The life and times of Libby Withnall

When I checked on the piggies this morning I found Violet dead. She seemed well enough when I check on her last night but she’s a very old girl – over 6 yrs old. We’ve been expecting it for some time so no one is overly upset, but she will be missed.

Here she is as a baby in 2005.

It will be interesting to see how Jasmine goes an only piggy, after having been with Voilet

I’ll be headed to bed early tonight as I need to get up before 4am to see the first musher over the line. There are two very strong contenders at the moment and looks like it’s going to be a close, and exciting, finish.

…the Iditarod started today. I always get so emotional watching it – so inspiring. I wonder if Lance Mackey can make it 5 in a row!!!

About a week and half ago we came home to find one of budgies – Buddy – dead. Poor little Fudgie was standing beside her on the ground. She had been acting a little odd, sleeping and cuddling with Fudgie but we didn’t realize anything was wrong. Kevin, after doing some research, thinks she might have been egg-bound.

So on Friday it was time to go and get ourselves another budgie. We decided to get another male because the females bit so hard. I think I only held Buddy once in all the years we had her – which probably didn’t help to find any potential problems. So here is Charlie. He’s a British budgie and quite a bit bigger than Fudgie.

He’s a very sweet bird and within half an hour of him moving in Fudgie was already grooming him.

Hoping they’ll be the best of friends.

Okay, so it wasn’t snow but it was wet and cold and Bailey (being our ice cube eater) was in heaven.

First he ate the hail off the ground, then ran around the backyard trying to catch it as it fell. Too funny!

Firstly, I just wanted to say a HUGE thank you to those of you to took to time to comment on my last post – I really do have the best internet buddies. Just to clarify that I really am okay with my life right now. But I’ve been feeling a little flat this week so I’ve noticed myself doing more comparisons than normal. My only real regret in life is my weight so I know I’m pretty lucky. As a few of you pointed out – most of us feel that the grass is greener on the other side. But in truth our life is largely what we make it. So today I’m going to be happy to be me .

As I was scrapbooking yesterday afternoon I looked out my window and saw some black dots.

Okay, you can’t see them, I’ll grab the DSRL and go outside.

Not much better…lets zoom in..

Pelicans!!! About 30 of them flying on the breeze.  And did you notice the sideways heart space in the clouds?

I often see a few pelicans flying around but I’ve never seen this many enjoying the thermals. It was pretty awesome I have to say.

Finally today we had warmth and sunshine. So we promptly headed to the beach – the dog beach so we could take the pups.

The dogs had lots of fun chasing balls, and other dogs. Rosie managed to take on a pit-bull and survive (just).

We love it here because we always have the place to ourselves, with the occasional dog being walked. The steel works are right behind but you wouldn’t know it when facing the ocean.

There was plenty of digging – both the kids and Rosie (Bailey just tries to catch the sand being thrown up)

Rosie is obsessed with reflections given from my watch.

Bailey was most appreciative when Christy spread out her towel…. he didn’t waste any time making himself comfortable.

It’s been a while since I shared any photos of our guinea pigs but they had a little photo session after a recent bath. We are down to two now and they are both rather old ladies at 5.5 years.

Since I’m pretty much the soul carer of the piggies we aren’t planning to have any more once these ladies die, but I sure will miss them. They are sweet and cute and I love how they squeak when they hear a rustling noise in the hope it’s some fresh food for them.

I’ve been feeling down/ flat ALL this week and I’ve had enough. Not sure what’s going on, though I suspect it’s still travel related . I’ve been working on scrapbooking my photos and I just want to go back in the UK on holiday with my family. This is definitely the hardest I’ve had adjusting after a trip – but I guess it’s also the longest trip we’ve ever had. Last week I thought I was back on track but it wasn’t too be.

The worst part about feeling this way is that I’ve

- not been eating well

- not been exercising

- not wanted to do anything or go anywhere

- not been motivated to blog

- been feeling like a big failure

All of which, does NOT help me get over this funk I’m in. Today I’m supposed to go to my book group and I don’t want to – but I’m planning to make myself go. I know I’ll have a good time once I’m there.

I’m hoping the weather will warm up soon (it’s been cold) as I’m sure that would help my mood. In the meantime I need to get myself excited about things that are coming up – like our Halloween party, being able to plant our vegetable garden, getting back in the swimming pool, etc.

If anyone has any great tips for getting past this sort of feeling please share.

Todays “baby” cow photos were taken at John O’Groats in Scotland. And I’m pretty sure cows never have a down day….. except maybe in Winter when it’s cold and they’re shut inside

I couldn’t help myself. She was lying right beside me when I was painting Amy’s toe nails.

You’ll be relieved to know I didn’t paint Bailey’s toes .