Month: July 2021

Is anyone still counting the days? It’s now 502 days since John and I chose to hibernate due to the pandemic. In some ways, it has got easier. That first lockdown was a shock to everyone and we hunkered down, grateful for all those friends or family members who ran errands for us while we shielded.

Since then, we have developed strategies for dealing with the daily possibility of infection. We are now seeing the family – but we are still using the garden and open spaces a lot; we’re doing lateral flow tests regularly; we have a lot of shopping delivered; and we are choosing to steer clear of indoor spaces like cinemas, theatres, and pubs.

In other ways, it has got harder, because we can’t see an end to it. Sajid Javid says we’ll have to ‘live’ with it. It sounds to me like the government is bored of managing it all now and leaving us to it. Let’s use ‘common sense’ says the Prime Minister. Hahhahahaha……. hasn’t he heard the joke about Common Sense having left the building?

The blog started, years ago, to chart John’s progress through his treatment for leukaemia; then it re-started last year to record our reaction to the lockdown and the pandemic. After 502 days, I am not sure what it is for now. So I am stalling with just a select few reading the blog – and its purpose confused. What next, then? I am not sure – watch this space (or not, of course!). A re-configuration may be on the way.

Meanwhile, back at the ranch, John is still unwell, but feeling slightly better. He got out of bed at lunchtime and enjoyed watching the Lions match versus the Springboks, and then the Grand Prix qualifying. I am hopeful we might see the light at the end of the tunnel soon.

I, on the other hand, was uplifted by meeting up with the Sutton Sleaths who were looking at a house in the village today. I was able to look after the children while they inspected the property, and then take a walk down to the pond with them to watch the ducks. A beautiful jewel in an otherwise unremarkable day.

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26,144 people tested positive for the virus today; 71 people died in the community – and we don’t know about those in hospitals, as it’s the weekend. A few more people have been vaccinated, and the percentage of adults participating in the vaccination programme is creeping up every day.

Take care everyone. It ain’t over until the fat lady sings……

John is still feeling unwell. He says he’s not going to go to the hospital. So we’re monitoring the situation…..

In the meantime, John had cancelled today’s ‘jolly’ with the Centre Stage gang and he stayed in bed all day instead, waking up at various intervals for a cuppa, a bite to eat, to take tablets, or to take his temperature.

As the day wore on, we decided that the weekend ‘jolly’ was also out of the question. We had planned to spend a day or two with Sue and Chris in Hampshire, having already aborted one trip to visit them earlier in the year. Perhaps if we plan it again, we’ll make it and it will be third time lucky…..

We are keeping our fingers crossed that John will have recovered and be well enough for our third ‘jolly’ next week, which is a boat trip planned for Tuesday. Positive vibes please. The best laid plans…..

While John concentrated on trying to get better, I concentrated on titivating about the house. Our plan next week is to go on the boat trip and then have a knees up at our house with Dave and Chris, George and Sue.

That’s the plan, so I thought I’d just check on the state of the rooms they will sleep in. Actually, they were pretty good and all I needed to do was vacuum and swipe away the layers of dust that have landed in there since the rooms were last used….. not that long ago, when Andrew came home, but it’s amazing how quickly the rooms greedily beckon the dust in, and then invite it lovingly to settle down on all the surfaces, isn’t it?

We took a phone call from Boots this morning, too, and were excited to be told that John’s hearing aids were back from being serviced. I had anticipated an interesting couple of weeks without them but, in actual fact, it hasn’t been too bad at all. We’ve had the sub-titles on, on the TV, and there haven’t been many conversations in which we’ve got muddled up, so all good. But even better now that I’ve been and collected them, eh, what?

I was caught in the torrential rain when I was out, so I had to skulk in a few dress shops/shoe shops before venturing back to the car. Shame…..

I gather that the incidence of COVID infections is slowing, which is a GOOD thing. 29,622 tested positive today. 68 people died in the community and 43 in hospitals on 28 & 29 July. The vaccination programme has also slowed down, but the doubled-jabbed people are catching up with the first jabbed ones, with 71.8% and 88.4% of the adult population having been vaccinated respectively.

Enjoy the weekend everyone. Stay safe. God bless.

