Heading Back Under House Arrest day 181.

Because we had previously done the washing on Monday afternoon, we didn't need to stay in to do it today. So we headed of to Morrisons to do some food shopping. Now we know how easy it is to get there and back from Bridgeford it saves us going all the way to Arnold. 

So we went and got what we needed and then came home.

We started doing the advent calendar for Halloween hopefully we can get it done so we can use it this year, but if not it will come in for future celebrations of my favourite time of year. 

Heading Back Under House Arrest days 179/180

I'm a bit behind doing my blog. We had a nice chilled day yesterday ( Monday) we did the washing because the day turned out pretty decent ( still no dryer!) And no one uses the laundry in the afternoon most days. As it is we need to get it done when we can as the good weather might not hold out for much longer. 

It was a day of deliveries. Various bits and Bob's I'd ordered came. Including my new Tim Holtz Stamp Platform. My old one is broke and was being held together with ribbon glued together. So I've had a Tonic/Tim one in the hope that it won't go the same way. The other was a Hampton Crafts one, I won't be buying one from them again. 

Yesterday we went into town for certain bits, I got a few more little bits for Halloween. We have had to bite the bullet and cancel the pre Halloween getaway as that area is back in lockdown. So we have put it on ice for now. Unless the restrictions get worse we still have our Haunted Garden bookings that week and a party at a friends ( just the four of us, so in our bubble) if the restrictions get worse we can always just have a party the two of us, there is no way we are not doing Halloween in this house. 

Heading Back Under House Arrest days 177/8

My catch up blog for the weekend. Both days were good work wise, nothing dramatic happened, everyone seemed ok with being told to adhere to standing where they should. You could see people trying it on buying more than 3 hand washes, sanitizer and loo rolls. It gets me that the people doing this are the ones complaining about others stockpiling, without realising they are part of the problem. 

I'm sorry, but those that moan about wearing a mask ( and yes we know they aren't the most comfortable piece of protection) now get "better than a ventilator" from me. I'm sorry, but its thin bit of cloth over your mouth and nose for God's sake! It's not a iron mask... 

In other news, I got home yesterday to a great gift from a good friend. They always buy me something for Halloween rather than my Birthday or Christmas, because they know how much I love it. I was thinking the other day about how it started, this love of Halloween, as most of you know my childhood wasn't the easiest because I was poorly a lot, and spent long periods in hospital. So I read excessively,  it was my escape. It where my love of vampires came about, but there was a book about an american family and the kids had this amazing Halloween party in the book. Obviously we didn't really do Halloween in England back then like we do now, so with time on my hands and a wheelchair handy I would take myself off to the hospital library ( yes, those existed once upon a time) and did a bit of research. I was fascinated by the whole ritual and that's when I began being the Queen of Halloween. Even before I realised there was such a thing as being Gothic or alternative I would make my own decorations, and collect any odd bits that I could find. 

Heading Back Under House Arrest day 176

Quiet day at home doing Crafts etc. Kev did the project for outside. I continued with my Halloween cards. I have one more to do and I'm there. 

In the evening we went to the Gamston Lock with Charlotte for her birthday ( thursday) it was ok, weird being out at night if I'm honest. And although the table was for half six we didn't leave until gone 8. I know the last tables they can serve is 8.30. Everyone has to be out by ten, but, what that means is you really have to rush your meal, and it also means that those earlier slots are busy. I should imagine that in the city it's worse everyone leaving at 10, filling the buses, actually going against what they want which means being in close proximity to a lot of people. Makes no sense. I really don't think they've thought it through. 

We had a nice night though. And a good laugh. Thankfully we could come home and have a coffee. Safely self distanced in our own home. 

Heading Back Under House Arrest day 175

Today was the start of our Covid 19 trial. We have to be tested once a week for the next month. It isn't pleasant but, if it helps the university find a cure quicker I am all for it. I think we were selected because of the place we live and the fact that we have worked throughout, and our age. 

The lady was nice, stood at the doorstep and we did our swabs ( one as far down the throat, the other, right up each nostril) It certainly made you gag. Afterwards my throat felt a bit sore. 

Almost as a treat after that I had a batch of deliveries, one my Frankie figure, two a lovely framed witch poster from a friend, and then my two windsock ghosts for outside. Lastly my new jigsaw came of Edgar Allen Poe's Macarbre Mansion... So a great delivery day!

Heading Back Under House Arrest day 174.

We did the washing yesterday afternoon when we got back from lunch, mainly because it was a beautiful day, and we had also heard it was going to rain all day today. I'm so glad we did because the forecast was bang on. Also that meant we could nip on the bus to Morrisons. However, we did it a different way. We got the bus into Bridgeford then got the Gamston bus. 

We managed to get what we wanted including a few more bits for Halloween. 

