Sunny

but very cold, we have had a frost overnight and its hanging, cars and roofs still have frost on them, it does not seem to be lifting at all.

Waiting on DB's carer, its coffee morning so need to go along see if anyone is there. I am also expecting a delivery from Morrison. The box at the door is not working, so people are having to go down and open the doors. Tough on anyone who lives on the top floor and has problems walking!!

Supper tonight will be fish fingers, mash peas and parsley sauce. We have finished the chocolate log, so we are back to no dessert or icecream.

We went to the coffee morning, DB's sister rang to tell us her husband passed away early this morning. We are so sad, he was a really lovely person, he was suffering from dementia, such a cruel thing for someone who was a GP all his working life. We are pleased that he died as he wanted, at home, they had been together for 64 years. We will not be able to travel up to Newcastle for his funeral, I cannot undertake, such a long journey and DB is no longer fit enough to travel. We will be thinking about the family in the coming days.

Alternating

 Between rain and sun, still blooming cold.

Carer was a bit earlier this morning, we had still managed to have our breakfast before she came.

Nothing done this morning, tomorrow is my 2 hours off day, so a shopping list for Aldi, possibly a visit to the library too. I am out of books to read. I also have a Morrison delivery coming........

Still pondering the changes in the sewing room, need to sort out the bookshelves first and get them collected. Then I can move on to swapping the tables etc round.

Db is pretending to be asleep.......

Pork and pepper casserole for supper with pile rice, we will finish the chocolate log off for dessert.

Another dank day

carer was scheduled for 9.am arrived jsut before 10.am. Cleaner arrived shortly after, she started in the kitchen, she is still recovering from food poisoning but did her usual excellent job.

DB read for a while this morning, he slept this afternoon until I started to cook the supper. The fridge is beginning to look rather empty. I have a delivery coming on Wednesday.

Yesterday I decided I was no longer going to carry heavy stuff from the shops, so have bulk ordered toilet paper, bleach, toilet cleaner and wet wipes........have had a tidy up in a couple of cupboards so have space to store stuff.

Yesterday I sat in my sewing room and decided whats is going to have to go, a small table, an electric stove we had in the sitting room at Grange Drive and Coal Lane and two book cases. I am then going to turn the bed round onto the back wall with the bedside table at the side. I have asked C if she and her husbband will come and do the heavy lifting once I have got rid of the excess stuff. I have also sorted out stirage for stuff like laundry liquid, shower gel etc, in doing so I found the tube of savlon I knew I had but could not find!!

The district nurse came to check DB's 'sore spot' thankfully it is looking much better so she has discharged him. I will continue to put the cream on each time he uses the commode.

Supper was egg and chips followed by a slice each of the chocolate log, there is just enough left for us to have for dessert tomorrow.

Yukkkk

 Dull, dank day suits my mood..... I hate the winter when it's cold dank and dark, roll on March when we can believe winter is almost over.

DB is watching songs of praise from Launde Abbey in Leicestershire. I have cooked 2 salmon fillets for tonight's supper. DB has requested salad, so that's what he will get.

We finished the trifle last night, we will have a piece of chocolate log for dessert. It was made by our cleaner and is delicious. I have given the carers a slice to have, they often do not have time to eat much. Belinda could not wait, she ate hers in the car before she set off for her next call!!

Another late night tonight, TV programme does not finish till 10.30. I usually read until about 11pm before settling down to sleep, might not bother tonight.

Late post

Carers back to a 10am call, so alarm set for 8.30am, breakfast in bed for DB.

Cleaner gave back word, they have the D& V bug, not needed here thank you. So hopefully she will be here on Monday.

Quiet day. DB watched the snooker and racing on TV then settled down for a nap.

Supper tonight was shepherds pie, and we finished off the raspberry trifle.

So

 all the fuss is over for another year. 

We spent a quiet day, carer came early, so DB up, washed and dressed by 9am. 

We spent quite a bit of time watching TV, either live programmes or things we had recorded. Lunch was smoked salmon with lemon juice and cucumber, roll for DB sandwich for me. 

