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.