FITTED UP

Friday - Helen went to Pinderfields' hospital she had an appointment  to have a camera down her throat , she was given an aesthetic injection and manage to complete the process .
On the way back we went a different route found a B&M bought more grey bedding and some cereal bowls , as well as scrub buddies and other bits and pieces including two ice trays that make ice cubes that will fit through the neck of my stainless steel drinks bottle .

SATURDAY -  I Went to the chiropodist like walking on air again money well spent .Have lost my Akg headphones for my Samsung s8 annoying to say the least and I lost a brand new polo Gel pen as well .
Finished the rest of the blinds mange to cut three down to fit the bay for the price there where mega cheaper I think the biggest one they sell is still only twenty quid they are very good they fix and cut down easily and are now all up and fitted .

IF IT WASN'T FOR BLINDS

WEDNESDAY - Helen bought blinds for each of the windows in  the van didn't start to fit them until this after none had to go back out and buy some white pre painted mdf architrave to bring the blinds forward off the wall so they clear the window we have two in grey and the rest in white the bay window I will leave to last .

THURSDAY - Fitted more blinds prefer the grey coloured ones rusher than the white one of the blinds needed reducing in width had to cut ever blind slat with the blind trimmer very tedious over one hundred cuts but got there in the end .Anyway you know what they say if it wasn't for blinds it be curtains for us all .

Valentines day we went out for fish and chips late in the afternoon we was supposed to go out for breakfast but was way too busy doing the blinds we have also bought one for the glass door which is just the right width .

Helen's rocking horse is all stained waxed and polished ready for valentines day which is why I bought it for her it looks a lot better the bare wood  .

ROCKING THE HORSE

Helen has had a coil fitted to regulate her periods and make them less heavy she looses a lot of blood every month and suffers terrible pains and aches hopefully this Merena coil could even stop her periods altogether , might even stop her mood swings hehe.

Bought two Yankee candle wax burners one in black the other in white it was only when Helen took one to the checkout and was charge half price did we find they had been reduced , the quickest U-turn ever to the shelf with the other  burners  on , which was near to the check out and in easy reach o pick up another one a case of buy one get one free .

SATURDAY - Went over to Dobcross garden centre bought a clock for the kitchen wall its black with a white face .They was selling off a wooden rocking horse it was knocked down to £199 I bought it for an early valentine present for Helen she has wanted one for years so I bought it for her .

On the way back we called in at Compo's fish restaurant at Holmfirth we had not eaten all day and it has been a while since we have eaten here as always the food was excellent .

ROCKING THE FISH TANK

SUNDAY - Went to the aquarium shop in our local garden centre bought three bags of black gravel some new stones and some wood a plastic jelly fish and flora which under the blue light is day glow  all in all just under £100 , we changed the water cleaned out the pump and washed all the pads and filters took over two hours a full 100% water changed , a pain in the arse to do but worth it for the benefit of the fish .

Helen's Law of attraction planner / journal she got off  Amazon arrived it was left  on the porch when we got back from shopping this planner is around £30.00 and apparently if you use the correct pen you can put it in the microwave  for around 20 seconds and it erases all the content if you write with a pilot frixion pen .

Cooked a pork joint with the fat on with mashed carrot and swede roast potatoes and Yorkshire puddings , Helen had a reading at six so we had a late dinner .Got to admit when pork is cooked right it is a great taste and texture specially the crackling.
I went in the bedroom with my laptop headphones and a very large brandy , coke and ice watching YouTube .

MONDAY - Back to work hard to get back in the swing of things caught up with my emails and tried to cover the next three weeks rotas as there is a load of the workforce of on annual leave have left or are on long term sick not a easy task.

TUESDAY - Went back to the aquarium suppliers bought a hand made concrete triangular rock  with holes which sits at the back of the tank it did cost £40 but it sets off the tank , and it is beneficial for the fish we also bought a new Fluval digital thermometer  ,  looks dynamic think we will get more fish at the end of the month .

After the water change the it was looking cloudy shit always blows out once the tank is primed 48 hours the water is crystal clear no debris no discolouring the tank water  looks like you could bottle it and sell it as spring water .

LIFE MEMORIES

SATURDAY - Got up went over to Meadow Hall at Sheffield it was very quiet the roads clear parking easy . I had a gift card for Fat Face and Helen had one for White Stuff we both  ended up buying under wear ,
Helen also bought a padded hooded winter coat from Next and a baby blue and pink sweat hoodie top also from Fat Face.
We wandered over to the Apple store I got to admit the new  IPhone looks a lot more nicer than the Samsung S8 that we both currently have contracts end in August the displays look a lot more clearer and brighter all and all looks a nicer phone I think we have both decided after a few weeks of using the S8's that we will definitely do a switch back to the  IPhone we both regret the switch and both miss Apple.

Washed the car salt from the gritted roads makes the car look like something out of Mad Max it was warm enough to give it a wash its back to its lustrous metallic red , the inside needs a vac which I left .

EVENING - We went to the Corn Mill Hotel at Leeds we was invited to a celebration of life  , an event  for our good friend Graham who sadly passed away due to complications brought on by cancer  before Christmas .There was a good turn out  of people , and food was laid on continuing of various pizza's , fish and chicken goujons , sausage rolls chicken skewers and jacket potatoes  topped with cheese all very nice and appreciated .They had four easels with photos of  different stages of his life ,were all going to end up on a easel board in a room for people to few , in a nut shell all life is all about making memories ,

THE REAL THING

THURSDAY - The car this morning  was well iced up but nothing like they are getting in the U.S.A and it was  also foggy we was driving to Ikea in Leeds  , we was going to meet up with my daughter and her friend Jade whom she is opening the hair salon with in a couple of months time .

We bought some glass coffee cups and some glass beakers , as well as a rug and a door mat with three hearts on it  we also bought new dog blankets in grey and 100 night lights , and a really good fake orchid in white for only £10 .00  they was selling real ones for half that price.
I bought a bag of Ikea meat balls the same as they sell in the restaurant  , some mash potatoes gravy mix and a jar of loganberry all set for tea , I also bought two cans of Ikea pear cider which was the very first pear cider I ever tasted .And of course we all had hot dogs and milk shakes after leaving the check outs ,

When we got home the Amazon echo dot  Helen bought online was on the decking Helen had bought it for my daughters birthday it was suppose to be delivered earlier in the week but better late then not being delivered at all , After a quick call to my daughter to confirm she would be in we drove over to her house and got it set up she cooked us both tea  ,bless her  I think she was genuinely happy with her new friend Alexa .She also let me use her family membership for Spotify which is nice .

FEBRUARY  FRIDAY - A dusting of snow yet again but to be honest it is not that bad went to the supermarket bought some essentials lamb steaks and rump and sirloin steaks as well as  chicken Kiev's and chicken  breast in breadcrumbs , I also bought asparagus sprouts and broccoli as well as frozen mash and some crinkle cut chips  , a block of cheese chicken tikka spread and three cheese spread , a packet of both red and green chillies I also bought a med jar of coffee and a large packet of t-bags and a six pint bottle of semi skimmed  milk  and a  med size bottle of Coca Cola the real thing  to go with the whiskey and brandy that I still have left over from Christmas .

from the farm shop I bought 2 doz eggs half a dozen fish cakes 2 trays of minced  beef and a tray containing  two large chicken breasts and two pain au chocolate that I need to bake in the oven for about  15 minutes.
Well my week off from work is nearly over it has gone not too bad not really fast and not too slow  which I was off till summer driving in winter too risky .

