In Between Days

Wednesday.

Wash day. 

Kev got up a little earlier so that we could have all the washing done by half eleven at the latest, as we were meeting a friend for lunch at The Shepherds. 

Of course, the bus was late, which is nothing out of the ordinary. But we got there eventually. We had a lovely catch up and the food was good. 

We got home and found a couple of parcels waiting for us, one for Kev and one for me. 

The one for me was an early or UnBirthday gift/Halloween gift from a dear friend who always finds Halloween decor I'm struggling to locate. This time it was the spooky beach hut. 

It looks amazing, and fits perfectly in the bathroom with my other spooky bits and bobs. 

We had another little move round in orderto properly show of the wood witch. Kev used a riser to good effect on Billy and Madge ( The gypo Frankenstein and Bride we bought last year) layering the display. I just need to decide what theme to choose for the hall display this yearI have a couple of options, I either do all out Frankie and Bride, or Mummies Galore... We shall see... 

In Between Days

Tuesday.

We decided that rather than lunch we would go out for breakfast, and before the hoards of children who are now off for their summer holidays from school, decended on Maccy's, we went there. I had my usual egg Mcmuffin, and Kev had the sausage one. We went to the one opposite TKMAXX so naturally that was the next stop. 

They had so much more stock in than last week, and as I've called quite a bit lately, was able to replace a few things. Nothing major, but I did find a Freak Show teacup with tentacles and a very ornate light up house. 

When we got home there was a parcel outside and when we opened it, it was a gift from Kev. A beautiful invisible wood witch like the ones that sold out from Cracker Barrel in America. This one isn't as large as they were, but is still as gorgeous, doesnt light up, but then I rarely light certain items preferring to see them in natural lighting. But is beautifully detailed so she looks like part of a tree. Very classy and elegant, definitely all year round dark decor. I love her, and obviously Kev who knew I was gutted not to be able to get a real one. If Im honest a large one would be hard to find space for, so being 12 inch high she fits in here much easier... He always tries to find what I can't. And like in the haunted sandcastle if we can't find one he'll make one similar. That's coming on by the way with a base coat of gold paint on now ready for texture and different shades of sand colours layer by layer. 

Talking of which he altered the teacup with tentacles as the cup itself was a shoddy paint job ( sometimes TKMAXX does bring in some dodgy painted items)  so he painted the cup and dry brushed the Freak Show label to properly highlight the lettering. Looks so much better now in my opinion. Plus it actually makes it more ours. The photos below are basically before and after. 

In Between Days

Sunday.

A decent enough day, work wise, only a few Sunday Zombies, the rest were OK. Travel was good for a change, no major dramas. We were expecting a bit of trouble because of the sink hole outside May Sum. 

Charlotte came over after we got home, after a lovely weekend away, always good to catch up.

We had a relatively early night.

Monday.

I woke up after a good night's sleep at about 7am. I sat fussing Willow until Kev got up. I then set to and did my page,  and sorted some more dies out, including some I put up for sale on the craft selling page I belong to. I'm starting to clear some out that I no longer want. I want to eventually get rid of the die storage I have in the shelving and empty at least one of my filing cabinet. 

The boiler checks was today, the guy doing it was nice enough, had a cuppa while he was here, made us laugh as he looked around the bungalow and said big fans of Halloween then? We were like "you think?" Lol... 

By the way countdown update its 69 days until Disney! Soon be able to book lightning lanes, restaurant bookings and order magic bands! Whoop de do... I can almost taste the beignets... Food tastes better when its Mickey shaped... 

In Between Days

Thursday. 

We did the weekends shop in West Bridgeford, both Iceland and M&S. Before that we had brunch at the new Costa Coffee shop they've opened on Central Avenue. We weren't out long but at least that's done for the weekend. 

Friday.

Another day stuck in waiting for workman to show up. At least this time they turned up! 

But we had Charlotte round, we finished watching The Crow Girl, only to find that it was not complete just a season, so I hope they make a second season. 

Saturday.

Work. Started out rainy, but dried up later. It flip flopped between busy and dead. Mainly big orders, served Tony, who seems a lot brighter, Val and her husband came in too as they won't be in on Sunday. Margaret came in and was very chatty today. 

