Today I shall be Mainly...

[Sue]

Recovering from yesterdays hair cut. Nearly 5 months of thatch removed without anesthetic, feeling quite light headed. Mrs P made an appointment for both of us to attend yesterday afternoon. Only the two of us in the place. Please use sanitiser on entry. Names and address recorded for contact purposes. Hairdressers wearing either masks or face shield, lots of tidying up after each customer. Not too sure about the cover sheet to catch the hair? Quite happy with the set up.
Round to the Samaritan's book stall, bought ten Terry Pratchett books. You never know how big the second wave will be? I think Tizer's 'Blacker than Black' will be in the 'Colours' book. I will see.

Same set up in mine, no drinks except you could buy a bottle of water, I didn’t. No coat hangers, I took a carrier bag to put my wet anorak in. Very efficient , very professional .

[Wendyf]

Craig's 40th birthday today and he is here for a meal for the first time since lockdown. A bit of a risk as he has been working in a factory throughout. Family selfie!

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[Sue]

Lovely family photo

[Wendyf]

Lovely family photo

Thanks Sue, pleased that I had my hair cut yesterday! Colin may never visit a hairdresser again....

[Sue]

Lovely family photo

Thanks Sue, pleased that I had my hair cut yesterday! Colin may never visit a hairdresser again....

His hair and beard are amazing!

[Stanley]

Nice pic Wendy, you all look well.
The design committee tell me I have made a small mistake in my brass fittings. They are right, I shall correct it as part of this morning's Shed activities! Not serious, just a minor adjustment.

[Cathy]

Good pic Wendy and nice to have. You’ll always remember when it was taken too.

[Sue]

Morning
Good day yesterday despite the rain. We were a little later at the market but it was still a nice quiet shop. I bought another plant for the garden but I think that will be it. Most of his new stocks we either have or do not have the space for eg more climbing plants and flowering shrubs. We got the cleaning done for another week. This week was a thorough do, with Bob moving all furniture out as he vacuumed. My jobs are wet and dry dusting, bathroom (s) cleaning , tidying, sweeping conservatory hard floor ( its amazing where my sewing threads get to) and steam cleaning the hard floors should they need it. Not this week though, but I did thoroughly wash by hand an area of floor where I spilt my gin and tonic last week ( and broke the glass, and it was the last of the gin so no top up) . After lunch, we went over to Claires and had a couple of hours chatting. Later I cut out a toile to check the amendments on my jeans pattern and we ordered a take away Indian banquet for our evening meal. We felt like we had been out for a meal, and there is some left for another day. We did a fair bit of online shopping throughout the day, as we start to collect together things for our next trip to France, should it happen as planned. The R number has soared in Brittany and we need to know where these pockets of infection are before we definitely decide on our plans. They seem to be in the tourist areas, and not where our house is .

Its sunny this morning and should be on and off most of the day. I have yoga this morning . Afterwards I shall treat myself to my weekly long soak in the bath, a pedicure and a manicure. I used to do this before yoga but kept slipping on the yoga mat. Soft feet are not good on yoga and pilates mats. In the afternoon I shall plant my new plant. The spot in the garden is already prepared as I cleared it last week , getting rid of an invasive plant. We are also pitting a new bird table in the same spot when it arrives so we can see it from the conservatory where we sit a lot. We have noticed the garden birds more this year than ever before. Next doors cat is not as active as she was so her visits are less frequent and less energetic.

My plans for the day otherwise are very flexible but involve the usual possibilities of walking, sewing, gardening, sitting chatting and chilling after meals in the conservatory or even outside today. Take it as it comes. We usually plan our day over coffee after breakfast.

