Four Steamers n Beer

A bit of a funny day, to start with decided house cleaning, the garden has taken priority these last weeks, and while its not a tip its not scrub clean, a bit neglected on house work of late.
Never been a house slave and don't think ever will, but us girls have to try.

Pulled all the stuff out of the bathroom, as Mrs Bucket would say get some fettling done, meaning do your corners and skirting boards, walls, and anything that has a surface. Well I did and its not therapeutic not at all, always envied women who enjoyed the housey wifey thing, I have always been, oh lets have a cuppa the ironing can wait. But maybe its time I changed.......

Anyway half way through Mark Viv's son rang to give me an update, but really wanted a lift to the bike shop for some assistance, so off we went, Mark has been shielding Viv as I hope I have so have no qualms about ferrying him. While dropping him off up Shelthorpe nipped into Tesco's no queues great.

Looked around for a steamer as mine of only 4 or 5 times of use was pouring water out, I thought I was incontinent for the moment cus was puddles all over, any way now it has to go back, luckily Steve still had the receipt. Well Tesco's had none but there you go bargains in the shop so trolley filled but no Steamer oh well.

Mark had loaded the cycle wheels in my trolley so I was strolling around Tesco's with two spokie wheels, plants veg and clothes, probably looked like a Pikey lol. So off we set again this time to Charnwood Brewery, wanted to get Dan the bingo man a few bottles for his birthday and for entertaining us through out lockdown. Knowing nothing about brown drinks though I had a lesson in blonde beers that I thought were lagers by the owner, a very nice man he picked me a few, boxed them up for me and popped his card in the bag, and that was that.

Next trip was to B&M for a steamer again, there were no queues so got all done pretty easily, after that dropped Mark back home, then unloaded the beer from the car, it was heavy and in a nice bag so was careful as didn't want to damage the bag cus its looked quite nice with the Charnwood Brewery Fox on it.

Back home and cooked a lovely Lasagne, for a meal tomorrow that I have promised for friends. So more cleaning for me I really should be in bed but been binge watching Gangs of London, it really is so good, and had a break and now got Jack Taylor on, another hard hitting series love Jack, he appears in quite a lot of good things including Kalesi of G O T right hand man who I think she should have married but hey ho ending was ok in that but binged watched it, 5 and 6 hours at a time.... no not lazy this was while the chemo was nuking me so sleep was not possible, 20 steroids a at a time kept me on the ceiling whilst paralysed on the sofa. Watched the whole 6 series in about 2 weeks... the last series was not as edgy well I didn't think so.

Another cuppa not had a tipple of gin tonight, so here I am at 1.30 in the morning tip tapping away about absolutely nothing now watching the Hotel inspector, again love this.

Woody has just joined me think the tapping on keys fascinates him. Will get up early tomoz as I need very little sleep, think thats why travelling to and fro from Thailand there was no jet lag at all, the first night I thought I ought to rest up because its bound to hit me as it must everyone, so Steve and Andy went out, after about an hour or so called resting thought oh sod this I'm off out. Not a clue where I was but thought keep in a straight line and can't go wrong, I must admit I do enjoy just going off.

I remember visiting Steve in Cologne and he was at work, so just set off exploring I find it fascinating just going off and walking around just looking at buildings, its the same in Rome Florence or anywhere I think I must  have been a rover in a previous life.

Spoke to Viv earlier this evening she sounded ok and eating a little, but doing more tests, will ring her again later today to see if any results are back, can't visit as its not allowed so Text and calls is all we can do. Will do a few more phone calls to patients and write up all my notes which have to be done asap.

Keep looking at my kitchen it is dyer, but with only me as the bread winner for the past 16 years things did become bashed and painted, and again bashed and repainted so many times, and going back to changing rooms, they said on one show for a quick fix for a textured wall, put sand in the paint.....well its still on the walls lol. Not sure what to do, its quite depressing looking at the whole kitchen but will see when I have had some more time to mull over. Should I get the back and front doors renewed, should I go on holiday as and when, or for go it to get it all done.... will think about it oh to have such wonderful choices prefer to have nicer ones but we can't be picky girls. 

