Gooseberry

Is what was meant by green and round!

Anyway......hopefully should get a call about the pc today with a day for collection it shouldnt take them too long I hope! At least the weather is better today, been nowt but rain all w/e really getting me down as couldnt get out at all...

Men are driving me insane, well one, phill, he is being a right annoying git at the moment, only little things but they are driving me nuts! Think he will be going away again for a wee while so will have peace restored again in the house and a house that stays tidy!

Netball again tonight, really cool. Enjoyed it so much last week so looking forward to that tonight! My jobs list is ever increasing thanks to phill, I dont mind but there isnt enough hours in the day for me to keep on top of everything. He has just bought two apartments for renting, well put the initial deposit down, now have to go about getting the money together. Plan is to get a small mortgage on them then rent them out, its a long term investment rather than a short term thing. Lots of paper work to do....

Oh well best be off and do my first job of the day....

another update

Well the pc is under warranty so after many calls later, it should be being picked up next week for repair, a new hard drive and mother board apparently. So im pc less still, really getting fed up with not being able to do any photos at all! I might rebel and use phills laptop the other one is just slow, noisy and crap!

Went out last night with a friend of mine, reminded me why I dont go out all that often, its a meat market it really is, anyway I ended up being green and round if you know what I mean.

Other stuff, well my act of being brave fell to nothing, im ok if a little disappointed, but nowt I can do about it. Shortest ever!!!

Today im nursing a headache and looking at the crap weather, its meant to be crap all w/e, typical as its a bank holiday. Im feeling sorry for myself which will continue until tomorrow then I will pick myself back up again!

Well thats about it for now, think it will be at least two weeks until im back proper though, hope I dont get too addicted to tv....

Oh and the words in my head just keep saying, when will it be my turn?

Im still here

Goodness its been busy, how on earth did I make time for Internet before ?!? Well news is, the chap that owed phill money has finally paid it, well we have to wait for the cheque to clear as yet, but its such a relief, money has been very tight living off just my wage. My wage is quite ok, but it has been stretched rather thinly. Still dont have to worry now, phill will sort me out then pay half of everything so should have a little extra in my pocket!

PC still at hospital I am going to phone them today to try and find out how long it will be away, as I now have 3 memory cards waiting to be uploaded. Walking yesterday found a few damsels who was happy for me to get really close so that was cool, but I find that im getting a bit down as I cant process them and see what they look like.

Hog still at vets, I will be honest Ive been putting off ringing them, didnt want to hear any bad news I guess. I will call them today so see how she is...

Netball tonight, havnt played for years, but im really looking forward to it. Im hugely competitive so sports like this really get me going. Its not just about the fun you know!

Business is really taking off so lots of paperwork needs doing too. Difficult with no pc though. Work has been quite hectic too, I havnt got time for my real job anymore..

Well best get ready for another hetic day.....I do miss you lot too, I will try and get round to catching up on everything, but I dont like this laptop the fan is on and off, on and off, drives me insane!!!

Bye for now.............

Ive warned them!

The influx of fledged starlings has of course meant more sparrowhawk appearances. I have told them to be quiet not make as much noise but they wont listen to me. Guess where ever there is easy food they will go.....

Phill got back at 2 am so im a little tired as I got up with him for a wee while, he had a good time but very knackered riding back 500 miles in one day and at 40 mph that he promised to ride at thats no mean task!

Of course that means no Internet access for me now as he will be on the laptop and this old one wont hook up a usb connection for some odd reason...oh well at least I might get some more jobs done in the house!

Im not orange!!

Yay, streaking my hair didnt turn me orange, in fact im quite blonde now (no comments please).....I do still want to put some more in though, some really white ones to lift it even more, but im just pleased that I didnt turn into a carrot as normal.

Oh photos no can do as the laptop just hasnt got the power or the size screen for me to be able to do them properly, plus the fact that it doesnt read the disc that I saved them on to. I will have to wait until the main pc comes back. I will keep taking some though as the weather has cheered up, but hopefully it will be back on monday so I can sort them out, or worse comes to worse they will have to wait until next weekend.

Well the invasion of the fledged starlings has started so best go and get them so food....

Sunshine

Woke this morning to lovely sunshine and no bloody rain, whoo hooo. Now I wasnt going to go out as money is a bit tight still at the moment, with phill still not getting the money he is owed which is now going to court and in his business we have to wait 30 days to be paid.

However I thought sod it and went over to Cambridge to the gardens, was a lovely day, not so much about but some nice flutters, damsels, saw my first dragon of the year and a water snake!!! Not sure what type it was as im not up on snakes, im sure Janine will be able to tell me though.

