25 years and counting

25 years ago this morning we were at the registery office in Musselburgh with two friends as witnesses getting married. We had been living together for 7 years, decided it was time to make it official.

We are going out for afternoon tea to our favourite cafe, so no supper needed.

Yesterday DB was out in the greenhouse, I decided to tackle moving the two tables in the sewing room, with a few breaks to rest my back it is done, there is more room in there, the fold up bed is in the corner, we can turn it longways if we need to use it at any time. I am about to put the accessories for the Janome machine in a bag, easier to transport.

Big table under the window ready for the new machine.

Smaller table near access to tools etc

Laundry is in the washer, I am hoping to get it partly dry outside, will have to take it in before we go out this afternoon.

Cleaner is due this morning, so by lunchtime we will be all nice and clean again.

Did they come?

no, I checked the bell recording and they had not been whilst we were out. So thats the second appointment missed!! Guess who will be on the phone in the morning.

Thankfully the wind has not affected the green house, the plants and cuttings I put in have all survived, they will be getting moved to the growing house near the back gate for a few weeks until its safe for them to go out.

I spent a bit of time yesterday in the back bedroom, have found an old duvet which is on its way out, repacked the cupboard and put a label on with whats in it, so I do not have to excavate it when I am looking for something. Am going to do the same with the drawers my embroidery thread etc is in. I am going to change the tables round, it will take me all day, I have to do a bit and sit a bit. I also need to do my badge for the retreat and then the embroidery machine will be cleaned and put into the two cases ready to go to Sheffield. So no sewing for 3 weeks at least.

Its a bright morning. DB says it will get up to 9c, so I guess he is planning on going out to the garden.

Supper is lamb from the freezer and roast veggies, we have the raspberries in jelly for dessert. I need to use up what we have before the new seasons growth starts, we had a really good year last year.

Market Day

We were off to the market early, as we were expecting a chap to fit the flooring in the toilet, we asked that no one come before 10.30 to be sure we were back. We did not go last week, chap said that all of the canopies they had to cover the stall were wrecked with the wind.

Last week I ordered the new fold up bed from B & Q, they despatch them straight from the manufacturers. I was expecting an email to say it was on its way, yesterday morning the door went, a huge box, the bed. So its now in its place in the back bedroom. M came round last night and put the headboard on, so once I get the laundry back I can put the bottom sheet on and the cover on the duvet and close it up, all it will need then are the pillows on once it is opened out.

Its a bright morning, feels a bit warmer although there is still a cold wind. Bedroom rad off and window open.

Salmon out of the freezer to cook for supper, we will have salad with it. More of the rice pudding for dessert.

So

things are looking more than a little grim......I feel so much for the people of Ukraine, the despot had all borders covered and no one seems to have realised it. How it will pan out we just do not know.

It does seem as if the cost of living will rise again in the autumn. Food prices are going up very quickly. When I do my next months menus I am going to have to look at more veggi based meals like the cauli and broccoli gratin I used to make. One thing I will not compromise on is fruit, We both have a piece of fruit each day, I am sure thats what has kept DB in better health this year as well as the fact that he now has the pacemaker.

I spent most of yesterday sorting out the Janome machine, I have a feeling its going to be hard to shift, If I have to I will reduce the price, it will grieve  me but it may have to be done. At least I got a decent price for the stellaire.

Its a bit warmer, the sun is out and I have the radiator off in our bedroom and the window open. DB is going out to the garden once it warms up a bit.

This arrived this morning, no prior notice, just a knock on the door. Chap reluctantly put the box in the sewing room and we unpacked it. Just have to attach the head board, which makes a shelf when its closed, and away we go, it will be moved into the corner until we need to use it.

We have some extra milk, so I am going to make a rice pudding, it will do us a couple of nights for dessert. Its fish and chip night.

Oppps

sorry I appear to have missed out yesterday......not that there was  much to report anyway.

We made the decision that I sell my Janome dual machine and put the XE1 in part ex for a XJ1, which is a dual machine, more stitches and designs than the two I have. So spent most of yesterday hunting for the bits to put it on the net. Am going to try a couple of local sites first and see how it goes. I do not like the way Ebay is selling and they take a huge cut in commission. Plus I have only used the sewing side of the Janome for the last couple of years.

Yesterday was dry and windy but brrrr...we have rain this morning, so guess the apex of the roof will not be getting done, it is too wet. Really fed up with the weather, roll on the summer, lets have a bit of sun and some heat!!

