Under House Arrest day 38

Thursday 30th April 2020.

Hello out there, friends and family... Here's an insight into what we've been up to today. 

It's been another wet and miserable day, perfect for crafting, and I did do some, but I made sure I spent some time cuddling Willow too, as I am acutely aware she is going to alone Saturday and Sunday. She really is a little love and enjoys climbing on my lap ( with her blanket) and curling up. I'm so glad we were able to rescue her and give her the love and care she needed, and although I often think about all the cats we loved over the years, I love her more because of the awful life she had before, and I know a lot of people will think me daft, but I know she is grateful, bless her. And we are grateful too because she makes this lockdown more bearable. 

I tell you what I've been thinking, and it's perhaps because I'm back at work this weekend, but I'm wondering if this lockdown will have a permanent effect on our psyche, as I can quite imagine it would be easy to start getting agoraphobia. We do try and stay in as much as possible because of work as I think the level of contact we have in those two days with the public is quite high and going out and about on top of that only increases our risk levels. But, I do think if you are that way inclined you could slip into that not wanting to go out at all mentality. I suppose that could all change when things get a bit more "normal" ( part of me also thinks this will be a long time coming) even when restrictions are lifted it will be a gradual process with a change fundamentally in the way we go about our lives going forward. 

Well, enough of my musings for now. Stay in, stay safe and stay sane... 

Under House Arrest Day 37

Wednesday 29th April 2020.

Today was a good day for deliveries, I had my Dyalog bundle from Art from the Heart. So come Friday I can start, I had the collage sheets too and the dolls house stuff ready for when the bench for Sadie and co, comes... I finished the three-pocket page I started yesterday, with it raining it was a perfect day for Kev to bake bread and make a veg cottage pie. 

I watched the Dyan day by day class and Kirstie Allsop's Keep Calm and Craft, as well as Soapbox Race and Sewing Bee, Wednesday is one of the better days for the telly. I'm sure Willow would agree as it means she gets to snuggle on my knee while I watch. 

We were saying, yesterday that we hope some people who have started crafts and hobbies because of this lockdown continue with them afterwards, because they've found something they love, or a release from the day to day pressures. I know that's how I started. When we were going through what we were in 2011 I started to try different crafts to take my mind off things. I did very basic cards, and gifts out what I could find as we had very little. But as things improved financially I started buying craft supplies and it made me happy as we couldn't afford to go out, or on holiday etc, it stopped the panic attacks and became my happy place. I hope others in this outbreak find peace and happiness in art and creative activity and have a happy place of their own. Pictures are of my other page and my dialog bundle...

Under House Arrest day 36

Here's a glimpse of what's been happening here under lockdown. So the weather has gone crappy ( that'll keep the buggers in, won't stay in to save lives, but as soon as it rains they won't move) 

I sat and stamped and heat embossed quite a few images ready for my next page and then coloured them. 

We rang Sue and had a good natter, I miss our meetups, She is keeping busy decorating and has made a lovely blind for the bathroom. She is like me, better for keeping busy.

Charlotte did us some shopping and popped it round, it's a big help as it keeps our contact down ( I think being in a supermarket at weekends is enough contact as it is).

The post office has announced that they won't be delivering Saturday's now so it means anything I've ordered from AFTH or eBay will take longer to arrive. Because craft supplies are not considered essential ( they should be, morale boosters should be) Amazon say it can take longer for craft items to be dispatched. So I'll make do for now with what I have. Shame really as if they thought about it that's the biggest growth area at the moment, as more people take up hobbies in these weird times. I'm lucky that I have a lot of the basics. 

Right, that's all our news for now. Stay in, stay safe and stay sane.  Picture is of the new wax melt burner.

Under House Arrest day 35

Hello. Here are today's musings. Had a lovely day yesterday. I finished the page from the class on Sunday. It's not perfect but as a learning page, it's very good. That's not me being big-headed it's a nod to the person teaching.

We sat outside ( social distance apart) talking to Charlotte for a bit.

Our new wax melt burner came ( the other one broke) and I like it more than the other one because it looks better in here, it's like a bunch of spooky trees. 

Last night, Kev was saying that scientists have found a meteorite hurtling towards earth on course to hit! Wonderful, something else to worry about. I tell you, 2012 is running 8 years late ( the Aztecs must have given their calender to Trent Barton and they are running approximately 8 years late. 

This led to a real vivid dream, one I've had before but this had a slightly different outcome. 

Basically, every person who has hurt me badly are in a line coming up to me as if to shake my hand with their two heads (  a bit like Zaphod Beeblebrox but minus the extra arm and one less head!)  Usually I shoot them right between the eyes on one of the heads. This time, I just shook their hands and said thank you. Because without them I wouldn't be here, and I wouldn't be happy. 

Interpreting this, I'd say you need to let go of hurt and forgive people, not for them for you... The best revenge is no revenge, just be happy, because that is the last thing they want for you. 

Hating someone is like drinking poison and waiting for that person to die. 

On that note, I'll wind up now. Stay in, stay safe and stay sane. Pictures are of my page, the tag and the message behind the tag.

