19 Sept 2020

 

19 Sept 2020

So, I know I haven’t been too happy in some of my last posts.  Nothing has changed lol.  That’s not true to be honest – I have been trying to get myself into a better place.  I have started working on the house again on my days off work, and that makes me feel a bit more productive. 

Me and Andy have been doing the Keto diet for about 8 weeks – and I lost 1 stone – until we had a weekend off and I put 4 lb on in 2 days! 

I applied for a job with the fraud team, which would mean I enjoy the work more, won’t get sent out at the drop of a hat when a case comes in, no shift work and mostly working from home – and I got the job!!  Have to wait a couple of months though because it is a new team and they are recruiting a new supervisor – but it can’t come soon enough!!

Andy still has not found a new job – he is still working (or not really working) his notice period, but it is very worrying and we both try not to let it get to us – but it does sometimes! 

Since I last wrote on here, Andy has had his 50^th Birthday!  I got him a Steve Vai guitar and other bits and bobs.  We did an Escape Room with Helen and Paul which was really good fun and we escaped in 52 minutes! Lol.  We went for a meal in Exeter – we went to the Cozy Club – and I had AN AWESOME burger – with actual bread! Lol.  This was the weekend that we both broke the keto diet (and I put on 4lb and Andy put on 7lb). 

When we got back home Adam, Erika and the twins had just arrived, Connor followed and Lissa came the next day (on the Saturday).  We were supposed to take it easy on the Friday night – because more of a party was planned for the Saturday – but we still drank too much and went to bed late! 

Saturday – Lissa turned up – and we put some 50^th decorations on the walls – the kids had got him £30 worth of scratch cards for his birthday and he won £47 lol.  Would have preferred £300,000!!  Helen, Paul, Eloise and Zack also came – and we all had a really good time!  Played pool, and a drinking game Paul and Zack had put together – bit difficult to remember now what was so fun about it cos I don’t remember the details, but I remember laughing a lot!

The next day, on the Sunday, Lissa and Connor had to leave, and Adam (and fam) stayed another night.  We all had a pretty lazy day and I was knackered! I went for an afternoon kip cos I really wanted to be able to stay up for the NFL – it was the first games for our teams! We continued our non-keto eating and had amazing nachos and cheese sauce!!  Both of our teams won!! Yay!!

 

27 July 2020

 

27^th July 2020

 

It has been so long since I have written in this blog, and I was doing so well too!  But – I suppose life got in the way because I have been working and the annex is back up and running.

 

I suppose the biggest thing that has happened since I last wrote is that Adam had his twin boys!  Erika had a section – so we knew when they were going to be born – and it was on 29 June – almost a month ago now – actually I believe that they were 4 weeks old today!  They are adorable!!  Rory and Rudy – Rory was 6lb 1oz (I think) and Rudy was 4lb 8oz.  I went to see them and Helen came with me when they were two weeks old, they were so unbelievably tiny and so cute!!!

 

I went to see Lissa, Antony and little Ada before I went to see Adam.  So that was awesome – having seen lots of pictures of Ada but not having seen her in the flesh – which just seems so wrong – but the virus is still very much about….

 

Lissa & Adam had got together before this and had taken pictures of their babies together.  Ada was in the middle and the twins were either side of her – and I couldn’t believe how big Ada was compared to the twins – it made her look like a toddler.  Adam got one printed out and sent me a copy in a frame which is awesome and is now on my wall.  When I saw Ada I was shocked at how small she was – she looked really big in the photo but still a tiny baby in reality – when I saw how small Ada actually was I thought omg how small will the twins be??  So, me and Helen spent the day with Lissa which was so good – to be able to chat with her and see her in the flesh rather than via video chat – and to see how happy she was with her gorgeous little girl!!  It was funny because she kept commenting about how alike me and Helen are – and I would have to agree in many things!  Me and Helen had a nice long chat on the journey – about something or nothing – it’s easy and we laugh at the same things, and we got much closer (if that is possible) when we spent all that time in Manchester together and went through the trauma of losing dad together.

 

Anyway – I thought it was really nice that Helen was with me, and she gets to see the babies and my kids too.

 

So after spending the day with Lissa we then headed over to Adams house and I walked in and OMG – the baby in his arms was so unbelievably small – I assumed it must be Rudy the smaller one – but it was Rory – Rudy was even smaller than that!!

 

I fell in love with all of the babies basically!  I could easily have brought any of them home with me (only one though!)

Another thing that was good about visiting Lissa and Adam was to see the work that they have both done on their houses – they have done such good jobs getting their house into really good condition.  New bathrooms and kitchens galore! Lol.  Both doing really well!

 

So – me and Helen spent the night at Adams and left to come home just after lunch time.  It had been a really awesome weekend catching up with everybody and seeing all the amazing babies!!

 

I then felt bad about Connor – about not having seen him for ages – and all the family chat just being about babies and stuff so I messaged him and they arranged to come to us the following weekend!  Then there were discussions about when Adam and Lissa might be able to come and visit – anyway to cut a long story short – they all came the following weekend!  It was so awesome!!  Having everybody come to us with all the babies too!!  It was just so lovely having all the family together – we had such a laugh and I enjoyed every minute of it!! 

 

We got lucky with the weather on the second day and the sun came out enough for us to have a BBQ – so we were all in the garden – I set my camera up to take 10 pics – we all stand there and be sensible for the first 1 or 2 pictures – then we get sill and mess about!  These always end up the best pics and I have managed to get one printed out – it turned up this morning and is now on the wall!!

 

13 August 2020

 

13 August 2020

 

So – it has been a while again.  I was going to suggest that I only write my blog if I am in a good mood but that’s not true because I wrote the blog all through losing my dad which is one of the hardest times of my life.  I think the lack of writing is time.  Actually that is not right either because I have lots of time where I just sit on my computer and browse or play – but for some reason I don’t make the time to write.  Maybe it is because I have nothing to say – nothing good, nothing to report….it is just same old same old. 

Andy pointed out to me the other day that I am just completely miserable all the time.  I know I feel miserable most of the time – but I didn’t think I came across like that lol.  I am miserable because I can’t seem to adjust to working full time.  I feel like I have had my life stolen.  When I am not in work, I am not off work long enough to think – right! I’ll work on this project or get on with that.  All I can think is – wow, I am supposed to be grateful for getting two whole days off, and it being so short, all I can seem to do is dread my two days being over and before I know it – I’m back at work again.

It is not like I don’t like the job – I do, as far as being employed by somebody else goes…I like getting paid! BUT I’d much rather be working for myself….either on the house or in property development.  I’m trying to figure something out so I can make it so!  In the meantime, I am apparently completely miserable lol.

I had a couple of crap incidents at work in the last couple of days too.  I had a very embarrassing lady moment incident in custody which I won’t go into detail about here! But I ended up driving home and crying on the phone to Andy.  Then yesterday I had to go to a different station and even though the weather has been unbelievably hot (because I am at work) it did rain – I went outside looking for somebody in the carpark to pass on a message, failed to find them but got wet in the rain, came back in, slipped on the floor and ended up sprawled all over the floor – initially thinking I’d broken my knee.  Luckily nobody saw this – but god I was annoyed and upset.  Just thinking THIS IS ALL CRAP! I have to drag myself off the floor and carry on working (way later than I should have been – this was at about midnight and I was supposed to have finished at 11pm) and I want my old life back where I didn’t HAVE to be anywhere and planned my own days and activities and LOVED LIFE (strop, strop, STROP!!!)

