Merry Boxing Day

It was Ellie's birthday yesterday, and I attempted to make her a gluten free Colin the Caterpillar. The Swiss roll was lovely with a raspberry and white chocolate filling but my decoration was crap, as always. It tasted delicious but didn't look so great. Mark thinks it's so bad it's worthy of being on Bake Off..... extra slice! Cheeky! 

I must tell you about my bargain. Isaac was working on Christmas Eve (in ASDA) and he messaged about noon to say they were reducing the meat. We dashed along and I got a medium turkey crown for £3.68!! And fresh stuffing for 60p. Just delighted. I love a bargain.

Winter solstice has past. This is exciting as, although it's now officially winter, the shortest day is behind us and it's only going to get lighter. Whoop! But talking of winter it's been pretty mild really. This time last year we had the winter duvet on the bed. I also had a throw over that. And every night, without fail, I went to bed with a hot water bottle, mainly because I had freezing feet. This year however, we still have the summer duvet, no throw or blanket in sight and I've not used my hot water bottle once! What's going on? Even though we keep our bedroom really cold I'm so warm in bed. Often there's a leg or a bum hanging out of them covers to cool down! I think it's so weird. From one extreme to another. 

After having to finally remove my professional eyelash extensions (very reluctantly I might add, though they had become thread bare and spindley). My face just looked so plain and dour! My natural lashes are tiny and pathetic. My lovely daughter sent me some DIY ones to wear at my works Christmas party. What a disaster! I got the tools all wrong - thought the tweezers were a stick and the clamp a prodder lol, and I ended up with fake lashes all over my fingers, stuck to the sink, up the walls, everywhere except on my eyes! I gave up, it wasn't happening. I don't think I've enough real lashes for the plastic ones to stick to. For those of you with lovely long lashes you don't know how lucky you are! 

I hope you all had a lovely Christmas yesterday, whatever or whoever or however you celebrated! Only the last few days of 2025 and it'll be gone forever. Bless you and your families as we turn the page and start a brand new chapter. You can write it any way you see fit. Stay positive and be kind!

The universe rewards the brave. 

Little bird

Walking Bella on Sunday we came across a small bird sitting on the grassy path. I went close to look and it didn't move so I thought it was dead. Then Bella sniffed it and it moved. It tried to get away when I picked it up. It was bleeding and I carried it home and put it in a shoe box. I rang RSPB but the recorded message asked me to ring SSPCA which I did. They told me to call my local vet. I got out of hours service and they said the nearest open veterinary was the animal hospital in Aberdeen to almost 35 miles away. So off we went. When I arrived I took a peek in the box as the bird had died. I promptly burst into tears. I felt rather daft but I was really sad. The vet said it had badly injured it's leg and would have had little chance of surviving. Poor wee thing. 

This week I was in Aberdeen and I came across a woman called Gillian Wilson! And she went by Gilly too. What are the chances? We sat together and she showed me her car number plate - G17 LLY. I was very jealous lol. 

I have a condition called Formication. Of course I do lol. It's defined as -  a tactile hallucination, the strange feeling of insects crawling on or under your skin when none are actually there. It's so weird. My ears constantly feel tickled like spiders running over them. I don't like spiders and the thought of them in or around my ears is a little disconcerting.  I should add that a doctor hasn't diagnosed this, just Dr Google with the help of Good Morning Britain via Lorraine. Ha ha ha

I can't believe the next time I'll be writing  Christmas will be over. I hope you have fun between now and then. This is the best bit. My favourite day is actually Christmas Eve! The anticipation and joy just can't be beaten. Make the most of every moment because in a flash it'll be gone for another year! 

Merry Christmas!

The most difficult roads lead to the most beautiful destinations. 

My week

I'm going to tell you about my week. 

I made this wreath, and I'm really happy. The circle was already prepared, which I suspect is the most difficult part. My job was just to make it look pretty. It was great fun and surprisingly relaxing. We had access to all sorts of stuff, holly and fern, berries and bows, bells and whistles (ok, there were no whistles). We had Christmas treats to eat and Christmas music in the background. My first attempt and I'm so proud. 

I had my first turkey dinner of the year. Peterhead football club hosts Festive Friends for the community every year. I was there to support a resident along with other staff and residents. The meal was fine and I managed quite a lot! Local school kids sang us Christmas songs which is always a treat - they were so enthusiastic. The football mascot visited (a seagull, I forget his name, Sammy I think) and the kids were just delighted. He was better than Santa!

I ate the best mince pie I've ever had. So whilst I managed a good amount of dinner I had zero room for mince pies, so I parcelled a couple up for later. OMG it was awesome. They were home made by one of the local bakeries, so guess where I was shopping yesterday lol.

I watched the worst Christmas movie, ever! 'Oh. What. Fun' with Michelle Pfeiffer. It was very bad. Don't waste your time. And this is coming from me, that watches all the terrible Hallmark Xmas films! 

All week I kept thinking I was coming down with a cold - a scratchy throat, lethargic and bone tired but nothing has developed. I did have a hot toddy the first night. We didn't have whisky so I used rum, so maybe it knocked it on the head. We'll never know, but I'm feeling ok just now.

Isaac is driving me to work this morning. It's our family Christmas lunch and party. I'll be super busy all morning helping to get prepared but then I shall relax with a real glass of vino. Yes, ladies and gentlemen I will be drinking alcohol at work! Only at Christmas. 

Have a great week and see you next Friday x

If you stumble, just make it part of the dance.

The opposite

Last week it was all the nice things, this week I'm having a moan. I am aware that I may have moaned about this last year, and I apologise if this is old news, but it bugs me so I'm letting go again. 

