HAPPY NEW YEAR

 FRIDAY - Helen has the bug I have I feel better but not totally I rang in sick at work again as I don't feel 100% did a covid test number two all was fine Helen tested ok as well so we don't have covid .

I had to go out to get supplies bought some ground minced beef to make a lasagne for tea and some Covonia medicine for Helen bought milk , eggs , bread , dog biscuits , cheese , potatoes waffles , coke and hash browns. I also did a line on the lottery . 

Made the lasagne Helen is getting worse she has full blown flu symptoms even though she had her flu vaccine she is suffering not a good start for the coming new year .

SATURDAY - I am chief nurse and bottle washer Helen will stay in bed after I walked the dogs in the light rain on getting home  I took her a cup of  tea up and a Lucozade as well as a bowl of porridge .. 

I can't believe that it is 2023 in a day and  and  it will be the eighteenth year  that I have wrote and posted  in this here blog . How much as happened and how many changes  and events have taken place over these past years it is totally unbelievable and amazing  . I truly couldn't foresee any of it .

This year alone its been an eventful year I changed my car yet again maybe for the last time who knows .

We had to get our Jack Russell dog  Pippa put down which was way more dramatic and upsetting then what we realised R.I.P Pippa and we got our new puppy who was called Hettie but is now called Rosie who I love to bits .

My son seemed to have his life sorted out for the time being he is living somewhere new or I though he was he left  his old life behind and is working at a new job working nights and weekend nights which pays good and seems to be going well but his latest indication is he is not living with his friend anymore I don't believe a word he says he is a liar .

I had major dentistry work done and as a result my appearance is 100% better and my teeth for the first time in years look the best ever .

I upgraded my 2012 Mac book pro with anew ssd hard drive and doubled the memory I did this myself and was well chuffed because the money I had put by went to pay the dentist bill of £2500.

We strived  and survived the year no major issues no glitch in the matrix all went well we got to the coast a lot in the summer which was great and went to new places the summer was hot and we made the most of it .Hopefully we will make 2023 a year to remember and nothing major upsets the stars quo .

A VERY HAPPY 2023 TO EVERYBODY , EVERYWHERE HOPING YOU ALL HAVE A GREAT YEAR , LOVE AND PEACE TO ALL .

ESCAPING THE MATRIX .

 WEDNESDAY  - Helens birthday is today she is a year older without giving her age away she is nine years younger than me . , it goes without saying a very happy birthday hope you have a fantastic day .

She is going to her friends Julie;s house they are having a birthday celebration afternoon party for her which is awesome seeing that her three boys do very little for her .Using the excuse its too soon after Christmas and the fact we live a fifty minute drive away the same drive that  I do to work Monday to Friday week in week out .

THURSDAY - My sister called round to visit with her husband Alan we had a couple of coffees before going out to get something to eat .We walked in to the Red Lion first time we have been inside as usually we sit outside in the summer and order food and cider from the window no need to venture inside .

We decided to go to the Boshaw Trout instead by the time we got there and got a table I was feeling really unwell we had ordered food I got the fish and chips and a pint of cider i started feeling worse so much so I left my pint saw the waitress and told her I had to leave and to plate my dinner but to  pack my order up as a take away and to give to them to bring home I walked the short distance home and crashed out at home I finally went to bed and slept a good ten hours I did not go to work .

Andrew Tate and his brother Tristan have been arrested he once said "If you can't do the time don't do the crime " well said if you get thirty years for abduction , sex trafficing and rape  etc etc don't fcuking moan , of course innocent until proven guilty and to be honest I hope he is innocent and is freed if so .

If not you're going to hate prison life he did say he did predict that he had  three lives  to use one is already gone and spent which when they tried to silence him on social media didn't work , the next life is to get arrested under false charges and imprisoned  if he beat this , the next and final life would be assassination , a cliche in the matrix .

WARNING

 BOXING DAY - It is half past eight in the morning the turkey crown is in the oven I am back at work at the hospital tonight but I will be leaving with a full stomach work should be quitter than usual hopefully .

It is going to be Rosie's first Christmas turkey dinner a day late but hopefully her first of many .She is a great little dog you can't help but love her loads she is so fcuking cute .I cooked the dinner before heading for work the Yorkshire puddings I admit were frozen but the rest was all fresh both the dogs and both the cats had plenty of turkey .

Helen started writing in her Filofax I bought her and organising it hopefully she will have and use it for many years to come .

Work was quite although A&E Paeds was busy as always I was glad when home time came the oil warning light came on the car dashboard I stopped at the next gas station and bought five litres of  5w - 30 engine oil I put a litre in after checking the right oil and if I could put oil in to a hot engine it was fine I will check it Tomorrow when I get up in the morning .The oil warning light went off as I pulled out of the gas station cars and women always going to cost you .

GRATEFUL

 CHRISTMAS EVE - Well the dogs got me up for their walk the sun is out but its quite cool no chance of any snow .

I feel sorry for all the people that are struggling to provide any meal never mind a Christmas dinner  its been a difficult year for lots of people out there with the rise of inflation and the general increase in the cost of living and paying for life essentials and the necessities like gas and electric , hopefully 2023 things will improve for us all .

