So hot

Goodness me it's been warm the last few days. And as Brits do, we've complained lol. 

We had a great time at Ragdale Hall. I've been many times but this time was very different. Because of the weather we spent more time outside. They have an outside pool with sunbeds (only open during the summer months) and I was here a lot. I'd also say that alcohol was more prevalent this visit - my companions are obviously a bad influence lol. I loved the pilates and I'm determined to continue with this. The outside pool is lovely and cold. It felt like we were on holiday abroad! Food was excellent as usual, though I had to complain the last night at dinner. Our empty dinner plates left in front of us for almost an hour. We were chatting so it was ok for a bit, then it was unacceptable. They gave us a complimentary bottle of prosecco so all is forgiven. We drank it playing croquet in the garden. It was 10.30pm and we were playing in our swimsuits - and we were still roasting! 

It was decided that my friend Karen would drive to Ragdale, mainly because she gets travel sick (even as a passenger) and I'm a named driver on her insurance should it be repaired. Sunday was a warm day, and the forecast for Wednesday (travel home day) was for it to be very hot. Packing the bags into the car I asked Karen if she has air conditioning (her car is older so not a given) but she did. Off we went, but the air coming out the vents was warm. Karen said it takes a while. Another few miles and the air was cooler not cold, let's say tepid. Karen said that's as cold as it gets. Karen, you don't have air conditioning. Yes I do, she says pointing to the A/C button! No you don't, it's not working. I asked when it was last topped up? What do you mean topped up? Ha ha we had a 3 hour journey with all the windows open. I hate windows open in a moving car especially on the motorway but needs must. I was sweating! But we got there in one piece and had a laugh. When it came to coming home the driver got the car from the carpark for us. He actually burnt his hands on the steering wheel. He gave Karen the keys and warned her not to drive until the car had cooled down. He'd tried with no success to get the AC going! Nope, he never managed. So a very hot journey home. The air blowing in the windows was barely cooler than the car! Hey, it made memories if nothing else, and that's all that matters. (And something funny to write in my blog).

See you next week and be good!

Results are hidden inside the workouts you almost skipped.

Selling houses

My Jamaican Xmas decoration - it's my tradition to buy a Christmas item in every country I visit.

It really is no wonder I'm a little stressed. I'm trying to sell my house - which is up there on the stress barometer with divorce and bereavement. My daughter is selling her flat, my son is evicting his tenant so he can sell his flat, we are evicted one tenant so I can move into the house and we are waiting (patiently) for our other tenant to move out so we can sell that flat. And my Mil is selling her house and due to move next Friday! That's a lot in anyone's books. 

It also looks like I won't be able to work from home so once I move I'll be unemployed. 

But this is no woe is me - Ellie and I drove down to Newcastle yesterday as we are heading to Ragdale Hall spa for a few days with my niece and one of my Karens! I'm super excited. It's what I need after a stressful holiday in Jamaica with Mark. Ha ha, I'm so funny! 

Ooh but talking of funny and Jamaica - our transfer back to the airport last week. The driver gave a little greeting etc at the start of the journey, then sat down to drive and off we went. We were just outside the airport when he suddenly stood up to give a little farewell speech, but the coach was still moving! I nearly had a heart attack, obviously! Except I then realised that there was actually another member of staff on the bus. It was him that stood up not the driver! Phew, drama over. Mark thought it was hilarious and named it a typical 'Gillyism'. So I thought I'd share. I'm getting worse for these weird things, and I'm blaming old age. 

Have a great week. I will. I'll share details next week. Thank you for reading, I hope I've made you smile.

Even miracles take a little time. 

No dive

So just when I thought my chest was healthy enough to dive, I woke during the night and saw peripheral silver streaks reminding me I have Detached vitreous membrane in my left eye. Hum? How would that be with the pressure of being 40m under water? A quick Google sure told me - do not dive! Bugger it. Devastated. And this could be permanent. Bugger, bugger it! 

