WHITE GOODS

 SUNDAY - The day was warmer than w have had over the last few weeks the sun was out we decided to stay in and have. barbecue .I went out to get charcoal and meat bought beef kebabs , thin sliced steak , lamb chops , chicken and sausages I also bought Helen some larger and a bottle of lime I bought some Irish cider also I got some salad stuff baking potatoes and bread cakes all set .

THURSDAY - Went to Currys Pc World bought a new fridge freezer its a 70/30 so we have more fridge space which suits us it also has a water dispenser so we have no need to use the filter box that we have residing in the fridge which takes up half a shelve .Also bought a condenser Hotpoint dryer both of the ones we have where new when we moved into the house just before covid lockdown started a week later .

They are both getting delivered this Sunday extra cold cider its been a while since it was icy cold hopefully the two new items last longer than a couple of years this time I have extended warranties on them both .

MAXIMUM CURRY

 FRIDAY - Very foggy this morning out waling the dogs the road we use is blocked off making going to the centre of Holmfirth or our local farm shop having to detour not impressed the road will be closed through the week until the safety work speed ramps are completed could be a few weeks.

I go back to work tonight for one shift then its the weekend a bit shit but the shortest of weeks I aint complaining .

SATURDAY - Went out in the afternoon went to Aldi bought two curries from the fresh ready meal section we had the same the other week also bought chapattis and popadoms the curries are for two people there is a decent amount of chicken in them , but we have one each because as we like different ones but even so they are still good value but if you eat it all double the calories  .

Went went to Costa there was no Starbucks I had a steak Mexican sandwich Helen a bean and cheese and a slice of banana and pecan cake to drink she doesn't like coffee she choose a  apple and rhubarb drink with ice ,  I had a salted caramel frappe with a shot of coffee and cream very nice just over £18 .

Got home to burn a few calories I cut the lawns both front and back both to together must only ad up to 18 square foot but did it before tea which we had around seven .

SCENIC TOUR

 THURSDAY - Set off to visit Lancaster Castle we went the scenic route and it was very scenic with winding country lanes passing beautiful English cottages meadows sheep grazing at the Side of the road and rivers and bridges .

We arrived at the castle mid afternoon parked near the castle entrance and walked up the cobble road to the portcullis the entrance fee off £8 was waived and we went in the courtyard the Pendle witches where held here before being hanged a few miles away .

Helen was doing some readings at Pendle inn with her friend Julie we had tea there we both had fish and chips they where very nice the food was delivered very prompt at a reasonable price alert eating we went to find the church grave yard for one of the so called witches at St ,Marys church a few miles away and the statue of Alice Nutter at RoughLee a couple of miles further on although we had to park up and walk as the road was closed due to stone wall repairs near the water fall and river .

Gods eye symbol is below the clock and the date at the left hand side reads 1712 other parts of the church are older .

Helen finished her reading just after half past nine I had a pint of cider in the bar area we got home just after midnight it was very foggy as we got into Holmfirth .I ma back at work tomorrow for one shift before the weekend going to the coast was mentioned but looks like the weather is changing summer might be over until next year .

ALL DECORATED

 SUNDAY - Went over to my sisters house for a family gathering in the afternoon only to be told that my brother in law was just getting over for covid which was a red flag to Helen , its Helens biggest nightmare she will infer her parents we did sit out in the garden I had food Helen refused she had a cup of tea and that's all , the atmosphere was heavy I was glad when we left we had decorating to do to make ready for the wallpaper going on Monday .

MONDAY - Took the dogs on their longest walk yet , we did 9 kilometres  I had to keep out so the the Walls could be papered the the paint finished, the stairway landing and downstairs wall all looks really good,  fresh and clean you cant bet new decorated  walls and wood work makes it all looks super fresh and new .

NEED SHEEP

 TUESDAY - Did a little touch up of the bedroom wall that I painted yesterday it only took a couple of minutes .I cooked a freshly made bolognese pizza all using fresh ingredients it turned out ok needed more seasoning but it was fully loaded with mozzarella cheese sauce onions and ground beef if nothing else it was very filling .

WEDNESDAY  - Helen finished the reef for the bedroom wall after buying some bay leave stems dried poppy head pods and thistles the shop we go to charge around £130 for something similar .

SATURDAY - Had a Chinese take away its been awhile had the curried duck with noodles it was very nice to say we went out for fish and chips we took the meal home and it was still hot I did drive breaking the speed limits on the way home , as part of the route home had the roads shut for road works .

