Sunday 11th Jan 2015
I ended the week with a 4.08 am day. Despite getting to bed not long after midnight and despite being tired I couldn’t sleep and had to read. The light went off at 1.00 am I’m pretty sure Mike’s didn’t however as it was still on when I got up. The new day started quite oddly from my point of view because when I logged on the in- boxes weren’t as full as usual. That’s not a complaint by the way. In fact both were empty by 5.45 am. I went to the loo and on the way back decided to apply some of the Deep Freeze pain relieving gel I bought for the ankle . It was in the lounge so I sat on the couch, applied some to my hand and started rubbing it in. For a moment it stung then the menthol kicked in and it burned like heck. Fair play it was a coldish red hot burn . I’m so glad I’d pulled my pyjama leg up and not the pyjama trousers down as anyone passing the window at that point would have had a shock ( contrary to the rumours spread by you know who). I practically danced the flame(nco), knocking my leg in the process at the instant agony of pain relief. But I dared not try and wash it off in case it was like the experience I have previously recounted about my introduction to Fiery Jack. I went and sat in my chair till the tears dried. There appeared to be none left on the inside of my eyelids when I checked at 6.55 am. The stinging had died to a dull throb.
I went through to the kitchen and turned the lights on, including the fish tank. Little Al was near the front and as I was putting food in I started talking and telling him I was perhaps going to find some new friends for him today. He darted off, stopped by Big Al, had a conflab and moments later Big Al was there head cocked as though listening to every word. I’d stopped speaking by then though. “Not to worry old son” I told him, ” we know you’re the senior crew member and all newcomers must report to you.” That actually seemed to satisfy him and he started grazing. I wonder if he’s been earwigging when I’ve spoken to Mike about new fish, maybe that’s what’s been worrying him. Poor lamb. Well, he’s in for a shock if I get my way because the fish I hope to get will dwarf him and I shall be sure to bribe them to my side of the field quite early on. If anyone is going to rule that tank it will be ME! With my best imitation of the evil scientist’s laugh I turned away and started to take my meds. As I wasn’t sure what time we’d eat today I thought I’d better have breakfast too so I made some toast with the crusty bread from yesterday.
Once finished I took my post-food tablets and carried my coffee through to my bedroom. More of the expected post had started coming through now so I guessed the delay was due to a leaf on the line somewhere. I got stuck in. It carried me through until just after 9.00 am so I started messing about on ebay which I don’t seem to get to as often as I used to. Just after 9.30 am I paid another visit to the loo and almost passed out on the bathroom floor when I heard the pat pat of size 6 feet heading for the lounge. It couldn’t be……but it was. I went to make him a drink and sat with him for a while. The weather wasn’t nice but it hadn’t snowed and the gale seemed to have dropped so we confirmed the trip to Blakemere to look for fish was still on. By the time we’d washed and dressed and Mike had forced a shoe on my foot it was 10.45 am before we could leave. We still managed to get there by 11.25 am though. First stop the very posh and very pleasant tea rooms from last time. Once we were refreshed it was a trip round the courtyard to a little curio/antique shop and then ( via the loo again) to a larger antique shop on site. After a really good mooch and as it was now 1.00 pm we went to the restaurant for lunch which today was a carvery. I had two good slabs of roast beef and then some potatoes and LOADS of veg Andrea.I realised I’d forgotten my 11.00 am antibiotic and had to readjust the rest of the day’s times and wait until an hour after eating.
Following lunch we went into a shop that imports freetrade items, where Mike bought himself a nice dragon on a tree. We left there intending to go and look at the fish but Mike said he’d just pop into the third ( and last) antique shop while I had a cigarette. I could see him through the window as I smoked and he hadn’t got more than a few feet into the shop. He’d said he didn’t want anything today so I nipped in behind him and said I’d go to the fish place and he could catch me up there. Well, I looked, looked again and looked some more and couldn’t find what I wanted which included Mike for his opinion. I’d been there 45 mins when I could see they didn’t have breed I wanted or the size I wanted. I came out and walked back up the hill. Mike still hadn’t finished buying nothing but it was going to take 3 bags to carry it.Then the card machine was out of order so it was as well I had some cash with me. We got in the car and set off to find a restaurant we thought was also a book shop fairly close by so I could take my tablet. The book shop had gone 9 months ago but the restaurant was very nice. We had a coffee and headed for home.
