Blogging sluggishness

Sorry I know it has been a while and I realise that I am a lazy blogger. Life just seems to be running away from me. Our first anniversary is at the end of next month - 1 year down - amazing how quickly it has gone.

My memory is rubbish so I need to rack my brains to see if there is important stuff to tell. Hmmm, not anything important so here is some drivel.

- Still on the keep fit regime and enjoying it. My 5 miles walks have progresses to walking/running. Not too elegantly I might add. Bought myself some Tone-up trainers and bought the wrong size. Sometimes a US8 is a UK6 but this time it was a UK5 and I didn't check. I soon realised something was wrong when my feet resembled bubble wrap...ouch. I have now invested in proper running shoes and abandoned the faddy footwear.

- Had a girls spa weekend courtesy of the husbands for Valentine's. We had a great girly giggly time and spent loads of money. Now planning our next trip away.

- C will be leaving me in May and I have lots of visitors lined up. It is imperative that he takes me out for lovely meals to sample new restaurants. I will then know which ones to take my visitors to.

- He is now an official Air Craft Commander so is back in charge. He dropped his first paratroopers which was exciting for him.

- There have been earthquakes in AR. About 40 miles north of here which was disturbing. They think that gas drilling created disturbance and caused the ground to quake. It was a sizeable one. C says he felt it during the night - I didn't feel a thing. They have halted the drilling for investigation. At least there are no more birds dropping out of the sky.

- My Ciara pup has been awfully ill; so much so that I thought we were going to lose her. She (and I) have had a rough week. She has been to the vet every day this week but we think we may have turned the corner. I was so worried about her. She still has a way to go and is very weak but there is now hope.

- I was supposed to be taking part in the St. Patrick's Day Parade tomorrow. I was going to represent the Humane Society with 11 others and some dogs. I had a great big sparkly green bow for my head but I had to cancel to look after Ciara. Shame, I was looking forward to it.

- I am a Yogi! I've taken up yoga twice a week which is helping my back. I really enjoy it and am getting bendier by the week. I feel refreshed after each session and am getting a lot out of it.

- I promise to try and be a better blogger before you all abandon me!

February - when did that happen?

Not working plays havoc with my time clock. I have no idea what day or month it is. I cannot believe it is already February. It seems like a breath away since I was back in Blighty. That's a good thing.

I am trying to get in shape for the pool season. Firm up all those wobbly bits that creeped on over Christmas. I am somewhat compromised in the exercise department as I need to consider the effect on my ageing back. Walking seems to work so I am walking 5 miles almost daily. Millie is the fittest dog on the block now. I have found a lovely route around the golf course. It is traffic free for most of it.

Ok so it is a few days later....We had 8" of snow fall in one day. I was housebound and Chris was out of town. I was going stir crazy so I wrapped me and Millie up nice and warm and went off for a walk. That damn golf course! I got lost in the myriad of winding paths and didn't know where I was. Seeing as the streets were full of snow and the golf course seemed to have clear paths I decided to go on them. 2 hours later I managed to find my way back. It wasn't the best day to do this as it was very icy underfoot and I found myself on a main road with no foot paths. After asking someone for directions (women do this you know, take note men) I eventually got onto a street that I recognised.



Anyhow, the weather is back to being glorious blue skies, dry and warm. We sat in the garden today. Should be another beauty tomorrow too.

I have taken up yoga and am thoroughly enjoying it. I am still searching for exercise that doesn't make my back ache and I have been assured this should help. We'll see, I hope it does.

I have started booking my friends and relatives in for visits this year and I can't wait. So far I have 3 lots coming out, all when Chris is away on detachment. Looks like I am going to be kept busy.

I have a Sap Sucker in the garden. Comes from the woodpecker species. It has made a pretty pattern of squares all nicely lined up on the bark of the tree. I can hear it tapping away. They can do tremedous damage but seeing as the tree isn't very pretty I am happy for it to get its sap. There are some beautiful birds here. We have Red Cardinals that look a bit like a parrot but smaller. They are bright red with a crest on their head. I need to buy a book so I can identify them.

Hope all my bloggers are doing good and if you have news from home then send me it.

Energised

My dogs and I have just walked 3.5 miles around the base trail of Pinnacle Mountain. It was so nice; clear blue skies and a little snow still nestling amongst the fallen leaves. It is such a naturally beautiful place and I am lucky to have it on my doorstep. I chatted to at least 4 people en route who were interested in the dogs. I may even have convinced an older couple that a Cairn Terrier is the ideal dog for them.

I have been on my own for the past two days. The High Flyer has been down in San Antonio. He is due back tonight if they can fix the bit on the plane that has broken. I've had a nice time though, met the girls for lunch yesterday and had my lovely walk today.

Curry is on the menu tonight - all home made as the curry's here are not real curry.

My older dog Ciara has been diagnosed with Cushing's Disease. It is a benign tumor on the pituitary gland. By a complete fluke my friend C was able to diagnose it while she looked after her while I was in the UK. Her dog Kadarka has the same condition and the main symptoms are drinking loads and peeing loads. I had noticed that C was drinking more than usual but as they have a flap to the garden I didn't notice the peeing thing. Serendipitous I think, it could have gone on for a long time and I wouldn't have realised. We have caught it in the very early stages so she will start taking a pill which is chemo based and can have some nasty side effects. But as it is in early stages she is on a very small dose and the vet doesn't think she should have much trouble. The disease can't be cured so we have to manage it as best we can. She doesn't look or act ill at all so I am ok with it at the moment. I will keep positive and hope that it doesn't affect her life in an adverse way. She's my little baby.

