Under House Arrest day 257

I have no words, The PM has announced that we are in tier 4 which is lockdown bar name. 

We weren't going anywhere for New Year anyway, as we were in tier 3, but I'm thinking we will never go anywhere again apart from work. Where the public will no doubt take it all out on us. Get nasty because they have to queue, get even nastier when you tell them to stand back and still refuse to wear masks ( or not wear them properly). We can go to work because we don't matter, we are replaceable as we aren't skilled and you can robots to do our jobs eventually... 

I can't write anymore, I'm too strung out at the moment and I can't focus on anything else at the moment. I'm at work tomorrow as is Kev. 

Back Under House Arrest day 256

It snowed before we got up. Which made what we did today already decided. There is no way I'd be walking miles in that. I'm far too scared of falling. Nothing was urgent or my money isn't burning a hole in my pocket so, it isn't that much of a loss. 

So I spent the morning watching Portrait Artist of the Year and weaving. I'm only practising but the process is very relaxing. I'm not bothered if I make something useful, just learning the process and enjoying it. I think too many people put pressure on themselves to make an item to keep or give, instead of just being prepared to learn and enjoy the process. 

Back Under House Arrest day 255

Not a lot happening here. I had a full-on PJs day today. I did the page from Dyan's class last night and today's dyalog page.

We watched Mars Attacks as you can't beat a bit of Tim Burton. We were going to Hobbycraft but the buses are still on Sunday service until Tuesday so we gave it a miss. 

It's really cold and they say it might snow. 

I love human optimistic post from folk who think 2020 will just go away when the numbers change to 2021. I hate not to be positive, but I don't think the first half of 2021 will be any different. We will lurch from lockdown to lockdown and the vaccine we do have will take an age to roll out, and I am almost sure this new strain will make it as ineffective as last year's flu jab. Sorry folks, I just don't have the faith any more. And the government have got a taste of true power now to keep us all in line and subservient and they aren't going to relinquish that in a hurry. I truly feel as if we are indeed just "waiting for God" or the coming of the great white handkerchief... And that for anyone who doesn't know is a quote from Douglas Adams Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy... The nearest I will ever get to having a Bible. I find it hard to imagine any of my friends not knowing that... If you don't I strongly advise you read it or listen to it on audible ( if you don't read!) 

Back Under House Arrest day 254

We woke up fairly early, and got up, ready to find homes for our gifts and edit a few areas, moving some stuff and getting rid of some too. I set to and did a card order for Etsy, and my dyalog pages. 

We had a lovely Sunday style roast, being as we aren't usually at home. We watched War of the Worlds on YouTube, it was part of the show must go on series so it was recorded live at the O2 pre covid. 

Later on, Kev watched Liverpool play and I watched a movie on Netflix ( Dark Tower) not bad. I can take or leave most Stephen King movies. Not all of them are good, but not all of them are bad. 

At six pm I put the free live class on by Dyan, very nice of her to do a free class to say thank you for supporting her and her family during the pandemic by buying her products and online classes. I haven't bought them all, but I have done quite a few. And I've certainly ordered quite a bit from Art From the Heart ( her shop) I've changed my habits and no longer buy from Hochanda or Create and Craft. I try to support the smaller craft outlets and AFTH are very quick delivery wise. Plus they carry a lot of Tim's stuff. 

Back Under House Arrest Boxing Day Edition.

Yesterday I wrote that Pete and dropped us back home in the morning. We had a quiet day, Willow was very fussy and didn't leave me very far. She was camped out on my knee and took all the love I wanted to give her. During the night she called out to check we were there and when I shouted her name she came on the bed and slept on my legs. 

Kev assembled my weaving loom, it's only a small one to see how I get on, and I'm quite pleased with how it came out just using the little bits of wool that came with it. I think with practice I will enjoy it, you can see it is a very mindful craft as you have to lose yourself in the process. 

If as I predict this is going to be another year of lockdowns and other Covid related crap then I will need all the help to keep busy as I can. Learning something new keeps your brain active. 

Christmas Day Freedom.

