The only lock I need in my life.

As my picture depicts to many locks are around now, the shackles are on us all, so life again revolves around how we are going to cope. I seem to be ok up to now, gone under ground as I call it grounded from work, so think I am adjusting to creating certain strategies to adapt my persona of the day.

One day I am a cleaner in disguise working for covert operation dusting checking drawers trying to find lost or valuable evidence that there was life before lockdown, this amuses me as my friend will verify my imagination is immense.

There is nothing that I can become in my mines eye....I kid you not.

I love talking to people who sometimes have an air of superior attitude, and then I rattle on about absolutely bugger all so they question there own intelligence , its a sneaky game I play and my friends love to witness the act of self doubt taking place. Sorry this sounds as though I am a bitch but trust me I am not I just love being around folk who can gel with allsorts and make all feel welcome as a newbie., but find sometimes you come across people who have a knack of sucking you in as I try to explain to my friends be wary of a Narcissist you have to learn how to spot them, Sorry this maybe a little deep but you know who I am talking about. DON'T YOU

Well not a lots happened since last blog a bit like all of your days I suspect, I have my old friend holed up in our hide out, she is currently an alien from Turkey waiting for things to change to fly back home. Marion has been a lovely welcome house mate during Christmas and New Year

She will return but unfortunately does not lend easy to cov rules, even if she goes back Cov free and with a certificate , on landing she would be taken to a holding place and will remain there till she has had a few Cov test negative. These holding bays, are 1 room 1 bed no chair no toilet and food left at the door, so she is no hurry to experience this no star accommodation.

Its been nice for Marion as she has been able to spend time with her daughter and grand children so bonus there. Also have a bit of fun with Mossie

I received my Jab and go Vaccine working for NHS, it does have its advantages, pity the pay does not reflect this.

Whether this will halt this terrible pandemic who knows. Claire also had her trial and tribulations to get back to Spain but she finally made it and I can't see her returning anytime soon with all the trouble she had, and to be fair as she says there is very little left here to ever want to return back to the UK, her life is now firmly over in Espanola. 

When flying is allowed I think there will be a clambering to high tail it out of dodge. Marion keeps getting updates from Turkey, a very beautiful place where she lives its idyllic, few minutes walk to the beach a sprawling apartment spread over two floors, couldn't wish for anything better. Of course I will be over there asap,  also  a few friends  want to come along as well.

 Steve and Mossie and Vern are quite enthusiastic to go, along with other friends and family that go there all the time... plus its so cheap and food delicious. It will be lovely to all chill together her place is big enough to accommodate us all at the same time. It has an advantage of sleeping 10 people so what better place to all fly out together and celebrate all the things we have not been able to.

Denise my other friend who has a villa not far from where Claire is wants us to do a field trip with her and a few of us girls and drive over there in her camper van, which will be exciting, she hasn't driven there before but likes a challenge, so looking forward to that adventure, so look out you Spaniards on the road when the field trip is a go go. I can do a double visit as well with Claire, so win win.

Whilst Marion has been with me I have tried to cook some nice meals that you don't do much on your own, our afternoon tea so far have been to have a caramel rice cake, topped with either strawberries or blueberries on cottage cheese, sound disgusting but has the illusion of a Devonshire cream tea and is not fattening, because we have been emptying a few gin bottles, and yes Pam, the golden Gin was consumed rather quickly but the bottles so Pam informed me the etched scene on the bottle are making these bottles worth more even though emptied. 

The meals I have been cooking for Steve Marion and Mossie have been delicious, Lamb Tagine, Ribeye last night with potato chips dipped in foamed egg white and baked .....healthy chips. Then accompanied with chorizo slices sun blushed roast tomatoes and peppers, that also was yummy steaks curtesy of my friends small holding which she raises the animal stock so I know its well reared and no added stuff in it. 

Had a couple of walks with Marion into town, and as she says would be so nice to just sit and have a glass of wine on route but not to be. When will this be I wonder.????????

Working from home from this week, till the work deems it safe to visit patients in their homes. Not much more for today will keep adding over the week and update.....see ya laters.

Another week has passed not a lot of excitement, trip to have eyes tested, had my Cov jab and go as I mentioned earlier, arm hurt like hell and developed a horrendous rash a week later but all ok now.

My saga with the boiler has been fixed I am so lucky to have wonderful men in my life who are ready to help when in need, Steve and Mossie thanks guys, stars for always helping especially Steve.

My son Nik turned 41 today, what can I say..... does it make me feel old does it make me feel sad or does it just feel its another page being turned in my story of things never stay the same, only move on silently.  He was my baby who has grown into a handsome young man, but alas although he has gorgeous girl friends along with his lovely sister, I see no grandchildren for me.

Its snowing today really thick and settling, I was due to go to Niks but not going to risk it today will pop down tomorrow, we have spoken on the phone and he had a heavy night so he understands not risking the roads.

