In Between Days.

Monday.

A beautiful day, much too nice to stay in and have a do bugger all Monday! Kev had a message to say his hoodies had arrived at Asda West Bridgeford, so we went down there to pick them up. As always the buses were all over the place, and we were talking to a lady who was headed for a train and because the bus was late was going to miss it. I felt so sorry for her, it's disgusting that they can't run a half decent bus service for this area. Not everyone has cars or can afford taxis everywhere, and no one seems to care that they keep sending us all the trainee drivers to this route and taking the more competent ones onto other routes. Yes, they need training somewhere, but why send them all to one route, the sense of that is beyond me. Ours is one of the most expensive routes without the price cap. For us today it wasn't so much of problem we had no deadlines or appointments to keep so we could get whichever connection turned up. That is so liberating, we went to Asda got Kev's parcel and did a food shop. Nothing earth shattering, basics and the like. Then went next door to The Wolds for lunch. Note to self do not go on a Monday, they've obviously had a busy weekend as the food choice was a little limited. We eventually found something we both wanted at the third attempt. I think it would have been easier for them to tell us what they had in the first place. But the food we had was good and it is a nice place. 

We managed to time the buses back alright catching a 10 back to the council house after a 6min wait and a Cotgrave at Trent Bridge after a 3min wait. So they can get it right of occasionally.

In Between Days

Sunday.

Nightmare of a day travel wise. Started on the 7.45 bus going to work, trainee driver on that bus took 45 minutes to get us all into town ( it's usually a 30 minute trip) which meant we had approximately 5 minutes to get up to Parliament Street for the

next bus the 58. We walked as quickly as I can up the road ( all up hill) luckily the 58 itself was late and only just pulling in as we reached the stop. 

That shattered me and it took me at least 10 minutes to recover my breath, as I had gone as quickly as I can to get there. I do have time on my hands before I start, whereas Kev starts as soon as we get there. 

Work was okay, a good mix of busy periods and quieter ones. I was able to shut and go help Kev finish off. We then walked up to where we got the bus the night before on Front Street by Keith Hall hairdresser's. 

The 58 didn't show up so we had to get on The Calverton, but by the time that got through the roadworks we had missed the Cotgrave, and that was the last one. So we had no choice but to get a taxi home. By that point I'd had enough, there are times when the stress of travelling to and from work gets to me. This one one, it's OK for people to say don't let it get to you, but there always seems too be something. The times we travel without hassle is less and less frequent. If I finish work earlier than I expect to it will be because of the public transport or lack of it. Thank God we only have to work two days a week now. 

In Between Days

Thursday.

We nipped into West Bridgeford to get the food for the weekend as Kev is at work Friday. 

We had coffee in 200° and went into M&S for the shopping. After we stopped at The Shepherds for lunch. I didn't feel great so I had a snack rather than a meal and I only had melon for tea. I have days like this and my appetite is much smaller than it used to be. I had a bit of a headache too, it's ages since I had a migraine but it certainly felt like one was brewing. Fairly early night as although Kev wasn't in until 11 am we still have to be up for 8ish as he will need to get the half nine bus.

Friday.

A day to myself as Kev was in work. Charlotte text to warn Kev that the buses were being driven by trainee drivers again which meant they were running late. 

He still went out for the half nine and got to work OK for 11, so maybe they'd improved. I don't get how come we always get the trainees on our route. They just get good then they move them and we get another bunch. And some of them are right numpties believe me. 

I had a nice quiet day made couple of cards did my page in my journal and cuddled Willow a lot while watching our favourite vloggers  on YouTube. Let's face it, it's infinity more entertaining than daytime TV. 

Saturday.

Strange day with the roadworks. Vicky left today, so that's another of us oldies gone. Just myself, Margaret Judith and a couple of others left now. A couple I'd gladly see the back of, but looks like they'll be there until I go. At least they did do a bit of something for her, and for once I was taken off the till to go and say goodbye which was nice.

We lost an hour, and that makes a huge difference on a couple of days when we are already going out at silly o'clock to get to work... 

In Between Days

Tuesday.

