In Between Days

Wednesday.

Up early as it was diabetic annual review. 8.30 am so nice and early. The nurse was lovely and very encouraging about my weight loss and found diet plan. 

I won't get the results for a month. Hopefully they'll be good. She wants me to get down further another 5lbs, and if I can stay there for the next 6 months, she will take me off my medication. Something to work towards. 

We went into Bridgeford afterwards, for a coffee at Caffe Nero. Not needing a huge shop we nipped into Iceland and then came home. In the afternoon we watched The Addams Family.

Kev went into the bedroom to watch the match and I did some more pages in my journal, then read, I'm reading "The Last Recipe at the Charm Kitchen" the second book in the Briarwick series by Justin Greathouse. I really enjoyed the first one, and as it a kindle plus novel ( was kindle unlimited, but they now call it kindle plus) I pay £10 a month but can download the books that would cost me 99p a time, and I can get through quite a few. Yes, I still have to buy some ( like my Ben Aaronavitch books, or Alice Hoffman, or Richard Osman ones) 

In Between Days

Tuesday.

A bright but blustery day. So once again we headed down by the canal. Thus time we walked.

We had coffee in Costa, so I could rest before going round the shops. We went to B&M first, I got a fair bit, including a Christmas gift.  A craft project for Kev, he does like one on hand. A couple of gift bags, Kev got some more storage bins for the kitchen cupboards, and a tier tray ornament ( Christmas)

We skipped HomeSense, going into Lidl instead. I wanted hairspray and theirs is as good as Elnet but a third of the price. We got the fixings to make the creepy cauldron mac and cheese for the weekend, and the ginger biscuits for the pumpkin pie. I also found some blood oranges and a bottle of clementine mulled wine to go in the stash for Christmas. 

We walked back over the bridge and crossed over the road to the tram stop.

We got off at the station and grabbed chicken tikka naan wraps from Tim Tim's on the station forecourt. We both love them, and they are good value. While Kev ordered those I went in Co-op and got a bottle of water between us to have with the wraps. We sat and eat those before leaving the station and going to the Cotgrave bus stop home. 

My step count was over 6,000 again today, after 8,000 yesterday, so, I've made up for the lazy day Sunday. 

I have my diabetes review in the morning so we will see what we say then. I am still hovering around target weight wise so they should be pleased. 

Now the hard part, maintaining. Although, this weekend, I'll be having a few treats, but it is Halloween, so I will allow myself a break. So long as I'm not silly and go too far. To be fair, I don't go as mad as I used to. Mainly because I feel crap if I do, but I have booked a weekend off on the eating app, and so long as we stay active I'll be fine. 

In Between Days

Monday. 

Despite the rain lashing down we went for the ten to ten bus. We got off the bus at the station and walked up to the tram. Only to find out that the trams were once again were not running because of a car hitting a tram. This is becoming a regular thing.

We walked out and into town instead of going down by the canal as we had planned. Being a little peed off by this point we went in coffee #1 and had a warm drink and a treat. 

We then walked up towards Victoria Centre. I bought some gloves from Primarni as the ones I had on were soaked. I found some faux leather ones that had a fleece lining. 

We had look round Victoria Centre, then TK, before heading to the tram stop at Theatre Royal ( the trams were running again by now) We got off at the train station and caught the bus home. 

Now, while I was adding my bag onto Vinted I came across a couple of annuals of an old comic I used to buy out of my pocket money when I was younger. It was called Misty and was full of paranormal spooky stories, and really lovely artwork. They were listed for £2.70 each, so I bought them. I will be able to scan in the images and use them in my junk journals or flip through them. I was so happy to find them and it was a trip down memory lane, and this is from someone who didn't have a very happy younger life. But it was perhaps a rare happy memory, a moment in time when I had something to look forward to, a little bit of something for me. So, I'm looking forward to them coming. And it shows that even at that tender age the spooky life had already found me and given me refuge in a world that wouldn't accept my differences. Being disabled in those days was no picnic. 

In Between Days

Sunday.

A bleak and stormy day, not a day to be going out, but of doing cosy things like journaling and reading and watching favorite YouTube offerings. 

