Baggy awoke this morning (extremely late), with a splitting headache, and Hormonal Hannah feeling so low, that she didn't want to get out of bed. However, the headache won the argument, requiring Baggy to get up to take some painkillers. After sitting about on the sofa for a while, drinking tea, and trying to stop Hannah feeling sorry for herself, Furry Mama glanced across the room at Pepper, who had snuggled up on his own little sofa and resigned himself to going back to sleep.
'Sorry Peps!'
'S'okay mum. I can seez that you'z not feeling too good.'
'I'm okay baby. Or at least I will be.'
As soon as his mum began to speak, the pooch leapt off his sofa, trotted across the room, and jumped onto Furry Mama's lap.
'Ouch! You dope! I love you, but get off!'
'Luvz you too. Can we go out then?'
'I'll just get showered, and we'll go to the beach.'
As Furry Mama walked along the virtually deserted sands, Baggy counted her Blessings. Autumn is her favourite season, and the moody skies, short dark days, cold breezes and wet weather, admirably suit Hannah's moods; as do the vibrant colours, stunning sunsets, misty mornings and floating leaves. It's a magical season; the one that never ceases to calm Baggy and to make her rejoice to be alive.
Furry Mama watched her pooch as he leapt after his ball, never failing to bring it back to her to be thrown once again, and wondered who had actually rescued who. If it wasn't for him, Hormonal Hannah could easily have decided to stay in bed, curled up with Bracket kat for the morning, as that ghastly cloud of despair, hovered over her bed.
And that's the thing with depression, there's no logic to it! Baggy thanks God every day for her wonderful life; she is fully aware of how incredibly fortunate she is. And yet, she can wake up, unable to face the world, having been on Cloud 9 on the previous day. Yet that little scrap of furry cuteness, who's actually more than happy to curl up and go back to sleep if his mum is feeling low, never ceases to make even Hormonal Hannah smile.
And taking him out, getting exercise and fresh air, chatting to people who want to meet the cute pooch, laughing at his antics and letting nature blow away Hormonal Hannah's black cloud, is right up there on Baggy's list of Blessings...
Note to readers: For the avoidance of any doubt, every character in this blog is Baggy! No Baggy was harmed in its writing, although some of them get pretty confused!
It's that time of year when lurgies seem to await behind every door! Number one furry and Baggy, both had an extremely odd one over the weekend. No matter how warm the house was, neither of them could get warm. Calum had it worse than Baggy. At one point Freda Fretter was trying to decide whether she should get him to hospital, he seemed so poorly. Bear in mind Baggees, that this is the man who walks around in the snow, with just a t-shirt on; then visualise him laying on the sofa fully clothed, still wearing his thermal jacket with the faux-fur hood up, under four throws - shivering! This coldness was combined with aches everywhere, and a total inability to stay awake.
Clever Bird knew that it was a lurgy, because Baggy had felt similarly on Saturday, and had fallen asleep on the sofa in the evening for two hours! Apart from the fact that this is unheard of for Baggy, who can usually only fall asleep in bed, it was also really annoying, as number one had only got home from work on Saturday. So, on Sunday, when Calum had all the same symptoms, albeit worse, Furry Mama tucked him up, and attempted not to panic, because it seemed to burn-out after twenty-four hours.
Furry Mama had to get Calum to hospital for 9.00am on Monday morning - not lurgy related - but to have his eyes checked. The optometrist had concerns about a drainage tube in Cal's eye, that seemed too narrow, and if it got worse could lead to blindness. To get there on time, Baggy needed to be ready to leave at 7.15! Fortunately, Cal seemed to be feeling a little better - unfortunately, Baggy was feeling a little worse. But the good thing about being at a clinic early, is that usually you get into your appointment vaguely on time.
After numerous checks, Cal was given the all clear, apart from what appears to be a mole in his eye. The consultant, who by all accounts was top dog (being a Clinical Fellow), is convinced that it's benign and nothing to be concerned about, but wants to see Cal again in four months to be sure.