A PHEASANT PIE

MONDAY - Went over to my daughters neck of the woods meet her at the salon hopefully she is getting the lease on it does need some work doing but the infrastructure is all there .Yes it needs decorating and new doors and skirting boards and some panelling doing but its nothing major the biggest expense maybe the air con unit they want,

After wards we went for breakfast to the Midland Hotel which is also a pub for a cooked breakfast it was ok . Early evening Helen went for her nails re doing at a nail bar in Wakefield she has not been there before , whilst I had a wonder around the city centre just browsing the shops and used phones outlets , was tempted to go to Starbucks for a white chocolate mocha .
After her nails we went to Asda and bought some salted caramel ice cream lollies they are like Magnums but much cheaper and as nice , I bought some chicken breasts and wraps  which I will cook for tea.

TUESDAY - Helen had two readings at eleven in the morning , after we had to go out to buy cat and dog food as we was running low .
In the evening we went to the Kaye Arms for tea  for starters we both had shredded beef with onion gravy poured into a freshly made Yorkshire pudding for main  I had chicken and pheasant pie with hand cut chips  which had a pie crust top and Helen had the beer battered  fish both meals was excellent as always , for a local pub the food is always of a high standard .We was back home for quarter past seven , during the night it snowed the first of the year,

HAPPY & SAD

FRIDAY - Bought Helen a triple dressing table mirror only to unbox it at home to find one of the beveled edge pieces and splinted , lost the receipt seeing as we are only exchanging it should not be an issue .
I also bought the biggest sized candle holder to go with the other two sizes we have it is the first time ever they had them in we had been told that it had been discontinued .

Had another three piece dinner from Marston's chicken shack as always excellent with spicy mayo and chunky chips .

Ebay orders three pilot gel pens , 1 X 100 pack of plastic cd wallets , carbon fibre RFID wallet credit card holder and many clip  and one charcoal echo dot which Helen is buying for my daughters birthday the delivery is going to be after her birthday which is Sunday hopefully we will have it Monday or Tuesday .

SATURDAY - Took the mirror back  to Huddersfield we got it exchanged even without the receipt.
Then we drove over to the Trinity at Wakefield went to the Pandora charm shop and  bought  a Pandora safety chain for my daughter's charm bracelet her birthday is tomorrow she will be twenty seven years it will be her first birthday without her mother but I think she has pre written birthday cards for her as well as a happy day I know she will be sad too  .

Helen had five readings to do tonight  .Bought some brown sugar and some  Dolce Gusto cappuccino pods for my coffee machine then I sat in the car for three hours  and watched  Luther .

DECORATING

This Friday is the first pay day since Christmas which is about time .Its a good job I got my overwrought facility in place and credit card as well as Helen doing readings and of course the best money saver she has stopped smoking no cigarettes for a month a saving of over £250.

Will go to the farm shop and stock up on chicken breast I am also looking forward to getting a mixed fish curry again .

We are also getting some wallpaper and paint and we are going to decorate the van through out and decorate the bathroom and toilet and our bedroom which has never altered since the day we moved in which is a bit of a no no really.

break up Friday a whole nine days annual leave so no  work , no doubt we will be going to Ikea and the Range .

HAND CRAfTED GIN

SATURDAY - Four hours sleep had to be up to go over to my daughters salon where she works doing clients hair .
we had to be there for 9.00 am Helen was getting her colour done again and cutting and I was getting my normal cut .By this coming May she will have her own salon with her partner Jade .
They has a Bose mini sound bar speaker highly impressive not cheap but great sound quality .

Went home we stopped of at the Farm shop and bought some mince and onions carrots and potatoes we made a mince pie with  suet pie crust on top we did a bowl of gravy to take , and we also mad a mincemeat pie for desert with ice cream both called mincemeat weird I know. The original pies did have minced meat in them going back to the thirteen century as well as fruit , nutmeg and  cinnamon  , they don't know contain the meat ingredient  but still contain suet that is made from animal fat.

This was the meal we was taking over to my daughters house for a late tea or supper at seven o clock Saturday evening .

SUNDAY - Went over to Acaster Malbis near York it is Helen's mother birthday we bought her a bottle of Whitley Neils hand crafted rhubarb and ginger gin £26 a bottle it was way cheaper at Christmas  .We had to go to two supermarkets to get a bottle Sunday shopping always seems to be the worse day of the week to go buying the  car parks and exit routes out very busy as well as the tills  which delayed us getting over to her Mothers house .

LONG MONTH

For the last week or so we have been having porridge for breakfast just bought some maple syrup and pecan which was really nice not sure its any good for those with nut allergy but I liked it . Also bought the plain variety that's just straight normal porridge and a treacle box should be enough for 15 breakfast having one each , we make it with semi skimmed milk .

Have a weeks annual leave coming at the end of the month hopefully the weather is half decent .
Might go to Leeds it has been a while since we visited the city be nice to go for a decent lunch maybe a steak house or a Chinese buffet we have a couple of gift cards to spend both the outlets we need are in Leeds as well .

My daughter picks her mothers ashes up either Thursday or Friday I think it will be a comfort to her knowing she has her mum with her again people might say they are just sat but it is a mother regardless .

THURSDAY
Helen had three readings starting at eleven am so I went out
Went to Marston's chicken shack had chicken and chips with spicy mayo dip and  as always could have eaten it again the chicken skin is delicious the meat moist just perfect they must take a load of cash each day they literally queue out of the door all day 3 piece and chips with dip £5.50 great value .

FRIDAY -
Thank God it is Friday , work next week than a whole nine days off  annual leave another plus it is pay day its been a long month because we got paid a week early its been hard to make it last , its been a very log month too many days not enough pay.

NOWT GREAT

It  is amazing how we  all take things for granted like  the birds and the bees , flowers and the  trees , sunset and sunrise yet we walk around not really noticing them .
We really should look around more and notice all  nature  as to offer myself included to see the sun rise and sunset the beaches and oceans lakes and lagoons and wood land and forests

you all should have the bear necessities to eat nice food or at least eat three meals a day and to have a warm house and a job ,

We should all top moaning  fuck Brexit ignore the politicians that liar and cheat feed us bull shit stop the killing of wild  animals and totally stop destroying the planet and stop fighting all wars .

We need top spending money on arms and weapons of massive destruction and spend the money sorting  out the millions of people that are starving each day  , and build houses to home people that have no where to live who have  no where to sleep or even prepare meals .

The planet has been brought to its knees in the last 100 years and for it  to survive another 1000 years which is highly unlikely , we all need to change our ways or  the earth will be one mass grave.

FRIDAY.
My daughter got the flowers we had sent using the online flower delivery service Bloom and Wild first time I have used them got to say there were excellent flowers with next day delivery so easy and great flowers the are boxed up and the box goes through standard size letter boxes  .

Went to the Range store it sells home home decor like  mirrors and vases etc we bought some mirrored photo frames and a small stainless steel clock for the bedroom .
Helen saw a nice tribute fold dressing table mirror which looked really good I said I would get it for he come next payday .
Went back to work I never mind Fridays as it nice knowing its almost  the weekend and in a few hours I will be driving home .

