The printer wouldn’t talk to me today…. I didn’t really notice the cold shoulder this morning, but by 12 I was trying everything to get the laptop and printer to connect. I ran troubleshooting software…. Bossman printed just to prove the printer WAS still talking to him…… 😤

I spent a good half hour before lunch. I switched everything off and had Ellison’s lovely lentil soup and a buttered roll…. Life felt so much better until I sat back down at my desk and remembered we weren’t talking. At least another hour of faffing about. I still have no idea how I fixed it, but its working now. Printing it’s little head off….

It’s funny how something so simple can totally knock you off track. It’s like I couldn’t function because I couldn’t follow the set process I have in my head….. how would my job actually work if I couldn’t print out that bit of paper I needed.

I have yet to achieve a paperless desk although the printer sure tried hard to get me to, today!!! Smiling but still secretly a wee bit raging…. 😡

I also feel my wifi was playing up as the phone wouldn’t do exactly what I wanted to do either…. Grrrr 🐯

So last night was my first of 2 weeks back on the progesterone….. I woke up with such a start as I had been dead to the world. Such a deep sleep until 5.20am. It’s a really lovely feeling but also a bit disconcerting as my fist thought was “where am I?” …. I am ALWAYS in the same place 🤦🏻‍♀️😂😂😂

I did another Suzanne Robichaud meditation. This one for stress and anxiety… I did feel a wee bit off when I woke.

It was a lovely meditation. With headphones on it really relaxed me. I wanted to go back to sleep but had to get up. I’ll pop the link below in case you fancy trying it. I love Suzanne’s Canadian accent….

Meditation to relive stress and anxiety

It was torrential rain for a lot of the morning. Absolutely stotting down. It was pretty dark, misty and foggy. Not the nicest day. That said, it’s way milder tonight than it’s been in a long time.

Had to dash out of work at 4 as I had a 50th birthday massage with Norma in Harmony in Beith!! It was a lovely chat and massage. Didn’t realise how tense I was. I’m very lucky I still have more vouchers to use up, so booked back in for April.

So that was Thursday. I’m tired but we have some more Line of Duty to watch tonight. Finally catching up with the show that everyone in the UK seemed to be talking about, back in the day.

Stay safe everyone ♥️♥️♥️

Ok ish sleep but awake at 5.30 so I decided to listen to Suzanne Robichaud mediation on gratitude. A wee ten minute meditation focussing on gratitude. I’ll post the link below.

Suzanne Robichaud – Gratitude

I’m doing really well with gratitude at the moment but another focus wouldn’t hurt. It helps stop any overthinking at that time of the morning.

By the time I got up, I decided to pop out to the van and put on the diesel heater. Did I mention it was working again?!?!?! Fuse out and back in and all good. Also full tank of diesel might help. It was super cold and frosty this morning so I thought it would help defrost the van while I was in the shower.

I spotted the sky shining in my rear lights randomly…. so lucky I went out early or I would have totally missed it.

So, not much to say about my day. All good at work. Rachel two doors down popped in after work so we could do some Memorial Hall accounts and then I had some lovely fish and chips for dinner.

The Crochet Hookers are meeting in 10 minutes so this is the usual wed night super fast blog.

Had this shared on FB from our dog breeder. How lovely…. I like to show her Freya’s progress but we hadn’t heard from her in years. Lovely to hear a bit about Freya’s early

Stay safe everyone ♥️♥️♥️

Little Freya Runtie pup turns 6 today!

What a difference 6 years makes. These next photos are the first time we first saw her, when we went to collect her versus today.

I am not kidding when I say her tiny size took our breath away. She was hand reared by the breeder as her mother rejected her. She was in a kennel with some 6 week old Labrador puppies and she looked like a teeny rat compared to them. She was shockingly tiny.

When we first saw a photo of her, she looked like this.

She had virtually no ears. No one expected her to survive.

Here they are out the back today. Bhru as usual with her very unladylike pose 🤦🏻‍♀️😂

Other than that, today was all about the snow.

I woke at 2.45am and listened to my heart palpitate away (is that even a word?!?) it was pumping blood around my body like a machine. I know it’s meant to but this was loud!

I tossed and turned but never really got back to sleep. I finally got up at 5.30am. It had been snowing!!!

