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.

Lets put this to bed.

Answers to some questions.

Why does Steve have access to my Amazon account?

We have Amazon prime, it's a family account, a few of us use it, I just need him to remember to tell me when he's buying something.

Why don't I leave? 

Where would I go? In an emergency either of my daughter's would take me in for a couple of days but not permanently. Neither of them have room for me they both have more children than bedrooms. My son's are both in rented accommodation where no dogs are allowed so what would I do with Beano? When we first left the boat, Steve wanted to rent somewhere. As we couldn't provide proof of any previous rental history we had to pay £2000 pcm for an air bnb. I wanted to buy a property for security. Steve still wanted to rent but soon realised that there was a huge waiting list in this area for sheltered rental property. We purchased this property after six months of paying £2000 a month. If we sold this place Steve would be entitled to 50%. This wouldn't leave me enough to buy anywhere else. The rental market here is still desperately short of sheltered properties. Most also don't allow pets. I like living here, there are some nice people and some that are a PITA, those I avoid!

Why don't I make Steve go to the Drs?

We have two part time Drs covering two surgeries, each surgery has a Dr on site for one or two mornings a week. We can't change surgeries as the only two nearby aren't taking on new patients. If we make an appointment it is cancelled or changed repeatedly. Also Steve doesn't feel the need to visit the Dr, so how am I supposed to force him to attend? In Steve's world he is fine, it's everyone else who has a problem.

I'm just living my life the best way I can, I struggle with being deaf and losing my sight but try to make the best of things. If you don't like my blog then don't read it.

What a fibber

Steve has been making much of the fact that he's buying much less lager than usual. He's still buying 2 to 4 trays a week, but not the six he usually buys.

I've been less than impressed as he's going to a pub 4 or 5 days a week.

A couple of days ago I went for a snooze as I wasn't feeling too good.

I didn't get much sleep as Steve was wandering in and out the room.

As I lay there I noticed Steve going out the flat, he was only gone a few minutes so I realised he's gone to the cupboard at the end of the corridor.

He soon  returned carrying a tray of lager, he's not buying less, he's just storing it outside the flat!

New wardrobe.

 I have sex!

Sorry, let me retype that.

I have socks!

Until I got my new wardrobe all my underwear, nightware and t-shirts were crammed together in one small drawer.

Now I have my new wardrobe, complete with two drawers (though only one works) a hanging rail and five shelves, I've been able to sort my clothes out. 

This has meant I've been able to find all six pairs of socks that I own, instead of struggling to manage with two pairs and occasional bare feet.

Lost dog.

Last night around 10 p.m. I let Beano out for his last widdle. All of a sudden there was a noise that scared Beano. 

He took off like the hounds of hell were after him, he ran up the path and off site.

I chased after him but I was too slow, couldn't see which way he'd gone.

I searched the nearby roads, calling him but no joy, eventually I went back to the flat to put my shoes on and to check he hadn't doubled back in me.

As I left the flat to continue my search Beano came barreling down the path towards me.

I was so relieved to see him! Steve got out of bed to tell me I wasn't to shout at Beano, I wasn't, and I don't. I just made a huge fuss of him and after an hour I took him out again. This time on his lead!

New wardrobe

Allegedly my new wardrobe will be here tomorrow between 7 a.m.and 11 a.m.

I shan't hold my breath!

I'm going to bowls club tomorrow for lunch, I'm not intending to play as I can't see well enough.

Tip run.

Harry has taken Steve to the tip, Harry had a shower tray to dispose of and Steve has taken my old wardrobe.

They will then go to Morrison's for breakfast.

I need to make an appointment at the vet for Beano, to get his dew claws trimmed, they are very overgrown. I've asked Harry if he'd be able to give me a lift a and he has agreed.

It's chilly and breezy here, Beano has had two walks, during both of which, we were blown along the road.

Keeping secrets

I have two secrets I'm keeping from Steve.

Firstly I can hardly see out of my left eye, I knew it would happen, I've been expecting it. I haven't told Steve because he will immediately launch into a tirade about how much worse his eyesight is than mine. It's not a bloody competition but he will be very aggrieved if he realises my eyesight is worse than his.

Secondly, my trips out with Betty are coming to an end. Her bowls club has restarted and she plays daily. I knew it was coming but I've also kept this a secret from Steve, I know he will be over the moon. I will find his smug satisfaction hard to cope with.

I'm thinking of a walking to Lidl to buy fresh rolls today, I'll check with my neighbours to see if anyone else wants any.

Peace and quiet.

Steve's gone in to town so I've had a peaceful day, I'm not expecting him back until 6 ish.

One of the residents is going for fish and chips tonight, I had money on me when it was discussed so I was able to be included.

I need to get some more cash out the bank soon.

Life is quiet and boring again now, Betty's bowls club has restarted so there will be very few trips out, if any. Nemmind it was lovely while it lasted.

New wardrobe

My new wardrobe was due today sometime between 8 and 3.

Steve got up at just after 8 o'clock and moved furniture around to accommodate the new wardrobe.

At 10:30 I received an email telling me it would not now be delivered!

Things are a little tetchy  here!

Cold and damp today.

Another cold damp day here, Beano didn't want to walk far as he hates the rain.

I've decided to empty the airing cupboard and re-fold all the towels, it will only take me ten minutes as there are only two shelves.

I'm not sure what else to I shall do, probably read for a while.

I haven't told Steve that Betty's bowls club is restarting next week. This means she'll be too busy to take me out weekly as she plays everyday. Steve is racking his brains to think of things to fill in on his white board. 

Smelly wardrobe.

The smelly wardrobe was here when we moved in, along with a chest of drawers and two bedside tables.

These items were left by the previous resident and as we'd been living on a boat for six years we had no furniture of our own.

We purchased a brand new bed and two units for the living room. We also bought a small dining table and four chairs.

We bought a sofa, an armchair and a nest of tables second hand.

This is all we have and all we need.

Whilst I was out having coffee with Betty and Harry y'day, Steve took the doors off my wardrobe ready to dismantle the rest of it the day before the new wardrobe arrives.

