Sunday, September 29, 2024

Sunny first thing

but it has now changed to dull and cold...brrrrrr.Last night we decided to have Sunday lunch out, so phoned up and booked a table for the carvery. As usual it was very good. Back home DB retired for his siesta.

Load of coloureds in the washer I need to sort out some decent clothes for our visit to SIL!! Like Mrs Bucket she has standards, casual just does not do it.......

It has turned very cold, have the stove on in the sitting room, the temperature is down to 17c. The central heating will kick in at 4pm.

No sewing today, I have finished the piecing on the quilt, have one row left to attach, then need to sort the borders. I usually measure down the middle of the quilting and cut the side borders, once they have been attached, measure across the quilt from side to side which gives me the measurement for the top and bottom borders. Have to sort the wadding and backing and then it will be off to my friend to get it quilted. When I have cut the bordsers I will cut the fabric on the cross to make the binding. Hopfully will be finished by the end of October and I can get on with some other stuff.

Supper tonight will just be something on toast, we will have fresh fruit for ?dessert.

Saturday, September 28, 2024

We have sun,

but not for long, rain is due again tomorrow night, so looks like another Monday off for Trevor.

Have sorted out our trip to see DB's sister. travel up Friday, back Sunday. Accomodation all sorted, we can have breakfast at the accomodation. SIL has arranged for 2 of the children to come over to see us. The other two are in Cambridge and Bristol, so too far to travel for a day.

Sun is quite warm, but there is a breeze. Was devastated to see the damage in the US. We have friends who live in North Carolina, hope they are ok.

Two more strips for the quilt made just have 3 to do to make the 10. Then it will need cleaning up and pressing before it goes to be quilted.

Towels washed and on the line, they should dry in the breeze.

Supper sausage, baked potato and beans. Banana and custard for dessert.

Friday, September 27, 2024

Brilliant

The weather forecast yesterday was for very heavy rain. I was in two minds weather to cancel my appointment, but it was fine, when we left after DBs blood test ,for Leicester, we were a bit early so parked up for half an hour, the sky darkened and it did not stop to rain, in minutes the water was collecting at the bottom of the car park, we waited till it eased a bit and then drove to the hospital, we were lucky and drove straight into a disabled parking space. I had about 35 mintes before my appointment, it continued to rain heavily. I used the pusher to walk in. My appointment went very well.......they are estimating next summer before they will need to change it, they have tweeked it a bit, as I am not as active as I was, so demand is going down. Hooray.......

It was fine when we set off for home, we ran into heavier rain just before we got to the bungalow, it then rained heavily for the rest of the evening and the garage floor is flooded again this morning, so roller garage door and side door are both open, its due to be fine for the rest of today and tomorrow. so hopefully it will dry out a bit more. The cabinet of the freezer is dry, so a sign that there is no condensation ehich is good.

Supper tonight, fish and chips........ no idea about a dessert if any.

Thursday, September 26, 2024

Hmmm,

sunny at the moment, we are forecast heavy rain this afternoon, I have an appointment in Leicester to see about my pacemaker. If we get really heavy rain  this afternoon our homeward journey could be a bit fraught. I have put the emergency bag back in the car, will fill a flask and take tea bags with us, just in case. The emergency bag can stay in the car, winter is approaching.

Did a bit more at the quilt yesterday afternoon, have just 4 more strips to do, then it will need a good press. It is going to my friend to be quilted, my shoulders and back will just not let me sit over the machine for the time it would take me to do it.

Morrison delivery this morning, everything all present and correct and put away, some in the garage freezer.

I have part opened the garage door again, the back of the garage is still wet. The chap came yesterday to look at the outside wall wnere we think its coming in, he is going to speak to the letting agents about it. Not a lot we can do really. I will be glad when the baby arrives and we can liberate the pram and its various bits. Having said that I really do not want water coming into the garage. We plan to cut up a pallet we have to stand the dryer on, at the moment its standing on the concrete floor, really do not want the bottom to fall out. The freezer is already standing on a pallet we brought with us from Hose.

Supper tonight will be cooked gammon and salad, not sure about dessert. I have got some cooking apples, will use some of the blackberries from the freezer for apple and blackberry crumble at the weekend.