CHRISTMAS DAY - The dogs where given there Christmas present cuddly toys , pigs ears and a bag of balls they where happy .

Drove over to our friends Julies and Peters house we had a coffee before setting of for the Bengal Palace in Wakefield the food was ok not the best I have ever had but not the worst the deco was more transport cafe the upmarket dinner but the staff were good and the food a 7/10 .

Leaving there we drove over to my daughters and boyfriends Josh house only a few miles away it was nice to see my daughter on Christmas Day my son was supposed to be there but he never showed up not sure why he was helping a friend he ignored my phone calls my daughter was not happy .

The rest of the day we watched Andrew Tate on Youtube love or dislike he does speak a lot of sense personally I like the guy can understand why some don't but he does help the economy spending all the money he does on the scale he does good luck to him and others in his calibre .

I am happy I have food a decent house in a nice area  a reliable car a partner I love and fcuk all in the bank but we manage I am grateful I know what we have would be someone else's dream be grateful for what you have don't miss what you can't have.

Above me at my daughters basement bar her house who needs to go out no drinking and driving the have a tv and karaoke machine plus drinks a great addition to any house .

CRISTMAS SHOPPING

 THURSDAY - Picked up an Echo Dot  from Curry's for Helens parents Christmas present we also bought them a bottle of gin and a bottle of Brandy .

I set the Echo dot up they where messing around with Alexa I think they where quite impressed now they have a internet connection maybe we should have got them a tablet .

We left with a stand pie and half a chocolate gateau feels like Christmas already .They also gave me forty pounds which I think I will buy a new iPhone case and a new metal aluminium card wallet .

FRIDAY - Its just gone half past midnight we are on are way to Asda to get food for Christmas and some gift cards for Five Guys and  a couple of bottles of booze for presents sorted it was not that busy and everything we wanted we got it still took over an hour and it was just before three when we got back home and nearly four when we got to bed .

Took Helen for her nails doing we passed the farm shop the amount of cars parked up people where collecting their meat and turkeys for their festive dinner .

I dropped Helen off I went on to visit my daughter in Stanley I have not seen her in ages her house looked totally different they have been there. year and its looking totally different it will be her second Christmas in the house she has done the basement out as a bar it looks like an exclusive club very good .

  In the afternoon I went to Fox Valley outlet I bought the dogs some pigs ears and half a dozen new stuffed toys when I got back home I went  the farm shop there was only a few people queuing I picked up a turkey crown , beef brisket , shoulder of pork and a gammon joint just over £80 

Had fish and chips for tea which made a nice change we have been well behaved and not been near a fish shop for ages which made them taste all the better .

MORE LIGHTS FOR CHRISTMAS

 SATURDAY - Went out first thing in the morning it is raining with a high chance that it could turn to snow at the moment it is more sleet than snow .I had to go  to post some cds for Helen for readings she had done .

Whilst I was out I bought a loaf of  bread , white sugar ,half a dozen white bread cakes , freshly made ground beef burgers , white onions , baking potatoes  and two Hade Edge pasties and a couple of current tea cakes for toasting  .

Might have to get an external dvd/cd writer Helen's MacBook seems to be on its way out to be fair it has had a lot of usage she burns a lot of discs .

SUNDAY - It is cold but so far no snow it looks like it will stay away for a few days 

TUESDAY - Break up tonight for the rest of the week I won't go back until Monday which suits me fine .

can't believe its Christmas this Sunday added some more lights to the front and rear garden .

WATCHING - MindCage and Harry and Meghan .

D.M's

 WEDNESDAY - Did a bit of food shopping mainly breakfast items bacon , sausages , beans eggs and tomatoes as well as bread .Bought some cat food and a bag of frozen broccoli and some in-house baked minced pies .

THURSDAY - Did a shoulder of pork I started it later than I thought I did some roast potatoes Yorkshire puddings spinach and broccoli it made me setting off for work later the usual and I was ten minutes late but I enjoyed my dinner .

Had to fill the screen washed bottle up on the car the warning light kept coming on I can't believe how much it holds should last into the summer .

One thing I need to buy is an hose pipe I have had a few of the type that expand then shrink they are not cheap they never last I will buy a traditional hose pipe with a winding reel and mount it to the wall .

Helen would like a pair of fur lined Dr.Martens boots for her birthday which is on the 28th of December .

DOGS NEW COATS

 SATURDAY - Woke up to a frosting of snow it was not deep and as soon as I got out of the street it was less of a covering but the temperature as dropped .Last night was the first time ever I had to defrost my windscreen this was at 16,30 I physically could not see through the windscreen .

It was the first time Rosie had seen anything remotely resembling snow she had her nose in it she had her jumper on and her water proof coat .

I think today is a coffee and bourbon day whilst watching Marvel movie I have Black Widow , Captain Marvel and Eternals to watch has well as Harry and Meghan documentary .

We have to venture out for cat food the ingredients for a lasagne and veggies for tomorrows Sunday roast dinner I also want a couple of bottles of Aldi coke its cheap and I like it which are good enough reasons to buy two bottles .

