18th October 2020 - Daily Trials with Mother - Virus Damn Virus!!

 18th October 2020 - Daily Trials with Mother - Virus Damn Virus!!

Well I must admit I haven't written for a while despite it being my Birthday last weekend and of course Mums on October 12th, I don't know why but I have felt weary all week.  Covid weary I think as we have gone from life being as 'normal' as it could be wearing masks, following the 'Hands, Face, Space' message but knowing that our liberty could be snatched away at any time! With that in mind, we decide to make the most of what we Can do (not what we cannot do) and for my Birthday we went bowling at the Flower Bowl at Barton Grange with Scott and Olivia.  We were really lucky as we had an alley all to ourselves so we didn't have to wear masks apart from when we went to the toilets.  No we didn't take Mum as I knew she wouldn't enjoy it plus her back was still playing up, so she would not have enjoyed herself.  Teatime my sister Michelle and her husband Steve joined us for a meal at the Indian Restaurant Blue Diamond on Highfield Road, with the clubs and pubs shutting at 10pm we decided an early meal would be a great idea but must admit we were all bushed by the time we left at 7pm.  Once we had had a Birthday drink at the local Con Club we were soon home, little knowing that our Saturday nights out at the club would cease yet again!

Thankfully two days later Mums Birthday, we were still allowed to go out although people were being advised not to mix socially with other households, but as my sister Alison and her husband Paul had travelled up from Norwich there was no chance my Mum was going to comply to that advice!  Alison - yes the golden child - had travelled up on the Sunday and took Mum out for Fish and Chips at The Cottage because Mum was complaining that she hadn't been out at all.  However on the morning of her birthday when she was supposed to go out for breakfast - even though we were going out for lunch - Mum couldn't because her back was playing her up.  At least we did have a delicious meal at The Highfield although I found it very trying ordering everything online and was sure I would get something wrong.  Thankfully the only thing I got wrong was ordering one too many sweets but we easily polished that off.  Mind you it was a wonder I got any of it right as Mum kept nattering the whole time saying how she wouldn't be able to order if she came in with her friend, hmm a heavy hint I think but no way I will be accompanying them.  Anyway now we can't all go out being from 3 separate households, thanks to the new Tier 3 restrictions.  After dinner we all trouped off to Barton Grange as Mum said she would like to go to a Garden Centre as part of her Birthday treat.  

 

Two and a half hours later we left Barton Grange, yes we did stop for coffee, which yes I had to arrange - Mums treat - but as Mum had conveniently forgotten her card, I was left to sort it out as they wouldn't take cash, much to Mums disgust! "Well this is what it's like now Mum" I told her, Humph went Mum!!  What I really couldn't believe was Mum's response when we came out, "Well it was okay but I thought there would be more than just Christmas produce on sale!" Alison and Paul rolled their eyes as I think they were amazed it took so long to get round with Mum. "Well there were plants too Mum" "I know I bought some didn't I?" replied Mum.  Of course I knew as I paid on my card again!! At least Mum gave me the money but is it me? Money given like this never seems to get to my account especially as the Banks are also on restricted times so despite going twice this last week the money still hasn't reached my account, Grrrr!

The rest of the week has seemed a blur as we have waited to hear which 'Tier' Lancashire would be in, first of all Tier 2 but with rumours Tier 3 is being introduced soon, all of a sudden I feel 'Covid weary!' I am sure I am not the only one, plus since Mum's Birthday there hasn't been a day where she hasn't been complaining about one thing or another particularly her back!! Which of course I can do little to help with, however she is happy that she is going to have yet another x-ray, this time on her knees - yes another outing!  I still cannot believe the Doctor has ordered one as despite Mum protesting that she was supposed to have two new knees years ago, there is no way they will operate as her breathing is so bad!  On top of this Mums iPad has got a Virus!! "What Coronavirus?!" asks Mum, "No" I reply but it looks like it has got a virus. Gary looks at it when we have popped round with Mums shopping and agrees it does not look good.  Unfortunately the iPad was a refurbished one that we bought for Mums 80th Birthday but 5 years on it is not able to take all the updates. Plus Mum says "Well I told you that foreign man kept talking to me, but you did nothing about it!!"  I tell her "I couldn't find the man you meant but no doubt he is probably to blame if you have been chatting to anyone!" When we go home Gary tells me that he is amazed at how my Mum turned it round that it was my fault because Mum had been talking to some stranger!!  Later that night Mum agrees that she could buy another tablet as she likes the portability of the iPad.  

Next day, Saturday,  all change after my sister Michelle visits, Mum has decided to drag out her laptop, which must be about ten years old.  Michelle rings to find out the password to sign in as Mum cannot remember and I tell her what I think it is but say it must be at least two years since Mum used it, if not longer!! Later I spend two hours at Mums searching for the password without luck, so leave Mum to carry on looking for her old password black book.  After several conversations with Michelle, she finally says the hint is Blackpool, well it must be Tower then!  "No, it isn't!!" replies my sister who is obviously getting wound up, but when I question why the laptop has been dragged out I realise it's not worth asking!!  Another two hours later my sister announces she has unlocked the laptop and yes the password I mentioned was right just that I didn't mention it was all in lower case!!  

Now we are officially in Tier 3 and so no socialising with others from another household, as we are in a 'bubble' with Olivia and her Mum, plus we are also Scott's bubble.  I mention to my sister Michelle that I think this means I will only be able to drop Mums shopping at the door.  Michelle totally disagrees with me, but I am sure I am right, but as my sister appears to be the Oracle on all things Covid who am I to argue?  

Sunday - on top of this Gary was poorly all night last night with a raging temperature and an incessant cough, so much so that he ended up sitting up most of the night so he didn't disturb me, bless him.  However this morning he looked so awful and obviously felt so ill he decided to book himself a Covid test, so I knew he felt really ill and wasn't taking any chances. I drove Gary over to Preston to have the test as I knew he felt so lousy, a really bizarre experience as no windows are allowed to open apart from when the test is taken.  Not sure when we will receive the result but of course that means we both have to self isolate and I just pray I don't catch whatever Gary has got but also inform family and park friends that we will be self isolating.  Of course when I tell my Mum her first words are "Well who is going to take me for my x-ray tomorrow? Is your sister working tomorrow?" "I am not sure, I am sorry Mum but Gary really isn't well." "Oh okay well I hope he is better soon, do you really think it is Covid?" "I honestly don't know Mum, I hope not but we will have to wait and see."  I don't ring Michelle as I know she will not be impressed that she's taking Mum to the x-ray appointment and decide it's best to let sleeping dogs lie!  Today has been exhausting in all sorts of ways and again I just feel weary, Covid weary I think, damned Coronavirus!!