Wednesday, September 25, 2024

hooray

It was cold when I got up, did put the heating on for an hour to make sure it was working properly. Now the sun is out, so a load of laundry hung out to dry.

The garage floor is slowly drying, I am still concerned about the pram though. We are forecast for more heavy rain tonight, it is up off the floor but there is still the damp atmosphere in the garage that bothers me.

I plan to do at least 2 more strips for the quilt today, I have one to sew on which is the half way mark. I need then to sort out wadding and backing, looking for some reasonable cotton fabric for the backing.

After Mondays bad night yesterday was a bit better. need an even better one tonight. Tomorrow is my Pacemaker check and hopefully some idea of when I might get it replaced. Watch this space.

Supper tonight is egg and chips, I know DB will eat all of that!!


Tuesday, September 24, 2024

Thank goodness

it stopped raining during the night, when I got up the water had drained from the garden and half way across the garage floor. I am worried about the pram in the garage, if we are in for a lot of rain we could end up with the pram getting damp. Its packed in polystyrene in a box, damp could affect it. I need to have a conversation with DD2 and see about getting it unpacked and into the loft, the boiler for the heating is up there and its fully floored with means its insulated.......

No sewing today, just did not feel like it, might have a go tomorrow. I have my appointment re my pacmaker on Thursday, need to see what the prognosis is.

Cooked casserolled beef for tonght enough for may be 2 more meals as DB is not eating so much, have done potato, cauli and sweet corn to have with it. Might do rice pudding for dessert.

Monday, September 23, 2024

Oh my goodness

what a good job I got the pram and car seat lifted up, the garage is flooded from the back almost to the front, and more rain expected today. Its quite misty just now, but a very grey sky.

Terrible night last night, only slept for about 3 hours, good job I was not collecting Trevor.

DD2 messaged to say that she is calling in this afternoon on her way to collect GGD from school.

Cleaner is here doing her usual excellent job, I have had to put the mat from the kitchen in the porch, I think something got split on it yesterday, I came through to make tea juist after eleven and ended up with wet feet. Hopefully it will dry out. I can wash it but not going to try cramming it in the washer, when we get a fine day - if ever, I will scrub it outside and hang it up to dry off.

I will get another row onto the quilt hopefully, depends how tired I am after lunch.

Supper tonight will be chicken kiev with salad, we can have ice cream for dessert. 


Sunday, September 22, 2024

More of the same

the weather cleared a bit yesterday afternoon, then came back with a vengance after supper, did not hear any thunder but pleanty of lightening. I had to go out to the garage and lift up the pram etc that we have in there. When it rains really hard the garage leaks, did not want to go in and fined a £500+ pram we through. Its still in its box, so hauled it up onto one of the trolleys and put the car seat bit on top of a pile of garden pots.  Believe me I could have done with a strong man, was crackered when I had everything off the floor.Went in this morning and sure enough the floor was wet towards the back. It has rained heavily again this morning, more is forcast and the forecast is for rain all day tomorrow,  I just hope the wind does not change diredtion and the rain get in unter the front door. TomorrowTrevor will be staying home. The missed days are making inroads into the time frame. I wanted to get the work finished by the end of next month.

DB decided he had the dizzys whilst I was getting our breakfast, went in with a loaded tray to find him on the floor again, why he could not get back into bed heaven knows. I am getting very tired......... next time it happens I will just throw a blanket over him and leave him there. Life is becoming a prison for me. which needless to say is not what I signed up for 30+ years ago.

I managed to get 3 rows of the quilt done and sewed together just 7 more to go........ it is beginning to look ok, glad I decided to change the design.



                                           Rows of 5 blocks


                                      The original pinwheels.

Joined up they would have made a seperate pattern, but just could not see enough of the peter rabbit fabric.

Pork chops for supper tonight, I offered DB roast potatoes, he wanted the little new potatoes I get, then changed his mind, told him sorry, I had already done the veg. I could almost serve his meals on a smaller plate........will do the chops in the air fryer. I use a steamer to do the veg, carrots and cauliflower tonight. There are enough strawberries to have with ice cream for dessert.