It's Christmas time and we, like most families, buy the big tubs of chocolates - Quality Street, Heroes etc. Now in these tubs we all have our favourites be it the purple one, the toffees or the soft centres. I have my favourites and my family have theirs. Now the problem is that I definitely have my favourites but I don't actually dislike any of them. I mean, hey, they are made of chocolate! However, no one else will eat the coconut ones! The coconut ones are my least favourite, but I'll eat them (I refer to my previous comment that they are still chocolates). So we all tuck into our favourites (I love the soft centres, Mark loves the toffees, not sure about Ellie and Isaac). I ignore the coconut ones because I do NOT love them! This means all the chocolates are eaten except them. They are always left in the tub, then I'll eat them because there's nothing else left. This makes my family mad (i.e. Mark). He thinks I should not eat my favourites and I should tuck into the blue ones (or Bounty's) while he eats all his favourites. This is unfair and I want it on record! It's not my fault he (nor Isaac) eat them! But I want to eat the ones I really want just like they do. If they are the only ones left then that's their hard cheese, and yes I will eat them! They're not getting chucked in the bin, after all, they are made of chocolate!!

I thought of a great present for Isaac. (Obviously I can't tell you here). I was worried that Mark would tell me I was daft. Ellie has already told me that I'm daft but what does she know? I'm confident Isaac will love it - and if he doesn't, I will. So rather than discuss it with hubby (in case he says no) I've gone ahead and bought it. They'll both get a suprise. I have promised Ellie that if she is correct and if I'm not allowed to keep it for myself after Isaac looks at me as if I'm mad, it will be returned to the shop. So here goes. Will Santa get a gold point or are my deep seated worries coming to fruition? I shall let you know ha ha ha, or ho ho ho!

The beauty of life is in small moments, not big events.

All the nice things.

I've decided to just talk about nice things this week. In no particular order -

I went for a check up at the dentist and a visit with the dental hygienist. Dentist happy and no treatment needed. Hygienist also pleased. My gum disease is stable and my bleeding was down from 8% to 6%. Though I'm not entirely sure exactly what this means it sounds good.

I had a lovely day at work Wednesday. Me and Anna put up the Christmas tree in the living room and decorated the room with our initiative. It looked very nice and my boss was happy. Some of the residents got involved and directed us as to where to place the baubles. At one point I needed to ask Mr R to vacate his seat so I could stand on it (all the best health and safety (don't tell anyone)) and pin decorations above his seat. Bless him, as I stood on the chair he placed his hands on my waist to ensure I didn't fall. A few minutes later (whilst safely back on the floor) I bent down and cracked my head on the corner of a trolley. But that's not a nice thing so I'll say no more (apart from black and blue, and an egg). 

At home yesterday me, Mark and Isaac put our own Christmas decorations up. This involves a tub of Celebrations, a bottle of prosecco and Christmas tunes playing on YouTube. It's mostly a nice activity (only a smidge of disagreement) and the house looks gorgeous and festive! 

I've lost weight. When I got home from our holiday I jumped on the scales, expecting a gain of a pound or two, but no, I was lighter and it's stuck. Seems my new set point is about 10st 4lbs. This is fine by me. I wasn't trying to lose weight but a wee bit off is welcome. To be honest, the joy of going on holiday and not coming home half a stone heavier is such a delight! I can't get over my body behaving like a normal person. 

The weather was warmed a little though winter in coming. I hope you all have a great week and get a shifty with your Christmas shopping. Thank you for reading and have a great week.

A negative mind will never give you a positive life. 

Winter

As the weather has become colder and more miserable I've decided I need to walk Bella more frequently! There's something satisfying about pulling on my wellies, getting the duvet coat out, donning a woolly hat, pulling up the hood and zipping up so that the collar covers my face right up to my nose. I have my new cosy gloves and pockets to stick my hands in if they need more warmth than that. I look amazing. I have drawn the line at wearing my ski mask which would keep the wind off my eyes but I think I would look too mental, even for me. When it's dark (which is a lot at this time of year) Bella has her high Vis vest, and I have my head torch. Unlike the summer, when we might drive to the beach or country park and occasionally the mountain Bennachie for nice long walks, the walk is shorter and just out our back door and around the fields here at home. Bella is loving it and the joys of getting muddy. I just get told off for forgetting I have nice new snow boots! Though wellies do a great job when it's wet and horrid. We have yet to see proper snow.

I'm currently doing something that I've never done before. Some of you might be thinking that there's not a lot in that list, but I might surprise you. Without going through all the options I'm going to just tell you. I'm reading two books concurrently! I don't mean one in each hand of course. I have my normal novel at bed time but I've also picked up a Christmas themed book at the library on Wednesday. Not my usual genre but at this time of year it is my guilty pleasure. I shall read it during the day, curled up in front of the fire with mulled wine and a mince pie. A bit of love and romance centred around eggnog and mistletoe. You can't beat it. There's always a happy ending and the boy gets the girl. Not dissimilar to the hallmark Christmas movie that I watch whenever I can at this time of festiveness. It's smulch, but a great jingle bells and snowy smulch. And I only indulge between November and December! Joy be to all men.

Have a great week and see you soon. Thanks for reading xx

The way people treat you it's because of their character, and not your worth. 

Boring

I want to tell you all about my holiday in The Maldives but I'm worried about two things. 1. You will be bored because you don't want to read about someone else's holiday, and 2. You'll think I'm showing off. 

I'd hate you to think I'm just being elitist when it's really just excitement and wanting to share it all with you but it's a real fear that you'll think I'm like 'look where I've been and how wonderful am I for going away somewhere so amazing'. 

