I can't abide a bully.

Despite being short and fat I was not bullied at school. I perfected looking slightly vague and disinterested and so the bullies tended to leave me alone.

I had an employee who admitted to being a bully at school and when I told her I'd not been bullied she told me why. She said she would only pick on people who she knew would cry. She would never have picked on me in case I hit her back and she'd lose face.

I only suffered from bullying once, I had a line manager who didn't like me and as she had the support of her boss she did her best to make my life hell.

I'm not the sort to cry, I'm more likely too lose my temper and thwack someone. I didn't lash out but I did leave. I also made it quite plain why I was leaving which made my line manager very unpopular.

Bullying isn't limited to children, we have a resident here who is a bully. I've had a few run ins with her and always refused to engage. Unfortunately this means she has now started to pick on someone else and is causing a lot of problems. She asked me how I stopped the bully. Unfortunately she is far too polite to tell the bully to feck off. I don't want to get involved but I will suggest she speaks to the court manager, I will also speak to the court manager about my experience.

I cooked!

I rarely cook a meal anymore, not since Steve told me my cooking was crap. That was back in April, I cook for myself but only stuff like scrambled eggs.

Steve is busy today, he's sanding down the railings outside our flat. They were done not long ago but to a very poor standard and the paint is hanging off in strips.

Because he's busy, I offered to cook today, a fake roast, two chicken breasts wrapped in parchment paper stuffing, roast potatoes, broccoli and gravy.

I don't think he was keen on the meal, the chicken wasn't dried out, the stuffing was cooked, the potatoes weren't crunchy in the middle. But Steve ate it without complaint and I enjoyed it.

Unexpected visitors

Steve's friend  Bob paid us an unexpected visit y'day. He and his current squeeze, Sandra arrived by motorbike, it took them 50 minutes to get here. It should have taken under 30 minutes. As usual Bob got lost, even with his new satnav. I'm convinced that Bob's poor navigational skills are the reason he enjoys racing his bike on a track. It means he can't get lost as he's only going round in circles! 

Despite having visited us quite a few times since we moved here Bob couldn't remember which flat was ours. He remembered we were on the ground floor so wandered around peering in windows until we spotted him.

Bob and his gf were as usual, talking about getting married. Bob always discusses marriage with whoever he is going out with. This usually signifies the beginning of the end. Bob is also starting to get irritated by Sandra's attitude to food. He likes the fact that she is slim to the point of being skinny but he is finding her dietary requirements a bit tiresome.

We've been out with them for a meal three times now, to local pubs. All the pubs have extensive menus but there is never anything on the menu that Sandra will eat. One time she ordered sticky toffee pudding as her main course the other times she's picked chips from the ploughmans that Bob ordered. Steve once suggested I should have some of his chips instead of ordering a meal when we were out with them. I ordered a salad with halloumi and slapped a £20 note on the table to pay for it. Bob and Sandra go out many times a week. I very rarely eat out and when I do I expect to eat what I want!

Worries

My daughter Cass has just messaged me to let me know she's out of surgery, so that one less thing to worry about. It was only a minor surgical procedure but I'm glad it's all done.

Steve is currently ranting on about a radiator he didn't order, he has suggested that I must have ordered it myself. Why would I order a radiator especially one designed to run on gas central heating. We are all electric here.

My hair is long, thick and grey, it grows quickly and as my daughter Jen is currently not speaking to me, (she used to take me to the hairdresser who cut her family's hair) my hair is now past my shoulders. 

I could visit a hairdresser or there is a mobile hairdresser that visits the flats. But I'm reluctant to spend the money, as my hair grows so quickly , any style soon grows out. I wear it up in a comb and never go out with it down round my shoulders.

Two residents came to the flat on different days last week, both of them caught me with my hair down. Both commented on how nice my hair was.

Muppets

Steve went shopping this morning, well actually he went into town to get breakfast in one of the pubs.

Within 10 minutes of arriving home he's shouting and swearing at me!

All because I won't agree to his demands with regards our TV licence or lack thereof.

Not long after we moved here Steve purchased a TV,  he ignored my concerns that I wouldn't be able to see a TV unless it was huge and purchased a smaller set.

