In Between Days

Tuesday.

After a chilled out and relaxed Monday, we contacted Sue to find out if and where we were meeting.

We met them at Lloyd's in the city. Sue had some shopping to do, and we thought as we were in the city we may as well get a few bits too...

It was lovely to see them both, as it always is. I never take our meet ups for granted. Pete had been poorly for a couple of weeks, but there are so many bugs and viruses about I'm not surprised. 

City was heaving, and I was glad to get home. I did find a quirky little candle stick in TK Maxx though, it reminds me of one of Dyan's stamps... picture below... 

In Between Days

Sunday.

Another bitterly cold day. 

Busy from the get go at work, and large orders coming through. Lots of booze and gifting, the descent in to madness begins. City was mental too, the Winter Wonderland looked packed with skaters, shoppers and the like... 

Definitely think it's time to stay out of the centre until after Christmas now, obviously having to go into work means we have to pass through on at least two days a week, but shopping we will stick to the retail parks this side of the divide as much as we can. 

Willow instantly wanted cuddles as we got in, and once I was changed and had eaten I obliged... Bless her, she is a little fuss pot... 

In Between Days

Saturday.

Bitterly cold start. I wore a coat, my fleece under that and even earmuffs. Tights under my trousers and fingerless gloves. The earmuffs worked a treat, if I wear hat my hair just sticks to my head after I take it off because its so fine. But they keep my ears warm without flattening my hair. I kept my gloves and fleece on for on the shop floor as it was so cold down there. 

The shop isn't any better than it was when we broke up... It looks a tip and there's no flow or sense to where they've put stuff. In the many years I've worked for them as a company, I've never felt so embarrassed to work for a branch. I don't know why they didn't shut, get it done and reopen. Working round us isn't great, and customers hate the changes. But hey, I'm not in charge and the powers that be make the decisions ( but not always for the best). As Christmas draws ever closer I'm dreading it, a tough trading period as it is, combined with chaos and change... Wonderful, not... 

We got home to soup and hot mulled spice ribena, a favourite of ours in the cold weather. Lots of warm cuddles with Willow, the fake fire on ( it might not give off any heat, but watching the flames makes you feel warmer)

A nice relaxed evening watching TV and a fairly early night after a 5.30am start... Nothing better.

In Between Days

Friday. 

I had to go to the Doctors first thing. Another blood test, I swear they have more of my blood than I do... Vampires... 

Anyhow after that Charlotte came round and we went to Bridgeford to have coffee at that 200° coffee house. And very nice it was too. We nipped into M&S for a few bits, and Kev wanted a festive bake from Greggs... 

We got back and watched I'm a Celebrity with Charlotte until she was caught up.

In Between Days

Thursday.

We got up and got ready to shop for the weekend food. This time we got the 33 and went to Gamston to Morrisons. Not too busy and we got what we needed. A few ignorant shoppers as always in there, walking into you, reaching over you, and blocking aisles. There and M&S in Bridgeford are worst. 

Anyway that done we got back and put it all away... 

I was thinking as you do, about being thankful, being as it was Thanksgiving Day for my US friends, how many times are we truly grateful for what and who we have in our lives? I know lives are busy, and I'm as guilty of it as anyone. But we really are lucky in lots of ways. Kev and I are lucky because we have a permanent home, and we actually like where we live, yes it has a few drawbacks transport wise, but we live somewhere quiet and very near to woodlands and countryside. We have our health, yes we both have our niggles, but overall if we look after ourselves we can do pretty much what we want to. My mobility isn't as good as it was, granted, but I've worked hard to get as much movement back as I can. Thanks to determined efforts from me. I'm grateful for having Kev by my side to help and encourage as much as he does. 

I'm also grateful for the family and friends we have. Some have always walked this path of ours alongside us, some are more recent to our journey. All are very welcome. And most importantly I am grateful for the chance to look after and love Willow... She is so adorable and loving... 

So, stop for a moment and think about what you are thankful for... You'll find what you have far outweighs what you don't...

In Between Days

Tuesday. 

A wet drizzly day, but we still went out. I had a few things I needed shower gel, tea tree oil, and eye drops. 

