Attempting to get rid of the bug!

Awoke this morning after a pretty crap night regarding sleep, feeling a wee bit better. Though still feeling nauseous.
Slept until 1100h yesterday awoke still feeling mince and nauseous, had a light breakfast,stayed in bed reading. Up for dinner which I did enjoy though wish this nausea would GO!. To bed slept better.
Up this morning breakfast then washed my hair and had a shower, feeling a wee bit more with it.
The family came over and they all went for a walk with Ruaridh into Ravelston woods, I stayed in and made bread hoping fingers crossed to get up to the cottage tomorrow.
Coffee and cake on their return. Graham made a delicious fish pie for dinner which I really enjoyed starting to get things ready for heading North tomorrow. Bye.

Rude!

Are people getting ruder or is it just me! Started to feel pretty crap yesterday afternoon for no reason at all, shivery, aching and feeling of nausea this all lessened and I slept well. Up with mum as she is getting her train back to the Red Rose County, had our breakfast, light for me as I am still feeling somewhat mince.
Needless to say we had a lovely Christmas Day with the family, I'm sure mum really enjoyed it. Her meal, the company and the sing song:) Bella was in her element and got amazing gifts as did we all, big thanks to Joe, Layla and Bella for having us it was lovely. Especially Graham and moi's rendering of 'I've got you babe'.
All into the car took mum up to the station, got her onto the train. First I was told that a luggage space was reserved for someone, first I ever heard of that, told the woman so who immediately looked away. Then you guessed, some jerk was sat in mum's space, usual excuse me-- let me see your reservation said he, as it was mum I showed it to him, so him and his wife moved. Apparently they moved four times on the journey!
Mum arrived home safe and sound, thanks to Catherine who picked her up!
Graham and moi took the Wonder Dog for a walk in Ravelston woods where he played with Hugo and Dylan.
Back home scrambled eggs on toast and tea, then started to ache and shiver again 1900h to bed hot and sweaty night, feel crap! Goodnight!

Out to Lunch

Today we went for lunch with the 'crew'. Sorry no blog yesterday very busy chasing my tail amongst other things! Just to say mum arrived up on the train safe and sound. Lunch was OK but the restaurant we went to was empty, most of the food appeared to be bland in fact I don't think they will go there again. Having said that mum enjoyed her garlic bread and bruschetta starters and the wee one had great fish and chips!
Ruaridh stayed in the car he had a good walk in the woods in the morning, and came with me to get the halibut I had ordered for Christmas eve dinner.
Quite a lazy afternoon left all the pressies at Layla and Joe's excitement mounting!
Back home made a soda bread and we had that with cheese for a light meal this evening.
Going to town with Graham tomorrow to finish our shopping, weather to bad for mum to go out.
To bed. Goodnight.

Hair day!

Yesterday just seemed to arrive and go so no Blog. Up and about early as Graham had a meeting and required the car for same. So after breakfast the Wonder Dog and moi set off to walk in the snow to the studio to pick up the car and drivr to Layla's as Bella and her wre looking after Ruaridh whilst I went to have my hair done.
Bella was in good form, and said she would look after the dog! Over to the hairdresser's Iain was waiting which makes a change. Had my hair done in a new style very nice. Left to go and do a shop at Asda did that then back to the family for lunch. Had a wee play then over to Ocean Terminal to try and get some last minute presents.
Graham came to pick me up and then we drove home. Graham made Paella for dinner which was very good, sadly the tortillas I had bought were fusty!
Cleaned the bathroom and the stairs, ways behind with some things that will just have to be let go. Very tired to bed. Goodnight!

Bobs and Bits!

Layla is feeling a wee bit better and Joe was feeling OK so they said they would be alright for today. Layla is still feeling very weak, so Joe and Miss B are going to go for their Christmas tree.
Up quite early saw to Ruaridh then had a wash before going for the paper. Fry up for breakfast which tasted good. Phoned mum she can hear now, apparently lots of wax in her ears, though later she said she had dropped her earring aid and there was something wrong with it!!
To Ravelston woods and the park with Ruaridh who had a good play with some Springer spaniels, Graham is not feeling to well so when I went over to the supermarket he stayed in the house with Ruaridh. Donned my rain jacket as it was raining, before I got to the supermarket "Auld Reekie had turned white due to a really heavy snow shower a 'white out'.
Back home made dough for bread, finished Christmas cards, got the bedroom ready for mum and started on our room?? Had a cuppa and oatcakes, made the bread and carried on cleaning. Graham made delicious minestrone soup for dinner but didn't appear to enjoy it due to feeling wabbit. I had two platefuls it was lovely. Graham away to bed with his computer to watch TV. Me catching up with things! Bye.

Empty!

