The long dark tea-time of the soul

Wednesday.

Kev did the washing when we got back yesterday so that we could have a lie in. Because even after all that walking yesterday there was more to be done today... I was having my booster jab at 3pm at Carrington Pharmacy on Mansfield Road. We headed into town around 11.30 am as there was some bits we needed and I was looking for a magazine my friend Karen had told me about. We did all that and lunch before we got on the bus to go up to the place, as I didn't know how it would affect me. I'd heard some people say they weren't well after theirs. I didn't want to start feeling ill and still had stuff to do. So to me it made sense to do it all beforehand. 

We got up there in plenty of time, if you know me I am more too early rather than late so we had a while to sit before they called me through. This time I played it safe and had it in my left arm so that if it hurts, it won't affect me doing what I love doing or stuff I have to do regardless. I had Moderna this time. Feeling no worse for wear we started our way home. By the time we got back it was 5pm. My poor legs and feet! I'd done 7,000 odd steps. But I knew I had. 

My legs felt like I was wading in treacle by this point and I know it's an effort to push on and get home. 

I feel at the moment. Let's hope it stays that way...

The long dark tea-time of the soul.

Tuesday. We got ready and went to the embankment on the bus and began the long walk to Lady Bay. We took our time and when we got there we went for a coffee in Dunkin Doughnuts so I could rest before we went round the Range. They had a lot of Halloween stuff, but quite a lot of it was tat. We did find another wobbly wobbly house to compliment the other, however and some ornaments for the Halloween tree... 

When Kev gets the ornament box down next week I'm going to have a good sort out... anything that hasn't gone out for a year or so will be culled... Sue is already having the stack of boos because we couldn't find her one... 

Kev bought a new glue gun as the other one was broken. He prefers the plug in type as the batteries go quick in the cordless one, but it's handy to have one of each because sometimes you need to be able to get in nooks and crannies a corded one can't reach.

The B and M is closing there and the queue to get in was horrendous as they had clearance lines. We didn't bother. 

We went in Hobbycraft and that has changed too... They've cleared upstairs and made it just for workshops etc. Which means downstairs is cramped and you can't find anything. So we grabbed a few bits we could find and vowed not to bother in future and buy online instead. It's bloody rubbish now... 

Kev is busy making resin pumpkins so he needed alcohol ink in orange. He found some ink, but that looks like a AFTH purchase in the next order methinks. 

I did well walking and had a couple of sit downs before we went back to the bus stop. I also wore support tights under my leggings as everyone keeps saying that the cold will affect the metal in my ankle and leg, so if I layer extra warmth now it might help combat that a bit plus its a little extra support for my knee. 

The long dark tea-time of the soul

Monday.

Rest day. I did my exercises to loosen my limbs up. And I used my revitive to get the blood pumping through my legs. So glad I have this, it helps so much. 

I stayed in pj's and just played at the craft desk doing my pages etc.

My jigsaw came... Sad I know, for some people, they are boring, but I love a good jigsaw for the brrr months. It's something I've done for a long time, since I was a little girl. I learned to love my own company and during my recovery the one Sara sent me helped make the days stuck in bed less boring.

So I couldn't wait to get it started. Willow comes to help as I put my porta puzzle on the bed and she guards my puzzle sorter. 

She sulked a bit at first after work but soon came round with a bit of fuss. She loved it yesterday us being home all day. 

The long dark tea-time of the soul

Sunday.

Well first day back and it went OK. Lovely to see some friends and work colleagues even customers who came through the tills and said they'd missed me. Including Stephen and his grand daughter Olivia (aged 9) who came and hugged me, bless her. They are off to Florida next week and she promised to buy me a Halloween get well gift! Bless her... 

I came home knackered. After food I had a snooze for a bit then went to bed about 10ish, slept like the dead. My leg aches a bit ( we got the tram down to market square on the way back as that helped a bit) I shall exercise and use my revitive today to help. 

I've altered my hours too so that I can go in and finish with Kev. So Saturday I will work 8 am until 4pm and Sunday 10 until 4pm. 14 hours in total. 

The long dark tea-time of the soul

Friday.

We went into Bridgeford to get what food we needed for the weekend I needed stuff for my last Saturday off on my own, I don't go back until Sunday. 

