Under House Arrest day 328

Today we were out again as I needed my eyes testing for new glasses/contacts. It's a long process for me because of my bat-like blindness. Mr Magoo comes to mind! 

It's not something I enjoy, I have a phobia about going blind, and I always hold my breath waiting for them to say there is no more they can do to correct my vision. 

It's the one thing I wouldn't cope with, and the one thing that would make me take my own life, not being able to see. 

So, for me any eye exam is a traumatic and I hate when they baffle you with science. I've learned over the years that they'll do it more often than not to get more money out of you. Like this time the young girl doing my check was trying to get me to buy drops, I might need them but I'll make up my own mind once I get my new lenses. The guy that saw me, in the end, was much better and never even mentioned it. 

Come on guys we know you are there to sell stuff, but you pushed for healthcare status, make sure you do that first and the money will follow anyway. I might be blind, but I'm not stupid. I know a sales pitch when I hear one. No wonder more people are going online to the cheaper options. I can't because my prescription is too complex. Nevertheless that doesn't make me a cash cow to be milked either. 

In other news my jab seems to not have affected me and I feel ok. They said it takes three weeks to get into your system properly, but it's not like I'm planning on throwing the rule book out the window anytime soon. We've stuck to it thus far for 12 months nearly. I won't do anything different until Ive had both jabs and that's entered my system properly too...

Under House Arrest day 327

Thursday... Jab day... We left Cotgrave on the bus early afternoon and got the tram first to Asda ( we did some shopping first ) it got us to the forest area and then we went to the vaccine/ testing site... Which by the way is huge! We headed to the wrong bit and had to head to way over the other side to the vaccination area. 

We went over where a couple of soldiers took our details, Kev being listed as my carer could come with me. We waited in line for no more than a few minutes to find ourselves sat at a desk where I gave my details again, then a medical assessment took place, then boom! Jab done and on my way... Took less than 10 minutes all in, and everyone was very efficient and very friendly. 

No after effects, no sore arm. Slept well. Got up this morning feeling ready to go. Second jab booked for May 25th...

Under House Arrest day 326

Wednesday pretty unremarkable washing as usual, chores etc. Come the afternoon when everything was done and we had settled into our normal routine I got a text from the NHS. Your covid vaccine is now available to book. Went onto the resulting website and within ten minutes I had an appointment and a follow on appointment. The one thing I would say is that it was a bit frustrating as the one I wanted to book was Forest Recreation and every time I clicked on it, it said no appointments available, so I waited a couple of minutes and one popped up. Now you might wonder why I chose there, and I'll tell you, it is for us the easiest to get to. One bus ride from Cotgrave and one tram ride. All the others are a bit of a faff when you haven't got a car. So it makes more sense to go there. 

So that's booked all I need to do now is book my diabetic eye scan once I have had my jab and I'm all good. I wouldn't book it before as I don't want to go to QMC until I feel a bit safer, working in food retail is risk enough, choosing to go into a known infection hub is another. 

Under House Arrest day 325

We went to the garden centre at East Bridgeford ( Blue Diamond) and bought a few things that we can't get elsewhere. It was a nice break out from the house. It wasn't too busy either. The last time we went it was, but I think people have calmed down a bit now. 

When we got back later Dyan had a Facebook live showcasing her new products which I managed to pre-order for art from the heart. 

Amazing stuff, and I'm looking forward to them coming. 

Under House Arrest day 334

I'm going to start with a moan, sorry, but as I said on Thursday I sold my stamp set and have had nothing but bloody hassle all weekend. The buyer was sending messages back and forth. Was it sent signed for? Answer, no, because they aren't doing signed for during the pandemic. Reply, well I hope it doesn't go missing. Answer, well aren't you a glass half empty kinda person, it shouldn't as it is tracked,  it will be with you Monday. Reply, Can you track it for me as I have a message from the post office that they have a parcel that requires extra postage as the sender hasn't covered the full amount. Answer. It ain't my parcel sunshine I paid full postage and on my tracker ( post office app) it says Monday, today is Saturday and it's still in transit. 

Reply. Oh I thought it was next day delivery.

Answer. Nope Royal Mail tracked First Class. Next working day, was posted Friday next working day is Monday. 

Jeez...

Today... I've had my parcel. Thank you. 

Answer ( not sent) thank God for that next time have a bit of patience... 

