baby Nathan. Moments later young Jess arrived with her partner Paul and her son Rylan. Lynne’s sister and husband arrived with their young son and her mother Renee who amazingly recognised me( even without the mask) and gave me a lovely hug. I haven’t seen her in more than 20 years .  Lynne’s son from her first marriage, Dean, was there and he’s still a pleasant young man.                                                                                                                                                                                                                 The atmosphere was lovely with very attentive staff and the meals were very enjoyable even if I don’t speak Portugese. One of my greatest joys was seeing my brother look so happy. One of my least favourite things was asking for an oxygen mask to help me get up the stair to the loo, yes I know a stairlift would have been even more helpful but you can’t have everything.

It was a wonderful evening but at 10.00 pm I had to ask if Mike was about ready to  leave. Lee, Jen and Nathan were going as were Jess, Paul and Rylan. I wasn’t going to be put to bed, but I did need to put the blog to bed. See what I did there eh? I paid another visit to the loo and then with the last of my breath said my goodbyes, making sure I left some cigarettes for Matt and retrieving my lighter off him so I could smoke. We drove home and Mike was able to watch his football on TV while I worked on the blog. I have time to check a few emails as well now.

Oops !

The family dinosaur seats 4.

The fantastic Seekers with the glorious Judith Durham.

May you all have a Fantastic week full of Dreams Come True & Hugs.

 

Of Mice and Men & Dil’s Whitewash.

Sunday October 11th.

Last night was a bit later than planned but I did getup to date before bed. I was going to have two chapters but was so close to the end of the book I couldn’t put it down. Pamela S. Wight is a master storyteller. It’s obvious she couldn’t care less about my sleep patterns though since she keeps me reading more. I finished it last night, what do I do now?                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          The light went out about 1.20 am but I knew I could have a lie in. I was u at 2.40 am after hearing a noise and a cry from Mike. When I went through, the pile of Christmas presents had collapsed and woken him up in fright. He said to leave them until morning but I didn’t want them trampled on a loo run. I picked them up and went back to bed. I woke again at 4.31 am and this was the real thing. I made my own loo run and came back to power up and log on.                                                                                                              The blog was getting comments and I was happy to see my spoof (or is it?) Buthidar’s post was still getting comments too. I dealt with my talktalk and then gmail post up to 6.00 am when I went to the kitchen to take my meds and have some breakfast. I had 2 crumpets today.

When I came back to the computer my talktalk had timed out. I had to close the site then sign back in. Then came the wailing and the gnashing of teeth when once in it told me it couldn’t find my account. Yet at the top of the page it told me I was signed in. Aaarrgggh !! I carried on with my gmail and then returned to sign in yet again on talktalk a little later.It did work the next time.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                At sometime after 7.30 am when I was clear I joined Joey in the lounge and opened his door in case he was ready to come out. I renewed his water and seed but the millet was OK since Mike had dealt with that last night. As there was no movement by Mike except another loo trip I returned to work at 8.30 am fully intent on keeping pace as long as possible today.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               It was 9.30 am before I took a drink in to Mike. There was no alarm to ignore today so I just left him to get up when ready. As I was working I didn’t actually hear him sneak through to the lounge but I think it was about 10.00 am. I went through at 10.10 am as up to date as I could be. There he was asleep in the chair but the spoilsport refused to fall over. He woke when I spoke to Joey and stirred enough to drink his coffee. By 10.45 am we were heading out.

I directed Mike to the new Homies in Holywell. I’d bought a wine glass a few weeks ago and was sure I’d got it from Homies in Flint but had found none yesterdy. Mike couldn’t remember them at all. I found them this morning and bought what I needed. I got some pillows, and a few stocking gifts while I was there so ended up very pleased we’d gone. From there we went to The Bells of St Mary’s for lunch, the usual carvery. Very nice too. No bouncing bomb potatoes, but there was an incident with an onion that repelled both knife and fork.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  Once we finished Mike felt it was a little too early to go home and set off to see his Dad again so we went into Prestatyn. They’ve just opened a new shop there TKMaxx so we had a whiz round there. Mike hurt his chest trying on some shoes but still ended up buying them. The place was a bit crowded for me but perhaps that’s because it’s so new. I took him for a coffee when we came out so he could recover his breath. It had happened as he tried to cross his legs. I didn’t realise you needed yoga positions to try shoes on. I sympathise as I know how difficult it is to bend down to get shoes on or tie them. I prefer slip-on shoes now but still have laced pairs.

We finally came home.Mike set about arranging Ju’s flowers while I started on the work I’ve dodged all day. There was lots of it. Once the flowers were done Mike came through to say goodbye and set off back to Manchester again before returning on the long journey to Rugby tonight.                                                                                                                I worked through till 6.30 pm then had a break for tea and to watch yet another version of The Count of Monte Cristo. The Count was played by Jim Cazaviel this time. I’know he starred in an unfortunate religious epic by Mel Gibson, which I haven’t seen, but I have enjoyed him in TV’s Person of Interest. It was a well made film and to my mind done with a lot of sympathy for the book. I came back through at 9.00 pm after taking my meds and running the gauntlet of Joey’s squawks because I was turning the light out. I managed to find a leather jacket in Roob’s size .I’d caught up by 10.00 pm and was able to go straight on with the blog. An early night follows.

Monday 12th.

I was in bed by 11.15 pm last night, almost unheard of. Lights out at midnight and I settled down to sleep. I’d had no power naps in the day to help me. I was up again at 1.25 am and cross that I couldn’t settle again despite wringing my bladder out so that didn’t cause problems. I went to my chair and must have fallen asleep pretty quickly as I didn’t finish a cigarette. This morning I woke up spot on 4.00 am. That felt pretty good. I’d done such a good job on my bladder last night I couldn’t even make a detour on my way to the bedroom to sign in.I opened both my talktalk and gmail though I dealt with the talktalk first. I had pretty much cleared that by 5.20 am and was able to start on gmail. I was doing well but had to break off at 6.00 am to get breakfast and take my meds.

While my toast was cooling I put a wash load in. The onion incident of yesterday where it had shot out from under my knife and fork had splashed me with gravy so both my jeans and my top had to be washed before anyone started offering me a bib.                                                                                                                                                                                            After breakfast I came back to my room to continue work and deal with the new messages that had come in while I was away. WordPress was down with an ‘Oops’ message but luckily it wasn’t for too long. By 7.30 am I was temporarily clear again. It was just starting to get light so I went to open Joey’s door and change his seed and water. He didn’t move off his perch while I worked. I stayed with him a while encouraging him to talk before finally going to get dressed.                                                                                              After dressing I alternated between playing catch-up and searching ebay for a suitable watch for two someones for Christmas and a 25th anniversary gift.  For the latter I chose a personalised label for a bottle of champagne, unfortunately the champagne didn’t come with it.

At 10.00 am was my homes under the hammer and I prayed to the gods that Val my warden didn’t come before the end this week. She didn’t, I had a five minute gap where I’d come through to work again and I’d just started answering a message. I let her in and she led the way to the lounge where she spent a few seconds trying to talk to Joey but with the volume he was creating he couldn’t have heard WWIII above it, never mind Val. For such a tiny object he’s very vocal.                                                                                  We talked about shopping as she’d been to The Tweed Mill yesterday where Mike and I had been on Saturday. I think I should get a medal for encouraging trade.               Once Val had gone I realised I hadn’t dropped my prescription request off.Getting my shoes on I shot up the road as fast as I could move. It’s very unfortunate that the chemist is situated right next to the chippie and the smell of vinegar was making me hungry. I resisted and went home back to the mail and managed to complete everything by 11.55 am just in time to make lunch. Today it was lamb with colcannon potatoes which had carrots as the veg. It wasn’t too bad but oh boy, I could easily have got sausage and chips with a portion of curry sauce today.

After lunch I saw the auction of Bargain Hunt with both teams making over £100 in profits before turning the TV off and turning myself off for 40 minutes as well. Shame budgies don’t come with an off switch too. At 1.40 pm I woke to the karaoke chorus of the barmy bird arguing with himself in the mirror, and what a mess he’s made of the mirror again too.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            I  returned yet again to the grindstone but was up to date within an hour. I carried on scouring ebay until 3.00 pm when I watched Escape to the Country. I need to have a reason to keep my lottery dreams alive. It was only a 45 minute break so I’d soon be back. Or so I thought, it was actually 4.30 pm before I came round just in time for Antiques Road Trip. I started watching and must have managed the half way mark but missed the auction. I  woke again to find the news on so I’d missed the first quiz. It was 6.05 pm so I turned over to Eggheads. I couldn’t refuse to come back to work after such a long skive session. I spent the early evening catching up and then at 9.00 pm went to watch DIY SOS where a woman had adopted her dead friends 5 children to go with her own 4 and needed a much bigger house to live in. No  matter how much you loved your friend and her children, that’s a massive sacrifice to take on so much. I won something I wanted on ebay for just £5.00, very surprised.                                                   There was more to do when I got back here and before I was able to touch the blog but I’ll still be in bed before midnight. I’m off to see Yvonne and Reuben tomorrow so I want to be rested.

Tuesday 13th.

The best laid plans of mice and men eh.I was in bed before midnight and had turned my light off around 12.30 am sure I’d be asleep the moment my head hit the pillow. It took some time. I woke again at 1.17 am. It took a cigarette and a move to my chair before I was able to nod off again. Even so, it was just 3.34 am when I woke up in there and knew I wasn’t going to get back to sleep again. I knew it wasn’t my bladder making calls on me as I didn’t need to go.  I lit a cigarette and wandered through to the bedroom to turn the computer on. Taltalk provided plenty of new mail to keep me occupied though my mind was actually considering what I’d wear today. At 4.32 am I’d cleared talktalk for a while and opened my gmail account. At the same time I opened up my ebay screen to see what was on offer today.                                                                         I managed to resist all temptations. While I’m out this morning I hope to solve one of the last two gift problems, at least for Christmas leaving me with just the one awkward one left. I wonder who that can be. Next of course are the birthdays on the run-up to Christmas, most will be cards but some will require thought as to gifts.

At 5.00 am I went through to take my meds and have breakfast. The expiration date on my milk was today so immediately my brain made it harder to swallow and there seemed to be a taste that shouldn’t be there. Rather than heave my tablets up and start again I gritted my teeth and swallowed. Of course when I made my coffee afterwards even that tasted a little funny. It was lucky I’d finished the bottle and was able to start a new one if needed.                                                                                                                                    Breakfast over and back in my room I reverted to my feminine side again by struggling to decide what to wear. Last night I’d decided on jeans and my black leather jacket. Casual but I suppose not very smart. After ploughing through everything hanging on my wardrobe door ( because there’s no more room inside) I settled on shiny brown slacks and a jacket and waistcoat in a checked brown tweed. My shirt was purple and I just had to add a cravat. It wasn’t raining so I should be OK.                                                   I think I’ve decided in advance that as long as my bladder is OK I might as well call in at the chippy on the way home. Sausage, chips and curry sauce is calling to me even though I just had breakfast.

At 7.30 am I left the house to catch my bus.I reached the bus stop and was there about a minute before Howard drove up. He started telling me how a rival bus company is trying to run them off the road. It took a minute to sink in before I realised he didn’t mean literally but as it’s a big company they’ve changed their timetable to get to the stop before Howard’s bus does. I have used that bus to meet Yvonne at Broughton Park in the past but if I’m going to meet her in Chester Howard’s bus is best because the way it goes, via the Greyhound Park, knocks about 15 minutes off the time.                                                                                                                                                                                                     The ride in was great as I was able to nod of in stages all the way. Yvonne wasn’t at the bus stop when I got there but I walked in the direction she comes and met her there. I did get a kiss from Reuben but it was accompanied by one raised eyebrow and a lowered head like he disapproved of something I’d done. Yvonne said he was in a grumpy mood. I know he’s just copying me and my look of “I’m watching you, behave yourself”.                                                                                                                                                                            We nipped into a shop for a few snacky things and some bottles of pop as Yvonne gets thirsty quite quickly now. Reuben wanted everything on sight and started to fill his arms. What a tantrum when he was told to put them back but he could have one treat and some chocolate. And that was all he got too. If his behaviour hadn’t picked up they would have gone back on the shelves as well.

We headed for our usual shop and the cafe where I had a latte and a bacon sandwich with some of the bacon still in it as Roobs likes bacon. He’d just demolished a big bowl of Shreddies . Still as I fed him the bacon I had to keep counting my fingers. After we’d eaten I went to get a Christmas gift before we went downstairs. Yvonne tried to leave the shop until a gentle cough from me and threatening to trip her up with my crutch ( does that sound rude?) brought her back to look at coats. I couldn’t get her to like a specific one enough to buy it but she did very much like a big cape like thing in wool.I know what they’re called but can’t bring it to mind. If I think about it later I can amend this and you’ll never know. It was in the sale so she jumped at it thinking it would satisfy me. We all know that’s not going to happen don’t we? Still, I bought it and it will be one of her gifts.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               We walked down the street to look at some other shops. It was chilly but bright. Yvonne was looking for a costume for Reuben for Halloween. I think she settled on a monster. Appropriate today I thought. Eventually we had to head back up the street towards the bus stop. We had a look round a large store but I had to cut it short. At the bus stop Yvonne sorted the bags so I had my purchases. The bus came and I kissed them both and got on. I was waving as they started walking home. Sometimes I get the chance to do it again as we catch them up but the bus took a different route today because of road works.

When I woke up and got of the bus at home I was proud of myself, I didn’t need to wee.There was no rush so I was able to step into the chippie and get what I’d wanted all day. Of course with the smell of curry sauce coming from my bag I had to give Pauline’s a miss but I can go there in the morning.                                                                                       I let myself in the house, took my coat off and went into the lounge where I was berated by Joey for having left him alone. I had to be very apologetic. I plated up my lunch and kept Joey company as I ate it. Eventually the screaming became normal chatty tones.That changed again when I went to wash the pots and then went to start work in my room. Earplugs would have been good.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        Today I went through the mail and just deleted anything I wasn’t answering until I got down to manageable proportions. I kept at it until 4.30 pm when my Antiques Road Trip started. I watched my two quizzes afterwards until 6.30 pm then rather than coming back I settled to watch a film. A true story about a widower with two children who bought a zoo. Very much the feelgood factor. Joey was quite well behaved and even got braver, now landing on the drawers on both sides of the cage ( not simultaneously of course). He keeps trying to land on the TV but I think the heat coming off it puts him off. Good, there’s not much meat on roast budgie.                                                                     At 9.00 pm I came through after turning the TV off and taking my meds a bit early. I was giving myself plenty of time for catch up and to do the blog. With luck I’ll be in bed by 11.30 pm.

Wednesday 14th.

And so it be. I climbed into bed at 11.26 pm and my light went out at midnight. It took a little time to get to sleep since I’d rested so well on the bus journeys. But whenever I did achieve sleep it was only until 1.28 am. That was when my brain decided that I’d had enough discomfort, sleep, dreams or whatever but today I knew my body had other ideas. Or maybe I was just feeling stroppy and didn’t want to fill my night with work as I have so often in the past. I took to my chair.                                                                    I still don’t know why this makes a difference as it’s not especially comfortable and though it’s a recliner, I never use it thus. I keep it upright. I smoked a cigarette while I told myself just how wonderful more sleep would be which doesn’t work all the time. Last night it did  and I went back to sleep until 5.50 am. That’s about five and a half hours in total. Remarkable. Of course on waking I was bright eyed and bushy tailed, oh no,that was the degus Julia used to keep wasn’t it?

I went to the kitchen and took my pre-foodie and put two pieces of bread in the toaster. That browned nicely why I took the rest of my meds. Then, I had a cigarette for timing before buttering and eating my now cold toast. I took my two post-foodies with a coffee which I brought back to my room. After powering up I signed into talktalk mail and started work. That took until almost 7.30 am when I logged onto my gmail account. By 8.15 am that was clear too. Time to get dressed ready for 9.00 am and a visit to Pauline’s. Bread, TV magazine and ciggies were what I went for but somehow a chips with curry sauce and a box of orange Matchmakers  made it into my hands too. I came home before I could add anything else and let an unhappy (with me) bird out of his cage. He was so un-amused I should have called him Queen Victoria.                         He was even less amused when I returned to work instead of staying with him but I wanted to be clear for 10.00 am and the start of Homes Under the Hammer and also the possible delivery of something nice from my postie.

At 11.00 am I returned to work for half an hour just to keep an eye on things. I don’t want loads sneaking up on a Wednesday. I had nothing from my postie though which was disappointing. At 11.30 am I went to start peeling some sweet potatoes. Once I’d finished I took my pre-foodie then put some sausages under the grill. After their first turn I put the potatoes in the microwave for 7 minutes and emptied a mini tin of baked beans into a pot ready. Another two turns of the sausages and the microwave pinged at me. I turned the sausages one last time and mashed the potatoes with some butter. The beans went in for 2 minutes. I put the potatoes on my plate and added the sausages which I’d now turned off. Finally as the beans were ready I poured them over the potatoes and away I went.                                                                                                                                     Joey didn’t seem happy to have me in the lounge again but he’d been squawking at me the whole time I was in the kitchen. I’d tried to keep up a level of chatter so he should be soothed by my voice but that didn’t seem to be the case. I received a few bollockings. I’d said he could come and sit on my shoulder while I worked but he still only seems to talk in and understand budgie which I’m not fluent in. Perhaps he’s just a real crosspatch by nature.

I saw my Bargain Hunt but towards the end of the auction my eyes were going. The programme just about finished before I was away with the fairies. I slept until 1.30 pm so I didn’t feel too bad about stealing half an hour. I came back to work and as I did noticed that the postman had finally been. Just the one item and in a very small though stiff envelope. It was a special label I’d ordered so was able to leave feedback straight away. I’d hoped for something else today but it’s down as a possibility for tomorrow so not too bad.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               There was a fair bit of post come in to both accounts so I took my time and kept going until 3.00 pm with one small interruption at 2.50 pm for an auction bid. I didn’t win. At 3.00 pm I joined joey for Escape to the Country, me to watch it, him to make as much noise as he could while I did. Next week I’m taking lessons in lip-reading in case that helps. Once that was done I concentrated totally on work ( OK and ebay) until 4.30 when the Antiques Road Trip is on and of course Dil could arrive at any time. And of course he did, it was just 4.15 pm and he caught me unawares. I knew I should have thrown him out at that point. I finished the message I was doing and followed him through to the lounge. Once I’d checked he was OK I went to make him a cup of tea.