SUNDAY - Cut the grass again its amazing how quick the grass grows we need sheep .

MONDAY - Three days at work then I have a long weekend of I don't go back until next Wednesday yippee .

REPAINT

 SUNDAY - Went to a disigner home store on the way to York its on the A64 just aft the Highwayman inn.The layout and the interiors is truly inspiring for anyone want to transform their home of course at a cost .

We went to get a paint they sell we tried to get a mixed at B&Q but because it was a image on a phone the machine cant scan the colour to make a mix because the screen reflects the light so the nearest Neptune store was the one we was going to .We bought 2.5 litres of paint , two hand wash soaps and a hand cream , a stone acorn and a stone bird hopefully the paint covers well .

MONDAY - Used the paint to repaint the bedroom wall behind the headboard of our bed it took a few hours to give it two coats its not the hardest wall to paint like always it takes a long to move things and prep the area ,

 A fresh coat of paint does transform a room even just doing one wall makes a difference to the whole room , I might need to touch up slightly in places my eyesight is not what it use to be specially in bad lighting conditions .It was just a year ago I fixed the framing on to the wall and repainted it a lot happens in twelve months.

THE TRUTH IS OUT THERE .

 MONDAY - First day back at work or should I say evening it went ok the time went really fast which helped , did what I had to do nothing more nothing less.I was glad to be driving home little dog was waiting for me which is always nice welcome home .

TUESDAY - Helen swears blind that saw a u.f.o in the night sky it was moving like no earthly craft can she saw it appear amongst the star she viewed the appearance with two other friends who where dropping her off it was only just after 22.00 hours ,  they where to o busy being in aw and watching it to film it , each had a decent top of the range mobile phone yet no one  filmed any footage unbelievable .

GOT

 SUNDAY - My daughter came over with Josh and the grandchildren Jenson and Freddie plus she had picked my son up Guy.Its been well over 18 months since we have all been together we went foo a walk on Winscar reservoir the boats were out on the water it was quite warm and the sun out in appearance which made a change and the dogs got their second walk of the day .

They all went back to my daughters house at Stanley Helen and I went to McDonalds for her fillet O'fish meal I went to KFC for my food after we drove over to my daughters house and all meet up again .

Watched some tv the follow on series to G.O.T "The House of Dragons " Helen was getting in to it she has never watched one episode of "Game of Thrones " now she wants to watch it guess I will be watching it again with her .

PLASTIC TREES

 FRIDAY - Last day of my annual leave I had a shower took the dogs out and got back just before the rain started another grey dull wet day.

Dropping Helen of at Holmfirth centre she is getting her nails done be a couple of hours will go to Aldi get some cider and chicken burgers for Helen and some tempura chicken pieces for me .

Bought as Radio sang a "Fake Plastic Tree" that looks pretty good to say its manufactured it cost under £35 and will never die or need watering or shed it's leaves .

Cooked two burgers with onion green and red peppers with cheese slices on top with French fries one of the best dinners I have had for ages simple but good with tomato and chilli chutney and fresh bread cakes .

LISTENING TO - "Austin' - Post Malone .

WATCHING - "Insidious Red Door".

READING - "Verity , Colleen Hoover.

PODCAST - "Lights Out".

THINGS

 MONDAY - Yep its fucking raining again feels like a bank holiday I have this week off I want a holiday refund its been a shit two weeks .

Decided to do a favourites list my favourite things from films to Books to food to T.v things change as you get older but some things remain the same .Things you do when boredom set in .

1.True Romance .
2.Pulp Fiction.
3.Casino. 
4.Goodfellas.
5.Face Off.
6.Man On Fire. 
7.Dark Knight. 
8.Rear Window .
9.Into The Wild .
10.Raiders Of The Lost Ark .
11.The Great Escape.
12.Thunder Bolt & Lightfoot.

Also going on the pen drive my ten favourite alums I have owned and listened to on a regular basis .

1.Exodus - Bob Marley and the Wailers.

2.Bride Over Troubled Waters  - Simon and Garfunkel.

3.That'll Be The Day - Various Artists.

4..Handsworth Revolution - Steel Pulse. 

5.X&Y - Coldplay.

6.Final Straw Snow Patrol.

7.Resurrection - Tupac. 

8.College Drop Out - Kanye West. 

9.Introspective - Pet Shop Boys.

10.Purple Rain -Prince 

11.Picture Book - Simply Red.

12 .Back To Black - Amy Winehouse.

