So….. with a view to finding the perfect way to defrost your car, my lovely neighbour Helen has been sending me suggestions. also so that I don’t have to climb in the boot like I had to on Monday morning!

The one she sent last night hit gold this morning…. Almost!

You fill a zip loc bag with lukewarm water… mine just happened to be blue…. Look how quickly it clears the windscreen…. But…. When you footer about in excitement watching the frost melt… it ices right back up again very quickly…. It became a constant, de-ice, re-ice, de-ice, quick wipers….. on and on….

Helen has quite rightly suggested that I dry off the excess moisture as soon as it defrosts and I think she may have the perfect scenario!!

I’ll try that next time.

At least I got in through a door this morning in my lovely car with its very expensive glow plugs!!

The sky was lovely again.

Apart from being freezing cold, it has really been a pretty week.

There was still some of the light snowfall on the ground at work… very owintry looking.

Here I am at my desk, ready for action in the cold portacabin… which then becomes the warmest place after a while!

In other news…. The volcano has started erupting again in Iceland so I have EVERYTHING crossed that the eruption is still visible on 6th when we fly to Iceland. I say that very flippantly as I obviously feel dreadful for everyone living nearby and hope that everyone is safe and now my overthinking mind thinks I should delete that….

So that’s all for today. Comfies on, dinner finished, settled down with the puppets and I’ve got a good book to read so I might read tonight for a change.

Busy weekend ahead so I’ll have an early one tonight. My early nights are getting easier and earlier. 😆

Stay safe everyone ♥️♥️♥️

Does this finally make me a “runner”… funny how I put that in inverted commas.

I’ve watched people for years and thought I’d love to be a runner but I hated running. I’ve always hated running.

That’s aside, it seems to be my latest addiction and I guess there are worse things.

Contrary to popular belief, I no longer have any knee pain, muscle pain or stiffness now that I am running on a regular basis. I know maybe I’m just lucky but my knee was agony for a long time and now, nothing.

I don’t enjoy the early starts but I will never let the girls down when they are meeting right outside my house.

Up until now I’ve run in a T-shirt, with only a light jacket on a few occasions.

Today…. T-shirt, long sleeved overtop with jacket and a hat!

My legs were freezing though as I only have 3/4 length leggings…. I’ve already ordered two pairs of warmer leggings this morning.

It was such a beautiful morning with the stars very clearly visible, in the pitch black.

The clothing was just right for -3°C and I only had to free my wrists at one point to allow a bit of colder air in.

The whole “glasses when running” thing is a bit of a pain. They steam up pretty quickly in this weather…. Or in any weather for that matter. With my bright red face they don’t stand a chance!

So I thought a bit too much about this today and I’ve decided I can now call myself a runner. It feels pretty hardcore to go out in -3 and run 5.4k before 6.30am and to run it faster than I ever have.

It didn’t even feel that fast today. I had to walk a couple of times to catch my breath but that’s fair enough.

I am really proud of myself.

I am also proud of another decision I have made.

Marcothon is a thing where you run 5k or for 25 minutes (whichever is faster) every day in December.

I was going to do it.

I am now not going to do it.

Running 5k a twice a week is an amazing achievement for me. I’ve said, I don’t enjoy the early start or even, sometimes, the run itself… but I love the endorphins. I LOVE the after run feeling, even if it’s been a bad run. You can’t bottle that.

I think 25 minutes a day will be too much for me and I don’t want it to become a chore.

I also have two trips coming up so I’d have to run in Rome 🇮🇹 and Iceland 🇮🇸.

So I am being kind to myself and saying no.

I was worried I would have FOMO…. But I feel a sense of peace from knowing that I don’t have to do it.

Onto today…. Another lovely drive to work. Chauffeur driven of course.

I love this tree. Dark trees will always make me think of a lovely lady, no longer with us, who called these spooky trees.

Still really cold and when Craig came to pick me up from work, it actually snowed for a while. That wasn’t forecast.

It didn’t last long but that’s early for our first snow of the year.