We watched the Road Trip then our usual quiz until 6.00 pm. Once the TV went off the table came out and we started the Yahtzee. Dil won the first game 4-2 and reluctantly asked if I wanted to play again. I said I would if he liked and would count it as a separate game so he could say he won one. We played again and it ended 3 all. He said it was OK to combine the two as a continuation now and he’d won 7-5 .                                                                                                                                                                                             Out came the trivia and things started well. I had all six pieces of pie in while Dil was languishing on just 1 but as I either struggled to get back to the middle or struggled with the question when I did Dil soon caught up. He did the trip to the centre and had no trouble getting there but he didn’t answer my choice of question. We were in the same position now. It was getting very close to time for him leaving so when he next hit the middle I just asked the first question on the card without choosing the worst. He got it. Now he was able to leave the house whistling as he’s taken all the glory. To be fair he deserved it but I’m not telling him that.                                                                                      He left at 9.25 pm and I thanked him for coming. I went back in and washed the pots, had a quick tidy up and locked Joey’s cage door. He’s been both active and vocal tonight. For a while I thought he was going to join us and roll the dice. I wished him goodnight, took my meds and came through.

Lots of work to get through tonight but I was still able to start the blog at 10.30 pm. No more ebay bids tonight so I will be in bed by about 11.30 pm. I don’t think I’ll leave the house tomorrow.

Thursday 15th.

I made my 11.30 pm deadline and enjoyed a good read for an hour before turning the light out. Let’s say I was soon asleep. As has become the norm recently I woke up again. It was 2.43 am. It felt like I’d slept enough and I was tempted to stay up. I did try to go back to sleep but it wasn’t working. Instead of opening the computer I had a cigarette to relax me and went through to my chair. Even if I couldn’t sleep, I could relax there, but I slept. I woke at 4.42 am and this time there was no going back. I was satisfied though as it was about the four hour mark which I’m used to.                                                                                                                                                                                                                I just realised, I bypassed the loo to come and power up and log onto the computer. The first thing I found was a message from John ( half of MuJo) on skype. He’d made a remark recently about me becoming Muslim ( absolutely no offence meant to my Muslim friends) and I pointed out he must have misheard, I’d said muslin as I’m a material guy. Today I was met with an excerpt of the Madonna song. I was left with only one thing I could say. “That’s right” I said, “I’m moving soon to live at Abakhan        (A discount fabric mill) to a fabric-ated building”. I hope that brings this one to a close.

By 5.50 am I was clear with talktalk and logged into gmail. Before starting work I had a stroll down towards the kitchen but this time made the detour I should have made earlier before taking a drink. Vastly relieved I took a pre-foodie and then took my morning meds. After a timing cigarette I had some cereal, took my two post-foodies, made myself a coffee and took it back to work. Gmail awaited me. There were five more than when I left and I counted myself lucky.                                                                               It took me until 6.45 am before I was able to take my first break which consisted of playtime on ebay. I was most dis-chuffed when it suddenly disappeared and the system closed down. Yet another update from Microsoft that I’d have appreciated a warning about so I could delay it until the machine isn’t in use.                                                                    Obviously I had to wait for the whole thing to finish before I could log back in and get back to where I was. When this happens it could close down just as I’m about to bid and cost me an item. I wouldn’t be amused.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      When I did re-open it, there was nothing immediate I wanted to  bid on though I was rather taken with a blue top hat from Christies. I behaved. I returned to checking mail and blog comments until 8.30 am when a great squawking reminded me I hadn’t let someone out. I did so at the double and the sound stopped straight away. I went back to my room and got dressed, checked there was no urgent mail and went back through to change his food and water and chat to him. I had no intention of leaving the house today so could afford to spend some time with Joey.

At 9.00 am work pulled me back to my bedroom.There was plenty to keep me occupied until 10.00 am when Homes Under the Hammer was on. I was just walking hrought when the postman called with two parcels. One was a Christmas gift I’d been expecting but the other was a ring stick for measuring the size of a ring along with some metal size rings. Since neither of these included the UK sizes but were for the U.S./Canada, Russia and Europe, the first job I did when my programme was finished was to run off some comparison charts so I can convert to UK sizes. I stopped myself from checking all my own ring sizes and concentrated on clearing messages before lunchtime.            I’m afraid I had a chips with curry sauce again today (and for once there was plenty of sauce with it).                                                                                                                                                 Joey and I watched Bargain Hunt together though to be fair it was more like me watching and him accompanying with constant chatter and interspersed squawks of indeterminate origins. To put it yet another way he was a noisy beggar.                                                                                                                                                                                                               I was really prepared to return to work after that but Joey must have hypnotised me. Fortunately he clicked his beak at 2.05 pm and woke me. Hmmm. serving as my alarm clock now, and ruining my viewing, I wondered if it was possible  for him to be possessed by Oscar,after all I keep calling him that by accident, but then I decided No, he’s just another awkward beggar like Oscar was.

I worked the afternoon until 4.30 pm when the Road Trip was on. I lost three items I bid for on ebay as the price surpassed what I thought they were worth. I watched my programmes until 6.30 pm then came back for a quick catch up but at 7.10 pm I skived again to  watch a film.                                                                                                                               A text from Mike at 7.55 pm said he was on his way. That meant arrival about 10.00 pm. The film finished at 9.00 pm and I came back to work again but at 9.50 pm I went to put the kettle on and prepare his mug. He came in at 9.55 pm just as everything was ready so I was able to pour the drink straight away. He told me it’s been a very tiring week and his sleep pattern is up the wall but that his Dad is out of hospital and in the home again. He settled to relax with Law and Order so I didn’t get to hear whether anything in the home has changed and how his Dad feels about it. Maybe tomorrow night I ‘ll hear after he’s seen his Dad.                                                                                                         I left him with the TV about 10.45 pm so I could come and do the blog. With luck I’ll be in bed before midnight and not too much mail missed.

Friday 16th.

It was after midnight before I made bed but only because I had to deal with my legs first. The new cream called Aveeno really is stopping much of the itching. When I did get in bed you could say I slid between the sheets. I read until about 1.00 am then turned my light off and tried to settle. It didn’t work so about half past I decided to try from my chair instead. So this was the first of 3 nights I’ll try the chair first as was suggested to me in a comment a few weeks ago. Last night it worked, I went to sleep quite soon. I was up again at 4.29 am, ready to face whatever the day, Mike or Joey have to throw at me.                                                                                                                                                   First things first, a visit to the Piddle Palace on my way through to the computer. Then sign in and log on to my talktalk account. A fair bit of mail but I was delighted to gain a new follower on the Buthidars who was kind enough to agree with one of my blogs. That’s always nice to read.                                                                                                                  At 6.00 am I took a break to  take my meds and to prepare my drugs tray for the next week. I noticed one item that hadn’t come with my last prescription request when I found the empty bx in my drawer. I’m sure I checked I’d ordered the right number of things but maybe I’m mistaken. I’ll have to take another request up this morning when I go to Pauline’s for the lottery.

For a change I had some cereal for breakfast and once I’d finished and taken my tablets I took my coffee back to the bedroom. That was at 6.40 am. It took me until 7.05 am to clear the talktalk post and I was then able to open gmail. No too much there and I was clear by 7.40 am. I rewarded myself by checking ebay out until 8.00 am then before the fun got too much I went to open Joey’s cage. He didn’t flinch as I opened the door but as I backed away I was subjected to abuse again. Why do I bother?                I went to get dressed so that I’d be ready to take my prescription and visit Pauline’s. The chemist wasn’t quite open when I got there so I spent a minute reading all the signs in the window. It’ll soon be time for the flu jab again.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        When they opened the doors it took all of 10 seconds to leave the request in their box. It’s marked as urgent but  nothing will be back until Monday afternoon at the earliest. I walked down to Pauline’s and accidentally found a BFG  looking very lonely which I rescued. I picked up cigarettes and the lottery of which I have great hopes, if not tonight then at least for the 12 million rollover tomorrow night.  I’d prefer tonight’s and to leave tomorrow’s for some other lucky soul.                                                                   I came back to the house to find Mike had got up though there he was perched on the edge of his chair fast asleep and never fulfilling his promise of dropping off. I’d asked him last night whether he wanted waking up or would he prefer to get up naturally. He said “Naturally please.”I was surprised as he has an appointment in Manchester at 11.30 am. He was cutting it very fine when he finally left about 10.10 am. I had no idea what time I’d see him again.

I watched and enjoyed Homes under the Hammer and today the postie dropped off the leather jacket I bought for Reuben. It looks good and should be great with jeans for him. I returned to work at 11.00 am and sat considering whether to make a bid on something I was watching on ebay. I wasn’t convinced it would fit. But, I kept my options open and watched it in between answering messages. At time minus 10 seconds I decided to try and put a bid in £6 over the nearest bid but I lost it by £1 by someone who’d also thought ahead, only further ahead than me. I really didn’t mind. The stamping of my feet as I walked to the kitchen at midday to get lunch had nothing to do with losing.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    I put my food in the micro and then because I’d had my phone on charge overnight, though I’d better check it. There was a message that had come in less than 10 minutes ago from my dear friend Lis who wanted to know if I was in. I was, and texted her back to say so. I had to leave my lunch in abeyance when she arrived a few minutes later. My pre-food tablet would just have to be patient waiting for food to join it. I made her a coffee and we sat chatting about how busy she’s been with her daughter Charlie having bought a new house. What a surprise for us both when she mentioned Charlie walking to Ystrad Mynach to take the train and me reminding her that’s where my father was born. Charlie’s house is very close to where he was brought up.

When Lis left about 1.00 pm I had my now cool lunch but decided to leave the BFG till teatime. I couldn’t watch my Bargain Hunt as it was over so I went straight back to playing catch up with the mail. I stopped at 3.00 pm to see Escape to the Country. I really stopped, I missed Escape and I missed the programme that followed when I should have been working and woke up at 4.20 pm just before my Road Trip started. That meant I had to give up my two quizzes in order to catch up again.                       Since I wanted to take a shower at 7.00 pm I changed my bed and put new pillows on as well as getting fresh clothes out to wear afterwards. Joey had a ball telling me off for the lack of attention this afternoon.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              When I came out of the shower all squeaky clean and shiny I checked my phone. Mike had sent a text to say he was on the way so he should be there by 8.15 pm. I watched Question of Sport then during the small break I put stuff in Mike’s mug ans turned the kettle on. I settled to watch Mastermind and sure enough in he walked at 8.15 pm. He had to make his own coffee as  I wasn’t moving from the TV. Mike’s Dad is back from the hospital and in the home and it seems like he’s resigned himself to staying there. That would be good news for Mike as he’d know there was a care team in place all the time.                                                                                                                                                                        We watched Have I Got News For You before I asked him to find a programme I’d missed on Wednesday. The DIY SOS Big Build where they’ve taken a whole street in Manchester and are converting it into homes and training facilities for ex-servicemen suffering with PTSD. It was a mammoth task which is over two programmes so no doubt next Friday I’ll catch up with the last one. The two Princes , William and Harry were there to give a hand and droves of people gave up their time and pay to help. It was an amazing programme and it’s good to see someone taking the plight of these heroes seriously.

At 10.30 pm I shut Joey’s cage door, went into the kitchen to take my meds then said goodnight to them both as I came through to tackle the blog. It was touch and go on time but I will be in bed for midnight.

Saturday 17th.

Quite simply I lied. I mean I could have been in bed for midnight but I wasn’t. I was sitting on the edge of the bed preparing to do my legs while AVG was doing  scan of the computer. Mike came through to say goodnight and offered to do my legs for me. Since this is a real treat I accepted almost before he’d finished offering. I didn’t have to bend into awkward positions now. And while my legs were being done, AVG encountered some threats which we both got interested in and I had to hop over and tell it to counter the threat and wipe it from the system. This happened 3 times.                                                                                                                                                                                                             Anyhoo, it was nearer 1.00 am before I got to bed and I still needed a little read. It was 4.41 am before I woke and I was at least still in my bed though the intention originally had been to make this the second of 3 nights on my chair. I’ll have to start again. No dreams, no nightmares just wonderful sleep, but that’s what last night was. Does that mean I should go to bed later?

Before I forget, I won’t be blogging fully next week. I’m taking a week off. I’ll be around during the evenings and fully intend to carry on posting a piece of music every day and will no doubt keep you up to date with games night. But unless there’s any blisteringly important news I’ll give your poor eyes a rest.

I paid a visit to the loo then came back and logged on. Talktalk mail was the first to be hit and I managed to clear what little there was by 5.30 am. Gmail next, but I had to take a break at 5.00 am to get breakfast and take my meds. As usual I brought my coffee back with me and I intended to finish the gmail as soon as possible but a new message was emblazoned across my screen to say AVG had found two more threats which became three before I had chance to move. I actioned them in turn. I wasn’t sure what one was but the other two were both adware threats. AVG seems to be very efficient so far. The threats dealt with, I carried on. There was more mail in talktalk which I cleared then back to gmail again to finish. It took until exactly 6.30 am.                                                                                                                                                                                                          At 6.30 am of course I heard the first alarm from the other bedroom. I went to the kitchen and reboiled the kettle and made a coffee. I took it through and was grunted at when I announced it was there. I came back to my room to pick off anything new that had come in. The alarm went off a second time. I went through to take a look and it had made him turn over. I decided in view of the lateness to bed last night, I’d spare him further calls so at that point the scores were  1C– 2A.  I had a few more pieces of mail in my inboxes so I was happy enough clearing those. By 6.50 am I was temporarily clear again so I took the opportunity to get dressed. I realised then that something was missing….. no more alarms. Mike must have turned it ff at the last ring. I gave him another call just to remind him coffee was there and if he didn’t bother then fine. But he did bother, he swung himself out of bed and went through to the lounge. OK, the minute he got to his chair he fell asleep again but he’d tried. Final Score 2C– 2A.

Eventually he found the strength to raise himself and get ready so we weren’t too late leaving. We got to the supermarket about 7.50 am. Ipicked up cash while Mike got the trolley and we went into battle. Amazingly there was a clothes sale on and I didn’t buy a thing. That didn’t stop me filling the trolley with lots of other non-food items though. ( mainly sweets….but before you shout at me, as gifts, not for myself). Truth was, little actual food went in the basket other than bread and I still spent over £5o.00.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               We went for coffee before moving off on the next leg. I wanted to buy a bottle of champagne and the reputation of the one I had in mind was good. We got that and set off again, this time heading to park at Temptations.  We had a look round a few of the shops there and then went for coffee taking a box of chocs for the staff. When I saw them open the cupboard it looked as though they’re mounting up so I suggested they start taking them home. Kyle chose his, the chocolates we’d taken in this morning.                    Coming out of there led to some discussion as to what we’d be better doing next. All kinds of ideas were mooted but I’m quite sure they wouldn’t let us in half of them. We’d actually seen a special kind of bulb that works like a disco light which I know John (MuJo) wants which requires a converter from screw (Edison) to bayonet fitting. It seemed highly likely we’d get one at a specialist lighting shop in Holywell so we headed there. Luck wasn’t with us. We hit the chippy for lunch.  Not Mike’s favourite place but we were next door at the time.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         Once we came out of there I tried to find my Christmas cards from the local area. I struck out again. They should be in during the next two weeks. This trip wasn’t turning out to be out most successful. We came home.I found a letter from the DWP to tell me they’ve finally repaid the £55 they owe me. Not bad from June is it?

By the time we’d unpacked the bags from the car and put away the shopping it was still only 2.00 pm. Mike concentrated on watching his beloved Man U playing a match wile I came through to work on my post. I worked until 5.35 pm and still hadn’t quite finished, but it was time for our Saturday evening quiz. It must have been a very long one because I stayed in the lounge with Mike until 9.55 pm at which time I came through to stay. I could only afford half an hour to work on the post which wasn’t very much considering I’d done a reblog today. But I daren’t take too long away from doing the blog ready for it’s midnight posting.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Monday.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Little Nathan.

Tuesday.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Wednesday.

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

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

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

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

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

Thursday.

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

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

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

Friday.

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

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

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

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

Saturday.

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

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

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

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

In da hood.

Da attitude

 

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

 

The 1st Day of Christmas & Cleavage Tea Rest.

Sunday. 

On the first day of Christmas my true love sent to me, a foolproof way to bump off a god and not get caught. Convince another god that the first god is trying to inhume him and let him do the job for you. At least that’s how my thoughts ran at 4.49 am this morning when I woke. I’d no intention of getting up at that time but of course all they had to do was prompt my bladder and the choice was out of my hands. There was a muted muttering under the breath on the return trip as Mike was still sleeping of course. When I reached my room I turned on the computer and checked the lottery before I tried to concentrate on the mail. You’d think Somnos, Porcinus or one of their ilk or even the older gods might feel I was owed a debt but no, a resounding NO, not even a number. The mail started out no better for me. There were comments on last night’s blog which were kind but nothing that suggested it was as funny or funnier than usual and I’d built up such hopes. As with many writers I lack some confidence so to write something that actually pleased me was rare but now it seemed my deflation was due.

I was getting towards time to leave the room when my first message came through that the blog had left a friend laughing. Brilliant, but hang on, this is a friend now so are they saying it to make you feel better? And so the over thinking goes. I left the room and went straight to the kitchen where the star of his own show was waiting for me. I was almost expecting to be sacked as his manager but I remembered I’m the hand that feeds him too and you don’t cut off that hand. Actually he was lying atop the amphora and it seemed, giving forth. A soliloquy from Shakespeare maybe, I wasn’t sure if the plecs were enthralled, asleep or dead until I opened the hatch and put food in. Big Al turned and gave me a dirty-red eyed-look. As he turned back to show he was ignoring me both he and I noticed his audience had taken the opportunity to creep away. I’m guessing I’ll get the blame for that too.

Once I’d taken my meds and made a coffee I went back to my room.I did a few more messages then got washed and dressed. More emails were coming in so I concentrated on clearing as many as I could before it was time to wake Mike. I had no idea how many David would be bringing this morning and I didn’t want them confronted by Mike half dressed and not fully awake. They’d think I had a pet neanderthal. 9.00 am was as late as I dared leave it so at five minutes to I went and turned the kettle on. It took 3 calls before I could get him to acknowledge his coffee was there but eventually I succeeded and felt it safe to return to work. At some point I heard Mike get up and go to the lounge then leave the lounge and get dressed before returning there to finish or refresh his drink. I’d just gone through to say good morning when I heard him say they’re here. In order of arrival for the man who hates crowds came My nephew’s wife and my youngest great niece, David himself, his mother in law, my eldest great niece, her partner and my great grand nephew a little older than Reuben.There was a knock at the door which surprised me and I called “Come in” then remembered I might need to unlock the door first. I was so glad of my ‘wall of shame’ which some people stood to admire as it meant we could sit in shifts, exchanging places at the wall. Thanks heavens not everyone wanted hot drinks. Someone vacated a seat when David started pointing out who was who on the wall and I jumped at the opportunity to sit for a minute. There was no chance to hold a proper conversation but it sounds like David’s throat is OK for now and he’s started a new job albeit temporary.

