Under House Arrest day 579

Saturday.

We finally got Grim out, bless him as the wind died down and the tent pegs came... It all looked lovely ( to us!) In the end. We got in the mood by watching Discovery plus, both Extreme Halloween gingerbread bake-off and Kelly and Jack Osbourne's Night of Terror. Then we had to go have our flu jabs. That was almost Germanic in its precision. 

We got back soaked as it chucked it down. We peeled our wet stuff off and got ready to party. Which we did in style. Sue and Pete arrived and we had a Halloween playlist going. Kev worked hard on the food and very nice it was too! Cocktails for us girls and beer for the lads. We had a couple of quizzes and then some music travelling on the tube of you... Fabulous night had by all methinks. 

Under House Arrest day 578

Friday. 

A lie-in was in order. I made it to 8.15 am. We had a lot to do, clearing my table and Kev had the painting area of the kitchen to sort and clear. It took some juggling but we got there. 

We watched both Ru Paul and Dragula. Then in between showering and getting ready to go out for dinner at The Gamston Lock, I watched the Highgate Vampire on Discovery plus. Having been there in the early nineties with Alice, Scott and others I find Highgate cemetery fascinating. I have Sean Manchester book, which is pure fiction wrapped up as a factual retelling. It did prompt me to search my books on kindle and pull up Haunted Highgate by his wife Della Farrant, sadly David passed away in 2019. She covers the sightings in and around that whole area of apparitions and debunks the vampire myth much as her husband did. 

Under House Arrest 577

Thursday. 

Well the weathers a bit pants, we wanted to get the reaper out today but it's too windy... Going to play it by ear and see if it's any better Friday. We are waiting on the tent pegs coming so it can be anchored down more securely than last year. 

So we nipped into Bridgeford later on to get a few last minute bits for the upcoming gatherings for Halloween. No good going into Bridgeford too early as it isn't that amazing shopping wise, we can get it all covered in a half-hour stint. It's ok if you want to go charity shop hunting, but not a lot else. 

We went for lunch at The Black Pearl and had dirty fries and a couple of cocktails. It's our little Thursday treat to ourselves. Why not? 

Last night of the mini collage class tonight. I've really enjoyed it, and I've learned so much, as always. It certainly makes you change up your ideas about both your dyalog and journal pages. I'm already planning some pages with the new techniques I've learned this week.

Under House Arrest day 576

Wednesday.

Let me ask you a question, do you believe in ghosts? Not the sheet wearing chain dragging wailing type, but the ones that just appear as they were in life. Silently slipping through your timeline. 

I'll tell you what I believe for what its worth. I believe in the stone tape theory. That is where buildings, walls etc absorb strong emotions, traumatic events and rather than there being trapped souls, a recording if you will of events in the past that somehow appear in the right conditions. So what you are seeing is the echo of what once was. It's a fascinating theory, and one I think is more likely that a tortured entity that cannot find the light. 

What convinced me was when we were at the pub, long regarded as being haunted. Kev ( a complete sceptic) saw a girl standing at the bottom of the bed. She was staring at my dolls. I didn't see her, but Kev said she dissipated through the floor boards. 

Later on we learned through a bit of research that in the 1800's when it was a coaching inn, a young girl was accidentally drown in the Trent close by. Her body was bought to inn and a doctor was called. He arrived to late and she died. Her name was Emily. That is what I believe Kev saw in our room that night an echo of that traumatic event. A "recording" of the anguish at her passing. 

Under House Arrest day 575

Tuesday.

We went out to meet Sue and Pete for lunch, with the idea of going to Asda on the Tram afterwards to get some of the party food for the weekend. But we called in at M&S and they'd had all theirs in so we did it there and then. At a good deal, I might add. So with that and the Sainsburys delivery tomorrow we should have all we need. 

Lunch was lovely we went to the Lloyds no.1 in Hockley. As ever we enjoy our meet ups, made more evident after we had to go so long without them. 

We were also looking for more plastic bones for outside, but we ended up ordering them from the smiley box people, along with some tent pegs and cord to hold the grim reaper up tighter this time. 

Got home and saw the live launch of the new dyalog stuff then it was class time. I always learn so much in these classes.

Under House Arrest days 573/574

Sunday.

