Helloooo Monday and all you lovely people. I have a terrible confession, it’s been a while since I’ve been able to see my shoes when I’m standing up unless I happen to be swinging one of my legs back and forth. My stomach looks like a camel going out expecting a six week drought at least. Mike’s stomach is no smaller and I tease him about it as he teases me. It got to me yesterday though when he pointed out that I eat twice as much as him at lunchtime. I’m sure it isn’t every meal, just Sunday’s where I help myself to food after I’ve been given meat. I know what the trouble is, I love potatoes and just recently they’ve been doing 3 lots, boiled new potatoes, mash and roast potatoes. I shall have to make an effort to cut down. The silly thing is I had some trousers in a 38″ waist that seemed big and I thought they were just generous but on checking I have no problems fitting a 36″ now. Dare I go any smaller and have to buy new trousers opening myself up to fresh scorn. I’ll keep you abreast as to whether I can exercise food control during this week.
Mike’s friend emphasises his Pregnant Pause.
Because of comments on my last post (nothing to do with me catching an afternoon snooze that lasted for 2 hours) I was late to bed last night and read until 12.30 am before trying to settle. I was back up at 2.23 am ready and raring to go. Not exactly the feeling I was enjoying at 6.30 am when I needed to get dressed to leave the house at 7.00 am for my bus.I’d faded enough to put a brown jumper with black trousers but that only lasted until I opened my eyes. The fresh air would revive me and I could nod on the bus as long as I didn’t sail past Yvonne at the other end. Well I didn’t sail past and they met me at the bus stop as I got off. A kiss off Yvonne , a big hug from Reuben and permission to kiss Amelie’s forehead. We went first to the supermarket that has a Costa so I could nip to the loo before refilling again. As I came out of the loo I could seem Amelie was out of her pushchair and she was enjoying a run around, Yvonne was at the counter getting the drinks. As the drinks arrived Amelie calmed down walked round the table and gave me a kiss. It quite made my day. We had a nice drink though I was jealous that I didn’t get a flake on my saucer like some people did. We had a good mooch round the shops where in a sale I actually bought some chinos for £2. I found a nice little cardigan for Amelie. Ami refused me a kiss for my journey home so I think she must have decided I’d had my ration for the day.
Wednesday was marked by my falling asleep in the afternoon (when I should have been working) and Dil had been sitting there laughing at me for quarter of an hour before I woke. I was prepared to blame him for fixing the cards in his favour but then I won. Overall the night was mine, so much so that I’m prepared to allow the use of his name in my presence this week. Yahtzee was a draw at 6 games each but Nomination whist and cribbage just slid into my grasp easily.
Unruly kids? Rent a lobster pot.
Thursday. I ordered a Welsh flag and the flag of St David on Monday ready for the 1st of March. They were delivered today. I lost a neighbour last year and he celebrated every St. David’s day with both flags run up a flagpole outside his door. I think the flagpole went with his children. This year I’m the old man with the flags except mine will be indoors hanging in the window of the lounge and the kitchen. Cymru am byth. Sharon came in the afternoon and gave me a thorough cleaning. Those feather dusters don’t half tickle. Mike turned up in the evening before I’d had chance to lock and barricade the door. He almost had me choking when he asked me to make sure he’s up for 6.00 am tomorrow as he needs to be in Manchester early. I’m sure anyone who’s read this blog before knows that I ‘try’ to get him up at that time on a Saturday morning and that I consider eating suppositories fun by comparison. I wonder if I should do it and then tell him not to come back so I can avoid repetition and frustration on Saturday.
After Music Class, Playing the Cornet.
Friday started with me trying to get Mike up for 6.00 am. This was even worse that it is on a Saturday but he was supposed to be out of the house by 7.00 am. I did manage it but at 6.55am he was still sitting in the lounge with a coffee and not dressed for the outside. As he left the room I must have nodded off and when I woke at 7.10 am he’d gone. I returned to work which I’d started early this morning. Being the rebel that I am, when I got dressed at 9.00 am I didn’t put any socks on. I know how to live on the edge. When it came to undressing for a shower later the time saved by this one act made it all worthwhile.
Saturday morning up at 1.51 am. Considering I didn’t stop reading until about 12.15 am I have to wonder if it’s worth coming to bed at all. There was the usual struggle to get Mike up at 6.00 am but in fairness we are usually on our way at 7.00 am and he’s fully dressed I’m guessing it’s by a colour-blind man with no sense of style, certainly not like my friend Stephanae at https://boldblindbeauty.com/ who has great style sense. I know that because I try and borrow it though the make-up goes awry. I did manage to get him up and even managed to get him out though I had a moment of panic when I noticed him driving with his eyes shut. We managed everything we needed to and even a trip to Broughton Park as Mike wanted to but something else he hadn’t managed to get enough of at the first shop. I can’t say what as they’re presents and I’m sworn bribed to secrecy. We drove back to the Dragon’s Rest for lunch and I had my first really disappointing meal. Mike took me to get some freezer shopping just before we came home and poor Joey finally had his cage opened.
Sunday. Slept from about 1.30 am to 2.53 am then went directly for breakfast. Yesterday Mike persuaded me to but a new bread by Warburton’s called The Lancashire Thorough Bread, a type of soft bloomer. I didn’t really take it’s shape into account with the toaster. I had to cut something off each side and off the top to get it to fit. Breakfast over I returned to work until I’d caught up at about 7.15 am. I found I was ready for a quick kip and climbed back on the bed. I woke again about 9.00 am and nearly died of shock to find Mike was up.”Thought I’d let you sleep” he said with a big smirk. After we’d got dressed we needed to exchange a pair of jeans for him as button flies were got by mistake.We delivered some bags to Yvonne while we were out with her portion of the mystery birthday gift. Then we pulled into the town centre while we did the exchange which actually only took moments though selecting the jeans to have with the zip fly took hours.Coming out we put a red light atop the car and I opened the window and shouted nee-naw all the way to Prestatyn and lunch. I had to be thawed out first and getting a lime and lemonade with ice didn’t help. Lunch was great as usual. We went home after that so we could fall asleep in our chairs. I know I did anyway. Mid-afternoon I waved Mike off then had a couple of hours work before watching a film on TV. A remake of Total Recall that must have left the graphics lovers feeling euphoric but were a bit much for me. I think I prefer the original.
I wish you all a wonderful week full of the usual hugs. I wish such luck to the youngsters of America who are trying to bring about such an important change. We need to all get behind them and bring sensible gun control in and take out the second Government of the U.S, the NRA.
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.
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 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.
03.38 am was son up this morning, at least this son. It hardly seemed fair since I’d only turned my light out to sleep at 1.00 am Even by my standards it was a little on the mean side. Still, there was every chance I’d make up for it later.I didn’t realise that I’d start about 5.00 am by falling asleep over my keyboard and my typing fingers would fill my screen with lots of stuff from the deep background of the computer. At least my head didn’t hit either the keyboard or the desk since I was sitting so close my fat stomach wouldn’t let me fold that low. I was awake again and trying to sort the screen out by 5.45 am and I drifted to the kitchen to take the morning meds. Coming back with my coffee afterwards I ploughed into the mail as there were still over 100 pieces left. Some of the mail came from comments put on the blog last night.
There was work enough to keep me going until 10.00 am but I had a quick break at 9.00 am to wash my mug and to let Joey out of his cage. It seemed a big lighter earlier this morning. After 10.00 am I’d had enough and needed a break so sat in the lounge talking to Joey. That can’t have lasted long until I was asleep again. I came to at 10.50 am and wondered where Mike was. The answer it seemed was still in his pit. I mad a coffee and took it through to him. Once I’d woken him I went back to my bedroom to see if there was more mail. I heard Mike go through to the lounge and a “Bloody Hell” when he saw the time. I went through to see he was OK. By 11.30 am he’s asked about our plans for the day and been told we had none but going through to get dressed I’d said I wouldn’t mind finding a jumper somewhere. He reminded me he’d bought me two for my birthday. They’re nice but not the colour I wanted. However I decided to put one on. The other we found was the wrong size and like so many f us had relied on the coat hanger rather than the ticket. That changed the tone of the day as Mike wanted to get it changed at Marks and Spencer. That would mean Prestatyn which dictated where we’d eat.
By 11.45 am we were on our way and were parking up about 12.10 pm. We went straight for lunch at the CookHouse first and found the beef was just falling apart it was so tender. Mike was sorry he’d had half and half gammon and beef. We finished there and went back to the car to collect the bag with the jumper and then into M & S. It didn’t take long to get permission to change it and Mike said I could find a different one If I wanted but I decided to stick with his choice and just got the appropriate size. From there we drove home but Mike stopped at LIDL so I could get a brochure. I picked up some pyjamas for Reuben at the same time. Back at home we suffered a telling off for going out from the demented green thing before I stuck on indoor bowling and fell asleep. I don’t know if Mike slept too but he was awake when I woke up and said it was time he left. I helped him carry his bags out and waved him off before coming back in and locking the door. Straight in to start work then.
I worked from 3.30 pm to 5.45 am then went to get some tea. I was late with my antibiotic too so I was glad I’d gone. Somehow I got caught in what I was watching on TV and missed half of Beowulf. Mike texted to say he was back home safely and suggested I just watch it an hour later on the catch up channel. Doing so would have meant I’d be out of the room until 11.00 pm as Endeavour was on straight afterwards and I wasn’t missing that too as it was the last one of 4. So I came through here at 10.00 pm and started work on the mail and then the blog. I think I might just make midnight in bed.
Monday 25th Jan.
I made the midnight deadline and had a good read until 12.55 am. It took some wriggling to find a position comfortable for sleep. I did drop off and the next thing I knew was waking up at 3.02 am. Not the best time of the night but not the worst either. No doubt I’ll be able to extend the period today sometime. I’ve become quite adept at the power naps. Mike would probably tell you that few people have as much power. Mind you, he’s no slouch in the power stakes either. I set to at my gmail account and spent until 5.05 am reading posts or comments and making comments of my own where appropriate. Then I went to the kitchen to take the morning round of meds. I couldn’t be bothered with breakfast so I’ll have to eat at teatime but that’s no problem. I hung around there filling small bottles of Pepsi Max from a big bottle and trying to get them in the fridge. One I took back to the bedroom with me for my nightstand as I ran out last night.
When I got back to my room it was almost 6.00 am so I just completed the post that was there while waiting for the flood. What flood? The 6.10 am lot came through in small easy to cope with parcels so that it never seemed too much. They still took until 9.52 am to clear though. Time to give Joey fresh water and seed as well as a bit of attention. I turned the TV on ready for Homes Under the Hammer and missed half of it asleep. I was woken by the closing music so turned the box off in disgust and came back to work, putting the washing machine on before I left. Work had accumulated again so I cleared that up in time to see to lunch at 11.55 am, and put the washing on to dry. I was a little distracted as Val hasn’t been this morning. If she calls and gets no answer she usually texts to say she’s been. I had lunch and watched Bargain Hunt. Joey wasn’t interested and just went for a kip in his cage. I showed him what will power is all about when I returned to work at 1.00 pm.
By 2.30 pm I’d returned t the lounge and shown Joey the proper time for 40 winks. I was still there at 3.45 pm and had to motivate myself to move by reminding myself I wanted the TV again at 4.30 pm. I got back up to date and then checked Facebook which I rarely do, but some people choose to message me there instead of my email. I caught up there too. I enjoyed my Antiques Road Trip and then made myself some tea, baked beans on toast which I’d fancied all day. I had a bit of trifle afterwards. There was still time to enjoy some of the quiz. Then came Eggheads which was good but between 6.30 pm – 7.00 pm I had to play catch-up again as I intended to be away from the computer until 10.00 pm. First came the Celebrity Road Trip which was followed by an episode of Lewis where he returns from retirement. That means that I’ve had to dash to make sure all the mail is done and the blog tonight. I’m off out in the morning and don’t want to leave anything behind except tomorrow’s mail.
First they tell me about the Big Bad Wolf, then they dress me as dinner.
It’s OK Daddy said I’m a wolf in sheep’s clothing.
Tuesday 26th Jan.
Despite pushing my luck a bit last night I still managed to scrape to bed at around midnight. I still managed to read until almost 1.00 am before I turned my light out. I was ready to get up when I woke until I saw the time was 1.38 am. That’s the kind of sick puppy joke of Somnos himself. I just swung myself back into bed and willed myself back to sleep with laughter ringing in my ears. I was ready to get up when I woke at 3.22 am though. I didn’t dare go for another session just in case I ended up missing my bus later. Anyway, I was due for an antibiotic at 4.00 am. I wandered through to the kitchen, filled a couple of small Pepsi Max bottles then took an empty bottle and an empty milk bottle through to the plastic recycling bag. Going back to the kitchen I took the antibiotic and the first of the two anti smoking tablets then opening a fresh bottle of milk I took the rest of my meds. Because I intend to have some breakfast with Yvonne this morning I had nothing at this time. That meant I was able to get back to my room much quicker with a cup of coffee.
After signing on it only took me until 5.05 am to clear the gmail box. After that I got dressed and then either did each piece of mail when it came in , checked the live feed on Facebook or checked out Ebay. Nothing too strenuous. When 6.10 am arrived I was put to work on the new post. There was just so much of it. At 7.10 am I had to stop and get my things together ready to go. I’d have to leave the house at 7.20 am as the bus is getting their earlier in competition with the other company. They say the other company has changed it’s timetable to go early to try and put them out of business. I left the house and reached the bus stop in time. The journey was beset by problems, mainly roadworks, and I had to text Yvonne to tell her I’d be late. I suggested she head into Boots the Chemist and find something nice for Amelie that I could pay for when I got there. That caused the first disagreement of the day…… by text. When I did eventually get there fifteen minutes late I joined them in the shop and found something for both Amelie and Reuben anyway. We went off to get breakfast. It was just as well as I needed a wee and then a cup of tea.We ordered breakfast and then had argument number 2 about who was paying. I gave in with good grace as it was a battle and I needed to win the war. That came next when I gave her £60 that she’s posted to my bank account to pay for meals on my birthday. I wasn’t having that when everyone else had let me pay. Eventually she took it back.
I has Amelie on my knee and she was as good as gold except she let me know when she was hungry. Frightened she might be competition for my breakfast I foisted her back on her Mum who fed her. Then she came back to me. Breakfast came and Amelie went in her pram while I ate. It was lovely and filling. After we’d both done, we took a walk out to our favourite shop just like old times. I was able to buy a couple of things for Yvonne as well as things for the children. Arguments ensued but it was good to be back and even the staff raised their eyes when they saw who was coming to the counter arguing as usual. I just ignored the arguing and went my own sweet way as usual. We were on the way out of the shop when we saw what time it was. The morning had flown by. My bus was drawing in over the road. I kissed them both goodbye and sent a hug back for spotty Muldoon. I got on the bus and waved as it drew away.
The journey back wasn’t too bad but having been without a cigarette the whole time I was out I called into Pauline’s and bought some. After a visit to the loo it was the first thing I did, light a fag. Bliss. Breakfast having been late there was no need to eat so after releasing Joey from his cage I went straight to work. I worked from 1.00 pm to 2.15 pm then from 3.00 pm to 4.30 pm to clear the backlog. Then I stayed in the lounge from 4.30 pm to 9.00 pm before closing Joey’s door and wishing him goodnight. I came through to work for the last stretch.
Oi ! Stop looking up, I’m down here.
It’s such a hard life staying awake.
Wednesday 27th Jan.