So that all got we came back and Kev made a chilli... with plenty left for another meal. 

My idea-olgy bits and bobs came, the urns for the porch on the haunted dollshouse, the cemetery metal gates for one of my Halloween makes as well as the candy buckets for the girls and cauldrons, I just need the bubbles to go in them they should come Tuesday.They are perfectly sized to put on the girls shelves and obviously good quality being from Tim...

I was looking at my scars on my leg, it's amazing how well they've healed especially the graft area which now resembles a pink raised bleb when you think back to the hole that was there when the bone came through and the fact that they were worried that it was going to go gangreneous it looks nothing now... the two scars the other side are neat white lines flat and smooth compare that to my left which looks like Frankienstien stitched me together... 

And then you take my walking, from not moving at all for eight weeks, to now is nothing short of a miracle really. 

As bad as my experience was the surgeon at Durham did an amazing job putting that jigsaw of an ankle back together... It was that bad they considered amputation, so I am more than a little grateful they saved it. And made it strong enough to carry the left one again. 

The long dark tea-time of the soul

Thursday.

Kev and I are trying to knock coffee on the head a bit at home and use a coffee substitute instead. It's something I did when I first got diagnosed with diverticulitis. The only downside is that it gives me a slight headache as the caffeine leaves my system. A withdrawal thing, it will pass usually takes about a week. 

We started watching the new Netflix drama about Jeffrey Dhamer, it's very harrowing... There were a couple of points when even I had to look away. 

We made it through 2 episodes. It's not one for the faint hearted, explicit scenes of him drilling into the brains of his victims while they were still alive, sounds of electric saws, and neighbours complaining about the evil smell. The police must have had a hard time clearing that crime scene. Like a lot of serial killers they had plenty of opportunity to capture him earlier and I can't believe how many times officers went to his apartment and smelt that stench without investigating further. The thing is he and Dennis Neilson were operating at similar times and they had similar MO's. That's creepy. I'll have to continue watching because I'm like that, but I suggest if you have a aversion to gore you don't watch.

The long dark tea-time of the soul

Wednesday.

Wash day so up early. Even though its Kev that actually does the washing we both get up. Plus we were heading into the village to post something.

Once the last load was hanging out, we went for the bus. 

Post sent we decided to use the pennies that Charlotte and Ian had given us for our anniversary gift to go and try out the Pig and Pudding tea rooms... 

It's where Grannies used to be exactly opposite Sainsbury's. 

It's very nice inside and had been done out. Grannies used to look quite cramped. And I still don't want to sit outside as it is in Sainsbury's car park, not the ideal vista while you sip your coffee. Streza has the advantage there, as that looks onto the play park and beyond. 

But the coffee was delicious as was the lemon drizzle cake ( naughty, but what the hell, I'm moving more now and working it off !) 

I also bought a little crate from there to put my impresslits and small embossing folders in. 

They sell a few nic nacs in there as well as cards etc, nice if you want something different. 

We will definitely go again and maybe have lunch as the menu looked quite nice. 

Anyway treat over we did some shopping in Sainsbury's and then got the bus back. When we got home I started a collage in my art journal, by way of a tribute to her Maj, inspired by the one I found for my Cover photo on Facebook. 

It's not complete, but I will finish it in the next couple of days. I also did some images in my dyalog which will cover for the next week or so, I stick them in then go back to them and do the rest to the pages as and when. I enjoy that process. 

Kev did a really good deed today, he helped Mariola at number 8 out. She couldn't get her new TV working and was asking if we knew anyone who could help. Kev offered to have a look and he went in and set her new TV up for her and connected it to the ariel. Bless her, she's had no TV for two months now and only just plucked up courage to ask for help. 

Kev gave her a cable to make it easier for her to pick up freeview etc using the Internet. She was so grateful. I think it's a shame that like us she gets alienated by some on this group of bungalows. Honestly it doesn't bother us any more, we speak and are polite, but go about our own business and chat to those we consider friendly enough, but we are lucky we have each other and good friends nearby in Charlotte and Ian and Lauren. It must be awful for her, just her and her dog. I know she has a sister and daughter, but this isn't the most welcoming community I've ever lived in, and if they have a gripe against you, it's hard to change their mind. 

The long dark tea-time of the soul.

Tuesday.