Under House Arrest day 34

As you know if you read yesterday I had a day to myself on Sunday as Kev was at work. Me and Willow. 

I got up around 8 after Kev had gone, so that I wouldn't get in his way while he got ready. 

I got up and did my biking, and then went for a shower and pamper session. I got told once by a therapist that it was vitally important to keep up self-care in any form of self-isolation or if you end up living alone. It's one of the key things they look for when assessing people. Anyone depressed or struggling with being alone the first noticeable change is them giving up on self-care. So I had a face mask hair mask and full deforestation ( which by the way I'd run out of shave mousse, but if you have shower mousse it does the trick) I spent a good hour sorting myself out and cleaning the bathroom out after. 

I then gathered all my materials to do with the class, so I wasn't panicked looking for stuff while class was on. 

The class itself was fantastic nearly three hours in length ( £12 - bargain) and as Dyan and her family earn their money mainly from teaching you can imagine how much business has been impacted. 

I learned so much and it was a lot of fun. She is a down to earth person with a no-nonsense attitude. Her stamp designs and way of journalling suits mine. I will post the pic of my attempt at her page later, as I have a little bit left to finish... 

Yesterday we found Imagineers on Netflix it's a series of documentaries about the building of the Disney Parks. As both of us love Disney World ( we went four times ) it's the only place we repeat visited, and it's the only place we would travel to now if we could. For us it was the happiest place on Earth. Kev and I aren't lying on a beach type of people we like doing. That was perfect for us, and of course I love the Villians. Halloween in Florida was fabulous. I even took an empty case just to bring back as much Halloween stuff as I could. If you're interested it's worth a watch, we will watch some more today. 

Right that's about it for today... Stay safe, stay sane and stay in...

Under House Arrest day 33

I'm up and writing my blog quite early even though I'm not at work. Kev was asked to go in so he has gone already. I tried to sleep in and failed. Once I'm awake I generally can't lie about so up I get.

So, today there will be just me and Willow. I have an online class booked for 6pm so, I have everything ready to join in and craft along with Dyan. 

Yesterday we stayed in again because we had our delivery coming from Kerry's we didn't need anything else. 

I did some more of my diamond painting of the Titanic sinking, and then in the afternoon Charlotte and Lauren popped round with picnic blankets and sat on the grass opposite the car park and we sat on our folding chairs the other side of the fence. Social distancing at it's finest. It was lovely too, the sun was quite warm. Lauren wants to start journalling so I've put her a bag of stuff together to start her off including a spare journal (I've ordered a DR dyalog bundle) so I'll be using that for my day by day pages. 

After they went we had tea ( Kev did steak, asparagus and mushrooms ) and we watched this weeks Ru Paul. I'm pleased to say the Widow von Du went which IMO was the right decision. I know these Queens need the confidence to do what they do, but her and Brita thought they were better than anyone else. Sadly for both of them there is quite a bit of competition in that show. I have no idea who will win, but there are only six left and all of them deserve to be there. 

So, I'll sign off now and go do my biking. Me and Willow are planning lots of snuggles today, And I have my class later on. Catch you later, Stay safe, sane and in... 

Under House Arrest day 32

Here's a roundup of what we got up to in lockdown yesterday. We didn't go out, I exercised on the bike. We emptied the shelves of the dolls ( the one nearest to the window) and Kev cleaned and painted them while I spruced up the dolls. We cleaned the haunted dolls house that sits on top of the unit ( similar to how museum staff clean delicate items, damp and dry brushes) it's a big job there are 50 dolls on that unit along with all their individual books, pets and paraphernalia. 

We settled down later to watch Love Never Dies, we'd heard it got panned by the critics, but as always Kev and I will give anything a watch before making our own mind up. I remember how critics slammed Queen of the Damned as a movie, but it's one of my favourites, if we always listen to critics we'd miss some gems, look at the Lost Boys, Beetlejuice, Labyrinth all given bad reviews and all classic movies loved the world over. Yes critics get it right, but not all the time. It's like me saying Mrs so and so is a right bitch, I say so because that's my opinion, but I don't expect you to take my word for it, go find out for yourself, you might find her delightful. Just don't try and change what I think coz it won't happen. If I like something or someone then nothing will change that except them. And the reverse is true if I don't like something or someone my opinion will only change when they prove me wrong. 

I've had so many people in my life who have decided who or what I am, based on other peoples opinion of me rather than finding out for themselves. That's why my motto is, some say I'm an angel, some say a demon, I say I'm both, I'm a mirror. I reflect back what you show me... 

Right, enough ramblings for now... Catch you later... Stay safe, sane and in.

Under House Arrest day 31

Well, it looks like this next two weeks some of the restrictions of the lockdown might be lifted. I'm starting to see articles about new guidelines they "might" try which judging the past few weeks is the government's way of filtering out what they want you to know. Some smaller businesses are opening with reduced hours and social distancing rules being in place. Will watch what happens. 

On a more personal note, I don't really know how I feel about that, the social side of things isn't going to be any different if you think about it, but we will see. 

