1ST ONE

 SATURDAY - Got home from work just before five little dog was waiting behind the for my return home she has been there every morning that I have done extra hours , I hopefully only have one more week finishing at four a.m .The loss of sleep is not good thank God its the weekend .

Bought two trays of chicken drumsticks , bacon , burgers , sausages , chorizo ground coffee and brown sugar .I also bought a case of cloudy apple cider hopefully to go with the barbecue  we are planing for this afternoon the first one this year .

Cleaned the barbecue its grills needed a good scrubbing as it  was not cleaned since last summer 2022  it came up ok I tightened a few screws and bolts and was ready to burn food I  had to wait for the bedsheets to dry that were hanging on the line ,then the meat was thrown on Helen only has two sausages and a chicken breast the rest was for me and the dogs , Also did some jackets and cheese had two cans was very full . If Thatchers want to send over some free cans be highly grateful .

EXTRA HOURS .

 WEDNESDAY - For the rest of this week which is three shifts and five shifts next week I will be working until four am in the morning which is a extra two hours per shift this does not sound a lot .But it does mean I will get home just before or after quarter to five in the morning which is obviously two hours later .

THURSDAY - I did the extra two hours easier enough driving home in the morning it was just about dawn and half way home day light crept in and by the time I arrived home it was full light .I was up four hours later little dog Rosie sleeps on the bed she has no concept of my working hours as far as she is concerned its time for walks if I make eye contact with her she goes into advance jumping and licking mode she is that cute I cant get mad with her , no matter what time I get home she greets me .

NEW HEAD

 WEDNESDAY - Have been out every morning walking the dogs so far I have done 27 miles in six days some of these are done throughout the day and a few thousand are actually at work but I am diffidently getting more steps in I say I am doubling the amount of walking that I do .

Helen bought a lady head wall planter we had a similar one years ago but unfortunately  the wire holding it to the wall snapped and it fell to the concrete ground breaking it beyond repair .We have been on the look out ever since and  we found one which looks better and is heavier wa son sale  at a florist it cost £26.99 but is worth it .Hopefully it will last .

THURSDAY - Took the dogs out only did a mile and a bit walk I am knackered getting three hours sleep some nights is taking its toll . I need a decent cup of coffee and more sleep .

FRIDAY - Helen down loads of prints of journal pages and pictures from Etsy you pay download save and print various prices from £1.99 to £5.99 some containing more pages than others .All she needs is more white card and ink .

Cleaned my Sage coffee machine with the steam cleaner I bought a while go amazingly it did it pretty good .

SUNDAY - Went over to see Helens parents at Acaster Malbis the weather was hot it was a typical lazy Sunday .

PAINTING AGAIN

 SATURDAY - Went on a walk with the dogs over the moors its a nice walk it being Saturday they was the weekend dog walkers scattered about with various dogs .I was gone just over two hours we don't rush the dogs are both forever stopping and it takes time but I was in no rush .

SUNDAY - Painting again did the kitchen hardest part was moving the fridge also did the outer wall leading in to the kitchen and the back of the kitchen wall which is part of the living room some walls I did last Sunday Helen used some white acrylic paint for the window cills in all the down stairs rooms which totalled three .

ELLAND ROAD

 TUESDAY - Our friends funeral it wa sin th morning and it was another sunny day like the last funeral we went to a few weeks ago.This on was at Cottingley crematorium the service was at 10.45 we made it five minutes before the hearse arrived .

After we went to Elland Road football ground of Leeds United for a get together and buffet and bar  the food was excellent and appreciated we did not realise this was part of the funeral until after the sermon .The Eddie Grey suite also had a large tv with a film slide showing our friends Rose live .We was allowed in to the directors box which gave us access on to the terraces. It was  Helens first time seeing the pitch the last time I was there Billy Bremner was the captain .

KING WHO

 SATURDAY - I have no thoughts on the coronation of our new King I don't like the idea of Charles being the King of England I don't think he is worthy I am not putting any flags out or buying any commemorative plates or cups or magazines or books to do with the new King I don't care hopefully its not long live the King well at least  not this one .

Ed's new album is another smash obviously its going to get to number one in the charts no doubt in the U.s.a as well another £25 million plus going into Ed's bank account rightly so he has done so much for our country and charities than Charles will ever do , Ed for King .

Helen as a bad case of diarrhoea she was in bed all day so I spent the day looking after her and watching You Tube .