We got back at 4.30 pm and I had to come straight in and start work. Mike called me at 6.00 pm for half an hour then I returned to it. It was gone 10.00 pm before I finished most of them ( without refreshing) but I owed him some company. Before I joined him I heard a kitten and it sounded as though it was outside. I went to the front door and tried the usual here puss, puss.puss to no avail. I held my breath to listen and immediately the kitten shut up. Feeling a right fool I shut the door quietly and hoped Mike hadn’t heard me. We watched something that left me very confused about who was related to whom and how before I came back through. It’s now 12.20 pm and I’m going to find tonight’s song then go to bed. I shall finish any outstanding post later on . It will be another odd day as I’m being MuJo’d which is strange on a Monday.
Monday.
4.13 am this morning and I woke to the sound of a wind howling past the house. I crept through to the lounge to see if any snow had fallen overnight and saw my palm tree using it’s fingers to touch it’ s toes. Occasional lashings of rain against the window sent me scuttling for the loo then back to my room where the direction of the wind kept the rain away from the window and outside could be forgotten as I immersed myself in work. I had a break at 6.00 pm long enough to take the antibiotic, then I carried on until 6.48 when both mailboxes appeared to be empty. I took a walk through to the kitchen to feed my pals ( and Big Al). The two small corys were out and about flashing here and there. When the food went in there was a melee as everyone tried to catch a bit as it descended. One of the corys even sent Sharkey scuttling away when they both went for the same piece. Sharkey then took it out on everyone else as he tried to find a new piece. Big Al found his and wasn’t budging. He seems to have adjusted to ruling the roost again today.
I left the fish to it and started to take my meds. About the halfway point I considered breakfast but decided against it as I can have tea tonight after MuJo have departed. I continued with the meds then as usual made a coffee. Instead of bringing it back through I sat in my chair in the lounge to drink it and listen to the storm outside. At about 7.30 am it sounded as though it was abating a little. I washed my mug and returned to work. There was a message from a good friend in the US who has (again) bought me a year with Ancestry for my Christmas/Birthday, He sent me the code given by Ancestry.com and I sent a message to Ancestry.co.uk to ask them to transfer the credit to my account. It’s happened e last couple of years and it’s a problem, though last year someone dealt with it easily in the end. I hope they left notes. By 8.15 am both boxes were empty again and I had a little play on Ancestry.co.uk before putting the kettle on at 8.55 am. As soon as it boiled I took a coffee through to Mike and woke him up. By the time I reached my bedroom again he was asleep again. I got washed and dressed then reminded him the drink was getting cold. This time we made some progress. He slung himself out of bed and shuffled through to the lounge. I’m fairly sure he wasn’t too pleased to have been reminded but I couldn’t risk Muriel arriving while Mike was in his usual state of undress.
I sat next to Mike talking but gradually moved further down the chair so my foot would reach the table and shut my eyes. Mike went off to get washed and dressed so he could make a move towards his father’s. He left the house at bout 10.10 am which was quite good, and I returned to work. Again I caught up though it took a bit longer now more of you were awake and writing. MuJo arrived at 11.00 am an I made drinks as we shared details of our respective Christmases. When it came to a decision about where to eat today I refused to get involved and left to find some shoes to wear. I was very careful putting them on so it didn’t cost me another shoehorn. We ended up going to the Bells of St Mary’s for a carvery ( sound familiar?) where I had some delicious beef, Muriel had Pork and John had beef, pork and gammon ham. I had cabbage by the ton, peas and carrots as well as both mashed and roasted potatoes and a Yorkshire pudding ( sadly missing from yesterday’s meal). It was really nice which is good as that’s where I’m being taken for my birthday and If I managed to screen dump enough of the code, my free meal too.
After the meal there was a discussion about where next. Flint won out because of Temptations and also the need, which I denied, to get me a birthday present I liked. First we went to ALDI which Muriel hasn’t visited before in Flint. I was able to get some chocolates from there instead of my usual shop. I was glad we hadn’t parked far away as it was all wind and rain again when we came out . We needed to turn right out of the entrance and a lorry kindly stopped and waved us on only to be held up behind a car going at 2mph at best. Muriel was jittery as she hadn’t got it in gear and we had to pull over hazard lights going until we were sure there was nothing wrong with the car and also to let all the vehicles we’d delayed get a good distance away. Within moments we were back on our way and parked up by Temptations. It was quite busy and as Muriel ordered the drinks I was able to pass the chocs to Ceri and just about say hello. From there we had a look at a couple of shops with John behind me asking if I liked things, usually expensive. I managed to find a reasonable looking jumper at half price in the sale and said how much I liked it. He stopped nagging me and went with Muriel to the counter to get it and some batteries for a set of electronic remote control candles Mike has bought me that he doesn’t know about yet. I had to struggle to stop Mujo taking them off me to buy.