Willow was in her element. She knows when we are settled for the day, I put on my comfortable clothes. I have a joke with Kev that she thinks I dress like a homeless person, or pj's. Once dressed like that she knows I won't be moving anywhere. 

The wind nearly blew Kev over when he went to the corner shop, so he he said anyway. We had Cottage pie for lunch with green beans and carrots, homemade naturally. They'll be enough for tomorrow too, which is good. 

I finished another book, and did a few pages in my junk journal. Kev covered a box with wrapping paper for me to stash all my ephemera in and made a great job of it. 

He cleared out some cupboards while he was making lunch, and reorganised what baking stuff he has. 

It's a year since I handed in my notice at work, and I was thinking, obviously we have less money coming in, but, I really love not working. Getting up early, getting buses, dealing with contant roadworks, and awkward customers. Choosing to stay in ' because we can' or going out for exactly the same reason. 

The peace it's bought us both is wonderful. Yes, there are a few people I miss, but not many that miss me enough to stay in touch. I learned a long time ago, out of sight out of mind. 

In Between Days

Saturday.

We got up quite early as we wanted to go shop before the storm took hold. We went to West Bridgeford, first off M&S. Got fruit and food for the weekend. Then Iceland, Kev was putting a low carb, low calorie rocky road together.So some of the ingredients he needed were better bought from there. We had coffee in Costa. Soya milk latte for me. 

After that we got the bus home. In good time too. Half an hour later it had started raining and the wind picked up. One of the glass lanterns fell in the night, obviously yanked about by the galeforce winds, it hit the garden and smashed. Kev went out and cable tied the metal ones to the hooks so we don't lose any more. That must have made our 3rd disaster of late, a plate, a spoon rest and now this. 

I got home dyed my eyebrows, and then did some junk journal pages. Cosy activities, for a cosy rainy afternoon. 

I tried out my new bag. I love it. It has plenty of room for all my crap, lense pots, lip balm, hand sanitizer, brush, mirror and tissues. Along with purse, radar key and bus pass. 

In Between Days

Friday.

I've had a day where I haven't felt entirely well. I can't put my finger on what wrong, a bit of a fuzzy head, a bit of a jippy tum, a cold sore and a couple of sneezing fits. 

We stayed in. 

I was expecting my new bag. And I placed one on Vinted. 

The one I've had is a Loungefly and the one I'm selling is also a Loungefly. Both crossbody Disney Parks ones. 

I am really happy with the new one as I honestly think it will be my go to bag. I prefer crossbody bags to backpacks now, but I love my two backpacks so I won't be parting with those. However, there are a few cross body ones I can edit down now. 

I'm plowing on with my Halloween junk journal. I only have about 12 pages left in this one, which is for me. The next ones will be gifts, a couple of Halloween and definitely one for a Christmas loving friend... 

Photo is of my new Loungefly bag... 

In Between Days

Thursday.

We met Charlotte at the bus stop, we got off the bus and went to the S1 bus stop to get the 48 to Home Bargains at the Riverside retail park. It was nice to have a look around somewhere different. We didn't think much to their Christmas displays and in general compared to those walk through videos we watch on YouTube it was pretty poor. I did manage to get a few things however. 

We got the bus back into town and went to The Roebuck for lunch. And then caught the tram to the station to catch the Cotgrave home. It made a change if nothing else. 

In Between Days.

Wednesday.

Lazy gits we are! We didn't wake up till gone half 8! So, we were later going out, dreading what the buses would be like by then. But, for once the one we wanted came on time. We got off at the station and caught the tram as it looked like it was going to chuck it down with rain any moment. We got off the tram in Market Square and went straight to Black Sheep Coffee for our regular fix. While we were in there, the heavens opened. Kev dug the brolly out and we went to Victoria Centre. We got what we needed from there including pumpkin and other veg for soup. We went to TK, and found a soup mug for Charlotte, and a Halloween gift box in the sale for me. We had lunch in Subway, jacket spuds for us both. Waitrose for canned pumpkin, always handy for both savoury and sweet dishes. It's the only place that sells it. 

Then back to the tram and the railway station, we got a bus back almost immediately for a change. Our lucky day transport wise. 

