Day 1560 another morning in Largs and the afternoon at the iMax!

No-one noticed but the blog didn’t post to FB last night and I decided not to bother sending it manually. 🫣🙄

It was just one of those days that’s best moved on from.

So yeah…. This morning I headed off to Largs for my contact lens trial or contact legs trial as the blog said the other day.

😳

Unfortunately it didn’t go that well…. Still practice makes perfect. After 15 minutes trying each eye, I called it and will try again another day.

Eyelid reflexes are strong with this one. 😆

It did get me to Largs again, which is always a bonus….

Here’s the famous Nardini’s ice cream shop under the dark sky.

Blue sky!

This time I spotted Moka Largs which is a veggie and vegan coffee shop.

I had to go in for a coffee and a scone!

I had an apricot scone, heated up and a coconut milk latte…. I forgot to ask for decaf!!

The menu looks really good.

I’m quite excited to try some of it but today was not the day as I’d left Craig at home.

After my coffee I had a wee wander around the charity shops and took the usual photos!

It’s much cloudier than Tuesday but the pics are atmospheric.

The Loch Fyne disembarking.

Spotted this tall ship off Cumbrae.

A yacht sailing past.

I think this is the Loch Fyne leaving Largs.

These two ships pass each other all day backwards and forwards.

The sky is lovely. Largs is also really quiet considering it’s the 26th July.

Calmac’s Loch Tarbert docking.

Largs famous palm trees. 🌴

Back home and repotted two houseplants that have desperately needed repotting.

I was in the greenhouse and there was a MASSIVE spider. It’s funny how it affected me once I had seen it. I was really stiff and frozen and terrified to touch anything. 🫣😆 Craig had to shake it out the pot. I would have worked myself up to doing it but I couldn’t unsee it. 😆

We’re heading to the iMax at the Glasgow Science Centre now to see Deadpool and Wolverine, which is released today.

Look what spotted. She has a problem with her winch so I had a feeling she’d be berthed at the Science Centre!

Not the best light….

Into the iMax just in time.

The movie was really good. It’s 3D and we were in row F so really close to all the action. It was funny and violent and some lovely Hugh Jackman abs….. but I’m super squeamish now that we’re out. 3D can do that to me sometimes.

I had a quick run down to the River Clyde again on the way out. Of course I did.

Home now and the sun is shining. I hope it will stay nice for tomorrow.

I have all the tools to make myself feelbetter… just sometimes when you’re in it, it’s hard to actually use them and easier to stay feeling rotten. How ridiculous does that sound?!

Tomorrow is once again, a new day.

Stay safe everyone ♥️♥️♥️

Day 1559 today’s word of the day is BORED…

I’m sorry…. if you need cheering up today….. then don’t read on.

What the hell is wrong with me?

I’m off on holiday and I am bored.

Most of the year I would kill for a day off but I’m squirming.

My teeth are grinding.

I just don’t know where to put myself.

What is wrong now?

If I was abroad, there’s a chance I’d be lying on a lounger for some of the time reading a book. Yet here I don’t seem to allow myself to do that.

Until today.

I came through to watch a film, when it started raining, and I fell asleep.

You could come up with a million things for me to do and I don’t want to do any of it.

There is literally a spoiled child having a massive tantrum inside my head.

She is RAGING.

Raging that she’s bored.

Raging that she doesn’t want to do anything.

Raging that there are a million things that need done.

Raging that she doesn’t want to do anything.

Raging that this is the time to do them.

Raging that she doesn’t want to do anything.

I don’t drink so I have to sit with all this and wait for it to pass. I can’t drown it to stop feeling it.

Why didn’t I make any plans for the holiday?

Why am I not savouring every moment of downtime?

Why am I climbing the walls?

Why is downtime so hard for me?

Where is the bloody sunshine?!? Now that I know I can’t change and yet I’m still mad at it.

The only time I relaxed was when I was asleep.

Poor Craig has had to work today, which we always knew. I should be even more grateful for the time off.

At the start of July, I was so focussed on positivity and taking inspired action to make some changes in my life. By the middle of July I was shattered and I slept for a whole weekend. Then I turned my hand to incessant weeding. Since then I’ve been unmotivated and lost.

I’m want to change but too tired to do anything about it… then I get angry with myself for the lack of motivation.

The whole turning 50 thing still has me terrified… life is just passing me by and I’m just existing.

How ungrateful and awful does that sound? So many people don’t even make 50.

And also how hard on myself?