I'm the youngest of three girls and my elder sisters will tell you I'm spoilt. Which obviously I'll deny. I mean come on! I had hand-me-down clothes until I was an adult, I always got the smallest bedroom, I had to sit in the middle of the back seat of the car and my sister's never let me play out with them (until my mum made them of course). I may have got away with more when I was little but no way was I given everything that I asked for. I remember one Christmas getting a wardrobe for my Sindy doll and I spent all day Christmas making her a bed out of a shoebox. She shared this bed with the Six Million Dollar Man (also a gift that Christmas), I feel I need to add that it was all very innocent you understand - no frolicking. My children will tell you that their dad spoils me and I would have to agree there is some truth with this one. Mark has a good job and he works hard. I am in the very privileged position to be able to shop. Mark rarely says no, though he always has the power to veto, which he uses when I get carried away let's say. However, I too work hard albeit part time and I contribute to the household budget! My wages stretch a very long way and don't listen to anyone (Mark) who says otherwise. 

So, on reflection I have decided to just share a few holiday nuggets. The island purified and filtered their own water into glass bottles and it was delicious. Best drinking water ever! The ice-cream was amazing and along with the usual flavours of coconut (my favourite), chocolate, butterscotch, peanut (Mark's favourite) they had cardamom, tamarind and hot chilli flavours. Our last 24 hours spent in the over water villa was magical. Stairs from our decking to the water, tri-fold doors making the inside feel outside, day bed and hot tub with the ocean view and sunset. Totally amazing! But I shall say no more, for fear of preening, but it was a truly unforgettable trip. Except to tell you that seeing the dolphins was awesome! Right, I'll shut up now! 

Jet lag is a bugger though. Ellie picked me up from Aberdeen airport and we drove to Newcastle after stopping in Edinburgh over night. Thursday morning I woke at 1am after 3 hours sleep. By 4am I was still awake so decided to give in. We set off from Edinburgh at 5am. It was dark (obviously) and it poured (proper rain, none of that poncy drizzle type stuff) the whole journey! The amount of water on the roads was fearsome and I didn't enjoy the drive. But we arrived at mums at 7.30am, so job done. My last home visit to deliver Christmas presents, just like Santa, though he doesn't put up with flooded roads! 

Have fun and see you next week.

Do weights for muscle, cardio for heart and ice-cream for mental health. 

Old age

Another day in paradise. Maldives is everything I remember and everything I dreamed. We came to the Maldives for our honeymoon over 26 years ago. I didn't think we'd get back. I've hankered recently but Sandals resorts always won out because of the inclusive diving. But following the devastation in Jamaica and the cancelling of our holiday it seemed the perfect time and we are not disappointed. It's stunning here and I feel so very blessed. The sand is pure white and soft underfoot. The sun has kissed our skin everyday, with a gentle breeze to cool our brow. Will I be back? I bloody hope so.

I've left Ellie and Isaac back home with strict instructions to sell the house before we get back! Hum, I think Bella has just as much chance. Still not a single viewer has past the threshold. Ooh bugger! 

There are many signs of old age. The signs vary person to person but let's talk about mine! Wrinkly skin? I think I'm doing ok on this front and most of my less than tight skin is down to weight loss so I'm not complaining. We all know how bad my memory is mostly due to the menopause - but that's age related too. To be honest I've never had a good memory (lack of concentration I believe, in that it doesn't go in my brain in the first place). Aches and pains? A few niggles but I'm grand really. Growing hairs and whiskers where a lady shouldn't? Ooh yeah, I've admitted this one, embarrassingly! So talking of embarrassed I've found a new sign (I can't believe I'm sharing this one - there's something about writing a blog that makes you open up and maybe too open) but (and shhh) sometimes when I stand up I let out a little fart that I didn't know was there. Classic old age I reckon! I'm all a fluster with embarrassment and shocked that I've told you, but you know what? I've probably told you before, and I genuinely can't remember. Which brings us back to old age sign number 2. That's the real embarrassment.

A wound doesn't heal if you keep picking at the scab. 

 

Terrible Tuesday

Firstly, after deciding to sell our flat in Aberdeen the tenant messaged first thing Tuesday morning asking me to cancel the appointments made for Friday. I had to call the agent, photographer and surveyor. Ok, this was fine, we were considering another path anyway. 

I received an email from PayPal to say that since I hadn't escalated the dispute for the scammed cardi (which I had the day before) the case was closed! I found a telephone number for PayPal and after a long call they refunded me in full (this was a good bit of the day, not terrible). 

I had an appointment at the hospital. The carpark was chocker and I ended up on the very top floor (number 13 - who wants to park on number 13 when going to hospital?). I was late but still got seen. My standard procedure was awful and not successful. I might have to get it done under a general. Great. 

In my haste to get home I forgot to pick up Mark's order from Tool station!

We were due to fly to Heathrow tomorrow to then fly to Jamaica Saturday. I spoke with the travel agent who advised I could not swap to another resort as they were all full! We had to wait and see what happened when the hurricane actually landed on the island! Well, I'm sure you've seen it has been devastating. Just awful. The airport has a huge hole in the roof - see picture! The people of this Caribbean island have been put through the tumble drier! No idea what was happening with our holiday. Though they finally offered us a cancellation yesterday. 

Then finally, on Tuesday night when Mark got up from sleeping (he's on Nightshift) he made toast. He's eating it saying there was weird crunchy bits. (And not seeds as I asked). He spat a couple of mouths out before giving up. He then found a big bit of glass! I felt I needed to go straight to the store (Lidl) in case other loaves were effected. The poor duty manager wasn't sure what to do. I hope it wasn't malicious. Hopefully I'll find out. It was a big shock and a worry. Mark spent all evening thinking he could feel glass in his gullet. Anyway, he survived as I did this miserable Tuesday.

A candle loses nothing by lighting another candle. 

