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floor cry - swimming team

July 21, 2019

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Louise Boyd said...: Dex, I think you're gonna have to furnish your room with a mini fridge, maybe soundproof it, adopt a guard dog, and definitely get a lock so you can go full doomsday prepper and not have to deal with home invasions anymore!
Your parents are insane! *-*
Also, how do they have the energy to keep going places? I went to the post office today and I'm like, "yup, that's me done for a couple weeks, minimum"!

Oh, I finally found a flaw in the tiny queen: raw onion is vile and so are tuna toasties x_x
She's still perfect, but I'd have to rethink living in her realm in fear of that being the only cuisine on the menu. It'd be a tough decision but I even I have my limits!

Hopefully the decisions you would have to make would be things like 'what should they make to put in the cake fridge?' :)

Exactly! It's too much pressure! Maybe I'd delegate the choice to Captain Candyclaws :); 20 October 2025 at 21:56
Dex said...: I really should have built my own bunker :) I never understand how people do things in the evenings after they arrive home from work. I just want to have something to eat and crash out :)

I can't say I would enjoy raw onion either :) I'm sorry to say that I used to quite enjoy a tuna toastie but I haven't had one in a long time as Kerry views them the same way you do :) I would have to be sneaky if I were to have one these days :)

I would definitely try and live up to my name and rank when it came to choosing things for your sisters' cake fridge :); 21 October 2025 at 22:53
Dex said...: We were having a discussion at work about a very important topic and I would like you input. Best shape of pasta? :); 22 October 2025 at 19:21
Dex said...: I hope you are getting ready to enjoy Halloween, Lilliputty :); 23 October 2025 at 18:53
Louise Boyd said...: I am enjoying the month of spookiness, but I figured something out this year, that I actually don't care about the day of Halloween, I just like spooky things. And I can enjoy them all year round!
I do like when someone brings me home something festively-shaped on the day, though ^-^ But that also might just be because I like presents *shrug*

The best shape of pasta? That... is a very complicated question *-* Because it depends on what you're having it in!
But if I had to choose, it'd probably be Trofie. It's not fancy looking but it stays al dente and I love chewy pasta. If it's floppy and slippy, I get the serious ick >_<
Did you all come to a conclusion or was it a pasta standstill?

Cake fridge? Or leave it for Halloween? It's up to you, but here's some choices if you feel like it!:

- Mint Aero Cheesecakes
- Cadbury's Buttons Caramel Slice
- Black Forest Gateau Cake
- Mars Brownies; 23 October 2025 at 21:26
Dex said...: I was very tempted by the Black Forest Gateau Cake but I think you're right that it might be better to wait for Halloween. I'm sure she will have some excellent things on that that day so I am very much looking forward to you giving me orders :)

I'm glad we like pasta the same way :) But I'd never even heard of Trofie pasta! When I get around to trying it, I bet I would think it is the best one since it is your favourite :) I like Farfalle but no one else seemed to!

Kerry really loves Halloween but I think it is in the same way as you as she likes the spookiness and seems to start enjoying it about two months in advance :); 24 October 2025 at 23:25
Dex said...: Iced Brown Sugar Shaken Espresso. Apparently this is something that I can get in Shetland!; 25 October 2025 at 10:59
Dex said...: I hope you enjoyed your extra hour in bed :); 26 October 2025 at 12:18
Dex said...: I really hope it isn't as cold in Blair as it is here at the moment!; 27 October 2025 at 18:21
Louise Boyd said...: I mean, likely not as cold because you're higher up, but comparatively? Yeah, it probably feels as bitter :(
I went outside to help bring in the shopping today and basically chanted "cold, cold, cold, cold, cold" until I could scamper back inside. These bones are not made for below 10 degrees >_<
Are you getting the rain, as well? It's even doing it through the sporadic sunshine, here. Which is pretty, but just, y'know, quit it, clouds and let me get some vitamin D before the sun disappears for the next six months? =/

I did enjoy my extra hour in bed! Probably the best night's sleep I've had in weeks. I haven't had insomnia for years, but it's back with a vengeance -_-
Ever had it?

Iced Brown Sugar Shaken Espresso, you say? Now, is this the kind of coffee drink where the your can't really taste the coffee? Because I'd be down.

I was gonna say Farfalle! I love bows! And they have such a good texture. But I think people get judgey about it because it's the shape you'd probably as for as a kid? I definitely did. "Adults" are so weird. Like, just because you're in the 30s+ doesn't mean you can't like bow pasta! *-*

Y'see, Kerry gets it. If you're a true spook, Halloween's an all year round thing. And I always fuck up choosing a movie for the night of, anyway -_-
I'd been considering the new Nosferatu, but I think I'll leave it until next month and do a double feature with Guillermo Del Toro's adaptation of Frankenstein when it drops on Netflix.
And maybe throw in Werewolf By Night to round off the classic creatures features ^-^
Have you and Kerry got any movie plans?; 27 October 2025 at 21:34
Dex said...: I was really hoping that you would back me up on the pasta :D

The best thing about this weather is being warm inside :) I'm sure Charlie is finding the warmest and most comfortable spots in the house to park himself :) As well as the cold, we have been getting plenty of sun and showers these last couple of days. So many rainbows :)

I'm really sorry, Maggot. I didn't realise you have been dealing with insomnia recently. Do you know what causes it? I'm very glad you had a very good sleep with the extra hour. Hopefully a sign of things to come! I feel like a complete asshole saying that I never have any problems falling asleep. If I am under a duvet, there's a 99% chance I will be asleep within five minutes :S Kerry is a terrible sleeper though! Takes her hours to fall asleep and she can find a million ways to defeat any alarm clock :)

I haven't tried the Iced Brown Sugar Shaken Espresso yet but what you describe is what I am hoping for :) I will let you know!

Those sound like excellent film choices for Halloween, Lilliputty :) I'm not sure what my plans are but if Kerry does invite me over, I'm sure we'll find some terrible slasher film to watch :); 28 October 2025 at 21:15
Dex said...: I have bought some Heroes and Haribo Starmix for any children who might show up on Halloween, even though I know that I'm going to hide in the house with the lights off and eat all of the sugar on the following day :); 29 October 2025 at 19:10
Louise Boyd said...: There is no universe where I am giving candy-begging urchins Heroes! No way!
Did you hear they're removing Eclairs from the mix and replacing them with Flakes? It's heresy! I love a Flake, but they're just messy Twirls and they're already in the tub, so wtf? Eclairs are so gooooooood; it was always the best when my gran had them when we visited. How could replace them?!
This is like when they replaced the Malteser Truffles in Celebrations all over again <_<

Is Kerry's method of defeating an alarm clock a bit like mine: keep turning the chirping fucker off and get up when you damn well feel like it?
It's an effective method :)
I seriously envy your sleep skills. I used to be an epic sleeper, would rarely have problems passing out, then I had a rough patch during my late teens/early twenties (aka. the depression era), and now it's back! And I've tried all the breathing techniques, the pressure points, visualisations, and nothing works 0_0 I'm seriously consider asking someone to bonk me on the head just so I can get a decent night's sleep.
Don't ever get insomnia, Dex, it's a life ruiner *-*

Maybe you should do a Scream marathon? The quality goes down pretty quickly, but even the bad ones have their charm.
I'm actually weirdly excited about Matthew Lillard and Skeet Ulrich returning in the next one. I've missed the horror husbands.; 29 October 2025 at 22:10
Dex said...: Wait! They don't have Malteser Truffles in Celebrations anymore?! They were the best part! And I completely agree with you - why would they put in Flakes when they already have Twirls which are basically Flakes wrapped in chocolate?! Eclairs always seem to be the ones that are left in the tub at the end but that just makes them seem like a final treat :) I definitely wouldn't get rid of them!

I think that is exactly Kerry's method :) I wish I could come up with a useful suggestion to help you sleep. I just try thinking about stupid things like ranking episodes of my favourite tv shows in my head :)

I very much enjoy watching Scream films so I would be very happy to watch them this weekend :) Kerry was talking about watching the Halloween films though... Some of them are very dire. Although that does make them very entertaining too :) And talking about stupid things that entertain me, I like knowing that Skeet Ulrich's real name is Bryan Trout :); 30 October 2025 at 21:09
Louise Boyd said...: He's called what?!
Nooooooo, that makes his horror husband title even more adorable >_< I had the biggest crush on him in that movie. When he licks the corn syrup from his finger? *incomprehensible swooning* I was FERAL for him.
I always thought that was fucking brilliant twist in the movie, as well; it's fairly standard, now, but back when I was a preteen watching one of my first horror films it was just mind-blowing. Plus, it's the reason whenever I'm watching something and the character doesn't double/triple tap their attacker, I'm basically yelling "IDIOT!" at the screen ^-^

I'm so sorry for the Malteser Truffles revelation, it's a devastating blow, I know -_-
Next they'll take the toffee fingers from Quality Street, and then I'll really lose my shit.
Let's send you to the Halloween cake fridge to make it all seem less heretical:

- Dig Your Own Oreo Cheesecakes (these are so cute >_<)
- Caramel Apple Crumble Cheesecake
- Chocolate Orange Caramel Slice

Hope no trick 'r' treaters come for your candy, Dexterous!; 30 October 2025 at 21:25
Dex said...: Fortunately, my bedroom is at the back of the house so I can hide in here with the lights off in the rest of the house until I think it is safe to emerge :) I have seen costumed children wandering around our road... I think another hour and I should be safe :)

Anyone one who doesn't shoot the slasher killer in the head to make sure they are dead probably gets what they deserve :) I love that you and Kerry were both preteens when you first watched Scream :) Kerry's mother was not okay with her watching it so she had to secretly carry the TV from the living room to her bedroom. And this would have been a 90s TV set :) And I think I can understand your feral reaction :) Kerry did actually take today off work and watch the first 3 Scream films!