It was freezing this afternoon as just me, you and Ruaridh (Bella's statement) set off for a walk down the cycle path and to the park.
Poor Layla was feeling worse think she has a bad attack of the Noro virus, so she is staying in bed, she felt like some tonic water so Bella and moi got wrapped up warmly and went to Mr Ali's shop. Got some salt as well as the sleet/snow that came down yesterday is frozen and it is very cold. Held onto the wee ones hands and walking backwards I slid her along, great fun. Bella decided she wanted some apple juice so bought that as well!
Back home Ruaridh delighted to see us, we played at building farmyards, read more books and did some jigsaws. Had big fat noodles for lunch then decided to go for a walk with the Wonder Dog to blow the cobwebs away.
We went onto the cycle path and Ruaridh loved the frozen snow, very busy, walking quickly in front of us! We got to the park and went along to the small playpark it was so cold we were the only people on the park hence the opening statement:) Bella had a go on the slide and roundabout then onto the swing which she can 'go' herself now. Walked back and Bella posted our Christmas cards. Poor Layla still feeling wabbit, read numerous books to the wee one then her mummy read her one. As I was reading later found myself dozing off must be coming in from the cold I guess. All day we kept singing 'I'm going on a Bear Hunt' then when Bampa came we sang 'Jingle Bells'. Joe arrived so when all settled we left for home. Paella for dinner, wee bit tired to bed. Goodnight.

Bella Day !

Phone call from Layla this morning as she was feeling mince, I was going over to theirs later so just went over with Graham to be with the wee one so that Layla could rest! Poor layla she was really unwell and when I arrived she went straight back to bed.
As a big treat and as sleet was coming down outside, Bella and moi watched some of the children's TV. Some of it was quite good and they made interesting things. We played games did jigsaws and read numerous books, must say some of the books the wee one has are brilliant. Love the stories, especially the one written 70years ago in France about a wee girl called Madeline, Bella and moi love her! Had sausages for lunch, then as I had to go to the post office with some cards and parcels Bampa came over to stay with the wee one and Ruaridh, it was freezing outside!
Once Joe arrived home and everything was reasonable settled we left for home, will be over tomorrow.
Called in at Waitrose to grab a few goodies for dinner. Pasta with fresh tomato, garlic, chilli, basil in olive oil sauce-delicious!
Poor Ruaridh he only got a small walk from the studio to Layla's, however we took him to the park at night and he met Jasper a doggie chum and they had a great play, then a walk up Strachen Rd so he got over the shock of getting up early. Writing some Christmas cards then bed. Bye.

Another Chance Meeting!

Later than usual in taking Ruaridh for his constitutional this morning, as after breakfast I had a shower and washed my hair, glad that I did as I bumped into an old colleague/friend Lorraine B. Just as I was coming down from the woods with Ruaridh she was coming up with her 15 month old black labrador. She recognised me, she was one of the best Charge Nurses I ever worked with at the hospital, a great administrator but also hands on person. Had a great chat and the dogs had a great play as we have a mutual friend hoping to meet for a coffee. Also heard via email from another young woman I worked with, hoping to meet her for a coffee too--in the New Year! Went to get fish from Kev.
Came home caught up on blogs and blip, spoke to Layla and Bella both appear fine they are off to gym-nippers. Also spoke to mum she is feeling better going to her Ladies Fellowship today. Had a veggie bacon and egg sandwhich for lunch delicious. Wrapped up some presents for Europe then took the Wonder Dog to the park and around the block. Did some knitting.
Graham late home, fish and rice with tomato sauce for dinner --Hmmm. Going to watch Art of Russia on BBC 4. Bye

Waterstones

Bopped into Waterstones bookshop today to have a quickie look at the books. Had a lovely surprise when I bumped into Richard M who I did a University course with a few years ago, lovely to see him and to hear that he is now manager of this store. Also good to catch up with his personnal news, appears we have been in close proximity on more that one occasion but have not met up, sometimes it is a small world!
Took Ruaridh to the woods met up with Ziggy and Jock so The Wonder Dog had a great play with them both. Back home got the dinner ready for tonight pasta al forno. Had lunch then took Ruaridh to the park and around the block before going to meet Miss B.
Met up with Bella she is a wee star, into the buggy got the crackers and juice organised then off we go to meet her mummy. Bella just loved to see the Christmas lights on the trees and buildings, lovely to see the sparkle from them in her eyes. Met up with Layla, saw some of her colleagues wished them all the best, then armed with Layla's gifts and bags a go go set off to get the bus.
Didn't have to wait long, Bampa was at home Ruaridh as is usual delighted to see us all. Bella played with her clay from little school, I made the pasta al forno, salad and homemade bread which we ate once Joe arrived, tasted lovely.
Family stayed for a wee while then away home. Did bits and bobs then to bed. Goodnight.

Roast Potatoes!