I had the most wonderful walk with Calaidh. It was so peaceful and quiet and so worthwhile getting up early. As you will be able to tell by the photos, I was in my element. Now I’m not going to chatter away in between shots as I want you to experience the walk in silence as I did….. until I get to the deer 🦌 🦌🦌🦌🦌🦌

Calaidh started to pull on the lead as if something was wrong. I then spotted 7 deer running around in a field trying to get away from us but running towards us! They finally ran in the opposite direction and I got hundreds of photos!!! This is the best one showing 3 of them in action, bounding away from us.

And these poor daffies know it’s meant to be spring. They were a little bit sad at being snowed on…. But very beautiful.

It was a beautiful way to start the day. I love being up and out before the world wakes up.

It’s snowed on and off all day but been too wet to lie. By the time I left work it was pure blue sky and sunshine.

A good day.

Stay safe everyone ♥️♥️♥️

I was pre-nervous for leaving work today as heavy snow was forecast! Did it snow?!? Naw! 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿💙

Someone who thinks he’s always right did suggest it might never happen… 🤷🏻‍♀️😂

Anyway, today was a good day.

I had another great sleep after a very lazy Sunday. I honestly hardly moved off the couch after I’d written the blog. We got pub chicken thicken masala delivers for dinner. It just turned up, it wasn’t ordered but it was VERY welcome.

Work passed quickly and I got loads done. There were no dramas. Just how I like it.

I’m home now after an easy drive and making a Peanut Curry from the Pinch of Nom cookbook.

It smells amazing! Can’t wait. It’s worth the effort and nowhere near as difficult as I thought it would be.

Better than a takeaway…. I need to remember that!

I love this next one. 💜

Still waiting for the snow!

Stay safe everyone ♥️♥️♥️

We were up early this morning.

The lighter mornings are lovely. It’s only 1.30pm and it feels like blog writing time already! 😂

I’m having the laziest day. I’ve hoovered, cleaned and dusted but I’m also sitting down and doing precious little for the rest of the im time.

Now how good would that be?!? I’m doing the bare minimum but it’s so much better than it was!

I think in the last few weeks I’ve realised that, my life, this year, is going to be very different from last year. I’m hiding under the safety net of work. I’m kept so busy by having two jobs, I don’t really need to think about what else to do. I don’t have time to fill.

This is the first Sunday in 3 weeks, that I’ve had no plans and I cannot for the life of me think what I’d rather be doing. I’m annoyed that I’m doing nothing but I also need the rest. This time last year I was taking off in the van, any chance I got. This year I can’t face driving it anywhere.

Acht that’s unfair and it’s an exaggeration. I don’t want to go anywhere that might be busy and I can’t get parked. I’m ok heading out first thing before anyone else.

I know I’m hiding from crowds, I’m hiding from people but I’m just doing what’s right for me. It keeps me happy.

It was snowing when we went to bed last night.

It was lovely, so peaceful, apart from the Christmas night out in the pub next door. How funny they got snow on their Christmas night out in March!?!

We also took the dogs out this morning and this is the only photo I got! My favourite gate in Spiers old school grounds. Not been there in ages!

It was a really bleak walk…. Drizzle, misty and super cold to start off but we soon heated up. We tried to get footage for the Scottish Dog Behaviourist FB and website, but the dog cam didn’t work properly. It was attached to Bhruic and just wobbled about all over the place. Shame!

As usual on a Sunday I get my positive motivation from my FB feed.

I love this next one… I have nothing to numb the reality or struggles in life now that I no longer drink.

I have to sit with everything and feel it all but I’m becoming more aware of the positives of that. What are these struggles sent to teach me?! What am I learning? What is next?

We spend our lives wishing for the next big thing. The words in this one are so powerful.

Of you could just live. Appreciate every day. The good and the bad and be grateful that you are alive.

The courage to accept…

The strength to embrace….

The wisdom to really see…

… what you have.

I smiled as I wrote that 😊

Stay safe everyone ♥️♥️♥️

My day in a nutshell, once again you read the title and it sums up the blog. No need to read on 😂😂

I had to get the dogs out before work today as Craig was out all day. It was a cold morning with a low wintry sun.

I took all 3 at once which could have gone either way and actually they were really good. Actually I was good. I was in control. I didn’t overthink it, we just went for a walk.

Love that the minute I go to take a photo, Freya looks back and smiles 😂

The sun is desperately trying to get through the clouds.

Let’s all fan out!

Check these wee guys. The white one is checking us out.

