DEJA VU

SATURDAY - slept in it was half past ten in the morning when I dragged my arse out of bed not slept in that late on a Saturday for years what a waste of a morning . Helen had a couple of readings to do over at the salon in the afternoon .

on the way home we ordered fish and chips from our local Inn The Boshaw Trout we ordered them with baked beans and mushy peas the fish was cooked in beer batter and the chips triple  cooked nice and filling  way too many chips .

SUNDAY - Went to Ikea bought four black dining chairs and two white floating shelves for our main bedroom .

Had another Sunday take away dinner from the Boshaw Trout we both had the roast beef was good .

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MONDAY - Went over to my daughters Salon she did our hair its has been  a while I had  grade one on the back and sides .Helen had hers coloured and cut .

TUESDAY - Back to Ikea got rid of £175 its easily done as well as other soft furnishings and cushion's tea lights and candles bought a giant wood chopping board a bread board two more lamps that you can dim which look like old fashioned lanterns .

FLAT PACKED

Been busy the last couple of days as the furniture flat packs from Ikea arrived Wednesday afternoon we had ordered  a eight drawer unit for our bedroom as can't have enough drawer space and a day bed with three drawers  that converts  into a double bed all you literally do is just pull the base out as its on wheels ,  This is in Helen office work room .There was no major issues assembling wise all went together as the instructions did not have that many spare bits fixings left over and nothing was short or missing both units are solid wood and in white .We will have to move the desk that you see in the picture when we want to pull the bed out but that's only once every blue moon should anyone want to stay over at any time .

The drawers below I have the top right drawer and the drawer below that one  I do have more drawers but that's all I am allocated still I am only a man with limited needs .

Anyone who has never bought an Ikea piece of furniture because they think they are cheaply thrown together or are not solid or will fall apart when moved trust me they are not I have never had any issues with furniture flat packs from Ikea .

SUNDAY ROAST TO GO .

 SUNDAY - Drove to Leeds to the John Lewis store at the Victoria gate we used the on side car park parked up took th lift and exit in the John Lewis store itself .I was taking a pair of Levi Jeans back as they didn't fit they were a Christmas present and with the covid restrictions I had not been into Leeds city centre .I exchanged them for a gift card . I ended up buying a large  Bottle of Jean Paul Gaultier's "Le Beau " very nice I have been wearing Jean Paul for years .

Getting back to the car park was a nightmare we didn't realise the lifts for the car park where located only on one floor we went to every flor and asked various staff all telling us different places to go we finally got out and back to the car only to find out to pay you had to go back to the first floor , I finally paid and we headed home .

We called are local Pub The Boshaw Trout and ordered Sunday dinner I had the roast beef and Helen the roast pork the picture below is before it was covered with a rich dark brown gravy it hit the spot I love beef with a nice horse radish sauce .

The rest of Sunday was spent watching You Tube before going to bed at reasonable time I am back at work Monday doing my 18.00 till 02.00 shifts .My shingles are a lot better but still irritating and still giving me bursts of pain and tingling sensations of hot needles going into my skin this only happens a few times every few hours hopefully I will get back to normal as quick as possible .

MONDAY - Woke up just after six a.m had a shower went down to the kitchen to make a coffee feed Bentley who had followed me down stairs and was nattering me for food ,The road we live on his finally getting tarmac on it the paths were done last week the road this week should only take two days no more dirt road brilliant , they raised the man hole covers and other iron work last week  ready for the tarmac going down .

Will need to iron my work shirt and trousers be nice if I was not going back at all its been nice spending time at home be even better now the weather seems to be getting closer to hot summer days .

We are going to York this Saturday my son starts his night job today hopefully he will continue to be employed for months to come but I am not counting chickens a week at a time hopefully the weeks will come and go and he will still be working without a regular income you have nothing ,Your spending power zero living hard and going without things is common.He has been wanting to get his iPhone fixed for the last few months the screen got smashed hopefully that is now on the cards if he continues to work .

 

ON THE HUNT

 SATURDAY - I will be back at work this coming Monday after twenty four days not at work be a long first shift hopefully without any major issues or hiccups .I have had both Pfizer injections should be safer than ever .

Helen has been looking for Comfort fabric conditioner perfume deluxe Aqua Bloom I bought a bottle and it was a while befog we got round to using it when she did the smell from it was really strong sc ended smell that lasted was real high end perfume smell , of cause we used it and couldn't find it in any of the major supermarkets or retail stores I bought her six 1.178 L bottles of Amazon hopefully we have nice smell clothes and bedding for weeks to come .

We are going on a ghost hunt tonight to Kirkstall Abbey in Leeds we have been here before it will be great if the rain stays away Spirits Within Paranormal we are getting quite  a following us we are trying to get to  book a night at 30 East Drive one of England most haunted houses . And the Old Nick at Gainsborough that was a theatre but before that it was a police station with 23 recorded deaths and suicides 

                                                                         30 East Drive 

                                                                Old Nick former Police cells 

                                                              

Ghost hunting gets us out and about I do prefer indoor locations the weather does not matter  and its usually warmer and sounds are more easily defined with no hollowing wind or birds and other small animals making weird sounds and less ambient noises from traffic and other people near by .

ALL WAHSED UP

Helen had her first Pfizer covid  injection she had no major side effects apart from a sore arm .

 Ordered another set of white drawers from Ikea for our bedroom and also a day bed that pulls out to sleep two people which is also in white and has three drawers built in to its base that's for the spare bedroom, in total that's eleven more drawer space , bet its still not enough .

We are finally getting the pavements tarmac they have been left rough since we moved in over a year ago also next week the roads are getting done so we will be all done proper paths and proper roads all finished even level and jet black .

The microwave got replaced its amazing how a new microwave gets your food a lot hotter then the old one even though they are the same wattage this one was only £50 and w have gone back to white so it matches all the other kitchen appliances .

At the moment my local supermarket are selling Nescafe Dolce Gusto coffee pods at £3 a box that's £2 a box saving so I bought quite a few should last me a few weeks hopefully the price will remain low when I next go back .Also the big jars of Kenco coffee were nearly half price so I got two off them as well .

Bought another two pairs of Jack Jones jeans I now have four new pairs and a black pair should be good for a few years bought two polo shirts as well .

