Day 1565 a 7k run before 7am on a beautiful morning!

First of all I captured a photo of a sun dog last night…. Who knew that was a thing?!?

I saw a few people posting photos of it on FB on the Aurora pages and someone said it was a sun dog. I sent them my photo and it was confirmed! I felt right proud of myself!

There was a lovely sunset last night too.

Then a beautiful start to the day. I woke at 5.20am and the alarm was due to go off at 5.30. I was meeting Lynsey for a run this morning.

It was only 4°C and felt really cold outside. The sky was beautiful.

It’s getting darker in the mornings already… the Village Hall looks lovely in the light.

We set off at 5.45am and could really feel the cold. A cyclist shouted behind us to warn us and then gave us the fright of our lives… 😆 that was us awake!

The sun rose as we ran and thankfully it got warmer… as it always does 😆

Look at the light as we ran into Spier’s Old School Grounds! It was so beautiful. It’s usually really dark in here due to the amount of overgrown trees.

My favourite gate.

I maybe should have lightened these ones up as they are very dark. I love the simplicity of this next one.

Bearing in mind these are all just point and press as we stop for a second while we are running.

And we’re done. I was a sweaty mess!! My glasses are steaming up!

I think this is my fastest pace so far. Strava doesn’t say that but I don’t think I’ve seen 7.09/km before? I think 7.27/km has been the fastest so far?

It’s 6.45am!

I went into a freezing cold shower for a few minutes to calm down! I love that feeling after a very hot run.

I love that we get to do all this before most people are awake. It’s a special time of the day for me.

The 10k we are signed up for on 21st August is in the evening…. I don’t know how I will ever stay awake or be motivated to run in the evening. I’m definitely a morning person!

It put me in good stead for the rest of the day.

My running has improved so much over the last 3 months. I’m really proud of my consistency… even thought some runs have been really hard. They have all taught me something. I’m so grateful to the girls for allowing me to run with them. It feels like we’ve got a lovely group.

Work has been good again today. We were really busy with lots of customers…. And it was quite hot. The weather has been lovely.

My friend Isy sent me this…

Wow that blew me away. It’s so very true. I am impatient.

Yes ♥️ Yes ♥️ Yes ♥️

Stay safe everyone ♥️♥️♥️

Day 1523 amazing 6.07km run before work!

I was not feeling it last night OR this morning…. I couldn’t get the idea of a run out of my head, I should cancel, I’m tired, I ate too late last night, didn’t drink enough water, shouldn’t run…. I’ll hold everyone back…

And yet I set the alarm for 5.30am… Khaleesi woke me at 5.24am and I got out of bed and ready to meet the girls at 5.45am.

I settled into it and honestly can say I barely noticed my breathing at all.

I was out of breath but I was also just out for a chat with the girls, moving faster than we would if we were walking.

It was such a great feeling.

Here we all are after 48 minutes of non stop running.

I loved it this morning. There were no bad moments for me at all. It’s funny that I can feel so negative about it yet be so positive during it.

I’ll take that every time!!!

Work flew in today and it was nice enough for Ellison and I to sit outside at lunchtime.

I’m sitting outside writing this now but I’m cold… I’m trying to stay here in the sunshine but I may have to give in. It’s just the coldest wind.

I literally stood up and walked straight indoors 😂.

Craig made a lovely veggie dinner.

So yeah, not much else to report, mid week and all that.

Busy weekend coming though!

Stay safe everyone ♥️♥️♥️

Day 1517 up at 3.30am this morning and still going strong!!

Khaleesi and I did not have the best night… she was very restless, bless her (there I go again!).

I went to bed around 8.30 and never heard Craig or the 3 Borders go to bed, but at some point, it was just getting dark, Khal stood up and shook herself and I sat bolt upright in bed, still in a progesterone induced sleep. I got such a fright. She was standing over me!

I dozed off and heard Craig get up to the loo at the back of 2…. And Khaleesi then woke me me about 3am.

The alarm went off at 3.30am. 🤯😳

It’s 6.12pm and I am still awake. 😂

We left the house at 4am… here’s the boy.

All ready to join the Tartan Army in Munich for Euro 2024.

I drove Craig and Jim over to Edinburgh Airport for 5am. We all yawned the whole way over.

My trusty co-pilot caught some photos of the sunrise as we drove…. I have him well trained.

The photos don’t do it justice. It’s been a while since I’ve seen sunrise as it’s so early.

Love how the light reflects on the bonnet of the car.

Didn’t he do well with this one!

Shame the window is dirty as this would have been a great shot.

He hit this one bang on!

The roads are so empty, I love this time of day. Not after a bad nights sleep, mind you…

Blinded!

I couldn’t tell you the last time I drove through Edinburgh drop off. It cost mere £5 for the 10 minute privilege. Airports must make a fortune for drop offs.

I made them pose for airport photos when I dropped them off 😂

Edinburgh Airport was heaving… there were kilts and football tops everywhere. It was amazing to see just how many there were.

They are flying to Copenhagen then on to Berlin and at time of writing, they are still on the train to Munich. A long day. Craig said the Copenhagen flight was full of Scotland fans.