SATURDAY - Helen had a reading in the afternoon had a lazy day chilled out .

SUNDAY - Went to the Trinity centre at Wakefield did a bit of food shopping went home and cooked the last of the turkey joints we got for Christmas , had an early night catching up on sleep had twelve hours which is massive amount for me .

PRESSING MEALS

Bought a Panini  press was only cheap £15 reduced from £20 and it works fine , Already had chicken breast bought some red and green chili's shiitake  mushrooms which are the best mushrooms to buy  and a jar of ready mixed Patak's curry paste  I will be making wraps tonight .

Spent Wednesday night in A&E Emergency department with Helen ,  I had to leave work half through my shift it was just before 05.00 am when we got back home she was given a letter to take to her doctors hopefully to make an appointment with a neurologist expert to sort out a cure for her neuralgia , hopefully the following treatment will be successful .

THURSDAY - My daughter and sons mother funeral took place to day in York I was eventually invited but had an appointment to take Helen to the doctors at the very same time , it was nice to be asked .I have seen some photos already she had a beautiful wicker coffin with lovely flowers decorating it I know she would have loved it .

My daughter wore her dress and coat which was a nice gesture hopefully it will be a very ,very  long time before they are both  reunited in heaven .

I sent my daughter some flowers I have to admit it was Helen's idea they should be delivered today .

Our friend Graham had his cremation today it was family only we are having a celebration of his life on the 2nd of Feb .

My Brother in law Alan his fathers funeral was yesterday in Brighton may he also rest in peace although I never got to meet the man still sad news .

p.s the wraps were spot on I mad two and have enough chicken to make two more with yogurt and mint sauce excellent .

WEEK TWO 2019

Helen is really sticking with the e-cig we have had to not buy a single packet of cigarettes in twelve  days this is a great achievement and what a great start to the new year if she can do a fortnight which she will  she can do a month fingers crossed saving over £240.

Work is the normal pain they want me to do more cleaning audits at night even if it is doing areas already done . I think they must think I sit in the office all night drinking coffee if only they knew .

Made another quiche using fresh eggs tomatoes and bacon getting quite good so far everyone as come out tasting really great and of course eating it when its still warm is the best .Another thin I cooked was a nan bread pizza using tinned tomatoes and cheese and ham always tastes better than shopped bought ones will do another one using tuna.

I got my tax from the tax man it clears on Friday just in time for the weekend which is great timing .

Not sure why I have been getting a pain in my left heel when I walk it is bad when I have rested and get out of bed in the morning not sure why have not injured it in any way . My walking is not good as every step is uncomfortable  might have to book in at the doctors .

My ex -wife's funeral and cremation tomorrow at 15.00 I know when I was at my mothers service one of  the thoughts I had  was this is the last time we are all going to be in the same room has her , a very sad thought . Hope my daughter is brave she is one of the pallbearers the final thing she can do for her mother ,




Listening to  - Mumford and Sons new album "Delta" and Anne Marie 'Speak You Mind".

Watching - Luther the  new season five.

TWO IN ONE DAY

First weekend of the new year this week as already flown bye after Sunday only 51 weeks of the year left can't believe it will be valentine's day before we know it then Easter .

Took Helen over to Bramley Saturday afternoon she had three readings to do for three young lady hairstylists which was at 3 0 clock .I waited in the car watched a film I had downloaded of Amazon which took the time to after five o clock  , it was dark and cold .
I went in for a coffee it is a hair salon but as well as cutting hair they also drink and make coffees .

After wards  we Called in on a friend who's partner had died  , yet another death from cancer he died from pneumonia once his immune system was knocked out he caught a viral strain of flu which is what really killed him , he died  on the 21st of December and  his cremation is on the same day as my ex wife which is next Thursday.
He use to keep small Owls in an aviary in his garden he also made a decent curry and loved going out with his metal detector , he will be missed .

I did not know you don't have to be buried or cremated in a coffin you can be cremated or buried  in a shroud or just your clothes or even a card board coffin and if this is someones wish then why deny them.
I don't think I have had two people that I know who have been cremated  on the same day it has never happened yet  they must be thousands who die any given day.

RETHINK

Well things are picking up hopefully Helen as three readings booked for Saturday over in Leeds I will have to amuse myself for a few hours whilst I wait for her to finish .

I think I under estimated the tax rebate I am getting from HRMC I might be more in the region of £300 I do hope so fingers crossed be a good start to the new year it is my daughters birthday at the end of the month would be nice to go out for another Indian meal to a restaurant were we live.

I am also thinking about changing my bank account to one that gives me an option of an over-draught  facility should I ever need it  (like today ) in this day and age I think I am the only person at work who does not have an over draught facility  or credit card .I am aware of debt and the pitfalls with the both of these but I am also aware of we need to eat and I the fact that I also need petrol for getting to and from work .

I think one of my New Years resolutions is to always have access to money without getting in to  spiralling debt .  If I did get a credit card it would not be used to fund luxury items like a new iPhone or paying for a holiday it be used only when money is tight and for only essential items although some of you out there would class a new iPhone and holiday as an essential item .And they would both be zeroed out when I got paid.

Middle of the week hopefully tonight will be more motivated its been hard the last couple of nights returning to work mundane does not cut it , fucking boring does I feel I am working to pay the bills to pay my taxes to buy food so I can go to work to continue on the same path .I need to rethink my life live differently make changes alter my outlook , see the good and the positive things that happens .

HAPPY 2019

HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE HOPE 2019 ROCKS FOR ALL .

Well the decorations and Christmas tree are packed away for Christmas this year they will remain in their box until late November early December hopefully we are around to unpack them and see them once more . there will be some out there that won't set their  eyes on them again which is sad , some of us have had our last Christmas that's why it is important to always make it count .

Washed and waxed the car it as not had a proper clean for ages I think it was the dirtiest it has ever been back to looking new again .

Was he all of the vans windows should be good now for a couple of months .

watching season two of "Stranger Things" , I also watched the Netflix film " Bird box " which was ok stuck with it until the end did get a little boring .

Had a turkey roast dinner Helen did her roast potatoes again which was a hit on Boxing Day meal .

There was a few close friends and relatives  that did not make it to 2019 Helen's uncle Ken passed away  a friend graham who gave us the marine rocks for our fish tank , My Brother in law Alan , his father sadly passed away in December and of course my ex wife who passed the day after Boxing Day may you all rest in everlasting peace .

NEW YEAR LOOMS

Totally skint but not really bothered we will manage we always do money helps make life easier is is not the answer to everything saying that I wouldn't say no to a £250 scratch card win , not that I really do scratch cards won a lucky dip on the lottery and £2.60 in cash hopefully the lucky dip will be lucky they never seem to be , I don't think I have ever won on a free lucky dip .

My daughter took us out for a Indian at Kippax we went a few weeks ago the food was just as good this time round , I took four bottles of cider because as it is not licensed for the sale of alcoholic drinks which keeps the price down. I had onion bhaji and a chicken tikka masala with boiled rice and for once manage not to get it down my shirt always a good sign.

SUNDAY
My ex wife's body is now residing at the chapel of rest with the funeral directors who she is entrusted to . She will be cremated on the 10th of January 2019 , may she now and forever rest in peace and hopefully live on in spirit to watch over her children specially her daughter  who as been her pillar and rock over these last few months and weeks especially .