EXTRA STEPS

 THURSDAY - So we have been awarded 5% pay rise plus around £1600 for the previous year we should get this in June there are three bank holidays in May the tax man is rubbing his hands already .

Only did a short walk with the dogs the weather was grey and cold and threading rain also Rosie did not wake me until half past eight which meant it delayed the start of the walk which also meant that there where dogs on the field where I let them of the lead to have a ten. minute run chasing each other maybe that's why they seem a bit more hyper this morning .

Bought some paint for the living room the main wall is getting painted in a total different colour I think this will be the fourth time I have painted it in the last couple of years .We are also going to paint the kitchen walls and do some of the skirting boards .

FRIDAY - Raining so once again only went on a short walk once round the field and back home the dogs did get let of their leads and managed to have a short run round before we headed back home .

Last shift for my first week back at work its been a very busy week I have doubled my steps almost every day and set a new personal best for steps in a day and week its surprising how much waling I do at work specially as I go cross site .

Cooked chicken thighs and chorizo slices with chunky chips and spicy mayo dressing with grated cheese so its just as well I am doing extra steps .

BEST EVER

 MONDAY MAY BANK HOLIDAY - Back at work first shift back after weeks off not sure how I feel .

Went to see my son he has very little because he is not working I guess I should be grateful I have a job .

WEDNESDAY - I have walked over fifteen miles since Monday with the dogs on a morning then the rest 

at work .Yesterday I did 21,463 a personal best and was 7.8 miles .

ONE QUARTER GONE

 SATURDAY - Went on another hike with the dogs somedays I am  doing five miles I need a decent water bottle and a small back pack once the weather gets warmer I need one for carrying my walking hiking Edc .Such as cold drink , ear pods , knife water dish and water for the dogs and maybe my drone .Have been eating a lot of fresh strawberries and kiwi fruit I haven't had kiwi fruit for years I use to take it to work for morning break with my pasta tuna and pasta .

Went to the supermarket bought some apple pie and cream and some basmati rice I was going to buy some cider but I resisted temptation also bought some fresh water prawns and salad for Helens tea .

SUNDAY - Went on another hike with the dogs found out a different route to take it was very enjoyable it gives you time to think, at seven o clock in the morning there are more sheep about than people .

Went over to Acaster Malbis to see Helens parents we took them to the garden centre at Poppleton a fifth teen minute drive away they needed plants for the front garden and borders .

APRIL RE-CAP.

Three people I knew well and had worked with had passed away .

Went to a funeral first one in years a sad event .

Did not work the whole of April .

Started playing Tomb Raider again "Legend" on X-box one .

Baked a Apple and a strawberry pie .

The temperature got into double figures .

Rosie went off lead for the first time ever no issues .

Eating kiwi fruit again first time in years with strawberries and Greek yogurt .

WASTEING ELECTRIC

WEDNESDAY - If you have ever watched the film 'Kes" there is a scene where he takes the lead of his kestrel and lets it fly free for the first time and the bird returns to him .Well I did the same with Rosie she has never been off the lead well I decided to let her run round an enclosed field she loved it she is fast and turns at high speed it was a joy to watch .She returned no fuss no messing straight away and didn't try to run off when I went to reattach her lead result .

 THURSDAY - Went to the Barracuda fish shop we bought fish and chips to eat in the car I had a curry sauce with mine and we both had a long bread cake and scraps  I also had a can of Dr Pepper , Living it up  without a doubt .The car windows steamed up we was parked up on a lay by hopefully it didn't look like that we was dogging.

I am going back to work on Monday its a bank holiday but I have decided I should be good to return to work after the weekend if I don't have any set backs I am good to go .

FRIDAY - Went to visit my son he had no food , I  cant imagine having a fridge or cupboards with nothing in them in all my life I have never been without food we might have food in the fridge or freezer that I don't fancy but there is always some  food to eat we have enough food to last a couple of weeks needless to say we took him some food over along with milk coffee and sugar .A fridge with no food is just a waste of electricity .

STEPS

 TUESDAY - Went to Uppemill parka dup at Dobcross and walked down the canal to the village .The sun was out it was a steady walk we used the stepping stones to cross the river . to get to the bakery for sausage rolls and chocolate brownies .Helen got her favourite egg mayo sandwhichs in granery 

WEDNESDAY - Took Helen for her hard colouring and cutting I walked along the canal bank to get my steps in for the day so far doing good averaging 11,000+ steps a day best being 15,028 worse one 4788 .Once I get back to work my rate will go up quite significantly .

