Under House Arrest day 627

Friday. New Years Eve.

We were both in work. So we went in together. I wasn't due to start until 9am, but I was asked to start at 8am as it was busy and they were short of cashiers. 

It was busy. 

I did finish at 3pm and waited for Kev. I went to Maccys and a coffee as our cafe was shut. It was busy in there but not with a lot of kids. I just got my coffee and chilled out. Met Kev when he was done and we got the bus into town. We got home around 5.30pm. 

We had bought cobs from Greggs so we had those and snacks for tea. Then settled down for a quiet night in front of the box with a couple of cocktails. 

I watched a fascinating documentary on Fred and Rose West ( what better way to start the new year than a bit of death and torture) 

We did make it to midnight ( after a bit of a nap around 10 pm) and watched David Guetta at the Louvre in Abu Dhabi ( didn't know they had one there) beautiful building. Kev was envious of his decks... Like most of the world this was live on screens but with no crowds watching... 

Under House Arrest day 626

Thursday.

I spent the day prepping my January Dyalog and then watching the live free class from Dyan. I couldn't believe that there was a couple of moaning Minnie's in the class! What do they want for Christs sake it was free, and she was giving up her time to teach us something. Even it was similar to a paid one I did a while back I always learn something. People are just so rude! 

About halfway through Charlotte  Lauren and Finn popped over.

Lauren set to doing some stamps and die cuts... When we sat chatting and watching sewing bee ( I stopped watching class as I can put it on again when I can concentrate)

Under House Arrest day 624/625

Tuesday.

I spent the day making a few cards I like to get ahead if I can and, after this year where I didn't make enough for my list, I've started doing a few now for both Halloween and Christmas. I've done the Valentines ones and I'm now starting my Birthday ones.

Later in the day we watched Drag Race Canada, and then Kev went into the bedroom to watch Liverpool. They lost. 

Wednesday.

Kev was at work, like me last week, so he'd done the washing yesterday afternoon, allowing me a to do what I wanted to. Which was kind of him. 

So I had a break from cards and started my new jigsaw The World of Dracula. I've got the frame done. 

Under House Arrest day 623

Monday

Quiet day at home I made a couple of cards and did my dyalog pages. 

Charlotte nipped round for a coffee ( while we still can!) I can imagine after New Year that restrictions will be in place and visits from anyone won't be allowed. Mind you, the way I feel about the government and it's two-faced one rule for them one for us, I've a good mind to take my chances. No one that comes in shopping to our place seems to be flowing anything anymore and we still appear to be the only ones on the buses wearing masks. I have no faith in what they tell us anymore. 

Under House Arrest day 622

Sunday. Boxing Day.

We stayed over at Sue's. We could hear the rain pouring down outside. It was actually like having one of those sleep apps running with rain sounds.

Went got up and went downstairs and was given copious amounts of coffee and bacon sarnies ( yum!) 

Pete bought us back home around 11am, because we wanted to check on Willow. I don't like her to be on her own too long bless her. 

When we got back as well as giving her lots of fuss and snuggles we found homes for all our gifts and I had the grand unboxing of Elvira. 

I then tried out my Tim Holtz dies that Kev bought me and made a card. Did my dyalog and we watched "Ghosts" and a movie on Netflix called "Don't Look Up" which is actually a disaster movie, with a strong theme of the stupidity of the powers that be, the media and social media and huge idiots like Elon Musk types who have more money than actual sense. Sadly, what happens in the movie could and would happen. It was very sad because it highlighted just how stupid the world is in lots of ways. 

Under House Arrest day 620/621

Friday. Christmas Eve.

A pjs day. Relax and refresh. Last few presents to make tags for, Willow to snuggle. Pages in my Dyalog to do, all the lights to switch on. It looked and was very relaxing. Just what we needed after a couple of hectic days at work. Nice to be off work for a change, as we usually have to work so we made the most of it.

Saturday. Christmas Day. 

Up early to shower and pack for our stay at Sue's.

We opened presents while having breakfast and gave Willow lots of fuss. She had a lovely couple of gifts from Charlotte and Ian. 

