I slept like a log last night…. Didn’t wake until 8am despite being aware of trampolining puppers are various times through the night, I was so tired.

It’s still cloudy, but dry and hot so another lovely bacon toastie with coffee outside.

I’ve done a wee bit of Campervan housework this morning, took the dishes down to the dishwashing room and got everything back in it’s place. My organised brain can relax.

We went along to the Glencoe Visitor’s Centre and left the dogs for a sleep. Had a wee wander round and saw the wee hoosie I stumbled on in the dog walk yesterday morning.

Of course then we had to have the obligatory coffee and large piece of caramel shortcake and it was bloody lovely 😊

As we wandered around we saw a young couple sitting at a picnic bench with the best view. They were both on their phones and not talking to each other or taking in the surroundings. It made me appreciate the beauty all the more.

This is how we roll this afternoon… crochet for me and a book about dog food for Craigie.

So tonight we are making pizza 🍕 for dinner over a fire… well over a BBQ.

Don’t say we’re not adventurous!! Pups have been fed but waiting to see what comes out! Gonna post this before eat.

It’s turning into a lovely evening! Finally getting some sun tomorrow I think. Can’t complain, had a lovely chilled out afternoon. There’s not a breathe of air, or rain, so it’s campers paradise…. Minus the sun 🌞 🤷🏻‍♀️🤦🏻‍♀️🥴🌞

Stay safe everyone ♥️♥️♥️

It’s still not that sunny. I go through phases of being so p’d off that we’re sitting under cloud and everyone else has scorching sunshine…. And then being truly grateful for where we are and how relaxing it is.

I say that and I didn’t get the best sleep last night but that was mostly dog related. We put the dogs in the awning and like miss inquisitive Bhruic realises she can get out of one of the doors and I hear her trying to get in the van at 4.30am! From then on we were the proverbial pupper trampoline!

We got up before 8 and I took the dogs a big walk up around the Glencoe Visitor Centre.

So I forgot to say but by shear fluke Craigs brother and his wife are at the same campsite!! They didn’t know we had booked and so arrived last night.

This morning we all went for a walk into Glencoe. We had a quick drink once they got settled. Alcohol free Erdinger for me. Still one of my favs.

We passed the site of the Glencoe Massacre.

Craig and I had been coming to Glencoe for years and only found the Lochan on one of our last visits. It’s a lovely place to go and you can walk right round it easily. There are loads of other walks around the area too.

We wandered back into Glencoe in search of coffee!!

We stopped for a coffee and a cake but seemed to chose THE most expensive place in Glencoe.

Two cappuccino, two scones with cream and jam, 2 portions of chips and two beers… £34.40!!!!!!!!! The scones were a fiver each and in all honesty the staff seemed mildly irritated by our order.

We wanted to sit outside as we have five dogs. They said we’d have to have the takeaway menu outside…. Which is fine… but the takeaway menu was nothing like the menu they were offering for takeaway once you went in to order. It felt like no one had any idea what was going on and we were just being a pest!!

Many gates to follow!!

We had a lazy afternoon sitting outside so I still have shorts and flip flops on but the sun isn’t breaking through much. Didn’t get my nap but did finish my book! Just couldn’t put it down.

We went to Stuart and Lee’s van for a BBQ tonight. Sat outside until about 10pm so it shows how warm it is even if there’s no sun. I will get over that…. I promise to try!!

The blog’s not uploading tonight so I’m going have to go to bed without posting it. Sure it will post sometime…. Update it’s all good this morning. Happy Sunday folks xx

Stay safe everyone 🏔🏔🏔

Wide awake at 5.40am this morning. Did not go to the Fit Body Farm but my body obviously thought I should have… 🤦🏻‍♀️ I have heard it was a killer.

So I want to start off with a bit for the ladies…… I always promised to be pretty straight talking here. So being of the possibly-maybe-nearly peri menopausal age, I’m not that concerned when the time of the month passed me by as it has for the last ooooh at least 2 or 3 months. No great shakes.

This holiday has been booked since we knew we could get back out and about post covid. Why does my body choose last night to start up normal monthly cycles again. I mean…. COME ON…. Seriously?!?! The night before I go away for a holiday?!? Surely that’s not a coincidence?? It’s not been on my radar at all so it’s not like I manifested it at all…. Isn’t nature weird and wonderful. And infuriating…. 🤬

So what that means for men is that I am super cranky. All the work I have done to calm the anxiety down and in one night I have become Mrs Narky McNarkerson. Honestly I am so irritated by absolutely everything…. poor Craigie boy has his work cut out for him and Tartan should be glad to see the back of me 😆🤦🏻‍♀️😬 I am saying ALL the wrong words…… it’s actually quite hysterical. I called my camping chair a CAR instead of a CHAIR…. You get the drift.

So we left at 9.58am and did not have to return home for any forgotten items thankfully.

We drove down into Glencoe village as we were a bit early for the campsite.

We’ve bought stuff here in the past and it’s just the loveliest wee shop. It has a wee restaurant/coffee shop…. Might have to walk there again sometime.

We spent the afternoon getting set up, exploring the campsite and about 4.30 someone other than me announced that they might have a lie down. Just had a wee read of my book and a nap and it was soooo good. My first of the week.

Now we’re sitting outside having dinner.

We are a teensy hit miffed that the weather isn’t the best but I say that and we’re outside in shorts so really we shouldn’t complain! It’s glorious at home though!

At least here we are surrounded by mountains.

