Busy, Busy, Busy!

Goodness me, what a busy couple of weeks it has been for the residents of McEllis Towers!

Knackered.....!

Last weekend Grandma Celia (Dad No. 2's Mum) came to stay. We haven't seen her for quite some time and what with our busy lives we thought we'd get her to London sooner rather than later before we all forget what the other looks like. With Grandma's arrival came treats, lots and lots and LOTS of treats....and not just for the dogs! Max and Millie received some toys and food treats and Yours Truly received what can only be described as a "Sweet Mountain"....I'm not complaining AT ALL, although one's waistline is a tad larger than it was before Mum's arrival!!!

Grandma reads Maximillian a story...

Alas, while Mum was here the weather was less than wonderful with constant mizzle, it was cold and damp so outdoor activities were limited. However, M&M and Grandma had some quality time with each other. We took the dogs to their favourite shop, Pets at Home (MORE treats!!!) and they went to Shannon's Garden Centre (OUR treat!).....a relaxed, quiet and lovely weekend was made even more enjoyable by the arrival of our friends, Mark & Paul for dinner on the Saturday evening.

Millie shows Grandma the "sights" of SE London!

Recently, it's been all about Millie, which makes a refreshing change from Maximillian "I'm So Needy" McEllis, to be honest! While my man was off work with his bad back I was walking both dogs and decided to try my hand at 'training', I use the word loosely. I *thought* I was doing quite well and that Millie's pulling had improved and she wasn't doing badly, considering her trainer! Step forward 'The Maestro'.....back on his feet and feeling much better, Mr Ellis took on the mantle of head trainer (which includes training me by the way!), and oh my, WHAT a difference in Millie from what I foolishly thought was progress. 

Millie is still on the lead, but much, MUCH improved

Amazing, absolutely amazing, the transformation in a matter of days that Dad No. 1 has achieved with her Ladyship through the use of rewards and positive reinforcement. I'm not the most patient or tolerant person in the world when things don't go as I would prefer (I'm sure you haven't noticed), so this is probably why Millie thought it best to just ignore me, which only made me worse quite frankly. However, my loss is her gain and she is now wonderful on the lead, truly marvellous.

Millie-Moo-Pudling-McEllis

Not only has Millie been receiving excellent training now that she is in the hands of an expert, she has also paid a couple of visits to the Vet. Millie (and now little Max) developed a sniffly, sneezy nose and so we thought it best to get them checked out before we go away to ensure it was nothing more serious than a doggy cold, which is indeed what it is. However, much concern was felt when our so-called Vet initially thought it might be necessary to give Millie a tracheotomy......(Are you absolutely sure you're a Vet?!?!?!?!?!). I am considering writing a letter of complaint and changing the Veterinary practice based on this one conversation that Dad No. 1 had with the 'Vet'.....a little alarming when you can plainly see that she is fine apart from a runny nose, we just wanted her checked out so as to be sure.....!

I don't feel well Dad...*atchoo*

The other reason for Millie's visits to the Vet is that she has finally been spayed. There will definitely be no Millie puppies, ever, which bizarrely makes me feel a little bit sad and disappointed. I think she would have produced rather beautiful little pups, however it's probably best when you consider her attitude and naughty personality - could you imagine "Mini Millies"?!?! On a serious note, it is a requirement of the re-homing process that all dogs are neutered to ensure no further strays or unwanted dogs are produced to then be rescued so our hands were tied on the subject of puppies anyway.

The Recovery Ward

Finally, we have had a birthday this week.....that of my Husband, Dad No. 1, Mr. John "Archibald" Ellis. The 26th of February saw the Old Git reach another birthday. He decided that his birthday should be Mexican themed in honour of our impending trip and so, armed with a handful of cook books and a few ideas in my head, I decided to cook dinner and invited the Ellis Boys over, along with the wonderful Emma, Henry's Laydee, innit so that they could spend the evening with their Dad. OMG, what a night!!!! They drunk us out of house and home.....(I cannot imagine where they get that from) and I am pretty sure that Mr. Ellis Senior awoke with a small hang-over this morning.

The Birthday Boy in full flow!

