Well, it’s been a couple of weeks now since I’ve been out of hospital, having been admitted early in the new year. I’ve been keeping my promise of resting more by way of staying off the computer a bit, though not sleeping more as a ‘good’ night is between two and three hours and a bad night just over one. Being off the computer seems to have aided the daytime napping a bit, though I’d love to know why it happens during programmes I enjoy watching and not during the times the TV is on for background noise only. Have I annoyed another of the gods apart from Somnos. Anyway, I realise that I’ve been remiss with the photo sharing so this week I decided to make up for it.
The family New Year’s eve 2017, also Amelie’s birthday.
My brother Dil and his newest grandson Elliot.
Adding a picture of Dil was something I um’d and ah’d about since I don’t normally allow mention of his name in this house if he’s been cheating at cards. By cheating I mean winning of course and by winning I mean against me. Wednesday this week was totally awful. Yahtzee was going quite well up to round 6, we were 3 apiece but typically he had to spoil things by going 4-2 in the next 6. I’m sure he casts a spell on the dice somehow. I did enliven the halfway mark of the evening by going A over T when I caught my foot on the edge of a chair. I fell forward and bounced off a display cupboard which wobbled and sent three heavy glass heads of Buddha hurtling to the ground. At this point hat’s where I was, flat on my back. One bounced off my kneecap the other two bounced on the laminate and were fine. He who shall not be named returned from the loo in time to help me up which meant I had to stop calling him names for a while. Nomination whist and Cribbage both fell to his cheating ways leaving me sad and lonely once I’d thrown him out and locked the door behind him. I was hoping for rain on the way to the car. Not that I’m a bad loser you understand.
I’ve had two visits this week, one from the podiatrist who was really pleased at the condition of my feet. Though she can’t tell if the cellulitis is on it’s way back. She clipped my toenails and said she’s see me in about 3 months. The other visit was from MuJo, the first since before Christmas when my health was so bad I wasn’t able to much for Christmas for them. I was able to make it up to them this week with a few extras I’d been able to buy. One of which for John was one of the globes I’d mentioned at Christmas which floats electromagnetically between the two points of what looks like a large letter C. He loves it but then he always enjoys novelties. They both liked their other gifts including their Christmas gift from Yvonne which I’d been trusted with. She’s have done better delivering it herself.
Saturday was reached without troubles. But the cracks in my week started appearing as I tried to convince Mike it really was a new day and that he should get out of his bed and meet it. In the end I told him his coffee was on his chairside table. I left an electric fan pushing the aroma of fresh coffee i his direction and returned to my emails. He did get up eventually muttering something about the middle of the night. We were a little later than our usual 7.00 am leaving the house. Shopping was easy-peasy and we stopped for breakfast at our second supermarket. I had my second breakfast of the morning, the first having been at 3.00 am. After all the usual stops and home to put away the frozen food we thought of lunch. It turned out we were wrong about the date of our Dragon’s Rest Cafe reopening. We ended up going to Abakhan Fabrics Mill. I had a baked potato with beans, Mike had some kind of spiced pork with rice. No real complaint about the quality of the food but it was just £2 less than a full carvery lunch for the two of us. In the afternoon Mike shaved and disappeared to take a lady friend to a birthday meal, see, the man could eat for Britain as an Olympic event.
Sunday……. I actually slept until almost 4.30 am and went through to take my meds and have some toast for breakfast. Maybe it’s as a result of sleeping so much but I woke up feeling very sad today. There is a real weight on my young shoulders (shut it you lot, no need for all that laughter. It’s unseemly.) I don’t suppose the situation has been helped recently by taking my nighttime tablets in the morning and vice versa due to laying them out in the wrong pots. I got Mike up about 8.30 am to go to what turned out to be a very disappointing sale, make note of this, I bought nothing. After lunch at the Cookhouse we went to a supermarket and I still bought nothing. This confusion with the tablets might be good for the savings (ha ha) but it’s sending my reputation as a serial shopper downhill.
I wish you all a very happy new week filled with Hugs.
This was a special weekend for me. Instead of wanting to get home after my shopping I had another destination in mind. Some 5 years ago I was privileged to meet in real life a young writer I’d been corresponding with from America. Patricia (Patti) Carrigan
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The second part of the original book Antiserum. Written by my young friend then 15. She was a delight and Ju and I got very close to her. She came to the UK with a delegation from her home town and happened to be calling in at Chester for a short time. We went to meet her there. The time wasn’t long, about an hour, but at the end we all parted with Huge Hugs and the correspondence has continued ever since.
In order to let the family know she was going to be OK and that I wasn’t some predator stalking her daughter I’d also been writing to Patti’s Mom for a while. To be honest, at the end I almost felt like part of the family. Even so, it was a major surprise recently to get a message to say they were coming to the UK. Part business for her husband Tim and part holiday for them both. Would we be able to meet? Tracy knows I’m not good with people and tend to hide away but regardless I agreed. I think just to convince me I wasn’t being stalked Tracy had been in touch with Yvonne to ask to meet them too. They already had tickets to visit Chester Zoo so that was the place we agreed to meet.
Mike and I got there a little before 1.00 pm and finding out Yvonne and co would be a little late we agreed to meet inside by the elephants. We were standing there in the sunshine waiting for Yvonne when I saw two people coming towards us. No mistaking who they were. It was Hugs and handshakes all round. We had a few minutes to natter before Yvonne’s crew turned up so we quickly discovered a great sense of humour. When we were all together it was time for a coffee so we’d all be able to say hello properly. Reuben promptly disappeared with my crutches, no doubt to shoot some poor unsuspecting alien since he loves Star Wars. Mike brought our drinks to the table and in order to occupy the hands of the octopus (Amelie) Tracy gave her a bottle of water.
Everything was going swimmingly until Amelie launched the bottle of water and like a magnet it was propelled in my direction. Straight down to my spherical man parts in fact where it landed with a groan. ( I know I heard one). At that point I had a knee jerk reaction which cracked my leg on the underside of the table and an elbow jerk reaction too which sent my coffee into the air only to descend again in a spreading pattern. It covered my leather jacket, my jeans and my tee-shirt as well as he mother’s leg. Mike pointed out I could hold his hand leaving so people would take pity on the one who’d pee’d himself, and even more pity on his carer. Bloody Cheek. I dried out in the sun and we had a great afternoon round the zoo before it came time to leave and go our separate ways.
Tim, Me, Tracy and some random stranger who stalked us.
On Sunday they were due to go to Llangollen so I was able to give Tracy lessons on how to pronounce the place before she screwed her tongue so she couldn’t eat. I understand they enjoyed a Hot air balloon festival there. Today they’re off to Scotland. It was wonderful to meet them.
I managed bed by 12.10 am last night, I didn’t dare go anywhere near the inbox though. I finished reading at 12.45 am and settled for sleep. I think I had time to blink once and open my eyes before I was up again. It was 2.06 am. It was 5.43 am before I had emptied the mail box and decided to go have my meds, some breakfast and then an investigation of my inner eyelids in my chair. I was awake again before 7.00 am and wandered back to my room after opening Joey’s cage. I did the loose post and then worked on the main post as it came in. It took till 9.43 am to clear that lot.
I took my mug through to wash and then prepared Mike’s mug and put the kettle on. It was about 9.55 am I took his coffee through. He;d been asleep since about 10.30 pm the night before. We got ready and left the house at about 11.00 am so I could go round a couple of shops before heading for Jo’s birthday meal. I bought myself another head, in red this time. Mike suggested I should try buying one that worked for a change so I could swap it for the one on my shoulders. We arrived at the pub at 12.20 pm and I hadn’t realised so many people would be there. It was lovely to see Dil of course and there was my great nephew Taylor with his Mum Deb, ex partner to my nephew David. There was Jess, Dil and Lynne’s daughter and her young son Rylan with whom I had some fun. Lee, Jen and Nathan and of course Jo and Karen and a surprise to me, Jo’s boyfriend whom I knew nothing about.
The birthday girl and boyfriend, Karen and Amelie
Jo creating a fire hazard
It was a nice enough meal but the wait for food was terrible. The atmosphere on the other hand was brilliant. Rylan and Reuben played and though noisy they played nicely. Amelie was in good humour and Nathan was as full of smiles and waves as always. I think Lee and Jen liked the picture of Nathan I’d had put on a canvas and I think Yvonne liked the jumper I’d got her and the outfit and stuff I’d got Amelie. Reuben liked his toys. Karen and Jo seemed to love the big shoe lamps I’d bought them yesterday ( pre-birthday pressies) and they liked their canvasses. Jo liked her birthday gifts but I was devastated when opening the Tattoo Phrenology Head I’d bought of which the first one had arrived smashed, to find this one broken but not smashed.She’s going to try to glue it but I’m ready to get yet another.
When the party broke up we headed for home. I made Mike a coffee then we did Ju’s flowers before I fell asleep in the chair about 4.00 pm. When I woke up at 4.30 pm he’d gone. I started in on the day’s work and carried on until 7.00 pm when I went to make a sandwich. At 8.30 pm I took my meds, locked Joey in ( his lawyer lost a last minute appeal) and came through to carry on. I finished the mail at 10.40 pm and started straight in on the blog which should be done by 11.40 pm with luck.
Jen, Amelie, Nathan and Lee. ‘Cuzzins’
Monday 25th April.
Bed.11.30 pm Read till 12.20 am. quickly to sleep. Up 4.28 am. It feels pretty good. I worked on mail until 5.00 am then decided to get my meds and have some breakfast, only a toasted bap but that’s plenty. I got back at 5.40 am and carried on with the post, gathering more as I went. It was 9.42 before I could shout PARIS !. It didn’t mean anything but I wanted to shout something that began with a capital. My mailbox was empty and I quickly dressed and got my shoes on to take my prescription request to the chemist. On the way back I made a quick call at Pauline’s before heading home. I was back in time for HUtH.
As that programme came to an end Bev knocked on the door. I opened it and she came through to do a test call on the intercom using the pendant which I’m supposed to wear all the time when I’m in but which I had to go and get from the hall where I hang it. She stayed for more than half an hour chatting, mainly about diabetes this week. When it was time for her to go it was approaching lunch time and she’d given me pause for thought about food. I decided against a liver and onions meal and settled for a chips with curry sauce and two buttered baps. Fair play, I did have a healthy rhubarb yoghurt afterwards though. After Bargain Hunt I was going to have a power nap but I’d just got my head down when my phone went. It was a text from Jade to check Wednesday at 10.00 am would be OK. Since we missed last week altogether except for what I did, I said that would be great. Awake now I went back to work. What was there kept me going until almost 3.00 pm then I went to watch Escape to the Country. I expected to close my eyes then but somehow didn’t. However, I did straight afterwards and didn’t wake until 4.40 pm, ten minutes in to my PYMWYMI antiques programme. I watched the rest of it then came back to work for 50 minutes before going to have a light tea and watch Without a Trace. SG1 followed and then Sanctuary.
I turned the TV off, locked Prisoner 99 up and said goodnight to him then went to the kitchen for my meds. Finally I headed for the bedroom/Office/Pit. Plenty of mail waiting for me which took me until 10.37 pm to deal with before I could do the blog. I will be in bed for 11.30 pm and ready for my trip out tomorrow.
Running riot at the park.
Terrible Twosome.
Tuesday 26th April.
Bed 11.27 pm last night. Read till 12.25 am. Lights out but sleep took a short while. Up at 2.39 am. Not as happy as I could be. A visit to Loo Loo Land and then back to open my gmail box. 37 showing at the moment. I was done at 4.53 am and went through to the kitchen for my usual. I had some toast while there. Coming out I went to the bathroom to trim my moustache before going out. I think it must be the fastest growing hair on my body. Cleverly I snipped my top lip at the same time but it seemed to be OK. I took my coffee to the bedroom and went back to work. I lit a cigarette and was distracted wondering when I’d bought red filters. It sunk in, I hadn’t. It took a while to stem the flow of blood, not helped by the occasional sip of warm coffee that set it off again. I finished the coffee, decided I didn’t need a blood transfusion so went back to work. Or I tried to, everything I tried to open wouldn’t. The little icon spun the wrong way and the message came that they took too long to respond. I kept trying and eventually it seemed to be OK again. I stopped work at 6.00 am to get dressed.
At 7.30 am I walked over in the freezing wind to get the bus. An hour of eyelid inspecting and I was there. Unfortunately, no-one else was. I had chance to smoke a cigarette and take a walk round a shop while I waited fr them to catch up.Reuben chose a good time to have a lie in, he must have known how cold it was this morning. We met up just in time for a visit to out usual watering hole and just in time for me to rid myself of the morning coffee voluntarily rather than the way that has me slinking home in shame. Yvonne ordered my new coffee while I got rid of the last. When we’d finished in there and I’d had my hugs with Amelie it was time to shop. Reuben is going into his ‘big boy’s bed’ and though I’d bought him a duvet cover a few weeks ago, he needed sheets, pillow cases and their protectors plus pillows. I have a new duvet he can have. I managed to load myself down with everything and make a bolt for the counter even picking up a jumper for Ugo and one for myself on the way past. Not too much in the way of argument today. With the bags hanging from the trolley it made Amelie’s ride very much like that of the Bumper Car and she was riding into them as they passed.
We had a look in a new jewellers then waltzed round to the supermarket for a pizza for Reuben as that’s what he said he wants for his lunch. There seemed to be plenty of other things needed when we got in there and also one or two things we didn’t know we needed like a rhubarb pie for me. We moved on to a shop where Yvonne could look at the things she’d like to decorate Amelie’s room with ( if we ever win the lottery). Eventually all good things come to an end and it was time to head for the bus stop which coincidentally was just outside this shop. I’d barely got there when we saw the bus coming. I got a rare kiss from Reuben and a nice hug and kiss from Yvonne. Amelie was asleep by then. I got on, waved and the bus pulled off. With no need to stop at Pauline’s I was soon home again. Joey seemed pleased. I made lunch and at 1.45 pm went back to work. There was a lot waiting. I was just getting into it when the sneezing fit started. You know the old rhym, One for Sorrow, Two for Joy, well 36 is redecorating your computer screen. Three packets of tissues later and someone has given me a tap on the head which had been left open so my nose is constantly running. It’ got a lot more energy than it has a right too. I have a cold.
I worked until 4.30 pm then watched my PYMWYMI through blurry eyes. Pointless I saw except for the last few minutes as I was helping myself to rhubarb pie and custard in the kitchen. At 6.00 pm Without a Trace came on and like a switch had been thrown I was asleep. I woke up for part of SG1 and for some of Sanctuary then I was gone again until about the last ten minutes of Sanctuary. I should probably add that to whatever sleep I get tonight now. At 9.00 pm I locked Joey up, took my meds and came through to start again. Mail took me until 10.57 pm and then it was time for the blog. Midnight is my target for bed.
Playmates and competition for food.
The Cisco Kid.
Wednesday 27th April.
Bed at 11.55 pm. Read to 12.40 am as finished the third book and I’m bereft. Nothing to read now. Up at 2.32 am. Not exactly raring to go but decided I’m willing to return to bed at any time the fancy takes me. I made a flying visit to the Kingdom of Looe and then came back to sign into my mail. Over the last few days I’ve been going into the blogs I follow and changing them back from daily to immediate which is making a great difference. Firstly it seems to be working again, a problem that had prompted a change to daily in the first place. And Secondly, the deluge is much more a dignified trickle now and easier to cope with. There are still blogs I need to change back from daily but there’s no rush. Everything else is coming to me as it’s being sent and though it spreads it out more over the day there are less to clear at any one time. So, I might have been tied to the desk until 8.52 am but at least the numbers never looked overwhelming.
I had an argument with myself about whether to go to Pauline’s or not. I won. Just as I was getting my socks on I overruled myself and couldn’t go. That left me sulky and grumbling for ages but I knew I’d need lottery there tomorrow and my TV mag so better stay in the warm today and pick up a few more card tricks and learn some more Trivia answers before Dil arrived this evening. The postman came and brought a letter to say no increase in my private pension this year. THANKS Government !! At least it makes notification to the benefits people easy. He also brought me a voucher for £10 from the Government for answering questions on the survey I did. No wonder there’s no money for pensions. Before Jade was due at 10.00 am I received a message to say she was running 20 minutes late. Not a major problem really as I’m here all morning but it was actually almost 11.00 am when she arrived. As usual I just left her to it. Marta Beaman, a lovely lady from https://plainandfancygirl.com/2016/04/27/all-creatures-great-and-small-the-power-of-pets/ did a nice post on animals /pets and made mention of Oscar and his winning ways as my alarm clock. As it’s been a long time since he’s been mentioned I thought I’d share a photograph of him occupying my chair to make sure I don’t get to sit there.
Oscar takes a chair
And a subtle reminder of his book.
There are old posts from me going back into pre-history describing the cruel and unjust methods he used to get me out of bed. When Jade left I was able to make lunch which was two beef salad baps and a yoghurt today. I sat and ate watching snooker as my Bargain Hunt was over I suppose I could have watched the end of it as she left at 12.40 pm but I was starving. At 2.00 pm I returned to work and stayed here until 4.10 pm. I’d only been in the lounge ten minutes watching a little more of the snooker when Dil arrived. I made him a tea then turned over for our Antiques programme. We chatted about Sunday and seeing everyone. We’d both just had texts from Jo to confirm we were going to meet again on 22nd May for the next batch of birthday celebrations. I must check though as I don’t think she mentioned where.
When the quiz was over the TV went off and battle commenced. The Yahtzee was a draw at 4- 2 then 2 -4. The Trivia which was the longest and most drawn out game we’ve had in a long time ended in a worthy win for Dil after answering How do you write 99 in Roman numerals. It was time for him to go after I threw his coat at him and ordered him to ‘Begone’. I locked the front door and drew the curtain against the cold. Joey had just gone in so I locked the door then went into the kitchen to wash the pots (which I dirtied by eating the rest of the rhubarb pie) and taking my meds. By 9.45 pm I was back in my room with the ton of mail that had arrived. It took until 10.55 pm to clear what there was then so I could start the blog. I shall be getting my beauty sleep about 11.45 pm ready for an outing with MuJo tomorrow.
Face off
Here under sufferance
I know some people have wondered about the gift I got for Joanne that got broken twice. I’m waiting to find out if she managed to glue it before ordering another.
Tattoo Head
Thursday 28th April.
Bed 11.50 pm Read till 12.25 am as I just had a brochure to read. Lights out and sleep not far behind. Up at 2.18 am.
First of all was the inevitable trip to the loo then I came back and signed on. I checked the bank and then wrote out an email to the Benefits section at the local authority to let them know there is no increase to my private pension but that I am not now paying tax. I gave them the new figure to recalculate benefit (if any) from. Once hat was out of the way I concentrated on my emails. I worked until the box was empty at 5.02 am and then headed for the kitchen to take my meds and have some breakfast. When I returned at 5.30 am I carried on working until the box was empty again at 8.42 am. A perfect time to get dressed ready to go to the chemist and chase up my missing drugs and to Pauline’s for my TV mad before I forgot it. I thought I might as well do the lottery while I was there. It actually looked beautiful out there but I wasn’t going to trust the temperature. On went the woolly jumper.The chemist was having a problem getting one of my drugs and it would be next week before they did though there were enough to tide me over. I asked if I could take the rest but no, as the chemist wasn’t on the premises they couldn’t release them. I was so cross I didn’t even bother reiterating that I always ask for my drugs to come when they have them an anything missing can come later. I don’t want to leave it till the last thing is in. I think they’d have made me wait until next week so I arranged for everything else to be delivered after 4.00 pm today. The chemist should be in when the shop is open but I know he travels quite a way. The jumper was a good idea as the sunshine carried no heat this morning.
Before I reached Pauline’s I saw one of my neighbours stroking a dog, I called “You never stroke me like that”, so she did. Shame she had to call me Good Boy too though. I wasn’t long in Pauline’s and got everything I wanted except some Liquorice Allsorts . I knew Mike would want to eat his if he came tonight and would hate for him to eat alone. I also asked Pauline for the winning Lottery tickets, so who knows. If you hear a shout of ‘Ey up’ outside your house, it may well be me. Don’t throw shoes ( unless they’re a very stylish size 10 ). I returned home at 9.25 am and did a little more work but stopped at 10.00 am to watch HUtH with Joey but I think he was in a mood because I’d hardly seen him this morning. Also I had to put his millet in his food tray as the stalk wasn’t strong enough to hold it. I relented and got a fresh one out. MuJo arrived at 10.00 am which is very early for them. I saw to the drinks and we chatted a while but at 10.30 am they were anxious to go. I pointed out the time as being far to early for lunch but they said Muriel needed the bank and the Post Office first. Given that I asked if it was OK if I made a quick nip to Home Bargains. It was. What a success that was. I practically flew round the store but I knew where I was looking for what I wanted. Yvonne is going to be doing up Amelie’s bedroom and had seen some nice lights for the wall when we were out on Tuesday. I was pretty sure I’d seen some at this branch of my favourite shop. I had, and what a bargain.
I was just walking out with my purchases when I met MuJo who’d come for a look themselves. Great, I got to go round again at a more liesurely pace and picked up some gifts for my Great Nephew who will be One next week. Muriel managed to find a few things there and I know John got something too. When we left it was straight back to the car and then off to lunch. It was pre-decided today that a return to The Bells of St Mary’s was on the cards. We were there only minutes after they started serving. The till area was almost free and we could quickly order but the line of people waiting to get their meal was massive. I was disappointed that when I got my meat there were hardly any boiled onions, very few carrots and scrappy roast potatoes. If I waited there for new dishes to be brought everything else would go cold. Still what I had I enjoyed. After lunch MuJo asked if I’d mind going to Abakhan for my coffee. I didn’t mind. It’s an old mill where they sell material and everything related to fabrics even to wedding gowns and those funny little hats women wear for such occasions. I know of old they also have a good craft shop, a wool shop and a gift shop though that is very expensive. We enjoyed our drink and a look round the various departments. It was still pouring down as we headed for home. We were back by 2.30 pm which was unusual and because of the weather they weren’t too long before leaving to travel home themselves. Once they’d gone I saw a text from Mike to say he was on his way so I started work. I broke at 4.30 pm. I was watching PYMWYMI when Mike arrived so I made him a coffee while he dropped his luggage in his room. Then my drug courier arrived just before 5.00 pm so I c0uld stop worrying about that. When the quiz Pointless was on I made Mike something to eat. We watched Without a Trace but think I may have nodded off towards the end, either that or they now amalgamate part of SG1 into the story because when I opened my eyes that’s what was there. I was out a good hour and yet still somehow managed to miss a chunk of Sanctuary as well. At 9.00 pm I took my meds, locked Joey away and came through t work. It ook until 11.00 pm to finish the emails and start the blog. It’s going to be close to midnight I think.
Nursery play.
Dig that rhythm n’ blues man.
Friday 29th April.
Bed 11.58 pmRead to 1.15 am Couldn’t sleep.
I got up again at 1.45 am and started to read again being prepared to fall asleep reading if I must, which I did sometime after 2.05 am which is the last time I remember. I was up again at 4.00 am. After a trip to the loo I went straight to the kitchen and took my meds then brought the drawer through and replenished the drawer from the stuff that arrived yesterday then replenished the drugs tray for the next week. I returned with a coffee and set to work on my mail at 4.35 am. I finally got clear at 6.56 am so I was able to have a short break before it started coming again, That lasted for just a couple of minutes and then I was at it until 9.00 am.
I’d gone through to the lounge and was relaxing with Frasier when Mike walked in about 9.10 am. Not bad for someone who’d slept from before 10.30 pm last night. I only know as I turned his TV off at 10.30 pm. I made his coffee while he struggled to raise the venetian blinds on his eyes. I stayed in the lounge with HUtH till 11.00 am and Mike only moved long enough to make himself a second coffee.As I went back to work Mike went to his room to get dressed ready to go out. The mail was going down OK when he came in to say goodbye, he’d see me tonight. I carried on until 11.35 pm then decided to go peel my sweet potatoes for lunch. Once that was done I took my pre-foodies, put the sausages on the grill and cut the potatoes ready to be boiled. My potatoes were mashed, peas were in the microwave while I dished up the sausages then prepared the chipshop style gravy before adding the peas and putting the gravy on. I was ready to eat at 12.05 pm. After Bargain Hunt I was ready to return to work. I just didn’t know it would keep me occupied until 4.30 pm. At 5.15 pm I returned to it until 5.50 pm when I was pretty clear. I needed to be as I wouldn’t be returning to it until at least 9.00 pm.
I was watching Without a Trace when I got a 6.30 pm text from Michael to say he was on his way back. I saw SG1 then at 8.00 pm went for my shower. When I cam back to the lounge Michael still hadn’t arrived but about 8.30 pm he walked in. I made a coffee and he told me how bad the traffic and the weather had been. At 9.00 pm Have I Got News For You came on so I decided to stay for that too. When I’d taken my meds and finally came through there were 51 messages waiting with more coming in. Sometimes you answer one at one end of the list which generates a new one at the other end. I worked until 10.45 pm then started the blog. I intend to be in bed by midnight as it’s shopping day tomorrow and I have all my early morning duties with the rubbish, the recycling and turfing Mike out of his bed.
Sunshine, in case you don’t remember it. Not today though.
Exotic colours.
Saturday 30th April.
Bed 12.01 am after doing a little more mail. Read to 1.05 am Last visit to loo. Up at 2.21 am first visit to loo .
I put myself straight to work on ebay ordering what I’d decided I wanted for Lee’s birthday. Though his lovely wife Jen says not to get him anything I find I can’t do that. Lee has been important to me for his whole life. I have to think hard about Karen now to find something special . I worked on the mail until 5.00 am then went for my usual jaunt to the kitchen.I had toast with lashings of butter and by 6.30 am felt sick. But, after breakfast I’d seen to the kitchen bin and the food waste bins. I’d taken them outside but left the bins on the step to take down when we went out. After washing my hands I’d returned to work on the emails taking delight in the fact that I had time to enjoy some of the stories, especially the Guitar Mancer serial by my friend Teagan. https://teagansbooks.com/2016/04/30/guitar-mancer-episode-6-audition/ At 6.00 am Mike’s alarm went off so I finished what I was doing and then went to the kitchen and made a coffee. One more alarm had gone while I was in there and then the third just as I took his drink in. After the alarm going off I expected a better response than Uh Uh when I said the drink was there. I returned to ework but there was no movement from there until after the fourth alarm. At least I’d only made the one visit.
I went through to the lounge to open Joey’s cage at 6.45 am and was surprised to find Mike awake rather than sleeping in the chair. We decided what flowers we’d want for Ju’s vase this morning. Somehow we were on our way at 7.00 am. We parked up and I got cash while Mike grabbed a trolley. Inside the store I went to get my spuds while I asked Mike to choose the flowers. Then in tandem we went round the rest of the shop getting what was needed.Towards the end of the supermarket I asked Mike to pick up my pop while I got some milk. There was one of the large carts they use to transport the milk in the aisle and I had to go behind it to get the milk. I was just leaning over to get the milk when I felt a thump on my right hip and I started to topple . “Murder” I cried and two heads came round the end of the cart. One was a member of staff who’d been using an industrial floor cleaner and had gone into the front of the cart with a real wallop which had then sent it into me. He grabbed my arm to pull me upright as I tried to get my crutches into a position to support me, The second face was Mike who was trying to get the crutches back on the ground since he felt there was more support that waving over my shoulders like a paralytic spider. The accident prone polisher who tried to polish me off was very apologetic and offered to get me a chair so I could sit a while. I said I was OK.