I got back and did a card order for a mate, and another Halloween card for us... 

Today is exactly 40 years to the day when I started work! I've been online and chosen my gift from the company. I also had a nice letter from the chairman. 

Heading Back Under House Arrest day 173

We met Sue and Pete for lunch at the golf club. It was lovely. I had the chicken salad and Kev had the pie of the day. I love the service in there, all the staff are excellent and friendly. It was good to see them, I was worried about the covid announcement, and what it would mean for us all. But the basics of what he was saying were damage limitation from their point of view. Basically if the death toll rises it's our fault not theirs... 

Pubs etc need to shut at 10pm. Masks are to be worn at all times when inside anywhere, unless you are eating and drinking ( while you are sat at a table) and it can only be table service. The rule of six still stands but, so far we can still go out, and people can still visit. 

Heading Back Under House Arrest day 172

It was a beautiful day today so we decided to go into town. We were expecting further lockdown measures to be announced today, and by the looks of things so did everyone else. It looked like a Saturday not Monday, loads of people shopping, lots of queues at the bank and certain shelves starting to look bare again. 

The pubs were overflowing, so we gave those a miss, got what we needed and came home. We had to get a parcel from the post office which turned out to be a beautiful clock from Kev's Sister. 

Charlotte came over to cut Kev 's hair again because we are expecting not to be able to see much of each other if the rumours of another mini lockdown come into force. It will be harder over the coming winter months as it won't be possible to meet up across the devide of the car park like in the spring, but if it needs doing, it needs doing, and we aren't like some of the "special" people who think the rules don't apply to us. Like the I'm exempt mob who don't wear a mask ( and I'm not talking the genuine ones!) I'm talking the ones who find any excuse not to wear a mask, but will sit stuffing their faces on the bus, or smoking ten to the dozen as they then claim they are exempt because of asthma etc... 

I have no idea why certain people do stuff like this, maybe they get a kick out of it, but, there are always that few who get away with being shitty human beings because they are allowed to. *rant over*

Heading Back Under House Arrest days170/1

Catching up on my blog. The last time I posted was Friday as we were going to have a meal at the golf club for our 25th Wedding Anniversary. The meal was lovely, it was really warm, so we sat outside after we had eaten. 

We went to work yesterday, but there is a strange atmosphere at the moment, because people are thinking there is another lockdown on the horizon. For what my opinion counts, here's what I think. 

If you have serious underlying illnesses or are past an age where you are vulnerable then stay in as much as possible and restrict your contact to your immediate bubble. 

Everyone else should continue as we are. We have to learn to live with this illness, it's not going anywhere. The Spanish flu was never cured, neither was the black death. People just carried on, yes, lots of deaths were recorded, and probably like now more actually weren't because the powers that be in every age never tell us the whole truth. 

All we can do is do what we need to do to keep as safe as we can, but we need to carry on with just a few restrictions, anything else is just going to be too much. I'm no financial expert, but, I know we can't sustain another full lockdown. I'm no medical expert either but, I also know that until they find a vaccine or we learn to live with this, we are going to have lockdown threatening us every five bloody minutes. Like I said this is my own thoughts, I don't care if you think different, I write this from my perspective and nothing more. 

Heading Back Under House Arrest days 168/9

Haven't done a blog for a couple of days, as nothing much has happening. We didn't go anywhere much apart from doing the washing and walking down to the Village. It took two days to get the clothes dry ( still no dryer). 

New people seem to be moving in to Barbara's old bungalow. Good time to move in with the Huggits being away. 

The stone paint I've ordered has come so we can start the project I mentioned in the last blog. It's our wedding anniversary tomorrow, 25 years, but we are at work, so we are off for a meal today instead. Kev has also bought me some roses 

Heading Back to Under House Arrest day 167.

It was a beautiful day so we got up and headed into town to have a look at the offerings in certain shops for Halloween. I managed to get a poison apple mug that changes colour when I put a hot drink in it. I also got some shower gel and soap from Lush ( fig and lemon called "very, very frightning) the soap is usual glow in the dark ghost in avobath scent which I love... We have a few ideas for outside this year, the cats need a repaint and I've seen a great idea to turn those plastic candy buckets into a planter that looks stone ( watch this space!) 

Heading Back Under House Arrest day 166

So, the day started with a phone call to Skills travel about the trip that wasn't, as you can guess they insisted they had notified me by email and letter... I insisted they hadn't. The woman on the end of the phone couldn't answer when I said that we had turned up, along with the people we were taking as a treat for their combined Birthdays. In the end she agreed to refund my money with the money we paid for the taxi down there and would give me a credit note for another trip, which I declined as I said that I wouldn't book with them if they were the only travel company left after this shit show of a year. I didn't yell, or swear, but I was so icy and exact in my answers the bedroom dropped below freezing... She could tell that I wasn't going to back down and offered an  extra amount for causing undue stress. I'm just waiting now for the payment to land in my bank. What I don't get is, that it takes 7-14 days to go in, but they get it straight away. 