DB had a snooze in the afternoon, we had our roast pork, potatoes, cauliflower and brussels, follwed by rapsberry trifle for supper. Spent the rest of the evening watching TV before shuffling off to bed.

Carer was later this morning, no problem, DB had his breakfast in bed. I emptied the dish washer and attacked the air fryer basket with fine wire wool, hopefully now the dishwasher will keep it clean. I have ordered a new bowl for the Ninja, the old one was getting very marked, the new one is stainless steel, so it should wash fine in the dishwasher. How grateful am I that we caved in and bought the dishwasher, by the time I have prepared and cooked supper, I have had it, so being able to shove the dishes etc in there is fabulous, It has a timer on so used night time electric which is half price!!  I use the washer the same way, and on rare occasions the dryer. I mostly dry laundry on the airer in the second bedroom with the window open and the door closed. Its thick things like track suit trousers, fleece tops and jackets I dry at night, the dryer automatically switches off when it senses the things are dry.

Supper tonight is corned beef and egg salad, need to use the corned beef up, make a bit more room in the fridge. We will have some more of the raspberry trifle for dessert, we should manage to finish it tomorrow, we then have a chocolate log to demolish.

Cleaner is due here tomorrow.

Gosh, quite a long post today.........

Happy Christmas

 

To every one who reads my blog,  Happy Christmas and Health and Happiness in 2026.

Wow sun

bright morning, but still very cold. Awaiting phone call from the Dr and a visit from the nurse........

We were going to go for coffee, but decided against as we were waiting for Dr etc.....

DB is being very difficult, nothing I can do about it but grin and bear it, stand in the kitchen and silent scream.....

Tomorrow will be the same as any other day for us, carer will come and get DB up and undress in the evening. He has marked programmes to watch on TV and we have a couple recorded to watch if we need to.

Supper, sausage, mash and beans.......no idea about a dessert, there is enough ice cream for DB I can always have cheese and biscuits.

Late today

Frustrating day trying to get DBs toe and back sorted. Had to loose my rag to get anywhere.....The NHS is pants!!

DD2 came with DGS, he is walking now and into everything......I must rememmber if he is coming that I move everything he just might or might not attempt to get his hands on. We played 'I want to go into the kitchen' he got fed up with that, then it was I found the silver teaspoons why is there nothing in them, he can get them into his mouth, no problem, could not understand why there was not food in it.

Just sorted out the Amazon dit, I keep forgetting tp switch the electric blankets on before we go to bed, and put the bedroom heater on.

Supper pork and pepper casserole with veggies, guess DB will have a mince pie for dessert. 

Another grey day

Carer was earlier this morning, so DB was up by 9.45 and in his chair. I have rung the surgery to try and get someone to look at his bottom, I do not want it to develop into a bedsore.

Delivery from Morrison this morning, all the veg is down to 5p, I will take it out of the plastic and leave it on the side to dry and for the skin to thicken, then most of it will go in the salad drawer except the potatoes, I have a special bag for them.

Nothing special happening today, our House manager is off over the holiday. It was interesting at the coffee morning last Thursday.......I am not the only one to have had problems with her. I have just decided to ignore her as far as possible, but should she again accuse me of something I have not done, she will regret it.

Feel at a bit of a loose end just now.......need to focus on sorting out a project on my machine.

Fog

We woke to a foggy morning, The carers were very late, so I ended getting DB up myself, he got a lick and a promise of a wash.

It has been foggy all day, very dark as well, today is the Solstice so the nights should start to draw out now. Bring it on, I hate the dark nights of winter.

Years ago I had a pen friend in Sweden, 6 months of the year it was only light for a few hours in the middle of the day.........

Grocery delivery tomorrow, the fridge has been cleaned out ready. The freezer is full, by this time next week almost everything will have been consumed.

Supper tonight is roast gammon with veggies, there is dessert if DB wants it.

Y 

At least

 Its not raining, but very cold. Glad we are in the warm.

Carers were later this morning, so a bit of a lie in.

Cleaned the fridge out ready for the delivery on Monday, that will be it until after the holiday.

Nothing much to report, I slept better last night,  mind you I was shattered.

Cooked mince for supper, put half in a dish for shepherds pie next week, it's in the freezer. Last night I cooked chips for the first time for ages, DB was getting fed up with mashed spud.

