Week 32! No wonder we are all so fed up of the whole thing, especially in this part of the world where rates are low and the chances of someone with Covid coughing all over me are unlikely - and yes I AM still wearing a mask and YES I know people have died.
Anyway....................
Weeks later than expected the flower on the table this week is a gladioli from the cutting garden, the peach colour rather than the dark pink that appeared a month ago.
One load of junk went to the recycling centre (AKA the Tip) on
Tuesday. I took the parcel shelf out of the car to make room for it all
in the boot and everything fitted except the old frame of a baby bouncy
chair thing (no longer any good), which I put on the car back
seat...........guess what I came all the way home with! There's a big
sign at the tip saying "staff can no longer help the public unload" -
that's funny because they never did, Covid has just given them the
excuse to be even more grumpy!
The workshop and the garage are gradually getting emptied of all the
things no longer needed. I've got a couple of bread crates full of old
tools and boxes of nails etc which hopefully might sell at the Auction
place.
After ignoring the emails from Electricity company Eon telling me to register for online bills as they don't want to send me paper ones anymore, they wrote me a letter as well. So I rang and said I don't want on-line billing - and guess what.......... all the words about "you must register for online" are rubbish, at least that's what I was told............... "if you don't register then you carry on getting paper bills" - NOWHERE on the letter does it say that. I wonder how many older-than-me people are really worried about what's happening and how they'll be able to pay their bills
The arrival of the Lakeland Christmas Catalogue - full of things I don't want but with some very tasty foody treats has been a nudge to think about a strategy for getting through the winter, and especially Christmas alone for the 3rd time and even more alone due to Covid.
Last year I went to Col's Sister and her Husband's for Christmas day. That won't happen this year as they are still seriously shielding and will have their children and partners there anyway which will be the maximum allowed. The year before all my children and families plus DiL's Dad and Sister came here and that was just too many for me to cope with and certainly too many for rules and regulations this year.
In 2018 and 2019 I was also out some of the other days around Christmas. But this year could be completely different.
I'm not really terribly worried but do need some ideas just in case.............. 'Be Prepared' being my middle name! Perhaps this is a year to really celebrate the 12 days of Christmas - maybe a food treat or a book or something to enjoy for each of days when everything is closed/different until things go back to the new normal in the New Year. Maybe I'll do myself a hamper.
Not a lot else to write about this week because you've already seen the bike ride and the library books.
Have a good weekend
Back Monday
Sue
Edited in a PS . Switched on the lap top this Saturday morning to find the messages about our friend Pat Weaver of Grass who had had a fall yesterday and is now in hospital. I'm adding my good wishes to all the others for a speedy recovery .
We are in lockdown yet again in Wales, what a nightmare this all is. Tesco were removing non-essentials from shelves yesterday, so we really can only buy "essentials".
ReplyDeleteHave a lovely weekend Sue.
Actually removing things? Goodness!
DeleteHeard about the Welsh boss man telling supermarkets not to sell un-essentials as someone commented " more business for Amazon then"
DeleteYes Joy and blocking areas off. Wilkinsons were asking people what they were buying before allowing them in!
DeleteYup, full Lockdown here in Wales. We still have our groceries delivered (buy the occasional thing if - an increasingly rare occasion - in town.)
ReplyDeleteSo sorry to hear that Pat has had a fall (bad enough to be in Hospital, which is not good at this time) and hope that she is home soon.
Like you, I got the Lakeland catalogue (full of things I don't really need either!) and did contemplate buying Aged Aunty's Christmas gift from there but then I Got Brave and Tam and I paid a visit to TK Maxx last week and I got her some (reduced!) edibles from there.
Christmas will be very strange this year, that's for sure, and we will probably still be unpacking in our new home . . . It will, if all goes to plan and I don't wish to tempt the Fates, be in Powys where Covid numbers have been very low all along.
I do hope you get moved and settled. Powis is so sparsely populated it's no wonder covid rates are low!
DeleteBeautiful flower!
ReplyDeleteOoops re the bouncy chair thing!
That electricity thing reminds me of the pressure to go smart. Letter after letter but the bottom line is if you don't want to, you don't have to. They don't make that very clear though and I wonder how many people were pressured into something they neither wanted nor understood. And what a waste of money!
I'm starting to think through Christmas too. I think Beth, Alex and I should be able to 'bubble' (silly word) but I'm not sure about Dave and Anna and I'm concerned for Dad although his good neighbours will see that he is OK.
Strange times indeed.
xx
I meant to say - Get well soon, Pat. Really sorry to read about your fall. xx
DeletePat's fall is a big worry, a broken hip at her age is really not good. She was so worried about this happening and will be really cross with herself
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteAdding my good wishes to the others. I too have often emptied the boot but forgotten the thing on the back seat. Have a good weekend. I have NO IDEA how Christmas is going to be celebrated ... Just praying for peace on earth and goodwill to all
ReplyDeleteWhen I got home with the frame of the bouncy chair I decided to get a screwdriver out and take it all to bits so it would fit in rubbish bag! and it did. so I won't have to book a space and trail back there again...thank goodness
DeleteI live my life pretty much as normal again now, I ignore all stuff about Covid. I quite like social distancing, it is nice not to have people invading my space and places less full. If it stayed that way I would be more than happy. It's funny what you say about tips, I agree. Covid measures are a bit of a jobsworths charter.
ReplyDeleteI really like the Covid swimming restrictions - its given me more access to the pool.