When I got home Steve explained that he expected me to keep all my clothes in the new wardrobe. I was puzzled and asked what clothes? It seems I have a large collection of clothes that I am unaware of. I explained that these were all my clothes but Steve doesn't believe me. He doesn't want to argue about it but he isn't prepared to keep sharing his wardrobe with me once my new wardrobe has arrived. 

I've let it go for now, but if he starts on the subject again I will ask him to show me this large collection of clothes that I am unaware of!

Jittery

 I've just got back from having coffee with Betty and Harry, we went to a cafe near Asda. Unfortunately I forgot to specify decaf coffee, so now I'm jittery.

We also went into Asda, I bought stock cubes, two bananas and a red pepper. Betty has given me some cooked lamb mince to fill the pepper with.

I will put it in the fridge as Steve has decided to have a Chinese takeaway for this evening's meal. I  will eat the stuffed pepper tomorrow.

Steve has taken the doors off the old wardrobe in preparation for the new one arriving. Unfortunately this means the bedroom stinks of smelly feet. 

Oh well, this too shall pass!

Why would you do that?

 I once worked in a small office that had a strange promotion system.

The "office manager" was the longest serving staff member, it seemed to me to be a very strange system and it eventually fell apart when two people who started on the same day couldn't both be promoted.

This meant that an office manager was recruited externally, that's when the brown stuff really hit the fan.

The new manager started and soon after found a discrepancy in the paperwork.

It seems someone had lied on their C.V. about their qualifications.

The new manager interviewed all the staff in turn and had asked for proof of their qualifications.

We are talking about GCSE's here, not anything more technical

When she got to me and asked I told her that I had no GCSE's and as they hadn't been a prerequisite of employment, she accepted this but seemed confused.

Over the next few days I discovered that all ten members of staff had claimed O or A levels they either hadn't taken or hadn't passed.

As the staff were all in their 40's and qualifications were not required, I really couldn't understand why they would lie.

Getting cloudy.

The weather here is improving slightly, today is been sunny and mild.

My cataract, in my left eye is getting thicker and my vision is cloudy.

Surgery is not an option, it has been tried and failed.

My right eye is clearer but my vision is distorted.

Ah well, I shall keep buggering on for now.

New neighbours.

A couple of days ago I met the couple who have purchased one of the flats here.

The flat is over two floors, has two bedrooms, two bathrooms and is in the listed part of the complex so has large, single glazed windows. The flat is also in need of a complete makeover as the previous resident was 102 and housebound, she moved in to an old people's home a few months ago.

Steve has said a few times that we should have purchased that flat instead of the one we did buy. It wasn't for sale when we were looking and anyway I didn't want anywhere with stairs as I find them difficult. Steve feels our flat isn't impressive enough though I've no idea who he wants to impress!

The new couple are both tall, slim and from South Africa, they have a small friendly Shih Tzu. They were in the car park as I returned from walking Beano and he was very keen to say hello.

I mentioned them to Steve when I got home and he was very pleased, he explained that I needed to make friends with the wife and stop going out with Betty. 

He's set me a list of tasks to ensure they like me, including asking if they'd like to come on a dog walk with me. I really wonder what planet he's on sometimes.

I'll admit I'm not good at making friends, mainly because of my deafness. Fortunately it will be 4 or 5 months before the new people move in.

Our mad cat lady is up in arms at the thought of another dog moving in, she claims her cat is already being terrorised by Beano and she's not sure the cat will cope with another dog in the building!

Wardrobe

We have a wardrobe in the bedroom that was left by the previous resident. It is perfectly sound but it smells of stinky feet.

I've tried every remedy I can think of and some I've googled but still it stinks.

The knock-on effect is that my clothes also smell of stinky feet!

I told Steve I was going to save for a new wardrobe over the next few months. I'd be happy with  second hand.

To start with Steve suggested that is was my clothes that were making the wardrobe smell, I explained that it isn't but he's not convinced.

We've been in the flat over a year now so I feel I've been patient long enough.

I'd be happy with a second-hand wardrobe from a charity shop but I know Steve wouldn't like that and I don't care enough to argue.

Steve then announced he'd transfer the money from the savings to pay for a new wardrobe.

All was going swimmingly until Steve decided he didn't like the way I was repeatedly saying "er er er". 

As I wasn't  saying anything, I suggested he put his hearing aids in!

A few moments later my phone pinged, it was a text message, my bank account was nearly in the red.

Cue much shouting from Steve, I asked if he'd ordered a  wardrobe and yes he had. From Amazon which is paid from my account. Had he done the transfer? No!

Steve was adamant that the money couldn't have been taken from my account already.

I left the flat with Beano and went for a walk.I

My new wardrobe will be here on 4th April.

Beano is a grumpy old man.

We have two cockerpoos and a maltipoo living near us, both the cockerpoo are male, black and mad, the maltipoo is female, beige and slightly calmer.

Beano likes them all and long as they accept that he doesn't want to play he is fine. One of the cockerpoos still acts like a puppy and bounces around Beano, trying to get a reaction.

Beano grumbles and complains but eventually today he did play with Denzil. They ran around the field, chasing each other until Beano was tired. When we got home Beano slept for a couple of hours, worn out by his exertions.

What a night!

Beano woke me up three times last night and I couldn't work out why.

Until that is, at 6:30 I went into the kitchen to put the kettle on and realised Steve had left two slices of roast beef on a plate on the work surface!

Once this was in the fridge Beano settled down and went to sleep.

I, on the other hand was wide awake and pottered around until Betty messaged me to see if I'd go with her to take Harry to the hospital for a scan. I agreed and off we went, Betty and I had lunch in the Costa while we waited for Harry, we get to do it all again on Wednesday. Harry has waited six to eight months for these appointments.

Margie we have more chance of winning the lottery ticket than getting any sort of medical appointment.

Kate, we are both in the same boat aren't we, as you say there is bugger all help available.

To the unknown who suggested I go bowling, you must have missed the posts about me going blind!