Off to Steves tonight for Sunday meal, we won a meat raffle last week in our bingo high light of the week, we had so much meat its ridiculous, so we have been eating well on the protein stash the last week.

Well took me a long time to blog but hey ho.

A change is as good as the rest Confucius says.

Back again ready to start the 3 tier lockdown, hows this gonna pan out WHO KNOWS????????????????????????????????????????????????just put my Christmas tree up, not my usual extravaganza but its the thought that counts.

Had an awful bout of Vertigo last week, really quite scary not sure what bought it on but did not like it one bit, It was like being drunk in the worse case of scenario, with out the pleasure of drinking my favourite Rioja wine. Dam.....

I was falling and swaying all over the place which was to keep me incapacitated at home and needing a bit of help from friends.( AS ALWAYS).

Well my poor friend Marion is still waiting for flights to get back from Turkey, I will be so disappointed if she can't was so looking forward to some Girlie company and frivolities even if it only for 5 days of mixing at Christmas, what's the song FIVE GOLDEN RINGS. Stuff the rings stuff the Partridge in a pear tree, just give me laughter.

Marion has been getting the decorators in over the last couple of weeks back in Turkey, so cheap to get jobs done there, less than 500pnds in our money to have her huge and I mean huge place painted from top to bottom including 3 big bedrooms, kitchen large lounge hall and all other areas spread over two floors, all upcycling the furniture too. Can't wait to see it.

I feel I want a bit of a makeover in my place, now the kitchen is done and looking lovely a pang too refresh the lounge, already planning to get one of my armchairs covered in a rich royal blue velvet, I bought the material a while ago just need to contact the man. Well thinking why not the sofa too. mmmm food for thought.

Viv always helped with the painting so going to have to rope in my son, he wont be half as much fun as Viv was. she used to get paint all over her she was so funny.

I had a nice gesture come from the team the other day, it was a badge of honour to wear NHS hero the girls said you are nominated by your colleagues or patients, not sure but it was nice to receive it anyway.

Have to say looking forward to the shops being open, especially one of my favourite shops Tylers and a village boutique with lots of gorgeous knick knacks and lovely clothes.

Don't understand the rationale of how all this tier of lockdown is going to work but everyone seems to be hopeful about the vaccine, hope it is the wonder drug,  mm..my daughter would disagree, but I have my doubts too but can't help feeling hopeful and would love to see a demonstration of its no risk claim by all the Royal family, politicians, influencing people through out the world sticking their arms out and instead of  bending the knee bend the arm. Then I think we all might feel a little more confident, so roll up the sleeve you noble men and women. ( DID I SAY NOBLE)

I have done all my pressie shopping always do it through out the year, promise I will wrap and do it steadily but hey ho Santa I don't, its always last minute how stupid but going to start wrapping this evening such a lovely feeling when its done.

Going to order the Christmas hamper tomorrow for me and Steve, from our local sauced butcher, we aim to share it and maybe cut the joints in half as we do cook a few meals together so over the year we will indulge in our cooking skills, hopefully a few Yorkshire puddings from Steve with his new Yorky baking tins, he so hangs onto things and won't chuck the old one's out I bet.

Had my first Christmas card delivered today so must get my cards all written out and posted, seems a little old fashioned but its still nice to think someone has taken the time to think of you, so easy to tap a message on the mobile but like to think we hold on to some traditions, we have already lost milkmen, library's now one of my favourite shops Debenhams love that shop.

 

Have been working from home for two days but back in next week, be back to normal as normal can be, miss the team and banter so lifting when you mix, no staff Christmas dinner though this year, last year had it at my friend place near the river the Navigation, it was so nice will be nice to take friends there again.

First of our Christmas windows in the street has been decorated so going to take some photo's,  when a few more have been displayed in the Xmas Calendar widows, my day is the 6th of December and the 23rd should be fun, I have to do mossies I think, Steve who is an honouree member of our street is not participating in this but has provided me with some cable ties to assemble.

I have finished the whole series of Schitts Creak, so sad as its kept me in fits of laughter I think I have said before I binge watched it, now I know they do conventions, and people dress up in their fav character, well I bags Maura..... yes and didnt realise she was the mother in home alone. I went to the alternative Sound of music show in London years ago so much fun.

Everyone dressed in nuns outfits or the Von traps or Marie it was a hoot, you stand up and sing the songs when your character is singing. I have a desire also to attend the Rocky horror show too, suspenders Basques, and stockings ooh ya gotta let your hair down and just do things out the ordinary.

I have this Christmas made my own Christmas tree, have been doing this for years.

This year it is a very very slim tree, unlike the assembler. I have adorned the tree with my Murano glass angels bought back from Venice when I spent a glorious 6 days there. I totally will return as you probably have guessed Italy's cities are my favourite places in the world.