Decide to buy some minced beef from the farm shop foe a chilli con carne with cheese and jacket potatoes whilst we were there we ordered a turkey for Christmas dinner a shoulder of pork a beef brisket and a joint of gammon as we are eating out Christmas Day it should be enough for dinners before or after Christmas .

I also found out if its vacuumed wrapped you can by it now and keep it in the fridge until Christmas Day Boxing Day and if it is kept in the freezer for a couple of years which I didn't know .

The main question on everyones lips is can England beat France in the World Cup if it goes to penalties maybe not , we need to win it in the ninety minutes of play   .

SUNDAY - Did I mention England and penalties oops if you can't score from the spot it really is game over .

Helen bought the dogs new sweaters and new padded coats as well as new harnesses the weather is below four degrees way too cold .

Bought a joint of beef for Sunday dinner had it with spinach and broccoli with all the trimmings just what you need on a freezing December day .

GAME CHANGER

 MONDAY - Helen went to the doctors everything was fine no issues clean bill of health blow pressure , heart lungs , pulse and temperature perfectly normal .

Bought some beer battered cod for tea and some bread and baked beans not the worst tea in the world .

Called out before work catching up watching Gold Rush Monday was uneventful a normal start to the week .

The temperatures have dropped to minus four in places across North Yorkshire .

Helen as been asking me what I would like for Christmas I had no idea I don't want to ask for something to for the sake of it I don't do slippers and dressing gowns it something I never have bothered with if I am up I get dressed if I am going to bed I get undress . So after thinking about one rthe last few days I came across a gadget called BackBone it allows you to connect your smart phone and play Playstation games and X-Box games although you don't need a console for this device to work .In a way its very much like a Nintendo switch but not as pricy .

So in theory you can play full versions of any console games on either your iPhone or Android devices , you can also if I am correct stream it to your T.v for a large screen option the BackBone is available for under a hundred pounds and seems to tick all the boxes for a great Christmas gift.

I also think I would be more of a gamer if I had this controller .  I don't go on my X-box a lot of the time because its in our bedroom and there I son way that I can't fit a chair between the bottom of the bed and the 55"  tv which is mounted on the wall above the drawer unit . I can't fit a chair at either side of the bed , which if I could would mean I am off centre from the screen so I play sat upright on the bed and game this way which for me does not really work .

So this might get me more into gaming I might even subscribe to X-Box game pass or even Playstaion game subscription as they say it just might be a game changer .

After watching You Tube videos looking at articles online I think this will let me get back into gaming again , this could  be one of the best Christmas presents ever .

I can't really say what my best Christmas present ever has been as I am always hard to buy for .

HAPPY BDAY MUM

 FRIDAY - Took Helen to the Hospital she came with me to work she checked in at the A&E she was having a stick like pain under her breast .We had phoned the doctors they suggest a visit to the A&E department .The only viable option was fo the rot come with me otherwise it would mean me ringing work to say I couldn't attend , this seemed the better option two birds with one stone .Some five hours later I was on my way home Helen had been given the all clear .

SATURDAY - The slow cooker is out two large pieces of braising steak are on a slow burn with added veggies and stock should be ready in six or seven hours the longer the better , I will finish it off in the oven when I put the dumplings in .

The MacBook is still running like a dream it surprises me every time I boot it up how just quick it is and for so little cost , would highly recommend other Mac book pro 2012 users to do the same just watch YouTube it really is so easy .

The temperature is dropping and mornings are now getting a lot colder and  old Jack Frost is making an appearance on the ground and on car windscreens but so far no hint of snow .

SUNDAY - Had my mum still been alive she would have been 103 years old she died in 2006 my dad died in 1985 his birthday is on the 13th of December .

LET THERE BE LIGHT

 WEDNESDAY - Last day of annual leave two days to work then its the weekend which means  two days off which is fine by me .

Another foggy morning it is getting cooler this time last year we already had snow so far it's been fine .

THURSDAY - It's the 1st of December and I am doing nothing apart from cooking a full English and snuggling up on the sofa with little dog and the cushions . Helen lighted her giant candle she bought a few weeks ago if we do have power cuts we will have light I also have three power banks but won't have the internet over wi-fi which is a pain .Hopefully power cuts won't happen .

It will be little dogs first Christmas Rosie has not had turkey before although we are eating out we will still have. traditional Christmas dinner either Christmas Eve or Boxing Day .

UPGRADE COMPLETED

TUESDAY - First time this autumn the car was frosted over and the fields I walk my dogs looking white Rosie as yet to see her first snow wonder if she will like it probably not she is too low to the ground and has only littlest of legs she is skinny to won't I am guessing she won't like the snow one bit .

Went to Sheffield to Hobby craft also went to Food Warehouse got some frozen pasties and other bits prices still going up .

I finally got my new 8gb of memory delivered today so I went and opened up my MacBook Pro so I could fit the new hard drive and the new 2 sticks of 4gb of memory the only issue I had I couldn't find a screw drive bit for the hard drive retaining screws so I used my Leatherman pliers to undo the four side securing screws new drive refitted the new memory fixed .Put back on the base plate and rebooted it loaded perfect and both items showing up  in "About This Mac" all new items  detected .  It is  like having a new laptop I am 100% totally impressed so much fast at loading programs and web pages amazing . I put the old drive into the caddy that  I bought that is also being detected all is running fine all is good. For the same size hard drive fitting and the iOS installing on Helens Mac book cost over £200. 

