Sit!

Well, he wasn't the worst. He wasn't the best either but I'll settle for that.

When we first arrived in the hall for dog training class last night there were already eight dogs and owners there, some of whom were barking like mad. Syd spent the first five minutes sitting on my lap trembling.

When we got going he was better, and more distracted by the people, to whom he wanted to say hello, than the dogs. The trainer ran through a host of commands for us to practise during the week. Heel, sit, down, come, and stay. 

Syd and I just about managed sit, although when the trainer used Syd to demonstrate Syd behaved perfectly for him. I ran out of treats.

Syd was the first and only dog to pee on the floor but one dog did a poo just before we finished so that made me feel better.

* * * * *

Went for a walk with Daughter and Louie this morning in Parc le Breos. Syd stole Louie's stick from him. The next time he tried it Louie was ready and chased him off. It didn't teach Syd though.

And this afternoon I've been to a review meeting about the young lad in whose life I've been involved for over thirteen years. He is doing so wonderfully well it made me quite emotional.

Then this evening I have week 6 of my Emotionally Healthy Spirituality course. Yesterday I did something stupid sort of because of what we've been doing in recent weeks. I wish I could say I spoke without thinking but I had thought about it and still did it. So, stupid you see?

Arty

Another art workshop on Saturday, this time a seaside scene. We copy the example and use the colours provided but I think the sky should have been pinker, less bright blue, as it was sunset.

And here are the things GrandDaughter2 and I painted on Friday afternoon. The mug is GrandDaughter's and the ghosts on the moon are mine.

My talk in church went fine - even though the microphone wasn't working and I had to speak loudly. Probably explains why my mouth is dry today. Then family came round for dinner, and that was it for another week. Assuming you think that the week starts on Monday.

So a lovely walk in the woods with Syd this morning. He was quite enthusiastic apart from the moment when he spotted a big blue bin. "Whoa, what's that and what is it doing, Mummy?"
"It's alright, Syd; it's only a big blue bin." 
"What's a big blue bin doing in the middle of the woods?"
"It's for the cyclists' rubbish. Look!" I walked up to it and tapped it.
"Don't get it cross, Mummy! Quick, we'd better run. I'll just run on the other side of you."

First dog training class this evening. My previous experience is not good so I am not looking forward to this at all.

One Eye Syd

Lovely walk with Syd by the river.

Syd was pretty good so he had a special chew treat when we came home. And after that he consented to pose for me.

Syd No Eyes

Syd One Eye

On our walk we came across a man who asked, as everyone does, about Syd. On hearing he was 17 weeks old the man said, "I wish I were 17 again."

"Yes," I agreed, ". . . no, actually, I don't know. I don't think I'd want to be 17 again."

Then I tried to think what age I would like to be. I couldn't think of one unless I could know then what I know now. I spent wasted so much time worrying I wouldn't want to go through that again.

Practised my talk for Sunday twice this morning plus most of it again when walking in the woods. I'm okay at the beginning but need to get the last bits clear in my head. But now I'm taking the afternoon off to do stuff with GrandDaughter2.

I'm so good!

Exercise this morning and I did one stage so well they gave me a weight to make it harder.

Admittedly it was only getting up off the floor . . .

But I didn't use my hands!

Since then, apart from a short walk with Syd, I've been ploughing my way through insurance renewal forms for Zac's, and a possible claim form. Legalese is so trying. 

I had to ask Husband to walk Syd on his own this afternoon as Syd was stealing and eating everything in sight and making my admin task even harder. Lovely though it would have been to go for another walk I had to make the sensible choice. Better that then go and come back to the same stress.

A Mixed Day

It started out well with a visit from GrandDaughter2.

It went downhill after that when I read an email from the solicitor.

I either offered or was asked to draft a new Deed of Appointment for the Zac's trustees, to officially register who was there and who was gone. Sean gave me an old one to copy and the solicitor said he would look it for us.

I did the draft, emailed it to him - over a week ago - and had this reply this morning: your draft does not do the job.

It's a wonder I didn't blow the roof off our house with the steam coming out my ears. What kind of unhelpful reply is that? 

I googled templates and have done another draft. Shall I send it to him? Tempted not to. Also thinking bad thoughts about the previous previous chair, who has been keen to tell me what I should do yet hadn't done these things himself.

Okay, rant over.

Pleasant and dry walk with Syd this afternoon. No rain but we've had quite a bit over the last three days, during the first named storm of the winter. We got off quite lightly compared to other parts of the country though.

Fallen leaves and heavy rain combined to flood the path over the tip.

I also finished putting together the manuscript for the anthology so feel happy about that. Also I'm satisfied with my talk for Sunday. Just need to practise it now. Won't be doing so tonight though because I'm going with Daughter to hear Michael Douglas talking about his memoir.

I booked tickets ages ago assuming Husband would come but he didn't want to. I'm not sure why I thought it was a good idea, but I'm sure it will be entertaining. He is from Hollywood royalty and is married to Swansea's Catherine Zeta Jones. Must have some good stories to tell.

Walking with Syd

A walk with Syd is not yet the unadulterated pleasure I hope it will become.

The outward journey is a battle of wills. I want to progress; Syd would prefer to go home or with the person he just met. 

On the return journey, Syd is so excited to be going home he has, on two occasions, run off and lost us, causing much stress, and resulting in him having to go back on the lead the moment we turn for home.

It will improve I know, but today the storm has hit and we won't be going anywhere. Which will make Syd very happy. If I knew he'd enjoy it I'd don suitable attire and brave the elements but I can't cope with his resistance at the same time.

But he is very gorgeous and growing so fast. 

I've also remembered/rediscovered that both my walking boots and wellies have holes in them. As do my 'best' boots I found out today. 

I've ordered some sunflower yellow ankle boots. I've never had ankle wellies before but they are highly recommended and have arch support so I'm hoping they'll replace both my wellies and my walking boots.

Do you remember when we used to go to shoe shops to buy shoes? And if you were trying on sandals you had to wear a pop sock provided by the shop so your foot wouldn't pass anything on to the next person to try on the shoes? I dread to think how many feet those pop socks had been on.

Sorry I've not been visiting much. Life has been hectic. It's my own fault, taking on too much, and trying to do everything at once. But, at least, I think I have just about finished my talk on the ten commandments for church a week tomorrow. I've been tossing it around in my head, feeling dissatisfied, and worrying, but I think I'm happier with it now. You know what it's like: you spend so long writing and re-writing a piece you can't tell if it actually says anything of value.

Size matters

I ordered a set of stepping stones, made from recycled tyres, for the garden. I thought. Actually I'd only ordered one.

I ordered some food storage boxes to replace our cheese box that had broken. They're too small for the block of cheese.

I thought I'd ordered 10 metres of garden edging; what arrived was 10 small pieces of garden edging.

I've ordered a microwave to fit a small space . . .

It fits!