Much to Furry Mama's relief, Pepper Pooch was curled up in Billy Bob Jalopy campervan, patiently waiting for his mum and dad to return. Freda Fretter had shut him in with all the curtains closed, and the thermal window covers over the front windows, so he was in a large private kennel. As a reward to him for being so patient for over two hours, Cal and Baggy took him to the nearby Gorleston beach.
Calum, who was once again feeling awful, and now had space-monkey dilated eyes to go with his achy-tiredness, wandered along the promenade, while Furry Mama and the pooch played ball on the beautifully sandy beach. Every now and again, Freda Fretter did hand-signals to Calum, to check whether he wanted to head back; receiving no response, she and the pooch carried on. As Baggy began to feel quite ill herself, with a pain through her stomach that was almost doubling her over, she decided to head back anyway. Once back in Billy Bob, which frankly wasn't easy as it's quite a height to climb into when you're in pain, Calum pulled his hood up, and went to sleep; having informed her that he hadn't been able to see Baggy on the beach, other than as a distant blur.
Both he and Baggy felt frozen on Monday evening, even though the thermostat on the heating system was set at 28 deg.C.!!! Cal went to bed early, as he had to get up at 4.00am, and Furry Mama piled extra blankets over him, before curling up on the sofa herself, under four throws! Fortunately today, both Baggy and Calum seem to be feeling okay again. Baggy is just forever grateful that the lurgy got them this weekend, and not for her birthday surprise weekend!
Truthfully though, Clever Bird believes that we need a proper cold snap, to kill off some of these lurgies! Poor old nature seems to be terribly confused! Gloria Gardener spotted these today and is worried that they have got a bit muddled about which season England is currently in.
Gloria was also a little unsure about the pruning that has been done on the oaks in the garden. But their branches were way too low and they will benefit from having a little breathing space from each other, so that they can flourish.
Other progress has also been made. Today while Furry Mama took Pepper to the beach, and Grotty Groom had some quality time with her Boy, Steve got on with building number one furry's new shed.
Clever Bird will observe (from afar) with interest when the old shed is relocated, as, as she suspected, building the new shed around the old one, is proving to be rather more complicated than it seemed! Watch this space Baggees...
Note to readers: For the avoidance of any doubt, every character in this blog is Baggy! No Baggy was harmed in its writing, although some of them get pretty confused!
Baggy, Calum, Pepper Pooch and their lovely friend Lorraine, got home from Baggy's surprise party at around 1.30am. Despite having had only four hours sleep on the previous night, when Baggy stumbled into her bed at 2.15am, she could not get to sleep. Hormonal Hannah's mind was whirring, and Baggy was reliving every lovely moment of her brilliant night - that and Baggy's knee was throbbing with pain, as it started to swell up from all Baggy's bopping. At 5.30am, having got up-and-down about four times, totally unable to sleep, Calum decided to get up, because Lorraine was on the move. Baggy instantly fell asleep! Only to wake up again at 7.00am.
She decided to give in and get up, as the alarm was set for 8.00am anyway. 'Why?' you ask Baggees. Well, because Baggy had yet another treat! Baggy's gorgeous sister had booked breakfast in a cafe in Southwold.
The marginally eccentric (aka nutty) owner, had very kindly put up a banner for Baggy! You get the kind of cafe it is Baggees, when you read that he only serves a crappuccino coffee! It was certainly an entertaining breakfast!
As everyone made their way home to Kent and London, after their full English's, Cal and Furry Mama took Pepper Pooch (who was at this breakfast, but is fast asleep under the table in this photo!), for a run on the beach, before heading home themselves.
Calum was back at work at 3.30am on Monday morning! Clever Bird has no idea how he manages it! Baggy had a lie in (having once again slept really badly). But when she did try to get up, she realised that her left knee was so swollen that she couldn't bend it. This meant that Monday and Tuesday were spent hobbling around the house, while The Domestic Goddess did a bit of tidying, and Furry Mama threw the ball for Pepper!