Charlotte notified us of a crash on the A52 near Holme House. A four car pile up apparently. She was on a bus that diverted to avoid the chaos. A work colleague of hers was not so lucky. Being stuck in the thick of it. Thankfully no one was majorly hurt. Anyway as Tuesday is our day out usually we held off going out until later. We needed some food and I wanted to check out the clothing, Kev needs new goodies for the holiday, and I wanted to get another pair of trousers to travel in. That done we walked to The Wolds pub next door to the car park. It's a Hungry Horse, but it is really nice. So much better than the Sherwood Manor. As it was National Cocktail Day I had a purple rain and very nice it was too. 

On the way to Asda we waited at the County Hall stop we noticed a number 19 that goes to Melton Mowbray every two hours, Kev had a look online and it might be another bus adventure in the future ( we went there years ago with Sue and Pete and always fancied going back!) It's might be a trip we can do on the week off we have in June. 

In Between Days

Saturday. 

Sue's Birthday.

Work.

Pleasant enough day, regular customers in the morning. Tony whose wife has dementia came in, he has been told she has only a few weeks as she is slipping away. I feel so sorry for him, Margaret too, his wife, but what life she's had this last few years isn't a life. If it was me I'd want someone to do a "One Flew over the Cuckoo Nest" and smother me with a pillow. I wouldn't want to be a burden and I wouldn't want to "live" that way. It's so sad, dementia is a cruel, cruel disease. 

Sunday.

Work.

The bus this week turned up with a driver ( shock horror!) But that got us to work on time. All round a good day, customers were generally in a good mood. 

I was in a lot of pain, and had to give in and take some Solpadine at break, but I'm well used to hiding it, so no one knew apart from Kev and Tracey Brewer, who understands because she is also used to constant pain. 

Unfortunately, it continued into the night and interrupted my sleep a bit. Glad for a rest day on Monday. Poor Kev had a shitty night too, he had restless legs and had to get up a couple of times. Ah, the joys of getting older...

In Between Days

Friday. 

We met with Charlotte at the bus stop and went on a bus adventure to Victoria Retail Park. We started off with coffee at Maccy's when we got there, the bus was busy, and we struggled to get seats. The first place we went was B&M I was looking for a plate to put my insense stick holder on. The one I'd seen they hadn't got, nor had they got the bag clips I was after. Charlotte wanted a make up bag and they hadn't those either. We decamped into TKMAXX instead. Charlotte got a makeup bag and I found a plate, no bag clips though. Then we nipped into M&S cafe for lunch. Refuelled we made it over the park to the bus stop back. After a short wait we made the next bus back to the city and then to our bus stop. We got home to Kev's parcel from Fitville with his trainers inside, mine by the way were super comfy and I'm very pleased with them. They are very light and I think that makes it easier on my knee and ankle. 

In Between Days

Thursday.

We got up a little later at 8.30 am. Then once we were ready we went into Bridgeford. We wanted to try the Bombay Delicatessen for lunch, and as it was a lovely warm day we sat outside with our selection of Indian snacks. We chose a few, I had an onion bhaji which was delicious, and a tikka samosa, I eat approximately half as it was very spicy. The rest we took home to have later, a beetroot and carrot tikki for me and two spring rolls, feta and spinach and a lamb samosa for Kev. We had those for tea. The food was very good quality and I liked the look of the curries, I think the next time we are craving a good curry we will head there and buy them to take home. 

We then walked round a few charity shops, buying a couple of jigsaws along the way. We started one when we got home. Both 1000 piece ones. The ones I bought from temu aren't good enough quality, so they'll get donated. 

We grabbed a coffee and sat in the park people watching for a bit in the lovely sunshine before heading back home. It was nice go get out and get some much needed vitamin D. As you already know sitting out here is practically impossible, so going out is the only way we can sit out in peace. It's not ss bad as it was as Mr Busy isn't around as much, but we don't really want to join in with Mrs "I work 12 hours" and crew as friendly as they are, you know that once you get up and leave the table you're the next topic of conversation. I avoid people like that ss much as possible. 

In Between Days

Tuesday.

We went to meet up with Sue and Pete for lunch at The Slug and Lettuce in the market square. It's Sue's Birthday on Saturday so we wanted to give her the card and gift card. 

She bought us an expresso martini, to celebrate. It was lovely. We caught up and laughed as we always do. I treasure these meet ups. Always remembering those long weeks in 2020 when we couldn't. I swore then that I would never take them for granted, and I never do. 

While we were out Charlotte came round and kept Willow company, and good job she did as two parcels I wasn't expecting to be delivered yet came. One being my new trainers from Fitville, ready for our holiday, but they are in time to be broken in, which I always need to do to any new footwear. 

