Sunday, November 18, 2007



This is Gandalf when he was 8 months old. Also known as Alfie (as in Gandalfie), Gan-Gan, Gandie, Dolly Boy (Hmmmm).

The vet hospital around the corner had an open day on Sunday, and they had representatives from the local dog club. Gandalf went into their enclosure and acted like he belonged there...then he went through their "obstacle course" like a pro, even climbing through a tunnel. Maybe it was the fritz reward...

Consequently, I think we'll go to their club meeting tomorrrow...keeping him interested!

Because Nana Gabe told me to...

Gabrielle suggested it so here goes...a newby on blogging.

I've been here now since, what was it, Oct 20th or something. Weird times. Busy busy busy for the first while and now, with only a few unpacked boxes (tastfully hidden away...a little) left, it feels like I'm on an extended holiday....not sure if this is good or bad. Certainly I'm getting lazy.

My big effort today was to vacuum and mop the floors. Hate that...makes me dizzy is my excuse but really it's because I hate doing it. Like the result, of course. But for hygiene's sake, must be done before brother Pete and his kids (Madison, 13 [going on 30]; Wesley, 10ish; and Dulcie, 6ish) arrive on Thurs/Fri. Pete comes down from Cowell on Thursday night, works at the clinic all day Friday, then picks kids up around 6.30. I usually try to have something interesting to eat. So far I've done lasagne (a really, really serious one, from Stephanie Alexander book that took me ages!), hamburgers and chips, nachos. Has to be something that can be held up or brought out quickly depending on when the crowd arrives.

By the way, I always add a descriptor before anyone named Pete. Unfortunately, there have been a number of Petes in my life (never again...anyone called Pete is off my list!). Mountain Pete was the last of them...

Anyway. I should have gotten down to Lorna by now. She hasn't got a lot in her fridge at the moment to eat, so I was going to get her lunch...ok...will have to be dinner...:) Big excitement later is having an electrician come to quote me for a bedroom ceiling fan. When Pete et al are here I lock up my cats in my bedroom...Jim made me an outdoor cage attached to the bedroom window, so they have plenty of space but are safe from being let out accidentally (they're indoor cats).

My boys! Cats: Marvin L'Amore (13), Henry Tigger Fang the First (about 2...sometime I'll tell you why he has that name!), and Angel Piggy Poggin Poodle (about 1.5). Dog: Gandalf. See pics. If I can work out how to post them..:)