Birthdays and Bad Backs!

Yesterday was my 49th birthday! I had some lovely presents:

Jamie's 30 Minute Meals Recipe Book, Any Human Heart DVD,

 

lots of gardening bits, lots of gorgeous flowers and a fantastic portrait from my youngest daughter. 

The day was rounded off by yummy chocolate cake and my weekly dose of CSI.

 

Yes, I had a lovely day apart from the fact I am recovering from a bad back. I guess I'm fortunate really because I have only suffered back problems a handful of times. I am almost completely back (excuse the pun) to normal now, but there is still the hint of pain and stiffness if I do certain things, like vacuuming, (I don't miss that), and  the last two sessions at my upholstery class have been out, (I do miss that).

It is so frustrating though because tonight I am joining the audience of Radio 4's 'Any Questions' and we have to sit on school chairs for over two hours.  

I love 'Any Questions' - far less ego polishing and bashing than BBC1's 'Question Time'. At least, as it is on radio, nobody will see me sitting like I have a board attached to my back. I just hope I don't have to read out my question!

Getting Comfortable

Well, here we are in 2011 and life here has become a little less hectic. So I'm taking this opportunity, (the dog is asleep and the cat is sunbathing in the window), to post a blog. I hope you all had a lovely Christmas and New Year. I know Mrs Bun has posted some wonderful images of our family festivities so please excuse me if I just jump right into January 2011.

It has taken a little while for Mowgli to get used to Rosie, but now we have a peaceful coexistence most of the time! In fact, I think they will be as close as a dog and cat can be, although they haven't taken to sleeping together yet - just very close!

Rosie is on a waiting list to start training classes so I have been concentrating on the basics. 

She now walks beautifully on the lead with just a hint of a pull when we first leave the house. She sits and lies down on command. Her recall is almost 99%! But she still loves to chase the cat at times and doesn't always want to come back when she is playing with friends. We are working on her not jumping up every time she wants to say "Hello".  And she doesn't really like being left alone in the house and can chew things she shouldn't if she can get at them,  like my welly boots! But this behavior is gradually getting better as she grows to realise that we are not going to pass her on to another home.

Rosie is now just over six months old and full of beans. She loves her food and playing ball. She is happy and lively and about the same age as Misha was when we adopted her. Rosie reminds me of Misha in many ways, but is also very different. She is lean and very active. She has a very strong will, and the most amazingly clear eyes that seem almost impossible to photograph and do her justice! Yes, she is a very bright young thing all round and I couldn't imagine life without her now. 

Shine Rosie, shine!

Introducing Rosie!

I just can't believe that more than a month has passed since I posted the photo of Mowgli in the washing machine!

Well, those of you who follow my Sister's blog will have read her exciting news about the adoption approval. I know Denise and Mr Bun will be superb parents and I am eagerly awaiting becoming an Aunty again to some special little souls. Now that all the children in our family are in their teens or early twenties, it will be lovely to hear the warming tones of children laughing and playing at family get-togethers. How different next Christmas will be! My youngest daughter is the current youngest grandchild at sixteen; when Denise asked her how she felt about not being the youngest anymore, she said: "Oh well, you had all better make the most of it, whilst you still can! Bring it on!"

Talking of adoption, I have recently been approved too, not to adopt a child, but for a bundle of canine fun and energy! Just under three weeks ago, we brought home Rosie.

A big thank you to the Four Paws charity for allowing me to adopt Rosie, (formerly Nica), and for the wonderful work they do fostering and rehoming hundreds of abandoned  and unwanted animals.

Rosie is a Labrador cross Husky and is keeping me on my toes! She is just five months old, has had very little training so far but is very affectionate and intelligent, and I think she will be the kind of dog that my darling Misha would have been proud to have known and would have loved to play with.

Some people may think that I've rushed into getting a dog again but it felt like the right time for me. At times, such as when Rosie mangled my glasses and pooped at the top of the stairs, I have thought: "What have I done?" But then I remember when Misha, at only a few months older, decided to play catch in the garden with my husband's handheld Palm database - amazingly the Palm survived! 

Quick! Hide me, that dog is coming!

Bless! Rosie, oh soo sweet when she is sleeping!

Ssh! Don't tell that darn dog where I am!

And then there are the times when Mowgli runs up to Rosie and smacks her on the nose. She rises to the bait and gives chase, and yes, I know, the dog is not supposed to chase the cat but sometimes it all happens so fast that I'm left reeling, not knowing which way to turn! Reminding me of  a few years ago, when we were having tea with a work friend of Hubby's. Polite conversation was flowing, cakes were being consumed when all of a sudden we heard an almighty rumpus coming from their back garden. Misha had decided to chase some chickens. They didn't tell us they kept free range chickens! We never did get any eggs.
Oh the joys of having a puppy! More news will follow shortly...

And Now For Something Purrfectly Different!

I had planned to empty the overflowing wash basket this morning, but I had a bit of shock when I tried to use the washing machine. It seems our little Mowgli has a much better use for it!

Watch out! I know how to pounce!

Thank you for your kind words over the past few weeks. I hope that you are all happy, healthy and looking forward to Christmas!