February.




 January-Update

My little dog Summer was poisoned by someone being careless with antifreeze which got onto her paws, and she licked them, poisoning her beautiful little body. She passed away on the sixth of January at six am, in my Son Andrew's arms, less than twenty-four hours after the vet told us the devastating news by phone, following a blood test. She was in tears herself as she had not seen a more lovely and more beautiful westie dog. I told her this was the first time she had bean to the vet when ill. Only going for jabs and yearly checkups. She originally thought it was gastroenteritis.  Rest in peace little pup you are very much missed. 

I did not put out a January Blog.


The sky at sunset 31st Jan.







February 1st

My friend Jenny is having a cataract operation on her eye today. Hope things go well for her. I will ring her later to see how things went. Angela came round to see me and brought flowers, that was really nice of her. She was not sure what to say to me about Summer. 

Went to see my friend Mary and Rory her dog. I was a little bothered how this would be as Rory was Summer's boyfriend. When Mary came to see me straight from the common on January 12th. Rory was looking for Summer and kept looking at me confused. I gave him a chew that Summer and I had wrapped up for his Christmas present. Because I did not see them over Christmas, I decided to wait till later. He ate it under the table and then put his paw on my knee. The time came for them to go. He did not really want to go and kept looking at me still confused. Mary phoned me later to say that after Rory had bean cleaned up from the common. He is a collie-type dog and like Summer when he gets a mucky belly. He went under her table, a place where he only goes when he is scared or frightened like bonfire night. The visit to Mary's and Rory's was a mixture of tears and smiles. Rory hardly left me at all, even trying to get in the toilet with me. 


4th


Not a good night, I keep hearing Summer crying, and one time I got out of bed to go downstairs.  Andrew and I are going for a walk along the river bank (anywhere apart from the common) I can't face that yet. Lovely walk bit cold, but quiet though. We did see other little dogs, one came right up to us for a fuss, I did not know him. I think Dogs when you're sad even the ones that you have not seen before know how you feel. Summer always did and has shared many of my fears and tears. A bit more Knitting later of a blanket, that is now on its third pattern as things did not go well with the first two. I am doing the same style but all one colour this time as the blanket I made for my friend Debbie's Christmas present, finished in November's blog on the 15th.  Picture when finished.

Debbie's Blanket.


 

7th

Frosty and quite cold first off. Washing out so that's good. I feel very lost as I am on my own most of the time. When I was very upset, Summer's picture popped up on Goggle's home hub, and just looked at me. Maybe her spirit is here, not too sure what I believe about that though. I still feel very angry about her going well before her time. A lot of people on the common thought she was younger than twelve around six, most said. But she was twelve and would have gone on a lot longer.


8th

Paul and I went to see our friend John as it's his Birthday today. He is out a lot so to catch him in we went at night after tea, I made him a cake and Andrew made him a coaster with John's Brew on it. He liked both very much. I know he will enjoy his cake maybe a slice later.  


9th

Going to see Jenny today, she said she was having a bit of a problem putting her eye drops in, and wanted me to see if she was doing it right. She was, I said you will get used to it then the time will be up and drops are no longer needed. A nice time few tears but I suppose that will be like that for a long time. Jenny is not a dog person but she really liked Summer. Everyone did. I am altering a pair of trousers for her.  


10th

Paul has gone to Halifax to pick up Wayne and Kayleigh they are here for two days. This time they will stay at a Hotel nearby, The Tennison. We only have a single bed so Wayne usually sleeps on the settee. Not the best so this time he booked the hotel. Also, it's Summer's bedroom or what used to be. We have not seen them since last July, Wayne's Birthday. They did not come at Christmas as they and we were ill.  This was Christmas day for us and them and we exchanged presents. Lindsay and Jamie-Lee are also coming around for Chinese tea. A very good day apart from a lot of pain for me. RSD, always there to spoil things for me. My left arm and shoulder still hurts from where I fell on the ice near the shed last December 17th.


11th

Wayne and Kayleigh had a good night apart from the room being a little warm. The present from them for my Birthday on 13th Feb was a "Tree of Life" a lovely glass one.










Paul did us all bacon butties for late breakfast they were good. Later Lindsay and Jamie-Lee came around, and a bit later Jay-Jay and Mollie also came to see everyone. Spent the afternoon with Wayne and Kayleigh. Paul was at a football match Lincoln City v Bristol. Lincoln won 1-0. Paul returned from football and Lindsay did tea for us all. Wayne, Kayleigh, and Paul only had chip butties, as they were getting a meal later a takeaway of some sort. Everyone else had chips with something. Good, they were too. Paul set off to take Wayne and Kayleigh home to Halifax. He might stay the night or come home he is not too sure depends how tired he is. 



