last week of 2020

 This time last year I had spent the day in Saltburn with my lovely friends Jacqui and Tony and Spike the BT, such a carefree day, Spike racing around he beach chasing balls,having fish and chips on the sea front, falling asleep on the way home.

None of us had a clue then about what was going to unfold in the following weeks.

Sadly judging by stats we seem to be going into a worse version of the virus than back then.

My sister was given the Covid all clear yesterday and shipped out of the Covid ward and off to another hospital.(apparently the ward was filling up quicklly) She is still struggling with pneumonia (side effect of covid) , and hopefully  at the new hospital they can start to manage the original problem which is a rare auto immune/ neuromuscular  disease.

Fingers crossed the new year will see treatment to keep it under control.

So crickety news, since Boxing day  I have been sleeping with the Australia team and then at 8am running downstairs to snuggle up on the sofa with the South Africa team.

One team have been spectacularly disappointing and despite some heroic attempts by the tail last night it was all over and India levelled the series.

I got quite a good nights sleep.

S.A were in top  form yesterday , especially Faf, yes he was out for 199, but there was some  great crickt there.

Poor Sri Lanka have been plagued by a myriad of injuries.

today I am popping to the town, to drop off about 20 bags at the charity shop ( and so the clear out begins).  I need a frame so will be heading to Wilko who do some excellent ones ( not paid to say that).

I also have things to put on eBay. Busy busy.

I hope that you all had a good Christmas, it may not have been what we wanted but it was  only that way for a reason. 

I am now ever hopeful that my sister can turn the corner and start to make a full recovery. 

It looks like it is time to really knuckle down and stay safe until we can all get the vaccine ( yes I want it).

I hope that you have a great Tuesday.

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas to you all, it may not be the Christmas that you wanted, but I look at it that I would rather see next Christmas than see other people at the moment and that's not meant in an offensive way.

I should have been preparing to fly to Malta for a longed for break, however I am at The Wickets with an abundance of Champagne and  food and know that I am in the thoughts of friends and loved ones, ( as they are in mine). 

Sadly I have not been able to see my sister who yesterday had to celebrate her birthday in a Covid ward. Not what any of us would want.

I have  been for a very early morning walk, there were no lights on even at the houses where I know there are children, so some parents are getting a lie in.

Now I am showered and in new PJ's and this will be the order of the day, I'm not seeing anyone or going anywhere so it will be our little secret.

I am about to open my presents and have my Christmas martini, its the annual outing of the crystal martini glasses, for some reason I use them only on Christmas morning and then pack away.

I didn't manage to get the cricmas tree up but did make a cricmassy arrangement, ,;ate  tonight /early morning, I can listen to the Australia test match and then tomorrow morning I can watch South Africa, sounds like a perfect Boxing Day to me.

Well time to wish you a peaceful Christmas, it won't be as we wanted  but make the most of it and start some new traditions.

With much love to you all 

Lainey

x

Push to the finish line

 

So here I am, the last few days of work for 2020.

Obviously the 'Richards' are already on holiday, lead by example is not in their book of management.

I'm trying to organise some food for the troops on our last day, just to have a sort of party, normally I would have made it, but at the moment I don't have the energy.

The weekend was not quite as relaxing as I wanted with the horrible news that my poorly sister, now has pneumonia. Its just awful, however we are 2 days on and although she is not well she is obviously fighting.

I've been trying to get some sleep but sadly the minute I close my eyes, my head goes into overtime. At 2am this morning, I was listening to the sounds of forklift trucks drifting  on the wind from the industrial estate to my bedroom, I was actually comforted that I wasn't the only person awake.

Over in Australia, Dan Christian, the Notts player hit the second fastest half century in BBL history. as his team the Sydney Sixers beat the Adelaide Strikers.

That's about it for Crickety news, although I did  start to watch The Test again at 2.30am this morning and I genuinely am enjoying it again. As I said last time I watched it, if you have Amazon Prime and want a good watch ( even though its about Australia) give it a go.

I know that we are all in turmoil with various parts of the  country going into another tier, I'm looking at it that not mixing for one Christmas will mean that we all have lots of Christmases to mix in future.