So getting things back into perspective, Andy is going to be jobless soon, so I am doing the right thing by working.  I have a good job, it’s what I used to do and the team are great, I have a great boss…blah, blah, blah……

Because this is effecting my mood, I am not doing other stuff – I’m not exercising with Lissa (or at all) although it is like 35 degrees most days lately (unless it is my day off as mentioned earlier!), and I am not keeping in touch with the kids or anybody really, I am not doing any work on the house….I am slobbing about doing nothing – Andy has been doing all the cooking or I just don’t eat cos I can’t be bothered.  I feel bad – I feel guilty.  Poor Andy.  He has all his own problems and he must just look at me and feel even worse.  I don’t know what to do – I don’t know how to pull myself out of it.  Andy keeps trying to talk to me to get me to see things differently, and it can help…in the short term.  Then I just get fed up again about all the things I want to do and cant, won’t or whatever!

AArrgghhhhhh

I should just mention that there are still many things in my life I am very grateful for, and I realise that I am extremely lucky to have the things that I have, and the people that I have.

reflection

So, a strange thing happened.  I stopped writing my blog, stopped looking at the coronavirus figures, stopped watching, listening or reading the news and I stopped thinking about my Dad. 

I suppose I realised that I was not thinking about my Dad – I had to do that because it was just too painful and upsetting – so I had to put it out of my mind whenever it popped up.  I did realise though that if something forced me to think about it – like my mum talking to me about him – I found it unusually upsetting and I would have to try and push it down again.  This hasn’t changed – I am writing this without thinking about him, or trying….

We went to a garden centre the other day – an unusual thing to do nowadays!  We picked out a couple of benches and arranged delivery and then we were led all the way through the place to the tills, and on the way we went through the clothes section – and wham….I remembered the last time I had been there – I was with my Mum and Dad – and me and mum spent ages looking at clothes and my dad was bored waiting for us and was looking at the books opposite.  As I remembered all this – I could see him there and basically by the time I got to the till with the guy I was wiping away tears and just wanted to sob.  I didn’t sob – and I managed to act normal – but then after I paid I mentioned it to Andy and got really upset and it was then that I realised, properly realised that I just don’t allow myself to think about him or anything to do with what happened – because it hurts too much. 

I also try and bury my head in the sand and not think about Andy’s problems getting a job – and this is bad but I don’t like him talking to me about it – not until he can say – don’t worry! It’s all sorted! I know that is selfish and he needs support and somebody to talk to – but as I am realising – I am putting my head firmly in the sand about many things.

I am trying not to complain and get really down about my job too – the actual job is fine I suppose – the people are really nice, but I do not want to be getting up and coming to work! Simple as that – I want my time back – time to work on the house – time to do whatever I want to do whenever I want to do it.  OOhhh the good old days, when I decorated, shopped and cooked and chilled….money wasn’t really a worry – we just needed a bit extra for the work we wanted to continue doing.  Then I stupidly applied for a job lol.  Then the virus hit, Andy’s job went tits up, I had to start the new job at the height of the virus and then I lost my dad. Boom.

I have looked at the news today and there is talk of the over 50's being isolated if the should there be a spike in coronavirus levels.  Andy is 50 in September - next month - so that may well effect him!  I'm not 50 until next May, although I would very much like having to stay at home!  I though though, they will assess your risk if you are aged 50 - not every over 50 year old....

Also in the news today is that the state of Victoria in Australia has declared a 'state of disaster' after a rise in coronavirus cases.  They are going into full lock down.  So this virus is no way near done yet!  In this country we have now lost 46,196 people and had 303,952 cases.  I don't know what the daily death rates are now - on 1st August it was 74.  So still a fair amount.  Lock down has eased loads with shops open, pubs open - although it is far from normal when you go to these places.  This will probably cause a spike and I think the government are aware of that as they are looking at what to do 'if' the levels spike - I think it is more about 'when' the levels spike.  

Apparently Boris Johnson is considering sealing off Greater London and ordering at-risk members of the population to stay at home under a potential scenario designed to avert a second national lockdown. Possible measures include locking down the capital if infection rates spike and tightening quarantine rules on those flying into the U.K., there would be travel curbs in and out of the M25 highway encircling Greater London and a ban on overnight stays.

So really there is nothing in the news saying - we are beating this!  It is all about rising levels after the easing of the lockdown - and what we are going to do about it.

We are about 6 months in from our first cases in the UK.  I can't even hazard a guess when we might see some form of 'normal'.  However, I guess we are all getting more used to it and it seems less urgent, stressful and weird!

catch up - babies galore!

It has been so long since I have written in this blog, and I was doing so well too! But – I suppose life got in the way because I have been working and the annex is back up and running. I suppose the biggest thing that has happened since I last wrote is that Adam had his twin boys! Erika had a section – so we knew when they were going to be born – and it was on 29 June – over a month ago now. They are adorable!! Rory and Rudy – Rory was 6lb 1oz (I think) and Rudy was 4lb 8oz. 

 I went to see them and Helen came with me when they were two weeks old – I went to see Lissa, Antony and little Ada first! So that was awesome – having seen lots of pictures of Ada but not having seen her in the flesh – which just seems so wrong – but the virus is still very much about…. Lissa & Adam had got together before this and had taken pictures of their babies together – and I could not believe how big Ada was! Adam got one printed out and sent me a copy in a frame which is awesome and is now on my wall. When I saw Ada I was shocked at how small she actually was – she looked really big in the photo but still a tiny baby in reality – I thought – omg how small will the twins be?? Me and Helen spent the day with Lissa which was so good – to be able to chat with her and see her in the flesh rather than via video chat – and to see how happy she was with her gorgeous little girl!! It was funny because she kept commenting about how alike me and Helen are – and I would have to agree!

Me and Helen had a nice long chat on the journey there (and back) about something or nothing – it’s easy and we laugh at the same things, and we got much closer (if that is possible) when we spent all that time in Manchester together and went through the trauma of losing dad together. Anyway – I thought it was nice that Helen was with me, and she gets to see the babies and my kids too. 

So – we then headed over to Adams house and I walked in and OMG – the baby in his arms was so unbelievably small – I assumed it must be Rudy the smaller one – but it was Rory – Rudy was even smaller than that!! I fell in love with all the babies basically! I could easily have brought any of them home with me (only one though!) Another thing that was good about visiting Lissa and Adam was to see the work that they have both done on their houses – they have done such good jobs getting their house into really good condition. New bathrooms and kitchens galore! Lol. Both doing really well! So – me and Helen spent the night at Adams and left to come home just after lunch time. It had been a really awesome weekend catching up with everybody and seeing all the amazing babies!! 