Friday, September 20, 2024

Rain

 the good weather has disappeared, its very overcast and drizzly, supposed to last over the weekend and into Monday, so another day Trevor will not be able to come. I am hoping to get all the work that needs doing in the garden done before winter sets in. Then we start from a clean sheet next year.

It was very late when I woke up, 9.30am, DB tried to get out of bed and announced he was dizzy so lay down again. I showered and dressed, he finally came through about 10.15. We both just had coffee and a piece of toast.......

I have a laod of laundry in, the thick stuff will have to go in the dryer, the thinner stuff will go on the airer in the porch. I need to get chips from the garage freezer for tonight.

I did two pinwheel blocks, do not like them so am going back to 5in squares, I have quite a few blue blocks cut, need to cut white ones now. will be quicker to put together. need to look for a suitable print for the backing.

So fish and chips tonight, finish off the rasps in jelly for dessert.

Thursday, September 19, 2024

Cooler this morning

Was up early to go for my well woman check, everything is fine, weight is the same height is just down a wee bit more, but BP etc is fine.

DB ate all his supper last night, and had jelly, no ice cream though. 

Morrison delivered today, the chap brought in the wrong order, it was the toilet paper that did it I always buy chushelle from QD. So everything back in the van and the right order brought in.

DB asked for cream cheese and cucumber for lunch, there was half the frittata left so I have sliced it up, can eat it with our fingers. 

I made up one of the blocks, have to sort out how I can set up an ironing station, the bits need pressing before I joint them together.

Supper tonight, cooked gammon from the freezer with new spuds and salad, more of the jelly, there should be enough left for tomorrow night as well.

Wednesday, September 18, 2024

More mist

we went to the coffee morning at the little chapel. Called at the library on the way to put back our books we borrowed whilst the road was closed.

One of our older members is now unable to walk, so was not there, she is in her 90's and will be missed. I asked for her address, will get a card and send it to her. She and her family farmed in the village until her husband died.

Quite a few people there, cake with coffee, apparnetly there had been a meeting at the Chapel last weekend, the cake was left over.

Home just after 12.30, DB had his glass of milk and went for his siesta. I had a couple of ryvita and my apple. 

Just before we got home the sun came out and the mist cleared, its going to be another warm afternoon.

Yesterday I cut out more fabric for the quilt blocks, will sew a couple to check they go together alright, It seems queer cutting 51/2" blocks and the finished block measuring 61/2.

After last nights debacle with the supper I am going to do DB much smaller  meals, I cannot bear to throw food away, it goes against all my instincts, so much smaller portions for him. Tonight is egg and chips, no beans.....The raspberry jelly I made yesterday has set, so we will have some of that for dessert. I did notice last night DB helped himself to 2 scoops of icecream, he will only get one tonight.


Tuesday, September 17, 2024

Misty start

and it was quite cold, the mist cleared and it is now sunny, but there is a chill in the air.

Drawers I ordered came this morning, taller than the old ones, so my rulers will fit on the top, so much easier to grab.

Used the last of the frozen rasps to do a raspberries in jelly for dessert, will last us a couple of nights.

I am hoping to get the squares cut so I can start the quilt next week. We are out tomorrow  for the coffee morning, Thursday is my well womwn check up at 9.30am, I know it is not going to go well!!

Supper tonight chicken gratin and veggies, jelly for dessert.

 

Monday, September 16, 2024

Cor......

Its 'ot. Sun was shining when I went to collected Trevor, By the time I got to take him home it was blistering. I called at Tesco for fuel and then drove home. The estate agent was waiting for me, she had a cancellation so came early, to inspect the property, lots of photos taken. I am afraid she was the type of lady I cannot stand.........DB said he felt the same.

Called for petrol on the way home, the petrol station is under attack, 4 pumps have disappeared, no idea what they are doing. I usually pay cash, but had to use my CC.

Trevor worked his usual miracle in the garden, he has moved some of the pots into the empty space in the top bed. We really just have the two overgrown crocosmia ? bushes to see to and the garden will be ok.

DGD came home from hospital last evening, the pain has subsided, I expect it will rear its head again before long. They are trying to get her far enough along the road towards her delivery date.