I’m now running a decent distance at least twice a week. I still fast daily. I’ve gradually lost most of the weight I put on through my depression. I’m still randomly almost veggie which makes me feel better.

I have a feeling that I have way too much time on my hands to think about everything that’s going round in my head and as a result my head spins round and round, over and over.

So…. I am gonna cringe like hell when I put this out. I’m even considering not posting it but I always said I would share the bad with the good.

I’ll have to hide from the world so don’t make eye contact when you next meet me in the street … 🫣🙄 I’m attempting a laugh here.

I’m not arranging to meet people. I feel like I’ll bring them down too. Poor Craig can’t get away from it.

So…. What am I going to do about it?

I’ve already walked the dogs and mediated. I’m going to try a mental win tonight while Craig’s out at work.

I know I need to be kinder to myself but I feel like I am living in internal chaos and confusion just now rather than peace and harmony. I’m fighting the feelings rather than sitting with them and listening. That’s what I’ll try now. What are they telling me?

So today was a bad one. This too shall pass.

I’ll read this back tomorrow and wander what all the fuss was about.

My head just loves the drama sometimes.

Mondays blog will be called… I wish I’d appreciated my holiday more… 🙄😆

Stay safe everyone 🫣🫣🫣

Day 1558 an early morning run, dog walk then brunch at Mocha Jaks

I woke at 5.10am…. Didn’t get to bed until about 11.15 last night…. Not late for a holiday but late when you have a 5.45am run!

We had a lovely evening with Holly & Kenny. Holly made 4 curry dishes! There was so much food and it was soooo good. I felt like a beached whale by the time we left.🫣

By default the run was a tough one. I eased into it, about half way round but slowed again towards the end. There were no records today.

It was still a really good pace for 6.5kms!

I love this pic of Rachel. She looks super fresh and bouncy! I feel very lethargic.

Here we are at the end.

I had a freezing cold shower for a good wee while to cool down after that. I love that I can breathe through the cold water now. the first 20 seconds are a bit panicky but I keep breathing until my body relaxes. It does really help cool me down.

I then headed out with the 3 degrees. It’s mild but no sun today.

I love this heart shape at the bottom of this tree.

Look at this poor old gate, it’s literally hanging by a thread. If you zoom in, you can see the metal work has holes in it.

Really randomly we nipped out to Mocha Jaks for brunch… we were off to a farm shop in the Clyde Valley and realised we didn’t have time to get there and back, as Craig had something on at 12.45.

I had a lovely oat milk iced latte. This photo is an awful angle.

It turns out today is Mochas 3rd birthday in this premises. We got entered into a £20 prize draw just for being there today!

I had the Avocado Stack and Craig had the Mama Mocha breakfast. The Avo Stack was so good as they have added way more avo than before. I really enjoyed it….. even though I’m still full from last night. 😆

I spent a bit of time doing some instagram reels. I have so many videos that never see the light of day…. I finally managed to get them to post on The Rambling Sloth FB page. Went into instagram this morning and immediately found the bit to link my FB page. How random. I didn’t even have to try and find it… it was just there. 😆

I enjoyed looking through some of my videos.

I’ve also sanded down the spare bedroom. It used to be Craig’s office and he had loads of things on the walls. He filled all the holes the other day…. Now I’ve sanded them.

I created some amount of dust and had no idea until I turned round in the room… the sander dust catcher was sooooooooooooo full. It was just blowing everywhere. That’s when Craig went to find me a mask!

I’m now having a wee rest. Be rude not to after 5.5 hours sleep!

Stay safe everyone ♥️♥️♥️

Day 1557 a bird woke us up this morning!

It’s a beautiful day and we’re we’re woken by a bird chirping away outside the window.

It did not give up until him we were both awake. 😆

It was 6.30am.

I got up and dressed and took the dogs straight out.

Look at that sky?! 💙💙💙

I am definitely a sunshine girl…. What a difference to my mood when the sun shines. There is a spring in my step and a hope that everything will be ok. The sunlight creates a calm in my head.

And then there are thistles. 💜💙💜

The dogs are used to me taking photos all the way round.

I had an appointment at the Optician in Largs for 9.50am.

Back in November they found a freckle at the back of my eye. They need to monitor the size of it. They told me to get in touch around February/March time if I hadn’t heard from them.

🫣

July.

Hi… can you check the size of my freckle?!

I parked a bit further out so I could walk on the coastal path.

Wow.

This just take my breath away. The colours are just beautiful.

No matter what else is going on in my head. This makes it all ok.

There’s not a breath. I wished Lindsay and Euan had the day off work and we could go out kayaking with them! 🛶🛶🛶

My heart shaped stone is still in the same place!