Spose I should now think about bed and see what the day has in store for me, will have a cuppa first and then do my facial treatments, Claire bless her got a deal for some products and kindly sent me some, so by the end of the month a new me maybe or just a glow on my cheeks, as I don't really wear make up just blusher and my fav lippy, bright and luscious, think have said can go any where looking like a troll but not without my lippy, it would feel like I have no knickers on, on that note I'm off see you all later. 

Hi everyone I am back, that is anyone is out there, its Sunday so catching up on the last few days. No real plans for next week but can any body plan, I went shopping for PJs for Viv to be delivered at the hospital, Tesco's M&S had to search cus all summer type ones and she needs nice warm ones,  managed to hunt some out so mission accomplished.

Had a bubble meet up on Saturday with Maz, she was collecting her bingo ticket for the evening, it was nice having a chat in the garden, then low and behold, an old friend came and another impromptu bubble visit, It was really lovely and we chatted for a few hours. The kind of chatting that sometimes every one needs, to reminisce unburden and just to know its ok to just talk and know you are in good company, he needed a chat and I always loved talking to him we can laugh and be serious but always have humour to even sadness, if you are reading this you will always be my friend.

Bingo took place and Mrs Bucket even joined in, alas no win. Well tomorrow on a mission for Steve for trainers, he wears on sunny days these flippy flop things and gets stones in his feet so with my 50% of with my NHS card may grab him a bargain, but he said he is not queuing so we will see if he succumbs to pressure or better still spending. LOL.

Rebekah and Lesley called also today, think she really wanted to cuddle my cats and check if I was looking after them, which she appeared satisfied with my efforts. They let her brush them and were quite happy with the attention. Not really seen her since Mothers day so was nice for her to stay. Spoke to Claire who is in the process of saying goodbye to a part of her and Phils caravan so an old passage of time is being put to rest for them. But new beginnings and maybe in warmer climates MAYBE.

Think people will be shooting off to shops, tomorrow with some sense of trepidation, but a sheer sense of freedom, only hope it does not come back and bite us on the Derry Aire. We will have to wait and see, but we must all be careful Sanitise scrutinise and not be stupidised thinking it's over. Well a little bit done tonight so will be back tomoz  Mardy Monday awaits peeps 

Monday Monday, it came and the people came out to the freedom they have craved, managed to drag Steve to Sports Direct but he was not having any of the queuing OH NO. JOS'E so we quickly escaped from that with Steve breathing a sigh of relief, and demanding no photo's of him he did not want to be known as the let out the house crew to shop LOL.

Well I met Lynda and Sylv and we had a look see in Primarni, mainly looking for soft trainers ready for the off if we get our wings, Sylv is doing a cruise which she normally does twice a year, Singapore, and other places in the far east.

Lynda is forever changing flight dates to get back to her place near Marbella, and me well I am just waiting for the go ahead to hopefully take Viv somewhere sunny and relaxing, I don't care how we get there be it Spain Turkey but going to try and get her as fit as possible have enough volunteers to help and friends places to recuperate. 

Another event took place my fur babies ventured out for the first time today, was nervous they may run off but it all went well, I know it seems silly but these two refugee's have kept me occupied and have listened to my rants, my sobs, my hysterical laughs, so think they were duly in need of open spaces.

Will try to get some walking done this week its been a little sparse of late so must get on it. Oh but peeps there is a saga going on at the mo, bought a steamer from Argos and as I said earlier, its broke after a couple of times used. So bought another from B&M, which was ok, but seems to ooze water out when steaming, so that has to go back. So today ordered another one on line from Argos but Tally Ho, I have ordered two.......cor blimey they are multiplying, I am blaming it on COV 19 and thats my story and I am sticking to it.
You Know bring me the bloody mop and bucket, the dusters the sweeping brush, transport me to another time when house work was the only thing women worried about, and yes I have a story about old fashioned equipment. 