John isn’t feeling very well today, so he stayed in bed this morning, while I busied myself with one or two errands.

Nothing exciting, of course, but jobs on the list ticked as done, including a trip to the charity shop to take clothes that are ‘past-their-usefulness’ date. I popped into the jewellers while I was in Cannon Park, to get a new battery for Mum’s watch, too, and spent a good quarter of an hour in there chatting. The jeweller greeted me like a long lost friend, as I was a regular customer in there over the years, and we shared a few stories.

This afternoon we were at the QE for a respiratory physiotherapy appointment which turned out to be very helpful. The therapist was very personable and explained things really well – in words of one syllable that both John and I could relate to. John has just got to follow the regime now…..fingers crossed that he will…..he was a bit out of puff when we got to the hospital much to the concern of several members of staff, so a wheelchair was brought into action for the visit. John hates that, but needs must, eh?

John was exhausted when we got home so I’ve been feeding him chicken broth, paracetamol, lots of drinks and making him rest. All in an attempt to improve his health so that he can participate in all the ‘jollies’ we’ve got planned over the next few days.

Unfortunately, he’s had to duck out of the boys’ trip tomorrow as he’s not up to that. He was going to go out with the lads from Centre Stage/Quiz Night for the day – I am not even sure exactly what they are planning to do, as John has just put ‘Sub-Mariners Trip’ in his diary. Disappointing of course, but we’ll take each day as it comes and then we’ll see.

So we’re grinding it out, as they say, with the same old, same old…… Hoping that the ol’ man will feel better soon, but I’m keeping my eye on his temperature.

On the COVID front, just for the record, there’s 31,117 people freshly confirmed as infected today and 85 deaths in the community, with 47 in hospitals on 27 & 28 July. The graphs are showing increasing infections among young people of course, because they haven’t had their vaccinations. I think it’s time to get the programme rolling out for them now, don’t you?

Anyway, all for now, as I have nothing else to report. God bless. Stay safe, everyone.

What a day to look forward to. We were going to be entertaining friends this afternoon – and then Quiz Night. In addition, a last minute invitation for me to see girl friends this morning came too, which I accepted with a bit of a caveat – John had medical appointments and I had prep for lunch to do, so I’d see what I could do.

As it turned out, I never made the morning jolly at all. I was whizzing round sorting out stuff for lunch and was still dripping wet from my shower when the appointed time came to leave the house. I was rushing about with still lots to do, when I suddenly realised that I would have to send my apologies. I was disappointed not to get to see Dawn, Alison and Sally on this occasion, but fingers crossed there will be a next time.

It was a good job I didn’t go out after all, though, as Pete and Fran arrived a bit earlier than expected, just after twelve. Fortunately, we were not caught on the hop and we were thrilled to see them.

We had a great afternoon. Everyone was on top form, laughing and joking together; reminiscing; sharing our families’ stories about house moves and grandchildren; catching up on mutual friends’ activities; and swapping car stories. It was excellent, and we were so grateful that they had made the effort to come and visit us.

After Pete and Fran had left, John wrapped himself up in a blanket and fell fast asleep. Clearly, all those jokes he’d been telling had worn him out.

In between times, we had heard from Michael and Danielle that Thomas was still poorly and, having sought advice from the 111 NHS Helpline, they had whipped him off to hospital to be checked out. It transpires that he has a chest infection and so antibiotics were prescribed. The hospital hung onto him for a little while, until his temperature was a bit more regulated, and then allowed him home.

Michael had to nip back to the hospital, though, to change the prescription. Apparently the pharmacist had read Thomas’ age as 14 rather than 1, and had dispensed large tablets for him to take…..

There was a change of plan this evening. Instead of Quiz Night, we girls had a Chat Night. Linda had texted to say they’d be late joining in; Malcolm texted to say he was still away building a kitchen at his niece’s house. Hmmm….. it was generally agreed that we’d leave it until next week – however, Caroline was on her own at home so should we girls chat anyway? Good idea. And what a lovely hour or so we had. Made a very nice change.

And that’s what I mean about an abundance of riches. Friends by the boatload today. Fabulous. We are blessed.

