Friday 31 December 2010

Happy New Year!

2011 is almost here.....so.......

Happy New Year from Max & Millie

Happy New Year from Harriet, Ruby, Tallulah & Nigella

Happy New Year from Us

We hope that your 2011 is filled with joy, happiness, laughter, fun and most of all, lots and lots of love for and from those that are near and dear xxxxx

Thursday 30 December 2010

A Very Special Christmas...

A belated Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all...or as they say in my Husband's mother tongue "Nadolig llawen a blwyddyn newydd dda". 

Off to Cheshire...

We and the puppies spent Christmas 2010 in Cheshire, at home with the beautiful Mrs. Joyce Ellis, Aunty Christine & Uncle Les (MAD Sister in Law/Matron and her Pyromaniac Husband!), Colonel Gay Hurst-Cabooby and Mrs. Buckley Ellis (Suppliers of donkeys to Blackpool Beach) and Brother Tim (no he's not a Monk - they don't drink THAT much wine!!!). 

M&M admire Dad's Christmas socks!

I have to admit, I wasn't looking forward to it at all. I really wanted to see Mum but at the same time I didn't want to see the situation, if that makes sense. However, it turned into a right laugh, Mum was on fantastic form and 'Matron' was taking charge ensuring no one (including Mum!) stepped out of line. Christine Margaret is a star, it was more than evident that there's no one better to take on the daily care of Mum.....Mag, you ROCK!

Thank you Aunty Pol & Uncle Col for our mini blankets

Max and Millie were spoilt rotten on Christmas morning and awoke to one or two treats, not only from us but also from the family. There were edible treats, toys, blankets and the like....they did better than the adults methinks!

Thank you Granny Celia for our blankets

While in Cheshire, the dogs were taken on various long walks which included the canal from Bunbury to Tilstone and "The Coombs' and of course they loved every minute of it. We started with crisp, icy, snowy walks and with the temperature climbing we ended up with mud and slush. No matter what the weather M&M had fun, fun, fun! 

Bunbury Lock - frozen!

Max and Millie received from us a couple of ragger toys, a fox and a raccoon. It was supposed to be the fox for Millie and the raccoon for Max. However, Master Maximillian Sydney Bruiser McEllis had other plans and decided that ALL the Christmas presents should be his.......he did not succeed!

I want the fox......NO I want it.......NO I want it.......!

Miss Millicent Hermione Oprah McEllis soon put Max in his place and normal service resumed (if you can call anything that involves these two normal!!!). As well as toys, the puppies received a fair amount of food related treats, the odd sliver of turkey, ham, beef, whatever came to hand. It will be a diet for these two in the New Year although I rather like Millie's stocky frame!

Fox is dead! Long live Fox!

I have to say, under the circumstances, we had a wonderful Christmas up in Cheshire, it was full of fun, laughs, and love....lots and lots and lots of love.

A Mother's Love...

Tuesday 21 December 2010

Mr. Pussy

Not that we here in (dog loving) McEllis Towers like to promote any form of cat related material, we couldn't help but tell you all about Mr. Pussy! Our lovely friend Paul (a known homosexualist) sent me an email with the link to Mr. Pussy's website and I have to admit that although I dislike vile, bird-killing moggies as much as the next man, it makes for lovely reading.....I wish I could write this blog as well as Mr. Pussy does!

Our friend Po-Po...er I mean Paul

Master Maximillian Sydney Bruiser and Miss Millicent Hermione Oprah send their love and puppy cuddles to all and hope you all enjoy the following link to Mr. Pussy:

http://spitalfieldslife.com/2010/12/21/mr-pussy-in-winter/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+SpitalfieldsLife+%28Spitalfields+Life%29

This is Squib - he owns our dear friends Lord Shaldon and Lady Bunty

Enjoy Pussy everyone (I really, honestly can't remember ever saying that before!!!)

Sunday 19 December 2010

21......again!

As hard as it is to admit, I am today one year older, although not necessarily wiser.....! I've had a wonderful day with my Husband and 'The Kids'....Max and Milly bought me "100 Ways To Train The Perfect Dog" which will be put to good use, once I find the perfect dog...*boom boom*

This book WILL be put to good use!!!

My wonderful, wonderful Husband bought me "Trogons - A Natural History of the Trogonidae" which is stunning!!!!! Trogons, for those of you that are wondering are exotic, colourful, long tailed versions of our very own Blackbird....they are quite beautiful and I've been lucky enough to see some on our travels in South Africa.

