Under House Arrest day 548

Wednesday..

Kev was talking to the lady who moved into Stella's old bungalow, apparently her dog is poorly and is at the vets. She took it for walk in the woods and it got something on his paws that made him ill. Poor lady was upset bless her. It can't be easy when you've just moved here on your own and some of our neighbours aren't the most welcoming bunch, as we know only to well. I hope he gets better quickly and come home for her sake she must feel quite lonely. 

I went out with Sue later on today to meet up with some of her friends. I must admit I was quite nervous beforehand. But they soon put me at ease. I can see why Sue gets on with them. 

It was a good afternoon/ early evening. At least now when Sue talks about them I'll know who she is talking about in future. 

Under House Arrest day 547

Tuesday. 

Actually had a lie-in doesn't happen often but I didn't wake up properly until 8.30 am. We got ready and headed into to town to meet Sue and Pete. We had to go past the petrol station on the bus and we were stuck behind the queue for 15 minutes. Bloody stupid. 

We had a mooch around town I found one pumpkin mug and one black and white resin pumpkin. No Haunted Houses in Marks and Sparks ( later on in the day Andrew messaged me to say he had got me one! Absolute star that he is! ) 

Lovely catch up with Sue and Pete and another nice meal at the Roebuck.  

We git back home to find a parcel on the doorstep. It was the kitchen canisters I'd ordered from Olive Branch Crafts. They've made a really good job of them. I'm glad I chose the bat image on all three jars. So Kev did a bit of rearranging in the kitchen and they look lovely. 

Under House Arrest day 546

Monday. 

Rest day I did do my revitive and then I did my catch up in my dyalog. I had a couple of things come, my evening trousers, and a set of dies. 

We watched a couple of things we had recorded, one was the Bambers, murder at the farm about Jeremy Bamber who shot and killed his family, and said his sister did it. I personally think he did it, mainly because his sister couldn't have shot herself with a silencer on the shotgun, then put the silencer in the gun cupboard afterwards with her blood and hair in the barrel, then gone upstairs and lay down with her brain blown out. Jeremy had the most to gain from all their deaths, and why start selling off the silver and valuables as soon as he could get back into the farm? 

Then we watched Storm Rising which is a follow on from Storm Chasers that we watched years ago where this guy called Reed goes out tracking and following tornadoes and hurricanes. Fascinating footage, and even me who hates storms can appreciate natures power and can see the attraction to storm chasing. 

Under House Arrest day 545.

Sunday.

What a bloody weird day. Robin Hood marathon first off which is always a worry because our bus gets re-routed all over the shop. Luckily we had a decent driver who got us into town virtually on time. 

When we got there and went past MacDonald's in Arnold the queue for the petrol was right up to the roundabout. 

Nearly all the staff were out on marshalling duties all day. The store itself was quiet because folk couldn't get into the car park so a lot didn't bother. Can't say I would either. 

It was the main topic of conversation with staff and customers. I know they ran out of diesel around lunchtime. 

We got home ok after getting both the 58 ( that helps because we don't have to run down the hill to get the other bus in time) and just chilled out. We both went to bed quite early and slept through. 

Under House Arrest day 544

Saturday.

Work. Not a bad day all in. There's a problem with people panic buying petrol which has led to ours being shut until another delivery. See what can happen when they announce there may be shortages they create them. I blame the media. All throughout this pandemic they have caused the worst to come out in people by their over reactions and punditry. Alongside that you have this mentality of I'm the only thing that matters. It all so sad but bloody annoying. 

When we got home ( we made both buses for once) Kev watched Liverpool and I watched Tim live... 

Under House Arrest day 543

Friday.

We needed a few bits of food and we decided not to just go to the village, so we went to Morrisons at Gamston, which we got the bus to in Bridgeford and then got the 33 bus back. 

We noticed the queue for the petrol station and a few cars were blocking the bus lane. It wasn't until Kev told me about the impending petrol shortage and how people were told not to panic buy, which of course is what they then do as always. 

When we got back we had a couple of deliveries including the pumpkin mugs from Poundland one of which was broke, (Hermes strikes again) so they are sending a replacement. 

My magnetic sheets came so I can start putting my TH dies on them. 

Under House Arrest day 542

Thursday

So I had a quiet day crafting and sorting stuff out as usual the two go hand in hand as I try and keep my desk clear over the weekends with just my dyalog to work on. I tend to prep my images in it so that I can just run with it while I'm working. 

