After a very busy four weeks, I have had the laziest day and done precious little.
I stayed in bed until just before 10am. I was in that really foggy doze like state where I just couldn’t wake up enough to do anything. I only got up when I really felt I should and even then I was a little bit grumpy 😆
I was meant to meet my neighbour Fiona for coffee this morning but I was far too tired to even think about getting ready. I hate letting anyone down at short notice but I’ve learned that I have to do what feels right for me at the time. The people pleaser in me would never have put myself first but I know otherwise bow. I needed to rest.
Thankfully today I genuinely just needed rest and nothing more.
It’s ended up being the loveliest of days. We’ve had the fire burning, there’s no heating on so it’s cold when you leave the living room but it’s cosy in here.
The housework still needs doing but hey, that’ll have to wait. It’s surprising how fast a day of nothing goes. I’d love to do it all again tomorrow.
I have my gym bag ready for the morning. I have my lunch ready for tomorrow and we have a food shop being delivered in the next hour.
We’ve watched Aftershock, Everest and the Nepal Earthquake this afternoon on Netflix. There are 3 episodes and it’s a fascinating watch. It’s hard going at times. We have a friend who was caught in it and I think that makes it so much more real. I can’t believe what he went through.
Our world has been shaken by COVID and yet an earthquake like this is just another level. Whole villages there one night and gone by lunch time the next day.
Very, very sad.
So, I think I’m about 3 or 4 weeks in to a very calm head run. I’m still calm.
I’ve had mini wobbles, today there have been a few tears. I can’t tell you how grateful I am to be calm for this long though. The peace is deafening.
I woke up at 5.45am when the dogs barked at something. I felt really exhausted but wide awake at the same time. I couldn’t get back to sleep.
I am soooo tired. Maybe 6 days or work for the last 4 weeks is catching up with me?! Don’t get me wrong, I am loving the work and think it’s playing a huge part in my new calm front. I think this is the longest stretch without unnecessary anxiety. I don’t have time to overthink.
I’m enjoying thinking about what to wear to work and even putting makeup on. (Should say I even took all my makeup off last night before I went to bed!! I never used to do that!)
But I am tired.
I got up at 7 to walk the dogs before work. It was still pretty dark when we set out, but surprisingly mild.
I had a lovely walk. I didn’t want to do it but ended up really enjoying the peace and stillness… except for the 3 crazy pups running around in the field!
The shop was busy and the time flew by…. It really has just poured down all day. It’s hardly stopped.
So that’s me done until Monday and now we’re in the car heading up to Craig’s mums. We haven’t been here for far, far too long. I don’t know where the year has disappeared to!
It’s now 8.10pm and we’ve had the best time! We’ve eaten until we burst and talk the hind legs off a donkey. It’s been so great to catch up and have such a lovely spread. I’m obviously driving and I’m on my second bottle of Nozeco. I love the stuff and love that I don’t feel left out when I’m not drinking. My in-laws always have a feast selection of 0%.
Here’s Calaidh, Bhruic and Freya waiting outside while Cookie the Chihuahua has her dinner…. The doggy dinner queue!
It’s 9.04pm and I’ve run out of day….. it started at 5am again with a killer but fun session at the Farm. Team Avery finished our Hyrox Time Trial in 27 minutes which was pretty good going since we’ve both had some time off.
Back home and straight back into bed with the electric blanket on for a heat!
I’ve taken some more photos of the little gift shop today. There are loads of lovely Christmas things in now.
The day went quickly as usual but I’ve been tired today. Straight back into bed when I got home for a wee Nana nap before we headed back into the village pub for a 40th Ruby Wedding Anniversary party!
So being very rude writing this at the table, just finished the loveliest buffet. Got makeup on tonight for the first time in like… forever!!
Thanks to Claire for messaging me today to tell me it’s International Sloth Day today… I mean who knew?!?
I’ve never seen a thing so it’s obviously not the widely “celebrated” 😆 here are some sloth facts….
Anyway, back to my sleep patterns…… 😂 I slept from 9.30pm last night right through until the alarm at 6.30. Wow.
I did have a random dream that a customer at Tartan reversed into the workshop, got out his car and walked over to us smiling, as bits of the roof started to fall down. We all rushed outside and watched as half of the roof fell in…. I mean, come on…. Where on earth does that come from?! It wasn’t a customer we knew… so random but it felt very real.
In the meantime I am SO grateful for a full nights sleep. Could it be so simple that a trip back to the Fit Body Farm has tired me out rather than the lethargy of lounging around? Maybe. I was in bed with the electric blanket on from 8.30pm after crochet last night…. Bliss!
It has poured with rain all day today, it’s been torrential and I got soaked filling a water bottle for a customer as the hose head came away from the tap…. This has happened before…. I should know better. 😂
Oh yes….. and we lost our 44 day Prime Minister today. I was in the workshop when she announced her resignation…. We must be the laughing stock of the rest of the world.