Mike and I moved off though I was moving quite gingerly since the floor was wet and slippy where the machine had been. I have to admit my hip hurt and I said to Mike that I should maybe faint now and then sue the store. He suggested I might get my shopping for free at least. I suggested he run back and pick up a 55″ screen TV first. When we finished in the supermarket we headed to Th Range again for bacon baps for breakfast. Don’t blame me it’s all his fault. I’ve bought great salad stuffs this morning again. There’s another good shop close by where I managed to get a few things I wanted before we got in the car again and headed for Flint. When we parked up we stopped to have a cigarette and walked to a shop I needed before we went fore coffee, His mouth opened in a big drool when he saw it was Sian on today. He almost behaved himself when he saw her son was working with her, but not quite. Coffee was nice but it was time to move on again. Next door as it happened. Mike found a nice picture frame he wanted. Finally it was back in the car again for a ride up to Holywell where I managed to get just what I wanted to complete my gift for Amelie’s room. After that I left Mike the choice of where we lunched. He decided on The Dragon’s Rest just off the A55 at the Holywell exit.
After lunch it was time to come home. We made it for 2.00 pm. We unpacked and put away the shopping then I came to work. I stayed until almost 6.00 pm then leaving just a small amount in my inbox I headed for the lounge and some relaxation. To make life fun, despite being hit inthe left hip, my problem all evening has been my chest , the left side of which has been very painful, almost like it felt when I had pneumonia. But I’m still breathing much to his disgust. We were watching a programme that didn’t finish until 9.30 pm so I was later coming through than usual. total mail at that point 63 so it took me until 11.05 pm to finish and that was while I was being ruthless ( It’s true, I haven’t had a Ruth for ages) having to ignore some posts that have been reposted a lot or if people have sent multiple messages. I shall post at midnight come what may and then I’m in bed toot sweet!!
I expected last night to be the usual but I was to be surprised. Bed at 12.10 am, read till 1.00 am then sleep. That part followed the usual plan. But I had a small period of wakefulness at 2.17 am then a longer on at 3.22 am when I visited the loo and decided to walk into a wall on the way back to my room. I brought a picture down which lodged partly behind a radiator with a heck of a clatter bringing me to my senses and waking Mike who called out to see if I was OK. Apart from dented pride I was. I still had to spend some time sitting on the side of the bed having a smoke and trying to decide what had happened. I went back to sleep at the time I’d normally be getting up. I slept until 7.04 am. I started work on the mail as soon as I’d taken my meds and brought a coffee through. I was in a panic as the normal deluge had started arriving by then. I was startled to have Mike appear in my doorway. I looked at my watch and it was only 9.30 am so I was even more startled. I went through to make him a dink and stayed to let Joey out and try and sort out what we were doing today. I left 74 pieces of post in my inbox at that time.
We decided it would be a good idea to head for Flint to see if Argos had the electric screwdriver he wanted and they were showing in their catalogue so at about 11.00 am we left. Flint didn’t have one but they checked and found Mold did and kindly reserved one for him. We had a quick coffee in Temptations ( a chance for him to drool over Sian) and then headed off for Mold about 15 minutes away. Once we’d parked up I showed him the way to Argos and he got what was needed. We were leaving the store when a loo became a necessity, the shop advised him there were no public loos open today (?) so I guided him to the nearest cafe I knew so he could go. We ended up having sandwiches for lunch but as he pointed out, we couldn’t complain as we’d had our Sunday lunch yesterday. After lunch we walked round a couple of shops looking for some gift wrap and I picked up about half a dozen sheets. I’ve got a little time before the next batch of (unwrapped) birthdays hammers on my door. April, May and November are the worst months for birthdays for me but at least this month’s are wrapped now.
Coming back it was fun with the sat-nag on listening to the way he wanted us to go while Mike and I had decided on the pretty route over the tops. The poor fella in the sat-nag must have been going frantic looking up all the roads to try and adjust to our route.He did pretty well. We were home for 2.00 pm and did Ju’s flowers before sitting down to try and watch a not very good film. I fought bravely to keep my eyes open. About 3.30 pm Mike asked if I was going to sleep and I told him I’d better go and start work. He decided that would be a good time to start for home. I turned the TV off. After making sure he left and running a metal detector over his luggage, I locked the door and returned to the computer. The figure now could almost have been a historical date like 1066 it was so high but I don’t know any events from 213 AD except I think the Romans were still slaughtering the Brits at that point. I worked until 6.10 pm and then went for some tea. I think I started watching something like NCIS but it wasn’t long before I was undergoing eyelid inspection from the inside again. I didn’t wake up until the closing music of one episode at 7.55 pm.
I scorched the carpet moving fast enough to get back here. It took me till 10.35 pm to clear the mailbox and that was with cutting corners. I’m (fingers crossed) gong to be greased up and in bed about 11.30 pm.
Looking Hopeful.
Blatant Advert placement.
Monday 18th April.
I was in bed fully basted by 11.45 pm. I read my book until 12.45 am then it was lights off and settle down. At some stage during the night I got up to go to the Piddle Palace but no accidents and no ciggie on the side of the bed either, just back to sleep. I woke this morning at…wait for it…….6.32 am. Am I becoming human again and starting to enjoy a proper sleep cycle or is it just Somnos on holiday? I woke with a terrible headache but that seems a small price to pay. After the usual visit to the loo I went straight to the kitchen and took my meds then made a coffee to bring back with me. No breakfast today. I signed into the mail and found 56 messages overnight. It was 6.50 am so the next batch wouldn’t be too long in coming.
The next batch arrived late but just as I was finishing the overnight lot. Oddly enough, it seemed to come in fits and starts today rather than en masse. I just had to keep going. I was clear at 9.37 am and was exhausted. I knew more would come but decided that what I needed just then was rest and my chair beckoned. I just lay there with my eyes closed wanting sleep. Joey had a singing squawking session but I couldn’t move. Somehow I managed to turn the TV on in time for HUtH . The feeling that I needed to sleep wouldn’t go away though I did manage to stay awake for the whole programme. When it finished I came back to work but after twenty minutes the bell rang. It was the warden and she came in for half an hour to chat about things and see how I am. When she left there was no time to come back and finish off, I needed to get on with lunch. Braised steak and mash today.
Lunch and Bargain Hunt out of the way I returned to where I’d left off to try and get myself into a good position again. I sat there going through the motions (no missus not THOSE motions, stay with the script and stop writing your own lines) until I was clear a few minutes before 3.00 pm. I was sure if I went to my chair I’d get my power nap and feel OK again but the Zzzz’s wouldn’t come. I watched Escape to the Country which I have often missed thanks to the Zzzz’s filing an inappropriate flight plan. At 3.45 pm when it finished I came back to see what else had arrived and to clear it up. I even managed a little look at Ebay. Lots of birthdays next month too. At 4.30 pm I went to watch PYMWYMI (see Blog Cast List) and then since my Cold Case appears to have finished, to watch a quiz. At 6.00 pm Without a Trace came on and I had to use matchsticks to keep my eyes open as I was going to watch The Antiques Road Trip next. I managed it. Then it was time to watch Sanctuary before coming back to work. I turned over and didn’t even get to see the start before I was asleep. I didn’t wake till 9.30 pm either which meant I was late. I closed Joey’s door and wished him goodnight, took my meds and came through. Clearing the post took until 10.50 pm so starting the blog was late. I’m aiming for 11.45 pm and given that it’s only fifteen minutes away and all I have to do is sort the photographs and choose my music I’m sure of making.
Far away thoughts.
Ready for anything.
Tuesday 19th April.
I was safely in bed by 11.50 pm after dealing with an extra message that came in. I read my book until thee were just white pages left and felt cheated that the author hadn’t at least put a few doodles on them. My light went out at 12.40 am and I settled quite quickly. I had no problem getting up this morning and was going to go straight into getting dressed until I realised a) it was still quite dark without the light on, and b) doing that might mean a damp carpet as I hadn’t been for a wee yet and wanted one. I resolved that straight away and turned the light on as I left the room. It was 4.10 am so I guessed the last couple of days were flukes. Coming back from the Pee Parlour I logged onto the computer and my mail box. Just 31 to deal with seemed OK .That took me until 5.54 am when I shuffled down the passage to the kitchen and the waiting drugs and breakfast. I put the washing machine on while I was there. After breakfast I returned to my nest with a cup of coffee. More mail was waiting. A friend I was worried about recently had the love of her life, a much younger man who didn’t know of her feelings break his friendship with her. It was childish and petulant. She was angry and I thought that was good. The problem was she didn’t stay angry but after 3 days got in touch and ended up declaring her true feelings for him. Now he’s responded and also declared his love for her. At this point I should be pleased for her and wish her much happiness, and I do. But I’m worried about the effect the next time he has a tantrum and unfriends her on Facebook again.
I finished the main batch of mail at 8.45 am. Today the people are coming to see if I have asbestos in my kitchen ceiling before they do the kitchen and bathrooms. They could only give a time of between 9.00 am and noon so I wanted to slip out to Pauline’s just before 9.00 am so I’d be in. I was back in the house by 9.05 am having been to Pauline’s and to the sandwich shop to get myself a ham SALAD bap for lunch. I’m pretty sure I’m covered for my 5 a day for the next month now. I checked ebay and found I needed to pay for something I’d won which was great as I’ll have it well in time for when needed now. At 10.00 am I watched HUtH with Joey though his vocal support almost frowned out the programme. After that I returned to work but had only managed a few messages when the man came to check me out for asbestos. Well, not me personally but you know what I mean. That was about 11.15 am and he was doing so much more than I expected, taking samples from all the rooms for a start. He’d said it would take about an hour when he came and yet I was surprised when he said his goodbyes at 11.45 am. He said he wasn’t leaving me in a deathtrap but I had to ask him to repeat himself as the voice was a little muffled by his mask and the hand he held over his mouth.
I took my pre-foodies and put my ham salad bap on a plate, picked up a yoghurt and went to my chair. I turned the TV on ready for Bargain Hunt and after 15 minutes started eating. The bap made a really nice change though I don’t want you to start equating the words salad and nice together in my mind. When 1.00 pm came I went back to work. There seemed to have been a breech in the dam and heavy leakage in my direction (it’s my age I think). It took a while to clear up but I was back in there for 3.00 pm to see Escape to the Country. Again I returned to work at 3.45 pm and had a little session of ebay too. At 4.30 pm my serious viewing started with PYMWYMI followed by Pointless which was in turn followed by Road Trip and Sanctuary during which I stayed awake. That made it easy to take my meds and to say goodnight to Joey with no rush. I ambled through then feeling that wasn’t enough, I went back and came through with my now infamous Quasimodo walk. I was disappointed to find I didn’t have a belltower to climb and beams to scamper along as I made the bells talk to me. I made do with the mail instead. And this time there were 72 waiting, cruel, very cruel. I was clear by 11.05 pm but only because I ignored most of the messages by a multiple poster who writes quite a bit on a subject that doesn’t interest me.I do respond when the subject does.
I think I shall still be in bed before the witching hour makes me become human again.
Prepared for rain
Liquid eyes to hypnotise.
Wednesday 20th April.
In bed at 11.56 pm and because the new book I ordered hadn’t arrived I had to re-read a pamphlet on poltergeists. I didn’t want to start on a full book and have to leave the new one alone if it arrived today. I am really anxious to continue with the Uhtred story. My light went out at 12.27 am as I headed towards sleep. I’m pretty sure I had been lying in bed awake and thinking of my mother for a while before swinging my legs out this morning. It’s possible I was dreaming though as I hadn’t looked at the clock until I moved. When I did it was 3.34 am. I thought it was later. After a visit to the Palace of Piddle I returned to my room and signed in. I worked on my mail until I finished one at 4.44 am and decided that was a good time to break for breakfast and my meds. Rice Krispies and toast this morning since I couldn’t decide between the two. I’ll be the size of a barn shortly. (Whaddye mean I already am, and no,I didn’t call you shorty). After eating I washed the pots and brought a cup of coffee back with me.
The overnight and early morning mail kept me occupied until 7.11 am. I had time to get dressed before the deluge hit. When it came it was in fits and starts again so for a while the figures didn’t look too bad and they refilled only when I got low. At 9.15 am I broke off to go to Pauline’s for tomatoes and cucumber to make sandwiches at lunch time, I didn’t bother with a lettuce because of the waste, I’d probably throw it straight in the bin. When I got back I checked my phone for messages from Jade, nada, and then carried on with the mail until 9.55 am when my TV session with Joey called. HUtH. It was good today. At 11.00 am I came back to work and carried on with the messages until the box was clear at 11.55 am. For lunch I made two beef and partial salad baps which I ate while Bargain Hunt was on. I kept trying to tempt Joey to come and eat with me but I think he prefers manners. I was going to catch a quick forty winks at 1.00 pm but I’d no sooner shut my eyes than I got a text. Jade asked whether she could come tomorrow instead. I replied that I didn’t know if I was having visitors tomorrow or Friday and I’d have to let her know.
I went back to work until 3.45 pm. I dealt with mail and also with some things on ebay. I was doing searches and sending some of the results to Yvonne in the hopes she’d let me buy something for them. I don’t know where that child got such an obstreperous nature from. She seems to forget that I reign supreme and that my word is law. In fact I’d go so far as to say she deliberately thwarts me every chance she gets. I don’t know where I went wrong but I’m paying for it now. I bet she’s not like this with her husband, unless of course it’s he that has usurped my authority. But no, she was like this pre-Ugo. At 3.45 pm I at in my chair and closed my eyes, even Joey wasn’t going to stop me. I Zzzzz’d until 4.26 pm which couldn’t have been better since PYMWYMI started at 4.30 pm. I was surprised not to find Dil there grinning at me but tonight it was almost 5.00 pm before he arrived. I made him a cup of tea and we had a little natter before Pointless. Ae 6.00 pm the TV went off and the games came out. In the Yahtzee he won three straight games and then surprisingly so did I. On the second sheet it went 4-2 in my favour. In trivia he had four pieces of pie before I’d got my first but I fought back and managed to reach the sixth. When I got to the centre he asked a kind question I was able to answer and it was all over bar my dancing on the table shouting “Ha, ha, I won, I beat you! Could you help me up off the floor carefully please.” We did have time for one game of cribbage and he took a great lead which he maintained most of the way round. At the critical juncture though I pulled the pair of 5’s from my sleeve and gathered enough points to win. I led him out of the house to say goodbye so he couldn’t slam all the doors as he went. This was the Slaughter House and he was blue.
After washing the pots, taking my meds and saying goodnight to Joey I came through to see how bad things were, I hadn’t been here in 6 hours. It was bad, but not in a Let me out I’m leaving home kind of way, more a Heck, I’d hoped to get some sleep tonight kind of way. I was knocked for six though when I opened a message from my friend Hugh to say that Victoria Wood had died. This is a great loss to entertainment as she was a superlative performer. A real talent with her comic routines and a very talented writer of both comedy and serious material.Then I had message from Yvonne with the same news saying “Bloody cancer again.” Because she was ill such a short time I wonder if it was pancreatic cancer that took her do quickly. I finished the mail at 11.15 pm and went straight on to the blog. It will be midnight.
Bite size
You spin me right round baby…..
Thursday 21st April.
Bed was actually 12.15 am and reading took until 1.20 am before I realised I was only halfway through a long chapter and had to put my book down anyway. I marked the place carefully, nipped to the loo (and back) and turned the light out. I saw it was 1.27 am. Sleep wasn’t long in coming. It was an awful dream filled night so I was glad to see 5.32 as I woke, and about four hours isn’t bad. First job of the morning was another visit to the loo then back to log on. Firstly to the bank to check my pension was in- it was, then straight to the mail. I worked until 6.30 am then went to take my meds and get a coffee to bring back. Once back I cranked up the output to try and finish what I had before anyone flung new stuff at me. I didn’t make it so was at my desk without a break until 9.35 am.
You’d have been proud of me with the speed I decided what to wear and how quickly I put it on. So , what if I wasn’t exactly colour co-ordinated and had put my lounge pants on in error. I changed and looking a little more subdued went to Pauline’s to get my lottery. I accidentally bought a Twix as well which I accidentally ate when I got back. There were just a few extra messages to clear and I just had time before going in to change Joey’s seed and water and putting HUtH on for us. MuJo arrived about 10.30 am which was a pleasant surprise. I saw to drinks then passed John his birthday gifts to open or not as the mood took him. He said he’d rather wait until we got back from wherever we were going. There were a lot of questions raised about where t go for lunch, all of them raised by John because we just reminded him it was his birthday, his choice. In the end it was decided we’d go to the Bells of St Mary’s. We left the house very early at 11.20 am even though they don’t start serving until 12.00 pm, I think it’s a case of once a decision is made you act on it before it gets changed. We arrived about 11.40 am and I got the carvery tickets and the drinks while John found a seat. Then he and I took our pre-food tablets so we were ready for the kick off. Noon found us lining up to be served, the first in the queue.
I had my usual roast beef dinner but here they serve onion gravy with huge chunks of onion in and the mashed potato is really nice.We all seemed to enjoy what we had. From there we went into Prestatyn to look at a couple of shops. I managed to get a toy each for Nathan and Reuben to make up for an outfit I’d got last week for Amelie. I’ll be able to dish them out on Sunday when we go to Jo’d birthday meal. I also picked up an extra head, this one in black and a Buddha. John seemed to be the fittest I’ve seen him in ages walking round shops. I had to stop. About 3.15 pm we set off home with a detour to John’s mother’s house. She’s well into her 90’s and he wanted to check she was OK. We got home about 4.00 pm and John started on his gifts. He laughed at the Dalek and at the motion sensor whistling parrot. He adored the hip flask designed by my friend Sarah of First Night Design http://firstnightdesign.wordpress.com , she’s a fantastic artist as well as a lovely lady. He liked his fleece but I think he was impressed with my choice of his porcelain soldier figures as he didn’t have any of them and on was of the green jacket rifles like Sharpe in the books by Bernard Cornwell. I’d just put the antiques programme on when the doorbell rang and it was Bert with a parcel. We were having quite a long chat on the step when Mike arrived like a bolt of lightning. The speed his little legs were moving told me he was due an urgent visit to the Piddle Palace. Bert said goodbye and I went in.
MuJo were on the point of leaving having seen Mike arrive so we said our goodbyes and they promised to come again next week. I came back through and watched to the end of the show with Mike then excused myself to catch up,promising I’d be back in by 7.00 pm no matter what. I juggled as much as I could then kept my promise. Only when I was back in did I find they’d cancelled the Antiques Road Trip to show a programme about Victoria Wood. So many funny clips. When it was over I came back through to work and Mike said he fancies an early night too. Now I know this one is an alien. I caught up about 10.45 pm so might be in bed by 11.30 pm tonight.
Muriel and John aka MuJo
If she tells me to ‘Say Cheese’ just one more time when I’m lactose intolerant……….
Friday 22nd April.
I slithered into bed at 11.45 pm last night and took to my book. I read until 1.00 am ans only stopped because I feared reading until the end of a chapter which was many pages away. I need to pace myself too as I don’t have the next book in the series which Muriel says she’ll bring with her next time. It was strange when I got up. I wanted to go to the loo which as ever wasn’t a problem, but on my return I couldn’t find my glasses. Quite seriously I must have spent ten minutes looking for them. I looked beside my bed in case they’d fallen, in the bathroom in case I’d put them on the windowsill, in my dressing gown pockets and in the lounge in case I’d been in there and put them on my table. I don’t think Joey appreciated the light going on. I checked the kitchen too. It was at least he full ten minutes before I realised I was using them to look for them. At no point had I checked my boat-race. Worse still, I came back to my bedroom after having apologised to Joey and putting the light out to start getting dressed. It suddenly occurred to me how dark it was. I glanced at the clock and it was just 2.35 am. I hadn’t even slept for an hour and a half and here I was preparing myself for a new day when my compost was most definitely not mental.
I signed into my mail and started working on the messages. By 4.00 am I was up to date and took a chance on a lie down, it worked, I lay until 4.50 am. Getting up I checked on new messages and there were none at that point. I decamped ( love that word, I feel like Baden-Powell) for the kitchen where I took my meds then prepared the boxes for the next week. I brought a coffee with me when I returned at 5.40 am and found more messages had arrived. All in all I stayed with my face glued t the screen until almost 9.30 am when Mike got up. I left the last few messages and went to make him a drink. Joey was delighted to have us both in the room. I put HUtH on at 10.00 am bu fell asleep in the chair for part of it. When I woke, the postman had been. The last picture I’d ordered, a shame it hadn’t come yesterday. At 11.00 am I got up to start peeling my sweet potatoes and Mike went to get dressed and then came through to say goodbye. By the time I’d finished I just went ahead and started the cooking and took my pre-food tabs. I ate at noon. I waited until Bargain Hunt was over at 1.00 pm before washing the pots and then going to face the computer. There were 121 pieces waiting for me and odd bits more coming in. I wasn’t able to move from my seat until 4.22 pm, and believe me, my seat was feeling it. I took a break for my antiques show then worked 5.15 pm to 5.45 pm and took another break when Mike sent a text to say he was on his way.
At 6.00 pm I has Without a Trace on and held back my scream when Mike arrived back and I missed the important conclusion where one missing person dies and one survives and I’ve no idea how or which. I made a coffee for him and left it in the cup honestly. At 7.00 pm I went for a shower and Mike washed my hair for me as usual. He mentioned something about a haircut/beard trim again but luckily I was deafened by water in my ears and didn’t hear a thing, especially as the forecast is for a very cold weekend with snow possible. Question of Sport was on when I came out,my team lost. I watched Sanctuary and then Have I got News for You. At 9.30 pm I closed Joey’s door, went to take my meds and wished Mike goodnight as I was coming through to work. As I was working on the mail he kept popping in and out until finally at 10.30 pm he announced he too was going to bed. I finished the mail not long after at 10.40 pm and was able to start the blog. Hopefully I’ll be done by 11.30 pm (ish) and can get back to the half chapter I left last night.
Horticultural Guy
The groupies follow him everywhere
Saturday 23rd April.
I finished reading with the end of the half chapter and turned the light off at 12.27 am. Sleep was almost instant. When I woke I felt as though I’d been aboard a ship all night and didn’t have my sea legs. That didn’t make going to the loo easy. ( “Vertigo?” Mike asked later,”No” I replied “it was only about 4 metres/yards.”) You can imagine the fun trying to keep my aim true, a drunk with palsied hands. Still, at least I managed not to walk into any walls this week. It was 2.07 am and if I’d been dreaming about Vikings after last night’s reading I couldn’t remember where I’d buried my hoard this morning.I suppose I’d have had a problem being a Viking though being neither a Dane nor a Saxon but a Briton that both sides fought after they’d invaded my Country and pushed us further and further back until the border between us and them made getting to us difficult. Wales held the original inhabitants of the whole Country just then and I don’t mean 2.07 am this morning.
After ‘loo time’ I did emails until 5.00 pm then went through to the kitchen to take my meds and have some toast for breakfast. I brought my coffee through and carried on until 5.45 am. At that point my box was clear. I was just relaxing onto the keyboard when I was startled into wakefulness by Mike’s alarm going off. It was 6.00 am. I headed for the kitchen to make him a drink and the alarm was still going. It honestly occurred to me that maybe he’s popped his clogs in the night. Suddenly it came to an abrupt halt. Had it run out or been turned off? I put the kettle on and then stuck my head round his door. He was still with us as I could see he’s changed position. I made a drink and took it through. When I said “Coffee up”, I got a reasoned response with minimal foul language. He was actually in the lounge with his coffee at about 6.15 am. Amazing. He ‘s going to bed early, going to sleep early and now getting up early. Not understanding the change that’s come over him I carried on and dealt with the recycling stuff, getting it outside ready for collection.By 7.15 am he was dressed and ready to go. Even claiming to be awake at that point. We left Joey at the window looking sad at our departure.
Things went well at the Supermarket as in I got what I wanted and even what I needed to a degree. Of prime importance were flowers for Ju and we picked three nice bunched including some Iris’s Mike found. We zipped round and found the till that our friend who insults Mike and receives as good as she gets was in charge of. Once he’d had a good session with her we were ready to go. By pure coincidence today Mike remembered he wanted some lights for his fish tank so we decided to forego the coffee in McDonald’s and go to see if they had any elsewhere. Well, we had to try The Range first. They didn’t have quite what he wanted so we had to have a drink and a bacon bap to console ourselves him. We tried a big pet shop close by and then the pet shop in Flint. That meant a drink in Temptations and another round of female- Mike banter. I suggested a couple of places that may well have the lights he needed and we set off for Rhyl. One shop had almost exactly what he wanted, just not long enough. We made a note of the make to try later on the net. We went for lunch.
After lunch we had a little wander round the shops in Rhyl and I found something I hoped would appeal to both Karen and Jo. As I’m seeing them tomorrow I’ll find out if I’m right. We headed home. Once the shopping was unpacked and away I was able to come and check the mail. I worked from 2.30 pm to 5.45 pm getting it down before feeling I could take a break. Mike was watching his beloved Manchester United play a game on the TV. Not literally on the TV, the programme was on TV. At 6.00 pm when it was halftime he went through to his bedroom and TV so I could watch a film in the lounge. I made him a coffee and some tea as a thank you. Ugo was coming to put something in the garage later so I was ready to help. We got it done very quickly so that just after 9.30 pm I was able to start the rest of the mail and the blog. The mail was done by 11.15 pm.
Can you see the reflection in the eye?
Can you see a little flying saucer just above his head?
I turned my light out at 1.02 am last night. This morning I’m still this week’s sacrificial lamb with getting up at 2.42 am. It isn’t that I’ve fallen out with sleep, heck I haven’t even fallen out with Somnos or his kin for a change ( as far as I know). I think sleep and I are playing hide and seek and he’s winning. I opened the mailbox and started to work. I don’t know what has come over me last night to do two blogs when I have enough with one. It’s all the fault of youtube reminding me about John Farnham. And could I just skip onto a different song? Oh no,I had to listen didn’t I and then start thinking (actually that’s when I stopped thinking properly) and do a blog. Of course I’m paying for it this morning in comments. I’d ask Joey to give me a swift kick up the rump if I wasn’t afraid he’d lose it.There must be middle aged spread+ from all this sitting down.
At 5.45 am I was clear and decided it was a good time just to relax for a minute so I lay back on the bed. I woke at 7.32 am. It was the triple jump to get to the loo while holding my knees together. Once back I opened the mail box again and decided I felt unwell. Unfortunately I didn’t believe me and had to start work. The doorbell rang at 9.00 am and it was my neighbour Bert come to check I was OK as he hadn’t seen me all week. ( His kitchen window is whited out pending the arrival of new blinds). I asked if he wanted to come in for a cuppa but he declined in case he had a visitor. I had to stand letting the heat out and the chill pervade the bottom of my dressing gown for 15 minutes as we chatted instead. As he left it reminded me that I hadn’t had a coffee this morning nor taken my meds so that was the next thing to do before resuming my seat. My seat was in fact pretty numb by the time 10.48 am came round and I’d cleared things enough to go through to Joey.
