In Between Days

Monday.

As tomorrow is the first of October and therefore the first day of Halloween, it was time for Kev to go in the loft and fetch down the boxes of Halloween decor ( we do have stuff that does get packed away!) Like the tree decorations and odd bits and bobs we change out, rotate if you will. 

It was hard work for him bless, even with my help, so we changed it up by leaving the twig tree in place and hanging the Halloween baubles from that. It actually looks pretty good, better than the black tree looked last year. 

Talking of which, Kev put that on the Cotgrave noticeboard free to a good home. Hopefully the person who responded will pick it up tomorrow afternoon. 

So, after a lot of lifting and shifting on Kev's part,  all the boxes went back into the loft. 

Once the tree was done and stuff for the party sorted into bags and boxes we had a rest and later on we watched The Exorcist Believer. Cracking movie, as good as the original one, and I've watched a few of the other prequels and sequels which are mostly awful, but this one was bang on. 

In Between Days

Saturday.

So nice to see 5.30am on 5he clock and roll back over and sleep. Willow came in and settled on my legs, without having to be disturbed. 

We eventually got up at 8.30 am and pottered around doing projects etc... As we had shopped on Friday there was no need for either of us to go out.

You could tell Willow was happy purring and snuggling up whenever she got chance. Later on we watched Poltergiest, not the original, but not a bad remake. In fact the cgi made it actually better, with the story staying the same it was refreshing that they didn't alter it much at all. 

Sunday.

So we had no intentions of going out, the whole point of having this weekend off was to avoid the transport problems caused by the marathon and subsequent bus diversions that it causes. So Kev put on a full roast dinner as we don't get chance to have one on a Sunday very often. We even had a bottle of wine. 

More projects finished including the tissue box make over. Very pleased with that. More done on the faux poison apples for the party and the haunted cottage. 

In the evening Charlotte came round for a bit of a games night ( very little on the box at the minute, apart from Only Murders and Grotesquerie, and they are only week by week episodes at the moment)

Willow was happy you could tell, not having to be on her own all day, lots of love and snuggles time, which we kn9w she appreciates. 

I could quite honestly finish work, and I know Kev could, it might have to be something we look at after Florida next year. We shall see what we can afford... 

In Between Days

Friday.

We got up early, Ian bought the Aldi shopping for us, ( he kindly gets us the heavy stuff for us) and once that was sorted we got the bus to the train station then walked by the canal to Homesense. 

You can tell that it's Halloween collection is winding down now, the shelves are quite empty in places, with sections that we saw when we last visited given over to Christmas, I always feel a little sad once the thrill of the Halloween hunt for decor is winding down. All we found today was a candle, and a funko light up Beetlejuice. 

We then needed to sit down ( or rather I did) so we had coffee in the Costa across the car park. 

We then went into B&M, the Halloween section there too was looking picked over, but we managed to get some paper plates finally! 

After that we headed to Sainsbury's. Usually we buy a lot from there, but sadly this time the collection was a little lacking. I still managed to find some NBC baubles, and a few prizes for the quiz and games at the party. 

We got some essentials after checking out how much it will cost me to get the cocktail ingredients... After going through the checkout we got an Uber home, as I really couldn't manage another step.

In Between Days

Wednesday.

Wash day.

Kev got the wash in early, and got it done by 11am. So we could go out with Charlotte for lunch. 

We got the bus into Bridgeford and then the no.5 to The Willow Tree. It was quite busy in there, not sure if it's a regular thing, but there was lots of oldies having lunch, my guess is they have some pension deal going on. 

They did have a lunch special £14 for a set menu 2 course. We were about to have that, until we realised that the pudding we wanted wasn't included, so we went ahead and ordered of the main menu. I'd had a nice red with Sue the day before, and I had another one today ( just one, as red wine is my kryptonite if I have more than one!) 

The food was lovely, we do like going there, it's off the beaten track, but always seems busy, a good sign... 

We then got the bus back to Bridgeford and nipped into one of the charity shops, looking for the elusive baby doll we need to change into a beetlejuice baby ( another project) finding none, we gave up and came home.

We watched the rest of the Netflix series Monsters about the Mendez murders back in 1990. It was very good. 

Later on, Kev went to watch Football in the bedroom, and I watched some more of Dark Shadows series on Prime... 

In Between Days

Tuesday.

Charlotte's Birthday.

Kev and I went to meet Sue and Pete. We did a little shopping too, but not much as I couldn't find what I wanted, so it's an ongoing search. 