Honestly, I swear this will be the last time I sell anything online ever. I really can't be doing with that kind of grief for a set of rubber stamps that she got for a lot less than if she had got them from the US for... Ok they didn't cost me anything which is why I wasn't bothered what I got for them, but I will keep anything else duplicated as I'm not going through this again. 

Under House Arrest day 333

Another weird day at work, quiet in the morning ( in the shop at least) but petrol was busy like everyone is filling up in case Boris is going to grant more freedoms ( which I doubt ) but later on, in the afternoon it was very busy I served right up to 4.20 pm. Big orders too, three-figure at least four of them. Most people seemed ok, you always get a few who get a bit crabby when you remind them to social distance. I know it's easy to forget when your loading up the belt, but come on folks, don't argue just bloody do it. Despite signs up saying card payments preferred most are using cash, my poor hands are red and raw from the copious amounts of hand sanitiser I've used. I use it every cash transaction ( you perhaps don't need to, but I do) we all do what it takes to make us feel safe. What with that and the D10 ( cleaning solution) that I use to clean the touchpoints at regular intervals it's no wonder I have to soak my hands in cream overnight. I'm only there two days, so I feel for those doing more shifts. 

We got home and watched Pottery Throw Down which was garden water features this week, some of which were stunning, and then we had an early night. Having said that we both woke up around 3 am and got up for a bit. Sometimes an early night backfires but we went back an hour or so later. I did a sleep scape on Loona which helped. 

Under House Arrest day 332

Strange day at work as in customers, a lot of people are pinning their hopes in major changes from the government on Monday. Can I just say, I do not think anything much is going to alter. So, wind your necks in and then you won't get your heads chopped off when nothing happens. 

A lot of people coming through have had their first jabs. Most seem happy about it. Had one chap through who said he wasn't going to have it, which as we all know is his choice. I don't agree with him, but I will defend his right to make up his own mind, that's what a democracy is. Not making people change to fit what you want. However, you do see and hear people painting themselves into a corner, because they've said they aren't going to have it from the start, they daren't change their minds because they are scared of losing face. I'd sooner lose face than my life or a chance of having some kind of life after all this. Let's hope this guy is not one of those for his sake. 

Under House Arrest day 331

Friday was another lockdown day, busy because I have stuff to get together before work and organise my craft desk again so it's tidy over the weekend. 

We watched a documentary on Covid 19 on Sky about the first breakout in Wuhan China... Harrowing the people dying were nearly all elderly... But they had everything way more organised than makes sense. One, from day one the hospital staff were in hazmat suits and they, were spraying the wards, streets and people. 

Lockdown there was complete, not like here, food was delivered to everyone's door by the state you had your number and that was it no arguing no shops open, no exercise nothing. 76 days of not even going anywhere other than your front door. Unless you worked for the hospital or government. 

A young girl gave birth, they sent her home and kept the baby. She didn't get the kid back until the lockdown was over. 

The other thing that I thought was odd was an official at the hospital was there to record deaths they had three in that unit, but they recorded it as 0... They asked for their id cards and conveniently"lost" them. The relatives could only have their effects after the 76 days and they were sanitised and put in ziplock bags... 

Scary shit...

Under House Arrest days 323/324

Wednesday and Thursday melded into one here in our little slice of paradise. Kev did the washing, I've dyed my hair, I got the masks that Sue made me from the Tim Holtz fabric and they are both fantastic. 

I sold the duplicate stamps I'd received Kev took them to the post this morning. Hopefully, they should reach the buyer by Saturday. 

I've caught up with Discovery of Witches so I'm ready for the next one on Friday. 

Watched Ru Paul Uk and I usually love snatch game but this was perhaps the worst one I've ever seen, I didn't know who two of the queens were doing and while Bimini deserved the win for the runway, I didn't think her Katie Price was that good, but I grant you it was the best of a poor bunch... Rumour has it that Gemma Collins who was guest snatch game contestant will be a permanent judge. That will irritate me no end as I can't really stand her. I'm sure this time she was so botoxed she couldn't move her face. I have never known such a vacuous waste of space, actually yes I have, Jade Goody... I do wish they would stop making stupid people famous... Ah well... First world problems... 

