Thieving barstewards!

I received a text message this morning telling me I was eligible for a £900 top up of my state pension. 

I thought this was unlikely so I checked it out.

It's a con, the criminals claim the payment will be paid into your bank account so they need your bank or credit card details.

I receive my pension directly into my bank account so if it was true they wouldn't need my bank details!

Be careful what you share there are thieves out there.

My Samhain bauble.

It's a large clear bauble containing Mugwort, Hawthorne berries and Rosemary. It's sealed with black wax and hangs from a black velvet ribbon.

I'm now waiting for the cat lady to complain! I'd hate for her to get bored.

A change of roast!

After two years of appalling roast dinners and lots of tears Steve finally seems to have accepted that he cannot cook a roast dinner.

I've offered suggestions but have been shouted down as he thinks  I'm only trying to cause trouble!

He has decided to buy Aunt Bessie's this weekend so everything is prepared and all he has to do is sling it in the oven.

We will see how it goes, I'm not bothered about the food but if we could manage a Sunday without temper tantrums and tears, that would be a great improvement.

Comments.

Yellow shoes, this complex is for over 55's only.

Lyssa, I like that saying and it's very true, I cannot understand why people complain about things that don't actually affect them.

I go with "You do you, I'll do me ".

So far it's crap

It's a bloody joke!

The Housing Company are very good at sending out paperwork that has no relevance. They are also very, very good at getting paid by the residents.

But when it comes to paying the gardeners, cleaners and window cleaners they dont!

Obviously it could be the fault of Housing 21 the previous company and no doubt they will each blame the other.

I don't like Friday's

Tesco delivers on Friday, so Steve gets up by 9 to prepare for the delivery at 11 a.m. 

He paces between the flat and the car park, wittering on and complaining nonstop.

By the time the shopping arrived I'm already exhausted from the constant agitation.

Happiness hoover.

Yes I know it's plastic tat, as are most Christmas decorations. I won't see any Christmas decorations lit up as I don't walk after dark. I don't get wound up about what other people do. I buy minimal stuff when I shop. Steve buys shed loads of crap.

For me it's a case of  "You do you, I'll do me ".

I get great pleasure in seeing people enjoying themselves whether it includes plastic crap or not.

Some of my neighbours seem to complain about so much, the garden, which should be a pleasure for everybody is frequently a source of complaints and stress.

They complain about the noise of the children from the nearby school, whereas I like to hear the children playing.

Lax!

I've been very lax about blogging.

Apart from walking Beano I rarely leave site so I have little to blog about.

Here is a pic I took of a nearby house whist on my morning dog walk.

New chair.

Harry next door has ordered a new chair, a recliner. He has trouble getting out of a chair so he's purchased one that will tip him up onto his feet. Whilst I'm sure this will be a great help to Harry I'm not sure where he is going to put it.

These flats aren't big and when Harry lost his mother he brought a lot of her furniture from her flat to his. He already has two three piece suites in his living room along with a table and chairs. Still that's Harry's problem not mine.

And again!

Steve has sat in silence for most of today, he often does.

Then at 2:30 he decided to start cooking lunch.

He looked at the meat, he's bought a boned breast of lamb, big enough to feed an army.

To his absolute amazement the cooking time is three hours.

He is confident that the meat will be cooked in an hour, it can't possibly take three hours!

He does this most weekends and most weekends ends up in tears as lunch hasn't gone to plan.

I've tried making suggestions but I just get shouted at as I'm far too stupid to understand what's happening.

I made myself a cheese sandwich as I had breakfast at 8a.m.

Yet again the fridge will be full of half cooked meat for the week.

I've prepped some cabbage to go with the lamb, Steve wanted cabbage but doesn't want fresh cabbage only frozen. 

Nemmind, I'll eat the cabbage.

Shopping when drunk

That's the only explanation I can think off. 

Whilst I was out with Beano a parcel was delivered, it was two Radar keys. These enable you to access disabled toilets. Steve ordered them.

I understand why he wanted one as he goes into town two or three times a week and drinks to excess.

I go once every couple of months when Cass takes me, I've never yet needed the toilet in town, I have always waited until I'm home.

Steve also purchased two flat caps, again, I'm not sure why, he doesn't wear the one he has already.

Peaceful afternoon.

Tesco delivered this morning at about 11:30 Steve was up and pacing from 9 o'clock!

Once the shopping was put away I took Beano out for another walk, by the time I returned Steve has gone into Reading to meet Bob.

I spent a peaceful afternoon reading Past Lying by Val Mcdermid and making a pan of chicken stew. I added lots of vegetables, as I always do.

I think Steve is building up to telling me I need to start cooking again, he's been dropping hints. He's in for a disappointment as I'm not interested in heating up party food in the air fryer for him.

I've been asked if I'd like to join in with the weekly meal get together as it is restarting soon but I've declined, Steve would only ruin it for everyone as he did last year.

Trip out.

I've been out with Betty, woohoo. We went to Asda where I bought broccoli and a stew pack of veg. We went to their cafe and had fish and chips, £14 for both of us with a cuppa. I thought that was very reasonable. A pensioners portion of fish and chips is £8 from the local chippy.

We also went to Waitrose so Betty could get double yolked eggs and B&M for marshmallows.

Flis, Steve wouldn't accept power of attorney, he's convinced he's ok.

Unknown, I wouldn't feel safe renting a property, not enough security.

Shopping spree

I've treated myself to a pack of socks and two new long sleeved t-shirts. I threw out my existing two t-shirts at the end of last winter. I'd had them both for about eight years. They were misshapen and the cuffs were frayed. 

Even though I no longer live on a boat I still layer up my clothes. I wear a short sleeved t-shirt a long sleeved t-shirt a long sleeved top and a cardigan.

We only have electric to the flat, no gas. We have ancient storage heaters, one in the bedroom and one in the living room. We've never used the one in the bedroom. The bills are extortionate even during the summer months when it's just for the immersion heater, kettle, t.v. and air fryer.

There was a time.

I used to make bread, jams, chutneys, elderberry cordial, all sorts of things.

But no more, I don't have the eyesight or the inclination. Though sometimes it grieves me to see the autumn harvest going to waste.

I've been looking at retirement flats in a nearby village, the road outside has become incredibly busy. A recent lorry count showed an increase in lorry traffic. It's up from 100 a day to in excess of 400 a day in just the last year. These aren't small lorries, they are tipper trucks, cement mixers, pantechnicons etc. It's a huge amount of traffic for a relatively small road.

I take my life in my hands every time I cross the road to walk Beano. I don't have a choice, the park is on the other side of the road as is the housing estate I walk him round. But my eyesight is almost gone in my left eye.

Steve was keen to move although he wants to move to rented accommodation I want to buy a property. So I can't see any chance of actually moving, but it's nice to dream.