Me and my superb Trogon book!!!!!!

We also went out last night to the Dartmouth Arms on Dartmouth Road in Forest Hill for dinner...little did I know that eldest Son Henry and his gorgeous girlfriend Emma would be there, along with Max's favourites, Aunty Kay and Uncle Jim and the fabulous gayers Mark & Paul.....a truly fantastic evening with excellent food, loads of fizz and friends and family I love and adore!

M&M help Dad blow out his candles!

I've had a brilliant birthday thanks to my Fella, 'The Kids' and my friends and family......

Thank You All Very Much Indeed!

Sunday 12 December 2010

Christmas is Coming...

Laydeez and Gentlebents, welcome to another episode in Max and Millie's wonderful, if not ever so slightly mad world. The snow here in Saaaaarf East London has almost completely gone (I completely dislike the meltdown - having had one or two of those myself!) and we've now returned to moist, muddy cold....and now they're saying the freeze is coming back...oh joy!

Dad No. 1 and Millie when the snow was fun!

I am one of life's snow fans. I love the stuff and so does Max. I doubt he's ever experienced it before however when he went out for walks he got well and truly animated, his head would go down and off he would go "truffling" trying to pick up a scent. Our little man gets enjoyment from the simplest things, which brings a huge smile to my face. Millie would enjoy it more if she had more fur on her little body I think, but it doesn't stop her bouncing around like Pepe La Pew!

Daddy, is that a fox over there??? "Gggggrrrrrrrr"

Another reason for my liking of snow is of course that in December 2007, my Husband took me to the Swiss Alps and uttered those immortal words "Will You Marry Me?"......a day I will never forget!

The Day We Got Engaged...

Christmas has well and truly arrived at Devonshire Road.....the decorations are up, my Husband's baubles are out and the Fairy's dust has well and truly been sprinkled. All we need now is for Santa to give our nuts a good roasting and empty his sack!

The Tree

This is the puppies first proper Christmas (they would have been only a few weeks old last year) so they're being very much involved in the entire process. We got all the boxes and bags with the decorations out and I think the dogs thought we were moving out but it didn't take long for Max to stuck his nose in everywhere to find out what was going on (can't think where he gets that from!).

Max "Rudolf" McEllis

As I type, my Husband is currently giving the kitchen a 'Nigella make-over" and there appear to be more than one set of christmas lights being scattered around the room (and he's supposed to be the 'butch' one?!?!?!?!?!). However, it looks positively marvellous and festive.....all we need now is the scent of Glugwein wafting about the place and it will be like being in Santa's Grotto!

Millie "Santa's Little Helper" McEllis

Christmas 2010 is being spent in Cheshire at Nana Joyce's house and we're all very much looking forward to spending it with her. The puppies have a couple of lovely gifts and obviously there will be photos of Christmas morning for you all to see them enjoying themselves.

 Max wishing he still had baubles!

Rest assured more festive pictures of 'The Kids' will follow in due course as we make them endure more embarrassing moments with tinsel, lights and baubles.....well, you have to really don't you?!

I will be 41 next weekend - have M&M remembered?!

Sunday 5 December 2010

2 Become 1

No, not the spiffing song by the Spice Girls, but the fact that our little 'uns have turned 1! 

Yes readers, Max & Millie were both 1 year old on 1st November!!!

You can't have a birthday without a cake (even if it is fluffy and squeaky!)

We had a small celebration at home, here in London, with both of them. They had a wonderful day (not that they knew anything was different apart from loads more toys and lots and lots of dog food treats!).

The Birthday Boy & Girl and their new toy

It's a little odd thinking of Millie as 1, as I always think of her as being that bit older, simply because we had Max from a little puppy, whereas Millie has always been the size she is, we've never known her any different, not that it doesn't make her any less special because she is, as are they both.....the little darlings (I will remind myself of this sentence next time they are both little shits, barking and creating at 3 in the morning!!!).

'The Kids' give their input to the blog!

We've had a fair bit of snow here recently and the puppies loved it, although Millie with her almost hairless tummy had to be carried home on a couple of occasions due to her shivering, the poor little mite.

Miniature Husky McEllis No. 1

Max on the other hand was nothing if not spectacularly happy that he had all this snow to play in, he was in his element, even if at times all you could see was his tail!

