I woke up 10 minutes before the alarm this morning. Another great sleep and never heard Craig come to bed last night.
I still find that hilarious that I can sleep through that!
All that said I’ve felt drugged this week. Super tired with no real spark though I just keep ticking away in the background.
I got up straight away, got showered and ready for work and sat for 15 minutes with some positive thoughts for the day.
I think I’ve said before that I have my FB feed set up with all things positive… anything that doesn’t align is deleted. It’s harsh but I know what I need to keep my grounded.
My head still feels in a good place, if not a little tired and sleepy.
We’ve always been told our thoughts become things. There are elements of my life that I’m far too negative about, which only increases that negativity.
I have been slowing down for a long time now. I no longer consider myself in the rat race I once was. I am really proud of that.
I still crave silence and I value my alone time.
I’m slowly learning that life is better when I focus on on my reactions to things rather than the reactions of others.
I’m not saying this is easy. Sometimes it takes a saint…. Or a quiet person who hates confrontation 😆😆😘
I like this….. when we realise that we are the cause of all of our problems, we stop looking to others to fix things or change to the way we want them to be.
This is how I started my day.
I still have no access to all the files on my work laptop…. I ordered the cable recommended by the computer repair guys…. Except I ordered a mini HDMI when I knew it should have been a micro HDMI.
I smile at these things now. I see them as a hiccup in my “perfect life” I see them for what they are. I don’t feel rage and stress. So maybe the tiredness this week has brought a calm that I needed to be able to deal with this.
I had my renewal through for WordPress today. It cost me £100.80 to keep writing this blog for another year!! I freaked out at the cost and then remembered what I get out of it, on a daily basis…. At 27p a day…. It’s nothing.
I gave in and had Cajun chips and cheese for lunch today.
Not healthy in the slightest but so damn good. I really needed the stodge.
The day passed quickly and it was 4pm before I knew it.
It’s rained on and off all day but I did sit outside for a wee bit with the dogs after work.
Just for cuddles!!
Khaleesi’s on the lead again. We’re worried she’s had a bit too much freedom so back to being strict with her again, in case more rest helps.
I’m a creature of habit when it comes to meals… obsessed with wraps just now! Khaleesi doesn’t look impressed…
So not much else to report. I’m trying to stay awake long enough for crochet with the Hookers tonight at 6.30pm 😆
I’m going to go back to my rainbow coloured squares I think…. Crochet is so cathartic.
I was out for the count again last night… an amazing sleep until someone woke me up to ask what time I was going running!!?! To be fair he was only 5 minutes before the alarm. 😆
I felt exhausted but I got up and was out the door by 5.45am.
I was both terrified and excited when we set off. I knew we were going for 7kms.
It was just Claire, Lynsey and I this morning.
It was a beautiful start to the day. The next few photos are Claire’s…..
I don’t carry my phone when I run…. It just adds to my weight 😆
I had a really good run. I struggled, I find it really hard but I love it at the same time. I had to walk a couple of times to try to regulate my breathing but my head was strong. Despite being behind the girls for a fair bit of the way, I’m telling myself I CAN when I feel like I can’t. I managed to run up a couple of hills that I thought I’d never do. To be fair the girls are a great support talking me through it.
They ran back to me at the end to let me finish “first!”….. by the time I finished my heart rate hit a high of 180 as I tried to push through to the end!
The stone was lovely and cool on my face 🤦🏻♀️😆
Here we all are….
I don’t even have a red face in that photo but trust me… I was BEETROOT!!!
The sweat was pouring out of me by the time I got in but I only had a half hour to get showered and out the door for work. I love the cold shower!!
I checked my stats when I got to work.
While I know this is the longest distance I’ve run…. It’s also the fastest pace.
I am sooooo proud of myself. ♥️
If you’d told me I’d be able to run this distance….and love it at the same time… I’d never have believed you!
I’m so pleased with the splits but you can see where the hills kick in!
It was a lovely morning but the rain moved in just after lunch and it was torrential on the drive home. Such a difference from last night where I sat outside in the sun until 8.30pm!
