Last day for 2 weeks

As regular readers may know, that last Christmas my company cancelled everyone's planned holidays and made us go into work.This year I had everything set in place for a week in the sun and then the doctors pulled the plug on it, and just to add insult to injury, the company decide that we can all have 2 weeks off, I could use a long list of profanitites, but I won't. Life is strange like that sometimes.

I haven't shelved the idea of flying away for a few days in the mid of the holidays.

However today is the last day and as I attempt to close off  the last of the years jobs ( yes on the last day, thanks to the 2 Richard Tators not doing what they are paid mega bucks to do ), as well as put  on a running buffet for all 'the lads', I will be willing it to be 2pm when they can all go on a pub crawl and I can go home and shut the door on it all.

My one wish is that I finally escape next year.

All the drama aside  I look back on my working year with a sense of pride. I can see what myself and my fabulous team have achieved. They are a brilliant  bunch and I cannot speak highly enough about them.

We laugh and cry and support each other.
I fear that we may not be all together next Christmas.

Well I'm off to pack the car with all the food and gifts.

I may be back intermittently over the next 2 weeks. I want and need this break very badly.
I have lots of physio to do which I hope will help me to start the New Year in good form.

Have a great Christmas  one and all.

Sing-a-long

O Come Yorkshire Faithful

Joyful and triumphant,

O come ye, O come ye to Headingley.

Come, support Galey ,

through another season ;

O come, let us applaud Him,

O come, let us applaud Him,

O come, let us applaud Him,

One and all

Sing Western Terrace

    But drink in moderation ,

Sing all you members of Headingley .

Sing To our captain, 

leading the team steadily;

O come, let us applaud Him,

O come, let us applaud Him,

O come, let us applaud Him,

.One and all

All Hail! Boys we greet  you,

Ready for the season ,

Preparing  for the challenge

 that is lying ahead

hail to Martyn guiding from the sidelines;

O come, let us applaud Him,

O come, let us applaud Him,

O come, let us applaud Him,

One and all

The end is in sight

Well its midweek and the end of the working week is in sight, it is also the end of the working year.


In crickety news, I had to have a little chuckle to myself, reading about how Jofra Archer was in doubt for the warm up game of the winter tour, because he has a cold!
Oh my dog!

And then my favourite crock Mark Wood is not fit, still has side and knee problems. So this begs the question, why was he taken out to South Africa, he is obviously taking over from Finny as the best ECB tourist.
 Finny has gone one better now that he commentates on TMS...….that'll be until  he has a fractured tongue!

I was listening to the BBL at my desk yesterday morning which made for better listening than the whinging of boys at being into day 2 without  heating.
Norty Morty doesn't complain as his thermostat is obviously broken ( or as he say he's just got a lot of blubber) as he is hot all the time, it was mentioned that it might be the 'manopause' and  he might need HRT, I needed HEAT as I was flipping freezing in my corner!

I went upstairs and raided the workwear boxes, there were some of the old company fleeces in there ( brand new), so I decided that this was the way forward for me, however after about half an hour of smelling oil in my office, I was reliably informed  ( by Mickey Dripping) that the fleeces had never been worn due to an 'incident' in the workshop.

Even after removing it I smelt like I was wearing 'Castrol no5'!!!


We are all gearing ourselves up for the next two days, I just can't wait to be able to get in the car, go home and not think about work for a while, however still lots of work to do before that happens.


have a great Wednesday.

A cricmas carol

O little town of Headingley

How still you seem to lie

Off season lull, no longer full

The winter months go by

Yet in St Micheals Lane shineth

The everlasting rose

The emblem of our Yorkshire boys

That keeps them on their toes

with  Galey as our leader

and  hopes of silverware

While Essex  sleep , Yorkshire  doth creep

To regain their crown with flair

O great  white rose of Yorkshire

Watch over all the team

Keep them faithful, fit and well

And focussed on the dream

How silently, how silently

The months are passing by

Winter is here with xmas cheer

 New year and spring is nigh.

No words can quell the feeling

Of joy as it does rise

No cold or snow or fog or sleet

Can dull the gleaming prize

 O Yorkshiremen of Headingley

Prepare to fight the foe

The season new is nearly due

All systems ready to go

We hear the western terrace singing

Songs both new and old

Lets win again, be champs again

Our team of boys so bold

Lets get the weekend started

Although its not as if I am doing anything exciting, that's saved for next weekend ( fingers crossed)

Today is about getting through 5 hours and then heading home to do the washing and organise some card deliveries.