Pete picked up at around noon and we got to Sue's where it looked and felt very festive. We had a great lunch as always and were joined my Karen and Steve too. 

We played a kazoo game ( which I didn't get the hang of!) Which gave us plenty to laugh at. My nephew Justin came round later and we played quizzes and chatted, I only really get to see him once a year and it is always great when we do, he has always been the easiest person to get along with. I never forget that we had many years without family and I enjoy every Christmas we get to spend together. We are grateful that they invite us and look forward to the next adventures we go on throughout the year, despite of covid spoiling our travels now and then.

Under House Arrest day 619

Thursday.

We were both in work until five. As you can imagine it was busy, not as bad as last year, but I'm glad I'm not on Christmas Eve. With it being an extended weekend if you will, people will leave it all to the last minute so it will be murder on the shop floor. 

Most people were pleasant, a couple non-verbal, as in you say hello how are you and get no answer, can't even be bothered to say thanks or if they do it's begrudgingly. But most were at least happy to chat. I had some more flowers from one of my regular customers ( and this time not lilies so I can enjoy them myself for once) Lilies are poisonous to cats so I can't have them in the house because of Willow. 

Who by the way is loving her new tower scratching post, as I write this she is curled up on my knee having lots of cuddles. She is such a good girl and so loving. 

Ian and Charlotte got us some of the heavier stuff like water and pop save Kev having to lug it back. They dropped it round and Charlotte had tea with us while Ian did some errands, it was better than her eating on her own and was nice company for us too. 

So that's me done until next Friday, NYE, thank God, Kev in on Wednesday next week so Willow and I will have a cosy day in ( I'll do the washing) 

Merry Christmas 

Under House Arrest day 618

Wednesday. 

Well I was in work, Kev wasn't but he came down with me and we had breakfast in Maccy's which we haven't done since the first lockdown. It was very cold and frosty. The sky was streaked with red, 

Work was busy, with a lot of big orders. I was on 33, right next to the doors, so it was a bit chilly. Most people were in good moods and the day went by quick enough. One down, one to go. 

Charlotte and Lauren popped round tonight and we had a bit of food and a drink ready for Christmas. 

Our Madame Leota crystal ball finally came from Disney. It's better than I thought it would be and when you add water it adds a mist to the ball, giving it even more of a creepy look. 

Under House Arrest day 616/7

Monday.

Chill out day, with a little organisation and Kev putting Willows new scratching post together ( her Christmas pressie) I also made sure my dyalog pages are prepped for the coming days at work. 

But I do need my "rest" day. 

Tuesday.

We got up early and went into the city to meet Sue and Pete for lunch and get some bits and bobs. 

It was a lovely lunch. We have to make the most of these meet ups because we never know when they'll be stopped again. I'm convinced that after Christmas they'll be more restrictions to come perhaps even another lockdown. 

I had a lovely gift come today from a friend that is no longer on Facebook or even in this country anymore. It's a jigsaw ( I do love a good jigsaw so long as the subject matter is cool) and is called The World of Dracula. It's stunning. 

Under House Arrest day 616

Sunday. 

It was lovely and foggy in the morning as we both set off for work, if you know me well, you'll know that it's my favourite weather. I always call it vampire weather, you could imagine creatures of the night being able to lurk in its shadowy depths, and it reminds me of Prague which was beautiful in shrouded in fog. If I hadn't been at work I would have gone for a walk in it maybe to the village and back. 

Anyway, off to work we went, I've finally sorted my hours for New Year's Eve and that weekend. 

Work was fine, most people were in good humour, there was a couple who had so obviously been to the pub, loud, obnoxious and brave thinking they could say what they liked, ultimately, they just looked stupid. As I posted on Facebook, until you work in retail you never know that level of stupid exists. 

 

Under House Arrest day 614/615

Friday.

After the hustle and bustle of yesterday, I had a quiet day crafting and sorting out things for the weekend. We had a couple of deliveries one from Disney ( they sent the wrong thing so we had to sort that out) and one for my craft stash. 

Later Charlotte and Lauren popped round Lauren had made us a beautiful folded book Christmas tree... It's lovely. 

