Jo’s Party & Attempted Murder

Sunday 24th April.

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

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

The birthday girl and boyfriend, Karen and Amelie

 

Jo creating a fire hazard

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

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

Jen, Amelie, Nathan and Lee. ‘Cuzzins’

Monday 25th April.

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

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

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

Running riot at the park.

Terrible Twosome.

Tuesday 26th April.

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

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

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

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

Playmates and competition for food.

The Cisco Kid.

Wednesday 27th April.

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

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

Oscar takes a chair

And a subtle reminder of his book.

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

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

Face off

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Here under sufferance

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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

Tattoo Head

Thursday 28th April.

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

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

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

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

Nursery play.

Dig that rhythm n’ blues man.

 

Friday 29th April.

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

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

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

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

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

Exotic colours.

Saturday 30th April.

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

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

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

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

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

Am I next on the menu?

I’m amazed, dumbfounded , shocked!

 

Watching Katie Hepburn, I wish!

Sunday 4th October.
I made it to bed by midnight though it meant typing with one hand while undressing (and redressing) with the other. I did have a short read and my light went out about 12.30 am. I think sleep came quickly but so did dreams. They were unpleasant and woke me in a sweat at 1.20 am. I had a cigarette and went to my chair in the lounge to try and nod off again there. Next thing I know it’s 7.44 am and I’ve just had my longest sleep for months. Maybe I should dream more often.
As I was already by the kitchen I went to take my morning meds and make a coffee to bring back to my room where I could start work. Power up, log on and into battle. Plenty of mail being a Sunday morning and as I worked I realised just how many of my friends are still missing comments as I’m not getting their posts. I don’t know how to fix it.

I was working when I heard movement . It was 9.30 am and Mike had just got up. I nipped through to make him a coffee and ask for an extra ten minutes indulgence while I just completed a few more messages. I went through when I was clear and he suggested I have very stretchy time periods in Wales as it was now 10.20 am. I bullied tempted Joey out of his cage so I could see to new millet and change his seed and water. I wish I’d got him back in the cage so I could clean the mirror. I went through to get dressed. Mike did the same and kindly stripped his bed for me and put the bedding by the washing machine. I thought it was a bit much that he didn’t carry on and actually do the washing but it seems I expect too much.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                We left the house at 11.15 am and headed off for Prestatyn. We were there about 11.40 am and as we parked up saw Karen not too far away. Mike beeped the car horn and she turned round. Out of all the tens of people in that area, how did she know it was her we meant? Anyway, she explained Jo wasn’t coming as she has fleas………..or more to the point her cats currently do. She’s in the middle of a big clean up operation. Karen walked off ahead of us so we had chance to get out of the car and bring in the prezzies for the youngest kids.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    When we were catching up with Karen we could see she was talking to someone over a low fence by the playground of the carvery. I was delighted to see Dil and his wife Lynne were there as were two of their children. Matt and Jess plus Jess’s partner Paul and her son Rylan whom I’m sure I last saw on the maternity ward. He’s 3 now.              Just a few minutes later Yvonne, Ugo and Reuben arrived. Yvonne looks quite large now, it must be uncomfortable in today’s heat. It was hugs all round.

We went inside and I saw my brother had been crafty and already got drinks and ordered meals for them all. That meant he avoided an argument with me when I wanted to pay. Luckily I was able to bully everyone else to list the meal and drink they wanted including Dil’s oldest son Lee, his wife Jen and their  baby Nathan. OK ,Nathan didn’t exactly list anything but the offer was there. I went up with Mike to place the order and we felt redundant when the staff offered to bring the drinks over and deliver the non carvery meals when they were ready. Mike and I thought if we got our carvery’s now, we could taunt those who had to wait. It was a very long and very pleasant mealtime and I was able to persuade 4 people ton have a pudding afterwards, granted in the case of the 3 year old and ice cream not a lot of persuasion was needed.                  Finally at about 2.45 am we all had to bid each other farewell though Yvonne came to the £ shop to pick up a drink and a trolley full of other stuff. She had a bottle of Lipton’s lemon tea, I had a cold Pepsi Max.

Mike brought me home and I expected him to leave straight away to visit his Dad but before he left he insisted on helping me make his bed ready for my visitors. Soon enough he was on his way leaving Joey and myself alone for the evening. I worked hard until 6.10 pm when I was pretty clear and decided to go and have some tea.I watched nearly two hours of Come Dine With Me and suffered badly especially because the contestants were Welsh and two let the side down badly.                                               I was then fascinated until 9.00 pm by a programme about the tomb of Cleopatra. A South American lawyer and amateur archeologist has a theory about where the tomb might be. And despite excavations having taken place in the same area in the past for different reasons the area has been written off as unimportant. This girl is a genius as the longer she’s there, the more possible her theory becomes though when first given permission to dig the archeological community and the Egyptian authorities are skeptical to say the least. I believe 2015 was about her tenth year, dring that time she found a stone very like the Rosetta stone but which predated it by at least two years and she’d recently found a new and very deep passage.The problem was, the programme came to an end with the end of this digging season and I have to hope that her progress continues to be filmed next year, and that there’s still something to be found. After all her hard work I wouldn’t like someone else to take over from her for the sake of a major discovery.

At 9.00 pm Joey had already gone to bed. I tried an Adam Sandler film against my better judgement, That’s My Boy. I didn’t even last ten minutes this time. Ben Stiller is another one that leaves me cold but there’s no accounting for taste. I could happily watch Katharine Hepburn and Spencer Tracy films all day long though. I turned to work for solace and then to the blog.

Cousinly Love. Reuben and Nathan.

Monday 5th.

I was in bed before midnight again and despite my long sleep of last night I was still tired. It must be because there was no power nap. I read till 12.30 am and turned the light out. I was up at 3.46 am and felt great. Rested with no disturbances. I beetled to the bathroom and then came back to power up and log on. By 5.50 am I was up to date with my mail in both accounts and with the comments on my blog. Keeping pace from this point should be easy so I went to take my meds and have an early breakfast.  After breakfast I put the washing on then brought my coffee back to the bedroom. Talktalk had logged me out (naturally) and when I signed in said it couldn’t connect to the right server and to check my account settings. Ridiculous since I’ve already been in there once this morning and if I don’t have an account how can I sign in? I just took a deep breath and carried on with my gmail instead. It wasn’t long before an email had me scuttling to ebay though. Yvonne had found a sheepskin muff that attaches to the handle of a pushchair or pram to make sure hands don’t get cold.

I took a break to see to Joey then worked until 9.45 am, took a birthday card to my neighbour Dorothy then settled to watch Homes Under the Hammer.Darren came and brought my latest parcel and thinks he’ll be bored over Christmas with no deliveries here.  It was just before the end that the knock on the door came and there was the lovely Val, my warden. She came in to say hello to Joey and find out how things are with me. It’s only while chatting to her I realised I was actually shaking. I was obviously not in a people kind of mood this morning. Once she’d gone I went back tot he computer to deal with the mail, looked on ebay for stocking gifts then finally went to empty the drier and put the stuff on the airer. Time for lunch before Bargain Hunt starts. Beef in ale with mashed potatoes. I’d be surprised if the alcohol didn’t send me to sleep. Well it did, but during the programme and not afterwards, though I was awake for the final auction so it can’t have been for more than about 5 minutes.                                           I did quite fancy another little sleep but I fought the urge and came back through to check the mail. There was quite a bit including one from my daughter three times. I’m not sure whether she thinks I have a memory retention problem. My response was the same each time anyway, I am buying you a bl**dy coat for Christmas !! Her Christmas suggestions are about £5 a go as though I’d let her get away with that.

After working I couldn’t help but do another trawl on ebay where I ordered the pram muff Yvonne had pointed out. I ordered a couple of other things at the same time.As far as I can gauge I need Yvonne’s coat and one more major prezzie before having just stocking presents to get. I shall have to keep an eye on finances now but at least I’m not under pressure. I suppose the worst part of this is that I still have 11 weeks left to buy more things as I see them and poor Santa will get backache delivering them. Maybe I should start a Santa franchise and deliver them myself. I refuse to buy a sleigh though just in case it doesn’t snow. Maybe I can persuade Mike to get an all-terrain vehicle.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               I went through to the lounge at 4.30 pm to watch The Antiques Road Trip and to have some tea. Since I’d already had my pre-foodie tabs for the day I had two crumpets with jam (jelly for my friends in America) on. I might have followed up with a few jaffa cakes.                                                                                                                                                                 I returned to the messages at 6.30 pm  after Eggheads which had a surprise ending today when just two people beat 4 Eggheads to win £12,000. It was unexpected because they’d lost three of their team and I think they were all over 70.

At 8.00 pm I watched a programme where they were trying to find the site of an ancient battle in Gotland near Sweden and prove or disprove it had taken place. It seemed the battle had taken place where the Danish army attacked and slaughtered the villagers in order to win a wealth castle for trading purposes.                                                                 At 9.00 am I watched a fascinating programme about the Celts. It seems that maybe we didn’t come from Central Europe to Scotland , Ireland, England and Wales after all. The new scenario is that we may have come from the Phoenecians trading and perhaps adapted culture from their goods. Then it looks like Middle Europe may have become Celtic from Britain as it seems early grave goods there were based on a leaf blade design from here. It also seems that the Roman’s portrayal of the Celts as savages was just propaganda and that we had an ordered society with sophisticated tastes. The Celts sacked and burned Rome when a chief was killed by a Roman ‘Diplomat’ and the Romans wouldn’t hand him over for punishment. I loved a side story that the Romans paid a vast weight of gold to rid themselves of the Celts in some kind of peace but that the Celtic leader used fake wights to up the ante.

Tonight’s music is a request from my friend Suzanne at apuginthekitchen.                                                                                                                                                                                                          

Tuesday 6th.

Light’s out 12.50 am. Suddenly awake 1.35 am. In chair at 1.45 ac (after ciggie) and slept till 6.44 am. That settles it, I sleep better when I’m upright. I really must give up drinking!(joke). Joey is amazingly well behaved. He doesn’t utter a peep during the time it’s dark and I never have to cover him up. No unwanted alarm calls from him. So much better than the four legged pet that used to own the place. Not that I’m getting the idea I’m in charge here, just that there’s someone like Mike who could sleep for Britain should it ever become an Olympic event.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             As I was already close to the kitchen I went to take my meds and make a coffee . I happened to glance at the calendar while I was waiting for the machine to finish and realised I’d taken Dorothy’s card a week early. I must hold back on one for another neighbour I was going to post on Thursday as she’s three days after Dorothy.                      It seems I’ve woken up in a bit of a low mood this morning. I’m going to Pauline’s to restock my cigarettes this morning ( and other things but I thought I’d mention that one) I have no idea what to say if she asks how Kelly is working out as my cleaner. She’s known both of them and is going to find it a bit strange that both have just walked with no explanation. Will she believe I’ve done or said nothing to cause it?

Taking my coffee through to the bedroom I logged on and started on my mail. I worked until 8.45 am when I got dressed and went to Pauline’s. She asked me about Kelly and all I could say is that I liked her but I haven’t seen/heard from her since she left on Thursday. She thinks it strange that Kelly should leave without a word too. I’d love to be there when she sees Kelly and asks why, maybe it would answer my query as to what I’m doing wrong.                                                                                                                                     Back at home again I put my shopping away then scrubbed the bars in Joey’s cage and changed the sandpaper at the bottom. Then I had to sweep the carpet and floor below his cage to make the place look respectable. As soon as he moved back to the cage I cleaned the mirror above, where he likes to park his bum. After   that he went and sat on the mirror again and seemed hell bent on making it s dirty as before. I reckon it’s all to do with the budgie on the other side teasing him. Once  I’d finished there I left him in peace for a minute and went to answer the door to Darren. Two more parcels today, I had to open them to see what they were so I could leave feedback later. I’d tell you what came but it’s a secret.

At lunchtime I couldn’t be bothered and just stuck chips and curry sauce in. I didn’t really want it but had to eat to take the diabetic controls. I watched Bargain Hunt but since the one ‘expert’ I really can’t stand was on didn’t pay close attention. Joey was quite entertainment enough fitting himself through the hoop of one of his toys, then battering his little mirror as though announcing the end of his race. Talking of mirrors, the main one above the cage upon which he rests his posterior is as bad as before I cleaned it thanks to is beak battles with his mirror image.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           At 1.00 pm I struggled back to the bedroom instead of taking my nap. I started to catch up on all the messages I’ve neglected today. I need to shake this current mood off and do some work. I stayed until 3.00 pm  then escaped to Escape to the Country where someone was looking for a property £900-950,000 in West Sussex.Some beautiful places there and it seems the best weather in the UK which title I always thought belonged to Cornwall. The show didn’t manage a success today.                                 Back to work from 3.45 pm to 4.30 pm at which time I decamped for my Antiques Road Trip, and quiz, and quiz then work and film and search for the Holy Grail all of which brought me to 10.00 pm and my final goodnights to the faithful (choke) budgie.                                                                                                                                                                               I started the blog first and will move to the mail afterwards time permitting which it will of course.

Nathan my great nephew
Lee, my lovely nephew and Jen his lovely wife.

Last night’s request reminded me just how much I loved the fantastic Simon and Garfulnkel.  This is for you Suzanne for the reminder. Thank you.

Wednesday 7th.

Lights out 12.25 am lights on 2.42 am. The loo, the kitchen for a cold refill and then a cigarette before trying my chair again. I woke at 5.42 am. I’m no accountant but I reckon that’s getting on towards the five hour mark. Result!  Maybe I should use the bedroom as just the office and stick to my chair at night. Mind you, if I woke up in my chair middle of the night, I wonder if I’d have to try my bed next? Joey as usual didn’t utter a sound which was very considerate unless he’s such a heavy sleeper he didn’t notice.

So, at 5.42 am when I got up I wandered trough to the kitchen and took a pre-foodie followed by the rest of my morning meds. I put some bread in the toaster, had a cigarette timer then enjoyed creating a series of mini-Alps in butter on each slice before eating it. I took a coffee through to my room and then went to wash off the excess butter from my moustache for when I kissed Muriel today. Yes, today was a MuJo visit as well as games day so I’m sure you all felt my panic as the post increased and I wasn’t able to touch it. Telling myself not to worry, there’s always tomorrow doesn’t seem to work. Tomorrow brings it’s own post.                                                                                     I kept things up to date as much as possible until MuJo arrived but had to break to let Joey out and replenish his food and water supplies. I also had to clean the floor area around the cage again and did so by crawling around on my hands and knees with a dustpan and brush rather than use the hoover and upset Joey. I did a little dusting too. I found the time at some point to get dressed as well.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        Darren knocked on the door about 10.15 am with two more parcels for me. One in particular I was very pleased to get. I’d just turned Homes Under the Hammer on so was trying to watch, listen to Joey and open the parcels at the same time.One house was massive and had last been used as a day nursery. It hadn’t been left very tidy but at least no heavy structural work needed. I think it was a couple of friends bought it but I couldn’t hear too well over Joey’s argument with his reflection again. Anyway, they turned it into a superb 5 bedroom house very much in an Edwardian style but with modern fixtures. As we were getting to the point where they get valuations from two estate agents to see if there is a profit to be made, MuJo knocked at the door and came in. I had to go and see to drinks.

I dragged my feet a bit when Muriel asked if I was ready to go and eat. It was too early for me at 11.00 am So I managed to make us leave at 11.20 am instead. We were still entering the chippy at 11.45 am even after having gone round a couple of charity shops. We had a nice meal though I’m concerned that Mu isn’t eating enough at the moment. After lunch we took a walk round another shop then walked up to the new Homies. It’s quite a hill and obviously had an adverse effect on John as he had to leave to sit in the car. We went with him.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          By the time we reached Flint John was feeling better. Muriel and I went round the ALDI supermarket where I bought some bread and found some chocolates for the girls in Temptations. That’s where we went next and Muriel passed them over to Sian as she ordered drinks. We did a couple more shops afterwards before John felt the need to sit down again. I bought Christmas gift wrap??                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                We arrived home at 3.45 pm and Muriel asked if it was Dil’s car parked outside. “Never” I said, “far too early” . But of course it was. He’d been working locally and it wasn’t worth him travelling all the way back to work only to come back here again. MuJo said their goodbyes and left with my thanks ringing in their ears. Dil and I were able to sit and chat about how nice Sunday had been and how his grandson, my great nephew Nathan is growing. We watched part of a programme about swapping homes for a break then the Antiques Road Tip and finally our Quiz.

The moment I clicked the TV off Dil put the card table up and I got the Yahtzee out. It was a very tense, give and take session for the first 6 games and ended 3 all so Dil said there was no need to destroy the papers. He got fresh papers out as we can’t play that  game and end up even. More nip and tuck, Dil won one then I did, then I did then Dil did then it was me again The last one should have been Dil’s and he started well but it’s all about finishing and I’m sure they heard his howl of dismay in Flint as I pulled the bird from the hat to win 7-5 overall.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      I was feeling guilty then. Out came the Trivial Pursuit and I started well getting 3 segments in quick succession including the hated sports category. But he soon caught up. I did manage to be the first to get all six segments but he was giving nothing away.As Dil finally got his last segment we were both heading for the middle and the deciding question. Time was getting on and I’d failed to answer his choice about 3 times so had to go out and come back in again. He finally made it to the middle and I just asked the first question on the card. No hesitation he gave me the right answer and could go home a winner. After he left I tidied up and washed the posts before wishing Joey a good night, taking my meds and coming through to start work.124 messages, and still nothing like I’m used to getting when WordPress notify me of posts by my friends. It still took me until 11.24 pm to get clear and be able to start the blog. It’s a late night tonight so I’m hoping for some unbroken sleep.

Thursday 8th.

It was a late night work wise but because I didn’t read my light still went off around the usual time at  12.50 am. I also got my wish of some unbroken sleep as I was up at 4.16 am. Still in my bed too. Once I’d done my trip to the loo I knew I was fully awake and not ready to go back to sleep. Before dealing with mail I powered up the computer and headed for my bank account  just in case the DWP (Dept of Works and Pensions) had performed a miracle. They hadn’t.                                                                           I logged on to talktalk first to deal with the mail, and then at 5.30 am onto my gmail account for a catch up there. At 6.15 am I was able to go and have breakfast and take all my meds having temporarily got up to date.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    After eating I filled up some small pop bottles from larger ones as I keep the small ones beside my chair, beside my bed and beside the computer. Plus decanting it into smaller bottles releases some of the fizz so it’s more or less flat when I come to drink it and I don’t sound like the bullfrog chorus. At 7.15 am I went to sit in the lounge waiting for it to be light enough to open Joey’s cage door. The earlier I do it the less of a roasting I get. Naturally having just eaten I nodded off before I opened the cage. I woke at 8.05 am mid-bollocking. He was not a happy bunnie budgie. I did his food and water but he wouldn’t exit the cage so I could replace the millet spray. I’ll have to catch him later.

I dressed and did a catch up on the mail till 9.00 am when I went to Pauline’s to renew the lottery. I was a little worried as she said she hasn’t seen Kelly (cleaner) which for her is unusual as she’s usually in 3-4 times a week.(Oddly enough Kelly does work in a very similar shop directly opposite Pauline’s called the One Stop that I occasionally drift in to. I also bought the local rag this morning to see if they have any adverts for cleaners. There were none I could see. I was trying to watch Homes Under the Hammer and double check the paper when my postie came with two more parcels. One was actually a free razor from Wilkinson to try. I think it may have to wait till Spring now.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      The other parcel was more of a puzzle in that it contained what I’d ordered (baby related) but also contained a free gift because I’d ordered two of the original item. But, no-one told me what the free gift was. It’s certainly not the fingerless gloves their packing note seems to indicate. I think it could either be seat padding for a car seat or perhaps for a high chair. At least that’s what I’m going to tell Yvonne and just hope she doesn’t come back and call me an idiot because it is fingerless gloves after all. The main gifts are quite clever. An attachment to a pram or pushchair handle that allow the pusher to tuck their hands into a sheepskin lined interior for warm fingers. Of no benefit to the pushee though.

After my programme, paper checking and parcel probing I returned to work and the little pile-up of messages accumulated in my absence. Now there’s a thing, why is there always a pile waiting when I go away, but very little when I actually sit here? I think there’s a little gremlin inside my desk top that holds back armfuls of mail until I leave the computer. The moment I do, it’s all released to wait for my return. At 11.50 am I dropped it all in favour of lunch. I put some Irish sausages under the grill while I quickly peeled some sweet potatoes and an onion which I then put in the microwave for 7 minutes. I kept the sausages turning and once the 7 minutes were up I put some beans in the micro, removed the onion and put it on my plate then drained and mashed the sweet potatoes with some butter.They joined the onion and I added four of the sausages. While the beans finished I mixed a small amount of onion gravy. I added the beans and purse the gravy over the sausages and the mash. It was a feast and if you’re hungry now I’m sorry.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   I watched bargain hunt and managed to wash up before the teams went to auction. What an unmitigated disaster. None of the items chosen made a profit and the only reason one team took some money home (£27) was because one expert made a huge profit of £120. That gives you the scale of the losses. Once Bargain Hunt was over I made a move. I wriggled my bum into a softer spot and nodded off for almost an hour. At 1.50 pm though I suppose conscience got the better of me (chortle) and I returned to work.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        Fair play, there was work waiting to be done and I needed to get down to it. I spent until 4.30 pm and the start of The Antiques Road Trip catching up and trying to remember what the heck I wanted to do an ebay search for, that I’d thought of either last night or early this morning. I should carry a pad and pen with me all the time as I’m getting very forgetful. Maybe I was going to look up a pad and pen?                                                                                                                                                                                                             I enjoyed the Road Trip and the quiz that followed. I also enjoyed Eggheads before nipping through to see if I could catch up before 7.00 pm when I noticed a film I fancied. I couldn’t catch up fully but I did make a huge dent in it for later on.With Mike due (I think) there was no telling when I would get back to it of course.                          The message from Mike came at just after 8.00 pm and said he was on his way. That meant an arrival somwhere about 10.00 pm. I watched the film ttill 9.50 pm, ran into my room to do a couple of random messages then went back to catch WDYTYA (Who Do You Think You Are) until 10.00 pm which also gave me time for some supper and to tame my meds. Mike arrived almost on time and wasn’t very happy as he’s had a week rushing back and forth to Manchester to his father. He didn’t know my visitors hadn’t come or he’d have stayed here.

His dad is back in hospital again for various reasons and Mike, never the most patient of people finds himself getting annoyed at having to fill out questionnaires for admission to hospital when he was there so recently. He’s fed up of answering questions that he feels should be a computer click away. He was even more vexed to be asked to sign for an MRI scan when his father has had two so recently. They shouldn’t be asking if he has dementia in the hospital where the dementia was diagnosed just a couple of weeks ago. When he saw him late yesterday he’d just been transferred from A & E to a ward. Mike had gone up with him and waited in a side room as asked and been forgotten about so that when he came out to see if his Dad was ready, no-one knew he was there. We’re very lucky a large mushroom cloud didn’t appear over Manchester last night. From what he says,his Dad may be returning to the nursing home tomorrow. Watch this space.

Sunshine in the Park.

Friday 9th.

My skiving last night made it a late one. After doing the blog I didn’t get to bed until 12.35 am and after a short read my light went out at 1.15 am. It was fantastic to have a disturbance free night and not to wake up until 5.17 am. After skipping to the loo, hey ho, I came back and logged into my talktalk mail. There was no way I could finish it because at 5.45 am I went to go and deal with taking my morning meds and doing my supplies for the next week. It also mean preparing a prescription request ready to take in on Monday for another 4 week supply on the half of the drugs I run out of before next Friday. So far I’ve never been able to get all the dates to coincide on the one prescription but at least I’ve got it that I apply for a different half every two weeks . I also decided to have breakfast so part way through filling my drug tray I took a pre-foodie and stuck a piece of bread in the toaster.

It was almost 6.30 am when I left the kitchen.Still too dark and too early to open Joey’s cage. Even replacing my drug draw in the cabinet near him didn’t seem to disturb him and my presence didn’t bother him either. In the light he’d have been trying to hide behind his mirror if I got that close. Strange, you’d have thought he’d have been more alert to possible danger in the dark.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       So, I took my coffee back to my room after taking my two post-foodie tabs. I carried on with my talktalk mail and at 7.20 am when that was clear, changed to my gmail account. That was temporarily empty at 8.05 am. I took my empty coffee cup back to the kitchen and then opened Joey’s cage door. If I was expecting a grand entrance from him I was to be disappointed. He sat on his perch un-moving and ignoring the open door.                                                                                                                                                              I turned the TV on as it was too early to wake Mike and my interaction with Joey was zilch. I couldn’t turn up the volume while Mike was asleep but oddly enough Joey’s volume control worked on the up and seemed to stick. It’s just as well I wasn’t really watching what was on. Eventually he came out, flew one circuit of the room and landed on the mirror. What a row he had with his opponent. It gets so bad I’m sure he doesn’t like him. I’ve no idea why he keeps going back.

I’d no idea what Mike’s plans are today regards timing so I took a coffee through at 9.00 am and woke him. Then I went back to work on my mail. A knock at the door 9.20 am and there was Darren with another package. This time a remote control light bulb that changes colours to suit moods. I know the one I bought MuJo brings a lot of pleasure.I’m afraid quite a few of us males are gadget mad. Mike got up while I was opening my package in the bedroom. I put that away and left feedback then went to warn Mike to ignore any strange noises in the next few minutes s I cam through and jumped on the bag containing all my plastic bottle waste. I needed more room having not put it out last weekend.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          I finished off the last couple of pieces om mail then went through to the lounge. Frasier was on and Joey was still trying to talk over it. I tolerated the noise until Homes Under the Hammer came on then I started tapping my knee. It distracted him and the movement kept him quiet without it creating any noise of it ‘s own. The times I forgot to do it he started again.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             As the programme finished I said I was coming through to get dressed (at10.00 am !!) and left the room. Mike decided to do the same and called after me to see whether I wanted the TV off. I answered “Yes please”. Perhaps that shut Joey up having no competition. Once dressed I concentrated hard on work. Mike came through to say goodbye as he trotted off to see his Dad. I worked until 11.55 am then gave thought to going to the chippie for lunch. Instead I had one of the chips and curry sauce packs I get from Pauline’s followed by the last of the rhubarb and strawberry tart from ALDI. I just hope Mike doesn’t want it tonight.

I washed up during a lull in Bargain Hunt which was quite handy as had I left it there’s a chance the tray would have slid off my knee the minute I fell asleep which was the moment Bargain Hunt ended. The noise would no doubt of woken me and I’d have been even more grumpy old man than usual. The sleep lasted until 1.35 pm and was invigorating. I was ready then to come back to work until 3.00 pm when I had a small break and until 4.30 pm when I knocked off for my usual programmes. Once the Antiques Road Trip was over I kind of lost interest and took to inspecting the inside of my eyelids intermittently. At 6.15 pm I came through to catch up on emails.  I showered at 7.00 pm so I’d be in time for Would I Lie To You.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                I made it in time for the programme and just a few minutes into it Mike sent a message to say he was on his way. I also saw Mastermind and considered going back to work but just after I’d put the kettle on and done Mike’s mug in he walked. I listened to the latest part of his saga with some disbelief. His Dad is still in hospital because the home he was in has had an almost total change of staff- from the top down- in the few days he’s been away. They insist on reassessing his needs before allowing him back. The new assessment is on Monday.If all is well he can move back to the home and complete his respite/convalescence/holiday whichever it’s necessary to tell him at the time. And just to prove me wrong about saying how antisocial he is, Mike saw him eating with the other residents last Sunday. It’s now a case of seeing whether he adjusts to the thought of full time care or is unhappy if he can’t leave when the holiday is up.

I put the England match on for Mike at 9.30 pm and came through to work. It took some time to deal with the mail and some time to show Mike the contents on an online magazine that fascinate me ( No madam, it’s NOT that kind of magazine at all). Finally I was able to get at the blog and I’ll still be in bed for midnight.

Gruffalo love

Count the fingers Gruffalo.

Saturday 10th.

I made the midnight deadline with minutes to spare. I was tired, and though reading a book I really didn’t want to put down ( The Right Wrong Man by Pamela S. Wight) I had to force myself to read two short chapters and turn the light off at 12.25 am. Waking up was at 2.17 am and it dawned on me dawn was along time off. I knew I was still tired and decided to try my chair in the lounge. Bingo, I fell asleep again until 4.46 am, a much better time. Too early to start putting the rubbish out maybe but just right for getting up to date on the mail. So, after the obligatory diversion to the loo I reached the bedroom to power up and log on.                                                                                              A slightly silly post I’d done on the Buthidars blog had received a few likes but attracted no comments thus far. Maybe I sounded too serious which beneath the joke I suspect I was.

Once the talktalk lot were out of the way I opened the gmail and started on those. By 5.50 I was clear on both and able to go have some breakfast and take my meds. Somehow I also remembered to refill my outside pill container in case I ate out. An improvement on Wednesday when I forgot it altogether but still filled my face with sausage and chips.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         As soon as I’d finished eating I emptied the food waste bin and put a new bag in and took the contents outside to the bin for collection later. Then I did the main bin , remembering to empty the bathroom and bedroom bin into it before taking it out. Now it’s just a case of remembering to take the paper waste and plastic waste out when we go. The glass and the tins can wait another week or so. As I came back in it was time to put the kettle on for Mike’s drink. When I took it through and woke him it was about a minute before his first alarm went off so I hoped the combination of the two together would have worked. Not a chance. I determined not to go and remind him about the coffee until I’d finished work on the emails but I heard the alarm go off twice more before he moved. Today’s score. Calls 1-Alarms 3, Winner-Mike.

Despite the late start we were still out for 7.30 am and shopping by 8.30 am. There were a few little extras I needed today but even so  I knew there would be tears before bedtime when I found how much I’d spent. Mike was delighted of course and told the lady on the till it put me nearer the heart attack than before,Yay. I have no idea at all why I bought him a coffee.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       We packed the car and headed towards Flint making a slight detour to a shop called Charlie’s to get ideas for gifts and just to generally see what was around. After we’d been there we continued on to Flint. We went straight for our coffee and his teasted toecake  and waited till we’d come out of there to go round the shops. Naturally I forgot I needed pillows at Asda, Charlie’s and all the Flint shops despite having it written on my list.                                                                                                                                                                    As the morning drew on we decided to headed to the Dragon’s Rest for lunch and then go to The Tweed Mill. The food in the Dragon’s Rest was good and in my case very welcome not least because somehow bacon had made it to the plate. It enabled me to have my second set of foodie tablets anyway. The Tweed Mill was full of so many things I’d like in country clothing and full of excellent gift ideas too. We had a coffee before Mike tried on some shoes. He has a problem in that he has small feet for a man. Today he managed to find a men’s size 6 to try but it rattled about on his foot. That left me with a sinking feeling which needs explanation.                                                                    I wanted to get him something nice for his birthday and chose some shoes I was sure he’d like. I took a chance on a man’s size 6 which is a 40 rather than the continental size 6 which is a 39 (also a ladies size 6). After the performance today I thought the shoes I’d bought would be too big. So when we came home I knew I didn’t want to disappoint him on his birthday, I got them out for him to try. At least if they were too big I could find an alternative. As luck would have it, I’d chosen a winklepicker toe and with a little insole he said they were fine. I was prepared to let him have them now but he insisted I take then back and he’ll try to forget about them for November.

