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 1490 a lovely coffee with Lea, time in the sun and The Realignment Project in Luss.

Up at 6am this morning and out with the dogs.

It’s a beautiful day.

The sky is bright blue and the grass and trees are very green, in their spring like state.

I have Bhruic and Freya. In a vest top and body warmer I’m already overdressed!

I’m not in the best fettle this morning. A bit too hot headed and irritable…. Yes… again…. I managed to turn it around.

When you appreciate the beauty around you, it’s hard to stay grumpy.

Love the high level clouds.

Every time my head slips into a negative, and I caught myself, I would take a deep breath and focus on the walk.

It really works.

The trick is being able to see it.

What’s through this gap, they say?!?

I loved this tree. I walk past it often and yet today it looked really pretty.

Can never get enough of the blue! 💙

Back home for a double pupper swap and off our with Calaidh and Khaleesi.

They had a great run in the field.

Someone’s coming to get me! Calaidh just doesn’t move 😂😂

Looking over to the Isle of Arran.

Pretty clouds.

Another of my often photographed gates.

I had a quick shower…. Went to get some trainer socks out the drawer upstairs, got my phone cable caught between two toes on my right foot and walloped left knee first into my desk!

Felt really dizzy so lay for a few minutes. I have the tiniest of bruises but a bit of a lump! it hurts!!

I drove to Silverburn Shopping Centre to meet my friend Lea today. It’s the first time I have seen her since her lovely mum died.

It was so lovely to spend some time with her and get a good catch up. I was so upset I missed the funeral as I had a stomach bug.

We went to our usual Starbucks haunt then sat outside in the sun for a while.

Back home and straight out into the garden.

It’s just so beautiful today.

The Borders in the shade… Bhru has Thor’s hammer and Calaidh wants it. 😂

Khaleesi is loving the shade too. She must have acclimatised to our Scottish weather, if she thinks this is hot. It’s way cooler than Spain!!

She’s back out into the sun!

So tonight’s group of us are heading to The Realignment Project in Luss, on the Bonnie banks of Loch Lomond.

We’ll be doing breath work, yoga, exercise and cold water therapy in Loch Lomond from 7.15 till 9pm.

The girls have gone to this a few times and have always fancied trying it. I was so pleased when Rachel two doors down asked me to go, I booked instantly!

I want to be able to go into the cold water without the faff of a wetsuit. I want to be at peace with it and not feel the freezing cold pain. Rachel says she’s a squealer (😂) and she managed it fine! (She’ll love me for that! 🤦🏻‍♀️😂) so here’s hoping I’m the same tonight.

Hope you have a great sunshine filled weekend. Hold your loved ones close as you never know when you might not be able to anymore. Lea’s mum was one of the lovely ones.

Stay safe everyone ☀️☀️☀️

Day 1435 dog walks then trip to my brother’s for coffee ☕️ and a look at the Queen Elizabeth Aircraft Carrier!

What’s started as a really slow day, has flown in.

I was up at 7 and out with Bhruic and Freya first thing…. It was SO cold I could hardly feel my fingers or speak properly. I was meant to be running with Rachel but I told her no way 😂😂😂 it was far too cold.

Just after I took these pictures it started to rain and it didn’t stop for ages.

I came back and had coffee with Craig but then saw my neighbour Holly passing, either her dog so I jumped out with Khaleesi and Calaidh. We got soaked!! It’s milder by now but still pouring. We had a great catch up though. It always makes the walk go so much faster.

By the time both dog walks were over, it was only 9.30am and the day loomed before me like a looming thing….. what to do?!?

I changed the bed… clean bed tonight, yay! Dusted and polished the bedroom furniture and hoovered the rest of the house, apart from the dining room and kitchen. I’d been fasting for nearly 19 hours when I realised, so I stopped to eat. By this time it was 11.30am.