Have a good day everyone

[Marilyn]

Happy Birthday Craig. Lovely pic ( I soooo love Colin’s hair, but don’t tell him that)
We had my birthday at the Chinese last night ( no pics I am sorry...but I didn’t think of it actually). Social distances maintained. Many tables removed and our table of 4 was at least 5 metres all around from anyone else. The meal was beautiful. We didn’t mention it was my birthday because ( bless them) they always provide a free sticky dessert for a birthday person, and watch them eat it. After being Low Carb all week, I simply couldn’t face that prospect, yet I know that it would be rude to refuse it in their culture ( so best avoid the situation altogether). They did bring fortune cookies. Mine said “ It is time to look around you and take notice”.
Oh dear, another task in life

[Stanley]

I've had two hours in the shed dong useful things, very relaxing. Now I'm ready for my second sleep after a light breakfast.

[Wendyf]

Happy Birthday Craig. Lovely pic ( I soooo love Colin’s hair, but don’t tell him that)
We had my birthday at the Chinese last night ( no pics I am sorry...but I didn’t think of it actually). Social distances maintained. Many tables removed and our table of 4 was at least 5 metres all around from anyone else. The meal was beautiful. We didn’t mention it was my birthday because ( bless them) they always provide a free sticky dessert for a birthday person, and watch them eat it. After being Low Carb all week, I simply couldn’t face that prospect, yet I know that it would be rude to refuse it in their culture ( so best avoid the situation altogether). They did bring fortune cookies. Mine said “ It is time to look around you and take notice”.
Oh dear, another task in life

Belated birthday greetings Maz!

[Stanley]

Many happy returns Maz, only just realised that it was a birthday dinner!
Not sure about today yet, could be quite busy.

[Sue]

Morning

Woken late today. I didn’t have a good nights sleep, as my back was aching. Nothing serious, just an ache which will probably be OK when I start moving around. We went for a walk yesterday afternoon which involves a 2 mile slow climb up the old Limers Gate from just across the road from us, up to the golf course at Whitworth. We have done it many times but yesterday we both felt it. One of the nice things about the walk is the lovely views throughout the climb then a nice gradual downhill. In the morning Bob had fitted a new water butt by the garden shed, I did some washing and ironing. I like to clear it all on a Sunday. Bob did a chicken and home grown courgettes on the BBQ for tea and in the evening we watched the film Peterloo a two and a half hour epic. That certainly gave us a good recovery time from the walk.

This morning I have pilates, I will keep away from the twisting if my back still aches. After lunch we are going to visit my brother Dave in Cleckheaton. We haven’t seen each other for 4 years or more. If there is one thing about COVID it has helped us resolve our differences, or should I say he has made an effort to do so. We shall spend the afternoon with him but drive back before the roads get busy at 5.00 pm.

Have a good day all

[Marilyn]

Mammogram this morning (took less than 5 mins).
Then I came home and cleaned the bottom floor of the castle (can’t do both floors on the same day, but I did the stairs, so it is just top floor tomorrow.)
Now I am soaking my toe in a warm bucket of Dettol and Salt. I am going to lance it...I don’t think it will need more than a quick stab...it is just that squeezing is getting it nowhere. A Betadine Bandaid for afters. The pressure in it is driving me mad and it needs to be released.

[Marilyn]

All done and looks successful. Didn’t hurt a bit.
Anyone want anything seen to while Dr Maz has the scalpel out?
( no takers? Well I am shocked.)

[Stanley]

Better morning for both of us today so far so I am hoping for a 'normal' day!
Having said that shed might suffer I have some cooking and domestic work to do.

[Sue]

Morning
We had a good day yesterday, visiting my brother. He is not a well man, glad we went to see him and will visit again.

In the morning I received a parcel from Julia in Coventry. Briony wants to try and make herself something to wear. I bought a pattern for her and Julia got the fabric. The other day Julia and I had a video ‘conference’ discussing how to do it, Julia is not a sewer. The outcome was that I would trace the pattern for the correct size, make one top and pair of shorts, send the whole lot back with clearer instructions than the pattern instructions and B can have a go at making another set. Grandma to the rescue. There is plenty of fabric for two sets. That way B gets something new to wear and it doesn’t matter if her attempt does not quite work out. Its quite a challenge for an 8 year old but she is very keen. This is the grandchild who drew a picture of dress and hat that she asked me to make last year. Thus today will be sewing, so I can post the whole lot back. I have no other plans, as I also need to do the toile of my jeans after its alterations. This evening is pilates and yoga.

