Under House Arrest day 674

Monday.

Kev's alarm went off at 5.15 am. He left the house at 6am  to walk down to the bus stop at the school next to the precinct. I lay in bed but was wide awake. Willow came and joined me snuggling down on my legs so I lay there until 7am when I couldn't get comfy anymore. I got up and did my usual routines, biking, revitive and a few stretches. Made breakfast, fed Willow then settled down to my desk. I did my pages from the weekend in my dyalog and made a few cards using the very large perspective butterfly by Tim. I only got it on Sunday ( Amazon sale) so I ran it through in different card stocks. 

I had a coffee break and washed up the breakfast things and then tidied my desk. 

Before I knew it Kev was on his way home. 

I enjoyed my day, gave Willow loads of fuss and and she loved it... She was looking a Kev a few times, bless her... 

Under House Arrest day 673

Sunday.

So I didn't end up in petrol after all, I did end up doing all sorts though, including some training. I suppose it's a given really. 

Anyhow we made the bus then Lauren and Charlotte picked us up from the Rose and Crown. I just hope the bloody buses are back to normal by next weekend, but I doubt it. 

At least the weekend after we are on holiday we are going away to Durham, Beamish and Holy Isle. Should be interesting. I will change what I pack so that I can wear my knee brace. I would usually wear leggings mainly, but I'm thinking of wide legged trousers ( I have a couple of pairs) with a few tops. Obviously a couple of dresses too. I might travel in leggings as they will be the most comfy and I won't need my knee brace on while I'm on board coach. 

We watched pottery throw down, I guess the person who went deserved to go really as the only one I can see winning is AJ. Not that she isn't worthy, she is an amazing potter, but it's a shame when it's so cut and dried. She is streets ahead of the others. 

Silly Kev has offered to work tomorrow ( Monday) despite it meaning a 5.15 alarm. Oh well, a day with Willow

it is then. I wonder what I'll get up to? You can guess I'll be up early as once I'm awake I can't lie in bed long. Kev tries really hard not to disturb me but to no avail. Once that alarm goes off that's me awake too... 

Under House Arrest day 671/672

Friday.

The article I did for Crafts Beautiful has gone in. They sent me a digital copy of it. I will try and get a physical copy. 

Quiet day at home before work this weekend. Prepped my dyalog pages. Did some more to my altered book. Did my biking and had a pamper session. I've got some more of those foot masks, the exfoliating ones. 

Lauren and Ian did a bit of shopping for us, as they were going to Morrisons. 

We watched Jungle Cruise ( making the most of Disney + while we have it. 

Saturday.

As the bus stop diversion looks like its on for at least another week or so, Ian kindly gave me a lift into the village to save me having to walk. Charlotte then picked us up from the Rose and Crown on the way back home. It's lovely of them to do that for us, and we really appreciate it. I had an early night as it looks like another full on day at work ( Sunday) I might be over petrol all day as the queues are big again and there are less of us trained available on a Sunday. I don't actually mind any more as I'm a lot more confident these days working over there. 

Under House Arrest day 670

Thursday.

I never thought that I'd be writing that we are at war. But we are. It's scary because it's Russia and we know they have nukes and a madman in charge of the country. 

Yesterday I got quite agitated about it, but today I'm calmer and if he does drop nukes I hope one hits direct so I don't survive. 

I guess we just have to carry on as normal until we can't. 

We finally got the jigsaw framed and up in the living room. It took a while as the jigsaw glue I bought wasn't great. So we transferred it to the backboard of the frame piece by piece then flipped it over so we could put double sided sheets on the back of it and then flip it back in order to put the frame on it. 

Then we did some more to the altered book, rewatching a couple of the classes so that we could see the next steps. I'm not rushing this project so that I enjoy every step of it that way I think I will retain the knowledge in order to do others.

I ordered a book of handmade papers or so I thought, but it is actually a book on how to make paper, so might have a go as it just uses scraps. We will see... 

Under House Arrest day 669.

Wednesday.

Wash day I was up before Kev. It was just one of those things I'd had a fairly early night so I was awake and rather lie there and wriggle about I got up. I made use of the time and did my revitive to loosen my knee muscles and my biking. 