Sunday

Chris, I've read and enjoyed all of Elly Griffiths and Val Mcdermid along with many others.

Steve is currently cooking a slab of beef, he will cook some roast potatoes and Yorkshire puddings with it too but no veg, if I want veg I have to cook it myself. I shall have spinach and peas I think.

It's chilly here and windy, Beano's favourite weather so we've been out for three long walks already. No doubt we'll go out for a couple more walks before bedtime.

There is no quiz for the next three Wednesday's our quizmaster is away on holiday. It's a shame as I enjoy a quiz and Wednesday's are often the only time I go over to the summer house. If I go on other days Steve comes to and talks over me, he doesn't attend on quiz days as he doesn't like quizzes.

Comments and waffle

Thank you for all your comments.

Mean Queen, we saw David from Cruising the Cut a few times when we were on the boat.

Unknown, Steve doesn't walk Beano ever, and hasn't for years. A few weeks ago when we met up with friends who still live on a boat, Steve walked Beano across the car park to their car. This is when Beano was on tiptoe.

The window cleaners have visited today, I must tell Steve as they will be gone before he gets up. I have done some washing and it's on the maiden, by the front door in the sun.

I'm watching Ludwig on t.v. it's amusing, easy watching, not too taxing. I only watch one episode a day as that is all my eyes can take. I also enjoyed Grace and Whitstable Pearl. I don't watch the soaps or any game show.

I'm reading Deadly Games  by Sally Rigby, I read a book in a day or two, again, nothing too taxing. I don't read romances, I prefer murder mysteries, sci fi or fantasy. I have my kindle set to a huge font size  so it is easy to read.

I think I've wittered on long enough now!

Making flapjacks

We have a Macmillan coffee morning here today, I was going to make  brownies but I ran out of enthusiasm, so I made flapjacks instead.

I'm one of only two people who will make cakes of any sort so they will have to do.

It's chilly and windy here this morning so Beano's first walk was more of a sprint than a stroll as he hates getting wet.

We're back home now, Beano has a dog treat and I have a cup of fruit tea.

As it's Friday, Steve is up and pacing, waiting for the shopping to be delivered. It won't be here until around elevenish, but he will pace and panic until it arrives.

We have a Lidl and Aldi at the top of the road so we would not starve if the shopping didn't arrive, but still he panics.

Beano and Steve.

Beano has had two walks so far today and is currently snoozing on the sofa beside me.

Steve is still in bed, some weeks ago I suggested he joined me for Beano's mid morning walk. Since then he's stayed in bed until midday unless he gets up and goes out before I get back from Beano's first walk.

It's probably a good thing, if Steve walks with me he has Beano on such a short lead the poor dog is on tiptoe. Beano is also not allowed to stop and sniff anything or any other dog!

Watching canal boat diaries.

It brings back memories of living in a boat and I prefer to watch Robbie Cumming rather than Pru and Tim.

At least with Robbie you can see how hard some of the locks are to handle. You can see the effort he has to put in to opening some of the locks gates and he's a young man. For me as a 70 year old woman it was bloody difficult.

With Pru and Tim they had two crewed boats that travelled with them. This made it all look so easy, obviously it made for good tv ratings.

Today I'm making chocolate brownies ,  there is a Macmillan coffee morning tomorrow in the summer house. The chocolate brownies are my contribution towards it. There is a craft sale on too so I will buy another couple of lavender bags.

Conkers

Thank you for all your kind comments.

For those who don't now, a conker is a horse chestnut.

Not to be mistaken for edible chestnuts which are delicious after being roasted in a brazier or in the ashes of a fire.

I've offered to collect some for a neighbour who is terrified of spiders.

I treated myself y'day to a salmon poke bowl, it was delicious, today I'm making chicken caesar salad. I get very lax about food so y'day I walked up to Lidl and stocked up with fresh salad stuff.

Its that time of year.

I love conkers, I always have.

I've no interest in the game whereby you try to smash another conker by bashing it with your own.

I love the colour and how they look when peeping out of their green spiky shells.

There are a couple of large chestnut trees near where I live and I've filled two bowls with conkers.

My neighbours think the conkers are there to repel spiders but they are just there because I like to see them.

Just popping in.

 I'm staying with my daughter for a couple of days.

A bump in the road.

As the title says, I have hit a bump in the road, not a physical one, but a bump never the less.

Therefore I will not be posting for a while.

My poor hands

My left hand is stiff and  sore all the way up to my shoulder. It's from hanging on to Beano's lead when we were visiting our boater friends on Wednesday.

Beano took great exception to the cyclists whizzing along the tow path. Slow bikes he is fine with, he will ignore them but not the cyclists who hammer along at great speed expecting everyone to leap out of their way.

For some reason, today my right hand is now also stiff  and sore, but this is only my in my hand, my arm and shoulder are fine.

I've taken a paracetamol so I'm sure it will soon be better.

On Friday morning the new resident stopped me, she wanted to make a complaint. I suppose it was only a matter of time before she got round to me. She has complained about many things since she arrived. She complained about Beano. It seems he disturbed her on Wednesday by barking non-stop all day. Whilst I'll admit Beano did bark a lot on Wednesday he was 5 or 6 miles from our flat visiting our friends on the narrow boat.

Next time there is somebody here from the housing association I will speak to them and explain that we were not on site at the time the resident claims she heard Beano barking for hours.  I expect she did hear a dog barking, there are quite a few around and some of them are very vocal.

A day out.

Yesterday we went to visit friends of ours, they live in their narrow boat and were moored nearby.

We have not seen them for a few years as they have been travelling both by boat and in their campervan.

It was lovely to see them and we had a BBQ on the canal bank.

Beano has a lovely time playing with their dog Daisy and a long run in the fields nearby.

Steve has arranged to go on a short boat trip with them in a couple of weeks. He is desperate to steer the boat. I shall probably stay home as their deck has only room for three people. Beano and I would have to stay inside for the trip.

I will check how far they are travelling, if it's five miles or less I will go and Beano and I will walk the towpath.

How much?

Steve decided to buy a leaf blower as we are surrounded by trees.

Unfortunately we are also surrounded by a high wall.

It didn't occur to Steve that there would be nowhere to blow the leaves to.

He spent £190 on the leaf blower I'm assuming it's gold plated at that price.

He used it y'day morning, he blew the leaves away from the front door, about 10 inches from the front door.

The leaf blower is now in the hall cupboard, I doubt it will see the light of day again!

Heavy breathing.

Sorry that my posts are a bit sporadic, it depends very much on how Steve is whether I get chance to post or not.

Steve refuses to wear his hearing aids indoors, he refuses  to accept that he is deaf. Because of this, he doesn't notice that his breathing is incredibly loud. It like having a steam train in the living room.