Helen's son was supposed to call round with his mothers gifts for her birthday and Christmas did not happen another no show , needless to say she was upset . So from three grown up sons all working s for Christmas and birthday combined  one fucking present some bath and hand towels from Primark which are not the ones she had asked for so are a totally useless gift more like a slap in the face they will get passed to friends if we are not too embarrassed , binned  or I can use them to dry the car off when I have washed it .

MONDAY .
Bt engineer called this morning just after eight the line running to our box had broken it is now fixed and we are back online running 39 mbps but that will drop.

Need to wash the car it is looking like something out of Mad Max better get the towels ready. I go back to work doing 18.00 - 02.00 for the foreseeable future hopefully after nearly a week off hopefully the first shift back won't drag .

SLOW AGAIN

Happy birthday Helen all the best to my fiancee big hugs and kisses I really  hope you that you have a great and fantastic day I know you will .

My daughter bought Helen  a pair of Cloud Nine hair straighteners , she was overwhelmed she had been wanting pair for ages and had no idea she would be getting a pair  for her birthday she had tears of joy running down her face it was very moving , she looks on my daughter has the daughter she never had which is how it should be.

Surprise surprise broadband playing up again engineer is coming out on Monday New Years eve , if they think it is something we have done  or contributed to its a £85 charge on our next bill , funny how when it was first installed we was getting over 30 mps now a sad 2.85 mps not really fibre connection that we are and have been  paying for is it Bt.

The words below written by my daughter for her mother after she had passed over ,  this was posted on facebook to let her friends hear the sad news of her mothers death
she received 241 likes and 168 comments .

A million times I've needed you , a million times I've cried
if love could have saved you , you never would have died
In life I loved you dearly, in death I love you still
 in my heart you hold a place, no one else can ever fill
it woke my heart to lose you , but you did not go alone
part of us went with you the day he took you home .
27.12.18 the day my mummy turned into an angel  🙏
mum was very peaceful and didn't suffer ,  me and Graham held her hand
I hope your are at peace now mummy I'm so proud of you . I love you so much 💕 forever and ever

NEWS SO SAD

Christmas Day
Finished work Christmas morning at  two a.m yippee  , the turkey went in the oven on a low light as I was setting off from work Helen wanted to wake up to the smell of turkey cooking away .
The sprouts and veg roast sweet potatoes and parsnips we did an hour before we was eating the sprouts where hard not sure why they was boiling away long enough the dinner was fine and filling .
My Daughter bought me two lovely Ben Sherman t-shirts and a bottle of Armani diamonds black carat which smells excellent and a grow your own bonsai tree thank you .

My Ex wife made her Christmas Day dinner with my daughter it was touch and go she made it to the restaurant even if she did not eat loads she had her last ever Christmas dinner , so sad and touching the nurses reckon she will go down pretty fast in the next couple of days ,is  not what anyone wanted to hear.

Hope everyone had a great Christmas time and had good food and drink and hopefully some nice thoughtful gifts , may you all have a brilliant 2019 .

Boxing Day -
Helen's parents came for dinner the pork was cooked perfect the roast potatoes excellent we cut some fresh rosemary from the garden to garnish them whilst they cooked in goose fat .
Helen opened the rhubarb and ginger gin I opened the Jim Beam bourbon .


Wednesday
Went to Trinity and bought Helen a Arc Mini E-cig and some blueberry liquid at 1.0 she thought she was not going to get one she wants to quit on her birthday tomorrow the 28th it is the exact same tank that my daughter uses , hopefully this will help her quit smoking I do hope so .
Hopefully its the best present she will have ever received and will improve her life quality and will give her added years which will be the best gift ever , and it just might save me money as well fingers crossed

Sad sad news my ex wife Angela passed away just before midday today the 27th of December my daughter rang to tell she went peacefully and hopefully pain free at St,Lenards hospice in York  and is now at rest .  Hopefully she is passed over to a better place and is looking after and watching over our daughter which is a Nice thought to have .

TURKEY

DAY BEFORE Christmas Eve - Sunday appoint at the chiropodist done I always walk better after a visit here it is money well spent I now go around ever eight weeks this will be my third visit .

Went to the farm shop bout two turkey joints they are not crowns bit rolled bread its all meat no bones I also got a joint of pork for boxing days meal , and a Stan pie which is a big pork pie along with swede , sprouts , carrots , sausages and milk .

After getting home Helen wanted  go to Asda she also wanted a turkey with legs not sure why we never in twelve years had a full turkey but manage to get a 14lb which is small turkey  the others are in the freezer for new year the food is all bought the presents all wrapped and under the tree we need nothing else , not sure I could afford anything else , I dare not look at my bank account no of the bills and standing orders have been taken out yet ,hopefully I will have a few hundred quid left and the cheque from the tax man arriving in the next several days .

The image below is a painting allegedly a Banksy , and a reminder Christmas is not just about presents its about being with family and being happy for what you have .

STREET LIGHTS

Finished work last night at two went to Asda bought some Jim Beam bourbon thought I would have a change from J.D . Also bought eight bottles of Koppaberg and 10 cans of cloudy apple bottle a bottle of Baileys for Helen ,Christmas cake and a stollen still no Christmas puddings .

Went to the Range shopping outlet and bought some silver chargers for the plates only £1.99 each also got a small carriage lantern and some other silver decorations for the top of the fire place .

Went to visit Helen's son's Kris and ste , Ste is living in a new house with a different partner so much better than the crack head he use to live with , and  the house is more of a home with a garden hopefully he will live there permanently and settle down he also as a new job , doing house removals which is good pay .

Went to my daughters house last , stopped off and bought a fresh pizza to cook for our tea we exchanged gifts and went to see the house lights in Rothwell , which was very good to say we are not in the U.S.A they did the street proud apparently the lights were better and more houses added lights to their homes .

NIGHT SHOPPING

Finished work at 02.00 a.m my pay cheque had gone into my bank thought it be good idea to go to Asda supermarket and get some shopping in for the festive period bought Helen a bottle of rhubarb and ginger gin  by Whitley Neill inspired by the exotic flavours of Africa so it says . It was half past four before I got to bed .

At half past nine we was on our way to the Trinity centre Wakefield the cars queue to enter the car park was long we finally got through the barriers and found a space .
I had to go to Pandora for a charm for my daughters Christmas present , I also  bought some perfume and two bottles of aftershave from Next for family members and for I bought Helen a pair of brown knee length boots and two pairs of jeans .

We also Called in at Sainsbury bought some after dinner mints and some new grey oven gloves , pillows and an grey striped apron and a set of three tea towels also in greys .

On the way back home we stopped at our favourite fish restaurant for dinner got home another three hours and I will be setting off to work .Going to watch a couple of episodes of Stranger Things .

Tonight  after I finish my shift at work I will be back at Asda getting cider and whiskey and other bits and pieces we still require .

IT'S LOOMING

well Christmas is really looming are we ready are we fcuk , another year we are lagging in our preparations we get caught out very year and every year we say next year will be different well it ain't.
we need food all we have bought is cranberry sauce because with rushing around the supermarket its usually forgotten about .
We need the turkey crown we need the veg including sweet potatoes  and sprouts , we also need the pigs in blankets , stuffing maybe a joint of gammon and a beef or pork joint for Boxing Day .