Toothy

So I had this tooth pulled out on Wednesday. Believe it or not it's a wisdom tooth! A pathetic silly deformed wisdom tooth! Pretty much says it all really lol. (I'm not pathetic and deformed - just my wisdom). It's been loose and wriggling for months. I kept agitating it hoping it would fall out, but to no avail. It became sore when brushing or biting, and I was worried (well, Mark was worried) I'd get an infection before or during our holiday. Dentist yanked it out in one pull! PS it's not blue, that's just a weird reflection on the photo!

First thing Monday morning I had to go to the pharmacist for work. As I waited for the prescription I had a look around the chemist shop (they sell gifty things). I spotted a vanity mirror with X5 magnifying. Thought I'd see how it compared to my mirror at home. Big mistake! Huge! I immediately saw two long black hairs growing from my chin! And (I can't believe I'm actually telling you this) a long white hair growing out of my nose! Argh, like an old man! Right, the first thing to do was source and borrow a pair of tweezers at work. Except as soon as I was in the door I was busy recording the COVID booster and flu jabs the vaccination team were giving. Hence I forgot the hairs ... Until I got home and I was mortified all over again! 

I have to admit getting quite stressed with life at the moment. Nothing is happening with my house and we've decided to put the flat we let in Aberdeen on the market too. Our tenant of 12 years has given notice so it seems a good time. Aberdeen market is pants so we'll have to sell it for less than it's value. Fingers crossed we at least get what we paid for it! Haemorrhaging money just now, it's so bloody expensive. On top of that it also occurred to me that I'm wanting to move to Newcastle not because I'm unhappy in Scotland, far from it but, if I can't sell my house and move, I will become very unhappy being forced to stay. If that makes sense? Please keep me in your prayers.

Life is 10% what happens to you and 90% how you react to it. 

Dupped

 

I saw this cardigan (top) on Facebook and loved it. Clicked the link, picked the colour and paid by PayPal. A website seemingly ran by mother and daughter called Mabel & Daisy. I first became suspicious when the exact same cardi was advertised on another Facebook advert, same looking website (two female names - I forget). I got email confirmation and emails when dispatched etc. Finally it arrived and was absolutely NOTHING like the picture (see my product - below screenshot of what it should look like)! Very cheap fabric, huge in size and looked awful. That's when I found the one star reviews, a smidge too late. Mark helped me raise a case with PayPal and I attempted to contact the company. An email response came back (I was shocked to receive a reply I might add). They told me 'of course you can return it for a full refund.... But you have to post it to Asia which costs £30-40!!' Instead I could accept 10% refund plus 20% discount code. I declined. Then they offered 20% refund. I thought sod it, can't be bothered to fight! They told me I had to close the PayPal dispute case first. I decided to let PayPal do it's thing, except this morning they offered 40% refund. It still means it cost me about £20 for a disgusting bit of clothing I couldn't even sell for £5 at a boot sale! I don't know, I'm undecided. Ooh and PayPal came back and said they company will refund in full, if I post it back. So back to option 1 really. Blinking scoundrels.

I've had a bit of a mental health challenge this week. Not only trying to sell my home but also decided we should sell the flat we own in Aberdeen. The tenant gave us notice (he's lived there since 2014! But his job is taking him to Qatar). Seemed a sensible choice as our mortgage people are looking for repayment as the mortgage was taken out for 25 years on an interest only basis (we used to get tax relief on loan payments but that was stopped a few years ago). It's a lovely flat and we've had no issues at all but tenants are so protected that if we got a new person in they have to be given at least 12 months before we can evict - and then only for a handful of reasons. So now is the best time. Of course if it doesn't sell quickly we have to fork out the mortgage ourselves as it'll be empty soon. It's just too stressful and financially worrying. I don't think Mark will be retiring any time soon. Please wish me luck on both properties. 

Anyway, on a better note, I've started to swap my summer and winter wardrobe, which means packing some of my summer dresses ready for our Jamaican holiday! I can't wait. And I'm hopefully getting a long weekend in Newcastle when we get back. See my family and friends before Christmas and swap presents as it'll be 2026 before I get to my homeland again. 

I hope you all have a great week. Be kind to one another, and breathe!

You don't have to set yourself on fire to keep other people warm.

4 days!

Don't judge, but I slipped off the wagon. I know you're all disappointed. Scrub that, my mum is disappointed, I'm sure no one else cares a cotton tail. It's complicated, so bear with me. I decided to do sober October as I'd been drinking too much recently and wanted to be a little healthier, and October seemed to be a convenient way to go about it. My choice. Now if I was being sponsored for charity I would easily have gone the distance. Even if I just wanted to prove to myself that I could do it, I would easily have managed (well, clearly not, obviously) but on Saturday we were battened down because of storm Amy, huddled in my living room cosy with a blanket and reading the paper, I simply decided I fancied a cocktail. Then Sunday we had fillet steak (last Christmas' butcher's voucher gift from work). And it would be so wrong to have best beef without a delicious red wine! So that's my story. It's not all lost. I'm still being sober between the drinking! I did feel bad though when a reader/colleague told me I'd inspired her to also be healthy, and she had decided to go for a wee walk every day this month! Oops, I managed 4 days!

Another reason I need to eat humble pie - having no plans for anything this month I fell off the holiday/short break/hotel wagon too. I've booked for Mark and I to stay at The Marcliffe (Aberdeen's only 5 star hotel). I found a great rate, for a superior room including breakfast. Would be rude not too. My daughter then reminded me that I had said I was booking any more holidays/short breaks/hotels until after we had moved. We need to save as much money as possible for the new house. God I'm crap at these things. I might or might not have also booked next summer's holiday. I'm saying nothing and you can't make me. Only that it was such a good price that again, rude not to. I just couldn't resist. It's a good job Mark loves me, and I take him with me. Trust me, he loves the holidays just as much as me. Don't think he will be retiring next year after all. He has a wife that needs to be kept in the manner that she had become accustomed too. 