My car was ready to collect…. A mere £448 🫣😆 I’m trying to get over it…. My ego is kicking off all over the place. Raging.

What’s the point… no amount of rage makes the price less but a lesser amount of rage makes my life more peaceful. Get over it.

So that’s all for tonight…. Crochet is cancelled as the fire in the pub isn’t working properly.

So it’s back in the comfies. Will these ever get washed?!?!

Stay safe everyone ♥️♥️♥️

I had the best sleep last night… such a relief after a few nights of disturbed sleep.

We still have the window open on our bedroom but it’s freezing outside. It makes the room super cold but the bed seem extra cosy….. I cannot tell you how badly I wanted to stay in bed, this morning.

No rest for the wicked as the old (and very negative!) saying goes…. I must find a better one than that!

It’s another cold one this morning. Craig’s car was much less frozen than mine yesterday. He had to run me to work as my car is in the garage. 🥲 it is very nice to be run to work though.

The sunrise was lovely again on such a clear morning.

The day went really quickly. No anxieties whatsoever.

The car’s not ready as they sent the wrong parts so we have the same again tomorrow. Chauffeur driven too and from work… it’s a costly process!

It was a lovely sunset on the way home too…. Minus the FedEx truck which is far too big to be driven on our back roads.

It spoiled my photos 😆

I took the wheelie bin back round when I got home and thought the sky looked lovely. It’s so peaceful and calm. Those puddles are all frozen.

I’m not massively hungry after having mushroom curry and garlic bread for lunch….. I also appear to stinking of garlic now.

So I decided not to have a main course for dinner and him or straight to lemon posset for dinner…. My last one 🫣😥

So so so so so so good!!

I’ve put the dishwasher and washing machine on and sat down already.

I hardly do anything in the evenings these days. I’m in my usual spot with my new fav jammies on… I will be wearing these forever 😆🫶🏼

Kisses and cuddles with Freya.

These pages are all great follows on insta and FB.

I’ve been invited to “a slippy slidey freezing coldy Wed morning….. 5.45 run 😆🫠”

Wish me luck.

I’m pre-terrified!

Stay safe everyone 🥶🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿💙

Wow well it’s been a cold one today!

-5°C when I went out to the car this morning…. And Bertie Beetle’s doors were firmly shut and not opening any time soon!

The Beetle doesn’t have a frame around the windows, so when you unlock the car, the doors drop down to allow you to open the door.

Not so this morning.

Stuck solid shut.

Is that even English?!?

At 7.15am I had to crawl into the boot of my car…. Then fight to get into the back seat and fight to get into the front seat.

Finally in place, and quite proud of myself, I start the engine.

The engine stutters once then twice then a third time before finally faintly sparking into life.

Now I’ve had a warning light on the dash for a while which is a result of the glow plugs being on their last legs. I knew that it was only a matter of time before the car became hard to start and this morning was that time.

So then I’ve got to try and search for the scraper…. Which is almost so much easier when you are standing outside the car looking in…. Not so easy when you’re inside.

I find it in the passenger foot well…. Then humph myself back into the back seat and over into the boot and back out the car to start the thankless task of scraping the windscreens.

It is a Beetle… it’s not a huge big car easy to get in and out of from the boot.

I was actually laughing and so glad no one could see me.

It took me 15 minutes to clear the windows. -5 is a real hard frost.

I eventually had to go and get the kettle with lukewarm water to unfreeze the doors so I could get back in.

It’s a beautiful drive to work. The sky was very red and the fields were all pure white with frost. It looked like a fine layer of snow.

The yard at work was not as pretty!

That’s how thick the frost was on the wheelie bin lids!

Needles to say we’ve dropped the car off at the garage tonight. Craig has to run me to work tomorrow.

I’m tired tonight after a very busy weekend but I have my new favourite comfy jammies/loungewear on ready for chilling.

I am feeling the love after my birthday. I got so many lovely messages from people. I can’t thank you all enough.

I’ve had day 2 veggie lasagne for dinner, which was amazing!