RunNRose, I will stop posting when I can no longer see well enough, until then, this is my outlet.

Let it go.

Keep calm and carry on.

I know everyone has their own opinion on what I should do but I write this blog to get stuff off my chest.

The longer this situation continues the worse Steve gets, he is becoming more and more confused and when confused he gets irritable. If I threw him out he couldn't cope, I'd be very happy if he left of his own accord but he is unlikely to do that. He has little understanding of how his behaviour affects me or other people. 

Y'day our Tesco shopping was delivered, I try to walk Beano at this time but the shopping arrived early. Steve was already pacing between the flat and the car park, getting stressed. When the van arrived Steve hurried back to the flat. I never know what I'm to do if I'm still home when the shopping arrives, sometimes I'm expected to help and Steve shouts of I don't help. Sometimes I'm expected to sit on the sofa out of the way, either way I can expect a bollocking!

On Wednesday I went to Lidl to buy some bread rolls, Steve wasn't well so he didn't feel well enough to go himself. That said he did give me detailed instructions on how to get to Lidl.

I did explain that I knew where Lidl's was but it seems I was wrong. Steve insisted that Lidl's had moved.

It hasn't, I'm not sure what causes his confusion but I just nod and agree with him, there is no point in arguing.

An ex work colleague of Steve's is in hospital in Devon. Steve is thinking of visiting him, I hope he doesn't, he's dreadful in hospitals. I think his ex colleague is unlikely to survive from what we've been told but Steve hasn't grasped this yet.

I'm out with Betty today, I don't know where we are going and I don't much care, it's just so nice to go out.I

in four weeks time, Betty's bowls season starts and then I don't expect to go out with her very often but for now I will enjoy every moment.

Seething.

Steve isn't happy here, he makes no secret of it. I've suggested various solutions but he's rather stay here and complain than move.

He has now exhausted the sympathy of most of the other residents and is finding it difficult to find someone to sympathise with him.

He has now reached out to some boater friends telling them how unhappy he is and how unkind I am.

The lady has emailed me remonstrating with me for my unkindness towards Steve! Her email explains that she whilst she is glad I have made friends and understands my need to go out. To go out every day, leaving Steve in the flat to look after Beano is unfair. She also feels I need to share the visits to coffee meetings in the summer house rather than attending alone and again leaving Steve in the flat with Beano!

I have not yet replied.

I may never reply!

Steve's not well,

He's been very pale for the last few days.

He's spent the day in bed as he feels dizzy.

I have provided cups of tea and fresh water.

Hopefully he will feel better tomorrow.

Suggestions

Thanks for the suggestions but Steve won't eat the beef now what ever I do to it. There is far too much for me to eat, it would take me a month of Sunday's.

My face is no longer sore, I think it could have been stress hives, living with Steve means my life is full of stress. I know he hates me going out and mixing with the neighbours but I spent six years in isolation when we were on the boat and that was enough!

Steve is going into town today, it gives him an excuse to start drinking earlier than when he's home.

Beano is still a little under the weather, but it could be his age, he's eating normally, he's just not walking as far as he used to.

Lunch club today, another thing Steve hates me doing, I'm making a fruit pie today. I need to think of some more puddings as I'm tending to do the same few on repeat. I'm limited by one member of the lunch club who is allergic to milk. If I make a pudding with milk I have to make an alternative as well. Another member won't eat cake so nothing with a sponge topping.

Feeling stressed.

I'm worried about Beano, his nose is warm and dry and he hasn't wanted to go out for his usual walks today.

My face is sore it feels like it's been sandpapered, it's from my cheek bone up to my temple and very irritating.

Steve tried to cook a beef joint for Sunday lunch y'day, for some reason he cannot grasp the cooking instructions on the wrapper. He cooked it for hours as he thinks any meat juices mean it's not cooked. He finally took it out the oven at 9:30, by which time it was dried out.  He then went to bed in a strop. I've tried to explain to him how to cook but he takes no notice as he believes I'm too stupid to cook.

I'm now left with a large quantity of dry roast beef that Steve has sliced up. It's so wasteful, it was an expensive piece of beef, big enough to serve 6-8.

He cooked a chicken thigh for Beano too, in the air fryer, this too was cooked until it was hard and dry.

I'm living on cheese and pickle sandwiches as I can't eat beef that is like concrete.

Why I don't declutter

I've read a few posts from people who are decluttering.

This is something I don't do anymore, because I no longer have any clutter!

I had a big declutter when we moved on to the boat and I since then I've gradually disposed of more "stuff".

I can't see well enough to do any crafts, so my craft stuff has gone, mainly to my teenage granddaughter who is an avid crafter.

I got rid of my books when I could no longer see to read them, I bought a kindle and I can enlarge the print so I can still read.

There is still "stuff" in the flat but it isn't mine. I still have the minimum of clothes. I was buying new leggings regularly but I then bought Snag leggings and they don't wear out like the supermarket ones.

I'm still wearing the tops I bought before I retired, though I did buy a new one a few weeks ago from  Bon Marche. I threw away a top that had a burn mark on the hem.

I will need to buy some new socks soon as mine are wearing thin on the heels.

The weather is warming up so I will swap my tops and leggings for my four summer dresses.

I did throw away my old slippers and bought a new pair.

I hope the economy isn't dependant on my, if it is we are in deep dodah.

Hissing Sid

Sunday morning, Steve's not wearing his hearing aids so he's hissing as plays on his kindle.

He got up at 11 had a shower and his breakfast, at 11:45 he asked what time we were going out. I said " just before three I expect ".

Steve immediately started ranting, he needs to know exactly what time!

We live five minutes from the pub and the table is booked for three. 

Surely it's not rocket science to work out is it.

Pet insurance.

I've just received the final bill from the vets.

They want another £49.34 on top of the £500 plus I have  already paid. 

I've paid in excess of £2500 premiums in the years I've had Beano.

The insurance company don't want to cough up

This is the first time I've claimed in the six years we've had him.

I've cancelled the insurance and I'm paying the same amount into a separate savings account from now on.