I watched a DIY SOS while I was in there and then at 11.55 am took my pre-foodies and put a meal in the micro, a Beef Sunday Dinner. I enjoyed it while I watched a second DIY SOS.At 1.00 pm I left the room with a large lump in my throat at people’s kindness. Then, working on the mail I found a comment on the blog which left me with a lump in my throat like I’d tried to swallow a large and very hot roast potato. You can tell I’ve tried that before can’t you. I worked until 4.30 pm then disappeared back to the lounge to have a break. I watched some tripe on the TV (Why are Sunday’s so bad?) then made some tea. A piece of gala pie ( pork pie baked with a whole egg inside it) some strawberries and cream and a doughnut. After washing the pots I returned to the TV to see what I could find, answer virtually nothing and I amazed myself by sitting there with Disney’s Snow White on. At some point before too much singing started, but after the Queen had poisoned the apple I nodded off. Then things got surreal, because in my mind I came though to work, turned round and saw my bed had just one pillow and went through to the lounge to ask where the others were of my mother? I sat down while she was on the phone and then woke up in the chair to find I was on my own, it was 9.10 pm and I was very surprised. I took my meds, said goodnight to Joey and came back to my room still convinced I’d been here working before I’d seen the bed. Fair play, the pillows were back which was a comfort but seeing the amount of mail waiting was not. I had no choice but to plough on. I finished those at 11.02 pm and started straight on with the blog which is now well under way and I can safely see myself in bed with a book at midnight.
You talking to me pal?
They call me mellow yellow.
Monday 4th April.
I finished my book at 12.50 am last night. I chose a new one to start tonight them turned the light out. Sleep didn’t come easily and at 1.32 am I had to get up,take a drink, smoke a cigarette then nip to the loo before trying again at 1.51 am. I chose my left side and that seemed to do the trick. I woke at 4.38 am and knew that was it, or for now at least. I think the sleep I had yesterday has thrown me out or I’d have slept longer. Anyway, I was up so I might as well sign on and check my emails.. I was distracted when I got on with the news bar do had a quick peep at the weather. It promises rain for today, how bloody unusual. Before starting work I suddenly decided to take my meds and while there to put the washing machine on. I added breakfast to the list. So, I headed for the kitchen, took my pre-foodies, put the washing on, had my other meds and left the kitchen. Fortunately I hadn’t quite reached the bedroom before I remembered breakfast and went back. I had a toasted bap, made a coffee , took my post food tabs and checked I’d done everything before leaving this time. The overnight mail took until 7.10 to finish and I took a break not knowing how many would be thrown at me by the morning rush. I went to see to Joey’s seed and water before opening his door.
When I returned to my screen the tide level was rising,slowly at first and then getting bigger. It took me until 9.43 am to clear them and still allow me time to go and empty the washer/drier to put everything on the airer. I was grateful to the little fairies who live in the non-run sheets that keep my colours intact. I had new red bedding in the wash alongside my partly white ( red dragon) lounge pants, and somewhere in the mix a maroon shirt. I was safe, my pyjamas stayed white. The window cleaner came this morning and so did the Warden after missing the last 2 weeks. She stayed chatting almost an hour this morning.I didn’t realise until she’d gone it was 11.55 am . I was peckish anyway and ended up having another roast beef dinner. Two down, one to go. Once Bargain Hunt was over I had to return to work before I fell asleep as I’d dodged missed so much of the morning . There was a tidal wave waiting to swamp me but, after checking to see if there was anyone outside who wanted to earn a few bob answering my mail, I buckled down to it. I even tried the Blind Beggar, Oops, no, that’s the Inn in Treasure Island isn’t it. OK I might have exaggerated a little bit. I worked until 4.20 pm and as the box was empty decided it was an appropriate time for a break (for four and a half hours).
I made myself a sandwich and chose a strawberry yoghurt for afterwards then sat and annoyed Joey for a while until my Cold Case was due to start. Once it was on I showed him who’s boss by hushing him, and he showed me who’s the bigger boss by carrying on chunnering. I lip read the programme instead so he didn’t beat me. Next was Without a Trace and I wouldn’t have minded falling asleep then, but didn’t. During SG1 I was wide awake and was a bit annoyed that it said To Be Continued as I’m guaranteed to fall asleep in the next one. Then it was Sanctuary and again I didn’t nod off and that also ended To Be Continued which no doubt means I’ll sleep through two programmes tomorrow. Joey was in his cage so I just closed his door then went to take my meds in the kitchen. I came out and wished him goodnight saying I’d let him out in the morning before I leave. It’s going to be very awkward tomorrow that I’ll be leaving just as the new mail now comes in and it will gather more and more to it before I get home wanting some lunch tomorrow. Maybe I should have breakfast and then starve myself till tea time. I checked my mail box tonight and it wasn’t as bad as I feared with only 49 waiting. By the time I’d finished those another 7 had rolled in. It was 10.26 pm. Time to start the blog. I think 11.45 tonight with luck, a prevailing wind and no more mail.
About a foot apart, six inches deep in sandy soil. Water well….
Again with the camera? I’ve not done my hair yet.
Tuesday 5th April.
11.45 pm was close enough last night. I started my new book ‘A Pale Rider’ the second n the Last Kingdom series, and read until almost 12.55 am. I had a series of mini sleeps when I dozed off for a few seconds then woke again before I managed a deeper sleep. I woke at 4.42 am but lay until 4.44 just luxuriating in the warmth of my little cocoon.It ejected me and so it was the new triple jump record to the loo and back and a sign on to the computer. I worked until 5.45 am then went to take my meds and have breakfast, it was to be cornflakes today with fresh cold milk. I returned to work at 6.17 am and worked until 6.52 am when the box was clear. When the flood starts I shall be on my way out so it will be waiting for my return, hiding in the dark of the base. slowly multiplying ready to create creases in my brow and drag the screams from my lips. Still, as long as it doesn’t interfere with my eating.
I left at 7.25 am and walked up to the bus stop. The bus must have reverted to it’s proper time and not be fighting for trade with the other company, I had time for a cigarette after I’d got my breath back from the walk. The bus came at 7.40 am. I was the first passenger but I didn’t get a prize. When we reached Holywell I sent Yvonne a text to let her know I was on my way. Then I rested my head on my sticks and feigned sleep. A text came back from Yvonne that things were going well and she’d meet me on time if poomageddon didn’t strike. When I arrived in Chester a few minutes early at 8.40 am she texted again to say she shouldn’t have tempted fate, poomageddon struck them both as she closed the front door. I told her it was OK I could look round Wilko’s while she caught up. We met up at 8.57 am just in time for Primark opening so I could use the loo then have a coffee to refill me. That was nice. I’d said I wanted another single sheet to match the bedding I got in the Primark sale and I found a sheet and some pillowcases I liked. Before going to pay for them I found a lovely pair of trousers in Prince of Wales check but I was cross that I couldn’t find a waistcoat in the right size….just before I did on the wrong hanger. Both in the sale so I was very pleased.
When we left there we had a wander round another shop as Yvonne had a few things she wanted like a years supply of bum wipes. Then we headed for a supermarket which has a clothes shop attached for sale items……….no, I was very good and some random bully wouldn’t let me buy the kids anything today. Inside the supermarket the same random bully bought two packets of bacon, TWO, and she, I mean the bully, is the only one who eats it. You know, it’s not like I was invited back for BLT’s and I swear there were eight slices in a pack. I’m going to join this fatness, fitness, diet club if you can eat lots of bacon and as many potatoes as you like. Mmmm potatoes. It soon got to time for me to walk back towards my bus stop. They walked with me (to make sure I left I think) and waved as I left. With my eyes closed the journey was over in no time. I called in at Pauline’s on my way home and got some micro chips and bread etc. When I got home and calmed Joey down I put one of my beef joints on and then had the micro chips with it. With apologies to Joey once I’d eaten, I had to come and see to the post.
I worked from 1.50 pm to 4.35 pm to clear the backlog and then took a break. It was a chance to check out my ebay. I wanted to order a canvas for John’s birthday. After doing that I turned the TV on for Cold Case. Quite a sad one today with someone dying from a brain tumour killed by too much morphine. It was a mercy killing in the end. Then Without a Trace came on. I’ve said previously I’m a bit unconnected to the characters /the actors in this, I can’t quite put my finger on it as though they don’t exude any real warmth. So, as it was on I happened to look at Joey’s cage- he wasn’t in it at the time- and noticed a lot of little white pyramids below his favourite perch. I lefted the who cage down to the floor and scrubbed the deposits off the ladders etc then took all the dishes out to wash then finally removed the base so I could dispose af all the seed husk and put in new sandpaper. I might as well use newspaper really as he never goes down to the base so his nails don’t benefit. I did all that, replenished the seed and water and replaced the cage. Then had to sweep up the mess on the floor before Jade comes tomorrow. I got back to the show before it fisnished and Joey went in to check out his new surroundings, or more correctly to fill his face with seed.
Next was SG1 which was even more annoying than last night as it’s another to be continued which I’ll miss because it’s games night. At least with Sanctuary the two parter finished tonight so skipping an episode won’t hurt. I was now on 9.00 pm so went to take my meds and open a new spray for beside my bed. I said goodnight to Joey and came through to take up the slack again. The mail was done by 10.40 pm and the blog started. I’m predicting an 11.45 finish, mainly because that’s in 5 minutes from now and I’m not far off finishing. I just hope there are no more emails to spoil it.
Utter contentment.
Comparison of them both at about the same age.
I like this song but I wish they’d stop putting people on top of tall buildings. I have trouble holding on to my stomach when they go to the edse.
Bonus.
Wednesday 6th April.
I was in bed by 11.50 am and picking up my book to enjoy. Lights out 12.45 am Lights on again 4.08 am but I didn’t wriggle my l’il bottom out of bed until 4.22 am. After turning on the computer a message flashed up to say Adobe needed updating. I really didn’t trust the message and refused to do it from that so spent ages checking the Adobe site to see if I could see a critical update. 3 hours ago they were talking about getting one out on Thursday. I decided to download Adobe again making sure to give permission for them to update automatically so I shouldn’t get notices anymore with luck. When I got as far as my messages I was gobsmacked to find a wonderful review of My Barsetshire Diary by another author/blogger whose blog I follow. Donna D Vaal of the excellent My Heartstrings…Fiddledeedee , https://fiddledeedeebooks.wordpress.com/2016/04/05/my-friend-lord-david-prosser/ author of The Living Miracle, a love story.Her blog is very diverse and covers a multitude of subjects. I was so taken aback by this wonderful gesture I even re-blogged it.
Naturally there was plenty of other mail as well which I started doing,taking a break around 5.30 am for breakfast and my meds. Back to work at 6.05 am until I was clear about 6.50 am. I went to sit in my chair in the lounge until the new post was in. At 7.30 am I came back through and wished I’d got something bigger than just a canoe because the waves were threatening to overturn me. Each wave deposited a new batch of mail on the beach. I was paddling like mad until it was brought under control at about 9.50 am when I had chance to nip to Pauline’s. Oh fabjoy, the cigarettes, MY cigarettes hadn’t been delivered yesterday because they had no price marked packets. I know my kind , considerate Government increased the price in the budget so I know I’ll have to absorb an increase. Why not send the non-price marked packets? I came back and watched HUtH with Joey. Part way into the programme the postman came and I really felt sorry for him. There were 5 books (2 missing as yet) and 4 canvas prints A3 size, which weren’t light, in his bag for me. I really liked the quality of the prints too, they improved on the original pictures, and I can happily recommend deco_matters from ebay if anyone wants a canvas doing from a photograph. At 11.00 pm I returned to work to try and clear the mail before lunch. Since it took till 11.45 am I was a little pushed but managed to stick the third and last roast beef dinner in the micro. I watched Bargain Hunt and woke near the end with a start when I burnt my finger again. No warning I was about to go.
Since I’d had no word from Jade and she hadn’t arrived ‘Same time next week’ as mentioned last week, I sent her a text. She replied hoping that tomorrow afternoon would be OK. I said “No problem” but in fact it’s good news and bad news. The bad is that I have to clean up more of the mess I made doing Joey’s cage last night before my brother arrives tonight, the good, at least I don’t have to change Mike’s bed today as I’ll ask for her help tomorrow now. During lunch of course more mail had arrived which needed to be dealt with, and I also needed to leave feedback on the goods that had come so I was stuck back at my screen again from 1.00 pm. At 400 pm I stopped work and went to the lounge. I’d no sooner turned an episode of The Indian Doctor on when Dil appeared. I went to make him a drink hen we nattered about our respective weeks since last Wednesday. He’s still wearing the watch that counts his footsteps and works out how much energy he’s used up as it also checks his calories taken in against the allowed amount depending on his days exercise. He said he bought a new set of scales at the weekend that must have been a bit wonky, it added 5 stone to his weight after a long walk on Sunday. Proves what I always said, that exercise is bad for you.
While watching one of our programmes I must have nodded off and come to before the quiz was over, but realised Dil must have changed channels to the quiz while I was away with the fairies. I do feel guilty but I have to get my cat naps where I can. At least I was ready for battle. On the Yahtzee I won the first round 5-1 and the second 3-2 with one game drawn. I won the Trivia quite convincingly too. Going on to the cribbage we end the evening with I won both games. Dil said about the only thing he won was the cut to see who goes first. Just to add insult to injury, it was bucketing down outside when he left. Once he’d left for home I tidied up then made myself a corned beef sandwich before washing the pots. I closed Joey’s door and wished him a goodnight. At 9.50 pm I started on the mail and finished at 11.05 pm. I think it’s going to be a midnight bedtime the way things are going.
Ready to Charm…
Looking very tall.
Thursday 7th April
It was midnight ass predicted before I got to my book last night. I read for the full hour almost, putting the light out at 12.54 am. I stuck a new battery in the internal alarm clock hoping to get a small lie-in this morning but instead it became the infernal alarm clock and woke me at 4.03 pm. I didn’t shift until 4.12 am though. I sat for a moment and tried to concentrate on teleporting myself to the loo but it didn’t seem to work and the time wasted meant I now had to run. Lucky the runway lights were still on or I wouldn’t have noticed the large candle that was lying in my path ready to stub my toe. I replaced it on the console table and carried on my journey. My deep sigh moments later spoke of great relief.
I came back and turned the computer onto mail and I also opened my ebay to check how my bids are doing on birthday prezzies. Mail first though. I worked until 5.05 am and then went for breakfast and to take my meds. It was 5.30 am before I got back and carried on. By 6.50 am I was clear. On ebay I was outbid on one item, winning on one and on one hadn’t reached the reserve price. The latter one really annoys me, why not set the start price as the reserve price so everyone knows where they stand. I never understand setting a start price of 99p if no-one can win the item until it’s reached £20. Just stop wasting my time and/or building up my hopes please. A couple of times I’ve had the highest bid when an item ends but I can’t have it because the reserve hasn’t been reached. I might not have bothered if I’d known what the reserve was. OK,gripe over. Coming back to the mail at 7.30 am I found it had crept in quietly while my back was metaphorically turned. I wish it had just cr*pped and crept out again.
I got dressed before tackling the new day so if I lost track of time I wouldn’t get caught out at the front door in my ‘Animal’ lounge pants aka my pyjamas. At 9.50 am I came to one of those natural breaks where you know the next one is advertising junk.I checked outside and there was a short lull in the rain so I put my shoes on and went to Pauline’s for my lottery and some ciggies and bread. I wasn’t too long and got back in time for the postman with the missing two books and a parcel for Mike. I gave him a box of sweets and apologised that I have two heavy months of birthdays coming up. I was also in time for HUtH with Joey who was really very raucous today. Someone was getting a major telling off. I hoped it wasn’t me. Typical though, I nodded off a few minutes before the end and was there till 11.30 am. I couldn’t get stuck into peeling my sweet potatoes yet as I needed to check the post. I cleared what I had by 12.05 pm. Then it was time to start peeling and putting the sausages under the grill ready. As soon as it came to first turn on the sausages the potatoes went in the micro for 8 minutes (they were big chunks). They were done a couple of minutes before the sausages so I had time to put the veg in the micro and mash my spuds. Potatoes on plate, add the sausages then the veg. At that point I did some instant thick gravy and poured it over. It was only 12.30 pm so I still had most of Bargain Hunt to watch. I left the washing up till the programme was over.
At 1.00 pm it was back to my desk. A message from Jade says she’ll be here about 2.30 pm so I could take my time with work. I was tempted to nod off again but I didn’t. When the mail was done at 1.40 pm I checked a couple of pictures to see if they’d make good canvases then put an order in. At 2.25 pm I had a text tom say Jade was stuck in traffic on the M6 but would def be here by 3.30 pm or tomorrow afternoon if I prefer. I told her I don’t mind which but that I couldn’t be late tomorrow as I have been threatened that Ugo is coming to take me shopping as Saturday morning isn’t possible. I’ve said not to worry but since when did anyone listen to me. I guess Jade had chosen tomorrow afternoon as well when she hadn’t arrived by 3.40 pm either. That’s OK for me but I must remember to get some help to change the bed before Mike is back and I don’t want to take chance on another week where the appointment keeps changing or as once before moving to the next week instead. No use if he comes back and finds me dead, wrapped inside his duvet cover because I tried to do it alone. I know him, he’s use my duvet cover instead.
I knocked off at 4.30 pm when there were no more messages and I’d stopped spending on ebay. If I buy my gifts too far in advance I’m likely to give them well in advance of the day just a ‘coz presents and have to start buying again. As it is I’ve nearly got this month covered but once they’re done will need to start on next month when I have Karen, Lee , Nathan, Matt and Jess to contend with. I ate a yoghurt and a piece of chocolate cake then washed my plate just in time for the start of Cold Case. I thought I was OK but there must have been a lazy bug flying around which stung me because I fell asleep during the last ten minutes. I completely missed the next hour of Without a Trace and woke up ten minutes into SG1. It’s awfully hard to make sense of the third programme when you’re still expecting the first. The costume is different for a start. You don’t expect Tilk, with the metal logo in his forehead to be investigating a Cold Case. I managed to get my head round it and to watch Sanctuary without getting any more confused even though we were left wondering which orifice a bug had entered someones body without being noticed ( answers on postcard please). We do at least know it came out again via the mouth. At 9.00 pm the TV went off and I wished Joey goodnight. I took my meds and came through to work. Mail was done by 10.20 pm and the blog started. I’m looking for an 11.30 pm bedtime with fingers crossed I can sleep tonight after having so much earlier.
I nose you know.
I’ve got a tip for you.
Tonight’s song is dedicated to my good friend Merril at https:// merrildsmith.wordpress.com for her post Railways
Friday 8th April.
It was close to 11.45 pm last night and I read until 1.00 am. here was lots of yawning once the lights went out but sleep was along time coming again. I was paying the price for so much sleep yesterday I think. When I did nod off it was only to wake at 2.18 am where I refused to get out of bed and managed t sleep again, then again at 2.57 am and finally at 4.59 am when I knew I wasn’t going to be lucky a third time. I decided I’d have to stand all day to make sure I didn’t sleep this time. Ha, fat chance. A visit to the loo was followed by a trip to the kitchen to take my meds, and once done, to replenish the pots for another week and prepare a prescription request to go in on Monday. Looking at it I got a little cross because I realised how long I’ve been taking statins now and yet my surgery refuse to issue co-enzyme Q10 to offset the damage they can do despite me having given them the research done on the combination and the fact that some countries don’t issue one without the other meaning they take the research seriously. Australia and Japan are two of those countries if my memory serves me rightly. Even more annoyingly, my B/I/L’s surgery took the research seriously and issued them to him and just recently he’s changed surgeries and the new one has also agreed to issue them. For a long time I bought them myself but had to stop as it was too expensive to do so. It’s time the National Health Service issued instructions that co-enzyme Q10 should be issued with all statins and showed they’re not the penny pinchers many people think them at our expense.
Another gripe over. After doing the drugs, I made a coffee to take back to my room where I started on the mail. There was enough to keep me going until 10.00 am with a slight pause for the postman who brought me another picture which is a gift for someone. Nothing was going to stop me breaking for HUtH though which I enjoyed even more when I got Joey out of the cage so I could replace his millet and also get part of the cage back in correctly that I notice I’d ballsed messed up the other day when I cleaned it out. After the programme, which I managed to stay awake in, I came back to work on the post I hadn’t managed earlier and the new post just in. It was just enough to keep me until 11.35 am and let me see to my lunch. I want that out of the way before Jade comes and I don’t know what time that’s happening yet. Well, I quite enjoyed my lunch and the episode of Bargain Hunt before coming back to work. I found an order I made to Zazzle this morning hadn’t completed. I won’t be buying from them again if they only ship from the US as the postal price doubles the cost of an item which in this case was just too appropriate to refuse as a birthday gift.
It was a funny old afternoon. I worked till 3.40 pm all the time expecting Jade to appear. I know she’d had an appointment at a Manchester hospital on Wednesday which is why she didn’t come and I just hoped she was OK. I did a quick catch up from 4.30 pm to 5.00 pm then sat and watched my Cold Case. I guessed she wouldn’t be coming at that time. But because they can’t take me shopping tomorrow, Yvonne had said Ugo would take me this evening.There were messages going back and forth between us with me saying “He’s worked all week, feed him and let him put his feet up” and her saying “He’s coming and that’s that.” Time went on and ‘Without a Trace’ came on. I though it was Yvonne to say he’s on his way and I was getting ready for another try but it was Jade to say Sorry and could she do me (Oh fan me I’m fainting) Saturday or Sunday. I said of course. At 7.50 pm Yvonne did text to say Ugo had left and my pleas fell on deaf ears. He arrived at 8.20 pm while Sanctuary was on. I said to check my local Supermarket rather than go to ASDA and I was in luck it’d late night on a Friday. I was out before 9.00 pm and home not long after. I’d even put the shopping away and taken my meds by 9.20 pm. By the time I’d got my coat and gloves off and settled at my desk it was 9.30 pm. Into the valley of death rode the 600, well OK there was only me but I should get credit for dramatic effect. Perhaps I should have tried, Into the Valley of the 600 rode me. It felt like that many though of course there weren’t, it was just about 10% of that but that makes for a lousy poem and virtually no dramatic effect at all. Banging my head on the wall would be better, but not necessarily from my point of view. Anyhoo, I was clear by 10.50 pm and able to start the blog. At least I won’t still be working come the morning.
Babywalking duties.
They’re always rabbitin’.
Saturday 9th April.
Midnight in bed last night as I’d spent a couple of minutes putting cream on my legs. I was actually able to ignore them after that. I don’t mean I didn’t make use of them as I walked to the loo afterwards or I’d be as close to the ground as Michael. I stopped reading and put the book down at 12.59 am and settled to sleep.I didn’t have too long to wait.This morning came at 4.53 am with no disturbances throughout the night. Not too bad at all. After a hop, step and a jump I made a start on the mail pausing at 6.00 om to take my meds and fill my face with cornflakes. Then I did the bins and the recycling bags in case the lorry turned up early again (no, not on it’s own, that would be creepy). Once done I sorted some clean lounge pants out for tonight and some clean clothes for the morning before making a coffee to bring back to work. It took until 9.35 am to to empty the box. I joined Joey for a while. At 10.15 am the postman arrived with two more gifts for birthdays. Things are coming along nicely. Not too heavy for him today. The binmen arrived and remembered to empty mine this time. Even the recycling lot came early and left me a bag more than I’d left out. I hope someone claims it later.
I checked the deliveries were unbroken and that they were suitable as pictures online don’t always give the full story, but all was OK. I left them in Mike’s bedroom which is where I always store gifts. I must try to leave him room to get into bed when he’s back next week. More mail had come in so I dealt with that while I had the chance. I know you’ve heard this before but Jade might come today and I don’t know what time. At 11.25 am I knocked off so I’d be free to see to my lunch. I was undecided what to have but I know I miss going out to eat. I’m glad that will be resumed soon. In the end I had braised steak and mashed potatoes with onion and carrots. Very tasty. With no Bargain Hunt on a Saturday I checked TV and found a film to watch for a while. Every adverts I came through to see if there was any mail. All the time I wondered if Jade would arrive and I wouldn’t see the end of the film. I saw two! By the time 4.00 pm arrived I knew she wasn’t coming today and so it must be tomorrow. With luck she’ll text me a time.
So, at 4.15 pm I came through and settled to get up to date again and managed it by 6.40 pm and decided at that point to lock the front door and go for a shower. I thought it might be an idea to do the washing tomorrow as next week I’m out on Monday instead of Tuesday. If Jade come’s tomorrow and I get her to help me make Mike’s bed I can do that washing on Tuesday. I know if she doesn’t come I’ll have to do it myself which I can manage slowly. The shower went well but I hate getting in as that’s when all the bits of cold water spraying from the edge catch you. When I was out and dry, I got my fresh night clothes on- Minion lounge pants and a tee-shirt with a lightweight dressing gown.I hope it’s going to start getting warmer again. I stayed with the film channel for a while then watched a sci-fi TV programme which took me to 10.15 pm, a full hour later than I usually stay there. I had to get a move on to come through. It would have been awful had I not spent so much time catching up at shorter intervals and If I’s been out during the day as I usually am with Mike here.It still took me until 11.05 pm to finish before I was able to start the blog. Since I post around midnight on a Saturday I should be able to finish by then.
I made bed just on midnight and read until I finished my book at 12.40 am. I struggled to get to sleep and at 1.02 am had to get up and put cream on my legs before I took the skin off. This morning I slept until 4.22 am, actually 5.22 am since we lost the hour during the night. I opened gmail and started work, there were a lot of messages from last night for some reason. I managed the last one at 5.30 am just before going to take my meds and then deciding to do Ju’s flowers. I doubt I’ll be winning any competitions for ikebana any time soon. I returned to work at 6.25 am ready for battle. I was shocked to find just 56 in my box. I’d cleared that many before going to the kitchen and unleashing my feminine side. This time though was evil. I got down to 51, started on the next one and it was up to 57. I didn’t get beyond 49 until gone 9.00 pm and it was 10.35 am before I actually finished that first rush. I got dressed and went through to see Joey. I sat with him through an episode of 8 Simple Rules then returned to my room.
I worked on and off till lunchtime, or what I thought would be lunchtime. I was convinced Yvonne had said they’d pick me up at noon so about 5 minutes beforehand I decided to check since they usually text to say they’re on the way. It was a while before I got a reply and that was to say disaster had struck. Amelie had thrown up in the car and they had to return home to get her changed. Then she demanded food so the time went from 12.00 pm to 12.30 pm to 1.00 pm which meant her calling the CookHouse to explain and also those that were waiting for us. We got there before 1.30 pm. We said hello to Lee and Jen with Nathan and to Karen and Jo. When I tried to get them to write down what they wanted for lunch I was thwarted as they’d already ordered. That was a blow, a host who doesn’t provide the meal. I found out what Ugo and Yvonne wanted and went to the bar with the order, seeing the lady that Mike and I usually see, at least she didn’t make Mike’s coffee by mistake. Ugo came with me to help carry the drinks. As we got back to the table the other meals had arrives so I took my tablets then Yvonne and I went to get our carvery and Ugo looked after Amelie. By the time I’d found someone strong enough to carry my plate Ugo’s meal had arrived so we did all manage to eat together. I saw Jade there though I don’t think she saw me. I’m glad she believed me enough to try it, now I just have to hope she enjoyed it.