When we got home, we both had a busy day, Kev did some box shuffling to give us a spare box for a gift, the new pans came, giving us more room in the cupboard as they stack down and have a single detachable handle that fits them all. Kev put the soup on and I cleaned the bathroom and hall floors. 

Later on I did a couple more pages in my junk journal. I also took out some of the excess signatures so that its slightly less bulky. 

In Between Days

Tuesday. 

Sue and Pete picked us up from home to take us to Bingham for lunch. 

We went to The Butter Cross, a Wetherspoons. And a very nice one at that. I had the Butternut squash and spinach curry and Kev had the Chicken Tikka version. 

We had parked at the back of the little shopping arcade, so we went into the charity shop opposite Boyes and Sue spotted the wonderful tins shaped and painted like Frankenstein and Dracula. They were on sale, so we naturally bought them. 

Once we got home, we put spaghetti (dried) in Frankenstein and our straws in Dracula ( so he could "suck" your blood, lol).

In Between Days

Sunday. 

Well it was a strange Sunday all round really. We got up around 8am, and had a lazy start sitting in pj's and watching fave YouTube channels. I then heat embossed some images for Christmas cards, cutting them out and putting them ready to put together when I have time. Then I got ready to go out, out to Monster Mash up Halloween concert at the Theatre Royal. It felt weird going out late afternoon. We went to The Three Crowns for food, as its just across the road from the Theatre. We took a trip down memory lane and had a drink in The Tap and Tumbler. It's a long time since we had a drink there. 

We left there when it was time for the doors to open. We had another tipple in Yarn, and then took our seats ( front row) which was good as we had more leg room.

It was exactly as we expected, a lot of cheese, a lot of fun, and some that you think what the hell is that doing in there? Loved The Rocky Horror section, great tribute to Tim Curry. It was very Vampires Rock. But we loved every minute of it. They kicked off with The Music of the Night, which made me want to go watch Phantom of the Opera again. In fact I am looking right now at booking a Theatre trip for us both next year... 

Anyway, the show finished at 9.45pm. A little later than it should because they had a minor hiccup equipment wise. 

We got a taxi more or less straight away, getting home around 10.30pm.

It was really strange being in the city late at night, and not in a good way. There was a shooting in the early hours of the morning and there was still a large police presence. I was, I admit happy once we were home. But it was a good night out. 

In Between Days

Saturday. 

It was a lovely autumnal day bright and sunny, but cold and crisp, enough to keep your jacket on weather. 

We went into the city, saw Sheryl at the bus stop and had a good natter. 

It dropped us off at Beastmarket hill for a change, so we went to Black Sheep Coffee first, then we got the 58 to Sherwood to go to Lidl ( I needed more hand soap and I like their dupe of L'Occitane's) they also do a dupe of Lush's Rose Jam shower gel. I got both of those and a tub of sweets for Halloween trick or treaters. 

We got back into the city and went to Bill's for lunch. Haven't been in there in a age, last time was with Elle, back when we had Minimates meet up. 

I had buttermilk pancakes, Kev had a burger. Both very nice. It was a bit pricey, where isn't? But when you get good food and service it's worth it... 

We then got the tram to the station to go wait for a bus. 

We bumped into a lovely couple of Americans with a little girl at the station, who commented on Kev's Disney tote bag. When we told them it was from MNSSHP last year they asked us if we had enjoy our time in Florida. The little girl had a Halloween dress on... See, the nicest people love Halloween... 

That little chat made us smile, and made up for the 40 minute wait for a bus. We eventually got the 12, and when we got to Morrisons Louise got on. 

In Between Days.

Friday 

We accompanied Charlotte when ahe went to the Doctors for her M.O.T, then all three of us went to Bridgeford. We had coffee and lunch in Caffe Nero. Then we went to the charity shop where I got some refresher oil for the pot pouri in the hall. Charlotte found a spoon rest with a Highland Coo on it. Both really good priced items ( Charity shops are NOT cheap any more by the way)

Then onto M&S for bread and fruit. 

We got the bus home. The route to the bungalow is fraught with obstacles as they are digging up the road between the car park and the corner shop. With no thought to how the hell us oldies are getting out/into the cul de sac.