Miniature Husky McEllis No. 2

You may have noticed that the blog hasn't been updated since the end of October. This is for a couple of reasons, one being that I have had a minor spinal complaint which I hope to be treated for next week, nothing serious but I've been in and out of work over the last month, being unable to use a mouse or type (I cannot tell you how long this has taken to type due to the pain!)....the drugs have helped enormously and I meet with the consultant tomorrow morning to discuss treatment - and I'm back to work and I cannot wait (daytime TV is enough to send the sanest person over the edge!).

A painfully honest and illustrative picture of how I've been feeling this last month....

I've had a chat with my handsome Husband and he has given me the nod so that I can give a small update on the current condition of my fabulous Mother in Law, Joyce. As you may well know, Joyce was taken ill in early September with what we thought was a stroke.....It wasn't....Joyce has two cancerous brain tumours and is now terminally ill. I'm including this in the blog because she adores the pups, they adore her and apart from my own Mum, she's the most important lady in my life......a woman I love and cherish.

Max and his Nana earlier this year

Joyce has been in and out of hospital recently and alas, has caught one infection after another, which obviously has not helped her! She is now at home, receiving care from the family under the supervision of Matron 'Mag' Berry (John's sister), bless her.

Max looking after his Nana a couple of weeks ago

It is a very difficult time for the entire family, and of course, Joyce being Joyce means that she's nothing if not a fighter! Truly, I find it difficult to comprehend that the lady that was in the hospital bed is the same person as my wonderful Mother in Law, they are chalk and cheese to me, completely different people. My Hubby has been up and down to Cheshire as much as he possibly can and I can only imagine what must be going through his mind. 

Max and his Dad have a well deserved rest

There are moments when I wonder if I'm doing enough just 'being there' for him, and I've felt enormously guilty about being ill over the last month, it's the last thing he needs, but be there for him I am (in whatever condition!) and always will be. He's like his Mum, he's a fighter and he won't give up doing anything and everything he can to make her time as comfortable and painless as possible.

The Puppies looking after Nana last week

I will not be sad that Joyce is dying, I am and always will be very happy that she lived!

Yes, there will be and have been loads of tears (I am gushing right now!!!), but sadness will not help anyone. I'm f*cking angry that this horrid, vicious disease is taking away my  Husband's Mum, my Mother in Law. It has already taken his Father, my Aunt and tried to take my Mum....I HATE IT!

However, without the gorgeous Joyce I would never have met my handsome Husband and become part of the fantastic (if sometimes bloody bonkers!) Ellis Clan.

I shall leave you on an uplifting note, with a video of Max and Millie arguing over (and destroying!) their birthday cake.......enjoy!


Sunday 31 October 2010

Hounds of Hell-oween


Witches flying past on broomsticks
Black cats leaping here and there
White-robed spooks on every corner
Mournful moaning in the air








Goblins peering out of windows
Spirit-things that rap and run
But don't be scared, it's just October
Having one last hour of fun!


Saturday 30 October 2010

Milling About and Maxing It Up!

It has been a couple of weeks since the previous chapter and for those of you that take a regular peek, my apologies. However, how life flies before your eyes these days - middle age or just so flipping busy?! I prefer to think it's because we're busy (Middle age indeed, I'm barely out of my 30s!!!). 

I'm going to get you for this Dad!!!!!!!

The Puppies have had a bit of a rude awakening (no pun intended) as they now get a morning walk with Dad No.1 at the ungodly hour of around 6am ish. It's a delight when I get up as they're both back in their beds, slumbering gently while I get ready for work. I take them in the mornings now and again, but I do need my beauty sleep (my Husband doesn't need any seeing how handsome he is already and so I think it's only fair!).

Max plays in the Autumn leaves...

As I normally get home first, it's my turn to take them to the park and cemetery in the evenings. It's normally such a relaxing experience in the dusk light, watching the sky turn darker by the second while the puppies flashing collars get brighter and brighter. However, we had a little bit of a scary experience on Thursday evening when we *thought* we were the only ones in the park.....we weren't! 

Millie in her new harness

It was only when I heard some bloke screaming for his dog and saw a dark, FAST shadow approaching that I picked up the little'uns and we RAN! The dog snarled and growled around my ankles, Millie wanted to get down and kill it and Max was enjoying the ride.....it was horrible! It is my personal belief that if you must own a 'dangerous breed' and it's untrustworthy off the lead, DON'T let it off the lead, EVER!!! We got home and did I need a drink or what....the puppies were, as always, marvellous and both of them received a 'gravy bone' which they love.

Peckham Rye and a Tennis Ball = PLAY!