I knew mum and dad were popping over to my brothers this afternoon. I also knew that the Queen Elizabeth Aircraft Carrier was in the Firth of Forth… I thought under the Forth Rail Bridge, so fancied getting some photos of it. so I decided to head over there at the last minute.

Just before I left Mum called to say the ship was further up the Firth opposite Hopetoun House now, so not quite the same photo opportunity!!

I got over to SQ at 2.18pm…. Having no concept it would take me an hour and 20 minutes from here… not like I haven’t done that journey so many times before! 🤦🏻‍♀️😂

We jumped in my brother’s car and he took us up to Hopetoun House where I got my photo opportunity!

Not quite as good as I hoped but at least I’ve seen it.

She’s in this photo…. Honest!

A zoom in….

On the other hand there was an excellent view of the 3 Forth Bridges! Albeit quite far away!

Mum caught me in some photos…

This old house is right next to the coast… completely ruined now.

On the drive back up to the house we drove under all 3 bridges… all these next pics taken from the car. My brother was driving.

The new Queensferry Crossing.

The old Forth Road Bridge, only open to buses now.

The iconic Forth Rail Bridge.

We went back for coffee and hot cross buns and had a good chat before I headed home again. Was barely there for 2 hours… it was all so last minute!

I had a lovely drive home so I’m really glad I went out for the afternoon and did something different.

I popped into the pub for an alcohol free pink gin, to see Craig who’d just come home from work and gone in for a pint.

I made some pasta for dinner rather than getting a takeaway. We both really enjoyed it. It’s too easy to order in at the weekend but that adds up.

Hope you all have a great rest of weekend!

Stay safe everyone ♥️♥️♥️

Day 1414 Exmouth to Sidmouth by Stagecoach bus!

Slept like a log from 9am until 5am and then was awake on and off until sleeping beauty finally awoke at 8.33pm… that’s my friend Helen, not Craig 😂

We went on a bus trip from Exmouth to Sidmouth today.

This was like a step back in time…. In a previous life I wrote the spec for these buses and checked them all through build.

This bus one was one of my contracts.

Stagecoach selfie!

So yeah… off to Sidmouth.

It’s now 8.23pm and I am shattered. A mere 15,724 steps so far, a lovely lunch out, hot chocolate and cake out and a chippy tea with Helen’s mum and daughter Anna. I’ve had the loveliest day but I’m a bit too tired for words…. I am in my element exploring, walking and taking lovely photos in the sun. Here are a few.

Here we are at the mouth of the River Sid. We walked right up the river through the Byes.

The ford was closed as it was too fast flowing.

We are the two shadows on the left 😂😂

When we got back down to the beach there was a storm rolling by. It was really dramatic.

Models own T-shirt…. Pres from Craigie for my trip!

Helen’s mum picked us up and took us to Budleigh Salterton where we caught this lovely sunset.

Off a a wee overnight secret adventure tomorrow that definitely involves Lyme Regis! Exciting!

All of this is what makes me tick.

Stay safe everyone ☀️☀️☀️

Day 1392 a day of two halves 🥳🥹 I know I’ve used this title before 🙄

I had the best sleep. I woke at 6am, no tension and felt really happy. I was soooo looking forward to my day off. When Craig’s alarm went off at 7.30am, I ruffled his hair, said “guess who’s feeling better today?” And started to fill him in on Iceland’s latest eruption. I was buzzing. Poor Craig had barely opened his eyes and I’m shoving my phone into his face. 😆

I didn’t realise that it started yesterday. Thankfully it seems everyone was evacuated safely but this lava has moved faster than the last couple of eruptions and has covered the road junction for the Blue Lagoon. It’s awful for everyone involved as I’m sure the Blue Lagoon was heaving every day and it’s had to close a lot these last few months. Now it will need a new road. (I might have this all wrong but that’s my afternoon caffeine induced anxiety talking…)

I had a lovely morning. I went a run with Rachel two doors down. we ran for over 2 miles. I found it hard but I was so glad we did it.