Have many friends from Italy and adore everyone of them too. I stood and watched the  glass Angels being made on the island. Managed to purchase a few items earing's, angels, a ring for my friend, and cufflinks to be worn at special occasion's. So my treasured angels are dangling very nicely. 

                           I Miei Bellissimi Angeli di Vetro

                                           CIAO Baby.

ITS BEGINNING TO FEEL A BIT LIKE CHRISTMAS

Where has the time and days gone or going, not a very active time and to be fair its not doing the waist line or fitness levels any favours.

Thursday after doing a little shopping, well not a lot of choice of shops, as one doesn't know if you buy pressies and they don't fit the shops might not be around when New Year comes.

So the limits are Sainsburys, Tesco's The Range, Asda all the big super markets are making a killing. 

I did manage to get a baby blue jumper and get Claire a pair of navy blue boots she has been looking for ages so good job there.

So nipping to them places are my activity level of shop till I drop (not a chance) are my exercise. Well on my return my lovely neighbour was out near her drive, who encouraged me to start early assembling my out door lights, normally this would be too early, and me for one would be moaning and cursing that we have weeks left yet. Well stuff that I and my neighbours are on it we deserve it and so do YOOOOOOO.

One neighbour that is part of our street lock down group has suggested a calendar of window being trimmed up. So we are all given a number leading up to Christmas we trim our windows up on the day your number says, and come what may Christmas Eve we meet on our front gardens just like VE day and have a glass of wine, I did question only one glass LOL. so there you go as in the heading it really is beginning to feel like Christmas.

Not sure what my Christmas eve will be like, as people I bubble with will probably want to be with family and they are the people I have spent Christmas Eve and New Year with so probably mince pie and Sherry with my feet up for the first time ever.

Any way I digress as usual, so lights up outside and Bingo for Friday and Saturday is on just love it.

This week asked  Pam if she would like to play as she was coming over to deliver a bottle of the light up Gin ( well it will certainly light me up) so good of her to find me a bottle how very lovely of her to offer. Well bottle delivered and Pam's tickets bought, was hoping that she would win it was close she nearly did, but my other friend did well done (Maz).

So central heating has been a bummer and Steve my saviour has been in and out on a daily visits to try and sort it. I feel so lucky to have such wonderful people in my life just hope they feel I have been that person in the past, just lately I seem to be taking more than giving and it doesn't sit well with me, I'm much better helping.

On Sunday I was cooking and needed a few ingredients that I had run out so was nipping Morrisons down the road but thought hang on......its sunny its lovely day and not many of them of recent so walked into town. Before I stepped out I picked the last of my beautiful roses from my garden, these are the ones Marie my friend bought for me a couple of years ago for my birthday.

So walked along the brook by my street and over the bridge toward town. Meandered through the streets not many folk about so doubled back to Lidel's. No queues so all good, got a few things but bloody hell could not find Tomato Pur

Lidel's was built on a very old railway station site, it operated in Loughborough in Victorian times 1800's to the 1930's. and as I left the car park I tried to video the names of the old railway stations that the old stream trains called at along its route.

Also passed the old Co-Op building that was one of the first Co) Operative shops to open their own grocery stores.

We have a connection with the railways, my children's great gran was one of the first female railway guards during world war 1, and then honored for her contribution for billeting American Canadian forces in the war, and even German POW after the war, who didn't want to return to the Father land.

She carried on her work with the renovation of the old Rothley and Quorn steam trust stations, and the link up with the old Loughborough steam trust station, up until she was in her late 80's.

On her 85 th birthday the steam train trust laid on a family party on the train and we all participated in a lovely tea party.

Grand children loved it and some of her soldiers from the states , Canada, and even the x German POW's flew over for it, very emotional day. So here are the names of the stations the train stopped at, a little bit of history for anyone who could be reading this enjoy.

Well off I went to Morrisons passing the winter flowering cherry trees just peeping with blossom. Then along passed Maxwells the local pub where me Steve Mel and friends have spent many occasion, including Mels funeral, bless him.

The pub looked forlorn and crying out for the punters. Andrew the Landlord was tidying outside as I was taking photo's, he waved and looked puzzled, I shouted and said no worries not spying cus your talking to workers les than 2mtr not reporting back to the  police. He laughed....so finished up in the end back at Morrison.

Cooked the Goulash for me and Steve and passed the rest of the afternoon trying the new system I have to use for work ( thats pants too) or is it me getting old NOOOO.

Marion my friend who should have arrived from Turkey to stay till the New Year has gone back into lockdown, not our mickey mouse one real one. She has to get permission to leave so fingers crossed at some point flights will resume before Christmas or after, was so looking forward to her coming and the company of a few weeks waking up to the sound of another voice in the house, if only for a short time.

Sunday night the switch on of the lights to cheer the street up curtesy  of Claire and Joe and little me.

So please let it be a bit cheery for all passing and bring even a tut like I would have done..... Bah Humbug to those who think its to early.