John, meanwhile, decided he’d go for a bit of a walk, while I was chit-chatting away. “How did you get on?” I asked when he got back. “I’m knackered,” he said. Well, I wasn’t surprised…. he’d had to climb a hill on the way back!

The COVID infection rate is slowing with 27,734 people testing positive today. 91 people have died in the community, however, and 44 in hospitals on 26 & 27 July. Hospitalisations of people with COVID has increased by nearly a quarter in the last seven days. Still on the plus side, though, 88.3% of the adult population has had the first dose of the vaccine and 77.1% are fully vaccinated. This is good news.

Take care everyone. God bless. And, if you are so inclined, positive thoughts and prayers for friends and family who are poorly right now, please – including two people who are currently in hospital fighting infections.

And for anyone who is feeling down, here is a beautiful bouquet of flowers – mine, sent by the Kenilworth Sleaths. Magnificent, aren’t they?

47 years ago today……..

That’s all today, folks!!

I visited Mum today. It’s been a while since I saw her what with one thing and another. She was absolutely on top form!! She looks incredibly well, and is very contented. Still can’t remember anything but it doesn’t matter because it doesn’t bother her at all.

She was funny – as always – and made me smile. I arrived, flowers in hand, and greeted her as she trotted from the lounge to her room. She was delighted to see me. The carer who’d gathered her from the lounge said she’d put the flowers into a vase. Mum said she needed to the loo and followed the carer out of the room. “I need the loo,” she said as she went, “but where is it? Now then, which way……?” I shouted to her that there was one in her room. She couldn’t hear me. I shouted several times and finally tapped her on the shoulder to turn her round and usher her back to her toom. “Ah, yes,” she said, “this one’ll do.”

Apparently, she can’t remember the way back to her room once she’s been out of it to the lounge or the dining room, either. But she really doesn’t mind. Here she is having a giggle.

As I left the care home, I whipped off the mask and gloves that they’d given me, and then peeled the apron off over my head. In so doing, I flipped my ear-ring off. Oh, bother! Ah… I spied the back of the ear-ring and picked it up from the floor. But I couldn’t see the actual ear-ring anywhere. The carer obligingly donned another pair of gloves and rummaged through the bin, in case it had dropped into there. No luck. “Ah, well, never mind,” I said, “leave it for now.” The staff thought it might turn up and they’d keep an eye out for it.

After I’d visited Mum, I came home and we sat out to eat our lunch. It was such a beautiful day. As usual, though, I was up and down like a yo-yo. I nipped inside to grab some plates. Then I nipped in to grab a glass of wine. Then, some spoons. Oh, the parasol isn’t quite right. And, gosh, are those weeds just there? Ah… let me just put the sprinkler on, while we’re sat here. Oh dear, John, are you getting wet?

This afternoon, both us of were busy. John was still tipping stuff into the skip and then he was determined to jet-wash the patio. Prior to that, however, he’d been a genius and set us up on a new internet system. We have jumped from BT to Sky and, to be honest, I think we were both dreading the switch. Anyway, it seemed to go without a hitch. Crikey – that’s a first. Shhhh…. don’t say it too loud.

Equally, I was also still tipping stuff into the skip this afternoon or, actually, finding stuff that John could transfer, if he felt so inclined. Neither of us quite knew where the time went, but it was soon tea-time, and I hadn’t done the one job I promised myself today – and that was to take Paul and Harriet’s bins in. It’s always the way isn’t it? Other jobs seem more attractive and you get distracted by them. But we enjoyed our industrious day, nonetheless.

We had an hour’s sit-down to watch Tom Daley and Matthew Lee win the gold in the diving before tea. As I sat down, I happened to put my hand down the turn-up of my trousers. What’s this pile of seeds in there? Oh, not seeds. An ear-ring. Well, that was a turn-up for the books!! I was thrilled, as you can imagine.

After tea, I did do the one job on my list. Tick.

Once I was back home, I thought I’d just amend the shopping list on my Ocado account. Oh, Lord! That was hard work. I couldn’t get things added and then it added things I didn’t want – the ‘regulars’, from way back when that we no longer need – and all in all, it took an inordinate amount of time – and it’s likely that we’re going to get double-doses of some items and a shortfall in others. Ah, well, you can’t win ’em all.