We’d obviously put the shopping away before I passed the shoes over. Once they were away again I was able to work from 3.30 pm to 5.30 pm on some of the mail. I joined Mike in the lounge, technically I suppose I joined Joey as Mike was asleep. The minute he heard the start of the quiz he usually calls me for he woke.                                               I stayed until 9.00 pm then came back on the attack again. Things went well and I rejoined Mike for  another show we generally watch together. At 11.00 pm though there was no choice, I had to work. I concentrated on the blog and have left the mail for either Tom or Ron.(TOMorrow or lateRON). This brings me nicely to the point where I add my final music of the week. This time I’m finishing with a Motown record as I’ve always been a big fan. There are some fantastic artistes like Smokey, Four Tops, The Supremes and many others but this man had such a talent especially with duets but this is one of my favourite songs by him.

Have a wonderful week full of dreams come true. Don’t forget to  HUG, make the Buthidars proud.

Sunday August 9th. The Return

Sunday August 9th 2015.

I woke at 4.43 am this morning knowing there wouldn’t be the usual post but that it’s the day of my return anyway. The first day in the new blog. I worked on what post there was until 6.30 am then emerged from my pit surprised to see sunshine. It looked like the weather was smiling on me and it was to be at least two nice days in a row. I took my meds and made a coffee before spending a few minutes talking to Joey. Not that he was talking back, he could chunner for Britain, but never if I’m too close for comfort. Fair play, he’s trying very hard to talk and his name is recognisable but the only way I’m going to get him perched on my hand is with the liberal use of superglue. It’s probably time to stick with patience is a virtue while showing I’m not very virtuous. I always hope for same day results so  by now he and I should have been discussing philosophy or at least whether green feathers are in this season. It was about 7.00 am when I returned to work with my cold coffee but I was very relaxed about it.

The relaxation ended at 8.00 am when Mike got up. Yes, unbelievable I know but it was totally unaided. One minute he was in bed asleep and the next here bothering me. I waited till he was in the lounge then checked his bed to make sure it was dry. It was ! I finished off a couple of messages and went through to the lounge to sit with him. Closing the lounge door I opened Joey’s cage to give him the freedom he needed then sat down. The last thing I remember was Mike trying to get Joey to come out. I was asleep in seconds. Just as well I’d sat down. It was nearly 9.00 am before I woke up and Mike was still trying to get him out. I have no idea where the time went this morning and I’d love to say it wasn’t wasted but I can’t. It was gone 11.00 am before either of us went to get dressed. I managed to do a few emails while I was in my room and also take a look at ebay where I had a few bids to see how things were doing. I’d been outbid on everything and had to decide whether I wanted to up my bids or just leave the items to someone else. I settled for letting them go. As I returned to the lounge that’s exactly what Mike was doing too.

We left the house at 12.30 pm to go for lunch with Lee and the family plus his Dad Di and Lynn his wife. As we pulled out into the traffic who should be in front of us but Lee with Jen waving from the back window of their car. When we drew into the car park of the Bells who should pull up next to Lee but his Dad so we were all able to go in together. It was great to be all together again. I love the family days. Dil went off to buy the meal tickets and Mike listed the drinks wanted and went to queue up for those. I got to hold Nathan for a while, at least until has Pops appeared and claimed him. Dil and Lynn had been to a car boot before coming to lunch so we were talking about what they’d got. When Mike appeared with the drinks I said it was a shame we hadn’t been there this morning too since he’d been up so early.”A good idea for next week” he said “when I don’t have to go back on the Sunday night”. The fear gripped me……….

We left the Bells at about 2.40 pm and went our separate ways with Lee promising to pop in for Wednesday night games soon and Jen agreeing to let him out. Mike and I drove home where it didn’t take me many minutes to nod off in the chair again. I think I was bitten on the bum by a tsetse fly while I was out. Between then and 5.00 pm I was conscious for short periods only. Usually long enough to say “Pretty Joey, best, best boy ” before nodding again but at 5.00 am Mike announced he was going. I waved him off then jumped into the mail and all that had accrued during the day. That kept me going until 7.15 pm when I went through to get some tea. I watched a few old episodes of MASH then at 9.00 pm came through to carry on working. The TV went off and Joey’s cage was closed to stop him flying in the dark. At 10.30 pm I was up to date and able t0 spend some time with the blog again. 

I thought this was water.

Anyone seen a spare leg lying around?

Monday 10th.

I was up to the Piddle Palace at 12.40 am,not long after falling asleep. I was also up at 2.11 am and finally got up at 3.14 am. Though I didn’t feel tired I was still yawning as I sat at my desk replying to mail. The time gave me a good head start to leaving empty mail boxes at 7.30 when I had to leave the house. Chester today instead of tomorrow as Yvonne has midwife appointments for tomorrow. I even managed to get into Facebook to pick up messages from there which isn’t really any hassle wearing my invisibility cloak as I do. I stopped enjoying Facebook visits a long time go. At 6.00 am I broke off to take my meds and have breakfast.That done I took my usual coffee back to my desk to ensure I could clear as much post as possible. I was clear well before I had to go out. When 7.30 came I shouted goodbye to Joey and went for the bus with Ugo’s birthday gifts bouncing off my stick as i walked.

I was halfway to the bus stop when the bus drew up beside me to let me get on. Fantastic, I settled into my favourite seat and nodded off. The journey was over in no time despite the number of times I had to wake as we went over a bump or more accurately sank in a pothole in the road. When we arrived I lit a cigarette as Yvonne hadn’t appeared to meet me. A moment later I could see her in the distance pushing the buggy so I hid behind a pillar and waited to jump out on Reuben. It wasn’t much of a jump and all he did was smile and point.”Pops” he said as though Yvonne wasn’t aware. We greeted with the usual hugs and kisses and Yvonne asked if we could visit Boots the Chemist for something. We did that then returned to our usual pattern and went for a drink and some breakfast even though I’d eaten at 6.00 am. Reuben had a bit of a run about but wasn’t on his best behaviour this morning and ended up back in his buggy much to his disappointment. That gave me chance to look around the gents department while Yvonne picked up a shirt for Ugo’s birthday later this week. My gifts were safely on the handles of the buggy to save me carrying them. While we were in the shop Reuben decided to evacuate his bowels, heck he nearly evacuated the shop. Yvonne didn’t have a spare nappy with her so it was to be back to the chemist for some and to change him there. I almost went down the stair in the shop rather than share a lift but holding my breath I found the colour green quite suits me. As we got outside I noticed the gas companies arrive in a convoy of vans to look for the leak, they’d have had more luck with the Civil Defence Team looking for chemical warfare.

With time in hand we decided to walk round another shop which I rarely think of and even more rarely visit. Marks and Spencer has in the past been a very expensive shop while lacking in style. These days they are fairly stylish though no cheaper. They did have a nice cafe and we were able to get another drink there. Yvonne was very impressed with an elderflower which she said was the nicest she’s ever had, I settled for an iced coffee and cursed that I forgot to sugar it. A great temperature though on such a warm day. They walked me to the bus stop and I had time for a cigarette before I boarded. As I waved them off Reuben was proving to be stoic this week whereas last week he howled that the bus was taking me away. Eyes closed to prevent anyone fro talking the journey was again quite nice. In Holywell my next door  neighbour got on. It’s rare to see her out on her own. As we got off we walked home together and chatted. I was glad to get inside the door though. I had mail which included a stupid letter from the DWP to tell me from 7th Aug they have decided to deduct money from my pension at the rate of £0.00 per week. Three pages it took to say that. Another tree wasted. I should mention that while the Internet was down last week I had a letter from them admitting their error and confirming the current deductions are wrong, I owe nothing. Vindicated at last. Yvonne is so pleased her efforts have done so much for me.

I let Joey out of his cage and set to clearing my email boxes. I also arranged to have a parcel redelivered on Wednesday that they’d tried to deliver this morning . I put my washing machine on with a colour catcher as I’d included a new red rugby top. There was a knock at the door and my friend from the chemist arrived with something I forgot last week. I dropped it on the console table in the hall till I’d finished. At 3.00 pm when I was mainly clear I took the drugs through and found the repeat prescription was missing so I had to go out again to see if they’d left it in the shop. Fortunately they had. Coming back I sat with Joey for half an hour then went to clear any other messages until 4.30 pm when I went to watch my Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is. I had another half hour on the computer after that ended and then went back for my quizzes until 7.00 pm. Another hour dedicated to the mail and then a two hour Agatha Christie Miss Marple before shutting Joey’s cage door and calling it a night. I cleared mail until 11.00 pm and then attacked the blog before a read and sleep.

A member of The Raffia.

Ahoy Mateys.

Tuesday 11th.

4.15 am was an ideal time to get up this morning. For one, I was awake but also I woke with the need to reach the Piddle Palace or float in bed. Making my way down the passage way in the half light with my legs crossed wasn’t easy but I was up to the challenge. Coming back I turned the computer on and started on the mail on my main account. I was actually done by 6.40 am and prepared to sit here twiddling my thumbs. Instead, inspiration struck. I went through to the lounge and took down the net curtain which should really be white but tended more towards the brown end of the spectrum  because of these terrible smokers. I put the net in the machine with some liquid detergent and some whitener and set the wash cycle to quickwash. While it was doing and while Joey was safe in his cage I washed the window. It’s quite large and a stretch to do it. I took my meds and made a coffee. When the net was done I rehung it. I turned the lounge light on and urged Joey to leave his cage so I could clean it and replace his food and water. I added a tonic to the water. Had there been any chance of him taking a bath I’d have put a block of soap out too. Once I’d put fresh millet in I hoped he’d go back but he stayed sitting in his usual place on the mirror. I had to go really close to force him to fly off and find another perch. That earned me a right telling off but I’ve got broad shoulders and anyway I can’t understand a word he says. Once out of the way I cleaned the mirror to get rid of all the kiss marks from Joey admiring himself. I took my coffee back to the bedroom to check the mail.

I was done by 8.00 am and following a quick yawn decided to have a nap in the lounge. I took my empty mug through to the kitchen first and then sat down in my chair. The moment I sat, Joey started with a continuous high pitched bollocking which I guess was aimed at me. Luckily I had the TV remote to hand and while it didn’t actually control his volume, the sounds of Frasier was enough to shut him up. I got half an hours sleep, wonderful. I thought it would be  good idea to get dressed then.  I chose to wear slim leg rather than skinny so I’d be able to get them off tonight. Once skinny are on my bad leg they’re tight enough to look like they grew there. At 9.05 am I went to Pauline’s for  fresh bread and some micro chips as well as my TV mag for next week. I’d gone early in the hopes of being back before the postman came. I was, but I needn’t have rushed as the parcel wasn’t for me it was for Mike. I know what it is because I actually found it for him but since I like it too I may have to tell him it was lost in a burglary, the only item to go missing in fact. “How lucky I was able to find one for myself ” I’ll say.

The warden whom I’d missed yesterday called to see if I knew that rent payments were to change but since I pay by direct debit it doesn’t bother me. She was glad that my not being here yesterday didn’t mean I was ill which was nice. She deserved her chocolates after that. I kept up to date with the mail all morning and only stepped away at lunch time. I had a cottage pie today while watching Bargain Hunt. The first time I’ve ever seen the programme with the same contestants as before. I fell asleep before the end and didn’t wake for almost an hour. A guilty conscience brought me back to work and your over generosity kept me here. Loads of mail. I only worked until 4.30 though and then left until 7.00 pm to enjoy my tea and my evening programmes. Another hour in here then back to watch a programme on the Georgian Kings which tonight was George II of Hanover and his popular wife Queen Caroline. I finished at 10.00 pm and called it a day. With a goodnight to Joey I came through to catch up again and to work on the blog.

3rd class railway, no roof.

Who’s lurking under the stairs?

Wednesday 12th.

There were a couple of false starts during the night which I ignored but the 4.15 am wake-up left me no choice. The slightest movement on my part jer, jer, jiggled my bladder and cause me agony. I had to wake up, clear my head and go. Once that job was done I was awake and that was that. I powered up the computer and signed into my mail boxes and also to ebay. Things were going well until I looked on ebay for something I wanted and the computer froze. I was on the point of issuing a mild expletive when suddenly it started to close down and the message about updates hit my screen. The expletive I issued was anything but mild. Sometimes I’m warned of it happening and I have 3 minutes to delay it till I know I’ll be free. I hate not getting the warning and having the system close when I’m in the middle of something. Today I was lucky in that I wasn’t working on something important at that time. I was also lucky that when I finally got back in the system recognised that I hadn’t closed it down properly and allowed me to reinstate where I’d been so I could not only check the ebay item, but carry on with my mail.

At 5.30 am I went through to start taking my meds and have breakfast as I’ll be unlikely to have time for tea tonight, it being Wednesday and my games night. I’ve marked all the cards ready. I chose to have cold toast so put the bread in before I did anything else, then took my sprays and started popping pills. I used the rest of the milk in my mug for the morning coffee from the sooper-dooper Tassimo machine, Morning cafe was the poison of choice today. Once the pills were done I had a cigarette before cutting and buttering my toast. It was fantastic except for the greasy moustache afterwards. I took my two after food tablets then went for a wash. Coming back to the lounge I closed the door behind me and opened Joey’s cage. He didn’t seem too bothered about coming out at that moment but that may be because it wasn’t fully light then. I sat in my chair and watched him giving one of his toys hell. First a telling off, then grasping the neck of the bell he tried to prise it off. I’ve noticed in the past that budgies are very deconstructive. I’m surprised Australians don’t harness this power for demolition or something.

Joey’s Palace of the Four Bells.

I half nodded in my chair but kept repeating phrases for Joey to learn. He hasn’t mastered “Come on Mike it’s nearly afternoon” yet or “Good Morning Mike, wet the bed have you?. Truth to tell he hasn’t even got Good Morning yet, he seems to like “Joey, best best boy” most of all. And of course he loves his mirrors. The one in the cage gets a regular talking to but it’s the large one outside that entertains me most. Not only does he almost splatter when he lands after flying round the room a few times in a manic way, but he also loves cuddling up to his reflection.  At 8.00 am I tried the TV but kept getting a ‘No Signal’ message which was very annoying as it meant I should go back to work. I spent an hour and a half or so sorting the mail  and then got dressed and went through to try the TV again. This time it worked so I prepared to watch the house auction programme. I’d just settled down when someone knocked on the door. It was Darren with the post. Two parcels for me today, both rings. I opened the parcels in front of the TV. I liked both.

At 11.00 am I went to check on some ebay pieces I was looking at. Most things that piqued my interest were this evening so if I want them I’d have to put my max bid on before starting my games night. I also brought my mail back up to date before lunch. Today I had a beef filled giant Yorkshire pudding with roast potatoes. It wasn’t bad but I wouldn’t go out of my way for it again. My Bargain Hunt was on as I ate but I didn’t think the teams would do well today. I don’t know whether I was right as I nodded off before the auction stage and didn’t wake until 1.30 pm. It was back to my desk then. I worked through until 3.45 pm then went to watch the end of an afternoon quiz. The sun was blazing down through my window and it was drowsy, drowsy, gone. When I woke at 4.25 pm Dil was there smiling and said he’d arrived at 4.05 pm but couldn’t wake me. I don’t believe he tried but it’s possible he’d been there that long. I made him a cuppa and we watched Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is and our usual Quiz Pointless. Once that was over out came the games table and the Yahtzee. The first set was three games each again so we decided to carry on with another set. My mistake, Dil won that four -two. Out came the Trivial Pursuits and battle  recommenced. That resulted in a win for me and as it was 9.35 pm Dil had to leave. I did a quick tidy, made myself a chip buttie, washed the pots and came through to catch up. 102 messages waiting and no wins on ebay. By the time I got to start the blog it was 11.15 pm. Don’t make a noise in the morning, I might need to sleep in.

Reuben and Friend.

Reuben and more friends.

Thursday 13th.

It was about 1.15am before I turned the light off this morning. I struggled to sleep, no doubt as a result of the noddy sessions of yesterday. I was rather surprised to wake at 4.56 am and find myself stretched out on the couch in the lounge. I don’t remember going there and it wasn’t a planned trip as my slippers were neatly laid on the floor in front of my chair on the other side of the room and I hadn’t brought my spray out. Despite it being Summer I was surprisingly cold too. I paid a trip to the loo and then headed straight for my bedroom and the warmth of my dressing gown. I fired up the computer and signed into both email accounts to find you lot had been very busy during the night.

At 6.00 am I went through to the kitchen for breakfast and to take my meds. I sat in the lounge and ate in front of Joey’s cage. He didn’t seem very happy so I opened the cage door and told him to come and share. That got me a bollocking. He then flew out at such a pace that all the husks from the seed he’d eaten came out in a cloud and descended on my last piece of toast. Joey flew around a couple of times and landed on the mirror. It was his turn to get a bollocking when I found out how much cleaning up I’d have to do later. For now I left him to it and returned to work. By 8.15 am I’d cleared the immediate threat from the mail boxes and broke to get dressed, except for my socks.  I rejoined Joey in the lounge and turned on the TV to watch Frazier. The postman (Darren) came at 9.40 am an delivered my last parcel and a Christmas catalogue…….. in August???? The last parcel was a new doorbell which I intend to put up tomorrow.  Now Darren had been I put my socks on and my shoes. The left one was difficult to get on today as the foot is swollen whereas the right leg is the one that has the swelling from ankle to above the knee and is suffering from the cellulitis. I definitely have what they call ‘Old ladies ankles’. Putting padded gloves on I grabbed my coat and sticks and walked to Pauline’s shop to grab fresh bread, bacon, chips with curry sauce and had my lottery tickets renewed. I came back post haste to watch Homes Under the Hammer with Joey.

At 11.00 I got a brush and dustpan and cleaned he floor around the cage. Joey flew squawking around my head that I was too close instead of just moving elsewhere. Anyway, as i was down on the floor kneeling I can’t see I was invading his space. I stood up and changed his seed and water without any fuss from him, that will come when he sees I haven’t given him new millet. At that point I’m shutting my ears. I went through to work for half an hour or so and then came back at 11.50 to take my pre -foodie. I had the chips with curry sauce for lunch and watched as much of Bargain Hunt as I could before drinking of the waters of Lethe. Wham, I was there one minute and gone the next. I woke after half an hour and like last night had no memory of what happened. I came back to work at 1.15 pm and stayed until 3.00 pm when I watched Move to the Country. I’m becoming addicted to programmes like these recently. No wonder I never do any writing. About 3.30 pm Mike sent a text to say he was on his way so if the traffic is kind I may see him about 5.30 pm, though he is travelling at the busiest time. I’ve not seen any more of him than usual this week even though he’s been on holiday. I had another hour on the computer 3.30 pm – 4.30 pm and then it was most of the evening off. Mike arrived at almost 6.00 pm in time fr two of the quizzes then I excused myself for an hour before coming back to watch Endeavor (The Young Morse) and Person of Interest. I had to cry off the second one of the latter as it would have meant starting work again at midnight. Starting at 11.00 pm was bad enough. It’s gone midnight now, a new day and yet I’m still doing yesterday’s blog. Go figure.

Friday 14th.

I finished at about 12.30 am this morning. Mike had come in to show me a ring he liked and was still there when the blog was finished so I also brought ebay back up and showed him a few I’m looking at. He must have left about 12.50 am and I got into bed to read. The light went pout at 1.45 am and I don’t think it was long before sleep claimed me. Just as well really as I must have had the top layer of skin from my itching legs under my skin at that point. I woke at 5.03 am and switched the computer on as I passed by heading for the loo. Once back I signed into my mail. I was working well when I heard a noise at 5.30 am. I went out and found Mike had gone to the loo and was fast asleep and snoring well  sitting there with his head almost on his knee. I expressed my shock at finding him up but there was no response. I tried again with the same result but when I told him not to go to sleep there, he grunted at me and shuffled past to go back to bed.I just returned to work until 6.10 am when it was time to  take my meds and replenish the boxes for the next week. That took until 6.50 am when I returned the meds drawer and  made a coffee to bring back with me. At 7.10 am I was up to date and decided to go through to the lounge and watch TV for a while. I wasn’t sure what to do about Mike after knowing he had a late night so I waited until 9.00 am before taking a coffee through and letting him know it was time to shake a leg. He didn’t. I passed his room ten minutes later and just shouted through to say the coffee was cold. That shifted him. I carried on my way to get dressed.

While in my room I just did a little more catching up before joining Mike in the lounge. His face was bleeding slightly and he wasn’t sure how he’d done it. Personally I think he’d been slapping his face to wake up when one of his knuckleduster rings had slipped round. He’s got so many rings on hid fingers I’m checking to see if he’s got bells on his toes. Never mind that talk about pots and kettles Michael, these are intelligent people and not interested in your cookware preferences. It was gone 10.00 pm when he left and the mood wasn’t great as he’d received a phone call regarding the new flat for his dad. The decorator is ready to start but can’t until  the electricians have finished. Trouble is they’ve been twice on the warden’s day off to collect keys despite being told what days to come and they’ve just left when she hasn’t been there. Mike has to try and get them back today and finished so the painter can go in tomorrow. That meant he  was late seeing his dad and may be late back tonight.

I made myself sweet potato mash with sausages for lunch and topped it off with baked beans. Glorious. Especially today when I don’t think it’s stopped raining yet. They forecast rain and possible floods for the end of the week so I’m thinking I might need the ark to stop by and collect me. Actually I’m halfway up a hill so I should be OK. After Bargain Hunt was over, and you’ll be shocked to learn I stayed awake for the auction, I returned to work for the afternoon. At 4.30 pm I came away from the computer to start the evening programmes. Antique show, quiz, quiz, then Mike sent a text to say he was on his way back so I expected him around 7.30 pm. Then it was another quiz followed by two episodes of MASH. Mike arrived home in between the two. I made him a coffee and sat with him to see how his day had been. He’d almost had to pull over on the way home with a migraine. I went for a shower at 8.00 pm and left him trying for another ring on ebay. It’s quite worrying as he’s already got more rings than fingers……….if he’s only got ten fingers that is. He was still on there when I finished the shower but he’d lost that particular ring as the price had gone up alarmingly at the end. We watched ‘Would I Lie To You’ then Ripper Street before I took my meds at 10.00 pm and came through to work before bed. I really shouldn’t  have been away so long, the post was heavy. I must say though I was getting plenty of laughs from responses to the extra post I did today. I started the blog at 11.00 pm.

Claiming New Territory.

Some days you’re up……..

Saturday 15th.

4.27 am this morning and the world looked grim. Gone are the bright mornings and the nights are starting to draw in too. Any earlier and I would have had to resort to turning lights on. The one good thing is that the rain appears to have stopped. Once I’d visited the loo I came back and turned the computer on. It wasn’t too long before I was in amongst all the messages and posts from last night. I’m sure you lot are nocturnal. At 6.15 am I broke off to take my meds and make myself a coffee but more importantly to boil the kettle ready for Mike’s 6.30 am alarm. Actually I timed it so that I got the coffee in first and brought his consciousness top the surface in time for the first alarm to go off. In both instances the result was the same , an acknowledging grunt followed by turning over and going back to sleep. I had things to do just then like empty the bins and take the food waste outside. All the recycling bags had to go out too. When I got back in Mike showed the true spoilsport spirit by getting out of bed on his second alarm. A-2 C-1. I can’t really invent something to crank the scores up as that’s what he predicted I’d do. I got dressed and went through to irritate Mike for spoiling my fun but I ended up feeling guilty because his stomach was a bit off colour.

We left the house just before 7.30 am and were in the Supermarket by 7.45 am. I picked up cash while Mike got a trolley then we made a start. First thing kids clothes as there was a sale on. Then flowers for Julia. We’ve sort of gone for a mauve , purple theme for her this week. Calamine lotion was next to see if I can end this interminable itching on my legs both of which are painful to the touch now. I’m pretty sure I have cellulitis in them both now. Not just old lady ankles any more. Mike’s stomach being off he had to depart at the run leaving me in the shop talking to myself. I did manage to get through the tills on my own except for some reason they expected me to stop half way and pay. Such spoilsports today. Mike came back just as I had finished there and we went for coffee. From there out to the car to pack the bags away and to have a smoke while discussing the next leg of the journey. We went straight to Flint and got the odds and sods I still needed then went to visit out friends in Temptations. As we left there we decided just to bring the shopping home and unpack.

On the shopping was stored away I expected we’d go for lunch but instead Mike started fixing my new doorbell which I’d bought from ebay this week. It sounded great as long as it wasn’t too close. There was a discussion as to what to do with the day and it was thought best we went to Rhyl and let Mike trawl round the second hand jewellers for the ring he wants. Something with a blue topaz, his birthstone. He particularly wants London blue. We had no luck for him but in one place I fell in love and acted very impulsively and treated myself. He wasn’t too  chuffed with that. I suggested he find the stone he wants and apply it to a ring he has where the stone has been lost. That would be much less expensive. After a very long slog it was time to come home. We’d been out from 7.30 am and wouldn’t be in until 4.15 pm. I was already wondering how bad the post would be. It was less than I thought, bad rather than disastrous. I ploughed straight in and left Mike in the lounge. When I stuck my head in there he was snoring for Britain and didn’t hear me giving Joey some millet or nattering to him.

Mike woke at 6.00 pm and I was back in the lounge then. We had a cake and watched a bit of TV till 9.00 pm when I left to come back to work. I do expect to get to bed sometime tonight.

Trekker’s Rest.

Have a wonderful New Week full of Hugs everyone.

FREEDOM!! & Friday Cinderella.

Sunday July 19th 2015

3.34 am this morning. I was awake and couldn’t go back to sleep but didn’t feel as though I should be awake yet. As I went to the loo I could see Mike was OK. Light on, fan going and piledriver snore working at full capacity. At least I knew it wasn’t an earthquake. I set to work on my emails and checking comments from this week’s blog. I just kept going steadily. I finished the first mail box at 6.10 am and went to the kitchen to take my meds. It had been raining hard throughout the night and had eased off at that time. It was fairly light but when I spoke to Joey he wasn’t interested. I’m bloody sure Mike trained him to stay in bed to irritate me before he brought him here. I took my coffee back to the bedroom and started the second mail box and refreshed the first. By 7.40 am I was clear on both. A quick look at ebay but the feeling I shouldn’t be awake yet reasserted itself. I took my cup through to the kitchen and settled in my chair in the lounge. Joey still wasn’t fully up but did at least move a shelf lower.
I kept talking to Joey but he wasn’t wasting his words this morning. He did cock his head to show he was listening though. I shut my eyes and drifted away.I wasn’t asleep and I did hear Mike get up and come through to put the kettle on. He didn’t speak, thinking I was asleep which was nice of him but I couldn’t rouse myself to show him I was awake either. This went on for a while until finally I was able to open my eyes and say hello to him. Joey started and we were both concentrating on him for a while. I kept wanting to blank out again but didn’t.

We checked Jen would be in this morning so we could drop off her birthday present. She would so at 9.45 am we got dressed and left at 10.00 am. When we got there Lee invited us in and made a drink while Jen was feeding  the baby. When she came down it was obvious how much he’s grown though he’s still a small baby and he has a delightful smile. We actually stayed a good while though I hadn’t wanted to disturb them really. But, eventually we headed off to Broughton to see if I could find a glass vase to sit inside the hurricane lamp stand that MuJo had bought me which had had the accident. I chose one which came quite close and it looks fine now. I also had a birthday gift to buy so we went to a couple of shops till I found what I wanted. By then it was almost 1.30 pm and I was hungry. Lunch beckoned. We went to the pub we generally use if we’re here. Mike swore he’d stay away from the mashed potato he says are always powdery then promptly ordered a roast lamb steak dinner with mash. I had my usual bangers and mash though had to contend with four roast potatoes a stuffing ball and a Yorkshire Pudding Mike dumped on me that he says he’d never manage.It was nice though.Coming out it was almost 3.00 pm and we headed for home. I caught myself nodding in the car.

Usually when I get in the first thing I do is go to work. Today I sat in my chair and zonked.It was almost 6.00 pm when I woke (reluctantly) and Mike was ready to leave. When I’d waved him off I did go to work and stayed there till 8.15 pm when I had to have my tea. Joey was back on his top perch again so wasn’t answering any chatter. I ate my tea, watched a documentary about a newly discovered 17thC burial ground in London, washed up and went back to work. I’m still at it. The emails I finished at 10.40 pm and then started the blog. I hope it’s not going to be like this all week.

Monday.

A 3.11 am start with a low scream from my bladder that it was time to move a bit faster than usual.  I made it but not with much to spare. The sigh of relief sounded like a breeze blowing through the place. I came back and fired up the computer and started responding to all the emails from those who have day while I have night. I intended to stay on top of things today. At 5.30 I went through and took the morning meds and found I’d forgotten to take last night’s. None of you reminded me did you? Since it was still fairly early, and what Mike would call the middle of the night I was half tempted to take them there and then. Only the fact I have problems enough kipping after lunch put me off. I took the opportunity to sit down by the cage and talk to Joey even though I knew he wouldn’t talk back or even come down from his high perch at this time. Mind you, once I’d been ignored enough I took my coffee through and carried on working.

By 7.25 am I was as up to date as it’s possible to get without creating tweets or new blogs of my  own. I decided against doing that and went through to the lounge instead. Joey had come down to the mid perch and was hanging upside down trying to get the last bits of millet off the sprig. I swear he’s part bat. He talks to me or rather sings to me when I sit in my chair but stops the minute I sit near the cage. I sat with my hand inside for a while but he wasn’t going to get that close. Next time I’m going to try putting some millet on it and see what happens. Either that or I’ll have to try opening the cage door so he can fly out and hope he chooses to land on me at some point or goes back into his cage to eat/drink when he wants it. I want to see as little progress and I hate seeing him stuck in the cage.

At 9.00 am I took a walk to the chemist’s to deliver my prescription request. It didn’t take long as I managed to avoid the temptation of going into Pauline’s for a chips and curry sauce and some packets of jelly beans which are very addictive. Neither are good for you. Back in the house I worked till 10.00 am then watched Homes Under the Hammer while Joey alternated between singing for me and giving me a telling off. I came close to nodding off a couple of times but he put paid to that. I have to make sure it doesn’t happen at 1.00 pm today as I have bids in for something on ebay. At 11.00 am I went back to work again while waiting for the warden to visit. She arrived about 11.20 am and stayed until midday. Joey had decided to be very vocal during her visit so he got plenty of compliments. If I’d known that being noisy was all it took I’d have tried it years ago. As soon as she’d gone I set about making my lunch which today was a corned beef hash followed by a strawberry jelly I’d made yesterday accompanied with evaporated milk. There was half a large punnet of strawberries in it because I couldn’t eat them over he weekend and Mike wouldn’t have his share without me eating in case I used this blog as a platform to make him sound a pig. As if Michael !! Once Bargain Hunt was over I dashed back to my room to bid on ebay something due at  1.02 pm. I won it by my bidding in the last ten seconds. I stayed here till 2.15 pm catching up and then went back to see Who Do You Think You Are only to find it’s one I’ve seen recently.

