Friday 29 December 2017

One in One Out!

One out today, that was Vin who took himself off to Tesco so he didn't have to go tomorrow. With the New Year weekend looming he didn't fancy going there tomorrow so went today instead. He got some logs from Homebase too so we are sorted for being warm. Goody! 
I was the one who stopped in and Vin came home at around oneish so we had our coffee then. He was telling me that the roadworks are bad round there and it was causing huge tailbacks round the Tesco car park. Took him ages to get out of there. Stocked up again for the week and also got two Costa cards which were %15 off so quite a good deal. All set up for next year then!
Little Jessie who isn't really "little" she is more like a football! was on the bed very very early this morning. I just woke up briefky and saw a head in the dark with two little ears sticking up.  She went after a bit over my feet, and came back again later apparently for feeding.  She knows what she wants that cat!
Jane's Christmas pudding, warm chocolate brownie with a good ice-cream. 
How to enjoy the fire! Laid back catty.

Thursday 28 December 2017

A Quiet Day!

Apart from the doorbell going off three times! Firstly was the parcel for our next door neighbour. Second was actually for me except I wasn't expecting anything, it was my delivery from Bullens. Third was the electric man who had come to read the meter.  Little Jessie must be getting used to our doorbell because she doesn't run away upstairs like she used to. So at least we have moved forwards there. 
We didn't go out today mainly because we have got lots of stuff in the fridge and freezer. All we needed was a loaf and some milk so Vin got those from the shop down the road so we were sorted.  He says he might go  to Tesco tomorrow. I don't think he fancies going on saturday because of the New Year buying frenzy! 
Nice to see little Jessie not moving when the bell went  she has been in her basket just raising her head once in a while! She does get up to miaow for food though. 
I love this one. Our Jane took it on her camera phone, really good image.
And this one is one of her best. It was on Christmas day when she woke up enough to go after her Daddy's plate. He was having our pudding which was a nice Brownie, with a blob of creme fraiche and a few raspberries, tastefully decorated with a few white chocolate stars. Very yummy XX

Wednesday 27 December 2017

Been and Gone!

Yes! All over and done with for yet another year. All the shopping and thinking and preparations and it goes so quickly. The really lovely thing this year was that  our Jane was home for Christmas which was a treat. However, she did spend a lot of time in her bed which was understandable because of her awful shifts. She went back last night and is on nights tonight. In at the deep end. We are proud of you Jane XXX 
We did have a good time over the festive period with everybody getting some good things even little Jessie who got a go into hut which she got the hang of almost immediately. Very quick on the uptake she is.  Vin is very proud of her for that.
Loads of food as usual, but Vin reckons there isn't much over, and at least we don't have any meat like a lot of people do. We do however have a terrific number of boxes of chocolates, when we will get round to eating those I have no idea, we don't actually eat a lot of chocolate things and have the occasional one with our coffee on a  weekend. 
Jane used her phone while she was here and took a lot of pictures of little Jessie so will see if I can get one on  here.
Christnas Dinner, our version which is a sort of meat loaf which we have with all the trimmings.  This was Jane's I think because she has all the bread sauce and sweetcorn. 

Thursday 21 December 2017

Shortest Day!

It is officially the shortest day of the year and a grey one at that.  It certainly doesn't look like we are going to have a white Christmas, unless you live in Scotland maybe. I can't remember the last time we had one of those, must be a lot of years ago.
Vin went off to Tesco this morning to get some last min ute things kike veggies etc., also Homebase because he had to take something back, and he bought some coal and hardwood logs from there too. Since the Home and Bargain didn't have any on Sunday that was a good buy. Then off to Tesco which is just over the road. He met some people we know from down the road so he got chatting to them then did his shopping. He rang up to say he was on his way back but he would drop off the card for Alex who was Jessies previous owner from when she was a kitten. He said it is a big posh house with a big long drive. I think our Jessie is slumming it now not having a huge house to pad around in! One thing we certainly do not have is space in this house! Ah well it's called downsizing!
Our back room window all lit up for Christmas. 
Our Jane had better hurry up home because little Jessie seems to like the new bedding all made up with a new electric blanket too!