When we went home they stayed long enough for another drink then started their journey home. I decided to delay starting work long enough to watch The Antiques Road Trip on TV but as soon as it was over I came through. I’d hardly made a dent at 6.00 pm when I had to break off for some tea and to take some painkillers. It was 8.00 pm before I felt able to take another break and watch some Big Bang Theory. When the two episodes were over I took my last antibiotic and my evening tablets and returned to the ‘Office’. At 10.45 pm I was clear and able to do the blog though I’ll have to go back for one last check before bed. I need some sleep tonight . Fingers crossed the evil forecast for tomorrow doesn’t kick in until I’ve returned from my blood test.
Tuesday.
There were a couple of minor hiccups in the night but I still managed to hang on until 4.45 am. I think I have it figured out now, Somnos thinks the earlier I get up the more time for my devotions towards him. Of course it’s not likely he’ll have come into direct competition with technology before and doesn’t know I’d sooner take that than prayer. I also figured out that Porcinus must have borrowed the goats in the hopes that my affiliation with Capricorn would sway me. He obviously never figured out that at this age who wants to be reminded. I swung one leg out of bed, the other one was so heavy it fell out on its own. Telling myself I could make it, I headed for the loo and the will I, won’t I stop start of the day. After that it was straight to the computer ( sorry Somnos and thanks for helping me get here early). The mail was much as expected, it was there. I started work.
I had to go through to take an antibiotic at 6.00 am so decided I might as well do everything while I was there. Fish first as always, I put the tank light on and had an immediate audience. I had the feeling it might not necessarily have been my audience but it didn’t look like Big Al was on the lecture circuit. It’s possible I suppose that I interrupted their morning prayers but if that’s the case then today was the day of miracles when they got manna from heaven. Of course I’d feel bloody silly if they worshiped another god and I’d just confirmed his existence for them. Anyway they weren’t very devout as they were soon chasing the food and the gathering broke up. I wondered who their High Priest is as there would have to be one who claimed to be the voice of god. I turned away and took a pre-food tablet. I spend far too much time with the fish. I’m beginning to worry I might adopt the supposed 6 second memory. I spend far too much time with the fish. I had my sprays and took the morning meds before lighting a cigarette to time the start of breakfast. As soon as I was near the end I put some bread in the toaster and made a coffee.
Breakfast was welcome this morning for some reason, perhaps because I was going out in the cold later. After I’d had the two post-food tabs I wen back to work. I got washed and dressed before doing anything else so the only things I had to worry about later were my shoes and coat. By 7.30 am I was doing so well I could deal with mail as it came in. That makes a big difference when you panic at the slightest backlog. At 8.20 I put my shoe on without breaking a new shoe horn. I’m sure the right shoe went on easier than it has been doing. Good , that should mean I don’t have to keep co-ordinating my clothes to my shoes soon. I got my coat on and left. Outside there was six inches of…….. nothing. Not only had it not snowed but it wasn’t even raining. I struggled to the bus stop next to my neighbour who was going into town. The bus came quite quickly and I was in town by 8.45 am. The hospital isn’t too far away but not an easy task on crutches so it took me until 9.00 am to get there. I collapsed onto a seat and waited for twenty minutes past, then twenty five past and then it was my turn. I ignored the ‘ just a little prick’ jibe and left with the tape pulling at the hairs on my arm. After spending fifteen minutes getting back to town there was a while before my bus so I nipped into Lidl where I found a steam spray for dealing with getting the creases out of clothes hanging up, for Mike. Then I caught the bus home and stopped off at Pauline’s for some cigarettes and my TV mag. She only had one packet left so I may have to go there tomorrow.
At home a message from Yvonne that she’s left the doctor a message re my foot being about the same as last week. Oddly enough I’m sure after this morning it’s gone down slightly. The doctor will either send a new prescription down to the chemist or will ring her back. It wasn’t too long before I found there had been a phone call. The doctor was amazed there hadn’t been a bigger change and is changing the prescription to something stronger. She wanted to be sure my leg hasn’t increased in size. So, I’ll have to try the chemist tomorrow and see what’s been sent as this batch of antibiotics runs out then. I started work again. Quite a few had come in while I’d been out. I forgot my 11.00 am antibiotic and had to take it nearer noon so lunch had to be delayed until 1.00 pm. I spent the hour trying to read a book I’ve been sent, but there were constant interruptions with mail. Then I put the first of 2 loads of washing in.