We got up quite late for us 9am. After a bit of a broken night's sleep. We got ready and went into town. We found a few bits and bobs including a nice set of snack bowls from the ever dwindling Halloween collection at TKMAXX. 

We went to the Slug and Lettice for lunch and a couple of cocktails to celebrate our wedding anniversary being as it didn't feel right celebrating it yesterday.

There were the usual missing buses to contend with, and going home was no exception. The 2.20 was missing so we had to get the 2.40. It isn't so bad when it's not interfering with appointments or work. But still irritating. I feel for those for whom it's a daily struggle.  

The long dark tea-time of the soul

Sunday

A quiet day, I did what I wanted to do at the desk. Then I watched people filing past the Queens coffin lying in state on TV. 

Kev got home at his usual time. Knackered as he said it was as busy as we thought it would be with the shop being shut on Monday. 

Charlotte came round in the evening and we played a game and a quiz. 

Monday.

The Queen's Funeral.

Our 27th Wedding Anniversary.

We got up around 8.30 am

Kev showered while I exercised. 

We got ourselves sorted out and ready to start watching. It was then that Charlotte came round with a card and gift. 

We all settled down to watch all the pomp and ceremony of the funeral... It was both beautiful and moving. 

It was amazing to see all the navy pulling the gun carriage. 

The little Prince George and his sister Charlotte behaved impeccably. 

We watched that then the smaller ceremony at St Georges Chapel in Windsor. Which I thought was lovely. It got me when they showed you her pony as the funeral procession went past. And the corgis at Windsor Castle gateway. 

The long dark tea-time of the soul

Saturday.

My last Saturday on my own with Willow before I go back to work next week. 

It feels like a lifetime ago since I last went, and so much for me has changed. 

I took the rubbish out to the bin and was talking to Denise who was shocked that I was walking without my stick, it's not far to the bins, but like she said a couple of months ago that would have been impossible. I am very proud of hard I've worked to get back on my feet. 

I had a card making day. I dug out some old clear stamps and made a couple. 

Chatting online to Karen while I did so, I shall miss that just as much as having Willow around. Both of them have been good company while I've been stuck at home and it's helped a lot. When you think back to the first weeks when I had to be left with everything to hand, to being able to just about potter to the bathroom and kitchen, to now be able to virtually do everything like before ( albeit at a slower pace) 

When Kev got home a bit grumpy as he always is after a day at work, we watched the Queens grandkids do the Princes Vigil, and another episode of The Umbrella Factory. 

The long dark tea-time of the soul

Friday. 

It dawned on us that as well as needing food for the weekend we would need food for Monday ( Kev normally goes into the village to get something on a Monday) so we got ready early and went out for the ten past ten bus. It was rather busy then we found out later why one was missing. 

We got off in Bridgeford and nipped to Iceland and M&S.

We got everything we needed for the three days which includes a Sunday Roast to have on Monday. We will be glued to the box then so Kev will do a roast style dinner after its all done. 

While we were out we missed Sue and Pete, they nipped overto bring me some indigestion relief meds. She kindly gives me some of hers as they are the same as the ones they gave me. It saves me the hassle of ringing up for a prescription and the cost as hers are free... Every little helps. They'd pushed them through the letter box, but I was sorry we missed them. 

Kev as you know is very crafty himself, he helps me work any constructive elements out, and loves making models. So he came across some epoxy resin kits on the smiley box peeps site and thought he'd give one a go... I think he's found his new hobby... Here's a couple of things he's made me so far, the coffin has a removable lid. And the little bat is from a set of moulds I had when I used to make soap, he's so cute... Not a cheap hobby by any means but if it allows him to make a few decorations and gifts we'll worth it... 

The long dark tea-time of the soul

Thursday. 

We were going to go out, then decided against it, thinking that the best idea would be to buy food fresh tomorrow for Saturday, Sunday and Monday. Kev is planning a roast on Monday so we can watch the funeral and eat later. 

I received my one light pack from America and was able to try one of them out on a card so as I was cutting Igors for my dyalog next month I went with him. It turned quite well as you can see by the little video I made and published. My next challenge is to have a go at the light up scarecrow card that @playswellwithpaper made.

I coloured the images in with the new Distress watercolour pencils.

The long dark tea-time of the soul

Wednesday.

