Saturday 10 December 2022

Saturday: Blogmas day 10

 Good morning, everyone, and welcome to the weekend.  It's so cold out there and looks lovely and sparkly in the street lamp light.  Beeb seems to think it will stay pretty much around zero all day too, brrrrrrr.

Well, it really was quite a day yesterday!

It started off with Slimming World which was great fun, as always, although numbers were down and the hall was cold!  Personal training at Lindsey's was also really good, although a bit less intense than usual so I didn't cough too much.

Between times, I did some housework sort of stuff.  Checking my mailbox, I had some messages about a delivery but I wasn't expecting anything so assumed it was one of those delivery scams that are going the rounds - until I found a note through the door saying I'd missed a delivery which needed a signature.  This really puzzled me but I went to their site and rescheduled the delivery for next Thursday which is the first day I am going to be able to be in all day.
That still didn't sort out what it was but after a ponder, I fired off a message to the Eyam Brewery.  You may remember that Suzanne and I discovered this lovely little speciality brewery when we were on holiday in Derbyshire in September and I have ordered some beers from them since then, lovely stuff (if you like beer).  

Anyway last week, I ordered a 'pick and mix' box of twelve speciality beers to be delivered to my brother, John, partly for Christmas and partly as a housewarming gift as he's recently moved.
There was a bit of a problem with the order (a problem with the site, not my end) and I had some communication with the brewery at the beginning of the week.
To cut a long story short, instead of posting the beers to John, they had been posted to me.  The brewery owner was most apologetic today and said they would be re-fulfilling my order on Monday first thing.  I suggested they contact the delivery company with a view to getting the first box of beers redirected back to them.
We will see.

When I had sorted that out, I went into the kitchen and there was a puddle on the floor.  I thought it was just a splash, mopped it up and came back out.  When I went in again five minutes later, there was a mini flood.  Instant panic!  You can just imagine, can't you.  After a call to the lovely Matt the Plumber and a hasty clearing out of the cupboard under the sink where the water seemed to originate, I found it was the water softener - it was full of water and overflowing.  Eeek.
So I turned it off, pulled out the plug, emptied the water out using a jug and mopped up the cupboard floor.  So no water softener and Matt is coming round during the week to discuss options.  There is a silver lining or two - that cupboard has had a good clear out (much needed), it and the floor have had a good wash and wasn't it good that it started flooding while I was home and able to catch it quickly.   Also, it isn't a plumbing issue as such.  Phew.
I suspect it will mean a new softener - it is pretty old and out of date now and that's what happened when the same thing happened to Dad's; at least mine lasted a lot longer.  Also I didn't know that they need an annual service, like the boiler - it has never had one.  Ooops.  Well, I know now!

I had a phone call from Potters, Five Lakes.  I am nervous with phones because of my hearing but the message they left blue toothed well with my hearing aids (the phone did, I mean) so I gulped, metaphorically stiffened my backbone and phoned back and it was as clear as day.  I must be a bit braver about using my mobile - it is so awkward not being able to use a phone.  Maybe that could be a New Year challenge - to regain confidence when using a phone. 
The call was just a reminder that I need to pay the remainder for my break with them at the beginning of February so that's all done now. 

Then, to finish off an 'interesting' day. I went to the wreath workshop and had a really lovely time, just what I needed.  It was so nice to see Victoria and Hazel (I taught their sons in Y 1 at different times and Victoria's again in Y4).  It was very late when I got home and very, very cold so the wreath is on the table at the moment.  I'll take a photo when it is up on the door.

Today I have a guest room to get ready for next weekend, some washing (plus drying and ironing!!) to do, some stuff to put back into the cupboard under the sink and a wreath to hang.  This morning, it's the SW walk - yes, it will be cold but I'm looking forward to it, all the same.  This evening should see the Strictly semi final but, because of some football competition or other, it's not until tomorrow - why can't they put the football on BBC2 and leave Strictly where it should be?  As I have zero interest in the World Cup, I will probably dig out a Festive Film to watch.

You're probably asleep after reading all that waffle above so here's some Christmas Music to wake you up - the wonderful 'For Unto Us A Child Is Born' from The Messiah by, of course, Handel, sung by the one and only Kings' College Choir.




15 comments:

  1. It’s terrific that you were home when the water softener started to leak. Glad you were able to get it unplugged until the plumber can get there.

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    1. Wasn't it just. If it had started in the morning, the whole of downstairs might have been awash by the time I got home. I was very fortunate. xxc

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  2. Sorry about the confusion with the knitted nativity yesterday. It's because I'd been looking at some mouse nativities and had that firmly fixed in my brain!

    Hope you enjoyed your walk this morning and that the ground wasn't too slippery. I debated about going out but the pavements are still white with frost and I can see a lot of skid marks where people have slipped so I abandoned the idea of a walk and stayed at home instead!

    I'm glad it wasn't a plumbing emergency and that you were able to clear up and stop the water leaking from the water softener. I hope the replacement isn't too expensive.

    Hope you have a good weekend xx

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    1. LOL - no problem. I thought it might have been something like that. The walk was really lovely. It was a bit icy but not too slippery, thankfully.

      I think it is about time to get a new version - for a start, mine only takes granular salt and the modern ones use block salt which is much better. I will definitely replace it - I have become accustomed to soft water and so have my appliances!
      xx

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  3. These domestic issues are a right pain aren't they but sounds like you handled them well, good that the flood didn't happen while you had guests.
    Wreath making can be such a pleasant activity, very relaxing and there's usually a lovely aroma from the greenery. We've got a glass front door so it's tricky hanging a wreath but we usually put fresh holly and suchlike around the window sills.
    Alison in Wales x

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    1. A metal door hanger for wreaths can be found online. Just slips over the door, stores easily and is not expensive. ~ skye

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    2. Wasn't it just, Alison - or even better that when I was out somewhere. I was so lucky.

      I agree about the wreath making. The whole room smelled of Christmas - it was lovely.

      Skye, thank you. I've tied mine to the door knocker for not but will look up your suggestion.
      xx

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  4. I do love a welcoming wreath on a front door. I have an ex colleague who makes mine for me, I hung it up yesterday - it smells wonderful. When I take it down I hang it in the back garden over one my bird boxes which is on a brick wall, it is very effective and forms something for the fledglings to grip! A double whammy!
    Suze x

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    1. What a good idea, thanks very much Suze. xx

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  5. I'm glad the leak was easily sorted and I so look forward to seeing your wreath. I love how festive they look.

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    1. I'm no artist but I do like what I came home with. Photo tomorrow. xx

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  6. That sounds like quite the day! The wreath class sounds really fun.

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    1. It really was. One thing after another but they did all get sorted out which isn't always the case, is it? The workshop was great. xx

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  7. Thank goodness the leak wasn't something more serious, and that you managed to catch it before it became a flood! I hope you can get a new softener sorted quickly. X

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    1. It was a bit of a panic until I realised where it originated. I suspect I will have to wait until after Christmas - Matt is very popular as he is so very good - the best in the area, I reckon. xx

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