Baby Olive.....

     .....was born today at mid-day (ish) weighing 7lb.

It's that time of year again.....

        .....sat in my play-room surrounded by glitter ink and mess, listening to my old CDs cos its rubbish Saturday night radio.  Freezing cold outside, the car and garage roof sparkling with heavy frost.    The heater is on by my feet, and Joe is having a little moan cos there's no room for him to lie down in front of it.  He is still wearing his coat, even though it is hours since we went for our walk, just as darkness was falling.  I thought we might go out again before bed, but he refused and shot past me back into the warmth, and I get his message, a canine "no thank you".  

     Thinking about a message from Sara a short while ago, about Stefs mum being attacked and robbed, how badly she was hurt and how frightened she must have been, both at the time and now thinking about been alone again in her home. 

      I wonder about the coming week, the trip to Bristol, the arrival of baby on Thursday, hoping that all goes well for Selina and her little daughter, wondering if she realises just how big a life change they are in for.  If they have half as much pleasure as I did being a parent they are in for a wonderful time, once she is safely in their arms.

    There is some indignant sneezing behind me and a cold nosed dog is licking my ankle, I get the message and move away from the heat for him to squeeze in.  He lays down, for a mere few seconds, before he heaves himself up and resumes his vigil on the top stair.  He is on guard, waiting for Darsh to come home, something to that will not happen for hours yet.

       .......but he stands there and waits patiently, for hours if his doggy brain thinks that it's necessary.

Presents to wrap.....

 

       ....hiding under my scarf on the bed.

He gets a new coat....

     .....and I get....

      

       ......a bowl of windfall apples to peel, cook and stash in the freezer, 2 boxes of peas to soak and cook, also for the freezer and a pot of my favourite lemon curd, which will definitely NOT make it as far as the freezer.  In fact it is half empty already.  I went to Brownhills this morning, for a bit of a wander and a few odds and ends.  I came back with that dogs coat, two warm winter tops for me, a few pressies for someone's birthday tomorrow and my favourite curd.  I always love a jar of lemon or lime curd of this particular brand.  It never lasts for long and I'm looking forward to my breakfast already.

Somebody has got a new coat.....

     .....it must be winter.  Bet none of you girls have worn your Christmas jumpers yet.  Joey you're a trend setter.

      He seems to like it, he trotted round the block very happily.  A neighbour called "I like your new jumper to him as we walked.  He has got such thin fur nowadays that he seems to really feel the cold and soon starts shivering and refusing to walk.  So we try and take more care of him as he gets older and more delicate.  

    

Going for a walk nowadays.....

      .....means walking by myself

    Joe has decided he is much too old for going to the park now.

     I've tried, several times, but he stands there looking so anxious and lost.  He clearly no longer enjoys it.  So I go by myself, telling myself that Joe is the last little dog I will have.
     And then on Sunday morning I sat by the tea stall watching all the dozens of dogs chasing around me, making a fuss of everyone there and generally having a wonderful time.  I came home with paw prints on my jeans, a scalded leg, where one enthusiastic hound knocked my tea over me, very wet feet and thought that maybe, just maybe, I would miss all that doggy fun just a bit too much.

    And Joe was still fast asleep in his bed when I got home.