Some thoughtless git put their washing in and left it there past when it was done. So Kev took it out and put ours in. It was still sat in the basket when Kev had done all ours. There is a note up saying not to do that as it stops someone else using the machine. Rude.

We also watched the procession to take Her Maj to lie in state. Very moving and sombre. Princess Ann looked shattered, she hasn't left the Queen's side since they left Balmoral. I love that every time she does walk away from the coffin she does a deep curtsey. I've always loved Ann, she looks very frosty at times and you can tell she takes no crap. But given some of the idiots in her family, she learned from an early age no doubts. 

I'd like to say thanks to Karen Smurthwaite for sending me a package containing a stencil, some collage and one of Tim's water brush to use with the crayons of his that came last week

The long dark tea-time of the soul

Tuesday. 

Sue messaged me to say that her and Pete were feeling well enough to go out for lunch. We haven't seen them for a while as they have both had some kind of bug. 

So we headed to the city to meet up with them and went to Lloyd's no1 on the edge of Hockley. 

We had a lovely catch up, and good laugh. 

We did a little shopping, looked for Halloween stuff buy only found tat, Poundland is very poor this year, I hope it gets better, last year was epic. Wilkos had nothing and M&S in the city had nothing yet. 

We expect the supermarkets to be late as they always are. But come on chaps, some of us have Halloween to plan here... 

With a smidge of Christmas too, like doing our own Queen's speech...lol

Sharry Sinclair kindly let me use her photo from Edinburgh when the cortege went past. For my blog and dyalog. So thank you lady, very kind of you. ( I know you're reading, you killer ninja you!) 

The long dark tea-time of the soul

Monday.

We are following all that's occuring in the transition from Queen to King, and obviously the journey of the coffin. Someone online asked why I was so fascinated by it, I replied ( because they were moaning that there was too much coverage) I said simply that we are watching history unfold. I have only read about such things in history books, so yes it's interesting to me. It's not everyone's cup of tea I'll grant you, but I'm glad they are making a "thing" of it. I will perhaps not see anything like it again in my lifetime.

Of course being this day and age, the person I was replying to took umbridge to the fact that my opinion differed from theirs and resorted to insults, blah blah blah... Not quite covering their ignorance, no doubt the death of a monarch interfering with their watching of Love Island or some wonder of the reality TV era.

In other news they fetched the last of the mobility equipment back today, so that's all gone, another milestone in my road to recovery. Its amazing how much more space we have now. We had to do a ballet of sorts, to maneuver round the bungalow, but now that's all gone we can move freely in the bathroom and bedroom once more. 

The long dark tea-time of the soul

Sunday.

I got up when Kev did, I wasn't feeling great, a banging headache, feeling sick and a heightened since of smell, and sensitive to the light. The first signs for me of a migraine. I took my meds and went back to bed for an hour. 

When I woke up I felt better, so I had caught it time. I still had that fuzzy feeling like cotton wool stuffed into my head, so I didn't do anything at my desk. I sat with the TV on silent and just followed the procession of the Queens coffin from Balmoral down to Edinburgh. Without the commentary it was very watchable. 

I had an early night and slept well. 

The long dark tea-time of the soul

Saturday.

Although Kev was at work I had a busy day delivery wise. My new crayons came from Tim Holtz and other bits and bobs that I had ordered previously. I did some sorting out.

I got to play with the crayons, and I did my pages and planned a few more. 

I went to the bin with the rubbish with no stick, although that isn't far it's still another achievement and means hopefully that sometime in the near future I will be able to get about without one... 

It wasn't until we went to bed last night that we realised that the Queens funeral is on our Wedding Anniversary and Carol, Kevs Sisters Wedding Anniversary,  as well as a good friends birthday. It doesn't matter about ours as its not an important one, It just rang a bell when they announced it and I didn't think anymore about it until Kev said... I'm glad it's not at the weekend if I'm honest, it gives more people a day off in the week that way and less hassle for us as you can guarantee Sainsbury's and other Supermarkets will trade as usual. 

I do remember when it was Diana's funeral they gave you the option to watch the funeral then go into work. 

The long dark tea-time of the soul

Friday. 

We got up and ready early to go get the food in for the weekend. Just nipping into the village. We got the bus both ways, and we were the only people on there both times. 