My favourite books I have read over the years all of these lists are in no particular order .

1.Papillon - Henri Charriere

2.Revelations From The Memphis Mafia - Alanna Nash.

3.Manson - Niel Emmons.

4.Chickenhawk - Robert Mason. 

5.The Traveller - John Twelve Hawks.

6.Steve Jobs - Walter Isaacson

7.Along Came A Spider - James Patterson.

8.Temple - Matthew Reilly.

9.Go Ask Alice - Anonymous .

10.Al Capone - Luciano Lorizzo.

11.Run Baby Run - Nicky Cruz.

12.Kes A Kestrel For A Knave - Barry Hines.

TUESDAY - Highlight of the day was getting my haircut and have chicken pieces with chorizo sliced fries and a bottle of cider .Wedid get a bit of sun so i mowed the lawns front and back of the house .Helen finally went to the the toilet there was no blood she has sent of a poo sample via her doctors be a couple of weeks before we get the results back .

My favourite foods in no particular order .

1.Fried Chicken legs with fries and sweet chilli sauce.

2.Fish and Chips with scraps.

3.Full English Breakfast with Black Pudding.

4.Chinese Curried duck with noodles and chips and prawn crackers and onion rings .

5.Doner Kebab no salad with chilli sauce .

6.Braised steak with dumplings.

7.Meat Ball pizza with green chillies .

8.Sauasgae Mash and Baked beans.

9.Sunday Roast Beef dinner with Yorkshire puddings.

10.Lasagne with garlic bread and fries .

11. Chicken Tikka Masala with basmati rice and garlic nan bread .

12. Beef burger with cheese and fries.

WEDNESDAY - Woke up to very dark skies I cant take the dogs out because its too wet so they are both pisse dog as well as I , taking the dogs out is not a choir it gives me time to think and contemplate all the shit in the world and to reflect on life in general its amazing what you can put right when you are in your comfort zone even if it is only for a hour a day its therapy .

My top favourite drinks in no order .

1.Peanut Butter milshake .

2.Dr Pepper.

3 Coffee.

4. Cider.

5.Disaronno and Coke.

6.Fresh Orange Juice with bits.

7.StarBucks - White Chocolate Moccha .

8.Polish Mead .

9.Odd Cup Of Tea.

10.Bannana Milkshake .

11.Jack Daniels and coke.

12.Irish Coffee.

THURSDAY - Is supposed to be fine need to escape to the coast get fish and chips and waffles and ice cream .

My favourite desserts and snacks I will always enjoy 

1. Chocolate fudge cake with pouring cream .

2. Cheese cake with ice cream.

3.Fresh Strawberries with ice cream.

4.Apple pie and pouring cream or ice cream.

5.Jam Roly poly with custard.

6.Tiramisu.

7. Eton Mess.

8.Short bread biscuits.

9.Walkers Cheese and Jalapeño crisps.

10.Kit-Kats .

11. Chocolate digestives.

12.Reeces peanut butter cups.

 

A&E WAS NOT OK

 SATURDAY - Went over to Helens parents at York had a good day we was just about to go to bed had to take Helen to the A&E Department at Pinderfields Wakefield we got there just after 23.00 it took eleven hours to see us it was literally twelve hours before we got home 11.00a.m Sunday morning .

SUNDAY -After spending eleven hours sitting in the hospital on hard metal seats which gets every bone in your hips back and arse they are pure torture its a total piss take , they know you are going to be there for hours why cant we have at least comfy chairs , that recline with a wireless  phone charging on the arm rest even if you had to pay a couple of quid be worth   . Our phones were low on charge we had been out most of the day .Luckily  I had a power bank in the car I went and fetched it we was able to charge both our phones to 35% better than they where .They didnt even have a tv to watch or any music playing but the worst thing was we rarely saw any doctors about the assessment rooms no one went in no one went home , to be honest  it was a total bad experience we finally got seen was given some antibiotics and sent on our way to the pharmacy .

Got home cooked I cooked up  a full English breakfast I also  had two cups of coffee Helen went to bed just before twelve I laid out on the sofa after feeding the dogs and cats .

I went to the farm shop to get the ingredients for a shepherds pie mince , swede , carrots and potatoes I didn't ask Helen if this is what she wanted as she was fast asleep , but who doesn't like a decent shepherds pie with peas and fries unless your vegan .