The Daily Star decided to see if she would last longer than it would take for a lettuce to go off.
The lettuce won.
Liz Truss has never contracted Scotland’s First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon since she’s been in office. Nicola said that she’s ok with that now and she will wait to hear from the 5th UK Prime Minister to be in power since she’s held office in Scotland. I’m glad we at least have some stability up here.
Anyway after some dull political news….. I laughed way too hard at this next one….
Also check out the amount of grapes that Craig has picked from our vine in the greenhouse. He’s going to make jam with them!
Enjoy the rest of your international Sloth day! 😂😂
Well I remembered. Thanks to everyone who messaged to spite me into action. I’m so saddened by some of your stories yet heartened by those who feel like new women.
I have a telephone appointment call on Tuesday between 11 and 1. Better prep for that at the weekend to make sure I’m not caught out when she calls and fluster my way through it.
It will be the middle of my working day so here’s hoping I’m not with customers during that time. Even that part is difficult to negotiate is t it. You have to wait for a cal over a 2 hour period. I am not complaining just stating how it is.
So, head held high, back straight and present her with the facts. Need to make sure I have my list with me as I’m sure my head will empty at the time when I most need it.
My doctors surgery only allow you to talk about HRT to the 2 female doctors that job share. One is on holiday this week and the other, sadly, can’t make it into work today and they are not sure when she’ll be back.
So Tuesday it is.
In other news I finally managed back to the Fit Body Farm this morning. My knee or more likely, leg is still not right. I have twinges of a cramp as I move around but it wasn’t the pain that I’ve been feeling. It was dark the whole work out today…. What a difference a few weeks makes at this time of year. The sunrise was just starting when I left at 7.30am.
The sky was a lovely pink.
By the time I got to work it was much more orangey red…. Here is my cuddly toy selection including Waverley Bear, showing off the sunrise.
And a zoom in….. just beautiful!
I had a mad rush after work. Quick trip to Asda which turned into a random pointless wander around a supermarket… I was so tired, I couldn’t think straight at all and each aisle just bought more confusion. I got to £60 odd quite easily but I’m not sure any of it goes together. I did the scan and go…. And I was selected for a random Shop scan at the checkouts.
The first thing she scanned in my trolley… I hadn’t scanned. The old me would have burst into tears. This calm, but tired, me just shrugged… and smiled and said sorry, rolled my eyes at my lack of concentration.
I rushed home and Craig had made dinner, which was very lovely of him as I had a half hour before I headed out to the village pub for the crochet hookers weekly meet up!
So from day trips on paddle steamers to a good old “let’s get talking about the menopause”….. you just never know what you’re going to get when you tune in, do you?!?
I’ve been wanting to write about this for weeks now and yet I’ve been reluctant to speak up about it. Even now I’m cringing but I’m going to do this.
I have so many wonderful female family members and friends that will have already gone through the menopause and never cracked a light about it. We are not taught about it in schools yet some women are walloped in the face with some pretty life changing symptoms. The women I know all just seemed to get “on with it”.
We all know that the menopause starts when your periods stop and people get hot flushes and for most of us, I’d say that’s about all we know.
That is certainly all I ever knew.
My mum, Gran and Aunties sailed through menopause just like I did on the Waverley on Sunday. 😉🤭 Neither up nor down, just taking it all in their stride….. as far as I know…. Or did they?!? No-one really talks about it….
There are many menopause warriors out there now, banging the drum for menopause to be talked about and understood. For all you men reading this, you will likely have a significant other who will experience symptoms or a mum, gran or auntie…. So don’t be thinking it doesn’t relate to you. 😉😆
For all my lovely post menopausal family and friends who made it through the other side without a blip…. Or for all of you who suffered in silence. I salute you.
I am going to shout about this loud and, well if I’m quite honest, not very proud at the moment as I’m dealing with the early stages of learning… and feeling nervous about talking about it….. but I know I will be very proud soon once I take it into my comfort zone.
I stumbled across Davina McCall’s book Menopausing the other week, I may have mentioned.
I had Audible credits that I wanted to use up before I cancelled Audible (cost cutting exercise… saves £7.99 a month!) and I hurriedly downloaded 5 audio books suggested for me… this being one of them.
I started to listen on my drives to and from work.
Oh my word. (Keeping it clean here…)
All of sudden I am listening to women who have gone through a similar journey to me in the last 4 years…..