I felt bad about Connor – about not having seen him for ages – and all the family chat just being about babies and stuff, so I messaged him and they arranged to come to us the following weekend! Then there were discussions about when Adam and Lissa might be able to come and visit – anyway to cut a long story short – they all came the following weekend! It was so awesome!! Having everybody come to us with all the babies too!! It was just so lovely having all the family together – we had such a laugh and I enjoyed every minute of it!! All the babies were well looked after – there were no crying fits – I think Andy was surprised, his idea of babies was constant crying! 

 We got lucky with the weather on the second day and the sun came out enough for us to have a BBQ – so we were all in the garden – I set my camera up to take 10 pics – we all stand there and be sensible for the first 1 or 2 pictures – then we get silly and mess about! These always end up the best pics and I have managed to get one printed out – it turned up this morning and is now on the wall!!

Monday

Hi,

So - not posted for a few days again - and I haven't kept up to date with the coronavirus figures.  I think I have been trying to avoid it all because I'm fed up of hearing about it - and the people dying all the time!  However today is a special day with only 15 people dying int he UK - obviously still 15 people too many, but the reduction is amazing...

The lock-down is easing too - more shops have opened, and there are further plans to ease up....not long until pubs and restaurants can open again - with strict rules however....

so last week I was in work everyday working in the DIT team - interviewing everyday - it was tiring!  It was also good being busy and being reminded of what I used to do.  Was glad when it was over however!  

The weekend was very lazy - and also fathers day!  Adam didn't send anything at all and nothing arrived from Connor either - although he reckons he sent something that was going to be late - it didn't turn up today (Monday) so I reckon he must have sorted something online on Sunday! lol.  Lissa was a star as usual - something turned up for Andy about a week ago - and he got a card too.  All I could think about was my dad however....and I did get upset a few times throughout the day.  I miss him.  I still can't get over how unfair it all was....I still focus sometimes on him being mostly alone and the realisation he must have had at some point that he was not going to survive...and lots of other negative things like that.

So - today I was supposed to have a day working from home - but when we had our Skype meeting my boss asked me to come in to help on a case.  So I got ready and went in and worked all day on a production order.  I quite enjoyed it actually - didn't mind being in the office at all.  Tomorrow I am wfh - then I am in on Wednesday....then I have Thursday/Friday off - but am working at the weekend!

So - a week today me and Andy will be grandparents to 3 grandchildren!!  Erika is going in for a planned c-section!  I'm nervous that everything will be okay - but I'm sure it'll all be good!  Can't imagine Adam being a dad to twins!  

Connor and Emily should be next - hopefully they won't leave it too long!  I'm sure they will all make great parents - as they have obviously had good role models!!

Saturday/Sunday/Monday/Tues

Saturday

Hi - so diet weigh in day - week 2.  Gain of 2lb! sucks ass!  We did order Chinese last night lol....however,  I didn't eat loads I have been good all week and exercising too...obviously not good enough.

I did a bit of research and I really need to do some weight training - which I hate, so I did a youTube weight training video today and then felt really sick!  I had something to eat and then went and got in the bath - had a little nap while in there!  

Sunday

I got up today and went into our gym and had a tidy up - we have power tools int here and mess!  So now it is all in a good order, and I have no excuse not to use it!  I did 35 minutes on BOXVR...

As I have such a serious lack of progress on my diet I have decided to cut out all alcohol other than red wine every now and again.  Red wine - because apparently that doesn't have the same effect as other alcohol which can.....actually - this is what I have read.....

almost all alcoholic beverages lead to weight gain. Red wine seems to have a somewhat protective role against weight gain

So - that's enough for me!  

I haven't got anything else to talk about atm - or more accurate - I can't be bothered....

Monday

Today I spent a lot of time working out a fitness plan with a lot of help from Lissa!  She did a little video clip for weight workouts for arms, and one for legs, and one for abs and back....it was cool because it was nice to see her lovely smiley face - and she sent a little clip of Antony with Ada - so it really was very helpful and totally lovely!!

So - I went into the gym and did the arms workout - which I really enjoyed! Followed by 30 minutes on the Peleton which nearly killed me!! God it was hard - I ended up rated about 8,500 out of 10,000 people that had done the same workout! ha! that is something to aim for!

I then had to go and have a look at the bath in the annex - our guests sent me a video of water running out on the floor! So I went in - and could not see anything obvious so i took the side of the bath off - and broke the tiles!! Plus the wood at the bottom has been soaking up water - it was a disaster really especially when I realised that the leak was actually coming from gaps that have formed in the sealant along the top of the bath - so I didn't even need to take the side of the bath off!!  So - I have had to leave the side of the bath off, and I had to dig out all of the sealant so that I could replace it.  Then I had to let our guests know that they couldn't use it for a while as it all needs to dry out - so I had to go and make sure our bathroom was nice and clean and invite them into our side to use the shower!  I don't mind them using it at all - I am more worried about the inconvenience to them!  I could not replace the silicone straight away either as I had to let it all dry out - so they will have to use our shower for a few days!

Anyway I felt like the day had been a bit more productive than usual!  and although it is stressful having problems in the annex - it was nice to be doing some DIY.  

Tuesday

Today I had to go into work - and have to do so for the rest of the week as I am doing a 4 day training thingy with the DIT team - used to be PIU at Surrey Police - but basically it is dealing with arrested people in custody, so involves interviewing and then dealing with the prisoner afterwards.  I expected on my frst day I wouldn't be thrown in at the deep end - but noooo.....ended up interviewing somebody for the first time in over 4 years!  I was a bit nervous - and the person I interviewed did a 'no response' interview - so didn't even say 'no comment' it is very off putting and makes it a lot more difficult because you ask a question - get silence back, ask another question - get silence - and you just end up firing loads of questions - talking to yourself basically!  So glad i got my first interview out of the way - and looking forward to doing it again and not making as many mistakes - like forgetting to state the time and the date, forgetting to write notes during the interview or write start time and end time down....luckily the guy training me is there to pick up and correct mistakes....

It felt great being back in custody again - brought back so many good memories! lol.  I did stand there and think - I can't believe I'm back doing this again!  I did think at one point I'd never be doing this again, and I did enjoy it!

Anyway - I got home - and got changed and went and did the silicone in the annex bathroom - going to have to sort out the whole bath panel at the weekend....that is going to involve buying new tiles, making a new panel, cutting tiles etc.......a lot of work!!  Sort of not thinking about it too much because I'm am rather worried about doing it in case it all goes wrong.....

I should be doing some exercise right now...although I don't have to do it everyday.....

hmmmmmm

Tuesday.

Hi,

So today I got up thinking - so I have today off and then I'm working for 3 days.  I don't mind the job at all and the people are all really nice but I have had 3 years of not working and not being accountable to anybody else and I resent that a little bit.  I am not too happy about having to work - especially now I know that Andy's job is not secure.

I am not getting on with any work on the house - its almost like, now I am working I feel like I don't have the time to do any work on the house - but really I could be getting on things!  I need to change my mindset and just do a small job a day - or there will be no progress.

What I did do today was cut the grass in the garden - that is not a 2 minute job but I also knew I would earn calories from it! lol.

