Summer is over ... Autumn is here! (and my usual weekend ramblings!)

Well, been trying to get around to typing up my blog for a wee while, but as many of you may know, I've been busy, busy, busy decluttering.  Now, this is good news cos I can now actually use the end bedroom (Ken has been down to stay, and then the following weekend Laura came to stay for the weekend and Lily will be staying over sometime in the near future). So, it'll still be busy, busy, busy.  I've also got the home office sorted now and for the first time in probably 6 - 12 months I can actually use the desktop PC! YAY! It's so much easier to type using the desktop and keyboard than it is using the laptop (or even my phone!).  So my first task has been to update the blog.

Clearing the rooms has been a bit of a mammoth task, however, it's all done and dusted now.  We've dumped lots of stuff up at the recycling centre, I've got one box of videos and four boxes of books for the charity shop, two boxes of papers for shredding (in addition to what's already been shredded) one box of papers for the recycling bin (two bins going out tomorrow, absolutely stacked full of papers, shredded papers and ordinary household recycling stuff). My work here is done, as the lady on the PaddyBingo (!?!) ... (who invented that name?!?)  advert says. That said, my work here is done, but poor Mike still has some stuff to look at in his filing cabinet and four boxes of folders and stuff which he needs to find somewhere to 'file'. But, as I said, my work here is done .......................

We're hoping to go away sometime in the near future, so we went to see another petsitter. We bumped into Caroline when we were walking up at Linhouse Circular walk and her dog ended up walking with us and Lucy simply raced between Caroline (who was walking faster than Mike and I) and us. Back at the cars we struck up a conversation and as a result Lucy will be going to stay with her sometime for her autumn holidays.  I didn't have problems with the previous petsitter, but some people I'd chatted to had heard various stories etc (including one dog going awal), so I decided that I'd start looking for another sitter. Caroline visited us here at home yesterday and clearly Lucy thought she was just simply wonderful! So, today we visited Caroline at her home and Lucy just made her wee self right at home ... has decided on her seat, and even talked the petsitter into putting her bed (Lucy's bed, that is!) beside the livingroom window (and radiator) so that she can look out the window as and when she wants to. 

So, all we need to do now is sort out when we want to go away, hopefully sometime before Christmas would be useful. But that's Mike's  task ... sorting out suitable dates, locations, etc, etc. I'm also hoping he picks a week when the weather is ok, cos I understand that it's supposed to turn wintery around mid-October. We could be going away with our winter clothes, snow boots, parka etc, not an ideal situation.

Cos I'm on the desktop PC, I now have access to some old photos.   

Here are a couple of photos of our Wee Holly.  These were taken down at Yellowcraigs a few years ago. That's Holly sprinting along the sand, through the muddy bits and some seeweed and stuff.  She didn't actually go into the water ... those who knew Holly will know that she didn't do water!

 This photo was taken when we were down at Exmouth a few years ago. The weather was beautiful (as it usually is when we're down there).  When we're down there, Mike tries to get a chance to meet up with some of his extended family. More often than not when we're down there, we use the caravan, or nowadays when we don't tow the van any more, we use our motorvan.  Over the years we've stayed in the van, occasionally at the travel inn at Exeter services (only a few miles from Exmouth, and right beside Harry Ramsdens (which suits Mike just fine), sometimes at an old cob farmhouse at Woodbury, along with a herd of dairy cattle.

One a couple of occasions, however, Nigel has kindly put us up at his hotel, The Ashton Court Hotel, on the seafront.  The room we were in had a fantastic view over the estuary and in the moonlight it was a pretty amazing sight. Being a true Glaswegian lass, I felt that I was in somewhere exotic like Costa Del Sol. (Apologies to anyone who likes Costa Del Sol ... I've never been there, so I can only imagine it looks like Exmouth at night. The view was amazing, and it was lovely to get up early in the morning, watch scene with early morning joggers, dog walkers etc. All good fun.

Now these two photos of our Lucy were taken at Nairn when we had our first motorvan. Lucy loved it there as the site was right beside a wood, and she loved walking through the woods, with all the smells, sounds and stuff that little puppy doggies like.

