Tears on my Pillow

Monday.

Last night I was tired and prepared to sleep as long as sleep held me though in reality I knew I wouldn’t want to sleep beyond 4.00 am. So when I woke and got out of bed 3.59 am was flashing on my clock as it was on the kitchen clock when I got in there. I think there’s making a point and then there’s making a point. It hadn’t been the best sleep in the wold but I was satisfied and here was plenty of time to work which is what I did as soon as breakfast and the meds were done and I had coffee in hand raring to go.               I carried on until 8.35  am when I decided to get dressed but not until Joey’s yelling reminded me that he hadn’t got fresh seed and water and nor was his cage door open.       Darren the postman delivered two parcels this morning and then another one he found in his van ten minutes later. More Christmas prezzies dealt with but I mustn’t get complacent as there’s along way to go.                                                                                             I made lunch at 12.00 noon as the nurse hadn’t been in the morning. It was 12.15 am and I was halfway through eating it when she arrived. Bummer. We got sorted and she was really happy with progress. We’re going to carry on with daily changes. After she left I finished the meal off and took my tablets, watched the end of Bargain Hunt, washed up and then checked my eyelids were still working. I slept till 2.15 pm then came to catch up until 4.40 pm I stayed away until 9.00 pm then came for the last catch up of the day till 11.45 pm.

Tuesday.

I read until almost 12.30 a last night.  One last nip to the loo and as I came back I kicked the box adjoining the cables to laptop from electric charge. It was full on my big toe on the left foot which as you know looks like a war zone. I flopped down on the bed and buried my face in the pillow I’m not sure whether they were tears of pain or frustration that were drawn for a minute. Once the throbbing stopped I fell asleep. I woke at a much kinder 4.15 am than usual. Somnos is giving me a period of grace it seems but the time is still not good enough to say ‘don’t hurry’.                                                                                  After my meds and my breakfast I worked with my coffee until 7.31 am when there was a slight lull in proceedings. It felt cheeky given how late I’d woken but I still went through to my chair in the lounge. I recycled 40 Z’s but it only took me to 7.50 a.m. I decided I might as well do something useful and sorted my Christmas cards ready to write. About an hour later I returned to work proper. The postie brought me just one parcel today. Tomorrow will be good as I’m expecting some for Mike as well I think. I waited for the nurse but it looked as though they were going to be late again. Maybe I’d have chance to eat my dinner but no, a ring of the bell and two arrived. One I’ve seen before and she’s nice but the other one was quite vicious. Guess which one was doing my feet. A constant sound of sharp intakes of breath and feet jerked followed by an apology followed by repeat above. Some skin may well have been ready to come off but it wasn’t being asked  politely it was being ripped off. The number of times I said ouch she must have thought it a foreign language for carry on I’m enjoying this. I was not.She decided to dress the legs in just loose stockinette for some reason which left my toes open.                  They left at 12.14 pm just as Bargain Hunt started and I had to rush and make my lunch before they got too far. I had a message to say ‘Thank You’ from a friend whose blog often provided me with my hilarity for the day. He’s a funny man and certainly has no need to thank me. https://youvebeenhooked.wordpress.com/. I worked till 3.00 pm then had a little skive till 3.45 pm then at 4.0 pm I gave up work till 9.00 pm and came back and paid the price. At the end of the night a read until 12.30 am. Sleep came easily.

Wednesday.

I think Dawn was 3.43 am this morning but I was still tired and sent her home. No way I was getting back to sleep now. Had my meds, ate some of my breakfast and brought my one-a-day coffee back to work. At 8.15 am I knocked off for a bit, hoping for 40 winks in my chair I managed about 20 before the first of a constant stream were at the door. The gas man wanted to read the meter, poor souls had no idea where it was when I invited him in. He was very good and cleared a space for himself and his mirror on a stick. Bert from next door came as did the postman and then a parcel delivery (for Mike) all leading up to the nurse who appeared at 11.30 am. Unlike yesterday this one actually dressed my legs fully and not just with stockinette. I can see just how much they’v improved and the feet are pretty dry now but even with the ‘Peelers’there are still a lot of growths of skin to clear.                                                                                                                                                      After I’d had my lunch and Bargain Hung had finished I undertook a survey of my inner eyelids that took just over an hour to satisfy me they worked. It was time to play catch up with the work. Another parcel delivered (proof there’s no rest for the wicked I suppose) and at 4.25 pm when Dil arrived I was up to date. He’s really learned how to cheat well. I couldn’t best him at the Yahtzee and it ended up a draw 6 games each. I beat him at Nomination Whist but he bested me at Cribbage so he headed home with honours even again. It happens too often, I piled back into work mode which kept me until 20 minutes past midnight before I was able to get a short read ready for sleep.

Thursday.

Despite reading till 1.00 am an waking at 3.08 am I think I had a touch of genius last night.

If he likes that and it raises his profile I could be free at last and ready to get my own good night’s sleep.                                                                                                                                 Well he should have had the idea by now, with luck I should get an answer by tomorrow. Once I’d dealt with my drugs and breakfast, I took my fresh coffee through to the bedroom to start. Among other things was a reminder from Yvonne that she and Amelie will be coming this morning. If we skip through all the mail and getting dressed we can get to the bit where they arrived. It was about 10.20 am and no matter how many times Yvonne said “Give pops a kiss” I was ignored by a little girl who’s grin just got wider and who kissed or hugged her Mum instead.                                                                                          The nurse arrived so I must still be on a daily call, liked what she saw, answered Yvonne’s queries, dressed both legs (properly) but only applied the iodine to one and left. Yvonne went out just before noon to get me some lunch. Amelie cried but I’m not sure whether she missed her Mum or her chocolate biscuits. Yvonne came back and Amelie was asking for ‘just one more’ of her mum’s lebkuchen biscuits. Her eyes lit up when I offered her a chocolate mousse, It was gone, demolished. I closed my ears in case I heard those fateful words. I finished my lunch and they left to go home. Apart from Joey the place was quiet.                                                                                                                                      I nodded off but was woken by my cleaner arriving. It reminded me to do a bit of work. I worked until 4.30 pm when I gave up until 9.00 pm. Time to catch up. 11.35 pm off to bed to read.

Friday.

I tuned my light off at midnight and threw myself around a couple of times to find the best position for comfort. I was soon away in the land of Nod. It was 3.35 am before I woke which was great. I went through to the kitchen, took my meds then started filling the trays for the next week. I had pills rolling everywhere as my hands shook and I dropped them, the job seemed to take forever. That done (finally) I had some Weetabix for breakfast (one job even I couldn’t mess up)(OMG if you could only see my two fingered typing this morning, the spelling is atrocious ). I took the last two diabetic tablets and went to make my coffee……or so I hoped. It was a red light job meaning twenty minutes spent on cleaning the machine with a descaling tablet. Only it wouldn’t start. AAaaaargghh, I ended up turning it off then on again only to find it wasn’t requesting a clean now so I re-inserted my coffee pod and started again. I was half an hour sitting at my desk before I realised I hadn’t even drunk it. Duh!                                  The Nurse visited at 11.30 am today. I was just in the process of stripping my leg (tastefully of course) when the front door went. It was the chemist with a new course of treatment. I have to slap it on, cover my leg with clingfilm, bake for half an hour then remove the clingfilm and throw it away. No-one has yet told me what I’m to do with the legs. I carried on back to the nurse who knew nada. She dressed both legs but without the iodine today as she said it’s all dry, Perhaps on Monday I won’t need dressings and can even fit a shoe on again.                                                                                                                Mike arrived early afternoon sarcasm dripping from his chin, no change there then except I had to get him a tissue. I tried to keep abreast of the work during the afternoon until I quit at my usual 4.30 pm. We had a good evening which included a hair wash and a flannel bath for the rest of me at the sink. Even the mirror blushed.

Saturday.

I was up at 1.28 am after hearing a noise. After stumbling about for a few minutes trying to decide which towel to wear for secrecy I found my way back to bed where I decided I needed more sleep. I got some until 3.20 am when I was less confused. I did a walk round to gather paper for the recycling then had my normal meds. I got the diabetic meds together  with some milk and had my breakfast. I made a coffee and brought it back here to work at 3.55 am. At 6.00 am I made Mike’s coffee but thought I’d gone deaf until I realised the beggar hadn’t set his alarm. That meant it was my job. We had a good morning’s shopping when we went out at 7.00 am but I’m still no nearer getting more Christmas prezzies. The weather was so foul today with rain throughout the night then snow about 5.30 am followed by rain all day, so we decided to come home after lunch. There was a message to go to the hospital at 2.00 pm tomorrow, so much for a free weekend. I caught up on my mail during the afternoon and my sleep during the evening. no wonder he’s complaining about my company. Restart work at 9.00 pm to 11.30 pm.

Sunday.

Light out at midnight. Not a very long read but enough.I was drained from the pain in my right foot. I’m sure I got up once in the night and maybe had a conversation with a female. I definitely got up at 3.41 am and somebody had moved some of the rooms about. Then no they hadn’t, I was just confused. I put the light on in Mike’s room to see if anyone was there and there was, but luckily for me he didn’t wake. I went to the kitchen for my meds and some breakfast but found I had put the toast on first so had to hurry with my meds. Then my toast came out like French toast, with just one side browned and I had to work out which way to put them back in to brown the other side. A freakin’ disaster of a morning. Things can only get better………..                                                                 I caught up with my mail and remembered to drink my coffee. I did a couple of searches and I also had a rummage in Ebay for my still difficult Christmas prezzies. At 10.00 am I put the kettle on in the hopes Mike would soon be up. He made it by twenty past which wasn’t too bad. We couldn’t think of anything specific we wanted to do in the morning so we left at 11.30 am for Prestatyn and lunch. The beef was to die for. We came straight back to Holywell afterwards rather than go round shops in Prestatyn, it meant we could better gauge the time before leaving for the hospital. I managed to get a toy for my last great nephew, if only his Mum and Dad were as easy to buy for. We were at the hospital just before 2.00 pm and I didn’t have long to wait. I’m wondering if this is the last time I’ll have my legs dressed with the new treatment starting this week. We came home and watched a Christmas film that had us both throwing sarcastic remarks out. Mike left at 5.00 pm to go home while I spent time catching up on my mail.

May you all have the nicest of weeks in the change from November to December. Give smiles where you can and hugs where you will. Share a thought for all those people in refugee camps throughout the world and if you have a little cash to spare…….. there are also many people in prison in countries with few human rights, people who want to see some form of democratic change and a lot of journalists. Places like Saudi Arabia and Turkey which has undergone a radical change under Erdogan. Possibly the kind of changes the U.S. may follow as journalists are ridiculed.                                                            Look after yourselves.                                                                                                                             Huge Hugs

The Wrapper Returns.

Monday.

Up at 2.07 am this morning. Not too bad maybe as I managed to turn my light out at 11.30 pm last night. I know my legs haven’t been treated since Thursday last, but I swear I caught a whiff of damp goat as I was waking. So it’s either my toesies have halitoesis or Somnos has been sending his brother round again.                                                                      At 3.00 am I went through to the kitchen to have my meds then some breakfast. Just some toast again but it was enough. I set the washing machine going, then made a coffee to take back to work. I was keeping an eye on the time to put the clothes on a drying cycle. I remembered in time and set it for an hour and a half. I carried on working until 6.45 am then decided to try 40 winks in my chair. I woke just before 8.00 am and went straight back to work completely forgetting the dry laundry. It was 10.00 am before I remembered and went to get the stuff out, no longer hot and pliable, but cold and wrinkled. I hung it on the airers.                                                                                                     At 10.45 am the nurse arrived. I took the remains of the dressings off and my feet were soaked and washed. I hate that bit because of the pressure applied, ouch, ouch and ouch. No, not three legs just lots of discomfort. I had her take a look at the soles of my feet too and she said there were quite a few ‘cracks’ there. She treated them. I wonder if they normally just do the tops because that problem is obvious. Anyway, she decided my feet were a little wetter than before and it was probably due to not having been done since Thursday, so for now we’re going back to every day changes.                                                    I cheated and had an easy lunch then worked till 3.00 pm. Watched Escape to the Country then worked till my 4.30 pm antiques show. After that I had tea with Joey and nodded off for an hour. I watch a programme called Babylon 5 that I’ve heard about for years but never seen. At 9.00 pm I called it a night and came through to work. At 11.20 pm I decided bed was a good idea.

Tuesday.

I probably got to bed about 11.30 pm and managed to read until midnight last night. It took a little time to get the feet comfortable enough to sleep, but once I did…………………..    It was 3.45 am before I woke up this morning, my longest lie-in for ages. I’ve no doubt someone interceded for me with Somnos.  Meds and breakfast were done straight away before bringing my coffee back to work. And work there was this morning but by 7.35 am I was nicely on top of it. I decided to celebrate with a sit down in my chair but the 40 evaded me so at 8.00 am I returned to work slaving over a hot keyboard.                              At 10.50 am yesterday’s nurse returned with another. They are both nursing sisters by my guess at the uniform and it was to clarify a new care plan based on the change back to daily. Daily for two weeks they agreed before one took out her tweezers, gripped a piece of black flesh across the top of my foot and pulled. She celebrated one continuous piece that had defeated others by removing even more flesh from between my toes. My crossed fingers worked and she didn’t try the big toe which is more wood than flesh now. They left at 11.30 am and my stinging feet were grateful.                                                            My nephew came this afternoon to see if I wanted shopping. He answered the doorbell for me and in came a podiatrist. As Lee went out shopping she started in on my feet. She checked the pulse rate to ensure a good flow of blood. she even cut a couple of nails on one foot but she used a scalpel to clear even more debris from the feet. Talk about sore afterwards. My shopping arrived and Lee put it away for me. Once he podiatrist had finished I cleared her debris and Lee and I enjoyed a game of scrabble.He went home to his wife and sons leaving me at the mercy of the budgie.

Wednesday,

I was in bed for 11.45 pm (post mail) and only read for half an hour before extinguishing the light. Perhaps I should have put the book down first? The stinging had stopped to a large degree and I suspect sleep came readily because I was still holding the book as I woke, and my glasses were twisted at an awkward angle on my schnozzle. I slept until 3.37 am which was again unexpected. I wondered why my female companion was hushing me until I realise she’d sprung a leak.                                                                                After using the puncture repair kit I took my meds and had some breakfast. I brought a coffee back to work and kept going until 7.41 am when things slowed down. I went looking for 40 in my chair. Phew, I found them and they kept me going until 8.30 am(ish) when I returned to work. I was in the lounge about 10.30 am when I noticed a nurse going pas the window carrying a large box. I went to the door but saw that she was at a neighbour’s house.I closed the door and walked back to the lounge. i’d just reached there when the bell rang. I asked if the box was because she was selling my supplies door to door. Luckily she had a sense of humour. I unwrapped my legs being careful not to ladder my stockings while the nurse prepared herself. She was very gentle with me so she obviously knows I’m a virgin on the ridiculous.                                                                       After she’d gone it was getting on for lunchtime so I had a beef dinner from the bing machine. It was surprisingly nice. I saw Bargain Hunt and at 1.00 pm I went back to work . I’d missed a fair bit. At 3.00 pm I was clear so went through to see Escape to the Country which involved inspecting my eyelids from within. At 4.10 pm I just had time to clear the mail box before Dil arrived. I made him a cup of tea and we watched Pointless before the gaming began. Tonight was another honours even so he said we could part friends. I wasn’t sure why we’d change the habits of a lifetime. I tidied up and came through to work finishing at 11.40 pm.

Thursday.

3.25 am this morning. Reverting more towards what was the main time before.There was a message waiting for me that another blogger has made Somnos an offer so he’s having to leave my side for a while. Our ‘Friendship’ will not be forgotten though. ( shame). I dealt with breakfast and meds straight away before bringing a coffee back to start work. I had a difficult letter to write to someone who considers me ‘stubborn’- me of all people? And who is full of suspicions when I try to be the most reasonable of men. I get the feeling I’ll never win. At 7.41 am I was temporarily clear so decided to occupy my chair in the lounge for forty. I was a little up set to get just twenty as someone knocked on the door at 8.10 am and by the time I gingerly got there, they were long gone. I tried calling out ‘Hello’ in case they heard and came back but all I got was a kind passerby asking if I needed help. I returned to work. At 9.30 am my neighbour Margaret came to the door. She came in for a chat then kindly went to do my shopping. On my return to work I found an email telling me I had  direct message on Twitter. Here’s how it starts……… ….   My name is Mr. Suvo Sarkar, I am Bank Officer here in Emirates Bank of Dubai NBD. I have a business proposal for you which is in connection with your name and you are going to benefit from this transaction which will be of our interest and benefit to our both families. Yet another con that’s finally moved away from Nigeria so naturally I’m going to fall for it now.                                                                                                                                          Nursey arrived at 11.30 am and was very gentle today except when she was apologising for prodding the wrong places to ask if they hurt. She left at 12.15 pm so I found myself trying to watch Bargain Hunt as I was cooking my dinner. Te afternoon alternated between periods of work and periods of sitting down with my legs up. Mike arrived before 6.00 pm so we nattered until 9.00 pm when it was clearance time for the mail.

Friday.

I didn’t do too well this morning though I was desperate to stay where I was, wrapped in the warm with a beautiful dream lingering on the outskirts of memory. But here it was 1.46 am and I was wide awake. Nothing had woken me and I felt no threat so maybe even Somnos wasn’t on the prowl. The only thing to do was get up and start work. That carried me through until 3.00 am when I went through to the kitchen to have a fix and prepare my drugs for the next week. Then I was able to have breakfast and make a coffee to bring through with me.                                                                                                         I worked until nearly 10.00 am then fell asleep when I would normally watch Homes Under the Hammer, luckily Mike likes that too and remembered to turn on albeit late. I was expecting the nurse around the time it ended but she didn’t show, I wondered if it was due to the doppler I was supposed to have. At noon I gave up waiting and made lunch to ear while I watched Bargain Hunt. I’d just started the washing up afterwards, when I didn’t expect the nurse to appear, when she did. Sana doppler which they will now do on Saturday at the hospital for ease. Once the legs were done I finished the washing up and started on the mail again.                                                                                Mike arrived back about  6.00 pm and the lazyitis was so bad he had to make his own drink. We watched Antiques Trip from 7 to 8 and then Mastermind before he washed my hair and left me taking a bath in the sink.. At 8.30 pm I went back to the evening mail and got caught up. It was just gone 11.30 pm before I got near bed and 12.15 am before the light went off. Sleep was along time coming.

Saturday.

Despite it being past 1.00 am before I got to sleep I was not to be allowed concessions. I woke at 2.27 am and was able to take a full minute getting up. As I turned my screen on a message appeared. Somnos, (your) God of Sleep invites you to join him for an evening of fun and gaiety from Midnight 18th November. Bring fruit. Finally I may be about to get to the bottom of his renewed interest in me.I worked till it was time for breakfast, I had just enough butter for two rounds of toast which I had, somehow managing to cremate one of them I held a very quick service with a knife over the waste bin until it looked edible. After taking all my meds I returned to work until 5.30 am. Then I got dressed. Have I mentioned I’m having to make sure whatever I wear on my lower half (excluding my kilt) has legs wide enough to take both legs and dressings. At 5.50 am I was ready and had managed to wedge my feet inside my old velcro slippers. I put the kettle on for Mike and as soon as I heard his alarm I took a coffee through to the lounge for him and went and shouted him. I then started to get all the rubbish and recycling outside. The weather was cold enough to give me my own Newton’s Cradle so I was glad to get back in the warm and shout him a second time. His alarm must have gone off four times as he got up pretty quickly. I retreated to my room and the computer as someone wandering around in just their shreddies at that time of the day requires a stronger stomach than mine.        Shopping went well and was pretty successful in more than food as I picked up a Christmas present for one of my nieces. We went for breakfast (Yes, I don’t need reminding I’d had one, I just can’t see him eat alone). A couple of things in the Morrison’s where the cafe was and we were ready for the off again. I was paying the price for the outing by having to occupy the wheelchair and he was enjoying every moment of the power. In Flint I got another present but not for Christmas this time. I escaped his clutches on my sticks and forced him to follow me into Temptations before doing the last of my shopping, for the freezer and then going home to put it away. Mike refuses to do that because I won’t let him spend on a new freezer for me.                                                       We headed into town to get some special cards then eat at the chippie. Then off to the hospital for the Doppler and new dressings.I was on my way home again about 3.00 pm after a good laugh with the nurses both of whom I know. Work till 5.00 pm then investigate my eyelids for 2 hours in my chair. I finally came back here for catch up at 9.00 pm.

Sunday.

My light went out at midnight and despite a terrible itch across the top of my right foot I was asleep in no time at all. And there I was on the top of a mountain with a bag of tomatoes in my hand and a very cool breeze around my kneecaps. I think the tomatoes were a little rebellion on my part but not recognised as such by Porcinus as he came round collecting tribute to his brother. Was it my imagination or did Porcinus himself look a little bigger (and smell even more of damp goat?). I saw Somnos heading towards me and was tempted to run but I was far too inquisitive as to the reason for this bash with it’s accompaniment of shepherdesses on what looked like pan pipes.                        ‘Ah David’ he said, ‘welcome. This is as much for your benefit as mine. My name is slowly growing towards that of Hypnos, Somnus and Morpheus his son. I am on the verge of becoming a big god and in part it’s down to you. You have my thanks. I would ask for one last effort on your part. Make my name a household word and I shall reward you.’             ‘With sleep’ I asked. ‘Whatever your heart desires’ was his answer. I knew I was returning home then and my knees began to warm. The last thing I heard as I left was ‘And by the way, I noted the tomatoes, most humorous.’                                                              I woke up and it was 4.00 am. I sat on the edge of my bed and couldn’t move for an hour as the thought of Somnos directing the World’s sleep hit home. At 5.00 am I went for my meds and some breakfast carrying an immense sadness inside me. As I ate my Weetabix I was trying to see ways to succeed and get him off my back forever or ways to fail that didn’t look like I’d done it on purpose. Somnos the Musical? But I’d never get one of the hugely talented musicians to write the songs. How about if I disappeared and got him blamed for my murder, ridiculous, not enough people believe in him to get him charged and as a god he wouldn’t have to appear.                                                                                       About 9.30 am Mike got up I left my plotting and went to say good morning. We decided how to proceed with the day. Accordingly we set off at 10.30 am for Prestatyn and went looking for some Christmas presents he wanted help with. We got what he wanted and were nicely in time for lunch at the Cookhouse with the carvery. Afterwards we took a run back to Holywell and checked a shop for a few toys for Christmas presents we both wanted. At 1.45 pm though we headed for the hospital. Anne Marie was on duty again and changed the dressings including the top-socks I now have to keep things from unraveling. She was really pleased at how dry both feet were and no seepage through the bandages. Things are looking rosy though there’s still a way to go. We headed straight for home so Mike could get away for the birthday party for one of his grandsons. It must be the jelly and ice cream that made him rush. I did some catching up then somehow at 7.00 pm found myself in front of the TV watching a Miss Marple programme. That took me to 9.00 pm when I packed up for the night and came to work.

May you all have a great new week. There will be those who need you to share a smile and maybe those in whom you see a greater need. If we bring sharing to the forefront I think Love will follow and then without the politicians and weapons manufacturers maybe the world will be secure for those to follow us.                                                              Hugs to all,

Shopping Inspiration.

Sunday.
The decision had been made yesterday that we’d go to The Tweed Mill today and see if there was inspiration for Christmas. Every little helps. As also wanted Afon Wen(White River) antiques centre we’d have a meal in one of the two places despite knowing they’re overpriced. Mike dutifully got up at 8.30 am and because I didn’t put our usual Sunday morning programmes on there were no distractions.
We were out for 10.00 am and on our way to The Tweed Mill at St. Asaph. We arrived at 10.20 am and found we could walk around inside even though it didn’t open until half past. There was a good display of Christmas gifts but the one gift I was concentrating on was for a minimalist. Not easy but I think I managed ( more or less lol).

At noon we went for lunch. I quite enjoyed mine though more potato would have been welcome so I pinched one of Mike’s. The thing I missed most in the steak, ale and mushroom pie was the mushroom….there was certainly enough room for some. After lunch and a cigarette outside, we hit the upstairs. Not a lot of inspiration there so we went downstairs to pay for things we’d reserved behind the counter. Then we headed off to Afon Wen.

At Afon Wen I was lucky enough to get a couple of coins I wanted before we needed to indulge in a drink in their restaurant. Another short waltz round then homeward bound. Glory be, I’m cruppered. I couldn’t hit the mail when I got back because Mike was still here so I waited round chatting until after he’d arranged Ju’s flowers. Once he decided to start for his home at 5.00 pm I was able to come through and start. Poor Joey had to do without company until 8.00 pm. Then he got an hour before it was time for my drugs and back to work.

Monday.

3.25 am seemed to be the time that attracted me today. My brain came to life to realise that it needed to play catch up with my legs that were already on their way out of bed. Luckily it wasn’t but a sparrow fart to the computer chair. I turned on and ploughed into the multitude of messages that were waiting. By 5.00 pm there were still a few to deal with but two thing were now a priority, the kitchen and my meds and a visit to the loo before I started  bladder leakage programme on the bedroom floor. I must have been jer, jer, jigglin’ for a while judging by the speed I had to move. Thing is, my legs are on  the move all the time sitting here so I can’t always tell what for.

I took my meds and had breakfast (Shreddies, no not the underpants kind) then took the antibiotic, the steroids (check out the Moobs!) Had my after meal diabetic tabs. I swear I rattle when I move. I put the washing machine on then brought a coffee back to my desk to carry on with the mail. At 6.20 am I was just about up to date so took my coffee mug back to the kitchen, turned the drier on and then sat with Joey and watched the news. I’m waiting for the day they say All wars are over, mankind is turning over a new leaf. Sometimes man needs a light to guide him towards peace, you have a choice to carry the light or be the light. I’m not holding my breath still though, maybe one day?

I alternated between periods doing messages, periods with Joey and periods answering the door to the postman and delivery men. Christmas is being whittled down fast. The day passed quickly but relatively peacefully. In bed for a read at 11.10 pm.

Tuesday.

I wasn’t very happy that after turning my light off at 12.15 am for sleep, I find myself staring at 1.47 am on the clock. I had slept but who knows for how long. I need to be on a bus at 7.30 am but this was taking preparation time to new levels. I did the only thing I could, no, not annoy Joey, I started on my mail and opened ebay.  At 4.00 am I’d just  paid for  a purchase (never miss a chance) then decided to go and take my meds and have breakfast. Today 2 rounds of toast, one with strawberry jam. I took my coffee back to the desk.By 7.30 am I was dressed for the rain, Joey’s door was open but the lounge door was shut and all lights were out. I walked up to the bus stop.

There were two more people waiting but they were kind enough to let me on first. I found my usual seat (not that it was lost but maybe a little misguided). Once the journey was under way I sent a text to Yvonne to let her know, then I closed my eyes as usual and pretended I was asleep. I was mortified to find out I really was asleep when I was pulled out of it by a voice asking where I was going today as we were in Chester. The driver had got out of his cabin to come wake me. I think he expected to find a corpse on the seat when he got close. I hopped off pretty smartish and went to find Yvonne and the kids. The first stop was for coffee to wake me up and a loo to get rid of the last one. After the usual argument about who pays I sat down defeated and put Amelie on my knee. She’s all bounce and made me feel like a tramampoline.

Needless to say we looked round shops all morning until Roobs began to show signs of being weary poor lamb. We walked to my bus stop and I tried to get them to go home rather than wait. It was like being escorted off the premises. Then Reuben was suddenly caught short so they had to dash off to the nearest loo anyway. They arrived back as my bus did so I got my final kisses. And yes, I did fall asleep on the return journey too but was awake in Holywell and stayed that way for the last three stops. A quick call in to Pauline’s and then the final dash to home hoping to open the front door before I went through it in search of the loo.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Wednesday.

I woz robbed. I got up just before 6.00 am to go to the loo and was delighted to have slept so long. t was only on the return journey, now wide awake ready to face the day I found it was 2.52 am. I sat dejectedly on the edge of the bed for a few minutes to see if sleep could be induced but all I could sense was the laughter of Somnos ( the small god of sleep, see the Blog Cast List). So I started work and that seemed to go on and on. I took a break to annoy  sit with Joey from 6.15 am to almost 7.30 am then it was back to it. At 9.14 am I got dressed and I’m so glad I did as that was the time the postman decided to knock with my next batch of parcels. Once those were checked and stored I left feedback.

I’ve decided to be honest.After doing the post this morning I’ve seen that I don’t care for haiku very much. I’ve always enjoyed the richness of language employed in poetry and we have some excellent poets online, but the haiku with it’s minimalist emotion and starved format just isn’t my cup of tea. It won’t stop me tweeting them but the likes will definitely be more frugal.

I had a fancy for sausage and chips today but it was pouring at lunchtime so I settled on some micro chips and curry sauce. It’s less than I would have eaten from the chippy he cried. After lunch I stole an hour for sleep from 1.00 till 2.00 ish pm then came back to work to keep as clear as possible with Dil coming . Play went well and was fun but I’m refusing to say who won. After he left at 9.30 pm I washed the pots, wished Joey good night, took my meds and came through to work ( and grumble) until 11.20 pm when it was time to read in bed.

Thursday.

I’d like to thank my friend Debby Kaye for her intercession with Somnos. Last night she must have distracted him quite a bit as I slept between 12.30 am and 4.45 am, possibly up to a whole  4 hours. I don’t want to leave her having to be his new infatuation for long in case Debby decides she might need some sleep herself, but one more night would be fantastic, hint, hint.

I went through to the loo before going to take my morning meds and have breakfast. I just had a round of toast this morning because something happened last night at 11.20 pm which I’m not admitting to. Luckily no-one could believe that I decided I needed a chip butty at that time could they? Coming back there was plenty of mail when I signed in which was understandable given my absence away from the screen. It took me until 7.10 am to catch up and take a short break with Joey.