A bit of a mixed day at work, big orders and busy first thing then quiet later on. We got away in enough time to get the 58 which got us into town in plenty of time to get the bus and pick up some tea. Liverpool won 5-0 at Man Utd, which kicked of our weeks holiday with Kev very happy... 

We tried out the skinny foods cocktail syrups we bought last week from the garden centre... Very nice and we will be serving those over Halloween.

Monday.

Booked the next live class with Dyan, it started tonight. Great as some of the lovely ladies I've met online through her groups were there also and it made it a lovely evening. 

Also today we started the outside decorations, we aren't putting the grim reaper out until Friday as you know the miserable gits will moan... But it's looking great and Kev is busy doctoring the flamingoes into vultures. 

Under House Arrest days 571/572

Friday.

We decided to get down the Halloween boxes from the loft and change round the display. It's then that you realise how much stuff you have. But after this one I'm going to sell some that have either been bettered or relegated. We need batteries for a lot, so that I can light them up. The bats are on the bookcase top this time and we have put one of the spooky houses in the window. 

Saturday.

Quite a busy day, had coffee club with Charlotte to start with, it's so nice that we get chance to do that again now. I am determined not to take small things like that for granted again, because it's those things that make you feel better.

We managed to get both buses home which makes a big difference to our evenings, and although I had to do training once I was home I had plenty of time to do it. 

Under House Arrest days 669/570

Wednesday.

We got up early so Kev could do the washing. Once that was done Sue picked us up to go to Bradmore Garden centre. We love a walk round and we can always find something to buy. This time we came across a mock fire lanten that Kev saw last time but this time it was a lot cheaper. So we got one along with some spiced pumpkin cleaning stuff ( been looking everywhere for it )

Thursday.

Kev had ordered something he wanted from Argos, they wouldn't deliver and the nearest shop that had one was in Hucknall, so we had a nice little journey via the tram to Hucknall. Hadn't been near there since we lived with Scott and Jen at Kirkby in Ashfield. I also needed a new battery in my watch so I nipped that to Timpson as I have a lifetime battery so I get a free one everytime mine goes. 

We got the tram back and dropped lucky for a bus back, we got off and had lunch in the Black Pearl. As it was last week it was friendly and the food was great we tried the Halloween cocktails and the pumpkin mac and cheese bites. 

 

Under House Arrest day 568

Tuesday.

We went into town to do some of the shopping we headed to Lidl in Sherwood, but it was very poorly stocked. So we got what we could and headed back to the city. In the end, we went home and ordered what we couldn't get online. 

Later, Kev watched the football and I went into the bedroom to watch bake off and other things I can now watch on the bedroom tv since having Sky Q.

Under House Arrest 566/567

Sunday.

Busy day at work. All of the orders were big. The usual stragglers at the end. Then I went and Kev a hand. We made both buses. We had a chilled out evening and I caught up with some of my pages. 

Monday.

My Couture stamps came from Art from the Heart. I'm very pleased with them. 

So I worked on my Dyalog and did quite a bit of stamping ready to prep pages. We did a bit of hunting to find a box for the stamps to go in, and Kev found one from the kitchen that does the job perfectly. 

Under House Arrest day 564/565

Friday.

So the guy came to fit the sky Q box. And once again we had this humming and hawing about not being able to connect it to the communal dish. Fine, I said, we'll just cancel the whole bloody lot, and he could tell I wasn't joking. Suddenly, it was possible, strange isn't it that when you stamp your feet you get what you want. So now we have it set up and I get my own mini Q box in the bedroom. It means when I want to watch my own stuff in the bedroom.  I can watch all the same stuff as I can in the living room, including Discovery plus ( they have a good selection of documentary programmes on like Ghostober ) 

Saturday.

Well obviously I had my return to work, which was ok and I sorted my Christmas hours while I was in there. All done all sorted. So instead of Saturday and Sunday ( Christmas Day and Boxing Day) I'm working Wednesday and Thursday that week instead

I went in the kiosk briefly as I was asked, but I was later pulled out as it would be too much standing. I did think that, but, you know me I don't play on my disability like some, I'll give it a go and see if I can cope. Good job for me that they take the wrap on my contract seriously, well, someone does. Others obviously don't really care... But like I said I'm not a moaner, unless I'm in pain. 