I am that impressed how this turned out I am thinking of buying a 17 inch Mac Book 2012 model and upgrading that with a 1tb ssd drive and 16 gb of memory .

MEMORY LAPSE

 SUNDAY - My cable to connect my ssd drive to my MacBook via usb came I formatted the disk and installed Catalina on to it and wow what an improvement it is now super fast I  can't believe how fast it is compared to my normal hard drive disc why the fcuk  I didn't do this ages ago I don't know  its like having a brand new laptop .

Re-installed Vlc and Spotify logged in to YouTube and Ebay as well as Amazon , Instagram , Facebook and Yahoo , its amazing what you are signed in on .

Tomorrow I get my new memory sticks I will put the new ssd drive into my Mac book as well as  the new 2x 4gb sticks of memory . I have also ordered a new caddy for the old  drive so I can access the content on it .

MONDAY - Went to Wentworth garden centre bought a fir tree garland pre lit for the top of the fire surround a table runner and tea towels that where Christmas themed with robins and snow , Christmas is an expensive time of the year .

My hard drive caddy came but no memory its had a lapse forgot to come it will be either tomorrow or the day after I don't want to open up my Mac book anymore times then is needed I am still using the new ssd drive externally for the time being its as good.

For tea we had chicken breast with bacon and brie cheese and cranberry sauce done in freshly baked batons would have been better with fries as well and a pear cider .

Helens inserts for her Filofax also came from Ebay and she as more on the way I might buy a second hand one because of the amount of inserts there will be enough to fill three Filofax's.

MOVED IT

 WEDNESDAY -  Took the back of my Mac Book Pro I have a selection of tech drivers there are three longer screws I marked the holes that these came out of .The inside seem cleaner than I expected a slight bit of dust on the bottom case once I removed it I just wiped it clean it was nearly dust free I will order the new hard drive on Friday if I install it and reinstall iOs ok I will order 2 x 8g of memory once that is fitted and is showing up ok I will order a new battery that will be in the new year hopefully the it will be as good as new or will get terminated to the rubbish bin.

Looks like I am picking my som Guy up so we can get the rest of his belongings from the static home he lived in more than likely it will be Saturday in the morning rather than the afternoon hopefully all goes well .

FRIDAY - Five days off work don't go back until next Thursday will do for me .

SATURDAY - Picked up my  son up from his new home with Helen and we all went over to York to where he use to work and live to collect the rest of his stuff I am glad he took time out and was bothered to go there was somethings from his mother I knew he would miss if he hadn't got them back as he had been left well over six months he was lucky it had not been cleared out .

We got all his stuff apart from a bike and a old hi-fi unit which he gave to one of his neighbours who ia  still working there .

ILLUMINATED

THURSDAY - We had snow at the end of last November I don't think it is cold enough yet but it could all change in the next couple of weeks I will be out with the cameras then I cant wait to get some white out photos , with my cameras and iPhone 

I think we are going to have a chilled out Christmas at home just us and the dogs as its on a Sunday I will be at home.  Next year I might  have to work it as its on a week day not sure what is on the menu we better decide time is flying .

FRIDAY - Went to Ikea at Sheffield to buy a new rug for the living room as  Rosie as chewed the one we have  we keep cutting the strands back and it is not looking too good  so Helen has the money for a new one its different than the one we have and the edges are over stitched hopefully will remain that way .

Helen also wanted to buy a new Christmas tree a green only one it is pre-lit with 300 lights we will need a bigger loft we have four tress to fit up there a slim one a 7ft green with snow effect on the branches a half tree and the new 7ft all green tree hopefully no more .

SATURDAY - Put the icicle lights up around the front of the house was just able to do it using step ladders and some stick on cable clips from our next door neighbour Adam took around thirty minutes twenty to untangle them and ten to hang them .

We then did the room tree or Helen did we know its early but wtf its up to us hopefully Rosie leaves it well along .

SUNDAY - Went out for Sunday dinner to the Fleece at Holme we have been there before the food is really good I once again had the steak and ale pie with roasties and a Yorkshire pudding it was was filling the pie was better than the one I had last week we meet Julie and her husband Peter we decided for Christmas dinner we would go to a Indian restaurant for a curry  in Wakefield we will cook a turkey either Christmas Eve or Boxing Day 

WATCHING -  House of The Dragon , Really enjoying the story line its as good as G.O,T.

NEW OLD SHELVING

 Found a brand new pocket Filofax in my draw I bought of eBay a few years ago I am going to get a diary insert for it and some note pages and plastic wallets and start using it .

THURSDAY - The weather is wet and windy the last few days twicw it has been a no go taking the dogs out they miss their daily walk and to be honest I do , it wakes me up if I feel groggy which is most mornings I walk the dogs then home I have a coffee and cook breakfast its a broken routine if I don't do this .

