Waiting!

Friday morning 17th December, a week today will be Christmas Eve. Come round very quickly as it always does in the end.

Vin has gone off to Aintree this morning for a follow up appointment from the colonoscopy that he had some weeks ago, also the scan which he had done last week. His appointment was for a quarter past nine and it is now a quarter past ten and not heard anything yet. Do hope they sort him out because he is having a lot of sleepless nights which are taking their toll. 

Weather has calmed down a bit lately the cold has gone with the threat of snow and frost and it is now cloudy and overcast doesn't at the moment look like a white Christmas here anyway although things might change. 

Did all the Christmas cards last night those that needed posting just neighbours to do now and Vin has to do his also. a little bit later than usual mainly because we had run out of card really well nice ones anyway. Then Vin went over to the garden centre to get some logs and saw some there. Good news too they were half price as was a small box of nice crackers that he saw too. Good ons as well Tom Smith  wonder what the Queens ones are like?

He has just rung up but very brief he was trying to get out of the car park quickly and will ring from the Co-Op when he gets there so still waiting.

Don't know where Jessie is, downstairs asleep I suppose, she never comes near mewhen Vin isn't here,a real one man catty that one. Jane's cat is getting to be the same, she follows her round everywhere apparently.  Hope she got her e-mail today, I was teasing her last night with what I had bought her for Christmas so she will have to wait!

Patiently waiting!

 

Omicron!

New varient of the dreaded virus called Omicron which is supposed to be spreading wildly. At least we have had both of our vaccines plus the booster so we have done our bit to stay safe anyway. Now there seems to be a rush for the booster jab becuse it will be needed to get into nightclubs and sports venues etc., and there have been reports of up to seven hour waits for a walk in centre. Ours was done in minutes,  the only wait was afterwards when you had to sit for a half hour then go.  We got off easily 

Vin went off to Sainsbury's yesterday in Crosby and got us stocked up again. He seems to be a bit more recovered from his procedure two weeks ago thank goodness, it really took it out of him, and he had a C.T. scan last Saturday at Aintree. Now waiting for the follow up appointment from the consultant with the results. Life seems to be moving slowly in the N.H.S. at the moment so many other things going on at present.

Jessie is having a quiet time at the moment her little life revolves around her food her basket and her litter tray! Like most cats I suspect. Jane's Ipsy is the same, keeping her company and miaowing loudly for what she wants. She is on nights this week so Ipsy is left alone during the evenning then wants to play when the morning comes and Jane wants to sleep. Funny existence really at the moment, but they appear to manage. 

Nice little spot to relax in!

Storms Over!

Until the next one that is. Barra didn't affect us much really just went by with a bit of a wimper although we did get some very breezy trees.Nowhere near as bad as the earlier one which they called Arwen and blew down a lot ofpower lines in various parts of the country. 

Vin has gone off to Aintree for his scan this morning. Very grumpy he is at the moment, he had a right go at me this morning, don't blame him really he is probably tired, he says he cannot get comfortable in bed these days, and he does wriggle a ot. Of course it is all my fault apparently, so I'll keep my mouth shut and not say anything at all in future. 

Christmas not really happening here this year, no trees up and only a few decorations while he is having this trouble. No point wasting the effort to put things up . No idea what we will be having for Christmas dinner this year, probably something ordinary, thing is he isn't eating normally and I'm not bothered what we have at all so maybe something out of the freezer would suffice. 

Weather today is nice actually, quite bright and sunny but cold as you would expect for this time of the year. Saw an item from one of the Australian relatives that it was 39 degrees over there now that is warm! but to be expected since it is their summer.

The cats are both doing well,  our Jessie is somewhere downstairs probably in her basket. She doesn't come to me up here at all never has done really, not like my lovely little Rusty who would come and jump on the computer keyboard and often type reams of letters when she reod on the keys! Jane's Ipsy is snuggling up to her in her bed these days, keeping her warm and close. Miles away from the frightened little cat she first got from the RSPCA. Very different little cat. 

Trouble in Downing Street at the moment and the newspapers are full of that. There was apparently a Christmas Party there on the 118th Dec last year.  There were Christmas jumpers and party games,and some merriment was had by quite a number. Not on really bearing in mind that the country was being told to distance and not have gatherings, and people saying they couldn't visit relatives even in hospital or nursing homes. Also Boris and his wife had their second child yesterday as yet unnamed. No other details given.

Waiting for Daddo!

Barra!

Well we had storm Arwen then along came storm Barra. More of a wet storm than the former which was very high winds blowing down power lines in various parts of the country. We had some winds the other night but all it did here was blow the back door down. Vin went down and fixed that so it was shut again. Today is wet rainy and cold not a dfay for going out. Still a bit blowy too but not stormy more of a heavy gale. 

Just heard on the radio traffic news that there are problems on the M57 because of an overhead gantry. This has caused holdups round Aintree. Hope that is cleared up by Friday when Vin goes for his scan.

Jane has finished a run of four nights, didn;t ring yesterday probably because she is catching up on her sleep, which takes some doing after that lot.   We got a delivery from her of three Yankee Candle advent calendars which are really nice, burn one each night in my lovely little snowman from some years ago which takes tea lights.

Love this one of the two of them Vin and jessie!

 

Finally!

Finally got the items for the parcel together to send to Ann in Australia. The calendars arrived yesterday Saturday so that was great. Finished off the letter and that has printed off nicely.Post tomorrow which actually is the last day for sending to Australia so good timing.

Vin is still suffering and has had many very disturbed nights, he is due for a scan soon and a consultation coming up at the moment waiting for letters  but the post is very scarce really these days.

Janes little cat Ipsy is getting very friendly now with her, complete change from the frightened little scrap she first got.  Might be to do with her wtching what her sister used to do and copying that, who knows what is in a little cats mind?

Storms of recent days have lessened a lot but still disruption in some areas of northern England with some being without electricity for almost two weeks now. A lot of power lines to be cleared apparently which is a hefty job. 