Did I tell you my neighbour, who owns the pub, has cooked me a lovely meal to be eaten all of this week and, either the help do the freezer, probably into next!

I have Veggie jambalaya, mushroom curry and lemon posset. What a lovely gift to give.

So another year older and wiser.

I think this last year has allowed me to focus more on the present moment and appreciate the day to day. I’ve had times where it’s been very tough….. I’ve been very hard on myself but I think I’ve found my mojo again.

I’m way more positive about life than I have ever been and I reckon that’s something to be very grateful for.

And lemon posset….. I am very grateful for lemon posset.

Thanks again for all the lovely birthday wishes.

Stay safe everyone ♥️♥️♥️

It’s a late one tonight but it was my birthday today and mum and dad came over.

I’ve not been as excited about my birthday this year.

I think I’m learning to live in the present moment a bit more and I appreciate every day without living for the better day to come… if that makes sense? I know it’s cheesy.

So I’ve had a lovely day. I just wanted to stay home today. .

I got some lovely pressies…. Craig, who usually goes overboard, did really well and stuck within his remit 😆😘 ie he didn’t spend thousands of pounds for a change!!

We took the dogs for a walk this morning… even Khaleesi. She did so well. It’s the first time she’s done a whole dog walk since her op. She’s tired tonight but she’s good.

We came back and had a shower and I dried my hair with my new hairdryer and it’s much straighter than it usually is.

Here I can cutting into my birthday lasagne… typed no one ever!!

Craig made a veggie lasagne for me and a mince lasagne for everyone else. It was so good!!

We did a wee photo shoot. (new T-shirt from Vinted and new trainers!)

Mum and dad left just before 5 and headed into the pub next door. (new scarf from mum!)

I came home to the loveliest jammies from Claire!!!

I’m straight into them and sat on the couch.

A lovely day.

Stay safe everyone ♥️♥️♥️

Officially wiped out.

I didn’t sleep well last night either. I ended up down on the couch from half past midnight. I did sleep after that but woke with a thumping headache.

I usually sleep so well that I take it ill out when I don’t.

I tried Cognitive Shuffling….. I don’t remember if I spoke about this yesterday? I’m too tired to remember. 😆

Thinking of a word. I tried BED and REST last night…. Thinking of all the words beginning with B before moving on to E… etc.

Then…. Not gonna lie… I started at A and tried to work my way through the alphabet. It did send me to sleep but I feel it should have been way easier than that 🫣😆

So back to the little gift shop this morning and we had another great morning but weren’t firing on all cylinders.

I’ve come home and got my jammies on and I’m sitting on the couch with my feet up. We’ve got mum and dad coming over tomorrow and still have to eradicate dog hair but it’s just going to have to wait.

I have some serious relaxing to do this afternoon!!

Haha I love it!

And this….. this is my life now and I love it.

It’s only 2.10pm so it’s very early for the blog but I can assure you there’s not much else gonna happen today! 😆😆

Hope you all have a lovely weekend!

Stay safe everyone ♥️♥️♥️

This is gonna be a quickie…. I am EXHAUSTED!!

I hardly slept last night. I saw some really sad news on FB last night. This is not my story to tell and not my loss so it’s not to anyone say sorry for my loss.

We are all touched by the death of someone we used to know. To say I was shocked was an understatement. I burst into tears. I called and left a message to pass on my condolences. I just couldn’t shake the shock of it. I went up to bed at 8pm as I couldn’t settle and every time I turned over in bed, I remembered…. All night.

I’m writing this as I’m sure we have all felt the same at some point. More upset than you would ever expect. So very sad for the family left behind. Such sad news.

Needless to say I felt worn out before I even got up.

Rachel and I were running at 7am this morning so I got a wee 5k under my belt before the little gift shop today.

It’s been a crazy day.

The shop was really quiet during the day.

We got about 6 deliveries in and managed to unpack and price them and get them out on the shelves, just in time for tonight’s late night shopping event.