Under House Arrest day 322

So I got up after a very good nights sleep ( I think in the main due to the hot lemonade and Beecham's) feeling much better. So we decided to go into town to get a few bits, nothing major but it was nice to get out. We also grabbed a take out from KFC and had an impromptu picnic in Market Square. I enjoyed it. I only ever have popcorn chicken from KFC as that's all I can eat fully... But it was nice to sit in the fresh air and just be out. I miss our Tuesday's out more than anything else...

We came home and Kev fixed the bedroom clock ( the mechanism had broken so he ordered a new one) and he also finds out why we could never get the lights to work on it... There is a tiny switch in the same stone effect resin on one of the cemetery gates... Now the clock pendulum makes the clock tick again and for the first time ever the lights behind the gates shine... I've always loved that clock, but now I love it even more... 

Under House Arrest days 320/321

Sunday was a fun day really at work I did two hours in petrol with Kerry and Andrea who were a good laugh. Some odd bods were coming in which was amusing in an annoying way, let me explain what I mean. They come to the counter and chuck their money, and or cards at you without saying which pump they've used. They expect you to mind read. When you ask them they look at you as though you are the thick one... But because those two are nice compared to a couple of the other ladies in there we could have a laugh about it after. 

When I was back over at the shop there was a lot of flowers etc going through the tills and most were happy to have a joke or two about what they were buying. One guy bought an iron and a frying pan, which when I said was the iron for Valentine's, and if it was, you might be wearing the frying pan... He thought that was very amusing and said it was nice to have a cashier with a sense of humour.

Today, I woke up with a head cold. My nose is blocked, my throat is scratchy and I can't stop sneezing. Kev has done a great job looking after me and I've had hot lemonade and paracetamol before coming to bed. I'm hoping that helps... I will smother myself in Vics before I sleep and see if I can catch it before it gets too bad... 

Under House Arrest day 319

It's so bloody cold. It is actually as cold as it was when we went to Prague that February in 2006. I had so many layers on I resembled the Michelin man and I still had frozen piddies when I got in. The jitty is a delight ( not) to walk down to get the bus and back. 

Work was ok, busy and we sold so many roses, flowers, cards and chocolates. I'm wondering if they've done it early so they don't have to go out on Sunday. 

I served quite a few people that had the jab and were saying that they felt ok. Our Pete had it yesterday and he said ( via Sue) that he was ok...

Under House Arrest day 318

Well, a day of surprises one Kev won a Nintendo switch, it arrived at lunchtime, he wasn't expecting to win so that was a nice surprise. It's quite good as it has games on it I can play, including Cluedo... 

I bought advance tickets to see Joe Black at the Glee club in Nottingham it's not until September and they do covid cover in case it gets cancelled. Because I booked and was in the first 40 bookings they upgraded my tickets to meet and greet... Yay! 

I also got a set of stamps that I hadn't paid for yesterday. I contacted the company who said as it was their mistake I could keep them. I already have this set so I have put them up for sale. Another nice surprise there. 

No more snow today, but it's bloody cold and the old stuff is still clinging onto the pavements and roofs. Kev went down to the village earlier and said the jitty to the bus stop is like an ice rink. It might mean we set off earlier in the morning so we can walk round to the next stop rather than catch it opposite Bramble Way. 

Under House Arrest day 317

Another day with no snow but the stuff that fell is still there clinging onto the roof and grass areas like lichen on the base of a boat. 

We had a smiley box people delivery ( have we won the lottery?) # noseybastardsatnumber4 asked friends of ours if we had because we have a lot of stuff delivered... This time it was a new electric blanket. We don't have the heating on in the bedroom, so we put the blanket on to warm the bed up gently and then turn it off once we get in. I can't sleep if I'm too warm, but if the beds already warm we both drop off quicker, it's a fine balance. I'll do whatever it takes to get a decent sleep. 

We watched Ru Paul ( UK) and as much as I love it I do think Ru doesn't "get" our drag. We don't have a factory-made drag, British drag is gritty, down to earth and quirky, not polished and designer. Joe Black was back for one episode and was sent home again because he wore a dress from H&M... I think he is too good for drag race because he is unique and just can't be "put into a box" like Ginny Lemon he has his show and way of doing his version of drag. I predict Lawrence Chaney will win this series. Ru likes him and he fits the brief that Ru is looking for 

 

Under House Arrest day 316

A few more flurries of snow. It's sunny, but the lying snow isn't budging. Kev went and did the washing and nipped to the corner shop. 