I came back in to this…. The dog master.

I sat and had a coffee with Craig. Didn’t go for decaf…. 🤦🏻‍♀️🙄

Then back out for a much slower jog with Freya and Calaidh. Love how Freya always looks back at me when I take the camera out! (Phone… obvs 🙄)

I had my shower and set off for my appointment at Viv’s Nails and Beauty to get my toes and eyebrows done. I wittered away like a budgie to Viv. I told her I felt quite hyper today. 😆

I then went to the little gift shop for some birthday presents and spent AGES choosing what I wanted. Lovely to see Gayle but I’m meeting her tomorrow so I said we couldn’t talk about anything of any importance 😂😂

By that time it was around 1pm so I headed to Curiosity coffee shop and had an oat milk latte with a lovely bit of cake. What a way to break my fast.

It was soooo good, super tasty. The cake is like something Gran would make with marshmallows, glacé cherries 🍒 and coconut.

I have been churned up ever since. On the way home I felt the butterflies in my stomach so badly I felt sick. Really squeamish. In no way, shape or form was it anything to do with what I ate but I think the caffeine and sugar has hit me the wrong way.

I cleared out the kitchen, moving things around as it had become really cluttered, and put lots of things away in cupboards, but I can’t shake the squeam. I’ve sat down on the couch to watch tv to take my mind off it but I can’t find the tv remote anywhere…. It’s bright orange and not easily missed.

Tracey in Canada just sent me this… she has no idea that I spent the afternoon on looking for a remote!!

I literally just want to cry. I think I am creating a panic attack… oh there are the tears. It might take me a while but I can usually get to the bottom of things writing this.

I think the cheeriness from this morning came from a misplaced anxiety. I can’t seem to shake it this last few weeks. I think maybe I need to consider medication again. I don’t want to but can’t cope with this level of fear. Can’t see to type let alone find the orange telly buttons… I’ve just gone through to the bathroom to try to be sick. Nothings coming up but I’m retching. What a state to get into.

I used to live on coffee to get me through the day… and now 2 have given me heart palpitations.

I’ve had some work stuff to do today which has generated a bit of anxiety…. I’m making it bigger than it is and haven’t switched off to work like I usually do.

It’s been a jittery few weeks on and off.

Craig just called and it really helped to speak to him.

He has the orange tv remote in his pocket!!

That made me laugh…… I was going mad looking for it!

So yeah… honest blog again. Anxiety doesn’t want me to put it out but I will cause that’s what I do. I’ll just not be able to look anyone in the eye ever again 😂😂😂

How lovely is this card I found in the little gift shop.?

The tv remote is now home. My life is complete.

Stay safe everyone ♥️♥️♥️

Day 1372 a day with no plans!

Didn’t sleep well until after 3am.

My knees were gowping again. So painful. Both of them. Doesn’t help that he weather was pretty awful through the night so I think my knees and the wind (the outside wind! 😂) keep waking me up.

I put Biofreeze on both legs at 2.30am and I think that helped relax my thigh muscles, which seems to take pressure off my knees.

I never got out of bed until after 8am.

Storm Isha is on its way.

The forecast keeps changing but a few days ago it showed this…..

I have NEVER seen those numbers on my weather app…. It now downgraded to….

But look at what’s coming….

We’ve already lost a wee bit of chimney roughcast. Craig’s heard something “fall” through the night and we found it on the road this morning.

It’s really windy right through until next weekend. I’ve been Mrs weather forecast for the last few days 😂😂

So back to today…. Housework. About time too. Been gallivanting too much recently 🤦🏻‍♀️😂

I’ve changed the bed, done several washings, hung everything up to dry, hoovered everywhere and cleaned up all the muddy dog splashes on the walls and floor. The muddy dogs have only gone and covered my cleaning with muddy splatter but at least it was clean for 5 minutes. 🙄😂

I even cleaned the wood down the side of the stairs…. I couldn’t tell you the last time I cleaned that. 🤦🏻‍♀️ A job well done!

