Tales from The Shire

Karmacat

Handbags are interesting, aren't they! When I was catsitting last week, the shyer one of the two cats decided to wriggle *inside* my handbag. I have pictures! I'll put them up on my cat website eventually

Fortune_Smiles

Karmacat wrote: »

Handbags are interesting, aren't they! When I was catsitting last week, the shyer one of the two cats decided to wriggle *inside* my handbag. I have pictures! I'll put them up on my cat website eventually

That's so cute Karma

Fortune x

Fortune_Smiles

That was the sound of the last week whizzing by :rotfl:

Mr F has been home for a few days so we've been able to make some progress:

• I have a spreadsheet showing all our expected pensions and the benefits attached
• we have made a decision about materials for the outbuilding repairs and can agree a start date with the builder
• I've booked a date for FDawg's one to one training
• several items on the 'Needed for the House' list have been ticked off
• I've listed/re-listed some items on the Bay of E

Mr F has scheduled a business meeting at the house tomorrow :eek: And last night he mentioned that his colleagues would be here over lunch time :eek: So today's chores will include cleaning up downstairs and baking a cake for coffee and refreshments. I've suggested a sandwich lunch as that is what they'd have if they were in the office. Mr F says he'll be able to claim the costs

Had a few steps back with FDawg on Wednesday but he seems to have made a leap forward since. He has had his first pub visit, his first canal walk, his first canal swim :eek::eek::eek: That bit wasn't planned He missed his footing and in he went. A scary moment for us but he didn't bat an eyelid and at least now we know he can swim. That camping shower may turn out to be the best thing I've bought all year

Right off to start the cleaning... and to find out what FDawg is up to. It's all gone quiet and this morning he has already stolen a pen and one of Mr F's slippers :rotfl:

Have a good Monday all

Fortune x

Fortune_Smiles

I have a long list of chores to complete before the end of the week. A quick trip into the market town and then on to the industrial estate should tick off a good few. The others are 'phone calls which I'll tackle tomorrow as Mr F is out for the day and all should be quiet.

My lovely new neighbour is taking me out to a social tonight so I'll have to have a think about the meal plan.

We are going to chance FDawg at a local show on Saturday. It's only down the road so we can always bring him back if it's too much for him. We have guests staying the night so we don't want to give him too much to cope with. He seems much calmer and is getting the hang of how things work here but we still have a long way to go.

It feels very autumnal here now. I looked out of the window one day this week to see hundreds of swallows lined up on the wires and wheeling around the field. It was amazing to see. And sad too as I know they are starting their journey away for the winter.

Right, better get on.

Fortune x

beanielou

Have a good day

Debtslayer

Hi
Just caught up on your diary
Congratulations getting your dog!
Ref dog trainer you've referred to, we also live in the Shire and I'm sure I know which trainer you're referring to and he's fab!

greent

An advert for these came up on my fbook feed - and I immediately thought of you and brizzle, fs
x
https://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_sc_3_8?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=flip+flop+socks&sprefix=flipflop%2Caps%2C187&crid=21FX0ZH4ID0IV

Fortune_Smiles

greent wrote: »

An advert for these came up on my fbook feed - and I immediately thought of you and brizzle, fs
x
https://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_sc_3_8?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=flip+flop+socks&sprefix=flipflop%2Caps%2C187&crid=21FX0ZH4ID0IV

Now there's an idea Greent - although I think my fall from glamour might be sealed by these :rotfl::rotfl::rotfl:

Debtslayer wrote: »

Hi
Just caught up on your diary
Congratulations getting your dog!
Ref dog trainer you've referred to, we also live in the Shire and I'm sure I know which trainer you're referring to and he's fab!

I hope it's him then Debtslayer. I can't wait for his visit. FDawg is progressing but it's three steps forward and two back most of the time. The trainer did warn me it would be like this though when we spoke on the 'phone.

beanielou wrote: »

Have a good day

Thanks Beanie. You are so good at popping in and supporting people

Fortune x

Fortune_Smiles

... I popped in with an update

The good:

• our builder has ordered the materials for the outbuilding repair and work should start in the next 3 to 4 weeks. It will probably take a further 3 to 4 weeks to complete so we may be finished before Christmas, weather permitting. We'll then be able to move our attic stuff from the annex and start getting that together for B&B
• a few items have sold on the Bay of E
• we have logs and a log store and have tried out the log burner :j It's taking the edge off throughout the house so we can postpone putting the heating on for a bit longer
• FDawg is progressing. He's come so far in just a few weeks and so have I as a new dog owner. There are still some key things to iron out but I am trying different techniques and some seem to be working
• with all the extra walking I've lost 5lbs :j

And the not so good:

• I have exhausted the budget for September and October
• Mr F will be away for most of the rest of the year
• having to take care of FDawg on my own is tying me to the house more than I'd like.

What I'm going to do about it:

• I've been researching dog sitters today. Having someone who could pop in for an hour or so when needed would be a great help. There are a couple of people advertising but no reviews are available for them. Any recommendations would be most welcome. Or if there is anyone in my area (North Shropshire) who'd be interested do contact me. It seems the going rate is £10 per hour.
• sell stuff. We have an annex full of things and some of it should bring in some money
• prioritise spending. There's a lot on the need and want lists and I'm just going to have to be patient.

I'm being very lazy today and ignoring most of my to do list...

...not even sorry.

Have a great day all

Fortune x

Karmacat

Hope you find someone Fortune. I think you're right to want reviews. When my brother and his wife were out all day and got a puppy, they left him with a sitter during the day, but now they think the sitter has created some behavioural problems for him. What about the vet that you're using for him? Do they have recommendations? When I had my cats, the elder one got diabetes, and I couldn't ask a catsitting service to do the injections (when I was on holiday), so I paid a nurse at the practice to do the catsitting and the injections, it was a really good arrangement.