After a few months of me not watching the TV he got rid of it, returned to whoever he bought it from.

We are now receiving notifications from TV Licencing with regards our lack of licence.

I've used their website to announce that we no longer have a TV but despite this they continue to contact us.

None of my children own a TV and they all received regular reminders about the need for a licence if they should decide to purchase a TV 

Steve meanwhile has been following someone on Facebook and is now an expert!

I'm quite prepared to explain if a member of staff from TV Licencing visits that we don't have a TV as I can no longer see or hear well enough to use one.

This, it appears,  is not the done thing.

Steve wants me to learn a script and spout off if anyone should call here with regards to our licence.

Give me strength!!

Give me strength

Beano is sulking, it's raining out and no matter how much Beano mithers I am unable to stop the rain from from falling. He asks to go out but when we get to the door he looks out, dithers for a while and then returns to our flat. On the third attempt he couldn't wait any longer so finally went out and across the road to relieve himself.

Steve is also sulking, he hates the cooler weather and will now sulk until next summer! He spent three days totally wiped out from working in the bathroom. He does nothing but complain, not just about the weather but also the neighbours and me of course.

I received an email notification that the radiator I ordered has been despatched. I didn't order a radiator so I checked with Steve who also claims he hasn't ordered the radiator! I expect he's forgotten, unfortunately the radiator is way too big for the space available. It will have to be returned but it will need to be  collected.

Steve is, once again, complaining about food. He doesn't want to have to cook for himself and can't understand why I won't just learn to cook the way his mother used to cook. Before he had his stroke he was perfectly happy with my cooking. Now he wants frozen stuff covered in breadcrumbs and deep fried. Since he covers everything in BBQ sauce in sure it must all taste the same. I don't have the energy to prepare/cook two different meals every day so I'm being selfish and prioritising my meals.

As far as he can go.

Steve has done as much as he can to the bathroom, the plumber will be back in a couple of weeks to do the last bits.

The plumber is retraining as a bus driver as his arthritis is making bathroom fitting difficult. He did ours as he knew he'd only have to do the bits Steve couldn't manage.

Steve is on a bit of a roll now and is considering putting an extra cupboard in the kitchen. There is one full floor cupboard and two half floor cupboards and on the walls one double cupboard and a single.

He's also going to change the flooring in the kitchen. It's all very dated but I'm not really bothered as I can't see well enough to cook anything fancy anymore.

Short on sleep

I was still awake after midnight and awake again at 3 a.m.

There was no point going back to sleep as the plumber was due at 8 a.m.

Still it was worth it.

He worked through from 8 o'clock  until 5 o'clock, Steve will tile the wall behind the unit and he has fitted the flooring.

Crashing and banging and delivery!

 Steve is in the kitchen getting his breakfast. He's ranting and swearing because he can't get the ice cubes out of the tray!

Tesco is delivering this morning between 10 & 11, I'm going out with my daughter about 11. I shall take Beano with me as it will be easier for Steve to work without him underfoot. And easier for Beano not to have Steve shouting and swearing. I have to admit Beano takes no notice of Steve's ranting when I'm here but I'd worry if I left him here. 

If Steve has nothing to do they would be ok together but as Steve's busy I think Beano may find it stressful.

The Tesco order has arrived, if I pick anything up he tells me to put it down as he knows where it is all to go. So I go to the kitchen and start sorting the salad drawer, he starts shouting for me. What am I doing? Where am I?  I return to the shopping to collect the salad stuff. Everything I pick up he takes from me, some he returns so I can put it in the salad drawer. Some he places back with the shopping! I shall collect it later and put it own the fridge.

If I query his behaviour he explains, in a hurt tone of voice, that he is only trying to help!!

Bathroom, still ongoing.

Steve has overdone things working on the bathroom fit out.

By mid afternoon he was wiped out and in a dreadful mood.

He was in bed and asleep before 8 o'clock.

Still, the carpet is up, the adhesive has mostly been scraped off.

We have the dehumidifier running overnight to dry out various damp patches.

We've decided to keep the grey/blue cupboard that should have been white but Steve still needs to decide how to return the duplicate toilet cistern he bought along with some other stuff.

