Spring Army Manoeuvres - March 21

[rustop59]

Re: Spring Army Manoeuvres - March 21

Good morning everyone. You would really wonder do these people sit down and plan it out how to screw up so spectacularly Bridget. Bit like that in our public service here or some sections of it. No accountability is part of the problem. Deep breaths, you will soon be out of there.

Glad your friends are rallying round Brit, how is your poor daughter who lives in Norway? So hard being away from you all. Weather today was promised horrible but the sun was shining this morning and even though it was chilly I managed to get a walk with the doggies. Off now to buy fish for dinner and maybe get a nice coffee.

[JackieClaire]

Re: Spring Army Manoeuvres - March 21

Morning and waves to the world.
What is the point of alcohol-free wine let alone prosecco?
As of Monday, we're allowed to meet 6 people in our garden. It does mean that Jenny and Ads can come for a visit and sit and freeze their butts off while we set the neighbourhood on fire trying to get the fire pit going.
And the clocks go back this weekend............

[MENTION=22839]brit[/MENTION]....:hug: Breaking the day up is an excellent idea. I'm only a text away.

Wonder if Molls has strangled anyone at work yet.

[NoSugar]

Re: Spring Army Manoeuvres - March 21

Ok, dog people, I need HELP! Puppy is very calm and settled while we are eating, working, watching TV, etc. which is really appreciated. However, if we are trying to do something like cook or clean, she woofs at us, waits a bit, woofs again, and does not let up. I've tried giving her a treat during the quiet interludes and praising her for being quiet and settled but so far, limited success. Any advice would be great!!

I tried 'recreating the experience' with no alcohol wine several years ago but it just set up the wants for the real thing (plus it tasted awful). The same thing happens to me with treats that are sweet but don't contain sugar - causes the dormant cravings to re-emerge. Nothing is just easier for both my addictions, I guess.

Apparently, non-alcoholic wines are a rapidly growing market so the quality might improve (Does Wine Lose Its Spirit When the Alcohol Is Removed? - The New York Times) but I think I'll be better off without even the good ones.
This is good news for people who are satisfied with a non-alcoholic wine, though.

[mollyka]

Re: Spring Army Manoeuvres - March 21

Morning and waves to the world.
What is the point of alcohol-free wine let alone prosecco?
As of Monday, we're allowed to meet 6 people in our garden. It does mean that Jenny and Ads can come for a visit and sit and freeze their butts off while we set the neighbourhood on fire trying to get the fire pit going.
And the clocks go back this weekend............

[MENTION=22839]brit[/MENTION]....:hug: Breaking the day up is an excellent idea. I'm only a text away.

Wonder if Molls has strangled anyone at work yet.

Believe it or not JC -- it came very very close -- I have been semi-noncommital to whether to work 2.5 years up to my retirement age or disappearing into poverty next year instead -- poverty has won the day -- oh latherin heart of jesus -- I wasn't there 10 mins when I wanted to kill Ruth.. and apparently there's a promotion there with my name on it -- would only have to turn up to an interview -- no -- just no -- after tax it would mean about 20 quid a week and NOTHING would be worth it -- I'd have to actually engage with all those muppets and pretend I like them -- I'll stick with my unambitious pals like myself even if they do work elsewhere --- no -- not doing it! This poxy phone and laptop to all intents and purposes are 'tracking devices' -- if you aren't online all day it comes up that you are unavailable -- feck that!

Ask the experts bout the dog NS -- from what you say she sounds angelic -- wish our fella would be 'calm and settled' at ANY time of day:egad:

right -- going to make a beef and ginger and chili stir fry --- starvin marvin!

[JackieClaire]

Re: Spring Army Manoeuvres - March 21

At this time of your life, you should be gliding into retirement relaxed with the knowledge you did a blooming good job while you are there and they should be grateful you haven't murdered anyone.
Its the AWD that gets me (Away from Desk)........or in other words gone to the toilet.

[MENTION=18725]NoSugar[/MENTION]..........we've got the opposite problem........... Mikey is so quiet, in fact too quiet. Whereas Bess would bark at a falling leaf. We need something in the middle.

I'd bet good money Starty will have the answer.

[starty]

Re: Spring Army Manoeuvres - March 21

Morning all,

Brit, so glad your friends are helping and that you managing your day so it feels a bit easier to get through.