I decided I wouldn't make a starter, instead going for home made pop corn sprinkled with salt and chilli powder. There was a moment of concern when the popping corn lifted the lid off the pan and began popping all over the kitchen and in the bowl, but you live and learn (and squeal like a big girl). Main course was chicken molé, with plain white rice, a green avocado salad and warm flat breads which was much, much better than I thought it was going to be, although there was another panic prior to the cooking when I realised that I had to boil the whole chicken and didn't have a pan big enough (Note to self: read the bloody recipe first you numpty!). 

Holy Molé!

I had prepared Cointreau infused Creme Brulees for dessert earlier in the day, having made them countless times before, however they weren't particularly lovely and mostly discarded due to their 'less than creamy' texture. The evening itself was brimming with much laughter, love and buckets of booze. The Birthday Boy made Margaritas and Tequila Sunrises (yum!) which were consumed before, during and after we sank a few bottles of Champagne. It was a wonderful, wonderful evening with Emma and the Boys.......

My Ellis Men *contented sigh*

That brings us to the end of another instalment I'm afraid as I'm now off to start sorting out holiday clothes (YIPPEE!), do the ironing (my Husband has yet to learn how to use one) and collapse with a cup of tea in front of the TV with a sniffly Max & Millie. I doubt there will be a 'dog blog' update until we return, however Maximillian and Millie are being ably attended to by the lovely Angela (I hope the poor woman is prepared for them!)....more to follow in a couple of weeks...

Adiós a mis amigos

Return to Ashtree Cottage

How can time seem to go so fast when you don't, in reality, do very much?! That's how it has felt this week. I've spent my week days longing for the weekend and when it comes it appears to go again in a flash! This weekend was spent in Cheshire, at "Nana Joyce's House". We went up on Friday evening straight after work, the journey being the usual motorway hell! It was very odd arriving at the house with no lights on and no bonkers Mother in Law greeting you with a huge smile, a big cuddle and a small whisky and lemonade. 

Upon arrival at Nana's - Max is knackered after the journey

Joyce is all over the house but without her there it felt to me like a monument to her, frozen in time, the spark that was Joyce has gone from the home but the memories created there, with her, will always be. I have to say that on more than one occasion I expected her to come bounding out of the greenhouse or find her baking something in the kitchen, I can't quite comprehend that she's gone. The weekend dredged up feelings for my own Grandma, her death and not being able to visit her old house and just how much I miss her. I know everyone has to go sometime, but just because they're gone doesn't mean you have to let them go, does it? 

Millie keeping her eye on me!

On Saturday morning we took the dogs for a long walk over The Coombs and along the canal. They love it down there and Max really enjoys having a good run around with a stick, terrorising Millie who has her own agenda and just wants to walk, walk, walk. We met a dog called Hector, a gorgeous black and tan King Charles Spaniel who really liked Millie, although she wasn't particularly taken with him. Max didn't really care, just wanting to catch sticks and run around like a loony, as is his way!

Tilstone Lock Cottage - Joyce was born here

The rest of the weekend was filled with my Hubby doing 'housey' things and pottering in the garden, saving plants, weeding, tidying and giving the place a general dose of TLC. I have to admit, I spent most of the weekend walking around feeling a bit lost if I'm honest. Joyce was even more effervescently jovial than her son (if that's possible!) and it didn't feel right, her not being there and I didn't feel comfortable touching her stuff in the house. The house felt like someone had uncorked the bubbly and it had gone flat. Obviously, I'm not Joyce's son, "just an in-law", having only been around 8 years or so, however we got on well, really, really well and we had a right laugh most of the time and I truly loved and adored her, I always will. I felt sad at her funeral and shed a few tears but I think I felt grief this weekend, real tummy churning "I Miss You" grief.

The view over The Coombs with Beeston Castle on the horizon

We're hopefully going to return to Cheshire in a few weeks when we return from our holiday, the garden will definitely be in need of some more attention and it will be nice to see the place again. In the meantime, we have said holiday to plan for, and our own garden is in need of some TLC. The hens are doing well and on full egg production now which is great!

It's a Fair Cop!!!!!