It was lovely to see Sue and Pete who are going away to Harrogate for their 40th wedding anniversary over the weekend. We went to the Slug and Lettuce in the market square. 

Sue had kindly altered the pillowcases to the quilt set so they fit perfectly now. 

Kev continued with his projects once we got back and I made some tuille bows for the fake candy apples we are making for the party... 

In Between Days

Saturday.

Work. Very busy right from the start. It started of dull and gloomy, and I was struggling with being tired, and my leg was being a  mardy bitch and playing me up. But it was a pleasant enough day. We only got the 33 by the skin of our teeth. An early night once we'd got home and watched the live from Tim. It was a stormy night with the rain lashing down and lying in bed you could hear the rain swooping over the roof of the bungalow, hissing as it hit the tiles. The thunder and lighting upset my stomach as it does, so my sleep wasn't great. 

Sunday.

Work again. It was spitting with rain when we left for the bus to Nottingham. And it was coming down heavily by the time we got into work. It bought them in their droves, as it usually does when it rains, basically because they have little else to do but shop. Nice enough customers and at least they cleared out pretty easily. 

Got the buses home OK and it was nice to think we have the week off next weekend. We aren't doing anything major, it's the Robin Hood Marathon next Sunday, so rather than struggle to get in work we booked it off. Last time was a nightmare. So at least next week we can stay home with Willow and hopefully get some progress on the projects we have going on. 

In Between Days.

Friday. 

Kev bought some more remote controlled candles adding to those we already had, so once he had bought more batteries he set them up.

At night it looks lovely and cosy,  all gentle lights flickering and so much safer than real candles. 

We moved the wax warmers to the bedroom where they are easier to turn on/off and because we use Lush wax melt bars the smell wafts all over the bungalow. 

He also bought me the book by Voltaire called Gothic Life. He does a YouTube channel called Gothic Homemaking which we watch. He makes quite a bit of his own decor so this book contains a few tutorials and recipes. I remember seeing him years ago at Whitby Goth Weekend, he is more of a cabaret act, quite funny, but entertaining. 

In Between Days

Thursday. 

Our Anniversary. 29 years! We've been together since 1983, and got married in 1995. 

We celebrated by buying a dodo lamp. The dodo is the symbol of Mauritius where we got married. We used to have a wooden dodo ornament that we bought back with us, it was one of the things we lost in all the moves. So, when I saw the lamp it made sense to buy it and replace that with something more functional. As dodos are extinct, ie dead, it fits in with rest of our "unliving" collection. 

We went into town with Charlotte to the Slug and Lettuce ( the one in Trinity Square) for lunch. It wasn't too far for us and Charlotte to walk, as we got the tram up. 

The food was lovely, and we split a bottle of prosecco between us. 

We had a quick look in TK Maxx before coming home. The stock on the Halloween section is running down now, you can tell, so there won't be much more decor hunting to be had. I resisted buying anything else. I have party stuff to get now.

Later on we watched the start of Agatha all Along on Disney Plus. Kev had bought some more LED remote controlled candles and sitting here with all the soft lighting is so soothing. I do like when the nights draw in for that reason, and I am a fan of flameless candles, not only are they safer, but I like setting a timer and not having to go around turning them off individually. Thanks to Tim Holtz for being the person who first showed them off on one of his home tour videos... 

In Between Days

Tuesday.

Up early to get those candle holders back to The Range. It's a bit of a trek to Lady Bay, so when we got there we grabbed a pumpkin spice latte at Greg's for a sit down. After I'd resting my leg we went to The Range. The refund process was easy enough, once the lad at the desks sussed it out. Full refund no quibble.

We then shopped around the Halloween stuff, for party stuff,  creepy cloth, tableware, and mini glass pumpkins for the tables... 

We got what we could, and nipped into One Below for some bits.

Food Warehouse was next, looking for lemon tea ( the powdered one) got some. Then Hobbycraft. Couldn't get what I wanted, so had to resort to Amazon again.

We went to The Navigation for lunch, Kev beef and I had pork. And a nice Mango cider.  

Got the 33 home. 

In Between Days

Monday.

My Boo Crazy stamps finally arrived from Tim Holtz! So I set too and did a cool little calendar page with them for October. 

Charlotte nipped round for a coffee before going to her first physio session. 