I went to bed at 11 on Wednesday night, well, I intended to, but Steve was snoring up a storm. Even when I took my hearing aids out I could still hear him. I returned to the living room and watched Whitstable Pearl on my kindle until 1 a.m. Steve was still snoring but by then I was tired enough not to care. I was up and dressed just after 5 a.m. Steve finally surfaced around 11 a.m and insisted he hadn't slept a wink all night. 

Steve is still accompanying me to the summer house meetings, y'day a meal out was mentioned, we were invited to join we both agreed but I expect Steve will drop out at the last minute. He will expect me to drop out as well.

Silence is golden.

After y'day when Steve ranted and bitched non-stop all day mainly about immigration, today we are having a day of silence. 

I've no idea why he is silent but I'm enjoying the peace and quiet. He isn't sulking because he doesn't do that quietly, maybe he's found a new book on his kindle to read. I have downloaded a few new cheap books lately,  99p for a few hours silence is a good price to pay.

I try to keep my eye out for books by good authors that are on special offer.

Neither of us can see well enough to read physical books so we rely on our kindles.

Old friends.

We had a message today from some boater friends, we are hoping to get together in a few weeks time.

The wife has a soft spot for Steve so that should put him in a good mood.

They are going to do lunch for us on their boat which will be nice, we can take Beano as they have a dog too.

It will be nice to catch up with all their news as they have a new grandchild since we last saw them.

No doubt Steve will tell them in great detail how unhappy he is and how unkind I am, refusing to move into a rented flat.

They may agree with him that it's better to rent than buy, in which case he'll be very happy.I

I've told him repeatedly that he is welcome to rent somewhere to live but although he dislikes me he wants me to move too.

A day of peace

Steve went out as soon as Tesco had delivered, he's gone into town to meet up with Bob. Bob is trying to sell his camper van but he's asking way too much for it and is getting annoyed that it's not selling. Steve will sympathise with him, he also thinks the things he owns are worth more than they actually are.

I've had a peaceful day so far with no shouting or whinging. I shall go over to the summer house later for a natter with my neighbours.

It's sunny here but not too hot, the weather is supposed to get hotter in the next few days. Whenever we have a cooler day Beano gets an extra long walk. He's had two so far today and I'll take him out again between 3 & 4 o'clock and again around 7 ish.

I need to wash my mug and clear the kitchen and that will be all the housework I do today.

In a strop.

When Steve first was recovering from his stroke he used to attend a stroke club. He didn't attend for many weeks, he can't bear criticism and when the staff suggested he stop being so nasty to me and shouting at me all the time he stopped going. They tried to explain that it wasn't my fault he'd had a stroke and lashing out verbally was unacceptable.

He can't understand why his behaviour is unacceptable. Seven years later and nothing has changed.

Twice this week he's been nasty and twice I've pulled him up on it. He always reacts the same way, he storms out and goes to the pub to get drunk!

I just need to do this on a daily basis and I could have a peaceful life.

Cool mat.

I've ordered a new cool mat for Beano, the one recommended in the comments on my last post. It's fabric rather than plastic so hopefully Beano will like it.

It was sunny when I got up and walked Beano at 6:30, it seems be clouding over now and he has had his second walk though getting across the road to walk him is quite dicey. There are a lot of large lorries that thunder along this road and it is very bendy so quite difficult to see. I was taking to a neighbour who said a residents group has started to count the lorries as the number is increasing. It's gone from 100 a day to 450 in two years, which is quite a jump.

I'm not sure whether I'll go to the summer house this afternoon, it depends how warm it is. I'm hoping there is a quiz on Wednesday, last week it was held on Thursday morning so I couldn't go.

A new owner has moved into one of the upstairs flats, on-site here there is a cupboard for every four flats. The new owner is kicking off, she is an avid car booter and wants the cupboard for herself. The owners of the other three flats don't agree, it doesn't affect me, I'll get popcorn and watch the proceedings!

Summery day

I took Beano out for a long walk early this morning, when it was still cool. Then at lunchtime I just took him on to the grass in the shade of the trees.

It's not really that hot, it's not quite up to 30 degrees but Beano doesn't cope well in the heat. I'm ok with it, I spent a lot of time walking the towpaths from lock to lock.

I got to know which paths were shady and if it was too hot with limited shade, Beano would travel on the boat while I walked. He was very nimble when it came to getting across the lock gate. I on the other hand, kept a firm grip on the bars at the top of the gates.

I'm not going to the summer house this afternoon as Beano won't be comfortable in the heat. I shall watch another episode of Whitstable Pearl.

I'm a bit harassed

I've had a difficult few weeks with Steve and his continuous yelling and shouting.

He's been told before, by me and others, that it isn't acceptable but he insists that he's not shouting!

He been grumbling about money for a while now. The grumbles got louder and more strident until he announced that I needed to contribute more towards the household bills. He suggested I start paying half the food bill.

I suggested I pay for the food and sundries I buy, but I refuse to pay half the shopping bill since its usually around £170 a week. This is mainly for junk food and beer. I buy a fruit and veg box every week which is around £10 depending on what extra fruit I chose.

Next time he starts I shall offer to pay half the electricity as I do use half I'm sure.

Barking

Barking or barking mad?

Steve went out with Harry this morning, on their return our mad cat lady spoke to Steve. She demanded he came home and silenced Beano as he'd been barking for two hours.

 Steve, instead of thinking how unusual it was for Beano to bark, immediately agreed to do this and hustled through the front door shouting and ranting.

Beano was asleep on the sofa!

I told Steve to go and explain to the mad cat lady that the noise she could hear was a muntjac in the grounds of the building next door!

She won't have believed him but I'd limited patience left after listening to the muntjac barking for two hours. I couldn't go to see her myself, as I'd have been tempted to rip her head off!

Shoppng!

I know exactly where the money goes.

Steve buys six trays of lager every week and each tray contains 18 cans, these he drinks every week, plus occasional trips to the pub as well.

He eats no vegetables apart from an occasional mushroom, just meat everyday, this is why he spends so much money each week.

He has cornflakes for breakfast 3 times a week, the other days he has a cooked breakfast or a bacon sandwich. Lunch is a ham sandwich with a packet of crisps. His sandwich's are always made with white bread.

Steve's evening meal is, what I'd describe as party food, breaded scampi, chicken wings, stuff like that covered in copious amounts of BBQ sauce.I

This is followed by 4 or 5 packets of crisps throughout the evening.

Justifiable homicide!

How I refrained from murdering Steve y'day i'll never know. He spent the entire day ranting over and over about the same subject.

I tried explaining to him that he needed to stop but he claims that he needs to get things off his chest.

Unfortunately it doesn't work like that, he just gets more and more worked up the more he rants. I get thoroughly exhausted by it.