I just spilled some dinner on my sweatshirt. Bugger… I am my father’s daughter. 😆🤦🏻‍♀️🤷🏻‍♀️😬

Happy Glasgow Fair Friday!

Stay safe everyone 🏔🏔🏔

I’m not sure I remember such a consistent run of hot weather in Scotland. Maybe the last time was summer 2018 when we had a heat wave. A few days that I’ve left work today the car has read 35C. I know it’s not but it sure as hell is inside the van!

I did not stop for a photo session on the way to work this morning. I wanted to…. it was so beautiful.

I have my out of office on my email from tonight for just less than a week. Only started full days Monday to Thursday this week and I’m off already. Maybe that’s why I found the week so easy.

This is my view just now. It’s scorching hot again and honestly there’s not been a cloud in the sky all day. My blog friend who writes The Windsor Waffle has messaged to say how gloomy it’s been in Windsor. I think we have pinched Windsor’s weather for a few weeks?!?! Long may it continue.

We are off on our Overland and Borders adventures again tomorrow in Abbie the Camper van. It’s gonna be hot I think!

Craig has actually bought cooling mats for the dogs as it will be super hot for them.

He’s also packing then van just now while I sit out in the sun like Lady Muck, writing this and painting my toenails in some horrific neon pink I got free with perfume at Christmas!!! It may not really go with my mustard flip flops but I am wearing them come hell or high water… with neon pink toes…. 😆🥳

Oooooh I just checked the forecast and it now says foggy until Sunday afternoon….. NO!!!!!!!! I wish I hadn’t bothered. It will be fine.

Stay safe everyone 🥳🥳🥳

It was a much cooler morning this morning. Still T-shirt weather even at 5.30am but there was a nip in the air.

The village was shrouded on mist… as was most of North Ayrshire.

So just along the road the sun makes an appearance and I had to stop and take photos. Bearing in mind it’s maybe 5.33am….

I also spotted a thistle…. Maybe 5.34 by now?!

It was beautiful. As I pulled back over to my side of the road I realised there was a car behind me. It was another Fit Body Farm-er and I was laughing as I thought she must be wondering why I’d stopped about a mile or so from the house. I hadn’t been caught short! The sunrise is photographic evidence. 😆

As soon as we got near to FBF I could see that there was a Scottish saltire 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 flag in the sky…. I took millions of photos of it.

So the Farm was great today. 2 teams competing. While one team had to hit a certain distance on the rower, assault bike and ski-erg, the other team had to try to score points with the number of sled pushes/pulls, wall ball targets and basketball baskets. Our team won…. By half a point!

Cold shower and off to work.

Another great day in the Tartan world. I don’t know where the time has gone this week. It’s great to have time in the day to actually do things I want to do at work. I still feel more in control being there for longer. The tin can portacabin was still super hot today but I actually managed to wash Abbie the camper van today by way of a break. Not quite a full lunch half hour away from my desk but about 3 stints at the van amongst other interruptions. I need to work on the lunch time separation!

Now I’m not gonna lie…. I am a bit more tired now than I have been all week but that’s allowed. I have the Gateside Hookers crochet club in 45 minutes so I thought I’d sit for a bit instead of running round like a maniac . I’m allowing myself time to rest without pulling the exhausted card.

I’ve put a washing on and put some dinner in the oven so actually that’s still more than the sloth in me would ever manage!

Onwards and upwards.

Stay safe everyone 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

Woo hoo hoo hoo hoo!! Level 0 the day we could never see coming. Despite this blog being about struggling with mental health through COVID-19 lockdown, I’ve been very lazy recently with my updates.

I’ve stopped watching the news and the only time I hear something of any significance now is when someone tells me. Most likely to be Craig but today I got this news at work!

I’ve been invited to a wedding evening reception today too since this announcement. Craig doesn’t know yet! Cries of “what will I wear” were heard round the workshop today….. from the girls obviously. 🥴😆 one of the guys gets married at the end of the month.

So, a bit of reflection from me today…. Not like me eh?!? I’m really enjoying working the longer hours…… yes, honestly…. 😳🥴😆as it’s helping me keep more on top of the day to day work. I think a lot of my work anxiety comes from not knowing things and this way I am more in control.

So far I am more switched on (we can overlook the trying to put the kettle away in the fridge rather than the milk today…these things happen….😳🥴🤣😆) I have more energy, I feel brighter and happier. It’s actually a really lovely feeling. I am WAY more organised. WAY MORE.

Breakfast and lunch are ready the night before along with clothes for the gym and work. I’ve just make salad for dinner and an extra one for tomorrow. (What is happening to me?!?)

I’ve cooked up chilli to freeze to take away in the van at the weekend AND walked the dogs, all since I came home from work and not once have I felt tired, exhausted, sluggish or lethargic. Can I find any more words for tiredness?!?

So I realise, as with everything, there are peaks and troughs, but I am riding this peak and long may it continue. mixing my metaphors again too but hey….

I did my fist customer handover today. Processed payment and ticked a job off the list. It felt really good.

As I walked back into the village a white van flew through at what felt like 60 miles an hour. I gestured for him to slow the ‘f’ down…. He stuck his fingers up at me. I stuck mine up back… the effect was completely lost as I had 3 dog leads in that hand. It just felt better to do something. How would he like it is I drove past his bedroom window at 60mpg….. exactly.

Other than rude man it was a very positive day. I will allow the “I told you so’s”. It just has amazed me as of all the scenarios I played out in my head for this week I was never organised, alert, calm and relaxed….