I get my wages paid into the bank Friday morning when I finish at two in the morning I might go straight to the supermarket and get some of the things we need than just go to the farm shop for the meat and turkey .
I also need to go to Pandora to get my daughter some charms for the bracelet her mother is buying her .

Helen sold her antique clock for £60 she is going more modern she also did a couple of readings plus  she also gets her wage paid  from the phone lines .I am waiting for a cheque from the tax office so we should just about scrape through money wise this year ,But  I am getting paid nearly a week early which means next payday is further away fingers crossed.

I don't know if I should get another bottle of spirits I usually get a whiskey and a bourbon I received a bottle of captain Morgan gold from staff at work I do like plenty of liquor coffees at Christmas so decisions decisions . Roll on the new year .

Sad news my brother in law Alan who we went to Ibiza with  his father passed away  on Tuesday one  week before Christmas , he had to go down to Brighton he made it to the hospital and spent the day with him before he passed .

WISHES

Watching the series Cobra Kai its the follow up , to the film the Karate kid watched the first two episodes its quite good.
Have also started watching "Stranger Things " got Helen hooked she watched the whole of season one in one night .
My ex wife is going to come out of hospital and into a hospice this coming Monday  my brother in law's father is also going into a hospice this Saturday he lives down in Brighton ,  hopefully both will get to see Christmas .

Baked a jam pastie and an extra large Christmas mince pastie both of them  turned out excellent the jam pastie reminded me of the jam tarts my mother used to bake back in the day .

Went over to a wooden lodge near Church Fenton Helen had sold some Laura Ashley  bedding online  and we was dropping  it off , we was going to visit Helen's parents so a little detour but it was more or less on our way .
We had our dinner shepherds pie and apple crumble and custard to follow was very nice could have eaten  it again .

Had a very nice surprise the tax man is sending me a cheque out for £130 wished it was for a lot more but it was totally unexpected and being Christmas extra cash is always needed ,

My Daughter is still with her mum in hospital she has hardly left her side for the last week . Hopefully she is going into an hospice this Monday which should make life easier  , She also seems to have improved she is out of bed more and her speech is more coherent she even drank a gin and tonic hopefully this will continue and she will get to spend Christmas with my daughter one last time I know  if this was possible it would make my daughters Christmas wishes come true .

EARNED HER WINGS

Helen had a reading last night and has one tomorrow afternoon she also sold some Laura Ashely bedding which is being picked up tomorrow she wants to buy some grey curtains for the van .

Defrosted some haddock for pan fried fish and chips with a bread cake and baked beans the fish was around £3.50 for four pieces she made some batter and I hand cut  four medium size potatoes for the chips turned out a really nice meal at low cost , I don't know why we don't buy more fish as it is really easy to cook. Still plan on doing a fish curry Indian style need to find an online recipe and get cooking.

Christmas is looming fast need to buy gifts I need to get my Daughters present and a couple of others it is also Helen's birthday on the 28th of December .
We also need to buy all of the food specially the turkey crown .I am working a six - two Christmas Eve I will be home at around two thirty Christmas morning then I am off for the whole of the week.

 A Polish friend at work keeps bringing in bottles of mead  for  me the medieval honey drink that dates back hundreds of years ago it is very nice  tasting drink and of course it is sweet I have a bottle in my car boot which I am saving for Christmas ,I  might also get a bottle of ruby port and a bottle of Bailey's Irish cream and a bottle of pink Gin for Helen , a fair swap.

My Daughter is still keeping vigil at her mothers hospital bed she as been a rock for her , how she is doing it is beyond me she is constantly at her side I don't really know how she does it she is in to her fifth day . I can only guess that  it must be very hard and exhausting physically and mentally and of course extremely upsetting ,but  she is determined to stay with her until she passes over goes without saying I am extremely proud of her , I know she as made a few friends with the nurse looking after her Mum to whom she is extremely grateful to the are doing a great service .

Of course I remember us taking our daughter home from the hospital after she was born it was cold and snowing even so it was a happy day , I remember having to go out in the snow for nappy's and baby milk I had to walk to the shops as the car and roads where snowed in .Twenty seven years later she is with her mum in hospital waiting for her to die , I think she as earned her wings ten times over .
She also went with her for her radiation and chemotherapy treatment she did not miss one appointment plus all the other things she has done , she finds it hard not to cry if she needs to she saves it when she is out of hospital room so her mum does not see her .

LIFE AIN'T CRAP

My daughter phoned me she was distraught she was on the way to York Hospital her Mother had been taken there by ambulance she had collapsed and was unresponsive they thing she had a stroke .
When she got to hospital she was asleep she stay asleep until she dies or wake up or wake up but not be herself.

I really hope she wakes up so that my daughter can spend one last Christmas with her it is unlikely that this will happen but Christmas is a time for miracles or so we are lead to believe so fingers crossed and hopefully prays are answered .

SUNDAY- her mother is doing better she is talking and acknowledging that they are there she is also asking about Christmas and her shop in Pocklington and Jenson her grandson and her cannabis oil  , a

 Her blood pressure is good and she is on a drip but most of all she is battling on and hopefully she will continue to improve and get home for Christmas which would be the best Christmas present that she could give to everyone around her and that knows her.

People say you leave this world with what you come with I have the above tattooed on my right lower leg , I will take my tattoo's with me when I die .


As the day progressed she was given Morphine my daughter stayed with her think she is staying at the hospital I know she laid on her hospital bed by her side she texted me to say her mother held her face and gave her loads of kisses , she said she was happy and peaceful and was in no pain , my daughter told her when ever she wanted to go it was ok to let go I said similar words holding my mothers hand whilst she died , She also rubbed cream into her feet and legs and face which she greatly enjoyed  .Someone said to me today "ain't life crap"  , and I replied  "life ain't crap it's dying that is shit" and cancer is the devil .

I know sometimes people improve they seem  get an extra lease of life a last hurrah , they can get out of bed unaided , watch tv and communicate normally and remember things from their past , but this can also be a sign that death is not too far away .

A BETTER PLACE

Imagine being afraid to go to sleep scared in case you don't wake up then happy when you do knowing you are still alive for at least another day  .
Imaging knowing you have had your last Easter , spring and summer you will never see the leaves on the trees turn brown and drop on to the floor a blanket of multi colours or seeing your last winter of snow and of course Christmas .
 .
All the things that are  left undone you're time finished and you never completed  the book you started  reading , or the film you turned off half way through to go to bed because you had work in the morning and never had time to re watch it ,  its sad we should do the things that we want and don't make excuses for those we don't do we should  live life to the max and retire when you can , down size ,  cash in sell up and spend the kids inheritance  . I know I should follow my own advice who's to say I won't .

They are also in the next few days going visiting a Hospice's basically so when the time comes it is supposed to be more familiar. So  basically you going to see the place were you will die and staff that will  help you to pass on don't think I could be that brave .

Last night at work we had a D.O.A  that was coming via a private ambulance with a police escort they think the deceased was poisoned by his wife and the body was going to have an autopsy performed on it .

Also last night when I was going home at 02.00 am there was a twenty something lad in the lift who was missing his left leg from below the knee he was having a prosthetic limb fitted  the following day he told me that he jumped off a building in the city centre but survived he said "he was in a better place now" .

THREE IN ONE DAY

MONDAY -Primemark  Ikea and B&M all in one day should get a medal can't even remember what we got from B&M .

