Tag Archives: MyShetland

The Dream vs The Reality

This was the dream.

And this is the reality.

When I opened the parcel, a small flat pancake of a bed was inside, but as it was vacuumed packed, I prayed it had potential and would spring/fluff up into the bed of dreams.

“Pamper your cat with our self-warming and soothing Cat Nesting Bed that is finished with a luxurious faux shag fur and mimics the cosy comfort of a mother’s fur coat! Paired with deep crevices that allow your pet to burrow, your fury kids will have a full and restful sleep! The Cat Nesting Bed is designed to give 100% comfort for that Pawfect kip!”

Spring, it did not.

Was it the bed of dreams?  Ummm, not really.

This is their LARGE size.  Seriously?

And this is what happens all the time – ditto for this bed bought to fit a collie.

On the islands we don’t have a pet shop so can’t actually see anything in real life.  I know if I had seen this, I never would’ve bought it.

I am very fed up, on Monster’s behalf.  Off to look at dog bed caves now for him.  Poor old Monster.  He’s not very impressed either.  I don’t blame him.

Sudden thought – It might make a good foot warmer in my shed or a little Lambie warmer.

Help Needed, Please

I need your help.  Between us, I think we can succeed.

I was in my shed, looking for a book that I had inherited from my mother’s bookcase, when I came across a small leather and gilt bound book.  I have had it for a while and never looked in it so didn’t know what was inside.

The book belonged to Marion Alice Barnard, also known as Polly.

This is John Singer Sargent’s sketch of Polly in preparation for the painting, Carnation, Lily, Lily, Rose.

This is Polly’s birthday book and there are some fascinating names in there so of course I am now busy transcribing it.  Most of the names I’ve worked out but there are a few I could do with some help, please.

(yes, John Singer Sargent)


Anyway, so here goes…. (ones in red are the ones I need help with)

Leonard Barwick (at the top)
****** Barnard – possibly Anne? (there is a Mary Anne in the family tree)
Ellen Terry (yes, The Ellen Terry).

N (?) Eyton Roller – is that an R or W (famous cricketer). Looking at it, I am now thinking that’s a W.
Ethel Margaret Baumer
Sybil Baumer

Mary Alice Miles
C (Charles) Trevor Roller (I think I’ve just worked that one out)

Absolutely no idea G. H Tallwood?

Again, no idea – Jennie Seloces?

Dear God, help me now….
Alfred …….
Ellen Vincent
J.M. Barrie (as in Peter Pan)

A close up if that helps.

L Barnard or L. C. Barnard?

First initial for Buchanan, please.  J. B. Buchanan?

Mary Miles?

A. J. Boyd or an F.

Agnes Daden Caffin or Naden or Baden (according to Ancestry.com it’s Haden). I suppose that could be an H.

A difficult one – I think it is M. Wedgwood 1827, or maybe not or even W. Wedgwood

Go on, knock yourself out.

Lily Millet (wife of Francis Davis Millet, artist who died on Titanic)
Barre J. Bacon or Blare or ? J or S?

What a superb find.  I am all of a quiver and not quite sure if it should be sent somewhere.  I can’t believe that little book has been sitting in my bookshelf, ignored and full of amazing names.

Bedrest For Me

I’ve been lying on my bed all day being waited on hand and foot by my wonderful Flossie (as I type this, she is cutting up vegetables to roast with a chicken). To fill my day, I have gone through my family tree looking at Data Inconsitency Reports trying to amend errors like having a baby at 14yo or 49 (which is apparently true and not that long ago – 1846).  Poor woman – Fred was the last of 11 children!

Meanwhile, Pepper has proved to be a rotten nurse (and I haven’t seen hide nor hair of Monster either). She has been totally absent all day and was driven home from the neighbours after tea (***sigh ***).  She wants me to apologise to her for being so boring today.  No one is talking to her now, again and she’s been sacked from her job.  And when I think of the undying devotion from BeAnne Duvet who never left my side and bed through 3 spinal operation recoveries, I told Pepper – can you see the bored look on her face?

Flossie also managed to escape, sorry, went for a walk this afternoon and I texted her to take some photos as she went as I had nothing for this blog.

Anyway, it is loveley to see the outside, even through someone else’s eyes.  I know it is not as warm as it looks, hence the rugs staying on as windcheaters.

  

They don’t seem to hold anyone back.

And everyone seems perfectly happy and comfortable so while I am stuck inside, I am not worrying about them.  Just the fact that Pepper is escaping.

Home Now

Well, I’m back home now with a much-needed cup of tea, two Tunnocks and Marcus Aurelius (who came along for the journey just in case I needed him).

The whole procedure (caudal epidural steroid injections) all overmy lower back) wasn’t as bad as past times and I had some sedation which helped sufficiently, and I made my feelings very clear when it didn’t.  Only my lower back was treated but there will be investigation into my shoulder/neck/arm pain at a later date because I cant have injections in both sites simultaneously.

So now I am resting in my cave for a few days – Flossie has taken the helm.  I have a headache and started the steroid flushes but those are both to be expected and I am not concerned.

Thank you all for your kind words of encouragement, sympathy, thoughts and prayers. I felt you were all very much in the room when I needed you most.

All Ready

I like to be organised and I will admit that I also like writing lists. So this morning was spent packing my bag for hospital tomorrow where I will get my caudal steroid injections as a day case. I am wearing my favourite (and very worn out with holes) shirt.

Though, I also have an overnight bag ready just in case because you never know and I don’t want OH to have to drive all the way back for it.  Best case scenario, I will bring it home and unpack everything unused.

Sadly, there is no room in my bag(s) for this small doglet and I know she would be perfect for keeping my feet on the ground as I am totally over-thinking this whole hospital procedure to the point of feeling like being sick with fear.  The last time was horrendous while they scraped me off the theatre ceiling.  So things have to be bad if I’ve asked to have this procedure again.

I am telling myself I will just have to think of my happy place, man up and do my best, insisting on a huge amount of sedation (I want to be knocked out), as promised when I went to discuss this with the anaesthetist at my last appointment.

(and, yes, I am in a terrible dither)

My sheep supplies are increasing now.  I made this little chap today.

And then I made this one too, staying a little longer in my shed as it may be a few days before I get back in again.

Floss sent me this photo from this morning.  I want to be like Monster. His ability to sleep absolutely anywhere is a talent and one I could do with.

Wish me luck. Think of me tomorrow.