ONE HOUR MORE

MONDAY - Went back to Cawthorn antiques Helen bought a heart shaped locket for her mother's Christmas present and a white porcelain potty for under the bed decoration purposes only .Went food shopping bought some meatball and spicy chicken and breakfast items .Called in to our favourite local fish and chip restaurant for dinner .

 Adding just one  hour to the length of my shift makes it unbelievably longer I know it is only a mere sixty minutes but it takes forever to get to three a.m . doing this all week it gives me an extra days pay on top of the extra night rate I am getting .

TUESDAY - Got home just after half past three in the morning for most part the roads where deserted  I was up to let the cats out and I took our dog for his morning walk just after nine a.m .
Did nothing all day cooked us both breakfast and chilled out all day preparing myself for another night shift .

WEDNESDAY - Went to Meadow Hall Sheffield after only four hours sleep , we went to Pandora jewellers and bought Helen her locket and charms for Christmas  it was what she wanted , the charms I ordered online using the stores computer they will get delivered this coming Friday .

THURSDAY - Went to Asda bought food for a slow cook stew and other goodies like mince pies ice cream and salted caramel ice cream lollies all the essentials .

I have to admit it is taking its toll doing an extra hour till three a.m , I will be so glad when it is the end of the week .

ANOTHER CARVE UP

SATURDAY - Wet grey and foggy Helen has readings tonight in Leeds .which will last around four to five hours .Which will mean waiting in the car whilst she finishes .I have films to watch and the Tomb Raider game "Relic Run " to keep me amused plus some James Patterson audio books plus there is always the  local kebab shop .
Never made the kebab shop had a late tea of a a massive pork chop and pasta filled ravioli with four cheese and chips last thing I wanted or needed was a kebab .
Managed to watch two films whilst I whiled away four and a half hours the  "Night Hunter " echoed a bit of "Silence of the Lambs "and " Foot Soldier 4 " violent but amusing in parts ..
It was around eleven by the time we got back home the last few miles was extremely foggy but we arrived safely home Helen hates the fog she panics because she can't make the road out like I say to her as long as I can that's what matters .

SUNDAY - Did nothing much in the morning did some cleaning in the afternoon we went over  to Cawthorn antiques a few miles away Helen bought a pine swivel mirror on  a lift up hinged compartment and a pocket watch .We went to Toby Carvery at Dodworth Valley  for Sunday lunch we had not been to this Carvery before we had a half hour wait and had a drink at the bar when our name was called we was seated and went up to the to get served we  had roast turkey and pigged out on self served veggies of parsnips and mash and roasties and Yorkshires and loads of gravy .

PANDORA'S BOX

Cant believe anther Christmas is approaching faster than ever ,  I already know that I have the day off work ,  it is what we are doing , which we need to sort out asp  . It is going to be the first Christmas since my ex wife and my daughter's mother passed away and I expect it will be a very  emotional time for her .She has always spent Christmas  day with her mum and had her roast dinner with her it is a tradition for her has much as having turkey , mince pies  and sprouts  .

People say Christmas is just for one day but of course it is not we celebrate and prepare a lot earlier even if it is only thinking about what we are going to do .Last year we bought a whole turkey a big mistake a crown is much better I think that  it cooks better and tastes better and when you have to dogs and cats there is no waste .

Think I will be visiting a certain high street jewellers I guess I won't be the only one it will be a very busy time for the store and their takings  will rocket over the next couple of months Helen is looking at necklaces and rings and bracelets the jewellers in question is Pandora , should have box on the end because once you go once the door is always open specially if your hooked on the charm bracelets .

Fresh burgers pan fried in chili oil with onions served on a decent bread cake with cream cheese is my favourite sandwich of the moment with pier pier mayo nice and filling and mouth watering and quick to cook.

CHRISTMAS APPROACHING FAST

Going to buy a bottle of ruby port from M&S to go with the Christmas cake that  we will buy I use to like port with a cigar seeing as I don't longer smoke the cake will have to do . I already have a bottle of Jack Daniels from my birthday I was lucky enough to get two bottles . I will get a few bottles of cider as well I am not going mad with the drink this year more than likely will get Helen some Baileys Irish cream although she never manages to get through a whole bottle.

We will buy a turkey crown for our xmas dinner and maybe a gammon joint to go with it will have to remember to get some cranberry sauce and pigs in blankets .

Not sure what to get Helen  for Christmas and it is a double whammy  because it is her birthday on the 28th of December  which makes it twice as difficult .Might buy her an audible token so she can download some books she wants to read but never has the time easier to listen to them than pick a book up and manually  read it .


Yesterday I worked 18.00 - 03.00 they want me to stay till three not sure why but it is all paid at time and a half so I am not  moaning .I think I have next  week to do as well fingers crossed be extra cash for Christmas .

The council has filled all the grit bins up at the end of the lanes with fresh grit and salt so I helped myself to a carry bag full to throw on our decking  as it gets extremely slippy when we have had a heavy frost .