I was in bed before 11.30 pm last night and my light went off when I’d had enough of reading (is this possible?) at 12.15 am. The next thing I knew it was 3.14 am though it didn’t feel like that. Before swinging my legs out I put my glasses on and the time now read 1.34 am. I turned over,plumped up my pillows and waited to go back to sleep. It obviously happened because I next woke ( verified by wearing glasses) at 3.48 am. I paid a visit to the loo and came back to sign on to the computer. I checked last night’s Eurolottery and found I hadn’t won. In fact no-one had again and there was yet another rollover. It’s estimated to be something like £113 m on Friday night. Still dreaming of how far I could spread money like that I went to my gmail and started reducing the bulk. At 5.00 am I went for breakfast and to take my meds. I was obviously not concentrating as I took my two post-foodies before I even started my breakfast instead of two painkillers.
Returning to my screen I carried on working and watched the flood at 6.10 am without worry. After all, I had time enough today. That was what I thought right up until I got dressed at 8.00 am and remembered I needed to go to the hospital this morning. I managed to open Joey’s cage before I left at 8.20 am. The bus came at 8.30 am bur when I managed to get on, sat there until almost 8.45 am. When I got to the hospital through the wind and rain I didn’t have long to wait before being seen. It was the same nurse and this time she was much more chatty, talking about her own success using Champix, the same non-smoking drug I’m using. She did say I was doing well but that this week I should have nominated a day to quit and suggested Sunday. She told me to return to the hospital on Saturday to have the leg checked again. I left and walked back to town. It wasn’t especially cold but the wind and the rain were unpleasant. I had half an hour to wait for the bus. I called in at Pauline’s on the way home and bought a chips and curry sauce as well as my bread. Back at home I had chance to do just twenty minutes work before watching Homes Under the Hammer. Then I intended to return to work but fell asleep until 11.45 am. That meant I had to start thinking about lunch so had a cottage pie. Of course I watched Bargain Hunt but I made sure I didn’t fall asleep after that and returned to my desk. I had to fight all afternoon to get the messages down to a reasonable level and then to finish them completely but I was done by 4.05 pm. I had no idea what time Dil would appear but I wanted to be ready.
I was ready. I’d just started watching the Road Trip when I saw him appear. I got up to make him a drink. When he came in I was able to say the contestants were local in Ruthin and working their way to an auction where he lives in Colwyn Bay. We spent ages looking for people we knew. We caught up on our week since last Wednesday and exchanged news. We watched Pointless as usual before turning the box off and starting the gaming. As far as Yahtzee, Trivia and Cribbage are concerned, we played and I never want them mentioning again. Needless to say it wasn’t my day. When Dil left to my cheers and his crowing like a cockerel, I tidied up, washed the pots, took my meds and locked Joey away for the night. I came through to start on the mail and the blog hoping I’d get an early night. I think I will with a bit of luck.
So what d’you want to talk about Pops?
And who gets the prize for Most Surprised Look?
Thursday 28th Jan
I was in bed by 11.30 pm last night and had finished reading by 12.15 am as I was tired. It didn’t help much by getting me up at 2.13 am this morning even though I fought a valiant fight for more sleep. The small gods probably want me disappointed for longer. That’s because when I’d signed into the computer I went straight to the bank, my Pension Credit payment is £102.80 less than usual based on my new State Retirement Pension award, trouble is, the SRP people haven’t told me yet what my pension is and it certainly hasn’t gone in the bank today. I’ve heard of other people having to survive on no income for 3 weeks until the SRP people get their act together. I seem to remember that Mike had problems with them. Not the best news to wake up to. That could severely curtail what Mike and I do at the weekends, like eat for instance.
I started work on the inbox of my gmail account and just broke off at 4.00 am to take an antibiotic. I was clear by 4.35 am. I lay on the bed and willed myself to sleep, just as well I’m strong willed. I was out until 5.40 am which was great. There was time to take all the usual meds before the post started pouring in. When I got back there was just one in my box. I quickly did it hoping that was it until about lunchtime, but no, that one was just the cork holding the flow of others back. It quickly grew to over 60 which even so was quite light by normal standards. I just kept going and going till suddenly there wasn’t one left and it was only 8.45 am. I let Joey out early in celebration. I didn’t know what to do as I’d promised myself I wouldn’t go out today (except maybe the chippy at lunch time) and there was no washing to be done. I couldn’t hoover the lounge because I’d let Joey out. He panics if the hoover goes yet in his cage he goes to his little corner and is fine. I was almost grateful when I saw more emails beginning to trickle through. I just sat there dealing with them one by one as they arrived. Anytime there was a pause I turned to Ebay, there were some fantastic bright red grandad collar shirts on there. What a temptation.
At 9.00 am I went through to chat to Joey, he really likes company. I stayed to watch Homes Under the Hammer then I returned to work for a while. It was daft, I’d been away 2 hours and only 12 messages in all that time and the ones I expected weren’t there. So at 11.15 am I went to the kitchen and peeled my sweet potatoes and an onion. After laying my sausages out to cook I had a cigarette before taking my pre-foodies and starting to cook the sausages. A quarter brown I turned the sausages and put the potatoes on. When they were done I mashed them while the onion cooked. I plated up the potatoes and then the sausages , added the onion to some gravy and poured it over the meal. I really enjoyed it. There are even sausages left in case Mike wants a sandwich tonight. Provided he’s coming tonight, I haven’t heard yet. At 1.00 pm after Bargain Hunt I returned to work again. There was plenty in but still not some I expected. I hoped everything was OK. There was a message from Yvonne though who’d had some success with the Pensions Service this morning having found out how much they’re paying me. They’re supposed to be writing to me. The only problem I can foresee , and I think this is ridiculous, is that they’re going to pay me 4 weeks in arrears. Why don’t they prepare you for that after having paid weekly before. How do they expect many people to survive without money for 4 weeks?
At 2.00 pm I was free again my mail box empty. I was just wandering back towards the lounge when I heard my mobile beep a message had been received. It was Mike to say he was on the way. I could expect him around 4.30 pm then. I watched The Father Brown Mystery then had a short catch up period before watching a bit of the new antiques programme. I spent another half an hour or so clearing mail then went through to wait for Mike. Unfortunately I fell asleep for a few minutes and when I woke up he was in his chair next to me. Luckily the kettle was still hot so I knew I hadn’t been gone long. I made him a coffee and we were able to see Road Trip together. We chatted through our programmes and I was there until 10.00 pm after Murder in Paradise. I took my meds and came through to catch up on any new mail. I was glad to see that which I’d missed during the day was there. Then blog time. Bed by midnight I’m sure.
It’s boring doing nothing at all.Maybe I’ll just……
Hang on, did someone mention a party?
Friday 29th Jan.
In bed at 11.44 pm and lights out at 12.45 am. Sleep must have come reasonably soon since I remember just a short period of annoying, repetitive thoughts. The lark was up and bade me follow at 2.43 am even though I tried to make my way back to sleep instead. Sometimes the small gods are truculent beings because further sleep was not on the menu despite an hour after moving I was yawning my head off. At 4.0 am I took my antibiotic which meant I couldn’t have breakfast and take my other meds for an hour. In fact cross breakfast off the menu altogether (pun intended) as today is the day for doing my drug tray for the next week. That takes so long to do I can’t afford time to eat as well. I had my surgery appointment at 8.30 am again and I needed to clear as much work as possible before leaving. I decided to take my other meds at 4.00 am as well and go straight into doing the replacement tray.
When I returned at 4.40 am with my coffee I was amazed to find no more mail waiting for me. I was tempted to try for sleep but was afraid if it happened it might make me late for the surgery. Mike wouldn’t get up of his own accord even with an alarm to remind him. Instead I looked for and found a free crossword site and sat doing those until I saw any new messages enter the box. At 5.30 am I got dressed just to give my bum a break from the chair. I was wearing one of the jumpers Mike got me for my birthday. I think they call this a cowl neck. At 6.10 am the mail started coming through and unlike yesterday it came virtually all at once. Whoosh 80 short pause 94 then trickles. I had almost an hour so I started and just kept going. When 6.25 am arrived and I had to make a coffee to take through to Mike I was still on 73 outstanding. His alarm went off to coincide with the arrival of the coffee, I still announced it in stentorian voice of course. After the third ignored alarm I was going to go through but he stirred and went through to the lounge. I was down to 61 by then but I had to leave it to be sure we’d get out on time for the appointment. Thanks to him shaking a leg we did.
I’d only just confirmed I was there and sat down when S. called me. I didn’t check my watch. Really there were only a few questions to answer,How was the leg? How is the non-smoking going? Any change in mood noted? All my answers were positive, well I was positive they weren’t exactly lies anyway. She was pleased and happy to leave me on the drugs for another week, and I needn’t see her next week but the week after. (Now that’s a shame). I said goodbye and left. At the reception desk I noted I was leaving before I was even due in this week. I cancelled one appointment and made another. Then battling the strong winds I made my way slowly into town. I decided to call into the supermarket rather than freeze in the bus shelter so I picked up some strawberries for Mike’s supper. Later I didn’t have long to wait at the bus stop and was able to call into Pauline’s for my lottery tickets when I got off the bus. Then I bought a bacon bap from the sandwich shop. I reached home and checked Joey was OK. Having half an hour to spare before Homes Under the Hammer I restarted work and ate my bacon bap as I did. That way I’d only be a little late with my antibiotic and I could take my time over my second meal of the day now breakfast was done. At 10.00 am the number was at 58 which accounted for more having come through and not that I’d only done 3 messages.
After HUtH I came back to work ready to concentrate only to be frustrated as they took so long to load and messages came up to say no internet connection. The little arrow at the top of the screen was going anticlockwise and refused to budge. Each one was excruciatingly slow but I persevered. Finally just before 1.00 pm I cleared the box. I went through to watch the news which included tales of this latest bout of inherited weather sending atrocious winds to batter us. I was going to watch Father Brown bu found my eyelids were in the way. I was awake before the end and found I’d seen it before anyway so I watched the antiques show instead. I cam back to work from 3.45 pm to 4.30 pm just to be sure I’d cleared what I could then went to watch my Road Trip. No text from Mike so he was going to miss it. Perhaps he’ll stay out as Man. Utd. are on TV tonight and he’d have to watch it in his bedroom.
I was cross at 7.00 pm when I turned over for my Celebrity Road Trip only to find it wasn’t on. It’s annoying when the TV companies make changes after they’ve given the programme details to magazines . We sit there like lemons waiting for something to come on. Mike sent a text about 7.15 am to say he was on his way. I was surprised as he’d miss the start of his game. I’d nodded off before he arrived back and only woke to see him leaving the room to go ant turn the TV on in his bedroom. I went to do him a coffee. There was a programme at 8.30 pm putting certain products to test which I watched then at 9.00 pm told Mike he could watch the main TV while I went for a shower. Following the shower I came through to start work on the accumulated mail and the blog. Nice clean mail from me now. It’s currently 11.20 pm and I expect to be in bed no later than 11.45 pm.
Is this a raspberry on my head?
Oh wait, I’m a fashion icon not a fruit bowl.
Saturday 30th Jan.
I made it to bed by 11.45 pm and started to read. I was going to put the book down at 12.30 am but found I wasn’t tired. Moments later Mike came in to say he couldn’t get to sleep. He’d heard a short time ago his Dad was at the hospital again after another fall and he’s hurt his head this time. Mike’s sister has gone to the hospital and will be keeping him up to date. I finally put my book down a few minutes after 1.00 am. Sleep didn’t come easily but come it did. I woke exactly at 3.30 am no question but it was time to get up. A quick visit to the Piddle Palace and I was ready to start work. First of all I checked Skype to see if there was a new message from MuJo. I haven’t seen them since before Christmas and their gifts are still here waiting for them. John has been quite poorly though it took him a long time to admit it. Judging by the frequency and type of his recent replies he’s well on the road to recovery. There was a new response which said ‘See you soon’ which is great, maybe they can open these gifts before the next ones are due.
I went onto my gmail next and started work there. It only took until 5.10 am to finish that lot and it seemed a good time for a break so I wandered through to the kitchen and took my meds and had breakfast. At 5.30 am I returned with coffee to see what else was in until it was time to start taking bins out and getting a coffee to Mike to kick off the process of him getting up. At .15 am the alarm went and I was running to get the kettle on. The coffee was delivered with the second alarm. Amazingly he got up with the third. More amazingly we were out of the house at 7.15 am playing dustbin men and dragging the bins t the end of the path. The winds were so bad this morning I’m not putting any recycling out, they can have it next week instead. Otherwise I could end up looking for the bags the next County over. We were almost pulling into the store car park when I remembered I was in a different coat and hadn’t transferred my Blue Badge disabled parking permit over.Still, at this time we weren’t exactly fighting for space. We ended up very close to where we normally are. Going round the store was quite quick which I put down to my organised list but I was horrified to have spent £70.00 bar pennies and of course Mike was delighted. I did get the kiddies some clothes.
We had our usual drink before setting off again, this time in the direction of Flint. Mike detoured to ALDI so I could get the latest brochure. We parked outside Temptations as usual and headed for Homies to get a couple of things I needed. Instead of carrying on round the shops we decided to go for our drinks and see Ceri. Plus it was warmer in there than outside. After teasing her as much as possible we left in search of a bag Mike wanted to take to his sister in Canada when he goes in March. We could get everything except what he wanted. We upped sticks and headed off to the hospital in Holywell where a lovely nurse removed the dressing and said how well it was doing. We decided to leave it open to the air now. I’ll just have to keep my fingernails to myself.
We drove over to Kinmel Bay to get fish food for Mike ( for his fish really) as it’s the only place we know that stocks the brand he wants. Then as it was lunch time we headed back towards home and stopped for a meal at the Bells of St Mary’s. Not up to scratch today but worth the visit to see the new meals they’re doing now. At last we came home and after unpacking and putting away the shopping I was allowed to come to work. I started just before 2.00 pm and finished at 5.50 pm. It turns out that was handy as the Road Trip I was deprived of last night was on tonight. I managed to stay awake through that and turned over afterwards for a detective show. I seemed to sleep through most of that just waking once in a while to try and convince Mike I’d been following the plot all the way through. It didn’t work. At 9.00 pm I came through to catch up but that didn’t take as long as expected for some reason so at 10.15 pm I was able to rejoin Mike for a while. Then I had no choice but to return to battle and do the blog.It’s been a good day.
Roobs celebrates his recovery at the beach.
My wunnerful niece Karen with Amelie.
I wish you all a wonderful new week full of dreams come true and with Hugs Galore.
Sunday 13th Nov.
Whilst it took me a little longer to clear up the mail last night than I’d hoped, I was still in bed and ready to read by 12.15 am. My overhead light had blown ( after about a month) so I left it to cool down and used my lamp to read.
I was up again at 2.47 am and after a visit to the loo logged on to my gmail postbox. Quite a few because of last night’s blog mixing with the normal mail. Because I wasn’t under real pressure I took my time and was clear about 5.30 am, a perfect time to get my meds and breakfast. That took a little longer than expected and when I came back with my coffee it was 06.12 am and the flood gates had opened. What’s more it was still raining. I worked until 9.10 am when Mike got up ( sorry, I should have warned you, let me help you up again) and was still left with 66 messages when I left to join him in the lounge.
There wasn’t too much time this morning as I reminded him while he drank his coffee. He’d mentioned yesterday that he wanted to look for a specific jumper for his son. Typically he’d mentioned it minutes after we’d left the place they sell that jumper and he’d seen it on sale there weeks ago and we go every week…….are you getting the picture of prevarication here? He agreed we should go on our way to meet Yvonne. We managed to leave the house about 10.00 am and got to the supermarket about 10.15 am. First we went over to the jumpers and for one horrible minute thought we were going to be unlucky. Then he found about four of them buried at the bag of different design, and they had the right size. We picked that up then collected some bulbs as the main light in my bedroom blew last night. Since I’m using halogen in there now I was surprised it had gone so quickly. Just about a month. If it happens again I’ll change back to the standard.
