BLEW IT

Cleaned  out the garden shed it is a breeze block structure with double glazed windows and a white pvc door it has its own power and lighting and it has its own alarm with key fob entry .

Helen decided to clean the kettle that is in there she brought it inside added washing up liquid and switched it on to boil , this was whilst I was at work the kettle must have boiled over the water went behind the base units where there is a socket for the washing machine and cooker it blew the socket apparently water was everywhere along with soap suds .

So today I swapped the double socket for a new one and all is good why Helen decided to clean the kettle in this way I have no idea , another blonde moment .

Went to fish shops  for tea early supper we had not eaten all day we got them on a tray and ate them in the car we also took our own bread and butter and knife and forks .

DONE

The  bird table is done I really should have drawn it out on paper before I started making it ,  but it was more like do it now and design it as I went along but saying that it is not too bad it is done and pegged into the ground just in case it is a bit top heavy .

The new car if I get it will be a velvet red Skoda Fabia with a black roof and black wing mirrors and black alloys it looks cool I hope when they said it be new they mean new as in this years model originally it was going to be a factory build , but this model is in stock I am hoping it is this years stock and model  .Will find out tomorrow when I go down to the show room hopefully I am not being done .

Next job a letter post box for the top of the fence this I might draw out before hand I do have some slate for the roof .

FOR THE BIRDS

Went down to the Skoda dealership have to call in again today to see if I can trade up to a brand new car not sure if it is possible but I will see never ventured nothing gained .I can get a brand new car made to order with black metallic  paint and black alloys for a extra £30 a month I need to trade my car in and throw £700 in to the pot which I will need to pay a small deposit and the rest in three months time I am loosing money on my car but that's the nature of buying and selling motors it is something you have to expect I will be investing in a brand  new motor with zero mileage no need for a  MOT for three years for a little bit more each month seems like its a no brainer not sure why I am hesitating .

Bought a new slow cooker only cost ten pounds looks ok will have to do a stew next week I think it is smaller than the one we have the current one we use is for a family of four or five and we always cook way too much .

SATURDAY
Was suffering last night at work I was totally tired I only had four hours sleep from the previous night shift I had yo take Helen to her physiotherapy  appointment at 08.30 and did not get in to bed until after 03.00.

Went over to Saddleworth and Uppermill located over the moors to Dobcross garden centre I bought Helen a kitchen ornament consisting of a cockerel , sheep , pig and cow  it was half price Helen likes it .

We parked up and ate fish and chips from Compo's at Holmfirth  in the car on the way home I had a call from the dealership pulled over rand spoke with the sales rep and  I ordered the car and paid a £150 deposit . I go down Wednesday to sign the paper work.

SUNDAY
Bought some wood to make a bird table Helen has wanted me to make one for a while we went shopping to get the ingredients to make cinnamon pretzels on the way back home I stopped of to get the timber will need a few planks more . Built the stand and base and did one side need the timber for the opposite side  , I have wood for the roof I will finish it tomorrow .

TOTALLY MOBILE

My son is thinking about joining the Army he is 25 years old , older enough to make his own decisions my only issue is if things were better for him in civilian life he had a job he liked with decent pay and was in a permanent relationship he would not even be thinking down this route . which to me is not a way to make a decision on this magnitude its eat sleep breath being told what to do and when to do it .Battlefield one came for the X-box might lend it to my son o/j.

Thursday and Friday I am  back doing six - two shifts starting in the evening at this time suits me   seem to have ages at home also it is pay day there is still talks about Tupe and being a wholly owned company ,  no matter what things will change . My pension contributions have gone up from 5.6% to 7.1% which means more money  in the pot once I retire , or should I say if I retire .

The weather as been rubbish I want it to be fine and hot over the weekend , I need to creosote the fence panels .Having a barbecue would also make for a good evening chicken and meat kebabs  with various peppers and onions .

I had a call from the Skoda dealership they have a car in with 2500 miles on the forecourt it is newer and as  prolong and sat nav it is white which is the same colour that I won now the payment will go up depends on what the deal is whether it is an option I doubt it but I have an appointment to go see them will get my car washed for free anyway .

Went inside a Vanguard mobile operating theatre that we have outside at work it is totally amazing anyone getting wheeled in there would think they was in the main part of the hospital as it is linked to the main ward the sides extended out and the space its like a Tardis the cost of these I am not sure but they won't be cheap  , totally high and  tech state of the art  worth every penny we have it for eighteen weeks while one of the main theatres  gets a refurb .

CHEAP

The upright pieces with the pre rounded tops cost 50p a length I bought 15 the hooks cost £2.49 each and the bands £2.99 each a decent size bag of 50mm ring nails £3.99
I bought the wood just after ten in the morning I get ready for work at half past twelve I made this gate and shut it on the way to work not too bad Helen is happy and it makes life easier keeping little legs in .

I will buy some creosote and hopefully do the fence panels etc over the weekend I also need wood for a bird table and post box .

JOBS TO DO

The new Equalizer film is out in August might even go to the cinema to see this one from the trailer it looks as good as the first one obviously it is violent but Denzel Washington is one of my favourite actors .

Yesterday was the hottest day in April for seventy years today not so it is very dull a total change in 24 hours .

Hopefully we will be out and about this weekend with the dogs where we are going not too sure if it is hot I would like to go to Southport .

Bought a new X-box one game " Battlefield one "  from a seller on Ebay for only £7 should come Monday .

Finally put up the over head lamp over the kitchen table it has been in its box for the last two months it was not straight forward had to mess covering the original hole in the ceiling so the ceiling rose on the lamb would cover it I also had to screw a hook into the ceiling but its all up and working .

Never really went any where the weather changed it predicted rain so we stayed at home I need to get the wood for a gate and order some bands and hook hinges   from eBay. I also need to make a wooden post box so the mail man does not have to enter our property , not that there is anything wrong with our mail man he is a great guy just make life easier .

Listening to - Manic Street Preacher "Resistance is futile ".

KILLER ALBUMS

Finally fitted the black glass back splash for the cooker I screwed a batton at the right height , the back splash drops behind the cooker by a few inch . I then used a tube of black CT1 sealant to fix it in situ job done.

Have finished my two late shifts finishing at two and starting at six is a great shift to do all paid at night rate .

Everything else is good money low roll on pay day got food in the freezer and a full tank of fuel and a bit of cash , and the sun is shining so all is good no complaints .

The west Bailey is a great little dog he is a little bit crazy but he is only a pup and of course he wants to play with my two cats and Pip our Jack Russell .

A friend on facebook as asked me to name and post each day obviously for ten days  ten of my favourite albums from back in the day ,  that I  will still now listen to even if its only occasional  ten is hard twenty would have been better picking ten is a killer .

Below Ganesh which was a present from one of Helen's friends that she gave her yesterday the colours are loud and vibrant  but I kind of like it .

HOSPITAL AND VETS

Got some six two shifts coming up next week and at the end of the month all paid at night rate should boost the following months wages up which is always good I am on top of my banding and we should be getting a pay rise as well in the next month which is all good.