Just after I finished, the gardeners turned up - I was glad I had cut the grass because it meant that they could spend their time doing other things that need doing.  I had a quick chat with Chloe - I really like her and wish we were in a position to become closer friends - but I have tried before and....I don't know she just didn't seem too enthusiastic, I think maybe her husband is a little controlling but what do I know....

So - I then did the Oculus boxing for a while (more calories) and got a shower....

Since then I have been chilling - watching TV and playing Runescape (I know - I'm a saddo).

I haven't looked up much about the coronavirus lately so I'm going to have a look now at all the figures.  I do know that yesterday the deaths only increased by 55 - much lower than it has been, but still not zero which is what we need to see.  I also saw something earlier which said non-essential shops are to open on Monday.  I am not confident that this is the right thing to do.  Pubs and restaurants cannot re-open until 4th July.  It would be awesome to start getting back to normal but I don't believe it is safe to do so yet.

I keep thinking about my dad.  I still find it hard to believe that he is no longer with us, and it is just....so sad, so tragic and so unfair.  I try and take some comfort from the fact that he might have had a much worse time of it if he had died another way....but then I come back to the fact that we could have so much more time with him if it hadn't been for the virus.  

Anyway - lets see if I have all the figures for the last week....

Tuesday 2 June 

Total world cases: 6,419,064-------------------108,149  increase

Total fatalities: 381,535------------------------4,457  increase

UK total: 277,985------------------------------- 1,653 increase 

UK Fatalities: 39,369---------------------------323 increase

Wednesday 3 June 

Total world cases: 6,503,961-------------------84,897 increase

Total fatalities: 386,185-----------------------4,650 increase

UK total: 279,856-------------------------------1,871 increase 

UK Fatalities: 39,728---------------------------359 increase

Thursday 4 June

Total world cases: 6,630,616-------------------126,655 increase

Total fatalities: 391,891-----------------------5,706 increase

UK total: 281,661-------------------------------1,805 increase 

UK Fatalities: 39,904---------------------------176 increase

Friday 5 June (missed)

Total world cases: -------------------increase

Total fatalities: -----------------------increase

UK total: ------------------------------- increase 

UK Fatalities: ---------------------------increase

Saturday 6 June (2 days)

Total world cases: 6,924,368-------------------293,752 increase

Total fatalities: 402,041-----------------------10,150 increase

UK total: 284,863-------------------------------3,202 increase 

UK Fatalities: 40,465---------------------------561 increase

Sunday 7 June

Total world cases: 7,071,776-------------------147,408 increase

Total fatalities: 405,979-----------------------3,938 increase

UK total: 286,194-------------------------------1,331 increase 

UK Fatalities: 40,542---------------------------77 increase

Monday 8 June

Total world cases: 7,138,470-------------------66,694 increase

Total fatalities: 408,139-----------------------2,160 increase

UK total: 287,399-------------------------------1,205 increase 

UK Fatalities: 40,597---------------------------55 increase

Tuesday 9 June

Total world cases: 7,208,064 -------------------69, 594 increase

Total fatalities: 410,732-----------------------2,593 increase

UK total: 289,140 -------------------------------1,741 increase 

UK Fatalities: 40,883---------------------------286 increase

Stress and Theft!

Hi,

So today is errr.....Monday, although it is my day off - and tomorrow! Yay!

So on Saturday Helen and Paul (H&P) were meeting the buyers of their caravan - they sold it on Ebay and they had paid via Paypal - so they were going up to Bristol to meet with them and hand it over.  Apparently they had spent AGES cleaning it - and fixing up bits and bobs, they got it into great condition for the buyers.  So off they went to Bristol - but they didn't get too far and their car broke down!!  Talk about stress!  They called Green Flag - but while they were waiting two fire engines and police turned up and the lane had to be cordoned off because it was a hazard!  So - Green Flag arrived and asked if the buyers would agree to meet them in Exeter service station...Paul called and they said yes.  So one recovery truck took the caravan to meet the buyers in Exeter and the other took H&P home.  

They received a call from the recovery guy to say he had met with the buyers and handed over the keys, and the guy had gone inside and then hitched the caravan up to his car.  So, H&P got home - thinking - thank god that is over with! Then they received a call from the buyer (wife who was still at home) and she said that the caravan was in a mess and it was unacceptable!  They tried to reassure her that it must have had a rough journey on the back of the tow truck, but that it would be okay...the buyer sent a photo from inside the van showing the gas fire front hanging off (apparently it clicks back on)...they said that they were going to leave it - she also said that they were from the travelling community and threatened to send their son to their address!!!  The woman also said that she had requested a refund from Paypal!! Despite sending a picture from inside the van they then tried to claim that they had never received the van or the keys at all!!  AArrgghhhh.....

So...H&P got into their other car and rushed back to Exeter services, and the caravan was not there!!  So they called the police and reported it as a crime - they checked Paypal and the money was gone!

So how bad is that!!!  They then came to us from Exeter - and understandably they were very upset (as were we!!)  The police said that the buyers had used false number plates on their car so we suspect they were always going to try and steal it!! Luckily Paypal confirmed that they had a hold on the money and had not paid it back to the buyers - so there is still a chance that they will get their money back....

So - Saturday we had a bit of a blow out - we played pool and darts and danced and drank - and tried not to think about the scum that had done this to them!  Helen was so upset because they have had the caravan for years and cherished it - went on all their family holidays in it - and she would rather have it back than the money, she doesn't want these ppl to have it now!  However, the caravan is long gone!

We ordered Chinese food so my diet was out of the window already!  I didn't go to bed until 3am - then only got 4 hours sleep so was knackered on Sunday.  Me and Helen were up first and I called the police to get the name of the officer dealing with the case - and that officer called Helen back and seemed really enthusiastic about sorting it out for her.  We looked up about when ownership was transferred and other bits n bobs.  When they left I wrote a letter for them to send to Paypal - and we are really hoping Paypal will release the money to them - but I have no idea yet what is going to happen because no doubt they are going to say that they left it there and then it was stolen, even though it is obvious they are trying to scam H&P.

So - Sunday I was just knackered and did nothing all day! I went for a sleep in the afternoon and continued to do nothing.

So today - I have continued to do nothing!  I am being so lazy.  I need to do some exercise - and I might go and cut the grass too....but getting myself off the couch to go and do it.....

Back on the diet - Saturday night was a blip and I am going to continue to try and lose weigh and get fit....

Wednesday, rain and training course

Monday 1 June 

Total world cases: 6,310,915-------------------102,231  increase

Total fatalities: 377,078------------------------3,467  increase

UK total: 276,332------------------------------- 1,570 increase 

UK Fatalities: 39,046---------------------------557 increase

Tuesday 2 June 

Total world cases: 6,419,064-------------------108,149  increase

Total fatalities: 381,535------------------------4,457  increase

UK total: 277,985------------------------------- 1,653 increase 

UK Fatalities: 39,369---------------------------323 increase

So - the UK is almost at twice the amount the government speculated about initially - they said we'd be lucky to have less than 20,000 deaths - and we were all shocked.  The coronavirus is almost like old news now.  We're all just bored of it.  Apart from people losing relatives or suffering from it!  Schools are re-opening - only certain classes, and the lock down is being lifted - slightly.  In England, you can now meet outside in groups of up to six people from different households - for example in parks or private gardens - as long as you follow the guidance and remain 2m apart.  However, scientists are advising the government against it.  Public confidence is being lost in the government (apparently). 