Women with a career who literally fall apart…. Hullo…. Moi?! ✅
Women who can’t stop crying in the work place. ✅
Women who try to hide themselves away from the world. ✅
Women who become anxious at everything in life. ✅
Women who take irritability and rage to the next level for no real reason. ✅
Women who are terrified that they had become a burden and think the world will be better off without them ✅
Women who are prescribed medication for anxiety and anti-depressants for depression ✅
Women who then feel suicidal when the medication doesn’t seem to be working ✅
Women who lose their high powered jobs under a cloud with no thanks or presentations for their long service with the company ✅
These women drop out of the rat race and are left to fight for their mental health every step of the way when they are at their lowest ebb. ✅
So… the relief to hear all of this is immense as I realise that I am not alone.
Davina makes that very clear. I am not alone.
56% of women drop out of the workplace due to menopausal symptoms. Think how much experience and knowledge the world is missing out on if 56% of women are overwhelmed by their symptoms and don’t get enough support to carry on.
So in the meantime, I’ve asked Craig to get me her actual book for my birthday… bang goes the cost cutting exercise there but I need a physical copy. 😆
I asked him last week if he’d bought it yet because if he hadn’t, I was going to. I didn’t want to wait. I needed the copy to re-read sections I couldn’t remember. It arrived by Amazon that actual day…. And now I have it. 🤭
I think this could be the reason for my calm mood for the last few weeks. I finally click that there may be fundamentally nothing wrong with me…. And yes…. Because Davina told me and not because I have actually come to that conclusion myself yet.
I still have a way to go with not feeling like I failed in life. There are some lovely female senior managers in my last work that are still going strong and sail through the day to day…. Therefore I must be weak because I didn’t.
Davina says no. Stop that thinking straight away.
Ok….. I will try.
Also if there is a chance that all of this was because I am perimenopausal then I have to say I am a little bit angry that there was no support for me.
I was brushed away under the carpet with shame.
From what I have gleaned over the last few weeks, there is a very good chance the HRT will resolve the majority of the issues I have faced. Replacing natural hormones in my body with body identical hormones. The balance app explains it way better than I ever could….
Who knew. 🤷🏻♀️
Women have never lived this long so it’s only fair that we have some help in doing it if we are struggling. We should not be ashamed (still dealing with that one…) and we should not have to “just get on with it”.
Replacing hormones has given so many women their life back.
We don’t have to hide and be invisible any more. Half the world’s population go through menopause. It is not something to be ashamed of or whispered.
I knew I was going to write about this today…. Then I had a customer in this morning who started talking about menopause and basically told me everything that I have now written about. Another amazing manifestation.
So I phoned the doctor. I ate that frog.
My surgery is now running same day appointments and there’s no space left today so I have to call at 8am and make sure I get one of the female doctors who will be able to discuss HRT.
Oh my god I actually did it so tomorrow will be easier….. I have listed my symptoms.
I am ready and armed with the information I need. I am doing this. (Unless of course I forget to call tomorrow because I am busy 😉😆🤦🏻♀️)
Strangely I now feel more exhausted than I have in a few weeks, I’m irritable and tired tonight. I’m going back to the Farm tomorrow and going to work around my knee if that makes sense. I’m missing tonight’s exercise class in the hall to rest. A very early night tonight I reckon for the 5am alarm tomorrow morning.
Yesterday was the final sailing of the season for the Paddle Steamer Waverley… the last sea fairing paddle steamer in the world.
A few of us got talking one afternoon, in our local village pub, about trying to book a trip on 16th October and in the end there were 15 neighbours that set off in a minibus at 11am yesterday.
We were sailing from Largs on the west coast of Scotland, out to Rothesay on the Isle of Bute, then to Tighnabruaich on the mainland, down past Ettrick and Scalpsie Bays on Bute and around Inchmarnock island and back the way we came, stopping at each port on the way.
The trip lasted almost 6 hours.
We got a beautiful day for it. It’s Scotland, mid October so it could go one of two ways but we were very lucky. I had five layers on and spent the first 3 hours in only 4 layers!
With a hat…. Of course!
Since we had arrived so early in Largs, we had time for a walk around in the sunshine and time to capture the first sighting of the PS Waverley as she “hoved into view” (shameless Blackadder quote)
The Millport Pipe Band are playing her into port. Honestly the bagpipes would bring a tear to a glass eye!
(I should say here in true Rambling Sloth fashion…. I am feeling quite uncomfortable, not sure where to put myself in such a large group without Craigie boy… a trip like this doesn’t float his boat 🤭😂 but the feeling doesn’t last long and I soon relax).
We embark to The Skye Boat Song. My emotions runneth over…. 😆
Her maiden voyage was 16th June, 1947 and my maiden voyage was 16th October 2022. This was her last sailing of the season and it made it a very special trip.
Leaving Largs at 1.45pm
We set sail for Rothesay on Bute.
I’m obsessed with the colours of the flags against the blue sky and of course… the Scotland flag.