Raining again

awful day again, has not got light all day and its raining fit to bust. Suppose we should be grateful its not snow. Sorry for anyone who lives anywhere it might flood!!

DB had got over his journey yesterday, and I had a better night, although I could do with a nanna nap just now.

Dr called early and the laundry came back early so we went to the Thursday coffee morning in the lounge, joined in a small group. We had quite an entertaining time.

DB had a brief nap after lunch, we then watched an old recording of Father Brown and he  is now asleep again.

Supper tonight is stovies.....its a while since I last made them.

What a day

This morning DB had an appointment with the ENT consultant, very early start, up at 7am. Journey to the hospital was horrendous, due to traffic. I had to push DB right through the hospital to get to the place we needed to be. They called him for a hearing test which was a waste of time. We then had to wait for an hour, the Professor was running an hour late. Eventually we got to see him. Various tests, questions and his ears suctionedcto get rid of the wax. An appointment made at Melton for a hearing test. Result of visit, no new treatment, most of his problems are due to his age, care being provided was top notch.........continue in the same way. I wanted him to see Professor Rae, after all he is the top man. So we continue.......our transport picked us up, half way home DB decided to be sick, good job I had taken  vomit bowl!,!. Once home, we announced we were cold........heat turned up, fleece blankets etc, we then decided to sleep.

He has had his supper and is asleep wrapped up in his dressing gown and fleece blankets. I am shattered........

Wet again,

the drought locally has been over for several weeks, we are now back to flooding. Thakfully we are at the top of a hill, so it does not really affect us.

Last night was not good, I woke at 2am it was after 4am before I went off to sleep.

Not a lot going on to be truthful. DB has a hospital appointment tomorrow which should prove interesting!!

No idea what to have for supper, I really need to do a freezer audit and use some of the stuff up, I have a small delivery coming on Friday and then Christmas stuff on Tuesday.......that will be it until the new year.

DB is still sleeping quite a bit his absence seizures have increased a bit over the last few days, not that we can do much about them.

Sorry everything seems to be short but sweet at the moment......

Another wet day

Carers have started coming earlier in the morning, I have been setting the alarm for 8am. Saturday night was not a good one, last night over 8 hours again........got to be good.

It was raining when I got up, but seems to be drying up, the snow last week did not reach us thankfully, as long as it does not come until Thursday this week we will be ok. DB has a hospital appointment on Wednesday which I am anxious for him to attend. Its with a Doctor I have been trying to get to see for over a year. He is a specialist in the conditions DB has.

Laundry done this morning, thinner things on the airer, thick things in the dryer for 30 minutes........

Lady came for the ironing, there was a lot, I put the two new sheets in as well as 2 complete sets of laundry, I need to remember to swap them over when they come back on Thursday. I managed to get the people I used before to come, the lady I had been using here was a bit erratic, with this one I know exactly when she is collecting and reutrning the ironed laundry.

I am coping a bit better now I am getting more sleep, I hope it continues. 

Yesterday was a quiet day, I roasted chicken for supper, DB managed most of it, just left one potato. Supper tonight will be cold chicken with new potatoes and salad.

Saturday

It was misty when we woke up, but the sun is trying to burn it off. There had been rain overnight.

A new carer this morning, so had to explain everything to him. DB said he was a bit sketchy with the washing. He had one of his episodes when he got into the sitting room, he has been free of them for a while...hey ho.

I cooked a beef casserole yesterday for tonights supper, not sure whether to do dumplings with it.....will see what DB says.

I am hoping to put the decs up the Nutcrackers on the front door and santa etc on the french doors with some gold and silver ornaments. Need to get myself into the right frame of mind.

A new 

Another fine day

how long for I do not know, black clouds keep scudding over, brief flashes of sunshine.

DB is asleep, carer came just after 10am, he had breakfast in bed. Its going towards lunch time, so need to sort out lunch, beans on toast from last night I think with some cheese on the top. Salad for supper.

Residents were busy yesterday decorating the Homeowners lounge, have not been down to look at it.