Baggy's knee was considerably better today, although still too swollen for her to safely drive. Fortunately though, Calum had taken the day off, to be with Baggy on the day that she officially became 60 years old, so he could do the driving.
It's been a wonderful day!
A trip to the beach for the pooch:
It was glorious - but absolutely freezing; hence number one's impersonation of Nanook of the North!
Lunch on the pier:
Followed by a visit to the yard, so that Grotty Groom could spend some time with her Boys, and give Wesley a quick groom.
Then home, where Baggy got rather tipsy, drinking sparkling wine, while opening all the wonderful presents and cards, that people had so kindly given her at her party! And yes Baggees, Hormonal Hannah did get totally overwhelmed by people's generosity and thoughtfulness, and yet more tears have been shed...
Note to readers: For the avoidance of any doubt, every character in this blog is Baggy! No Baggy was harmed in its writing, although some of them get pretty confused!
...
As Baggy persuaded her shaky legs to carry her into the village hall, her brain began to register just how many people were there. The next few minutes are a blur! She remembers suddenly seeing her sister, then her nieces, then one of her closest friends and her husband and Baggy's Goddaughter, then loads of Cal's family (Baggy's new family), then her four best friends from school...
Of course by now, Baggy was a blubbering mess! Everyone was singing Happy Birthday to her. The DJ was saying something-or-other about Baggy's birthday, but she just wanted to cuddle everyone, especially her gorgeous husband, who clearly knows Baggy, and especially, Hormonal Hannah, way better than they know themselves.
Hannah didn't care that everyone was staring at her, she just wanted to hug them all! In a blur, she hugged and blubbed, and laughed and smiled, and slowly took everything in. Her sister thrust a well-needed glass of wine into her hand. A school friend took her coat away. And Baggy realised that this party, was the nicest thing that anyone had ever done for her.
Calum had had a lot of help from Baggy's sister, who, while Calum was trying to keep Baggy occupied all day, had been whizzing about getting a few last-minute things to decorate the hall with. (Baggy later found out that was why Calum had wanted to go to Pakefield, and not to Southwold - only for him to later discover himself, that Debby, Emily, her boyfriend Ash, and Abby, had decided to go to Lowestoft instead, and were within a minute's walk of where Furry Mama was playing with the pooch).
Baggy's friend Tracey helped Debby decorate the hall (which must have been a mad rush, because all day there had been a craft fair in it). A craft fair that Creative Clara had intended selling her wares at, but Calum had persuaded her out of it!
Deb had bought Baggy the most amazing birthday cake, and had themed all the decorations to be beach-based, as well as sixty-based, as Baggy spends so much time on the beach.
Baggy was so overwhelmed, that she struggled to take everything in! And had to keep sitting down, or whizzing over to cuddle people who'd come from far and wide to be at her party.
Of course, her neighbours Bill and Max, had some explaining to do! As did Pauline, who had 'snubbed' Grotty the day before, because she didn't want to give the game away! As did her lovely sister, who's as big a fibber as Baggy's husband. But Baggy has never felt so loved before - everyone there was special to Baggy, and she was extremely touched that they'd come.
There was an awful lot of bopping!
Now, the fact is that Baggy had such an amazing night, that she got a tad carried away! As a result, her left knee swelled up so badly, that for the last two days, she has been sitting about with a frozen pad on it - but it was all worth it! She even got a dance with her amazing husband, who avoids dancing at all costs usually!
Thank goodness that her husband ignored Hannah's declarations of not wanting a party, because it was amazing!
and Baggy had the most fantastic night.
She's still recovering! But she's saved all her wonderful cards and presents for her actual birthday tomorrow!
And even better, Calum is now going to be with her to celebrate it!
Baggy is feeling very touched indeed, and looking forward to her 70th...
Note to readers: For the avoidance of any doubt, every character in this blog is Baggy! No Baggy was harmed in its writing, although some of them get pretty confused!