When I was married to my first husband Mick Bignell, we had a second hand washer with a electric mangle on, the thing used to spring open when sheets went through, so I had to jump on it to keep it closed. One day in this practice of improvise, my skirt caught in the rollers and wound me in I was trapped. No mobile phones to call. So as we lived in a cute terrace house in Sileby, I was waving like mad to our neighbour, he thought I was just being oh so crazy Yvonne, till Elsie his wife came home. Bless her she rescued me. I think that was the day that house wives chores was not something to be tackled half hearty. I have digressed oh well I am allowed and no doubt will on lots of occasions in the future. So will bid you good day and flick my feather duster....where who knows, by the way its Tuesday today a bit of a mish mash don't you think........ so by for now.

Rain drops keep falling on my head

Well I suppose the rain, it had to come some day this day and any kind of day, lets not hope not everyday and make some sad days  we have had enough so sod off rain.  The weather has been so kind to us in these funny mad times .We have had lovely days to help us cope and waking up and smelling the coffee, by walking and just seeing all from the pavements not the car window. Not walked as much these last days, was walking mostly every day, so must get back into that, maybe walking not so much isolated places but street side, because if walking on your own I prefer maybe walking down the streets or roads that I haven't maybe walked down since a teenager. 

Not a lot to tell you peeps, been working from home last few days, contacting my precious patients keeping in touch. Some are ok and some just hanging in there. I suppose like us all you don't have to be mentally frail, we all in some ways have touched on the side of loneliness,  depression, anxiety, at times madness......you were lucky if this did not affect you and you had this time to share with someone, I have had contacts with Viv keeping an eye on her but not being much help as she has slept alot.....people who did buckle or crack and are bottling it up, are more likely to suffer after all this.

I have tried to speak as I have said before on the phone instead of text, I know its helped me to hear voices, and because some were texting me and I hadn't answered all day were ringing around to check I was ok, that kinda pulled me out of a bit of a decline in my well being to know people friends family care so have tried this week to take stock and hopefully I am back on track.

My friends that have partners try to understand but unless you are on your own don't really get it, a few single friends do and I think we are trying to support one another, I struggle because being a hugger, and a person who takes pleasure out of helping, organising, and maybe interfering......but in a kind way, I am finding it difficult in this role not being that person, I don't even know this role I am in at present, I have had so long having to think about my day and schedule as a carer, that with this situation its alien, just being on my own.

 I like to think that's normal behaviour my role of the modern day local do gooder, but when we crack it reminds us that we are all human, and need to be kinder and more understanding, I thought I was, but even I have been reminded to try harder to connect and what  I think I've always done, endorses to keep doing and believe in mingling and what  I say, strangers are just friends we have yet to meet, oh and yes I hope you will all try this and let strangers become your new friends you never know when you will need that one friend.

 I will promise  if you enter the world of mingling its divine and I only know kind people or nutters , oh well diversity all the way, no bank balance's, titles, or up your own arse, have no place in my liquorice box of all sorts friends trust me when you are a member you will feel blessed and feel part of a happy family, you know the old saying sisters from a different mister, brothers from a different mother is true, especially in these awful disturbed time, I am not against any race, there is none we are all the human race a very dear friend of mine said I see no colour when his family questioned why he would want to marry a white woman, he replied I see no colour I see a woman I love.....Well said H  end of.

Zulf my friend and boss ( well he thinks he is my boss) arrived with a bloody 2ft Gnome to cheer me up, well I ask you.... Mrs Bucket is not amused it is sweet though and such a nice gesture to cheer me and bring a smile to my face. While he was there Steve had popped round to bang in some wood path edgings so a couple of cool beers was had in the sunshine in the garden safe distance. I had cooked a lovely chicken in red wine and new potato's but Steve had already done dinner and Zulf had just shown up, if I had known would have done his favourite Salmon, but he didn't let me know. Love cooking gives me so much pleasure and  so he had  to settle for a cheesy roll from Morrison. He is on the travel bucket list to Kashmir, to his house that is being built. 