When they left I had chance to hug Marissa and pass over some gifts to go under her Christmas tree. She does seem to have a nice little family group. Mike started to do Ju’s flowers so I retreated to my pit again and brought myself up to date. I’d remembered one more gift I needed to get so as soon as we’d both finished we got in the car and headed for Prestatyn. I bought a few decorative things for my tree then since Mike wouldn’t accompany me to a Costa I suggested we had a coffee in Marks and Spencers. It was about 1.00 pm now. When we found the cafe Mike saw they did meals and had quite a fancy for a curried dish they had on the menu. About the only thing on the menu for me was a baked potato with goulash mushrooms. We paid and took our drinks to a table. My fist mistake was in no asking for a single shot latte, this was very strong. My second mistake was in not asking how long the meal would be ( and I don’t mean about 8″ the same as the plate). I took my pre-food tablet expecting the meal would be no more than 15 minutes. It was 20 minutes before someone came to the table to say they’d run out of the curry would he accept something else? I’d have been ready to go at this point and head for a nice cafe in town but he did make another suggestion- also run out. He made a third suggestion and you could tell his patience was at an end. After nearly 40 minutes the meals arrived. I started mine and was pretty sure it had never been to Hungary but it was edible. Mike started his, first bite from the centre of his pie and it was cold. The manageress offered us 2 free coffees, an alternative meal for Mike after checking it was cold, it was, he refused, and a refund of his proportion of the bill. I felt guilty for carrying on eating but he waited. He brought back the refund but I made him keep it and buy something to eat elsewhere…he chose the motorway on the way home.

We headed for home where he loaded up the car and after a coffee left to start the long journey. I started work. It’s odd when he goes and there’s no-one to banter with. At 5.30 pm I had a half hour break for a  sandwich and some rhubarb pie. Then back to work until 8.30 pm when I had a TV break which also lasted half an hour. Since then I’ve been here battling constantly to get up to date. Off out tomorrow for Yvonne’s birthday.

My tree at the front window.

Monday.

4.23 am this morning seemed to arrive a lot quicker than it was supposed to. It wasn’t very welcome though I should point out it hasn’t actually done anything to me, but I’m not best pleased with Kronos who may well be working hand in glove with Somnos whose parentage I still don’t know. Since I have to be out of the house at 7.30 am I daren’t ignore them and stay in bed seeking more sleep, that would just ensure I missed my bus.  I took a stroll to the loo and then powered up the computer when I returned. There was plenty of mail to go at but not enough to cause any worries, barring any sudden surges I’d be up to date when I left. At 6.00 am I got washed and dressed so there were no last minute panics if I forgot the time, I thought breakfast would be a good idea today too since I didn’t know when we’d stop to eat. After seeing to the fish ( I must have caught them half asleep this morning as none of them bothered with me at all) I took my meds and put some sliced rolls in the toaster.Once I’d eaten those I made sure I had foodie tabs to take out with me and returned to work.

7.30 am arrived soon enough and I was out the door, bags in hand, struggling to get to the bus stop in the intermittent hail and rain storms. Typically today it was a dead heat at the bus stop between the bus and myself. Once settled in my seat I closed my eyes to cut out the other passengers  and nodded off leaning on my crutches. I was rudely awoken a few times when the driver pulled up a little sharply, when one of our roads produced a pot hole we couldn’t miss and when my grip relaxed leaving my chin to come down on the armpiece of the crutch a little hard. I received a message from Yvonne telling me not to bring bags as she’d pick them up later when they dropped me off. DUH ! She also said they’d pick me up in town if I went to Cafe Nero. So, as the bus drew in at Chester the hail started and I was hammered all the way to the cafe. Once inside I could see it stopped.. I sat with a latte for a while and then deciding to have a cigarette I went outside to wait. Down came the hail again. I also got a text to sat they were on the way which I could barely read because of the hail melting on my right hand. I crossed the road to the bay where they would pull in, and they did.

We were at Blakemere Village at 9.45 am and went for coffee until the shops opened. Ugo must have ordered raisin teasted toecakes because the waitress came to the table to announce they only had a different one which he accepted for everyone bar me who had already had breakfast. While waiting, I gave Yvonne her birthday gifts, a tablet and a tablet case. She was thrilled. Mike had sent a silver chain with her birthstone on and she loved it immediately. There were a few smaller gifts for all of them which weren’t really Birthday related. The teacakes arrived and were eaten though I don’t think anyone was too impressed. By the time we’d done and Reuben was back in his pushchair the shops were well open. We walked round all of the Indonesian  wood craft shops and admired everything. Yvonne even made a small purchase. We went round the courtyard shops where Ugo bought a handcrafted birthday card for a friend and I got Reuben a T.Rex cuddly toy at which time the siren started. Nothing seemed to have set it off, and nothing would console him so we missed the next couple of shops and I mentioned the magic word- chocolate. A teddy bear consoled him after he’d bitten it’s head off and we were able to continue on the journey.

Somewhere between finishing the chocolate teddy bear and the next two shops Reuben fell asleep- he is his grandad’s grandson- so we stopped for a tea at a beautiful little teashop. From there we went to a toyshop and Reuben woke up. As he was in the pushchair and there were toys around he wanted OUT, and the siren started it’s distress signal until he was. Ugo held his hand while Reuben guided him round pointing at everything in wonder. The place was closing down so Yvonne was able to get some things with a 20% discount. Then we went to the pet and aquarium shop where both Reuben and I were thrilled to listen to the birds chattering away. He wanted out of the pushchair again so Ugo carried him for a while. By the time we caught the rabbits and guinea pigs Reuben was walking and following me round the fish section. I drooled at some of the fish and it was decided that my birthday present would be a couple of catfish. They had some stunning ones and also had a huge gibbiceps which was like an armoured tank. Snakes and lizards next which were very pretty but as we moved to the spider section I felt my toes curl up.

We left there and decided to return to the same cafe for lunch.  I read to Reuben as we waited for lunch to arrive and he made the appropriate growling noise as the monsters appeared.I had pie of the day with chips and mushy peas, Reuben had pizza, Yvonne had BLT’s with some of Reuben’s chips and I’ve no idea what Ugo had. It is safe to say now it’s not a meal I’d want to repeat. I think I’d prefer the other cafe that used to be on site but which is now a craft centre to throw pots and dip candles. After lunch as it seemed to early to go home Ugo drove us to the Wirral about half an hour away to a large wholesalers Yvonne likes for gifts. It was mainly given over to Christmas trees and decorations today. It was quite impressive. We still bought noting though Yvonne was very impressed by a 7 foot artificial tree.

They drove me home and the motion sent Reuben to sleep. They wouldn’t come in and risk waking him up so I just went inside to turn my Christmas lights on to show I was making an effort. I waved them off and then came inside to start work. It was 4.30 pm and quite dark so I left the lights on. Almost 200 emails since morning so I tried to make some headway. One of the best cons I’ve seen today though not one I believed. A charitable foundation in Canada set up by the $40m winner of a lottery. Wants me to have $1m to distribute to charities in my area in honour of his wife who died from cancer. The page was well set out and very professional for a change. The losing a wife from cancer hit home badly so they’d either struck lucky or had done their homework.

It took me until 11.45 am to get up to date with just a break for a piece (the last) of the rhubarb pie. I’d refreshed the screen about 10.30 am so I’d done quite a lot. That just left time for this before I was able to go to bed for a short read.

Tuesday.

I woke at 3.17 am and all I had running round my head was ‘Publicist to the Gods’ as though there had been subliminal messaging running through my head as I slept. It was like the cinemas that used to turn the heat up and then stick secret messages behind the films telling you ice cream would be a good idea just before the interval. It looks like Somnos has gone for the subtle approach after the frontal assault didn’t work. After such a short sleep I doubt this approach will work either. A more direct approach in person is likely to result in a bloody nose and a whimpering god. Still when I started the mail I was cheered by ‘Sexy Sadie ‘has sent you a video. After the last one of these I didn’t need or want to click on it since, how shall I put it ahem, the more voluptuous woman is not my ideal. Not that there’s anything wrong with it, I mean, I’ve got friends whose cleavage I could rest my mug of tea on and I love them but not in that way if you get my drift. It was sent quickly to the sin bin. Now if Katie Hepburn is out there somewhere and her guide dog doesn’t need a muzzle, I’m waiting.

I carried on with the mail, happily deleting blatant adverts until 6.30 am then went through to the kitchen. Two of the plecs were on the air pump which vibrates so I was wondering whether this was a medicinal thing with them or pleasurable. If the latter I hope Big Al gets a turn as his face wasn’t going to break into a grin anytime soon. Even little Al seemed to be quite cheery so maybe he’d already had a go. I had a look round the tank to be sure these weren’t distracting tactics while they dug the escape tunnel. I wonder if I could explain the concept of Christmas to Big Al? I fed them, took my meds and brought my coffee back to my desk.Before starting work again getting dressed seemed the best option to keep me warm since I can feel a draught this morning. I need to find the source soon.

By 9.30 am I was almost up to date  and decided to go out to the shops. First stop the chemist with a repeat prescription request and a box of Ferrero Rocher for the staff, then the Post Office, situated at the far end of the same shop where I needed to post a parcel off and hand over a box of chocolates for them. I get brilliant service and great help from both places and I appreciate it. Then to Pauline’s where I picked up my TV mag and also the 2 week Christmas issue which made me realise how close it is. A packet of bacon accidentally fell into my hand as did a Twix and 5 packs of cigarettes. OK, they weren’t accidental. I came home and put everything away then went back to work. By 11.00 am I was up to date again and so started wrapping a couple of presents. It made me realise just how much I hate this job. Buying them- no problem, wrapping them-Ugh. My hands shake so I’m more likely to sellotape me than the parcel.

That job took me up to lunchtime and my noon viewing. I had a shepherd’s pie and enjoyed Bargain Hunt, even the auction stages. I had to return to work at that point as I saw there was something I wanted to watch at 2.15 pm and if I’d fallen asleep at 1.00 pm I wouldn’t have dared skive off.  Busty Bertha had joined Sexy Sadie in the ‘Look at my Boobies’ stakes but I still wasn’t inclined to look. I remember taking a quick peek (accidentally, my finger slipped ) some years ago at one of these in my naivety and saw a woman with more muscles than Arnie in his body building heyday. Her neck was bigger than my thigh and her boobs had what looked like varicose veins. T’was not a pretty sight or site. Today it would have been a real Nightmare before Christmas. I carried on working, responding to mail, retweeting blogs and commenting on blogs as well as reading some of the adverts for Woucher etc. I thanked all those wonderful people who had retweeted for me and commented on my blog. What a patient bunch you are. At 2.15 pm I went to watch my programme. I stayed awake the whole hour and surprised myself. I knew my next break would be at 5.00 pm hen I had some tea.

The work wasn’t too arduous this afternoon, it was just constant. Keeping pace wasn’t a problem but I was secretly asking Kronos in my head what the chances were of me getting ahead of myself by answering the stuff that hadn’t reached me yet. That would mean I could take the time off at 5.00 pm and not come back to a new pile. I might even manage 40 or so winks. He wasn’t interested so I laboured on. At 4.50 pm I reached a balance again so went through to take a pre food tablet and make myself a sandwich- beef and beetroot, with a bag of quavers for my tea. I didn’t eat them until the 15 minutes was up but then followed them with my after food tabs and  small chocolate marshmallows. The first quiz was good and quite entertaining as the contestant ended up playing for £50,000 against an expert and only lost by one second. The expert ended looking harassed. Eggheads was also good but the contestants there fared no better at least for the first 15 minutes, after that my eyelids closed and the last 15 minutes I spent examining them from the inside. I woke up to find Come Dancing on but it had only been on moments and no-one knew so I was OK.

I came back through and the work had piled up in my absence but that was OK as I was here for the rest of the night now. Tomorrow no doubt you’ll hear my screams as MuJo are coming to take me out in the morning and then Dil will be round for games in the evening. If I’m very lucky I’ll get an hour between departure and arrival to clear some. Well, back to work now to see what else has arrived.

The Sanity Clause and his little helper.

Wednesday.

Sing Hallelujah, this has been such a long day and so much post waiting for me at the end of it that you are to be offered a shortened post.

I was up at 4.27 am and after enjoying  the relief of Mafeking I started in on the emails with the intention of at least being up to  date before I went out. Between then and 10.10 am I managed to deal with the fish, take meds, have my coffee, get washed and dressed and yes, get up to date too. I even managed to wrap to small gifts before MuJo arrived at 10.30 am. I saw to drinks for them , gasped at the size of one of the Christmas packages they brought in ( a giant loo brush capable of coping with all the bends down as far as the sewer I’m told) and then sat chatting for 45 minutes.

We took a ride into town so John could look at the Charity shops and I was able to use the opportunity to nip to the jewellers. The job I needed was done for me withing a minute and at no charge which was a great display of Christmas spirit. We looked at a couple of shops that do decorations as John is very much a Christmas person. Then we went for lunch at the Bells in Holywell which they’re very fond of.  After lunch we went to Flint where we had a good trot round the shops before going to get a drink at Temptations. I made sure I picked up some chocolates  before we went in. A couple more shops after coffee and then we drove home. I felt awful that I hadn’t wrapped their gifts yet though I have got them in Christmas sacks ready. I id manage to give them a gift I’d picked up while we were out.  They left about 4.15 pm and I literally flew in here to start work.

182 messages waiting and an hour before Dil is due.!! I did work hard but was still well over the 100 mark when it was time for me to stop. Dil and Matt arrived at 5.30 pm. I made drinks, we watched the end of a TV quiz and then got the games table out. I’ve no choice but to admit the night was a total disaster.  In Yahtzee I won one leg out of six played. Dil three, Matt two. I Nomination Whist I might as well not have played at all as they both romped ahead of me with Matt finally beating Dil by 10 points. There was a lot of smirking going on in which I was not partaking. At last it was Crazy 8’s which is usually my game, but not tonight. Though I got Matt’s score up to being MUCH worse than mine, every time I tried to catch Dil it rebounded on me and they both laid pick up cards on me meaning Matt didn’t lose by much. Oh quelle horreur.  They left at 9.30 pm as usual and after the usual tidy up and washing of pots I retired to my room for the night. Mail now up to 188. At 11.30 pm I stopped to do the blog with about 40 to go and I hope to finish those before bed. Wish me luck.

Thursday.

I don’t know if I was hyped up, spaced out or just too stressed by the amount I’d got behind yesterday, but I do know that after turning my light out last night about 1.00 am I was back up and (sort of) raring to go at 2.28 am. Not what you’d call a great night’s sleep. Somehow though I’d cleared up the remnants of yesterday (by not liking/tweeting those people who never visit my blog and return the compliment) by 4.30 am. I suddenly realised it was quite cool and perhaps a wee kip was in order so I sidled sideways back into bed and woke again at 7.15 am. You might think that this could send me spiraling into guilt and fresh panic due to Big Al but last night at about 8.30 pm Matt had gone to the kitchen for a drink and found I’d forgotten to turn their light off. So, swings and roundabouts eh? Mind you, last night he’s almost put their lights out completely as I asked him if he’d do the honours to save me moving and he turned it off at the wall. That meant off went the filters and airpump too. It was only when I heard, well nothing, that I twigged and got it turned back on. So really Big Al should be treating me as a saviour today.

Oddly enough that didn’t seem to be Big Al’s take on the minor delay  when I got to the kitchen unless of course he was a bit peeved about last night. As I moved from the near end of the tank towards the middle to feed them all, Big Al moved with me. Never once breaking eye contact it was like a rabbit in the headlights and I could see the car hurtling towards me. If glaring was an art form he’d be Modigliani. I was going to say Rembrandt but I can’t spell it. He lived near a lot of water too. I dropped the food in the slot by feel alone and was so fortunate at that moment to stub my toe on the cupboard that I could escape before the Jag mk 1V hit me ( oh come on, I’m not being hit by anything less). I took my meds on the run using my coffee so all that was heard down the hallway was my gasp as I tried to swallow the hot drink. Opening and closing my mouth in an attempt to cool it I must have resembles one of Big Al’s tribe.

Back at my desk I checked my bank to make sure I wasn’t in penury, had a quick look at ebay to make sure I wasn’t missing anything exciting and then started work again. There was early mail from Australia on one site that gave me great pleasure to answer since the banter is always good and a letter from a friend in Germany. I was on automatic pilot for a while as I sat thinking about how lucky I am in my friends. Some would say I have acquaintances since I haven’t met these internet friends, or virtual friends but I know differently. Yes, there are many who are just part of the social scene of being an author, reader, blogger but there are some who you know would be there through thick and thin. To be fair, most of them think in my case it’s thick. I worked until 8.30 am and though I had no intention of going out today, I got dressed. By 10.00 am I was up to date again and by prodding myself from behind with a penknife forced myself to take the path into Mike’s room and the wrapping of gifts. Next year I’m only buying things that come giftwrapped. This is a job I really don’t enjoy. Even square shaped things manage to tear the corners of the paper and trying to disentangle myself from the sellotape is worthy of the Keystone Cops.

It was wonderful when lunchtime approached and I was able to break away, not that many people agree lunchtime is 10.15 am. I just happen to be very slow at making it. In truth it was just past midday when I stopped and I was ready to eat. It was a corned beef hash today followed by a BFG mousse. Not bad, but I’ll save the second one for Mike. Bargain Hunt was quite eventful when one team went home with more than £200 which is an event as rare as hen’s teeth. I returned to my desk after lunch so that I would be free for 2.15 pm and the mystery series I’ve been enjoying. Today was no exception though it’s a bit annoying not having clues you can follow yourself to reach a who dun it conclusion. Yet again I returned to the desk after that to keep the mail down as much as possible in case Mike arrived. I was thrilled to receive an e card from my friend in Spain which goes well with the advent calendar I’m enjoying daily from Australia.

I took breaks from 5.30 pm to 6.30 pm and then worked hard so I’d be free for the new Big Bang Theory at 8.00 pm. Mike arrived at 8.45 pm and had a coffee thrust in his direction while I watched the newest episode but we managed to chunner a bit during one we’d seen before. He told me he’s coming on Boxing Day to stay for a week or so till the kids go back to school. That’s a shame, he’ll miss hanging up his stocking on Christmas eve now. I hope he’ll be here in time for the gathering of the clans on boxing day or I might have to eat all the trifle myself. At 9.30 pm I went to clear the wrapping materials off his bed before coming back for a final assault on tonight’s work.