I also put a few tags together ready for Christmas, it's all in the prep and now my Halloween makes are done I can start to think of the next big crafting event on the horizon... Christmas. I've done bits and bobs as you will have seen but now I can crack on in earnest. Although I'm very pleased with how the Count's tomb with a view came out I'm tempted to do another with Mr Bones maybe... 

Under House Arrest day 541

Wednesday.

So wash day, was another half-decent day so Kev hung it all outside all day. It smelled lovely when we put it away. I'm surprised that we didn't have more hassle as no.4 had a week away last week and they usually hog the laundry regardless of who's "day" it is. 

I had a "UFO" day ( unfinished object) so I got a few things finished that were hanging around, including the paper mache tombstone I bought from hobby craft. Another Winson card and pages in my dyalog that I'm behind in. Kev watched the cricket on YouTube he was going to go down but it's almost impossible for Notts go win now (not this match, but the league) so he decided to not bother. 

Under House Arrest day 540

Tuesday.

Another decent day. There is that autumnal nip in the air first thing and that swirl of low lying mist over the fields that I love. So we went into town to shop we stocked up on Willows munchies ( little bogger will only eat Purina One!) So that by the weekend we aren't having to try and find some. It was nice to have a mooch round town and boy can you tell the students are back. We grabbed an impromptu picnic and sat in Trinity Square, we usually go there as it's quieter. No chance! We struggled to find space. And all the shops were busy, and eateries. It's hard to picture those days of early lockdown when everywhere was empty now. Not that we want it like that, it's nice to see virtually normal life going ahead among the empty shops and venues that are shut. I still think the biggest eyesore is Debenhams being shut, and I'm struggling to see what could possibly take on such a massive building, unless they chop it into smaller units.

Under House Arrest day 539

Monday. 

We got up during the night my nose was blocked and we were both too warm. So we got up and had tea we went back to bed about 7 am and slept until nine. I dyed my hair and had a bit of a pamper session in preparation for our night out. We had to be at The Glee Club for 5.45 pm for meet and greet, so we got the 3.30 pm bus into town and headed to Via Fossa for food. On the way there we got stopped by a reporter asking what did we think about that whole building ( Company Inn, The Gym and The Glee Club) being turned into more bloody accommodation. We didn't know that was happening, but we both said it was a bloody shame as so many venues have gone. 

Via Fossa was much better this time we went, the food was good and the service had improved too.

Joe Black was bloody excellent. His show was very entertaining and funny we both said it was like being part of an old-time music hall remember the "Good Old Days" on tv? Like that. He had another drag queen on stage with him called Frederick Hollandaise. Who could sing let me tell you, he did Remember Me from Phantom and he knocked it out the park. He had a real pathos to his act which is perfect against Joe's manic persona. I haven't had so much fun on a Monday night for a very long time. You know my rule about never going to the loo during a comedy show, well tonight this poor girl ( front row) got up to go. Joe said and where do you think you're going? When she said to the loo Joe said we could wait. Which we did. She came back to all of us clapping and then Joe carried on with the show... Hilarious... 

Under House Arrest day 538

Sunday. Work unfortunately so we couldn't do much for our anniversary, but hey ho that's life. We will make up for it Monday when we are off to see Joe Black at the Glee Club. We have meet and Greet tickets so hopefully, we can get some good photos of him. We will go out for a meal first. 

We did have some prosecco when we got home ( thanks Charlotte and Ian) but it wiped us out with being tired. Nice though. 

Early ish night to try and gear ourselves up for what we have on the next day.

Under House Arrest day 537

Saturday. 

It was quite a nice day. Lovely to see the mist over the fields as the bus trundled past. But that burned off to leave a sunny start to day. It clouded over later but it put most of the morning customers in a good mood. One bloke was moaning that there was less and less people wearing masks. This from a bloke wearing his just over his mouth and not his nose! I replied before I could stop myself "and even less wearing them properly" he promptly hitched his up over his nose! 

Other than that the day was pleasant enough. We missed one bus and got the later one. I was straight into my pls and in bed by ten pm. I live such a rock and roll lifestyle these days! But I needed the sleep. 

Under House Arrest day 536

Friday.

Craft day. I had a lot to do, I wanted to make the cards for the neighbours using Fresh Baked #2 I tend to make a themed set of cards for round here. 