Away from the obvious, our day was quite a busy one I had things to take to the post office so we walked to the village in the afternoon ( post office is only open 2-5) and there was a bit of a socially distanced queue. But it didn't take long and it was warm and sunny so it wasn't any hassle. 

When we got back, Charlotte and Lauren nipped around with the dogs on their daily walk, on our walk we had managed to get some flour ( we had some white and wholemeal so, we were able to give them a bag)  Kev can make us a loaf next time we need one. He used to make bread a lot when we were at Gedling Road, and it was lovely, so it should be good.

I made a card using the Geo Halloween dies in my Suzzix bundle and we did a few backgrounds. But when we got back I wasn't in the mood to craft much so I watched the Kirsty craft show and the day by day Dyan video then read, there was bugger all on telly only another Children in Need type thing on which I'd already donated to at work, because it's partly sponsored by Sainsburys, but the actual shows don't float my boat and I'm afraid like I said on Facebook on Tuesday I'm getting a bit charity fatigued ( I don't actually mean I'm not giving!) Just getting a bit sick of all the heart tugging adverts and pressure to give left right and centre. I have have my chosen charities and I'm sticking with them, end of. 

We were again the only ones in the circle clapping for the NHS again, but you could hear the rest of Cotgrave out clapping. Someone let off a couple of bangers off, so I avoided the Cotgrave notice board afterwards because no doubt the moaners would be out in force. I do understand that some pets don't like fireworks and it upsets them, but the nimbies who moan about it are actually just giving the ones who set them off more reason to do so. I just think my tolerance levels are low at the moment, so I am avoiding ( or trying to at least) things that make me snap. 

Right that's about it for now, take care, stay safe and stay sane... 

Under House Arrest day 30

Wow, 30 days of lockdown! It feels like forever. And it's still gorgeous out there, a bit windy but my little solar peeps are rocking like demons.

So yesterday we stayed in,  Kev did the washing over at the centre. I did my biking and some more art journal stuff plus I played with my new Tim Holtz dies ( you can tell Sizzix had a sale) I buy the one's I think I can't live without when they first come out, then wait until that chapter release is done and buy the rest in the sales. 

Sad news now Nicol who was the resident manager for Thurlbeck and local area, is leaving on Friday. I can totally understand why. Some of the moaners here would drive me to murder... But it's a shame because we really liked her. And she saw straight through no.4 and didn't tolerate their bullshit. Thank God the doors went in so we are no longer at the mercy of them having the keys to the centre/ laundry. They will no doubt try and rule the roost until the next person takes over, and boss the new person about. Let's hope they have Nicol's backbone. 

I shall miss our little chats and the fact that I felt she would listen if you had a problem without gossiping. 

We watched the new crafting show with Kirsty Allsopp and The Sewing Bee which started again last night. I can sew a button on, but I love watching it.

Good news the person we were worried about in London is getting better. 

Right, that's all our news for now. Stay in stay safe and stay sane.

Under House Arrest Day 28

It soon rolls around to Wednesday and wash day but here is Tuesdays round-up of what happened here in lockdown in sunny Cotgrave. 

Yesterday we caught the bus into Bridgeford, we needed to do a top-up shop and the bigger Co-Op there has a bit more chance of being filled up. To be honest the Tesco's in Vic centre is the best level of fill we've seen anywhere, but I find town eerie  and also I feel a bit guilty going into town like I'm skipping curfew, but when people flout the rules like I was saying yesterday why should I punish myself? But, we went to Bridgeford and got what we needed. I was going to queue for Boots but the bus was due so we went for that instead. We saw Charlotte later as she was going on a prescription run for the people she looks after in the volunteer group she got my pain meds for my leg. That helps a lot. 

I finished my journal page from the live class and booked in for the one on Sunday being as I'm home. Kev won't be now, as they need him in, so I will have a day to myself and he is going to set up the computer for me so I can see the class on a bigger screen. 

Also, my Sizzix sale dies came so I'll be having a play with them today.

My hair is driving me mad as I normally have it cut every four weeks with a fringe trim in between, having a short style I like it to stay that way. But, my other Hygge band came and I'm using it bandana style to keep it out my way. This one has skulls on and Kev says I look a pirate! 

Well, that's about all our news, for now, stay well, stay safe and stay sane. Catch you later. Pics are the hair wrap and the journal page is the live class one...

Under House Arrest Day 28

Monday 20th April 2020

Another beautiful day in lockdown. It almost feels like Mother Nature is laughing at us. I have a suspicion that the moment we are again free from all this it will turn into a Siberian winter. Thank God we bought that air-con. So, I enrolled in the online class that Dyan did live yesterday ( with being at work I couldn't join in live) but I did watch and tried my hand at the project today. It isn't finished yet, as there is a lot to the page, but I've made a good start. I'm stamping all the elements out separately and colouring them in using my polychromos pencils which you can't rush as you build up the colour slowly then hand blend with zest it ( which is a kind of dorso oil) I will post a picture up once it's done. 

