snow

I think its back now - thanks to Pingu xxx Alicia are you Jerry Lee on facebook then? lol

I couldnt get on last night and this morning it won't let me post.

No and this morning it won't let anyone post.

The board was down for me too - and it was reported on Facebook, however I'm still getting reports people can't post anything, though that doesnt seem to be affecting everyone - odd.

Great news about the bungalow Jazz - do you know when you can move in yet? Had a load of aggro with one of my neighbours yesterday - or rather with a contractor she had working on her garden, he was clearing some bushes behind our fence and managed to dislodge 3 of the slats, first I knew was when I felt uncomfortable as if someone were watching me and turned my head and there was a bloke staring in at me through the gap in the fence that hadn't been there 10 mins previously. I yelled and he bolted! I took loads of pictures and video as I could see right down their garden they in turn could see right into our bedrooms. Rob came home and had a word with the guy who claimed the fence had always been like that! Rob was having none of it - this is the same woman whose tree took out 2 full panels of the same fence (but farther along) 18 months ago and wouldn't accept responsibility so we ended up paying to replace that bit as we needed and wanted the garden secure and private again. The guy said he'd fix it before he left - and he has kinda sorta, he's braced an old fence panel up against our fence which does make it secure and private again but our fence is still broken and the panel is leaning right up against our fence posts and just braced with a wooden post at a 45 degree angle against the ground - cant see that staying up long.

The staples they used at the emergency vets on Saturday seem to be far more comfy for Baddie than the original stitches were, I'm thinking maybe the reason the wound split open was that the stitches were too tight and thats why he was whinging so much, aside from being miffed at having to wear the cone of shame he seems much happier now.

Just picked Baddie up from the vet, turns out he didn't have a hernia after all it was a lumpodema so they have removed it and it was just a big lump of fat so alls well. *phew*

Yes he has it was on the 15th and he had a nice jumbone along with a cooked dinner which he demolished lol I'm sure he'll be fine, Lisa was laughing when I told her about the hernia as she said its very unusual in an older dog so it could only be a Gap dog lol

Had to take Baddie to the vet this morning, I was giving him a cuddle last night and felt a spongy lump on his tummy, this morning it was much bigger and actually visible so I rang as soon as they opened and got him in this morning. Turns out its an umbilical henia she says its a small one thankfully but she couldn't pop it back in so that suggests some of the membrane has slipped out, he needs to have surgery to fix it, so he's booked in for Wednesday morning. Luckily it looks as if I caught it just as it started so it should be a quick and easy fix, he's absolutely fine in himself, no discomfort and no loss of appetite or sickness etc. you wouldn't know there was anything wrong. I'll be worried sick on Wednesday because he's an oldie and a greyhound but he's fit and well and his heart is fine so hopefully all will be well.

Nah they won't not replace her in fact they are shortlisting today for the applicants for the post and will be interviewing next week, might get lucky and get someone who doesn't need to give notice so can start right away and I can hand it all over to them - though I rather suspect not, have a feeling they may hold off letting them start before years end (April) as its saving some salary. Just keeping my fingers crossed whoever they choose will be someone I can work with as I am used to being very independent in my role and I won't tolerate being micromanaged. I've got a pasta bolognese popty ping thing and garlic bread slices for tea - too knackered to cook anything else.

Fab news Suzeanna so pleased for you xx I have exciting ancestors too - including one who shot a Vicar in church with a shotgun & a couple on Rob's side who were transported to Australia, we've also found a Village Hall named after his family and located the grave of his Great Uncle killed in WW1 as no one in the family knew where he was. We've also found his name on a memorial and been able to get hold of a copy of his will which he wrote shortly before going into action and being killed. Sorry I haven't been posting much but my line manager resigned just before Xmas and I have taken on extra hours to cover the role until we recruit a replacement (I didn't want the job), despite me being very firm on how many hours I was prepared to commit to I have ended up every week doing more and more hours simply to keep things ticking over and my diary from now until April is looking absolutely chokka and I have no fecking idea how on earth I can possibly meet some of the end of year deadlines in half the hours she had to do it in and she would have worked extra on top of her own normal hours herself just to get it all done. So even though I'm getting home early afternoons I'm mentally fatigued and just shooting a few bubbles or reading forums but not posting. Today I am both mentally and physically fatigued as I was facillitating a meeting in the building nextdoor to my office, the meeting was on the 1st floor only accesible via a long and steep set of stairs, my office too is on the first floor of the office next door also only steep stairs, I have been up and down BOTH sets of stairs at least 30 times today if not more, I feel like I have had the workout from hell & my knees are killing me.

Sam if your stalker does show up here they won't be staying long just let me know if they show up and start bugging you.

All done xxx

Owl the tiredness is to be expected, you have been physically, mentally and emotionally at full pelt for quite some time, rest and sleep are the best things for you. I am so sorry for your loss xxx

Even when there is a clear will some people will still cause upset and try grabbing - and even though you know its very possible it'll happen they are still quite capable of stirring things up when everyone else is grieving. Thankfully my brother and I were determined not to allow anyone to come between us and despite some bumpy moments we have stayed close and on good terms but it has meant keeping one of our last remaining family members from our mothers side of the family at arms length, its a real shame.