On the way home today, I was 'clocked' speeding by the Staffordshire Police and subsequently pulled over on the hard shoulder of the M6 Toll. I was bundled into the back of the Police car, questioned, given 3 points on my licence and a £60 fine. The pain was only lessened by the fact that the Policeman was rather lovely with his goatee and leather trousers. I realise that I got off very lightly and could very easily have been banned so I am thankful for that! And no, I am not telling you how fast I was going, but it was fast and for the rest of the journey I got to see what it was like to drive in the nearside lane!

It's 2011!

Wonderful Readers, a HUGE thank you......we've smashed the 2000 hits barrier and as you can see, the last time I took a peek we were on 2011....appropriate or what!

Slowly but surely we're catching up with those pesky hens! 

As I type I see that the Girls are on 4786 hits......we can smash that, of course we can, so let's give it a go.....tell ALL your friends, family, colleagues, stalkers and anyone that will listen to come and have a butcher's at the puppies. Please don't hesitate to give the blog address to anyone that might be interested......(not that this is a competition at all!!!). To show that I am of good spirit, please click this link to take a look at The Girls http://hensinthecity.blogspot.com (but don't tell too many people!).

Skunk is dead, long live Skunk!

Every time I go shopping I cannot resist getting Max & Millie a little treat, whether it's a toy each or foody titbits. While I was in Croydon last weekend I visited the Pet Shop and found mini Skunk and Raccoon ragger toys, similar to the large ones they got at Christmas from us. They love them and enjoy a good tug of war when they're playing. Literally, within minutes of getting the new toys they were destroyed, killed, no more, mort! Skunk took a particularly vicious attack however Raccoon wasn't safe and took a bit of a battering.

That poor Raccoon!

Miss Millie McEllis continues to develop and emerge from her shell. When she first arrived in August 2010 she was so shy, nervous and quiet. The same dog she is not! 

Millie - a poor little stray in August 2010

Millie has us round her little paw now and is so outgoing and happy, her little bum wagging nearly all the time, we're so very proud of her positive development, she's a little star and we wouldn't be without her, ever.

Our Beauty in January 2011

It goes without saying that because we got Maximillian Sydney Bruiser as a puppy, he has also changed...quite a lot really!!! When he came to us he was a tiny little thing, cute and adorable. 

Max - the cutest puppy EVER!

He's still cute and adorable, however he also has a personality now which borders on just plain naughty!!! However, he has the heart of a lion and is ready at a moment's notice to rush to the bottom of the garden and 'see off the pussy cats'.

Our handsome Lad

We've had Maximillian Sydney Bruiser McEllis for a year on 20th February which also means that the blog is now almost a year old. How time does indeed fly when you take on the responsibility of dog ownership! Every day has been filled with fun, happiness and love (and just a few tantrums from yours truly when the pups have 'killed' something or made a mess). But, be without them we would not be. 

Max & Millie - loved and adored beyond measure

To update you on my Hubby (is that a Hubdate?), he went to the Consultant at Kings College Hospital on Friday and finally, after some weeks, we have a prognosis....it's his spine, not his hip at all, which he has maintained all along. He has muscle spasms that have 'frozen' and hardened because our GP (who I now believe to be King of the Numpties) took so long to faff about and basically came up with nothing which in turn has just made my man worse. My old man now needs to take a muscle relaxant, i.e. Diazepam to assist the relaxing and therefore aid treatment. But, at least we now know what it is, rather than the GP just saying "I don't know" and pumping him full of even more drugs!

Hubby is on the mend

Pud and Pee-Wee-Two-Poo

We're always giving the puppies alternative names, Max is Shmoo/Syd/Bruiser/Monkey Boy/Little Shit/Poo Face/Mr. P. Uppington (a personal favourite) and Millie is Moo/Chunkella/Wiggly Woo/Mills to name but a few, however just recently it would appear that Millie and Max have a couple of names that seem to stick. Millie has developed a waistline since her previous life as a waif and stray - well she was never going to be a size zero, not in this house - and so Dad 1 has taken to calling her 'Pud', which does suit her. She does eat far more than Max and doesn't have the metabolism or endless energy that he does so it seems only right that she becomes a solid lady with a voluptuous figure! She's gone from Kate Moss to Oprah Winfrey without the drugs or doughnuts!