Jessie oblivious to the storms and peaceful on her blanket. The only time she runs off was when mark came last week to do my toe and she scooted upstairs like she had been shot!

Brrrr.

The weather has changed over the last few days here. Started with storm Arwen which swept the country at the end of last week, didn't really hit us here but very strong winds enough to make the lights flicker so Vin got the emergency lantern out just in case but thankfully it wasn't needed and we didn't have any power cuts here. No snow either but it is very frosty this morning. Hope jane got out of her road ok this morning. Don't think the gritters were out last night but I wouldn't hear them anyway. Clouds of steam coming out of next door's boiler so they must be using the heater full on. We had the first fire of the winter yesterday he ws trying some new fuel which proved to be really good lovely and toasty warm, Jessie was huddled by the heater keeping herself warm quite happy with that. Just listening to the traffic report on the radio which is quite bad, a lot of road blockages around and even Blackpool promenade closed because a building was damaged during the storm.Windy there at the best of times!

Vin is waiting for the next appointment from the hospital, hope they hurry with it he needs sorting out because his nights are very disturbed up and down all the time. 

New variant of the virus, this one is called Omicron and is thought to have come from South Africa so flights to and from  there are suspended also other places where there are cases.  We have both had all of the vaccines including the booster so hopefully that will be a good safegaurd.

 Mine!!!

All Over!

It was a feat of organisation for Vin the last few days. He had his Covid test done on Sunday which it appeared was clear so it was all go for Wednesday. Tuesday was an absolutely horrible day for him as he had the prep to deal with. That in itself is awful, and I felt for him . He got so little sleep on Tuesday night he must have been worn out yesterday.  

He went off very early mainly because of the traffic but he said it was very light actually and no hold ups. His appointment was for 9-15 and as always he got there early. Had it done around elevenish i think and rang me up at lunchtime to say he was on his way home, because he had the procedure done with gas and air he was allowed to drive home which was good because it meant that he didn't have to leave his car there. He got home at about twoish which was good fine but really tired. Could hardly keep his eyes open yesterday afternoon. Fairly good night's sleep last night it seems.

Hopefully he can have a bit of normality today getting back to what he usually does.  Weather is quite nice at present, bright skies but cold. 

Jessie did a very good job of ignoring me yesterday! When i went downstairs she miaowed a bit fully expecting to see her Daddy follow me but when he didn't she took herself upstairs to jane's bed  and stayed there till he came home, then miraculously she turned up again. Nice to know she loves me (not) ! Oh well!

 Together Again!

Eventful Week !

Started yesterday with vin having to go to Aintree for a Covid test. That was at 11.15 and he left in plenty of time to get there. Done quickly and efficiently and he went from thereto Tescoin Freshfield to get a few things he wanted. That was done and dusted, if he doesn't get a reply it is clear for his procedure on Wednesday morning. He is having a colonoscopy done and was sent the prep for that on Thursday night after trying to get through to them for a date and time. letter followed a day or so later. 

This is to try and sort out his digestive problem that is causing so much trouble. Poor lad he has been having this for some weeks now and has lost a lot of weight accordingly so much so that he got a new pair of jeans yesterday from tesco in a 34" waist where he has always bought 36 for ever.  he also bought a new robe last week from there is a small/medium to replace one i bought him years ago and is very long down to his ankles now. Oh dear!

Jane is off for a couple of days now for a change so is spending some time with her little cat Ipsy who is now very affectionate. Follows her everywhere which is different from when she got the two of them and Ipsy was extremely wary of her wouldn't be touched easily and was scared of hands approaaching her. She is working over Christmas this year so won't be home this time the first for a long while. never mind.

Fast asleep and oblivious 

Getting Over The Jab!

We had our Booster jabs on saturday, an d Sunday was pretty much a missed day really. Passed by in a blur. Monday started to recover just had the achy arms and muscles. We wonder if it was to do with having the Pfizer jab after having had the AZ ones previously. There again they tell us that it is all safe and we are done now and all's well so we will leave it at that. 

Vin is still having health problems and is supposed to be waiting for a phone call but has heard nothing yet and it has been an age waiting. Very hardgoing waiting for a phone call which never comes. beenlong enough really and each day he is getting more tired, you just want the next stage really.

Jane's little cat Ipsy is following her round the house everywhere at the moment and sleeps with her too doing what her sister used to do in fact. She had some catnip mice delivered today and she went wild for some time with it then is now curled up with her on the sofa and is nice and calm, it is like catty cannabis to some cats.Our Jessie seems to be unnaffected by catnip as some are apparently. She has the occasional lick but can take them or leave them.

Vin has gone off to Tesco this morning to get a top up of groceries etc., we are running out of food he says.

I love this picture, Ipsy on the right and poor little very much missed Dipsy on the left.

 Our Jessie! Are you waking me up?

What dAY!

Friday he booked our Booster jabs at a church hall in Old Roan, attached to a church there. That was for ten to twelve on Saturday morning so we went along at the due time.Had our Pfeizer jabs and came home. All fine until Saturday night Istarted to get shivery at bedtime. Vin was getting the tired phase too.  Next morning we both were starting to feelrough and I went back to bed as did Vin eventually. What a day, went to sleep a lot and Vin got the shivery goosey stage during the afternoon so he wrapped himself in a blanket also to get warm. Horribled ay really and by far the worst reaction to any of the vaccine jabs we have had so far. At least we are done and dusted now.

I think he is still tired this morning but carrying on. Waiting for a phone call from the hospital about his next procedure but so far nothing doing.  Weather a bit grey and dull today looks like it could rain but not sure really. 

Jessie wasn't bothered as long as she got her food, everything goes on as normal. Remembrance day yesterday too, and a bomb goes off in a car at the Women's hospital in Liverpool. So far some houses being searched in liverpool, the taxi driver escaped with some injuries apparently but not serious. The passenger in the taxi died at the scene. Quite horrific really.