Karen Smith left today, bringing the total up to 5 this year,  the place is leaking good workers another older woman gone. I think they'll be none left soon... 

In Between Days

Wednesday.

Wash day, and a trip out to meet Sue and Pete a day later this week. So we set off and headed to TKMAXX to see what they had in the Trinty Square branch. They had a few bits in but the one thing they did have was the faux oil painting of the Bride of Frankenstein. With a neon light up on her obviously electric chair. I was instantly drawn to her. So, home with us she came. Kev put her in the bedroom and she looks like she was always there. I didn't intend buying anything else,
but then I had no idea how stunning she is. Worth every penny. 

Meeting up with Sue and Pete was lovely as always and we had a good chin wag and catch up. The Slug and Lettuce was busy and had a lot of reserved tables. Shows what a difference going on a different day makes. 

In Between Days

Tuesday.

After the best full nights sleep I've had in weeks, I got up and got ready so we could be on the 9.30 am bus to the Railway Station. We got off and walked down by the canal, it was spitting with rain, but it had dried up by the time we got to the retail park. 

We went into Homesense looking for the light up pineapple jack o lantern. Sadly the ones they had in had gone, I did get the other pineapple made up of skulls, it reminds me of I am Legion so that's what I've called it. Along with a cupcake with a oozing looking skull, glitter and sprinkles. There was only one and I grabbed it as soon as I spotted it. Another woman was heading to it, but I grabbed it first. She continued to follow me as I carried on browsing, perhaps hoping I'd pop it down elsewhere. No chance, once I got my hands on something, I rarely put it back. Happy with my purchases we went to Costa for a bit to rest my legs. We went into B&M to get concrete so Kev can make that sandcastle ( he was going to buy filler but decided on concrete as it will be better and last longer) 

We walked over to Sainsbury's and once we got the shopping we had an Uber home photo is of the updated teir tray with cupcake, and pineapple sitting on top of the pineapple candle.

In Between Days

Monday.

A day at home after a weekend at work, so I did my page for last week in my large ledger journal. I used stamped images this time, and stamped the border by way of a change. 

Kev went into the loft and pulled a few more Halloween bits out that we no longer want, nothing wrong with them they've just had their time with us and we've enjoyed them. Now our decor has evolved again, and we have found pieces that we wouldn't part with, which is what I mean by evolving. Some pieces I've bought in the past have been like page markers, holding a place until I find something I really love. Plus it depends on the little vignettes I come up with. 

So those sorted Kev put the boxes back in the loft, rotating a few pieces as he did so. 

I caught up on some YouTube content that I'd missed over the weekend, and had a call from a friend checking in on me, which was lovely, and another texted me again checking on me. I appreciate both very much. 

As we had finished Bookish, we were in the market for another series to start watching and Kev found one called The Crow Girl on Paramount Plus. Very good so far, trying to work out how the puzzle fits together at the moment, but its got us hooked. 

Also at the moment I have a book on the go by the historian Lucy Worsley called A Very British Murder. It's basically about how the Ratcliffe Highway Murders shaped the publics fascination with murder reporting. Very detailed and well researched as you would imagine being written by her. 

In Between Days

Sunday.

Rainy and overcast, can't say it was cold though. 

The day at work was pleasant enough, I saw my Eeyore man, and Stephen without Olivia, apparently he was taking her to Victoria Retail Park after he done his shopping. Val came in, she had her new loyalty card, so I was able to add her points on from last week and the week before. 

Not too many Sunday Zombies, and we got everyone out fairly quickly. 

Buses were good for once, and we got home roughly about 6pm. 

Later on we finished watching Bookish, which I hope comes back for another season. And we saw the new night-time parade at Magic Kingdom on YouTube. It's called Starlight and looks great, all electric lights and newer movies like Wish, Moana, Encanto and Coco. Along with a few old favourites and classic characters. We will both enjoy that. 

In Between Days

Friday.