My meat was fantastic as usual, just falling apart. The rest was incidental though I made sure there were enough incidentals on the plate.When we finished I was at least able to order a few puddings. Lee, Jen and Nathan had to leave not long after as they were meeting someone else. Eventually we had to pack up and leave too as the table was booked again from 3.00 pm. It was a quarter to. Hugs and kisses in the car park with my girls who liked their Easter Eggs as did Lee and Jen and then we were on our way again. I was home before 3.15 pm. It was pouring down as I waved them off . I said hello to Joey and put the light on to relieve the gloom. Then I came to work. To be fair it wasn’t as bad as feared and I was free just before 6.00 pm. I had some tea with a small trifle and then for some reason started watching some of The Devil Rides Out. When it finished at 8.30 pm I thought I’d try for an early night.As long as I don’t see blue eyes hovering above me like Charles Grey’s I should be OK. I worked on emails until 10.40 pm then started the blog so I think no later than 11.30 pm and everything is going to plan so far.
Teddy waits for lunch.
My ‘Bright as a Button’ girl doesn’t understand the shirt.
Monday 28th March.
11.28 pm found me sitting on the edge of the bed trying an aloe vera cream recommended to ease itching. By 11.35 pm I slid into bed easily. I started the new book , Those In Peril by Wilbur Smith. I need to restock as it’s my last book too. I put my light out at almost bang on 12.30 am I took the hint and put the book away. Getting to sleep was difficult as the itching was still pretty bad. I must have fallen asleep but was awake again at 1.27 am no eyes hovering above the bed though. I had a cigarette and tried again. That was fine and I slept until 4.02 am this morning. After a visit to the loo I opened my mail and enjoyed working until I went for breakfast at 5.45 am. Even though I expected a full mailbox again on my return I spent a few minutes reading reports on yesterday’s atrocity in Pakistan. So much more evil, so many more innocent deaths. I know they were mainly Christian and that was the object but the people who did this don’t care much more for the non-Christian deaths. They don’t believe in playing for hearts and minds do they, much preferring fear.. It makes you wonder how they manage to recruit from the West even among the disenfranchised and disillusioned. I can only imagine they play the Religion card and yet I don’t think by any stretch of the imagination you can really call these people religious as they don’t even follow the tenets of their own faith. Put bluntly, ISIL are just killers. I also prepared an e–card to send and checked to see if there was anywhere I could get a new keyboard if I went out today. The weather is so foul I probably won’t though.
The biggest surprise after I’d finished my other little jobs was returning to my mailbox at 6.25 am and finding just 11 pieces of post there. Where is the deluge? I waited until 7.10 am to see if it forgot the hour from yesterday. No, that made no difference. Could it possibly be that people are taking the holiday off? I hoped so. At 7.15 am I went through to release Joey and replenish his millet that he loves so much. I stayed with him until 9.00 am and then came back to check. Yes, the deluge had come but at the strangest of times, 8.17 am. I worked on it until 9.45 am and then left to watch HUtH which was on a bit earlier today. I didn’t hold out much hope but did wonder if the Warden might not call. She was off last Monday so maybe not this one? She didn’t call.
For lunch I had a cottage pie and it seems to have been a while since I had one so it went down well. A lovely rhubarb yoghurt to follow. I didn’t watch Bargain Hunt for a change as there was something more appealing on another channel later so I went back to work for a while. There’s been a conscious decision to take off much of the day off as possible because it’s a bank holiday. At 1.30 pm I went to watch the film The Fall of Rome with Sir Alec Guinness. I love these kind of spectaculars with all the chariot races etc. Seeing the Presidency Caesarship sold off to the highest bidder at the end reminded me of something, just can’t put my finger on it. It lasted about three hours so I felt I’d better check the post before starting anything else. There were quite a few to do but I still managed to get back in time for my tea ( chocolate cake and a strawberry mousse) and my episode of Cold Case. I also saw Without a Trace which was the second half of one from Friday but though I saw the first half of SG1 I nodded off for the rest and also the start of Sanctuary. It’s very strange seeing Tilk on trial for his life one moment and see a humongous squid fighting an odd looking giant scorpion the next.
At 9.00 pm I turned the TV off despite being tempted by a Marvel Superheroes film. Joey just sat on his mirror reluctant for the day to end. I went to take my meds and coming back he hadn’t moved. I turned a lamp on and the overhead light off and left him to it. After half an hour on the computer I went back and he’d gone in so I was able to close the cage and wish him goodnight. No reply. So, back to work again and pestering Yvonne for some photo’s from yesterday. She’d complained that somehow I’d managed to stay out of a lot of them. He He. The mail took until 10.43 and I was able to kickstart the blog. I’m doing well and reckon 11.45 ish tonight.
Square dance
Denim Trendsetter
Tuesday 29th March.
I made it to bed at 11.50 pm so I wasn’t far off. I stayed on top of the covers in case the warmth fried my legs in the cream I had on. I read for an hour then turned the light out. I expected to go to sleep quickly but my power nap of yesterday evening must have blunted the need. I know I did drop off eventually or I’d be complaining I never woke up this morning which could lead to some misunderstandings. Anyhoo, I did wake up at 4.29 am only I didn’t move until 4.31 am because the dream I was having seemed to carry on a bit and came to an abrupt halt when it realised it was being viewed in the real world. So, because of the two minute delay I had to move my little (actually long and slim) legs a bit faster to get to the loo. I came back and signed on to the computer and opened the mail. This morning it took until 5.56 to clear the box and I was able to go for my meds and some breakfast.
I returned to work at 6.32 am and there was just one message in my mail. I can’t understand what’s going on. I dealt with that and a couple more that came through, took my mug to the kitchen and washed it and came back via the bathroom to get dressed. The mail finally decided to appear at just gone 7.30 am. I think that’s taking the Easter break just a little too far.I broke off at 9.00 am to take my prescription request to the chemist. By getting it in early I stand a chance of getting it back the next day. I also dropped into Pauline’s. Back at home I carried on working until I was finally clear at 9.50 am. Time just to check ebay. I’m hoping there was a nice picture from Sunday I can use for a new canvas so I’m checking out the best deals. Believe me, if you want a photo on canvas there are fantastic deals on ebay and I haven’t been disappointed in quality yet. Now all I need are the pictures which Yvonne says she’ll send today. I went through and watched HUtH with Joey who seems chatty enough today. Then things went a little awry. I nodded off before the end and didn’t wake until 11.30 am. Then I had mail to clear which included a lot of pictures from Yvonne. By the time I’d done it was 12.05 pm and I had to go get my lunch. I took my pre-tabs then spent time buttering bread before putting my beef stew and dumplings in the micro. I started watching Bargain Hunt while it was cooking. By the time I sat down to eat and then had a sweet Bargain Hunt was over and the news came on. A man hijacked an Egyptian plane claiming he had a suicide bomb strapped to himself. The plane was forced to land at Cyprus. The man was arrested and it turned out he wanted to see his ex-wife or something. Some people laugh and say how ridiculous that he either got through Egyptian security or they allowed a lie to win. I personally think this man is almost as bad as a terrorist. Planes rarely carry extra fuel because of the weight so he risked the plane going down with 60+ passengers before they reached Cyprus. Also the fear of the people who he told he was a suicide bomber. They don’t expect to survive the journey. That terror must be awful, to fear not seeing those special people in your life anymore.
At 1.30 I returned to my bedroom and started work again on the mail. I’m not sure when I finished but I started sorting through all the pictures Yvonne had sent me. I didn’t think there was one of Sunday good enough to do canvases for everyone who’d been these but I’m having one. I did choose a nice picture to do for them though and the presentation was really nice. As I was doing that I kept pace with mail coming through so that at 4.45 pm with nothing in the box I could disappear. Not like the invisible man or I’d be out trying to get a Christmas bonus off the bankers. I had a piece of cake for my tea and a pickled onion crisp sandwich. I watched Cold Case and Without a Trace without an incident. I got most of the way through SG1 before I found it necessary to inspect the insides of my eyelids and unfortunately it was such a thorough inspection, it took me till half way though Sanctuary. I got thoroughly confused when I found one of the leads from SG1 was playing in Sanctuary and I wasn’t sure what nightmare world I was inhabiting. It was the nice lad who wears the glasses, in this he’d been a bit of a rogue smuggling things through a flap in his stomach. Funny really as back on SG1 the same flap would be where they housed one of the alien Goa-uld.
At 9.00 pm I closed Joey’s cage door, went through to take my meds, wished Joey goodnight and came through to attack the mail. One was upsetting when I heard that Yvonne thought they had a home for the two cats, which they have to rehome because of allergies that both Ugo and Reuben share. It seems the new home was with someone who’d had pets removed previously by he RSPCA, so no way could they be left there. Yvonne has been missing a lot of sleep recently. That and the fact that Thursday is the anniversary of Ju passing is making her very emotional. She had a long walk this morning to get to the doctors for Amelie’s jabs only to find she had a temperature and they wouldn’t do it. Another hour and a half back home. I didn’t go today because of the appointment. I was going to make myself go out to find a keyboard but used the weather as an excuse not to. Anyway, I cleared the mail at 11.01 pm and started the blog. It’s going to be a midnight finish at least after I’ve chosen tonight’s pictures and music.
Ugo, Jo, Yvonne, Karen Lee, Jen & Nathan, Guess who with Amelie. Reuben in hiding.
Ami and Nate, cousins
Wedsnesday 30th March
Bed 1.05 am because I had to play grease monkey again. After reading until 12.50 am the lights went out and I probably went out like a light. Awake and up at exactly 4.00 am this morning. I found myself whistling ‘Skip to the loo’ as I did just that and decapitated a figure on the console table with the rope. So much for healthy exercise, it’s dangerous. Coming back from the loo sans rope and at a normal walking pace and wondering where I get all this energy from, I flopped down in my chair and turned the computer on. Right, that’s enough exercise for today, no more jumping to conclusions or anything else. My inbox was empty by 5.15 am and I went to take my meds and have some breakfast which today was a toasted bap, a very yeasty bap at that.By the time I returned about 5.45 am there were more messages to deal with and more comments to write. On one I know I was a bit bumptious but I’m blaming the yeast for that. At this point it was only trickling in so at 6.10 am I went to ebay and ordered a card reader in place of the one I ordered two weeks ago that never came despite the sellers promise that if I (was stupid enough) would end the case I opened on ebay he’d send out a duplicate. I did, he didn’t. It’s not much money but I hate being duped by someone who has no intention of either refunding me or supplying the goods ordered.And of course, I can’t reopen a case with ebay or paypal for a refund now the case is closed. Colour me naive.
By 7.00 am the mail had started to arrive but not in the usual flood. I got 38 in the first batch which is often nearer the 100. I just started work and kept on working. The post kept on coming but not in quantity. By 8.00 am I’d been able to get dressed and go through to open Joey’s cage. At 8.45 am I donned shoes and coat and headed for the bus stop. The bus came at 9.00 m and even as I got on I had no idea where I was going. But when we reached Holywell at the top of the hill I thought maybe I’d have more chance in Flint so I stayed on. When I got off and crossed the road to where the trading estate is I detoured slightly and called into the small ASDA thinking as I’d forgotten the keyboard when I was in the large store maybe the little store would help. I was out of luck, no keyboard and miracle that it was, I restrained myself from buying anything else. Next port of call was Sainsbury’s where I know they’ve sold them before. I detoured up a couple of other aisles that looked interesting and almost collected a picture frame (you never know when you might need one) but I was to be disappointed again with the keyboard so the frame stayed. I did however buy some chocolates (Ferrero Rocher) and some bread. The Outlet let me down, but Steve reminded me that Argos sell them and what do we have round the corner? Yes, an Argos store ( that was easy wasn’t it). I went down the aisles in B&M as I was passing anyway then went to Argos and bought one of the two in stock.
Having got my prize now dangling from the handle of my crutch (come on, keep it clean now) and clanging as I walked. Still, better that than the chocolates which I handed over two minutes later as I ordered my Latte in Temptations. They were looked at lavisciously by Trudy who announced “The diet starts tomorrow.’ I sat and enjoyed my drink and the little saucer biscuit that Mike normally has then after saying goodbye I headed over to Home Bargains where I did in fact get a dew bargains before heading off for the bus stop.The direction I took meant having to climb over a gate then jump off a wall. I hadn’t even hit the ground when the bus came. That bright idea about having a cigarette while I waited was thrown in the bin. I got my usual solo seat and propped my eyes open with two lighters as I had no matchsticks handy. I didn’t want to miss my stop and end up in Rhyl, Jade is due about noon. I got back safely and unpacked my bag before folding it up and slipping it in the back pocket of my jeans ready for the next outing. I started back on my mail after a brief word with Joey. The brief word was ‘Later’. I was clear just before midday so went through to take my pre-food tabs and make a sandwich to have when waiting time was up. I had it in my room as I worked and too a yoghurt as well. I hadn’t started that at 12.30 pm when Jade arrived. We had a little chat and I said I’d seen her on Sunday but she hadn’t seen me. As she went off to start on the bathroom today I went back to eat my yoghurt of the strawberry persuasion. Very nice it was too.
In between the odd email I was on ebay looking at their prices for usb keyboards thinking maybe to have a spare in. If I ever need to get on the other computer the keyboard with that is rubbish with one key that sticks all the time. To be honest I was just filling in time anyway until I could get to my chair and have a power nap before Dil gets here, though that could be anytime these days. At 2.00 pm I reminded Jade she needed to think about her next appointment so she finished what she was at and put the stuff away. I paid her and gave her some chocolates as a treat then said goodbye to her. I did some more mail then headed for my chair about 2.45 pm. I couldn’t nod off and that was partly because my chair is now haunted and tried to eject me. I was just nicely settled and it suddenly started rising. I was scrabbling about trying to get my arm down between the chair and the canterbury to find the remote, I just managed it in time and got the chair back down again but I was wide awake. I was resigned to not sleeping until tonight. I saw a homes in the country programme than at 3.45 pm went back to see what was waiting. I was halfway through sealing with something from Pinterest when the door opened. 3.50 pm and Dil was here. I couldn’t help but laugh so followed him through to the lounge then made him a cuppa. We watched one of our usual programmes while we chatted about the weekend then when it finished I was rude and nodded off. I came to after about 15 minutes and found we were on the wrong side for out usual quiz. There was no way I could explain this one away, he couldn’t help but notice.
Once the quiz was over at 6.00 pm battle commenced. The first Yahtzee was keenly fought and came out at three games each. The second , I think he cheated when I wasn’t looking since he won five-one. Luckily I was on form for trivia and beat him at that. I always knew memorising the cards made sense. Finally cribbage, lets just say I took no prisoners ( mainly because it’s too expensive to feed them and I’m renowned for being tight). We only had time for one game but it was a whitewash. Dil left at 9.30 pm as usual heading home for his dinner. It’s a very long day for him. I had a quick tidy, washed the pots and took my meds. I said goodnight to Joey and came through to my room to work. It took until 11.10 pm to get the mailbox cleared so I could start the blog. I’m not taking bets on midnight tonight.
Easter treats
Easter morning
Thursday 31st March.
I managed to be in bed for 12.15 am and as usual read my book. The light went off at 1.20 am and that was the last thing I knew until 6.50 am. So glad I went to the loo before going to sleep. Today is slightly different so I don’t intend to blog in my normal way you’ll be pleased to hear no doubt. I’m going to spend the day with my own thoughts and not deal at all with mail unless it’s urgent.
I know that Yvonne will be suffering somewhat today as she remembers her bright as a button mother who never let a day go by without announcing ‘I Love You’ somewhere. Amazingly Ju stayed that was until the end though the end for us really came 12 hours or so before she passed away when she went into unconsciousness. My own memories are pretty much the same. Ju and I were great friends as well as life partners. We did lots of things together and it was no detriment to out marriage that we spent so much time in each other’s company. So really that the kind of thought I’d like to leave with you today. I hear so much about couples who marry but still want to have their own lives or ‘own space’. I think marriage is about togetherness, not that I expect couples to be joined at the hip or anything but going out should be together as the couple you chose to be. Yep, an old fashioned fart.
Ju on her 50th in 2006
I kept to my intention mainly today. Very little mail dealt with and only the urgent things at that. I sent an email this morning to the chemist to see if my drug mule would be arriving today and was assured I’d get my stuff before the day was out. I didn’t expect to be hungry even though I hadn’t eaten breakfast but force of habit had me making my bangers and sweet potato mash at lunch time. During the course of the morning I’d looked at lots of photographs of Julia. Not in a maudlin way but just because of the memories they evoked. And a s she watches me from various pictures all day wherever I am ( don’t worry, not the bathroom) I was able to glance up and give her a smile wherever I am. I love the fact that my favourite picture of the two of us is the background on the computer. I nodded off in the afternoon and the chemist came then naturally and I heard nothing. I had to walk to the shop and arrange a second drop off. It came later. Ju probably loved animals as much if not more than she loved people in general though she was possibly the kindest person I know. We’ve opened out home to more than one waif and stray in our lifetime from battered women to the homeless, people were drawn to her. That’s not to say I wouldn’t help, just that I’m perhaps ready to be in the background more. At least my wallet was never closed. Even when I became ill I gave many thousands to good causes ( all my savings) and a fair few to causes Ju thought were less so but I wasn’t really able to tell the difference at that point. Still she didn’t murder me and we stuck together as we’d promised at out wedding.
It was a very unexpected blow when Ju became ill. It was a while before we knew what it was ( Pancreatic Cancer) by which time it was already too late. She never complained and said “Why me?” She just got on and did what she could. We were lucky enough to find a specialist, one of only four in the country, who could perform a special operation which cut some nerves near the site of the cancer. It wouldn’t stop the cancer but for a while, until it grew larger, it could take away the worst of the pain. Ju never complained about the chemo either though we did have to have a friend drive us to and from the appointments. As time went on Ju carried on as best she could and even fund raised for the stables she used which wanted to start a riding for the disabled school. She didn’t stop riding and we actually went on the Tuesday before she was taken very ill. That was a Friday night and even though we live close to the coast the snow had come. Living on a very steep hill didn’t help either as it was very difficult for the Marie Curie nurses to get here and even worse for the ambulance later. They had a lot of help from (I think) the coastguard. Ju was taken to our local cottage hospital where Yvonne, Ugo and Myself slept in chairs to be near her. The following night we slept there again but with the addition of our two nieces Karen and Jo and the same on Sunday night but we used the staff lounge and enjoyed a Chinese meal.
On the Monday morning Ju was transferred to the hospice (St. Kentigern’s at St Asaph). She was conscious and as bright as she could be. Everyone transferred with her and even though most had to work during the day they were there at night. I can’t remember what happened to Easter that year as I’ve no memory of giving eggs and gifts out. We knew by the weekend that things were bad and she became unconscious and heavily sedated with opiates on the Easter Sunday 31.03.2013 and died very late that night with all of us around her. We were allowed to go and sit with her again until morning came after the staff had seen to her.
After riding 19th March 2013.
I just want to say I loved Ju and nothing has changed. I was very lucky to have met her and luckier still to be loved by her as I’m lucky today to be loved by our beautiful daughter Yvonne who shares so many of her traits, not least the kindness and generosity.
Here you are Ju. Just for you.
Also R.I.P Ronnie Corbett comedian. Died today.
Friday 1st April. Uh oh, All Fool’s Day. I”m staying in.
I wasn’t anxious to return to the fray today. Last night I was listening to hard rock ( which is usually about as far from me as it’s possible to get) until late and then when I did get to bed I read until 1.20 am. It was hard to get to sleep and I know I saw 2.09 slip by me. I must have slept then because I woke at 3.22 am and lay there clock watching but not ready to move. I remember 3.58 am then I woke up at 4.37 am maybe a 2.5 hour night in total? I knew it was time to move, not just because I needed another skip to the loo (my darling) but being Friday, once I’d had my meds I needed to replenish the drug tray for another week. I brought a coffee back to my room about 5.15 am ready to start the mail. I was finished about 7.20 am and had time to go and see to Joey with water and millet. I’d been surprised no huge bunch of mail at 6.10 am or even at 7.10 am because they haven’t adjusted for Summertime but I was horrified to come back about 7.35 am and watch it piling up. Even though I know MuJo are coming today and said they’d set off early I knew I had time to work without any pressure. Having said that, I did get myself dressed first.
There were still a few left at 10.00 pm but I decided to take the risk and went to watch HUtH with Joey as I’d be out a fair bit later. They arrived at 10.50 am so I got them drinks and the little gifts I’d got them for Easter. We had a good old chinwag and I was not surprised to hear Ju’s brother had died, I was really shocked to find out it was just for 5 minutes. He was still unconscious when it happened and he had been for 2 weeks at that point and he was lying there with a tracheotomy. Three times they were called and told to get there and after the ‘death’ they were told even if he did recover ( which he wouldn’t) he would likely be brain damaged. It seems he wasn’t listening. When he woke this week after 4 weeks he mouthed the swear words he couldn’t vocalise and claimed there was an attempt to kill him. No change there then. We left the house to go to town at 11.30 am and after we’d parked up John wanted to head to a charity shop first where he bought a couple of things. They took them back to the car then joined me in the street where we headed for the chippy. It was great fun fighting for the bill again and even better when I won. After lunch it was another charity shop and then we headed for Flint. We went to my fave Homies first so I could get chocolates for Temptations then to another good shop for the kind of things you don’t know you need until you see them. Finally we headed for Temptations where both the Ceri’s were on duty. I only managed a short word or two though.
After coffee we managed another couple of shops. I think the weather has been so bad in the sticks that they were desperate to get out today with cabin fever. Finally at 4.00 pm they brought me home. John had his afternoon tabs while Mu and I had a look for some books she wanted. At 4.30 pm they left for home. It’s only an hour away but a different world away from the coastal area. I apologised to Joey that I was going to do half an hour’s work before joining him in the lounge. Sure enough at 5.00 pm I was there turning on Cold Case. I followed as always with Without a Trace then SG1 but then afraid of the work waiting I turned off before Sanctuary. Because of the bin men coming so early last week I decided to take the food waste out tonight and also to empty the paper/card into it’s bag ready. As I was out of my seat I decided to check Ju’s flowers and put some new ones I bought today in the vase with last week’s survivors. I’m not sure I’ll need any tomorrow now. As I’m hoping to change my bed in the afternoon I went looking for a sheet of the right colour, I may have to buy one. I took my meds and with a final goodnight to Joey I came back through to work. No more skiving. It took till just gone 10.30 pm to finish and start the blog which at 11.25 pm is almost done.
Another branch of the family?
Happy Face.
Saturday 2nd April.
I finished the blog and a few extra pieces of mail by 11.35 am, a very quick lube job and I was in bed. My light went out at 12.20 for a change. It was probably no more than a few minutes before I went to sleep though it seemed longer. Up again at 2.54 am, I felt cheated. Two and a half hours was not enough after only having the same the night before and then missing out on my extra snooze. I signed into the computer and started to make inroads into the mail. Taking it quite slowly I was done and dusted by 5.55 am even though odd ones still arrived, I went off to take my meds in the kitchen. When I brought my coffee back I got dressed and took the food rubbish and the recycling stuff outside. Not cold, but not a pleasant morning with the rain. Coming back I caught up again then brought my bedding through for a change later on.
At 7.30 am Joey started shouting he wanted out so I walked through and had a chat to him after I’d opened his door. My normal daily post was coming in by now so I had to make a fresh start there. At 8.30 am I had a text from Yvonne that she wouldn’t be joining me today as she needed bulk shopping and there wouldn’t be enough room for us all AND the shopping in the car. If she thinks I’m fat why doesn’t she just say so. Sob. Ugo was apparently just having breakfast with Reuben and then he’d come but she’d be sure to text me and let me know when he’d left. Ha, my son in law is an eating machine and might never leave there if he’s having a full breakfast. In fact he arrived at 9.45 am and gave me a shock as I hadn’t received the promised warning. She must have whispered. I rushed to put shoes on ( no socks), coat, gloves, grab crutches, bags and keys. I got in the car and we were travelling up the road when some little disembodies voice said blah, blah, blah, Pops. I nearly jumped out of my skin as I’d no idea Roobs was in the back seat.
We reached the Supermarket and each started our shop. We made a good start pretty much in tandem. Ugo grabbed veg while I sorted some flowers for Ju just to top up. We moved along to nappies and I hit the bedding for a sheet. From there o in we seemed to get further and further apart, It may have been he wanted more than me or perhaps just that his list was better organised so he hit shelves in a better order. I personally think it was just because he concentrated on cleaning products while my priority was chocolate. Eventually we did catch up again until he remembered bibs and had to walk back to the start. I went to the till. I was loading onto the conveyor belt and went to the trolley to put Ju’s flowers on last as I always do it. I couldn’t find them and was looking round to see if I’d knocked them off with my elbow. All of a sudden there was a burst of laughter. I looked in the direction it had come from and a member of staff that Mike and I generally tease on a Saturday morning has pinched them. They’re a saucy lot in ASDA. I went through the till and paid, astonishingly it was less than £50, I don’t know how Mike will take the news.
I stood and waited for Ugo to got through a till and we went for a drink. I ‘m not sure what happened but Roobs was in happy slappy mood then threw a wobbly where he screamed in growls so we couldn’t really understand what he was saying…..or anyone else either since he was so loud. It was a while before Ugo got him calmed down. It was pure tantrum as the tears weren’t real and the growling stayed throughout. Still burst a few eardrums though. After coffee Ugo took him to be changed but it seems the 6 month guarantee was already gone so we have to stick with him. He didn’t actually need changing so we caught up and went to the car. Withing ifve minutes there was a buzz saw coming from the back seat so maybe the tantrum was related to tiredness though to be fair I never scream like that. I never got to nod off in the car all the way home. Out of kindness to Reuben we didn’t stop at any more shops.
I was home for about 1.30 pm and my first job was to take two pre-foodies before unpacking and putting away the shopping. Then I had something to eat, a warm sausage roll from ASDA which I thought was awful so I was glad of the baps I was eating. Having given Joey some attention I moved to the bedroom to first make the bed and then start on the mail. I didn’t finish until 5.05 pm. Joey then got the pleasure of my company whether he liked it or not. He seemed to like it flying through the air and trailing his feet through my carefully coiffured hair. How he manages to reverse his feet so the toenails leave gouges I don’t know. I got my revenge though by having strawberries and cream without sharing. I went for a shower at 7.00 pm and stood there wishing I had a bath, no horrible jets of cold water coming out of the side of the shower head and soaking me and the floor, no nasty shower curtain creeping up behind me and sticking icily to my back. Once I’d finished I went back to the lounge to watch Perry Mason . It was good to see him again. I started another one at 8.00 pm and saw the usual killing, arrest of the wrong person and the stalled investigation before I nodded off. When I woke up it was still on but hang on, wasn’t it a different victim before and someone else arrested? Yep, it was 9.15 pm and I’d slept into the start of the next episode. I gave up.
It was time to turn everything off and shut Joey’s cage. I went to take my meds then shouting goodnight to Joey, I came through to check out the post. There was plenty of it and I didn’t clear it until 10.52 pm. Time to get a move on with the blog. We know it won’t be a midnight bed but maybe I’ll get a lie in tomorrow.
It was about 12.15 am before I got into bed and I think I was past the point of tiredness just then. I read 2 chapters of the current book and turned the light out at 1.10 am. It was a short while before sleep came thanks to the legs.