I even did my knee physio exercises before leaving for work…. I mean…. Come on!!!!

So a good day. More of the same on order please.

Stay safe everyone ♥️♥️♥️

Well I have day 1 of back to almost full time work under my belt and I’m still awake. 🤷🏻‍♀️😆

The day flew by and I even missed lunch but by 2.39pm I did think to myself, jeez I’m still here!!!

So I was in bed for 8 last night and am reading a new book which I couldn’t put down. Lights out by 9.30pm and missed all the Euro 2020 football “excitement”.

I bounded out of bed at 5.10am and all ready for the Fit Body Farm. First thing the coach asked me was if I had done my physio exercises yet…… errrrrr….. moving on…… 🤷🏻‍♀️🤦🏻‍♀️😆 I will watch the video clips and get on it tonight!

I was really chuffed that after a few days off the gym, after physio and lots of unhealthy food, I managed the 5 minute warm up run quite easily this morning.

It was very hot at work today. It’s been about 25C here and cloudy which is very unusual weather for us, not complaining at all. I went to stick something up on the wall today and the wall was actually hot. To be fair I am sitting in a metal Portacabin!

So the day was not without its issues but I didn’t crumble. I can only do what I can do and handle what I know and be very polite to people if I don’t know the answers. (Where did yesterday’s drama Queen go?!?) I’ve approached it differently today and genuinely feel more responsible for results as I’m there for longer hours. That’s only a good thing.

We are off camping again this weekend so this made me laugh!! That’ll me is soon!

Thanks so much for all the messages of support for today. It really means the world to me.

Stay safe everyone ☀️☀️☀️

So today is the end of an era in the lounging around of The Rambling Sloth. Tomorrow I start almost full time work, well Monday to Thursday.

The old me laughs at that and thinks you’re only working 4 days a week, wuss! The new me is horrified at the restriction. I’ve had the luxury of time on my side. I’ve been able to manage my anxiety and depression in this time. I’ve done meditations, written this blog, met up with people for coffee and I’ve slept like a professional sleeper!!!

On top of all this I’m still successfully working down the medication…. although Craig is aware of an increase in negativity this week. (Note to self!)

So I need to make some sense of this in my head…. As I do….. I am so worried that I let myself down. Worried that I dissolve into a snivelling wreck at the first sign of stress. Im not worried…. I’m just a bit overwhelmed at the thought.

On the other hand, this is a completely new world and I’m a new me. I know I can do this, I know I can be a huge asset, I know I can make a difference. I just have to be a whole lot more organised than I have been in a long time. I need to manage life like everyone else does.

And then there’s the dogs. We need to make sure they are looked after properly when we’re both out. And then there’s the gym. I’m up and out so early 3 days a week.

Organisation is going to be the key to it all.

There have been tears this morning. I’m tired. Didn’t get up until after 9am…. I mean wow, long lie of champions.

I guess I am just a bit overwhelmed. I’m bigging it up into something it’s not. It’s just a couple of extra hours or work a week. End of.

I’m not sure what it means for the blog. I doubt I’ll have many readers left if all I blog about is, I went to work and came home and I’m tired. 😆😆 So I’ll take it one day at a time. See how it goes.

I’ve said all along that I write this to make sense of my feelings in my own head. Journaling is a a tried and tested way to aid recovery and it’s been a blessing in mine. I’m so lucky I’ve made some lovely blog friends along the way too. So this is not the end, maybe just a reduction in ramblings!

We’re sitting outside this morning again. Rain is forecast and in fact, it should be raining now. Instead it’s hot. The sun is desperately trying to burn through. Long may it continue as Mum and Dad are coming through to see us this afternoon and it would be lovely if we could be outside!

I’ve been out to the van and put some things away. Generally pottered and tidied up a bit. I have my gym stuff ready. My clothes for work looked out. Just need to make breakfast and lunch. It’s only 1pm and I’m more organised than an organised thing!!

So I’m sitting out here enjoys some rays.

I do still need to work at positivity. When I’m overwhelmed I let it go a bit and I need to work at that.

It’s now 7.50pm and we’ve had lovely warm weather all day. Mum and dad came over and we had an afternoon tea from the village pub next door! Was soooo good!

There were only 4 of us and enough food to sink the titanic twice. Lovely to have a nice wee catch up sitting around in the garden. Forgot to take any more pics!

After mum and dad left we popped into the pub and then Claire and I took the dogs out.

So I’ve had a lovely day once my mind stopped whirring and analysing everything. It’s been lovely to actually relax and enjoy some mental downtime.

Tomorrow is a new day and I will approach it positively. Everything is ready to go for the gym and work. Let’s go smash this!

Stay safe everyone ♥️♥️♥️

Jeezo it’s 4.30pm and I am exhausted….. been a busy few days but I am done now and I intend not moving for the rest of the weekend!

It is very hot. It’s 24C here today and it’s cloudy. I love the warmth. It’s been threatening rain all afternoon, it’s so close I feel like we need a good thunderstorm to clear the air but it needs to stay dry for the next few hours as I’ve just stained the decking!

We had coffee outside in the sun this morning before Craig went to work. Of course there’s always that pressure to throw a tennis ball for a pupper or two but it’s lovely to have peace and quiet and only the birds tweeting like crazy.

Oh that reminds me, we sat out at 10.30pm last night watching 2 tiny bats flying around above us. Chasing each other. It was fascinating…. Until they got to close and I remembered they were bats 🦇🦇and I got scared 😳 🤣

So back to my day. I took Bhruic and Freya out as Craig was taking Calaidh out for a big walk this afternoon.