Thank you for the Halloween cake fridge orders, Lilliputty. I really do appreciate it :D Just because I was sharing my cake fridge plunder at work, I went for the Caramel Apple Crumble Cheesecake. I hate sharing :); 31 October 2025 at 21:06
Dex said...: No trick 'r' treaters last night so I get to have all the Heroes :) I hope you've had plenty of Halloween candy too, Lilliputty :); 1 November 2025 at 12:57
Dex said...: It it my sibling's birthday today. I can't quite believe that he is 45! Not that we'll do much. I'm sure we will manage a takeaway though :); 2 November 2025 at 12:15
Dex said...: Also, October Monthly :D; 2 November 2025 at 12:32
Louise Boyd said...: Happy Birthday to your brother!
I'm lowkey envious of how chill the Eva clan is about birthdays. I mean, the Boyds aren't partiers but the stress over presents is brain annihilating x_x
Both the rentals have got big birthdays this year and next, and I am freaking out about it!

No halloween candy for me this year :(
The 31st was overall a very not spooky affair for me, tbh. My uterus betrayed me so all I could do was hobble around and take naps *-* I did manage to watch a scary movie, though, it just happened to be The Pope's Exorcist and the only thing on (I was too tired and sore to choose anything on streaming), and the scariest thing about it was Russell Crowe's terrible Italian accent :)
I'm making up for it in November, though by following Kerry's lead and rewatching the Scream movies (much respect to her for taking a whole day off just for that, also for carrying a whole ass tv!), and there's this Marvel zombie animation on Disney that looks pretty cool that I might check out. Maybe November's my spooky month, not October *shrug*

I can't believe you didn't get the Dig Your Own Oreo Cheesecakes! Dex! That's insane!; 2 November 2025 at 17:23
Dex said...: I'm certainly glad that my family don't make a big deal about birthdays (although I am very envious of all the excellent food and presents that happen in your family :) ) but the couple of times that my parents have decided to celebrate something big, they have made it very stressful. On their 25th wedding anniversary, they booked the town hall for a hundred guests with a 3 course meal and a dance! Also, it was snowing heavily! And my mother had a party for her retirement where she decided to have a surprise contest for the best dress, made people parade around, and then awarded the prize to a friend who had borrowed one of her own dresses! I wanted the floor to swallow me up! :)

I think Kerry would approve of you designating November the spooky month as that is her birthday month :) Also, you will definitely need to let me know your Scream film rankings! And I'm sure nothing can be scarier than Russell Crowe's Italian accent :)

My only defence is that the thought of sharing the Dig Your Own Oreo Cheesecakes was just too much :); 3 November 2025 at 22:29
Louise Boyd said...: I will forgive you for choosing crumble over cheesecake because... that's actually a really good reason. I wouldn't have been able to share, either ^-^
But I still might make you go this week! As punishment?

They've only got the first three Scream movies on Netflix, and honestly, they're the only one's I'm interested in, so once I'm done I will give you my official ratings. Would you prefer stars or out of five?
I'm halfway through the sequel so it shouldn't take long!
I will of course need your opinions, as well :)

I know I've said it before, but your mum sounds... mildly insane? :D
I mean, who doesn't have insane parents, but if mine had held a competition like that, screw being swallowed up by the floor, I'd've sliced a palm and summoned a hellhound to drag me to the underworld x_x
Like... are you still recovering, or has the mortification scab healed over yet? Or are we talking scarred for life? It's the latter, isn't it?

Guess who caught a 24hr stomach bug?
:)
Totally fine, now, if a little fragile in the stomach, but bloody hell, what is it with the end of the year and viruses attacking me? I don't go outside, ffs! >_<
And to add insult to literal injury, I've mysteriously bruised the fuck out of my index finger and my whole hand aches.
...
I have a sneaky suspicion the universe is punishing me for some reason, but I can't fathom what it is <_<; 4 November 2025 at 18:12
Dex said...: I'm sorry, Lilliputty. You really deserve a much easier time! It does seem so unfair considering that you avoid most human contact! I hope your poor finger gets better soon. The universe should definitely balance things out by giving you no viruses or injuries for at least the next 10 years! Hopefully your fragile stomach will be able to handle some nice sister baking very soon :)

I was going to say that I really love looking through your star ratings on your monthlies :) The first 3 films are the ones that I am really familiar with. I've only seen the other films a couple of times each so probably wouldn't be able to rank them properly. One firm opinion that I do have is that Parker Posey is the best thing about Scream 3 :)

My mother is definitely insane :) There were some very unwilling participants of that fashion parade! I spent most of it with my head buried in my hands :)

I will definitely take that punishment :D; 4 November 2025 at 19:49
Dex said...: Happy Bonfire Night, Lilliputty. Do they ever have a bonfire near you? There is one down the road but I don't think I will go, although I did enjoy waving sparklers around when I was young :); 5 November 2025 at 18:39
Louise Boyd said...: There used to be a bonfire and fireworks display at the rugby club (a five minute walk from my house) every year but they stopped doing it for some reason. Probably money, or the people who live beside the rugby field being generally pissed off by the racket!
But I used to love it. And hate it. Every year we'd go as kids, and it'd be really pretty but I'd spend 90% of it burrowing my way inside my mum's coat with her because the ash in the air was burning my retinas *-*
I did help build the bonfire one year, though. My best friend at the time's mum was part of the committee or whatever that organised such things, I got roped into chucking wood at the pile. It was fun.

Okay, I'm half an hour away from finishing my Scream rewatch, and I'm firm on my ratings, already:

Scream - ★★★★★ No notes, it's the perfect 90s horror-com, and Billy Loomis is still hot as fuck.

Scream 2 - ★★★★ Better than I remember, tbh. It definitely leans more into the ridiculous but the twist's still great and I love seeing Sidney go off. Final girls being done with this shit is always fun to watch.

Scream 3 - ★★★ It's really not good, is it? Story sucks, Sidney's trauma is boring, Gail's hair is deeply distracting, and the quality feels shoddy. I agree, though, Parkey Posey is, indeed, the best thing in it.

It's been a fun rewatch, but I genuinely think I'd only watch the first one in the future. It's such a genre definer, and I miss the graininess and unpolished feel of horror from the 90s. It may not have always been good (Urban Legend) but the aesthetics were peak.

I don't actually know if I can give you suggestions for the cake fridge this week because it all sounds bonkers good. The eponymous Rachael is really being a mad scientist lately, and her creations sounds freaking delicious!
But if I had to choose... Hazelnut Wafer Brownie Billionaires :); 6 November 2025 at 18:15
Dex said...: I was driving past the bonfire this morning and they haven't actually burnt it yet. They are maybe waiting until the weekend. It used to be a thing that all the kids in Westerloch would go around the houses and collect wood for the bonfire. Between that and the Westerloch fun day, we were quite the little community :) I'm sure tiny Dex and Lilliputty would have enjoyed chucking wood on the bonfire together :)

There also used to be a large fireworks display at Clickimin but that hasn't happened in a long time. It was nice watching them from up on the hill but I think I can live without fireworks these days as I don't like to think about all the dogs who get terrified when hearing them.

I really wish we could put all your star ratings in a book. I would be referring to it so much :) I think I pretty much agree with your Scream ratings, although I probably enjoy the silliness of Scream 3 more than most people :) Gail's hair though! And Patrick Dempsey's acting! Also, I still find it difficult to sit through the cafeteria serenade in Scream 2 :) The first one will always be the best :)

I will definitely go for the Hazelnut Wafer Brownie Billionaires! Thanks, Lilliputty :D; 6 November 2025 at 22:13
Dex said...: It is so misty here today!; 7 November 2025 at 20:25
Dex said...: Parents are in Sandness so I will try to enjoy a relatively quiet weekend. Maybe I should do a Scream rewatch too :); 8 November 2025 at 14:25
Dex said...: Just to let you know, the Hazelnut Wafer Billionaire Brownies were excellent :D; 9 November 2025 at 12:35
Louise Boyd said...: I thought they might be :D Wafers are top tier biscuits.

Did you endeavour on your own Scream rewatch? If so, I will need your ratings so we can compare! Because I actually didn't find Patrick Dempsey that bad, but I do agree with the cafeteria serenade being unbearable to watch. I'd actually forgotten how cringe it is. By far the scariest thing in the whole franchise. The only acceptable and enjoyable public serenade is Patrick Verona in 10 Things I Hate About You. The only one.; 10 November 2025 at 21:48
Dex said...: You'll be very glad to know that Kerry has forced me to watch 10 Things I Hate About You as she thought it unacceptable that it was missing from my education :)

Scream - 5 stars
Scream 2 - 4 stars
Scream 3 - 4 stars

Pretty much the same except that I enjoy Scream 3 more than anyone should :) I think it's partly due to familiarity. I've definitely seen it more times than the 2nd film. I've never seen anything from that genre that has come close to the first Scream though which seems incredible considering that it was almost 30 years ago!

