Confessions of a lapsed blogger

It's been a while. I've had stuff going on that just isn't suitable for everyday blogging. Not bad stuff or personal stuff, but stuff that probably isn't of any interest to anyone else. My mother always told me that if I didn't have anything nice to say I shouldn't say it at all. 

I'm not sure that I totally agree with her, but she's dead now, and well, it's one of those things I like to remember about her.

So, what has been going on? Since January (well OK mid-December but that was only two days), we have had the builders in. Anyone who has ever done this will know that the whole process, from architect through planning permission to lying in your new bath, is fraught with emotion. Fragile egos, diva strops and broken nails - and that was just the plumber!

We've had some excellent people working here, and some stinkers too. In fact, one of the stinkers still owes me half a bathroom suite so I'm not naming and shaming just yet. One of the pitfalls of ordering from an overpriced independent retailer.

I do have a long snagging list (Mr B thought it was a 'shagging' list), but as the renovation project draws to a close, the Boxers and I sigh with pleasure at the thought of having our house back, clean and quiet, peaceful and tidy. Bliss!

Mid summer madness

The mad dog woman is taking a few days off. To recover from the mayhem and madness. To be nice to Mr B, and to bond with BriniZozi, and not be Mrs Shouty-Mummy. I'm leaving the chaos behind. The man pulling the kitchen apart, the other man slopping the concrete everywhere, the crazy mole-man, and the annoying pump man who never does what he's supposed to do. 

All these men, who are supposed to be improving the quality of my life but have actually made the last week almost unbearable. On top of which, Dad has been ill and his washing machine broke down. Now, Dad hasn't bought a new appliance in over 30 years, so we had to get the repair man in. That didn't work, so ended up having to buy a new washing machine - on top of the unsuccessful repair bill. It's not worth thinking about, when you're dealing with old Dad's logic.

Anyway, I let them all get on with it yesterday, and I disappeared to the Shackleford fete. I was photographer and dogsbody. It was a busy but fun day. I bumped into Dawn from Me, Myself and I, Himself and Badger Boo. Badger Boo should have won his group in the dog show - shame on you Judge! I wasn't wearing my welly boots, but if I had been, they would have been adorned with the gorgeous purple welly toppers (left) made by the multi-talented Dawn aka Stone Pit Crafts. Get yours here.

Zozi came second in her group, handled in the ring by Mr B, much to my amusement. They both seemed to enjoy it. All the fun of the fete photos are in the Shackleford village photo gallery.

Today is the Woking Cats Protection fundraising event, supported by Jill at Christmas Pie Crafts, who does a wonderful job fostering kittens. Local people, please pop along and give generously, or even adopt a kitten.

Too tired to cook last night, we celebrated our 21st wedding anniversary a few days early with a meal at our favourite little pub, The Donkey in Elstead. It was delicious, as usual. Thank you ♥

'See you' next week with 'Tails from the Forest' ☀ but in the meantime, why not read my new post 'Wild West Surrey' at Surrey Life magazine.

PS. On the Boxer heart health story, I have had several responses and lots of new information. I will be compiling this and reporting back next week.