So back home, hung up a washing, quick shower then out to B&Q. We have 4 tubs of decking stain in the shed but one seems to be empty, 2 have broken lids therefore could be contaminated and the last one isn’t the one we usually use. Dammit. Last thing I wanted to do on a day off but hey. I’m in and out B&Q by 11.15am. The decking oil I bought was £55 a can!!!!! £55?!?!? It’s Ronseal Ultimate so it’s good stuff but that was £110 just on decking stain. Adulting is very unfair at times.

I then figured that if I’m going to be “almost full time” next week at work then I need breakfast and lunches. So popped in to Asda on the way home. Asda on a Saturday just before lunchtime is pretty busy…. But hey it’s done now. All put away when I got back and I did my wee list again so I know what’s in the fridge and when it needs eaten by. Hopefully means we’ll chuck less out.

Back home and had a Krispy Kreme doughnut for lunch. Healthy huh and started staining the decking.

I don’t want to do it but it needs doing and it’s due to rain so it needs done while it’s dry.

(I need to say here that is now 4.52pm and its actually RAINING!!!!!!!!!!!! Only teeny spots and it better not come to anything as the forecast is for pure blue skies and wall to wall sunshine. If I sit out here writing this I will ignore the spots of rain…!)

Just noticed my mop is attractively drying on the wood store too…. 🤷🏻‍♀️🤦🏻‍♀️😆

So I am knackered. I’ve sat down and it’s getting cooler and I’m still ignoring the wee spots of rain. I’m in denial……

I’ve done 4 loads of washing today and I can no longer deny this rain……now I’ve just taken them all in, some dry, some not…. The spots have rain have stopped. You gotta love the Scottish weather honestly it has no idea what it wants to do from one minute to the next!

Going to have a lazy evening and I’m still sitting outside. Enjoying nature!

Stay safe everyone 🌸🌺🌼

We had a 3 hour lie in this morning. I didn’t go to the gym. I don’t think we’ve ever needed this much sleep. We were in bed the back of 9pm and so that was almost 11 hours. I could have stayed in bed all day.

My knee feels a bit better this morning but I have physio booked for 11.30am. I feel the pain has moved down to my ankle and up to my shoulder, probably overcompensating!

So Lea messaged after 9 to ask if we were still meeting up today….

It’s just as well she’s such a great friend and knows me well as I’ve forgotten again. Honestly. How hard is it?!? I will never use a diary but I remember appointments… I just think I will remember meeting up and keep double booking or completely forgetting….. it does not mean I love her any less 🥰

So I’m free apart from physio so I apologise profusely and agree she’ll come to me this afternoon after physio.

Physio…… you realise that “oh my word” is the very polite version….. I have never experienced pain like that. Wow. She was very good but she had mean elbows on her.

Wow….. almost an hour of excruciating pain!!! Deep tissue manipulation of my knee and inner thigh and elbows in the butt cheek. I’m sore now but the muscles have definitely loosened off. She then used laser treatment to heat the deep tissue to reduce inflammation. That was a nice bit.

I had to go to Asda to pick up some snacks and I walked around with a very achey leg!

Lea and Jacob came down early afternoon. Jacob is so cool… he spends about one minute being petrified of the dogs.

I’ve had a delivery of my favourite coffee! Beanies! There are 7 separate flavours…. I love it!

I’ve opened Jam Doughnut, Cookies and Cream and Sticky Toffee Pudding so far. My favs are Caramel Popcorn and Coconut Delight. Love them and not had a stash for ages! ☕️

Had a great afternoon, so good to catch up. So glad Lea remembers. 😆🤷🏻‍♀️🤦🏻‍♀️🤣

So we’re now in the village pub. I have my leg up (stop it!!)

Hope you all have the best weekend!

Stay safe everyone ♥️♥️♥️

All I wrote of yesterday’s blog was “Day 465” nothing else….. For the first time in 465 days there was no Rambling Sloth… And the world didn’t end. 🤦🏻‍♀️😉😆 I cancelled the gym yesterday too. Slacker huh?!?

The alarm went off at 4.45am and I just wanted to cry. I’d slept pretty well and been in bed since 7.30pm but my knee was aching through the night. A real toothache pain. It woke me up twice.

For half an hour I lay there thinking “just get up”….. “I’m tired”…. “You’ll feel better once you move”…. “Don’t want to move”….. “you need to go”…. “But my knee hurts”….. “you’ll few more alert once you’ve been”…. “I need to listen to my body”…. “Get it over with”…… “I can’t…” and it went on and on.

I swear I got up and dressed and walked around with a huge petted lip, tears threatening. “I’m sooooo tired”…… finally getting back into bed about 5 minutes before I was due to leave.

So yeah I’m really tired this week but hey so are other people. That happens.

Getting up at 4.45am for the gym is a bit ridiculous but I’m not going to do it any other time so best to get it out the way early.

The day before, work had asked me if I wanted to go full time.

Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhh….. there’s the reason.

Someone gave me something to think about to wheich me right back out my comfort zone.

Now on one hand how amazing to be handed a full time job??? I’m so lucky that it’s all working out.

On the other hand…. What about my afternoons off….. naps… trips away on long weekend… dog walks…. naps….. my mind was in overdrive and kept coming back to naps!

It’s no wonder I feel exhausted all the time with the sheer amount of rubbish that I talk to myself!!!

So of course I don’t go back to sleep at 5.30am. I lie there pondering the question to life. So bloody dramatic eh?!