Bailey finally made it to the dog grooming parlour , he was well in need of a cut trim and shampoo he looks like a different dog all washed and spruced up . I do like him when he has just been cut but like it when he is over grown looks like a sheep .

Bought a bottle of Marks and Spencers Bullit bourbon its quite nice a lot better than I thought it would be nice in coffee really had the taste for a whiskey and coffee last night after we had been out my feet were like ice and its even nicer with ice and coke .

SEED NEEDED

 Nearly two weeks on and my shingles are still painful my skin still feel hot but it is not as bad but still a pain I don't need . I have finished my course of tablets and are now just waiting for them to disappear guess they will go if not back to the doctors which won't be possible it will either be over the phone or video link .The itching is the worse it comes and goes driving over rough roads I get a pain inside every time I hit uneven road surfaces .

SUNDAY - We had another barbecue we invited our next door neighbough Aadm round its hard to judge how much food to get you don't want to appear tight but you also don't want to waste food all the food we bought was from the farm shop we did chicken , various kebabs , burgers and sausages it was ok he doesn't drink which made life easier and the evening went ok its alway uneasy when you invite people round that you don't know apart from over the fence on the drive etc .

MONDAY - Went to Meadow Hall bought some Nike t-shirts in various colours as well as three pairs of Jack Jones jeans two in indigo denim and one in black , these are the only jeans i really like , I also bought two pairs of Adidas track suite bottoms not a big fan of track suits bought these are a cross between combats and track suit bottoms I bought a new white pair of Adidas training shoes in white , I bought Helen a bottle of Gucci Bamboo perfume and a pair of black and white Vans .

Helen reseeded the entire back lawn she used three boxes of Speedy seed one box cove sixty square meters our lawn is not even four square metres overkill our what we should have jungle in a couple of weeks .The green you can see coming through is the original grass there is ten bags of lawn top soil thrown on before the sed went down .

NUMBER THREE

 Had another barbecue the weather picked up so we went for it had exactly what we had yesterday it was just as tasty .

FRIDAY - Had barbie number three , I bought some meat kebab skewers  which were nice but covered in seasoning which sort of burnt over the grill a bit too much , and some chicken tikka skewers which had three big pieces of chicken would have preferred more pieces cut smaller just to aid cooking , Helen still insisted  with the sausage and beef burgers to go with her jacket spud and cheese salad bowl , I did buy four bags of charcoal all you need to do is just light the corner of bag so far it never fails .

Ordered a Hohem gimbal for my iPhone it keeps the phone stable when filming videos got to figure out how to use it during night filming guess a head torch is one solution , it cost £69 from Amazon next day delivery . Hopefully its a good buy the reviews are good so will see  how easy it is to set up it has three axis which rotate to keep the phone level and  it comes with a tripod and can also face track to keep the person you are filming in shot  .You have to download an app and have to register to use it .

EATING OUT

 SUNDAY - I went for my second covid vaccination , both the pharmiscist and doctor agreed that mt inoculation should be postponed it due to my shingles outbreak .It as already been re- booked for next Sunday hopefully it will go ahead as planned .

Cooked a chicken for our Sunday lunch had it with carrot and swede with sweet and roast potatoes mash and a giant Yorkshire pudding I did it from start to finish I seasoned with herbs garlic and chicken seasoning it turned out real tasty .

MONDAY - Called my doctors surgery I have been adviced to accept a sick note for another week , as  I am still taking the tablets for the next couple of days although I get full sick pay I miss out on my night enhancements so I do loose money . Hopefully I will return to work after this week .

I thought I would be all good I can't believe how the shingles  are still hurting i  have been waking up early in the morning at around four a.m , I never get back to sleep thank God for Tok -Tok and You Tube it is annoying once awake I then get up just after seven a.m .

TUESDAY - Had our first barbie of 2021 only cooked beef burgers ,pork  sausages , pork steaks and chicken and garlic skewers , I did some jacket potatoes with cheese Helen had salad it was ok it could have been sunnier and warmer but it was warm enough not to be cold ,

Ny shingles although have not spread are still tingling and are painful I am still sore bearable but uncomfortable .

FINISHED

 FRIDAY -Still red blotches cover my back , side and under arm. I  still ache and I am still irritated by the shingles .Still popping the tablets one five times a day .The shingles have not got any worse but my condition as only slightly improved , they seem less hot but moving and stretching on my right side is still painful and restricted some what .Perseverance I guess not sure if I will be allowed my second cover injection this Sunday I do hope so .

The bathroom walls above the dado rail are now wallpapered this happened yesterday I had to take down the mirror and two wall cabinets which was ok putting them back a bit more difficult as all the old screw holes had been covered did it in the end and everything is now been put back and all is finished .

SHINGLES

 SATURDAY - Its snowing fcuk sake its April why now ,  lock down ends this Monday we will be snowed in , highly unlikely but it is getting heavier thicker and whiter as I type this .

Went to the farm shop bought a decent sized chicken and two pieces of braising steak that's dinner sorted for today and tomorrow .

SUNDAY  Woke up during the night to go to the bathroom noticed in the mirror I was covered in a red rash that was slightly raised it was itchy and felt warm .When I woke in the morning I rang the Nhs 111 they booked me a face time call with a doctor , when I got the video call I was diagnosed with shingles and prescribed me some tablets , hopefully the tablets will kick in and it won't get any worse .

I went to the pharmacist and got the tablets and began taking them one tablet five times a day .

I had to drive over to York to see my son Guy to sort some issues out he was having , left the slow cooker on with the braising steak we had the chicken yesterday it was falling off the bone so much better than supermarket meats .

MONDAY - No work for five days due to the shingles its slightly worse its a lot more itchy and feels slightly hotter it is under my arm front on my test and on my back and side it does not seem to have spread fingers crossed it doesn't . The 800mg Aciclovir tablets I was prescribed can take up to three days before they start working , I have my second Pfizer injection booked for this Sunday .

R.I.P

 FRIDAY -  Prince Philip Duke of Edinburgh R.I.P had a great innings and a well lived life of travel being waited on and  luxury.Still  a great man no doubt like us all with his faults , but loyal to his wife the Queen of England death a sad but inevitable fate of living .