We got back in the car and headed for Chester. Yvonne texted me and said she’d meet us in town instead of at home so we parked up at about 11.20 am in a spot near to where we were to meet. So lucky to get a town centre spot especially on a Sunday. We walked to the £ shop where I said I needed and they were there to meet us. I mentioned going to a new shop yesterday morning, one of the things I bought was a really good sizes hessian shopping bag that looked top quality. I like it so much I decided to buy another couple today as I’d used mine to stick Yvonne’s crackers and something else in. We managed to find 3 so I took them all. Yvonne needed another shop so I took Mike in to the shop I got my jacket and chino’s in to show him what was on sale. We agreed to meet up at Noon outside the place we were eating. We were just entering there when my phone beeped with a text, we saw Yvonne and Reuben just as I read “Turn left we’re in the first room”. Lunch wasn’t too bad at all today and my sausages were safe as Yvonne was sharing her burger with Roobs.
After lunch Yvonne wanted to show me the dinner service she wanted which was currently at half price. It was only done in a set of four place settings. Just imagine the arguments that ensued if you can as we both said we were buying them, and I got two boxes in the trolley and Yvonne chose matching place mats , coasters and a teapot. She was adamant she was using birthday money when I knew there wasn’t enough left after buying some boots. So as per bloody usual at the till I’m trying to pay cash and snatch Yvonne’s card to stop he using it. I think I’m doing OK until suddenly Mike enters the fray and tries to put his card in. There’s a whirl of arms and legs as we battle it out. Somehow Yvonne won because the woman wouldn’t take cash with a card in the slot. Personally I think it was just women supporting women and a need ti get us out of the shop since we weren’t the cabaret. I managed to give Yvonne enough money to pay for half so I counted it as a partial victory.
We took everything to Yvonne’s house so that we could also collect some gifts for Mujo who said they were visiting tomorrow though judging by the fact they haven’t been in touch tonight to confirm, must be off. That’s OK as I’ll see Lis now. Once the gifts were wrapped and ready we headed for home. We sat together for a while before it was time for Mike to go, about 4.00 pm. The moment I’d closed the door I had to come to work. I was horrified by what was waiting and I remembered Mike saying “When there’s that much, just delete it all, tomorrow is a new day”. Fortunately I also remembered he says lots of daft things so I just got stuck in. At about 7.00 pm I wandered through to see Joey and have a sandwich ( not chicken with him in the room). I had an individual trifle and a piece of chocolate cake,all suitable for diabetics of course. I’d stuck the TV on and there was a vampire type thing on which I’m sure there have been follow ons to. I wasn’t following the story but kept seeing this young mas zipping through the trees with someone on his back after introducing her to his family who I’m guessing were all vampires, though possibly goodies. I fell asleep. It lasted less than half an hour but I knew I’d have to move soon if I were to finish tonight. Somehow I was there till 9.00 pm talking to Joey. I wished him goodnight, tookmy tabs then came back through.
It’s now 12.07 am and I’m only just coming to an end. Still nothing from MuJo.
Ready for bed.
Monday 14th Dec.
I got to bed finally at 12.30 am last night, I only read for half an hour though. The evening was long and I was tired. I remember being awake for a while trying to find a comfortable on the pillow. I was aware of a waking dream starting which involved motorcycles. I’ve no idea why since I know nothing about them and don’t have an interest in them neither. But Ju did so maybe this was her dream. I woke again at 2.21 am for a trip to the loo but knew I wasn’t up to stay. I slept again but woke at 2.53 am for the last time. Since there was no need of another loo trip I powered up the computer and logged on. By 4.20 am my post box was empty though mail was still coming in and needed constant attention. Mike had left the idea of decorating the hallway from the front door in fairy lights so I tried that with the small led’s I’d bought recently. It’s an area of darkness after you leave the bedroom, especially if you don’t want to turn the lounge light on. I wasn’t too keen on the lights up and I had the runway lights Mike had put up the other day though I didn’t have the remote. So, no decoration, but functionality reigns. Anyway the runway lights keep my face in darkness and let the world see I still have a pert bum.
I went for breakfast and tablets at 5.30 am I had some toast using the new bread I got Saturday when mine wasn’t available. It was very crunchy. They call it farmhouse bread and I think they left the walls in. I made myself a coffee and took it back to my room. I was just in time to see the new post coming in. There was a van and some little postman with a smirk on his face was just throwing sacks on the ground and then he roared off. I thought that was it until I saw him drive up again and repeat the process. I’m putting virtual tacks on the ground tomorrow. I so wish I could go back to instant instead of daily notifications. I nipped back to the kitchen and put the washer on then made a start. At 9.45 am I went through to put the now dried (ha ha, not today it wasn’t) on the airer then I got dressed and went to the Post Office to send a card to Germany. The postmistress Rosetta was there and I thanked her for her kindness with the cakes. She said she’s baking again on Saturday and will include some for me. The spirit of Christmas is alive and well.
Back at home I did without my house progamme and carried on working. I could hear Joey chirping away so he must have expected the music. I took 5 minutes to go and talk to him. Bev, the warden came early today at 10.30 am so I was able to give her a card and her chocolates for a change. Had MuJo been coming I’d usually have missed her. There was a ring at the doorbell and it was Lis so as she came in Bev made her escape (Foiled again). How wonderful to see Lis who’s proved a great friend this last 10 years or so. I caught up on all the family news until midday she made to go. ( And foiled yet again). She left my card and gift for me which I placed under the tree. I gave her the birthday card and gifts to carry and said I’d carry the Christmas gifts for her and Charlie to the car. I waved as she left. Despite the interruption to work I didn’t return straight away choosing to see to my lunch instead. I fully intended to return to work at 1.00 pm. That was thwarted when I fell asleep just before the end of the auction on Bargain Hunt. I stayed asleep until 2.05 pm and knowing my Australian Doctor mystery was on next I stayed there. It was 3.10 pm before I went back to work.
It wasn’t a wise move to have been away so long as I swear that evil little man had returned again in my absence. It took me until 5.45 pm to get clear so I could watch what was left of my quiz. I was out of my room until 9.10 pm after deciding it was as late as I dared leave it tonight. But when I came through, things weren’t as bad as I expected for a change and I was able to make quite a dent in it until 10.30 pm when I started this post. I can clear up any odd ones after this and leave nothing. Of course there will be more in the morning but I’m out so won’t get much done until I’m back.
Time for Daddy.
Tuesday 15th Dec.
I was in bed for midnight with no mail outstanding. I managed to finish my current book and went to choose a new one which necessitated clearing an Everst sized mountain of gifts from in front of the bookcase and then rebuilding it after the book was chosen. When I got back to bed I decided not to start the new one but get some sleep before today’s outing. My light went off at 12.50 am. I struggled to get to sleep but eventually did so. I woke up this morning at 2.12 am feeling quite chipper and sleep satisfied. I know when I’ll be able to nod off again and that wasn’t the time. I powered up the computer and logged on to my gmail steadily reducing the amount of mail in my post box. Funnily enough, by 3.30 am I was yawning but didn’t dare lie down in case I slept past my bus departure time.Within half an hour I had my second wind anyway. ( Don’t worry, no-one had to put me over their shoulder and burp me).
At 4.30 am to fight off the next wave of tiredness I went to the kitchen to take my meds and have some breakfast. Kellog’s Cornflakes today ( Fees for product placement direct to my paypal a/c please Kellogs). I’m using the individual portion boxes to make sure I don’t overdo the eating, it’s lucky I find the milk quite filling. When I came back with my cuppa there weren’t too many emails so I was able to do a search for another watch since one of those I bought for my nieces has proved to be less brand new than was advertised and sold. My own fault that I left feedback on it before starting it going. The second hand doesn’t work and the jeweler Mike took it to yesterday said the innards are wrong. It’s very rare I have a problem with anyone on ebay but why choose a time when I needed a gift? I’m annoyed, but mainly with myself. I’m going to buy one new and this one when repaired will be a spare for me. I have to find the best Rotary or Seiko watches bargains now. I want both girls to have a good quality watch to fall back on as well as getting them a good prezzie.
Some big firms do special offers via the ebay pages do I managed to find a few to go for tonight at 7.55 pm. I turned my thoughts back to the post and had cleared last night’s nicely in time for the new ‘dump’ at 6.10 am It trickled through at first, just 20 or so but by the time I was half way through it was on 54 and then 87. When 7.20 am arrived and I was due to leave the house it was at a level where I didn’t want to leave the house. I was at the bus stop in plenty of time as I wasn’t sure if the new driver would hand around. I got my seat OK and after about 10 seconds he drove off before I was even sitting down. I’m not sure the lady in the seat behind would have welcomed me on her lap so I was grasping for the uprights to stay in place. I swung round and sat as soon as I’d got the crutches off my arms. As usual the journey went quite quickly as I dozed and it was just good luck that I woke for the right stop as Yvonne wasn’t there to stop him running away with her Dad. I’m assuming she would have stopped him? I walked up to meet her and was approaching the shop they sometimes go in if they’re early when I heard a voice. Yvonne, on her own was beckoning me from the other side of the road. OK ladies, get your tissues handy. It seems Roobs is ill, shivering and flu like. So is his dad who is staying off work so Yvonne had left the two of them together to come out with me. She didn’t want to stop me coming and spoil my day. I have to say, we shopped in an atmosphere of calm. We even managed after more than two years to visit The Rows which are an upper level of shops in the black and white old timbered buildings. It’s very difficult to get up there with a pushchair so it’s been largely ignored. We had a nice breakfast in a cafe called Ruben’s.
When it was time to catch my bus I was carrying very little but I’d enjoyed the morning. I said goodbye to my baby and boarded…..safely this time. Like earlier I nodded on the way home. I was awake at Holywell and as we started the hill then I must have gone again. Had the bus not juddered at he right time I might have missed my stop here too and that would have meant an agonising walk up a very steep hill from their depot, or waiting until the next bus was due out. Pauline’s was my destination, I thought I could do it and still make it home in time for a wee. I almost bought my TV mag until I remembered I’d bought the Christmas double edition last week. I got a chips with curry sauce and some cigarettes and left. I made it home and poor Joey had to wait a bit longer to get out. As I’d predicted to Yvonne, he wouldn’t talk to me at first. But, as I jabbered at him from the kitchen he warmed up a bit. I had my lunch just listening to him then once I’d washed up came through to work. Only till 3.15 pm though so just about one and a half hours worth. Once Dr Blake’s mysteries were over I returned here and stayed until 6.30 pm when the mail was finally cleared. I went through and put the TV on again for Joey while I got myself a yoghurt and a bit of cake for tea. He dive bombed me a couple of times but didn’t land so my food was safe. I stayed and watched a couple of historical things then wished Joey goodnight at 9.00 pm and took my meds before coming through.
There was plenty of mail again but not a scary amount. I was done by 10.15 pm and ready to start the blog. It’s back to ebay after this. No Reuben pictures until he’s well again I’m afraid.
Wednesday 16th Dec.
What a weird night. Bed at midnight, light off at 1.00 am. Up again at 2.00 pm.I sat with a cigarette and was sure the sleeping wasn’t over yet. Another try and it was 5.45 am before I roused. That’s almost hibernation for me. After a trip to the loo I couldn’t go back to my room straight away because of the time. I needed some breakfast and my meds. Once the duties were done it was back to my room with a coffee. An eye opening, brain reacting, system shocking coffee.
I powered up and had logged on about 5 minutes before reaching the room. Coffee lets you time travel. What it can’t do however is the bloody post on your behalf. 126 there now and I just know there’s more to come. I made a start. Every time I did three, two more would arrive to replace them. By 9.55 am I was still at it and hadn’t had chance to get dressed yet. It was the next thing I did before going through to let Joey out and put Homes Under The Hammer on the TV. The moment I did that, the postie came and delivered some CD’s I’d ordered. I was checking the rest of my uninteresting mail and hanging up some lovely Christmas Cards while trying to keep up with the houses. Joey occupied much of my attention for few minutes sitting atop his cage going up and down like a demented spring and giving someone a real tongue lashing. I don’t think it was aimed at me as I had the less attractive end of his body to face. Perhaps it was to that very aggressive bird he keeps meeting in the mirror. He settled down, did a circuit of the room neatly parting my hair in the middle and went to attack the millet in his cage. At 11.00 am I returned to work in the hope of clearing the decks before lunch. I did it with minutes to spare. At midday I turned the microwave to my latest culinary delight. Cottage pie. I watched Bargain Hunt and tried to pay attention but I faded towards the end. What a shame it didn’t last as I was awake again at 1.10 pm.
I worked on new stuff and also tried to get into my talktalk account. It said my password or sign in was wrong which was amazing as it’s the same as yesterday. I may pay talktalk for my phone but I get the impression they don’t like me at all. I’ve no ebays until tomorrow as I’ve been unsuccessful so far. I don’t care what it takes, I’ll do it. I just daren’t leave it too long to allow for delivery. At 2.15 pm I broke off to see Dr Blake in action and converse with the bird again. He was in a better mood. I reurned to work at 3.10 pm and managed to clear the post for 4.00 pm. I spent a while on ebaystill looking for this watch then at 4.30 pm I went through to the lounge, turned the TV on and the landing lights in the hall ready for Dil’s arrival. He arrived about two minutes later and as I was in the process of preparing his mug, I just carried on to make the tea and letting him think I’m psychic. We watched Flog It while we chatted and he spoke about taking me to see Lee next Wednesday to deliver prezzies. He’s off during the day. He also mentioned perhaps going to get some Titterton’s pies that morning. That could be lunch taken care of. After we’d seen our Pointless , out came the games table and out came the Yahtzee. I don’t know how it happened , as he was getting Yahtzees, but I won four games of the six. In an effort to give him chance to even up we played again. It happened I won four of the six there two. It was a resounding victory but while I did the victory dance, he threw the papers in he bin to obliterate the evidence. So, I realise it’s hard but you’l have to take my word for it. Anyway, isn’t it said that the victors write the history?
The Trivial Pursuit came out next. I made short work of getting all my segments which didn’t please Dil but as I was trying to get to the centre and answer a question of his choice he was catching up. In the end as 9.30 pm approached I asked him an easy question so the game would have a winner. All the time I knew that if we’d carried on I would probably have won from all the cards I’d memorised. Oops, did I say that out loud. Once Dil had gone I tidied up and washed the pots. I took my meds and also locked Joey’s cage with a little promise of seeing him in the mornin Then it was time to come through and start on the mail for a time and then at 10.30 pm do the blog post. I still can’t get into TalkTalk and they’ve now suspended me for getting it ‘wrong’ ten times. Looks like a midnight tonight and I feel like a good sleep is due. Fingers crossed.
Thursday 17th Dec.
I got to bed at midnight. Having said last night I felt I needed a good sleep, I only bread until 12.30 am. My head was quite muzzy so I grabbed 2 headache tablets, turned the light off and settled down. I was quickly asleep lying on my right side as usual. I woke at 2.02 am with backache so after a trip to the loo and a cigarette I decided to try sleeping on my other side. No problem getting off there either. I woke at 3.59 am with the same backache and hoped being upright might help. Overnigfht I developed a cough. I know it’s not flu as I’ve had the jab so maybe it’s bronchitis. It’s been a while.