Well you can't escape the Coronavirus news much can you? I try to as much as possible, but I'll tell you one thing that boils my piss. The people who so obviously don't understand the word Shielding. It means you stay at home, and let other people go out and bring your supplies to you. Not go out with others of your household to another area so that you won't be spotted! You are being paid to stay in and around your home. If you go out and catch something nasty, you'll take up a bed or ICU in the hospital that could be used to help someone who perhaps has caught COVID 19 in the process of looking after others or is a key worker. If you don't understand the terminology look in a dictionary. Or if you think it doesn't apply to you get over yourself, you ain't that special. Honestly, this plague brings out the best and worst in people I swear. 

Enough of this virus stuff, it's going to drive us all insane. I had a lovely call from Sue today, it was great to hear from her, and to know she is doing ok. Working hard decorating the house. Going for her allowed hour walk. I miss our catch-ups, but we will have one big one when this is all over. 

And later on we had a socially distanced visit from Charlotte and Lauren and the dogs that they walk for their neighbour. One's a Westie called Molly and the other is a Schnauzer called Olly, they are really cute and friendly...

Right that's about it for now... More musings ( and ranting maybe!) Stay safe, stay in and stay sane... 

Under House Arrest days 26/27

Saturday 18th April 2020.

Not as bad a day as anticipated really. The NCT buses are changing again from tomorrow, but we are off work next weekend, we would have gone away, but luckily we hadn't booked anything it was going to be a last-minute getaway. But it will be nice to be at home and not have to worry about buses. I had some lovely customers yesterday, a few I had to remind about the distancing, but they were fine with it. 

One of my colleagues had the "well I'm not two metres apart from the rest of you now" Woman that I had last week. My workmate dealt with it really well, she looked her in the eye and said. The measures are there for your safety and ours, but there is an element of risk for both of us. However, I'm in contact with a lot more people than you, so the risk to me is higher. That shut her up. 

I got home and my stamps from Art from the Heart and come ( Dyan's alphabet) and after decontamination ( clothes in a bag, shower) I had a little play with them. 

We then watched Ru Paul's drag race, I was disappointed that Widow didn't go, but to be fair Jan was a bit of a one-trick pony, you can only do so many death drops love it's a bit meh! 

I wasn't long out of bed as it's another early start tomorrow, but thankfully that will be it for 10 days... 

Sunday 19th April

Really miss my coffee before work, I'm having to resort to buying one from the machine in the canteen. Kev started early to make up his time ( like me he has to get the same bus) they won't let him go until quarter to 5 so it's an even tighter squeeze for him, but at least he can run down the hill unlike me... 

It's another lovely day which means they'll be more out, it makes no difference to us as they only let so many in. But, they are a different breed on a Sunday. None of them think that the rules apply to them and I've said so many times today "can you step back behind the line, until the person in front is done." They are in masks and gloves, but putting themselves and us at risk by not sticking to the two metres in the actual store... They wait outside socially distant because they have to, then forget all that once they get inside... Bizarre... 

But I'm home now and decontaminated. Now off for a week! 

Had a lovely bus driver on the way home. One of the crew that have taken over while our regular bus drivers are stood down. Really lovely chap. I hope he stays on this route after this is all over. 

Under House Arrest Day 25

Friday 17th April...

I always get a bit edgy in a Friday, knowing I'm at work tomorrow. Only since this lock down and I think it's a combination of the risk of infection because there are still some people not playing by the rules, and who won't keep their distance as well as bringing the whole bloody family out with them like it's a picnic. And the hassle with the buses. The last bus to Cotgrave is 5.20, I am having to start early and finish early to get it, and it's a bit tight, the Calverton isn't even running on Sunday's so we have to get the 58 which is so slow you are practically willing it to get to the city in time so you can make that Cotgrave bus. I get so tense that I don't even know I'm holding my breath until I get to the bus stop in the market place. If we miss that I have no idea what we would do. Are there taxis? You'd be looking at £30/£40 to get home. It cost us £20 just to the city from Arnold once when we'd been to Andrew's, so I dread to think. 

Any way back to today, we walked into the village and back, and saw Sheryl again ( must stop meeting like that, lol) and then once we got home we watched a virtual tour of the National History Museum. I can recommend watching these, there is a plethora of tours to choose from on YouTube. Then, later on, we watched Phantom of the Opera  on The Shows must go again on YouTube. If you are struggling to find stuff to watch it's worth looking on there. 

Right I'll stop there and catch up with you later. Take care and stay safe.

Under House Arrest Day 24...

So... We have another three weeks of this at least, I'm sad of course because I miss people, I miss going out ( not that we went out that much, but we had the freedom to go into town to meet up with Sue and Pete or wander about on our own) I know it's for the greater good. I know it's not that hard for me, we still see Charlotte at a distance, we can video call Sue and Pete. I'm not bemoaning it I get it. We have the lovely Willow who is such good company. She sits and chats to me bless her, chirruping away climbing on my knee for snuggles at night when she knows I'm settled for the night.  But I'm human I get anxious, I have my lows. I don't shout them from the rooftops, I'm not looking for attention or sympathy. Im just voicing them to get them out of my system. Never have been more aware of how much I am grateful for, the roof over my head, the food in my cupboards, the friends I have. Kev, my Sister her husband and other loved ones.