QUESTION -  How do you help someone who has given up , and totally does not sees any future and is in emotional and psychological pain every day . usually from the moment they wake up to going to sleep and using alcohol and drugs just to mange their inner demons , specially if they don't want to be here any longer and you have done everything you think you can ,

I have no idea what will happen to the person I am talking about  above specially when they refuse all help it will be a struggle over the coming days , its a major worry and heartache when they don't answer their phone and don't response to your text messages , is it because they can't be arsed though drink and drugs or another reason you are constantly thinking the worst .Even though they have sworn and promised  not to end it do you believe them.

NO EGGS

 Bought s voiced control Fire stick from Amazon it automatically set itself to our wifi and to my Amazon prime account it even downloaded all the apps we previously had on my account this is stick out of the box setting the remote one press of the home button , voice control brilliant does not do everything but its a good upgrade as our previous versions didn't have this feature .

We needed one because I gave my son the one we had when he moved out and in the spare bedroom th tav is not a smart tv and we don't have an Ariel socket where the tv is on the wall so a fire stick was a good buy .

The next product I buy from Amazon might be the latest Echo dot or a tablet if anything happens to my Mac book the only other option of doing anything online would be via my phone , hopefully writing this does not jinx me .

SATURDAY - Painted the downstairs w.c it took me only a few hours to give it a couple of coats of Farrow & Ball dusty pink emulsion every room now as colour in it rather than the original creamy magnolia whatever paint they used .

Easter Sunday -We are going to visit the grand children take them Easter eggs thought I would buy them on route nowhere had them petrol stations Tesco express outlets all sold out and the  major super markets and other retailers shut for Easter Sunday never though buying chocolate eggs would be an issue silly me .

We sat in my daughters garden on the patio drinking coffee I could see our old house where the kids grew up in at the end of the lane and the conservatory roof we had built on to the back of the house memories a lot of water as gone under the bridge hopefully a lot more to follow .

EASTER APPROACHING

 BATHROOM - Fitted the dado rail in the bathroom on all four walls I pinned it in situ I use to drill and cut wood pellets to cover the screw heads but today I just used some panel pins and punched the holes filled and painted the new wood and the walls below the wall above the dado will get wall papered next Friday hopefully .

Bought Resident Evil 2 xbox one game of eBay hopefully it will load ok and I can get n to the game most games don't hod my interest I played Resident Evil 1 years ago when it was out so should be quite nostalgic playing as Leon in the game.

SUNDAY - Clocks forward by one hour because of spring daylight changing hours be lighter on a night sprint into summer or maybe spring is the start of summer heat and sunshine .

Went grocery shopping bought beef mince for a shepherds pie x 2 I x onion, gravy mix , frozen mash potatoes x2 , a bag of mixed veg carrot and swede , cat and dog food as well as cat biscuits ,  tea bags , half litre of semi skimmed milk , white and brown sugar , Lurpak spread , bananas,  chewing gum fresh orange juice , garlic , vinegar , bread cakes , cough medicine and a block of cheese bill was a few pence over £60.

Its been a week of work and chilling watching You Tube through the day then looking tea and going to work .

We have had two god days of warm weather and sunshine which makes going to work twice as hard .

I am working good Friday and easter Monday I would rather save two days holidays all bank holidays are added into your yearly total if you want the day off if granted comes of this total so I will work get double time and save two days annual leave .

NEARLY A THOUSAND

 September the 19th 2006 was when I posted my first post in this blog people might still be waiting for something vaguely for me to write something slightly interesting .But this is mainly just my diary instead of putting pen to paper and is not writing to gain followers or any type of audience if people read it and come back to read it again that is fine if not that is also fine it is nice to have others read your shit but some days that all it is my shit .

Anyway saying that my shits have gone and I am back at work at least its a short week and we get paid on Friday yippee .

My son is working twelve hour shifts as from this Friday , also working the Saturday, Sunday , Monday and Tuesdays not sure if he gets extra pay for working the weekend I  hope he does as he needs a good influx of cash .

Helen bought a white board , black board and a pin board for her office will fix them later she as sprayed the wooden edges black , we also bought two lengths of dado rail for the bathroom and some 60 mm bright wire panel pins to fix it into situ ,

FRIDAY -Although it has been a short week still glad its Friday and the weekend looms I know it will be over in a blink of an eye but Fridays night drive home really it is Saturday morning ir  is still special its the best day of the week because its the weekend and no work for till Monday evening .

I am twenty five posts away from 1000 posts on instagram https://www.instagram.com/bobyea16/ 

RATTLER

 No work for 48 hours as I have real bad diarrhoea and as I work in a hospital I cannot attend work basically so I don't infect others it will be Wednesday before I can go back .

Not been in contact with my son I have phoned him over the last three days and he has not picked up or called me back so I have no idea how is job is going or even if he is working which is highly annoying.obviously if he wanted anything he would be constantly harassing me ,

Helen ordered some wallpaper from John Lewis online forty pound a roll will take photos once its up on the wall I can't wallpaper to save my life so I won't be pasting it up , I have trouble with rod chip .

Bought some 6% Rattler cloudy cider I have not had any cider really since my son was staying with us three bottles for a fiver .

Covid deaths in the U.K on Monday just gone was seventeen which is considerably down from previous days which is still too many hopefully it will get down to zero in the coming days .

NEW THRONE

 They are already predicting a third wave of coronavirus would be too much if its happening then its looking like it will never go away and we are stuck with it for another twelve months its too much people have suffered enough too many have died and it seems more will die .Doubt normality won't return ever .

For the young children growing up or yet to be born its scary the planet and the world is fucked what is the future for them going to be like .

SATURDAY - Going to Argos to pick up a pc chair to go behind Helens desk in her revamped office the spare bedroom I find a wider top and a back panel on to the existing Ikea dressing table and it looks good cheaper than buying another desk .

My son started a new job today he will be working five twelve hour shifts six till six in a warehouse it sounds boring but life is boring without money so hopefully he will stick it out and start improving his day to day life .He is biking there and back hopefully 

Went to Penistone picked up some chicken in bread crumbs and some sweet potatoes fries which I will be having for my tea .