Friday.

Do you ever get the feeling something’s brewing? No missus, I didn’t mean the tea. Something dark and dastardly that stinks faintly of unwashed hooves maybe.

I got to bed last night in time to have a short read. I’m at a vital part now and wanted to carry on to see if the escaped Templars now in Scotland, managed to buy ships from Genoa to make another journey. It was very cold last night and so I turned the light off about 1.00 am and snuggled down. I don’t know how long it took me to drift off but I know I was tired. I distinctly remember starting the 12 days of Christmas in my head at some stage. I got as far as 2 Turtle Doves before I woke up and heard a snigger. It was 3.09 am. Obviously I had to get up. put my dressing gown on and grab a thick stick to check the house with. Nothing in the lounge, the kitchen or the bathroom. Michael was lucky I remembered he was here or he might have woken to find himself dead and me throwing bedding into the washing machine. I found nothing. I went back to my room and was sure I saw something fade away from my office chair as I turned the light on. It occurred to  me that wearing my glasses might have helped and that possibly, just possibly I could have walked past a burglar and not seen him. I put my glasses on. I was wide awake but knew something was odd, oh yes, I hadn’t been to the loo yet. Odder still, I wasn’t ready to go.

There was a whiff of damp goat or something as I sat in my chair and turned on the machine. As it was loading an advert flashed across the screen, PUBLICISTS WANTED. APPLY NOW. I carried on and signed into my mail. The first message appeared to be my daily horoscope which was odd as I’m not signed up to one. Interesting to see what they say though. Capricorn. You may feel out of your comfort zone this week by the offer of a new job. If you have social skills ( and what Capricorn doesn’t) and an ability with social media, you should give it your full consideration. The rewards could be great. Refusal could be costly.

Smiling at the generality of these things I clicked to bin it.  it disappeared into the ether I was repaid by 25 more messages popping into my mail box without even refreshing it. I knew there must be a system error as every other one was a horoscope with some words emphasised… Refusal could be costly.  I deleted them and carried on with the rest of the mail. It must have been around 5.30 am when I caught up and since it was far too early for the fish I decided to go and sit in the lounge by the radiator. It didn’t take me long to nod off. It was a restless sleep in the chair and the whispering on  the edge of my consciousness kept bringing me back to the surface while I was hearing “No, no, let him sleep, it’s easier for him to think it’s his idea this way.”  I think  someone underestimated me and forgot just how lightly I always sleep. Things began to make much more sense and that feeling must have seeped through to my brain because I heard  “DRAT” and suddenly my head was clear. “Those conniving, illegitimate………” I thought, and woke up. It was 6.30 am, a good enough time to face the fish and to do my Friday drugs.

By 7.30 am I was back in my room with a coffee making inroads into the next batch of mail. Things went quite steadily but the computer was under union orders to go slow. As I clicked on a message to upload I was able to get dressed and dance a quick paso doble before it appeared. I managed about a dozen before 9.00 am but luckily there weren’t too many left. I made Mike a drink and called him twice to let him know it was on the bedside table. Then it was time to go to Pauline’s for some Milk and my new lottery tickets When I got back there had been no movement so I called loud enough for the street to hear that he mustn’t let it gi cold. He sat up startled, moved those little legs and went to the lounge. I joined him a few moments later. At 10.00 am he suggested he should get moving. DUH, that’s why I wake him, and by 10.15 am he was on his way to Manchester. I returned to my room and signed out of mail then signed back in to see if things had improved. They had except there was more mail again now. The real postman brought me some cards including a lovely one from friends in the Lone Star State. I grabbed a few minutes to put them up.

I worked until 11.00 am intending to do a little more wrapping but didn’t make it. Instead I nodded off in my chair again……peacefully this time. It wasn’t for long as my stomach suggested I fed it so I took my pre-food tab at 11.15 am and prepared to indulge in cottage pie. It was too early for Bargain Hunt so I started watching a Christmas film to pass the time and stayed with it until it finished at 1.15 pm. Since the new serial I’ve been enjoying is on at 2.15 pm it was a rush to do some work in order to justify another skive this afternoon. Whether or not it was justified I skived again until 3.15 pm but made up for it afterwards by not going to watch my usual programmes until 6.00 pm when eggheads came on. I made myself some beans on toast to enjoy while I watched it. Pushing my luck a little further I also watched an old Big Bang Theory before going for a shower. I’d expected Mike back before then but hoped he’d remember his keys if he came while I was in the shower as these days that door is locked. I can’t get used to the idea that a burglary could make me change so much. I only locked the front door if I was going out all day before. I never bothered for a trip to the shops.

After the shower I had a quick push at the mail until 8.00 pm whn Mastermind was on. Mike finally arrived home just before half past with a Chinese meal as he hadn’t eaten all day. He’d texted to see if I wanted anything but actually what I didn’t want was an increase in my waist size again. I’ll be in clown trousers soon. I stayed with Mike as there was a programme on about Queen at 9.00 pm. It hurt me but I had to disappear and come to work at 10.00 pm despite the second programme on Queen starting then. Naturally a lot of mail had accrued during my skives so it took me a long time to catch up and then get to the blog. Another bad day tomorrow when I go shopping. I wonder if I can employ some boy scouts or better yet girl guides to do my wrapping.

Saturday.

Before I’d gone to sleep last night Mike came through to ask whether I was OK. He was puzzled that I hadn’t spoken a few minutes before when I’d gone through to the lounge, stared at the TV then left. Perhaps he thought I was cross at the volume. The only problem with that scenario was that I hadn’t moved from my room and in fact had been wearing my headphones so hadn’t heard the TV. I had to get up and check the windows with him and just confirm the front door was locked. It won’t be the first time something odd has happened here. Many times I’m sure I’ve glanced things from the corner of my eye. Usually that beggar pinching one of my chocolates though he denies it.

I’m not quite sure exactly what time I woke up this morning but I did lie there for a couple of minutes. I slung my legs unwillingly into the frosty air at 4.35 am and I’m sure there was something small perched on top of my computer watching me. When I turned my head fully in that direction there was absolutely nothing there. I moved to turn the computer on before going to the loo.  As i got back and turned the main light on there was a piece of parchment lying on my desk with the word Contra written on it. I just couldn’t figure out what it could mean other than the Latin for ‘against’. In the bin it went and on I started with the mail.  There was quite a bit but it wasn’t unmanageable so that by 6.30 am I was up to date bar the last few minutes. I went through and gave the fish the pleasure of my company a little early. I can’t understand why Big Al never seems to appreciate it, I am the most obedient of servants. I fed them and left him glaring at the space I had last occupied as I moved towards taking my meds and some breakfast. The breakfast though would be a reward so first I went round and emptied the bin and brought them through to add to the main rubbish bin in the kitchen. I took all the household rubbish and the food waste to the appropriate bins and manoeuvred  them onto the path then added the recycling bags from inside. Anyone walking past would have had a fine sight of me in my red/black striped bathrobe, if their eyes could have penetrated the gloom that is.

Back inside I made my coffee and ate some cereal. I also put the kettle on to boil as it was coming up to time for Mike to rise. I took his coffee through just as his alarm went off for the first time so I actually caught him sitting up to turn the alarm off. His grunt of acknowledgement made me think maybe my timing had been perfect. Wrong ! He’d gone straight back to sleep.  Waiting a few extra minutes in case of delayed reaction I hovered round the lounge door. Nothing happened so I jut yelled “Don’t forget your coffee”. That got a reaction and within seconds Mike was sitting in the lounge. I however had gone to get dressed. When I had my thickest cardie on I went to join him and he started to tell me about his strange dreams. “Someone was trying to take blood without my permission and I ripped the canneloni out” he said “look, I’ve even damaged the back of my hand for real.” And he had. “Are you sure you don’t mean Canaletto?” I asked.

We eventually got out of the house for shopping at about 7.55 am and had to take the coast road this morning because parts of the A55 were under repair (what’s new?). At the Supermarket Mike got the trolley while I got some cash, I’m hoping they won’t be able to identify me with the mask on. Me, not them in the mask that is. First we picked up some gifts Mike needed before we started on the shopping.Once we’d picked up the few essentials then Mike had picked me up off the floor at the till we went for a coffee or at least Mike had a coffee and I had a cold drink, cold enough for brain freeze. It’s freezing and wet outside and I’m on cold drinks? Following that we left for Flint along the same route  we’d used earlier though in reverse naturally. No,the car was not going in reverse, the journey was. When we arrived and parked up we picked up a couple more items like some dog treats for Wilson my nephew’s dog. Eventually we went for coffee to see Ceri, Sian and Kyle on the counter in Temptations.Look, if you’re going to make up the story yourself, you don’t need me. They were working behind the counter I meant. Mike played his usual game of catch the double entendre with Ceri. There was no chance of her, or anyone else, missing them since they’re thrown so hard but she just laughs them off and agrees.

When we left there I was shocked to see it was almost midday. Mike suggested bypassing home and going straight for lunch. We needn’t eat straight away but he could pick up the t-shirts Tariq had done for him. Tariq was on the counter when we arrived and shot round to greet us properly. Moments later Angie came through and came for a kiss and a hug, I’mm just not sure how many restaurants this could happen in and I’m sure the natives are getting suspicious. Angie had Rob come and do the drinks for us and unusually Rob was less shy than usual and held a conversation with me. Maybe my bringing him round for a hug last time broke some ice. Tarq had taken the order through to Shella and Shirley so I went outside for a cigarette. Mike joined me. We were just finishing when Tariq stuck his head out to announce the meal was ready. We’d both gone for the roast dinner with honey glazed gammon and it was really nice. I had Mike’s carrots and he too my sprouts. We’d only just started when Shella came out with some stuffing she’d forgotten to put on the plated so we got to say hello.

Everything was great. Tariq came over and brought the t-shirts for Mike to see and we laughed. They were perfect. Then he was daft enough to apologise for having to spend less time talking to us recently. We both understood he was busy- or that Shella thought we led him astray. When we finished we did the ritual goodbyes only Mike was in a side room paying for the t-shirts so I was the one to get the hug and kiss from the two delicious women and not him. You can be sure I rubbed that in. We got home and put the shopping away. I really needed to have a look at the emails but I’d determined earlier I  WE would have to do some wrapping first. Unfortunately we decided to deal with the gifts for The Ivy and for Temptations so it was deciding who had what. how they would be boxed etc and it took forever before we could wrap and label them all. So, it was 4.30 before I could break away and come through. OMG hundreds, but what did I expect. I promised to go through at 6.00 pm and watch our usual quiz with Mike so I’d have to be quick. I stayed till 8.00 pm then came back through but was just overwhelmed. I went back to the lounge at 9.00 pm and declared I was watching a comedy with him. That finished at 11.00 pm. It was time to start the blog or forget it altogether this week. I felt like a truant. Once I finish this I’ll work on mail as long as I can and the rest will have to wait till tomorrow.

Mischief planned.

Now you see it, now you don’t.

 

 

Have a Great New week all.

Big Al F-f-forgets Himself & Stamped On.

Sunday 23rd of November.

A relatively late night followed by a relatively late morning leaves me quite tired today. I’m ready to fall asleep at the drop of a hat. I’m wishing I lived at a milliners in the middle of an earthquake. It was all of 4.40 am this morning when I got up. I could hear the rain outside and feel the general chill, you just knew it was Winter with it’s hand on the helm now. Slippers and dressing gown on, I leaned down to turn the computer on before heading to recreate scenes from Niagara Falls.                      All was ready for me when I got back so it was just a case of signing in when I sat at the desk. Surprisingly there weren’t too many messages waiting this morning so  I was able to take my time and savour them.  Before 7.00 am I’d caught up, refreshed and caught up again. I was feeling quite pleased with myself as I headed to the kitchen to see to the fish.

I switched the tank light on and prepared to feed them. All of them were in sight. Two of the plecs were lying quite still atop a Greek amphora which lay on it’s side the contents dispersed centuries ago. The third plec, the smallest of them was taking his life in his fins by climbing all over Big Al who didn’t move a muscle. Sharkey was making a nuisance of himself by harassing Little Al while Morecambe and Wise hovered near the feeding flap of the lid. Some flake went in and the two fighters chased it round pecking at small bits of it. The pellets were like hail on top of Big Al.but still he didn’t move though it did move the plec off his back. My responsibility was over and I didn’t want to see Big Al teach anyone a lesson, even if that lesson is that really he’s a pussycat. I turned away and took my meds.

My coffee came with me back to work.The pace of work coming in was slightly worse than my ability to deal with it (except by bunging it all in the bin) but it wasn’t so bad at that point that it was running away with me. Of course there were further delays when I had to be treated by a cardiac unit when Mike got up at 9.10 am without using his alarm. I knew it was him though when a gravelly voice uttered the word “Coffee” in such a plaintive way. How could I refuse? I made myself one too and joined him in  the lounge. Lisa, his daughter, my niece was due between 10.00 am and 11.00 am so I was trying hard to encourage him to get dressed. He is not a vision to be faced in a morning as I’m sure any of his ladies will attest to. It was towards the latter end of that time she arrived but luckily he’d clothed himself by then. I haven’t seen Lisa for a while and was surprised at the degree of pregnancy, her stomach almost matched her father’s ( OK, OK and mine). It hits home that she’s less than two weeks to go before the baby is due. I hope they’re not going for a curry today.

Once Lisa had had a cup of tea they left to go and collect Mike’s Dad and head over to wherever they were eating. I didn’t regret turning the invitation down as I’ve been exposed to the heat of all those candles on Mike’s birthday cakes before. I’m not keen on crowded events as you know and with Mike’s candles there, well….        As soon as they left me I flew back to the computer. It had been having fun while I was away and both mailboxes were choc a block I had to start weeding out the garbage to know where I stood. By noon one box was empty and I had 35 in the main one. It was time for lunch. I took my pre-food tablet lit  cigarette and settled until it was time to put the microwave on. I had food by 12.15 pm. As beef dinners go it wasn’t yesterday but it was passable. Rhubarb tart and custard to follow. I intended to do without my usual sleep so came though and managed one or two messages before I nodded off over the keyboard. I don’t appear to have carried on writing.

I was back by 2.00 pm though not fully compost mental so I promised myself a break as soon as I caught up. Somehow I managed that by 4.30 pm and left the room fully intending to nod off in my chair. I turned on the TV and got wrapped up in the film Bagger Vance. About 5.30 pm it finished and I came back in here to see what I’d missed. Far too much, but I had times as Mike and Lisa didn’t arrive back until about 7.15 pm. We sat and chatted for a while before Lisa picked up her own car and left to see her mother. Mike let me come back to work until 9.00 pm when there was a film on I said I’d watch with him. Damn ! Me and my mouth. I still had over 50 messages to go when he called me. The film was Green Hornet and I might have enjoyed it had it not been for the actor playing Green Hornet himself. I know it was billed as a comedy but he didn’t make me laugh. It was more cringe. Anyway, I was glad when 11.20 pm came and I could escape. I decided to do the blog now and leave the accumulate mail for tomorrow. When Mike leaves I’ll be able to scream in secrecy.

 

 

Reuben’s One Lump or Two injury from walking into a gate.

Monday.

I was treated today to a lie in of epic standards. 5.51 am I rose at and didn’t I feel cocky, though maybe I should rephrase that. With a quick visit to the loo out of the way I was seated at the computer for 6.00 am. That was when I realised there was a heavy price to pay for the extra time in slumber. Ouch. Still. I knew I’d all day to catch up.  My first stint took me to 7.00 am when I headed for the kitchen. Halfway there Mike’s alarm went off. I’d no idea whether it was by accident or design and he hadn’t mentioned having to be in Manchester before the 11.00 am he’s mentioned to me previously. Just in case, I put the kettle on then went straight to deal with the fish. I’m wondering if the tails of Morecambe and Wise are hypnotising Big Al or like a human watching a fish tank, just leaving him very relaxed. He seems very chilled at the moment and hasn’t glared at me for a couple of days now. Sharkey was chasing the smaller plecs and Little Al for getting to near whatever treasure he’s protecting. There’s no point in him going for Big Al or the big plec as he just comes to a dead stop against them and neither flinch. I put food in the tank and went about my business.

The meds were taken care of. The kettle had boiled and any repeat of the alarm quickly been dealt with so I just made my own coffee and went back to work. It was a case of drip, drip, drip like water on a stone, wearing away at the bulk. Luckily I seemed to be more than keeping pace with more incoming mail. I’m touching wood while I mention this but I don’t seem to have any mail from demented naked ladies, no proposals of marriage, no offers to read my future and best of all, no offers of a fortune from Africa. When I reached 8.00 am I was feeling quite hopeful. I reboiled the kettle and made Mike a drink which I took through. I told him in a very loud voice “Coffee up” and when I though I had his attention reminded him that Pauline was due in for 8.30 am and I needed him at least partly clothed above the pyjama trousers. I had no idea whether I got through to him or not but with a departing “Don’t forget the coffee” I left. Fair play by 8.25 am he was out of the bedroom, mainly clothed and had brought his coffee in to here to sit on the bed while I tried to work.

8.30 am  came and went as did 9.00 am.No sign of Pauline. I asked Mike to check the phone which he did but reminded me that I hadn’t left the house yesterday or this morning. There was definitely nothing from Saturday either. I’m left to assume she’s not coming again.  Mike made moves to start his journey at 9.45 am and I left the house at the same time he did to take my prescription request in. It didn’t take very long but while out I accidentally fell into the sandwich shop and found a bacon bap in my hand. Oops. When I got home I took a pre-food tablet and enjoyed myself. Late morning I had a text from Lis to see if I was free. I said of course I was and she came down about 11.00 am as she’d been in town anyway. It’s always a delight to see her and we had a great natter.I passed her a book I’d had waiting for her on recording family history and she seemed pleased. At the end of the week she’s going to see Charley so I asked her to carry my love.She left about midday and I was sorry to see her go but loved the hugs and kiss I got as compensation.  At 12.15 pm I  decided to take my normal break though I didn’t need lunch of course. By normal I do mean I fell asleep in the chair again before the end of the programme and didn’t wake until 1.30 pm. It was back to work then and the price I paid was I couldn’t catch up until almost 4.30 pm. At 4.45 pm I went through and took my next pre-food tablet then sat down with some chip baps and the most minute piece of BFG left by Mike ever. With the use of a good magnifying glass I managed to find it. I stayed until 6.30 pm after Eggheads.