When we arrive in Rothesay there’s a guy in a kilt on the dock with long hair and no top on, posing as the Waverley steamed in behind him!! We spotted him further up the coast in Rhubodach on Bute again about half an hour later. (Yes, I know, the guys were all saying it would be a different story if they were all ogling some topless woman…)
Anyway, I digress, we drop off and pick up passengers in Rothesay and head up the coast towards the Narrows on the East Kyle of Bute.
This was the view looking back towards Rothesay.
It’s just such a beautiful ship. We go for a wander around and leave our precious spot up the front!
I have no idea what’s going on below deck but there’s a whole new world awaiting you down there!
The engine room is fascinating.
You can look through portholes to see the paddles flying around. This is not the best photo!
The rooms are all so old and ornate looking. I could imagine people in Victorian times, sitting around drinking tea…. Yet it was build long after that!
Even the bathroom is pretty special!
Not to mention the steps…
Here we are at Tighnabruaich and the sky is changing… the clouds are coming over. There is a lone piper playing here. It’s beautiful.
We set sail down the west coast of Bute and the east coast of Inchmarnock island heading out towards the Isle of Arran.
Goat Fell looks mystical in the cloudy sunshine.
This is the southernmost point of our trip when we turn back up and sail around the west coast of Inchmarnock.
We got a few selfie shots through the day!
The Narrows are amazing. The ship has to sail between these bouys…. It doesn’t look like it will fit!
To the right we have Bute and to the left the mainland.
As we sail down the East Kyle we spot these white houses on the mainland near Colintraive. Apparently these were built for 6 daughters and their husbands but the father didn’t approve of one of the marriages so one of the houses is built behind the others and not in the obvious space. Fascinating!!
We are sheltered by land here and the wind has died right down. It’s so calm.
We head back into Rothesay on our return journey. As Waverley leaves each port there’s a tannoy announcement thanking the people of the ports for supporting the Waverley and it’s passengers. Three short blasts to say goodbye. That tugged at the heart strings!
We make our final journey back out from Rothesay to Largs. It’s cold now and the wind has picked up but really the first time I’ve felt the cold all day.
And finally heading back into Largs. Again the ship thanks Largs for its support. It feels a real privilege to have been part of this trip.
The Waverley is. It done yet and still has to sail to the Clyde stopping at Greenock and back to the Glasgow Science Centre.
I’ve rushed off the board and hared up to the Cumbrae ferry jetty to catch these next few shots. It’s lovely and calm and her lights reflect on the sea.
She gives 3 short blast to say goodbye to Largs.
And is on her way again.
I had THE best day. A lovely group of people and a very special cruise to be a part of.
I could have done it all again today….. and there are hundreds of photos I have not used. 😆
Back to talking about my sleep patterns and how happy or sad I am tomorrow….. 🤭😆
So we have a wee “village” day trip to Largs to pick up the PS Waverley and cruise over to Rothesay on Bute, then to Tighnabruaich then down to Scaplsie Bay and Inchmarnock on the west coast of the Isle of Bute and back the way we can I believe. It’s been a rough week weather wise but we seem to be lucky enough to have a wee window of calm and sunshine this afternoon…. Fingers crossed.
This is the last sailing of the 2022 season. It’s the first full season she has sailed since 2018.
We have a minibus picking us up at 11am at the Gateside inn to take us to Largs where we board the PS Waverley at 12.45.
I hardly slept at all last night which is more likely down to a large Indian meal last night….. oops… but I’m raring to go. Here’s some info on the ship from the Waverley Excursions website.
Oh wow. I have had THE best day!! I have a gazillion photos to sort through. I’ve been out on deck all day. It’s 6.30pm and we’ve just left Largs in our minibus home.
I will post some photos just now and then write it up properly tomorrow when I have more time.
Wow, wow, wow and wow. I thoroughly recommend the Waverley in 2023.
We have new jewellery in which I priced up before putting it out on display… the lovely chunky silver bracelets at the bottom of the stand.
The diet is still going well😳 … check the colour of this french fancy!! We were buzzing after all those e-numbers…. 😂
A customer came in looking for a lovely vase and wanted some flowers in it. Gayle used to be a florist…. Look what she did!!!
Isn’t that beautiful!!! She then wrapped tissue and ribbon around it. We were blown away by how easy she made it look. Once again I pity the poor person that asks me to do that…… 😂😂 but I mean that in the most positive way as I know that I can learn to do it. She has years of experience!
As soon as 1pm came, the heavens had opened again….. it was pouring and I got soaked running back to the van. I only live 5 minutes’ drive from the shop and once I was home it was quite nice looking out….. I should have known otherwise though. 🤦🏻♀️😂
Here I am sitting on the step into the bedroom, getting the dogs ready to go out…. There is dog hair EVERYWHERE!! We don’t remember it ever being this bad….
Look at my leggings……. I mean, COME ON!!!!