I posted 10 parcels last week and so far 4 are undelivered and uncounted for. I'm not happy as I am unable to replace the things inside

As we all know it was the Election day yesterday. Whether  your 'team' won or not we have to move on.

There will be much muttering for the weeks/months to come.

I woke up late and haven't scanned the cricket news or indeed listened to Aus v NZ.

I am however just about to leave to head to the sorting office.

Have a great weekend

Its Election day

Well its election day and to be honest I am going to put my cross in a box only because woman died allowing me to do this.

I never talk politics, as my opinions are my own.

Cricket

In South Africa, Graeme Smith has been appointed Director of Cricket until March 2020, which hopefully will calm the waters for a while.

I woke up in time to hear an hour of the Australia v New Zealand game.
Australia batting and no loss of wickets.
(5.47am).


I met up with old London work chum Phil last night. He'd been working in the area.
He mentioned The 100  (he's not a cricket fan). I don't think he'll bring it up again (ha ha).


I have not got much else to report, so I am cutting it short and heading out the door.

Happy election day, who ever you support.

Hurrah there is some crickety news.

Oh my days, Scotland have been in action in a Tri series in the UAE and got beaten by the USA.
Yes the USA.
We need to be careful because I'm sure that they will soon take ownership of the game, probably the pilgims started to play on Plymouth Rock when they landed.

As for Scotland, well hopefully they bounce back.


On the scan front, after being first having my poor arm twisted into some very uncomfortable positions for a sonogram  I then had the pleasure of the MRI, I now have to go to the Docs for the results....that should be interesting as I can't wait to see how long I have to wait for an appointment.

I also scored another 100% on my latest assignment in my quest to train to teach facial yoga.
I am now starting to put together a format for any classes I may hold.

Hopefully Once into  the new year I will be closer to doing this.

Well super short today as it's a filthy morning with lashing rain and very windy . I'm off for  hopefully my final trip to the Post Office for this year.

Have a fabulous day .

You must be totally bored

I am sure by now that you must be totally bored of stories about chutney and cake and my arm and leg.
I know I am, however the amount of cricket news is negligible, even the announcement of the Test team for South Africa, did little to spike my interest.

And talking South Africa, they are in the midst of ( to put it bluntly ) a s**t storm.
I'm not sure how this will all reflect on the team but I personally can't wait for the cricket to begin over Christmas period.

As I can't find any more news from cricet world I will bore you with news on my knee/ankle.

So new physio and boy was he brutal. He told  me straight out that at 21* I was overweight and had thrown my whole  body out of alignment.
This was due to foot injury 5 months ago which in turn slowed me down I gained weight putting more pressure on Achilles and knee.
This set up PFPS which I can improve dramatically by exercise  taking up (again) Pilates (to strengthen my core) and losing 'at least 3stone' (his words).

To be honest he didn't tell me anything I didnt already know.

And  so today  I have the big scan at11.30am and then will go back to the office for my chickpea Pattie and salad and glass of almond milk.

Fab!

Until tomorrow (when hopefully there will be cricket news a plenty).

* age was changed to protect her Ladyship

Well the weekend is over

Again!

I am hard pushed to see where it went to.
I was in a world of final chutney making and icing the  few cakes that I had managed to get made. As I normally make abut 20 cakes the paltry effort of 6 means that there are obviously less to go around.

Its been a lean homemade Christmas this year. However as I have finally come to realise, I and my health are more important ( and if that sounds selfish to some, then I hope you never have the last months that I have had).

That aside, it is the run up to the festive period and I intend to enjoy this one as much as possible.

There are many reason why Christmas does not fill me with giddy excitement.
I'm lucky if I manage to get the tree up.
I must try to do that next weekend

Other things to do is make the 3rd trip to the Post Office today hopefully after physio.
And  hopefully this is the last one.


And 'pooooof' just like that I'm lying in bed trying to summon the energy to get up.
Luckily only one more Monday after today, And then holibobs.


Have a great day

TGIF

Considering that every morning I have woken up since Tuesday I have thought that it was Friday I am nothing but relieved that it is finally here.
Two weeks today we will be finishing work for the Xmas hols, however I have a lot to get through before then.

After work today there will be a trip to the Post Office to get the first lot of parcels out of the house and then home to do absolutely bugger all ( except ice 6 cakes!)