Finally!

I have six grandchildren that are blood relatives and none of them look like me.

That is until now.

One of my grandsons has green eyes that are just like mine in colour and shape.

I was in the delivery room when he was born and I held him first as his sister had already arrived and was in her daddy's arms.

No talking

I don't often talk to Steve, he refuses to wear his hearing aids as he doesn't think he needs them and he isn't interested in anything I may have to say.

If I do speak to him he makes a huge production of putting in his hearing aids, accompanied by much huffing and puffing. Obviously it is necessary to make me understand how much of an inconvenience I am.

He is greatly aggrieved with me going out with Betty, he feels I should stay in the flat apart from when I walk Beano.

He claims he worries when I go out, but he isn't worried enough to walk Beano with me even though he knows I have difficulty crossing the road.

Today Betty and I went to a local garden centre for lunch, jacket potato with tuna mayo from Dobies this time and then on to Asda for some shopping. I bought some grapes, no clothes for me, Betty bought some trousers. I'm out again tomorrow with my daughter,  Beano is coming with me.

I miss my husband.

I miss the cuddles and the sex, I miss not being able to walk past him without him copping a feel.

I miss his dreadful jokes and I miss him waffling on about the Grand Prix for hours.

I miss him pointing out places he'd worked and jobs he'd done.

I miss him pointing out ladies wearing shoes he liked.

That's all gone now, he sits in his chair and glowers out the window, endlessly complaining about the weather, the neighbours, the garden.

Sometimes like today he goes into town and spends the day drinking in a pub.

Money, money, money.

My pension was paid into my bank today, I immediately transferred £200 into my savings account. I need to start building up my savings as they were wiped out paying for Beano's treatment. The insurance company have paid up but not the full amount.

I shall carry on paying for Beano's insurance for a while but once my savings are topped up I will cancel it.

Depending on other expenses during this month, if there is anything left at the end of the month that too will be transferred to my savings account. I also draw cash out of the bank regularly and keep a stash hidden in the flat.

We don't have a mortgage to pay as we bought our flat outright, the other bills are for electric, council tax and food etc. There is no gas supply to the flats. I play £226 which is to the HA which covers things like the gardeners, outside lights etc.

Steve pays for the electric, council tax and the shopping, our food bill is high because Steve will eat only junk food and he drinks a lot. 

I'm spending more than I used to because I'm going out with Betty every week and we have lunch out and take it in turns to pay. I buy food for the lunches we have in the summer house on Tuesdays. I also buy stuff for Beano at the nearby pet shop.

Wet and windy here today.

So I'm having problems trying to persuade Beano to go out.

We have a Tesco delivery today, I wonder whether Steve will complain that I'm interfering if I try to put some of the stuff away. Or will he complain that I don't help if I sit on the sofa and ignore the delivery.

That he will complain is a given!

Sometimes I feel like setting up a recorder just so I could playback the hours of complaining and whinging he does on a daily basis.

Actually I managed to upset Steve before the shopping arrived.

Beano's vet bill came to around £800 which wiped out my savings. Then Steve decided to update his wardrobe and purchased items from Amazon. All purchases from Amazon come out of my bank account and I went in the red. Cue much wailing and gnashing of teeth from Steve.

I told him he'd need to transfer money from the savings to my account, this he has now done but the fuss he made was ridiculous. I was overdrawn by £23! My pension goes in this weekend and then I'll be in the black again!

Replies

Annabeth, our surgery has one part time Dr on two mornings a week so I have little chance of getting an appointment.

Donna, I copied in the managers boss when I sent the email so she must be aware. I believe they are just generally disinterested.

Cover manager.

I've finally received a reply from the cover manager about the lighting problem.

I've obviously rattled her cage, her reply is quite stroppy.

She assures me that she responded in a timely manner and my complaint about the lights not working from Wednesday was unwarranted.

It seems that as I'm old and obviously senile I didn't realise that Wednesday counts as the weekend! She also claims that she wasn't informed that the lights weren't working in the corridors. This despite her receiving three emails from different residents all of which explained that the lights weren't working in the corridors, and also explained that the lack of natural light in these corridors made them challenging to walk through.

I've probably made an enemy but I'm not particularly bothered.

Normalish.

Actually I'm still lurching from crisis to crisis here but life is calming down.

Beano is back to his old self and quite perky. It's such a relief as I was very worried about him. Having said that, I made it quite clear to the vet that I didn't want Beano to suffer and I would have him put to sleep if that was the case. I am aware that I lavish love on Beano because he's all I have. Steve has made it quite plain that he has no affection left for me as I'm old! I have to say the feeling is reciprocated, not because he's old but because he is so unpleasant and unkind.

The lighting situation on site is still not completely resolved but the emergency lighting is now working. I sent an assortment of emails to various PTB which ensured the safety of the affected residents. The HA tried to blame their delay in sorting out the lights on it being the weekend. I informed them that the situation started on Wednesday as they were well aware and as far as I'm aware Wednesday is not the weekend.

I'm hoping to go out a couple of times next week so Steve has announced that he is going out every day and I need to stay home with Beano. We will see how that pans out, I'm only going out for a couple of hours each time and although Beano doesn't like being left he will be ok.

I'm beginning to have serious concerns about Steve's mental capacity, I have zero chance of getting him to the Drs so for now I will just keep buggering on.

Shortlived.

The lighting failed again this evening and we are once again in darkness

About bloody time!

The electrician arrived this morning within 40 minutes of being phoned by the Housing Association. He got the power to the whole complex up and running within a couple of hours.

It's a great relief after almost three days without power.

God said Let there be light.

But Housing 21 say bugger off, you're old and we dont care about you!

We've had no outside lighting now since y'day. This means the lights don't work in our corridor. The upstairs corridors seem to be ok but I'm having to carry a torch otherwise I can't see to leave the flat.

The lights in the car park and gardens aren't working so it is very dark and dangerous

I've sent the housing association a stinking email as the manager is saying she will be here next Tuesday to check the lights.