Tonight I’m wrapped up in my cozy comfies, in a blanket in front of the tv.
I made a lovely dinner again. Spicy tofu with oyster mushrooms on a wrap
It was really tasty.
So not much else to report….. oh apart from Craig took Calaidh to Portencross today, in between jobs and captured her and the PS Waverley in the distance…. It made my day! I’ll try to link to it here….
I can’t but I’ve linked it to this FB page and it’s the last post.
The forecast was a high of 16°C but it’s definitely been warmer than that.
Tomorrow we go back to torrential rain, so I’m out in the garden with the pups, making the most of it while we can.
It’s no wonder the Scot’s rush outside the minute the sun shines and we seem to get so little of it.
I’m in shorts and a vest top and I’m not cold at all. Last night I was jumper on, jumper off…. But we sat out until 8pm, which was lovely.
We left Khaleesi on her own for the first time last night. As suspected, she was absolutely fine as we moved Bhru back in with her for company.
I’m nowhere near as driven this week. I think the HRT progesterone has really taken its toll this month. I’m shattered.
I didn’t feel full of the joys this morning, despite the beautiful weather.
My work laptop wouldn’t work, just had a black screen and it took me 3 hours of trying to fix it, in between customer visits, before I gave up and took it to Utopia Computers in Kilmarnock. Craig who owns it is my sis-in-law, Lisa’s, friend.
I got Craig when I went in and he did everything he could to try to rescue it. He didn’t charge me for all the time he spent which was really lovely of him despite me trying to insist. He’s given me some ideas… getting a cable delivered tomorrow which will link it to another monitor so I can rescue everything on the drive.
Failing that we are back to square one!! All of my work is on that lap top and despite manually backing it up…. The last time I actually did it was July 2023!!! How time flies 🤦🏻♀️😆
That didn’t upset me half as much as it would have in the past. It is what it is and all I can do is try my best to retrieve the files. If I can’t I can only work with what I have.
I’m just back to feeling a bit unsettled and irritable. I should track this and see if it’s the same week every month?!? I think I say that a lot.
We’re going to attempt a 7k run tomorrow morning before work. Wish us luck!! I know exercise will help though every part of wants to say that I’ll just have a lie in…. I’m still trying to do something inspired every day even although the weekend was much quieter than usual. I’m keeping on the positive tact.
Meanwhile I’ll go and enjoy my Heineken 0% in the sunshine.
And maybe Calaidh will give me a minutes pace sometime soon! Even Khaleesi is saying there she goes again with that ball 🥎 😆
As far as Scottish summertime goes, it has not been “summer” but it has been a nice day. Freezing in the breeze and hot in the sun. The hot in the sun is so lovely!
I say hot and for my non Scottish friends, it’s only about 14°C!
We’ve been outside all day trying to tidy up the back of our garden. There’s so much to be done but we’ve made a big dent in it today. No photos…. Dammit.
If anyone knows anyone who is getting rid of some artificial grass please shout! It’s a godsend in our garden with 4 dogs and a high water table!
I slept really well. Had to get up to turn the tv off about 2am as someone had fallen asleep in front of it! Terrified the living daylights out of him too. 😆
So I obviously have way more energy today and was able to fast very easily. Yesterday I ate my body weight in food… I couldn’t stop! I also did lots of crochet which I’ve not done in ages.
Calaidh doesn’t like it when one of the other dogs sneeze…. She brought her toy right up into my crochet yesterday and sat for ages!
I am slightly bothered by the fact I’ve had 3 days off and done virtually nothing but it didn’t bother me yesterday or Friday 😆 so I can’t change it now.
She says at 3.45 pm, feet up writing this.
You know what I’ve needed a weekend to do nothing. I was maybe a bit too full on last weekend and the start of the week. I do think the progesterone phase of HRT monthly cycle makes me sleepier. It’s known to produce calming, anti anxiety effects and I’m chilled as a chilled out thing.
It’s only 2 weeks until we have a week off. Unfortunately we had to cancel our cottage in Wales due to Khaleesi’s surgery but we still have a week off. My first full week off since Christmas!
