Today the Blonde bird is doing the horses, so when I got up I just had to prepare a picnic lunch and make sure I had plenty of water for the dog to drink, as, together with Flower and Lizzie , Lit'lun, the dog and I are off to the heavy horse event. I picked Lizzie and Flower up en route and we were soon wandering round the stalls, I bumped into some friends who I had worked alongside with the dog for SuSaR. We got chatting about it they have changed rescue group and suggested I bring the dog along again. We wandered on and I got some lovely home made jams, a Rhubarb one and a Loganberry one, can't wait to have toast now! While we were all watching the horse displays the dog got quite hot, so I found a hose and hosed her off, she loved it! At lunch time we all went to find a shady spot to have our picnic. The dog sat happily chewing a stick while we had lunch then after putting the cool box back in the car we all had an ice cream. About 4 times during out day out we had to top up the sun cream, especially on Flower as her skin is so fair, Lizzie bought her a sun hat early on and she wore it for most of the time. While we were walking round we came across a Jack Russell terrier that was the image of our little one who was bitten by an adder two years ago and sadly died, I have never seen one that looked so much like him, it upset both Lit'lun and I a bit. Lit'lun and Flower decided they wanted to have a ride on a cart that was being pulled by two beautiful shire horses, I just casually asked how much a set of shoes cost for one horse, the owner told me £165 every 7 to 8 weeks. (Please don't grow any more Mouse) After this we made our way back to the car and drove home, dropping Lizzie and Flower off at their house on the way.
Today when I got up it was brilliant sunshine, I had to take all the back roads to get down to do the horses as the beach traffic was already building up. I mucked out the field and fed the girls, Mouse should be called Jumbo! she has grown yet again, she must be a good 15.1 hands high, and only just two years old! She is still beautiful though and very calm for a youngster. having done the horses I walked back to my mums house where I had had to leave the car, as I couldn't get anywhere near the yard. We had a cup of tea and a natter before I had to go, to get back in time for a shift I was doing with the Private side of our ambulance service. Back home I grudgingly put my uniform on, its far too hot to wear on a lovely sunny day like this. I arrived at the rendezvous point and met up with five others who I would be working with, we were given tickets for a complimentary meal before the briefing. I had a jacket potato and salad followed by apple crumble and custard, yummy. At the briefing we were put into pairs and given our areas, my crew mate for the event was Alan and we had the crowd to do, yay, this meant I didn't have to watch the horses at all. I hate horse racing and only agreed to do the shift because they were so short of staff, and it was to be flat racing, therefore less chance of a horse having to be destroyed!! oh yes. What people see in racing over the sticks I just don't know, even flat racing sees its share of destroyed horses, not an event for horse lovers that's for sure. We had a grand total of zero patients, but it wasn't too boring as I managed to catch up with Alan who I haven't seen for years. Once home I just got back in time to say goodbye to Flower before she went home. Then my Husband opened a very nice bottle of white wine (yes I did say white!!) called Cuvee Prestige, and we spent the rest of the evening chilling out.
As you can see from my last post I was on nights last night, once home I fell asleep for about an hour before the Northern bird text to say she would be round shortly. Today she and the Northern chick are heading home again! When she arrived we had a cup of tea and consulted out diaries to find a suitable time for me to go up to Lancashire, where she lives, for a few days. We managed it, I am going to go and stay with her in August, which, knowing she is about to leave and go home, seems a long time to wait till we catch up again. Shortly after she arrived my Granddaughter arrived too, she is stopping over night with us again tonight. Lit'lun decided she wanted to go down to the Noise again, so after a short wander to the shop for some more milk, Northern Bird, Chick, Beth, Flower and myself head off to Pizza hut to have a buffet. The two little ones are as thick as thieves again, and when the time comes for them to head off north again Chick and Flower are unhappy. Back home Beth decided to go into town and take Flower with her my Husband is studying so I take the chance and go shopping! Probably not the wisest of things to do having had one and a half hours sleep in the last 24 hours, its muggy and hot, and the supermarket is packed!! Grrrr. Still its done. After doing the horses, filling the water troughs up and mucking out the field I can sit down and chill out with a large glass of Red! Cheers. I have had a text message to say that Northern Bird arrived home safely. Looking forward to August xx
Today I didn't have to get up early as Blonde Bird is doing the morning feed and sorting out the horses, so I had a lay in. My husband came home from work and brought me a cup of tea in bed, which I am embarrassed to say I didn't drink as I fell back to sleep and let it get cold. All these late nights and early mornings catching up with me! I had a chilled out sort of a day as tonight I am doing my own shift as overtime, I am on annual leave at the moment but this night shift wasn't covered so I agreed to do it as overtime. I set off to do the horses on the way to work but the traffic was so bad I think there must have been an accident somewhere because in the end I had to turn round and go to work, ringing the Blonde bird to tell her what had happened. She told me not to worry as she would see to them, but its a bit bad when it was my turn to do them and I couldn't get through the traffic! I got to work slightly early but the ambulance was out on a job already so I was on my own till both the day crew and my crew mate turned up at about the same time. We were given a job almost straight away and then didn't get back to base until 1215ish when we were given our first meal break then we were off again job after job interspersed with the odd cover move. Well what can I say! I was glad it was a stand alone shift, my poor crew mate had done two days and still has another night shift still to do. The shift was OK even though it was busy, most of the jobs were genuine with just one sticking out in my mind as being a bit of a waste of time, the patient really didn't need an ambulance, me with my back and my crew mate's shoulder were far more deserving causes haha. Other than nearly falling asleep on the way home and doing the horses on the way home that really ended the day/night.