I logged on and went to the bank to see my Pension is there. It was but the balance is lower than expected. All my bills seem to have been coming out just recently. Once I’d checked it I could leave and go to my gmail account. Not too bad at 37 which was enough to occupy me until 6.00 am when I went to get my meds. I know what will await me on return but here’s nothing I can do about it.If any day needed to be kind to me om numbers, this is the day. I felt lousy as I returned to my room, he damage was done but it was faint compared to usual lying as it was in the early sixties. I did a few and the numbers actually went down. As much as I could concentrate I concentrated on them. I finished about 8.45 am. Time to get dressed and go out to Pauline’s. That was really hard work and I was gasping for air when I got back.I had to sit down for a while. Joey didn’t mind.
I made Mike’s bed with some difficulty. It took me over half an hour. Then grateful that it was time for Homes Under The Hammer so I could just fall into a chair. After that at 11.00 am I went back to the computer to play catch up until about midday. I didn’t feel like lunch just then so I sat in my chair and next thing I know it’s 1.15 pm and I’m just waking up. I did an hour on my mail then went back to see Dr Blake. I still didn’t feel like eating but I put something in the micro so I could have my second set of diabetic tablets. When Dr Blake had solved his latest mystery I left the TV on for Joey and returned to work. I was clear by 4.50 pm and decided to get my new bedding out. When I’d done so I hadn’t the energy just then to do anything about it. I have no idea what-if anything- I did between 5 p m – 7 pm I’m fairly sure no quizzes were involved. I decided to try and do my bed. A text from Mike to say he’s on his way and I just said “I may be in bed, you know where everything is.” He should be here about 9.00 pm ish. By 7.30 pm I’d made the bed and was ready to collapse into it. So I did. Mike arrived at 8.45 pm and I roused slightly but he wouldn’t let me do his drink, insisting I stay in bed. That wasn’t too difficult.
See you all tomorrow.
Friday 18th Dec.
I know Mike was very good and fussed over me but to be honest I couldn’t focus very well last night. This morning there’s no inclination to move at all so I’m not going too. I was awake at 1.30 am,2.25 am and 3.10 am though. No mail and I’m not going to let it panic me. No food because I just don’r feel like eating. Mike let Joey out before he left and will lock him up once he’s home. I tried to sit in front of the TV but just fell asleep so I’ve gone back to bed for the day. Sorry folks, normal service resumed ASAP. Mid-morning I had to get up to answer texts on my phone so while up I tried to do a little mail. That earned me headache and future lessons in spelling. I did manage to get a couple of more important ones away which was good. I had a text from My great niece to say she ‘s coming up to see her father and will try and call on me on the way provided she feels confident with given directions. To be honest I wouldn’t trust me either.
Reuben gets Monster Hugs
Saturday 19th Dec.
I’m so sorry. Today is day 3 in my death bed scene and right now I’d hasten the end if only the insurance company wouldn’t look so askance at it . The world is drained of joy except for a few high spots, You know who you are, thank you. Food isn’t welcome and shops are going bust ( especially those that sell chips in curry sauce for some reason). On the other hand I haven’t been able to do much wrapping to help my poor brudder out so there is plus side.
Tomorrow I have visitors come to make sure the will is up to date so I must look pale and wan and cough daintily. If I have anything left after that I’ll beg for permission to come online. I’m sure the antibiotics and steroids will have kicked in by then.
Reuben’s Monster giggles
Have a Wonderful New Week full of Hugs and Dreams come true.
I know I woke at about 3.00 am but I screwed up my eyes convinced there was more to come. There was. The second awakening came at an amazing 5.54 am. That’s a night of almost 5 hours. Before even touching the computer I went to take my drugs and make myself a coffee to bring back. Only then did I power up and log on. I worked continuously until 8.10 am when I heard Mike’s phone go, and him answer it, I couldn’t hear his conversation of course but knew the news wouldn’t be good. I went through and made him a coffee. As I was stirring it he came through himself and carried it to his chair. The news was his Dad had fallen and hurt his back and an ambulance had been called.
When he’d woken a bit he rang the carers back and found the ambulance had just arrived and were taking his Dad away. From there it’s generally a waiting game for the hospital to get in touch and say what they’re doing. Sometimes he has to dash to pick his Dad up to take him home and sometimes it’s a slightly more leisurely route of going to visit him today then staying another night here so he can pick him up tomorrow. Generally there’s no major injuries as luck would have it. Both Mike and I fell asleep in our chairs before 9.00 am. I was back up and working before 10.00 am and Mike followed me into wakefulness at 10.40 am.
I struggled to finish the gmail post to get at the talktalk but was up to date by 11.00 am on both. I knew it wouldn’t last long but it felt nice for the moment. At 11.00 am we found out Mike’s Dad was being kept in at least overnight so Mike is staying here another night and was gleeful in pointing out he could now help me with my lemon meringue. I told you it was a bad day.
Chunnering at my bad luck I went back to work for a while and Mike went to get washed and dressed. My mail is coming in thick and fast this morning. Some extremely funny stuff has graced my screen. At noon we were on our way. I was going to need some shopping afterwards so we went to the CookHouse in Prestatyn again. We fed our faces and relished every morsel then headed for one of the local shops to pick up a bottle bag. Somehow or other the basket was filled while we were there so it was just as well the car was close by. I wanted a peep in one more shop at the other end of town before we left so we drove up there and looked around, more importantly picked up a brochure showing what else was due in. Then in an unusual turn of events we drove home. I left Mike watching the TV (dozing) while I came and started work. Such a lot again, it started as 54 then added 45 then added 62. It was gone 6.00 pm before I could get back to the lounge. I shared out the lemon meringue (grudgingly) then watched TV until 8.00 pm except for changing Joey’s millet and seed bell and earning a telling off. At 8.00 pm I came back to face the next batch which kept me occupied until almost 9.30 pm- tablet time.
I needed another little break before coming back to do the blog so started watching one of those pathology type mysteries that are prevalent now. It’s quite good but I keep forgetting it’s not an hour’s episode as with others but 2 hours. I was devastated when I had to leave half way through and then rely on Mike to let me know what happened. Still, it meant I had time for the blog and to catch up. It’s a Chester day tomorrow as Yvonne is seeing the midwife on Tuesday. I need to get the numbers down as much as possible before I go out so it may be an early morning. It’ll have to be an early night tonight.
Bright as a button.
And twice as sweet.
Monday 14th.
I was reminded today that a good friend had reviewed two of my books during July and Oct of 2013. Not my best year so maybe I can be forgiven for letting it slip my memory. I’d like to share one of them with you now though as it’s the kind of review authors dream about. I hope it’s not too late to say Thank you again Ella. Hugs.
“I like cats. I like cat stories. After reading Memoirs of a Superior I now like books written by cats. Oh yes, I know it was written by a human, a very talented human… but indulge me, if you suspend boring real world limits about such things Memoirs of a Superior could have been written by Oscar tapping away the keyboard with furry paws… That’s what I choose to believe.” https://elladeewords.wordpress.com/2013/10/15/nifty-thrifty/#more-2686
I turned the light off last night before 1.00 am but sleep didn’t come easy despite me thinking I was tired. I ended up sleeping on my left side which I never do. I wonder if it’s related to my Sunday morning lie-in? This morning was 3.50 am so not too bad but it certainly doesn’t compare to 5.54 am. I made a trip to the loo and them powered up the computer on my return and signed in. I worked on my mail until 5.30 am then took a break to get my meds and a coffee. I needed the meds today as I’m nervous. Mike had decided to come to Chester with me before travelling on to Manchester to see his Dad. That meant I didn’t have to take the bus but it also meant I have to get him up and then motivated and ready to leave the house at 8.00 am. I was guessing it was a repeat of Saturday mornings but starting half an hour later at 7.00 am. I wasn’t looking forward to it. I called him at 7.00 pm and said it was time to rise and shine. A few minutes later I woke him again to say I’d put his coffee on the table. He moved. All you need is the right motivation. We were actually out of the house at 7.50 am and despite the heavy traffic were in Chester at 8.30 am. I couldn’t tell Yvonne as she thought I was still taking the bus and coming alone. There was a parking space outside the pub I’d arranged to meet at so we parked up and took a walk until Yvonne and Reuben arrived.
They arrived smirking from the wrong direction so Mike was no longer a surprise. We entered the pub and ordered our breakfasts and drinks by which I mean teas and coffees, though at 9.00 am there were men drinking pints already. I had bacon, sausage, egg, beans, tomato, hashbrowns (I give them away) and toast. This week the eggs were fried. It filled me nicely. Having left there we couldn’t just walk past out favourite shop so we trundled in and checked to see if they had any green jeans in the right size for Mike. I managed to evade Yvonne long enough to get her another big cardigan. Going upstairs Reuben wanted to go via the escalators rather than the lift so Mike had to push the empty pushchair. Coming back down Reuben insisted on coming to push the buttons so Yvonne got the chair back again. We had a wander to the precinct in the Centre of Chester looking for a coat for Reuben, then a wander round another shop before I had to make my way to the bus stop. Mike made his goodbyes and disappeared to go to Manchester, I got on my bus. Yvonne waved to me but Reuben waved at the bus in general as he couldn’t spot me. I slept most of the way home but luckily woke up in time. I dropped my prescription request off at the chemist then waddled home as quick as I could needing a wee. No stopping at Pauline’s.
When I got through the door I ran for the loo throwing my crutches down in an ‘Isn’t it a miracle, I’m cured’ kind of way. Nothing focuses the mind more than needing the loo but wanting the zip open first.Once I’d come out sighing with mucho relief I came through to see how bad the morning mail was. It was 1.30 pm and I wasn’t able to move from here until 4.30 pm and even then I wasn’t up to date but my programme was on. I quickly put some ebay bids on then went through to the lounge to talk to poor Joey who was so cruelly deserted today. He told me so too. I stayed there until 6.30 pm and Joey was rollocking me the whole time, either that or he was trying to answer quiz questions. At 6.30 pm I found not one single bid had been successful. I need to either rethink my strategy or start offering money instead of sexual favours. I temained sulking but hard at work until 8.00 pm. I went to watch an old NCIS and then a DIY SOS which was excellent. I’m still crying. Back in here at 10.00 pm for the last blast at the mail and to do the blog. I shall get an early night.
Tuesday 15th.
I managed to get to bed a little earlier last night but still read until just gone 1.00 am. It was a bit of a surprise therefore to be awake at 2.38 am. Though I made my usual pilgrimage and made my offering to St. Loo, it wasn’t my bladder that had woken me. Perhaps the almost an hour I’d managed on the bus coming home from Chester had made the difference to my needs. I’m not trying to offend my bladder and negate it’s influence in my life at this age but in this instance it was not a deciding factor. After my visit to the porcelain collection bowl I returned to my room to bring the computer to life and make a start on my emails. Given how little time had actually passed since I’d turned the computer off and gone to bed, it was a surprise how many emails there actually were. Not that I was unhappy since my friends are welcome to drop in at any time.One particular friend, Olga Nunez Miret of https://olganm.wordpress.com has just been to Spain to perform a sad task and was reporting she was back. She’s an excellent writer, a prolific blogger who does many reviews and is one of the nicest people I know.
In case you think I’m a neglectful parent I did go and stick my head in on Joey to make sure he was alright. There was enough ambient light from outside to satisfy myself he hadn’t fallen off his perch so to speak. He didn’t actually move at all so despite the lack of snoring I had to assume he was asleep. After catching up on gmail I headed for talktalk to see what awaited me there. That didn’t take too long so by 4.30 am I was back on ebay. I’d won nothing overnight but I now placed bids on a few items coming up today. I’m really making an effort for Christmas now. At 5.00 am I suddenly decided I was hungry. I went through to put some bread in the toaster then proceeded to take my meds including a pre-foodie tablet. I smoked a cigarette for timing then buttered ( Ju would have said plastered) the toast and enjoyed it. I made a coffee, took my after food tablets and then brought the rest of the drink through. The mail had picked up again so I spent some time clearing that. I was clear by 6.15 am. I walked back to the kitchen with my mug and put the washing machine on. I did a quick wash cycle knowing it would only take 15 minutes. I remembered in 25 minutes and put it on a 3 hour drying cycle. It was the front door curtain that I wanted to get dry and put away since the new one is up and doing a good job.
At 9.50 my postman came bearing gifts, one a belated Grandparents day card from Reuben which carried a picture of us both on the front. The shops seem not to cater for nor advertise Grandparents day in the UK, or at least not in this area. I don’t know how well it’s taken off abroad. The other gift was some earrings I’d ordered last week which had arrived on Saturday while I was out. They were amazingly fast. I like them very much so that’s another Christmas present dealt with. I made a quick run to Pauline’s to get some bread, put the washing on the airer then sat with Joey to watch Homes Under the Hammer, I’m not sure how he really feels about it as he squawks during most of it. He could just be expressing an opinion at the state of some of them though. Once that was over I had to dash back here to see how much mail and of course it was back in the fifties again. Nothing was going to stop me having lunch though so I only worked until 11.55 am then promised to finish off after Bargain Hunt was over. I was of course careful not to say how much after Bargain Hunt was over. I had a shepherd’s pie for lunch then a rhubarb yoghurt afterwards. Just so I don’t overdo the fruit I’ll have a chocolate pud at teatime.
As Bargain Hunt finished the neighbours heard the buzz saw again that’s so puzzled them recently. Not too sure where it’s coming from myself but then I didn’t notice as I’d nodded off for my power nap. It lasted for three quarters of an hour and recharged me nicely. It did mean there were plenty of messages waiting for me when I came through though. It took until 4.10 pm to catch up. I wanted to do some in advance but I didn’t know what was coming next. I had a look at ebay and cursed myself for missing so much today, I vowed to do better this evening. Just then I departed the computer and went through ready for my programme and meaning to give Joey an invitation to join me for tea. He refused so I had to eat his too. Shame, it was chocolate again. I stayed in the lounge until 6.30 pm and came back to my desk to see what had transpired. That was easy enough to see, it’s a conspiracy.Someone is watching to see when I leave the room then sending a message out to half the world that now would be a good time to write. I had an hour and a half solidly catching up and managed about half of it. I gave Joey some more company, took my night meds and at 9.30 pm came through for the last time. I did manage to finish up by 10.20 pm and start the blog. Once that’s done I’m off to bed. I forgot ebay again.
Wednesday 16th.
My light was out by 12.15 am but I struggled to get to sleep again.The last time I glanced at the clock it was 12.50 am Getting up seems to be a lot easier than settling down at the moment. It was 3.12 am and I felt fine. Once the loo visit was done I came back to start the mail. Not too bad overnight at 52 but more came in as I worked. I finished the first batch at 4.40 am and went to the kitchen for my morning drugs and to have some breakfast. This cafe only seems to serve cold toast but at least they’re not mean with the butter unlike the pub on Monday. Half an hour later I returned to work on the new mail and then my second email account. By 6.20 am I was clear again and back on ebay looking to see if there was something I wanted that might come up before I was due to play games. I wish I could get a better idea in my head of what to buy for the males in the family. And before I reach Christmas I’ve a few birthdays too, including Mike, Muriel and Yvonne. My brain is at stretching point and I think my head might explode before Christmas comes. All that I wanted was due to end after 5.00 pm so I had to decide whether to put early bids on and hope for the best. I prefer to wait until the last moments if possible and bid in real time. I had all day to make up my mind what to do.