12th

Paul did stay the night, so a bit empty this morning as Summer is not there now to greet me when I come down the stairs. My Brother David and Bev, my Sister in Law came round to see me as it's my Birthday tomorrow. The presents were flowers and two boingey little solar light-ups for the garden plus a wrapped present. 





Lit up night time.



Light up little ones from David and Bev. I have named Bill and Ben.

A bit later Michelle called but did not come in. She bought me flowers also.   




Michelle's flowers. 



Paul's Flowers.


13th

My Birthday -There is only one thing I would love more than anything in the world is to have my little girl Summer back but I know she is gone. I got lots of nice things but it was a sad day for me. Paul got me flowers and a Sam Smith CD and posh chocolates. Andrew is going to adopt an alpaca for me a bit later. Lindsay got me primulas for the garden. Angela got me the same but hers are a different type. All very nice.  I got chocolate and lovely little messages from Jamie-Lee. A tree of lift from Wayne and Kayleigh. Money from Jenny plus a Chocolate bear, Joy money, also Paul's parent's money. Posh Chocolates from my friend John. From my friend Debbie a book, hand cream, a tray, a mug, and placemats all to match. A dove bath set from my friend Lyn. An Amazon £15.00 gift voucher from my friend Tracy. Also, a box of Roses from my brother and wife to go with the other things. 


Cards.

Lots of presents.

Plants from Angela and Dennis (her Brother)

Plants from Lindsay and family- there are three in each pot.


Rose from Mary and Rory for Summer, a few weeks ago.


15th

Not feeling well today raspy throat and head from hell plus hot and cold. Wayne had a cold so it could be the culprit. Taking Echinacea helps soothe things a bit. Resting and just doing a bit of knitting.


16th

My B12 injection today, was done by a new male nurse. He was very good and it did not hurt too much this time. He asked me why the ouch face when I put my coat back on? I told him I fell last year. He asked if I had it X-rayed I said no and told him I did not fancy waiting three to four hours to see someone at A and E. He did not reply to this knowing I was right. I said to him I think I cracked a bone in my forearm and did some to my shoulder, it's getting better so I am not worried about it. Even If I had gone to A and E I do not think they would have put a plaster on, more like a tubagrip or something like that. 


18th

Doing Blog today not an easy one to do as about Summer.

I watched a new Star Trek with Andrew today Picard- it was good. A lot of the older Star Trek actors are making an appearance. This will be on every week as well. Something to look forward to. My cold has got a good hold and making me feel really off it.  I have not had a cold like this for years. Lindsay is not well either a chest infection.


  17th

Well, it's bean six weeks since my beautiful little girl passed away. How do I feel ?? Absolutely devastated, angry, very angry, in disbelief, lost, and in pain. Just about every emotion you could think of. Mary said people on the common were in tears when she told them. The postman did not ring the doorbell for a month, as he could not face me. Summer was his favourite little dog by far. He used to make a big fuss of her.  I blame myself, but everyone says it is not my fault. Her feet were wiped every time she came in from her walk. Quite warm today spring-like day.


19th

Another warm day. I do not feel the best today, I ache everywhere and feel quite weak. My chest is tight and I am coughing up stuff. I do not want Antibiotics unless I have to I think it weakens you. Best to let your body heal itself if possible. Lindsay is not well either a bad chest infection she needed Antibiotics and steroids. 


21st

Still not much better but need to move as my muscles are getting very tight and going into spasms. Sorted out the flowers that I got for my Birthday as some are past it now. Flowers are very nice but do not last long when the central heating is on.  


22nd

My friend Jenny here after having her hair done looks very nice as always. Gave her the trousers I altered for her. Her eye is doing well after her cataract procedure. She did get better at doing the drops as well. Nice catch-up chat she said it was strange without Summer here. Steak for tea tonight, very nice too. After I had finished I saw I had left a bit on my plate for Summer as I usually did, not thinking. 


23rd

Doing a bit more of Andrew's hoodie going better now, I had to pull down the hood as a lot too big. Over the years of knitting, I have found that in a lot of patterns, the hood is too big. In baby/children's I usually do the size hood down from the rest. This normally works well. The lady who I made the cardigan and baby blanket for came to pick them up. She was very pleased and gave me more than I asked for. She would like another blanket as well in white. I have not got enough white to do it so a trip to the wool lady soon.


Baby blanket.

Cardigan.

Both.