When the time comes to discuss all of this at work I have a word vomit and confuse the hell out of everyone in the room. I get to the point in the end…. Kind of. Then I spend the afternoon ruminating on the drivel I just waffled.

Why on earth would anyone want to hire me? They must be regretting it? Blah blah and blah…..

In the afternoon I have planned to take my wee 80 year old friend to Saltcoats for some shopping she wanted to do.

I drove straight from work to pick her up and she gave me chopped pork sandwiches for lunch along with a coffee and a cake! Could she remind me any more of my Gran?!? We had a wander round the Saltcoats centre. She’s been shopping there for years and was reminiscing about shops that used to be there and are now long gone. She told everyone she met that she hadn’t been to Saltcoats for 2 years.

We went to The Kandy Bar for a wee cuppa and she’s been going there for over 35 years she said. 😲

It was a huge trip down memory lane for her and I was glad I was able to take her.

It was scorching hot and my mind was a bit preoccupied…. It was 5.45pm before I got home!!

I then had a quick catch up with Claire in her garden, then Craig and then Mum on the phone and it was time to go to crochet at 7pm. By which time I was running on empty… oh and coffee and cake.

I’m so glad I went to crochet. It was lovely to listen to their stories of the week and to finally quieten my crazy head by talking things over with them. They’re a lovely supportive bunch…. And I got hugs…. 💕💕

This is a huge thing for me. Committing to a full time job after years of not being well enough to work. It’s not my works’ problem. They only asked!!!

That said, I am ready, I know I am, I just like to overthink that I might not be good enough, will let everyone down…. That old adage. I was exhausted after all that and just couldn’t put pen to paper. Strange saying when the blog is typed eh?!?

So I’m starting on 30 hours just to build up to that last day. 4 full days a week Monday- Thursday.

Today I’ve made peace with my decision. It feels right after yesterday’s drama. My head is quiet and it’s my weekend so I am going to rest, relax and enjoy.

And most of all try to give myself a goddam break from thinking. Ever again! 😬🙄🥴

Stay safe everyone ♥️♥️♥️

Oooh I feel I have not much to wax lyrical about today. I have rambled so much I just need some silence….. we all know that never stops me. 😉🤣

I feel bit meh today. A bit fed up. Tired (as usual). Bit grumpy.

I had a great sleep. We had a lovely salmon dinner last night and watched a movie and was in bed by 9am.

I mean for me that is pretty damn good eh?!?

I slept pretty well. Up twice to the loo but the it’s because I’m trying to drink more water to see if that fills me up to stop me eating. Cause and effect eh?! I also had to take ibuprofen for my knee at midnight. It hurts under the weight of the blanket.

Today was long lie day but 6.30am didn’t feel like the amazing lie in that it usually does. I tried to change my thinking first thing. It’s a new day and every day is for living…. I bounded out of bed. At some point I laughed at myself thinking nice try.

Work was good….busy as usual. I had big plans and they didn’t go to plan and other things took over…. but that’s ok. I was a bit all over the place at one point but I hadn’t eaten and I’d had 3 coffees! Sure I made that note to self yesterday?!?

Didn’t get home until 2.30 and I had a list of calls that needed making and I did them before I walked the dogs. I made the list Sunday…. If it’s not on a list it’s not getting done. 🤣

So yeah do you ever have those days where you feel tired of constantly feeling tired. I have loads that I should be doing but none of which I can actually be bothered doing. Why do today what can wait till tomorrow?!? I’m sure that’s the right way around?!?

I’m sitting outside writing the blog and the sun is still trying to burn through the clouds. I honestly just want to get into bed. It’s 6.09pm.

Ive read this back and I’ve deleted 3 paragraphs of moaning…. 🤣 honestly we need to allow ourselves to be tired and to rest.

Sorry for the mump. Hope normal service will resume tomorrow. Hope I haven’t gorged myself on chips, pizza, chocolate and crisps before then as the thought is very tempting….

Stay safe everyone 😴😴😴

Ooooh I did not sleep well last night….. I was asleep but I felt awake. One of those ones. I didn’t feel rested at all.

When the alarm went off at 5am I was not impressed, despite having been in bed since 8.30pm last night…. And it was POURING!!!!

The rain got heavier and heavier as we drove to the Fit Body Farm. I actually made me laugh as it was as if the skies were determined to push more out just to prove they could!! 😆 we were going to be soaked to the skin again.

Thankfully the workout was indoors this morning. We had 4 workouts….. appetiser, starter, dinner and dessert!! Craig said at the very start that he thought we should skip dessert. 12 burpee broad jumps followed by 120 high knees….. 9 burpee broad jumps and 90 high knees and then 6 burpee broad jumps with 60 high knees….. that was just dessert!!!!!

Would you believe we all rushed outside at the end like crazy people so we could cool down and stretch in the fresh rain. Nothing better!!

Work was super busy today. We had 3 vans drop off for some conversion work so had time spent chatting with customers…. Just like the old days. Ended up staying on a wee bit to catch up with some orders that needed placing.

I felt a bit manic at one point today but to be fair, that could have been the 3 coffees I sunk in quick succession….. must reduce caffeine. 🤦🏻‍♀️😉🤣

The rain had stopped sometime during the morning and so it was dry for the puppers walk this afternoon. My knee has been playing up again, coinciding with my eating more processed foods maybe, so it’s actually gowping a bit. I should really get some ice on it. My shoulder’s playing up too. Old age doesn’t come easy does it?!?

