October

October 3rd

A cold start but not as windy today. Less than a month ago it was 30C now barely in double figures.

Lindsay and Jamie-Lee came round and stopped for tea. Andrew used the new fryer for the first time, all good.  

5th

Another cold day I think winter is here now. A good walk on the common with Debbie and Kipling one of her dogs. We saw Mary and Rory, Summer got her usual treats and was happy. I have now finished off knitting Big Ears, Noddy's friend. All I need to do is sew him up, this can take as long as knitting him as fingers are not good a lot of the time. Posted off Paddington to Arlo for his Birthday so he should get it in plenty of time for his Birthday on the 11th.

7th

Blood test and B12 were cancelled so the next date is October 18th

Picked a lot of tomatoes and the last I think of the cucumbers. There will be some more toms for a while yet.

 

Not bad.

9th

Went to Mary's house with Summer and Andrew he is doing her laptop and a few other things technical for her. Summer was tired when we got there but so pleased to see Rory as he was very pleased to see her. Later looked after Emmie a  Neighbours  Girl. Her Mum and Dad were out for a change together. Ness is a nurse so she often works at the weekend. Emmie and I played board games of draughts, buckaroo, frustration, and connect four. Emmie is getting very good at draughts and mostly beats me now. Before I used to tell her to look around the board but not now. When Ness and Squidgy got home, Squidgy went to bed and I stopped a while talking to Ness, then home.

10th

Bedding change all dried well. Tea roast pork plus all the trimmings. Lindsay has got a new cooker, as hers had seen better days. This one is smaller and it gets hotter at the bottom how weird. She put pies in the top and after the time they were not ready. She read the instructions (this does help) and the top was the coolest place and the bottom of the oven the hottest. She is in a rented place so the choice is not hers to make. I think she will get used to it in time.  

11th

Happy Birthday, Arlo one today hope you have fun. Russ has got the parcel with Paddington in it but has not opened it yet as waiting for Arlo's Mum to finish work. Hopefully, he will send me a picture of him with Paddington. I feel very tired today and Summer does too. We saw no one on the common on our walk My pain has settled a bit but is never very far away. 

Noddy is happy now he has his friend with him.

12th

Cleaning upstairs today. Now Big Ears is finished I have started Kermit frog for a Christmas present. This has not got too many bits so should be quite straightforward to do. Coming back from Summers walk Paul noticed she had something in her mouth. I told her to drop and she did, it was a piece of French bread or garlic bread. She was not too happy to have it taken off her. Finders keepers  I think she was saying. Just about every time we go out she finds something to eat. I usually see her but not this time. She had a treat so was happy again. 

13th

Paul has an early start, as he is having his cataracts done on the right eye. Day job then he is out for his dinner. He was back early afternoon all good, drops to put in, two lots and a clear patch to wear. for a while. His eye looked a bit red but not that bad. I have to have mine done at some point but they are not urgent as yet.  Finished off cleaning upstairs, this takes longer now but I stick with it and usually get it done over two days. Angela came round things are fair with her.

14th

Chilly day but dry.  Doing this blog and a few other bits. Tommy-Lee has got Covid 19 Lindsay says he is not too bad more like a very bad cold but with a killer headache. Russ has sent me a picture of Arlo with Paddington Bear.

Arlo with Paddington Russ said he was not too sure about him.

16th

 Head bad today all around the eyes and down one side of the face and under the left ear. Flue jab at my doctor I spoke to him about my B12, he said it should not be stopped once started as they are usually for life. See what the blood test says on Monday and we will take it from there.

I feel like I need the B12 injection and are probably anaemic as well. 

17th

I was awake many times in the night, too hot too cold and just pain everywhere. Not a good night nor a good day either, very dizzy well it's weird not really dizzy but light-headed. I ache all over and still the bad head same place. I have taken far too many tablets over the last few days. Arm from flue jab a little sore but not too bad I am brave.

18th

Today was the day I thought I was getting my B12 and blood test no just the blood test. The nurse made an appointment to see my own doctor next week to discuss the results. 

19th

Warm weather now barmy 16C in October rising to 19C later. My friend John is here tonight. I have not seen him in a while so it will be good. Paul is at football so just me and John. Good talk with him had tea and cake, not homemade as he pointed out to me.