......
As Baggy tried to comb through the wet mop that she calls her hair, Calum made her a chicken roll.
'Thanks. What time are we going?'
'Oh, we are going then!'
'Yes. I'll be okay - I think,' said Hormonal Hannah, not at all convinced that she would be okay, and wondering what to wear to the party; and whether she'd decide that she wasn't going to go after all, once she saw what she looked like in the mirror.
'About half seven I reckon - we don't want to be the first there do we?'
'I can't say I want to be there at all,' thought Hannah.
For once Baggy put on a tiddly-bit of makeup, and as she put on her new outfit a little later, she actually felt quite good as she looked at herself in the mirror. By now it was gone 7.00pm.
'You look absolutely beautiful,' said Cal, who was watching a quiz on the telly.
'Thanks bubba, you look pretty handsome yourself.'
At 7.35, Freda Fretter said, 'Do you think we should head over now? There's fashionably late, and then there's rude.'
'Yep sure, if you're okay to go.'
'I will be.'
Pepper started leaping about like a big puppy, when Furry Mama fetched his collar.
'Don't get too excited baby, I'm afraid we're not going to the beach again!'
It's only a five-minute walk to the hall, but they had to go in Billy Bob Jalopy campervan, as Pepper Pooch would need to sleep in it while Baggy and Cal were in the party. Furry Mama was a little worried about this, as it was a cold night, so she put the pooch's little knitted jumper on him, and threw in some extra blankets. Hormonal Hannah had visions of sitting in the van with Pepper when the party got too much! But as the people throwing the party, are the neighbour's who she would ordinarily have asked to pooch-sit, she didn't have much choice.
As they drove into the hall grounds, Baggy could see disco lights flashing, but no cars parked. Then Freda Fretter realised that the little car park behind the hall was full, and started to panic that Pepper wouldn't be safe. Of course there was space though, so Furry Mama checked he was settled, and headed into the hall with Calum.
As she walked into the entrance hall, she could see that quite a few people were sitting at tables chatting, and that the disco was in full swing. Then Clever Bird recognised Calum's brother and his partner sitting at the table nearest to the entrance, and stopped Baggy dead in her tracks as the little light bulb flashed on in Baggy's brain - this party was not what it seemed.
Baggy glanced at Calum, and realised from his face that she was right, the party was for her. Now Baggees, at this moment, Clever Bird had to get Hormonal Hannah, who was about to turn-tail and run back to Billy Bob, to be brave and keep walking - she was about to be the centre of attention whether she liked it or not!
Frankly, it's amazing how many thoughts can flash through the human brain at moments of terror! And for Hormonal Hannah this was a moment of terror. All she could think was, that she'd been right all along - Calum had arranged a surprise party for her.
Clever Bird had been convinced weeks ago that he was arranging a surprise party for Baggy. It was after all her 60th birthday, and yet he had barely mentioned it, which was not like him. She got suspicious; not that she can remember why now, and decided to speak to her sister about it on the phone.
'Deb, is Calum arranging a party for my birthday, only I can't imagine anything worse?'
Slight hesitation.
'No, not that I know of.'
'Truly? Because I know you'd know if he was.'
'Well he hasn't said anything to me about it.'
Clever Bird did not believe a word of this!
'You would tell me wouldn't you? There aren't enough people who'd want to come to a party for me. I'd feel so uncomfortable. I'd much rather have a meal out with a few people.'
'Than be the centre of attention in a billy-no-mates-party,' thought Freda and Hannah.
'Yeah, of course I'd tell you,' replied Debby.
Hannah decided that maybe she did believe her after all. Only for Calum to call her later.
'I've had your sister on the phone!'
'Oh?'
'You've been worrying her that I'm organising a party, that she knows nothing about.'
'Well have you?'
'No! I know you hate parties.'
'I do. That's why I've never had one.'
'There you go then - so why would I be organising you one?'