It's not as though he rants about something that affects him directly, he will find something in the news or online to rant about and off he goes.

I lost my temper eventually and told him to STFU. He then reduced his volume to a mumble. I buried myself in a Harry Potter film for a bit of escapism.

RAMBLER, Steve isn't eligible for pension credit as he has our savings to spend. 

I'm capable of managing on my pension, I even manage to save a little, but I don't smoke and rarely drink. I never go to the hairdressers and I don't shop for pleasure, just for necessities. Steve likes to think he's in charge of our finances and used to insist on paying all the bills. I used to pay for the food shopping but Steve decided to take it over and now spends between £160 and £180 a week. I think this is excessive but it's his choice.

It's like living with Alf Garnett

 Ever since the election Steve has been in full on rant mode.

He is driving me mad, yes I know it's annoying that he will lose his winter fuel payment but yelling at me isn't going to help.

I'm horrified by the amount he spends on Tesco every week, especially on beer but if I can save money from my pension then it's his choice to spend all of his and then some.

Steve wants lamb chops for tea, he bought a pack of eight and froze them without splitting them. I managed to split the pack, otherwise he'd ha e eaten all eight. He doesn't eat veg so he eats large portions of meat.

Oodles and Poos

On every dog walk Beano and I meet many dogs, especially Oodles and Poos. 

I have a neighbour who has a Maltipoo and a Cockerpoo. She paid thousands for the pair of them. 

There are numerous similar dogs around, there are many Labradoodles and my personal favourite which the owner tells me it is a Dalmadoodle.

Another neighbour had visitors yesterday, they brought their dog with them. It's a Cavapoo  and boy was it noisy. It barked non-stop from the moment it arrived until it left. My poor neighbour was exhausted.  She was full of apologies when I saw her afterwards. Though what she could do about it I'm not sure.

My daughter visited last week to collect our TV, she brought her dog with her. He almost filled the flat, he is a Boxer/Staffy cross, he's huge but daft as a brush. Beano grumbles at him all the time.

Still here!

Still buggering on.

Steve decided to buy a humongous TV it's a 50 inch, allegedly he bought it so I could watch TV but when his friend Bob did the set up he's done it without subtitles. So although I can watch the TV I can't hear what people are saying so I can't follow what's happening. Nemmind, worse things happen at sea.

The weather is getting warmer for the next few days, Beano will not be happy. He prefers the cooler weather.

I'm trying to improve my diet but mainly failing. I did make some roasted cauliflower and red pepper y'day that was delicious.

Today I'm going to cook some chicken drumsticks on a bed of green beans and cabbage. Steve is going out with one of his brothers so I will cook it then. Steve doesn't like me using the oven, he wants everything cooked in the air fryer.

Two days!

Two fecking days!

I have a Henry hoover, it's very efficient but it's heavy and as Steve insists that it must be kept on the top shelf of one of our cupboards. It's extremely inconvenient and difficult to lift from the shelf to the floor.

I've been lifting Henry down from the shelf since we moved here. This week I decided  enough was enough and I told Steve he was to lift it down. This he did for two days, he then decided that it was too inconvenient and ordered a new lightweight stick vacuum cleaner!

New clothes.

I bought a new summer dress this year, same style as my other dresses and I threw one dress away as the skirt had developed holes..

Then last week, Betty had a clear out and gifted me two more summer dresses. They are too long as Betty is considerably taller than me.

This morning, once Steve has gone out with Harry to collect his washing I shall get my good scissors out and cut a few inches of the bottom of each dress.

I'm don't think I'll be able to take them up myself but another resident may do them for me. I can but ask.

A busy week.

It's all go this week, my daughter is collecting me this morning. We will go into town, she wants her face threading and we will probably have lunch.

I've not been out with Betty for a while, she's been busy with her bowls. She has played almost every day for two weeks .

Y'day I went for a stroll with another neighbour, we are not exactly a match made in heaven. She has aphasia, she struggles to find the words, and I'm deaf and going blind. Still we had a pleasant stroll.

Another funeral.

Another resident has died, she had a stroke, she was 92.

So that's another empty flat that will need to be sold.

There are quite a few now and because they are not being updated they are difficult to sell.

We also have a couple of residents who like to keep their property on the market but expect far too much money.

Our flats are dated, there are many newer and more luxurious flats around.

Our call service is being removed, the argument is that everyone has a mobile phone so if they need assistance they can call a family member.

We only have a visiting manager a couple of times a week.

None of this bothers me, we bought this place as we could afford it and it was convenient. But many of the residents bought here because there was a live in manager and other facilities to help them.

Aargh.

Beano and I went to join some other residents in the garden this afternoon. I didn't stay long as Steve came to join us. He never joins in anything unless I'm there. I find it a bit inhibiting as I know there will be a post mortem when we return home.

Every comment mulled over and found wanting.

It's tedious.

I've shrunk.

I've always been short, 4'11 in my youth and I've shrunk as I've aged.

I met up with my oldest grandson on Thursday, he was highly amused when he realised I only came half way up his chest!

I'm also losing my sight along with my hearing. I wear hearing aids but nothing can be done about my eyesight. I had surgery but it failed, in fact it made it worse.

 I'm having to give up my kindle as I can no longer see stuff on it, so I decided to fire up my laptop to see if I can use that.

The problem with the laptop is that it's big and heavy, I can't sit with it on my knee as it soon gets too hot.

I decided to look into buying a small table, one where the legs will go under the sofa. At this point Steve decided to take over the buying decision.

He decided to fit wooden blocks to lift the sofa so the large castors on the table he chose will slide under the sofa. He did this before the table arrived and once it did arrive he realised the blocks supporting the table need to be bigger!

The second blocks have now been made and fitted, the sofa is raised up and the table slides underneath.

Steve's next job is to make a ladder so Beano and I  can access the sofa!

Thats the election done.

My children all vote, I have very strong views on voting and they probably don't feel they have a choice.

As for which party they vote for, that's up to them. I don't feel it is any of my business.

Some of them tell me, some of them don't, I don't mind either way. 

It's the voting that is important, not the who for.

I've voted

Voting is something I feel strongly about but I sometimes wonder why.

My neighbour on one side insists that Labour will win and everything will improve.

My neighbour the other side claims the Conservatives are doing well and everything will improve soon.

I don't think there will be any improvement whoever wins. The politicians are all only interested in lining their own pockets.

Changes

Our site has a new owner, the previous company decided they wanted to concentrate on their rental portfolio.

So we are now owned by a company that only deals with owned properties.

There has been much excitement amongst the residents here, many expecting a return to having a full time manager on-site. An on-site cafeteria and laundrette were also hoped for. Some were hoping to have the call system updated. One resident wanted me removed as she feels the flats should be for Christians only. The mad cat lady wants all pet owners apart from herself removed as her cat doesn't like having other pets on-site. Some people are worried that the bills will treble overnight.