The meeting we went to the other day was good, it was a get to know you and what we are trying to do meeting, we have another one in the evening in a couple of weeks, will mean we will have to eat at lunchtime rather than at night. Hopefully it will be lighter a bit later by then. I will have to drive home in the dark, very slowly.

So cleaning the machine and taking some photos, want to get it gone. Am asking for collection only, its too expensive to send by courier. It also means I can do a demo if needed. They can take the boxes if they need them.

Supper is chicken, spuds and veggies, no dessert unless I make a fruit jelly, have still got some raspberries in the freezer as well as some rhubarb, will have to use that up, the rhubarb in the garden is starting to grow.

 

Miserable monday

has gone. Met DD2 for coffee and then changed the pin number on my visa card and also drew some cash. I asked if it was possible to get money in set amounts, i.e. 12 x £20 notes...... yes was the answer so I drew the cash for the cleaner etc for the next month. I need to put it in the safe.

The wind appears to have dropped, the bungalow across seems to have lost 2 coping stones, ours is ok, it was checked last year. We are due a visit to repair the south apex of the roof, mortar falling out again. DO not know why they did not use the covering on both apex when they did the north one last year.

No idea whats for supper, will have a look when we get back from the meeting at the council we are at this morning. I will call at our local post office on the way back and get the TV magazine. It will save me going out later in the week.

And even more

high winds, they ramped up yesterday afternoon and are doing their best to blow you off your feet.

I am not looking forward to going into town with DB this afternoon, he wants to go to Evergreens. Will not be there for the next 2 weeks. I have arranged to meet DD2 for coffee and also need to go to the bank.

Cleaner is back this morning, I have stripped the bed. We also heard yesterday that they are coming on Thursday to sort the roof and also put down the new floor covering in the toilet. At last, it was last year the flooring was ripped up.

Supper tonight is chicken, I have some cauliflower to use up, so will do mash and carrots make another  hot supper rather than salad.

Its back

the wind started building again last night and is blowing a hoolie out the back, its also raining, has done all night, so there will be some flood problems in the villages, glad I do not have to go out. No power cuts, although I have the candles out ready. Some areas in the south are still out from Friday.

Quiet day yesterday, did some research on the lap top and read a book on line. I have started one of my 'real' library books, I still have quite a few to read. The ones on the internet are like busses, three come along at once.

The refund for the chests I ordered hit my bank account yesterday, waiting to hear when the replacements are due. I can now order the fold up bed. It will stand out of the way in the corner until its needed.

Veggies done for supper, roast chicken, I have a couple of  individual jam sponges for dessert if we need anything else. 

Phew

apart from the two usual pots that blow over, although the wind was very strong the rest of the garden seems to have survived ok, the green house is still standing, although it has very heavy toughened glass in it. All the bulbs are shooting up in the containers, they must think its spring!!

We stayed in all day, I did just nip out and move the two pots that always blow over, apart from that it was keep warm day as it will be today. I have no plans to do anything. I need to put my thinking cap on and decide what I need to sort out for the retreat at the end of March.

Chicken out of the freezer for tomorrow, its an ADB tonight. 

Batten down the hatches

we are in for a very windy day. 75mph forecast for us. Hope our roof is ok, the cement has dropped out again and left the edges of some tiles exposed.

Good visit with B yesterday, plenty of laughs. I was not so happy with Aldi though. They announced they were opening another till, so basket unloaded. Stood waiting, announcement they were closing the till. Three of us had already unloaded our trollies, when I complained I was virtually told to shut up and threatened by the cashier to refuse to serve me......so no more Aldi for me, will use Lidl, its not so far to go.

Apart from anything else I get a delivery from Morrison, so I may well stay with them, just go into town when we go to see B.

I had a sneak preview of B's bungalow, as I suspected the council are going to carpet it, there is underlay down on all the floors. Heaven knows when it will get done, I am still waiting to hear about the floor covering for our toilet. I cannot remember when the chap ripped it up to repair the toilet. The surveyor who came in January said that as the workman had ripped it up it was the councils responsibility to replace it. We phoned last week, still nothing, its a long time to be walking on bare boards, apart from the fact that its insanitary no being able to wash the floor.

Towels in the washer, they will have to go in the dryer, I cannot do with wet washing hanging about.

Fish and chip night, I did buy 4 custard tarts yesterday so we will have one each for dessert.