The death of George Floyd has dominated the news lately - a black guy killed by police in america - there was a video of it - the officer was kneeling on his neck and he was begging him to get off.  The officer - adn now 3 others have been charged with murder and there are protests going on n loads of places including the UK - and they are breaking all the social distancing rules.

So - I started dieting again on - errr...I think it was Saturday so the fact that I am still dieting is a good sign lol.  I have got pretty much annoyed with myself and I think I am in the right frame of mind to do this now....might be repeating myself - can't remember if I have already said this!  Anyway to help myself along I have started doing some exercise in the form of boxing via the oculus - it is so much fun - and burns calories too!  At the moment I am in so much pain with my arms shoulders and shoulder blades - my inner thighs too!  So it must be doing me some good!

So - Saturday I weighed 176lb - which, I believe is 12 stone 8lb!!!!  That would be fine if i was 7 foot tall but unfortunately I an 5 foot 3lb!  So I'll do a weigh-in each Saturday.  (I think so far I have lost 2.5lb) so it will be cool if it is more than that by Saturday!

We have cooked decent food since Saturday too - curries and other home made food...cant even remember what I've had....errr.....last night was chicken dopiazi and cumin mini-roast potatoes, the night before campfire stew (both from the Pinch of Nom book), we have had chicken with a hint of Thai, and errr other stuff.  So it has been good to eat healthily - but I have been hungry lol.

I hope I can stick to this because I'd really really love to lose weight and feel better about myself and fit in my clothes etc.  

So - Wednesday - did a training course via Skype to get designated powers at work - it was good actually - much prefer being at home for these things!  I now have all the same powers as police other than arrest and stop and search.  So I can apply for warrants, and search people and premises, use reasonable force (hopefully I'll never have to).  It was supposed to be a day off too - so I can claim back a day - so I am going to claim it back on Sunday!

Loving being on a app with Lissa and about 30 other people - I get to see regular pics of baby Ada is really is so gorgeous!  I feel a bit conscious commenting though because her Dad and Karen are on the app too and other ppl that might take me too seriously! But I can chat to lissa separately and still admire the baby pics!

Badgers!

So - the other night Andy got up at about 1am because he thought a badger might be attacking one of our cats but it seems that it was 2 badgers fighting - they are very territorial apparently.  Then today - we were in the garden and Andy suddenly pointed and shouted badger! I looked and saw a huge badger and as we moved and shouted it ran and legged it across the garden!  It is so weird to think that these huge creatures are living in the garden!  

We have set up our 'hunter' camera - which is designed to capture wildlife at night so that will be cool I we can get some footage of it!

I don't have much to talk about really.  I worked a late shift yesterday and today - yesterday I kept quite busy with a few phone statement but today I have had nothing to do!  So I have been preparing for a course I have to do on Wednesday concerning my designated powers.

On late shifts I spend the morning just clock watching and pottering about waiting for the time I have to start work.

I may as well have a look at the coronavirus figures for the last few days.....

Thursday 28th May

Total world cases: 5,811,649------------------- 70,527 increase

Total fatalities: 359,994------------------------  2,639 increase

UK total: 269,127------------------------------- 1,887 increase 

UK Fatalities: 37,837--------------------------- 377 increase

Friday 29th May

Total world cases: 5,928,756-------------------117,107  increase

Total fatalities: 364,490------------------------4,496  increase

UK total: 271,222------------------------------- 2,095 increase 

UK Fatalities: 38,161---------------------------324 increase

Saturday 30th May

Total world cases: 6,103,550 -------------------174,794 increase

Total fatalities: 370,801------------------------ 6,311 increase

UK total: 272,826------------------------------- 1,604 increase 

UK Fatalities: 38,376---------------------------215 increase

Sunday 31st May 

Total world cases: 6,208,684-------------------105,134  increase

Total fatalities: 373,611------------------------ 2,810 increase

UK total: 274,762-------------------------------1,936  increase 

UK Fatalities: 38,489---------------------------113 increase

Monday 1 June 

Total world cases: 6,310,915-------------------102,231  increase

Total fatalities: 377,078------------------------3,467  increase

UK total: 276,332------------------------------- 1,570 increase 

UK Fatalities: 39,046---------------------------557 increase

Grandad and Grandma AKA Grand-dude and Sam-mar

So - it was yesterday that Lissa had her baby at 6.37am.  I had stayed up until 4am and then was awake again just before 8am - so yesterday I was knackered!  I found it difficult to do much because I was so tired.  It was my day off too and Andy was working int eh basement all day on a work related music thing, so I was pretty much on my own.  The weather was gorgeous, but as I have found before its pretty boring in the garden on your own as you can't even go on your phone or laptop because you can't see the screen!

So, I just sat here and basically messaged with Lissa and looked at the baby pictures she sent!  Ada is such a cutey!!

I was woken up early by our guests thundering up the stairs (about 8am) I am sat here now - Friday - 9.34am and Lissa has just told me that she is going to video call me in a minute!  So I'll get to have a proper look at the baby!

I can hear Andy getting up too.  

So - my computer just died! Thought it had completely given up - not had this computer long either - AND my phone died too - keeps freezing and I have to restart every time I use the camera - I went for a walk outside and took this pic b4 it all froze....

Nope - the picture doesn't exist...

Nevermind.  So Lissa was going to video call me when everything died...then she was having a check up - then I had a shower - now she is waiting for the midwife!  So we'll get there eventually.  Apparently the cheese and pate I ordered for her will turn up today - kicking myself now for now ordering myself some too!!

Yesterday I put a swing up in the garden that I had ordered - I received it and then had to wait again because I had to order some stuff to be able to attach it to the tree.  I have got it all up but I ordered a child's swing so my butt only just fits in and it is a bit painful so I am going to have to order another one!!

So - I just got off a video call with Lissa - was awesome to see her and Ada!  We spoke about the birth, and how wonderful it is to have your baby! She also said - and ppl might hate her for this - that her belly has just gone flat and back to normal again (mostly) lol.

We were saying how she looks like the pic she had done of the scan - look at this:

Lissa was saying how she can see herself in Ada - I'm struggling - to me she looks so much like Antony...saying that - I think I can Lissa in her in this pic:

Although this pic is awesome cos her her tiny cute foot - I also really like how cute her face looks in this one too!!

Right - I'm off to make bread - I'll update this post again later today.

So - bread turned out well!

 NOT

This was a new recipe I tried - I was dubious to start with!  Its not good because it is so difficult to buy bread flour atm - any flour actually!

We braved our local shop and managed to get supplies!

Then - we made our way into the garden - and spent the afternoon there!  Weather so gorgeous atm!  Andy had a work thing where they had all recorded music stuff and it went live from 4.30pm - he had done a video and he was singing Zombie - his was really good - not all of them were lol - but all better than I could have done!  I was sat on our swing chair - and I had a video call - at first for a little while with Paul - and then for over an hour with Helen!  It was nice to be able to do that - especially as Andy was pre-occupied!  Helen told me all about a memorial thing she did with all the kids in the family - for my dad.  We both ended up a bit teary talking about the kids getting upset and telling their own stories about grandad.  I think it was an awesome thing she did for the kdis.  Unfortunately - only Candice contacted Helen afterwards, none of the other parents said anything to her.  Don't know if this means that they didn't think it was a good thing that they had did or whether they just haven't thought to thank her...

