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 1351 Happy Hogmanay Eve!

Knee pain – 1 progesterone – 0

Another strange on and off sleepless night. My knee is only sore in bed now. I even remembered to take painkillers!

Anyhoo… we had a lovely evening with Claire and Graeme last night. Check us… entertaining and all that! It was really nice and great chat.

It was super frosty by the time they left and still like that this morning.

Caught the dogs on the couch again this morning.

Minus Freya who couldn’t wait to get outside.

We had a good kick about with tennis balls .

Khaleesi is not quite sure what to do when she gets the tennis balls.

I sometimes her put her on the lead to stop her running about too much and hurting her legs.

So today Gayle and I were having a big day out.

I had loads of ideas, obviously the most crazy was that we would drive all the way to Oban and got to the Oban Chocolate shop for waffles and hot chocolate. The weather was forecast to be so lovely.

The forecast changed…. Considerably. 😂

This morning I looked a 3 other long distance cafés…. One in Lochgoilhead which is and hour and half drive, one in Balmaha, about an hour away and one in Luss… also about an hour away.

They are all open today.

Good.

Just to decide.

I check the forecast.

SNOW!!!!!!!!!

ALL 3 LOCATIONS.

Look out the window.

SNOW!!! 🤯🤯🤯

My head goes into a tailspin…. Don’t tell me we’re not going to get our big day out!?!?

I picked Gayle up before 11…. We drove around for a while…. Thought about heading to Braehead Shopping Centre but turned around at Lochwinnoch as the snow was pretty bad.

We decided to head to Mocha JaK’s coffee shop at the end of the road!!

It was so lovely to get out of the house and have a right good natter!! For FOUR hours we talked incessantly.

I had French toast with bacon and maple syrup.

I ordered the Avocado stack but they didn’t have that… then I ordered the veggie breakfast but they didn’t have that either so I actually really enjoyed the French toast as I would never have really ordered it. They finish up today for a week so they were understandably running things down.

By the time I dropped Gayle off we were still talking and remembering things we hadn’t caught up on!

When I got home the snow had all gone. There was a lovely sky and it was only 3.30pm.

I’m watching a movie called “What we did on our holiday” with David Tennant and Billy Connolly… it’s really good.

The dogs are fast asleep and I’m sitting by the light of the tree.

A lovely day!

Stay safe everyone 🎄🎄🎄

Day 1298 a wee day out in Glasgow! 🚙🚆🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🥙

Check me.

I’m on the train heading into our big smoke, Glasgow. I’m off to meet Mum’s cousin, Joyce, for lunch. Something we’ve talked about doing so often but actually never quite get around to planning… yet here we are! She’s waiting for her train in Edinburgh and I’m almost in Glasgow so I can walk from Central Station to Queen Street Station and meet her.

I didn’t get to bed until 11pm last night after the Beith Young Farmers concert. Louise next door was amazing in it. She did so well, I don’t know where the years have gone but she’s grown up into such a lovely girl and it’s amazing to watch her up there.

I was awake at 6am… as usual and heading out with Calaidh, Bhruic and Freya before it even got light. (Sorry, Evelyn!). I did have my hi vis vest on and a head torch though so I was very visible. It got light pretty quickly as I walked. I forgot to pick up my phone but the sunrise was lovely and red.

I dropped them home and got Khaleesi and the phone and headed back out again.

We met Rachel two doors down, with Nacho, so once again it was great to have company on the dog walk.

Khaleesi is still fascinated by the cows! This big bull was staring at her too but the moment had passed by the time I got my phone out!

Showered and off to catch the 10.12 train to Glasgow Central.

Glengarnock Station was looking really quiet this morning on the Glasgow bound side.

I loved the colours on this mild autumn morning.

😂 I’ll take a photo of anything!

My trip with Helen from Exmouth into Exter made me appreciate the beauty of our journey into Glasgow. The colours are amazing this morning, I’m sure it’s going to rain at some point.

It was much colder in Glasgow than I was back home, yet it’s only half and hour away. I wish I’d worn a proper coat instead of my denim jacket. I also took a cosy black dress off as I thought I’d be too hot. Nope, freezing! 😂

I’m early to meet Joyce so took a wander around to take some photos of Glasgow… of course I did!

This is Central Station.

This is the Citizen where we are going for lunch.