I woke at 2.36 am and using the landing lights, took a stroll to the loo. On my return I sat on the edge of the bed with a cigarette, it was pretty good company until it’s light went out. I shuffled back into bed and waited for sleep again. I woke the second time at 4.54 am and knew that was it for now. I didn’t mind too much as there was always mail waiting. I didn’t know how much. Apart from a minor hiatus at 6.00 am when I had breakfast I sat at the computer until 10.38 am. I think Joey hates me now. I can’t remember another Sunday with this much mail coming in.
I stayed in the lounge until after lunch time- which was a microwave Roast Beef Dinner- then returned to the computer. First in Mike’s room where I had another go at raising anyone via the skype. Nada. Then on my bedroom one and I went to Facebook where John came through on what he said was Messenger, which I don’t know. I could see him but not vice versa as my camera is on the other computer. We didn’t manage many words before it started cutting out and breaking up. I don’t know if that’s the fault of my headphones or of Messenger itself which I’m not signed up for. So, I still haven’t managed to get any news. I carried on answering mail,reading blog posts and retweeting. I gave up the ghost on messaging and at 5.00 pm when the mail box was empty I retired to the lounge.
I had a generous bowl of trifle for my tea, it does have fruit in after all. I sat watching a film until 7.00 pm then watched the last episode of Beowulf. It came to a very bloody end as expected but the goodies won (I think). I wasn’t ready to come back through at that point so watched an NCIS episode. I stood up from my chair after turning the TV off and tripped over my own feet or to be more accurate (It wasn’t me) over the cord from my slipper. I was going forward and was about to wear the TV round my neck. I even had time to be glad it was off. I had one chance and that was to twist sideways and sort of fold. I made it though as I landed I understand there were reports of an earthquake. I had the breath knocked from my body. I was quite worried Joey would be scared, not a bit of it. He came to the edge of his cage, hopped onto the door where the seed tray is and started eating. Just to add insult to injury the husk from the seed was going on my face and in my hair. As I slowly came to my knees and then stood he moved back into the cage until he was in his corner. I said Goodnight and shut the door. Feeling very sorry for myself I limped back to my bedroom sans slipper.
After tying the lace again in my slipper and putting it back on I had a couple of painkillers and started on the mail again. It was slow going. At 9.15 pm I went through to the kitchen for my spray and evening meds. By 9.53 pm I’d cleared all the mail that was there and started today’s blog which is much shorter than usual since Mike isn’t here to insult. I’ve been through to turn off the other computer but only after checking Skype. I can’t understand why John hasn’t received the two requests from me. I’ve also looked at this Messenger and can’t see how to do anything so maybe I need to get a new headset and try again though it works for me when I’m doing Youtube. Anyway, I shall be done by 11.15 pm tonight and soon with my book.
Trip out
Startled !
Monday 21st March.
It was closer to 11.30 am when I got to my bed in the end. I was a greased monkey except for my hands so that I didn’t stain my book. I read until 12.45 am then settled down to sleep. I didn’t move between going to sleep until 3.42 am this morning when I woke. I reckoned I’d done well and had I not needed the loo I’m sure I would have slept longer. However the journey woke me as I was still wincing from my fall, or as some youngster might have said, from enjoying my trip. By 3.50 am I was sitting at my desk signing in to my gmail box ready for an early start. At 5.20 am I took a break for my meds and some breakfast so I’d be back before the flood started. When I returned there was an email waiting from my friend and superb author SJ Sprague offering me some great advice which has given me plenty to mull over.
A Presence in Russell County. The Organisation Book 1.
I was back before the flood, remarkably sound considering I’d just tried to juggle with the bread knife and only just avoided amputating my right leg. I knew I should have completed the Online Ninja Training Course, I could have snatched that knife out of the air without squealing. It was lucky I’d already cut the bap for my toast in case it got covered with blood. Once I’d eaten and filled all the gouges in the floor with plastic wood I made myself a coffee to take back with me. I sat working again from 6.00 am as a trickle became a flood. At 9.20 am I had a text from Jade about working today which was fine, but I couldn’t have her 3-5.00 pm as suggested so we settled on 11.00 am to midday then 3 – 4.00 pm. At 9.40 am I went out to Pauline’s to ensure I had enough money to pay Jade. When I returned I worked a little longer then stopped to watch HUtH with Joey who was again determined to be a barber and part my hair for me. I’m sure he must have been a Hedgehopper in WW1. As the programme ended i returned to work yet again. Despite having worked from 3.50 am I still have 54 to go.
The doorbell went about 11.10 am and there was Jade straight from her work as a carer and in between appointments. I asked her to get stuck into the lounge because of today’s visitor. She did a good job though after she’d gone I noted she’d used my new squeegee mop but not emptied the bucket of dirty water or replaced the top of the bucket or the ordinary mop. Hardly a great problem. I did those and moved on to lunch. After taking my tablets I rammed a beef hot-pot in the micro and turned the TV on for Bargain Hunt. I can shout at the screen and give them the benefit of my nil expertise and more upset stomach than gut feeling. At 1.00 pm I turned the TV off which shut Joey up straight away as he wondered what was going on. I came back through and tried to get the upper hand on the mail. By 1.45 pm I was fading fast and needed my power nap. I went back through to the lounge, sat in my chair. I zonked until 2.26 pm.
Coonscience ( yes I have got one somewhere, or I did earlier on) got the better of me so I returned to work again. I’m not sure which of the small gods I’ve upset but I reckon he’s recycling other people’s mail through my address. Somewhere are a lot of people with smug grins on their faces because they finished early again today. Mine seems never ending. It was 3.20 pm when I was disturbed from my reverie by the doorbell. It was Jade back for her 3.00 pm shift? She attacked the bathroom with such gusto I began to think it as dirty though I knew it couldn’t be. She also hoovered in the hall. It was 3.50 pm when the doorbell went again and woke disturbed me. It was my expected visitor from the Office of National Statistics. I directed him through to the lounge while I finished an email and Jade finished what she was doing, which it’s just as well wasn’t me given the circumstances. Sigh. I logged off, paid Jade and she left……..left me to clear the mucky cloth and sponge from a bowl of dirty water in the sink. I moved to sit in the lounge.
It’s quite strange and a little unreal to spend an hour or so answering questions about your finances for the Government. The thought has to flash through your mind that maybe they’re asking this to find ways of taking some back. All kinds of questions came like whether I own property, do I have savings, how much, do I have ISA’s and again how much. What is my income and how often paid, state pension, private pension(s), disability living allowances, housing benefits and the same from Council tax and how many bank accounts. Certainly there were times my mouth didn’t really want to answer but I’d agreed. Can I manage on my income, do I have credit and /or storecards. Very thorough I must admit. The purpose supposedly to see whether people are managing their money well and whether they can manage on their current incomes. It was 5.10 pm when he left. A very pleasant man but I was relieved. There was no point going back to work now so I turned into Cold Case followed by my usual programmes except I fell asleep again in SG1 and missed most of it. The smiles at the end of the show don’t really tell you about the crises that went before.
At 9.00 pm I turned off the TV and shut Joey’s cage. I took my meds and came through. The mail was up again and took me until 11.15 to finish so it looks like this is going to be a late night.
Art class
Artwork
Tuesday 22nd March
The age of miracles is not past. It was almost 12.30 am before I got to bed and took up my book. I got a little carried away and read until the end of a third chapter ( that’s upset the OCD a bit) so lights out was around 1.50 am. But, I didn’t wake his morning until 6.33 am. Taking my meds was the first priority and I felt it a little late for breakfast so I’ll have to remember to take some meds at tea time……and actually have a tea time. The only other drawback to getting up at this time is that I didn’t have chance to deal with last night’s mail before today’s started to come in. So, when I went back through with a coffee and signed on, I was faced with 86 already. Head down and into it I went, answer one, receive two seemed t be the formula until I shouted at the screen, “That’s a bloody nuff,” and it worked.
By 9.30 am I decided I needed a break, so with just 28 left to go I got dressed. With Joey squawking “Don’t forget me” I went to Pauline’s where I got Joey a copy of next week’s TV programmes while I got my bread and some cigarettes. The talk in there was of bombings in Brussels. On my return I turned the TV on and told Joey his HUtH wasn’t on today. The news was bad with 13 dead and 30+ serious injuries. It seems to be i response to the capture of someone involved in the Paris bombings just a few days ago. It seems they can react very quickly. There was mention of a possible suicide bomber and of shots fired and Arabic shouting at the airport. The second bomb was at the Metro. If the intent was to shut the City down it worked, if it was to scare the West it didn’t. I’m not about to say the West haven’t provoked these kinds of reactions with our interference in other countries for the sake of oil supplies but what the world needs to understand now is that no-one wants a world ruled by these fanatics and governed in such a way that women are disregarded as individuals and not worthy of education, not allowed to drive a car and unable to dress in fashionable clothes. A totally patriarchal society. Most of the Arab world don’t want it either so they must help the West crush ISIS at every opportunity. It’s no use Saudi Arabia funding them and hoping to be left alone to rule as it won’t happen. If they get strong enough the ruling houses will topple under a headman’s axe and Sharia law will prevail.
I detest war and killing. I’m not proud of some things my country has done as in their creativity as an excuse to invade Iraq. But this is different as it’s not about oil for a change. ISIS are fanatics bent on changing the world to bend to it’s will. It’s evil and needs no excuse for it’s cruelty, though with so many beheadings recently Saudi Arabia also has a claim to that. There’s no democracy where you can’t criticise your Government without fear of imprisonment or death, where the Government will brook no opposition to it’s rule. I don’t object if that’s the way a country wants to be but there are no countries who don’t have opposition to that kind of rule. So for the first and hopefully the last time ever, I’m asking ALL Governments and ALL peoples who want some kind of democracy and those who believe that women have an equal right to the things men take for granted, to join together and stop ISIS in their tracks. Help the Kurds who are fighting them and ask Russia to stop bombing those who oppose President Assad in Syria. If he has committed atrocities against his own people because they oppose him then he has lost his right to rule. Make the world a safer place, bring about peace and then stay within your own shores to protect your borders instead of invading someone else’s.
I’m a parent and a grandparent. I have seen death take so many of our children and ravage so many generations. We need leaders who are going to protect those who could grow to be the new Einstein or Rupert Brooke ,who may solve the energy crisis, find a way to repair Gaia or feed the World so that we can leave a legacy for generations to come. I don’t want my children or grandchildren to face the uncertainties of war or the death of their planet. Let’s learn to live as one and grow as we were meant to.
I worked until 11.50 am and then realised that lunchtome loomed, sorry, lunchtime, the other is a book you read while you eat. I went for speed so had a beef joint that can be done in the micro with some micro chips and mixed veg. The vinegar from the chips goes so well with the gravy. I watched a few minutes more of the news and obviously the death toll has gone up. The wilful disregard for life is sickening and these people don’t care at all whether it’s someone of their own religion who dies. However, I watched Bargain Hunt right through to the end before I allowed myself to Zzzzzz but I enjoyed about 45 minutes afterwards. Then as always I returned to the battle in the demented hope nothing more had come through. I was to be disappointed but it was my own fault as I’d posted the piece starting from 9.30 am today to my Buthidar’s site and it was bound to draw a reaction. I worked until the folder was empty again about 3.15 pm then went to look at Homes in The Country. I was destined to be jealous again but three quarters of a million isn’t in any of my piggy banks. I enjoyed the viewings though and what my imagination could do. I’m especially fond of the mystery house at the end.
At 3.45 pm I decided to try Messenger that John had mentioned to me. It took me straight there as though I’m already registered so it has to be through Facebook. Then as it happened while I was checking a few messages I had on Facebook, John rang me. He turned his camera on so I’d have the privilege of seeing ‘my leader’ and for a moment I was grateful my camera is attached to the other computer still or he’d have seem my face too. The disappointment in my smile. He says they’re back to visiting again next week. It’s been about 5 or 6 weeks now since I’ve seen them and it’s quite worrying. He sounds OK so I guess they’ve just been busy. If they were a bus ride away I’d try to get to them but they’re buried in the country. At 4.45 pm I excused myself and went to get some tea which I had while my Cold Case was on. Then Without a Trace which I find myself less fond of every day. This was of course followed by SG1 and Sanctuary which was almost a comedy show tonight. 9.00 pm and it was time to lock Joey in and wish him goodnight, not all jailers do that you know. I took my meds and came through to start work again. It had mounted up quite a lot but I had some time teasing Yvonne because she thought it was Wednesday today so that helped take the edge off things for me. I worked till 11.05 pm on the mail then started the blog. I will be in bed before midnight, a matter of seconds only perhaps but before midnight.
Pals at Play
Father and son portrait
Wednesday 23rd March.
I made the midnight deadline but I’m not saying how close the call was. I did the cream on one leg then rubbed them together to save time. I had to stop when the sparks and smoke came though. I’m not sure I’m covered for arson around. I sneaked in three chapters and decided I had to have a fourth to satisfy the OCD need for balance. I lit a cigarette in readiness and started and for the first time ever turned the page to find the chapter ended halfway down the second page. What should have given at least half an hour’s pleasure lasted a minute or less. I couldn’t help but laugh. It served me right.The light went out at 1.06 am. It went back on at the end of my night which was 4.32 am which proves I spoke too soon (tongue in cheek) yesterday about the age of miracles. Hey ho, at least I had an undisturbed night.(No sarcasm intended O’great and mighty Somnos).
I did my mail until 5.55 am when I cleared the mailbox. I knew it would fill again while I was away having breakfast but I couldn’t feel guilty at not having done it as it hadn’t yet arrived. I had thick toast from an unsliced loaf I’d got from Pauline’s yesterday. I ate it fresh instead of letting it go cold for a change. Once finished it was 6.33 am before I took a coffee back to my desk. What is it they say, “I’m never wrong but I’m right again.” There was so much mail I couldn’t even see the postie behind the sacks. How can we all have so much to say? To be honest I was so engrossed in great poems and fine art that I lost track of the time. It was 9.20 am before I looked up and decided I should get dressed. Once I was decent again I took a walk over the road to the One Stop shop, I rarely use this as Pauline’s is handy and has most things I need. I think it must have been Jade who told me that the One Stop had flowers and it really looked as though I should have got some on Saturday. Anyway I went and they didn’t have any flowers left. They did however have a pot plant so I bought that. Now my record with pot plants is not good. Jade pointed out to me on Monday that I’m cultivating a stick on the kitchen windowsill. Once home I put the plant in a more attractive container and watered it. I have to try and make sure it lives until I get flowers on Saturday.
I watched TV at 10.00 am with Joey who’s doing a lot of chunnering under his breath this morning with the occasional exclamation mark thrown in as though he’s berating someone. For once it doesn’t seem to be me. But, as I turned the TV off at 11.00 am he went quiet with it. I carried on with mail until 11.45 am then went to see to my lunch. It wasn’t bad but I really wasn’t in the mood for it. I watched Bargain Hunt then noticed two ladies walk past the front window, You can tell when they have a sense of determination and are coming to your door. They were. I opened it and there was Jade asking whether I got a text. I had to admit I didn’t have my phone in the lounge with me ( I usually do). Anyway she’d brought someone to meet me who either works with her or for her and who might cover for Jade sometimes if I don’t mind. I’m happy if someone cleans no matter who. They left in time for me to catch the auction part of the programme. Both teams made a loss.
I returned to the computer to leave some ebay feedback and to catch up on mail again. At 3.15 pm I was done and took a break until 3.45 pm. I’d come back and answered 2 emails when I heard the door open quietly. It was Dil who’d been on an outside job so I broke off and made him a cuppa cha. We had a good natter and watched our usual shows until 6.00 pm when war broke out. As always it was Yahtzee first and I was devastated to lose 4-2 on the first game. I couldn’t throw a Yahtzee to save my life while I had to check the soles of his shoes he threw that many. The second game eventually went 4-2 in my favour and I had to check the soles of my slippers too. The Trivia started well and I got 3 pieces of pie in short order and was on my 4th before Dil won one. He soon bucked up and as I got my 6th he was just one behind. I managed t get to the middle 3 times and was thwarted by his choice of question twice, answering correctly on the last one. That game was mine. The cribbage also ended up one game all so the honours were fairly evenly spread except of course I WON.
Dil left at 9.30 pm and after I’d escorted him off the premises and locked up I had a quick tidy up in the lounge, renewed Joey’s millet and then made myself a sarnie. I’d just washed up and taken my drugs when I was left in the dark. It seemed only the kitchen and lounge were out so I had to grab the ladders and go outside to check the fuse box. I found just the one had tripped so flipped it back again and came in to check. The kitchen was back on but it looked as though the bulb had blown in the lounge. I decided that could wait until daylight. I came through to have a go at the mail which kept me going until 11.10 pm. I’ve fought hard with the blog and don’t feel inclined to let it beat me so I predict bed at midnight.
King of the Castle
A proper girly-girl
This must have taken some organising………
Thursday 24th March.
My prediction was off by 5 minutes but on the plus side. I read for an hour then put the candle out in my Wee Willie Winkie holder ( in case the lights go again ) so by just gone 1.00 pm I’d settled down to just listening to every noise and wondering if the burglars were back. I slept until 5.32 am which is really good going. No broken toes from middle of the night wanderings so it was a win win night. I made a start on the mail but had to stop at 6.00 am to get my meds and my cup of coffee. When I returned the floodgates had opened.I turned everything off, went to Mike’s room and disconnected the new computer bringing the base back with me. Virtually lying on the floor with a torch I disconnected my original base part by part and putting them on the new base as I did so until the old one was free.I turned the new one on and We Have Lift Off. I worked again until 9.15 am then made the effort to get dressed, no point in going out in my dressing gown as it was persisting down out there and I’d catch a chill coming back. I had to go to Pauline’s for the lottery before I forgot and I was due out tomorrow. I came back and took up the work again until 10.10 am when done and I could treat Joey to an edition of my his HUtH.
Once our programme was over I did come back to work. I caught up on the mail and then checked on the times of the buses for tomorrow. My normal bus is the T1 which is on Sunday service tomorrow. Clever as it doesn’t run on a Sunday. The other option is the No 11 which goes a different way and takes longer. It’s also on a Sunday service which means 2 hourly so I’d have to stay in Chester an extra hour before getting home for my lunch. I sent a text to Yvonne to apologise. She came back with the idea of coming shopping with me on Saturday which would be great ( especially as she’s found a new shop she wants to go to) and then I’ll see her Sunday too. At 11.45 am I went off to peel my sweet potatoes ready for lunch. That done I put my sausages under the grill for the first quarter browning then put the potatoes in the microwave as the sausages got their first turn. I had peas and carrots with it and some thick chip shop style gravy. Luscious.
After Bargain Hunt was over I settles for a power nap but a knock on the front door disturbed that after just ten minutes. By the time I realised what it was and opened the door whoever it was had gone. So, I came back to work and as it happens you’d all been busy while I was away. I also spent a little time with photographs ready to be used on the blog and then at 3.00 pm I broke off for Escape to the Country. Today it was a couple wanting to buy their first house together in Sussex. One was a lovely property from 14th C, absolutely beautiful. Globules of green jealousy were dropping off me and ruining the leather of my couch. I’m not sure how as I was sitting in a chair. I returned to work at 3.45 am and found a message from Yvonne that says it’s OK to miss tomorrow as she’ll come shopping with me on Saturday. That’s good news as she’s less restrained even than I am. I’ll get away with anything.
At 4.55 pm no matter what I abandoned my post (literally) and went through for some tea and my evening’s viewing starting of course with Cold Case. I was still awake for Without a Trace, I risked one eye for SG1 (it was a silly storyline) and then enjoyed Sanctuary with both eyes again. I don’t know whether Joey enjoyed them but he was in and out of his cage a lot while they were one. Problem was when he came out to his usual perch on the mirror ( the bottom of which is now missing all it’s gold leaf) his fiendish foe always seemed to be waiting for him. I was therefore treated so a session of headbut morse code against the glass. I don’t know why he either just doesn’t ignore him or at least takes the high road and befriend him. Probably too mean to share his seed. He’s not touching the honey seed stick despite there being no fruit in it. I think he just likes the shape of the bell version.
At 9.00 pm I turned off, then turned the TV off too and locked Joey’s cage. I had my meds and came through to tackle the mail which took until 10.35 pm. I’m doing wellwith the blog and expect to be in bed by 11.30 pm unless more mail has arrived by then.
Protective Big Brother.
You going ? Me sad.
Friday 25th March.
It was nearer 11.45 pm last night as more mail came in while I did the blog. No problemo. It was close to 1.00 am when I finished reading and put the light out and I don’t think sleep was long in coming. Unfortunately neither was waking which happened at 3.44 am. I say unfortunately because I was dreaming and it was an inopportune moment to wake. No-one can say Somnos doesn’t have a sense of humour ( I can…..and do) because he woke me as I was about to make love to a beautiful woman. Maybe he did me a favour to save me from causing disappointment or just from trying to remember what to do. These days I’d probably have to feel my way round a woman by braille over the various lumps and bumps to remember what they are. It might have been Ju as I never quite got to see but I’m sure that after 5 years she wouldn’t have objected. She was taken from us 3 years next week and I’m dreading the day.
After a visit to Pee Paradise I came back ad worked on my mail till 5.40 am when I broke off to take my meds and have breakfast. Since it’s Friday and that means there’s not much Good about it, I also had to refill my pots with next week’s drugs, and prepare a prescription request of the drugs I’m low on. That can’t go in till Tuesday next week so It’s as well I won’t be going to Chester then. So, back to the mail then, lots of it having passed deluge time. I got dressed at 8.30 am and went out at 9.30 am. Pauline had my baps in but not my brand of cigarettes so I’ve changed brand for the day. They’re getting cheekier, there are just 17 in the packet now. Going home I did a little more mail before Joey insisted I spend some time with him so I turned HUtH on and hoped he was in the mood. (No, not THAT mood you mucky devils). Once again when it was over I returned to work on the mail. I kept going until 11.45 am. It was time then for lunch.
I had bought a bag of Welsh potatoes to be used as baked spuds. There was a great instruction on the packet about how long to put them in the oven for but no similar destructions for the microwave so this would be a trial and error lunch. I chose two potatoes though I had no idea if I’d finish them, it just didn’t look a lot. In they went 7 minutes. BingOut they cam to be tested, still a bit hard in places. I thought another two minutes should do the job so back in they went. I opened a tin of beans to have with them once ready.BingAnother test and they seem much better. In go the beans for 2 minutes while I do a deeper cruciform cut on the top to open them a bit and drop in a load of butter. Bing. The beans are ready and get poured over the top. I add a small strawberry yoghurt to the tray and go into the lounge. I turn the TV on and start to eat. Mmmm, not bad at all. OK, baked potatoes can go back on the menu but from now on just the one I think. The yoghurt was good. I washed my pots while the contestants in Bargain Hunt were still walking round the shop and was back in my seat well before the auction. Both teams made a loss again.
At 1.00 pm I returned to work but I’d promised as today was a bank holiday to work less so this little energetic burst only lasted until 2.00 pm. I went back to the lounge at 2.00 pm ans started watching one of the Dr. Blake Mysteries. A nurse is found dead on the floor and a patient sitting by her with the knife says he can’t remember. OK, it becomes obvious he’s had ECT treatment to wipe the memory and we know he doesn’t touch knives. Blakey is on the trail of who really dunnit when dammit I fell asleep. Somnos mocks me by letting me wake up just after the programme has finished. The next one is a new quiz so I stayed for that too.At 3.00 pm I had to return to my screen though as I don’t want to leave a mess behind me when I go through for the evening. I caught up and kept on top until 4.45 pm when I decided to have some tea. Then I watched Cold Case and Without a trace till 7.00 pm before I went for a shower. I do wish I had a bathtub instead. When I was a clean boy ( sorry, there’s nothing I can do with my mind) I went to watch SG1 and hadn’t missed too much. I’m not going to say I fully followed the plot but maybe I’m just going Mutt n’ Jeff. Sanctuary was last and If I don’t stop doing this silly Quasimodo impression and using a heavy lisp I’m really going to kick myself in the Esmereldas. Once it was over I locked Joey in and went to take my meds, then said goodnight to Joey as I headed for my room.
Lots of post to catch up on but not to bad I was done by 10.40 pm. When I’ve finished the blog it will be another pre-midnight bedtime, though I do need to do the legs tonight.
Excited face.going to watch Beauty and the Beast.
Tired baby. Not too excited.
Saturday 26th March.
Bed at 11.50 pm and read until 1.00 pm, slept pretty much straight away asking myself how it’s possible after my power naps during the day. I was awake at 2.18 am knowing I’d want to sleep again later, just not sure when. I hoped it would be soon. By 3.25 am I’d dealt with all the mail and decided to try lying on the bed for a while. That stretched to 5.00 am. There weren’t many emails in when I woke again and I was able to enjoy Episode 1 of my friend Teagan’s new weekly serial with as usual, 3 things donated by the readers that she has to include. http://teagansbooks.com/2016/03/26/guitar-mancer-episode-1-luci/ . It’s always great fun if you want to join in and maybe even donate the three items one week. I had breakfast at 5.30 am then returned with a cup of coffee to work. I was in time for the start of the deluge which always starts with a minor trickle then throws the worst at you while you’re answering someone so you don’t notice.
I continued to work even when I heard the strangest sound outside. I thought it was Bert taking my bin down as it was 7.35 am and I’ve normally done it by now. I went and checked out of the window so I could say thank you but was shocked to see it was actually the bin men themselves. They were half a day earlier than usual and they’d come and collected my bin off the step for emptying it instead of ignoring it as they had last time. They even delivered the empty bin back to the step. The only trouble was they had the food bin collection too and I hadn’t emptied mine. Luckily there wasn’t very much and it will do next week. As they were disappearing in the distance I took out the paper, plastic and tin bags ready for the recycling collection whenever that might be. I ploughed on with the mail to get as much out of the way as I could before I’m picked up. I had an email at 8.30 am to say Yvonne, Ugo and Amelie were ready and willing but Reuben was still snoring. Considering the nights recently he hasn’t slept but kept them awake it’s just as well he’s sleeping now, just not very convenient. I said to bring his asleep and he can breakfast out but was joking.
At just gone 9.30 am I had a text to say they were on their way. I had all my begs handy ready to go and a full jar of copper to go into the machine if I could carry it that far. The post man arrived with letters about my council tax, yet another change in the amount I’ll pay next year (from April) and naturally it’s more. Still it has to be paid so the direct debit is in place. I’m getting closer to that date and I still don’t know what direct debits have been (or will be) set up for me to pay on the rent for the house or the garage. It’s very difficult to work out my monthly costs without that information. He also brought me some more jewellery for my stocks. I worked on my messages up to 9.55 am then put my coat on, braced my back and went outside to wait. I’d only been there a couple of minutes when they arrived. Off we went to ASDA.When we arrived Ugo dropped us at the door so he could go off for petrol. First he helped Yvonne get baby in a papoose pouch and Reuben into the trolley. I went to play the cash machine and try for the jackpot.