You're getting this week's blog early because we fly home tonight. 11pm and don't land until 2pm UK time. And I'll be a bit busy getting through immigration and on to Terminal 5 to fly back to Aberdeen. We've had an amazing time and was just what I needed. I barely thought about all the craziness at home just now. But that's what holidays are for - rest and recuperation.

The other evening Mark was wearing a new shirt. A shirt with a hidden pocket. He had the usual breast pocket but there was a zip next to the button seam with a secret, secure space. I've got a secret pocket he said with glee. I pointed to the breast pocket. Yes, he answered sarcastically, my secret pocket is the obvious one that everyone can see! Ah, how cool, once pointed out to me. I had to guess it's contents, so I started with something daring - a condom? What the hell for? was Marks reply lol. Good point. Then I thought maybe a photo of me, next to his heart? Ha ha no! An emergency fiver? Or even just the room key card? No! He had Rennies! Bloody Rennies! Well, that just about sums us up really. Middle aged couple carrying heartburn remedies on holiday. Lol.

Well on that note I shall bid you farewell. Speak again next week, from sunny Scotland.

I own my happiness.

Delay

This mountain of clothes dumped on my bedroom floor is all summer stuff. Some waiting to be packed for our holiday but the rest came out of two suitcases in the loft. They had been swapped with my winter clothes (now up in the loft) and were waiting to be hung in my wardrobe. I had just sorted everything when I found another suitcase full of summer clothes. I can't believe I'm admitting this here, especially as Mark reads it, but I obviously have far too many clothes. I did reluctantly put some aside which are just too big for me, I was sad because there were some favourites, but I'll try to sell them on Vinted, and some got binned. If anyone fancies on ironing the rest you'll find them in my wardrobe. Hanging but creased! Thank you in advance lol.

We flew from Aberdeen to Heathrow last Sunday. It started when a man sat down on the steps that lead up to the airplane door. He was quickly moved on. He was sat in our row, just the other side of the aisle. He went to sleep, but alas without his seat belt on. The cabin staff (female) tried to wake him, he was completely unresponsive. Then he opened his eyes and just said he wanted to sleep. She asked if he had been drinking. He said no, but he wasn't really engaging with her. She told him he had to put his seat belt on. He kind of did but was acting very strange. She went to speak to the captain who decided to take the plane back to it's parking spot. He went back to sleep. Again, she tried to wake him. A doctor was on board and asked if she could help. She called him by name, shook him, pinched him and he was completely unresponsive. They thought he was ill. The medics were called (fire brigade) accompanied by the police (standard practice apparently). They checked him over. Deemed him not ill but certainly not right. The male bobby asked had he been drinking and I'm certain he said yes. He was definitely more forthcoming with the men, as he'd virtually ignored the female steward and doctor! They decided he needed to leave the plane. He wasn't happy and just said all he wanted was to sleep. He was escorted off (to cheers from other passengers) and then he two people with him (his brother and mother) left too. We were and hour late. When we got to Heathrow Terminal 5 we got the train to Terminal 2 & 3 then needed to change to get to terminal 4 for the hotel (we've done this many times) but that train had finished. Staff were useless with information. Seemed there was a bus but the info at the bus stop said it didn't start until 5am. We got a taxi. From terminal 3 to Terminal 4 and it cost us £32!! We got to bed at 1am. Great fun, not. Luckily, our flight to Jamaica wasn't until about 5pm the next day. Of course this meant that we didn't get to bed until midnight on Monday (which was 6am UK time). Bloody knackered. Never had such a tiresome and exhausting travel to the Caribbean before. All recovered now and having a great holiday. 

Weather has been awesome, food is really good and having a lovely time. Have a good week everyone. I shall be here sunbathing and eating! 

Sometimes good things fall apart so that better things can fall together.