 Of course, whilst on holiday Lucy had to try to find exciting ways of passing her time. She would sometimes just look around watching what was happening, hoping that a passing camper would toss her a slice of bacon, or an odd sausage (or pizza, or anything eatable ... anything, except for dry dog food). So she'd sit or stand around just waiting for things to happen.  Then when nothing exciting happened, she made her own excitement.  In these two "diggin' it" photos, our lucy is wearing a very snazzy and fetching blue collar.  It was a new collar, just bought for her shortly before we went off on holiday.

Well, Lucy being Lucy, shortly after these two photos were taken, she broke her lovely blue collar (clearly she actually wanted a pink one, and was making a point that Mummy had got the wrong collar!). Anyway, to cut a long story short, Lucy made her own amusement. She's a very intelligent and industrious wee doggie, and clearly in these photos she had decided that she'd had enough of Nairn and was, in fact, going to try to dig her way to Australia.  Or perhaps she was trying to dig up the tree that her wire rope is fastened too.  I'm not sure which, but suffice to say, she didn't succeed with either reaching Australia, or digging up the tree!

In contrast to Lucy being a rascal and getting up to all sorts of mischief.  Our wee Holly is showing just what a wee angel she was by lying quietly just minding her own business and watching the world go by.  She was a good wee lamb (unlike Rascal Lucy!), and she just spent her days lazing around, occasionally allowing passing campers to give her a pat or a cuddle (now sweeties please!), going for short strolls to sniff around the trees, blades of grass. Eat an occasional sweetie (only if given to her by either Daddy or Mummy please ... don't take sweeties from strangers, thank you very much!). She just lazed arouond and when the going got tough, or when it got to hot / cold / windy / wet, well then, she just headed back into the van and got herself comfy on one of the seats, with her superior and "I'm an old lady and I can do as I like" look. 
Oh, and of course, she had to have her daily weetabox to keep her strength up!

And finally, here are a couple of photos of Mike and myself. These were taken by Ken up around the Aviemore area, so far as I recall. I think that this was the day we went up the funicular railway.  And yes, this was summer and it looks like we're off camping in winter. You'll notice that Mike is holding down the motorvan and also holding me just is case we were to get blown away. It was a good day, and it was nice to get a chance to meet up with Ken and Kath. And as I recall we had a meal at the restaurant.  I think I even bought a couple of souviners until Mike took my purse off me!

Fortunately for Lucy and Holly, they were both cuddled up in the van, and so didn't have to brave the wild summer weather. 
That said, it had been a good day, and it was really good to get to spend some time with Ken and Kath, even if the weather was dreadful. It could have been worse, I'm sure it could have been.
In case anyone is interested, that's our old Roller Team van, and we traded that in last year for the Chausson(sp?)Welcome 72 that we now have. Better van, better layout, more space etc, etc. And we no longer have to make up the bed on account of the Chausson having an island bed! Yay!

Well, clearly I'd better go and get the dinner on, or Mike and Lucy will starve! But before I go, for those who're doing the Pay if Forward 2011 Project, I have started on my gifts (Perfectly Pink or Pretty Purple) and I do hope that you're not disappointed.  Suffice to say, there's a lot of work going into the gifts, but I plan on having them ready for my Christmas Cards / Jewellery party at the end of October / beginning of November.  Failing that, if they're not ready by then, they'll be ready by Christmas!

Anyway, grumbly tummy calling ... and as Forrest Gump says ... that's all I've got to say about that!

Yes sir, I can boogie ...........................

Yes sir, I can boogie, but I need a certain song………………………………

Shootin’ the breeze … blowin’ in the wind … gone with the wind……….

Autumn is here and it’s a pretty breezy day out there today so I’m settling down to do some stuff around the house.  However, before starting on housework I thought I’d spend some time updating my blog.  So, as usual, here are some of my ramblings about things that I like.

The words of a nice song:

     I say goodbye to all my sorrows
     And by tomorrow I'll be on my way
     I guess the Lord must be in New York City

            (Harry Nilsson – I guess the Lord must be in New York City)

And another nice song:
     Dreams are nothing more than wishes
     And a wish is just a dream you wish to come true

          (Harry Nilsson - The Puppy Song)

I like listening to music, particularly the oldies but goodies.  Timewarp 60s is my favourite, but I also like the 70s music, some of the 80s stuff and lots of the 50s stuff.  I sometimes wish I could sing quite well, but sadly I don’t.  I remember quite a few years ago, Arlene was visiting us with a friend. I was in the kitchen doing stuff, and singing along to the music on my little cd player.  Arlene’s friend asked what the strange noise was and Arlene replied (with a straight face I believe), “oh, that’s just Isobel singing”. Clearly Arlene was used to the noise and thought nothing of it.  Not sure how long that young man remained in her life, but I think my singing must have scared him off!  In my mind I’m a superb singer, at least opera standard if not better, but clearly this is not a belief shared by others.  Fortunately Mike doesn’t make comment when I sing along, but then his singing voice is probably worse than mine! Well, I think it is anyway, and that’s about all that counts…………….