We had a lovely day at Sue and Pete's we got up around 8 am, Kev put the meat on to roast ( we had beef) we opened our presents and got changed and ready to go. Pete picked us around 11.30 and we had a lovely lunch with all the trimmings, followed by the black forest gateaux. We had a lot of laughs and played a couple of quizzes and Cluedo. Our Nephew's Justin and Stephen came round for a couple of hours ( Simon is away in Lanzarote) and my great-niece Abigail and her Mum are away abroad too... It was lovely to see them both. It was a lovely happy day made even better by the fact that we haven't been able to see them much this year. It certainly makes you appreciate it more. 

We stayed over and Pete has just bought us back home, to feed and look after Willow. I don't like leaving her too long on her own. We know cats are self-sufficient but, if you have one and you are a responsible owner you should devote some time to them too. 

All in all it was a jolly little interlude in a year that has seen us unable to do what we really would like to. 

Back Under Christmas House Arrest day 250/251

Kev was at work yesterday so I had a day to myself. I cleaned and took delivery of the black forest gateaux. It was a bit touch and go I had to ring DPD and make sure that they got the right bloody house this time! 

Kev got back around 5.45 and we eat and sat and chilled. 

Christmas Eve was an early start for us both, up at 5.30 am. An 8 am start at work for us both. 

It was one of the strangest Christmas Eve's I've worked. I'm used to not seeing the floor and just a sea of faces. It was just steady with long stretches of serving no one. 

We both finished at four and made both buses. 

We are home now and watching Bake Off... 

Back Under House Arrest day 249

This might be the strangest Christmas for everyone. And there is no guarantee that things are going to improve in the new year, in fact, it's looking rather bleak, what with France blocking the passage of lorries etc at their end so that nothing is coming or going, the new strain of Covid running riot through the population at an alarming rate. If you believe what the government are saying. Sadly I'm beginning not to. I'm not saying there is no such thing as Covid, and I'm not one of the freedom nutters. I'm just not sure anymore that they know what the hell they are talking about. They couldn't run a bath, let alone the country. I think the media are scaremongering and the government have got a little too comfortable having us all under lock and key. 

One one hand they were blowing their trumpet about a vaccine. Then people started to relax thinking we were all ok again.

So, along comes this virulent new strain. Or is it just that the powers that be need another stick to beat us with. Keep us locked down mushroom style, kept in the dark and fed on shit. 

Regardless of all of that I'm going to try and enjoy Christmas. I'm at work Christmas Eve then done until New Year's Eve. 

Back Under House Arrest day 248

Ah, Monday our chill out day. Kev went down to pick up a couple of parcels we missed over the weekend. One was from Trish, and the other was from Skinny Food. He also picked up the fresh we will need, When he got back he defrosted the fridge. I did the bathroom, and the hoovering. So, we should be ok now. My earbuds came so I can now pair them with all my devices and listen to music or audible when Kev has the footie on the telly. I'm always catching the wire on my headphones and pulling them out, so hopefully, this will be a better option. 

 

Back Under House Arrest day 247

Work was less busy than I imagined I think the click and collect and the smart shop are doing their work in taking the pressure off us at the checkouts. Most people were in good moods the new restrictions were the main topic of conversation and you can see people buying smaller turkeys etc as we can have fewer people around and for less time. 

There was one woman who was very grumpy before she even put her shopping on the belt. The main gripe was a box for her wine ( we had none) her husband told her to get a grip, and that there were bigger problems. They spent around £370 in all and had no bags. My point of this is, a shop like that is not an unplanned shop. So why come with no bags and then complain when you have to buy them... By the time she went she had brightened up, mainly because I wasn't having any of it. Plus I did ring to see if I could get her a box, but there wasn't any. I just let her husband sort her out. He was nice and quite apologetic on her behalf. I think eventually she could see herself that she was moaning unnecessarily. Come on people we understand things aren't brilliant this year but they are the same for everyone, so like the bloke says get a grip... 

Back Under House Arrest day 246

More Covid news first. London and it's surrounding area has gone into the new tier 4 ( lockdown basically!) Because of this new strain of the virus. 

Another pall of doom to hang over us, just as they produce a vaccine this one mutates thus possibly making the vaccine useless. 

In other news, my day was made special by a customer who bought me some roses and a box of chocolates. How lovely, I got emosh again, I'm just not used to it. Two in the same period of time. I must be doing something right. It restores your faith that there are indeed some decent folk out there.