So after that brief encounter I was back on a till, and the day went smooth enough. We managed to get both buses because Tony spotted us on the Cotgrave and waited. But we were late home because we got stuck in the traffic from the match and Beer festival.

We watched the replay of the new colour launch by Tim, Villainous Purple... And as always he had some wise words to impart. He was saying about how when we post on the makes on the addicts page, we should show a little love rather than like a lot do, which is to comment with stuff like I can't wait for mine to come which is virtually dismissing that make. It's a very valid point. I think he should bring out T-Shirts with his sayings on, "You do You" or "If you can't say something nice, find something" 

Under House Arrest day 563

Thursday.

While I went to have my hair cut at Blu Kev went to post all the Halloween cards. I had an undercut done on my bob, Amanda and I talked it through last time and so she did it this. Hopefully, it'll stop it looking too mumsy. As you get older it's hard to do something different without looking like you still think your a teen. But that shouldn't stop you from trying something new. As a woman over 50 we know that we become invisible so why not take advantage of that and do what you want looks wise. Dye your hair a funky colour, cut it different. And stop worrying what people think... Anyone that does notice and comments is jealous because they haven't the balls to do it. Perhaps it's easier for me because I've always been alternative. 

After that was done we went into Bridgeford for lunch. As the beer festival is on, we decided to give the TBI a miss and tried The Black Pearl for the first time. We have always thought about going there, but have been put off by the fact we thought that like a lot of places in Bridgeford it would be pricy ( while we don't mind that occasionally it's not sustainable to day in day out) so we were pleased to find it is quite reasonable during the day, they do two for one on the cocktails and food deals. It's mainly pizza and wraps but boy are they good. And the staff were lovely and criendly. Bonus points because they have already decorated for Halloween and are doing food and drink specials for Halloween...Yay! We will definitely go back. 

Under House Arrest day 562

Wednesday. Wash day. I wrote and addressed my Halloween cards. I'd got carried away and made too many. Oh well, a head start on next year's if I'm around to make them. 

I did some dyalog prep, stamped some heads ready for when the new couture stamps arrive. 

We watch the new Bill and Ted Face the Music, wished we hadnt, it was bloody awful. The first movie was brilliant and the second was ok, but this well let's just say I won't get that 2 hours of my life back... 

I finished re-reading Sunshine. Feeling as I always have that I wished she written a follow-up. She won't even mention it, like she's ashamed of it which is very sad, it was a great novel, and had been left open for a sequel. One tried to read her other books but none of them are a patch on Sunshine. 

Under House Arrest days 560/561

Monday.

So I woke up feeling a little more like my old self not perfectly but definitely better than Sunday.

I still eat light but I was up to doing my pages and a new decor item ( tombstone with Tim Holtz dies) 

It was a pleasant day all in all and Kev had one of the shelving solutions turn up so he was able to make a start on the rearranging of the kitchen. 

The guy came to upgrade our Sky package but ended up not doing anything as he said sucking his teeth in the time-honoured tradition of British workmen that it was beyond his ability. Em, ok mate, or was it just that you fancied the rest of the day off... Anyhow all rescheduled for Friday. No wonder the country is falling apart without foreign workers because a lot of the home grown ones will wriggle out of doing anything at all... 

Tuesday. 

We went to meet Sue and Pete for lunch, the first time I'd been out the house since last Thursday. Felt a bit wobbly, and didn't manage my full meal. It was nice to see them both as always and we did change where we went for food ( Lloyds no1) instead of the Roebuck. It was a bit quieter there. 

I watched the new Dylusions release at 5pm. Couture stamps. I bought the bundle as it is actually cheaper to do that than buying bits and bobs. Art from the Art always do a decent bundle. I've learned the hard way that just buying one or two of the release isn't always the best way to do it. And with pay in 3 options it's spreads the cost better. I know I'll use them and if I don't like any once they arrive I can always sell them on. 

Under House Arrest day 558/559

Saturday.