We can't possibly wait five days to get this problem sorted!

Let there be light!

 Pudge, yes, mash is mashed potatoes.

I've just taken Beano out for a late night widdle and the complex is in darkness.

The lighting has failed all around the gardens and the corridors, the only lights working seem to be the lights in the flats and  in the corridors upstairs.

I've told Steve but he's too drunk to really understand.

I will check in the morning if it's been reported.

What shall I do?

It's raining here, not heavily but it's persistent.

Maybe it will brighten up later in the day.

I think I may make a chicken pie, I have chicken, carrots, onions, herbs and spices. I can serve it with mash and peas, Steve is going out so he won't want any so it will last me a couple of days. I may also make rice pudding in my slow cooker, I can't make it for lunch club as one of the group is allergic to milk.

Steve is currently going into town three or four days a week, I'm wondering if it's his way of protesting about my refusal to cook for him.

I'm getting more interested in cooking again since cooking for lunch club. I need to decide what to cook for next weeks pudding. Something warming as it's forecast  cold and rainy for a few weeks.

Official diagnosis

It seems Beano has had Viral Hemorrhagic Gastroenteritis. It does the rounds here occasionally.

Despite Steve being a pain in the arris, he wouldn't make Beano ill on purpose.

Part four.

Hopefully this will be the last post about Beano's illness.

He started with diarrhoea on Thursday/Friday, I was out on Friday so Steve treated Beano the same way he does himself. If he has an upset stomach, he eats non-stop. He is convinced He will die of starvation unless he rams food down his throat constantly to counteract the amount of time he's spending on the toilet.

Beano, being greedy ate willingly, Saturday I was home and restricted Beano to chicken and rice. He still had diarrhoea and Sunday he started throwing up a lot. I phoned Jennie and she took Beano and I to the emergency vet. 

It seems to have been a bug that does the rounds, Beano has been signed off by the vet and is now asleep on the sofa as usual.

I'm knackered, Steve waited for me to get back from the vets so he could moan about Jennie and shout at me. He had now gone into town and is going out every day this week. This is to stop me going out with Betty!

Part three

I brought Beano home for a couple of hours, he slept mostly.

He still hasn't eaten anything but is drinking water.

Took him back at 3:30 when He was given more pain relief and allowed home for the night, he has to go back tomorrow morning at 9:30.

Received an email saying that the pet insurance company don't want to pay up, now there's a surprise!

I've paid £130 a month for 6 years, what a con!

Steve got a cob on and has announced that he is going out Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. He obviously doesn't want me going out with Betty.

Part two.

Jennie and I had to get to the emergency vets at 7:30 this morning, we had to collect Beano and transfer him to the vet in Burghfield that he is registered with.

They don't open until 9 a.m. I got up at 5 a.m. showered and dressed, we got to the emergency vets and waited until they brought Beano out to us. He was looking much better but pointedly ignoring me.

We drove to Burghfield practice and waited for them to open. I walked Beano around whilst we waited. Beano was admitted and we are to phone this afternoon for an update.

A trip to the vet

I've just got back from a trip to the vet with Beano, they have kept him in.

I have to go back tomorrow at 7:30 to see how he is.

So far the bill is £1000 and counting.

Is this democracy?

Our complex is made up of an 18th century  manor house with modern flats built on to it.

There is a wall along one side of the grounds that is the same age as the manor house.

Along part of this wall there is a hedge, one of the residents asked the gardeners to remove part of the hedge.

This was done but not correctly as the trunk was left and is now sprouting.

When the gardeners spent time on the hedge it meant the leaves weren't cleared from the paths and some of the paths are steep and were very slippery.

Some of the residents have requested that the rest of the hedge is removed. I think this would be a shame as birds nest in the hedge. But as I can't see the hedge from my flat I'm not that bothered. There are lots of other hedges and trees around.

This was put to the vote and out of 20 plus flats, only 9 replied. These all wanted the hedge removed so the residents were advised that the hedge would be removed.

Not long after the residents were advised of this result a letter was sent to all the residents explaining that the decision had been recinded.  Two residents had ignored to poll and written directly to head office. These two residents do not wish the hedge removed. Therefore it will not be removed.

I don't understand this version of democracy whereby two people contacting head office can overrule the wishes of the 9 people who voted.

We've turned the heating off

The heating is going on and off like a tarts knickers as the weather is so changeable here.

Steve is currently complaining because I don't know when Easter is, I googled it but he doesn't like my reply.

I went for lunch with Betty today, it's so good to get out of the flat for a few hours.

A resident stopped me today to tell me I shouldn't keep going for lunch with Betty as she may decide to stop taking me out at some point.

Of course Betty may stop taking me out, it's her choice, I can hardly insist. But why the resident feels I need to stop going out, I have no idea.

We've put the heating on.

And of course it's warmer today, nemmind. It's supposed to be cold and wet for the next two or three weeks.

I had bubble and squeak for my lunch with an egg on top.

That will be my lot for the day, even if I was hungry later the smell stuff covered in BBQ sauce cooking in the air fryer would kill my appetite stone dead.

Out with Betty tomorrow, no idea where we are going, probably a garden centre somewhere for lunch.

Dizzy

I was very dizzy y'day evening and when I woke up during the night.

I'm pretty sure it is caused by sinusitis, it will pass eventually.

 Beano only wanted a short walk this morning as it was raining, fine by me. I don't mind bad weather but I could do with some extra sleep at the moment.

We have pancakes in the summer house this afternoon, Betty is making them.

I have a fridge full of leftovers that I'm I need to turn into something. I will probably make some soup and some bubble and squeak.

Steve is becoming upset that I will no longer cook for him but I'm happy to cook for lunch club.  He can't understand why I was upset by his behaviour.

The strimmer.

I still can't get a straight answer as to why Steve's bought a strimmer but the good news is it's a HOS and won't last 5 minutes before breaking.

It was a waste of money but it's his money so it's up to him.

His walking shoes were also as waste of money as he's not walking anywhere in them. He tells me every day about the walk he has planned in the summer. He wears the shoes into town on the bus,  he has breakfast in a pub and then catches the bus home, that's all.