We hadn’t been out for much more than 5 minutes when the hail shower hit…. They were big hail stones and they were sore! I started laugh screaming and the dogs didn’t like it one little bit, they all cooried into me and I hunched over the three of them to protect them but the hail stones were really sore!! I tried to turn around to go back home but I couldn’t walk into them, just had to turn my back until it stopped. We cuddled into a hedgerow! All the dogs tails were curled right under them…. Poor souls. I was drenched and freezing but carried on our walk as we couldn’t really get any wetter.
Claire spotted me walking home!
I had left the back door open by mistake, so not only had to dry the dogs off but the door, the walls and the floor….. 😳
I had to peel my soaking wet clothes off my freezing cold skin and the shower was stinging so I had to turn that down to almost cold to acclimatise.
We then had a “pup-in-goonie” photo shoot!!!
Bhruic did not get the “stand tall and straight and perfectly” memo…… 🤦🏻♀️🤷🏻♀️😂 she just doesn’t sit like a lady….. 😆
For the last hour I’ve been sat on the couch in a Christmas onesie…. Defrosting.
I’m heading next door to Claire’s for a takeaway tonight as she has an empty…. Craig gets an empty by default. 😆 Looking forward to a great catch up. Craig commented that he hoped I wasn’t going in this onesie….. I’d love to but I’d have to crawl through our loft space into her house as I couldn’t go outside in this 😆🤣🤣🤣
Here we are and I am in real clothes!!! I crept out the house without speaking to a dog. A wee Nosecco toast!! Here’s to a lovely evening!
Then tomorrow I’m off on a day trip with a dozen or so other neighbours. We’re going on a cruise on the Paddle Steamer Waverley.
I am super excited as I’ve wanted to go on the Waverley for a very long time!
We meet her in Largs at 12.45 and have a minibus picking us up at 11am. Good times!
I didn’t go to the Farm again this morning but I did do lots of foam rolling of the old quad muscle. It’s still not right but I’m hoping that it’ll get better soon.
I swept up the random dog hair tumbleweeds lying around, those that magically appeared overnight, put on a washing, had a shower, washed my hair, dried my hair and wait for it… put on a weeeeee bitta makeup. Check. Me.
I was leaving for work, feeling bloated and fat after a week of no exercise and Craig commented that I looked lovely… awwwww ♥️
The little gift shop was lovely again today.
I may have bought myself a lovely pair of fingerless gloves that I do desperately need…. I have been waiting for them to come in… honestly!!
I went for the teal….. of course I did, it matches Abbie the Camper van. They are soooo lovely. I wanted the dark grey and mustard too!! It took me all day to decide 😂
There are some LOVELY things….
So we got loads of the new gifts priced up and had great chats.
I was home by 4.10pm and had Craig’s homemade lasagne for dinner again. Uh-mAzin’.
I’ve done some crochet and now we’re in the village pub and I’m on the 0% Tanquery Gin with slimline tonic.
The funny thing is, every time I focus on how good my head is, something usually wallops me in the face. Right now, all is good.
I’m working hard, busier than I’ve been in 4 years, coming home from work and doing housework before I sit down…. Yet I still manage time to sit down.
The house is COVERED in dog hair. I can’t change that. I can try to stay on top of it but it rolls around like tumble weed wherever I walk. Even after after cleaning it up! It’s just incessant just now.
So here’s a photo of Puppy P as I call him now. Peanut was enjoying his lunch at work today. Check that face!
I’m tired tonight, my knee is still sore but I haven’t stretched enough so I will do some stretches tonight. I’m stiff as a board. 😆
I’m watching Chesapeake Shores on a Netflix in the evenings when Craig’s working. It’s cheesy as, it’s sweet and lovely and it’s really helping my mood I think.
I played some ball with the dogs.
How funny that Chesapeake Shores just made me cry…. 🤦🏻♀️😂
Freya doesn’t it look photogenic at all!!!
Oh my boss was at a conference this week where the guest speaker was a Sarah Furness so has a book out called Fly Higher… Train your mind to feel as strong as you look.
He got me a signed copy…. How lovely is that?!? I may have shed a teeny tear but I will read it and report back!!
Quiet night tonight while poor Craigie is still working and I’m resting before a busy weekend.
And will stretch. If I say it twice I have to it. Without getting licked to death by the dogs… the minute I get down on the floor…..now that, I can’t guarantee. 😆
There is precious little for me to say today. Yeah right you say, I’m sure she’ll find something….
I’m all talked out!
I went to work. It was busy. The end. 😳😆
I slept like a log last night. Woke with the alarm. Love it. I’m really sore from the workout class last night though. I found it really hard. My knee was sore again and my whole body felt stiff. I have to do some serious stretching at some point and also more rest for the knee.
Work was a constant stream of customers today which I love. All go!
So I came home, good lengthy talk with mum on the way back, have cleaned the main bathroom, picked up huge handfuls of dog hair, poop scooped the back garden and I’m now sitting on our bench writing this.