Today Flower was dropped off at our house early so after my late night I was a bit bleary eyed. After getting showered and dressed Lit'lun, Flower and I went down to the stables to do the horses, It was pouring with rain which was a pity as our next stop was Butlins. Northern Bird and her daughter are staying there so we can get a discounted fee day pass. We are all given wrist bands and firstly drop our swimming things off at her chalet, then we head off to all the children's rides, even though Lit'lun is 12 and too big for the rides she is as happy as the two youngsters to be there for the day. Flower and northern chick hit it off immediately and are soon giggling and chatting away as if they have always known each other. at midday we all head off to the theatre for a performance called Warner Bros. in which Buggs Bunny, Tweety Pie and Daffy Duck make an appearance, the kids loved it joining in with all the fun. We found somewhere to get lunch and while Lit'lun and the two terrors chatted Northern Bird and I took the opportunity to catch up some more. After lunch we went to the swimming pool, there was a wave machine and various slides which incorporated tubes of varying length. There was a water ride also that you had to go in a blow up dinghy and the first part was a near vertical drop!! Lit'lun and Northern bird went on it first while I stayed with the little ones who were both too small to go on it, the queue took about 15 to 20 minutes and the ride its self well less than 40 seconds. when they got back Lit'lun and I went on it. we were in the pool for hours there was so much to do. but when we did finally get out and dried we decided to call it a day and head off home, stopping off to do the horses on the way, and dropping Flower off at her house. By the time we got back my husband had already left for his night shift.
this morning I popped round to see my Mum, after doing the horses, one of her friends has given Lit'lun a TV with built in video and DVD so she is very excited. After getting a shower I went down to the shops to get a few bits for my Ann Summers party tonight. Lit'lun went down to the Noise again so I was able to get on and prepare food for this evening, I made some Moroccan meatballs and some chicken kebabs, later I will do a load of spicy wedges to go with them. I also did a few veggie bits as well as the usual crisps and snacky bits. Twiglet is much better now and enjoying her new look vivarium, each morning I can see where she has made tracks in the grass so I know she is having more of a poke around now. The blonde bird called to say she would do the horses on her way over for the party which saved me having to go out again. Northern bird arrived first with her daughter who is going to watch DVDs or sleep in Lit'luns room. I can't remember what order people arrived in after that but the ones I didn't think would come didn't. The games the organiser had us playing were so funny, she then showed us some of the items out of the catalogue and let us try things on if we wanted too. After eating we ordered what we wanted then people started to leave, by now it was 11:30 One of my friends together with her daughter who is also called Beth and was my Beth's best friend at school, stayed for a good natter, it wasn't until we realised it was gone 1am that we decided to call it a night. I hope everyone enjoyed it as much as I did, it was a laugh.
Today is my Mums Birthday!Happy Birthday Mum. xxMy brother is taking her out for the day so Lit'lun and I who had already decided to get up early to avoid the holiday maker traffic, decided to drop round and see her before she went, to give her a Birthday card, we had already given her a present. We chatted for a while then went to do the horses, whilst we were there I got a text message from the Northern Bird to say her car had broken down on the M6 and she was being taken home car and all by the break down company.We were all gutted!After doing the horses we went home, Lit'lun went to meet a friend at the railway station and I decided to turn Twiglets vivarium from a plastic play house into a rustic retreat (LOL)The grass was ready to go in and I had the wood and bits to go into it.As soon as she realised something was happening she came out for a look! licked the nearest new object and immediately began to anoint herself ( make froth and contort herself to put the froth all over her body, typical hedgehog behaviour and very amusing to watch.Whilst I was doing this, the Northern bird text again to say her Mum had put Northern bird on her insurance and lent her the car.Yay. It means she will spend a lot of the day travelling but at least she gets to come down.Lit'lun and I had lunch then she went off to the green as there is a holiday youth group from 9am till 9pm called "The Noise".I prepared the dinner then Northern bird rang to say she would meet me at Tesco, as she had to get some bits, we could also get a cuppa in the cafe, or so we thought! When we got there the cafe was closed, so we got a few bits and went back to my house for a drink instead.We had a good natter before she and her daughter had to go and book into their accommodation.Just as they were leaving Storm turned up to return the catalogue so we all converged at the front door.When they had all gone I put the dinner on ready for my Husband coming home from work.
