Cars!

Is it really worth me having a car?  I have wondered this a few times recently.  My car spends more time parked outside the house than it does going anywhere.  To give you another illustration of how infrequently I use my car I'll say that yesterday is only the third time id have put fuel into it, the previous being mid to late April and the very first time was the day in January when I brought her, Aurora Rover, home.
Yesterday, Edwin and I went to Carlisle to take some of his stuff up as he is going back on Sunday in readiness for his second year of his Illustration Honours course.
As we got near to the lowest of the Carlisle exits, (there are three,) the battery light came on, and didn't go off.  I did go off when we set off back, but soon came back on again, and stayed on for the rest of the journey home.
I rang John where I got the car from and he said it sounded like the alternator and I should bring it in this morning.
So, after a bad night's sleep, tense and tired from the drive, (I was worried that we wouldn't make it back home,) and Edwin had gone to a party, I thought he'd be back around two at the latest, but he wasn't back at gone five, but did come in around 5.30am.  So...I didn't sleep much last night, I took Aurora, she does need a new alternator, so that is an expense I hadn't anticipated. 
I'm really worn out now, and half asleep, due to the rather long walk back from John's, both dogs are flopped on the floor, dozing.  The funny thing is Spark, who was 12 on the 21st of August, seems to be less tired than Shadow, and she's not 8 until the 18th of this month.
If my arthritis wasn't getting worse I would seriously consider selling my car, but I don't think I should in the long run as there will come a time when I will need to use it more than I do now.

Dogs, again!

I have just read this article about micro chipping dogs.  Any dog owner who cares about their dog will have it micro chipped in case it should be lost or stolen. I had both mine done at their first "puppy" check after buying them. My older dog, Spark, is a West Highland White, and when I got him WHW's were the most frequently stolen breed of dog. Also, when I got him there were quite a few people around here with "dangerous" dogs, if I walked past them I would here them goad their own dog to "get that ball of fluff!" And in areas where people hold illegal dog fights, family pets are frequently stolen to "train" the fighting dogs.
But, as the article says, the "owners", and I use the term loosely, of dangerous dogs will not bother to have them micro chipped, so if they roam loose they will not be matched up with the owners.
Responsible dogs owners will continue to be responsible, perhaps the answer is to ban the people who do not have their dogs micro chipped from owning dogs, but then again, how will the authorities know?
The scheme is a good idea, but until a method for ensuring all dogs are micro chipped is put in place, it will remain just that, "a good idea", with responsible dog owners getting chips implanted, because it makes good sense. I truly hope that it doesn't push up the price of micro chipping, which is currently around £15...which in the long run is not a great deal of money if you take into consideration the chip stays put for the dogs life.
I don't have any answers as to how they could make this scheme work, and suspect that prices will creep up, as car insurance does because there are people out there who think the law doesn't apply to them and consequently do not pay for car insurance...the same "group" of people would ignore a law to have their dog micro chipped.

Government dog proposals

The Government have today made a proposal, that all dog owners should have insurance...in case their dog bites someone, and they should have their dogs chipped.
I'm sorry....but all RESPONSIBLE dog owners have probably already had their dogs chipped, and I am not 100% sure, but I think my household insurance covers this.
Just WHO are the government wanting to target?
The dog owners with dangerous or illegal dogs are hardly likely to visit a vet, have their dog chipped, or even have house insurance...so why think they will take out pet insurance?
I would love to know what the author of Politics for Novices thinks of this proposal, as I know he is a responsible dog owner.
To me, it is just a way for insurance companies to make more money from the general public. I seriously hope it doesn't become law, as the persons intended to be caught..will escape...9 times out of 10, and it will end up responsible dog owners footing the bill, and out of pocket through unnecessary insurance policies!

