They've gone to sleep again!
Night night! Shhhhhh...
LILY & ROSE
Here are some photos of Lily & Rose. There are a few from the first time we saw them when they were just 4 weeks old. They would fit on your hand at this age and didn't look much like westies!
Saturday, 31 October 2009
11 O'CLOCK
Maybe the puppies aren't used to having visitors in the house overnight. Obviously there is more noise than usual and, having been fast asleep for two hours, the puppies are now wide awake and appear to think it's morning already!!!
I'm just ignoring them, so that they don't get the idea that it's a good thing to be awake in the 'middle of the night' - but I hope it doesn't take too long for them to settle again, because everyone else is getting ready for bed - and I want to go as well! I think all that sea air is taking it's toll (on ME obviously NOT on the puppies!)
I'm just ignoring them, so that they don't get the idea that it's a good thing to be awake in the 'middle of the night' - but I hope it doesn't take too long for them to settle again, because everyone else is getting ready for bed - and I want to go as well! I think all that sea air is taking it's toll (on ME obviously NOT on the puppies!)
TODAY HAS BEEN LOVELY!
As the weather was fantastic, we took the puppies back to Alnmouth beach along with Helen and Bill and the two new leads!
Lily and Rose walked for at least a mile on the beach and had a brilliant time! They said hello to other dogs and their owners and really looked as if they were loving every minute. It was unbelievably warm and sunny - a real contrast to yesterday - so we all enjoyed the walk.
Afterwards we went to Warkworth and did a bit of shopping. Then we went to the Ice Cream Farm and sat outside with our three scoops!
Now we're waiting for James to arrive with an Indian takeaway. To follow this we're having chocolate fonue with fruits and 'Blondies' - a white chocolate version of brownies. Then, when we're totally stuffed, we'll all settle down to watch X-factor!!
Great!!
Lily and Rose walked for at least a mile on the beach and had a brilliant time! They said hello to other dogs and their owners and really looked as if they were loving every minute. It was unbelievably warm and sunny - a real contrast to yesterday - so we all enjoyed the walk.
Afterwards we went to Warkworth and did a bit of shopping. Then we went to the Ice Cream Farm and sat outside with our three scoops!
Now we're waiting for James to arrive with an Indian takeaway. To follow this we're having chocolate fonue with fruits and 'Blondies' - a white chocolate version of brownies. Then, when we're totally stuffed, we'll all settle down to watch X-factor!!
Great!!
GORGEOUS MORNING
It's a perfect morning - bright, clear skies and remarkably mild - maybe a good day to go back to the coast when Helen and Bill get here. (Obviously taking them with us, not going off without them!) Charles seems very keen to try out the puppies new leads and the beach would be the perfect place to do this, but THIS time we'll make sure we're dressed more sensibly! (I know that Helen would like to go to that gift shop in Warkworth - and I'm certain to have missed something yesterday, so I'M also happy to go back again!)
Talking of Charles, he's posted a new video this morning - very clever editing Charles! The video MAY come as something of a disappointment to Richard who was hoping for some footage of me with my new blonder hair - but that will have to be included on next week's film!
Today marks eight weeks since we got the puppies. That means that they have now been ours for half of their little lives!
Talking of Charles, he's posted a new video this morning - very clever editing Charles! The video MAY come as something of a disappointment to Richard who was hoping for some footage of me with my new blonder hair - but that will have to be included on next week's film!
Today marks eight weeks since we got the puppies. That means that they have now been ours for half of their little lives!
Friday, 30 October 2009
UP LATE TONIGHT!
Probably because of their extended sleep in the car this afternoon, the puppies are taking their time settling tonight. It's just gone ten o'clock and they are usually well away by now. They are being lovely though and it's been fun to have them lively this evening. Usually they really struggle to stay awake after 8.30, but tonight they've provided us with lots of entertainment!
it's absolutely pouring with rain tonight, but I kind of like it when I'm all warm and cosy inside and can hear it hammering against the window pane. The puppies went out for a final wee a few minutes ago and came in soaked after less than 20 seconds outside!
Well, in the time it's taken me to type those two paragraphs, both puppies have fallen asleep, so I'm going to call it a night too!!
(Wonder if we'll get a lie in tomorrow as they've had such a late night?)
it's absolutely pouring with rain tonight, but I kind of like it when I'm all warm and cosy inside and can hear it hammering against the window pane. The puppies went out for a final wee a few minutes ago and came in soaked after less than 20 seconds outside!
Well, in the time it's taken me to type those two paragraphs, both puppies have fallen asleep, so I'm going to call it a night too!!
(Wonder if we'll get a lie in tomorrow as they've had such a late night?)
THE BIG BATH...
... was possibly NOT the best idea, or certainly it wasn't wise to bath both puppies at the same time. We've learned from this and will do them separately in future.
Also the big bath is VERY SLIPPERY especially when little puppies are scrabbling to get out!
Nevertheless, we do have two beautifully washed and blow dried little girls now.
One thing that was amazing is that, when they were wet through, it was almost impossible to tell them apart! They look exactly the same under their coats! For all that Rose has a gorgeous long fluffy coat, she dries much more quickly than Lily who is much more wiry and has a really thick undercoat. Anyway, they're dry now and enjoying some new chewy bones before bedtime.
Helen rang earlier to say that she and Bill will be here in the morning. We're not planning anything exciting, but it's always nice to just chill out together.
Also the big bath is VERY SLIPPERY especially when little puppies are scrabbling to get out!
Nevertheless, we do have two beautifully washed and blow dried little girls now.
One thing that was amazing is that, when they were wet through, it was almost impossible to tell them apart! They look exactly the same under their coats! For all that Rose has a gorgeous long fluffy coat, she dries much more quickly than Lily who is much more wiry and has a really thick undercoat. Anyway, they're dry now and enjoying some new chewy bones before bedtime.
Helen rang earlier to say that she and Bill will be here in the morning. We're not planning anything exciting, but it's always nice to just chill out together.
THE GEORGE FORMBY GRILL
Well, now I've got one, what am I going to do with it?
You will recall that Charles opted out of the very difficult process of choosing a grill ON HIS OWN and that he insisted that I go and do the choosing.
So, as he had to go and tax his car, we all set off for the Post Office in Morpeth (actually the Post Office is still in Allens because the area where the PO used to be has been demolished to make way for a brand spanking new shopping mall. It's going to be really up-market when it's finished - supposedly by the middle of November. Then I presume the PO will be relocated within this new development.) Anyway, when he got to the Post Office in Allans he was told they couldn't help him because he hadn't got his registration document which is still with the DVLA from when we had our new registrations. and he would have to go to the DVLA office at Gosforth. So off we went and Charles got sorted out, then we called in at Tescos, where I bought my new grill along with a few other bits and pieces. Charles didn't come to look at the grills. he stayed in the car with the puppies who had slept all the time we'd been galivanting around trying to tax his car. And guess what? It's the same model as the one he saw in the first place at Sainsbury's! Trust your judgement next time Charles!
After that we called in at Heighley Gate because we wanted to get two extendible leads for the next time we take the girls off the beaten track. Gosh, how expensive are THEY? They might have a very nice cushioned grip, but £24 for two leads seems a bit steep to me.
The pups are having a bit of a mad time now. Hardly surprising as they've had a very sleepy afternoon. And they don't know it yet they're going for a bath IN THE BIG BATH in a minute.
You will recall that Charles opted out of the very difficult process of choosing a grill ON HIS OWN and that he insisted that I go and do the choosing.
So, as he had to go and tax his car, we all set off for the Post Office in Morpeth (actually the Post Office is still in Allens because the area where the PO used to be has been demolished to make way for a brand spanking new shopping mall. It's going to be really up-market when it's finished - supposedly by the middle of November. Then I presume the PO will be relocated within this new development.) Anyway, when he got to the Post Office in Allans he was told they couldn't help him because he hadn't got his registration document which is still with the DVLA from when we had our new registrations. and he would have to go to the DVLA office at Gosforth. So off we went and Charles got sorted out, then we called in at Tescos, where I bought my new grill along with a few other bits and pieces. Charles didn't come to look at the grills. he stayed in the car with the puppies who had slept all the time we'd been galivanting around trying to tax his car. And guess what? It's the same model as the one he saw in the first place at Sainsbury's! Trust your judgement next time Charles!
After that we called in at Heighley Gate because we wanted to get two extendible leads for the next time we take the girls off the beaten track. Gosh, how expensive are THEY? They might have a very nice cushioned grip, but £24 for two leads seems a bit steep to me.
The pups are having a bit of a mad time now. Hardly surprising as they've had a very sleepy afternoon. And they don't know it yet they're going for a bath IN THE BIG BATH in a minute.
BACK FROM THE BEACH
We're back!
We decided to take the puppies to Alnmouth beach before going to Amble for lunch and
we've had a great time! Rose was not sure to begin with. I think the sea looked (and sounded) VERY BIG. In fact she had a major fit of the trembles and I had to hold her to begin with. Mind you, it was very cold and extremely windy, so that may have been a shock in itself. Not that any of this affected Lily, who took to the whole thing as if she'd been going to the beach all her life!
We DID meet another dog walker who had two grown up Westies and we had a chat with her. (Lily even managed to get a long cuddle from this lady! How does she do it? One minute she was at our feet. The next she had been picked up and was blissfully enjoying being snuggled!!)
After that, we walked along the footpath next to the beach and both puppies were fine. Then we took them onto the sand and it was like, 'Why haven't you brought us here before? It's fantastic! WE LOVE IT HERE!)
Obviously we're not able to let them off their leads yet, but they ran around and explored as much as possible within the restraints of their leads. Rose was full of confidence by now and loved sniffing the seaweed and barking at the bigger dogs (from a safe distance of course!)
By now Charles and I were wishing we'd wrapped up better - I'm certainly NOT going back to Alnmouth without a hat, scarf and gloves - so we walked the pups back to the car and popped them in their crate.
They then slept, while we called in at a gorgeous little gift shop in Warkworth. (Actually, it's not THAT little and is absolutely crammed to the ceiling (literally) with wonderful and beautiful gifty type things. If you get a chance, go before Christmas - you'll not be disappointed! The only problem with it is that it is SO full of gorgeous things, you really don't know where to look next and I'm always frightened of missing something, so I could be in there for hours!
After that we headed off to Amble and had fish and chips for lunch. We sat outside (it was about 8 degrees warmer than Alnmouth and wasn't nearly as windy) because I didn't want my mini to smell of fish, but I didn't last that long because the seagulls started circling and that freaked me out, so I left most of my chips and got back in the car - FAST!
We picked up Charles's car and headed back home. Charles stopped off at Sainsbury's where he had instructions to buy a George Foreman (Formby!) grill following Helen's recommendation the other day. Unfortunately he wasn't sure about the size of the one in Sainsburys, then went to Argos and encountered a choice of about twenty different models which made decisiveness impossible, so returned home empty handed! He wants ME to go a choose. (What was wrong with the one you saw first that holds enough for five? It would be perfect for when we have people to stay and we're having a cooked breakfast - LIKE TOMORROW!!!)
We decided to take the puppies to Alnmouth beach before going to Amble for lunch and
we've had a great time! Rose was not sure to begin with. I think the sea looked (and sounded) VERY BIG. In fact she had a major fit of the trembles and I had to hold her to begin with. Mind you, it was very cold and extremely windy, so that may have been a shock in itself. Not that any of this affected Lily, who took to the whole thing as if she'd been going to the beach all her life!
We DID meet another dog walker who had two grown up Westies and we had a chat with her. (Lily even managed to get a long cuddle from this lady! How does she do it? One minute she was at our feet. The next she had been picked up and was blissfully enjoying being snuggled!!)
After that, we walked along the footpath next to the beach and both puppies were fine. Then we took them onto the sand and it was like, 'Why haven't you brought us here before? It's fantastic! WE LOVE IT HERE!)
Obviously we're not able to let them off their leads yet, but they ran around and explored as much as possible within the restraints of their leads. Rose was full of confidence by now and loved sniffing the seaweed and barking at the bigger dogs (from a safe distance of course!)
By now Charles and I were wishing we'd wrapped up better - I'm certainly NOT going back to Alnmouth without a hat, scarf and gloves - so we walked the pups back to the car and popped them in their crate.
They then slept, while we called in at a gorgeous little gift shop in Warkworth. (Actually, it's not THAT little and is absolutely crammed to the ceiling (literally) with wonderful and beautiful gifty type things. If you get a chance, go before Christmas - you'll not be disappointed! The only problem with it is that it is SO full of gorgeous things, you really don't know where to look next and I'm always frightened of missing something, so I could be in there for hours!
After that we headed off to Amble and had fish and chips for lunch. We sat outside (it was about 8 degrees warmer than Alnmouth and wasn't nearly as windy) because I didn't want my mini to smell of fish, but I didn't last that long because the seagulls started circling and that freaked me out, so I left most of my chips and got back in the car - FAST!
We picked up Charles's car and headed back home. Charles stopped off at Sainsbury's where he had instructions to buy a George Foreman (Formby!) grill following Helen's recommendation the other day. Unfortunately he wasn't sure about the size of the one in Sainsburys, then went to Argos and encountered a choice of about twenty different models which made decisiveness impossible, so returned home empty handed! He wants ME to go a choose. (What was wrong with the one you saw first that holds enough for five? It would be perfect for when we have people to stay and we're having a cooked breakfast - LIKE TOMORROW!!!)
MORE ICONIC RUBBISH!
Just listening to an interview on breakfast TV in which an episode of 'The Archers' is being described as an 'iconic' moment.
Have seen St James's Park described as an 'iconic' symbol this week.
Twice the word 'iconic' is used in Grazia AGAIN this week, once to describe Elizabeth Arden's Eight Hour Cream and also to describe an eyeshadow.
It really IS the most overused word in the media's vocabulary at present.
Sorry to go on about it, but it DOES annoy me - because it's NOT used accurately.
(Although I have to say, SJP IS pretty iconic!!!)
Have seen St James's Park described as an 'iconic' symbol this week.
Twice the word 'iconic' is used in Grazia AGAIN this week, once to describe Elizabeth Arden's Eight Hour Cream and also to describe an eyeshadow.
It really IS the most overused word in the media's vocabulary at present.
Sorry to go on about it, but it DOES annoy me - because it's NOT used accurately.
(Although I have to say, SJP IS pretty iconic!!!)
FRIDAY MORNING
Are we really coming up to eight weeks since we got our girls? I really can't believe it!
They have had a lovely morning so far, apart from their attempt to chew the fence posts! As soon as we noticed what they were doing, we rushed out with one of those 'chew stop' sprays and it DOES seem to have deterred them from their latest fad!
