Day 1574 pouring rain, lots of thoughts and Curiosity coffee’s first birthday!

I couldn’t wake up this morning, I felt dead to the world.

I coughed a fair bit through the night, unfortunately once was right in Craig’s face! 🫣

I’ve just got a dry and scratchy throat. I don’t feel ill. I just don’t feel great.

I read my book and finished it before I got up. It was a good one, thanks Evelyn for lending me it.

I got dressed to head out with the dogs and the heavens opened…. Again!!!

We got soaked but the dogs don’t care.

The sky looks so mean and moody.

The rain does start to clear. The weather’s a bit like April just now.

I spotted 3 deer in the field next to us… calmly called the dogs and pretended it was just time to head home… little did they know!! This is not the best photo! Two of them ran off.

Then the last one stared at me for ages!

The others were long gone!

This photo doesn’t do it justice, the sky was dark navy blue….

The sun felt hot when it came through.

And we are back home soaked…. Thought this angle of the garden looked lovely!

Poor Khaleesi still can’t get walked at the moment.

So, I didn’t feel great when I got home…. My head was starting to make the same noise it did when I was off on holiday with nothing to do.

I decided to put a stop to it.

I sat and wrote down how I was feeling.

Physically….. tired, weak, headache, dry and scratchy throat, jaw tight, teeth sore, tense, anxious, breathless, if I shut my eyes I could sleep.

But….. I have a day off.

How lucky am I to have a day off when I feel like this?!? Very!!

Then why do I feel so bad? Why is my head trying to fight it?

I have a huge list of things I think I should be doing. I need to sort my road tax, my car insurance, home insurance, food shopping, poo pick, paint the spare room, clean and tidy the whole house…..

It feels good to write it down.

Why does that give me physical pain?

Because it feels like a chore and I don’t want to do any of it.

What do I want to do instead?

Be out somewhere exploring in the sunshine.

I’ve looked for mini breaks and can’t nail one down. I think I’m scared that I feel nervous again…. Like I did when I was travelling to Rome. I can’t find a flight that is the right price, the right time, to the right place.

I yawn……. Big time. In kinesiology that is a sign of energy moving, of stress being released… for me, anyway.

All I want to do is rest…… the weather hasn’t been what we expect for our summer so maybe it’s ok that I just want to rest and relax. I’ve been like that for much of July and August.

So…. From that point on I feel a lot better. I sat with it, I wrote it out, I felt it.

I know it’s all a bit crazy but that is what goes on in my head at times.

I sat and picked up the home and car insurance… and tried to tax the car. I looked for mini breaks and narrowed it down. Potentially Milan at the end of October.

I had a productive few hours and it felt good.

I jumped in the shower and even washed my hair. On a day off…. Check me.

I headed down to Curiosity coffee shop in Beith as it celebrates its first birthday today!!

Here are the girls with their celebratory Prosecco while I ate my mint aero brownie and drank my mint, oat milk, decaf latte!

I had such a lovely time chatting. It’s just food for the soul…. I love chatting!

I ended up staying for ANOTHER coffee and cake…. How shocking is that?!?

One wasn’t enough but two was definitely too much 😆😘

It was lovely though.

I then went for the food shopping!

A few chores done and it didn’t feel bad doing it.

Craig and I then nipped into the pub next door for one.

I’ve actually had a really good day.

Hope you all have a great weekend!

Stay safe everyone ♥️♥️♥️

Day 1532 today’s word is focus…

Not sure what going on but another word popped into my head today. Focus.

I wasn’t looking forward to this weekend, having nothing to do.

My first thought today was that most folk would love a whole day with nothing planned.

My second thought was of my constant flight mode, I say I’m happy with my lot, I’m living in the present moment and I’m grateful for all that I have, but I do still keep wishing my day to day life could be different and full of excitement (predictive text gave me excrement!!!!).

So this morning I decided to make the day count.

After walking Calaidh with Holly and Leo, next door, no pics, I took Bhruic and Freya into the field and played with them for a while.

They were knackered!!

In much need of a drink when we got home!

I then settled down to do the second of Mel Robbins, Make it Happen.

I put the fire on again as it’s so cold up here.

(It was so miserable and dark last night, you’d think we were heading into winter!)

I focused on what I would like to see in 6 months time. How would I like my life to be different and what needs to change?

She has a whole workbook that you work through as she talks.

So for 15 minutes every day for the next 6 months, I have to focus and take some action towards my goals.

I hope that I manage to stick to that. 15 minutes is not a lot to ask. Her theory is that if you make some forward motion to change your life then you will knock all of the dominoes over and everything will start to move.

Khaleesi slept next to me as I worked.

Yes I wrapped her in a blanket 🫣😘

I also had a call with my Bank of Scotland Relationship Manager…. Who knew I had one?!?

I was an hour and 15 minutes on the call and a lot of it was spent reiterating what I had already said. It would go a lot faster if business policy was not to repeat everything I have just said for clarity. It would be better if we could talk normally.