We had to stay in because they were coming to check the heating and boilers. So we had a nice chilled morning once we were up. Sue and Pete came over ( Sue had got us some broad beans from Tesco and some pistachio cream for Kev) and also the jumper that she had put a collar on for me... It was lovely to see them, and they didn't leave empty handed either as we had a few bits and bobs for her too... 

They didn't come until 4.45pm to check the heating and by then Kev lost his temper with them as they cancelled the week before only to leave it until the last moment this week and because we'd waited for them we had only snacked for lunch and he had, thinking they wouldn't come,  put our dinner on. So he told them to arrange another time. Don't think they were too pleased, but like Kev said, that's two Fridays we've wasted waiting for them to turn up, they can wait until it suits us now.

Saturday. 

Not a bad day, busy at the start, I think folk were trying to avoid the rain, which did come, but not the deluge they predicted. All the usual customers came in, Tony who seems less forlorn, slowly getting his stuff back together. I know its early doors, and I know he must have bad days, but you can see improvements. He looks clean and tidy. Margaret came just before I went for break. 

No news on the job front as yet, I still have my final interview to come, but now at least, I've made a decision, as all this worry has affected my mental health,making me  withdrawn and miserable. This can't continue, so a solution had to be reached before I break. I know the signs of living on adrenaline and in constant worry on me now, and know what I need to do to change that. Thankfully I have Kev's full support, as always he is my rock. Other people come and go in my life, but he is my constant. I'm not saying we are the perfect couple, we argue and we both exasperate each other, like everyone, but when the chips are down he is there in my corner, and for that I am forever grateful. 

Okay Sadie, you can put that sick bucket away now! Lol... 

In Between Days

Thursday.

A drizzling mizzling day, the sort of rain that is fine but soaks you regardless. But I'd had an email to say that Frankie's bride that I ordered Monday was in store ready to collect. So, out we went. We went and got it and the food for the weekend as we can't go out tomorrow because we have the boiler checks from Metropolitan. 

We came straight back home afterwards, walking down to Broadmarsh bus station to get the bus back. 

It never escapes our attention that even though they put that green space in that area, how much of the old centre there is still to be flattened and as much as they try to hide it, its still a bloody eyesore. Such a shame. 

We got home and changed, both of us wet through from the rain and sweat as it was still hot underlying that damp. 

We started watching Sherlock ( the Mark Gatis one) as we never got round to seeing it, as Bookish was so good the night before, we thought we should give it a go. We quite enjoyed it, I think more than I would have, given that my Sherlock of choice is Jeremy Brett. 

In Between Days

Wednesday.

Wash day. Kev got the washing on in good time with no drama for once. Kev said Jean was over at the centre waiting for the washer, He gave her hug, as its the first time he's seen her since we saw her come home from the hospital. I didn't realise she's in her 80s! I thought mid 70s was all. Bless her. I'm glad she's home and on the mend. 

I got my page in my journal done today and made a couple of cards one a baby card, my great nephew has had a baby girl, Sophie, which makes me a great, great Auntie... 

The other was another Halloween card, this time using Tim Holtz Monster. 

We've come up with an idea, I can't get my hands on one of summerween haunted sandcastles,  so I've found a castle cake mold on Vinted, and then Kev is going to have a go at making me one... Watch this space.

In Between Days

Tuesday.

Despite the rain we headed into town, it was still warm, so we went in shirt sleeve tops and a brolly.

We went to TKMAXX but didn't find anything new. 

We had a milkshake in Maccy Ds and then went to Tesco and Superdrug. 

For lunch we met up with Charlotte at O' Neil's and very nice it was too... 

On a personal level I want to thank a couple of friends who have reached out to me today in light of everything that's been going on. They know who they are. I am as always deeply grateful for their constant support, understanding and advice. For someone who really hasn't had the best of luck when it comes to keeping friends, ( completely my own fault as I have always been a hard person to form bonds with.) It comes as a shock when without expecting it people show that they care without expecting anything in return. Thank you from the bottom of my heart... 

In Between Days

Sunday.

Despite everything I was feeling  I didn't have a bad day at work. I did find it hard to speak to management, but there was no reason to let it affect the way I serve customers or make me feel any worse than I do at the moment. I will not let their decisions change who I am or my work ethics. 

