Awake at 5am. I felt a bit antsy. Tense. Like I’d been grinding my teeth overnight.

I tried to get back to sleep but couldn’t. I played heavy rain sounds, then crashing waves followed by a meditation. All 3 were lovely and calmed my racing thoughts but I didn’t have time to fall back to sleep.

I was really jittery all morning. As if I’d had some caffeine. (I hadn’t, for once!)

I felt really anxious, breathless, trying to do everything all at once. I’m still bad for this when I’m busy. I like to be in control and I hate when I can’t be.

So I tidied up the office. Tried to put as much of the Caravan Show stuff back into its original place. I threw some junk out, I cleared my feet and felt a bit better.

There were things I had to do today, that I’ve neglected since the Show. I couldn’t do it all and had to accept that it was ok.

Ellison brought her lovely homemade lentil and bacon soup in for lunch again today. I cannot tell you how good it is!!

We had lots of customers in today too. The show has generated a great amount of enquiries.

When I left at 4pm, it was the end of my 11th day in a row at Tartan Campers. You know how I love a wee stat….

• Day 1038 of the blog,
• 1498 days with alcohol,
• 544 days without anti-depressants (this is the one that I actually cannot believe!!)
• And first time ever working 11 days in a row!! Course I still have The little gift shop over the next two days!!

I’m struggling to walk properly after the Farm yesterday. First big workout in weeks taking its toll.

I went straight to Silverburn Shopping Centre and stretched my aching legs out as I walked to meet Lea in Starbucks.

Starbucks is our thing. Our go-to. We used to go there once a week years ago, before I even met Craig. When Starbucks was a big thing… now they are everywhere.

And yes I ordered decaf! An oat milk caramelised macadamia latte DECAF!!! We must have told the girl about 5 times. Lea will sleep tonight on her caffeine… I’m impressed!

We haven’t caught up for ages so it was great to get a chat. Also lovely that we just pick up where we left off. We swapped Christmas presents and mine was in a Tartan bag!!

I got lovely perfume!

There was a Love Hearts arch and folk kept stopping for photos so we took a couple!

I love that Lea still had all the bags in this one!!! We couldn’t get a decent selfie with the arch in it at the same time!

I was back home about quarter to 8 and all of a sudden it’s half past already! It will be time for bed soon. Farm again in the morning. Which will be interesting if I stiffen up even more overnight… 😂

Stay safe everyone ♥️♥️♥️

I made it!!!

It’s all about mindset. I got my gym bag ready last night, alarm set. Bed at 10 after 4 episodes of Happy Valley. That’s us finished the first season already!

I slept like a log and woke about 2 minutes before the 5am alarm. I felt rested. Fitbit says otherwise and says I was awake a lot… nope it felt like a great sleep to me.

I got out of bed no problem at all. I was ready.

It was great to be back. It was a quiet class but it was a good ease back in. I still worked hard.

It’s psychological but I know I feel worse when I’m not exercising. I have felt way better today. Way more switched on.

It was early sunrise when I left and I got some photos in the dark…. They look a lot lighter than it actually was.

Snowdrops woo hoo!!! And loads of them!

Love me a snowdrop!

So on to work and had a great day. Instead of fighting the work that needs doing, I feel there was some acceptance today.

I just got on with it. I didn’t try to stall it. I didn’t try to find loads of other, more important things to do.

I did a food shop in Home Bargains tonight….. who’d a thunk it?!?!? Rump steak for £2.79 and it’s a good steak 🥩. 2 chicken fillets for £2.29…. Amazing prizes and it didn’t look like poor quality. Highly recommend checking one out.

There is one thing I’ve learned today though…. I’ve identified a personality type that I do not respond well too. When people have a high level of expectation and demand that they get the thing that they want, when they want it. I think I’ve talked about this before….

I’ve always been a people pleaser so would never dream of laying down how it should be to suit myself. I find it very hard to react to this kind of personality. It feels entitled to me and I don’t respond well to it. So I’ve a bit of thinking to do on that.

My internal reactions are not pleasant. I feel an actual pain in my chest, I feel anger and clench my teeth. I have a very descriptive face and am sure there must be something that shows there…. Sneer maybe?!?!

I need to learn that this behaviour is not a slight on me. It’s not a dig at me. I think it has been in my past and that’s where the trigger is. Mrs overreaction!

Anyway, life is a big giant learning curve, isn’t it.

I’ve also seen this…… and this is the reason I don’t drink any more. I could have written it myself. Word for word.

I’m in with my Crochet Hookers. I was late but turns out we all were 😆 so I must dash and stop being rude.

There’s not enough hours in my day today!!

Stay safe everyone ♥️♥️♥️

5am this morning. Wide awake. Ended up in the office for 7.15am as I may as well work at my desk than work lying in bed.