The drive back home was hard as I was on my own and super tired. When I got home I lay down with Khaleesi. I took her cone off and she cuddled in with her paws on my legs.

I could have slept for Scotland. I had the fear that I wouldn’t be able to stay awake for the rest of the day.

When I got back up at 7am, my black Tartan hoodie was COVERED in Khaleesi hairs…. Oops!

She loves having time without the cone. we sat outside in the fresh air. It’s cold again today.

So I have to say that I have managed the day just fine.

I gave up fasting at 11am as I needed some fuel.

It’s been a really busy day and I’m so chuffed with the work I got done. It felt like a really satisfying week this week.

My lovely in-laws pupper-sat today (I know that’s not even English!!)

They sat with K, walked the Borders and I had cuddles with Cookie the Chihuahua when I got home.

So very lovely of them to do that today and took a weight off my mind knowing they were here.

A happy smile.

So I’m home, waiting for the milkman to appear for money in half an hour then the jammies are going on.

The heating is on, it’s pouring outside, I’m tempted to light candles. All 4 dogs are asleep with me in the living room.

I do love my husband but I am looking forward to a weekend of nothing. Just dogs walks and housework and a whole lot of silence. I never thought I’d like silence so much.

My friend Anne just sent this. The perfect end to my blog and my plan for the weekend ahead. ♥️

Stay safe everyone 💤💤💤

Day 1482 finally some heat in the west of Scotland! ☀️🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

It’s 6.30pm and I’m sitting outside in shorts and a vest top….. finally. It feels so good to feel the sun on my skin!

I know I had sunshine in Rome, but it’s been a cold start to the year in Scotland. Anyone who’s here on holiday now is soooooo lucky!!

You can imagine I’m like a caged lion… where can I go, what can I do this weekend?!?!

Unfortunately Craig is working all day tomorrow and is out all day on Saturday so I really need to puppy sit my own dogs. 🐶🐶🐶🐶

I have looked at campsites for Saturday night but not sure if there’s much point in setting up camp again for one night. Hmmmm decisions…. Right now I’m very happy sitting out on the decking and feeling the warmth of the sun on my skin.

This is my current view!

I had a lovely wee night out in Largs, last night, with the Crochet Hookers.

We went to the Wetherspoon’s Paddle Steamer for dinner. It was really busy when we got in but the food is so cheap. The whole evening only cost less than £15 a head. I had vegan pizza which was surprisingly lovely, with hot chocolate and shortbread for afters. The hot chocolate was £1.76 and free refills. The shortbread was 71p!!!!

We did get a right good natter though. It was lovely to have a change of scenery.

It rained when we left so I couldn’t get any decent photos!

I actually really like this next one after I said that.

It was 9.30pm…. Way past my bedtime.

I set my alarm for the 5.45am run club, fully intending to be too tired and to roll over in bed, instead of going.

Last night was the first night of HRT progesterone for 2 weeks….. I was completely out for the count. I slept like a log all night. The alarm went off, I got up and had one of the best runs with Elly and Lynsey. Lynsey was photographer today!

Not sure I like my rear in this pic but I’m going to embrace it and then buy black leggings….

Lynsey has it ingrained in us that we have to touch the white line at the end of the road in Gielsand Estate!! We do it even when she’s not there.

I love this next one she took of Elly and I! It captures the sunrise run mood perfectly!

We did 5k exactly and I loved every minute of it.

It was so much easier than yesterday. I ran straight into a very cool shower again!

As I washed I really stopped to think about how far I’ve come and it brought some tears of gratitude.

I’ve come such a long way from the days where I could barely put one foot in front of the other even to walk the dogs.

I love the friendship of the run club girls. I appreciate their support and their encouragement. I love that I run so much further with them, than I would do on my own. I love the feeling of accomplishment. I love getting up early and running before everyone gets up.

I felt so alive this morning.

Fast forward to the half shut knife I am now… struggling to stay awake!! 😂😂

It’s been a good week at work too. It’s gone quickly and I’ve enjoyed it.

I made another lovely Planthood meal tonight….

This was one of the best I’ve had, if a little bit spicy! It tasted soooo good!

This is my latest view….. throwing a tennis ball as I type.

Will be an early night for me tonight I think. Hopefully a blissful progesterone induced sleep!

Stay safe everyone ☀️🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿☀️

Day 1453 a much calmer Wednesday ♥️

I had a great nights sleep apart from one thing…. I decided it was a good idea for a Khaleesi to sleep in with us.

Instead of heading to her room for bed, she stood at our closed door and looked at me with the saddest eyes…. And I caved! 😂😂😂

She had my covers all night…. But it must have only woken me a few times, or I would have moved her. I just couldn’t get enough cover out from under her, for my left arm! She was very happy though.

There was a lovely red sky this morning.

On national Unicorn Day 🦄😂

I am much calmer today.

I feel much better that I have some trips booked for when I’m away. I still have lots of concerns and anxieties but I know that that’s all they are.

I’ve called my travel insurance to make sure I’m covered, got Craig to check our mobile phones are covered under our mobile phone insurance, I’ve told both banks I’m going to Italy…. Craig said I worry too much!!