'Because you're a sneaky bugger,' thought Baggy now, as she walked slowly towards her party.
At the time, she'd decided that she must be barking up the wrong tree after all. And yet, there had still been virtually no mention of Baggy's birthday, so she wasn't totally convinced. Then the party invitation turned up, and had the opposite effect to the one that Calum had intended - Clever Bird's suspicions were raised once again.
'We've had a party invite from Bill and Max, Cal.'
'Oh yeah, when for?'
'My birthday weekend, so I don't really want to go.'
'Let's see how he manages to get out of that one, if it is a red herring-invite,' thought Clever Bird.
'Your birthday's on a Wednesday isn't it?'
'I think so,'
'So, your birthday can be celebrated the following weekend too, can't it?'
'I guess.'
'There you are then. But we don't have to go if you can't face it.'
Hmmmm. Over the next few weeks, Clever Bird kept testing Cal who she knew had spoken to Bill and Max.
'What's their party for?'
'Do we need to get them a present?' and on, and on. The man had answers for everything! So in the end, Baggy was 98% convinced that the party at the village hall on November 16th really was for their neighbours.
Until that was, she walked in to the village hall! Clever Bird knew that Bill and Max did not know Calum's brother. Baggy gritted her teeth, and carried on walking...
... to be continued.
Note to readers: For the avoidance of any doubt, every character in this blog is Baggy! No Baggy was harmed in its writing, although some of them get pretty confused!
Baggy is sleeping appallingly at the moment! She wakes at around 2.00am and cannot get back to sleep! However, on Saturday, even after only around four hours of actual sleep, Grotty Groom got Baggy out of bed, still excited to ride Joey. Firstly though, Furry Mama needed to take Pepper Pooch for a good run, and Calum had offered to buy Baggy some new waterproof boots as her Christmas present, so they headed off to a local horsey-shop. Extremely nice boots purchased, they set off again.
'Shall we go to Southwold?'
'No! We said we'd go to Pakefield.'
'I know. But it's nearer.'
'It isn't. It's the same distance from here.'
'I know, but I really want to ride Joey and Southwold is in the right direction to get to the yard.'
'We always go to ****ing Southwold.'
Hormonal Hannah wondered why Calum was in such a strop, and decided that she'd better shut up, and get Baggy to drive to Pakefield.
Cal seemed to relax, and enjoy the beach once they got there, and the pooch had his usual lovely time. They had a toastie at the beach cafe and admired the view, but Grotty was itching to get to the yard before Hormonal Hannah talked her out of riding.
'Can we head off now?'
'What's the rush?'
'Well, it's already getting on for lunchtime. By the time we get to the yard it'll be gone two.'
'So?'
'I want to ride.'
'I know. There's plenty of time.'
'But I need to wash my hair before we go to the party tonight. Not that I really want to go. We won't know anyone.' (Baggy and Calum had been invited to a party at the village hall by some neighbours - as per, Hannah's anxiety was telling her not to go.)
'I'm sure we will, but even if we don't, we'll have each other,' reassured Calum.
By the time they finally got to the yard, Hannah had got Grotty in a right state! But she did it! She rode Calum's beautiful horse.
Madly, rather than walking down and mounting Joey in the safety of the indoor school, Clever Bird decided to get Grotty mount him by the stables, and ride him down to it. This is only a distance of about a hundred yards - if that - but Baggy was shaking like the proverbial leaf, because Joey was snorting like a train, while staring at a horse box in the car park.
'Cal, can you hold his reins please?' asked a terrified Grotty, who felt as if Joey was going to spin and head back to the stables at any second.
'You're fine!'
'No - I'm really not!' squeaked Hannah. 'Please hold him - I'm shaking.'