At 7.00 am I went through to see to Joey’s cage and to let him free if he wanted. I kept my distance so he wouldn’t worry but he refused to come out. I turned the TV on to 3rd Rock From The Sun but he waited for Everybody Loves Ray before he came out flying like a lunatic trying to part my hair as he passed by. Once he settled on the mirror I moved in and lifted a water dish and food dish from the cage doors. I washed them out and disposed of the old seed in the bin ( I heard of marijuana growing from seeds thrown in the garden) and refilled them, adding a tonic to the water. No,he doesn’t get the gin to go with it. I reattached the dishes to the top doors of the cage, job done and he didn’t go into panic mode when I got close. I was able to turn the TV off and return to the bedroom to work till 10.00 am when Homes Under the Hammer started. I half watched that and half watched the window for Darren my postman. I was disappointed when I saw him go past with nothing for me. I was then able to spare an eye for Joey who was sitting on the big mirror talking to himself and leaving a trail of ‘whatever’ across the bottom of the mirror as he moves along tapping his beak and talking to his reflection. The programme which my other eye was watching was really good with fantastic change wrought to the properties bought. Personally I had a headache from the crossed eyes as I’d transferred my left eye from the window to Joey who was on my right. My right eye continued to watch the TV which was on my left. At 11.00 am I was happy to leave my chair and make my way back to the computer.
At midday I broke for lunch a sort of minced beef with dumplings affair. It wasn’t bad and Joey kept looking over and telling me off. I invited him to join me but he still declined. I watched Bargain Hunt to the auction and then you’re not going to believe this, but I nodded off. I was out almost an hour and had to slink back to my desk full of guilt. I worked there until 4.20 pm when I’d typed my fingers down to the last knuckle. I’d just gone through to the lounge when Dil arrived so I made him a cuppa. We sat and watched the Antique Road Trip together and our usual quiz. When 6.00 pm arrived out came the games. As usual we started with Yahtzee which went my way at 5-1 tonight. I didn’t smirk, honestly. Next came trivia and in what seemed like a short game I won. When I reached the middle after winning all my segments, Dil chose to ask me a sports question. Even worse it was a football question. It was a big guess, but the right one. He screamed “Noooooooo” and scared Joey as well as me. We moved on to cribbage and even there things started well at 2-0 so Dil suggested best of 5. He won the next one and I took the next giving me a 3-1 victory. Finally we had a game of Crazy 8’s and the card gods were still smiling on me as I only lost one hand. He went home dejected. I washed the pots and tidied up. Joey was out trying to dismantle a picture frame so I turned a small lamp on and turned the main light off as I left the room. I worked on emails until 10.55 pm then checked on Joey, He was back in his cage so I was able to close him up for the night. I had my meds and went back to deal with the blog. It’s close to midnight and I’m ready for bed. Nearly there now.
Thursday 17th.
It was an odd start to the day. I got up at 2.16 am , I knew there was no chance of getting back to sleep just then but was pretty sure some more sleep was on the cards before too long. The best thing to do therefore was to get as much mail done as possible. I finished the gmail ones and turned to ebay which I’d forgotten about last night. Blimey, I’d won three items which meant I was right with that set of gifts now and had a spare too. I turned to my talktalk account and managed to get up to date on those. The next thing I knew was waking up on the keyboard at 5.17 am halfway through a message on gmail again with a small queue building up. So I’ve no idea when I fell asleep or for how long, only that as usual I’d have to hope that half alphabet impressed backwards across my forehead would fade before any visitor came. I hate giving Darren his morning laugh like that. I carried on working until almost 6.00 am then went to take my meds. I decided to have breakfast while I was there so it was 6.30 am before I left the kitchen coffee in hand. I also decided this morning to work until 8.00 am only and then take the rest of the morning off. I needed to go to Pauline’s for the lottery, was expecting a parcel and also a drug delivery at some stage. Plus I needed to do a little housework. Sorry, I should have given you advance warning to sit down then, didn’t hurt yourself did you?
Things almost worked as they were supposed to in that I got to Pauline’s and I managed my housework. But, by 10.30 am I was so wound up about how much work would be coming through I had to come and check. While I was here I might as well catch up, and that took me until 11.35 am when I had to depart to peel my sweet potatoes. I enjoyed my lunch watching Bargain Hunt and I didn’t nod off at the end. I came through and spent an hour catching up then twiddling my thumbs because there was no more to do. I bought some boxes on ebay and a book then decided to lay on the bed for a couple of minutes. The moment I lay down the doorbell rang and my missing drugs delivery from this morning arrived so that was that until 4.30 pm when I sat watching the Antiques Road Trip struggling to keep my eyes open.I didn’t succeed. I also slept through the next quiz and the first five minutes of Eggheads. Instead of watching the rest of it, I slunk through here and looked at the waiting mail instead. I stayed put until 8.00 pm then went through to see if Joey was OK because I hadn’t put him in his cage before it got dark. He’d gone in himself so I obviously didn’t credit him with enough brains. Mind you, maybe that’s fair since I saw him fly into his open cage door today and I expected to see him come through the other side like sliced egg. As it happened his speed was so great he actually pushed the door more open and tried to carry on the journey like nothing had happened but I could see the ruffled feathers and faint blush.
When I went through I checked my phone which was on charge (again) and found a text from Mike to say he was on his way. It had come in at 7.00 pm so I knew I could expect him about 9.00 pm. I didn’t think there was much point in going back to work yet so I waited and watched TV. He arrived at 9.05 pm so my guess hadn’t been far out. We sat and chatted about his week and how his Dad is. We sat and chatted a bit more and eventually I got up and made a sandwich so we could watch and relax. I stayed there until 11.00 pm and came through in a panic to do the blog. Forget the emails this time.
Friday 18th.
Almost 1.00 am light off, 2.09 am wake up. You’d almost think it was Friday 13th. I knew I’d need to sleep again later but for now I was awake. It was too soon to start needing trips to the loo so I signed onto the computer straight away. I dealt with the backlog in my gmail before moving to the talktalk side and starting there. I even put ebay up though I have no bids in at the moment.That took me to 4.40 am so I checked a few things on ebay I was watching ( for Christmas of course ) then at 5.30 am went to take my drugs and do the trays for another week. Time just flies by as it seems only a couple of days ago since I did this task last. It was 6.30 am before I returned to my room with a fresh coffee to find a load more post waiting, shock, horror but it was retweets that didn’t require much bar thanks. I thought I’d better write to Yvonne to remind her I don’t need the doctor before she carries out her threat. I also had to write to a close friend who’d just asked whether Yvonne had managed to see my legs and carried out her threat. Trouble is, I think she was willing Yvonne on and not me though she didn’t say so in so many words. Another close friend accused me of being stoic this week but made it sound like a dirty word as in, STOP being stoic. But I’m not being stoic. I can manage the level of pain and find it’s only the itching that drives me a little batty (short trip) and I can often control that with the substance I have to slather my legs in. I was up to date by 7.30 am again but it didn’t seem light enough to open Joey’s cage doors and it was far too early to wake Mike so I just ran a few searches on ebay till 8.00 am ish.
I opened Joey’s cage but he seemed disinclined to vacate and I wanted to replace the millet and clean his cage out. I’d probably have the same problem with Mike. At 8.30 am I found out when I took a coffee through. But, because I spoke loud ( and often) enough to wake him he came through to the lounge in about ten minutes. What a result, I bet I won’t equal it tomorrow. I had an answer from Yvonne who sneakily replied that Oops she hadn’t seen my message until after she’d phoned the surgery. That meant I’d be visited by a total stranger which would make me want to hide. The dread hung over me most of the morning and then he went out. I watched my homes under the hammer then came through to catch up. I’d no idea what time this doctor would come and couldn’t risk making my lunch in case he turned up. I watched my Bargain Hunt as usual though. The news came on at 1.00 pm and the doctor arrived about 10 minutes later. What a big chap, like a rugby player. I think he may be Indian and he was charming and gave explanations which helped. Joey came out and swooped. He’d have regretted hitting the brick wall that was the doctor and went back to his cage once he realised. After he’d gone I made my lunch of chips with curry sauce. I thought afterwards, I could have gone to the chippy and bought that with a pie or something. When lunch was over I did a little work then decided to walk up to the chemist and see if they could fill my prescription. They could so I waited while it was done.
I came back and immediately started on my built up post. There were lots to be answered from both accounts. That took me till gone 4.00 pm so I gave up and moved myself to my chair ready to watch my Road Trip. I must have got no further than the credits before I was fast asleep. I didn’t waken until 70 minutes later at 5.40 pm towards the end of my first quiz. I had to give up the second one once I checked my phone and saw a message from Mike that he was on his way back. I ploughed into work so I’d be free to make him a coffee around 6.30 pm when he arrived. I was just about to go for a shower at 7.00 pm when he turned up and I’d just locked the door. Out of the kindness in my heart I let him in. Well, that and the fact I knew he’d wash my hair. Once I’d had my shower we watched TV for a while and I got an update on his day. I stayed there until after the last episode of Ripper Street then came through to attack the mail again. Mike’s day had obviously been trying when he said he was going to bed at 10.30 pm but he kindly offered to apply the new steroid cream for me knowing there were some difficult places I couldn’t see on my lower back and those I couldn’t reach like my lower legs.. I left the post at 11.00 pm to start the blog and I doubt I’ll get back to it later. It will have to be the morning.
Saturday 19th.
Light off last night at 12.35 am as I didn’t much feel like reading. Yes I know that’s almost criminal but in fairness it had been a long day. I expect today to be just as long since I got up at 2.41 am which even had I fallen asleep very quickly last night gives me 2 hours at best. Still, looking on the bright side at least I had extra time with the post and also with being able to coat my skin in the steroid gunk. I started on the mail as soon as I returned from my first visit to the loo and powered up the computer. One of the first pieces of mail I had was about a distribution firm for Apple trying to encourage more users back to the label by offering the latest i6 phone in the UK for £1 which ends at midnight tonight. I was actually tempted for a few minutes but decided to stay with Virgin and my old phone. There was an ipod shuffle free with each phone and I wouldn’t have minded that.
I was up to date on both mail accounts by 4.50 am and I decided to sit in my chair in the lounge and try for an hours sleep. Well that was a waste of time. At 5.30 am I went through to the kitchen and took my meds, had some breakfast and returned to my desk with a coffee. Not much mail so I had chance to search ebay for the ring Mike is still chasing. At 6.30 am after his first alarm I took his coffee through and called him. Just to try and penetrate the fog of sleep I asked him to put his glasses on and come see me when his eyes were open. His second alarm was what finally got him up ten minutes later though my message must have got through because he arrived to see what I’d found. When he’d looked he went through to the lounge to exercise his lungs with a cigarette and to have his drink. I carried on working.
We left the house at 7.30 am and headed for the Supermarket. Mike talked of a change and I was happy to fall in with that but when he asked what I’d been going to buy today I said toys and we ended up in the usual supermarket after all. I didn’t actually buy any toys in there but got good ideas.We took a minor detour on the way home and I ended up getting all my Christmas toys in one go. That’s a good chunk of the ladies and now the children taken care of. It leaves a few ladies and the most difficult of all-The Men. Thinking cap time. Once the food shopping was finished we had a coffee before we set off on our detour. We were a little later than usual in Flint and somebody was unhappy that his usual parking space had gone. But he was soon brightened up with a cup of coffee and a sigh of his favourite girls in Temptations (Sorry Kyle). He had his teasted toecake and a couple of biskwits and he was a happy bunny for five minutes. I’d remembered to bring an antibiotic out to take at midday and I had a drink in the car so took it while we decided what to do. In the end it was to have lunch in Prestatyn and visit the jeweler we’d gone to 3 weeks ago. We had a lovely lunch and walked up the road to find she was on holiday until later in the month. Ah well, the sun was shining, I picked up a couple of small gifts and then on the way home it was so nice Mike put the top of the car down.
Once we got home and put the shopping away. I ran from Joey’s bollocking and came to work . I asked Mike to change the millet if Joey finally came out of the cage. He said he would, and when I nipped in there a little later he’d managed it. What’s more Joey had shut up. Result! I worked from 3.10 pm to 7.00 pm without a break almost clearing the backlog. To save complaints I stayed with Mike then to watch some TV for company. Trouble was, I got caught up in an old episode of Jonathan Creek and it reached 10.15 pm almost before I’d noticed it. I eschewed some roast beef sarnies in favour of getting through here to do the blog so I’d be ready for my midnight deadline. I’m going to make it. Where I might have a problem is catching up on the rest of the mail again. Still. Mike won’t be here for lunch tomorrow as he has to go back to Manchester. That means he won’t be nagging gently reminding me that I shouldn’t work all the time.
Have a Wonderful Week everyone, health, wealth and Hugs Galore.
Sunday 23rd August 2015.
Apart from one blip at 1.58 am when I fell over a candle stand and woke both Mike and I think myself, the night was reasonable. I had to sit with a cigarette to prepare myself for going back to bed at that time but in the end I didn’t get up until 5.52 am. That’s getting on for the four hour mark again.After a visit to the loo I fired up the computer and sat while it ….did nothing. For some reason I had to restart and then try three times before the net came up. I started catching up on emails and posts as well as comments on last night’s blog, I accepted I wouldn’t get too far. At 6.30 am I went to take my meds and to have some breakfast. I know what time we’re supposed to arrive at Yvonne’s but no idea what time we’re eating. At 7.00 am I gave my face quite a surprise by taking it for a shave. It’s been so long since I looked at it there were one or two nicks on unrecognised wrinkles. I returned to work after that as it provided the sit down I badly needed.
At 8.30 am I went to the kitchen and made Mike a coffee which I took through. I had a very one sided conversation reminding him he was next to have a shave. When I thought I’d done enough to ensure he was awake I left. A few minutes later I heard him get up and go through to the lounge. I finished a couple more messages and went to join him and to let Joey out of his cage. When Mike was ready to go for a shave I nipped back to work for a few minutes. At 9.30 am we had to get dressed and I got Mike to help me on with my shoes, I was wearing jeans I could barely bend in to keep my legs hidden. We left at about 10.00 am and the journey only took around half an hour. When we arrived there was no answer at the door and I was worried I had the wrong day. My nieces arrived minutes later to say they were all at the bus station seeing off Ugo’s sister, the lovely Janet. The girls had they key but as Mike and I went to the car to get the gifts, Ugo, Yvonne and Reuben arrived. My legs got a lovely hug from Reuben when he saw me. I was able to give Yvonne her shoes which she said she loved and looked forward to wearing them. In the lounge we all gave Reuben his birthday presents and he was a little overwhelmed.He did seem to love looking through all his new books and he certainly knows some of the stories. we had lunch and Reuben went for a sleep. The girls went for a quick wander round Chester leaving us with the Belgian Grand Prix. When the girls came back Reuben was up so we had birthday cake. He made a great job of blowing out his 2 candles.
Soon it was time for us all to go. With hugs from the girls they left for home and then Mike and I did the same. We could hear Reuben’s displeasure as we walked down the street to the car. It was pouring with rain the whole journey but nothing holds Mike up so we flew past other traffic. By flew I mean the tyres didn’t connect with the ground. Once home I let him settle in front of the TV ( and face the displeasure of the bird) while I started playing catch-up with my mail. After an hour and a half I was able to join him for two hours then back here for an hour. I joined him towatch part of a film then dedicated the rest of the time to work and the blog. It’s going to be an early night.
Monday 24th.
It was almost 1.00 am when my light went out this morning after a trip to the loo. I noticed Mike still gaming on his pad. It probably wasn’t to long before sleep came as I’d missed my naps yesterday. There were tips to the loo at 1.56 am and at 2.32 am and at 3.38 am which is when I got up after being unable to settle after yet another visit. At 5.30 am after dealing with my gmail I was thinking I was sorry I hadn’t tried harder. At 6.15 am when I brought my talktalk mail under control I did try again. I lay down on the bed and slept until 7.50 am. That brought me almost to the four hour mark.For once I didn’t need a trip to the loo so I was able to go straight through to the kitchen and take my sprays and morning tablets. I decided against breakfast and just made a coffee to bring back where I spent another hour catching up and a little time on ebay where I’d missed another buy last night by forgetting to go through and bid at 8.15 pm. I missed an item that ended up going for £22.00 that was worth more. Rashly I bid on another item that was more expensive for 5.27 pm tomorrow. I expect to lose that one so was searching for an alternative for today. No joy.