After lunch I worked until 2.15 pm then went to watch Father Brown. I even managed to stay awake then. A text message off MuJo about snow at their place getting deep and stopping them going to a funeral. I looked out of the window but here it was just rain. More work until 4.30 pm when The Antique Road Trip came on. I must have missed the last few minutes and woken up towards the end of the next programme. I folded all the washing into the I*oning basket, turned the tank light off and came back through. I fully intended to get clear and leave the room to watch a bit of TV but life doesn’t work like that. The mail has kept me going as I haven’t allowed it to mount up. At 9.00 pm I got changed to be comfortable and noticed my foot does look a bit less swollen and it’s certainly less painful but my leg still looks like it belongs on a piano so no change there then.
Concentration or a bit of cheek?
Wednesday.
Whether it’s Somnos himself in charge of the clock or whether he’s farmed that duty out to one of his ‘brothers’, someone is very on the ball. It’s was 4.45 again this morning. The only difference is that it took me longer to get to sleep last night so I’ve perhaps had 3 hours. Still, I don’t suppose it will make me any crankier than usual. I made a mad limp for the loo as it was really cold but when I looked out of the window still no snow. I returned to my bedroom. switched on the computer and started work. It’s started again. Two messages to tell me my non-existent bank accounts have been frozen pending information, one message from Mystic Mog who wants to tell me what the next two weeks holds in store for me. I reckon If I can just hang on for 14 days I’ll know too. There was also one that I didn’t know whether to laugh about or be cross about… Hello,
Am Barr.Samuel Tamara a personal Atoney to your brother whom deposited some money in the bank
Here in Togo.i want you to come and stand as his nes of kins to claim the money. I’m not quite sure what a nes of kins is but I’m quite sure my brother doesn’t need me for the job. I don’t think even the most gullible will be throwing their money at this one.
At 6.00 am I went through to take an antibiotic then decided to sit in the lounge for a while and listen to the rain. Sometimes it can be very soothing and it fact it soothed me to sleep and I didn’t wake up until 6.50 am. No point in going back to work yet so I decided to see to the fish and have some breakfast. The fish were easy today, once I’d turned the lights on they all crowded round the front of the glass waiting to be fed. I fed them, they set about eating. It occurred to me that they might have been there for another prayer meeting and I wondered whether my new friend Porcinus had anything to do with this sudden sea change in attitudes. maybe Brother Jake has been instrumental in setting it up. I might not be the god they see above them with the food. It would explain why Porcinus has grown a little bigger. I did al I needed to with meds and had some cereal and a round of toast. ( Why a round since bread is oblong?).
I got dressed and spent some more time on the mail. I think I lost track a couple of times when my eyes glazed over and I was stuck in la-la land unable to concentrate.By 9.50 am I’d pretty much caught up though. I managed to get my shoes on and went out to the chemist to see if the new antibiotics were in from the doctor.The sun was shining, it was beautiful but freezing. Hailstones on the ground from during the night unable to defrost The chemists generally go to the surgery in an afternoon to collect prescriptions and she ( The Doctor) was writing it out yesterday. It wasn’t there. I said I’d hold on till this afternoon and call then to see if it had turned up. Then I paid Pauline a visit for some fresh bread and some micro chips before coming home. Obviously more mail had arrived. At 11.00 am I took the last antibiotic then worked on until midday and lunchtime. I watched all the lunchtime antique show and then came back once again.
At 2.15 am I went to watch Father Brown. I missed the last bit as I nodded off again but as I came back through at 3.00 pm I found a note through the door to say the chemist had called. I never heard a thing. At least I knew they had the prescription now. I was happier as I returned to work . At 4.30 pm O went through for the Antique Road Trip and as I did so, saw the chemist’s van arrive. My friend from there brought the new tablets to the door and I said thank you with a packet of sweets. The show was good. It ended at 5.15 pm and there was no point in going back to work as Dil would be here soon. The quiz show Pointless was on which they generally watch the end of with me. I saw them approach just after 5.30 pm and went through to do drinks which once done I took through and joined them trying to answer obscure questions. As soon as it was over I turned off and Dil got the table out ready to start. First was Yahtzee- don’t ask. Second was Nomination Whist- don’t ask even more, third and last was Crazy 8’s where unfortunately I was forced to be cruel in order to survive. On this one you can ask- I won.
They left at 9.30 pm to make the journey home. I tidied up and washed the pots before going through to see how bad things were. 142 bad was the answer. Ouch. It took a long time to make any headway and in the end I decided to start the blog rather than finish the mail so I can get to bed.
Another recommendation from my nephew.
Thursday.
I turned my light out after just a chapter last night and was probably asleep by 12.45 am. The early part of my sleep cycle was accompanied by some music. At first I ignored it and it was just in the background but soon it began to intrude as lines of a song penetrated. “Have you thought about changing your ways, you don’t have to know-ow about the world”. Of course, more subliminal messages no doubt courtesy of Somnos. This was by Free singing My Brother Jake. I wondered how many other tortured souls were listening to this right now. It was probably the fact that I liked Free and could fight this that I started to sing along ( in my sleep) and my voice which is somewhere between a wolf howl and a chicken being strangled brought the session to an end, at least for me. I woke up to the words ” Some are a tough nut to crack.” It was 2.56 am.