He booked us delivery from Three Spices for the evening meal because we are at work on Valentines Day and as we don't get home until late it made more sense to do it a different day. And it looks like he will be extra on Friday as work rang him and asked if he could go in. They'll ring back today if they still need him. Obviously he can't stay until 8pm as he won't get home with the buses being on limited service. But he did offer to do some hours in the day if it will help out. 

The food was lovely and they sent plenty. I can recommend them if you are in the Rushcliffe area. We also watched Greenland a disaster movie ( Gerard Butler) obviously about the end of the world, and they must suit my mood, because we were discussing earlier if this pandemic is going to be the start of the end of the world as we know it. Yes we have deep conversations about stuff like that. I just can't get into it every day because I find it makes me anxious. I think the powers that be know a lot more than they are telling us ( which in every good disaster movie is the main plot!) Art has always imitated life... They are letting little snippets out like, it's not going anywhere and we need to live with it ( which Kev said from the beginning) and that it definitely didn't start in a lab ( which means it did) I'll bet in future we will find it's airborne and that's why it can't be eliminated (also one of Kevs early predictions)... 

Under House Arrest day 315

Another day another fall of snow not deep but enough to put you off going out if you are me, and scared of falling. So, we did all our regular chores etc. We are currently playing a game on the Series X, we occasionally play something together ( usually a puzzle based adventure like Murdered Soul Suspect, Bloodlines, Vampyr) this one is called Medium and is similar to those I've just mentioned. We put our heads together and solve the puzzles. It's as you can imagine, about a girl who sees dead people and is solving the mystery of a government-run holiday camp in Poland, very spooky and atmospheric, but good to get into and work out together. Better than just watching some of the mindless rubbish on tv. I like mindless rubbish sometimes but not all the time...

Under House Arrest day 314

So the now that threatened last night came down in the early hours, not as much as the other week, and it didn't hang around like then either. But this morning we got up to see tiny flakes whizzing past the window, it fascinated Willow who sat watching on her nice radiator perch. 

So we settled into our usual Monday routines, We had our Sunday lunch today as we have on other Mondays. I made a card and did my pages from the weekend in my dyalog. 

This afternoon we had our monthly covid test, this time it was a guy that did it, he was very good, I hate to say it, but he was a lot more professional than the ladies we've had previously. As usual the swab made my throat sore, it's weird how it does it every single time. Let's hope the info they get from our swabs that bring about a speedy end to all this covid crap. I'd like to think we have helped in some small way to bring about the efficacy of the vaccines. Our results go to Oxford so it could be possible, who knows? 

Under House Arrest days 312/313

Well a cold early start on Saturday we were both up for 5.30 am and on the bus for 6.30 am. I took a porridge pot with me to have in the canteen before I started. It was better to do that than rush my breakfast here. It kept my blood sugar even and I will definitely do that again in future. 

The day was pleasant enough and we both finished at four pm so we could get the buses. As usual by the time we got in to eat, watched Ru Paul ( US) and Discovery of Witches we were ready for bed. 

Sunday we had to be on the 8.45 am bus and again because I have time to kill in the canteen before I start I took breakfast with me. I do miss coffee club at Maccy D's on a Sunday and by the looks of the drive-in queue at the one in Arnold so does a lot of people. It's the only time I wish we had a car, lol.

Sunday night travelling home was nasty because it felt like minus 14. We had Pottery Throw Down to watch and later the Superbowl... I'll catch up with Temptation Island tomorrow, It's snowing now so we won't be moving far plenty of time to watch what we've missed... Well done Tampa Bay...

Under House Arrest day 311

We went out again today into West Bridgeford. Not for long, just to go to Boots and grab a coffee and sit in the park. It did me the power of good, just to be out of the house for a little bit. 

Other than that and getting stuff ready for a weekend at work nothing much else to report. I made another card, did my dyalog and we watched Birds of Prey. Which was ok for a comic book-based movie. I quite liked how madcap it was, there was a definite nod to Heath Ledger in Margot Robbie's performance. 

Under House Arrest day 310

So today we went out shopping, we went into town then got on the tram to the Asda near Forest Fields. I don't normally like Asda, but we wanted to find an easy alternative to Morrisons or going on two buses to Arnold. It got us out of the house for a bit. It also meant we won't need to lug stuff back with us over the weekend at work. It was quite easy to get what we wanted, and it was even easier as the trams are every few minutes, aren't as busy as the buses ( at the moment at least) so the whole trip took us less time than going to Gamston and back. 

