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Well, that’s 2020 down the drain, and thank goodness. It’s not been all bad, I landed a job after all, and I’m often glad to see the back of a year, however 2020 has been particularly bad for obvious reasons. I’m hopeful that 2021 will see us get on top

This past week we’ve had snow and ice. The one day, we had almost 3 inches of snow fall, which then melted slightly, then froze. The council didn’t collect our rubbish on the designated day, stating icy and dangerous driving conditions on side roads as

This week, I have been disgusted by customers who have left a mess in the store. I was in the egg aisle and slipped on something. I almost lost my balance, grabbed my trolley, twisted my ankle, and scraped my elbow on the trolley. I managed to stay

Here in the UK, it’s business as usual. The PM went for a nice long cycle ride whilst telling the rest of us to stay local. Police were seen eating and drinking in a café whilst the rest of us are not allowed, and most cafes are shut anyway. And a

My son has recently declared that I’m not to be trusted. Sadly, I may have to agree with him. As mentioned before, my laptop has been playing up. It shuts itself down with alarming frequency, and with no notice. Initially, I assumed the battery power had

Recently, I’ve been experiencing a wide range of emotions: I’ve been gratified to see that the police that I mentioned in a previous blog have been (allegedly) fined for breaching lockdown rules, and that members of the Senedd (Welsh government) who

Recently, we’ve had some ‘excitement’ here. I was in the bowels of the pirate ship (work to you) on Thursday, when we were plunged into darkness. A few exclamations went up, though within seconds the emergency lights came on. It was gloomy; however, I

This week I had a wistful moment. Some tech guys were sat at a till with some equipment in pieces, and they were using a very snazzy-looking laptop to run some tests. I passed them a few times, picking orders, and kept trying to see what they were doing.

I’m off now, for over a week, and I’m very pleased about it. Initially, I thought I may get bored though I have a ‘list’ of things that need doing so I’m sure I’ll keep myself occupied. Work has been quite a slog, with Christmas and the New Year, and an

During my time off, we’ve been experimenting with some Vegan and vegetarian fare. The food we make has been good, such as bean casserole, lentil dhal, Haloumi ‘burgers’ (delicious!) though with my son being lactose intolerant, we have tried some specific

Jake awoke, and felt like he always did, like boiled cr*p. He’d felt this way for weeks now, but didn’t dare tell anyone, especially his employer. He’d have to suck it up and go to work, same as he did every single day. Working in Food Production, he was

This week, I have been dusting off, and polishing the plank in readiness for the people I’d like to walk it. Top of the list are those disgusting people – and it is disgusting – who drop their face masks as they leave the shop they were in. These are

I had an email recently, that stated that Ofgem – energy regulator - has announced an increase to their energy price cap. Basically, the power companies are being allowed to gouge even more money out of us. I live in a ‘modest’ 2-bed end of terrace. We

This week, I have been mostly working. When I started this job, I worked temporarily 12 hours a week and that was nice. Once my contract ended, they kept me on and increased my hours to 22 hours a week. The extra money was well received, though some days

This week has been another busy one. I had my remainder of the eye test that was curtailed due to being sent to the emergency eye clinic. Sad to say, I need new lenses. Whilst the infection has gone, I’ve been left with some corneal scaring that will take

Just lately, life has been one long rush rush busy busy. There are time constraints on my job; customers want their orders, drivers have to go out, and it all feels like one big rush. When I get home, I rush to let the dog out, put away any shopping, grab

This week was busy yet again. Monday, the car was booked for an MOT – road worthiness test. It failed. Though only due to the handbrake; it seemed fine to me, though the garage stated it needed adjusting. They did that, then had to re-test the car. All in

Happy Birthday Gracie for Saturday. Hope you have a lovely day!