We haven't taken them out for a walk yet because we're going to Amble later this morning and they're going to have a walk by the sea. I wonder what they'll make of it!!!
I'm hoping that some time today Helen will give me a ring to let me know what's happening tomorrow. We're expecting her to come back with Bill so that they have a bit of a break before school starts again on Monday, but she wants to get some work done before she comes, so we'll have to see how she gets on with that.
They have had a lovely morning so far, apart from their attempt to chew the fence posts! As soon as we noticed what they were doing, we rushed out with one of those 'chew stop' sprays and it DOES seem to have deterred them from their latest fad!
We haven't taken them out for a walk yet because we're going to Amble later this morning and they're going to have a walk by the sea. I wonder what they'll make of it!!!
I'm hoping that some time today Helen will give me a ring to let me know what's happening tomorrow. We're expecting her to come back with Bill so that they have a bit of a break before school starts again on Monday, but she wants to get some work done before she comes, so we'll have to see how she gets on with that.
Thursday, 29 October 2009
8.30PM...
... and the puppies are snoring happily already!
I've struggled to keep them awake for the last hour, but they've obviously had enough and are curled up together fast asleep. This isn't necessarily good news, as they often wake up again before we go to bed when they go to sleep early. If I can keep them going until after 9.00 they go right through the night.
Anyway, I'm just waiting for my nails to dry and then I'll lift them into their crate and see how we get on from there.
Talking of their crate - we're going to be moving the big crate out of the puppies room shortly and letting them use their cosy beds instead. Touch wood, we haven't had any accidents during the night for about three weeks now and the pups are perfectly secure in their little room, so we reckon they are probably ready for this change. The real reason, however, is that we are moving a small settee into their room, because we've got a new one arriving for the living room in a couple of weeks and there simply isn't room for the crate AND the little sofa as well.
Right, my nails are dry, so I'm off to put the puppies to bed!
If I write another post tonight, it means they've woken up. If not, I'm settled in front of the telly watching a repeat of 'New Tricks.'
(Did anyone else watch 'Waterloo Road' last night? I can see some interesting times ahead, with the merger of the two schools. Should be fun!)
I've struggled to keep them awake for the last hour, but they've obviously had enough and are curled up together fast asleep. This isn't necessarily good news, as they often wake up again before we go to bed when they go to sleep early. If I can keep them going until after 9.00 they go right through the night.
Anyway, I'm just waiting for my nails to dry and then I'll lift them into their crate and see how we get on from there.
Talking of their crate - we're going to be moving the big crate out of the puppies room shortly and letting them use their cosy beds instead. Touch wood, we haven't had any accidents during the night for about three weeks now and the pups are perfectly secure in their little room, so we reckon they are probably ready for this change. The real reason, however, is that we are moving a small settee into their room, because we've got a new one arriving for the living room in a couple of weeks and there simply isn't room for the crate AND the little sofa as well.
Right, my nails are dry, so I'm off to put the puppies to bed!
If I write another post tonight, it means they've woken up. If not, I'm settled in front of the telly watching a repeat of 'New Tricks.'
(Did anyone else watch 'Waterloo Road' last night? I can see some interesting times ahead, with the merger of the two schools. Should be fun!)
BRITAIN'S BEST DISH
I'm not sure about the actual programme - some of the dishes seem a bit contrived to me. But it got me thinking, what would anyone choose for a starter, main course and dessert for a meal that is typically British? I'm going to have a good think about this!!
Mind you, James paid the ultimate compliment of judging one of yesterday's desserts as 'heaven on a plate'!!! ('It was just something I threw together', she said casually!) All it was was three puff pastry circles, sandwiched together with layers of white chocolate, whipped cream, raspberry jam and fresh raspberries. The top was finished with glace icing and a drizzle of melted white chocolate. Hannah also asked that these are put on the menu whenever she comes to see us, so they must have hit the spot. Unfortunately I can't vouch for them myself, because James disappeared with the last three: one for Kate, one for his flatmate and another one for HIM!!
Mind you, James paid the ultimate compliment of judging one of yesterday's desserts as 'heaven on a plate'!!! ('It was just something I threw together', she said casually!) All it was was three puff pastry circles, sandwiched together with layers of white chocolate, whipped cream, raspberry jam and fresh raspberries. The top was finished with glace icing and a drizzle of melted white chocolate. Hannah also asked that these are put on the menu whenever she comes to see us, so they must have hit the spot. Unfortunately I can't vouch for them myself, because James disappeared with the last three: one for Kate, one for his flatmate and another one for HIM!!
BETTER WALKS TODAY
Right - I'm back from the hairdressers and definitely a lot blonder! I've booked my Christmas appointment - 8.30AM Christmas Eve!
The puppies have been very co-operative again and have just fitted into our schedule. We've taken them out for a walk and it was MUCH more successful today. Rose seemed far more confident and we managed to get further than on previous walks. She is still not keen on passing traffic, but didn't have a major panic today. So this is good!
We're going to give the puppies a bath this afternoon because they are filthy and have that quite distinctive doggy aroma.
Instead of picking Charles's car up today we're going to collect it tomorrow morning. This is because Amble is quite a trek from our place and I didn't want to be driving along winding country lanes in the dusk this afternoon. With my bad eyesight I really wouldn't be happy, so we're going tomorrow and we'll call in at the best fish and chip shop in the area at the same time. The girls might even get to see the sea for the first time. (Hmmm, maybe they should have their bath tomorrow!)
The puppies have been very co-operative again and have just fitted into our schedule. We've taken them out for a walk and it was MUCH more successful today. Rose seemed far more confident and we managed to get further than on previous walks. She is still not keen on passing traffic, but didn't have a major panic today. So this is good!
We're going to give the puppies a bath this afternoon because they are filthy and have that quite distinctive doggy aroma.
Instead of picking Charles's car up today we're going to collect it tomorrow morning. This is because Amble is quite a trek from our place and I didn't want to be driving along winding country lanes in the dusk this afternoon. With my bad eyesight I really wouldn't be happy, so we're going tomorrow and we'll call in at the best fish and chip shop in the area at the same time. The girls might even get to see the sea for the first time. (Hmmm, maybe they should have their bath tomorrow!)
HAIRDRESSERS
I'm off to the hairdressers this morning, still undecided whether I'm going blonder, darker or staying the same! But first we've got to go to the garage in Amble where Charles is having his car serviced.
Anyway, I won't be posting again until after lunch.
See you later!!
Anyway, I won't be posting again until after lunch.
See you later!!
Wednesday, 28 October 2009
BACK TO NORMAL!
We've had a really lovely day today - and the puppies have been the stars!
Helen, Mum and Hannah arrived at 11.30, just after James turned up. The pups had lots of attention, and coped with it really well. They are incredibly sociable little things and will happily respond to a fuss from anyone - even people they don't know. Helen was surprised to see how much they've grown - even though she only saw them last week. Mum and Hannah just loved them!
They've had three walks today! Lily continues to be the most confident, Rose is still very nervous, but we have managed to get them both to have reasonable walks without having a sit down protest from Rose. Te only thing that upset both puppies was when Helen and Hannah took them out this afternoon and they encountered a tractor coming up the road. From what helen said, Rose had practically leapt into her arms at the tractors approach and Lily clearly felt that she needed to do this too. So there was a bit of puppy panic for a while, but they got over it and continued their walk without further incident.
James left at about 4.30 to go and get ready for the Michael McIntyre concert. He's going with Kate and two of his other friends, one of whom thinks he might have swine flu!
James has told him to wear a mask! Personally I think it might have been better if he had given it a miss rather than risk spreading it around.
Mum etc left at about 7.30 and after a quick tidy up I went through to play with the puppies. However, they were absolutely shattered due to missing their late afternoon sleep and play was out of the question and by 8.30 they were ready to settle down.
Oh, we had another visitor this afternoon. Paddy, the very talented tiler who has fitted all our wall and floor tiles, popped in on his way to see a new customer. he came to see the puppies and stayed for a cuppa and a chat. Actually, it's Paddy's fault that they missed their afternoon sleep.
Right, I'm going to go and watch 'Waterloo Road' in a minute. (Yes, I know it's nearly finished, but we've recorded it.) I really love that series and, having worked for ten years in a secondary school, I know that it is pretty true to life!!!
Helen, Mum and Hannah arrived at 11.30, just after James turned up. The pups had lots of attention, and coped with it really well. They are incredibly sociable little things and will happily respond to a fuss from anyone - even people they don't know. Helen was surprised to see how much they've grown - even though she only saw them last week. Mum and Hannah just loved them!
They've had three walks today! Lily continues to be the most confident, Rose is still very nervous, but we have managed to get them both to have reasonable walks without having a sit down protest from Rose. Te only thing that upset both puppies was when Helen and Hannah took them out this afternoon and they encountered a tractor coming up the road. From what helen said, Rose had practically leapt into her arms at the tractors approach and Lily clearly felt that she needed to do this too. So there was a bit of puppy panic for a while, but they got over it and continued their walk without further incident.
James left at about 4.30 to go and get ready for the Michael McIntyre concert. He's going with Kate and two of his other friends, one of whom thinks he might have swine flu!
James has told him to wear a mask! Personally I think it might have been better if he had given it a miss rather than risk spreading it around.
Mum etc left at about 7.30 and after a quick tidy up I went through to play with the puppies. However, they were absolutely shattered due to missing their late afternoon sleep and play was out of the question and by 8.30 they were ready to settle down.
Oh, we had another visitor this afternoon. Paddy, the very talented tiler who has fitted all our wall and floor tiles, popped in on his way to see a new customer. he came to see the puppies and stayed for a cuppa and a chat. Actually, it's Paddy's fault that they missed their afternoon sleep.
Right, I'm going to go and watch 'Waterloo Road' in a minute. (Yes, I know it's nearly finished, but we've recorded it.) I really love that series and, having worked for ten years in a secondary school, I know that it is pretty true to life!!!
SAVE ST JAMES'S PARK
It's great being a Newcastle fan! We just never know what's going to be thrown at us next. Just when you think there's nothing more the fat *** could do to us - he decides to sell the naming rights of our ground.
I don't imagine anyone is surprised that he is no longer selling the club, nor that he has put Chris Hughton in as a 'permanent ' manager - on an eighteen month contract - bit of a contradiction that - but did anyone see the name of ST JAMES'S PARK being put up for sale?
This is the heart of our city and the identity of our ground. To take it away surely shows that this man has no consideration of the fans or the area as a whole.
I cannot begin to imagine what makes Fat Ash tick, but he certainly has the most amazing ability to make decisions which are guaranteed to earn him the reputation of Public Enemy Number One amongst NUFC fans.
It's incredible that out of all the thousands of fans in ST JAMES'S PARK, Fat Ash stands out like a sore thumb in his extra extra large white shirt. Everyone in the ground can see him and it always strikes me that he is enjoying our despair and frustration.
WHAT EXACTLY IS HIS AGENDA - DOES EVEN HE KNOW?
I don't imagine anyone is surprised that he is no longer selling the club, nor that he has put Chris Hughton in as a 'permanent ' manager - on an eighteen month contract - bit of a contradiction that - but did anyone see the name of ST JAMES'S PARK being put up for sale?
This is the heart of our city and the identity of our ground. To take it away surely shows that this man has no consideration of the fans or the area as a whole.
I cannot begin to imagine what makes Fat Ash tick, but he certainly has the most amazing ability to make decisions which are guaranteed to earn him the reputation of Public Enemy Number One amongst NUFC fans.
It's incredible that out of all the thousands of fans in ST JAMES'S PARK, Fat Ash stands out like a sore thumb in his extra extra large white shirt. Everyone in the ground can see him and it always strikes me that he is enjoying our despair and frustration.
WHAT EXACTLY IS HIS AGENDA - DOES EVEN HE KNOW?
Tuesday, 27 October 2009
JUST WAITING...
...for Charles to get home.
He had to stop off at Tesco to get some shopping for me, but he's done that so should be home any minute. The puppies have just settled down for a sleep, but they'll almost certainly wake up the minute they hear him.
They have been very obliging today. I've had quite a bit to do in the kitchen, but they've just played nicely in the adjoining breakfast room and let me get on with it. Good girls!!
Well, I'm all sorted for tomorrows meals - but haven't a clue what we're haing for our meal this evening!
(Charles has just pulled up, so I'm waiting for the yapping to begin!)
Yep - here we go....yap yap yap yap yap....
He had to stop off at Tesco to get some shopping for me, but he's done that so should be home any minute. The puppies have just settled down for a sleep, but they'll almost certainly wake up the minute they hear him.
They have been very obliging today. I've had quite a bit to do in the kitchen, but they've just played nicely in the adjoining breakfast room and let me get on with it. Good girls!!
Well, I'm all sorted for tomorrows meals - but haven't a clue what we're haing for our meal this evening!
(Charles has just pulled up, so I'm waiting for the yapping to begin!)
Yep - here we go....yap yap yap yap yap....
SWINE FLU IN FOOTBALL
What a panic!! It 's the main topic on Sky Sports news today. If you're going to get it, you're going to get it - just deal with it. Professional footballers are supposedly some of the fittest specimens around, so they should shake it off in no time. Mind you the way they keel over at the least little injury and then spend months in the treatment room, it does make you wonder.
Apparently it is thought to be a good idea to stop footballers SPITTING on the pitch. 'They wouldn't do it at home, so they shouldn't do it on the pitch.'
HEAR, HEAR!
Why DO they do it? I think it's a disgusting habit and the sooner it's stopped the better. I wouldn't go quite as far as my sister, however, who thinks their shorts should have a little hankie pocket stitched into them, but I would be quite happy to start a campaign to STOP SPITTING IN FOOTBALL.
Apparently it is thought to be a good idea to stop footballers SPITTING on the pitch. 'They wouldn't do it at home, so they shouldn't do it on the pitch.'
HEAR, HEAR!
Why DO they do it? I think it's a disgusting habit and the sooner it's stopped the better. I wouldn't go quite as far as my sister, however, who thinks their shorts should have a little hankie pocket stitched into them, but I would be quite happy to start a campaign to STOP SPITTING IN FOOTBALL.
BIN MEN
The puppies HATE them!
Mind you, they seem to take a dislike to anyone who is passing by, or who doesn't come to the house and make a fuss of them! How on earth do we get them to stop barking at everything? Even the leaves blowing around has them in fits.
TIPS, PLEASE!!
The training manual tells us to either distract them or to ignore them completely. Well, first off the pups are so focused on the object that is causing the barking in the first place that distraction DOESN'T work. Secondly, if we just ignore them they can keep the barking up for ages and I worry that the neighbours will start complaining.