There is a display on a table in the hall. I made a nativity last Christmas, it needs glueing together when I can find it.

the wind has dropped, but its very cold out.....glad to be in the warm.

Fine day

We were late waking up, almost 9am, quick rush round to get DB breakfasted before the carer came.

We decided to go to the Wednesday Coffee morning in the lounge, just 5 of us 4 ladies and DB. Just a mince pie for lunch, DB had two biscuits with his coffee so did not want much, he settled down for a snooze.

DD2 arrived with GGS just after 1pm, she had brought a goodie bag for us with all sorts in for Christmas, including a box of cheese and mince pies, so a scrabble round to get stuff in the fridge. The rest went back in the bag and is in the sewing room till we need it.

DGGS had a ball DD2 had brought a sausage roll and she shared it with him, he is like a little bird, ever open mouth. Not quite walking and has cut 2 more teeth, he is not keen on showing them off!!

After they had gone, DB settled down for another snooze until his programmes started on TV, I spent the time reading a book on my tablet. I had 4 in, so reading them interspersed with books from the home library.

It was sunny first thing, the wind had dropped and there was a snow warning for tomorrow.........brilliant.

Supper tonight is sausage, mash and baked beans, we now havw 4 boxes of mince pies, so it looks like we will be having mince pies with custard for dessert.

My Goodness

its blowing a hoolie and raining fit to bust....... this was forecast some parts of the country are to get more than 100ml of rain along with the high winds, so a lot of flooding I guess.

I will not be going anywhere today thats for sure.

DB is asleep as usual, complaining that both toes are sore this morning, waiting for the chemist to deliver the anti biotics.

DD2 is hoping to come tomorrow, hope its not still raining she will get drowned......DGD was at the anti natal clinic yesterday, baby no 2 is due at the end of January.

just under 5 hours sleep last night.......8+ on Sunday night.........

Its the over 60's Christmas lunch tomorrow, we will not be able to go, DB does not like eating in public, he finds it difficult.

Supper tonight is gammon salad.

Dry, but windy

I phoned the Dr this morning and he came out to look at DB's foot, he has confirmed the infection is still present, so he has ordered more anti biotics to take for another week. Very nice chap, he is also going to refer him back to physio to try and get him back on his feet again.

Cleaner here this morning, carer was late, no problem, DB had already had his breakfast. DD2 was due this morning, but emailed to say GGS was teething and also had a cold, so she is hoping to come on Wednesday instead.

Had positive feedback from the two agents, they both quite understand where I am coming from, so that was a relief. We are just going to have to ignore whats going on. The agent who controls our apartment has said if I have anymore problems to contact her, our Landlord is anxious that we should be happy here. From what was said, I gather D had also had problems with the House Manager.

Bed changed sheets washed. I have had to order two new fitted sheets for the bed, the ones we have seem to have shrunk, it took two of us to get the bottom sheet on this morning. I have a load of ordinary washing to do tomorrow. 

I am thinking of getting back to the sewing machine again, sorting out things I can do. There is a pretty Christmas village I could make for another year.

I am still considering what can go to the Charity shop to clear the top of the bookcase and also thc console table. Less is more as they say. Some of the things have sentimental value, those will be staying. Do I really need 2 large and one medium size crystal bowls, I tend only to use the small bowl and one that belonged to DB's mother, we call it Grannies bowl. Its not crystal but pressed glass, it was a wedding present For Grayy and Grandpa. I have an oil lamp which I bought when we went to Shipshewana in 2003. There is also one we bought in Honfleur in France in the 1990's. In one of our moves the glass chimney got broke. I have been trying ever since to get a new chimney for it.

Supper tonight, sweet and sour chicken with rice. We have mince pies for dessert. 

Dull, windy and cold

Horrendous night last night, DB just could not settle, he was complaining about pain in his legs but would not take paracetamol!! So neither of us had much sleep. I need to see if I can get him an appointment at the surgery tomorrow.........

Carer was very late, the road outside the complex was closed, had to give her a route to get round to us, so she was very late.