My right wrist and elbow are pretty sore too with tendinitis. I’m not letting it stop me though.

Craig and I then went to Curiosity coffee shop… his first time there and I had my mint oat milk latte. Loved it.

We then drove to Kilmarnock as Craig had a Specsavers appointment…. OR DID HE?!?!

Nope…. It would appear he did not 😂😂😂

His appointment is next Saturday… 🤦🏻‍♀️🙄😂 I’ll be dining out on that one for a while.

So we drove ALL the way home again. Popped into the pub with Khaleesi, for a quick alcohol free drink for two, Craig is making his Dry January look easy. He had and Erdinger 0% and I had 0% pink gin and slimline tonic. Leesi sat by the fire!

Nice to have a day to catch up on everything and bonus that Craig was here for the day too.

Have a great Saturday night.

Stay safe everyone ♥️♥️♥️

Day 1357 a self care kinda day and an afternoon with Gayle!

Wait till you hear about my morning… honestly, even I don’t believe what I spent the morning doing!

I had an amazing night’s sleep, out for the count all night. I’m so grateful for that.

I felt super refreshed.

I got up at 8, let the dogs out, fed the dogs, poop scooped the garden, took all the recycling to the bins and I felt so good after it all. I know how crazy that sounds. I get an amazing sense of calm when things are in order.

It’s a beautiful morning. It’s cold but no wind or rain and the sky is a lovely colour. Not good enough for photos but lovely nonetheless.

I made freshly ground, steaming hot, black coffee…. I write that and smile as it’s all about how you describe it. It was just a pot of black coffee but as I poured it, I thought of that wonderful description. It was a new bag of coffee beans that I’d bought from Curiosity coffee shop.

It was the nicely freshly ground coffee we’ve tried.

I then headed upstairs and sat with my Self Care Journal and filled out the first lot of pages. My main purpose in life… the things I enjoy, the things that make me happy and the things that get in the way of that happiness.

How do I feel emotionally, spiritually, in my friendships and relationships, environmentally, socially and then some.

What do I want to focus on this month?

I loved every minute of it.

I used a nice pen… why does that matter…. But it did.

I used some nice stickers! One that said today was a big day as I started to work in the journal.

I hear myself right now. I have NEVER done anything like this before and in fact I was scoff at those who did. Probably only because I was envious of their clarity of mind and vision that they wanted to do so much work on themselves… when I was barely holding it together.

It feels like time. It’s time to take back control of my life. No more boredom, feeling life is passing me by…. I’m going out to get it.

I did take this photo and send it to Craig. One is the bed made by a man and one is the bed made by a woman. 🤔

He replied with “which one did I do?!? Love you xxx” I laughed out loud!!

Khaleesi and Freya had a good snooze while I did all the hard work.

I then went for a shower and found a playlist…. 100 most uplifting songs ever…. And played that and sang along to it as I showered.

I was buzzing and I felt so alive.

I had physio for my knee at 12.40. It was an NHS appointment and the nurse was lovely. She asked so many questions about the pain, about family history of arthritis, about my psoriasis and she gave both knees a good workout to see what the issue was. She’s scheduled me for blood tests on 16th January to look for inflammatory disease and has given me exercises to do up to 3 times a day. She’ll call once the blood test results come back.

I then picked up Gayle and we headed to Curiosity coffee shop in Beith. I had a mint oat milk latte with Rocky road and Gayle had a hot chocolate with Cookies and Cream cake.

It was a lovely catch up, chat, coffee and cake!! We just joined 3 other folk at the table and chatted away.

We then went to Gayle’s wholesaler in Glasgow for SALE stickers for her Christmas sale when she opens back up in January.

When we left I drove on the wrong side of the road!!!!!