Tonight we started watching Resident Alien on Sky One, it had us both in stitches. We both needed a laugh. 

Under House Arrest day 309

Another lockdown day done. God knows if I will ever not be doing a blog about being free again. It's like being in a prison for a crime you haven't committed. I wonder how many years I will survive like this? The way I feel today it won't be many. 

But I'm still trying to turn that frown upside down and concentrate on the good. Some days it isn't easy. Some days it's an uphill struggle and some people do not help. Some people take umbrage at anything. It's like walking on eggshells because you don't have to do much to make them throw a mardy. But what I have got to do is not dwell on that and just get on with it and let them do the same. Right, onward and upward and if we stay in lockdown we do, and if we don't the new year isn't looking any different than last. But I will hang in there just about.

Under House Arrest day 308

Another wet miserable day outside ( not that I went out!) So I had a day at my craft desk once I have done my fitness and chores. I got another card done for a friend I work through the list I'm given at the start of the year for her. I still make them for myself too, but I don't rely on them solely for creative purposes anymore. That gets worked on in my dyalog. 

Other than the humdrum routine of the day nothing much happened. 

Under House Arrest day 307

So I didn't have the best nights sleep last night and I felt on edge a bit today. I did my exercises and then settled down to doing my dyalog pages from over the weekend. My prep for February is a bit behind so I've gone with using one of the pre-done backgrounds books to give me more time to get the other book prepped for next month. 

Our new teapot arrived today (I bought it as a bit of a surprise for Kev we were discussing getting a new one with an inbuilt infuser in it. I wanted a ceramic one. We had a purple one which sadly got broke in one of the last moves. So the new one is a nice vibrant pumpkin orange. Im just waiting on the adagio tea to arrive now. We have spearmint at the moment, but I've ordered mango vanilla chai and earl grey. 

We have submitted our holidays on the app. I have no idea if we are going to be able to go anywhere or not but we've put them in all the same. We do have a week booked in Brighton that we moved over from last year, but God knows if that'll happen. 

We watched the last two episodes of It's a Sin. It demolished me I was sobbing. It was so well-acted and written, but so unbearably sad. I got so angry at Ritchie's Mum towards the end I wanted to push her off that pier. Awful woman. I think the fact that it all happened for real, and while we were young and alive, it struck a chord. 

So, now that's watched I've plumped for something a little more lighthearted and completely trashy. Temptation Island has a new season ( not to be confused with Love Island) couples go on the island to see if they can resist being tempted to cheat with the bevvy of women and blokes who are on the island with the sole purpose of leading them astray. Like I said completely trashy, a true guilty pleasure. I love trying to guess which couples will give in and which couples will remain faithful. 

Under House Arrest days 305/306

So my weekend at work went ok. No real dramas and on the whole enjoyable. We managed to get the bus both nights which is good as it is icy cold out there. Not a lot has happened in any real sense, we get up so early ( 5.30 am) on Saturday that after food and Ru Paul's drag race we are just ready to collapse into bed. Sunday we have to be up at 6.45 am and although that's still early, we have a little more energy to stay up a bit later. We won't be going anywhere tomorrow, so we can perhaps have a lie-in, but usually, we wake up around 7 ish. 

I had a guy in the shop on Sunday and we got chatting, he was saying that he'd set up his business ( I didn't ask what) at the end of 2019, sunk all his money into it and has just had to file as bankrupt because of the covid situation. He had gone from having a two bed townhouse to living in a rented bedsit. I felt so sorry for him, as he said no one wants to listen.  I'm afraid there will be a lot of stories like this, and a lot of people won't even have what he does. There will be a lot left homeless, and we all know that Kev and I have been there. There isn't a lot you can do, but there is one thing we can all do easily, listen. I was talking to Kev about it on our way home, and like I said that guy just needed to be heard. Not everyone has people to talk to, and even if they do it is perhaps easier to talk to a complete stranger than someone they know. Just bear it in mind, if someone tries to talk about what they are going through, let them talk. I hope that guy gets back on his feet, and I hope that by talking to me he at least felt a bit better. As hard as this lockdown is for all of us, some of us need a reminder that we at least have jobs, homes and family. Scary times, people, scary times...