Anyway, that's all sorted. I won't book anything else until next year now, and I certainly will never use them again. 

Heading Back Under House Arrest day 165.

So, the disapointment and annoyance yesterday, we decided to have a chill out day. We walked into the village to get the stuff to make a Sunday lunch, being as we aren't usually at home in order to have one. 

Charlotte nipped round to see how I was, it isn't that often these days that I get that angry and I am afraid Saturday I want nice to be around. I try and stay positive in all situations but, I think that would push anyone's buttons.

We will see what happens today when I ring up...

Good news, the Huggits from no.4 have buggered off on holiday! It's going to be nice so it means we can sit outside in peace! Yay!

Heading Back Under House Arrest day 164

We had a chilled day yesterday after our bbq at Andrew and Adam's the day before. I popped to see Anne and Joe, nice to see Anne doing much better. 

But apart from that nothing else much with going away today. Or so we thought. We got up at six am showered and got ready ( having packed the night before) we got into town meet Sue and Pete and got on the Skills bus only to be told our trip had been cancelled, and didn't we get the email... No mate we didn't otherwise we wouldn't be stood there would we? Nice of you to take £600 out of my bank account in July, send confirmation and then not bother to tell us the trip wasn't happening... Yes I'm sure it was an oversight, yes I'm sure you are dreadfully sorry and all that. We know no one has died, it's not the end of the world, but I'm so angry right now. Ever see the film "Falling Down"? That guy is me right now... To add insult to injury we got off the bus back in Cotgrave only to bump into the Huggits from no.4. Eying the case it was "Leaving home are you?" I'm afraid while Kev was civil and just said no, I snapped back "You don't get rid of us that easy" Sorry, but it will take a day or so for the red mist to clear... And idiots like that I can do without until then... 

Heading Back Under House Arrest day 163

We had a lovely day yesterday, Andrew and Adam invited us round for a bbq to celebrate his Mum's birthday. His Aunt and Uncle were there, all lovely welcoming people. It was a bit grey and overcast, but that did not spoil the party. Their garden is beautiful. It changes everytime we go, they have an outdoor bar, a summerhouse and a new addition of a fire pit, which Adam lit later on... Everywhere is well put together, but the garden is Adam's pride and joy, and it shows. 

They picked us up in the early afternoon and we got the buses back ( so that everyone could have a drink) we got home about 9PM.

I'm looking forward to Halloween night at theirs, and we might stay at the hotel across the road so that we can really enjoy ourselves. 

Heading Back Under House Arrest day 162

We got the washing done by 11 am with a good drying day ahead. We then got the bus and got off at the train station, a walk down by the canal on a lovely autumnal day as far as Home Sense. They had a decent amount of Halloween goodies, and I bought some replacement door knobs that look like octopus tentacles and a candy dish shaped like Audrey from Little Shops of Horrors. We didn't need it as a candy dish, instead we put it to good use as a dish brush holder next to the sink. 

We had lunch at The Company Inn ( Weatherspoons) it's the first one we've been in since lockdown and with the new restrictions coming in on Monday it looks like there is a second Covid wave coming. So, we chose this one because it's a bit off the beaten path, and during the week a bit quieter. 

It was ok, you had to order on the app and pay that way, but it seemed to be well organised. Once you figure the app out. 

As for the new restrictions, I really don't get how they can put a date on these things how is it ok to be with more than six one day then Poof! Monday comes around and it's not safe...I think that's the hard bit for me to digest... On that note, I just think do what you need to keep safe, go out and enjoy yourself while  you can... 

No longer Under House Arrest days 160/1

The first day of our holiday was a quiet one. It was nice to chill out and relax, we will be out a lot this week so we made the most of the fact that we could relax and recharge our batteries. 

Kev bought me the Angel box set, as it was one we lost in all the moves. So I can start and rewatch those next. Let's face it, there is so little I want to watch on tv that having a box set to go through will be good, and unlike streaming a series I won't feel it necessary to binge-watch because it could be removed from the watchlist when it suits the company you watch it on... Binge-watching isn't for me, I had to once because we were living at someone else's house and when in Rome... I find I can't do it now... 

Today (Tuesday) we went for Lunch with Sue and Pete to the Lakeside at the golf and country club. It was lovely food and quite sunny which made a big difference to how busy it was, loads of people playing golf and a lot on the terrace eating etc... Including this Rook who was helping himself to a biscuit left by someone! It was fascinating to watch it open the plastic it was wrapped in and eat it... 