WEDNESDAY - Day off work mid week always breaks the working week up nicely and  reason why  is that  I am going to the Hospital with Helen at four in the afternoon we got there and she had her test done that was to check her nerve endings we get the feed back in a couple of weeks ,we was there only an hour Pinderfield's hospital is a lot different to the one that  I work at it  , it's ultra modern and quite new and from first look really clean .  We was only in and out in just over an hour and got out just after five pm  .
We stopped off at the fish restaurant cafe to have our tea , a lot less hassle than going home and cooking plus no washing up and the food is really good .

THURSDAY - Took both of our dogs to the vets  for their last injections plus the treatment for tape and round worm and kennel cough they also had their nails cut they are both up to date with their vaccinations.

Sick of Russia and totally sick of Donald Trump with his tweets on twitter he did the same with Kim Jong Un  idle threat's no action ,  North Korea is still waiting for their missiles to be launched at them it never happened 'My button is much bigger than yours " might be the statement but reality is Kim Jung Un's balls are bigger which is what Trump is lacking .

THE SHIP

Did the two side infill pieces on the side of the kitchen units also put the plinths on the base units they look way too back might have to buy some more board and bring them forward .Ripped the skin off my little finger and dropped a unit I was putting a side panel on straight on to my foot not good which pissed me off
Picked up some medicine from the vets for Bailey he as the parasite Giardia he will get better .Pippa as done great she is well on the mend she as been extremely brave to say she had so many teeth out all in one go .
Went to Asda bought a meat ball freshly made  pizza and four bottles of Kopparberg pear cider I also bought a plastic ice tray to make really thick cubes which will take forever to melt  and a bottle of freshly squeezed clementine juice .

SUNDAY - Went over to Acaster Malbis with the little one he is really well behaved in the car and you don't hear anything from him whilst driving there is a pub called the Ship Inn we have been here years ago you can catch a boat that goes up river in to York which we are planing on doing once the weather gets better .

Had a Sunday roast that Helen cooked pork and all the trimmings she cooked whilst I got the lawn mower out and cut the grass first time this year .

Monday great start to the week it is sunny but cool Bailey did a poo outside and a wee making progress hopefully the week will get better and better Wednesday I have the day off excellent .

VAT AT THE VETS

The snow is back , for once the weather  forecasters got it right it is bank holiday Monday guess snow  is better than rain . I have to go to work hopefully it won't be too bad and it will have stopped by the time I set of at one .
The rain came and washed most of the snow away work went ok was glad when home time came went home to gammon chips and eggs with onion rings that's Monday out of the way .
Apparently April we are going to be having a heatwave very likely that April will be our summer month hopefully not .

Pippa goes to the vets tomorrow for teeth extractions and plaque removal she will be anesthetized and be given pain blockers to combat the pain she will also be given a iv drip and will have two check ups following her op.

WEDNESDAY - Dropped of Pip at eight o clock this morning she seemed to be ok and guess no idea of the ordeal that was happening ignorance is bliss we find out this afternoon how it all went and of course the cost of the procedure we have fifty pounds off the price plus 10% discount hopefully we can still eat this month .
The treatment was much longer than planned Pip had to have lots of teeth out she had also a piece of plastic from years ago that had wedge up between her gums  she must have chewed something and it had got lodge up there but it did not effect her she never moaned  she also had a broken tooth she went through a long surgery and had lots of teeth remove needless to say she now only as a few remaining but on the plus side she will feel a lot better and her breath will be better too she has stitches in her mouth and we have medicine and tablets t give to her she goes back Friday for a check up total amount paid £385 and that was with £50 off there was an offer on dental hygiene for dogs think it also included vat  .

THURSDAY - Pip had a good night she slept through this morning she had oral pain killers and a antibiotic tablet she had some puppy food and water she was more herself she went out in the garden and laid in the sun .
Bailey the pup as the runs again with spots of blood we took a sample to the vets nearly £92 to get it tested to see what is causing her to have the runs hopefully we can claim back on the pet insurance .
I bought them all some turkey mince and fresh chicken breast I  also bought a large bag of  Royal Canine dry puppy food.

HAPPY EASTER

I am working over Easter Good Friday and Easter Monday I cant remember the last time I had Easter off there is benefits from working most departments are close , all the managers are at home it is easier parking and its usually time to chill out there is the odd job to do but the atmosphere is more relaxed plus it is double time and a day in lieu what could be better plus there usually a few  chocolate eggs knocking about if you hunt them down  .On the minus side it will be boring departments are shut skeleton staff and less to do resulting in one big drag hence the double time feels like you have been there twice as long .

Helen received a letter from Nhs Business saying she owes £8.00 for prescription that she picked up in January she is exempt she has a card that is valid until 2020 because she is on Thorazine she pays nothing not only do they want the cost for the prescription they want a £50 collection fee or fine if you like , not a chance .

SATURDAY
Its the first day of the  weekend and its grey and raining it is cold not a great day I have been on the X-box and cooked sausages and tomato for a breakfast sandwich .
My sister and her husband Alan called over they liked the kitchen and the Amazon echo also we set up the Vr headsets they thought was good after we went out for fish and chips to the Wetherby Whaler which was really nice we was going to go to Durker fisheries but it was closed for the bank holidays .

Watching - " Sneaky Pete "  season 1

Listening to - Fleetwood Mac hits on the Amazon Echo

Eating -  Enchiladas and sweet potatoes fries

VETS

Both the Puppy Bailey  and Pip have been to the vets for all the injections , flea and worm treatments , Pip needs to go back and have some of her teeth out and some plaque removed on her teeth which is a big cost apart from her teeth she is healthy hopefully we are taking her back next week after the Easter holidays to begin her dental treatment .

Work wise the wholly owned company that the management  want to set up the decision to move forward as been delayed it could be end of May or June before we know what way forward they are taking it .

If they want to set up an wholly owned company it needs permission from Jeremy Hunt in Parliament to rubber stamp it so it can move forward if he says no than things stay the same ,but  they will have the right to appeal if yes it could all change by Jan 2019 , the issue is the NHS we work for can not continue the way it is we have been told that doing nothing is not an option.

Needless to say people are pissed off big time even though we have been promised nothing major will change for us but they management can do things that they currently cant do  like claiming the V.A.T payments back.

I am working good Friday and Easter Monday with vets bills everything helps I have also some shifts to do which will all be paid at night rate I am back doing 18.00 until 02.00 am for three days end of April .We should have had our pay rise by then or it will be back paid which is money in the bank either way .

EARLY DAYS

The UK time  changed the clocks went forward by one  hour thanks to world war 1 , we was up early anyway as we was going on a  drive over to Lincoln to see a West Highland terrier it is a  Pup and is only 12 weeks old , a  little boy dog.

We bought him he was £695 he is full of beans he was running around playfully , not madly he is giddy but he  likes cuddles on the drive home he was excellent to say he had never been in a car before .

All the other animals have met him the two cats and Pip our Jack Russell there was no hissing or growling a good sign . I said we should call the new puppy Apple so when we are out and we want to call both the dogs we need just shout Apple Pip and they will both come running , but  Helen as picked the name Bailey what a bag of dog poo , I like  Angus  or Mulligan  or Ivan  .

So far we have discovered he is not impressed with Helen's phone ringing and hates Alexa he loves hugs he is very loving and he likes baths or showers but it is early days yet.To be honest the top picture does not do him justice he is a lot more handsome .