I wanted to make a pastel version of Winston so I sorted out the cardstock and began putting him together. Just then other dies showed up so I was able to use those too. I have a lot of projects on the go at the moment so I need to pull my finger out. I always think I've got plenty of time and then boom Halloween comes around then Christmas. Although this year I'm not making crackers. Too much hassle without my scan and cut. I really wish I'd never bought that DX1200 and stuck with my 750...

Under House Arrest day 535

Thursday.

Early start,  hair cut at 9.30 am. I've had it cit shorter. Next time Amanda is undercut it to give it more swing. It looks great. 

I've had a bit of a tidy up in my craft area. I used to have one large crate with all Tim's dies in, but it was crammed. So Kev took the crate I had with miscellaneous craft stuff in, and painted it for me ( it was white)  and is now grey with darker grey stencilling on it. I've split the die collection into two. Halloween, which is the larger one, and Christmas. The latter I had room to put all my florals and layering dies in. So at least now I can find them when I want them. 

Just in time for my new batch to arrive from Art From the Heart. 

Under House Arrest day 534

Wednesday.

Kev got the washing done and then we headed into the city to meet Sue and Pete for lunch. We went to the Roebuck. The service had improved and it was quite busy in town you could tell the students were back. That's perhaps why Wetherspoons had more staff. 

It was lovely to see them both, and have a mooch round town afterwards. We got a couple of pumpkin mugs from Poundland ( we get through mugs at a pace) so It's always good to get extras. I also got some shower gels from Holland and Barrett as they had good deals on Faith in Nature and their own brands. After last weeks run-in with the pushy salespeople in Lush as much as I love their stuff I won't be going in for a good while. I still have a ghost soap from last year so that will be my October "smelly"... 

The football was on so, I went in the bedroom and watched a serial killer documentary on Netflix about Henry Lucas. Quite thought-provoking.

On a more personal level, have you ever been disappointed with someone you did think a lot of at one time? When you find out that they have been mean to someone without a real need to be? It just goes to show that you never really know someone. Time to distance ourselves, if they can be nasty to someone they don't know, it also means they can stab you in the back without a second thought. 

Under House Arrest day 533

Tuesday.

Normally we go out early on a Tuesday to meet my sister for lunch. Today was different as it was the only day Charlotte could fit us in to go out and celebrate her birthday. So we went to Larwood and Voce to do just that. It was a bit later than usual as she was having her nails done first. 

The meal was lovely and as always the service was fantastic. As with a lot of things in life you get what you pay for. 

We got back and watched the Dyan live release. 

Also today there was a covid breifing about the plans for the upcoming winter. It looks like there will be a booster jab and they are saying to wear your mask again in public enclosed spaces. Good luck with that one Boris, because more than 80%of people come in our shop without one, even though all the staff have them on. You will struggle to reverse that trend. On the bus, there tends to be me and Kev with ours on but very few others. Each to their own, but I would still rather be part of the solution than the problem, so I will carry on wearing mine. My choice. 

I'm in one of my bolshy moods. I'm getting a little tired of being a doormat. There are instances when you can be too nice, when people think it is ok to treat you as if you don't matter. Like you are an option, a second choice. They'll ignore your messages etc but gladly respond to others. Well at the moment I'm not having it. You can have all the excuses under your hat but, I see it happening and I'm going to start returning the favour. 

Under House Arrest day 532

Monday.

A full on rest day. I started to put together my pages in my hand made journal, I'm quite pleased with how they turned out. I also did my usual dyalog pages. Apart from my revitive I lay off the exercise. I've learned it doesn't hurt to have a day off from yoga or biking once a week. My activity levels on my weekly review on Samsung health are still at the same level as when I was doing a full 7 days because my activity on the rest of the week has increased. So it's nice to have that one day after work off. 

Under House Arrest day 530/531

Saturday.

Went on the earlier bus trying to get another haunted house tin from Marks and Spencers. No luck sold out. So it looks very much like the scalpers are at it again buying stuff in bulk so they can turn a profit. Greed rules it seems. 

It's 20 years since 9/11 happened. So many lives were lost and so many questions unanswered. The footage is still harrowing and chilling and it doesn't matter how often you watch that footage, I've never seen anything that makes you think of the human lives lost that fateful day. No matter if it was done by terrorists or the US government, the outcome was an appalling loss of life. I know what I believe happened, but it's just my theory, look at our own tragedy Grenfell, a tower not even built to the same standard as the twin towers, let's face it, at best British buildings are on the whole bodge jobs, but that burnt for hours and completely gutted and that still stands. But as I said, the outcome was the same in both, a needless loss of life. 