Put the scaffold board shelving up in the bathroom the brackets came I cut the sboars to lenght using my chop saw it can cut up to a ten inch width .I stained them fixed the brackets positioned the shelves and screwed the shelfs to the brackets just over a hours job .They look good even If I do say so myself .The hollow wall is always suspect when it comes to fixing objects they sent some black inch and a quarter screws and white  plugs they where only a 6 diameter but they seem to tighten alright the holes in the brackets where not counter sunk hopefully they are secure enough in the weeks to come .One of the boards as the metal strap nd end strap left om and is also stamped at the end with a serial number into the edge of the wood I'm my opinion adding to the overall character .

OUT FOR LUNCH

 SATURDAY  - Went to B&M bought some coffee pods for the Dolce Gusto its been a while since I bothered d, I also got a large jar of Kenco and some Nescafe cappuccino sachets alright for coffee for a while .Helen bought two white boxes for the toilet rolls one for each toilet I assembled them whilst I was cooking tea .

SUNDAY - Took the dogs on a long walk took my bridge camera out the battery went dead I only took twenty or so photos . For the picture below where from my iPhone a great back up and to be honest as good .

We went out for lunch for Sunday dinner at the Boshaw Trout we had booked it last week .We went with a couple of friends Julie and Peter I had steak and ale pie with tripled cooked chips and peas the rest  had the Sunday lunch option Helen had the roast beef brisket nd we all had desert it was £90 for the four of us.

WATCHING - 28 Days Haunted and House of The Dragon .

HIGHS AND LOWS

 FRIDAY - It's been a uneventful few days take the dogs out every morning go to work come home , shower go to bed when it was Wednesday I thought was  Thursday and Thursday  I thought it was Friday and Friday I am thinking its Saturday not sure why there is a glitch in the matrix perhaps .

Yesterday we shared some great fish and chips we ate them in the car I bought us a bread cake each that was the high point of yesterday . the low point Helen broke her rosary beads she has had them years since we first got together they where my mums we need to repair them the links are so fine my eyesight so not  .

Bought a new camera strap for my Lumix bridge camera its black and white canvas and its really cool it only cost me a fiver but the quality pretty good a greta find thanks Ebay .

LISTENING TO - Stormzy. 

WATCHING - Smile the latest horror film of 2022.

READING - Camera operating instructions ,

SECOND SHOOTER

 MONDAY - Thinking of getting my Mac book upgraded have picked out a new ssd hard drive 480 gb along with  16 gb of memory and a new battery the total cost of the parts is coming in at just over £125.Thats if I fit it myself , i think I can , well hopefully I can if I fcuk up its a new laptop.

Cooked a slow joint of pork will have it around four o clock before I leave for work .

Me and Helen might eventually be getting married if we do it will be a very low key event Her , me and two witnesses and if the dogs could be witnesses would suite me fine .

This Christmas is the fifteen one that we have spent together from a city apartment in the centre of Leeds in 2007 to a stone built house in Holmfirth in 2022 , How the time has flown how things have change how events have occurred and the path we walk down has changed direction and branched off leading us where it will .

This will be the forth Christmas that my ex wife will not see how the time has flown its so fcuking scary there is not enough time if you live until a hundred never mind if live ends prematurely too much shit to do too many pictures to take .

TUESDAY - My camera from Ebay arrived it looks in  mint condition and works just fine I  will charge the batteries and read the manual hopefully I will learn how everything works  , I will get a better neck strap for it and might get a case but its ok for now I have taken some photos and they are good enough in fact they are excellent I am a happy snapper once again . It connects to my pc fine and downloads the photos pretty fast and if I upgrade my Mac book it will be a lot faster.

TAP TAP

 THURSDAY - The new kitchen tap is fitted it took just fifteen minutes more or less a straight swap no mess no fuss and its working fine most of all no more dripping or at least for now .

ALWAYS FIREWORKS

 SUNDAY - Went for a walk with the dogs both had their new harnesses on I walked fathe rthan I planned the sun was out and I went on a walk that Rosie had nor walked befor e, it was longer than I remembered .

But the sun was out the fields lush green and the trees changing to reds and browns to say it was a fantastic morning was an understatement an added bonus I had no cats following me they where both at home .

These where taken on my iPhone I did not have the pocket Panasonic with me as I was not planning on walking this way I took loads more photos but cant put them all in this post a lot more photos on my Instagram at the following https://www.instagram.com/bobyea16/

Went over to Helens parents in Acaster Malbis on the way home I saw the first fireworks for the 5th of November I got engaged years ago on the fifth so if nothing else there would always be fire works , I was right 

NOW MORE FOCUSED

 FRIDAY - Bought a pay now camera of Ebay its a Panasonic Lumix DMC - FZ7 the box has been opened but the camera as hardly been used  it also comes with two batteries and a memory card it is only 6 million pixels with  12 x zoom and with delivery as well it was still  under forty pounds . It should be with me for Tuesday .I had a Lumix bridge camera years ago as well as a Fuji Finepix bridge camera which did excellent pictures .My first digital camera was a Canon A300 which I was very happy with .

SATURDAY - Went and bought the dogs new harnesses and collars we also bought them a new bed I was looking at getting a new extendable lead will look on Amazon .

Cooked a lasagne for tea with chips and home made garlic bread .