Gosh, I can remember the days when they puppies hadn't learned to bark! How blissful those days seem now!
Mind you, they seem to take a dislike to anyone who is passing by, or who doesn't come to the house and make a fuss of them! How on earth do we get them to stop barking at everything? Even the leaves blowing around has them in fits.
TIPS, PLEASE!!
The training manual tells us to either distract them or to ignore them completely. Well, first off the pups are so focused on the object that is causing the barking in the first place that distraction DOESN'T work. Secondly, if we just ignore them they can keep the barking up for ages and I worry that the neighbours will start complaining.
Gosh, I can remember the days when they puppies hadn't learned to bark! How blissful those days seem now!
GOOD MORNING!
Well, it's nearly 7 o'clock and the puppies and I have been up for half an hour. They had a really good sleep last night from about 8pm.
They've just had breakfast - or rather they HAVEN'T had breakfast, turning their noses up at the usual breakfast menu for some reason.
However, they have had their Kongs stuffed with cream cheese and chopped biscuit, so that has probably taken the edge of their appetites. We give them a Kong first thing every morning when we first put them outside, just to buy us a few minutes to get into the bathroom and sort out our own morning ablutions, before getting to grips with the pups.
Charles EVENTUALLY got to Preston last night, so I hope he had a fairly relaxed evening with his Mum - he certainly didn't have a good day yesterday. James came to keep me company for a while which was lovely, although he was really tired and at one point was considering crashing here, but then realised he didn't have his stuff for work, so went home anyway.
As for me - I took advantage of the sleepy puppies and had an early night, knowing that today is going to be pretty busy. So I'm up now - and raring to go!!!
They've just had breakfast - or rather they HAVEN'T had breakfast, turning their noses up at the usual breakfast menu for some reason.
However, they have had their Kongs stuffed with cream cheese and chopped biscuit, so that has probably taken the edge of their appetites. We give them a Kong first thing every morning when we first put them outside, just to buy us a few minutes to get into the bathroom and sort out our own morning ablutions, before getting to grips with the pups.
Charles EVENTUALLY got to Preston last night, so I hope he had a fairly relaxed evening with his Mum - he certainly didn't have a good day yesterday. James came to keep me company for a while which was lovely, although he was really tired and at one point was considering crashing here, but then realised he didn't have his stuff for work, so went home anyway.
As for me - I took advantage of the sleepy puppies and had an early night, knowing that today is going to be pretty busy. So I'm up now - and raring to go!!!
Monday, 26 October 2009
CAKES IN THE OVEN
There's nothing quite like the smell of freshly baked cakes. I've managed to make a coffee cake and some mini cupcakes as well as the bases for raspberry cream slices. We're definitely going to have an 'afternoon tea' on Wednesday. Perhaps we need a few scones and a variety of sandwiches as well.
I think afternoon tea is brill!!!
I think afternoon tea is brill!!!
WALKIES
Okay, we've discovered that going for a walk doesn't have the same appeal for both the puppies. Lily, who is a little monkey most of the time, walks brilliantly on her lead and trots along beside us happily. Rose, on the other hand HATES walkies! I tried to take her this morning and she just sat down on the pavement and refused to budge. When I went to her, she was trembling, so I don't know if something has frightened her on one of our previous walks, but she wasn't going anywhere today. Clearly there was no point making an issue of it, but I hope she gets over whatever it is quickly.
Charles has just rung. He's supposed to be on his way to Preston, but isn't having much luck so far. He's ended up having to go into Newcastle to get his exhaust fixed and, on the way, needed to fill up with diesel, only to find that the service station was closed!! I suggested that he comes home and tries again tomorrow, but I think he's going to try to get there today if he can.
In the meantime, I'm doing a bit of baking ready for our visitors on Wednesday - and the puppies are being very co-operative so far! I'm going to have a go at a new chocolate torte recipe which seems very simple but looks yummy in the picture!
Charles has just rung. He's supposed to be on his way to Preston, but isn't having much luck so far. He's ended up having to go into Newcastle to get his exhaust fixed and, on the way, needed to fill up with diesel, only to find that the service station was closed!! I suggested that he comes home and tries again tomorrow, but I think he's going to try to get there today if he can.
In the meantime, I'm doing a bit of baking ready for our visitors on Wednesday - and the puppies are being very co-operative so far! I'm going to have a go at a new chocolate torte recipe which seems very simple but looks yummy in the picture!
LATE POST TODAY!!!
Not 'post' as in the Royal Mail variety - which wasn't late, but was all rubbish that went straight into the bin - but MY BLOG POST IS LATE!
This is because Charles snaffled the laptop till about 10.00 and then we whizzed into Morpeth to get ingredients for Wednesday's meals. At some point during the morning, Charles decided to go and visit his mother today, so he's just set off, leaving behind the birthday present he was taking for Sarah, my sister-in-law. He did turn back when I phoned to give him the news, but when he pulled onto the drive his car was making a horrendous rattling noise, which he said was a loose clip on the exhaust. So, before he sets off properly for Preston, he's got to stop off at an exhaust place to get it fixed. Poor Charles - he could have done without THAT today.
This is because Charles snaffled the laptop till about 10.00 and then we whizzed into Morpeth to get ingredients for Wednesday's meals. At some point during the morning, Charles decided to go and visit his mother today, so he's just set off, leaving behind the birthday present he was taking for Sarah, my sister-in-law. He did turn back when I phoned to give him the news, but when he pulled onto the drive his car was making a horrendous rattling noise, which he said was a loose clip on the exhaust. So, before he sets off properly for Preston, he's got to stop off at an exhaust place to get it fixed. Poor Charles - he could have done without THAT today.
Sunday, 25 October 2009
WHAT A BUSY DAY!
Just when I was beginning to think he had forgotten, James rang to say he would go through to Newcastle with me so we could get some shopping.
It would appear, however, that the rest of the North-East population also decided to go to town today, because it took forever to find anywhere to park. However, once we DID find a space, we had a lovely time - did a bit of shopping, had lunch, did some more shopping and got hame at about 4 o'clock.
Charles had had a lovely time with the puppies, who have been fab today! I know I said I would never comment on how good they are, because I can guarantee that they will become little horrors just to prove me wrong, but it is SO lovely when they are really good, that it's a shame not to tell you. Their play has been really gentle today, without any of the usual squabbling.
While I was out, Helen rang home to say that she is coming up on Wednesday with Mum and Hannah and then she and Bill will come for the weekend. James has arranged to take a day off on Wednesday, so he can spend some time with us as well. So, we've certainly got something to look forward to this week.
It would appear, however, that the rest of the North-East population also decided to go to town today, because it took forever to find anywhere to park. However, once we DID find a space, we had a lovely time - did a bit of shopping, had lunch, did some more shopping and got hame at about 4 o'clock.
Charles had had a lovely time with the puppies, who have been fab today! I know I said I would never comment on how good they are, because I can guarantee that they will become little horrors just to prove me wrong, but it is SO lovely when they are really good, that it's a shame not to tell you. Their play has been really gentle today, without any of the usual squabbling.
While I was out, Helen rang home to say that she is coming up on Wednesday with Mum and Hannah and then she and Bill will come for the weekend. James has arranged to take a day off on Wednesday, so he can spend some time with us as well. So, we've certainly got something to look forward to this week.
I KNOW I SAID I'D NEVER SAY IT AGAIN BUT...
... the puppies are being little angels this morning!
I do understand that this simple statement will be a long gone memory by this evening, but it's nice to be able to report that, for a little while at least, they are being as good as gold!
I do understand that this simple statement will be a long gone memory by this evening, but it's nice to be able to report that, for a little while at least, they are being as good as gold!
HALF TERM
Not that it means anything to me now, but it DOES mean that we'll be able to see my sister and brother-in-law during the week at some point, as they're both teachers as well. I think Helen is going to bring my mum up here for a day. She hasn't been to see us since the summer, in fact I think the last time she was here was for my retirement party. It'll be the first time she has met the puppies, although she has been following their progress through this blog.
I can't quite get my head round the fact that the length of time we've had the puppies is the same as the last half term. It has absolutely flown past! I'm sure it wouldn't have gone quite so quickly if I'd still been at work!
I can't quite get my head round the fact that the length of time we've had the puppies is the same as the last half term. It has absolutely flown past! I'm sure it wouldn't have gone quite so quickly if I'd still been at work!
TECHNICALLY...
and they ...I THINK we had a lie in today!
We got up at about 6.30, which, by my reckoning was really 7.30, so we had an extra hour's sleep! YEAH!!!
The puppies are just going through the process of settling themselves for their morning sleep; their play has become quieter and more individual and has become 'lying down' play as opposed to the rushing around type.
I'm not sure what is happening today and await a call from James to let me know if he and I are going into town. If not, I'm going down to Morpeth, calling in at Heighley Gate on the way home.
While I've been typing, Lily and Rose have got themselves squashed into the little bed by the window and are gently jostling for position, with Lily almost certainly getting herself into the prime position for comfortable sleep. She stretches herself out, lying on her back and makes herself as big as she possibly can, with the result that Rose ends up with just her bottom in the bed and her head hanging over the edge. Nice one Lily!!
I had a lovely time with the pups last night. They were obviously tired after their day with James and Kate, but very calm and gentle. They were both even more snugly than usual, so we had lots of big cuddles before they settled down for the night.
I think it did all of us good to have a little break yesterday. It helped me to realise that they CAN be left with someone else and that they will be perfectly happy. Also, we all seemed to be so pleased to see each other again after an absence of seven hours that it was almost worth doing it just for that!!
Okay, they've moved from the little bed into the crate. Both have had a quick drink of water and they are cuddled up together ready for sleep again. It's amazing to think that, when we brought them home seven weeks ago, they could both fit into one of the little beds easily with lots of room to spare. Now it's just about the right size for ONE puppy!
We got up at about 6.30, which, by my reckoning was really 7.30, so we had an extra hour's sleep! YEAH!!!
The puppies are just going through the process of settling themselves for their morning sleep; their play has become quieter and more individual and has become 'lying down' play as opposed to the rushing around type.
I'm not sure what is happening today and await a call from James to let me know if he and I are going into town. If not, I'm going down to Morpeth, calling in at Heighley Gate on the way home.
While I've been typing, Lily and Rose have got themselves squashed into the little bed by the window and are gently jostling for position, with Lily almost certainly getting herself into the prime position for comfortable sleep. She stretches herself out, lying on her back and makes herself as big as she possibly can, with the result that Rose ends up with just her bottom in the bed and her head hanging over the edge. Nice one Lily!!
I had a lovely time with the pups last night. They were obviously tired after their day with James and Kate, but very calm and gentle. They were both even more snugly than usual, so we had lots of big cuddles before they settled down for the night.
I think it did all of us good to have a little break yesterday. It helped me to realise that they CAN be left with someone else and that they will be perfectly happy. Also, we all seemed to be so pleased to see each other again after an absence of seven hours that it was almost worth doing it just for that!!
Okay, they've moved from the little bed into the crate. Both have had a quick drink of water and they are cuddled up together ready for sleep again. It's amazing to think that, when we brought them home seven weeks ago, they could both fit into one of the little beds easily with lots of room to spare. Now it's just about the right size for ONE puppy!
Saturday, 24 October 2009
THANK YOU...
... to James and Kate who have done a fantastic job of looking after the puppies today. It sounds as though you all had a good day, especially as you recklessly offered to do it again sometime!
Our visit to Newcastle was useful, but a little frustrating. It seemed to take forever to get into town, although once we were in we managed to get the shopping we needed relatively easily. Lunch was a letdown. We decided to go to John Lewis's cafe for a 'quick' meal before the match, only to find that everyone else had had the same idea. (although I'm not sure they were all going on to the match afterwards) I hate queueing at the best of times, but managed to get it all wrong today. Charles was patiently waiting in the queue for his soup and sandwich while I set off for my chilli crepe, only to find that this was the most popular counter in the whole place. A family of about eight were deliberating which crepes they we going to have and this is where I lost the plot, because for some reason I chose that very moment to go back to Charles to see how he had progressed in his queue, only to find, by the time I returned to mine that the eight family members had all ordered and there was now a twenty minute wait. (How long do crepes take to cook for goodness sake?) I should have ordered my food while they were making their minds up. Anyway, it wasn't a twenty minute wait, it was more like forty, by which time Charles had eaten and I'd drunk a large cappuccino and a ginger beer and been to the loo twice and was in a pretty lousy mood because it meant throwing a very hot chilli crepe down my neck in record speed so we could get to SJP in time.
Of course, when I say, we had to get there 'in time' I don't mean for kick off, what I mean is I like to be in my seat at least half an hour before the match starts so I can 'soak up the atmosphere'. This is all well and good, except I'm beginning to realise that actually there isn't that much atmosphere to soak up any more.
I'm not going to say any more about the match, other than it's a miracle we win ANY games at all.
We managed to get through town and all the match traffic really quickly and were back home just after 5.30, half expecting to find James and Kate tearing their hair out and the puppies running riot. But there was none of that. The puppies had been really good and James and Kate had even managed to cook a meal, relax in the living room and entertain some of their friends. Kate had even done some work on her presentation for Uni. So, hats off to them, they've coped brilliantly!
Anyway, they've gone home now, although I may be meeting James again tomorrow to go back to town for some more shopping!! (although that will depend on how much of a lie in he decides to have!)
Our visit to Newcastle was useful, but a little frustrating. It seemed to take forever to get into town, although once we were in we managed to get the shopping we needed relatively easily. Lunch was a letdown. We decided to go to John Lewis's cafe for a 'quick' meal before the match, only to find that everyone else had had the same idea. (although I'm not sure they were all going on to the match afterwards) I hate queueing at the best of times, but managed to get it all wrong today. Charles was patiently waiting in the queue for his soup and sandwich while I set off for my chilli crepe, only to find that this was the most popular counter in the whole place. A family of about eight were deliberating which crepes they we going to have and this is where I lost the plot, because for some reason I chose that very moment to go back to Charles to see how he had progressed in his queue, only to find, by the time I returned to mine that the eight family members had all ordered and there was now a twenty minute wait. (How long do crepes take to cook for goodness sake?) I should have ordered my food while they were making their minds up. Anyway, it wasn't a twenty minute wait, it was more like forty, by which time Charles had eaten and I'd drunk a large cappuccino and a ginger beer and been to the loo twice and was in a pretty lousy mood because it meant throwing a very hot chilli crepe down my neck in record speed so we could get to SJP in time.
Of course, when I say, we had to get there 'in time' I don't mean for kick off, what I mean is I like to be in my seat at least half an hour before the match starts so I can 'soak up the atmosphere'. This is all well and good, except I'm beginning to realise that actually there isn't that much atmosphere to soak up any more.