Sunday. 

Not a bad day, all in I went to petrol for a bit, had a bit of a laugh, because a young lad came in for condoms for his mate ( in the car) and we only had the double packs. He rang his mate and said they've only got large, to which I said " That's the pack size though" lol... I tell you, sometimes my mouth has no filter... 

Under House Arrest 529

Friday.

So after being out and about most of the week during the heat, it was nice to spend a full day at home. Giving Willow lots of love, doing my pages ( dyalog and my handmade journal) 

We watched the last two episodes of Ghosts, funny as... Didn't you know all along that Lucy was a con woman? 

We also watched a couple of things on Youtube about Halloween Horror nights at Universal Studios Florida. We went to one back in 1998, and they were only just starting then, but it was fantastic even then. The one on the video we watched today looked like they had got even better and we were thinking of all the tricks they can use now I bet they are amazing. 

It bought back some happy memories. 

I have finally found some kitchen canisters. They are hand-decorated custom made. If the girl that makes them comes up with the goods they'll be just what I wanted. Fingers crossed. 

Under House Arrest day 528

Thursday. 

Still too bloody hot. Only now it's sultry, thunderstorms brewing, sick inducing weather. We headed into town More to get out of the house than anything. On the bus there the driver was awful. Lurching and stopping at stops because "he was early" then putting his foot down because he was then behind... Go figure... I was glad to be off it as soon as I could, there were a couple of times he hit curbs and almost a couple of pedestrians. God only knows where they are getting them from. 

We went into M&S as Cheryl had said they had their Halloween stock in. We picked up a few bits. I tried to look at the Lush stuff but as always the assistant was doing the hard sell routine so I gave up. I just want to look for god's sake, and then buy if something grabs my attention. As it was I left without anything. They don't do themselves any favours. I might have got a couple of things, but couldn't be doing with the over the top sales pitch. 

We went up to TKMaxx which still had a few bits including a hand wash pump (kin!) That I was hunting for... Yay. 

We had lunch at The Robuck, which was ok, but the service was a bit slow and the tables weren't being cleared we were in there a good hour at least and in that time the table behind us sat full of dirty plates and left over food that whole time. Several others were left exactly the same. Couldn't say it was heaving either. Maybe give it a miss next time methinks. 

Last class tonight, and it was as always fabulous. Little hints and tips that will improve not just this journal but my others and dyalog too.

Under House Arrest day 527

Wednesday.

So we didn't sleep well last night due to heat, neither of us is built for this warm spell. I like a nice day obviously but extreme heat doesn't sit well with us. We got up around 3 am and didn't go back to bed until gone 5 am. Poor Willow is bothered and hiding wherever it's cool. 

When we did eventually fall asleep we had to force ourselves awake as it was wash day. If you don't get over there early you stand a chance of having to wait because someone else will put theirs in regardless of who's day it is. Kev managed to get it in and done by 11 am ( helped by the fact it could all go outside) so once that was all pegged out we went to the village to food shop. As it was warm we only wanted salad stuff, fruit etc. 

Then we walked back taking our time, even so by the time we got back my foot had gone up a couple of sizes. 

Tonight was the second class live by Dyan. I love watching her create pages and her methods for collage are so inspiring. I'm definitely trying to be a bit more free with my collage, "stop making sense" is my new mantra. My pages are for my own pleasure of putting them together, they don't need to be understood by anyone else. Once I master that my journals and dyalogs will improve no end. 

Under House Arrest day 526

Tuesday. 

So we headed out because it was so beautiful a day. We got the bus and headed to Lady Bay. 

The only days I wished we lived elsewhere are hot days. It would be lovely to sit outside, but you can't sit out in peace here. The nosy gits at no.4 would be round you like flies on poop. We tried it during lock down everytime you sat out they would come out to "water" the plants walk the dog, check on the neighbours who couldn't go out. Sounds like lovely caring people? Nope, they just want to know the ins and outs of who's coming or going. I don't know how many times they stop visitors ( not just ours, but all) and ask who they are and who they are going to see. Drives me nuts, so I stay away. 

Anyway I digress, it's a long walk down to Lady Bay but we take our time and then have a look round HobbyCraft, B and M and the Range. I got two bargains in HobbyCraft as they are getting rid of Tim's stuff as they aren't stocking it anymore. I got a bigz die called heartfelt and Metropolis cityscape both  £5 each. The bigz die is still selling on Amazon for £15, and the cityscape is a deleted one only available secondhand on eBay and the likes for way over £20! I could if I was greedy sell them for more than I paid, but they will go into my vast Tim collection and be used at some point. 

