ANOTHER SIGN

THURSDAY - Helen retook all the photos for the selling  of our home hopefully to go into the new brochure . We transferred  them all on to a usb thumb drive , when we took it to the estate agents they wouldn't let us connect it to their pc's  in case of a virus or bugs . A wasted journey we had to go home and email them doing three photos at a time .

Think it was by far the hottest day of the year so far , I had a sickness meeting at work in Leeds I parked up was gone just over an hour and half getting back to the car it was like climbing in to an oven so warm thank good for iced drinks and air con . I officially go back to work on the 5th of September should be a lot cooler by then .

My daughter and her friends hair salon is coming on great they are getting the builders in during the next few weeks ,  the sign is up outside and things are progressing nicely .

FRIDAY - Less hot it is a lot cooler the sky more grey I think we are going to be having more thunder storms they was threatened for during the night but never happened .

We are selling the static home one of the things that has bugged me since we first moved in is the down pipes for the guttering totally inadequate and not fit for purpose .I went to Tool station bought a  gutter hopper , downpipes , three brackets and a outlet shoe for the bottom for a cost of £18 .
I had to cut the hopper to fit it to the existing guttering using my Dremel and a disc cutter . I got it fit after a few mods so the drop worked out in line with the corner of the static took about an hour , working off ladders after hip operation six weeks ago I took longer than what it should have but got there in the end .

A SIGN

SUNDAY - Did nothing much had a chill out day .

TUESDAY - Went to see my surgeon everything is fine I have no issues he will see me in a years time , saw my physiotherapist he is happy with my progress will see me in six weeks if I feel the need to see him it is entirely up to me if I need to I just phone up for an appointment .
Bought a 16" fan on a stand for only £14.99 it as three speeds and seems pretty good value , we now have a fan in every room could do with a mobile air con unit it's been the hottest day so far its been in the early 30's .

Bought some food for a barbecue kebabs , chilli and lime belly pork , burgers and sausages we have to bags of charcoal left over from a previous life must be at least four years old anyway it lighted fine and the food got cooked by yours truly .

WEDNESDAY - Woke up to thunderstorms and lighting flashes we lost power for a spilt second the rain came down it was s till warm .
An African called to put up the for sale sign on our property he was also enjoying the early morning thunderstorms .
signed the paperwork for the estate agents also saw the photos that Joesph had taken the previous week they looked really good .

went over to a warehouse called Country Baskets they sell loads of home ornaments and dried flowers artificial flowers etc etc bought a J and a T oasis green foam lettering Helen is going to stick flowers in to  them to make a floral display for my daughters hair salon it will be their initials for a wall in the salon .

Had another barbecue ran out of fire lighters manager to get the barbecue going with the help from  a can of WD40 not recommended could have easily ended up me being barbecued luckily I got away with it .

SUMMER LOVE

Went to Trinity at Wakefield Helen bought a new mini Arc e-cig from the E.Wicked shop Summer Love  £34.99 she got a free tank upgrade its a slider top feed tank she also had enough stamps to get three free bottles of e- liquid .

cooked fish bits and hips for tea did a curry sauce using Mayflower bought from B&M for 99p its a powder mix with water and microwave comes out really good just like from your local fish shop .

SATURDAY - Got up early couldn't sleep had a shower stepping over the bath is easier now it has not been six weeks next Wednesday I go to see my surgeon to get signed off , and to see the physiotherapist  for hopefully the last time .
We have to go over to Bingley tonight Helen has a party to do I don't think I can sit it out in the car until she finishes which is what I normally do .Sitting in the car for anything longer than and hour is uncomfortable also it is around a hours drive so by the time we get there I will be wanting to do something to stretch my legs I might find the nearest Asda and have a stroll round ,

Staying in the car whilst Helen did her readings was not that  bad it is easier than driving she was three hours before we was on our way home I watched the film Crank starting Jason Statham  , about the third time I have seen it but not for a few years.

PHOTO SHOOT

WEDNESDAY - Taking Bailey to the dog grooming parlour he is WELL over due a shampoo and cut , and as  the weather is getting warmer he will feel a lot more cool .The shampoo cut and pamper took over one and a half hours he looked a different dog to when he went in  at a cost of £37 , I also bought him a Harris tweed looking harness for £14.99  as he looked a right mess in his old harness which to be honest is a mess but  not that old .

THURSDAY - Joesph from the estate agent came to take the photos for there listing we spent all morning de cluttering and cleaning we bought flowers and fresh fruit totally cleaned the bathroom , toilet , cooker changed the bedding , washed the windows . and in all rooms we swept vacuumed and wiped .
As he was taking photos we moved items out of shot such has the dog cage and dog beds  , the cats and dogs feeding bowls . I even moved my car so he could get better shoots of the outside all to try and make an ideal brochure that will be online for people to look at and  go through  and hopefully to get people round for viewings with the option of them then wanting to buy it , I will link the web address when it is online .