When I got home my stamps had come ( I'm finding some right bargains on a craft selling site locally) all Dyan Reveally ones. I'll have plenty to carry on with as they lock the door and throw away the key after Christmas. Everyone is hanging onto 2021 being better than this. I'm personally not convinced... I think we will be lucky if we aren't doing this again next Christmas. 

Back Under House Arrest day 245

I will start my blog by saying that Nottingham is remaining in tier 3. And that the furlough scheme is going to run until April... Make of that what you will, but to me it says we won't be out of this until then at the earliest, if then. Bloody hell. 

So to keep me sane, I've been researching weaving. I had kids weaving loom when I was about 8. And a few months ago I watched Kirsty Allsop on one of her lockdown craft programmes use one. I thought then that it would be fun to have another go. So, I've been looking into it. Mainly people make their looms out of picture frames. So after Christmas, I'm going to have a bash. Yes I know, I have my card making, journaling and diamond painting already. But, variety is the spice of life and if we aren't going to move far next year too, I will need all my crafty projects to keep more from climbing the walls. 

It's what I did as a kid when I was unable to go out and play, I had my books and jigsaws and even then I would make stuff. My Dad bought me a set of Wombles plastic finger puppets ( I still have them!) I remember spending hours covering boxes in torn newspapers and linking them together to make a working burrow. Sadly, I also remember my Mum in a fit of temper squashing them flat and putting them in the bin. When she had calmed down a couple of days later she offered to help me make more, but I hadn't got the heart. I put the figures in a box and left them there until when I left home to move in with Kev, I found them. I have them still in that same plastic box in a drawer in the bedroom. Funny what you hold onto. 

Right, I still had some money left from my 40 years award to spend so I've got myself a lovely new handbag. It's by Killstar and is called Never Trust The Living. So, I need to go through my bags and edit them down. This one is roomy and also has the strap to make it crossbody. 

The other purchase I've made with it is to buy a new mp3 player and ear buds. Because I go on the bus on my own again I want to pop on my ear buds and drown out the world. 

Back Under House Arrest day 244

Another busy day, washing done first then we had this month's covid tests. That swab makes your throat sore, or maybe it the fact that you retch so much because you have to shove it down your throat as far as you can. 

Other than that it was a quiet enough day, everything is done now, the cake is ordered for Christmas, should arrive next Wednesday. Everything wrapped and ready to go. I've bought Crackers this year rather than make my own. I think the amount I made last year put me off. I did make some this time but for a friend. But last year I made 48 for other people and our four, it was a lot of work. So this year I thought better of it and found some unusual ones at our place. 

I must admit though, I'm feeling a little down right now. The whole Covid thing seems hopeless, yes they've "found" a vaccine, but there is a lot of stuff that doesn't make sense. We heard a scientist on one of the news channels saying that they had been working on a vaccine since January 2020. However, we weren't told about Covid properly until March, so they knew back then that it was getting out of hand. Too much is being covered up. Yesterday Boris was going on about us all having a Merry Little Christmas with the emphasis on the little. Lovely, but can you see them ( government, MPs etc) having one? No... They'll do a Domonic Cummings and drive home for celebrations with extended family because it's one rule for them and one rule for us. 

To be honest, it doesn't affect us as we only go to Sue's and that one other household. The limit is supposed to be 3, but they are saying 2 would be safer. I feel sorry for the older generation who have spent all bloody year cut off from seeing loved ones. Only to be sidelined again, because it's safer to leave them out of it. But what if it's that older person very last Christmas anyway? Or anyone's for that matter? None of us knows this could be mine. 

And this is how my brain is working at the moment, and this is why I'm not coping well. I try and remain positive, I try not to read or watch too much news, there is a line between knowing what I need to and knowing too much. Conspiracy theorists and theories make my head spin, while most of it is in the realms of science fiction, there might be a nugget of truth mixed in. But if I go down that route I'll need a rubber room. And you can't tell some people, that while I understand their viewpoint and their right to it, I do not want those ideas and theories bouncing around in my head thank you very much otherwise it might just make lying down and shutting my eyes permanently a very attractive solution. 

Back Under House Arrest day 242/243

Monday was a busy day, I had some atc coins to finish for the holder in the hall, I had Halloween ones up and wanted to change them for Christmas ones. Kev started the canvas for a workmate and we had a few deliveries arrive. 