Inside, I had Yvonne pour the change into the machine and wait for a ticket. I went to get my sweet potatoes. The ticket came to just over £26 so of course we had the usual row when I told her to keep it and use it against today’s purchases. You might not believe this but I won. We were both picking things up as we were going round and we hadn’t even reached the food yet. I got flowers for Ju. I also picked up a couple of fun costume type things for Reuben and Yvonne got bibs for Amelie. I managed to pick up a couple of small gifts I wanted for tomorrow. As always happens, eventually we hit the food. Then it was a case of seeing who could fill my trolley faster. I went for bulk and at least got more space. Ugo came and took Roobs away to visit the loo while Yvonne and I headed for the tills. I must really be on form today. I let her stuff go through first. Ad the register showed the amount owed Yvonne handed over the voucher from the machine and while she or Ugo who had rejoined us went to pull cards out to pay the extra £12 I just handed over £20 to the cashier with a smile. Yvonne tried to stop us but I said “Too late, it’s been put on the till now.” Hola, another win! Mine went through and I laid it in the bags I’d set out in the trolley, such organisation. We went for a drink but certain surly people wouldn’t let me pay.
From there we went to look at The Range, a new store that had only opened yesterday. 16 different departments and 65,000 different products. It was great. Really nice stuff but I’d need much longer to look round properly and to stop for a drink while I thought. A weekday would be best when hopefully a lot quieter. There were too many people for me today. Time was really running away from us today and so we came home. It was about 2.15 pm when I got here. I made sure they took the chocolate and biscuits from last week with them then waved them off. I spent an age putting the shopping away and put Ju’s flowers in a vase out of the way till later. I made myself a late lunch and sat with a very excitable Joey while I ate it. Once done, I apologised to him and came through to start work. It wasn’t as bad as feared since I’d done so well with the morning’s post before going out. It still took until 5.30 pm though to get clear. It’s not worth say I watched TV during the evening as I seem to have been more asleep than awake and very sluggish and sneezy ( no missus, not the dwarf).
At 9.10 pm I shut Joey in and went through to take my meds. Ju’s flowers were looking a bit worse for wear and I thought maybe I should have put water in those vases really.I did so and decided to let them soak a bit. I’d do the flowers properly in the morning. I came through and started work. The mail I got through by 10.40 pm and I started the blog though I tried to keep up with any more mail coming through. I know I don’t usually publish this until midnight but I shall be a little early tonight as I want my bed. Perhaps 11.50 tops.
Wishing you all a Great Easter Sunday, a wonderful Bank Holiday Monday and a Fabulous new week ahead full of dreams come true. xxx Hugs Galore xxx
The ‘Butter wouldn’t melt’ look
And the crockledile took two of Pop’s fingers Ami.
I was in bed a few moments after midnight and read until about 1.00 am before settling down to sleep. The first wake at 2.03 am was a loo call only so I was able to settle again after a few minutes. The next wake was at 4.28 am and the perfect time to make a start on the mail. I had to break off at 6.00 am for meds and breakfast. I knew the post box would refill while I was away. It did. I returned to it about 6.30 am and had to grab a rogue pair of underpants to fan myself with when I saw the new total. But like everything else coping mechanisms can be applied which I did as soon as I got the underpants to the washing machine. Joey was pretty happy when I arrived at 9.20 am to let him out and stay for a chat because I’d managed to bring everything under control. I stayed with Joey and was tempted to have a power kip but at 10.00 am Mike got up and came through. I made a coffee and sat in he lounge as he started to come awake, We had a couple of episodes of 8 Simple Rules (9 if you allow for inflation) before I left to have a shave and get dressed. The new jeans I put on were a mistake though completely my own fault. I could have forgiven the description being skinny leg, stretch material even though they were in no way skinny but I couldn’t get over the fact I’d bought them with a button fly. Just imagine if you can the sheer hell of wanting to go and having to get to the loo on crutches then start hopping up and down trying to unbutton yourself before you go by accident. Added to which, I undid my belt to get at the top of the fly and that meant my trousers could fall down as a 38″ waist appears far too big to stay up without some form of support.
11.15 am and Mike was ready to go. It really looked nice outside so I opted for a sports jacket again. It was even quite warm so I was glad I hadn’t bothered with a jumper. We drove to Prestatyn ( Press wot in?), found a place to park and had a little wander. I’m still looking for a little inspiration for Easter gifts to go with the eggs. (No Yvonne, you read it wrong, I never mentioned eggs. I’m still paying for the meal instead). I wonder if I got away with that after my quick thinking? Towards midday we drifted over to the CookHouse. Mike reserved the seats with his hat and I went to place our order though the lady behind the bar knew it anyway. I sat down and waited for the drinks to arrive. I need my lime and lemonade to take the pre-foodie tablets. While I took my tablets Mike was on google trying to find Will Young’s name as I could only remember the Will part. One of his records had just been on the loudspeakers and Mike had thought it was a girl. Once he’d given up, we went to collect the meal. As usual I chose beef and Mike had beef and gammon. Back at the table Mike put an extra potato on my plate he’d got for me. Miracle of miracles, I couldn’t eat it.
After lunch we had another wander as my eagle eyes had spotted a liquidation sale. Judging by the prices I wasn’t convinced it was true as they were the same as before. I did buy myself some more ‘shreddies’ ( see blog cast list) though due to my stomach getting bigger after eating at the CookHhouse. We had a look in another shop and were tempted by the heads again but I behaved and since Mike was hopping from foot to foot I said I’d buy him a coffee. He went to the loo then brought the drinks outside to where I was sitting. We were doing OK until I heard a sound and looked up. Mike’s cheeks were like a chipmunk and his face was radiating red, I thought he was holding back a coughing session. All of a sudden he let go and projectile vomited in front of me. He really started coughing. By the time he’d cleaned up and calmed down he wasn’t sure what had caused it though I thought he’d tried breathing the coffee rather than drink it. We were parked near a £1 shop so picked up some wet wipes to clean himself properly then we got in the car and headed home.
He seemed to be well recovered as home got closer and he pulled into a place called the Pit Stop to see how much he’d saved on the console table he’d bought yesterday. In the booklet inside it was £99 and he’s paid £25 so he was well pleased. Back at home again I got changed and Mike suggested I have a sleep. He was going to head off home and listen to his football game as he went. Once he’d gone I had some nitrolingual and started work. I worked from 4.00 pm to 6.00 pm then went for a rest with Joey to talk to then at 9.00 pm I called it a night. Joey didn’t though. I had to keep popping through but he stayed on his mirror until my 10.30 pm nip and he was in so I shut the cage and said goodnight. I was clear of post at 10.30 pm and able to do the blog. 11.30 pm bed it will be.
Personal Taxi 1
Personal Taxi 2
Monday 14th March.
Yes, I was in bed, freshly gunked at 11.45 pm. I asses a little reading time to my hour because I was so close to finishing he book. Not so much that I hadn’t enjoyed the book by Gerald Seymour an ex TV journalist and News man famous for ‘Harry’s Game’ which was televised with the theme music by Clannad. But, because I was anxious to start my next read.It’s from a remainder bin by an author I haven’t heard of before, Tim Willocks. The title, The Twelve Children if Paris with a picture of a Templar Knight on the cover fascinated me. So, it was almost 12.55 am before the light went out. I slept, I woke. The first time was at 1.48 am but I turned over in disgust and went back to sleep. Actual time of getting up was 4.27 am.
Once up I visited the Piddle Palace then returned to sign on . The mail initially lasted me until 5.20 am when I decided to have breakfast and take my meds. By the time I eventually returned I was due for the daily influx of mail but thought I’d have a lie down first. Big mistake. It lasted from 6.10 am to 7.01 am and when I looked at the computer I had facing 117 already. I worked till 8.45 am then got dressed ready to go to take my prescription request to the chemist. I let Joey out first. On the way back I stopped at Pauline’s for cigarettes as I won’t have time in the morning. Back here it was head down and work hard again. I didn’t get my HUtH this morning because I needed to get the mail down. I just carried on until 10.50 am when Bev came for a chat. She chatted to myself and Joey equally and was with me until 11.25 am. The moment she left I came back to work until 11.45 am when it was time to look at lunch. I fancied nothing but had a small cottage pie in the end with buttered barm cakes and a rhubarb yoghurt. I watched Bargain Hunt until I couldn’t keep my eyes open longer and returned to the world again at 1.35 pm.
It was back to work again for the afternoon and i was only about 3.00 pm I seemed to be making any real progress. For once, less were coming in than were being done. I felt happy about stopping at 4.50 pm ready for my Cold Case. I wouldn’t stay away longer than 9.00 pm as mail was still coming in even if in dribs and drabs. The break in front of the TV was great, just what I needed. I’d been far too long in front of the other screen today. It made me think about the people who say I should give it up and that it’s too hard and I should just spend more time concentrating on them. I dutifully turned the TV off and locked Joey’s cage door, first making sure he was on the inside, then I took my meds and came through. I had a fun time with catch up and read some interesting posts, one that more or less stated that Jeremy Corbyn is rudderless and that the early days of the Blair governments was where he should be for the sake of the labour party. Corbyn’s success appears to have been because of support from various communist factions. That may well be true and I wouldn’t argue the point, after all I’m no fan of his but the early days of the Blair governments is what led to people’s disaffection for the labour party. I’m not in any better a position as having been a Tory all my life I haven’t been able to vote for them recently having seen a whole new side of the current party. Gone are the days of Labour piling on the taxes to overspend and the Tory’s lessening of the taxes to put money back in our pockets and still not having to borrow as heavily. The other one I read was about a female journo in the US suggesting Donald Trump’s men should develop a little more fight, and that the gun toting crowds are just high spirited. I wasn’t sure if she was a Trump supporter or just a very dry comedienne. What she seems to be inciting is riots and in riots people get hurt so I thought that was illegal. My idea that the world is really about caring for one another seems to be proving me wrong as usual. It seems the world is about looking after Number 1.
I was finished with my mail by 10.50 pm and able to come on to the blog. An eye opening evening to share.
More Outing.
More, More Outing
And here is an idea I borrowed from another blog today.Thank you
Tuesday 15th March.
OK. Fair enough, I offered to find the small gods a great holiday and somehow Australia fell through. (Thanks Andrea), but I never expected them to be so vicious in return. I was in bed, degreased this time, at 11.45 pm and I read until 12.35 am before settling down for the night. I was up at 2.18 am and that wasn’t even my first time awake. I signed in and started work. By 4.15 am I was up to date and decided to look at the new(old) computer. I managed to get the internet YAY and managed to get skype only it didn’t want to know my passwords so I’ve had to sign up for a new account and sent a message to MuJo for connection. Then I managed to get Barsetshirediaries on and also my email. It’s very funny working with new things. I can’t tell what’s different and Windows 7 and what is just orientated differently because this computer screen is square rather than oblong horizontally like my current one. They’re both 19″ but the view is so different. At 5.00 am with a little smugness and self satisfaction I took a break to get breakfast.
Going back to my normal desk after breakfast with a coffee I realised I’m in trouble. I’m happy to continue using my existing screen but everything else needs disconnecting and moving then the new base unit needs to come through and get connected up. It’s going to be a real problem in terms of my back and bending down behind my desk. Maybe it can wait a month for the return of The Man. As long as he isn’t gored by a moose while he’s out there he should be OK. I’m not sure you get that many mooses in casinos. I spent a few minutes with Ebay just for fun but didn’t buy anything. I left it open for later though. At 6.10 am I was sitting at my computer waiting for the deluge. I worked as hard as I could but by the time I was due out for the bus I still had 62 left. As I left I met Bert going for a paper. We chatted almost until we were due to cross the road when I suddenly recalled I hadn’t got my bus pass. A sharp about turn and an apology and I came back. On my way out again I was well on the way to the bus stop when one bus ( not mine) shot past without checking to see if anyone was at the stop. I was a little annoyed as I could only have been going to the bus stop and the driver never thought to stop and ask if I needed the bus. A minute later another one came and I was sure it was mine as I saw a message on the window about the T1 which mine has. Shoulders slumped I stopped to breathe. My own bus came, and it stopped.
The journey to Chester was full of little power naps which I was grateful for. When I actually arrived I had a message to say progress was slow this morning as Reuben hadn’t wanted to get up. I had a quick look round one shop then walked towards where they’d come from, to meet them. Roobs saw me and galloped towards me like a Sumo and tackled my legs. I, standing firm like an oak tree in the wind, did not go down. The first thing he saw was my bag with gifts. There was a remote control plane (on wheels) and he tried everything in his arsenal to try and get it out of the bag. Being told it was Pops’s didn’t deter him either, as he just started offering t get it out for me. Distraction tactics had to be brought into play. Poor Amelie has a nasty little cough but no tears . She sat on my knee with a glum face, pretty much like all females do I suppose. We went to our usual shop for coffee and a second breakfast I didn’t want. While Yvonne fed the baby I went for a wander and came back with two sets of single bedding at £2 each. It must have cost more than that to make. Quite a nice blue stripe. Downstairs I got Yvonne some jeggings after a battle.
After battle we moved on to another shop where I got Reuben some chocolate.There were tears when I wouldn’t let him have it until it had been paid for, but we got by. Yvonne bought a few things there. Amelie needed a bit more food and as she was awake again we headed for the local Supermarket and it’s cafe. They’d opened a clearance shop next door and I managed to get Ugo a nice jacket there. I picked up my bread and some yellow roses to replace the daffodils I’d got for Ju on Saturday. They hadn’t lasted at all. By now it was time to start heading for my bus so we set off on our way again. At the bust stop I managed to get a smile from Amelie and a kiss from Rueben and of course from Yvonne. She thought we were seeing each other on Sunday but I had to point out it’s a week on Sunday, the 27th which is also the day they lose an hour’s sleep though maybe I’d better keep that to myself for now.
The bus ride back was pretty good as again I slept a good bit of the journey. I had time to call into Pauline’s for my new TV magazine (she’d run out of curry and chips) and get home without the discomfort of my bladder threatening to explode. I put my bread away in the kitchen and could tell Joey was happy to to see me as he was bobbing up and down on the mirror and giving me a good telling off. Since it was gone 1.00 pm I’d missed Bargain Hunt and I didn’t need lunch straight away because of my second breakfast. I just went straight to work. I stayed in front of the screen from 1.20 pm to 4.30 pm before I went and had something to eat. I watched the first half an hour of Cold Case then slept through the other half hour plus an hour of Without a Trace before waking in time for Star Gate SG1. At 8.00 pm I thought I’d spent long enough away and returned to work. First I went to check on the new computer to see if the Skype was still OK and whether MuJo had responded. The computer was OK’ish but struggled to boot up at first. MuJo hadn’t responded to my Skype request but while I was there I was able to Bookmark a few of the pages I use most often, including this one so now I can update from almost anywhere………..well, from within two rooms at least. My empire. Tomorrow I want to put a programme on that I have the disk for as it’s the place I do my silly poems on and get my clip art.
I returned from the wilderness room at 10.15 am to play catch up again and to come on to the blog. It’s looking hopeful for midnight.
The Deadly Duo.
Hippy ready for Spring
This treat is from a film I really enjoyed.
Wednesday 16th March.
I’d got to bed at 11.50 in the end. I read for just over the hour and lights went out at 12.45 am.
When I woke I knew I wanted more sleep which I wasn’t going to get. It was 15.39 am on my clock glowing malevolently in the dark. I went through to the toilet and noticed as I did that I hadn’t turned off the light in Mike’s room. Sticking my head in I found the computer still on as though the shut down I’d ordered last night had not been actioned. I turned it off completely which means I shall suffer when I next reopen it. I returned to my room and caught the face of my clock, the time read 1.56 am meaning somehow I’d seen 1.53 am before but imagined something different. The small gods must be laughing again. I turned the computer on to see if there was anything of great import I needed to see. The answer struck NO, but I wasn’t sure that was the whole answer. I was there and might as well work on the mail.
In a hideous coincidence (?) the first batch of mail took me until 3.39 am to do by which time Id been kicking myself for my own stupidity. My clock is set as a 12 hour one, not a 24 hour one so it couldn’t show 15.39 am. I found myself in a sort of half doze at the computer.I was not quite there yet able to deal with each message as it came in. Sometimes there were a few to deal with and at others just the odd one. At 5.00 am I took a break and went for breakfast and to take my meds. Cornflakes today and I quite enjoyed them. I was faffing around as my friend Judy would say http://edwinasepisodes.com/2016/03/16/wacky-word-wednesday-26/ so I didn’t return to my desk until 5.55 am. I had 15 minutes to clear the boards for the daily flood. I made it. Just. It was a close run thing. When it arrived it took me until 9.20 am to be clear again.
I had HUtH on with Joey but must have nodded off half way through as it wasn’t there when I woke up at 11.15 am. I dashed through to play catch up and found a message on my phone that Jade would be here about midday. I texted back, ‘Magic’ and wondered what to do about lunch. I put my shoes on, took my pre-foodies and went to the chippy only to find it closed until 11.45 am. I walked back to Pauline’s and bought some microchips and a sachet of curry sauce then hurried home to do them. They took 9 minutes between them so I hoped I hadn’t been out longer than about 7 minutes. Whatever, I enjoyed the end product and I had washed up before she arrived. I left her doing the lounge then came through to deal with the mail again.
A Motown boxed set I got on ebay arrived a day after I found I’d already got the same set. I’m wasting time on ebay as I’m having no joy at creating anything towards Amelie’s book. I wonder if I can pick up a second hand brain anywhere, mind you this one’s male so it’s hardly used. I’m looking at some jewellery at the moment but I still haven’t managed to find Easter gifts. Jade left at 2.10 pm and I sort of relaxed a bit though I carried on working. At 3.00 pm I broke off to watch Escape to the Country. It’s always interesting to see what kind of house they want and what the mystery house is that the team present them with. At 3.45 pm I did come back though so it wasn’t a big skive. At 4.30 pm Dil arrived so I went to make him a cuppa. I had to replace all my vases onto the windowsills and bring back my measuring and pouring jugs that Jade thought looked better there. I need to do the kitchen floor tomorrow. She washed the net curtains from the kitchen and lounge today. Dil and I watched our usual programmes then out came the games. First the Yahtzee which he won the first game 4-2 despite me squealing like a girl at his double Yahtzees. I won the second set 4-2 despite him sounding like a big girls blouse and howling at my game even though I won with no Yahtzees at all. The Trivial Pursuit went to him. I was still a piece of cake short when I chose to ask him the final question which I was sure he wouldn’t know. Dalmations! The cards came out and I won both games of cribbage. He seemed to think I wasn’t putting the fives back in the pack. Doesn’t he know that’s what long sleeves are for? He left at 9.30 pm and I had a quick tidy round before shutting Joey up (in his cage) and going through to take my meds. I came though to start on the mail and the blog. The mail took until 11.05 pm. I’m writing fast now to finish before midnight.
I’m so excited and I just can’t fight it, I’m about to lose control ……………
Apprentice dog walker
Thursday 17th March
Greased up ready for a channel swim and climbed into bed at 11.55 pm. Was texting Mike to wish him a nice holiday today and the replies were going back and forth for a few minutes so that I didn’t start reading until 12.10 am. Book down, lights out at 12.57 am I woke this morning at 5.02 am. A wonderful 4 hours of unbroken sleep. Yay! I logged on and started the mail which somehow I finished for 6.08 am. I went to the kitchen for my meds before the new batch arrived. There was no avoiding the fact that the new lot would arrive so I returned ready for battle. I worked until 9.00 am then went off to the chemist’s. And before some bright spark among you asks, Yes, I did get dressed. I’d put my scrip in on Monday and nothing been received yet. It turns out it was still at the surgery and unsigned. From Monday. That’s idiotic! The chemist said I cold have it as soon as received but of course that may be tomorrow. I called in at Pauline’s for my lottery so I may not have to go out at all tomorrow now then returned home to work again. I worked until 11.40 am before I was up to date enough to go and make my lunch. The usual Thursday treat of bangers and sweet potato mash, throw in some mixed veg and I was a happy man as I poured thick gravy over the lot.
I watched Bargain Hunt as I ate then did the washing up and returned to my seat for the auction. As soon as it was over I was out like the proverbial light. I didn’t hear Joey complain about snoring so it must have been OK. I didn’t rouse myself until 2.05 pm, then I shuffled my feet as fast as I could back to work. I was just passing the front door when my drugs (75% anyway) were delivered. No doubt the rest will arrive tomorrow. I started work again, it was a bit of a slog but at 3.20 pm when there seemed to be a natural lull I was able to sign into the other one to see if there was a skype response yet. That would be a no then. I shall have to risk disturbing them tomorrow to see how they are and that always worries me because John’s health is not fantastic and his mother is well into her 90’s. Still, sending one text doesn’t seem out of order. I started loading things from the disc I’d done onto my desktop. Once I discovered it was drag and drop my confidence soared. While it was doing and before I went to start my evening viewing, I started to load another disc on my normal computer. I need to get as many files off as possible.
At 5.00 am I made a sandwich to go with my BFG (Oops, didn’t I mention that before) then sat and enjoyed Cold Case. I started on Without a Trace but that woozy dust must have risen when Joey flew, it invaded my nostrils and I was gone. I was ten minutes into StarGate SG1 before the dust settled again. I watched an episode of Sanctuary which isn’t turning out to be like expected and then even though I should have packed up and come through I turned over (The channel, not me) to look at the Shannara Chronicles as I was a big fan of Terry Brookes books. It seemed OK but I confess to not remembering this story.I was glad to see one of my favourite actors there, John Rhys-Davies who sounds the same but isn’t looking well these days. Maybe it’s time for me to reread the books. I only watched half way though as I was conscious of the time and even Joey had gone in expecting me to close his door. So at 9.30 pm I did. I took my meds, called goodnight to Joey and came back to my room. The disc I’d left downloading that said two weeks 3 days to go was done. Liars.
I caught up on the mail then at 10.40 pm started on the blog. I expect I’ll be done by 11.30 pm if I make up my mind about pictures and music.
The Fairy
The little monkey.
Friday 18th March
Bed at 11.45 pm but some of the extra time was because I was doing my legs….no, not shaving them Madam, putting cream on. I must be enjoying the new book because I read till almost 1.00 am to get to the end of a long chapter. Lights out and sleep came quite quickly. Alas so did wakefulness again, at 2.27 am. Somnos has got it in for me big time at the moment. I used the time to put some more files on the new computer and ballsed it up in a big way. 3.20 saw me having to create a new disc with the files I thought I had. 2 days 20 hours was the predicted download time ??? It did it in about 20 minutes or so though the next two downloads to the same disc ,the full 2 days. At least it felt that way, they were still going when I returned from my breakfast at 5.30 am. I think I’m done now. I just need to transfer them to the correct place on the new base.
At 5.00 am I went through to see about taking my meds and doing my tabs for the next week. I decided against breakfast as I could have tea for a change. Then I decided lunch was too far away and changed my mind. Rice Krispies today. Funny how I always find myself with a wart on my face when I finish. Because the files were still transferring on my return I went and filled the mop bucket and did the kitchen floor. I really must get a squeegee mop. There were a few more messages to take care of when I returned but at least I’d be clear for the new stuff when it arrived. When it did arrive it got my full attention. I worked through to 9.50 am before I’d finished and went to watch HUtH. As soon as it was over I was back though to catch up again. I managed it by 11.40 am and decided to celebrate. I put my shoes on and my jacket, took my tablets then walked up to the chippie. By the time I got back my fifteen minutes was up so I tore through the wrapper to the food and ate. Difficult when you have curry sauce but hey ho.
I was about half way through lunch when the doorbell went, I had to put my tray down and answer it. There stood standing on my doorstep was a stick insect thin man with a drippy nose. I could sympathise with that as it was cold out today. He was from the National Office of Statistics and had come to make an appointment for me to answer a questionaire. To be honest I’ve sort of been expecting him. As it’s here, I think I’ll be OK and have agreed to do it (if only to get back to my lunch). I sat back down and watched Bargain Hunt. Once that was over I knowingly with no malice aforethought shuffled my bottom on the chair and closed my eyes. I slept,oh how I slept, it must have been for all of five minutes before I was startled awake by the doorbell. This time it was the chemist with the missing part of my scrip from yesterday. My doorbell so rarely rings I never take precautions like pulling the wires out and sticking it in the bin. I came back to work instead.Once I’d caught up I headed for the other computer to put some more files on.
At 4.30 pm I needed a break which I almost got tripping over the hall carpet. I went to sit in the lounge with a rhubarb yoghurt. It was no company at all so I talked to Joey instead. At 5.00 pm I watched Cold Case which of course was followed by Without a Trace aka Power Nap time, it had a very good ending. That in turn was followed by Star Gate SG1 which brought me to 8.00 pm. Knowing there is an R in the month I decided I’d better have a shower or the underarm spray won’t be enough any more. I fully intended coming to my bedroom to catch up again after the shower but I must have got water on the brain and turned right instead of left, either that or I was walking backwards. Finding myself in the lounge again I sat and watched Sanctuary, or as much as there was left. Finally I shut the TV off , closed Joey’s cage door and went to take my meds. I was ready to go into battle. I worked on mail till 10.35 pm then started on the blog. Things are going well so far and I’m looking at 11.30 pm approx if I can decide on pictures.
St Patrick’s Day snooze
St Patrick’s Day smile ( I get the feeling somebody’s watching me…)
Saturday 19th March.
I didn’t actually know what day to write this one a it could be classed as a continuation of Friday really. However I’ll let you decide for yourselves. Without being accurate on the timings, the reason I say that is as follows. Roughly 11.30 pm bed. Roughly 12.30 am lights out for sleep. Roughly 1.30 am back up again as I couldn’t get to sleep and both legs were playing up despite having been creamed. I thought if I got up, maybe I could make myself tired enough to sleep anyway. As I was up, why waste time? I might as well start answering mail albeit piecemeal. Hmm, just using that word made me hungry but my willpower will succeed. Anyway, I don’t want indigestion thanks. At 3.00 am all was quiet so I lay on the bed and succeeded in nodding off until 4.27 am.I didn’t complain at what was after all a victory of sorts. Once I was ‘compost mental’ again I spent time on the new mail that had come in then I went to make payment on Ebay for some things I’ve won.
At 5.00 am I had breakfast and my meds. I opened Joey’s cage and replaced the water and seed for him. It was perhaps a little early to let him out but he’d decide for himself when it was light enough to come out. I returned to work and got my mail box clear at 9.20 am. I just had a text to say Yvonne and Ugo had a bad night with Amelie leading to little/no sleep and that Reuben was in stroppy mode today. Ugo was just getting himself ready to come to me. It’s going to be difficult to shop this late with crowds around but he’ll stay with me. I shan’t have long as he needs to be back by 11.50 am. I shall be shopping on the run. Just as well I only want two shops. It was 9.40 am I got a text to say he was on the way. That meant about a 10.10 am arrival. I went to wait outside to save time and he was very close to the ETA. After a short but violent discussion about where we were going, (it turns out he’s frightened of ‘er indoors when he’s there and of me at this end so my suggestion of Tesco’s won out. He’s a very gentle and considerate soul.