Took a walk down B&M for bits but there was a queue and it had started to drizzle quite fast so headed back, jumped in the car and went to Morrison to fetch a few bits thought I would do a spicy sausage and choritzo  potato Bravas dish, Mossie had given me some sausage that we had bought from my butchers, paprika and sundried sausages so yes off doing my cooking bit for appreciated food lovers, yes am happy, and he totally loved it cheeky bugger said I had got the fine dinning recipes back, cus some how I had gone off piste well back on it .  

Well Wednesdays  dish went down well and I was back on the scale of yes the cooking club is not dead. So pleased as I have missed this so much this past year. I think this stemmed from the in prompt u event on Sunday that a friend saw me struggling and reached out, I suppose cus over the years I have been there for him in his dark days, so okay lets get it all out there and bugger them that stand on the side lines. Sometimes we need a person who is flawed vulnerable and not exactly acts o fey but these people are those that recognise someone crumbling because they have looked in the same mirror, so thank you. 

Well two glasses of red wine from the stash and think I will sign off for tonight, because tomoz is another day and who knows a new beginning, or just another sneaky trip to B&M or the range ...


Took a cheeky walk or car run to town on Thursday, parked at the Range and walked the rest of the way into town roads not too busy but building up. Took Viv's glasses to Spec savers she had broken the arm and her other glasses were rubbing her ears bless her, I know the manager Nadine and she got it sorted with a new frame and lenses fitted all with in 20 mins, while I was there sorted an appointment for Steve because he wouldn't, tried to persuade him get Varifoculs, we all know how vane he is, sorry Steve but you know it bless him I do tease him, so that's sorted for him. 

Friday a walk down town with Steve, we share sweets and our favourite are american gums , but today had snake gums, he went into Spec savers as I went into a funny mix up shop, but hey its a shop, bought a solar light 2 pnds it may work or not. Steve then went to the bank and I went to Boots, both wanted the loo so headed for Tesco's. On route nipped into M&S some bargains there Steve held the baskets while I was buzzing round the bargains, Really not a fan of Marks but there were 2 coats that were nice so cheap but too big oh well I tried... it was nice the thrill of a bargain. Passed the Gym next door to my surgery, I always say oh I must go to a gym, but my excuse its never the right time of day, well no excuse is there.... but just like Scarlet O'Hara in gone with the wind one of my all time favourite films, Fiddly dee I'll think about it tomorrow...... Will I... leave it to you all to think that one out.

Got home sat in garden had a cuppa and then settled in for Friday night saga's, Steve Sylv and myself are really glued to Geoffs antics nasty man but its a fact it happens sad though. Enough of soaps have enough drama's in my life.

No Bingo peeps so our Saturday night is a little flat, but have an invite to a Steve's for a curry, nipped round Viv's still struggling but keeping her upbeat to plans we are hoping to do this year, we had on our agenda I think I said, was Santarino, Geneva, Naples, Croatia, and Barre in Italy, all  staying with friends, Fabiana, Roberta, and then Marmaris to Marions, Oh we will do it I know we will. Hopefully Marion will be able to fly in soon, and also Claire whom we will be doing a search around Spain for somewhere to buy, she hopes she can come and visit soon.

Sunday comes round so quick, up and showered, a quick nip to Morrisons, for a few bits. Doing Lamb and colcannon mash with roasts and yorkies mint gravy, got Steve to do it one night when he was having friends over for a meal, he didn't believe that it was a proper dish, till his friends said they had eaten it before, yea have little faith Steve. Any way old fashioned jelly creme fresh and strawberries for pud. Yes and repaying my curry night with Sunday din dins.

Nipped to Viv's earlier on and Rachael her daughter was there . Viv hasn't eaten properly for over a week, and is so frail, while there she spoke to the hospital so will be going in to maybe intravenously be fed, I have told her to hang on to the picture of us at Honasura beach in Marmaris and think sunshine and waves and warm sunny evenings, will know later what is happening. If I could take away her pain I would so she could get better, I joked with her as there is something to be said about being over weight you have reserves to fall back on, so she has to think FAT.

