In Between Days

Tuesday.

We went into town. We got off the bus and went on the tram to get to TKMAXX for code orange shopping. They hadn't got much, but I did get a new large coffin candle. 

We got back just in time to meet Sue and Pete at the tram stop outside the Joseph Else, so we could get the tram up to The Gooseberry Bush near the Arboretum. 

The trams were running fast today, and although Pete got off in time, Kev Sue and I did not he shut the doors. So we got off and caught the next one back to meet up with Pete. 

We had lunch and a quick catch up. Then we caught the tram back to the Market Square, and after parting company with Sue and Pete, we sat near the beach with an ice cream. Let me just say that wasn't great, in fact very poor. I wish we'd just gone to the regular ice cream van instead. So my weekly treat wasn't as nice as I hoped. It's such a disappointment when that happens as I look forward to my weekly ice cream in the Sumner. Oh, well, you live and learn. 

After that we came home as it was red hot and we wanted to get in the cool. Both chillers on, and my neck fan on while I worked on my pages.

In Between Days

Sunday.

Busy, busy day. But fun in most part, with regulars that I see on Sundays including my Eeyore man. Who was a little more jolly than usual, perhaps the sunny day helped? Who knows... 

Hardly any zombies, maybe they too respond to nice weather. Lots of bbq stuff sold and lots of stuff to keep kids entertained too, like bat and balls, water pistols, paddling pools. Even down to sketch pads and pencils... We got both buses OK and glad to be home and out of the heat.

Monday

So, they were right about how hot it was going to get. Kev went to the shops early, to avoid it. I hid away indoors with the chiller on, I caught up on pages and did my calendar page for August. New Tim Holtz dies dropped today, and I ordered the bundle... Also some mugs from Asda, villains ones, as we are retiring some we've had a couple of years that don't exactly do what we wanted them for, they don't keep the drinks warm for one thing and are a bit hard to drink from as pretty as they are it's time to part company. They are coming Wednesday so, we will need to shift the others pretty quick. 

In Between Days

Friday.

So a weird one, had contact from someone I used to work with at Burton in the pharmacy. Weird that they chose now, just being nosy, and expected me to add them to my friends on Facebook. Sorry, not happening. You have to remember that at least 50% of people that join you on there are doing so not because they like you, but are being nosy. This one had obviously run out of gossip fodder at work and was looking for an in. I did reply to her DM and politely tell them that I don't add people to my social media accounts anymore. And what was it it that they wanted to know. Yes I'm alive and well, and happy both at home and at work ( which I never was at Burton) the few people that I have on Facebook were the ones that stood by me when I needed someone. Margaret Taylor, Sue Hodson Walker and Andrea Hazelhurst were there when the shit hit the fan. I think they were a little taken aback, that I was so blunt,  but there you go. 

Saturday.

Work.

A bit dull weather wise, and very busy as people were stocking up on snacks etc because the kids have broken up. 

Pride was on so the buses were late outside the shop, which meant we missed the 33. Luckily the Cotgrave was more or less on time. 

In Between Days

Thursday.

We walked by the canal, went for coffee at the Costa there, by means of a rest. 

We went to Homesense and found a bust of Edgar Allan Poe, part skull his one eye lights up. 

As well as that I got a Halloween faux cake, being diabetic I can't eat a lot of cake these days, so a fake one looks good minus the sugar intake. Plus it looks good with the "kids" my group of trick or treaters and Sadie loves it. So another successful days code orange shop! 

We then went to Sainsbury's at Castle Marina to get lunch, and an Uber home to save our aching legs. 

In Between Days

Tuesday. 

We met up with Sue and Pete today, first time we had seen them in a couple of weeks because they'd both been poorly. A virus or something, but it laid them both low. It was lovely to see them, and we had a good chat and laugh as we always do. 

On our way into town we were at the bus stop when a cat fight broke out between three women. Two at the actual bus stop, and one in a car, that had driven up to them and was hurling abuse. It escalated quickly and Kev stepped into separate them. Eventually they parted and Kev got on the bus and so did the two women who had been waiting at the bus stop initially. We hadn't gone far when the younger of the two women collapsed, she has epilepsy apparently. Kev helped the older women hold her while she came round. Obviously very distraught. The upshot of stress I'm guessing. The woman in the car it appears had followed the bus into town, no doubt to continue the argument. As we left she was too scared to leave the bus and the driver was helping her. 

It was all a bit of a drama. And I was glad to leave them to it if I'm honest. It's not something I like witnessing first hand. 