I was if you read yesterday's blog not well. I spent most of the day sleeping or reading. I had no energy, felt sick, and had banging headaches and stomach pains. I always know when I'm truly poorly, I sleep. I don't know where it came from just that "odd" feeling on Friday then bam... I had Willow for company she stuck by me like glue. I'd wake up to find her curled up on my knee purring. Bless her. I didn't eat anything until Kev came home and I had some bread, but I drank loads. The trouble with that is it will mess my blood sugar up, yes fasting helps, and my fast days are usually at the weekends, but I usually hit around 800 cals. I was way below this, so Sunday I will try and do about 800 if I can. It's a delicate balance controlling blood sugar by food alone, so I have to be on top of what I eat and drink all the time. Also I have to keep active which didn't happen, so I will try and do at least my revitive tomorrow but right now even walking to the bathroom is a bit of an effort. I haven't a clue what this is but it can do one. 

Sunday.

I stayed off work again, I feel better than I did, just exhausted as if I've done something knackering like run 25 miles, or boot camp. Still haven't eaten much although a bit more actual food than yesterday. I have slept more and read a bit. I'm still re-reading Sunshine. I've got to the fourth part, the part that always makes me sad, the bit where she has to say goodbye to her old life, without saying goodbye. Knowing her final two days are here, but not being able to tell anyone. Walking out on that last day from everything and everyone she loves, pretending it's just a normal day, wanting to hug everyone, but not behave any different so they don't see it coming. It always gets me. The first time I read it I was in floods of tears, now it just makes me sad, because she has no choice. 

To me that's what makes a good book great if it can change your emotions. Freda's Pagan Moon did that to me, and Sherry's Paris Immortal. Different emotions to this but still just as intense. 

 

Under House Arrest day 557

Friday.

So I wanted to tidy my desk ready for the weekend and stamp some images for the pages I was prepping so that all I have to do is write what I want when I'm ready to finish them after work. I've felt a bit "off" all day I can't quite put my finger on it but I don't feel myself, hopefully, it'll pass. 

I've given Willow lots of fuss, I try to on a Friday because she is on her own so much over the weekends. She is a fusspot and never objects to cuddles. She is a long way from the scared little girl we had at the start. I'm just so happy we saved her. It was simply meant to be. Anyone who doesn't get how much we love her can just do one ( polite version) she has the life she should have had at the start, she is perhaps the best-behaved cat since Rouble all those years ago. Little love. 

Last class tonight, but we got halfway through when Facebook broke again and kicked us all out of class. In the end, Dyan gave up and will film it all, then post it up afterwards. No biggie. Footnote:

I've woken up this morning feeling sick, with pains in my stomach and sweating like a priest in a playground. I've gone back to bed with peppermint tea and some paracetamol. 

Under House Arrest day 556

Thursday. 

It was another decent day in that cooler autumnal way where it starts misty and then boom, sunny... So we set off for Arnold as Kev wanted to go to Homebase. He is in search of extra shelves for the kitchen cupboards. There is only two in each unit and so much wasted space. So if he can put a couple more in there we can finally move some of the stuff from the worktops. 

Anyway, the trip was a waste of time they hadn't got any or anything we could "make" some out of. I did get some solar lights ( that look like flaming torches). So we headed back into town and got a few bits before heading home again. 

My Haunted House Wax melt burner came. It looks lovely in the bedroom. I'm just waiting for the melts that go with it to come now, autumnal fragrances to make the bungalow smell as gorgeous as Autumn should. 

Under House Arrest day 555

Wednesday. 

Wash day. It was a decent day so all the clothes dried outside it's amazing how much nicer they smell and feel. No hassle from anyone wanting the washer/dryer so Kev did the towels and mat. He won't do them if someone else is waiting for the laundry even though people know it's our day and why should we not get all ours done. He is just too nice sometimes. But then that's why He does it rather than me, because I wouldn't be as nice. 

Second day of class, learned some more techniques to try and a few more ideas for layouts etc in my dyalog. 

Under House Arrest day 554

Tuesday.

We had today as a rest day instead of Monday. Good job the weather was grey wet and windy. We have plenty of projects on so it isn't a problem. 

Dyan has a week-long class going and that should have started on Monday. It was postponed to start tonight instead. It's a dyalog one so it was important to me to do it as my dyalog is my daily art page and I love it.

So we caught up on our programmes while doing our projects and Kev has sorted another deal out with Sky for the next 18 months so that we get Q, and Netflix and Discovery plus included for less than we were paying. 