Work has been steady since I came back through. Nothing too tedious but nothing allowing long breaks either. I’m fairly sure I could get an early night ready for my outing tomorrow but I’m not sure I want too much of a build up to add to that which I’ll miss in the morning. I may just pop back there now to see if I can clear a little more.

I’m not doin’ tricks till you feed me.

Wanna Play?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tuesday.

I’m  wondering if Somnos lost me in a bet to one of the older more sadistic gods or whether his more ‘Impish’ side is showing today. It must have been approaching 1.00 pm by the time I’d finished faffing last night and had the shortest of reads but there we were at 3.11 am and wide awake again. There appeared to be no point in complaining since either the older god had turned his hearing aids off or Somnos had skipped merrily off to his next little venture. Even the bloody sandman hadn’t had time to get round and I was sincerely hoping he didn’t since the eyes were now wide open. There was a good side to all this of course and that was I’d be able to leave the house with very little post undone with any luck. I turned the computer on as I passed on my way to the loo.

When I came back I tried to log in to the bank but even that wouldn’t oblige today and suggested I try later. OK, I signed into my main email account. Hm. only 57, should be able to knock that out of play quite easily. I made a start. No obvious bad ones to get rid of immediately but there were some advertising Black Friday specials that I wasn’t able to stop myself looking at. At that point I’m typing with my fingers crossed that I don’t find one of the Christmas presents I just bought at half price. That would spoil my day completely. I finished the mail in that box and opened the secondary account . There were less in there and by 5.30 am juggling them, I was clear in both. There was no point in seeing to the fish at that time so I decided top get washed and dressed ( based on the predicted weather for today) and have a sit in the lounge. I’d no sooner sat down that that sneaky beggar zonked me again. It was 6.45 am when I next opened my eyes. The sandman had been so maybe he’s brought the unions in against Somnos.

Since I had to have my meds before going out I went through and fed the fish, ignored their antics ( I’m sure Big Al called me a rude name as I turned away) took my meds and made a drink. As usual the drink came with me back to the desk and as I drank it I was able to catch up again. I was very impressed. Whoever the goddess of emails is I owed her one for that. There was just time to take my cup through to soak, get my coat on and get my bag ready to take. I stepped outside the front door and I suppose you could call it fresh. Fresh from the Arctic I think. My fingers stuck to the key as I tried to turn it in the lock but I managed to get away with a few ouches.  I went out through the tunnel to the main road and crossed over. I’d not taken above a dozen steps when the Saint driving the bus pulled up beside me to save me a walk. And it is a walk to the bus stop believe me. I was really grateful. The bus was freezing having just come out of the depot and when we drew up at the stop for someone else to get on, an iceberg must have drawn up close by as it got colder the moment the door was opened. We were three quarters of the way to Chester when we stopped shivering and the heat from the engine penetrated the cold. I chipped the icicles off my nose and prepared to get off.

Yvonne and Reuben arrived a minute or so after me and we took a walk round a nearby shop while we waited for the shop with out cafe to open. When we went back the cafe wasn’t open yet so we had a look round the clothes. Half an hour later the cafe still wasn’t open so we set off elsewhere and ended up in BHS (British Home Stores) where I had a bacon toastie ( under protest) while Yvonne had some breakfast and fed Reuben. Unfortunately as I passed my bag to Yvonne for the gifts that were inside it ( a new dress for her and some mini cereals for Reuben ) he saw some chocolate I’d bought earlier and the recognition was instant. Though breakfast was almost eaten from that point on he wanted no more and pointed at the chocolate. Then the siren started and much as it pains us to give in, we did. All went quiet, such bliss. We packed up and headed off towards some other shops to pass some time until we were due to meet Lisa and her Mum at 11.00 am. At a quarter past we got a message to say they couldn’t make it. In one way I was relieved as I didn’t fancy her having the baby in the middle of Chester in the freezing cold. I’d have been tempted to nip into the vacant place to keep warm.

We headed off towards the market where I’d seen the new shops last time I was here. One of them still wasn’t open despite having looked ready last time and having the windows cleaned. The other shop was massive. Time had passed so quickly it was 12.45 pm before I knew it and had to say goodbye and go for my bus. I waved them off and went outside. The market is close to the bus station and I had time to go to the loo first and then have a ciggie as I walked to my stop. The bus came and was quite crowded so I didn’t get my usual seat. I managed to miss much of the journey by nodding off leaning on my sticks. It must have been a source of amusement to some every time I jerked awake as my grip on them loosened.  I was home and in the house by 2.00 pm . At that point I found a message on the phone from Pauline to say she isn’t well and can she come tomorrow to clean? I guess she’s forgotten I can’t use the phone to answer her and Yvonne is now on her way to work. I’ll have to see if she turns up.

The mail was horrendous when I got back which I’d more or less expected. I decided to work until 5.00 pm then make myself some tea and watch a little TV. I came back through at 6.30 pm and apart from one loo break, one tablet break and the time it took to get changed I’ve been here ever since. It was 11.08 pm when I was finished with mail and I shall have one last check in a few minutes. Tomorrow I shall be in all day but have my games night so I want to make the day as easy as possible.

Late breaking News. They still love me! I had my new fraud email  but I honestly think they’ve forgotten who I am.

Dear Allah Elected One.
I would appreciate your immediate response to this mail because of my condition. My name is Mrs. Maimunna Mohamed from Tunisia I married to one Mr. Mohamed Diallo here in Burkina Faso unfortunately he died after a brief illness that lasted for only five days, I am now looking too weak and fragile to do things myself because I was diagnosed for Breast cancer about 3years ago, I and my late husband were married for eleven good years without a child as death departed us in 2009, After going through some files of my late husband I discovered a Deposit Certificate of $8.2million Eight Million Two hundred Thousand dollars in his account. 

You know how the rest of it goes…….

A study in grumps.

 

                                                                                                                  Back in action.

 

Wednesday.

Pity ( or maybe conscience if gods can have such ) was showered on me this morning and I was allowed to sleep until 4.29 am. Considering it was 1.00 am bed and taking into account yesterday’s mood, I was grateful for the treat. There was more mail than I’d have liked with some twenty of them falling in from before midnight Tuesday. My first job was to check the Euro lottery. There’s still hope for me as it was another rollover to Friday’s draw but my chances remain pretty slim if they keep ignoring every single number I play. If I have 6 they draw 5 and 7, If I have 16 they draw 15. The odds are that sometime I have to choose something that’s there. Like most people I can spread the happiness around if I win but also like most people my first job would be to find a house large enough to accommodate all my online friends…not all at once though.

I’d caught up by 7.00 am and went through to feed the fish feeling very self-satisfied. Morecambe and Wise came straight to the top as the feeding flap was opened. It didn’t take long to start on the flakes as I put them in. I also dropped in some pellets of algae for the catfish which most of the others are varieties of. Sharkey pounced on one immediately as did one of the smaller plecs. Little Al came to investigate but got too close to Sharkey and was chased off. He needs to be a bit bigger before he can shrug it off. Big Al however came past the food to the glass. Thinking there was friendly intent there I placed my finger on the glass.  It was more like fiendly intent for as I lowered my face to talk to him he turned round and swam off. Not in a normal fashion though, it seemed to be like a moped or something similar as the journey seemed to be like someone unable to hold their cheeks tight enough when they walk and there are a series of little put-put sounds. A case of air assisted passage. Yes, I think Big Al farted in my face.

Shocked and amused I had my meds then took my coffee back to work. A fair bit had accumulated in the short time I was out of the room so there was some catching up to do. I emailed Yvonne and asked her to phone Pauline to see whether she’s OK and intending to come back. She’ll be here next Monday. Working my way through the mail I found one further fraud today. One suggested a diplomat has a box full of cash waiting to be delivered to me one I provide him with my full name and my address. The diplomat is not supposed to know the contents of the box, just to deliver it. I think it’s possible that this one is a scam to steal identity since they wouldn’t need bank details if they’re giving cash. But, my psychic is back too, suggesting I need to know what’s coming up in the next 15 days again. She’s very persistent for someone who wasn’t going to bother me again. If it’s really that interesting why not just send a letter saying THIS is going to happen in the next 15 days so I could check it out on a daily basis. Is is just me being logical here or what?

The postman came and delivered the parcel that wasn’t due until January and which I was only notified of on Monday. I now have a duplicate gift but it will probably prove useful. He also delivered one third of a gram of gold which had been taken from a Scottish river. Before I start a new goldrush I should point out you’d have to be there a very long time to pick up anything worthwhile. This is a very small speck but fun to have. Towards lunchtime I managed to catch up with both lots of mail and went through to the lounge and started writing some more Christmas Cards. The ones for abroad need to go next week. Heavens, it’s December in a few days. When I’d had enough of that ( it’s hard to force my hands to be still ) I made lunch and settled on pea & ham soup with bread and butter. I enjoyed that while I watched Bargain Hunt with Ju’s old hairdressing cape around me to catch any spills. The problem with a moustache is that it retains and then dribbles. Once that was over I washed the pots and went back to work. Yes, no sleep, I bet you’re shocked but read on. I was doing OK with the mail I thought until I woke up and an hour had passed and there were about 7 or 8 ‘post to Twitter’s’ on my screen. I must have still been sort of reading the mail and wanting to tweet it. My fingers were crossed I hadn’t answered it. Luckily for me I hadn’t deleted anything and was able to read it again and comment where needed. The thing is, I did want to tweet all those I started.

At 4.30 pm I stopped work.There weren’t many left at that point but I needed to have something to eat in order to take the second lot of diabetic pills. I had a bag of Quavers and three slices of malt bread with butter. That was fine and allowed me plenty of time to wash up. There were no messages from Lee so I assumed he was coming tonight. I hoped so as there’s a little glitch I need him to look at. Poor soul is going to think it’s the only reason I’m happy to see him even though it isn’t. I put the usual quiz on and awaited the arrivals. Dil and Matt arrived about 5.30 pm and we watched the quiz together after I’d seen to drinks for them. As soon as it was over we set up the table and got started with the Yahtzee. Damn I’m having no luck with that. Matt 3, Dil 2, me just 1 game. While we were playing my phone sounded and there was a text from Lee saying he couldn’t make it. Such a shame . We started on Nomination and things just went from bad to worse. I started with the fist two or three hands looking promising and my score was steady but thereafter I couldn’t have won a hand if there was only me playing. I lost and lost badly. There were tears and tantrums before bedtime. Dil was the winner.

With enough time left to play another game we dealt for Crazy 8’s. This one didn’t start well for me having been caught twice for large pick-up’s one of 13 and one of 15 cards. I was going to get another pack of tissues when things changed. Play went my way and I started to get enough pick-up cards in my hand to force the others to suffer. I went on to win hands down putting poor Matt over the 301 score though I still maintain it was his father who made him pick up a lot and not me. I wouldn’t do a thing like that. They left just after 9.30 pm and I had a quick tidy up, though I need to put the throw in the wash as there are ink marks on it, washed the mugs and went through. There were only 78 posts but they took a long time so I broke off at 50 to see to the blog and am going back to them now. It’s already gone midnight so I hope the god are feeling kind tonight.

R.I.P Jimmy Ruffin,

Thursday.

The gods let me go to bed about 12.30 am so I took a little time for a chapter before sleep. It was 4.21 am when the cat landed on my stomach and I sat up in shock, wide awake. Hang on though, I don’t have a cat. He died 2 years ago now, even before Ju, and there’s no chance Mike would be up at that time even if he was here. There was also nothing on the bed Which included the ceiling as I did look up. If this is my new imaginary alarm clock I’m not very keen on it. If this is the gods having a joke, I’m not very keen on them.

Perhaps it was as well I woke as I needed a widdle ( I so love the variety of words for this one simple action) so I switched the computer on as I passed. When I eventually got back I signed in and went straight to mail. There was no problem with the mail itself but it was slow going as I wasn’t concentrating well. I worked up to 7.00 am then went through to the kitchen. Big Al must have been in a bad mood as all the others were keeping well out of his way. He was in the amphora that’s usually Sharkey’s domain and everyone was giving it a wide berth. Luckily the opening faced away from me so I thought I was safe in just putting food in and leaving. The problem is where the amphora is placed is very close to where the pellets drop. Ah well, you only live once (I think). I dropped the flake first for Morecambe and Wise then dropped the pellets of algae for the rest. Sharkey rushed to greet the shower straight past Big Al’s nose. Al turned to follow him and saw me. Or maybe he just heard my indrawn breath and cry of “No Sharkey, No”,  I let the food flap go and the resulting bang woke the plecs up to see what their great food god in the sky was doing( or something like that). It didn’t please Big Al too much either. He moved further round and Little Al came into view as though Big Al had him tucked under a fin. As I moved backwards Big Al advanced until I was with my back against the counter and he had his nose pressed against the glass looking daggers. “Good morning Big Al” I said, “your breakfast is there.” Then I forced myself to turn away from his hypnotic gaze.

I had my meds and made the usual coffee and departed for my room. I really didn’t feel like going out as I have a cold but at 9.00 am I forced myself so I could get some bread and milk from Pauline. Mike may come today and I want to be ready. I also needed my lottery tickets doing ready for my big win tomorrow night. Back at home the postman brought only rubbish for me so that went straight to recycling. By 11.00 am I was up to date and went to the lounge to do some more Christmas cards. I think I’m past the half way mark now but I may need a mortgage ( that’ll please the landlord) to post abroad. Then I did a quick pizza and chips for lunch and watched my antiques show. Going back to work wasn’t hard as I wanted to be free for Mike when he came but by 4.00 pm I was up to date again. back to the TV for a while. I got a text from Mike to say he was on the way so I expect him about 6.30 pm.  From 5.00 pm to 6.00 pm I worked on the mail to make sure there was nothing pressing when he came. I went to turn the light off on the tank, prepare Mike’s mug and boil the kettle.

6.30 came and with it came a text about the state of the traffic, his bladder and the need for a cigarette. He said he wouldn’t be long but it was about 7.15 pm before he appeared. I settled him with a drink and we exchanged war stories. It seems his new arrangement is to go to his fathers on a Friday from now on and spend longer with him. That’s good and it means on Sunday he’s not under time constraints to get to his Dad’s after lunch before heading home. He can go straight home now. It also means he can buy fish and take them home if he wants to. We watched an unusual programme about two men scouring the US for old junk to sell on. Checking old buildings, farms and barns for anything of value. Then it was time for an hour of Big Bang Theory with a new episode. Pure magic. By far the best comedy on TV and so well acted. At 9.00 pm it was time to come through to work again. Caramba, I have a real problem. Messages about Adobe needing to be updated and Java also, neither of which might be genuine and both of which are bringing adverts galore with them. I can’t access my emails without adverts coming up instead even though I’ve been and taken off an ad programme that had downloaded to my system somehow today. I can’t access the Adobe.com without this bloody thing flashing up on screen about updates and it won’t let me update from the actual .com file. I’m very frustrated. I’ve decided to do the blog a little early and see if I can access the mail on the laptop instead. I hope you’re wishing me luck. I had to run a scan which took until 12.50 am to finish but I wasn’t going to work on the mail tonight. The laptop was next to useless. It’s so old now it just can’t cope and keeps hanging before I can sign into the mail. I just have to hope the scan worked after it remove an adware piece of malware it found.

Friday.

Such joy, a 4.20 am start today after a 1.00 am finish but at least I wasn’t assaulted awake this time. The people who’ve read Oscar’s book Memoirs of a Superior no doubt think I was joking but that cat really was my alarm clock. He couldn’t be set to anything except Oscar time which meant when he was bored or hungry or just vindictive but landing on my stomach was a favourite way of ensuring I woke all at once with no pause to come round gradually. THAT’S IT…..the reason for my early mornings is FEAR and a long memory, after all we had him 18 years.

After a trip to the loo I came back to start work. All the problem of yesterday came back as soon as I turned on the computer. That’s despite the hours I hung around running scans. In the end I just did a system restore this morning and things seemed to be OK.  My post has taken a lot longer to appear but I have eventually been able to see it and deal with it. Anyway, it was almost 5.00 am before I got to start today. I could only work until 7.0 am because it’s Friday which of course is drugs day and I wanted it out of the way before Mike gets up and I know he’s ha ha set his alarm ha ha for 8.00 am. First things first, I fed the fish under the guiding eye  of Big Al but once I closed the lid he just swam lazily away to tell his congregation breakfast was up. I took my meds then brought the drugs drawer through to start doing the refills. I have to be ready to get new boxes from the drugs delivered this week to add to the drawer to take out again to put into the daily boxes. It can be a long drawn out job. I finished and made a coffee just as Mike’s alarm went off. He was getting up early to take me to the jewelers in Holywell but for reasons I can’t mention I’d decided I didn’t need to go today. I decided not to make hid drink but just to leave him after he turned the alarm off. I could wake him at 9.00 am instead. My coffee and I took a walk back to my bedroom.

I fully intended to put in an hour’s hard work before disturbing Mike but I’d just sat down when I heard the patter of his tiny feet going through to the lounge. I went back to the kitchen and made him a drink. He’d started playing a game on his phone and since he seemed happy I went back to work. Eventually he came through and mentioned our trip to town starting at 9.00 am. I explained my change of heart saying I didn’t need to go today but that he could get an early start to his Dad’s.  He was still here playing the same game at 10.10 am. The postman came and delivered a treat for me that I’d bought but all day I’ve been feeling guilty about it and think I’ll pass it on to someone else.  Eventually he left and I went back to work. Unbelievably I was finished by 11.30 am. I got changed into jeans though left the dressing gown on. Oops, the door went and it was one of the wardens come for a Friday chat. How I wished I’d got fully dressed. She chatted for a while and then said her goodbyes. I had my lunch and watched my Bargain Hunt.

At 1.00 pm I went back to work and by 2.30 pm was again up to date. I finished getting dressed and went out to the Post Office with my cards for foreign climes and also picked up 20 second class stamps for my home cards as there’s plenty of time for them. I had to offer to hire myself out as a ‘giggle Oh’ in order to pay for them. It was coppers short of £25.00. I’m sure it would be cheaper to hand deliver myself to Australia and the U.S. Back at home I started bringing myself back up to date when I must have nodded off for a moment or three. It was 4.05 pm and I had to go like the clappers if I wanted to finish by 4.30 pm. Wishful thinking, but I was out for the start of a quiz at 5.00 pm. Mike texted to say he was on his way back at that time so I expected him to be here for Eggheads at 6.00 pm. He wasn’t. Maybe the airport had him circling because the runways were busy. At 6.30 pm when I usually go for a shower I had another text saying he was getting himself something from the chippie, would I like something? My willpower was bad ( as was my memory as I’d had chips at lunchtime) so I asked for just chips. I thought he was round the corner at our chippie and would be minutes. No, he arrived at 7.05 pm because he’d been at the shop in Holywell and parking was awful since it was the turning on of the Christmas lights. Damn, I’d missed Santa and his reindeer. So, I had my chips, washed my plate and decided to go for my shower. Mike finished up and came through to wash my hair for me, I showered and went through to watch Mastermind. I know I saw the end of that which would have been 8.30 pm but that was it until almost 9.00 pm. There was a programme on about tiger cubs in the house which I had about 15 minutes of and then I decided to come and do battle with the post. 122 messages. It’s a late one again despite tomorrow being shopping day. By 11.30 pm I’d given up in disgust as messages wouldn’t load quickly and wouldn’t cancel at all. I’ve done about 3 in an hour. Time to turn off now and have a short read.

