WEEK OFF

 MONDAY - First day off work took the dogs out before dropping the car of at the local garage just after half past eight it will be ready mid afternoon got a taxi home was only £7.00 .Would have been a lot dearer going for breakfast and having a coffee .

Did the block paving and flags with 10 litres of Sodium Hypochlorite solution new again can dilute it I used it neat douse the brick work using a watering can then  leave it on for half and hour and hose off and the brickwork and flags look new , it should also kill the weeds and grass growing in between the cracks 

Got a call from the garage my car was ready to pick up after its full service including air filter , oil and oil filter new  plugs plus labour just pennies under £420 .I walked down Dunford road it is all down hill did 14.000 steps picked the car up paid the mechanic and drove home , its like a new car money well spent.

Locked out of my debit card entered the pin wrong three times now it is blocked phoned the bank they will send a new pin out three to five days that's life .

TUESDAY -It was  Rosie or Monki as I call her and George's turn to go to the vets for their  injections , worming and flea tablets .George  the cat was vocal inside the car the only time he goes in the car is to the vets .He was moaning all the way there and inside the vets too .Both didn't make flinch or make a sound when they had their  injections , George moaned again all the way home . All four animals are now up to date they will all get the boosters in the next four weeks .

Went over to Acaster Malbis to see Helen's parents it has been a few weeks since we visited they had to get a new boiler fitted it cost them £2k .They gave Helen £250 said they needed to get rid of some money or pay tax Helen accepted the money its nice to be helpful . We stayed until half past five before setting off for home .

WEDNESDAY -  Ordered the Ps5 game Reanimal it looks dark and moody from the trailers and looks like a game I can get in to hopefully it is I purchased it this morning and it will arrive by 18.00 hrs .The game came early afternoon I loaded it on to the ps5 and played 5 minutes .Helens cousin came Sharon we all went to the Red Kite our second visit .Had the belly pork and scallops , Helen had fish and chips her meal was could  I think because they brought out all three meals together Helens food went cold its the first time we have had any issues with food all the time we have eaten at Vintage Inns I down loaded a voucher for forty percent off just on the main courses  still it was a good saving .

THURSDAY -Went to Ikea at Sheffield  in the afternoon we bought a three set of drawers same as the ones we have there just an extra drawer for my tech stuff  some more  dog and cat bowls and a new rug for the living room .I will assemble the drawers and lay the rug tomorrow. 

FRIDAY -Assembled the drawers they are mainly going to house the dog and cat food and in the bottom drawer my Mac book air , fire tablet and windows laptop  Went to the pharmacist to get Helen's Mounjaro injections for the month which are now costing £180 the chemist is a lovely Indian man he knocked her a tenner off the price after this is was mainly a  chill out day for me Helen was busy , busy with readings I cooked and made cups of tea for her it was ten at night when she got finished .

DINNER AT THE RED KITE

 SATURDAY - Took one Bailey and Bentley to the vets at Almondsbury for their injections , flea and worm treatment £250 I have Rosie and George to take that's another £250 but they are worth it .Might look at the monthly plans for the dogs so there be no more big pay-outs .Went to Aldi bought a bottle of bourbon it was £14.00 to be fair mixed with coke its fine for the price . 

SUNDAY - Washed the car used the Karcher power washed using a snow storm spray foam totally from black to white it was like a snowstorm I also cleaned the inside gave it a good vac and did the dashboard looking a lot better needs to look ok as  it is getting serviced tomorrow . 

Went to M&S at Huddersfield got various dishes for the week got another bottle of mango chilli sauce and picked up a bottle of peri peri mayo .

We went home dropped the shopping off before driving over to the Red Kite we have dined here before but it was a few years ago it is another Vintage Inn and does the same menu it just tasted better and they seemed a lot more food , we ordered a side of stuffing , mash potatoes and pigs in blankets 10/10 .

SHOUT OUT

 FRIDAY - Been busy at work last few shifts been constant stream of Hpv's to do full bays and corridors as well as side rooms ,the best thing is the time goes really quick .Which is good because I break up tonight for a full nine days off work which suits me fine .