In Between Days

Monday.

Our usual chill out day. I caught up with my pages after finding a home for my new stamps and dies from Dyan. 

I finally got the boots back from the buyer who bought them on Vinted who " didn't realise they were a size 7" I had to contact Vinted as it had gone past the window for them to send them back, and they had sent me the money into my account. All sorted finally. I loaded them back up let's see if they sell. 

Other than that and it being a humid day nothing much happened. Which is just what the doctor ordered after a busy weekend at work.

In Between Days

Sunday.

Warm and sultry. A little cooler than Saturday but not by much. Nice and cool in the shop though.

Saw the regular customers apart from my Eeyore man who shops fortnightly. It was a good day with only a few Sunday Zombies. Just one bloke who decided to try and wear my name out, by being unfamiliar. That is why I hate having to wear one, I get the need for it, but then you get a twonk who thinks it their God given right to use it at every possible juncture. Like, Hello Michelle, could I have a bag Michelle, how much is that Michelle, Thank you Michelle, they are only buying five items so it's in a span of about a minute, tops. Over the top, and if you want opinion passive aggressive. Like it's OK mate, you proved you can read, and now you know my name. Congratulations, now do one. Of course I'm just sitting there with my smile plastered on my face, being the professional that I am. In my head I'm lighting the bonfire that will burn him... 

Apart from him most people were pleasant, and we got done and headed home. The 4.15 58 was running late, so we dropped lucky, getting to the bus stop for 20 past as it pulled up. As we were a little earlier in town we popped in Tesco to do a bit of extra shopping. The Cotgrave was on time for once, and when we got on we saw why. The driver thought he was Max Verstappen. We hit every pot hole at about sixty mph. I am surprised I still have a spine intact. Your life in their hands indeed. Relieved to be off that thrill ride and make it home. 

In Between Days

Saturday.

Work.

A muggy start after a fitful night, sleep evaded me as it often does when I'm hot. The chiller was on all night but it didn't combat the residual heat in the bedroom. These bungalows are so insulated that we don't need much heat in the winter ( which is great) but these hotter if shorter summers will kill you. They should build in AC as standard, because the temperatures are rising year on year. 

Anyhow it was a good day at work and to add to that we got the 33 which meant we were home for 5.15pm. 

In Between Days

Thursday.

We went into Bridgeford for coffee with Charlotte as it was a scorching day, Charlotte got a frappe latte, Kev got a regular latte, and I had a Mango Spritz, very nice. We sat on the avenue and people watched while we drank them. Then we went to M&S to get fruit and some flowers. I got avalanche roses and scented stocks. 

In the evening we watched A Quiet Place. A very tense movie, and plenty of jump scares! 

In Between Days

Wednesday.

Wash day. Mariola put hers in first, but she did leave Kev a note explaining why, which was OK as she only had one lot in for 25 minutes. So no real damage done. Kev put it all out on the rotary dryer. 

I got the hoovering done, and my pages. It was too warm to do loads. 

Expecting parcels from Art from the Heart and Disney... New Haunted House incoming, yay... 

In Between Days

Tuesday.

Up and ready to go out we decided to venture to the canal and then on to the retail parks near Castle Marina. Home Sense has Code Orange in and I was excited to go see what there was to find. 

There was a lot to see, as they had a lot out. I could have bought loads, but as I have a lot already, I picked through and found a clock and a book on a stand with Nevermore written on it that matches the Poe type writer we have on the haunted reception desk display. The clock I wasn't sure about as it was a  faux wooden one, rustic, but slightly too light in colour for my taste. Kev assured me he could change it to fit in my aesthetic. And as usual he did... Now I love it... 

We had an Uber home in order to get it home safe, and by then I'd done enough walking.

But all in all a successful trip, with many more to come I am sure... 

Photos are of the clock, before and after. 

In Between Days.

Sunday.

Work. A good day, really busy but that was to be expected because of the football. All my regular customers except my Eeyore man, who only shops fortnightly. 

I did see the grey haired guy who always used to shop with his wife, but last year she fell ill, and I have always asked how she is, sadly he told me she passed away on Thursday. I felt awful. He could hardly speak, and I didn't know what to say, except the obvious sorry. I was blinking back tears, myself, because he looked so lost. There is nothing you can do, not a word that you can say that will help. It's hard.

I served him the best I could, and he gave me a ghost of a smile, by the way of a thanks. 

The thing is the day after that just chugged along as it always does, life as they say goes on... 