I thought about this today….. and am very lucky that I have built myself a life that I don’t desperately need a week off from.
How times have changed.
So on reflection, it’s been an interesting weekend… I have done so little but I’ve enjoyed every minute of it.
Also my “little” did give e just over 20k steps yesterday!!
Doesn’t make for the most exciting blog though eh?! 😆
I didn’t sleep that well last night…. I tossed and turned on and off all night but we had Freya in with us, and she’s a lot more active through the night than Khaleesi.
She doesn’t look it here!!
We’d all had a lovely lazy evening too.
I was up and out for a run with Emma this morning at 7.30am. There was just the two of us.
It was a lovely morning!
We did a 4.3k but it seemed super hot so we ended up walking back. we decided to switch our trackers off at one point on the way home.
I came home and sat out and had coffee in the garden with Craig, before he went to work. No rest for the Scottish Dog Behaviourist.
When he went to get ready, I headed out with the 3 puppeteers.
They were really good this morning! Always weaving about from one side to the other.
I have to say that I’m really low energy again today. I feel good, my head is in a good place, but I’m really tired and I need to do absolutely nothing but rest.
The light was shining on this last night so I thought I’d take a photo. Craig bought this for me.
I am having the loveliest of days. The dogs and I had a sleep over lunchtime. I’ve read a book, chatted to the neighbours and sat out in the garden for a few minutes.
I do feel like I’m going through a rejuvenation of some sorts. I was so super excited at the start of the week that I feel like I’m resting to process everything I’ve taken on board. I feel calm and in control.
There is nothing wrong… only a lack of oomph!
I have picked my crochet back up for the first time in a very long time and I’m sat watching Beverly Hills Cop!
Nice and bright and colourful!
So I hope you’re all having a great weekend. There’s loads needing doing here but it won’t be getting done today.
I’m sure we woke up with a new government too. Hey a change is as good as a rest they say.
I slept like a log. Again, yes I know if must be wearing for folks who cannot sleep but I’m so grateful for my sleep.
I do miss the Fitbit sleep tracker… the Apple one is pretty basic in comparison.
I’ve been listening to the Diary of a CEO, a great episode about fasting, which also went on to explain so many other theories. I was thirsty for the knowledge, almost gulping it down. Towards the end Dr Mindy Pelz says we should think about a toolbox… on certain days we need certain things. Some days we need vitamin D to supplement our food intake, some days we need cardio, some days resistance training, some days we need to feed our hormones, other days we need rest.
I need rest today and instead of panicking about a wasted day, I’m going to allow myself some rest.
She says…. After having already done 12k steps in dog walks. 😆 that’s me on a resting day?!?
So I dragged myself out of bed after 7.30, a nice wee lie in.
I had to drop Bertie Beetle at the garage this morning for a potential slow puncture and it’s still creaking and groaning after having the passenger side spring replaced. So I took Calaidh with me and we had a lovely walk back up in the rain.
It’s honestly like November weather up here just now. It’s cold, wet and windy though the forecast shows this morning as the worst of the weather.
Everything is so green and overgrown just now. If you can brave the weather, it’s really pretty.
This tree always makes me smile…. Thought funnily this morning I suddenly thought it could be two trees and just the angle I’m seeing it at.
Every time I drive passed this field the highland cows are near the fence and usually when I walk past they are nowhere to be seen. Today I changed tact…. I’m off to get a photo of the heilan’ coos…. Determined!
Tah dah!
Now this is down to my 15x zoom on the iPhone 15 Pro so I’m taking it as a small victory…. 😆
This one stared at me for a while.
The others were playing so seem quite young. I’d LOVE to see these guys up close if anyone nearby can help me arrange it?!?!
The colours are amazing. Even although it’s such a dreich day.
So many lovely weeds along the way.
Did spot this colourful coo on the side of a trailer in JS Montgomery Tractor’s yard.
This statue says Welcome to Beith. It’s carved of wood and I think she’s called Johanna… she’s looking to the skies wondering when summer will come just like the rest of us. 😆
These nettles were massive!!!