Ikea shopping bought a light grey sofa cover and a grey rug and some grey seating pads for the kitchen chairs .we also bought some gin fish bowl glasses and other glasses .

TUESDAY - My Mothers birthday she would have been 100 years old .

Ikea two days running took the light grey sofa cover back and swapped it for a dark grey  which I did say when we saw the light grey it was way too light , we also took the rug back we will wait and get the bigger size similar to what we have now but  in grey , which I also mentioned when we placed it in the trolley fcuking typical

Joined Netflix thirty days free was a member years ago thought I would give it another go it cost the same as Amazon prime both combined is still cheaper than Sky or Virgin ., will tide is over for the Christmas period .
Watching The Christmas Chronicles on Netflix and Expedition Happiness which I followed on YouTube , and The Haunting tv series which is hard to follow but not without its good bits .

PAINTING AGAIN

SATURDAY - Went over to my daughters house at Kippax we all went to a local Indian restaurant had a chicken chat and main dish very small but the food was excellent we knew what to expect we had a take away from there during the Summer for six it was just under £90 .
After the meal we went back to her house she coloured and cut Helen's hair and did a grade one on mine thank you .

SUNDAY - Went over to Helen's parents hose painted the kitchen and did some repainting of the decorating we id the previous Sunday one more days work they know want the bathroom white .



CHRISTMAS  - People ask what I want for Christmas I have no real need for anything if I had a load of cash and had to spend it on me what would I get .Guess I could do with some new jeans and trainers and some long sleeved shirts , I had a long sleeved shirt on the other week and my daughter bless her really loved it beats wearing t-shirts all the time so half a dozen shirts would be nice .Along with some nice fitting comfy leather loafers in a nice brown colour a few pairs of comfy warm  wool socks in a nice pattern to go with a nice wool overcoat .


Some high quality Bose headphones and a new mp3 music player instead of using my phone maybe a  Astell & Kern AK70.I think I am more likely to get a iPad Pro than a new Mac book .Other than tech a nice five year diary or a pair of leather gloves other than that spirits and chocolate are always good .

HOSPITAL JUST VISITING

My Daughter got to cast her and her Mother holding hands she did it using a kit but what a great memento and keepsake I is something she will always keep and the way she cast  it turned out really good , I wish I had one holding my mothers hand I be very happy.

Helen went to Pinderfield's hospital for her follow up mammogram she also had a biopsy which she did not enjoy and it left her bloody and in quite a lot of discomfort and pain , it will be two weeks before we get the results back to say she is in the clear .
I have today off no working 6-2 until Monday we have some nice  pieces of steak and baked jacket potatoes for tea.

Bidding on some Marshall headphones on eBay I have been outbidded the current bid is £25 they are wireless bluetooth these are pre owned sounds so  much posher than second hand new they are costing around the £65 mark how high do I go just over nine hours left to bid.

GOING ON'S

Took the car in for its first service had to be there at half eight had about three hours sleep there was no issues all ok it  had a oil and filter change , they gave me a loan car a Skoda Citigo  was ok did not like the rear view mirror it made what you see way much closer bad idea it had very little acceleration in top gear got to admit I would not swap and was happy to get my car back.

 Bought a Seven foot Christmas tree for the van it is pre -lit with 300 led bulbs , with sprayed on decorative snow , pine cones ,and berries it has 930 tips it is decorated with pink .white and clear glass baubles and ornaments we usually put the tree up the first weekend in December we are well early this year .
We also change the room back to how it was set out previously which looks better the tree is in the bay window we bought a white star for the top we did see some hand made fairies but at sixty pounds a bit more than we wanted to spend  .

Bought a portable DVD player for my Grandson its a Polaroid I was going to get one of Ebay but decided to physically buy one if it is faulty a lot easier to return .

I have a long weekend Friday I go back with Helen for her re screening of her breast at our local hospital and of course she is not happy she is also worried her  appointment is half past eight hence no work Friday night Saturday morning hopefully all will be fine .

My ex wife is waiting for a wheel chair to help her get around , its not looking good for her I don't know how she is coping knowing she has only months left . I try to imagine if I had the same news how I react or how brave would I be totally not sure how I would cope I look at it like being on death row but its worse because its cancer and cancer is not nice ,

I know I would be pissed off big time with all the things I haven't done yet , they say you never regret the things you have done its the things we have not done or can no longer do or  don't have the time to do  . Some of it is silly things like next years films we see trailers months in advance but  knowing you wont get to watch them , new albums from your favourite artists that will be coming out but you will never get to hear them  , how does Game of Thrones end ,  new books you wont be around to read  , and no more summer barbecues or winter snows needless to say  the list is endless .To say I would be pissed is not really hitting the mark being pissed off I guess would not even be close .

To top it all my loving and  mature son has thrown his last teddy out of the cot big time , why you ask   one reason money because I would not be a guarantor or guarantee for a loan of a £1000 , paid back over three years at fifty pounds a month ,  he has never held a job for three years since he has been working  needless to say  I said NO , so I am once again blocked off Face book messenger and calling him , I have been told that he then asked his mother suffering her battle with cancer how much money  she would be leaving him in her will once she dies , I tell you now how much you will be getting from me  when I die a BIG FAT ZERO , 100% OF NOTHING .

PAINTED

Dusted off the slow cooker bought some stew steak , swede , onions , mushrooms and carrots  all from the local farm shop

.We was going over to my daughters house in Kippax and the cooker full of freshly made stew was going to feed us all . I also made eight dumplings using some beef suet they was  no where near as good as my mums but they turned out ok .

Helen also mixed up some batter and  did nine pancakes in the frying pan , it was loaded in to an Ikea bag with the handles tied and transported in the boot of my car to my daughters home .

SUNDAY - Went over to Helen's parents house to paint the living rooms wall and corridor the fire place wall is a royal blue the rest of the walls are white along with the all  cornice .
They cooked us a Sunday dinner of braised steak Yorkshire pudding potatoes and swede and carrot mash .W will be going back next Sunday to give some walls a   second and third coat we are also doing the kitchen walls and cornice white .

UNJUST

It rained most of the day yesterday and we are having rain whilst I write this .I have just  made an extra large coffee and I am contemplating making a double size bowl of porridge.
 My ex wife cancer as now spread to her stomach and pancreas after all her bravery and treatment  the outcome for her  is now dire .

I feel for anyone who is suffering or a loved one that  is suffering from this dreadful indiscriminating disease.
There is nothing that can be done and of course there is never going to be enough time left which is so sad and unjust .
My thoughts and prays  go out to all , Graham her husband , to my Daughter who as been an angel and my son  who could have done more and have a better attitude going out partying every weekend is unacceptable and asking her inappropriate questions even more so  .

5 W'S

SUNDAY - Went to B&M again since Helen has been watching the following https://www.YouTube.com/channel/UCw_cgQw94ppdIjwHFE0aQ7g/videos B&M has been elevated in her ranking this time it was the Dewsbury store and not the one in Wakefield.

Helen had another reading tonight after she finished I cooked the curries and rice for tea I tried the coconut rice was ok couldn't really taste the difference .

Sent my daughter loads of photos from years past must have been well over three hundred all via face book messenger had to do them in batches of ten or less so the would not be too large , too large and they won't send .