And then I had a nap. Well I had a chat with mum first, then read some of my book and feel asleep. Despite the barking dogs best intentions I did actually sleep. I feel a bit drugged after it but I needed it.

So it’s Craig’s only night home this week and I’m cooking a side of salmon with roasted broccoli and baked potatoes. Still loving my list of foods in the fridge….. it really helps me see what’s there to be cooked.

So a wee evening in front of the tv for us I think. No doubt we’ll be in bed by 9pm as that’s how we roll in these Fit Body Farm days. I only signed up for a year. Next year we can stay up till 10pm. 🤣🤣🤣

Stay safe everyone 😴🛌😴

It’s been a crazy weather day today. It’s so hot we’ve been sitting outside and then the heavens open and we head in for a bit of housework and then back outside when it stops.

We needed the rain. It was so torrential though that the road outside turned into a river in less than a few minutes!

During showers I’ve put washing on, hung it up, swept floors, cleaned the bathrooms, hoovered, packed for the gym to tomorrow… remembering spare shoes to change into as the forecast is not good for tomorrow morning!

Everything looks so fresh after the rain. It’s lovely to come back out and sit and watch the steam rising as the heat of the sun dries it all up.

So a very exciting thing happened today. It’s nothing on the grand scheme of things but I was over the moon….. the flip flops I took to Loch Ness back in May had not been seen since. I looked everywhere for them…. I knew I hadn’t left them. I’ve emptied the camper van, the house. You name it, constantly on the look for these damn flip flops.

I picked up Craig’s rucksack today…… thought “please let them be in this front pocket….” As i unzipped it.

Honestly I was like a kid in a sweetie shop. So so so so chuffed I found them again. I’d even looked into buying them again in the hope that made them re-appear….. maybe it did….. Simple things. 🥳🥳🥳

It’s been a lovely lazy day fully dictated by the weather…. As we do in Scotland.

I made spicy meatballs for an early dinner and now have my feet up in the sun while Craig cleans up. 😉

A few pics of some flowers in the garden.

Me and my flip flops might manage a wee nap in the hot evening sun but that’s about all….

Stay safe everyone 🌞🌞🌞

I say a relax….. We didn’t get home until 11.30pm last night and I was up at 6.45am for the Fit Body Farm. On a Saturday… 😆

I didn’t want to go, was a bit nervous that I wouldn’t know any of the Saturday crew, was feeling the weight of all the pizza and crisps etc of the last few days.

But I did it…… I knew at least 4 people and got paired up with a fellow Julie and it’s turns out she’s the Captain of Team Courage which we are a part of.

She taught me technique and cheered me on when she could see I was flagging. Having that personal cheer leader helps me big time. We were also recording our scores on a leader board so I didn’t want to let her down. On a 4th lap running round the garden I started to say “don’t let Jools down” in a rhythm to keep my feet moving. Mid run I actually smiled and laughed to myself. “Don’t let Jules down”…. Do it for me… not for anyone else. ♥️

So I’ve been listening to a really good podcast again…. This time it’s Dr Rongan Chatterjee – Feel Better, Live More and the latest one is all about relationships. It talks about how we should be more honest with how people make us feel without assuming we know how they feel and why they are doing it.

About 1hr in they start discussing about how we wear masks with different people. (I’m sure I have a million of them stored away somewhere!!)

“It’s very important for humans to have solitude and when we can’t be with ourselves to really understand ourselves then we have a fragile sense of who we are. We carry that insecurity into our relationships with other people to allow them to prop up our sense of ourselves”.

WOW.

“As soon as that network is not supporting that view you have of yourself you start to get really emotional and upset and it can start to cause friction….”

WOW.

Backtrack a few years and this is exactly what happened to me.

I made NO time for myself at all. None. I worked all the hours god sent and also kept a million people happy when it was actually hurting me. I spent hours being nice to people that treated me dreadfully… bullied me even. I worked my socks off to get a smile from the bully and that would actually make my day. To have that person on side was the last piece of the puzzle…. Or so I thought.

Actually every bit of effort put into everyone else was chipping away at me.

I was the golden girl at work for a while and could do no wrong. Promotions handed on a plate, wage rises, a seat at the management table, a real voice in that business world. As I worked so hard at keeping everyone happy, the cracks started to show and as Rongan Chatterjee says… I got “really emotional and upset”. All of the time. And it lasted for almost years. I spent whole years of my life crying at everything.

I want everyone reading this to think about taking time for some solitude. Reflect on how you feel and why you are feeling, think about your worth and your importance in life. You can’t give when you have nothing for yourself.

We reward people for saying they are “too busy”…. We wear it like a badge of honour. It’s not something to be celebrating…. We should celebrate the time we take to stop and just be and to appreciate every minute of every day. We get one shot at this so let’s not waste it on making ourselves miserable.

What do you want…. For you?

Know YOUR worth…. It’s taken me a long time to find mine and it ain’t letting it go now.

So….. that was a bit deep for a relaxing Saturday….. I’ve had the nicest few days. Caught up with family that we’ve not seen in so long. Almost feels like this COVID thing never happened and yet it’s still there lurking.

Cases are sky rocketing but we’re not seeing the same spike in hospital admissions this time thanks to the vaccination.

So back to my day. I did a food shop on the way home from the gym in my sweatiness with a beetroot face.

I cleaned the fridge and stocked it back up and wrote a list of all the food and dates so I don’t miss things that need eaten. We cross off the list when somethings used. Check me. I’m pretty proud of that neat little idea.

