Well here are 2 little stories I have to add – kept for a rainy day
Story #1: know your surroundings
Well since moving into my new place – a whole new area, I have found a smashing place to take the dogs for a run. Just round the corner from me there’s an empty riverbank and beyond that a large open area for the dogs to run their wee socks off ;-) On the first spell of rain we had I drove to the normal spot – parked the car up and let the dogs out – it was raining, but not too heavy like it had been earlier. I had a pair of jean on and trainers so my feet weren’t that well protected but I had a nice warm jacket on, snugly. I discovered the empty river bed was no longer empty – filled to the brim – no way have we had that much rain over night – hmmmm. Well I can’t cross here without my canoe so I decided to walk down-stream a bit to see if there was a place I could cross. Sure enough further up the road there was a wee island thingamajig I could jump onto and then get on the bank at the other side. We done our walk and just as we got near where I normally cross the heavens opened up – it was soooooo heavy rain, I was walking backwards and looked at wee Samroc who was walking beside me – his head was lowered and he was closing his eyes best he could. Stuff this, come on boy, I ran to where I normally cross the river to see if there was a way we could all get over. Diva and Mini jumped straight in, had a wee swim and over the other side. I’m looking frantically for somewhere to cross – then I spotted it. Someone had placed a largish tree branch to use as a crossing point – why didn’t I see that before? The thickest part of the branch was about a metre from the bank so I got my footing right, careful not to slip and fall into the burn – counted in my head – 1, 2, 3 – and made the jump onto the branch. Doesn’t quite end there though – the branch wasn’t actually a crossing point which someone had kindly placed – it was a random branch which had been washed up and was momentarily having a rest from its journey down stream and beyond. Now here’s me up to my waste in skanky water – freezing cold and completely soaked through. My first reaction wasn’t to scream out or immediately get out the water – my first response was to look about to see if anyone saw me – how embarrassing, then I waded over to the other side. Once I was out I couldn’t stop laughing, what a walley - even the dogs were laughing. I got in the car covered in crap that was skimming on the top of the water and went to the wee local shop – I squelched into the shop and squelched out – went home dried the dogs off and had the best bath ever – moral of the story – if you’re gonna do stupid stuff take someone along and a video camera – TV shows give you money for that :-)
Story #2: take your time
Again another poring day – I was sitting in the house with the dogs and doing some work. The back door was left open the dogs could come and go as they pleased. I had a pair of short and a t-shirt on, along with a big granny housecoat – which mum insisted on giving me – bright purple with flowers on – not very sexy but warm all the same. I had finished my last cigarette and was putting off going out to the car to get the full packet sitting on the front seat. Stuff it, if I go now then it’s over and done with. I opened the front door and saw the downpour. I used the bleeper on the car keys to open the car up – the car keys are on the same key ring as the house keys which are in the house door. The dogs all came running toward the door, trying to be fly I pulled the door kinda closed to stop them running out into the rain which would have included me running to the car with my sexy housecoat, opening the car door, all the dogs jumping in the car, me telling them to get out, grabbing the smokes, closing the car door and running back into the house – me soaking and all 3 dogs the same. So I tried to beat them at the game and kinda pulled the door shut and made a dash for it – wee mini was too quick and managed to get out – but I must’ve pulled too hard and heard the door close. I jumped in the car and went “oh no”. I’ve got a deadbolt on my door you see so it can’t be opened from the outside. I’ve got no shoes on and not really dressed for the occasion – WTF. So I had a cigarette and pondered on what my next move was. The back door is open – I could possibly jump the fence if I had something on my feet (British feet can’t handle outdoors uncovered). I looked around the car and saw gleaming at me a pair of steel toe cap boots which I like to wear at herding (sheep can’t hurt your toes if they stand on them) – so I put them on and went to the side of the house where the fence is the lowest. It was hammering with rain now – how the heck am I going to get wee Minmin over – I lifted her up and bent across the fence and lowered her as best as I could – she jumped down and barked at me – go in the house Mini – again I have to stress it was teeming with rain – she barked again – such a loyal dog, not wanting to leave her master out in the rain on her own – go on Mini, in the house your getting soaked – little loyal mini my butt – she took off around the corner and obviously ran into the house – God now the others are gonna come running out and get in my way when I’m trying to do the krypton factor and get over this fence – not a bloody sign of them – selfish buggars So I lifted off the wooden slat thingys I put on the fence to make it higher and tossed it on the ground – right on the section I’m jumping down onto – so I managed to get up on the fence with my bright purple granny housecoat and very heavy steel toe caps, look at where I could land so as not to snap the wooden slat fency thing and make sure my housecoat wasn’t hanging over anything to get caught on and have me dangling in mid air – JUMP – I made it – whooohooooo!!! I put the fence back together and wandered back into the house – all 3 dogs are sitting in the lounge – looking at me drenched. I imagined if I was looking out my window and saw one of the neighbours doing exactly what I had just done, including wearing what I was, it would either be time to move or time to start a blog and write about it. Moral of the story – never wear anything embarrassing in case you get spotted with in on in public
Sunday, June 28, 2009
Saturday, June 6, 2009
home at last
Well it’s been a long time since rock and roll and far too long since my last post – with a good excuse may I add.