CHRISTMAS LIGHTS .

Well it is the weekend I need to find an alternative for my breakfast something that involves little or no cooking that is tasty and also filling not sure what to get or where to go to get it from.
We went to Owlcoates Pudsey Leeds Helen bought two packets of pot puree and five bottles of different smelling Christmas oils should have a nice smelling festive room of frankincense and Muir cinnamon , cloves and nutmeg.

It was around this time last year that my daughter put her own  life on hold so she could look after and stay with her mother , whilst her very ill mother bravely battled against her cancer , she was with her mother basically 24/7 until she finally  lost the battle a few days after  Christmas Day  .I know my daughter must remember every detail of the few months and it can't be easy her first Christmas without her mother being here . I know without a doubt her mother would want her to celebrate Christmas to the max has she always did and make the most of the celebration and have a toast to her mother for all the Christmases past but not forgotten.

Went to Asda bought some swede  carrots  and a small but big enough for two joint of pork for our Sunday dinner cooking it with stuffing , mash pots and Yorkshires , we  getting hooked on the pork dinners at the moment seem to be going down nicer than the  chicken .

Put the icicle lights hanging from the guttering two are not working might have to mess with the wires I did not realize until I put them up and it had got dark I did checked that they worked and all seemed fine before I hooked them to the guttering , even if they all don't light up still looks ok . I also put the two deer's that Helen bought from Lincoln Christmas market before she meet me .

After a week off work I am back on Monday that is until the 9th of December then its another week of annual leave I am also of on the 18th and 25th of December .

TREE UP FOR XMAS

TUESDAY - Took Helen to Trinity at Wakefield for her nails doing I looked in certain tech shops and book shops to while away an hour which did go pretty fast .
After we went to Aldi and stocked up on quite a few groceries for just over fifty pounds we bought quite a bit of meat and chicken dishes as well as salad ,  bread Christmas mince pies and stollen .

WEDNESDAY - Went to Wentworth garden centre again Helen bought a big rusty candle holder which I thought it was well over priced at fifty quid and a large ceramic bowl with small and large balls on its rim she is going to fill it with pot puree this was forty pounds she had been looking at getting over the last few months.

THURSDAY - Helen asked if we could put the tree up of course I said yes ok ,  it is the earliest I have ever put the tree up before , so why not Christmas should start when ever you want regardless of others.  Celebrate every Christmas the best way you can .It took a few hours to get it all together but it does look the biz .

SCHOOL AND SWIMMING

SUNDAY - Went to Canon Hall farm shop bought some steak and Guinness pies for tea Helen bought another two Moorland pottery coffee cups one with a pig the other with sheep that's four now that we have and counting they are nice and retail for about £15.95 a cup which makes washing up a nightmare as we don't own a dishwasher .

MONDAY - Off all week went to Wentworth garden centre Helen bought  Large rusty candle sconce that is about two foot tall to sit on the fireplace hearth she also bought a blue round dish for the Christmas pot puree .

We went over to my daughters house we went in her car to pick Jenson up from school lucky it was not raining after we all took him swimming we sat and watch it was kids only been years since I have been inside a swimming baths probably  when I took my children swimming many moons ago .

After we returned to my daughters home she cooked us a gammon joint with Yorkshires and mash and veg and a rhubarb crumble and custard for dessert she is a great cook and a great mother she is truly remarkable running a business and  a home as well as a  full time mother .

Went ti Ikea on the way back home bought a glass cake stand and cover to replace the one that Helen had accidentally smashed into smithereens . We bought a bottle of Swedish mulled wine .

CLOSE SHAVE

FRIDAY -Went to my daughters hair salon she did Helens hair she had her regular colour and cut and I had mine cut grade two instead of one it is winter she has a great coffee machine and as always did a great job .
Break up tonight for a whole nine days off which is always nice specially when the weather is crap .


Found out that I am not required to work Christmas Day I will have to work Boxing Day and New Years day but I have the main day I wanted off .

SATURDAY - Hearts extra radio station is playing on the Amazon echo which are constantly playing Christmas songs . Helen wants to put the Christmas  tree up next Saturday , We will have go to Greggs  see if we can get some Christmas pudding truffles and get some nice mince pies and pouring cream .Time to have Jack Daniels coffees and stollen .Beginning to look and smell a lot like Christmas .

Helen bought me a Braun electric shaver for Christmas  I have not had an electric razor for years and years . I must have been twenty something when I last owned one I thought they where great shavers back in the day,  I think they cost more then what they do now hopefully over the years the shave and design are better , the one I have got is a wet and dry shaver which I have not had before will let you know how improved they are after Christmas .

We bought some Christmas decorations and a new duvet set with stags on very Scottish I bought some Califia cold brew coffee with almond I was able to sample it in Asda and then because it was on offer I bought a bottle  it is nice with J.D and ice .