Saturday.

I got into work and Debbie asked me to start early at 9.30 am. I thought it would have busier than it was but it was steady and the orders were big. I finished at 4.30 which gave us chance to get the earlier bus, but because of the football traffic we got stuck on the bridge and again just before Gamston Lock. 

Watched Rose win Strictly, well deserved but John did well to come second. Loved him and Johannes together. 

Under House Arrest day 613

Thursday.

We went to do the Christmas food shop ( minus the fresh stuff naturally) at Arnold Sainsburys. I had a gift card and our points too so we got it all for £13! 

We did smart shop as it was easier, all went well. 

Then we had to go to Trent Barton travel shop to get Kev's annual saver topped up. Not so great, I have never known such incompetence. It took 45 minutes. First off the woman couldn't log on, so she rang IT and they didn't ring her back, then another lady came to help and she didn't know how to use the computer. She rang IT and they had to talk her step by step through the process. My God I'd given up the will to live by now. It costs £890.00 you'd think they'd have someone on hand that knew their way around a computer taking that kind of money wouldn't you? 

Anyway, it's done hopefully, she didn't fill me with much hope when she said at the end, "come back if you have any problems". I bloody hope not. I've given Kev the receipt just in case so that if it doesn't work he can show the driver if needed. 

We came straight home after all that. Standing that long just about killed me so the sooner we got home the better. 

Next year I'm going to do it myself online ( only trouble is it takes 7 days for the card to get reactivated, so we will have do it before it actually runs out) which means they'll have my money sooner than I would like. 

Under House Arrest day 612

Wednesday.

Kev's 64th birthday. 

As usual it was wash day, lucky we didn't have much today so Kev was able to get it done fairly early. 

The covid study came and took our samples. 

Then a visit from Sue and Pete for Kev, lovely to see them. 

At lunch Charlotte and Lauren picked us up and took us to East Bridgeford Garden Centre.

We had traditional Christmas lunch together before walking round the garden centre itself. We couldn't resist buying another piece of our village scene ( a church) some Christmas oil to refresh the potpourri. 

We got back and had some prosecco and a craft lesson and session with Lauren. 

It was a lovely day. 

Under House Arrest day 611

Tuesday.

Phew! Busy busy day... New bookcase came and that meant taking the old one out and emptying it and Kev put the new one together. It looks lovely and is fantastic quality ( it is Habitat though) 

Then the meteor shower lights came to add to the outside ones. We wanted to buy them earlier but missed out, only to have them waved at us in the sale, so we got them and Kev put them out they look fab.

It meant a day of putting stuff out, rearranging things and tidying up after but well worth it. 

Under House Arrest day 610

Monday. 

Woke up with a nagging back ache. Not major just "there" I did my biking and I used my revitive. It could be the way I slept it could be just one of those things I'll see how it goes, I will do some yoga to see if that helps, it does usually. I hand washed the face masks before Kev stitches the new brackets in them. He ordered new ones as a couple of them have broken after being in the washer. From now on I'll just hand wash them. 

Other than that and cleaning the bathroom it was a chill-out day. I didn't even do much crafting. I did watch the new Kirstie Allsop Christmas programme and later watched the David Baddiel documentary about social media. That was quite interesting, he was trying to understand some of the anger, and hatred that some people face online. I find it quite interesting, a little disturbing too. There are people that even I know go online just to argue with or wind up other people. What I really dislike is when you have a genuine opinion about something you will get shouted down like your opinion doesn't count, isn't valid just because it is different to theirs. It's all very sad. 

Under House Arrest day 609

Sunday.

Started off busy, stayed pretty steady all day with the usual rush at the end. I had a decent enough day all in all, no dramas. I was surprised as I'd had a crap nights sleep. We made the bus by the skin of our teeth, 

I got my payment through Vinted from selling that top. Now I know how easy it is to use I shall go through my wardrobe and sell other items I may have lurking in there. I like it because there isn't any hassle like eBay. And I got the amount I wanted for it. With no fees. 

The photo is of Anne Rice who passed away at the age of 80. I love her books apart from Memnoch the Devil, so it threw me a little when I heard she'd died.  