Bought the dogs some Lilys's Kitchen dog food its supposed to be one of the better brands to feed your hounds the Butternut box they hated would hardly eat it more was left in their bowl than had been consumed that was  sone subscription never made it to the second month

My daughter went to see Raye at Manchester the other night she got a shout out from Raye herself the singer  really liked her name her name was down to me , I had a lot of criticism for choosing it this was 35 years ago most people never forget it once they hear it , most of her friends they couldn't imagine her being called anything else , I knew at the time my choice was good  check out the link below see if you agree that I got her name right follow the link below .  https://www.tiktok.com/@tuesdayamyaddison/video/7608012596653985046?q=tuesdayamy%20addison%20&t=1771582932953

BUSY TIMES

 SATURDAY -Exchanged Valentine cards Helen made her own it was best one ever was quite moved will keep it always she put in loads of photos of me and her going back years she used the mini printer I got her at Christmas gone . Helen has readings tonight at our good friend and hairdresser's house Sophie .So I cooked us both a full English breakfast with spam .Sophie had cooked a load of beef brisket when I dropped her off was given a hot beef sandwich I ate it on the drive home .It started to snow again luckily it didn't lay. I meet our new next door neighboughs for the first time seem really nice  

SUNDAY -Another busy day for Helen she was at Mystical Moments in Slaithwaite all day she finished at half five We went home before driving over to Wetherby Whaler for fish and chips they were to the usual standard  I had a Chinese curry sauce and a bottle of Magners cider .Helen a pot of tea and scampi and salad  .By the time we had eaten the restaurant was almost empty .Anyway have to work another week and then I have a whole nine days off .

MEDIUM FOR MY MEDIUM

 MONDAY - Another weekend gone forever do you ever wonder how many weekends you have left everyone is a gem I always use to look forward to the weekends back in the day when it was pubs , night clubs and Blues the good old days had loads of mates and was out at least four nights a week starting on Thursday night after Top Of The Pops soon as the number one had finished playing I was out of the door heading for the bright lights of the  city and a tenner would get you a packet of 20 cigs , loads of pints of lager and a doner kebab before going home .

TUESDAY - Nothing going on a typical week day just rolling bye .

THURSDAY -Did the back garden patio and white gravel with the sodium hypochlorite it took the two five litre tubs neat poured through the watering can wait half an hour and hosed off all the alga , moss and green stuff totally vanquished gone so easy looks like a new freshly laid patio .I have ordered another two five litres and a pressure spray to apply it to the areas effected .

FRIDAY - Bought Helen the Medium game it was never available for X-box one so now I have a ps5 I bought it for that hopefully its a good game .

LIKE RADIOHEAD

 SATURDAY - Another chilled out day took Helen to sister circle in the evening picked her up at eight p.m then called in to Aldi bought nothing much went home and watched You Tube .Got my t-shirts from Joe brown they got delivered whilst I was out .

SUNDAY - Went to Ikea bought a unit and plinth to house mainly the dog and cat food it has four drawers and two baskets I am claiming one drawer for myself to house my leads for laptops and other gadgets I own the drawers wont house my laptops they are too big will able to store my fire tablet and keyboard .I will assemble the units tomorrow also bought like Radiohead a fake plastic tree its a bamboo at  least it wont die we also got new duvet cover and pillow cases .

Went to Holmfield Arms we had a voucher to use so it was a cheap meal Helen had steak ale pie and I had the pulled lamb shepherds pie the food was ok it is the first time we have seen the pub we have driven past the entrance 100's of time but never have we gone into the car park and followed the road round to the pub the pub is massive and done out really nice we will go back in summer and sit out even if it is just for a drink .

SNOWED IN

TUESDAY - Went out and bought a new twin bin from Dunelm its similar to the one we have the peddles are different and this ones black which look good with the white shutters £70 nothing is cheap anymore .We also bought a new mop bucket for the living room laminate flooring , it was half price .All the shutters are finished all in place and sealed and all looking good .Decided to have the kitchen window done we was not bothered when we ordered the shutters now we want it doing £320 be nine to eleven weeks .

Bought the game for Ps5 "Uncharted Legacy Of Thieves " got it mainly because it reminded me of Tomb Raider games and I am not really  liking the  "Ghost Of Yotei", Set up my Air book to remote play games looks well good .I also bought a add on keyboard and case for my Kindle fire tablet works well it is also back light board good for the night .

THURSDAY - Snowing again started in the afternoon says it will last until three in the morning rang in work said I wouldn't be coming in cant risk getting the car stuck and not  to get not have any way of getting home walking Miles and miles in the snow is not an option as I doubt I would make it .They will just have to do without me .Ordered three T-shirts from Joe Browns one is long sleeved similar to one I already have but in red .My ps5 game Uncharted came will not install it yet .Two games I am looking at is Reanimal and the Res evil . 