I have so much to do that I feel so disorganised. I really struggle being out of control.

Works well under pressure…. NOT!

I get in a flap and can’t think what to do first. Then I end up in the middle of 4 jobs at once….. I do know how to get out of that. I just can’t necessarily do it at the time when I’m it. It’s like I wallow in the flap and it allows me to justify how useless I am. Even as I write that I realise how ridiculous it is.

All in one big waffling paragraph. 😂

I’m so worried I forget something that’s important. Let someone down by not contacting them at the right time. Lose business because I don’t get to them fast enough. Or make a mistake. Forget to order something. Run out of parts for the build….. my list of worries is endless 😆

And this is why I write the blog…..

It’s natural that I’m tired after the weekend but I struggle with the not sleeping. (As I write this, I know so many people who sleep WAY less than me…. My heart goes out to them). I feel antsy and irritated but also really sluggish and lethargic. If I’m honest, I really think I’m missing the Fit Body Farm.

The thought of getting up at 5am does not fill me with ANY joy…. Yet I’ve a feeling that I will feel much better for it. I just have book it…. And get out of bed. 🤦🏻‍♀️😂 it’s a vicious circle, you’re tired so you need sleep but when you don’t go you you feel worse for it.

I really got loads done today and am upsetting no-one. That’s the best of it! 😂

I was so grateful to see actual sunshine when I left work tonight. It was about 4.30pm when I left and the sun was low but it was shining. It was bright and it felt lovely to see it at that time of day. I had a lovely drive home.

I went out into the garden and kicked a ball around with the dogs. It was only about ten minutes but it felt great to be out in the fresh air for the first time in ages.

There was a lovely sunset.

Everything has just been a bit overwhelming really. That’s all.

We’re now watching Happy Valley, we seem to be behind everyone else in the UK who just saw the last episode. It’s quite addictive… and I’m not sure it’s been that happy at all through the first few episodes. 😂😂😂 Highly recommend it if you haven’t watched it!

Stay safe everyone ♥️♥️♥️

3am. 😳

Wide awake.

My head was singing songs, chattering away, making no sense. I wasn’t awake enough to get up, I’m exhausted…. But still no sleep.

I didn’t got to the Farm this morning and I felt really bad about that. It ruminated round in my head but I needed the rest. I’m not sure I got it so I set off to work early.

So as suspected, today was a little of the ordinary, mundane and routine…. And yet it wasn’t at all.

We are very lucky to have lots of work to do after the show but I’m a bit tired and jaded. 😂

An 8 hour nap today would have been amazing!!!

So I sat at my desk and sorted all our enquiries into date order and started working my way through them. There are still SO many to be done!!

So back on that tomorrow and hope that I can turn some of them into new business.

Today is 6th February, 2023 and our big girl Calaidh is 8 today!

With Calaidh it’s ALL about the tennis ball 🎾

She’s never happier than when she’s got her eye on a tennis ball.

She’s her daddy’s girl!

Here’s our little puppy when we took her to the vet at 12 weeks.

She had a unique personality. She doesn’t care for other dogs but just wants lots of affection from people. She’s scared of other dogs coughing and sneezing, she runs a mile. 😂

She’s always hiding from something 😂

Awww she’s the best. We don’t get the dogs anything for birthdays but we have been telling her it’s her birthday all day. 😂😂😂

In other news I got a Sizzle Streak badge today 😬 from Zero… the fasting app!

50 consecutive fasts!

Ok so I’m still not a size 12 but I feel so much better for it and I find it super easy to do. I feel much better without pigging out every single night. I’ve taken control of my diet and I’m managing it.

So that’s all from me now. A bit of a come down from the last few days but that’s ok. You can’t live life at that pace every day!!

Stay safe everyone ♥️♥️♥️

Wow….. I have to say I’m nowhere near as effervescent tonight as I was last night. I am shattered!!!

I think I hit a wall about 13.10 today where I got sick of the sound of my own voice 😂 I’ve been doing great on the fasting while I’m on the stand as there’s no time to eat anything…. I think I needed food by the back of 1 today so I got a filled roll and crisps and a coffee…. £7.50!!

The show has been amazing and it’s shown me a side of myself that’s I’ve not seen for a very long time.

I love being on the stand. I’m so proud of who we are and what we do and telling people all about it.

Everyone has been so lovely. What are the chances?!? I’ve had so much banter with so many people, I just love that part of my job.

It seemed to be a lovely day today. Not that I’ve seen any of the weather for the last 4 days! Sunny on the way in.

Heading into the SEC.

A whole lot of work and chat later and the stand almost all packed away by 6pm tonight.

Tartan VAM (named after its registration!) sitting under the lights of the Glasgow Hydro.

With the Armadillo behind it.

