GOING UP A GEAR

                    

 

                                     

Hello everyone,

Welcome to a chilly Friday....brrrr!  Everything seems to have stepped up a gear as far as Christmas is concerned.  This morning Jim and I went into town just to get a few bits and pieces and to meet Kerry for coffee.  The town was not that busy really but the mood of the people was generally not full of Christmas cheer.  In all the shops we went into there were people complaining about one thing and another, moaning at small children in pushchairs.  Other people moaning because someone hadn`t held a door open for them, ( Hmm, go to Toronto mate, nobody ever holds a door open for anyone there!)  In one shop in particular, one woman pushed her way to the front of the queue to tell to the solitary shop assistant to get a move on serving people as she was in a hurry, luckily for the poor girl, another shopper told her not to worry about it as she was doing her best.  Why on earth do people have to be so rude?  Perhaps they`re always like that at anytime of the year, if so why can`t they be a bit nicer at Christmas? you know, the season of goodwill to all men!  While we were in one shop an assistant  nearly hit me on the head with a heavy box that he threw on the floor.  He was up a ladder and he didn`t even look down to see if anyone was there as he through it....well I was and he just missed me, the annoying bit was that he didn`t even notice after I yelped with fright!  So if you`re reading this you stupid man who works in a well known store in Slough, make sure you look what you`re doing next time!!!

                                              

While we were sitting in M&S having our morning coffee Kerry told me that Roman settled down last night so she didn`t use any Teethers.  She just gave him a teething toy to gnaw on and he then just drifted off to sleep.  Whenhe was put to bed last night he fell asleep right away, unusual for him as he normally lies awake cooing and gurgling for a while.  Jim had bought Roman some Mr.Men books as they were on offer, Kerry always reads him a story at night and changes her voice for the different characters, so they were ideal.  I`m sure the stories will be good for his speech development in the long term.

                                            

We were glad to get home after being in town,  just so we could put our feet up after fighting our way through the throng of shoppers.  Jim has a nasty cold and he had had enough for one day and just wanted to put his feet up, which he did in front of the TV and has watched DVD`s all afternoon.

                                                                 

The weather has certainly changed since this morning.  It started out really mild but as the day has progressed a north-westerly wind has blown in and made things considerably chillier.  Tonight is supposed to be very cold indeed so I`m glad I won`t be going anywhere.  It can be as cold as it likes outside as long as I`m warm and snug indoors!  Thank goodness for central heating, what would we do without it?  I`m going to go and have some dinner now, fish and chips...yummy!  I`ll say goodbye and have a lovely, relaxing weekend to you all.  Bye for now.

 

 

Holiday Etiquette for Dogs

1. Be especially patient with your humans during this time. They may appear to be more stressed-out than usual and they will appreciate long comforting dog leans.

2. They may come home with large bags of things they call gifts. Do not assume that all the gifts are yours.

3. Be tolerant if your humans put decorations on you. They seem to get some special kind of pleasure out of seeing how you look with fake antlers.

4. They may bring a large tree into the house and set it up in a prominent place and cover it with lights and decorations. Bizarre as this may seem to you, it is an important ritual for your humans, so there are some things you need to know:

- - don't pee on the tree
- - don't drink water in the container that holds the tree
- - mind your tail when you are near the tree
- - if there are packages under the tree, even ones that smell interesting or that have your name on them, don't rip them open
- - don't chew on the cord that runs from the funny-looking hole in the wall to the tree

5. Your humans may occasionally invite lots of strangers to come visit during this season. These parties can be lots of fun, but they also call for some discretion on your part:

- - not all strangers appreciate kisses and leans
- - don't eat off the buffet table
- - beg for goodies subtly
- - be pleasant, even if unknowing strangers sit on your sofa
- - don't drink out of glasses that are left within your reach.

6. Likewise, your humans may take you visiting. Here your manners will also be important:

- -observe all the rules in No:4 for trees that may be in other people's houses.
- - respect the territory of other animals that may live in the house
- - tolerate children
- - turn on your charm big time.

7. A big man with a white beard and a very loud laugh may emerge from your fireplace in the middle of the night. DON'T BITE HIM!!