LEGEND

 FRIDAY - Gloomy day raining most of the day .Helen did a reading for a t.v reality celebrity it went ok hopefully her name will get passed around and she will get more celeb readings to do who knows money talks .

Bought some strawberries and kiwi fruit and greek yogurt its been ages since I have had kiwi I use to eat it all the time when I was working on site with my tuna and pasta mayo with loads of black pepper .

My little dog Rosie is a crazy lady I love her to bits even though she wakes me up every morning I forgive her .I cant ever get mad at her she is just too cute and she cant do any wrong .She constantly steals socks from anywhere she can get them , she will then carry them about in her mouth like its a prized possession as a result I need more socks as this is a daily event .

WEEKEND - Uneventful did nothing major we both chilled out and cooked food .

MONDAY - This might be my last week on sickness I need to go back , I don't really want to but like the majority need the cash.

TUESDAY - Bought from Microsoft X-box Tomb raider "Legend' it was only £2.29 I think I  have played it before years ago I am not sure on the first level I am not recognizing any of the scenery or story line be a bonus if I have not played it before .

ANOTHER ONE GONE

 MONDAY - Boring took thew dogs out did nothing much got an appointment at work on Thursday regarding my sickness absence I am still waiting for results from my Msi scan I had on the 1st of April .

THURSDAY -  A lady I use to work with years ago on the children's ward at the hospital when I worked there on the weekends  has sadly passed away. She was a wonderful lady and was well liked I have not seen her for a few years .We did visit her a few times at her home and she visited us . Hopefully she is reunited with her husband who died a few years sad news .

She helped me and Helen get together she got me Helen's phone number one Saturday when she went on break she came back with it on a piece of paper. I started texting Helen the same day and we started seeing each other out of work the the following Monday the  rest a they say is history , so a big thank you Rose .Thats three of my friends who have sadly passed away in a matter of weeks .

Went to work had meeting it went fine  , I explained I want to come back to work but not until I have my results in I checked online still no results posted .The weather in Leeds was hot it was 17.5 degrees .

CHEAP COKE

 SATURDAY - Joined William Hills online betting so we could bet on the Grand National horse race I deposited £10 and Helen picked five horses and riders we did five each way bet ended up winning £17 nearly 75% return better than losing money .

I found out today an old friend I grew up with has passed away we use to play football together he went to law school and became very successful he went to my mothers funeral another one bites the dust it does make you wonder about your own mortality life every day as if it was your last because obviously one it will come to pass I life and I am doing my best olive it but keep thinking I have done nothing major ,I have not travelled enough by far I should have done more in my teens and early twenties but then I guess I have done more than others I am grateful for the things I have done .

SUNDAY - Slow cooked a pork shoulder in the oven ha dit with swede , carrot ,mash and Yorkshire pudding it was extra nice I had a canoe cloudy cider I have not had any for awhile not sure what , been buying cheap coke from Aldi .

DID IT MUM

 THURSDAY - I am thinking of going back at work a week next Monday my legs and back and other issues are not 100% so  I haven't told work yet and to be honest I am not that bothered about going back the only part of the job I miss is the people i work with obviously some more than others. .The week has been cold and wet hardly any sun hopefully we don't have too long to wait for hotter weather but has this is United Kingdom summer is not forced to happen.

I checked online to see if the results of my MRI scan had been forwarded they hadn't its nearly been two weeks .

I went to Asda my blue light card is still giving me 10% discount at the checkout I think this is a good deal and it does make a difference on regular cost of shopping plus I have £21 on my Asda Rewards card .

I have been watching a You Tube channel of a family man who live sin a normal house works a job Monday to Friday but on a weekend or days of goes off in his van.His van build is not elaborate and it was not a lot to fit it out around £700 .It as no windows , no solar panels no roof vent it is fully insulated a bed and a place to cook and make coffee and a Eco Flow battery bank and it suits his needs he I snot living in it full time so its perfect and a set up like his would suit me .He lives in Cornwall so a lot of the places he visits are not that far from his home and a lot are on the coast .Maybe one day it will happen the main cost is the van .

FRIDAY - Looks like I am back to work Monday I am not 100% but I might never be 100% get to hope for more good days than bad .

To cheer myself up I bought two punnets of strawberry to make a strawberry fruit pie my first attempt my Mother use to make them and they where the best fruit pies my favourite not her apple pies weren't great they were I just preferred strawberry pie anyway I did it and to be honest it was very good I know I will be making more specially as the weather hopefully gets brighter and hotter sitting in the garden eating pie will be a good summer .My mum would be happy I am following in her foot steps I just know she would.