Sorry if this blog has not been upbeat but will try harder and be back to stupid things........ I never thought I would say this but I miss TIN PAN ALLEY involvements even though its left me with a bloody bad back.

Oh by the way Woody does not like me ignoring him he wants his own Blog 

Splish Splash I was Taking A Bath

Well I certainly needed a shower, all day been splishing and sloshing all over the place jet washing my slabs. This was kinda therapeutic skimming all the old grime off them.

Gosh its quite scary when the hose lets rip with the deluge of water.  Managed the side of the house so tomorrow will be at the back. The weather has been really kind to us during lock down so the spraying like a ninja turtle in the hot weather has not been too bad, not sure in colder or chill times would be quite as endurable so small blessings hey.

The week started really well with our Bank Holiday street party, it should have been Sunday but the sun was a factor in sitting and enjoying ourselves. A little more reserved not a raucous or shot in sight and no states of unconsciousness for me or Steve or the rest of the street. 
We chose that Thursday would be the last clapping night but have vowed that any celebration we will hit it with all we have and continue to appreciate the good thing that came out of this, a brand new community born out of fear, loneliness, and a deep need to feel that this street will survive and become a real neighborhood. I hope so and then the sacrifices that peeps have made will not be in vane. I feel sorry for the people that have suffered hardship, lost jobs, and like my friends business of a bistro have had to throw in the towel and after so much hard work, lets hope all these hard ships wont go on forever, I know only to well both my children have been hit hard, so understand only to well thing aren't going to go away overnight.

Going back to Bank holiday Monday, Dave turned up to collect Maz's bingo ticket, and oh my on the SX 200 scooter that bought memories for me, as my ex had one mm sweet little red and white number, chromed up to the hilt. I so loved riding on the back of that flashy scooter. Dave is a member of the scooter crowd its nostalgia for him and quite a few others, think he would like to recruit Steve into the gang, and I think Steve would probably love it if he decided a nice excursion and pass time.

I'm not sure but who else thinks the week goes so fast maybe its because it really feels like groundhog day. I hate the weekends because feel I should be doing things like meeting friends, browsing round shops, or just having a damm choice. People have been so kind with their remarks on my renovation project of dare I repeat it, TIN PAN ALLEY, every one seems to like what  I have done and appreciate all the hard work its taken. Oh folks it lights up at night like Blackpool, but I like to think more like the .......Champs Elysees  well I think so...especially in september when all the ave trees are lit up.

Had a visit from my friend Maz and Dave today sitting in the garden chatting as we are allowed, cuppa and chat would have cracked open the Prosecco but really don't want them to think I have become drink dependant ,,,SHHHhhhh it feels like a little luxury to sit talk and escape wonder if we will take time for granted again, I don't mind admitting I haven't handled it well, but some are more isolated than me, I feel for them. I have had Steve as the walking partner, and handy man, Viv to visit, Sylvia too, and although breaking the rules we all haven't mixed with each  other knowing we have sanitised, scrubbed, Detolised, and basically been as careful as all. 

Did a little visit to Viv earlier, but she was sparked out on the sofa so left her to sleep, later though went round after a detour and  a look over Steves fence as I saw the man cave  door was open, and yes he was there with his pork pie hat on swigging beer with Ben his son. It was nice to see Ben again and we were having a bit of banter with them teasing Steve about his reluctance to clear his leaves up, as Mrs Bucket said she would report him for being an eye sore.lol.

Well its only a short blog today, feeling a bit tired and wondering if a walk into town tomoz maybe with Steve if he wants to get his steps in or he could be still fettling in his shed finding treasures of things he had made as a boy, or dusting off all his collection of bits and bobs which he has loads of bits. He makes Sylvia and me laugh as he never throws anything away, he once had 2 washing machine motors in his cellar WHY...in case it comes in handy. Would that be for the Ninja Turtle jet washer to wiz it around all by its self..mmm

So goodnight see you all soon, she says shouting inside please remember we all need a little place in someones thoughts take care till the next blog.