We got into town ok, if a little later because the bus was picking loads of people up heading to town to watch the match. 

I couldn't wait to leave the city centre. I don't feel safe anymore after a certain time, when there are large groups around. It no longer feels as safe as it used to. Possibly was never safe, but I think you notice it more the older you get. I know for certain that I would no longer want to go out in the city as we used to. During the day fine, but not later. 

England lost the match by the way, just in case you've not been on the planet at all, not a shock, I don't actually think they ever will. 

In Between Days

Saturday.

A busy but good day at work. Everyone buzzing about the England match on Sunday. Loads of booze selling and by the time I was done my back, shoulder and wrist hurt from lifting box after box of lager and beers. One bloke had a heavy cat lit in the bottom of his trolley and my gun is broke so I had to lift that out and put the number in! No wonder I got home and had to take pain killers and use ibuprofen gel in certain areas. 

Another woman had a packet soup with a hole in. It had gone all over her shopping and the belt. Did she tell me? No. She just dumped said packet on the edge of the till and let it carry on until it was empty. Obviously worried she would have to pay for it, because she had damaged it by dumping everything on the belt the way she had. You have to work in retail to see what customers are capable and how some behave. It beggars belief sometimes. And if I didn't work through it I wouldn't believe it either. We often said when we had the pub that we should have kept a diary and written a book afterwards. But again, people would think it fiction. Same in food retail ( or any retail for that matter...) 

Regardless it was a decent enough shift and we managed to get the 33 home. Which made it easier. 

In Between Days

Thursday.

A mixed bag of a day weather wise, sunny one minute, raining the next. 

Kev in his weird and wacky way has decided to plant the tops off the fresh pineapples we've had lately. Just to see what happens. A free fun experiment, be a laugh if it pays off, but I'm not holding my breath. We don't have much luck on growing stuff. House plants die quickly in this house. He certainly didn't inherit his Dad's green fingers. He was, up until his Parkinsons took his mobility from him in the latter stages always in his greenhouse growing runner beans and tomatoes to name a couple. I used to love his runner beans. 

I am up to date on my dyalog and next week I need to do some cards. 

In Between Days

Wednesday.

Another wash day drama, as some other idiot decided to put their washing in. For an hour each wash! Kev obviously blew a fuse and told them that they'd taken our slot. He ended up doing it late afternoon which is not ideal, but what else can you do. His words must have made an impact though, because the person responsible walked past him later on and they avoided him and looked away. Kev can have quite a temper on him when he wants. This is exactly why I stopped doing the washing, there are some selfish gits in this community.

We very rarely want the washer any other day, and if we do we respect the fact that others "have their slot" and will wait until they are done. Do they do the same? No. 

Anyway, because we couldn't get done, we went to Bridgeford for a coffee with Charlotte. She can't walk far so, going to 200° isn't too far from the bus stop. 

We got the bus back and got off at Shepherds for lunch. We got home around 2pm and Kev went over around 3 to take the washing. 

Good delivery day as my new page holder came from Etsy. It's a brass one that has a Mary Shelley quote on it. I thought it was a lovely way to remember going to her graveside and more poignant because it's anatomical heart shape and buried with her is Percy Shelley's heart... 

Also, Willow's lix e lix stash came from Pets at home which will keep her going for a bit, as it's getting harder to find different flavours in the shops. She gets bored with the same flavours all the time so getting them online is the only way she gets a change. 

My lemon tea also came from Amazon, another thing I struggle to get just from shopping. So I gave in and ordered 6 jars from them so I have plenty and can keep a jar at work too.

We watched the new release from Dyan Reaveley, more stamps and this time dies ( Dy's dies, lol) to cut them out with. So obviously I ordered them... Cute toadstools and gnomes, snails and Robins with hats and gloves etc... Will make cute cards as well as pages. So they'll be here back end of next week... 

In Between Days.

Tuesday.

We couldn't meet Sue and Pete because sadly Pete is poorly. She was quite worried about him, but I've had an update and it looks like he is making some progress for the better. Bless him... He's my only Brother in Law and both of us love him to bits, so I'll be glad to hear when he is feeling much better... 

So we had shopping to do, so we went into town on a mizzly, drizzly day. We had coffee instead of lunch out, got our stuff and came home ASAP it's no fun walking around in the rain. It was muggy as all hell too, I had a spirit jersey on, and was sweating cobblers. You just don't know how to dress. 

