Abby

Clive says thank you very much to Marge, Keith, Precess Cherry and Captain Jack for his lovely Secret Santa parcel The bone toy is perfect and he would like to know what the cigar chewy treat things were as he NEEEEEDS some more Dylan would like to say thankyou to Logan, Sky, Sophie, Morse and Buzz for his parcel, especially the toys because that's Dylan's passion in life. The little rope duck toy has already made the ultimate sacrifice but gave a lot of joy and went down smiling

Sam, I'm really pleased the new job is going to happen, but where are you going??? We had a lovely sunny walk with the dogs and I'm about to make some hot chocolate and pretend I know what we're having for lunch Just found OH's brother's chirstmas card on the table. whoops. I'll add that to the pile of internaitonal cards that haven't quite left the building either...

Morning I am about to get on the many many layers I will need to take the dogs out. I would say I'm being a wuss being so cold, but the ice on the inside of all our flat windows is too thick to scrape off with your fingernails, I found a mini glacier creeping across our bedroom floor and we can see the roof tiles in one of our rooms due to renovation so it's a tad breezy in the place Have taken some lovely snowy photos which I will post later. I was getting rather excited at the idea of a thaw next week but it seems to have slipped into the future somewhat. Wrapping Christmas pressies later

I got there in the end, yes, so I am now all protected (hopefully!). OH persisted for over 2 hours to sort out the immobiliser and has come to an accommodation with it so we can at least start the car, even if it is a bit of a faff Sadly can't afford a new one at present. I need food but can't decide what to eat. I am going to have a satsuma while I think about it.

Hello I am supposed to be in town right now doing shopping and getting my flu jab but the bluddy immobiliser on the car has stopped working and we can't start it OH is trying to get round it but no joy so far. Will have to go in by bus if it doesn't work, rearrange my jab for later and just not do all the shopping, but I neeeeed my flu jab or my mum will go mad at me. This week is being a bit exasperating. Spent most of monday chasing frozen and leaking pipes round the building and now this. I don't mind the weather really but I'm a bit peeved with it right now

Both our parcels have arrived thank you

I love lurchers so much Happy Gotcha Day Noah

Meg One of my fave things with Dylan is to give him a choice of two toys. He will first look carefully from one to the other. Then he will rub his nose on both in a considering manner, before finally giving me the eye and mouthing the one he wants

I yam not here. I yam doing the accounts. Honest.

Jane, darling! How fabulous to hear from you! And did you say a chop? Please don't worry about heating it, I am game for anything and will gladly take it off your hands just as it is. You are very thoughtful. With regard to the ice skating I would suggest a fully padded body suit, possibly with a faux fur trim (for that little touch of winter luxury), but definitely with matching armoured helmet. Also, take great care to protect your chin. Even delicate small chins that don't stick out can take a pounding on the ice and you must think of those Christmas photos! If your backside is suitably paddded by nature, as is mine, I wouldn't recommend too much extra padding in that area or you might end up looking a little heavy at the rear and disturb your centre of gravity too much. You may however, wish to invest in some thermal knickers to protect delicate areas from the inevitable cold. As for the falling over, well it all depends on how many (and I say this figuratively of course) balls you have, my dear. Confidence always wins the day in these situations. I may not have literal balls anymore, but I make up for it with gumption! Believe in yourself and you will probably not fall over more than once every couple of minutes, which would be an excellent result! Of course, having four legs would be an advantage, but I think kitting yourself out in that way by Christmas Eve might be a stretch too far... Enjoy your skating! Clive x

My Dear Sam, thank you for the warm welcome. And fret not over your indecision, it is always good to ponder an issue carefully before committing yourself in print. I myself have occasionally been guilty of rushing into comment (generally about my unfortunate canine companion) which has got me into hot water. I commend your caution Please send my best to Holly Squirrel, I was just admiring her activity levels on her video. Looking forward to chatting with you again.