I know its hard, but make your day special in your own way, Christmas isn't cancelled, its just different this year. 

I wish you all a peaceful time.

I am signing off for the remainder of the week.

Happy Christmas

Stay safe.

last working Friday of 2020

 

I'm ready for the last day of the week and then a weekend of doing 'stuff' at home ( which will probably be none productive and make more mess than already there).

More than likely I'll be Escaping to the Chateau, no not the old house, but the TV programme that has been my lockdown saviour.

I've rewatched  all the series  and the new one as well as the DIY episodes.

For me its been real escape from everything that has been going on around us.

I'm not happy with Royal Mail as items that were posted last week, according to their tracking service have not been delivered, in total I posted 20 boxes and only  5 seem to have made it to their destinations. 

Out of my hands and I remain hopeful that some arrive before Christmas in fact just hoping that they arrive.

Fixtures were released yesterday, I cannot think about any of that at the moment, so I just skipped over them, words that you never thought that you would hear from me..................

I purchased an acupressure mat ( as recommended by physio) and good lord! its pretty good, I am still not able to lie for the recommended 10 minutes but am now  up to 8 mins and my hip and back pain are a lot better, I will be using it every night for the foreseeable future. I haven't been sleeping any better but I guess that is down to my head being a little bit battered at the moment.

Quirky it might appear, but if it works and helps a little bit it is well worth the money.

Wonderful word for today is

Circumjacent

meaning surrounding.

Have a good Friday and weekend

Thursday already

 Another morning, another struggle to hoist my bulk out of bed, any chance of me walking two miles before I head to work are a distant memory, even walking downstairs is a total chore at 5.15am, and thats for coffee!

Cricket news seems to be a bit like most news, Covid outbreaks and teams shut down or players fined for breaching restrictions.

Its all a bit gloomy for my liking.

There are new signings for the upcoming season. Will we see live cricket?

anyone's guess.

Am I the only person who cannot understand why when pubs and restaurants are going to close people lose their minds. Pictures of people on the street, drunk and hugging each other ,being close to other people and no masks on, hmmm makes you wonder why we can't get a handle on the virus.

At least their is a vaccine for the virus, there is no cure for stupidity.

And all the hoo haa about 'no Christmas', of course there will be a Christmas, it will just be very different from one that we have had before. Seriously for one year, think hard about what you are doing.

Since the first  lockdown the furthest I travelled is to Wetherby about 40 miles south of me ( this was in August when we could travel again). Yes I've lost holidays abroad, but that's nothing in the scale of life.

And rant is over.

Wonderful word of the day is 

Apricity

Dating back to the 1620's

You know those cold winters days but the  sun is warm?

that's apricity.

Tuesday writings

 

Well its Tuesday  and now only over a week to finishing for a much needed break.

Its been a rough few weeks and a very distressing weekend.

Friday saw me get the news that they had finally  diagnosed what was wrong with my sister who had by this point had spent the last 3 weeks either in hospital or isolating. 

She had been back in hospital for a week and after finally seeing the neurologist it was decided to move her to another hospital where the Consultant worked from. 
All good and moving in the right direction.

Feeling more positive than I have for a week.

Saturday, she tested positive for COVID! and now was in the covid ward and would not be moved ( obviously).

She is not feeling too great at all and to be honest I don't know my bottom from my elbow.

Monday saw me struggling round the corner to my local post office to send out parcels, not being able to visit and deliver has not only meant that lots of us are cut off from contact with friends, but 14 boxes is a lot to carry! 

Monday also saw the funeral of Gary, which thanks to a video link I was allowed to pay my respects to one of my oldest Yorkshire friends.

How hard has this year been for us all!!!

I am not sure what the blog situation will be over the next couple of weeks, it will be very much like most of this year, hit and miss and depend totally on my energy levels.

I will leave a wonderful word with you

Groak

This is to stare silently at someone as they eat......................I'm sure we have all seen dogs do this

Have a great day and stay safe.

Friday

 Well its Friday and I have handed the baton of food ordering to Mickey Dripping, as I have too much to do before I get to the office.