Something I miss quite a bit is randomly coming across a film on TV late at night. I just don't watch regular TV these days but I used to like going through the channels on a Friday night.; 10 November 2025 at 22:48
Dex said...: It's Kerry's birthday this week so we have rented a flat in town for the weekend. We've stayed there before and I can tell that I am turning into a very old man because I get very excited that I can see where I have parked the car from the bedroom window :); 11 November 2025 at 18:39
Louise Boyd said...: :D
You're such a dork.
Do you get complimentary stuff at this flat? Goodies and whatnot? It's the best part of staying somewhere that's not home: the free shit *-* Or I guess, for you, the quality parking?
Happy Birthday to Kerry, by the way :)

Can't believe you gave Scream 3 four stars. You're the one who always likes the slightly dodgy entry in a franchise, aren't you? I bet you like Alien: Resurrection the best! :O
I totally agree with you about random movie watching on terrestrial. It happens to me every now and then, when I'm too lazy to choose something on streaming but need background noise. But it's so not as good as it used to be. They did have T2 on last week, though! Sarah Connor's such a badass.
Favourite Terminator movie?

Discovered a new delightful thing: Starbuck's are making Toffee Nut Frappuccinos, and they taste like Haagen-Dazs' Pralines & Cream *-*
If any of your local icy drink making establishments create a dupe, I highly suggest you try it. Or just buy a pot of Pralines & Cream and make a milkshake! Homemade shakes are the best >_<; 11 November 2025 at 21:42
Dex said...: The place we stayed on my birthday had a ton of complimentary food so I was very happy :) The owner even baked a cake! Something called Huffsie which isn't really my kind of thing but was so well made that I still quite enjoyed it :)

Terminator 3 & Alien: Resurrection obviously (I hope that you know that I'm joking :) ) But definitely Terminator over T2 (despite Sarah Connor being such a badass), and Alien over Aliens for me.

Always making me jealous of your baking sisters and Starbucks :) You definitely deserve all the sugary treats though! I will definitely look out for the Shetland off brand version. Or follow your advice and try to make my own :); 12 November 2025 at 19:32
Louise Boyd said...: Ohhhhh, so you're a purist? The first in the franchise always reigns supreme?
Innnnnnteresting! :D
Gotta disagree, though. Aliens will always win over Alien.
"Game over, man! Game over!"
Bill Paxton, what an absolute legend.
And T2 over T1, even with my eternal crush on Kyle Reese! I do also have weird soft spot for T3 =/ I know it's not great, but I dunno, I just like it.
We can both agree that anything past T3 is absolute garbage, though, yeah? Have you ever seen the tv show? I watched half the first season, kind of enjoyed it, and forgot to finish the rest 0_0 I can watch more at any point because I've got the dvds, but... I probably never will! If it came on streaming, I might... so lazy -_-

How do you feel about gingerbread? Because Em made a gingerbread cake with ginger frosting for Sarah's birthday, with gingerbread men on the side - which I helped to ice! Very important job that didn't give me hand cramp. Not at all :)
Does that make you jealous?
I wasn't going to send you to the cake fridge this week, and I'm still not technically ordering you to, but... they have Hot Chocolate Brownies *-*
Do with that information what you will!; 13 November 2025 at 18:01
Dex said...: Guilty admission. I've never seen T3! Or any of the others apart from T1 & T2. I do love Arnold as the bad guy in T1 :) Maybe you have the same feelings for T3 as I do for Scream 3 :) Also, I don't think anyone would ever call you lazy when it comes to watching films and TV! :)

I'm not the biggest fan of gingerbread but like a lot of food, if it's well made, then I will probably enjoy it :) And I know that anything made by your sisters will be very well made indeed! So yes, I'm always jealous when you get Em's baking :)

Hot Chocolate Brownies does sound intriguing...; 13 November 2025 at 21:27
Dex said...: I'm sorry, Lilliputty. I didn't get the brownies. I promise I will make up for it next week :); 14 November 2025 at 17:49
Louise Boyd said...: Hopefully you'll be having some celebratory goodies for Kerry's birthday in their stead :)

Waiiiiitttt, so you don't even like McVities Jamaica Cake? The stickiest cake in existence? That's insane! *-*
To be fair, though, I don't really like very gingery ginger cake, so maybe I don't like gingerbread, either =/ Hmm.
Either way! I'm shocked and appalled!
^-^

You're really not missing much with the missing Terminator movies, they're pretty bad, especially the one with Emilia Clarke. I couldn't even finish watching that one. Some movie franchises really have to be banged out in short timeframes. Like, Scream works so well in the 90s because the aesthetic's cool and no one had really made horror films like that before, it really changed the game for the genre. Same goes for Terminator; the minute you shine it up too well it loses its grittiness and just becomes a blockbuster with no depth. Hard pass!
I am kinda looking forward to the Henry Cavill Highlander remake, though =/ But that might just be because I like Henry Cavill...; 15 November 2025 at 22:29
Dex said...: I'm sorry for the short message, Lilliputty. I'm just at the holiday flat, enjoying TV and junk food :) There were complimentary Tunnock's Tea Cakes (when I say 'there were', that's because I have eaten them all!) :) It will be very odd going from here straight to the office on Monday morning (the office is literally 2 minutes away).

I've never even tried McVitie's Jamaica Cake! I'm sure I will get around to it one day :)

I'm definitely okay with a Highlander remake. The original was very, very flawed :) Do you remember the 90s cartoon version?; 16 November 2025 at 17:13
Dex said...: I'm not sure how Kerry feels about her haunted doll birthday present...; 16 November 2025 at 17:15
Dex said...: It is so cold here today! I hope you and Charlie have both found a very warm and comfortable spot in the house :) Although we both know that Charlie will have claimed the most comfortable spot :) Do you use hot water bottles?; 17 November 2025 at 19:08
Louise Boyd said...: Uh, I guess it's kinda cold here because it snowed *-* I mean, only a bit and it's basically gone, now, but still! Actual snow! Shame it's probably the most snow I'll see for the rest of the year =/
If I have to suffer through the cold seasons, can't it least be pretty?!

...
...
...
Haunted doll birthday present?
What in the fresh hell... ??? o_O

:O
The original Highlander is a masterpiece! How very dare you?! Christophe Lambert's accent was a thing of majestic, auditory beauty! And Sean Connery was totally believable as a Spaniard! Clancy Brown!
I am outraged. OUTRAGED! >_<
...
I don't remember the cartoon, though. I didn't even know that was a thing!
Oh, and there's an anime, as well! How do I not know these things? I'm obsessed with Highlander *-*; 18 November 2025 at 17:44
Dex said...: Well, she likes spooky things :) But I think it was too spooky! She couldn't sleep with it in the house so the haunted doll is now living with me :S

It snowed quite a bit here today. I hope you get at least a few proper snow days in Blair. I bet it makes your garden look amazing :) I have next week off work but I think it is supposed to disappear by then. Pity. I would have enjoyed watching it fall from the comfort of our sitting room :)

I didn't know there was a Highlander anime either! And I had completely forgotten Sean Connery was supposed to be a Spaniard! I'm so sorry, Lilliputty! Do your feelings for the original Highlander stretch to the sequels?; 18 November 2025 at 22:56
Dex said...: Less than a week until my parents leave for the Philippines...; 19 November 2025 at 19:19
Dex said...: I have booked annual leave for next week so I can enjoy the quiet house for a few days :) I will need to find things to watch!; 20 November 2025 at 18:44
Louise Boyd said...: Got any ideas for the watchlist? Will there be a theme? Or are we gonna be mood watching? And will the haunted doll be participating?

My love for Highlander does not stretch to the sequels because they are the worst. The actual worst and if I could erase them from my brain I would ^-^
Some movies should really be a one and done deal.

No Cake Fridge this week. Boooooo :(
I think you should go to Tesco and find something obnoxiously Christmassy instead!; 20 November 2025 at 21:30
Dex said...: I took your advice and bought some Cadbury Yule Logs :)

Oh, haunted doll will be sitting right next to me :) She actually came with some cards and candles that I am supposed to use to cast some sort of spell :S

I might try to do an X-Files or Star Trek: TNG re-watch during my week off...; 21 November 2025 at 23:17
Dex said...: The snow has completely disappeared now!; 22 November 2025 at 16:11
Louise Boyd said...: As much as an advocate as I am for everyone to have their own personal Doll Nadja (although, not really because dolls are creepy as fuck!), I'm going to suggest that you do not cast the haunted doll spell.
Not unless you're down with starring in your own horror movie and testing the "Am I a Final Girl?" theory *-*

Y'know, I was scoping out the X-Files recently, after it got added to Prime, and thinking it's a major missing part of my nerdy lexicon and I should probably rectify that.
But I'm scared I'll hate it and then it'll be ruined forever! >_<

I'm not sure Yule Logs count as obnoxiously Christmassy, but still, solid choice, my friend. So-lid choice. I might need you to really go for it next time, though. If it doesn't have Rudolph's face on it, it does not pass muster!; 22 November 2025 at 17:45
Dex said...: I will definitely try not to let you down with the Christmas food :)

I really enjoy X-Files seasons 1-5. I can't watch it from 6 onwards (although a lot of people love 6) as they moved production from Canada to LA and the atmosphere completely changed. I would suggest watching the first 3 episodes of season 1 but if you don't enjoy them, I probably wouldn't go any further as they are pretty indicative of the whole series :) You get the introductory episode (with a small town alien abduction plot), an Area 51 type conspiracy episode, and a monster episode :); 23 November 2025 at 23:45
Louise Boyd said...: Okay, first three episodes, I can totally manage that!
I guess the problem I've always had is that I was never a sci-fi kid, aliens held, and hold, very little interest for me. Whenever I watch alien invasion movies where the humans win, it always rings entirely false because aliens would take one look at our fucked up little planet and nuke us on first sight with their superior technology. We'd have no chance! Even if they were nice aliens, it would be a mercy nuking to put us out of our misery!
I would hope that before they blasted us to all hell, they'd beam up all the animals because truly they're entirely innocent when it comes to the state of the planet =/ Humans suck.
Just tell me one thing about the X-Files... do Mulder and Skully ever get together or does the show edge everyone for the whole series?