We got home OK, but not because we had a good driver, we had a very erratic and my opinion a dangerous driver, She sped and drove very chaotically.

Monday.

A rest day. It was hot and humid, I was up early, a lot on my mind naturally, so I set about sorting out my new dies and labelled the storage pouches I put them in. Went into Tim Holtz Index and added them to my inventory. Afterwards I made quite a few cards. Halloween ones this time I should have enough now I think. I am cutting down on how many I send this year, the same as with Christmas ones. Especially those I post. If I've got to cut back because I'll no longer be earning as much, its a good place to

start. 

In Between Days

Saturday.

So, I had another meeting with Management. Let's just say, neither side are budging so apart from me bowing out ungraceful like is more on the cards than not. I made a token gesture, but apparently that's not acceptable. What they're asking of me is unacceptable too. 

I left the meeting feeling unappreciated and unmotivated. Next time it will be official, so I could be looking at the last few months of working life. It will make things tight, but, as we've both said we have been there before, and if it means less stress and upset, and working for a company that no longer values older people and long service. So be it. I'm done. I've done all I've been asked over the years and perhaps been a doormat, but like Kev says, this time they're walking over that mat with dirty boots. 

Jane left today, moving to Swadlincote. That's another one gone. They'll be no one left soon I know well. Maybe that's a sign. 45 years for absolutely nothing... 

In Between Days

Wednesday. 

Wash day. Kev put the washing out, Mariola had once again left her washing in the washer and Kev had to move it before he could do ours. The woman is a bloody nuisance. 

We went and had a chat with Joe and Anne, both doing amazing for their age (85) Anne has battled cancer and is in remission, Joe has dementia and has good days and bad but on the whole they both keep very positive. 

We didn't go out for lunch but chose to stay in and have something Kev cooked which was bacon, new potatoes and butter beans, we wanted broad beans but couldn't get any. But the butter beans were nice. 

Thursday.

We went down by the canal and Homesense in order to find a haunted house for Charlotte's display. We found one, and I was very good and didn't buy anything else, being more than happy with what I have already found. We ubered back as when we walked down it was cooler being early morning and by lunchtime when we headed home the heat was scorching. 

In Between Days

Tuesday.

What a lovely day, and not just weather wise. I had an email from TKMAXX to say the items I had pre ordered were ready to collect. I was very excited as these were things that I had been hunting for. Very happy to report that doing click and collect played off and they all arrived in one piece. 

After we went to meet Sue and Pete at the Slug and Lettuce. I treated Sue and I to a cocktail as it felt like a summer day. We had a lovely catch up and a laugh. 

We dropped lucky for a Cotgrave bus one came as we approached the stop. So we got home and the big move round commenced. Think we've got it sorted now. 

Tomorrow after the washing is done we will get the boxes down from the attic and go through what we have and pass on some stuff we no longer have room for. Our decor evolves each year around key pieces. Some we keep and some we move on from. 

Picture is of Cary Grant Frank and Effie (named after the main character in Paul Magrs books Never the Bride)  

In Between Days.

Monday.

Chilled out day. I got up around 7.30am as it was bright and sunny, we had gone to bed at a fairly reasonable time, and I can only really sleep a maximum of 7 hours after a weekend at work, my body clock kicks in and I feel awful if I sleep too much. 

I got up and read, I'm reading the new Rivers of London book. 

I started my page in my ledger journal, to finish later on, I like them to dry properly before adding any pen work so that it doesn't kill my paint pens. 

I also started a new board on Pinterest documenting my favourite Halloween/Summerween decor finds and arrangements. I have quite a few as you can imagine, so I have a lot more to add. I also have some to collect tomorrow that I've previously ordered from TKMAXX. Then its a matter of going through the boxes in the loft and culling a few pieces that I've had my enjoyment out of but now need to be handed on for others to enjoy. 

In Between Days

Saturday.

Work. 

A busy regular day. Saw Tony, and Val who had her purse stolen. Helped get her the information she needed to cancel her Nectar card and Christmas club card. Let's hope she gets them stopped before anyone uses them. She was very distressed as you can imagine. 