We’ve had an amazing night. it was just perfect. We had no time to top up Prosecco, Nozeco or lemonade and had to leave people to fend for themselves!!

It’s been so good but I am exhausted.

I haven’t felt this tired in a long time.

Some pics.

Think someone missed me.

Sitting down finally.

Stay safe everyone ♥️🫶🏼♥️

I slept like a log last night, thank goodness. It’s so nice after a few nights of crazy dreams.

The sky was lovely as soon as it started to get light. I have no photos as I was busy doing housework this morning… as you do before work…. keeping one eye out the window.

I arrived at work with only 5 minutes to spare but the bathroom is clean, I put some of the dog blankets in the wash and recovered the couches with fresh dog blankets.

I was on a roll.

We have a huge issue in our street just now with mud from the local whisky bond. They are building 14 new bond warehouses. The roads are shocking and yesterday was by far the worst.

Our street was like a river of mud when I got home last night.

So I did catch the sunrise this morning but with way more focus on the muddy road than anything else!!

This is right outside my front door.

We chose to live on a main road but you have no idea how many lorries will drive past when this kind of construction is going on. It’s just constant.

Last week I counted 10 tucks drive by in less than 10 minutes.

Our house is very old… it does not need that kind of structural vibration.

Anyway… this was about the lovely sky and not me moaning about muddy roads!!

The sky was beautiful all the way to work. I couldn’t stop for photos as, even with minutes to spare, I think I am late!

It’s been a beautiful day all day. Ellison and I ever got some time to sit outside at lunchtime…. In the middle of November?!?

It was so lovely to feel the sun on my skin.

So not much to report today. Another day in the office and my last for the Tartan working week.

There is sooooo much housework needing done yet I feel soooo lazy…. I’m so much more productive first thing in the morning.

Current view….

Someone is comfy….. 😆

I love when they are all tired and sleepy of an evening.

Calaidh is hiding because Bhruic was coughing a minute ago… she hates that. If she could get under the wardrobe she would 😆

So all still good. Have a busy weekend ahead. I’m just going to relax with my crochet for a while and have an early night!

It’s good to rest and the housework can wait!

Stay safe everyone ♥️♥️♥️

I didn’t sleep well last night. I only got up to the loo once but I was dreaming really heavily for the rest of the night.

When the alarm went off at 5.30am, it was actually a relief to get out of bed.

It was just Lynsey and I for the run this morning. It was much milder than we expected. It was so cold last night when I let the dogs out the back. The fog seemed to warm up over night. Who knew that was a thing?!

The run was really good this morning but my watch only recorded 3.66kms of the run that’s usually 5.4kms. That’s like the first world problem but I’ve tried everything to extend it 😆

The run did me the power of good. It’s alway good to get a great chat while you run!

It’s a lovely way to start the day but in all honesty, it still feels like someone else is running it rather than me. 😆

I’m so grateful for this current spell of calm. I’ve not felt any anxiety for a few weeks and it’s so lovely.

I’ve no idea how this happens… sometimes I’m worried about everything and other times the calm brings an overwhelming sense of peace.

A really deep peace.

And it’s lovely.

I am definitely trying to live in the higher self. I see lessons in everything and I try not to complain about things. I do find that hard sometimes but I do try.

I’m currently sitting watching Hampstead on Netflix with our Calaidh pupper.

Bless her.

I have crochet in 15 minutes so I’d best get moving. I’ve got all the ends to tie in to my lovely big blanket. It’s a thought but no-one else is going to do it for me 😆😘

Hope you have a lovely Wednesday evening!

Stay safe everyone ♥️🫶🏼♥️

I have no idea what was going on this morning but there were a catalogue of things thrown at me before 7am!

I slept well, decided to load the washing machine just before I jumped in the shower.

Shook the bottle of washing liquid and literally covered myself in it. the life was not on….

Had to clean the kitchen worktops and floor before getting in the shower and washing my hair on a non washing hair day!!

Back safely in the bathroom, I dropped my phone into the bath… could have been worse, could have been the toilet.