I visited the loo, the shock of the bright light waking me even further, before returning to my room and giving life to the computer. I started working on last night’s emails which I hadn’t got too before going to bed. There were quite a few but they posed no particular problem. I noticed though that the first letter of each one was in bold type and in order they read SOMNOS AND THE YOUNG GODS . It was a pleasure to put those behind me. At 6.00 am I went through to the kitchen as quietly as possible an got one of the new tablets I start today.Co-amoxiclav 500/125 mg. I took it back to my bedroom with the leaflet. I know about amoxycillin but read what the leaflet had to say about it but there was for some reason no mention of the clavulanic acid it’s combined with so I had to rely on the net. Apparently it’s like an antibiotic but it hits the things that reject penicillin type antibiotics to make them more effective. Good, my piano leg should start showing signs of returning to normal soon. I put the leaflet down after starting to read some of the possible side effects and saw one that said sleeplessness. How is that possible in my case? I returned to work.
At 7.00 am I went through t the kitchen to take my normal daily meds and to feed the fish. There they were , all hovering around the hatch waiting for food trying to look as though they weren’t. This morning I put the flake in for Morecambe and Wise chatting to them all the while, then adding the pellets for the rest of them while telling them what a nice day it is and what a fine bunch they are. I realise I could probably have been speaking Yiddish to them but oped the tones and inflections in my speech would show Big Al we weren’t at war. From the glances I was getting I’m not sure he was convinced. I turned away and started taking my morning sprays then got a mug of milk for my tablets ( for me to take them that is). Having done that I made myself a drink which I brought back. There was a reply to a message I sent to Ancestry.com which showed they’d totally misunderstood my request to transfer the new year’s subscription to Amazon.com to Amazon.co.uk which I use. All the lady told me was that I could access the Ancestry files from any country. I knew that but I don’t want my subscription on .co.uk to run out and have to start signing in at .com instead. It’s been a problem for each of the last 3 years but in the end I get someone to understand and make the transfer.Looks like it’s going to be a hard time this year.
When I returned to my work I found a new email from the spammer conmen and this one is very professional and will catch people in the UK out. DEAR HMRC HOLDERS,
In accordance with Financial Services Authority (FSA) regulations, HM Revenue & Customs is adding an
additional layer of security to better protect the privacy of your tax refund account.
You must update your information now before you can proceed.
Update Now
This will only take a few moments.
Yours Sincerely,
Security Advisor.
HM Revenue & Customs
The ways to tell this is a con . Firstly the address fdrasdeagr@cox.net is not a valid address for a Government Dept. Secondly, They have not used your name or your National Insurance Number. Please don’t fall for it.
By 9.15 am I’d cleared the first batch of mail though I hadn’t the courage at that point to refresh. I felt tired which before any of you shout “What, again??” I’ll try pointing out it’s listed as a side effect of these new tabs (phew). I sat in my chair in the lounge and allowed myself to nod. Not too deeply as I didn’t want to miss anyone as I had the chemist yesterday. Anyway, I was afraid of more Somnos adverts if I slept properly and I might just be persuaded to do something I’d regret. By 10.25 am I was on my feet again telling myself a quick hoover wouldn’t hurt. After reminding myself not to be on my foot too long I had an excuse to delay it so just topped up Ju’s vase and watered a couple of plants instead. Unable to avoid it anymore I returned to work. It hadn’t taken things long to mount up. I opened my second email address to see ow bad things were and nearly had to call for oxygen.Having said that, I was able to get rid of a fair few duplicates from that address and what was left didn’t seem too bad.
The work kept me going until a natural break at 11.45 am. I took the chance to go for lunch. These new super tablets are just 3 times a day so they don’t interfere with meal times. I’m taking them at 6.00 am, 2.00 pm and 10.00 pm. Perfect 8 hour intervals every time. I made myself some micro chips, coned beef and pickled beetroot for lunch. I think I may need more pickled beetroot this weekend as Mike likes it and won’t be chuffed to find most of it gone. Hopefully I’ll remember to put it on my list. Instead of the usual antique show I put an old Murder she Wrote on to watch during lunch then instead of returning to work straight away at 1.00 pm when it finished, I turned over and had 15 minutes of snooker. I didn’t overdo it as I was determined to watch Father Brown at 2.15 pm. I made it with moments to spare. When that was over at 3.00 pm I went back and attacked the new post with vigour I was worried about The Antiques Road Trip at 4.30 pm to 5.15 pm. Not a problem, I also made that though it was a skin of the teeth job. Next I had to make sure I’d be free for the new Big Bang Theory at 8.00 pm which will just be on a Thursday unless I’m watching the repeat because I missed the first one.