Apparently there are now Chocolate Orange Pop Tarts...
I don't know how I feel about this *-*; 24 November 2025 at 17:16
Dex said...: They do eventually get together but you'll be waiting a long time (and, if I'm being honest, it's not really worth waiting for). I love their relationship in the early seasons though. They got that part right straight away :) Season 3 is the best one if you do make it there :)

Hmm, Chocolate Orange Pop Tarts... only one way to find out :); 25 November 2025 at 00:35
Dex said...: Parents are now on boat!; 25 November 2025 at 21:49
Dex said...: Hopefully a video call with Freya tonight :); 26 November 2025 at 18:44
Dex said...: Freya still hasn't grown out of trying to eat me through the screen :); 27 November 2025 at 16:48
Dex said...: I bought something at Tesco yesterday called Raspberry Funfetti Yum Yums! Would recommend :); 28 November 2025 at 15:31
Louise Boyd said...: Damn! They look so freaking good. I love yum yums, they're like a doughnut but better.
Please tell me you or someone went to the cake fridge today, though? They had brownie yule logs *-* BROWNIE. YULE. LOGS.
Maybe that's what Freya thinks you are when she tries to eat you via video chat? :D
How is the perfect little gremlin? Already pumped for Christmas?
And how's the parent-free solitude? I imagine if you're mainlining raspberry yum yums, pretty great?
It's my dad's birthday next week and I am keeping my fingers crossed that he asks for a good dessert. Like Em's Bogtrotter cake aka. the best damn chocolate cake in the entire universe.
Cross your fingers for me, Dexterous, I need chocolate cake in my life >_<; 28 November 2025 at 22:13
Dex said...: I completely forgot about cake fridge on Friday! I've been on annual leave this week though so I probably would have been enjoying my bed too much to get cake :) But if I'd known about the brownie yule logs... I hope she makes them again in the run up to Christmas!

My fingers are always crossed for you getting the desserts that you want, even if they do make me extremely jealous :) And Em's Bogtrotter cake would make me very, very jealous indeed :D But if there was some way I could subliminally plant the idea in your dad's head, I would :)

I definitely enjoy the quiet but do slightly miss having my tea made for me :) I have gone a bit mad with the junk food this week but I promise that I will try to eat healthier starting in December :)

Sadly, I only got one video call with Freya as she went to London for the weekend! I'm sure I never used to travel so much when I was a kid, although I suppose I was trapped on a small island for most of it :) I think I will miss when she stops trying to attack me, either through the screen or in person :); 29 November 2025 at 23:02
Dex said...: I hope your November monthly hasn't been too stressful, Maggot. I know you always work so hard on them!; 30 November 2025 at 12:52
Dex said...: Monthly! :D; 1 December 2025 at 18:16
Dex said...: Just did my first quick read of your monthly and... As much as I love them, I definitely can't blame you for needing a break! I know that they must be a ridiculous amount of work every month. And at least there will still be a playlist :D; 1 December 2025 at 18:27
Dex said...: Parents have now arrived in the Philippines.; 2 December 2025 at 19:55
Dex said...: I really hope you got the Bogtrotter cake, Lilliputty :); 3 December 2025 at 18:48
Louise Boyd said...: Unfortunately Bogtrotter cake was a no go and I didn't like what got made XD
Apparently I'm not a fan of Black Forest Gateau Victoria Sponge =/ It was weirdly savoury to me, but my dad liked it, so that's all that matters really! I'm just gonna defrost one of the brownies Sarah made and put in the freezer to satisfy my sugar needs ^-^

How's the parent free living going? Blissful quiet and much tv watching in your mum's chair? You've actually made me contemplate getting a dressing gown; they sound warm and fun to swish around in, but all of them seem to made of towelling or fleece material and are ugly colours *-* I want, like, an old man's dressing gown: dark plaid cotton or something, but yikes, it's the dressing gown wilderness out there unless you want to look like you skinned a teddy bear =/

Ah, the monthlies. My sister's forced me to take the hiatus because I was getting really blue about it. It is a lot of work, but it's mostly that I'm finding it hard to just enjoy things because I feel like I have to have an opinion about them constantly to put on the blog, so I stall picking up new books/tv show/movie, et al. And most of the monthlies is me complaining! It's supposed to be a list of things I've enjoyed that month x_x
So, the break is muchly needed, even if my brain right now is telling me I still have to do it. My brain is a stupid gremlin <_<
I think when I get back to it properly, it'll be a different beast. More joy, less complaining :)

Have you had any more video calls with Freya? I bet she'll still try and eat you through the screen when she's gotten past the teenage years and reached her weird mid-twenties/thirties. All the best weirdos lick screen ^-^

I think a venture to Cake Fridge is desperately needed, my friend. Desperately! Your choices are:

- Cappuccino Cake
- White Choc + Coconut Caramel Slice
- Biscoff Billionaire's Brownies

Optional: Dubai Brownie Yule Log Slices

I don't know how you feel about the whole Dubai pistachio thing, I'm not a huge fan, but it's a brownie yule log, so... !

Ps. I promise that I will try to eat healthier starting in December :)

You realise you've been making this promise basically every year since we met, yeah? :D; 4 December 2025 at 17:33
Dex said...: I think I would be excited by brownie yule log with or without the Dubai pistachio :) But I am also very tempted by the Cappuccino Cake... I will keep you informed. Clearly the healthy eating will have to wait :)

I'm sorry you didn't get the Bogtrotter cake, Lilliputty. I hope the freezer brownie made up for it slightly. But I'm glad your dad enjoyed his cake. I know you weren't a fan but I think I totally would have monstered that :)

I know this is pathetic for someone of my age but I do miss having my dinner made for me when I get home :) I have been feeling a bit stressed this last week for some reason. I don't know, I always seem to find something to worry about when I should be enjoying a quiet house. But I promise I will do my best to enjoy it this weekend. In my old man dressing gown. I would definitely recommend one :)

I think your sisters were right! I would definitely much prefer that you found things to enjoy without having to think about them too much :)

I am always hoping for another random emoji text from Freya :); 4 December 2025 at 23:41
Dex said...: I went for the Cappuccino Cake :) And I got extra cake at work, leftovers from a bake sale :); 5 December 2025 at 18:12
Louise Boyd said...: Captain Candyclaws for the baking win! I can't even be that jealous of the Cappuccino Cake because my sisters brought me back a Starbucks double chocolate muffin from their trip into town.
...
Scrap that, I can totally be jealous, coffee desserts are the best! *-*

Oh man, I am totally with you on being stressed and it coming from some mystery place you've never heard of. I am the queen of anxiety with no cause. It's totally normal, though; at least, that's what I'm told. You've just gotta kind of breathe through it. No joke, breathing in for four and out for four is a lifesaver when I'm freaking out. Sounds simple, but it activates the Vagus Nerve which is responsible for so many things in the human body (!) which'll slow your heart rate, interrupt the anxiety thoughts you're having, and gives you something else to focus on. There're different techniques like box breathing and cyclic sighing (I used this one to help sleep), and I really like lo-fi music as background noise when I'm stressy.
...
Did I just overload you with info? Yes, I did! :D
Hopefully some down time will help, or maybe just get some more sleep? I know there's a big stigma about sleeping more than your allotted eight hours (which is bullshit by the way; everyone needs different amounts), but sleep's great for stress. It's like a spa for your brain without having to pay *-*; 5 December 2025 at 22:10
Dex said...: We definitely feel the same way about coffee desserts :) And when you say trip into town, is there a Starbucks in Blair?!

You know that I love it when you overload me with information, Lilliputty! And it's always really helpful :) I don't think I get enough sleep as I should. Despite being a stress ball (Freya did call me that one time), I don't usually have any problems falling asleep. As soon as I lie down and close my eyes, that's me out in a few minutes :) But I go to bed too late. Going to bed after midnight and getting up at 6.30am on weekdays can't be very good for me :S

I do struggle to rest at the weekend. I'm usually pacing up and down the house for hours, worrying about something completely random :) I'm definitely going to try the breathing in/out for four next time.