I have some things to sort out for my trip to Southampton next May and also a couple of other trips that I am heading off on. Then I can concentrate on my summer hol out to North Africa ( hopefully).
To be honest the summer holiday can be anywhere  hot sunny and with a beach!

On the recovery front I start physio  on Monday, and just got my scan appointment for Tuesday. Next week is going to be busy as I  am also meeting up with old London work chum Phil on Wednesday.

Well that's it for today and this week.
Have a great  weekend.

Nearly end of week

Well it nearly took a two ton truck to drag me out of bed this morning, I'm totally worn out, however I am now booked in for physio, next Monday so hopefully the chain is nearly complete and I will be running a half marathon in January ( more like eating half a marathon ).
The plan is to get my knee fully mended and then start some gentle exercise (  walking to a bar for a martini?).

Once I've had the scan on my arm and shoulder I hope that I am done with the Doctors/hospital for a while.

The strange thing is that through out this my potassium levels have risen and stayed put! WTD!!


So its Thursday and after this one there are only 2 more until mon vacances.


As I am not able to get away for the long hoped for holiday I have a cunning plan and hope to hop over to Europe for a couple of days and then hop back and chill out watching Xmas movies. Fingers crossed on this plan.

And  so to crickety news and it's the sad news from yesterday that Bob Willis has passed away.
A great cricketer and a 'marmite ' pundit who will be missed.
RIP Bob.

Slowly slowly

Well its a slow morning this morning, Im  still strugglig to get moving,but thanks to some skillful chat on my behalf, I managed to  get my  repeat painkiller  prescription in record time, and also bump up my scan date for my shoulder so I should be bounding around soon......well moving slightly quicker.


I am also busy finally getting Xmas things packed up to send out. I just have to find the time to get to the Post Office.

The house looks as if a bomb has gone off ( downstairs) and I have lost the will to do anything about it, Hopefully when Roxy has been on Thursday it will look better ( I of course will have cleaned up for the cleaner coming!).

I've been reading some of  the comments and things said about Joe Denleys dropped catch.
I'm sure he will never forget it but some of the things written by so called England fans was quite awful.
I'm guessing they've never dropped a catch.......because they've never played cricket!!!!.

I've got a lot of things to do today as I am short of right hand girl, 3 electricians and a commissioning engineer.
So I'm keeping it brief and heading off.

Lots to do

Well I am up and dressed and ready to head off to the office,

I am trying to get things done bit by bit and have a weekly 'to do' list so that I keep on track. I know that I have to slow down and take it steady, hence the list.

Last night I had some  things to pack up to  be posted, but also managed to use up some pears and plums and made the last ( yes really) of the chutney for this year.
It has been hard this year to do the things that I normally do for Christmas gifts, hopefully I can get it all sorted. If not well, at least I tried

.

In other news, I will soon be allowed to go to physio again, this will hopefully be the last link in the chain which is pulling me back to full health.
I absolutely hate not being able to do what I normally do...............at 100mph.
The whole feeling of just being out of sorts is frustrating, and as I have seen nearly ever Xmas movie in existence, the TV is boring!!!!


I did some crickety stuff  too. I booked my flight and hotel to go to Southampton next season,, this match is the only one that I can get even remotely excited about as I will be able to catch up with Terry, who is now retired from Hampshire duties, and of course a couple of nights out with James Bond who will be on manoeuvres in the area.
I love the Ageas Bowl, a beautiful ground, and catching up with my two 'boys' will be even better.

As predicted yesterday the weather did get in the way of England in New Zealand.
A draw was the result.

Well it really is time to head off out the door.

I hope I get my new painkillers today, I sort  of need them.

Here we go again

I am never sure how come the weekend goes so quickly.

Get home on Friday and wake up to Monday.Well so it seems.

Friday  and Saturday were mainly to do with blasting out the heating and trying to dry out the hall way, the plumber came and repaired the upstairs loo and fitted a new flush valve on the downstairs which now has stopped the rattle/banging.

So we are sorted out there.

Sunday was shopping catching up with  friends and trying to get some more cakes made.
I have listened to a bit of the cricket, especially last night when Aggers was rambling  on about A A Jones ( or Jonah as most know him). I knew all the counties that he played for. Top man and very lucky to call him a friend.

Well it sounds as if weather might blight NZvEng although the hosts did dig in over night.
Captain Root seemed to put England in a good position, but as Kane Williamson is batting for the hosts anything could happen.