Have a good day everyone

[Stanley]

"Julia is not a sewer."
I had to read that twice Sue but I get it now.
Don't expect any shed this morning, cooking, vacuuming and mopping the kitchen floor. Simple tasks but time-consuming. No problems about that, I am not on piece work. One thing is certain, I feel more comfortable now, standards are being maintained!

[Sue]

"Julia is not a sewer."
I had to read that twice Sue but I get it now.
Don't expect any shed this morning, cooking, vacuuming and mopping the kitchen floor. Simple tasks but time-consuming. No problems about that, I am not on piece work. One thing is certain, I feel more comfortable now, standards are being maintained!

Sewer, sewer, one sews the other transports sewage . All in the pronunciation. Some sewers have created a new word SEWIST as they don’t like sewer. I detest the word sewist.

[Stanley]

The world has settled down a bit after the recent unpleasantness so I might get in the shed.

[Sue]

Morning

So glad to hear things are settling down Stanley.

After doing a couple of loads of washing, which included washing and reproofing the shower curtain I spent the morning yesterday and much of the afternoon cutting out and sewing Briony’s shorts and top. I made notes and took photos as i did it and last night whilst sitting watching TV, I wrote a little set of illustrated instructions. I hope to finish the top this morning, and the instructions tonight.

During the afternoon Bob needed to go to see an engineering friend over in Edenfield so I went with him for the outing. We decided to continue our journey over to Burnley cemetery and take some flowers to Mums and Dads grave. All was really nice and tidy, grass cut and most brambles etc are now removed. Its quite different from the first time I went down to that old part of the cemetery some 20 years ago. At that time it was wild and overgrown and was referred to as the naturalised part. We see quite a lot of new headstones down there and think a lot of people must have reused old graves like we have. I think genealogy has caused that. The man who sells flowers from the van at the gate was there. He was saying it was his first week back after 13 weeks. He is an elderly man, easy to chat to. It was good to hear he had stayed well.

Today, as I said will be sewing this morning, but this afternoon we are going to see our friends Wendy and Keith at the other side of Rochdale. I have pilates late today at 8.00pm so plenty of time to get my sewing instructions finished.

Have a good day everyone.

[Marilyn]

I zoned out this afternoon, with my favourite music and new ( birthday present)bluetooth headphones. Aaaaahhhh...the gift of music. I intend to pop them on tomorrow whilst gardening, if the weather agrees, though it is looking a bit dodgy ( the weather that is).
These headphones are going to be great, when I can’t sleep due to pain, and can enjoy the distraction (drug free).
I look forward to getting good use from them. It beats staring quietly at the ceiling during the night!
I am contemplating making more masks. I feel the need may be getting closer, and I can send some to family and friends.

[plaques]

This morning called into Screwfix to pick up my click-pay- collect order. Part of the collect requirement is to show some photo identity with your name on it. After the bits were placed on the counter the very pleasant young lady asked to see my identity. I explained that I'd given up on passports and that people in their golden years didn't have photos on their driving licence would a bus pass be OK. Out came the buss pass, I'm stood 2 metres away with a mask over my face and waved it at her. ' Yes that looks Ok', we both laughed, off I went with my bits and pieces. I love exchanges like that.

[Stanley]

Much better Sue. In fact I had two and a half hours in the shed.



That's how long it took me to make this little bugger! Never mind, we now have a valve rod.

[Wendyf]

This morning called into Screwfix to pick up my click-pay- collect order. Part of the collect requirement is to show some photo identity with your name on it. After the bits were placed on the counter the very pleasant young lady asked to see my identity. I explained that I'd given up on passports and that people in their golden years didn't have photos on their driving licence would a bus pass be OK. Out came the buss pass, I'm stood 2 metres away with a mask over my face and waved it at her. ' Yes that looks Ok', we both laughed, off I went with my bits and pieces. I love exchanges like that.

No photo licence? Were you having a laugh? I sent my application for my over 70s licence off to the DVLA last week, photo definitely required!