Cal took the reins, but Joey was still wired, and staring at the horse box with ears pricked. He tried to trot past it, but Cal walked him. It didn't help that Wesley was calling to Joey and Grotty from his stable, like a total numpty! Baggy breathed deeply and reminded herself, that:
a) Joey is a really sensible horse
b) Grotty might be unfit, but she's a good rider
c) Calum's saddle literally holds Baggy in place
d) Clever Bird had attached Grotty's 'sissy-strap' to Joey's saddle, and Grotty had hold of it
e) Clever Bird had also made Grotty wear an air jacket (just in case)
f) They were just walking down a track, that Joey's been down dozens of times; not riding round Badminton or Burleigh
and
g) Joey IS NOT Wesley! (And is therefore unlikely to suddenly spin, and bolt straight back to his stable, if a leaf looks at him 'the wrong way').
And breathe...
Clever Bird knew that Calum would have to let go of Joey's reins in order to open the school doors, so Grotty sank deep into Joey's saddle and tried to make the jibbering Hormonal Hannah relax, and stop visualising all Grotty's previous hospital trips.
As the doors slid noisily open, Joey took a little side-step and then put on a spurt to get into the arena. Clever Bird realised that it was Grotty's tension that was making him nervous, as Joey snorted his way around the school, looking at everything. Grotty started to chat to him, as she led him round, and he soon began to settle; as did Hannah (and breathe).
He's a typical Irish Draught really - totally laid back, and extremely brave. Considering that he's basically had three years off work, he was an angel (as he always is). As Hannah began to relax properly, Grotty started to enjoy the experience.
Creative Clara asked Cal to take some photos for her blog.
It was a very happy ten minutes or so - more than enough for both Joey and Grotty, after such a long time off.
Baggy hopped off - rather inelegantly, and with a bit of a crash - it's an awfully long way down! (Clever Bird forgets that Joey is considerably larger than the Boy Wessles!) Grotty gave him a load of treats for being such an angel, and led him back to the stables. As Joey noticed the horsebox, once again he tensed up, and put on a little speed spurt to get past it.
'I think he thought we were going to take him somewhere Cal.'
'Yeah that makes sense.'
'It's okay you big softy; you're going back to your brother.'
Grotty gave both Boys a cuddle and a few more treats, before packing up all her bits and heading back to the tack room for a cuppa and a chat. Pepper Pooch joined them and met a little pug who's on foster with the yard owner (and looking for a new home). Perhaps fortunately, the pooch decided that he wanted nothing to do with the boisterous, scary little puppy, who just wanted to play with him! Otherwise, the Baggy furry-family, may have been expanded!
Determined to ride again on Sunday, Grotty said to Pauline, (the yard manager), 'See you tomorrow,' and was a little surprised when she got no response. Hormonal Hannah was a bit hurt, but realised that she's always saying that she'll be at the yard, then not going - but still! Clever Bird told her not to be so stupid; Pauline was busy, heading into the stableblock, and probably hadn't even heard her. So Grotty yelled, 'Bye', once more.
It was getting on for 3.30pm by the time they all arrived home. Hormonal Hannah had totally forgotten that Steve (the carpenter), was working away at the top of the garden, getting on with Cal's new shed. The Domestic Goddess made him a cup of tea, and took Baggy up to see the work-in-progress, before heading back down to the house, and Cal.
'I suppose I'd better wash my hair; I smell rather horsey.'
'Okay.'
'Do we have to go tonight?'
'No, not if you don't want to. Wash your hair, and see how you feel.'
'Right ho.'
'By the way - what do you want to do for your birthday? Do you fancy going out for a meal?'
'Yes, that would be lovely.'
'Where would you like to go?'
'I don't know. A pub probably, then Pepper can come.'
As the hot water helped Baggy's neck from hurting so much, Hannah began to relax, and to look forward to putting on one of her new swirly dresses, and heading to the village hall, for their lovely neighbour's party - after all, if she had a meltdown, it would take her only five minutes to walk home, and it would be lovely to spend some quality time with her husband, and maybe have a little bit of a bop...
To be continued...............
Note to readers: For the avoidance of any doubt, every character in this blog is Baggy! No Baggy was harmed in its writing, although some of them get pretty confused!