PS hundreds have looked at our house online but still zero in the flesh. Let's not panic! I have manifested.

PPS as you can see the apples pretty much survived Amy though the leaves not as well.

Don't ask me for life advice, you'll end up with a new dog. 

Greenfields

So that's Greenfields on the market! With Masson & Glennie if anyone wants a neb. We have a For Sale sign in the garden and at the bottom of the road. I'm excited and nervous and sad and worried and thrilled all at the same time. I'm realistic enough to know it could take months to sell but I was also hoping it'd be snapped up before Christmas! I thought they'd be banging on the door to take a look but no one has booked a viewing yet! Oh the stress, my tummy is in bits. 1800 people looked at it on ASPC the first day, then the next 600, then 127 so far on day 3! 

Everyone has been so complimentary about my lovely home, they've praised how gorgeous it is. Of course, no one is going to tell me they think it's horrible lol. My blog last week had record readers - treble my usual. That was nice. But, like the ASPC viewers that figure will plummet this week. Such is life. 

I started sober October! Already regretting it! I mean, come on, 31 days without wine or gin? That's sad. I'm missing it already. Day one I had Appletise in a champagne flute. And I've got a couple of bottles of alcohol free at the ready. I'm out on 31 October so my sober month will end one day early but I'm so fine with that. I know so many people that need to go the whole distance otherwise it doesn't count. Climbing that hill having to reach the summit, no chocolate for Lent for the full shabang, running 10k with no little walk time. I also have friends that don't even finish a course of antibiotics (not condoned). I'm somewhere in the middle. Quite happy to miss the end if I need to! Please don't frown, I finish important things! Obviously! 

This is that time of year that this tree in my garden goes a beautiful colour. I will miss it! It represents the start of colder seasons but reminds me that it's not all dark and miserable. Good things happen in autumn and winter! It also tells me that spring is on the way ha ha.

You might be breaking, but remember you're not broken. 

On the move!

 It has been such a difficult decision, giving me a heavy heart but we have decided to move. My mum will be 85 tomorrow and I feel that I need to return to the NE of England to be close to her whilst I still have her. I'm not expecting her to pop her clogs anytime soon, but life is too short and she's getting on. I don't want to wait until she needs me or, worse, gone to heaven. The time is now. 

The actual decision was made very quickly. I had been down to visit mum and on the drive home I just knew. Luckily, Mark has agreed and the kids (both of them) want to come too. Within no time I had contacted the Estate Agent and put plans in motion. The surveyor came last week and yesterday we had the photographer. I told you I can be very spontaneous lol. I'm excited but also realise the house might take a while to sell, these things can be tricky! We love our house, our dream house and we've been living in it for 18 years. I've lived in the NE of Scotland for half of my life and has become home but my mum and other family are more important. I also have very close friends in Newcastle who I can't wait to be closer to. I've known them for a million years and I miss them. 

I tried to tell as many people face to face but if I missed you, and you're surprised, I apologise. Don't worry I shall be up very frequently to see family and friends here. I'm used to the 5 hour drive after 30 years. And I'll obviously miss you all when I'm gone. 

The last few weeks we've been cleaning and tidying and sorting. And, oh my goodness, there is so much more to do. Mark is determined to be ruthless, but I'm not great at letting things go. I may not have used that punch bowl in a decade but I just might need it in 2031! Don't make me bin it! I love it, it's hidden in the cupboard but I really love it. Honestly! 

I shall keep you posted on the progress. If my house doesn't sell I'll not keep it on the market forever. At some point I'll throw in the gauntlet, living in limbo does not appeal. Please keep your fingers crossed for us. It's now or never! 

Once you feel you're avoided by someone, never disturb them again.

Trust me

Home from an amazing holiday in Lisbon. I never got used to the hills, especially the ones going up. And there was definitely more uphills than downhills! The weather was hot and sunny, the food was delicious, people were friendly and there was loads to see and do. Highly recommend! 

So when walking the hills in Lisboa I noticed this woman wearing some beautiful shoes. They were flat like ballet pumps, with a strap like Mary Janes (and I need a strap) and looked super comfortable and sensible, but because they were made of velvet also looked stylish and smart, and universal! I told Jane about them and low and behold that evening we came across a shop selling nothing but these shoes! They came in so many colours I was like a kid in a candy shop! And whilst all flat and very similar they were all different too. I just couldn't resist, even though they weren't inexpensive lol. But of course, typically like me, I didn't buy the sensible grey I bought the bright pink with a big velvet bow as the strap! They are so comfy and I just adore them - but not quite as universal as planned. But hey, life is too short not to wear gorgeous velvet, pink shoes! 

Silly me I only took one bag of butter mintoes for my dry mouth which didn't last more than a couple of days. I got some boiled sweets from the supermarket which helped a little but weren't great. Sister Jane suggested I just sip water but alas water had no effect at all. Water is good for hydration but is like sand with a dry mouth. I did however discover that ice lollies were fantastic. Not only cooled me in the hot weather but was so soothing for my mouth. I'll be stocking up my freezer tomorrow! Calypso's here I come. 

Can you believe I actually have no plans for travelling next month? Not sure what went wrong. But I have a feeling there will be plenty to occupy me in the house instead. No decorating but lots of sorting and decluttering. Shoes being top of the list, followed by toiletries (again). I always have too many lotions and potions! Another plan for October is going sober. Drank a lot in Portugal. I'm blaming my brother in law! Gin, wine, beer, cocktails! It was great.

I always get to where I am going, by walking away from where I have been. 

Lisboa

Nobody told me that Lisbon was hilly. Been here since Tuesday and I've walked up (and down) a thousand hills. And the paths are cobbled, and not a flat cobbled, a wavy cobbled. An accident waiting to happen! Oh, yes, and Jane twisted her ankle yesterday. So glad it wasn't me. I'm moaning enough with the hills, not to add in a sore ankle. 