Hi Jules I would think that the biggest hurdle you'll have is not the cats or the fact you work, but it's your other half not really wanting a dog. Most rescues will want to meet everyone in the household to talk with them about the adoption, if he's not keen or committed then I suspect they'd be reluctant to rehome to you in case the dog needed to be returned if it was causing problems in your relationship, moreover if there is tension between you over the dog then it's going to be a stressful environment for that dog to come into. The other issue I'd be concerned about is Meg what will you do if she decides she doesn't want to live with a dog? There will always be cat safe dogs in rescue, and those which are happy to be an only dog, finding the right one at the perfect time for you however may be a bit of wishful thinking - not saying it wouldn't happen but the timing side of things is probably the least of the concerns.

I look like the terminator with one bright red eye lol however am managing with my varifocal prescription glasses that I had before the op to wear over my contact lens its not exactly the right prescription which I'll obviously need updating but its fine for now around the house - not sure it will be good enough to work with but we'll see how I get on this week I'm not due back in work after Xmas until next week and I'd warned them I may be off a further week on top so we shall see. My eye feels a bit on the sore side hard to describe it but I suspect its a wee bit swollen and tender where it was operated on and that'll get better as it heals, its not bad enough to even need pain killers or anything, just a bit achy.

I'm home from my eye surgery - have found an old pair of glasses in a drawer which I think were my mums and they are balanced rather precariously on my face all skewiff and I have the screen zoomed up to 150% but at least I can manage to be online for short periods. Once the patch comes off tomorrow I can pop out and get some off the shelf readers. Very impressed with how efficient they were at the hospital, I had to be there for 7.30am, had a bit of a panic as we were all set to go Rob having deiced the car at 6am but when I got in the passenger door wouldnt close the lock had frozen in the open position so wouldnt engage and hold the door shut, so made scramble to deice my car and get going. When I arrived I was told I was 4th on the list and probably wuldnt be having it done untill 11.30 so they sent Rob home. However the lady before me ended up not having her surgery so I was moved up and I actually went into theatre bang on 10am. The nurse rang Rob and said shed walk me down to the concourse taxi rank and he could pick me up from there so I didnt have to walk all the way to the cat park, we were in McDonalds having breakfast by 11am.

One of the pressies I love most is a snow leopard print hooded fleece kaftan - soooo snuggly and warm and practical, suits me so much better than a onesie as you don't need to strip off to have a wee lol Rob got it for me and told Nick so they got me matching snow leopard print slippers

Nick, Vicky, Owen & Bruno have just left - the house suddenly seems so much bigger, we had a great Christmas, lots of laughing, Nick had mentioned Cards Against Humanity but forgot to order them in time, however I'd bought Headbandz Act Up - and that caused soooooo much hilarity it should be sold with tenna pads! Owen absolutely loves Baddie and was squealing and laughing every time Baddie so much as looked at him. Bruno spent the whole of Christmas eve dragging his bed so it was next to Baddies and wasn't satisfied until he was able to sleep half on his bed half on Baddies with Baddie lol Initially Baddie had no idea what to do with a wrapped present but as soon as I ripped a tiny hole in it and he smelt the treats he was most enthusiastic about opening it himself lol Both mine and Robs pressies for Owen went down a storm, Nanna bought him his first laptop - naturally and grampy bought him his first keyboard, both have proven to be a great hit. Then this afternoon I got a call from my brother who was all emotional and told me I had got him the best present I'd ever gotten him up to now - he really loves those photo tiles I had made and he got all choked up when he opened them awwwwwwww so so pleased he liked them. So thats Xmas done, next up my cataract surgery on Monday .... *eek* lol

Happy Christmas everyone - me, Rob, Bruno & Baddie have been up a while, Nick, Vicky & Owen are still fast asleep and I was asked not to wake them before 9am if Owen doesn't wake up before then ... but its Christmasssssss lol

The bras I just ordered were £6 each Marian - I had a code for free delivery & returns too as my order was over £40 if your order is going close to that let me know and I'll give you the code. x

Wooohooo Yours Sale started early and for once unlike the Evans sales they had loads and loads of stuff in my size, so I've just bought a micro fleece, 3 long sleeved drawstring tops and 2 bras delivered for £40! BARGAIN! I need the tops as soon as Xmas is over I am covering my bosses job as she's leaving this week so I'll be in the office 3 days a week as well as going to meetings etc. so needed a couple more smartish casual work tops but I didn't want to spend a fortune as it's only until March *fingers crossed*

*fingers crossed* Alex xx Braved Lidl at 8am this morning as it opened, made me giggle to see that it was mainly ladies my age or older all wearing the exact same determined expressions all of us clutching lists as well lol I was back home by 8:40 as I was leaving the car park was just about full, but I sailed through and even walked right up to the checkout with no one in front of me. Unfortunately they didn't have everything I wanted - sods law really its just 4 or 5 things most of which we could manage without but we eat an awful lot of pate at Christmas and it was Pate they didn't have so one of us will have to brave Tesco later ....and its not going to be me, I have done ALL of the Xmas shopping so far both the pressies and the food, and in my book "how did it go?" does NOT mean the same thing as "thank you".

Wishing you all a very Merry Xmas & Happy New Year hope your day is safe, warm, peaceful & exactly as you want it to be. Tracy xxxx