Early start

Got up early today, as someone said they were going to be on MSN at 8am, and asked if I could be then we could chat. Well.....I was here, but they weren't, and they still haven't appeared over 3 hours later. No, have not been sat here waiting all that time. I've walked the dogs and been to the market. I have also worked my way through a rather large pile of ironing. Also, when I got up it was fine, and I put some washing out that is almost dry, I brought it in as it started to spit. I don't really want to put it in the drier, as 1) the drier costs money to run, and 2) the biggest articles are the sheets off my bed, and my drier is only little and tends to ball up my sheets.
I've also got some chickpeas simmering away on the hob, I'm going to use them in an Indian recipe later. I tried it out a few weeks back and it is very tasty, much to my surprise. I'll also make some garlic and ginger paste to use in Indian recipes, as it saves a lot of messing about when cooking.
I think I'll be able to catch up on my book blog as well today. I have read 4 books, but not yet blogged about them. I think I'll even have time to work on some cross stitch, although the light isn't good for working on the giraffes. I might start a christmassy design. I do have one of St Basil's Cathedral, but I want to do that in a holiday. I'll let you know what I do. I'll obviously find time to do a little knitting as well.
To finish the day off I'm having an early night as well. I did make the tomato/chickpea thing, and the garlic and ginger paste. The paste is well worth the trouble, it takes ages to peel all the garlic and ginger for it, there are now three small jars languishing in my fridge. :)
Night night

Evening wander

Just as I was about to walk the dogs tonight the phone rang.
I answered it, more than 40 minutes later I set off out with the dogs.
I took my time, and it was a darn sight colder than I expected, but I walked to the end of the Stone Jetty, and sat for a while watching the sun setting, but keeping an eye on the very heavy cloud creeping into the bay.
It felt cold enough to snow, and if there is snow on "them thar hills" in the morning, I won't be surprised. There was a definite chill in the air, and the wind was from the North East. If there is snow, I'll try to get a photograph, although....British Weather is known to be unpredictable.
I was out for the best part of an hour, not walking so fast, just strolling really.
I've worn Shadow and Spark out, and they are both spark out on the floor as I type.

Part of my target reached...yay!!!!

you may wonder...what target?

I have just had two weeks off work, during which I intended to get some work done in the back bedroom, soon to be Edwin's new room.
Below is what I hoped to do
1) Paint woodwork of cupboard framework.
2) find suitable wood for shelves as in 1)
3) Source and attach doors to cupboard.
4) Cut, paint and fasten to wall baton for curtain rail
5) Attach curtain rail to 4)
6) Make curtains
7) hang curtains
8) Arrange, buy and have carpet fitted.

These jobs should have taken no more than a few days, unfortunately a really bad cold, then sciatica put paid to my plans.
I have however managed to get the curtains ready, and the curtain rail is ready to put up, more or less, but I can only say I have completed item 6 on the list. Still better than a slap in the belly with a wet kipper, as an old friend of mine used to say. I may have enough wood stashed away, and didn't realise. Ah well!
Maybe it will get done soon.
The plan was get it all ready so that when Edwin came back from Scotland, he would be surprised and all that remained would be to move his stuff in.

And on a totally different note, the dogs were clipped yesterday, and both look very smart. And I am sure secretly they are pleased the were clipped, as the weather has just turned quite warm, and Shadow looked like a teddy bear.

Why?

If you've been reading here recently, you will know that I like sewing and knitting............BUT, when browsing both sewing and knitting patterns I have to doubt the sanity of some pet owners.
Why? I hear you ask.
Simple, I do not understand why people dress up their pets. At first I thought it was just dogs, but when browsing for a suitable example to show you, I also found this , and now I know there are certifiable pet owners out there. There must be, as a big pattern manufacturer would not print and make available for sale such patterns otherwise.
BUT.....what I don't understand is why do people dress up their pets? Both my dogs do have coats, but I tend to only use them if it is raining heavily and the dogs have been clipped, or turns very cold very suddenly. They don't wear coats at other times, as ..in light rain, dogs periodically shake, which frees the rain from their coats and prevents it sinking through to the skin. [I hate it when people stroke wet dogs, as this breaks down their natural barrier and then the rain soaks through. Also, dogs coats get thicker if the weather gets progressively colder, so they are warm enough, without a coat.
The second example I found, well, all I can think is either the cat is very old and infirm, or it is stuffed. dressing a cat up like that would be pretty dangerous for your average moggie that likes to explore.
Ah well! It takes alsorts!

It was quiet this weekend

Very strange indeed.
The weekend that just passed did not result in any entertainment in the street in the wee small hours.
Not that I'm bothered, cos it's nice to have uninterrupted sleep. I did take the dogs on the Beach, as it is now October, and dogs are allowed on the beach in winter. Yippee!!!!!
It's great, cos the dogs run about 3-4 times further than you would normally walk them when they are off the leads.

And now for something completely different!