Madam in a relaxed pose!
 

Friday!

My how the weeks are flying by! Remberance Sunday this weekend, already getting on towards the middle of November. Went for a blood test yesterday, had to go to a drive in centre at Aintree which was a breeze really. Only problem was that there was a hold-up on the by-pass.but thankfully vin spotted it before we got there so he turned round and we went a different way. A bit more of a roundabout way but we got there.Today we got going earlier and Mark arrived at around a quarter to ten so nice and early done and dusted, he will next see us  in three weeks. It's all but healed up really.

Poor Vin didn't have a good night last night he was up and down a bit more so he will be tired today. Insisted on going to Tesco though says he feels ok except for being tired. No doubt he will have a nap this afternoon. Still waiting for a phone call from the hospital about the next stage of investigation. 

Jessie dissapeared like lightning when she heard the doorbell go, really strange because the fireworks the other night didn't bother her in the slightest,never moved a muscle. Jane's little cat Ipsy on the other hand was terrified of them and hid in her igloo out of the way. She had hired a lady who came and slept overnight so she would have company while Jane was on nights which worked well. 

 Our Jessie in pensive mood!

What a Day!

Started with getting a blood test arranged for tomorrow at the drive in centre in Aintree. At least it will give the car a run out. It went for its M.O.T. yesterday which it passed. it has only done 1,400 miles since the last one, which is not surprising really since we haven't been anywhere haven't been to Dobbies in an age and also don't even go to the Costa for a coffee either. Aintree visits have been curtailed because a lot of those are done by phone these days. 

Vin is due a phone call from Aintree this afternoon too because of his digestive problems which are really bad at the moment. He isn't getting much sleep at present poor lad. He has good days and bad days so hope he gets somewhere today. The surgery rang twice the other day because they were having trouble getting the blood test results over to the Aintree number. reassult was that it was suggested that he gets a number when he speaks to them today and they will then send them over. Technology!!

Two deliveries today,within a few minutes of each other,one from hermes and the other from Yodl. Oh dear not very good for the climate.  

The two cats are doing fine at the moment, ours Jessie is living the life of Riley, as is Jane's little one Ipsy, who was waiting in her window for her last night when she got home. We have only had one cat do that who was the lovely Lucy who used to wait in the sitting room window for Vin each night. When she heard his car she would jump down to wait behind the door for him to come through. Aaaah! Little Ipsy does that too which is lovely. Shame that her sister isn't there any more. That was a real tragedy. 

Nice little spot to be next to my daddy!

 Ipsy's favourite spot in her igloo tucked away in jane's wardrobe!

Climate Change!

For the last two weeks ending this week a big COP 26 meeting with world leaders, trying to solve the world's climate change problems. Haven't a Scooby about what they are coming up with but it seems wrong that there were 400 private planes jettinginto Glasgow airport at the beginning and that the President of the States has a 21 car motorcade travelling from  Edinburgh to Glasgow every day! Seems a bit hypocritical to me. Wonder what they will end up with after al of the talking. By the way Chin and Russia did not attend which appears ratherodd!

We have a bit of a busier week this week. Tomorrow Vin is getting his car M.O.T.  Wednesday he has a phone call from the hospital about his digestive problems. At the moment he is not doing too well, and is trying different things  to get better. We shall have to wait and see what they say. Friday is mark day, he hasn't been for the last three weeks since the foot has cleared up beautifully.

Firework night last weekend but it didn't bother our jessie,  She stayed in her basket fast asleep for much of the time, even though there were some quite loud bangs. Jane's little one Ipsy is very scared of them and because she was on nights on Friday she hired a lady via an organisation to come and cat sit overnight so she could be there with her. That was done, and seemed to be successful thank goodness.

Very strang cat! 

Thursday!

Quite nice morning today, no breeze and a bright sky, that isn't to say that it is warm though becaise it is actually qquite cold. But there again it is November, and bonfire night tomorrow. Our Jane is worried about her little cat Ipsy because she seemed to be terrified when there were some going off at halloweem. We didn't have any here at all really one or two but they were away from our house, so didn't really notice them. It is a shame for the animals really, some of them can be quite traumatised.  Jane has hired a lady to come and  house sit on friday night because she is on nights that one and cannot swap.  A good idea because she will come to the house, and stay overnight, and be with Ipsy  so that should help.

Vin has gone off to Tesco this morning since he didn't go there yesterday as he is a bit off colour at the moment and waiting for a variety of medical appointments. The wheels of the NHS can grind quite slowly at times. Even getting an appointment with the GP is a trial at the moment as many have found.

Jessie is carrying on as normal and has a nice routine for herself, which starts with waking Vin up at an early hour for feeding, jane's Ipsy does that too and woke her up at halfpast one at the moment!!

Love this one. Vin and his cat!

November!

Already it is November, hasn't the year flown by already. Christmas stuff everywhere and the channels are already full of Christmas adverts. Halloween last night but we got no doorbell rings here. might be to do with the fact that it was raining most of the night and very blowy and cold too. Still the same this morning too.Extremely windystill this morning too.

Vin jumped out of bed this morning quite early because he heard a bump at the window, then he looked out and said somebody's cleaning our windows! Went down, waited till he had finished then opened the door to tell the chap it was the wrong house! Thus we got all our front windows cleaned for free this morning. Apparently he had realised anyway, but thanks anyway Mr Window cleaner.

Our Jane has had almost a week off from her work after doing some horrendous shifts four nights in a row then one day off then another four nights again! No wonder she now has a cold , should be back today but she says she couldn't face wearing a mask for an eight hour shift and who could blame her. Tomorrow she has a lady coming to cut Ipsy/s claws. That is quite a hard job with some caats none of them seem to like having it done. Trouble is when they get longer their claws catch up on things and clearly she doesn't want her new furniture damaged. 