FLOODED

Apparently they are people out there putting Christmas trees up on the 1st of November no way its way too early I think 1st of December is earlier enough but each to their own .
We bought a new tree last year so hopefully when we unbox it all is good and as far as I remember it is a prelight tree we bought a wicker skirt .

The couple who came to see our static home said it was gorgeous but too small they did mention that they have six dogs you need Battersea's dog home love .

talking about Christmas not sure what I am getting Helen this year a Apple Watch was mentioned will have to see .
I need a piece of hand luggage apart from that not too sure what else I need nothing I guess maybe an electric shaver a cheap Braun model not sure if I can go back to an electric razor I have wet shaved for years .
2020 I am going to start another hand written diary its been years since I have done one but I will from no one do one each year till the end is the end .

Went to Monks Cross at York Helen bought stuff from Primark .The day after Thursday we went to Meadow Hall to Primark the motorway was bad rain was torrential and over spray from trucks bad we made it ok although it took longer to get there . After we left later in the evening  it flooded and people shoppers and retail staff  got stranded and had to  sleep in the mall. The basement car park and surrounding areas where covered  deep in water we was lucky we was  back home just after  midday as I had to go to work at 14.00 . But I  bet it was fun sleeping in the mall apparently carphone warehouse stayed open so people could charge their phones to let loved ones know they wouldn't be travelling home .

FIREWORKS

Trying to read up on as much about New York as I can and about the airline we are flying with which is United and the New Yorker Hotel that we are staying in .I don't want to spoil the surprise but to know where to go and when and try and not miss an important place of tourist attraction is going to be hard somethings we will have to forgo as time will be a factor and of course there are only so many hours in a day we will need to sleep even if its for only a few hours each day .
For me the 9/11 museum and memorial is a must if possible other than that the rest is a bonus .

MONDAY - Its grey foggy and wet not a great start to the week roll on Friday when  I break up for a whole nine days , nine days away from work sounds good to me .

GUY FAWKES - Got engaged to Helen on this day the 5th of November in 2011 it was a Saturday and we collected the ring form the Trafford shopping centre Manchester  and I do remember saying *if we can't ever afford any celebrations at least they will always be fireworks" .

Went out  for some freshly baked pork pies form our local garden centre they are the best, it is a pity I have to go to work but needs must ,  its another cloudy wet grey day roll on summer .

ALL 4HEAD

SATURDAY - Was up mega early took Bailey out for his morning walk.  I went to the chiropodist for a nine a.m appointment , I think  it is always money well spent and makes my walking about a lot easier on my feet ,  she had asked if I had done more walking this month as my feet were worse than normal obviously I am back at work it is amazing how many miles I walk each day specially if I have to go and move the car .

Vac the leaves up from the garden fighting a loosing battle Mother Nature always wins cant keep up with the amount of leaves that are dropping obviously if the wind is blowing you get more leaves falling and if it rains wet leaves always worse then dry leaves to get up need a flame thrower .

Had two viewings on our van all seem interested just need one to say yes I will buy it and we can sort the move out .
Helen had readings over in Huddersfield I sat in the car and watched Anna and Red sparrow back to back .On the way we we stopped at there Barracuda and got fish and chips for our tea/supper .

Watched Gold rush season 10 episode four and some you tube vlogs before heading to bed with a cup of coffee and. J.D .

SUNDAY - Helen suffering with terrible headache will cook Sunday dinner at home and chill out going to get a 4head its a stick like a deodorant stick I guess and  you swipe it across your forehead to relief headache it feels cool and is supposed to be good better and faster than taking tablets .

Bought a extra large extra tasty chicken for dinner some honey roasted parsnips and a swede  with butter and black pepper I love swede and baby carrots for Helen  I already have potatoes for roasting and for mash for desert I bought a salted Carmel cake .and a Carte D'or Vanilla ice cream tub sorted .

IN GENERAL

Had  three kids round trick or treating on Halloween got plenty of mini chocolate buttons and Malteser's left for us yippee fcuk the Halloweener's lol .

Need to buy a decent suitcase which I can use as hand luggage for our trip to New York in April I will sort one out on eBay know the type I want need to find out what I can take regarding re-chargeable power bank for my iPhone we will be out most of the day and don't want my phone running out of power.Once Christmas is here Easter quickly follows then we will be off .
Need to do itinerary of the sites we want to visit and the places we want to go I will be happy going anywhere my daughter wants we both want to do 9/11 and the Empire State building and the ferry to see the statue of liberty and of course Times Square and Central Park .

The more work gets boring the more time off I look forward to I have to work next week then I have a week off .

Took Bailey for his coat cutting a cool £40 he does look better but saying that I do like him shaggy looking Rasta terrier .

Coldplay have a new album out soon can't wait one of my favourite bands .
Cooking a massive pot of chili for tea with jacket potatoes and cheese and garlic bread pig out time cant beat beef chili .