So I try and focus on the good. I concentrate on the stuff I create, the laughs we have, the games we play together on the Xbox, the movies we watch, the series we devour on tv. I'm making the most of this time, it might be all I have. After all, as a kid I wasn't expected to be alive after a certain point, so 56 is quite an achievement really. So on that note, here's a roundup of what we've done today. We haven't gone out, no need. Charlotte got what bits we needed, and popped them round. I watched another tutorial by Dyan and a live with Tim. ( see they are so much part of my day I feel comfortable using their first names as I know them... Lol) 

So I did a cutout page like the one Dyan did yesterday, I'll put the picture up at the end. Im pleased how it came out.  

The dolls I ordered came. They are lovely, and they talk which is really cool. I had to do a bit of rearranging on the shelves but they've moved in with Sadie and Syn. Let's hope they'll be no fighting! 

Tonight is clap for the NHS. Last week we were the only ones on Thurlbeck out there, but given that the majority of the bungalows are occupied with housebound residents it's understandable. Last week was lovely however, because one of the district nurses was just leaving one of the bungalows as we clapped and said thank you to us... So I'll wind up now, more musings tomorrow and please remember that I post these the day after, so I'm always a day behind. Except at weekends when I usually do a two in one. Stay in. Stay Safe and stay sane... 

 

Under House Arrest Day 23

So today was just another day in lockdown. We do what can to stay busy and happy. I got some magazines today, just cheap one's from the shop around the corner and started a couple of pages of collages in my gluebook. That was after I had done some more to my secret project for Christmas. I also bid on and won The Grady Twins ( from the Shining) Living Dead Dolls. I saw them by accident on Ebay. I only placed one bid, but obviously, no one else did and I won! Yay! It's ages since I bought any, and I will have to do a bit of shifting around to fit them in, but why not. 

Kev bought a digital copy of a Vampire Masquerade game for the Xbox called Coteries of New York, it's a text style adventure similar to the one's we used to play together years ago. And he also rented Jumanji 2 digitally, so we watched that earlier on. Charlotte popped round. It feels awful not to be able to invite her in but we are doing the responsible thing and keeping our two metres distances. 

I also watched Dyan Revealey on YouTube earlier, she is like Tim Holtz doing regular tutorials on her dyalog journals. Tim is doing regular one's on his products too... All these free workshops! You can only imagine what one would cost to go on. Dyan is so funny, regular down to earth and some of her sayings crack me up. Like "Get over yourself and just create" or "My door is always open, hopefully you'll leave". She also has some wicked tattoo's... 

Right, that's enough of my ramblings for now, will catch up with you all tomorrow. Stay safe and look after yourselves. 

Under House Arrest Day 22

Hello. Sitting here writing this our electric has just gone off. Possibly because they are mending the others in the street, as there has been a few affected by cuts round here, Wonderful. 

Anyhow, to catch up with me. Yesterday we took a walk down the village as it was another lovely day. My knee hurt quite a bit, but I think that's because obviously I'm only biking some days, and it improves the more I walk. 

I started a new jigsaw yesterday one I had from Shelley for Christmas, and I did a few bits to other journal pages. 

Not much happening really. To be honest apart from the craft club and exercise over at the centre things here are as they were. We try and keep to ourselves, there are enough intrusive people living here, and I am very conscious of my privacy, living in the Star and Garter for just over 12 months made me cherish the fact that I can shut that door without the world and his wife traipsing through it... That was perhaps the darkest period of my life and I still have nightmares about it. The picture is of the completed jigsaw.

Catch up with you tomorrow. Stay safe.

Under House Arrest Day 21

Quite a productive day today, my daily exercise done on the bike, a couple of pages done in my art journal one of which ( the one pictured) was liked by Dyan Reavley herself (fan girl moment!) I always submit my favourite pages to a couple of online forums. 

I finished a birthday card, part of a continual order by Charlotte, who popped by with some shopping for me, my pain meds and sugar-free biscuits that we couldn't get. 

I finished the jigsaw I had on the go and will start a new one tomorrow, and I've finally found the dylusions alphabet stamps I was looking for! Art from the heart have them in Harrogate, so I've put an order in for those. I feel much better when I can craft, and I really enjoy it when I can please myself like in my journal. What I put in it is up to me without the confines of a brief I can get really creative and not have to worry about pleasing someone else. As much as I love making cards, you always have to bear in mind that they are for other people. An art journal page is just for me. Yes I can and do plan out a card layout in my journal, but mainly I can just produce what I want to keep myself or I can try out new techniques and styles. Some times they work, but not always and those I can always gesso over them and start again or even bin if I really hate a page. 

Right, signing off for now, stay safe, well and sane. 

Under House Arrest Day 20.

Another day in lockdown survived. It was nice not to be at work, and it was a lovely day. We didn't go out. We just chilled. I was able to some crafting now my eye is better. And we watched a movie called Yesterday. It was okay I suppose, and showed a world where certain things hadn't happened like The Beatles, Coca-cola and Harry Potter or strangely cigarettes... The plot was a bit thin, and at the risk of sounding racist I couldn't understand why the lead actor was Asian, it was a gross case of the filmmakers being politically correct rather than it being necessary to the story, and sadly, that makes the inequality worse in my book. Anyhow, it's not bad but I wouldn't rave about it. 