Wednesday 20 December 2017

What a Night!

Oh Dear! My fault entirely too!  I knocked a little spot on the top of my nose last night around nine o'clock, and it started to bleed. trickly not profuse but it just wouldn't stop. Vin tried everything, pressure, ice in a paper towel, blotting it, dabbing it, blowing it but it just wouldn't give up. At half past three in the morning it was only just about stopping.  Vin just wouldn't give up and he was getting really tired as was I. Eventually I turned on my side and it stopped, little bleeder! So sorry Vin and well done for perseverance. 
 We did Jane's bed this morning and put a brand new electric blanket on it so it would be nice and comfy for her. I don't know how long it will be before little Jessie will go on it but she hasn't yet so far!

Welcome home our Jane!!

Tuesday 19 December 2017

In Today!

Stopped in today mainly because we had things to do and didn't want to do any more shopping or coffees out! Doesn't really matter it is nice to be in at this time of the year. 
Jane is now off but is probably catching up on her sleep I should think. I hope she doesn't mind the cat being on her bed because she has been there all day up till now when I came up to have a go at the computer. Because it was dark and I put the light on it disturbed her and she jumped down and went off. She came on her daddy last night and again this morning I think she would have stayed there all morning but he had to get up for a shave. She jumped off in a huff!
Home and Hearth. Can't beat it. 

Monday 18 December 2017

Vin Says It's Mild!

He does, he sats it is a mild day today!! I don't think it is mild but there again I  am always cold anyway.  Still have nice fires though, he got some coal delivered last week and he normally tops that up with some he buys from Home and Bargain but they haven't had any for the last two weeks. Wonder why? 
He gets logs from there too, but the chap next door but two told him about a place in Formby to try. 
It has been a weekend of finals this one. Firstly Strictly which I have watched since the beginning, then The Apprentice ditto, Then Sports personality of the year which leaves us totally cold and disinterested. Strictly i was rooting for Debbie who was marvellous but didn't win, she should have won it though I think. The Apprentice was a bit of a surprise because he gave both of them the prize, there was a lad and a girl and he couldn't make up his mind between them.  Quite enjoyable viewing though  both of them. 
Little Jessie has been her usual self today, nice and quiet resting in her basket.  She did chuck up on her Daddy's sofa the night before last though so poor Vin had to wash his covers. Naughty girl!
I think he has forgiven her! Except, she is now being sick on the stairs and he is sighing like mad! I'm keeping out of the way!

Friday 15 December 2017

Quick Visit!

Doorbells this morning. Firstly the delivery os coal which wasn't expected till Monday but came this morning instead. They left it in the front garden and so poor Vin had to ferry it round to the back garden via the wheelbarrow. Anyway that is safely in the coal bunker next to his logs.
Then it was the nice lady from Hermes with the soap that I ordered only the other day, so that was a very speedy delivery. 
A nice small coffee and then a bit of lunch for us both and it was off to the podiatry  for a three o'clock appointment.  Only waited a few minutes then Helena came to get me, she wanted to check my feet and I also met with the orthotist, who  has written me up for some house shoes. They should help with the getting round the house because the orthopaedic shoes are terrible for walking on. The good news is that I don't have to go back for a month, so the 17th January is the next one. Wow!
Little Jessie seems to be finally getting used to the doorbells!  It went a couple of times this morning and she didn't budge. Normally she races up the stairs like she has been shot! Maybe she is getting used to them! Only taken a year!!
Out of the way and trying to hide!

Thursday 14 December 2017

Yesterday and Today!