Steve is again pushing to move as he believes the costs will soar.

What we have been told so far is that we will share a manager with eight other sites, the manager will visit occasionally but will not live on-site. The call system is being removed completely as most residents have a mobile phones. There will be much muttering on-site as people realise their wishes are of no interest to the new owners.

Still.

I'm still coughing, still knackered and still sleeping on the sofa.

I'm feeling ok though, no temperature so I'm past the worst.

Betty took me out y'day, the traffic was snarled up everywhere, possibly because the M4 eastbound  was shut.

This meant we didn't go far but it was nice to get out. We went to Waitrose as Betty likes their double yolked eggs. Then we had lunch at a nearby pub, it can be a bit iffy in the evenings but is ok at lunchtimes. Betty had steak and saved some for Beano, I had macaroni cheese, it was very tasty.

Next week Betty and I are attending the funeral of the resident that died.

We have seed trays full of plants adorning every flat surface. I've no idea where Steve is going to plant them there is really no room in the garden.

He told me y'day he's going with his friend to watch the BrItish Grand Prix, so that will be a peaceful weekend for me. The cost will have to come out of the savings but it will be worth it for the peace.

I'll pay for it afterwards I'm sure as he'll be in a  bad mood when he returns, I shall just ignore him.

He's just got up and discovered that he purchased the wrong bacon last time he shopped, that's today ruined for him!

How mortifying

Steve makes no secret of the fact that he thinks I'm old, fat and boring.

This doesn't really bother me, I must have very high self esteem.

I'm 72, overweight but not carrying as much extra weight as he is. I agree that I'm boring but I'm very limited now with what I can do. 

I'm  mainly polite and helpful to my neighbours but I'm limited by my deafness and failing eyesight. I'm a lot more 'on the ball' than some of my neighbours. 

I refrained from punching the neighbour who told me that it was ok for men to drive into their 80's. But that women should stop driving when the reached 60,  as they no longer had the intelligence to drive! He seemed to think that was why I no longer drive.

Steve goes into the garden most days, ostensibly to water his hanging baskets, usually about 2:30.

I sometimes go over to the summer house at 3 o'clock to socialise, this I did y'day.

After about 10 minutes Steve came over to join us. As he walked over one resident commented that he's only managed 10 minutes before joining in.

I didn't realise until I spoke to Betty afterwards that Steve never joins in with the afternoon meetings unless I'm there. It's become a bit of a standing joke with the regulars that he feels the need to mark his territory this way. He always insists on sitting next to me and I'm aware that I'm less chatty when he is there as he is very critical of my conversation.

I was feeling very mortified, partly because of Steve's behaviour and partly because I didn't notice it, but I'm not going to stop joining in because of him. Although the other residents find it amusing they don't seem to feel it is my fault.

Random ramblings.

We have another hot day here, Beano's water bowl will be kept topped up and his walks will be short and shady.

I have four large insect bites, they are on my foot, knee, chest and face. When I walked Beano just before bedtime our mad cat lady was wandering around wearing socks, trousers, an anorak, two jumpers, gloves, a hat and a headscarf. She said she didn't want to get bitten.

I slept badly last night as I kept coughing, yet again I slept on the sofa.

I heard my Oddbox arrived at 1:30 this morning. It contained carrots, peppers, aubergine, tomatoes, strawberries, cherries, apples a melon. I shall take some of it round to my neighbour later.

I have no plans today though I may give Beano a bath to cool him down. I also need to vacuum through it, I'm hoping Steve will lift Henry off the top shelf of the cupboard for me.

I know.

I know he loves me and I love him.

But it's 27 deg here.

Does Beano really need to sleep pressed up against my leg!

Still coughing

I'm still alive and still coughing I don't feel unwell, but I'm knackered from not sleeping well. I've spent the last two nights on the sofa as I cough more when I lay flat. On the sofa I sleep propped up against the arm. Also Steve is still coughing up a storm.

Today I went into town to get my hearing aids checked, I was supposed to have my ears cleared out earlier this week but despite making three separate appointments I was let down each time.

We have fish and chips this evening, one of the residents is going to collect them for us.

Lurgy

 Steve seems to have shared his lurgy with me, he greeted the fact that I snoozed on the sofa for an hour today with great glee.

He feels that if I needed a snooze then he obviously was right to stay in bed for three or four days.

He's back to pottering in the garden, he spotted a strange looking leaf in one of the hanging baskets. I thought it looked like a strawberry leaf. This suggestion was greeted with ridicule, what would a strawberry plant be doing in his hanging basket. He asked another resident for her opinion. It's a strawberry leaf she said, now I'm a genius!

He's still coughing, I suggested he wear a t-shirt in bed as it may help him cough less if he keeps his back warm .  It seems this isn't as an option as real men always sleep naked.

Hey ho, I'm going for lunch with my daughter on Friday, whoopee.

Lights!

Our lights were sorted within a couple of hours of me speaking to our site manager, fortunately.

Steve now has an upset stomach from taking too many painkillers. But he's been in the garden chatting to the neighbours. He's still convinced I should have phoned an ambulance for him.

It will be interesting to see if Steve starts drinking again today.

I need to clean the inside of my windows, I can't reach the kitchen window but I should be able to climb into the unit in the bay window and clean the ones there. I'll have to move all the trays of plants that Steve has there. I've no idea where he's going to plant them all we have no garden to speak of.

Saturday.

Steve still feels unwell, he does have a nasty cough but he doesn't have a temperature. He got up for a few hours y'day but was back in bed early. He got up today about 2 o'clock and wanted me to call an ambulance, but not until he'd eaten breakfast. He panics very easily!

It's drizzly and overcast here today, Beano's walks have had to be fitted in between the showers. He's spent most of the day curled up on his blanket on the sofa.

Lights out again!

Yet again our on-site lights have failed!

I'm up and dressed and about to visit our site manager who is due here today.

Last time this happened our manager was on holiday and the cover manager seemed to think we were all stupid. She refused to arrange for an electrician to  visit as the lights were probably ok!

I've placed my standard lamp in the corridor again as otherwise I cannot see to leave the building.

I've been advised to contact Environmental Health and will be doing so later today. 

Sick as a parrot.

Steve's not well, he thinks he caught what I've had for the past couple of weeks.

I have hayfever which I'm sure isn't contagious. Steve hasn't got a temperature so I think he probably just has a cold.I

He has gone back to bed and drawn the curtains. He went bed at 6 y'day evening and got up at 11:30 so he's been up about an hour. I took him a cup of coffee, I'm not totally heartless.

Bloody men.