Also, Sue and Pete nipped that paint over to do the outdoor cats. Sue also took the new pillowcases with her to alter them. It was lovely to see them as always. It will be their 40th wedding anniversary soon, and they are going away to celebrate! It's an amazing achievement I think, but those two are definitely well matched and soul mates... Sue is the only family I have left apart from Nephew's and Niece, and one Great Niece. 

In Between Days

Had a little break from my blog for a few days, sometimes I need to step away from that and social media to recharge. Not much really to write about at the moment, life is just jogging along. 

Had a couple of things bought online that were when they came, not right, a candle from TKMAXX that was broken. Got a refund for that, and a set of candle holders that were supposed to be black wood, that came white ceramic. These were from The Range and I have to return those to the store, which I guess will be Tuesday. Their attitude on the phone wasn't the best when I rang to complain. Coming out with well it does say that we can replace items that have sold out online with similar items. Really? In what universe are black wooden holders and white ceramic holders a similar item? And what answer is that? You've sent the wrong thing and you need to apologise. End of. Trust me I won't be ordering anything else online from them... Work was OK, I did have to work facing the wrong way for about 20 minutes at the end of my shift yesterday, because the belt broke on the other one, and it's hurt my arm. I could feel it pulling while I was working, and by the time I got home it was really sore. I got Kev to put some gel on it and hopefully it'll stop hurting soon. 

In Between Days

Wednesday.

Wash day. Straightforward one today, which makes a change. A changeable autumn day, sunshine and showers with more of the latter and less of the former...

Kev continued the haunted cottage project, and I continued the faux candy apple project. Both going well. Kev also refilled my headstone candle with wax and scents. 

Talking of scents I got a dupe of Black Opium from Savers yesterday which smells just like the real thing. The same company do dupes of others stuff I haven't been able to find like Midnight Poison, Boudoir and New West. So I might have to get a few. There is also a shop on Etsy that do a copy of Death and Decay by Lush ( the original now retails at £100 for 30ml!) Called October's Ashes... 

In Between Days

Tuesday.

We met up with Sue and Pete at The Slug and Lettuce for lunch after a spot of shopping at M&S ( Halloween has landed in the food hall!) Got a few goodies. 

Lovely to see Sue and Pete, I treasure every time we get to see them. We had lovely food and an even better catch-up. 

Afterwards we headed to Cineworld to watch Beetlejuice Beetlejuice. I really enjoyed it. I can't remember the last time a movie made me laugh out loud numerous times... Michael Keaton reprised his role really well, as did Winona Ryder. And I loved her and Delores outfits... I highly recommend watching it, especially if you enjoyed the first. 

In Between Days

Monday.

I got up about 6.30am. I had a decent night's sleep, but once I'm awake I have to get up. I did my pages, and then started painting my faux apples ready to transform in to Halloween goodies for the party treat bags... 

At around 8ish, when Kev had got up the door knocked and the postie bought a rather large box in. It turns out that the cheap plastic dollhouse I'd bought from Vinted was bigger than I thought. But such a bargain... £2! As I write this it is being base coated to make it a witches creepy cottage. More updates to come... 

In Between Days

Saturday. 

Had an awful start. It lasted until 12ish as I went for break, anything that could go wrong did go wrong. Firstly the till I was working on wasn't working properly. Then the one I moved to the note checker was down. Then we had a leaky milk all over the belt and me, then a customer hadn't got their payment card so we had to do a saved transaction. Then finally, I had a fuss budget, who had to put her shopping slowly into certain bags. I swear she took 10 minutes to pack her shopping. Three people behind her were mad as all hell. 

I went for break, and luckily things improved. Days like that strip your soul, it's like wading in treacle trying to get through the day. Even though the afternoon got better, by the time I finished I was knackered. Jane got me a relief at four so we made the Calverton. 

We thought we'd missed the 33 as the tram was a bit slow, but as we crossed the tracks the driver of the 33 pulled up to let us on. How kind was that? See there are decent drivers out there... 

Sunday.

Grotty weather. Muggy and damp with that drizzle that soaks you. 

Decent enough day with all my regular customers in the morning. Busy right through to the last. But we got the 58 OK which means we got the Cotgrave in plenty time. 

We watched Sherwood, each episode leaves you with a sense of despair, some people are just pure evil. Yes I know these are characters in a drama, but these events are based on actual cases, and although some things are exaggerated, on the whole, people like that do exist. Scary thought... 

In Between Days

Thursday.

We got up and braved the grotty weather to walk to the precinct shops. I had to drop a card off at the salon for Amanda. She'd asked me to make one for her Sister's 50th. 