Gawd Molls, run for the hills defo. I took a promo a couple of years ago when all I really wanted was a quieter life. It was not my finest decision but I kind of felt obliged to take it.

Non alcohol wine was a waste of money for me and a pointless exercise

NS its great that pup has periods of calm. So to me that tells me she knows how to be calm but as soon as you start moving, she thinks its time to play. Or it could even be a bit of separation anxiety if she doesnt leave your side at all? If it was me, I would be teaching her calm in different scenarios. Has she been crate trained? If she has, can you teach her time out in her crate? That absolutely doesnt mean locking her away for ages but teaching her that the crate is her den and place for peace and quiet. Does she follow you whenever you move? Can you give her bone or stuffed kong or even a puzzle toy to keep her occupied and teach her that time away from you is OK? Obvioulsy to start, will only be a few mins but like all training it can be built up. Also, without realising it you might be rewarding her for her barking so she carries it on. The vid i posted above might help to teach her calm. From that you can practise doing it at distance, then add duration and then distraction ie calm when you are hoovering for example. I do feel for you guys with pups, it isnt easy.

JC although you are lucky Mikey is quiet, I bet you would like a bit more engagement Maybe no one has ever really played with him. Have you tried any games with him? I like to teach my boys really simple stuff like chin rests (when they rest their chin on something like a target) or point their nose at something or even just to follow my hand so they weave through my legs. Just to increase our relationship a bit more and its fun.

[brit]

Re: Spring Army Manoeuvres - March 21

Good morning. Nothing much to say as I am just doing one day at a time. Trying to push my feelings down until I am ready to face my sadness.
The doggie stuff sounds very fulfilling and entertaining but such hard work.

Rustop I do worry about my daughter in Oslo, she lives on her own although she has lots of friends, she has to grieve on her own.

Again thank you for all your supportive comments it means a lot to me.

[mollyka]

Re: Spring Army Manoeuvres - March 21

Morning all! Oh I've already run for the hills Starty --- I had an inkling this was going to be put on my plate before lockdown but put it out of my mind -- no regrets!!! Imagine a dog TOO quiet -- tho I s'pose it's like a small child -- if they're awful quiet that is a big worry too.. yeah - (not that I know anything about dogs - but with children) very likely he has never experienced interacting with people properly and play -- play is so important to all little creatures - human and animal alike! Be careful not to over-do it tho or you'll end up with a Max -- christ -- every day we seem to have (SORT OF) solved one of our problems (jumping up - eating food off counters in kit hen etc) he decides to give us new problems -- not in a million YEARS would I have allowed a dog in the house if I'd known what it entails - mind you - I said the same about kids!

Lovely morning here - thought the weather forecast was awful -- we may be REALLY bold and slightly break our 5k limit to go on a new (little) walk... and THAT is the highlight of the day... the excitement never ever ends ;-)

Besides the muppets and them being irritating - it was lovely being back in the library --- the smell of the books and just structure --- I will be glad to get back -- now how to get rid of the muppets - the striving will all start up again for that promotion -- they will be like rats up a drainpipe and will drive me BANANAS with the striving and arse licking...

MrsA -- it really is just a matter of living day by day alright -- but I know with my pal who lost her husband - she said it quite suddenly started just not to be all consuming - and she remembers the morning she woke up and it wasn't the first thought in her mind... she said initially it felt like a betrayal of her husband - but then -- she just realised her own life was continuing and she allowed it to feel good -- but in the meantime -- you need to grieve whatever way you feel you can do it... just mind yourself sweetheart xxx

[starty]

Re: Spring Army Manoeuvres - March 21

Mr S was offered a job yesterday. Highly paid and for some would be a dream but stressful of course. He said absolutely no thanks immediately. He is happy doing his minimum wage part time role and no way would he go back to the rat race. I think this lock down has taught us a lot like how to live in the moment and not worry so much.

More bad news re Mr s auntie, stage 4 cancer and not long to live. Very sad and brings back clearly the loss of mum with the same illness

Weather is gorgeous here although quite cold and windy. Mini heatwave next week for the days I am working then back to cold. Typical.