I have told her toe get her Mother to write down a brief history of her life  WHO .WHAT ,WHY, WHEN and WHERE ,  also to do a pod cast and a vlog so she has something to hear and see something just for her to play or read once she is not with her anymore and of course to spend as much time possible with her Mam . I don't know what else to tell her I can't say it'll be ok because it wont be .

TIME TOGETHER

SATURDAY - Took Helen to her parent's park home at Acaster Malbis roughly 40 miles away from our home , from there I drove over to my son's home another 16 miles .Then on  to Manchester roughly another 85 miles away I got  us there just before one in the afternoon the weather was sunny and warm  .

My son was having his teeth  braces off his teeth then they where getting cleaned he also had two ceramic fillings  completed  his treatment took two hours .

I went for a short walk we was on a high street there was a Gregg's I bought a steak and cheese baked roll and a iced doughnut I had not eaten all day .

 Helen had three readings to do that night starting at six in the evening it was about three in the afternoon when we headed back .

He was happy with his treatment he was pleased to have his braces off he had brought  his iPod classic along and was playing his favourite songs through the cars stereo system it was a good drive out .

No doubt he will remember this day for years to come ,  it's all about making memories and spending time together there is even good  times in the  mundane stuff that needs to be done at the en do the day the main thing is  its time spent together. 

SAD NEWS

Bt sent out a new smart hub which was suppose to for tout my Internet woes , set it up change all the passwords on both Mac books two iPads to tablets and two phones , then I did the Fire stick tv x 2 and last but not least the Amazon Echo which is always a pain .

Then I did a speed test using Bt nothing has improved guess who I called they sending out another engineer this is the 3rd time fingers crossed .
The engineer came he actually came in to our home which surprised me he was here for about twenty minutes he found the fault the micro filter was wired incorrectly we are now hitting 35 mbps which we have never had before hopefully it will remain constant .

THURSDAY - Broad band speed holding its own constant 35 mbps which is good .

Sad news my ex wife as been diagnosed with brain cancer after beating lung cancer  during the summer both our children are sad and upset  beyond words , it is not something I wish on anyone it is a dreadful and unforgiven disease  and I pray and hope she proves the doctors wrong and wins her battle .

FRIDAY - Was up at eight a.m took the dog out we was at Pinderfields hospital for ten Helen had a mammogram booked it was a three hour appointment it was half past one when we got to B&M by the time I got us home it was just before three I go to work at five .
cooked us a roast chicken dinner with three green vegetables sprouts peas and broccoli with roast potatoes and Yorkshire puddings .By the time it was cooked and eaten it was time to set off for work roll on the weekend.

RAINY MONDAYS

Another Friday which means thank fcuk for the weekend , for some reason this week as dragged big style .
Took Helen for her blood test and for her breathing test she also got some nicotine patches and inhaler to hopefully help her stop and quit smoking so fingers crossed .
Got to bed just after three had a kebab .

SATURDAY - We cooked a beef chili had it with rice and sweet potatoes chips and garlic bread was quite hot , well hotter than what we usually do and as always there was plenty left over .

SUNDAY  - Took Helen for her P.I.P meeting at one o clock will not find out if she can claim until later .
My sister Anne came for Sunday dinner we had roast pork mashed carrot and swede with roasted sweet potatoes and mash and Yorkshire puddings .Followed by apple and blackcurrant pie with custard .

MONDAY - Just vacuumed the leaves up and washed the windows before it rained never mind cooked breakfast and work at six my eighth week doing six till two .

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d6NPJdNiHTM

ANNIVERSARY SINCE 2011

MONDAY - Our engagement anniversary is today  November the 5th which is also  bonfire night There well be fireworks tonight although it will be two  thirty a.m before I get anywhere to my bed .As well as fire works we will have pork pies and mushy peas with mint sauce  but I do without the peas have never liked them and I am not too fused about the mint sauce either , totally takes the taste out of the food in my opinion all you taste is mint might as well brush your teeth before and half way through your meal , anyway each to their own .

Helen's son took us to Canon Hall for a full English breakfast , he had eggs benedictine after we had finished eating I bought Helen a Joules tweed jacket. She as always wanted one for the last few years since we lived in Holmfirth I also got her a west  highland terrier key ring .

BUSY SUNDAY

My fibre broadband is running at half speed  just like the good old days .When  we switched over to a fibre connection it started off really good but over the weeks as  dwindled down to just 50% speed of what we was originally getting .

Phoned Bt speaking to an advisor half way through got cut off , so I  phoned back then was told the advisor left a note on my account saying that I had hung up what a joke .
Anyway an engineer came out and was working for a good two hours hopefully be three days before we see any improvement .

The new land line connection and new socket for an Ethernet cable is all done got to say they did a really good job very tidy and neat , even left me his mastic gun did ring them up so far he has not bothered to collect it .

SUNDAY - Went to Sainsbury's bought two 2019 diary for Helen plus a nice new pen and a gold looking pen , got to be biro she don't do gel , really I love gel pens apart from blue gel got to be black .
Also bought Dawn French "This is not a Diary " book just come out , I bought another remembrance lap badge this one is silver in the shape of an infantry man you can just make out the red poppy and green leaf.

Helen was working on the phones doing her psychic readings after she had finished at around half twelve her son Liam turned up ,he stayed the night .

SAD TIMES

MONDAY -No work today laid the second piece of linoleum in Helen's outbuilding used double sided carpet tape to fix it in place only needed a 800 cm piece to finish the floor .
Wired another L.E.D outside light , so when Helen is working the outside id flood lighted and she can see out at night when it is dark.

TUESDAY - Ordered another cordless phone from Bt it arrives on Thursday hopeful this will suite Helen's needs .

Carved my pumpkin head it is outside on the patio table at the side of Helen's I think mine is the better of the two Helen's don't even scare the cats away .

Back at work tomorrow at least it will be a short week three days till the weekend is nice be dark driving to work and dark driving home .

WEDNESDAY - Helen's uncle Ken's funeral at the grave yard and church where we use to live .The Church is shut down for repairs so the service was done at the grave side they lowed the coffin into the ground said a few prayers and a couple of speeches by the resident vicar or priest then we was throwing flowers and dirt on to the coffin . The coffin looked like it would only take  a few months to rot down of once the earth has been put back into the grave it was a good six feet down if not more .

To think of a person being placed  in a box and being put in the ground for the next hundred years does not seem right to me thank god for cremation.

MAC MALI

SATURDAY - After getting up had shower and a coffee before going to the chiropodist was there at half ten which after getting to bed after three was not that impressed .

Drove over to my sisters house she going to the Apple store to get her new laptop .she opted for the 13 inch Mac book pro in space grey with 8gb and 256 ssd at a cost off £1449 she also bought a usb c to usb lead for another £19.99 .

Helen had another party to do I was sat in the car from seven until half eleven at night I went to the Kebab shop got  a tray of kebab meat and fries with chilli sauce and a can of Dr Pepper's which killed half an hour I watched some episodes of  " Killing Eve" .The time did drag every hour sat in a car at night seems twice as long .

SUNDAY - Went to Gordon Rigg garden centre over at Todmorden went with Anne and Alan had a burger from the burger van they are really good burgers and for a cheese and onions its only £3.