Wednesday we bought a 24 hour Lisboa card. We maxed it as best we could. First was the 25 April suspension bridge. But, obviously, the lift was out of order and I had to climb hundreds of steps to the top! I managed without complaining but it did me in! We had lunch at a disused factory converted into restaurants and shops - really nice. Then we did the crown jewels, then ancient arts museum and lastly the castle. Jewels were amazing and the museum was interesting but the castle was awesome! But, sure enough, it was up hill, right at the top! My goodness I slept well. Luckily, it was a cloudy day (though still very warm). Richard's watch told us we had walked over 18kms! (He didn't get the whole day recorded), 24000 steps and 70 flights of stairs! Wow. 3 years ago I wouldn't have managed.

Yesterday we used the last of the Lisboa card getting the tram to Belem tower. It was closed for maintenance! D'oh! But we had our first Pastel de nata (custard tart but better) and it was lush! Jane even found gluten free ones. A slightly more relaxed day. I wanted to go to the Chinese pavilion which is a bar I'd read about in a novel. It was much better than I anticipated. Loads and loads of artifacts and great cocktails. 

Today is Jane's birthday. Happy birthday Jane. We are getting the train to the beach for a truly relaxing day. More sight seeing planned for Saturday. Have a great weekend, whatever your plans.

A journey is best measured in friends rather than miles. 

Au contraire

 

This little fella was busy having breakfast at the edge of the field where Bella and I were walking. He wasn't at all bothered about me getting so close to take this picture! (It's a mouse, just in case you can't tell)

I'm often being accused of being contrary, though obviously I would disagree. Although it has recently come to my attention that I have two character traits that I believe clash.

I noticed that I'm not particularly adventurous. I can become a little nervous in a strange environment. For example, on holiday. I'm not one for wandering aimlessly. Where as Mark is happy to see what we might find I just worry about what we might find. And if it's a country that doesn't have English as it's first language I'm doubly fretful. If we are driving I'm worried we'll get lost. Public transport gives me hives - how do we buy a ticket, buy the correct ticket, get on the right bus/train/tram, get off at the right stop? Mark has the attitude that everything will be fine (so far he's been right. I'm not currently lost in Paris wandering around for the last 10 years lol). He's very much 'what's the worst that can happen?' and I'm like 'well, we might have to ask a Frenchman how to get to a, b or c and we can't speak French!'. Even I think I'm irrational but I can't help it. We're going to Lisbon next week with my sister and brother in law. When it's the four of us I barely worry a jot and I'm 1 of 4, and follow the majority (i.e., the other 3) but when it's just Mark and I I'm 1 of 2 therefore 50% of the responsibility is mine. I trust Mark and generally, try, to just follow his lead but I also drive him crazy with my constant questions and doubts. I will try to curb my nerves next week, I promise. 

Now the other character trait that I think jars with the above is that I'm impulsive! I don't necessarily think too hard about things. Getting my hair cut for one. I had mulled it around in my head a while but the actual decision was made driving to the hairdresser's and once it's made it's made! When I shop I just see something I like and buy it. Humming and hah-ing is a bad sign. I decide to go on holiday somewhere, 10 minutes later it's booked. When we had our kitchen fitted we just went to the shop and picked the units and the colours and the worktops and the handles, bish, bash, bosh! None of this thinking for weeks. My mate Karen is visiting and she is the absolute opposite of impulsive. It takes her ten minutes to decide what cake she wants at the coffee shop. Her new kitchen was fitted a few weeks ago (after months of deciding) and she still hasn't settled on what tile or splashback or flooring to have. Me and Ellie picked her wallpaper but she'll change her mind a million times before anything actually goes on the wall. I shall wait and see if it's the one Ellie and I voted for. 

Anyway, I've talked too long. Next week I'll be writing from Portugal, I'll let you know how my adventures develop there. Have a great week!

If you change the way you look at things the things you look at change.

Two fluffy squabs

Nesting pigeon had two babies, you can just about see them in this picture. So cute.

After posting last week's blog I was quietly having a coffee watching This Morning when it comes to my attention that my big sister has gone to Newcastle and is staying with my mum. I haven't seen her for months (though we are going to Portugal together in less than 2 weeks) so I grab a bag, throw in some clothes and drive down to see her. I think this is like the 4th trip down to Tyne and Wear in the last couple of months. It was a tortuous journey but worth it. On the Sunday we went out for lunch with mum and my other sister and her kids. It was lovely. The drive home, early on the Monday morning, was sunny and far more pleasant. No more driving down for a bit I hope. It is rather exhausting. And I've not figured out how to listen to my podcasts through Harriet, and the radio gets pretty repetitive. 

This week it's been the start of sorting cupboards. I've sold some old DVDs and a handful of books on an app. Just scan the barcode and go. Most sell for pennies (including a couple that were literally 1p!) but it's very exciting when something sells for over £2! A massive box of stuff on its way to Music Magpie for the grand total of £15! Boy, what will I treat myself to? It might stretch to a Chinese takeaway for one. I'm not complaining. It's better than a kick in the butt. And the cathartic feeling of letting go of unwanted chattel is great. 

My hair has been getting lots of very nice comments. A few have liked it but thought it was better long. I did like it, until I eventually had to wash it. Then it all went horribly wrong. I even attempted to blow dry it but alas, it still bounced into a frizzy mess. This is why it was always long - so that I could tie it into a bun and forget about it. I'll try running the straighteners through it before I'm seen in public 🤞 but I don't have high hopes. It is just about long enough to twist into a clip, so I might be saved but I'm disappointed. I can't go to the hairdresser for a blow dry once a week! Oh and on top of that, Isaac asked me if I knew I had a big patch off grey on top of my head! I explained about me growing the dyed hair out leaving me naturally grey. He said it looked silly. When I argued that other people thought the colour was going to look ok he answered by saying only him, his dad and sister were allowed to tell me the truth. Great! Thank you Isaac. Kick my hair whilst it's down! 