The last post was about my new car (still loving it) in January. I’ve had more changes in my life since then – I changed jobs and started in February – loving that too.
I love a job where you really enjoy being there and are enthusiastic about your work. It’s a great feeling waking up in the morning and not dread going into work, but to actually look forward to it
More changes after that – I bought a house. The settlement went through in April. Such a great feeling having your own place – no more renting for me
The house itself needs heaps of work done to it and I need to get a bobcat or dingo in to flatten off the yard for the dogs and to get reticulation in to make it my agility space – will get there though. I want to get things done right rather than half heartedly so I’m in the process of saving to get the stuff done. The house itself is absolutely tiny but it’s a nice size for me – and less cleaning
It’s great having my own place – funny story too. I came around for the inspection with Ray from my old work. The house itself was filthy, smelly, cracks on the walls, windows broken and missing, every room is like a shoebox, holes in the doors and walls, no locks on the windows, front door needing replaced, nail holes in every wall (big ones at that), carpets with candle wax embedded in them or stains and holes, lino coming up and needing redone - not much of a looker.
I went out the back garden and heard the bell ringing in my head – ding dong!!!! I didn’t want to seem too eager to the agent and tried my hardest not to let my jaw drop or smile – it’s not the biggest garden by any means but it’s flat and all I could imagine was an a-frame there and a dog-walk there and seesaw probably there – could fit a tunnel there and some jumps too (may be not all at once) I could get a shed put there with a concrete slab for my agility equipment, and I suppose I could get a wee’er (lol) shed there for my gardening stuff and other stuff that’s supposed to go in sheds (think that’s all the stuff that doesn’t fit in the spare room or attic).
I had been looking for about 6 months and the quality of houses was much better – in fact, I’d go as far as saying far superior – but most of the gardens weren’t right for the dogs. Well as soon as I’ve unpacked my camera (can’t find it at the moment) I’m going to take before and after shots. As long as the dogs are happy I’m happy. I mean I’d love 10ha but 900sqm isn’t a bad start.
Do you know the other thing – since buying my own house, this is the first time I feel like I actually am meant to be here. Staying with my sister before and then renting wasn’t my own – now actually having a place where you can settle and call HOME – I actually have used that in a sentence you know regarding this place rather than saying I’m going to my house or I’m gonna go tae ma hoose, I tend to say I’m going home silly mind thing I’m sure – not intended but it’s been a battle to get here – after all the caper.
I have to also say a big major major thank you to Tom and John who not only helped me move but helped me tidy up the rental – thanks guys you are legends.
Another wee thing – just before I moved in here I got professional cleaners in to gut the place and a gardener who removed all the debris from the garden, cleaned the gutters, removed waste, etc, a handyman to replace all the doors and locks (still to get the windows done) – 1 step at a time.
On the final move day which was just the smaller stuff – Tom and I came here and it was the first night I would be staying here – all the dogs were here – I let them out the back and all 3 of them were sniffing and peeing everywhere (could obviously smell the other previous dogs) – anyway Samroc came over and gave me a cuddle – I crouched down to him and started crying – I told him thanks for being such a great wee man and putting up with all the Sh*t for the last 6 years – for leaving a great loving home in Scotland (mum & dad) and that we had finally got our own place (means so much to me I’m actually teary at the moment writing this). Me and my boy (and of course my girls too) have got our own place where they can do whatever they want to and have not a house or a place to live, but a home at last
The plan – I want to get a dingo or bobcat in to level both sides of the garden – Aaron (my buddy Corrine’s hubby) has made me promise to let him do the levelling with the bobcat when I hire it – I said only if he doesn’t knock down the house or fences – or any trees that may fall onto the house or fences lol.
There are 2 sides to the garden – the bigger section for the dogs agility – round the corner from that there is a wee area where I can get my veggie patch and herb garden going – then there’s a separate section to the right – fenced off from the other area where will be my entertainment area – only small but I want to get a built in bbq (I think) a wee undercover area and may be way in the future a small pool or spa????? Would love to have a pool – coming from Scotland I’ve never had a pool and although heaps of folks say to me – “don’t get a pool they’re sooooo much work” I’d love to get one for the sake of saying (especially to folk back home) – think I’ll get in the pool today for a swim – it’s very hot here
Although the area isn’t that big (and that’s the bit where I hang out my washing) I think it may be more of a big puddle than a pool – not sure if pools come in mini size – i could always get a kids paddling pool and just leave the “paddling” part off when I’m describing it
Well since I’ve no photo’s to put on here and it’s pretty boring just reading I think I will leave it there. I want to get photos of how the place looks now (not very pretty) and what it looks like after I have done – this too will inspire me to get stuff done around the place.