In Between Days

Tuesday. 

We went into town. The buses are now going back through Bridgeford. 

We had coffee at Black Sheep Coffee first off. The rain had abated, but the pavement was still slick and I was slipping quite a bit. Kev looked at the soles of my trainers and the grip has almost worn away. So I've ordered more. I can't risk slipping and falling, so replacing them is the best option.

We nipped in Boyes. Kev needed a few bits for projects he has on the go.

We went into Vic Centre and bought Traitors doughnuts from crispy cremes. And that was my big mistake. Thinking I could have something like that with no consequences. We went into TK and Kev managed to get another reduced cat scratch post to replace the posts Willow has wrecked. It's made her old tower like new again. 

Anyway, back to the doughnut. I ate it when we got back.

 At first, I felt alright, then half an hour later, I had a hypoglycemiac episode. I felt awful, and couldn't eat another thing. I slept a while, my own fault I know, but scary nonetheless. 

Wednesday.

We decided to go to The Range with Charlotte. We got the bus to the station, then got the tram into Market Square. We then walked up to the 45 bus stop opposite Tesco. 

We got to Lady Bay Retail Park around 11.15, and went to Greggs ( only choice there I am afraid) for a coffee. I had their PSL but, its not a patch on Black Sheep. We then went to Hobbycraft, I found a tub to hang on my craft trolley and a Halloween ribbon for my junk journal. 

We then went to The Range. I had a quick look round the Halloween section, but, as always I think their stuff is a bit tacky. I did pop round the craft section, I found a paper pad and a Christmas gift. But nothing amazing. We did have a good look at the Christmas stuff, but as we aren't really changing our decor for Christmas ( just the tree, and my tier tray) this year, I didn't buy anything. 

We had lunch at Subway ( I had a jacket potato with 5 bean chilli ) Kev and Charlotte shared a foot long. Learning my lesson from.the day before I had nothing sweet. 

We decided to get an uber home. 

In the evening Kev went to watch the football in the bedroom and I did some pages in my junk journal. 

In Between Days.

Sunday.

We got up and had a slow start to the day. I weighed in and am actually below target. That's taken just over 12 months. Which I am really proud of. At 63, which okay has been a challenge, but not impossible. And yes, I used to make that excuse too. But you can lose weight if you are willing to work at it, and set yourself an exercise plan. Mainly walking in my case. But this was triggered by a health concern and because I don't want to end up like Mr Busy. He will end up losing his leg, Kev says it's a right mess, and that is down to not keeping your diabetes in check and watching for changes in your feet and circulation. 

Once ready, we walked down to Sainsbury's to get the meat for lunch. 

We got what we wanted and then went for a coffee in The Pig and Pudding across the car park from Sainsbury's. 

It was very nice, we didn't know they opened on a Sunday. 

We then walked back, that got our steps in for the day easily. 

Kev took the washing over to the laundry there was only a bag, but we do it whenever now, usually later in the day. It keeps it down, and saves us from battling for the laundry against Mariola and co. 

I wrote my cards, ready to be posted this week. I'm not sending as many, not because I'm mean, but to be fair I was sending about 30 out, about half of which never I got any acknowledgement of. A simple thank you, or I got your card would suffice, but half the time I wasn't sure if they got them. I don't expect one back. I just get tired of being taken for granted. 

This year for Halloween too, we are doing something for us. Not a party, or a get together, just doing what we want to do for a change. We have a few things booked, a chance to dress up and have a giggle. I doubt I will blog either. Time for us to do something for us rather than others. After all it is our favourite time of year. 

In Between Days

Saturday.

Up showered and out by 10am, we got the bus into town, expecting it to drop us off at Broadmarsh bus station, instead he dropped us in town at Beastmarket hill. Apparently, because the construction and demolition crews don't work weekends they can drop off and pick up from Market Square. 

However, on our return journey the bus had reverted to Broadmarsh bus station, I think the option is down to particular drivers making that call. 

In any case we had Black Sheep coffee first, went to Boyes after and bought some craft stuff I needed. Then into Victoria Centre to John Lewis where we picked up decorative witches brooms to hang either side of the 'mantle' we've been hanging our nose over them a while now, but bit the bullet and got them. Not on sale, but what the heck. Then we we went to Tesco to get Sunday's food, which they hadn't got believe it or not, so we will walk to Sainsbury's in the Village tomorrow instead. 