Pud

Maximillian has a couple of toilet-related 'habits' (He was never going to be classy was he?!?!) and so it goes without saying that his new names are also derived from his daily rituals. Pee-Wee-Two-Poo has been so named in honour of the fact that he has a 'little problem'. He can't control himself when he gets really excited and so he dribbles and 'wets himself'. Although, if you're Aunty Kay, you get him really, REALLY excited and then you plonk him on Dad 2's chest and watch as Max pee's all over his Dad.....thanks Kay!!! Two-Poo is basically because when we go out for a walk to the park Max nearly always does two poos, most of the time in the most inappropriate of places and that's the story of Pee-Wee-Two-Poo.

Pee-Wee-Two-Poo

Apart from coming up with ridiculous alternative names for the pups, life is as life is, quiet and non-eventful for the moment. Considering the last 6 months it's something I'm rather happy to roll along with to be honest, lord knows 'His Nibs' needs the break and I have recently come to the conclusion that I am tired, really rather lethargic and in need of a rest, both physically and mentally - and I'm "menstrual", short tempered and moody (no change there then I hear you say!!!). However, all is not well in McEllis Towers, my lovely man is unwell again and we don't really know why. Pain and discomfort, the inability to walk too far without using his walking sticks (Thank God he can still reach the kitchen and cook the dinner - yes, I AM joking!!!). He's had all sorts of tests and x-rays, however we're no nearer an informed decision (our GP is a prize Numpty!!!) so it looks like we'll be getting him back in to hospital for more...there is talk of an MRI....we will see. I worry about him, I always worry about him, but it's the last thing he needs right now and is, as they say, the icing on the cake!

Mr & Mr McEllis

We're currently flicking through seed catalogues trying to decide on want to grow at the allotment for this year's crop. We're definitely going to get the mini poly tunnel up this year and fill it with various varieties of tomato, cucumber and melon and then fill the outer beds with the usual suspects - french beans, potatoes, celeriac, broad beans, artichokes, salad leaves, radishes, brassicas, turnips, etc, etc. The planning stage is very exciting, almost more exciting than watching your seeds grow into something edible and delicious and I can't tell you how fantastic it is when you get home and the post has brought you a delivery of seeds......FAB!

A small section of the allotment - 2010

We are currently planning our trip to Mexico (Don't tell M&M - they don't know!!!) and we're more than a little excited.....the warmth, sun, bird watching and relaxation will do us both the world of good methinks. I've only ever been to the Americas once, the West Coast in 1998 so this is very exciting for me.....all those new bird species I haven't seen yet including Hummingbirds *excited scream*

Now if someone could arrange for the next 5 weeks to be 'event free' I would be most grateful!!!!!

5 weeks and we will be here!!!

Life Goes On.....

Those three words have been bouncing around in my head for some time now, and as much as I try to avoid cliches, it's true. The past 5 months have been largely devoted to Joyce, her illness and subsequent passing and now that the funeral has taken place and the family have all returned to their respective homes, life is somewhat quiet and reflective. 

And we let these people near our puppies!!!!!

While we were in Cheshire for Mum's funeral, the lovely Aunty Kay and Uncle Jim looked after  Max & Millie and the Girls. A fantastic job they did too! Max was positively apoplectic with joy that Kay was in the house, although I'm not too sure that Jim was happy to be wee'd on.....get used to it Mr. Horton, there's plenty more where that came from I can assure you!!!!

Pee-Wee Two-Poo McEllis

The pups aren't getting as much exercise as we'd like, due to both of us still not 100% in the bones/joints/ache and pains department! However, when they do go out for a walk I am trying to get Millie to walk on the lead rather than pull like some mini husky that she seems to think she is. It doesn't start very positively but slowly she gets the idea and by the end of the walk she's almost getting it. I can be heard around the area shouting "Millie walk, Millie WALK!"...