I’ve never take a photo of this fountain before. It’s a shame it’s not working.

The Largs to Cumbrae ferry is a lovely contrast to the blue.

Then the yellow bench!

Ahhh I could lose myself in the calm here. Largs is surprisingly quiet at 9.30am.

The ripples from the ferry… hardly create any movement.

Loading before heading off again.

Standing here when my lovely friend Isy, sent me this.

Start loving yourself…… I feel I still need to work at this. I love myself when I’m doing something that I’m passionate about. I don’t love myself when my head screams at me and I can’t hear what it says.

Do more of what you love…. Is what I get from that.

Exactly.

I had a quick wander round the charity shop before heading into SpecSavers.

My eye freckle is exactly the same size so nothing to worry about and back to the normal 2 year checkup.

I’ve booked to go back Friday morning for a contact legs trial…. Be interesting to see if they work for me. They would help with water sports… she says… like she does water sports every day…. 😆

By the time I’m out, the tide has come I. A good bit.

So have some clouds.

Reflections for my friend Helen.

The old bridge.

The two Cumbrae ferries passing

Smack bang under the mama cloud. I do think these clouds were like dad, mum and baby clouds 😆 getting confused with the 3 bears.

It’s just calm, it’s beautiful.

The island of Cumbrae in the foreground and Goat Fell on Arran in the background.

Heading back up this lovely road to the car.

I had to rush back as the locksmith was coming back to measure something, and Craig had enquiry calls to make.

Shame as I could have found a bench and sat there all day.

I’ve done some weeding, and filled in a path that I’d dug a few weeks back…. We’re trying to level off the back half of the garden for some artificial grass.

Check this one out… Khaleesi conked out right next to where I was digging!

Then it got pretty hot…. I may have sat down for a while. I’m trying to link my Instagram with my Rambling Sloth FB page…. It has taken me a long time to investigate but it still not happening! Everything I read… does not work for me. 🤦🏻‍♀️ it’s not the end of the world but I out lots of reels on The Rambling Sloth insta and I’d like them to post over to The Rambling Sloth FB but they got to my personal page just now. I figured the personal page is better than nothing….

I did some pupper photo shooting.

Trying to get them all moving towards me at once!

Bhru in her usual ladylike stance 😆😆

Couldn’t resist this…

Gorgeous girl.

So we’re off to our neighbours, Holly and Kenny for dinner tonight. Really looking forward to Holly’s cooking!

It’s still hot, I’m just going to jump in the shower as soon as Craig gets out of it!

Stay safe everyone 💙💜💙

Day 1556 a day off work and a wee trip into Glasgow!

I woke at 5.30 today…. Read a book on my kindle app and then fell back asleep until 8am.

I can’t even think what took up the morning… oh yes, I phoned some tradesmen that we’ve been meaning to call for ages. A guy came out to look at our back door lock and will be back this week to fix it. Craig took the dogs out and I must have just done housework. I never sat down.

We headed for the train to Glasgow just after 12.

We can’t remember the last time we were in the train together. I got my Club 50 discount. 😆 someone doesn’t qualify for that yet. 🥱

We headed to the Bavaria brauhaus in Bothwell Street in Glasgow.

Now you all know by now, I’m not really a fan of a pub much, these days, but this one was stunning inside.

Obviously for a Monday afternoon it was quite quiet.

The sun had come out and we decided to sit outside which ended up being really lovely.

There are big umbrellas up but they put the one above us, down, after the sun came out.

I had two really lovely alkoholfrei beers….

Schneider Weiss for the first one… they said this was their best selling alcohol free.

I then had my favourite Maisels Weiss.

I had two of these… not sure how I’ll manage to eat!

It was really nice to sit and people watch and remind us why neither of us want to have office jobs anymore. It’s so nice to not have to wear a suit and work in the corporate world anymore.

I liked this photo… despite the fact it looks like I’m holding a beer… she who doesn’t drink. 😆

I’ve changed a lot since the girl that used to love a good day out in Glasgow. Now I look at the buildings….

Looking down at Central Station.

The city centre is a lot quieter now that we have the ULEZ zone.

We were heading to Stereo… a vegan restaurant in Renfield Lane.

The building is covered in tiles. It’s up one of the not so nice side streets…. It’s a really rustic restaurant. More of a student style haunt…. But the food was out of this world.

Me and ANOTHER alkoholfrei beer… this time Bud Lime, which was really refreshing.

So back to the food…. Craig had the Buffalo burger with double fried chips.