VAM and Merida parked up for the night, awaiting collection tomorrow. Look at that sky!

Looking over to the Glasgow Tower.

VAM in the sunset.

And finally Ailsa’s rear end!

The sky was so beautiful. I wish I’d been out a bit earlier to see more of it.

It’s dark by the time Stuart drops me off. The lifts have been amazing, saved me having to drive the last few days and company on the way in and out.

The full moon is so bright!

I think it’s gonna be a cold one overnight but I cannot bring myself to put the screen protector on the van… I’ll deal with it in the morning.

So back to auld claes and porridge tomorrow. I have SO much work to do as a result of the show, not complaining at all but it’s certainly not going to be a restful week.

I’m not gonna make the farm again tomorrow. In 3 weeks I’ve only been once, that’s my worst record ever. But… I can’t do it all. I’ll get back in on Wednesday.

Can’t believe it’s almost Monday already. It’s 7.30pm and im just about to get my dinner. Chips from the pub which Holly so kindly gave Craig earlier. Just waiting on them to heat up!

I’m done….. 😂😘😴🛌

Stay safe everyone ♥️♥️♥️

Another level today.

It was amazing!!!!!!

We haven’t stopped.

It was heaving! Apparently people were queuing for up to an hour to get into the car parks. There were swarms of people everywhere!

I got a 20 minute break at 13.50 when I got some soup and a cheese and ham toastie , in the SEC staff canteen. Only cost £2.67 and it was lovely! Lunch on Monday cost me £7.50 and this was much better!!

It was like a calm haven when I walked through the door and it shut behind me. The girl told me that only 13 of the SEC staff had made it through for lunch so far so she knew that meant they were very busy.

Stuart described today like being in a tumble drier and that absolutely sums it up. We have literally talked to people all day! We’ve had people queuing up to speak to us. It was honestly amazing. I am bursting with pride at being a part of it.

I love every minute of it. I am honestly in my element. I just love it so much. Can’t get enough of it. Can you tell?!?! 😂

Here’s the end of day team photo!

I asked a guy to take our photo and he was obviously in a rush…. The one he took, none of us were looking at the camera…. He did take this one of me though… magic eh?!

Check the sunset on Ailsa the Tartan Camper, when we left the SEC. (It appears this actually stands for the Scottish Events Campus now…. Who knew?!?)

The sky was really stunning.

Stuart gave me a lift in and dropped me back…. I went on about the sunset all the way home. 😂

He thinks I’m crazy.

I told him he’s learning from me 😂😂😂

And the Tartan Camper drives off into the sunset!

It’s soooooo peaceful at home. Craig has the fire on and the candles lit and made me a lovely Chinese meal and I scoffed the lot!

Tomorrow is the last day of the show… I am pre-sad!

I have SO much work to do when I get back to Tartan HQ. It’s not like I get an easy time of it next week.

I can’t believe it’s Saturday night already. 😂

Hope you’re having a lovely weekend!

Stay safe everyone ♥️🚐🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

Another very busy day at the Show today! It’s such a buzz, it literally barely stops and we are giving so many people information about our business. I feel very proud when I talk about what we do.

I have loads of photos today. Craig ran me in and the traffic was so much lighter…. I believe there might have been a teacher’s strike today? We got there at 9am and went for a walk down on the River Clyde.

The Paddle Steamer Waverley is moored at the Glasgow Science Centre over the winter, just next to the Glasgow Tower. I had the best day out on her in mid October. 🚢

The Clyde is so still just not quite a perfect reflection.

We walked down the Clyde and past the BBC Scotland building.

Then round the side of the Armadillo which is a fascinating building, to see the Tartan Campers outside the SEC.

And yes… obligatory photo!

Mum and Dad came all the way over from Edinburgh today. So good to see them and they actually spent a long time at the show.

Tried to get a pic of us all before they left…. This was the best!

We managed to get a half hour lunch which was lovely and a couple of chats as they passed our stand.

These Pikachus were on the rounds this morning 😂

Finally got a pic on the stand before the madness started this morning. this is my “hurry up and take the photo Craig, I’m embarrassed” face 😂.

So yeah it’s been another lovely day. It’s so important to be about to get the word out there and become recognised in the industry…. Doing what I do best, talking and smiling at people all day. 😂 I don’t feel like I need to sit in a dark room yet… I might need to by Sunday night!!!

Finally end of show team selfie with Stuart and Gav…. How funny that they kept shutting their eyes in every picture but finally got one…. 🙄😬

Happy Friday night to you all. Just about to get dinner and chill.

Stay safe everyone ♥️♥️♥️

Well that was an interesting evening yesterday…..

The cramp just kept getting worse. Painkillers didn’t ease it off and neither did my hot water bottle. Usually the heat is an instant relief.