In town today, a rarity nowadays to get the white wool I need for the blanket, the wool lady had no white at all in fact she was waiting for a lot of her stock to come in. I did get some Aran wool for a baby cardigan I am making later on in the year so not quite a wasted journey. I still need some circle needles for Andrew's hoodie. I do not like the curved needle ones and that's all I have bean able to see at the moment. They make my wrists hurt and that is what they are designed not to do, be ergonomic.


25th

Up before eight that's not much time in bed (bed usually around 3-4am) but I need to get up soon after I wake or the spasms start and they are not easy to get rid of. In the afternoon I went to see Mary and Rory. Rory was very pleased to see me, especially after I gave him a chew. I gave Mary her coaster and glass that Andrew made for her last year. She tried it out while I was there, and said it was perfect. I was to thank Andrew.  She was very pleased with it saying how clever he was. 




 

She gave me a present a Lillie plant very pretty I said why a present for me she said for a late Birthday and a friend's one. We just sat talking and at times in tears about Summer. She loved her as well and so did Rory. He still is confused about Summer, or does he know? Left when it was dark around 6pm. Mexican for tea later, not bad but I still prefer Chinese food. Andrews was not the best but Paul seem to enjoy his.  


Lovely Lillie. 

I will take another picture when fully opened.

26th

Cleaning up downstairs today Paul is starting in the front and me in the bathroom. All finished sit down for a bit. I then started knitting a baby cardigan in 4ply wool, this is a lot finer than double knit- (DK 8 ply) half the thickness  Not knitted with this for a while so not sure how it will go. After the first few rows, it was alright and I was quite enjoying doing it with a lot less weight so light on the hands.

Plants are all in the garden now so after the rain we have had they will soon bloom.










 
 
Looking all pretty in the garden.


Not bean an easy month to start the year that's all I have to say. Just hope the year has gone better for you all. 


One of Summer's last pictures I took. She had a bath earlier and gleamed so white, my little girl.

Love Gill.

December

 December 1st

Made Christmas number one, I am only making two this year. My friend John would like a sponge cake instead. Everyone else that's it, no more cakes for them. One year I made thirteen cakes. I also made chilli for tea, Paul said it was hot. I have not got my taste, or sense of smell back yet after having COVID.   


2nd 

Started making my friend John a pair of gloves with 4ply wool, but this did not go too well. Problems with my fingers. So I changed to double knitting wool this went a lot better. Not sure why I could not knit with the 4ply as I have made many pairs of gloves and hats with it. My hands can be good at times, and at others, they will not do what I want them to do. It's like having a pair of boxing gloves on. Andrews's hoddie is going well though. I ache a lot today just about everywhere.


3rd

Made cake number two today so that's my lot this year, just need to marzipan them and ice them. I finished off glove one for John so it was a good thing I changed the wool or I think I would still be messing around with knitting them. 


4th

Out for dinner today with Paul and some of his group. I have not bean out for a meal for ages, in fact, I have not bean anywhere apart from the common. The meal was good a Christmas-type one for me. With still having no taste it was a bit like, well, weird. Hopefully, it will soon be recovered and I am able to taste once again. The trouble is when a lot of people get together there is also noise and this is not good for me. One lady is very loud and makes herself heard where ever she is. At times it was a bit much for me. I did enjoy it, nice to get out for a change.


5th

I have finished off John's gloves now I did not take a picture, as same as Roberto's gloves. I am making Andy a pair also I think there will be just about enough wool. I have bean having a lot of nose bleeds just lately. The tablets I take for my heart condition, I have bean told they are making an existing problem worse. Also a lot of dizzy spells too. Just another thing to put up with. 


6th

While out today, on Summer and my walk I noticed the leaves that are still on the trees, were coming off and it looked like it was snowing. I think the frost and cold have just about left a lot of the trees bare, there are still some with leaves but very few now. Afternoon shopping in town I did very well with presents too. I had to ring Paul up to pick me up as I could not have carried them further than I did. Another mile to go was a bit much. 


7th

It would have bean my Dad's 100th birthday today. Happy Birthday, Dad. Even though it is now nearly eighteen years I still miss him and Mum very much. Also, my Brother Phillip who was seventeen. Not going today to visit them. 

Ironing and a bit on the computer. I have started Andy's gloves so will soon see if I have enough wool. I added another colour on the wrist so it should be enough. Did a bit more of Andrews hoddie this is going well. I have put a poster in the window saying that I can make things in knitting and also pictures of things I have made. Another cold night a lot of things have bean got at by the frost, so there is quite a bit of gardening and tidying up to do. Then it will look very bare, but this is the time when the garden rests, ready for next Spring.