All I have to do now is rig up the other laptop, swap the Internet connection so I can load some software, download the photos, hopefully on the other one, or on here then to cd then load that on the other laptop then hey presto, I might even get some on the other blog for once!!

Well best get started, must do some washing too............

Well

Quick catch up, firstly id forgotten how I dislike using laptops, guess I will be ok over the next few days, but I dont like typing on them that much....still I have it for a few days.

Ok the pc has gone to the pc hospital and hopefully should be back next week all fixed again. Hog is still at the vets, but not doing well at all, they will call me and let me know what is happening, but if the infection has got into her brain then as hard as it is for me to say it, it would be kinder to have her put to sleep as quality of life will be very poor, she couldnt walk at all was just siting shaking and sort of rocking from side to side as she could move her legs. We will see....

Got two photos up on the site I was telling you about, would like to put more, but with no pc and all the rain in the world its been a bit tough to say the least. I might try downloading some on here, but then phill will moan so might just wait until the pc is fixed then have a mad photo session! Ive got plenty of memory cards so probably wont fill them all.

Not sure what I will be doing this w/e, house is in a state again so im sure that will be done at some point and I may even have to iron!!!

Oh well im sick of typing on this now, so will go catch up with a few things...........

AAAARRRRGGGGHHHHH!!!

Always the same, one thing goes right then everything else cocks up!

PC is broken, completely buggered, it will have to go to the shop for repair, thank goodness we have the laptop, although I have to wait for phill to be finished with it so I can use it. Photos are piling up on the memory cards also as I cant take them off on here.

Also little hog has taken a turn for the worse. Came home tonight and she was shaking and couldnt walk properly. Bought her in and she was cold, not able to keep her body heat. I think that its a sign that the lungworm caused more damage than her small body could take. They are keeping her in, but it doesnt look good. Sad as it is at least she wont suffer. Im sad very sad but hopeful. They are going to worm again, but she isnt that bad on her breathing, but I know that worm infection can affect their brains too and she was young when she got them. Keep your fingers crossed pleased....

So not sure when I will get to update this as its phills laptop and he uses to talk to his g/f, so I have to wait for my turn, hopefully the pc wont be too long at the menders, think its a hardware issue rather than software.

Oh well best check some more stuff then be off to bed, all in all a not good day. Oh if you want to get hold of me and you have my number..feel free to use it.

Bye for now x

Little hog

Well I thought this was going to be a sad post this morning as I found her not moving even when I picked her up and stroked her head, she was tightly rolled up in a ball, I thought she had died.

Just been out to check again, thought one last gently prod to see and she moved!! Looks like the recent cold weather must have made her want to sleep for a bit. I tell you talk about shock......think will hang on to her until next week now until the weather is much better. Good god that scared me!!

What a fantastic Monday!

Ok its on 8 am......BUT both things that I took a risk on have come off!! I will say more as time goes on, but to say that im smiling this morning is an understatement. Ok I will tell you one of them...I applied to a site to sell some photos through, its not one of those micro sites where you get paid £1 for as much usage as the person wants, but the buyer contacts you direct and then you agree on a price. Anyway you have to submit ten photos and they look to see if they are good enough and I got an email this morning saying they was!!! WHOOO HOOOOOOOOO. Now I know that doesnt mean that any will sell, but its really boosted me that they didnt come back saying...nah not good enough.

Now I just have to choose some to put on there.....

Brave or daft...

....only time will tell, Ive done two things today that is out of character for me really, being a non self-believer that I am. Both of which im not going to say what they are as yet as I want to know the outcome firstly..............my tummy is in knots tho at the thought of them both!

Went for a wee walk up to the stream today, no damsels about, not many flutters either, but good to see the streams water levels much higher after all of the rain we have had. Getting a bit bored with rain now!

Took some photos, but havnt really looked at them as yet as Ive had other stuff to do, will look at them some point tonight and put them on the t'other blog. Oh have had several texts from pete telling me what he has seen and the last one what he was eating for dinner! Jan for goodness sake, please get him in an embarrassing pose and take a photo of him, I need some justice!

Oh well thats it for now, just watching little hog tucking into her dinner, she is getting quite long now, defiantly growing into her feets :)

Hmmmm

Well we had quite a lot of sunshine today, so that has improved my greyness, think you are right lisa about the sad thing, I will mention it on my next check up, although as we are going into summer now, probably not a lot he can do until winter again, but I might look into getting one of those light boxes, wonder if it will give me a tan too.