Yes! I love Monty Python.
So, I nicked the title.yay!!!!!!
On Wednesday it is the 1st of October, which means I will be able to walk the dogs on the beach at the bottom of the road. I think I miss not going on the beach as much as they do. There is a beach I could take them on during the summer, but have only just got to walking that sortof distance without being worn out by the time I have got there, (and still have to get back!)So...if I'm not around on Wednesday it's because I am on the beach with the dogs, and possibly flying one of my new kites

Progress?

I think that I'm beginning to make forward progress, at last, with my recuperation. The exercises are going OK. The insoles are driving me nuts, but I'm going to ask for thinner ones to be made special if possible. (And I don't see why not, as the consultant said he could arrange them.)
I've managed to walk the dogs on the beach today, then go shopping to the supermarket, and do one or two other jobs before I felt I had to stop.
Whether the activity will hit me and make me tired tomorrow remains to be seen.
Over the past few weeks I've been cross-stitching and sewing. Have made a couple of waistcoats for my partner, and nearly finished a third cross-stitch project. (There are 4 that I would like to complete before returning to work. :D )
And if possible, and time allows, a fifth one, may get done.
After I've made up a garment I have cut out I intend doing some more patchwork, and make some crazy bags. I think it's time everyone became more conscious of how long plastics take to degrade, and revert to real shopping bags. (But that's just my opinion)

UFOs

No, not the strange unexplained flying objects.
Unfinished objects, craft things I started and put aside while I did something more important, and somehow never came back to. As I've said in a previous post I am trying to get these sorted, and I finished one today that I started back in April 2000. Nothing spectacular, it's a mini quilt. It was supposed to be a foundation quilt, which means you piece the quilt together over a paper template. I had started to put it together by sewing by hand. After my first ever go at quilting, I felt confident to make this up using my sewing machine, the QE in it's name actually means Quilter's Edition, so, have made the quilt up, without paper. It's not perfect, but it is a decent second attempt. I don't know what I'm going to use it for as it is only about 22 inches square, but I'm chuffed with it.
Yes, one of my three said, "Oh, you've done another quilt! Too small to do anything with. What's it for?" My thoughts exactly, as it is supposed to be a wall hanging, but somehow I don't think it would look right in any of my rooms, just hung on the walls. Maybe if I lived in a log cabin, but I don't.
It's a little too large to make into a "superhero" dog coat for either of my dogs as well. [They look good in their tartan dog coats.]
So, it's back to the cross stitch UFOs now.

Jelly dog?

Well, it was a bit late, but I took Spark for his annual booster today.
What usually happens is the vet checks him all over, says he's healthy then promptly sticks the needle in him, and it's all over so quickly, and he's usually a shivering mess by the time the injection comes.
We have a new young vet though, and today it was her who saw to Spark, she was even gentler than the male vet, that I prefer to see. (Long story.)
However, she gave Spark a good all round check, and said he was a lovely dog and then she noticed his ears, she was checking them anyway, but they have been a bit tender, I just thought it was because Shadow nips at him when she wants to play, but have noticed once or twice he's yipped when I've ruffled his ears. He has an infection in his ears, so she cleaned them out with a warm saline solution, then she put drops in each ear, and massaged the ears, he loved that and was pressing his head against her to help her massage his ears, which is probably why he sat as good as gold for his injection, not even whimpering.
I've to take Spark back next Wednesday for a check up. Shadow, however, sulked at me for going a walk and not taking her with me. Yes! she sat on the settee, curled up on the elephant cushion, with her back to me! Little madam!
Then Edwin came back from Scotland and the dogs were happy.
And I think I had 4 calls from Oliver, he was making curry, and wasn't sure about things. It goes like this, my mobile rings, it's Oliver, and his Mexican Tomato song, he says, "ring me back", I do, usually it's about cooking, or best buys when shopping.
If you want to listen to the song, go to http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendID=111404406

Yawn

Here's something I didn't know, pain raises your blood pressure.
I found that out on Friday when I went for my preoperative assessment at Kendal. I don't drive too far at the moment, it was a lovely drive, but once I got there and parked it was a fair old walk in an unfamiliar hospital before I got to where I needed to be. (Oh, didn't find out about pain putting blood pressure up, until my friend B told me on Saturday.) When the nurse took my BP it was high, for me, and I was shocked, started to worry, which probably didn't do me any favours.
Anyway, that is one appointment out of the way, another one tomorrow. Then just wait for the actual operation appointment to come through, which they are saying is likely to be December.
I'm still sewing, reading, and cross stitching, so keeping well out of mischief.
My youngest, Edwin, has gone with his girlfriend to Scotland, to see her Dad, for a few days. So, it's really quiet here, just me and Samantha, and the dogs.
Shh!