At 9.00 am I had to go to buy some stamps from the Post Office. I needed milk and bread from Pauline’s so thought I could collect my new lottery tickets at the same time. I got my stamps before realising I’d come out without my lottery  list. Damnation. I got my bred and milk then walked home to drop them off before returning again with my list. Lottery done it was back home and lock myself in until the postman comes. I was almost caught up with mail when the postman arrived with 4 new mystery parcels for me. I have to forget what I’ve ordered so I can be surprised and excited. Mind you, some take so long it’s almost true.

I watched the last of the three confrontations between the presidential candidates at 11.00 am. I came a way feeling how the hell could either of these people have the nerve to stand for this great office. Will Hillary Clinton be the next President to be impeached? She is by far the better of the two candidates but she has a politicians way of ignoring any inconvenient questions by answering with something that no-one wants to know. Having said that, she is erudite and quite calm while he is a mess. He talks with his hands but they seem to know few gestures and as for policy, who knows what either is promising as the battle before me was one of personalities. Throwing insults at your opposition seems to be an art form in the cult of personalities when you don’t have good policies to show. I’d say the big losers here are the American people.

I had a message from Mike to say he was on his way about 3.45 pm so I concentrated on clearing as much as I could to be ready for his arrival. That happened about 6.15 pm so while I heard the great sighs of relief after the journey I made a coffee to start filling him up again. We talked about our week as we watched TV and then he stuck his head in his tablet and watched his beloved Manchester United win  a game 4-1.  I came through at just gone 9.30 am to catch up on mail and was still here at 11.25 pm. It’s now 11.33 pm and I’m turning off and turning in for the night.

Hugs to all.

Friday.

I read until 12.30 am this morning then was pretty sure I’d get to sleep. It was correct, I did.  Morning snuck up on me without me realising it was a fraud. I paid a visit to the loo then came back ready and willing to work to find it was just 2.58 am.  I’d barely had time to reach a REM cycle,( I think I got as far as Everybody Hurts). Reluctantly now I started work and stayed there until 4.00 am when I went to take my meds, do my meds for the next week and have breakfast. I brought a coffee back to my desk at 4.40 am and started again. By 5.27 am I was up to date and went to see what the news had to offer. What it kindly had to offer was an extra half hour’s kip.

At 7.50 am I decided I’d better go play catch up again. Somehow over 60 pieces had appeared since I left the room so I had to work at it. The next thing I knew it was 9.10 am and I could hear Mike attempting to leave his lungs in the bathroom while he went back for a coffee. I went t see to the drink for him. We both sat quietly in the lounge waiting for the day to make an impression on us. It had already done so on Joey who was singing up a storm, only perhaps the word singing is a kindness too far since he sounded like a bag of cats.

At 10.00 am the postman had been and I’d started watching Homes Under the Hammer, I know I’d seen all three properties so it must have gone 10.30 am, but I was poisoned, drugged or time had churned a little too quickly. I know this because I suddenly came to and it was now 11.35 am. The TV was still on but I was all alone (apart from Joey) and by my side as another delivery. I couldn’t possibly go and start peeling hings with which to make my lunch now so I returned to work. I stayed there catching up again until 12.50 pm then made myself a sandwich to eat whilst watching Cold Case.

The afternoon was spent catching up again though I had a break at 3.30 pm to 4.15 pm. Once 5.15 am came I was on the TV with my programmes. Poor Mike had sent a message to say he was on his way back and then another one to say he was stuck in a massive traffic jam. It took him until 9.00 pm to get back instead of 6.00 pm. His bladder must be cast iron.

At 9.40 pm I excused myself to come and work but when he came through to speak to me I caught him up in a problem I’m having in the hopes it would clarify things. I was also a little worried as Amelie is poorly and Yvonne seems to be under some strain. At 11.46 pm I decided to turn off and head for my book.

Saturday.

Maybe I  was sleeping on the wrong side this morning because it seemed to take a long time to turn over and get up. When I did so I sat on the edge of the bed for a minute to try and work out who I was and what I was doing there. The latter became of prime importance when my bladder tried sending smoke signals to my brain. I made it safely to the loo.

I’d been asleep since about 1.00 am as I’d felt tired all day yesterday. It was now 3.55 am so rather than start any work, I went to take my morning meds and have some breakfast. Cornflakes today if you’re interested. Actually, cornflakes today even if you’re not. Somehow that took me until 4.40 am so I took my coffee through and started the day’s mail. I knew I’d only work until about 5.30 am before breaking off to do the rubbish and recycling collection. Somehow, I did the last piece of mail in the early batch at 5.25 am so I was fine for a break.

At 6.00 am after the rubbish was outside for collection, I came back inside for the Battle of Alarm Bay. The first skirmish started at 6.00 am on the dot when Mike’s alarm goes off and I try to get his coffee ready before he ignores it and goes back to sleep. I didn’t quite manage it this morning and had to wake him with the news his coffee was on the table in the lounge. I thought the message had got through from the encouraging grunts I got. He went back to sleep regardless until the second alarm woke him at 6.05 , at 6.10 am and finally at 6.15 am when he went through to the lounge to fall asleep in his chair. We still managed with a bit of prodding to be out of the house by 7.30 am and it was exciting today as we were going somewhere different to do something different this morning. A secret mission with Christmas in mind.

We were successful and able to head back towards Flint in order to have a coffee at Temptations. Then we did a little frozen food shopping which we took straight home and Mike made me put it away even though it was his turn. Before we went back out for lunch I decided to leave feedback on a parcel delivered this morning. Bert brought it round when he saw the car. Only problem was, I lost it. High and low, low and high we searched. I knew I’d put it in a shopping bag to carry it but those were long emptied. At last inspiration… I told Mike to open the boot to see if it had dropped out. It hadn’t, but it was inside a shopping bag Mike was keeping in the car with his stuff. PHEW!!

We went into Holywell for lunch to the Top Bells. I had a mushroom omelette and chips, Mike had fish and chips. From there we went gift hunting and promptly forgot the other shop we were intending to hit and just came home. I worked hard on my mail while someone else went to sleep and ignored the bird who then gave him the bird. I went through at 5.30 am in the hopes of falling asleep too finding something exciting to watch. Both sleep and TV were hard to come by with the snoring from the next chair so I tried reading the TV mag and imagining what I could be watching. Typical, the minute I thought about watching a Sandra Bullock film, Mike woke up to play chaperone or to move in on he himself. At 9.00 pm I gave up and came through to work and find a way to hide the lottery millions I’m going to win away from him. Serves him right.

Have a Wonderful Weekend everybody. Masses of Hugs all round.

 

Suffering from the Wind & A Mouthful of Tea.

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

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

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

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

Monday 16th November.

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

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

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

A cough won’t keep me down.

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

Tuesday 17th November.

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

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

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

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

Dick Turpin’s ride to York.

Black Bess, the faithful steed.

Wednesday 18th November.

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

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

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

I’ll take a running jump I think.

You watching Mum in case I whiz past?

Thursday 19th November.

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

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

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

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

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

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

A brilliant personalised gift.   Number  371469034697

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

Friday 20th November.

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

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

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

Saturday 21st November.

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

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

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

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

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

 

 

 

 

 

Well Balanced Man & Method Acting Class

Sunday 15th.Feb 2015

My hopes for the future were raised again this morning when I got up at 5.28 am. I turned my bedroom light on and hopped down the passage way with gay abandon being very careful not to fall over or knock anything over that might disturb Mike. Ha, did I happen to have the odd atom bomb handy? No. It was a relief ( don’t excuse pun) to go to the loo at a reasonable time and I was very grateful ( just in case Somnos can read). I came back to my room and turned the computer on. The lottery and thunderball results were disappointing which shows yet again  that Brother Jake only responds to wishes if there’s something in it for him. I  shall be (not) working another week then and most definitely not living in the style to which I wish to become accustomed. What’s wrong with wanting my manor house with enough rooms to accommodate all the guests I’d invite? And of course I’ll need a wine cellar (hopefully with a secret passage to the stables), and stables so the secret passage can come out again. Naturally I’m going to need a room big enough for my 12 foot fish tank. Yes, OK it’s just a minor technicality that I don’t have a 12 foot fish tank yet but I can move at speed when I need to.

The mail on the other hand was not too bad at all. I worked through till 7.00 am and had cleared half by then. The fish were having a ball when I got through there. I don’t mean with gowns and evening suits, it was just fun. Heading towards each other and veering off at the last minute, swimming in  and out of the branches of the bog wood, I was beginning to wonder if they were celebrating the extra hour  lie-in. I refused to feel guilty as I don’t wake them when I get up, and the 6.00 am regime wasn’t exactly my fault when I was on the antibiotics. For all the gaiety in the tank, Big Al looked as morose as ever, head buried in his usual corner. I’m  wondering now if it’s less to do with me than with the attention he gets from Pepper. Maybe she’s rushing things or has re-organised his house so he can’t find anything including a smile. I watched them all for a few minutes and kept trying to imagine my pictus in there. In the end I had to drag myself away.

I took my sprays and all the meds then made myself a cuppa to take back with me. As I was passing his door I heard Mike start to cough but it wasn’t enough to wake him. He said last night that he’ll go home early today as he’s feeling bad and I don’t blame him. I don’t know what time though. I carried on and got back into the mail. At 9.45 am I was up to date ( if I didn’t refresh) and wondered if Mike would be up soon. I had a quick play on Ancestry.com trying to trace some medals but it looks like they’ve only got the Royal Navy ones on so far. Most of my family have been RAF except during WWI of course. It was OK as I followed a few hints through to their conclusions anyway. At 10.15 am Mike started coughing again and this time sat up. When I went through he was coherent which I took to be a good sign so I went to make him a drink. By the time I got back he was down again but the smell of the coffee must have got to him and he came through to the lounge by 10.30 am. He said there was no point in going back too early now as he felt much better. The cough  says otherwise. Anyway,he asked me what I wanted to do today, all I could think of was some fish food. He decided that we’d go to the two shops we like that sell fish both in completely opposite directions as a round trip. I knocked that on the head.

It was gone midday when we actually got out and after a short discussion starting “Which way am I going?”we headed towards Rhyl waving at The Ivy and The Bells as we went past. When we arrived in Rhyl I said I’d prefer to eat first so we parked up on a side street and walked to a place we’d been to recently known as The Red Caff because of it’s decor. It’s very basic tranny caff meals (Transport Cafes) and I ended up with cottage pie, chips and peas. Walking back to the car afterwards I asked Mike if he fancied going into another fish shop he’s not been in before that years ago I wasn’t keen on. It must be ten years since I was in there last and bought a book that it might have changed. It had. We had a good wander round and were both taken with various fish. Suddenly he called me and said “Look”. The sign on the tank said pictus but the owner who was working nearby said the last one was sold yesterday. We carried on looking and there really were some nice fish. The other shop might have a pictus or it might not so should it be a bird in the hand. I settled for a fish in each hand like a well balanced man . No will power at all. I got a fantastic shark catfish  (not like Sharkey who wasn’t a catfish at all) and an ancistrus plec. They both look much nicer in real life than on the pictures.

Shark Catfish (columbian)

Ancistrus plec

I did remember to get the fishfood to so I didn’t feel guilty. We didn’t have far to go back to the car and start heading for home. When we got back I opened the bags and part sunk them into the tank for 20 minutes so the temperature would gradually come up and they’d acclimatise. Mike gathered his suitcase and we said our goodbyes. He headed off and I put some tank water in each of the bags so they’d adjust to that too. After 20 minutes I came to let them out. They were both off like rockets. The new Sharkey ( I know, not too original is it) seemed quite happy swimming around and wasn’t affected by my voice nearby. The ancistrus was gone. Wherever he’s hiding it’s good, I just can’t see him. Hopefully when I release some bloodworm or perhaps daphnia into the water tomorrow he might emerge to eat. Time to llet them get on with it and to get back to work. It was 4.00 pm which means over 6. hours accumulation of messages. I worked till 5.30 pm then went for a sandwic to take tablets with but I was only away half an hour. I worked from 6.00 to 9.30 pm then gave myself another half hours break watching an episode of Gavin and Stacey. Promptly at 10.00 pm I was back into battle. I was doing well but of course more mail was coming in all the time. At 11.00 pm I broke off to record today’s events and then at 11.45 pm otherwise known as now, decided to go back to it for a while.  Night all.

Monday.

I must still be either in favour or forgotten altogether. It was a 4.36 am start so I had approximately 3 hours unbroken sleep. I don’t remember any dreams sent to disturb me either. When I got up I was able to turn lights on and set my computer to power up while I took the widdle walk. Vastly relieved ( sorry)I came back and had a look at the post. ow, just three carried over from last night after all the extra work , but the morning’s post, oh dear, anyone would think half the world was up while I sleep my life away. Four flippin’ thirty and over a hundred posts already. It’s just not on. I have a sense of humour but someone is stretching it to the limit here.Most especially when one of the first messages I open tells me to ‘click here’ to start claiming my instant lottery win on the African Lottery. I thought the African lottery was based on who ate and who didn’t. Sorry, that was in bad taste.

It was 7.10 am before I looked up from the screen again.( Not just from that one email) and decided it was time to feed the fish.All seemed quiet in the tank as I turned the kitchen light on and then it picked up it’s pace a bit when the tank light went on. I could see all my pals in there but still haven’t found where the ancistrus is hiding. I suppose I was pre-warned about this when I saw how much trouble it was to find him yesterday. I didn’t bother with flake today, I put in some of the small algae pellets then opened a sachet of the daphnia I bought yesterday. For a minute I thought I’d made a mistake as they were all going for a nibble except Sharkey, then maybe he tasted something in the water and he was down there hoovering it up with the best of them. I felt like doing the dum dum, dum, dum theme from Jaws but he’s far to pretty to be a predator like that. After watching for a few minutes I got my drugs to take and then made a drink which I took back with me. I’d emptied a carton of milk and took the plastic bottle top the recycling bag. Have I mentioned how heartbroken I am? Saturday mornings all the rubbish goes out for collection. My goodhearted neighbour Bert always brings the bins back for me and deposits them on my step, the recycling bags he rolls up and places behind the bin.Except this week there were only two bags, tins and plastic, my big blue bag for paper and card ( I bought this one) was missing. I have one of the council’s own blue plastic bags but ou can’t hang those out of the way as I could. Who would deprive a man of his bag this way????

Back to work.I carried on until 9.00 am then got dressed and at 9.30 am went off to the chemist with my repeat prescription request. Coming out of there I accidentally turned right and ended up in the sandwich shop. I couldn’t NOT get something so bought a sausage bap for my breakfast. I took it home and after taking pre-food tablet enjoyed it.Then it was the turn of the two torpedo sized post-food tablets. Of course that meant I couldn’t have lunch at midday and nearly removed my excuse to watch my antique programme. Luckily I needed a break at 12.15 pm coincidentally. I returned to work at 1.00 pm and kept my nose to the grindstone until 2.15 pm when I was due another skive and at 3.00 pm came back. I wanted one last big effort before going to watch my 4.30 pm programme but I was starting to feel tired and to glaze over and forget what I was actually doing. By the time 4.15 pm came round I was down to about 30 messages and wasn’t keeping pace with the incoming so I powered down and went through to the lounge early. I put the last few minutes of a house search on and wallop. I woke up during the quiz show that followed my Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is. I was really piggin’ annoyed at myself. I stayed in the lounge till 6.30 pm and then came through to give it another try. It went a bit better this time and at least I was sure what I was writing to people but catching up still seemed an impossibility. I managed to get one account almost clear only for the other one to fill up to 42. I knew I needed to get down as low as possible before I go and see Yvonne tomorrow as I’ll come back to a backlog, I didn’t want to make it worse.

What a difference a year makes.

I’ve been trying to analyse why this weekend has resulted in a new rush of followers for my Buthidars Blog, some for this blog and also some new twitter followers. I’m certainly not complaining as new followers tend to make me think I’m doing something right ( for a change). But when you know what ‘right’ is maybe you can duplicate it.

Anyhoo, it looks like I’ll have to let a few pieces of mail carry over till the morning as there are too many for tonight. At least the blog is done. For Valentine’s day I indulged myself with the choice of record because I felt it was full of romance and feelings.( There might be snow on the chimney but there’s still a fire in the hearth). Tonight I’m giving you the other classic from the only musical I liked and by the same artist who did Saturday’s P.J.Proby I hope you enjoy.

Tuesday.

3.42 am today. It doesn’t sound so bad if you say it fast but it’s still a goodly chunk off three hours. Never mind, I can sleep on the bus. Lights on, warm computer up while I visit with ‘Niagara Falls intermittently’ and then back to check my bank then the mail. One of the gods was smiling down on me and it’s fairly certain it wasn’t Somnos et al, the mail looked manageable. During the first five minutes I’d had four messages about problems with bank accounts that didn’t exist so it was safe to assume that the conmen have returned from their private island Christmas breaks and want to start saving for their Summer breaks. I’ve either read or been told recently that the spelling mistakes I so often mention are deliberate. It’s to take out the educated people who might realise these are cons and leave the rest as targets for theft and fraud.

I stopped work at 6.00 am in order to see to the fish. I wanted to have as much leeway with time for getting dressed etc as possible. I went through to the kitchen and turned the main light on. I’m usually glancing in the direction of the tank to see if I can see any sudden guilty changes in activity. I didn’t, so I move over and turned the tank light on. Ancistrus wasn’t quite quick enough, I saw his tail disappear behind one of the shells.At the same time, I saw a little head with a fantastico moustache  sticking out of the same shell, it was one of the synodontis. As if by magic, as it withdrew it’s head, the head of the other one started to appear from the other shell at my end of the tank. Morecambe and Wise came over to wish me good morning and the two bronze corys bobbed up and down the tank in front of me. Big Al, Pepper and Little Al moved into position under the feeding hatch and hoped no-one noticed. The plecs stayed as still as usual and tried to blend into the background. At the end of the day they’re armoured and no-one is going to bother them much. That left the beautiful SharkeyII who swam gracefully up and down from floor to surface trying to feel out and avoid obstacles with his magnificent moustache. Rather than attack anything in his was as did Sharkey I, this one changes direction. If I do decide to have a second tank inside the lounge, he’s one that will grace it alongside a pictus. It’s not so much colour I’m interested in as I am the sleek form of the catfish family. How Oscar would have delighted in the fact that I always said I’d never have a cat again……

Coming out of my cogitations I turned and took my sprays then poured myself some milk to take my tablets. I lit a cigarette as I put my mug in the Tassimo to make my drink. I must have been daydreaming a while as I noticed it had gone 6.30 am already. Time to get dressed. I decided to wear one of my very expensive shirts from Saturday. It seemed to fit nicely which was a blessing. I still had time to do a couple more pieces of mail before putting on my shoes so I went for personal ones as there was no urgency on notifications. At 7.10 am I had to start getting my shoes on but not before I’d used the other end of my shoe horn to scratch my back bringing a purr to my lips. I gathered up a bag of things I had for Ugo, got my coat on, put new ends on my crutches and left. I hadn’t reached the bus stop when the bus drew up beside me to let me get on.It was a great relief as the hill is quite awkward.I thanked the driver and went to my regular seat as the first person on the bus. Thereafter I kept my eyes closed most of the way. I can tell where I am from the corners the bus takes and was able to take little naps as well.

For some reason the bus made good time despite roadworks and we drew in a little early. Yvonne was running a little late so I walked towards where she’d come from to meet her. Still a little distance away she spotted me and I could hear her ask Roobs where pops was. Within moments he’d spotted me and his arm came up to point a his mouth broke into a big grin. I checked my fly was closed. Hugs and kisses all round I suggested walking round a different shop, on I rarely see before going for coffee. Despite not buying anything it was enjoyable and interesting. On coming out we headed for our favourite clothes shop and it’s coffee bar. I had a nice latte and a cumberland sausage toastie with red onion, Yvonne and Reuben had toast and jam with their drinks. Poor Yvonne had to share her tea with Reuben even though e had tea in his beaker. I was able to get Yvonne some nice gloves in the main shop and a sort of fleece for Muriel.

From there we went to Tesco food shopping. I got some tulips for Julia as I wasn’t happy with her vase this week and somehow I ended up with a lemon meringue tart, though I did manage to get Ugo some chocolate biscuits and when Yvonne got milk and stuff for pancakes I was able to pay for it without WWIII breaking out. Time wasn’t doing to well this morning but we had chance to go to the £ shop to get a tin foil holder and cutter like mine for Yvonne and then go to have a look at books for Reuben in another shop. It was time to think about going. Instead of walking all the way to the bus station as usual I decided to try and wait where I’d got off the bus earlier. That meant I didn’t have to trail Yvonne behind me. She did a quick sort of the bags and then all of  sudden my bus was there.Reuben had fallen asleep in the bookshop but he chose the moment of my goodbye to wake up again. The siren started, he was not a happy chappie. As I got on I waved and Yvonne started walking towards home advertising an air raid attack. Poor girl.

Someone (not disabled) had sat in my seat so I had to occupy a double seat on the other side. I closed my eyes straight away. The journey went smoothly and after an hour I was home. My first job, once my coat was off, was Ju’s vase. With the addition of the tulips it looked so much better. More as it should have on Valentine’s day really. Then checking the other bags I found Yvonne’s gloves which I’ll have to take next time. I left the lemon meringue defrosting and came through to work. It was 1.15 pm, but that didn’t stop me taking a Father Brown break at 2.15 pm. And when I came back to work afterwards I worked on with the intention of seeing my PYMWYMI today. I came through a few minutes early and made something to eat. As soon as it was over I washed up and sat to watch a quiz. I saw the introduction of the teams and that seems to be it. I must have gone hard because I didn’t even wake up in the quiz. When I opened my eyes I realised the news was on and looking at my watch I’d been gone an hour. Time to get back to work. Progress was steady tonight and mails wasn’t coming in faster than I could deal with it. I was nibbling into the back log all the time. By 10.00 pm when I went to tke my tablets I felt brave enough to refresh. Uh Oh, Error, that meant the chase was on again a bit. By 11.00 pm there wasn’t too much left. perhaps 30, so I was able to break off to do this post. Time to try again.

R.I.P Lesley Gore  Died aged 68 on 16th February 2015. Taken by Cancer.

Wednesday.

My best sleep for a while kept me in bed until 5.28 am today. Before going out of the bedroom I switched the computer on so that it would be ready for when I returned from the loo. I logged into my mail and knew I’d got some work ahead of me this morning. I only worked until 6.15 am as I decided to have breakfast today just to make sure I didn’t need a meal before my fellow card sharps arrived tonight. So I went through to the kitchen and turned both lights on, the room and the tank. I got quite carried away just watching the fish enjoying themselves and almost forgo to feed them. Big Al left Pepper’s side and came to the front of the tank to glare at me. I got the message.I opened the trap and dropped in some specially balanced food I’d picked up at the weekend then opened a sachet of daphnia as a bonus. They must have been ravenous the way they went at it. As soon as it looked like everyone was getting a share I moved away. I took a pre-food tablet first then lit up a cigarette as a time guide. My sprays came next and then a mug of milk to take the tablets with, making sure I saved enough to use for my coffee. As soon as the ciggie was finished I put two slices of bread in the toaster and put the coffee on. As that was ready the toaster clicked and sent two perfectly browned pieces of toast into my waiting hand. Oh Sugar! That was hot. I ate the toast and took the two post-food torpedoes with my coffee. Back to work.

I wasn’t really keeping an eye on the time but when I noticed it was 9.15 am I stopped work and got dressed. I was pretty sure there’d be enough time to get to Pauline’s and back before the postman was due. I moved at my top speed and got everything I wanted then headed back. My timing couldn’t have been better, he was just heading for me. The book I was expecting was there which was great so he put everything in my shopping bag and wished me goodbye. I let myself in, put the shopping away then sat looking at the book for ages. Luckily it was mainly pictures. Fish of every shape and size with information on how large they grow, what size tank is needed , whether they can go in a community tank, everything I need ton know in short. I’m sure Mike and I will have a lot of fun with this.

I’d wasted so much time reading that it had just flown by. I stopped at 11.45 to make my lunch and didn’t think I’d made much of a dent in the work but at least I was on the right day. After a lunch of lamb hock and mashed potatoes with veg and after the end of another Murder She Wrote exercise I came back through intending to get my head down. By 2.00 pm I was amazed to see real daylight, I was well on the way to catching up. I stood up when I heard a knock on the door and didn’t mind opening up as I knew it was likely to be the chemist delivery. It was, so I swapped my meds for a box of chocolate I’d put handy. As I took them through to the kitchen I decided to watch Father Brown. Not exactly my best idea. I missed the end and zonked out again, not waking until 4.00 pm, a full hour after I should have been back at work. I could only manage another half hour’s work now until Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is, came on. Yes, I know I could have given it up but I thought I could still manage. The computer just laughed at me and went on a go slow. In that half an hour 37 messages came in, eleven went out.

I watched my programme then put the stuff in the mugs ready for their arrival. By the time I was done I saw them approach. They watched the usual quiz while I did the drinks and then we watched together. Once it was over the games came out. It was a scrabble day  in fact it was MY scrabble day I’d have done a little celebration jig had there been floor space and if they hadn’t both threatened me. I was a lot more subdued in Nomination, even leaving the room when I needed to snigger. Yes, that was my game too. Chase the Lady was a different kettle of fish and Dil wiped the floor with me again, I’m sure it’s meant to be my game. Lastly Crazy 8’s, I’m sure they both decided to gang up on me and make sure I couldn’t win. There were pick up’s galore waiting for me as we played and the honours fell to Matthew, His victory dance must have been done out of my sight in case his biscuit and ciggie supply get cut off. They left at 9.30 pm and after tidying up and washing the pots I took my meds and came through.

I saw in my gmail account 117 messages in so for a change I’ve decided to do he blog first and than attack  the mail. It’s 10.53 now so I guess it’s going to be a late night.

Thursday.

I got the feeling someone was definitely sulking this morning, other than me that is. It was a 3.27 am awakening and just unnecessary. That equates to about 2 hours and I was tempted to fight it. Trouble was, I was wide awake,not just zombiefied.(There may be no such word but I think it fits so there it is). There wasn’t even any urgency for the loo so I had opportunity to turn on the computer and sign in. The mail from yesterday was bad since I made myself give up at midnight last night in order to relax with a read. If I’d have carried on, I could have met myself getting up. I worked until 7.10 am then took a break to do the fish , with a side trip to the loo on the way compliments of a 1.5 litre bottle of limas y limones exprimidos otherwise known as squeezed lemons and limes. The fish were in meeting mode today. As I turned the light on I saw Pepper, followed by Little Al and the bronze corys followed by the hoplos all come out off Big Al’s corner. Morecambe and Wise were at the side of the tank nearest me, Sharkey II was roving all over the tank and of the ancistrus there was just a splash of tail from beneath the shell. The Plecs remained wherever they were in camouflage mode. I did wonder if I’d missed the wedding party and some guests had been excluded. Just in case, I provided the wedding feast with some bloodworm as a treat. Sharkey II didn’t seem all that interested in food but it was like watching the Mongol hordes overrun Asia with the rest.

I peeled myself away to take my morning meds and to make my coffee which I brought back to my room. Time for a stage 2 assault on the mail. It was all done by 9.15 am so I got washed and dressed and went to Pauline’s for my lottery tickets. Coming  back I met Darren again and he had a small catalogue for me. I must admit I was hoping for something else today which had piqued my curiosity. Some small sheets of impregnated gum?That you put in your mouth to dissolve to give a nicotine rush so you don’t need a cigarette. I remember buying something minty a few years ago which were quite pleasant but which seem to have gone off the market since. Perhaps they’ll arrive tomorrow. I went into the house and sat down ready to pick up the new mail. There was enough to keep me going but I also opened my second account and pulled the new mail from there. It generally takes longer to do because it’s more personal. One I wasn’t happy to see was a message that my son (in law) lost his grandmother this week. I know it will be hard on him and he’s working so hard at the moment and is away so often that it will be very hard to take time to mourn properly or to celebrate her life.

I ceased work very pleased with progress at 11.40 am and wandered through to the kitchen. I took my pre-food tablet, buttered some bread  and then put the food in the microwave. While it was doing I put the TV on and watches Judge Judy savage someone new and then have her usual “You’re not as clever as me” rant. The woman should cite herself for contempt of court. Fortunately it was coming to an end and as I went to get my lunch it changed from her to The American Miss Marple, Jessica Fletcher in Murder She Wrote. I had an hour in her company before returning to work. Things were steady and I wasn’t under any pressure that made me think I’d miss my antiques programme. If Mike was coming though, he’d miss it because I hadn’t received a text to say he was on his way as usual. I ploughed through as much work as I could which included rubbish like having been awarded so many free spins on slot machines, so much free at bingo sites and prizes I’d won if only I’d complete the claim form to include my telephone number. By the time 4.30 pm was approaching I was tired and glad to get away. I checked on my phone which was on charge in the kitchen and saw Mike had sent a text about two minutes after I’d left the phone there at 3.00 pm. I reckoned he’d be here about 5.15 pm. I watched my programme and thought there was no pint in returning to my room only to have Mike walk in moments later. I might as well stay by the kettle. I filled kit and put it on and got his mug ready. It was actually nearer half past when he arrived. I made the drink and sat to talk and see how he is.

Mike had apparently stayed in bed until Wednesday after getting home then gone to help his son decorate. I wasn’t convinced that would have done his chest a lot of good but I shall credit him with enough sense to know when enough is enough. Anton wouldn’t let him do it if he didn’t think he was up to it. We watched a couple of quizzes together, an episode of MASH and an old Top of The Pops from 1980. At 8.00 pm I had to excuse myself though and come through. I called Mike through to look at some fish tanks very quickly as he’s interested in a new one too. That lasted almost an hour as we flicked from one to another deciding which were too far away to be considered. After he’d gone I found my mail was well above the 150 mark again. As I was working on them I found 2 people I tweet for multiple times a day who don’t reciprocate or visit the blog and decided it was a good idea to start my unfriending campaign. Maybe that will slow things down a bit. At 10.00 pm I broke off to take my evening/nighttime meds and to remind Mike to take his, then back to work again. At 11.00 am I gave up and came to do the blog as it obviously takes longer. I may or may not get back to deal with a few more.

Unforced kiss for Pops

The comforting hand

Friday.