I'm not going to say any more about the match, other than it's a miracle we win ANY games at all.
We managed to get through town and all the match traffic really quickly and were back home just after 5.30, half expecting to find James and Kate tearing their hair out and the puppies running riot. But there was none of that. The puppies had been really good and James and Kate had even managed to cook a meal, relax in the living room and entertain some of their friends. Kate had even done some work on her presentation for Uni. So, hats off to them, they've coped brilliantly!
Anyway, they've gone home now, although I may be meeting James again tomorrow to go back to town for some more shopping!! (although that will depend on how much of a lie in he decides to have!)
HOW ON EARTH...
Newcastle United are top of the championship I HAVE ABSOLUTELY NO IDEA.
They might have won today, but I cannot ever remember watching such an awful game. The first half was abysmal and the second only slightly less so.
God help us if this is how we play for the rest of the season.
They might have won today, but I cannot ever remember watching such an awful game. The first half was abysmal and the second only slightly less so.
God help us if this is how we play for the rest of the season.
MISERABLE MORNING!
It's grey, drizzly and damp - not a good morning.
However, it won't matter too much when I'm shopping, although it would be nice if it was a bit drier when we go to the match. I've got my scarf, gloves, cap and Newcastle top all ready!! If we don't win this match I predict lots of bad tempers and anti-Ashley chanting.
Anyway, kick-off's not till 3.00, so we should get a fair bit of shopping time in before that.
James and Kate will be coming soon and I've warned the puppies they need to be good for them. Actually, I've just had a conversation with a delivery man (He was bringing a new battery for Charles's drill, because when he put it on charge the other day, he forgot that it only had to be on for one hour and left it overnight, by which time it had gone off the scale and imploded!) about the puppies who were playing outside when he turned up. He made a real fuss of them and then proceeded to give me some helpful hints and tips. It would appear that he's something of an 'expert' on dog training and behaviour and he had Lily doing as she was told just by telling her, 'enough' and pointing at her and using a very stern voice. He DID recommend using a water pistol to stop them doing something we don't want them to do, but I'm not sure about that - the house would be rather wet if we used THAT technique! Apparently frozen bones are good for soothing their gums and for bringing out their baby teeth - I didn't know this. He also said that when they look as if they're yawning, but make a little mewling noise, it isn't actually a yawn, but a protest!! Lily does that all the time, but usually when she's woken up. Maybe she's just saying that she doesn't want to be awake!
So, I had quite a conversation with this man and couldn't help wondering how long it takes him to do all his delivering if he takes half an hour at every house - or maybe he only stops for a chat at dog owners houses.
However, it won't matter too much when I'm shopping, although it would be nice if it was a bit drier when we go to the match. I've got my scarf, gloves, cap and Newcastle top all ready!! If we don't win this match I predict lots of bad tempers and anti-Ashley chanting.
Anyway, kick-off's not till 3.00, so we should get a fair bit of shopping time in before that.
James and Kate will be coming soon and I've warned the puppies they need to be good for them. Actually, I've just had a conversation with a delivery man (He was bringing a new battery for Charles's drill, because when he put it on charge the other day, he forgot that it only had to be on for one hour and left it overnight, by which time it had gone off the scale and imploded!) about the puppies who were playing outside when he turned up. He made a real fuss of them and then proceeded to give me some helpful hints and tips. It would appear that he's something of an 'expert' on dog training and behaviour and he had Lily doing as she was told just by telling her, 'enough' and pointing at her and using a very stern voice. He DID recommend using a water pistol to stop them doing something we don't want them to do, but I'm not sure about that - the house would be rather wet if we used THAT technique! Apparently frozen bones are good for soothing their gums and for bringing out their baby teeth - I didn't know this. He also said that when they look as if they're yawning, but make a little mewling noise, it isn't actually a yawn, but a protest!! Lily does that all the time, but usually when she's woken up. Maybe she's just saying that she doesn't want to be awake!
So, I had quite a conversation with this man and couldn't help wondering how long it takes him to do all his delivering if he takes half an hour at every house - or maybe he only stops for a chat at dog owners houses.
Friday, 23 October 2009
HALLOWEEN
When did Halloween become such a major event? It's got to be relatively recent, because I certainly don't remember much about it from MY childhood.
But now it's all over the shops and even the foodie magazines have recipes to help you celebrate.
It's undoubtedly all another big marketing ploy to make people part with more of their hard earned cash. For goodness sake, Sainsbury's are even selling Halloween fancy dress costumes and, judging from the tantrums I overheard today, the kids are giving their parents a really hard time about them. 'But everyone else has got one.' I overheard today. And yes, unfortunately, they probably have.
All of this reminds me of our first experience of that well known Halloween custom - Trick or Treat. Well actually, it certainly wasn't THAT well known to us when we first moved from Oxfordshire to Northumberland. We'd never heard of it and so, when the kids came knocking on the door and said, 'Trick or treat', to Charles, he replied that he would like a treat thank you very much and promptly took their booty off them and shut the door. 'This is great', he said to me, 'The kids here go round giving you treats for Halloween! Do you want the sherbet dab or the fruit salad?' Um, I don't think it works quite like that Charles! Funny thing though, they didn't come back the following year!!! (Or the one after that either!)
But now it's all over the shops and even the foodie magazines have recipes to help you celebrate.
It's undoubtedly all another big marketing ploy to make people part with more of their hard earned cash. For goodness sake, Sainsbury's are even selling Halloween fancy dress costumes and, judging from the tantrums I overheard today, the kids are giving their parents a really hard time about them. 'But everyone else has got one.' I overheard today. And yes, unfortunately, they probably have.
All of this reminds me of our first experience of that well known Halloween custom - Trick or Treat. Well actually, it certainly wasn't THAT well known to us when we first moved from Oxfordshire to Northumberland. We'd never heard of it and so, when the kids came knocking on the door and said, 'Trick or treat', to Charles, he replied that he would like a treat thank you very much and promptly took their booty off them and shut the door. 'This is great', he said to me, 'The kids here go round giving you treats for Halloween! Do you want the sherbet dab or the fruit salad?' Um, I don't think it works quite like that Charles! Funny thing though, they didn't come back the following year!!! (Or the one after that either!)
TWO WALKS
Well we've just been out for our second walk and the puppies managed to get round the block - with a fair bit of cajoling. Clearly they found it exhausting because they're fast asleep now.
This time I DID remember the poop bags, although we didn't need them. Rose walked a bit better this afternoon than earlier in the day, but I suspect she will be a dawdler whereas Lily will be a puller! It's a bit of a juggling act with two pups, especially when I'm trying to get to their treats to reward good walking, but actually only one of them deserves it!
At least it was dry for our walks today. I am seriously considering getting little coats for them to wear in bad weather. Not naff 'designery-type' cats, but something really practical and warm. (If my sisters dog, Digby, can wear pyjamas, I don't see an reason why the girls can't have coats!)
Well, we're looking forward to the weekend - and the extra hour we get when the clocks go back. However, we are NOT looking forward at all to the dark afternoons and evenings.
James is coming up after work. I'll run through the instructions for tomorrow one more time, although I'm sure he will be fine. It's rump steak, chips, mediterranean veg, onion rings and optional pepper sauce tonight. Charles is on frying duty - which he does expertly - IN THE GARDEN SHED! I can't stand the smell of frying so the deep fat fryer, which is hardly ever used I have to say, is kept in the shed for those odd occasions when only chips will do. Also in the shed is a kettle and toaster, so if Charles and I have a fall out, one of us (him probably!) could live in the shed quite happily for a while!
It's quite a big shed and there would easily be room for a bed in there. perhaps we should consider converting it into a guest room, or maybe we could take a lodger in!
Just a thought!
This time I DID remember the poop bags, although we didn't need them. Rose walked a bit better this afternoon than earlier in the day, but I suspect she will be a dawdler whereas Lily will be a puller! It's a bit of a juggling act with two pups, especially when I'm trying to get to their treats to reward good walking, but actually only one of them deserves it!
At least it was dry for our walks today. I am seriously considering getting little coats for them to wear in bad weather. Not naff 'designery-type' cats, but something really practical and warm. (If my sisters dog, Digby, can wear pyjamas, I don't see an reason why the girls can't have coats!)
Well, we're looking forward to the weekend - and the extra hour we get when the clocks go back. However, we are NOT looking forward at all to the dark afternoons and evenings.
James is coming up after work. I'll run through the instructions for tomorrow one more time, although I'm sure he will be fine. It's rump steak, chips, mediterranean veg, onion rings and optional pepper sauce tonight. Charles is on frying duty - which he does expertly - IN THE GARDEN SHED! I can't stand the smell of frying so the deep fat fryer, which is hardly ever used I have to say, is kept in the shed for those odd occasions when only chips will do. Also in the shed is a kettle and toaster, so if Charles and I have a fall out, one of us (him probably!) could live in the shed quite happily for a while!
It's quite a big shed and there would easily be room for a bed in there. perhaps we should consider converting it into a guest room, or maybe we could take a lodger in!
Just a thought!
ADVICE TO LILY AND ROSE
If you want James to look after you - YOU HAD BETTER BE ON YOUR BEST BEHAVIOUR.
I don't want to come home and find that he says, 'Never again!'
So, no whinging, barking or biting.
No digging - not that you have anywhere to dig now.
No weeing in the house.
No chewing Kates shoes or James's jeans.
I know you love James to bits, but you've got to show him that you CAN be lovely, well behaved girls!
I expect I shall find it impossible to go for a whole day without ringing to check on you!!
I don't want to come home and find that he says, 'Never again!'
So, no whinging, barking or biting.
No digging - not that you have anywhere to dig now.
No weeing in the house.
No chewing Kates shoes or James's jeans.
I know you love James to bits, but you've got to show him that you CAN be lovely, well behaved girls!
I expect I shall find it impossible to go for a whole day without ringing to check on you!!
PUPPY SITTING
The following advice is really intended for James and Kate, but could be useful for anyone who offers to puppy sit for us at any time!!
1) Remember they are only babies and that they will not necessarily do what YOU want them to do, unless you bribe them with treats! These are kept in the appropriately labelled 'Dog Treats' box which is kept on the windowsill in the breakfast room. Just break off tiny bits of the treat sticks when ever you want them to do something, let them see the treat, then give the command - Come, Sit, Down - always accompanied by the puppies name. Rose will always sit beautifully if she knows there's a treat. Lily will try to jump, but MUST be sitting before she is given it.
2) They have a lot of wees and need access to outdoors nearly all the time. However, they still need to be reminded, so if you go out first with their treats and say, 'Come Lily, Come Rose, Sit,' give them their treat then RUSH back into the house and SHUT THE DOOR, they will go for a wee and quite possibly a poop too. Poop needs to be scooped up and put into the 'Poop Bucket.' (When you're rushing back inside and shutting the door, check that the puppies haven't beaten you to it!!)
3) A sign that they need to go for a wee or a poop is when they start sniffing the floor and/or walking round in circles. If they are inside when they are doing this, you need to get them outside as fast as possible.
4) They WILL sleep during the day. Usually they just flop down in one of the little beds and, if you close the safety gate, you could just leave them in the breakfast room while you go elsewhere to recover for a bit. However, I usually lift them gently and put them in their crate because I think they sleep longer in there. This may not be a wise move for you though, because I know how excited they get when they see you and it might just wake them up again - so you decide what you think is best.
5) They will need lunch at 1.00 and tea at 5.00. I will leave this ready made up in containers. Each container will have enough food for both puppies. It just needs a little warm water adding to it before putting it in their bowls.
6) Although their play area is pretty secure, just check that, if someone comes to the door, the gate is shut securely afterwards.
7) They CAN go out for a walk, but don't expect them to be very good at this! If you DO take them out you will need poop bags which are kept in the cupboard by the wine rack and a pocketful of treats. Use the treats to encourage them to walk close to you - or even to walk at all in Roses's case!
8) We find that using a quiet but firm voice is the best way of getting them to do as they're told. Shouting doesn't work and only upsets them, because they often don't realise why they're being shouted at. If they ARE doing something really naughty, try to distract them with their toys.
9) They DO playfight. This can sound quite fierce, but is natural. They'll soon stop!
10) Remember THEY ARE HARD WORK!!! You will probably be shattered by the time we get home and I apologise for this in advance. I hope you have a lovely day with them!!
1) Remember they are only babies and that they will not necessarily do what YOU want them to do, unless you bribe them with treats! These are kept in the appropriately labelled 'Dog Treats' box which is kept on the windowsill in the breakfast room. Just break off tiny bits of the treat sticks when ever you want them to do something, let them see the treat, then give the command - Come, Sit, Down - always accompanied by the puppies name. Rose will always sit beautifully if she knows there's a treat. Lily will try to jump, but MUST be sitting before she is given it.
2) They have a lot of wees and need access to outdoors nearly all the time. However, they still need to be reminded, so if you go out first with their treats and say, 'Come Lily, Come Rose, Sit,' give them their treat then RUSH back into the house and SHUT THE DOOR, they will go for a wee and quite possibly a poop too. Poop needs to be scooped up and put into the 'Poop Bucket.' (When you're rushing back inside and shutting the door, check that the puppies haven't beaten you to it!!)
3) A sign that they need to go for a wee or a poop is when they start sniffing the floor and/or walking round in circles. If they are inside when they are doing this, you need to get them outside as fast as possible.
4) They WILL sleep during the day. Usually they just flop down in one of the little beds and, if you close the safety gate, you could just leave them in the breakfast room while you go elsewhere to recover for a bit. However, I usually lift them gently and put them in their crate because I think they sleep longer in there. This may not be a wise move for you though, because I know how excited they get when they see you and it might just wake them up again - so you decide what you think is best.
5) They will need lunch at 1.00 and tea at 5.00. I will leave this ready made up in containers. Each container will have enough food for both puppies. It just needs a little warm water adding to it before putting it in their bowls.
6) Although their play area is pretty secure, just check that, if someone comes to the door, the gate is shut securely afterwards.
7) They CAN go out for a walk, but don't expect them to be very good at this! If you DO take them out you will need poop bags which are kept in the cupboard by the wine rack and a pocketful of treats. Use the treats to encourage them to walk close to you - or even to walk at all in Roses's case!
8) We find that using a quiet but firm voice is the best way of getting them to do as they're told. Shouting doesn't work and only upsets them, because they often don't realise why they're being shouted at. If they ARE doing something really naughty, try to distract them with their toys.
9) They DO playfight. This can sound quite fierce, but is natural. They'll soon stop!
