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.

MAMA MIA HERE WE GO AGAIN ...... AND THINGS TO BE GRATEFUL FOR MEN AND MEALS I WILL TAKE THAT

Yes  its here again lock down blues or dance at home in your shoes,  been doing a lot of that I miss dancing, not many places to go these days for a boogie, places to jig along too have long gone.

Somehow it doesn't feel as bad, because I'm feeling optimistic that we have to go through this and honestly if we can't be kind to one another after this then BOG OFF!!!!!!!!

Had myself a male dominated week of mingling, with my lovely kind and wonderful men mates. ( P.S do have girl friends too, but not many single ) and my cooking does have a bit of an edge instead of eating on your own.

Steve, the ever kind my soul friend, Andy ( AKA) Mossie, the cooking demon, and Vern the gentle giant but toughest of men you would want always have your back, but will open his heart when the need too, so a lucky girl am I.

Monday

Firstly Andy invited me out to the meal deal for two at Maxwells not bad, he had megga stack boy that man can eat. I had bumped into his lovely dad the other evening, I was having a bit of a day, not good. I had gone round Viv's house just because I felt the need to be there.

I knocked on her door just in case Mark her son was there, he was and asked me in.

Although the furniture is still there as Rachael has left it furnished for prospective buyers, most of her personnel effects were gone. Her soul had left, and left me behind and I again felt broken, it was the anniversary also of Mels funeral, so all was about reflection over the last couple of weeks.

I chatted to Mark who at this point has no plans, he is considering renting so I suggested renting abroad like Claire, and possibly get some work teaching English to students or relocation people. He said it was a thought so who knows he may drop into Claire's on route. 

Anyway digressing again, Mossie's dad caught me as I was passing back from Viv's and asked how I was.

I kinda was bluffing it until he said the sweetest thing and said you are always looking out for others as I had phoned Val his wife to reassure her about her op which went well. He said who is looking out for you, and that was it,....the  lip went but I kept the tears to a minimal droplets. He gave me a hug which Keith is being very careful shielding Val, and I went on my way.

So Monday a knock on my window it was mossie, saying get your coat on I'm taking you out, so off we went for an abundance of meal deals for the next week or so. He can be arsie, but he has a memory like me forgets nothing and remembers how I helped him through some bad times, plus I think his Dad had given him a nudge.

Later that night he said I promised you if you needed to go out and about I will be there to take you,  well we always have laughs chat and humour so never get down again, ( Thankyou for that.)

He did cheer me up and we reminisced about our hols together in Turkey, also we absolutely cracked up about how many fictitious bubbles to meet up were forming, and kept adjusting his face covering that ended up on his head that looked like his pants. 

Tuesday and back at work and my other wonderful friend Zulf appeared at work after being away for so long, that was a bonus. He too is a helper of souls and trust me friends if you are one you become a sponge and every now and then you have to squeeze it to gain some of yourself back, but if you are one its because you choose to be you can't fake it.

The evening again was eat out with Mossie, and another nice night, so I was feeling foodied up if that's a word, and no sign of diet in sight, although we had a healthy hot roasted veg salad and chicken.

WEDNESDAY

Work again and a Zoom meeting I had done loads of training over the last few weeks so Zoom is the last thing I need, Ollie one of my Psychiatric consultants I work with had emailed to say he was again shielding, the next thing team leader shouted to me to come in the office to say sorry Yvonne don't come into work for a month can you work from home. Well I can but its not the same being in touch personally. 

I know folks, because I think I have overcome tremendous times of fight or flight and struggles, I fortunately had the will power and mental strength to get through, but I have struggled so I feel their pain and others too.

If you have never felt that feeling of hopelessness, you are either lucky or I don't know.?????? what do I know only I would not want to be without empathy, sometimes called interference, control, nosey or just plane in your face, but I own it so there if you need me friends I'm there for you.

Wednesday, and out again with Steve for the meal deal. the night before he had been denied bubble entrance, WTF some like to play god, so he had gone home, but we were in there for our cheapy no probs.

Steve's meal was good Megga mixed grill few thing missing guess stocks not replenished because of closing, mine was a bit gross, crispie beef that had been done to death not nice, I had treated Steve as a little thankyou, certainly not enough for what he has done but can only offer treats and other measures of gratitude for his ever helping hand that he knows I am eternally grateful and would never get by without his help.

Thursday

Well it was the Black toe gang evening, Me Steve and Verns, fine dinning night so folks my whole week revolved round men and meals, hence the heading. Black toe relays to Steve and his never ending big toe accidents, first Mels scooter dropping on it in Spain. Then a long walk we did in his new shoes 15k and bruising it again, he wont let me pull it off the wimp lol.