We moved in a more positive way this morning. About 6.30 am was my goal, 04.27 am was the compromise which naturally I had no say in. I paid my  visit to the loo, performed the stop start, have I finished yet? dance and returned to power up the computer. There was quite a bit of mail but I thought it manageable. I worked to my hopeful getting up time and went through to see to the fish. Once I turned their light on there seemed to be an air of excitement, I’m convinced they know food follows light. There was even some jockeying for position. Some of the smaller ones settled beneath the hatch starting with the bronze corys, the hoplis and even Morecambe and Wise barged in though they get flake, Then along came Big Al and Pepper who settled big bottoms slowly on to of other fish until they were slowly squeezed out at the sides. Little Al was cheeky enough to try the same trick between Big Al and Pepper with some surprising success. I dropped some pellets in and then a sachet of the daphnia so that a feeding frenzy moved them into every man for himself mode. It’s funny to watch them go from order to disorder in zero seconds flat.

After watching them for a few moments longer and gauging whether there was enough for those who hadn’t put in an appearance, I moved away and started to take my meds. I didn’t make a drink straight away as it’s the day for refilling all the drug trays. I got on with that, bringing down all the new drugs to complete the drawer and then filling the trays from there. Then I was able to make a drink and take it through. It was already 7.30 am so I knew I didn’t have long before having to rouse Mike. At  few minutes to 8. 00 am I put coffee in Mike’s mug and put the kettle on. As soon as it was ready I took it through letting him know it was there. First words generated a grunt, the second a reminder that he’d told me last night he wasn’t under pressure today. I just reminded him I’d specifically asked it it was to be a normal time day to which he’d said yes. I left the room, and went back to mine to finish my own drink. At 8.30 am I wandered past taking my mug to the kitchen and for the heck of it shouted that the coffee was going cold. There was movement, about what it took to turn his head away. I decided to wait in the lounge for him to get up, that was a big mistake. I nodded off in my chair and he didn’t wander through until 9.30 am.

I don’t know why I did it but I turned the TV onto an American comedy. Instead of rushing round like a mad thing trying to be out an hour late at 10.00 am Mike sat and watched it with me. At 10.00 am when the episode was over I said I was going to get dressed. Mike said he was thinking that too. I left the room and he still stayed a while longer before finally moving it. I went through in my dressed state and turned off in case he wanted to finish the current episode. The work couldn’t be avoided any longer.Finally at just gone 10.30 am he came through to say goodbye.

The time seemed to fly by after that. I was watching two books on ebay for Mike due to finish at midday I didn’t want to move from the screen to make lunch. At the last seconds I put a bid in £4 greater thank the current price by someone had left a larger bid on. They say thing happen for a reason so I did a search for the same books and found a wonderful set of 4 or £30. He already has the first one but if he sells that to me for £10  he’d not only have the two books he wanted but also an edition which is full of thousands of photographs from 5 volumes all for the princely sum of £20. And it’s a buy now item so no bidding. I was thinking of sending him a text when there was a knock at the door and one of my two lovely wardens was there. She came in for a chat but mainly to see I was OK. When she left I made my lunch. Unashamedly bacon sandwiches. After lunch it was work again but I was no longer doing well as I had been earlier. Time for head down. Well, I tried but just couldn’t concentrate properly. At 2.15 pm I gave it up as a bad job and went through for Father Brown.Not far into it I couldn’t take it in so stood to go and get a drink. Down I went in darkness for probably no more than a minute or so, how I didn’t hit the TV I don’t know but I seemed to fold rather than go flat. Maybe I have a dainty side. I got back on my chair and relaxed into a series of Zzz’s until about 3.15 pm.

I managed to work a bit until 4.30 pm, Mike texted to say he was on his way back and so I went to see the last day of the antiques show. At least I was in the right place for making Mike a drink when he came in. Poor soul had to make his own because I was engrossed in a quiz by then. I had put the stuff in his mug and boiled the kettle though. At 6.30 pm I went to get my hair washed and then take a shower, I wanted to be out by 7.00 pm.Mike looked at the books I’d mentioned and decided to buy them there and then, then he was also showing me a 4′ bow fronted fish tank he’d found and might bid for. We watched a couple of shoes and then at 8.30 pm I left him to his own devices and came back through. I’ve tried to do some more messages but I’m not getting far. So, I’ve decided to concentrate on the blog post and then see if I can just pull the important pieces of post and for once disregard the rest. Sorry.

Saturday.

Well, I got my early night. I felt so bad my light was off at 12.10 am. I’m not sure how long it took me to get to sleep but I woke at 1.18 am. A few expletives later I managed to fall asleep again but only until 2.52 am at which time I knew that was it. I turned my light on and powered up the computer as I went past on my way to the loo. I’d finished and was on my way back out when I almost found enough to go again in my pyjamas. Some prannock called out in the loudest of voices “Who’s that”. I was tempted to say it was a burglar but thought I might get lumped with a bedside lamp before he woke up. Instead I answered “It’s only me” which seemed to satisfy him. My chest had made the voice so husky I don’t know whether he recognised it or whether the answer itself was enough to settle him. In which case I’m in trouble if we ever have any intelligent burglars.

Back in the bedroom I found over 100 message already so more than enough to keep me going, but at least there were no distractions. I finished the first batch at 6.30 am and didn’t want to refresh or sign into my other account until I’d got a drink of lime juice from the kitchen. That of course involved waking the fish so I turned the tank light on. I think they’ve all been taking lessons at a method acting school since they all seemed to shake and wake as though startled into movement, and yet it wasn’t fully dark at that time. From sluggish to manic in seconds they still seemed to be prearranged moves until they finally settled under the hatch in a ‘We know what’s coming, get a bl**dy move on’ kind of attitude. Feeling the whole thing was a little contrived ( not that I’m paranoid or anything) I shovelled in some flakes and some of the normal algae pellets and left them to it. I just hoped the little monsters would leave enough for the shy ones in their midst.

I took my sprays then put some milk in my mug and started on my tablets. I didn’t feel like a coffee but found I did very much feel like I needed a sit down. I moved to the lounge for what I expected to be a few minutes but Oops ZZZZzzzzzzzz. While asleep I heard Mike’s alarm go off twice but just thought he’s come through and wake me.( What a stupid thought that was). I woke at 7.55 am , screamed and put the kettle on to make his coffee which I took through. An hour late and he was still reluctant to get up but when I said it was 8.00 am he did so without a second call ( 2 Alarms, 1 Call…wow). I made my coffee and said I’d go and get dressed. He complained I’d disturbed him at 3.00 am  and was lucky I didn’t tell him to mop the floor from where he’d shouted. I was really quiet and he hears me, yet if I’m noisy when it’s time to getup- Nada. We finally left the house just before 9.00 am  and despite a hair raising drive ( not that you could have told with my haircut) we did arrive safely. Mike went on a long trek looking for a trolley he didn’t have to pay for while I went to the cash machine, the very annoying cash machine that never has any £10 notes when I go, to get money for the shopping.

Inside the store it was a left turn as I didn’t need potatoes today, nor flowers for my wife. Mike says he checked the flowers in the vase and they look fine. We went up and down a few aisles to see if we could find some recycling bags as I miss the blue one for paper that wasn’t returned last week. It had handles so it could be hung out of the way whereas the blue plastic ones issued can’t. Couldn’t find any at all. We went up towards the gents clothing when Mike suddenly felt the urgent need to answer a call of nature.That means I either find a corner to hide in or I keep moving so no-one talks to me. I chose the latter and was halfway through the shopping by the time he got back. Fear lends speed especially when you have wheels you can lean on. We finished the shopping, went through the tills and headed for a coffee. This week we were lucky and got one. When we came out and had a cigarette while packing the car Mike asked what we were doing next, having already lost an hour of the morning I suggested straight to Flint to see Ceri and the girls rather than go looking at fish as we’d thought the night before. He agreed and off we went. Despite the fact he think he’s driving a De-Lorean we still got there after we’d set off. We went round a couple of shops then settled in what was a very busy Temptations. We hardly got a chance to talk to Ceri let alone tease her. A couple more shops still looking for this elusive car coat Mike wants and we headed for home.

Normally we’d have gone straight for lunch but, as Mike won’t let me forget, I forgot my tablets. Moan, Moan, Whinge, it’s worse than being married. We unpacked and put away the shopping then head off for the Ivy. Tariq greeted us as soon as we walked in the door almost, uga all round. Our seats were free so coats down, then Angie walked past and I gave her the chocolates and received a nice kiss while Mike was shouting “Get a room” in the background. He’d need a room for what he has in mind. Rob came through and called hello and asked how we were, I think he’s used to us now and less fearful. Tariq came to ask if we wanted the usual drinks and went off to make them while we wrestled with the menu. Mike settled on something too hot with rice which he regretted until he could add sour cream to it, I had sliced gammon with two eggs and chips. People coming and going nodded hello or goodbye as they’re a friendly bunch and Tariq came over to talk a couple of times. Shella came over to say hello too. I think we were only missing Shirley to complete the set. We left there about 2.15 pm and headed for home again after deciding anything we wanted to do we could do tomorrow.

Wen we got in Mike started looking for fishtanks for himself on ebay and I came through to work. I did as much as possible up to 5.30 pm then Mike wanted some company ( and competition ) for a quiz. I stayed there until 9.00 pm at which time it seemed OK to leave him on his own. As usual the mail was enough to cause a sharp intake of breath but I made up my mind I could only do what I could do and the the blog must take precedence. Any time left after that I can go back to the blog again. I did wonder if I could post the blog in the early hours of the morning when SOMEONE is asleep since he keeps coming in to see if I’ve written anything inflammatory about him. I usually spell that word T.R.U.E but hey, different strokes.

Have a Great Week everyone.

 

 

 

 

 

The Cold Descends & Missing Shreddies

Sunday 8th Feb 2015

A new regime is in place- mine! Though I woke up a little earlier this morning I didn’t actually get up until 5.44 am. (No you cheeky beggar, I’m not revolting), I’m in revolt. I want more leisure time, more time to sleep or more specifically, more time asleep. I mean, fair play it’s a Sunday. There’s just a chance Mike might sleep in past 8.00 am. ( yes OK, I’ll be serious a minute, once I stop laughing). I did things in an orderly fashion first thing. Computer on, trip to loo and then back to sign in. Since I don’t have to take the antibiotics now even the fish can have a lie in until natural daylight starts. I got a good hour in on emails and didn’t even dent them. So many new people coming through and liking the blog which is really nice.

At 7.00 am I took a break and went through to the kitchen. I turned both lights on and stood watching the fish play, argue, fight and just chit chat. They’re a funny bunch and quite entertaining.Yesterday I’d put the piece of bog wood in a bucket to soak, this morning I turned it over to catch the pieces that had dried out again. Once the monsters had been fed I took my meds then made my usual coffee to take back. I got dressed then had another session with the mail until I heard Mike get up OF HIS OWN ACCORD at 9.45 am. I went to make him a coffee and make fun of him. I had to come back to finish one message I’d been part way through then I joined him in the lounge. He asked what I fancied doing today and I told him I needed to get a headset for the computer as the last one gave up the ghost but other than that it didn’t matter. That was fine it seems, but the fact he was out of bed didn’t mean there was a chance of any real movement yet. We got to the stage of him making a second coffee so I said I’d come back to work ( I’d only reached 5.30 am at that point) until he was ready. That was 11.45 am so it was coat on and off we went.

Still unsure where to go, we headed for Prestatyn first and had a look round a few shops including the £ shop where I actually found what I wanted along with a great box to hold tinfoil with a cutter on the side that won’t tear. We had another quick look round in case we saw a car coat for Mike but no joy. As it was getting on for 1.00 pm at this stage we decided to eat. Neither of us fancied the pub in Prestatyn and little else seemed open so we decided to visit the Bells of St. Mary’s, it’s been a while since we’ve been there. I know the place is quite close to The Ivy which I love but I admit it was my decision so I could have a roast dinner with a Yorkshire Pudding and my choice of veg and potatoes. It was really enjoyable. By then it was nearly 2.00 pm so instead of looking for fish we decided to com home and put the bog wood in the tank so the fish would have a whole new playground.One thing that was decided , Sharkey would be going on his holidays. He’s a beautiful looking fish and the raspberry tips are a great colour but he’s too aggressive for me and the rest of my fish are community. Mike had agreed to take him since he already has a couple of silver sharks. So, once the bog wood was in place and we’d both watched the fish investigate, Mike upturned the bridge where Sharkey was hiding and we bagged him up for the journey. I carried him out to the car while Mike carried his suitcases ( Mike’s not Sharkey’s). We hugged goodbye and they set off. I started sneezing like mad outside it was cold and I was full of cold. Ugh.

Back inside again with a tissue stuffed up my nose I was shocked to see it was almost 4.00 pm so I thought I’d better assault the mail box again and clear what I could. Another 113 had been added to one and 54 to the other. I did two hours solid then went through to make some tea and turn the tank light off. I watched for a minute enjoying their new adventure playground. After some trifle I carried on till 8.00 pm then went and watched a couple of old Gavin and Stacey’s. At 9.20 pm I called it a night and came for my last go on here.I started making real inroads in it and by 11.00 pm didn’t have too much left. I’ll finish the blog and go back to it for a while to lessen the load for tomorrow. I have jobs to do in the morning.

Monday.

I got to bed at 12.30 am. Still sneezing I hunkered down and turned the light off. The day started again at 3.36 am. This was just a skirmish I lost, not the whole war. I skipped the light fandango, turned cartwheels across the floor ( Thanks Procul Harum) until my bladder would take no more. After an urgent visit to the loo I signed into my emails and got started. It really wasn’t looking too bad on the first account and by 6.30 am I was clear though I hadn’t refreshed. I decided to see to the fish before opening the second account. As the kitchen light went on I could see activity, Pepper seemed to be having fun passing under the bridges formed by the new bog wood, and two of the plecs were attached to it.  I put the tank light on to see them better and noticed almost every fish was doing something that involved the wood except the synodontis who are still the shy boys of the tank. Yesterday Mike stood by the tank hoping to see them but every time one ventured forth his attention was elsewhere, by the time he looked back the fish had gone in again. He did get a wonderful view of their moustaches though, twitching inside the entrance to their shell like whips.

Big Al came over to take a look at me and turned away with his usual disdain. Little Al followed on behind but just seemed to glance at me in puzzlement as though asking what he was supposed to do. I fed them all and turned away to take my meds. I had some breakfast then I took a drink back to my desk and found while I was having fishy fun, the emails had piled up again. I got dressed before dealing with any in case I offended anyone now they were awake. Then I started again. By the time I’d dealt with those and more the second account had packed them into the gunnels too and it was 10.30 am. I finally cleared at 11.40 am and decided to break for lunch. Braised beef, colcanon  mash and some mixed veg, It was very tasty and I enjoyed a Murder She Wrote while I ate.

It was back to work at 1.00 pm but before I started I did a little research on which of the catfish and plecs I like will stay at a maximum of 4 – 6 inches which is all this tank can take. I’ve got it down to a zebra plec which will probably take a mortgage, a pimelodus pictus ( my current No 1), Albino plec,striped clown plec or striped bulldog plec or maybe a medusa plec. Now it would depend on availability and price. I’ve been reading a fair bit about crowd funding recently and decided if I asked everyone in the world to contribute just 1p each to my paypal account I can afford a new tank and perhaps my own house to put it in, oh and enough to bury myself if Big Al gets his own way. Any spare rooms and you’d all be welcome to stay , but not all at the same time please unless I get elastic walls or a very broad mind.       So, back to work. I managed to stay on top of everything during the afternoon and there was little left when I called a halt at 4.30 pm. I only stayed away till 6.00 pm but as I took my tea plate back into the kitchen I found I couldn’t get any hot water. I noticed it was decidedly chilly in the kitchen too so checked the radiator, it was ice cold. I turned the thermostat up but nothing happened. I knew Yvonne was on her way to Birmingham and wouldn’t be able to do anything until she got there. However at 7.30 pm she sent a text to say she’s been in touch with the emergency team and they’d send a plumber out. Good as I was beginning to sound like a demented typewriter in the bedroom.

Pimelodus Pictus catfish grows to about 4.3″ 10.5cm Magnificent whiskers

At 8.30 pm a knock on the door revealed a man with a great big bag of tools. I’d already said what message the machine was displaying so I thought this was bad news. But, he was out in less than 5 minutes. He’d fiddled underneath and it sounded like he’d turned a tap on. He had, and topped up the boiler. Mike bled a radiator yesterday and it seems you have to replace the water used to displace the air. Never heard anything like it. They say nature abhors a vacuum so you’d think the boiler would pull in any water it needs from the feeds. Anyway. I was back up and running and able to wash my pots from teatime. I didn’t see any point in going back through to watch TV so just stayed working. I paused early tonight at about 10.30 pm to get the blog done. I’m hoping for an early night with going out in the morning.

Tuesday.

Last night I got to bed about 11.45 pm and didn’t read for too long, preferring instead to let the warmth help me drift off to sleep. That probably happened not long after 12.30 am. Before I drifted I said a prayer to Porcinus to intercede with his brother not to let me sleep in and miss my bus. I’m guessing Porcinus did the job because Somnos made sure I wouldn’t miss the 7.45 bus by getting me up at 4.22 am. He’s all heart. In a way tough he did do me a favour ( don’t tell him that) by ensuring I had time to clear both my mail accounts before I left.

When I first got up the house was warm so the tinkling in the bathroom wasn’t the sound of icicles falling from my nose. I came back to the bedroom and started up the computer and loaded up one of my mail addresses. There was a fair bit but be fair, it wasn’t like I was short of time. I worked until 6.00 am then went to feed the fish. They actually seem happier now the ice on the tank has defrosted and they can move again. They were in fine form this morning and I actually saw the synodontis out and about. I wonder if that has anything to do with the removal of Sharkey to pastures new. I’d like to think so. There was a real scramble when I put the food in but it all seemed to be in good humour.

After feeding the fish I went to take my meds. I decided against breakfast as Yvonne will have toast or something with a coffee while we’re out and insist I do the same. I just made myself a coffee and took it through with me. I got dressed and I knew it was really cold as soon as the dressing gown came off. I was able to hang it on a nipple. Today was going to be a tee-shirt, shirt, waistcoat, jacket and overcoat day. I might not be able to move but I’d be warm. I was a vision in brown, easily hidden on an Autumn day. Today I’d just look smart. I carried on drinking and working until 7.20 am then made sure everything I needed was in my coat pockets and the bags I was taking for Yvonne were handy near the door. At 7.30 am I set out. The bags were heavy and it was a struggle. I had to keep pausing for a rest but the bus driver saw me on my way and stopped the bus for me to get on. I was really grateful. I did my usual trick of closing my eyes for most of the journey so no-one was tempted to speak. I may have even nodded off a couple of times between stops. It was quite a delayed journey courtesy of two or three sets of roadworks on the way. But when I got there, Yvonne was waiting with Reuben I’d forgotten about the vicious crop my hairstylist had given me at the weekend and didn’t expect Reuben to recognise me beardless. Yvonne walked right past me instead and Reuben was pointing at me and grinning. In recognition I hope and not at the Dali-esque moustache.

We had enough time to take a walk round the £shop before the cafe inside the clothing store opened. I got myself an elbow support bandage. and no Mike, it’s not for the reasons you keep suggesting. It’s too much tennis to blame. We actually picked up a few things from there before moving on, including batteries for the tablet type thing I’d bought Reuben. We went and settled in the cafe.She won the first skirmish of who pays and ordered me a coffee and a sausage with red onion toastie while she and Roobs had jam on toast. I’d taken the first mouthful before remembering my tablet, Oops. Once we’d done we walked round to find Reuben some pyjamas and for his dad a shirt and a cardigan to make up for the fact I’d still not found a blue waistcoat to go with his suit. I won the second skirmish. From there we went to another shop so I could show Yvonne the Jane Asher container I bought for putting tin foil in and for cutting it. No good for her as there isn’t one for the longer rolls on tinfoil but she did think it a good idea. We bought a few items there and round 3 was mine too.

The morning was getting on a bit so I suggested another drink so we’d have opportunity to sort the bags in case I had to depart quickly for the bus. We headed for the market where she’d be able to get some wool she wanted too. After the drink and when the bags were sorted 1 for me 4 for her, we took Reuben to the pet shop to see the birds. A couple of really pretty female budgies in having a good old sing song.Then it was time for me to depart for the bus and Yvonne to get home so Reuben could have a sleep as she got ready for work. The bus was slow going back too. When I got off I thought I’d go to Pauline’s for some stuff but I decided I needed a wee more and had to go straight past the shop, open my front door, abandon bag and crutches in a hurry ….and run. I made it. I worked from 1.15 to 2.15 pm, then ignoring the hundreds of messages, watched Father Brown.

At 3.00 pm I went back to work in earnest and was making some progress. At 4.15 pm though I decided I needed food so I made some beans on toast which I ate while The Antiques Trip was on. After washing up I came back through, ignoring the usual quiz. By 7.00 pm I was making real headway and had refreshed once already. I took another break until 8.00 pm  then closed the lounge down to concentrate fully on work. I was clear by 11.15 pm and able to start the blog. At this rate I may get another early night.

Wednesday.

The world and I renewed our acquaintance at 3.20 am. Though happy to have survived another night I can’t honestly say I was too chuffed about the time. I’d happily have waited a wee while longer until the world was better dressed in her finery, and you could actually see it. The fact that it was early did not negate my wish to use the loo so slippers and dressing gown on, off I went. I don’t know what it is with me and lights unless it’s the fear of disturbing someone by turning them on. Who, since there’s only me hear? Anyway, perhaps I hadn’t quite adjusted my eyes and my balance was a bit off. I crashed into the stick stand and made an almighty clatter, designed to wake the neighbourhood. My shushing of the sticks seems a little pointless now. Then turning the  corner I veered to the left a bit and walloped my knee on the radiator. Before I had time to curse I had to make a right hand turn but I was a tad too early and hit the corner with my right knee and also managed to knock over a vase of flowers. Just as well they’re artificial or a flood would have ensued. Before I entered the loo I switched the hall light on which of course I should have done at the other end.

On returning to the bedroom with two sore knees I turned that light on then nipped back to turn the hall light off. I signed on to the computer. 127 emails waiting. Two of them  were cons which quickly got consigned to the bin. Anything that purports to come from a bank where I don’t have an account automatically goes that way. The obvious adverts from  card companies followed them. One message was from a shop I sometimes visit to let me know they had a freezer in if I was still interested. The message started, “Dear Dave”. Who the heck is Dave? I’m happy for people to call me by my first name but it seems to take our relationship to a level that doesn’t exist to call me that. Frankly I hate being called Dave, my name is David though a few people still call me other things, not all complimentary. I could understand it if I ever signed myself thus but I don’t so that message too went into the bin. I got down to 104 messages that way and started on those. One of the nice jobs I get during the day is promoting other authors by retweeting their books, today was nice for me as two friends Jane Dougherty and Ali Isaac were publishing their joint venture. Love stories based on the myths of Ireland called Gra mo chroi.

Don’t forget to look for it.

At 6.10 am it was time to feed the fish. I turned both the main light and the tank light on and stood for a minute watching them. Th two lager plecs were adorning the branches of the bog wood while the smallest with its bat’s wing sleeves glided around chasing anything it bumped into. It never seems to bother him that most of the fish are bigger than him. Big Al stayed in his corner at first. Morecambe and Wise visited me at the front of the tank.The two bronze corys just darted about aimlessly, the synodontis kept coming out and going back in at the first sign of any movement around them. The two hoplos kept swimming up and down and Little Al hovered near the food slot. I opened the flap and the movement made Big All stir. He ran to the top of the tank and I started crying. Hang on, no I didn’t, it’s only on one side of my face. The little  beggar spat at me. Down he swam back to his corner. I dabbed my eye and fed them hoping secretly that they’d eat everything before Big Al stirred again. I can’t believe a fish spat at me. What have I ever done wrong? Answers on a postcard please. I took my meds, made a drink and returned to my room in disgust.

I thought I’d dealt with all the dross in my in box but I’d missed this one probably because it’s new to me and banks aren’t the first thing I associate Tesco with. This is another one of those that I find very disturbing because of it’s seeming authenticity. If you know anyone who banks with Tesco please warn them not to open this if it arrives.

Dear Account Holder,
Your TESCO Savings Account was accessed on a blacklisted IP address North London,
but for security reasons the requested transaction was refused.
You are required to update and confirm your TESCO Savings account details with us
as you will not be able to have access to your accounts until this has been done.
CLICK HERE TO PROCEED
Once you’ve completed this you’ll be able to manage your money whenever you want,
giving you more control of your finances.
Thank you for helping us serve you better,
TESCO BANK
Copyright © 2015 Tesco Personal Finance plc

I decided to carry on until  my email accounts were empty before going out. So when I threw my hands in the air and cheered at 9.10 am you’d guess I was pleased. I got washed and dressed and about 9.30 am went out to Pauline’s to pick up a few things. I resisted the temptation to buy a chocolate gateau as I know there are still chocolate puddings in the fridge. Wen I got back I put the shopping away and then returned to my desk to see what else had arrived. There was enough to keep me going until 10.45 am and then I called a break and sat in the lounge. I lay back in my chair with my eyes closed and totally relaxed. I have no idea if I actually went to sleep, it didn’t seem so at the time. It was 11.50 am  before I decide I needed to start my lunch, liver and onions with mash today, and a piece of bread and butter for the left over gravy. I ate it during Murder She Wrote as Jessica Fletcher solved her latest case in a college. Once it was over I returned to work. There was quite a lot again and I knew I’d struggle a bit so I decided not to bother with Father Brown today, but to plod on. At 4.15 pm I realised I’d need a sandwich for tea with Dil and Matt coming so ignoring what was left I went to feed the face. Antique Road Trip came on purely by coincidence (cough) while I was there so I stayed and watched it. at 5.15 pm it wasn’t worth going back so I started watching the quiz Pointless with one eye, while they other tried to watch for my visitors arriving.

I just caught a glimpse of them and I’m sure it’s because I was by now cross-eyed. I’m also sure they’ve taken to creeping past on hands and knees to surprise me. I ran into the kitchen and started making drinks as they came in the front door shouting ‘Hi’. I told them I’d had a message from Lee a few minutes before saying he couldn’t make it again, but hopefully next week. I passed the drinks through as they watched to the end of the quiz when I turned the TV off and we got the table and the games out. We were starting with Yahtzee again this week. I was the over all winner, taking three of the 6 games. It was amazing,,I even got 2 Yahtzees in the one game tonight for 100 point bonus. We moved on to Nomination Whist next where despite a good start at a game I excel in, I hadn’t even reached 3 figures when we’d finished. I was in last place, Dil first . The last game was Chase The Lady and what a start I had. no points in the first hand then just 5 in the second.I thought playing as I was I’d be unassailable. I hadn’t counted on being in the room with two vindictive people. The Queen of Spades was dropped on me so often after those hands I thought we should be engaged. Needless to say my score started to soar past theirs and I was first to the post, Dil second, Matt the Winner by ten points over Dil.

Once they’d gone I tidied up, washed the pots and went looking for the mirror I must have broken today my luck is so bad. I took my meds said goodnight to the fish and came back through to the bedroom. I eventually gave up sulking and got on with the mail of which there was almost 200 again. I worked on it until 11.00 pm without making much of a dent . Once I finish the blog I’ll go back to it for a while. I have a headache and would enjoy a sleep.

Adoration

Trying to copy Pops’s cross look.

Thursday.

It was 4.30 am today so that’s just about three and a half hours. My campaign for a sleep extension seems to have fallen on deaf ears. I got up. I put on the bedroom light in order to avoid stubbed toes, put on my dressing gown and slippers and strolled to the loo. No urgency since I haven’t been to sleep long enough to actually put m bladder to any difficult time trials. I came back and put the computer on and started work. I almost missed a notice about Windows updates and had it close down on me but I caught it in time.I gave myself four hours and judging by the mail I needed it. At 6.00 am I took a break to see to the fish, I think they got so used to the time why change it again? Both light went on and I saw there was a deal of activity. Lots of play round the new log, in and out of the various tunnels it made and fun round he branches. Certain fish didn’t join in the fun of course but I wasn’t sorry about that and was keeping a weather eye on him as I opened the flap. In went the food and down went the flap again. I spoke to them all for a minute and was visited by Morecambe of course, Wise was too busy eating. One of the syodontis came out as I’d dropped a few pellets near his hidey-hole. Of the other one there was no sign, Mike said on Sunday that it’s take to hiding in the pipe of the old water filter pump.

I let the fish get on with it and turned round to take my tablets. I thought breakfast was in order today so took my pre-food first. After taking the normal tabs and sprays I had a cigarette to give the pre-food one time to do whatever it does before sticking two slices of thick bread inn the toaster.When the toast was gone, I made myself a coffee and took the two after food tablets before heading back to my bedroom to carry on working. At 8.30 am I let Windows do it’s update. I didn’t lift my head again until 9.35 am when the postman came. There was nothing of any real interest but I was glad to move my legs. Unfortunately, I had to move them back again, there was still work to  be done. It was 10.20 when I was finally as clear as I could be. Things were taking a while to load so I signed out of my main email address for a few moments then went to sign back in as that usually solves the problem. This time it wouldn’t let me sign in. There was a message about the wrong URL for this platform or something.  I no longer have any hair left to pull out. In the end I had to use the restore facility back to prior to the current Windows download. This time it worked. I worked on the new mail until I was clear again and knocked off at 11.20 am. Too early for lunch but lovely for a sit in the lounge and a stare out of the windows. Ha, you thought I was going to say I nodded off, well na na, na na na. I lunched at midday on chips with curry sauce, my once a week treat at the moment. A this is my second tablet meal of the day I can have what I want at tea time.