Has he met his wife?!?!? 🤦🏻‍♀️😂

My bag is mostly packed. I’ll finalise more tonight. I also want to look at a map of Rome and get my bearings.

Hmmmmm…. I am really looking forward to some sunshine. ☀️☀️☀️ Sunday is the hottest day…. This’ll do nicely!

Actually that’s gonna be pretty hot considering it’s about 6.5°C today. It has rained ALL day today. Everything looks soaking wet. The sky is so heavy and foggy.

I’ve had a good day. It’s been a good week at work. A good buzz.

I also made another lovely, colourful dinner tonight….. Sticky Teriyaki Tofu Bowl With Purple Sprouting Broccoli & Pickled Cabbage Over Sushi Rice.

I think Freya is actually licking her lips!

I’m listening to another Mel Robbins podcast, called What Makes a Good Life.

She said that when she was younger she spent way too long looking at the curtains, deciding on the brand and the fabric… she never looked out at the view.

Wow.

That really spoke to me.

Until I was off sick, I never stopped to look out at the view. Now material things don’t really mean anything to me. It’s such a lovely feeling to want less rather than constantly wanting more.

We will not always be happy.

We will have days where we are far from happy. There will be days that are incredibly sad, days where things seem impossible to overcome, but as my friend Ruth has always said to me, we will survive 100% of these days. As awful as they seem, these are the moments that define us.

Dare to be Happier on FB shared this.

The way to happiness is to spend time building healthy relationships with others…. Says she heading off on holiday alone 🤦🏻‍♀️😂

All very wise words.

Stay safe everyone ♥️♥️♥️

Day 1444 1st April 2024 🤡

You’ll be pleased to know the roads were extremely quiet this morning at 7am, due to the fact that the rest of the world seemed to have the day off. I’m so dramatic eh?!?

I had a rotten sleep last night. I was tense and woke a few times and eventually had to take ibuprofen to try and relax my muscles. It actually didn’t work, shouldn’t have bothered and should have tried to relax my mind more.

When the alarm went off, I was catapulted into the world from the deepest sleep. Nothing worse, it’s a horrible feeling, I felt hungover which is VERY unfair after 5 years and 3 months of the stuff.

I’ve been a bit meh all day. Acht that’s unfair, I’m fine, just a bit flat.

The weather was cloudy and cold all day. What a difference from the beauty sunshine yesterday.

The key is to appreciate the beauty in these days too. I’m very grateful to be healthy and to be living my life. I need to do something to mix it up a bit though. I’m in such a rut through the week. I cannot wait to get under a blanket, in front of the tv and I’m letting life pass me by. Food for thought.

It’s April Fools Day so I’ll link the post that Craig did on FB…. Scottish Dog Behaviourist April Fools.

I get a wee cameo at the end!!

This was my fav, which I knew wasn’t true the minute I read it.

Never in a million!!

I was reminded today of the one time I was completely caught out by an April Fools at work and really believed it. 😆

A bus operator was using smart paint technology to change the colour of the bus… if they drove up to a bus stop and the green route and there were people waiting, they would change the bus to green…. I couldn’t get my head around what happens if you got on a silver bus on the silver route and the driver decided to turn to the green route, what would you do?!?!?

I’ve inserted the video which most likely won’t work but I’m trying it anyway. It still makes me laugh.

So feet up in front of the tv feeling super comfy and cosy and relaxed. The faster life is for living another day.

Stay safe everyone ♥️♥️♥️

Day 1437 a very wet Monday! ☔️

I sat at work today thinking, jeez what on earth will I write about today?!?

It rained a lot. I was at work. I got my period. The End.

😂😂

There’s so much more to say… of course there is…

I started the day with some gusto. As it was a non hair wash day, I had lots of time to spare so I cleaned the kitchen, put on a washing and loaded the dishwasher.

We are being really lazy not doing this at night. I came down annoyed at the mess. By the time I left for work, all that needed doing was the clean dishes out the dishwasher needed put away.

The messy kitchen monster ran about all over the kitchen today at some point and I came home to do it all again. I have proudly, clearly communicated my desire for things to be left a bit tidier moving forward.

By the time I came home some mild stomach cramps had kicked in and I felt really irritable.

I’m angry at the weather for being so cold, wet and miserable again. Yesterday’s sunshine was so lovely. It really helps my mood. I feel like I am sitting in front of series after series on TV just now, I don’t want to do that but I also can’t not do that just now. I don’t drink, I’m trying to fast, I only do decaf and I’m pretty much veggie/vegan just now so there’s not much enjoyment in life… I need some escapism.

As soon as I write that I realise how dreadful that sounds. I get lots of enjoyment in life… I haven’t stopped this weekend. I have a cheek to think life is dull. I just mean that the day to day life is a bit monotonous at the moment.

My boss made a great point today… it’s still winter, it is still cold, all of that will change with the lighter nights and some sunshine.

I was excited to get my next Planthood food delivery….. which, of course, did not arrive.

Seems I have ordered for a monthly delivery and not weekly… I have virtually nothing to eat in the house but I’m not going back out. I have a real aversion to going out in the evenings these days. Don’t want to watch tv but don’t want to do anything else!!

