Blame it on the rain

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 

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 year has already begun - Jules style

Well I had to say a sad farewell to an old friend on Tuesday. I hate goodbyes, I love the saying “see you later” instead but in this case it probably isn’t true.

My dear old friend – we have been on many a journey together. I would never have ventured to the places in Australia without you.

You have been my old faithful and for that I thank you.

Because of you I made an effort to go to many places in Western Australia – we travelled to Geraldton, Denmark, Kojonup, Bunbury, Mandurah often, Darkan, Toodyay and many other places I would never have visited without you.

Sadly our journey together ended on Tuesday and I will never forget you. But as age creeps up on us all, sadly we cannot go on forever.............

To my old white Toyota Corona '85 I have to say cheerio, you done me well.

So what’s new in the car field then????

Hmmmm, well I need something that’s economical but will also comply with all my needs and requirements – of course along with the dog’s needs and requirements (this is a must).

Well what has replaced the old faithful then, nothing too exciting really, just something small and reliable and will get me from A to B, or in my case with the dogs from A to Z.

The funny thing is it was the first car I saw. I wasn’t sure what I wanted – quite clueless in fact. I went to a yard and saw it along with 1 other of a different sort. I left the car yard and had a look at a few others – same make and a range of others too – I ended up going back to the first one I spotted. Fate if you will.
As I claim not to be a material person (after having Diva who was one of the most destructive pups known to date I learned not to cherish material things J ) I wasn’t after anything flashy with all the bling so my non-materialistic heart was won over with.................................................
















OMG I Love it - not got a "name" yet but me wee Rav 4 has made me a material person again :-)

It's worked out really well for the dogs too. When I saw it I thought the boot was really small and would just be able to fit wee Minmin in and that would be it

The back seats fold down completely flat so I can fit in at least 3 crates in the back

Well I picked it up on Tuesday and got prepared to go training on Tuesday night

No probs for the big man - what was I worrying about?










You see the other problem was Samroc has always sat in the front seat beside me - since he was 6 weeks old, a little bundle of fur who started off sitting on my lap as we drove and then eventually as he got bigger his spot was the passanger front seat.

So we drove around the block and he was absolutely fine. I think he did think at first hang on woman I've got a grate thing here blocking me from getting in the front beside you - but then the view from being higher up on the road allowed him to see a heck of a lot more that sitting in the car.

We got home and I put Sambo back in the house and loaded up the girls - it's heaps more room than I thought.

The girls seem to like it too - good.
















Emmm mum this is my spot and nope I'm not sharing with the ratbags.....
















Yeh right big man - this is the Diva car.............
















Whatever you 2 - mum said the boot was only just big enough for me so this is my spot - talk to the paw!!!!!


But what about when I take them all to the river together - will the 3 of them be able to fit or am I going to have to take out the grate, fold down the seats, put in crates - or not?????















I said I didn't want to share the back, no I said it first, well I'm the oldest and biggest so I still think this should be for me only......


They all can fit in nice - and stand up or lie down with pleanty of space to be comfy, phew.

Also Samroc jumps in and out as if it was on the ground - mega phew!!!!!
















OK then, there's heaps of room for all of us, lets share and pose for the camera - cheese :-)))

Now I can relax and drive in comfort - my year has already begun, yeah baby!!!!!!!

Fancy food or horror film prop

Well getting into this life approach in 2009 I thought I'd be ever so daring and try something new - I'm not much into cooking - can do not too badly when I actually take the prep. time and have my heart into it - on the whole though my dinners compile of random acts of food - depending on the mood of the day - not usually a proper healthy cooked meal though. I don't really like Italian food - well at least the strong tomato paste based dishes, and mexican too for the same reason - oriental is nice when you're in the mood and Indian is yum - but can't seem to find a decent take away - got an indian cook book and it provides me the means to making a flamin' good curry - takes heaps of time though (not to mention all the dishes to clean afterwards) and it uses tomato paste - but I cannot taste in these dishes unlike the sauces you get from a jar - ewwww - so the quick alternative is something quick and usually unhealthy - I do eat a lot of fruit so I believe this is a good balance :-))

So I was in IGA and they have a range of weird and wacky foods in their deli section - well coming from a background where haggis, tatties and neeps, stovies, hotpot or a stew was a regular on the table I think the range of foods is weird.

I bought a tub of pasta with the dressing and it had spinach and sundried toms, which is ok and then I saw it - octopus, it was in some marinade and I just had to get a bit. So for tea I had the pasta and octopus.

Not sure at first if I could actually eat it so I just had to take some photos of the dish first. So do I actually have enough courage to put this to my mouth, open and chew - hmmmm!!! the tentacle thingys look like they could be used to sucker onto the wall and hang pictures from - although I'm sure the aroma or old octopus would overrule the beauty of the picture after a while.

Well I ate it - I must admit it was bizarre. Now looking back at the photo's I can't believe that this actually went into my mouth, OMG. I mean am I being outright daft here? Is this a common dish to which families sit around the table eating whilst discussing their daily activities and pass the salt please honey??? hmmmm!!!!

