It is Wednesday again, and with many of you getting back into the new school year. C had induction tomorrow and apparently according to one of her friends is then in next Monday for start of the year. What has happened to the weather? Grab a cuppa and find out what has been happening in my Ramblings Of A StressedMum – 06/09/2023.
Table of Contents
Back To College
C is back to college tomorrow morning, which means the alarm will be set for 7am. It is just the induction where they find out timetables, about the year and trips etc. She will not be in for too long as it is her second year. We do already have her timetable, as I needed it for arranging some appointments. She is over the moon not having maths or English this year. She has one day of starting at 9am, the rest are 11 or after lunch, with a day off on Thursdays.
ULEZ
I moaned last week about ULEZ. On Monday I had to pop out with C and as her car is still off the road, had to use mine. Going past the camera really hurt me and yes I moaned. I had already set up for auto pay if I go into the zone. Yesterday, I had a panic as could not see it saying I owed or had paid anything. My husband checked and it is all set up ok. I just don’t want to get a fine for £180 for not paying.
Dogs
My latest giveaway to win a Baby Paws, asked a question about what dog you would love. As many of you know we lost Max a few months ago. We are all still missing him as he was such a huge part of our lives and not a typical Alaskan Malamute. C mentions him daily and yesterday when I dropped melon on the floor and my feet. Told me if Max was here he would have cleared it for you and your feet. Thought I would share the dogs we have owned.
- St Bernard – We got her as a fluffy puppy when I was 6. We lived in the country and would catch rats and much to my mums disgust would bring them in to see her. But she would guard my guinea pigs and let them climb on her.
- Black Lab – He was my baby, and naughty up until about 2 weeks before he died an old man. Although naughty and could sniff out a pond or water miles away. You could train him to do tricks
- Golden Lab – He was my grandparents dog and they had him when they moved in with us. The black and golden pair were a right duo.
- White German Shepherd – More my parents dog as I had moved out by then. He was very protective of C when she was a baby and she was at my parents.
- Samoyed – My husband saw him in a pet shop when he was a puppy. I kept saying no as we were in a flat at the time with 2 cats. He eventually wore me down. He was stunning and always out with my husband who was stopped once by a breeder saying he has never seen such a handsome dog. He was also my boy who got me through a lot of heartache. Also adored C from the moment we came home with her.
- Alaskan Malamute – My mad Max
- English Mastiff – My parents dog when they moved in with us. He was a gentle giant
- German Shepherd – We got Bear as a puppy, as Max was pining. He is and always has been a whirlwind. You can do anything with him. And is a very nosey neighbour always peering out the window. He is missing Max but strangely a lot of Max is coming out in him with little things he now does.
My husband and I have spoken about one day getting another dog. It is too soon to replace Max. Although I would love a chocolate lab. The one dog we have both agreed on is a golden retriever and maybe getting two puppies. If we can not find a rescue dog which is always our first go too, as Max was a rescue.
Christmas
With the kids back to school, now is the time to start looking towards Christmas. I have been working on my Gift Guides for weeks now, including an amazing Advent Calendar Guide for all the family.
Giveaways
You will have seen I have been busy this week with giveaways. I will share below in case you missed them. Also one last giveaway going live today. Great for putting away for birthdays or Christmas.
Cry Babies Dreamy and Rym Doll
Squishmallows
As you know one of C’s budgies is called Piplup or Pippy for short after the Pokemon character. While we were away a few weeks ago she read about a new Piplup Squishmallow coming out this month and will sell out fast. So I pre-ordered it and it arrived today.
I cant wait for the Christmas gift guides- love seeing new ideas and things I hadn’t thought about!
I am writing them up and have some lovely ideas on them already
I like golden retriever. We also love dogs but it’s a big responsibility. We travel often and don’t want to leave them alone.
We are huge animal lovers and having them is a huge commitment
I love reading your weekly updates. It’s like catching up with a friend over a cup of tea. Your mix of topics, from back-to-school to ULEZ and Squishmallows, keeps it interesting. I used to have a og but he is no more with us, yes you need big space for them.
Thank you, dogs are a huge commitment, and one day will get more but just not ready yet
I’d be over the moon for the no math thing… lol. Math is not my best subject. When the right time comes, you might find a Golden puppy as a rescue. I see so many pure breeds given up because they were high energy or too expensive for the owners. On the one hand, it’s great that they surrendered instead, but imagine living in a square all day every day as a dog. As anything. We’ll rescue when the time comes. Right now we have a rescue cat. We got her when she was old years ago and she’s still thriving and the perfect fit for our fam. 🙂
As we will not be rushing into getting another dog, we will rescue as have done in the past Max was a rescue and feel so lucky to have got him
Wow, what a huge variety of dog breeds you owned! You love the pups, ah?! Have a powerful and productive week!
I know we are animal lovers
Wishing C all the best as she heads back to college for her second year! Sounds like a great start with no maths or English and a pretty relaxed schedule. Enjoy the year ahead!
Thank you first proper day today and does not start until 11 which is lovely for a Monday morning
It’s so hard losing a pet they’re truly part of the family. When we lost our little poodle it was a big change and the house felt so quiet. We couldn’t adjust to the absence so we chose to go out and get another not too long after. But I think it’s different with each pet and family of course. I hope you did get another and I’m excited to hear about the process if you do 🙂
They are part of the family, we do have Bear who has adjusted ok, as Max was a dog like no other we all are still grieving for him in a way
That fine sounds crazy! The autopay sounds pretty help though for when you are in that area. My kids would love that Squishmallow.
I know it scares me, my daughter loves squishmallows
So cute! My cousins are so in love with dogs. I will share this with her.
We are huge animal lovers
I can’t believe that we’re talking about Christmas already. But it’s good to start thinking about gifts for loved ones, it can be a very stressful time.
It is hard to think about Christmas so early, I realised today my daughters birthday is 2 months today
It must feel like the summer holidays have disappeared so quickly with C going back to college so soon. Sounds like a good timetable if she’s only got one morning x
She has been off since June, but still seems to have flown by,can cope with one early morning
Bear is a beautiful looking dog! As a child I always wanted a St Bernard, but was never allowed one!
He can pull the most sorrowful face though. Our St Bernard was a great dog. I want a chocolate lab or Newfoundland
I do love how all your dogs are big dogs which are the dogs I like. I don’t know how you managed to raise so many dogs. Very admirable. I don’t think I would be able to move pass the first dog I have if anything happens to it.
I was 6 when we got the St Bernard and 17 when we got the black lab as I hated being at home without a dog
I’ve heard about those cameras I hope they don’t come to Scotland
It is big news around here
It’s really never too early to start putting gift guides together. They take some major planning!
They are a lot of work and do take a lot of planning, but always enjoy them
I think a golden retriever would be a good choice. I would definitely get a pair. They have so much energy. A buddy would be good for them.
It will be aa long time before we do but agree two will be easier
I looove dogs but never had one! I would love to get one, they’re awesome. Hopefully once we move to a bigger space.
They are amazing and huge part of the family