FRIDAY - It is raining looks like the snow will melt and  get washed away by the time I go to work if it changes from rain to snow then chances are no work  again today .I went to work it was ok least its the weekend .

SHUTTERS UP

 FRIDAY - Woke up to a snowy street and roof tops it is not too bad it i snow lightly raining so I cant see the snow lasting long which is good .

latest buys on Amazon Helen bought another Ninja Crispi air fryer and I bought a foldable blue tooth keyboard with track pad and for the price of £21.99 its very good .

By late afternoon all of the snow had more or less vanished which is good make getting to and from home a lot more easier and safer .

SUNDAY - Went to Dearne Valley farm for Sunday dinner we thought it be a nice quaint family run Inn with fresh food it was a carvery some what like Toby carvery we ate there anyway it was £28 for the both of us no drinks they had three meats , beef , turkey and ham we had all three. There was mash potatoes , parsnips and roast potatoes stuffing and other veg like carrots , and broccoli .To be fair it was ok nothing earth shattering a steady six out of ten doubt we will ever go there again on the way there we saw another couple of pubs to try out at a later day .

MONDAY - The lad from Kestrel Blinds came to start fitting the shutters starting on the patio doors very professional high standards all the gear nice clean job the blinds look well good makes a big difference to the appearance of the room we now have no curtain poles or curtains on any of the windows .At night our bedroom is a lot darker we left the top section opening to see the night sky.

 

THE DOGS ATE IT

 SATURDAY - Painted the kitchen we was going to do it the same colour has the main living room but we must have used it  all , so I painted it brilliant white instead cleaned the tops of the units and work tops had to move everything off the pan rack and off the windows ledges and worktops took a good few hours to get it all done .Longer than I thought we had a late tea of steak jacket potatoes and four cheese spread .

SUNDAY - Went to Acaster Malbis picked Helens parents up and her cousin Sharon and went to the Ship Inn , the river Ouse had risen and the car park was totally  flooded we all had a Sunday Lunch I had the trio of meat why have one when you can have three it came with Yorkshire pudding , roast potatoes and red cabbage , swede , parsnips and carrots for desert I had the chocolate fudge cake with ice cream for the size of fudge cake it should have come with two scoops of ice cream rather than one but apart from that the meal was very good three ordered the roast beef which was pink in the middle which not everyone likes it cooked this way plus it was tough her mother requested a steak knife .We went home with a doggie bag full of beef the dogs loved it .

On the way home I stopped of in Kippax to drop a birthday card of for my daughter her birthday is on the 27th next Tuesday she will be 34 years of age .

CRYSTAL BALL REVEALS ALL

 WEDNESDAY - After a long day off not doing much we went to Wakefield Wetherby Whaler fish restaurant for fish and chips Helen had scampi I had Chinese curry sauce and a bottle of Magners Irish cider , Helen her usual pot of tea.  Helen bought a Coach bag of Ebay she had a email saying it had been delivered om Monday at 18.30 we was out at Ikea so  it had not been handed to us .No post it note saying it had been dropped off when we checked the time on our cctv it had been delivered we saw him at our door we saw him walk to the side of the house and we could her the item being deposited  it had been dropped in the green recycling bin . Over the next few days I had dropped other cardboard waste on top so it was hiding when I went through the bin with a torch as it is in a walk through ginnel between our and our neighboughs house and it is half past one in the morning I found it .

THURSDAY - Dale the plumber on our street serviced the boiler it needs a new seal he will have to order it he also sorted the leak under the sink and redid the outside tap he also fixed the dishwasher hose and tightened the down stairs w.c hot tap . 

FRIDAY -Helen now as a new crystal ball it weighs in at 9kg its the size of a bowling ball it cost £795 she is paying in instalments I chipped in £200 she put in £200 so its half paid for it looks like you are holding the moon. Had all of the window cills painted  .Took down the curtains and poles and the blinds we now have a fixing date for the window shutters 2nd of February , I might get a quote for the kitchen , toilet and bathroom then that will be all of the windows fitted out .

