Dog Walk

      

Sam and I both needed some exercise today - as did our dogs! Pixel is still not allowed an off lead walk as he has stitches in one foot still. We decided to go to Ashridge as dogs have to be kept on a lead at the moment due to the deer cull.
It was very muddy - and we had had a heavy frost overnight, the most severe of the winter so far. However it was a lovely crisp, sunny day and we had a nice walk - although the dogs couldn't understand why they had to stay on their leads!
Taking photos with one hand proved tricky lol!

                                                                        

Sales

Sam and I hit the sales this year - in a very modest way. We went to MK first and bought Sam some maternity / nursing tops and bras in Mamas and Papas and Mothercare in Kingston. They were all half price or less. We then went to the Centre and got her a half price tankini in Mothercare and me a knitted dress and tights in Monsoon - also both half price.
On Saturday we went to Luton and got a nice silk maternity top for Sam that she can wear to Robin and Hanna's wedding from H and M and some other maternity bits in New Look, who had a surprisingly good selection in their sale. The New Look changing rooms had been flooded so Sam had to try things on over the top of her clothes - which was more successful than we had thought it would be. She now has enough maternity /nursing tops to see her through.

Lunch Out

Sam and I went to have lunch with Debbie, Jim and the children at the Green Man in Offley. It was nice to see them all again- it was Christmas 2012 when we saw them last. The food was very ordinary, which was a shame but we had a chance to share news together. We made plans to meet up again after the baby is born.

Boxing Day

Sam and I went to Mum and Dad's on Boxing Day as usual. It was quieter this year - Andy and Louise are on their honeymoon in India and Charlotte and Ian were in Hull visiting Ian's parents.
We had a nice time as usual - good food, nice gifts and fun games to play. I took some photos using my new camera lens. (will add them later).
Sam popped home a couple of time to check the dogs were ok as Pixel still has stitches in one foot and Casey had two fits close together earlier in the week.
We got home around 11.30 and had a quick drink before going to bed as we were tired!

Christmas Day

Sam and I have had a lovely day. We got up around 7.00 and put the turkey in the oven. Then we did present opening - Sam's gifts for me included a lovely new Nexus 5 and a wide angle lens for my camera. Vickie and Jerry sent a Pandora bead from Australia and Pip and Liam had left a nice room scent gift for me an a Burt's Bees gift set for Sam. The dogs enjoyed opening their presents too!

We had a quick chat with Vickie and Jerry before our lunch at 2.00. Lunch was delicious - I needed a nap afterwards!



We had another short chat with Vickie - it was late for her by then so we will try and talk again tomorrow.

Charlotte and Ian had bought us a cheese dome and a game for the dogs. We popped our cheese in it and used it at tea time.Sam and I both like cold meat, cheese and christmas cake!

Christmas Eve

Sam and I are all ready for Christmas - our last one on our own. We did our food shopping yesterday in Aldi - very quick. We spent yesterday evening wrapping up presents which meant that today could be a relaxing one.
We watched some Christmas films and took the dogs for a short walk - Pixel managed to make one of his wounds bleed again. He is going to have to rest and go without walks till Friday so it will hopefully heal up.
Charlotte and Ian popped by to drop of gifts on their way to Hull. They will hopefully be at Mum's on Boxing day. We are both looking forward to tomorrow!

Visitors

Suzanne and her baby Joshua came to stay on Friday. Joshua was very good overnight and also when were out shopping in Dunstable on Saturday.

Suzanne went out on Saturday night, leaving Sam and I in charge of the baby. He was very good for us -  waking only once in the night and going back to sleep after his bottle. He woke at a very reasonable eight o' clock on Sunday morning. Sam found it difficult to feed Joshua his morning bottle because her bump got in the way!

Sam bathed Joshua - the first time she has bathed a baby. She did a great job.

 

While Sam went to Dunstable to collect Suzanne Joshua stayed happily with me. We took them both home around two - Sam and I were ready for a rest!

      

Feeling Better

Pixel now has a comfy cone which is making him feel much happier. We had to go to Jolleys in Milton Keynes to buy it. His check up at the vets was good - all healing well and the bandage is off. He has another check up on Monday.

Further Update

Pixel managed to get two of the stitches out of one leg today so he had to have another anesthetic and stitches put back in. He now has a big bandage that has to stay on till at least Saturday and wear the buster collar all the time as he cannot be trusted to leave his leg alone. We have to take him back on Saturday morning to get it checked out again.