The poor daffies are suffering from the frost.

Arty portrait shot of the top of a frosty hedge.

I love when the sun is like this. I call it a watery sun but I’m not sure that’s the right way to explain it.

It’s so peaceful and quiet. It must have been around 7.15am. We didn’t meet a soul.

I did a FB post on the bench page that I’ve joined 😂😂😂 I did it when I got home, not on the walk.

I love this next one. I have 3 dogs in tow, crossing a road and I still manage to get the shot!

I would be happy if I never hear the news again. I know I’m maybe a bit too insular at times but it suits me and really helps my head.

There’s a lady Isy, that I’ve never met, that’s now a friend on FB and she shares all these wonderful posts. I know we have connected for a reason. I feel like these speak to me. This next one absolutely!!

So off to The little gift shop for 9.30 and the morning flew in. We had some great chat!

After work I headed to Tesco and did the first food shopping in ages… I’m determined to try a recipe that Evelyn gave me through the week. Will see how that goes tomorrow.

I filled the van with diesel and it cost me £120!!!!!! It was very empty but wow…. I bought a fairly minimum shop for £58. Everything is crazy expensive these days.

Home, put the shopping away, put a washing on, made some soup, kicked balls with the puppers, tidied the kitchen, sat down and realised how tired I was….

I climbed into bed and had the best nap. Not been able to do that for a while. Musta needed it!

So yeah….. another good day. Tealight village is lit. I’m sitting in the living room with only the candle light, writing this. I’ve ordered Chicken Karahi from the Indian takeaway and I am soooo relaxed. I have a whole day to myself tomorrow with no plans whatsoever…. Oh except for some cooking. Hopefully!

This last one just in from Tracey in Canada. Just in time for the end of the blog. A lovely one!

Happy Saturday night.

Stay safe everyone 🕯️🕯️🕯️

We have snow!!!! Ok so we had snow when we woke up and it’s all gone now.

I had no idea. It had started last night but I had the blinds shut so I missed most of it. It came as a surprise when I woke up.

It’s freezing but beautiful.

It looks really picturesque…. I can hear my gran saying picture-skew bless her.

I ran a doggy acrobatics class 🎾🎾🎾

They love a bit of jumping around. I’ve been really lazy this week and not done any exercise so it was nice to get outside in the fresh air and play about with them.

They’re not posing as much as they used to… reckon they’re sick of it. 😂

The sun was glorious!!

Check my heart log. ♥️🪵 I remember when we got these logs to burn and I was so excited to see this was a heart shape. I kept this as a garden ornament 😂 think we finally burned the rest!

I also got arty with the stones!

Even our big shed looked amazing in the snow. Everything looks so much more pretty, even our messy garden!!

Glorious sunshine. Really good for the soul!

So I was in The little gift shop early today as Gayle went to Lochwinnoch as she’s getting the new shop ready for opening. It’s exciting times and I can’t wait to see the new shop!

That means I was left on my own in Beith today and for the first time I actually did some rearranging…. Now that is TOTALLY out of my comfort zone and yet I loved every minute of it. I pootled around and tried to find new homes for things I was moving, to make way for the sunglasses, beach bags, summer bags and summer scarves. Of course it was on the day that it snowed… 🏖️🏝️👙☀️☃️☃️☃️

The new beach bags are lovely. I can’t decide which of these two I prefer.

Check the arty scarf design. 👍🏼😂

As soon as Gayle came back, I pointed it all out and said I wouldn’t be offended at all if she wanted to move it all!!!

Me of little faith…. And that’s not even the saying! 😂

I had a lovely wee day though missed my chats with Gayle!

By 4pm Abbie the Campervan was ready for collection…. At a mere £391 this time but she’s driving like a dream. It was the near side brake callipers that had seized. I also have the rear wheel bearing screaming…. But that was fixed in November so I’m going back to the garage that did that, to see if there’s a chance it’s covered under warranty. Here’s hoping. 🙏🏼

So yeah, I’ve had a great day. We have Mac n’cheese for dinner, with garlic bread so it’s cooking while the Scottish Dog Behaviourist makes enquiry calls. Love how I refer to him like that now… 🤦🏻‍♀️😂

Looking forward to a sit down shortly…. happy Friday night to you all!

Stay safe everyone ♥️♥️♥️

I had the best sleep!!! 8 and half hours. Almost straight through.