So I made some cauliflower cheese with plant based spread and tofu. Who actually am I? Why am I doing this? Why can’t I eat meat? Soooo strange. I was angry at Planthood but it’s not their fault I can’t seem to work their app.

So I felt grumpy and sludgy… amazed that is actually a word…. I put my anorak on and took Bhruic and Freya out for a walk in the rain. I knew that would make me feel better!

What a difference the weather makes. Yesterday compared to today!

The pups did a lot of sniffing…. Honestly felt like they stopped at every blade of grass! It’s great mental stimulation for them though.

Very spooky, old tree.

We got a bit damp and soggy but I feel all the better for the fresh air. I’m so glad I did it.

One of the lovely ladies that I used to sea swim with has just published a book. How amazing is that?!

The sad, untimely passing of her husband, lead her to honour his memory by raising awareness and reducing the stigma of those struggling with. Their mental health and addiction.

She started working towards a swim challenge where she swam from Holy Isle to Lamlash on Arran. She completed this on 4th September 2021.

She’s such an inspiration writing a book about it too!

That’s all from me tonight. I’m off to sit with my grumpy assed emotions. 😂😂

Stay safe everyone ♥️♥️♥️

Day 1432 COVID 4 years on

Friday 20th March 2020… the night the UK went into lockdown due to COVID-19.

It hardly seems real now does it?

After 441 days of being alcohol free, that night, I decided to have some rosé wine as life was changing. We didn’t know how long the pub would be closed so it seems like a great idea.

I spent the first day of lockdown with the hangover from hell!

Stop for a minute and think back to that time.

It hardly seems real…

I’d been off sick from work since the end of May 2019 after a 3 month spell from Sept to Dec 2018…. All of a sudden the world joined my new crazy, stay at home world.

I’d been made redundant on 29th February 2020, but I still wasn’t well enough to look for work. I was lucky I had my redundancy to see me through lockdown.

I was scared but a bit excited by the drama of it all… our first night in real lockdown saw a power cut in our village… we were all messaging each other, thinking that was going to be the next thing and we’d be stuck in our houses with no electricity…. Thankfully that never came to anything 😂

The world as we knew it, went on hold for a long time.

There was a time when we thought we’d never get it back and yet gradually we have.

Handshakes are no longer feared. Hugs are definitely back on the agenda.

I found an interesting article from Science Focus which discusses 9 lessons learned from the pandemic… I’ve put the link in if you’re really bored and fancy reading. 😂

Science Focus – COVID 4 years on

So many memories of such a strange life time and it does all seem like it happened to someone else. It seems so surreal.

Most of us are lucky that life today doesn’t seem any different than it was before COVID…. For those of you who lost family members or friends, or are suffering from long covid. I’m sure that’s not the case. May they always be remembered.

♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️

I had a an amazing sleep last night…. 7 hours and 45 minutes. I woke at 6.09am…. One minute before the alarm… I LOVE THAT!!!

It’s been a day of manifesting things just before they arrive…. Thinking of customers who phoned a few hours later, losing something only to find it the minute after I’d decided to buy a new one. It made me laugh all day.

These were all very interesting again… I swear the universe talks to me through FB…. Jeez, really, what chance do I have?!?! 😂

I love this 😂😂😂

I made my last Planthood meal tonight which was Lasagne soup.

It was really lovely. I have some for tomorrow, in a safe place where a thieving puppy can’t pinch it! 😂😂 Yes I put a lid on it mum!

So nothing news to report, another good day at work. Busy but calm and organised. Long may that continue.

Stay safe everyone ♥️♥️♥️

Day 1430 the fastest day at work ever!

Wow, blink and I just missed Monday!

What a super fast day.

There was a customer waiting for me when I arrived at 7.45am and I didn’t sit down until just before 12.30pm! The afternoon was pretty much the same. I never got any actual work done but hey, the day flew in so I’m not complaining.

Been meaning to say that I finally got some Tumeric supplements. I was recommended to get some with black pepper in them.

These were not cheap unfortunately but they were on a list as being one of the best.

Here’s the link if you’re interested. Hey Nutrition Tumeric.

I’ve only been on it for two days so will see how it goes. I’m hoping it will help with joint pain.

I had the laziest day yesterday. I watched three movies yesterday afternoon and evening. I really enjoyed it.

I slept really well last night until 5am then wide awake.

It’s been a beautiful day today… until just before 4pm when it started to rain. It was so lovely to see the sun.

In other good news, Waverley Excursions are releasing their Glasgow and Clyde summer timetable on Thursday! I’ve got one more sailing ticket left to book a trip. Can’t wait to see what’s on offer and get something else booked. I’m sailing from Glasgow to Oban on Monday 20th May.

And finally can anyone remember that 4 years ago tonight was our second last night of freedom. Tomorrow sees 4 years since he start of Scottish COVID-19 lockdown.

It seems so alien to think back.

And this time definitely finally it’s my friend Lea’s birthday today. She’s been there through it all, she’s never judged and hasn’t run away yet 😂 very apt that Donna Ashworth just posted this on FB.

Happy birthday Lea, you’re the best!