The pasta was nice though - plain and simple. The first bit of the suckers was a bit - rubbery :-)) didn't taste fishy or seafoody - the texture was a bit slimy and sluggish like - not that I eat many slugs (or can remember as an infant that is), and the pickle it was in seemed to overrule the actual flavour of the meat (rubber). The longer thinner piece was probably the worst - I swear it was still moving as it was being gnarled and ground about my mouth.

Well now as a well cultured food connoisseur (lol) and when I hold the dinner party with your invite in the post - guess what you'll be having -

.......probably a take away from the local Chinese :-)

Wonders of nature with the dogs

Down the river with the dogs where we venture each morning and if time permits each night too. They love to run and swim. I enjoy walking around with them and Samroc gets great exercise for his back swimming after the ball.

So the other day we're all down there and I have Samroc's daughter Jazz staying here too to make the gang a bit bigger. All 4 are in swimming, Mini and Samroc go the furthest out to swim for the ball, Diva really just goes along for the ride and Jazz is still a bit unsure of how to swim - unco would be a good old auzzie word for it :-).

Anyhoo, to make life easy I use 2 tennis balls, 1 for Sam and the other for Mini. Diva and Jazzy just play with them. So Mini's well far out and Sammy was on his way back to shore. Diva and Jazz are hanging around the shallow along with a few randoms who came down to play. I look up to see wee Mini and about 30m from her I saw a fin go underwater.

Panic alert - the news is full of shark sightings at the moment and it has been known for a shark to come this far up the river - what do I do if I see it going for her, OMG - I gave myself a shake and tried to think rationally - but it's my Minmin out there........

I called for her to hurry up and took off all the leads which were hanging over my shoulder and threw them on the ground - do I take my shoes off to swim faster - what will I do if I get there and it's munching into her - aaarrgggg, she was gaining in the shoreline and all the others were jumping and barking in the water - stop the attention, get the others out of the water and if I walk away may be Mini will swim faster. I picked up the leads again and started walking backwards, calling her with a slight desperation in my voice.......

Have you ever noticed when you are all hyped up and in a bit of a state everything seems to go every other way than what you want. I got the dogs out the water - Diva runs back in and lies down there, I get her out and Jazz does the same thing, I get her out and one of the randoms comes running over and jumping about splashing in the water, jumping onto mine, egging them on, then Diva and Jazz are scattered again - Mini for god's sake hurry up.......

She's now about say 10m from shore and I'm about to either have a fit or faint and she didn't have a care in the world. The positive words of encouragement had now flown out the window along with the keeping the others out and my words resorted to things like "just hurry up or you'll never get to swim again - hurry up or I'll take the ball off you" - what the......

Again the fin apears but this time it was say 50m out - and there were 3 of them - after all that it was dolphins..........

I love watching them swim down there and have only seen them 1ce before. The panic mode turned to a state of awe. I was staring at them in amazement and glee until I was disturbed by a high pitched squeek - and again - Mini shouting to me to throw the ball back in again......... awww wee Minmin :-))

The start of a new year – the year that will be mine!!!

Well the end of 2008 is nigh and I must admit it is a year I am glad to say goodbye to. Reminiscing over the past year it has good memories, but unfortunately the bad ones outweigh the good ones by a hundred fold. I believe writing this down will allow me to get the bad ones out of my system and start off the New Year with a clean slate and optimism I thought may never be possible again.

In 2008 my best friend was seriously injured by no fault of his own. In agility he hit a tyre jump and as it wasn’t pegged or fixed it moved, by this time he was through the hole in the tyre, and the tyre and heavy metal frame collapsed on his back. His back legs weren’t moving although he was trying to pull himself up with his front legs. We were over in Melbourne when the incident occurred, far away from home and your “usual” surroundings. A big thank you to everyone at the trial that day who did rush in and help both him and I (as I was the one going into shock).



He was rushed into the vet hospital and was given the best care. He saw a neurological specialist who prepared me for the worst in that he may never walk again. As he is such an energetic and active dog, living a life with paralysis or semi-paralysis would be no joy to him and the unspeakable would have to happen. We returned home to have him strictly rested. I was sleeping on the floor with him as he wasn’t allowed to jump up on any beds, couches, etc. Each day went by and I’d say a prayer for him as we were told we would know by 12 weeks what the state of his condition would be. I cherished every second I had with him, although in the beginning most of that was spent with my head burrowed in my sopping pillow or sitting in a corner with a box of tissues to hand.












Now though by best friend in the whole world is walking again, may be a little funny at times and is pain free for most (although he doesn’t always let on). Samroc to you I want to say how sorry I am for the pain you incurred whilst trying to please me, and I would never ever hurt my wee man in any way. I love you boy and as long as I have my boy by my side I am a happy person. You may now be retired and unable to do the things we used to do, but you’re still my best friend and we have many a great time still to share – luv ya Samroc xxx


Now I’ve got that out of the way I want to focus on the future as we cannot change the past.