I really hope that you are sleeping okay these days, Maggot.; 6 December 2025 at 21:20
Dex said...: Apparently Freya will be visiting my parents at the farm from 14-23 December!; 7 December 2025 at 11:51
Dex said...: I tried the Cinnamon Yum Yums today! Just as good! :D; 8 December 2025 at 17:51
Dex said...: It's very horrible weather here tonight. But very nice to be home in my old man dressing gown with a cup of tea :); 9 December 2025 at 18:39
Louise Boyd said...: Are you getting the 40mph wind like we are? =/
It never used to bother me, and I'm fine with it during the day, but when it storms all night? Makes me so tense I can't sleep! If only I could pass out the way you do. So jealous >_<
I'm gonna try putting podcasts into action, though, see if they can lull me to sleep. Which, actually, I was wondering if something like that would help with your anxious pacing? Just whack a podcast or audiobook on so you can at least pace with some form of distraction? You could listen to old man murder mysteries while you sweep around in your old man dressing gown :D It would be very debonair.

What's Christmastime like in the Philippines? Hot? I bet Freya would be adorable smug about being all warm while you freeze it up in Lerwick :); 9 December 2025 at 22:44
Dex said...: 60+mph gusts at the moment! :S Maybe it's because I get all my stress out during the day that I manage to sleep okay at night :) I really hope it's calmer in Blair tonight as I don't like the thought of you being too tense to sleep.

What podcasts do you like listening to? I'm pretty sure they do have my old man murder mysteries on audiobook so I should definitely give it a try. Thanks, Lilliputty :) And I can be debonair all day tomorrow as I have taken the day off :)

I think it is quite hot there at the moment. Although I think they are maybe having some storms too! I can't wait to get a few video calls with Freya when she's there :); 10 December 2025 at 19:35
Dex said...: I took your advice and have been spending my day off listing to an old man audio book. I think it has definitely helped :); 11 December 2025 at 15:15
Louise Boyd said...: That's awesome :D What was your old man story of choice?
I'm not sure I could listen to murder mysteries all alone in the house; I can freak myself out enough without the narrative stimuli 0_0
I actually don't listen to podcasts or audiobooks, I get too distracted and have to constantly rewind because I've got no idea what anyone's talking about. But the siblings do, which is why they recommended it for helping me when I can't sleep.
Sarah's big into audiobooks (Discworld, Murderbot, The Witcher, etc.), and Em's been a dedicated follower of a podcast called "Let's Talk About Myths, Baby" for ages now. She started listening to it after she got hooked on Lore Olympus because it's all about Greek myths, specifically the way they've been watered down through the years for contemporary consumption. Like, we all think of Aphrodite as the goddess of love, right? Well, she is, obviously, but she was also a badass warrior who you really didn't want to fuck with. But because of the patriarchy *shakes fist*, her strength was edited out in favour of her ability to procreate.
It's interesting stuff!

I feel like this might be the last Cake Fridge week before Christmas, call it a gut feeling, so I'm sending you for a Peerie Caramel Pud! (or a Gold Selection Box, if they're snapped up quick! Which they probably will be, because they're cute af!)
Y'know it's take me this long to actually wonder what "Peerie" means. I think I've always thought it was a place *-* But it just means wee! Does this make Freya a peerie queen?!; 11 December 2025 at 18:11
Dex said...: I went for the first Poirot novel which is narrated by one of the actors from the 1990s TV series. The character he played in the series is also the narrator of the novel so I really enjoyed it :) I will definitely be doing another one :)

I really love how into things you and your sisters get :) And you all seem to like different things too. So much varied knowledge and I bet there is never a dull conversation in your house :) The Greeks Myths podcast that Emily listens to does sound very interesting! I wish I knew more about them.

I managed to get my hands on a Caramel Pud! I headed your warning and went very early. Thank you, Lilliputty :) It's quite big too so I have plenty leftover for the weekend :) I think she is maybe doing one more next week...

Freya is definitely a peerie queen :D She'll be arriving at the farm on Sunday!; 12 December 2025 at 23:19
Dex said...: Caramel Pud for my weekend breakfast :); 13 December 2025 at 11:34
Dex said...: My mother says that Freya should be arriving at the farm in a few hours... I think the plan is for Freya's mum and her partner to do some sightseeing on their own for a few days while Freya stays with my parents.; 14 December 2025 at 10:35
Dex said...: Freya texted my mother with a simple 'I'm coming' when she found out that she was getting to visit them (her mum had kept it a secret from Freya until they got to the airport) :); 15 December 2025 at 18:25
Dex said...: I hope you don't mind that I have ordered you something for Christmas, Lilliputty. It is very small, I promise.; 16 December 2025 at 19:11
Louise Boyd said...: You're the best; thanks, Dexterous :)
Something small might be on its way to you, as well.

I think Freya might be the coolest being in the multiverse. She didn't even emphasise her statement with an exclamation point. That's cool as fuck!
I hope she has fun with all the doggos at the farm, who'll clearly follow her around because dogs are the best judges of character. Peerie Queen :D
Is she sad to not be with her kitten, though. I remember going on holiday when the cats were still little and being desperate to get back to them >_< I couldn't even handle one year round at my grandparents house for Christmas a few years back and not having to go back and check on Charlie. He's mega stupid, though, who knows what trouble he could get into alone *-*

Do you have an audible account? I've hijacked Sarah's (with permission) because I'm cheap :); 16 December 2025 at 22:18
Dex said...: Charlie really is very lucky to have you :) I bet he secretly knows that too :) I hope Freya enjoys her time on the farm. I think she was quite excited when she found out she was going, despite her text being so concise :) Maybe I will get a video call soon! I'm sure she will miss her kitten but hopefully the dogs will keep her entertained :) I still remember the dogs we had years ago on the farm. Champ and Copper and Bulkie and T'Bong. Champ and Copper were the energetic, super protective dogs, Bulkie the young, spoilt one, and T'Bong the lazy one :)

Thank you, Lilliputty! I just know that I will enjoy whatever it is that you've sent :D And I do have audible, so I can listen to all my old man books :) Hopefully you find plenty of things to enjoy on your sister's account :); 17 December 2025 at 20:48
Dex said...: Long weekend for me now. Then back to work for two days and then off again until 5 January :); 18 December 2025 at 13:46
Dex said...: Sadly, Freya won't be staying at the farm for Christmas as they are leaving on the 23rd. My parents did say that she loves being there, especially in the garden.; 19 December 2025 at 14:03
Louise Boyd said...: Faerie queens do love their bucolic Arcadias, so I'm not surprised ^-^
She's gonna be so sleepy for Christmas, with all that travelling! Or am I projecting because my old ass would be knackered and she'll actually be totally fine because she's young and full of vim and vigour!
I am so fucking tired, though *-* The rentals forced me and the siblings to get flu jabs yesterday because of this nasty new strain going around, and it's totally knocked me out. I've never had a flu jab before. I'm not sure I like >_<
Did you get sick with vaccinations in school? I always did. They'd stab me in the arm and a couple of hours later I'd be heading home for a stay on the couch watching Disney movies with my mum. It was kind of great, apart from the barf feeling :)

I know T'Bong is probably the name I should ask about, but honestly, Bulkie's got me in a chokehold. That's the BEST name for a dog >_<

Ack! In my inoculated state I forgot to send you to the last cake fridge of the year! Noooooooooo. The Yule Logssssssss x_x Damn my need for flu-protection. Damn it all the hell!; 19 December 2025 at 22:05
Dex said...: I wonder if this new flu is what everyone is being taken out by at work! So many people off at the moment. I don't remember getting sick from school vaccinations although I do have quite a bad scar from my TB one :S I had to get quite a lot of vaccinations when going to the Philippines when I was younger. I seem to remember the typhoid one made my arm ache for days! I really don't like needles but I think I have gotten better so long as I don't look. I'm sorry the flu jab wasn't the best, Lilliputty, but hopefully it is worth it :) And also that you have been on the couch watching films like when you were a kid :)

I think Freya must have been tired as she went to bed at 7pm the other night! Although she has been waking up at 5am :) Also, bucolic Arcadias... I love when you use words that I have to look up :)

I'm sure you will order me to the cake fridge many times in the new year :); 20 December 2025 at 21:54
Dex said...: I hope things are not too stressful in your house in the build up to Christmas, Maggot.; 21 December 2025 at 12:32
Dex said...: A box from Amazon arrived today... Thank you, Lilliputty! :D; 22 December 2025 at 13:19
Dex said...: Kerry is heading up to Whalsay this evening to spend Christmas with her family. I don't think she is looking forward to it at all!; 23 December 2025 at 17:55
Louise Boyd said...: This seems to be a running theme with Kerry and family visits. I'm guessing she's just not like her family? Quieter? More introverted? Sucks when you're the odd guy out :( At least she can always come back to the tiny isle for rest, relaxation, and Taskmaster marathons with Captain Candyclaws.
You staying anywhere for New Year's together this year?

A box also arrived for me! ... A few days ago *-* Sorry, Dexterous, the pre-Christmas mania has left me with pudding brain and I forgot to say >_< Can't even blame it on the flu jab because that only lasted a day and a half! Still have a bruise, though. The sibs and I got jabbed by the same guy and I'm the only bruised one! Like a frickin' peach! It's lucky I quiet like bruises. There's something very satisfying about poking them. Like when you've got an split lip or an ulcer: you gotta mess it *-*

How bad's your TB scar? I remember a few kids in my year having really ragged ones =/ Mine's a barely noticeable shiny disk thing.; 23 December 2025 at 22:40
Dex said...: Kerry really likes sleeping in, not going out, and drinking wine. And she is very resentful of anyone that gets in the way of either of those things :) Hopefully she will be able to do all those things at New Year! We are just going to the same place as last year for a few days. It's a small house in the south of Shetland, so only about a 30-45 minutes drive. I was a bit worried last year about getting snowed in but I think the weather forecast is okay this year...