Somehow Calaidh snuck into our bedroom last night 😆 so she moved around a couple of times, I woke and went straight back to sleep.

It really is the best feeling.

So I’ve been thinking a lot today bout nutrition…. As you do.

I’ve been fasting now since 20th December. I don’t really feel like I’ve lost weight but I still feel so much better for it. I’ve found the thing that really works for me. I don’t feel bloated anymore. I enjoy it controlling my food intake.

However, I’m still not eating properly the rest of the time. I need to make more effort and get back to proper food shopping and cooking again.

Even as I write this I get the fear, how many times have I said it?! How many times have I not done it. But writing it puts it out there.

My friend Evelyn send me some lovely recipes today and this…..

She says this applies to the food. I am going to make that meal. 😂 maybe one day…. Soon. I will try. See what I’m doing here?!?

I’ve had a really good day again today. I smiled to myself this morning when I realised that I am so contented at work when everything goes my way. I had tasks that needed doing, I plodded through them. I tidied my paperwork, cleared my desk and then tackled all the samples and cleared through the storage area. I need everything sorted so I can concentrate.

I was in my element. I then started working through other jobs that need doing. All without interruption, without any stress, without anxiety.

Now life is not like that. It cannot be like that all the time. Life throws you curveballs. Hey my job revolves around interruptions…. They’re not even called interruptions!!!

So I chuckled to myself today when I realise how happy I was when everything was perfectly ticking all of my neat little tidy boxes. I think how crazy my head gets when it doesn’t. It’s lovely to have a day where I appreciate that.

The Scottish Dog Behaviourist is out at work tonight so I have the remote to myself. I’m watching a movie and will have a lovely early night.

Craig got some amazing testimonials from his new clients and put them up on his website. I’m so proud reading them. He’s doing so well.

Stay safe everyone ♥️♥️♥️

I opened my eyes with the 5am alarm. Quick scan and zero headache. Phew.

I feel like a weight has been lifted. I don’t know why but I’m so grateful that it has.

I did some positive scrolling before work this morning. I love this next one. We are conditioned it always focus on the negative. I used to love a negative. Thrived on it.

Now I love that I can say the opposite. I get dragged down but the negative but I really try to turn it around to the positive.

So it would appear today is International Women’s Day….. who knew?! I only found out on my scrolling.

This next post was the best one that I read. The Chaotic Scot is a lovely girl who travels Scotland and writes about all of the places she visits. Used to be my dream! I think she worded this very well and it’s a powerful message.

I couldn’t put that better myself.

So this is a quick tonight as I have the Crochet Hookers in the pub tonight. I’m rushing some dinner while writing this and I’ve just burnt the roof of my mouth 😂

I’ve felt so much better today. It’s a relief. It was a good day!

Stay safe everyone ♥️♥️♥️

Ok so negative Nelly first. I’m still feeling rotten. My heads been thumping all day. I’ve felt dizzy and lightheaded. I’ve felt tired, grumpy and a little bit sad. Just an off day where everything seemed so unfair.

Yet actually it has been a beautiful day. Pure blue sky all day. Very, very cold in the shade but quite lovely in the sunshine. I actually got a bit of sunburn on my face as I was outside with customers for a lot of the morning.

It felt so good to feel the warmth of the sun… and take care not to slip on the ice in the shade. 😆🥵🥶

Of course, because I was working and not feeling great, I don’t have any real photos to show the beauty of the day. Except this one…. my view at lunch. Not the prettiest but great just to breathe in the fresh air.

I played with the dogs in the back garden before I left for work.

Abbie the Campervan was frozen this morning but the early sun helped defrost the windscreen. I was clever and remembered to put the windscreen protector on last night!

At lunch I saw this on FB so I did stop and take 3 deep breaths, relaxed my shoulder ms and took some water. Self Love Rainbow is another great follow.

You have to appreciate the good things on difficult days. I often feel the NEED to overanalyse what may be wrong with me. Why am I feeling so bad, how can I fix it? What am I doing wrong? It must be too much sugar? Not enough exercise? Not enough water? Blah, blah

Yet I know that I just need to accept what is. We all have off days.

Gratitude will help turn that around. Keep focussing on the positives.

It’s forecast to be -3°C overnight but another beautiful day. Abbie the Campervan is back in the garage tonight. Maybe the passenger front brake binding…. When I dropped it off the front brake disc was red hot. That might explain the smoke I saw billowing out on Sunday 😬😳🫢

More tennis balls with the dogs after work before the sun went down.