Under House Arrest day 553

Monday usually it's our rest and recover day but we had notice that the Jack Pumpkin we had ordered from Agos was ready to collect. So we got up got ready and did the work route on the bus to Arnold to collect him. We got a few bits from the shop while we were there, very disappointed with the Halloween stuff this year. Looks like most of it is only going to be available in Argos. After last year's great display it looks like they've toned it down to just wreaths and mugs ( which we have already) 

Jack is huge. I was thinking normal pumpkin size but he is almost as wide as our hall! He is fab though... 

We went back in to town and stopped at The Roebuck for lunch then came home. Now to find somewhere to put him until Halloween week... 

Under House Arrest day 552

Sunday.

Well, what a busy day, the orders were huge and they kept coming. There wasn't a lull at any point and at no time did I log out of my till except lunch. End of the month might explain it, but at 3 pm I did think we would not shift them out of there by 4.30 pm! And guess who was my last customer? That bloody woman and her daughter. I've said before what drives me nuts is her falseness, you come late on purpose, don't make out its anything else. And stop talking to me as if I'm a friend, because I'm there to serve you and be polite, but not answer your nosey bloody questions. No I don't live in Arnold, yes I am married, no I don't have children. She must be the no.4 of where she lives.

Thankfully once she'd gone and I'd tided up my till I could go help Kev so we were out on time to get the 58 which makes getting the Cotgrave easier. 

Sunday evening Charlotte and Lauren popped round, Lauren had drawn us a lovely spooky picture of a cat. We just need to find somewhere to put it now, maybe the bedroom. It was lovely of her to think of us xx  

Under House Arrest day 551

Saturday.

Not a day I would choose to go out, but work loomed on the horizon and I set on my way. It was cold and damp. The only bright spots were coffee club with Charlotte at Maccys and meeting Andrew at the bus stop because he bought me my Halloween house he and Adam had snaffled me from M&S. Bless him. That's made my haul almost complete. I have pre -ordered a light up pumpkin ( save buying and carving a real one) and I'm hoping to get a Sally to go with Jack if I can. Then I'm done. Once this season is over I'm going to go through my older stuff and put them up for sale. I have a couple of snow globes and stuff that need a new home as Iove changing up my display. Some are perennial favourites and as my Sister so succinctly described our bungalow it's The Addams Family bungalow, so we don't really leave Halloween behind. Most of the girls ( we don't call them dolls, for fear they'll take offence! Lol) just get Santa hats and a sleigh to sit in for Christmas. But they don't believe in Sandy Claws unless the Oogie Boogie man catches him... 

Under House Arrest day 550

Friday. Well, another wet day which inspired another day in. After my exercises, I was at my desk putting the last pages of September dyalog together. Once that was done I finished off the tags with bakers twine another job crossed off my list along with the neighbours cards. Next week I guess I need to start posting my Halloween cards. I like certain people to get them in plenty of time as I know they will enjoy having them to look at longer. 

Not a lot happened apart from Mariola ( the lady in Stella's old bungalow) got her dog back from the vets. I'm pleased, I dare say there will be a few round here that wont be, but tough. Honestly, I think some of the residents here need a reality check, dogs bark and can be a nuisance ( including theirs) get over it. But then these are the sort of people that lob bricks at cats ( so glad Willow doesn't go out!) And will complain about a gate banging when they are the ones that leave it open... You know if they had real problems and something to do instead of looking for problems to add to others they'd live happier lives. People wonder why we keep a low profile and out of the way... 

Under House Arrest day 459

Thursday.

I was woken up by the sound of the rain swooshing over the roof of the bungalow. There is a bit of guttering that makes a gurgling sound when the rain is heavy like that. It's quite a nice sound though, so I just lay there listening to it. 

The rain set in for the day, it's certainly what I call book weather when you need a window seat a mug of coffee and a good book. That's why we put the pouffe under the window so I can sit there. 

I love autumn. 

So I set to and did my tags. ( Christmas!) And the cards for the bungalows here. I tend to pick a theme for my tags and only do small cards for round here, and they follow that theme. This year's is Christmas cookies, Thanks, Tim Holtz your new dies are gorgeous. I double dipped them in embossing powder and

they shine like glazed biscuits. The photo  is of the cards, and tags