Yes its fine

my first pacemaker check for 3 years was fine, they did say that they may well change it in a couple of years and hopefully I will get one like DB's and be freed from the yearly trek to the hospital.

It was very windy and wet indeed on the journey, but this morning its bright sunshine, no idea how windy it is though. We have a warning not to go out at all tomorrow!!

We are off to see B this morning, need to collect a couple of bits from Aldi. As I am not sure about the weather on Saturday, will collect just the fruit we will need for next week whilst in Aldi.

I am working on a design for our decorator for his tee shirts and fleece he wears, I need one more shot at it and I think it will be fine. Small one for the tee shirts and a larger one for the back of his jacket.

We ended up having smoked haddock last night so the beef is for tonight, will do the veggies before we go out.

Back to the simple life

after a busy two days life is more or less back to normal. Its coffee at the little chapel this morning and after lunch I have to travel back into Leicester to have my pacemaker check. This weeks junketing is not finished tomorrow we go to see B and take her trousers back. We will have lunch at our 'go to' place, on the way back. I also need to have a quick visit to Aldi, I forgot to get eggs on my last weeks order.

The sun is out and its quite mild, but we are forecast very strong winds up to 80 mph........

We had cheese on toast for supper last night, its what DB asked for, so thats what he got. I have got smoked haddock out for tonight.

What a time

we have had. Booked into the hotel, nice room with a huge bed, room for a little one in the middle.

We had taken a light tea with us which we had before we set off for the Hall. No problem parking, chap on the gate had our name, so in we sailed parked and took our seats.

We did see Angels mum briefly before the show started, she said she would come back and see us, but she did not make it back. 

At the begining of each show Dick thanks all the people who have come to see them and also those who correspond with Angel, and they have to wave so people can see where they are. The second name was mine, Dick told upwards of 3000 people that I had made an embroidery for Angels Mum and it was on the wall in Grandmas kitchen applause from the audience and a red face for me!!

Jenny did not manage back in the interval, but several people asked me about how the embroidery came about........

The second part of the show was a tour on film round the chateau from the entrance hall right the way up to the attics, including the bits of the attic still full of 'rubbish' which it has been deemed is going to have to disappear this year. Then we descended to the sous sol and the kitchens, family dining kitchen, and the boot room. 

The front and one side of the chateau has been re-roofed and then rest is to be done over this year. They have their first wedding for 2 years in 6 weeks.

Dick and Angel came back on stage for a brief moment at the end to enable people to take photographs. No meet and greet, just too dangerous.

Back at the hotel, the bed proved to be comfy and we slept well.

In to the dining room for breakfast, poached egg on toast with bacon and Hollandaise sauce.

Travelled back via the techie, to check our plates, all hunky dory, so drive back in the pouring rain. Needless to say it has now cleared up.

No idea whats for supper, might do stovies, I have some corned beef in the fridge. 

We are off

on a jolly to see Dick and Angel tonight. Staying over night at a local hotel. Tomorrow on the way home, we need to call and see the dental technician to check our new plates, so will be back in time for lunch.

I have the laundry on, it will go in the dryer, I will not be here to take it in if I put it on the line. There are a couple of woolies which I will wash separately and put on hangers to dry.

So lunch before we go, I am making up sandwiches to take with us for supper before we set out for the hall.

Grey day, DB says its due to rain later. I need to put fuel in the car later, its only 1/4 full. Must have been doing some flitting about.

A quiet weekend?

Don't make me laugh, yesterday was not too bad. First thing this morning I got a message about the daybed, chap is collecting it shortly. So a quick run round to move the mattress and all the stuff underneath. I had forgotten how big the box was for the stellaire machine, its huge and there are at least four more smaller boxes. No idea where they are going.

Veggies done for supper. I have to sort out stuff for tomorrow, we are staying i Leicester overnight and have an appointment to get of dental plates check on Tuesday morning on the way home.

I was exceedingly good yesterday turned up two of the four pairs of trousers for B. I will do the other two today, so they can go back to her later in the week.

So supper is roast pork with all the trimmings, I doubt we will want any dessert.

There it was - gone!!!

day before today

Spent the day sorting stuff out in the sewing room, I have bedding to store now we are selling the day bed, which has left me with a pile of wadding to put somewhere. I now need to sort out the 4 pairs of trousers my friend asked me to sew up for her. I doubt we will get to see her much before Thursday. I also need to sew the badge for the retreat, I need some coloured felt for that. Will have to have a look on E Bay.