Steve wanted ceramic tiles on the floor, I didn't so he managed to find some other sort of tiles to fit instead.

I'm going out with my daughter tomorrow, we will take Beano with us, he won't want to stay here as Steve will be ranting and shouting.

On Saturday there is a home made soup and French bread get together in the summer house, I might make a light fruit cake to share. Steve is taking his own soup, he only eats Knorr chicken noodle.

Bathroom again

I was awake by 5:30, my arthritic toe was giving me gip.

I walked Beano early so I was back in time for the delivery. Steve got very stroppy as he thinks he's fine to sort out the delivery. The fact that we received two toilet lids, two cisterns and the wrong colour cupboard rather proves he's not! He ordered a mixture of colours and fixings so I need to sort that out.

I'm hoping to go to the quiz morning today but it does rather depend on when the bathroom fitter arrives otherwise all the stuff could be ruined before he gets to start!

Bathroom

Steve's ordered all the stuff needed for the bathroom refit and the fitted  is booked.

Everything was ordered on the same day and he's had an assortment of emails giving the delivery days and times.

Everything is available that is apart from the floor tiles, they are on back order and are due in a couple of weeks. Imagine our surprise when they arrived this morning about 11 o'clock!

I shall get up early for the next few days as things are arriving any time from 7a.m.

Security conscious

Steve is very security conscious, this means that what ever the temperature outside, everywhere must be locked up tight. When we were living in the boat he insisted that the boat was locked up tight by four in the afternoon. Here in the flat he still likes everything locked up by five o'clock. Sometimes I overrule him as it just gets too hot.

We've  had rain here and it's cooler now, more comfortable especially for Beano in his fur coat.

Steve spent two hours online ordering the new toilet, basin and flooring this morning. He ranted and swore for the entire two hours, I took Beano out to avoid the noise. Beano seems impervious to Steve's ranting, he seems to realise that it presents no danger to either of us.

Our manager visited us a couple of days ago, we were expecting her. She's visiting every flat and getting the paperwork up to date as we haven't had a manager for three years now. I don't count the one that was here when we arrived as she didn't last five minutes.

When our friends visited they mentioned that one of the lock keepers had asked after me. He described me as the little lady on the widebeam who's husband was always shouting at her.

We've just had our meal, roast beef with roast potatoes and Yorkshire pudding. I had an assortment of veg with mine. I made the mistake of saying how nice the beef was. But according to Steve it was underdone despite it not being pink in the middle. He likes his beef rock hard and chewy. He's just cooked it for another 30 minutes so it is now just the way his mum cooked it. He's now exploded again, shouting and stressed, just because I preferred the beef before it was cremated.

All booked.

Our plumber has just visited us, he's ready to do the next stage of the bathroom refit.

We had the shower fitted some time ago and now we are having a new basin and toilet fitted.

I was a bit concerned as Steve wanted a toilet that wasn't floor standing. I didnt think this was a good idea as Steve is huge and I was worried that it wouldn't take Steve's weight. After a discussion with the plumber an alternative toilet has been chosen.

I shall be relieved when it's done as there is a lot of damp in the bathroom from leaking pipes.

I was thinking of buying a set of bathroom scales but I doubt if Steve would use them. From the way he criticises my weight I don't think he realises  just how heavy he is. Every time he shops for clothes, which is every year,  he has gone up a size.

I'm still wearing the same tops I wore when I was working   though I have bought some new leggings ready for winter. They are still the same size and I've had the same four summer dresses for some time now.

Black and blue and lumpy.

That's me, black and blue from where I bumped into things on the boat. I seem to have lost the ability to balance when I'm on board. Thank heavens we returned to dry land permanently when we did.

I'm also covered in gnat bites, these I got at home, not on the boat. I frequently get bitten and I get huge itchy lumps. They are both unsightly and irritating but not life threatening.

It must have been slightly cooler last night as Beano slept all night. When it's hot he keeps pacing around which means neither of us gets much sleep. Because I slept better it meant I was awake at a reasonable time and got Beano out for a walk whilst it is still relatively cool.