We got home and did all the regular things we always do, keeping the news on in the background for a while until the political waffle started. All of them like the sound of their own voices and none of them are genuine in my opinion. 

We did watch the first broadcast by Charles ( weird saying King) I've never been much of a fan, but he did OK, I thought he held it together for saying he's just lost his Mother, and unless he's had acting lessons from Meghan, he seemed pretty genuine. 

Thinking about it, it can't be easy trying to fill the shoes of someone so loved, and good at the job. And if you really think about it imagine being 73 and suddenly have to step up and take over a full-time job. It would be like saying to my brother in law who is a similar age, right now you have to work X amount of hours a day, 7 days a week, until you yourself pass away. Can't imagine it. At 59 and Kev 64 two days at work is enough... I don't envy him. And I know that succession is written in stone, and that's the price we pay for a monarchy, but I still think we are better off having a king than anything else. I'm not intelligent enough to know what we would have in place of the monarchy, or all that would entail. I am certain however that this country would be poorer both financially and culturally if we didn't have one. The revenue bought in by the pomp and circumstance of Royalty alone is enough in my book to warrant a figurehead. By all means cut back the hangers on, and dismiss those that took advantage of their positions, yes, Andrew that means you... Let's just hope Charlie boy learns to be half the diplomat his Mother was, and leaves a decent impression during his reign so that his Son can take over when he needs to. Personally, I think William will make a great King, let's hope Charlie gives him the lions share of the work rather than try and do it all himself.

The long dark tea-time of the soul.

Thursday.

The whole day was overshadowed by the death of Queen Elizabeth the 2nd. It was lunchtime when it was announced that she was gravely ill and the family were travelling to be with her... Such a sad day. We will never see her like again. 

I had never met her, never seen her, apart from on the TV. But I've never known another monach. And despite that it feels like the passing of an era not just another person. 

She had dignity and grace and a fierce sense of duty, that I think the other Royals lack. I might be wrong but I don't think Charles will be up to the job, and I still wish it had gone to William instead. 

Strange days... 

The long dark tea-time of the soul

Wednesday.

I was at the hairdressers for 10 past 10 so we got the bus to the school and walked to the precinct from there. 

Amazing work on my hair as always by Amanda who has put the black and copper back in my hair. We had a discussion about trying purple streaks for the Cure gig in December. 

We walked back. I had a bit of an upset tum later in the afternoon. I'm putting it down to atmospherics as long and behold around six pm there a few rumbles of thunder. 

Kev went into the bedroom to watch the match and I watched a bit of TV. Thankfully the thunder didn't come again .

The long dark tea-time of the soul

Tuesday. 

Up and ready to go out despite the gloomy weather, we decided to head down the canal to Homesense and Sainsbury's. 

We took our time, making a few stops where we could and I managed quite well. I managed just over 7,000 steps in total which is well done me. 

I suffered for it once home. But I am proud of how far my hard work has taken me. I still have my doubts, like will I ever build up to to doing a normal day like before, but when you look at the fact that I had difficulty before and an undiagnosed condition, I've certainly done well. 

Anyhow, we found a few bits on our adventures a skeleton typewriter and a new water bottle for me ready for going back to work. As well as a canvas shopper that we found in Sainsbury's. 

When we went in there at Castle Marina we bumped into Adam Bousefield. Who used to be deputy at Arnold until recently. Lovely chap, and happy to see me up and out of my wheelchair. 

Once we had done the little bit of shopping we needed we started the walk back. It was a long arduous walk for me. But with a few rest stops, my thanks to Kev who's endless patience knows no bounds and despite carrying heavy bags with no help, kept his temper well when I needed to stop and sit. 

Once we got back to the station we had a stop off at Starbucks for the first pumpkin spice latte of the season. In fact I had the cold brew and Kev the Frapachino, as by then the sun was out and it was a tad warm. 

When we got home. I did my revitive to ease my aching legs and feet and Kev massaged my good bad leg ( which is the right one with the tin can parts, for those not familiar with how I describe my dodgy legs) the left one is my old bad leg and is actually more of a pain than my good bad leg. And if they'd said that needed removing I would have coped better with not having... it makes sense to me anyway...

The long dark tea-time of the soul

Monday.