I also prepped my dyalog book for next month by doing the borders and painting the back covers black. Then the new stamps came from Art from the Heart, this was the replacement ones for those sent in error last week. So obviously the rest of the afternoon was spent stamping them out and colouring them in. Very relaxing. We also watched the documentary on the Moors Murders. I'm glad they are both dead now, and in my opinion they should have hung them in the first place. There are times when the crimes committed deserve it. The Yorkshire Ripper, Brady and Hindley, Fred and Rose West, Ian Huntley and Maxine Carr, and of course the Jamie Bulger killers should all have hung. Now as I said this is my opinion and it's not said for anyone to try and convince me otherwise. I was not born into this nanby pamby PC brigade world. I was born in a time when you could have your own thoughts on something without being scared of saying it. Disagree if you like but leave me to my thoughts. 

Under House Arrest day 668

Tuesday. Or more importantly Twosday! 22/02/2022...

We got up and got ready to go into the city. We walked into the Village and got the bus. Of course, the weather wasn't great, but I do have my new coat which kept me warm and dry. We went and got what we needed and had lunch in Ed's diner in Vic centre as by way of a change. It was a bit pricey, but lovely food. Mainly I needed to sit. My knee even with the brace on was screaming at me and my back hurt because I was trying to shift the strain onto my left side, but it was too much walking. We made it back to the bus and then had the walk home. I decided I needed to rest so Kev put Encanto on Disney + for me. I do love my Disney ( yes, I am more Villians than heroes) but you can't beat a bit of Disney magic. I loved going to Disney World, and I left a piece of my heart there, if I could still travel anywhere it would be to go back there. I wanted to go there ever since I was little and to get there was one of my dreams. Kev made sure that dream came true, and we went several times. So, a couple of hours watching a Disney movie transports me back to wandering down Main Street seeing all the parades and loving every minute of it... Some people don't get it, and to them it's just a theme park or parks, but then a lot of people don't get me either, but that's ok. Maybe if we all just stopped trying to figure everyone else out and just got on with ourselves and what makes us happy then things would be better for all of us. 

Under House Arrest day 668

Monday. 

The howling wind woke me, It was very fierce for a few hours but seems to have calmed down now. A peculiar mix of showers and sunshine, we decided to stay home as we usually do on our first day after working the weekend. I had my card making head on and got a few more done from my list. I tend to have phases when I want to card make and if I get into it the ideas flow... If I have to make one when I'm not in the mood, I struggle to be truly creative. So, I make quite a few while I feel like it. It balances out over time. I still do my dyalog too, so I spent most of the day at my desk apart from exercising and eating. Then in evening we watched a couple of episodes of  "Clarice" ( silence of the lambs) spin-off series following her career after Buffalo Bill. Quite a good take on it, even though it has no direct input from Thomas Harris. 

Kev has ordered a couple of new brackets to replace the ones broken in the storm, it shows how strong the winds were to shear off metal like that. Mind you they were there when we got here, so who knows how long they have been there. 

Under House Arrest day 667

Sunday.

Ian gave us both a lift with Charlotte to the bus stop. It was a horrible drizzly morning that didn't budge all day. I was in petrol first off. Which was lovely as I got to work with Sue and Karen. 

It was busy and didn't die down until late afternoon. There is a weather warning in place for tomorrow so perhaps people thought it best to come shopping then rather than risk it once storm Franklin hits... 

Which it did by the time Ian picked us up from The Rose and Crown car park ( thank you Mr Marshall) it was very squally... 

It's blown the hanging baskets off the wall, breaking the brackets and Kev has unplugged the lights outside in order to shut the window in the kitchen as it was causing Willow some distress with the blinds rattling. 

Under House Arrest day 666

Saturday. 

Kindly Ian gave Charlotte and I a lift to the bus stop so I didn't have to walk. Kev did however and had to leave home at 6 am in order to get into the village. It's a bloody nuisance, and looks like it will be on for more than a week.

Busy day. I think the weather yesterday and the predicted weather for Sunday prompted more people to come out and stock up. 

We got both buses by the skin of our teeth on the way home and again credit to Ian Marshall he picked us up at The Rose and Crown to save us the walk home. It made a huge difference to what time we got in ( around 6pm, whereas normally it would be gone half past!) 