That's okay, Lilliputty. I did get the email notification to say that the parcel had been delivered so I wasn't too worried that it hadn't turned up :)

I really am terrible when I have an ulcer for not leaving it alone :) But I do hope the bruise is the only remaining side effect from the flu jab, Lilliputty. I think my TB scar doesn't look great but maybe it's not too bad compared to some people's :) I definitely should have been more careful with it though!

Merry Christmas for tomorrow, Maggot! I really hope your day isn't too stressful and you get plenty of food and presents :) I'm definitely looking forward to opening the box you sent me :); 24 December 2025 at 22:37
Dex said...: Thank you so much, Lilliputty! You always know what I will enjoy :D; 25 December 2025 at 12:03
Louise Boyd said...: Merry Christmas, Dexterous :D
Thank you for feeding my nerdy side so well with DiD goodies ^-^ I'll be poring over dungeon raider facts for the whole Christmas/New Year period, now.

I know you're probably having a super chill day, but I hope it's an enjoyable super chill day with food you like and nobody bothering you! If you receive any seasonal Freya texts, you must inform me. Must!

Ps. "Kerry really likes sleeping in, not going out, and drinking wine. And she is very resentful of anyone that gets in the way of either of those things"

I feel this on so many levels. Especially right now, after only four hours of sleep *-*; 25 December 2025 at 15:31
Dex said...: I really hope you got much more sleep last night, Lilliputty.

Freya does send me random gifs from time to time but I have no idea what she means by them :) When she was with my parents, she sent me a gif of Ron Weasley looking terrified about something! :)

I may have to go and pick Kerry up from the ferry terminal today (it's about a 45 minutes drive). She always pretends she's intending to stay in Whalsay until the 27th and then get the bus back to town, but then I get rage texts through the evening on Christmas Day about how terrible everyone is behaving and how she is going to order a taxi the following day as she needs to get out of there! So I end up offering to pick her up. At least the weather is okay :); 26 December 2025 at 12:08
Dex said...: I did end up collecting Kerry from the ferry yesterday. My plan for today is to not move at all from my chair in the living room :); 27 December 2025 at 11:14
Dex said...: It looks like we have some snow forecast for New Year...; 28 December 2025 at 11:17
Louise Boyd said...: Could be nice? Cap off the year with something resembling Winter? And it might make a nice view for yours and Kerry's staycation (that word makes me vomit a little in my mouth ^-^ )

How's your gremlin girlfriend (complimentary) doing anyway? Recovered from Christmas yet? Did you get her another horror doll for Christmas? 0_0
The sibs got me a ghost cushion and it's the softest thing I've ever felt; I cannot stop stroking it.; 28 December 2025 at 22:27
Dex said...: Snow would make a nice view :) So long as it is gone by the 3rd January though! We will be driving home from our staycation (just so I can share your pain at using the word :) and the road leading down to the holiday home is very steep and narrow :S Last year when it snowed, I ended up parking the car at the local primary school (which was about a 10 minutes walk) just to be on the safe side!

I would always like being called a gremlin by you :) Hopefully we won't be doing much these next few days (we are driving down to the holiday home this afternoon) so both of us will be fully recharged for 2026 :) I haven't actually given Kerry her gift yet (I'll bring it with us) but it was one of those electronic foot massagers! I'm not sure how she'll feel about that, although she is frequently complaining about sore feet :) She definitely would have preferred the softest ghost cushion though :); 29 December 2025 at 10:53
Louise Boyd said...: You're probably at the holiday home by now, hopefully with some form of sweet good left for you (I full expect this, now, you've ruined my perception of any other holiday experience that isn't in a hotel), and I just really hope you and Kerry have the best time doing sweet fuck all :) It's truly the best way to celebrate the change of years.
And I dunno, a foot massager sounds like a pretty good present, imo! You just sit back and let a little machine do all the work for your aches and pains. The only way you could improve on that is by putting a Big Gulp-sized glass of wine in her hand :D Which you should absolutely do. And something savoury in her other hand. This is how you pacify grouchy Christmas gremlins, I believe.; 29 December 2025 at 18:08
Dex said...: I'm sorry I didn't message yesterday, Lilliputty. Everything is fine at the holiday home, and Kerry has been enjoying both wine and foot massager. She let me have a go on it too :) She will be giving me my annual glass of alcohol later to welcome the New Year :) I hope you are doing something nice for yourself tonight as well. I really am so lucky to have you as my best friend :); 31 December 2025 at 16:56
Louise Boyd said...: Right back at ya, Fungus ^-^
And don't worry about messaging over the next few days, just enjoy your holiday! Which I'm hoping will come with dessert to wash away the taste of your once yearly drink. Who actually needs booze when dessert exists? I mean, come on?! Who's choosing wine over a milkshake?! Alcohol drinkers are so weird *-*

I'll say it now, because you know I give negative fucks about the change over and I'll probably be passed out from food consumption in a bit, and hopefully beating everybody's arse at Monopoly tomorrow (won't happen, I'm terrible), so, Happy New Year, Dexterous! :D; 31 December 2025 at 17:35
Dex said...: Happy New Year, Maggot :D I did not enjoy the alcohol but I did have a jar of pick'n'mix to help get me through it :) I hope you had so much food and took everyone's property and money at Monopoly :); 1 January 2026 at 11:26
Dex said...: Hopefully you have had some snow, Lilliputty :); 2 January 2026 at 11:31
Louise Boyd said...: Unfortunately there wasn't enough time for Monopoly, but I'll force everyone to let me "beat" them in the near distant future. And we had a tiny bit of snow on New Year's Day! Just flurries and nothing landed, but it was still nice to see. Apparently we might get some in the next few days. Hopefully you'll have made it back home before any major snow hits you!
Did you have nice time? Has Kerry recalibrated from her traumatic Christmas stay with the fam?

Not to rub it in, but Sarah and Em made Coffee Cake and Elderflower Strawberry Tiramisu for NY's dessert and it was epic *-*
Oh, and Sarah recreated Olive Garden's famous breadsticks and I'm pretty sure I blacked out for a minute over how fluffy they were. SO fluffy.
:D; 2 January 2026 at 21:18
Dex said...: Not to sound overly dramatic but the drive home yesterday was one of the worst experiences of my life! We almost got stuck in the snow twice as it was so deep in some places! A kindly passing man stopped and helped dig us out with a shovel the 2nd time :) If we hadn't decided to move the car to the nearby school car park the day before, we would still be at the guest house now as the driveway is basically a long, narrow path going up a hill. And when we opened the front door in the morning, the snow drift was halfway up the door. Not even exaggerating! I don't think I've ever been so glad to arrive home :)

I never begrudge you rubbing desserts made by your sisters in my face! Never stop doing that :D I bet you even got to eat the fluffy breadsticks while they were still warm :)

Also, I'm secretly very happy that you did a short December monthly :); 4 January 2026 at 14:55
Louise Boyd said...: Ooft. That sounds freakin' hellacious. I didn't realise you'd gotten the snow that bad! It's only a ground covering that won't melt here, nothing as dramatic as the tiny isle. But at least you made it back in once piece, with a little help along the way (humanity isn't completely fucked, I guess).
I'll admit something, though: I appreciate driving in the snow is abysmal, but I love being driven in it. It's so pretty and makes me weirdly, and contradictorily, feel really safe.

Ah, the monthlies. The plan going forward is to make them small and manageable. I don't have the mental bandwidth to do the full whack anymore, and I actually really loved just watching things this past month and not having to dredge up an opinion on them for the blog. It's like for the longest time I've been that person who photographs their food for instagram before eating it, getting all the right angles and lighting, etc., instead of simply eating and appreciating their meal without using it for likes (I would never do this, btw, I'm too hungry for that nonsense).
It's been reallllly rewarding.
Like, obviously I'm still gonna gush over things I have something to say about; I can't imagine I'll watch Del Toro's Frankenstein and not have something to say, but if I don't? Doesn't matter! I can just star rate it and move on!
It's funny the knots I manage to tie myself in over things that seriously do not matter *-*; 4 January 2026 at 21:37
Dex said...: I don't know how much you would have enjoyed being driven by me last Saturday :) Although having you besides me may have made me feel calmer :)

I'm so glad you don't have that pressure on you anymore. It's way more important that you can just enjoy things and not worry about having to articulate an opinion on them. I'll just enjoy any opinions shared and the playlists :)

Oh, I would also demolish any food put in front of me :); 5 January 2026 at 19:20
Louise Boyd said...: Christmas is officially over in the Boyd household. The tree is down, no more twinkly lights, and I injured two fingers on independent hands in the process :( Such a bummer every year; it always takes me a few days to get used to it. Twinkly lights should be an all year round thing, imo!
Has Lerwick been de-Christma-fied yet?; 6 January 2026 at 18:13
Dex said...: I'm sorry, Lilliputty. You are always so unlucky with injuries! Maybe you could keep a few fairy lights on in your bedroom :)

Apart from the snow, Lerwick looks completely de-Christa-fied! I suppose that Up Helly Aa is right around the corner...; 7 January 2026 at 19:35
Dex said...: I forgot to say that I tried to make fancier hot chocolate on Christmas Eve in the office as a kind of treat. Vanilla cream, caramel syrup, chocolate chips for melting in the hot milk and decoration... I think it turned out okay :); 8 January 2026 at 22:16
Dex said...: First fire festival of the year this weekend. Scalloway Up Helly Aa (Scalloway is the old capital of Shetland and the 2nd biggest settlement).; 9 January 2026 at 19:18
Dex said...: Ugh, I noticed a drip coming from the water tank today so I have had to be an adult and arrange for a plumber to come and take a look at it :S; 10 January 2026 at 16:09
Louise Boyd said...: Nooooooo, grown up stuff sucks >_<
Can you foist the responsibility on your brother? He's the elder!