THEN dropped my whole tub of toiletries all over the bathroom floor making an almighty clatter, which actually no one seems to have heard apart from me.

I was laughing as it was just all so ridiculous.

How easy would it be to get angry at all that?

The ego can chip in with how unfair it all is?

Why me?

It’s not unfair, it’s just three of those things that happen. 😆😆😆 in a row. randomly, send to test you!

Driving to work was stunning again. Very misty and grey but the red sky was above the mist this time, creating a lovely striped effect. I didn’t stop for photos as it was a bit too foggy at ground level.

I tested my fog lights.

Then, just as I reached the brow of a misty hill, two sets of headlights came towards me and the guy cut in right in front of me… thankfully.

I went to get all angry at that as he was overtaking in a no overtaking zone.

What’s the point? That would only have set my day in the wrong tone.

I love when I can see my different reactions to things.

Rather than flying off the handle I’ve been able to laugh or shrug it off.

I said I wasn’t ready for the end of “summer” as we had none, but as we ease into this November, I’m loving the cosy evenings with candles and twinkly lights. I’m ready for bed the minute I get home at 4.30pm!)

How are we meant to stay awake in the dark evenings?!?

It’s been really cold but a lovely day today.

This next one makes it look grey but it wasn’t!

By 3pm ish the mist came right back gone and it got really cold. The gauge in the car said 8.5°C which isn’t as cold as it felt.

I’m pre-dreading tomorrow mornings’ run as it’s going to be my coldest yet I think!

So comfies on, alcohol free San Miguel in hand. Another quiet night in!

Stay safe everyone ♥️♥️♥️

What a rotten sleep I had last night but it was totally self inflicted!

The moral of this story is don’t take your phone when you get up to the loo at midnight…. Ok I used it for the torch but don’t look the phone and start clearing emails. 🫣😆

I may have mentioned my blogger friend, The Windsor Waffle a few times. She’s been taking a break from blogging and there was one sitting in my email at midnight, so of course, I had to read it. She’s back….

It was called Bye, Bye Blog

🫣

😱

I had to keep reading.

She has decided that the time has come for the end of The Windsor Waffle.

😢

For all of the right reasons (not that there would be any “wrong reasons” for making a decision to stop doing something that you don’t want to do anymore!)…. But…. I felt a sadness like I would never have expected.

I’ve missed her blog these last few months and this one ended with “The End Xx”

I was almost in tears as it kind of took my breath away.

Yes I know I’m prone to overreaction at times but I’m still sharing it as it is.

I literally lay all night thinking about it. Tossing and turning.

Wondering if a time will come when I no longer want to write The Rambling Sloth… what would that feel like?! How could that happen?!? My mind went haywire….

So I want the lovely Windsor Waffle to know that I will really miss her blog, as I have these last few months. I really value her support.

The other lesson here is to show that you may not always know the effect you have on other people. You can become a part of someone’s life through and you might never know it.

I love the kind of people that blogging seems to attract.

Needless to say I slept till 8.30am so did get some sleep!!

I headed straight back to Braehead Shopping Centre this morning as I had some clothes to take back.

I was also determined to get a top to go with my long purple skirt and gazelle trainers…. This is for Melanie’s Thanksgiving dinner in Rome as the end of the month.

This was a mission and a half!

Now that I’m home I think I’m going to go with a top I have already…. 🫣😆

I know the look I wanted… the casual top with the dressy bottom but I hate the big baggy T-shirt look as I think it makes my top half look bigger than it already is.

I bought the sparkly top which I may take back and the second last T-shirt… I already own the jacket. I also bought the long sleeved top but it’s fleece, so may be too warm.

Whew, that was tiring writing about, reliving all that changing! 🫣😆

Craig and I sat down and had lunch together at the dining table. 3 meals together this weekend…. CHECK… US. 🥰. We’ve not eaten together in so long.

I’ve tidied away washing, got 4 big bags for the charity shop, and started packing cases for Rome and Iceland.