ANOTHER JOB DONE

FRIDAY - Took Helen for her first physio appointment she has a frozen shoulder this was at twenty past night in the morning after we again went to Toby Inn for breakfast .

When I got home I fitted the cooker hood that was delivered Thursday  I had ordered from eBay.

 I had to cut a slot in the wall so I could  insert a piece of wood  which is longer than the cut out this was fixed in place with liquid nails and screws the piece I cut out to excess the cavity was than glued back in place invisible mending it is hidden by the cooker hood anyways it meant that  I now have a baton in the walls cavity that I can fix into. The unit is now solid and level it is wired into the mains supply  and all is working it has two lights and three levels of extraction it seems very good to say it is unbranded .

 I have also  ordered a 150 mm hole saw to cut through to the outside to run the foil extraction  pipe out through the wall of course  it needs to be done right first time I have only one chance at getting it right .

Hopefully the back splash we bought also needs fitting under the cooker hood I have been advised to use a clear sealant to bond it to the wall I think it will also drop behind the cooker I will fix a baton on to the wall for it to sit on  .

SATURDAY - Listening to Snow patrol and the radio via Amazon Echo I am quite impressed with the sound quality and how responsive Alexa is I am also subscribed to Amazon Prime which is good and better than I thought . .
Went to Asda bought diced chicken breast would have been better was not thinking a carton of  double cream  and a box of shiitake mushrooms white onions and a garlic bulb Helen is going to do a chicken and tarragon dish for tea .
Went to look for West highland terrier pups they only had bitche's no good we want a little boy dog.

ALEXA COOL

I am on top of my pay band at work  there is no more increments just the annual pay rises to look forward to from now on , we have been award 6.5% over three years a fucking joke it will be 3% to start with then 2% followed by a measly 1% lucky bastards are we anyway you calculate or add it up   shit is shit  .
Helen's mother and father gave us some money it was totally out of the blue Helen wants to use part of the money to by a Westie highland terrier which is the type of dog she had to leave when she got together with me nearly fourteen years ago one good thing about this dog breed is they do not shed their hair they have to be clipped .

What do I want a Amazon echo which will be ideal to live in the kitchen on the worktop we do need a new digital radio this will be ideal and at the moment the price as dropped . So I went  out this morning to Pc World and bought a charcoal black Echo for £74.99 I also subscribed to Amazon Prime for £7.99 after a 30 day free trail so far so good very impressed got to say anyone who as doubts buy one and see for yourself the speaker is excellent Alexa very responsive . Alexa is sitting on to of the fridge freezer she is cool .
Asda fresh soups the chicken tikka is brilliant it would be an excellent to use as a sauce just add more cooked chicken breast I also bought a keg of 7% vol cloudy scrumpy nice chilled and a tiramisu .

TRUST TUPE

This below was bought of eBay for around twenty two pounds it is made in China and of course there is more expensive ones which do the same sort of job but this is ideal for us it is just the right size for what we need .

Ordered a black 90cm cooker hood I also ordered the vent kit so it can extract to the outside of the van my black CT1 sealant arrived yesterday this morning I received another tube of black CT1 sealant hope I don't get two cooker hoods I ordered one this morning of Ebay along with an extractor kit for taking it to the outside which will help keep the van steam free hopefully .I also got the elbow for the shower delivered and a carpenters sliding bevel which are very handy and better to have one than not.

 Helen's parents came to visit they liked the transformation in both the kitchen and bedroom which are both vastly bigger the kitchen even more so that we don't have a corridor .

Work is changing there is stuff in the pipeline that if happens will change our status we will no longer be NHS staff but we will still be part of the Trust which is going to become if the go ahead is agreed a wholly owned company on paper all looks good if what we are being told is correct they should not be any issues with the switch over by TUPE are terms conditions pay holidays sick and pay enhancements will not be taken away a lot of people are up in arms like always time will tell nothing ever stays the same .

A RIGHT ELBOW

MONDAY - Up early showered and first coffee before seven thirty which for a lot of people they are already at work or on there way to work but starting at two getting up before seven is early.
The snow as not returned through the night but it is still on the ground hopefully this will disappear through today .
We are getting another two rads fitted today plus the taps doing it is amazing how just changing the taps totally transforms the basin and bath .

New rads left and right the heat out put should warm most of the van up. 

Need to reseal where the tiles meet the basin does look kind of old and maybe re grout the tiles it is never ending need a big pot of money ,The hose on the bath that come from the bottom of the bath tap is tight  , the solution is an angled elbow that I have ordered on Ebay at a cost of  £18.95 which is scandalous as  the basin taps just  cost £35 and the bath £75.

 Matching taps that we  bought from Wicke's yesterday. 

TAPPED OUT

Over the weekend I need to install the 200 mm base unit and worktop cut and fix the two infill pieces on the wall units , do some of the floor edge beading and go shopping for a shower mixer tap so we can sort the water pipes out for the bath .
The flu pipe we cut off is slightly dripping water I have ordered some CT1 sealant it should arrive Monday I need to get up on the roof to seal the flu .
All the flooring is completed end to end width to width its done ,  I have some beading  but there is a bit left  to do.
I managed to bead the small  toilet  and more than half of our  bedroom and  most of the kitchen I need to buy some more lengths of  bead  , We also we have decided to put Castor's on the 200mm base unit so we can  pull in and out and push it back in to place .

SUNDAY - The snow is back it laid over night and it is quite deep our garden looks goo all whited out saying that I want the stuff to go . it is cold we are down a radiator and it is making a big difference to the overall warmth of the van .We are getting another two radiators installed this coming Monday if we are not snowed in .
We managed to get out had to pick up the castor wheels for the unit we also bough new bath shower mixer taps in a modern chrome look and matching basin taps which will  100% look better than the out dated taps that we have  on at the moment .

Went to the farm shop at Emley moor ,  part of the winding bending hilly road was very  ice and the wind was blowing snow of the nearby fields into the road  , some of the road was fine  but we got there and bought a brisket of beef which is going to be for today's  Sunday dinner  , Barnsley chops and freshly made chicken Kiev's for the week we do have food in and the beast from the east ain't going to last .
Put the Castor's on to the bottom of the base unit but it is raising it too high above the cooker will have to re-think getting smaller locking Castor's is not likely the ones I bought was 65mm .

FLOORED

SUNDAY  - Not sure what as upset my stomach but I woke up in pain , I went to the toilet four times in a hour not good .I had the carpet and underlay to rip up due to the fact that we are having the van floor totally laminated end to end starting Tuesday finishing Wednesday we are going to be busy .

MONDAY - Went back to work I have been given Tuesday and Wednesday off unpaid leave so I can help with my new floor going down .

TUESDAY - Andy the flooring person turned up to do the laminate floor he is a great workman with great ethics he was good at his job and got stuck in the main issue was of course working around our furniture the two cats and the  dog  .The first issue was emptying and moving  the fish tank and keeping the fish safe whilst they was out of the tank making sure the cats didn't enjoy any fresh fish . The floor went down the beading followed and in the afternoon we was able to get the tank back in its corner filled and the fish back in the tank .