Stay safe everyone ♥️♥️♥️

Day 1426 happy 7th birthday Freya pup! 🐶 💕

Just while I’m sitting thinking, what will I write about today…. I suddenly realise it’s Freya’s birthday! She is a big 7 today. I find that incredulous that 7 years have passed so quickly.

She was our wee runtie pup and was hand reared by Erica from Holmelyne Border Collies after her mum rejected her.

This was the first photo we ever saw of her.

We’d had some prosecco in the back garden that day… it was lovely and sunny…. Course we could give her a home. 😬😳 one of the reasons I stopped drinking?! 😂

When we went down to pick her up, I cannot tell you how small she actually was. The photos don’t really do it justice. She was tiny.

She was in with a litter of black and chocolate labs that were 6 weeks old. She actually looked like a white rat running about with them. It really did take my breath away. Of course we were smitten.

She had the tiniest of ears….

Which grew very quickly!

She had a big distended tummy which is still completely bald to this day… the hair never grew in.

This is her first poo in the back garden. 😳😂

She has loved Bhru from the moment she arrived in our family.

They are pretty much inseparable. That pleases Calaidh as she just wants to be with people.

Here she is pretending to be a garden gnome-puppy!

Look at the size of her, my heart still melts a little.

Very quickly she became Dinky, Baby Dinks, Baby Dittle, Baby Dinkledoodle, Baby Dinklydoo, Deetle-deetle-deetle…. The list goes on… 😬

She makes me smile almost every day. I put Calaidh’s bowl of food down in the living room, then Khaleesi’s and every time I turn round Freya has followed me in to check to make sure I’m coming back to the kitchen to get Bhru’s then hers… I giggle that she’s checking me out and I never fail to go back through and feed her.

She just jumped up beside me….

Big girl 7…. Maybe she’ll grow up now?!!

So yeah in other news, I didn’t sleep well last night which is strange as it was the first night on progesterone. Woke at 4.45am.

It’s been torrential rain today. It just never stopped, all the lovely daffodils look flattened by the rain. It pounded our wee porta cabin all day.

We were really busy again. I got a bit flapped a couple of times but I’d ended up fasting for over 20 hours so I think I just needed to eat. I’d been waiting for two parts for two different vans ALL week and neither of them arrived again. Poor Ellison had to traipse about Kilmarnock to try and pick them up from Royal Mail and Yodel. She got one of them but the Royal Mail in Killie is only open for 2 hours a day from 8-10 so we’ll have to try again tomorrow. I hate it when things don’t go according to plan but hey, that’s life.

I made this for dinner tonight!!

It was really lovely… Craig had it too.

So that’s my weekend again…. And relax… with a few more coories from Freya!

Stay safe everyone ♥️♥️♥️

Day 1417 work then visiting a TV set, as you do! 🎬📺

The weather was atrocious leaving Bristol last night and I worked myself into a wee lather before take off.

The plane literally got blown to the left just before it took off. The adrenaline washed through me. By the time we levelled out in the sky I realised I was clenching every muscle sooo tight and had to really force myself to relax. The weather was so much better in Glasgow.

I think Khaleesi missed me… she out her wee paw on my leg and lay there for ages!

I had the rubbishist sleep last night and no, that is not a word, but I’m making it one.

I lay in bed with my eyes wide open until 11.30pm… came downstairs and tried the couch instead. That’s where I got my 5 hours.

Here’s my view as I dried my hair…

I’ve been surprisingly awake and alert today. It’s amazing what a wee mini break does to freshen your head.

Work passed quickly as I was so busy.

So the big news in our village today…. Is that’s the Gateside Inn will be used in a Netflix drama about the Lockerbie disaster and they are filming tomorrow. Here’s the link to the stars involved.

Lockerbie

Here’s the pub during COVID.

Here’s the pub today.

Criag and I got to go in after my work today to have a look around. It will be the pub in Lockerbie on the night of the disaster.

If you zoom in, it’s all set up for Christmas in 1988.

Everything looks so old. It made me feel really old as I thought some of it looked really old fashioned 😂😂 seems I was alive and 16 when these things WERE in fashion. 🤦🏻‍♀️😂

The dart board wall is all for the set. You usually see right through to the back of the restaurant.

There’s a cigarette machine….to me this looks 1950’s 😂😂 and cigarettes are £1.35!!!

There’s a juke box…

And a radio like my Grandpa had.

It’s all very surreal. I’m working tomorrow and out at night so won’t see any of the filming!

So that’s our excitement… our house will be in the Netflix Lockerbie show! We is famous. 😂😂

A good Tuesday. It’s not all been easy but I’ve handled everything well and I can’t ask for more.

Stay safe everyone ♥️♥️♥️

Day 1412 busy leap year day at work and flying to Bristol! ✈️

It’s February 29th 2024… a leap year!!

Love this from Donna Ashworth.

Look for the light…. That came up in Kinesiology last night too… another coincidence.

Another restless sleep last night… up at 2am and again at 5am. Result is I’m shattered now and I’ve got 6 hours of travelling to go… 😂 not complaining…. Will try to sleep on the plane.

Work was busy again today and flew by and I managed to get everyone to wear their “Tartan” gear… which is mostly black obviously 🙄 and we got a team photo prior to the handover of two of our biggest van builds. We don’t do that often enough. We should celebrate our big wins but we’re already on to the next 😂

I finished up at 3 as I had an hour to take back. Now I’m ready far too early!

