Ups and downs and ups again

Four seasons in one day

Originally uploaded by prrincess purrplechick.

This last week has been a bit of an emotional rollercoaster.

The joy of having Dexter has made us realise all the more how much we miss Jack. They are so different, but at the same time Dexter has many similarities to Jack. It’s been hard getting used to a puppy and not the laid-back, chilled out dog Jack was around the house. I love Dexter for being Dexter, but I still equally love Jack for being Jack, and sometimes that feels a little weird.

I had a week off, but instead of chilling out as I usually would, sleeping in and mooching around, I was extremely busy looking after Dexter. I had no more than 3 hours unbroken sleep per night, and by the end of the week it took its toll. Sleep deprivation affects people in different ways, but I became anxious and slightly irrational.

Maybe it was the sleep deprivation and my emotional state, or maybe it wasn’t, but I found myself in the midst of an argument with someone I really didn’t (don’t) want to argue with. Thankfully it’s all resolved now, but it made me reassess a few values in my life, and some priorities; which is no bad thing.

In addition to all this, Dexter has kennel cough and still can’t go out for a walk or to meet other dogs and ade is on call and had to do a 6-hour stint Sunday morning. So effectively we were under house arrest for the weekend. Although it was surprisingly nice to mooch round the house after some very hectic weekends recently.

So, this last week I’ve learned that some of the old cliches are true: some clouds do have silver linings; one should always count one’s blessings; everything happens for a reason and you should always let sleeping dogs lie.

Things I have learned in the last 24 hours

- Puppies will chew everything. And I mean everything.
- I reckon it will take about 4 days before Dexter gets on the bed with us, of his own free will. He’s already trying.
- Puppies are sleep, eat and poo machines.
- The gate and trellis area by the back door is not Dexter proof. I nearly lost him at about 1.30 a.m., through the 10cm gap in the gate.
- Using the umbrella to block the steps means that Dexter won’t escape to the back door and might actually wee in the garden.
- The above point means that we all get wet, when it’s raining and blowing a gale.
- Crouching down to puppy level makes your back ache.
- There is nothing cuter than a dog stopping crying when you place your hand on them.
- Dexter will get into everything. And I mean everything.
- It’s not easy to clean up pee at 4 a.m. when you have a puppy swinging off the bottom of your pyjama legs.
- Everyone falls in love with a puppy. Especially one as small yet gorgeous as Dexter.
- Having a shower will be difficult unless I go right now while he’s asleep.

Puppy power!

Cuteness overload

Originally uploaded by prrincess purrplechick.

Meet Dexter, our little bundle of mischief and poo. He’s a lurcher puppy.

Poor little Dexter is only 8 weeks old but has already had a harsh life. He was one of 2 litters of pups born to dogs on a travellers’ site. The puppies were starving, the mothers weren’t fed enough to be able to feed the pups, and so they were rescued.

Dexter comes from a litter of 5; the other litter had 10 puppies and sadly only 4 survived. They just weren’t strong enough to make it The pups from Dexter’s litter are all doing well though, eating lots and being very boisterous.

We picked Dexter up today from Bristol, coincidentally only about 4 miles away from the University hospital where we took Jack. There are other coincidences too: the organisation that rescued Dexter was the one we gave some of Jack’s stuff to. Dexter even looks a little like Jack.

So now we are embarking on the fun that is house training. We’ve already had several little accidents but it’s to be expected. He’s just starting to recognise his name, but knows no commands yet. All he does is eat, sleep and play This first night with him should be fun!

News

Well, there’s so much to catch up on.

I’m not sure whether we did Brighton, or Brighton did us, but I think Steve’s blog tells the story far better than I ever could.

Our friends got married (the people not the cars) which involved much tequila, sambucca, rum (we’re Navy seals!), Baileys, vodka & Red Bull and Jack Daniels & coke in addition to wine, champagne and mulled wine.

And we have some major news that will be breaking tomorrow. Stay tuned!

I’m sure it’s wrong….

It’s wrong, wrong, wrong-itty wrong on so many levels, but I can’t help it.

I have to admit it, it’s my guilty secret that’s making me feel so ashamed.

I hope that you all forgive me.

I like the last two Justin Timberlake singles.

Surprise package

Wagon Wheel

Originally uploaded by prrincess purrplechick.

Today I received a small package through the internal mail in work, addressed to me personally.

On opening it, I found a wagon wheel. Which you have to admit, is a pretty random thing to have sent through the work internal mail system.

I can vaguely remember talking to someone about wagon wheels, and complaining that they now seem smaller. I also explained that I like to eat them by eating the top, then the marshmallow from the middle, and then the bottom. I said that I hadn’t had one for years; the person I was speaking to offered one. And clearly followed up on that offer.

If only I could remember who that person was, I could thank them….

Batten down the hatches

I’m preparing myself for winter. It actually feels like I’m preparing for war, and to a certain extent I am. I’m determined to do all I can not to succumb to Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) this year. Every year for the last few years it’s been getting worse, and I’m determined to turn that around as much as I can.

So yesterday I bought a lightbox, which I can sit in front of to get an approximation of sunlight. I bought vitamins and herbal remedies to boost my immune system and my mood. I also bought a pair of furry boots to keep my feet warm, and a pair of walking boots so that I’ll be encouraged to get out and walk in the sun on weekends. I’m going to start walking during my lunch break – unfortunately the only place to walk is around the crematorium next to my office, but at least it’s green and there will be flowers there!

The worst time for me is January, but hopefully by the time it swings round I will have done enough preparation that it’s not that bad. We shall see.

Brrr!

Leafy frost

Originally uploaded by prrincess purrplechick.

I mentioned yesterday about the ice on the car. There was a lot more this morning.

Winter really seems to have kicked in with a vengeance, almost like someone flicked a switch. It’s due to drop to -2 tonight, and -7 in certain places (like near where my parents live).

At least I have my penguin shaped hot water bottle to keep me warm!

1 November

Hmmm. Today has turned out to be one of those days that seem like a start of a new stage.

This morning, my car was covered in ice and I had to sit for 5 minutes to clear the ice off the windscreen. So it seems today is the start of winter.

I started my new job today. A promotion (albeit on a temporary basis for now), in a new section (although similar work). More responsibility, less staff management, a fancier job title.

Today is also the first day of 24HP2. And all the pictures I took (of the icy car, and plane contrails in the sunset) were lost as the memory card decided to pack up.

It was also 2 months yesterday since Jack died, and I feel like I’ve entered a new stage in the grieving process.

Things are moving on, and that might not be such a bad thing.