Then took the puppers up into the fields although it was VERY hot and almost too hot for them. They are zonked right now so it did the trick! It’s so close today!

Back home for lunch in the hot garden!

I had a cool shower and washed my hair and then I had the best nap…… awww it was such a good nap. On the bed and out for the count for 2 hours. Bliss!

So yeah I had not planned such introspection today but I love learning more about who I was and who I am now. I know I was always me but it’s nice to be me for me and not for anyone’s idea of who me should be.

Except Craig’s obviously….. I mean that goes without saying… right?!? 😉😘

Here endeth…… 🥰☺️😉

Stay safe everyone ♥️♥️♥️

Had a lovely time away with this nutter!!

Forgot to take her birthday cake and her present hadn’t arrived yet but we still had a lovely we overnight stay. We might have to eat the cake in her honour!

Woke up at 7.20am…. A lovely long lie. So both vans woke up and Auntie Jac made coffee and we had overnight oats for breakfast. she was very well prepared!!

We spent a wee while tidying away beds and I swept and cleaned. Love a good tidy of the van!

We got another coffee and a wee biscuit… be rude not to. The sun came out the minute I jumped in the van to head of but it was still warm.

Wed arranged to meet Mum and Dad at an outdoor shop near Hillend Ski slope outside Edinburgh. Check the food. It was amazing!!

Not often we all get to meet up. Auntie Jac is Dad’s wee sister. We had a lovely quick catch up.

So big drive home and the traffic was pretty heavy. For the first time I feel a bit anxious in that kind of traffic. I used to drive across Glasgow every day but it’s funny how you lose the knack of it.

So got home at 2.30 and straight for a nap until 4…. Shattered and due out for the next batch of birthday celebrations.

It’s my lovely mother in law, Helen’s birthday on Monday.

I have actual makeup on!

Helen and Doug have built the loveliest summer house in the garden so we are all congregated out there as the heavens opened. It’s still warm.

It’s been so lovely to see so many people today. Finally able to see family and catch up for that lost year. Lovely to have some great hugs too!!

Still love that I can enjoy a night and drive home. Got the Fit Body Farm at 7.30am….. it’s now 9.30pm.

Sure there’ll be loads more photos tonight but I’m going to stop being rude and typing this.

Hope you all have a great weekend!

Stay safe everyone ♥️♥️♥️

So yeah a wee last minute camping trip tonight with Auntie Jac. It’s her birthday on a Sunday and we’ve been meaning to get a trip for ages.

We’re booked into Drummohr campsite near Musselburgh, just outside Edinburgh. It’s a beautiful site. Pristine. It’s in a walled garden and the flowers are all wild…. This is the look I was going for with my meadow garden at home…. Epic fail for me…..It looks nothing like this!

I was wide awake at 5.23am.…. I got up, had my shower, washed my hair, dried my hair, emptied the house fridge, filled the van fridge and was good to go. Was in work for 7am…. Reminded me of the bad old days for a minute. But no….. I’m in my shorts and Tartan T-shirt and Tartan converse. Life is very different!

Left work after 12 and set off to meet Jac at Hillend outside Edinburgh and we were set up on the campsite by about 3pm. We went a wee wander to the local beach….

Paradise… it is not…. It’s quite an industrial coastline here…. but the sky is blue and there’s sea so really we can’t complain.

Here we are sitting on the most seat-like stone we could find! We had to “swivel”…. To get this photie with the sea in the background!

We both grew up in Penicuik, south of Edinburgh and both think it’s really weird to be staying just outside Edinburgh without being there.

Dinner was a team effort…. Chicken fajitas and they were amazing. It’s so super hot. It has been all afternoon.

And in true Scottish fashion the sun disappears in a flash and it clouded over…. It’s still warm though the jumpers are on. Course we’re still outside. Love, love, love the outdoor life!

Missing the boy and pups back home. ♥️🐶🐶🐶 but relishing a night without 5 of us in that small space. It’s the first time sleeping on my own in the van. Hope nothing goes bump on the night or I’ll be in with Auntie Jac!!

Stay safe everyone 🌞☁️🌞

Yay we have our second vaccination appointment booking for 21st July. That’s seems really quick, I don’t know why I thought we wouldn’t get it till September….. 🤦🏻‍♀️🤷🏻‍♀️😆 it’s almost 12 weeks to the day from the first one.

So team 40’s in our village have all got appointments on the same day again. A wee day trip out!

I could not get to sleep last night….. I had far too much caffeine yesterday. I was yawning and tired but eyes wide open!

Got there eventually but the alarm seemed super early this morning….. but off to Fit Body Farm anyway.

We did this whole routine 6 times which sounds like nothing but it’s 2 more than I was expecting at the time!!

The midges were swarming and my face was so hot it was ready to burst. I had a cold shower. Proper cold and it was bliss.

I had a weigh in today and the body fat has stayed the same but I’ve put on 3lbs of muscle. My nutrition hasn’t been great these last 2 weeks.

Gavin the owner of FBF has a list in the gym of things to focus on when you’re feeling overwhelmed by the healthy lifestyle….

• Mindset
• Lifestyle
• Nutrition
• Exercise

I honestly feel that I have the mindset, lifestyle and exercise under my belt but I read the list to focus on for nutrition and a kid inside me throws a big tantrum, screws up her face and says “well I’m never gonna be able to do any of them…”

All he said today was to pick one of them and focus on that. One thing out of a list of 14….. tantrum child could give you a million reasons why she can’t do any of them…. But I will pick one thing. Soon. Not sure quite when…. 🤦🏻‍♀️😆

It’s so funny how we have this internal dialogue. Instead of focussing on the huge list that I feel I have already covered, I focus on what I haven’t done.