Craigie is running me to the airport and I’m flying to Bristol where Helen is picking me up and driving me down to her house in Exmouth. That’s my home for the next 4 days flying back up late Monday.

I’ve packed as little as I can but it still feels like way too much.

It’s funny how all I ever want to do is travel and yet I’m apprehensive about doing it. I’m not a fan of flying… I’d much rather be on the train.

Please don’t go Mum….

It would break your heart! Calaidh looks so sad!

Those holes in the blanket over the couch were made by “someone” trying to bury a bone the last time I went away overnight… what could possibly go wrong this time?!?

I’m off to create meaningful moments as SC Lourie says.

We left at 5.30pm…. We are only 20 minutes or so from the airport and my flight isn’t until 8.20pm…. my phone flashed and said go to gate.

GO TO GATE?!?!!!??

I’m not even there yet… waves of anxiety…

Im not late in the slightest, no idea why it said go to gate 😂😂

I’m loving my new case from Tripp. Colour…. Watermelon!

Won’t lose it anytime soon…. I’m in Starbucks having a wee decaf coconut milk latte and a blondie for dinner. Had last nights vegan dinner for lunch and I’m still stuffed.

Only another hour until the flight. My stomach is doing somersaults but I will be fine and I will enjoy the travel. I know I will.

There seems to be more people in the speedy boarding queue than the main queue tonight.. I just heard a lady in the speedy queue say it’s not very speedy anymore 😂 I used to be obsessed with speedy boarding when I travelled with work but the place is not going without me so I don’t see the point in paying extra for it… I did pay extra for my watermelon cabin case though 🤦🏻‍♀️😂

You can tell I’m just passing the time by rambling. Flight’s just been called!

That’s me almost off. I’m calmer now that I’m here.

See you soon Helen!

Stay safe everyone ♥️✈️♥️

Day 1361 normal service of day numbering has been resumed 😆

So yesterday I randomly called the blog day 1400 because of course that follows from day 1359 🤦🏻‍♀️😆 NOT….. hey I’ve done this every night for 1361 days so sometimes the concentration might slip 😂 that’s my excuse anyway.

Thanks to an anonymous person on WordPress, for pointing it out. I laughed out loud when I read his comment. 😂

So back to day 1361 (I just typed 2361 there… one of those days!)

I had a more broken sleep last night. 7 hours 29 looks good but I felt like I was awake from 3am. My knee wasn’t agony but it kept twinging and waking me up.

As I write that I realise I STILL haven’t even opened the physio exercises yet?!? How hard is it to read a bit of paper?! I’m meant to be doing them 3 times a day.

Will do them after this. Promise.

Yesterday a dandelion wish flew out of a drawer I was clearing and floated up into the air. I thought how pretty it was and how random to see it in the middle of the office, in January…. Then my friend Isy posted this…

I messaged to tell her. Then this morning she gets this on her FB feed… I love it when there is synchronicity like this.

I also typed the name of a supplier today and before I’d finished they were calling me! I love it!

So I’ve been in a good mood today. I’ve been working on pricing spreadsheets all day so I’m a bit square eyed but I enjoyed it. Compiling data. My fav.

I’m tired tonight. Craig’s working and I was planning to get lots done but actually I’m quite comfy sitting in on the couch relaxing…. Which is all I ever do on these winter nights. It’s hard to break that habit as I enjoy the chill out time after a working day.

I love this next one.

And this is so true….

So thankfully I release just about everything that goes on in my mind these days. No chance of me suppressing anything much. 😂

Nothing much else to report. There was a lovely sky when I left work at 4… such a shame the view is from an industrial estate!

It was light all the way home, which is lovely and the first time I’ve really noticed it. There was a lovely sun setting sky from the back garden too.

The pups are asleep and I have my feet up. Early night for me I think. Mrs spreadsheet head!

Stay safe everyone ♥️♥️♥️

Day 1356 that was a quick two day week!

I slept much better last night yet felt exhausted when the alarm went off.

When I finally got out of bed I actually managed to wake up pretty fast to face the day!

The dogs barked so I got them up too…. Here are Cal and Khal when I left for work. Khaleesi is a big dog but she can curl up into the smallest ball.

Work was good. I got all the 2024 spreadsheets pulled together, cleared out drawers and my samples box. I cleaned my desk and files. It feels great to refresh everything.

So I’m still in the positive mental attitude for now and I’ve got a whole host of things to share. My FB feed is full of positivity.

Read this one slowly.

I love the meaning in that. Your life is now.

I will definitely be doing this with my new self care journal.

So really that’s all for today. Not much doing. No plans this evening but pretty pleased with the short working week!

Stay safe everyone ♥️♥️♥️

Day 1355 first working day of 2024

Hi ho hi ho it’s off to work we go!

I was not quite that cheerful at 6.10am when the alarm went off this morning.

I couldn’t get to sleep last night at all… I came down to the couch, finished Matthew Perry’s book and then fell asleep for a few hours.

Of course I felt shattered when the alarm went off…. But bright at the same time.