At 1.00 pm I returned to my desk and risked one eye on seeing how much mail there was. There was! But, I wasn’t going to let it stop me today. I worked until 2.15 pm then suffered three quarters of an hour of Father Brown, what a missed opportunity for sleep that was. At 2.30 pm I’d had a text off Mike to say he was on his way which brightened my day a bit. Promptly at 3.00 pm I returned to work and by dint of hard labour I was within a hair’s breadth of being up to date when 4.30 pm came and my Road Trip programme. I was expecting Mike around 5.00 pm and nipped through to put the kettle on a couple of minutes beforehand. I know I saw the start of the auction but I’m not convinced I saw the end of it at 5.15 pm. When I next came too it was almost 6.00 pm and Mike was sitting next to me saying “Hello Noddy.” He nipped through and boiled the kettle again to do his drink which he’d done without for fear of waking me. I went and made him some syrup sponges with custard in thanks, I may just have had a chocolate one with chocolate custard. We watched a quiz then what amounted to three antique shows until 8.00 pm when I had to depart before the pressure of knowing I had emails blew my ears off. I worked until 10.00 pm when Mike came through to remind me about my tablets then worked again until 10.30 pm when I broke off to do the blog. Since it’s well gone 11.00 pm now I’m going back to it for a while to soften the blow for the morning.

Friday.

Despite a light off time of 1.00 am last night it was still a 4.02 am start today. I’m writing a letter of resignation the minute I get a chance, I don”t think I like this job anymore. As usual it was a case of priorities, a tinkle time trip for which I turned the light on in my bedroom rather than the halllway so it didn’t disturb Mike and then back to power up the computer. There were absolutely tons of mail from last night still to do which I still hadn’t caught up on at 6.00 am when I went to feed the fish.. I found them all milling about this morning in some complicated folk dance pattern of interweaving that almost made me cross eyed, but the minute the flap opened there was an air of anticipation that hit you like a brick wall. As I slipped the food in it quickly became every man fish for himself itself. I took all my morning meds then filled up the boxes with another week’s supply and prepared a prescription request for those that needed replacing as I do every two weeks for half of it. A usual that took me quite a time and it was almost 7.00 am before I was able to take a coffee back to my room.

As soon as I’ completed all last night’s outstanding mail I went straight on to today’s and worked up till 8.00 am when I returned to the kitchen to make a drink for Mike. I work to the formula wake him at 8, get him out by 9, hopefully to arrive at his Dad’s by 10.00 am. I woke him at 8.00 am with a drink and he shouted something unintelligible at me. He got up at 8.25 am. He was full of head cold so at 9.15 am decided he wasn’t going out at all then changed his mind five minutes later when he phoned is Dad. He left at 9.35 am and I have no idea what time he arrived there. I’d dressed at 9.00 am and gone to Pauline’s at 9.15 am so arrived back to a hive of activity as he got ready to go. I returned to work at 9.30 am and worked hard through the morning to get clear which I did at 11.35 am.  I went through to the lounge and relaxed a few minutes with the TV. At 12.10 pm there was a knock on the door which I recognised as one of the wardens who’d come for a chat. As I let her in she immediately asked If I were low today as I seemed flat. No-one ever seems to say that about my stomach. We chatted for a while and then she left at 12.45 at which time I started peeling and chopping a sweet potato. As I put that in the microwave to cook I out some sausages under the grill. Pretty soon I was tucking into bangers and mash. At 1.20 pm it was back to work for a while because at 2.15 I was breaking for Father Brown.

I fully intended returning to work at 3.00 pm when Father Brown was over but I’d dropped off before the end (bliss) and slept on until 3.20 pm. I flew back down the hall and started again. I fully intended to stop at 4.30 pm for the Road Trip but at 4.30 pm Mike sent a text to say he was on the way and I noticed that my inbox was showing 97 outstanding on my second account and I still hadn’t finished the first. Antiques went by the wayside. I expected Mike to arrive about 6.00 pm so went through a few minuted early to put the kettle on. While I was there I thought I’d get a few things together from the laundry. The towels for the bathroom, a pair of lounge pants for after my bath, a clean tee-shirt , a pair of shreddies and a pair of socks. I dropped the towels off on my way to the bedroom where I put the clean clothing on my bed then I was distracted hearing the kettle click off. I waited in the lounge watching Eggheads and Mike eventually turned up at 6.20 pm as there had been a nasty accident on the motorway. He poured his coffee and sat with me. As Eggheads ended I said I was going for a shower thinking I could do my own hair this week since so much of it’s gone missing but he insisted he’d still do it.

It took him about 30 seconds to do and then he breather near me and it was dry. I took my shower. My balance wasn’t up to much so Mike got me to sit afterwards and dried my hair even more but with a towel this time. I went through to the bedroom and sorted a shirt for tomorrow and then went to move the shreddies and socks to the back of my chair. Socks yes, shreddies no. I went back to the kitchen to make sure I’d actually picked them up and then seeing I had, I followed my route to the bathroom where I made sure I hadn’t left them with the towels then on to the bedroom, checking the floor in case I’d dropped them.Nothing.I did the journey in reverse, still nothing. Mike asked what was going on and when I explained he offered to help.He went to all the places I hadn’t been and then a tour of those I had. I dreaded him finding them as I didn’t want to see him walking towards me with a big grin and a pair of my jockey shorts round his ears. I was OK as he didn’t find them but I was flummoxed and it was annoying. I got another pair out.

We watched some TV together and had some tea, then at 8.45 pm I came back through to work. I was horrified at the amount waiting and wondered if I’d get to bed at all tonight. I apologise here and now most sincerely. I took a step I’ve never taken before. I started deleting anything that wasn’t addressed directly to me. Anything that was a general message that included me. I kept likes, follows, re-tweets , specific tweet messages and of course all personal messages and ploughed into dealing with them. It was 11.10 pm when I finished and I haven’t dared refresh since then. I wanted to get straight on with the blog. Mike stuck his head in to say goodnight and what’s the first thing he saw? The missing shreddies which I’d apparently put on my radiator and had walked past them so many times. He went off to bed smug.

Saturday.

I’m trying to decide whether to save myself some time by either not going to bed at all or not bother undressing so I can swing an extra few minutes in there. I got to bed a little after midnight and as usual tried to unwind with my book. I turned the light out about 1.00 pm as usual and as the book wasn’t 50 Shades of Smut there wasn’t anything to excite me and stop me sleeping. I know I woke up at 1.53 am but I was in that muggy state where I knew an inch further down the bed in the warm I’d be asleep again. I wriggled down. Next thing I know I’m wide awake and it’s 2.43 am and even digging my way in at the bottom of my bed wasn’t getting me back to sleep. I didn’t even need the loo so could log back on to the computer before it had even cooled down. The mail from last night was horrific especially when added to the mail since midnight but at least I had the advantage of time.

I don’t like the idea of only doing things for people who do them for me but I may have to take the advice I’ve been given and start unfollowing some blogs to reduce my workload and the first to go would be those who don’t re-tweet for me, like, comment or anything if I’ve been doing it for them. I’m told it’s the normal way to go. I don’t want to have to work the way I did yesterday which isn’t fair but staying in all day every day is the only way to cope otherwise. That might appeal to me but I’d never be allowed to get away with it by my keepers. Talking of whom, The Mike keeper was coughing all night so this cold really has a grip on him. Yesterday he refused to let me pick anything up for him, but I’m determined to do so today. I’d actually finished and was up to date before 6.00 pm so spent a little time drooling on ebay. There are some Welsh money Notes for sale and they seem to be as rare as hens teeth.

 

I’m bidding on a couple but not with any great expectation of getting them. I’d dearly love to though. I found them beautiful.

I was just going to pay a visit at 6.00 pm when I heard Mike cough and st up with an “Oh Damn” as a sign of exasperation. I stood at his door for a minute while he had a drink and asked whether he was snuggling back down or if he wanted a coffee.I got my answer as I saw his head disappear. I continued on my journey to the loo and then onward to the fish. I turned on the kitchen light and then brought the day to the tank as well. Pepper was sidling up to Big Al as though they knew it was Valentines day, I wouldn’t have been in the least bit surprised to see a bouquet of weed ( no love, not THAT kind of weed) and a few choice bits of algae passing between them. The rest of the crew seemed to be having a party and I suppose that I , the main caterer, was late. I fed them and just watched their antics for a while. After a bit I left them to it but at least it had put a smile on my face. I poured myself some milk, took my meds and made a coffee to take back with me. Not too much had happened since I’d been away so everything was shipshape by 6.50 am. To be honest I wasn’t sure what to do about Mike. Leave him there until he got up of his own accord, but then I remembered Anton would need him on Tuesday. Or, wake him as usual with a coffee but give him the opportunity to stay in and keep warm. I opted for the latter.So, after I heard his alarm go off and be ignored at 7.00 am I made a coffee and took it through. I called him to let him know it was there and on the bedside stand. It was a three grunt day. I left and made myself another drink. I almost spilled the lot and had to call out a team to shock my heart when I saw Mike walk into the lounge. Saturday and just a one Alarm one Call day, who’s going to believe that? Even I don’t and I was there. This vision of unloveliness passed me his dirty mug from last night then went to sit down with  his drink, his first cigarette of the day and a hacking cough.

We were out of the house by about 7.50 am and on our way to Asda. When we arrived Mike howled at the price of diesel as it had gone up since yesterday and yesterday he’d put off filling up. We entered the store and Mike went to choose the flowers for Ju today while I went to pick up potatoes. Then as we moved on I came across a sigh advertising the last reductions in the sale on clothing and found four shirts and a pair of chino’s at £1 each. I couldn’t believe it and nor could the little old lady I snatched them off. Before you say anything , it wasn’t my fault she ended up on the floor, that was the dirty floor. Anyway they’d never have fitted her. We carried on and did the shopping trying to fit it into any little space in the trolley I’d left. Well, you have to get your priorities right don’t you, £1 each eh.We tried to go for a coffee when we’d finished but for the second time recently MacDonald’s had no hot drinks available. Their machines were offline or something. Instead we headed straight for Flint and Temptations. A drink and a teasted toecake was the order of the day when we got there and Kyle was happy to oblige. We passed the usual chocolates over and sat down. Ceri was upstairs making sandwiches so there was no real banter this morning  We did manage to see her for a minute before we left and I was delighted to get a kiss.

We hiked round a few shops for different things an we were looking for a bin for Mike’s dad but couldn’t find one. About 11.30 I could see Mike was itching to go, this cold is really getting to him. We went straight of to have lunch though I did offer to feed him at home if he wanted to wrap up on the settee. Maybe that’s why we ended up at the Ivy. Our usual seats were taken as were our back ups. Fortunately our back up, back ups were OK as they were the last special ones near the fire. We grabbed them. It wasn’t too crowded in there but as we got our drinks and ordered lunch some more decided they’d finished leaving just us and our usual table left. We could glare at then all we wanted as the chimney breast was between us. As we were half way through our meal they got up and left but it didn’t seem worth moving then. There ha been a kiss from Angie when we went in and handed over the chocs, then hugs from Tariq though he didn’t have long at that time. When he came to us later I told him he’d have to do without us soon as Mike is disappearing to Canada for 3 weeks again. Good old Tariq said he’d either find a way to get me there to eat or he’d visit me in the evening. I reminded him he”s got a life and a family. Shella came to talk to us and brought us a chocolate heart each. That was sweet.

After we’d left it was straight home and put the shopping away. Then Mike came through with me to look at the fish I’d found I wanted him to look at. Showed him the one I want and showed him the select few he can choose one from. I think he likes a zebra plec or a pyjama catfish best.Once he’d gone through to have a sleep about 3.00 pm, I was able to tackle the mail.As expected with 8 hours away there was a lot. I dealt with the more personal ones first then the rest. I could only work until 5.30 pm as it’s only fair to give Mike some company in the evening but fair play, he didn’t complain when I came back through at 8.30 pm. As usual I’ve been here ever since. I stopped work on the mail at 10.45 pm to give me chance to do the blog post and now I’m going back for a while. I shall be in bed by the witching hour.

I’m not very fond of musicals though some songs do make the grade and stay with you. One of those whose music I like is West Side Story. In honour of St.Valentine’s day tonight’s song, so romantic, is sung by a great and vastly underated singer whom I once had the pleasure of seeing live. P.J.Proby

The 59 Minute Sleepathon & Sunglasses in Winter?

Sunday 31st January 2015

I was shocked this morning to be allowed a 5.19 am wake up.It had been a late one last night so this was the perfect opportunity to punish me…. if punishment were needed that is. On the other hand, maybe the small gods party on a Saturday night and have a lie-in too. I turned my light on, booted up the computer and went to the loo. I was ready to go when I got back and signed in. There was more mail than I expected at that point and less comments on the blog than I’d hoped but it is a very in between time in much of the world.

At 6.00 am I strolled through to the  kitchen for a chat with the fish. I almost said with my pals but it seems I can only rely on Morecambe and Wise in that direction. As I put the tank light on the two of them came to greet me thoughh being the cynic I am, I’m convinced cupboard love has a lot to do with it. I’d hoped for more from Pepper but maybe it’s early days yet or perhaps Big Al has managed to poison him against me. Big Al himself came out of his corner and hung around the opening waiting for breakfast, I mentally hit myself for thinking it would be a good time to give them a day without food.I opened the flap and dropped the flake in first to try and keep Morecambe and Wise off the bottom, then I added the granules for the rest. Morecambe and Wise were straight down. Everyone rushed in to feed except one of the plecs who was more interested in cleaning windows and the two synodontis who don’t seem to like coming out when there’s a lot of activity. Happy that everyone would get a share I left the fish and went to take my meds after which I made myself a drink to take through. There was no pint in preparing a mug for Mike yet as it’s Sunday. Ha ha.like you’d expect him to be up yet.

Id finished my coffee a while ago and had started on a tin on Vimto when 8.20 am came round and my first relief. I was up to date on this site even with a refresh but hadn’t opened the second one yet. Before I did so, I needed to stretch my legs a bit and also to apply cream to my sore ankle and leg where the skin is still peeling. I use diprobase which is good at moisturising but takes forever to rub in. I did that first then went to wash my hands in the bathroom. Deciding the splashing might just wake Mike I went to the kitchen sink instead. After the hands were done I noticed the synodontis had come out to eat. I needed to check there was enough food left for them to find in case I needed to give more. They were snuffling round the bottom of the tank where the others had been but I saw them both find something. Good, I was sure if I’d raised the flap again the others would have been there like a flash. I must have spent longer watching them than I thought as I notice my watch showed 9.25 am.  I went through and got dressed.

At 9.55 am I put the kettle on and started making Mike’s mug ready. As soon as the kettle boiled I made a drink and took it through. Before I could call Mike a weary hand raised from the bed and waved at me. I waved back with my free hand and put the coffee down. I guessed it was safe too speak to him so just let him know what time it was and left. Knowing more mail must have accumulated now I returned to my bedroom and started work. I even opened the second mail account and was pleasantly surprised by what I found. The sound of Mike reaching the lounge reached me. As soon as I’d caught up again I joined him. He asked what I wanted to do today saying it was my treat. I said all I could think of was a trip to the Tweed Mill which we hadn’t been to in a while. Straight away I could tell he wasn’t too keen on the idea because he kept suggesting alternatives interspersed with the word FISH. I’d actually seen somewhere online that looked good for fish earlier on but it’s not open on a Snday so we sort of agreed that maybe we could try there next Saturday after shopping. It was back to deciding what to do today. I suggested we go to Tariq’s for brunch and decide from there.

As it was past 11.00 am when we left the house it was getting nearer the time for lunch.  When we arrived I spotted Tariq working on his computer though a window so I tapped on the glass and hurried to the door.By the time we got in he was already waiting to greet us with hugs and ask how we were.Two or three hugs down the line he was convinced we’re well and we moved into the room properly just as Angie came down to see to some customers so we were greeted all over again. Our table was free so we set our coats down and I moved over to put the chocolates we’d brought onto the counter. Angie and Rob came to behind the counter and Angie made our drinks. As we were making them what looked like a coach load appeared so I quickly wrote our food order on Angie’s pad so we wouldn’t have to wait too long and came back to the table to take a tablet. Then it was time for a cigarette. Mike and I stepped outside the back door where there are ash trays on the tables. We were just finishing off when Rob came to the door to let us know lunch was on the table. Mike had one for the roast beef option while I’d decided on a breakfast but with the addition on a small bucket of chips in place of those awful potato things often served with breakfasts now.

We both enjoyed eating and felt full. The question came back to what to do today. Mike was magnanimous in saying as we were going to look at fish on Saturday, he’d take me to the Tweed Mill today.  The Tweedie is situated just outside St Asaph, Wales’s smallest City. It’s like a small Outlet Village under one roof. It’s one place that I’ve seen Clogau Gold watches before now. We said goodbye to everyone and set off. Typically when we got there the Clogau gold cabinet held lots of jewellery but no watches he could compare his with. Mind you, the price of the other stuff indicated what a bargain he’d enjoyed. Bearing in mind that going there was my idea and Mike hadn’t been keen you wouldn’t have believed it to see him in action. There was a sale on and he picked up a new suit, new shoes and a tie. If anyone can remember us trailing around 12 months ago looking for some shoes in red after he’d only been able to get them in blue, well today I found him the red and he didn’t hesitate. The suit was fantastic and a real bargain. I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t tempted, but I really don’t need one. I did however find a fleece for Muriel which I hope she’s going to like. We went upstairs to the small cafe so I could get a drink to take my next antibiotic. For once I’d had the foresight to bring it out. I had the strangest tasting strawberry milkshake ever while Mike had hi coffee and a slice of egg custard. When we went downstairs Mike found a set of steps he wanted to use in his shower- Don’t Ask. Once he’d paid for those we left. I was nodding off in the car all the way home.

Mike decided to leave virtually straight away after we got back even though I was now awake again. So, once I’d waved him off, I nipped to the loo then started work. It was 4.05 pm. I was still working non-stop at 6.00 pm when I decided to take a break for some tea. I put the TV on and got caught up in a romcom. I noticed a film Hellboy II was going to follow it and decided to rebel and watch it. I didn’t get back to work until 9.00 pm. Because of that I wasn’t up to date until gone 11.00 pm and started this blog late. Ah well, no major plans tomorrow or at all this week.

Monday.

Late to bed last night but I still only read until 1.00 am. I tried snuggling down in bed then . First right side, then left side and finally my back. Nothing was working. I got hot and had to stick my leg out of bed. I saw 1.30 am come and go but finally dropped off. I was awake and ready to get up, did get up in fact at 2.29 am. I feel cheated. I was tired yesterday and should have found sleep no problem at all last night. I need to have another look at the terms of my contract. I could look on the Glass half full’ side and say at least I got to my messages earlier but heck, there were hardly any there since it wasn’t that long ago I came off the computer to go to bed. I despatched them fairly quickly and at 4.50 am went to the lounge to see if I could get some quality time in my chair. For some reason it just didn’t happen. I had that annoying tickly you get inside your leg that feels like something very furry is running up and down your veins. It wouldn’t let me drop off.It was like having someone with a feather duster in there. At just before 6.00 am I gave up and went through to the kitchen.

The overhead light was bright enough to let me see movement within the tank and I could tell I had them excited. Since there are bound to be some females in there somewhere ( Morecambe and Wise are) I can honestly claim that even in my 60’s I can still excite the women. It’s pretty bloody amazing really as I never excited them before. Reminds me of the joke about the man with the mangled hand asking his doctor if he’s ever play the piano and the doctor saying “Yes”. The man answers “Great, I could never play it before.” I have always been a pretty shy individual and was never good with clever chat up lines. I guess I just feared rejection. It’s a miracle I ever managed to get married. Talking of which, on Facebook a friend was talking about her need to start getting her act together more or less. I asked if while she was doing it for herself, she could see if she had a spare wife in her handbag. This morning she sent a message saying she’d be my wife. Funny, I never thought her eyesight that bad before. I’m assuming she was being humorous since she never struck me as desperate.                                                                                                 Anyway, back to the fish. Morecambe came up towards the glass knowing I was there as soon as I said “Good morning guys.” I turned the tank light on and saw them all fighting for position. Sharkey barging everyone out of the way indiscriminately with the exception of Big Al and Pepper who are so big he bounces off them. Even the synodontis came out or a look round when everything settled down. There was an air of anticipation and for a moment as I opened the flap everyone paused. Then it was broken as the hoplos both swam to the top and down again. I stopped the torture and fed them. Movement from the crowd had the synodontis running for cover again. Big Al and Little Al were acting like dung beetles shoving their prize in front of them which can’t have been easy given how rough the bottom of the tank is. Maybe they were giving little blows instead and pushing the pellets along that way. As usual the plecs just lay on top of theirs till everyone else lost interest.

I left them to it and took my tablets etc and made a coffee. Instead of going back to the bedroom I returned to my chair and drank the coffee there. Then shuffling my bum along the seat,I lay back and closed my eyes. It worked. I was out like a light until 7.10 am. Not as long as I’d hoped but better than nothing. Anyway I felt energised and returned to work. By 8.30 am I was up to date again and so got dressed ready to go to the chemist’s with my repeat prescription request. I waited until 9.15 am  to walk up the road so I wasn’t weaving between the Mother’s Mafia congregating on the pavement outside Pauline’s. I was in and out of the chemist’s in no time but after staring in the window of another shop found a truly miraculous Sausage Bap in a Bag in my hand, pleading to be taken home by me for protection. When I got home something within me made me take a pre-food tablet. Maybe I was considering toast? As we were indoors again I took my coat off, and fearing the bap might be too warm, removed it from it’s bag. I placed it on a plate close by in case it needed to talk. My attention wandered a little and when I turned back I noticed the bap had gone. Miraculous. Also miraculous and worthy of a pilgrimage was the brown stain that appeared round my mouth about the same time. Of the bap whom I called breakfast there was never again any sign.

The influx of mail had increased during the morning so it was taking longer to catch up now. I worked till midday but not feeling like my lunch yet for some reason, I just went through to watch Bargain Hunt….including the auction. After that I carried on working until 2.00 pm when I went to have my lunch and watch Father Brown. That was the pattern for the afternoon. Work followed by a break so after Father Brown I worked until 4.30 pm and the Antiques Road Trip. But on this occasion I decided to stay until after the two quizzes I sometimes watch and return to work at 6.30 pm. The only interaction with anyone today has been two emails exchanged with Yvonne who has gone away for a few days with Ugo and Reuben. They’ve gone to mid-Wales and I hope they have a glorious time.

Happy Reuben

And you know what they say, While the cat’s away, the mouse can lock all his doors and keep the world out. At 6.30 pm I restarted work which had obviously piled up. I intended for that to be it for the night but by 8.55 pm I was getting pretty straight. It was too early to do the blog and far too early for sleep as any mail would just add to the morning’s misery. I remembered Mike had said his favourite serial is on at 9.00 pm so maybe I’d have a look at that. I turned on and sw it was in two parts which kind of put me off but then a warning came up about bad language and violence from the off. Bad language in these delicate ears, I think not. Instead I put D.I.Y SOS on and what a sad story. A builder takes off with the money without doing the job. Leaves father and two sons living in terrible conditions for 2 years, damp spores causing asthma, walls crumbling, no kitchen etc, etc, etc. The team and more importantly the local community were amazing , as was the house by the time they’d finished. The father burst into tears just as someone poked me in the eyes .

I returned yet again to work and for the last time tonight. I managed to get up to date for 11.00pm and was able to take a little more time with this so the L and K stayed where they should this week.

Tuesday.

I turned my light out a bit earlier than usual last night but sleep wasn’t easy to come by. There just didn’t seem to be a comfortable position to be had. My squirming, adjusting and readjusting must have worn me out so much that eventually I fell asleep exhausted. Let’s just say it was after 1.00 am. But I woke up this morning full of energy. OK maybe I couldn’t have lit up the room, but maybe a small torch. It was 3.57 am. I was raring to go, so I did, straight to the loo. Once the stop- start, will I- won’t I, have I or Haven’t I session was over, I checked my feet were dry and came to start on the post. I booted up the computer, looked at all the things they thought newsworthy and got stuck in. It had obviously been a night where everyone had something to say as the post was overflowing but the way I felt, nothing could stop me. Well, nothing except maybe Madame Galafray who told me ( free of charge) that I should take things slower today and stop my Bull in a China Shop ways. OK, I can do that. I should also beware the ‘Friend’ who doesn’t have my best interests at heart. That’s a fairly blanket statement and there were no clues like it’s female, 5′ 8″ an speaks with a Devonian accent. Nothing, nada so be warned, you’re all suspect today.  Tell me, what have I done to deserve this and why are you trying to stab me in the back. Et tu Brute. I’m thinking of sending out a questionnaire to see if I can get you to reveal yourself. On the other hand I could just stop reading this garbage I suppose.

At 6.00 am I stopped what I was doing and went through to the kitchen. Both lights on it was wonderful. All of the fish were in a writhing group under the hatch waiting to be fed. Who said they have no memory. I put enough food in to separate them into individual seekers and even found one of the synodontis out trying to get something, though he kept darting back into his cave if anyone got too close. I got one of the larger tablets and dropped it in as near to the shell as I could manage. Within seconds Pepper was there eating along with one of the bronze corys. The synodontis came out and managed to attach itself to the surface of the tablet though there was no sign of the second one. Perhaps this one hadn’t been out previously and the other one was indoor having breakfast now. Big Al was playing blow football with  one of the smaller pellets and Morecambe and Wise were darting in to help themselves despite having the flake.They were really entertaining this morning. I must have been watching them for a good ten minutes. Eventually I had to drag myself away to take my meds. Once that was done I made my drink and brought it through.

It took me until 8.00 am to catch up on my main address then I slipped into ebay to see how things were, I’m looking at some bamboo walking sticks from the Meiji period ( 1868-1912) that are beautifully carved. I’m guessing they’ll quickly go out of my price range on the day but at the moment the prices are OK. Then I opened my second email address and cleared that before getting dressed at 9.00 am. I’m expecting delivery of a book for Mike today on Welsh money that was legal for a very short time in the 60’s. It was beautiful, and Mike has a few examples of it. I have but one in not very good condition and can’t find anymore except at massive prices on ebay at the moment. The book arrived at 10.05 am and I immediately went to ebay to leave feedback. Before going back to work proper I skived again by doing a search for catfish for sale in the UK. Firstly I came across a site showing pictures of the various catfish types which was fascinating and upsetting when I saw people holding some out of the water after having been caught. They’re massive and the worry is they’re about to be cooked and eaten. Then I came across sites for sellers via the internet only which means you don’t see the actual fish until it arrives by courier, which is also expensive. Finally I found a site where you can visit the showrooms as well and by coincidence it isn’t too far from Mike so I sent him the link. Maybe he’ll find something spectacular for his tank. Then I did go back to work as there is a constant flow of emails today from mes amis, or to put it another way, YOU.

At lunchtime I had as ‘bing’ meal which was one I won’t be repeating. Sorry Lidl, at least you got the mash and onion gravy OK. I watched Jessica Fletcher solve a crime when immobilised by a plaster cast on her leg and wonder why they need the police when she’s in town. She proved doctors are a murderous lot so guess where I’ll be avoiding even more from now on. At 1.00 pm I returned to my desk. I fully intended to work till just 2.15 pm and take another break. I wasn’t far off catching up when I did so. I worked again from 3.00 to 4.30 pm and was just getting up to go for my antiques programme (I thought) when I was actually woken up lying across the keyboard typing ‘B’s, by a knock at the door. It was my young lady from the chemist with my lastest fixes. I signed for them and carried on through to the lounge. My programme was just about to start. I wonder I’f I’d stayed asleep if I’d have dreamed the programme content too. Her visit was very opportune though SPOOKY. I watched the whole programme until 5.15 pm fully intending to return to work. Next thing I know it’s 5.35 pm and I’m in the middle of a quiz. I took  my pre-food tab and made myself a sandwich which I took through with me and with loads of apologies I restarted work. There was plenty of it too. But, however much there was it would be made to wait even more when we reached 7.00 pm and my second Antiques Road Trip of the day was on. I’m spoilt. I came back in here at 8.00 pm to stay.

One of the first messages I opened when I (eventually) came back was from Yvonne with some pictures of Reuben. She likes the place they’re at in mid-Wales but poor Roobs is not too well again. So, I’ve now decided that maybe it’s not me he’s allergic too, but Tuesdays. Maybe I should see them on a different day in future. I confessed in my reply that I’ve been miserable today and feeling quite lonely, yes, I know the girl from the chemist called but “Hello David” doesn’t count. Anyway. it seems he hasn’t been smiling for the camera today so I’m putting it down to him missing his Pops. Whad’ye mean you’re putting it down to something else, that’s not nice, behave!

Obstacle course

When he said swap seats I thought I was going to drive.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mummy, my Dummy tastes funny sometimes

 

I can’t get the motor started !

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I hope you enjoyed the intermission.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     At 10.00 pm I took my meds including the last antibiotic of the day. As I came back through turning all the lights off  I realised what a lazy day it’s been for me. Nothing more strenuous than answering emails and the like. By 10.30 pm I was actually clear enough to start on the blog post without interruption. Unless something terrible happens and there’s a need for my particular brand of stupidity I should be in bed by 11.30 pm and perhaps have my light off by 12.30 am. Let’s test the generosity of the gods and see how well I do.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UVfUeKL1G6o

Night all. xx

Wednesday.

And the answer is, not generous at all. 2.21 am today, and they couldn’t even wait an extra minute to bring a smile to my face. What’s more, I didn’t even need the loo  so could start the computer up straight away. All the ingredients necessary for a good start to the day were missing. I was not a Happy Bunny, a very unhappy Messenger of the gods. Yes I know, it’s publicist to the small gods strictly, but that lacks a certain ring. I hope by now that message is penetrating the mist surrounding Olympus. Heads need to roll and one of them better not be mine.

There was plenty of post to keep me going but somewhere about 4.00 am something was nagging in the back of my mind. Probably something I’d read but that had no connection at that moment. The song Desiderata from the early 70′ started going round in my head so much that I had to play it. Listening to the words after all this time made me realise it says certain things that are important to me. I had to do a post on the Buthidars so that those not around in the 70’s saw the importance of some of the words and heard the song too if they wanted. By 5.00 am I’d done that and also caught up on my mail for both addresses. I retired to the lounge. I was fully expecting to nod off but it wasn’t coming so I ended up watching an old film about Florence Nightingale. When the film ended at 6.00 am I was still wide awake and wondering why. I went to feed the fish before taking my meds. The fish seemed a bit frisky this morning like it was Spring and they were taking advantage of it. They were play chasing each other. The exceptions to that were Sharkey who chased for real to get them off his patch ( the whole tank in his eyes), Big Al who as no sens of fun and was studying something in a corner and the two synodontis who were either hiding or having a lie-in. Naturally enough, the moment I opened the hatch all movement stopped for a moment like musical statues, they came to life as the pellets hit them.