Happy Easter! Sunday, our store is closed. Weirdly, Easter Sunday is not a bank holiday, so we’ve had to take a day’s leave, or else work our hours on other days. I seem to have done both! I said I’d use a day’s leave which was accepted, then managed to

You know when you’re not getting enough of something (food-wise) when you keep dreaming of big slabs of the stuff. What I’m dreaming of would curl a vegan/vegetarian’s hair! You know it’s d*mn cold when the large saucer of water left out for the birds

Last week was a slow week, and each day couldn’t finish fast enough. After around 10 days, my stomach ‘issues’ finally eased up and at least I’ve been able to enjoy some meals, albeit very plain meals. I cut right down on coffee, I’m down to one a day now

… I have had a haircut. I went to a different hairdresser as although the one I’ve gone to in the past is cheaper by far, she rarely does what I ask for, and frankly, she talks too much! This new hairdresser asked what I’d like, cut the length, showed me,

This week, others have been harshing my mellow. Since I took early retirement a few years ago, each and every year I’ve had a percentage increase in my pension, often resulting in between £10 and £15 extra a month. For reasons known only to themselves,

This past week, the weather has been the pits! Last Sunday I came out of work to glorious sunshine, a nice breeze, and blue skies. Since then, the temperature has dropped like a stone and we’ve been ‘enjoying’ temperatures around 2C, and a frozen

Well, I’d written a blog last week, detailing my week, though was unable to post it so most of it seems a tad moot now. This new blog has been heavily edited. Last week I had my second dose of the Covid vaccine. A man this time and boy did I feel the

This week, my son turned 25. Where did the time go? He makes me feel old lol. We’re making an Indian meal – very mild chicken Malay (pineapple) curry for me, hot beef curry for my son, with samosas I’d made previously, and maybe I’ll make onion bhajis

The weather here has finally improved with sunshine aplenty, and warm days too that are great for drying laundry on the rigging. The downside of sunshine and dry conditions, is that certain neighbours have had a party, in their garden, that went on until

After a week of unrelenting sunshine, and increasing temperatures, Sunday saw some welcome rain. I like the sunshine, don’t get me wrong, however the bedrooms are maxing out at 25C which makes for a very uncomfortable night. I’ve stated before, after

This week, in a roundabout way, I’ve found out that in less than 4 weeks’ time, the NHS will be sharing GP data with third parties, and whilst they are not charging for this, they are seeking a payment for supplying the data. Hmm, sounds like selling data

After what seemed like an interminable week, I am at last, free. Including my usual 2 days off a week, I’m now off work for 9 days. 9 whole days! During my time off I plan to go to South Wales to visit family and my friend. I haven’t seen either for

Monday just gone; I spent the morning packing for my trip to South Wales. I usually pack early, however with things being so fluid here regarding Covid, I decided to wait until the last possible moment. Tuesday morning, I was up early, walked the dog and

After just 3 viewings (and 3 cancellations) the house we’re renting has been sold. They had 2 offers, one from a woman from an eastern European country, she lives over 170 miles away, her English was very poor, and she wasn’t going to use our agents – I

Tax: This week I received a dreaded brown envelope from the tax office. Like many, I’m sure, I always open these with a sense of dread. This one, however, contained information about something that has happened only once before, I think, in my entire

After working overtime every single day last week, this week has been a little more normal. Granted, the extra money will come in handy, however it’s been exhausting. The week was going well, until some a-hole decided to have workmen in at our busiest

So, this inept government has stated that from Monday we do NOT have to wear a face mask, BUT they have also said that businesses can invoke their own rules regarding same. Most have now stated that they will ‘ask’ colleagues and customers to continue to

This week has again been very busy in work. Each day, I’ve worked at least an hour extra with the same scheduled for the next 2 weeks assuming orders don’t drop off. This week we ran out of most cat food pouches, certain bleaches, antiseptic wipes…

This week, work has again been relentless. Last week I worked 5.5 hours overtime, this week it was 5 hours overtime, and next week it’ll be 9 hours overtime, as I’ve picked up an extra shift of 4 hours plus an hour over every day for 5 days. Phew! As

Wednesday was a good day. I was picking groceries and noted a message on the scanner. This is an option whereby a customer can state preferences if we don’t have what they want, or specifics such as green bananas. This message read: Thanks for doing my

After the past 3 weeks of working at least an hour extra every day, and picking up an additional shift of 4 hours, this past week was almost normal in that I only did 1 hour of overtime. It was fine as I was, quite frankly, shattered. I’ve not been

Something I’d posted to a comment on a previous blog, made me think about times I’ve genuinely laughed out loud, or smiled at a situation. Decades ago, my husband and I bought a house, and also had an allotment just a few miles away. The plot had been