We had two deliveries this morning. 3 bags of manure and the new composter. We need to move the bags of compost on the trolly round to the back. DB is going to work in the greehouse this morning out of the wind.

Quick trip to the market this morning. Very windy and bitterly cold, did not need a lot, just fruit. They had melons so I bought one for our brekkie tomorrow and Monday.

I am defrosting some mince to make spag bol for tonights supper, its ages since we had it. I have been trying to usr up the beef and pork we have in the freezer.

 

Finished

Bed room in all its glory, the carpet is a grey green, plain. I hate patterned carpet. The fitters were excellent, they put the mattress back on the bed for me and actually said' thank you for having us' when they left. Thats the first time that has happened!!

We slept well, I was absolutely shattered, so much so that we had sausage and chips last night. Late waking so late getting up, no problem. I have the sewing room to clear now and the day bed to put on the internet. If it has not been sold within a month, it will go to the charity shop.

Very hard frost last night, so DB will not be able to go out to the garden. Sun is out but its cold. I need to make a loaf, we are out of HM bread.

I spoke to our cleaner yesterday, she is still testing positive for Covid although it seems she can go out today? She is going down to her daughters to look after Grandchildren whilst parents go to a wedding. She is planning on staying with a friend and coming back on Thursday next week.

Third lot of chips this week tonight, its fish and chips night......no chips at all next week.

 

Waiting

for the carpet people to arrive, they should be here any time. I am going to ask them to put the mattress back on the bed when they have finished. Then we can start putting stuff back.

Not good news in the paper this morning 4 of the power companies are going to charge extra for electric used in peak periods, so that means for most of the day they will charge extra. I can use my washer at night but not the dryer, I have to manually switch it on. It does switch itself off though, as does the washer when its finished.

I have a grocery delivery coming this afternoon, had a job to make it up to the minimum spend. 

Sausage casserole tonight, will use the rest of the beans in it. I also want to start using some of the tinned veggies I have in stock.

Thankful

for a better nights sleep. Put my book down at 11pm, woke a couple of times but went straight off again. Still feel weary though.

Hooray last night on the sofa tonight, carpet fitters due after 9am tomorrow, so bit by bit I can get the bedroom back. Last night my neighbour and I lowered the bed, so it will be easier for me to get in.

Rain over night and it looks like we are due some more rain, they sky is very grey. I need to get my car washed and more fuel in, its filthy, so next time we go into town its a car wash and fill up with fuel.

No plans for today, have salmon for supper tonight, so will cook it this morning and make the salad up this afternoon.

Shattered

after a run of good night, I was awake until 4am this morning, so tired.....

At least we only have 2 more nights to go, I might just about make that.

Cleaner contacted me, she is feeling much better, I have told her to take it easy, covid is not easy to get over. I managed to do the wet room, toilet and kitchen, but not the floors, was shattered when I finished. The sitting room is not too bad. M is coming this afternoon to lower the bed a notch, we have to take the drawers off the runners whilst we do it. Roll on Thursday afternoon........M suggested I take a picture of the day bed and post it for sale with the buyer dismantling it. Will have to see, will put it on the local page and also Gumtree.

Beef casserole for tonight, have cabbage carrots and mash to go with it. No dessert, we finished the jelly last night.

3 nights to go

and we will be back in the bedroom, might stay in bed all day Friday, just cos I can!! Frost overnight but the sun is out and it has almost cleared. Trip to the next village to put the scripts in for our medication, it takes 10 days for them to process them before we get them delivered.

Load of laundry in, thats everything done, a couple of things will need hanging the rest can go in the dryer, until next week when we start all over again.

There is a constant stream of farm traffic on the lane, they are brining in manure, its a good job its cold, very little smell. The bulbs in the containers are shooting up, as are the grape hyacinths in the front garden. Lots of birds flying around too, the bird feeders have to be refilled every other day.

DB is talking about buying a different composter, it heats up quicker so will process the contents quicker. Eventually he hopes to get rid of the two big composters at the back of the shed.

New curtains in the bedroom. It is called magnolia, different shades of pink

You can see the very feint pink in the paint on the walls. The bed looks very lonely, roll on Thursday!!

Egg and chips tonight, we will finish off the oranges in jelly for dessert.

Where has the time gone?