WEDNESDAY - Andy got most of the flooring down the bathroom and half the toilet area is still to do he is returning Friday I had to go out and buy another four packs of flooring that will give a grand total of  thirty packs of laminate that have gone down to completely cover  the total area of the van .

The triple wardrobe I had built a few days earlier was a heavy problem we had to move  it so the new  underlay and  flooring  could go underneath , we had already had to mess around moving the cooker and fridge freezer life is never simple.
.
Helen and me are totally happy with the floor the underlay that went down will keep the van a lot warmer cleaning will be easier and it will benefit the animals fleas and mites find it a lot harder to live on laminate flooring were are nearly back to normal a radiator is getting moved tomorrow and I can get the 200mm base unit in place which will go at the end of the cooker .I have also said I will finish the beading for the floor off it was only suppose to be a two day fit so I  felt obliged to make the offer.

FARM SHOPPING

Noticed a small drip o the tap connection should have turned the main supply tap off before messing around with the nuts had a blow back head to rush outside and take the front panel off so I could shut off the main feed no major damage did have a wet floor and cupboard that houses the sink .
Connected the out let pipe that runs from the kitchen all way under the van to the main drain had to but a piece in both ends I also had to buy a 22 degree bend this renovating is harder than work but is a lot more fun and rewarding .
Went over to Helen's parents at Acaster Malbis near York we had tea  with them they seem to have settled in ok it is quite a big site and is situated a few miles from the A64 motorway it is very upmarket and cost 125k with double the ground rent costs .

SATURDAY
Mounted the bedroom tv on the doorway that I blocked up  in our one and only bedroom its high enough not to be in the way  , I also put the last pair of drawer handles on the 800mm kitchen drawer unit base .

Checked under the sink for any drips or leaks all seems well which is a godsend hopefully it is settled and no further issues will arise .

Went to the tip yet again with a boot full of rubbish which  equals a lot  less mess , then we went over to Leeds to call in and see Helen's oldest son Steve .
On the way home we called in to three  different farm shops from the first Haigh's we bought lamb chops and three pork joints chocolate fudge cake a swede and other fresh veg from  the second Thorncliffe baby carrots ,  hash browns ,  garden peas and home made  gravy and a steak pie from the third  Blacker Hall Farm black treacle bacon , pork sausages  , beef mince , chicken breast , apple pie  , potato wedges mushrooms with cream cheese and chives and single cream .

Helen wants to paint the kitchen wall duck egg blue which I have on objection to what I don't like is she wants to get the paint from Laura Ashley in my opinion is overpriced and no better than cheaper paint , need to buy some CT1 sealant not cheap but great stuff might use it to fix t the 900 mm  glass cooker back splash on to the wall after I have bought an extractor cooker hood .

SINKING FEELING

Went for breakfast to the Toby Carvery where I went yesterday this time I was with Helen after we had eaten.We went and ordered our laminate flooring which will run the entire length of the van this is being fitted Tuesday I also changed the way two doors open re hung them on their opposite sides on was the bathroom door the other was the boiler door .
Ordered a Coca Cola bottle opener of Ebay it came in today's post also a plug socket tester plug you plug it in and it as three lights that illuminate depending on the sequence it will indicate if there are any faults .
I am seriously thinking of buying a Amazon echo for use in the kitchen reckon it will be good buy.
Got a stack of ox tail cooking in the slow cooker by tomorrow should be perfect might have to get some dumplings and Yorkshire puddings .

THURSDAY
The plumber turned up to do the sink and walked away from doing it he did not want to fit the Ikea waste , Ken and myself fitted it after buying some pipe and Flexi hose for the washing machine all we need to do is the waste water pipe for the grey water  the hot and cold mixer tap is working fine we did have trouble aligning it up correctly it was moving when the nut was tightened  the washing machine is also fine it is emptying ok which would be a nightmare moving the hose , all fingers and toes crossed we won't get and leaks , I  got to admit it was not straight forward but we got there in the end .Think we need a bigger bowl this size  bowl shown here  fitted the old sink perfectly .

RIPPED OFF TWICE IN ONE DAY

Renewed my photographic driving license £1000 fine if I don't it needs renewing every ten years it cost £22.00 for the privilege another money making scheme from the government to cream money from the driving population as if we don't pay enough already what a con.

Took my car in for its first service was waiting for it to be done  had at least a  two hour wait , I went over to the Toby Carvery and had a full English breakfast . Some people was really pigging out but saying that its not fair to compare them with pigs , BECAUSE  pigs ain't that greedy one had six sausages on his plate plus all the other breakfast items including bread and toast I did have three cups of coffee I had time to kill got rid of an hour .

Assembled Helen's dressing table bought from Ikea mange to scratch it somehow had a bottle of tipped mange to cover the scratch if not totally camouflage at  least it is better than leaving it with nothing .

Should be getting the sink and washer reconnected Thursday took some washing over to our neighbours also took some to my daughters house it was my Grandsons third birthday .

Wednesday already the week is going really fast we took Pip to the vet she had a rash and is constantly scratching herself after a full ten minute consultation we was prescribed some wipes and steroid tablets at a cost of £49 another rip off

WHITE STUFF ALL GONE .

Assembled the triple wardrobe in the kitchen I was taking a gamble it would through the bedroom door otherwise I would have to dismantle the new built wardrobes dismantle the bed then re-build it in the bedroom I had measured it before starting I was lucky it went through the bedroom door and we had enough room to turn it so it went around the corner of the wall .
The Ikea bags full of clothes finally got out away , we are getting our space back things are getting put back and it is looking less like a bomb site .

Washed the car after it being so cold not had chance most of the snow is gone the sun was out and it was the warmest it as been over the last week also the car goes in for a service so I wanted it reasonably clean.

Went back to Ikea bought a one drawer dressing table to go under the window it is white to match the new wardrobes .
Had no food all day went to the fish restaurant had the works including curry sauce I was struggling to finish them .

CUT DOWN

Woke up went to Ikea the motorway into Leeds was clear of snow and we got to the store just after ten .Bought some drawer tidy's for two of the 800mm drawers .Also bought a drainer cork mats three shelves and six wooden brackets and a triple wardrobe which gets delivered tomorrow spent over £400 also took some panels back I don't need for the kitchen and got £56 credited back to my card I will get another £240 back on my card when they pick up the worktops we don't need .

Put the deco end panels on the wall units near the cooker I also put a pelmet on had to cut the bottom of the units so they was no gaps showing .

Cooked chicken with fresh noodles a orange pepper and  shiitake mushrooms added a Cantonese sauce cook time 15 minutes was really nice .

SUNDAY
Finally cut the flu down to size with the help of my good friend Ken I also lent his chop saw to cut the mitres for the pelmets . The wardrobes got delivered late in the afternoon and  I will hopefully build them tomorrow after I have been to the tip with more rubbish.

I also put three shelves up at the side of the fridge and changed the large drawer front which was delivered with the wardrobes they also took the worktops I had replaced and a end panel so we have freed up some more floor space .Need to buy some slate lathes to panel out the ceiling for the boards to cover the old panels.