A little distracted by a few chirrups from Joey when I tried to close my eyes I decided to risk opening the front of his cage and letting him out. He didn’t waste any time. He flew straight out, ignoring the hand I proffered as a staging post. He was zipping back and forth trying to part my hair until he spied the big mirror. Flying towards it he met himself coming the other way and like a cartoon he splatted against the glass and slid down it. Shock sent him flying again until he rested on top of a large canvas on Ju and myself on the wall.  Moments later he was off again and flying towards the mirror.Sometimes landing on top of it which was fine and sometimes landing on the lower frame so he could talk to his reflection and tap beaks with himself. It went on all afternoon. I did nod off for a few minutes and during that time he went back into the cage. As I woke I went to close the cage but before I got there he was off again. I tried getting out a spray of his millet and holding it out for him to land on my hand to eat but that didn’t work so I just put it in place of the stripped bare one in the cage. I had to leave the room for a while to bring the mail up to date but I returned there in time for my 5.00 pm quiz.

I stayed in the lounge until 10.00 pm trying during the adverts to persuade Joey to return to the cage. Not that he understood me of course but you always live in hope. At one point he landed on the cage and I thought he might go in but the thought of talking to the bird that mimicked him in the mirror proved too strong. When I decided I couldn’t carry on climbing all over the furniture and didn’t want to risk scaring him, I turned a lamp on and left him. What he might do to himself in the dark was worrying. I’ll stick my head in from time to time as long as I’m awake and if I find he’s gone to eat or drink I’ll try and lock him in until I get back tomorrow.But at 10.00 pm I had no choice but to come back to my room to try and get the post up to date so there isn’t too much in the morning, and I need to do the blog as well. I have the feeling this may be a late one.

To eat or not to eat? Before the squiggle gets them.

The smiley duck.

Tuesday.

I seemed to stare at the clock for a long time this morning trying to make sense of 3.12 am. I knew it couldn’t be three minutes past twelve as I was awake later than that last night but try as I might,I couldn’t seem to find a logical way of deciphering the time from that combination.It’s really odd because I’d mastered the very difficult concept of 3.11 am yesterday with no bother. Perhaps 3.12 am is advanced mathematics at my age. In actual fact it took turning my bedside light on for me to see the light despite the time being displayed on the clock in large numerals which are lit up in bright blue. As soon as that light was on I understood the great mysteries of time. I was able to swing my legs out of bed and make my way to the Piddle Palace before it was too late.

There was much more post from last night than I expected and it took a while to do it before I could start work on today’s. Because I was going out I didn’t want to be in a rush so worked till 5.30 am before going through to take my meds ( and yes, I found last night’s still there again) and also to have some breakfast which today was Cornflakes.I stood in the doorway between the kitchen and the lounge to eat them watching Joey. Perhaps I hoped he’d become one of his predecessors and come to help himself but he didn’t move. I just hope he moves into the cage as it becomes light enough. I’ll have to learn to take my time with him in future. I grabbed a coffee and took it back to the bedroom. It had gone 6.00 am so I started back in on the mail. I intended to have both boxes empty by the time I came to leave the house at 7.30 am though I knew I’d be back to screaming pitch by the time I came home at 1.00 pm. Mike keeps trying to remind me that this is supposed to be a hobby, be fun, but sometimes it doesn’t seem like that. It feels like a job and I have deadlines even if I set them myself. It’s like I have one of those compulsive personalities I used to laugh about saying “Me? no way.”

I was clear to leave at 7.30 am and walked up towards the bus stop via the post box so I could send for an explanation in writing of all the hassle I’ve had from the DWP. I may not be in time to appeal this debt from 2013 but I want to know why they’ve done nothing about it before now, that’s if his isn’t another fictitious debt. I wasn’t at the bus stop long before the bus arrived and I was the only passenger at that point. Great, I sat back with my eyes closed and started to doze. I didn’t wake up kicking the seat in front this week though, Yay, no bruising. Yvonne and Reuben were waiting for me in Chester. Reuben pointed and smiled at me then like someone had turned the light out suddenly frowned and glared at me. I thought I was in trouble but the cloud passed thankfully. We went to our usual store and Reuben pressed the lift buttons then galloped away and parked his bottom on our usual chairs. Just as well no-one else was at the table. We all had drinks and breakfast even though I’d had mine much earlier. From there we had a look round because Roobs needed some new jogging bottoms and Yvonne needed some maternity wear. I was able to pick up a couple of things for Ugo too. Then we had our usual fight as I grabbed everything off her, including her credit card, and with the help of the saleswoman, paid for the items. I’ve never known anyone fight so hard not to have prezzies.

We left there in search of more maternity clothing but I wasn’t allowed anywhere near the counter thereafter on pain of death. Time seemed to be doing OK so we strolled back uptown and decided to go for a cool drink. The cafe is in the rear of a shop so there was time to look at things as we went through and I found some nice gifts for the nieces which I said I’d get on the way out. While we were enjoying the drinks Reuben was walking round close by and spotted a ride on machine. He noticed that just as I noticed my bus was due.  I tried to say goodbye and run but Yvonne insisted they’d see me off ( probably to make sure I really left) and called Reuben to come.  Once he realised his ride was at risk the siren started until Yvonne said she’d bring him back after he’d said goodbye to pops. That sort of mollified him. I had to fly past the gifts but Yvonne promised she’d pick them up for me. I was in time. I had my kisses goodbye and boarded the bus as Yvonne took Reuben back for a ride of the Fire Truck. The journey home was pretty good but I couldn’t call in at Pauline’s as I was full of cool drink I hadn’t had chance to rid myself of. I’m sure Yvonne predicted that.

At home Joey was still in position on the mirror and I could see he’d been licking his reflection again. I lifted my arm to try to tempt him but all he did was fly over to the canvas picture again, then back as soon as I put my arm down. I left him to it and went to make my lunch. Beef stew with dumplings today. Once finished I went to play a little catch-up with the mail for a while . I was interrupted by a knock at the door and it was the delivery of my drugs for which I exchanged a box of chocolates. A few minutes later another knock and this time it proved to be the annual check on my heating system and gas services. I wasn’t expecting it for another two weeks at least so the airing cupboard where the heater lives wasn’t empty. The young man said no problem, he’d move whatever was needed. And, he’d move the stuff in my little pit to access the gas meter. Brilliant, I could get back to trying to entice Joey into his cage ( and maybe watch Escape to the Country at the same time). I had no luck with Joey but the young man was a s good as his word. After three quarters of an hour he came to get a signature and told me that the vent in the loft was showing some light where the plate met the roof. it would need someone to come and repair it. I thanked him and he left. I went back to work and had no sooner sat down than yet another knock. This time it was Bert with a parcel that had been delivered. It would have gone through the door it was so small but needed to be signed for. I thanked him and opened the envelope to see the ring I’d bid for and won. It fit my pinkie and replaced the one that had flown off and not found when I removed my glove.

After Bert had gone I went through to the lounge to watch something and while I was sitting there I saw Joey come off the mirror and land on the cage. He did it a couple of times to taunt me and then finally went in to savage the millet spray. I made as if to leave the room then slipped behind Joey and shut the cage door. At last ! It’s been over 24 hours. I didn’t even get a telling off really but only because his mouth (beak) was full. I stayed in the lounge until 8.15 pm. It should have been 8.00 pm but I’d nodded off and when I woke didn’t realise it was a different programme I was watching until I caught on that there weren’t any antiques. I turned the TV off just as Joey chunnered at me and I swear he was trying to speak. Nothing sensible of course, just the same rubbish I keep repeating to him. Joey Joey Joey, best, best boy. I was chuffed, though of course I could be deluding myself this early in the game. I came back through to the bedroom and started to attack the mail. A text came through on my phone to see if MuJo could visit tomorrow so I need to clear everything I can so there’s no big backlog in the morning. Oh, a miracle, I remembered to take my drugs tonight too.

Pensive pose.

In control.

Wednesday.

When I woke this morning I went straight to the loo then came back and put my dressing gown on, loaded the pockets with sprays, cigs etc then turned to fire up the computer. It was only then I actually noticed the time, 1.18 am. Since my light had only gone out at 12.45 am it didn’t seem I was getting a fair crack of the whip.I yawned, took the dressing gown off and fell back into bed. My next wake up call was 4.23 am which seemed miles better. I did the loo trip again, and again donned the dressing gown, loaded the pockets and powered up the computer. No yawns. I worked on mail until 6.00 am and then went for some breakfast and to take the morning meds. Somehow I managed to miss this mouth with the first batch and ended up chasing them round the kitchen floor. I had to hurry as I didn’t want to find any spaced out field mice tottering round the kitchen later.No worries, as they say in Oz, I managed to find them all including a bonus two lost on previous occasions.

After my breakfast I went to wash the excess butter off my moustache in case I slid off Muriel’s cheek later. Then it was back to work, starting with a re-blog of another authors work. Sometimes it’s nice to feature someone else on the blog. I carried on working until 7.25 am  when the post was (temporarily) up to date and I was able to go through to the lounge to talk to Joey. I might just have closed my eyes for a minute or two as well. At 9.00 am I went to Pauline’s, no Mother’s Mafia now the kids are on holiday. I picked up my TV mag, some micro chips,a micro chips with curry sauce,some bread and a supply of cigarettes. She has a great selection of things in there. Back at home I cleared the post again, had a look at ebay and then went and sat with Joey until MuJo arrived.That happened at 11.00 am. I brought drinks in and we chatted for a while before heading out. Muriel needed the post office in Holywell so we went to the chippy for lunch. It was quite pleasant and it’s always quick and hot there. When we came out it was raining so it was back to the car without wandering.

We drove to Flint where Muriel wanted ALDI. I managed to pick up some nice gerberas to pad out Ju’s vase. They looked nice and bright in there. We headed for Temptations where we parked up and walked over to Homies so I could pick up some chocolates for the girls and a couple of other things. In Temptations I passed the chocs to Sian who was looking forward to trying them as she hadn’t seen them before. We sat and had our drinks and in John’s case a cake as big as a side plate too. I finished and went outside for a cigarette while they finished off. When they joined me we went round a couple more shops. I saw a nice freezer and a lovely TV in one. We came home. They stayed with me until about 4.00 pm then left to make their one hour journey back home to Ty Nant. I came through and started to whittle down the mail but I didn’t have as long as I though as Dil turned up about 4.45 pm. I went to make him a cuppa and we sat chatting until the quiz Pointless started. We were both answering questions as it went along. At 6.00 pm the TV went off and the gaming commenced. As usual it was Yahtzee first and that ended unsatisfactorily at 3 games each, rather than move on I suggested we play again which was a huge mistake since I lost 4-2 . I’m having an operation tomorrow to remove my foot from my mouth. Then we went on to Trivial Pursuits. It was a strange game with Dil getting 4 pieces of pie before I had my first but me reaching the full six while he was still on 4. I worked my way round until I could try to return to the middle but the die kept moving me anywhere but. For ages I was always a place or two beyond the middle. When Dil got his sixth piece of pie he started doing the same thing and getting the same result. Eventually at 9.20 pm I managed to get to the middle and Dil picked the card and looked for a question to ask me. I expected sports as I’m lousy on that subject but he chose an entertainment one which I got. As it happens I would have got the sports one as well but there were two on the card I wouldn’t have got. I didn’t care since I’d won and we were honours even tonight.

Dil left at 9.30 pm and I did my usual quick tidy up, washed the pots and took my meds. I had a quick natter to Joey who was settling down for the night and then came through to work. It’s been hard going as the mail took until 11.05 pm and I couldn’t start the blog until then. It’s almost midnight and I’m anxious to get to my bed.

Thursday.

I got up because I didn’t have a choice. It was either that or wet the bed. I wasn’t thrilled as the clock read (I thought ) 3.26 am but I was up. After the loo I nipped into the lounge just to make sure Joey was OK on his perch though I didn’t go close enough to scare him as I didn’t want him trying to fly inside the cage in the dark. All seemed fine so I left him sleeping and came through to turn the computer on. Damn me but she had a headache again. I powered up and just glanced at the clock which now read 2.36 am. I started working on my emails and was doing alright up until I fell asleep over the keyboard. I stayed sitting upright but my chin must have been on my chest because when I woke up at 4.03 am I had neck ache. What was on screen I didn’t remember working on as I thought I’d dealt with that one before. I checked the sent box and came away sighing with relief. I hadn’t sent any messages out in a code no-one would understand, including me. By 5.38 am both mail boxes were up to date, though I knew that state of affairs wouldn’t last long. I decided to go through and take my meds and have some breakfast.

I had toast for breakfast. Cold and slathered with butter which tasted faintly of the strawberry jelly I’d had in the fridge earlier in the week. Once done I took my coffee top the lounge and sat talking to Joey while I drank it. He wasn’t very vocal this morning. I’m going to risk releasing him today again to see if he’ll come anywhere near me rather than just finding a high perch to settle on. I returned to work until 9.00 am when I took a walk to Pauline’s to get some milk and my lottery tickets. Back at home I unpacked and then went through to the lounge and opened the front of the cage. He didn’t need telling twice. As he perched atop the mirror I cleaned his cage out and renewed his seed and water. There was ( somehow) still a little of his favourite food left so I didn’t change it then. I was in and out all morning keeping an eye on my mail and on Joey. He was pretty good and returned t the cage twice on his own. I left the door open for him. It was on the second of his returns that I noticed he finished the spray of millet and I chose that time to stick my hand in to get the old one out. Stupid!! I must have moved too fast and panicked him. He fluttered around the cage ( and I still carried on) and eventually came out like a bullet. I put the new millet in hoping it will get him back in again later so I can close the cage for the night.

I had lunch at 12.00 pm and talked to Joey throughout. He gave me a right bollocking so maybe he objects to conversation while I’m eating. After lunch I had an apple and cut a piece off for Joey. So far he hasn’t shown any enthusiasm for things like that. When Bargain Hunt finished I came back to the mail again. It doesn’t take long to mount up. I could hear Joey talking or maybe shouting and stopped dealing with the mail and left the work till later. When I went back through he stopped. I think he does enjoy the company and the chatter even if he’s not ready to respond to it yet. Given time I think we’ll be OK. Around 3.00 pm I had a text from Mike to say his Dad’s in hospital again. They want to check why his antibiotics aren’t working on his chest infection.It’s very awkward for Mike as he’s with his grandchildren at the moment and will be until at least 6.00 pm, possibly later. Then he needs to drive to his own place to pick things up before he comes up. It could be tomorrow before he gets to the hospital. I hope this isn’t going to mess up his chances of signing for the new place. After that Joey went back to his cage but I left the door open for him and returned to work where I stayed, nose to grindstone until 4.00 pm when I sort of declared a local holiday.

The holiday lasted until 7.00 pm when I found the BBC had removed my antiques show yet again, this time to record a flower show, and not the Chelsea one either. I suppose it was a prompt to leave Joey and the TV behind and do some work  but I can tell you I wasn’t a happy bunny until I saw that there was a DIY SOS Big Build on at 8.00 pm. I would have to work hard for the hour until that was on. Just before I went back through to get my eyes squared again I got a text from Mike to say he was on his way. I expect him about 10.30 pm depending upon the traffic. Last week he did the journey in two hours, his best time ever and I bet he wasn’t legal once in the whole journey unless he was at traffic lights, and even then………                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        I defy anyone to come away from Big Build with dry eyes but I left the lounge in case Joey saw me and took me for a soft touch. You know the kind of thing, pleading poverty just to get some extra millet. I spent an hour catching up on mail so that I could go through at 10.00 pm to wait for Mike and have all the stuff ready in his mug for him. Once I’d said my hellos and made his drink and checked out his week I knew I’d have to excuse myself to do the blog. . I know Mike’s Dad is back in hospital again so I want the full story. Mike arrived at 9.55 pm and I asked him where he’d parked the jet and whether he’d used it in stealth mode to get past the police. I’m not sure why but he said he sensed some sarcasm. No sh*t Sherlock. I got his drink and we nattered till 11.30 pm after which I had to come through again.

Friday.

After I’d sat at the computer Mike came through as I was selecting the music for last night. He stayed to listen to it and to a few more tracks while I applied the steroid cream to my leg. It was therefore midnight before he left and before I could get back on the computer. It was just after 12.30 am when I was able to close down and go to bed. I was tired. There was still time for a read though and I managed a chapter and a half before my eyes and brain refused to co-operate. That took me to 1.05 am and the light went out. My lights didn’t come back on until 4.43 am this morning so I slept for over 3 hours, miraculous. A visit to Looville then I fired up the computer and started again. I worked till 6.00 am then went to take my meds and being Friday, renew all the meds in my tablet case. It was only when I finished that I decided to have breakfast this morning and took the pre-foodie pill. A bowl of Ricicles with real sugar was a treat. It was 7.00 am before I got back to work but all I managed were the urgent ones as I started to yawn. Thinking I’d get a sleep.  I returned to my chair in the lounge.,I came close a few times. The room itself didn’t seem conducive to a sleep without the TV so on it went and I tried to nod to a background of some wonderful classical music ( mainly adverts). That made things easier but Joey doesn’t like the display of pigeon without the display of human to be lacking in case he wants to tell you off. Every time I looked like dropping off there he was ,full voice to stop me. I soon gave up and started watching the TV that was playing. As soon as that happened I dropped off. I woke at 9.00 pm when I heard Mike turn the kettle on. I must have been out for seconds as the TV hadn’t moved on much and Mike had only just come out. Disgustingly I stayed watching until 11.00 am before getting dressed. Mike stopped about 10.45 pm and went to get dressed and take a phone call.I went back to work ans Mike went off to Manchester to see his Dad.

At 12.00 I made lunch then sat with it while I watched Bargain Hunt. Both teams made a healthy profit at auction. Joey was showing what a crosspatch he is by head butting his rival in the mirror which is now covered with budgie saliva. He went back in his cage but I overcame the temptation to lock him in, as it’s my own insecurities I’m dealing with, not his. Work beckoned so off I went. During the afternoon Mike texted to say he’s be late as he was taking his Dad home from hospital. That’s a good sign. I worked until 3.30 pm when the eyes started to close and went through. Joey was quieter and let me nod off but alas not for long. By 4.05 pm I was awake again and having to repeat through gritted teeth what a good boy he was. Mike sent another text at 6.00 pm to say he was on his way.To be honest I didn’t bother going back through and started watching the TV. I was still there at 7.00 pm when it was time to close the TV and go for a shower. Hellfire, I tried to stand and my foot hurt. More one particular toe than the whole foot at first. I managed to get to the bedroom to get my change of clothes and prepare my washing then went for a shower. I had to sit down and like all cowards I approached that gingerly in case the seat was cold. Shower finished I dressed in my Animal lounge pants and went back to the lounge.

Mike arrived back at 7.50 pm ish while I was watching a fascinating programme about our Coast which just happened to be covering the stretch from Holyhead to the Wirral. The next was on the Vikings and as a history one was of interest to us both. Mike quickly told me how the day had gone, I made him a drink and something to eat and we enjoyed the Vikings together.Time moved on to 9.00 pm and I was able to come through for an hour to skip through some mail but I was expected back for a programme at 10.00 pm. I was struggling for time but it was about to get worse when we fond that the programme we’d just watched had another episode on straight after. Aaargghh. It was midnight before we determined the box had to go off and we had to go to bed. At least Mike could go to bed but I had work to do in the shape of the blog. Emails could wait till the morning. Now I’m not even sure I’ll have the time to read and heaven knows what time I’ll get up for shopping.It would be funny if Mike made it before I did,

Saturday.

Despite the lateness of the hour last night ( this morning) and like Cinderella having to run from the ball at midnight I still managed a small read after the blog was done. It was more a case of settling my mind down for sleep really. When I woke I glanced at the clock and found it to be 2.54 am. Much earlier than I’d thought and much earlier than I’d hoped but here I was awake. No urgency about it but a slight message from my bladder did suggest a tour of the facilities to hand. As soon as I returned the computer was booted up and I hit the first of my mailboxes, amazing it took until 3.59 am to empty it and start on the second which was clear at 4.10 am. Why can’t it be this easy all of the time? I decided a visit to ebay was  a good idea and treated myself. I looked at frockcoats, signet rings, pocket watches and maybe a new waistcoat ( which I haven’t bought for my collection for ages). I managed to resist the temptation on all of them. At 5.00 am I went through to the kitchen making sure I didn’t ddisturb Joey as it wasn’t dawn then. I took my meds and a pre-foodie tablet then put two slices of bread in the toaster. Lighting a cigarette to use as  timer I carried some rubbish through to my recycling bags and then answered an email. Perfect timing the email went off as I finished the smoke. Back to the kitchen and troweled on some butter then ate my toast. Wonderful. I made a coffee, took my two after food tabs and then returned to the bedroom.

By now a little more mail was coming through and I enjoyed a short story by someone as well a a post by my friend Valerie from NZ who had a great post about tea, sitting an oral French exam in front of Chinese nuns and a woman who tried to kill a woman she disliked in a tearoom but still wanted to be served tea. Very entertaining.                  At 6.30 am Mike’s alarm went off for the first time and I took a coffee through. I made sure to make plenty of comments in the hopes of penetrating the fog and moving him. At 6.40 the alarm went off again, still no movement.Things were looking good. I left it a minute or two then went to inform him the coffee was going cold. I got a half coherent reply and this is the point I’d usually have some luck. I went back to my room and waited, there didn’t seem to be any movement, am I going to get a third alarm today? Answer, Yes but I didn’t get to make my third call. Total 3A– 2C. We left the house a little after 7.30 am today and made a quick run to the Supermarket. We also made quite a quick run round the Supermarket. I just hadn’t been able to think of much to put on the list though I didn’t leave it a 5 bottles of pop which is how it was until I added millet this morning. Somehow the bill still came to more than usual and I’d no clothes in today.Perhaps the strawberries were gold plated. We went for a drink where Mike had great fun waiting for me to get brain freeze. It’s not easy hiding it.

After packing the car we drove to Flint. We moved from clouds and rain into sunshine which was nice, they’d promised a nice day. we parked up and took a walk to Homies and to Jolley’s ( the pet shop) for more millet then went to get our coffee from Temptations. The lovely Sian was on this morning with Kyle. He was near to kipping on the couch after a late night but did get up when I came to the counter. We enjoyed the coffee then drove home early. We had no specific plans in mind today. The subject of what to do next did crop up though after we’d put the shopping away and I’d made an attempt at my mail again. The problem was we were both asking each other what the other wanted to do and the other was saying “What about you”? It shows what boring old farts we’ve become when Mike suggested we look for a new fridge and a freezer and I was able to suggest where. First we drove to a large Supermarket with a cafeteria and ha something to eat then we walked over to a large retail chain shop and priced up their models, none of which were the ones we’d earlier looked at online. I dithered as it was such a large outlay  and we came away with nothing except the stains where I’d drooled over a larger TV. We came home.

Once we got in which was about 2.30 pm I left Mike to relax with TV and I came back to work. I seemed to be doing fine but somewhere along the line I nodded off. When I woke I couldn’t even figure out how to get myself out of where I was, or how I’d got there. Last night’s lack of sleep had taken it’s toll. Worse still while I was trying to come round Mike walked in and said “Oh you’re awake again then” and as I hadn’t caught him asleep I had no rejoinder. I was in shame. It was 5.45 pm and he’d come to let me know Pointless celebrity was due on. I cleared the screen gulped at the amount of mail I could see and joined him in the lounge. By 7.00 pm I was back clearing what I could but only until 8.00 pm when something decent came on. Mike went for some bacon and we had sandwiches while we watched a detective programme. I was there till 10.30 pm when I called it a night and made a concerted effort with the post. I was only able to work until 11.00 pm before having to start the blog so there may be a bit waiting for me tomorrow.

Have a fantastic new week filled with hugs.

When the Postman knocks twice….

Sunday 21 st June.

Another night sleeping in my chair in the lounge ensured I got some sleep and kept breathing.It was a long night though and I didn’t want to turn the TV on even quietly in case it disturbed Mike. As it happens, he tells me he had a poor night listening out to make sure I was still breathing.  I got up at 6.00 am and started taking meds and making myself some toast to take the steroids with. I didn’t know they needed feeding first.

I was in my bedroom on the computer when Mike stuck his head in about 9.30 am. He’s getting very good at getting himself up. He’ll be getting himself dressed soon as well. We had plenty of time this morning as we weren’t meeting anyone for lunch until 12.30 pm so needn’t think of leaving before 11.30 am. By the time we’d faffed about shaving and getting dressed it was 11.45 am. We took a slow drive down the coast road to Prestatyn and parked up in the car park of the new place. It looked much nicer than it had when it was the worst pub in the town. A new extension made all the difference. Mike and I were a bit worried that no-one was inside when we got there, especially Karen and Jo who’d made the booking. I was beginning to think I’d directed Mike to the wrong place. Then Lee , Jen and the new baby arrived so I thought we were OK. The booking was for 12.30 pm and at 12.40 pm we’re on the steps being told there’s no booking and heck No Karen and Jo, no Yvonne, Ugo and Reuben either.

Karen and Jo were last to arrive. I expect it of Yvonne/Ugo but not usually them. Anyway, the booking was sorted. The Manageress had taken it and not written it down. The staff couldn’t argue with her. They found us two tables to push together, Reuben was brought paper and crayons and things were looking up. We still had the argument about who’s paying to go through and someone rugby tackled my legs when I tried to do a runner. Of the 8 adults 7 chose a carvery and Ugo chose a lamb burger meal. The fathers amongst us were given vouchers for a free drink ( but only alcoholic?) so I passed my voucher to Ugo and had a lime and lemonade. He was having a pint of beer anyway but could maybe take a bottle home. He ended up with two of those.

The carvery was fantastic and I was worried when the manageress came round to help me fill my plate because of the crutches. When that’s happened in the past  the ‘helpful’ ones have restricted my intake. She was amazing offering more and more which had I accepted would have looked like The Great Pyramid of Giza and she’d have broken a wrist carrying it. I tell you this so you can see how restrained I am. I take a lot of strength from being with my family like that, they’re special people but before too long I’d had enough. I asked for another lime and lemonade then we all went our merry way. At home Mike was going to watch the grand prix but my eyes were tired and heavy and I fell into a deep sleep that lasted over two hours he told me. At least I woke up in time for him to go this time. After waving him off about 6.30 pm I sat back in front of the TV  and coughed, coughed and coughed some more till it was bedtime.

Warpaint on.

Ready for wandering

Monday.

On this Date, at this Place, at this Time, nothing extraordinary happened. I should have a plaque put above my front door. I had managed to get some sleep in the chair but was still up and about before 5.00 am.  I had a pre-foodie to have breakfast to take the steroids and then took all my other meds. I took a coffee to the bedroom and had a half hour on the computer before getting dressed. At 8.50 am I started walking towards the Chemist/Post Office. I needed to hand in my request for repeat prescriptions and then also to post a parcel. I hope early next week a friend may get a nice surprise and have a giggle. On the way back I called in at Pauline’s to buy a few things. After I’d paid for them I handed over my lottery ticket from Saturday to collect £25 I’d won. Nice to leave the shop with a profit.

Back at home I was knackered. I sat in my chair to watch a programme on buying houses at auctions. I fell asleep. A good thing maybe as sleep is the great cure-all, but I didn’t hear the warden at the door and so missed her visit. Yvonne texted me to say she’d had a message on her phone from the DWP ( Dept of Works and Pensions) which must mean they have more questions. But, they hadn’t phoned my house phone and left a message, and nor told Yvonne anything on the phone. Annoyingly when she tried to phone back during a work break she just got a recorded message to say if they required anything else they’d phone again. That leads me to think they’ll actually waste more time now and write to me.  I’ve nothing left to give them, they already have all the proof I had to give them. I just want to hear they’ve sorted the mess that shouldn’t have happened in the first place.

After lunch I managed a read , a sleep and a bit of TV. Then I had the worst coughing fit yet which completely blacked me out, but I don’t know how long for. Probably a matter of seconds I suppose. For my tea I took my Oz Doc’s advice and indulged in a little BFG. I’d forgotten how good it tasted. Later in the evening ,well after my quizzes and a really upsetting Who Do You Think You Are with Stephen Fry I came back to the computer for what should have been a half hour but which turned out to be an hour and a half. At least I managed to get some work done and my conscience pricks less.

Tuesday.

At 2.00 am I gave up trying to sleep in the bedroom. I kept sliding down the bed and trying to roll onto my right side which is how I sleep usually. Pure Bert next door must be fed up of the constant coughing now, and mine’s no better. I went through to the lounge and slept there till 5.00 am. I had an early breakfast with my steroids and left the rest till later. I’m still not up to spending all my time on the computer keeping up with emails so am still limiting my time. But, from 5.30 am to 7.00 am didn’t seem to bad. Then I took the rest of the meds and nodded off in the chair for another hour. I’ve no intention of leaving the house today so got dressed leaving my socks off, I’m such a Bohemian. I saw one of my neighbours going out and a few minutes later saw the warden going to his door. I opened the front door to apologise for missing her yesterday while I slept. She came in today and we had a good old chinwag which also involved her persuading me to wear my alarm pendant while I’m still below par. Any repeat hiccups like yesterday and I may need help. Once she’d gone the postie came and he brought the leather jacket I’d ordered just yesterday morning. Talk about speed. Now I must try and see Karen and Jo before they go away next week.

I had corned beef hash at lunch time and watched my Bargain Hunt then back on the computer for a while but at 2.30 am I’d had enough and went through to the lounge. My timing was actually perfect. The phone rang and when it stopped I checked and it was the DWP (pensions) who next rang Yvonne and told her yes, there had been an error and they hadn’t allowed for my tax, hence a large deduction and an overpayment. It seems the fault was actually mine though for having provided them with too much information. i.e. I told them the percentage increase and I told them the gross amount. At that point I had already given them the nett amount showing my new rate but the gross figure just threw them. I shouldn’t supply that next year. I can just imagine myself doing that and being accused of not providing enough information. Still, hopefully that’s one problem that might have gone away by Thursday, before the non-existent debt recovery starts. I hoped my drugs might have arrived today but for some reason not. I shall have to walk to the chemist tomorrow to make sure they haven’t been held because they’re waiting for one item again. I am in need of one item. It looks as though we may ( ha, why do I say we when I mean Yvonne) have to phone for more anti-biotics and possibly steroids again in the morning as the chest is still not right though my breathing is much improved.