Our Jessie wasn't bothered by Halloween, as long as the doorbell doesn't go off she is fine. For some reason she is terrified of the doorbell and will run and hide if it goes off. Even the ones on the television too make her sit up and take notice. 

Who's that ringing at the door?
 

Appointment!

Once upon a time if you needed to see a G.P. you would just turn up,  then came the days of making an appointment, that was no trouble because you normally got seen qquickly anyway. Along ca,e Covid and everything changed. There came the advent of the phone consultation, and quite a lot of my appointment over the last couple of years have been done this way. Fine to an extent, but OH needed to see the G.P. recently,. He went over to the surgery to see what was to be done and was told to ring up the next day before 8.30 which he did to be told they were all gone, did the same the next day to get the same result. Then he went to make one for a booked which was this morning Thursday ten days later!!!

Phoned this morning and had conversatin and was told to go over at mid-day. Just gone so we shall wait to see what happens now. Hoping for the best.

Jane went to get little Dipsy and bring her home in a lovely little box with a name plaque on top. Ipsy was sniffing it, wonder if she knew. 

Budget yesterday but as usual it doesn't really affect us except that prices are rising like mad and there are shortages of things like petrol though that isn't as bad at the moment.  Shortages on the shelves due apparently to a shortage of delivery driverss. They are blaming Brexit for that with delivery drivers returning home although the government have issued a lot of temporary visas to help with that. Beer and Proseco are cheaper but not by much, doesn't affect us anyway. Jessie is still getting her cat food, so she isn't worried.

 nOPE DOESN'T BOTHER ME!

Cats!!

All colours of the rainbow! Whatever cat you get is in the lap of the gods really, all of our cats have been different and I can name each and every one of them too. All of them rescue ones, the first one being Zoe who was a beautiful tortoisehell one of many colours. She was run over unfortunately and left outside our front door. I can still remember her yowl when I opened the door to find her there.  Then we got Lucy who was a tabby and had such a lovely nature. Used to sit in the window waiting for Vin to come home each afternoon when she would jump down and go to the door to greet him. Inky who was a black cat and very timid used to run at the sight of anything black like my boots or the black coal hod. Little Jemima who was ginger and tiny, i mean really tiny. was epileptic and Lucy would groom her after a fit.  We have a lovely picture of the three of them on the end of jane's carry cot until she cried and they all jumped off. Bobby a mostly white and grey patches who we got more or less at the same time as Rusty. If you have favourites she was mine. So sweet in nature, she would balance on my hip in the mornings in bed, light as a feather. Heartbroken when she eventually died.   Tootsie from the animal rescue who was lovely tabby but a wanderer and she too was run over unfortunately.

Quite a while before we got our latest who is Jessie, a black and white lady, Vin got her from an advert in the shop window people looking for a home for her. The little boy of the house had developed a severe allergy to cats and had forced a rehoming. Jessie was staying with a granny in the meantime and Vin went over to get her and she has proved to be certainly his cat. Tolerates me but it is Vin who she totally responds to and will sit on his knee only never ever on mine. Oh well some cats are like that I suppose. 

When our Jane bought her new house all she wanted was a cat and she got two quite young ones from the R.S.P.C.A. she absolutely fell n love with. Ipsy and Dipsy.Unfortunately little Dipsy was put to sleep in early October because she proved to have genetic problems that were too catastrophic to be remedied. She now just has Ipsy who was pining for her sister but is gradually coming around to being with jane thankfully. She seems to be getting to be a really lovely cat and great company, and she also waits in the window for jane coming home. Heartbreking for her that there is only one of them instead of two. Such a tagedy but not one that could have been forseen. 

We also hear news of our neighbours cats, she has two a boy and a girl, and the boy Jack is inclined to be a naughty boy. She was telling Vin yesterday that she had made  a large casserole to be portioned off into six trays. She'd left it on the counter to cool , then heard a crash only to find naughty jack had knocked it off the counter the large dish smashed on the floor and the glass shattered. Casserole everywhere. Big clean up needed. Poor lady

Funny, sweet, playful annoying everything, but we love them whatever they are. 

 Little Mr Innocent!

Our little Miss Innocent!

Signs of Autumn!

Looking out of the window this morning was seeing quite a lot of leaves dropping from the trees outside the front of our house. Haven't noticed anything much before now so surely a sign of Autumn approaching. Not really changing colour but definitely starting. Vin said he noticed on his way back from the shop  there were masses of leaves on the ground.  Nice day today too quite bright sunshine and a blue sky, be lovely in New England.

Just said on a programme that last year more babies were born and called Lucifer than Nigel! What an odd world!

Our Jane is missing her little Dipsy like mad but one good thing is that the other one is coming round a bit more and getting more affectionate towards her. that one is missing her sister too but seems to be settling a little bit from all accounts.

 The little igloo that Ipsy hides in which is t the moment in jane's wardrobe. She was going to donate it because none of them was using it, but she now loves it, and goes in there quite often. Spot the cat behind it. 

The End Of The Week!

Friday again so the weekend approaches once more.  Yet another week over another boring one without going anywhere at the moment. We seem to have got out of the habit of going to places like Dobbies, probably still because of the Covid which is still a putter offer really. Maybe one day soon we will ret

Poor Jane is still missing her lovely little cat Dipsy, she was such a sweet little thing and what happened to her was so unexpexcted and traumatic and horrible for her. really quick as well, all happened within  a week. Her little sister Ipsy is really missing her too and Jane says she looks for her. very difficult becuse they don't understand, and you can't tell them. 

Beautiful day here bright blue sky, and the sun is shining too.Not hot but not bad, and no breeze either. 

 Here I am!

No wonder she is missed!

Ipsy!

Poor little Ipsy having to learn to live her life without her sister Dipsy.  Jane says she is generally lookng round the house for her, trouble is that you can't tell little animals what is going on, like you can with people, so they wil not understand. They did everything as a paor so that will be hard for her to cope with.  One nice thing is that jane says she is becoming a lot more affectionate, She was the timid one of the two of them and would not let herself be touched and did notlike hands approaching her, but now will nuzzle up to Jane which is lovely. 