We both had early nights ready for work again the next day. 

 

Under House Arrest day 665.

Friday.

Storm Eunice is making her presence felt. Kev's had to go out and rescue one of the wind spinners and the headstone. I thought that would be secure but it was flipped over good and proper, thankfully it's in one piece and safe now. 

It's even affected Willow, she was sick earlier on and you can tell that the gusts of wind are scaring her. I must admit I'm not happy about them either. The windows feel as if they are straining, and the roof is groaning like an old barn.

I had a lot on today, stamping some images for someone else, my pages to prep for the weekend and my stamp drawer to reorganise. Next week I want to do the same with my Tim Holtz dies drawer. My OCD means I can't cope with it messy, everything has to be in it's place otherwise I get agitated. Everyone thinks OCD is funny, but not when you live with it. My stuff might look disorganised but it isn't. I know where it all is and I can create then. It's like stamps, some people including Dyan don't clean their stamps after use, I can't do that, drives me nuts. 

Under House Arrest day 664

Thursday. 

It felt like a card making sort of day to me, so I followed my instincts and made a few. Always good to get ahead of the game so to speak. 

The dress I won of Dyan"s came it is lovely, you can tell it's quality fabric and it fits lovely, I shall wear it with leggings I think. 

At night I have a little ritual that I do, since finding the Loona sleep app. I do a sleep scape on my phone, which is a 3d colouring scene. You put your headphones in and it comes with a narration about the picture you are colouring in. It's very relaxing. Each scene comes with an extra story that you can listen to, or a soundscape, which is music that compliments the scene you've just done. I have it set to share the completed picture to my Facebook story. 

I have noticed it really does help me to doze off quicker, and especially if I listen after to the immersive stories. It's great if I get up in the early hours because of a nightmare or just whatever, I'll do another one or put more of the stories on and I can soon get back to sleep again. 

Under House Arrest day 673

Wednesday. Obviously it was wash day and of course we were up early. We also had a heating and boiler check. Everything is ok. Kev started to glue my jigsaw. It isn't easy as it is a fragile one. 

We must have been hit by a storm yesterday as the wind was horrendous It sounded like it was ripping the roof off. I'm surprised the wind spinner isn't broke. I've never seen it go round as hard and as long as it did. I was surprised that none of the bungalows have been damaged. 

I made a couple of cards using the new cardstock ( different gold finishes) and did some pages in my dyalog, just the images, I tend to do the words on the actual day. 

Under House Arrest day 672

Tuesday.

Because of the roadworks Sue and Pete picked us up in the car and we headed to the Golf Club for lunch. It's been a while since we had been and I must admit the food was lovely. They've changed the menu and they now do a plant-based burger. I would say it was the best one I've had. It was lovely to catch up with them both, after the various lockdowns we honestly appreciate every time we get a chance to meet up. We are on the countdown to our next break together in March when we are off to Durham, Beamish and Holy Isle. Should be good. 

When we got back I finished my jigsaw The World of Dracula, it was a Christmas gift, so now I just need to glue it and frame it. It's a stunning image and if you start at one corner and follow the little scenes it tells you the whole story. 

Also the new glasses arrived from Amazon. We like the stemless wine glasses, but have found they are very fragile, and unfortunately Kev is a bit clumsy when it comes to glassware. He tends to put them on the floor and kick them, or throw them in the sink forgetting that they'll break. So, he's found these thin stainless steel ones in a set of four that also keep your cold drinks colder for longer. They are quite pretty too with a marble effect coating. I've never seen anything like them before, they are quite pricy but if it saves us constantly replacing them it should pay off in the long run.

Under House Arrest day 671

Monday. Valentine's Day.

Today is the start of the roadworks that mean they'll be no buses from Bramble Way for a week at least. The nearest bus stop is opposite the precinct on Candleby Lane. As we don't need to go out until we go to work, we won't bother. 

Kev and I exchanged cards ( Lauren made one for him to give me) and she made a good job of it. Then Kev made a roast dinner and we had a bottle of wine after. 

My new stamps came but they've got to go back because they've accidentally sent the wrong set. Got it sorted, now and I just need to send these back in order to get the right ones. It happens. 