I love that I get to drive to and from work in the daylight now. it makes such a difference!

Quiet night for me. Just how I like it.

Stay safe everyone ☀️☀️☀️

It was a lovely night last night. The moon was huge. It lit up the whole garden!

I woke up at 4.10am with a headache and a tense jaw….. I was irritated and antsy.

I did manage to fall back asleep, eventually, but I had intense dreams and woke up feeling really tense.

This makes me laugh! I’ve tried to phone people from my calculator before now. 🤦🏻‍♀️😂

So I’m not gonna sit here and moan about how I’ve felt rotten all day. I’m just putting it down to one of those days.

I had some lovely customers in and got some good chat!

I drove home in beautiful sunshine. It’s so lovely to see the lighter nights. It was meant to snow all day today but it didn’t start until about 6pm.

It didn’t come to much but it was lovely while it lasted.

I came straight home and got into my comfies. I’ve lit the candles and put the fire on and I ain’t moving from this couch. I’m yawning my head off.

Also could be this….. 😂😂😂

Stay safe everyone ♥️♥️♥️

I’m so lucky that I got to fit in a wild sea swim, to my busy weekend!

The weather ended up changing at the last minute and the wind was much colder than we expected. A right chill. I arrived early and had to hide in the van.

I’m laughing at that photo, my crochet blanket in the background, I really have become THAT woman. 😂

When we walked into the sea I really did wonder what the hell we were playing at?!? It was sooooo cold. I couldn’t get the phone to work until the very last minute so we actually swam almost the whole time. The waves felt pretty high when you’re in there, yet really they were nothing.

By the time you warm up it is really exhilarating.

We ended up jumping in the waves. I got a fit of the giggles. Finally got a great video too which I’ve posted on my Instagram at theramblingsloth.

I’m so glad we did it. It would have been so easy for me to say I couldn’t be bothered this morning. Instead I’ve made some lovely memories!

I was absolutely freezing when I got home! Chilled right to the bone…. The Scottish Dog Behaviourist was in the shower!!! That guy gets about these days…. 😂

I had to sit and freeze until he was done! 😂

When I finally got in, I was in the shower for AGES….. it was sooooo warm. You have to wash all the wetsuit stuff in the shower too… bet the septic tank is not enjoying getting all this sand down the drain…… 🤦🏻‍♀️😂

Then onto the village hall for a lovely Scottish Afternoon. 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿💙

We try to raise money for the hall throughout the year but this event was purely for a village get together. We still managed to make a £500 profit which is amazing!

I was meant to be organising it but Holly next door did it all without me. A group of us helped on the day but she is so good at organising these events.

We served Haggis, Neeps and Tatties to everyone, followed by melt in the mouth shortbread with tea and coffee. It was all go.

This is me getting mine in the house after the event… drizzled in whisky sauce!

It was lovely.

After lunch we called the raffle and then the village school choir sang some Scottish songs. There were only 8 of them but they did so well, from the traditional to the modern….. I only have one photo that Rachel two doors down took!

I totally forgot to take any pics!

Everyone’s in the pub now and I’m sitting in grans chair with a wee glass of Nozeco. I’m shattered! I spied two lovely ladies sharing a bottle of Rosé Nozeco over lunch and they gave me the last in the bottle, a prefect glass. So kind and considerate, it fair made my day. On days like today I do feel a bit sad that I don’t drink anymore. I am glad that I will wake up tomorrow without the dread or the regret and without the hangover so my wee glass of Nozeco is going down a treat.

The sky is lovely just now.

So still and calm, compared to this morning and also compared to the noise in the village hall! 😂 I’m decompressing nicely.

Stay safe everyone ♥️♥️♥️

Awwww I had the best sleep again last night. Soooo good. Woke at 7.41am. 8 and a half hours!

I felt so fresh and rested when I woke up.

So off to The little gift shop for 9.30 and had another lovely morning. I was the pricing queen! Wait till you see the lovely selection of cards we have.

Look at those colours. I had to fan them all out just to get a photo!

I also bought this as we are having a Scottish afternoon in the Village Hall tomorrow and I thought this would be a great raffle prize.

Gayle put a lovely purple bow around it too after I took this photo.