As the day wears on the computer gets slower and slower to load. Writing comments or messages and the words appear ages after I’ve actually typed them so I have to wait for it to catch up before I can see errors. I’m forced to sign out of my emails altogether and then sign back in to speed up a little more for a while. I can hear the fan struggling and almost crying out for help. I have a defrag / disc clean up run every day though so don’t know what more I can do. When 8.00 pm came I hadn’t quite caught up but left anyway. It turned out the first episode was an old one and the 8.30 pm one was new so I had to stay and watch it didn’t I? It was excellent of course. At 9.00 pm when I returned to my room you lot had been having a ball in my absence so I had a fair bit to catch up on but I wasn’t worried now. I stopped at 10.30 to do the blog and will go back to mail as soon as I’ve done here. As long as I’m up sometime tomorrow to get my lottery from Pauline’s.
Friday.
I thought my birthday had come early today. 4.59 am on the clock which changed to 5.00 am as I sat on the edge of the bed looking for my slippers. I grabbed my dressing gown and started to put it on as I made my way to the loo. Hands washed afterwards I came back and turned the computer on. First thing I followed up on the story of a lunatic who charged into a local supermarket on Wednesday carrying a machete and a hammer and shouting about white power. He then attacked a young dentist causing major injuries. He’s been arrested and charged with racially motivated attempted murder. I understand the injuries to the dentist who I assume is not white are not life threatening but they’re being called life changing which I imagine they are. Wales has a good record as far as prejudice goes having taken Paul Robeson to our hearts and more lately having thrown the KKK out on it’s heels. This incident has caused a fair amount of shock. I wish the young dentist a full and speedy recovery and hope he stays. I wish the young thug, well, you don’t want to know that.
I only worked until 6.00 am as I needed to take the new antibiotic, and as Friday is pill day I thought I might as well do everything else too. Antibiotic first then over to the fish tank which when the lights were on showed Big Al towards the front. I thought I’d have a chat with him before dropping food in. I put my head level with his and spoke. Immediately he turned round and presented his tail. Hmm, I stood and he turned back to the front. I tried speaking again and again he just turned round on me. I had no idea they had maps and knew about Coventry. As soon as I ceased speaking he turned back and waited for food. I gave up and fed them. At least Morecambe and Wise still respond to a few words. I took my meds and then had a pre-foodie before bringing my meds drawer through. I filled the now empty trays and prepared my prescription request for those items I’d finished. As soon as I’d finished I put some bread in the toaster, some cereal in a bowl and prepared to make my coffee. As my breakfast was finished I put the crockery in the washing up bowl, made the coffee, took the two post-foodies and returned to word.
One of the first spams of the day was, once opened, another con. The usual I’m a bank manager, please pretend to be someone who’d dead and we’ll share the money. The difference here was the man claimed to be European and working for one of the big Chinese Banks in Hong King. The letter was beautifully written with none of the usual spelling mistakes. Some nice jargon too. However, even if I hadn’t known it as a scam, the same two things would have given it away. 1. They didn’t use my name and 2. The address this message came from was not Hong Kong .Try and bear these two points in mind when you get anything suspicious. The work kept me going until 9.00 am when I slowly got dressed and went to Pauline’s for the lottery tickets. I think I’ll win tonight if nobody minds. I had a text from my niece about Sunday to see if it’s still on even though one section of the tribe won’t be there. We’ve decided it will be, so I’ll have to check Mike is here first.
At 11.00 am there was a knock on the door and I opened it to find a wet warden. It was coming down quite hard. I let her in and she led the way to the lounge. The subject came round to fish and she mentioned a large Garden Centre she used to go too that had a large section for fish. I said I’d google it. After she’d gone, I did just that. The place is still there but there’s no mention of fish these days.I googled other fish shops in North Wales and got two good ones that might be worth thinking about sometime. It won’t be this Saturday though as Mike has an assignation with a pretty lady. I’m hoping he’ll be back before breakfast Sunday ready and raring to go. At 12.00 am I had lunch which was a ready meal of braised steak with mashed potatoes and carrots. It wasn’t too bed. Today I watched my antiques show while I ate then came back though when it ended. I was tired and must have nodded off in my seat for a few minutes as I’d a sore neck when I woke.