Is it just me, or are you getting a bit over TV. In our house it's on from when we get up until we go to bed. Most of the time it's background noise. But like yesterday I watched the soapbox races ( because it makes me laugh) and then that movie. Then that's it I can't be arsed with any more. Kev put something on Netflix or Prime ( I'm not sure) about Liverpool in Istanbul when they won the European cup. I'm sorry, but I'd had enough. I went into the bedroom and did my jigsaw. I'd have gone over the centre, but that's out of bounds apart from the laundry. There's not a lot of places to escape to in a one-bedroom bungalow. 

Charlotte had bought us a couple of bottles of wine round as an Easter gift and we had one of those. We will probably have the other with lunch today. We did have a lovely Sunday lunch yesterday which we can't usually with being at work. We might have another today! Why not.

Take care, see you tomorrow...

Under House Arrest Day 19.

Well hello friends, here's my update on the happenings here in my little slice of paradise during this lockdown period. 

Both Kev and I were at work today, we got there early enough for us both to start early so that we could get the last bus home to Cotgrave. 

Work was ok, the social distancing measures at the door keep the numbers in store down so it makes the atmosphere to be a little friendly, and people are now realising that there is a line at the end of the checkout they can't cross until the person in front has gone, well, most of them... 

When we got off the bus and walked through the jitty you could smell the barbecues and hear the giggle of kids, it was a nice little "normal" touch in this far from normal Easter Weekend. 

We got in and did our decontamination process, putting our clothing to wash and then having showers so we are not bringing any contagion into our home. 

I took my lenses out ( yes, I managed to wear them!) Put my specs on and settled down to watch Ru Paul's Drag Race. After that I had an early night I wanted to rest my eye and to be honest I was shattered. I find work drains me, that constant feeling of unease, people can be so unpredictable as pathogens, you never know how they will behave. 

Right, will be able to do a post for Sunday ( being as we are home) 

Stay home, stay safe and stay sane.

Under House Arrest Day 18.

So today I got up and my eye was loads better, still a bit puffy around the socket line, but a lot improved from previous days. I may still wear my specs for work we will see. 

We walked into the village as I needed some fresh air ( I hadn't stepped out for two days apart from to the gate to chat to Charlotte and Lauren) and bugger me we must have seen everyone we know in the village, ( which is approximately 3 people) 

We stood *social distancing observed* talking to Sheryl then Michelle and on our way home Lillian was in her car and pulled up to see how we were. 

Funny how that happens. 

Tonight we sat and watched Jesus Christ Superstar on YouTube as they are putting on some prerecorded live stage musicals by permission of Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber. It great because it means we can enjoy them together, I've seen a few without Kev. If we make it through all this I'll make sure we go to a few if they are on over here. I'm hoping they do Phantom ( it's my absolute fave!) 

I do feel a little low at the moment, not sure what's getting to me, it could be just the situation and worrying about certain folks, perhaps it's just because I haven't had a chance to craft with my eye, who knows? I'll snap out of it, no choice really. I will not become part of the whinge brigade. We have it good compared to some. I do wish a few other people would realise that. 

Right signing off will either post after work depending on how it goes. 

Under House Arrest Day 17

Good Friday, April 10th 2020.

Finally, my eye is getting better. It's still puffy in places, but not as red and sore. I can at least now wear my specs and see what I'm doing. This means I shall go to work in them and brace myself to have the piss taken out of me. Even my own family used to call me Olive off the buses ( did my confidence as a kid no end of good) The only person who has never been bothered about my specs is Kev, but then perhaps that's because he is the only person that really knows me and knows that my glasses don't alter who I am, just people's perspective of me. They see it as a weakness to be exploited ( like they do any disability) but never mind, they have bigger things to worry about now, if me in specs makes them laugh so be it. 

So a round up of yesterday, because my eye was ok to wear my specs we watched Doctor Sleep the follow up to The Shining. I tried to read the book as a kid but found it too harrowing. It was the first book I read where alcoholism and child abuse were even mentioned. But later I loved the movie ( I've always loved Jack Nicolson) Doctor Sleep was just as good, and I thought Ewan Mcgregor was great in the grown-up Danny role. Rosie the Hat was fabulous too... I recommend it if you need a good watch. 

Right signing off now. Take care.

Under House Arrest Day 16

I didn't have the best of nights sleep. My eye was really sore and uncomfortable. About three am I got up and took some ibuprofen which I know you're not supposed to have. But it's the only thing I know reduces swelling and inflammation. By the time I got up again at 8 am it had indeed calmed down a little. 

I was going to send Kev to the pharmacy to get some ere drops, but before that Charlotte text me and said she was going there with Lauren. So that saved Kev a trip. I can't actually do much at the moment so I downloaded audible so that I can listen to some books. It's free for Prime members.