NEW LOCATION

MONDAY - My son has a job he started today hopefully all went well and he likes it and it turns out in to  long term employment fingers crossed for him.

Had to buy a new garden hose the fabric anti crinkle stretchy hose burst once the fabric goes or wears through it is only a mater of time before it bursts , we can't do without a hose its essential for the garden we have that we can easily water it . The new hose is a Hozelock 25m on a reel casting £39.99 had a free watering gun attachment that retails for £12.99 thrown in had to assembly it came in bits it was not that bad  when I connected it and run water through it  no leaks which is what  hoped for .

Also early this evening had a call from my daughter she is legally the part owner and running her hair dressing business  it has all gone through today and she is now legally trading well she has been working and trading there for the last few weeks but now it is legit she is with one of her best friends Jade together they are now business owners and partners good luck although I am pretty sure they already have it sorted .

TUESDAY - Drove over to Helen's parents at Acaster Malbis looked at a couple of homes the first one was excellent whether we get it is another question we can only try there is way too many if's , but all we can do is give it our best shot .The new home is ultra clean and modern with all the kitchen appliances you need built in including dishwasher .it is way bigger than our home and is more like a bungalow than where we live now it is also nearer the coast nearer to York and not too far for work .
The photos below are taken off my laptop screen using my iPhone camera  .

ALFRESCO WEEKEND .

Went into the centre of Wakefield Helen had to get her nails re-done which usually takes a good hour.
I went to the e-cig shop and bought her a top filling tank for her e-cig it makes life a lot easier as you don't have to unscrew it from the tank to refill it .
Also filled the car up it has been a while since I have had to put petrol in I even think the price has dropped at the pump but if if it has  not by much.

Catching up o n season two of Stranger Things Helen has already watched it but now season three is out I need to get up to speed. so we can watch it together .

My son is in dire straights he lost his job mainly because  his workmate quit as they are a two man team he got laid off which seems unfair but that is what he is telling me .
The cottage he lives in  is rented he lives there with his step dad  and is not affordable if he does not pay his way , which means if he has no income their tenancy on the cottage will have to go which if it does it will make him homeless.
Not only that he in his stupidity not sure why he decided to take a log book loan out on his car if he does not make the payments which of course he cant he will probably loose it for a third of its value , so no job , and no home and looking like no car  , also because he has not paid his mobile phone contract I can't even speak to him , it is not looking good for him .No doubt when he needs to speak to me he will get the use of a phone .

WEEKEND - Had two barbecues each afternoon bought a pack of meat had sausages , burgers , chicken breast , and pork did some chicken kebabs with peppers and onion  we cooked it on throw away grills had salt and pepper bread and cheese baps and of course pear cider excellent food at its tastiest . The photo shows the food cooking as the chicken is still raw in parts it took longer than the rest of the food which we ate whilst the kebabs finished cooking , when it was fully cooked they was delicious , next time will Brush on some chill oil .

ON THE RACK

Woke up at 04.00 am getting less sleep . Lying on my back is ok until I wake up for whatever reason usually its either three reasons the cats waiting to go out come in , to use the toilet or Helen either talking in her sleep or snoring ,Either way once I am awake that is it this morning I nearly turned on to my side which is a big no no .Another thing I got wrong is I though I was on week five of recovery and in fact I am on only week four which means I  need to be more careful I am doing more than what I did when I had left hip number one done , there is still a good chance of me popping it if i am not careful.

TUESDAY - Woke up at six got up at seven going to be a long day its dull and lightly raining doubt we are going to get much sun .
We are getting an estate agent to value our van just to see what the current market value is last time we had it valued was before we had done the alterations from a two bedroom to only one bedroom , it is not for a family anyway its a couples van only but we will see .
A very nice man came out he reckons to ask in the region of 100k or 95k for our current home I doubt this is realistic he seems to think it is who am I to argue will believe it when we get that sort of cash if we do we will hopefully buy a brick or stone built property in or near Holmfirth .

WEDNESDAY - Was out driving this time we went to Halfords was only a twenty minute drive away Helen wanted a new bell, a seat cover if she is our when it rains it will protect the leather seat ,  basket lining that also doubles as a shopping bag and pannier  bag that clips on and doubles as a messenger bag . She also bought a puncture kit and a small tyre pump , I also manage to get a bolt for the rear luggage rack one was missing .Because it is a ladies step through bike we need to buy a false cross bar so we can mount it on a car bicycle boot rack they cost about twenty pounds without it the frame won't fit the carrying rack .It is a possibility the bike I buy my also need one of these adapters.