Evil twin

Update - feeling loads better. Still a mild crackle in my upper respiratory but hardly coughing at all. Also, the iron and folic acid must have kicked in because I've got energy again! Whoop

It was my birthday this week, so that makes me a Gemini. Whilst I don't believe in horoscopes I do think there is something in astrology. My star sign says that I'm creative and wonderful (yes and yes) but that I have a split personality (also true). This makes me a little contrary. I'm so organised at work that everything has to be just so. I get annoyed if someone moves the stapler! Yet at home, not so much. I mean I'd love to be more sorted at home but I can't quite be bothered with the admin. At work I'm literally the administrator. I think highly of good manners, however my daughter is always telling me off for not saying please. For instance, in a restaurant I might ask "Would it be ok to sit in the window?" Because I say it very politely I don't think please is necessary - but apparently I'm wrong. I also get pissed off if I don't get a thank you (I am good at saying thank you). Some thank you's are more important than others. (In no particular order) - Holding the door open, when giving a gift (especially if not there when it's being opened) and when waiters place food or drink in front of you to name just three. I don't like conflict but I'm probably the first to lose my temper. I love saving money but I also like to buy things. I want to do yoga every morning but I never get up in time. It drives me mad when Mark leaves the washing up liquid on the worktop, but I've always got shit on the coffee table! 

Had a great weekend. Ellie did so well in her half marathon, especially as it was so warm. Runners were flaking out left, right and centre. One poor lass collapsed just 10m's from the finish line, she had to be wheeled away, so sad bless her. Our Airbnb hut was adorable just outside Edinburgh. Then our overnight stay at Ardoe House was just lovely. We took Ellie out for a Vietnamese lunch after her run, so we just had a room picnic at Ardoe with a bottle of plonk. What's not to like? And the sun was shining too. 

I got a new dress (see picture). I love it. Not sure what my face is doing though lol. Concentrating? 

Have a great week and see you Friday.

Life is like riding a bicycle. To keep your balance you have to keep moving. 

Warning

Read with caution - talking about bodily function. 

Today is going to be a long one so get comfy. 

Update - went to the doctor's surgery on Friday. Given steroids and stronger antibiotics. I'm 90% better but still have the rattling bubbles in my chest and a bit of a cough. 

Had a lovely weekend with the Karen's. Unfortunately I was unwell on the Saturday morning. I think I was dumping (where sugar passes from your stomach too fast). I was hot, sweaty and nauseous. I've not been sick once since my op three years ago and I was nervous about how it would be. So Saturday I was like, oh no I'm going to be sick. Head in the loo, proper retching but absolutely nothing came up! After a few more retching episodes I felt better, like you do after being sick. I googled it and it could be that my new little tummy doesn't have the strength to actually project stomach contents up and out. Well, there you go. 

Isaac was a great host in my absence and took the Karen's to the beach with Bella. Bless him. He enjoyed it as much as they did, so bonus! 

Because I'm on antibiotics and not drinking I opened a bottle of Nozeco (alcohol free prosecco). The cork went bang and the drink shot out like a fountain, reaching the kitchen ceiling and going everywhere! I was so shocked, especially as it's happened before with bad mulled wine (you might remember). It was in the exact same spot on the ceiling because the red wine stains are still there lol (we kept the stains as a talking point - I'm sure new owners will paint over when they spot them) I've attached the photo if you can tell - Nozeco is clear so difficult to see.

I've gone off tea a little which is weird because I only really started drinking it after the op because I went off coffee. However, tea can hinder your iron intake so it's like my body is helping itself. Not sure if it's true, though I went off it before I knew I was deficient in iron so maybe. 