I took my meds then added the pre-food one after deciding to have breakfast today.After a timing cigarette I had a small packet of cereal from one of the multipacks and a slice of toast. I took a coffee back to my room. The mail had built up since I’d been away so I started clearing it again. By 8.30 am I was clear again and thought I’d get dressed then perhaps relax away from the screen for a while. I sat in the lounge again and thought some more about moving the existing tank through or perhaps buying a second one. Thinking about the fish sent me to sleep for almost an hour. It might have been a bit longer if the postman hadn’t delivered something. The sound of the letterbox had me on my feet ‘toot sweet’ since my body reacted before my brain did. I collected the mail and saw that someone needed a form completing and sending out so I did that straight away. Having been so quick to do it didn’t make me any quicker to deal with posting it an it’s still on the coffee table now. I have to go out in the morning so I’ll post it then.

The rest of the morning passed by with me dealing with little jobs in the house and coming back to keep on top of the mail. At lunchtime I took a break for a cottage pie and an episode of Murder She Wrote. Once that was over I came through intending to break off at 2.15 pm for Father Brown. I don’t know exactly what happened but the mirror image of L,K,J,H,M.N.B on my forehead seems to tell a tale. Now I had even more catching up to do. By 4.30 pm when I went to watch my Antiques Road Trip I was down to just 10 emails outstanding ( plus a refresh). I stayed where I was when that was over and just prepared the mugs for Dil and Matt. The traffic wasn’t too bad tonight and they were there by 5.30 pm. I made drinks and we settled to see the rest of the quiz that was on. At 6.00 pm Dil got the table out and the things we needed to play. He chose Yahtzee as the first game. It was all nip and tuck between us with struggles and successes but at least this time we ended up with  games apiece. Matt still wanted to do Rock, Paper, Scissors to decide an over all winner. Dil and I were happy to settle on a draw. Then the cards came out and though I’d drawn up the sheet for Nomination, I suggested we perhaps try Chase the Lady again as Matt seemed to enjoy it last time. Not so tonight as I won both the games we played.

They left after the last game and I tidied up and washed the pots before coming through. It was almost 10.00 pm and the count was 153 messages. There’s no way I’ll get through them all tonight barring a miracle. I broke off at 11.00 pm to do the blog post before I forget everything. One of the first mesages I opened had a note on from my provider to say a virus had been removed. When I opened it I couldn’t believe the cheek. Someone claiming to be from the UN wanted me to complete a form in order to claim money because I’ve been the victim of a spam con on the net. It seems the UN are compensating people-  Yeah, Right ! In the bin it went. I can’t see the UN having an office in Benin to deal with anything, let alone this. It’s now 11.50 pm and I want to get to bed by 12.30 am so I’ll try and clear a couple more messages first.

Thursday.

Dream on ! It was past 1.00 am before I hit my bed and I still hadn’t dented the post as I wanted. On the other hand, I still managed a little read and when I did put the light off I slept. In fact I slept until 6.00 am so maybe the complaints department are paying attention after all. I still had to get my little a**e into gear though to get my antibiotic. ( Yes, it’s still pert after all these years, though the rest of me’s gone to pot).  I delayed the tablet a few more minutes when I reached the kitchen as I watched the fish. My turning the tank light on didn’t faze them one bit and they still had their morning play. Big Al made his way carefully round the edges of the tank in case playtime was catching and all the others were infectious. Pepper too was on the edges but seemed to be looking for a place to join in. The bronze corys seemed to be playing a game within a game of their own, just bouncing about without any method to their madness. Of the two synodontis there was no sign as usual. Talk about highly strung, they must have piano wire for nerves. And the good old plecs just never notice what goes on around them, totally oblivious to it all.  Food takes the place of play though, and opening the flap was an indication that teacher was in the playground and it was time to line up.Playtime turned into a free for all once the food was dropped in.

Time for my fun to end, I closed the flap and left them to it. My tablets were waiting. I took them all and carried my fresh coffee back to the bedroom then nipped to the loo to make space for it. I turned the computer on and made my way to the lottery results. Damn ! Then a quick check of the bank and yes, my pension credit was in. Good, I’ll be eating this week. Then to the mail. Such joy to be faced with two further attempts at a con first thing in the morning, one I even had to translate from French first to read about the business proposition they had for me. The other one was another that had carried a virus until my virus checker caught it. Such evil little turds out there who not only want to rip you off, they want to infect you too. The rest of the post kept me going until 8.30 am and when I refreshed until 9.15 am. Then I opened the second address and dealt with those until 10.10 am. I was keeping an eye on the time today as I had to leave the house at 11.00 am to catch the 11.15 am bus to town where I had a retinopathy appointment at midday. This would prove a real test of my nerves as there would be lots of people about on the bus and in town as it’s market day. Maybe when I wore my dark glasses coming back they’d think I’m blind and leave me alone. In the meantime, I went back to keeping on top of the mail when I heard the postman. I went out to collect the post and as I stood there was a knock on the door. Thinking it was the postman I opened the door. Immediately my heart sank. Standing there was the very beautiful lady from the J.W’s along with another lady in a wheelchair. She always reminds me who she is like I’m an idiot ( who said Hear Hear then?) and asks me how I’ve been before offering me some copies of the Watchtower. I stutter for what seems 20 minutes or so that I’m OK, but which probably takes no more than a minute.She can see that I’m no doing so well and says goodbye. She knows I don’t share her beliefs but never gives up on me.I wish she would.

I only worked up until 10.45 then I’d no chance of missing my bus. I put some desert boots on for the sake of comfort and made sure everything I needed was in my coat pockets.Dead on 11.00 am I left the house and slogged my way up to the bus stop. I’m pretty safe whichever one I catch for such a short distance, they all go via town. The bust stop had a few people waiting so I stood outside in the chill air. When the bus arrived I got on last and was lucky enough to have one of the disabled seats vacant. It didn’t take long to reach town. I walked to the hospital the way I usually go which doesn’t usually have many people about and arrived there just after 11.30 am. I could see the retinopathy trailer in the grounds and being so early decided to go into the hospital and see how the tea bar looked- answer, uncrowded. I ordered a cup of tea and sat looking out of the window at the trailer to see if there was much movement. There were people about but I couldn’t tell if they were from there. At 11.45 I returned my cup and walked out of the hospital and down to the trailer. Around the far side where the main door was, was stuck a note to say the clinic was being held in the hospital today. Leaving a little blue air around me I turned and made my way up the car park back to whence I’d just come. I found the waiting area and sat. There were only 3 people there before me. It turned out two of them weren’t there for that clinic so I didn’t have long to wait.

I went in, read the charts as requested, had the atropine drops applied, went blind, and waited back in the waiting area for the pics. They weren’t long in being done and I was free, so donning my dark glasses I left. I walked back into town taking the flatter route this time and avoiding getting killed by the traffic made my way over to the bus stop. The sun is actually shining today but I still think the dark glassed drew a few funny looks. The bus was crowded and stressful as I had to walk past everyone to take a seat near the back. I hated it. The journey was mercifully short though. When I got off I headed to post a letter then paid a visit to Pauline’s. She looked at me, but to her credit never said a word. She got my lottery tickets, thanked me and said goodbye. I made it back home safely and eventually remembered to change glasses when I realised the day just wasn’t that dull. I took my pre-food tablet and waited counting the seconds until I could have lunch. Chips and curry sauce today. Mmm, then a chocolate pud to follow.

Being so late I couldn’t take time off for Father Brown so I went straight to work. At 2.00 pm I had a text from Mike to say he was on his way. I reckoned he’d be here at 4.30 pm. He was, just as I was going to watch the Antiques Road Trip so his timing was good. I still had plenty of work but I’d go back to it after the programme. I made Mike’s drink and we enjoyed watching the dealers together. At 5.15 pm I came back through until 6.00 pm when Eggheads started. I was nearly up to date. Mike was fast asleep in his chair but I woke him so he wouldn’t miss it.At 6.30 pm I made us something to eat then decided to stay until 9.00 pm, at whch point I flew back to my room to work. I was doing well and even remembered to take my 10.00 pm tablets. But seeing Mike reminded me of a site I’d seen showing varieties of catfish and plecs and I told him to come and look for a couple of minutes. That stretched into at least half an hour as we ooh’d and aah’d at the types we’d like in our tanks. Finally I got back to work and reached a point where I was clear if I didn’t refresh at 11.10 pm. I answered an email from Yvonne about Reuben who is not well again. A high temperature and now he’s come out in a huge rash. Poor little soldier, he’s forever in the wars. After that I was able to start the blog and it’s just the Witching hour now so if you hear any howls, ignore them, it’s just me.

Friday.

I got to bed at 12.30 am and then read for an hour. Obviously it’s my own fault if Somnos or Porcinus had seen a chance to kick some ass-mine. But Woo-Hoo it was 6.03 am before I woke up and swung myself out of bed. I felt like my birthday was still going on. Obviously that feeling was never going to last but hey, you take what you can get. I bolted fro the loo before my bladder gave up it’s grip on the tidal wave waiting to breach the sea wall. I was relieved when I made it ( and yes, pun intended). I actually had my last antibiotic on my desk as I’d kept the box there yesterday so I didn’t forget the doses. I think something could be said about stable doors and horses at this point but I won’t if you don’t. I took the tablet and wandered into the kitchen, turning on the main light and also the tank light. I knew everyone was waiting with an air of anticipation because they were all on the bottom with their tails quivering. I thought it was just food until suddenly Big Al and Pepper flashed in front of my face from one end of the tank to another. It was a race, and Pepper won by a head.Big Al turned with a swish of the tail and showed no dejection but you could see some of the tails ceased to quiver and slumped. I’m not sure if the race was the result of a take-over bid by Pepper but he swam over and placed himself under the flap.There were a few waggles of the tail and I knew what he wanted but I just couldn’t do it to Big Al despite the little disagreements we’ve had. Eventually Pepper moved away. As Big Al started to swim from the far end to this end I waited until he passed beneath the flap and put the food in. He swam on as if nothing had happened but what a change in the others, droopy fins and tails came up and those that had been erect in pride went down. I think I just saved the day for Big Al.

All of this messing had cost me time when I should have been working but I couldn’t go yet. First I had to take all my meds then I had to refill the meds drawer and from there, refill my pill dispenser. Then I was able to make my coffee and go. It was almost 7.10 am. I managed to get some work done and then at 8.00 am Mikes first Alarm went off. I headed for the kitchen, boiled the kettle and made a drink. I took it through and gave Mike his first Call. I was hopeful that it was going to be a one A , one C day and even said so as I spoke to him. I did get a “Yeah” but it was unconvincing. At 8.10 am the second Alarm went off and was subsequently silenced, I had to give him a few minutes in case he was coming round but I heard nothing. At 8.17 am I went to the door and Called that his coffee was going cold. He’d already turned over in my direction at the alarm and now raised his head in acknowledgment. I returned to work once more and moments later heard him pad through to the lounge to commence his early day coughing and spluttering.Fortunately he goes elsewhere for his early day motions. I finished the message I was on and joined him in the lounge.”A two A , two C day” I told him and just got a nod in return.

By 8.20 am he was fit and dressed and ready to go to his dad’s. I wished him a safe journey and came back to work in earnest. I was at it continuously until 11.40 am when I stopped because the Warden would probably be due and as soon as she’d gone I wanted my lunch. I was just finishing my last message to a friend when I heard the door, not difficult as it’s directly opposite my room. It was the Warden. She stayed ten or fifteen minutes as she asked how I was doing this week, asked if there was anything she could do for me ( I behaved), we talked about the fish, her living alone, babysitting and my leg. The company was nice. For some reason I felt/feel lonely today, incredibly sad and not a little self-pitying. After she left I but some bacon under the grill and bunged some micro chips in the ‘Bing’ machine. While they were doing I buttered some bread and got a yoghurt out. I enjoyed a nice little feast in front of Bargain Hunt. After I’d washed up I returned to work. At 2.15 pm I ducked out for Father Brown then came back again until 4.15 pm when I thought I was up to date. I was going to leave the room when Yvonne sent an email with pictures of Reuben which to me looked like the start of measles. It’s going to be spotty muldoon season one way or another. I hope she gets to see someone for a diagnosis . She did and was told it’s just a viral infection ( again) but his temperature has started to come down now so perhaps he’ll be happier.

Under the weather.

I’d just got to the TV when Mike walked in. He generally lets me know when he’s on his way but I think he was trying to catch me entertaining. Ha, fat chance. We watched the Road Trip and a quiz together then because I said I needed a trim he told me to get my ar*e into gear and into a chair in the middle of the kitchen floor. I did as he asked but with heart in mouth. I may have dropped one or two totally unintentional insults on him and the grin on his face said Payback Time. I did check he had the right number cutting blade before I’d let him turn it on. He started, quite a lot of brown with some white hair started landing on the cape and sliding to the floor as my shaking knees wouldn’t let it rest. Then he started on my sideburns and beard and the snow on the floor grew and grew. He changed blades to the lowest and took even more off my beard and straightened up the nape of my neck and edges of my ears? All of a sudden the trimmer went down and I felt him tug my moustache. I thought it was about to be trimmed, but no, he started curling the length  of it until I looked like Salvador Dali ( his favourite artist). I wasn’t too keen on that so he tried another shape which though better was still not exactly me. He applied some hair wax to just one side and stuck it out at an angle, the other side just curled up to it’s original shape which I could cope with.

Before I had a shower Mike gave me a shave as my hands were shaking enough to cut my throat though he said he’d prefer that but only if he could do it. That went quickly and well. He washed my hair and then I had a shower. All night I’ve been sneezing because of bits of hair about and I swear I’ve swallowed a ton, correction, tried to swallow a ton but it won’t go down,it just irritates my throat. After the shower Mike made himself a sandwich while I saw to a Christmas pud and custard between us. We watched some more TV including a programme from the 1960’s with folk singers, Bob Dylan, Pete Seeger and Peter, Paul and  Mary amongst others. About 8.30 pm I nodded off during Who Do You Think You Are and was out for 15 mins. As I came to and had my snoring insulted I got up and left him snore free and came through here. There had been a lot of activity between 4.30 pm and 9.00 pm unfortunately so I just did the best I could until 11.00 pm when I needed to start the blog. It’s now 12.15 am and as there’s shopping in the morning the rest of the mail will have to wait until tomorrow.

Saturday.

It seems the generosity of the last couple of days….wasn’t. Brother Jake tells me Somnos has been away to a big meeting of the little gods and left is brothers in charge. Seems they were having a bit of a party and forgot. This morning made up for it. After not getting to bed until 12.30 am and having a read, Somnos obviously thought getting me up at 2.52 am was a good idea. What the idea was I don’t know since he hasn’t deigned to show himself yet.                                                       By the time I’d hopped to the loo and come back is was gone 3.00 am before I powered up the computer and faced the mail. There was quite a lot of it but I was almost clear by 6.00 am when I went through to the kitchen. I was halfway there when I realised that without the antibiotics I could revert back to my old time of 7.00 am. “Ah well, too late now” I thought as I arrived at the kitchen. I put the main light on and then the tank light.

Sharkey was playing ‘tag’ with a couple of the plecs though I don’t think he treated it as a game. I still get the impression of cows being herded with the plecs but they are lovely looking characters. My hoplos were performing nicely up and down, up and down and of course Morecambe and Wise broke off what they were doing to come see me. Pepper and Big Al were resting in a corner and Little Al was in attendance dancing with the bronze corys. The minute I opened the flap it became the centre of everyone’s attention. Food went it and it turned into the Klondike Gold Rush in there.                                                                                                                                              I had my meds and returned to my room until I heard Mike’s first Alarm go off at 7.00 am. I went back to the kitchen and made a coffee which I took through with a Call of “Come in number 9, your time is up” Don’t ask why as I don’t know. I came away.  tried a bit more mail until I heard the second Alarm at which time I prepared myself with a sigh to go pour cold water down his ear. Someone warned him as I heard him doing his soft shoe shuffle through to the lounge. I have to admit I was very impressed a 2 A  – 1 C day. Despite that we still didn’t get to leave the house until 8.00 am. Next week I’m starting at 6.30 am.

It was cold this morning and showing minus 2 when we got in the car but there was no frost like we’d had yesterday. Because of this he drove like a maniac to make up time. If he passed a slow car you saw him lean over and snarl out of the window, it fair put the wind up the men in the police car I tell you. When we reached the store I headed for the cash machines but there were so many people around I had to put my mask away with BANKER across the forehead and use my card instead. Mike got a trolley and off we went. Mike said we didn’t need flowers this week so it was potatoes first then a special offer kitchen cleaner, not to be eaten together.We worked our way round the sale section and bought NOTHING and the household section the same, until we finally came back to food. I thought I’d put some in the basket this week for a change. We were fairly quick through the checkout and headed for a coffee. We were both dry this morning. I picked up cigarette supplies then visited the photographic print shop where I found some fantastic frames. We loaded up the car and set off for the new fish shop.

Talk about a difficult place to find, and we were using a sat-nag. We did eventually find it and the inside really contradicted the rather scruffy outside. Clean, roomy and bright with the tanks of fish all set out logically in types. There were also snakes, lizards and horribubble spiders there as well as all the equipment for taking care of everything. A new tank from there would cost me £440 so that won’t be anytime soon then and unfortunately there were none of the fish I wanted. I did buy a piece of bogwood though and the owner explained that if I gave him a list of what I wanted he’d try to get them for me. I need to do a bit more homework on which catfish will be 6″ maximum. He did have a beauty there which I knew would outgrow my tank easily by reaching probably 2 feet. He’d never turn round in the current tank at that size. We took our leave and headed for Flint. We haven’t been for two weeks so they haven’t had their chocolates in Temptations. When we arrived we found out Ceri was off skiving somewhere again so we’ll have to wait another week for banter.

From Temptations we had a look at the local pet shop fish tanks which were very poor from our point of view. We went round another couple of shops  then  with the time approaching 1.00 pm we set off for The Ivy and our lunch. We were shocked when we got there and saw how many cars were in the car park. Mike said (with heavy sarcasm) how disappointed he’d be if they’d given our table away. They had! But as luck would have it, the adjoining one was free. We dropped our coats and Tariq came over and said to follow him. Puzzled, we did and he showed us his new set up for printing on the premises. You can now have a picture taken in his photographic studio and within a short while have it on a mug, tee shirt, apron , mousemat etc. He’s a real entrepreneur. Angie and Rob said hello as we went back through and sorted our drinks. As another crowd came in we had to rush our order a bit. No problem for me, double bacon sandwiches and a small portion of chips. Mike had a roast gammon dinner. We enjoyed it and spoke to everyone in passing as they were so busy. Eventually it was time to go. Hugs from Tariq but I missed out with Angie this week. It was gone 3.00 pm when we got in and half past by the time the shopping was away. I flew into my room after making Mike a coffee knowing he usually lets me get away with it until about 6.00 pm.He wanted to watch 2 episodes of a serial he watches which he was putting on at 4.00 pm and they were an hour each so I knew I was safe.

I worked the skin off my finger bones and usually had to wait till it grew back before I could carry on. There was just so much mail I had to type with the bones clicking together like knitting needles. I should have had a scarf ready by now. By 6.00 pm I had about 20 left on one account and about half that on he other. It had to wait. Mike put a Big Bang Theory on neither of us had seen before (How??) then afterwards I mentioned I’d heard Endeavour was due on so he checked and I’d missed it on 22nd Jan, he called it up On Demand. It was an enthralling episode which lasted 90 minutes and I was devastated when it ended on a cliffhanger as it hasn’t been on since that date and isn’t due on this week. I’ll be annoyed if I miss it. So at 8.30 pm I was allowed to escape again after I’d bribed him with some chocolate. Up to 103 and 41 again. I had to stop work at 11.00 pm to see to the blog but will inevitably have to go back in a few minutes.

I wish you all a Wonderful New Week.

Feet of Flame & Get Thee Behind Me

Sunday 25th January 2015.

Stop whatever you’re doing right now ( unless it’s reading my blog of course) and give thanks for the munificence, the magnanimity of the lesser god Somnos and his brothers (that I know about ) Porcinus and (My) Brother Jake. Last night it was gone midnight when I posted my blog and I still had some messages to answer. When I finally got to bed it was gone 12.30 am so that it was 1.20 am before my light went out. Sleep did not come easily due to ‘tickle leg syndrome’ which is a name I  just invented for a very annoying condition. But, did the great Somnos get me up at my usual time? NO, in his kindness he allowed me to sleep until 5.24 am, may blessings rain about him. I actually felt as though I’d slept.

By the time I’d done my skip to the loo routine and returned to the bedroom the computer was ready to go. There was a lot of mail ( Yay, for Sunday mornings) but I only had time to respond to two messages before it was antibiotic time. I went through to the kitchen and turned the overhead light on. Such excitement in the tank. I had to watch for a minute before turning on the tank light. The fish had been more or less in the corners but having ‘seen the light’ they flew to the centre of the tank, sat on their tails and waited for the great hatch in the sky to be opened and provide bounty. All except for Big Al who stayed in his corner quietly contemplating whatever fish contemplate. I opened the hatch and to their great joy fed them. It was fun watching them push little pellets about with their noses like footballers dribbling but not much fun if every player has their own ball. I closed the hatch and started to turn away. Big Al turned his head slightly and gave me what seemed a sorrowful look and with a slight shrug he turned back. I could hear the implied sigh even if I couldn’t see a cause. I’m not much of a fish psychologist am I?

I had my sprays then poured some milk and took my antibiotic followed by the morning meds. Adding two sweeteners to the remainder of the milk I used the Tassimo to make a coffee. I think when the latest batch of pods are used up I might revert back to the old style of making hot drinks as I only have the one a day at home. It doesn’t seem worth   occupying the space with a machine now for that. I took my drink back to the bedroom and started work. It’s always a delight on a Sunday morning to look at the comments on the blog. You can’t jut write it an say that’s that. It’s important to know if people enjoy it, if they enjoy the music videos or if they think it’s just inane chatter and I should be doing something better with my time. The odd thing is, I AM doing something better with my time but it’s nowhere near as popular. (Yet)  https://lorddavidprosser1.wordpress.com/

By 9.00 am my eyes were going and I was about to dent my forehead on the edge of my desk. I went to get washed and dressed hoping that would wake me up. It didn’t so I had top admit defeat and sit in the lounge. Wham! I was gone and didn’t resurface until 9.35 am . I returned to work. Perhaps I wasn’t quite as with it as usual but I soon regretted the placement of the K & L on my keyboard. I referred to a fried Jane as Kane and hoped someone had a wonderfuk week which though I’m sure they might have appreciated it, I caught in time. Dammitall, If I can’t, why should they? I just kept ploughing on but by 10.15 am I was still only around the 6 am mark. I heard sounds from Mike’s room and broke off to prepare a coffee.  He strolled into the lounge at 10.30 am and I only had to pour it and carry it through. I used the term stroll but it was more of  disgruntled shuffle really, I swear he begrudged getting up, but he didn’t hold me directly responsible so that was good. Not that it would have helped him, my hands were shaking so much, one wrong word would have earned him a coffee shampoo and this week his son Anton got the clippers so there’s not much hair left to cushion the head.

I stayed with him a few minutes deciding what we were doing today to see if he remembered fish. He did. But there was obviously no rush at all. By the time he’d finished his drink, washed and dressed we weren’t leaving the house until 11.50 am. We decided to lunch in Prestatyn where we’d been before Christmas and earned a 20% off voucher, that way I could look for some greetings cards I needed. All we had to so was keep an eye on the time as the fish shop in Rhyl close at 4.00 pm.

I ound what I needed for now an after going in a couple of other shops looking for car coats for Mike we set off for Rhyl. There was a shop we needed there too to get a container for some plants for Mike. We were successful but now it was nearing 3.00 pm. We burnt rubber, so I got him to take the handbrake off and we left. It was a little more difficult to find the shop from this new direction but we made it. We both trawled the tanks ( fish- trawled- geddit) until aftera while Mike decided on two hoplo catfish like he got me last week. I settled on a 6″ synodontis that looked like a hoplo but which I had to reject when I found out it ate small fish. Instead I found a nice 2″ pepper catfish and a couple of bronze corys. (Like Little Al but lovely colours.)

Pepper Catfish

Bronze Cory

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We came home and Mike dropped me off so I could get the fish in while he drove home to get his fish in his tank as soon as possible. I came through to work for 20 minutes while the bag with the fish in adjusted it’s temperature to that of the tank. The amount of work gave me heart failure, my main address had 249 messages waiting. There were 48 on the other after I got rid of duplicates. I managed to do three in 20 minutes then went through and added water from the tank to the bag. Another five or six messages in the next twenty minutes then I went through and released them. They seemed to be fine. Not sure I was though. It was 11.07 when I got to a stage where I was clear (before refreshing) and able to start the blog. It’s been a funny old day again.

 

 

Monday.

Early morning note. I think this is WAR. I finished the blog at 12.10 am , did just two emails of a personal nature and went to bed at 12.25 am. In an effort to confuse the issue I slept in Mike’s bed since he’s not here and most definitely has no trouble with Somnos. It’s dark in there and has no light from a clock as does my room, so when I turned the light off at 1.00 am after a short read, I expected to go to sleep right away. I took a short while to get comfortable  but I don’t think it was too long. When I woke up I felt OK  I came through here via the loo and turned on the computer before noticing the clock. 2.41 am. It’s WAR. But first. I’m going to do a few emails, leave the computer on and try and sneak an extra sleep in my chair in the lounge. I hope to report my success tonight.

I have to report IT WORKED. The computer being on must have fooled him. I did my last email at 4.10 am then casually sneaked away. I slept in my chair until 7.28 am. That’s about a 5 hour night. The only problem with this of course is that I was late for my 6.00 am antibiotic and I was late for the fish. I moved with as much speed as I could muster. Te kitchen light gave cause for a celebration of the dawn and the tank light for enhanced celebration of the new day. The fish were squiggling everywhere with two notable exceptions. The young synodontis had not emerged from their hideaway and Big Al was in a corner with the new Pepper catfish face to face. I don’t know whether they were having a friendly chat or whether there is a regime change on the way. Pepper has the edge on size. I opened the hatch and stuck in some food. Things changed immediately. Morecambe and Wise darted to break some of their flake off rapidly followed by Sharkey who nibbled a good chunk before taking it downstairs to eat. Meanwhile, the only activity downstairs was finding a pellet and keeping it. That meant a few bumped noses, but no fights. I closed the lid and left them to it, just catching the emergence of the synodontis for their share as I turned. As usual my next job was my meds and a coffee to take through.

When I came back through I refreshed my emails and carried on as though there had been no break. Obviously this new batch was quite high but I knew I could whittle it down. I was still whittling at 9.30 am when my phone beeped to say there was a message. It was MuJo about a visit. The snow must have moved from there. I said ” Great, see you later then.” and got half dressed. I left off my shirt/jumper until nearer the time and gave the socks a miss too. I realised I needed to do a batch of washing so put the machine on for an hour and a half cycle. I hope to be able to start the drying before we go out for lunch. Then back to work. There was a message from one of the Freebie sites about some new Gillette razors so I took a chance and entered. I was also offered an Amazon gift card for an amount of £2 and above in exchange for some shopping information. I thought Why Not and started filling in the form. I came to a dead halt when I saw they wanted my phone number and it wasn’t optional. That’s where I stopped and exited from the site. £2 from Amazon isn’t compensation enough for all the annoying phone calls you get when they’ve finished selling your address and phone number on. Mike had charged up and left his smokenosmoke kit for me to try when he left. I sat here taking a few puffs while I went through the rest of the freebies site to see if there was anything else I wanted. It seems a bit strange to be smoking plums.

The washing machine finished before MuJo arrived at 11.10 am so I was able to set it to dry, that’s always pot luck as to which cycle it goes on as I don’t separate the laundry before it goes in. I wonder if Somnos has a brother in charge of washing machine cycles? MuJo arrived and I made drinks then we caught up on what’s been happening in our lives before I made the effort to dress properly. I left the socks and my shoes till last. John suggested the chippie for lunch and neither Muriel nor I objected as it’s been a while so off we went. It was bitter outside with a lazy wind. I was glad I was wearing a thick jumper under my jacket. Even so, I decided it would be a coat day tomorrow. The lunch was very nice but very filling. After we left the cafe to go to a couple of shops I could tell there was a problem. I was on my moped, and I had to keep veering away from people so they didn’t hear anything. Especially the young who already hold enough beliefs about anyone with a grey hair. Yes, I know mine are white but I wasn’t being specific to me. OK? Rather than go inside the shops I stood outside smoking. I’d left my cigarettes and lighter at home but as luck would have it, I was still carrying the cigarillos I’d bought a week ago Saturday, and was carrying a spare lighter.

When we reached the car to head to Flint I was desperately holding myself in check. When we finally arrived I almost stumbled out of the car and was surprised the trapped gas didn’t carry me away. Then the gas became untrapped but MuJo were on the other side of the car by then. I risked a quick trip round Aldi to get some chocolates for my girls at Temptations and things seemed to settle a bit. Muriel got the shopping she needed and we got back in the car and headed for Temptations and our coffee. It was Kyle and Sian on the counter today as Ceri was off. Maybe they’ll save her a chocolate. We enjoyed the drink then went off to get some new swim goggles for Mu as the chlorine in her local pool was bad last week. John an I crossed the square to B & M Bargains ( known as BUM) while Muriel put some stuff in the car. The (actual ) wind was awful, really cold so we were glad to get indoors. Mu joined us and they bought a new single bed quilt while I amazingly bought nothing. We headed for home. John had a drink while Mu went to get their lottery in case the forecasted snow stops them getting out on Wednesday and beyond. The weather is less kind to them in Ty Nant than here on the coast. Because they’d bought frozen food in Flint they were soon on their way home again. As it was 4.15 pm I saw no point i going back to work. I made myself a sandwich for the sake of my tablets then watched the Antiques Road Trip. If I’m to be completely honest here (spoilsports), I watched some of it then woke up at 5.30 pm during the next programme. I came through.

