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!

The Fall aka Autumn

It is officially Fall here and the weather knows it. It is positively cool in the morning and in the evening but clear blue skies and warm(ish) sunshine in the day - perfect. I had to reach into the back of the closet for my cardie and C has burrowed in the drawer for some socks. I believe there is a cold front hanging around us at the moment and this is making it a little bit cooler than normal. The forecast predicts it to be a little bit warmer next week. The trees are definitely turning but not enough to warrant showing you......yet!

I am now an official volunteer of the Humane Society of Pulaski County. My main job is walking the dogs on Mondays and Fridays as this is the only days I have free. I helped out at a dog washing event a couple of weeks ago and it was a real giggle. People brought their smelly pooches along and we bathed and cuddled them and gave them a massage all for $15, people were really generous and gave us way more than that. We raised over $1500 and all of this goes to the charity. Last Saturday 4 of us each took a dog to a department store to raise more funds and hopefully find parents for the dogs. It was a great success and 2 of the dogs have pending adoptions...result...back of the net.....way to go...happy days :-) I have managed to curtail the urge to bring them all home with me but it has been hard. There is one little girl called Shannon, she is probably a couple of years old and was so mistreated she had lost all her hair and has cauliflower ears through beating. In spite of this she is the friendliest most sedate dog who just wants to be talked to and petted. I hope she gets a good home, her hair has come in but she still has bald patches but her little tail wags whenever she is spoken to and she melts my heart.

I am on a keep fit regime at the moment. I have been doing my Couch to 5k running programme and am almost running 3 miles non stop. I've signed up for the Race for the Cure (Race for Life) on the 16th October). I have joined a Zumba class (thanks J for mentioning this in you blog), it is an aerobic class which combines various dance moves, rumba, hip hop, salsa and some other moves that my body hasn't quite managed to execute yet but it is a hoot! Belly dancing, yes that's right belly dancing. My first class will be on Thursday, my friend S did it at her last posting and has convinced me that I am missing out on life if I do not try this - details to follow.....I also climbed Pinnacle Mountain, it isn't a big mountain by any standards and can be climbed in 45 minuted to 1 hour. The ascent was tiered so wasn't difficult at all but we decided to take the descent on the opposite side and it was so steep Millie's little legs couldn't quite manage it so I had to carry her whilst trying to get foot holds in the rocks. I paid the price the next day with an aching back.



Chris is off on his first jolly on Thursday. He is flying to Colorado and will be away for 7 nights. I'm not looking forward to being on my own but I guess I have to be a big girl and get on with it. However, our dear friends K&E arrive on the 23rd and I can't wait. They are with us for a week and we are planning a trip to Missouri which should be fun.