It involves a high volume of boxes which at the moment are weighing down the boot of the limo.

I should be getting my hair cut this afternoon, but have put it off as I have too much that I have to do at home, I will get it done  before xmas but time is very short for me at the moment.

How do I get to the 11th December and still so much to do.

In cricket, Englands tour to Sri Lanka in January is confirmed.

BBL started yesterday, I didn't listen.

As you know I have a soft spot for Dale Steyn, however since lockdown I've loved the fact that he has grown his hair. Not seen much of him playing cricket but lots of vids on Instagram of him surfing ( and fishing which is not so glam).

Wonderful word of the day is 

Fudgel

which means pretending to work when you are actually not

and with that I am off to fudgel my way through Friday.

Have a great weekend.

Week nearly over

 Thursday is here and the week is nearly over, gosh I am totally tired out, is it just 'that time of year' or is it 'the year that it has been', I don't know, I just want to get things sorted out so that I can kick back and relax.

I have stopped watching the news and reading the paper, far too much negativity about everything. 

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge criticised for touring and bringing a bit of joy to some around the country. 

No deal for Brexit.

I have enough woes at the moment and  do not want to be part of any others.

At least the vaccine is here.

We are on serious countdown now at work and planning our Xmas lunch for our last day.

I am still awaiting news of sis who is still in hospital, however my friend is now home and recuperating, which is good news.

In cricket, England are on their way home, questions are being asked about whether they didn't give it a fair chance. 

Ben Stokes lost his father, very sad news and although never a good time to lose a loved one, this time of year makes it even harder.

David Warner ruled out of first test against India, and not a piece of sandpaper in sight.

BBL trying to get people interested by changing the format again!

So time to have a wonderful word for today 

Tittynopes

these are the left overs, whether crumbs on a plate, or dregs in a glass.

and with that I am off to face the world of water.

have a good Thursday.

 

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

Tired out Tuesday

Welcome to Tuesday, I have really struggled to get out of bed this morning, it really is that tired time of year. I know that I am not the only one struggling with this.

However there are only 11 working days after today and then I can sleep to  my hearts content.

Sister still in hospital, no further info, apart from IV intervention and awaiting neurologist. And then my best friend was 'bluelighted' to James Cook on Sunday night, after an operation a month ago she now has a bladder full of blood clots! and as any of you who know me well will know, the mention of blood clots fills me with absolute fear, having had a very close shave with a blood clot myself. 

I'm waiting on news of both of them and cannot go to see either.

Please let things get better soon, I am now on limited tears and my nerves are in shreds.

England have cancelled their tour of South Africa, after two unnamed tour party tested positive. 

English players are also  pulling out of BBL.

Cricket is still suffering and to be fair, I do not think that it will get that much better by April, vaccine or no vaccine.

So lets try to have some positive news this week.

Right time for 'Wonderful word of the day'

Oenophile

this is a lover of wine!

Well how wonderful is that!

 

Have a great day and stay safe.

My countdown continues

 

weekend done and dusted and time to head back to the office and try to get another week under my belt,  I should be able to get a lot more under my belt thanks to a small bout of food poisoning on Saturday night/Sunday morning!!

Great news for me the charity shop is open again, bad news for me I have forbidden myself to buy anything until the New Year ( apart from food and alcohol!). I didn't even go in, just stood with my nose pressed against the window,crying!

Sis is back in hospital she seems to have developed a myriad of other problems although luckily not COVID. I am waiting for her to see the neurologist. Hopefully then there will be good news.

Yesterday  was a bit of a wash out on the work at home front as I was not really up to dashing about and doing 'stuff' so this week will be busy as I try to get the first lot of Christmas pressies ready to go in the post.

 I did manage to get the pictures up on the wall in the lounge which is coming together (slowly), I never seem to get things done as quickly as I want.

Cricket has become a bit of a worry in South Africa as COVID seems to now be in the England camp. Maybe quarantine them all and then get them back home? 

The mystery is how this happened as they are supposed to be in a bio secure bubble.

Fingers crossed this is knocked on the head very quickly.

Will life ever return to some sort of normality, at the moment even with the vaccine here, I still think not.

