Maria

Great news Julie RMF People who 'kick' people when they are already down and upset , and have had a really sh*t day, deserve complete and utter contempt

Oh Kathy - I really think Charley is not 'misbehaving', but is genuinely scared of some types of men. Please don't punish him for acting scared. If you were scared of something, and 'shouted' at it, would it help you to be ignored and punished? It might make you not shout again, but your fear would still be there, and it would find a way out somehow. If you are near to Forest Gate I know a good APBC(?) behavourist who could help you. If Charley is insured you could get a referral?

Hi Kathy, one of these was suggested by our vets for Boysie as he can bark for Britain when he wants to I personally won't go down that route, as I would worry that it supresses the behaviour, without addressing the cause. And if that behaviour is supressed, he might use a new behaviour instead. If I were you I would ignore the vet and go to a behaviourist instead. Edited to add that the reasons Dale's dogs bark are probably completely different to why Charley does - Charley doesn't bark at everything does he, just certain men he seems 'scared' of?

Just want to say I'm remembering my brother Shaun, who would have been 48 today. He died in 1997, a troubled soul, who never got over the death of my dad, and thought alchohol would provide some comfort. He was my protector (sometimes unwanted) as a teenager, and grilled / put off many a boy who tried to come near me. But , until he got 'lost' he always looked after me. So, Shaun Gordon, hope you have found peace in another place

He may have jumped it I left Boysie once on one side of a child gate in the hall, so he couldn't attack the post when it came through the door (before we got an external mail box). I came back to a Boysie on the wrong side of the gate, and a pile of chewed up post. The gate was still closed and intact. He must have taken a long run up the hall and jumped the gate We now know he can climb - last autumn in the lakes he climbed up onto the cottage roof (it sloped downwards at the back) within 10 mins of arrival, and on a walk managed to climb up a fairly high dry stone wall - not bad for an 8 year old

Geocache

If it help's, maths was my favourite subject, but even though I've studied standard deviations many times over many years (including my accountancy training), I still don't get the underlying logic, , so you're not alone on that one. Take some time out, have a nice break, and hopefully everything else will fall into place........

Oh yes I do! Only 2, and here they are on said floor (before degunking, and it doesn't look much different after ) Amber that hamster is soooooo cute!

For you Sam...... it looks better than before , but I'm not sure it looks nearly 5 hours effort better (inc drying times) they lay it in separate strips, so we find gunk can collect between each strip, hence me being on my hands an knees with a steam cleaner (in this heat), getting all the dirt out. Then you have to re- dress the floor, and despite my best efforts I'm sure there are dog hairs now 'set' on the floor Sometimes I wish we hadn't gone over the original tiles (although they wouldn't have gone with the rest of the kitchen). The only upside is that it didn't cost us very much - the company took the deposit, and never invoiced us for the balance, despite our asking several times...........

I have spent the last 4 and a half hours on my kitchen floor it is Amtico, and you are supposed to strip it and re-dress every 6 months(can't remember the last time I did this). For some reason, I decided to spend a hot afternoon - hoovering floor - cleaning floor - steam cleaning floor (inc getting on my knees to get some grime out) - stripping floor (and the water from rinsing was still filthy) - applying candle wax to some scratches on floor - hoovering floor again - applying first coat of dressing - applying second coat of dressing, which is still drying All while trying to stop the dogs, - who were meant to be under Chris's supervision, and had access to the garden via patio doors- jumping over 2 buckets and a mop placed diagonally across the back door to get into the kitchen. I am now absolutely cream crackered, and wondering why I just don't have 'normal' tiles or lino.........

Jules did we send you the wrong way? We got back at 6ish - only an hour and a quarter on the way back, as opposed to well over 2 hours on the way there (courtesy of M25 roadworks- lots- and an accident just outside Windsor). Lovely afternoon - if a bit hot.....

For those of you who may remember Pepe le pooh from DP days (about 2 years ago) - he died 3 days ago

Ecoballs are a lot bigger than I thought they'd be

Last week I was depressed and mainly lurked (because of my mum's 'anniversary'). and today I am finding myself grumpy Mainly because my bathroom which should have been finshed last Friday still isn't fully finished (but is functional), due to shower pump manufacturers who send out expensive pumps what leak, and then don't ring back when they say they will Off to see if some wine will cheer me up.......

No it's not! We went a few years ago, and had an absolutely fabulous time! It takes ages to go round, and there are a few 'suprises' along the way.......... I think it's best to book in advance though.

Steph, sorry about James Brown Wendy, hope you manage to get an appointment

I have calmed down now but as penance I have made him write a letter to the local paper thanking the lovely anonymous person who hid the keys rather than let someone else steal the car.........he does do some stupid things (like saying he's lost his wallet when it's behind the bedroom door, but not found until after all cards are cancelled), but this really took the biscuit. I think I could write a book on how careless he is at times (like leaving your wallet on top of a cash dispenser in Canada).....but I think I would blow a fuse doing it

Free to a good home - one OH , good for nothing, esp as he left the keys to the car,in the door lock, in a forest car park, while we took the dogs for a walk After an hour, on the way back, he said 'I've lost my keys'. Luckily, some kind person had spotted the keys, and hid them under the front of the car, and left a note (discretely), about where they had found / put them. I'm soooo angry I can barely speak to him - he's always forgetting / losing his phone , keys, wallet etc, and this is the last straw

Been thinking about you today Steph , and took a peep at your website - it's lovely.... Try and ignore this person if you can - unfortunately some relatives can be so nasty at times when you need support. You'll get round to the headstone when you are ready, you'll know when the time is right......(we still haven't got round to adding mum on the headstone 2 years on)

Thanks for the hugs - in real life I will put on my stiff upper lip tomorrow, because apart from my brothers and my best friend, no-one else will remember (not that I expect them to - except maybe OH, who won't because he never remembers anything). In cyber land I might just post a tribute, as a way of explaining how I might be feeling.

Am feeling myself getting sad......2nd anniversary of my mum's death tomorrow...ho hum

Morning.... Hello Layla, long time no see..... Those of you going to Bowood tomorrow- apparently Camilla is opening it? Don't think Charles will be there though...... Ooh - my avatar has gone! And I've become 'addicted'.........

Well they'll be here until the end of next week, but have promised me the water will be back on in 15 minutes. My legs are aching as I have almost tied them up

Melting............ My bathroom is being replaced. It was ripped out yesterday, and today the water has been off since 9am. As it's hot, I've been drinking lots of water, so now need a pee........but the toilet won't flush without water I'm seriously considering finding a spot in the garden.....

If you're desperate to find a home for one of the caramel slices / cakes, I could help