Today dawned cold though the mist had disappeared, up with Ruaridh had breakfast then after a wash set of to Ravelston woods and the park. Met his friend Jock and they had a great play.
Back home did some ironing then lunch, made myself sit down and listen to the afternoon play on Radio 4 'The Tobacco Merchant's Lawyer' set in Glasgow in the 1780's very good.
Made dough for the bread also started to get the leek quiche ready we are having for dinner this evening. Then time to take the Wonder Dog to the park and up Strachan Rd, back home carried on baking the bread and making the dinner.
Graham arrived home stopped for a cuppa, got the tatties ready for roasting, Joe got this recipe out of 'Good Housekeeping' and delicious the tatties are.
Peel the potatoes then place in cold water, bring to the boil and boil for 1 minute, pour off the water, transfer tatties to a baking tin/tray that has olive oil in it that has been warmed in the oven. Place tatties on high shelf in oven roast for 30/45 minutes at Gas reg 8/9 240C checking periodically amazing results!
So leek quiche roast tatties and peas for dinner.
Did some knitting then to bed. Goodnight.

Frost and fog.

Left the West coast around 1400h today travelled most of the way in fog, awoke in the morning to a thick frost covering everything. We had travelled over to the West on Saturday in a thick fog but arriving at our destination the fog lifted. We spent the night with our chums Bob&Bets in West Kilbride and had a super night with them, good company, good food, wine and a log fire. Ruaridh had to share the house with Scruffy Bets son's dog they played quite a lot and snarled once or twice! Up and about this morning, down to the little Glen by 0830h with Bets and the dogs, lovely wee place. Back to the house breakfast and a chat, shower then down to the beach with the dogs very misty. Back at the house quick cuppa, oatcakes and cheese then fond bye, byes and on our way.
Arrived home around 1600h another cuppa, oatcakes and cheese, phoned Layla Bella who had been sick earlier was better. Phoned mum she has been doing a bit too much and is tired, asked her to take things easy for a day or two and rest!
Made sweet potato soup, had this for dinner with crackers. Spoke with Mick L. Very tired to bed. Goodnight.

Misty

Today dawned misty and cold. Ruaridh and moi had a lovely walk in Ravelston woods and park though at times it was quite eerie, at others quite magical. Met up with quite a few dogs and Ruaridh had a great play.
Back home did my blip then saw to some business got items ordered for home and abroad. Had lunch thought I would curl up on the sofa in the afternoon and watch a movie on TV didn't happen. Spoke with Layla, Bella still has a little cold but they are busy as they are having friends to dinner tonight.
Made the batter as we are having veggie toad-in-the-hole for dinner. Then took Ruaridh for a walk to the park and up Strachan Rd then home. Did some ironing.
Dinner of veggie-toad-in-the-hole, mashed tatties and carrots was delicious. Bye.

Movies

Hoping to go to the movies tonight, we didn't, would have loved to have seen the film the White Ribbon but as it was rather an intense dark film and both of us were tired we decided to give it a miss. Had a lovely veggie risotto for dinner followed with a glass of Red. Spent the evening blipping, blogging and listening to Graham giving his iPhone instructions and it is carrying them out freaky or what, dislike it, too much.
Up and about, breakfast, wash then out with the Wonder Dog he is a fun wee dog we had a lovely walk in Ravelston woods today. He now stops at one point I carry on around the corner, he watches me but with an eye open for squirrels, foxes and other prey. As soon as I am level with him again he bounds off on an adventure, we then catch up and down to the park. Saw Fergus the tree surgeon he is getting a dog a Staffordshire bull terrier--leave that one!
Spoke to mum she appears to be in good form, busy. Bella was at her playgroup party today doesn't appear to have been much fun!
Made lots of phone calls today did some knitting, then got stuck into the ironing. Took the wee fellow to the park then up Strachan Rd.
Graham home had a cuppa. Bye.

Brakes-CarI

Today the car was booked into the garage to get the brakes done and get a new headlight! so Ruaridh and moi dropped graham off and made our way to the garage. the guys there always give me a laugh and are very interested in blipfoto.com where they have featured on more than one occasion!
Left the garage and the Wonder Dog and moi walked down towards Leith links where we were going to meet Layla and Bella then on to the allotment, walked around the links and not long after saw the two girls coming towards us. No-one at the allotment but it all looked quite good, collected the remaining red tomatoes and chillis, hoed and covered a couple of beds then had to leave as it started to rain, as the sun was still shining albeit weakly we saw a lovely rainbow.
Back at Layla's had lunch, then as the car was ready went to get it Layla and Bella dropped me off. The guys at the garage want another image on blipfoto, as the one of them is almost a year ago!! I told Graham as he took the last one. They actually took time to show me the photo and were delighted with the comments, some rather saucy!
Back to Layla's played with Bella and read stories an amazing one 'Madeline' about a wee French girl written almost seventy years ago! Graham came we stayed a wee while then left for home, called at Waitrose on the way to get messages.
Fish, chips, peas and parsley sauce for dinner lovely.
Watched Art of Russia (Out of the Forest) on BBC 4 interesting! Bye