The destruction in the home has, mercifully, been minimal of late and we haven't really seen any form of wanton vandalism by either Max or Millie. Well, they made up for it recently by taking their puppy rage out on one of their beds, wilfully gutting it of a healthy amount of  stuffing and leaving it strewn around the dining room floor.

Hide Millie, if we're lucky he won't notice

As well as upping the stakes on the destruction, Millie seems to have developed a rather odd habit. A number of times now she has deliberately got INSIDE the duvet cover with the quilt. Odd yes, but also a tad worrying when you come home from work and there's only one dog in the house! I ran around the garden and home screaming her name, worried sick that she had escaped when I heard a pathetic wimper from the bedroom (they don't have access to the bedroom, so she must have "broken in"!).

Millie tries on her Halloween Ghost outfit!!!

I do not know how long she was caught up in there, it could have been all day or just 5 minutes, but to be honest I'm glad I don't know, it's enough knowing that she was in there, the poor mite. I'm still expecting the RSPCA (or even Aunty Kay!) to come round and confiscate my puppies because I'm an irresponsible dog owner....it's only happened twice (and I only video'd once when it happened while I was at home, honest!)...the first time WAS funny!

Beautiful

Hard as it is to believe, our Puppies will be 1 year old next week. We've decided upon 1st November as their 'official' birthday and it's very exciting, but again, how time flies by. It seems only yesterday Max, the little tiny puppy came into our lives and Millie has been with us over 2 months now! We will be celebrating this milestone in Cheshire as we are visiting Nana Joyce next weekend and M&M can have their birthday 'party' with Miss Penelope Ellis (Nana Joyce's dog) and probably get spoiled rotten, although I think it's Nana Joyce that's going to get spoilt!

Max is VERY excited about his birthday...

Don't forget to put your clocks back tonight everyone!

Ooh, it's Halloween tomorrow isn't it?!?! 

Watch this space...

Sunday 17 October 2010

Oh. My. God.....Children!

Recipe for Carnage

Take the following and mix generously with as much joy, excitement, fun, devastation and noise as possible for three days:

1 Bedroom Flat
2 Children
3 Dogs
4 Adults

Max in his new outfit courtesy of Jemima!!!

The family arrived on Thursday evening and returned to Cornwall today...what a fab few days it has been. We've had such fun, playing, going to the play park, the Horniman Museum. The children took great delight in collecting eggs from the Hen House and then enjoyed the fruits of their labours with toast soldiers.....The adults took great delight in the kids going to bed and enjoyed the fruits of their labours with alcohol!!!!!

Jemima, Ferdi & Uncle 'Digger'

Max & Millie deserve 5 stars for their conduct and behaviour throughout the whole weekend. Not only did they have the kids to deal, there was also Daisy, who would appear to be a 'super-sized' version of Millie with added tail.

Daisy.....or Millie really needs to diet!

Millie wasn't overly impressed with Daisy and took a bit of a dislike to her which is a shame as Max and Daisy get on famously and play and play and play. However when the going got tough Millie just ran to her Dads and took comfort hiding under one of us on the sofa.

Max learning the meaning of the word "share"...

Whilst the "Famille au Cornwall" were with us Dad No 1 was in Cheshire with Nana Joyce for a couple of days helping her buy some new furniture for the house and so it was I, Dad No 2 that was thrust into the melee that is our wonderful God Children....

 Uncle Pigger, er I mean Digger!

I think I was pretty successful in my God Fatherly duties.......the pink Princess Palace being the pinnacle of my achievements I fear (God Children's Dad, Lawrence knackered in the background of the picture below...I know how he feels!!!).

The things you do for your God Daughter....(I loved it!!!)

John and I are actually called the FGFs (Fairy God Fathers) and the kids are the FGCs (Fairy God Children). John is Uncle Evil (a long story!) and I am Uncle Dahlia (as I grow Dahlias) although this weekend saw Dahlia morph into Digger....so now I am Uncle Digger!

Uncle Digger at the Park with M&M....

We had a wonderful weekend with the FGCs and their parents which was made all the more wonderful when Uncle Evil returned from Cheshire to join in the fun, laughter and general full-on manic excitement that has been our home for the past 3 days. 

'Evil' and the 'Dark Empress'

The house is now quiet and peaceful, the puppies are sleeping, I am blogging and 'Evil' is relaxing....

Thank You Cornwall for a marvellous 3 days....let's not leave it so long next time!

Max's face says it all!!!