One or two pandas

Finishing off the week dealing with Zac's insurance again - as I have been most of the week! Down to the paying part now, hoping I/they have finally got everything right. I am now an authorised person and have a magic little paying thing, which, of course, entails lots of passwords, PINs, and tests. Find it hard to believe that anyone can ever defraud anyone with all the checks in place.

Just went to see what Syd was eating and whether I should take it off him. It was a drawing of us done by a street artist in Vietnam. I let him carry on eating.

Called into church this afternoon to print some posters (from my phone - I learned how to do that this week and I am very impressed with myself) and ended up playing bingo with a dementia group. Didn't win.

Reminded that in a conversation about a discussion Jordan said, "We expected you to say it. You're usually the one who says what everyone else is thinking." He's only known me a year and yet he knows me so well.

Now, birthday dinner last night. We decided to go to a recommended Chinese restaurant, Gigi Gao's. We, foolishly we realise in retrospect, opted for the set menu and it was quite disappointing. I mean, it was fine but nothing special. The place however . . .

was different!

Then another lovely walk this morning in Parc le Breos, this time with Elder Son and Theo. It was a frosty morning.

Another year over

The play, Owain and Henry, was brilliant. Michael Sheen and cast all excellent, even the man who stood in at the last minute as Henry, and had to perform from script. Lots of humour as well as anger and tragedy. I think the first half was better than the second, which was less rousing than I had hoped. I thought it would end with a "Wales for the Welsh" type speech but instead Owain spoke about mercy being the only way to real peace. Probably more politically correct but, then again, I don't think they worried about political correctness in the 13th century.

Tuesday, busy, busy. Zoom meeting in the morning with the trustees, writing group in the afternoon, then the Emotionally Healthy Spirituality course in the evening. Pretty sure I fitted in a walkie as well.

The course had a bit to say about expectations. "Expectations are only valid if they are mutually agreed upon."

I realised I have expectations of Husband. After being married this long I think that's normal but, maybe, I have been taking him for granted, and need to be more mindful of what he might or might not want to do. To consult him in fact!

Wednesday, coffee morning/bible study was very good including discussion about what real friendship is. Walked Syd in the afternoon. Oh, yes, I'm back in my jeans. Here I am showing off my new ankle wellies.

Once again I have fallen for the blurb. All those people saying they're ideal for dog-walking obviously didn't walk their dogs in muddy areas.

I knew I should have opted for high wellies. At least they're comfortable though.

And today: it's my birthday!

So Husband got up first - as he always used to before we had Syd - and brought me breakfast in bed. Then we went to Crawley woods for a walk on this beautiful day.

Not bad for 74!

Like a swan paddling

I was leading the service in church yesterday. Several people said to me afterwards, "I could listen to you for ages. You have such a lovely speaking voice," and "I could have kept on listening for hours." Today Jordan, our pastor, messaged me to say, ". . .you are so natural and bring such a calm atmosphere." 

I think I just send them to sleep.

* * * * *

I think today will be my last for wearing shorts. It's getting a bit chilly, probably more so in the house than outdoors!

It's been lovely and dry for a while although Husband warns that is about to change.

Syd continues to be a delight. Everyone loves him, and many people say to me, "You used to have a retriever, didn't you? George?" Everyone knew George.

I've told Syd he has big boots to fill if he's to be remembered so fondly.

"That's okay, Mummy. I'm a big boy, I can do that!"

So big he can now jump onto our bed, the one place that has been safe from him until now.

* * * * *

Last January I booked tickets to see Michael Sheen in a play in Cardiff. I had a vague memory that the play was scheduled for next year: it's on now! I'm going tonight with Daughter. I had bought two tickets thinking Husband would come but he's gone off going places.

State of mind

The fact that my bras are in my sock drawer is indicative of the state of my mind at the moment. It's very disorganised.

Too many things in my head - which is interesting as the course (emotionally healthy spirituality) requires me to be silent for two-minute periods a few times a day, and I am struggling with that. I need to still my thoughts.

* * * * *

We've just finished watching Lupin series 4 on Netflix, and I'm watching The Chosen on Amazon in the morning when I get up with Sid. The latest episodes of both made me scream, "Noooo!" I say scream; I mean groan, "Oh no," loudly.

* * * * *

Did you know that 'mogging' is the Collins' Word of the Year?

In case, like me, you've never heard of it, it means to outshine or outsmart. The young people are using it apparently.

With the first stick he found and picked up on his own.

Fooled!

Last year I bought a plant and tub to go in this shady little corner. The plant has grown well but I still wasn't happy with the corner. So . . . I decided to remove all the stones, turn over the soil, and plant grass seed. (In spite of Husband's grumbling that it would be impossible to mow.) 

I cleared the stones and neatened the earth ready for the seeds.

Then I went to B&Q today to buy big pots for some bulbs and saw they had turf at a special reduced price. From the edge it looked green and lush. So I bought some.

But, as it turned out, not quite enough, and it was anything but green and lush. I knew it was a chance: its price was greatly reduced. So I've laid it and we'll wait and see. The bit I didn't have enough turf for I sprinkled with seed. It remains to be seen whether the seed or the turf grows. And please bear in mind that, as fast as I'm putting down turf, Syd is digging it up. 

Hey ho, we'll see. I don't even know how to lay turf. Husband would have been there making sure everything was perfect and right but I'm more of a 'Let's have a go and see what happens' person.

I had an alternative use planned for the stones: I am tidying and restructuring the path to the shed.

It's a work in progress as you can see but I'm pleased with it so far. Still got an awful lot of stones left though . . .

* * * * *

Coincidentally, and absolutely not the reason why I chose to go to B&Q rather the nearer Wickes, there's a large Next clothes store near B&Q so I popped in there and bought myself some birthday presents: two pretty jumpers and a cardi. 

Plus two walks with Syd making it a good day.
 
 

In which Syd is a brave boy

We'd only just started our walk this afternoon when Syd did his 'Nope, I'm not moving' sit-down protest. I decided to call his bluff.

"Okay, we'll stay here. You'll soon get bored."

He didn't; I did.

Apart from that he was a very good boy. And  - drum roll please - he went for a paddle of his own accord!

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?