10) Remember THEY ARE HARD WORK!!! You will probably be shattered by the time we get home and I apologise for this in advance. I hope you have a lovely day with them!!
NO MORE DIGGING!
Right Girls, there'll be no more digging okay! We DO NOT want another evening like we had yesterday. And anyway, you'll discover that the digging place has now been cunningly sealed off with some lengths of skirting board that had been stored in the shed 'just in case'. Well, this was exactly 'the case' we were keeping them for and they make the perfect barrier to all digging activities.
We had a dreadful evening all round. I don't know if the puppies had got themselves over excited with their digging, or had been traumatised by the cleaning up process, but Lily especially just would not settle and kept wanting to be outside where she would growl and bark at some imaginary fiend, until at about 11.00 I ended up sitting outside on the step with her on my knee trying to calm her down enough to get to sleep. I felt sorry for Rose, who was wanting to settle down long before this and couldn't because her Naughty Little Sister was still on the rampage - and very noisily at that!
However, the late night meant that we had a slightly later start to this morning which was an unexpected bonus. AND we have had our very first walk already!! This was quite an experience as the puppies haven't encountered the big wide world of Longfram before and, although we only went a distance of about 500 yards it made me realise that we have a lot of work to do to get them properly lead trained. Of the two it was Lily who walked best on the lead and Rose who had some difficulty getting the idea of walking when I did. She found everything a distraction, which is fair enough I suppose. She wasn't at all sure about the traffic that we encountered and had a bit of a panic on a few occasions, but I'm sure it'll come right with lots more practice.
Predictably they are now exhausted and will probably have a good sleep this morning. I hope so anyway!!!
We had a dreadful evening all round. I don't know if the puppies had got themselves over excited with their digging, or had been traumatised by the cleaning up process, but Lily especially just would not settle and kept wanting to be outside where she would growl and bark at some imaginary fiend, until at about 11.00 I ended up sitting outside on the step with her on my knee trying to calm her down enough to get to sleep. I felt sorry for Rose, who was wanting to settle down long before this and couldn't because her Naughty Little Sister was still on the rampage - and very noisily at that!
However, the late night meant that we had a slightly later start to this morning which was an unexpected bonus. AND we have had our very first walk already!! This was quite an experience as the puppies haven't encountered the big wide world of Longfram before and, although we only went a distance of about 500 yards it made me realise that we have a lot of work to do to get them properly lead trained. Of the two it was Lily who walked best on the lead and Rose who had some difficulty getting the idea of walking when I did. She found everything a distraction, which is fair enough I suppose. She wasn't at all sure about the traffic that we encountered and had a bit of a panic on a few occasions, but I'm sure it'll come right with lots more practice.
Predictably they are now exhausted and will probably have a good sleep this morning. I hope so anyway!!!
Thursday, 22 October 2009
MINGING 2 BLINGING
OH NO!!
GUESS WHAT THE PUPPIES DID TONIGHT!
THEY WENT DIGGING AGAIN!
WE HAD THE BLACKEST PUPS YOU HAVE EVER SEEN!
SO GUESS WHAT HAPPENED NEXT...
YEP! WE HAD BATHTIME!
Oh joy! What an evening WE'RE having. We took our eyes off them for five minutes and when we turned round they'd dug a huge hole under the fence and were so filthy and wet it was hard to tell one puppy from the other.
To begin with we just stood and gaped, then fell about laughing because they looked so funny.
To be honest, I don't think the puppies felt very happy though once they realised what a mess they were in and neither of them had any complaints at all about being bathed.
So, rather than just relay all this to you in the form of text we thought you'd like to see the awful reality of it!!
What are YOU doing this evening? Whatever it is, I bet you're not as wet as we are!!
JAMES AND KATE
How much do I love you two? Quite a bit actually, and not just because you've volunteered to puppy sit on Saturday to give Charles and I time to go to Newcastle shopping and to go to the match afterwards, although it's certainly earned you lots of brownie points! It is really kind of you both and greatly appreciated. I just hope the puppies are well behaved for you.
I will, of course, leave full instructions for feeding and plenty of poop bags!!
Seriously, it will be such a treat to have a 'day off' - well it will for ME, I'm not so sure about Charles!
I will, of course, leave full instructions for feeding and plenty of poop bags!!
Seriously, it will be such a treat to have a 'day off' - well it will for ME, I'm not so sure about Charles!
HOPE IT STAYS DRY TODAY
I need a spell of dry weather to get some more planting done. Nothing major, just some hanging baskets for outside the front, but enough to add a bit of colour during the winter months.
The letter box arrived yesterday, so it would be good to get that on the wall too. The postman was very pleased when I told him what he was delivering!
Hmmm! I'm not sure how new hanging baskets will go down with the puppies! I put a little watering can on the patio table at the front of the house and it's driving the pups crazy! I can't imagine what they think it is or why it's so upsetting to them, but if they react like that to one little watering can, what will they be like when there are new baskets attached to the fence? I told you they didn't like change!!
The letter box arrived yesterday, so it would be good to get that on the wall too. The postman was very pleased when I told him what he was delivering!
Hmmm! I'm not sure how new hanging baskets will go down with the puppies! I put a little watering can on the patio table at the front of the house and it's driving the pups crazy! I can't imagine what they think it is or why it's so upsetting to them, but if they react like that to one little watering can, what will they be like when there are new baskets attached to the fence? I told you they didn't like change!!
LET'S HOPE...
... the puppies have a better day today! I'm NEVER going to get smug about how good they are EVER AGAIN! I forgot to mention that I caught Lily tearing out of the house with a brand new loo roll that she'd stolen from the shower room while I was getting the tea last night. Never one to miss an opportunity isn't Lily!
Thankfully, there's just one more day until we can get them out - maybe that's what they need, more exercise to tire them out. At least it's dry at the moment and they are having a play outside where they can run about a bit.
I had another thought last night. When do they start to lose their baby teeth? Does anyone know? Crikey, their little teeth are sharp enough now, what will it be like when their BIG teeth come through?
Thankfully, there's just one more day until we can get them out - maybe that's what they need, more exercise to tire them out. At least it's dry at the moment and they are having a play outside where they can run about a bit.
I had another thought last night. When do they start to lose their baby teeth? Does anyone know? Crikey, their little teeth are sharp enough now, what will it be like when their BIG teeth come through?
Wednesday, 21 October 2009
JAMES
James came round this evening, kindly bringing his washing to keep his mother busy because he's thoughtful like that! Unfortunately he witnessed the puppies at their absolute worst this evening. I don't know what has got into them today, but they have been MONSTROUS!
James, please don't think they're like that ALL the time because they're not. They just got a bit excited when you came round, added to which they haven't been outside to play much today because of the rain, so probably had lots of energy to expend. It was also their usual crazy time - they just got a little crazier than normal.
Please don't let this put you off coming to puppy sit so that your dad and I can go shopping.
James, please don't think they're like that ALL the time because they're not. They just got a bit excited when you came round, added to which they haven't been outside to play much today because of the rain, so probably had lots of energy to expend. It was also their usual crazy time - they just got a little crazier than normal.
Please don't let this put you off coming to puppy sit so that your dad and I can go shopping.
AND ANOTHER GAME
This is the Towel Game.
It goes like this...
...When it's raining really hard, whine at the door to go outside. Run out, have a quick wee and then play in the puddles for five minutes until you are soaked to the skin.
When your owner calls you inside, run in a quickly as you can, avoiding the towel that is being held to catch you, tagging the next member of the team who runs outside and repeats the process, while you skid across as much of the floor as possible and then shake out the rainwater over as wide an area as you can. Really successful players can avoid the towel completely for about half an hour, but it all depends on team work and the 'one in, one out' tactics.
YOU KNOW YOU'VE WON WHEN YOUR OWNER THROWS IN THE TOWEL!!!!
It goes like this...
...When it's raining really hard, whine at the door to go outside. Run out, have a quick wee and then play in the puddles for five minutes until you are soaked to the skin.
When your owner calls you inside, run in a quickly as you can, avoiding the towel that is being held to catch you, tagging the next member of the team who runs outside and repeats the process, while you skid across as much of the floor as possible and then shake out the rainwater over as wide an area as you can. Really successful players can avoid the towel completely for about half an hour, but it all depends on team work and the 'one in, one out' tactics.
YOU KNOW YOU'VE WON WHEN YOUR OWNER THROWS IN THE TOWEL!!!!
YOU KNOW I SAID HOW LOVELY THE PUPPIES ARE?
Well, they've been right little pains today!
It's obviously a day when they are in cahoots with each other, because they're clearly working as a demolition team.
Anything I have tried to do, they have come along and either ripped it up, torn it, run off with it, chewed it or knocked it over. For example, I went out to get the elephant crate ready for going out. It needed wiping over because it had been out in the rain, so first they grabbed the towel I was using and ran off with it. Then, when I'd put a nice warm blanket into the crate so that they would be lovely and snug, they pulled it out and dragged it around the patio getting it wet through. Next they invented a new game involving the poop bucket that we keep by the door. This bucket has a lid and is used for poopy tissues. It is emptied every day and lined with a clean liner. Anyway, the new game involves pulling the liner as hard as possible until the bucket tips over and the lid falls off, then you have to bark as loud as possible. If it becomes a little tedious one puppy is allowed to give the bucket a good nudge which is the signal for more, and even louder, barking. The timing of the game is crucial: If it's empty it's still an okay game, but not nearly as much fun as when there are poopy tissues in there, because these can be dragged out, trodden on, chewed and mauled and the winner is the puppy who is covered in the most poop! Then there's the game called 'Can you get YOUR head stuck through this fence?' and to be honest, I can't be bothered to try to explain that one!
Actually they are asleep just now, so I'm off to shut MY eyes for a little while too!!!!!!
It's obviously a day when they are in cahoots with each other, because they're clearly working as a demolition team.
Anything I have tried to do, they have come along and either ripped it up, torn it, run off with it, chewed it or knocked it over. For example, I went out to get the elephant crate ready for going out. It needed wiping over because it had been out in the rain, so first they grabbed the towel I was using and ran off with it. Then, when I'd put a nice warm blanket into the crate so that they would be lovely and snug, they pulled it out and dragged it around the patio getting it wet through. Next they invented a new game involving the poop bucket that we keep by the door. This bucket has a lid and is used for poopy tissues. It is emptied every day and lined with a clean liner. Anyway, the new game involves pulling the liner as hard as possible until the bucket tips over and the lid falls off, then you have to bark as loud as possible. If it becomes a little tedious one puppy is allowed to give the bucket a good nudge which is the signal for more, and even louder, barking. The timing of the game is crucial: If it's empty it's still an okay game, but not nearly as much fun as when there are poopy tissues in there, because these can be dragged out, trodden on, chewed and mauled and the winner is the puppy who is covered in the most poop! Then there's the game called 'Can you get YOUR head stuck through this fence?' and to be honest, I can't be bothered to try to explain that one!
Actually they are asleep just now, so I'm off to shut MY eyes for a little while too!!!!!!
CHARLES WANTS TO KNOW...
...where we're going to take the puppies for their FIRST WALK!
Well Charles, wherever we take them they won't be walking very far. I suggest we just take them round the block, but I've a feeling he would like them to go somewhere more exciting. It will probably be just as exciting for them to be out and about in the village as it would be if we took them further afield.
To be honest, we'll be lucky to get them off the drive! We did have a trial run a few days ago, just out at the front and they found so many new smells between the house and the end of the drive that it took them about half an hour to get there!
And another thing; I know it's not going to happen yet, but how on earth do you know when you can let them off their leads? Someone explain this to me please. When I was watching Dannymatt's video of Maggie Mae and Isla the other day I was really impressed that they just stay close to their people and actually come back when they're called. I really worry that this wouldn't be the case with my two. Well, it probably would with Rose because she would need the reassurance of knowing that we were close by, but LILY would be off like a shot to find the nearest hole to disappear down!
(Charles has now started calling Lily 'Snowy' because she reminds him of Tintin's dog. She's going to grow up very confused (or even more confused than she is already!).)
Well Charles, wherever we take them they won't be walking very far. I suggest we just take them round the block, but I've a feeling he would like them to go somewhere more exciting. It will probably be just as exciting for them to be out and about in the village as it would be if we took them further afield.
To be honest, we'll be lucky to get them off the drive! We did have a trial run a few days ago, just out at the front and they found so many new smells between the house and the end of the drive that it took them about half an hour to get there!
And another thing; I know it's not going to happen yet, but how on earth do you know when you can let them off their leads? Someone explain this to me please. When I was watching Dannymatt's video of Maggie Mae and Isla the other day I was really impressed that they just stay close to their people and actually come back when they're called. I really worry that this wouldn't be the case with my two. Well, it probably would with Rose because she would need the reassurance of knowing that we were close by, but LILY would be off like a shot to find the nearest hole to disappear down!
(Charles has now started calling Lily 'Snowy' because she reminds him of Tintin's dog. She's going to grow up very confused (or even more confused than she is already!).)
RIGHT ON TIME
Okay, that's the Tesco delivery out of the way. It arrived bang on time as well. Very nice delivery WOMAN who fell in love with the puppies!!
Nothing missing and no substitutions.
I've just realised that when it says you can 'write a note' next to your order - it doesn't mean a note for YOURSELF, it's actually a note for your personal shopper. So in future I shall use this probably saying, 'Dear Personal Shopper. I just want to thank you for doing my shopping today and would like to request that if I have made any obviously stupid errors, like ordering a single Brussel sprout which I did last year, you use YOUR common sense and give me something more sensible please. Thank you.'
Nothing missing and no substitutions.
I've just realised that when it says you can 'write a note' next to your order - it doesn't mean a note for YOURSELF, it's actually a note for your personal shopper. So in future I shall use this probably saying, 'Dear Personal Shopper. I just want to thank you for doing my shopping today and would like to request that if I have made any obviously stupid errors, like ordering a single Brussel sprout which I did last year, you use YOUR common sense and give me something more sensible please. Thank you.'
PLEASED TO REPORT...
... that after all the rain we had last night, our driveway is flood free, so the drain work we had done last week must have done the trick!!
It's a really miserable, grey, wet morning - typical October weather really. It IS, however, my brother's birthday today. HAPPY BIRTHDAY NIGEL - ONLY ONE MORE YEAR TO GO BEFORE THE BIG FIVE-OH!!!
It's a really miserable, grey, wet morning - typical October weather really. It IS, however, my brother's birthday today. HAPPY BIRTHDAY NIGEL - ONLY ONE MORE YEAR TO GO BEFORE THE BIG FIVE-OH!!!