At 2.15 I excused myself to watch Father Brown. I’m still not sure why. Mark Williams plays the part well as does Sorcha Cusack his housekeeper but the end result never seems to have been worked out by a set of good clues like a Christie book would . I find them a bit hit and miss in parts. Still, it’s a 45 minute break from one screen to another. Then it was back to work again. So much post coming through today. I told myself I’m knocking off at 4.30 pm for the Antiques Road Trip whatever happens. What actually happened was I got stuck in the middle of an email and didn’t get away until 4.45 pm but no matter, I was able to glean what, if not how, had been bought at the auction stage of the programme. Much as I like Charlie Ross, this week he was beaten by road trip newbie young Natasha from Glaagow and I was pleased. She was a breath of fresh air. Her arms were like the blades of a windmill ever circling but she was so nice, so eccentric, who cared. Towards the end of the programme I had a text from Mike to say he was half way to me and had stopped for food ( probably thinks I’ll poison him ). It wasn’t worth returning to work as he was probably half an hour away. He arrived about 6.15 pm and watched the end of a quiz with me. I made a coffee for him then went to get changed for my shower. As usual Mike was fantastic and did my hair to save me risking an angina attack. After the shower I made myself a sandwich then we watched a bit of snooker, a sports quiz and Mastermind. I hadn’t got the excuse to stay away any longer and had to return to work.
To be honest, you must have all been having your tea or washing the pots as for once the mail wasn’t as bad as I feared. I was able to take my time with it and comment a little more often. More importantly I was able to make sure I tweeted as much as possible for everyone. At 10.0 pm I took my last of the new tablets for today. I asked Mike what he thought about the leg and he agreed it had gone down slightly in some places but he couldn’t understand ( nor can I ) what all the skin peeling is about. At 10.30 pm I stopped work on the messages long enough to spend some time on the blog which takes longer to do than you’d think. I can return to messages later and break off when I need to.
Saturday.
It’s hard to believe a Saturday could start like this. 3.57 am I wake up, I get up, I pee for Britain in the Stop-Start Olympics, then I turn on the computer. There are just 37 messages in my inbox and 9 of those are from last night that I didn’t get to. I’d finished just after 5.00 am and was wondering what the heck to do next. Should I be creepy and listen in to all Mike’s sleep-conversations from beside the bedroom door. Maybe I can find out who it is he keeps giving a bollocking to. But maybe that’s not such a good idea in case it’s me . What if he woke up and saw me there, he might just think it’s the burglar again.He might find it hard to explain to the police how I sprouted 6″ of steel from my chest. Maybe I could freak the fish out by going to talk to them for a while. In the end I settled for playing on my Ancestry.co.uk and following some of he hints they have given me. It didn’t prove to be very helpful.
At 6.00 am went to get my antibiotic bomb and like yesterday decided to do everything at once. If I saw to the fish and took my other meds I’d be able to have the rubbish taken out before I had to concentrate on getting Mike up. Accordingly I witched the light on in the tank. Big Al was in my face. Behind him was Little Al with the two new cory’s swimming rings round his tail as though they wanted him to play. Had I not been watching he probably would have done so. Showing my mean side I leaned down a little closer and said quite loudly “BOO!” I regretted it straight away but too late, Little Al went spinning away in confusion and the two youngsters thinking games had started followed him. Morecambe and Wise were swimming at the top of the tank waiting for food even though breakfast didn’t officially start for an hour. Sharkey and the plecs were otherwise occupied so it left just Big Al and I eyeball to eyeball. It became a staring competition though I must admit he was far better at it than I. It occurred to me that maybe he wa asleep and I’d never know since they don’t close their eyes as far as I know. I’ve never seen him blink anyway. I’d no idea what I could possibly have done wrong and thought the whole thing was stupid. I stood up. I swear I heard the sound of applause and Big Al with a smug grin like he’d proved something yet again. “Yeah well I’m bigger than you” was the only pathetic retort I could come back with.
Shoulders slumped I went to take my meds then I emptied the rubbish and food waste bins and took them outside to the appropriate bins which I wheeled and caried down the path. Coming back inside I gathered the recycling bags and took those out as well. Coming in again I put fresh bin bags in all the containers, washed my hands and made myself a coffee. By now I’d noted that it was 6.80 am so before returning to my room I put the kettle on for Mike. At 7.00 am his alarm went off. Moving as quickly as I could I made a coffee and took it through making sure he heard my voice telling him it was there, and purposely saying he could tell me who he’d been arguing with at 4.00 am when I’d heard him shouting. I’d hoped that was enough. At 7.10 am, the second alarm went off. The moment it ceased I made sure my voice even more loudly told him not to forget his coffee, it was going cold. There was acknowledgement so I was hopeful. I returned to work. At 7.20 am his alarm went for the third time. “Mike” I shouted several decibels higher, “your coffee’s cold.” There was fresh acknowledgement which might have contained an epithet or two so I was sure I was on a winner. I, was, he moved and by 7.30 am had made his way to the lounge and lit his first cigarette. The coughing woke me.