Wednesday.

I read quite late last night, took off the alarm pendant and tried to sleep. It was impossible to get into a position where I didn’t cough so it was back to my chair again. That worked out quite well as I slept until almost 6.00 am. The sun was up and it looked glorious outside. I took my meds and made a coffee to bring with me into the gloom of my bedroom where the curtains never get opened. I hate the glare of sunlight on my screen. The post wasn’t too bad especially when done in bite size chunks and by 8.00 am I’d actually completed on of the mailboxes. I celebrated with some smothered toast for breakfast.

At 9.00 m I took a slow walk to Pauline’s for some bread and my TV mag. I went in just a tee shirt ( yes, I was wearing jeans too) and there seemed to be some warmth from the sun. It was really pleasant. Aldo pleasant was the ability to breathe again. Though the walk left me breathless, it wasn’t the same as the oppressiveness of the bronchitis. The cough and it’s content are still there though so Yvonne had spoken to the surgery and asked for another home visit to see if more steroids & antibiotics are needed. We’ll have to see who I get this time.

The postman came when I got back but still nothing from the DWP who have supposedly put a letter in the post for me. A text from Dil putting tonight off was disappointing but then he rescheduled for tomorrow and that was great. I watched TV during the morning and occasionally nodded off. During Bargain Hunt the doctor chose to appear so I missed the auctions at the end, Bummer. She was nicer today and almost pleasant after the lecture about you know what. Anyway, she left me a prescription for more steroids on a declining dose after 5 days and some more antibiotics. I also have to give a sputum sample but it didn’t occur to me to ask what she wanted me to do with it after I’d given it. Anyway, once she’d gone I got my shoes on and trudged up as far as the chemist then stood gasping for breath while he filled the prescription. At the same time, my drugs from the Monday morning request had been dealt with and I was able to bring those home too. I had some beef stew and dumplings for lunch which was quite pleasant then even though I wanted a nap I decided to come through and heck the post so I can get back to normal, if you can use that word and me in the same sentence.

I stayed answering mail for almost 2 hours and it left me weary. ( my excuse and I’m sticking to it). Back to my chair in the lounge and I flaked out for over an hour and missed the start of my quiz. After Quizzes 1 & 2 I moved on to a show called Wheeler Dealers for half an hour and then came back for another attempt at the mail. By 8.00 pm I’d succeeded in clearing one account out but didn’t have time for the other just then. I needed a cold drink and the chance to watch some more TV , in particular at 9.00 pm is the show Auction Hunters I mentioned last week. It’s excellent. And it was, excellent I mean, lots of enthusiasm from the two buyers but lots of humour too. And no nastiness towards the others trying to buy the ‘rooms’ which many of the other shows seem to feature. I have a particular dislike for Lori and Brandon off a different show and I’m ashamed to be British when I see the competitors on the UK version. Nasty, Nasty, Brashty. At 10.00 pm I came back through to check my mail boxes and unbelievably they were clear so I took the opportunity to get an early reading night.

Thursday.

I did a fair bit of reading in bed last night. It was getting on for 3.00 am when I turned the light off and since I seemed to be well propped decided to sleep where I was. It was lovely to wake this morning to quite bright sunshine, even if I was seeing it at a slightly odd angle- sideways on and through a ferocious coughing fit. Obviously the two were related since I’d toppled over at a right angle and my lungs weren’t able to get any air. I struggled upright and swung my legs out of bed. The coughing subsided on the way to the loo which was just as well as I wasn’t wearing the alarm pendant. I came back and cleared my office chair to let me sit down and log on. It was then I noticed it was only 5.20 am. I felt cheated. Anyway, at least there was chance to sign into my bank and see what’s happened with my pension payments following the DWP conversation with Yvonne a couple of days ago. Firstly let me clear up that my maths wasn’t very accurate. They’ve been taking £25 pw from me not £30 pw. And they’ve done it for 4 weeks so far so they should owe me £100 plus this week’s money at the rate before their mistake. But,though they have in fact paid me arrears, it’s very confusing because the figures make no sense. I shall have to try and decipher the letter when it comes.

At 6.00 am I went through and started lobbing pills down my throat in order to have breakfast. I couldn’t be sure of eating at the other end of the day with Dil coming for games night so breakfast and lunch seem the most appropriate meals today. Coming back after my Cornflakes I started an assault on the mail. Things were going so well I was able to get dressed at 8.30 am ( in actual fact I did have the ability to get dressed before this but chose not too) and at 9.00 am I was ready to brave the Mother’s Mafia to get my lottery tickets. It was really odd that as I approached the road I needed to cross a large estate car turned partly out of the traffic coming down the hill as though to turn into my road but then started trying to u-turn back into the flow it had just left. Then the brakes went on where she was, across the junction. When I came out of Pauline’s minutes later ( I got to the front of the queue) the car was now on my side of the road, facing the traffic going downhill but backing into a position on the other side of the road as though trying to park up. She then shot forward and edged into the downhill flow where she’d started from and all without a single signal.

The postie came not long after I arrived home and yes, it was a big brown envelope. Here I was hoping for an explanation of what’s happened with the pension and all I got was a letter regarding the start of recovery on the £142.00 I don’t owe them. The letter says they’ll start next week but hopefully by then the whole thing will have been ironed out. Still no sign of the letter supposedly sent to me on Monday. I had a little time back with my mail and then retired to the lounge for a look at a property programme and one re-uniting missing family members both were followed by my Bargain Hunt. The property one I really enjoy and slept through most of it. The family one I was awake for but missed chunks while I did my lunch of sausage, boiled new potatoes and beans and then I was able to watch Bargain Hunt in full- Yes, you heard me, even to the auction phase though I don’t remember the results so my attention may have been elsewhere. I turned off after that and came back through to see how much damage the morning had wrought on my post. Answer, A lot. I could only allow an hour as I’d promised myself Who Do You Think You Are with the great Annie Lennox as the subject. Fascinating.

I had a text about 2.30 pm to say Mike was on his way so hopefully he’ll be here by 5.30 pm. I also had a text from Dil to see if other visitors were here today. He’s now coming about 4.30 pm which is brilliant. My brother is one of the nicest people I know.Very laid back and even tempered which is not to say he can’t get angry when the occasion warrants it. We have been apart for many years living in different places. Never kept in touch except for the odd Christmas card but I’ve never disliked my brother or not been glad to see him. Our closeness over the last four years or so since they moved back into the area has been great, especially with the institution of this games evening after Ju died that he seems to enjoy as much as I do. Anyhoo, Dil and Matt arrived about 4.20 am, I’d forgotten he was off this week. Mike strolled in at just gone 5.00 pm so I got his drink and we all sat to watch the quiz. At 6.00 pm when the quiz was over off went the TV and out came the table. I can tell you we played Yahtzee, Chase the Lady and Crazy 8’s. I can tell you also that if I have to mention the scores I may well have to jump off a high bridge. Even my constant coughing didn’t distract them, merciless as they are. Are you beginning to get the gist of this conversation and an idea about the type of people I play games with?

At 9.30 pm Dil and Matt left a lot smugger than they arrived. I tidied up quickly and then made Mike something to eat though actually I just told him how much time to put on the microwave. I had a sandwich and then we settled to watch Person of Interest. It’s a shame I’ve missed so many of them and can’t follow the story anymore. At 11.00 pm I said goodnight and came through to have a last go at the mail. It’s 3 mins to midnight now and I’m heading off for a read.

Friday.

A slightly surreal start to the day.I went through to the lounge and my chair when I finished reading at 1.00 am. I slept until 3.40 am then came through to the bedroom. Immediately there was a coughing fit which was followed by a huge sneeze and my glasses shot off my nose. I have shocking eyesight without the glasses and having a rough idea of direction I got down on my knees to search. I was praying for no accidents as my spares are a dark lens and inside the house not ideal. Even sunny days look grim. The area to search wasn’t very big since it’s a small room and I sit in the middle of it, but, no sign of the glasses. I moved a pair of shoes to see if they’d gone behind but instead found they’d landed, properly folded ( and intact) inside the left shoe. I turned the computer on and headed for the bank. No more from the DWP but at least my normal pension has gone in and I can eat again. Once I’d done that I signed into the first of my mail boxes and started clearing what I could.

At 6.10 am I went through to the kitchen. Had my normal sprays and my usual tablets then added the antibiotic to the mix. I took a pre-foodie,put two pieces of bread in the toaster and put the steroids and post foodies to one side. Being Friday it’s renewal day for my drug container. Yesterday when pushing an antibiotic out of the foil I’d split a nail well below the part where skin joins nail and had to apply a plaster immediately. This morning I found I couldn’t use my right thumb for the job without bending the nail in a way I really didn’t want. I had to resort to useless left hand and the job ended up taking until 6.55 am,way outside the 15 mins between pre-foodie and eating. I think I inhaled the toast it was gone so quickly. I made my coffee to take the other tablets with and left the kitchen.

It was still too early to wake Mike no matter how much the temptation rattled round my cruel head, and I didn’t want to start watching TV so it was back to work. At least no-one can moan when I’m alone. By 8.30 am I’d actually got more or less up to date and I knew my life was returning to normal as within a very short space of time I was notified of a $25.5 m payment due to me, told I’d need to clarify certain information with The Bank of Ireland  despite not dealing with them and also reminded that I didn’t have long left to pick up my £25 voucher from a clothing store even though I could patently see they hadn’t sent it. I think the silly season is starting again. I got dressed. There had been rain outside ( huh, how unusual- sarcasm) but it was still warm enough for a tee-shirt. At 8.45 am I put the kettle on and made Mike a coffee which I took through. He doesn’t use an alarm on a Friday so I knew he’d not catch me being early unless he got up immediately. Ha, I should stop this, I don’t specialise in fairy stories. I woke him , told him the drink was there then left him for a few minutes. At 9.00 am I called to him that his drink was going cold and that I was going to Pauline’s for milk.

No mother’s mafia today but there were a couple of customers in. Pauline greeted me and served me with milk, a small bottle of pop and two ice lollies since I was so thirsty and warm. Mike was up and in the lounge when I got back. Judging by his state of dress he was warm too. I remember he told me his lady friends said he has the body of a god. I can see that for myself now, it’s Buddah. Not that I’m any better, just longer so the fat is a little better stretched. I’m the Michelin man with a few extra spare tyres. I sat down with him for a while but this morning he got himself ready to go early as he was dropping a sputum sample off at the surgery for me. I suppose I should put it in a jar? He left at 9.45 am and I’m afraid I turned the TV on to watch a property auction programme and promptly fell asleep. I woke for the last 15 minutes then nodded straight off again missing all the next programme and woke up just at the start of the reuniting family programme. I managed most of that before dropping off yet again and missing most of the antiques show. When I finally woke there seemed no reason to watch the end of it so I turned off and went to make lunch which today just happened to be cottage pie.

After lunch I went back to the computer for a while but I was still tired and now had indigestion which stayed with me the rest of the day. I had my lollies to try and ease the situation but no joy and a drink of pop just made me hiccup and burp. At 3.30 pm I gave up and went back to my chair and the sleep it seemed I needed. Any Zzzz’s floating round must have been mistaken for the insect population so there were no complaints from outside. At 5.00 pm I readied myself for the quiz and got a message from Mike that he was on his way back. Should be here about 6.30 pm then. Idle beggar took an extra ten minutes. I did his coffee and when my episode of Big Bang Theory was over went to get a shower. Mike did my hair for me to save me stretching and then bollocked me for flooding the bathroom floor- don’t ask ! We watched some TV together until 10.00 pm when I decided to come through and attack the mail again for the last time.  I wanted my bed but the mail kept me till 11.00 pm. The bully said I could have an extra half hour for this and left. Just as well he can’t hear me from his room but I’m tapping very lightly just in case.

Statue of ballerina

 

Statue. Your Country Needs You !

Saturday.

Again I read till one. I turned the light out but couldn’t get to sleep. About 2.00 am I went through to the lounge and about 2.30 I heard Mike go to the loo. After that I nodded off until 3.40 am when I though I might just give bed one more try. I propped myself up and zonked. The next thing I know is Mike’s alarm is going off. He’s ignoring it two rooms away and it’s waking me up here. I must have stung someone nice as a wasp in my previous life is all I can say. I galloped to the kitchen and put the kettle on and the stuff in his cup. Then I started taking my tabs. I had a pre-foodie so I could take my prednisilone afterwards. The kettle boiled and I took his drink through more or less as his alarm went off the second time.Back to the kitchen where I finished taking sprays and had a round of toast to take the last of my tablets with. I made myself a cup of coffee and went through to give Mike his second call for me and remind him the coffee was going cold. I got a perfectly viable answer from him which let me think job done but no, his bloody alarm went for the third time and he still went back to sleep. I was trying to get my rubbish bags together and the recycling stuff. I dropped it at the end of the path and when I came back in his fourth alarm coincided with me asking if he was going for a new record this week. He moved, it was 7.00 pm. Mike 4 A 3 C  a new low I think.

By the time we were both dressed and ready to go it was 7.40 am but we were there by just past 8.00 am thanks to Mike having permission to travel at the speed of light and the luck to get there in one piece. I got money from the machine and we started.  Typically my shopping list was still sitting on the table at home, but I had last weeks I could play around with. I got every single item on there spot on.Mainly because the only foodstuff was milk, but hey you can’t have everything. Mike had needed some slacks as he’d forgotten to pack a spare pair and he was lucky to find some. We needed some nice chocolates for Ceri’s 40th tomorrow and we found those too. We’d have to leave them for her today as she’s on a weekend off and I don’t usually get there on a Sunday anyway. I should tell you also I got a round of applause on the bread aisle for not being in a wheelchair this week. I didn’t tell them it was because I don’t trust someone’s driving. Keep backing up and locking the wheels etc. Or ditching me mid -aisle while he runs to the loo. I’m not naming names though. After the checkout it was time for a drink and I had a nice- but very thick- chocolate milkshake while Mike had his usual coffee.

Off to Flint next where we parked up and walked over to Homies for a card and gift bag. Mike sat on a bench and wrote them out before we went to Temptations for our usual. I say our usual but I don’t usually have a piece of lemon meringue but I did today. We went to the frozen food shop where I stocked up on ice lollies because of the fantastic temperatures they’ve promised sometime during next week. Most of which will probably be gone this afternoon during the moderate heat of today. When we’d unpaacked at home I opened my mail. The promised brown envelope. Would you believe the letter says my money has been adjusted from 23 May but will go down again on 03.Jul to start recovering the non-existent debt until October. I didn’t know whether to laugh hysterically or weep with frustration. How can they balls up something so simple a second time?

Mike wanted a specific thingamabob to fix his whajacallit so we decided to head towards the Greyhound Park in Chester and we were wondering where to eat today. Passing through Flint we spotted a little cafe and tried there. Not too bad. We carried on to Chester  and I showed him one shop to price them up. Then we could go to another hop to price theirs and pick the best. It was the second shop for him and while there I bought a fan as he complains he gets too warm to sleep at night. Funny. I always thought it was too warm to wake he got. We went into a large  new shop there where I also found a pedestal fan at a good price which I picked up so I have a reserve should I need one. We sat in the car with an ice cream and then headed home.  I needed to get a look at my mail if nothing else. He allowed me from 4.00 pm to 6.00 pm on the computer which seemed a real treat until I tried sitting down for that long to do  it. I managed to do it. We watched Avatar which he hadn’t seen before then a topical subject programme/quiz. Eventually I managed to sneak away again to look at the mail and to do the blog. I think he must have fallen asleep again.

Struttin’ his stuff.

And modelling this season’s latest…

Have a wonderful new week full of Hugs.

 

 

Boggled & Pinocchio is found.

Sunday 17th May 2015.
I was woken by such a cacophony of sound I thought my friend Lottie had sent the village choir of peacock, donkey and assorted wildfowl over so she got her well earned rest, but no, the sound emanated from a bedroom close by where Michael must have been conducting composition for old wheezy bellows and badly tuned violin. We both must give serious consideration to giving up smoking. It’s no good, I can’t keep a straight face this long. That’s a pipe dream since I don’t have the willpower to go cold turkey and none of the other remedies seem to have had the least effect including hypnotherapy which I feel just wasted my money.
So here I was at 3.23 am with an early start at my mail. I must admit that since I didn’t turn my light off until 12.30 am I don’t feel too bad but maybe it’ll catch up on me later.
I cleared the first mail box by 5.45 am and went for a break in the lounge, pleased with myself ( smug little ****) I restarted at 6.30 am and had a break at 7.00 am to take my meds and make a coffee. Still by 8.20 am I was clear again. All was peaceful since the background ‘music’ had ceased so while the boxes started filling up again I headed for ebay to do a few searches just for fun. One thing I do need are some new Stubbi pouches so I have somewhere to deposit the end of my cigarettes when I’m outside. The ones I’m currently using have been going continuously for over 5 years and their lifespan is supposed to be much less. The price on ebay varies so much it’s ridiculous from about 60p each to a whopping £2.25. Maybe I should buy 10 and pass a few out to the idiots who litter the streets with ‘dogends’ and risk the fines if they’re caught. Currently running at £60 I think. I bought some. I was just in the process of paying for them when I heard a cough at my bedroom door. By jingo, 8.29 am and he’s up. No alarms , no callings and he’s up. The shock nearly finished me but I rallied. He disappeared to make his own coffee while I finished off then I joined him.

The silence in the lounge was deafening though he didn’t fall asleep again. I put Frasier on the TV until he came round.At 9.30 am he was close so I went and got dressed. He wasn’t far behind me and came through to find me working again. He asked what I wanted to do. I had nothing in mind but offered options like going to Chester so he could get some jumpers like mine he liked, or perhaps heading in the other direction to The Bells of St Mary’s and having breakfast rather than lunch. I let him strain his brain while I put my shoes on. At about 10.00 am we were on our way, but I had no idea where until we’d made our way up to town and turned left. I knew then we were on out way towards Chester.It was then I wished we’d brought out the jacket for Yvonne and maybe we’d have caught hem before they left to go out, or Lee’s birthday present and perhaps seen the baby for a minute again. We parked down by the river in Chester because it’s the only place I knew where I could park for a while using my blue badge (disabled parking permission).From there it was a long, hard, breath dragging slog into the shopping area of town. We still managed to be in the shop we needed before 11.00 am but they were allowing people in to view before the official opening time.

It took a lot longer than expected for Mike to choose his jumpers so the shop was open a long time before he came to pay. We stopped for  quick coffee then left the shop for a cigarette. It was only as we were walking back down the street when I realised it was midday. We walked through the precinct in search of the public loo, for once it wasn’t my bladder had given way on more than a thimbleful of fluid. We headed back downhill (yay) to the car to deposit the shopping and find somewhere for lunch. As it happens there was a place at the far end of the embankment we’ve been to in the past. The Blue Room, which has a fifties theme and pictures and toys everywhere from that era. We started walking. As we approached the end there was no sign until Mike called out they’d given the outside a lick of paint. That’s not all they’d done. It had been remodelled throughout and was now a very upmarket establishment. Would they even let two old farts in? They would and did. As it happened as far as meals went, only the prices appeared to have changed. Anyway I had a nice pot of tea and an enjoyable meal and Mike had his coffee and a big breakfast. We left there and headed home. We got back about 2.30 pm and we sat in the lounge together for a while and then I left Mike to the TV while I came in to work. I knew his football was on his table at 4.00 pm and it would only bore me. I was actually up to date before I expected though and went back through at just gone 5.00 pm. I was tired and started to nod in my chair so Mike actually turned the sound down a bit and was a bit less enthusiastic with his bellowing. I came too as the match was ending on a one all draw which didn’t please him. I was able to block out the blow by blow commentary of who was an idiot luckily.

Somehow we got into a discussion of routes home for him and that led to other things on the map including the whereabouts of a giant car boot sale that Ju and I along with MuJo could never finish. Mike left at 6.30 pm along one of his routes and that left me the chance to work- only I didn’t want to as there was a film on at 7.00 pm I wanted to try so I made myself some tea so I could wash the pots before it started. Thanks to my weak bladder I almost missed the beginning. It turned out to be a kids movie really but I was too idle to move or find something else. I persevered. It was passable and I suppose left me with a smile on my face until the last two minutes or so when suddenly there were so many religious references . So, I was less pleased when I came back to work at 9.00 am but the smile was soon back after reading some of the messages there. They kept me late.

Monday.

I managed to get to bed a little earlier last night but was I sensible and go to sleep sooner? Did I heck, I read a bit extra instead and the light still went out at 10.00 am. I got an undisturbed sleep with no early morning lo calls. When I woke up at 5.09 am though that wasn’t the case. I had to march quite smartly in that direction. I’m quite sure it wasn’t the reason I woke just then though as I wasn’t unpeeling sleep from my eyes. I may not have been ready for the Times crossword but I was quite awake. I went straight onto he main mail box and worked there until 7.00 am when I went to take the morning meds and make a drink. I also put the washing machine on knowing the wash cycle would end before 9.00 am so I could have them dry by midday. I took my drink back to the bedroom and got dressed before going back to work. I think that was more to combat the cold that anything. It’s dull, dreary and wet this morning. I’m glad I don’t need to go out. I forgot to mention I didn’t win the jacket I was after on ebay yesterday,I’m not surprised that it went from £15.01 to £32.00 in the last 10 seconds. I’m trying for a different one today that doesn’t finish until 7.00 pm but I must remember to be back in here in time for that. I’m determined to get my nephew one but I can’t afford £120 to go new. Anyway, when I logged in ebay this morning I had a notice that they’ve issued some money to paypal for the first of the two jackets I ordered from China which never came. I suspect there will be a second notice tomorrow morning for the second one. They’ve really been quick over this one since it was only today that the chance for the seller came to comment and of course he hasn’t done so. Once I’d dealt with that I went back to my mail and worked steadily all morning from one email account to the other.

The warden came about 10.15 am and was here almost an hour today. We were talking about pets. She has a toy poodle and was telling me how she acquired him and how the family adore him. She remembered Oscar but wasn’t warden here when we had the rats and the degus. She didn’t seem to keen on the idea of rats so I brought her through to show her my screensaver which is of Ju with Bernie on her shoulder as she was walking round the room talking on the phone. Bernie loved being with Ju of course and would happily run up and down sleeves and in and out of clothing all day. The most gentle and beautiful of creatures. After the warden (Bev) had gone, I congratulated myself on having a woman in my bedroom for the first time in years.( remind me to brag about it) sat down and did a few more of the accumulated messages then went to do my lunch. I had beef steak and boiled new potatoes, veg and a chinese chip shop style curry sauce that I made instead of gravy in the last minute. I emptied the washer and hung my stuff on the airer while the food was cooking. Once I’d eaten and washed up I watched the end of my antiques show then promptly fell asleep watching a programme about Cleopatra the murderess ( of her sister). I was asleep until 2.10 pm and then with no sign of a conscience at all walked slowly back to work.

I was busy but not pushed for the rest of the afternoon until I broke off at 5.00 pm. I intended to have a light tea while watching my quizzes and see if I can manage a break later to watch a film perhaps. A sandwich for teas and a small trifle went well.I saw the first two quizzes and then darted in and out to see the ebay bid. I didn’t feel too bad about losing the other one because the price shot so high in the last ten seconds but tonight didn’t look like it was going to do that.In the last minute it doubled in price but that was OK it was still good value. I poised with an increase of £6.01 over the last bidder within the last minute and at ten seconds pressed. Damn, whoever it was had bid higher and all I’d managed to do was make them pay more. No doubt the seller was pleased but I wasn’t. I think I’m down to two chances his week now. If I don’t get one of those I’ll have to either give up or revert back to China in the hopes of finding a more honest firm than he one that let me down.

Once the auction was over I went back through to the lounge and instead of waiting for a film later I watched The Antiques Road Trip until 8.00 pm then settled back to work. As you can imagine I was to pay for being away since 5.00 pm. At 10.30 pm I threw my hands up in defeat which is nothing like throwing de’feet up in de hands which can be very painful unless they’re someone else’s. I started doing the blog instead and hoped I might have time to nip back to the post for a few minutes after. I was intending to write very quickly but was defeated by the fact I’m a slow reader, especially of my own mistakes.                                                                                                                               Since a certain someone was pleased with the Spandau Ballet record on the last blog I thought I’d go for the same era tonight. This could be a mistake as this groups fans and Spandau Ballet’s fans often did not get on. I’m not sure how the groups felt. But let’s try.

You’ll understand why there are no new pictures of Reuben at the moment when I say it hasn’t stopped raining yet for him to go out.

Tuesday.

I’m not sure it was worth going to bed last night. The light went off at 12.30 am and went back on at 2.44 am even though I could see fairly well from the clock light and was wide awake. I just thought as there was no-one else to disturb, why not. Since I felt no desperate need for the loo I decided to log onto the computer instead and start on the mail. That poor internet postman could hardly have taken his shoes and socks off before I was there asking him to start his deliveries again. Actually there was just enough in my primary email address to keep me going until 5.00 am when I decided to go take my meds and have breakfast prior to going out. I got to the kitchen, took my pre-food tablet, put two slices of bread in the toaster then spun on my heel and headed for the loo where my bladder showed me who was boss. Not that I was in any doubt about that. The answer is practically anything and anybody except me.

I had my meds and smoked a cigarette while I timed the wait until I could eat. As I buttered the toast I set the Tassimo to start making my coffee, a Kenco medium roast this morning. Once the toast was eaten I was able to take my two post food tablets and head back to work. I cleared the few that had come in from my primary box then opened the secondary box and started there. By 6.35 am that was done and I entertained myself on ebay for a few minutes before getting dressed. I was sorry to note that it won’t be until tomorrow that ebay asks me to close the case of the second missing coat and refer it to them. If it’s like yesterday they’ll refund my payment before the hour is out. I’ve noticed a different firm in China ( I know it’s a different firm I just hope it’s different owners)  that does quite smart leather jackets also at a fraction of the price they are here. I’m tempted again. I know that the Customs Service are quite likely to open the parcel and impose an import duty if one came but it could still be much less than buying one from here new. That’s not always the case. Ju was once sent a gift from the U.S which was about $100 to buy and was declared. They opened it here and I had to pay an import tax of £40 ($60) on it. If I’d bought the thing myself, with our tax it just wouldn’t have been worth it.

Once dressed I was ready and raring to go, it would have been nice if the rain had stopped though. At 7.30 am I went out for the bus and started walking up the road towards the stop. The rain stopped. What a difference it made for the few minutes it took me to reach shelter. Once I was there down it came again. The bus pulled up and I got on. The driver commented on what a pig of a day it was and I sort of half agreed.  I actually nodded off on the journey despite my chin keep bouncing out of the armpiece of my crutch every time we hit a bump. I knew there were people around me so I was hoping the sleep was too light for snoring. When we pulled into my stop at Chester the rain had stopped again and I was able to start smoking a cigarette until Yvonne arrived a few minutes later. Roobs did not look a happy chappie and I wondered if it was because of the rain but Yvonne said he hadn’t slept much and was a bit sneezy. We were about 50 paces down the road before he suddenly pointed and said Pops with a big smile on his face. Poor Yvonne had forgotten her handbag and wanted to run home for it. That could have been a half hour round journey and I wasn’t having that. I thought it would give me the opportunity to pay for the drinks and breakfast.

We had a few minutes in a £ shop while waiting for our usual haunt with the cafe to open. When we got in there I gave her the money to order what she wanted and my reward card to pick up double points for ordering between 9 am – 10 am. I’ve got enough for quite a few coffees at the moment. Roobs decorated the windowsill and floor with his jam on toast and preferred to drink the foam from our coffees than the frothy little chocolate drink that was his own. Yvonne opened the bag I’d brought with her leather jacket and a couple of tops for Reuben. She liked it so I was very relieved.  After breakfast we wandered down to the gents section when I got two more jumpers, one at half price because it was on the wrong stand YAY, and two shirts which were a real bargain. From there we went to get some cakes Yvonne needed as well as some giftwrap and cards. It’s quite a big supermarket so we had a little wander too. Then over to a sports shop that’s closing down, All Stock Must Go, but not at those prices. Yvonne liked some sandals fro Reuben but wouldn’t let me get them. We were going to wander to the precinct but I suggested a cafe in a local church hall so Reuben could play on the floor with toys they have there and I could take a look at the fair trade shop.He had a great time and was really well behaved and careful round the other children there. Yvonne sorted the bags so our shopping was separate. I had a cup of tea. We left when I had 15 minutes to catch my bus.

Back on the bus I waved at them both and hoped it didn’t rain again on their way home. The bus set off and I settled my chin back into the crutch and closed my eyes. Once we crossed the border I relaxed and at the end of the journey I walked down to Pauline’s before going home. Maybe I won’t need to go out tomorrow now. I made lunch the first priority and settled down to eat in front of another Mummy programme but since this was just a possible gunfighter from the ‘Old West’ I wasn’t really interested, especially when it turned out he wasn’t a gunfighter but just someone who’d been embalmed and then stuck in a sideshow with a fanciful story to make someone a lot of money. Once I’d eaten I washed the pots and went through to work. By then of course I had to hold my fist in my mouth to stop from screaming at the result of six and a half hours away. I worked from 2.00 pm to 5.15 pm then had my quizzes and an Antique Road Trip before coming back and working from 8.00 pm to 10.30 pm at which time I stopped to do the blog. Anything left over I’ll do in the morning.

Wednesday.

An improvement today at 3.22 am and I actually put the light off at midnight too. You feel so much better for a proper sleep, or so I’m told! I shouldn’t complain really as I was awake at that time and felt fine.I set the computer to come on while I went to the loo with a  hop, step and jump. I can’t hear the rain today, and the forecast on my phone is sunshine. Wake me again when it comes through will you. I worked on mail until 5.00 am when I went and had some cereal and toast for breakfast and a second helping with all my meds. I brought a coffee back to my room. By 7.15 am I’d dealt with both mailboxes and was up to date. Time to play on ebay. Yep, there’s the message I was expecting asking me if the seller has responded to me. Well that’s a big fat NO then. I filled out the online form which was very small and submitted it. I carried on then to look at the jackets I was following, one due this morning and the price is as yet OK, one due tomorrow where the price is already too high so time to do a new search for that size. I managed to find a few more to follow.

I took a break to do some washing and a little light dusting. Then I washed the kitchen and bathroom floors. I like the new rug for the loo I got at the weekend. It’s a great match. It was now 10.10 am so I went back through to get dressed and clear the post boxes again. I’d just got dressed when there was a knock at the door. Darren my postie had two parcels for me and I was so pleased as I hadn’t expected them before Friday at least. They’re both excellent. and I’ve left Mike’s jacket in his room. With that extra time wasted I had to get a move on with the e-post,,just as well Darren hadn’t brought me any mail as well. At 11.45 I called a halt though no-one heard me ( so did I really say it?) and decided to prepare for lunch. I started that by finding something to watch and that choice ended up being ….Bargain Hunt, so there’s a surprise. A bigger surprise is that I couldn’t eat all my lunch today, except the veg. I never believed I could over face myself. Pity no-one was here to witness it. I washed the pots and settled to watch the rest of the programme but it was a losing battle Zzzzzzzz. I was like that until 2.05 pm and very slow to realise not only where I was but that the post wasn’t doing itself.