Both today, since we were quite late yesterday I didn't have time to get this done.  We decided to go out yesterday which was nice, and off we went to Dobbies. Looking very festive for the season it was actually quite busy. People shopping for the season I suppose. It was a horrible day really, very wet and drizzly and cold as well but nice inside. 
We had a good look round and got some things for Christmas, something for everybody.they were offering a lot of Christmassy things at half price too so when we went to the cash till we got a lovely surprise.  I was really surprised just how much we got for the amount we paid. 
When we got home I went into the dentist to see if they could fit me in because I had a filling come out of a back tooth and it was very sharp and has been for a bit. To my surprise he said he could do me at  two twenty,  so I went back then and he put a filling in. Good job done.
Stayed downstairs after that so didn't get this done . Today it is quite grey and drizzly now, not a very nice day at all. So we stopped inside.  Little Jessie has been her usual self, not been out either. I don't think she likes the cold weather. She will go out if it is sunny and her daddy is out there too, otherwise she isn't bothered. Who can blame her really. 
 Inside looking out!!

Tuesday 12 December 2017

Really Really Cold Today!

Well we were going to go out today, but Vin went down for the papers and came back to say that it was bitterly cold , take your breath away cold he said so it was a stay in job. I wanted to finish off my Christmas cards anyway and do a few bits on the computer so it was a good chance to do that. Maybe go out tomorrow. He has just come up to say it has started drizzling so it's gone warmer, not to me it isn't I'm always cold!!
Little Jessie of course hasn't moved much today but stopped in her basket near her Daddy. He reached over at lunchtime to tickle her tummy very lightly, and she scratched him! Little minx! fancy scratching the hand that feeds her. Not wise!
Having a play! 

Monday 11 December 2017

Brrrr!

Brrr again! like the other day but colder. Everywhere is snowy but it seems Merseyside at the moment. Trains and planes off and schools closed all over but we carry on.  We did have a bit of snowing yesterday but it didn't stick. Just came down and  then melted although it was cold, clearly not cold enough for it to stay. Some areas have had it very bad with traffic jams all over and bad hold ups. 
We didn't go out today and stayed in getting bits done. Vin printed off my little letter for my Christmas cards which I have now started writing. Each year I say that I will do them earlier, but never get round to it for one reason or another. I do a letter/note on the computer, mainly because my writing is now just terrible, very shaky and scrawly, and even Vin says he can't read it! So the last resort is the latter/note. It says what I would have written anyway. 
Little Jessie is at present in the middle of Jane's bed, all curled  up and looking very comfy. She doesn't seem to mind the noise in the room, and I always have the t.v. on  fairly loud but she doesn't move unless she hears her Daddy around, then she does. In fact she has just jumped down because she heard him.
He tried to get her to go out this morning but she wasn't having any, he says she won't be pushed out but will go out if she wants to.  When she did decide to use the cat flap, she sat on the flags outside for a few minutes then came back in again!!!


Friday 8 December 2017

Brrrr!

Brrr indeed. Definitely cold here today, suppose it is the result of the dreaded storm Caroline that is supposed to be hitting us today. Not that much sign of it yet though it is a bit blowy. A little flurry of sleet this morning  and very grey this afternoon, not really a good day to be out at all. 
Vin has finished  the trees now and everywhere looks great. He has also moved the footstool from the middle room which makes it look a lot tidier too.   It will all stay up for at least a month so you do get quite good value from it all.  I spent the morning trying to think of things to put into my little Christmas not that goes in the cards each year. At least it saves a lot of writing which is so bad now that I doubt whether anyone could read it! 
 Our Jane is on an eight to eight long day again today. Hope she isn't too busy and doesn't get too snowed on when she makes her way back to her car. She says it is too expensive to park in the hospital, and if the parking in Aintree is anything to go on she is probably right. 
Little Jessie suddenly appeared in Jane's bedroom this morning when I was at the computer and has stayed there since then. No doubt she will come down a bit later thinking we are going to have our cream sponge, but she will be unlucky because it has all gone so she will be unlucky ! 
Our tree in the extension always ooks nice and so far little Jessie is keeping away from them. There is one little red round apple without its hanging loop though and  she has had good fun knocking that around. This morning Vin found it in the hallway!!
We have had her a year now, and I wonder just how much of that time she  has spent sleeping?