She went to the vets this morning to arrange Dipst's cremation, she had the option to have her done on her own or as a group but she wanted only Dipsy so that was arranged. 

Weather is a bit overcast this morning but doesn't look like rain yet anyway. maybe later. 

This computer is a pain! Whenever I press the return key to start another paragraph the font returns to small so I have to remember to alter it every time. Flipping technology, why do you never see people on television having tech trouble. 

Vin is downstairs putting the new green covers on his sofa, taking the chance while jessie is not in her basket! 

 Love this picture she is in her picky mood where she claws at things and pads with her paws.

Heartb reaking!

R.I.P. Little Dipsy. XX

Started on Sunday, when our Jane rang is to say that dipsy was under the weather and she was worried about her. She hadn't yet booked them in with a vets but on Monday she did register with a practice in Cheadle.  We said that she would probably pick up the next day and that all of our cats had had off days. True enough it did pick up a bit the next day but was still a bit subdued. However, over the next few days it became apparent to her that something wasn't right. so yesterday she booked an appointment in withthe vets to get her seen.  Dipsy was totally off her food and listless and not doing anything except sitting in one place The vet kept her in and gave her fluids and anti sickness medicine and jane brought her home last night. They also did an x-ray which showed that Dipsy had very small kidneys and also a hernis of the diaphragm involving the heart and lungs, but she was going to seek advice from a vetinary hospital and would let jane know. 

She rang us this morning t say that she had just taken dipsy back to the vets because poor little Dipsy was really suffering, she had tried to get to her water bowl but her legs gave way and she had collapsed.  The worst news followed that D

ipsy had to be put to sleep. Heartbreaking news, so quick only a week from her being under the weather to her passing away.  Dipsy was such a sweet little cat and would snuggle up to Jane in her bed to keep her company. So very sad.  So very unfair.

Dipsy on Jane's laptop!

Poorly Cat!

 Our jane went off to work last night leaving a very under the weather little Dipsy :( When she had woken up from her sleep she is on nights this week she found the cat had been sick and wasn't interested in her food at all. We said that she would probably sleep it off and be better in the morning when she got in from her night shift. However this morning she rang up to say she wasn't and that she is listless and not interested in her food at all, just looking at her.  What should she do? they aren't registered with a vet also she has just done four nights in a row so is understanably very tired. I said go to bed to get some sleep and  then see what she is like. Trouble is that Dipsy seems to be a chewer, Jane had got some foam balls and she tends to chew those. A bit worrying really. Think it is a wait and see job, hope she does get some sleep though or she will be wearing herself out. 

We are awaiting a delivery this morning of some of the yogurt that was ordered at the end of last week. Coming with Hermes via our local delivery driver who knows us anyway, so should come on time. that was a quick order.

Very wet and rainy yesterday but today it is nice and bright with blue skies and sunshine.Quite cool though and the nights are definitey drawing in so a touch of Autumn coming in. Lots of Christmas things in the shops Vin says and certainly the shopping channels have been showing Christmassy things for ages now well into last month anyway! Too early, not ready for it all yet. 

No Mark today he is due next week we think that would be three weeks so good progress there. Vin has just brought up the hanging basket he has done for the front door. it looks absolutely gorgeous all Autumny things like a cyclamen in the centre and berries round the edge and a trailing ivy. Well done V.T.

It's boring being a cat!

I think this is Dipsy asleep!

Thursday is Magazine Day!

On a Thursday Vin goes down for the papers, we get the Mail every day but he also gets my magazines. Every week I get two, the Take a Break and also Chat ones. My  little pleasure for the week they are. I like doing puzzles and I try to convince myself that they are good for the brain. Not so good for the pocket perhaps at £1.10 each but better than buying a pack of fags!

News of the moment. The Covid crisis appears to be slowing for the present but that might be because the papers are tiring of reporting , mostly at present is the fuel problemm or lack of it. Not really that there is a lack of fuel but rather a lack of delivery drivers apparently,  and because of panic buying with people doing stupid things even putting fuel into buckets!!!. Very worrying. Vin has gone off to Tesco this morning with a bit of trepidation because of the queues around the supermarket which has a fuel station nearby. He hasn't rung up though so maybe it is ok.  He didn't go yesterday because he was a bit under the weather so  went today instead. 

Jessie isn't bothered in the least, doesn't worry about covid, doesn't worry about lack of fuel as long as she gets her food and follows her normal routine she if fine thankyou very much!

Not quite fire season yet but won't be long I think, there is a definite cooling of the temperature at the moment.
 

Another Week!

 Yet another Monday  dawns. One nearer to Christmas . Not that we will will go overboard with buying stuff but we do make an effort, like the decorations and the wreath on the front door etc., love the trees that we put up with all of the little baubles on etc.,

Quite blowy today the trees outside are really moving.but blue skies so no sign of rain. well not yet anyway.  Just had a phone call from our Jane to tell us that her friend Hasfa cat had been taken to the vets to be neutered. She left Minnie Mae with them and came home to another phonecall from the vets to say they couldn't do the procedure because Minnie Mae is a boy! Jane said Hasfa is furious, because thyey had thought their cat is a girl, everything they bought was pink, now what do they do? They can't send it back because her little boy adores the cat and they have very much bonded with it. Oh dear. problem.  I suggested they call him Maximum!

Now there is a petrol shortage at the pumps, some petrol stations even closing because they have run out.  Vin filled up his car so we are fine, and so did Jane, she needs her car to get to work but it is very economical which is good. Also on the news volcano eruptions on the canary islands which look terrible, and climate change activists blocking main roads even motorways and now at Dover. The country is going mad as if we haven't had enough with the virus.

Jessie isn't bothered she seems to think that as long as there is a supply of her cat food she is fine!

I'm happy got a treat too!