City was very busy, and getting close to the time that we stop going in under any circumstances. As it was, they didn't have the baubles we wanted, good old Amazon came to rescue again. Kev spotted a T shirt in Next and they didn't have his size, so, I ordered it him when we got back. He can have it for his Birthday. We did manage to get the festive room spray though from the actual shop. 

We had tacos for lunch, pleased that Taco Bell now to plant based mince to chose from and they were lovely. 

In Between Days

Sunday.

Lovely to stay in bed past 8, I got up and showered as we were going out for Lunch to Streza. Also I had a lady coming to buy my Big Shot plus machine. I found some spare new plates for it and Kev dug out some A4 embossing folders that I won't be able to use any more. So she came about 11.30 am and gave me more than I was asking for because  of the extras. 

That done we headed out for the walk to the village to Streza for Sunday lunch. 

First off Kev spotted a mobility scooter that he recognised as his from Number 4! Bugger! 

Luckily he was nearly done, and he bought us a coffee, he wouldn't take no for an answer. Like Kev says, no one talks to him now Jane is gone, so he has to try and buy his friends now. I'd feel sorry for him, if he hadn't been such a nosey nasty git when we first moved here and he tried very hard to get us evicted. I don't forget or forgive, I don't have dementia and I'm not Jesus... Seems like no one else here is either, as apart from hello and basic politeness, no one in the community gives him the time of day. He is now reaping what he and Jane sowed. Being a Hitler with the laundry keys, reporting everything and anything, from putting rubbish in the "wrong" bins to not tidying the garden, or in our case having decorations up for Halloween, which backfired actually because we are the only ones paying full rent and council tax in this area, so we were told that we were within our rights to put up outdoor decorations. 

Anyhow, the actual meal was gorgeous. Really good value, well cooked, served quickly and we would definitely go again if we are at home on a Sunday. 

We walked back and settled down to relax... A lovely day away from work... 

In Between Days

Saturday.

So lovely being off. Woke up naturally and did exactly what we planned. Nothing. We booked the weekend off because the lights were being switched on in Bridgeford and last year we got stuck in traffic until 7pm, so, booking it off meant we didn't have that problem. It gave us chance to finish the Christmas gift shopping, and book a Sunday roast at Streza.I got more cards done and the tags finished. Bliss... 

In Between Days

Friday.

Hair day. I really was ready to get it done, I've gone a plummy red colour this time. But, I did have it cut slightly shorter as my next appointment won't be until after Christmas and I wanted it to look nice. 

When I got done we went for lunch at The Manvers, because when Charlotte and I went the other week Kev wasn't with us. 

Again the fish and chips were lovely and Kev had room for a pudding, so he had crumble... My plates came for my big shot foldaway, so the card and tag production can start again. 

In Between Days

Thursday.

A dull start, but we braved it out down to Lady Bay to the Range and Hobbycraft. We got the last Christmas gift on the list, now all we need to do is wrap them. They're all in a huge Santa sack in bedroom, 

I was most disappointed in Hobbycraft their papercraft section is very poor at the moment. I needed new plates for my foldaway big shot. They had none. I ended up ordering some from Amazon.

It wasn't too bad a day weather wise, but I was more impressed by my walking, I managed nearly 8,000 with only one sit down for lunch. Mind you, I felt it by the time we got home and I rested up. 

In Between Days

Tuesday. 

We went out to The Goose at Gamston with Sue and Pete, their treat. The food was lovely as it always is there, with good friendly service. 

They offered to take us to Morrisons after, so we could get some of the shopping we needed, and then bring us home after. 

We had a laugh, and to be honest it was nice to walk around a shop that's not being torn apart by a refit. 

We got home after and chilled out. I made a lot of cards yesterday so, I had a break today, and will start tags tomorrow.

In Between Days

Sunday.

A cold start with a sprinkling of frost on the rooftops. 

We got lucky by getting the 58 before the 9am detour because of the Rememberance parade. So we got dropped off outside work. Winner!

Day started out slow, the parade etc stopping people coming to shop until later. Then all hell broke loose and we didn't stop until close. 

Day went quickly enough though because of it, and we made the earlier 58 as it was running late, so we got into town in bags of time. 

The Cotgrave turned up for once and we made it home in decent time. And double yay, we are now on holiday this week... Hopefully we can finish up the last of the Christmas present shopping, and I can get more of the cards and tags done this week... 

In Between Days

Saturday.