FITTED UP

All the wall units and all the base units bar one are now fixed and in place all the doors are on but need levelling and aligning .Need to fix the door knobs and handles and I need to build the sink base unit and of course do the pipe and waste for the sink and washing machine the sink waste needs to move about 200mm .I also need to fix the worktops and the deco end panel on some of the units .
Had to move a plug socket I ended up putting the wires in to a 30 amp plastic junction box that is hidden behind the units in the wall hopefully they will be no issues or it means taking the wall units as Michael Jackson said off the wall .

I am still full of cold I am off work sick I am coughing in the morning like I am on 80 cigs a day. Took Helen to the doctors this morning the snow was bad was a few inches deep and the car was  iced up . it  took a while to defrost the windscreen ,stopped at the petrol station bought milk , bread , eggs , sausage , pizza , bacon and filled the car up to the max with diesel.

Thursday  - More snow fell during the night it is very cold minus 5 going out is a no driving anywhere a bigger no got the sink fitted but not installed cut the unit out for the pipes for the washing machine thought I was going to hit problems with the gas pipe for the cooked but over come the issues measured the last work top wrong cut it short by 18mm need to adjust the units in the morning hopefully I can make amends .

still need the plinths on worktops fixing and sink and washing machine plumbed in but its coming on looks totally different the end goal won't be for a few weeks but when its finished will be a big improvement  on space and design .

COLD AND COLD

I have had a heavy cold which as slowed down progress on the kitchen I have made three units and ripped out some more base units and wall units .I nearly messed up the electric wiring I disconnected a cable  I shouldn't have it was on a ring and taking it out meant no power was going to the fish tank I had to wire it back in to the original  socket .I have bought a junction box and will put all the wires in to that and do away with the plug and switch .

Helens parents are in their new home we went over to see them this afternoon it was very sunny but cold and it was a nice drive over . Alcaster Malbis is a small village close to York their new home looks good is ultra modern and a nice layout with a decent bedroom and  bathroom and ultra modern  kitchen , The living room is  big enough with a couple of bay windows  it all  looks new they should be happy there its in a great  location hopefully they will enjoy their remaining years there .

I have a week off on the 5th of March I need to crack on through the week get some wall units up and we can clear some of the kitchen stuff that is currently residing in the living room .
I can then do all the niggling little repairs and upgrades the ceiling coving changing the plug socket covers and some painting .

I need to go to the council rubbish tip and clear the garden again as the debris  is starting to build up again.

HECTIC

Its been a hectic week the van looks like we have had the worlds best rave , it looks one big mess .But we have made a lot of progress the radiators are in place the eight spot lights are fitted in to the kitchen dinner ceiling two usb 13 amp sockets are at the side of our bed the stud work is cladded the door is hanged and the architrave is on doing a few hours a day is not the best way of working

 With the kitchen coming  tomorrow time as been a issue I will be able to start assembling and fixing them in place which will start to clear the mess away need to buy a triple door wardrobe which will clear more of the stuff that is also out and in Ikea bags will be put away clearing more floor space , I am also starting with a massive head cold my nose is running and my eyes streaming not good .

We need to cut up the carpet and move the fridge freezer which will back on to the new wall preferably in the morning before the kitchen comes .

Bought some One Strike to fill in the old spot light cut outs if it does what it says on the can be wicked .

bought three whet stones of Ebay a fine med and course cost me only £6 fcuking awesome , my plane irons and chisels a new lease of life no grinding .

Helen's parents move out of their house in to their static home tomorrow which must be a big relief for them I hope they don't want their kitchen and bedroom extending .

PROGRESS MADE

Started ripping out the walls took out the old leg heating system the walls was ok the plywood paneling came of quite easy .took best part of five hours to get all the timber framing ripped out and dumped in the garden .

My good friend Ken helped me , we then went to Wicke"s in the Transit van and bought 16 lengths of timber for the stood work  and five eight by four  mdf panels to clad both of the sides .
The radiator is going back in situ this coming Monday  along with a radiator in the bathroom and the cooked being plumed in on the long wall the fridge is also moving . The electrician is coming back Thursday and the kitchen is getting delivered Friday .

Tomorrow we need to load the trailer pick up more mdf architrave and door casing I also need a wifi extender socket and usb sockets for the bedroom .

The pipe is the only evidence of a heating system for the leg gas 

least the tv is back on the wall be it temporary 

be warmer when it is cladded and the door is on 

The bedroom is now a few feet bigger 

A BUSY ME

Both the Plumber and Electrician turned up the rads are off and the electrics isolated we might need to get a new boiler which is a bit hefty price wise but the one we have we had to call the gas service engineer out to fix it very likely it will pack in sometime this year .We need it out and a new one in its place we might put it in the toilet and take the flu through the side of the van making the window we have in there useless .

Did not have much time to do anything started taking the cornice off and the mirrors and the mdf panels all the little jobs does save time .

As some of the radiators are now obsolete the van is a lot colder which is bearable I think Helen spent most of the day in bed when I had gone to work .

I need to take three walls down construct a new wall with door I need to take out a corner wardrobe and a chest of drawers I also need to take out the old heating system for the LGP gas heating system .
Plus go buy the wood take the rubbish to the tip and all the rest busy me.
Monday the radiator goes on to the wall I build plus a new rad goes into the bathroom which will make showering more enjoyable in winter months this is England its always cold .

BREAKFAST FOR 2

Valentines day went to Marks and Spencer's bought Helen some flowers then took her to Canon Hall Farm for breakfast had a full English with tea and coffee .Also bought her a Joules top that she saw and liked , coming out it started to snow which has now turned to rain .

Need to measure up and buy the wood I need for the bedroom wall that I need to construct over the weekend hopefully I can take down all the wall that need coming down and install the new wall in one day and hopefully get to the local tip and dump all the old timber and panels .

Ripped out a riding unit in the second bedroom six doors all screwed in situ took all of ten minutes took longer putting it in the car took it to the tip .Removed some bedding and clothes we have the electrician and plumber coming tomorrow at nine in the morning .

Saturday should be an interesting day I need to rip out and get some timber might even go tomorrow and get the enough wood for the stud framing and get the boards for the paneling Saturday .
I am looking at getting a second hand router of eBay and a cutter for jointing the worktops .

Helen's parents move w week this Friday the day my new kitchen gets delivered doubt we will have time to go over and visit them will have to leave it a week I guess got a week of starting the 5th of March .

COOKING WITH GAS

Woke up made a coffee the kitchen are is a mess cant do much about it seeing half the kitchen as been ripped out .

Filled the fridge and freezer compartments up with stuff from the old fridge which as been in the out building since Saturday .More space need more cider .

Connected the gas oven checked the joint was ok using washing up liquid and water mixture no bubbles , Helen cooked bacon and eggs no smell of gas everything seems fine fingers crossed .

I t is snowing again and it is coming down really heavy  atm don't have to leave for work until one in the afternoon hopefully it will have stopped by then the only issue then if it starts to snow again of course is  getting home it is  is always a worry that I will find the roads impassable ,  the weather can change a lot  in the hours I am at work .

By the time I was ready for work it was cold but fine not going to work was not and option .
Helen's son Liam called around whilst I was at work and cooked tea for his mum and me I had mine when I got in chicken and tarragon in a cream sauce brilliant an excellent meal .