I have to say that it strikes me that Glasgow is pretty quiet traffic wise but that’s the first time I’ve been in since the Low Emission Zone came into force. It’s definitely easier to cross the roads!

This is George Square. The heart of Glasgow city. It’s pedestrianised at two sides now, such a difference. It seems more European if that’s possible.

Here’s our famous Duke of Wellington statue with its traffic cone! A symbol of the humour of Glasgow. Every time they take it down, someone else puts it back up so I think it’s finally here to stay! (Shame about the scaffolding!)

Maybe as I’m more keen to travel and appreciate the present moment, I am much more aware of my actual surroundings. I used to fly through here and barely look up.

The city was the draw for everything when we were younger. Every night out, every celebration. I feel like it’s moved on and left me behind and now I can look at it as a tourist which is really quite nice.

In the noisy confusion of life, keep peace in your soul. 🥰

I love this. I’m standing in Queen Street Station waiting on Joyce writing all this.

There’s a guy playing the customer piano in the station and he’s great! I’m nearly in tears with the emotion and memories that his music stirs up…. Anyway gotta go waltzing over to meet Joyce while he blasts Abba’s Mama Mia!

We have had such a lovely time! It’s been great to catch up and have such a good chat.

The Citizen is beautiful inside.

Even the toilets are lovely! (Uh huh…. I took photos inside the toilets 🚻)

The food was so good. We had drunken prawns with bread and olives to start followed by Grilled Halloumi Salad for mains. I’d love to know how they made that as it was so tasty.

It doesn’t look it in this picture but it was huge. There was a lot going on underneath the halloumi!

Lots of chat later and a quick wander around the shops and I’m back in Central Station ready for the 4.15 home.

I’ve done 15.5K steps so far and my legs and bunion joint are really sore. I need to do something about that. I don’t know why I’m so stiff. It does all seem to be muscular. Joyce did ask me today if I needed new knees?!?! 😳 I seriously hope I just need to loosen up the ones that I have 😂😘

A lovely day out with lovely company.

Have a great weekend!

Stay safe everyone ♥️♥️♥️

Day 1242 1st September 2023 and it’s all go in a life changing kind of way today!

Some days just sail on by and some days make their mark with some real life changing decisions.

Today is one of those days. 1st September 2023 (can’t actually believe it’s September).

So Abbie the Campervan is sold. There were tears this morning as I realised I can’t get to work on Monday as Craig is away so figured I’d have to hire a car for a week.

My anxiety was on overdrive as Craig was helping me look for a car and all I heard was “what do you want what do you want what do you want what do you want it depends what you want!” That is certainly not what he really said. My head is screaming I DON’T KNOW WHAT I WANT!!!!

I had my heart set on a Caddy so that I could make it into a Campervan and “keep my camping oar in” as it were.

Craig told me last week that wasn’t the best idea but I was adamant. It’s only since last night that I clicked that a car was really what I needed, but what kind?!?

Decisions, decisions. When you suffer from anxiety these are not exciting times, not fun decisions to be making. Your head doesn’t think straight it makes lots of noise and panic and doomsday scenarios. Really it just needs to calm the f down and start thinking straight.

I love that in the midst of all this drama I actually found the perfect car before 8.30am. The garage called at 8.40. They will deliver. One years’ warranty.

Meet Bertie the Beetle!

I’m not sure that I ever was a namer of cars and yet here I am, naming another car. 🙋🏻‍♀️

I had a VW Beetle before I got Abbie the Campervan so I know it’s a great drive. Although she’s called Bertie, I’m not sure my car will ever be a boy 🤦🏻‍♀️ 😂😂 anything goes these days!

Here’s my old one.

So in other HUGE news …..

You may need to sit down……

As if we don’t have enough dogs already… we are getting another dog.

There. I said it. It’s out there.

This is Khaleesi….. and Craig first met her when he was out in Spain to look after her and 4 other dogs.

She was a rescue and was badly injured and walks with a limp. Jo, her owner, took her on and loved her back to health. Jo is moving back to the UK and her lifestyle does not suit Khaleesi’s injuries so she is heartbroken at having to re home her.

Craig messaged me about a month ago when Jo asked someone to take her.

I agreed that he could message her, as a back up, as he loved her so much. I didn’t think for one minute that Jo would want her to leave Spain.

Within an hour of his initial message to me… Khaleesi was coming to Scotland!!! 😳

Craig is so excited about having her. I knew he thought she was very special. She can’t get a lot of exercise due to her injuries the poor wee soul. I can’t wait to meet her and have lots of cuddles.