I sat down and had a decaf coffee and a couple of biscuits to write this. I started in the sunshine and am now writing by the light of the stove.

Finality sharing Nanea’s Sweatpants & Coffee’s wish for the week ahead.

Like so many other positive Fb pages, she had to negotiate the election fear vs elation this week and had to deal with the fallout on one of her posts. I saw so many positive pages get the same thing…. I love her “May you refrain from lashing out online”….

None of us need that.

If you disagree with anything… just move on. Don’t feel you have to add your tuppence worth to something you disagree with. Just scroll until you find something you do agree with.

I’m so glad the feed is back to positivity though.

Have a great week.

Stay safe everyone ♥️♥️♥️

I slept really well.

I woke at 6.50am.

I knew I was on my own for a run this morning and I talked to myself for a while…. I could soooo easily have stayed in bed and not moved. Equally I knew I’d be annoyed with myself if I didn’t go out.

So, up I get and out I go.

I wrestled with the route in my head for ages…. I just wanted to turn around and go home. I tried to run a bit faster than I usually do…. Until I met a dog in Spiers Old School grounds… and it walloped me a big kiss!

Despite stopping for a quick chat, I ran my fastest 5k.

I am so proud of myself.

I can’t believe I managed my fastest run on my own. The girls usually drag me around. I’m so chuffed.

It’s colder this morning than it’s been in the past few weeks but I still ran in just a T-shirt (not “just T-shirt” for those of you who went there!!)

Straight back out with the dogs for a quick run up the hill.

Jeez I took no photos at all this morning! It’s fine though, you’ve seen it all before.

Then back off to the little gift shop and had the best morning. so many lovely people and it was really busy.

If you had told me a few years back that I’d be alcohol free, fasting every day. pretty much veggie and running 2 x 5k plus runs a week, I’d have never have believed you!

My life has changed so much these last few years.

I’m so much more in control of everything I do now.

If I read that paragraph above, about anyone else, I’d think that sounded way too much like hard work. Not drinking, fasting blah blah… Yet for me it’s become such a way of life. It just is what it is now.

I love nothing more than a Saturday or Sunday morning with a hangover. I have so much more time on my hands.

I love fasting. It helps me control my food intake. I’ve found it so easy from the start.

I know what works for some, doesn’t work for everyone but I think I’ve finally found what works for me.

Love this from Tiny Buddha!

I’m having a lazy afternoon with the puppers…. Check Khaleesi’s nose against my leg and her wee legs… bless her.

She moved and got even more cute!

Craig will be home later and we’re doing date night MKII…. As we have so much food left.

It was nice to eat together, we don’t do that often enough.

Hope you all have a great rest of weekend.

Stay safe everyone ♥️♥️♥️

I have just seen my first Christmas tree!! In someone’s bay window!! Wow. It’s 8th November. That must be a record.

The old me would have scoffed and said how crazy that was… the new me secretly loves that they have thrown caution to the wind and just done exactly what they wanted to do.

I have had the loveliest day today.

I have felt excited and full of gratitude and joy today. It’s a lovely feeling.

I was up and out with el doggos at 7am. it was just getting light so the pic is a bit blurry.

We had a lovely walk and I felt like I completely decompressed after a few days of sensory overload.

There’s not a breath in the air…. It was so calm. I usually walk a loop but I came back on the country roads as the main road seems busier today as there is some diversion on.

I’ve been in the little gift shop all day.

I have had such a lovely time and spoken to so many lovely people.

I cannot tell you what a special place that is. It’s such a positive experience. Everyone is so lovely and all have nice things to say. There’s no stress, no moaning., no complaining. I love it.

I took some photos before it opened.

It’s full of lovely things.

It was a very busy day which is great too as I feel I’ve been a help.

I’d said to Craig earlier in the week about having a sit down dinner together tonight as we haven’t seen each other in ages. We seem to do everything separately these days.

So date night it is…. The Nozeco is open, I’ve red roses and a lovely spread on the table. My Craigie doesn’t do anything by halves.

Off to enjoy ourevening.