Got  home assembled the gaming chair it rises and falls and the back also adjusts and of course its on wheels its better than the clear perspex chair which it is replacing .

REVAMPING

 It seems different without my son here not having a third person in the house is less of a strain .He seems to have settled in to his new house ok so far so good .He goes for a works trial this Thursday there is no reason why he shouldn't end up getting the job and they will pay him for the days trail to boot ,

What he wants at the moment is a bike there is one in the garage from the person who had his rom before him and he wants sixty pounds for it and of course he as asked me to buy it for him and I have refused he will have to either walk or bus it to his job when he gats a wage he can either buy the bike or buy another bike , its York there are loads of bikes for sale it won't be an issue .

MONDAY - Turning the spare room into an office for Helen to do her readings and her other work in there  she bought a vertical stand up shelving unit and two shelves and six support brackets I assembled them and fixed the shelves to the wall after we arrived home from Ikea click and collect in Sheffield tp pick her order up .

The wall also got painted Sunday morning before we went over to York the bed that was in here was  sold and was picked up Sunday morning we will eventually get  a double day bed when funds allow and perhaps a better desk at the moment is just a dressing table we might get a white hardboard back for it to enclose it  .

MOVED OUT

 Completed the census 2021 did it online took fifteen minutes was easy enough so now we are on the grid fully detailed our address known good job I am a well behaved upstanding British citizen which is true .

I am looking forward to summer it means a lot warmer sunnier brighter weather it lifts the spirit improves my happiness and well being hopefully its red hot a scorcher that starts end of March lasts until the end of October .

Hopefully the pubs are back open for our Sunday roast dinners looking over to the boating lake with blue skies and birds singing , I know we will be lucky but it not asking for material goods just brighter days don't think that's too much to ask for after battling Covid -19 .

FRIDAY - Guys last day with us we asked what he wanted for tea and he asked for a chicken and pancetta carbonara we cooked it using fresh double cream and fresh tagliatelle pasta and different herbs and chicken stock with freshly made garlic bread  it was fitting last meal together .

SATURDAY - Set of to York just after half last two was Guys moving out day and into his shared house in Fulford in York after stopping at his sisters house not far from where we all lived together when I was married .

His sister was giving him an  hair dryer , Samsung t.v and an extension cable , we gave him bedding a mattress topper and duvet  and pillows ,he also took my Samsung tablet and Amazon fire stick I was thinking about giving him a echo dot but resisted the temptation .

I didn't take long to unpack the car hopefully when he moves out to where ever he goes next he will have more belongings .

Took him shopping to Iceland he bought pizzas , ham and chicken slices ,bread ,milk coffee ,juice ,sugar butter , tomato sauce  and mayo,

RAIN OR SHINE

 Helen bought more paint for the spare bedroom we are doing one of the walls in a deep dark purple colour from Farrow & Ball will do it when my son moves out its only one wall and I have a roll of low tack masking tape and a new roller frame and roller sleeve should be a blast .

Having a week of work or nine days including the weekends I always seem to have an idea what I will do but it never pans out that way wonder why that is .

Took Bailey to the vets he is limping they said he had pulled a ligament inches knee he might have to have an operation to repair it or it could heal itself over the next few weeks , it helps him being a small dog he has been given some meds to prevent swelling and pain although he is not distressed or showing signs of being in any pain other than slightly limping .

My son has only two more nights with us and he moves out this coming Saturday to live back in York hopefully it will be a bright and sunny day , but either way rain or shine life is what you make it or he makes it .

Will he cope if he gets a job and stays away from drink and drugs yes , if he is unemployed and living on universal credit yes if he stays away from drink and drugs , he can manage if he budgets for his food and other necessities . Do I believe he will make it he is capable and more than able if he wants to prove to himself he will if nothing changes he will fail and  fall and he will more than likely struggle for the rest of his life .He needs to see the joy in starting again accept the challenge he is at base camp it might be a long difficult climb but he can reach the summit the peak the very top of the mountain if he chooses and accepts the gauntlet thrown down in front of him .

WHATS NEXT

My Son is 28 years old going on sixteen he lived with his mother in York until she died he spent his entire life living with her.He carried  on living at her cottage with his step father for a further six to nine months before deciding to move out and live with  his girlfriend  at her step Mothers house one big big mistake , they split up he was homeless no money or very little money no job and defo no abode , absolutely he has hit rock bottom and the the only way forward was for us to take him in.

It was hard we didn't trust him from past experiences it was not something we wanted we are happy living on our own having someone else living with you with no end dat in sight was something we could do with out .

He wanted to live back in  York he found a room in a shared house that he liked he moves in this week .

So  I paid is bond and his first months rent which went on the credit card .He does have the possibility of two jobs  starting when he moves back , he only needs one hopefully he will pick the right job and find constant employment for at least the next six months or longer .

Hopefully if he does work and and starts to get a wage again on a regular basis . he starts to save his money and buys things that he needs to help him . he needs everything  he only as few possessions apart from clothes and a few tools he as not amassed much he use to have a Suzuki Bandit motorbike and a VXR car both where his pride and joy , he lost both including his licence to drive .

I started with nothing when I got divorced a bag of clothes my iPod and hard drive with music and films on yet I never felt so free .I didn't even have a phone on contract totally pay as you go was not even a sim contract .

You have to prioritise what you need and what is essential for your life what comforts you what  need that is a must  and what you can do with out .

Buying food personal hygiene products a cheap laptop and a decent phone that you can email listen to and download music on and of course watch Netflix and Prime or other videos and films on , and have a camera  to use .A push bike for getting around on he his only twenty minute walk into the centre of York less on a bike .

Eating out buying alcohol and drugs are not buying food and having money to get to work is he moves back to York this Saturday a new beginning a new start if he chooses you can only do so much the rest is down to him .I hope he gets a job asp and a new girlfriend that he saves his money and gets a house to rent that is his and that he starts to build and make a home that he is not a cuckoo building a home in someone else nest.

The thing we hope is of course that he is happy and that he stays Happy that he stays true and good and clean that he lives a live worth living and does not slide back into old habits and of course realises we can't bail him out again its too stressful I am too old I want to see him a success even little successes like being responsible for his life and the things that he does and the roads he goes down .