Saturday.

I finally figured it out. Somnos is holding one of those competitions like ‘How many peas in the jar’ or ‘Guess the baby’s name’ up there only he’s taking bets on the nearest guess to the time I’ll get up between 3.00 am and 5.00 am. I’m pretty sure he’s cheating though and picking a time between those guessed. It was 4.21 am again this morning. I was a bit tired and niggly because of the computer problems last night, yesterday daytime and the day before. I pai a visit to the loo and then with fingers crossed sat at the computer. I’m here to tell you now that it’s just possible crossed fingers don’t work. Today at least I could work on emails but they took an epoch to load and whenever I deleted one I’d get a message to say a problem had occurred. I therefore spend from 4.30 am to 6.30 am working on just yesterday’s mail. Needless to say I won’t be needing the services of a barber in future because I pulled the hair out by the roots. Despite the frustration I felt and the stress of being behind I still stopped at 6.30 am to get dressed and then go through to see to the fish. I refused to meet any google eyes today as I knew they had a nice surprise compliments of their Uncle Mike a little later and I didn’t want it dragging out of me. I took my meds. put the kettle on for Mike an made myself a coffee in the machine.

I didn’t hear Mike’s alarm go off so I assume it happened while the kettle was boiling and deafening me. I placed his drink on the bedside table and woke him to let him know it was there. Time then to start getting the bin bags together to go out. After I’d emptied my bedroom bin and taken it through to the kitchen to add to the bigger waste bag I took that and the food waste out. When I came back in  Mike hadn’t moved so I called out not to let his coffee go cold. Surprisingly there was an answer and it wasn’t something ending in …off!  He asked if his alarm had gone off. I said I hadn’t heard it but that I assumed so. Before he could come back with a rejoinder to cut me down I just told him the time.”Oh” he said and he moved. By the time I’d taken out the recycling bags he was in the lounge. Guess what, he was gaming again. He even does it with the TV on now, I’m hooking him up to Gamers Anonymous soon. Ten minutes after we should have left he wasn’t even dressed but once I swore to remove his supply of sweets he shifted.

When we reached ASDA I was expecting scenes of carnage rather than the orderly little queue I found there for Black Saturday. They hadn’t even given out all the discount vouchers before they closed the door as no-one was waiting. Meanwhile back at the main door we were going in to be met by trolleys coming out filled with 32″ and 50″ TV’s as well as kiddies toys. After we’d bought Ju’s flowers we strolled in the direction of the discounted stuff and there was a lot left. Obviously good behaviour were the watchwords of the day. I was very restrained much to Mike’s surprise. We did the shopping in quite good time and went for a coffee. From there tit was time to head for Flint. I needed a couple more shops including the pet shop to pick up something to tie in with Uncle Mike’s gift. That done we went for a coffee with Ceri, Kyle and the other Temptations gang. Mike likes his banter. When Ceri mentioned the heat from her drink had made the crumpet in her mouth swell he called out “I bet that’s not the first time you’ve said that” to which she agreed while choking with laughter.

By the time we got home it was 12.45 pm so we decided to dump the shopping until later and head straight off to dinner. It took us a while to travel to The Ivy but we were both pleased we did. Tariq is opening up another room for the various gifts sold there and the rooms were connected by an open fireplace . Very clean lines with an electric fire between them. It was making good progress. We had hugs from Tariq and kisses from Angie. Nods and a greeting from Rob because we haven’t trained him in Hugs yet. Angie made our drinks while we perused the menu. Mike had a beef Masala and I had a breakfast without the horrible potato thingy and no toast but with the addition of some chips so it was now a brunch.

Leaving there left no time to go on elsewhere as the panic had built up nicely now. When we got home I was going to attack the work straight away but Mike needed a hand at the tank first. He’d brought a new exterior pump and some tubing, I had bought  Y junction and he set up a much bigger curtain of air across the interior back wall of the tank. Maybe I should get some coloured lights next? After that I set to. Things had changed from this morning. The cancelled messages stayed dead and the speed of loading was great. One thing I noticed though was that my link to Google translate had disappeared. Strange. I worked from 3.30 pm to 6.00 pm and managed to catch to to 3.30 pm when I started. I had to take a break so joined Mike until 8.30 pm when he moaned at being left alone, but not too much. At 8.30 pm I came back and things were still OK so I had the chance to catch up until it was time to start the blog. Fingers crossed all is now OK.

Have a Great New Week everyone. Hugs to all.

Bargain Book & Where’s the Bonjela.

Sunday. I’m thinking it’s time to get my eyes tested again. I got out of bed this morning at 5.05 am , went to the loo, came back and turned the computer on. It was 3.10 am. Trouble was I was awake by then. I was thinking of asking Mike to get up but I’ve become rather attached to my kneecaps. Instead I worked. There were already plenty of nice comments from last night’s blog. It makes me feel like carrying on ( Hey, who shouted ‘Stop encouraging him’?) I’m glad to see the Nat West staff are eager and on the ball. Working on a Sunday just to let me know my account is suspended. Makes me feel really guilty for not having one now.

I had breakfast at 6.00 am today , after I’d fed the piranhas of course. I’m a liar and I’ve only just remembered, I didn’t have breakfast this morning. I thought I’d take the tablets at tea time instead and totally forgot. But I digress, I fed the fish, had meds and brought a coffee through. After I’d drunk it I decided to lie down fr a while which was about 6.30 am and slept through to 7.40 am. Then it was back to the new emails again. Because Mike had turned his TV off early last night I thought he might be up early today, but as Confuscius say, Lazy Git is Lazy Git at all hours and doesn’t rise with the sun. I have of course no idea what that means except he didn’t get up until gone 9.00 am, that’s TEN AND A HALF HOURS !!!!!! Still, I don’t begrudge him. ( This lying lark is getting so much easier with practice). We decided to give up the idea of going into the small loft for books today in favour of going out for fish food and some gift wrap plus the ever important square box of tissues. So Mike got dressed and we were out of the house about 10.15 am. We went to Flint where I got everything bar the fish food in one shop and the fish food next door. Then we headed to look at TV’s and TV stands for Mike before heading for a coffee. We know Ceri is away this weekend so he’ll have to sharpen his wit on someone else.

Outside Temptations Mike started talking to a man with an Alsation dog.He (the dog) was big and beautiful, quite tall. I found out just how tall when my attention was distracted when the dog stuck his nose under my nadgers and lifted his head quickly. I nearly left the floor so strong was the push and so delicate were my meat and two veg. Mike burst out laughing naturally. As we reached the doorway he stepped to one side and said “Cripples first” I just added “And sopranos”. Two boys were on the counter this morning. I passed the sweets over and the drinks were prepared without me having to say what. I think Mike was a little disappointed ( about 5′ 4″) until Trudy appeared and he could ask questions about Ceri’s weekend assignation making it sound like part of a blue movie script. He even speaks with a leer.

From there we got in the car and headed off for lunch. It was fairly quiet when we arrived and gave Angie some chocolates to take home and some for the staff behind the counter. No-one else was around but as yet no-one needed to be. Angie made our drinks and came to take our order. Mike and I were mid conversation about taste. He said to me about someone we’re both acquainted with that he has ‘Poundshop’  taste. As I was taking my tablet Angie asked what he meant. He answered”You know what a chav is” at which point I expected him to say -he is one. Instead I heard “well he ranks just below them”. I honestly couldn’t help myself. The coffee I’d just sipped came spraying out over the table and Mike’s hat. I managed to retain the tablet but was choking with laughter. I had to take more coffee and then start cleaning the mess with serviettes while Mike had hysterics in his chair. I went to have a look at the shelve of gifts Tariq has and found a beautiful Folio Society Blue Fairy book for Reuben at a remarkable price as they’re usually £44.99 each. I may get another one next week unless I’ve been beaten to it. Tariq came in at that moment and came to say hello. He’s been at the woodworking again aand made a beautiful box I wouldn’t be ashamed to have my ashes in. He’s quite the craftsman.

As Tariq went to carry on with the job he’s doing Mike and I went for a cigarette outside. The forecast has been wrong today, no sign of rain at all. Lunch was being put on the table as we went back in. Perfect timing. It was a slow and pleasurable affair. Every mouthful savoured. We spent time finishing coffee before I had the pleasure paying Angie, and the delight of no fighting about it. Mike told me when we were in on Friday he’d liked an ornament which Tariq had told him was £2.00 which in fact was £20.00 so I was expecting problems today since he’d lost that battle. He came into the room in time to give hugs and wish us goodbye  and I got away cleanly for once. Mike dropped me at home and left on the next stage of his journey virtually straight away giving me the chance to try and catch up with mail. When I finally made it I went through to the lounge and wrapped some birthday gifts and did a card in case I get a visit this week from Jen herself or from Lee if he’s able to make games night. Some more catching up before watching a Deborah Messing film and then I came through to see to the rest of the messages, this post and another one I want to release this week which by the time you see this will have been done.

Monday. A strange day. I was up early and as perky as usual ( grouchy with no witnesses) getting on with the mail when about 6.00 am I came over very tired. I hopped back onto the bed and was immediately away.  I woke again at 6.55 am but was reluctant to move. It was just the thoughts being directed at me from the fish tank that forced me from the bedroom to the kitchen. I fed the monsters then took my drugs, made some toast and a coffee.  I was back in my room by 7.30 am to take up where I’d left off. It was really a struggle to keep my eyes open and I was constantly nodding off and being jerked awake as I fell forwards. I had to persevere.  At 9.00  am I got dressed and went to to send two letters back that had come addressed to Julia and deliver a prescription request to the chemist. I also picked up some baps from Pauline’s.

The breath of fresh air had revived me I thought but when I resumed working on the mail I was back to nodding so I eventually had to give up and go to my chair in the lounge. I was afraid of falling asleep here and imprinting the keyboard on my forehead as I fell. I imagined being carted off by some Government Agency to have the hieroglyphs translated. In my chair the snores were bouncing off the ceiling within minutes. I  was out almost an hour again. It was back to work  for another hour and then it was lunchtime. It’s not as bright today so no greenery, I did myself bangers and mash with beans. A welcome treat, and at least two thirds veg so healthy? I managed to watch one of my antique programmes before turning off and deciding I had to sleep again. I was drifting off nicely when my phone indicated a message. It was Mike to let me know his phone is working????? I tried again and the strident tones of the house phone went off. It doesn’t ring for long before it goes to answer machine as I don’t answer the phone. As it cut off I tried again. It let me get into a deep sleep this time before it rang again. By the time I surfaced it had stopped but I took it as a sign that I was to work.

I had a reasonable session and was making real progress when it hit me again. I had to lie down. I was out for another hour and a half before managing to get back to the computer.  At 5.00 pm I went through to watch TV and turned on a programme called Come Dine With Me.I saw the first party then must have conked out. When I came to it was a new programme altogether. At 8.00 pm I’d had enough entertainment so I went to take my evening drugs and turn the fish tank light off before coming through to do battle. There have been some very encouraging comments of support about today’s blog post which is great because very often the slightest dig at organised religion and you find out who your friends are- or aren’t. So, I was almost up to date when I decided to see to the blog instead. I’m meeting Yvonne and Reuben tomorrow ( If I wake up) and we’re going to have a mooch in Broughton Park. It’s easier to deal with individual messages than to have to do the blog if it gets too late tonight.

Hatboy

Hatboy 2

 

Tuesday. I decided to go the lazy layabout route this morning and didn’t get up until 5.10 am. I worked (very hard) until 6.30 am then decided to give the fish a treat by putting their light on and feeding them early. They feigned no interest and just ignored me. I was hurt. It didn’t stop me having a piece of toast though. I took my morning fix and made a coffee to take through but before sitting down with it I had to get washed and dressed. By now it was gone 7.00 am and I was due to leave the house at 7.30 am. There was time to do some more messages while I drank the coffee but a few would have to wait till I got back. By a few I mean just 20.

So, at 7.30 am I swung my trusty backpack on and headed for the bus stop. I was nearly bent double under the weight of the Fairy Story Book I got at the weekend and £25 in small coinage from the piggy I keep for Reuben. I think the pig is going on a diet from now on. I arrived at the bus stop before the bus today and the first one to arrive was the T1 which I usually take when I feel like throwing pictures about. Today though I”m meeting Yvonne at a different place and need the 11G. The driver of the T1 hung about at the stop to give me chance to get on but with a gentle shake of the head I indicated my adventures were elsewhere today. He drove of no doubt in high dudgeon at losing a regular. The 11G arrived and I climbed aboard and deposited myself on one of the seats designated for the disabled. There was no chance of getting my backpack off before the bus started off so I kept it on for the journey.Not a comfortable ride. We reached the top of the hill and the full fury of the sunshine smacked me in the eyes and within moments I was sweating. Had I been able to remove the backpack I’d have been able to remove my jacket ( because of the pockets before you ask) and leave myself in shirt sleeves only.( I was in fact properly clothed on the lower half).

The journey was long enough that I was thinking about Christmas presents before I arrived at my stop. But eventually I did arrive. My next job was to play chicken with the fast moving works traffic so I could cross the road. My imitation of Charles Laughton doing The Lunchpack of Notre Dame didn’t seem to be getting me any sympathy as no-one was stopping. I just had to make a mad limp for it. Next was a bit of a trek round to the store where we were meeting. I was a bit earlier than expected so I went straight upstairs to the cafe and texted Yvonne. I ordered a latte and a very obliging young man helped me off with the pack so I could sit comfortably. He brought the drink and went to get sugar for me too.Very helpful. Yvonne arrived as I was a couple of sips in so I gave her the money for whatever she wanted while I got my grandson out of his buggy. He actually reached for me as I undid his belt.

I got him in a high chair next to me as Yvonne came back with her drink and with toast for Reuben. As he enjoyed his toast he also had his proper breakfast and did quite well.  After breakfast we wandered around the gents department and I was amazed to find polo shirts on sale from £1 and teeshirts from £2, needless to say I indulged. I managed to find some things for Reuben and even some flip flops for Yvonne. We left the store without visiting the other departments. But, there was another large shop next door. We came away from there empty handed. I lit a cigarette outside as we wandered further up the row until we reached the Costa. It was time for another coffee and Yvonne and I elbow wrestled to see whose Costa Card we would use for double points Tuesday.As usual she managed to distract me and won. We sat inside this time as it was cooler and I had an iced coffee. Reuben had fallen asleep as he’d had a very wakeful night last night it seems. We left him to it as we walked up the next side of the square until we reached the Pound Shop.I’ve never seen anyone go berserk like Yvonne in there. So many things to do with the pirate theme of Reuben’s birthday. Then another large store where we managed to find something for Yvonne for a change, though we argued about who was paying. This time I distracted her. We decided to stay there for lunch too and I had a baked potato with coleslaw, Yvonne added cheese to hers.

In the last shop there were some beautiful gifts. I was amazed that we could see so many nice things and yet the only thing that was bought was a small pack of noisy objects for Reuben. At this point he was awake and had to have one straight away.Rattle, Rattle, Rattle.all the way out. It was now well gone 3.00 pm so I told Yvonne I’d go home. Despite another argument (which I lost) she insisted on walking round to the bus stop with me and waiting. The bus didn’t keep me waiting long. This time I’d carried my backpack on the handle of my crutch so I was able to take my jacket off and enjoy a cooler journey. It was a long journey again and with stoppages for road works. It was almost 5.00 pm before I reached home. One neighbour called me to bring me my drugs from the chemist. Another one arrived and was telling me about her swollen leg and added she was disappointed she’d never seen Reuben though her daughter has. I’ll have to put that right. Then a third neighbour arrived to say he was holding a parcel the postman had left with him. It wouldn’t fit through the letter box. Eventually I got indoors. It took two minutes to unpack my bag and a couple more to look at the jewellery for Christmas that had been delivered. After that I sat at the computer to deal with the 241 messages from today. Apart from taking my tablets at 8.00 pm I haven’t left this chair. The more I do, the more comes in. So this blog is actually on Wednesday rather than Tuesday and there’s still more mail to do before I can finish. At least games night doesn’t cause as many problems.

Wednesday. 4.10 am start despite being up late last night. I found a message on my phone from MuJo and I wanted the post to be as up to date as possible when they got here. They didn’t give me a time but it wouldn’t be early. At 7.00 am I went through to see to the fish, take tabs etc , have breakfast and then bring a coffee back here.This wasn’t as fun laden as it sounds since I’m suffering this morning with a mouth ulcer and it piggin’ hurts. Once I’d put the coffee on my desk I wen searching for the Bonjela to try and deaden things so I’m not really the Grumpy Pants I’m depicted at when MuJo arrive. I went through the medicine cabinet  as a first option then through the drug drawers. Nada. It took me twenty minutes to find it on the bathroom windowsill holding all he cobwebs together. I got dressed and went to get a new tube from the chemist but not before singing Happy Birthday to the old one. I also called in at Pauline’s for some cigarettes as my nephew  Matt will be here for games night. It’s easier to leave a pack on his table than to have him roll his own.

Back into battle on my return until the postman brought me joy. A tax rebate is due, not great but every little helps, and he delivered another piece of Christmas jewellery, that means just one set to go. It doesn’t look like I’ll be getting the mirror clock I won on ebay. For the second time the seller has not sent it nor refunded me so far. I’ve put it in ebay’s hands again but I’m furious that people can do this. If they want a better price for their goods they should stick a reserve on.

Mujo arrived at about 11.00 am and when I’d done a drink said they didn’t want a cooked meal as it’s so hot today, they’d like to go to Temptations and have a pannini  with a drink. First though they’d like to go to Holywell. That suited me ans that’s what we did but I had to chuckle. We went up to Holywell first and then instead of cutting across to Flint the quick way they came down past my house and went the long way round. We had a nice lunch in Temptations, I had beef sandwiches and a pot of tea. I had a lovely kiss off Ceri for her birthday wine. We had a good mooch around all the shops as they looked for a gift for John’s mother. Then we started heading back but they decided to go shopping for food in Holywell, this time taking the short cut she wouldn’t take before. This expedition didn’t take too long and we were soon back at home again.