Today when I woke up my husband had already gone to work, I got up and dressed and woke Lit'lun, we set off for the stables, but unlike our usual 15 20 minute journey it took over an hour as the whole of the UK was descending on the beach and the traffic queue was right back to the main road which is over 7 miles away, even with the short cuts it took me ages to get there! I think I will have to get up very early tomorrow morning to avoid the same, as it is a bank holiday, as for tonight well if I am not careful I will get caught up in all the traffic going home again, how much fun!! We stopped off at the shop on the way home to get one or two things, then once home I prepared the dinner and did 4 loads of laundry. That sort of took me up to putting the dinner in and my Husband coming home from work. I can't wait for tomorrow as Northern Bird and her daughter are coming down for a weeks holiday. Yay.
When I got up this morning Lit'lun and Flower were playing in lit'luns bedroom, once we were all dressed I took them with me down to the stables to feed and check the horses, before all the sun worshipers arrive and make it impossible to get down to the stables for the queue's of traffic heading to the beach. Once back home we put the dog in the car and my Husband the girls and I went off to another quieter sea front to walk along and see the boats, we all had an ice cream too before heading home for lunch. After lunch Storm text to see if I would like to meet up with her, she wanted to borrow a catalogue too, so I drove down and had a cuppa and a natter before coming back to cook dinner. After which I dropped Flower off home on my way down to do the horses again.
I set off early on Monday morning (after checking that Twiglet
had poo'd
) to travel up to the Ambulance HQ or at least a hotel very near to it for the first day of my 5 day course, the course is being run in two separate
locations, Monday Tuesday and Thursday we are at the hotel, and Wednesday and Friday we are at HQ.When the first day had finished I went back to stay with some friends who live in a village much closer to HQ than me, they have let me stay for the week as it saves me time and mileage each day, to be honest it was nice catching up again, as we have drifted in and out of touch with each other in recent years, their middle child is my Godson, although all three of their children have flown the nest now.The first night we all went out for dinner as my friends mother had been cat sitting for them the previous week end and they wanted to take her out as a thank you.The view from my bedroom window reminded me of Scotland with the low cloud on the hills. The nearest neighbours are across the fields and it is lovely and peaceful, and no light pollution at night.The course was well, the last day had the best content and if it had been down to us we could have made it a two day course and that would have covered all the points we really needed!!I was sorry to be leaving on the Friday in one way, as it had been nice catching up with my friends and staying in their lovely house, but I was glad to be coming home to see my Husband and the kids, including my Granddaughter
Flower who is staying the night.
Today I got up fairly early, and went to do the horses. with Lit'lun, we did a bit of shopping then came home only to find that Twiglet is not very well, all she ate last night was the mince I gave her, no hard feed and no water, she also hasn't poo'd! the wheel is spotless, and Twiglet herself seems very agitated.Lit'lun and I take everything out and put fresh in, I even gave her some egg but she wasn't interested. This is all I need, as poorly hedgehog just as I am about to go away for a week on a work course!!Eventually I decided to ring the vet as I can't go away not knowing what is going on.It is fortunately the exotics vet himself who is on call today, and as he saw her a few weeks ago to trim her nails he remembers her. After a brief description of the signs and symptoms he decides it sounds like colitis, he gave me instructions and we decide not to take her in to the surgery at that point. (by nine o clock she has pooped! yay)At four thirtyish my Husband returns from his weekend away, I will get to see him for just a few hours before bed then I am off to my course first thing.
Today started off as most other Saturdays, with a trip to the horses and a bit of a tidy up, I had to get some dog food and rabbit food then just chilling out.Storm rang me to see if I would like to meet up with her for a cuppa at the cafe over the road from where she works.After a few minutes we decided that she would come here for a cuppa then she could have dinner with us, we were only having cottage pie and veg but she accepted and when she had finished work she came round, we chatted about all sorts of things, then together with Lit'lun, we went up to the stables to give the horses their dinner before returning for our own dinner.Lit'lun showed Storm a game she has on the computer and got Storm well and truly addicted, so we lent her the disc so she could play it at her house.Its a really good game for all ages called Mystery case files prime suspects, made by Big Fish, our whole family are into it!
This morning, I got up and went down to the stables, it was a bit overcast but not raining fortunately as four of us were going for a ride.