DELIVERED

Woke up had a shower it was snowing we are waiting for the delivery  cleared the decking for the delivery of the range type cooker  which has a  double oven ,  five ring hob and grill plus the American style  fridge we was told  it would  be mid afternoon which ruins Sunday not giving us much time to do anything .
I ripped some more of the ceiling stud work got to be careful I don't put holes in the ceiling it is stapled from above its a pain part of it was even screwed not good .I also took some of the cornice down every little helps .

The delivery came just after two thought the fridge freezer would have been smaller than what it was it just went through the door any bigger we would have been in trouble .The cooker need the feet putting on will connect it tomorrow it is all gas both bits of kit look really good we are happy the fridge we had to leave four hours before turn it on after six hours we turned it on and set the temperature gotta say it is one of the best fridge freezer I have ever had there is four adjustable shelves and four adjustable door compartments with a water dispenser to be honest for the two of us it is over kill both on the fridge freezer and the cooker but what the heck .

Helen's son Liam came over with his girlfriend Nicola we went for dinner to the Hare and Hounds had a lamb shank Sunday dinner with extra Yorkshire pudding along with raspberry milkshake cheese cake with clotted cream and Helen had turkey and mixed  fruit crumble with ice cream .

Weekend over it work tomorrow roll on the 5th of March another week off work this evening is ice cold I had to go to the grit skip and rob some grit for my paths and decking it was that slippery .

Might have to call in at Ikea and getting a metal and wooden butchers block and some pear cider for the fridge already made some ice .

RIP OUT

Ripped out a partition wall in the kitchen  took out the extractor fan need to sort the ceiling out might have to rebound it . I also took out the fridge freezer and a couple of base and wall units it is already looking a lot bigger space in deceiving I took the ripped out panels doors to the local tip we are getting the new cooker and American style fridge freezer delivered tomorrow .

The kitchen units and work tops will follow next week we are moving radiators and electrical sockets I am also moving our bed room wall to increase the size of our bed room by a good three foot .

Went to my Daughter house for the very first time I have got to admit it is already looking like she has lived there longer than a few days she as everything that she needs her sofa looks brilliant and wa sonly £100 she as had Sky put in and has put up all the curtains and cleaned the wholee house top tp bottom and more or less she as done it all on her own.

Went to Asda bought some plastic storage baskets for the fridge and some storage containers for the new fridge .
Not eaten all day  at six o clock went to fish and chip shop for food and coffee .

Need to work out what timber and mdf sheeting I need to make one new wall and to do the ceiling I'am  limited unless I get it delivered as to what I can get in the car 1860 x 610 sheets  should be ok .

Got two 128 gb sd cards  from China for Helen's and mine Galaxy S8 ,  try doing that with a Apple I also got Gears Of war games 2&3 thank you Ebay all at great prices too.

LIGHT HEAD

Cleaned a lot of the leaves in the garden and bagged them ready for the bin collection this afternoon .
there is a light dusting of snow it is come down at the moment lie fallout from a bonfire if it stays like this it is easily managed .

Back at the garden centre bought another two large ceramic pots for the garden 50% off also bought a head band  Led torch and some batteries  not sure why made sense at the time was only  £2.99  a head torch for giving head haha
.
Did some food shopping bought some fried chicken and Nando's piri piri  mayo sauce .
My daughter is settled  in her new  house she is more or less unpacked and totally moved in we are visiting her this coming Saturday . She is living in  a two bedroom Kippax they are plenty of amenities close to hand .

Helen's parents have finally received a day for exchanging contracts the 26th of Feb a week this Friday unfortunately we are busy and won't be able to help them move be lucky if w have time to go and visit them .They are moving in to a static home a few miles from York they paid £125k for a home similar to ours which we paid quarter the price that they are forking out .

BACK TO WORK

MONDAY - It's back to work first day always sucks specially when it is doing it's damnedest to snow not a great start to the week .
My daughter moves into her new rented house I cant wait to see it with all her stuff in place it will be the first house which is solely hers she can do with it what ever she wishes up to a point.

The first house I bought had all the same five  four drawer cabinets down one wall in the bedroom everything went in the drawers and my stereo system on the top . I had a mattress on the floor and a radio alarm clock .
In the living room I had a two seater leather settee a wall unit and two black metal  trolley tables with castors my tv and video player was on one the other went in the other alcove  , and all the rooms walls and stair cases were painted white saved cutting in .

Went to Halfords  car centre depot  this morning as both of my windscreen wiper blades have ripped and are not wiping correctly . It was £16 for the smaller  blade on passenger side of the window and £20 for the drivers side of the window . They asked if I wanted them to fit them for  me at a cost of £4 of course I agreed they are Bosch blades and hopefully be a few years before they need replacing .

UP IN FLAMES

FRIDAY - Helped my daughter load her car up with her things she is dropping the little one off at nursery and she is working at the salon she left just after eight the van is quite she might be getting the keys for her new place Sunday not sure if it will be after dinner or late afternoon if it ids earlier we might help her move in .
Cleaned the fish tank we found a baby fish it is only 5mm in size and is lucky to be alive I guess all other fish that was born have been eaten , the fish is in a holding tank inside the main tank not sure what the chances are of it surviving hopefully it as made it this far fingers crossed .
Went to the Reindeer pub meet up with our neighbours Ken and Sharon we had some pub grub Helen hd scampi myself the chicken curry was ok.

SATURDAY - Chill out day did nothing major was he the car its been a few weeks it was cold but dry after I watched "Law Biding Citizen " great film went to a Tesco superstore in Batley bought a copper frying pan and thats about sums the day up .

SUNDAY - Went to Hampson's  garden centre and bought five 50 litre bags of compost also bought three bushes a lollipop bush a round bush and a spiral bush was quite expensive they had 50% off the full price .Arrived home decided to cut and burn the old Christmas tree its been stood in the front of the van since Christmas finished used firelighters and the fire basket that we have took about half an hour to get up in flames .
Cooked a Sunday dinner we had slow cooked roast pork and garlic roast potatoes with mashed carrot and swede and a giant Yorkshire pudding and gravy as good as it gets .

12 YEARS

Went back to Manchester Trafford centre picked up some more material from Laura Ashley and a cat calendar .Next we went to the Samsung store and picked the E tablets up they ok both in black .

Helen had a big thick coat on went in to a shop to get a carrier bag so she could take her coat of the nice lady at gave us one free of charge we then went for lunch Helen had fish and chips from Harry Ramsden.s I got her seated at a table left her with the bags and went off to get her lunch  after I sorted her food and drink out I went to Five Guys got the small burger spicy fries and peanut milk shake and joined her back at the table .

Also bought some copper pans from John Lewis they was reduced and there was only two boxes left .
bought two micro sd cards 128gb which will fit the tablets and phones I also ordered a black case .

TUESDAY - Bought an off the peg kitchen from Ikea sink and all not that many units there is a corner base with revolving carousel another two base units one with drawers the other doors  , wall units to match and a natural looking oak wood worktops the white porcelain sink black cast iron handles , the  hinges and all the fittings including the waste  and a black looking double tap .Ended up spending  more than I thought I be spending but it is  still a bargain .
We went this morning but could not see a planner until three in the afternoon its been a long day had meatballs in the restaurant went over to Pc World and Barker and Stonehouse to kill some time going home in the rush hour not fun .