Well, I’ve been here ever since, whittling away again. There were only 163 on one site and about 16 that actually needed answering on the other but it all takes time. I broke off from the mail at 11.05 to do the blog and then if I have chance will go back to the mail until midnight. Anything left can wait for the morning. Let’s go see what today’s music will be.

Tuesday.

I don’t wake up slowly. One moment I’m asleep and the next I’m awake. I think that’s a good thing. I mean it doesn’t make you any brighter as attested to by the number of times I’ve woken and got up half an hour after falling asleep. It can’t actually make you look at a clock. Because I normally sleep either on my back, so sitting up would mean I see the clock or on my right side where a glance gets me the time I’ve figured out that the times I must hiccup must be where my sleeping position changes. As it happens I slept on my left side last night because I’d had a problem getting comfortable, but I did remember to check the clock when I woke. It was 4.40 am. I was awake but it didn’t guarantee my brain was in gear hence the slight confusion at finding I couldn’t get out of bed because there was a wall in my way. Who would have built that overnight and why. A couple of tries was enough to just nudge the gear lever into place and I turned over and got out of bed the proper side. There is one thing to this, at least you can never say I got out of bed the wrong side.

Following my regular trip to the loo I settled down in front of the ‘puter and faced my emails. Time just went nowhere and t seemed moments before I was off to the kitchen for my antibiotic. First off I thought I’d do the fish but before putting their light on I stood watching them for a couple of minutes. There was activity but it wasn’t frenetic, just a very relaxing flow to their movement. The ones I could see most clearly were the two hoplos and Sharkey. I could see Morecambe and Wise but the overhead light didn’t penetrate the tank enough to distinguish which was which. I had to move a bit closer to make out the bronze corys and the two synodontis. The plecs I couldn’t see as their camouflage is too good and they tend to be still. Then I saw Big Al lined up in a corner and right next to him in what seemed perfect companionship was Pepper. I’m beginning to wonder about those two and just hope their parents gave them ‘The Talk’. No wonder I haven’t had any clashes with Big Al for the last couple of days. I was wondering what had been happening to Little Al without his mentor but just then he zipped into view and swam with the bronze corys. Fish obviously hold no prejudices. I flicked the tank light on , there was an air of expectancy so I fed them.

I took my antibiotic and the rest of my meds then made a coffee. I must have been more occupied than I thought as I noticed it was almost 6.30 am. I needed to get dressed. Id solved the problem of indecision by choosing my clothes last night. I’d even got two overcoats out of the wardrobe in case the snow had come early but the ground outside looked fine so I could go in my leather jacket. One washed and dressed I was able to go back to the emails and my coffee.  Twenty past seven came quickly and I hadn’t finished all the mail but it would wait. I got my shoes on, sorted out two bags of gifts I had ready to take, knew I couldn’t manage the third, put my jacket and gloves on, grabbed my crutches and went out the door. I’d made a rod for my own back trying to get uphill to the bus stop laden down with bags. I finally made it, gasping for air as the bus came.Dammit, one minute earlier and he could have picked me up lower down the hill. I settled in my seat and tried to doze to make the journey seem faster.

Getting off the bus one of my crutches slipped and I nearly came a cropper. I composed myself as I stepped down as Yvonne and Reuben were there to greet me. He really seemed excited to see me and he’s really making an effort saying Pops. Yvonne took the bags off me and admonished me for carrying such a weight. It was ten minutes before our cafe opened so we had a wander round one of the shops.I bought some cold pads for my ankle. Then we went for coffee asking Reuben to push the button for the lift which he can’t reach but he pushes at a keyhole and thinks that works. I sat and we put Reuben in a chair next to me while Yvonne went up to order. In the meantime she passed me two bags of birthday gifts to open. The girl who tells me off for carrying weight to her, is giving me as much weight to carry home. There was a cardigan in beautiful browns, some bedding, a box of mint chocolates and an assortment of (big) books. The card from  Reuben carried a picture of him and I on it. We had toast and drinks then Yvonne started going through the bags I’d brought. A duffle coat for Reuben and some chocolate, some beer for Ugo and Irish coffee drink for her with some toiletries, and a jar of good coffee to take on their little holiday next week.

After coffee we had a look round the store we were in. I managed to get about ten items of clothing for Reuben from here and by dint of snatching while she was looking away, a black jumper for Yvonne too. The girl on the till had to tell us to stop squabbling though she meant Yvonne of course. One of the others just said      “You can pay for my shopping if you like.” That spurt of shopping had taken a while so we wandered down the street looking in the odd one until we reached the precinct where I had another coffee before going for the bus. Yvonne had some iced water which I had to keep feeding Reuben sips of.

 

 

 

 

 

They walked me back to the bus stop when Yvonne had a call from the doctor about my leg. There’s a doctor coming out at lunchtime tomorrow. I don’t know why as it’s doing OK. I had to leave them talking as I saw my bus in. A quick kiss each and lots of waves from Reuben and I was aboard preparing to doze again. The journey wasn’t too bad. Wen I got off at this end though I knew I wanted to pee. That blew my plans of getting a nice (healthy) sandwich for my lunch, and also the stop at Pauline’ to pick up a TV magazine and some cigarettes. Instead I was just trying to pick up speed all the way. By the time I reached the front door I was desperate and doing an imitation of Feet of Flame on the doorstep while I got my keys out.  I opened the door threw the shopping bags down , stumbled over them and just made it. I spent a while putting things away and then went to check the emails. It was 1.30 pm.

At 4.30 pm I broke off work at about halfway through to watch Antique Road Trip. I swore I’d stay awake for the auction this time.  I didn’t, and woke up again at 5.30 pm during the next programme. I turned the TV off and returned to work.The break seemed to ave done both me and the computer some good and I flew through the remaining messages. At 7.00 pm I was even brave enough to refresh the screen and to go in and check my second account.Yes, I’m stupid, I admit it. By 8.00 pm I was getting frustrated at the slowness of my screen. Rather than swear at it and have it going off altogether in a sulk, I decided to take another me-time break and watch a little Big Bang Theory. At 9.00 pm the rest seemed to have done the computer some good and it had speeded up for me. Of course more mail had arrived but hey, into every life a little rain a bloody great deluge must fall. I worked till 10.00 pm. took my tablets and worked some more. At 10.50 pm the last message was done ( yes, without refreshing) and I was able to do this blog post.

R.I.P Demis Roussos who died today 27th Jan 2015.

Wednesday.

I got up at 2.38 an and went back to bed at 12.39 am once I’d seen the time properly and let Somnos have his little joke of me having about five minutes worth of sleep. I did manage to drop off again without too much trouble.

Shall we try again. I got up at 3.06 am There seemed to be a bit of a breeze outside and I wondered whether the snow storm might have started. I checked out of the lounge window, not a sign. Still. there’s quite a lot of day to go before I can say the forecasters got it wrong again. To be fair it must be likely now as so many predictions say it’s imminent. After the lounge I went to the bathroom on a bladder call before coming back to boot up.First job was to check my bank and yes my pension was there along with two paltry sums from Amazon for what looks like the sale of a paperback and 3 e-books. I live to eat another day.It’s not exactly going viral is it. lol. I loaded up my mail and checked the lottery while I was waiting. There’s another disappointment. I don’t know who they’re employing but they certainly don’t seem to pull the right numbers out. One out of five numbers they gave me. What good is that?

There was plenty of post this morning so I got my head down and beavered away at it. At 5.55 am there appeared a natural break before a long email so I decided to deal with the kitchen. Big Al and Pepper came across to the front of the tank together. It’s like prisoner and escort. Big Al just doesn’t seem happy but I’m keeping an eye open for any “Help me, I’m being held hostage” messages on the glass. Maybe Pepper really is a lady with a strong personality, ” We’re getting married and that’s that”. Everyone else put in an appearance except the two shy synodontis which are still hiding in their shell and must eat when I’m gone. I fed them and left them all in peace. My tablets were the next job and my sprays, once those were done I could make my drink. I took it through and carried on working until 8.20 am when I was almost up to date. I spent some time getting washed and dressed. To have a break from the screen I sat in the lounge once I was ready. Naturally I fell asleep and only woke at 9.10 am. The wind was howling outside and there seemed to be occasional bursts of hail. I’d better go to Pauline’s while it was still safe. I got what I needed and came home. Back to the computer as more post had come in since I’d been away. That kept me going until midday when I went to take my foodie tablet before lunch. I put an old Jimmy Steward film on the box, Bell, Book and Candle. What an amazing part he played and how well behaved was the heavily manhandled cat Pyewacket. I decided to stay on that channel till it finished and I ate my lunch in front of it.

At 1.00 pm I went back to work for half an hour then came through to wait for the doctor. She arrived at 1.50 pm and after checking the leg decided after another week of these antibiotics I should be OK. I was reminded that should it ever flare up again I must let the surgery know immediately. I asked her if that was likely and was told yes. After she’d gone, put socks and shoes on and walked in the wind up to the chemist’s which in the village is also the Post Office . I handed over the prescription to be dealt with, then to save wasting time, went to take something to the Post Office side . When I’d done there my prescription was ready. Ready to face the wind again I left and came home. I took my right sock off and went back to work straight away, no Father Brown for me today. I worked hard until 4.30 pm and was making great progress but it was time to break off for the Road Trip. That finished at 5.15 pm and it wasn’t worth going  back to work as the guys could be here at any time. I went and prepared their cups after checking there were no texts on my phone cancelling because of a blizzard elsewhere.

It was almost 5.45 pm when Dil and Matt arrived. Not because they’d fought their way through a blizzard but because of road works on the expressway. I made the drinks while they watched the end of Pointless. Out came the table, the Yahtzee, the cards and we were ready to go. There was a text from Lee to say he couldn’t make it and probably not next week either. We started on the Yahtzee. As usual I lost the first game but then a Winter Miracle happened and I won the next four on the trot with multiple Yahtzees. I lost the final game but who cares, I had the overall win- In Yahtzee!! I was so elated we were four hands into Nomination before I realised it and they were four hands where I hadn’t won my call, but both Dil and Matt had. A couple more hands went the same way and it was time to pull up my  socks, or in this case sock. I started a come back until after a hard fought battle I won. Now the knives were out. We started the Crazy 8’s and I was getting, 7’s dropped on me with some regularity, then the accumulative 2’s and 3’s started being dropped on me. From a zero point first hand my score started climbing. Matt was pleased as he was not only chief instigator, he was currently winning.It took all kinds of connivance to get things turned round so that Dil’s score went up tremendously and Matt’s score at least began to approach mine. I couldn’t quite do enough though. We took Dil’s score over the top but Matt and I ended level. He wanted to settle it with Rock, Paper, Scissors but I wouldn’t play unless we added Lizard and Spock like they do on Big Bang Theory.

It was 9.30 pm and the boys had to leave and face the non-blizzard going home. I tidied up, washed the pots and made myself some sandwiches as I’d only eaten once today. Roast beef and raw red onion, wonderful. I ate them while working. I managed to clear the post and do the blog for midnight.

Thursday.

4.46 am today. I was on my left side but my brain accepted I had to turn over and get out of bed that side. That’s over 3 hours of sleep, could it have something to do with sleeping on that side? Trouble is, I could try to go to sleep on that side with no guarantee that I’d still be on that side in the morning. Still it might be worth a try. After a trip to the loo I came back and signed in to find plenty of messages waiting. I started work thinking to myself I never worked this hard when I had a job. But stupidly, I did. At 6.00 am I broke off to see to my antibiotic and the fish. I crept into the kitchen and didn’t turn the overhead light on intending to surprise the fish and see what they were up to or whether they were still in bed. What an idiot. Because it was dark I knocked a bottle over near the tank which then fell on the floor with a clatter and woke the whole street, never mind the fish. When I turned their light on they were flitting back and forth in agitation which is just up the road from Wrexham I think.. Well, most were but not all. I was on the point of covering my eyes with my hand when I realised I have no idea how fish ‘DO IT’ but Pepper was laying on top of Big Al and I think the Big Bang Theory went out the window as the noise hadn’t disturbed them in the least. Am I in at the start of a budding romance or does Big Al just make a suitable pillow?

The other fish calmed down a bit at the sound of my voice and even more at the sound of the hatch. I put food in for them and watched as they all ( correction, nearly all) tried to follow their own bit of food as it floated down through the water. Pepper and Big Al separated ready for breakfast but I couldn’t see my synodontis ( don’t be vulgar madam, it’s a fish). No doubt I’d catch them later.I took my sprays, the antibiotic and my other meds then made a coffee to take back with me. 8.01 am saw me finish the last message on that account and open the second. There were just 5 to deal with on that one after I’d deleted the unimportant and he duplicates. By 8.20 am I was in the lounge watching Frazier. Though not for long If I’m honest as I quickly nodded of to the sound. I slept until 9.07 am theen came through to get dressed before going to Pauline’s for my lottery. I could see there was no snow on the ground though everywhere was wet. When I went out I could see why as there was snow and sleet falling together. No way it was going to stick.

Coming back I was walking into the lazy wind that was pushing the sleet at my face. I was glad to get in again. I checked the forecast on the computer and it says the snow will be falling tonight. Being coastal we may continue to be lucky. I went back to work. Things were steady up till lunch time when I broke off to eat. Then what a shock. The roofs were white and the grassy areas too. It was snowing great big flakes but quite slowly. The paths were quite wet still and nothing was sticking there. While I was making lunch it must have stopped, I didn’t notice. They’re still saying it will be heavy tonight. I enjoyed my lunch of chips in curry sauce, I enjoyed the episode of Murder She Wrote that I saw, I even enjoyed the little Zzzzzzz session I enjoyed straight after the programme albeit for just half an hour.I had three quarters of an hour to work in before Father Brown. I managed that and made good progress because of my guilt. Not that I was guilty enough to work through the programme though. It finished at 3.00 pm and it gave me an hour and a half this time to work before the Antiques Road Trip. I worked so well in this period I was actually up to date five minutes before I needed to be. I had time enough to stroll through nonchalantly.

I enjoyed the programme and managed to stay awake. It finished at 5.15 pm but I got engrossed in the first few minutes of a quiz. My period of absorption was brought to an end when my phone beeped. It was a message from Mike to say he was on his way to me from Manchester. It would take at least an hour so there was chance to get up to date again and be ready to spend some time with him. That’s what I did and at 6.15 pm came through to see to his mug and put the kettle on. I hadn’t eaten my second meal of the day and was eyeing up a chocolate gateau that had followed me home this morning. Little twinges of conscience told me I should wait till Mike arrived and offer him some. Bigger twinges of conscience suggested I offer it all to him. Before I could get consciences foot out of the door and close it, Mike arrived. He as carrying a small parcel. I was making his drink as he brought it through, a meal from the chipshop, and, oh no, extra chips for me. I was sure I was screaming out loud Get thee behind me but in fact it turned out I was buttering bread for a sandwich. My self esteem slumped lower when I had half the gateau anyway. OMG, fat camp next year.

I stayed with Mike a while then came through to catch up before heading back to watch a comedy at 9.00 pm. He was asleep in his chair. I had to wake him as he needs to sleep in bed so I can get him up tomorrow. Come to think of it maybe I should start trying now. At 10.00 pm I came through for the night and suggested Mike went to watch TV in bed. There’s been a series of programmes recently where one story dovetails into the next. I think it’s called Banana and he’s quite interested in it. It’s supposed to offer insight into something he doesn’t understand at all, which is being gay. At least he’s tolerant of an alternative lifestyle and not dismissive. I got to do some more work until 11.00 pm when I stopped to concentrate here.

Friday.

4.45 am today. I was robbed of another minute. That’s still somewhere short of 4 hours again. I’ll either start hallucinating soon or spend an entire day asleep and miss it.  First port of call was the loo to stop my bladder pressing on my heart.. I must learn to drink less in the evenings. Next up was to sign in and see how many messages were waiting.It was less than a hundred and livable with. I made a start. By 6.00 am I had made quite a dent in it and was actually smiling as I went towards the kitchen. I bet that worried the fish. I did the main light first and then the tank light. As I wished them Good Morning Morecambe and Wise both swam to the upper corner nearest me in response to the voice. Sharkey, Big Al, Little Al, the two bronze corys and one of the plecs were swimming in circles directly beneath the food slot. Pepper was in the bottom left corner, back to me as Big Al so often is. Of the other two plecs and my two synodontis there was no sign. I dropped some food in and was going to leave them to it when one plec appeared climbing the glass at the back and the two synodontis both appeared from a direction I hadn’t expected, the large amphora. I was really pleased to see them as I love their markings.

I had  my sprays and took all my meds which emptied my tablet tray so I started to fill it again. I didn’t need the instructions as it’s all second nature now. Once I’d returned my meds drawer I was free to make a coffee. As by now it was approaching 7.00 am there was no point in returning to work yet. I boiled the kettle and made Mike his coffee. He says he wants to be at his father’s at 9.30 am so he can make sure the screed is laid well today.I had to get him up at 7.00 am to accomplish this. I didn’t hear the first alarm though I’m sure it went off ( probably as I boiled the kettle). I however did make sure my voice was loud enough as I called  “Coffee’s up bro. You don’t have time to play with today.” “Why not” he asked. “because you have to get to your Dad’s” I told him. He went back to sleep. The alarm went off twice more and twice more it was turned off. Finally at almost half past I went to remind him his coffee was getting cold. ” I can’t get my legs to work” was the answer. A minute or two later I heard him move to the lounge. Leaving just a few messages in my box I went through to the lounge and joined him. He complained of a terrible night but I’d had no choice about waking him as he wanted to be at his fathers when the workmen came. He drank his coffee, went to get washed and dressed and finally left the house about 8.15 am. I’ve no idea when he’ll be back after the screed has been laid but chances are I’ll have the usual fun getting him up tomorrow to get to his Dad’s for the laying of the flooring.

I came back to work and stayed here on and off all morning. No sign of any snow outside but I still didn’t want to face the day. I tried to clear up a problem getting into Moonpig.com but decided the problem must be at their end. I had an email about an educational tablet for children reduced to £5 but which always went to £10 at the checkout. I sent the company an email and they sent back a code which I was able to use to order one. I’m not expecting Reuben to start spelling yet or do sums, but there’s a song facility which might keep him occupied for a while and might also keep his hands off his mum’s tablet. At 11.35 I broke off ready for lunch. I had sausage with sweet potato mash and onion gravy Mmmm Mmmm.                                                                                                                                                                                                 I watched Jessica Fletcher gt her man or woman in this case and it should have been called Accident She Wrote. Is it too late to ask for my money back under the Trades Description Act? I returned to hard labour straight afterwards and slogged away until 2.15 pm when it was time for Father Brown unfortunately I nodded off in that. I struggled back to work again but did get up to date which was handy as Mike returned from his father’s at 4.15 pm. As he’s going to be away again tomorrow I checked he was taking me shopping this evening. I put shoes and socks on (not necessarily in that order) then watched The Road Trip with Mike.

We were on our way out at 5.20 pm. I didn’t have the courage to shop where we usually go as I knew it would be crowded . Instead we stayed local. I did the bulk of the shopping in Lidl and I must have chosen the right time as it was comparatively empty. The last few items I got from Tesco which again wasn’t too bad but I was very quick. We came straight home, unpacked the shopping, enjoyed another Road Trip then Mastermind. Mike did himself some tea at the start of that. As soon as it was over I went for a shower. Mike did my hair for me as usual then returned to his TV while I, once the shower was over, came back to work. There was just so much of it. The only thought I had to keep me going was that with not shopping tomorrow I shouldn’t get into my usual stress-mess. I stopped doing the post at 11.00 pm or there would have been no time for this post. Anything not done can be dealt with in the morning.

Dead or Alive were a Liverpool group fronted by singer Pete Burns. Here’s how Pete Burns looked after plastic surgery. Think twice folks.

Saturday.

4.06 this morning. Since it wasn’t an early night last night ( after I finished reading ) it’s just possible I’ve upset someone. If so, I don’t recall any dreams last night that would give me a hint. On the other hand it could be the weather that’s done it. Last night there was the sound of hail beating on the roof and carpeting the ground outside, and then the sound of furious rain throughout the night that almost had me coming back to the computer to invest in a boat, Noah’s Ark seemed appropriate. I am quite a light sleeper so sometimes these things disturb me though usually it would only be off key things that would make me get up ( not burglars obviously).                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          I attacked the mail after paying my usual homage to the gods of water. I thought there was quite a bit but suddenly at about 5.30 am I was done. I refreshed and did he few that came and I also opened my second email address and dealt with that. By 6.00 am I was free to go and face the fish. Face them I did. I turned the kitchen light on, then the tank light and moving slowly put my face against the glass. For a moment or two I just watched the activity but Morecambe soon came zooming towards me. I said Good Morning to her and that brought Wise over and they commenced to wag their tails as I spoke to them. Two of the plecs remained on the floor while the largest was stuck to the glass at the side of the tank. Obviously they’re oblivious to my charms. The two bronze corys were flitting about as usual, just looking for food, that’s all my presence meant to them. The hoplos were in a world of their own just going from floor to surface like divers going for air. Of the two synodontis there was no sign just then. Little Al came into sight from under the bridge where perhaps he’d been taking a nap. Big Al was pointedly ignoring me from the corner he had his head stuck into and Pepper was doing the same from the opposing corner so maybe Big Al and Pepper were ignoring each other and not me. I feel sorry for Pepper as she/he is on his/her own species wise and might be quite sociable if with his/her own kind.I’ll look for another. I fed them.

Tearing myself away from the fish I gave my attention to the morning meds, starting with the antibiotic. I can’t remember if I’ve mentioned how hard I find it to swallow tablets these days but the antibiotics are like huge torpedoes . Mike howls laughing when he watches me because once the tablet is in my mouth I have to psych myself up to swallow it. That seems to involve moving my head back and forth as I seek the opportune moment. He says it’s like watching one of those birds that sip your drink.

So, it’s good that he was still in his bed because today my throat didn’t want to co-operate. It’s nodding bird first, then a group of 5 tablets/capsule that are much smaller I take as one which is less the nodding bird, then come the two painkillers which means nodding bird, nodding bird. Imagine the fun he’d have had.Even worse if I was having breakfast, the first the pre-food is manageable (just) but the two post food ones are also torpedoes so two more nodding birds. No breakfast today though as I need to start getting the rubbish together and the recycling as it’s bin day.I didn’t relish taking the bags out as it was pouring down. Still, I waited until 7.00 am so I could be noisy.

It was a 2A  4C day. I heard the alarm at 7.00 am just before I took his coffee in. He got his first call as I did that. I tried telling him he’s need to dig the car out but it got no reaction. I went to the kitchen to collect the food recycling and on my way out gave my second call to remind him the coffee was going cold. “OK”, he said. I hoped he wouldn’t notice how close together the calls were. I took the recycling outside and put the bags at the end of the path, it had stopped raining at last. As I came beck in I called for the third time and heard the alarm go off for the second time. Surely that would be enough. I went outside to move the main bin to the end of the path and as I came back in could see Mike sitting up, but leaning to the side resting on his elbow. I thought he was looking at his tablet. After I’d washed my hands I noticed he was still in the same position and went in to pick up his dirty mug from last night, The fresh mug hadn’t been touched. He’d gone to sleep again. My fourth call  to say his coffee was cold worked and he got up and took his coffee to the lounge. It’s hard work ensuring he gets out on time.

As I walked into the lounge I was greeted with Queen singing Liar from his phone. He quoted me every song title with lie and liar in he could think of. I just told him the snow had washed away in the time it took him to get up. I’m not sure I convinced him. In the end I managed to get him out of the house at 8.10 am which is worse than most Saturdays but will still get him there in time. It felt very strange not to be going out too. He said he’d see me about 8.00 pm this evening.                                     I got dressed and returned to the mail. It took some concentration on some and I was so involved with one I shot out of my seat at the noise on the window behind me. It took a moment to realise it was my window cleaners at work. I’ve never seen them on a Saturday before. Not that they look any different today, just that I don’t think they work on a Saturday as a rule. Then it became strange because I’m sure they didn’t do every window and they never came round for payment.

At lunchtime I stopped to try a cottage pie from Lidl. It’s smell didn’t do much for me but when I tasted it, it was fine. I put the TV on afterwards but promptly fell asleep the minute the volume came on. Personally I think I’ve been snatched by aliens and brain altered as I’m sure I used to be able to finish a programme. Now I have problems starting one. I was out for an hour and I know it would have been longer if a double glazing salesman hadn’t chosen that moment to ring. If he could have sensed what I was thinking at that moment he wouldn’t have picked up a phone ever again. I worked through doing bits and bobs, checking facebook ( and finding three messages there ) and checking ebay. It kept me going if not busy. But at 5.00 pm I called a halt when I remembered my 2.00 pm tablet. Oops. I took the tablet and also swallowed a pre-food one. After a cigarette I indulged in two Cadbury’s little chocolate steamed puddings with two little servings of chocolate custard. Now I’m telling you this in confidence of course so I don’t want it spreading round. For clarification I will just add I  loved then.

I’d gone through to do a little more work but found that I was keeping pretty much apace so I wasn’t stressed unlike most Saturdays. At 7.30 pm I went back for a break and put the TV on to one of the NCIS shows but must have nodded off and of course Mike chose that moment to walk back in and ask if that’s that’s how I’d spent my day while he was working.Of course I denied it as I could hardly admit that’s just what I had been up to. It was pretty amazing I’d even bothered to get dressed. He was pleased though that the work was pretty much up to date and I’d give him some company. I stayed there till about 10.00 pm and came out to make sure I was clear for doing the blog later. I was really feeling like a sandwich but thought I could do without. After that it was the only thing I could think about. Mike was watching episodes of 100 that he’s missed or I’d have gone through to try and take my mind of it. In the end I had to admit defeat and make myself a corned beef and beetroot sandwich and eat it in front of Mike probably making him hungry again too. Having eaten a small bread and butter pudding when he came in, he didn’t dare admit to it though. I came back through having washed up and started the blog as it was now gone 11.00 pm.

I wish you all a Wonderful new week and a Fantastic New Month.

 

 

The Doctor. Who? Appears and Hugging Visitation.

Sunday 4th January 2015

It was a 3.28 am start this morning which was just as well since there had been a fair amount of activity by the scribes overnight. I was quite happy plodding along bringing the numbers down until I realised that they were all being replaced at the same rate so I had to up my pace. My Sunday morning body and brain weren’t keen on this idea and made me feel tired. I decided I’d lie down for a while once the fish were seen to at 7.00 am but it seems Somnos had other ideas. I’d been through and faced some kind of lecture from Big Al. The other fish carried on with what they were doing but Al parked himself at the front of the tank and mouthed off at me. It’s his own fault if the food landed on his head when I opened the flap. Oddly enough, just as the food hit, Big All jumped like he’d been shocked and I swear I caught a glimpse of Porcinus rushing off on his tatty cloven little tootsies.

I took my meds ( maybe they’ll clear up the visions) and made myself a coffee which I took through  to the lounge. I often have more luck nodding off there than in bed. I was trying to nod off but every time I shut my eyes the sight of a young child, a baby almost in a formal 3 piece suit appeared behind my eyelids. He was smoking a cigar which you just knew had last been touched by a dusky maiden as she rolled the tobacco on her thigh (sigh) and he was enjoying every draw. I tried to open my eyelids to banish the sight but he just clicked his pudgy little fingers and they stayed shut. I was sort of getting an idea who this was but why should a god of lovers and wishes be dressed like some mafia lawyer, and what could he want with me? The answer was forthcoming as he spoke in a Texas drawl with a baby’s voice. It sounded a bit like an accident with the helium. The party of the first part (Somnos) wanted his contract fulfilled ( I said he looked like a lawyer) and he , an interested party in this contract expected to see it expurgated forthwith or even fifthwith.( Lawyers humour there).  He had some growing to do and was anxious to start. “Oh, and by the way, as  I’m the god of lovers” he said, “make sure you paint my image with lots of pastel colours.” While I was still trying to work that one out, he vanished.

I decided to go back to work for a while and catch up on anything new in . I was obviously delirious. At 9.05 am though a wave of tiredness came over me and I did one last message then lay on the bed and was gone. Next thing I know I hear the loo flush. I came awake with a start and went through to the lounge. Mike was up and drinking a coffee he’d made himself ( and I’m sure I never showed him how). It was 9.30 am. I asked how long he’d been up and he told me since 9.15 am. He’d seen my light on and stuck his head in. According to Mike I was laying on my back, mouth wide open and snoring like mad. I was an idle beggar still being in bed at that time.

We really took our time getting ready and it must have been 11.00 am before we were on our way out. We headed for Prestatyn where I got a plumbing pack with a radiator key in it. Considering I’d gone into the £ shop just for that I came out £9 lighter. From there we headed for Rhyl and after parking up on the street and finding it had gone midday we went for lunch to a place all locals call the Red Caff on account of the internal colour scheme and red plastic seating. It was OK. After that we had a general mooch looking for a case for a 10″ tablet and finding another pack of radiator keys for me. We ha a look round a store looking for a car coat for Mike without success but I fell in love with a jacket down from £75 to £30 in the sale. No I didn’t, I behaved. Last stop of the day was the aquarist shop where Ju and I used to buy a lot of our fish and our tanks. I got my Pangasius called Zippy from there. Today Mike saw a couple of fish he wanted for his tank and I saw some synodontis I couldn’t resist but I only bought two as it’s almost my birthday and I’ve been promised fish then. Anyone who knows fish will have seen a pattern emerging here. I just adore catfish.

Aren’t I beautiful.