Under House Arrest day 670

Sunday. A mizzly drizzly day but overall not bad. Had a woman drop a bottle of sparkling wine boy did it go bang... Glass everywhere. The times you tell them to lie the bottles down. Then they look at you as if it's your fault. 

I went over to petrol first thing which was quite nice, I've got over my initial reluctance to go over there as the majority of the times I go are Sunday mornings when the girls that work there are lovely. 

Got the bus, it was a bit late, God knows why, the driver didn't have the courtesy to explain. The bus was practically full, back to Sunday's pre lockdowns. 

Under House Arrest day 669

Saturday.

And back to work, we go. It was windy and rainy on my way in. I hadn't missed much by all accounts. Another couple of people leaving soon. We made the buses home because the Cotgrave was late due to the football crowds. 

The notices have gone up about the bus stop closures next week. It all starts tomorrow. So if we want a bus we will have to walk into the village to begin with. I think we will stay in until the weekend when we work. Charlotte has to battle it tomorrow bless her I don't envy her. 

Under House Arrest day 668

Friday.

Well last day of my holiday and I can honestly say it's gone by in a flash. Most of it was spent being poorly. Even now I can get up feeling crap. It wears off after a bit. 

My new dies came from Sizzix and I'm waiting on my second stamp set from Dylusions. I made a couple of cards, which have come out lovely. It's another couple I can cross off my list. 

Other than that a quiet day, in preparation for work. 

Under House Arrest day 667

Thursday.

Had a lie-in as I was at the hairdressers at lunchtime. It's been a long time since I've had my hair any other colour than black. About 8 years ago I had it deep burgundy. I fancied a change. Rather than go too drastic, Amanda recommended putting slices to compliment the black. We decided on copper, as we weren't sure we could lift the black enough at first. But actually, it lifted well. 

Three hours later I came out with beautiful glossy black hair with copper slices throughout. I'm very pleased with it. I was also impressed that the aftercare comes with it so I got a pack of shampoo conditioner and serum to last me the month until my next appointment. Usually, they try and hard sell you product. 

Got back had some food and then settled down to watch the last class of the week. The book I believe will look amazing. 

Under House Arrest day 666.

Wednesday. 

Wash day. Up early so Kev could get over to the centre and get it done. We had less to because there was no uniform. 

Did my biking. Then I started doing my altered book from class. I am going to take my time and enjoy this one, it's not like it's going to be finished anytime soon it's going to be an ongoing project. One lady in class said she is still working on one that she started two years ago. 

Then I did my jigsaw. Charlotte got us some shopping when she went to Morrisons and nipped it over. 

I watched class tonight, I shall practice some of the techniques in my dyalog while I finish off the initial groundwork.

Under House Arrest day 665

Tuesday. 

We went to Lady Bay. Got off at the embankment bus stop and walked down from there. A good test for my new knee brace. Reminds me a little of the calipers I had on my leg as a kid, made of a strong fabric rather than metal it does much the same job. It did allow me to walk further without resting. It still ached at the end of the walk, but not the crippling pain I usually have. 

We went to Hobbycraft and the Range, I got a few bits and most importantly a frame for my jigsaw. 

On the way back to the bus we went past The Navigation pub. Having gone past a few times we decided to pop in. I must admit from the outside we were expecting an "old man's" pub but when we got in we were pleasantly surprised to find a traditional pub, but clean and airy, with a brewery out the back. A good food menu ( including a vegan option) and very friendly staff. We will definitely call in again when we are in the area. Whereas we would normally go back over the bridge on the bus to the TBI we will go there instead. I would rather support an independent smaller brewer than a chain, basically because that was what our pub was. And these places are dying out. It's like supporting a small business rather than a huge company where we can, ( sometimes we just can't because they don't have what we need, or we can't get there)

 

Artwork by Sara Deck.

Under House Arrest day 664.

Monday.

Still a bit bunged up but other than that feeling much better. Usual routines like the exercise bike, etc. Then I had some stamping to do. I made a card and then did some more of my jigsaw. 

Later on I watched the new online class by Dyan, an altered book. All the prep work tonight, glueing pages ready for the fun to begin tomorrow night. 

Hopefully, I will feel well enough to venture out tomorrow during the day. 