Today the stuff I ordered from Kerry's Fresh came. I'm so pleased with both the quality and quantity of the contents. I'll be ordering again. 

Also, the air conditioning unit came from Amazon. It is great, just what we need here, when it gets warm this bungalow is like an oven. 

Under house Arrest day 15.

So what a day! It's a long story so bear with, in the early hours of the morning we heard a noise. It was similar to a washer emptying, which. Would be fine but we don't have one. We use the shared laundry over at the centre. 

So being awake I got up and went to the bathroom. When I got into the bathroom it stank like rotting something. I called Kev who lit the candle after putting bleach down the toilet and plug holes. 

So I thought I will put an incense stick on., worse idea ever because I was half asleep I don't know how it happened but I ended up poking myself in the eye. Badly.

Result one very sore swollen eye. 

As a result, we went into Bridgeford to get some Optrex and some other bits and bobs ( essentials) we went down on one bus and came back on the returning one. 

I spent the day trying to tend to my eye. I can see ok out of it, it's just sore and swollen still. The stupid things we do eh,? 

After a call to Sue, and she rang me back later to see how I was, I had an early night. Trouble is that as usual an early night now means I'm up and wide awake at this ungodly hour! 

I hope you are all well and staying put. 

Stay safe.

Under House Arrest Day 14

So, another day, a beautiful one at that, apart from popping out to the gate to see Charlotte and Lauren ( social distancing observed) I stayed in and rested my ankle. I did my biking and eat light. 

And now some bad news I now know one person in ICU ( and no, I don't mean Boris) and one that has lost their spouse to this awful disease. I feel sick to my stomach, I just think this is going to wipe us all out, and what will be left won't be worth surviving for. The fabric of society has been not torn but ripped to shreds. People are each other's throats, there is no unity, no compassion. Arguing online about who should be out, or not, what is essential and what isn't. It's pathetic. 

There are power cuts in some houses hence the picture. I'm ok, we have more candles than Yankee. 

Hilariously, Kev had a stunning rant at Mr Busy, he ( Mr Busy) was banging on about people going to Matlock Bath at the weekend being filmed. Of course red rag to a bull, Kev went on one of his conspiracy theory rants. I didn't see it myself, but I bet Mr Busy didn't have a leg to stand on. I know first hand Kev when he rants... Lol... I would loved to have seen his face! 

Right, signing off now... Stay safe and I hope old bumbling Boris gets better.  

Under House Arrest days 12 & 13

So I'm catching up on my blog after my two days at work. Work hasn't been too bad actually. People are getting social distancing slowly. You do have to ask a few to step back behind the line, but that's more because they forget, or they are so busy putting their stuff on the belt the get carried away. Mostly people are nice now and grateful that we are open. Not many come in couples and the lack of kids considering they are off is amazing. I do think that it is mainly down to a good organization at the door. Both security and management standing outside and counting one in one out and saying no to more than one person per trolley. The only ones getting through are those who need help. The one thing that does surprise me is the amount of elderly still risking their lives to shop themselves. Scary. In fact yesterday I had two old dears who tried to pay with old ten-pound notes ( where the bloody hell had they had those stashed? ) They were telling me how we were all being silly, and overreacting to this "flu" Bless, no matter how I tried to get the message across they wouldn't have it. Stubborn old buggers.

It continues to be eerie going through the city, Trent Barton the really good bus company have failed us key workers badly. Not only are the bus times on Sunday service all week, which we understand, but they've stopped the Calverton Connection on a Sunday totally. So now we have no choice but to use No Charm Transport (NCT) buses. Which means that although Kev has an annual saver card, prepaid at £915 for the year, he now has to load up a Robin Hood Card at £10 a week! Highway Robbery if you ask me... I'm ok because I have my disabled pass... 

On that note, my ankle is very swollen tonight, even though I wore my support stocking. I'll keep off it for a couple of days and see how it goes. 

That's about it for now, stay safe... 

Under House Arrest Day 11

Friday 3rd April 2020

Another day in lockdown survived. We will be both at work Saturday and Sunday so I will combine two again like last week. 

We didn't go out today, even for a walk, but we have busy none the less. I've dyed my hair, and although it's only three weeks since I had it cut, it's starting to grow a bit unruly. God knows what it will be like by the time I can get it cut! So, I've ordered a Hygge band to hold it back because it's going to start driving me mad. 

I had another crystal art kit come today one of the craft buddy ones. More expensive than the basic one's, this one is pre-framed and has lights in it. I still have the Titanic one to finish that I'm working on, but it gives me a project in hand. Of course I've all my craft stuff, but it is nice to have a change and do something different. So long as I can keep busy and stop dwelling on stuff I'm ok.

I'm worried at the moment because someone who means a lot to both me and Kev has Covid 19. They live in London, and began having mild symptoms, but from what I've heard today it's got worse. They've likened it to flu with bells on and says it makes them feel like they've been hit by a truck. As yet they are self-isolating, I'm hoping they don't have to go into hospital. 