During the day I also received lots of lovely baby pics! which is awesome - she really is a very good looking, gorgeous baby!

We had a couple of burgers on the BBQ - and then eventually came inside - when I couldn't hack the heat anymore - but I think it was still after 6pm.  A little later we got on the Oculus and killed Zombies with Helen and Paul! I wasn't up for it really but it was so much fun!!  I quit about midnight - knowing I had to get a decent sleep ready for work the next day :-( 

A great day though.....

Coronavirus figures for the past week

I', going to write up on here about the coronavirus and write a separate post about the day!

I have neglected the figures lately - possibly because I didn't want to think about it and have had better things to talk about - like becoming a grand parent yesterday!

But - here are the figures I have - I've not been very good at collating them!!

Wednesday 20th May

Total world cases: 5,037,019------------------- 100,779  increase 

Total fatalities:  329,137------------------------ 4,653 increase

UK total: 251,290-------------------------------  2,472 increase 

UK Fatalities: 35,704--------------------------- 363 increase

Thursday 21st May

Total world cases: 5,142,326 -------------------105,307  increase

Total fatalities:  333,987------------------------4,850  increase

UK total: 250,908------------------------------- -382 increase 

UK Fatalities: 36,042---------------------------338  increase

Friday 22nd May

Total world cases: 5,251,028 -------------------108,708  increase

Total fatalities:  339,341 ------------------------ 5,354 increase

UK total: 254,195--------------------------------  3,287 increase 

UK Fatalities: 36,393---------------------------- 351 increase

Sunday 24th May

Total world cases: 

Total fatalities:  

UK total: 

UK Fatalities: 

Monday 25th May                                           (2 days worth of figures)

Total world cases: 5,442,802 ------------------- 191,774 increase

Total fatalities:  346,254 ------------------------  6,913 increase

UK total: 259,559--------------------------------- 5,364 increase 

UK Fatalities: 36,793----------------------------- 400  increase

Wednesday 26th May

Total world cases: 5,617,440 ------------------- 174,638 increase

Total fatalities:  351,065 ------------------------ 4,811 increase

UK total: 265,227--------------------------------  5,668 increase 

UK Fatalities: 37,048----------------------------  255 increase

Thursday 27th May

Total world cases: 5,741,122--------------------123,682 increase

Total fatalities:  357,355------------------------- 6,290 increase

UK total: 267,240---------------------------------2,013 increase 

UK Fatalities: 37,460----------------------------412 increase

Thursday 28th May

Total world cases: 5,811,649------------------- 70,527 increase

Total fatalities: 359,994------------------------  2,639 increase

UK total: 269,127------------------------------- 1,887 increase 

UK Fatalities: 37,837--------------------------- 377 increase

wow that took ages and was confusing!

The UK total cases have come down....

Lissa having a baby!!!!

So - at 19.54 Wednesday 27th May Lissa messaged me to say her waters had broken - she then called me! Said she was nervous! she was getting pain like strong period pain! If it wasn't for this friggin virus I'd have grabbed my pre-packed bag and made my way to Surrey!  

Below is a transcript of our messages to each other....until she found it too painful and couldn't message me anymore.....

I know this is all about Lissa - and I'll put a link in to her blog when she gets around to writing about it....but I went through a range of emotions...I was much more nervous and scared than excited....I could get excited about the baby when I knew she and the baby were okay.  In the meantime - I knew that she was in for a world of pain!  She was telling me how much pain she was in - when she had such a long way to go - and it was going to get so much worse.  I was so scared for her and hated the thought of her having to go through all that.

I called my mum to tell her as she'd not read my message - and she was all excited and at the end of our conversation she said - Tell Lissa we send our love.  We both then realised that there was no - "we" and "our" just my mum.  We both realised what she'd said and she corrected herself and said - I send my love....we both just paused - and I felt very upset and I got the impression my mum did too.  Then when I got off the phone I got quite upset thinking about how my dad should be here and be excited too....

So Lissa has now stopped messaging me - no doubt she is in too much pain and the last thing she will want to do, and will be able to do is message me.  So I'll have to wait and just hope that it is quick.  

[21:01, 27/05/2020] Sam: how is antony?

[21:13, 27/05/2020] Lissa Collins: Really good

[21:13, 27/05/2020] Lissa Collins: Yeah contractions started

[21:13, 27/05/2020] Lissa Collins: Like 3/4 mins apart

[21:13, 27/05/2020] Lissa Collins: Keep pooping haha

[21:13, 27/05/2020] Lissa Collins: Going hospital in a second

[21:14, 27/05/2020] Sam: you called them?

[21:16, 27/05/2020] Sam: good get all that poop out now!!

[21:17, 27/05/2020] Lissa Collins: Yeah called them and she said go in for check and they’ll make a plan

[21:18, 27/05/2020] Sam: okay - so you didn't suddenly speed up and end up in agony yet then

[21:18, 27/05/2020] Lissa Collins: Erm the contractions are pretty painful

[21:18, 27/05/2020] Sam: ha!you know nothing yet!!

[21:18, 27/05/2020] Sam: sorry!! lol

[21:19, 27/05/2020] Sam: how bad are they?

[21:19, 27/05/2020] Lissa Collins: Just like severe period pain

[21:19, 27/05/2020] Sam: btw Andy = grand-dude

[21:20, 27/05/2020] Sam: okay - that's normal at the beginning -

[21:21, 27/05/2020] Sam: I'm sorry to say it ends up nothing like period pain 🙂

[21:21, 27/05/2020] Sam: but you'll be fine my lil baby!!

[21:26, 27/05/2020] Lissa Collins: I’m scaredddddd 😂😭

[21:26, 27/05/2020] Lissa Collins: I’d like to fast forward time now

[21:26, 27/05/2020] Sam: awwwwww my baby! Im scared too!

[21:26, 27/05/2020] Sam: its exciting too!

[21:31, 27/05/2020] Sam: let me know what they say at the hospital - straight away!!!!!

[21:31, 27/05/2020] Sam: good luck! with a bit of luck you'll be one of those ppl who has the baby in an hour!

[21:43, 27/05/2020] Lissa Collins: I will. Just waiting xxx

[22:03, 27/05/2020] Sam: at hospital?

[22:04, 27/05/2020] Lissa Collins: Baby has done a poo

[22:04, 27/05/2020] Lissa Collins: But heart rate not showing distress

[22:04, 27/05/2020] Lissa Collins: Bit worried

[22:04, 27/05/2020] Lissa Collins: But gonna check cervix now and go from there

[22:06, 27/05/2020] Sam: Oh.....

[22:06, 27/05/2020] Sam: Let me know asap

[22:06, 27/05/2020] Lissa Collins: I will do

[22:08, 27/05/2020] Sam: how bad are contractions now?