Getting Better

Pixel is getting better - he has been a bit livelier this morning. Sam had to tape scratch mits over his feet to stop him licking the wounds.

Poor Pixel - Again!

Pixel hurt his claw while we were away at the weekend.This is the second injury he has had to a claw in six months. Sam arranged for him to have both dew claws removed today to stop it happening again.

He spent the evening at home feeling very sorry for himself!

                        

South Molton Trip

Sam, the dogs and I had a lovely long weekend in South Molton with Robin, Hanna and little Theoden. We passed Stone Henge on the way there.

We stayed in a B n B called Fishers Down Farm which was about five minutes from Robin and Hanna's home. There was a big field at the back where we could give the dogs a good walk and a great breakfast every morning. We were the only guests until Sunday night - when two with very big boots arrived to stay in the room above us. They clomped about for over an hour after we had gone to bed!
Robin cooked a lovely roast dinner for us on Friday evening and we met Hanna and little T.
On Saturday we went to a sculpture garden at Broomhill Art Hotel which we all enjoyed - and the sun even came out for a while. Sam and I have booked room for Robin and Hanna to stay in here after their wedding.Then we had lunch together and Robin again cooked in the evening for everyone.

 

                

                                            

On Sunday we went to the beach at Saunton Sands - and the rain again held off for us. The dogs has a great time - until little Pixel caught his nail on his front dew claw.
Sam and I had fish and chip lunch at Squires Fish Restaurant  which was delicious. I has deep fried salmon and Sam had an enormous piece of cod with chips. Robin had cooked a sausage casserole for our evening meal.

                             

 

On Monday morning - after another delicious breakfast and a walk for the dogs, we set out for home. The weather was very wet most of the way back - so we were very lucky to have had dry days when we were out and about.

Dog Chews

Sam and I went to the new Pets at Home at Gypsy Lane this evening. We had been to Toys R Us first, to see if we could find a gift for Robin's fiance's little one - we were unsuccessful. However in Pets at Home we found Bull Bars for the dogs, so not a wasted trip after all. Bull Bars are made from buffalo horns and both the dogs love them.  They will hopefully last a long time and give hour of chewing fun.

 

RIP Nelson Mandela

Nelson Mandela died today at the age of 95. When Sam and I visited Robben Island in South Africa it made an big impact on us as we read about life under apartheid.

Nobel Square

We were shown round Robben Island by a former prisoner

Nursery Bazaar

Ready for the bazaar tomorrow - chocolate rice crispy cakes iced like Christmas puddings

Car's First Service

I took the Audi for its first service today in Bedford. While it was being carried out I caught the Park and Ride into Bedford and had a little potter about the charity shops. It was £2.20 return on the Park and Ride and was very efficient with a bus every 12 minutes.

XBox One

Sam didn't pre- order an xbox one, so thought she wouldn't be able to get one before Christmas. Then she read on line that John Lewis and Tesco had some stock they were putting on line at midnight on release day. We set an alarm and she woke up in time to order one from Tesco - they sold out in ten minutes!
We went to collect the xbox today - and it is set up already!

       

  

Frozen Shoulder

I have had a sore shoulder for about three weeks now. The pain has been getting worse and my movement more limited as time has gone on. I finally went to see a GP today and he diagnosed a frozen shoulder. He prescribed a pill called Naproxen, some gel to try if that doesn't work and some gentle exercises.
The pills seem to be working but they have been very harsh on my stomach - giving me indigestion and heartburn. Hopefully my shoulder will be back to normal soon!
I used the automated on line service to book my GP appointment - I selected a Thursday or Friday for the preferred days. The appointment came through for a Wednesday - which I thought was odd, but I dutifully went along at the correct time. I tried to book in on the machine but was told to see a receptionist. She told me I didn't have an appointment until Friday even though I assured her the email had told me Wednesday. I showed her the email on my phone as she clearly thought the mistake was mine! She admitted it was their fault and squeezed me in with a GP - no apology though!  Next time I will ring for an appointment!

Trip To MK

Sam and I went to MK today with Suzanne and baby Joshua. We did a bit of shopping and Suzanne bought most of her Christmas gifts, so it was a productive trip.
Joshua was a very good boy and smiley for most of the day.