I’d actually made breakfast and lunch to take with me today before all of this was discussed…. I mean that’s huge for me! I was really quite proud!

I am so close to being happy with who I am. I still need to work on the final piece of the puzzle. Size does not matter…..

I was tagged in this today…….. 💜💜💜

How lovely is that?!

I went to Home Bargains after work today and spent £90…. Now folks here in the UK will know that takes some doing in Home Bargains. It’s actually a really cheap shop so it shows I bought loads!!

Back home for just after 4 and sat outside in the glorious sunshine again. I could get used to this life.

Crochet hookers tonight, looking forward to a catch up and a granny square or two! How my life has changed and I bloody love it! 💕

Stay safe everyone 🌞🌞🌞

So yes…. It would appear my excitement at yesterday’s lovely weather was not felt across the country. I just assume if we have proper hot summer weather, then, the rest of the country is basking in it too.

I received a few comments immediately on publishing yesterday’s blog…. To quote…

“Peeing down in Penicuik”

“Back home (from Edinburgh)….. and frozen”

“Very gloomy weather in Windsor”

Now ok the last one is from England but if we have sunshine here and it’s this hot, I would expect Windsor to be late 20’sC.

Canada, however, is in the middle of a heatwave resulting in…

“My Scottishness is melting”

Now that’s not to be sniffed at many parts of the US and Canada are experiencing a heat dome.

So while us Brits think…. Ooh sunshine… it’s way more serious in other countries. Schools are closed as it’s too hot to send kids…..as if covid isn’t affecting schooling enough.

Anyway…. That’s the weather for the world today 🤦🏻‍♀️😆. It is beautiful here again and I’ve just had a Häagen Dazs Mango and Raspberry ice lolly. 🥭🍭

So….. this happened….. 😳😱🤯

For those of you who follow my ramblings you’ll remember Dad and I had a lovely wee trip last Saturday… 19th June on the 12.30pm sailing. All outdoors, never inside, never used the toilet. This implies that cases have traced back to particular sailings….

Isn’t it dreadful to think that enough people on this trip have caught COVID for it to reach the press? So we cannot self isolate as the time has past. We have not been contacted through any track and trace. A lovely person read my blog on Twitter and sent me an STV press release from Sunday night. Otherwise I would be oblivious.

I have been at work, met customers, hugged friends, been out for lunch, been to the pub and all the while I should have been self isolating but didn’t know. Just shows how easily this thing could spread.

So I’ve just done my first ever covid test and am sitting here with a screwed up face waiting on the results. It is no braw. It’s a horrible thing to do and I’ve no idea how you swab your own tonsils 4 times each side when your gag reflex is as big as mine. Those tonsils really don’t want to be touched do they?!?!

Also the nose is actually not as bad as I thought but it’s pretty unpleasant too. Hope I don’t have to make a habit out of taking tests. Guess like everything you’ll get used to them. Torture with a long cotton bud!!

TESTED NEGATIVE!

Just as well really if I could have been a super spreader without knowing it. Our government have spent millions on track and trace and we got nothing from it. Mind you as long as some people’s friends made plenty money then it shouldn’t matter should it?!?! Oooops sorry for the political dig.

Back to the sunshine. it’s now 7.02pm and it’s still hot.

I’ve had Claire in to the garden for a post Covid negative can of juice, it’s amazing how much we have to catch up on.

The pups have been having loads of fun in the sun and getting hosed regularly.

It’s important to keep them hydrated without letting them drink the hose. Easier said than done with gnasher Calaidh!

So I’m going to sit for another wee while and read my book. Grab a shower and head to bed nice and early to the gym in the morning.

COVID free thankfully.

Stay safe everyone ♥️♥️♥️

What a beautiful day! It is scorching! My view right now…..

That will do nicely thank you very much.

It was warm at the Fit Body Farm this morning. She who could not lift her ass out a seat in the last 3 days felt totally fine. Go figure?!?

Here’s me worrying about the lethargy…. Monday comes… bing… right back at it!

Yeah maybe I need to stop listening to my mind as much and just go with the flow.

Yeah ok… remind me that the next time I start overthinking 🤦🏻‍♀️🤷🏻‍♀️😆🤣

So this village was jumping at 5.30am. Other than Craig and I heading off to FBF, next door Claire and Rachel two doors down were heading for their respective gyms. Claire was buzzing, Rachel and I made a sad face to each other. 😆

The village at sunrise (pic courtesy of Claire).

And the usual at the Fit Body Farm. (courtesy of moi!)

Team Avery were on it today and Mr A managed to challenge a guy pushing this little number up and down the gym! 185kgs!!!

I was on these ones…. which were hard enough! 🏋🏻‍♀️

Work was ROASTING today. Very busy. Customers in and out and 4 campers heading back out for hire. Anyone who is away this week is super lucky. They have Scottish summer which is very unusual for any length of time.

So yeah I feel much better today. Almost back to normal. I had a great sleep though as we went to bed at 8pm!! Life in the fast lane huh.

So this afternoon is all about soaking up those rays. Doesn’t the rose bush look lovely against the blue sky?

There are some clouds but they are few and far between. And also quite pretty….

Sunshine makes me sooooo happy. I love it.

Enjoy the sun those of you who have it. 🌞

Stay safe everyone 🌞🌞🌞