WEDNESDAY - Received a call from my daughter her partner that she is leaving , wanted her out which is fair dues under the circumstances , She wanted  help moving her stuff over to her friends house less than a  mile away we drove over and loaded the car up with blue Ikea bags that I  bought the other that when  we went shopping they really are an ideal bag for gardening work , house moving and  storing items , as  they are strong and  I have never had one were the handles have come off or the bag split regardless of weight .
It took us the best part of five hours to move her belongings once done we headed for our home with my daughter and grandson following us in their car.
We went out to a local Italian restaurant Orlando's and we borrowed inflatable air beds of my good friend Ken  for them to sleep on .They slept on the floor in the living room .It must be nearer on twelve years plus that I Have slept under the same roof as my daughter it is nice having her stay.

THURSDAY - Went to Ikea spending most of my holiday in here took my daughter she bought some essentials for her house we bought a chopping board and a black board and tray cooked mince and dumpling mix topping with fresh veg and potatoes for tea .Helen bathed Jenson our grandson and we all watched the movie  "Goodbye Christopher Robin" Helen cried at the ending ,

COOL AND HOT

SATURDAY - Dropped a card off for my daughter's 27th birthday it was a bit awkward her partner she is leaving was also there she had picked up her new car and was driving to her mothers near York we did not stay long we went for fish and chips before going home .

SUNDAY - Bought a new American style fridge it had a couple of hundred pounds discount off the price otherwise I would have not bought it it is slate grey with silver handles it is a Kenwood and on left hand side is the freezer compartments and on the right hand side is the fridge with a water dispenser it shows  a digital display on the front which shows the digital  thermometer so you can see both temperatures at a glance .

I have an internal wall to move and two others to completely take down we are also getting some new kitchen units and maybe a cooker  if  we can get one at a decent price , hopefully it will all be done by the end of February .

I have the next week off work but cant do anything until a friend moves the radiator and some sockets and light switches for me .We are doing it as cheap as we can we only have so much cash to spend if I do most of the work should be cheaper.

We had a lovely Sunday dinner at the Hare and Hounds I had beef and beef rib Helen had turkey it was excellent with fresh veggies and parsnips only moan was no mash potatoes never mind the cider was excellent .

BREAKING UP

The wind came back last night was wild woke up and made a coffee the two water butts at the front corner blew over we leave the valve ope so they don't fill they are then lite but this is the first time ever they have gone over they are joined together by a connecting flexible pipe.

The Vr headsets are great set Helen's up for her she is too totally amazed how good the Vr sets are to say we both got them free for buying the Samsung phones and was not that bothered how wrong we was .

My coffee frother that I ordered of  Ebay has arrived from China ,  is an all aluminum design double whisk takes three AAA batteries and works a treat for £5.99 , same item from a seller in the UK was £12.99.

My daughter as a car sorted she picks it up Friday she moves on the 3rd of Feb she is excited she is breaking up after a relationship of over five years  , hopefully the excitement will continue when she is on her own doing her own thing starting again I know she is more than able .

Playing Watch Dogs on my X-box one , break up Friday nine days off .

PRINTER BARGIN

SUNDAY - More snow it started to lay and then the rain came and washed it all away which was good because we agreed to babysit my Grandson Jenson whilst she was out with the girls at the Alchemist in Leeds . Put some wood above the remaining windows for the curtains Helen is making I also fitted the second toilet seat and made the final chair we also went to Ikea yesterday changed the mirror and got new bolts for the forth chair.
We got to my daughters house just after four the roads were clear and driving ok after she got picked up to go to the restaurant in town we watched the two Tomb Raider films back to back on syfy tv channel .
I ordered us a Chinese I had my usual duck curry and Helen had hers which is sweet and sour pork Cantonese style we also had fried rice and onion rings .
My daughter was back just after half nine fifteen minutes later we was on our way home .Most of the snow had disappeared .

My daughter is still leaving her partner so far she has a fridge freezer , microwave , kettle toaster and two beds a sofa ,  lamps , and a washing machine .

MONDAY - week at work than nine days off be a nice break it seems ages ago that  I had the Thursday and Friday off the week it was Christmas.
Finally set up the Samsung Vr headset the roller coaster app made me feel sea sick a shooting game Dead and Buried is ok still exploring apps so far its ok glad it was free rather than paying cash for it .

Got a brand new HP  printer for a few quid it started off at £39.99 the store did not have the original box as it was a ex display so they agreed to knock off  10% of  the original price of  £35.99 they found the power lead and installation disc but not the ink so the manager gave us a packet of brand new ink cartridges a black valued at £12.99 and the colour  one value £16.99 , so take the cost of the ink off the price of the  printer and the total coat is £6.01 I was going to buy ink as the cartridges that come with it only contain 20% of ink so what a bargain.

FIVE GUYS HELEN AND ME

Went to the NCM museum near to where we live , for breakfast it was ok not as good as previous breakfasts we have had locally the hash browns tasted funny so did the tomatoes and the coffee was not great  .

Bought a set of five knives housed in a hard wood block for use in the kitchen it s been a while since I have owned a set of knives there is a bread , chefs , paring , carving and small paring knife for under £40 made by Sabatier .

My Daughter more or less has the house there is someone living in the house already but once she moves out my Daughter I am guessing moves in .

SATURDAY - We had a drive over to the Laura Ashley shop in the Trafford centre at Manchester Helen needed more material for the bedroom curtains it is discontinued and  it was reduced to £7 a metre , we could not get it local so we had no option .

I dragged Helen to the Five Guys burger joint ,  I have had the peanut milkshake before but never the meal  option the burgers are good but I cant say they are the best burgers ever that  I have ever had  but the fries I can say are the best in my opinion doubt you will get better fries from a fast food outlet it cost £29 for the two of us but we did go large next time will go smaller apart from the shake .

Called in to the Samsung shop ordered two black E tablets not the newest on the market and as far as I am aware they have stoped doing Android updates for this model but with expandable memory they are good enough for what we require maybe that is why they did not have any in stock which I found was weird seeing they had them in store on display , a order was placed , anyway we pick them up a week this Monday  I happen to be  on annual leave an excuse to go back to Five Guys

LEAVING

Went again for breakfast to Canon Hall for some reason the sausages where not the same they were inferior which split breakfast the coffee as good and the rest of the food was good.

Went over to a garden centre at Dobcross bought three frost proof planters for the garden from there to the farm shop bought three  pork joints and four decent size lamb chops .

SUNDAY - Ikea shopping we bought four white cross backed chairs to go around the pine kitchen table , two black slow closing toilet seats and a pine bathroom cabinet to replace the white one we currently use we also bought two bedside lamps a packet of tea lights as well as bulbs shaving mirror on the extending  arm and 13 amp adapters .

We went over to my daughters house she cut my hair , cut and coloured Helen's .We ordered a Chinese sweet and sour chicken sweet and sour pork and a mixed meat curry soft noodles fried rice onion rings and chips .