LAST BREAK THIS TAX YEAR

 Break up Friday for a full nine days off work new holiday allocation starts in April.Be the last week my son lives with us he moves out a week this Saturday hopefully to independent stand on his own two feet and to be responsible for his day to day living .

Have a couple of tv episodes to watch the Ghost Adventures "The Cecil Hotel episode.  I am starting to watch the CBS series Clarice following on from "The Silence Of The Lambs" film it follows the detective  Clarence Starlings life after her capturing the serial killer Buffalo Bill.

FRIDAY - Went and bought a 2.5 litre tin of Farrow and Ball paint the same colour we use din the living room we are using it in our bedroom just on the one wall behind our bed head .Got nine days off work don't want to be bored do I .

SATURDAY - Painted the bedroom wall behind our bed .Once everthing was pulled out it only took a few hours the low tack masking tape pulled some of the paint off the wall so will need to touch up in a few places .

Went to Compo's fish shop for tea the queue was not too bad hate getting a ticket to wait in line but I put my order in and got the fish and Chips without a ticket a lot better .Next Saturday my son Guy should be in his own place hopefully enjoying life and living the dream .

Its been different having him here he spends most of his day in the bedroom he is quite he comes down for food drinks and a cigarette before return to his bedroom he sometimes comes out with us when we go shopping living in one room in a shared house should not be a problem for him he is doing the same here .

SUNDAY -First one up same every morning np matter how late I go to bed usually the last in bed and even after spending hour in bed on Tok - Tok I wa sup an hour and half before Helen or Guy .

I need to nip out to the farm shop get a joint of beef for a Sunday roast dinner and some veg. Will get some fresh tomatoes for a sausage and tom sandwich as well as some bread cakes .Before  I do some touching up in the bedroom hopefully .

ORANGE CAKE

 Made another orange cake using the juice and rind of four oranges four eggs oil flour and sugar its well easy moist and tastes gorgeous specially when it is iced on top.

Did a few walks over the weekend the weather was cool but with the sun shining and clear blue skies .

Tuesday came over with Josh and the kids and we went to nearby reservoirs within walking distance to where we live .

We slow cooked some braising steak and had it with dumplings and Yorkshire puddings and mash potatoes .After we headed out for another walk this time to Winscar reservoir the sun was slowly setting yet it was still warm .

PAINT JOB

Helens Mac book had to go back to the repair shop on her desktop when she booted up  there was a folder error showing , the diagnostics was  the hard disc internal lead needed replacing at a  cost off £36 hopefully no more issues for a while at least , total cost £256 still not bad I guess .

Repainted the living room walls we did the main wall which is the biggest at 8m x 2.3 m took the tv off the wall was able to put the usb lead into the back of the t.v  so we can watch movies on a usb drive and moved the other stuff out of the way painting it took three to four hours giving it two coats of Farrow &Ball Paint at £85 a tin its not the cheapest paint out there I also did the stair wall . All and all it looking good hopefully when it fully dries completely it will be flawless.

The day after we also did the door and architrave on the door on the wall that is under the stairs that goes to the bedrooms .

Thinking of taking yet another lump out of my pension I still have my hospital pension which i pay into every month  this will remain untouched and still will have around 30k left in it even if I take more cash out. In these uncertain times why not as getting old might not happen so why worry I will never starve .

Need to get some cider since my son moved in I have not been drinking I do miss the odd can with my dinner before going to work , I don't want to encourage his drinking but why should I not have a can just because he cant control his alcohol consumption .

We have had my son living with since the 4th of Feb and its not been easy with covid lock down and other issues has made life difficult my son and his situation was forced upon us it was something we did not want in another two weeks he will move out and be able to live what ever life he chooses or can afford .if he spends money on drink and other substances he wont get very far if he concentrates on paying his rent and buying food and other essentials that he needs to get bye he will life a better life but at the end of the day  the choice his is but he cant rely on money from me to bail him out if he fails .

ALIGNMENT

 SUNDAY - Went over to York , dropped Guy my son off on the street he was living on a few days earlier  he meet up with his ex  girlfriend and a dear friend of his his ex is still his ex and his friend still his friend.

We went to see where Claudia Lawrence lived the house is still kept for her return and is how she left it , A weird coincidence later that night we had learned that her father had died earlier that day how strange we had no incline .

We went over to see Helens parents they stayed behind the windows Helen stood in the garden talking to her we stayed in the car , it was cold twenty minutes we wa son our way back home .

MONDAY - FRIDAY - My son as a job to start in York for this coming Monday we have  been trying to get him relocated and re-housed in York for this coming weekend .We made loads of enquires on Spare Room and we have viewings this weekend but he won't be able to move in until early March.The planets won't align until then the glitch in the Matrix is real ,The rooms we have been looking at are unbelievable nice in great houses each one of course is different .I would be happy in a lot of them .They are not bedsits I use to remember back in the day these are light roomy and ultra modern and near the centre of York .

Helens Mac book is running like a dream and is way fast I was thinking of upgrading mine but with my sons visit I can't do it this month .

The smoke alarm got fixed today  the electrician urned up and fitted a new base plate only a ten minute job it is as good as new , for some reason I felt really happy that it was now back in situ .

SUPERCHARGED

 My son has been living with Helen and I for jusy over a week now ,It has not been easy but to be honest my son has done what's has been asked of him and been no trouble , he has followed all the rules .

He tends to sleep a lot but if that makes the day less boring for him its not a major issue .It is awkward because our house is not just for us and of course we don't know what time frame we are looking at .His girlfriend has ended their relationship and has broken up with him which seems pretty final .

He as also got a days trail with a company over in Halifax not sure how I am going to get him there each day and I certainly can't pick him up as I will be driving myself to work each day , life is never easy .

SATURDAY - Took Helens Mac Book Pro to get fixed the I.T shop phoned me up the couldn't get past the password screen it was not progressing past that point , but on a good note the internal hard drive is good so its not the drive , he is going to an Apple diagnostic program to see if that can detect the issue it will be next week now before we know what the issues are. Surprisingly whilst typing this I had a phone call problem solved new ssd hard drive as been fitted and everything is now good at a cost of  £220 but its a lot lot faster both on boot up and opening apps and programs   its like four times faster , hopefully I will get mine done at the end of the month .