Wait. I thought Up Helly Aa was one festival? There's many?!
You islanders really like setting shit on fire *-*
Do you get treats at these festivals? Like the epic sounding hot chocolate you made?
In the book I'm reading, someone made hot chocolate by melting chocolate bars with milk, and I can't figure out if that would actually work or not, but I'm very intrigued *-*

The rain is currently washing away all Blair's snow :(; 11 January 2026 at 18:14
Dex said...: Not to brag, but I am by far the more responsible one between him and me :) However, he is off work on Tuesday so I have given him the responsibility of dealing with the plumber when they arrive. I will just tell him to call me if there's a problem and also come home at lunchtime to check that everything is okay. Fortunately, it's a plumber who has done plenty of work in our house before.

I'm actually not sure how many fire festivals there are up here but it must be at least half a dozen! I've never done the whole thing (the most I have done is watch the procession for the Lerwick UHA) but people get tickets for various halls and then the squads go around the halls and perform their acts. I think at the halls there are plenty of things like soup, bannocks, sandwiches, homebakes... I'm hoping they have hot chocolate too :) We should definitely try melting a chocolate bar in milk one of these days :)

The rain is doing the same thing up here!; 11 January 2026 at 23:44
Louise Boyd said...: The raging introvertedness of me is absolutely quaking in its slippers at the idea of attending any of these pyromaniacal festivals.
The food, though...
I'd be like one of those underage kids loitering outside off licences, asking card carrying strangers to buy me booze, but it'd be to smuggle me forbidden sustenance from the fire people *-*

I'm so proud of you for foisting responsibility on your brother :D I do that shit all the time because I'm not responsible, not even a little bit.
I back away from the phone when it rings!

Y'know what pitiful thing is making me very happy right now? The days lasting longer.
I'm so starved for UV >_< Spring truly cannot get here fast enough; I might be dying *-*; 12 January 2026 at 17:47
Dex said...: The main reason I look forward the Up Helly Aa (apart from the day off) is that the days start getting noticeably lighter immediate afterwards :) I hope it isn't too long before you and Charlie are enjoying a little more sun :)

Oh, I absolute hate it whenever anyone phones the house phone :) I will almost always just let it go to voicemail. But my sibling has the superpower of being seemingly unaware of phones ringing, doors being knocked etc. I always have the fear that it might be something important!

If we ever go to a fire festival hall, we can just hide in one of the backrooms and I will sneak out occasionally to bring us back food :); 12 January 2026 at 18:27
Dex said...: I found a new cereal in Tesco. Kellogg's Caramel Chocos :); 13 January 2026 at 23:11
Louise Boyd said...: ...
And?!
What's the verdict? What's the crunch stability ratio? Does it actually taste of caramel?

I forgot to tell you: Sarah's started making ice cream.
Before Christmas it was Raspberry Ruffle - insanely good.
For Christmas it was Biscoff - deathbed dessert.
I swear to god, she's gonna kill me with flavoured dairy and it's gonna be the sweetest death ^-^; 14 January 2026 at 20:40
Dex said...: If you like crunchy cereal, I would definitely recommend :) And it does taste of caramel so I was not disappointed :)

Death by ice cream is the way I would like to go :) Please do keep me informed of all the different flavours even though it makes me insanely jealous! Do you like having ice cream on its own or would you normally have it with something? I imagine Sarah's ice cream is so good that it doesn't really need anything else :)

Between us, my sibling and I managed to make up one slightly below average adult and got the hot water tank mended by a plumber :); 14 January 2026 at 22:55
Dex said...: I think I will have to buy ice cream from Tesco this evening just to make myself feel slightly less jealous :); 16 January 2026 at 08:21
Dex said...: I just went for a fairly standard Ben & Jerry's Chocolate Fudge Brownie.; 16 January 2026 at 18:24
Dex said...: I can't believe I forgot to tell you that I finally tried the Iced Brown Sugar Shaken Espresso! Ridiculously sugary and loaded with caffeine! My kind of drink :D; 17 January 2026 at 12:03
Louise Boyd said...: I'm pretty sure that's what Sarah orders from Starbucks. It tastes gross to me but I'm happy you both like it :D
Brave choice drinking an iced coffee in Winter, btw. You Lerwickians are obviously made of sturdier stuff than this shivering east coaster *-*

Y'know, I've always wanted to try Ben & Jerry's Chubby Hubby flavour, but I've never seen it for sale in the UK. Which is a crime because it's got peanut butter stuffed pretzels in it! Who wouldn't want to eat that?!
Well, maybe Sarah, she hates peanut butter in sweets, which means I'll never convince her to make it :(; 17 January 2026 at 21:55
Dex said...: I very rarely feel any effect from caffeine but I certainly did after that shaken espresso :)

I will be going to shops from now on just hoping that the Chubby Hubby flavour is in the freezer :); 18 January 2026 at 23:46
Dex said...: I meant to say that when we were away for New Year, Kerry did let me try the foot massager that I bought her for Christmas. I've never tried one before but I did enjoy it :); 19 January 2026 at 21:02
Dex said...: I definitely think I am going to take a couple of weeks off in February to be a zombie in the house before my parents come home :); 20 January 2026 at 18:59
Louise Boyd said...: Yay! Rotting!
You deserve a couple weeks of zombie time. Load up on food, compile a watchlist, queue up some good reads, and sweep around dramatically in your dressing gown occasionally to ward off dormant butt syndrome ⬅ real thing!
Sounds alike a pretty good holiday, tbh. Maybe I can finally convince you to watch some stuff on your mum's Netflix account. Delicious in Dungeon is the perfect accompaniment to a tub of Ben & Jerry's, just saying ^-^; 20 January 2026 at 21:21
Dex said...: I really wish you lived next door so you could make me do these things on my days off that you know I would enjoy :) And I will definitely watch out for dormant butt syndrome :); 21 January 2026 at 22:30
Dex said...: I really hope that Blair is getting more sun than here.; 22 January 2026 at 22:51
Dex said...: My parents seem to be having a nice time at the farm. I get a video call from them most days, usually at about 11pm here (so about 7am there). They do get up very early for people on holiday! Most of the time that I see them they are having coffee and biscuits on the veranda :); 23 January 2026 at 19:57
Dex said...: My parents were telling me that one of the dogs on the farm, Daniel, is very protective of them. Because my dad needs a bit of help now he's old, whenever Daniel sees him about to move, he immediately goes to fetch my mum :); 24 January 2026 at 10:46
Louise Boyd said...: Well that's adorable. I hope Daniel gets all the treats for being the goodest boy.
Cariad used to herd my mum. Sheepdogs :)

I really hope that Blair is getting more sun than here.

You can't hear it, but I'm laughing hysterically.
Blair hasn't seen the sun in two weeks. It hasn't stopped raining since Monday. Blair's flooded in and there's possibly going to be snow next week. I keep waking up in the gloom and being really disorientated. I feel like I'm going insane *-*
Y'know those countries where it's light for the half the year and dark the other? Yeah, I couldn't live in those places because if it's anything like this, then no wonder people go batshit crazy.
Pray for sun, Dex. My bones are crumbling 0_0; 24 January 2026 at 22:23
Dex said...: Cariad really does sound like the loveliest dog :) I wish they could take Daniel home.

I did see the sun very briefly today! In between heavy sleet showers :S Although that sounds like nothing compared to Blair! You deserve all the sun after that :); 26 January 2026 at 00:35
Dex said...: Up Helly Aa tomorrow! I'm more excited for the day off on Wednesday :); 26 January 2026 at 22:32
Dex said...: I was hoping I would get the house to myself tomorrow but my sibling messaged to say that he is off work as well. That was a few hours ago and I am still very grumpy about it :); 27 January 2026 at 18:03
Dex said...: They did not have very good weather for Up Helly Aa. Cold and wind and rain :S On the plus side, I think it is starting to look a bit lighter in the mornings :); 28 January 2026 at 10:42
Louise Boyd said...: I don't think anyone's having very good weather =/ Did they at least get to set some stuff on fire? That's the most important bit, right?