Home from Hospital

Dad came home from hospital today - he has medication for low blood pressure and is much better. He was in for nearly three weeks in the end.

Sore ear

I have a spot by my ear which is very painful. Hope it gets better soon!

New Medication Update

Casey has been taking her Pexion for just over a month. I took her to the vets on Wednesday and because all was going well it was decided to reduce her epiphen to half a tablet from three quarters. I started doing this on Wednesday evening and she unfortunately fitted Thursday evening and Saturday morning. Sam rang and the duty vet said to go back to her old dose til we could see our own vet on Monday.
I took Casey in to see the vet today and he decided to up her Pexion to a whole tablet from half and continue for five days on three quarters of an epiphen too. We sheall see how this goes. If no improvement after 5 days then she is to stop the Pexion and just have epiphen like before.

Odd Day

Today, 9/11/13, is the last time this century that three ascending consecutive odd numbers make up the date.

The odd date is the first in over two years - and for most of us it'll be the last one we ever experience, as the next one is in 2105.

The 'Odd Day' has to be made of three odd numbers which come in ascending order, upwards from one.

Today's date, 9/11/13, follows previous 'Odd Days' on September 7, 2011 (7/9/11), July 5, 2009 and May 3, 2007. The rare sequence only happens five times a century.

Lost Dog

Pixel got himself lost today! Sam took him and Casey to the sports park and Pixel decided to stop playing ball and run through the fence into the school.
Sam rang the school to let them know Pixel was running around and then ran home herself with Casey, intending to go back alone to look for him.
As she ran back round the corner she saw Pixel running towards her, followed by a young woman. Sam grabbed Pixel and the woman told her that he had run out in front of her boyfriends car. Pixel had found his way home from the park on his own. He was frightened but remorseful! 

Birthday Celebrations

It was Mum's birthday on Saturday and so we had a get together at her house on Sunday. Mum had cooked lots of lovely things including bagels, sausage rolls and cheese straws. Jayne made the above birthday cake and a delicious carrot cake too. Sam said the birthday cake was lovely - very light sponge.
Dad is still in hospital so Mum took him up some goodies today.

Storm Warning

There have been storm warnings for the last few days  - with the storm expected last night / this morning. I cleared the garden - putting away furniture and the BBQ.
Sam received an email saying First Capital Connect were not running any services from midnight till at least nine this morning so she planned to work from home.
I woke a couple of times in the night and heard nothing. I was woken at around five by the wind howling but we missed the worst of it here in Luton.
Sadly four people have been killed by falling trees and the wind reached 99 miles an hour in some areas. Transport was badly hit and many homes were without power. The storm was nicknamed St Jude as it was St Jude's Day today. It was the worst storm in the UK for a decade.

Hospital Visiting

Dad has been in hospital since Thursday - with a suspected heart problem again. Last time it turned out to be muscular - this time they are talking about fitting a pace maker or checking he doesn't have a thyroid problem. He sees the consultant on Monday so we will know more then.
Sam sorted out his laptop so he can use that while he is a patient.

First Christmas Celebration

As Pip and Liam will be in Australia for Christmas Pip wanted to have a pre Christmas get together. Pip leaves on Friday so it had to be early!
We met up with Liam's family in Bedford and they had booked us a table at The Higgins Pantry. We had some great Italian food and it was good to catch up with people and exchange Christmas gifts with the young ones. We bought Pip a sparkly unicorn jumper which she wore for the evening - but she certainly won't be wearing it on Christmas day lol.

Slow Cooker Recipe

I made this delicious soup in the slow cooker ready for Sam getting home from Dublin - it was delicious!

Red Lentil and Tomato Soup

Knob of butter (optional)
Handful red lentils
2 tins chopped tomatoes
Small carton passatta
1 onion chopped
2 carrots grated
Pinch dry garlic (or fresh)
Pinch of mixed herbs (or fresh)
Veg stock cube
Salt
Pepper
Pinch sugar
A little water maybe 300ml
Mix. Cook in slow cooker for as long as you like but until all veg cooked and soft
Blend (optional)

There was some left over which we added meatballs to and served with spaghetti - and it made a great meal with a portion to freeze too.

Relaxation

Time for everyone to relax!

Baby's Heartbeat 18 weeks

Walk at Ashridge

A lovely walk in the Autumn sunshine. The dogs had fun exploring. I saw at least seven different types of fungi in the hour we were walking.