Finally, we went in TKMAXX to pick up Kev's click and collect order ( more Halloween decor) and we saw and bought a pillow in the sale, which I bought. 

Then it was back on the tram to the railway station and we caught the bus home outside  that. 

We had a quick reshuffle of the decor and threw away one pillow, it was only a cheap Temu case we had filled, so, that gone, we had the perfect place for it, in the unliving room. 

The brooms look amazing and I'm glad we bought them. 

Later on I did some crafting and then we watched Shawn of the Dead. 

In Between Days

Thursday.

We went into the city, mainly to get the ingredients for Mystical Witch Soup, its a purple coloured soup made from purple sweet potatoes, red cabbage and red onions. It looks amazing and tastes good. Full of veggies and great when its chilly. 

Anyway we had to settle for normal sweet potatoes. So it was more red than purple but still really tasty. 

We went into TKMAXX just to see if they had more bargains, but they hadn't knocked the stuff down as much as Homesense. 

We had coffee in Black Sheep and then went to M&S for the soup ingredients. We walked back to Broadmarsh bus station and got the Cotgrave home. 

We had a busy day once home, changing the bedding for the Halloween one. Kev put the washing on after they'd finished at the bingo. 

In Between Days.

Wednesday.

Despite the lashing rain we went on the bus to the station, went up to the tram stop and got the Toton lane one that goes to Dunelm and Starbucks. We had a pumpkin spice latte (hot) before going to Dunelm. Afterwards we walked up the bridge to go to B&M and lastly Homesense. 

We went in Homesense and they had reduced all the Halloween decor. Most of it half price. It had to be done, a basket was grabbed and a Frankenstein seated holding his detached head was aquired along with a witchypoo head that Kev has been hanging his nose over for a while. Then we found two pictures, one an apothecary scene ( for the kitchen) and a haunting bride one that reminds me of Lucy in Bram Stoker's Dracula, when she comes back to the crypt carrying the child. That's gone into the Hall, replacing the one I made when we first moved here. Lastly we found a pumkin scratching post for Willow it's got a witches hat on. Kev said if they reduced it he would buy it. All that lot came to £35, which we probably spent previously on one or two items. So we were very happy with our haul. We decided to have a taxi home, as it was all heavy. 

When we got home we made a few adjustments to our decor finding homes for it all. 

In Between Days

Tuesday.

Sue contacted us to say we couldn't go into town as there was a fire overnight and most of that area was cordoned off. So they picked us up and we tried to go to Shepherds. We got there to find there was no carvery. So we went to order on the menu but most of that was unavailable too. So we walked out. We then went to The Gamston Lock. We sat at a table and then a server. A young girl, who sadly didn't know what she was doing. She didn't know what we were saying either, Sue had to tell her at least 3 times that she wanted a gin and bitter lemon, she didn't know what a bitter lemon was, so Sue ( patiently for her, believe me) said I'll have it with orange juice. She then realised she hadn't got her note pad and had to go get it. After all that Sue ended up with what appeared to be a plain orange juice. Until she got to the bottom where the gin was, she hadn't stirred it... Pete asked what beers they had on tap, she didn't know. Kev in the end went up to the bar and looked for himself. 

Needless to say when it came to ordering the food Kev just pointed at the menu for what we wanted. 

Now the food was good, don't get me wrong. And we had a good laugh about it, She almost dropped the drinks all over us, and some of the drinks were spilt on the tray. God knows if she was employed there, or just part of the family roped in to serve. But it was like something out of a comedy sketch. Thank God we didn't order the soup! 

At £90 for four of us it wasn't cheap, I suppose we paid for the entertainment value, I kept waiting for Basil Fawlty to come and ask us how our meal was. 

Sue and Pete dropped us off home. 

In Between Days

Monday.

To get our steps in we walked down to the village and I called into the doctors to pick-up a sample pot as I have a diabetic m.o.t at the end of the month. 

We went round Heron, and had a coffee in Streza. Then down to Sainsbury's before getting a bus back home.