Later on we watched a documentary on Netflix called American Nightmare. A true story of a woman kidnapped from her home and basically accused of hoaxing it all. Really worth a watch, scary to think something like that can happen to you, and no one believes you. 

In Between Days

Sunday.

Work. 

A different vibe on a Sunday with a smaller group of people. I'm always early because I go in with Kev, so I grab some quiet time in the canteen beforehand. I read or play scrabble on my phone. Depends what mood I'm in. The few of us that work Sunday drift in about 9.45 am onwards and I usually head down to checkouts about five to, in order to get stuff I need like cloths, spray cleaner, carrier bags and a basket to chuck left behinds/hangers in. As we open for browsing there are always people milling about, and always one already waiting by the  checkouts waiting for us to start, which we can't until dead on 10am legally. Mostly they know and wait patiently, you get the odd one tapping their fingers, clearing their throats in an attempt to "jog" us on. It's not going to happen folks, so give it a rest. 

Decent enough day, busy naturally, and got off tills just about in time to clock out. I walked to the bus stop on my own as Kev was finishing off and he joined me about five minutes later. 

We got both buses OK.

Monday.

Our usual chill out day. Parcels came that I was expecting, Art from the Heart, inks and water pens, plus a stencil. Kev filled the water pens with the inks, I have about 12 now, as I much prefer those to colour with. Kevs hands looked like an explosion in a paint factory afterwards, but he used shampoo to wash his hands in and it came right off. I had a bit of play, doing some pages in my dyalog, I tend to place the images in first let them dry fully, and go back to each page as I work through daily. That way I don't kill pens by going in when the glue is still wet. Things will change at the end of this year with the dyalog not being available anymore, and I'm still deciding what I will do to replace it. I might keep my ledger journal for that and maybe do a weekly page. I'm not sure yet... 

In Between Days

Friday.

Hair day. I've waited 7 weeks as Amanda was on holiday when my next appointment was due, and Charlotte cut it on the interim. So the colour had bleached out, and it was ready to be done.

As always, she did a fantastic job. Always feel better when my hair looks as it should. 

Saturday.

Work. 

Strange one, not customer wise but colleague wise. First time in a long time where I felt unwelcome. Couldn't put my finger on it, but both before I started and on my break, just certain people have that aura about them, and there is no point joining in the chat, because they talk over you. I miss Janet, as no matter what she would always chat to me. Oh well, it's not as bad as the old days, these days I just shrug my shoulders and get on with it.

A couple of them even upset Kev, they'd said something to him ( he wouldn't elaborate) and he said it wouldn't be said if a member of management was around. They don't know him that well, shocked when he fired back at them. They think he like me won't answer back... Wrong... I just remember the saying. Not everyone that smiles at you is your friend. Go to work, do your job, get paid, go home... Sad but true. 

In Between Days

Thursday.

Got up, got ready and went out to vote. 

I sold a lot of stuff on Vinted so Kev nipped the parcels round, so my pile is slowly going down, hopefully it won't take long to get rid. It's already easier to find stuff. 

You do get some cheeky gits asking you to reduce the price to whatever they want to pay, but the price I've chosen is the price I stick too. At least unlike EBAY you don't have to take what is offered, you can say no. Which is perfect for me. 

In Between Days

Wednesday.

Busy day as I got Kev to empty the top cupboard above the built in wardrobe. I actually thought I had more bags and shoes than I had, and when it came down to it there was only three bags that I needed to part with. Along with two pairs of boots, and two pairs of sandals. 

As soon as the photos were uploaded on Vinted,  I sold one pair of sandals and one bag, along with someone asking if I could reserve one bag until Friday when she gets paid. If that doesn't pay off I can reload the bag. 

I also received my new bras from shapermint which then provided me a perfect excuse to clear a bin bag of old undies to go into the recycling bin. Next week I'll start on the wardrobe... Even with my one in one out policy it can soon mount up what I have that I really should let go of. When you do it really feels good 

In Between Days

Monday. 

As usual our chill out day, I spent the majority of it prepping my July dyalog, it is one of the pre decorated ones, so I just have the borders to add.

Tuesday.

We went into town and did some shopping. Kev took the brolly in the hopes that it kept the rain away and it did! We needed fruit, and we needed to check TKMAXX for code orange as its getting time for it to drop. Not that I need any, but you know me and Halloween... We had lunch at KFC because Kev loves it, and I can have popcorn chicken and corn on the cob... I can't eat much anymore, so rather than waste food I'd rather have that because I can bring the extra home and air fryer it and finish it later ( or Kev can!)