By now I was getting twitchy wondering how much mail had come and how much I could clear before Dil arrived. They left me about 4.15 pm and I shot into my room to start. There were over 100 messages and I cleared as many as possible before games night started. Dil and Matt arrived about 5.40 pm and I had to give up. I made drinks and we started play with the new Scrabble. Dil won the first game but I must be getting the hand as the second game went to me. Next we decided to play a game of Yahtzee for a change. The box hasn’t been opened since they bought it for me at Christmas. First game to Matt as was the second but I was the conquering hero in the third. They left me at 9.30 pm and I rushed round tidying up and washing pots so I could get in here. Back to over 200 messages. It’s 11.40 pm and I’m half way there. I stopped to take my tabs and do the blog post so it wasn’t forgotten. At this rate I’ll still be here at breakfast.

Dude.

 

I heard today that Reuben is almost two stone. He’s not in the least fat but he’s a solid little beggar.

Thursday. 4.00 am was just too early this morning but I’d already been awake for over half an hour and sleep was playing hide and seek with me. OK, it gave me the chance to get going on the mail from you lot who’ve nothing better to do with your time than write then write about writing. I was coming towards h end at 7.00 am when I broke off to do my duty a la the piscatorial side of life and to take my  tabs. When I came back with my coffee I decided to have a break from doing the mail and try to make something of the rare photographs I got of my brother Dil and my nephew Matt last night. I should have been born a couple of hundred years ago, I’d have been out there hacking at technology with an axe I’m sure. This phone defeats me. I cannot get it to send me an email yet I know I have the internet connection on. After the trouble I went to for this app I want to use it. I have a limited version on the computer which can’t be upgraded and I want to add some more pictures to my walls, but treated ones. Here are two I did on the computer where I’ve made hem into sketches. I think the effect is great. That nasty looking Victorian villain, fresh from tying a young lady to the tracks is me. ( Serves her right for spurning my advances).

Julia and I.

Is there a train due?

 

Eventually I had to give it up as a bad job and hope that Mike can get me back on the right track again. So, I started back in on the mail. There were some interesting things today,not least a nice request from an author for an interview which I sent off. Maybe it’ll be back in time for the coming week. At 9.15 am I got dressed and took my usual walk to Pauline’s for new lottery tickets. I don’t think I’ve said that she’d very troubled with arthritis and can’t stand upright yet always has a kind word.

When I got back the postman hadn’t been with my tax rebate which is a disappointment as I’d like to get it to the bank. So, I finished a little more mail and then went to the lounge to catch 40 Zzzz’s. I swear someone knows when I’m trying that as the phone immediately goes off. As soon as it stops you calm your jangling nerves and try again. There it goes again, I’ll unplug the damn thing. The trouble is, it’s technology again isn’t it. If I unplugged it I’d probably stop someone leaving me an important message. I picked up a magazine and memorised all next weeks TV programmes until lunchtime. Because my mouth is so sore I didn’t fancy trying to work my way through a piece of meat, nor anything like a lettuce you have to chew for hours. In the end I settled on some new potatoes, some cold meat and some peas and carrots. I could have probably put the lot in a blender and had a smoothie lunch. It was back to work after I’d washed the pots and there was enough to keep me going until almost 5.00 pm. I decided to relax with a bit of TV then and watched a quiz until 5.45 pm when my niece-in-law turned up. I’d asked her to come so I could give her the birthday gift I’d hoped to give to Lee on Wednesday. It’s her birthday tomorrow. She was quite excited as Lee has just told her he’s taking her to Paris for the weekend. Who says romance is dead? I’m very fond of Jen and think they’re the perfect couple. I’m hoping for baby news yet. When she left I concentrated on the news for a while, then an episode of Top of the Pops from 1979 with The Knack doing My Sherona and ABBA  who formed in 1972 and won the Eurovision in 1974. After that it was side splitting time with the latest Big Bang Theory. Then I could skive no more and came through to battle with the mail and the blog post.

Friday. It was a 4.50 am start after a fairly rough night. Aaaargghh,it hurts. The Bonjela isn’t helping as much as I’d hoped. I worked my way through the usual routine which on a Friday includes preparing my tablets for the week. as I brought my coffee back afterwards I got myself washed and dressed ready to go out as soon as the shops opened. At 9.00 am I went to the chemist and bought some Anbesol which hopefully will kill some of the pain. I couldn’t face breakfast because of it. I put the first lot on as soon as I got home, it seemed to help a bit. At least I was able to concentrate on the mail again. At 10.10 the postman arrived and there was the tax rebate. I made myself take a bus to town , almost falling onto it because the step was so high. The driver hadn’t bothered to lower it. In the end the only thing to fall was one of my crutches but had someone not been behind me I’d have had to get off the bus before I’d even gone anywhere. It wasn’t a long trip and the bus stop is close to the bank so it wasn’t far to walk. I opened my new paying in book and it caught my breath that there was just my name on it now.I haven’t used the new book since Julia, things catch me at funny moments. Outside the bank again I used the cash machine to save doing so tomorrow and then walked up the high street to catch a bus home. I was almost at the top of the street when I saw a new Charity Shop  where a chemist formerly traded. It was for St Kentigern’s Hospice which was where Ju died. I had to pop in. I didn’t think there was much of interest and was on my way out again when I saw a triple photo frame in great unused condition. I said yesterday that I needed a new one to balance out the one Yvonne bought me for Fathers Day. I bought it and was still in time for the bus. Even carrying the frame I got on this one a lot better.

Back at home again I flew through the messages to catch up. As soon as I did I selected some photographs from my file and converted them to sketches with this new app I keep raving about. I did it on the computer as I still can’t get emails to leave the phone. I printed them and put them in the frame ready to hang. I got the usual message ‘On way’ from Mike and knew he’d be there about 2.00 pm. Then the phone went again and it was Lis asking if I was in. I was quick to answer “Yes” and she said she’d be down in an hour. That gave me chance to keep on top of the post. About 12.15 pm I went through to the lounge and put my antiques show on while waiting for Lis to arrive. She was there by half past and stayed with me an hour chatting. She’s a really good friend and I hope I’d prove as good if the need ever arose.

Mike arrived. Hugs followed. Before making a coffee I checked to see if he’d stopped to eat on the way. He hadn’t, so I was able to suggest going for lunch and having a coffee then. He agreed thank heavens as I was more than just a bit peckish. The Ivy was a bit busier because it was raining but we still had no problem getting our seats and getting served by Tariq who came over to hug us both when we came in. As he was doing our drinks I picked up another of Reuben’s books and asked Tariq if the other two had gone. He’d never even got round to putting them out he told me. Fantastic, I bought all three. A brilliant birthday gift for Reuben. Naturally the arguments started early as Tariq tried to make me take some money back for buying them all but I was already making a huge saving on each one. Because of my mouth I had an omelette today with a few (soft) chips. It went down beautifully. Mike had a Brunch breakfast and really enjoyed it, except he couldn’t quite finish it.

We chatted to Shella a bit and Mike had passed her the chocolates when we first went in so she hid them from Tariq and his sweet tooth. We had a really good chat with him as things quieted down and he told us how under the thumb he is ( yeah right!) and then upset Mike by showing him the new phone he bought which is all singing all dancing, 2 sim cards, quad core, 5.5″ touch screen,3G,  blah, blah and all for less than £90.00. Mike was almost puce. We left and made our way home. I attacked the mail in my box to give me chance to spend time with Mike later and he attacked the laptop to see what phones he could find. I heard a lot of grumbling from him about how much his phone had cost. By 5.00 pm I was able to join him and we watched a quiz before an (old) episode  of Big Bang came on that Mike hadn’t seen. After that I stood up had an angina attack, claimed it was indigestion, got called liar and went for a shower. Mike washed my hair as usual though while trying to avoid the left side of my face. In the shower I forgot it and was a little vigorous with the rubbing . The chest hurt, the face hurt, just as well there was noting to fall on my foot. I changed into a pair of non-insulting lounge pants and sat in the lounge till 9.00 pm when I found a lot of mail waiting so I decided to do the blog first.

Brother Dil and wife- fancy dress.

Lee

 

 

 

Saturday. 04.11 am this morning which meant I was finished by 6.00 am and shut my eyes for a few minutes in the lounge. I’d like to say I only rested my eyes but someone got up to go to the loo at 6.30 am and swore I was snoring. That would be the same someone who went straight back to bed, fell asleep, snored and missed a coffee call from, me and three calls from his alarm clock before finally making a move.I’d got my coffee, taken tabs, washed and dressed by then. While he moaned, groaned and grumbled about not being awake as he drunk (finally) his coffee, I taken all the rubbish out so we could leave unhindered. One slight problem marred our departure when Mike was finally ready, he almost dislocated an arm grabbing the shopping bag when I’d put £11 of loose copper in the bottom to change. It was like one of those cartoons when the hero is brought up dead when he doesn’t know there’s an anvil in the bag. He almost lost his footing. I had to bite down hard on my hat.

It was raining when we went out but we got to the supermarket safely. Mike changed all the copper in the machine provided and pulled off a shop voucher for the amount lass a charge of I think  9.9 %. Then we started the shopping. I’ve still got food left from this week because of my mouth problems so I didn’t have much on the list. I kept finding things I hadn’t thought about though. We started with potatoes and moved on to flowers since Ju’s vases need brightening up. That’s mainly due to the fact that I don’t seem to have topped them up this week.  Some kind of aster I think and some carnations should look nice. The shirt I bought last week at such a bargain price was in the sale today at quadruple what I paid for it. I declined to buy another. Nothing else of interest there so we moved back to food. Some hams, two types, yoghurts, butter, original lemonade drinks, bread, cakes, coffee, milk, biscuits, sweets (not for me) and we were done. We went through the tills and I suggested a coffee. Disaster, none of their machines were working in the cafe. Still, we were heading for Flint.

I stocked up on chocolates and bought some Pepsi Max but the loo rolls I wanted had sold out. Not a major surprise at the price they were. My own fault for not getting them when I first saw them. Time for a coffee now and Mike’s weekly battle with the awesome Ceri who no matter what insult he throws at her, laughs and comes back with her own line. It’s like old style music hall to watch the two of them. He relished the kiss he got for the bottle of wine we got for her birthday. I’m glad I got mine on Wednesday as I wouldn’t have wanted her after I’d seen what he did to her. Growing old disgracefully.

We went home and unpacked the shopping. I was disappointed that my last parcel still hasn’t arrived, and fuming that there is still no word from the ebay seller who’s let me down for the second time. It’s very bad form. Anyway, I ploughed into my emails before Mike and I went out again as he wanted to visit our friend in Llandudno. The sun was out and blazing away as we traveled with the roof down.You can tell it’s holiday season as there are plenty of hold ups on the roads, the ‘grockles’ are out in force. We arrived in Llandudno and made our way to Brian’s flat to collect him. The dog was effusive and excited as usual. Yet again he put his nose where it doesn’t belong and lifted his head so hard I thought I had mumps. I crawled out of the flat and waited by the car. We went off to eat and I chose cottage pie as I thought it would be soft to eat. It wasn’t a great choice.Afterwards we had a wander while Mike tried to find a styptic pencil and I got some books to read. We had a nice coffee outside a little cafe before we delivered Brian back to the dog and then pretty soon Mike and I hit the road home again.

I had a go at diminishing the mail list when I first got in as I was chomping on a dark choc-ice. Then I went through to join Mike for Come Dine With Me and an episode of Lewis. We had a sandwich for tea with a chocolate eclair. The bread was beautiful and thankfully soft. I’m back through now while Mike watches Mrs Brown’s Boys , as I hope to have an early night.

What a laugh

Total Innocence

Swimming

 

 

 

 

 

 

Wishing you all a wonderful week.  Hugs.

Mother’s Day & Diabetic Review.

Sunday.

It started early enough, bed at 1.30 am last night, or at least that’s when I finished reading. Up again at 5.15 am and that was AFTER putting the clocks forward.  It’s stupid but I think I’d worked myself up to such a pitch about how I’d be today that it was almost self-fulfilling.  I was thinking of Ju as I did my mail and I was looking at her pictures as I went around the house but oddly enough I wasn’t the miserable git I’d expected to be.  I’d expected to be alone this weekend but that hadn’t been allowed and Mike was here though obviously as it was Sunday I only expected a few minuted with him between actually getting out of bed and leaving for his Dad’s. What a shock then to hear his alarm go off at 7.00 am when I was standing in the kitchen making my coffee. For one thing he’d watched TV late and for another the clocks had gone forward which would/could possibly deprive him of an hour’s sleep. Anyway, I put the kettle on for him ( he doesn’t like my podded brand of coffee). I was even more sure the alarm had been an accident after hearing no movement from him. Still, I risked making a drink and taking it through for him. I left it on the bedside table and just called “Coffee up Bro.” The response was a startled “OK, thank you, snore.” I got washed and dressed and drank my coffee while doing the last bit of overnight mail in my box. Lo and behold at 7.50 I heard mike call good morning and tell me he was awake. A few minutes alter he was in the lounge and I joined him there.

It turned out the thought of attending the first large car boot locally had appealed to him though I believe it was an attempt to occupy my mind really. We made it out of the house by 9.00am and drove to Rhuddlan. It was disappointing to see the car boot wasn’t as large as it usually is there, but after all it’s their first of the year. Still there were enough stalls to keep us going. We walked round paying careful attention to everything. I didn’t want anything in particular but Mike was hoping maybe to find another gurgle jug. We were approaching the last stall on the penultimate row when we both spotted them. A beautiful pair of jugs in a colour approaching gold. I thought they were from the sixties possibly and Mike agreed. The stall holder wanted so little for them it was a waste of time to haggle so Mike bought them both. We were well past the halfway mark on the last row when I grabbed Mike’s arm and drew his attention to a watch winder on a stall. Very smart looking. He never expected to see one at a car boot but he was a bit worried as he wanted a double ( or more) and this was a single. I said it would do for now at least keeping one watch wound until he found something else, but only if it worked of course. Mike asked about it and the chap said he’d paid £65 for it just over a year ago, and it worked fine. No way it could be proved at that moment but as he only wanted £15 it was worth the risk. I bought it and then added an 8 socket electric plug tower to my purchases for just £7.00  As we’d walked round Mike’s phone had beeped a few times and I’d seen him texting. Since I’d had a message from my niece Karen I didn’t think anything of it. We left and headed for a large supermarket close by that has a cafe. As we he sat eating toast then a bacon sandwich he asked me what I wanted to do about lunch. To be honest I wasn’t that interested today but he told me his messages had been from Yvonne and  they were meeting us between 12.30 pm – 1.00 pm at the Ivy for lunch.

I bought some chocs at the Supermarket then we made our way to the Ivy getting there in plenty of time. I know they didn’t know we were going but shock, horror, they’d let someone else sit at both our tables. We had to sit at a normal dining table until my eyes drilling into the back of their head made one group leave. We occupied our rightful place. Tariq came over for hugs and Angie to say hello. It wasn’t too long before a baby was thrust in my lap and Yvonne sat down next to me. Ugo sat next to Mike. Tariq brought the drinks over and while Reuben alternated between the grape and whine dance on my lap and trying to snatch my latte from the table we ordered lunch, except Yvonne who’s weight loss plan with a diet group has her refusing all food. Normally I’d argue with her but today I realised she could take Reuben before he stole my lunch. Yvonne wasn’t at her best today and I knew it’s because she’s so upset about Ju.  I could probably have offered more comfort than I did but was afraid of letting go.

After lunch there were multiple hugs, and no fight about the bill with Tariq as he left the room and I caught Angie. She didn’t want to do it but was persuaded. There was a disagreement about a tip though as she said no since I’d taken chocolates in. Lucky for me with so many customers she couldn’t follow me outside to fight. I’m learning. We went home and Ugo followed as I’d told Yvonne about Reuben’s outfits from yesterday’s shopping. I’m happy to say she loved them. They stayed with us a while then had to go. I did some work then went through to watch a bit of TV with Mike though he was actually on the computer himself for a long time looking at Ebay.I managed to nod off for half an hour though I was conscious of Mike having a long telephone conversation while I dozed. I made tea about 6.00 pm and then we did the fishtank  (finally) before watching a new episode of Endevour which is excellent TV. At 10.00 pm it was time to come through to see how much work was waiting and to get the days blog done. I’m happy to report I survived the day well and though I obviously miss Ju I wasn’t overcome with emotion and was able to concentrate on wonderful times with her, especially at the car boot we’d been to today.

Monday. Confessions first, I didn’t open my eyes this morning until Mike’s alarm went off at 6.58 am. In fairness it was a 2.00 am bedtime last night so I don’t feel too guilty. But when the alarm went off I shot up as though I’d been stung. It was as well I did because I heard no movement from Mike’s room. Without pausing to turn on the computer I went straight to the kitchen. The fish were the first priority when kettle on while I used my sprays and took my tabs. As the kettle boiled I made Mike a coffee and shoved my mug under the machine for a latte. I woke Mike as I put the coffee on his bedside table, conscious of the fact he needed to be gone by 8.30 am. There was a definite grunt of acknowledgement but that was as far as it went. I grabbed my drink and went to the computer and made a start. First I had to finish doing the ones I hadn’t managed from last night. At 7.30 I went through to remind Mike his coffee was there and he needed to get going. Hnnnfff. Not a flicker. I finished my drink and was taking my cup to the kitchen at 8.45 when he finally moved. I sat in the lounge with him till his eyes opened and focused a bit.

It was 8.45 when Mike finally left. I haven’t heard whether he made his appointment on time yet. As for me, I started in earnest on my mail and managed to get up to date at just gone 10.00 am. Mike had reminded me before he left that I needed to get dressed and take my prescription request in to the chemist. So by 10.30 am I was on my way there and called in to Pauline’s for some Branston pickle, and one of those accidental kitkats. When I got home there was a pile of mail and every piece was junkmail without exception, not unlike what was also waiting on the computer. It was mid-day before I made myself a sandwich for lunch and sat in front of the TV as I ate. After I’d washed the pots I continued to sit there until I nodded off. When I woke I had one of those muzzy feelings and decided I’d better do something, I did, I fell straight back to sleep. It was 3.45 pm before I woke again. I have no idea why but I still felt tired. Anyway, back to the computer to catch up which took me till almost 5.30 pm. I had a tin of pineapple rings then watched Law and Order. Once that was done I turned over to watch something else but kept nodding. At 8.00 pm I finally pulled the plug and came through to the bedroom. There was quite a bit of mail to answer but I was also nipping back and forth to ebay. I won a box to keep tea bags in with a clear lid so you can make a choice. I won a watch. There was another one I wanted and bid on that I missed when commenting on a friend’s blog post.