Friday Again!

Bit different today because we were up early because mark was coming instead of Monday. He normally comes between nine thirty and ten thirty so we get redy and then wait. Jessie knew something was up and when Vin gives the middle room a bit of a go over with the vacuum she disappearsinto the bedroom upstairs and hides under the bed in Jane's room. He didn't come till ten thirty and when I had come in to use the computer earlier she went downstairs  again. Ten thirty however, she was downstairs with us and when he did come again flew upstairs! Oh dear she doesn't like other people. Anyway he isn't coming back for three weeks so she will have a good breather.

Finished theletter toAnn at theweekend and Vin hadgot some nice photos online and that went on Tuesday that cost £4 which isn't bad considering the price of postage in this country, and the distance it has to go. Hope she enjoys the photos. 

Jane is offf today after doing two nights and is on nights at the weekend too. Weird shifts they work, never know how she keeps up with them. She says it is all on her phone! The way of the young ones today i suppose. 

Her two little gremlins she calls them keep her amused. The more timid one Ipsy is slowly coming round and letting her stroke and touch her, and the other night she was saying that she was on the sofa and Ipsy jumped up and nuzzled her arm. Now that's progress. 

Is it time to come out ofhiding yet?
 

New Week!

Start of a new week again. Bit different this weekend because Vin went to Sainsbury's on Saturday so he could have more time on Sunday, otherwise life is quite hectic for him. I like Sundays, we do the crosswords after reading the papers, like doing those it gets the brain going, we hope!

I have been doing a letter to Ann in Australia this week, mine tend to be in bits and bobs as and when I do a bit more. Because nothing much happens here it tends to be a chatty letter really. There again so are hers so that's ok.

Main news in the papers at the moment is of gas prices, supposed to be rising a lot because of the lack of gas mainly, a lot of smaller firms going bust but we are with one of the big ones so that should be fine. otherwise  the Covid news is decklining but the students have now gone back to university so that might change.  Also Prince Andrew is still in a legal wrangle over his association with a young girl in the States and that is rumbling on causing trouble. 

Jane's plumbernever came back or got in touch about her heating check he was going to do. Her oven is fine now though since he fixed that so she reckons hes forgotten.  She did get Hilary's blinds last week who quoted £800 for four windows!! which is ridiculous and she has another man coming this afternoon and will wait to see what he quotes. This is a family firm so should be better.  Her two little cats, Ipsy and Dipsy are still keeping her going with feeding waking her up early and needing feeding. She has this clever automatic feeder which spits out biscuits to keep them going but they are very persistent and need proper feed at about five thirty!  We got some photos printed off to send to Ann in the letter , it is a while since we got photos done since they are all on phones these days!

Jessie is still lovely, adores her daddy and walks past me but will let me stroke her. She needed a new collar, at the weekend so Vin got a nice blue one from Sainsbury's and that was put on her. I like cats with collars, makes them more loved somehow. 

 The two of them in the window waiting for their mummy.

Spot the cat, her friends new kitten. Maybe the eyes give it away. 

Our one!

Frustrating!!

Frustrating day for our Jane. She had waited in the whole day for the plumber/gas man to come , he was supposed to come at "lunchtime" but no sign and eventually at about five o'clock she rang to say there was no sign of him. Why on earth did he not pick up his pjone to say he had been delayed or coud not come because... Very rude!  British Tradesman?

Vin has taken himself off to Tesco this morning, a bit later going but it doesn't matter we ain't going anywhere. He has just rung up to say that he had only got as far as getting his yard brush and nipped into Waitrose to get some coffee biscuits we like. He was now off to Tesco for the proper shopping. 

Discussion on the radi this morning about Covid which is still with us as it will be for a long long time I think. People at danger must be the refusniks surely, those who refuse to get the vaccine for one reason or another. there was one lady on the NW news last night who was one, then got the virus and ended up on a ventilator and in an induced coma for a long time, now being treated for heart troubles. Completely changed her life, she sid simply, "I wish I had the vaccine now" !

 Jessie pose!

Another Week Begins!

Monday again! Wonder what this week will bring for us.  Weather has cooled down somewhat lost the heat of the beginning of the month, now cloudy and overcast but not a huge amount of rain yet. 

Afghanistan seems to have cooled down a bit at the moment apart from the refugees who are being dealt with all over the country. the main news of the weekend was the winning of the US Open tennis grand slam by a nineteen year old girl from England. The papers this morning are full of pictures of her no doubt she will become a very rich young lady now. One of the papers calling for a "gong" which is a bit silly really, but that is the way. Most of the Covid news is about school age children being vaccinated betwwn the ages of 12-16 I think it was. All helps I suppose. It is still affecting people and there are still deaths every day from it  so it hasn't gone away yet at all. Some papers at the weekend showed very long queues at the airports for tests etc., because there are more flights going out to various amber countries.

Jane sent some lovely pictures to Vins phone of her two playing with a kitchen roll they had found. Shredded and with big teeth marks and little tear claw marks all over. Looks like they had a wonderful time with it. our jessie was doing her best to trip me up last night, everywhere I stepped she plonked hersef down on the floor! Wonder if she is trying to tel me something?

What Me?  Would I do anything like that?

 

The Usual!

Tuesday as normal, we did sleep over our normal get up time a bit this morning. Vin woke up earlyish to feed the cat, and I decided to go to the bathroom consequently when we got back into bed we both went to sleep again so overshot.No matter really because we aren't going anywhere as usual! 

Since it is Tuesday Vin gets the bin round, this week is the brown bin so it is a case of getting all the recycling  together, surprising just how much there is. 

Jane switched her shift yesterday from nine to five to a eight to four so she could be at home to meet the kitchen man who was coming to check the very noisy fan at the back of her cooker.  He seemed to think it was due to the casing at the back and when the gas pipe had to have another connection , he contacted the man and they arranfed for a visit on Thursday to fix that. hopefully the problem should be resolved .