Under House Arrest day 608

Saturday.

Very busy. The crazy has started early. I'm wondering if people are preparing for the worst thinking there might be a halt to proceedings like a mini lockdown? 

I personally think they won't announce one until after Christmas as they think they won't be listened to after the Christmas party disaster. I don't think they dare stop people celebrating. 

Under House Arrest day 607

Friday.

Well it was damp and miserable so we stayed in and braced ourselves ready for what no doubt will be a busy weekend at work. I got a few UFO's finished ( unfinished objects) and cleaned and tidied my desk area ready for the weekend. If possible I like to leave it clutter free over the weekend. Nothing worse than walking into a mess after work. I got a few bargains in the Sizzix sale a few Tim Holtz dies and one that looks like a wax seal for the envelope backs... I have a wax seal but it is messy and this will replace that, so I can get rid of that now, I will take it into a charity shop when I get chance. I'll have a good sort out after Christmas and make a bit more room. I'm always evolving my craft stash... 

Under House Arrest day 606

Thursday.

Another busy day. We delivered the neighbourhood cards, as usual, I had miscalculated and was one short, so I made another. That'll get taken tomorrow. All parcels are posted, so hopefully, we are getting done. My light-up hanging basket came and it looks lovely, so all my decor is now complete too. 

Most of all I am very excited to say I have The Cure tickets for Birmingham for next year. Thanks to a heads up from Ian Marshall I got on the pre-sale notice list and snapped them up. You couldn't choose where you sat as the fan club ticket holders get first dibs but as we have been to the arena before we know they are all great seats. Just to have tickets is enough. We last saw them at the Barfly gig in around 2002. This time it's an all-seater so that will be much better, gone are my moshing days down at the front. I can't stand that long now! I've always loved the Cure, and I had a poster on my bedroom wall of Robert Smith next to my poster of David Sylvian from Japan when I lived with my Mum until I moved out. I dare say she binned them like she did everything. But then when we moved to the pub we got Lucy to paint us a replica of it which we still have to this day. 

Under House Arrest day 605

Wednesday

Wash day so we were up early. Once the last easy was in Kev nipped my parcels to the post. Just as he left there was a bang on the door, it was my Hermes parcel with my snowflake neon light in it.  Sue came and fetched some gems I should have taken yesterday. We had a coffee and a chat. I had a card take so I got that done then spent the rest of the morning putting collage images in my dyalog because I do like the pre-done pages which lets me be more creative with my doodling and writing. 

In the afternoon we watched Landscapers. The drama about the two charged with murdering and burying the bodies of the wife's parents. It is based on a true story of events in Mansfield, they were charged and found guilty in 2014. It was filmed on location in Nottingham and it was weird seeing the city centre on TV... Olivia Coleman played the wife, Susan, and David Thewlis play the husband Christopher. They did a great job. I can thoroughly recommend it as a good gripping watch. 

Under House Arrest day 603/604

Monday. 

I had a quiet day in crafting and reading. It was quite cold so apart from Kev nipping round to the village shop to send a vinted parcel for me we didn't venture out. It's good to have a chill out day especially when I've had a bit of "wobble"

Tuesday.

We went into the city to meet Sue and Pete for lunch. The weather got progressively worse as we went around the shops and we waited for them in the space under city hall. It was bitterly cold and I expected it to turn to snow. We had a lovely lunch at Lloyds no 1 in Hockley and then we left them to catch the bus up to Arnold I want to go to B&M as I had seen something to replace my spinning candle. Luckily we found one it's a replica car with a Christmas tree on top. It reminds me of the Tim Holtz die "Home for the Holidays" that he had years ago. I've never found the die, so this makes up for it. 

We were going to Sainsburys after but, the weather was now a lot worse and we gave up and git the bus back into the city, then got down to market square to get the Cotgrave bus. When we got home we were soaked to the skin and freezing so we both had to peel of our wet things and dry off. Our coats we hung up in the shower to drip dry. Luckily it's wash day tomorrow so we can get them fully dry in the tumble if necessary. 

Under House Arrest day 602

Sunday.