Not a lot else to say really, little hog is still doing well, eating more and more each night, Im varying her diet so she doesnt get too bored, think I will weigh again on Sunday and make my mind up about a release date, think also I will wait until this rain stops some, she knows where to get food each night and hopefully she will stay over in one of the boxes. I was thinking about marking her up, but if I saw a dead one marked..........sometimes ignorance is bliss.

Oh weird dream last night, I was getting married, although weird in istself you should have seen the frock. It was a black leather bodice type thing and a skirt that was made of hard clear see through plastic, thank goodness I was wearing underwear!!! The groom was unfortunately getting off with all the female guests and when it came time to say "I do" he was shot and killed......weird weird weird.

Well, got some photos to put on t'other blog, then best get on with dinner, feel a bit shaky as Im detoxing at the moment, but I am taking it easy, not being silly, but I am a little light headed...

What a shit day that was!

Enough said...

Only good thing to happen today was helping an old chap who had fallen over in the street, I was looking out the window at the time as I saw his stick slip on the wet pavement and him go down. He took the skin off the top of his thumb bless him, so took him in and cleaned him up, luckily he didnt hit his head so a plaster was all that was needed.

Everything else has been crap crap crap and more crap. Im even thinking about emigrating!!! Its times like this I wish I could just stay at home with the curtains closed and never ever see anyone again..

Little hog

Firstly the mundane

Yawn, the housework first of all, too wet for the washing, oh well it will keep til the weekend im sure. Cleaned the feeders, sorted out the cauliflower, had to separate a lot of it so that it has enough room to grow. I also scattered some more wild seeds and put the beans in, at least they will get rained in! Its on of those grey days really, which brings me on nicely to my mood.

Im grey, have been for ages now, but I keep trying to keep on with it. Still its better than being blue so something to be positive about. Guess it seems really selfish for me to be sad when others have it a lot worse than me, but I cant help the way I feel so im not going to be sorry for that now. I need to change stuff again, im so bored with everything I do right now, that im looking for a change in anything or everything.. I dunno just everything at the moment seems hardwork or a chore. Even when I was taking photos today I really couldnt be arsed to. Couldnt be arsed to go and collect some wood for the trays.

Just had little hog out for a run round for a bit of exercise, think I will release her next week, she seems to be ok now and I dont think I need to feed her up to 600g's. Also think she is getting too used to being in the box and I dont want her to loose the wildness. Even then though I couldnt be arsed, just want to sleep again, do nothing but sleep sleep sleep. I will mention it to the docs when I go, have to go back with something else anyway, oh joy!

Anyway...im not going to apologise for being self centred or selfish as I cant really be arsed.

Where to begin!

Day spent doing my "other" job, of course the vat didnt balance and my head wasnt working right, but eventually got it all to balance! Did some bits and bobs in the house and garden.

Oh and went to look at a flat to buy, not for me but to rent out. After all I have no pension really, yeah I will get a very small amount from work, but it certainly wont look after me when im old and grey. Nice place just have to do the figures now.....Hopefully they will stack up!

Cleaned out hog, sorted bird feeders out, tomorrow I tackle the house work!

Rutland Water

Another trip up the A1.....Pete was selling his old camera to a lady, so said to meet her there. Then it was around the reserve departing what little wisdom I have to help him use his present camera ;-)

In between the showers it was a nice day, quite sunny in some parts, but not a great deal of light, I will be interested to see how the photos turn out, was whacking all the settings up to try and squeeze some light.

Little hog has been cleaned out, did her bedding too as the mucky thing had made a right mess! Also been weighed she is now 405g, that's another 20g's...really chuffed with her as her bones no longer stick out and she is nice and round. Her breathing is much improved, still a little whimper but nowt like it was.

All in all a good day..

Lazy Sunday ?!?!

Well I managed to drag myself out of bed at a decent hour, was up late last night, drinking and talking to phill. Sent him off to work this morning, he wasnt a happy bunny! Cleaned out little hog, she ate loads last night and even tried to find a way out, so im hope full for a release very soon for her. Such a messy thing though.

My friend picked me up and I went and helped out at the school fete, was packed! I was on the tombola stall, think we made quite a lot of money too. Came home went for a walk but not much about, so have been taking some photos in the garden. Just changed little hog again as she has been up and had a wee over the paper!

Oh have some good news......remember Tim who had loads of hogs...well I got a message from him this morning.. hi nick hope you are ok,been rather poorly and lost the right kidney through cancer,feeling a lot better now and hope to be back soon,be a while before the cameras are up and i need to move the computer etc,so it will be a little while still have hogs here but i dont know how many or who,i often think about the group and hows its going,give my best to all see you soon tim

I havnt told him the news about Boo as yet, dont like to be the bearer of bad news, but at least he is ok, hope to see him back and the hogs soon....

still doesnt seem real

Well said my goodbyes but it still doesn't seem real to me, lovely service and wake after, but I dont know it just wont sink in....