My daughter's ex, is an ex for a reason, he complained endlessly when they were together. She was too fat (she's a size six), she didn't do enough housework, he didn't want to contribute to the household bills, yada, yada.  Eventually  she got fed up and they split up, he's been a PITA ever since. 

He became convinced she had someone else so he started dropping in unannounced but he was never able to catch her with anyone else.

Instead of realising that she was happy single he decided to fit a tracker to her car so he could follow her. 

When my daughter discovered the tracker she went to the police. The case is going to court!

Out of sight,

Not out of mind!

Steve is away at  a friend's wedding, he was collected this morning by the groom.

I've no idea what food was served at the reception but it won't have been to Steve's taste. Well, unless they served KFC or Mcdonalds!

This means Steve will be rat arsed as he will have eaten no food to mop up the copious amounts of Fosters he will have consumed

I was looking forward to a peaceful weekend, but it's not to be. Steve has been texting me repeatedly about a photo of a motorbike that is on his kindle from 10 years ago. I have looked but I can't find it.

I expect it's on his phone which he has with him!

I've bathed Beano and taken him for numerous walks and repeatedly looked for a 10 year old photo of a motorbike.

I'm hoping to get an early night tonight as I slept badly last night. Fortunately I no longer drive so if Steve decides he's had enough and wants to come home he'll have to manage on public transport.

Neighbours and idiots!

One of our residents popped in to see me this morning, she was very upset.

She'd put up some bunting to celebrate D Day and some bugger had complained. She asked if it was me, as she knows I'm pagan she thought I was maybe a pacifist. I assured her it wasn't me, my dad fought in the war.

She's now worried if people will complain when she puts Christmas decorations up. I've offered to help her!

We have 26 flats here and a few people think they are more entitled to their opinion than others.

Residents are allowed to complain anonymously and they do, repeatedly!

The phrase 'Get a life'  comes to mind.

This weeks fruit and veg box.

In this week's box:-

Asparagus, tomatoes, courgette, potatoes, mushrooms, orange peppers, pears, oranges and strawberries.

So lots of stuff to feed me this week. I also bought some nectarines when I was out with Betty. 

When Steve does the shopping I can ask him to buy fruit and veg for me but he really doesn't understand the need for fresh stuff. He is more likely to buy tinned or frozen.

I have bought a jar of anchovies so when I have peppers in my veg box I cut them in half, put two crossed anchovy fillets in each half along with a couple of halved cherry tomatoes. Sprinkle with some of the oil from the anchovy jar and cook until the pepper is soft.

Delicious, this was one of my fathers favourite  meals, served with crusty bread.

A trip out.

My neighbour Betty is back from her trip away and today she took me with her when she went to Waitrose.

I was so pleased to get off-site for a couple of hours.

Don't get me wrong, I like it here but Steve has started going to the get togethers in the summer house. Usually if he goes I don't as it gives me a couple of hours of peace!

Knackering.

There was a BBQ held on-site y'day for Pat's birthday.

Steve did the BBQ at Pat's request and it all went off very well.

Unfortunately I found it exhausting, not only was I up and awake from 3 a.m. it was shopping delivery day so Steve was awake and pacing from 9 a.m.

He went from panicking about the shopping to panicking about the BBQ. By the time he'd cooked the food on the BBQ I was dizzy with stress and exhaustion.

The weather stayed dry but it wasn't warm so everyone stayed in the summer house whilst Steve cooked outside. I felt it better that I stayed outside with him rather than leave him on his own. 

I have no plans today but Steve is up and about so he must have something planned.

Car park war has broken out again.

Two sets of new owners have moved in, two couples with two cars to each couple. 

As usual they have purchased their flats and believed every word the estate agent has told them.

There are thirteen parking spaces between 28 flats! 

The parking spaces are small, narrow and short, we currently have a two residents who own large 4 x 4 vehicles. There is only one space big enough for their cars, so they squabble over it.

It's not rocket science is it, there aren't enough spaces for everyone to have a car never mind two cars.

It doesn't bother us, we neither of us drive so don't own a car. I think if we had, we would have checked there was room for us to park before we purchased a flat here.

Books

Reading is one of the few pleasures I have left.

I can't see well enough to read conventional books but I use a kindle so I can enlarge the font.

I'm a voracious reader, well let's face it there isn't much else I can do.

I pay for kindle unlimited so I have plenty of free books to choose from.

A couple of days ago I paid £5.99 for a book, Skint Estate by Cash Carraway. I thoroughly enjoyed it, though parts of it were a bit harrowing.

I'm not into romances, I prefer books like the Sharpe series by Bernard Cornwell or books by Ben Aaronovitch. Sometimes I re-read all the Terry Pratchett books.

Macular traction.

 The most common macular problem is macular degeneration, this can be helped by injections.

I don't have that I have macular traction which is different.

I was told that surgery would solve the problem.

I had surgery on my eye.

The surgery failed and the surgeon mistakenly sliced my retina.

After this I refused surgery on my other eye!

No conversation.

Ellen, I'm not so much upset as seriously pissed off.

There is no therapy or help available here, I can't get a Drs appointment for love or money. All I can do is keep buggering on.

Steve is not really capable of holding a conversation for more than a few minutes. What he thinks is conversation is actually a series of rants about how crap his life is.

When we lived on the boat he had more control, if I suggested we moor near some other boats Steve would usually decide there wasn't room for us. This meant he had complete control over who I could speak to.

Here I've been able to speak to the other residents, Betty has become a friend but Steve would rather I tried to speak with the residents he prefers. Because I have problems with my hearing I tend to gravitate towards the people with loud voices. 

Out to lunch.

 Steve took me for lunch today, I had chicken served with flatbread, it was lovely, though somewhat spoilt by Steve's non-stop moaning. Fortunately it was very noisy in the pub, so I've no idea what he was moaning about.

Our neighbour Pat came round, she wants to hold a BBQ for her birthday and Steve has volunteered to cook for her. We're hoping Betty will do the salads, if not, I'll do them.

I went to the summer house this afternoon, Harry was holding forth. Like a lot of men, he loves the sound of his own voice. Sometimes it's good to be deaf. I didn't stay long, I go for conversation but there was none. Just Harry lecturing everyone about something he knows nothing about.

I've developed a small black spot on my eye, or I should probably say a small blank spot. It's making it difficult to read and reading is all I have left.

Steve is listening to music and getting rat arsed, deep joy! 

General election

I shall vote, I feel it is important but I think politicians are a wunch of bankers.

Fruit and veg box

 This is what was in my box today.

Carrots, cabbage, spinach, avocado, apples, oranges and a huge beefsteak tomato.

I've already eaten an Apple and made coleslaw with some of the cabbage and carrots.

I'm having a chicken pie this evening, I shall have some of spinach with it. 

Tomorrow I shall stuff the huge tomato and eat that.