Sometimes my confidence abandons me and I struggle to talk to anyone this was one of them. I put on a mask and push through it. Luckily I have a lot of regular customers who chatting to casually is easy. The rest of the time I concentrate on being as helpful and polite as I can. But what I really want to do is not be around anyone except those I really trust. It's not possible on a work day obviously so I have to push past it. I do find it exhausting though, and I was grateful for a quiet night in watching the tv. It passes and I bounce back, and I've learned not to worry if people think I'm a funny bugger because I don't feel chatty on breaks etc. Being chatty and friendly to customers is more important and staying quiet and recharging my batteries when I am on a break is even more important. I sometimes don't have the mental energy to do both. The thing is there is a good bunch of people to work with on a Sunday, the odd one not so, but there is always one. So long as you know that and smile and wave your'e fine. 

 

Under House Arrest day 602.

Saturday.

All in all not a bad day at work, busy, naturally as it always gets three weeks before Christmas. 

People seem happy enough, there is always one however, but there you go. Bus was late in town because of the football, one lady we were talking to had been there since 5.15 pm the bus didn't show until 10 to six then two came at once. The bit I don't get is that the mainline buses to Bingham and Ratcliffe always run on time ( at least three went past our stop) but go the same route... So if they can through, why can't the Cotgrave? 

Under House Arrest day 601

Friday.

And relax

After a few busy days both at home and trotting around the city getting stuff done we had a nice chilled out day before work this weekend. I did a lot of stamping Christmas images and colouring ready for my dyalog. Last month was all pre-done collage pages and this month I want to mix it up a bit. I'm doing a few images in advance, but some pages I'll do as I get to them. It's what works for me. I might do another book like the one we did in class next month, we will see. So I was at my desk a while yesterday as I had a card to make for a special birthday. But it was nice to get stuck in. Kev had a few of his crafty projects on the go including the star outside. It used to have plants in, but it wasn't easy to keep up with so he has filled it with baubles. It looks much better than half-dead plants. As well as digging out his pyrography kit ready to do some wood slices next week.  So as you can tell, we still have a few things we want to get done before we get really ready for the festive season. 

Under House Arrest day 601

Thursday. 

We decided to go to Lady Bay retail park and to the post office on the way back. I had my cards to post and a couple of gifts. I try and get them done the first two weeks in December so we wrapped up and went on the hike down there. We have it sussed now so that we pass a few places where I can stop and sit if needed. 

Hobbycraft had nothing amazing and we only got a few bits from B&M mainly food items that are cheaper there. We went into The Range and I found the Christmas foliage I was looking for and Kev bought a metal wall art piece he was after. 

We got back around 3 pm and Kev put the batteries in the Christmas decs that needed them. He hung the wall art and I changed over the atc coins on the stand to the Christmas ones. I think that's us done now. 

Under House Arrest day 600

Wednesday. 

As well as wash day it was decorations day. Kev started with the outside ones that Sue gave us. They look great and with Kevs new ladder they didn't take long to do. The gutter hooks made life easier too... The other light she gave us went up in the kitchen. Then it was time to start getting down the boxes in the loft and sorting out what was worth putting out and what was going out for recycling. 

Under House Arrest day 599

Tuesday. 

The snow had gone by late afternoon on Monday so we were able to go into town. We were going to Sainsbury's at Castle Marina, but we placed an online order instead, as a lot of it was heavy stuff so it made sense to let them bring it. 

So we headed into town for a good look round. 

We went into Victoria Centre, and Lewis's they have some gorgeous ( if pricey) baubles for Christmas. But the whole section looks stunning. 

We finally managed to get the black forest gateau from M&S so that's one less thing to worry about. 

We saw a coffin shaped shelf unit in Damaged Society, it was lovely, but very overpriced. So Kev had a look online when we got back and he found one and ordered it. It will mean a change round in the living room. But it will ideal to put the tiny living dead dolls on and will make up for them not having a sleigh this year. 

I also had my Eugene die come, it's a colourize one and in 22 pieces some smaller than my fingernail. It's like doing a jigsaw puzzle, but he looks amazing when he is done.