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?

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!

Helping in the garden

Syd is less of a help and more of a one-dog destruction machine. If anything survives it will be amazing.

* * * * *

Earlier this week someone said, "I thought you were the same age as me."

She was 84.

I know I've been feeling my age of late but 84?

* * * * *

My head is too crowded at the moment so here's some 'mindfulness'.

Incidentally, when it was alleged that Ukraine had destroyed lots of Russian bots my visitor numbers trebled. I'm not sure what that means.

Limpy

So on Tuesday I took Syd to Pobbles for a walk with Daughter and Louie. I realise now it was much too far for his little legs but I don't think that was what caused him to limp. That started suddenly quite early in the walk.

Daughter and I took it in turns to carry him back up the hill.

On one of the bits where he was walking rather than being carried another walker came down the hill. She stopped to make a fuss of Syd and what's the first thing he does? 

Lift up his poorly paw to show her!

This was after he'd been running around quite happily on the beach. He is going to be a diva I can see.

So no walks yesterday and a short one today. 

* * * * *

I'm sure I was going to write something else but my brain has gone so I'll go and make fish pie for dinner instead.

Traumatised

I've never met such a reluctant walker as Syd.

George was wary the first couple of times but soon got over that but with Syd our walks go like this: walk, stop, carry, walk, stop, carry etc. It's not just when he meets people and wants to follow them; sometimes he just sits down and won't budge.

On our way home he's fine, can't wait to get there. Maybe I need to start at the end and walk home from there . . .

This afternoon I took him on what was going to be a shorter walk than this morning's. We hadn't got far slowly when a retriever rolled him and had him whimpering like the little puppy he is. That was it: Syd wasn't going anywhere but home after that.

Then we had to go past a dog yelping fiercely. I can see him refusing to go anywhere tomorrow. Traumatised. And that's just me.

* * * * *

My trigger finger is at its worst when I'm hanging washing on the line or tying shoelaces.

We watched The Sheep Detectives on Amazon last night. Great fun. 

When Syd met Louie

They got on really well. Well, as well as a puppy and an older dog will, meaning Louie tolerated the little pipsqueak and let him follow him around.

There is a high likelihood that we could misplace Syd in amongst the leaves.

And it's got to be done.

In the garden this afternoon I was sure it would be Syd who broke my hand fork. It was me. Trying to lift paving slabs.

From the video I notice: 

my hair needs cutting; 

I look fat - I blame the multiple layers I am wearing.

 

It's all gone tits up

It's breast cancer awareness month in Mumbles - and I guess everywhere else!

Even the postbox topper combines Halloween and breasts! I can't decide if that's a pink ghost or a condom.

* * * * *

Meanwhile Syd continues to love everyone making walks very slow. His favourite postman gave him a big dog treat while we were out yesterday so we had to stop until he'd finished eating it. Then he saw someone he'd met the previous day getting him very excited.

In between Syd duties I am preparing to 'preach' on the first Sunday in November. My topic is the ten commandments. It's amazing how many I've broken! Also continuing to work on the writers' anthology, and do trustee stuff.

After a rainy morning yesterday today is looking lovely and sunny again. Daughter is bringing Louie around to meet and walk with Syd. I shall report back.

We have a problem

Syd loves people.

Most people love him too - except joggers. Joggers ignore him, don't even glance at him. I mean, seriously? Syd doesn't understand this and, I have to say, neither do I. The biggest problem we have is persuading him to come with us instead of following the person/dog he just greeted.

And he's showing a stubborn streak.

"No, I'm not coming."

As you can see he had his first walk to the beach today.

More gardening this afternoon, discovering the path to the shed is two slabs wide not one as it appeared. I plan to get the garden spick and span ready for winter, and at the rate we're going I think we'll manage it. Me and Syd that is. When he's not stealing my fork or digging up my plants.

Now I think I may go to the library. I have overdue books and one waiting to be collected: The Infinite Sadness of Small Appliances. Might have to pick up some more winter-flowering pansies at the same time.

* * * * *

Yesterday I had a meeting with Sean and a solicitor about Zac's trustee stuff. The solicitor said, and I quote, "Solicitors are like hookers; we charge by the hour."

Though Sean has used him for years and can't remember ever getting an invoice from him. He's a good one as well as a character. 

Anyway, I've spent some time today trying to decipher deeds and write a new one. We have to do this before we can do that and then we have to do the other before we can transition. Apparently.

Syd's first walk

Reluctant at first - and he definitely didn't like his collar - but by the time we got home he didn't want the walk to end.

I went to the pet superstore this morning and may have got a bit carried away. As well as a collar, lead, and harness, I bought other essentials like food, toys, treats, tricks. Not that he's going to be a spoiled boy!

But he still doesn't like his collar. He's going to have to wear it though if he's going to be an escapee. Yes, he's microchipped but tracing the owner involves a trip to the vet so a phone number on a collar is much easier.