Work. All good apart going home, we hit traffic, not knowing why it was so backed up. It soon came to light there was a protest march through the centre of Nottingham. Which was taking place and blocking certain areas of the city at different times. 

We couldn't get a tram as they were at that point walking down the tram lines. We had to walk down Beastmarket hill, alongside them. It felt pretty intimidating if I'm honest, and a little scary. Although they were peaceful enough, a large group of people all shouting at the same time in close proximity was unnerving to say the least. 

We consequently missed the 33, and just made the Cotgrave by the skin of our teeth... 

In Between Days

Friday.

We made plans to meet up with Margaret Taylor and her Husband Robert. They were coming over to the theatre and staying over at The Premier Inn. 

We met them at the Railway station and we walked up to the Robuck, where we had drinks and they had breakfast. I loved the fact they had expresso martinis because its coffee... lol... 

We sat chatting and had a couple more drinkies before we went a walk round the Winter Wonderland. We ordered a mulled cider at the apres bar and we sat watching people skating in the skyskate...

It was lovely to see them both we haven't seen them since we left Burton. 

When we were homeless one night when I was having to do my late night and had no where to sleep because I couldn't get back to Kirkby where we living with friends, they kindly let me sleep there. I've never forgotten their kindness. 

We soon ran out of time as they had to check into their hotel, so we parted company. I hope we get to meet up again soon... 

In Between Days

Tuesday.

We went to the city to start some of our Christmas shopping... 

We went to TK Maxx and Lush and Holland and Barrett. So a few got and a few ordered. And a few more to get including Willows... We had lunch at Popeyes I just had the chicken wrap. 

We got home and settled in for a cosy night in.

In Between Days

Sunday.

Busy work day that went well, but that's where it ends. The 58 bus was late, so it made it touch and go for Kev to nip to the shops. But in the end it was to no avail because the bus to Cotgrave didn't show up for an hour and a half. We got to five minutes into the wait and got up and headed for a taxi. It cost us £24 together home but worth every penny, as if we had waited we would not have got home until 7.30pm. As it was we walked in at 5.45... 

Monday.

Kev took the outside decorations down apart from the hanging basket which will stay up until the Christmas one goes up in December... 

I've finally started my Christmas cards, so that I can enjoy making them at my own pace... I watched Tim do his his holiday hoopla video where he mixes old and new and dies together, which made me do something similar myself... 

In Between Days

Friday.

Kev went into work extra. So I woke yp partially went the alarm went off and while he got ready, but I snuggled back down with Willow and we both nodded off untilaelround 8am. I got up and dressed, because I was expecting Ian with the Aldi shopping. I hoovered and started to sort out my craft area, ready for the weekend. We've put the air con units out the way now. One is under my desk, the other in the bedroom behind the tiered trolley.

I got showered and changed ready for Charlotte coming round at 11, we were off to the Manvers for lunch. And very nice it was too, busy, bit the food and the service were spot on. The waitress spoke to Charlotte by name, but she hadn't got a clue who she was.

It's horrible when that happens, you sit there trying to figure out who the bloody hell it is... Its happened to me plenty of times... 

Apart from that we had a nice meal, and a gin, then got on the bus back to hours. 

We watched Coco on Disney plus apt as it was Day of the Dead on Thursday.

Saturday.

Joy of joys it was back toß work, It wasn't bad, just buzsy... It rained constantly and I was very surprised when we got off the 33 and there was fireworks going off on East Moor...

The display isn't on at the welfare until Sunday, so we can expect a lot more then. We got home had a chilli and watched throw away TV until about 10pm when we went for an early night...

In Between Days.

Wednesday.

Wash Day. We changed the sheets but not the Halloween bedding yet. We just put another Halloween set on ( as you do, as we have several )

Christmas bedding will not go on until December! We are not Disney World We don't do Christmas until then. The girls don't get hats until then.

Thursday.

Grotty weather day, lucky we only got the fringes of the storm, that battered other areas... 

We went to Sainsbury's for our food shop because Kev is at work on Friday. So we literally got food and were back on the next bus home. 

We spent the day sorting stuff out... I got rid of quite a bit. I will do more over the next couple of weeks. Now Halloween is over I've put a few bit of stuff on UK Halloween watch, let's see if I get any takers...