It was ATROCIOUS weather this morning. Torrential rain and windy. Yet here I am outside and it’s a lovely calm although cold evening. The ivy is looking stunning.
The colour has changed a lot over the last few weeks.
Wish I could take the photos from the same place twice 😆 what a difference a few weeks makes.
So that’s me, heading off into the pub to meet the Crochet Hookers and do some more work on my blanket…. And put the world to rights on. Wednesday! Looking forward to the chat.
There are not enough hours in the day today…. I am shattered and slept like a log last night but most importantly I am still as cool as a cucumber. 😆 Long may it continue.
It was a STUNNING sunrise this morning.
That red vertical stripe was just out of this world. I drove to work trying to stop every few minutes for a photo.
I was bursting with gratitude this morning. For the things we take for granted. A warm bed and a great nights’ sleep. And then that sunrise. Wow.
My knee is feeling better after some rest so I’m going to try the exercise class in the village hall tonight. I can keep it low impact if I need to as we never localise on any one body part for long… that sounds wrong but you know what I mean. 😆
So yeah I’m in a rush. Ended up having coffee with a customer just as I was leaving so was a bit late getting away.
It’s Hollys birthday next door so I popped up with her present. My gift giving anxiety is still very much a thing. I’m pleased with what I got for her this time but actually convinced myself she will hate it… which is ridiculous. The stories my head tells me…
So I’ll leave this here now. I have dinner on for Craig and a washing that needs hung up and exercises to be doing!
I’ve not even had time to proof read so forgive any autocorrect doozies 😆
Let’s stop hiding behind closed doors saying “poor Mrs so-and-so has bother with her nerves”.
That’s one of the main reasons for my blog. To talk about the things we don’t talk about. If I can help one person who’s struggling with their mental health, to realise they are not alone, then it’s worth it.
If you have someone off sick from work just now, message them… it might just make their day to know you are thinking of them.
I’ll keep banging that drum!!
We were very saddened today to hear about the passing of one of Craig’s work colleagues.
He was super fit and healthy yet collapsed while out on a run.
Just a stark reminder of how short life is. What a shock to hear that today.
I didn’t go to the Farm this morning. My knee’s still sore and it was lovely to have the wee extra lie in.
I’m still very calm and relaxed and loving the lack or reaction to things. Long may this continue 😬😂
It’s funny how some days a simple thing can light the blue touch paper and yet other days there’s just nothing. I do feel tired after a busy weekend so looking forward to a quiet night tonight with some Biofreeze on my knee and maybe some foam rolling of the old leg muscles…. Just saying that makes me cringe. I hate foam rolling when I most need it 😂😂
I’ve been super healthy today and really need to make more effort to stop shovelling junk again. I don’t think that helps my knee at all.
We are very careful about what we feed our dogs and put a lot of research into that, to keep them healthy.… yet just eat anything we can get our hands on.
I should say that Craig has a code for free Butternut Box for dogs if anyone is interested in trying it? We’ve fed our dogs this for years and it’s great…. Maybe I should eat some of that?!? 😂😂
ButternutBox.com/Pawsitive
They’re worth a look. They get a great nutritional rating. While I just eat carbs and sugar and more carbs and sugar. I’m not giving my body a chance.
So I’m back on it…. Counting down the days in my 49th year…. 😱😱😱
This next one stuck at my heart strings ♥️😂
I made cauliflower cheese for dinner today… cauliflower and leek cheese…. It was super tasty and I enjoyed making it rather than just opening a bag of crisps or some chocolate.
Let’s stop hiding behind closed doors saying “poor Mrs so-and-so has bother with her nerves”.
That’s one of the main reasons for my blog. To talk about the things we don’t talk about. If I can help one person who’s struggling with their mental health, to realise they are not alone, then it’s worth it.
If you have someone off sick from work just now, message them… it might just make their day to know you are thinking of them.
I’ll keep banging that drum!!
We were very saddened today to hear about the passing of one of Craig’s work colleagues.
He was super fit and healthy yet collapsed while out on a run.
Just a stark reminder of how short life is. What a shock to hear that today.
I didn’t go to the Farm this morning. My knee’s still sore and it was lovely to have the wee extra lie in.
I’m still very calm and relaxed and loving the lack or reaction to things. Long may this continue 😬😂
It’s funny how some days a simple thing can light the blue touch paper and yet other days there’s just nothing. I do feel tired after a busy weekend so looking forward to a quiet night tonight with some Biofreeze on my knee and maybe some foam rolling of the old leg muscles…. Just saying that makes me cringe. I hate foam rolling when I most need it 😂😂
I’ve been super healthy today and really need to make more effort to stop shovelling junk again. I don’t think that helps my knee at all.
We are very careful about what we feed our dogs and put a lot of research into that, to keep them healthy.… yet just eat anything we can get our hands on.