I have a new knee brace to try out and see if that helps. 

Under House Arrest day 663

Sunday.

I woke to the wind howling and the rain swooshing over the bungalow roof. It hissed as it hit the guttering, I was pleased that we didn't have to get up and go out in it for once. I turned back over and went back off to sleep for a little while longer. When I did get up I left Kev in bed. I sat cuddling Willow for a while and when she left my knee to explore the window did my pages in my dyalog.

By then Kev had got up and went for a shower. 

I did my biking and Kev went down to the Co-op to get the few bits he needed to make a full Sunday roast. We won't usually get chance for one working Sundays, so we really enjoyed it, thankfully I could taste properly again, although I'm constantly sneezing. 

Before lunch Kev watched the football while I retired to do my jigsaw in the bedroom it's coming on a treat now. I will definitely frame it when it's done. 

Watched Pottery throw down, sad to see Nick go, I think he had a bad week, but I do think there are others that are constantly just scraping by week after week that should have gone first. Unless AJ has a really bad week I think she? (not sure) will win. 

Under House Arrest day 662

Saturday.

I slept in until almost 9 am. I showered in order to make myself feel a bit better. I put clean pjs on and then settled down to watch the Olympics. Later on I did some of my jigsaw. I didn't feel like crafting. I did do my page in my dyalog however. 

Kev painted the rest of my drawer unit and we watched Ghostbusters Afterlife. I really enjoyed it and it was a nice tribute to Harold Ramis. I did love the little stay puft marshmallow men they were evil but very cute. 

It was nice to be home on a Saturday with Willow and she was very chilled out all day, must be nice for her to have us around too... 

I watched the new Sizzix release by Tim and have my list. I never buy the whole release but I do buy the ones I think will be most useful. I've learned the hard way that you get the ones you think will disappear quick, and pick the others up in the sales. I don't always get it right, but I do save some money that way. 

Under House Arrest day 661

Friday. 

We went into Bridgeford to do a bit of a food shop for the weekend. Saw Sheryl on the bus and had a good natter. I'm pleased she no longer has the hassle of work but I do miss our chats on a Sunday morning. 

I had started to feel really off it very bunged up, achy and sneezing. Lovely. Not. So we went in to Boots and stocked up on cold and flu meds. I drank lots of fluids and just pootled about once we got home. I did a bit more of my jigsaw and had a doze ( always a sign I'm not well when I want to sleep during the day) Kev is feeling a bit better, although he still has a very chesty cough. He had to get up a couple of times because it disturbed his sleep. I however slept like a log. The reason I think was covering myself in Vics ( including the soles of feet, believe me it works) I think a pjs day is in order tomorrow.

Under House Arrest day 660.

Thursday. 

Disaster craft day. I spent all morning on a flip-flap card ( time-consuming but looks lovely) went to put some glossy accents on it and the lid popped off and went all over my card. In the bin it went. So, after cleaning up I thought I'll have a break and do my jigsaw... Great idea, not, got my port puzzle out and the puzzle slid off and broke up. Started again and now it's back together as it was before so instead of being ahead I'm now back at the part I had just completed. To add insult to injury I then went to sit down for tea, and spilt my drunk all over me. I gave up... Put it down to one of those days! 

Under House Arrest day 659

Wednesday. 

Wash day. Kev got up early and went to do the washing. We were meeting Sue and Pete early afternoon. So he got done as soon as he could so we could get the 12.10 bus into Nottingham. We did our bit of shopping ( we had a Sainsburys delivery coming early evening ) so we didn't need much. 

We had lunch and a good catch up with them both, as always we enjoy our get-togethers.

We got back home and I did my jigsaw for a bit it's coming along nicely and I am enjoying doing it. 

Kev found me a book to alter for the class next week and I've ordered some gel medium for it too, I already have collage sheets and naturally I stamp sets I can use too. 

Under House Arrest day 658.

Tuesday. 

Kev was feeling a little better, but as we are meeting Sue and Pete tomorrow we decided to stay in. I had the February dyalog insert book to prep and so I had plenty to keep me busy. It's quite nice to sit and chill to be honest. Maybe because we had so many years of living in a pub and always being "on" duty that now we no longer are, it's perhaps why I enjoy our own company so much more.