I lumbered back through bringing a bottle of Fanta Zero as I’d finished my Pepsi Max earlier. A quick drink then I started.It was bad, very bad in fact almost as bad as bad gets, both boxes were bulging.I worked until 4.45 pm and they weren’t bulging anything like they had been but neither was empty because as soon as I reached the point of one being empty and started another, some bright spark wrote something for the first one again. When I finished I estimated about twenty in one and perhaps half that in the second. Heaven knew what they’d be like when I got back here about 9.30 pm.  Dil and Matt turned up about 5.10 pm, I was already in the kitchen when I heard them and already had their mugs ready so I started the drinks straight away. They must have thought me efficient for once. Not being out of breath trying to rush to the kitchen before they reached the door. They were in time for the start of the quiz so we sat down to watch it together.  Dil and I are OK on music unless it’s very modern when we’ll bow to Matt, Dil deals with football and I stand a good chance with art and literature. General knowledge we all have a go at. Once it was over and we all understood we knew absolutely nothing about anything Dil got the card table out and pulled out the Yahtzee to play first.  Let it be known throughout The Shires that the Age of Miracles is not yet past. I won 4 of the 6 games to give me first blood. It was Matt’s call as to what we played next and out came the Boggle. I knew this one was going to be a struggle, not because I don’t know any words but because I lack the speed to follow the convoluted paths some of the letters take to make a word. That was game to Dil. Game 3 was cards and because it’s Matt’s favourite he chose Crazy 8’s and then had the cheek to win it in short order. That left time to play a fourth game though I’m sure Matt hadn’t expected that. We settled on Nomination Whist but only played from 8 down and back up again.  It was nip and tuck with us all taking turns at the lead until we passed the halfway mark. It was then I started to make a break for the front and despite the evil intent of my brother and nephew I managed to get enough of a lead that no matter how many times they messed up my call, I would win. So for once it went my way.

They left at 9.30 as usual so I was able to tidy up and wash the pots before coming through for the night.  I had to work on the post until 11.00 pm so I could see the wood for the trees then I daren’t leave the blog any longer. The rest of the post will have to wait until morning.

Thursday.

I read for the shortest time last night and my light was out by 12.15 am. I think I was asleep as my head hit the pillow, or concussed anyway. I slept until 4.17 am and think that was pretty good. As I left the bedroom to myrinate ( I don’t see why it should be Ur inate )I turned the computer on and stuck it near a radiator to warm up. When I came back all I had to do was sign in. I opened the first mail box and was quite pleased to see I might just finish the messages today, at least last night’s stuff. Actually it might be a slight exaggeration since it took me to 6.55 am to get up to date including today’s. I went to the kitchen and took my meds and made a coffee which I brought back with me. I opened the second mail box and went on the attack. Joy of joys there were a lot of duplicates and so at 8.00 am I was able to sit back and open ebay. I kept myself to doing nothing but look this morning doing searches through all my favourite products to check things out.  The pleasure of that time didn’t last long.

The postie arrived with what looked like a letter from the Pensions Service no doubt re-assessing my benefit based on the 1.2% increase in my private pension this year. That works out at less than £2 per week so shouldn’t make a big difference. I couldn’t have been further from the truth. The letter was from the Pensions Service but was not a reassessment of benefit as such, it was a bill for an overpayment of benefit from 03.04.15 to 05.05.15 for over £142.00. How a figure that doesn’t reach £142 can create a bill for that amount is beyond me. The bill takes in a period I wasn’t aware of an increase and in fact had not received it since it’s only payable on 28th of as month and I got it before I was told I was getting it. Needless to say I notified the Pensions Service straight away in a recorded delivery letter. What I believe has happened is that someone has put the gross amount of pension in but not the nett amount after taxation. They were also notified of the taxation level as soon as I had confirmation of it. This letter confirm the overpayment and what deductions will be made from my money to recover it. I went into the bank to check what they’d paid me this week and it was £30 down. So that amount down plus the amount they intend to start recovering at means until this is sorted I will receive about a third of what it should be. One very long letter later and another trip to the Post Office and I had sent in an appeal for a re-determination also by recorded delivery. Lets hope they can manage to correct this in record time and not claim the letter has never been received.

Between one thing and another I was busy all morning and only stopped for lunch at 11.55 am. As I went through to take my pre-foodie I turned TV on ready for Bargain Hunt. I was ready in time for the start and before the auction started I’d washed my plate up. I saw the auction and one team making a nice profit on everything just before someone turned the lights out. It was nearly 2.10 pm before they were turned on again. I turned the TV off and let my conscience walk me through here to start work again. It was just as well since the sides of both the mail sacks were bulging. It took me some time to get them down again, almost 4.30 pm. In the meantime I had a text from Mike to say he was on his way and I reckoned he’d get here about 6.30 pm. I wandered off to watch my first quiz then the second and followed that up with the start of a Big Bang Theory when at 6.30 pm in he walked so I made a coffee while he put his case in his bedroom and tried out his new jacket. Since Mike was here I couldn’t possibly just walk away and leave him yet so I stayed and forced myself to watch two episodes of the Antiques Road Trip with him. Then I was able to disappear because my new Big Bang Theory was on at 8.30 pm so I’d only be away half an hour. As it happens he thought I looked a bit down and came through to speak to me for 20 mins which left me just 10 minutes to work!

Once the Big Bang Theory was over I came back fully intending to stay and catch up.Which apart from a minor diversion to take my meds I did. At 10.30 pm I quit the mail ( not much left anyway) in order to do the blog. I should apologise for the lack of photographs this week but the weather hasn’t been appropriate. Maybe if things pick up a bit this weekend………

Friday.

That was an awful night. Asleep around 12.30 am and up again at 1.15 am. Eventually I had to go to my chair in the lounge. Thanks to the light that comes on to scare off burglars  I was able to see the time was 2.03 am and I’m sure that was perhaps about when I nodded off again. Time to get up at 3.50 am and starting to get light outside. I’m only used to drawing the curtains in Winter to make it cosy so I can’t sleep with the light. I came through and logged on then went back in that direction to the loo. I was so long with the stop-start that the computer had gone back to sleep when I returned. That’s just not on, the computer is not going to get more sleep than me. I opened my first mail box and immediately regretted it. There was a lot from last night to deal with before I could get near today’s. I tripped over my own feet trying to get away and since that was a failure, stayed.I was finished and up to date with the first box by 6.55 am at which time I went through to take my meds. After having done that and because the box was now empty I got the meds drawer out and started to refill it for the week.After I’d finished I put the drugs away and made myself a coffee.

As I came back from having my morning fix I found more post had come so I cleared that before opening the second  mail  box and getting stuck in. At 9.00 am I still hadn’t finished there but I had to break off to make Mike a coffee which I took through and gently woke him with a bellow in minor key. I left him to it and returned to my room to get dressed ready to go out. 15 minutes later there was no movement to I went back and called to him in major key. He moved and apologised. I could return to getting my shoes and coat on and popping to Pauline’s for my lottery tickets. Tonight might be the night. When I got back Mike had been in the lounge as I could see his mug but he was in the loo. I got my coat and shoes off and waited for him in the lounge. Unthinking, I put Undercover Boss on while I waited and when Mike came back he started watching too. My Postie delivered while that was on and really confused me. I got the letter with the new calculation of benefit which clearly showed heir mistake but also another letter which told me since they’d asked for proof of my income in early May but not received anything they were asking again. So if they haven’t received the proofs they requested, what information have they used to recalculate the benefit? It’s idiotic, and that’s what Mike and I agreed on. That meant it was 10.25 am before he went to get dressed and then left to go to Manchester. Once he’d gone I emptied the kitchen bin, washed up the mugs and then turned back to my mail.

More post had arrived in both boxes of course so I worked steadily until 11.50 to clear it. Then time for lunch which I enjoyed while watching a Bargain Hunt filmed in the snow in Yorkshire. Naturally I saw it right up to the point where I decided my eye lids needed examining from the inside and I  missed the final auction. I’m not sure it was worth the bother since I only slept examined a little over 10 minutes. I returned to work to find lunchtime had been kind to me and there was enough to keep me going without actually pushing me. I worked through until 4.45 am then went to have a spot of tea before my quiz starts. It’s doubtful Mike will be back before about 7.00 pm so I sneaked a rhubarb crumble and custard for my tea.After the first two programmes (both quizzes) I went and had a shower so I’d be back to watch the Antiques Road Show as it was in North Wales this time and I know most of the shops they were due to visit. Mike arrived back at 7.58 pm just after it had finished. I would normally have come back through at that time but there was a programme advertised I really wanted to see. I started Mike’s coffee off and left it up to him to finish it. As it happened he was happy to watch the programme with me. It was about one woman’s belief that Mary Magdalene was the wife of J.C. and her search for proof . She started in France where Mary was supposed to have escaped to after his death on the cross. Much like the story that Dan Browne told about Mary having brought the sang raal or  Blood Royal with her rather than the San graal or Holy Grail. There is a place in France that has celebrated Mary arriving there centuries ago at the end of her journey for a long time and claims to have the skull of Mary behind a mask on a figure they transport through the streets every year. There were certainly signs of belief in the story there. It became more interesting to me when the seeker travelled to an area where the Cathars once lived and found that the Cathar faith is actually still alive though still virtually in hiding. Strangely they celebrate their services from a bible which includes one ( or more ) of the gnostic gospels which also carries the belief that Mary and J.C. were married. There were remnants of a 1st C carpet that you could say depicted a Holy woman and possibly a Holy child travelling by boat which would also support the story and also the mosaic floor of the oldest church ever found which oddly enough is inside a Israeli maximum security prison. It was a beautiful floor and complete which bore an inscription which unfortunately I can’t remember  but was translated by a Professor out there and also helped to bear out the theory.

Like many others I’ve maintained for years that some of the gnostic gospels weren’t used because they were written by women and the early church wanted to downplay any importance that women had in the movement. It seems very unlikely that Mary Magdalene was unimportant after being with the other disciples for so long and indeed one of the gospels mentions how Mary was the best loved of them ( by Jesus). Yet her part was ignored and it was only ( I think) in the late 60’s that the Catholic Church apologised for having labelled her a prostitute or sinner. I often wonder how different both The Catholic Church and the world in general would have been had women been high in the councils of the church or even Popes ( and I don’t mean Pope Joan). Maybe we wouldn’t have had the Crusades and been on good terms with Moslems.

Anyway, at 9.00 pm I finally returned to work and had to bite my knuckle to stop from screaming when I saw the post you delightful people had sent. That means the rest of the night in here. But at 10.30 pm I stopped and made a start on the blog instead and I’ll just have to hope I’m up in time to catch up in the morning unlike last week.

Saturday.

I didn’t really read last night and my light was out at just gone midnight. I know it took a while to get my leg into  a comfortable position before sleep so I resembled a gyroscope in bed. Had it been anything but a single quilt I’d have been shouting for Mike to come and free me. I daresay he would have done eventually, after his laughter had subsided a bit and he’d taken a picture on his phone or tablet.I woke at 2.26 am and wasn’t best pleased about it but in fairness I did say I’d want to wake up early to catch up with the mail so I suppose I can’t complain. It seems Somnos takes early very literally. I was almost up to date on both mail boxes at 4.00 am when I heard mumbles from Mike and it seemed, some movement. I had to go check he was OK. The bathroom door was wide open but it was pitch black in there. I could see past the door into his bedroom and the bed was empty. He wasn’t in the lounge or the kitchen which just left the bathroom. I had to strain to see anything but there he was sitting on the loo. Having heard the mumbles I thought he was awake so asked “Are you OK?” He almost jumped from the seat in shock and told me he was asleep then. Oops, but perhaps not the best place to sleep in the dark, especially if I’d needed to go as we’d both have got a shock. I went back to my room and the post and moments later the loo flushed and Mike came into my room to make sure I was OK too. He asked if it was still the middle of the night and I confirmed that as it wasn’t yet lunchtime, for him it was. He went back to bed.

By 4.25 am I was clear and decided to go to the lounge and see if I could maybe steal another hours sleep. It took a while but I did drop off again. When I woke up it was quite light and I glanced at the clock and panicked. 6.30 am. I dashed (ha ha) to the kitchen and turned the kettle on. Mike’s alarm would be due to go off and I’d no chance of getting him up without his coffee. I started on my sprays and wondered if there was time for breakfast today before going out. I glanced at my watch 5.35 am. I could have kicked myself, should have kicked myself. I’ve been telling the time long enough now to get it right. I turned the kettle off though continued to take my meds. Back to work I went as there’s be time to get up to date again. I did manage it though I saved one of the messages until the end. At 6.15 am I put two pieces of bread in the toaster and came back to read the message properly which said records of BMD for County Monaghan in Ireland were now available.  I know some other Counties have also been added recently and wondered whether it was time to go do another search for the missing parents of my ancestor who fought in the Peninsular War and was wounded at Badajoz. The one who became a Chelsea Pensioner. Looking at the details of the records showed that mainly they went from 1812 onwards rather than before which I needed. Since it costs £18 a month to view the records I decided to wait a bit longer to get as many records as possible on the Irish database before spending the money. Money I might not have if the Pensions Service don’t correct their piggin’ error over my private pension. Such a big difference between a rise of less than £2 per week and the £35 per week they’re calculating on.

At 6.30 Mike’s alarm went off so I made his coffee and took it through before eating my toast. Naturally the response was as minimal as usual. Once I’d eaten my breakfast I needed to get dressed to take the bins out so I shouted to Mike as I passed his room to remind him the coffee was going cold. As I was entering my room I heard him move. It was a 1 A 2 C day and I didn’t feel bad at not letting his second alarm go off. After the bins were sorted and outside I washed my hands and went in to sit with Mike while we decided a plan of action for the day. Before anything though he has to be dressed, a point I reminded him of. He went. We were out of the house at 7.28 am and he made sure I knew it by pointing to his wristwatch and the clock on the car dashboard. Always been Mr Subtle our Mike has. When we reached the Supermarket I raided the cash point while Mike got the trolley. Battle hardened we started our quest and actually did quite well this morning and I kept within the budget I’d mentally set. I say mentally because I’m mental to have set it so low. Mice eat better . We still went for coffee though. Coming out we had the pleasure of seeing someone either very, very drunk or high on drugs screaming down the phone at someone by the car. He moved off as we approached. I don’t blame him, one scratch on Mike’s car and he’s have gone medieval all over the fella. They’d have been scraping up body parts for weeks.

From one Supermarket to another so that Mike didn’t miss a teasted toecake on the way to our destination. We had a look round first so Mike could find a couple of birthday cards and I could pick up a small pad and pen. While he had his teacake I enjoyed another coffee, now my third of the morning. Then it was back to the car to head off to Broughton Park Shopping Centre. It’s grown since I was last there and now has a multiplex cinema and 5 new eateries. We visited 2 more Supermarkets and were  lucky in finding some more jumpers for Mike that he needed.  Then a very swift look round a shop that sells beautiful items, from gifts to houseware and they’re very unusual. We didn’t have long there as it was approaching 12.30 pm when we were due to meet the girls. We were leaving the shop when there was a call to Mike to say Yvonne would be a bit late, luckily we still made it and found Karen and Jo waiting for us by the pub we were eating in. A friend of theirs was with them too as she was going out with them for the evening after they left us. We went in and found a table big enough for us all and waited for Yvonne and Reuben to arrive. It was only about 15 minutes.

Once the chaos of hellos was done we ordered drinks and set too looking at the menus. I found my choice easy, 3 Cumberland sausages with mashed potatoes and peas. A little word in  the ear of the young lady who came to take the orders ensured the bill would come to me. I took my pre-foodie and waited. Almost dead on the quarter hour the meal arrived. Good service. We had a fine time and enjoyed our meals though Reuben is still of the opinion that food is a decorating option and he doesn’t mind if the plates follow too though that didn’t happen today.Karen accused me of being Pinocchio when I said I preferred savoury things to puddings. I’m hurt.  Once the time came to say goodbye we all went our separate ways. Karen, Jo  and Amy to the Wirral to see a comedy show which was Karen’s birthday gift from Jo. Yvonne and Reuben headed home as she needed a shop in Chester. Mike and I set off to try and deliver Lee’s birthday prezzie to him. I texted to see if they were in but got no answer before we arrived. I’d intended to drop the gift off and leave but was easily persuaded to go in and even have a drink. I got to hold the baby again, still Nathan at the moment, while Mike enjoyed saying hello to Wilson the dog. We were there quite a while and to watch Lee with his son was wonderful.

Finally we got home. It was 3.30 pm and I had to wait an agonising time unpacking bags and putting stuff away before I could come through to work. Both boxes were horrendous. I could only work until 6.30 pm though as I’d promised to spend less time here and more time there. When I went through the beggar was dead to the world. I turned over from the Grand Prix to a film. When he woke up he didn’t even know it had been on but he thought he’s dreamed about it. I stayed until 9.00 pm then had to come back.Things were bad again. I hammered away until 10.30 pm then had to break to do the blog. Maybe I’ll get back rhewre afterwards, if not there’s always tomorrow while Mike has a lie in.

Have a Wonderful Week all.

Alternate Title & I want to be a Great, Great Uncle.

It’s taken me until late this evening to realise that last week’s blog went out under the title of Sunday. It’s not the first time it’s happened that I’ve forgotten to change the title in line with whatever occurs during the week. But I’ve been looking at posts all day which said ‘so and so’ likes your blog Sunday. You’d think I would have got the hint from that wouldn’t you.

I got to bed about midnight last night and read part of a Pratchett novel. I’m determined to re-read them all again though I’ve lost count of the number of times already. I woke around 3.00 am and paid a trip to the loo but decided I wasn’t ready to give up sleep just yet so snuggled down again until 5.09 am which suited me much better. There may have been a clap of thunder at the earlier mark but I’d like to believe it was Somnos stamping his foot. There was absolutely no way Mike would ever get up at this time so I could dance naked amongst the daffodils and he wouldn’t know the difference but I’m afraid of someone walking past and wishing I’d iron my coat so I’ll stick with going on the blog. I engaged my brain in a few ebay searches first to see if there was anything exciting coming up this morning but nothing inspired me. Time to turn to the emails.Well, there were a lot and that was just last night’s. I think Santa had dropped his sack on me because he couldn’t be bothered trailing round more houses. Still, I was undaunted as I guess I’m officially back from holiday today. lol. From last night’s messages I had two telling me I needed to download an ASDA voucher I’d won and yet when you see the address they’ve come from, you can see they’re not from ASDA and if you open them they’re blank apart from an attachment. NOT TO BE OPENED FOLKS. Someone told me they leave the errors , spelling, bad addresses etc in on purpose so that educated people will see them and ignore them. Anyone who doesn’t notice the errors is much more likely to fall for their scams. Not very nice.

I went through to the kitchen at 7.05 am to take my meds and make a coffee. There was a light drizzle outside but the birds were still giving it some welly. Their singing was awesome. Unlike some people they were happy to get up in a morning. Last night before going to bed I’d gone to the loo and found someone fast asleep so I’d turned his TV off and crept quietly away. Let’s face it the Brighouse and Rastrick Brass Band playing the Floral Dance could have marched through with me without disturbing him. I sometimes call him Lazarus as it’s like raising the dead. Once I’d got my coffee I returned to the computer and began dealing with today’s mail. There was a lot of that too but I expect that on a Sunday as some people comment on the blog. As always there was a lot of kindness there in the main saying don’t give up on the blog , hey, don’t blame me, they said it, and some also suggested I should get back to writing. It’s not that I don’t want to it’s that I don’t seem able to which is why I was hoping to perhaps find a collaborator somewhere local. If they can’t write with me maybe they could just wear winklepickers (I think you need to be born before 1970 to understand that) to prompt me. I do enjoy the Sunday morning conversations and I usually have opportunity to visit lots of blogs.

9.00 am came and went without any movement. He hadn’t been feeling too well for past of yesterday so a lie-in was excusable, it was starting to look like Mike was going to abuse the term. By 10.00 am I’d actually caught up on mail from both email addresses, bought a new suit and attended a wedding, he snored happily on. At 11.00 am I took a coffee through and woke him. When I mentioned the time it was a case of “Oh heck I’ll move” so I left him to it. He did move, straight into a different position. At 11.20 am it was “Don’t forget your coffee Mike, it’s going cold”. I actually saw him roll out of bed then. At least he beat midday. I’d turned the TV on while I was waiting so when he got up we were both caught up in that. At noon we were still watching as a really good serial came on. Mike made himself another coffee and we just watched it. When it ended at 1.00 am he hadn’t moved to get dressed. It was getting on for bedtime again. Eventually we were about ready to go out for lunch, then it was the where? I told him to surprise me. We ended up at the Dragon’s Rest where he’d fancied yesterday. He had a lamb dinner while I had a lighter ham, egg and chips then after a little discussion we had pudding as well. He had bread and butter pudding while I had rhubarb crumble and custard.

From the Dragon’s Rest we turned right through the village of Caerwys that we’d come through in the other direction yesterday, down onto the Mold/Denbigh Road at the bottom and a very short distance to Afonwen Antique Centre ( www.afonwen.co.uk ) where we stayed until 4.00 pm before heading home again along a new road we took by accident. It was a lovely run and brought us a different way into Holywell. Mike put the TV on and I joined him as soon as I’d got rid of my coat and sticks. It was a film. I watched a bit with him then nodded off. The next thing I knew he was waking me up to say goodbye. It was almost 6.00 pm. As soon as I’d waved him off  I headed for the computer to assess the damage. There was a lot. It took me until almost 11.00 pm to clear up and before I could start this As soon as I finish  which will be just a couple of minutes shy of midnight, I’ll be going to bed.

Monday.

4.33 am today. I was OK but knew I’d feel it later ( my excuse for a power nap). As soon as I returned from the loo I logged on and headed straight for the messages. during the course of trying to clear last night’s stuff I’d come across a couple of annoying ones I wanted to mention, a quick glance through this morning’s stuff shows they’re here again. The first purports to be from my ISP Talktalk.net telling me they’re going to implement some changes and want to be sure my current information is carried over correctly. Please complete and return the attached form. Please don’t open the form it carries a virus. Why some malicious armpit would want to infect the computers of so many people I have no idea.I suppose the answer is as usual ‘ Because I can’. The other most annoying one usually starts ‘ You have an hour before someone claims your voucher’ or just maybe ‘Congratulations you’ve won a voucher’. This one does not seem to be infected but still asks you to open an attachment. You might be directed to a site where you might enter to win a voucher but this is another advert for a gaming site. Since it tells you you’ve won and changes to you may win it’s clearly false advertising and should be shut down. But do yourself a favour and just send the whole thing to your waste bin.

I worked on that portion of my emails that weren’t cons and was making some headway when I decided to have breakfast. Of course my OCD brain decided on cold toast again ( I’m thinking of eviction), so at 7.0 am I put some bread in the toaster, took my sprays and my tablets then went to sit in the lounge with a cigarette. When the time was up I cut and buttered my toast and made a coffee. I sat in the lounge and ate it listening to the constant chatter of the birds and no, I’m not as mean as they say but there’s no shortage of berries for them whereas if I share my bread I have to go out. Once I’d done I sat there for a while just putting my life into perspective which in reality means daydreaming and avoiding the emails. I returned to work about 8.00 am not knowing what significance that time held today. By 9.45 am I’d finished the first batch of emails but rather than refresh I went over to ebay where a jacket was about to come to an end. I hoped to get it for Mike if I was lucky. I was lucky, by pouncing in the last 10 seconds it didn’t give anyone chance to outbid me and I got it for less than £15 including postage. I was watching a few things today so ebay would have to stay open.

I opened my second email address to find some more personal correspondence which gave me a laugh and lifted my mood. 8 One line messages from the same person in response to one line from me in response to one line from her and so it goes on. I think she has me on the ropes far more often than I do her but occasionally I have a winner and I love the reactions. I had to return to my normal emails and refresh the page eventually, As expected quite a few but I don’t mind because my relationship with the senders is good. Coming up for lunchtime I broke away but before making anything I decided to text my nephew for any news. It appears his wife went into labour at 8.00 pm last night and gave birth this morning at 8.00 am. A little boy at 7lb 8oz as yet unnamed. My fingers are crossed that there will be a Welsh name in there somewhere. I couldn’t be more pleased for them. They’ll be awesome parents.                                                                                                                                                                                               I had a cottage pie for lunch but couldn’t quite finish it because of an awful taste in one corner of it. Straight in the bin it went and I finished off with a yoghurt. It was time for a power nap but what became a full charge I think. I was there for an hour and a half. Lucky for me when I returned to the computer I was in time for the next auction. I employed exactly the same tactic on something that was currently at £3.50 with postage of £4.90. I knew my top bid would be £11.10 to make the package £15.00. I decided someone else may want the same thing as me, quite a few someones probably and thought they may go up to £10.00 but in the last ten seconds as I bid £11.10 it became clear someone else employed the same tactic with the same price. They lost because I got there first but it was a close call.

I worked only until 4.30 pm as the bank holiday meant some programmes were on at different times. I had a short gap back at work between 6.00 pm and 7.30 pm then I went to watch some more TV with the last programme being the first of the most recent Sherlock Holmes stories. That took me up to 10.00 pm when I needed to come back and catch up again. It was a close call. It’s almost midnight but I have time to add the music for today. I hope you enjoy it.

Tuesday.

I’m none too sure what time I first came round this morning but it was to the sound of whispered conversation. The thought that sprang to mind was ‘Burglars, where’s my stick’ but I heard “Ah look, he’s with us now” and opened my eyes. Arrayed on the footboard of my bed, which is clever since it’s a divan and doesn’t have one, were Somnos and his two brothers. I wanted to suggest they looked like the three wise monkeys but remembered I was quite happy with my head currently fitting all my hats and not relishing the thought that even a bottle cap could prove too large if I parted my jaws in anything but a smile. I’ve found Somnos to be a little short on humour unless he’s the one telling the joke.There was a lot of godly finger wagging in my direction and recriminations about me not keeping to my side of the bargain as his promotions man. Mind you Porcinus and My Brother Jake came in for a little telling off too as they’re supposed to be in post to remind me. It seems Porcinus has taken to the pastoral life with his pigs and goats and spends a lot of time in meditation whereas Jake is out partying till all hours with the younger small gods. No doubt that’s where he is when I’m wishing for a lottery win, collapsed under a table in a nightclub somewhere. His voice suddenly started booming and he faded away saying “Remember I’m counting on you…..” All of a sudden there was no-one on my bed but me and I was waking up again. It was 3.55 am. I had quite a tight feeling round my forehead, like a headache.

After my visit to the loo I signed on and logged into my mail. There was a fair bit of it but I thought I’d cope. Between then and 5.30 am when I went to get breakfast I caught 3 annoying emails Two don’t forget to download your voucher’s and one Hello My Dear Beloved In Christ. It was bin, bin, bin straight away. Breakfast was lovely even though I had to scrub the butter out of my moustache afterwards. I came back to the bedroom and got dressed. I’d washed my brown jeans yesterday and even ironed them last night ready for today so I could wear my comfortable brown shoes, the only problem with which is they’re lace ups. I put them on and spent about 20 minutes trying to reach them to fasten them. When 7.30 came round I was not only up to date on the post I was ready to go. I was approaching the bus stop when what looked like my bus sailed past. I was ready to text Yvonne and say I’d be late as I’d have to go by another route when the proper bus arrived. That was a trainee driver going out before him. As always I closed my eyes and concentrated on the various bus stops between me and Chester until I was ready to open them and get off……almost at the wrong stop. I think the potholes in the road had fooled me as to where I was. either that or I’d actually nodded off and had no idea where I was. At the correct stop I finally got off. Yvonne and Reuben were waiting and such delight in Reuben’s eyes as he saw me and pointed.

Hello hugs and kisses out of the way we wandered down the street.Yvonne asked if we could start the other end of town today and I agreed. First though a coffee. We visited the Costa we used to go to when I got off the bus in the bus station figuring they would have forgotten us and Reuben’s saucer smashing antics of a year ago. It seemed OK and they had breakfast there without Reuben trying to repeat the trick. From there we walked up to the Market and the gallery where we’d been visited by the butterfly last year, I think this could be our first visit since then. So many of the shops have changed it’s almost unrecognisable. We went round the big B & M store that Yvonne had even forgotten was there. Though she did suggest it we didn’t go to visit the pet shop with the budgies. Instead we walked back into town to see if the new TKMAXX was open yet only to find it’s mid-June before it’s due. No matter we got to look at the children’s clothes in H & M, remarkably I bought nothing and Yvonne says she’s getting worried. I’d told her all about my nephew’s new baby and she was delighted, her brother who never was, she’s very fond of Lee. All the wandering had taken some time and I needed to go for my bus. We were a little way away when Yvonne noticed it was already in so we had to speed up. I caught it and my seat was vacant so I was able to sit and wave through the window until we pulled away.

As always I closed my eyes. We pulled in at the main bus station and people got on and got off. I was startled when someone ran over my toe and then neatly parked on it. I had to open my eyes to find it was a woman with a young child in a buggy. I extricated my foot and shut my eyes again looking forward to a peaceful journey.                              “Mummy , want f’weeties, Mummy, want f’weeties” I heard. It was a whiny voice getting louder as it headed toward tearful. The mother explained she didn’t have any but they could get some when they got off. Explanation or not the voice went on and on repeating it “Mummy. want f’weeties” for an hour and a half of my one hour journey. When they got off in Holywell, 3 stops before me, running over my foot again in the process, I could still hear the voice. I couldn’t help but hope that whatever f’weetie the mother bought was a large one. When I got off the bus I went straight to Pauline’s to pick up some cigarettes, bread and my TV magazine. I also found she had some curry and chips in the freezer so I bought one for my lunch. At 1.15 pm I was home, took a pre-food tablet and bunged the meal in the microwave. As soon as I’d eaten I went to see how the post was doing. D’you ever know you’ve made a mistake? Looking at the mail was mine. My nephew had sent me some pictures of his new son though.

Prosser Jnr. No name chosen yet.

I worked on and on until 6.00 pm then left for a break. But only until 7.00 pm because I notice a film due on at 9.00 pm I intended to see. The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel. I don’t usually watch late films in fact I rarely watch films at all. But. his was recommended. So, I worked up to 8.00 pm and saw a programme on bog bodies which actually came to some good conclusions and then sat and watched my film. I won’t say I wasn’t conscious of work as I watched it but have to admit it was worth the hassle. An excellent film. Back here afterward I had to do the blog which has meant not being free until 12.35 am and have had to leave the post until the morning. I have some photos I’m going to share over two days.

At the whipping post.

Going to the zoo joy.

Wednesday.

