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Hopalong:
Glad you are back in the present, (((((Tupp))))). Brava, you.

I'll bet spring in Scotland is amazing. I'm picturing heather, lambs on hillsides, fresh breezes (coastal?) and people with roses in their cheeks.

Hugs
Hops

Twoapenny:
It is lovely, Hops :)  I was up very early this morning and sat in the garden drinking my tea and watching the bats flying around :)

Two interesting things this week; my compulsion to step in and manage other people's feelings for them seems to have left me, and so to has my need to endlessly manage what I say so I don't inadvertently offend anyone.  Someone local to us, an older disabled man we've got to know, had a bit of a situation going on.  I didn't really have any way I could help out, realistically, and for the first time I didn't put myself in a ridiculous situation of over promising or planning some miraculous rescue.  I just said I was sorry it was tough for him (which I am) but that I didn't have anything useful to offer (which was true) and I hoped someone else would be more useful.  I should add he wasn't asking for help, simply telling me what was going on but usually that makes me put my rescue hat on.  Just didn't happen and I only thought about it afterwards because I think it's the first time the feeling that I needed to manage that for someone else didn't come up.

Two situations this week where usually I would be very careful about what I said, but I wasn't.  I wasn't rude and it wasn't an outburst, but again there just wasn't any emotion attached.  I just said what I thought, standing up for myself in both cases, and left it there.  Haven't spent endless amounts of time mithering over whether I did or said the right thing, or justifying it to myself in my head either.  It just was, and that was that.

And on the back of that, an old friend turned up unexpectedly, I got a call early yesterday to say he'd be driving through later in the day and were we home.  Said yes, genuinely pleased to see him, but too many memories of old life.  Weed smoke (you can smell it on him), drinking (the smell and the talking about oneself - I hadn't realised before the reason I've spent so much time listening to others wang on is because drunk people just talk with no regard for who else is there) and a realisation that we don't actually have much in common and two hours was more than enough time to catch up.  Didn't feel bad about telling him I was wanting to go to bed, told him he was welcome to use the house as he wanted to and then I went off and left him to it.  Woke up this morning not feeling at all bad about being a less than gracious host and wanting to get on with the day.

Amazing.  Keep wondering if this is how some people feel throughout their lives and if that's why it seems so much easier for them.  Hoping it continues.  Hope pup is doing well! xx

Hopalong:
Wow! I can feel your solidity and balance...what a good day that was. It does feel amazing when simple steps or internal shifts produce that feeling of "I am okay and it feels uncomplicated." You actually turned off the self-criticism. Brava.

Meanwhile, I turned cartwheels over delightful language things:
"mithering" and
"wang on"

Pup is a maniac. And so cute that my friend visiting brought him a basket of presents. She also brought her gorgeous elderly collie who was very intrigued until he began treating her like a jungle gym. He finally took a nap on her lovely tail. Amazed me how sweet and patient the old achy dog was with his bananas energy.

My house is an absolute wreck but he and I have settled into a pretty good routine. I still spend too much time waiting for the magic tidyup fairy. And the housetraining fairy. He's trying. Another dog-obsessed friend advised me that it really helps to behave like a demented cheerleader whenever he hits the right spot (puppy pad not just off it or in his blankie). Being a praise factory is actually good for my mental health. I'm so enthusiastic he looks at me like I've lost my mind, but it does appear to help him notice what he did right.

hugs
Hops

sKePTiKal:
Puppies are assimilating so much new knowlege so fast every day, that it takes them a while to process all that stuff, Hops. That's one reason they take so many naps. And why training needs to be consistent. Even the words you use! Hol's 70 lb puppy is the same way - and that is a LOT more chaos inside than us old farts can manage. But Kiri makes up for it by being sweet.

Hopalong:
I agree, Amber. All the puppies I've known have needed loads of sleep and patience and love and time. I'm certainly giving Pup all that...just enjoy writing some hyperbole about how it all feels right now. I'm smitten with him and he's very bright. We're bonding big.

Most of all, he's FUNNY. He doesn't have to try...his little face is all by itself hilarious. He looks like an old Prussian soldier with mutton chops. Then there's the long torso, and a wonderful curled up tail with a white tip. White paws, and a funny off-center white blaze on his head that somehow makes him look like a rocker. Dog parts from outer space all came together to make him something adorable.

We'll be starting puppy class within about a month, there's a great one here.

hugs
Hops

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