This week I am hoping to get he Wickets in shape and maybe get the tree up, I am also hoping to get all the cards and presents sent out, that way I can put my feet up and relax  inthe run to Christmas, that is the plan.

I had a series of messages and pictures from Harry (Latchman) , my former coach and besty mate. I am now looking forward to a trip to Oxfordshire and some tapas.


Well as the  temperatures have dropped here in the icy wastes of the North, and as I no longer have a garage, I guess I need to go and scrape the car.

Have a great start to the week and keep warm.

And so to Big Als

Ah it was a short lived break from the ordering of the breakfast and so this morning I am off to Big Al's to make sure that 'my little soldiers' all get their breakfast.
It is thankfully the last day of the week so that is a relief .
I am looking forward to another weekend of not doing very much, ( although as those of you who know me, will know that my doing nothing is not quite the same as anyone else's).

I have also been looking at the requirements food wise over the festive period and I will be having a very festive Chestnut and mushroom wellington  with an abundance of seasonal vegetables.
There will be champagne and martinis of course.
Its not that far away!


I had a flood in the upstairs bathroom on Wednesday evening, which ended up making a massive mess of the hall ceiling and walls, this did not make for a very happy Lainey, to be honest yesterday, I was trying to be compassionate, but was a sobbing wreck in the corner.
However I have to say that through the kindness of a local friend, I took delivery of a dehumidifier last night which will help a lot with the clean up operation.
It was a wonderful gesture.

Despite the above,I have not made an Xmas list as frankly I think that I am a very lucky person and have plenty to be going on with.
So with good friends and  my health ( getting there) what more could I ask for .............. OK Sean Bean obviously, but as that isn't on the cards yet, I'm happy with my lot.

And so to cricket 2nd test.
Rain was a problem and saw play end with NZ 3 wickets down.
Which meant that just after 3am I was listening to 'coach' and the Australia game.
I say listening, I heard him say about 4 words before I was asleep again.

Well time to head off to end the week.


Justice for the 96

Be Compassionate and kind

Today is World Compassion Day, whether you subscribe to 'International/World' days, I think that showing compassion is not to be sniffed at.

There are many people in the world who  are currently suffering great misfortunes, especially in the Caribbean ( to name one place) where they are trying to get back on their feet after the devastation of a hurricane.

Also in Australia, people and wildlife have lost their homes and lives due to bush fires.

However it doesn't have to be a major catastrophe to encourage you to be compassionate.

For one day, to try to do one act of compassion might make all the difference to one person.

Its not about getting 'Brownie points' or being a 'hero'.

This morning I  have put together a plan to try to help one disadvantaged family this Christmas, by doing an 'Advent ' box. Every day from 1st December until 24th December  I will put an item of food/staples into a box that will help the family over Xmas.

I am giving this to a local charity to give to a family that they think will benefit from it.

Its a small thing to do, but one that I hope will help someone less fortunate than myself to have a slightly happier festive period.

Kindness and compassion are not always about material things, the power of a hug is better than medicine when you feel that the weight of the world is  on your shoulders. ( I know this personally)

A kind word to someone can completely change their day. ( I know this so well, Scarborough 2019)

A smile costs nothing but can make a difference to the recipients.



Have a happy World Compassion Day

Mid week!

Well the fixtures came out yesterday and I am pleased to see that I will be flying down to Southampton at the beginning of May for fun with my besties Mark and Terry.
There was a lot of 'ohs & ahs'  on Twitter over a 4 day roses game at Scarborough.
I wont be going ( you'll all be glad to hear), as I have taken Scarbs out of my travel list for next season.
Hampshire is really the only CC match that I will be attending and I am really looking forward to it.

I may tip up at Durham for the T20.

To be honest, after the scare I had a few weeks ago and the fact that I (obviously) didn't initially  listen to advice, this has all made me rethink things.
 I have decided that I take preference over any cricket next year and as I am looking to qualify as a facial yoga teacher and to try to relax more, I will be doing  less jumping into the car and racing around the country.
Next year is for me, and I don't mind being that selfish, plus I am going to have a summer holiday which I may well book at the weekend.

I have many other things planned ( plus I received a few invitations to other grounds and games yesterday, which I am going to take up if convenient).


Yesterday was a busy one in the office as I tried to get things into some sort of order for the remaining 3 weeks. Its good to think that in 3 weeks time I will be having 2 weeks full R & R ( bloody typical that I am not able to travel far) however I am not stressing on that.