Tesco delivery this morning, gawd knows what Steve has ordered. He placed the order whilst I was at the vet with Beano. Considering how unpleasant he's been lately he has probably ordered a shed load of chocolate for me. He doesn't understand why I'm upset or annoyed but he does realise that I am.

Birthday

It was Steve's birthday on Tuesday and he wanted to do a BBQ, he went shopping with Betty next door and bought enough food to feed about 30 people. He ran around like a blue assed fly in full on panic mode. I offered to help but I was not needed as I'm completely stupid and know nothing about cooking. Amongst other things he bought about 50 chicken legs and cooked them in the air fryer, it took forever and set the smoke alarm off! I did suggest using the oven, but it seems that was not acceptable. We had a BBQ in the garden for the residents and some friends of ours who's boat was moored near by.

On Wednesday our friends collected us and took us on a boat trip. It was warm and sunny, Beano and I sat in the prow in the shade whilst the men steered the boat and worked the locks. We left here at 9am and got home around 7:30. We should have got home nearer 5 o'clock but there has been an accident and the bus couldn't get through. We eventually walked home, it's not far but there are no pavements, so the bus is safer. Steve wanted to join our friends again today but they wanted to leave around 6am, Steve didn't get up until 11:30.

This morning Harry gave Beano and I a lift to the nearby vets where Beano had his dew claw trimmed, he's also been given a course of antibiotics as the claw was slightly inflamed. 

The reason I use the vets and not somewhere like Pet Smart is because the vets is in a nearby village, a couple of miles away. The nearest groomers is about 7 miles away also Beano's dew claw was infected.I

This evening Steve managed to trigger the smoke alarm again, he was cooking chicken in the air fryer and the flat gradually filled with smoke. This is a regular occurrence, possibly because he doesn't wash the air fryer basket between uses.

Busy week.

This afternoon was spent in the garden under the gazebo, Betty, a neighbour had made a chicken casserole and invited a few of us for lunch. The casserole was delicious and to follow there was chocolate cake, it was left over from a wedding that another neighbour has attended. It was lovely to spend time with people and Beano was very well behaved, in fact he snoozed the afternoon away in the shade of the gazebo.

Tomorrow Steve is doing a birthday BBQ, I shall attend but I'm not keen on burgers or sausages. I think Betty may be providing salad and Betty's salads are delicious. 

Wednesday we are meeting friends and travelling on their boat for a short distance which I'm really looking forward to.

On Thursday I've managed to make an appointment for Beano at the local vet to have his dew claw sorted out. I don't think Beano will appreciate the visit and I'm not looking forward to the bill but I have savings so I will be able to pay and then claim back on the insurance. Steve will either spend a second day on the boat or he may spend the day in town.

Friday is the day our shopping is delivered so there is something happening every day.

Guesstimate.

There were courgettes and a marrrow on the wall near where I walk Beano this morning. I only took one of the courgettes as it's only me that will eat it. I shall make a fake ratatouille. I have most of the ingredients in and I will eat it with some chicken.

All the recipes I can find serve four at least so mine will be a guesstimate. It will have the flavour if not the correct ingredients.

Tomorrow I need to make chocolate brownies, Steve is doing a BBQ on Tuesday, we have friends visiting as they are passing on their narrow boat. It will be lovely to see them. I shall also make some individual rhubarb crumble and keep them in the freezer.

I shall probably be wiped out after that but it will be worth it to get things done

Wits end

I've just ordered a large quantity of bicarbonate of soda as I'm at my wits end about the way the flat smells. I don't like the smell of most air fresheners but I desperately want the flat to smell clean and fresh.

Steve is obsessed with BBQ sauce, there are at least 10 bottles of different sorts in the kitchen cupboard. He smothers all his food in the stuff. The only meal that he eats without it is the occasional bowl of cornflakes.

He coats all his food in the stuff and this, combined with the amount he drinks is a lethal combination.

If I go to bed after him I sometimes can't face going into the bedroom because of the stench. We can't sleep with the windows open as we are beside a very busy road with traffic rumbling by continuously. Plus as we are on the ground floor it possibly wouldn't be safe.

I do open all the windows when I get up but I think the smell is now ingrained.