NEW DOG FOOD

 MONDAY - Got a bad case of Gandhi's revenge but not had a curry if you know you know .Went to Ikea in Leeds picked up Helens son Ste his first ever visit .We bought some coasters , black pan hooks , some dog blankets a lint/hair remover with extra sticky rolls  and two  new toilet brushes but best of all I bought a Ikea tool kit for a fiver hammer , pliers , wrench and screwdriver with interchangeable bits I use to have one a few years ago ,but  no doubt someone borrowed it and I never got it back .Ste also had his first ever Ikea hot dog .We saw a nice shade for the bedroom light fitting they didn't have it in Leeds but have some in Sheffield looks like tomorrow we go to Sheffield 

TUESDAY - The dogs food cam from Butternut Box we have enough for fourteen days there is beef , chicken , game , pork , lamb and even salmon it is more like human food made from all natural ingredients and is steam cooked and vacuumed sealed we put one to defrost three in the fridge and the rest in the freezer because it is fit for human consumption you can heat it in the microwave or oven if they are fussy dogs and prefer it warm the smells of cooking will make it more appealing and appetising I love a good stew but wouldn't fancy eating it cold we have to transition them over to the new food over seven days mixing it with the old dog food they are eating atm .Rose actually ate most of the new food which is a good start .

OUR ONLY BEEF

 SATURDAY - Took Helen over to Meltham to do two hour readings I waited in the car watching You Tube etc killing two hours for me is easy peasy I have done up to five hours on the odd occasion .

After from there we went over to Slaithwaite parked up in the Aldi car park and went to the fish shop bought fish and chips to share .Helen went to Mystical Moments it was Sister circle I went to Aldi they had stick rice first time in months bought six packets some brown sugar , coffee and coke .

SUNDAY - Went to Meadow Hall Sheffield Helen spent £240 on Elemis face products one jar alone cost £98 ouch .Went over to Joe Browns bought four T-shirts and a long sleeved t- shirt which is not really a t-shirt but its not a shirt if you get my drift .Also bought a camouflage army type jacket with sown on patches that was half price , I bought a similar combat jacket for Helen we cant wear them at the same time would like like we are a platoon .The main event for me was going to Five Guys for a peanut butter milk shake with cream on top .Helen had a couple of readings to do when we got home .After we went to the Sovereign for Sunday dinner they only had beef left so beef it was .I have the whole of next week off .

SOUPED UP

 MONDAY - Most off the snow is gone melted away like it was never here the roads are clear there is some left on the tops of the hills but even that is nearly vanished .Phoned my daughter she arrived safely home from her travels to Thailand first thing she did was go to Greggs and get a sausage sandwich said she was sick of rice and noodles .The holiday for four of them two adults and two kids cost her £8000.

Still playing "Doom The Dark Ages " I have also ordered a Tomb Raider game Underworld for the Xbox 360 which I will play on my X-box one as it will backward compatible games hopefully the graphics are ok .

TUESDAY - Ordered a soup recipe book Helen bought a soup maker a few months ago and so far we have never used it hopefully buying the book will inspire some ideas for soup.

Helen ordered two pairs of Ugg trainers and a black leather jacket from Joe Browns .

WEDNESDAY - Mid week all down hill I break up this Friday is my last shift for nine whole days we will dine out read my James Patterson novel play on my Ps5 and X-box one and do a whole lot of nothing .

DELIVERED

 THURSDAY - Took the sofa to the tip took two trips on the way home got a hot turkey and roast beef sandwich from the farm shop .Left work early we had snow falling were I live made the decision to go home early as I have a duty of care to myself .I still had to abandon the car and walk the rest of the way home I was well wet by the time I reached home the journey is all up hill my legs ached I was breathing heavy before reaching my front door .

Latest purchase for the PS5 "Doom The Dark Legacy" hopefully it is better than the Harry Potter game still playing Ghost of Yotei which I am progressing along ok but not really enjoying the game play for some reason .Also bought on a whim Alan Wake 2 just because it looked different .

FRIDAY -Made it to work and back again no issues with snow was think I might have to book the day off not so .

SATURDAY - Waited in all day for the delivery of the power reclining corner sofa cleared side of the path of snow the sofa arrived just after three it came in parts they assembled it it worked fine for tea we went to Wetherby Whaler at Wakefield we both got fish and chips I had Chinese curry sauce Helen mushy peas .

SUNDAY - It had snowed again not to bad went to Sheffield to Ikea bought side tables one under another the bottom one pulls out they was reduced from £120 to £50 they are being discontinued they had six left .From Sheffield we went to Furniture Village bought another chair to match the sofa its a stand alone power recliner it was £845 this will be mainly for Rosie our dog she will claim it as her chair but I am sure she will share it will take eleven weeks for it to be made and delivered  .We also went to Home Sense bought a new lamp two cushions and two throws for the sofa . My daughter safely returned from her holiday in Thailand .