I have nectarines and strawberries due on Friday from Tesco.

Lucky.

The on going tainted blood scandal rumbles on.

I received a blood transfusion at around that time, I was lucky, mine wasn't tainted.

It did mean that I had to lie about it for years afterwards whenever I applied for a mortgage.

I had to lie and claim that I'd never received a blood transfusion.

Fortunately my first mother in law never knew about my transfusion, if she had she'd have told everyone I had Aids.

She was a bundle of fun!

In my day.

I've noticed some people are posting about their nonasthetic lifestyle.

I gather this means you are untidy and don't have a life where everything matches. You live a life where things aren't beautiful.

I need to adopt this term, nothing in my flat matches and I don't care!

When my children were small I never could stand the competitive mothers and I intentionally stepped back from them. 

I couldn't stand the constant boasting, the "my child is learning the piano and is going to be a concert pianist" or the "my child is reading at two years old and is going to be the next Einstein".

Shopping

We have our shopping delivered on Friday,  between 10 a.m. and 11 a.m.

I've been doing my shopping online for many years now.

But I'm no longer to be trusted to do this as I was spending too much money so Steve has taken over.

I'm not bothered as I can walk to Aldi or Lidl if I want anything.

I also prefer fresh fruit and vegetables which is why I now get a box delivered every week.

The shopping is, in fact, more expensive as Steve prefers to buy 'named brands' but that is his choice.

He is currently not speaking to me and has gone into town in a strop, to the pub.

My sin was to snap at him, something I rarely do. 

Before the shopping arrives Steve likes to pace, he checks the time continually and paces between our flat and the car park. He can spend easily half an hour doing this.

Once the shopping is here Steve starts to move it into the flat. If I help by moving some of the shopping, he complains because I'm getting in his way when he is sorting the shopping. Other times he complains because I'm not helping him.

Often I walk Beano when the shopping arrives just to get out the way.

Today I noticed that I still had part of last week's loaf left, so I put this week's in the freezer.

Ye gods, you'd have thought I was packing live babies into the freezer.

Steve went into a full blown panic, I lost my temper and told him to shut up and stop moaning.

Bloody men

I got up this morning and staggered to the bathroom, when I opened the bathroom cabinet I was met by the sight of many busy little ants running around.

I was not best pleased and wondered how the ants has gained access to the cabinet as there are two external doors, a long corridor and an internal door between the cabinet and the outside world.

Once up, breakfasted and dressed I solved the conundrum. My neighbour Harry has a bucket of raspberry canes on his doorstep. These have been dug up from somewhere for him, complete with ants.

I doubt if Harry has the strength or energy to plant these and he will be hoping Steve will plant them for him. Today he is out of luck as Steve has an appointment to get his hearing aids checked.

I hope Harry can be persuaded to put the canes outside until such time as someone is able to plant them for him!

Doctors.

My surgery is struggling to recruit Drs, they currently have two very part time Drs covering two different surgeries that are some miles apart.

There is a long wait for appointments, that's if the reception team think you need an appointment.

I've been before with gout so I have been diagnosed by a Dr.

My attacks of gout only tend to last a couple of weeks and by the time I get an appointment the attack will be over.

Worse almost than the pain of the gout is the accompanying earache. Steve complains non-stop if I have anything wrong with me. I never mention if I'm unwell but my difficult walking is a bit of a giveaway.

Steve has a painful knee, he claims it is red and swollen though it doesn't look that way. It gives him an excuse to chew Nurofen plus by the packet.

Rose Chafer

I've just taken Beano for a walk, whilst we were out a Rose Chafer landed in my hair. I didn't notice it at first, I assumed it was a leaf. When I went to move it I realised it was alive and picked it out of my hair and placed it on a nearby plant. They are beautiful beetles, quite large with iridescent greeny bronze wings.

Beano was decidedly unimpressed and took to his heels, he's a bit of a wuss really.

I vacuumed through today, I don't think I did a very good job as I really can't see what I'm doing. I still l need to give the kitchen a bit of a blitz but it can wait until my foot has stopped throbbing.

Gout

Oh bugger, I've got an attack of gout! 

It's bloody painful and slows me down a lot, it takes ages to walk Beano every day.

I've been taking painkillers occasionally but they have little effect and make me feel nauseous.

Steve has helped by complaining non-stop and telling me to go the the Drs. I don't see any point, the Dr diagnosed it some years ago. I don't know what causes it to flare up.

I need to vacuum through but can't face it when I'm in so much pain , I will have to wait until the pain subsides.

It's not a long boat!

I recently got a new book via kindle unlimited, it is a godsend to me as I read a lot of books. I can't hear well enough to listen to the radio and I can't see the TV so books are my lifeline.

The book was about a murder on the canal system. On the very first page of the novel a narrow boat was referred to as a long boat. I didn't read anymore and deleted the book. I don't expect anyone to be an expert on everything but for heaven's sake do some research! 

A long boat is what the Vikings used, the boats on the canals are called narrow boats!

Lunch out

Betty and I went shopping today, I didn't buy anything but I was happy to wander around the shops with her. Betty was buying gifts for an event she's organising.

We had lunch out, fish and chips, very nice it was too.

We came home, I took Beano out for a walk, Steve said he'd already walked him but Beano was happy to go out.

Then I went to the summer house which Beano always enjoys.

I was back indoors just after 4 p.m. and Steve was in a chatty mood. Unfortunately he soon went from chatty to whinge mode. He hates it here, he hates the other owners, on and on.

Eventually I told him I'd be happy to put the flat on the market and we could split the proceeds. I told him I'd move in with my daughter and he could move wherever he wanted to.

There was silence for about 30 minutes, he then announced that he only had about four years to live so it wasn't worth him moving.

Best off in my pocket.

I received an email from my solicitor saying they owed us £200. Money retained from when we purchased our flat.

I've had it paid into my account, I'm trying to build up some savings towards Beano's next vet bill.

I'm making savings where I can and trying to live on my pension. We have money in savings  but Steve is working his way through them.

We don't have a mortgage as we paid cash for our flat.

Currently this is where my money goes per month.

£358 my share of the bills for the flat.

£50 fruit and veg box.

£6 at the pet shop for Beano.

£50 trips out with Betty.

£8.99 Amazon Prime plus any purchases made.

£12. Mobile phone bill.

Hearing aids.

Steve's current rant du jour is hearing aids. His are national health and free. He only wears them when he goes out, never indoors, he complains ceaselessly about how painful they are and how useless. 

I pay for mine, the first pair, from Specsavers, weren't as good as they claimed and the aftercare was appalling. My current pair are from Boots, Jennie took me last week to get them checked out. They are now back to working properly. I wear them all day, every day, they are not uncomfortable, in fact I sometimes forget I'm wearing them. I have been known to get into bed with them still in my ears. I have another year of free updates and adjustments, as my hearing is still deteriorating I may then need to buy replacements, I'm saving money in case this happens. We have quite a lot of money in savings but Steve feels that paying for my hearing aids would eat into our savings and that I need to go back to national health aids.