I got everything from my list that was due from there, I didn’t pick flowers as the current vase seems to be doing OK. I can get some any day it looks like we need replacements. At the till we were served by my favourite young girl who Ju and I loved to go to if we could. Always as bright as a button and so pleasant. After Tesco we moved on to Homies. Luckily, he needed to be home at 1.00 pm instead of midday so we weren’t so pressed for time. I got my squeegee mop from there and my pop plus my mini cereals. I hadn’t been able to get any cash at Tesco’s so I used up my supply of readies. When we came out of Homies I went to the bank in the town centre very close to where we were at Homies. Then Ugo brought me home and we proceeded to put things away. I thanked him for the help, he said goodbye and left. Only after he’d gone did I notice he’d forgotten some things like biscuits and chocolate. I’ll have to take them next week. (I’m sure they’ll survive )I let Yvonne know he was on his way in case she worried about the time. It was just midday.
I came through to do some catching up before taking a break at 1.00 pm for lunch. I’d picked up a braised steak and mash meal for today. It was really nice and I know Joey enjoyed the company. I even watched a bit of TV before succumbing to whatever had been put in the mash and dozes off for an hour and a quarter. I’m afraid it was the need to have a wee rather than a guilty conscience which made me leave my seat so I eventually returned to catch up on emails. I spend most of the afternoon here partly trying to figure out why John hasn’t responded to my Skype request yet he’s tried to contact me twice on Facebook where he knows I hardly ever go, and since he wasn’t on when I was, we couldn’t connect then either. It would be easier just to send me a text. Late afternoon and I had a temporary lull in proceedings so I made a bolt for the lounge, it didn’t fit though. I stayed there with Moaning Mike Joey watching a couple of films and then the start of a programme on The Jackson 5/Jacksons until 9.30 pm. Then it was time for the final battles of the night, no, not to stay awake. I needed to get the mail down and the blog done.
Mother and child
The Happy Day.
Have a Fantastic New Week all of you. I wish you Dreams Come True and Hugs Galore.
I was actually in bed close to midnight, or at least on bed as I slathered myself in enough gunk to do a Channel swim. When I’d thrown out a couple of anchors to keep me in place I started reading which I ended just gone 1.00 am. It took a short time to find a cool enough spot for my legs and then I slept. The first period lasted until 2.28 am and then I woke ready to go to the loo. No problem as I hopped back into bed straight after a cigarette and was able to sleep again. The second session ended at 5.01 am which seemed on a par with usual really. This time I didn’t need an immediate visit to the Piddle Palace and so was able to log into the computer. I made a start on the mail from overnight but broke off at 5.45 am to get my meds. When I came back I was heading towards completion when the new batch arrived. I ended up working until 8.15 am before the first clear patch and the chance of a break so I disappeared to the lounge to let Joey out and sit with him for a while.
At 9.15 am there was a knock at the front door. It was my neighbour Bert to see if I had a mirror he could use to see the back of his head as he trims it. I do have one somewhere but I couldn’t find it so he left empty handed. I did say if he had no luck later, to call and I’d trim it for him. As soon as he’s gone, Mike got up. Very unusual for a Sunday. I made him a coffee while he asked what Bert wanted. We watched a couple of episodes of 8 Simple Rules from the early series while John Ritter was still alive. Then I went to get dressed. When I was done, Mike toddled off to his room and got ready. At 11.00 am we left the house in search of mirrors. We went to Tesco where we found two mirrors on stands at £2.50 each which were good but I asked to go to Home Bargains in case they had a hand mirror. The first think I found were two mirrors on stands like the Tesco ones but with a magnification of 3X on one side and they were just 99p each. Mike found one hand mirror. When we’d finished in Homies we gave some thought to lunch. Knowing Mike wanted to get away early this afternoon I didn’t want to suggest anywhere and he didn’t want to decide either so we gave the car it’s head. The Cookhouse was the choice. Wise decision, there were so many moans of ecstasy coming from our table at the taste and tenderness of the beef (plus pork in Mike’s case) we were getting a lot of funny looks. Four people just ordered “Whatever they’re having.” After lunch we came home and I fell asleep the minute I hit my chair. Not too sure when Mike left but he’d gone when I woke. I was glad as I hoped it would give him time to get the problem sorted with his visit to Canada in a couple of weeks. He’s been given 10 days to sort it yet it took them 3 weeks to notify him there was a problem. I turned to work. It was 3.15 pm and I stayed until 6.00 pm when I went to have some tea. I stayed there until after Beowulf and then came back through to make sure the mail was cleared before starting the blog. It took until 10.49 pm but I’ll be in bed before midnight I’m sure.
Feel the force
Getting the punch line.
Monday 29th Feb.
T’was a funny old nite. I was in bed for 11.45 pm and I could only read until about 12.15 am as I did feel tired…of what I’m not sure. I don’t imagine it took me long to get to sleep but waking at 2.01 am came as a bit of a shock and didn’t feel right. I sat and had a cigarette while I decided what to do and after some consideration, going back to bed seemed favourite. I lay there for some time willing sleep to come but it obviously missed the first few buses so I took to my chair in the lounge. That worked and it was 5.34 am before I resurfaced. Despite the fact I was still yawning it didn’t seem a bad length of sleep. I went straight to the kitchen and took my meds realising that I’d completely forgotten last night’s again. Oops! I made a coffee to bring back to my room stopping off on the way at the House of Pee when I realised I was hopping from foot to foot.
I signed on and started on the mail. I was making real headway before the new batch arrived but they didn’t seem so bad this morning. I was finished by 8.50 am and able to get dressed ready to take my prescription request to the chemist. Mail was still coming in but in much smaller , more manageable batches. I went to let Joey out and tell him I’d be back to watch TV with him later, then walked up to the Shop Parade as it’s known and tucked my prescription request in the box provided. I know it will be back on either Tuesday afternoon or Wednesday. It was cool out but fairly bright so I chanced a sports jacket instead of my leather one. I was well layered beneath it though. It was really nice and it seemed a shame to be coming back indoors. I hoped tomorrow would be a similar day so I could dress as though Spring has sprung. When I got back in I returned straight away to the mail to keep some kind of control on it. At 9.55 am I went through to join Joey for HUtH. I know it’s his favourite because he chirrups through it.
Once it was over and I’d taken in a parcel from the postman I returned to my mail. Quite a few in while I was away. One I found absolutely amazing was here…. https://meatdoesntgrowinmygarden.wordpress.com/2016/02/29/ausones-notebook-22-nd-instalment-amwriting-mondayblogs-cats-iartg/ It seems that in Belgium in the town of Linkebeek there were elections at which the same French speaking candidate was elected 3 times but was not empowered as Mayor by the Regional Dutch speaking Authorities who instead appointed the second place man who then had to step down as he had no majority. The area is predominantly French speaking of course. And people wonder why I laugh at the idea of a United Europe and want to leave the fold. I thought I must have missed my warden again despite telling her (by text) to come in if the door is unlocked, but even as I thought it she knocked. We had a good natter then she left to go elsewhere and I saw to my lunch which today was a beef stew and dumplings. I watched Bargain Hunt and enjoyed seeing two teams of youngsters make a small profit each.
I came back to work again and found a message from Yvonne asking me about a new coin the Royal Mint are going to do. Grandparents it’s time to prick up your ears or maybe your eyes. What a delightful keepsake for a child and possibly a small investment too. Maybe a full set of 4 of the general coins in uncirculated condition? http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/royal-mint-making-coin-honour-10963753 I only needed to work until 3.00 pm and the box was empty again. I was supposed to be looking at starting something creative but after staring at the screen for about 5 minutes I gave up the ghost and went to talk down to Joey. He doesn’t like it but he’s not big enough to matter. See how brave I can be ! I fell asleep, but then you expected that didn’t you. I wasn’t out for long as I wanted to spend from 3.45 pm to 4.30 pm in here in case more mail came and also to leave feedback on ebay for this morning’s parcel. From 4.30 pm I fully intended to be watching Flog It, and I was. For tea I had some biscuits and a yoghurt so I could take my tablets For a change I had dark chocolate digestives and was so proud of myself for having the half chocolate covered item for a change. Talk about health conscious. I watched Cold Case, Without a Trace and then an ancient episode of Murder She Wrote with Malcolm McDowall, It was one of the early Iron Age Episodes and I think we’d just started occupying roundhouses. The various grunts and beatings of the chest left me a little confused so at 8.00 pm I locked Joey in, took my meds and came through on another catch up with my peeps who I can at least understand. Well, some of you anyway. I’m tired and intend to have a very early night. Fingers crossed it doesn’t result in a very early morning too.
Mum, Amelie is going to pick her nose.
Tuesday 1st March. St David’s Day.
10.40 pm bed and I only read until 11.15 pm before attempting to sleep. I know midnight had come and gone before I was able to do so as despite the applied creams my legs, especially the left, itched like mad. It was difficult to even relax when all I wanted to do was scratch. At some stage I fell asleep but woke again at 1.12 am, it was the itching. I was still tired so I moved to my chair in the lounge and fell asleep with my pyjamas legs rolled up to the knee. I slept until 3.17 am and that was the end of sleep for another night. The early night had been countered by the early morning. Ah well, at least I was guaranteed an early start on last night’s mail considering how early I departed. The mail took me until 5.20 am and I chose to go have my meds and breakfast then. I was surprised just how awful it sounded outside as I hear nothing in my little room usually. When I’d eaten my toast I sent a text to Yvonne to see what she wanted to do today as I didn’t want her to get drenched bringing the babies out. On the other hand I haven’t seen them for a week and I do have some choice prezzies to take. By joint agreement a few minutes later I’m not going to Chester today. No point in all of us being wet and miserable, I can do that at home. I will ask Mike if we can meet up with them on Saturday morning after Reuben has been to the cinema.
So, I was able to stay with the mail until completion. I had a small break at 9.00 am to go to Pauline’s for chips with curry sauce and some cleaning materials. Then I came back and continued until 9.40 am when I could shout Huzzah from the rooftops, or I might have done if I could have reached one of the perishing things. The mailbox was empty! Temporarily I know, but for now empty. I went to talk to Joey who was actually having a (not very intelligent) chat with his friend in the mirror. Isn’t it amazing how they’re both as aggressive as each other and he still hadn’t noticed. At 10.00 am I put on HUtH to distract him. It did, he flew from the mirror straight into the kitchen and straight back out into his cage. Even Bev yesterday noted how much he loves his cage. Strange when the door is open and there are a multitude of perches in the room he could try if he wanted, including my head and/or shoulder. After a while I was distracted from my programme when he came out of his cage and landed on the chest of drawers to the left of the cage, plopped himself down in front of a photo of Ju and tried to start an argument. Of course it may have been his reflection in the glass again but who knows.
At 11.00 am I returned to work and turned the TV off. Joey shut up immediately I got out of the room while the miracle was still happening. There wasn’t too much post I’m glad to say so at 11.40 am I was able to give some thought to lunch. Ha, don’t make me laugh, I’ve been thinking about chips and curry sauce since I bought it. I took my pre-foodies and buttered some baps before doing it so it was 12.10 pm before I was ready to sit and eat. I saw Bargain Hunt out. The minute it was over, I rushed back, found 3 pieces of mail only and decided to have a power nap first. Back in my chair I closed my eyes and blinked…..one long blink until 12.55 pm. Then I came back to try and decide whether to risk buying one of the computers I’m looking at on ebay. They call them refurbished and they have 8G of RAM and 1TB of memory, Windows 7 and are dual core. My nephew is trying to dissuade me from getting one of these and suggests another site but they’re twice as much and more there. I think he may have relented a little as I sent him the details of two more a little later, both on ebay. He must have realised my financial limitations and said whichever one I chose he’d help me with.
The afternoon was charged with little darts back and forth between the lounge and work. There seemed to be less to do today which was great as most Tuesdays are frantic. So, had I gone to Chester I wouldn’t have been too stretched when I got back. There was a knock at the door about 3.00 pm which because I was expecting my drug dealer I answered. There was a man in a white coat and I panicked. But when he spoke it was someone from Grimsby selling fish. I’m shocked since we have Conwy a few miles down the coast with it’s own fishermen. Grimsby is a long way from here and there must be somewhere between here and there that they could market their fish without driving this distance. Perhaps not. Approaching 4.00 pm the doorbell rang and this time it was my dealer. In exchange for a month’s supply I passed over a box of Quality Street. I’m sure most dealers don’t work so cheaply. At a few minutes to five I had some chineapple punks and then watched Cold Case which was really quite sad as it involved lobotomies. Then it was Without a Trace which I missed the very last couple of minutes of by dozing off. It’s bloody annoying. Why I punished myself by watching another ancient Murder She Wrote where our heroine played herself and her London cousin at the same time I don’t know. But I did. I have actually enjoyed this series in the past but some are really old hat.
At 8.00 pm I came through intending to stay and make sure the mail is kept down before doing the blog. It’s possible I may have slipped into ebay here and there purely by accident of course. Actually I was sending a friend the number of my Himalayan Salt lamp which she’d never heard of. It’s supposed to help the air when it’s on. But it’s really quite pretty too. I also ordered a new computer which will arrive Thursday.
Not for sale.
Kraftwerk?
Wednesday 2nd March
I got an early night and was in bed by 11.00 pm . I read until 11.45 pm, it’s a book by Gerald Seymour and promises to be good. Sleep wasn’t as hard to come by as last night but a couple of times I dropped off only to wake up seconds/minutes later.Eventually after a proper sleep I woke at 3.13 am in my chair in the lounge. I sort of have memories of going there but can’t remember when or why. It being far too early to take my meds I picked up a fresh bottle of Pepsi Max and went back to my bedroom to sign on. I did my gmail first then at 4.25 when I had emptied that, I turned to ebay to check out the temporary insanity of yesterday and ordering a new refurbished computer like I did. Since it’s Windows 7 and has 8 Gig of RAM and 1TB of memory I’m hoping for more speed out of it and perhaps being able to get my skype back. Lee says I should back up my files to the slave hard disk drive but I have no idea how to do that. This Silver Surfing thing only goes so far with me.
At 5.00 am I went through to the kitchen to take my meds and have some breakfast. Toast again this morning, but a bap rather than sliced bread. When I came back with my coffee afterwards I took the bull by the horns and decided to learn how to back things up. I started it going but am not sure if I’m backing it up to the right place- the internal or external HDD. The choices were limited to 2 things and one of those was the DVD writer so I opted for the other with was labelled D Drive. I’ve set it to do a weekly back-up from now as well.
I started again on the gmail stuff that had come in. At 6.10 am more and more started coming until I thought I’d be here all day. As it was, I was clear by 9.40 am. As it was very light now I went through to let Joey out of his cage and to change his water, seed and millet. Obviously I had to wait for him to come out before putting the millet in. He was in a very good mood this morning, very chatty. As usual all I understood was Joey,Joey, but he seemed to enjoy me repeating it to him when he said it. He could just think I’m a trained parrot of course. I stayed with him until 11.00 am when it was time for another turn in the trenches. This time I was occupied until 11.50 am when I thought it time to start my lunch or I’d miss Bargain Hunt. Today I had some corned beef, micro chips and a small tin of beans. I’ll use another one of the micro meals on Friday but tomorrow is my bangers and mash day. At this rate I’ll only need to buy one meal for next week.
1.00 pm should have been a return to the computer but my backside just sidled down the chair and I closed my eyes. Forty minutes later I was as fresh as a daisy. I wnt back and worked until 3.00 pm when Escape to the Country was due to start. I had everything under control so I was happy to leave a few till later and disappear to watch it. Big mistake! I returned to the bedroom at 3.45 pm and sat down. I had just opened the first email when I heard the front door open very quietly. As I leaned over and looked towards the front door, there was Dil almost an hour early. I’ve asked him whether it’s worth working these days. He’d been on a site meeting fairly local and just finished. It wasn’t worth driving all the way back just to finish and come back here again. Anyway, the boss said it was OK and he’s the boss so who’s going to argue. So, I went through and made him a cup of tea while he took his coat off. We chatted about our weekends then watched half a quiz, an antiques show and then our usual full quiz.
At 6.00 pm as the TV went off the table came out- the top fell off- it was replaced and I put the Yahtzee on the table. OMG, he won the first sheet 5-1 I didn’t know what had hit me. I won the second sheet 4-2 giving him the over all win. The Trivia came out. the opposite of last week Dil was the first to start collecting pieces and he had 3 in before I got my first. I did manage to get the sixth and last piece just before him but that didn’t help much. We shuffled round trying to get to the centre. I missed an answer and then Dil missed two on the trot. Finally I managed to get back thee for another try and he asked me one I knew. That’s one game each. We had time for one game of Cribbage before he was due to leave and he beat me with a street to spare. I swear he’s better at cheating than I am these days. I waved him off, quietly regretting it wasn’t raining harder then came back in to tidy up and wash the pots. I wished Joey Nos da but all he did was hop into the corner of his cage as the cruel master locked him in for the night. A quick nip to the kitchen to take my meds and then through to the bedroom to start work again. It was bad. It’s going to be another midnight finish.
Masterchef.
Is it love I see?
Thursday 3rd March.
I was in bed at 11.50 pm and had a good read for an hour before turning out my light. Sleep wasn’t too long in coming once I made myself comfortable. No wake ups in the middle of the night and I slept until 3.11 am. After a nip to the loo I came back and signed on. First job was to check the bank. My pension was in OK but there was no deduction for further rent or Council Tax so it looks as though they’ll have to take everything on 15th March so I don’t end the year in debt. That could be a fair old chunk of money from January. I started on my emails but broke off around 5.00 am to take my meds. I also filled 3 small Pepsi bottles from a big one and put them in the fridge. A much easier size to keep next to my bed or on my side table in the lounge. After making a coffee to bring back I returned to work. I finished the emails before the next lot were due to arrive so I started looking at ebay. At smart TV’s of all things. I was so tempted last Saturday at Argos, a 43″ screen at a cracking price that would have been like the cinema in my lounge but I reckon my ‘bro’ wouldn’t be able to say he couldn’t read the quiz questions on Pointless any more.
I worked until 9.15 am then nipped to Pauline’s to get some bread and other things including my lottery. I had to leave a note on the door to say I was out for 5 mins unless Jade turns up. I still have no idea what time she’s working today. When I got back I’d had an email to say my computer will be delivered between 13.28 pm and 14.28 pm which I thought was very specific . I did some more mail until 9.55 am then left the rest while I went to watch HUtH with Joey. Once that was over and the turning off of the TV stopped his running commentary I went back to do some mail for about 40 minutes then went through to the kitchen to peel my sweet potatoes. At 11.15 am I had a text message from Jade to say she’d be here at 2.00 pm. Good, I thought in case I needed someone to carry the box. (joke). At 1.00 pm I started to clear the next lot of emails that had arrived and since there was the opportunity to follow the driver of the van bringing me my computer I decided to do so. It showed our relative positions on the map. Alan is currently delivering parcel No 43, you are No 38, Alan will be with you in approx half an hour. I followed him along the coast road until he ended up a little past me doing drop No 40. Alan will be with you in approx 15 minutes. At 1.35 pm he arrived. I signed for the box thinking it was a bit small but of course there won’t be all the polystyrene to get rid of if this is a refurbished model. I slid the box along the carpet to Mike’s bedroom and left it hopefully where he’ll catch himself on it. If he breaks it I can sue him for a better model. If he breaks a toe I can laugh.
I was tired this afternoon but as Jade would be coming I wasn’t going to get any rest until she’d gone and before Mike arrived. That’s if he”s still coming today. At least I could stay up to date with my mail. Jade arrived about 2.15 pm and got straight down to work. She was going to top up the lounge (naughty Joey) and do Mike’s bedroom today. She didn’t need me underfoot. I slipped into the lounge about 3.05 pm when she’d left so I could see Escape to the Country, my emails were up to date so I wasn’t exactly skiving. She came back through after seeing to Mike’s room about 3.40 pm and knowing she had another job to go to I sent her away. She offered to reduce the rate for not doing the full two hours but I told her to buy a box of chocs for herself. Since I knew I would be skiving at 4.30 pm I checked on the e.mails but I only needed to do about 5 so I dodged off earlier and watched a different quiz to my usual. For some reason I stayed awake. At 5.00 pm it was Cold Case and at 6.00 Without a Trace. When I checked my phone during one of the advert breaks (it was in the kitchen on charge) I saw Mike had sent as text at 5.50 pm to say he was setting off. I got his cup ready about 8.00 pm but it was half past before he arrived. It seems it was filthy weather out and had been all the way. I hadn’t heard the rain until that moment beating against the windows. We chatted about his week and at 9.00 pm started watching Law and Order. I had to make a sandwich in the break and that should be against the law sometimes. At 10.00 pm I came through to start work and Mike followed me to ask about my Skype. I told him I removed it completely and then tried to download it again but it still won’t work. Amazingly there wasn’t much mail to deal with ‘cos I’ve sent everyone to Coventry this week so I was able to get to the blog much earlier. Perhaps even an 11.30 pm bedtime.
My lovely Great Nephew Nathan. 10 months old.
Slurp!
Friday 4th March.
I got my bedtime around 11.30 pm as hoped and I only read until 12.15 am before settling down, albeit on my wrong side, for the night. When I woke up at 3.41 am I was on my right side which is the right side and tells me I don’t keep still at night and my body ignores it. I still don’t understand how it can ignore moving as far as another room though which at least wasn’t the case today. I paid my all important visit to the Piddle Palace and realised my intuition that there was someone else in the house was correct for a change when I passed Mike’s open bedroom door and I saw a misshapen lump in the middle of the bed. That could only be Mike. I came back and started work on the mail until 5.00 am when I went through to take my meds, prepare my next week’s meds in their container and then have some breakfast. It was 5.50 am before I returned and started work again but I was done by 6.05 am and just sat enjoying my coffee until the next batch arrived.
At 8.30 am Mike’s alarm went off. I knew he had to be gone by 10.00 am but that was early for him. But,I took his coffee through and made sure I woke him properly so he knew it was there. I even got a sensible answer but he still didn’t get up until 9.10 am. I went through to the lounge and woke him by standing on the toe he didn’t break on the box. He was out at 9.55 am and promised to text when he’s on his way back. I went back to work and cleared the box at 11.00 am. I know Joey is disappointed to have missed HUtH but we all make sacrifices don’t we? By 11.45 am I was clear and able to think about doing lunch. Lamb and colcannon today. I very much enjoyed the latter but I’m going to say my imagination let the lamb down, the thought of all those little white clouds sproinging (I like this word ) along in their fields in a few weeks……… I watched Bargain Hunt and then allowed myself a power nap. Oops, when I woke up Doctors was on and I found myself watching it before I realised. I managed to break away before 2.00 pm though. Work until 3.00 pm then Escape to the Country. At 3.45 pm I did some other work and wrote a few personal emails before clearing the decks again in time for Flog It.
I ran the gamut of my ‘almost’ usual Friday viewing, Flog It, Cold Case, during which I had a very late delivery of pyjamas for Amelie and at the end of which Mike sent a text ‘On Way Bro’, Without a Trace, an episode of Mash during which I got another text to ask if I wanted anything from the chippy. Naturally I said no because of my diabetes but for some reason the predictive text wrote Yes, chips, get here now, then A Question of Sport which was halfway over before Mike arrived back from all the way round the corner. I almost tore his arm of helping him put the food out with one hand and buttering a bap with the other. At 8.00 pm I went for my shower aiming to be back for Mastermind. It turned out to be a special for celebrities rather than a semi final or the final but hey,it was OK. At 9.00 pm was the important bit of the evening, no not more food, the last episode of Shetland. Fair play to the writers, they’re excellent and just when you think you’ve the story figured out ( and you’ve translated the Scottish accents) they put another twist in the plot. Look away now if you don’t want to know whodunit. It was, Aaaarghh. Is there a doctor in the house, oops, perhaps Jessica Fletcher or detective then? As always on a Friday I knew it would be a push to catch up on my mail and do the blog. Midnight tonight I reckon.
Wot a larf
Nursery with Bug Boy
Saturday 5th March.
I managed 11.33 pm bed and enjoyed my book until about 12.30 am when I paid my last visit to the loo with my light going off a minute later. I woke mid-dream at 4.35 am hoping I had time to make it to the loo. I actually wanted to go to the cellar first (?) but the need was greater. By the time I reached the loo I was aware that the cellar didn’t exist and was just a lingering past of the dream, but I was glad I hadn’t tried to make the detour first. Vastly relieved, I washed my hands and tried to get a grip on the dream. I know Ju was there and I think it was for her I was going to the cellar to collect something but I think it was for someone else, possibly Mike. That sounds reasonable I suppose, him using my legs rather than his own. I gave up and headed for the kitchen where I took my meds and then made myself some toast for breakfast. It was 5.50 am before I got back to my room, just enough time to finish the last of this morning’s mail before the new lot descends. I’ll be a little stuck when that happens I think, making Mike his coffee if he’s set his alarm. I need to get the rubbish and the recycling out ready for collection then.
The alarm went off and I made and took through a coffee. I know I reached into his sleep because my bellow got a grunt in return. However, as always it’s all promise, no action with him. I listened to every alarm he ignored until 7.00 pm before he finally moved.I dealt with all the bins while Mike went to sleep in the chair but I turned the light on, made a noise with the bins and coughed a fair bit. We left the house at 7.35 am. At the supermarket we decided to buy the flowers last today, on the way home so they didn’t get knocked about in the boot. We carried on and I bought a bunch of kids clothes so they’ll be OK till they’re about 14 now. Once all the shopping was in and Mike had insulted another Mike who works there and we’d got insults in return, we went for a coffee. It was much needed. From there we headed for Flint and Home Bargains, then B & M then finally Temptations taking a box of chocs in for the girls, who just happened to be Ceri 1 and Ceri 2 this morning. After he’d filled his face with teasted toecake and we’d finished coffee we stood outside for a cigarette. I realised how late it was getting and we set off for Chester to be there ready to meet Yvonne and the family. They’d taken Reuben to the cinema this morning.
When we arrived at Broughton Park Mike and I went into Tesco where he found some good items in the sale to take with him on holiday.Two or three jumpers, a pair of jeans and I think a teeshirt. He was just in the queue to pay when I had a text to say they were out of the cinema and where did we want to meet. I suggested a pizza place close to where they were standing so they could get out of the cold. Just a couple of minutes from where Mike and I were. We found them OK and I had hugs from Reuben and from Ugo but Yvonne was wedged in her seat with a fast asleep Amelie on her knee. We ordered drinks and when those came I was able to take my tabs and we ordered food. I wasn’t pleased to find I couldn’t have an Hawaiian pizza as they don’t use pineapple.It was a shame we hadn’t chosen the pub where we used to meet. Anyway I took Amelie and passed Yvonne the gifts. She seemed to love all the clothes and all the baking /cake decorating and mini wines for herself. Ugo liked his shirt and tie and his chocolate puddings. The meal came, Ugo took Amelie and we ate.
Once finished Ugo was taking the family home then going to play football. We were very close to a shop we both like so Mike suggested we go there before going back to Tesco’s to buy the flowers. It could have been a mistake. Mike saw a phrenology head he liked though he didn’t buy it. I pointed out a glass head, and said I wouldn’t mind having it and using it as an ornament/hatstand, alternating the look by changing hats. I decided to buy it. Mike loved the idea so when I saw another one round the corner I said I’d buy that one for him, then he found a third which he’d buy himself. Of course then he had to have a discussion with himself about whether to buy the phrenology head to put in the middle. Something caused a break in concentration and it didn’t get bought. We had to go and look for a console table next to stand them on but we were in a very expensive shop and he blanched at every price ticket. I was following behind with a bowl expecting him to throw up. He nipped next door to look and while he was away I got the heads and met him outside. Headhunting over Mike took the bags to the car while I walked slowly to Tesco’s. He met me there and I got the flowers needed for Ju. We came home.