Mike got up at 9.30 am so I went through to make him a drink. At 10.00 m we watched Homes Under the Hammer and it was only when it finished he decided to ask what was planned for today. I had no plans but said I’d fall in with most anything he wanted. I know better than to offer carte blanche. As he came up with the suggestion of going to Wrexham I came up with the idea of going to an antique centre outside Wrexham that he’d enjoyed. I wish he’d stay out of my head. We settled on that and as I went off to get my socks and shoes on, Mike went to get dressed. It was 11.30 am before we rolled out of here. As we were getting close he decided to check out jewellers in the town centre so we parked up. It was great to find that in some places we could park on double yellow lines for 3 hours using my card. We parked outside a cafe and as it was 12.30 pm went in so I could take my tablet and eat. It was quite basic but clean and pleasant. It turned out the food was good too. We tried 4 jewellers but had no luck after lunch. After so much walking around I was glad to get back in the car for the antique centre. There was a little cafe inside where we had a drink to fortify ourselves then we started going round all the sections. Some very interesting stuff but no jewellery of the type Mike wanted. It’s back to the internet I think unless he has more success in jewellers when he goes home on Wednesday. We drove home.
It was 4.30 before we got in and I had to go straight to work. Only until 6.00 pm though when the second lot of quizzes were on. I ended up staying until 8.00 pm when one of Mike’s programmes came on and I was able to come back to work.Even that only lasted until 9.00 pm when Hellboy came on. Mike hadn’t seen or heard of it before. I enjoyed seeing it again though I regretted doing so as it didn’t end until 11.15 am. I came through at the gallop to do the blog and if I have any stamina, the messages after.
Tuesday 25th.
It was 1.15 am when the light went off last night. It was a real fight as I’m getting close to the end of my book and wanted to carry on reading. I know if I so so that it means buying more books though. Maybe I’ll stop being such a neanderthal and try my tablet in bed. There’s just something special to holding a physical book in bed though. I paid one last visit to the loo and found Mike was going to sleep though he did ask if I was OK. This morning I was up at 4.07 am and after the first visit of the day came back to sign into the computer and my gmail. I was up to date just before 6.00 am and went to get some breakfast and take my tablets. After that I returned to work with a coffee until both my email accounts were clear, about 7.00 am, then I went to sit in the lounge to shut my eyes for a while. It worked. I woke at 8.10 am and felt much better though I was reminded I need a pouffe or something to raise my legs…..or I suppose I could just recline the chair? Mike came through at 8.30 am which gave me quite a shock though he also promptly fell asleep in his chair. I turned an episode of Frasier on and Mike slowly came round after I’d made him coffee.
We were expecting a visit from Mike’s daughter, my niece Lisa today so no plans had been made to go out. It was only at 10.30 he found out she wasn’t coming We continued to watch Homes Under the Hammer and Mike saw no need to get dressed. At 11.00 am I came through to see to mail and Mike decided at 11.30 am to have a shower. Then we decided what to do with the day. Mike had a fancy to eat at the CookHouse in Prestatyn and I certainly wasn’t going to turn down a carvery. I suggested walking up town and looking at the jewellers there. We set off at about midday and parked up near M & S then walked over from there. The meal was delicious and I ate till I was fit to burst. Then we walked up the High Street. We found a small jewellers neither of us knew about and we had a look at a few rings though none were what Mike was looking for. Unfortunately, one was just what I was looking for and Mike was not impressed that I’d been lucky AGAIN. He went into three places but had no luck. I think we’re going to try my suggestion of finding the ring he has which the stone went missing from, and buy a London Topaz of the right size to replace it. One of the jewellers actually said they’d do that for him.
We came home. I immediately started catching up so I’d be in time to watch the quizzes with Mike. I made it bar the first minute or so. It was pretty much a repeat of the early viewing of last night. 3 quizzes followed by two MASH episodes before I came back through at 8.00 pm to catch up again. When I did I rejoined Mike for an old episode of Jonathan Creek. After that at just 10.15 pm I called it a night to come and do the blog. I might check any emails later given time though I’m still not happy with TalkTalk who’ve done anything but improve the experience for me with their changes. I’m lucky when I log in if I don’t get a message that they can’t log me in to that server and to check my account settings. It’s also prone to signing you out very quickly and with no warning. Just awful. I may take to just using gmail.
The drop off centre.
It wasn’t me Lemme out !
Wednesday 26th.
I finished one book and started another last night, finally turning my light off around 1.15 am. I woke up for trips to the loo at 2.55 am and 3.40 am both times finding Mike was still wide awake gaming on his tablet. Sometimes being awake is self fulfilling if the mind is stimulated which is why it’s better to try relaxing instead. I was determined to go back to sleep on both my trips and managed to easily the first time. When I was finally ready to get up it was 5.14 am at which time I didn’t need the loo so don’t know if Mike was asleep by then. I know after a few minutes I was wishing I’d stayed asleep. I powered up the computer and logged into my talktalk mail. It came up this morning and allowed me to deal with one message but then wouldn’t allow me to delete and move on. It said I’d timed out and so I had to log out again. So frustrating. It worked fine before they decided to improve things. More frustrating is that you can’t email the problem as they have phone lines for problems which of course I can’t use. I am going to change to my gmail account only. The major frustration of having to deal with Indian call centres for problems with the internet and phone lines means I’ll be looking to change my ISP soon too.
At about 6.00 am I went to take my meds and saw that Mike was still awake. I asked if he wanted a coffee in the hopes that the warmth might encourage some sleep. Since he was travelling home today I didn’t want him driving while tired. Once I’d taken my meds I took a coffee back to my room to carry on with mail. That carried me through until 8.10 am. When I went to take my mug back to the kitchen Mike was at last asleep. It was going to be a peaceful morning and my best excuse yet to tell the housework to take a hike! The peace only lasted until 10.15 am for two reasons. my set top box suddenly decided to stop working thus taking the TV off during Homes Under the Hammer meaning I was left cursing, and also Mike got up despite having had so little sleep. In some ways his arrival was fortuitous as he was able to disconnect the box and set the TV to work back on my old Sky box, unfortunately not until after my programme was over. I was still huffing and puffing a bit when lunchtime approached. I took a pre-foodie and set about making sausages with sweet potato mash, baked beans and onion gravy for lunch. Mike and I watched the Bargain Hunt while we ate and since he was with me I didn’t dare fall asleep before the end.
I did however nod off for a few minutes only not long afterwards. On waking I came through to do some catching up on the post as I don’t want a big backlog when Dil is here. I rejoined Mike in the lounge about 2.45 pm just before he chose to get dressed and pack his case. He left about 3.20 pm and I was quite worried about him driving that distance on just a couple of hours sleep. Last thing he said when he left was “Text you later when I’m home bro.” I came back to the computer and stayed here until 4.00 pm dealing with mail and having sneaky looks on ebay. Being of a very well behaved nature (ahem) I didn’t buy anything….but only because I was outbid. Dil arrived at 4.30 pm and it just happened I was in the kitchen so his cuppa was almost ready before he got to say hello. We nattered a bit about our week and also watched an antique programme before our quiz started. At 6.00 pm prompt I managed to find a way of turning the TV off using the correct remote and we got the games table out. The first 6 games of Yahtzee it was 3 all so we had to go again. I ran through to my room to print off some more sheets.The second six games went to me 4-2, one of them even upsetting him when I got 3 Yahtzees in the same game. Out came the Trivia. He was four pieces in before I got my first though we arrived at the sixth not far apart. He reached the middle and answered a question correctly to win the game though. It would have been honours even had it not been we had some time in hand. We chanced a game of Cribbage and I was lucky enough to win that. He didn’t even slam the door on the way out. It’s a great night for me when he comes.
At 9.45 pm I decided I needed something to eat and my second set of diabetic tabs so I had a curry sauce and chips. It went down well. I washed up, took my evening meds and came through to work.It was 10.10 pm . I did mail to half past then turned to the blog. I ca catch up on the mail in the morning if needs be. Mike won’t be here until late evening probably.
Playing with water.
Out for a drive.
Thursday 27th.
A surprisingly restful night with no unexpected trips to the loo. I was up at 4.09 am and quickly ready to make up for that lack. On return I signed into my bank to make sure the DWP had no more surprises for me, they didn’t but nor have they yet returned to me the money they owe me. Next I started on my gmail which proved to be quite easy going. As I had sent out an email telling some people of my new email address I also checked there were no important messages on talktalk before deleting them all. Naturally, doing that, everything worked OK today. The first set of mail took until 6.10 am and I chose that point to go and have breakfast and to take my morning meds. When I returned I found the mail had been busy while I was away. There was also an excellent post about a true hero. A black American who fought in France in WWI and was wounded and yet carried on and trained as a pilot in the French air force as the U.S. Air Force wold not accept black people. In WWII he was a spy in Paris and yet he remains largely unknown. This was a definite reblog. The new batch of post kept me occupied until 8.05 am. I went through to feed and release Joey.
Once done I sat down for a while to talk to Joey. I’m determined he’ll land on me one day. But, it didn’t take long before I nodded off even though it was for less than 15 minutes. At 9.00 am I came through to get dressed. I couldn’t bear socks though and even put my shoes on without which did actually make it less of a struggle to get them on. I took a walk over to Pauline’s for my new lottery tickets and some fresh bread. Somehow some jelly beans also slipped into my bag and Pauline had charged me before I could put them back. Never mind, I’ll force myself. On return I did a few more emails then went to watch Homes Under the Hammer which of course I missed yesterday when the TV went Kaput. I talked to Joey continually and I got the occasional reply but said in a voice that made me quake. I wasn’t in favour. I saw the problem, his millet had fallen out of the clip and Joey was too idle to climb down his ladder to eat it. I slowly put my hand in the cave and was nearly shaved as he shot past me. I clipped the millet back up and hoped I’d be in favour again. At 11.00 am I left to come back to my messages and hopefully to catch up by lunchtime. I finished at 11.55 am.
Lunch was an easy affair with just a corned beef hash being thrown in to the ‘Bing machine’. I watched Bargain Hunt while I ate and once the washing up was done I settled in the chair and Bingo, the programme was over and I’d missed the last auction. I didn’t sleep for more than ten minutes and woke to Joey doing a war dance and giving his little mirror hell. The millet was down again. I think he’s doing it on purpose now. I came back to work at 1.00 pm and stayed until 4.30 pm when there was an antiques programme on. I stayed there straight through until 7.00 pm. Mike sent a text to say he was on his way back so I knew to expect him about 9.00 pm unless of course the flight paths were clear. I even left the room with Joey chunnering at me because the millet was down below again. It would have to stay there for now as he was back in the cage and showing no signs of budging. I’ll see if he’s out a little later on. At 8.45 I left to go and put the kettle on ready for Mike’s arrival, and to prepare his mug. It was 9.15 when he walked in. Having seen him coming I was ready for him. We talked about the latest threat from his doctor over his smoking and it made me so grateful I rarely see mine. We watched a fascinating programme on some mass burials found in the catacombs of Rome, discovered after a water main had burst and brought down the roof of one tunnel. They were from the period 1st to 3rd C AD. Not victims of violence it was a puzzle why there were so many interred in an unusual way. It seems they were probably hit by plagues. There were also women there and tests showed they came from all over, not just Rome. In the end it showed that they were the special Cavalry who protected the Emperors who held high status because of their skills and were buried with their wives. Constantine wiped them out in the 3rd C so there were no burials after that date. After watching Law and Order (Special Crimes Unit) I came through at 11.00 pm to do the blog and any mail I could manage.
Little boy lost.
Conwy quay looking towards Deganwy
Friday 28th.
Because I started late last night I didn’t get to open my book until 12.15 am. I still closed it at 1.00 am to get some sleep. It took a while to drop off with my legs itching. I woke again at 2.57 am and this time with a raging toothache which the clove gel fought a losing battle against. Still, being up at that time meant I had a heads up on my emails after a trip to the loo. At 5.20 am when the first batch had been dealt with I was able to go through and take my morning meds and prepare my meds for the next week. That took until 5.55 am. No way was I going to have breakfast today though. For a change I sat with my coffee in a darkened lounge watching the outline of Joey sleeping on his swing.Naturally enough I nodded off until 7.10 am at which time it was light enough to follow Joey’s hints and let him out. The moment he left the cage I was able to retrieve the millet again and hang it back up. It was funny watching Joey circle the room but not have the courage to land anywhere unfamiliar. Instead he returned to the mirror and his argumentative companion.
At 8.30 am I took a coffee through to Mike. I wanted to give him the chance to move earlier. He came through to the lounge about 8.50 am and we talked for a while about his meds and what the doctor had said. We watched a couple of episodes of Frasier and I was about to turn the TV off and miss Homes Through the Hammer when he said “I suppose I’d better make a move”. I agreed and carried on watching. When he was dressed and ready to go I told him to drive carefully. I didn’t want him rushing because he was late to pick up his sister. I did another hour on messages before making my lunch at midday. When I say make, I mean bung in the microwave . I watched Bargain Hunt while I ate and managed to see the auction part without falling asleep. However, that happened withing 5 minutes of turning off. Joey woke me at 2.05 pm and I came back through to work. I stayed until 4.30 pm when I was almost clear.I stayed away until 7.00 pm then after Mike had texted to say he was on his way back, I had a catch up on the computer. I was really cross with myself for not coming back through to bid on a ring that was due at 5.27 pm. It would have made a great Christmas present . My memory is awful, I’d swear I have one of the elderly diseases if I could remember any of them……..and if I were elderly.
At 8.00 pm I locked the front door and went for a shower. I’d only been in the bathroom for two minutes when I heard Mike come back. He came straight into the bathroom as he was desperate for the loo. Then he obligingly washed my hair and half drowned himself in the process. I finished my shower and went through to make him a coffee all the time asking how his day had been with his Dad and his sisters, the youngest being over from Canada today. Then we sat and watched Would I Lie To You and the latest episode of Ripper Street before I came through to catch up and do the blog. I left Mike laughing his head off at some comedy/news show.
Saturday 29th.
Loaded with painkillers I put my light out at 12.30 am last night. I managed to sleep until 3.54 am when I woke up needing my early morning trek and also some more painkillers. As well as some co-codamol after an hour I’m topping up with Disprin Direct which having seen them on the shelves of the local £ Shops for a period I’m guessing have stopped being made. I’m devastated if that’s the case as I think they’re not just a great painkiller but are fantastic in that they’re chewable and need no water. So it doesn’t matter where you are, you can always clear a headache. Another bonus is the taste which is a little like lemon so no disgusting aftertaste. Anyway, the adverts are now over, I signed into my emails online and started clearing them. I’d finished the first lot by 5.30 am and moved to my other mail account which only took 40 minutes. So, at 6.10 am I went through to the kitchen to take my meds for the day and to make myself a coffee. I also prepared Mike’s mug ready for the 6.30 am wake up call.
When his alarm went off I took the coffee through and woke him. After that I forgot about him while I concentrated on the bons, the big one for household rubbish and the smaller for food waste. When I came back in the house I was drinking my coffee and by 6.50 am realised Mike had disabled his alarm. I went to give him another call. He was disorientated when he woke but recognised the words cold coffee easily. He got up. I suppose it’s 1 A 2 C today though really I feel cheated as there should have been another ignored alarm in there somewhere. He sat with his drink while I went to get dressed and to catch up with any post (8) that had come in since I’d gone to wake him. It was definitely a slow start this morning but we were actually on our way out at 7.30 am with all the rubbish bins and bags out ready for collection.