Since my Blog was closed down in a vicious attack of Mother-initiated-censorship I have much missed having an online presence. I have therefore decided to offer my unique and indispensible services to Fugees the world over Before we get started, a little about me. My name is Clive and I am a Cocker Spaniel, though not terribly spaniel like (for a start I am categorically Not a Ditz). I like to think of myself as a dog of the world, a ready participant in the global community, a connoisseur of the finer things in life, be they the most delicious meal you've ever eaten or a little bit of fluff you were delighted to find under the sofa. Now I am 5 I like to think I have experienced enough of life to be of use to others in those little day to day quandries that get people (and animals!) into such a pickle. So if that sounds like you, pull up a chair and ask away. Anything, really anything. I will have something to say on the matter. I care about you. Especially if you bring a chop. But even if you don't. Mostly. My ears are always open and, believe me, they are big enough for Any Question

Wow! Those are brilliant Cycas, I had no idea you could draw I'd have to cheat and put something of OH's on cos my artistic talent is zero

OH has just emptied the ash from the stove into a black bin liner. He then wondered why the bin bag disintegrated as he tried to pick it up. Duh. The stove's been on for 7 hours and is a tad HOT

Email received thank you Hope you're feeling better

I am now very full of curry and sitting very still without moving my head (moving head = dizzy = sick ) but contented. Might watch something on the iplayer soon. I love days off

Me too. I think it's all the snow and cold weather. I'm still not putting my decorations up for a fortnight though. We have a noo floor in the downstairs hall and ladies bathroom. Looks very smart, just need to do all the other decoration...walls, skirting, lighting, new window, new heater....it's one of our worst areas of the pub and much overdue for renovation.

My mum got her honours degree this way. I'll ask her for any tips as it's a long haul doing a full degree and I'm sure she experienced all the highs and lows ( I can remember a fair few of them too!) Best of luck with it, I think it's a great idea

Today's Random Shopping Basket: a pack of white chalk pens for defacing the pub 6 balls of baby wool for a baby blanket 2 bathroom windows...for bathrooms of course! Am recklessly going out for a curry soon, seeing as I've only thrown up a little bit today. Curry seems to be one thing my tummy actively likes at the moment

Well, tomorrow I shall be 14 weeks and I am still vomiting for Britain Good days are better than they were but they are few and far between, especially this past week. Me and OH are both very fed up with it now. My midwife says she hardly ever has anyone with hyperesis, but has 3 of us at the moment. However on a brighter note, I have just purchased a pattern and wool so my mum can make me a luffley baby blanket And I think I've chosen which cot I'm going for which my superstar mum offered to get us because we couldn't really afford it. I luffs her big time And, as she pointed out, they are in hot demand so will have a good resale price

I'm so sorry Maria you must be feeling bereft. Have fun at the bridge beautifiul Smudge

Had our scan on Thursday, which was lovely. All seems fine and it's NOT twins. Yay! Due date is currently 30th May which seems eons away but will go quick and anyway we have an entire flat to renovate in that time so... Sickness has been up and down, massively sick and taking meds on Friday, and then yesterday so good that we went out for a curry last night Was wonderful. I just had mild veg currys but damn it was good! OH was ecstatic as we haven't been out for curry for a couple of months now. Got my first midwife's visit on Thursday so instead of being on here I should be turning the flat from a nasty pigsty into a respectable building site!

Last night me and OH went into town and OH (still a learner) was driving. He indicated he was going to turn right to park on the opposite side of the road, and came to a halt ready to maneouvre. Then the idiot behind him over took us , even though we were indicating we were turning across the road. The next car then started to overtake, stopped (halfway along side us so making it impossible to move) and then sat there flashing their lights until Kev gave up and indicated left to stay where he was. I was very cross cos it was a stupid thing to do anytime, but the car is clearly marked up with learner plates and Kev wasn't even doing anything wrong

Stormy weather on Thursday knocked out our internet until yesterday My scan went fine and there's only one little critter in there, thank gawd! All looks ok. OH has gone up a mountain with the dogs today so I have a day to myself...and I have to tidy and clean the flat