Our New Life in Devon

 I've had a nice few days with Mark staying here. He's well over his monthly contracted hours so has taken time off in leiu. It's great having him here as he's a good help around the house, vacuuming, helping OH cook, loading the dishwasher etc. He's a perfectionist so everything is done really well. Daughter has almost finished granddaughter's room. OH put the wardrobe and desk together for her when he stayed there and she's put the curtain up. They are just waiting for the bed now and it's finished. She's sent me some photos and it all looks lovely.  Had a message this week from an old friend I haven't seen for years. I went to her mother's funeral about 7 years ago. I think that was the last time I heard from her! Her mum was a lovely, kind lady who was always kind to my family when we were young. TBH I'm not that keen on rekindling the friendship as she's one of life's users - the sort that needs loads of favours doing but won...

 I've bought a few nice tops from Ebay as I'm going to a posh hotel in London for afternoon tea next month. It was a Xmas present from one of my adult children. I always prepare things well in advance lol. Decided to hand wash them as they have decorations sewn around the neckline so wouldn't survive the spin cycle. Put them on the line as there was a nice light breeze blowing so wouldn't take long to drip dry. And then it poured with rain! Well they can stay there as they're soaking wet anyway!  Must stop watching the news as its so depressing atm. What with Trump trying to bankrupt Canada and just wiping shares off his own country, plus the 2 ships that collided, and Russia still at war with Ukraine there's no good news around at all. One of my children never watches TV or the news and never has. They hear bits at work when colleagues discuss it so stay reasonably up to date. Had a bad night last night. I was up 3 times coughing despite taking an allergy pill ...

 The new hairdresser still didn't bother to wash my hair, despite me telling her when I booked the appointment that I definately wanted it washed and cut! She just sprayed it with a water spray, which is more than the last hairdresser did. The cut is fine but at £23 I do think she could have afforded the water to wash it. I never have it dried anyway, so there's no cost on electricity. I had a major coughing and sneezing episode at the salon, which was my fault entirely. I take allergy meds every morning due to my dog allergy as we have 2 dogs. But, I forgot to take it until I was just leaving the house, and it takes around an hour to work. Hairdresser had an adorable labrador dog in the salon that I couldn't resist cuddling and smoothing while I was waiting for her to finish another customer's hair. Thankfully, the coughing had stopped by the time she was ready to cut my hair, as the tablets had started to take effect. So, that's another hairdresser I won't be ...

 Back to the vet today and it's better but still not cleared up. The vet prescribed more antibiotics to extend the course to 9 days. Hopefully that should clear it up. She's so active in herself you would never know there was anything wrong. Dogs seem to cope much better than us.  We called in OH's localish pub on the way home. It was so cold in there we didn't stay long. I wish they would put some heating on. I know it's expensive but they have a log burner that they had just started lighting at 5.30pm as we were leaving. Just a few men were in there and all had thick coats on.  OH had a nice surprise, though, as he'd won a leg of lamb in the meat raffle last weekend. Ive had to put it in the freezer as we've already bought shopping for this week.             Biscuit Cutters for Easter Tomorrow we're off to Teignmouth to get my hair cut and then going to the shops. I love looking in the charity shops, and need a few things from Superdrug whi...

Daughter's doing well on the granddaughter's bedroom. I've had several updates, photos, and long phone converstions about it all. Walls are painted, new carpet fitted, and wardrobe and bed on order. Then the problems start! The wardrobe is lovely and it's coming on Saturday. She just thinks she can put it together on her own! It's over 6ft tall and 4'6" wide with heavy sliding mirror doors. So OH is going to help and so is Mark, her brother. I'm staying here with the dogs as it's quite upside-down there with the old furniture everywhere. That should hopefully prevent 6 slipped discs and a broken wardrobe, as daughter isn't very tall or muscular lol. The bed is taking 6 weeks to deliver but at least it's been purchased. Rumour has it she was 4 hours in the bed shop lolol poor staff                 The cone of shame  We have an ill dog here atm with a burst absess on an anal gland. Doesn't look ill as eating, drinking, running around norma...

 Well, home alone didn't last long as I got up Wednesday morning to find Mark (our son) sat in the kitchen having coffee with OH! He didn't bother ringing just turned up, which is fine as we have never had appointments in our last home for close family members. All family could just pop in whenever and were very welcome. Mark is very helpful and loaded the dishwasher, vacuumed the sitting room, pulling out all the furniture, and put the gripper pad under our rug. I'm so grateful as OH does try to help but never does a really thorough job . With both dogs shedding all year it's a job to keep up with the hair. Mark went home yesterday as he's back to work today. My nephew has sorted out daughter's cracked ceiling and wall for her. He knew exactly what to do as he's worked in dry lining for years. Just used filler so she can paint today as it drys much faster than plaster. Handy having family members in various trades. Daughter's ordered the carpet for next...