I couldn’t think what side of the street to on and chose the wrong one?!?! Thankfully it was a quiet street. Gayle kept me right!!

We headed to Silverburn shopping centre but I didn’t feel quite right after that. I was a bit dizzy and lightheaded. not sure if it was too much caffeine, dehydration or not enough food. It could have been any of them…. I felt very fuzzy headed.

We had a good wonder around the shops but the feeling never really left.

Home now and I do feel better after having had dinner. Comfies on and feet up. It’s been a busy day after so long doing nothing.

A very purposeful day.

I’m so surprised that I wanted to do this. So proud that I have and excited to see what it brings.

Stay safe everyone ♥️♥️♥️

Day 1325 a wee Starbucks catch up with Lea!

Just a quickie tonight as I’ll be late home.

Having a lovely Silverburn Starbucks catch up with Lea tonight. Love it when two people can talk so much and never be done talking!!

Silverburn has lovely Chrissie decs up!

I wish I’d made an effort to change after work instead of looking like a bag lady.

We had such a giggle trying to get our faces beside the stags head…. Photos either many chins were deleted.

Even the staircases look pretty.

I’m heading home now, yawning my head off but had a lovely wee catch up and wander round the shops.

There were also coffees with cream 😂😂

It’s sooooo good to talk.

Stay safe everyone ♥️♥️♥️

Day 1255 the day Khaleesi went to Tartan Campers & lovely dinner at Gro Coffee

It’s 8.42pm and I’ve been awake since about 4.30am….. I’m shattered but I’ve had a lovely day. I’ll make this quick!

I took Khaleesi to Tartan Campers today just to give her a different experience.

It was a very different experience for me. We often have dogs in Tartan but is the first time I’ve ever taken one in.

She was a wee bit breathless in the car on the way down. I made her a wee bed under my desk… she does look a wee bit sad here.

She relaxed into it.

She was super excited to go into the workshop. She was sniffing around and loved all the attention she got.

Here she is visiting Ellison in upholstery. She jumped up on this seat and sat smiling away, chuffed with herself.

Honestly she was amazing today. She never barked once, I was able to let her off the lead and wander around. She never moved as we all stepped over her at times. It was lovely to spend time with her.

I ran her home, got changed and headed back down to Irvine to meet Andrena and Linda,from the Fit Body Farm, for dinner at Gro Coffee in Irvine. (DECAF!!)

It was lovely and sunny when we arrived.

We had a selection of food between us. I love that. A chicken and peppers pizza, some crispy buttermilk chicken strips, some bread and oils and a caprese salad.

It was really lovely and so good to see them both. They are both so bright and cheery it’s lovely and warming to spend time in their company.

We’ve set our next date for 2 months time!!

Home now yawning my wee head off and Khaleesi has been out for the count all night Craig said! Too much excitement today.

Bless her.

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 ♥️♥️♥️

Day 1224 a cheeky Monday off ♥️ and a trip to Largs to catch the PS Waverley 🚢

It feels like a longer weekend having a Monday off, than having a Friday off, but I know that’s not really true.

I slept in until ooooh 6.15am…. 😳 we had a nice, leisurely, freshly ground coffee ☕️ in the sun room before taking the dogs up the hill for some Scottish Dog Behaviourist photos and filming.

It’s a lovely morning… really clam and still and very mild. The forecast is for heat all week, which is lovely, though to us, that’s 16-20°C which will do me nicely.

Bhru got a wee teensy bit muddy!!

Calaidh loving her red frisbee!

Filming some training!

I stopped in past the meadow garden on the way home. Check this beauty!

Just to give it some perspective, they are very small but so pretty when you stop to look and focus in.

Showered and changed and headed over the Largs to wait for the PS Waverley coming in. She’s sailing from Glasgow around the Isle of Arran today.

I had time for s quick wander round the odd charity shop, Costa Coffee to pick up some sandwiches and a Coconut Milk Latte (DECAF!) and I settled down on the rocks to wait for her coming in.