I had

We also had two sharing plates.

The potato dumplings were amazing!

I seem to have some dreamy setting on my phone but the buffalo cauliflower was so tasty.

The best compliment ever, is that Craig thought the food was exceptional. He’s never eaten vegan in his life.

We really enjoyed the meal and felt so full afterwards I couldn’t even manage the Cranachan, which I really wanted.

We went for a wee walk around Glasgow…. It was a very wee walk… we could hardly move and walking wasn’t helping at all!

Here’s Central Station again. I don’t think I’ve ever noticed how lovely the building was.

We actually got home by 5.30pm.

We’d have stayed out longer if we weren’t so full!

We’ve had a nice first day of holiday… the forecast looks better for Tuesday and Wednesday too!

Stay safe everyone ♥️♥️♥️

Day 1555 a day of housework and clearing the shed

1555 has a nice ring to it.

Did any of you notice that 555 is the number they use in American tv shows and movies when referring to a persons phone number. Listen for it that next time you’re watching, you’re welcome (that was a piece of useless information from hubby).

He actually typed that paragraph… “when referring….” 😆

We walked the dogs quite early on.

The rest of the day has been coffee (decaf…) housework, coffee, housework, coffee and cake, housework… you get the gist.

It’s been dry but not particularly warm.

Craig has tidied out the shed which badly needed doing!

Khaleesi can never be far from him when he’s home.

I sat outside for a bit later on in the day but I was sooo cold, I had to cuddle Freya to heat up.

She’s smiling!!

I had the feeling of being watched.

We popped into the pub for a couple once we were done. Alcohol free Whitley Neil gin for me.

It’s been a functional day. I’m not full of the joys of spring but I’m ok…. I have to keep remembering that if I was on a holiday I’d be reading a book for some of the time.

I struggle to relax when I have nothing to do!

I’m going to download a book on my phone… that will shut me up for a bit. 😆😘

Hope you’ve all had a great weekend!

Stay safe everyone 💜♥️💜

Day 1554 happy birthday to Craig! 🎂🥳🎉🎁

Today is Mr A’s 49th birthday…. He is still not 50…. Another whole year before he’s finally in his 50’s. He’s 3 years younger than me and let me tell you, this has been a long 3 years. 😆

I woke at 4.33am and did a birthday post on Scottish Dog Behaviourist for him…. Then did the dutiful wife birthday post… then fell asleep until 7am when the alarm went off for our run this morning.

I didn’t commit as I didn’t want to be out on his birthday but he was still fast asleep. 🫣 I escaped!!

Emma, Gillian and Rachel ran this morning and we went a different way!

There were a lot of hills. The pic above is taken of us at the top trying to catch our breath.

This is me running up it with Gillian in front. She runs like the wind!

It was a tough one but my head was in a good place.

We ran 8.03k!!!! Never forgetting the .03k.

I feel bad as Rachel wanted to do more but I was knackered. We only needed another 2k to hit 10!!! Obviously….. 🙄

Here we are at the end.

Here I am…. catching my breath!

I did it!

It felt amazing.

For the first time I went under a freezing cold shower and managed some Wim Hof breathing and actually managed to stay under it for a good wee while. I was pretty chuffed with that too…. Anyway enough about me…. 🙄

The birthday boy finally got out of bed and we were all ready for him.

Only the Borders didn’t really get the “pose” memo… they seemed to just sit on Calaidh.

All set for pressies!

Some lovely Old Pultney whisky from my mum and dad. This was the whisky we had at our wedding.

Calaidh loved the jammie snowballs.

Khaleesi ready with her pressies…

All done!

New shorts and T-shirt on.

We had the breakfast of champions…. Wait for it…. Waffles with bacon 🥓 and maple syrup 🍁 with Forum vanilla ice cream!!

Craig said it was the food combination that’s been missing all his life!

We’ve had a lovely lazy morning (obvs after the 8.03k run!) and also had more cake. Bhru is asking him if it’s for her?

It’s from the Curiosity coffee shop… lemon and pistachio blondie and carrot cake.

So the birthday boy is currently asleep on a deckchair in the garden. It’s not hot but it’s WAY nicer than the forecast. It’s meant to rain all day today.

So it’s now 2.30pm and he’s asleep on the couch. I’ve been out and walked the dogs and have come back. This turning 49 seems to be hard work.

As long as he’s having the best day. Which he says he has.

We’re now watching the Rangers-Manchester United friendly on TV, waiting on an early takeaway to be delivered.

We did get a lovely pic together last night after the pub.