This weekend my wee study is getting a thorough tidy and sort. I know I'll find paperwork from the last century. Oh the joys! 

Have fun everyone and see you later.

The happiest people don't have the best of everything, they make the best of everything. 

Before/after

Well, not sure what happened but I went to the hairdresser's yesterday and had a foot chopped off my hair! I didn't cry, which surprised me and I am already growing it back.... But I like it. Mum and Mark I don't think are very impressed. Mark liked it long, but it needed a good cut and it's almost up to the regrowth length and feels like my old thick hair again. It also chopped off lots of the dyed stuff. After the hairdresser I had my B12 jab at the surgery and the nurse liked it and said she had hair envy and was tempted to get her own cut. And my neighbour likes it. So I hope you all like it. And Helen? 

I had to take Harriet, the mini, to the garage just to get a clip fixed and I was reading a magazine, as one does whilst one is sitting in a car showroom awaiting their car. It was an article by a woman who has reduced her biological age to 20 when she was like 58 years old. You might have read about her, Sandra Parsons, as she's written a book about it and been in all the papers and magazines. I found it really interesting but the one thing that hit me between the eyes was the phrase 'you have to choose'. It's obviously obvious but it still slapped me hard like it had never occurred to me before. You just choose to eat a banana rather than a chocolate cream eclair. You choose to stand up and go for a walk rather than sit in a chair watching TV. Sometimes you pick the TV and eclair but as long as you mostly pick the healthy option you're winning! And the most exciting thing that works (according to this Sandra) is that a 15 minute walk has great results - we don't have to burn out at the gym for an hour or run a couple of kms. Just walk a bit. Eat a banana and you've smashed it! Though, don't quote me as I might have simplified things just a smidge. You get the general idea though. 

I found out yesterday that I'm not the only one suffering with this bloody dry mouth thing! It's almost a pandemic (are we still allowed to say stuff like that since having an actual pandemic?). My dentist recommended lots of things but one I will try is adding electrolytes to my water. I might speak to my doctor too, just in case there's an underlying problem, but to know I'm not alone is making me feel so much better! Funny, that. 

Have a great week everyone! 

PS I've realised that your probably need a front facing picture of my hair to really judge.

I finally got 8 hours sleep. It took me three days but whatever!

Ragdale

 

This is me (you can just about see me if you look closely) in the candlelit cave. My favourite place at Ragdale Hall. If I tell you that all the classes I have taken involved bare feet you'll get a flavour for my few days here. Pilates, yoga, candlelit stretch (by candlelight), wake up and stretch (no candlelight), aqua dance! In fact I've only worn trainers once, that was for weight lifting yesterday lol.

My life is not perfect. Like everyone else I have my worries, my niddles, my upsets and ailments but I am acutely aware that I am luckier than many. When I am away, especially somewhere like here I feel overwhelmed with contentment and gratitude that makes me feel quite teary. I am blessed and I wish you could all visit Ragdale with me. But as you can't let me explain (stop reading now if you wish). The food is top notch, the staff are all lovely and friendly, the facilities are amazing - the classes, gym, thermal spa, outside heated pool, heated rooftop infinity pool, outside sun beds, swinging egg chairs, day beds. The cocktails in the cocktail bar are delicious (and pretty much the only extra you need to pay for). All three nooks and crannies for sleeping or reading. The comfy sofas in the lounges. The rooms are comfy and posh. Swanning around in robes and flip flops! Later today when we get ready to depart it'll be a pain putting clothes on! Ragdale is just wonderful. 

It's been easy to be sugar free here - proper food at all meals with just sweetness for pudding. However, on the drive down I massively needed boiled sweets for my dry mouth. It is so getting on my nerves now! It's shit!

I hope you've had a great week, even without a spa break. Please think about something that has given you joy this week. Joy can be found, you just need to look for it, though sometimes it wallops you in the face! Speak next week xx

What they hate in you is missing in them.

How many pens??

 

A pigeon couple are having babies. Apparently they share the job of sitting on the eggs and at the time of day of this photo it should be Mr Pigeon in the nest. Cute. 

My sugar free campaign hasn't been too bad, a lot less of everything has been consumer - alcohol, sweets and biscuits. Until Wednesday that is. Driving back down to Newcastle with Ellie on our way to Ragdale Hall. My mouth was incredibly dry and unpleasant so I just had to shop and get a bag of boiled sweets - butter mintoes, and the relief was immense. I pick the mintoes as they are so hard you can't chew them, you have to suck. This means that one lasts ages and I'm therefore not needing to have a load in a small period of time, thus reducing the sugar consumption. I've got a moisturising gel which helps a little but I don't like it. Makes me gag a bit I must say. But I am using it, honest gov. 

Mark has been replacing the runners on the drawers of the bedroom furniture. Last week it was our bedside cabinets. He tipped the contents of mine onto the bedroom floor - to make it easy for sorting lol. Now this drawer is the size of a shoe box (I'd say high heeled shoes so not tiny but small). It was crammed full, and I'm going to share what I found. 35 hair bobbles (don't you just love the word bobble?), 14 pens, 7 cosy socks (now added to my cosy sock drawer that I sorted the other week lol), 6 poems scribbled on scrap paper, 4 buttons, 3 cigarette lighters, 2 paperclips, 1 safety pin, 1 large screw, 1 £1 paper note, and 1 diamond ring (my engagement ring from my first spouse - it's stunning and I'm thinking I might get it sized and just wear it - Ellie is not interested in it at all, as her biological father was a twat! But a diamond ring is a diamond ring, no?). There was a couple of sweet notes from Mark - he has on very limited occasions been a tad romantic, hence I kept them. Also a note from Ellie telling me that she and the baby (Isaac in my tummy) loved me very much♥️. Isaac is 25 next month so that's how old the note is. Making Ellie about 6 years old, bless her. Wow! 