Stay safe everyone ♥️♥️♥️

I’m shattered this morning. I was only an hour later in bed but jeez…. I feel hungover and that’s really unfair!!

I had a lovely evening with Gayle. We haven’t caught up in a while. We drove out to Largs.

As ridiculous as this will sound, rhetoric road to Largs was terrifyingly dark. My night vision is rubbish these days. I never thought I’d be that person. I was a bit anxious but breathed a sigh of relief once we were there.

Too dark for many photos.

I did say at the time, jeez how many photos do I actually have of this Largs to Cumbrae ferry 😆

We went to Wetherspoons in Largs for £1.56 hot chocolate refills!!

We ended up having some chips and garlic bread too and it’s so cheap. It did the job…

We had a great catch up and both commented on how much we enjoyed it despite never wanting to go anywhere at night 😆

I’m out again tonight to meet Lea. I’ll need to caffeine up 😆

I’ve been fine all day to be fair, really busy at work which has kept me going.

So I’m meeting Lea in Silverburn Shopping Centre tonight, as we do!

It’s dark already and it’s not even 4.45!!

Having a lovely catch up!!

Stay safe everyone ♥️♥️♥️

I’m back, it’s really me…. 😆

I had a fantastic sleep last night but I still found it hard to get up for a run!

It was smirry rain all the way this morning and I had to take my glasses off so that I could see.

As is always the case, on a faster run, I wish I’d been able to keep going all the way but I had to walk to get my breath a couple of times. It was a really good time despite that.

I’m pleased to say I was way more focussed at work today than yesterday. I forgot I didn’t write yesterday, I had such a foggy head. I felt quite dizzy and couldn’t think straight.

I’m not sure if I was really dizzy or not, I’ve live with it for that long. I definitely felt a little spacey while I did a stock check at work.

I’m sure the run this morning helped a lot.

There’s always great chat and motivation.

I’m not meeting the Crochet Hookers tonight as I’m off out to meet Gayke. We’ve not caught up in ages….. that’s why this is a quickie.

Stay safe everyone ♥️♥️♥️

November is Men’s Mental Health month.

I think about this a lot. I know I have a few male readers (check me sounding like some accomplished author but you know what I mean!)

I often wonder what men think when they read all of my ramblings. Are there days where I just tell far too much and they think “jeezo, shut up woman” or do they actually learn something about a woman’s mind? Then head for the hills 😆

Look at these stats published… they are huge.

In the last year I have watched a good few period dramas and realised how much our lives have changed in such a short number of years.

Our grandparents parents grew up in a time where women sat around sewing and playing the piano. Men were in charge of everything and could show no sign of weakness. I can’t believe I had no idea just how different their lives were. It had never been on my radar before.

Fast forward and women now do everything that men do and still get upset that the are not recognised in the same way as men.

I used to earn £15k less than my counterpart at work (he let that slip one day assuming I was on the same)…. And I worked WAY harder than he did… trying to prove myself in a man’s world.

Society still expects men to be the strong ones. I am generalising here but in my experience they are not encouraged to show any signs of weakness and that really needs to change.

It’s ok for everyone not to be ok. Not just women.

It’s socially acceptable for women to talk about their mental health. It’s socially acceptable for women not to be ok and society needs to change to allow men to be more open.

I know I can’t change the world but I’ve always said if one person gets something out of this blog then it will be worth it.

Men need to talk. I know that when you feel really low, you feel so much better when you finally tell someone about it.

It’s good to talk….

I’m not sure this hit what I really wanted to say tonight…. I feel really strongly about this but I’m struggling to put in into words.

Don’t bottle things up….. spill them out.

I, for one, will always listen.

Stay safe everyone ♥️♥️♥️

I woke at 4.30am but must have gone back to sleep as didn’t wake until 8.30am! That doesn’t happen often. I had a great sleep though.

I decided to head up to Braehead Shopping Centre first thing.

I’m looking for wide leg jeans for a change. I feel I have nothing different to wear and keep picking the same grey tartan joggies every time I go out… I needed a change.