I'm only taking my trainers and walking sandals with me as that's all I'll need. The sandals are already comfy as I wore them all last summer. I'm tempted to buy another pair of those before we go, but we will see. 

The other parcel was my new dies from Tim's Vault Collection. It's his last ever dies as he is stopping creating any more stuff. So I ordered the set I thought I'd use the most. 

In Between Days

Monday.

Do bugger all Monday, and apart from showering and washing my hair. I didn't do anything major at all. We started season 2 of Dexter.

It was just what we needed after a quite stressful two days of travelling to and from work. It's never simple, there are always roadworks, delays or like Sunday just bloody mindedness on the part of one driver or another. And Willow appreciates a day of cuddles and us being there all the time. 

Quite a dull day weather wise and it rained off and on. So another good reason to stay home and get cosy.

In Between Days.

Thursday.

The weather has turned back to winter and we decided that we needed a day at home. We've been out Monday, Tuesday and part of Wednesday, so it felt good to put scruffs on and chill out... 

I wanted to prep some pages and re- organise my Dylusions stamps. So I ordered some more plastic sleeves from Amazon and cut them to fit so they can go in my filing cabinet. I catalogued them into sections so they should be easier to find.

Later on, we watched some more Dexter season one. 

In Between Days

Wednesday.

Up early for the washing. Kev tried those sheets and yes, they worked fine. So they will be a good back up for the times the powder is out of stock. 

Charlotte came over for a coffee before we headed to the precinct for my appointment at the beauty salon. Kev and her went for coffee next door at Streza. Kev found out that Mr Busy no longer goes there, so we can go there again now. 

I was pleased with my eyebrow and lash tint, booking in again for next month. 

In Between Days

Tuesday.

We went on the 48 to Home Bargains at the Queens Drive/ Riverside area. We had a good look round and I got a few things we needed. Including the Dr Beckman washing powder sheets. Aldi haven't had our non bio washing powder in stock for a couple of weeks so I wanted to try these as they are easy to carry back for us. Usually they are quite expensive, but in HB they were 40 sheets for a fiver. I'll still buy the normal powder when it comes back in stock, and keep these for when we are out. I'll let you know how we get on with them as Kev will use them tomorrow.

So after shopping we went to Riverside Farm for lunch, then caught the bus back to the station and got the Cotgrave back home.

Update on the missing parcel from Evri. We got home to find it sitting on the doorstep. So complaining kicked the delivery driver up the arse. 

It contained my insense stick holder.I have loads of sticks and it's about time to use them! I prefer the bricks that Trish sends me as they are smokeless and that's better for Willow. But these sticks are sitting there looking at me baleful like. 

Picture is of my insense stick holder...

In Between Days

Monday.

We had to go into the village as I needed to have a patch test for my eyebrows and lash tint on Wednesday. It didn't take long and I'm pleased to report it didn't react at all so I'm good to go. We nipped into Heron. We were going to have lunch out, but it was so cold we decided to go back home. 

We packed the goyhic novels jigsaw away again ready to be donated at a charity shop next time we go past one. We got the frame together of the new one.

In the evening we watched more Dexter ( first season). 

I had a parcel not show up via Evri. It was shown on The Cotgrave Noticeboard as being one of a few found on a curb side. All I got was a message saying it was delayed. Not at all happy. I shall be on the phone to Evri and Oliver Bonas in the morning... 

In Between Days

Sunday.

10K run through the city, I had booked the Sunday off, Kev wasn't so lucky as they couldn't spare him. Rubbish really as they'd have to manage if he was sick, but there you go. He stood a better chance of getting there than me. I would have slowed him down. Ian dropped him in town as Charlotte was in too, so he was in town for 7.30am. He then had to walk up to two stops up from Victoria Centre. He managed to grab some breakfast at Maccy's ( the large 24 hour one) before getting the 58. 

I stayed in bed until gone 8, Willow and I snuggled down, because as soon as Kev had gone she padded her way into the bedroom and jumped up on my knee for cuddles. 

Once up, I put a hair mask on, had breakfast, fed Willow, cuddled her for a bit, then set to and washed the pots. I showered off the hair mask, got dressed and had a craft session making cards. I'd had some Cocktail dies recently and I wanted to play with those. The chair by the way is so much better than it was. I now know why it made so much noise before. 