I literally had to move about on the couch every 5-10 minutes or so. Once I got comfy, it relaxed a bit until the next wave hit. Not gonna lie, there were silent tears most of the evening as I genuinely felt awfy sorry for myself.

It wasn’t the kind of depression tears though, just a feeling sad for the current situation. Also not a woe is me…. I know that this will pass. And it has….

I’ve been much better today. I actually slept most of the night, which was great but I didn’t go to the Farm this morning as still felt rotten, I looked all peely wally and my eyes were puffy from the tears.

Bit pathetic eh but it was really sore.

I’ve had twinges today but nothing like yesterday.

So it’s been an exciting, busy, yet very quiet day at Tartan HQ. The boys were at the SEC in Glasgow, setting up our stand at the show. It turned out they’d given us the wrong stand so we had to move everything around. A daft mistake by someone on Monday.

We are so very lucky to have two vans right outside the SEC which is a great advertisement. (these are not my pics as I wasn’t there today!)

There’s the same Finnieston Crane that I took a photo of last week when I was at the Scottish Trade Fair with the little gift shop. This is the year of the trade show! 😂

Here’s our stand!

And here are 3 of my smart looking Directors…. A girl can never have too many Directors 😂

This lovely van is up for sale at the show… I love it!

So yeah, that’s me for the next 4 days! If you happen to be at a loose end and nearby then pop along and say hello. We have smart new gear to wear so there will be plenty of photos.

Stay safe everyone ♥️♥️♥️

You do know that I have to look up the name of this show every time I type it don’t you?! 😂

It’s 8.23am and I’m in the exhibitors car park at the Scottish Exhibition Centre. I’ve called Craig to let him know I’m here and that I survived. 🤦🏻‍♀️😳😆 there may have been a few wee shaky tears 🤦🏻‍♀️

I was so nervous about the drive here. Let’s be clear…. She who used to wheech all over Glasgow, in rush hour, twice a day to commute an 88 mile round trip… suddenly terrified of traffic. I’m just the gift that keeps on giving eh?!?

I honestly think this stems from getting the van stuck on a campsite in May last year, followed by Abbie’s summer of wobbling back end. I’m sure that’s all it is. Of course I don’t drive in rush hour any more so I’m not used to it, but driving never used to bother me in the slightest. In fact, I used to love it. I never understood people who were nervous of it.

Hullo…… thanks new anxiety. I’m not having this one. I think these next few days will really help. Oh I should say we’re not meeting until 9am so I am SUPER early, of course. Might try a wee bit later tomorrow and risk slightly busier traffic. Even as I write that I think, get a life and I’m laughing.

Now, just to try not and need the loo for the next half hour as I wait for my boss Gav to arrive. We’re meeting in the car park as I had to drive past the guy on the gate and tell him I don’t have my exhibitor pass yet…. He was less than impressed but he did let me in. 😂

All set in my new Tartan gear!

Ok STOP TAKING PHOTOS!!!!

Fast forward…. It’s now 6.51pm and I am exhausted!!!!!!

What an amazing day. What a buzz. I have spoken to so many lovely people ALL day.

The show opened with Drums and Roses playing bagpipes and drums.

There are no photos of us on the stand. It was heaving. I never expected that at all, I mean, it’s a Thursday….. at one point our stand was literally swarming with people.

At one point Drums and Roses came into the show and played Highland Cathedral… I was chatting to a customer at the time so couldn’t listen properly but wow…. Special.

Suddenly it was 13.18 and there was a slight lull where I got a chance to run out and get some food. There was nothing much left so ended up with a vegan sausage roll, crisps and a DECAF coffee…. Check me remembering decaf. I’d done and 18.5 hours fast without even trying.

This shows how salubrious my lunch break was. I stood in a corner and ate the sausage roll, took the coffee back to the stand and ate the crisps on the drive home.

This is the only show shot that we got!! Stuart is so exhausted he’s having a snooze as we leave and I finally got a chance to have a drumstick lolly!!

Of course the exhibitor exit is half way to Glasgow…. We get out and have to double back towards Paisley to get to the car park… of course I exaggerate the size of the SEC but….. I then realise I’ve not got my handbag… and have to walk all the way back!! Despite all that, and being on my feet all day, I’ve only done 8,901 steps.

I am tired. My legs are jumping. Another 3 days of that. Wow.

Also realise I’ve lost my HRT patch somewhere so need to fit a new one…. That’s only the second one that ever fell off!

Craigie had venison lasagne in the oven and all the candles lit in time for me coming home. The drive back was way better than the way in. Totally confident tonight. Weird eh?!

So I’m looking forward to seeing mum and dad sometime tomorrow as they are coming to visit. If I get a chance they might get a wave 👋🏼 😂

Stay safe everyone ♥️♥️♥️