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.