DeleteMy Dad who was never politically correct used to call people who went crazy when sudden power was given to them as "little Hitlers!!"
I so agree with your thoughts on Covid restrictions. It's great that I know there's no chance of anyone knocking my door or calling unexpectedly. I'm careful when I go out but some fresh air each day has to be good, doesn't it? I keep my distance from other people and avoid shops! Deliveries are wonderful.
DeleteLove the gladioli. Know what you mean about Christmas. Every other year we are on our own (and yes, I know we have each other). Should be DS and family coming here but I now doubt it. I hadn’t heard about Pat, do hope she is as ok as she can be.
ReplyDeleteI know Christmas Day will be OK in some way or another but it's all the other days that might be lonelier than normal
DeleteI think you should plan treats for yourself for 12 days of Christmas, you deserve it! Books are always special, as you well know!
ReplyDeleteI really think I will do something like a 12 days of Christmas Hamper - it will fill blog posts too !
DeleteI like the idea of self-indulgent treats for the 12 days of Christmas.
ReplyDeleteA cunning plan I think!
DeleteI love the gladioli too, one of my favourite flowers. You are doing very well with the clearing/ de-cluttering. Doesn't it make you feel better.
ReplyDeleteThat's a good idea about treats for the 12 days of Christmas, Sue, maybe others could follow that idea too. There will just be the 2 of us here this Christmas by the look of it too, so I need to get planning what to keep in the freezer in case things go even more pear shaped than they are already.
I didn't know about Pat. Thank you, I'll pop over to send healing hugs to her. Enjoy your weekend.
There never was tons of stuff to move out but getting rid of things that really aren't needed will make things easier when it comes for time to move
DeleteFFS, anonymous sounds cheerful. Who the hello do they think they are. You treat yourself to what ever you want Sue.
ReplyDeleteThat was just a computer generated junk comment that I deleted.
DeleteIf you can, buy yourself a little gift for each day over Christmas. Wrap them and put them away safely. Then you have the pleasure of opening a random gift each day. Not the same as being with family, but a little treat to look forward to. I love gladioli. Very Dame Edna!
ReplyDeletexxx
I think it's a good plan but they had better not all be edible!
DeleteI too have thought about how different the holiday season will be this year, my 4th on my own. In the US it starts with Thanksgiving which falls on November 26th this year. I imagine I'll do more hiking as being in the outdoors is calming and healing. I like the idea of Christmas treats. I treated myself recently to a Fitbit and it is increasing my motivation to get moving!
ReplyDeleteI like the idea of the 12 days of Christmas each having a treat to look forward to, I might just copy it. Something nice to eat one day, a nice bottle or three of wine, a bar of chocolate, a lovely DVD to watch, see I'm almost there already :-)
ReplyDeleteI don't usually like peachy coloured things but that Gladioli is beautiful.
So very sorry to hear about Pat. She's been so sensible and careful with herself too. I do hope she gets better soon and is safe in hospital. After Mum's fall they rushed her out after just one day saying she was safer at home alone even with broken ribs.
Your gladioli is beautiful, I love the color. Doing a Christmas hamper for yourself is brilliant! This Christmas will be different for most of us but we can be creative and still make it special!
ReplyDeleteI was sorry to hear about Pat. This will be a challenge for her but she's a fighter and she has many friends supporting her.
Enjoy your weekend Sue!
For years my small family has exited on Christmas Day to go skiing thru New Years, so I am used to being left on my own for the holiday. I always plan a small quilt project that can be completes in the week. A kit is nice or a pattern I've already collected fabrics for. I know you aren't a quilter, but a small art or craft project, something new to learn and complete, can give a person something to get up for on those cold darkest days.
ReplyDeletelizzy x
Good to know tip attendants are the same the world over! (I'm in rural Australia). And I love the idea of doing a hamper for yourself: just make sure there is a can of cider ��
ReplyDeleteMy first gladioli flower was pink and it appeared at the same time as you posted about your first one. Sice then - nothing. And the leaves appeared to be suffering as well. Then I found out my dog had chosen the clump of gladioli as his piddling post. Huh!
ReplyDeleteYour gladiola is a beautiful color. I have a hibiscus that has blooms the same color. That little tree stays inside and blooms all year round and it is very cheering.
ReplyDeleteWhat a pretty colour the gladiola is.
ReplyDeleteGod bless.
So sorry about Weaver of Grass...one of my favorite blogs-as is yours...keep us posted please...and YOU keep writing.
ReplyDeleteThe Eon letter sounds like the one the pensions people sent out about not being able to get your pension money from the Post Office any more. My Mum decided to get it paid into her bank account instead and after she did that the person behind the counter at the PO advised that the letter was misleading, she needn't have closed her PO account and that the money could STILL have been paid into it. That is definitely NOT what the letter said! She can access her bank account via the PO, but what a waste of time and effort and what a worry for her at the time!
ReplyDeleteI don't suppose you have - or know someone who has - Pat's address, as there are lots of her followers who would love to send a card/letter.
ReplyDeleteI would like Pat's address too, if anyone can find it. xx
DeleteCelebrating the twelve days of Christmas sounds like an awesome idea :)
ReplyDeleteThat glad is gorgeous. I love the color. Just catching up on the blogs, I had extensive thumb surgery and will be casted for at least 5 more weeks. No driving, no fun stuff. The 12 days sound wonderful.
ReplyDelete