Chase me, chase me

Unfortunately, due to vandalism, theft and the like, the Council have decided to take it upon themselves to shut the park from 5pm in the evening to 8am the following morning. This means that at night when people get home from work they have no green space available on which to walk our dogs. They did employ a 'security firm', but even with this addition of so called security, the events were still taking place, so they've shut it. Not that this will stop the vandals, thieves, etc, they'll just climb the fence! It's the poor dogs I feel sorry for, not just ours but all of Max & Millie's "friends" too as they all have to wait for Saturday and Sunday before they can have a run around in the park *rant over*.

Max playing with Roxy and Toby

I'll close with a lovely poem dedicated to my dearly departed Mother in Law, Mrs. Joyce Ellis:

You can shed tears that she is gone or you can smile because she has lived.

You can close your eyes and pray that she'll come back or you can open your eyes and see all she's left.

Your heart can be empty because you can't see her or you can be full of the love you shared.

You can turn your back on tomorrow and live yesterday or you can be happy for tomorrow because of yesterday.

You can remember her and only that she's gone or you can cherish her memory and let it live on.

You can cry and close your mind, be empty and turn your back or you can do what she would want: smile, open your eyes, love and go on.

Gone But Never Forgotten

Mrs. Joyce "Nana" Ellis

23.8.37 - 9.1.2011

Welcome to 2011

The end of 2010 passed very gently in our home, what with the pair of us being in bed by 11.30pm and 2011's arrival was equally as quiet, if not a little sickly....my fella has 'man flu' and has not been well for a few days. He has been ably looked after by yours truly (despite what he may say!) and is feeling a little better today. 

A cuddle from Milllie ALWAYS makes you feel better!

However, I have to say that having a guilty pleasure dinner of roast beef with horseradish sauce and home made chips (in the new deep fat fryer I bought him for Christmas) followed by Vienetta (memories!!!!) was MARVELLOUS....I was hoping for a bit more beef but he didn't really feel up to it *fnar fnar* so I lay in bed and watched the fireworks from the comfort and warmth of the duvet while he snored like a freight train and oozed germs from every pore.

An excellent area for bird watching and dog walking

After breakfast it was decided that we take the dogs for a good, long walk up at Sydenham Hill Wood. This would not only give the puppies some much needed exercise, but would also give my Man the opportunity to get some fresh air and to try and feel human again (a tall order by anyone's standards!). So, with wellies on and dogs on leads, we loaded ourselves into the car and off we went.

The Family - New Year's Day 2011

The place was heaving....not only with other dogs but also families dragging their children through the woods. Max and Millie, as always, had a wonderful time and met a number of other dogs. Bo, who appeared to be a very timid but cute little rescue Staffy and Lily, a Pug who was absolutely bonkers but enjoyed playing with Max, as he did with her.....obviously, they both got very muddy.....

Help. Me. Pleeeeeeease!

We got home and the pair of them were caked in mud so, what better way to start the new year than with a bath?! Apart from when the water goes over her face, I truly believe that Millie enjoys her bath, she stands there and lets you get on with it, knowing full well that when she gets out she'll get a well deserved treat and a fire to lie in front of.......Maximillian, on the other hand, is another story (surprise, surprise!!!).

How dirty is that dog?!?!?!

Max is not a fan of baths or getting wet at all for that matter. He doesn't like it and never has, however hard we try and make it a pleasurable experience for him. He HATES it.....I recall a certain little dog, halfway up Snowdon in September 2010 who sat there and wailed like a banshee because it was raining too hard for him....admittedly the rain was torrential and accompanied by a howling gale but that's not the point!

Pleeeeease don't bath me Dad, pleeeeease!

The transformation from Max in the bath to Max out of the bath and dried is extraordinary, they resemble two completely different dogs! Once out of the bath, Max can't wait for you to finish drying him so that he can dart around the house like a thing possessed, have his treat, attack and maul Millie and then collapse, happy and content in front of the fire or on Dad's lap, for a much needed nap!

The ordeal is over...

The first day of 2011 has so far been nothing short of lovely....we've had a lazy morning, a refreshing walk with 'the kids', bath-time followed by treats and a nap in front of the fire (I hope my bath-time goes the same way!!!). I'm off to clean out the hens which will probably be followed by me annoying my Husband (it would be a crime not to since I do it sooooo well and why change the daily routine I say!!!)....

Happy New Year One and All from All of Us.