Then I made some lunch for me and gave Willow a bit more fuss, washed what I'd used then got out a new jigsaw and began separating the edge pieces out, we finished the gothic novels one on Friday, so that will now be broken down and get donated at a charity shop next time we pass one. After doing that, I sat and read, I'm actually reading a physical book, one we found cheap at a TKMAXX in paperback. It's The Strange Case of Mr Jekyll and Mr Hyde. I knew the story like most people having seen the black and white movie years ago. And a few stage versions, but had never read the book. As we all know the book is always much better, so I'm immersed in that. It's a good test to read a classic too, as obviously the language is a bit more archaic than modern novels. It is beautifully written, and takes me back to my school days skulking in the school or public library avoiding the bullies. I think I learned more from them than in any lesson. My love of reading was my saviour in many aspects. When I started working taking a book in for breaks and buggering off to the graveyard in the Market Square when it was nice enough was how I got through my days. When the weather was bad I would tuck myself on the comfy chairs in the canteen and lose myself for my lunch hour. It wasn't a friendly place at the best of times, and although I made a few friends along the way, perhaps three have come on my journey in life with me. Burton was a very insular town and for anyone different very isolating. I'm sure it's different now, but I am not going back to find out! 

Before I knew it, Kev was home and we eat, caught up with each other's respective days, and once Charlotte was round settled down to watch the Pottery Throw Down final. James won, but at least unlike last year it wasn't as cut and dried. They managed to all do a good job of the final challenge. I actually thought Steve's amphora was better than James and nothing was broken or cracked on his, but the second challenge coming third was what scuppered it for him. I do still love watching it though, and Sunday nights won't be the same without it. 

In Between Days

Wednesday.

Wash day. All was good, dryer was working and no one tried to nick our turn. 

Although it was sunny it wasn't warm or windy so Kev didn't put it out. 

In the evening Kev went to watch the football so I set to on my desk to put a card together... 

While I was doing that my chair broke. It went down one side. I nearly fell, but managed to save myself. Kev looked at it after the football was over and found the bracket had broken. Bless him he took it apart and ordered me a new bracket. The fact that they sell them show it must be a weak area. The part should arrive tomorrow.

Thursday.

We met Sue and Pete for lunch at the Shepherds. And we bumped into Louise and her Mum and Liam. 

Food was good as always and it was lovely to see everyone. 

Sue and Pete kindly dropped us back home. 

The part came for my chair and Kev managed to fix it in about 20 minutes. It's great again now, let's hope the fix lasts. 

In Between Days

Tuesday.

Went to meet Sue and Pete after a quick look around the shops, TK Maxx and Boots respectively. We gave up trying to find what we wanted and decided to go on the tram after lunch and went to the Forest Fields area branch. 

Before that we had a lovely lunch with Sue and Pete, a good relaxed catch up. 

We got back around 3.30pm and then watched the YouTube videos we like to keep up on like the Quirky Cauldron, Jade the Libra,  and Steve's World. 

I got back to another Temu order, a couple of jigsaws, some jigsaw fixative, some lounging trousers and t-shirt for at home, water pens and a metal shim for my switch, for those hard to cut intricate dies. 

In Between Days

Friday.

Sue and Pete nipped over this morning to pick up the other half of his birthday present. We'd ordered it and it came just after his birthday last week, but it was lovely to see them both as always.

We got everything ready for work over the weekend, Kev made a pasta bake so it could just go in the oven when we get home, should be enough to last both days.

Saturday.

Not a bad day, busy because it's pay week for most people. They've put new touch screens in at work very similar to the ones in Petrol. Took me a bit to get re-used to them. But apart from my last customer of the day, I did OK. That one I pressed the wrong button,and pressed cash instead of card, rookie mistake, but hey, I'm an old bird now and I get brain fog lol...

Did have a young chap comment on my hair ( he was quite rude, but you know me, I have a turn of phrase to deal with it!) I just made his girlfriend giggle ( who he was obviously trying to show off to) by replying, Sir it makes no odds if my hair is pink with yellow polka dots, I'd still be able to serve you. Without any need for me to remark on your jailhouse chic or appearance. So kindly don't remark on mine. His GF nearly wet her pants, and I'm sure if he hadn't been black he would have blushed. Teach him, don't mess with older women. We have had enough of your shit young man. Photo is of those dupe shower gels...