Calaidh so happy off lead.
Geilsland Road just as we head in Spiers Old School Grounds. I’ve added some reels onto my instagram at The Rambling Sloth, today. Go take a look if you’re on Insta. It was beautiful in the woods.
In we go Cal!
SUNSHINE!!!!!!!!
QUAD VERUM TUTUM – safety in truth.
I walked into the Queen’s Coronation garden for the first time in a while. This Dawn Redwood was planted from a seedling from Japan in 1953.
It’s a beautiful tree.
I love the old walls and gates.
The sun is hitting the brighter leaves in this photo.
Just walking along…
My favourite gate looks really dark under all the trees.
Calaidh living her best life!
So back home and posted the insta reels then off up the hill with Bhruic and Freya…. The rain came over so it was a soggy walk!
The inside of my glasses were as wet as the outside!
They had a good run about in the field before I realised that silage had been spread on them…. Thankfully they weren’t too smelly. 😆
So to be honest, I got home about 11 and I’ve allowed myself to rest.
I’ve done precious little, though I have listened to some Law of Attractions YouTube videos.
And…. guess what… I had the longest nap…. Craig came home from work and fell asleep so I did too. Just woke up when the garage rang to say the car is ready. Tried not to have a “you just woke me up” voice. (Don’t think I said I woke two folk up on Wednesday morning first thing when I called them from work… felt awful 🫣😆)
The car was only £24 for the puncture.
So that’s been my self care day.
I’m still shattered but I needed a rest day from my toolbox today.
It feels good to have known that from the outset and not to have fought it.
This is what reminded me of our general election today.
Am I the only one who allows this to pass by?!
I don’t watch the news. I try to stay as far away from it as possible.
Some would say this is naive but I know what works for me.
I did get a postal vote a few weeks ago but other than that, I’ve heard nothing.
I do smile though, when someone mentions something in the news and I am surprised I’ve not heard about it!!! 🫣😆
I was in bed for 8.20pm, straight after crochet. (I actually did crochet last night, check me!!) mIt was so cold and wet that it seemed the right thing to do on a “wintry night”.
I slept for 8 hours and 15 minutes.
I did get up twice and at 4.20am we had a power cut and the smoke detector was beeping. It lasted about half an hour.
I was fast asleep when the alarm went off!
It was torrential rain this morning. It was so dark, wet and very windy. It seemed much worse than the forecast suggested.
I have fleece leggings and a vest top on under my work gear!
You can’t even see the rain pouring down in this photo!
This does show how dark the village hall is, it must have been pouring all night and the stonework is soaking wet.
It’s been like four seasons in one day. Very typical of a Scottish April… and yet it’s not April!
So where is my head at today?
Hmmm it’s ok. The hmmmm says it all. It got dragged into irritability, which I really need to work on. I can tell when my ego kicks in and has a right good moan, I hear her and try to ignore the voice but it’s still too easy to slip into.
I’m very glad it’s my weekend and, as has been the case recently, I have no plans at all.
I’m going to do some of Mel Robbin’s inspirational work, in amongst all the housework.
I made another “Gro Coffee” taco meal for dinner. It was really tasty… I have to watch I don’t have this every night. 😆
Jeez that’s the rain on again. It’s definitely a coorie in night again. I may even get the crochet back out.
I thought I was losing it yesterday but I’m back. I feel motivated, fresh headed and calm again today.
I didn’t sleep quite as well as I had the night before. I woke while it was still dark and again at 4.30am. I was getting up at 5.30 to run with the girls and I guess that’s always on my mind through the night.
I felt rotten when I got up and could have just curled up in a ball and stayed in bed, but the girls were waiting.
I ran my best ever run again and got another PB.
I don’t think it was the longest distance but it was the fastest pace. I only walked once to blow my nose but I rejoiced the twice Claire’s laces came undone…. 😆
Here we are when we were finished, Claire, me and Lynsey.
Who needs a shower when you have a Khaleesi?!?!