We went into Heron and Co-op. Then we went to the bus stop. We spent the rest of the afternoon watching stuff with Charlotte. 

Friday. 

I woke early and sat prepping my dyalog for the coming days. I just pop the images in let the glue dry and then go back to them each day to write and doodle. That way the glue doesn't kill my paint pens. 

It was lovely and peaceful. I then went and showered and dressed. Waiting for updates on delivery and collection of the things I've sold on Vinted. It turned into a warm day, so we needed the chillers on. Apparently the next two days are set to be warm before autumn sets in proper. I'm also waiting on a few things I've ordered. Mugs to replace the  pumpkins that are showing signs of wear and tear. Faux apples for party makes, and a stamp set I ordered from Tim's Halloween collection release. All about due for arrival.

We watched an oldie but goodie, movie,  Constantine. As its getting close to spooky season it's nice to dig out some of our faves. 

In Between Days

Tuesday.

We went into the city to shop. We went to Tiger, very disappointing. I was expecting great things but nothing almost for code orange.

We called in Maccy Ds to get a milkshake ( called grimace, blueberry and vamilla) but it wasn't available. They shouldn't advertise if they don't have it at every location. So miffed, we went into TKMAXX. They had some lovely things, but I resisted, I've bought my quota for this year, but am now looking for party stuff, table cloths, paper plates etc. And some gifts for the quiz.  Hence the change from decor hunting to finding inexpensive little bits and bobs. We looked in Poundland but the tablecloths and paper tableware were to "kiddy" so I'll keep looking. 

We fancied a carvery and headed back to the Shepherds for lunch. 

In the evening we watched another episode of Sherwood I'm very impressed with how well they've moved the story on, but kept a thread of the old one running through it. Very engrossing storyline and good to see places we recognise.

Wednesday.

Wash day, and also the day that they were changing the boiler. We aren't happy about it, but we rent so therefore have to go along with it. Dreading the mess and upheaval they turned up at 8am. Things went OK really and there was minimal mess. They did break a couple of things, not unrepairable but, annoying non the less, one was the radiator cover, which Kev fixed and the pumpkin truck which Kev will fix tomorrow. They did turn all the radiators on including those we never use like the kitchen and bedroom. So Kev had to go round turning them off. They did remover the old thermostat, which the other guys didn't bother removing, so they get a few points back for that. 

We had to empty the linen cupboard which gave chance to bin the duvets. 

Willow behaved well, and we didn't have to worry about her making a run for the open door, she only wanted to find her Pops when he went to fetch the washing back, but she settled down once he was back. It took them 4 and half hours, so by 1.30pm they were gone. 

We had to put stuff back which was when Kev discovered the broken items. 

In Between Days

Sunday.

A completely different day from Saturday weather wise. Dull, grey and overcast. But still strangely muggy and close, like we need a storm. 

A decent but busy day. We were a little late leaving, but luckily the 58 was a bit late so we got the last bus home thankfully.

An early night for us both, as we were done in, with an hour or so in which we got up around 3.30 am because we needed to reset. Went back to bed at around 4.30 am and slept through until 8am.

Monday 

As I said, got up and got ready to go to the test results appointment with the practice nurse. Kev parcelled up the items I sold on Vinted. He took them to the village stores round the corner and then we got the bus down to the hub. 

The results were good both my hb1c ( blood sugar levels) are where they should be, and cholesterol under control and normal blood pressure readings so it's good to know I'm doing what I should to keep me on the right track. I do always worry, the nurse I saw today was lovely, compared to the one last week, hopefully I won't get her again, as I told the nurse practitioner who I saw today that I don't really like the one who took my blood last week, and she made a note on my records that I'd prefer not to have her again. We'll see... 

In Between Days

Saturday.

A very autumnal start to the day, seeing the first red on the virgina creeper on the lattice frame outside the door, to the low lying mist on the fields on the A52. There was also that tell tale nip to the air, and that slight decaying scent. 

Work was OK busy with loads of people stocking up on packing up items for the kids who head back to school this week. 

Thanks to Sue Graham getting someone to take me off we got both buses alright, avoiding the football traffic which usually delays us a lot. 

We got home watched Tim's live, and then Super Enthused going round the houses at Halloween Horror Nights in Universal Orlando, we actually got to see inside the houses this time, and, if I'm honest, it decided me that I wouldn't hack them anymore, they were very intense and could be a bit overwhelming for me, so we won't be doing HHN next year.