It was almost 1.00 am before I got to bed last night so I restricted myself to a half hour read. Somnos must have been happy at yesterday’s mention ( here’s hoping he never reads things too closely and that his brother’s can’t read at all), because he didn’t wake me until 4.53 am. Though it’s only a little over 3 hours it’s better than some of his timings, especially when he’s not happy. I had a visit free-dream free sleep. I had a nightmare awakening though. I swung my legs over the side of the bed and suddenly my bladder went into action. It was screaming for attention and for a moment I thought I might have to grab a slipper to use. I did however get to my feet and get the slippers on and with a curious hop skip movement managed to get to the bathroom. Then I had to stand there for twenty minutes waiting for something to come. Talk about awkward.

Coming back from the smallest room I powered up the computer and logged on. First glance was at the Eurolottery where I could see that ‘Jake’ hadn’t been listening yet again. Next was ebay but I have nothing today though I may do a couple of fun searches later. When it could no longer be avoided I signed into my mail. I wanted to sign right out again but my hand wouldn’t move. I’m charging it with insubordination later. I could see there were 4 items with a virus removed. I just hate it that there are such talented people out there who’d rather perform a nasty deed than put their talents to good use. Anyhoo,I’d got up so late that I couldn’t break off for breakfast too soon so I waited until 7.00 am. After I’d taken the foodie and dealt with all other meds I lit a cigarette and sat in front of the TV with Will and Grace until it was time to eat.Once I’d eaten I returned to work straight away. It took me until 9.20 am to catch up on the mail and I thought I’d better get dressed. At 10.00 am I thought I’d better check in with Somnos to see if he was OK so I sat in my chair and nodded off. It took an hour to find out the answer,

Up to lunchtime I was back with the mail again, still on my main address. I was able to stop at 11.45 am. I made goulash for lunch and ate during a Time Team programme then stayed put for another history show that was very good. That kept me away from the computer until 2.00 pm. That gap came at a price however as I saw when I refreshed my page and opened my second mail account. That strangled sound you heard was me with my nuts in a nutcracker. I was hard at it until gone 4.00 pm and I hadn’t even revisited ebay yet. I decided to do so then. I did all the searches that I used to enjoy but nothing caught my eye today, I stayed away from coins as that could turn out to be quite expensive. Mind you , so can everything else if you get carried away. John came through on skype to say he and Mu would be here tomorrow. At 4.35 pm I  gave up and went through to the kitchen so that if Dil turned up at 4.40 pm as he had last week I wouldn’t be caught on the hop. As it happened I needn’t have rushed as he and Matt walked in at 5.05 pm. I wished Matt a Penblwydd Hapus for yesterday, pointed out his card  with money in and his cigarettes then went to do the drinks before Dil complained at the delay. We sat and watched the quiz till 6.00 pm with Matt reading the questions out to Dil who has to squint at my measly 32″ screen.

At 6.00 pm we set up the table and started. First came my humiliation at Yahtzee when Matt and I won just one each and Dil won four. We followed that up with Chase the Lady. It was a very hard fought battle but in the end Matt and I ensured Dil lost while I pipped him to the value of five points, just one card. Finally we set up for Nomination Whist and I started well but by the end it was anyone’s game. My name just happened to be anyone so I won, ahead of Dil by just one point. I herded them out before they started breaking things. I tidied up and washed the pots then took my meds before coming back through here to gloat while I did the mail and the blog. I seem to have done something to my mail accounts so that they’re no duplicating everything so it’s taking longer to do.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

R.I.P Errol Brown. Lead singer of Hot Chocolate. 1943 to 6th May 2015.  A nice man.

Thursday.

It was a 3.58 am start this morning and I’m pretty sure it was a 3.57 am end to last night. It felt like it anyway though I was most definitely awake. An email yesterday had warned that the next time I signed into the bank I’d be asked to create a password to go along with the generated number code I already have. I hate all this messing about but thought I’d better bite the bullet and take a look. As soon as I came back from playing will I, won’t I at the loo I logged on. Creating a new password wasn’t too difficult it’s the remembering them that causes all the problems. Anyway I came out of there and started on the mail. Whether it’s my imagination or not but the con trick emails are getting more frequent. It feels like every other one. Some are groan inducing like that Christ The Story Reading Ape who tricks me into believing he has a joke to tell.

I had breakfast at 5.45 am because I knew MuJo would be here during the day and wasn’t sure at that point when Dil would be picking me up to meet his new grandson. I hoped they’d decide on a name soon or I’d not be able to think of him as anything but PJ. I ate breakfast watching some of the Homes under the Hammer series. I enjoy seeing how people can turn a property round whether it’s to live in, rent out or sell. They all made excellent jobs  of what they did today, especially the two who were going to use the places for themselves. One person bought a piece of land for £50,000 and then sold it for £75,000 a few weeks later without doing anything except get some plans drawn up. At 7.00 am I went back through and carried on working. At 9.00 am I stopped, got dressed and went out to get my lottery tickets ready for tomorrow . As I came back the post van was getting close. I was back inside with my coat off when the knock came. The postman (Darren) passed over one and said “Jacket”, a second with “Trousers” and a third with ” and two handkerchiefs”. Funnily enough he was right on the first one, it was a jacket. The second was a robe for the Templars and the third was 2 packets of sweets from my wonderful niece Karen as she’d found dark chocolate Rolo’s. I think I need to hide them.

I spent so much time unpacking them and leaving feedback that time was getting on and MuJo arrived. I went through to see to drinks. We were talking about what we’d been up to and they were asking about the ‘little man’, I always have to ask if they mean Reuben or Mike. But when they couple it with mention of Tuesday I know it can only be Reuben. We left at 11.15 am as Muriel needed the Post Office which I knew meant we were going to the chippy again. Heaven help my arteries. We arrived in town at 11.3 am and John headed straight for the food rather than do the Post Office and visit his charity shops. I had liver and onions today as Thursday is the only day they seem to have that on the menu. That’s cos they wash them on a Friday no doubt. After eating we had a wander round the shops John likes and I could feel a slight discomfort at the waistline. Once we’d exhausted the Holywell shops we took to the open road for Flint. A minor hiccup while we found a good place to park and we were our usual carefree selves. I was allowed one shop to get chocolates before we went for a coffee. Temptations was heaving but that was probably because it was only 1.30 pm and the local workforce were on a break. We did manage to find seats though and I almost enjoyed a drink but the pressures against my belt were growing. I finished the drink as quickly as I could and said I’d be outside having a cigarette in the sunshine. It was quite difficult leaving the place with the phut, phut of a little lawnmower following me so closely. I managed to get outside to the open air without either catching anyone’s attention or killing them.

We had a few more shops to go before Muriel did the ice lolly run and I could eat mine before getting in the car. By now the belt was cutting me in half but I didn’t want trousers round the ankles so I bore it with dignity and a very red face. We were pulling out of the car park ready to hit the main road when I saw a feral cat sitting on the verge looking disinterested inn the world in such a way you knew the world was getting it’s full attention. As we came to a halt beside it I saw it flex the claws on one paw and look over. I told everyone not to look at it because I knew if we did hat claw would be held against the side of the car as we drove off. There would be a set of marks running front to back and the cat would just congratulate itself on a manicure. Getting out of the car at home presented it’s own problems and instead of handing my key to John as usual so he could visit the loo I set off at the gallop. I opened the door, threw everything into the bedroom, ( the 16 piece teaset is now a 64 piece) , and dove into the bathroom. It was some time before I was able to come out. When I vacated I had been considerate with the spray and the news was calling it a low lying fog bank.

At 4.30 pm MuJo started heading for the car. I carried the bag of little gifts I’d gathered during the week for them and waved them off. As soon as they were out of sight it was back to the loo. And after I’d started work, a third visit. I had to hope there wasn’t a major problem or I’d be unable to meet my great nephew tonight. I worked until 6.15 pm as Dil was picking me up at 6.30 pm. He was nicely on time and I’d had no further problems by then. When I got out to the car his wife was in the back, leaving me the front seat. I asked about her broken wrist and was told it was on the mend. Lee lives in a delightful little village called Penymynydd but the route is really convoluted to the house. It was lovely to get there and meet the newest member of the family. He’s lovely. Poor Jen looked a little tired and poor Wilson the golden labrador didn’t enjoy not getting his usual fuss. We stayed well over two hours and all got to hold PJ, I even enjoyed it without being scared of dropping him. Eventually though we had to leave and Dil and Lynn dropped me off at home where my bro- wife Mike was waiting for me with “And where the hell have you been eyes”. The answer was “What the hall are you doing here, you weren’t due until very late.” We went through the process of describing our week to each other before I had to drag myself away to work on this. It’s almost midnight and I need my bed regardless of how much work will be there in the morning.

Friday.

Well, I only dared read until 1.00 am but I managed to finish my book and start another one. One of the drawbacks of reading a Terry Pratchett book is him not having chapters. That natural break where you stop reading. Of course the fact he’s so damned hard to put down doesn’t help. I don’t suppose it was long before I dropped off once that light was out as I was nicely relaxed. I got up at 4.46 am I could see it was getting lighter outside and the birds seemed OK at being woken so the world was fairly tranquil. I headed for the loo for the Charge of the Water Brigade and you can keep jokes about lengths of hoses to yourself thank you. I came back and worked till 6.00 am on the mail then headed for the kitchen to start my breakfast going while I took my meds and then filled the post with the next week’s supply.  It was past 7.00 am before I’d finished and was able to come back to work. Well, I say work but what I really mean is ebay. I wanted to see what was due today and it turns out it’s a jacket I want for my nephew but I couldn’t bid too early as it wasn’t due until nearer 5 pm. Nothing else was important before then.

I started concentrating on work and trying to get into a good position with it. By 8.30 am I was pretty well caught up and in need of a numb bum break. I went through to the lounge and plonked myself down in the chair. I contemplated putting the TV on to see the news with the election results but was afraid either my cheers or my tears would wake Mike. I just sat contemplating my navel for a while which naturally started to drift towards 40 winks. My eyes must only just have shut when this almighty racket broke out. Mike had put his alarm on for 9.00 am on full volume. The town didn’t stand a chance and started running for old air raid shelters and outside loos. I ran to turn the kettle on and make him a drink. However loud the volume though it didn’t get him up though he did turn it off at least. As soon as the kettle boiled I took the coffee through. Now bear in mind that I have the shakes and carrying a coffee is difficult, for some wazzock to suddenly say “Thank you” when you think he’s asleep is quite a shock. He nearly wore the coffee. I went back to work to calm down.

I heard Mike get up and go through to the lounge. I finished off the last couple of messages before joining him. Once there I was able to turn the TV on to get the election results. I even got them in stereo. Whatever we saw on screen Mike repeated like I hadn’t seen it and then when told one party was on 112 seats said one more and it’ll be 113. As soon as it happened I got “I  told you so”. I’d have killed for a gag. We’re on opposite sides of the political divide. Somehow the Conservative Party won a majority so that despite all the pundits saying there would have to be a coalition whoever got in, they were wrong. Mike voiced his opinions that the fools had got in while I voiced mine that I was glad they’d be able to form their own Government without having to barter favours with another political group. This time thy can be judged on their policies and promises kept. It was a major annoyance of mine that at the last election we’d been promised a referendum on Europe in the campaigns, but which was lost as the price of co-operation from the Liberal Democrats as the coalition partner. This time round, that had better be honoured or I’ll campaign myself for the anti-liars party. So Mike was disappointed Labour didn’t win but which pleased me as they’ve always been a financial liability to the country and kept taxation up. John will no doubt be unhappy that his UKIP party did so badly and I’m pleased with the results but waiting to see just how much they care about the people they represent this time.

All this electioneering meant Mike didn’t leave the house until about 11.10 am which makes it slightly difficult to get to his Dad’s for 11.0 am. I was really pleased to see he was wearing the new leather jacket I got and seems to like it. It does suit him. I got dressed and went to Pauline’s for some milk and I bought some microchips to have with some corned beef at lunchtime. And by the time I got back it was lunchtime. I turned Bargain Hunt on and watched that as I ate then went and washed my pots and went to watch the end of the programme. One team did quite well. So I managed to see the auctions stage before I fell asleep but fall asleep I did for an hour and a quarter. I didn’t get back tot he computer until 2.15 pm.. That meant a lot of catching up with post having come in to both addresses. It was 4.55 pm before I finished and that seemed an appropriate time to break for my quiz. I had a text from Mike at just gone 6.00 pm so I decided not to return to work. I had a shower at 7.00pm and then Mike arrived at half past with food because he hadn’t eaten with his Dad. He brought some back for me si I was filled a second time today. By 8.00 pm we’d seen Question of Sport and washed the dishes. I wanted to see the Big Bang I’d missed last night  so in between political arguments we watched that and another episode. At 9.00 pm I was going to return to work but was conveniently ill I thought, until a Question Time panel came on to dissect the elections and the disagreements started again. About the only thing we have in common is our dislike of the EU.

I came through and started on the rapidly mounting emails until 10.30 pm which is as late as I dared leave the blog.

That squiggle stole my nut.

See what happens if you try it again, you get my fist.

Here I am with PJ.

Saturday.

I got to bed a little earlier (11.45 pm), read a little less (12.30 am) and probably slept a little sounder too. There was a period of dreaming I remember where there was a chant racing round my head, ‘All hail Somnos small god of your sleep, Porcinus will help you to count all his sheep, Your wishes will be heard by My Brother Jake, If only you cause worshiper records to break.’  It got quite annoying after a while. I think I was very glad to wake up at 4.57 am. I visited Piddletown then came back and logged on. Just the one email address for now,I thought, well that and ebay in case there’s something due. Ebay is clear until almost 8.00 pm. I started on the mail, I knew it was going to take a while. At 6.00 am I thought I’d have some breakfast but when I got through to the kitchen I’d changed my mind again. I started with my sprays and taking my meds then got the mug ready for coffee. Before having coffee though I thought maybe it would be a good idea to see to the rubbish and the recycling. I started with the food recycling which I’m quite sure they don’t do, they just dispose in a different place top general household rubbish. Then it was the large kitchen rubbish bin. I emptied the ash trays into that then added Ju’s flowers which were looking a bit careworn today. Lastly I emptied the little rubbish bins from around the house into it. Naturally the stalks from some of the flowers created holes in the bag which were stabbing me as I walked it to the bin. I was trying not to let it leave a trail of rubbish behind me. Once the 2 bins were out I concentrated on the recycling bags, plastic, tins, glass and paper/cardboard. I got those out by the bins and came back in to wash my hands.

I made myself a coffee and was going to go through and work a little more but the time had slipped round to 6.30 am and I was shocked to hear Mike’s alarm go off. I didn’t think he’s do it 2 weeks on the trot. I’d turned the kettle on as I heard it start and it had boiled before it stopped ringing. Mike turned it off and turned over. I made a coffee for him and took it through. “Coffee’s up bro” I called, coughed and repeated it. There was a garbled response. I left him to it and came back to work. At 6.45 am the alarm went off a second time and I was a bit astounded that he actually got up. That’s 2 A and 1 C , excellent. I finished a few messages and went through to sit with him. I’m not entirely sure what happened next but one moment he was there in pyjamas drinking and the next he was dressed and telling me to get a move on. We were out of the house by 7.10 am and at the Supermarket for 7.30 am. I could hear constant mumbling about “Bloody middle of the night” but it’s best to ignore that and pretend you hear nothing. By the time we’d shopped and reached the tills we were running half an hour ahead of our usual time. We had our usual coffee then Mike decided he felt sick probably due to getting up in the middle of the night. When he returned from the bathroom we started to head for Flint but managed 2 detours. One to Lidl to get a brochure showing next week’s specials and one to a firm called Flintshire Refurbs to see if they had the kind of table Mike wanted. They didn’t, but they did have an ottoman like Muriel wanted so I had to text her.

From there we went to our usual shops and bought some chocolates for Temptations staff, then took them in and ordered drinks. There were only 3 of them in at that time so  we gave them an individual box of sweets each. Mike teased Ceri and demanded a kiss, which he got.On our way out he clicked his fingers at Sian and made the same demand He got the kiss but almost got more than he bargained for because of the clicked fingers. We headed for home to unpack and put away the shopping then paused for breath. we wasted time deciding where to go for lunch before we actually left, neither one of us prepared to make a decision. In the end it was rock, paper, scissors with winner decides. You’ve never seen two people try so hard to lose the game. Unfortunately I lost because I made my play with a pair of scissors and someone cheated by playing paper way behind my go. I decided on the Bells of St Mary’s so I could have roast beef under a mound of potatoes the size of Mt. Vesuvius. Both of us came out of there groaning. In my case it was of a reluctance to loosen my belt a notch in case when lifting my jumper the pressure burst the belt and shot someone.

Mike had a while before the football started so we took a cross country trip to Jackson’s for a wander round and once the stomach aches had gone, a coffee. Mike asked for two Americanos. One two shot and one a single. Such a simple thing but the waitress couldn’t tell us which was which. Mike put his superior nose to the job and decided which was which. He added his usual 6 sugars to his and I added two sweeteners to mine. It took one taste to see Mike’s nose needs retraining (with a whip and a chair I think). His coffee lined my throat, it clung to my vocal chords and refused to budge. Despite telling me he’d hate my coffee with sweeteners and not many of them at that, he seemed happy enough to drink it while I struggled to get breath past the treacle in my throat. Eventually he got up and thumped me on the back causing a chunk of this stuff to fly out, ping of the light fitting and black the eye of a waitress. We came home. It was 4.00 pm before we got in and we each retired to opposite corners to ,in my case work and in his chase a table and chairs on ebay.  When the football match came on at 5.30 pm Mike sat with his tablet in the lounge to watch it while I fought the tide of emails threatening to engulf me. I had to rush as the match would end by 7.30 pm and he wanted my company. I rushed but still 7.30 pm came.

I went through to the lounge and he was hiding behind the door and jumped me. I was tied to a chair in the kitchen and scalped. Then I was forced to the bathroom where my beard disappeared. I’m sure he’s deluded enough to think Summer is coming. Personally I think he just wanted to spoil my chances with the laydeez by making sure they saw more of my face. He’s an evil man. After that I stayed to watch an episode of Big Bang and then a film which ended at 11.00 pm. Imagine if you can the sheer panic of getting the blog out tonight after that. I wish you all a wonderful new week.

 

 

Piratical Birthdays , Duvet really cost that much? & The Robbery

Sunday.  5.08 am today.These lie-ins are becoming a bit of a habit again. There’s no mad rush this morning so I should easily have had time to bring the emails up to date. I was a good half way done when I went through to see to the fish who were in quite docile mood . I was suspicious but nothing I could see gave me cause for concern. I turned to my tablets and a drink just putting the makings in Mike’s mug as I knew there was no chance of a Christmas miracle in August.

I went back through and continues with my messages making sure I was very careful what I opened after nearly going blind the other day.Yvonne blushed when she read that account, Mike of course laughed and said even at my advanced age I should recall what one looks like and what part goes where when the occasion arises….. to coin a phrase. I was within two or three messages of finishing when Mike’s alarm went off at 9.00 am so I made him a coffee and took it through. I was devastated when my ‘Coffee’s Up Bro’ received a “Fine, thanks very much” instead of the usual startled -deer in the headlights- response..I went and finished the last few messages and got myself dressed then sat with Mike in the lounge.

At 9.45 am Mike was dressed too and ready to go out. He’d promised to take me to pick up some choc ices and maybe have a coffee. I’d just put my coat on when he decided I needed a shave and I had to take the top half off again. Because my hands were shaking he took delight in doing the shave and making not too veiled threats with the razor.It didn’t take too long and we were on our way again. He even let me get dressed again first. Getting the shopping took no time at all but it was a big disappointment to find Temptations wasn’t open until 10.30 am . As we had to get ready for the party we didn’t have time to wait. So, back home again and I made Mike a drink while I checked my messages and cleared as many as possible. At 10.45 am we were on our way.

In Chester we drove down to the quayside of the River Dee but there was no parking free so we had to drive up the hill again and I took him to a little out of the way parking place that only charges £4 per day. Then of course we had to walk down the hill again to go to a cafe for something to east so I could get my tablets out of the way.It was pleasant enough. That done  I took him through the lower reaches of the park until we found the party in full swing at the top.There were a lot of people there but Yvonne saw me and put me a chair out of the way by my nieces. It was nice to see so much of my family there, and Reuben was in full form with beaming smiles as people called for his attention. He did have some time for his Pops though and didn’t even assault me once.

The Mystery Welshman Presents…..

 

 

Pirate King

Left to right…
Stacey (Danny’s partner)                                          Danny ,eldest grandson
Reuben, Me, Ugo
Karen, Mike , Jo
Yvonne, Jen & Lee

The weather stayed fair for part of the afternoon but at 3.00 pm you could see the rain was due. Most people decided it was time to leave  and started to pack up. One or two hadn’t made it at all and missed seeing the children rush off with their little goodie bags and blow up swords. The cakes were packed and I moved the chairs under the canvas out of the rain then Mike and I said our goodbyes and left for home. We had a quick stop on the way to buy a blow up bed.                                  Once indoors I made a drink and left Mike playing with something, (I’ve warned him he’ll go blind) on his phone while I attacked the emails again. I stayed there till 6.00 pm then went and joined Mike in the lounge. I managed to force a bit of BFG down for my tea but poor old Mike wasn’t sure his stomach would take it (I hope mine isn’t like that at HIS AGE). At 9.00 pm a car programme came on which bores me to tears so I was able to escape for another try. I’m doing well.

Monday. 5.01 am And all’s well. I saw the emails and nearly went back to bed. I would have done too if I hadn’t realised the mail would still be there but a darn sight bigger when I got up a second time. I bet Gypsy Rose bloody Greta or whatever her name currently is couldn’t forsee that. By 7.00 am I was barely halfway  but the fish were rehearsing The Indian Love Call from Rose Marie, I cold hear the delicate strains of When I’m Calling You  drifting out each time a bubble broke on the surface of the water. When I’m called, I go. It didn’t take me long to feed the smug little beggars and I thought while I’m feeding them, I might as well feed myself- just not to fish food thanks. I took all I needed to take and smoked the timing cigarette ( I suppose it would be easier to get a kitchen timer just not as much fun). At the right moment I put the toast in and brewed my coffee. Just for a Bank Holiday Monday treat I had jam on my toast today. I really know how to live. After I’d taken the two after meal tabs I carried the coffee through to the bedroom to carry on working.

I was coming towards an end about 8.30 am and I heard Mike groan so I thought he was awake. I went and made him a coffee and took it to him. He was fast asleep again. I did wake him but not for any sadistic purposes ( for a change) but because he was going to his Dad’s today to do some shopping. He did get up and soon enough he was on his way. I decided to finish the mail before doing anything else. Ha, finish the mail, not a cat in hell’s chance. I took my place before the monitor again and ploughed in. I broke off to rest my shoulders and watched an episode of Big Bang Theory then got stuck in again until 11.45 am when I broke off to see to my lunch. I took an hour’s break and watched my antiques programme then headed back to my room again. It was a real stop-start time nodding off and forgetting where I was so I gave in and went through to the lounge for a nod off. No sooner had my eyes closed than the phone started.  I went and unplugged it and fell asleep in glorious silence. I enjoyed a really nice hour or so before waking and deciding to enjoy an iced lolly while I worked. An iced lolly when I’m freezing? I wasn’t expecting to put the heating on yet.

About 5.00pm I’d had enough. There weren’t too many left but I needed a break. I found the last part of the film Zulu Dawn on and was able to see the Zulu nation showing guns don’t always make you a winner.Then at 6.00 pm  there were 2 short quizzes on which I enjoyed. Halfway through I went to get something from the bedroom and found a message from Mike, “On way”. As succinct as usual. At 7.00 pm I started to clear some more accumulated mail  and at 7.15 pm in he walked so I had to stop and make coffee and hear his news….only after I was told what a lazy beggar I am for not getting dressed all day. He’s had a successful expedition anyway and found all the things his Dad needed. We chatted until University Challenge came on and followed that up with a programme on Scotland’s Independence with a debate between Alex Salmond, First Minister of Scotland and Alistair Darling the ex Labour Chancellor and a Scotsman to boot, and after watching most of it I wish someone would. I really dislike those debates where one person decides that attacking the person is a good policy. My opinion, if the people of Scotland want independence, let them have it. They want to continue using the same currency which is fine despite what petty David Cameron says, and they’ll be better of than they will be if Labour get back in here next year and run the country into the ground again or under the Tories who want to take benefits off everybody and buy shares in the privatised health industry. I had to leave at 9.30 pm as I was getting cross and also because I needed to get to work.

Here are two pictures I was asked to provide by Roughseasinthemed of the new curtains and my bookshelves.

New Curtains

 

 

New Shelves

Here’s the obligatory picture of my grandson playing in part of my birthday present to him…The Ball Pit.

 

Tuesday. Back to 4.34 am today but hey, Mike was saying we’d go out today since he’s going to be returning home to get the car M.O.T.d, this gives me plenty of time to catch up before we go out. I wasn’t sure what time he’d set his alarm for ( hopefully before noon. lol) but I went through to the kitchen at 6.30 am to make some toast, after the fish had been fed of course. I’m not stupid enough to put them in second place. After dealing with all the usual jobs I went back to carry on and became quite distracted by some of the mail. Kindness can catch me unawares sometimes. Before I knew it I heard the alarm go off, it was 8.30 am. That doesn’t mean he paid any heed to it of course other than rolling over and sleeping on his other side, but at least it gave me time to make his coffee. I took it through with a cheery “Morning Bro” then headed back to my desk knowing that was only the first of multiple calls. I only had a couple of messages to do so finished those before going back to ty again. The beggar was up and drinking his coffee already. I wonder if this is operant conditioning at work.

There was a brief discussion along the lines of “Where do you fancy going”?- “No, where do you fancy”? Repeat chorus a few times before we decided on the coastal town of Rhyl because Mike decided I might be able to start my Christmas shopping and find some of the more unusual items there. We left about 9.30 am and had quite an easy run without too much traffic on the roads. When we arrived in Rhyl we parked on top of a store in a car park that had an overhead covering of netting to discourage the seagulls which can make rather a mess of a clean car. We entered the precinct itself by way of a lift (elevator) and started looking round one of the larger shops. There were plenty of nice-but ordinary gifts around and nothing appealed.We left there and went to the covered market for a cuppa and a look round. Some dragons but nothing Mike liked enough to buy. The same problem in the next shop and the one after that was closed anyway. Mike needed the loo so I showed him the way. When he came out I was grumbling about a public loo that you have to pay to use. I don’t like that idea at all and was grumbling all the way to the next shop I showed him.

This time there was a dragon that interested him and I was able to get him a belt and a dragon buckle too. We did a couple more shops and still I was not inspired to buy anything except chocolates so we headed back to the car and left Rhyl behind us as we headed to The Ivy for a late lunch. It was very quiet in there when we arrived and we were able to talk to Tariq quite a lot. He made our drinks and tried to animate me with a double shot then took the order through to Shella who was cooking. No sooner had he done that than more people came in. Once they were sorted we carried on chatting until the meal came when he left us to eat in peace. As we finished Shella came through and she and Tariq stood and chatted with us for ages. It was as well the other guests were drinks only and not food. Eventually the time came to go and we headed home though we stopped outside Pauline’s first while I got milk and bread. Once home I made Mike a coffee and left him playing games on his phone while I came to do the mail which took until almost 5.00 pm. As I went through to the lounge there was a decidedly sarcastic cheer. He told me he’s here till the weekend as the car is booked in on Monday now.

It seemed to be quizzes, quizzes and more quizzes followed by 2 episodes of M.A.S.H. then a murder mystery starring Diana Rigg as the Investigator set in the 11920’s I think. At 9.00 pm there were moans as I deserted him to come back through here to deal with the accumulated mail and the blog. I hope to be in bed by midnight.

Wednesday. I think it was about 12.30 am when I turned my light off last night. I don’t suppose it was too long before I got to sleep having felt tired all day. I’m not sure how tired I was but I didn’t open my eyes this morning until..WAIT FOR IT…07.55 am. I knew I was in trouble and grabbing my dressing gown, just flew out of the bedroom. My bladder was reminding me how close I came to wetting the bed. As I reached the kitchen I saw the top of the tank begin to wobble and I could see all the snails formed into a pyramid with the sharp end at the bottom. the upper end was preparing to move the lid. Directing operations was the albino cory. I fumbled with the lid of the fish flakes and threw a couple of flakes in for the fantail and threw some plec food in for the rest. The pyramid slowly collapse without it’s grip upon the lid and the cory swam about trying to look innocent. It didn’t work. I knew who my nemesis was now.

Mike’s alarm went off a few minutes later and though I boiled a kettle up I didn’t prepare a drink. Instead I quickly rammed a pre-food pill down my throat and took the rest of my meds to keep me from being paranoid about the fish.I quickly ate some toast  and just as I finished, in walked Mike and handed me his dirty mug from the bedroom then headed for his chair. I went back to making his coffee and placed in in front of him where he could grope for it with his eyes closed and then went back to my bedroom via the loo. For the first time in living memory it was past 8.00 am and my computer wasn’t on. This could spell disaster for Western Civilisation (I use the word loosely ) this sudden breakdown in communication. Mind you it keep doctors in work as I’m liable to have a massive heart attack when I see how many there are. In actual fact there were only 68 at that point. I started to work while Mike gained consciousness and we got to debating the day’s itinerary. By 9.00 am the conversation had reached the same standard as yesterday’s. MIKE. ” Where do you want to go?”  ME “No, where do you want to go it’s your holiday?” When it comes down to it we spend so long arguing we never have time to go anywhere. In the end after remembering he promised we could go for a roast beef dinner today and me reminding him that Wednesday is games night we had to settle on just going in to Flint. Mike was looking for a mandolin but not of the musical variety unless there are some very adept chefs out there. I wanted a fold up chair I could use on games night when there are four of us playing. I at least was lucky though Mike did find some mandolins on ebay at my suggestion. We had a coffee at Temptations which was nice then came home to let me work for a while before lunch. He’s lucky to have got me out of the house really.

I worked till 12.30 pm then we set off for The Bells of St Mary which is a carvery I’ve mentioned before, usually before the Ivy opened though as we’ve not been there since then with the exception of my birthday when I had no say in the matter. We had a really nice dinner in there and came out full. Straight back home so I could carry on working at catch up, though I stood no chance. I worked from about 2.00 pm to almost 5.00 pm then went to watch TV with Mike till Dil and Matt arrived just before 6.00 pm. When they came I made drinks,  put the table up and brought out Balderdash as the first game. Some people’s ability to lie under pressure is immense which is why I lost by one point to  my own brother who deceived me. Next I brought out the Yahtzee  and that was an unmitigated disaster as Mike managed to get three in one game alone somehow giving him a score of 500+. There was no way I could compete with that and I think the Devil must have bought the souls of Dil and Matt too since I lost that too. Finally I got the cards out and set up for nomination which I actually won. YAY.