Bella day:)

As Miss B still has quite a bad cough, she didn't go to little school today. Layla took the morning off then at 1200h they arrived at ours for lunch and Bella to keep me company for the afternoon. We had lunch then Layla left for work, Bella and moi had a great afternoon we did jigsaws, read, bounced on the bed! and then donned our outside clothes to get last years Christmas tree into the open to check it out for this year-doubt it will do!
Up early saw to Ruaridh then breakfast, wash and after Graham left we went to the park and Ravelston woods. Had a great walk, the woods were magical, the low sun streaming through the trees, lighting them and the ground up, the light frost melting in the sun giving off a mist so lovely to walk through.
Back home made the dinner for tonight pasta al forno and salad which when we ate it tasted delicious, Bella had chips and vegeburger. Dessert was a lovely Birthday cake that Bella had decorated to take to little school, as she couldn't go, we ate it delicious.
Just watched Imagine--Joan Baez on BBC 1 what a great lady. Enjoyed this. Now to bed. Goodnight.

Old Friend

Today I opened my on-line mail and there was a message from an old friend! Lovely to hear from her. She is now living in Ohio in the good old USA. It must be almost fifteen+ years since I last saw her and the family here in Edinburgh, so it is good to set up communication again.
Up and about with the Wonder dog, breakfast, wash then lots of phone calls before setting off for Corstorphine hill with the wee fellow. Only thing was we never got to the Hill as Ruaridh pulled over to the park and Ravelston woods which he appears to love. Glad he did as he met lots of dogs and had a good play with them, in fact we were out of the house for one and half hours.
Back home continued with business calls, then cleaned the bathroom before having lunch. After lunch started to clean the sitting room what a load of rubbish we collect, binned some will shred the rest of the paper!
Took Ruaridh round the park and up Strachan Rd. Graham home had a cuppa, we are having smoked haddock in cream sauce with pasta and salad for dinner. Lovely.
Hoping to get on with my knitting tonight. Bye.

Birthday Girl

Today Bella celebrated her 'Numero 3' Birthday. Bampa and moi sang Happy Birthday to her from our bed this morning, then arrived at the house to see her blow out her Birthday Candles at 1445h.Bella had a cough and cold but wanted her party to go on, she had invited some of her wee chums Joe and Layla had worked like crazy, so the party went on and was enjoyed by all. When we arrived all were in good spirits including the grown ups, lovely to see everyone. Time to go home and the children got their goodie bags and Bella wondered where hers was:)
Bella got lots of lovely presents from family and friends, she got a lovely shop that her mummy and daddy made and the wee till got lots of use.
We stayed for dinner and Ruaridh had a great time vacuuming up the remains of the children's food!
Read to Bella who fell asleep and had a good rest, pasta with pesto sauce and garlic bread for dinner courtesy of Joe. We then had a play at shop and cafe's before bella got ready for bed and we left for home.
Phoned my aunt as my mother said my uncle was not well, awaiting a scan doesn't sound very good.
Did my blip now catching up on my Blog as I have been away for a few days. Goodnight.

Frosty Day

Awoke this morning to 'Jack Frost' having been busy overnight, lovely crisp feel to the morning. Up early as Graham had a meeting at 0900h, saw to Ruaridh made breakfast then when Graham left had a shower and washed my hair. Next got the wee fellow organised and we set off for the park and Ravelston woods, very icy but lovely to be out in the cold when well wrapped up. Had a good walk, Ruaridh had a good play with a Cocker spaniel called Fen short for Nurofen great name, threw sticks on the park the wee fellow had a good time chasing them!
Back home made some business calls, then made shepherdess pie for dinner which we all enjoyed with peas and pickled gherkins, followed by plum crumble and custard or ice cream. The wee one had veggie burger, potatoes and peas then ice cream.
Had lunch then took the Wonder Dog to the park again as today I meet up with Bella. Stopped off on the High Street to see to some messages then walked on to get Bella, who had got the chocolate coin off the Advent calender! She wanted to get the bus but was so pleased to see all the Christmas trees with their lights on when we got off. She was delighted with the Big wheel on Princes St. and said the lights looked like fireworks!
Home, played some games and bounced on the bed then her Daddy and Bampa arrived, so I finished the dinner then Layla arrived. We all enjoyed our dinner, Bella had books read to her and did her circus tricks and ate all her food. te family left as Layla, Bella and moi are away to visit the memsahib for a couple of nights so no blog till I get back. Goodnight.