We all groomed and tacked up and set off at about 9:30am, we were about half way round a circuit when the rain came down, with in minutes we were all absolutely soaked!! We all blamed the girl who had suggested the ride even though we all agreed AND if it had been nice no one would have commented in a positive way.
When we got back we sorted the horses out and changed, we all had waterproof coats in our cars, and none of us had worn it for the ride haha!!
Back home I helped my husband get ready to go to Kent, he is away for the weekend coming back on Sunday afternoon.
Lit'lun had a singing and Piano lesson then the two of us went over to my mums then on to a local restaurant which was having an African night, there was African food on the menu, and African drummers and dancers entertaining us.
Litlun had a go on the drums and the whole night was great.
I dropped mum off at her house and drove home. (Mum has to be up at 3am as she and some friends are doing a dawn chorus walk with a full English breakfast tomorrow!!)
Yesterday evening I went down to give the horses their night feed, we have stopped giving hay now, as the grass is coming through so well. I bumped into the blonde mares owner who asked if I wanted to ride out with her, but unfortunately all my riding stuff was at home.
This morning saw me back at the stables for the Farrier to trim Mouses feet, she was slightly better behaved today but is still being a little impatient, my farrier told me it will get worse before it gets better as she is still only a baby! What joy!
The Blonde bird met me down there as Red was bleeding from her nose and I had to hold Mouse while her feet were done. When I got back to the field with her The Blonde told me it was a scratch where we Red had possibly tried to scratch a couple of bites! she is very prone to bites and sunburn.
We filled the water troughs and smothered both of the horses with insect repellent before leaving to come home again.
Wishy washy has nothing on me today!! My husband is going away tomorrow for the weekend and needed some things laundered, I am on a course with work next week and am staying closer to where the course is being held so there was quite a lot of laundry to do.
Lit'lun had the third and final injection for the prevention of cervical cancer today, it was done at school as part of a national scheme, she was given a sticker as she didn't cry! (I would have done) I don't mind giving injections but don't like having them.
I then had to rummage around in the freezer for something to have for dinner as we were supposed to be going out for dinner but now we are unable to, which is disappointing the couple we were going out with are so lovely and we haven't seen them for a proper chat for ages. We have agreed to reset another date to go out instead.
Today is the first anniversary of my Uncles death, and I remember this time last year vividly, my thoughts are with my Aunt and Cousin and their family. Today is also Mouses 2nd Birthday, so all in all its a mixed sort of a day!
I thought I had better start with an update of what has been going on in my world since I last blogged (other than Farm town that is!)My Husband is still working and studying, and in a couple of weeks time he has to go away for a weekend with his university.Beth is still working and still not happy with the place she is working at, I can't see her staying there once she has qualified.... their loss!Lit'lun STILL has a messy room, is still grounded until it is tidy and has developed rather an attitude which she seriously needs to think about changing as I an not going to tolerate it!Mouse's staples came out, I managed to get a staple remover from one of the hospitals, and took them out, which saved me another vets bill, the last one for coming out and stapling her was £168.84. (It was a Sunday I suppose) She and Red are both doing well other than that.Twiglet went to the vet to have her nails cut, and as a result of my consultation with the vet, we have decided to completely revamp her vivarium, with grass and sterile (small) logs to give her a more natural environment, so far I have two litter trays of grass growing on the window sill, time will tell if this will work or not!Sable who was Lit'luns hamster had to be put to sleep last week as she was getting to the point where she wasn't eating, we felt this was the kindest thing for her, RIP little one.The dog has been swimming at the canine swimming pool a couple of times, with Storms terrier who has some tendon problems and actually had an operation yesterday, I hope she is ok Storm! xWhich just leaves me! I have been working, and horse riding and walking the dog, and I even went to the cinema!!! Storm, her brother Sonny and I went to see Wolverine.....wow! It was wicked, Storm has lent me the other three films (X Men) which I must watch now I have finished this tour of work.The next few weeks are going to be full, as I have a 5 day course with work, the Northern bird, and the Northern chick are coming down for the week that is if she can tear herself away from her new man Badger, I am taking Mum up to see her sister for a few days, we are having our granddaughter over for a few nights and I have a couple of dinner invitations, and a birthday party!Lots to write about then.Well I hope that has brought my blog up to date.
I would like to apologise to anyone who reads this and has been disappointed that there have been no posts lately......
Unfortunately I discovered Farm town, on Facebook and have been rather obsessed, maybe I have an addictive nature, but I am addicted to that its very odd!
I will try and get back to my online blog life.
For example, today I was at work, my first of two day shifts, we didn't have many jobs but the ones we had were drawn out, it wasn't too bad a day though, and when I got home Jacket potato and a glass of wine was the order of the day!
Just the one though as I have to be up and driving in the morning.