I have my best friend Samroc and my special girls Diva and Mini and we are going to have a blast in 2009. This is going to be a great if not fabulous year for us and I was told by someone very special to me that you make your own luck in this world – that is exactly what I am going to do. From the chime of midnight tomorrow night the world will be a different place - I will stop and smell the roses, listen to the birds singing to me so joyful and make sure I wear a smile :-)


I have made up a few New Year resolutions:

1: Stop working as much and spend more time with the fur kids
2: Do more training with the dogs
3: quit smoking – hard one but hey I’ve gotta do it
4: get motivated in agility again and enter more trials
5: do a lot more sheep herding – at least 1ce a week.
6: get fit
7: get a new car
8: be more optimistic

Some I will keep others I will probably sweep under the carpet for a later date, on the whole if I aim towards them and have a fun and prosperous new year then who cares?

This song brings many a good memory to me and as I sing it with a tear in my eye and a smile on my face. I invite you to sing along this very famous Scottish poem, associated with Rabbie Burns:

Auld Lang syne – English Translation = Old times (old long ago)

Should auld acquaintance be forgot, And never brought to mind?
Should auld acquaintance be forgot, And days o' auld lang syne ?

CHORUS:

For auld lang syne, my dear,
For auld lang syne,
We’ll tak a cup o’ kindness yet,
For auld lang syne.

And surely ye’ll be your pint-stowp !And surely I’ll be mine !
And we’ll tak a cup o’ kindness yet,For auld lang syne.

Sing CHORUS

We twa hae run about the braes, And pu’d the gowans fine;
But we’ve wander’d mony a weary fit,Sin auld lang syne.

Sing CHORUS

We twa hae paidl’d in the burn, Frae morning sun till dine;
But seas between us braid hae roar’dSin auld lang syne.

Sing CHORUS

And there’s a hand, my trusty fiere !And gie's a hand o’ thine!
And we’ll tak a right gude-willy waught, For auld lang syne.

Sing CHORUS.


Have an awesome Hogmanay and all the best for the new year xxx

Harry and the mysterious chord

I'm so glad it's the weekend. I now have time to put on my Sherlock hat and investigate the chronicle of the mysterious chord. This past week has been sort of self enlightening :-)) I have found out that as much as Madonna is my idle I am certainly not a "material girl". I think having my Diva as a pup helped me through the materialistic phase and little harry has completed my journey :-) There's the video camera remote control with lovely little teethmarks through it, my mobile phone charger in 2 pieces, one half you can plug into the wall at home and the other half you can plug into the phone from anywhere in the country - but since the wire is not complete anymore it doesn't seem to charge the phone up??? any suggestions, lol, then there's the sleeping bag from the spare room with the fuzzy inside now out and holes over it, the seat covers from the kitchen with the fuzz out and of course the odd pair of socks. The one thing I cannot figure out is where in the heck does the chord come from? I've searched high and low and cannot find where the rest of the item it has been separated from is hiding. My suspicions are - buried in the garden somewhere, in a total random place where I would never think of looking or it magically appeared.

I've woken up a few times this past week with a dog snuggled up next to me, this is sometimes a trait of Mini Minx - however, I've discovered the dog has a different coat texture to Min and once I've come around and gotten my eyes open it has actually been Wee Harry doing the snuggling. Sound asleep, snoring away, showing off his tummy :-)) awww, wee Harry. I think he's gotten comfortable with being a house dog and loves the bed :-))

He loves going down the river and running with my lot as well as the other randoms :-)) I saw the cutest thing the other day down the river. My 3 were in swimming and Harry was lying at the side waiting on them coming out the water - a Great Dane approached him - it was David and Goliath - harry didn't shy at all - he stood there looking up to see if he could see the head of the Dane through the clouds and the Dane bent over and the both of them gave each other a kiss - Kodak moment - why is it times like this we never carry a camera with us????

I have taken my camera down to the river since then and of course nothing like this will happen when I have my camera to hand :-)) Here are some photos of them all down the river anyway -

Who do you think he is stalking?

Could it be Samroc & Mini swimming????

What are you looking at Harry boy????

Aaaahhh yes the view is very nice :-)

Will I play with Mini?.....or big sis' Diva??.....or big man Samroc?

Silly Question :-))

Harry loves to play with Mini, he thinks Diva is sooooo exciting and tries to run around with her, but if Samroc comes on the scene he only has eyes for him :-))

Exciting news - well I think it is and cute :-)) We were in the house the other night and I decided to teach Harry to sit - guess what................. Harry now sits on command :-))))) Well I thought it was cute - here's some more photos :-)

Diva showing off her 2o2o stuff

Awww, nearly wee man..............................


Diva will hold the board for you :-))


Hanging with Samroc.......... Mini............and big sis' :-)




Hey what's the noise?..I want in on the action ...take that Mini


can't keep my eyes open...............Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz...............



What...he's sleeping, do the others know??.....phew, we're stuffed!

Get some peace..........SWEET!!!!!!!