Thursday 7 December 2017

Poor Sammy R.I.P.

The doorbell went this morning and it was the husband of the lady who owns little Sammy. He was a lovely little black and white cat who has been visiting us for years. He came to our front door to get biscuits, and Vin would always keep a packet of them in our porch to go and feed him. We will really miss little Sammy, he was a beautiful cat, but was terrible for running over the roads, and in the end that caught him, and he was run over.  We know what that is like having lost our Tootsie just over a year ago now. 
It's beginning to feel a lot like Christmas round here at the moment . Vin got our three trees assembled yesterday and today we put the decorations on them. Always love doing that, they do look lovely when they are up and lit and decorated. Some of them we have had for years, one, a little box of tiny wooden angels that I got from Liberty's in London. They were £3.50 and I thought that was a fortune. Of course now it isn't.
Little Jessie is very comfortable in the middle of our Jane's bed. Looks lovely all curled up. 
The front of our little house, the tree in the front window and the candle arch above and a wreath on the front door. All set!

Wednesday 6 December 2017

It's CHRISTMAS!!

 Started to put the Christmas things out. Vin had stowed everything on the bed and ferried it all downstairs. He put the things over the mantlepiece and they look lovely. One of the best things about Christmas for me actually. 
I love all these things, most of them came from our trips to America. They do such pretty decorations there. Many from craft fairs and stalls.
Also a huge parcel arrived from Amazon, with no order form but containing two beautiful advent calendars. They have tea lights in them, one for each day of the month and a surprise for the 25th.  I love Yankee candles they always smell so gorgeous. You get a different flavour each day which is always really nice.
  Little Jessie  seems blissfully unaware of what is going on around her. In her basket and fast asleep. 

Tuesday 5 December 2017

Parcel!

Last Friday we got a card through the letter box from the P.O. to say that there was a delivery which was  too large for the letter box. Vin went online to arrange  for it to be sent to our local Post Office, it was there today. No wonder it was too big for the letter box it was huge, and turned out to be an Advent calendar from our Jane and was a Kellogs one.  How inventive, 24 little parcels of cereal boxes all of the flavours I like. Can share them with Vin too  if he is a good boy !  What a great present, really thoughtful XXXX Thankyou our Jane XXX
Surprised us after lunch today, which was a nice carrot and tomato soup, by just how quickly it goes dark.  It was nearly pitch black by the time I came upstairs which was about a quarter past four. Vin was getting the fire ready downstairs but the ashes  were a bit hot from last night, so it was a quick rush outside to get them out before the paper burnt.   It burst into flames once and our next door neighbours thought we were having a barbecue...in the middle of winter!!!
Little Jessie didn't wake her daddy up too early his morning because it was darkish. 
Where is my dinner daddy?

Monday 4 December 2017

Podiatry!

Early appointment this morning to Aintree to the podiatry clinic, at 10.30. We got there a bit early and then had to wait for a while because they were quite busy. Saw Jo who cleared my foot, and made an appointment for the 15th of December to get a fitting for some slippers. At present I am wearing  the orthopaedic flat shoes that are quite difficult to walk in.
After the clinic visit we nipped along to the Co-Op , mainly because I had seen an advert for some nice little chocs that would be a treat for Christmas. They do some nice things in there but not in all the stores.  Vin came out with those on offer so that was a good deal, and worth going for. 
Then he went the back way to the retail park for a Costa coffee.  I had a lovely flat white and Vin had a honeycomb lattee. That came in a tall glass with a swirl of tasty cream on the top and honeycomb bits. I did pinch a bit of his cream when he wasn't looking and it was lovely. 
Home then and by afternoon back in our normal routine. Little Jessie hadn't moved at all, not one little bit. Vin reckons she was tired because she was waking him up at six thirty this morning!
I LOVE this picture! you can just see her uniform. Didshe really go to work like that??@??