Today he also purchased two new shirts, this means he has three new shirts now to wear to the wedding along with his new suit.  What with the hotel room, the clothes I think the wedding will cost Steve about £1000.

Lunch out.

 I'm hoping to have lunch out today, I'm not sure where we will go yet. I don't much care, it's a trip out.

Our neighbour Harry has been admitted to hospital I'm hoping he will be out soon, poor chap.

I've lost the thread of whatever I was going to type!

The doorbell rang so I went to answer it.

It was a delivery driver with a strimmer!

Steve informs me it was cheaper than Amazon.

That's as maybe, but why?

There is no grass near our flat and the grounds, where there is some grass, are maintained by the gardners.

I really do worry that he's losing his marbles!

Another damp and drizzly day.

Nemmind, it's not raining hard enough to stop Beano going for his walks so that's ok.

Steve was very chatty y'day sometimes he barely speaks but y'day he suggested we go for lunch on Valentine's day. I can't remember the last time he took me out for Valentine's day, probably 5 years at least.

I think he's  bored as he no longer goes to the summer house apart from Friday morning to play chess. He still goes in to town a couple of times a week but I think he's all shopped out. He's thought a new suit, new cufflinks and new walking boots. Now he just goes too town to have breakfast and beer in a pub.

I'm cooking lunch on Tuesday, I shall do chicken wrapped in bacon with mashed potatoes, peas and broccoli. Betty and Harry have Dr's appointments at opposite ends of the day. Betty is doing cheese and biscuits instead of a pudding.

I shall cook enough to feed Steve in case he wants some but he probably won't. He became obsessed with the amount of fat in the food I cooked which is why he now lives in frozen party food. He believes this food is fat free and healthy. Whereas I add a small knob of butter to my mashed potatoes!

Housework today

Well most days I do some housework but not on Tuesday when I cook for lunch group and not on whatever day I go out with Betty. It doesn't take long to tidy the flat, I make the bed when Steve eventually gets up. Then I vacuum through.

A quick wipe over the kitchen work surface, there is only one surface and most of it is covered by the microwave, air fryer, kettle and toaster.

Next is the bathroom, again very compact, I have a sponge/scrubbie on a long handle that I use to clean the shower after I've showered.

I dust the mirrors, sometimes I wipe the paintwork, there are only a few bits of skirting boards showing. It's a very small flat but I like it.

Steve hates it, I've suggested buying him out but he'd rather stay here and moan. I refuse to engage, every time he complains I offer to buy him out and then ignore him.

I spend a  lot of time ignoring him, mainly because he refuses to wear his hearing aids indoors. He claims I have nothing interesting to say so there is no point in him wearing his aids.

I'm trying to decide whether it would be cheaper to divorce him or hire a hit man!

That is a joke before anyone thinks they need to call the police.

How far will he go?

Steve purchased some walking shoes.

He's been talking for ages about a walk he wants us to do. Every time I suggest he comes with me to walk Beano he  tells me, in great detail about the walk. This, to Steve is as good as taking a walk, but without having to worry about the weather. The walk is about 5 miles long which is fine but it involves crossing a railway line. This, I find difficult as I can't hear if a train is coming. Also Beano is a dog, he wants to stop and sniff things, he's not interested in a route march.

Steve has also bought a new suit for his friend's wedding, along with the room in the hotel, the wedding will cost him in excess of £500.

I really hope Steve will start walking, the exercise would do him good. He decided he will no longer do any gardening as he's fallen out with most of the residents here. So all he currently does is drink, shop and sulk.

Lunch club today, Harry is doing the main course, I'm doing treacle tart with a bowl of strawberries and raspberries on the side with fresh cream. I'm not sure how many I'm cooking for yet. 

Steve no longer comes to t the lunch club as they only cook proper food, no junk food. So after starting an argument with another person who attends he now refuse to go. He is annoyed at my continued attendance but then it was me that wanted to go in the first place.

Turn off.

We've turned off our storage heater in the living room. It would be nice to have it on first thing in the morning but by 10 o'clock the room is too hot. We don't use the storage heater in the bedroom either as neither of us likes a hot bedroom.

I expect we could buy more modern heaters but for now we will manage.

The cooker here is old and basic but it does what I need, it has no bells or whistles and no timer or clock. We keep the microwave and air fryer all turned off at the wall sockets, we turn them on as we need them. If it was up to me I'd get rid of both. I managed for years on the boat without a microwave and since Steve uses the air fryer every day the flat constantly smells of fried food.

We have cheaper electricity overnight, we use it to heat the water tank and the tank is big enough to last us all day.  I run the dehumidifier overnight if I have washing to dry. We are not allowed to put up a washing line and the nearest laundrette is some distance away and not on a bus route.

I'm confused.

Steve decided to order broadband for the flat, we'd been using mobile broadband that we'd used on the boat.

This meant that there was never enough bandwidth for me to be able to watch a film unless I was online at silly o'clock in the morning.

I said I didn't mind which provider he chose but that BT wasn't needed as we don't want a land line.

Steve chose to go with BT anyway and within days we had received a smart meter for our electricity supply. I've no idea why as Steve has ranted on for hours about not wanting a smart meter.

It was two weeks before we had broadband though it was originally promised within 5 days.

Bull necked.

Despite not being a very big dog Beano is quite strong. When we first got him he had a canvas harness, he didn't like it but the rescue centre where we got him from said he wasn't suitable to wear a collar. 

This was because he is bull necked, his neck is as wide as his shoulders and it's only once you get past his ears that he starts to narrow. He has a small pointed face so any collar just slides forward and comes off.

I don't like choke collars so we stuck to the harness when we first got him. I then discovered the half check collars, and that's what he now wears. As Steve has discovered, Beano can quite easily discard his half check collar if he so chooses but he seldom attempts it when he is with me. I do also have the knack of holding his lead in such a way that tightens the collar of he tries to do a Houdini escape with me.