 We were unable to have breakfast in bed this morning, everywhere is such a mess......believe me, I am not going through it again.....so breakfast in the kitchen. I had to put a load of laundry on, I was running out of underwear and could not get to the drawers. We have both agreed the one room that will not get done is my sewing room!! The thought of having to move all the stuff thats in there brings me out in a cold sweat.

I have told my cleaner not to worry about coming to help me put the stuff back, she really needs to get well before she starts work again. My neighbour will give me a lift with the chest of drawers back into the bedroom. I need to photograph the bedroom furniture and get it onto the internet before the new chests come. I did manage to get the curtains up yesterday, must admit they look really good.

Veg prepped for supper, we are having some more of the pork I cooked, sliced and froze last week.

Mr Frost

has been again, thankfully not too heavy, so the car should be clear by the time we go out. Painter is here putting the blind back up in the bedroom, once thats done and we are back from the market I will put the new curtains up, give them time to hang before we move back in.

Thankfully we seem to have escaped covid, it is long since the symptoms should have shown themselves. My cleaner is better except for the cough, which I know can linger.

Supper tonight will be ADB with oranges in jelly for dessert. 

Hmmmm

We are now on day 2.5, I read that symptoms show themselves on the 2nd day after infection, we are now almost at the end of the week and both ok, so keeping fingers crossed.

I got a letter yesterday to go for a pacemaker check, first for 2 1/2 years. DB does not have to go as his transmits the recording every night at midnight.

Painter will finish this morning, I am pleased with the paint, it looks good a very very pale pink sheen. We are not moving back in, the carpet is being replaced on Thursday, so  6 more nights on the settee for me. I did have a more restful night last night, must be getting used to it.

Sun is out, painter is doing the gloss, then he is finished. I will just have the bill to pay!!

So along with the cost of living rises we are now having to pay a lot more for gas and electricity. We will be ok, but there are thousands who will not. I will have to up the things I put in the food bank box in the supermarket a bit. I try to put things in that have at least some protein in such as baked beans, tins of custard and rice pudding.  Breakfast cereal is something else, usually weetabix. Tins of stewed steak and chicken are really only enough for two, not to feed a family. Will have to put my thinking cap on. 

Usual Friday supper, I have opened a tin of mandarin oranges and made jelly, so that will do us 2 or 3 suppers.                                            

Oh brilliant

Phone call late last night, my cleaner has got covid, so we are having to isolate until Monday. The decorator is here complete with mask, I wear a mask and he stands in one doorway whilst I stand at least 8ft away to talk to him.  We are in the sitting room with the doors closed, only have to go out if we need the toilet.Have made arrangements to leave his coffee on the dresser for him, he will paint today and finish off tomorrow. The paper has dried out and covered all the lumps and bumps in the walls... result...hooray.

Dull morning, DB is going out to the garden for a while, I will prep the veggies for tonights supper. No plans to do anything else.

A calmer morning

my goodness the wind really did its nut yesterday. I had to fetch the chandelier in I was afraid it would drop off the line and shatter. Its warmer today but very grey, think we might get some rain later.

Decorator is here ceiling and gloss today, he has got gloss paint that does not smell,  I used to hate putting gloss on anything the fumes affected my chest and eyes.

Coffee at the little chapel this morning, will catch up with the local gossip. 

We have changed banks and the  new account has gone live today, so I need to remember new numbers for my cards, will have to write it on the inside of my hand when I go out, do not want the cash machine to swallow it!!

Smoked haddock, paoched etc for supper tonight, I have to make a bread and butter pudding with the half a tea cake thats in the fridge.

Its windy again

the wind has got up in the last hour and is blowing fit to bust. DB is in the garden, I have just told him to come in.

Yesterday was a heavy day, we cleared the bedroom including the mattress, its all in my sewing room, there is a passage for DB to get to the bed and thats it.  Decorator is busy prepping the walls and wood work. He will paint the woodwork and ceiling tomorrow, put the paper on on Thursday and then paint it Friday. We have decided not to move back into the bedroom until after the carpet has been fitted, so we will be using the beds for 10 days. I slept ok last night once I got off.

Chandelier has been washed and rinsed in vinegar, just drying off. We usually use the anti static duster on it, but I decided it needed washing, after all its been up for 7 years!!

DB managed to lose one of his hearing aids yesterday, so I guess thats going to cost us. Good job we have a buffer. We are still waiting for the new chests of drawers. 

Quiche, jacket spud and beans for supper tonight, no dessert. although we do have half a teacake in the fridge, might use that to make a bread and butter pudding.