We all meet up and cook a meal at each others homes, and generally have a good time drinking and usually this goes on until the early hours, last time 3 am in the morning, Thursday was a little earlier about 12.30 as Vern was working the next day. Steve and me carried on for another couple of hours.

The boys loved the meal I had dished up, starters was salmon and king prawns on skewers, in chilli and lime juice , Main was Lasagne which have to say is smack your lips meal, then twisted filo pasty with raisins soaked in brandy with chopped apple cream with strawberry.

The cheeky buggers said I had hired a chef...trust me I love cooking its therapeutic, ok when Steve popped round in the day I was covered in flour and all manor of ingredients but its fun so no matter. 

Today sent Claire a photo of our dull morning of autumn mist and dank leaves and foliage that looks messy. I have a gardener to help once a month to help, as the garden is too much for me to weed now, buying a bigger plot in your twenties is cool but it bites your bum in you later years, when the garden was like Alton Towers with play tents, skate board humps, but now how I would welcome a postage stamp or a window box.

Saturday, nipped to Home bargains cat food and a Christmas door hanging to put up soon, sooner than other years as we need to be hopeful and believe things will get back to even better days, not financially, but humanely . May the good angels watching over us grant us that, as I believe in angels, too many special people up there that were my angels.

Sylvia nipped round as  are interpretation of our own version of bubble, Sylv Steve Me as we are on our own and are careful so yeah are we breaking the law yes but sanity prevails, Steve would disagree he don't mind the lonesome( wanna be on meee own) this was mossie's anthem for Steve, lol. Good on him but me ! people are the spice of life, and although my cooking is not hot spice its flavour of all sorts just like friends and people. 

The Bingo Night commenced thanks for Dan the bingo man he is a star keeping us in the land of fun and every ones spirits up, bring it on keep us laughing Dan.  

Sunday, and another dull day, but have been busy burning and chopping my lavender bush that the gardener had cut back, my it has had a scalping, but getting rid of the roots and branches is a job and a half.

Nik called to light the wood burner yesterday,  he loved bonfires as a child, that much we took extra fire insurance out, but the wood was too new so smoked a lot, so cleaned out burner and bagged the debris up this morning and smuggled into my bin as the garden waste bin is full.

Must admit as it was burning the air was full of the scent of lavender so hope no one disliked the burst of smoke billowing out. 

Sunday 

Its Dull Dull Dull Dull. So my activity today is not much, have  much to do in the next week, as my lovely friend is arriving back from Turkey to stay with me for a month or so, fingers crossed they don't cancel her flight.  So freezer being used up over the next few days, and Venison medallions is for dinner today.

So red wine is needed and a bit of cranberry sauce to flavour and marinate, Steve is up for the menu, we will see how it turns out and which recipe I will adapt and massacre. LOL 

Oh whilst blogging watching Alled Jones in Brecon Beacons, for remembrance Sunday, my maternal family all live in Wales and as a child Sylv and me would go camping, with the youth club where the SAS train, to Wales in the Black mountains there.

Camping for a week riding horses over the Black Mountains pitching our tents for the night, then canoeing for a week down the River Wye, my we were tough kids, makes me smile thinking about it. Bet the kids of today would shudder at digging latrines to pooh and pee in, but gave me an understanding at an early age we all need help and people to survive times.

Well will start my make shift mackle up menu folks enjoy your Sunday keep positive and smile.

                TUESDAY AND ITS GOOD NEWS WEEK 

OH GLORY GLORY GLORY is there going to be hope for us all, the Vaccine is this what we needed, well my optimistic and positive thinking is in overdrive now, and I SMILE xxxxxxxx  

Pic and Mix Kinda of few weeks. Folks and in need of a shake up of the sweetie counter.

Well folks been a tad lazy in the blog a lot slot, Claire keeps reminding me where's your blog, well here I am.

Been reading Claires blog which gives me a quite a bit of envy, because people doing the one thing I dreamed of living in the sun.

I know its not all sunshine but to be fair, as I have said before I love meeting people and always enjoy meeting new people, ok its a hobby but what a lovely hobby, beats hearing knitting needles clacking away. No don't mean that wish I had the patience to do that.

But winter is just around the corner and most of my friends will be in climates a lot warmer than here, so feeling very very jealous..............

Don't much mind the days but once in a while just to toddle down the pub in the evening or early doors, either will do. 

I have had some lovely catch ups though so I shouldn't feel so morose, because they have been really great.

Firstly had a meal round Steve's last Friday night, bit of arm twisting on there, but hey I'm not fussy I 'll take any invitation for a night of evening mixing. Then Saturday around Pam and Brian's which again was so nice to be out after dark and company was really good too so a bonus there. Chicken Stroganoff at Steves and Pams a lovely curry just right for my taste not hot. Steve always stresses about cooking but is a real good cook. As Mel said his liver n onions is the best.