When we got to ASDA Mike went for the trolley while I raided the cash machine. When the sledgehammer didn’t work, I used my card. We made a start. Mike went to get my pop from a display nrar the door while I went to get sweet potatoes. We arranged to meet by the flowers. We found 3 bunches of flowers that should go together well and make a nice display for Ju. Next I splashed out £2 on a teeshirt in the sale. I’m now a Tonka man. For some reason at that point we both decided we were dry. That meant flying round the foodstuffs and then heading for the cafe . While Mike ordered the coffee I went to get my cigarettes. When we’d finished the drink, Mike went for his cigarettes. We loaded up the car and headed for Flint. After parking up outside Temptations we walked over to Homie’s so I could get a LooBloo and a couple of other things. Then we went to the pet shop so Mike could get some fish food and I got Joey a seed bell in reserve. He’s nearly done with his current one. We moved on to B&M where I can’t remember what I bought and then onto Temptations for a drink and Mike’s teasted toecake breakfast.
After bidding the girls and Kyle goodbye, we searched a couple of shops for some tablets I needed. Though I’m taking the painkillers I also wanted some Disprin Direct as a top up about an hour behind the main tablets. It seemed to work yesterday. Not so much today as the pain is constant. I’m pretty sure there’s an abscess there. As Mike is still in search of his ring, we decided to make a trip to Rhos on Sea today. The drive there was quite nice using back roads and having the windows open. I wasn’t ready to trust the weather and have the top down. We had lunch at a well established place on the sea front and from there wandered round 2 antique shops that deal in jewellery and 2 jewelers. No joy still but he was advised to buy an old solid ring with something like a garnet in and then have a jeweler replace the garnet with his London Blue Garnet. I reminded him while we were looking that there are two other choices of stone he can have………just in case he really gets desperate.
It was about 4.00 pm we moseyed home again and unpacked the shopping to put away. I was able to excuse myself then to come and catch up on the mail. I found it very hard to concentrate and there were far fewer comments made than usual for which I hope to be forgiven. I went back through to keep him company at 7.00 pm. We watched the celebrity edition of a quiz towards the end of which despite the pain from my face I nodded off. When I woke, it was towards the end of an episode of ‘Lewis’ and my face had swollen considerably. I even told Mike he could have my two chocolate eclairs if he wanted. I left him at 10.00 pm so he could watch football and I could concentrate on catching up before doing the blog.
Llandudno beach.
The Family. Reuben, Ugo and Yvonne.
Have a Wonderful New Week filled with Hugs, luck, love and Happiness.
I may have managed time for a read last night and turned my light out about 12.45 am but the opportunity to start my mail this morning came about a bit sooner than I’d hoped. So much for Somnos rewarding his promotions man for effort. After I’d shared his card on my site too! There’s gratitude for you. Just like some people I’ve known, the small gods only seem interested when they want something. So, it was 3.22 am today when I woke up, got up and started work. Not before paying a visit to the Church of Intermittent Waters though. On Friday I noticed that I wasn’t able to accept invitations to post on Pinterest as the accept/decline buttons were missing. I wrote to Pinterest about this and they seemed sure it would be my fault. OK, maybe not me personally, but certainly my computer. I was given a set of destructions to carry out to clear the problem which I followed yesterday. Now loading anything you could time by calendar never mind a watch, and certain things like my wordpress I keep having to sign in on. Needless to say, the original problem hasn’t been solved either. Therefore I’m very frustrated this morning, (No Ethel, not like that, though if you do have a sister……) because everything is taking an age. Maybe I should stop whinging like a big baby and be grateful I can give up half my sleep to ensure I have time to do it.
At 6.00 am I took the first antibiotic of the day. I’m glad as I’d been coughing since I got up. All the neighbours have been round to check I’m OK but Mike has just slept through it of course. What’s partly to blame is that apart from the bronchitis, I have a hairball in my throat I can’t clear and can’t wash down to my stomach. Maybe Oscar had a greater influence on me than I thought, I’m now part cat. At 7.00 am I went through to take my meds and make a coffee which I brought back with me. At 7.38 I was up to date and decided to sit in my chair and see if I could not for a while. It worked, I power napped until 8.15 am. Not wanting to come back to work too soon, I picked up the pad in which I’d written the old WIP to see if I could at least bring the last paragraph to a decent end and maybe write a little more to end the chapter. Nothing would come. I did wonder if maybe it would help to scrap that chapter altogether and start a new one in a new place.
Finally at 9.00 am I returned to my room and cleared the post again. It took less than an hour to do both boxes and I was left tapping my fingers. What do idle fingers do, why they head to ebay of course. Naturally I was only checking that the book I’d ordered for Muriel and the jeans my finger had slipped and ordered by mistake had gone through alright.I mean couldn’t be recalled. Damn. While I was there I might as well check on a few other things just to waste time of course. At 9.50 am I was shocked to hear movement so I had to give up and make a coffee. Grumplestiltskin had risen from the pit. The conversation was a little stilted with words and grunts alternately so I turned the box on to a programme about a toy dealer in the US who goes out buying from all over. It didn’t taken long for us both to start recognising things. Not toys we’d necessarily had when we were children but certainly things we’d bought for ours. One thing that made us laugh was when he was buying in a new place a large man dressed like a Hells Angel came through and he thought he might have problems. It turned out he owned the shop premises and he collected Barbie Dolls.
As time went on we got dressed and at 11.30 am headed off to lunch. I don’t think either of us knew where we were going though one or two suggestions had been made. Mike fancied Llandudno but given how late we were going out we wouldn’t have had much time. I’d suggested Broughton Park given that last weekend we hadn’t finished looking round the shops before we had to meet everyone for lunch . The car took us there. Mike didn’t want lunch when we got there so the diabetic tabs had to wait. He wanted to do the shops first anyway so we had a good look round. It was well gone 1.00 pm when we went next door so Mike could use the loo and while we were there I was able to have a sandwich so I could take the tabs. I’d have to have a main meal later. As we finished lunch I checked for jeans in the menswear department. Like before I could have the type but not the colour or nearly the colour but not the type. We looked in three other shops where the prices ranged from the sublime to the ridiculous but the problem was still the same. Finally we went to the last big supermarket and checked there. With all the normal stocks the problem was repeated but as we moved off Mike noticed a sale rail ( how the heck did I miss that?)and he found a pair of jeans in almost the light blue I wanted. Unfortunately they were a size below mine and instead of slimfit they were stretch skinny. Oh what the heck, they were in the sale, it was worth £8 to buy them as dusters. Maybe I’d never dare leave the house in them, even if I could get them on but you have to take a risk sometimes.
We drove home again. It was getting on for 4.00 pm when we arrived. I didn’t want to start work again while Mike was still there so I sat and watched a triathlon with him. To be fair, I did watch some of it with my eyes closed I don’t know whether he did. It was 6.00 pm when he finally decided to start his long journey back to the midlands and he refused a meal first. Once he’d gone my fingers started twitching to get to work but I knew I needed to eat so I made that a priority. By 6.40 pm I’d eaten and washed up. I grabbed some grapes to take through and was disappointed to see they were going brown already. I’m hoping the strawberries will last until tomorrow. I came through and finally started work. 236 pieces to go at in the first box. They kept me going until 10.50 pm when I was able to start the blog. I fear the other box will have to wait until the morning.
Reuben on Buffalo Bil’s Saddle from his Wild West Show.
Away for the weekend
A record requested by Mike… I claim nothing to do with this one.
Monday.
I’m going to apologise now. This will be an even more boring day than usual for you. I got up at 3.31 am after reading until 1.0o am I’ve spent the day either working on the mail playing catch up or sleeping.
I couldn’t be bothered getting dressed as I just felt too unwell and I’m sure it’s nothing to do with my system being in shock from eating fruit. Luckily I have a couple of pictures for those who come here for that and a piece of music for those who appreciate my choices.
Sorry, I’ll do better tomorrow I’m sure.
Tyrolean Boy dances with Pole.
The poet in contemplation
Nope, I don’t want to be Frank Sinatra.
A record I really liked from the Temptations. Now a classic.
Tuesday.
I still got to bed around midnight and read until 1.00 am. I had a couple of disturbed periods during the night starting at 1.40 am but a cigarette and the determination to sleep again overcome them. It was still a 4.24 am rise time though and there was no getting away from the fact I was awake and that I needed a wee. So off to the Piddle Palace I trotted and eventually came back to power up the computer. I had plenty of time before going out to do everything I needed to so I concentrated on my emails until 6.00 am then went to take my normal meds and an antibiotic and have some breakfast. It was an opportunity to take a set of diabetic tablets so I only need one more set during the day.It was getting om for 6.30 am when I went back to the bedroom so I thought I’d better get dressed and not leave it to the last minute. Into the new jeans, no problem with those and a striped jumper to co-ordinate ( Yeah, I bet you didn’t think I knew that word did you). Shoes needed some thought, As the jeans are blue I could wear black which would be my winklepickers, but because the jeans are tight will it make my feet look huge. I have blue boat shoes which would also do but I’m a bit worried about the comfort as I haven’t worn them in yet. In the end I settled on a pair of light brown suede lace-ups since the leather jacket is brown. Sorted !
I made sure everything I needed was in the jacket. Buspass – check, Nitro spray-Check, pouch for cigarette ends-check, debit cards-check, keys- check, phone-check and a new pack of cigarettes. Not that I’ll be smoking much today. I managed as few more messages and then at 7.30 am left the property. I managed to reach the bus stop before it arrived again but it didn’t take long. My seat was occupied though there was only one person on and she was able bodied. I sat behind her. I let Yvonne know I was on the bus then relaxed. When we got into town my seat was vacated so I jumped into it before anyone else could. There is another disabled seat but it’s a double and I don’t want anyone next to me. As usual I had my eyes shut for much of the journey and I’m sure I must have nodded off as we weren’t where I expected us to be when I opened my eyes. We were much further on. Yvonne and Reuben were waiting at the stop when we drew up. Reuben’s face broke into as grin when he saw me. Yvonne gave me a kiss and a cwtch and questioned me grilled me about how I was. Unusually I didn’t light a cigarette just then.
There was time for a quick look round a shop while we waited for our usual cafe to open. Yvonne managed to pick up a few things but this morning nothing appealed to me. Once the cafe was open in our store we headed there. Reuben got to push the buttons for the lift which he loves. We went up and had a drink. Reuben and Yvonne between them fed him his weetabix breakfast and Yvonne had some toast. I couldn’t face anything after my breakfast earlier. Once we’d done I went to have a look at the gents stuff and found a pair of skinny jeans in a very pale tan/cream which I bought and then in the sale found a v-neck brown jumper and a brown/white patterned tee-shirt to go underneath. It’s another good option for the same jacket and shoes. It didn’t even come to £20. Yvonne found a belt for me for father’s day which made me laugh, a Minion buckle. From there we wandered to the Tesco store to get some cook in sauces for Yvonne and I used the opportunity to empty my bladder. I find that sometimes I have to bypass Pauline’s on the way home as I can’t get to the loo quick enough. We had a wander round a few more shops then entered the Grosvenor Centre where all the posh shops are and had a look there. We also stopped for a drink of lemonade over ice at the Costa. It was a silly move on my part.
Before long it was time for me to head for the bus stop. Reuben fixed me in place this time so he could wave a finger at me, so generous. I closed my eyes as the journey started. When I got to the other end I had to bypass Pauline’s again as I needed a wee. I unpacked my bag changed out of my coat and shoes and went to get some lunch. Once finished it was straight back to work and there was a lot to catch up on. I found myself wanting to fall asleep again and it was a struggle not too but we fought, I won. I had to wait until 4.55 pm before being able to knock off as it took that long to get both email boxes up to date. About three and a half hours solid work. It was time for my quiz though and I enjoyed that or most of it anyway. I must have been in he last 5 minutes of it when I nodded off. I didn’t wake up until an hour and ten minutes later when my antiques Road Trip had begun, Still plenty left to enjoy. At 8.00 pm it was time to turn off and return to my room. I worked continuously until 10.30 pm then called a halt to do the blog. I may just nip back for quarter of an hour if I finish this before 11.45 pm.
Reuben and his Pops.
Fashion Icon in Skinny jeans
Wednesday.
Remarkably it was another 4.24 am today. It wasn’t long before I wished I hadn’t got up though. My first thought on getting up was the call of nature. In fact these days nature calls so often I’m thinking of charging her rent. It was back to the stop, start again when Mike says I’m just too mean to part with it. I finished and washed my hands and started to leave the bathroom. A wetness on my leg stopped me. I thought it possible that I’d splashed water out of the sink onto my pyjamas, that thought was swiftly thrown out when I realised fluid was running down both legs. Next was the embarrassing thought that maybe I’d wet myself having thought I’d finished when I hadn’t but that thought went the way of the first when I realised it was both legs, and I only had one appendage. Nothing for it but to take a look. As I glanced down I noticed a growing puddle of red on the floor, and as I dropped my pyjama trousers ( the Minions) it became apparent why. For some reason one of the small veins on the surface of the scrotal sack ( bad design flaw) was bleeding profusely. Grabbing a pad of loo paper I stemmed the flow, or at least the second lot did when the first was saturated. I wonder if I caught it with one of my nails. Perhaps I shouldn’t carry nails and screws about but you never know when you need them.(Joke). When the flow stopped, I washed myself down and took my pyjamas to the washing machine. Now it’s Animal from the Muppets. I had the same problem a few years ago when Ju was alive and saw the doctor. He didn’t seem worried so I’m not either. And no Michael, it’s not my feminine side coming out.
Eventually I was able to make a start on my mail. Not as nice as I’d hoped but not as bad as I’d feared given that I didn’t get back to it last night. I worked till 6.00 am then went through to have breakfast and take my tablets. I had cornflakes today.I put the washing machine on though there wasn’t a full load then came back to work. The box of chocolates in my hall is not proving much of a pull towards whoever decides on the weekly Eurolottery draw, perhaps I should buy a bigger box as my numbers were ignored totally except for one of the two lucky numbers, and that gets you nothing, nada, nil. Maybe I should up the ante and offer cash too. Do you think £100 might do it? I opened the second address and sailed through those so that by 7.45 am I was as up to date as I could be and was playing about on ebay, not ready to get dressed. When I went back in there was a message saying my friend Olga had congratulated me on my work anniversary on LinkedIn. I had no idea what this meant until I signed in. It’s been 6 years this month since I created the Buthidars, what was then called by some The Hugging Religion. I’m pleased since the Buthidars still has a following. Maybe I should make a little more effort to promote then and look to create a Global Hugs Day that I always wanted.
As soon as the wash cycle finished I put the drying part on and left it alone. Time to get dressed. At 9.10 am I went to Pauline’s though it was her husband Jim who served me. I picked up my TV mag for next week, bread, chips in curry sauce and some cigarettes. Completely by accident a twix fell in my bag and I didn’t like to refuse it after Jim had rung it up. When I got back and had unpacked everything, I returned to work to keep abreast of incoming mail before my gamers join me tonight. I ran some sheets for the Yahtzee off and used Ju’s old craft guillotine to cut them down to size, they’ve been getting very cocky recently. About 1045 am there was a knock at the door and I expected to find Darren there guessing what my parcels held. Instead it was a postie I haven’t seen before holding 2 of the 3 parcels I’m, expecting. Luckily for me one was the important one I wanted, the leather jacket for Matt, the other was my new slimfit jeans ordered through ebay. I haven’t tried them yet. I put them on one side ready to perhaps wear at the weekend. Maybe I’ll wear the other skinny ones just to prove to Mike I can.