LIFE IS A SLICE OF PIE

 SUNDAY - All the supermarkets are shut its Easter Sunday the resurrection of Jesus Christ .

Did nothing much walked the dogs was going to take fly the drone but it was very misty and windy need a warm windless day patience is a virtue . Once I get confidence flying and manoeuvring the drone I will get a better model .A DJI Mini 2 would be nice the 3 is a bit expensive the two is just over £300.

Cooked shepherds pie with carrot , swede and peas I also cooked two giant Yorkshire puddings and freshly made mash mixed in with butter and milk .

MONDAY BANK HOLIDAY - Raining not very nice went to Fox Valley outlet bought some food items nothing major some cooked meats and various frozen pasties .

TUESDAY - Made my first ever apple pie just like my mum use to bake I had guidance from Helen it turned out fine it was just about perfect beginners luck had it with custard . I really want to make a strawberry pie just like my mum use to bake they where the best my favourite ever fruit pie it has been years since I have had a slice and I doubt if it will be as good as my mums not sure even how she made it  but if I don't try I will never know . Hot strawberry pie and cold fresh pouring cream 

CRASH NO BURN

 FRIDAY - took the small fence down that divided the garden the dogs can get over it quite easy so I removed it .It was just wooden posts into the ground with four by one planks screwed to the uprights with a gate in the centre of it .Helen planted a buh and a apple tree I broke her shovel ages ago and never replaced it was the second one I broke in the last few years so I ordered her a all metal shovel from Amazon hopefully ti being all metal it will last a few years should bend rather than break I guess .

SATURDAY - Got the drone out charged the batteries took it in the back garden but I calibrated it inside the house so when I pressed the return button it couldn't land because of the house and roof I ended up crash landing which slightly damaged one propeller , at least it didn't crash and burn . I need to go than open field plenty of space no risk of crashing into roof tops or damaging anyones property .

SMALL CHANGES

 TUESDAY - Helen bought a pine Wal unit from market place w had to drive a few miles to Honley to pick it up it was in good condition they originally listed dit for £50 we got it for £30 the drawers a slightly out of line but it looks ok.

It took around twenty minutes to fix it to the wall using four screws it already had mirror plates both top and bottom it makes the kitchen look a little bit more farm house than Ikea .I jacked the unit up to the right level so I wasn't lifting I checked the levels I marked the position of the mirror plates drilled and fixed it to the wall .Small changes can make a big difference .

When you attend a funeral or burial it makes you wonder when is your number up how long do you have left and how you are going to die and what happens when you die , I have ready you are aware that you have died because your brain does not die straight away unless I guess you have a major head trauma .

A GRAVE DAY

 MONDAY  - Drove over to Leeds had a funeral burial to attend from one of th night workers Crisanto he had died a few weeks before from a stroke.heart attack he was a year younger than me . It wasn't his time to go days before he was planing a holiday to Jerusalem a few days later his wife was planning his funeral it was not his time .Quite a few people turned up from work which was nice I spoke with his wife she seemed to be bearing up as good as could be expected no doubt she was hurting inside .I paid my last respects it was a open coffin he had his finest clothes on for his final trip . He was given a good send off and we went to the cemetery from the chapel of rest a few miles away to see his last resting place the sun was shining it was a lovely day bye Cris hope you are at peace and  in a better place R.I.P AND GOOD NIGHT .

After the service we drove over to my daughters house for a coffee  we stayed a good half hour from there we went to a fish restaurant for fish and chips ,I got a large cod with chips and baked beans Helen fish and salad , it was ok was not the best ever we would have been better going to our local inn.

When we got home the sun was still out it was cooler but ok for walking we took the dogs to Winscar reservoir the water was up at its normal level,  no surprising after the snow and rain we have had .

WATER

 FRIDAY - I have a couple of cult films to watch "Natural Born Killers " and "Wild At Heart" that's after I finish watching the new film"Johnny and Clyde ". One of my favourite films ever is "True Romance ".

SATURDAY - Went to Ikea again bought some curtains and cushion covers a boring day didn't do much .

SUNDAY - Went over to Helens parents at Acaster Malbis whilst she was taking up the curtains using her mothers sewing machine I walked the dogs to a small lake before going to Acaster Malbis Marina it was a nice walk we was out for a couple of hours .