Frittata and salad for supper tonight, I was going to do rice pudding, but its too hot. So it will be ice cream.


Sunday, September 15, 2024

Sunny start

 We had our usual Sunday breakkie in bed, had to get up 9.45am as the chap was coming to cut the grass and do another few odd jobs for us.

We have an inspection tomorrow, checking to see we have not turned the place into a canabis factory. I need to spend half an hour in the sewing room, its a bit messy, have started to cut out the squares for the quilt.

No news re DGD, guess she will see the consultant in the morning, I think its a case of whats best to do, they cannot take out her gall bladder whilst she is pregnant, it may be a case of delivering the baby and then doing the cholesystectomy via keyhole surgery.

Supper prepped, I cooked a gammon joint yesterday, sliced it this morning, put some slices for supper tonight and the rest in packages in the freezer. I did potatoes and some cauliflower, will roast the spuds and do peas with the cauliflower, parslet sauce with the gammon. I guess we will be having ice cream for dessert.

Saturday, September 14, 2024

It was brrrrr

last night, but a warmish sunny day today. Did some laundry and it has dried, so thats fine. Started to cut the squares for the quilt, not quite sure how many of each fabric I will need.

Cooked the gammon joint for tomorrow, will slice it and freeze hwats left after I have cut the slices for tomorrow night

Nothing much going on. DGD is back in hospital, one of her stones has moved, not sure what the plan is. The difficulty is that she is pregnant They may decide to deliver the baby early and then sort out her gall bladder. Baby is due beginning of December, so is viable if they do have to go in. I think they are hoping to keep her going a bit longer before they go in, the longer they can put it off the better.

Supper tonight HM sweet and sour chicken and rice.


Friday, September 13, 2024

Up

early doors, the road alterations have finished and at last we can go 2 minutes up the road for books.  The new roundabout is massive and only one side each way is open the rest is coned off. There were several  books on the  ordered shelf for us both along with the new timetable. 9.30 instead of 9am. There were several people waiting all with the same complaint they were not told the van was broken down, so like us they had to wait 6 weeks for the next visit. I managed to get 9 books and DB has one I can read as well.

Bright sunny morning but brrrrr is was down to 14c in the sitting room when I came through, I opened the blinds and its warming up nicely. I will have to put the small fire on later to see us through to bedtime. I have decided I will start the cot quilt on Monday, new week new project. I do need to do another sample first though.

DB continues to drive me nuts at times, I can tell him something and 2 minutes later he has forgotten. I could not find the tin with the ground coffee in. I keep it in the fridge.......found it on the shelf in the cupboard..... Hey Ho, no point saying anything, it will happen again I know.

His medication will be down to 1 tablet a day on Sunday for 4 days then half, they are really small I have a job to break them in half, my thumb nail works best. I am back on painkillers twice a day, so need to up the amount of water I drink.

Shepherds pie went down well last night. Its fish and chips tonight.

Thursday, September 12, 2024

And again

8.45 before I woke up, not a great nights sleep but better than it has been.

Its very cold outside, we have not got the heating on yet, I just put the electric fire on for a short while in the evening, its thermostatically controlled, so goes off when it reaches the set temperature.

DD2 came yesterday, brought me some bits I had asked for  from the town, and collected the tin from the tea party a few weeks ago. Last week she and DGD went into Leicester and bought more stuff for the baby. DD2 paid for it all. I was going to give DGD some money but have decided to give it to DD2 to set against the vast amount she spent. Believe me it was an awful lot. She has already brought the 'travel system' which is sitting in our garage. I have to admit that I am a bit trepidatious about this baby and it's effect, quite a lot is going to have to change.

Grocery delivery this morning, I need to nip to Aldi for dish washer tabs and the laundry liquid I use, will go whilst DB is having his siesta, then its done.

Supper tonight is shepherds pie I made yesterday, it just needs reheating in the oven. Will do peas and sweetcorn with it. Ice cream for dessert.