Everything was ready to go, I just needed a shower.

It was torrential rain when I left. not sure the photos do it justice.

If you click on the photo and zoom into the street light it shows how bad it was!

Of course nothing goes according to the plan in your head… expecting a great first day with great progress and there were two guys on holiday and one off sick and then…. Time of the month rears its ugly head 😂 of course it does. May explain my maudlin mood these last few days. I would have found that all overwhelming in the past but none of it affected me. I just had a wry smile to myself.

Life has a way of throwing you off what you expect to happen but it’s all ok if you just let it be what it is. None of it is the end of the world.

I bet you all read that thinking course it’s not the end of the world…. But I would have made that all a big stress and drama in the past.

So a good day. Got lots done. Refreshed my befuddled head. Reminded myself what it is we do and how.

I had a lovely salad for lunch…. Followed by hot chocolate and choccie biscuits and pizza but hey…. The salad was genuinely the best part.

It was almost light the whole drive home!

I got my self care journal from Clever Fox today.

It has 90 days of mindful wellness planning. I’ve yet to get a good look at it but initial inspection is really interesting.

And I found the stickers! I’m going to spend a bit of time with it at the weekend.

I’ve never done anything like this before and I’m excited to see what it brings.

I’m not gonna sit back and be overwhelmed by a dark and moody January. This is the first time I don’t feel dread for the month of January. I feel hope and excitement for everything that it might bring. A very good friend told me just today that we have to live and love every moment.

I hear myself, I know it’s cheesy but I mean it. No more lounging around bored.

We also get an extra day this year as it’s a leap year…. 366 new pages!

I hope to write a beautiful story this year. I want to explore as much as possible and enjoy every minute as much as I can.

I am not going to write “what could possibly go wrong?” as I usually do…. I’m going to say bring on 2024.

Stay safe everyone ♥️♥️♥️

Day 1323 a beautiful sunrise 🌅

Wow I had a a AMAZING sleep. I was really out for the count until 1.22am when there was a snore incident and someone tapped me on the forehead….. oh my god what a fright. As I write this I realise I forgot to ask what happened.

I got up and went to the loo and by the time I came back, said someone was snoring so I lay there wondering if it was more likely his snore that woke me?!?

Hmmmm it would appear not… I just asked. I do think it was all a bit over dramatic if I’m honest, work me up from the best ever sleep. 😂 just wait till the next time I’m woken up 😂😘

I couldn’t wake up with the alarm at all… i was soooo tired.

That said, what a beautiful morning 🌅 I wish I could have taken a few hours off work and stopped all along the way to take photos. The sky was stripey red and orange all the way to work. Every bend I drove around brought a new wow moment.

By the time I got to work it had mostly passed….. although the photos turned out better than I thought.

It’s been a good day. I’ve been super busy, so a bit harrassed, it felt like everyone asked me for things I hadn’t done yet. I ended up staying an extra half hour today. It could so easily have been longer but that’s a trap I can so easily fall into.

So not much else to report today. I’ve been calm and not irritable at all which is nice.

Oh Craig made a lovely venison spaghetti bolgnese for dinner.

It was so lovely to come home to a cosy house, with fires lit and dinner ready….. I never made it out to Kinisi-flo…. I was too full!

Stay safe everyone ♥️♥️♥️

Day 1322 a fairly regular day

Was up at 1.22 for the loo and had to take painkillers for my knee. Amazing how quickly a dog walk hurts it again.

Slept until just after 6am which was great. I felt refreshed and my knee’s not been sore all day.

So after all the festivities and excitement, today’s been a fairly regular kind of day…. But this is ok.

I was actually really focussed at work and got lots done… I even cleared out the catalogue cupboard which has been a mess for ages. I bloody love that 😂😘

Not a great photo as the foreground at work is nothing special, but there was a lovely sunset before 4pm.

The photo didn’t do it justice.

I went straight to Tesco tonight and did a food shop…. Came home and put all of it away and made a lovely salad in my Tupperware tub. I don’t feel I’ve had many salads since I was in Turkey.

I love that I have to eat it out the tub!!

I’ve got one made up for lunch tomorrow too. It was really tasty. Salami, olives, feta, sundried tomatoes on baby leaf salad with rocket. I love rocket!!

I then tidied the kitchen, again…. Seems a never ending thankless task, put a washing on and loaded the dishwasher.

Then I went through my drawers and wardrobe and tidied everything up…. Dark clothes on yellow hangers, light clothes on black hangers…. There’s an OCD coming out in me there. A black T-shirt on a black hanger is just wrong. 😂

So I’ve finally sat down and it feels very nice to relax.

A productive day.

Stay safe everyone ♥️♥️♥️

Day 1318 and just like that the working week is over 🥰

It’s my Friday night, woo hoo, 3 day weekend coming.

I didn’t feel anywhere near as angry today. I’m still very pass remarkable but none of that irritability I had at the start of the week. Thankfully.

The day passed really quickly but I’m all set for the weekend. I’m helping Gayle in the little gift shop tonight as she has her first VIP Christmas shopping night. I’m really looking forward to it.

🎄🎅🏼🤶🏼🎄

Gemma from work brought me in a lovely early birthday cupcake and Sloth T-shirt!!