What made me think of this was, as I left the flat today I went to put him on the lead. It was only then that I realised that I hadn't put his collar on when I got up this morning. I knew he'd not return to the flat unwalked   so I  used the lead, which is flat, as a choke collar. Beano was unbothered by this and wandered around happily on an extended walk.

Weird stuff.

Oh the things I see when walking Beano!

Yesterday when walking Beano I saw a woman leave her house, walk along the pavement, cross the road and throw an envelope into the bin by the bus stop.

Obviously I put 2 & 2 together and made 25, I've come up with a lot of theories but I still have no idea what was going on.

Another thing I've noticed is a car parked in a nearby road, nothing unusual there, you might think. But over the period of a few weeks I've seen the car driver leaving a house on the estate that is some distance away, there is ample parking on the drive of this house and in the streets around.  He walks to his car and drives away but seems to stay at the same house every night.

I'm sure he thinks he's being very discrete but I'm probably not the only person who has noticed this.

Sunday.

Steve's cooking roast lamb and roast potatoes, both are covered in a thick layer of mixed herbs. 

He's already complaining because I suggested he cover the lamb in foil to save the air fryer from being coated in fat. It was only Friday when he finally decided to clean the air fryer because the kitchen filled with smoke every time he used the air fryer. The kitchen ended up covered in black specks. It's a very small kitchen and every wall and surface was covered. I've spent time trying to clean the kitchen and now it will need doing again, sigh.

4:30. The lamb wasn't cooked, it was raw and very fatty, totally inedible. Steve won't accept instructions or advice as he thinks he knows it all. I ate some potatoes and veg, the lamb was dreadful.I

I might suggest we have chops with next weekend instead of a joint.

It seems my ex husband is not well, he's been having seizures, not sure how long he's been having them as they seem to happen overnight and he doesn't share a room with his wife. She mentioned to my daughter that she'd noticed him making strange noises after he'd gone to bed, but she didn't investigate.

It could be alcohol related if he's still a heavy drinker.

Lighting. a candle

Thank you for all your suggestions. I opened the windows for a while, despite the frost and once I'd closed them I lit a couple of cooks candles. It smells fresher now, at least until tonight when st,eve cooks again.

Beano has had his first walk of the day, the washing machine has finished so I need to hang the washing on the maiden.

It will dry by the end of the day as the maiden is standing  in front of the storage heater.

8 o'clock

It's 8 o'clock and the flat is still filled with the smell of BBQ sauce.

As usual Steve had ribs, chicken wings and chicken drumsticks all smothered in BBQ sauce.

This is his usual evening meal, five or six nights a week. He ate around 5 ish but the smell still lingers.

I never really get rid of the smell even though I open the windows once he's gone to bed and again in the morning when I get up.

I'm assuming the smell has worked it way into the fabric of the flat by now.I

I've tried febreze as well, but nothing really helps.

This food is washed down with umpteen cans of Fosters, so he burps almost non-stop. It's all joy living with Steve!

She Passed

Our oldest granddaughter passed her theory test this morning, I'm so pleased for her, she worked so hard.

Cass picked me up and we all went in to town, GD1 to take her theory test, Cass and I to have a natter and a mooch around.

I treated us all to sushi for lunch and we all had a good time. 

I'm just waiting for Beano to finish eating and then I'll take him for a walk. I may go over to the summer house on the way back to chat to our neighbours.

Lunch out again.

And again tomorrow!

Betty and I went to yet another garden centre for lunch today, a jacket potato, mine with coronation chicken Betty had prawns in a Marie Rose sauce. We both had a pot of tea as well.

Harry has announced that he's joining Betty and I when we go out for lunch, I think not. For one thing Betty and I want to chat, we don't want Harry chipping in. These trips out with Betty are my lifeline, my chance to get out and have a break from Steve. I'm sure Steve would be most upset if Harry joined us and he wasn't invited. Next week Betty and I are not going out on Tuesday as Betty is busy. I can see that I'm going to have to speak to Harry and explain that we don't want him to come with us.

Betty needs a new kindle so I ordered it on my account as I don't pay for delivery.

Tomorrow I'm going out with my daughter and one of my granddaughters for lunch.

What a gadabout I am!

Lunch with Betty.

There was only Betty and I for lunch today so we ate in Betty's flat. It seemed pointless opening the summer house just for two of us. 

We had lamb steaks, roast potatoes, cauliflower cheese and long term broccoli, it was delicious.

We had cheese and biscuits afterwards.

Steve went into town, he was hoping to rent a suit for Bob's wedding. But they only hire out morning suits so he may have to buy one.

Steve is still not attending the get togethers in the summer house but I often go along with Beano.

Replies to comments.

 I don't ask Betty out as I can't drive and I don't  have a car.

Col, it wouldn't occur to Steve that he is wrong, he is always  convinced he is right.

Still here.

 Still buggering on.

I should try to post early when I can still see fairly well. But it's not always easy. Sometimes Beano is desperate to go for his first walk of the day. Sometimes I can't think of anything to write about.

Things aren't easy here, Steve is still very much against me joining in with lunch club. He claims it 's because I'm such a crap cook that it's embarrassing. He just hates me doing anything that means I meet people. I've also been out a couple of times with Betty, the first time we went out we both knew he was furious upon our return even though he didn't say anything. The second time he ended up shouting at Betty, fortunately she's tough and wasn't impressed. I can't see her inviting me out again though, it's not fair to expect her to. 

You notice he hasn't shouted at me yet, that's because he knows I won't tolerate it.

Lunch out.

I went out with Betty y'day, we didn't shop, we just had lunch. 

We both had macaroni cheese with a side salad and a cup of coffee.

We arrived home just as Steve was coming home with Beano. He was absolutely furious and was very rude to Betty, she was not impressed. He says he's not coming to lunch club today, to be honest I'm not sure why he ever comes to it as he never eats the food.

I need to walk Beano as soon as it's light, once that's done I need to go to Aldi to buy the cream for today's pudding.

I think Steve got so used to me never going out once I had to give up driving that he finds it hard to cope.