Ok curry making time..............

Only in America!

I was out walking Millie this morning and saw a snowman wearing a holster and pistol.

The Proof is in the Photo

See it does snow here. This is the 4th day after it snowed so a lot has already gone. It is very pretty with a stunning blue sky back drop. It should stay with us until Saturday then the temps are on the up. Is it me? Everywhere I go it snows, must be the Scottishness in me. I'm jet lagged today. Was reading a book on my lovely new iPad at 5am this morning. The good thing about reading on my iPad is that there is no noise turning pages, you don't need a light on to see it and you can enlarge the text. I like it a lot. It does go against the grain though being a librarian. I can see the demise of the good old hard copy - no attack on trees, less shelf space, make the text as large as you wish. I resisted the temptation to read e-books for a long time but the time has come to admit that I quite like this format. Sorry books but I fear the end is nigh in the Kelly household, you served us well. RIP

My trip back to the UK - what I did and what I learned

What I Did

• Caught up with family and friends
• Had a brilliant Christmas and New Year
• Visited my old work place and caught up with my lovely colleagues
  
• Ate way too much
• Drank more than way too much
  
• Slept in 7 beds
• Forgot to exercise
• Remembered to stay on the left side while driving
  

What I Learned

• Home is where you lay your hat
  

• Good bed pillows are vitally important
• Hanging around airports waiting for planes that aren't going anywhere sucks
• It also snows in Arkansas
• Missed my dogs a lot
• I am an ambidextrous driver...is there such a thing?!
• Little Rock is a lovely place to live and I realise that I have been given a great opportunity
• I miss Indian food
• Yarn shops are much better in Bristol than Little Rock
• Too much alcohol isn't good for me
  

October

Well I promised some 'Fall' photos and here they are. These were taken in Branson, Missouri where we spent a few days with our dear friends K & E who were visiting from the UK. Branson is just north of the AR state line. We hit the optimum time for the trees turning and it was a breath-taking drive up through the mountains.

We are definitely in Arkansas. Repeat after me, 'There's no place like home, there's no place like home.......remind you of anything? Yes, tornado's. We had our first tornado warning, oh my! Our poor visitors were trembling in their red glitter shoes, especially K. It was a bit disconcerting, this weird noise comes through the TV telling you to turn to channel 18 for a severe weather warning. Initially it said a severe thunder storm was on its way. No big deal, more wine and nachos please ;-) Within minutes the warning had turned to an approaching tornado. When this happens you have to go to the most internal part of the house and wait. The warning was in place for 30 minutes so off we went into the centre of the house. Next, the tornado alarm which is somewhere outside starts going and it sounds like a WW2 siren. My poor dog starting whining along with alarm. She was so traumatised, poor pup. It turned out to be pretty tame where we were with no damage but a roof came off a building down town. Then to top it all we had another tornado warning in Branson but that one didn't materialise. We are considering banning K&E from visiting!

So I've busted my back again - this is rubbish as I was enjoying my new active lifestyle. I can't run, Zumba or belly dance any more and even walking can be painful. I was hoping it would sort itself out but that doesn't appear to be the case. I had an ambition to be here for 3 years without seeing a Doctor, that one is going up the Swanney without a paddle. I have resigned myself to the fact that I need to seek medical attention to sort me out, blah! However, this does not affect my role as A Lady Who Lunches. An activity that is becoming an essential part of life. Every Monday, a different restaurant, same friends, a glass of wine and maybe a pedicure afterwards...it's a hard life but someone has to do it.

I'm getting more involved with my dog charity. C and I helped out at a charity event last night to raise funds. It was quite a large affair that consisted of a silent and open auction held in one of the premier hotels. C thoroughly enjoyed it and we met some new people. I am also about to become an official Dog Walking 101 trainer. I will instruct new volunteers how to handle the dogs and ensure they know all the rules and regs that apply. I have met a new friend who also volunteers, she's nice and we are planning on having dinner together and introduce the other half's (halves??).

Thankfully I can still cycle and we met this little chap whilst out one day. Apparently they are six a penny here but this is the first time C and I have come across one in the wild. The locals say they are dumb and you usually find them flattened at the road side. This makes sense as this little guy walked right in front of our bikes and didn't flinch at us watching him. They don't have great eye sight and their hearing isn't too good either. My brother said it is a rat wearing a crash helmet. I like him, the Armadillo I mean not my brother, although I quite like my bro too.

We are taking a road trip next week. The Americans drive for ever and don't think anything of driving for days to get to their destination. We are going to San Antonio, Texas for a very long weekend. It is about a 10 hour drive which we will split over 2 days. We would have considered flying but we are taking our pooches with us and driving is a good way to see the land. It should be a good weekend. Thanksgiving is on the 25th and we have been invited to spend it with friends and experience it the way it is intended to be spent. Lots and lots of food and drink - what is a gal to do? Do as the locals do. Hangover the next day I expect. I have volunteered to provide home cooked apple pie. I'm nervous now as the pie is a staple for Thanksgiving, I hope mine's is up to standard.

Less than 7 weeks until we are back in the UK; we are both really looking forward to spending time with our friends and family. I hope you are ready for us!