I am trying to get as much done in the morning so that I can go home in the afternoon and sleep, I was going to try to do a full day/full week at work, but its not to be, I admit that I struggle by lunchtime and go home.

Well time to roll out of bed and get to work.

Take a deep breath and face the day.



'Life is a succession of lessons which must be lived to be understood.'
 Helen Keller


have a good one.

Busy day

Well yesterday was full on even though I actually only worked a half day.

I came home at lunchtime and popped in to see Micky the BT at the bike shop before popping in to see my friend Chris.......who still had 2 boxes of my stuff in her spare room.

Well I brought one home, will get the other at the weekend before she charges me rent!.

And then Rhys arrived.

Oh the joy of having new,low maintenance  window cills. And he put up the mirror the blind, measured for new kitchen and shower room door.
It's great to be getting things moving and putting my stamp on the house.


My plan in my head for this year's Christmas card topper went from head to needles and it worked.
That was lucky.

And in about 15 mins Yorkshire will be releasing the fixtures. I'll be on the way go work but will catch up at  lunchtime .

Have a great day.

Monday again

Well now what a weekend it has been I have not done very much and am not at all perturbed.

I did 'fake' putting up the roman blind in the bathroom until Rhys the joiner puts it up properly.

I used up some odd bits of fruit that were hanging around in the kitchen, making a few jars of chutney.

And that was about it.

I had a lot of pain in my right arm, which is moving better but still can be painful, especially at night, however taking things easy has helped.

Help is what the England team needed after being well and truly thrashed by New Zealand.
When the highest score in their second innings is in the 30's it a poor show.....or some great team work from the hosts!

Australia maintained their unbeaten in Brisbane record after they thrashed Pakistan.

Well this time tomorrow Yorkshire will be getting ready to announce the fixtures.
I just want to know dates of the Hampshire game and 2nd XI fixtures.

And now time to head to the office as I attempt to do a full week of  proper hours.
Let's see how that pans out.

Oh and forgot that I am getting the new  window cills installed today (if he's over his stomach bug).

Have a great Monday .

Last day of the semi working week

Well its Friday and I am not ordering the breakfast from Big AL today I have delegated as I wont be in the office until 10am.

This gives me time to catch a movie before work! Yes really, I might be on repeat with these but I am addicted. I need to go back to work full time to enable me to go cold turkey ( excuse the Xmas pun).

This weekend I  have things to do at The Wickets which will include fitting ( or trying to fit ) the roman blind for the upstairs bathroom. I also need to get a mirror put up on the staircase and I found a bag of ribbons so I have some ideas of things that I can make with these.

Its going to be a bit of a DIY/ crafty weekend. The sort of weekend that I like.


Overnight in the cricket New Zealamd took to the crease. All to play for.
I did not see or hear any of it. Codeine is still my best friend at bed time.
However  not for much longer.
Time to try to sleep unaided.


And that's about it for this week. Short one, but there are painkillers to take and films to watch.

Have a great weekend, I hopefully will return on Monday.

getting there slowly

Here we are at Thursday and its been a slow week, the good news in the office is that next year I will be a work Auntie again, I love babies!
I'm so excited now that Noah, Annkooabel and Jack ( my other work nephews and niece) are over the year mark.

So that was some good news to start my morning yesterday.

The day went a bit down hill after that, I left early after clearing my emails and sorting O & M's. I will be back full time next week ( they hope), so I need to try and cram in as many Xmas films as I can this week ( even though they are repeats).

In all seriousness, I am trying to slow things down a lot and will continue to do this next year ( yes I am looking that far ahead). I seem to have constantly been racing around for so many years that I think I need to step back and take time for me.
After all I am the most important person in my life.

The sofa hunt is on in earnest ( and Co Durham,  hahaha I'm here all week chums). I want a 2 & 3 seater, I am not sure what kind I want ( which would help to narrow things down) and feel that at this rate I will be still looking this time next year!

England were in action over night in the first test against New Zealia, I wasn't too bothered about watching, mainly because after my nightly codeine tablet I was fast asleep ( now that I have dismantled the beeping smoke alarm!). They were 241-4  after day 1.

Australia are in action against Pakistan. There are in Brisbane were they haven't lost since 1988.
Let's see how that goes.

Right I'm off to battle with the traffic,
Eat my bran flakes, take my painkillers and start the working day.

 I'm getting there slowly.