Still, I got some good information and we have another call scheduled in a few weeks.

I’ve opened two savings accounts, one will take the roundups from everything I purchase with the card and the other just a small amount every month that hope will add up to a holiday fund, without me noticing!!

It really is a sales tool but, if they are willing to take the time out to invest in me, I will listen to what they have to say.

I listening to my intuition. I know I need to make some changes. I’m on it.

We had a lovely treat today and went to Gro Coffee for lunch.

I had my favourite, Breakfast Taco, but I replaced the chicken with Tofu and the fried egg with Humous.

We had a coffee and cake (to share) I could hardly finish my half of the cake!!

Now I say it was a treat. That cost us £49.10 !!! I couldn’t believe how much it was and was convinced they got it wrong… but when you add up you can get close. It was never the cheapest place but I think all the prices have gone up since we were last there.

I’ve sat in the sunroom for the rest of the afternoon, opening bank accounts and writing this.

I’ve taken a few pics too… I’d changed the camera settings on my phone.

I like the results.

It’s been a lovely day.

Stay safe everyone ♥️♥️♥️

Day 1469 train trip to Edinburgh to The Willow Tea Rooms ☕️🧁

I’m on the train!! 🚆 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

I’m heading over to Edinburgh to meet my Mum and Auntie Marion. We have afternoon tea booked at The Willow Tea Rooms today.

I have always wanted to go to the Willow Tea Rooms…. There’s always been one in Glasgow but the one in Edinburgh seems to be new. Well it is to me anyway. They are designed around the work of Charles Rennie Mackintosh. I’ll hopefully have a bit more info once I’ve been.

Wide awake at 6am and out for a run with Rachel two doors down, at 7am.

It’s a beautiful morning but bitterly cold for this time of year!

Here’s my favourite gate… it’s been a while 😂

We went into Spiers Old School grounds and the lighting was lovely.

I found the run quite hard this morning, more my legs than the breathing.

We did it! About 2.5 miles this morning. I am very red!!

So back home and had to queue for the shower…. 😂 Craig had a really early job today.

What to wear on a day that’s freezing cold in the shade and warm in the sun?!?!

Here I am at Glengarnock in the sun!

Walking through Glasgow Central. This looks black and white but it’s taken in colour.

So I cross Glasgow to Queen Street, sit down on the train and read that my lovely FB friend passed away this morning as a result of her fight with cancer. I’m on a crowded train. I know it’s coming but it takes my breath away. Her lovely daughter messaged to tell me. So very kind of her.

I manage to hold it together for the whole trip.

Just to recap, I have never met this lady. I’m a joint admin on a FB group called After Dry January, where we share our sober journeys. I “met” June over 5 years ago and she has been an amazing support. She saw something in me that I couldn’t see anymore. She sent me gifts, cards and lots of positivity. I wasn’t the only one she supported. I hear stories from the other members, she did similar things for so many of us.

What a very special woman. I hope she can rest well knowing how much she was loved and what an impact she made on our lives.

I did a post for her a few week’s back, on our group, so people could express their gratitude while she was still with us, rather than waiting until she was gone. She got to hear what she meant to everyone.

We all need to be more June. ♥️

The sun is still shining as we pull into Edinburgh Waverley station. 🚉

I hop off the train and Mum can tell straight away that something is wrong. I finally let a few tears flow.

We grab a quick coffee in Cafe Nero and then head up to Princes Street.

Looking over Princes Street Gardens to Edinburgh Castle

The Willow Tea Rooms are on Princes Street directly opposite Edinburgh Castle. It’s only been open for 2 months but has been a in Glasgow for over 60 years.

I love that it says “ people might be able to enter and enjoy without relying on the inebriating effects of alcohol for entertainment” she sounds like my kinda gal!!

(You can get alcohol there now for those who are interested!!)

Hide the Primark bag!!!

It was quite quiet when we went in at 1pm but it filled up very quickly.

Mum took this arty shot.

My view.

The lovely art on the walls.

What a stunning view from the tea room, out to Edinburgh Castle.

Mum and Auntie Marion.

Keek! I actually ordered the vegan sandwiches. They were so good. Avocado with tomato, humous with chargrilled peppers and cucumber.

We also got a scone with cream and jam… not vegan obviously and a cake of our choice and we all went with the strawberry tart.

The teapots and cups are all willow design.

Here I am listening intently to Mum!

It was really lovely and cost us £22 each with the 5% service charge added in. Mum very kindly bought mine as a treat! She’s a keeper!!

It as still beautiful when we got out and a weeeeee bit warmer. The blossom is out in full force.

I felt like a tourist in my home city. I ooohed and aaahhhed over buildings like this in Rome yet fly past them here in Edinburgh, on my doorstep. This is the Scottish Gallery of Modern Art.

Even walking into Waverley station looks really pretty in the bright sunlight.

I feel like I am seeing everything through rose tinted glasses today. The new iPhone photos are so vibrant.

Here’s my current view from the train!