There was some stuff in the Range for Halloween but nothing amazing and I'm very happy with what I've bought this year. 

We walked back to Ryehill Street and got the bus back. 

The new class started last night and it was a very enjoyable watch, you always learn something. I learned to be a lot more less precious about what I actually cut out of magazines. She teaches you to be a lot more free with your collage and stop trying to make sense. Your work is for you. If no one else understands it, so much the better. 

Under House Arrest day 525

Monday. 

Kev went to work, so me and Willow had a day to ourselves. I bottomed the bathroom, and scrubbed the kitchen floor.  Then I did my "homework" ready for class two tomorrow night and painted my pages, and doodled my cover and divider. I still need to paint the other side of the pages and stamp them too, but I'll watch the class first. I'm only behind because I ran out of glue sticks. 

By the time I had done all that Kev was back home, Poor bugger was knackered. So we had a fairly early night. Perhaps a good thing as it's forecast hot for the next few days and we will need the extra sleep( I don't sleep well when it's too

warm) 

Under House Arrest day 524

Sunday. 

I didn't have to go into petrol because Sue Starbuck went in for me (my leg was playing up and she saved me the extra walking) 

It was pretty steady, and we got everyone out earlier than last week. That bloody woman who leaves it until the last minute and then comes to me with her sorry I'm the last bullshit did it again. It's not the fact that she is always my last customer, it's the fact that she comes out with this crap about not remembering it's Sunday early closing rubbish. If she said nothing I'd be fine, it's the false "concern" that I can't be doing with. "Oh, I'm so sorry" like hell you are, you wouldn't do it every week, just keep your trap shut and stop pretending you are a nice caring person. 

Under House Arrest 523

Saturday.

Not a bad day. Managed to get both buses home for once so go home just after six pm.

Watched Tim do his magic with the mica sprays. Then watched All stars. Really pleased that Kylie won. Makes a change as I thought it was going to be Eureka or Ginger, but to be honest I was just happy that Silky had gone. Couldn't stand her. 

Kev is doing overtime on Monday all day, so I shall do chores and try and get my pages finished ready for class again on Tuesday night. They only need painting and stamping as they are gessoed and prepped. 

Under House Arrest day 522

Friday. 

We met my niece Karen in the city she had some craft stuff for me. We went for lunch and coffee, it was lovely to catch up with her and chat about this and that, mainly discussing our lives through lockdown and how desperate she was to go back to work. Working from home doesn't suit her, some it's an absolute breeze for, but not everyone the same. I get this, as Karen is a gregarious person, and working alone must have been torture. I'm glad that she is back working with others. She is a lovely girl and so much like her Dad, she is a credit to him. 

We came home and began the process of sorting things out ready for work over the weekend. Clearing my desk of projects, leaving only my dyalog out to update if I get the chance. Or if I can be bothered. Sometimes all I want to do is veg when I get home. It all depends on if I've got the buses ok. 

Under House Arrest day 521

Thursday. 

We decided to go to HomeSense and Sainsburys, at Castle Marina. So we got off the bus at the Station and walked down by the canal. I took my time and rested when I needed to ( learned a lot from our trip earlier last month) we didn't see anything amazing in Homesense as it looks like the Halloween stuff is being wound down now. We did get what we needed from Sainsburys though so not a complete loss. 

We got on the Bingham bus because we were going to the TBI for lunch. Only to have to get off again because the driver was having an eppy because his relief hadn't shown up. The Cotgrave pulled up in meantime so we got on that. We had lunch and then headed home. When we got home my stamps from Art from the heart had come, so I had a play with those while Kev put my tissue box together and started to put some stencilling on it with texture paste. I'm going to decorate it to put in the bed room. Obviously it will be spooky as it's has to fit in with the bedroom. 

Under House Arrest day 520

Wednesday.

Usual wash day routines, punctured by a visit from the Covid study team to take our swabs and blood samples. Back to the regular lady, who is lovely doesn't rush us, not like the guy last month. 

She said our blood samples were being used to determine when the booster shots need to start being rolled out, they monitor the antibodies in our blood ( and the others in the study group who said yes to them taking samples) once they start to dip, they'll know a booster jab is needed.