There were hundreds of people waiting to get on!

And just like that she was gone!

I was home for 1.30 and passed Craig on his way out to work. I have no idea where this afternoon has gone but 3 hours have past and I have done precious little. Two loads of washing, put clothes away and watched some YouTube videos of the quieter places to visit in the world! It’s been pretty cloudy but still warm. I might do some more work on my vision board later on. I’m getting quite into this manifesting malarkey.

It’s been a lovely relaxing day, it’s lovely when the sun shines in the blue sky. It makes everything feel really good.

Long may the peace continue.

Peace shattered 😂

Stay safe everyone ♥️♥️♥️

Day 1181 last day of holidays!!

I’ve honestly not done that much today. It’s 5.25pm and we’ve sold a desk that we had up for sale since we moved the house around, had Claire in for a quick cuppa and been out for lunch to the new The Canny Man in Lugton. Now that I write that, it seems like a lot. 😆🫶🏼

I obviously have a million things that I think I “should” be doing and don’t want to do any of them really. That old weekend chestnut. 😂

I seem to have found myself in Facebook jail again for some reason. I have NO idea what I’m doing wrong. I feel like it must have something to do with my new Just Jules Photography page as it seems too much of a coincidence. I start that page and I’ve been banned from FB twice in the last few weeks for breaking their “community standards”.

If you know me you’ll know I’m the least like ever to break any rule…. 🤷🏻‍♀️😂 the thing is they won’t tell me any more than that. If I could speak to someone and find out what they are not happy with then I would either stop doing it or stop it from happening. If you delve into it then you just wade into a massive list of general things that might be wrong and there’s not one that I think that applies to me.

It’s very hard for “she who breaks no rules” to be told she’s doing something wrong but we won’t be more specific than that.

I know I sound a bit grumpy today, maybe just post holiday blues.

Before I got jailed, my Rambling Sloth FB feed gave me lots of lovely messages.

Wow they’re all a bit wild and reckless. Definitely some kind of message for me in there. Still burning to travel some more but that’s not highly practical for us at the moment. I want to see every country in the world, I always have. The Rambling Sloth goes worldwide…. 😂 I wish!!

Hope you’ve all had a great weekend!

Stay safe everyone ♥️♥️♥️

Day 1180 back home, washing done, van cleared out and Starbucks with Gayle!

Once again it’s all in the title! 😂

I have to be honest and say I didn’t feel great when I woke this morning. I’ve been super dehydrated all week, not drinking enough while we were away, and have had tight neck and shoulders for a fair bit of the week. Either that or I was sitting in a draft 😂 It was so tense this morning. My head was thumping too…. But onwards and upwards.

We took the dogs out early on. It’s been like April today with sunshine and showers… we missed the shower thankfully. I cannot believe it’s actually July!!! How did that happen.

Wait till you see my next thistle pic…. I think I should call this one barbed wire instead. It does sum up the day!

We met a couple of neighbours along the way and everyone was feeling a bit down. Must be the weather. It was good to have a chat and a wee hug and try to cheer other people up, all the while feeling pretty grumpy myself.

I pulled the van over to the front door and emptied everything out. I cleaned all the seat pads, swept it out, cleaned the sink and hob. I love getting it all done after a holiday.

As I dumped everything at the door, Craig had it all moved and dealt with before I finished outside. He’d even hoovered up after Bhruic who is now moulting everywhere! He’s a good ‘un 😂 (well, for today anyway…😆😘)

I then went for a soak in a hot bath and actually took some ibruprofen to help loosen my muscles. That really did help. She who normally hates baths, loved this one. It was nice to just lie back and breathe for a bit.