Happy birthday Craigie!!

Hope you’re all having a great weekend.

Stay safe everyone ♥️♥️♥️

Day 1553 a busy first day of holiday and lovely lunch!

I’ve asked Craig not to read the blog today as it’s mostly been around his birthday planning…

I woke up at 4.15am… of course I did… and managed to fall back asleep until 6am…. That was my long lie.

I got up and headed out with the dogs. The borders… jeez the country roads are busy at that time.

It’s dull and overcast but at least it’s not raining. Turning left we have a smell…..

I had to keep stopping as all the works vans passed. That’s no mean feat trying to get 3 dogs into the weeds at the side of the road every time a van passes…. Careful, careful, mind your bottoms, mind your tails… are the words that I used. It made me smile this morning.

So I have to be honest and say, despite the smile…. The 10 day holiday was opening up before me like a big giant hole in the ground. I am not good with time off and no plans. My passion is to go exploring and investigating… that’s where I get my buzz now.

I know that I need to fix this attitude today, otherwise I will look back a week on Sunday, and realise it will I ruined a perfectly decent holiday, just because it didn’t go according to my planned idea of what a holiday should be.

So I showered and headed out after 9am to get some last minute birthday gifts for Craig.

Of course I planned this in such a way, that I could get to my favourite Curiosity coffee shop. I had to get ground coffee beans for Craig.

Of course I had to get a decaf oat milk peppermint latte…. It’s exquisite. Alongside a Raspberry Ruffle which was a big bigger than this but I took the photo after a few bites. 😆

I had 45 minutes before I went to meet the lovely Shelagh for a walk and lunch!

So lovely to have a catch up!

We met at Lochshore and went for a walk around Kilbirnie Loch.

Look at the difference between the above and below photo… what a difference some sunlight makes.

The colours are amazing.

We were so grateful to get some lovely sunshine for our walk.

It’s 18°C so it’s very close.

This part of the loch is very calm. It’s windier on the other side.

The trees have very dark bark.

It’s very close to the local whisky bond.

There were loads of thistles! I was in thistle heaven.

We went into the Lochshore cafe for lunch. It’s really cheap food. Shelagh had soup and I had a toastie.

It was so lovely to spend some time together. 💜💜

As if I hadn’t eaten enough, I then headed down to Kilmarnock to Craig’s favourite, The Forum Cafe.

I bought their famous frozen vanilla to bring home for tomorrow, as a surprise, but I had to have my own wee tub of Turkish delight, outside in the car…. It would have been rude not to!

I feel a lot better than I did this morning. Spending time with Shelagh is always a massive boost to the positive energy (she was my Kinesiology Health Practicioner for about 3 years…. She’s been through a lot with me)

I may not be heading abroad to the Maldives this week and enjoying turquoise seas and white sand but I am soooo lucky to have another 9 days where I don’t have to get up to work.

That is something to be truly grateful for.

I should say here… the Maldives was never the plan, we were meant to be in Wales in a cottage with a hot tub and the 4 puppers, but that was not meant to be this year and was postponed.

I’m off next door to the pub as Craig’s birthday starts tonight he says. 🫣

Stay safe everyone ♥️♥️♥️

Day 1552 a full on sprint to the finish line!

Wow what a day…. It literally went at 100 miles an hour…. But I’ve already had dinner and I’ve collapsed in a heap on the couch with the dogs. That’s me on holiday. Craig doesn’t finish until lunchtime tomorrow.

I had the best sleep thankfully, despite the speed with which my head was running. I felt really refreshed when I woke up.

I went into work a half hour early to try to get ahead of the game. Just as well as the phone hardly ever stopped. I have to admit to laughing most of the way through the day. It felt like we had more calls and visitors today than we’ve had in ages.

I’m sure I missed some things off my perfection list… it was impossible to do anything with any order but I spoke to some lovely people today.

I do really enjoy that part!

How lovely is this….. 💕

So I have a whole 10 days off with no real plans and a fairly shaky weather forecast.

🫣

I’m looking forward to some time for rest.

And relax….

Stay safe everyone ♥️♥️♥️

Day 1551 another 6.4k before work!

Up at 5.30am to go running with Claire and Lynsey.

I found it fast… and hot…. And quite hard on the hills…. But I did still really enjoy it and I’m so glad I did it. I really lost my pace on the hills.

Jeez I say that and I still did 8.01 on the section I had to walk…. AND it was my second fastest 5k.

I took my phone this time and took some photos. Not many…. I was too busy trying to breathe. 😆

Very bad jogging selfie!