I was going to post the embarrassing things pete did...but see he beat me to it! So I will just say that the hotel was very nice and comfortable (my choice). Today has been nice weather and we went to a wildlife park which was also good.

Came home, phill has looked after Little hog very well and Im pleased to report she has put on another 20 g's..she is hardly snuffling now too, which is fantastic. Few days I will get some photos of her for you, but dont like to until I know they are on the mend..

Well lots of photos to do.....

midday

if you are about today at midday, remember to spare a thought for a wonderful lady who is being laid to rest today.

Little hogs first night

She ate quite a lot, half a chicken thigh and 2 hand fulls of meal worms, so looking promising so far. Of course I was worried all night, but she is asleep this morning lightly snoring..... I will weigh her at the w/e to see how she is doing on the weight front. It will be hard to be away on friday, but I am sure phill will look after her.

Talking of friday, its boo's funeral. I feel like I dont want it to be her funeral as I still dont want to admit to myself that she is gone and that she isnt coming back. I dont want people just to forget her. I know none of you will, but im struggling with the fact that life just carries on with out her. It will be nice to meet her family though, just hope im able to offer some comfort to them in some way.

Oh well, best be off to do the work thing...

Little hog is home..

Got a call today, she can come home! They are happy with her progress so can come back for some R&R. Phill was working late so I had to get a taxi down there, not so bad. Got home and ive set her up in the shed, she has a large box, which I have partitioned to have a sleeping area and eating area. Put a cam in there so I dont have to keep going out to check on her.

I will release her when she is up to 600g's, a way off at the moment. but she has eaten a load of meal worms and I am just about to give her some chicken now. Breathing has very much improved, still a wee bit snuffly but I will put some oils in there too which should help clear any congestion. Such a sweet little hog too, hope she makes quick progress so I can let her get back in the garden soon.

from hog forum.....

Hedgehogs injured by strimmers

There are very few hedgehogs left in the wild now. They are dying out very quickly. We have taken their natural habitat away from them and they need our help to survive

Please be very careful when using a strimmer, lawnmower or other machinery in your garden and check the long grass & undergrowth first with your hand or foot to make sure NOTHING is curled up there. Hedgehogs do not run away when they hear the noise, but curl up tightly which is no protection from these tools.

Since the fine weather started just before Easter (less than 1 month) we have dealt with more than 20 hedgehogs with very bad injuries caused by strimmers, lawnmowers and other garden power tools.
Despite intensive Veterinary treatment NONE of them have survived their horrific injuries.

Hedgehogs are dying from lack of water. It is vital to put a bowl of water outside your front and back doors. Just this small act will help to save countless lives. You can find lots more information about how to help hedgehogs and make your garden safe for them on our Website: www.thehedgehog.co.uk




Please do pass this on to as many ppl as you can...thanks

Stress!

Its looking more likely now we will have to go to court to get the money back phill is owed :( I keep hoping that the money will just come in but seems like it will take some more time. I am resisting the urge to phone up said chap and giving a piece of my mind, pisses me off Ive always done everything straight, paid my bills, paid my debts, even when they wernt mine. Then you get some people that just stream through life not caring who they step on and they just sail on by. Its not fair I tell you, really is winding me up at the moment. Why is it some people just manage to do this with a clear conscious, whilst others struggle by doing everything by the book and not getting anywhere.?

Anyway on my "trying to calm down walk" came across a load of snails, looking like they were getting frisky, so just googled the subject.....

Reproduction
Common snails, like all land snails, are hermaphrodites. This means that they possess both male and female reproductive organs. Despite this they still need to find another snail to mate with. When two snails meet during the breeding season (late spring or early summer), mating is initiated by one snail piercing the skin of the other snail with a calcified 'love dart'. The exact purpose of the 'love dart' is not fully understood but it seems to stimulate the other snail into exchanging small packets of sperm. After mating is complete the snails will produce eggs internally, which are fertilised by the sperm that has been exchanged.

Up to about a month after mating the snail lays about a hundred small white eggs in a nest underground in damp soil. If the conditions remain suitable for the eggs, snails will begin to hatch after about 14 days. Newly hatched snails have a small fragile shell and it takes two years for them to reach maturity.


You can see the photos on t'other blog, best go as phill wants me to send some emails....it never stops here! Still he is happy snooker is on..