So I finally have some time to do nothing and some time to myself…. And of course I have no idea what to do! I know that I don’t want to watch the football that’s on this afternoon 😂

Oh that reminds me… Craig has worked on his first video blog today so I’m sharing it here. Hope the link works.

Scottish Dog Behaviourist video blog

It’s one thing to start up your own business these days but it’s a completely different thing to step right out of your comfort zone and record yourself in front of a camera. Putting himself right out there but I believe it’s the way forward.

If you have a dog please give his page a follow. He’s sharing loads of great info on there and it would mean the world to us

It was still sunny when I got home so I popped out into the garden to play with the dogs for a bit.

I have to help set up the Hall at 7pm tonight but other than that the day is mine. I’m currently sitting in Gran’s chair in full recline. It’s been a while but it feels nice to be back.

The wood burning stove is on and I’m finally starting to heat up. Our house is always freezing as we keep the doors open for the dogs…. I’ve brought them in and closed the doors!

I may have a nap, I may crochet but most of all I am calm, relaxed and resting!

And it’s really lovely.

Happy Saturday evening to you all!

Stay safe everyone ♥️♥️♥️

Slept like a log. Soooooo grateful for such a great sleep.

Craig and I are finally watching Line of Duty on BBC iPlayer so it means our evenings are lasting a bit longer…. also now that we don’t have the 5am gym start.

The Scottish Dog Behaviourist gets out of bed at 5am every morning to start work. He must be shattered as it was after 11 before we got to bed last night. I’ve said it before but I cannot tell you how proud I am of all the work he is doing to get this business off the ground.

He is learning so much, even from and IT perspective. He has built his website by himself and is learning the background coding to make it perform better in Google searches.

Once again we are so grateful for everyone that has shared his FB posts, to everyone who has recommended him. It’s so interesting to see how his new clients have found out about him! It’s a very small world. We could never have dreamed that his start up would go so well. The power of social media!

His posts have been interesting and engaging. I’m dying to see what he comes out with next. 😂 which of my video clips or photos he uses 😂 I should ask for commission 😆

Anyway, I was up with the lark too and out for a jog with the puppers again. I spotted my first daffodil this year and went to take a photo….. NO PHONE 😱😱😱 so no evidence of said daffodil or said dog jog 😂 ooooh I should patent the dog jog 😂

I came back and did some housework until it was time for a shower. The house has been a bit neglected as we’re both so busy. It feels good to have given it a dust and hoover.

I was working a a bit earlier today but got lots of new things priced up while chatting to loads of lovely customers. One lady asked how my husband’s business was going and I didn’t realise she was talking to me at first. She said she’s been following his posts and really enjoying them. How lovely of her to say that. People are so very kind.

Gayle has loads of lovely new stock in the back shop, It’s so exciting when I head in on a Friday and see what’s new.

I was shattered by the time I finished today. I hit a wall about 3.30!

Came home and we made Tagliatelle Carbonara for dinner tonight as Craig got to the shops today. We had that with garlic bread and it was really lovely.

My lovely friend Isy tagged me in this today.

I think on days when I don’t have a lot to say, I do overthink things. I’m very self critical.

But anyway…. Moving on. Love these next two!

So that’s all from me. Comfies on, feet up. Early night I reckon.

Stay safe everyone ♥️♥️♥️

I didn’t sleep well last night… Calaidh barked on and off a few times, not enough to fully wake me just enough to give me a restless sleep.

It was also the first night without progesterone for the next two weeks so I don’t always sleep as soundly without it.

I cannot complain after two weeks of amazing sleep!

Saw loads of lovely things on FB this morning when I couldn’t get back to sleep.

How lovely is that?!? If we spread a bit of love and kindness it really makes a difference to everyone else.

This next one is so true. Unfollow, hide, snooze, don’t read, don’t listen to anything that takes away your peace.

For a lot of today…. I’ve heard myself…. I feel I’ve been a bit cooky, a bit off the wall, a bit crazy, I’ve overthought every word that came out of my mouth, every action. Cringe.

Not sure why….

Yes, stop overthinking! 😂

Just as I was leaving work I decided to wash the van. It was filthy!! I was on a roll…. It’s great to see it clean again. I need to get the inside done.

I’ve gone from thinking I had to sell it to taking care of it. 😆

I ordered a towelling robe for wild sea swimming. It will help getting changed outside. I think I look like a giant tomato… could be worth something 😂🍅

It was only £14.99 and it’s huge. I’m pretty impressed with it. Can’t wait to try it.