[22:08, 27/05/2020] Lissa Collins: Not a whole lot worse tbh

[22:08, 27/05/2020] Lissa Collins: Still quote bad period and back pains but not excruciating

[22:09, 27/05/2020] Sam: okay....prob still early then

[22:10, 27/05/2020] Sam: google says baby pooping is v common and not a problem really

[22:13, 27/05/2020] Lissa Collins: So I just asked what the plan is

[22:13, 27/05/2020] Lissa Collins: She said they’ll have a look inside to make sure everything’s okay

[22:13, 27/05/2020] Lissa Collins: And then depending on that outcome and how often I’m contracting they may or may not examine me

[22:14, 27/05/2020] Sam: how can they look inside without examining you?

[22:15, 27/05/2020] Lissa Collins: I think they mean

[22:15, 27/05/2020] Lissa Collins: I’m not even sure

[22:15, 27/05/2020] Lissa Collins: I was contracting at the time lol

[22:15, 27/05/2020] Sam: lol

[22:16, 27/05/2020] Sam: its happening - you are having a baby!!!!!

[22:17, 27/05/2020] Lissa Collins: Would like to skip to the point it’s done

[22:17, 27/05/2020] Sam: yeah...that'd be good

[22:19, 27/05/2020] Sam: let me see a pic f what is going on?

[22:19, 27/05/2020] Sam: see the room - so I can picture where you are and all that

[22:20, 27/05/2020] Sam: awww my baby girl(s)

[22:20, 27/05/2020] Sam: yeah need lots of pics for the blog - you'll be glad of the pics later

[22:20, 27/05/2020] Sam: as long as you can manage it!

[22:21, 27/05/2020] Lissa Collins: Yeah I will ask Ant to take some

[22:21, 27/05/2020] Lissa Collins: Even if I don’t him to at the time haha

[22:21, 27/05/2020] Sam: yeah - tell him to send me a message so I am at top of his contacts!

[22:21, 27/05/2020] Sam: and he can find it easy later

[22:22, 27/05/2020] Lissa Collins: Okay will do

[22:27, 27/05/2020] Sam: so - I'm gonna send you some cheese and pate for when you are out!!  I checked and you can have it when breast feeling!!

[22:27, 27/05/2020] Sam: hahahah breast feeding!!

[22:28, 27/05/2020] Lissa Collins: Hahaha mum! Really not the time 😂

[22:28, 27/05/2020] Sam: lol

[22:28, 27/05/2020] Lissa Collins: Amazing! Can’t wait

[22:28, 27/05/2020] Lissa Collins: And a Prosecco

[22:29, 27/05/2020] Sam: yep!!

[22:30, 27/05/2020] Sam: while you are just sat around waiting - do you prefer brie or camember or both?

[22:32, 27/05/2020] Lissa Collins: Camembert but love em both

[22:36, 27/05/2020] Lissa Collins: I got up to stand. This helps

[22:36, 27/05/2020] Lissa Collins: Baby is absolutely fine

[22:36, 27/05/2020] Lissa Collins: She said 5/10 more minutes on the monitor and can take off

[22:39, 27/05/2020] Sam: Okay....

[22:39, 27/05/2020] Lissa Collins: Fuck me it hurts

[22:39, 27/05/2020] Lissa Collins: Contractions that is

[22:39, 27/05/2020] Sam: Stand up n take pics n videos

[22:39, 27/05/2020] Sam: Really? Getting painful?

[22:39, 27/05/2020] Lissa Collins: It’s not attractive

[22:40, 27/05/2020] Lissa Collins: Yeah think so but also I don’t think I’ve got a good pain threshold

[22:40, 27/05/2020] Lissa Collins: So probs not that bad

[22:40, 27/05/2020] Sam: Monitor off then.....so no idea of cm dilated?

[22:40, 27/05/2020] Lissa Collins: No think speculum next

[22:41, 27/05/2020] Sam: Ok.....I'll google that

[22:41, 27/05/2020] Lissa Collins: I was gonna and decided against it lol

[22:42, 27/05/2020] Sam: Haha!!

[22:42, 27/05/2020] Sam: You may have what's called a speculum examination. This is when a small instrument covered in gel is inserted into the vagina. This allows the doctor or midwife to check if there is any cause for the bleeding, or confirm if your waters have broken. It isn't painful but it can sometimes be uncomfortable

[22:43, 27/05/2020] Lissa Collins: Omg it hurts so bad

[22:44, 27/05/2020] Lissa Collins: Where are they 😭

[22:46, 27/05/2020] Sam: get used to waiting around! try n relax....think of the lil baby you've grown!

[22:51, 27/05/2020] Lissa Collins: Asked for pain relief

[22:51, 27/05/2020] Lissa Collins: And she’s gonna come and examine now

[22:52, 27/05/2020] Sam: good - we need to know how far you are.....

[22:53, 27/05/2020] Sam: awww my baby!!  don't like that it hurts!

[23:00, 27/05/2020] Lissa Collins: Gas and air good

[23:00, 27/05/2020] Lissa Collins: 2cm

[23:04, 27/05/2020] Sam: if you think gas and air is good - you are early stages lol - 2cm isn't bad though - its a start!

[23:04, 27/05/2020] Sam: 20% of the way there!

[23:07, 27/05/2020] Lissa Collins: I think I have to stay but Ant is allowed to stay with me

[23:07, 27/05/2020] Sam: guess u r staying in then?

[23:07, 27/05/2020] Lissa Collins: They check me in 4 hours to see if I’ve progressed

[23:07, 27/05/2020] Lissa Collins: If not then drop

[23:07, 27/05/2020] Lissa Collins: Drip

[23:08, 27/05/2020] Lissa Collins: Fuuuuuck

[23:08, 27/05/2020] Lissa Collins: It hurts

[23:08, 27/05/2020] Sam: awww babe....I wasn't lying!

[23:09, 27/05/2020] Sam: 4 hours is a long time!

[23:09, 27/05/2020] Sam: I wish I could share the pain with you - take half of it away for you (not all of it I'd never cope!)

[23:11, 27/05/2020] Sam: what does ant think of the gas and air?

[23:19, 27/05/2020] Lissa Collins: He’s not here

[23:20, 27/05/2020] Lissa Collins: He’s not allowed in till I have a room

[23:20, 27/05/2020] Lissa Collins: Am waiting

[23:20, 27/05/2020] Lissa Collins: In agony faaaaaack

[23:26, 27/05/2020] Sam: he is not with you???

[23:26, 27/05/2020] Sam: awww is it really bad?

[23:28, 27/05/2020] Lissa Collins: Nope. Waiting

[23:28, 27/05/2020] Lissa Collins: Pacing, climbing the bed and using gas and air

[23:28, 27/05/2020] Lissa Collins: Offered pethidine

[23:29, 27/05/2020] Sam: you want/need it?

[23:29, 27/05/2020] Sam: it can make you feel woozy

[23:29, 27/05/2020] Lissa Collins: I don’t really

[23:29, 27/05/2020] Lissa Collins: But it really hurts

[23:29, 27/05/2020] Sam: why u waiting? for a room ffs?