Dil and Matt left a little later than usual at almost 9.45 pm so Mike and I tidied up and I washed the post. I grabbed some biscuits and left Mike to make his own supper while I came and attacked the post. 131 pieces. Ouch. It took absolutely ages so I’m late doing this now. One piece was a real treat which I will share with you. It came top me under the heading ‘I will never let you down. you need help’ which was enough to ensure I opened it.

Dear David,I have sent you 5 or 6 mails proposing that you accept my totally free help without any commitment, but I have still not received your request and I will not deny that I am really beginning to worry.I feel that you will deprive yourself of my help when you really need it.  You are aware of the fact that I have enough experience to tell you that in life there are ups but there are mostly downs.  I myself have gone through tough times and I can quite understand why you are hesitating about accepting outside help to improve your life!However; you must understand that when a real opportunity to improve your life comes your way, you should not ignore it.   I am here to help you David, and to offer to you what no one else has ever been able to offer you: FAST, PRACTICAL AND EFFECTIVE SOLUTIONS!I wish I could prove to you that all my years of experience are able to make all the difference and to help you effectively in all the areas of your choice (LOVE, HEALTH, MONEY, LUCK, SUCCESS, HAPPINESS… etc. .) but for that you must agree to my request free help by READING HERE!I am counting on you to ask for my FREE HELP WITH NO OBLIGATION before I can no longer accept any new requests for help (do not forget that I am working with a very limited number of people so that I can focus totally on the quality of my services!)READ HERE TO RECEIVE MY FREE HELP, TO BENEFIT FROM MY ADVICE AND MY EXPERIENCE, TO IMPROVE YOUR LIFE! Sending you a big hug,

Your dear and loving Granny Annie

Why aren’t you all in bed?

Thursday. I’m really without any explanation of what’s happening at the moment. Today I woke at 7.04 am and cold panic got a grip on my heart, at least I think it was cold panic and not a bucket of water from the fish. Conscience got the better of me and I wandered through to feed them leaving scorch marks on the carpet.  I was sure they’d forgive me five minutes. As I turned the light on two of the heavy mob were attached to the glass no doubt watching me woith their beady eyes before reporting back to their boss’The Albino’. I wasted no time in feeding them. Backing away rapidly I took my tab and made myself a coffee. I didn’t feel like hanging around to make breakfast today somehow.

I went to work on the computer till 8.00 am coming across an even worse letter than yesterday…..

Hi dear,
It is my pleasure meeting you,
I am Ann Ben, I am a United State Army officer, from united state of America, am supportive and caring, looking forward to get a nice friend, I read your profile here in and pick interest on you,
Here is my email address I will introduce myself better and send you my picture as soon as i receive your mail
Ann

This leaves me very worried about the standard of Officer in the United States Army from the United States of America since English ( even the American way) doesn’t seem to be her first language. Is this bulwark against the rising threats against the World’s safety really in the hands of this woman. Personally I have an idea that a shock might be in store for me if I answered this and my poor shattered mind couldn’t cope with more explicit photographs. The real, thing maybe, but photographs NO. It probably took me a long time to do few messages because of laughing at this poor attempt to ensnare me. I wonder what would happen if I tried to say I was gay, would she/he pretend to be a man or be a man maybe? Maybe I should try asexual.

It was just gone 8.00 am and I heard Mike padding about. When I checked he’d gone to the loo so I went and put the kettle on. As soon as It boiled I nipped to his room to ask if he wanted it in the lounge or the bedroom ( his coffee I mean) and the beggar had gone back to sleep.Shrugging I went back to work and by 8.45 am I was actually up to date ( as long as I didn’t refresh). As I went to take my cup to the kitchen for washing Mike got up so I finished the coffee off and put it on his table in the lounge and came through to get myself ready for the day. Once I’d dried my eyes from checking the lottery I put my new jeans on and put fresh tears in my eyes as I leaned over with my new belt buckle on. ( Not the one I bought Mike on Tuesday). Back in the lounge we discussed where to go and settled on The Tweed Mill. Partly because it’s within the area so I won’t be too late and partly because Mike bought shoes on his last visit there and wanted to see if they still had them in red. Also, I wanted some new duvets and Mike suggested they’d be better sewn in squares so that the filling doesn’t disappear from the ends and The Tweed Mill sells bedding.

We were on our way about 9.45 am and arrived just after 10.00 am. We had a lovely surprise to see we’d chosen sale time to get there and a bit of a shock to find the red shoes were there but not in the sale. We had a general look round the gents section as the choice of clothes though expensive is great. Real Huntin’, Shootin’, Fishin’ stuff. I took a look at the bedding and found a nice quilt set for Yvonne, I’m fairly sure she’ll like it but the jury is still out on Ugo. Mike and I had a look at the duvets and many of them appeared to be channel sewn except for those at the £100 mark which were either duck or goose feather. I prefer something anti-allergenic. Finally we explained to the lady what I wanted and said I needed a double and a single. She came up with a single which was in two pieces for Summer or Winter weight and had the squares. It was £60 but in the sale TODAY, and the LAST ONE was £35.00. I don’t know what came over me but I agreed. The double which would be feather was £110. HOW MUCH???? I managed to refuse that on the grounds of it being feather so my bank manager might still talk to me rather than shout. We went for a coffee and a bacon sandwich to calm down. Then, because the building has changed a lot since our last visit decided to go upstairs ( The Ladies Dept) to see what they’re doing with all that space. Answer, they need more space because women always have more choice ! Though having said that there were some men,s jackets up there which Mike took a fancy too and chose one. Then I happened to see some shoes down from £60 to £10.99 that I quite liked ( didn’t need but quite liked) and some green shoes that Mike might like ( he did) so I bought my shoes and Mike left with shoes and jacket. I don’t know if he’ll ever forgive me and I think I now have more pairs than my niece Karen who has the reputation of being a shoe-aholic- she even had to have a cupboard specially built.

We left there and drove to The Ivy for lunch. Tariq had given Shella the day off and was doing the cooking and Angie was serving. It was quiet enough when we got there to be able to talk with him but as usual more people followed us in and he was banished to the kitchen. Mike was able to tease Angie as usual which made his day. When we’d eaten I left the money on the counter and we departed for home. Mike went on his laptop for something and I came to deal with mail. Curiosity made me look at ebay and I typed in the name and make of duvet that I’d bought and started running down the list of doubles. Mike came running when he heard the scream. Anything from £18.00 to £30.00 for the same thing in anti-allergenic 10.5 tog to 13.5 tog. If I’d had any tears left from the morning I’d have cried. I started work and stayed there until 6.00 pm when I went through to watch a quiz with Mike.He’d been on the phone with his daughter and then with his son so had missed the Antique show Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is. Lucky for me he knows how to work my catch-up box and we were able to go back and watch it. Not quite as good as a time machine, but close. I stayed until my usual 9.00 pm with him then came through to work on my messages.One from my friend Laurie showed what a genius he is behind a camera and also in charge ofa bucket at a sapphire mine where he did very well. It’s another late night so we’ll see how I get on at getting up tomorrow. Night all.

Addendum. Well, shock , horror. It’s now 2.35 am and I haven’t been to sleep yet and the paramedic has only just left. Not for me though but for Mike. We wuz robbed. It happened about 12.15 am when I had gone to bed to read and Mike was watching the TV in his bedroom. I heard a lot of shouting and swearing. Mike was obviously angry and upset. He was shouting “Get out” and “What d’you think you’re doing you b***ard.” I thought he was having a nightmare but then there was a lot of crashing about. Maybe he’s seen a mouse I thought, knowing he’s fixated on rodents. From Mike’s point of view, he’d just been watching Brother Cadfael when a hooded monk walks into the room. At first he thought it was a ghost and then decided it was me winding him up. It took moments for him to realise it was a very cheeky burglar and for the burglar to realise he’d walked into a hornet’s nest.As Mike started to get out of bed the man ran knocking over a few things and grabbing a couple of jewellery boxes, one of which he dropped. I flew in to make sure Mike was OK as the runt disappeared through the window in the lounge.

Mike had to call the police who sent someone round including a dog handler and a helicopter overhead. I checked the losses. For sure he’d stolen the silver piggy bank I deposit my loose silver in for Reuben but luckily there’s probably about £20 in it.He stole my watch box with five watches and a couple of medals but to be honest that was the most upsetting loss as it contained my favorite watch, a Fossil which Ju bought me in America, irreplaceable. He may have taken a few Crowns too but it looks like he missed Reuben’s coin collection. I can’t look until SOCO have been tomorrow. So, back to Mike, as I said he was obviously upset and his breathing was ragged and rapid which isn’t good. The Police took the details and sent for the paramedic. As it took nearly two hours before they arrived and the police had to go away to a disturbance elsewhere, we managed to get the breathing under control, and Mike fairly calm. They were thorough in checking him and said he was OK at home with me. Of course they couldn’t see me since I can’t talk to strangers. I seem to be beyond sleep at the moment and have been to trim my moustache twice. I have to try and tell Yvonne without upsetting or worrying her and she’s not the only one who I don’r want to tell either. I’ll fill you in on further developments tomorrow.

Friday. Well, I managed to sleep from 4.00 am to 6.00 am this morning. It took a long time for the tension to die down and poor Mike was reacting to every sound. He only slept from 5.00 am to 9.00 am though that may be partly my fault. When I got up I fed the fish early so they’d be in my debt and then made myself some toast after taking my meds. Since it was the day to fill my medicines up for the week it as almost 7.00 pm before I got back to start on the mail. Luckily it wasn’t too bad a I’d had a go at it at 2.00 am as part of my anti-sleep campaign which was quite a success. I was roughly up to date by 8.30 am so I got washed and dressed. As soon as 9.00 am arrived I went out to post the last post card to a friend and visit Pauline in the corner shop. I was surprised she hadn’t hear anything so I said nothing. Last night we were told SOCO or CSI as they’re now known don’t start work until 9.00 am so I was sure I’d be OK out at this time. However when I got back there was a man dusting the front window already. It seems he’d arrived early and had managed to waken Mike with a knock (on the door) and when I went in  Mike was with two police persons being interviewed again.Personally I think they suspect him and if it comes to that so do I. After all, I never saw the burglar. The male left to speak to my neighbours leaving the female Inspector behind. of course Mike was in his element now and no-one noticed me in my bedroom working.

Someone or other was there most of the morning so it was late before we were able to get out. I needed milk which I’d forgotten at Pauline’s and also a claim form for the insurance. They had no forms in the office in Holywell so they were going to arrange for one to come to me direct. I got some money from the bank (the legal way) and we went for lunch in town. I shan’t want to repeat the experience in that place and will go to Kassidy’s in future. When we headed for home I forgot the milk and had to call in at Pauline’s for it anyway. She still mentioned nothing and I was amazed. As we parked up two of my neighbours came up to chat then once in the hose two more visited in turn. One is going away and wanted to give me a kiss and a hug, the other, Bert, came to talk to us about the visit the police had made to him. Neither Mike nor I was too clear if he’d seen someone hanging around. ,Mike and I are sure now that there must have been two of them for the goods to have gone missing as the one he chased didn’t have time to stop and pick anything up. I wonder to if it wan’t a spur of the moment crime as it was so early but Mike thinks the police disagree and that someone has scouted the place and seen the lounge in darkness early because I am usually on the computer by 9.00 pm.

Visitors gone I left Mike in the lounge where I hope’s he’d sleep while I went to work for a while. Someone was coming at 4.15 pm to fit window alarms. On Monday they’re fitting window locks so they can be safely opened so far. I went through to the lounge about 3.00 pm and Mike was awake but after about ten minutes I wasn’t. I did revive for the visit to fit the alarms though.Mike and I had an antiques show and then some quizzes before I wen to get a shower at 7.00 pm. Mike had one after me and it was back to the quizzes again and a programme about a brewery. As usual at 9.00 pm I deserted him and came through to work. It’s been hard going today and I’ve an idea I might sleep tonight at the expense of the fish and my usual early start for shopping.  See you tomorrow.

Saturday. Isn’t it ridiculous. The times I’ve slept in this week and now I need it after Thursday night’s debacle I wake at 3.15 am. Still, as we’re shopping this morning maybe it’s as well to get my mail down to the minimum. During this batch I had a man who knows more about my life, especially my future, than I do and wants me to ask him for help. If he knows something really important why not tell me when he wrote? He could have saved a lot of faffing about. After much deliberation lasting oh, all of half a second, I won’t be writing to him. To be honest, and you may not believe me here,, but I wont be writing to ‘My’ Granny Annie either, since I’m well into my 60’s she’d have to be one of the undead to be my granny.

I’d actually finished (without refreshing) by 6.45 am and went through to the kitchen. I put the light on in the tank and even though it’s Saturday threw an algae wafer in for them. I took my meds, made myself a coffee and put some water in the kettle ready for Mike’s alarm. Second thoughts made me turn the kettle on and as I hadn’t heard the alarm when it boiled I took a drink through to him. I’d asked last night if he’s prefer to lie-in but he’d said no so I made sure he heard me announce the coffee was there. I received a very small groan. I’d gone back to working when I heard the alarm go off at 7.20 am and it rang and rang before being finally turned off. There was still no movement though so at half past I called out that the coffee was getting cold. The reaction was better but it was still a couple of minutes before I heard him go to the lounge. I finished up where I was and joined him or what there was of him because at that point he was definitely not all there. We were out of the house at 8.00 am after I’m made sure his eyes were actually open.

The shopping wasn’t too bad as I didn’t spend any time on children’s clothes this time, though I did check out the duvets. All of them seemed to be the channel sewn ones and Mike is adamant that it would be better to have the square sewn which keep the filling in place much better. Shopping done we were heading out of the store when Mike, who had just bought me a phrenology bust, also tried to pay for my cigarettes which resulted in a tussle at the till to the amusement of the staff. I won in case you’re wondering. We headed for Flint where I checked out some more bedding shops and also got some chocolates before we went for a coffee. We knew Ceri was still off so Trudy and Sian got our attention today. We had teasted toecakes so I could take the food tabs I should have taken if I’d eaten breakfast. Very nice they were. From there I picked up some ice-creams from the freezer shop and a couple of BFG’s one of which I thought we’d have eaten tonight but didn’t so I’ll ask Mike to take it home tomorrow. Just don’t tell him OK? At home we unpacked and Mike defrosted the freezer (with an axe) and put the stuff away which had conveniently landed by his foot. Then he did Julia’s flowers for me while I came back to the computer.

At about 1.00 pm there were just a few messages left when Mike stuck his head in to see about lunch. I came away, picked up some chocolates and we left for The Ivy. Tariq was actually in the carpark when we arrived putting new posts up so we had a chat before going in to see everyone. Angie made us drinks and introduced us to a young man who is working as a waiter. We ordered lunch had a great conversation with Angie as  we ate then Shella came out to see us. She handed me a piece of paper and I thought she was politely asking us to leave ( Mike’s fault of course) but instead it was an invitation to a party and their home address. The conversation got round to the burglary and we had to recount the comedy for them all. To be honest it’s not easy applying humour to the situation as Mike is quite badly shaken and I’m not as confident as I seem.

We were home about 3.45 pm  and it was back on the computer for me trying hard to catch up before 6.00 pm so I could sit with Mike for a few hours. I made it with ten minutes to spare. It was during our viewing that the adverts came on and I saw someone using a tablet. I immediately wondered how much charge was on mine and went to pick it up. Of course that’s another item he waltzed off with on Thursday night the little toerag.I’d not long had it and fitted a memory card to it too. I’m steaming about this. At 9.15 pm I came through for the last assault on the mail and to clear the blog. I hope you’ve all had a good week with a better one to come. Hugs all round.

The Cough, The Gas Man Cometh and the Runaway Cigarette.

Sunday. I managed to get up at 6.00 am and start right in on the mail but there were just so many this morning. I listened out for rain in case we were car booting again but heard nothing so I thought I’d just keep going as much as I could in case. We all know what it’s like, some messages you have to answer, some you need to comment on and others you think why’d they bother to send them. There were lots to answer to start me off as there were many comments on last night’s blog. Some of them didn’t even swear at me. In truth everyone was showing their usual amazing patience but surprisingly no-one mentioned the children’s choir I found so amazing. Says a lot for my taste doesn’t it.

Damn, Mike’s alarm went off at 7.00 am so it means it was either another mistake on his part or he was intending to car boot. Discretion being the better part of valour I went through to the kitchen to see to the fish, drugs and my coffee and while there I prepared Mike’s mug and stuck the kettle on. If he got up I could pretend to be ready for him, if not the mug would be ready. Great, no movement so I returned to my room and started again. I’d done about two answers when I heard him move but just as far as the loo. Back to the kitchen I reboiled the kettle and made his drink. I put it on the side table next to his chair and prepared to go back to writing for a while. As I passed the bedroom door I noticed he’d gone back to bed. I was ready to stamp my foot in frustration when a little voice said “I’m awake but I’m cold”. I would have suggested he put a dressing gown on but brought his coffee through instead. Back to my room and I sat down to continue when there was a padding of footsies. ” I’m in the lounge you know” he called. Sigh, back up I took my drink with me and entered the lounge. Mr ‘Cold I am’ is sitting in his trollies ( underpants) and tee shirt in a room with the window open. I finished my drink and suggested he let me know what he wanted to do and when he was ready to do it. As for me I went to get washed and dressed and get as much mail done before the movement orders came.

About 8.00 am Mike came through to my room wearing a coat complaining at me keeping him waiting. I had a choice, carry on writing and bite my tongue in half, carry on writing and finish the missive I was on or wrap my hands round his throat and later plead insanity. In the end I just put my jacket on, slipped a carrier bag in my pocket, crutches on my arms and headed for the door. We decided to head for the Countess of Chester Hospital in Chester because their carboots are usually quite big. We did have to allow for the fact that it had rained a bit during the night and despite the forecast was spitting now. When we arrived it was quite a poor showing. Also, Mike started to feel unwell as he suffers quite a few problems with his stomach, quite often the rest of us suffer quite a few problems with his stomach too, but at least we were outdoors. Poor sould had to shuffle past the stall so fast he didn’t see much. I bought two candles and that was it. We packed up to find him a loo. Luckily I kknow a Frankie and Benny’s opens at 9.00 am for breakfast on a Sunday and it wasn’t too far away. We arrived there and he did a little dance to the loo and left me to order. I knew he’d want his normal Americano with cold milk on the side and I ordered a big breakfast for him. ‘Cos I’m so good I had my latte and a small bacon, egg and beans Oh, with toast for us both of course. After that we headed for home.

At 12.45 am I’d virtually caught up with mail and we were ready to go for lunch though we couldn’t manage a full Sunday roast dinner. That meant we could go to the Ivy and have a snack instead. The Gannet’s snack was a lamb hock with saute potatoes and mine was something else ‘ahem’. I remembered to take tablets which I’d forgotten at breakfast. Everyone came over to talk to us which was great and Tariq managed quite a conversation, mainly along the lines of “Why do my other customers all disappear when you two walk in?” We were actually there quite a long time and as we left Tariq came out with us and forcibly stuffed my money back in my pocket as today’s meal was a treat from him. What am I going to do when he has to close down bankrupt?

We had a ride into Prestatyn to buy a BFG for supper then took a back road hoping to come out near the Castle for sale. No joy. We did end up going to Jackson’s nursery for a drink to make up for missing one two weeks ago. Then as I couldn’t find any inspiration for this month’s birthday presents we went home. I was almost 3 hours back on the computer as Mike was looking at ebay on the laptop in the lounge. At 7.00 pm I forced myself to take a break and half the 16 portion BFG disappeared for tea, and I had a piece too. We watched Endevour together and for me it just keeps getting better and better. At 10.00 pm I helped Mike settle an ebay problem and then came back through where I still am. But now at 12.30 am I think it’s time to close. Hope you all enjoyed a great weekend and have a great new week to follow. Cwtch.

Monday. I was up at 4.50 this morning and working on the mail. Cough, cough, wheeze, wheeze it was really annoying. By 6.30 I was shattered and lay down for a minute that became an hour. When I woke the second time it was 7.30 and I could hear Mike in the kitchen. Amazing, I didn’t think he knew where it was. ( By the time he reads this he’ll be in Canada and I’ll be safe from retribution). As I went through to say good morning I realised I hadn’t even heard his alarm go off which is unusual. I did my usual routine and took my coffee through to sit with him- I was sitting, not the coffee. He was already fairly well prepared to journey off to his Dad’s to meet with a social worker then travel home to his son’s to pick up his grandchildren from school. He only has a couple of days as he flies out on Wednesday for his month in Canada. Maybe I should be suspicious because I have another friend who flies out exactly a week later for 3 weeks. I know he likes her. Hopefully his sister will keep him in check. I must admit it was quite sad to wave him off this morning and know I’ll be missing out on laughs for a while but at least I know he’ll have a great time.

After I’d bolted the door so he couldn’t get back in I lay down for a while. The chest is a problem I have to live with but it does get wearing after a while. It wasn’t long before I got up again as I remembered the gas man cometh today between 10 – 2 o0 pm. I’m afraid I couldn’t be bothered getting dressed so I cleared as much as possible out of his way then plonked myself back in front of the computer. There was a knock at the door at 10.20 am and it was him. I sort of pointed him in the right direction- the loo- then towards the meter. He agreed it wasn’t an easy place for me-or anyone but said rather than raise the meter as I’d hoped, what he suggested was smart meters which actually send readings in every half hour so they never need to read the meter again. If that was what he suggested who was I to argue so he phoned the instructions in from his van and then came back to say I should get a phone call in a few weeks. I pointed out it should be on file that I don’t do phones so he said they’d write.I won’t take long and will probably be him as he’s local. He left and I was so pleased I’d just about coped that I emailed Yvonne straight away to tell her. It was a case of “Well done Daddy, but what about the handle for turning the gas off if you ever need to? That’s partly the reason for doing this.” I felt quite deflated as I hadn’t given that a thought. I’ll just have to wait until he comes back again and hope it’s a Tuesday when Yvonne is here.

The next thing was to check my gas balance on line. After the most recent fiasco’s it had gone from £200 in arrears to £300 in credit. Today’s reading left it just £97 in credit which was a blow. Have I used £200 of gas in the last 2-3 weeks and damn, I won’t be able to get a rebate now. I’m in credit of over £200 on the electric but they won’t rebate that without a new reading so If my chest is OK later this week I’ll go outside and get a new reading from that meter. I went back to work until lunchtime when I had a pie. The rest of them will have to be put in the bin now. I should have frozen some last Friday. There will be tears. After lunch I turned TV on but only saw a few minutes before I felt myself drop a cigarette and start to nod off. The cigarette had gone inside my pocket so I was dancing on the spot tying to gt it out. I did fall asleep afterwards. Later I went back to work till almost 6.00 pm then had tea and some more TV. I caught a Harrison Ford film I’d not seen before, Clear and Present Danger. When I say caught it, I mean in between noddy periods. I can’t believe how tired I am today. Back to work at 10.00 pm and I’m now up to date and have beaten the witching hour deadline. I’m off to bed. Night all !

Tuesday. Awake at 4.15 am but with just one thought in my head. No way Jose, I’m not ready. I went straight back to sleep until 7.30 am. I bypassed the computer and went straight into the kitchen to see to the fish. The snails are coming back again and I may have to buy an assassin snail. I love the idea of a kind of ninja snail on my payroll going round and taking out all those snails that have offended me. Had my meds, made a coffee and took it back to the bedroom. While I waited for the computer I took an antibiotic but judging by my breathing between the kitchen and here, they haven’t kicked in still. A few years ago it took 4 different lots and I still ended up in hospital so I can do without that happening again. Can you imagine the blog….Lay in bed all day, they took bloods, gave me oxygen and wouldn’t let me smoke.                   The mail was fairly heavy but that was OK as I wasn’t going anywhere. I have the chest and Yvonne has a cold, better the twain not meet. I worked all morning and was disappointed when the real postman didn’t pay a visit. I dearly want to see the book I ordered for Reuben about toys becoming real through being loved. I broke off at lunchtime for a small pizza and then fell asleep in the chair afterwards. A message from Yvonne woke me to say they were still coming for Tuesday night tea and she’s feeling much better. At that point I didn’t know Ugo had  taken the day off to be with Reuben while Yvonne slept it off during the morning. 

I worked some more once awake so as not to fall too far behind today. By 4.30 I’d had enough and went back through to the lounge. I was on the point of nodding off yet again when I caught a glimpse out of the window of someone moving across my field of view. They’d arrived early. I got to hold Reuben straight away and he was full of smiles for me. It was probably because he was planning his next moves that I wasn’t aware of. It didn’t take long to find out when he suddenly burst into life in my arms and grabbed the beard to hang on. My eyes leaked.Then he spotted the chain about my neck an he spent ages trying to get at it and remove it forcefully. He tried getting my glasses, chewing my finger off to get at my ring but all the time he was fixated on the chain. Ugo went out to collect tea from the hippy and when he returned I was exhausted and happy to hand Reuben over to his mum. I buttered and cut up some bread for her to give him. I enjoyed my sausage and chips and Ugo enjoyed his kebab after which I gave him the last of the BFG and knowing Reuben stood no chance of getting any, I brought him a chocolate biscuit to nibble on.                                                         All too soon it was 7.00 pm and they had to leave. Since I hadn’t been dressed all day I had to wave them off at the door. Reuben wondered why Pops wasn’t carrying him to the car but I’d have had no wind at all if I had done.

I did a little more work and watched TV from 8-9.00 pm. Work till 10.00 pm then a new episode the the Mentalist. Very good, but I’m not sure how I like the changes since they no longer have Red John to chase. Then back here to finish post and do the blog. I’ve timed it well enough to be able to read a little. I need to rest as I have to get dressed and visit the corner shop in the morning.  Sleep Well.

Wednesday. 4.15 am today and not a struggle. I nipped, nay skipped to the loo and then came back to see the damage. I was pretty amazed that there were 23 emails just from last night despite the time I’d finished and a further 61 between midnight and 4.15 am. Do none of you sleep?  I know here’s a time difference in some places but it should only be silver surfers like me on the computer between midnight and midday. Anyhoo I got stuck in. Two of the con artists from Nigeria were back on with their millions. Maybe they don’t know about my vow of poverty. ( I vow I’m sick of being poor). By 7.30 am I was pretty clear but decided not to refresh until I’d seen to the fish. I took my antibiotic and went to the kitchen.

When I refreshed there were quite a few posts from ‘Kitty’ who invariably has something interesting to say or to show. There have been some wonderful wildlife video’s to see but also some very disturbing posts about things happening in various parts of the world.  http://dearkitty1.wordpress.com/2014/04/09/hummingbirds-flowers-and-iguana-in-costa-rica/  When it comes to things like one of our leading political parties having Neo Nazis as members and holocaust deniers then I’m very disturbed. When I see posts about a leading U.S. Bank suggesting Europe needs a dictatorial government to deny benefits to it’s peoples I’m even more disturbed especially when France already has a far right leader who is imposing austerity measures. I sat back and asked myself  why a bank should suggest imposing austerity measures when it can’t know what they mean. I doubt very much if any bank is intending to lead by example. It is worrying though that after all the conspiracy theories we read about banks wanting to take over an run the world, why they should want right wing governments in place to do so. Then a chap I admire greatly, the famous Pinkagendist had a post where the wife of a Minister, identity disguised, is blogging about gay people coming back to church to repent as though being gay is a sin, and being anti gay marriage , promoting opposition to same. What happened to live and let live, to tolerance, to the path in life suggested by Jesus who these Christians are supposed to follow? There will be questions and answers from both sides of the argument to come on Pinkagendists blog as each states their point of view.   http://pinkagendist.wordpress.com/   At this point I’m introducing a song for you all.

I got dressed at about 9.00  am and took a slow walk to Pauline’s. OK, I know I’m stupid but I needed cigarettes. I have cut down while my chest has been bad and tried to use one of the fake fags in between but I still enjoy the real thing. I worked most of the morning and finally cleared the box at just gone 11.30 am.My postman came and delivered a parcel for Mike. He looked at he name and said “That’s not you is it?” I had to explain I was taking parcels while Mike is away. He’d warned me one was coming and I knew what it is but when I picked this box up it’s as light as a feather. I wonder if the man who sent it forgot to put anything in?  Time to see what was on TV. Hellfire, just what I need this week, a choker. How do I eat lunch with a lump in my throat? As it happens I did manage but I didn’t really enjoy it so that should count for something. As usual I nipped in and out during the afternoon to try and keep current . For no reason other than it was one of Ju’s favorite records before she died and we played it at the funeral I’m posting a second song for you.

I’d just finished my last update at 5.30 when I was surprised by the arrival  of Lee James. I thought he was in Japan. Turns out he goes on Friday. Blow me, not five minutes later his wife Jen appears from work and is joining us foe games night for a change. I’m so pleased. It was almost 6.00 pm before Dil and Matt arrived so by the time I’d sorted drinks we had a slightly later start.One of the nice things about having Jen with us was that I could suggest not playing scrabble. After last weeks horror losses I didn’t want to chance it. So, I got away with suggesting Balderdash first. Ha, they agreed and somehow I extracted my revenge with a whitewash. I suggested a second game and maybe LJ saw the glint in my eyes as he suggested changing to Absolute Balderdash. That lad has a cruel streak. But, being the (grit my teeth) good loser that I am I ak-wee-essed. What happened? Well, it was an even bigger whitewash, I romped to victory miles ahead of my nearest rival. WOO HOO !! L.J.and Jen chose that point to leave. I’m sure I hear muttering about the biggest bloody liar in the world but maybe my hearing is a bit off. I made another drink for Dil and Matt and grudgingly brought the biscuits out, I only left two in the packet just in case, but being noble I didn’t eat one. Matt drew up the score sheet for Nomination whist and Dil dealt the cards. The first couple of hands were a bit iffy but I did get into my stride. Bingo, I won that too. A clean sweep. We packed up and they left without hitting me once, mainly because I was barricaded in the kitchen, lethal that Matt can be. After they’d gone I did the pots, tidied up and came through to finish the mail and do the blog. It’s now almost 12.30 am and I’m listening to the end of a record I’ve not heard before by someone I’ve not heard of before. My last job of the night is to share it with you. If like me you’ll love someone for a thousand years, you’ll enjoy it too.

Thursday. Back to early starts again. It was just 4.35 am when the bladder alarm  struck and had me scuttling along to the loo for a stop start session that was worse than the works bus route in  morning. By the time I got back to the bedroom I was wide awake and so were all the birds who’d gone to sleep on the guttering outside the bathroom window. It’s not really my fault, when you pee standing up and in the dark you have to pee in the middle so you know you’re hitting water. Ignoring the birdie complaints, I wrote myself a note that if I go out later I must wear a rain mac, and then turned the computer on. One of the first items I found really delighted me, I’m due a £385.65 tax rebate…. or as the idiot who tried to take me in described it.. Tax Refound Notofication!  It would be nice if the crooks at least learned to spell the words they’re using to convince others. I also had quite a few messages about instant insurance quotations in seconds which I thought I’d take a look at. I dutifully filled in the online form with the info required like Age-Ancient, Smoker, Yes Please, Sex, more than Yes Please…..you get the picture. I get all the way to the bottom of the form and it says now provide your telephone number so one of our annoying sales reps  highly trained consultants who will scour the universe for the best quote, can speak to you. So, I put in a fake number and I hope they spent ages trying to get through.