Jessie was up and about early this morning I wasn't aware of her but was of Vin getting up so that got me going.  He went down to feed her so she was happy anyway!

This is the face he wakes up to when she jumps up on the bed miaowing for feeding!  Aaaah!

Events!

Been a fairly unusual week for us as things transpired.  Monday bank Holiday, Tuesday should have been mark the podiatrist but he rang to say that his daughter has Covid, thankfully only mildly so he would not be coming. Another one came Wednesday who was a lady. Took loads of answers then said mark would be back in about three weeks to check.  Yesterday and today Vin has been fixing the drain because there was a leak in the pipe and he cleared that. trouble getting the concrete off the plastic cover but he got there in the end. Tree roots were the culprit , he had to go to Formby to get a special small tool to get it cleared but he managed very well. Mr Fixit does it again! 

Jane's chosen cooker arrived on Wednesday and there was a bit of a problem with that because there is a gas pipe sticking out at the back which needs sorting out for it to fit properly. Anyway  the fan at the back of the oven is making a horendous noise so there is an engineer coming out today to look at it. She isn't keen on using it now since the noise puts her off. To be fair if you buy something new you want it to behave like new, not like an old jalopy. We have told her not to accept it, so hope they take it back. 

Her two little cats are continuing to be gorgeous, one of them loves curling up in the bed beside her, and the other will sit on the bed but is still a little bit wary at times. Beautiful little cats though.  Our Jessie got a shock when the lady came on Wednesday but didn't run off for a change!

 Our little star!

Unusual!

Twist to our routine thisweek. Yesterday should have been podiatry in the morning ( insteadof the Bank Holiday Monday) but we got ready for him coming only to get a phone call a bit later than his time to say his daughter has the virus. He is in isolation therefore and another podiatrist would be comingthis morning.We are still waiting as i type, because it is a different one we don't know what timethey are due. Vin usually goes to Tesco on a Wednesday so he will go tomorrow instead.

Yesterday was an eye screening, the usualdiabeticone they do regularly, but this one was done in Crosby instead of litherland. Very nice plae, looks like it was a big house converted into a clinic. Very quiet, no problem parking, rightoutside the front.Went straight in and waited a while before being called in for the firstpart of the test.Then she puts drops in the eyes which is the worst part and return to the waiting room for them to work. The final test is ver6y quick photograph the eyes, and off we went back home for our coffees.  A bit of an unusual day for us then. 

Little Jessie waiting when we got home, she is a cute looking cat, and a lovely miaower. She follows Vin round like a little dog and is really loyal to him. Will allow the occasional stroke from me but that is it, very strictly regulated. 

Cool today I actually have the heater on a bit this morning, and people online are discussing autumnal type meals someone was asking how to make a jam roly poly today! Now there's a blast from the past, real stick to your ribs food. Like your mum used to make!

 Patiently waiting!

Bank Holiday!

August Bank Holiday Monday today and not a brilliant day either, it is quite overcast and grey looking. No Mark today because of the BH but he is coming tomorrow. Also an eye screening at Blundellsands at a private place rather than litherland town hall where we usually go. No idea why but doesn't matter it is nearer.

Jane rang up about six thirty yesterday to say she was going into work as an extra shift on overtime. Each one she is doing she is usung for things for her house so she is really good with her money, using it for house stuff or towards premium bonds to get her funds going again after the bigt spend on the house purchase.  She went cooker shopping  on Saturday to a little place not far from her. A family firm they can deliver the one she chose on Wednesday afternoon so that is good news that she doesn't have to wait for weeks.  The one in the house isn't working and keeps tripping off the electric systems and it would have cost a lot of money so wasn't worth it. New one it was.

I woke up this morning in the dark to see Jessie perched on top of Vin who was asleep on his side. She was just sitting there looking at him. I had a lovely stroke until he turned over and she went off.  I did get a lovely lengthy stroke though!

Imagine waking up to find this little face looking at you !
 

Birthdays!

Happy birthday our Jane. Hope you have a nice day after you have woken up after your night duty, and really enjoy your curry night too. We are so proud of you and the lovely person you have become, doing a job you can be proud of and with a house of your own and two little furry babies to look after too.Such a lot happened this year for you. 

 The weekend approaches, still the big news of the week is what is happening in Afghanistan, and the news yesterday about the two bombings by the branch of the Isis Afghans. Does make you wonder about the future of this country taking in the refugees etc.,  President Biden says " We will not forget! We will hunt you down " Good luck with that!

Weather today fairly mixed, at times quite bright and sunny and then it clouds over but on the whole fairly nice as we close in on Autumn.  The nights are drawing in a bit now so won't be much longer. We don't seem to have had a great summer really, apart from a few days earlier in July when it was very hot, the climate has been fairly even.

Jessie is still having a lovely time,keeping her daddy busy, and waking him up early because she is hungry! Bit later this morning not quite the five o'clock of the other day so he had a sleep in a bit. She never comes on me, wonder why?

Happy Birthday Jane from Jessie, and Ipsy and Fipsy. XXX

Midweek Musings!

Wednesday again, coming round with monotonous regularity , Vin has gone off to Tesco this morning. Just hearing on the radio that there is a national shortage of lorry drivers which is leading to shortage of things on supermarket shelves. Vin has said over the last few weeks that some items do seem to be out of stock or very scarce on the shelves. Maybe that is why. There is a bit of a fuss about McDonalds products being in short supply, but I think we can live without those.

We are waiting this morning for a delivery of my injections and also some Tassimo coffee and tea pods. They were ordered yesterday on Amazon but accidentally we clicked on Amazon Prime and have got a months free trial, therefore they are due to be delivered today. Apparently they will come early afternoon.  That is good going.  Our Jane sent two lovely cards via Amazon yesterday for Vin's birthday and also the lovely list pad which has two sweet little cat pictures on of black cats. 

Jessie ain't bothered by any of this, as long as she gets her cat food and biscuits she is fine!