It's unfortunately still bleak as fuck, here. There one day of mild sun and then it reverted right back to constant rain and grey skies >_<
I'm so done with this! But you're right, the days are lasting longer, and the plants are starting to pop up in flashes of green again, so it's not all terrible <_<
I just really cannot wait for Summer, and it's still three months away. SIGH.
I'm sending you to the cake fridge to eat sugar for me in these trying times:

- Guylian Billionaires Brownies
- Baked Cookie Cheesecake
- Mini Egg Brownies

I haven't had Guylian in years, they were always my favourite, and it's taken me until just before Christmas this year to finally ask my Belgian grandmother how to say it properly.
...
And I've forgotten already *-*

Did you get over your grump about not having the house to yourself? I wish I liked being alone at home more but I just freak myself out >_< You're way more chill than I am, Dexterous Fungus Captain Candyclaws Epistolean.; 29 January 2026 at 18:24
Dex said...: I do always keep the doors locked when I am at home on my own. So really not that chill :)

Oh, I'm sure they set the fuck out of that galley on fire :) If you have an annual festival in January, you're probably used to the bad weather by now :) I was very glad to be inside though :)

At least the mornings a relatively light now by the time I leave the house :) You and Charlie definitely deserve some sun though, Lilliputty. I hope you're managing to keep warm at least. I'm sure Charlie has managed to settle himself in the warmest place in the house :) Do you have a hot water bottle?

I will definitely buy the Guylian Billionaires Brownies if they have them, even though I don't know how to pronounce it either :); 29 January 2026 at 23:56
Louise Boyd said...: I do have a hot water bottle, but I have this mental block where even if I'm freezing, I forget to use it =/
We do have a heated blanket in the house, though! I rarely get to use it because the rentals are constant ice cubes, but it's verrrrry nice. I wasn't very well at the beginning of December and could not stop shaking, so I was basically a human puddle of duvet and heated blanket in my bed for a couple of days. If I hadn't been feeling like hell, it would've been the perfect set up for a movie night!
I love being sick when you're not really sick anymore, but can still stay in bed watching comfort films. It's the best *-* I watched so much Studio Ghibli the year I got Norovirus.
Not that I wish illness on you, but you should totally fake it sometime and have a duvet day :)

I really want to see a boat set on fire. That sounds like a good time! But, y'know, from a safe, dry, warm distance. Preferably with a hot chocolate in hand and maybe a burger. They don't really go together, but I'm hungry, so... *shrug*.

Okay, this is how my gran pronounced Guylian:

https://youtu.be/JMRtWQ74f70?si=ZPv35vvUpOqD13A7

Which is absolutely not how any English speaking person has said it. Ever.
I wish my Belgian accent was better, is sounds too Scottish. Or, like a Scottish person trying to sound Belgian and it's just bad >_<
Did take French in school? I did, and the speaking part was always the worst. I remember we had to sit oral exams, which was basically going up the teacher's desk and having a conversation in front of everyone while they pretend to not listen to you. So unbearably embarrassing 0_0; 30 January 2026 at 17:45
Dex said...: That is definitely not how I thought it was pronounced! But I will try to get it right from now on. I think I will go for the French rather than the English pronunciation :) I did French in school too and I think I felt similar levels of embarrassment :) I never liked speaking out loud in class anyway (as I have this weird accentless accent), but the most embarrassing part was reading out random English words in French. You know, when you're reading out a block of text in French, but there are random English words dotted throughout, or words that are pretty much the same in both languages, I don't know why but they just sounded ridiculous coming out of my mouth :)

I'm surprised that Charlie hasn't claimed the heated blanket for himself :) I really hope you get to use it more often, and not just when you're ill! I'm so sorry, Lilliputty, I didn't realise you were feeling that way at the beginning of December!

Being home from school when you were ill but not really ill was the best :) I remember in primary school, there was something going around that basically caused kids to break out in a rash, and if you were infected you got to stay home for a couple of weeks :)

I hadn't used a hot water bottle in years but I've started this winter to take one to bed with me :); 31 January 2026 at 14:13
Dex said...: You really have put me in the mood for a hot chocolate and burger to help cope with this sunless weather :); 1 February 2026 at 11:46
Dex said...: Apparently forecasting blizzards over the next few days :S; 2 February 2026 at 18:39
Louise Boyd said...: Yuck :(
Will you have to walk to work or take the car? Either kinda sucks, I guess! It's like living in the same town as your school and you still have to go when it's snowing and everyone else outside of town gets to stay home! My high school was a ten minute walk away <_<
Maybe it's the perfect time to procure that burger and hot chocolate to ease the blizzardy pain.; 2 February 2026 at 21:41
Dex said...: The snow doesn't seem to be hanging around so I should hopefully be able to drive tomorrow. But I had to leave the other car at the garage this morning for its annual service. I was very ridiculous and took it there at 5.30am and then walked home (about 45 minutes as the garage is on the outskirts of town). I certainly remember trudging to school in the snow :)

I've made do with Kinder Buenos today in place of the burger / hot chocolate combination :); 4 February 2026 at 00:09
Dex said...: I did very much enjoy the photo of Charlie in your January monthly :D; 4 February 2026 at 22:31
Dex said...: My parents are experiencing a small typhoon at the moment! I don't think it's very bad but they are having to stay indoors.; 6 February 2026 at 00:00
Louise Boyd said...: I think, and I might be wrong here, but I think the planet is finally done with our shit and is expelling the biggest, longest sigh to make its displeasure known. How else do you explain the weather lately? Typhoons? Mother Earth is pissssssed.
...
On a serious note: hope it really is a small one and the farm doesn't take too many blows and your folks are okay!

Ah, Charlie Bear, he's a pretty little shit, isn't he :) Shame he's such a motherfucker. He's taken to scratching furniture lately, something he's never really done before. I think it's another side effect of the endlessly crap weather; everything's too squishy from the rain and he's got nothing to scratch his claws on outside so the couch has to pay the price. Pure logic, unadulterated demon behaviour.

Important news: the Monopoly wars continue and I'm still losing miserably -_-
I ended up in jail so many times that Em took pity on me and bailed me out; I was mocked liberally and enthusiastically!
I did get a little revenge, though, by putting two houses on Bond Street and raking in M450 in rent :D That was pretty sweet.; 6 February 2026 at 18:06
Dex said...: Yes, when I spoke to them tonight (it was about 7am there as they are 8 hours ahead and they wake up ridiculously early), it was back to sun and blue skies, not that I'm jealous at all :) I will be hoping for sun even more now, just so that Charlie leaves your furniture alone!

I love that you have family Monopoly nights :) I haven't played it in so long, probably because I was such a sore loser :) I will keep my fingers crossed that you get to put a couple of hotels on Mayfair next time :); 7 February 2026 at 01:17
Dex said...: Speaking of Monopoly, I might possibly be sent to London at some point this year! My parents are quite keen on me getting dual citizenship (something to do with property in the Philippines) which would involve going to the embassy. I will refuse to fly though! Train journey seems much more my speed :); 7 February 2026 at 11:47
Dex said...: Kerry ordered me a box of brownies from a place called DoughGirl so that was my weekend sorted :); 8 February 2026 at 11:31
Dex said...: The peanut butter brownie I just had from the DoughGirl box may be my favourite one! It was embedded with Reese's peanut butter cups :); 9 February 2026 at 21:35
Dex said...: Kerry had quite an unsettling experience at the weekend. She went to her cousin's baby shower on Saturday evening and when she was walking home, some creepy stranger tried to follow her and make conversation. He wasn't even drunk, just a creep. In the end, she phoned me to come and pick her up so this guy wouldn't find out where she lived.; 10 February 2026 at 19:57
Louise Boyd said...: Stuff like that makes me so fucking angry. Women should be able to walk at any time of the day and not feel scared. It's not right and it's not fair and it makes me want to burn the world down >_<
Is she okay? Stuff like that can really leave you feeling spooked for a while. So glad you exist and aren't a horrible man :(

Oooh dual citizenship? That's pretty cool. Would you get to stay long in London, or just an overnighter? Haven't been there in so long, not since university, but it was waaaaay too busy for me, and their water is just bad *-* Scotland may have sucky weather (apparently, since the New Year, it's rained every day in good old Caledonia, a personal record - I'm furious ^-^) but our drinking water is comparable to none. What's the water in Lerwick like?

Just been perusing DoughGirl's insta and I hate you so much right now :); 11 February 2026 at 22:00
Dex said...: I think she still is a little bit scared to walk on her own at the moment. I had to give her a lift the other day as she didn't want to walk from her mum's flat to her house in the evening by herself. We're not sure if it is the same person but apparently someone has been going around trying to get into people's houses if they have left the doors unlocked!

I feel like I would want to stay in London a few days just to have a proper holiday but no doubt it will be much too busy for me too and I'll want to escape back home :) Maybe I could stay somewhere quieter on the way back instead...

The water at home is completely fine to drink. Very cold and nothing wrong with it at all. I definitely enjoy living somewhere with water like that :) The water at work isn't great but we have a filter in the fridge so that's okay.

At least you have your sisters' baking to make me very jealous in return :); 12 February 2026 at 00:45
Dex said...: I like your new profile picture, Maggot :); 12 February 2026 at 21:31
Louise Boyd said...: Thank you! I thought it was about time for a change, but I might still change it for something else. The red sleeves and the purple background are making my brain itch >_o

Where would you stay on the way back? My geography's too terrible to think of anywhere :D

Dexterous, there was sun today. Actual sun!; 13 February 2026 at 18:45

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