ARRIVED EARLY

     MONDAY - Checked my lottery ticket for Saturday night I had won thirty pounds for three lucky numbers half way there its the highest amount I have won on lottery ticket since I started playing it in 1994 we thought it be so easy to win that it be just a matter of time lol how naive I was lol .

2 x beef mince. 

2 x onions 

I x cabbage 

3 x carrots 

1 x bag frozen scampi 

2 x fresh chicken curries .

I x large Lurpack  butter.

I x brown bread 

1x white bread 

1x 40 packet box dog food .

I x pouring cream {still got apple pie to eat }

I x fresh orange juice 

2 x lasagne sauce tomato 

2 x  lasagne sauce white 

I x frozen mash 

4 x canned tomatoes 

The above just over £50 prices keep going up every week money goes less further than the week before .

WEDNESDAY - Went to the hair dressers had my hair cut by Will it only takes fifteen minutes went to put the lottery on for the Euro Millions this Friday night £131 million its more than enough I would share it out if I won such a large amount be rude not to .

Got home my Lumix camera I won on eBay for £43 had arrived it came with two batteries and a 2gb sd card and its scratch free and works just fine highly impressed when new this camera cost £350 .

CAMERA WON

 THURSDAY - Back at work tonight at six went to the dentist picked up my altered bottom dentures they are a lot better than what they where before .Did some shopping in Tesco bought some dog and cat food and some fried chicken pieces for me .

Took Bailey to the dog groomers for his shampoo and set they do a fantastic job and are always busy which is a good sign .

Some one is also bidding on the camera that I want on Ebay there is a few days left I am currently the highest bidder fingers crossed I win it .

SATURDAY  - Ordered a new black kitchen mixer tap for the kitchen sink  the one we have is only a couple of years old and its dripping taps from B&Q are not that great in my opinion .

Went to Wakefield Trinity centre Helen bought more soaps from T.K.Max both liquid and bars in fancy paper colourful  wrappings .We went to the Wetherby Whaler fish and chip , scampi with salad and chips , one portion of baked beans bread and butter , and one tea and one bottle Coca Cola £33 no wonder it was half empty it was only half past six .

Finished watching the Sky second series Gangs of London it was very violent and very graphic and hopefully totally over the top .

SUNDAY - Won a different camera than the original one I was bidding on which went for £71 I think  the one I won is a a better camera its a Panasonic Lumix DMC TZ20 I won the bid for £43 including p&p.

Cooked a Sunday roast beef dinner we had it late afternoon early evening with carrots and swede , green cabbage roast potatoes and Yorkshire puddings Helen cooked a apple crumble and a apple pie we had the crumble with pouring cream .In the evening we watched Mr Hariggan's Phone it was ok nothing too scary we had no kids knocking on our door trick or treating , if we have loads of sweets they don't come if we don't have sweets guaranteed they will come  .

THE PAST WAS NOT THAT BAD

 MONDAY - Went back to the garden centre at Wentworth Helen bought a magnifying glass with a decent lense and a wooden handle as well as two led battery candles and a pottery house the lights up the windows when you put a tea light inside it , on the way home bought fish and chips for tea .

Had a call from my son we should be picking up his gear that he hastily left at the farm when he moved out he is now  living with an old school mate .Hopefully this will give him chance to get and keep a job and sort his life out ,

In the past quite a few years ago I had a compact Panasonic Lumix camera I bought it with some of the money that my parents left me unfortunately I lost it it was over two hundred pounds and I bought a spare battery and case to go with it . I was gutted to say the least when it went I never replaced it .

I am now bidding for one on Ebay I think it was the next years model up from mine but looks the same design just better spec including a higher mega pixel as well  .It  looks like its hardly been used hopefully I will win it and use it instead of my phone . Hopefully I will win it .

I was looking through some old photos on my Blog in Google archive a lot was using my cameras I have owned and where not taken using a smart phone I also watched a You Tuber King Jvpes and the $10 dollar sleeper camera it made sense to buy a second hand camera . If I win it I will by a second battery and a case for it and a decent sized memory card .

Another thing I use to have and miss and had in the past  is a separate MP3 player same agin I use my iPhone mainly because I use Spotify but I am sure I can get a player which I can download Spotify to will have to look in to it as well as a stereo speaker dock .The past was not that bad for gadgets I think we expect a lot more when really what we had was enough to get excellent results .

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO US

 THURSDAY - Break up for six days we are going to watch the Watcher all seven episodes hopefully get some chocolate and Coca Cola not sure what else I am doing would like to go buy a new laptop thinking of a Acer iNto or tug laptop .

It is my birthday this Sunday not sure what I will do not sure I am having my bottom dentures realigned so I cant really eat for a week so eating out is a no go .

FRIDAY - Helen has bought me a Leatherman skeletool in black and silver I has a Leatherman wave years ago until it got wrecked may I add  not by me  , it arrives Monday .

First day off had a lazy day took Rosie and Bailey out for a mid morning walk the weather is not great .

Have films to watch Mel Gibson in Bandit  , Nicholas Cage in The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent , and Emily the Criminal as well as the Netflix series The Watcher .