We go to Ragdale Hall spa on Monday for 4 nights and I'm super excited. It is the best place ever, I wish I could take you all. The rooms, the food, the activities, treatments, spa (obviously), all the pools and the new cocktail bar is just a treat. I've got 2 books with me and the forecast is for hot and sunny, meaning hopefully we'll be in the outside pool and taking in some sun rays! I've got my factor 30, don't worry. 4 blissful days of not wearing clothes - just a robe, apart from when gym attire or swimsuit is required of course! It's not a nudist camp (alas, as I could easier just be naked ha ha).

Have a great week everyone and we'll speak again next Friday. 😍

A wound doesn't heal if you keep picking at the scab.

Sugar free

 

This is Bacardi, my daughter's cat who's been staying at ours for months now. She's an indoors cat but she's wondering about leaving the safety of the house for the dangers of the garden!

Today, as promised, I'm trying to improve my diet by reducing my sugar intake. I'm a little nervous as my current sugar cravings are high. I think the more you eat the more you want. 

Last Saturday I was grocery shopping and felt sure I needed to buy my 'last' packet of sweets for the car. And what would you know? My newspaper had an offer of a free bag of sweets from WHSmith. So that was sorted then. A big bag of skittles it was. And I did enjoy them. I shall miss my car sweeties I must say. 

Yesterday I was grocery shopping again. This time stocking up on my sugar free alternatives. Now remember I'm not on a diet nor trying to lose weight. I won't be perfect but I want to be better. My aim is to improve. Because of my little tummy I have little meals but I do like my snacks. So I've bought hummus, bread sticks, sugar snap peas, cheese twists, fruits and dark chocolate. I'll still have the odd biscuit and toffee but it won't be my priority. I'm looking forward to, hopefully, feel better eating less sweet stuff and more of the healthy things. My alcohol is going to reduce too. I won't cut it out but I will cut it down. It's really not good for you (except say the odd glass of red). I've heard having a little alcohol is better than being tea total (or is that just wishful thinking). I love a wine, or gin, or cocktail but it's basically empty calories but let's just see how it goes.

By biggest worry is that I've had this unbelievable thirst for a few weeks now. It screamed diabetes but my blood sugar is ok. I realised that I wasn't at l actually thirsty or dehydrated, drinking fluids did not help at all and my wee was a normal pale colour, I simply had a dry mouth! Since my tummy can't take loads of fluids I've been sucking on sweets to help my mouth and not having them is going to be so tough. A constant dry mouth is rotten, and bad for the teeth. I've got some sugar free mints instead and the pharmacist has given me some gel which I hope will help too. I don't know what's caused it but I hope it goes away soon, if it can! 

Have a good week. Think of me going crazy with my cold turkey sugar drop. I'll let you know how I get on next week. Thank you for reading!

I do all my own stunts, but never intentionally.

Painting

I have been looking for a picture for my living room for a while, and I found this one in a gallery in York, next to the Jorvik museum. I instantly loved it and it was half price, so why not. I still really love it and I'm delighted to have it hanging on my wall. 

What a great few days we had in the North East (of England). Visiting family and friends and gorgeous little places that I hadn't been to in so many years. Amble, Druridge Bay, Warkworth, Morpeth, Corbridge, Blanchland and Bamburgh. I used to live in Morpeth many years ago and it's so different now, I was very surprised. Warkworth was stunning. Blanchland has a great hotel/bar/restaurant called The Lord Crewe Arms and we enjoyed a drink (mental now to return for food over day soon). Corbridge has a very posh baker come coffee shop and I couldn't resist a purchase. A huge cinnamon knot for Mark, brownie for mum and a raspberry layer cake for me. Goodness it was expensive though. My slice of cake (huge, but still just one piece) was about £7!!! It was scummy - but £7 scummy? I was seduced, but a memory has been formed. Bella had a lovely holiday too. She was fairly well behaved, and spoilt lol. I love returning home to the North East but I love my home in the North East of Scotland too. 

Family and friends mentioned my hair and my hair plans. They seemed to like the natural colour that is forming so that's good. Obviously I've mentioned hair cutting plans on this blog a week or two ago, my thought being to cut off the last of the dyed stuff and helping the new growth catch up. But then I had an idea - I could shave it all off and raise money for charity! I thought it was inspiring but when I said it out loud in front of mum and Helen they screamed in unison 'NO!!' and persuaded me I was being very daft indeed!? Ok, so maybe I shan't get a number 2 anytime soon. Sorry charity. I acknowledge it would be murder to grow it this long again after shaving it off, but I still think it wasn't such a silly plan! 

Talking of silly plans.... I've decided to give up unnecessary, unhealthy calories in the month of August. And yes, I'm using the word unnecessary as a get out for when I really, really need that square of chocolate! My sugar consumption is off the chart, especially sweets. So I shall definitely concentrate on healthy meals and snacks and massively reduce sweets and alcohol. I might have the odd biscuit but as long as I give my diet a thorough over haul I'll be happy. It's going to be tough, I'm proper addicted, but I really am praying that after August things will be easier and worth it! I'm constantly thinking of diabetes, rotting teeth, bad microbiome and high inflammation! I will obviously keep you posted, and, as usual, it'll be the truth, even if you can't handle the truth! 

Love to all my readers and we'll speak again next week! When does August start?? 🤔

Just a few nice photos below from last week, for those who are interested. Enjoy.

I'm not perfect, but I am a limited edition.