Well I have tidied up my wonderful word book and cannot remember where I have put it. 

So until tomorrow, have a great day.

Another week over

 

Ah the relief of it being Friday and another week over.

I am ready for the weekend and all the excitement that it holds.

I am going for another fabulous facial tomorrow and then have some boring things to do like washing, I have cards to write and send out and then  I think  a restful weekend..................yep as you know that will never happen.

I am expecting lovely Rhys coming this afternoon with the shelving for the airing cupboard AND wardrobe doors for the other 2 bedrooms! Oh my dog I am excited about The Sanderson Suite as finger crossed the doors will be spectacular. 

The dressing/fitness room will have lovely wardrobe doors too and hopefully in the new year this will be back to its proper use and less of a junk room.

I am planning on putting the 'Cricmas' tree  up next weekend, I was going to have a 'proper' tree this year but decided to have the crickety tree for one more Christmas.

I have to call and put in the order at Big Al's ( or Rotund Alan as he has now been renamed in the office), only 2 more after today.

There is some cricket again today from Newlands and I will hopefully be listening to it.

I have just been doing a bit of tracking down of wallpaper and think that I may be having a quick jaunt after work to look at some which may be perfect for the dining room.

Ah my work is never done!

Now for wonderful word of the day 

Onfang

a word used in English form the 9th to the 14th century meaning to receive or accept.

So we all be waiting to see what we onfang at Christmas

Happy Fridayy have a good weekend.

Joyeux Noel

 

Well now, do I really want to blog about a French Christmas menu, well of course I do, however France is a VERY large country and  I know that all I can do is a general menu as a lot of areas have different variations.

So after putting my thinking hat on and doing a lot of research I have put together the menu that I (hopefully) will be having on Christmas day

I will not be having the traditional Christmas Eve meal 'Le Reveillion' , it will be transferred to our Christmas day.

I will be leaving my shoes out for Pere Noel ( instead of a stocking) and hope that I get a present.

So far I have decided on 

Starter

Smoked salmon and cavier to start, with bran bread which I am going to have a go at making myself.

The French love seafood and have oysters for starters  for festive meals ( actually any meal), however I am not sure here in the north east of blighty  I will be able to get oysters or that they will be fresh for Xmas day.

Main

I will be having turkey with chestnut stuffing ( not a whole turkey and it is  traditional in parts of France too ),I had considered a goose ( traditionally French too) but that was going to be way too much 'bird' for one person

Green beans cooked with butter, garlic and Provencal herbs,  and sautéed potatoes. I may add some sprouts with chestnuts, and although not traditionally French I love them.

There will be a rich red wine jus to accompany.

Dessert

I was not going to go with the Provencal tradition of having 13 desserts ( which represents Jesus and the 12 apostles), this is not as huge as it sounds, it is usually 13 different types of candied fruits, sweets and nuts. According to tradition everyone should taste all desserts in order to have good luck for the upcoming year.

All of them!!!!......

Well that's a clincher, 13 desserts it is!

I am also making a cheese board which will cover , tea/dinner.

There will be a 'Buche de Noel' similar to a swiss roll but made to look like a log by covering with chocolate and chestnut icing.

And of course there will be Champagne...............well it wouldn't be Christmas without Champagne. ( it wouldn't be a day at The Wickets without champagne.)

There are so many regional variations that I could have opted for but to be honest I have gone for the one that will be the easiest for me, why make it hard?

I will be having my early morning Martini  which is now a tradition in my house, I will be using Noilly Prat  to maintain the French theme.

I am trying to make this Christmas as special as possible because we have all had the most trying year and its time to just spoil yourself.. Life has been very difficult for us all and sometimes it is important to look after you, and enjoy simple things ( ok maybe cavier isn't a simple thing).

Today I am hoping to have the latest bit of decorating done and everything put back to normal ( I have actually 'decorated' one of the built in wardrobes and will tackle the other 2 as and when I have the energy).

\with Christmas  over 3 weeks away now, so I had better get my skates on and get busy.

And here is a wonderful word for today.

Infandous, 

this is now an obsolete adjective of nefarious

Have a great Thursday