NO WORK BUT WORK

 MONDAY - First day off work yippee . Bought a couple of bundles of dado rail for the stairs ,  10 x 2,4m lengths I might need more depends on the wast its over £9 a length which is the same price I paid when I did the bedroom wall . I also bought a ridge back tenon saw for the longer angled cuts and liquid nails and flexible filler hopefully it only takes a day to get it all cut fixed and painted .

Took Bailey out for a evening walk Rosie didn't want to come she hid under the chair so I left her putt.

Cooked the Ikea meat balls made and gravy had it with peas its a quick tasty filling meal .

TUESDAY - Was up at six a.m took the dogs out Rosie was up first as always .I would have gone further put just for a change it started to rain .Not a great start to the two weeks off but so what

Started setting out the stairs for the panelling frame work it went ok I used liquid nails and panel pins to fix to the walls I had to cut the longer angles by hand not 95% perfect fits thank god for filler and a heavy layer of paint covers a multitude of sins .I also bought some edging pieces to go on top of the string against the wall this looks 100% better to how it was filled with caulk .

It needs more coats of paint but its looking good above the dado is getting eventually wallpapered and the banister will also get re-painted .

RAIN , RAIN GO AWAY.

 SATURDAY - Not even took the dogs out , I slept until 09.30 so had a good six hours sleep which is good for me but it was raining yet again , so I did what any good Englishman would do in a similar situation I cooked a full breakfast minus the mushrooms and tomatoes .

Marked out the walls on the stairs so I can fix the frames to make the panels it gives a rough idea of size and positioning and might slightly changed once I  have the wood above it I will do a plinth with moulded wood above this it will be wallpapered hopefully I will get the wood I need this coming Monday .They will be seven panels part of the stair string is both convex and concave so getting to all look uniformed is a happy medium , but there is no right or wrong if its liked go for it .

SUNDAY - Took the dogs out before the rain started Helen is working form half past ten until late afternoon so its going to be a boring wet Sunday .

Had a Indian meal delivered I had chicken Shimla which contains green chillis and pineapple with rice and chapatis Helen had butter chicken with mushroom rice e had 2x popadoms and 3x onion bhaji which were free for £25.50 when we first moved in it was around £18 three years ago.

MONDAY - Still raining its the third day of rain July is becoming some what of a wash out . The cats following behind are mine they don't mind the rain they will gladly venture out when its wet at this point it was just spitting but all storms start with one drop falling first.

DOING NOTHING MUCH

 SATURDAY - Left to mu own devices Helen was doing readings for six people so she was out most of the afternoon .I was bored the weather was grey and dull with torrential rain coming and going we had thunder but no lighting.

FRIDAY - I break up for sixteen days zero work get to go to bed at a reasonable hour and sleep like an ordinary person , not that I want to be ordinary .Sometimes ordinary is all my day consists off I am doing my best to listen to new music and read new novels watch the latest films but I find it all a bit ordinary .I need to do something new but what I have no idea .

I have no idea what my son is doing if I am honest probably nothing much which is a waste a total waste but he walks down the path he wants to go down as do we all .

I would like to go to the cinema while I am off if there is anything decent to watch I also fancy going for an Indian meal hopefully I will get extra walks in specially on Saddleworth moor weather permitting .

I also want a barbecue in the sun with steak and jacket potatoes ice cold cider and gateau fingers crossed it will happen .

Below is a random picture of our garden on a sunnier day hopefully the heat wave we have been promised is coming for a few weeks at least .

Ordered more things from Amazon , for Helens crafting and journaling projects she is doing me a book to keep all my items in I have collected through the years .

BADGES AND APPS

 MONDAY - Another dull grey day I do hope summer is not over the last few days have been lighting and thunder storms hopefully finer hotter weather returns asp . Specially since I have two weeks off in two weeks time , would be nice to get to the coast again .

Been a boring week tomorrow is Friday Helen is busy Saturday all day doing readings still waiting for bits and pieces from amazon the majority of the stuff I ordered has arrived I am also waiting for some circular spinning mirrors for the garden .

My Be Bop Deluxe badges came I use to draw the Axe Victim guitar endless times not sure if it was a real guitar or just art work .

I downloaded a audio book app which you can book mark I used the free trial version before buying it just to make sure it did what it said it would do saying that it was only £3.99 .

WORKING NOW

 THURSDAY - Roll on the weekend I hoping to have a barbecue again this coming Saturday afternoon weather permitting .

SATURDAY - Went to Hobby craft at Sheffield and to the Range boring I know but Helen ended to get some crafty things .