Weather

I've always been of the opinion that there is no such thing as bad weather, just the wrong clothes.

I have to say I'm currently revising this, it's bitterly cold here today and damp with an icy wind. I'm still walking Beano with coat, hat and gloves.

Even Beano didn't want to go far on his morning walk. We met a lady with a lovely grey staffy pup, I've no idea if it was male or female. I assumed male as Beano started to grumble. I couldn't resist having a stroke.

We're now home and I'm having a second breakfast of a banana and a mug of mint tea. I have mint growing by my door so it's easy to pick a few sprigs as I walk in.

Betty and I shopped y'day, she is catering for a visiting bowls team this weekend. After shopping we stopped at the nearby Toby Carvery for lunch, I had turkey, Betty had pork. No dessert so it was £6.50 each, very reasonable. Steve was meeting Bob so Beano was home alone for an hour he was pleased to see me when I returned. Steve didn't get home until around 7 and was in bed and asleep before 9.

Walking with a list on.

Y'day I had to take my stick to lean on when I went out, today I don't need my stick but I can't walk in a straight line.

Nemmind, I'm walking faster again.

My balance is off, and I'm dizzy, it's my ears that are the problem. I had them checked out years ago and these attacks don't last as long as they used to. They used to last a couple of weeks but now only a couple of days. When I was working, bending over to sort out the copier jams was difficult when I felt dizzy.

I was walking Beano, waiting to cross the road to head home. A car stopped to let me across, I realised after a few moments it was my daughter, she lives at the opposite end of the village. I lurched across the road with Beano and when I got to the other side, stopped and waved to DD and noticed dgd, Maggie was in the car too.

This weeks veg box.

 

Another nice selection of fruit and veg for this week, I'll share it with Betty again.

Not a good day!

I had to admit to Steve that I'm struggling with my eyesight and my hearing. He is extremely annoyed though I'm not sure what he expects me to do about it!

He was out this morning, he  ordered some stuff from B&Q, he got what he ordered but it wasn't what he wanted. So off he went with Harry to swap it out for what he did want.

I didn't go to the summer house this afternoon, there seems little point if I can't hear what people are saying and I can no longer see well enough to lip read.

Roll on Thursday hopefully my hearing aids can be sorted.

A nosedive.

I'm struggling at present, my sight has taken another nosedive. Hopefully I'll adjust to it soon. Unfortunately it's coincided with my hearing aid developing a fault. I have an appointment on Thursday to get my aids sorted

Yesterday I bottomed out the kitchen, today it's the turn of the bathroom. I probably don't do a very good job but it will have to do. Steve will mostly empty the bins but that's about his limit. I'd quite like to get a cleaner in but can't afford one. I could cancel my veg box but I'm really enjoying eating fresh veg and fruit. As Steve does all the shopping I don't always get what I want. Steve will often by tinned or frozen fruit instead of fresh. He can't see the point of veg!

Pavement special

On one of  yesterday's dog walks I stopped to talk to a South African lady. She has three small children and a small black dog.

She asked me what breed Beano is. I explained that he was a mixed breed but that I wasn't sure what mix.

I told her that I used to refer to him as a mongrel but had been told that was no longer acceptable.

She said that in South Africa such dogs are referred to as Pavement Specials, which made me laugh.

Beano goes to the vet.

My neighbour Harry very kindly gave Beano and I a lift to the vets  this morning.

Beano's dew claws were very overgrown. Time was I'd have clipped them myself but I can no longer see to do them.

I can't say I was looking forward to the bill, I spent about £1000 on Beano when he had viral gastroenteritis.

Beano was booked in with one of the nurses but ended up seeing the vet as the nurse didn't feel able to proceed without help. I explained that I was happy for him to be muzzled even though I thought it was unlikely he'd bite.

Beano was offered antibiotics as he bled when the claws were clipped but I explained that he wouldn't take them.

To my absolute amazement there was no charge. Usually the vet seems to charge for breathing the air in the waiting room.

There have been mutterings in the media about the large vet groups basically price fixing. Obviously the vets have taken heed.

His dew claws have been trimmed and he seems a lot more comfortable now.

Wednesday

My Oddbox arrived this morning and I've shared it with Betty, in it there were potatoes, onions, spinach, aubergine, a huge cauliflower and some apples and oranges. 

Steve had an audiologist appointment this morning, I went into town with my daughter. 

She had her face threaded whilst Beano and I wandered about. It was bitterly cold so we kept moving. Hopefully when the weather is better we can have lunch out.

I went to the summer house for the quiz when I got home, I nearly didn't bother as I was knackered but I made the effort. I only stayed for the quiz and gave Betty her share of the Oddbox.

I'm desperate for a good night's sleep, Beano is waking me up twice a night. He doesn't want to go out, he just seems to want company.

It's been rough.

We've had a few difficult days. The weather has been nice and sunny though not particularly warm.

I'm not sure what triggered Steve but he was truly unpleasant on Saturday, it may have been because I didn't provide any food for him. 

It may have been because I told him I wasn't prepared to go to his friends forthcoming wedding, he's still cogitating on that information. I explained that being unable to hear, made large gatherings difficult. I didn't mention my dislike of being left at a table with people I don't know and can't hear for hours on end, or of struggling to get a rat arsed husband to bed in a hotel room. 

My oldest son is getting married at some point and if I'm invited I would like to go to that. There would be family members around who would help me.

Today I've done a machine load of washing, walked the dog  and will vacuum round, such excitement!

Trouble at the big house!

Not long after we moved here we had a visit from a man, Mike, who worked for the housing association. He was condescending and patronising and when Steve mentioned he was thinking of moving one of the kitchen cupboards Mike insisted that this was not allowed. I asked why, since we owned the flat and no response was forthcoming.

Having spoken to other residents it seems that Mike, along with other staff can't grasp the concept that we own our flats. They are used to dealing with tenants and love to instigate many petty rules. Most of which are designed to make the residents lives miserable.

One of our residents,  when complaining about a faulty doorstep. (Caused by poor workmanship by a company chosen by the HA) was told to be grateful she wasn't living in the Ukraine!

The resident of the top flat decided to have the shower removed and have a bath fitted instead. This all went ahead successfully until the resident realised that the water tank was not sufficient to fill the bath. At this point our manager was on holiday, the cover manager realised that changes were being made. The resident was informed that she wasn't allowed to change her water tank. The cover manager was so rude to the plumber he downed tools and refused to return. The resident was left for weeks without sufficient hot water to fill her bath.