A quiet day in so Kev could rest up after a hard weekend at work. I wanted to start getting more of my cards done. I think I have now finished my Halloween cards so I need to start getting Christmas sorted. 

I make about 30 for me in total but I have about 40 for others. And then of course, they'll be tags. So, if I start now I'll have plenty of time. I've managed to do about 10 so far. 

Other than creating I did all my usual stuff exercises, chore etc. 

And now a thought for today... 

People are a balance of good and bad, dark and light, you can't have one without the other. Yes I can be kind, and yes I can be generous. I can also be mean, angry and the rest of it. I could if I put my mind to it be downright evil. That doesn't make me a bad person, it doesn't make me a good person. It makes me a person. And let's face it no one is perfect. Perfection doesn't exist. If you search for it you'll only be disappointed. 

The long dark tea-time of the soul.

Sunday.

I got up around 8 am. Really dull day outside.

I did my exercises etc and then got my boxes out to sort out all the cards made and line them and make sure they are ready to go when I'm ready to send them.

Also I have a good idea of how many I have. 

During the night we had a massive storm right overhead. It lightened and thundered straight after. Not nice for me, as I am quite frightened. It gives me a headache and an upset tum. 

I did well though I stayed in bed ( mainly because the curtains are blackout lined) usually I get up. But I still don't like it much. 

The long dark tea-time of the soul.

Saturday.

I got up before Kev went as I was awake, after doing all my regular stuff and spilling half my breakfast over my new pj's! Clumsy or what? I hand washed them and hung them out to dry. I made breakfast again ( toast this time, lol) and then set too and played with the new stamps The Scarecrow and Unraveled, I've nicknamed them Bert and Ernie. Chatting to Karen as I did so, which helps both of us feel a bit less lonely. I shall miss that actually when I head back to work. 

I watched Tim's live showing the distress pencils until Kev got home and then he put the cricket on, it was the 100 final and Trent Rockets won barely, nearly throwing it away at the last minute like last year. 

Charlotte nipped round for a coffee and a chat, so she had to suffer the cricket bless her. At least the 100 like 20/20 isn't like watching a test match which is as bad as watching paint dry, or for Kev watching Tim Holtz colouring in a background... lol

The long dark tea-time of the soul.

Friday. 

We got up around 8am. Showered and got ready to go out. We were only heading to Bridgeford to get what we needed for the weekend. 

We weren't out long, however there were buses missing all day so the bus we got back was busy and there was a queue of people at The Manvers in the village so that's always a good indication that one hasn't shown up.

We got back just in time for my stamps to arrive and Ian and Charlotte to bring the shopping from Aldi ( all the heavy bits and stuff that is so much cheaper there than anywhere else)

After lunch I started playing with the new stamps, they are very detailed especially the scarecrow, which is my favourite. I always wanted his die from years back but was never fortunate enough to find one. So having the stamp set sort of makes up for it. 

We watched the start of The Umbrella Academy season two and am just as confused at the start of this, as I was at season one! In a good way like it's very clever and I think I have a grasp on where it might be heading. 

I had a nice chat with EB later in the evening and a long overdue catch up. 

 

The long dark tea-time of the soul

Wednesday.

Wash day so we were up fairly early. Kev managed to hang the washing out as it was a perfect drying day. 

He then went down to the village to Heron to get a few bits and bobs. 

As I was having a rest day I stayed in. 

I was waiting on a few parcels then remembered the post was on strike. They are in the system somewhere. One is my Tu clothing order Halloween Pj's ( has to be done) and a T shirt and leggings. Some people have new pj's for Christmas eve, but I like a new Halloween pair personally. 

I've set too and prepped my dyalog for September so it's ready to use. 

Thursday. 

Didn't have the best nights sleep, a bit of a nightmare that I can't remember, so both of us got up, I had a peppermint tea, and did a sleepscape to try and get myself back into sleep mode. I must have been up an hour or more. 

We both went back to bed and slept through until nine am. 

A couple of the parcels came, my pj's and the autumn paper pack I had expected a few days ago. Just my heart from the art parcel still to come. 

I continued to prep my September dyalog. I did my feedback for the physio team. And of course that was good feedback because both Jack and Clair have been brilliant and have got me this far by giving a plan and the right exercises to move me forward. I in turn have done them and more stuff besides, but you need good guidance.