We shot off home so I could start preparing them for the tank, 20 minute in their bag in the tank water, 20 minutes with some tank water added to the bag and then gently release them. Mike loaded the car, strapped his fish into the front seat and set off for Rugby to do the same with his fishy friends. It was just 3.40 pm so I was set for the first 20 minute stage. I started to work since I’d been away from my screen for almost 7 hours. There was just so much of it. At 4.00 pm I went through and added some tank water to the bag to acclimatise my new pals and then went back to work. I remember seeing 4.15 pm then nothing.  at 5.05 pm I woke up.I knew I’d been to sleep as the imprint of the keyboard was in reverse on the palm of my hand. Fortunately my forehead had been resting on my arm. The screen was just filled with pages of capital G’s.  OMG, the fish! I dashed through and released them. They were fine of course just having had longer to adjust than usual. I returned to my screen and started deleting all the G’s so I could get back to where I’d left off. Thank heavens I hadn’t sent it to someone. I wasn’t sure if the sleep was a present, a punishment or just a reminder from Somnos so to cover myself here is my promotion.

Fed up with your old household gods? Need a new breed for the New Year? Say hello to the bright young things of today who can serve you for tomorrow too. Start saying your prayers to the leader of the new Pantheon, Somnos. Offspring of an older god and who knows what, Somnos is the bright star in the heavens and can turn his hand to anything. A young master of life’s mysteries.  Give it up for his brothers, young Porcinus who is god of household and not so household animals and Brother Jake who though the youngest is still a bit of a bright spark. Apart from being responsible for lovers he is also responsible for wishes.Not worth asking for Lottery Numbers he tells me, the elder gods have that tied up for years.

I had to take a half hour break to get something for tea as I’d only had one set of tablets today but after that it was right back nose to the grindstone ( it’s OK my beak can afford it). I’m making real headway now and hope to be in bed by midnight.

Monday.

Negotiation can obviously be rewarding. I was allowed until 4.47 am this morning. It was a bit of a blow to find no-one had arranged for their to be no post during the extra period so I could wake up relaxed but I suppose it’s my own fault for not getting the i’s dotted and t’s crossed. I’ll know for the future and squeeze harder than a lemon press. Once I’d come back from the loo and switched on I’d been disappointed but what the heck, I had time. I worked till 7.00 am and went through to the kitchen. I had to be quiet, my new catfish are very small and quite shy often hiding away during the daylight hours. I turned the light on and there they were enjoying the extra space in this tank. Where the others came flying over when the food was in they didn’t of course but I’m sure they’ll soon learn. That’s if Sharkey behaves anyway and he certainly wasn’t this morning. He was trying to chase everyone away from the food and even managed to startle Big Al this morning. It couldn’t happen often though as nothing can move the tank that Big Al is. He seemed in better humour today and didn’t even glance in my direction. That could be a bit worrying as though an event is due to happen and he’s distancing himself from it for when he secret police arrive…..and that’s despite the fact he probably orchestrated the whole thing. I may need a word with Porcinus to see if fish come under his purview.

I watched for long enough to see my two synodontis disappear inside an upturned ship and stay there. I decided there and then whatever I have for my birthday will be bigger…too big for holes like that. Maybe too big for Sharkey too. A couple of real battleships. I took my meds to get me down from this high and mad myself  coffee to take back. I couldn’t be bothered getting dressed as I wasn’t going anywhere. By about 9.45 am I was happy with what I’d done and where I was so took a few minutes to head to the lounge and my chair. The first thing I aw was my repeat prescription request from Friday. Damn. I had to get dressed after all. It was such a pain getting a tiny sock on this big fat leg that when I was dressed I slipped a pair of summer deck shoes on. Even that was a small problem but I managed it and getting my jacket and crutches went out, locking the door behind me. I had to manage like Long John Silver, just putting one foot to the floor and swinging along on the crutches. It works well but is tiring.I got there and back without problems. Back inside I slipped off the shoes and put my slippers on and dealt with the actual mail from the postman.

Back to work. Still not too much in but enough to keep me going until lunchtime. I broke off at 11.45 am to start lunch and then found a Time Team to watch while I ate my shepherd’s pie followed by chocolate cake. At 1.00 pm I went back to work until 2.15 pm when the new series of Father Brown started. I have vague recollections of having enjoyed the books as a child and wanted to see what they were like. Not bad really. Then back to face the afternoon rush until 6.00 pm when I had Eggheads.( no, not personally, it’s a programme not a disease). After that I just had to shut my eyes as they were closing anyway and I stayed that way for 35 minutes before coming back through. Since then it’s been a slight struggle to keep up to date because certain personal messages I save till this end of the day to deal with and sometimes they’re long. But, I shall manage an early  night I hope as I want to see my beautiful daughter and my grandson tomorrow. She’s threatening the doctor on Thursday.

Tuesday.

I had a 2.51 am start this morning. That’s approximately two and a quarter hours sleep if I slept the minute I turned the light off. I didn’t. Whatever AC Flory says,I’m not prepared to go down the photograph of a chocolate cake yet. And don’t even suggest prayer, I already feel preyed upon. Maybe I should have had a closer look at the small print in the contract. My leg was painful when I put it down so I hopped to the loo, reminded myself I’d made a mistake buying the Loo purple instead of the Loo Bloo, resolved to correct my error, and hopped back. There was quite a lot of mail to be dealt with and I’m currently open to suggestions as to how to cut it down. At 6.00 am I’d reached the end of the main ones and also of my tether. I felt tired.  I needed something to brighten me but the buses weren’t running yet and my daughter wouldn’t be up. I settled for second best and went through to the kitchen. When the lights went on I was delighted to be able to see the new fish flitting back and forth. They have real speed and really are beautiful with their streamlined moustaches.

Morecambe and Wise came to the top to await their flake and most of the others moved into position ready for the pellets. Sharkey was being very annoying and I had o speak sharply to him but as usual I was ignored. Big Al was a worry though. No insults, no tellings off, no glaring. He sat towards he back of the tank , little gimlet eyes as wide as they’d go and looked shell shocked. I have no idea what- or who- happened to him. I did in fact feel rather sorry for him as I think he’s getting old now and I’m sure the synodontis won’t be interested in his lectures. I get the feeling they’re all rap and hip-hop. After watching the activity for a few minutes I fed them and left them to eat in peace. I did see Big Al move towards the food area before turning away. I took my sprays then put milk in my mug and took the tablets, leaving enough milk for my coffee. I sat and drank that in the lounge and considered shutting my eyes but was afraid of missing the bus.

I washed the  now empty mug, picked up the gifts for Yvonne, Ugo and Reuben, switched the lights off and headed back to my bedroom. I got washed and dressed and started on the lesser messages and notifications until 7020 am when it was time to get my shoes on and prepare to leave. I allowed time in case I had problems finding the right shoes. At the moment I could do with a pair belonging to a clown though I dare say Mike would say I already have. I left the house at 7.30 am and started walking toward the bus stop. It started raining and then the bus went right past me. So that was the way the day was going to be. I reached the bust stop and climbed aboard. The driver, my regular, said “If I’d known it was raining I’d have stopped for you back there.” Luckily I hadn’t quite got my breath back so just said “Thanks.” On the bus Yvonne sent me a text to ask if I was coming and let me know she was waiting for young sleepyhead to wake up. That’s a first. I just sent a text saying I was on the bus.

When I got to Chester I saw Yvonne pushing the trolley out of a shop towards me. The plastic cover was down because of the rain and she was just telling me that Reuben wasn’t very well when he started smiling and pointing at me. I guess I had something stuck in my teeth. The joy didn’t last long and tears accompanied the siren as we walked round the first shop. It improved a bit when he was given a book to read and we headed for the coffee shop in the next place. Yvonne fed Roobs his breakfast which he took well. He did feel a little warm. She passed him the books I’d bought while she checked out the other gifts and loved the cardie and little jacket I’d got him. While we were having coffee she told me that Ugo is having Reuben confirmed in Church soon.  I just nodded as this is their child and my opinions won’t count on this subject. But, I always thought a confirmation followed a Christening/Baptism and was for the subject to agree to follow the life of discipleship? As far as I know he hasn’t been baptised or if he has I wasn’t invited ( probably for good reason) and I’d say since he can’t talk yet, he’s far too young to be making any commitments. As I say , it’s their business, their choice but for me, I’d much rather this kind of malarkey was left until a child is old enough to know what they’re doing and can make an informed choice. Some people seem to need the community of a church but it’s not for everyone. CORRECTION. with apologies, I’m now innformed it’s a dedication and not a confirmation. This just welcomes him into the church and his parents and god parents attend to confirm they’ll teach him about god.Personally I’d rather he was just tauiught about people and how he should treat them. How he should protect the vulnerable regardless of race, colour,culture or creed.Humanity is One  and we need to work together without divisions to learn tolerance. Rant Over.

We left the coffee house and headed for another shop but Reuben was obviously very unhappy. Neither books nor looking at his favourite toys would stop the siren in my ear. I suggested as it was 11.30 am Yvonne should take him home. Se said once we finished this last shop she’d do that and cool him off and let him sleep if he needs it. Lucky for me, this last shop was close to my bus stop and there was a bus due at noon. We said our goodbyes and she apologised. There was no need. I knew she needed to settle Reuben down and be happy that he’s OK. As for me, I get home an hour early and can start work again that much sooner. I’d have been out almost 6 hours by then.

When I got off the bus I dropped into Pauline’s for some supplies and my next TV mag. I found some chips in a mild and fruity curry sauce which I decided to have for lunch. It was lovely.I had bread and butter to make sure I lost none of the sauce. I did half an hour’s work then skipped off to watch an episode of Father Brown again. When that was over I piled into the work like a madman. After a while I must have looked like one too as I kept yawning so my eye were watery, they kept closing in an attempt to grab an after-food sleep and my head looked like either a nodding dog or one of those Ostrich things that used to dip their beaks in your drink. It got to the stage I had no idea what I was doing so I allowed it to happen. When I woke 25 minutes later all I had was a stiff neck. By 7.50 am I’d finally caught up and had an hour with the TV watching a celebrity quiz show for charity. They put up a good show but didn’t win.

9.00 pm meant back in here again and another session of catch up before I was able to start the blog. I will be in bed for midnight.

I keep seeing an advert on TV which has someone driving an elephant like a car. The tune keeps popping into my head so tonight I’m going to play it on here an hope it gets out of my head completely. Sorry about that, I hope no-one catches it.

Wednesday.

I made my midnight bedtime last might- just. I couldn’t cope with reading for very long and so the light was out by a quarter past. Sleep came quickly, and having delighted me with whatever dream left me smiling, it left just as quickly as well, at 2.38 am. You know at the time if you’ll get away with just snuggling back under the covers or whether you’re really awake and ready to create a new formula for world peace. I swear the powers that be keep sending the wrong people to do that job. Anyway, once up I did the Olympic Hop to the loo and the Olympic hop back afterwards. Times almost took a turn for the worse when the first hop was taken on the wrong leg. If anyone asks later whether I heard that strange sound I’ll just say no, what strange sound? I settled in my seat and turned the computer on. Straight away I wished I’d taken the other option which was packing my hankie and running away to parts unknown with no computer access. Actually I suppose I could just go camping up the road and have that happen. Warmer climes appealed but where? It has to be somewhere that isn’t trying to kill me from the moment I arrive via snake, spider or even mosquito. One of the South Sea Islands maybe. While waiting for my  ticket to arrive I might as well do some work.

First job is to check my lottery ticket. I know things are looking grim when I see it’s a further rollover. Grimmer still when I see that damned machine didn’t even give  me one number let alone the Millionaire Maker code. Ah well ( big sigh) maybe the weekend. I worked until 6.00 am and cleared both talktalk and gmail addresses. In celebration I decided to feed the fish a bit early again. I turned the kitchen light on followed by the tank light. Big Al blinked and as I opened the hatch he flew over and stationed himself underneath. No-one was getting food before him today. I dropped in some pellets. He wiggled his moustache, perhaps in thanks and tried to pick up one of the pellets whole. Others came to join him now including Sharkey who was trying to grub for food and chase everyone else off at the same time. The was no sign of my little synodontii though.( my guess for the plural as synodontisses doesn’t quite have the same ring), they were having a lie-in it seemed until suddenly I spotted a head moving about on the underside of the pump. Of course, these are often known as upside down catfish. I replaced the flap and left them to it.

I decided to have breakfast today so the first thing i to take a pre-food tablet then mess around for 15 minutes before eating.  I had my sprays then took half my tablets and lit a cigarette. Then I took the rest of the tablets, took an empty plastic bottle to the recycling bags, took a book to the bookshelves in Mike’s room before returning to the kitchen to put some bread in the toaster, put my cigarette out and made a coffee. I got the butter and a knife out and a plate to hold the toast which soon signified it was ready by shooting a couple of inches in the air. As soon as breakfast was eaten it was time for the post-food tablets and I returned to work. Only about ten piece of post which were soon dealt with so it was time for 40 winks in the lounge with my foot up.I slept for an hour and found I’d been reading at the same time, or at least turning the pages of my book without taking anything in. To be honest, I wasn’t taking in much when I was awake either. This book hasn’t gripped me yet. That could be because there are a couple of books in my pile that I really want to get to grips with one of which is a John Grisham.

I returned to work and found a message telling me a doctor would be coming out today. If it’s my own doctor it will probably be after lunch. That was fine, I sent a message back thanking Yvonne only to get another requesting I let her know everything the doctor says and not just the finer points. She’s most untrusting. I grabbed some carpet fresh for the hall and then hoovered the lounge and lit a febreeze candle to overcome (?) any smoke smells but I should be OK as I’m never in there long enough to smoke much. After my mini work-a-thon the postman arrived bringing with him a request to write to one of the House of Lords about the Dignity in Death bill due later this month. I did that with pleasure. One piece of mail from my Causes group was from  Portugal asking for some computer equipment for a Breast Cancer Support Group. It seemed little enough to ask for so I did a small blogpost on it.I’m hoping as people spread it, maybe it will just hit the right person who can donate the equipment needed. I’m not sure it’s something one individual can do unless they have the money to donate for buying fromnew. But there may be a firm out there who could sponsor such a cause and if so, I’m sure one of my friends will know. Otherwise I may have to see if the request can be given to one of the larger computer manufacturing companies. Any bright ideas would be welcomed.

I worked up until midday but didn’t eat in case the doctor came. I watched my antique show and made every effort to stay awake. Eventually at 1.45 pm I saw my doctor approach. I stayed where I was as she let herself in and came through. Out of manners I raised off my seat but she waved me down. he spent a few seconds playing with my upper leg to see if there was any pain ( no, but there was pleasure) in case there was a blood clot. Instead it appears I have cellulitis which is a deep infection of the soft tissue, usually strep. It started like gout but has stayed hot and swollen for far too long. To cut a long story short, I have to look out for other problems which might result in hospitalisation, but otherwise four to five weeks of antibiotics should do the trick. Next week we have to phone and describe the foot/leg to see if the swelling has gone down. If so, she’ll prescribe the next batch of antibiotics, if not she’ll come out to assess it again. At least my body temp and my blood pressure were good. She left me a prescription when I assure her I had someone to get it then she left. I put socks and shoes on an went out to pick it up. You might know there was none at the chemist but it was due in so they’d deliver it later. I went home again. I reported to the boss and she let me know poor Reuben’s problem on Tuesday was Hand, Foot and Mouth disease which I’ve never heard of before now. Poor little mite has a rash.

Back at work I tried sitting sideways on to the computer and stick my leg up on the bed. That was very uncomfortable so I had to make do with the floor. I worked until 4.30 pm them went to watch the Antiques Road Trip which I missed when they took it off over Christmas. After that I sorted the mugs ready for the appearance of Dil and Matt. I’d just sat down again and lit a cigarette when they walked in so I had to ‘Hop It’ again and make the drinks. As usual we watched the end of a quiz before getting the games table out. Yahtzee first which was a resounding victory for Dil tonight. Matt  and I won just one each of the six games. We were going for Nomination next but delayed it to play the new game I got for Christmas. It seems everyone likes it despite us teasing Yvonne about buying it for her old dad. Matt won that and had a really good laugh at the same time. Then we played the Nomination whist. Things were going really well for me, I was well over 100 when Dil was just under 100 and Matt was struggling in the forties. As things carried on Dil won a few, I lost a few and Matt more or less stayed put. The poor lad could not win a break. It looked like this was going to be my game though even though Dil edged nearer. Then the last hand Matt shouted 4 and got them, Dil shouted 2 and got them and I shouted 3 and got 4. Dil and I were even so I was even deprived of a game in my own house by my guests.

They left at 9.35 pm and after clearing up, washing up and taking the night meds I came through. There were over 120 messages of which I only managed half before giving up to deal with the blog. The rest will have to wait for morning if I want to get to bed tonight.

Thursday.

It’s been a funny old day. I got up at 4.13 pm, almost luxuriously late and after the long haul one legged to the loo I came back prepared to face the hell on the computer. I didn’t, it was way worse than that. There were 87 pieces of yesterdays post to deal with before I got to today’s stuff. Have you people nothing better to do with your time? What made it worse for me was that most of it was interesting so I couldn’t be smug and just delete it. There were no attempts to part me from my money either so I can’t even try and entertain you.

Given the way my days are the best way I’ve been able to break down times to toke these new antibiotics are 6.00 am, 11.00 am, 4.00 pm and 9.00 pm or thereabouts. So 6.00 am saw me creeping into the kitchen so I didn’t disturb the fish (??? lunatic) and then creeping out again capsule in hand to take it from my drink in the bedroom. At 7.00 am I went back to the kitchen turning the lights on at the wall and at the tank too and chatting to the fish as I dropped food in for them. Big Al was boycotting me, Little Al was dithering between that and missing the food. Sharkey was his annoying self. Morecambe and Wise came for a chat as they like the timbre of my voice ( or is it timber as it’s wooden?) The plecs were happy climbing walls as usual but of my two new friends there was just an occasional glimpse as they darted from hiding place to hiding place. By 9.00 am I was up to date with last night’s post but decided to get dressed before doing any more. Needing a break I sat in the lounge for what I thought was a minute but in fact turned out to be 11.40 am. OMG, I’ve been abducted by aliens, but perhaps not as I hadn’t unlocked the front door this morning. I quickly checked my phone in case Lis and Charlie had been in touch about a visit but even though my phone was for once fully charged, there were no messages.

I hadn’t put socks on today but had to quickly slip some soft shoes on and go for bread so I could have lunch. I’d decided upon bacon with chips and bread with butter. That was very enjoyable and was over and done with by 1.00 pm. Time to stop skiving and get some work done. It was almost as bad as at the start of the day and I now have my proof that neither you nor I can find anything better to do. At 3.30 pm Mike sent a text to say he was on the way to me so I expect between 5.30 – 6.00 pm and then Lis sent a text at about 3.45 pm to say they’d be here about 4.30 – 5.00 pm.  I ceased work at 4.30 pm to be ready ( and also to see my antiques show I admit) and they arrived at 4.45 pm. Hugs and kisses all round thoroughly enjoyed by me, so much so I went back for seconds but they beat me off. I got to hear all about Christmas and the New Year and Charlie had made me some dark chocolate gingers. Mmmm. They had to leave at 5.35 pm and not because I couldn’t keep my hands to myself. More hugs and kisses ensued. YAY. I finished watching one quiz and started watching another. Mike arrived about 6.15 pm after some annoying and typically expensive car troubles. We sat and chatted after I’d made a drink then watched an episode of Big Bang.

I made us both some tea an hour after my last antibiotic and then stayed with Mike a while until it was time to come to work. He’s watched an episode of Endeavour, the young Inspector Morse. I’m finally up to date (for now) but will check again once this post is finished. Who knows, I might make it by midnight again.

This song is a recommendation by my nephew Matt. I found myself enjoying it.

Friday.

This morning was a joyous 5.12 am, but only because I threw a real strop at at 2.08 am. Admittedly I enjoyed a cigarette at that time and made sure my rant lasted long enough but I absolutely refused to get up at that time again. I put my foot down with a very firm hand. The deal was off if I was going to be treated in such a cavalier fashion was rapidly followed by begging “Please let me have an extra couple of hours and I’ll mention all three of you tonight”. So, to show that I haven’t broken faith, allow me to reintroduce the Great and Uppity Somnos, his mediocre, but animal, loving ( and smelling)  brother Porcinus and the almost nonentity Brother Jake. Follow them at your peril, admire them if you must but be sure to go through any contracts with a fine tooth comb.

The mail first thing wasn’t too bad after I’d caught up a little more before bedtime last night. It was still 1.00 am before my light went out though. I remembered to break off for my 6.00 am antibiotic. Talking of which. To remind me when to take them i’d written on the box, 6.11.4.9. When Mike came into the kitchen ( don’t be daft.it was never going to happen at that time this morning) last night he asked me why I’d written it and when I explained he said “Don’t you realise, you’ve written my birthday.” I don’t know how I hadn’t seen it. Plus it was confirmation that he admits to being 14 months older than me. I returned to work after the pill and carried on until 7.00 am.

Big Al had the weight of the world on his shoulders this morning. He was mooching round the front of the tank and kept throwing glances at me. I’m not sure If I was supposed to feel sorry for him. I decided to let them have one of the algae tablets this morning so after giving Morecambe and Wise their flake, I broke a tablet up and scattered it. Big Al latched his mouth on to the biggest piece as it hit the bottom leaving everyone else top find their own much smaller pieces. I’m not sure if it’s a perk of size or seniority. I left them gobbling and turned to take my own meds and prepare my drink. Once that was done and my tablets taken it was time for the weekly filling of the boxes and refilling of the drawer from my new drugs stash. That took a good half hour and so it was 7.45  am before I made the drink.Then I decided it might be nice to have some breakfast this morning so took a pre-food tablet, got the after food ones out ready and lit a cigarette. It should have been an extra five minutes but I went ahead anyway. A small pack of Frosties, just right with a piece of toast. Once finished my coffee was cool enough to take the two tablets with. I returned to work again. By 8.45 I’d done and got myself washed and dressed. As 9.00 am arrived I made a coffee and took it through to Mike who sat up and thanked me. I told him I was going to Pauline’s and wouldn’t be long.

At Pauline’s there was quite a queue. When it came to my turn I had quite a few lottery tickets to buy so I let a few people behind me go with just one or two items. When one elderly woman with a newspaper and a pint of milk appeared I told her to go because I needed a few tickets. She lay down the paper and milk and then rummaged in her handbag and preceded to bring out a winning scratchcard for her son who then wanted lottery tickets with the winnings and a winning scratchcard for herself and she also needed lottery tickets. I thought this was just enough cheek and took my turn straight after. She never even said thank you for the courtesy. So, it was 9.20 am  when I got back home. I took my own milk to the kitchen and was surprised not to see Mike in the lounge. He was still in bed asleep. In a tone that implies deep disappointment I woke him to say he’d forgotten his coffee and reminded him what time it was. He shifted himself.

Sitting in the lounge with Mike I started to feel tired so when he went to the loo I just settled back in my chair for a minute.He decided he might as well get ready to go. That woke me of course, not that I’d done more than relax for a minute and I said goodbye noticing that he’d got up later but left on time compared to previously when he’s up on time and I can’t get the beggar out. Anyway, I went to see what messages had come in.  One was an invitation to have a free birthday meal at The Bells of St Mary’s ( with another paying customer) which sounded good but I had the devil’s own job trying to print it out. There was no print option, just one to scan by phone. After a very long time I managed a screen dump of the part of the page showing the code. Then came three or four emails with Yvonne trying to figure out where to eat for my birthday. Despite it being my day, it looks like the options aren’t mine whether we go or not. She”s trying to work her way up to a biggie next year which I’m determined to have at home. I hate it when people are invited to meals like that and feel obligated to buy a gift and have to buy meals on top.

At 11.00 am I took my next antibiotic then carried on with the mail until 12..00 am when it was time for lunch. Another one of the infamous shepherd’s pies. I’d just finished when there was a knock on the door. It was the warden come for her weekly check on me. It was lashing down outside and the wind was picking up. Just as well she was wrapped up. We talked about the forecast of snow for tomorrow and she wasn’t keen on that at all. She gave me company for about 15 minutes then had to go to her next call. I didn’t envy her that rain. Worse still, I didn’t envy her the wind which was picking up in speed. I watched the remainder of the antiques show and shut my eyes for one of those thirty minute minutes. So it was 1.30 pm before I got back to work. That meant working hard in order to see the last episode this week of Father Brown. I was five minutes late. When that finished at 3.00 pm I made Mike’s bed before coming back through. Whatever happened I was determined to be done by 4.30 pm so my bed can wait.

At 4.30 pm I was temporarily up to date and went through to watch the Antique Road Trip’s last episode of the week. It had just started when my phone burped. I expected a message from Mike to say he was on his way back. I was 50% right, it was Mike only he was in a hospital in Manchester with his dad, just where he’d been 2 weeks ago on Christmas day. His wrist is broken after the fall after all. Today he’s having temporary strapping and has to go back Monday afternoon to have the job done properly. Mike needs to stay over Sunday night now. Oh good, an extra day’s B & B from him now. He’ll be back late tonight as he’s having a mel with his sister once he’s fed his dad and seen him off to bed. His carer will be with him for breakfast.( Dad not Mike ). At 6.00 pm I went through and made my bed then went to take a shower. After that I put in a little,work until an episode of Who Do You Think You Are with Gary Lineker. A fascinating programme. I wish we could all get that kind of help with our family trees. Having said that, if you need help try WWW.CT-RESEARCH.COM (lower case) . Connie and Tony are two of the most competent and helpful people I know. They’re good with puzzles and are really friendly.

I took my next antibiotic at 9.00 pm and realised somehow I’d missed the 4.00 pm one. I thought I might as well take my evening ones at the same time. I stayed in the lounge watching a comedy just in case Mike arrived back but at 9.40 pm as there was no  sign I came to make up for all my skiving. I’m sure no-one heard me scream. There were quite a few in both mailboxes and it was difficult to catch up. But, being a veteran of these wars now, I gave it my best attempt. I an knocking off at 11.50 pm and Mike has just returned.

Saturday.

I  went through to make Mike a cup of coffee and get the full saga of his day. And what a day it was too with carers, doctors,  x-rays, bone settings and throughout it all having to deal with his dad whose mood was not the most helpful. The story took a while and I went to bed at 1.00 pm and Mike headed for his bedroom still jumping with adrenalin. I’m not sure when I went to sleep but 2.24 am was today’s prize time for getting up. Granted my bladder wasn’t helping much either. As I went to the loo I noticed Mike was still awake and reading. Once the deluge had finished I went through and we talked for a few minutes until I actually saw him yawn. I left and came through to the computer. At 3.00 am more than a little frustrated I went to get some painkillers and noticed sleep had claimed Mike.

When I got back to the computer I turned off and back on to start afresh. Every time I’d tried to like something so far, or pressed comment I’d been taken to the Blogs I Follow, WordPress page. I’d had to do a search on each blog to enter it and do what I intended. It was just taking an age doing it that way. The reboot worked and I sailed through the remaining posts finishing at 4.45 am. I celebrated with a drink of squash in the kitchen then a prowl through ebay at the catfish available there. I was so surprised to see small pangasius there ( Like my favourite fish ‘Zippy’) since anyone taking those was going to need a massive tank since some can soon grow to a metre. They’re known as shark catfish because of their look but I found zippy to be intelligent and to have a very passive nature.

Beautiful Pangasius. shark catfish.

I think I’m attracted ( in the right way ) to these fish because of their spectacular moustaches. At 6.00 am I went through to take an antibiotic and though I crept very quietly I felt eyes on me the minute I walked into the kitchen. It’s not even as though I turned the light on , my torch stopped me needing to do that………….        I gave in and turned the tank light on. Morecambe and Wise were watching me from the top of the tank, with Big Al, Little Al and one of the plecs watching me from below like the Codfather and a couple of wiseguys. If I’d have seen a violin case at that moment I’d still be running. Though officially it’s non-feeding day I was taking no chances and just tipped a full box through the hatch. Mind you, they’ll have the devil’s own job of getting the lid off. Hah.! I took the antibiotic and went back to my room. Another 30 minutes saw me up to date and I was feeling cocky enough to re-approach the kitchen.  OK, I’d taken my dressing gown off hoping they’d think it was someone else. This time I took my normal morning meds , prepared a cup for my coffee and started to get the rubbish and the recycling waste ready to go out. Trouble was it was persisting down and blowing a gale out there. In the end I took it out and planted the food waste bin on top of the recycling bags to try and hold them down. When I came back in. I was amazed to hear Mike’s alarm go off.  To be honest I fully expected him to turn it straight off but I saw him sit up. I asked “Are you going back to sleep bro, or do you want a drink?”  He told me he’d have a drink so I put the kettle on while I made mine and when it was ready I made one and took it through. He was asleep again. “Coffee’s up” I called not really caring if he stayed asleep. I went outside and added something to the rbbish and when I came back in he was actually up. Honest, really, and he was awake and actually hitting his mouth with the drink.

It was a later start but not by much really as we left the house at 8.10 am. We were at the Supermarket by 8.30 am and in shopping mode. Within the first ten minutes I’d got some potatoes, Ju’s flowers and some clothing from the sale for myself. Well, you can’t NOT get a cardigan and a pair of jeans at £4 a peace can you? Please don’t answer that.  OK, OK, there was a shirt too at just £3 but that’s it honest. After that we honestly put some food in the basket. Mike was doing some shopping for his dad today, washing powder etc so if there wasn’t as much room for food in my trolley ( technically his I suppose as he paid for it)  as usual it’s all his fault. After going through the checkout we went for coffee.

When we’d packed the car and had a cigarette it was decided we’d go to Flint but on the way there was a slight detour via Pets at Home so I could see the pet rats and we could both view the fish. We didn’t buy anything and resumed the journey. Today Mike needed another coffee before anything else so we went in and had a Happy New Year hug from Ceri, had a laugh with Sian and tried not to upset Kyle’s hangover. Mike had his usual teasted toecake then threw the biscuit from his saucer straight into his coffee to soften. Oops, error, it was a change of biscuit this week and was already quite soft. It almost disintegrated in the fumes before it touched liquid. He had to fish it out in bits. He didn’t make the same mistake with my biscuit. I thought we were going to check one shop out for an ice pack when we’d done, but it turned into two, three, four as well as a minor detour inside the pet store to look at, you guessed it, fish. Tonight I’m writing begging letters to the Gettys, The Gugenheins, Bill Gates and Madonna to see if they’d like to buy me a 12 foot tank so I can keep adopt some large homeless catfish.