A FLAT

 SUNDAY - Made shelving for the airing cupboard out of some wood I had left over from a different project .Its not ideal but needs must.

Helen baked a banana cake and fresh Yorkshire puddings for our Sunday dinner .

Guy my son applied for twelve job applications he as to get used to using a Mac rather than the windows laptop .

MONDAY - Stayed at home due  to the snow returning re polished the dining room table also we extended it to it s full width which is double the size we had it .

Helens Mac book is super fucked we might have to get a new hard drive for it got a quote £180 if we are only paying that then of course its a lot cheaper than a basic windows  new laptop . I might see how much to get the memory upgraded too .

TUESDAY - I keep having to inflate my rear drivers side tyre it is holding pressure so it can't be a major defect will see hoe it goes .

WEDNESDAY - Took Helens Mac book in for repair it might need  new SSD Drive will see .

leaving work at 2.am tyre completely flat inflate dit using the tyre inflator that came with the car go tit back up to pressure and head door the motorway .Parked on the last bit of hard shoulder before it goes into the smart motor way and checked and for peace of mind put some more air in , reset the tyre pressure alert system and carried on driving I did get home safely .

THURSDAY Took the car to  a local tyre shop and had the puncture fixed £15 sorted .Getting out of the car the drivers door wouldn't open had to wind the window down and open the door from the outside .

Ordered a digital tyre pressure gauge of Amazon Prime will get it tomorrow and check tyre pressure end of each month .Cant afford to have tyre problems whilst on a motorway a nightmare scenario .

THIS IS THE LAST TIME

 My Daughter my son, Helen and myself have not all been together since June 2014 when we went to the Fleece Inn near Holme mast nearly seven years ago .

I did see my son last year when we went to the Ship Inn at Acaster Malbis we seem to always meet at a pub . My Daughter I see regular as she cuts my har and we visit each other on a regular basis.

The picture below is from 2014 in the car park of the Fleece who do a wicked full English breakfast and Sunday lunch lamb shank and braising steak I remember it well , we are all older and hopefully wiser but then again not.

We was reunited today as Guy , Helen and I went over to see my daughter and her boyfriend Josh in their new abode , if it takes another seven years to meet up again then we want our arses kicking .I doubt it will because as my daughter is coming over in the next few weeks .

SATURDAY - My son seems to have  settled in to be honest its not been that bad but it is early days very early days like day two .

He has been telephoning and face timing his girlfriend I think he did a live  messenger to show her where he is living he did a room by room tour for her. He needs a job and he needs to register with our doctors he also needs to change his benefit details .

Well it is snowing again apparently it going to be a sever I went out and bought some food .2 packets of beef mince , lasagne sheets , three packets of sausages , two packets of bacon , a joint of beef brisket , black pudding , 18 extra large eggs , four tins baked beans and four of tomatoes , bread and bread cakes , fresh orange , large bag of potatoes , cat and dog food , biscuits and coffee and milk , a big block of cheese  , mushrooms and onions and three lamb pasties .Plus we have tinned and frozen food we won't starve .

STREET LIFE

 WEDNESDAY  - Went to York to pick up my son will have to go back tomorrow he was in no fit state to come home .If he does not apologise get his shit together he is homeless , last chance salon if he does not take it then the only way is down .

THURSDAY - Got an apology from my son he was very humble he knows he did wrong .I gave him a set of rules and basically told him break them and your on the street he agreed time will tell I pick him up tomorrow at half past nine a.m shit or bust I won't be going back a third time .

FRIDAY - Meet up with my son Guy he was sober and waiting . He had a Covid lateral test in the car he passed it .We then went to where he was living with his girlfriend to pick his stuff up , he said his farewells to his girlfriend and we headed home .

We sorted out the spare bedroom we rearrange the bed so it was back facing the window striped the sheets and duvet cover and pillow cases and Helen washed them so he had fresh bedding .Helen also emptied her drawers she emptied all her stuff out so he could have somewhere to put his gear , I put the tv on the wall , and give him and android tablet to use .I also lent him the x-box and all my games  obviously I don't want him bored  , by the way my son is twenty eight .

NOT JUST A SNAIL

 MONDAY  - At last nice to see the back of January  bye ,bye until next year , the first month of the year  always seem to last ages .Wonder what the rest of the year will bring 

There is still a very  heavy ground frost  the car is iced up once again annoying but the sun is out and there is little wind so it does not seem that cold .

I feel ok for the vaccination I had yesterday my arm is a little sore but hardly noticeable and did not stop from sleeping .

I am back at work its always a grind going back after time off but as they say needs must .

Watched a documentary on Netflix last night about a man who dives of the coast of Africa and made friends with an octopus ,They only live a year at the end of their life they have young and more or less die  it was called " Octopus My Teacher " the diver was Craig Forester well worth a watch .its amazing what you learn once you study and understand the living creatures around us .Basically a octopus is a snail with out a shell a Mollusca  , but I think if you watch the documentary you will argue this point .

GOT THE JAB

 SUNDAY - Had the Pfizer vaccination this morning it went ok so far so good arm aches very slightly apart from that I feel fine . I was up just after eight and drove over to Harehills in Leeds to st.James's Hospital where both my mother and father worked many moons ago.

My Daughter gave up her rented house and move din with her boyfriend Josh at his house hopefully today they have moved all of her belongings to her new abode , I wish them all the happiness and good fortune on them both may they be happy ever after .

Had a full roast pork Sunday dinner with roast potatoes , Helen even made and cooked home made Yorkshires and a banana cake to boot .

My week of annual leave is finished I am back at work tomorrow at six my next week of is March the 8th for another full week hopefully it will be lighter on a evening and warmer .

NOWT HAPPENING

 SUNDAY - After waking up I went out for a morning walk with Bailey it was cold and icy .Back home I made some chocolate chip cookies turned out ok .

Went out to buy some boxes of both cat and dog food . Went to the local farm shop I had to queue outside until it was my turn to get served .Its the norm now, having to queue its amazing how quick we accept new situations. 