In other news it was nice to see so many turn out in our little circle to clap for the NHS, and by the sounds of it everywhere in Cotgrave. Someone let off a couple of fireworks, which I thought was a nice touch, but as usual there was the nimbys complaining ( anyone not of my age group and unaware of the terminology nimby, it stands for the "not in my back yard" brigade who like to moan about anything. It's like tonight, a family are having a party in their own home, with a bit of music, for a family members birthday, and while everyone else was posting it was nice to hear someone make the most of the lockdown, there were a couple of moaners. Bless them they shut the music off at 10! Honestly, talk about nanny state! So long as they were in their own house with the people they live with what does it matter. Sometimes I do wonder about this village, as much as I love it here. 

Oh and we made the most of Disney+ and watched The Mandalorian and Moana earlier. I don't know if we will keep it after our trial runs out or not yet, but if this lockdown continues we might have to because there is bugger all on telly. 

Right signing off now. Stay Safe peeps.

Under House Arrest day 10

Today we walked to the precinct and back for our exercise. We didn't need any food so it was just for the walk.  It was a little dull, and there was fewer people about than Monday. It is quite eerie walking through the village seeing loads of cars in driveways, but no one about.

When we got home I ordered a fruit and veg box from Kerry's. They said it might take 7-10 days to be dispatched, but when I put where we live it came up priority delivery ( because this is basically a retirement/ disabled community) so it should be here by Monday. It means we haven't got to lug anything back with us, and we can just concentrate on getting the bus back from work. Kev will then batch make veg soups, cottage pies and the like. The fruit can be frozen to go in smoothies, but we get through a lot in any case. 

I've had a day off from crafting and sat and read this afternoon, trying to relax more. 

Now for a little rant. I find myself getting more than a little irritated by some of the stuff being sent via messenger and posted on social media. I'm inwardly rolling my eyes at certain drama llamas who obviously need attention. I'm trying very hard like everyone else to worry about what I can control. But some of these posts are just out there as click bait scare mongering. 

Decisions made by government, or health services etc, will not be be changed by getting in a lather about them. I've no doubt mistakes are being made, but, dwelling on them is only going to make us all feel worse than we are now. But who can say they hand on heart could do any better, given the fact that this sort of thing hasn't happened in our lifetimes before. 

You may say that I am being dismissive, or burying my head, but that's how I'm coping. And the next time I see a post that is trying to either put the fear of God up me, or is a pity me post  I will be removing that person from my news feed for the duration. No one is in any better/worse situation than anyone else at the moment. You are not stuck at home, you are safe at home. And if you are a key worker you are doing your bit, and if you staying at home because of underlying health reasons or just staying home to slow the spread you are also doing your bit. I don't need to be dramatic about going to work, you don't need to be dramatic about having to stay in. Let's just bloody well cheer everyone up not depress people any more than needed.  *end of rant* 

Under House Arrest day 9

We spent today in I did my exercise on the bike and we eat light ( although I did have a vodka and diet coke tonight) thought it might help me sleep as I finding it  pretty hard, at the moment. I know dreams are the brains way of processing stuff, but mine have been a bit vivid and quite frankly scary. Nothing I can put my finger on, as soon as daylight breaks they disappear like a word on the tongue that you know but escapes you... I'm just left with the sensation of unease, and an inability to drift off again. 

Today I tried to do the pop-up flower pot card, but, it didn't go to plan so I gave up for now. I'll manage it eventually like I did the snowman card at Christmas, it's going to take a few mockups before I'm happy with it. No rush and I like a challenge if I'm honest. I'll get Kev to have a look too see if he can see where I'm going wrong. 

Also, some of my chapter two Tim Holtz stuff came today. So I had a little play with them. I only buy a couple of the new releases these days as I've learned that Sizzix tend to put them on sale after each chapter, and if you are prepared to wait you can get some right deals. 

With the obsessive hand washing because of this deadly virus we were getting down the hand wash like no body's business and finding it in the shops is as rare as finding loo rolls. So I've found a huge 5 litre canister on the smiley box site if castille soap. I wouldn't say it's cheap, but you get what you pay for, it is fantastic unscented and less drying than some if the stuff I've bought in the past. Plus you use very little ( it reminds me of the Molton Brown stuff) half a pump gives you lots of lather. The beauty is with it being 5 litres you can just top up your existing pump dispensers when you need to. I would imagine you could add essential oils if you wanted. I'll let you know how long it lasts. I try not to use sanitizer when I have access to a sink, a day at work will see my hands red raw from using it constantly. Anyhow, that's about my round up for today. Hope you are all keeping well. 

Under House Arrest Day 8

It was another bright spring day today, not as cold as yesterday and we took our walk into the village and back. 

When we got back the post had been and my new pop-up card dies had come from Karen Burniston. Before I could settle down to play we had a knock at the door and Charlotte had left some eggs on the racking outside for us, bless her and Lauren they had walked miles to the farm shop and back to get some for us because I'd mentioned we were struggling to find some. We can now have a mock Maccy D's egg McMuffin in the morning now. She  and Lauren stood in the car park again for a little chat, it's so nice to have someone who cares enough to do that.

Later on I made one of those new cards up the twist and pop one. I'll try the flower pot one tomorrow.