Wednesday, September 11, 2024

Oh Brilliant

We were late waking this morning, so late putting the laundry out, half an hour later it chucked it down with rain, The sun is not shining on wringing wet washing!! It can stay out, will watch for further rain clouds and get it into the dryer. I really do not want to use the dryer until forced, but there is too much to go on the airer.

The second lot of fabric has arrived for the quilt, so I can gird my loins and make a start. It just needs ironing. DB 2 will be in this afternoon, she is collecting LM from school.

DB has started reducing the tablets, cutting  a small lozinge in half is not easy, he has to do 4 days on 1.5, then go down to one.

It is quite a bit cooler today there is a breeze, we are now putting jumpers on and last night the fire went on for half an hour after I drew the curtains, it cuts out when it reaches a set heat.

Cooked mince this morning for shepherds pie tomorrow, will divide the rest into half and freeze for spag bol or mince and tatties. We are having egg chips and beans tonight with ice cream to follow.

Tuesday, September 10, 2024

Busy morning

 DB had an appointment with his consultant this morning. We were in for an hour going through various things. He is to cut down one of his medications, with a view to stop taking it, It appears that his BP is not to blame, He is being referred on to see someone else.

We left home at 8.45, arrived back at 12 45, he has gone for his siesta. I had a much better night 8. 15 hours After 3 bad nights it was a welcome relief.

Sausage and mash tonight, Ice cream for dessert I think.

Monday, September 9, 2024

Raining again

So not trip to pick up the gardener. Now 10.20 the sun is trying to peep through. Everywhere is wet, think it has been raining all night.

Trying to work out the size of the quilt blocks, have converted my machine to sew.....will be strange using the foot pedal. I need to iron the fabric, just waiting for the white Peter Rabbit fabric to come, can make the blue blocks for a start.

Cleaner is here doing her usual excellent job, she is worth her weight in gold.....

DB is back on his Family research,  He got his DNA done, I am wondering what mine might bring up........ I might be related to royalty not!!

Supper tonight sausage and mash....... no idea about a dessert, may be fresh fruit.



Sunday, September 8, 2024

It seems to be getting worse

last night I only managed just under 5 hours, that 3 nights in a row I have slept badly.

After a very cold dull day yesterday its bright, sunny and rather warm. We were very late getting up, so nothing done apart from sorting the supper

We had a quick walk up the garden, I have decided that all the plants in pots are going into the garden, when we finally leave here I doubt we will have a garden at all.

 I did do a quick pinwheel this morning, I need to cut 51/2 inch squares, when sewn they come out to 6 inches which is just what I need.

So roast chicken and all the trimmings for supper, banana and ice cream for dessert.

Saturday, September 7, 2024

The weather

cannot make up its mind. Yesterday was warm and sunny this morning its cloudy, grey and raining.

Life goes on, we were awake early so an early start to the day. I need to start on the quilt, but am waiting to get some white fabric, decided to do blue and white pin wheels........

I need to wait and see what the hospital has to say re us going up to see DB's sister, they should decide when they are going to replace the pacemaker after my next appointment later this month. Will not be starting the Drummer Boy until I have done the quilt.

Supper tonight is ADB, not sure about dessert.

 

Friday, September 6, 2024

Finished

yesterday I finished the nut cracker, I still have to go round and clip the threads off. 


Here he is hanging about on the bookcase!!

So a bit late getting up, but not as late as yesterday. I have cleaned up the sewing room and loaded the pattern for the drummer boy, having gone through the instructions its going to be more complecated than the nutcracker.

I nipped to Aldi whilst DB was in bed for his sieats. He rang his sister this morning, I could hear her in the kitchen, she never stopped to draw breath for at least 20 minutes. DB is making noises about going up to see them, she is still driving but at 87 no longer does long journeys. We are working on it.

Fish and chips for supper tonight, banana and ice cream for dessert.



Thursday, September 5, 2024

Late waking

We woke at 9.20 this morning to grey skies, it had rained in the night and began to rain again whilst I had a load of laundry in, so its on the airer in the porch with the windows open. I am fighting against putting the dryer on until at least November.

Did a bit more at the nutcracker, just have one arm to put on, he is looking quite good.

It has stopped raining but very grey out.

We went to the library yesterday, got a couple of books out to keep us going until the van comes again.