Here are the girls running through Beith.

Claire got some lovely action shots of me! The colours are so dramatic!

And we are finished!! We’re super colour coordinated…. Except I have the most red face.

I had a cold shower and couldn’t cool my face at all…. I was still steaming up my glasses half an hour after the run!

I drove to work with the air con on in the car and while it cooled my body, I still couldn’t cool my face. It was beaming for most of the morning. 😆

It was a really close day today. It hit 20°C but wasn’t scorching. Ellison and I sat out at lunch which was lovely.

I’ve been a bit more stressed than usual today but I know it’s fine well because I finish up tomorrow for a week! I’m just trying to clear my feet so I can leave everything perfect… which I won’t, no matter how hard I try.

I’m shattered so I cancelled the crochet hookers tonight then ended up really busy with lots of other things.

I took a pizza out the oven, came through to the living room and found a dog had been sick, I had to deal with that…. Moved the pizza at the same time… then my neighbour came to the door…. So went out to speak to him…. Then I finally ate the cold pizza and had a lovely surprise visit from my sis in law and niece and nephew!

Everyone saw me in my jammies!!

I’m going to get an early night…. holidays after one more calm and collected day 🫣😆

Stay safe everyone ♥️♥️♥️

Day 1550 gosh the days add up in this daily blogging malarkey!!

Can’t believe it’s day 1550 already it feels like no time since it was day 1500.

I’m glad I didn’t believe the forecast today.

I got up early to do some of my “inspired action” this morning was around some budget stuff…. And when I looked outside it didn’t seem to be a day for work shorts.

I was correct! It rained all morning.

I had a good day again at work but it was really busy and I never did any of the things I planned to do. I have 2 days left until our week off and you know me, I have things that I want to get done before I go, so I don’t leave anything half done.

I like the thought that I have invisible friends… this made me smile though not sure I’m happy at calling myself an old soul.

I was moving around the kitchen earlier and I suddenly realised that I remembered my Nana in shorts and a vest top when she was just over 50…. And she seemed like an old lady… suddenly I felt very old.

This goes against all my positive mindset mantras just now.

I guess I feel a bit irritable today. I was a bit anxious about something at work this morning… it was so irrelevant that I can barely remember the exact situation, but I did feel a bit off.

Anyhow, I think I’m maybe just tired.

I’ve had dinner, unloaded the dishwasher, put the washing away and put on a fresh load and I think I might curl up to watch something before an early night.

I have a bite on my leg that’s trying to match my nail polish and my Haviana’s

It happened on Sunday when I felt something sharp, brushed a “fly” away and blood came out my leg… nasty wee beastie! I may have scratched in a square round about it 🫣😆

I love this…. It brings me some peace when my mind is overactive.

Stay safe everyone ♥️♥️♥️

Day 1549 another Monday in the life…

That sounds like a bit of a dull title but you know that during the week way where nothing much happens, but I do write a daily blog and feel I have to try and think of something 🫣 it’s one of those days. that was a long assed sentence!!

I actually had a really good day.

I slept ok but was up twice through the night.

I wore shorts to work for the first time this year. 15th July must be the latest ever work shorts outing ever. I’m not certain it was warm enough but I survived!

I spotted this wee thistle right behind my parking spot at Tartan HQ.

I had a good day at work today. I started some new jobs today which I really enjoyed. A bit of a change from the daily… I’m going to do some FB posts which I love.

I was thinking about this a lot today…. I talk a lot to people. I chatter away to everyone because that’s where I get my buzz from. It no longer comes from alcohol. It comes from random chatter, cheering people up and trying to make them smile. I will fill any gap of silence and sometimes the things that I say are pretty pointless. I was aware of that today. I’m not saying I can stop that chatter but I’m certainly going to think more about what I say and why I feel the need to say it.

I wonder where that came from?!?

I had another call with the Bank of Scotland tonight. They talked me through different current accounts they have available. They showed me how to use the banking app…. To check for payments pending and also insight into my spending which was very interesting. I’ve really enjoyed taking the time to look at my finances and focus on them.

Sit that’s all from me for a Monday.

I sat outside for a bit after my bank call, until it clouded over.

Stay safe everyone ♥️♥️♥️

Day 1548 a lovely day in the garden without any weeding!

First of all we had a lovely time visiting friends we’ve not seen for years, last night, for Clair’s 50th birthday. It was so nice to be invited and so lovely to meet all of her family and friends.

We definitely can’t leave it as long next time!