No Longer Under House Arrest days 158/9

So I'm catching up on my blog as I was at work over the weekend and sometimes I don't find the time. We have now broken up from work and are away with Sue and Pete for the next weekend. 

Had a good Saturday and Sunday, I got praise from the store manager for my service, apparently, he'd stood observing me and then came up and thanked me for going above and beyond to be friendly. It's nice to be told that, although for me I wasn't doing anything I don't normally do. I want my day to be as pleasant as possible while I'm there, so I try to focus on the customer I'm serving and be as nice as I can, however, there are as we all know in retail, those customers who would make Mother Teresa buy an AK47... 

The funniest remark I heard yesterday was a customer asked me why we don't have the next customer bar anymore, I explained why, and the customer behind him just said "Well, mate it's not like there is a deadly disease out there is it? Winked at me and I found it quite hard to keep a straight face. Honestly, you do wonder where people have been hiding for the last six months.  The photo is of a art installation in a open-air museum in Norway, I saw it on the internet yesterday and thought it looked cool, so I did a bit of a search and they have some really good exhibits. This one is called Shine of Life, photo shared from Google images... 

No Longer Under House Arrest day 156/157

I had a chill-out day on Friday, after all that walking on Thursday. I finished my jigsaw finally, and I did a few more cards, I am almost there on my Halloween cards, it basically because I've been doing more journal work and my dyalog.

It looks like someone has finally taken no.9, they've been coming and going all week with stuff and I noticed there is a patio set outside now... 

I'm glad someone is moving in, these places should be occupied. I know how grateful we were to get one, and still are... I love our little home... 

No Longer Under House Arrest day 155

We went into the city to find all of the other owls on the wise owl walk... We started at the top of Mount Street, then went to the Castle, then the Lister Gate, Bridlesmith Gate, Galleries of Justice, Broadway Cinema, Hockley and finally Victoria Centre. So we found all ten... I definitely got my steps in, and judging by how my legs feel tonight, I will suffer tomorrow... However, it was worth it, It actually showed me areas of Nottingham I'd forgotten existed. And some of the buildings are beautiful. We found the Secret Garden ( where we are going Halloween week) which is the old 15, Jamie Oliver's old place. We didn't need much shopping but I did need the Post Office, so we had to go in WHSmiths as that's the only Post Office now... 

We nipped in TKMaxx, but there wasn't a lot of Halloween stuff, and I resisted the urge to buy any more stuff, as I really need Outdoor decorations this time.  The pictures are of the street art outside the Broadway Cinema... 

No Longer Under House Arrest day 154

Thankfully it was dry long enough to get the majority of the washing dry, two t-shirts were still damp but not as bad as last week... They still haven't repaired/replaced the tumble dryer at the laundry yet, which is honestly not on... We pay for that laundry in our rent and it's getting to that time of year when it gets harder to peg out your stuff... Metropolitan are usually pretty good, I am surprised that they are dragging their herls over this... I'll give it another couple weeks then l will start complaining. 

I started a new insert book for my dyalog. And I had a order to do for Trish's Etsy shop. 

No Longer Under House Arrest

Yesterday we went into the city and then into Arnold to do the shopping at Sainsbury's.  We needed a new saucepan set and steamer and as I'd won £20 on the draw at work it seemed like a good idea to put that voucher to them. 

We also found a few of the Wise Owl statues that they have placed around the city. 

We went to the Slug and Lettuce for lunch and not only was it 50% off ( they are keeping it going for September) and because it was the nice waitress we always get in there we scored a couple of free cocktails. They had made them to photograph for an advert, and rather than pour them away she gave them us... How lovely of her...

No Longer Under House Arrest day 153

There is that crispness to the air, that little undercurrent of chill that says, Autumn. I've always loved it, natures paintbox explodes with the golds, and reds and russets. Cosy weather, curl up with a good book weather. You still get that promise of a good day now and then, but the heat is quite so fierce and the sun gets a little more liquid and diffused.

Even when I was a kid and Autumn meant going back to school, which meant going back to the bullies and all that entailed, I would love that walk in a morning, especially if it was foggy, as it often was then before coal fires were replaced with central heating, would spark my imagination and I would fill notebooks with awful stories of night creatures roaming around in the day because of the fog... When I was older and would bunk off school after the register and first classes, I would head to the cemetery and draw, write and read. I probably learned more there than I ever did in class. History came from the headstones and talking to the workmen digging the graves, maths came from working out the ages people died, and art came from the carving of the stones, ( however, if it was art at school I would hang around!). You know it took them ages to find out that I would vanish for certain lessons and to be honest, they didn't much care. I passed what exams I had to and that's all that mattered. So if you have a older kid that skips school, don't always think they are going to be  uneducated, they might be doing a me!