Once it would have been a bug bear now its every day live . Finally mask on I went in and bought a dozen eggs a shoulder of pork for Sunday dinner along with carrots , swede and potatoes will have it in the afternoon with Yorkshire puddings and gravy out of ll the meats the only meat I like better is beef .

MONDAY - Did not win the drone yesterday I put a bid in the last few seconds and I lost it by a couple of pounds it went for £121 plus a fiver for postage . I will get one eventually I am in no rush .

I received another watch strap for my Apple Watch its a black metal band I had to remove a couple of links they sent a tool tp remove the pins it was quite easy.

TUESDAY - Very relaxed day cooked a full English breakfast with black pudding ,coked the roast pork we never had it on Sunday watched some You Tube did nothing else .

WEDNESDAY - it is my daughters birthday faced time her she had a great day regardless of lock down and Covid .

Bought some steak and jacket potatoes for tea and a carrot cake .Cleaned the oven out need to leave it over night hopefully it will come up like new , we have cleaned it out  before cooking joints of meat does mess up the interior specially when heat and fat come together .

Ordered a new phone case for my iPhone XS max I seem to have owned this phone forever think we have still have a good 12 months on contract .Three years is way to long for a phone contract. We can get a way better deal regarding minutes , texts and data plus over only two years on a new Iphone 

BEER BATTERED FISH

 SATURDAY - Looking at buying a drone its a Holy stone HS700D its a flight time of around twenty two minutes and as a 4K camera a control range of 3280 ft .Looking at reviews on You Tube it seem a good drone for the price .On Amazon its £199 on Ebay the current bid is £79 with 24 hours remaining .

I need an interest or hobby I like the idea of photographing and filming and flying all combined in one , so a drone is the perfect solution .

Tea did some pan fried cod in some beer batter which I made using Bishops Finger beer it tasted ok it fried ok the fish was frozen defrosted it before frying it dipped it in plain flour before covering it with the batter , did some hand cut chips it a pretty good tea will have to get more cod .

WHOLE NINE DAYS

 Driving home in the morning the tyre pressure warning light comes on just as I leave the motorway which is roughly half my journey home , I continued to the next petrol station and inflated all tyres to 33psi and reset the warning lights on the in car system . Hopefully all is good .The last time I had the tree pressure warning light come on I had three screws in the back tyre .

FRIDAY - The car tyre seems fine guess it was just a bit deflated like the rest of us in this current climate .

Finished work very icy roads on the way home got home safely showered and had my nightly drink of fresh orange I am also having these Walkers max strong jalapeño and cheese with a sour cream and chive dip .

SATURDAY - Fcuking snow is back again it can't stay away least I have a nine days off starting today .

They have named the person that started the fires in the hospital I really hope he gets twenty five years or longer . He had no right to do what he did its our hospital and its personal I work with staff there  and who are fighting and continuously battling the pandemic  every day ,We don't need shit from cnuts like him I really hope that they throw away the key .

When his intention was to endanger life not only for hospital workers put for patients , fire crew and the police that attended with the added risk of getting infected with the virus , hopefully this will help him receive a substantial sentence,

FIRE AT WORK

 David Attenborough is worried about the state of the plant the coral reefs the animals global warming yet countries and governments who can do something do nothing .

We keep doing what we do nothing will change the planet will only get worse they expect another five viruses to impact on us in the next ten years we are digging our own mass grave its scary .Life every day as if it is your last enjoy the fact that you go to sleep and wake up , enjoy your family , Enjoy time with your loved ones .

And if you can afford to buy a bus then rip the seats out kit it out and fcuk off . Hopefully one day I will  I do still want a camper van I still want to do it when who knows bu I know I will do it one day its my dream and goal,  not to permanently life in the back of a van  but to go on road trips ado overnighters and weekends away , its on my bucket list  its been on a while and its achievable .

I will do a list an itinerary list of what I would take from food to gadgets and every day essentials for every day to day life .The fun bit is stopping of and buying stuff you need on the way .I read somewhere Anthony Hopkins will go on road trips and the only thing he leaves his home with is his credit debit card that's travelling light .

THURSDAY - Arrived at work made my way to the lifts .The fire alarm was sounding which does happen usually its a false alarm .This time it wasn't some fucking idiot had set fire to a linen trolley on the A&E Department had the ran off to the x-ray department trying to set another fire .He had assaulted a member  of the portering team before being arrested by police with tasers .A&E had to be evacuated patients where taken outside given extra blankets , the majority where elderly .The fire brigade put the fire out the damage to electrical systems ceilings doors where more than just smoke damage it will cost thousands to repair .The staff , nurse's , doctors porters , cleaners are battling Covid -19 , last thing we need is a cunt running round starting fires I hope and pray  he gets twenty years .

CANCELLED BUT REBOOKED

 TUESDAY  - Cancelled my vaccine date I didn't realise it was this weekend I thought it was the weekend after , I am off all next week if there is any side effects I don't want it to ruin my week off .

I will rebook it as soon as possible quite a few people are work are having it this week .One member of staff had it and had pain in the injection site and felt really drained and tired .

Really looking forward to this coming summer to have dry ground under foot , to eat outside to sunbath and have barbies , ice cold drinks and hopefully days that are to warm and hot I be totally pisse dof if summer is a wash out .

Rebooked the vaccine for the January the 30th which is my sons birthday three days after my daughters , hopefully its a good omen.

WEDNESDAY - Areas failing at work cleaning scores are down on some areas which is not good everyones moral and spirits are low battling Covid is taking it toll a lot have lost their mojo. They are giving their best just to then get slatted in cleaning audits when half the time we are short staffed with insufficient cleaning equipment , and one of the assistant managers only seems to be interested in getting the floors clean , which is not a critical control touch point unless a patient falls out of bed . No wonder we are deep in the shit .

Might be finally getting some money back from my service plan for my old car hopefully in the next few days fingers crossed .

THURSDAY - Travelling home at three in the morning and its snowing again don't think there is much chance of it laying.

The water was back on and running ok so I was able to have a shower before going to bed went to sleep just after four a.m.

Cooking a chicken tikka masala for tea with rice and fries no nan bread or onion bhajis got two large size of chicken breasts.