POSTAL STRIKE
I'm not sure if it affecting us or not. Most stuff seems to be getting through okay, although I had a little chuckle over the frantic email I had from the Grazia people explaining that I may have to live for a few days without my magazine because of the strike. Good grief, how WILL I cope?
Anyway, I only mentioned it because we are waiting for our new letter box and it is supposed to be coming via Royal Mail. It was dispatched at the weekend, so should be here today. I hope our postman likes it, cos we bought it for him really!!
Anyway, I only mentioned it because we are waiting for our new letter box and it is supposed to be coming via Royal Mail. It was dispatched at the weekend, so should be here today. I hope our postman likes it, cos we bought it for him really!!
IT'S AMAZING...
...how the puppies have settled down during the last couple of weeks and how WE are so much more relaxed about THEM!
We've had then for just over six weeks now, and when I think back to the first few weeks we seemed to spend all our time dealing with poop-related incidents, trying to anticipate poop-time and scooping the stuff (shovelling it actually). The puppies have always been good, but now they are just a joy to have around. Their personalities are so different but each pup is delightful in their own way - even Lily when she's on an ASBO!!!
To begin with, our days revolved around the puppies (and their poop) but now THEY are fitting in with US and our routines, and it's working really well.
I'm sure I've said it before, but I can't help repeating it - I am amazed at just how much I love the girls. I honestly cannot imagine life without them now.
Last week I was shocked to hear the vet say that the time during the next few months, when pups are coming into adolescence, is the time when many owners give their puppies up for rehoming. People must be really desperate to have to resort to this - it would break my heart! (Having said that, we haven't gone through it yet, so it'll be interesting to see how I'm feeling in a few months time!!)
At the moment the puppies are settled in the crate fast asleep and I'm waiting for the Tesco delivery to arrive. You're going to hate me now, but I have done the non-perishable, store cupboard shopping READY FOR CHRISTMAS, just to get it out of the way. I know, I know - I'm the one who was banging on about Christmas coming too early, but those sentiments come into conflict with the highly organised side of my personality - and it's THAT side that won in the end! And before anyone says, 'But you'll use it before Christmas', NO I WON'T, because I'm really good about putting stuff away and pretending it doesn't exist.
I DO have a helpful tip for anyone who HATES doing the Christmas food shopping - you know all the fresh stuff that you have to do at the last minute. Well, two tips actually; 1) If you can bear it, do it online and let someone else do the running around for you. Admittedly you aren't there to choose the rosiest apple or the juiciest looking satsumas - but it's worth the risk if you can live with slight imperfections.
2) If you really HAVE to do it yourself - GO IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT! This might sound crazy, but I did exactly this for a couple of years and found that it was almost a pleasure. I would get to the supermarket (obviously you need to go to one that's open 24 hours, otherwise you'd just be wasting your time) at about 4AM and do the shopping ON MY WAY TO WORK, then whizz everything that needed to be chilled or frozen into the school fridges and freezers. Seriously - the only other people in there at that time are the staff who are making up people's internet orders and you pretty much have the place to yourself. Shelves are continually stocked so nothing is in short supply and you don't have to suffer that unbearable gridlock that occurs during the day. I think I resorted to this extreme strategy after being LITERALLY stuck in Tesco, completely unable to move one year, while frustrated shoppers practically fought over the last sprout and came to blows over the turkeys. It's just not worth the hassle.
So, that's my VERY EARLY CHRISTMAS TIP and I promise not to mention anything else about it for at least another month!!!
We've had then for just over six weeks now, and when I think back to the first few weeks we seemed to spend all our time dealing with poop-related incidents, trying to anticipate poop-time and scooping the stuff (shovelling it actually). The puppies have always been good, but now they are just a joy to have around. Their personalities are so different but each pup is delightful in their own way - even Lily when she's on an ASBO!!!
To begin with, our days revolved around the puppies (and their poop) but now THEY are fitting in with US and our routines, and it's working really well.
I'm sure I've said it before, but I can't help repeating it - I am amazed at just how much I love the girls. I honestly cannot imagine life without them now.
Last week I was shocked to hear the vet say that the time during the next few months, when pups are coming into adolescence, is the time when many owners give their puppies up for rehoming. People must be really desperate to have to resort to this - it would break my heart! (Having said that, we haven't gone through it yet, so it'll be interesting to see how I'm feeling in a few months time!!)
At the moment the puppies are settled in the crate fast asleep and I'm waiting for the Tesco delivery to arrive. You're going to hate me now, but I have done the non-perishable, store cupboard shopping READY FOR CHRISTMAS, just to get it out of the way. I know, I know - I'm the one who was banging on about Christmas coming too early, but those sentiments come into conflict with the highly organised side of my personality - and it's THAT side that won in the end! And before anyone says, 'But you'll use it before Christmas', NO I WON'T, because I'm really good about putting stuff away and pretending it doesn't exist.
I DO have a helpful tip for anyone who HATES doing the Christmas food shopping - you know all the fresh stuff that you have to do at the last minute. Well, two tips actually; 1) If you can bear it, do it online and let someone else do the running around for you. Admittedly you aren't there to choose the rosiest apple or the juiciest looking satsumas - but it's worth the risk if you can live with slight imperfections.
2) If you really HAVE to do it yourself - GO IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT! This might sound crazy, but I did exactly this for a couple of years and found that it was almost a pleasure. I would get to the supermarket (obviously you need to go to one that's open 24 hours, otherwise you'd just be wasting your time) at about 4AM and do the shopping ON MY WAY TO WORK, then whizz everything that needed to be chilled or frozen into the school fridges and freezers. Seriously - the only other people in there at that time are the staff who are making up people's internet orders and you pretty much have the place to yourself. Shelves are continually stocked so nothing is in short supply and you don't have to suffer that unbearable gridlock that occurs during the day. I think I resorted to this extreme strategy after being LITERALLY stuck in Tesco, completely unable to move one year, while frustrated shoppers practically fought over the last sprout and came to blows over the turkeys. It's just not worth the hassle.
So, that's my VERY EARLY CHRISTMAS TIP and I promise not to mention anything else about it for at least another month!!!
Tuesday, 20 October 2009
NUFC V Scunthorpe
What a farce!
Who thinks Houghton should be given the managers job?
C'mon, hands up!
Who thinks Houghton should be given the managers job?
C'mon, hands up!
THE REALLY SCARY THNG...
...about that email from my sister is that the answers are all from GCSE papers - IN SWINDON.
Why is that scary?
Because I've just been sitting here and thinking that a few years ago, I was a headteacher in a little village - JUST OUTSIDE SWINDON - and may well have taught some of those 16 year olds!!!
Why is that scary?
Because I've just been sitting here and thinking that a few years ago, I was a headteacher in a little village - JUST OUTSIDE SWINDON - and may well have taught some of those 16 year olds!!!
NO SOONER SAID THAN DONE!
HOW SMUG AM I?
Having checked out the forecast earlier, the decision to get the gardening done today was pretty much made for me.
So I had a quick trip up to Alnwick to get 90 winter pansies, cleared out all the old stuff, cut back the climbers, tidied up the beds a bit, put the pansies in ( and still could have done with more of them ) swept the leaves up (although that was a bit of a losing battle) and now I'm sitting back with a cuppa feeling as if I've really achieved something today!
The puppies have been fab while I've been busy; very interested in the fact that it's been ME who's been digging today!
BRILLIANT EMAIL FROM MY SISTER!
HA HA HA HA HA!!!!
THANKS HELEN THESE ARE HILARIOUS!!
HOPE YOU DON'T MIND ME SHARING THEM
The following questions were set in 2009 GCSE examination in Swindon, Wiltshire ( U.K. )
These are genuine answers (from 16 year olds)
Q. Name the four seasons
A. Salt, pepper, mustard and vinegar
Q. Explain one of the processes by which water can be made safe to drink
A. Flirtation makes water safe to drink because it removes large pollutants like grit, sand, dead sheep and canoeists
Q.. How is dew formed
A. The sun shines down on the leaves and makes them perspire
Q. What causes the tides in the oceans
A. The tides are a fight between the earth and the moon. All water tends to flow towards the moon, because there is no water on the moon, and nature abhors a vacuum. I forget where the sun joins the fight
Q. What guarantees may a mortgage company insist on
A. If you are buying a house they will insist that you are well endowed
Q. In a democratic society, how important are elections
A. Very important. Sex can only happen when a male gets an election
Q. What are steroids
A. Things for keeping carpets still on the stairs (Shoot yourself now , there is little hope)
Q. What happens to your body as you age
A. When you get old, so do your bowels and you get intercontinental
Q. What happens to a boy when he reaches puberty
A. He says goodbye to his boyhood and looks forward to his adultery (So true)
Q Name a major disease associated with cigarettes
A. Premature death
Q. What is artificial insemination
A. When the farmer does it to the bull instead of the cow
Q. How can you delay milk turning sour
A. Keep it in the cow (Simple, but brilliant)
Q. How are the main 20 parts of the body categorised (e.g. The abdomen)
A. The body is consisted into 3 parts - the brainium, the borax and the abdominal cavity. The brainium contains the brain, the borax contains the heart and lungs and the abdominal cavity contains the five bowels: A, E, I, O and U
Q. What is the fibula?
A.. A small lie
Q. What does 'varicose' mean?
A. Nearby
Q.. What is the most common form of birth control
A. Most people prevent contraception by wearing a condominium (That would work)
Q. Give the meaning of the term 'Caesarean section'
A. The caesarean section is a district in Rome
Q. What is a seizure?
A. A Roman Emperor. (Julius Seizure, I came, I saw, I had a fit)
Q. What is a terminal illness
A. When you are sick at the airport. (Irrefutable)
Q. Give an example of a fungus. What is a characteristic feature?
A. Mushrooms. They always grow in damp places and they look like umbrellas
Q. Use the word 'judicious' in a sentence to show you understand its meaning
A. Hands that judicious can be soft as your face.
Q. What does the word 'benign' mean?
A. Benign is what you will be after you be eight
Q. What is a turbine?
A. Something an Arab or Shreik wears on his head
These are genuine answers (from 16 year olds)
Q. Name the four seasons
A. Salt, pepper, mustard and vinegar
Q. Explain one of the processes by which water can be made safe to drink
A. Flirtation makes water safe to drink because it removes large pollutants like grit, sand, dead sheep and canoeists
Q.. How is dew formed
A. The sun shines down on the leaves and makes them perspire
Q. What causes the tides in the oceans
A. The tides are a fight between the earth and the moon. All water tends to flow towards the moon, because there is no water on the moon, and nature abhors a vacuum. I forget where the sun joins the fight
Q. What guarantees may a mortgage company insist on
A. If you are buying a house they will insist that you are well endowed
Q. In a democratic society, how important are elections
A. Very important. Sex can only happen when a male gets an election
Q. What are steroids
A. Things for keeping carpets still on the stairs (Shoot yourself now , there is little hope)
Q. What happens to your body as you age
A. When you get old, so do your bowels and you get intercontinental
Q. What happens to a boy when he reaches puberty
A. He says goodbye to his boyhood and looks forward to his adultery (So true)
Q Name a major disease associated with cigarettes
A. Premature death
Q. What is artificial insemination
A. When the farmer does it to the bull instead of the cow
Q. How can you delay milk turning sour
A. Keep it in the cow (Simple, but brilliant)
Q. How are the main 20 parts of the body categorised (e.g. The abdomen)
A. The body is consisted into 3 parts - the brainium, the borax and the abdominal cavity. The brainium contains the brain, the borax contains the heart and lungs and the abdominal cavity contains the five bowels: A, E, I, O and U
Q. What is the fibula?
A.. A small lie
Q. What does 'varicose' mean?
A. Nearby
Q.. What is the most common form of birth control
A. Most people prevent contraception by wearing a condominium (That would work)
Q. Give the meaning of the term 'Caesarean section'
A. The caesarean section is a district in Rome
Q. What is a seizure?
A. A Roman Emperor. (Julius Seizure, I came, I saw, I had a fit)
Q. What is a terminal illness
A. When you are sick at the airport. (Irrefutable)
Q. Give an example of a fungus. What is a characteristic feature?
A. Mushrooms. They always grow in damp places and they look like umbrellas
Q. Use the word 'judicious' in a sentence to show you understand its meaning
A. Hands that judicious can be soft as your face.
Q. What does the word 'benign' mean?
A. Benign is what you will be after you be eight
Q. What is a turbine?
A. Something an Arab or Shreik wears on his head
RED SKY
It's just getting light and the sky is a beautiful shade of red over towards the coast - hopefully the sign of a nice day. I don't know what the forecast is, but I really MUST spend some time in the garden this week. I want to put winter pansies in all the tubs and we need to wrap the tree fern up to protect it from frost. I've got a bit of cutting back to do to some of the climbers on the trellis - oh, hang on, here comes the forecast. Hmmm, today might be okay, but tomorrow sounds pretty rubbish, so it's either today or later in the week then.
How are the puppies this morning? Well they're just FINE! They've had a good runaround outside and are currently lying on the mat in the breakfast room, getting themselves ready for their morning sleep. Rose is just about gone, but Lily is still nibbling away at her chew for all she's worth!!
Okay, I'm going to separate her from the chew otherwise she'll NEVER settle to sleep...
...ha ha - she just replaced her chew with my EAR for a while! Fortunately she's beginning to understand what 'gently' means!
How are the puppies this morning? Well they're just FINE! They've had a good runaround outside and are currently lying on the mat in the breakfast room, getting themselves ready for their morning sleep. Rose is just about gone, but Lily is still nibbling away at her chew for all she's worth!!
Okay, I'm going to separate her from the chew otherwise she'll NEVER settle to sleep...
...ha ha - she just replaced her chew with my EAR for a while! Fortunately she's beginning to understand what 'gently' means!
Monday, 19 October 2009
WHAT ON EARTH...
...is going on in the skies over Longframlington tonight?
We are having wave after wave of planes flying over the village. It sounds like we're in a war zone! Unfortunately, the puppies don't appreciate this interruption at all and, come to think of it, neither do I. Although I realise it must be some big exercise, it's a little annoying when it happens during the evening.
In between the noise of the planes, the puppies are playing quite amicably. The floor is littered with their toys but their preferred plaything tonight is...
...THE DOORMAT, which is suffering a severe mauling and may not survive the evening.
We are having wave after wave of planes flying over the village. It sounds like we're in a war zone! Unfortunately, the puppies don't appreciate this interruption at all and, come to think of it, neither do I. Although I realise it must be some big exercise, it's a little annoying when it happens during the evening.
In between the noise of the planes, the puppies are playing quite amicably. The floor is littered with their toys but their preferred plaything tonight is...