[23:29, 27/05/2020] Lissa Collins: I wanna see if I can go without

[23:29, 27/05/2020] Lissa Collins: But then I don’t wanna just get it in the end anyway

[23:29, 27/05/2020] Lissa Collins: Yeah

[23:30, 27/05/2020] Lissa Collins: There’s literally no1 here and I need a drink so bad

[23:31, 27/05/2020] Sam: can u take my call?

[23:42, 27/05/2020] Sam: press button or opendoor and shout

[23:43, 27/05/2020] Sam: me and helen both said the other day that we were pussies and just did nothing when afterwards we wondered why we put up with shit

[23:50, 27/05/2020] Lissa Collins: It hurts so bad

[23:50, 27/05/2020] Lissa Collins: Antony is here

[23:50, 27/05/2020] Lissa Collins: Not really on gas and ai

[23:51, 27/05/2020] Sam: try and relax as much as possible in between....

[23:52, 27/05/2020] Sam: its gonna be hell from here my little girl...when you think you can't take any more whatsoever - you'll be about half way thru - but always getting closer and closer

awww my baby youokay?

Heard nothing - and asked Antony for a pic - and got this at 12.41 am (Lissa would normally be fast asleep by this time)

Conversation with Antony:

[00:43, 28/05/2020] Sam: awww my poor little girl!  I'm so sorry its so bad!!

[00:43, 28/05/2020] Sam: I tried to prepare you but I guess telling you doesn't make it any easier!

[01:21, 28/05/2020] Antony Wheatley: Talking about pethedine now. We didn’t want during planning but she’s in a lot of pain.

[01:22, 28/05/2020] Sam: has she thought about just going for the epidural and having no pain at al?

[01:22, 28/05/2020] Sam: its only going to get much worse

[01:22, 28/05/2020] Sam: don't tell her I said that

[01:24, 28/05/2020] Sam: why didn't she want it during planning?

[01:25, 28/05/2020] Sam: is it cos you can throw up, dizzy yukky

[01:30, 28/05/2020] Antony Wheatley: She needs to be in established labour for the epi

[01:30, 28/05/2020] Antony Wheatley: Checking now

[01:33, 28/05/2020] Sam: what is the definition of established labour cos I'm pretty sure she feels that she is in established labout

[01:35, 28/05/2020] Sam: let me know what they say!!

[01:35, 28/05/2020] Sam: I believe (after checking google) that established labour is 4cm+

[01:56, 28/05/2020] Sam: so.....?

[02:13, 28/05/2020] Sam: is everything okay?

[02:25, 28/05/2020] Antony Wheatley: Yeah all good. She had a check not long after last text. It came back as 4cm which means she could have epidural.Guy came in and did that and then just after she finished she got pushing contractions (I have no idea what I’m taking about). They did another check she went from 4 up to 9cm dilated in half an hour. So yah epidural should be kicking in soon and hopefully baby won’t be too long

2.25am

Conversation with Lissa

[02:48, 28/05/2020] Sam: you able to talk now u had epidural?

[02:49, 28/05/2020] Sam: I'm so proud of you

I video called Lissa at this point - and to my surprise and complete joy - she answered the phone!!  She looked good! She was telling me how painful it had got before the contractions....I can't even remember what we were saying - but she started to feel the contractions again and I could see the pain in the face - she was having gas and air again.  In the end it started to get too painful and we ended the conversation - apparently they topped up the epidural again and it was easier for her again.

[03:22, 28/05/2020] Lissa Collins: Sorry it got really painful

[03:22, 28/05/2020] Lissa Collins: Am fully dilated now

[03:22, 28/05/2020] Sam: thats okay - so whats the plan now?

[03:23, 28/05/2020] Sam: still waiting an hour?

[03:31, 28/05/2020] Sam: pushhhh.....pussshhhhh

It got to about 4am - and I just could not stay awake any longer...so I went to bed and left the sound on my phone...

I got these messages when I was asleep - didn't wake me up!!

[04:11, 28/05/2020] Antony Wheatley: No more news since last text really. Still haven’t started the pushing but expect that will be starting in half hour ish.

[04:54, 28/05/2020] Antony Wheatley: Started pushing but baby heart rate started lowering so they pulled the doc and anaesthetist in who checked over and in mean time baby heart rate went back to normal. Going to try pushing again in 10 and then they’ll look at other options if no joy

[06:39, 28/05/2020] Antony Wheatley: Baby arrived

The baby was born at 6.37am!

This is the most beautiful photo ever!!

I have not been able to stop looking at it - and when I zoomed in (because I was looking at it on my phone) and I saw the expression on Lissa's face I cried my eyes out!!! and it is making me cry again now!!

Ada Louise Wheatley - 6lb 2oz

She is adorable! and I am so proud of Lissa - apparently she was pushing for an hour and a half - and baby needed suction to get her out! But she did it!

I didn't wake up until 7.56am - and it was awesome to wake up to these pictures!!  I've been chatting to her all morning - she is so happy with her new little baby! She is in some pain - but doing well!!

Tuesday - work and quiz night!

So, I got up mega early (6.45am) and ready for work, and headed out to the office.  I wasn't hung over thankfully, but I was tired!  My eyes were also killing me - hay fever I assume!  

I got into the office around 8am and then had nothing to do!  I tried to keep busy learning things about the computer system and chatting to colleagues....I nipped out in the car around lunch time to try and get some hay fever stuff for my eyes but all the supermarkets had big socially distanced queues outside so I gave up and went back to the office, and had some lunch.  Then about 3pm I was asked by two people to take multiple statements! Luckily for me - only one was available and this took me right up to 5pm.

I came home - knackered with sticky horrible eyes - not really in the mood for the quiz, all I wanted was to sleep!  However, once we all got onto the call at 7pm I livened up!

So - the first round we asked the girls to make-up the boys like drag queens, and the second round we asked the boys to make-up the girls like pantomime dames!  They were all such good sports - here is a screen shot and then pictures of the results of that!

(Connor enjoyed the lipstick a little too much I think!)

So - all great sports!  Lissa and Antony and Adam and Erika ended up not very happy as they ended up with lipstick and eye liner all over their furniture/bedding!

We then had a round of family questions - and I had got in touch with Erika, Antony and Emily's families secretly to be able to ask questions about them! lol - didn't want it to be all about us!  Hopefully some of the questions got a few laughs!

here are the questions that were asked in the first round of family questions:

we then did a round called monster mash where each of them had to combine two things and draw them - these are the things that they were given:

Adam	giraffe	mouse
Erika	reindeer	crocodile
Connor	hedgehog	hammer
Emily	peacock	dog
Lissa	turtle	monkey
Antony	octopus	coconut

These are the pictures that they came up with:

         

THEN round 2 of family quiz questions:

THEN - FUN-KNEES where they had to draw a self portrait on their partners knee! lol

 ADAM AND ERIKA  

ANTONY AND LISSA

CONNOR & EMILY   

  We then did a set of general knowledge questions which I won't reproduce here - and then we had the third set of family questions:

and we also had clips of me playing the flute badly - and they had to guess what I was playing!!

So we had a lot of laughs and everybody were such good sports for getting covered in make-up and drawing on each others knees!!  In the end it was Connor and Emily that won!!