Is that an empty bowl? never mind he will fill it for me if I miaow enough!!

Doesn't Time Fly!

It does indeed, it is our wedding anniversary today 47 years and still counting! Not bad going for a couple who were marriedin a registry office all those years ago, on a Friday in the rain.  Not thatit mattered really there were only four people, a photographer, my Auntie Margaret and us. Alexandra Hall in Crosby which is no more it is a retirement home apartments now!

Vin's birthday tomorrow and our Jane's on the 27th, so quite a week. She is on a week of night duty so will ve really tired by the time that comes round. 

Just taken delivery of a beautiful display of flowers from the Australia gang. So nice of them and well timed as well.  Couldn't be better really. Great timing!

The music festival in the woods passed off uneventually, no problems at all, not in the village anyway. The only thing noticeable were the coaches but Vin said there didn't seem to be many getting on them, maybethey had all gone to Hall Road instead, apparently there was a choice. At least the rain kept off fr them which is good, or maybe they enjoy a bit of mud!

Jessie is doing her usual cat like things, eat sleep poop repeat !  Vin had visits from four cats in our garden yesterday! three of one of our neighbours and one from the house next door, but not his sister, she must have been doing her sleeping bit. !

Waiting pose. Maybe waiting for jack to drop by?

 

Off To The Woods!

If you go dwn to the woods tomorrow! etc, you are sure of a big surprise, a music festival. dance music and song and all. In the fields where the pumpkins grow. Nobody knew it was going on really first we heard was in the Echo website. Tickets £80 officially or £130  unofficially.  Supposed to go on for the two day weekend, hope the weather clears up a bit for them.

Elsewhere not a lot happening apart from the big crisis in Afghanistan with the takeover by the Taliban and thousands of refugees fleeing or trying to flee the country. You cannot blame them considering what is going on in that country but where are they going?

Nothing much happening in the village here  mainly because it is raining but some on the FB about the music festival, mostly wondering whether the roads will be clear!

Doesn't bother Jessie, think she likes the sound of music!

 Just Chillin and listening to radio two!

News For The Week!

Monday again, and the main news that we have woken up to today has been the take over of Afghanistan by the Taliban. All over the news on every channel, what a change from Covid news but not in a good way. Also the shooting in Plymouth of six people including a three year old girl , all sad and done by a young man 22 with mental problems who had a legal shotgun? Quite why is beyond me, but there it is. Trouble is that he had the gun taken off him for assault and returned to him a few months ago!!Questions will no doubt be asked about that. No reson why he did it and since he shot himself don't suppose we will ever know either.

Monday morning and it was a visit from Mark the podiatrist, on time as usual, so he did the toe and departed for another two weeks,he is off on holiday next week and the following week is Bank Holiday Monday only two weeks away.. Then no more BH's till Christmas i suppose. 

Weather this morning started off a bit cloudy but now a drizzle of rain is starting and it is getting quite drab outside. Seems set for the day now by the looks of it. Hope Mark has better weather next week in Morecambe.

Jessie did her normal running off when mark came in the house but he did get a bit of a glimpse of her flying up the stairs..again! There again when he had been and gone she was lying on the floor of jane's room and then did a flying down again out of my way! This after nearly four and a half years here too.   Suppose I should be resigned to it by now! 

Who is that coming?

 Jane's two little ones waiting in the window, she says they often are in the window when she comes home from work waiting for her. Aaah!

Friday The 13th !

It is that dreaded day for those who are superstious anyway. I am not but it is a funny date,maybe don't walk underladders today ! :)

A bit warmer today,but breezy which keeps it cooler.Bad incident in Plymouth last night a shooting involving many people and also a young girl. They are discussing it on the radio as I type this and how you should talk to children about it! No doubt it will be all over the media tonight till the details are given out.  Not a lot of news at present now the Olympics are over, mostly about Prince Andrew and what he was up to in the USA years ago.

Jane had her grass cut last night! I'm glad about that because it was getting quite long and with the dry weather you never know. Her little two goblins have had a lovely time with a kitchen roll she sent us a little video of the roll all over the stairs, their room and even in her room! What little terrors, but really sweet!

Who are you looking for Jessie?

All innocent!

Wednesday!

Midweek shopping day today. off to Tesco to do the weekly shop.He buys the usual things enough to keep us going for the week. Rarely gets anything surprising and lately he has said that the shelves are a bit depleted, suppose it is the knock on effect from the virus.

Delivery this morning of some hand wash soap from QVC of the L'occitane pouches refills.We needed a new one in the bathroom and the others last for an age. not cheap but we like it.

Vin has just rung up to say he is on his way back, quite quick this morning so I will finish this off.

 Waiting for Daddy to come home. Wonder why?

Fly By!

Yes the weeks flying by. here we are in August already although weather wise you would not know it! At the moment it is quite cool with showers and cloudy days after all the heat of last month. Someone on one of the forums that i am on had said how surprised she was that the weeks were flying by and when i thought about it she was right. August already.

Nothing much going on this week, no appointments till an eye screening at the end of the month, and podiatry next week. Quiet week then hopefully until something turns up.

Thank goodness the Olympics are over for this year, that is until the paralympics get going and the football season picks up! Way too much sport on the channels it is all they have been showing for weeks. We were both saying this morning there isn't enough good drama these days worth watching, such a lot of it seems to be about themes, that can be quite depressing. We could do with some more Downton Abbey's or Call the midwives. Suppose they will get going again in the Autumn hopefully.

Jane's two little goblins still keeping her amused with their antics. She sent us a lovely little video of both of them on her bed and on hearing the spurt of biscuits going into their bowl jumping off her bed like lightning!  Really funny.  Our Jessie is enjoying her little life as normal. She likes the fact that there is no Mark this morning because the doorbell doesn't go off.She can have a bit of peace. 

 Posing again!

I'm the Queen of the castle!  Queen of all she surveys!