We should have had our covid tests but the lady who does them was having to self isolate because her husband had tested positive. Reassuring eh? But then nothing about this pandemic is reassuring really. They say now that the virus is mutating, I guess the euphoria over the vaccine was premature, and like flu we will get different strains each flipping year. Great. 

In other news today ( Tuesday) was Kev's 63rd Birthday.

Sue and Pete came over to see us and we went to Blue Diamond Garden Centre to look at the Christmas lights etc. We can't go anywhere to eat or drink, so it was an outing we could do without breaking any bloody rules. It's the first time we've seen them since the 2nd lockdown. 

Anyway, I bought a wooden light up village ( I saw them there last year, but they only had a broken one left) so, I got one this time. I'm planning on gothing it up after Christmas. 

Kev bought another wind spinner for the garden at the back.

Back Under House Arrest day 241

So, work was ok. Everyone seemed ok, you always get one or two moaning about wearing a mask, but less now we are wearing them too, and we have the perfect come back now. You wear one for as long as you are in shopping, we wear one for 8 hours. That shuts em up. 

I don't mind now I have those brackets. 

Last night I watched The Shape of Water again, brilliant film. There aren't many Del Toro films I don't like to be honest. 

I ordered some new PJs from Sainsbury's TU. It was only 50p more to have them sent here rather than the Cotgrave store, but I didn't realise they used My Herpes for delivery. I loved how it came up delivered and a photo of our doorstep ( blurry, but you could see the Jack face on our door) and the status read handed to resident! Good job they were still there when we got home.

Sunday at work went ok, no major dramas. One woman who comes in regular ( and always late) who asked me if I was ok because I looked tired. Why do people do that? Keep your observations to yourself. Yes love, I am tired, tired of your bollocks and tired of you leaving it to five to four to come in shop and do a full trolley of shopping. You've had all bloody day you covidiot... 

Ah well, never mind, off now til Saturday now with Kev's Birthday on Tuesday... 

Back Under House Arrest day 240

Quite a productive day. I found a UFO ( unfinished project/object) so I finished that, it's actually an extra gift for someone, I don't make many gifts now, too many people look down their noses at handmade like it's somehow cheap and nasty. After one project that I did for a friend in hospital who was more enamoured with some chocolates than the fact that I'd spent hours constructing something just for them I vowed only to make something for those that appreciate them or those people that mean something to me. 

As I get older my attitude changes. Gifts should be less about what's spent and more a token. You can give someone the world and it will just be thrown on the pile, and probably forgotten. 

Some choose to see it as a contest. So and so bought me this, so therefore I mean more to them, no, that person possibly spent more than they could afford and will be paying it off their credit card for the next twelve months. 

I buy what I think someone would like, or in some instances need. But, then I had a Mother who pitted her kids against each other. Never really appreciated any gift to that persons face, but using it as ammunition to the next sibling as proof of how much the other one thinks of her. I won't buy into that now. You either like my gift or you don't get another. Harsh I know but when you have lived through narcissism from a parent it makes you harsh. 

But, on a more positive note, it also taught me to appreciate everything and to be thankful for who and what I have right now. 

Back Under House Arrest days 238/239

Wednesday was a cold wet day. Kev got the washing done pretty early, and I set too and finished up all the little snagging list jobs like tags that I needed, a couple of gifts that need wrapping.

A pretty quiet day all told, the first person to have the Vaccine in the UK was on the news and apparently two out of the many have had allergic reaction to the vaccine. Which has vaccine conspiracy theorists getting their knickers in a twist! 

Mind you, by the time they get to me and Kev they'll have had chance to iron out the two heads and the fangs side effect! Lol. 

Thursday, Kev was at work so I kept myself busy at my desk and keeping Willow company. 

He got home around 6.30 pm. We ordered Willow a new scratching post for Christmas in the shape of a cactus and that came. It's not huge but it can be added to the top of her old one giving her a bit more to play on bless her. 

Back Under House Arrest days 236/237

So I was ok after my tumble, I think helped by my yoga, keeping me more active and possibly was also instrumental in my not sustaining more injuries from that fall. Three months of almost daily yoga stretches have made me more flexible and possibly stronger than before. 

Monday was as it always is a relaxing day after the weekend at work and one where we catch up on crafts etc. 