Last week I had 3 days off work, on top of my usual 2. The weather was drab and no use for anything outdoor related, though we did have one dry day during which I took apart the patio table and disposed of it. We never sit outside; the garden is too small

Lately, I can’t help but notice how standards are slipping. One day recently we had a male customer, and I swear he was wearing his pyjamas under a sweatshirt. I’ve never seen men’s trousers like these anyway! Where I used to live, the large supermarket

Growing up, I was lucky enough to live in a multi-generational home. My Grandmother died when I was in my early teens, cancer, and my Grandfather was struggling, living on his own. Oh, he could cook, do his own laundry and so on, but after a while it

This week, there’s been quite a lot of disparity in overtime offered. One colleague was saying that she was shattered as she’d worked two 9-hour shifts in a row, both of which contained a considerable amount of overtime. Those 2 days, I wasn’t offered a

Recently, I’ve been losing the plot. For reasons I can’t remember, my son and I were talking about gemstones, and rubies, in particular. I told him I had a very nice ring with red stones in it, though they weren’t rubies. After much brain-wracking, I

I know it’s not a popular notion though I do sometimes think the press should have a gagging order placed on them. The BBC, and others I’m sure, ran a story about how ‘some’ places are experiencing a petrol shortage. They state that it’s a very few small

Tuesday, I was not having a good time. I’d had a ‘bad’ night Monday: It took me ages to settle down due to what I call monkey brain - my brain wouldn’t shut up, I was too hot, then too cold, my leg was hurting me: stupid nerves that tell me I have pain

Many years ago, I was married to a cookie monster. My then-husband could polish off a biscuit barrel of an evening and on times, it would drive me crazy. If I wanted any biscuits, I either had to get in there quickly, or else hide some from him lol. I

Well, it looks as if my trip definitely wasn’t meant to be this month. The petrol fiasco continues with very on/off supply. My sister has been poorly so we wouldn’t have met up much. Wednesday, whilst cooking dinner, the oven heating element blew and blew

This week has been mostly frustrating. The engineer ordered the cooker part, though didn’t fit it until Thursday. That’s 8 days with no main oven! The combi microwave has been very useful, though due to the size, much smaller than a convection oven, we’ve

Well, so far, I’m not impressed with the company that is buying the house. I check my email multiple times a day, and Thursday afternoon had an email from the new buyers that they’re taking over the property on Monday, and by the way they want nearly

This week I popped out to a different supermarket to buy some goods that are unique to this supermarket. I’d passed an old man already and had given him a wide berth as is the norm these days, however on passing him, widely, a second time he growled: Get

This week, we’ve all been a bit poorly with various stomach issues. I’ve had a ‘sensitive’ stomach for days now. Not sure what I ate, but whatever it was, it’s aggravated my stomach ulcer and I’m feeling very uncomfortable. I’ve been eating live yogurt,

Further to my email... Gracie sent a suggestion, and using a 'Guest' account on PayPal I've managed to renew my subscription. So I'm back. You have been warned! LOL

… bites the dust. This week I found out that yet another young colleague has left. Apparently, they’ve been off sick more than they’ve been in, and with a few exceptions, some of younger staff don’t seem to have a very good work ethic. They’re often

Last week the planned overtime didn’t quite pan out in that I worked 7.5 hours overtime instead of the planned 6 hours. Phew! On top of that, I was asked, along with others, if I would work Monday too and have Wednesday off. I’m afraid I politely

Lately, I’ve concluded that I’m a selfish person. It’s not a nice realisation, but there it is. Saturday, I was in an aisle picking orders, when a customer motioned that he wanted the shelf I was using. I moved my trolley forward, though it transpires

This week, we’ve had health appointments between us. My son had an eye check-up, and his sight has improved to the extent that he needed a new prescription. Jammy! Apart from the cost, I wish my eyesight would improve, though at my age, it isn’t likely.

This week has been really busy, and entailed me being ‘boosted’ lol, in that I had my Covid booster. It was done at the local surgery so that made a nice change. I was sat down, in a room with 2 medical professionals unlike my flu jab! I even took a

Well, another year ends. No matter the year, I’m almost always glad to see the end of it and always hope that the new year will be a better one for all of us. I hope absent friends will re-join us in our iPernity community, and that we all get to see