It’s cloudy now I’ve got to Glasgow… all 17 stops later 😂😂

So I hope you all have a lovely weekend and I also hope we see some more sunshine. I also hope that it is warmer 😂😂 I don’t want much.

I also want everyone to be more June ♥️

Stay safe everyone ♥️♥️♥️

Day 1308 a very dark and rainy afternoon!

It was SO dark this afternoon… torrential rain when I left work. I really had to concentrate on driving home. There was flooding everywhere.

The photo doesn’t do it justice… it looks brighter than it actually was. It was so gloomy!

On the plus side there was a lot of cake today. I fasted for 20 hours and then had a lovely lentil soup for lunch followed by CAKE. I’d taken the remnants of the Macmillan Tea into work. Then ate too much of it. 🤦🏻‍♀️😂 I binned what was left as it was starting to turn and I’d have still kept eating it. 😂

Poor Khaleesi and Bhru were very unhappy with last nights fireworks… I know friends’ dogs were the same.

They were panting for hours. It’s so sad to watch. We wrapped Khaleesi in a blanket to try to calm her down. Bhru just hid down beside a seat.

I’m also GUTTED to see how beautiful the Aurora was at Kilbirnie Loch last night…. This is where I went and got spooked and couldn’t stay. This photo was taken by FrankBoyd Photography . He got such an amazing shot. I’m so impressed. It’s exactly what I wanted to see!!

Well done to Frank for capturing it so well. Please take a look at his photos on FB.

So yeah, not much else to report. I’ve had dinner and back on to fasting already. It’s the only way I can stop myself eating. 😂

My head is still pretty good just now. Fairly organised at work…. Trying not to overreact when things don’t go the way that I hoped. I am pretty calm.

Long may that continue.

Stay safe everyone ♥️♥️♥️

Day 1229 dog walk, housework, food shopping and Curiosity coffee & cake

I am having the loveliest wee day to myself. I am super productive when Craig is not here, what is that all about?!? How do I get so much done when I’m on my own, yet lounge about moaning about being “tired” when he’s here?!?

I had the best sleep. Out for the count until my body clock woke me at 5.02am. I’m waking up at Scottish Dog Behaviourist time, even when he’s not here!!

I checked the weather and my phone and all was quiet despite quite a bad storm overnight, Craig & Calaidh must have survived the night in the tent!

I managed to fall back to sleep until just before 8am. That’s more like it.

I got Bhruic and Freya up and straight out for a walk after their breakfast.

It’s strange weather, pretty windy and obviously had been very wet, but the wind was warm and the sky very dramatic.

On one hand very sunny but on the other very mean and moody!

I came home and got stuck into the housework. It’s amazing how clean your house can be when you actually clean it…. Ok I know! Obvious…… now I have a bit more time, it’s easier to stay on top of it. I’ve done two washings and have hoovered the whole house again.

This is a part of our Shark anti hair wrap hoover…. I’ve been SO disappointed with it since we got it, years ago now to be fair. It seems to delight in wrapping hair instead.

To be fair, it still does it’s job as THIS is how much hair it picks up from one rug in one week.

I do fight a loosing battle with housework. We both have long hair and we have 3 dogs… she who once lived alone in a spotless house, had to relax some standards. There are times when I think I relaxed them way too much but hey… life is not all about housework. 😂

I headed out for a food shopping at 11.30… now this is quite unheard of for me. If I’m doing anything like that, I usually have to go first thing, so I’m there before anyone else and can get parked and first choice of everything…. Blah, blah. Today I broke my own rule…. Didn’t even consider the panic a mid day shop would sometimes bring. Just did it.

I thought this was a very Scottish supermarket photo!

On my way back, I headed to Curiosity which has just opened in Beith. It sells coffee, cakes and a few wee curiosities.

This is Lesley who owns it. She came to the little gift shop a few weeks back and brought us a free coffee. I finally got there today.

It’s a beautiful space. I love the colours. there’s only one wee table, so will mostly be takeaway.

I had a Mint Oak Milk Latte, really randomly as I have NEVER put mint in a coffee, but wow…. It was soooo good. The coffee is lovely, really mellow. I also had a Rhubarb and Custard Blondie with chunks of hot chocolate in it. That speaks for itself!!

This is how I broke 19 hours of fasting!!

There’s a lovey unique view of the Beith Townhouse!

I love the cake cabinet.

I had a great chat with Lesley and even met Emma who has started supplying cakes to Curiosity. Cakes by Emma 🧁🧁🧁

I finally dragged myself out of there and headed back up the road. I put all the shopping away and started defrosting the freezer. As you do!

It was sunny for a wee bit there but has mostly been wet and windy today.

So who knows what relaxing things I’ll get up to tonight. I might read a bit, I might find a good movie or I might watch some more YouTube clips on the most beautiful places in the world to visit. That’s what’s on in the background as I write this.

And relax.

I’ve had the loveliest day.

Life is good.

Have a great Saturday night.

Stay safe everyone ♥️♥️♥️