...THE DOORMAT, which is suffering a severe mauling and may not survive the evening.
BUDDLEIA
Well that answers that one!
During the summer Charles and I had a weekend in London and travelled by train which was very nice and relaxing. Looking out of the window I was amazed at the number of buddleia plants (you know; the 'butterfly bush') growing in nooks and crannies all along the track. I remember asking him how there could be so many - and he wasn't the least bit interested!
According to The One Show these plants are native to the Himalayas and each plant produces 3 million seeds which embed themselves in the most inhospitable terrain. No wonder there are so many along the railway embankments - they're pretty inhospitable locations!
Talking about travelling by train reminds me of another, by now infamous occasion, when the staff of my last school went to London for a weekend. Again we travelled by train. We were very excited because a) we had a girly weekend to look forward to, b) we were going to see the Lion King and c) well - we were always pretty excited about just about anything really and when we were excited we were NOISY. Not noisy in an intrusive, irritating way, just high spirited - with lots of laughter.
We made our way to our carriage and unloaded croissants, pain au chocolate, champagne, crisps, biscuits, sandwiches and an apple. We all posed for photos as the train pulled away from the station. We settled down to have fun - and then the REAL FUN started. A extremely unpleasant man told us all to be quiet (only he didn't say it as nicely as that) and, in fairness he did have to say it a few times before we heard him and realised he was talking to US and then he called a steward who told us, to our horror, that we had been put in THE QUIET CARRIAGE and if we couldn't pipe down we'd be thrown off the train at Durham!!! (Yeah - all this happened before we even got to Durham!) WHY WOULD ANY TOUR OPERATOR PUT A BUNCH OF WOMEN WO ARE GOING AWAY FOR A JOLLY IN THE QUIET CARRIAGE? So we asked if we could be moved and we ended up sitting next to the buffet car where we provided the in-house entertainment for all those passengers who hadn't had a sense of humour by-pass. In fact one group asked when we were going away again because they'd like to come with us!!!!
Why am I telling you this? Haven't got a clue!!!
Forgot to add: We all phoned home to tell our families that we had been thrown out of our carriage to which our children, without exception all replied, 'Good on ya, Mum!'
During the summer Charles and I had a weekend in London and travelled by train which was very nice and relaxing. Looking out of the window I was amazed at the number of buddleia plants (you know; the 'butterfly bush') growing in nooks and crannies all along the track. I remember asking him how there could be so many - and he wasn't the least bit interested!
According to The One Show these plants are native to the Himalayas and each plant produces 3 million seeds which embed themselves in the most inhospitable terrain. No wonder there are so many along the railway embankments - they're pretty inhospitable locations!
Talking about travelling by train reminds me of another, by now infamous occasion, when the staff of my last school went to London for a weekend. Again we travelled by train. We were very excited because a) we had a girly weekend to look forward to, b) we were going to see the Lion King and c) well - we were always pretty excited about just about anything really and when we were excited we were NOISY. Not noisy in an intrusive, irritating way, just high spirited - with lots of laughter.
We made our way to our carriage and unloaded croissants, pain au chocolate, champagne, crisps, biscuits, sandwiches and an apple. We all posed for photos as the train pulled away from the station. We settled down to have fun - and then the REAL FUN started. A extremely unpleasant man told us all to be quiet (only he didn't say it as nicely as that) and, in fairness he did have to say it a few times before we heard him and realised he was talking to US and then he called a steward who told us, to our horror, that we had been put in THE QUIET CARRIAGE and if we couldn't pipe down we'd be thrown off the train at Durham!!! (Yeah - all this happened before we even got to Durham!) WHY WOULD ANY TOUR OPERATOR PUT A BUNCH OF WOMEN WO ARE GOING AWAY FOR A JOLLY IN THE QUIET CARRIAGE? So we asked if we could be moved and we ended up sitting next to the buffet car where we provided the in-house entertainment for all those passengers who hadn't had a sense of humour by-pass. In fact one group asked when we were going away again because they'd like to come with us!!!!
Why am I telling you this? Haven't got a clue!!!
Forgot to add: We all phoned home to tell our families that we had been thrown out of our carriage to which our children, without exception all replied, 'Good on ya, Mum!'
LILY THE PUNK
Charles reckons she isn't Lily the Pink but Lily the Punk!
With her spiky hair and all that attitude, he could be right!
With her spiky hair and all that attitude, he could be right!
5 O'CLOCK ALREADY
It is honestly scary how quickly the days go. I know I've mentioned it before, but I just don't know how it happens. The other worrying thing is that I don't really know what I actually DO to fill the time - and yet I never stop! I suppose the time I spend on the blog could be considered 'down time' and that's fine, but as for the rest of the day I just haven't got a clue what happens to it.
I used to think that time flew past when I was at school, but it goes even faster now. (I didn't mean that like when I was actually at school as a pupil, but when I was teaching. I can't remember EVER thinking that time flew when I was at school, especially during physics lessons. That reminds me: I had the most deadly boring physics teacher in the world. She was so boring that I instantly forgot about her when I dropped physics for something REALLY useful like needlework - oh yeah, I'd better get that nice little bit of smocking out later and then I could make a pair of pyjamas with those special flat French seams that mean you don't get sore bits when you lie on your side - THAT useful! It was nearly thirty years later that I unwittingly met up with her again. It was during my first headship and the Local Authority adviser was coming to visit and it turned out that it was MY OLD PHYSICS TEACHER. SHE remembered ME, but I honestly hadn't a clue who SHE was. Anyway, she was just as boring as an adviser as she was as a teacher. She used to come into my office, put her head down on my desk and say, 'Okay Sue, What tips can you give me today?' WHAT???? You were supposed to be advising ME, for God's sake!)
Sorry - I got a bit carried away there. I'm sure physics is very useful to SOME people, but I have never felt the need for it myself!!
Anyway, when I went to Heighley Gate this morning I couldn't help noticing the Christmas displays and thinking that it literally feels like just last week that I was in there buying decorations and gift bags for last year's festivities. Perhaps it's back to the fact that the shops start getting ready so early. We feel like we never get a break. In fact, why do they bother putting the Christmas stuff away - just keep it out all year round. Okay, it wouldn't have to be so high profile, but it would save employing extra staff to pack it all away, only to get in out a couple of months later. Also, it would help people who want to spread the cost of Christmas a bit. Admittedly everyone would be sick to the back teeth of it by the time December arrived, but maybe that's not a bad thing. Bah humbug!
I used to think that time flew past when I was at school, but it goes even faster now. (I didn't mean that like when I was actually at school as a pupil, but when I was teaching. I can't remember EVER thinking that time flew when I was at school, especially during physics lessons. That reminds me: I had the most deadly boring physics teacher in the world. She was so boring that I instantly forgot about her when I dropped physics for something REALLY useful like needlework - oh yeah, I'd better get that nice little bit of smocking out later and then I could make a pair of pyjamas with those special flat French seams that mean you don't get sore bits when you lie on your side - THAT useful! It was nearly thirty years later that I unwittingly met up with her again. It was during my first headship and the Local Authority adviser was coming to visit and it turned out that it was MY OLD PHYSICS TEACHER. SHE remembered ME, but I honestly hadn't a clue who SHE was. Anyway, she was just as boring as an adviser as she was as a teacher. She used to come into my office, put her head down on my desk and say, 'Okay Sue, What tips can you give me today?' WHAT???? You were supposed to be advising ME, for God's sake!)
Sorry - I got a bit carried away there. I'm sure physics is very useful to SOME people, but I have never felt the need for it myself!!
Anyway, when I went to Heighley Gate this morning I couldn't help noticing the Christmas displays and thinking that it literally feels like just last week that I was in there buying decorations and gift bags for last year's festivities. Perhaps it's back to the fact that the shops start getting ready so early. We feel like we never get a break. In fact, why do they bother putting the Christmas stuff away - just keep it out all year round. Okay, it wouldn't have to be so high profile, but it would save employing extra staff to pack it all away, only to get in out a couple of months later. Also, it would help people who want to spread the cost of Christmas a bit. Admittedly everyone would be sick to the back teeth of it by the time December arrived, but maybe that's not a bad thing. Bah humbug!
HEIGHLEY GATE
I popped out for a little trip to Heighley Gate - ON MY OWN - this morning! (When I first typed that sentence I actually wrote 'pooped out' - clearly all the poop related incidents I reported in the early days with the pups have trained my brain to type in that particular combination of letters. I'm sure you've noticed that 'poop' has hardly been mentioned recently. That's because there's nothing out of the ordinary to report and we've become extremely blase about it - how do you put that accent over the 'e'?) So, I went to Heighley Gate because they've got a good pet section there and I wanted to get some treats for the pups. I resisted the temptation to buy more toys - they've got QUITE enough to be going on with. Actually I DID come home with a new toy - a very sturdy cardboard carton - that Lily already loves and Rose is starting to love! Somehow Lily manages to get on top of it and enjoys her superior position to taunt her sister.
Rose doesn't like change, although she will adapt in her own time. A little while ago, she was going berserk outside. When I went to see what all the fuss was about I noticed a flyer from some window company had been folded up and wedged between the gate posts. Rose DID NOT like that bit of paper, it had obviously upset her sense of order and once it was removed she quickly settled down again. (Actually, Rose is beginning to sound a little bit like ME!!!)
(I only mean in terms of liking order. Obviously I don't go round barking frantically when things aren't as I expect them to be. I might whinge and nag a bit, but that's different!)
Rose doesn't like change, although she will adapt in her own time. A little while ago, she was going berserk outside. When I went to see what all the fuss was about I noticed a flyer from some window company had been folded up and wedged between the gate posts. Rose DID NOT like that bit of paper, it had obviously upset her sense of order and once it was removed she quickly settled down again. (Actually, Rose is beginning to sound a little bit like ME!!!)
(I only mean in terms of liking order. Obviously I don't go round barking frantically when things aren't as I expect them to be. I might whinge and nag a bit, but that's different!)
THE PUPPIES...
... are clearly sleeping off the weekend activities. They put themselves to bed at 8 o'clock and are still fast asleep!
I keep telling them that on FRIDAY they will be able to go out for proper walks. This is going to add a completely new dimension to their little lives. I just know that they'll find so much to sniff and investigate that we're not going to be getting very far at first. I think I'll have to make sure I've got a pocket full of treats to encourage them to walk nicely. I'll also need a pocket full of poop bags. Have I told you that it's against the law to take your dog out without having poop bags on your person!
While waiting for them to wake, I've been catching up on jobs and, as usual have left the TV on in the background, so, of course, helicopter heroes has been on again. I have to ask, is there ANYONE in Yorkshire who is in full possession of all their limbs? Every programme features someone who has lost an arm or a leg - today it was a cabinet maker who sawed his hand completely off. He was taken off in the helicopter with his hand being carried inside a carrier bags wrapped up in frozen peas and carrots! I'm sure you can tell that I'm getting hardened to these medical emergency horrors now. In fact, I'm going to make sure I've got plenty of peas and carrots in my freezer - just in case!
I keep telling them that on FRIDAY they will be able to go out for proper walks. This is going to add a completely new dimension to their little lives. I just know that they'll find so much to sniff and investigate that we're not going to be getting very far at first. I think I'll have to make sure I've got a pocket full of treats to encourage them to walk nicely. I'll also need a pocket full of poop bags. Have I told you that it's against the law to take your dog out without having poop bags on your person!
While waiting for them to wake, I've been catching up on jobs and, as usual have left the TV on in the background, so, of course, helicopter heroes has been on again. I have to ask, is there ANYONE in Yorkshire who is in full possession of all their limbs? Every programme features someone who has lost an arm or a leg - today it was a cabinet maker who sawed his hand completely off. He was taken off in the helicopter with his hand being carried inside a carrier bags wrapped up in frozen peas and carrots! I'm sure you can tell that I'm getting hardened to these medical emergency horrors now. In fact, I'm going to make sure I've got plenty of peas and carrots in my freezer - just in case!
BRITISH SUMMER TIME...
...ends next weekend!
Don't you just hate it when it starts getting dark in the afternoon? The only upside I can think of is that, for a couple of weeks, it will be a bit lighter when the puppies get up in the morning. As for the rest of it - well, I just find it a bit depressing really.
On the other hand I DO love real winter weather. I'm just like a kid when it snows - so long as I don't have to drive in it. There's nothing nicer than being all warm and cosy indoors, preferably with a mug of hot chocolate, when it's bleaching down with snow outside. I WAS going to say that it's been a few years since we had a decent snow fall, but actually we DID have a couple of heavy falls last winter, when the village transformed into a silent, winter wonderland. It's funny how a heavy snow fall muffles sound isn't it? I suppose some of that is attributable to the fact that there's no traffic on the move - or certainly not where WE live, but I love it when you wake up in the morning and just know, before you even draw back the curtains, that it snowed in the night.
One of my fondest memories of winter weather is of the time when I was a student in Oxford. It was just coming up to Christmas (I'm SURE our terms were longer than those that students have these days! They seem to start term at the beginning of October and then they're finished for Christmas by the end of the month!!!) and I was doing some last minute Christmas shopping in the centre of Oxford. It was late in the afternoon and dark, the church bells were ringing and snow was falling. I'd got all my presents and packages and was looking forward to going home to spend the holiday with my family. It really did seem to be the perfect, romantic start to Christmas.
Anyway, enough of that. Don't want to start on Christmas yet, thank you very much.
Don't you just hate it when it starts getting dark in the afternoon? The only upside I can think of is that, for a couple of weeks, it will be a bit lighter when the puppies get up in the morning. As for the rest of it - well, I just find it a bit depressing really.
On the other hand I DO love real winter weather. I'm just like a kid when it snows - so long as I don't have to drive in it. There's nothing nicer than being all warm and cosy indoors, preferably with a mug of hot chocolate, when it's bleaching down with snow outside. I WAS going to say that it's been a few years since we had a decent snow fall, but actually we DID have a couple of heavy falls last winter, when the village transformed into a silent, winter wonderland. It's funny how a heavy snow fall muffles sound isn't it? I suppose some of that is attributable to the fact that there's no traffic on the move - or certainly not where WE live, but I love it when you wake up in the morning and just know, before you even draw back the curtains, that it snowed in the night.
One of my fondest memories of winter weather is of the time when I was a student in Oxford. It was just coming up to Christmas (I'm SURE our terms were longer than those that students have these days! They seem to start term at the beginning of October and then they're finished for Christmas by the end of the month!!!) and I was doing some last minute Christmas shopping in the centre of Oxford. It was late in the afternoon and dark, the church bells were ringing and snow was falling. I'd got all my presents and packages and was looking forward to going home to spend the holiday with my family. It really did seem to be the perfect, romantic start to Christmas.