We were supposed to be driving to Newcastle yesterday to take back my house there. Tenant given 2 months formal notice and was due to move Monday - but she decided she wouldn't bother! It's sad because I know she's lived there a while, and we've been good landlords - all the legal stuff done, any fixes were sorted straight away, we let her decorate as she pleased and even let her have a dog even though it was in the contract for no pets. We were never in a hurry to put up her rent in line with market value. I think we've been too nice. Luckily for us the law changed on 1 May but we started the process before then (boy, we lucked out - a fluke). I'm not sure what she is thinking, that we'll just let her stay?? No! I need that house. It was my home and I've owned it for 30 years. I must live there to be close to mum, mum needs me. If anything happens to mum before I can move down it will be on the tenant and I will be devastated! Anyway, I won't bore you but we've instructed solicitors who go through the courts. If she then fails to move out Bailiffs will evict, which won't be nice. She's at risk of actually being homeless. There are lots of other rental properties in the area, or council houses so I hope she comes to her senses. When you rent this is unfortunately one of the inconveniences but that's life.We'll keep going until we get possession. I need my home back. I'm hoping some of our costs can be claimed back from her. We have her deposit but we'll stick to the law. Solicitor will do everything, no more Mrs nice landlady from me. I'm so sad and feeling very depressed, obviously. I'm not sleeping and on top of my chest infection I'm done in. But...

This Sunday we are in Edinburgh staying in a shepherds hut to see Ellie finish the half marathon. Go Ellie! Then we go straight to Ardoe House (where we married) for a night to celebrate my birthday next week. The leisure and spa will be magic and I'm super excited. Then next weekend we go on holiday! Whoop whoop. Ellie coming home to look after Isaac and Bella. Isaac is an adult so doesn't need a baby sitter but needs a bossy big sister to make sure he keeps things clean and tidy! Do boys ever get the housework bug like girls do? 

Anyway, I hope you've enjoyed this extra long blog. I'll keep you posted on all the above. I hope you have a great week because I'm going to be doing my damnist to make sure I do! Thank you for reading and take care.

What's for you will find you, but first you have to open your hands to receive it.

The Karens

Update - antibiotics finished on Sunday, and my coughing was improved but I felt dreadful still. I've no energy and my chest still rattles. Into week 7 and it's really getting me down. Had bloods done and a chest x-ray on Wednesday. Bloods back - I'm low in iron, which I guess explains the lethargy. Hoping to see doctor again soon as I'm going on holiday in 2 weeks and was hoping to dive. Can't do scuba with a chest like this. 

The other night I couldn't get to sleep, lying listening to Mark deep breathe, and getting really annoyed. He's out as soon as his head hits the pillow, which is probably due to his aphantasia (if you missed my blog about it a couple of years ago Google will explain). I'm the complete opposite to Mark my head just never shuts up. The constant chatter and conversations even at night, I feel it would be just plain rude to fall asleep in the middle! 

We don't usually watch a programme called Poor Holiday, Rich Holiday but I noticed this week they were in Alps d'Huez which is the very first resort we skied in, and where Mark and BiL went this year. It was cool to see but quite how they spent thousands is a bit 'why??'. Skiing isn't cheap but really? Then my sister told me about one set in Lisbon which is where the four of us went last year. I recognised some of it, but it's a big place. It was definitely one of my best holidays ever - and I like to holiday! 

Surgery rang last night to say I'm also low in folic acid. Which also adds to the lethargy. So happy there's a reason for my knackered-ness! And low folic acid makes you irritable too. Wow, explains my very low threshold for idiots and low tolerance to just about everything and everyone this past week or two. Maybe I'm not just a grumpy old woman after all (hum, maybe just a little). I'm getting to see a doctor this afternoon about my chest. Please let them fix me! 

Last night my two Karen's from Newcastle arrived. We're going to have a great weekend. Bring on the gin and snacks. Whoop whoop. Now where first? A castle then the beach I think. Maybe takeaway for supper. Then chocolate. Great fun. 

Have a great week and I'll see you Friday. 

The picture above - my neighbour gave me Biscoff biscuits which are just delicious. My BiL got me some from France where you can get them covered in chocolate, so I made my own. Delicious Biscoff but just a touch more delicious. Though, full disclosure, more chocolate is needed. Next time though.

Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit. Wisdom is knowing that it doesn't go in a fruit salad.