We missed the 33 bus so got home a little later than usual.

Sunday.

Work.

Really busy. Saw my Eeyore man who was happy to report his dog was doing better. 

Val and her husband came in and she was a little calmer. She's manage to block her cards all but her Christmas card one as they gave her the runaround on the phone, luckily Sue was able to help her and got that stopped. Bless her, she's too nice to have something nasty like that happen to her! 

Nothing to report as yet, so until I hear anything I'll take it as a bit of a reprieve.

The bus ride home was a bit eventful. An awful family got on with six kids all below 10, they weren't just noisy but naughty with no parental control. They were ringing the bell for every stop meaning the poor driver didn't know to stop or not. One half of the kids got of with their Mum at The Manvers and the Dad told one of the boys ( about 4) to behave and the boy just raised his middle finger! Shocking behaviour. I'd have slapped his legs raw... 

In Between Days

Friday.

So it was all change in the unliving room as the new light came. It meant a move for the shelves and a row of smaller shelves to remove. We duly boxed up some of the smaller bits and bobs we've accumulated over the years. Some we actually binned, some we re-homed and some were boxed up for now. But the new light fitting does suit the room better. And as it has a couple of shelves on it I was able to move a couple of things from the table. So all change! 

In Between Days

Wednesday. 

Wash day. Kev went over early at around 7.30am to ensure he got our washing in before anyone else. The weather was cooler and there was dense cloud cover. So Kev put it in the dryer. 

I was at the salon at lunchtime to have my brows and eyelashes dyed. We went to Streza for lunch afterwards. We got back to find Charlotte there, as she had been to see another friend, and then come to us. We started to watch quite an old TV series on Netflix called Whitechapel. Very good it was too, as a amateur ripperologist I was engrossed from episode one. 

Thursday.

R.I.P Diogo and Andre Jota...

Kev found out by going on his phone while on the bus. I did say we could go back home as he was visibly upset, but he said he was OK. It reminded me of when he was driving home all those years ago and hearing about Hillsborough,  he pulled over to the side of the road and sat there while it sank in. He didn't look at his phone again all day this time, but, we saw all the tributes on Sky News when we got home. It's very sad for his wife ( of two weeks) and three kids, and of course his Mum and Dad. Who have lost both Sons... Such a tragic loss at ages 26 and 28. 

We went to Victoria Retail Park to the TKMAXX there for more code Orange stalking... And B&M for some light bulbs as we have a new light fitting coming on Friday. I also wanted some more of that Sol de Janero dupe as I bought the body scrub and fell in love with the fragrance. So I got the shower creme, body lotion and fragrance mist, little tip, put the mist in the fridge for a warm day, smells amazing and feels great when you spritz it on! 

From TKMAXX we got a new pumpkin footstool so we gave the old footrest to Mr Busy. He's just had a toe removed so hopefully it will help him rest his foot up, for us the pumpkin fits in better and it is just the right height for us both... The old one I was constantly tripping over as it stuck out from under the table, so this one tucks away much better.

We got the food in for the weekend and had lunch out at Subway, another jacket potato this time I had tuna mayonnaise... 

We went back to the bus and got home around 2.30ish. Another new driver so they were a little late as per usual.

When we got home we had a foot spa and foot mask. Both feet feel heavenly and Kev even removed my toe polish and trimmed my nails after. He's always helped me look after my feet, but even more so since I was diagnosed with diabetes, seeing Mr Busy lose a toe just because he isn't looking after his has sort of bought it home to both of us.

In Between Days

Tuesday.

Had an email from TKMAXX to say the code Orange I had ordered online was ready go collect at Trinity Square.

We went down to collect it and get a couple of other things. 

It was a little cooler than yesterday but not much. Overcast and sticky. We stopped for a drink and had food at Subway, trying the jacket potatoes. Very nice they were too, we'd been meaning to give them a go for a few weeks, and this was the perfect day for it. Helped that their air conditioning is spot on. 

We got the bus back home and we both set about moving and rearranging the tier tray area, and the bathroom display. 

We had bought a pitcher that we put to work as a vase because it fit with the aesthetic better than the vase we had there.