I must admit though I am looking forward to making mine, Samroc, Diva and Mini’s home better - don't mid a bit of DIY and love when you look back at old photo's and say - did that really look like that :-) Oh well I know it will take a long while to do up MY HOME but it's worth it :-)
The last post was about my new car (still loving it) in January. I’ve had more changes in my life since then – I changed jobs and started in February – loving that too.
I love a job where you really enjoy being there and are enthusiastic about your work. It’s a great feeling waking up in the morning and not dread going into work, but to actually look forward to it
More changes after that – I bought a house. The settlement went through in April. Such a great feeling having your own place – no more renting for me
The house itself needs heaps of work done to it and I need to get a bobcat or dingo in to flatten off the yard for the dogs and to get reticulation in to make it my agility space – will get there though. I want to get things done right rather than half heartedly so I’m in the process of saving to get the stuff done. The house itself is absolutely tiny but it’s a nice size for me – and less cleaning
It’s great having my own place – funny story too. I came around for the inspection with Ray from my old work. The house itself was filthy, smelly, cracks on the walls, windows broken and missing, every room is like a shoebox, holes in the doors and walls, no locks on the windows, front door needing replaced, nail holes in every wall (big ones at that), carpets with candle wax embedded in them or stains and holes, lino coming up and needing redone - not much of a looker.
I went out the back garden and heard the bell ringing in my head – ding dong!!!! I didn’t want to seem too eager to the agent and tried my hardest not to let my jaw drop or smile – it’s not the biggest garden by any means but it’s flat and all I could imagine was an a-frame there and a dog-walk there and seesaw probably there – could fit a tunnel there and some jumps too (may be not all at once) I could get a shed put there with a concrete slab for my agility equipment, and I suppose I could get a wee’er (lol) shed there for my gardening stuff and other stuff that’s supposed to go in sheds (think that’s all the stuff that doesn’t fit in the spare room or attic).
I had been looking for about 6 months and the quality of houses was much better – in fact, I’d go as far as saying far superior – but most of the gardens weren’t right for the dogs. Well as soon as I’ve unpacked my camera (can’t find it at the moment) I’m going to take before and after shots. As long as the dogs are happy I’m happy. I mean I’d love 10ha but 900sqm isn’t a bad start.
Do you know the other thing – since buying my own house, this is the first time I feel like I actually am meant to be here. Staying with my sister before and then renting wasn’t my own – now actually having a place where you can settle and call HOME – I actually have used that in a sentence you know regarding this place rather than saying I’m going to my house or I’m gonna go tae ma hoose, I tend to say I’m going home silly mind thing I’m sure – not intended but it’s been a battle to get here – after all the caper.
I have to also say a big major major thank you to Tom and John who not only helped me move but helped me tidy up the rental – thanks guys you are legends.
Another wee thing – just before I moved in here I got professional cleaners in to gut the place and a gardener who removed all the debris from the garden, cleaned the gutters, removed waste, etc, a handyman to replace all the doors and locks (still to get the windows done) – 1 step at a time.
On the final move day which was just the smaller stuff – Tom and I came here and it was the first night I would be staying here – all the dogs were here – I let them out the back and all 3 of them were sniffing and peeing everywhere (could obviously smell the other previous dogs) – anyway Samroc came over and gave me a cuddle – I crouched down to him and started crying – I told him thanks for being such a great wee man and putting up with all the Sh*t for the last 6 years – for leaving a great loving home in Scotland (mum & dad) and that we had finally got our own place (means so much to me I’m actually teary at the moment writing this). Me and my boy (and of course my girls too) have got our own place where they can do whatever they want to and have not a house or a place to live, but a home at last
The plan – I want to get a dingo or bobcat in to level both sides of the garden – Aaron (my buddy Corrine’s hubby) has made me promise to let him do the levelling with the bobcat when I hire it – I said only if he doesn’t knock down the house or fences – or any trees that may fall onto the house or fences lol.
There are 2 sides to the garden – the bigger section for the dogs agility – round the corner from that there is a wee area where I can get my veggie patch and herb garden going – then there’s a separate section to the right – fenced off from the other area where will be my entertainment area – only small but I want to get a built in bbq (I think) a wee undercover area and may be way in the future a small pool or spa????? Would love to have a pool – coming from Scotland I’ve never had a pool and although heaps of folks say to me – “don’t get a pool they’re sooooo much work” I’d love to get one for the sake of saying (especially to folk back home) – think I’ll get in the pool today for a swim – it’s very hot here
Although the area isn’t that big (and that’s the bit where I hang out my washing) I think it may be more of a big puddle than a pool – not sure if pools come in mini size – i could always get a kids paddling pool and just leave the “paddling” part off when I’m describing it
Well since I’ve no photo’s to put on here and it’s pretty boring just reading I think I will leave it there. I want to get photos of how the place looks now (not very pretty) and what it looks like after I have done – this too will inspire me to get stuff done around the place.
I must admit though I am looking forward to making mine, Samroc, Diva and Mini’s home better - don't mid a bit of DIY and love when you look back at old photo's and say - did that really look like that :-) Oh well I know it will take a long while to do up MY HOME but it's worth it :-)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