I heard a little tapping sound and when I looked up I saw it was 8.10 am. I dashed ( stop laughing at the back) to the kitchen where one of the bull nose plecs was using a snail to tap a morse code message on the glass of the tank. It was only ten minutes for heavens sake. Yes, I know it was lunchtime yesterday but my brain is porous these days. Things slip out. I smiled and fed them. They turned their backs n me and swam away. I took my sprays and went to get my pharmacy from the lounge.Man, that drawer is heavy. Maybe it’s all the medicinal Mars Bars I hide from Mike- for his own good of course. I took my morning tabs and then refilled the container with a full week’s supply. I replaced the drawer and then made myself a coffee to take back to the bedroom. Before starting work again I got dressed as judging by my lottery results I need tickets for Friday and the weekend. Maybe I’ll have to double the bribe to £2 ? I worked on clearing the first batch of post until almost 9.30 am then took a four legged stroll to Pauline’s where I also bought some baps. The sun was really shining so I must have looked odd in my rain mac but you just don’t understand how vindictive a tired bird can be. I could return looking like I have white spot. I managed the journey unscathed however so I’m just hoping the sunshine put everyone if a good mood.

I refreshed my page and though there were only 41 I knew they’d take a while. I put my head down and forged ahead and cleared one because at that moment the postman came and delivered another watch I’d been waiting for and my book The Velveteen Rabbit, more accurately it’s Reuben’s book but I get first read. I’ve been hearing about it for a while as a modern classic and it certainly seems to be full of promise. I put it away ready to give it to him on Sunday. I wonder how long it will take to be devoured as he now has 3 teeth. I continued with my mail. It strikes me that though I’m often inundated with mail, I get to read some fantastic blogs of people I follow, some of whom have become tremendous friends over the time I’ve been blogging. I’m so grateful that some are dedicated to the most worthy projects possible, or some that just fill you full of hope. Others just manage to bring a constant smile to my face. At 11.30 am I knocked off to go and make lunch which as usual I sat with in front of the TV or is that sat in front of the TV with? I stayed there until 2.00 pm before starting the usual afternoon dodging back and forth. I wasn’t too bothered about anything early evening but I wanted to be free for 8.00 pm. I was free, and my Big Bang Theory lived up to it’s usual humorous promise. There were two other comedies with new episodes following that which I thought I’d try. How I met your Mother which I can take or leave and the new ( to me) Brooklyn Nine Nine which has a lot of mileage in it. It made me laugh out loud and not much does that. It’s usually quiet appreciation. Anyhoo, after that I came back through and brought the post up to date before coming to bore you to tears. To make up for it I have another blast from the past for you.

Friday. 6.15 today and I’m happy with that though it was 1.00 pm before I turned the light off last night. I had to check under the bed for the bogey man first. I’d been hoping for a boogie man but I’m told no-one does boogie now. While ploughing through my mail I was reading a post that shocked me. It said that in 1978 a record was banned in North America because they didn’t like the idea of 4 men in dresses. I had to sit and think for a while about who’d be threatened by that, it was done in such a humorous way. I don’t know whether the ban extended to the record as well as the video or whether the record company actually made an alternate video for the American market. Anyway, you all know what this is leading up to so without further ado I give you……………. QUEEN. 

The morning was as usual, the fish getting fed on time and me getting my coffee. I nipped to Pauline’s for some cash and bought some ciggies. Since the Government increased the tax on cigarettes yet again I now have to ask for 95 instead of 100 with my brand trying to keep the prices down. The Government complain that smokers use the health service with self inflicted illnesses. I accept that, but everyone else who complains should remember their treatment is subsidised by smokers through the taxes we pay. As I got back from the shop (sans Kitkat today) another parcel arrived for Mike but at least it wasn’t my postman today wondering if I use an alias. This parcel is of the right weight for what I was expecting so I’ll assume he ordered something very light earlier in the week….and it suddenly dawns on me that he’s ordered a homburg. Wednesday’s parcel is explained.

I had a pizza at lunchtime and followed it up with an afternoon kip.That lasted for a good hour before I returned to answering messages. I bobbed in and out to keep things as up to date as possible so I could have an evening break. I managed from 6.00 pm to 8.30 pm and only came back in here after Mastermind. Surprisingly I was able to answer at least a couple of everybody’s specialist subjects and some of the general knowledge. Back here it’s been a time of commenting on quite a few blogs and doing a number of tweets. People are brilliant at returning the favour. I left it until late to start the blog and I want to be in bed before midnight. As Mike always says, If I’m not in bed by midnight, I should go home. I hope all my friends in the Antipodes have had a great start to their weekends and I hope all my friends from elsewhere in the world get a great start when it arrives for them.  Hugs !

Saturday. There I was this morning at 5.40 am with plenty of time to work and not an alarm clock anywhere to disturb me. By 7.00 am I was feeling tense listening for the sound. I even got up and went through o the kitchen and put the kettle on- I don’t use the kettle for my drink. This fish must have been over the moon as I fed them and I don’t do that on a Saturday. Oh heck, things have gone to pot and he’s not even here. I took my tabs, made my drink and went back to my bedroom blowing a quick raspberry in the direction of Mike’s room as I passed it. For a Saturday morning there wasn’t too much post but I still worked steadily till 8.30 am. Still not quite getting my head round not going shopping and not trading insults with my bro I went to take a shower. See, he’s even skived off washing my hair and I had to revert to  bending in the middle and doing it with my arms now below my head. That only resulted in me having to sit down in a hurry as I overbalanced. Take my word for this, sitting on a shampoo bottle is not comfortable and doesn’t result in your nether regions getting covered in foam.  It does however result in some high pitched noises you hope the neighbours don”t want to investigate.

I got dressed. You must have heard the saying ‘All dressed up and nowhere to go’ I felt a fool so I changed into jeans for comfort. I brought my post up to date and decided to go out to Pauline’s. Instead I diverted to the One-Stop over the road and got some cash. Their machine was working for once. I chose there because they are affiliated with a bigger supermarket and often carry specials. I needed Easter eggs for my nieces for tomorrow and wanted to see their choice. They did me proud and while there I decided to get them for Yvonne, Ugo and Reuben. Then it was back over the road to Pauline’s where I tried to hide the contents of my bag so she wouldn’t know I’d shopped elsewhere. The choice of eggs there is awful. I bought my cigarettes for the weekend, one other item and left. Before going home I nipped to the ‘Savoy’ which is a little sandwih shop that also do some meals. I bought a nice ham salad sandwich ( heavy on the onions) for my lunch and a sausage roll for my tea.  Back at home I refreshed my screen and found a few messages had come while I was out. I also checked ebay and found I’d forgotten to bid on some books I wanted and the pesky auction had finished. Typically it was a low price too. I was up to date with mail again by 11.00 am and took a break. I stepped out to see if the bin men had been and met my postman arriving with a free pen I won. The bin men had been except the food bin man had collected everybody else’s but mine. I’ll be looking at a plague of flies outside the front door next week.Heaven knows what the inside of the bin will look like when I come to put the next bag in.

I sat with a book listening to a bit of music until lunchtime. Then it was time to enjoy my sandwich with a portion of BFG I’d got from Pauline’s. Well, I couldn’t go to my Ivy Emporium or Kassidy’s and I missed my morning coffee at Temptations, I deserved a treat. The only trouble is I’m missing my friends at the Ivy and am talking to the walls and this is only week 1. I had a nap in the afternoon as soon as I chose a film to watch. There was no snoring in the chair beside me and I know I was bored. Roll on tomorrow when the girls come. I nipped back and forth to keep an eye on the mail but it’s been quite manageable this week.  Mind you, I’ve had more opportunity to get at it. By 9.45 I knew I wasn’t taking anything on TV in so decided to call it a night. I’ve had chance to get up to date before coming to the blog to regale you with today’s non-happenings.  I hope Mike’s having a great time in Canada but I’ll be glad when the month is up.

The last song for this week is by one of my favourite artistes of all time. Mr James Taylor. I want to dedicate it to all my friends out there because it’s called Shower the People you Love with Love. Enjoy…….

Well padded camouflage.

Peace at last

I’m almost on my way.

My white afro.

 

The Party and the Punishment.

Sunday. This morning found me up early looking for suitable excuses to cancel the day or corners to hide in.  I went about my email duties as usual but flinching at shadows lurking in the corners of my peripheral vision telling me in sibilant breath that the worst was about to happen, and they didn’t mean that Mike was about to get up. Having said that, it was still daylight ( just) when he did. I made him coffee and st in the lounge waiting for an opportune moment to tell him I didn’t feel too well but every time I opened my mouth he just said ” Forget it. I was told to deliver you at 12.30 and that’s what I’m doing since I value my skin.” In a major sulk I went back to the computer to keep as up to date as possible while looking for the recipe to an invisibility potion. At just gone 12.00 Mike asked If I was ready but before I could answer I heard ” Don’t even bother, you’re going, get your coat on.” I got my coat on. Mike was carrying a small bag and asked me to remind him to give Anton ( his son-my nephew) the bag as he keeps forgetting. I suggested he put it in the boot of the car at hand for when he reaches Anton’s house later tonight. “I won’t be there tonight” he said ” I’m staying here tonight to make sure you go to your blood  test in the morning.” Trusting soul ain’t he?                                                                                                                                                   It was just 12.30 as we drew up in the car park of the Bells. As I clambered out of the car I saw Mike go to the boot and retrieve the bag he’d put there, walk across the car park and hand it to someone. My name was puzzled until I realised it was Anton standing there with his two children Sophie and Josh. I was stunned and a smirking Mike turned round and asked “Surprised??”I was. Anton and I hugged and as we all walked towards the pub Yvonne came out to meet us. At least that wasn’t a shock so I managed to stay upright. We all walked in together and my heart was now in my mouth but no sign of anything untoward. A little further in there was a line of tables together where waiting were, Ugo and Reuben, My two nieces Karen and Jo, My brother Dil, His wife Lynne and son Matthew, my nephew Lee and his lovely wife Jen. All faces I know, all faces I love but sitting at a table laden with parcels and birthday balloons I momentarily froze. The Bells is a very crowded place and today was no exception but I managed to make my seat ( hammer and nails provided) and collapse. I said hello to as many as I could reach and under instruction opened my gifts. A fantastic cardigan, some nice smellies and from Yvonne/Ugo a beautiful wooden box like a writing slope that weighed a ton. Opening it I understood why since it was packed choc a bloc with chocolate bars. Poor Karen almost lost the use of her fingers as I slammed the lid shut remembering my diet. The meal was great except for me forgetting my tablets and there was chatter aplenty but I was claustraphobic in there so was glad afterwards when it was decided to have coffee at my Ivy Emporium in comfort and space. Lee and Jen set off but Dil and family and Anton and family weren’t able to join us. We hugged goodbye with Dil reminding me I’d see him on Wednesday. Mike and I went next leaving Yvonne/Ugo to follow and also Karen and Jo. We arrived all of 500 yards away and stood outside with Lee and Jen till we finished our ciggies ( not them, they don’t smoke) and then went inside. No sign of the others in the party. The owner approached and said Mike and I should leave as we’re barred which naturally in Mike’s case I can understand. We sat and ordered but still no sign of the others until eventually Yvonne and Reuben came in and said poor Jo had changed her shoes from the boot of her car and then promptly shut her keys in the boot. An AA job ( for my US friends AA is not Alcoholics Anonymous but Automobile Association. Not that she doesn’t need Alcoholics Anonymous- just not today). The party was depleted a bit more as they waited by the car for help. Meanwhile back at the Ivy I had Reuben on my knee as the staff approached and sang Happy Birthday to me and presented me with a muffin. I’m not sure whether Reuben objected to losing his status as centre of attention or the singing but he burst into tears which wasn’t helped by us laughing. Eventually things settled and we all enjoyed drinks from the variety on offer, white hot chocolate, milkshakes and my latte. At closing time we left so the staff could get home and Mike drove home with me holding a balloon. Once there he left to visit his dad while Yvonne, Ugo and baby kept me company for a while. Once gone I flew to the computer to catch up.                         When I was up to date I went to have some tea so I could take the tabs I’d missed at lunchtime and watch a bit of TV. I gave up on a Cuba Gooding Jr film I couldn’t get into and returned to the computer where Mike found me at 11.00 when he returned. I’d hoped he’d forget and go straight home but  his memory works best when you don’t want it to. He told me of the visit with his Dad which is sometimes stressful as problems occur which he can’t deal with on a Sunday. It was a late night.

Monday. I’d got up and was having a liesurely stroll through my emails when I heard the sound. The swift shuffling of feet like a legion of the damned hurrying over hot coals. I would have died of fright had I not realised it was Mike out for his 5.30 pee. He’d come back to ensure I went for my blood tests but I had probably three and a half hours to think of an excuse before he got up to stay up. At 8.30 I saw to the fish, took tabs, made myself a coffee and then got dressed.  I drank the coffee slowly util Mike’s alarm went of at 9.00 and I had to go prepare his drink. I took it through to where he’d nodded off again as usual and placed it on the bedside cabinet will a very gentle whisper of  “Drink’s up Bro”. Unfortunately he heard me and sat up. I opened my mouth to say good morning but was beaten to the punch with ” Forget the excuses, you’re going and that’s that!” I left him to it.   ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

Ouch. An Armful.

At 10.05 we left for the hospital and I suggested he drop me and started his journey home. His answer was just a vicious snigger. He dropped me by the door and went looking for a parking space. I went inside and waited to be called. They were running ten minutes late but as I got up to leave I was called and had to have half my right arm emptied It took about a minute and I was off and running again. When I got outside Mike appeared behind me as he’d been having a drink at the league of fiends stall. He asked to look at my war would as proof I’;d had it done. It’s wonderful to be trusted. Expecting to be taken home I was surprised when Mike sid he needed the garage so he’d drop me by the shops in Flint and pick me up when he’d done. You don’t need to ask twice. I got a few items and he arrived back to say they couldn’t see him just then but he’s to go back in an hour. We decided against a drink in Temptations and instea went to be tempted with lunch at Kassidy’s. We both had the all day breakfast. After wards Mike dropped me at home while he went to the garage and then headed off home. I sent him with my thanks.                                                                              Lots of messages awaited me and they took a couple of hours but I found myself falling asleep. So, taking a break I went through to watch TV and promptly fell asleep. I woke in time for an easy tea and  then spent a couple of house trying t stay awake before giving up at 8.30. I’ve spent the rest of the night catching up on messages  before heading to bed and the last 6 pages of Pratchett.

Tuesday. Up a little later than I’d like this morning at 5.30 and decided to catch the 8.40 bus to give me time with my computer and the messages from last night and this morning. I’d almost finished after the usual morning duties but left about 10 when I had to catch the bus. I was walking behind someone with a dog ho was taking up much of the pavement until they turned of into the park. As I was approaching the bus stop a single decker drew up and people boarded. I expected to miss it but he waited. I checked the front said Chester and got on thanking the driver profusely. I grabbed a seat and off we set. It’s unusual to have a single decker at this time but I thought nothing of it until I heard two girls behind me talking. “I love to catch this one” said one,” it’s cheaper and usually quicker.” That rang a bell but everything seemed OK until we reached Queensferry where instead of carrying on as usual, the bus diver took a left and I found myself on a tour of Garden City and taking the road to Chester via The Greyhound retail park. I texted Yvonne that I was on the wrong bus but would still be there on time. As I passed the Greyhound I had a reply that said she was passing a certain shop, where did I want to meet. I suggested the new Costa we’d been to last week. As my answer was being typed the driver had turned a corner and I was lost. A few more turns and nothing was familiar. Then a glimpse of recognition. I saw an Iceland store I knew. At the bottom of the road was Yvonne waiting to cross after my bus had passed her. It reached a stop and I rushed to get off and rang Yvonne to tell her to wait exactly where she was. The flaming thing went to voice mail. I galloped. Instead of going forwards, my crutches caught on the pavement and I almost went arse over elbow. I’d just about caught myself when my phone rang. I had to stop so I came to  a dead halt beside a Big Issue seller who obviously thought I was about to buy a copy. I answered and Yvonne asked where I was ” Behind you” I said, ” stop wherever you are.” ” I’m in the Costa” she said. When I got there she’d ordered my drink and some toast. I got my breath back while Reuben slept the sleep of the just. From there we went to a shop to see if they had another pair of jeans that I liked and ended up buying nothing Mike, but it was in the colour Yvonne liked for me and it was cheap in the sale. We wandered a while then stopped for another drink so Reuben could have a bottle and some food. I ha him bouncing on my knee having th giggles and he was in great humour till Yvonne tried to give him milk. No Way Jose. He did have some food though, broccoli and cauliflower cheese which sounds revolting.Another wander where I managed to get him some great clothes and Ugo a pair of shoes. Then we headed home to Yvonne’s for a cuppa. I played with the cats for a few minutes and then had lots of fun tickling Reuben just above his knee which kept him giggling. Eventually Ugo came home and after he changed we set off for my place. We stopped for bread and milk near home and Yvonne bought their baby food section out. Halfway towards home we stopped to pick up tea and took it home hot. I did the bread and butter, Yvonne plated up and Ugo kept Reuben occupied. When we finished I washed the pots and asked Ugo for help unwrapping a parcel that had come. It gave me great pleasure to see his face when he unwrapped an electric violin he’s wanted for ages that I’d been able to get on Ebay.”Why?” he asked “it’s not my birthday.” When they eventually left ( I’d hidden the chocolates) I came through to check for messages. 193 were waiting. I can still hear the echo of the screams. It’s now 12.15 and I’ve had enough. What a punishment for having a day of pleasure.

Wednesday. Standard morning. Up, messages, fish, drink, wash and dress. Then I needed to go out for cigarettes and my next TV mag, talking of which it’s time to watch some TV so I must practice turning on the new box using the all-in-one remote control. It was a case of just keep pressing buttons till the right combination brings a picture up. I managed it but for some reason I had to use the old remote for volume. I watched an antiques programme at lunchtime while the microwave worked on my baked potato. I had a slice of boiled ham, some coleslaw and a small tin of beans with it. It was very nice. Being afraid of what might happen if I tried to turn the TV off I left it on as I came back to the computer to catch up on messages and blog comments. When I went back through later I times it nicely for a short film with Kevin Sorbo as a rancher in battle with another when his unknown bounty hunter son comes along to help. After this I had my tea, a cheese and onion bap with some pineapple pieces to follow. A quiz show came on as I washed the pots and I was enjoying the questions when movement to my left made me glance out of the window. Dil and Matt were on their way. I got their drinks started.  They came in shouting their usual Hallooos  and said they’d seen me jump up. Drinks done I set up the table and brought out the scrabble. It was a hard fought game in which I was disappointed to find the scrabble dictionary doesn’t have doxy as a word. Bang goes my triple word score but I still managed a win. Lee arrived towards the end of that first game and was talking about a  conspiracy theorist he works with. Today’s subject had been the moon landings, real or not?I was saying a fellow author and friend had sent me various things last week from Youtube which included a quite feasible account of Hitler’s escape to and life in, Argentina after the war. The photographs were quite convincing. In the second scrabble game I was demoted to third place and I went to the kitchen to make another brew and sulk. It was also the ideal opportunity to smoke. Loo break over I passed Matt and envelope of 20 dice I’d sent for because I feel guilty that he’s been learning my games but I haven’t learned his. So, it was time for two games of Liar’s Dice which I hadn’t heard of before. Given that I lost both games I don’t care if I don’t hear about it again either. It was a very noisy game too with 20 dice being slammed on the table at the same time. For the last half hour or so we had a game of Crazy 8’s during which at one point they made me pick up 11 cards as someone went out. Needless to say I didn’t win that either so I threw their coats at them , turned out the lights and shouted goodnight. When they’d one I found my A Person of Interest was on though it was half over. If I could work this damned remote I could go back and watch it from the beginning. It refused to co-operate so guess what I’ll be watching with Mike this weekend. I gave up in disgust and came through, It’s taken from 9.45 to midnight to clear the mail and write this so now I’m off for a read. Short stories from Pratchett should put a smile back on my mush.

Thursday. I was twirling Yvonne round in one of those aeroplane lifts, you know, where you hold one hand and one foot and spin. I was throwing her into the sea. The thing I didn’t understand was she was no longer the little girl I’d do that too but a full grown woman. Anyway, I don’t know what woke me, but perhaps the splash. It was 4.45 and I’m not sure I was really ready to get up but my bladder said  I better had. I made it in time thankfully. Now awake I thought I’d check my bank account. Something was due to go in there this morning. I signed in as usual but the message came back I had to do it again. I’ve had so many fake ‘There are problems with your account’  that I’m becoming paranoid and I needed to check this wasn’t some app designed to copy my passwords so I had to sign out and start again. No problems this time and the money was there.I can afford beans again this week. Mujo haven’t been in touch so they won’t be coming today. I can stay scruffy and work on my messages. By 8.00 am I was yawning so I went through to get a caffeine fix and see to the fish. While there I took the last of my meds from the container and wasted a half hour filling it up again. Just as well I’d remembered to restock. Going back through with my coffee I decided to look at Amazon.co.uk nd see if there’s anything I fancy with the gift voucher my nephew Lee and his wife Jen gave me for my burpday. I was attracted to a double skinned cafetiere with a matching teapot but can’t make up my mind. It’s only because I’ve been bought ground coffee a couple of times recently and only have a one cup cafetiere. I also found myself looking at a tablet with books can be read on. Why? It’s not long since I gave Ju’s away. The thought of maybe being able to skype someone from the bus appealed but what would be the point of that since I don’t use voice and video? I might as well stick to texting on my phone. I also had a few minutes (30) on Ebay chasing up Twining’s Christmas Tea since the one MuJo want isn’t on their site and I can’t remember where I got it from. Back to the mail and I worked until 9.50 before getting washed and dressed and dodging raindrops to get my lottery tickets. Some weird intuition made me buy four scratchcards, nada, zip, nothing. Stupid intuition. The same for last night’s lottery too. Time I muttered a quick prayer to Saint Cayetano or Cajetan Catanoso, the patron Saint of Gamblers.  ………… ……………………. ………………………. ……………………….. …………

Saint Cayetano

At 11.00 am I gave up on the computer and went to relax with Jessica Fletcher before making my lunch. Yes, another baked potato and beans day. I took my after lunch tablets, allowed myself 4 Liquorice Allsorts and returned to work. It really doesn’t take long for the queue to mount up again. There were only 53 and I wasn’t in a rush as I had decided to be very decisive with some and send them to the rubbish bin straight away. Especially anything that mentions a bank.That took care of a third and another third went on those that just indicated further comments on those posts I’d seen and commented on already. I had no need to read other people’s comments today. Ruthless I am. I worked till 4.30 then went to watch my Antiques Road Hunt. I had a banana sandwich for tea, something I’ve not done for years. For pudding I had two dark chocolate ginger biscuits as the ginger has to be healthy and the biscuit is made of good things. We’ve already established that chocolate must be a fruit  and a vegetable so I’m being healthy. Eventually I went back to the computer for a while but I needed to be free by no later than 8.30. I made it by 8.10 so got most of an Episode of Big Bang Theory before watching a full and new one. Then it was a forensic science drama I’ve started to get hooked on which took me to 10.00pm. I rattled of the last of my mail and was able to get this post done on the right side of midnight.

Friday ( at last). Rising at a very leisurely 5.55 am I decided no point in hurrying. No Mujo, No Mike till late and nothing expected. I still managed to finish my post just before 8.00am and the fish were delighted at an early sunrise. I have just six fish now a large harlequin guppy with a beautiful tail, an albino cory, 3 plecs of varying sizes and an angel fish that was expected to die about 12 months ago when we found him swimming in circles with what we thought was a swim bladder infection. He’s still here and still quite happily swimming in circles. Less pleasing is the colony of snails I can’t seem to get rid of no matter how many I pull out. From 7 tanks with everything from a large pangasius and some oscars it’s amazing to be down to just this. I admit I give little thought to the majority of fish we had but Zippy the pangasius, Olive my Oscar girlfriend and Stan a large and beautifully moustached catfish I often think about. I even remember putting videos on Fbook of them( in the days I still used Fbook)………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

Pangasius.

Oscars

That’s another change I suppose. At one time I was on Fbook a lot but after a few attacks I left for a couple of months and then was much more wary of people’s intolerance when I went back. These days I rarely have time to get there though I’m still in contact with some friends from then.  Anyway, I stopped musing and brought my coffee back through where I refreshed my post and spent a while catching up. At 9.15 there was a knock on the door and I’m still in my dressing gown. From the orange I can see through the door it’s either the postman or a runaway prisoner from an American jail. I trust my instincts it’s the former and turn out to be correct- who knew? He had a parcel for me that I didn’t even know had been posted yet. A collectors Tea Caddy made for Twinings I bought to make up for the fact I’m too mean to buy one of the teabag boxes at over £30.00. What I paid for this I should have worn a mask and called myself Dick Turpin. Once the post man had gone I thought I may have pushed my luck as far as I could and got dressed.  I texted Joanne to ask how Penny, Amy and Priya are. I actually had tears in my eyes as I thought about poor Bernie. Joanne came back to tell me that Penny’s not herself, Amy is just cheeky and Priya is as round as ever.  It’s not that I don’t understand pets die but I usually show my feelings for them more openly than I can for humans which I suppose must make me seem cold.                                                                                                                                                          Lunchtime came round and yes, it was baked potato again but this time with 3 rashers of bacon and coleslaw. I really enjoyed it. I watched an old Sherlock Holmes before going back to work on some tweets.  Not long after 1.30 my phone beeped and there was a message from Mike, ‘On Way’. I texted back ‘To Dad’s or here?’ to which he replied ‘To yours’. Messages flicked between us for 20 minutes until I realised I was just delaying his journey and could have asked everything on arrival. Duh! I managed to write two more poems bringing the score to 24 if two iffy ones are to be allowed. The final decision won’t rest with me.  Mike arrived about 4.15 pm bringing some bread I’d asked for. No doubt he’ll blame me for his tardiness in getting here finally. I made coffee and we chatted till the Antique Road Trip came on and we both watched to see if one of them could end the week with a profit for charity. The answer surprisingly was no, whereas the other one much to our surprise had a healthy balance at the end. I left Mike to watch a quiz while I caught up on mail so I’d have no nasty surprises tonight then back through for the US version of Law and Order. At 7.00 I went for a shower while Mike got to grips with the TV and watching a programme he’d missed yesterday before it finished tonight. He seemed to have no problems with the Devil remote that defies me. I made some tea and I promise I had nothing but tinned fruit. We saw Big Bang Theory then caught up with the second half of last night’s Forensic drama. At 10.00 Mike asked me for the time which he’s done after every programme tonight, I finally snapped and asked him to turn his wrist far enough to look at his watch. I also told he he never listens to me as he continually asks me to repeat myself ten seconds after I finish speaking. If anyone could hear us they’d have thought us an old married couple. If we were I’d have killed him years ago….or he’d have killed me. Darby came through for my last blast on the computer and left Joan watching TV. I have chance to write  this before daring to refresh the mail again. If I don’t manage to post tomorrow night please send cakes with files in to the nearest prison.

Saturday. I go through phases with waking up. For a very long time it’s been around the 4.00am mark but just recently I’ve had a couple of much later starts about 6.00am and thought a new temporary phase was starting. I don’t know what the heck happened today though as I was woken at 6.58 by the sound of Mike’s alarm. I wake up all the way down the passage way and he turns it off and goes straight back to sleep.  I dragged myself to the kitchen and turned the fish tank light on. I don’t feed them on a Saturday though I couldn’t follow their sterling example of self-deprivation myself. I made us both a drink and took his through letting him know it was there. It’s true, the neanderthal communicates with grunts. At least I think he was communicating. I took my drink back to my room, ignored the computer- yes, you read that correctly- and went to wash and dress. I drank my coffee and went through to put the mug in soak and started to empty to swill bin. I heard Mike’s alarm go off a second time but amazingly he moved. I was just taking the rubbish out when I passed him coming through with his drink. Head down, no doubt searching the ground for something edible, or hi slippers, nothing was said. I took the main bins out to the front and then did the same with my recycling bags. They never seem to get very far, ha ha. No? Well suit yourselves, it is early you know. Back inside I wash my hands and head back to the lounge. This time I pass Mike going the other way to get dressed. He’s much more awake and alert with head up. This time I say nothing because if he’s awake he’s on form. It’s already well past 7.30 am as he comes through and starts my checklist, spectacles, testicles, wallet and watch or rather, keys, wallet, parking pass cash card? I have everything and get my coat on as he collects the shopping bags and we set off.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              We have the usual discussion about where to go before the end of the road and we’re still doing so a mile or so later but eventually we make up my mind. We arrive, get cash and start. Not too much today but looking for toenail clippers takes forever. They don’t have any. They have cuticle clippers which wouldn’t cut my eyebrows never mind a toenail. Shopping done we have a coffee, one of which is free as I have a full loyalty card. Then we head off on a fruitless mission to another big store for the clippers. Still no but I did manage to but a few things I didn’t know I wanted till I saw them. A lot of my shopping is like this. Time then for Flint where another fruitless search sends us scurrying to Temptations and our usual duel of wits with Ceri. “I’m going to call you Cinzano from now on ” he tells her. “Why?”she asks, despite me praying she wont, “Anytime, anyplace, anywhere the boyfriend says” he quips. Ceri bursts into laughter and I can sigh with relief, I’ve not been banned. After hugs we leave for lunch. Mike says it’s a long time since he’s had a piece of fish until I remind him of a previous girlfriend but we settle of the fish and chippie anyway. I have steak pie and chips. This is some diet I’m on.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          Back at home we take the shopping in to put away and I bring in the recycling bags. The bins are safely back where there should be. I leave Mike to watch TV and come to sort the mail. 108 which I must do before relaxing as I probably won’t come back through here until late after going to watch TV. It’s getting on for 6.00pm when I finish and go to join Mike and Make a light tea. A ham sandwich each and a chocolate eclair. I honestly have no idea what we watched up until a Cold Case serial came on at 9.00. By 10.00 I was hooked but knew I had to leave or I’d be working on messages and the blog until the wee hours. Mike has had to nip though each adverts to let me know how the story is going but I’ve managed to catch up. He hasn’t been to tell me how it finished, he’s probably holding the ending to ransom. Now I think he’s watching an episode of Sharpe’s Rifles, or perhaps not since I can hear a car and I’m sure Sharpe didn’t have a licence.

Hope you all have a wonderful week. Hugs………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

Chillin’