I started off in Marks & Spencer.

This is “model’s own clothes” 😆 to start off with. I love these M&S combats I bought a few months back… I’d like them in other colours but they slate grey is sold out and there’s only a beige which isn’t really me. I got the little khaki jacket at the market in Verona. I’m really pleased with it.

I loved these jeans…. So different for me. I’ve worn skinny jeans most of my adult life. That’s a whole lotta years.

They just felt really comfy so I did buy them.

I liked these but there was a lot of material around the stomach. They are comfy joggy material.

These were too narrow and too short. they are denim look joggers.

The jumper was nice but too pricey…. This was a size 10… they are obviously very big make. I did t realise that M&S are now selling White Stuff so this was £65.

This was pretty and matched my phone but not really my thing anymore.

So then on to Primark….

I really randomly bought this skirt. I am not a skirt person anymore. This was sitting at the entrance to the store, on its own. It’s a size 16 so a size bigger than I would go for, but I thought I’d chance it as the colour is identical to the stripe in my trainers. I couldn’t find it anywhere else in the shop.

It is soooooo not me, but I loved it. I think I’ll wear this to Thanksgiving dinner in Rome with a black top.

Then I tried the comfiest trousers in the world….

These are like a soft fleece material. I love them!! I got them too.

I do not suit the new barrel shaped jeans.

So I didn’t get either of these.

I had a lovely wee trip. Also got a cropped dark grey cardy in the New Look sale… half price.

A very successful wee morning out.

I came home and walked the dogs… it’s been smirry rain all weekend. I have to take my glasses off as we walk or I wouldn’t see a thing.

The dogs are filthy after just a long lead walk… the roads are really dirty with all the rain. They look in every field on the way past, as if to say, can we go in there for a run?!? Not likely in that mud!!

It got me out for some exercise and it had the desired effect on the dogs.

So I’ve had a really lovely weekend. I’ve done nothing but I’ve allowed myself to rest and managed a wee shopping trip.

This from Sweatpants and Coffee… a great wee follow.

Stay safe everyone ♥️♥️♥️

I woke at 5.30am but fell back to sleep and woke with the alarm at 6.45am.

I’d decided to run with the girls because I didn’t feel dizzy at all. I didn’t really want to get out of bed but I knew I’d feel good if I did.

I really enjoyed the run this morning. When there’s a group of us, we chat and I’m not as focused on my breathing… unlike yesterday.

We came to a point where Rachel decided she wanted to run further and I thought I’d go with her. I did it but I got tired though!!

We got back into the village and 4 of them decided to continue but I knew I had to call it a day. 😆 I did 7.7k !!

I’m pretty pleased with that especially after the 6k yesterday.

Lynsey, far left (I do mean far right as I reread this…… I’m so bad with my left and right!) I hope you’re all having a great weekend. had already run 7.18 MILES BEFORE she met us. We met at 7am… can you believe that?!? She’s a running machine. 😆

So then this slightly slower running machine when out for a run with the dogs. Now it was slow…. If you’re squeamish skip this sentence but there were 5 poos this morning on our walk and that takes time…. 😆

All in all I did over 10k!

I also logged my 100th activity in Strava… the running app.

I love Caladb’s eyes on this next pic… I see you mumma, she says. You can also tell that Freya is moulting like crazy… it’s all over her lead. 😆

So all of this was done before 9am.

The rest of the day is mine. I have no plans today at all.

Craig and I sat and had coffee and looked for some stuff on Vinted for a while. I really enjoyed our wee “shopping” trip. I also had a real coffee… check me….

I dropped Craig at the train station as he’s off to meet friends in Glasgow

I have had a lovely afternoon with the puppers. I’ve finished Nobody Wants This and I’m now watching The Burning Girls…. (Mum likes my tv recommendations but you might want to watch this in the daylight mum!!) I’ve two episodes to go and it’s getting dark 🫣😆

I hope you’re all having a lovely weekend!

Stay safe everyone ♥️♥️♥️