Finally, I sat down for an hour to watch TV. John was beginning to wonder where I’d got to….. I think our bio-rhythms are out of sync at the moment, too, because I am a late owl and suddenly got a second wind and tidied the SnuGym before I came upstairs to do the blog. It’s either that, or I am slowly going mad.

Lastly, it’s the COVID report: 24,950 positive cases today. It’s amazing, isn’t it, how the numbers decline when all students (5-21 year-olds) are on holiday? 14 deaths in the community; and in hospitals, the data reflects 23-25 July, with 21 deaths in that period. None reported today yet.

It’s the summer. Hope you are enjoying the warm weather and making the most of it. Take care and God bless.

Gosh, we have been busy today! We have really knuckled down to a bit of a clear-out and, although we are both tired, we are satisfied with what we have done.

I was up fairly early – I had in mind a few things I wanted to get on with and I also thought I might go to church. In the end, I decided against church in person and created my own, personal service here at home.

After I’d done a bit of faffing about I nipped up to the chemist’s to see if they’d got the one or two items I was in need of; and then, back home, I cracked on with the ironing while I waited for John to finish showering, ready for his haircut.

In fact, I am sure that it’s the haircut that has helped John with his work today. Happy and carefree without a tatty-head of hair, he felt free…… well, maybe that’s all a bit of poetic licence, but he was certainly galvanised to get on.

John spent the day breaking down an old desk he had in the garage and putting the debris into the skip and then generally finding stuff that needed throwing out. I spent the day clearing out old cleaning materials and gaily chucking them into the skip.

I also discovered another new, favourite toy today. The other day John muttered something about ‘watering the garden with the sprinkler’. I didn’t take a lot of notice until I saw the brand new, sparkly sprinkler on the lawn. ‘Ooooh……. that looks nice,’ I thought. My turn!! So, instead of walking round the garden with the hose today, I just set the sprinkler up and let it do its thing. Exciting. (Crumbs! What has my life come to?)

After our evening meal, we drove over to Paul and Harriet’s, to put their bins out as they weren’t going to be there when the bin men come. We took a circuitous route as there are road works on the way and a diversion was in place. Round and round the houses we went; up and down a couple of cul-de-sacs and in and out of previously unexplored roads, before we finally made it.

Home again, and we finally sat down with a sigh of relief. We had been working all day. Wonderful. I know it’s Sunday and a day of rest, but really, when the mood takes you, you might as well, eh?

On the COVID front, the figures seem to be steadying although it’s the weekend, so the figures are always a bit iffy. Will put numbers in tomorrow, folks. Still don’t want to sully my blog with the situation just now.

Take care everyone. God bless.

We had another dose of the Sutton Sleaths and the children today, much to our delight. Danielle was feeling much better after her day of rest yesterday, so the house-hunting was on. A morning video-call confirmed it: “Could you look after the children for an hour or so while we go and look at a house, please?” Of course we could.

Not sure Grandpa had quite got over his exertions yesterday, but he was game. Thomas, on the other hand, wasn’t quite so game. He was happy enough in Daddy’s arms, but the slightest suggestion that Grandma or Grandpa might be taking over any minute now, resulted in a fair amount of wailing.

Danielle plopped him into his high chair and offered him lunch. He fiddled with the sandwiches a bit and the strawberries, but as soon as I offered him anything, he recognised the ploy and started wailing again. Danielle ducked out of the kitchen. More wailing.

“Go on, you go,” I said to the Sutton Sleaths Senior, “So that, when I pick him up, he won’t see you.” Michael and Danielle shot off out of the front door, whereupon I picked Thomas up, still wailing, and took him into the lounge where William was very happily playing with Grandpa.

I sat down with Thomas on my lap and offered the lunch. Wailing stopped. Peace was restored. Food was ingested. Interest in the surroundings and the music being played was shown. And that was the end of any wailing at all, all afternoon. Bliss.

This behaviour, of course, was in complete contrast to William, who had thrown himself into my arms the minute he saw me this morning, and immediately started planning his playtime at our house.