SATURDAY -Went to Wentworth garden centre bought a Buddha's head water feature its has a led light and water flows down from the top of his crown it is meant for in or outdoors it was quite loud we put sponges inside to dampen the noise 

Took the dogs for a walk on the moors five minutes from our home we are lucky to have so many great  walks so close to where we live .

SUNDAY - Below is the Leatherman the Helen bought me for my birthday it arrived today on my birthday so the timing of the delivery was perfect I will have this forever its a perfect gift to keep for years I am a twin so happy birthday to the both of us . Cooked a roast chicken for dinner I went out to buy it I also remembered to buy  the cranberry sauce .My Son also called to wish me a happy birthday .

SWORDS AND MORE SWORDS

 SUNDAY - We went to the Royal Armouries its great its free to gain entry we parked in the multi storey car park close bye and had time to walk around the docks looking at the apartments we lived in very nostalgic to be honest I would have preferred to walk to granary Wharf and check out the area see what's changed plus its a nice walk up th river/canal bank will have to go back .

The Royal Armouries have not really changed its displays since it opened if you have been ten years ago unless there is a exibixthian on then you will see nothing new although it is possible not to see everything the first visit parts of it could have done with a good clean speciallysome of  the windows saying that it is free , and a great collection from around the world .Special if you like swords and more swords some of the armour looked difficult to put on never mind fight in it .we only spent just over two hours as we had a haunted house to go visit it Rothwell.Had a McDonalds on the way tried a cheese burger was cold and hard to eat washed it down with a coke .

CLARENCE DOCKS REVISITED

 MONDAY - Thinking about Christmas its always a special time of the year not sure what we are doing regarding dinner if we are eating on our own or going out the only invite we are likely to get is from my daughter .There are already mentioning a shortage of turkeys no doubt the price will go up in the next few weeks .

SATURDAY - Helen's cousin Craig came round to visit with her cousin Sharon and her auntie Doreen they stayed a few hours we all went to Compo's fish restaurant in Holmfirth .It was the first time w have been since covid hit in 2019 it had been renovated and looked more modern and stylish the chips had increased in size and the fish decreased some what but still as nice especially the Chinese curry sauce  ,

SUNDAY  - Went to the first place we ever lived together when we left the Travel Lodge in Leeds city centre .We spent our first months at McClintock House on the ninth floor which was handy for my job at the hospital and my job at  construction skills learning centre which was just over the road .It was more magical at night when it was a light up and the lights reflecting of the night black water.It has changed new restaurants have opened others have shut . When we lived there the casino was opening up and the clothes shop All Saints there was also a decent coffee shop I think there was also a Starbucks which If I remembering  rightly ,It ws also nice walking to the bridge we used to meet on and the back streets walking along the canal we need to go to the Air bar as we use to go there every dinner time when we was living apart with our other spouses .We meet on the bridge then go to the bar for food and drink .

SLOW COOKING TWICE

 FRIDAY - Went to Fox Valley shopping outlet went to the Pet at Homes bought some gravy bones two stuff toys two Kong toys and a jar of peanut butter a bag of dry dog food and some chews cost £41 .Went to Home Bargains bought Fixodent x 3 , Steredent x2 , cig filters , battery lights some all surface spray cleaner  cost £31 then went to the local farm shop bought 600g of steak mince a joint of pork and 2 x braising steaks a sausage and tom sandwich and six bred cakes a swede and three carrots some hose fat and a baking apple cost £40 over £110 how money goes fast than it comes in .

SATURDAY -After having just over four hours sleep I was up out of bed .Took Bailey out fo this morning walk to be fair it was a nice autumn morning. Put the braising steak in the slow cooker with onion carrots swede and potatoes . In the afternoon we meet some friends on Saddleworth moor at a old abandoned cottage we have been there numerous times before the weather was still fine the sun was out the clouds of the moors where viberant we only stayed a few house before heading home to a tea of slow cooked beef and veg we had it with pancakes .

SUNDAY -We went over to wish Helens father a happy birthday he is 81 we bought him the usual bottle of There Barrel Brandy big size will last him a week if lucky . Before leaving the house we put a joint of pork in the oven to slow cook we was going to be out for a few hours .

Arriving home did some sweet potatoes , carrot and side mash and Yorkshire puddings the pork just feel apart when trying to slice it it was very nice took no chewing .

STICKING WITH IT

 SUNDAY - Had scrambled eggs and cheese for breakfast it was ok I did manage to eat most of it cant say it was filling but at least it was breakfast .Went over to Helens parents stopped at my local petrol station the gas has got up 2p a litre hopefully it does not rise again .

MONDAY - It is still a pain eating although it is getting slightly better it is no way easy all I can do is stick with it try different foods and see what is best .I have not had a full English breakfast since my teeth removal I have not had a sandwich I find biting hard I find it painful and hard to bite down into food chewing seems to move my dentures or make them loose .Cant get wound up got to think positive that it will improve its not been a week yet .

Everyone at work loves them they say I look younger they look great which they do I just cant eat with them hopefully this will improve if not I see my dentist next Tuesday .

Think I need to buy more fixodent  and more steredent and mouth wash as  clean them daily if not more I between I use use salt mouth wash to try and keep food particles from losing under the plates its a full time job all I do is think about food and what I would like to eat .