We left the house after 8.00 am,a tad later than usual and in his usual fashion, despite the black ice, tried to bring into play whatever coil it is that you use to get to the future. I think we were at ASDA for 8.00 am (ish). Mike got the trolley, I got my cash, and we headed in. I wasn’t altogether pleased with the choice of flowers for Ju but at least she has a colourful display today. I worked my way round to the gent’s clothing while Mike nipped to the loo. My timing was exceptional as they were putting final clearance prices out like Jeans from £16 to £2. I placed a few items in the trolley and rushed a bit so Mike couldn’t spoil my fun. That might have been a mistake. I was looking at reduction in the houseware aisle when Mike returned. He said nothing. We carried on and actually found space in the trolley for some food, though not much, before going for a coffee. I sent a text to my niece to confirm arrangements for tomorrow then we got in the car to drive to Flint. The sun was really shining this morning but where there was shade the frost and ice remained. There was no heat out at all. It seemed to get up to 2 degrees and stick there.
In Flint we parked up and walked (limped since as we say here I almost went arse over tit on the ice with 2 crutches and two legs all heading for the four points of the compass) We went round a couple of shops to pick up some chocolates for the girls in Temptations and for The Ivy later. Then we went for a coffee. I said to Mike it’s the last coffee I’d have there while still 63, he said it’s the last day I could do a Beatles number( when I’m 64). We joked with Ceri and the staff as usual an then Mike sat with his teacake and we had our drinks. Before I finished Ceri went past collecting cups and saucers and went to the far end of the shop.Minutes later she came back with a gift bag and a birthday balloon and gave me a big kiss. After I’d thanked everyone Mike even made me carry it out myself and took his time storing it in the car. We still had a little time before lunch so walked to another shop to look at jackets and other sale items but there was nothing he liked. We headed for the Ivy.
Te carpark was full which was good news for the business but bad news for us since Tariq doesn’t get as much chance to chat when things are ,like that. Still. Angie offered a greeting kiss ( I haven’t been this lucky in years) and our table was free. We said hi to young Rob then as Angie brought the drinks we ordered lunch. I was able to take my pre-foodie. Shirley came in and though she obviously wasn’t her usual self ( who would be, especially as I think the funeral was this week) you could see she was trying. She and her daughter sat with Mike and I and had a coffee while she also sorted out when she’d be returning to work. She”s been missed. She starts again next Thursday. Tariq came out with our lunch and apologised for not having been able to come out to see us. We understood. Once he’d gone Angie said something about my birthday and another woman by the counter said it’s her daughter’s birthday tomorrow too. I intended to go over and say Happy Birthday but by the time I’d finished eating they’d gone. Shirley and her daughter left. We finished eating and I got up to pay. Angie gave me another kiss -wow. I paid the bill and said goodbye and Tariq came flying out distraught that he’d only just found out about the birthday and he’d done nothing about it. I got a great hug which made a fantastic gift an wanted nothing more but he wanted me in tomorrow. I said I can’t make it so he’s determined to do something for next week. I hope he gets busy enough to make him forget. I was sorry we hadn’t seen Shella today. We left and headed for home.
Once home we unpacked the bags.Te food went away and I came through to unpack the clothes. A cardigan for Bert who always brings my bins and bags in and a often takes in parcels for me. Jeans for Mike- right size- Tee shirt for Mike- right size. Jeans for me- on the wrong hanger and would only fit a midget. Tee shirt for me-OK, shirt for me- wrong hanger will fit an ogre. I knew I shouldn’t rely on the hanger but should always check the label. B*gger. I started work and even though this morning had been gentle, the rest of the time had made up for it. To make matters worse I was tired and wanted to nod off. I soldiered on until Lis appeared with a gift and my usual hugs n’ kisses. I made drinks and we chatted about how her daughter Charlie is ( beautiful girl) and what we’d been up to this week. When it was time to say goodbye I left Mike with his beloved Man.Utd and started work again. I didn’t seem to be making much progress until I’d gone through and made tea and watched TV with Mike for half an hour. After that I put my back into it , started using three fingers for typing and actually managed to get almost up to date for 8.00 pm when I joined Mike for an hour or so again so he didn’t shout at me. At 9.15 I started again and managed to get up to date for 10.30 pm. YAY !!
Slightly more highbrow tonight. This is a fantastic piece.
Have a Great Week Everyone.