NEW MACHINE

 MONDAY - Another sprinkling of the white stuff about as much as we got last time .The recycling bin got emptied way overdue .Need thermal socks after walking the dogs my feet were way too cold must be worse for the dogs when the snow really falls I doubt I will take them out .

TUESDAY - Another sprinkling of the white stuff .We are getting our new tumble condenser dryer delivered this afternoon . I am also getting some thermal socks delivered from Amazon mainly for when I am walking the dogs but if it is that cold I wont take the dogs out as it is no good for their paws .

Also the corner sofa gets delivered this Saturday so I have to dismantle and take the old sofa to the skip hopefully in one trip if the weather permits if not it will stored in the back garden until I am able hopefully it will dismantle and go straight into the car . 

The tumble dryer arrived and is in place we had to leave it standing four hours so the gas could settle as it is a heat pump which also takes more time to dry your clothes but at a lower cost it is all digital on the settings so you see exactly what time it takes to finish the cycle depending on what you programme in , end of the day as long as your clothes are dry its a result .It looks better as well because there is no glass in the door its solid .

The thermal socks also got delivered it was way to cold and icy to take the dogs out but just wearing them in the house made a huge difference anyone debating whether to get any invest you cant go wrong plus the ones I got are way colourful so I can identify them in the sock drawer .   

WEDNESDAY - Black ice cowering the whole cul-de-sac couldn't make it out with the dogs so never felt the benefit on the thermal socks .

THURSDAY - Dismantled the corner sofa into sections then in to bits took two trips to the tip to dispose of it so now we either sit at the dining table or go to the bedroom hopefully the sofa delivery Saturday makes it depending on the snow and ice situation people reading this living in a different country here in the U.K a little bit of snow stops everything so fingers crossed .

ITS TRYING

 SATURDAY - Helen with her cousin and sister -in -law with the help of Ai .

Bought the James Patterson Kindle digital edition book "Return Of The Spider " I like the Alex Cross books his first book in the series was "Along Came A Spider " I think they have been around 30 books in the series I have read most of them featuring the Detective Alex Cross .I also bought from Amazon a pair of white gaming headphones Captain 780 they connect to the PS5  via blue tooth It is 7.1 surround sound with around 70 hours play back on one charge like the PS5 you don't need batteries I also bought a white headphone stand which will come Monday .

SUNDAY - It is cold - 02.5 degrees took the dogs out for  a brisk walk then went to the tip at Meltham to get rid of six bags of household wate .Ordered of Ebay "Doom The Dark Ages " this will be my third game that I own for the PS5 .Also down loaded the app Ps remote play on my phone pc and tablet it works best on the windows pc although I have to plug in the controller via the usb port even though it connects via blue tooth and I have to use some wired ear buds for the sound I can connect to my PS5 remotely.

Went to the Foxglove at Kirkburton for Sunday dinner  Helen had the pate to start I had garlic mushrooms with melted cheese , Helen had the turkey dinner I had the trio of meat we ordered extra pigs in blankets and a cauliflower cheese , The pig in blankets were hard the roast potatoe needed longer in the oven same as the root veg . I had a pint of Aspall cider on draught and Helen a pot of tea we had a voucher for forty pounds so just paid £35 what remained outstanding , when we left the house it was trying to snow .

WATCHING - Brad Pitt in  "Fury".

LISTENING TO - "Barry Cant Swim" and Hank Devlin .

READING - James Paterson "Return Of The Spider"

NEW YEAR FIRST SNOW

 NEW YEARS DAY - Did a quick post just after midnight to kick of 2026 .The Play station is all set up very easy hassle free installed Ghost of Yotei it was waiting for me through the letter box when I woke up yesterday morning .So far so good the graphics are awesome getting used to the controller will stick with the game I am so far ok with it .The X-Box 1 is in the ottoman with all the games I will keep it because its like new one day I might just give it away .

 THURSDAY - Woke up to a white outside 1/10th of an inch of snow we had I think it fell for just around one hour it is hardly a winter wonderland and nowhere near enough to stop me from driving to work , but on the brighter side more is expected . Hopefully not too much .Took down the Christmas trees one in the living room and the one in our bedroom the rooms are back to normal now its like Christmas never happened .Renewed my permit so I can use the local tip which is good because we are nearly over loaded on domestic waste and recycling waste .Hopefully get snowed in for a couple of days can get a few hours in on the PS5 .

 2026 HAPPY NEW YEAR 

THURSDAY - Stayed up to welcome the new year in hopefully its a great year for us all but I doubt it I think there is great change coming and that things will occur to make life totally different .