ON YA BIKE

My twin sister got a speeding ticket for driving  forty eight  miles an hour in a forty zone checking online she should receive three  points and a fine guessing it be around £120  , She has at the moment zero points on he license once you hit twelve in a three year period its a ban ,  the points will stay on for three years then they are removed .
I know been there three times myself  , never mind where all going to get three points one day everyone I know at sometime has been flashed by a speeding camera sometimes you are lucky and don't get a N.I.P letter from the police (notice of intended prosecution ) not proud but been there three times usually when the speed changes down  from forty  to a thirty usually on a downward hill where you tend to pick up speed some cameras are situated on bends or  on traffic lights its just the way it is . Good revenue for the police , money  which hopefully funds them fighting  crime no good bitching .

Drove over to Ilkley just over a two hour round trip we went to buy a Helen a ladies Pendelton Ashwell bike in black with a wicker basket mounted on the handle bars we just manage to get it in the car  and close the boot , it wasn't easy and part of the handle bar stuck through the window but it wasn't  dangerous we got it home without incident  .

When home I adjusted the seat height making it lower to do so I  had to take off the rear carry rack to lower the seat the seat springs which was preventing it from going lower , then I was able to but the rack back on , I also dropped the handle bars and straightened the basket although it is over two years old it is in mint condition .

Need to get a bike rack for the rear of the car I also need to get a bike once my hip is fully recovered from surgery there is no reason I can't pedal a bike , we are going to ride on canals which are usually pretty flat the odd lock in places causing small hills but nothing too strenuous

PERFECT GIFT

I managed to wash the car today I did not wax it but got all the grime and dust of it it was amazing how many spiders webs there was scattered around the exterior of the car I did not rush I was carefull not trip over the hose or to bend .

I had to phone work and speak to my line manager I have a sickness meeting booked for the 17th of July at midday as I a have been of over four weeks I am classed as long term sick even though they have my sick note stating why I an unfit for work .

The  neighbour to my left side Steve told Helen to ask me to go round to see him I went round and  to my total surprise he gave me a Bonsai tree that he had in his garden that he had grown .He has quite a few trees growing in his garden and he even has a oak tree that he had grown from a conker which is over 35 years old he also as a Acer tree  . Most species of trees can be used they are kept small by keeping them in small pots trimming the roots they can be shaped using copper wires and branch benders of clamps .

I have also liked and been fascinated by this type of tree or plant and it is an art form you can even grown them directly on to a rock the techniques are endless there is a learning and teaching class near to where I live at a special garden centre that specializes in this type of gardening , will have to have visit and see what they are offering ..
I have to admit I was deeply touched by this generous gift the fact he has had it so long spent years looking after it and entrusting its future survival  to me is a great honour I could not thank him enough .

For tea we had Scottish smoked haddock new potatoes sweet corn and granary bread I also had hollandaise sauce , manage to leave some for the cats.

MR ANGRY

My feet need washing the rest of me is ok overall  washing is fine but my feet need re freshing but getting these pesky support socks on and off  is a bloody nightmare bending down is not a option and they are they are super tight ,
I am no longer taking any pain killers just the blood thinning tablets  , three weeks tomorrow I can sleep my side walking up sleeping on your back is fine until you wake up if I could turn on my side I would go back to sleep .But I can't so I watch You Tube Netflix or play solitaire the I am wide awake its pointless staying in bed .

I bought some pencils pencil sharpener , erasers  , and various sized nibs black ink drawing pens , I am downloading images of Pinterest then trying to draw them myself I am very medico at best need to practice , I am using a old book once I have mastered an image will re- do it in a new journal so it will only have decent drawings in hopefully .

The parking war is still ongoing with my grumpy neighbour he told me if I park on my drive he will block me in so I can't leave he says never park there again or else , I really doubt it I will reverse in to the side of you , or I will open my double gates and slam the gates into your car  , so please yourself either way you will loose stop me exiting or leaving my property then the consequences for being a fulled paid up cunt is head .

Just because my daughter parked behind me he kicked off saying we was blocking him from leaving bullshit loads of room , if he came to my door and asked like any normal person we would have moved the car but not when he is constantly ob his horn shouting and cursing trying to intimidate us then no fucking way the car stayed put  , after his rant and near heart attack he got his motor out being a twat does not work .

SUNNY DAYS

FRIDAY - Sat in the garden in the sun best day so far had numerous cups of coffee and just chilled.Helen had an appointment at the hospital so I was on my own .
I had to drive the car I had little choice a skip wagon came to drop off a skip and there was no way it was going to get past so I got the key to my car , it has been parked up since my operation I toolkit round the block waited until the skip wagon had gone and parked it back where it was .

Helen is painting the metal patio table and chairs Hammerite pure white she had previously painted them purple .Also used the new lawn mower to cut the grass I did so much did most of the edges with the strimmer . My hip is fine it is no way 100% Helen mentioned when I was walking with a limp without and sticks it is not three weeks yet I am under no illusions I need more time I can walk without any sticks .

SATURDAY/SUNDAY - Watching Glastonbury nothing else to do least the sun is out the ceiling van is on and it is cool.The Killers Nailed it along with The Cure.