Joey was over the moon to see us poor soul.It must have been a long lonely day for him from 7.00 am to almost 4.30 pm. We unpacked the shopping and got it put away then I left Mike with his football results and came through to start work. I’ve had two bouts of angina this week, when I saw the mail box with letters bulging from every seam I nearly had a third. I was tired following a 4.35 am start and having missed my power nap this afternoon. I worked till 7.00 pm then made some tea and took a break. Unfortunately the break lasted until 9.00 pm and I almost nodded off but Mike decided it was a good time to talk to me. When he goes to Canada on 17th he won’t be able to moan at me working or wake me when I’m going to catnap. YAY. At 9.00 pm after watching a programme of Dusty Springfield songs I came back to work and have put my nose to the grindstone. Anyone got a spare plaster? At 11.00 pm I had to break off to start the blog but I’m still hopeful that I’ll finish before it’s time to get up again.
Wishing you all a Wonderful New Week full of dreams come true. Hugs Galore one and all.
Quite a bitty night followed my lights out at 1.00 am. But at least when I got up at 4.14 am I was able to smile. I got out of bed wearing my slippers which I hadn’t worn when I went to bed. I listened to Mike coughing a lot too, I dare say he wouldn’t have had a lot of sleep either. I paid my visit to the loo and came back to log onto the computer. I like to open Skype too but it refuses to open and keeps telling me to check the internet- which is fine. On gmail I was horrified by the amount of mail and did my best to get going but I had to think of everything twice to be sure I had it fixed in my head. Like a OCD, I think there may have been a little residual tiredness there. I worked away until 6.00 am then went to take my meds and get a reviving coffee. When I came back the next batch had downloaded and I was way up high again. I really wasn’t in the mood for it this morning. But, remembering how much might be there later, I carried on. By 9.00 am I was making headway and by 9.40 am I was up to date. I almost scorched the carpet leaving the room so fast.
I let Joey out and sat talking to him with my eyes closed, relaxing in the chair. Damn, it didn’t work. I put the TV on instead, there were two DIY SOS Big Builds on which meant I got interested and couldn’t go to sleep then either. The first one came to an end at 10.00 am and left me with a lump in my throat. At least Joey wouldn’t poke fun. The next one started and I really got involved in the family story, a youngster born with spina bifida whose brain had been largely destroyed by a cyst. Then you see this bright little smiley boy who tries to talk ( he’s only 18 months) and obviously understand much of what’s said, it was amazing. Then, despite being paralysed from the chest down was trying to pull himself along the floor. Mike got out of bed half way through and sat down to watch it with me. Questions, questions but he soon shut up when he saw the youngster. When it was over I removed the fly from my eye(s) then passed Mike a tissue. We were talking about his night when the next programme started and it was Move to the Country (or something) and a couple with a budget of £1.2m , our collective jaws dropped. , even Joey’s.
At 11.30 am I had to (reluctantly) drag myself away and get dressed. That forced Mike into action too so he headed for his room. By midday we were both ready to go out. As usual we didn’t know where but it turned out that the car knew where to take us anyway……Prestatyn. In the CookHouse we were seated in a different place as our usual seats were occupied by fans of the rugby, and Wales were playing Ireland this afternoon.Look away now if you don’t want the results a week late…….it was a draw. We had a nice lunch and a wander round a couple of shops, Mike got himself a couple of tops for his holiday and I bought a couple as a gift. We came home. Mike went into the kitchen to do Ju’s flowers for me and I came through to work. It was 3.00 pm. Next thing it’s 4.00 pm and Mike is about to go. I waved him off and returned to work. It took until 5.50 pm to get back up to date then I could go through and have something to eat and watch some TV with Joey. I watched till 8.00 pm, came through and cleared the decks again so I could stay with Joey till later so at 8.40 pm I was back with him till 10.00 pm. At that time it was definitely “Nite nite Joey, see you in the morning.” and I came back to deal with both mail and blog. Given time I was going to see if I could solve the Skype problem as well. I think I’ll have the time, just not sure about the patience.
Are you serious……………………………………?
…………………………………………Oh good, you’re not.
And for all the World’s grandchildren
Monday 8th Feb.
It was the Worst of times. It was the best of times. (Apologies to Charles Dickens).The worst of times was settling for sleep at 1.15 am and being brought back to the surface at 2.05 am.The best of times was sitting having a cigarette and clearing my mind (THAT didn’t take long believe me, I have a head start) before finishing the cigarette and just lying on my back and hoping for the best. Since there seemed to be no lunatic women around at that time, I settled for what I could get, a bit more sleep. I woke again at 5.34 am. I headed for the kitchen with my usual detour on the way. Once I’d had the morning meds I was able to take a coffee back to my room and make a start.
First job I tried to load Skype again but it wasn’t having any. Then my system wouldn’t move and ctrl/alt/del had no effect. I had to wait for the ‘System not responding’ to clear which took ages. I gave up on Skype and went straight to mail. By now it was almost 6.30 am so the new day’s mail had started joining last nights remnants. It took until 9.28 am to clear. I went through and opened Joey’s cage, washed my mug then came back and got dressed. Better to present myself as human (approximately) when Bev gets here, if she’s coming today. I went back to the lounge to watch Homes Under the Hammer with Joey. I worked again at the end of HUtH and since Bev didn’t call I assumed she must be off this week. About 11.50 am I made myself some lunch and stuck an episode of Murder She Wrote on to give me company while I ate. It was just typical that I got down to about a quarter of my steak in ale with mash when I saw Bev approach. I almost threw my tray into the kitchen and dashed to open the door.
She stayed a good 20 minutes chatting and we had a laugh about music from the 60’s which came about because I’m wearing one of the shirts Yvonne got me for my birthday. The only thing missing is my bellbottoms and I’m not missing those much since I like the slim or skinny leg jeans now. Don’t tell any teenagers I’m wearing them though or they’ll never wear them again. I remember a pair of flared trousers I used to have 60’s/70’s that were tight down to the knee and then just flared out from there. I loved those trousers which I think came from C & A. They got harder and harder to replace once styles changed, the manufacturers never seem to think of the generation who wore them still wanting them. It’s all about the next style down the line. While I’m ranting about style too, why is it women have so many more styles and colours to choose from? It doesn’t just affect me during the normal year but at sale time too as there’s hardly anything for men. In the 18th C men were the peacocks, why not now? Since my daughter and wife used to pinch my shirts it seems we can all wear and share a lot. No skirts with my knees but load my shirts with colour.
Bev left and I attempted to finish my now cold lunch. I washed the pots and went back to work. It was pointless going back to Murder She Wrote as I’d missed so much. Anyway, I noticed Twiggy was the subject of a Who Do You Think You Are at 2.00 pm so I’d come back and watch that instead. I finished in time to go back and enjoyed seeing Twiggy trace her maternal ancestry with one or two surprises. I also saw Escape to the Country before making myself go on a catch up session. I was surprised I’d stayed awake throughout. It was a close call this time in catching up with mail and watching my Road Trip and typically I enjoyed the start very much but I never reached the auction before falling asleep. I slept through the quiz ‘Pointless’ too. Somehow I managed to wake in time for 6.00 pm and instead of having the second quiz Eggheads I watched Missing followed by Bones. Then the TV went off and I had a period of just trying to persuade Joey to say Best Boy. I was flogging a dead horse and I don’t see things changing now. He seems to be in a pattern that suits him. I wished him a good night, turned the lights out and went to my room. I worked till 9.30 pm then broke off to take my meds and just be sure I have everything I need for tomorrow in my coat. Judging by today’s weather I’m going to need it. That done I returned to work and just kept going until I was clear and able to do the blog.
The Happy Flower
The Mudlark
Tuesday 9th Feb
I was in bed by 11.45 pm last night. As usual I had a read and turned the light out at about 12.45 am. It took a while to get comfy as whichever way I lie, I manage to push the fat to the highest point and it’s all bone at the point that touches the mattress. I can feel every spring. Anyway I must have managed it as I was woken up by a loud sound. It took me a while to realise it was my phone telling me I had a text. It was 1.12 am. I smiled and answered then settled back down. Ten minutes later as I’m nodding, it went again. After responding to that one I thought I was safe and settled for the third time. All remained peaceful. I woke by the natural order of things at 5.01 am. Not bad at all.
I went straight through to take my meds and have some breakfast. This morning I did two rounds of toast as usual but could only eat one. I felt sick. I don’t want to jump the gun or anything but I do wonder if I’m pregnant. It would have to be a phantom pregnancy of course since I could only possibly ever have relations with a ghost. Isn’t it strange to hear it called relations as though we do it in front of an audience? No wonder male impotency is such a problem, the thought of the in-laws being there. As usual you’ve made me digress. It’s a couple of days I’ve felt a little off first thing and I wonder if my anti smoking tabs could be doing it even so late as 3 weeks after starting them.
I went through and signed on. The first thing I did was set the computer to restart from a previous date to see if it would solve the Skype problem. It actually brought back to old Skype logo to my screen but whatever the problem is, it’s still there. I’ll have to ask my nephew about a downloader. Ignoring that problem as something I can do nowt about, I went into my mail and almost fell off my chair. There were a lot and at 6.00 am I had ten minutes and there’d be a lot more too. Unfortunately I wasn’t going to make much of a dent in those before going out. I got dressed so there were no last minute complications about getting on the bus then I started. By 7.15 am I’d dealt with 32 and was quite pleased but there was still twice that to go. The thought of making them go crossed my mind but I decided against that way. I opened Joey’s door and left the house.
I caught the bus without a problem though it might have been easier if he’d lowered the step. He was in a race with another bus from a rival company so I just sat forward, head resting on my crutches and drifted away. I got off in Chester at 8.45 am and as Yvonne wasn’t there, starting walking to meet her. I thought she’d have Reuben with her this morning too, but when she came into sight it was just Amelie again. Roobs would be joining us a little later it seemed. We went into a shop close by where we met to give Yvonne chance to use her phone, it’s like a telephone exchange sometimes. I pushed Amelie round until she was done. Once she was and took the pram back Amelie woke and with a cry said she was hungry. We headed for our favourite shop and the cafe. I nipped to the loo while Yvonne ordered then took baby on my lap for a few minutes. As soon as Yvonne had donned her cape she fed Amelie and I ate my toasted sandwich (that I hadn’t wanted and had refused. Doesn’t anyone ever listen to me?) Once she’d been fed, I had Amelie back while Yvonne ate. I was pleased to get one or two little smiles (From Amelie not Yvonne, she scowls/growls to keep you away from her food).
Once we’d finished coffee and breakfast we went to get Reuben some pyjamas and I also found a sweet pair of pink dungarees with a cat’s face on for Amelie. I found a gilet for Roobs too for when it gets a little warmer. We went downstairs so Yvonne could get something and then out to another shop and another. Then we took a slow walk down to a cafe within a church which has a playcentre. I had another hold of Amelie while Yvonne ordered me a cup of tea. A few minutes later Roobs and Ugo arrived. Roobs was quite taken with the goat figure I’d bought his last weekend when shopping and Ugo seemed more than pleased with the chocolates I’d taken him.The special toys with a penguin and an owl that have 55 songs and can sing singly or in a choir we left with Ugo to read the instructions and sort out rather than let Roobs see them yet.
Once I’d finished my tea I saw it was time to go for my bus. Yvonne walked with me to the stop and out timing was perfect. The idiot driver didn’t lower the step again and this time I didn’t even have the aid of a pavement. Then he was so anxious to go, he moved off while I was still retrieving my travel pass. It was a job to reach a seat upright. Still, I did and assumed the position on head on hands and eyes shut to speed the journey. When I got off the bus I called in at Pauline’s before dashing home to have a wee. I said hello to Joey, put my shopping away, took my coat ff and started work. That was at 1.10 pm. I didn’t get to move again until 4.20 pm just before the Road Trip. Not that I’d finished work but as a reward for having done so much. I fell asleep during the auction (Damn) and slept through the quiz as well. I woke up to realise the news was on. When that fact penetrated my brain I realised Missing had started on another channel and grabbed the remote. I followed that up with Bones and thought maybe that was enough of a treat for one day. So at 8.00 pm I turned everything off, made sure Joey was locked in and came back through. I spent until 10.15 pm getting finally up to date with mail before starting this, my blog. Early night I hope and no going out tomorrow. I want to get some washing done.
Gorgeous
My baby and her baby
Wednesday 10th Feb
11.30 pm to bed and a read till 12.20 am so I could finish the book I was reading. I woke once in the night to visit the loo but had no problem dropping off again. 3.28 am was my time of being awake even though it was 3.31 am before I swung my legs out of bed. I logged onto the computer and headed straight for my gmail messages. There were just 27 this morning. By 4.35 am I’d finished those and moved on to the kitchen to take my meds and have breakfast. I put the washing machine on a quickwash. Today I had some Shreddies but after half an hour felt nauseous and had a bad headache. I wonder if it really is a reaction to the Champix I’m on to give up smoking. My mood is pretty low still too. I put the washing on to dry, went searching for batteries for an automatic air freshener and then found it was empty before taking a coffee back to my room. There were just 8 more messages to deal with which were done with by 5.40 am. I decided to lie down to try and clear my head. I rose again at 7.10 am and after checking my in box, wish I hadn’t. I went to empty the drier instead.
There was no use hiding. I worked till 9.00 am then stopped long enough to get dressed and to open Joey’s cage and make vague promises about HUtH at 10.00 am. I needed to get a move on if I wanted to see that. I did the best I could but was still 22 adrift. Still, I went to see my programme anyway. At 11.00 am I apologised to Joey and came back to work. I was clear at 11.50 am and wen to see to my lunch. I was going to have a cottage pie with two baps but when I buttered them I thought how nice they’d be with bacon on. It just so happened I had a packet in the fridge that had to be eaten by 13th. If ever a sign was needed, that was it. So that’s what I had for lunch.Two rashers of bacon on each bap and a little tomato sauce. I watch Bargain Hunt while I was eating and I knew that one team made a record profit at the auction. I wanted to see that but fell asleep just before the auction and didn’t come round until 1.55 pm. I slunk back to work.
At 3.45 my work was clear again and I decided to take a break. I wandered through to the kitchen and laid out some new coffee pods for the Tassimo machine as I used the last one this morning. I tidied the tinfoil from the grill where I’d done my bacon and tried to make he room look like someone cared. Then I went to the lounge and chatted to Joey. The conversation lasted about 10 seconds as I saw Dil approaching half an hour early. I bolted into the kitchen and started making him a cup of tea determined not to appear surprised at seeing him. He told me he’d been to a meeting in the Heritage Park over the road which finished early. There was no point in driving nearly an hour back to work then out again. We managed to have a good chinwag about our weekends, his being much worse as he’d been laying laminate flooring in the bedroom and redoing his bathroom floor. He still has twinges. We watched both our programmes, The Road Trip and Pointless before turning off and getting the games out. I believe the term they use is ‘least said, soonest mended’ so we won’t dwell on tonight’s results. I’m sure you’d only be bored. To put it another way, when he got up to leave at 9.30 pm I was ready to give him his birthday card to take home but keep the present to give to the first deserving person to walk past the house. I thought better of it but only because I’m a good brother who isn’t always out to beat his brother in every game.
After Dil left I did my usual tidy up then closed Joey’s cage before he came out to taunt me, washed the pots and then took my meds. Turning the lights off I was free to go through to my bedroom to start catching up again. That took me till 11.10 pm and then a quick blast at the blog means I hope to be in bed about midnight.
My delight.
Having a chat.
Thursday 11th Feb.
I made the midnight target with minutes to spare. I started a new book Last Kingdom by Bernard Cornwell. So much of it is familiar that I’m not sure whether I’ve read it before or whether it’s because it’s only recently I saw the excellent TV adaptation. (roll on the next series). I only read until about 12.45 am because the chapters were long and I prefer to finish reading at the end of a chapter even though on occasion that makes it very difficult to stop reading. Getting to sleep didn’t seem to be a problem. No trips to the loo overnight but I did go when I woke at 4.28 this morning. Then it was a case of signing on and attacking my gmail messages. There were only 27 and I was clear by 5.35 am. I checked my bank and my State Pension had been paid , now based on a weekly payment rather than 4 weekly thanks to Yvonne. At 5.45 am I went to the kitchen for breakfast and to take my meds. After my cornflakes I was back in time for the deluge.
I thought I was prepared but I wasn’t. Things started slowly with just 1 then 6 but before I knew it they were on 57, 62, 71. I countered a threat from Microsoft of an update that would close my system in 4 mins thus kicking me out in the middle of something. I managed to put it on hold for 4 hours. I was done by 9.12 am and quickly got dressed and went to Pauline’s to do the lottery and get some bread. It turned into a bread only mission when I learned the lottery machine was down. When I got back I took the bread through to the kitchen then opened Joey’s cage door and refreshed his water and seed. He still hides in a corner when I approach the cage as though I’d hurt him. I’d have to catch the beggar first. I returned to work and found Microsoft was back on it’s 4 minute countdown. This time I left it and used it as an excuse to watch Homes Under the Hammer. When I came back it was finished and I had to sign back in again. There were only a dozen messages awaiting my attention which didn’t take too long to deal with. My postman came with details of my tax allowance for next year and then the both phones rang. I checked the mobile and it was an unknown (even though it was a local number) I refused the call and deleted it from the memory. I checked on the house phone and there was a message waiting. I always listen to them in case it’s something Yvonne has to deal with. No, it was yet another annoying message called at random to tell me I can claim from my bank. Well I can’t so bugger off will you ! At 11.30 am I went through to the kitchen to peel my sweet potatoes and ready my sausages.
By 12.15 pm when Bargain Hunt started I was sitting down with my lunch. Ax the contestants were only part way through their buying when I finished eating I took my pl;ate though and washed everything I’d used. When I returned, they we’re ready to buy their last items each before going off to the auction. I tried really hard, honestly I did but I still managed to fall asleep before the auction. I didn’t wake until 2.05 pm and found Doctors on the TV. Disgusted with myself I turned the TV off and came through to work Joey squawking at my retreating back. He really doesn’t like the lack of sound around him when the TV goes off or I close my mouth. Work was steady in the afternoon and I got a text at 4.00 pm to say Mike was on his way. I said I’d expect him about 6.30 pm ish. At 4.30 pm I abandoned all ideas of work to watch the Road Trip. I saw it to the end. I watched pointless almost to the end then must have nodded off just before 6.00 pm. I came round about 6.45 pm and perched next to me in his chair watching me was a Gremlin in the form of Mike. Guiltily I got up and made him a drink. By this time I’d missed most of ‘Missing’ but still had time for ‘Bones’ followed by ‘Would I Lie To You’ and then Murder in Paradise.
At 10.00 pm I locked Joey in, sent Michael to his bed and came through to work . My only interruption was when Mike got irate at the programme on TV and the contract they want ‘Junior’ doctors to accept and I went through thinking he’d called me. I finished the mail about 11.10 pm and started on the blog. I’m still hopeful for midnight.
Little Man
Coquettish.
Friday 12th Feb.
Midnight bed, read until 1.00 am then settle down. Up at 2.10 am for a wee but I knew that wasn’t time to stay awake today. Back to bed and warmth. Next time was different though, that was AWAKE time 3.44 am it read on my clock and I did verify it with my glasses on before moving. I powered up the computer and logged on going straight to my gmail. Wonderful, only 32, I could knock those off in no time. In fact it took until 5.20 am with one or two more coming in. Next I went through to the kitchen to take my meds. I decided against having breakfast as this is the morning I do my drugs for the week. I got my drugs drawer from the lounge and started. First of all one of my capsules split and started spreading powder everywhere then two tablets broke as they were being pressed out of a blister pack. Next, one got away and skittered across the floor. Naturally it played hide and seek before I finally found it. I was sorry I’d started. Then I prepared my next prescription request ready to deliver to the chemist’s on Monday. All of a sudden I started dry-heaving. All I’d had was the milk I take my meds with but I realised it was probably the anti-smoking drug as some people say you need to eat with it.
My coffee seemed to settle my stomach and I returned to the bedroom. I’m off to the nurse this morning and wondered what to do about these tablets. For a couple of weeks now I’ve known and others have mentioned that my mood isn’t as usual. For once they’re not being insulting. I’ve been low, I am low and the direction it’s taking isn’t what it should be. I’ve had some terrible nightmares which in one actually had me being violent towards someone else, that’s never happened before except towards myself. I’ve also been hallucinating- unless I’m being haunted that is. Seeing things running across my floor, seeing people approach in my peripheral vision who aren’t there sometimes even hearing things that aren’t there either. I think they’re all related to these tablets and I’m thinking I should stop them while I still have the common sense to do so.But, I have to ask. I may not have stopped smoking while taking them but at least I’ve cut down by two thirds which is pretty good. I carried on working.
At 7.15 am Mike’s alarm went off despite me telling him he needn’t set it. He wasn’t intending to go to his Dad’s until 11.00 am so he could have stayed in bed a while. Setting the alarm for that time meant he was intending to take me to the doctor’s. If I were paranoid, I’d think he didn’t trust me to go. Anyway, I made him a coffee and took it through. It was up to him whether he left it and went back to sleep or got up. Eventually he got up. At about 8.10 am he ran me up to the surgery and then as usual carried on to his Dad’s or to Manchester at least. Inside, it took Sister S about ten seconds to tell me to stop taking the tablets. She could see things weren’t right and said here was always the chance it would happen but we’d given it a good go. She didn’t harp on about carrying on with the non-smoking but said how pleased she was with progress made. She was there if I wanted more help and to ring if I needed her. I nearly laughed as I haven’t rung anyone in years so I’d be stuffed. When I left there I headed towards the bus but decided to go to the LIDL Supermarket as it would be warmer than outside. I got Ju’s flowers a day early. I still froze to death at the bus stop. When it came I was glad to sit down. I called at Pauline’s when I got off and did the lottery before going home to Joey and Homes Under the Hammer.
After my programme I came back to work to try and clear this morning’s batch. It took forever, or at least it did except for the break I took from 11.45 am to 12.30 pm when I had lunch. Today I just couldn’t be bothered so I went to the chippy. The curry sauce was terrible, like water with a raisin in. I couldn’t eat all the chips of course so the waste bin saw the rest as I’ve put Joey on a diet. I did return to work after lunch even giving up my Bargain Hunt as I wanted to reach the point of being clear before I did take TV time out and before Mike returned. I was clear by 3.00 pm and to celebrate I had a break to watch Move to the Country then I worked again from 3.45 pm to 4.30 pm and went to watch my last Road Trip of the week.I managed to see it all the way through tonight and started on my quiz. Part way through that I lost the plot and Zzzzz’d away for a while. I woke at 6.15 pm having missed the first quarter of my Missing Without Trace ( or whatever it’s called) but at least I caught the rest. Mike sent a text at 7.00 pm to say he was on his way so I watched Bones alone. Then ten minutes into Mastermind he arrived. I made a coffee and we watched the rest of it.
At 8.30 pm I went to get a shower.My mood was so low I didn’t even ask Mike for help with my hair. I noticed however that I’d have to ask for a haircut before the weekend is out. Between 9.00 – 10.00 pm I saw Shetland which is a really good thriller before finally closing Joey’s cage door ( don’t worry, Mike made me go back to let him in) and returning to my room. I was working on my mail when Mike came in and sat on my bed. He was worried my mood could mean I was cross with him despite knowing there was no reason. Once he was sure he was OK he decided to get up my nose in general by talking while I was trying to work. He was still there when I finished the mail and started the blog. I had to physically overpower him, truss him in a sack and roll him along the passageway to his bedroom. I still think there’s just a chance I might make midnight.
What Pops bought me.
With Bunny ears tucked under my chin.
Saturday 13th Feb.
I was in bed by 12.10 am with so much cream on my legs I almost slid right out again. I went for two chapters last night but had to settle for one and a half or I’d have been awake all night. The chapters are so long. So lights out about 1.00 am and though I saw 1.20 am come and go I must have been asleep soon after. I woke at 4.48 am and don’t recall any nightmares but I know there were a few dreams that were uncomfortable though I can’t recall the content luckily. I attacked my gmail messages and cleared them by 5.50 am so went straight to the kitchen to have some breakfast and take my meds. I was just coming back to work when I heard Mike’s alarm for the first time. I know he didn’t sleep well last night so I took him a coffee and decided to leave him without a second call. If he got up great, if not, well so what. He did get up 5 alarms later at about 6.50 am. By which time I’d been in hear over half an hour with the mail. He was ready to go by 7.20 am.
Having been to LIDL and got the flowers yesterday I didn’t want much main shopping this morning. Mike got a trolley, I got my cash and we bypassed the fruit and veg and went straight for the children’s clothes. We made our way round and picked up what I needed and then after paying went through to get a coffee at McDonalds. My phone went with a text. It was my niece Karen who wanted to know if we were going over to collect the pies she got for me yesterday. I confirmed YES and arranged to meet at lunchtime. Off we went to Flint where we looked for a trolley for Mike to move a washing machine. We had no luck at what Mike thought was a reasonable price. Then it was coffee time so we got the chocolates from the car and headed to Temptations. Double trouble today as Kyle was off so we had two Ceri’s to contend with. One we don’t usually see as she usually does afternoons. We had a drink and Mike had his teasted toecake while the girls raved about the chocolates which were special handmade ones (not by me I hasten to add). Afterwards we looked at a few more shops then realised how late it was getting and had to head off on the next stage of our journey. Mike was worried our 40 minute journey to Colwyn Bay wouldn’t be done in the 45 minutes we had so he took the route I hate most-The Expressway- donned his cloak of invisibility with fingers crossed and revved the car up to a minimum of ten miles above the maximum speed all the way. I was really worried the g-force might leave me with a smile that ended round the back of my head when we got there. We made it with about thirty minutes to spare……..on the day before we left. I knew that electric storm was trouble. Karen was already there when we arrived, but it’s only two minutes walk to her home from there. We were meeting in a pub called The Plough in Old Colwyn. First we traded kisses then we traded gifts so I had my precious pork pies. We chatted for a few minutes before I ordered drinks and the food. I had steak and ale pie with mash and it was excellent. Karen had a chicken burger which came with fries and a big side salad while Mike had fish and chips and he later said the fish was great. We were there for about an hour and a half.
Eventually we had to go as we still needed to find Mike’s truck, get back home with the shopping and see to Joey. I needed to work. Having said goodbye to Karen we drove into Colwyn Bay Town Centre and looked in a few shops before eventually finding one the same and at the same price as we’d seen in the morning. He took it……then thought better of it and paid. Back to the car again and this time without the cloak of invisibility and crossed fingers we drove home the pretty route and as sedately as Mike ever drives ……..up every other driver’s exhaust pipe while cursing every driver on the road as incompetent, female or as a granddad (which he tends to forget he is). At home we unpacked the car and put the shopping away. I released Joey but he wasn’t speaking to me and didn’t move from his perch. I had to leave to start work. Mike did Ju’s flowers into a lovely display for her. It was 3.00 pm and I worked like a Trojan ( not the virus honestly) till 6.00 pm then went to watch TV with Mike . NCIS then two more programmes I’ve forgotten already. At 9.00 pm I cam back through again to try and keep up with the mail to give me a clear run at the blog.
barsetshirediaries 