I told Craig I will still have to be able to get out and do my travels and he’s said that was ok.

Deal.

She left Spain this morning with Tito The Transpawter…. About exactly the same time I put down a deposit on Bertie. It’s all happening.

And the days does not end there my lovelies…. 😂

I took Bhru and Freya for a walk and then had a photoshoot with the 3 OG puppers.

Craig has pressure washed all of the grass and decking ready for Khaleesi’s arrival. It’s looking amazing.

We just need to stain the decking but it didn’t dry enough today.

It’s not even 11am by this time.

I went out for lunch with Crochet Hooker Evelyn as a 50th birthday treat!! Still milking that 2 months before my 51st 🤦🏻‍♀️😂

Had a lovely lunch at Mocha JaK’s and great chats. Forgot to take a pic but did take my lunch. Avocado Stack. Yum. Thanks Evelyn!

She dropped me at The little gift shop as I was going to treat myself to a new bag for my holidays. I had a great chat with Gayle AND…… started my Christmas shopping!!!!!!!

Me.

Christmas shopping in September?!?!

Who even am I anymore?!?

She who scoffs at anyone who buys a Christmas gift before November!!

I walked back up the road and the only negative of the day is that my bunion is gowping.

Awfy sore body part. 😪

So, I’m walking home and Craig’s car drives past me…. With a canoe on his roof.

As you do.

😵‍💫

To be fair he had been out canoeing with our friend Euan… I just did not expect him to come home with one. 🛶

What’s this mum?!?!

Nothing surprises me anymore! 😬

Except that then I found out that I’ve won a Body Shop advent calendar as my friend Gemma ran a prize draw on her a Body Shop page.

What a day!!!!

I don’t think I can even keep up with my life just now.

Abbie the Campervan is parked up until maybe the end of September before she can be collected. By tonight I will have enough money for my new car…. All from a lovely lady who hasn’t even seen the van yet. I was terrified that I couldn’t sell the van and I found someone just like me, to buy her.

This has taken me way too long to write so I’m going to relax after all this excitement.

Have a great weekend!

Phew!

Stay safe everyone ♥️♥️♥️

Day 1193 a lovely walk and lunch out!

What a lovely way to spend a day off. I slept like a log again courtesy of sea air and progesterone. That stuff is good for a great nights’ sleep.

Up and out for a dog jog for the first time in a VERY long time.

Check the action shot 😂

I actually managed to run a fair bit of it, which felt great, considering it’s been so long. it’s a really good way to start the day.

We still have the barriers outside the house, from the water pipe work that was done while we were on holiday. 🤦🏻‍♀️

It was raining, but warm enough for me to have just a T-shirt on. I got wet but it didn’t matter, it actually felt really nice not to care.

I did some housework and then went to Kilbirnie Loch, Lochshore to meet my friend, Shelagh, for a walk and lunch.

The heavens opened as we arrived but we set off anyway. Check the hood up shot but it was raining very heavily.

The rain cleared and the sun was lovely for a bit. We definitely got the best of the day.

It’s pouring again now incidentally and forecast for rain forever!! 🤦🏻‍♀️😂

Shelagh has a really wonderful energy and spending time with her is really special. She is healing from a year and half of cancer and treatment and is inspirational in the way she has handled it. She makes sense of my head which is lovely too.

For those who’ve been reading from the start, you may remember that she was my original Health Kinesiology Practitioner. It’s lovely to spend time with her now and get to know her. She obviously knows everything about me as I’ve poured my heart out to her over the years… and she stuck around!! 😂😘

We had a lovely walk for about an hour and then headed to the Lochshore Café for lunch. We had a bowl of tomato soup. It was so good after our walk. I had a white chocolate piece of rocky road with an oat milk latte for desert. I scoffed it before I thought to take a photo, it was soooo good!

Really lovely to have a catch up.

I headed to Tesco for a food shop afterwards and then back home for more housework and I’m just waiting on the Scottish Dog Behaviourist to get home from work so we can have some pizza and garlic bread. My mouth is watering at the thought!!

It’s 6pm on a Friday night and he’s just driven into view outside the house. A long shift for a Friday!! Love that the dogs know he’s out there!!

Hope you all have a lovely weekend!

Stay safe everyone ♥️♥️♥️