I’m currently watching another two watches tonight but one finishes at 11.57 pm and I doubt my eyes will be open that long tonight. I’ll have to put a bid in and hope for the best. I’m off now to complete the rest of my post and cross my fingers there won’t be too much more tonight.

Tuesday. April Fools Day. It felt like I got up this morning ten minutes before I went to bed. I woke at just gone 3.00 am according to my ever so luminous clock. I tried to just relax and go back to sleep but gave up at 3.50 and started work. I finished the first batch before 6.30 am and felt tired so I lay down for a minute or 60. At 7.30 I was awake again and went to see to the fish, take my meds and make a coffee. When I returned there was mail again including some from Yvonne to say she felt lousy with her throat (again) and it was great that I didn’t have to face her when I said I didn’t need her to come today as a friend was taking me to the doctor’s. I know she was glad. From my point of view it was a great way of dodging the bullet.

I worked on the mail until about 10.15 when I decided to get washed and dressed. I was being very good with my smoking this morning, stretching my last packet out as I have a bad chest. That was the bullet I needed to dodge though missing the diabetic review would be a bonus as I hadn’t asked a friend to take me. By 12.15 pm I thought, “Why the heck not, I can do this”. At half past I donned my jacket and made my way to the bus stop.I was actually at the point of turning back, even though the day was glorious, when a bus pulled up beside me. It wasn’t the bus stop, but the driver was letting someone off early, he asked if I was heading for the bus stop. Like an idiot I said yes and got on. I was in town before 1.00 pm. My appointment wasn’t until 3.00 pm so I wandered down the High Street slowly until I reached Kassidy’s. It didn’t look too full so I entered and took a small table out of the way. Chris mouthed a welcoming hello at me but my hands were shaking. In over 4 years of being here I’ve never been out alone and been in somewhere alone either. Dawn took my order and I waited for my cuppa to take a tablet. Chris came over to say how beautiful Reuben is and she could see I wasn’t myself. She’s a lovely person and just ignored my idiocy. I think Dawn had forgotten my tea so Chris went to do it for me. It arrived at the same time as Dawn brought my lunch. So much for 15 mins between taking the first tab and eating.

As I finished Chris came over to squeeze my shoulder. I knew it was support. Si was cooking today so I wasn’t able to see him. I paid and left. It was 1.30pm. I had a look round the Supermarket and thought about going home. Instead I decided to try it. I bought a box of Ferrero Rocher and wandered to the surgery. I was there for 2.00 pm. I sat in solitary for the full hour before I was called and almost left a dozen times. When I got in, the Sister asked if there was anything she could do for me. I said No thanks. The review took only minutes and it appears my blood tests show an increase in my glucose levels so next prescription they’ll up the tabs even more. No checking my feet as usual or pricking of the thumb. My BP was OK this time though. What she did notice is that my chest isn’t and so I ended up with a prescription for anti-biotics. I think my stuttering responses took longer than the actual review but I handed over the chocs gratefully and left.

It’s quite a walk to the bus stop but I made it and within minutes two small buses appeared with Prestatyn as the destination. The first one left before I had chance to breathe but I got on the second one as it looked as though it was heading off. It was actually moving to the space vacated by the other one to give women ( girls) with trolleys chance to get on. It was awful, really crowded and I had  a youngster bouncing about on the seat next to me. It started off and to my horror bypassed my usual road and started leaving Holywell heading away from the Coast Road where Prestatyn is. I had to ring the bell to get off which was a very long way due to roadworks preventing he bus stopping where it normally would. It was a long walk back to town and to wait for the right bus. I decided to bypass the chemist when I got home as I’ll go in the morning and see if they have my other prescription from Monday ready yet.

I ploughed into mail when I got in and kept going until almost 6.00 pm when I decided to watch a film instead of my usual Law and Order. That took me till 9.00 pm when I almost ran back here to try and catch up. It’s almost 11.45 pm and I have about 10 left which I’ll go and do now. Here’s hoping for some sleep tonight.

Wednesday. Another 3.50 day despite it being a 12.30 pm finish last night and I still had a read. I did wake up feeling rough. The bronchitis is here with a vengeance so I’ll have to get the anti-biotics this morning. There were so few messages this morning I worked till 6.45 and hen decided to lay down. I managed to nod off until 7.35 am. It wasn’t worth starting again then interrupting myself so I headed straight for the kitchen to give the fish a treat. Instead it was I who got one when I found two of the plecs climbing the glass so I could see their fronts and their mouths as they cleaned the glass. I’m fascinated as they’re small and almost translucent.I have 3 in total. Two are about an inch and a half and one about two inches long. Anyhoo, I fed them and then followed my routine with meds and coffee before going back to catch the next batch of messages.

At 9.30 I washed and dressed, going for the lumberjack look today in my checked shirt. I took a walk to the chemist with my scrip. Unfortunately the slightly uphill walk took it out of me and the journey took a while. When I arrived I was told the chemist hadn’t so I’d have to have them delivered later. Not a major problem as the prescription I put in on Monday should be back and they can all come together. I started the journey in reverse. Much easier on the downhill slope. I did a few more messages then printed off a picture of Reuben on Tee Shirt paper and went to iron it on. I don’t know whether I didn’t obey the destructions properly or whether the  paper was old and faulty but the picture wouldn’t peel clean. It’s still a nice image but a little patchy. I’d just finished when I saw someone from the chemist approach the door. Yay, my anti-biotics, but when I got there that’s all there was. The man who delivered wouldn’t know about the rest of the drugs so I’ll wait till the end of the day.

11.30 am and I felt whacked and so packed it in for the morning and went to sit in the lounge. I saw the carpet looked bad so I got the hoover out. As soon as I’d done that I noticed the wood flooring looked bad now so I had to mop that down and did the kitchen floor at the same time. I put a load of washing in and decided enough was enough. At 12.00 I went to the freezer for a pizza and found some chips with Chinese curry sauce I’d bought. A rare treat as Ju hated the smell of curry. While it was in the microwave I buttered two baps and prepared a tray. As soon as it pinged my stomach rumbled and I tucked in with relish, that is, I didn’t have relish with it, just ate with gusto which is not another person. I put chips on one of the baps and loved having the butter melt everywhere. The other I used to mop up the curry sauce at the end. Yum Yum. The  bronchitis hasn’t robbed me of an appetite…..Yet.

I did a few messages during the afternoon and the delivery of my other drugs didn’t come which means another walk to the chemist’s in the morning. Still, I would need to go out for my lottery anyway. It is a pain though as I usually do my drugs on a Thursday morning for the week and there won’t be enough now. Maybe I’ll rattle less. At 5.30 pm Dil and Matt arrived so I made coffee and tea while they answered the questions on a TV quiz I’d turned on. After I’d brought the drinks through I put up the card table and got the Scrabble ready. Why the heck did I bother. Two games to Matthew. I was whitewashed and trounced in that order. I did however learn for the future that qis is a word. I got the cards out and we played Nomination where it was my turn to win convincingly. After that we decided to try Chase the Lady ( a version of Hearts on the computer) as Matt needed a reminder of how to play. Again I stood and did the victory dance before collapsing breathless to the floor. I’ve just this minute realised that means Dil didn’t win anything tonight. I wonder if he made Matt walk home. We said our goodbyes and thank yous and they left. Do you know they do a forty minute journey each way every Wednesday just so we can play games. I love them for the effort they put in for me especially as Dil comes straight from work without eating. I tidied away the empty packets of biscuits ( at least 6) from Matt and washed the mugs.

I took my nighttime tablets through to the bedroom and started on the mail. I was horrified it was back up to 84 again and typically my computer had joined a union and was working to a go slow. It took till 11.55 pm to finish before I could start the blog post. Time for bed said Zebedee, G’night all.

Thursday.I shall have to ask you to suspend your natural scepticism for a moment when I tell you that after going to bed at gone midnight and turning my light off at approx 1.45 am  I was rather disturbed to find myself awake and staring at the clock at 2.22 am.I was looking for a message in all those little ducks but determined not to get up so drifted back to sleep. No revealing dreams that I can remember. The next thing I knew is that I was awake again, this time it was the wakefulness of getting up and staring at my clock it was now 4.44 am. Even if I’d been tired at that moment there’s no way I’d have gone back to bed in case I woke to 6.66 am.

I started in on the mail and though there weren’t as many as yesterday they took me considerably longer. The first batch was almost at an end when I broke off at 8.00 am to see to the tank. I took the last meds in my boxes this morning but couldn’t do the next batch because my Monday meds hadn’t been delivered yet. I took my coffee back to the bedroom, crossed my fingers and refreshed the post. An extra 23 so not too bad. I cleared the remaining ones from pre-tank, cleared these also and then washed and dressed. By 9.30 am I was on my way to the chemist’s. I asked the young lady if my prescription was ready and she went off to check the boxes. No joy. A little panic set in as I have no idea what half my tabs do and wondered what I might do without their control. Dancing naked in the middle of a zebra crossing has completely lost it’s appeal these days. Seriously though, as some are diabetic controllers and some for my COPD along with anti-depressants I didn’t want to find out. I stood there for ages before she spoke to someone else who sent her to yet another person. Eventually she came back with someone else who told me that the prescription was in but they were still missing one item which they expected to be delivered today. If I’d like to take the rest of my stuff ( OF COURSE I WOULD) someone would deliver my last item later. Dawn who usually delivers my meds offered to bring it on her way home. She’s a gem, but I can’t believe they held my stuff since Tuesday rather than give it me minus one item which they’ve done many times before. As long as I know what’s missing I’m fine.  I called at Pauline’s while I was out and collected my lottery tickets….I want everyone to cross their fingers between 8.00 pm and 10.00 pm gmt on Friday please. The coffee’s will be on me as I fly everywhere to meet you all.

At home I did my tablets for the week. I can always add the missing ones when they arrive and they’re for an evening anyway. Then it was back to work to clear the mail before lunch time. My postman Darren arrived with one of the watches I won which I’ll give to Ugo tomorrow. At lunch time I had a pizza with some micro chips ( Hey, I just looked at the clock and it’s 11.11 pm…I’m getting spooked). I fell asleep afterwards supposedly watching a film on TV. Later I did a few retweets, commented on a few blogs and caught up again on mail. It’s a constant battle to stay afloat sometimes and I’m already dreading tomorrow when I’m possibly out all day while the mail accumulates for my return.

I was going to have some pineapple for my tea but when I’d opened the fridge earlier I’d seen a packet of sausages. Normally I’d have cooked them at a lunchtime and had some with sweet potato mash and maybe a couple of cold ones for tea on a sandwich. As I’ll be out for lunch tomorrow ( I hope) and having thrown a couple of unopened packs away recently I decided to cook them and have some for tea. There are 8 in a packet and I decided to butter two baps. I found that four sausages just fitted a bap nicely and ended up having the whole packet. So much better than waste and far too late to ship them off to Africa. I stayed where I was after washing up until a new episode of my Big Bang Theory had aired then at 8.30 pm came through to start yet again. There was plenty to get through and it was gone 11.00 pm when I was able to start the blog and freak myself out. I think I’ll turn the clock around tonight.

Friday.  So, Friday at last. I managed to get up at 3.58 am so had plenty of time to get the post out of the way and still do the fish, take tabs, drink coffee and have a last wee before going to catch a bus at 7.30 am.  Allowing for the time it takes to get to the bus stop and travelling time, I expected to in Chester at 9.00 am today. The first one to come was one that goes in a different way which I took once before but was very surprised today when it pulled in at 8.30 am. It meant I could be at Yvonne’s for 9.00 am and have time for a cuppa before our outing. With the bronchitis I had no choice but to take it slow, I was moving so slowly the roadside beggars were offering me money to move off their pitches. But I got there in time for my drink, and also to have Reuben dropped in my lap while Ugo and Yvonne got ready.

Our 9.30 departure became 9.45 am and then we had to go to a specific garage to fill up so it was actually 10.00 am or gone when we started. The journey was pretty good with a constant speed most of the way.My nerves weren’t too bad as Ugo kept at least one hand on the steering wheel at all times. Perhaps the staining on the seat gives him problems. When we arrived we parked up and I got us a 3 hour ticket. First stop Coffee and loos. Since I was with Yvonne the second stop was at a clothes shop where she found things for Reuben and Ugo. She as particularly mean today and wouldn’t let me pay for anything. I especially like a watch she got Ugo with something on the dial like, Why worry, I’m already late. From there to another shop she likes and then to a cafe Ugo likes. The man is an eating machine. We wandered a bit but time was being eaten up and with 25 minutes to go we headed for the reason for the trip, Titterton’s Pork Pies. I got my little stock in and then we headed for the car to set off back.

When we arrived near home we carried on so I could go to The Ivy and take a pie for Shella who knows them from her time living in Stockport years ago. I handed it over to Tariq like the priceless object it is. Shella had left to collect her children from school half an hour since so I reminded him to take the pie home. Yvonne and Ugo had a cake with their drink but then decided perhaps we should have a meal while we were there. I needed something as I hadn’t eaten all day, Ugo needed something as his toast, bagels, cake, more cake and yet more cake hadn’t done the job. As always I had a lovely meal and as always a fight about the bill, firstly with Yvonne and when I won that, a fight with Tariq who insisted I shouldn’t pay because of the pie. They took me home and dropped me off. First things first after hiding the pies in the fridge was to check messages. 141 so I was stuck on the computer until 7.00 pm when I watched some TV. But, while I was on the computer I was reading a friends blog,  the very excellent Melanie Marttila on      http://melaniemarttila.ca/  I came across two things I have to share with you. The first is an amazing children’s choir which blew me away  http://youtu.be/g7a2u9v0V0c     ‘Untrust us’ Crystal Castles covered by Capital Children’s Choir.                                                                                                                            The second is the same two cellists I gave you last week but doing another piece. This is a rock piece and should astound you . Therefore here are the two cellists again.  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3V7EugoweM4&list=PLrRtwIUSeaCEOxW7Ydgq2eDbFA84BdL5F&feature=share&index=2  Welcome to the Jungle.                            Enjoy.

I watched TV till Mike arrived at 9.30 pm then chatted with him until it was time to come back through to hit the mail. That took a while and as it’s now gone midnight I’m in danger of turning into a pumpkin if I don’t go to bed. I’m sure Mike would say I’ve already got the shape for it.  G’Night All.

Saturday. I slept till 6.30 this morning So I hadn’t managed to clear much  post before Mike’s alarm went off. At 7.00 am I shot through to the kitchen, turned the tank  light on, put the kettle on and took my tabs. The alarm went off before the kettle boiled but it didn’t take long to brew a coffee and take it through. As usual the alarm was wasted and Mike had gone straight back to sleep. I called out that a coffee was there and got the usual garbled response. I’m sure some message penetrated the brain but I’m not sure what it was. I busied myself clearing the food waste bin and the larger rubbish bin taking the bags outside to the waiting receptacles. That done, I came in for the assorted recyclable waste bags and tucked them under the wheels of the big bin so they couldn’t be blown away. I came back in, washed my hands and grabbed my own coffee. The second alarm went off and within minutes Mike came through with his drink. I stayed quiet and gave him time to wake up. I went back though to my bedroom and jumped at the chance to do a couple more emails as I got dressed.

We were on the road at 7.45 am, amazingly Mike’s eyes were open now and I trusted him to drive. To be honest, eyes closed he’s often a better driver than some out there. Eyes open and I don’t wear myself out on the imaginary brakes. We had a quick stop at Tesco’s for my baps and some coffee pods then set of in earnest ( no that’s not the name of the car) for our main shopping haunt Asda which is owned by the American Walmart group. Last week Mike was looking at a jacket he liked at £35 and today when we went in it was £10 so he didn’t hesitate. I managed to find a couple of things for Reuben in his next clothing size. Mike disappeared to the Loo and I started shopping as I didn’t need much. Always a tense moment is seeing someone I know, or rather knew. I saw two people I like was was able to avoid until on one aisle I saw the wife of a friend. She spoke to me but only to say hello and you could see she wasn’t sure it was me. We passed easily. I had almost done when Mike returned and I felt safe again but minutes later a voice, and the friend and his wife were now there. The conversation was short as I think John knows how vulnerable I feel but he did invite me along to the closing of the Eisteddfod (International Music Competition and show ) where my two friends (The Toastie Tenors)  Richard and Adam are appearing. I had to say yes. Conversation over we parted and Mike and I finished and left.

Leaving Asda we headed for Flint where we spent some time at the pet shop getting things for the fish and to clean the tank. Also admiring some beautiful glass fish they had.Completely translucent. After that it was time for a coffee which I’d missed at Asda and I was now completely dry. Ceri wasn’t in so the banter was very limited. He had to settle for his coffee and a teasted toecake. It didn’t take long to finish in there so we were home again by 11.00 am and unpacking. Since very little of the shopping was food today that didn’t take long. Mike was looking for something on his phone so I took a quick look at the actual mail, which could wait, then attacked the messages left from this morning. I worked steadily until Mike suggested he was ready to go to lunch so I packed in and we went to the Ivy.

It was really busy there and poor Angie looked run off her feet. She took the order for our drinks and we found a seat. By the time they arrived we were ready to order food and then some (cheeky) people vacated our table so we moved. Tariq ran back and forth delivering meals and we said a swift hello. We helped by folding some serviettes ready for use and then stood outside with a cigarette before lunch. Soon after we’d gone back in, Helen came out with our lunches and stopped for hugs. The food was lovely and very welcome. Things slowed a bit and Tariq was able to come and chat but I wanted him to disappear so I could pay. When he did disappear, Angie seemed reluctant to take payment and said Tariq would deal with it. That meant yet another argument. Only by putting money down and walking away can I win. I waited for Mike to finish his coffee and some more people came to pay. They were stuck for cash so I handed over £5 in coins. Tariq came round with a not , only it was a tenner. He must think I just got out of bed. I told him he can owe it to me, but if we don’t go there tomorrow I’m sure he’ll have forgotten before Mike gets back next month.

Back home again I was able to concentrate on the computer for a while before getting us some tea and settling to watch a bit of TV together, By ten o’clock I was itching to get back here or I’ll be up all night so Mike gave me permission and headed off to watch football in bed. No, they weren’t pla….well you knew what I meant anyway. I’m as up to date as I’m getting tonight as I fancy a read before sleep. Hoping you all have a Great Weekend. Massive Hugs all round.

Wiring Up.

Youngest swinger in town.

Mr Happy