I came home to a lovely surprise voucher through my door, from Gayle! She said she wanted to treat me to coffee and cake for our local Curiosity coffee shop. How lovely is that?! I was really touched.

I didn’t have the best sleep last night but woke to a lovely sunny morning. ☀️

I stayed in bed and read for a bit. Evelyn gave me 5 or 6 books recently and I’ve read them all. They were all just my kind of book.

I heard Craig in the garden with the dogs so I got up.

We sat and had coffee in the sunshine. It’s a lovely day.

Claire (next door Claire!) had given me a lovely Highland Cow mug so I used that and sent her a wee pic!

Bhru was showing off her tail in all its glory when something dared to move in her garden. I don’t know if she could smell next doors cat?!

So we got ready and took the 3 Borders for a walk…. First dog walk in shorts this year I reckon!!

We headed straight out to Lidl and did a big food shopping. Definitely my first food shopping in shorts this year!

We decided to cook over the fire pit today and it was really lovely.

I had halloumi, meat free sausage, pepper and mushrooms and Craig had chicken wings, sausages and chicken kebabs.

It was really lovely. Nice to spend time together. We haven’t done anything like that for ages.

I sat and read my book for the rest of the afternoon. It’s been so relaxing in my weed free garden.

The dogs are all fast asleep.

I say that and Freya woke up.

Khaleesi made sure she’s touching both of us….

I have my legs crossed…. It looks like the other one has disappeared!

I’ve had a lovely another lovely calm and chilled weekend…. More weather like this please!

Have a great week!

Stay safe everyone ♥️♥️♥️

Day 1547 Largs last night, run, weeding, dog walk and dog shower and a party!

Gayle and I had a lovely wee evening in Largs last night. It was still quite warm when we got there.

The Largs Cumbrae ferries were in and out like yo-yos last night. it’s such a short crossing and when two ferries are on in the summer, it’s double the speed!

We went to Fish Works on the sea front and Gayle had haddock and chips and I had onion rings and chips and cheese.

The seagulls were wild with everyone eating and there’s always that one person who feeds them!?! I gave the one near me a look…. 😆

We went for a walk after we’d eaten and sat looking out towards the sunset while we had a right good catch up.

Funny the different in sky colour from right to left.

The sky was just as dramatic as it had been in the morning.

As usual I took a few.

Lafga looking lovely in the evening sunlight.

When I got home the clouds were lovely.

I was in bed for 9.30pm and up at 7am to run with Rachel.

It was just a wee short one today, under 4k but still adding up through the week.

Then I started weeding….. AGAIN!

Here is no stopping me just now.

Before:

After:

Would you believe this only took just over an hour. I’ve hated those weeds for so long. An hour and they’re gone…. For now 😆

The greenhouse had gone wild!!! This grapevine was planted in 1972, the same year I was born. It had taken over the greenhouse!

Not any more…..

And finally the fruit beds beside the greenhouse… before…

And after……

I was losing the will to live by now. 😆 the Rambling Weeder is done 😆

Then I got the Borders out for a walk.

Check the height of the these weeds?!?!?!

Bhruic was white and fluffy before she went into the wee water channel at the side of the field.

This is the look I get when I tell her she’s getting a shower when we get home!

And she did…. Bless her.

Lemme outta here!!

All done.

I’m soaked, the bathroom’s soaked but hey, she’s a bit cleaner!

Only then did I get my shower and then broke my fast and ate some lunch at 2pm.

We’re off out to Craig’s friend’s 50th birthday party and we’re heading off shortly. I’m in my comfy dungarees again. But hey… they are comfy!

I’m knackered but it’s been a great day. I’m so proud of all the weeding I’ve done.

Instead of going out and visiting other places, I’m taking the time to look after what we already own. I’m pleased with the garden now. There’s more to do but that will come.

Hope you have a great rest of Saturday!

Stay safe everyone ♥️♥️♥️

Day 1546 alarm at 4.30am for a wild sea swim

The alarm went off and I had to think what day it was?!? It’s Friday, why is there an alarm….. oh wow it’s 4.30 and I’m swimming with Elly this morning.

I actually felt great and got out of bed no bother.

Sometimes you lie awake waiting for the alarm…. Not last night! It’s such a great feeling.

So out of bed, swimsuit and wetsuit on to the waist and I walked up to meet Elly. She was coming to pick me up but I was ready a bit early and I thought we’d wake less people if I walked to her house… I’m very considerate that way… sometimes too much!

The road was so quiet apart from seeing Lynsey who was off to run a 10k. She’s a machine!

We drove to Irvine beach where the tide was still really high.