8th

Went to see Mum, Dad, and Phillip at the garden of rest. Very cold so did not stay as long as I would have liked. Put new flowers on.  Also, visited my past next-door neighbour's grave. I left flowers for them. 


10th

Another very cold morning, Summer and I saw Mary and she said she was very cold, Rory was running around as usual. Paul is at football I am pleased I am not, at least when I ran I was moving. Finished off the gloves for Andy I just made it the wool I had left was around three feet.  I now can concentrate more on Andrews's hoddie.   


12th

Went into town Christmas shopping with Paul. We got quite a lot of things. We split up and when Paul had finished he went home. I still had things to do so I walked home later. I saw Mary and her Granson Kayland, he is flying to Austria tomorrow so just getting the last-minute bits. Got back just before it got dark and cold.   

13th


Very cold again on the common hands were blue and white and very painful, and that's with two pairs of gloves on. Squidgy, a Neighbour from two doors away that moved a while back came around. Things are going well with the build for his extension to the bungalow. Early next year they should be in and everyone should have more room. Good to see him, next week he will bring Emmie around to see us. Kaylan came to see Andrew be for he left tomorrow he was a bit stressed but left happier than he came. A lady saw my knitting poster and asked me to knit two cardigans and a pram blanket for her. I was pleased and  maybe there will be more orders


14th

Very cold again still -2c at 9am and it did not get much warmer after the sun came out.















Very frosty and cold.


I Scrubbed the kitchen and bathroom floor today took an hour and a half. Looked and felt a lot cleaner. A bit more knitting of Andrew's hoodie.  Started a little cardigan for the lady going well doing a bit of that and a bit of Andrews hoodie. Gives my hands a rest as fewer stitches for a baby cardigan.


15th

Another cold walk on the common, Summer does not seem to mind the cold at all. She just plays with her ball and has a good time.  The morning was different, to say the least. Doing my Blog, but the laptop decided it was not going to be helpful today. Took ages to load up then was slow.  People at the door, deliveries, and phone calls. One thing that was nice, was a visit from a friend that I have not seen in a while. That was lovely, after Christmas, I am going to see her as she lives quite close now.  Dentist, all good there, just a check-up, polish and clean up, twenty-three pounds later I left.  A little bit of shopping then home. Summer was pleased to see me after a chew for her, we sat and cuddled on my chair, and she was very happy I was home. Summer was sick a few times today I think she might have picked up something off the common. She is always finding things to eat, some not always very good for her. 


16th

Another very cold walk my hands were white and blue again. Saw Debbie and Monty also Mary and Rory. He had bean to the groomers and looked very smart. We started walking and noticed Summer was standing there just watching us. I looked for horses but there were none. She does not like them. Mary said I know what it is, she did not get a treat when we first met. Mary said, come for a treat then, she ran towards us, and she and Rory got one each. One happy Summer again what a cheeky little dog.  Sorted out some different gloves for tomorrow. Hopefully, my hands will be warmer and less painful. I can use hand warmers but they do not last long and it's not really a good idea to have your hands in your pockets on the common in case you trip. Paul is shopping today and Lindsay has gone with him.


17th

Early hours of the morning I fell near the shed, just slipped on the ice that had formed. I think water started dripping off the roof and formed a puddle then froze. I went with a crash on my back and bum, hitting my head as I went down. I thought I had really hurt my arm and back as I could not move for quite a while. I was shaking some with cold -5c that night and some with pain. After what seemed a long time I slowly got up. My back and arm hurt so much. I had a big bump on my head at the back. I sat for quite a while before I went to bed. This could have bean a lot worse as I could have gone forward on my hands, broke my wrist or worse. or even knocked myself out. I did wonder if Summer would have stayed with me or just gone to bed. I had left the door open a bit so she could get in and not wait for me to lock up the shed. I did not wake Paul up, he could have done nothing anyway.  Overnight awake a lot, in pain. 


18th 

Big bruise on my bum and lower back very sore shoulder and arm I can hardly move without pain. A very big lump at the back of my head, but apart from that ok. Had Jamie-Lee most of the day she was good and we played games. Summer seems to be fine now so it must have bean something she picked up off the common.


19th

Yesterday I iced the Christmas cakes, only two this year like I said. Jamie-Lee here again for a bit. We played games again and started a Harry Potter puzzle, she loves anything to do with Harry Potter. We also went on the common with Summer who played with her ball and both enjoyed themselves a lot.