It's not as though I'm going out on the razz, y'day Betty and I went to a garden centre, looked around an antique centre and had macaroni cheese and a coffee each. Not exactly exciting living in the scheme of things is it. 

Steve goes out with Harry a couple of times a week and is often gone for most of the day. He also regularly goes in to town so he can start drinking at 10 a.m. instead of 2 p.m.

I'll keep buggering on but at some point it will come to a head I'm sure. In the mean time, I'm building up my savings!

Nosy neighbour

Steve is trying to do something to his phone, I've no idea what but I'm not letting him near mine. I'm assuming he is unsuccessful as he is ranting and complaining about it.

As for the nosy neighbour, that's me, I chat occasionally to a neighbour. On the occasions we do meet we chat briefly. 

You know that thing, during a conversation, when someone says something really disconcerting. Sometimes it takes a while for the information to sink in.

She and her husband have moved here from a house nearby and she mentioned that she is finding paying the bills a bit of a struggle. It seems that her husband, despite still working, is refusing to contribute to their living expenses. 

She has told me bits and pieces about her husband and I'm very suspicious of him.

He insisted on moving from a three bed house to a top floor flat, this despite them having two dogs. The dogs are now caged throughout the day which seems unkind to me. Although they are walked regularly. He promised her he was buying a two bed flat but wouldn't let her see it beforehand. It's actually a one bed flat with a dressing area off the bedroom that is too small to hold a bed.

He still works two days a week but has no money, hence her having to pay all the bills. He also spends two days a week at  regular hospital appointments, he claims to have had a stroke some years ago that necessitates these regular appointments.

Although they have been together many years she was unaware of him having had a stroke.

All very curious, but nothing to do with me but I can't help wondering.

Chicken pies

Cooking for people on Tuesday's has fired my enthusiasm. I'm making a small batch of chicken and veg pies for my lunches this week.I'm adding carrots, onions and leeks to the chicken, the mixture smells good already.

I'm doing the pudding on Tuesday, I have a sweet pastry case and I'll add strawberries/raspberries and top with jelly. Steve wants me to make brownies instead as he doesn't eat fruit. Betty is doing a liver casserole which Steve won't eat. I'm really not sure why he comes along.

The weather is still very cold here, I think it's tried to snow a couple of times but so far  we've had none.

I still have some mistletoe on the sideboard, I love mistletoe, it is a sacred plant to me. I don't use it to kiss under, that's not it's appeal. A branch fell out of a nearby tree when the wind was high, the mistletoe is attached to the fallen branch.

A little treat.

I bought myself some new earrings, I seem to have lost all my others when the boxes we had in storage were flooded out.

Here is a very bad photo of them.

It's difficult to take a good photo with a dog sat on my knee.

I bought them from lunarrosecrafts.co.uk.

They were inexpensive and arrived within a couple of days of ordering them.

Fish pie

Last week Betty suggested to Steve that she would prefer to do the main courses for our Tuesday lunches if I'd do the puddings.  I agreed as I'm happy to do this. 

The following day Steve announced that he wanted me to make fish pie this week. I don't think Betty was best pleased at this sudden change of plan but she agreed as she knows what Steve is like.

So today I made two dishes of fish pie, one including hard boiled eggs and one without. Steve wasn't happy as he likes eggs but Harry doesn't. I served them with carrots and peas. Two of the group are away on a cruise but a new person joined us so there were five of us.

Betty made a fruit crumble and custard. Next week I'm making a strawberry tart.

Last ever Sunday lunch

Today I'm cooking what could be my last ever roast dinner.

Last week Steve bought a piece of beef and complained that I hadn't cooked it properly.

This week he bought a boned rolled breast of lamb. He got it out the fridge at 4 o'clock and hit the roof when I said it wouldn't be cooked until after 6 o'clock. I've cut it in half to speed things up but it's not cooked yet. Obviously this is because I'm an idiot!

Another day out.

Today I went to Sainsbury's with Betty and one of the Pam's, we have three Pam's living here.

I didn't need much but it was nice to get out, I treated myself to some sushi. Steve cooked himself four lamb chops for his tea.

It's rained a lot over the last few days, part of the garden is flooded and the nearby river has burst it's banks. The nearby pub garden is under a few inches of water too. We have another day of rain forecast tomorrow as well

Tomorrow Harry is giving me a lift to the post office to return something to Amazon, I've banned Steve from ordering stuff for the neighbours from Amazon as it's left to me to sort out the problems.

Going out.

I went to Aldi y'day to buy the fruit for the fruit salad I made. I still get excited when I go out, even if it is just to the local Aldi. It was a dreadful day y'day strong winds and heavy rain. Beano didn't go out until mid afternoon and then only briefly.

The rain has stopped now and the sun is struggling through.

Col, we can't exclude our tightfisted neighbour, it goes against the ethos of the community living here, but we can damn well ensure he pays his share. If he couldn't afford it that would be different and he wouldn't be forced to pay.

I've just had a visit from John who lives above us, some thieving barsteward has broken in to his bike store, they couldn't steal his bike as it's bolted to the wall but the bike store is badly damaged.  He's gone to have a word with Harry as Harry never locks the outside door. He will try to persuade him to keep the door locked from now on.

Lunch club today

Lunch club has restarted, we had chicken casserole today, it was served with new potatoes and French bread. I also made a fruit salad, there should have been six of us but an extra resident turned up.

We take it in turns to cook, Betty made the casserole, Harry was going to cook the potatoes but his back seized up so I did them instead. I made the pudding. There was ample food, most people had two helpings

The extra resident was asked to contribute £3 for the two course, he wasn't happy. But thems the rules, if you aren't one of the cooks you are expected to make a contribution. The extra resident was told in advance about the payment but he didn't have any change. Said resident also never pays into the tea money. I don't drink when I visit but I pay my contribution as do at least two other residents.

It wouldn't be so bad if this resident didn't spend so much time telling everyone that he is a millionaire twice over. He goes to three lunch clubs locally and he has to pay for those, so we expect him to pay if he joins us.