At lunchtime I had some stewed steak and microchips while crossing my fingers the warden wouldn’t call in the middle of it. There was a phone message to say she’d tried to come yesterday and since I was out she’d try again today. She didn’t make it. I watched Bargain Hunt while I ate and up to 1.00 pm and managed to stay awake the whole time, then I came back to work again. At 2.00 pm I went through to the lounge and tried to sleep in my chair because I just couldn’t keep my eyes open. I think Somnos felt cheated that I’d seen all of the antique programme, even the auction. I did manage to sleep and was there until 3.40 pm. Then I started panicking about how long I’d got to catch up and flew back to work. I exaggerate a bit, I didn’t fly, just walked quickly enough to make it seem so. There was obviously a lot to clear thanks to my skiving so I just ploughed into it. I thought I was making good progress when the front door opened at 4.40 pm. In stepped Dil a lot earlier than expected. I had to down tools to go and make him a cuppa. He was on his own tonight as Matt was fast asleep when he got home having probably been up all night gaming. He didn’t disturb him. I needn’t have worried about the jacket getting here.
We nattered a bit as he was so early the quiz wasn’t on yet. It’s always pleasant talking to him because we share a similar sense of humour and he’s not afraid to use it. When the quiz was due I turned the TV on and we sat and answered as many questions as we could though we both find the categories a bit odd sometimes. As soon as it was over Dil got the table out and I got the Yahtzee out. It was a very up and down match with Dil getting a Yahtzee in the first game but losing his bonus while I got my bonus and some good scores and won. The second game I got the Yahtzee but also got my bonus and ended up winning that too. That was my only Yahtzee but in the next game I had great scores as well as my bonus and though it wasn’t by much I did win that. Dil won the fourth and fidth games leaving us with a big battle on for even-Stevens or a big win for me. It went my way so ended 4-2 in my favour. Dil said “I suppose you’re going to gloat about this on your blog.” I replied. “Probably” and smiled.
Dil suggested Cribbage next . I have a 45 up and down crib board so you would normally just go up and down once. To make it more entertaining we decided to do twice up, once down so it would be first to 135+1. We played best of 3 games and it ended 2-1 to me. Pity there were no witnesses. Finally we got out the Trivial Pursuits. It’s been a long time since either of us played that and we both found that where once an answer would have flashed into our mind, there were now just a lot of gaps. Somehow, more by luck than judgement I got all 6 pieces of pie first though Dil wasn’t far behind me, but everytime I got to the middle he’d ask a sports question to throw me and out I’d have to go again. As it approached 9.30 and his time to go he kindly changed the subject and I got it. What facial feature is missing from the painting of the Mona Lisa? I’ll put the answer at the end. After he’d gone I had a quick tidy, washed the pots , took my tablets and came through.
I worked hard until 10.40 am to bring the post levels down, knowing I couldn’t finish tonight, then I stopped so I could come to the blog. Even that seems to be taking longer than usual tonight.
One of Reuben’s pals.
What looks like an oven is I think a Hermit’s Cave but I need to verify that.
Answer. Eyebrows.
Thursday.
Another unusual night. I turned the light off about 12.30 am to try for sleep which I thought would come quickly, it didn’t. But, when it did come was disturbed by a desire for the loo at 2.10 am even though I’d been before bed and then another at 3.23 am which I think was an attempt to get me up that failed, though I was up long enough to smoke a cigarette. I managed to get back to sleep but my 4.43 am call was a definite move your butt or else.And yes, I had another wee. When I came back through I powered up and signed into my bank to check funds. Still the DWP have not corrected their error so I’m £30 down for the third time. I think after the next one they reduce it even more in order to recover the overpayment they say I have which in truth would not be there were it not for their mistake. There’s nothing I can do until someone responds to my appeal letter. That was sent on 21 May 2015 and only logged on their system on 01 Jun 2015. I have to allow 28 working days for them to deal with this but they can’t suspend the threat of recovery until it’s done. So the very system set in place to ensure people don’t have to survive on less than the minimum income guarantee, are willing to put someone under that minimum income themselves. Crazy.
I started in on the mail until 6.05 am when I drifted into the kitchen and took my meds. I also took a pre-foodie and after timing it with a cigarette had some breakfast. I reverted my my cold toast regime this morning which I’m sure does my waist no favours but certainly pleases the taste buds. At 6.30 am I entered the fray again and at just gone 8.00 am the first lot was up to date. I took a few minutes out to wash my coffee cup before coming back to check out my ebay for the day and then to sign into the other mail box. I was alternating between mail boxes all morning and the only interruption was from the postman dropping Muriel’s book through that I sent for. She has nine books from a ten book set and was having a problem with this one but ebay didn’t let me down. At lunch time I had a simple meal and watched my midday antique programme, I swear I didn’t mean to and wasn’t aware I needed to but oblivion seems to have cast a cloak over me halfway through the auction and I buzz sawed the other part. Even worse, I woke at about 1.55 pm when a programme called ‘Doctors’ was on and I didn’t move. I sat and watched a soap!!!!!
It was 2.15 pm when I returned to my room, a little dazed at what I’d done and dreading what was waiting after more than two hours. Apart from the text from Mike to say he was on his way that is. My guess is 5.15 pm ish. I battled through the afternoon against the battalions directed at me by the opposing mailboxes until at 4.32 I seemed to be clear. I knocked off to relax before Mike’s arrival and who knew when I’d be back again. I even closed down ebay. It was just as well I’d chosen that time. I’d not sat down to watch TV for more than ten minutes before Mike walked in. Actually I think he squirmed in considering how fast he ran to the loo. At least it gave me chance to put the kettle on for him. By the time he’d dropped his case in his bedroom the coffee was ready and we were able to chat about our week thus far before the quiz started. All chatter ended when that came on and all I could hear after that were either the odd question or a querulous voice saying “Wha? or What was that?” I’d tell him to turn his hearing aids up but he wouldn’t hear me. I increased the volume of the TV to just deafening and pretended I couldn’t hear him. After that quiz came the second one and the an old Big Bang Theory. It wasn’t my fault, honest I wanted to be here with you, working. I even stood up to move then found it was the Antique Road Trip and I was stuck, stuck I tell you for another hour.
At 8.00 pm I flung myself from the room to get to grip with your mail but I’m a weak soul and was tempted back at 8.30 pm by the promise of a new episode of Big Bang Theory and after that it would have been churlish of me to walk out on a new episode of Brooklyn nine nine. Having the strength of character I do at 9.30 pm I refused an episode of a programme I don’t like and came through to read and respond to your mail. I’m dedicated I am. I worked until 10.45 on that before coming to do the blog so you could read how dedicated I am. I’m dedicated like that.
If I make it quiver like Pops will it work then?
I think the slide’s gone all wonky.( technical term)
Friday.
How’s the song go, Oh what a night…… and it was. Light off about 1.00 am and I was still trying to get to sleep at 2.00 am so back on the light went and out came the book again. I read until 3.00 am then tried again. Somewhere along the line it worked and I slept until 6.08 am when it was time to get up. As usual my first stop was the piddle palace for five minutes of the daily Will it-Won’t it dance. I washed my hands and moved off to the kitchen where I did the sprays and all the meds leaving me with empty trays. I chose the coffee I’d be having this morning and slipped the pod in the machine ready then I went to get the drawer with my drugs in to replenish the trays for the week. Once that was done and the drawer taken back I made the coffee and came back with it to start work. I powered up the computer and signed into my mail address. There wasn’t much left from last night, but enough to keep me going. I was coming to an end around 9.00 am when I had to leave it and go to do a coffee for Mike. I told him it was there and that I was just going to Pauline’s. If he was up when I got back I’d review some paperwork he’d asked me to look at. A conversation that length must have penetrated as he was up and moving before I’d even closed the front door.
When I got back from Pauline’s Mike was still awake. I unpacked my shopping and got rid of my coat before going through to sit with him. I perused the paperwork he had and said the information looked fine to me. There wasn’t anything I could have added. Then he took a call about his poor;y car and I disappeared back to my room. He came through when the call finished. It appears the garage that sold him the car have decided to offer a piddling 10% of half the bill to repair the car despite selling a nearly new vehicle with such a glaring fault. Even the manufacturer have offered 50% of the whole bill as a goodwill gesture. The garage’s intended goodwill gesture a pathetic £25 on a car that cost £12,000.00 Personally I think they should replace the seals in full themselves since the car was given a 12 month warranty by the garage. They’ve really behaved very badly over this, dragging their feet and not responding to calls as promised. Customer care is very poor. I think Mike should take them to court over this.
He left at 10.10 am to see his father. I just laid into the post I hadn’t finished from one address and then opened the next one and did the same again. I came to a point where things seemed settled at 11.40 am and decided to knock off for lunch. Corned beef, new potatoes and baked beans. Very nice. I was ready to watch Bargain Hunt and remember the auction starting but I swear I have a Pavlovian reaction to it and must have dozed off. I woke about half an hour later at 1.30 pm but sat there just unable to focus and before I knew it ‘Doctors ‘ had started. I didn’t move until at 2.05 pm I suddenly came to life again, realised what I was doing and ran to my bedroom. I’ll have to give up lunchtime telly altogether. It’s hypnotic. I went through the afternoon dealing with mail which had piled up since I’d been away. There was lots of it since I wasn’t just getting the awake Europeans, I was now getting the newly awake N.Americans too. I realised how unstable I’m getting when I visited the loo during the afternoon playing the Lunchpack of Notre Dame calling out for his Eth’merelda. I think I need to get a life. At 4.30 pm I walked away from the computer and went to the lounge. I was hoping I’d stay awake this time. I saw most of my quiz before nodding off yet again and when I woke up twenty minutes later the next quiz was on and Mike was home just making himself a coffee.
We sat and watched the quiz and talked about how his dad is, then at 6.30 pm as I was going for a shower Mike offered to give me a shave as well as do my hair. He was worried about my shaking hands and also that I might cough at the wrong time and having him mop the floors.It’s actually very nice having a professional shave and having someone else you can blame for the blood and the little bits of paper for a change. He didn’t give me any excuse to whinge though. After the shower I made us something to eat then watched the final night of the Antiques Road Trip followed by a programme on the Knights Templar filled with all the usual rumours and guesses. I would have been better entertained if the costumery used hadn’t looked so poor and if the same scenes hadn’t been constantly used. All in all a major disappointment for one interested in the subject.We seemed to leave it that the Templars have never gone away and are now in fact the Masons with the Templar treasure that was spirited away from Paris before the mass arrests of the Templars throughout France on Friday 13th. For sure I’m sure there would have been some sympathisers who could ensure a warning got through but it’s strange that it didn’t reach Jacques de Molay the Grand Master, unless he thought the order would be able to refute the charges of Philip the Fair.
At 9.00 pm I came through to start the mail. I thought I’d play a new game tonight, answer two, discard one and get rid of anything that started with an A. Well, it sounded reasonable in my head. I discovered today (again) that I wasn’t getting post from a couple of people I know I follow. It looks as though when I follow that’s all it does. It doesn’t give me new posts from them unless I go in and request them. It also seems that when I do that with new ones I follow, WordPress might be removing the posts of others as though we have a limit as to how many we can follow or receive updates from. If that is the case I’m in trouble as I’ve followed a few new ones recently. I worked until 10.30 pm then started doing the blog . I’m looking for a slightly earlier night due to shopping tomorrow. If I write quickly now I might make it for 11.30 pm. But I’ll slow down if you can’t read very fast.
No laughing at the way we used to dance please.
Saturday.
Even by my standards last night was weird. The light went off about 12.30 am in the hopes that I’d sleep. I did, but only until 2.50 am when I swung my legs out and sat on the edge of the bed. I sat, and sat and sat, seemingly unable to move. I don’t mean paralysed unable, I mean indecisive unable. It was an hour, at 3.54 am, before I suddenly made a decision and sent my legs in the direction of the loo and from there to the kitchen. I put two slices of bread in the toaster, took all my meds and then went to sit down with a cigarette. As soon as I finished I had breakfast and made a coffee to bring back with me. I worked at clearing the mail and had done pretty well by 6.15 am when I took my cup through to wash and to put the kettle on ready for Mike’s drink. As soon as I hear his alarm go off I made a drink and took it through thinking two interruptions might just wake him. At first I got the grunts I expect then suddenly he spoke, in English, plainly. The shock was such that I can’t remember what he said though I think it was along the lines of what a miserable wretch I was for waking him.
I left Mike alone thinking I’d give him another shout when his alarm went off a second time but I was to be surprised, nay shocked, again. He’s trying to kill me off I know it. He got up. One Call and One Alarm only. I had jobs to do seeing to all the bins and the bags. When I came back through he’s finished his drink and gone to the loo. I disappeared to get dressed in my new skinny jeans to see if there would be laughter and derision ( and not just from the mirror). When I’d done so I ventured back towards the lounge and saw Mike getting dressed. It hadn’t long passed 7.00 am. What the Fffff.flipping heck is going on? I took the recycling bags to the bottom of the path and then brought the food waste bin down, leaving the main rubbish bin until we went out. Back inside I could see Mike putting his jacket on so I did the same ( with my jacket not his) and got my crutches out. We locked up and headed for the car. Once we were inside Mike just pointed at the clock and smirked, 7.18 am and we were on our way. I swear I’ve not woken up yet and this is a dream sequence only I don’t think I’ve got this much imagination.
We reached the Supermarket at 7.35 am, before we’ve even left the house normally, I raided the cash machine while Mike got the trolley. After his rush to get there he suggested we have a cigarette before going in.I agreed as my nerves needed it. When we went in I went to get some sweet potatoes thinking Mike had gone to get flowers but I turned round and there he was. I don’t know why he’s doing this, I haven’t suddenly come into money and added him to the will. I must have insulted him. We went together to choose the flowers and he agreed with my choice It was getting scary. This week we went to try and get him some jeans but we had the same luck as I’d had last week- none. We just got on with the shopping. It didn’t take too long again as we’re quite practised at where things are in there. Once done and through the checkout we went for our usual coffee. Then we stocked up on cigarettes and went to the car. It took a few minutes to load up as he’d forgotten to take the bags inside. It wasn’t long though before we were on our way to Flint. Every shop that might sell jeans was visited until we’d run out of shops and developed a thirst. Over to Temptations we went where poor Ceri hadn’t had the chance to hide upstairs and caught him full force. Maybe she’ll have more sympathy for me in the future.
We were going to come home and unpack the shopping when Mike asked if there were any local markets. I said Mold had one on a Saturday and it wasn’t too far away so he headed in that direction and I just told him where to go ( I’ve been doing that for years and he never listens. Maybe it’s because I always end with Off! ). We had a good stroll round and a nice lunch. The sun was shining though it was quite blustery. He still had no luck with jeans but still managed to get some links taken out of a watchstrap and a new battery in the watch. We finally headed for home. It was about 3.00 pm when we got here and after putting all the shopping away must have been about 30 seconds past when I got to the computer. I thought I was getting away quite lightly with 153 messages in the first mail box. I brought that to an end at 5.45 pm and only had time to do a few from the other load before going through to the lounge for some tea at 6.30 pm. At 7.00 pm there were some programmes on about 60’s music and then an hour of Top of the Pops from the Disco era. It was 9.00pm before I returned to my room again. I had to start on a new catch up programme until just before 11.00 pm. It was then time for my weekly assault on you all and here you have it.
Have a wonderful new week all. Sending Hugs to help.
barsetshirediaries 