I was sweating so much this morning, I jumped straight into a cool shower and that’s like the reward for the run! I love it!
Only had 30 minutes to get ready for work, but I managed and got in 10 minutes early.
I listened to the Diary of a CEO podcast on the way in. Its talks about the benefits of fasting. It was a really interesting pod.
I feel like a sponge at the moment, eager to soak up all positive, mental attitude stuff.
I do feel like this just now.
I’ve apologised to Craig for chirping like a budgie just now, I know I am doing it. 😆 It’s nice to feel peace, happiness and so much gratitude.
I really aware of manifesting just now, too.
You are what you eat, think and speak.
I went to Tesco after work and instead of buying crisps and chocolate, I decided to try and recreate my lunch at Gro Coffee the other day.
Now this obviously cost a FRACTION of the price but I really enjoyed it and was so proud of myself for thinking to make it.
I’m off into meet the Crochet Hookers tonight and who knows, I may even hook for a change.
The weather is wild… wet, cold and very windy just now. Everyone you speak to mentions how bad it is. I hope it will change soon but meanwhile it’s letting me get things done indoors, things I would do if it was sunny outside.
My head hit the pillow at 10pm and I woke up with the alarm. Khaleesi can’t have moved either.
I’m still sleeping downstairs to look after her but she’s doing really well. We are both sleeping so well. I did think she’d keep me awake more than she does. She’ll probably be ok on her own but we don’t want to leave her that long just yet.
Yes I know, I never thought I’d be that person to wrap up a dog…. 🫣🫶🏼
I’m still focussing on gratitude.
I had my shower and got ready for work and sat down to do my 15 minutes of inspired action.
I listened to some positive affirmations before I headed off to work.
Now this…. Needs a lot more work.
There are so many things in my life that I think should be a certain way, or should go a certain way and I get irritated when they don’t. I can’t change them, they will keep happening so I need to make the best of it. Not everything in life can go YOUR way and the key to real happiness is seeing this and moving on from it.
I thought this explains it well.
I am full of gratitude, love and joy but my ego keeps nagging away at the back of my mind trying to get me to react. It keeps winning and I don’t want to be that person anymore.
Recognising it is half the battle. I feel like my manic sparkle has dulled a bit today but hey we can’t all be manic, sparkling and driven every day… I guess. 🫣
So there is still hope. 😆
I’m off out for a run at 5.45am with. Some of the girls and I’m looking forward to it, but I will get an early night tonight.
I made a lovely halloumi salad for dinner.
I do feel a bit flatter tonight, there was a bit more anxiety in my day so I’ll be kind to myself and not try to change the world for the rest of the evening. 🤗😆
Happy July everyone as it pours with rain in Ayrshire.
It was torrential this morning, I feel we’ve not seen rain like that for a few weeks.
Oh how I long for this version of July but as my friend Isy said, a sunny disposition inside and for once I was able to agree with her.
I don’t know what’s taken over me just now but I feel so driven.
I am determined to make a difference to my life and I am still buzzing with the drive and enthusiasm to kick it all off. Whether that be weeding, running, trying to eat healthily or investigating business prospects, I am on it.
Like how throw that in there… without any real idea of what it might be just now. (I should say that the book writing didn’t inspire me much. That surprises me as I wax lyrical on a daily basis but it just didn’t flow… yet… never say never).
So I got up 15 minutes early today to jot down some ideas I had.
Made a nice healthy salad with felafel for lunch.
I’ve had a really good day at work. Focused, determined, driven to get things done.
It’s ok I hear myself 🫣😆
I actually feel like I’m doing this just now.
And yet still the travel things come. I hear them and see them and know that I am working towards this.
I’ve made some rice pudding tonight with coconut and rice milk. It was really nice. We are waiting on a Morrison’s food delivery as they offered £15 off this week. There’s nothing much else in the house!
So I’m going to hang a washing up and put some washing away and then settle down to relax for a bit before bed.
Long may this continue.
Oh I forgot this pic of me that Craig took yesterday!!
The Rambling Sloth 🦥 