I should say that Craig has a code for free Butternut Box for dogs if anyone is interested in trying it? We’ve fed our dogs this for years and it’s great…. Maybe I should eat some of that?!? 😂😂
ButternutBox.com/Pawsitive
They’re worth a look. They get a great nutritional rating. While I just eat carbs and sugar and more carbs and sugar. I’m not giving my body a chance.
So I’m back on it…. Counting down the days in my 49th year…. 😱😱😱
This next one stuck at my heart strings ♥️😂
I made cauliflower cheese for dinner today… cauliflower and leek cheese…. It was super tasty and I enjoyed making it rather than just opening a bag of crisps or some chocolate.
It was super windy this morning when I woke up at 7am. I was late in bed last night. We had a lovely afternoon and evening and Mum and Dad’s and I’ve just realised we didn’t take one single photo!! Special family time together.
So back to this morning, I got the dogs up and outside early and I sat in the garden and watched the sky turn pink before sunrise. The photos look orange…. Honestly this was very pink!
The ivy looks beautiful with the pink sky reflecting on it.
We sat out for a bit then I went back to bed for an hour or so. I couldn’t get back to sleep though. I did a Morrisons food shop on the app as I there.
As you do.
Food shop done without leaving the bed. We had a £10 voucher if you spent over £50 so that was a bonus!
I think I mentioned before but I use an app called “Lucky Bitch” which allows you to log all the money and value that you receive in a month unexpectedly. The theory is that you focus I gain rather than lack of money. I’ll be adding that £10 off the Morrisons shop as free food! It’s a great way to focus on the positives.
I took the dogs up the hill for a good run around. There are no photos of that either as I was updating to iOS 16. Check me leaving my phone at home.
The weather just continued to get worse and it’s now driving rain and really dark outside.
I tried to eradicate some of the dog hair again….. hoovered up as much as I could.
I’ve spent the day crocheting and then Craig and I popped into the pub next door for Steak Pie. The food shop doesn’t get delivered until 8pm tonight and I couldn’t be bothered heading out to the shops.
I also did a face mask! Sorry for the scare 😂😂😂
Thought that would give you all a laugh. 😳😂😘
I’m now back in front of the fire all cooried in and don’t intend to move for the rest of the day. There are things that need doing but they will just have to wait.
Time flies when you keep busy and I’m not used to this. I’m enjoying it though and just need to remember to build in some time for me.
I hope you all have a great week!
I know this is a lot to ask but many of you know how special the little gift shop is. I’ve dragged so many of you too it. Well Gayle had already won The Best Independent Retailer in the Ayrshire Business Awards and now she is a finalist in the Scottish Business Awards. If you can spare a few minutes, please could your vote for the little gift shop in Beith.
Shameless plug over…. I hope you all have the best week. Remember we’ve all got this and can take anything the week throws at us. There will always be those things that hit us from left field…. It’s how we react to them that counts. Says she who is great with advice… just doesn’t always take it. We’ve got this!!
I was awake at 5am but tried to sleep until 7. I didn’t drink enough yesterday so was really dehydrated and woke with a thumping headache.
I’ve also really hurt my right knee again. I reckon it has to be diet related as I’ve not been eating well and the lack of water yesterday must count for something. i also did walk a lot last night when I went to the shops.
I was out with the dogs for sunrise. It’s a beautiful morning.
Back home for coffee and a quick shower as I was working at the little gift shop this morning at 9.30am.
What a lovely busy morning we had. So much lovely chat. It’s really helping me get to know people that I recognise or know of but have never been introduced to.
It was super busy and at one point we even had a big queue! Gayle is a trained florist so her wrapping skills are second to none. I hope no-one asks me to wrap anything…. It’ll be like a dogs breakfast being served up! 🤦🏻♀️🤷🏻♀️😂
So I only worked until 12.30 and Craig picked me up from work in Abbie the camper van as his car was still in the garage. We drove down there to get it and it’s still not fixed!! Picked it up, back to the house to get ready and I am stressed out my box. I knew I would be today as it’s a lot to fit in to one day already without the car being stuck in the garage. We’re on our way now but are going to be late. That never sits well with me but it is what it is.
We’re heading to Penicuik for Dad’s 70th. We’re having a wee get together with mum and dad, my brother, sister in law and nephew. Our lovely neighbours have the con with the 3 hairy hounds. They are moulting just now and honestly the dog hair is EVERYWHERE!
My leg after dog walk!!!
I actually think I’m going to put the blog out now so that I don’t have one other thing to have to do today other than relax and enjoy time with family.
I’m not making the same mistake as yesterday where all my good blogging ideas flew out my ears before I came to write it. 😆
I have a FB page for The Rambling Sloth 🦥 where I have THE most positive newsfeed. On the days where I do pick up the phone before I do anything else, it’s a great way to set your stall out for the day.