I’ve just looked at the forecast and reckon it might be a wee while before we can get back into the sea. There’s a bunch of snow forecast for Monday and -6°C on Wednesday morning. 🥶💙

And finally….. do what’s right for you and “refuse to feel bad about this” ♥️

A bit of a mish mash today…

Stay safe everyone ♥️♥️♥️

Oooooh it was a cold one today. The forecast was beautiful this morning….

So that never happened!!

Don’t think I saw the sun all day as it ended up super cloudy. To be fair, I was too busy to be outside but I was hoping for a lovely sunshine swim tonight. Instead it was very similar conditions to yesterday.

That sounds negative, I don’t mean to be. It’s lovely and calm and lovely to have a swim. After a busy day.

On our way in, water up to the boobies 😳😂 took us a wee minute to get our shoulders under.

The phone didn’t work much today and sadly stopped the 20 minute timer as it just did it’s own thing 😳😂 I think we knew when it was too cold and had to get out.

The water felt colder than yesterday but it may have been because there was more of a breeze.

How many chins!!?! Actually sent this to mum when she messaged and we were out in the sea. That was the only thing that actually worked phone wise. 😂

As I say that…. I KNOW it’s not all about documenting it. It’s just so exciting for me to be out there that I want a record of it. I will learn to appreciate the moment without the millions of photos and video clips.

I actually had pretty bad stomach cramp today. Way more painful than yesterday. It took the ooomph out of me a bit. I picked a task that’s needed doing for ages and concentrated on that, so I could see progress and feel like I was achieving something without having to think too hard. I

The cramp has been bad the last few months but I notice way more benefits of HRT than this one negative. I’m still documenting all of my menopause symptoms in the Balance app every night. I used to have a HUGE list of symptoms the intensity of each of them has reduced. Except stomach cramp.

Now that I’ve been swimming, it’s so much more relaxed. Such a relief. At one point today I thought I might not manage the swim.

And finally…. This is the reason I write this blog…. So that everyone knows that you don’t always feel how you look on the outside.

I share all my gloriously flawed and messy wondrousness. 😆

I love it!!

Stay safe everyone 💙🏊🏼‍♀️♥️

I had a great sleep again but woke with stomach cramp. Paracetamol didn’t touch the sides. It’s been really sore all day and grumbling away sitting at my desk.

It was a really busy day at work! Didn’t even open my diary to see what I was meant to be doing today…. 🤦🏻‍♀️😆 but that’s ok.

Ellison and I went for our first sea swim by ourselves, just the two of us, I feel like we graduated to be allowed out😆 …. And we had a great swim. 🏊🏼‍♀️

We went to Irvine beach tonight. It was meant to be really sunny but there was quite a bit of cloud cover, so no dramatic sunset. The sea was really calm and peaceful and there were no other swimmers at all.

It felt like we had the sea to ourselves. I set the timer on my phone for 20 minutes so we didn’t stay in for too long. That’s our limit just now.

Not a breath!

Wee selfie before we head in.

It’s shallow really quite far out in Irvine.

Looking over to the Isle of Arran.

The camera didn’t work much again but it gave me a chance to enjoy the surroundings. It’s hard for me not to get snaps and video clips but it’s also good that it doesn’t work all the time.

It also takes pics and videos of its own accord at times 😂 think this next one was one…

Finally dressed and having a hot cuppa and a choccie biccie (or two!)

Not a hint of cramp since!!

Might do it all again tomorrow night. 🏊🏼‍♀️🏊🏼‍♀️

The Aurora Borealis (Nothern Lights) were beautiful last night and they are forecast to be as good tonight. I was out in the garden in a dressing gown and furry boots (😂) last night but couldn’t see anything.

The cloud cover is pretty intense here until 1am but I’m not sure I’ll manage to stay awake for that!

I’ve seen so many stunning photos that people took from their houses…. Absolutely blew me away. Isn’t nature wonderful?!?

Stay safe everyone 🏊🏼‍♀️🏊🏼‍♀️🏊🏼‍♀️

I am not gonna lie…. Today has been anxiety central for me. Worrying about the day I never saw. I used to love driving Abbie the camper van but for some reason, recently, she seems 10 times the size and I am nervous driving her.