It was nice catching up with Phil, he was a little worried about his elderly mum, but from what I can gather has picked up from when I last spoke to him.

I have cooked a few meals for my one time cooking club partner which helped push the boundaries in the culinary field.

Cooked a salmon and pea with lemon risotto which must have been ok cus he took some home as well, he is my biggest critic. Mossie couldn't even chuck together a decent fry up till the chemistry began of our love of food began.Plus eating it.

When people at work used to see our fb pics, they assumed he was my toy boy....lol I never denied it we have had many holidays together, and I have to say they were fab funny and miss them, with us all together, happy times

Then in the week my old friend from work who has just retired came over, we were due to meet at Bradgate park for a walk, but her plumber didn't turn up till late so she swung by mine.

We have some lovely walks close by, Bradgate park for one, it has woodland streams and Deer roaming and the rutting season as just started. It also was the home of The famous Queen for 12 days Lady Jane Gray, she was beheaded as many were. So a bit of history our little area has. 

Many more too, the first ever tourist trip by Thomas Cooke, ran for the Temperas society from Leicester to Loughborough, back in 1841, a little more history for you all.

Was nice to catch up, she also is on her own, she also shares the view, not a lot for females on their own its still a mans world to walk in a pub and sit and have a drink on your own.

SHIT hate the fact that the only thing they left out of being European in England, is venturing out at night here it just don't feel right for a woman, yet my friends who live abroad for most of the year in Spain, Turkey and Italy feel so different out there. and on their return for a couple of weeks here totally get how I feel and know they could never live the same independent life here  again not like their lives abroad.   

Well can't carp on about that so move on.  

I met up with Rachael Viv's daughter and Rebekah and Pam, Pam is an old friend of Steve's, and their friends in different ways have passed mine and my friends paths at different times.

Pam and I had met previously the week before and had such a smashing time, we felt we had known one another for ages, that happens sometimes folks it does to me any way. We just chatted laughed and both produced a bunch of Roses really similar to break the ice as flowers always does, but you know there was no ice to break we got on like a house on fire. Thanks Pam for daring to step into my world.

We got on so well that time just flew till we were asked to leave are allotted table, so off we trotted to a cafe across the way. for coffee.

Brian then picked Pam up and kindly took me home, it was such a lovely afternoon I invited her to join us at the Toby inn  for the catch up with Rachael. Again what can I say the afternoon was a loose women lunch club. We chatted ate, put the world to right drank ate again, chatted more and drank more. 

Love it when people get together and there is an instant friendship in the making between folk.

My kitchen is coming to the end of refurb and is looking fabulous for saying its on a budget. Steve has done miracles and I am forever in his debt for all the jobs he has done over the past few years. I like to think that one day can repay him.

Work was a bit of a task this week, 5hrs training online, I swear slit wrists were on the agenda and another 4hrs again this Wednesday, its a good job I love my job or it would be so hard.

When Denise my so hilarious friend popped over the other week she had got tickets for the Dualers at Nottingham, so managed to get two for me and Steve I have actually seen then perform in the street they are so good. Hopefully it wont be cancelled but who knows. Steve was here when she came and he listened to our exploits as nurses and things that happened, he is so screamish, you have no embarrassments in our job. you can't afford to you wouldn't last long.

Not much on my calendar people seem reluctant to commit to stuff because of Cov19, I aim to get the last of a fallen leaf on the 31st of Dec same as I did for the Millennium, just as a reminder of a year lost and mount it sentimental I am.

Viv's house is up for sale which saddens me no wreath making for Christmas there, or pampering nights anymore to be had but memories are locked away in my heart, so may have to host in my little abode, a bit cramped but should be ok yaah. 

The annual town fair is a casualty this year its cancelled first time since the Magna Carter folks yes we are in there. 

My friend Marion has finally booked her trip back here to stay with me over Christmas and New Year, obviously she will spend Christmas day with her daughter and grand children, but will be nice to wake up and not be on my own. Over the past possibly 10 or more years Steve was always here Christmas Eve and New Years eve on a sleep over from celebrations, he usually was a bit hung over and lived in town so no driving.

Fear Christmas is going to be a bit different and families are going to find it hard, not being able to mix, at least the weather is usually ok abroad so you can get out, but who knows here what its going to be like.

A few hardships financially too for those out of work.......blessings of a pension.....only thing that is. Have just put together a spiced beef and ale slow cooker dish for dinner, prepared it before Steve came round for the last bit of tiling so dinner will be ready later.

 Thats the most of this week took care of bit non full on but never the less a few good days of laughter and chat with friends. Where would we be without friends, keep em safe close and treasure them, its sometimes the only thing you have that is priceless along with family ££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££