The sunrise clouds were so pretty.

You can see the Isle of Arran so clearly as the sunrise hits Goat Fell.

The colours are lovely.

It’s calm, there no breeze and although it’s not warm, it’s. It that cold either. Ailsa Craig there off to the left.

Here we are, 5am!

We’re on our way in….. the water is cold this morning.

I love that the water is so clear. You know what you get on Irvine Beach as it’s so flat for miles out.

It’s just so atmospheric.

Elly is going for the no hands approach for as long as possible.

Check out my FB live from in the sea!

I snapshot this photo from it… it’s the best of a bad bunch 😆

There’s a fair swell in the sea despite it feeling calm.

The clouds are dark blue.

I took a million photos to try and catch these birds which were low flying over the water.

The birds are still here if you can see them?

Birds still going strong!

It’s a shame they didn’t fly in the blue sky space between the land and the clouds.

We’re on our way back out after 20 minutes.

The tide’s on its way out but there are still waves coming in too.

So dark and moody….

There’s hardly anyone on the beach. One girl away for a walk and one guy with a dog. I love this time of day… but you know that by now….it’s not yet 6am….

You can almost make out the cloud inversion in the distance.

The tides gone out a fair bit already.

Can’t get enough photos of Arran.

I think the weather looks better over there!

Last few….

I can’t get enough of this view!

Pano!!

Really enjoyed it and Elly is such lovely, calming company.

Back home and had a warm shower, then off out with hoddit, doddit and ploddit.

It’s 8.30am and the clouds are still lovely.

The sun is trying to burn through.

Very pretty roadside weeds today.

I met a guy that I used to see all the time on dog walks. He had 2 border collie type dogs…. Then he only had one and recently I’ve driven past him and he was walking alone 😢

I stopped to talk to him and said how sorry I was to see him on his own. I asked what had happened, sadly just old age… and I introduced him to our 3 and he never got much of a chance to say hello in the past. We chatted for a good wee while… he introduced himself. I felt really sad for him but I hope I cheered him up by speaking to him about his lovely girl.

Then I spotted these beauties. There are for my friend Anne! 💜💜💜 she sends me pics when she finds them too. To be fair I think we send the same thistles to each other as these are very close to her house!!

Back home and washings on and out to dry and more weeding…. Before….

After…..

Before….

After….

I sat down just after 1pm and started this… it’s 2.36 already… and I wonder where my day goes eh?!?

I’m sitting outside in the sun. Shorts and vest top on. It’s a high of 19°C today. Got to catch it while we can.

Thanks to Elly for a special morning.

Meeting Gayle tonight so might head to Largs… it’s been a while!

Hope you all have a lovely Friday and rest of weekend!

Stay safe everyone 💜💜💜

Day 1545 a wee cheeky 4k run before work

Another fantastic sleep apart from some early morning snoring interruption and fingers in ears. Khaleesi never snored…. #justsaying 😆

Some of us ran a “just short of 4k” run this morning. I hit 3.98kms when I hit END… dammit. 😆 Note to self to check that in future.

It was a lovely, calm morning and a great run with Caryn, Elly and Rachel.

We ran all the way and only stopped for traffic!

So that’s me run 11.3k already this week and I’m looking forward to Saturday.

Had an early morning photoshoot with the girl.

Until Craig appeared!

I had a healthy lunch today. The lettuce on top is from my neighbour, Kenny’s garden.

It was a quick day again today. Craig rescued everything from my work laptop!

It made my day catching up on all my spreadsheets…. Saddo eh?!

I had my toenails painted after work,a nice orange again and then straight home for dinner.

I have to be honest and say there have been way too many biscuits this afternoon….. 😆

So early night tonight as up for a swim with Elly tomorrow leaving at 5am. I have to sort out my wetsuit and everything else we need to take.

Just chilling with her now. it’s a hard life being a pupper….. Big yawns!!

Stay safe everyone ♥️♥️♥️

Day 1544 reflections and food!

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.

Have a great evening!

Stay safe everyone ♥️♥️♥️

Day 1543 a 7.3km run before work!

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.

Scottish Dog Behaviourist FB

Stay safe everyone ♥️♥️♥️

Day 1542 a scorcher ☀️☀️☀️

What a beautiful day.

I say “scorcher” in Scottish terms.

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 🥎 😆

Stay safe everyone ☀️☀️☀️

Day 1541 the SUN is shining! ☀️☀️

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?! 😆

This’ll do for now!!

And this ♥️

Hope you all have a great week.

Stay safe everyone ♥️♥️♥️