We realised it was now gone 1.00 pm and I’d forgotten to take my 11.00 am antibiotic and also I needed some food so we headed straight off to the Ivy. Angie gave us a kiss (each) and got me a glass of water so the first problem was solved. We had to share our seats today as interlopers had dug themselves in despite the reserved sign. Angie had got our drinks so we ordered lunch and I was able to take my pre-food tab. Young Rob came over to say hello as he passed by with some food deliveries. It was fairly busy again.  We took the opportunity to nip out for a cigarette and moments later Tariq came flying out to say hello. He knew who it was as soon as he got the food order, double bacon sandwiches with a bucket of chips between us. After we’d gone back in, lunch wasn’t long in arriving and then Shella came out to say Hi too. It’s like coming to eat with family. He’s even given up arguing with me over payment these days.

Lunch over and hugs goodbye out of the way we headed for home. One we’d put the shopping away, I was allowed on the computer, well he is OLDER than me. In what I thought was a gross mistake I found 144 outstanding messages. I was within about 25 of the end when he called me through to watch TV with him. It had taken from 3.15 to 5.25 pm to get this far, and that was more luck than judgement. I stayed until 8.40 pm then he saw me twitching and let me come back. It’s been another long haul but I think I’ll make it before midnight- just.

Another Welsh one tonight.

Have a Wonderful New Week everybody.

Sunday Pleasantry & Nutter Magnets

Sunday 28th Dec 2014.

When I swung my legs out of bed this morning at 3.09 am there was a wee tug between groin and left butt but I was able to put both feet on the floor without howling. It’s a Christmas miracle! The size doesn’t seem to have become any less though so getting a slipper on my right foot wasn’t easy, but I did it. I managed to shuffle from my bedroom to the loo without use of crutches or stick and with my foot flat to the ground. There’s a small background niggle but heck, he’s still in bed. Actually as I came out of the loo the background niggle was just walking in with the kind of look Might of the Living Dead tried to achieve. He was hardly aware of me at all until I wished him good morning for a joke. “Ohyesyespleasantry” was what I received in return.

I smiled and walked back to my room to turn on the computer and log onto my talktalk mail. Yay, it was still up. I dealt with that then signed into my gmail account to do the same. That one required a few full answers and took a bit longer. But I was up top date by 5.45 am and thought I might just rest my eyes in my chair, in fairness, there had been less that 2 hours sleep so far. I was trying to come to terms with differential calculations or something when sleep took me and I stayed out until 7.05 am. I found out just how good my ankle was a I ran to the kitchen and turned the tank light on. I don’t know if fish celebrate the seasons or have created new holidays based on me and my fickle moods. Lategod Day, Cheerfulgod Day etc but I’d be willing to bet that Forgetfulgod Day came about weekly. I might even have caught them mid-service this morning as they were sort of semicircular on Big Al who has no doubt convinced them he’s my mouthpiece. You could just imagine him intoning ‘And he’s a Vengeful god and will take away the light if you shall transgress’. ‘And he can be a kind god and the food shall rain from above when he wishes ‘ which is as good a get-out clause as you can get. This morning the food rained from above as I wished it and landed on Big Al’s head.

I took my sprays and my morning meds and made a coffee. ( also bad for gout Mike says along with caffeinated drinks like Pepsi max). He’s evil. I went back to work. Once I had the emails under control again I went to Ancestry.co.uk to carry on with the ‘hints’. It can be quite fun finding an ancestor on someone else’s site and realising he two of you may be related. That happened last year with someone in Australia. We had a great, great grandmother in common. At 10.00 am Mike shuffled his way into my doorway and gave a little wave as if to say “I’m here”. “Good morning again” I said.                                                                                                                   “What do you mean again?” he asked. I explained about our meeting in the early hours. He turned and shuffled off to the loo so I went and made him a drink. We sat in the lounge chatting about not a lot until I put on an interesting programme on Hampton Court Palace, the most complete palace of it’s age in the world today, the favorite palace of Henry VIII. So interesting I didn’t consider getting dressed mainly because I nodded off for the last half hour. When I came to again. Mike was dressed and had gathered together all his luggage and his gifts and was wondering if they’d go in the car. I had to get washed and dressed quickly. We decided to go for lunch but to save time later Mike would bring the car up to the house and pack it now. I gathered everything by the door and waited, and waited until eventually I went to see where he was. He was scraping a thick frost off the car. Even in the bright sunshine of midday it hadn’t enough heat to melt it. The car said it was 2 degrees.

We traveled to the Ivy saying how nice it would be to have some bacon and were really looking forward to it but when we got there we found they were doing Sunday lunches and both ordered a roast beef dinner. Angie  came for a kiss, Rob called hello, Tariq came for a hug. All had liked their gifts. Shella was cooking as usual but Angie told us that Shirley’s husband had died suddenly yesterday at 57 and so Tariq was helping in the kitchen today. We still ate. We were both sorry for poor Shiela who is a lovely lady. After lunch we drove home a little subdued. Mike went off to see his Dad before heading home to Rugby and I attacked the full mailboxes until 6.00 pm when I went to watch the Golden Compass. I was sorry they never made the next movie in line after that one.

At 8.00 pm I came back through and have been battling with mail then the blog to make sure I get to bed tonight.

Elf and safety Executive

elf service line

 

Xmas Dream of Reuben’s

 

Xmas Dream of Mike’s

Monday.

At 4.11 am when I woke I found myself already sitting on the edge of my bed trying to put a sock on. How I didn’t fall off I don’t know. I stopped what I was doing, slipped on my slippers, put my dressing gown on and visited the loo. The long flow made it seem I hadn’t visited in ages and gave me pause for thought. I was sure I’d been having a dream. I’d been visited by Porcinus who’d brought along a child and introduced him as little Brother Jake. He told me it was time to start earning the favour the gods were showing me. I pointed out that all I’d gained at the moment was sleeplessness and cold feet which made me wonder if that’s not where my foot problem started. A group of goats came up to him and the smell hit me where I was sitting. It was at that point I’d woken up. It was at that moment I realised the flow had stopped and I was still standing at the loo looking faintly ridiculous. I put myself away, washed my hands and returned to base. Yet again I have fulfilled my part of the bargain set and mentioned the gods in order for them to grow. I know Somnos is the god of sleep patterns, Porcinus is I think the god of lost causes ( creating them probably) but I have yet to discover what Brother Jake manifests as. I shall work on that.

The computer gave me a treat today by keeping the mail to a minimum on both mail carriers. By 6.20 am I was done. Not wanting to try for a sleep before the fish had been seen to, I decided to see to them then. The kitchen light went on first today so they knew I was coming. Kind of like a false dawn for them. Then the tank light went on and they knew a new day had started.Morecambe and Wise came to hover round the opening ready for breakfast. Little Al and Sharkey were having a face-off or more likely a tail off as they swam in a small circle trying to see each other off. Big Al was displaying the roots of his problems by flying back and forth end to end of the tank as if chased. Perhaps that’s how the others think he gathers news of the great outside he regales them with. Still, he was leaving me alone so I closed the flap and turned away.Breakfast wasn’t an option this morning as I didn’t feel like eating yet so it was straight on to the meds then making myself a coffee.

I took the drink back through to my room, maybe I could try for a nap after I’d drunk it but for now I might as well do some work as I drink. The end of the drink coincided with the end of the work at about 7.30 am. I got dressed and unlocked the front door before going through to the lounge in case a miracle happened and Somnos sent me a cleaner. I didn’t get one so maybe that’s not withing his purview. I did however get my nap and nodded off until 8.35 am. I spent some time tidying up and dusting before going back through to my pit. There were periods of mail to be done and periods where I was able to add some more leaves to the family tree. There seems to be a branch of my Rogerson side settled in Cook County ,Chicago and boy have they spread out. I worked like this until lunchtime then opted for an easy shepherd’s pie and a film on the box.  When that was over I went in search of my phone after realising it hadn’t been seen in 24 hours.

The message that greeted me was “Plug me in, my battery is low” but you could sense an undertone where it was calling me a name for forgetting it. The battery was practically nil and I think I just reached life support in time. There were 4 messages. One from Mike yesterday letting me know he’d got home safely. One from Tariq saying he was sorry not to have seen more of us but explaining about poor Shirley. One from (possibly) Shella as I didn’t recognise the number saying much the same and one from Dil asking me if I’d be in tomorrow afternoon. As I wasn’t sure when he’d sent it I didn’t know if it meant today or tomorrow. It’s Tuesday. It wouldn’t be until I got back from Yvonne’s but that got me to thinking about going to Chester tomorrow. The pain has almost gone from the foot but the swelling is still very much there. Getting a shoe on and keeping it on long enough to do some shopping just may not be possible. I’ve had to email Yvonne to cancel for this week. That won’t make either of us very happy since we both love the sales.

I did some more work to bring me up to date before finding myself nodding off over the keyboard. I went to the lounge for a power nap and got involved in a programme on TV instead. At 5.00 pm I had some of the cake Muriel made for my tea then had some Big Bang Theory before going through for what I thought might be the last time. Not so, there must have been a lull while all you good peeps went to get your RSI’s seen to and by 7.15 pm I was yet again up to date so I went through to see if there was anything good on the goggle box. I ended up watching something about repossessions done through the courts and evictions . The sympathy is often on the side of the evictee but it’s obvious they are not always the innocent parties and yet they’re still handled with some sensitivity by some of the bailiffs. Then I watched the World’s Strongest Man competition to see how the British contestant did. Amazingly well is the answer. I was going to sit through what I thought was a Countdown celebrity special but it wasn’t. It was a comedy version run by an odious little man that gave me an excuse to turn off and come through despite there being some good comedians on there.

Obviously the mail had built up again during my skiving break and I had to work at getting the numbers down so I could do this and still stand a chance of hitting bed before midnight.

Tuesday.

My good friend A.C.Flory tells me I don’t treat Somnos very well. She gets better results with him bribing him with chocolate cake. As I woke this morning I thought it was nearing 3.00 am and considering I’d got to bed early and turned my light off at 12.15 am I thought I’d done alright. But when I was up, threading my arms through my dressing gown I looked again. 1.36 am. He’d allowed me just over an hour and has the cheek to moan I don’t treat him well. Why, I’ve given birth to the rogue and helped him grow and this is the thanks I get. How about I just forget Porcinus and my Brother Jake now. If I can’t cope with one how am I expected to cope with three of them? Anyway , I was up and a gentle throbbing told me the reservoir needed emptying.

Once back I turned the computer on and found that there were quite a few messages I’d missed last night. It took me some time to clear them. By the time I was clear on my main ISP and then gmail it was almost 4.00 am. My foot hurt. I decided to go and sit in the lounge in my chair and contemplate my navel. It worked, I got another 2 hours. So pleased was I that the fish were given a treat, early breakfast. I was in and out like a ninja, before they knew what had hit them. I did notice that it was Little Als turn to go doolally tap today though, charging back and forth so maybe everyone’s attention was on him. I turned to get the milk to fill my mug and then started to take my meds. I’d dealt with the sprays easily enough and put the first batch of tablets in my mouth. I added the milk and the gag reflex kicked in. I had the devil of a job to prevent myself from decorating the wall again and swallowing them at a point where the gag was relieved, before I just threw up and lost them all. I made it though I had milk trickling through my fingers and I was gripping the sink to stop myself falling over. It seems my brain couldn’t cope with gagging and working out I had a sore ankle. Yes ladies, men eh! The second and third tablets were no problem at all though I decided against breakfast just in case.

I took my drink back to the bedroom and set to work on the mail that had come in while I slept. I only worked until 8.30 am then forcing a shoe on with my last remaining shoehorn I went over to the One Stop opposite Pauline’s. I wanted a large trifle and was pleased they had one so I picked up a couple of other things as well. It had been well less than zero degrees last night and a thick icy frost lay everywhere. I tried to be so careful. As soon as I got home I remembered I’d forgotten some ham o had to go out again only this time to Pauline’s. I almost came a cropper on her step but managed to get home intact. I forced my shoe off before I started unpacking and putting away. A huge ridge across my instep was aching. As soon as the job was done I came back to start on the mail again. I managed a break from 9.45 am till 11.00 am and then from 11.45 until 1.00 pm. I knew Dil was due about 3.30 pm so I wanted to be as up to date as possible. It was as well that I’d just managed to get up to date and walked through to the kitchen at 2.35 pm as that’s when they chose to arrive. There were two little calls of hello from the front door  and I started to get their drinks ready.

We had a little chat about our respective Christmases and Dil wondered how I’d got on with the card shuffler they’d bought me. I said I’d saved it until we played and put batteries in. A little noisy but it does a great job. Matt spotted the new game Yvonne had bought me Cards Against Humanity and asked if I liked it. He plays it all the time and loves it…typical. Dil thought it looked good even though I explained how rude it can be. We decided to give it a go. In the end everyone was enjoying it so much we played 3 times and I won three times without having to play a dirty card once. Phew. After that we played Yahtzee and it’s not worth me mentioning how I did, though I will. Out of 6 games I was joint winner once. Dil came first will 3 full games. That was a blow but nothing new.                                                                                  In Nomination Whist I showed them a clean pair of heels and felt untouchable. Then we decided to play Chase the Lady and this was with a vengeance, no holds barred. It was a fairly evenly matched game and the accusations of being evil flew from all of us but in a last flurry we managed to get Matt over the line while Dil’s score and mine was equal. That just left us with Crazy 8’s and all the duckin’ and divin’ that’s a part of that. I was caught a couple of times towards the end playing a scoring card that accumulates points from card pick ups but despite not managing to call last card and go out on a 2 or a 3 so someone had to pick up I still managed to win. The discomfort I was in sitting so long with my leg in one position was worth it. The home team came out ahead.

Dil and Matt left just before 9.30 pm and I spent some time tidying up and washing the pots before taking my meds and coming through to work. I could see there were 231 messages in my main mail box. I worked until 11.00 pm but there was no way I would finish tonight and I’m tired. So, I had done what I could up to that time and then started the blog. I’ll just have to work harder on the post in the morning.

 

Tower of Babel destroyed.

Wednesday.

2.00 am on the dot this morning. I was actually glad to be awake because of the dreams I was having. Somnos has mentioned he can turn his hand to anything as befits the offspring of an older god, we know Porcinus is in charge of the sheep and goats for a reason which isn’t as I thought because he’s thick, but because he cares for animals. Jake has been a problem until now but in the dream I discovered he”s the god of lovers and also wishes. So far all he can do is put the wishes in a goldfish bowl ( minus the fish), give them a good shake and hope the one he pulls out will say “I hope it’s liver and onions for tea” as he can manage that. If that’s the best he can do for wishes, heaven help the lovers. They’d be lucky to score a kiss.

Another reason I was glad to be awake was because of the messages I hadn’t been able to deal with last night. There were so many I needed an early start. Well I got one, maybe that was one of Jake’s wishes come true. It was actually gone 5.00 am before I was seeing daylight- in the literal sense as it was still pitch black outside. I decided to carry on till 5.30 am and take a break. In the end it was a few minutes after that and I was up to date to 5.00 am. I went and sat in my armchair in the lounge glad I wasn’t outside where there was a thick frost on the ground. Somehow, without any encouragement, I nodded off. It was 7.20 am before I came to again.The fish became the focus of my attention. As I turned the light on Big Al led a deputation towards me consisting of little Al and one of the smaller plecs. The bubbles of air went completely over my head but I could tell there was real rhetoric in them. No doubt I was being told that gods must stick to timetables where the sun coming up and going down are concerned and that food must be on time too. I put all my acting skills in place then and said sorry which seemed to mollify him. Privately I was thinking it wouldn’t take much to crush you mate so don’t push your luck. If only the agencies knew I’m the natural successor to the great Sir Alec Guinness.

I took my meds, decided on not having breakfast and instead just made my coffee to take through to the bedroom. I managed to get dressed before restarting work so I at least looked professional and not someone with too much time on his hands. I’d set to work and was going well when I was interrupted by the arrival of the postman who made the delivery of two books and a catalogue sound like the outbreak of WWIII. They hit the floor one after another with a resounding BOOM. After opening the books I went straight to ebay to leave feedback and found myself ordering something for Reuben. I took a small break from 10.30 am to 11.00 am to glance through the catalogue and then I broke off for lunch at 12.00 pm. Sausage, sweet potato mash and beans today which I’ve fancied for a while now. After that I slept again until 2.00 pm which put me in a panic of course. Before rushing back to work though I remembered my phone which was on charge in the kitchen. I thought I’d better check for messages. Oops, there was one form Ugo’s mother and one from Mike to say he was setting off to come here.

I battled with the new post and bit by bit got it under control. The frauds weren’t working bank holidays but the advertisers surely are. I could have bought all next years gifts by now if I’d had the cash handy.Oh, found a tweet from Sexy Molly again, I wonder if she’s on double pay today.  I finished at 5.15 pm and went to put the kettle on. My guesstimate was that Mike wouldn’t be long. He walked in a 5.30 pm just as one of his favourite quizzes started. I made a drink as he settled in. We saw that, then the news then back to another quiz with Celebrity Mastermind. There was a little difference of opinion after that but I put my foot down ( quite lightly) and we had Indiana Jones until 9.00 pm when it was time for me to leave him to his own devices and come back to work. I paid a heavy price for the skiving and catching up is proving hard tonight. I’ve broken off at 10.30 pm to do the blog as I don’t see why you lot shouldn’t suffer too.

Thursday New Years Day 2015

I’m not sure my body and my mind were in full agreement today. The body swung out of bed at 3.03 am but I’m pretty sure the mind stayed where it was in the warmth and tried to grab a couple of extra Zzz’s. The body followed the usual track, heading straight for the bathroom then came back and turned the computer on.  I felt the usual two fingers stiffen up preparatory to typing and away we went. I’m guessing that my eyes must have defected to the other side since I haven’t received complaints so far of gobbledegook messages, but I couldn’t tell you what a single one said. By 6.15 am I was up to date and lay down on my bed near the recalcitrant brain. I woke up at 8.50 am. Yep, you read that right, more that two and a half hours later and nearly two hours late for Big Al. Worse still, almost so late that Mike could have caught me.

Given that I could actually only put one foot on the ground it’s a miracle I reached the kitchen intact. Once there my only form of defence was to ensure Big Al had no chance to react. I opened the flap, threw in one of the large tablets then switched the light on while it was falling. There was so much activity from the others Big Al would have struggled top reach me. I turned away in relief. Next job, kettle on while I took my meds. When it boiled I started the machine making my drink while I made Mike’s and took it through. I’d already decided if he didn’t get up I’d leave him a I hadn’t given Yvonne a time of arrival. “Coffee’s up Bro” I called, loud enough to wake him. That was it. I picked up my drink and returned to work. Heck, there was a lot. At 9.15 am I heard Mike get up (gasp) and make his way to the lounge. I did a few more messages and went to join him.

We made decisions about where and when we’d meet Yvonne.11.00 am by the precinct, sent her a message and waited for a response. That was OK. So, next job, we needed to get ready. Mike finished first and came through to help me put my right sock on and then to get a shoe on. What a bloody performance. They’re like Chelsea Boots with very soft gussets and I was close to losing another shoe horn.Talk about a tight fit. Still. Mike managed it and at 10.15 am we were on our way.

When we arrived in Chester Mike dropped me off before going to park the car so I didn’t have a long walk uphill. While waiting I found the precinct wasn’t open and had to walk towards where Mike would appear so we could walk round the block. Mike had to get into conversation with someone who wanted to tell us about his pending court cases against the police and against the County Council over parking and speed cameras. There are times he should have a scold’s bridle applied. We just about made it to the front of the precinct in time to find Yvonne was late. We soon found her and paid a visit to W H Smiths’ a big newsagent and stationer to see if Mike could find a case for his 10″ tablet. Answer NO, but Yvonne and I found plenty of books to spend our money on. Reuben was getting restless so Yvonne let him out of the pushchair. Mike took the pushchair and the shopping to see if he could get it to sleep. Outside the shop we met Ugo and his delectable sister Janet who had kindly brought me Christmas gifts. We hugged and kissed before Ugo and she took Reuben home for a nap and Yvonne had a few n more shops with us.

Yvonne left us to go home when Mike and I went to have lunch. Or brunch as the choice appeared to be. The only time I’ve ever had bunch where we’ve has to pay separately for the fried eggs. It was poor, it was luke warm but it was filling. When we finally came out of there we decided to head back for the car. I thought I remembered a gentle slope to where the car was on the river front but I misjudged and we ended up at the top of a massive set of steps. It’s raining, it’s slippy and I’m on crutches with a bad foot. Mike said “Come on, let’s go into the park and take the slope.” Did I mention I’m stubborn and stupid too. With a lot of effort we made it but towards the bottom I see someone talking to no-one, then talking to Mike, then talking to me. I swear we’re like nutter magnets. If I was the only person on a bus and a nutter got on, he’d sit next to me. Or maybe he’d sit next to the nutter? Who knows.

We eventually got to the car and drove home. It was 3.00 pm and I went straight to work until 5.00 pm. I didn’t finish the work but as it’s a bank holiday I thought I deserved a day off. I had tea with Mike and stayed to watch a very clever John Grisham film but at 9.00 pm there was no avoiding it any more. As I signed into gmail the count was 284. I’ve done an hour of personal emails and then broken off to do the blog as it takes some time. I’ll return to the mail in a minute.

Friday.

I slept until 4.27 am. It may not sound much after turning my light out at 1.00 pm but it’s definite progress over the two o’clocks. I rose gingerly as my leg was hurting a bit. Not vicious pain as it started but more a gnawing ache and the swelling rather than having gone down has started an upwards creep. Like I’m now wooden top and bottom and it’s just filling in the in between bits. That’s how Mike puts it anyway.

I started work after my usual visitation to the porcelain.  There was a fair bit but I’d every confidence I could finish. I did, just before 7.00 am so went straight off to feed the fish. As I put the light on Morecambe and Wise swam up to the hatch. I dropped flake in for them and proceeded to drop pellets in for the rest. Sharkey was first at the trough as usual and started flying at anything that came near. He wouldn’t do that at Big Al of course but all I could could see of him this morning was a disinterested nose sticking out from under the bridge. I was grateful as Friday is the day for doing the fresh medicines. First I had to take the last dose from the container. So, getting myself a glass of milk I did just that. Once I was done I could bring my medicine drawer to the kitchen and start work. As I emptied a carton I’d turn round and get a replacement from the newest delivery. I also needed to not down the things I needed on a prescription request  so my  hands were going in every direction. Fast enough to sweep the container off the counter. As I searched for the tablets on the kitchen floor I was so grateful I hadn’t done too many. I still had to work out which was which and whether they were from the morning or night end.

It was 8.05 am before I finished and returned the drawer to it’s place and took my drink back to the bedroom. I quickly got rid of the outstanding post and as I had time I was thinking about something a friend had reminded me yesterday about a review he’d put on Amazon which had been shared with other Amazons. I think this was a hint to do some marketing. I thought “Why not.” Does anyone have a loaded pistol I can borrow? I did a very small piece saying I tend to forget promotion, added a link to this wonderful review and others that are there and promptly forgot about it. The time was fast approaching 9.00 am so I left the bedroom and went to put the kettle on for Mike’s drink. As soon as it boiled I took the drink through to him and with my usual battle cry, I woke him. Knowing it would take a few minutes and a bloody great miracle to shift him, I went back to the bedroom and got dressed.

The miracle happened and Mike moved through to the lounge under his own steam with no second curtain call. I joined him there and as usual we traded insults. I tried to get mine in early before he woke up but wasn’t having much joy. I asked him if he’d be kind enough to follow me in to the kitchen and spare he laughter but I wanted to drop my trousers for him. He just about managed to restrain himself but agreed my leg is not a pretty site. Not that it ever is he reminded me. He suggests I give the Doctor’s some serious thought. I will.

At 10.20 am Mike was going out to travel to his Dad’s. Before he left he helped me get a shoe on so I could go to Pauline’s and pick up the new lottery tickets. I’m not sure what came over me momentarily but while there I asked about the price of the stop smoking kits with the liquid refills. Luckily I fought the urge to buy one and won. Back at home I found quite a few message and just started work without thinking. At 11.30 am a knock on the door and what I hoped was a parcel was the warden for our  weekly chat. That lasted a while so I just carried on from there and made my lunch and found something to watch on the box. Once that was over I fancied 40 winks so closed my eyes and didn’t open them  until 2.05 pm. Not what I’d normally consider a problem until I got back to the computer. There was just so much mail it was unbelievable like the World has decided to write to me all on the one day.  When Mike returned at 5.30 pm I had only just passed to midday mark. It was all to do with this morning’s blog post. People I’ve never heard of liking it, befriending me, commenting. Wonderful and so scary at the same time.

I came back through at 8.30 pm and by 10.30 pm when I stopped to do the blog I had only just reached 2.30 pm in the mail. I won’t work longer that midnight as it’s shopping day tomorrow and I value Mike’s company but if I haven’t made real progress this is going to be a terrible weekend for trying to play catch up. Wish me luck.

The Reader

Saturday.

I did go to bed around midnight and turned my light off a little before 1.00 am. Nothing I could do could get me to sleep and at 2.20 am I gave up trying and turned the computer back on. By 4.45 am I’d cleared all last night’s outstanding post and by 5.25 am all of the morning’s too. I went through to the lounge, took a small padded chair for my leg and dropped into my armchair. I don’t know when I fell asleep but I did. I only woke up when I heard Mike’s alarm go off at 7.00 am. I went through to the kitchen and turned the light on. The fish all broke out into such activity it was like Big Al was directing the performance at a circus. He was at the centre while the others raced round him. That stopped the minute food was dropped in. Big Al with Little Al in tow came to the side of the tank as if to ask “What’d you do that for”? I didn’t have an answer for him so I smiled for a moment then turned away.

I put the kettle on while I took my meds and heard Mike’s alarm go off a second time. I carried a coffee through in one hand and the padded chair in the other , falling over the big new candle stand in the hall. Ha, you should have seen him move then. Fair enough, it was out of concern for me falling but as soon as he realised I hadn’t, he asked why not. I shouldn’t waste his time. Wt a beaming smile I passed his coffee over and went to make mine safe in the knowledge that he was up to stay. I nipped back to my bedroom with my drink so that I could just check something out on ebay then I joined Mike in the lounge for a few minutes. As soon as my coffee was drunk I went to get dressed. Mike had been talking about putting something more supportive on my ankle so when I reached that stage I called him through and we battled to get my foot in the new blue desert boots Yvonne had got me for Christmas. It really was a struggle and we almost couldn’t get the shoehorn out once my foot was in, the laces were straining to meet but it was on. Mike finished getting himself ready and at 8.00 am we left.

At the supermarket Mike got the trolley while I raided the cash machine. Then after having a cigarette we went inside. First stop was flowers for Ju. We found some but the choice wasn’t great. Then we flicked through all the sale goods and Mike found a pair of jeans he liked. Of course they didn’t have any trousers or jeans in last week so I’d ordered mine online and couldn’t remember what I’d ordered. I did find a couple of really nice things for Reuben which was good. We must have wandered a bit because time seemed to slip away. I got the food I wanted and we headed for coffee. Mike decided he really needed to eat so was going to order a breakfast. I’m not sure he remembered we were in McDonalds. He had a breakfast bap which was double sausage, double bacon and an egg on a bap with a funny potato thing on the side. The bap looked like polystyrene, the bacon was real enough, the sausages like beefburgers and the egg like rubber. He was fine till we got outside then started deciding it hadn’t agreed with him. We loaded the car and set off.

In Flint we needed to pick up a particular size of watch battery for Mike so we headed off to one of our shops. Halfway round Mike decided the food wanted to pay a return visit and had to leave me with the basket and disappear- fast. I paid and followed slowly behind him. When I reached Temptations he was just coming out to get the sweets from the car after having visited the loo. We went in together and gave the sweets to Kyle who took our order. It was to be a bit of a double upset for Mike. Our usual seats were taken and he couldn’t banter from where we had to sit, and Ceri was off. Still, we got over it. After coming out of there we were going to head for home to put the shopping away but realised it was already 12.30 pm. Easier to go straight for lunch and then get back early for me to go to work Ha! The plans of Mice and Men eh. We arrived at the Ivy just after 1.00 pm. Mike almost had to carry me across some of the paving slabs as my crutches were sliding everywhere. Rob had seen us arrive and by the time we got in the reserved sign was sitting on our table right next to the log fire. Glorious, after two minutes my left side was done to perfection. Our drinks arrived and we went straight back into the cold for a cigarette. Coming back in Mike decide what he wanted to eat, settling for a baked potato and beans ( with cheese) ad we already knew I was having the bacon sarnies I’d promised myself last week.

Tariq said his hellos but was cooking today and it was getting busier. Angie was on the run flat out as was Rob and we knew Shella was cooking in the back. There was no news of poor Shirley, not that we expected much this soon. Lunch eventually came and we really enjoyed it. Things had calmed a bit and Shella came out for hugs and to say goodbye. It was hugs all round and some of the other patrons made a point of saying goodbye too. It’s becoming quite a community of huggers. No, put your hearing aid in dear, I said HUGGERS. We came home. I was in for 3.00 am and had put the shopping away and opened my parcel which proved to be more formal trouser than jeans. Ah well. I started work trying not to let the quantity scare me. By 6.00 pm I was over half way there and ready to take a break with Mike and eat a doughnut.  At 7.00 pm we were going to watch a film but it was chronically bad so by 7.15 pm it had been abandoned. I came back here to work and left Mike with some kind of Frank Sinatra talent competition. As he knows I wasn’t a fan he couldn’t complain. It paid off as by 9.00 pm I was up to date and able to go and see to supper. Then Mike and I swapped the camera between us to take very poor shots for here.

Dragon in the house

Pixie feet or twinkle toes?

 

 

 

Milk, Coffee and cafe au lait.

Thanks for sharing with me. Have a wonderful week and enough Hugs to hold you till next Weekend.