20th

Cleaning up today got so much done then stopped till later. My friend Jenny came round to see me. She got a roll for her dinner, and could not get it open. I tried to cut it with the scissors, but took off part of her nail instead, which made her shout out. I was so, so sorry. She was ok and managed to file it in a shape of sorts. She said the roll was horrible after all that. Paul was trying to get the water heater to work properly, something it has not done for quite a few weeks now. He somehow managed to make it worse, it did not work at all then. He worked on it some more and made it a lot better in the end. We now have very hot water instead of just barely hot. I had a nice hot bath later with salts in for my back and bum bruises. Lindsay's friend has asked me to make her Daughter a pair of gloves. These will not take long as she is only nine. I now have a selection of things to knit,

21st

Made John his sponge cake it felt a bit heavy so not sure how it will taste. John will soon tell me when he gets it. Squidgy and Emmie came round and gave them presents for Ben (Emmie's Brother) and Emmie. Their bungalow work is going well and soon will be finished, Next year I will be able to see it all done.


22nd

Taking presents out to relatives today. His Mum and Dad, Paul's Brother Malcum and wife Pam. Also, my Brother David and his wife Bev, whose Birthday is today. Garry was there as well my Nephew. They have two dogs and both were sniffing the present bag. Bits for them inside. Came home and cooked tea then a bit more knitting. Wayne and Kayleigh are not well flue like bug. It's doubtful Wayne will be here for Christmas. Kayleigh is at her relations for Christmas day if well enough, so just Wayne here. 

24th

Wayne is not well enough to come so he will be missed. Hopefully at the end of the year or next year.

25th

Merry Christmas everyone, hope you have a good day. I am looking after Andy's cat while he is at his Mum and Dad. He is a very loving cat and likes a lot of fuss. Also, there is another cat who Andy has named Bob, I did not see him at all. Andy left them a Stocking for today with their favourite bits in it. Christmas dinner there was seven of us. Tommy-Lee was not well, so was not here Jack did not turn up either. (friend of the family) Everything was cooked well, Lindsay helped me put it out as that gets me very mixed up and I forget whose meal is whose. Andrew said he had a good day as well. Took the cats some turkey but only smudge there. He ate it all. Summer had turkey as well and enjoyed it too.


Summer enjoying her day she kept these on for ages.



27th

Jay-Jay and his girlfriend Molly came to see us all. Not really sean Molly much at all, so it was nice to see them both together. Andy came back from his Mum and Dads, he said Smudge was very pleased to see him. Spoke to John he said his cake was lovely, good I said. John all so liked his gloves and said they felt very warm on. 


29th

A very windy day got the bedding out and it has all dried. I can not remember the last time I put washing out. Very cold and windy on the common, We saw Mary who I have not seen since be for Christmas and of course Rory.  A nice but very fresh walk on the common. For Andrew's hoodie, I need two circular needles for the hood and neck, ordered them today on Amazon. 


30th

Summer seems to be off it a bit, she is sleeping more. Could just be the after-Christmas tiredness, but she is not usually like this. She is eating her tea as normal though so maybe she is just tired. I have now finished off the pram blanket. 

Hope she likes it.



Paul has got this virus that is going around with cough and cold-like symptoms. He was hoping to get some cough stuff to ease the coughing. The chemist said he could not have it as he was diabetic. I think in Paul's case it would not have mattered.

31st

The last day of 2022 what will next year bring?? Summer is being sick with a lot of yellow-green flem. stuff. She is not eating her tea now, I have done her scrambled egg which she did eat. But she was sick again later what is wrong with her?

Andrew and I watched the firework display from around us lot going on and plenty of bangs and colour. Summer watched too barking and doing her usual protecting. I thought she was picking up a bit but she was sick again later, the same as before. 


Well, another year passed by. I think 22022 was getting back to near normal after the CVID PANDEMIC. Not too bad for me, what will next year bring? All the best to you all and hope next year is a good one for everyone Love Gill.


Our Beautiful, pretty, funny, little Westie Summer, passed away on the sixth of January at six am in Andrew's arms. The pain in my heart was real I think it just broke. She was twelve but acted more like she was six. She had everything to live for. We were told to start with by the vets, (5th Jan) that it was gastroenteritis. She took blood from her and phoned up later to tell us it was Antifreeze poisoning and nothing could be done as her kidneys had packed up. Even if we had taken her sooner it would have bean no good as the damage was done to her tiny body straight away. My baby had bean poisoned by antifreeze. How am I going to live without her? Our hearts are broken. She was my life. Love Gill.

                                             

Rest in Peace, my little girl.


There will be no January Blog.  





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