Once back, We watched some YouTube, checking out a couple of videos on Chester as we are thinking of having a trip there in the new year. 

It's a year ago today since we were in Disney. It's also a year since I made to decision to walk away from work. I was terrified of doing it but could see no other option. 45 years and they put me in a position of having no other choice. Never mind, it is harder now, money wise, especially as Kev is now retired, but I've never been happier. That burden of getting buses ( which would be a living hell given the situation right now) and travelling halfway across the city even for two days a week would drive us both mental. 

They say things happen for a reason. In retrospect, it was probably the best thing to do. 

That holiday put a lot of things into perspective. It was a turning point in a few things. My health, diet, and fitness, and my mental health. I've stopped setting my self on fire to keep others warm. I'm not doing things because they are expected of me. If people don't like me because of that, then they don't have to be in my orbit. I would sooner be on my own than be alone in a crowd. I am nobody's second choice, I will gladly spend time with those that want to, but I won't beg someone to stay. If that makes me selfish, so be it. 

In Between Days.

Sunday.

A sunny but chilly start to the day, perfect for us. I got up at 8am, weighed in, sitting at 1.7 kg below target. 

Gave Willow lots of cuddles, then collated and cut some ephemera for my junk journal.

We walked to the Precinct, getting our steps in, had a nosy in Heron sat outside with a can ( water in my case!) Kev had cold coffee, enjoying the sunshine.

We got back and Kev put the washing in, I did a few pages in my junk journal. 

Later on Charlotte came round, Ian had sent some Traitors chocolate coins round for all three of us, we watched Pottery Throw Down, and Apocalypse. Not sure what I think of the latter, it really doesn't give you hope for mankind, and is a bleak reflection on the human race as it is... Nice people get crushed or forced into not being nice to survive... 

In Between Days

Saturday.

We walked down to the village to post my Halloween cards for America. There's a big faff now to sending to the States, you have to put the senders name and address in the top left hand corner and then theirs below it. It is also £3.60 per card! This might change me sending cards to the US in future. 

Afterwards we decided to have lunch at The Manvers. Kev had fish and chips and I had the roasted veg autumn salad. Both were lovely, but very pricey. £50, which we don't mind once in a while, but not every week. 

We caught the bus home as there was one due. 

Kev baked figs in the oven with honey and we had them with greek yogurt. 

I got some more work done in my junk journal. 

Later on we watched 'Withnail and I' its years since we've seen it, and it's a classic. I can't believe it came out in 1987. I've always loved Richard.E.Grant as an actor. Even if he plays really serious parts ( and he can, and does) there is always something quirky odd about him. I think it's carried through him as he is a little odd on real life. Very eccentric. He won't be on Traitors long, but even on that he has blurted out he is a Traitor! Typical of him, you'd say. 

In Between Days

Thursday. 

I should sub-title this blog 'the misadventures of a Cotgrave bus passenger' episode 2... 

We got what should have the 9.30am. A bus turned up, not in service, that dropped people off closed the doors and buggered off. 5 minutes later another bus came ( it was now 9.45am) We were allowed on that one. Because the other bus wasn't picking any passengers up, they all piled onto ours, before we left Cotgrave the bus was full of people, standing as well as sitting. 

 We eventually got to the city, and had the mostly up hill from Broadmarsh bus station to the centre of the shops etc, so we headed straight to Black Sheep Coffee. Having had our fix it was on to Boyes to get some craft supplies. Those got, it was on to TK to find all the Halloween had been packed up and moved upstairs. Kev found two great copies of Frankenstein and Dracula. Just to display, I have copies to read and both are on kindle too. But it allows us to use them to put our objects on them to give them different heights. Why buy fake books when you can buy real ones at the same price. 

We had jacket potatoes from the van opposite the church and sat out because it was such a nice day. They were very good value and really tasty. 

We then walked back to the bus station and eventually got a Cotgrave bus home. 

Ian informed us later that there are going to be more roadworks from next week affecting Bridgeford which will make things even worse

 than they are now. 

Charlotte helped us when we got home reaching the tree with the baubles for Halloween, to save unplugging the TV and moving it.