We all went to the Indian restaurant  that we got a take away from Grameen Spice  a few weeks ago for a sit down meal we had four starters my sister got a chicken chat and the rest of us onion bahjees we had four main dishes I had a lamb Mac Mali between us we had three rice and two nans , I had two bottles of pear Magners ,Helen had half a larger my sister cider and Alan had a pint of Cobra the bill was £85.

FOUR DAYS OFF

My work team clubbed together and bought me eight bottles of Jack Daniels cider greatly appreciated and a big bar of Galaxy chocolate nice again great appreciated will do nothing for the waist line but hey ho.

Driving over to Doncaster to pick up a pc chair Helen is buying off the Facebook Market place for £30 to put into the office it also vibrates and massages your lower back and bum which is quite intense and loud gave it it good clean and it is now on the office its a pity it does not have a heated seat  .

We had a quote from a telecom company for the phone extension and broadband going to cost us  £180 which is more than I though but less than Bt which came in at £205 it gets fitted next Thursday .

FRIDAY - Last shift of the week then I have a whole four days off , need to get breakfast food in , pizzas and pasties might get some decent steak for Saturdays night tea .

Cleaned out the fish tank and filter system it is amazing how dirty the water is when you refill it and turn the pump back on 24 hours later the water is crystal clear the fish seem happy and healthy .

4 ALWAYS

My Daughter gave me some money for a birthday a gift she gave me prior to my holiday which I spent on drink and eating out it made for a great holiday even better she also gave me a recent gift she bought me different chilli  oils from mild to extra hot great on pizza she also got me a succulent plant the pot I will keep and plant something else should the succulent die .

I Ordered a black steel tactical pen of Ebay my Son had paid some money into my account for my birthday , I like gifts that will last and stand the test of time , unless I loose it I will have it always which is a nice thought .

BIRTHDAYS

Bought three Kindle books off Amazon  Small fry and Shoe Dog that I mentioned in a older post and I also bought A bite in the Apple about Steve Jobs written by his first girlfriend and mother to his daughter Lisa , should read them all before Christmas I got them my sister got me a gift card for Amazon for my up and coming birthday.

Jack Daniels whiskey is on offer at the moment I might treat myself to a couple of bottles for Christmas .

Going to the Indian curry house where we got a take away from a couple of weeks ago fingers crossed we should be there next Sunday.

My forth week coming up of doing 6-2 shifts ,  I won't know how good my pay will be till next month .

My sister is going to buy a new Mac book pro next Saturday at the Apple store in Trinity Leeds ,  if I go with her I can hopefully get her 10% off the price .

Break up this Friday I get four days off to make for an extra long weekend which will be a luxury hopefully the weather won't be too cold .

TUESDAY - It's my birthday and my twin sister's , we are  another year older and it has been another year that as flown by the years are disappearing fast .
After walking the dog Bailey , I fitted the linoleum down in the outbuilding it does a look a lot better and it will make the room warmer as well .

BLACK AND GOLD

Went to visit Helen's uncle Ken he more or less waiting to die in a rest home at Roundhay near too the park .He is facing a wall which needs painting and is bare wall with out any posters or art its just a wall at the side  of him is a picture window looking out on to trees which are turning their colours for autumn .The squirrels are running up and down and you can see the grass verges and people walking past , why they cant change the lay out of his room so he can have a view is beyond me .

He died on the Friday not sure of the time and he is now in a chapel of rest Helen does not want to see him not sure if we will go to his funeral service .

THURSDAY - My daughter called round with my Grandson and her partner Lee who she split up from but still see's him regular but they live apart , He just bought a 2nd hand Bmw M5 and it is fast he will either crash it , or end up with speeding endorsements or end up with a whacking garage bill for repairs every 200 miles it needs a litre of oil and it does around 18 mpg .
Went to our favourite fish restaurant .
Then we both had our hair cut Helen had her colour done I had a grade one cut .

SATURDAY - Both my sisters came round in the morning in the evening Helen had readings to do in Ireland wood I waited in the car eating doner  meat and fries with chili sauce and a can of coke .

Helen as been working on her room we bought some flooring and she re -painted the dresser top  black , and then  glued on some gold embossed wallpaper  using pva glue on to the back of the panels it looks good .

COST A LOT

Painting the walls in the out building at the Side of the  van , with matt white emulsion and a two inch brush  , the walls are breeze block you can guess the fun level of doing this , at least it is not red summers day hot but one block at a time is tedious .

Helen glossed the window frame and cill the door is pvc and is white she also painted the dresser top blue .

She also needs a new microwave to re heat her coffee and some other bits and pieces there is oil filled radiator in there and it does a good job of heating the room hopefully at a low cost .

Helen did her first hour on the psychic phone lines at the end of her allotted time it gives her the amount of money she as earned for one hour it was  £13.95 for working from home I think it is quite a good rate .

Bt open reach will not fit an line to an out building the only run extensions to internal rooms in your house we have to get a telecom engineer we have one booked for Thursday afternoon for Bt to fit an internal socket would be £130 for the engineer and £75 for the socket £205 seems to cost a lot.

EXHALE BREATH OUT

Get up when the dog wakes me up just before half past eight which means I am getting roughly under six hours sleep.
I get dressed jeans t-shirt trainers and feed the cats if they are in , I then put the lead on Bailey and take him for a walk up the lane and across the fields I can see Emley Moor mast in the distance .
The walk usually takes a good half hour .
I come home let bailey off his lead and make a cup of coffee for me and a tea for Helen who will normally get up in the next thirty minutes.

WEDNESDAY  - Was up just before half past eight to take Helen to the doctors she was having to complete breathing tests where you exhale and it is measured she had to breath out for a minimum of six seconds harder than it sounds , then she was given a inhaler to open her air ways and tested again
she failed at the last attempt we are rebooked for the 23rd of October fingers crossed she passes .

Helen once again is working on the psychic phone lines they have agreed to set her back on it is  not a job she loves but it does allow to work from home and have a regular weekly income , hopefully this will nail on our holiday for next year .

We might get BT to put in an extra line in to the out building so she can receive calls and use the Internet £140 she also needs a high stool to be able to sit down and work from the worktop that is in there , it is double glazed and has good light and heating with plenty of electrical sockets for a kettle laptop etc .

A DECENT INDIAN

SATURDAY - It was nearly ten in the morning before I got out of bed .A full six hours sleep luxury tonight I will go to bed around ten o clock if I do be the first time in over ten days I have been to bed so early .

Drove over to Dobcross garden centre the other side of Saddleworth we bought a battery operated lantern with flickering flame looks good , Helen wants to go back and buy another surprise ,surprise .

On the way home we was debating getting a Chinese last one we had they got the order mixed up and the food as gone down hill so we stopped at our nearest Indian restaurant and take away  Grameen Spice we have never been here before in the three years we have lived here I ordered a chicken Jafrany and Helen had a butter chicken we had chapatis and poppadoms and pickles both of us had mushroom pilau rice the food was excellent very nice it looked great and tasted great we will be going there again , might even go to the restaurant bit its only 20% more for dining in .

MONDAY - Went over to Helen's parents home in Acaster Malbis ,  it is her fathers birthday Tuesday so we took a card and voucher over I had to set off for work at five which spoilt the day , I do have two days off end of the month which will make for  a long weekend to be honest it can't come quick enough .
Got my Midori replica black leather  travel note book for the price I paid it was well worth it .
Still undecided where we are going next year on holiday if at all ,  trying to get a decision out of Helen is hard work .