Busy!

I seem to have been busy doing stuff all day today.
Doctor's this morning for another doctor's note, as he says I can't work until after my operation.
Then I went to the cheapy supermarket, they had some wonderful small packs of wool, so I bought some, and am going to knit a scarf as a pressie for someone.
Then I went swimming, and after I ate, went to the supermarket. In the middle of that I wrote up my latest book, that I've read, in the book blog, and my friend came across for a chat and a brew.
Now it's getting towards teatime here.
My friend took the dogs on the beach for me, while I went to the shop. I wish I could make it down to the beach. I will do soon.

It's my ankle, honest.

Grr!
I forgot one of my nephew's birthday. He was 25 today, but lately I have been forgetting stuff. I am sure that is just the pain that is making me do it. Before this injury I used to remember birthdays, etc, and people would count on me to remember.
Another thing that annoyed me yesterday was, I went to the market, well drove to a car park and walked the remaining short distance, with both dogs. The trouble is people will pet the dogs without asking if they can. And WHY do they always stand just out of the lead's length, and then when I pull the dog back, cos I am actually buying something at a stall, do they react as if I am "Cruella de Ville's" mentor?
1) They should ask if it is ok to stroke my dogs, for all they know they may not want to be stroked, and 2) if they want to stroke the dog, they should approach it, not the other way around.
One dumb woman nearly had me on my arse as she was encouraging the dogs to go to her, and they had tied their leads around my legs. And SHE had the cheek to tell me off when I told the dogs off for pulling! (shakes head in disbelief)
Next time I go to the market the dogs stay home until I can walk unaided again. I just can't risk further injury to my ankle.

Not good for sancastles

There was a sandcastle building competition on the beach today, I didn't go down to look, but it's been chilly and overcast. Not ideal weather for building a sandcastle, unless you are a dedicated sand artist.
I did take the dogs a walk, and as usual, little old ladies stopped me. (They just seem to appear, and their sole aim in life is to let dogs lick their faces!......yuck!) But they made all the usual comments. How lovely the dogs are. Aen't they well-behaved? Aren't they clipped nice? Do I like whisky? Do I get any money for advertising? (The dogs are a Westie and a Scottie.)
Squashed a whole pile of washing, and then just relaxed.
Tomorrow is going to be taken up with organising things for Oliver, in preparation for him going to Uni.

Tiring Tuesday

Now I remember what I was doing yesterday......I vacuumed. And it is hard work with a stupid ankle.

Today, well got down to the pool in time for the adult session. Today there were only seven people in the pool. I swum, 1/2 a mile again, then went back home, via the post office to pay the Electricity and gas bills.
After eating , my youngest and I walked down into town, and back via the prom, so I could sit on benches like old ladies have to. The dogs weren't being too naughty, and I'd managed to buy all I wanted from town, and posted a parcel, so although it took me twice as long as it used to..it was sucessful, and the rain was very kind, it waited until about 3 minutes after getting in..then chucked it down, hard.
Now..it's quiet here..I have some Ozric Tentacles playing, and the youngest is playing on a PC game, while chatting to his gf. The older two are out, one on a date, one at Rock Nite.

Thursday.

It's been like a weekend today. Sunday perhaps?
EVERYONE was up bright and early. The boys were going sailing, playing Pirates for the day.
Not really, Edwin's godfather has a boat on Windemere in the Lake District. They were going sailing with him and their Dad. Everyone was up before 8am, and out by just after 9am.
Sam went to work early, so me and the dogs scrounged a lift with her, so that I could walk back, after visiting the market. I got 5 pairs of stripey socks with the money Mum and Dad gave me for my birthday. At the moment, the way I am walking is causing me to hole all my socks, but just the left one, on where the instep should be, due to injury.
We walked back home, me and the dogs.
Then that was it, alone until 8pm, when the "crew" came back. They hadn't made their Dad walk the plank, (he is one, or so one of my friends says.)
It's been a fairly quiet day, although I got loads done in the morning, walk/walk dogs, swim, shop.