Anyway, enough of that. Don't want to start on Christmas yet, thank you very much.
Sunday, 18 October 2009
NORMAL SERVICE IS RESUMED!
Wow! That's been a busy, but very enjoyable, day!
Lily and Rose coped really well with all their visitors, although they still get very excited when different people are in the house. They DO jump up and nibble any available extremities, but just through sheer exuberance, not with the intention of hurting. We ARE going to train them NOT to do this and, as this may well be a slow process, probably the sooner we start the better.
Anyway, no one seemed to mind their enthusiasm today, and the pups have had loads of attention. The only part of the day that worried me a little was when we all went out to lunch, and left the puppies watching us go through the window. (No we didn't GO OUT through the window! The pups were looking out of the window as we left. Just needed to make that clear.)
I DID worry A LITTLE BIT about how they would cope with our absence, but when we got back they were absolutely fine - nothing had been chewed, eaten or in any way damaged, there was no mess and the puppies themselves were still in one piece. (Well technically two, of course!)
Apart from lunch we haven't really DONE anything apart from sit around chatting and watching the Grand Prix. Well done Jenson Button - even though he didn't win today's race apparently he is the World Champion. Now - I am the first to admit that I know next to nothing about motor racing BUT I do think that the person who failed to fill that poor guys car up with fuel when he had purposely called in for a fill up, causing him to subsequently RUN OUT OF PETROL IN THE MIDDLE OF THE RACE, needs sacking! How in God's name did they forget to put the fuel in? I'm gobsmacked!
Lily and Rose coped really well with all their visitors, although they still get very excited when different people are in the house. They DO jump up and nibble any available extremities, but just through sheer exuberance, not with the intention of hurting. We ARE going to train them NOT to do this and, as this may well be a slow process, probably the sooner we start the better.
Anyway, no one seemed to mind their enthusiasm today, and the pups have had loads of attention. The only part of the day that worried me a little was when we all went out to lunch, and left the puppies watching us go through the window. (No we didn't GO OUT through the window! The pups were looking out of the window as we left. Just needed to make that clear.)
I DID worry A LITTLE BIT about how they would cope with our absence, but when we got back they were absolutely fine - nothing had been chewed, eaten or in any way damaged, there was no mess and the puppies themselves were still in one piece. (Well technically two, of course!)
Apart from lunch we haven't really DONE anything apart from sit around chatting and watching the Grand Prix. Well done Jenson Button - even though he didn't win today's race apparently he is the World Champion. Now - I am the first to admit that I know next to nothing about motor racing BUT I do think that the person who failed to fill that poor guys car up with fuel when he had purposely called in for a fill up, causing him to subsequently RUN OUT OF PETROL IN THE MIDDLE OF THE RACE, needs sacking! How in God's name did they forget to put the fuel in? I'm gobsmacked!
THE GREAT ESCAPE
is now on the blog!
Well done Charles!!
The puppies are bathed, blow dried and beautiful, just waiting for their admirers (Helen, Bill, Rachel, James and our James) to turn up in a few minutes.
Well done Charles!!
The puppies are bathed, blow dried and beautiful, just waiting for their admirers (Helen, Bill, Rachel, James and our James) to turn up in a few minutes.
Saturday, 17 October 2009
WELL, THAT TOOK LONGER THAN A MINUTE!
Only because Lily woke up too, then Charles went out to cut the grass and that sent them mental, then they had their tea and after that another mad session. I could hear Charles laughing at their antics while I was in the kitchen. As usual Lily was up to her usual tricks and was getting Rose really wound up.
So between the puppies and doing 'stuff' in the kitchen, I really haven't been able to devote much time to the blog today.
It's funny how often that happens at weekends, even though, as I keep saying, weekends have no greater significance than any other day. Anyway, I'm sure no one really minds - in fact there's probably nobody reading this post as it IS the weekend and you'll all have better things to do!
I'm avoiding the football match which is on Sky at the moment. Charles is recording it, but from the comments I've read on the Newcastle United Mad board, it would appear that we are playing a bit rubbish at the moment. I still think that I put a jinx on the players as, whenever I go through to watch them on TV, the other team ALWAYS scores. James will tell you this is true and that, at one point, I was banned from watching any televised (NUFC) games at all!!!!I don't know how it works when I'm actually AT the match, because they DO WIN some of the matches I go to, so the jinx must only be a telly thing.
So between the puppies and doing 'stuff' in the kitchen, I really haven't been able to devote much time to the blog today.
It's funny how often that happens at weekends, even though, as I keep saying, weekends have no greater significance than any other day. Anyway, I'm sure no one really minds - in fact there's probably nobody reading this post as it IS the weekend and you'll all have better things to do!
I'm avoiding the football match which is on Sky at the moment. Charles is recording it, but from the comments I've read on the Newcastle United Mad board, it would appear that we are playing a bit rubbish at the moment. I still think that I put a jinx on the players as, whenever I go through to watch them on TV, the other team ALWAYS scores. James will tell you this is true and that, at one point, I was banned from watching any televised (NUFC) games at all!!!!I don't know how it works when I'm actually AT the match, because they DO WIN some of the matches I go to, so the jinx must only be a telly thing.
BACK AGAIN!
Had a VERY busy morning and have only just got the chance to sit down for a few minutes.
Charles was on Puppy Duty earlier - but they made it easy for him by sleeping right through my absence.
I had hoped that the new video would be up and running, but apparently there's a bit more work to be done to it before it's fit for publication.
I've done a little bit of baking because Helen and Bill are coming tomorrow. We're going out for lunch, so it'll be an easy day for me, but it's always nice to have a cake (or two) to go with a cuppa.
Well, Richard will be happy today seeing as Villa have just beaten Chelsea. I wonder if we're going to be happy later? The NUFC game is on telly apparently, so I'll have to do that tortured thing of watching from behind the settee, whilst wearing earplugs to avoid serious damage to the eardrums from Charles's helpful hints and tips to the team!
Rose has just woken up from yet another snooze and is asking to go out. Excuse me a minute...
Charles was on Puppy Duty earlier - but they made it easy for him by sleeping right through my absence.
I had hoped that the new video would be up and running, but apparently there's a bit more work to be done to it before it's fit for publication.
I've done a little bit of baking because Helen and Bill are coming tomorrow. We're going out for lunch, so it'll be an easy day for me, but it's always nice to have a cake (or two) to go with a cuppa.
Well, Richard will be happy today seeing as Villa have just beaten Chelsea. I wonder if we're going to be happy later? The NUFC game is on telly apparently, so I'll have to do that tortured thing of watching from behind the settee, whilst wearing earplugs to avoid serious damage to the eardrums from Charles's helpful hints and tips to the team!
Rose has just woken up from yet another snooze and is asking to go out. Excuse me a minute...
Friday, 16 October 2009
I HAVEN'T...
... written much on the blog today, have I?
I suppose this is because the morning was taken up with sorting out the number plates and the rest of the day has passed in a sort of blur of activity. I don't like missing out on the blog - I love writing it, even though it is mostly inane rubbish - and I feel a bit disappointed with myself today.
I'd got myself all worked up to write another rant; this time about the over and inaccurate use of the word 'iconic'. I'm not going to go on about it now, but very briefly I have to say that the use, or misuse of this word has been really bugging me for a while now, but it came to a head today when I have heard it used three times on TV in very different contexts:
1) describing bagpipes as an 'iconic' symbol of Scotland
2) referring to a Chanel handbag as an 'iconic'design
and 3) a reference to the 'iconic' mini being 50 years old.
What does the word 'iconic' actually mean? I always thought it was to do with ancient religious statues and artefacts, but I may be wrong. I can't honestly believe though, that it was ever meant to describe some of the diverse stuff it is applied to these days.
AARGH I HAVE LITERALLY JUST HEAR IT USED AGAIN. On Autumn Watch, Simon has just described geese flying in formation as an 'iconic image of the sky' - exactly as I was typing the last sentence! WHY 'ICONIC'? Is it a cool 'newly discovered' word that everyone seems to have to use? If so, it will soon, unfortunately, lose its 'specialness' and become 'devalued' - if that is possible for a word.
Anyway, I'll not go on about it now, I just wanted to get it off my chest!
I'm pleased to report that the puppies have finally settled for the night (one of them is snoring like crazy, but I can't tell who it is!) and I'm going to be heading to bed shortly.
So, I'll be back in the morning when, hopefully, we'll be able to get the next video posted. I think we're calling this one 'The Great Escape.' (Now THAT was an ICONIC film!!!)
I suppose this is because the morning was taken up with sorting out the number plates and the rest of the day has passed in a sort of blur of activity. I don't like missing out on the blog - I love writing it, even though it is mostly inane rubbish - and I feel a bit disappointed with myself today.
I'd got myself all worked up to write another rant; this time about the over and inaccurate use of the word 'iconic'. I'm not going to go on about it now, but very briefly I have to say that the use, or misuse of this word has been really bugging me for a while now, but it came to a head today when I have heard it used three times on TV in very different contexts:
1) describing bagpipes as an 'iconic' symbol of Scotland
2) referring to a Chanel handbag as an 'iconic'design
and 3) a reference to the 'iconic' mini being 50 years old.
What does the word 'iconic' actually mean? I always thought it was to do with ancient religious statues and artefacts, but I may be wrong. I can't honestly believe though, that it was ever meant to describe some of the diverse stuff it is applied to these days.
AARGH I HAVE LITERALLY JUST HEAR IT USED AGAIN. On Autumn Watch, Simon has just described geese flying in formation as an 'iconic image of the sky' - exactly as I was typing the last sentence! WHY 'ICONIC'? Is it a cool 'newly discovered' word that everyone seems to have to use? If so, it will soon, unfortunately, lose its 'specialness' and become 'devalued' - if that is possible for a word.
Anyway, I'll not go on about it now, I just wanted to get it off my chest!
I'm pleased to report that the puppies have finally settled for the night (one of them is snoring like crazy, but I can't tell who it is!) and I'm going to be heading to bed shortly.
So, I'll be back in the morning when, hopefully, we'll be able to get the next video posted. I think we're calling this one 'The Great Escape.' (Now THAT was an ICONIC film!!!)
Aaaaaah!
She may have been a pain all afternoon, but now that the puppies are feeling tired, Lily has just snuggled up to Rose on the mat by the door, making the pathetic little mewling sound she makes when she's sleepy, and they are both wrapped round each other ready to settle down.
(I really hope they DO settle down for a while, because I need a break!!)
(I really hope they DO settle down for a while, because I need a break!!)
LILY IS REALLY...
...'WORKING HER TICKET' this afternoon.
She has found every imaginable way of teasing her sister and I can only admire Rose's patience. Every toy that Rose has, Lily takes and runs off with. If Rose wants to be somewhere quiet, she's suddenly jumped on by a manic little 'box of frogs' who immediately shatters any hopes of peace. Any mischief that is happening today is happening BECAUSE OF LILY!
I know that puppies DO get bored and that this can make them appear 'naughty', but they honestly have so many toys and chews and teethers that I can't see how she CAN be bored. I play lots of games with them and try to teach them new things whenever I think they're in the right mood, so I don't think it's about a lack of stimulation. I just think that Lily is being a real pain today - simple as that!
JUST HAD A CHAT WITH THE POSTMAN
I do actually feel a little bit sorry for our postman. He isn't easy for him to get through the gate with the puppies playing around outside. I try to watch out for him, but don't always see him coming up the drive, and I found him this morning looking a little bemused about whether or not to open the gate as the puppies were frantically greeting him by jumping up against it.
So, we had a chat about it and I suggested that we might get a letter box to fit on the wall outside the front door, but just on the other side of the fence. He thought this was a great idea, because he admitted to being afraid of letting the pups out by mistake. In fact he looked really relieved by the suggestion.
I must admit that getting through the gate is a bit of a problem now - and not just for the postman. ANYONE coming to the gate has to negotiate the pups and their toys so needs to proceed with extreme caution.
Visitors also need to consider the matter of suitable clothing to wear around puppies. Christina has absolutely NO IDEA about this. James does SLIGHTLY better than his sister, but hasn't grasped the concept of wearing something 'old and scruffy' when he comes to visit. (Actually it's probably more a case that he doesn't actually POSSESS anything that's old and scruffy) I tend to spend all my time worrying that people's clothes are going to end up in tatters, but, with a bit of forward planning, this could be avoided.
Favourite clothes for puppies (and therefore ones best avoided) are: frayed jeans, shoes with laces, fur trims on anything, buttons, ribbons, open toe sandals, long skirts and baggy jumpers. Tugging on earrings and necklaces is a particular joy for the pups, so jewellery is better left at home. They LOVE being fussed and will immediately put their front paws up so wearing pretty pastel colours, or your best white shirt, is probably not the best idea.
Actually, reading back through this, I'm aware that all I'm actually likely to do is to put anybody off coming to see us at all. THAT IS NOT MY INTENTION. I just don't want to have to worry about anyone's best designer clothing being ruined by our little monsters. So, please DO come and see us - BUT WEAR YOUR SCRUFFS!!!
So, we had a chat about it and I suggested that we might get a letter box to fit on the wall outside the front door, but just on the other side of the fence. He thought this was a great idea, because he admitted to being afraid of letting the pups out by mistake. In fact he looked really relieved by the suggestion.
I must admit that getting through the gate is a bit of a problem now - and not just for the postman. ANYONE coming to the gate has to negotiate the pups and their toys so needs to proceed with extreme caution.
Visitors also need to consider the matter of suitable clothing to wear around puppies. Christina has absolutely NO IDEA about this. James does SLIGHTLY better than his sister, but hasn't grasped the concept of wearing something 'old and scruffy' when he comes to visit. (Actually it's probably more a case that he doesn't actually POSSESS anything that's old and scruffy) I tend to spend all my time worrying that people's clothes are going to end up in tatters, but, with a bit of forward planning, this could be avoided.
Favourite clothes for puppies (and therefore ones best avoided) are: frayed jeans, shoes with laces, fur trims on anything, buttons, ribbons, open toe sandals, long skirts and baggy jumpers. Tugging on earrings and necklaces is a particular joy for the pups, so jewellery is better left at home. They LOVE being fussed and will immediately put their front paws up so wearing pretty pastel colours, or your best white shirt, is probably not the best idea.
Actually, reading back through this, I'm aware that all I'm actually likely to do is to put anybody off coming to see us at all. THAT IS NOT MY INTENTION. I just don't want to have to worry about anyone's best designer clothing being ruined by our little monsters. So, please DO come and see us - BUT WEAR YOUR SCRUFFS!!!
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