My mind is constantly going forward to when I stop driving, even here it will make life more difficult. A combibation of bus or taxi. If we need to go into Leicester for the hospital it will have to be hospital transport. That I am not looking forward to, how ever no way are we moving until we have to. 

Heard from SIL yesterday she sent us their new address, have sent her an email, trying to get DB to phone her...........it would appear that their old house is not yet on the market, I know the children are taking care of that........

Prepped pork for pork and pasta for tonights supper, we will have garlic bread with it. There will be enough for another supper for the freezer.


Wednesday, September 4, 2024

Busy Day

In a weak moment I agreed to have DGD's pram delivered here and stored in the garage. Message this morning, due for delivery between 10 = 11am, DD2 abd DGD turned up to wait for it, only half the order was delivered, the rest is coming this afternoon.

After they had gone we decided to go to the library and take out books, the van is not due for another 2 weeks. The pram body and wheels. I bit different to wjem mime were babies, coach built Osnath pram, I loved it. So sad when it had to go after Nicholas was mobile.

Soup and toast for lunch, I spent an hour doing pne sleeve of the Nutctacker, have another one to do and its finished. Will start on the cot quilt I have decided to do pin wheels, alternate blue and white, hopefully it will not take too long, I am going to quilt it on my Lumi.

Salmon new potatoes and sweet corn for supper, will finish off the rasps in jeely with some ice cream. 

Tuesday, September 3, 2024

We had rain

A very heavy rain shower about 6pm ;ast night and then more rain overnight, the garden really needs it. Its spitting with rain again, but not really coming to much.

We were drinking tea at 1am, so consequently it was 9.45am before we woke, so everything is out of sync today.

Have just walked down to the shop, forgot to order weetabix from Morrison, so picked up the TV Choice at the same time. Forgot to take a letter to post, so it will have to wait until we go out again.

No sewing yesterday, might manage an hour when DB goes for his siesta, I must concentrate then on the baby quilt, need to find out if its a cot quilt or pram quilt thats required.

Grocery delivery this afternoon, we will be having egg chips and beans for supper tonight, I made a raspberry jeslly yesterday, so jelly and ice cream for dessert.
 

Monday, September 2, 2024

Seasons of mists and mellow fruitfulness

The weather is telling us we are in autumn, we have a misty start this morning. I was late picking Trevor up, almost 15 minutes late.

Driving home we ran into rain, but no sign at the bungalow although its mid day the sky is very grey, we are forecast a thunder storm, It had rained during the night.

I have not quite finished the Nutcracker, doubt I will get any of it done today, very tired after a bad night thanks to DB. It was 4am when I last looked at the clock.

Trevor has put cardboard and strulch down on the top bed, hopefully it will stop the ivy regenerating in that bed. I have had to order another 6 bags of strulch, hopefully that will be enough to finish the garden off.

Supper tonight jacket potatoes, sausage and beans. I have made a raspberry jelly for dessert.

Sunday, September 1, 2024

So we wait

It is a dull morning and we are forecast thunder storms and heavy rain later today, flood warnings just about everywhere. Not looking forward to that. I have out essential electrical appliances surge protected, especially my machine, It would cost a fortune to put right.

DB had a coughing fit last night after we went to bed, consequently although he went off to sleep after I told him to get one of his cough sweets, I was awake for hours, the coughing along with his short term memory and vertigo are really sapping my strength, I feel as if I am trying to fight my way out of a bubble, he is unconcerned, which is not helping. Of course he is from the generation before me who were brought up so you changed your mother for a wife who was supposed to look after you as your Mother did!!! After 30+ years the gloss is wearing thin.

Managed to sort out the problem with the nutcracker, I am about to start on the head, only a couple of things i.e. joining the head and arms to the body and then his hat, should finish him tomorrow, then I need to start seriously thinking about the baby quilt. Still have not made up my nind re the blocks.

Supper tonight is roast pork again, very tempted to go to The Harboro for lunch, but our finances have taken a dip thanks to the new mattress. This is no spend month........

Early doors

We had to get up early this morning, 7.45am The window cleaner was due and also a delivery from Morrison which came 40 minutes early, he was...