Break up Friday for a whole nine days off work gofer my first Pfizer injection on the 31st of January fingers crossed .Roll on pay day its been a long month soon be February getting nearer to spring lighter nights going to make the most of it might by a camera rather than using my phone not sure which one will have to do some research .

VACCINE BOOKED

 I have booked my Covid-19 Vaccinations via a link I registered for through work . Both the initial injection and also the booster injection. The first one is on the 24th of January and the 2nd one is then done on the 11th of April . I didn't realise until the booking went through, that both dates are on a Sunday at round twelve o'clock.

At least if I am more immune to the virus then its less likely that I can pass it on and infect any one else hopefully , Helen suffers badly when she gets the flu or eve a cold she does not think she would survive Covid -19 .Hopefully the injections cause no side effects I will ask more questions before I get my first one done each appointment is a five minute slot so you can't really have a debate I guess it will be get the vaccine or go home .Also its been mentioned that staff refusing the vaccine might not have a job or travel abroad and that it will be mandatory for all staff which if true I don't agree with it should be voluntary and  we should get a certificate to say we have been vaccinated for future proof .

I have to admit I am not 100% confident about the vaccine and realise that it as been rushed through , because of the high number of people dying .The figure state 2.5 million people have already been injected I guess in another few weeks the figure will have doubled if not tripled .If I hear more regarding side effects its effectiveness in its immunity and  protection from Covid - 19 I will simple call them and tell them I am not turning up , all I have to say I have failed a self test and there is a possibility I have Covid then they can't do it .Its my get out of jail free card hopefully they will be no need .

MORE SNOW

 WEDNESDAY - Not looking forward to going back to work not sure what will have changed .I can access my work emails at home but if I am not at work I don't bother .

I will also do another lateral self test I did my last one on Sunday and I was fine I am doing two a week .

More snow is forecast for tomorrow so my new snow shovel might come in handy after all , it is in the car boot .

I break up a week this Friday and have a whole nine days off work which can't happen fat enough it is also my daughters and my sons birthday day .

Someone I know has had a letter offering her the vaccine against Covid I work in an hospital in A&E , Operating Theatres , x-ray department I have not heard anything about receiving the vaccine weird shit that or what.

Did my self test it was fine I am negative once more it is always a worry that the two lines will appear touch wood so far so good .

THURSDAY - Snowed in again no work some of the roads I use are impassable and I am not taking any  risks so I no going to risk it's well sketchy I rang work and told them I would be staying put not sure if they believe me that's not my issue .

The milk and orange juice was well cold who needs a fridge, it is delivered to our doorstop on a Tuesday , Thursday and Saturday thank you mr Milk man .

FRIDAY - The roads a lot better went to the pharmacy picked up Helens prescription medicines and decided I could go to work today phoned up work to tell them the bad news haha.

SATURDAY - Changed the spare bedroom furniture around all most everything got moved the dressing table came from our bedroom we moved a six set of drawers into our bed room .The wardrobe was a nightmare it way too heavy it was tight in the corner moving it out was a struggle plus the carpet didn't help .Took the best part of all day hopefully it is staying as it is and we don't have to move the wardrobe again .

Listen to Passengers new Album - "Songs For The Drunks and Broken Hearted ".

Watching - "Run , Hide , Fight".

Reading - The End of Her" .

Eating - Burgers with chipoltle cheese , chorizo and onions .

IT'S NOT WHITE

 MONDAY - Went to the tip with three bags of domestic waste so the bu=in was not overflowing .Also went to Morrison's bought some chicken breast fillets and egg noddles and chow mien sauce along with onions and mushrooms , will cook it all up for our tea .Bought some rice puddings Morrison's own extra creamy they are delicious and two cartons of fresh orange , they didn't have any cloudy apple cider so on way home stopped at the Co- Op and bought ten cans .

Most of the snow as gone you all ways get the die hard patches that take forever to melt but the road and streets are fine .

TUESDAY - Last days of back at Covid central tomorrow can't wait see what shit as gone down over the last five days .

The sun was out took Bailey for his morning walk it was very fresh passed the sheep in the nearby fields even they looked happy the snow had fcuked off .

BIG PUDS

 Did another cover self test came back negative always nice to know . hopefully  they are accurate and give a true reading.

went out in the car fine the main roads are clear our road covered in snow got home I couldn't get get it on the drive was so compact I had to clear the snow so I had a run up that was snow free I did it using a metal hand shovel , I need to get a snow shovel and keep it in the boot just in case .

SUNDAY - Bought a snow shovel most of the snow as gone its an telescopic  handle will keep it in the boot of my car just in case its better to have one and not need it ,then to need one and not have it ,There is a chance of the snow coming back .

Helen Baked a pear , blackcurrant and apple crumble we had it with custard after lamb chops and Yorkshire pudding dinner .

Well no work at Covid Central until Wednesday which suites me fine.I  would prefer it it I never went back as its getting too risky I think sooner or later we are all going to get invited its Russian roulette the hospitals everywhere are getting full to capacity or will very shortly its not looking good .

I think we will end up on curfew or martial law food will be rationed as well as everything else and I believe if you don't have the vaccine you will be excluded from normal every day life if normal every day life ever returns .

FIRST CUT IS THE DEEPEST .

 FRIDAY - Snowed throughout the night took Bailey out in the morning very scenic looks good love the white hate the cold .

Walked to the farm shop about a fifteen minute walk there and back a bit longer in the snow . I bought some lamb chops , four large chicken breast ,two packets of  bacon and potatoes as well as half a dozen bread cakes and two current T-cakes . I will be cooking a coconut and yogurt chicken curry for tea with rice and fries .

SATURDAY - Went to my daughters partners house Josh he had hired a floor sander and an edging sander to do the floor boards in the living room , will have to finish it tomorrow hopefully , them floor sanders do hurt your back and other muscles , plus the dust at least had face masks every cloud .

Got out of the shower had some hard skin on the side of my big toe I have a scalpel you can guess the rest, It took ages for the blood to stop . I. might have to put my foot in a plastic bag otherwise our white sheets are going to have red patches on them .

Had a Chinese take away no curried duck on the menu , so I had chicken instead shared a fried rice , chips and onion rings Helen had sweett and sour chicken .