Oh, lockdown!! What did you do? You broke my heart, that’s what you did.

Anyway, we had a wondrous time with the children – Grandpa kept up with William and I kept up with Thomas. There was a lovely moment though, when William was after a robot he knew we had somewhere among the toys upstairs.

“Come on, Grandma, let’s go and find the robot.” OK……. William set off, up the stairs, undoing the stairgate on the way (all the catches on the bloomin’ thing btw) and Thomas, of course, followed. We climbed the stairs together, Thomas as swift as you like, and then, on arriving in the right room for finding said robot, William hummed and hawed among the various boxes, then said, “This is the one!” and sure enough, there it was.

“Let’s take the whole box with us Grandma, shall we?” William said. And it wasn’t a question….. He gathered the robot, I hugged the box, and we both shepherded Thomas back down the stairs. But, do you know what? Thomas really didn’t need sheepherding, he was on it. And I loved the companionship the three of us had during those moments. Lush.

Thomas and I were out in the garden, having a wander round, playing on the swing and playing in the sandpit when, all of a sudden, Thomas heard Daddy’s dulcet tones in the house – they were back. He looked up at me, wide-eyed. “Daddae….” he said, “Daddae……” and he was out of that sandpit like a blooming rocket and clamped to Daddy’s side like a limpet, while poor Daddy was struggling with toileting the three-year old, at the same time. Made me smile…. Our job was done.

After the Sutton Sleaths left, we had a rest for half an hour before we popped round to Pete and Dawn’s. Grandpa wasn’t exhausted after all. He managed to load a large piece of timber into the VW (roof down) ready to deliver to Pete. “You’ll have to walk round,” he said to me, “there’s no room in the car for you.” Then he managed to manhandle the timber out of the car and help Pete set it into position in his garden, too. And here was me, worried that it might all have been too much playing with the children this morning……..

Freedom? Yes, thank you. Not freedom as we know it, but in our beautiful bubble of family and friends, it’s not too bad, really, is it? Who needs a disco or a cinema or a theatre when you’ve got your own, home-grown one with the grandchildren, eh?

Not going to spoil the memory of such a lovely day by posting COVID figures today. Take care everyone. Savour every moment you can. God bless.

What a difference a day makes. I woke up feeling so much better that I promise I won’t bore you with all my ills today. I am glad I remembered yesterday that patience is a virtue. Not only that, but we’ve had an exciting day.

Michael had asked us if we might look after the little ones for an hour or so today while they go house-hunting. Naturally, one says ‘yes’ because we love having them, and also one never knows when one might be incapacitated and not be able to do it.

Anyway, it transpired that Danielle was suffering after her second jab this week and was really up to nothing very much. So Michael brought himself and the children over and left Danielle at home – house-hunting on hold. It was still a work-day for Michael so he left us to look after the boys – and it turned out very well.

Normally, I allow myself to be monopolised by William, but Thomas was a bit clingy and missing Daddy, having seen him disappear up the stairs, so I spent most of the day entertaining him, while John entertained William. And crikey, what a good job John did. He was on form. Up and down the stairs; in and out of the house; and on and off the sofa like nobody’s business.

And the cutest thing that Michael overheard, as John was wrestling with the marble-run and having a grumble at it: “No need to be anxious, Grandpa. Just take a deep breath….” says William, aged 3.

We had a cracking day. The children were angels, and such good company that they lifted our spirits no end. Smashing.

Mid-afternoon, however, we had to leave the children with Michael for an hour while we shot off to the audiologist to get John’s hearing aids sorted. It was one of those wonderful things that you wish you had more of.

The traffic was light getting into Solihull; we sailed into a parking spot, right outside Boots; we didn’t have to wait very long to see the audiologist; she was lovely and explained everything very clearly; she adjusted John’s hearing aids just right; and then restored the link to the app on John’s phone, before we sailed back to Balsall Common as quick as you like. Just like that – fabulous.

The only down side to that little trip was that we decided to leave John’s hearing aids at Boots for them to be sent away for a service. Could be 7 to 10 days before they are back. Oooooh, we aren’t half going to have fun over the next week or so, aren’t we?