Re muppets. I find if I can just gloat a bit at my own situation it helps :haha:

[mollyka]

Re: Spring Army Manoeuvres - March 21

Mr S was offered a job yesterday. Highly paid and for some would be a dream but stressful of course. He said absolutely no thanks immediately. He is happy doing his minimum wage part time role and no way would he go back to the rat race. I think this lock down has taught us a lot like how to live in the moment and not worry so much.

More bad news re Mr s auntie, stage 4 cancer and not long to live. Very sad and brings back clearly the loss of mum with the same illness

Weather is gorgeous here although quite cold and windy. Mini heatwave next week for the days I am working then back to cold. Typical.

Re muppets. I find if I can just gloat a bit at my own situation it helps :haha:

Haha ..yup..it sure helps!
Sorry bout your aunt-in-law...70's is far too young to die nowadays...it's funny ..in my lifetime life expectancy is so different...my dad died at 62 and no one thought that was madly young to die..so did Joe's dad achully...62 as well.
Heatwave from Monday yay! Sounds lovely...May be like last spring..
Right going to get dressed and off to nice spot to walk
Laters gaters xx

[rustop59]

Re: Spring Army Manoeuvres - March 21

Mr S was offered a job yesterday. Highly paid and for some would be a dream but stressful of course. He said absolutely no thanks immediately. He is happy doing his minimum wage part time role and no way would he go back to the rat race. I think this lock down has taught us a lot like how to live in the moment and not worry so much.

More bad news re Mr s auntie, stage 4 cancer and not long to live. Very sad and brings back clearly the loss of mum with the same illness

Weather is gorgeous here although quite cold and windy. Mini heatwave next week for the days I am working then back to cold. Typical.

Re muppets. I find if I can just gloat a bit at my own situation it helps :haha:

Good morning everyone. Think that is very true Starty, no point worrying until the time comes. Sorry about Mr A’s aunt. Hard at the best of times but even harder now. Mr S seems to have made the right decision regarding work. Same with you Brit, any other time your daughter could hop on a plane and spend a weekend with you.

Myself and hubby going down to Avoca to the garden centre. It’s an Irish store with lovely food and an even nicer garden centre. That’s the highlight of the weekend.

[JackieClaire]

Re: Spring Army Manoeuvres - March 21

Morning and waves to the world,
[MENTION=22839]brit[/MENTION] :hug: Hang on in there. Not long until we're all vaccinated and you can get over there to see her.
Its 6 weeks since we got Mikey. He moves at the speed of lightning. Leave the door half a centimetre open and he's off upstairs lying in the middle of our bed.
When I say quiet he's not like Bess who would bark at a falling leaf two streets away. I've no worries about his quietness I think he's sussing us out to see what he can get away with.

Right off for the excitement of the week..........the big shop.

[techie]

Re: Spring Army Manoeuvres - March 21

Hola Army. The idea of alcohol free beer and wine is laughable to me. Firstly, I personally never consumed alcohol for its flavor. Secondly, kudos to Molly, aka The Dog Whisperer. Most importantly, big hugs to Brit. Have a lovely day, evening, wherever you are.

[satz123]

Re: Spring Army Manoeuvres - March 21

.in my lifetime life expectancy is so different...my dad died at 62 and no one thought that was madly young to die..so did Joe's dad achully...62 as well.

Just in & fecked.
My Dad died a 62 also ..... and yes in my 20's it seemed ancient. What would he think if he knew his wife was still going strong at 91 .....
I had a lady at the desk today wanting her wages or she was calling the police. Wouldn't go away.
One of the care assistants gave her an envelope with 'play' money - tiny replica notes and she was happy. She actually believed it was real. And she is not old ... the mind is such a delicate thing isn't it.
Jesus .... read the other day that 1:4 people in a few years will have dementia & they do not know what causes it. :egad:

[JackieClaire]

Re: Spring Army Manoeuvres - March 21

Just nipping in to say nighty night.
My parents went in their 70s .........in-laws 92 & 96 still with all their marbles in their own home and Pa-in-law does the Times crossword every day......fair enough he does get stuck sometimes and gives me a ring to look up something on the internet but that's usually for the prize one. He's never won the £100 prize.
Actually, they do have the internet but for some reason won't use it for anything else apart from when they need to send an e-mail.
See yous lot in the morning...........remember the clocks go forward tonight.