We have been considering a move from here, but to be honest neither of us is fit to undertake a move so soon after we moved in. Now DB has been out in his wheel chair, hopefully I will be able to get him out a bit more. We will just have to put up and shut up. I will speak to Tim and see if I can get him to come for an hour or so every couple of weeks. He has problems with his mother, she is getting very frail. I think she may have to give up her flat and move into care herself.

Supper tonight, roast pork with apple sauce, roast potatoes, cauli and calebrease. DB can have a raspberry trifle for dessert, I will have a mince pie with some custard.

 

Rain again

 I nipped out between the showers, forgot to get spuds when I was out on Thursday.

Couple of quiet days mulling stuff over. 1 decision has been made fingers crossed it works out.

DB is much as usual, I have started giving him breakfast in bed before the carer comes, at least then he is ready for lunch.

We are having gammon salad tonight with a few new potatoes, there are various things DB can have for dessert.

Too many things on my mind last night, just could not get to sleep.......hopefully better tonight.

Sunny but cold

The wind is cold although its warmish out of it. Was out for half an hour this morning DB was fine. Have been having to do some complicated adjusting to various things, all will become clear shortly.

DB is as usual asking the same questions over and over.....drives me nuts, especially if I am in the middle of doing something else.

My afternoon off went quite well although it chucked it down with rain all the time I was out, glad to get back in and put away the shopping.

Not much to report really, life goes on.

Supper tonight, oven baked fish with mash,peas and butter sauce. Mince pies for dessert.

Its raining.......

We obviously made the best of a bad job going out yesterday. It was fine when I got up, then it started  rain again.

I have my two hours off coming up, I have a list for Aldi, things to put away for Christmas. I will only need veg the next time I go out.

We have a couple of plans, more about that later. When I came back with DB yesterday we got a very quite Good Morning. I ignored her, DB answered very quietly.

Supper is hm Chicken Kiev with new spuds, carrots and peas. DB will have ice cream for dessert.

A fine day

so we set off for Hose and the coffee morning at the little chapel. I took the christmas cards to hand out, most people were there, just a couple missing. We passed Trevor on the way there, on the way home, he was riding towards us, so I peeped him and he stopped to have a word with us.

DB managed to get in the car ok going and coming back, his wheel chair fits in the boot fine.....the rollator I was going to sell has gone to the little chapel to be given to someone who needs it in the village. I had advertised it, but nothing was forthcoming. I still have one in the aparment, I need to find somewhere to store it out of the way. may be it will go in the walk in wardrobe somehow, will have to see. I want to get it out of the second bedroom where it is now.

DB was shattered when he got home, so had a banana and some milk and went to sleep.

Tomorrow is my 2 hours off, I am going Christmas food shopping at Aldi, I need to go over the list I have, I am sure to find something missing when I get in the store.

I have pasta with chicken and bacon for supper will do a small salad with it. DB can have ice cream for dessert if he wants it.

Still reeling

from yesterday, I am still very annoyed that I could be blamed for something that was not up to us. I spoke the the carer last night, he told me the house manager met him at the front door and told him to wipe his feet!!

I did not sleep well last night things were going round and round in my brain. It was a fine morning so after lunch I took DB out for a ride, I had to ring to cancel the carer, they had not arrived by 9.30, the chiropodist was due at 10am. I had just got him up when she arrived. she has managed to get the dry skin off the top of his toe, she thinks it was caused by an ingrowing toe nail, the side is still infected but she did it with iodine, just to make sure....she is now coming every 6 weeks. If I need to I can call her and she will come.

The winter fuel allowence came this morning, its been drawn out to pay the childrens Xmas presents. So in and out within less than 24 hours!!

Supper is shepherds pie with carrot and brussels, doubt DB will want anything else after that.

Unrest in the Natives

Not a happy bunny today, I feel we have made a big mistake coming here.....we are not being treated in the same way as the 'owners'. This morning I recieved 3 complaints from the house manager, all made by owner residents. The house manager herself is only really interested in owners.........I am rethinking my decision. On going talks with DB. I had hoped we would be here for the foreseeable future........

Its pouring with rain again this morning, grey clouds scudding past.

Finished doing the cards, jsut need to deal with the money gifts and they can be sealed and sent off.

Supper tonight corned beef salad with new potatoes. there is ice cream if DB wants it.