This next one is something f that I’ve been very aware of over the last few years on my healing journey. This….
I used to be soooo judegy it almost consumed me. I used to criticise anyone who wasn’t like me, who did things differently, who dressed differently, spoke differently and of course those who did wrong in my eyes.
I love that I am able to see past this now. If someone hurts me, cuts me up on the road or doesn’t do as I might expect in a situation, I am very quick to think why this might have happened. Why did that person seem angry…. What factors in their life have led them to this moment? Is it me? Of course it’s not. It’s the million things going on in their head today. The voices they hear inside of them making them angry.
Live and let live. I wish we could all be a bit more like this. The world might be a bit less judgey.
I should say here that I am not a saint. That someone’s direct anger to me will send me off in a rocket at times but that’s no longer my normal reaction and I’m proud of my ability to see past it.
We did not go to the Farm this morning. I’m tired.
I was working at the little gift shop today and it flew in! We had another really good day… there’s new scarf stock in this week that I’m just seeing and I love them all. I managed to price them up and love looking at them but not buy one 😬😂 it was not that easy 😂
It’s been such a strange weather day today. We had hailstones when we dropped Craig’s car off at the garage this morning and then when I went to work the sun was warm against the blue sky.
After work I headed up to Braehead Shopping Centre and it’s half 8 now and I just sat down! I am shattered!!
I’m trying to buy birthday presents and post being off sick for so long and covid lockdowns, I have no clue what to get anyone! I dither around the shops. I talk to myself (😳) I suffer a bit of anxiety. The shops are busy, there are lots of people all buying lots of stuff. I have waves of dizziness. That could be a lack of food and water today… 😬
I’m being so careful with money these days that I found it difficult seeing so many people shopping. There were loads of people with loads of bags. I’ve never been shopping on a Friday night before so maybe it’s always this busy but I felt like an outsider in a different world. I used to LIVE in shopping centres…. Funny how things change when you have a different focus in life.
The sky is stunning when I leave. The moon is huge but disappears behind the cloud when I try to take a photo.
I love this next one. It reminds how much there is to be grateful for in the world. I see beauty everywhere I look. Wow.
Anyway, I’m sooooo tired. Looking forward to a good sleep before work in the morning and Dad’ 70th family get together.
I slept ALL night last night…. I didn’t wake up once and just woke up with the 6.30am alarm. Such a great feeling. A long nights sleep. ♥️
I bounded out of bed like Heidi the mountain goat…. Not 🤦🏻♀️😂
It’s so dark in the mornings here now and the weather has been atrocious today. Torrential rain on and off all day.
I had a layer of damp over me all day. (just had to go outside for wood for the fire and got wet again!)
I got my toes done after work today. A lovely autumnal dark winey red. I miss my bright orange summery colour but this one will do just fine.
I’ve come home from work and got into my jammies, put the fire on and have my feet up. All cosy and lovely to be home on this wild evening.
There’s no really crazy mood issue for me this week which is great. I am calm.
Though I am really struggling to find the right words to say just now though. Even writing this feels like I’m pulling teeth. I thought of loads of things to write about during the day and yet none of them are flowing freely tonight. I just can’t think of the words when I’m half way through a sentence. 🤦🏻♀️🤷🏻♀️
I’ll leave you with someone else’s wise words and get back to my crochet! Loving it just now.
The alarm went off at 4.45am. I scan my body and mind. I’ve been awake since 3.21am…..
I’m tired. I settle back down, I not going to the Fit Body Farm this morning. I need to rest….
Then Craig comes back to the bedroom and realises I’m still in bed…… I sense the hesitation in his stance. He wants to stay home too…. He’s thinking about cancelling. I literally bound out of bed and that’s me…. Off to the Farm! Out the door in under 10 minutes!!
The class was really good and I enjoyed it… so glad I went…..despite getting my thumb stuck between two kettlebells…. 🏋🏻♀️🤷🏻♀️😬
It rained on and off all day today again. It didn’t seem as torrential as yesterday but it still didn’t stop for long. It’s dark most of the day…. I’m so not ready for winter. I want my flip flops back.
So there’s nothing to report from today really. Clear head…. Not a lot of words coming out in the correct order though…. I know what I mean but I say something completely different. The main thing is that I know what I mean. 😆
Craig made dinner again tonight. Lovely to come home and not have to cook…. I’ve just been next door to the pub for the Wednesday Crochet Hookers. Only 3 of us tonight and the time passed really quickly as I’m actually crocheting again and have a purpose.
I’ll take some more photos of it at the weekend, in the daylight. I’m shattered now so planning a very early night.
I love this next one…. The Farm are encouraging us all to consider random acts of kindness during the month of October. I thought it would be a lovely idea to suggest to you all.
The Rambling Sloth 🦥 