All the little things that have gone wrong in the last few years, have blown up out of all proportion in my head. Also, to be fair to me…. It’s that time of the month, all of a sudden, it seems like no time at all since I was on hands and knees on the couch with last months stomach cramp. I am still certain that HRT is the way forward but I’m not enjoying this part.

I’m meeting family at the Bridge Inn in Linlithgow at 1.30pm. It takes me 54 minutes to get there. I leave with 2 hours and 10 minutes to spare, just in case!!

Craig is home as Rangers and Celtic meet in the Cup Final today. He’d be a nightmare sitting through lunch wondering what was going on in the game! It wouldn’t matter so much to him if it wasn’t the two rivals playing.

I had a fear about the size of the car park and it would seem it was a well founded…. The car park is tiny compared to my monster sized van. I was able to get turned around and park based on it being way busier later on. I should be able to drive straight out of my space. It took a lot of too-ing and fro-ing to get into the space.

This is ridiculous. I really need to nip this in the bud as I can’t be nervous driving it otherwise I’ll never go anywhere.

Anyway…. The restaurant is beautiful.

That’s the positive to arriving super early. I can have a wander and get my anxious breath back.

I’m sitting outside in the beer garden, it’s cold but a nice warmth when the sun comes out. I was here an hour early but it’s now only 25 minutes. Time flies when your mind is full of worry.

And breathe.

The interior of the pub is just as nice as the outside. It’s so tastefully done. Really rustic. I love that word… 😂

There are 11 of us for dinner so we didn’t know in advance but it turns out there’s a set menu for groups of 10 or above. Who knew?!? I suppose it’s understandable and there were about 5 options for starter, Main and dessert… at £31.95 for three courses.

Now I’m used to the village pub next door that’s still not above £20 for 3 courses…. But that’s ok.

The food itself was lovely, really tasty and well made but my main and my pud were both different to what the menu described. I was particularly disappointed at my berry crumble with ginger and lemon crumble…. Being apple crumble!!! Now this might be a very British thing, but we do not complain. We just moan our way through it and accept we deserve what we get. It’s too hard to complain.

It was great to get a good chat and catch up with everyone. I also made it back through Glasgow before the Cup Final was over and missed all the traffic!!

So there are positives in my day….. lovely to see everyone and see that beautiful restaurant. To face my fears driving over on such a beautiful day and to be sitting in front of the fire now with this bar of chocolate.

Since I took that photo… the chocolate has actually gone already 🤦🏻‍♀️😂 och I musta needed it! 😆

Back on the fast with a hot water bottle for the cramp 🤕

Stay safe everyone 🍫🍫🍫

Another wonderful sleep last night… I’ve been sleeping so well this week. It’s great. Long may it continue.

I got up early and took all 3 dogs out for a walk/run first thing and it was beautiful.

Running and taking photos and video clips. Multitasking at its best. I had a great run.

I did have a bit of a poop incident on this path…. Dog poop, obviously!

The poop bag burst….. in my hand…. I had nothing else I could use, except a second, equally split bag…. 🤦🏻‍♀️. I had to run with said burst bag of poop and 3 dogs until I got into the village to the nearest poop bin…. The lengths us dog owners go, to not be one of those dog owners who leave it lying on a path! 🤦🏻‍♀️😂

What a way to start the day….

After hours of hand washing… I headed into The little gift shop.

We had a lovely wee day at work today. Got lots of new bags unpacked and out on the shelves and we were so busy working, I forgot to take photos.

Up the road for about 1.30pm, had a bite of lunch and then finally got back into the wetsuit ready for a swim at 3pm!

Look who I bumped into! Claire all set for a lovely day out looking all smart and me in my wetsuit and dryrobe… it needed a photo!

Now the camera did not play ball today. I only got a few photos and to be honest, I gave up and actually just enjoyed the view.

Should say we went to Seamill Beach today.

It was cold but way warmer than my last swim on 2nd January. It was really lovely out there today.

I love it!

This is West Kilbride.

It was sunny but cloudy so some photos look really mean and moody.

Eileen got her little campfire out again and we had toasted marshmallows and some lovely empire biscuits that one of the girls brought. All with hot peppermint tea in my flask.

Some lovely silhouettes as we stood.

Beautiful.

I’ve had a lovely day. I’m tired now. Had a hot shower and all wrapped up for a night of movies in front of the fire!

Happy Saturday night!

Stay safe everyone 🏃🏻‍♀️🏊🏼‍♀️💩