And now for some words of wisdom:

Thinking is the hardest work there is, which is probably the reason why so few engage in it.  (Henry Ford)

In a dream you can do anything … Veronica M Hay

And a couple of nice words:

Ethereal :

Extremely delicate and light and may seem too perfect for this world.

Heavenly, spiritual, otherworldly.

Intangible, of the celestial spheres.

Intangible:

Unable to be touched or grasped.

Not having physical presence.

Not able to be perceived by the senses.

Memories:

 Mr Blue by Mike Preston … the first single bought for our first record player (probably around 1960 but Ken or Fiona could confirm the year).

Back in the summer of ’69 … those were the best days of my life.

There’s an awful lot you can tell about someone by their shoes.   (Forrest Gump)

The purple dust of twilight time…………..

And now onto other ramblings: 

Well, onto other things now!  Yesterday I decided that I was a bit fed up with my hair being grey.  So, I decided to use a home colour that I bought a while ago.  My hair now looks a bit of a strange colour.  I’m sure Jennifer and Sarah would think it’s quite chic and modern, I think it looks a bit orange, or maybe it’s like the inside of a Crunchie bar.  Suffice to say that I had difficulty with the whole process.  It was one of those kits which has the bottle with the little nozzle that you use to put the colour in at the roots of your hair.  Now, I thought this sounded really, really easy … how stupid was I?!?!?  It would be easy if you were ambidextrous and had an extra pair of hands.  Oh, and it would also be helpful if you didn’t wear glasses.  In an effort to make sure that I didn’t get gunk and stuff on my glasses I decided it would be prudent to take them off.  And it was.  Unfortunately it meant I couldn’t really see what I was doing.  Coupled with being totally unable to get the stuff in at the roots at the back of my head … well, enough said about that.  So, to sort it all out, I just squirted the colour all over my hair and sort of squished it all in.  Overall, bearing in mind my ability level,  I’d say my efforts were fairly successful, however, I’m not too sure about the colour.  At least I did have the good sense to use a semi –permanent colour which washes out after something like 24 washes.  Which means that I won’t be too embarrassed when I next go to the hairdresser cos it should all have washed out by then!

The other day, Lucy was charging at the dining room window to see whoever had dared to ring the doorbell. On the way, Mike put his foot out to slow her down, but Lucy took appropriate evasive action and starting jumping onto the foot stool early … sadly she overshot and her little nose bumped right into the window. But she’s fine now, squashed up nose, but fine and dandy. She still jumps up at the window, so clearly no lasting damage or harm done (apart from to her pride).  Then the other night (Sunday evening) Lucy was charging around the house trying to see the little black cat that lives next door.  This little cat hasn’t yet learned that Lucy is quick on her feet, but unfortunately for Lucy she was inside the house and the cat was outside. Anyway, I digress. Lucy was charging around the house from window to door, to window, to door etc (we just stand out of the way in case she charges into us) when she must have tweaked her wee leg . So, she limped a bit, got cuddles, got extra sweeties and more cuddles and stuff.  She then had selective limping (similar to men having selective hearing) … she limped when appropriate ie, when passing the sweetie cabinet.

So, she had a quiet evening, bedtime sweeties and then tucked up in her wee beddies.  Yesterday, I decided she’d have a quiet day, so she didn’t go out zinger chasing, we went for a quiet walk at Linhouse water.  

(Lucy, my beautiful puppy ...
in a world gone made you have the ability to make everyone smile)

Lucy charged around at a sedate pace (when compared with zinger chasing speed), and all was well with her world, until I tossed the zinger … zoom, zoom, zoom, and then wee limpy-dan Lucy came limping back. Then to make her day worse, she was a bit poorly yesterday evening (well, she will go out eating grass) so she was cuddled and at bed time she only had one sweetie, and cuddled and snuggled into her  wee beddies.  So, today, she’s having a day of enforced rest and will only be out and about in the garden (after I carefully check for hidden cats) and she can go for a quiet and sedate walk (without zinger) tomorrow and if all is well, she might get going out zinger chasing on Thursday. 