Went to the Boshaw Trout for our tea both had fish and chips didn't enjoy the the food was too dry the chips too thick cooked  in  the oven look nice but very dry the tartar sauce was all gherkin no sauce had a wedge of lemon helped I don't like vinegar on fish and chips ended up getting some mayo .

Went to the local supermarket got some Ben and Jerrys ice cream and chocolate fudge cake cheaper than ordering desert at the pub .

My Anker Soundcore are not working there is only sound coming from the left ear bud I have re-charged them disconnected them reset them still no joy I spent over two hours messing around until I got fed up and jacked it in .

MONDAY - Took the dogs out tried the ear buds and they both were working fine typical .Good job I didn't jump the gun and bought  a new set .I will get a better pair later in the year when its my birthday in October .

AMAZON SHOPPING

 SATURDAY - Went over to York to see Helens parents her father seemed ok to say he was struggling and in hospital only a few days earlier .

On the way home we stopped and Mac Donalds for Helen she got her fillet of fish and I went to the Kfc which was just opposite we ate in the car .

SUNDAY - Ordered loads of crafting stuff from Amazon for Helen from glues ,  inks cutting mat, to different paper punches and dies for embossing and paper cutting i also got her a box for all her stuff to live in when not in use .

I ordered for myself Halo 5 for X-box one hopefully its not boring  and six black finish  laguiole steak knifes .

I also ordered a new patio table umbrella the last one got damaged by the high winds we have it totally wrecked it the pump in the water feature has died so I also ordered a new pump .

ONE YEAR IN

 MONDAY - Had a quite weekend didn't even have a barbecue no meals out no long walks just sat in the garden chilling .

TUESDAY - Payday plus back pay plus 2% of your earnings on top extra for the previous years wages if I got this amount every month I be on easy street .

What do you do when you know someone is totally fcuking there life up through the use of illegal hard core drugs .When all they focus on is the need to get money to buy more shit .They might tell you its for food that they haven't eaten for three days and are passing out through lack of food , or they need it to pay for gas electric on a prepaid metre or they need it for bus fares to go for a job interview etc , etc the excuse why they need money is endless but all they need it for and will spend it on is drugs .

FRIDAY - Took the car in for its first service no issues one year old had a stone in the brake calibers which they removed also the topped up all the other fluids including screen wash .Also taxed the car for the full year so proper road legal . Looked at the new all electric Skoda at £68k I wouldn't consider it it does look nice but its a lot of money for a Skoda .

DINING OUT

 TUESDAY  - How time flies life is going so fast a week pass very quickly June is flying bye .The garden is benefiting from the days of rain  that we have been having over the last few days and everything in the garden is blooming and growing and coming to life.

Its raining this morning I cant walk the dogs so I had a coffee usually as soon as I am dressed I let the cats in and I walk the dogs .But today I had coffee and manage to sit down which was nice for me but the dogs are pissed off ,as soon the rain stops I will take them out .

WEDNESDAY - Our wage slips are online for us to view we are getting our pay rise and back pay and I have some overtime not a lot but it all helps all I want to say is I got a little more than I  envisaged I am happy I wish this was my regular monthly income I would be on easy street if it was , but it all spends hopefully on essential necessities and some extras roll on pay day back to getting my enhancements after my time on sick .

Need to go get some cat food and chicken thighs I also need to get some more honey chilli sauce before it all goes off the shelfs .

FRIDAY - Roll on pay day I think I will buy myself  a massive tomahawk steak to celebrate will maybe cook it with a couple of baked potatoes with three cheese fillings along with  , fried onions and stuffed mushrooms and some fresh warm crusty bread . Followed by chocolate fudge cake and ice cream .and a few bottles of vintage cider or scrumpy hopefully sat in the garden in the sun 

CIDER & BEER

 SATURDAY -Went to a football presentation meet up with my daughter at Swillington Pavilion spent a few hours watching the youngsters getting their trophies .My daughter gave me a create of cloudy apple cider and twenty quid nice one very much appreciated .

Went to the Kaye Arms for fish and chips the fish it is cooked in beer batter and the chips triple cooked I had it with  pint of Inchs cider for desert apple crumble cheese cake with toffee ice cream .

Its been awhile since we have dined there the food and service was s till excellent and it cheaper through the week .

SUNDAY - Went over to Helens parents at Acaster Malbis took him over a bottle of brandy and a card I sat in the garden most of the afternoon with the dogs on the way home we had a torrential rain .

Cooked fish fingers and home made chips for supper a great way to finish the weekend .