My Daughter confirmed this Sunday that she is leaving her partner she as had enough of his mood swings and him being a grump she is not happy and is looking at houses to rent for her and her two year old son her moving out of the family home is not going to be easy . they was supposed to be buying it from the council and was signing for the mortgage in the next two weeks At the moment her partner seems ok and is being very nice  and amiable  but she is not sure if his attitude will change .

MONDAY - My daughter went to view  a two bedroom house that is currently  up for rent she knows the person who owns the house and he has agreed to her renting  it ,  she should be moving in very shortly the house is in Kippax which is only a few miles away from where she lives now .

WEEKEND COMING

Helen is not 100% but is nearly back to normal we went for a full English the other day at Canon Hall  , we also had fish butties today plus I bought her two freshly made pork pies for her tea all good signs , she also seems to be back smoking her usual amount of cigarettes not good .

Was warm enough this morning for me to wash the car its been a good week there was no  ice and I had a spare half hour whilst Helen got ready to get the hose pipe out and blast the car .

Given up on the Tom raider game doing ok on Sniper Elite . I also started watching season three of the tv series "Hunting Hitler " which is aired  on the history channel , for me it conjures up a lot of unanswered questions and casts a lot of doubt that Hitler died in his bunker in Berlin or that he did die could he have survived the war and lived out his remaining years in South America .

Helen's parents have more or less completed on the sale of there house and they should be completing the sale and moving out in the next two weeks at least by the end of the month of January and be all moved in and  living in the static home near York , a mere twenty five miles or so from us

woke up to day thinking it was Saturday crap when that happens trying to talk Helen in to going to the movies  to see Insidious 4 .
Today is quite sunny and warm if it is fine this weekend  we need to burn the Christmas tree .

BETTER

Helen is a lot better she is eating again and is out of bed , I was lucky I did not get unwell I was thinking she would get well and I would get the bug but I am fine .I did have to go get her more Sudafed tablets but she is up and about and eating better .

We finally got the Vr headsets from Samsung it was a offer that was when we got the phone contracts in October . I have not had chance to set it one up and use it not sure why , but I am not that much bothered but I will get round to it  eventually I guess  .

Ordered a half decent hand held milk  frother blender it as the option of  a double  and single whisk another item  bought of Ebay .
Using coffee pods for me  is an expensive way of drinking coffee mainly because of the amount of coffee that  I drink each day I am a serious coffee addict  . I paid for it via PayPal it was only then that I realised the delivery location was in Japan oh well will get sometime in the next six to eight weeks .

Have been speaking to my son he was telling me that he  is currently working on a chicken farm , thats 40,000 clucking chickens would do my head in a few would be bad enough I guess you would be hearing it in your sleep , they are egg layers not for the pot and once they reach a certain age which is only a year old they are then sold on . It seems good pay and prospects and hopefully it all pans out the way he is describing it.

HEAD BANGING

FRIDAY  - Got a black rubber bumper case for my S8 I am getting used to the phone don't know why but I am not into the phone as I was my iPhone 7 ,same with Helen she is putting up with it rather than enjoying it .
As well as this I also got my Mx Q pRO 4K Tv box delivered today I can run using Ethernet cable from my router instead of wireless net working .

Helen is still not well , I did some shopping more orange Lucozade I also bought her a bottle of port and some lemons it is as good as any medicine will clear her head so I have been told on good authority .
Changed the bedding fresh pillow cases we have six pillows change  bottom sheet and duvet cover its all in the wash well the dryer now .

Bought some more coffee pods and a meat ball pizza for tea I have my own chili oil and I bought some chili oven chips maybe why I don't suffer colds and flu's like Helen.

Mac book was playing up would not install the update it was stuck at 48% going nowhere and wouldn't reboot I had to use recovery mode and down load High end Sierra os again and reinstall lucky it sorted it out.

SUNDAY - Back shopping bought more balm tissues and a nasal spray  plus Vic stick for Helen's sinus issues , as  her head was proper banging this morning when she woke up last night she seemed to be fine this morning one step backwards .
Cooked a Sunday dinner chicken sweet pots swede and carrot Yorkshire puddings and roasted pots and parsnips. The only one good thing about Helen being ill ,is that  she is not smoking .

Watching - "There Billboards Outside Ebbing Missouri"  a great film

Reading I Tim Peake's "Ask An Astronaut".  

BACK TO THE DOCS

Helen is still very sick we went to the doctors yesterday and there is nothing they can prescribe medication wise to help her her breathing is fine her oxygen levels her pulse and heart rate and her chest is all good they did blood samples and the results will be back in 48 hours .It is a waiting game all she can do is take plenty of fluids and paracetamol tablets and try and keep her strength up , the most worst start of 2018 any one could have.

We are supposed to be going out Saturday to the zoo with my daughter it looks  very much like we will have to cancel also Helen was going to have her hair done if we cancel that it won't be a good sign .

Started playing Sniper Elite yesterday so far it seems a pretty good game the open world and graphics good I was on the X-box till two in the morning not good .

Helen received a phone call from the doctors she needs to go back tonight at quarter to five her blood iron is way too low I am not going into work until I have took her to the doctors found out her treatment and get her back home .
It will be six or half six before I get in to work I have rang them to explain the situation .Helen was given some iron medicine and also an appointment is being made for a camera down her throat to examine her stomach she also had a rectal examination which proved all clear .

Got to work just before half six at least it was a quick shift and ten o clock came really fast.

POORLY SICK

Helen is not any better we both had a shit nights sleep . I got up and went to the local chemist and  bought her some more cough medicine then I went on  to the supermarket and bought her bananas , and red grapes ,  a large bottle of Lucozade which I will drink if she does not want it and three tins id  rice pudding as well as a six bag of Wotsits and Walker's various crisps which she will snack on .I made her a ham and cheese toasties before I went to work . I know me working two till ten does not help as it is a late finish and getting home just after half past is not good by the time I have feed the cats feed myself had a coffee and chilled out a bit , it is bed time .
Tonight I am cooking fried chicken pieces and sweet potato fries smoothed in piri piri mayonnaise from Nandos washed down with a bottle of pear cider obviously any New Years resolutions did not include dieting.

Struggling on the Tomb Raider keep getting Lara killed have to swim up through various holes in the floor and take out the guards in a red smoke bomb haze first one easy just pull him in to the water the other I manage to kill three then I die that was way my best effort but I have not matched it again and its annoying the hell out of me.

DAY ONE

Happy 2018 Helen is sick and I am back at work a great start to this  new year bring back 2017 .
New Years resolutions this year should just be for me and what I want to do and complete the year how I want to do it , will I do it my way who knows if any early indication is right maybe not .
But it is early days yet we are only on day one . All I know is I cant pre write it who can will it be fun trying I hope so will I fail miserably who knows . Hopefully they will be more highlights then last year .
Two things stuck in my memory from 2017 was getting a total left hip replacement and it all going well and getting a holiday booked for this year in September paid by my brother in law Alan  another major highlight that's springs to mind is getting rid off the bag of shite that was the Fiat 500 and getting a Skoda Fabia with only 8k on the clock .

 I have annual leave booked for the 29th of January and the 5th of March two weeks no work then its another seven weeks allocation in March along with my final increment and wage rise hopefully a rise bigger than 1%.