As most of you know, I got a Kindle for my birthday. I’ve got lots of books on it, and lots of them were free (I always wanted to read the classics, and all of them were free!).  I’ve also got some weight loss books there too and I got one which is a life-coaching weight loss book. I've got some meditation and visualisation books and also some psychic books.  It's great having one little item which has LOTS of books on it. I have to say that I LOVE MY KINDLE. Anyway, I digress ... as I said, I've got a little life coaching book on weight loss and I'm aspiring to follow the advice and guidance provided in this little book.  Read on ......

So, I’ve got myself a pretty little notebook (from Tesco) to write down all my motivational stuff.
I started writing the notebook yesterday but this new-fangled system hasn’t worked too well so far as I finished off a packet of chocolate covered fudge that I bought on Saturday and also had a couple of crispie cakes  … oh, and a glass of wine! But, I did walk Lucy and use my treadmill AND today I feel very positive and motivated.

So, this little book that I bought got me to thinking.  Perhaps now that I’m retired I should think about becoming a life coach.  I’m sure my words of wisdom could be useful so maybe I’ll look into it. I wonder if people would pay me to give them advice?  I think this idea warrants me looking into it a bit further.  I could couple it with something like colour therapy and stuff (I like stuff).  I’d be interested to hear everyone’s thoughts.  Now, I think it’s something that might make me a bit of money, and that’s gotta be good, don’t you think?

 Or maybe I should write a book with all my little thoughts and inspirational / motivational quotes and stuff.  That could be a good idea.  I could sit out in our little summerhouse and write away all day, supported by calming fruit teas and the occasional glass of wine.  Now, that really sounds like a good plan! 

(summerhouse framed in the weeping cherry tree : spring 2011)

 

I do need to think about a grand plan so that I don’t vegetate now that I’m retired.  I really need to think about what I’d like to do.  I’ve had lots of ideas … online business (crystals etc), start sewing stuff for my online business, write my novel, write a psychic development workbook, motivational book, run a psychic development circle, parapsychology course, learn some therapies to complement my Reiki, learn hypnotherapy, card / ribbons readings etc.  Lots of ideas, but I really need to get started on what’s to do.  I don’t want to waste my early retirement by just blundering around each day without focus or plans and stuff.  I’m sure there’s lots I could be doing, I just need to get my thinking cap on and get started.

Yes sir, I can boogie, but I need a certain song.

You know, I’m just sittin’ here shootin’ the breeze and wondering about life.  If I was sat here 100 years ago (ok so I’d be 156 years old) I wouldn’t have my nice pink laptop, my Kindle (in a nice pink leather cover with integrated light), my iPhone sitting in the iPhone docking station and playing timewarp 60’s music on the iPod app of the iPhone, I wouldn’t be sat beside a nice warm radiator, listening to the TV playing in the living room (where Mike’s sat watching informative TV), planning what I’m going to do with the rest of the day, my life and other stuff. What would my life have been like if I was still 56, but living 100 years ago? Would I be worrying about the possibility of war that was to become a reality within three years … the war to end all wars that would be over by Christmas, and would eventually become known as The Great War. Not only that, but by the time that war was over, would I realise that there would be another war starting in just over 20 years’ time? Would I have liked that world? Would I live through it all wishing I was living 100 years in the future?  Would I be able to comprehend the changes that would happen in the world over the next 100 years?  I’ve always been fascinated by both world wars, but I have to say that I wouldn’t have liked to have had to live through them. I like the easy life I have now, and I appreciate everyone and everything in my life and that all is well with my world.  I think this is the main reason why I feel I should be doing more with my life than I am just now.  It’s not really a case of “is this all there is” it’s more a case of “the truth is out there” and I should go and find it. I just need a plan … doesn’t need to be a great or perfect plan … it just needs to be a plan!

I need to sort out what my legacy to the world should be………………… it’s important to leave my mark on the world.

Well, better get this blog uploaded and get on with some stuff today. 

Yes sir, I can boogie, but I need a certain song …..  and that’s all I’ve got to say about that!