We were also of use to the Kenilworth Sleaths today, in a small way. Harriet phoned first thing; “Hi Anne, Could you do us a very small favour please? Collect Paul’s prescription from the chemist? We haven’t got time to do it before we go on holiday….” Of course we could – no worries. So we did. And it turned out well, because it meant that we saw them all for a nano-second before they shot off on their hols. They dropped into the house to collect said package as they set off on their journey this afternoon. Lovely.

On a totally different topic and out of left field, I have been midnight watering in the garden just now. Having been out of action all week, I have to confess to having neglected to get out and tend the plants in any way at all. They are feeling exceptionally sorry for themselves and some of them are giving up the ghost altogether. They may not need the water I have offered them just now, because I believe it may rain tomorrow – but it has salved my conscience a bit…..

In anticipation of a change in weather, I thought I’d better close the attic windows. As I walked towards the window looking out over the centre of the village, I was breath taken by the view. The photo doesn’t do it justice but I tried….

And some numbers for you, just for the record:

• 36,389 positive COVID cases nationally
• 87 cases in Balsall Common
• 64 deaths in the community nationally
• 27 deaths in hospitals on 21 & 22 July.

Hold tight everyone. Gird all your loins and fight the good fight. God bless.

I sat down this evening to write the blog, and looked up towards the sky. The moon was shining large, directly before me and into the room, hovering between the trees, a beautiful, soft apricot colour.

I grabbed my phone to see if I could capture such a beautiful sight, but the angle was all wrong. I skipped into our old bedroom, but it wasn’t any better there, so I went into our current bedroom, but still no good. By the time I’d got back to the computer room, it had gone. I’d blinked and missed it. The opportunity may yet present itself as the clouds glide by….. I’ll see.

And it made me think that that’s a bit like life, isn’t it? We’re looking back and thinking ‘Where did that go? Oh, yes, we blinked and missed it.’ But sometimes another opportunity presents itself. From a different angle or from a different floor of life’s mansion.

To be honest, I was still feeling ropey today, so titivated about a bit this morning, popping one or two things into the skip, that John then took out again and put on the front drive saying, “Someone might take that.” By lunchtime, I’d had enough and sat on the sofa for the afternoon, just watching TV. My brain is totally addled and has no oomph left in it just now. Heaven knows why, but I’ve come to a full stop.

Unlike John who, despite his various ailments and injuries, cracked on today with filling the skip and building a storage box for all our outdoor cushions. Honestly, he is an absolute marvel. Even though he doesn’t think he is.

Not only that, but he’s been looking after me. He says, “I’ll get the breakfast/lunch/tea ready.” and, “No, you stay there and rest…” What a man. Can’t help but love him.

I’d like to say more about exactly what the ol’ man has been doing today, but I have still been self-absorbed…… I know that this blog is supposed to be about him, and I realise it seems to be all about me now……. but sorry folks, I’ve got a lot to get off my chest. I will try and do better tomorrow.

Anyway, this evening, it was Zoom time with the College Girls. First one, then another said, ‘Sorry, I can’t make it’ or ‘I’m going to be late’. I’d set the Zoom session up and was waiting, but eventually I said, ‘Shall we knock it on the head for this week then, girls?’ To which the reply was…… oh, hang on, a minute, there were two people waiting to be admitted. Wow. That was good then. And then another arrived a minute or two later. Boom! That cheered me up no end.

And throughout the evening, I started to feel a bit better. Life was being shown to me from another angle. And… don’t worry, Anne, you may feel you’ve come to a full-stop, but give it a bit more time and you’ll be back on it.

That’s why I like, nay love, the girls. We have known each other for nigh on 50 years now and they still like me and put up with me – warts and all. They know I am very imperfect; I say the wrong things sometimes; I behave badly sometimes – but they are there for me, helping me keep on the straight and narrow, and reminding me that how I think isn’t the ‘be all and end all’. Thank the Lord for very good friends, that’s all I can say.

Anyway, back to the moon….. like life, I didn’t blink and miss it. I captured it in the end… even though, like life, the photo is imperfect, I hope you get gist. It was there all the time. I just had to wait for the right moment.

God bless, everyone. No COVID news today – I am too jaded by it all, so am counting my blessings instead.