We put the Christmas bedding on, so the bed is a bit more cosy with it being quite cold, Kev took the rest of the cards to post. I bulk stamped lots of Christmas images for my dyalog and one more special card I had left to make. Kev also put the crackers together, and filled them, as well as started a canvas to go behind the tree. 

Today we went to Castle Marina to do a big part of our Christmas food shop. Not all of it, but a big part of it. 

We don't like going there to shop, but sometimes the thought of two buses puts us off going to Arnold. We've discovered if we go to Castle Marina it's better to do smart shop which means we can avoid having a stroppy cashier, and is a quicker alternative. So, we had a stroll down by the canal and although it was cold, it was dry. We managed to get nearly all we wanted. Its a good walk down there and I did 70 minutes walking, and now of course I can feel it. 

The picture is our take on the painted trees canvas from Dyan's online class. 

Back Under House Arrest days 234/235

So, the first day of wearing a mask all-day was ok. I've bought some of the mask brackets, which hold the actual fabric away from my face and make it easier to breathe, which helps. Judging by the number of people not wearing theirs or wearing them properly we are better wearing ours. 

On the way home we went past the square, there is a Christmas Market on and a big wheel and rides. It was heaving. There was no social distancing whatsoever and only a few in masks. That probably means there will be a spike in our covid figures, and we will stay in tier three. Thanks, fuckwits. You can't give some idiots any small freedom, because they take it to the bloody limit. Honestly, I found it sickening. It won't hit home until someone they love gets it or dies from it. 

Today I did an hour of petrol. Not bad, the rest of the day I was on checkouts. It was busy, and there were a lot of late shoppers. I didn't finish serving until 4.20 pm. 

On the way home I was getting on the bus and I lost my footing. I fell and landed on my back ( that'll bruise, luckily I didn't hit my head too hard!) I've taken some tablets and put some ibuprofen gel on my back and ankle so hopefully, it will help. We will see how it is tomorrow. 

Footnote:

I've got up this morning and done my yoga. A few bruises, a puffy ankle and knee,  but if I keep moving I should be ok... 

Back Under House Arrest days 232/ 233

I'll start by saying we have a tree the first Christmas since we left the pub, Willow is a good girl and doesn't attack the baubles or lights and isn't interested in the tree, so we found a black pop- up tree to put behind the tv... Kev wound the lights around the pole and we bought a light-up star ( our battery consumption this year will be astronomical! Lol) 

Yesterday I finished making my Christmas cards, Kev took the to post this morning while I had my hair cut. When I came out of the salon it was snowing! By the time we got home, it was settling. 

We set about doing all the things we have put off all week, Kev stitching mask brackets into masks ( I've got to wear one all day even behind the screens) Me doing gift card holders and catching up with my dyalog. 

So we can go to work with a clear conscious knowing that we have much more to do next week 

Back Under House Arrest days 229/230/231

Catching up a few days of my blog. Monday was a chill-out day, we started to remove some of excess Halloween decorations to make room for our meagre Christmas stuff... We doctored a couple like Audrey and Frankie and the girls all got Santa hats. Although Sadie mixes it up with Satan hats ( bless her black little heart) I did the cards on order from Etsy and finished my dyalog for November. 

Tuesday we cracked on with the decorations and are almost done. Our twig tree had broken but we've ordered one of the popup ones to go behind the tv. It's black so it can do double duty for next Halloween. 

My new boots have come, I went through the same company as before, these have the day of the dead cats on... Colourful, exceptionally comfortable... I love them. 

Today Wednesday, after the washing we went to Lady Bay. Because we could, as from today none essential shops like The Range, HobbyCraft and B and M are open again. It's a good walk down there so obviously gets my steps in, and a trek around HobbyCraft is just what I needed to cheer me up. I do put a brave face on things but I also have low periods and this second lockdown and some of the idiots it's bought out. So many people have issues during this, and everyone has their own opinions on the pandemic, theories, both conspiracy and realistic, and everyone has a right to them. I don't begrudge anyone's right to think and say what they like. What I do begrudge is being shouted down for what I think and feel. I have long known that certain people think because I'm kind, that they can trample over my ideas, dreams hopes, opinions. Just be aware that if you try that with me, while I understand and appreciate your thoughts on any subject, try and change mine and I will start shutting down and staying distant...