The icing was strawberries and cream, it was beautiful!!

Here’s my lovely t shirt! How lovely was that l?! I was very touched. I didn’t even know she would know it’s my birthday.

I got a cuddle from her wee boy for the first time since he was a baby. 💙 that was so sweet.

We have a tradition at Tartan Campers that we make birthday cards! I’d said to Ellison this week not to make one for me as I knew she was bisy… but she did…I got this lovely card which all the guys at work signed. She just knows me so well… this is perfect! She’s made some for the other guys this month and they are so good!

It’s a Hope Blamire painting in the middle!

So I have to go and get out the Tartan workwear and get into a Christmas jumper ready for tonight.

All set and raring to go!!

Hope you all have a great Thursday.

Stay safe everyone ♥️🎄♥️

Day 1311 a lovely sunrise and sunset with work and a haircut in between!

It’s all in the title 😆

I woke up to torrential rain pummelling the window pane this morning. 5.30am.

By the time I left for work, the heavy rain cloud was moving on.

I suddenly noticed the bright star next to the moon…. I believe it was actually Venus.

I’ve never seen anything that bright, that close to the moon.

It was a lovely drive in this morning, no rain and pretty skies.

I was in work early again and got loads done. I love feeing organised when I finish on a Thursday.

It’s my weekend!

I rushed home to get my haircut in the garden room straight across the road from the house. It’s so cool to have your hairdresser over the road.

There are no pics as I just sat and watched the last episode of House season 4 and I cried….. 😂😂😂

The sunset was pretty too.

I saw this earlier and I really liked the sentiment of it. I’ve read it through a lot.

I’ve spent so long raging at the river that I am honestly say acceptance and being present in the moment if so freeing.

I’m listening the Diary of a CEO podcast at the moment. It’s fascinating me. Todays episode said we wear busy-ness like a badge of honour. We expect to be saluted for working all the hours god sends, for having the busiest social life and actually we all need to reward each other for taking time out and looking after ourselves. That needs to become the new norm.

I used to go in early and work late. I thought that’s what was expected of me.

I carried on doing it for most of my career… I began to resent it.

I told everyone how busy I was, how stressed I was, how hard I worked, I was proud of it all while despising it.

I LOVED my job title. It defined me.

I was never happy with what I had. I always wanted more.

I earned a lot of money and yet it was never enough.

When I finally broke and went off sick I felt like a failure. I felt like that for a very long time.

I’d be lying if I said I didn’t get the occasional pang of failure at times when I left my mind overthink…. But mostly I am truly grateful at having the chance to really think about what it is important in my life. Sadly too many people only experience this after some kind of trauma. If you have felt experienced this without having rock bottom then bottle whatever that is and sell it.

I finally don’t worry about what people think of me (but if you don’t like me please don’t EVER tell me as I would carry that about for years… 😳😆) I don’t care about the job title, about the money, about the things. I just have to do what’s right for me now. Instead of putting everything else first.

It’s true freedom.

Until the next wobble.

Stay safe everyone ♥️♥️♥️

Day 1304 I told you I’d be sensible 😘

I couldn’t do the fast today.

I have no idea what was wrong but I knew by about 11am, that I wouldn’t manage any prolonged fast today.

I regularly manage 16-19 hour fasts on a daily basis. I love the feeling of being hungry and knowing that I’m not gorging myself on food unnecessarily. I am eating less in between meals now as I am fuller for longer.

I woke at 5.49am this morning and felt instantly hungry. That’s unheard of.

I packed plenty water, peppermint tea bags and lemon and ginger tea bags and set off confidently into my day. My head was in a good place… I’d done lots of research, I knew what to expect and I was ready.

I don’t know what changed but today clearly wasn’t the right day. I felt really bad by the back of 11. I was dizzy, lightheaded and shaky. It ended up being 1pm when I finally got the chance to eat and I felt an instant relief.

Did my mind talk me out of it? Maybe…. I had no set target in mind. I wanted to try 4 days but was going to take it one day at a time and none of that was possible.

I had to order lunch from work and didn’t even enjoy what I ate.

I actually think it was the wrong time of the month for me. I’m mid way through the Progesterone which usually means the week of the month where I’m more likely to feast than fast.

I was upset, there were tears in my eyes but I just didn’t feel right. So I did the right thing.

It was a cold and frosty morning today.

Work was really busy again. I’ve been in early every day this week and still not getting through everything I need to do…. But I’ve really enjoyed the challenge this week. We had a great meeting last week and have made some changes and there’s a right good buzz about the place and I love it! I’m happy. (Check me!)

The sunset was brief but stunning this evening. I stopped in a layby on the way home from work.

The photos don’t actually do it justice.

I only live about 5 minutes drive from here and it was already gone by the time I got home.

It made it a lovely journey home.

Got my toes painted a lovely autumnal auburn red tonight at Viv’s Nails and Beauty ….not that anyone will be seeing my feet for at least another 5 months! 😂

Soooo tired tonight. Looking forward to a weekend without too much planned except a McMillan coffee afternoon on Sunday. that would have been interesting on an fast. 😂😂

Stay safe everyone 🍁🍂🍁