I did have several interruptions…. The first was Craig telling me a lady had just stared into the dining room window as he sat working at the table…

Then literally a few minutes later to tell me she’d just walked in the front door and asked him if the pub was open as she fancied some pub grub!?!?! He was in a T-shirt and boxers as he ushered her out the front door!?!?! That’s a first. 🤦🏻‍♀️😂

I arranged to meet Gayle for a Starbucks at 2pm since Craig was making dog behaviour enquiry calls and I caught up on all the shop news. I see loads of new stock in which is exciting. She doesn’t need me this week as Lochwinnoch is closed for holidays so I get some extra days off. I’ll miss the shop banter but will be good to have a short week first week back.

So yeah, maybe post holiday blues, not sure, but my head is all over the place today. Guess I need to take some of this advice… just once I figure out exactly what it is….

Hope you all have a great Saturday night.

Stay safe everyone ♥️♥️♥️

Day 958 first real day of holidays

It nice to have a day off work. To have no plans.

We slept through the Fit Body Farm this morning. Think we’re both exhausted after such a busy weekend.

I didn’t have much voice this morning when I woke up after shouting over the noise at the party and singing at the top of my lungs and way to much talking…. But do not fear because it came back, Craigie hasn’t had the luxury of a silent day. 😬😆

We took Abbie the Campervan back to the garage at 9am and walked back home from Glengarnock.

It’s a lovely morning but bitter. Hat and gloves for this first time.

I have Freya, I’ve just hidden her 😂 it’s more a photo of Craigie’s ass 😂 and me wearing his hat. 😂

This next one would have been amazing except for the power lines.

Gloves were off by the time we got home but it was a cold walk.

I got vouchers for Gro Coffee in Irvine from my Auntie Marion. Strike while the iron is hot, we have spent them already!

We had a lovely wee lunch. Look how pretty the food was.

It was super tasty too! I also had my custom coconut milk latte and Craig had posh diet coke!

We did not have a cake. Check us. We still have a house full of cake and regardless of what you might think when you might want cake… you CAN actually have toooooo much cake 🎂 😂

Forgot to share a really cool card I got from Kate and Jamie who live in the village. I love it!

So I’ve actually handled all this turning 50 malarkey, quite well. Age is just a number but this doesn’t feel as easy as 40 did.

I have had the best time despite wishing we were in the Maldives for a fortnight. We’ve seen so many lovely people and I’ve made some very special memories of my 50th.

The HRT is going fine despite losing a patch and having to plaster one down. Craig is the key to a plaster sticking. Any I’ve applied end up falling off.

I’m off the progesterone just now as it’s 2 weeks on and 2 weeks off, but I have to go back on it on Wednesday night.

I’m a bit nervous as it made me feel so low a few weeks back, but I need to take it.

“If oestrogen is the feed you use to grow a lawn, progesterone is the lawn mower that keeps the grass in check”. So my eloquent Doctor put it.

I’ve spoken to so many people this weekend about menopause. There are 34+ symptoms that are now attributed to peri-menopause or menopause.

All of these can be helped by replacing the hormones that we lose at this time of life.

It’s no less natural than taking insulin when you are diabetic or even for humans to drive in a car. It doesn’t matter what age you are. There are benefits from taking HRT that will help on later life. If you’re not sure, read up on it. You might be surprised.

In a stark reminder of my new age bracket, I’ve just received my bowel cancer screening kit. Craig’s lucky I won’t get him to help with this. 😆😂

It’s not even 3pm and I have my feet up, I’m listening to my birthday playlist on Spotify as I write this. I never got much chance to listen on Saturday.

I may have a nap.

Yet the garage phone just as I settled down…. Abbie is still wobbling despite having the passenger side drive shaft fitted. They need her overnight. They’ll drive her up on the ramp tomorrow….. the saga continues.

We are just watching the last ever episode of The Walking Dead. The end of a blood thirsty, zombie era. Who’d have thunk the blog would ever say those words?!?

I actually cried…. Way more than I should have. I’m just tired 🥱 😂

Hope Monday was ok for you.

Stay safe everyone ♥️♥️♥️