FISH 'N' CHIPS

 SATURDAY - Mouth and gums feeling slightly better than they have done its not been 48 hours so it is early days for things to be all back to normal had a fish cake for dinner over the last couple of days I have had limited food I did have a steak beer chips and onion rings for my tea on Wednesday night with a massive chocolate eclair for desert and a full English breakfast on the morning before having my teeth extracted  I must have known .

I keep rinsing my mouth out with a salt water solution to help the healing and refresh my mouth I hat the taste fo salt water but it does help healing then I will gladly do it .I have stock dup on Fixodent and cleaning tablets and mouth wash hopefully I will always have a supply in I will keep a tube of Fixodent in the car because you never know .

I cant wait until I can sit down and eat a proper full course meal without any issues I cant really fix my dentures down until a few days and my sockets have healed until then I can only use Fixodent at certain points I don't want the sockets to get infected or that would delay healing and mean antibiotics just have to grin and bear it at least when I smile I am doing it with a full set of teeth .Still cant believe I had sixteen teeth out in one sitting never again .

Picked Helen up from Slaithwaite she had been doing readings from half ten in the morning and had finished at Half past five in the evening it had been a busy day for her .

We drove down the road again to Saddleworth we where not that far from the spot the police are searching for the remains of K.B the forensic tents where still on the moors as far as I know as of yet they have found no human remains 

Had fish and chips for tea I ate better then previously I put plenty of vinegar and tomato ketchup on and did end up with bits of food behind my plates VERY strange and so annoying .Dining at being at home I went upstairs to clean them off and rinse my mouth .It wouldn't be so easy if we had sat in a restaurant to eat them are my dining days out , over .

Cant believe its is October already how the year as flown bye summer gone Autumn is here and winter just around the corner another year passed how time flies .

K.B

 FRIDAY - Last night was not too bad the better dentures feel better than I though they would it will take a few days I cant rinse mt mouth due to the gaps left by the pulled teeth form clots if I do I can stop the healing process and risk of getting infection . I can test blood I don't even feel hinged I had a cool coffee and later and some soup .

Cant really chew gad some mash and braising steal all mashed up its like being a infant again hopefully time will heal and over the next few days things will settle down .

Heard that a skull had been found on Saddleworth moor the  police and forensic teams where out digging the weather was dire with winds and torrential rain we drove past we had to we have been going to the the moors for years we was there only a few days ago we have walked where they are now digging we could se the tents and the place cars and other vans at the location they couldn't have picked a worse day we also saw news and film crews with there cameras it will be a few days if the are doing DNA tests before we know for certain if it is human remains and if so it it Keith Bennett .The photo below taken by Helen has we drove back up the hill .

ALL GONE

 TUESDAY - Ordered three books for Helen by Juneau Black Shady Hollow murder series  they are mainly aimed at children but of course adults can read them she watched someone recommend them on You Tube and wanted the collection of three books she also wants the Garlic and the Vampire another kids book reads like a comic loads of illustrations as well as text .

WEDNESDAY - Had a restless night sleep not sure why Helen was also up and out of bed during the night as I am off this week I am going to bed at a reasonable time .I was up at seven a.m I had a shower before taking Rosie down for her morning wee and poo in the back yard she does it pretty quick .Then I have a coffee I make Helen a tea.  

I filled the dishwasher up with salt and rinse aid before getting Bailey out for his walk .It was cold this morning first thing now there is a nip in the air Autumn is here once again the leaves are turning brown and are falling . I put a sweat shirt on it did warm up as I walked him round the sports fields .

Arriving home I cooked sausages and bacon for breakfast sandwiches we are going out later in the morning to Slathwaite for our hair cut .

THURSDAY -Went to the dentist had all my teeth removed both top and bottom sixteen in total  resulting in zero  teeth . I had numerous anaesthetic injections to its my mouth and gums and the procedure took  just over a hour I had new dentures waiting to go straight in  hopefully they will settle down over the coming days I smiled for the first time with out being self conscious of my teeth and appearance .of Cours Amy face felt numb and speaking was not easy hopefully it will all heal and all will be good .

Below the photo was taken half hour after leaving the dential surgery and arriving home not the best photo not used to taking selfies or smiling will have to learn .

SPOOKY WOODS

 FRIDAY - First day annual leave I have all next week off too emptied the rest of the hanging baskets and the planters cut back all the roses and cut the grass front and back then took all the waste the the local tip .The sun was out and it was warm went to Asda did some shopping forgot to get certain things like brown sugar for my coffee will have to use white until I can get out again .

Had beef burgers cheesy chips and fried onions for tea followed by a scone jam and cream and a can of cloudy cider .

My Mac book is old I had the money for a brand new one but paid the cash I had saved for my dental bill hopefully I will eventually get a new Mac  book before this one dies its getting very temperamental and slow I can afford a Chrome book don't know if I should go down that route get another Mac book on finance.  

SUNDAY - Visited Helens parents it has been a few we last went over after we went to the gravel pits and woods where the police was looking for the body of  Claudia Lawrence who was a chef working at York university she went missing in March 2009 age 35 .Below two photos of the woods the police searched for her remains last year they never found anything and the case is still ongoing .