Tommy-Lee my Grandson has tested positive for Covid19, Lindsay says he is not too bad. Headache and heavy cold-like symptoms. 

20th

Up around eight-thirty with a nose bleed to start with, not good as it always makes my head hurt. One-sided headache was later the same as l7th. Set off for Summer's walk but it poured down so we headed back. Summer did not seem to mind much though. In the afternoon I finished off the puzzle. Andy from across the road has covid 19 so we will not be seeing him for a few days. He is sufferings a lot like double flue he said when Paul sent him a message. I will ring Andy later in the week. Finished off the puzzle, this time only a small one, just 500 pieces.

Summer just looked like the westie on the left when she was a young pup.

   

When we got Summer she was very good friends with the cats two doors away called Ginge and Tabby. These were not their real names;  Andrew and I just renamed them. They were called Chubby and Tiger. Ginge would come in, treating this as his home. Going in Summers basket or anywhere he could. He would hide as well so he could stay in the house at night. He was a cute cat and Summer loved him very much.

We used to put hats on them. 

Ginge asleep in Summer basket.

Summer outside the basket Ginge inside, Summer used to let him all the time.

Asleep on my scooter.

Tabby was not around as much but still was Summers friend.

Ginge disappeared a few years back and Tabby passed away last year. Summer missed them both a lot looked every day for them for ages. Snowy is Summer best cat friend now, but he has disappeared too, his owners have not seen him for a while.

Fast asleep in our shed; his second home.

21st

I made some small cakes today turned out well just plain, but tasty.  I have not done any for ages, I say I made I put everything in the mixer then wait, then just spoon in the paper cases. Also, some bread but this was not as good very heavy but tasted better than it looked. Started another puzzle this one a 1000 pieces, not like the last one 500.

23rd

Trying to put together Kermit but not going too well. My fingers are not good today well they are not good most days but worse today. Taco Bell for tea, Mexican food, nice but not very hot. I still prefer Chinese takeaway and it's only across the road so always very hot.

26th

Doctors for results of blood tests I had last week. B12 needs to be done as soon as possible. He said if I do not restart, the levels will drop now very quick like they did last time when it was changed from eight weeks to twelve. To start with there are to be twelve weeks apart then another blood test to see how things are going. This will be done on the 9th of November as the nurses are either ill or away. I have waited this long so a few more days will not matter. He listened to my heart as I told him about my heart mummer. This was picked up when I was admitted to Lincoln hospital after my knee operation in 2019 because of seizures. He had no information about any tests or letters from the hospital. I know it was the start of the coronavirus but he should have had something as they were quite concerned back then. I told him I had rung up the hospital and so had the surgery. One phone call to the hospital thought I had properly imagined it, as I was so traumatised with my broken wrist. In the end, I gave up and thought they will get in touch with me at some point. He laughed, he then went on to listen to my heart and was surprised to hear the mummer more than he thought he was going to. He has arranged a scan to be done as soon as possible, and more blood tests on the 9th with the B12. I said at last something has bean sorted.

27th

My friend Tracy's Birthday, she, Lindsay and Jamie-Lee plus Paul are all going to the circus. I would love to go but the noise, lights plus the cold would not be good for me. Just the amount of people would do me no good either. They are all going to the fireworks next week as well, but not me. Makes me very sad to think about what I now miss out on. Knitting and doing puzzles are not as much fun, even them I can not do all the time. At least I can still go on the common with Summer most of the time.

Finished off the puzzle.

I quite enjoyed this one, nice to do.

28th

Something I can do, GeoCaching with Lindsay and Jamie-Lee. A sort of a treasure hunt with clues on your phone well Lindsays phone. We started off on the common so good for me, as I go there nearly every day. No cold- no noise- no flashing lights just right for me. The clues guide you to the right place, not easy as some places are well hidden. One was in a screw hole on a bench. Some have treasure as Jamie has found in the past. After finding the place there is usually a capsule or container that has a piece of paper on which you say who you are and the date. Or you can log it on the Geo website. We found four in total no treasure in any. All were very well hidden I think Lindsay found most of them.  One of the clues took us to the very top of the common. I have not bean up there since be for I fell in July2004. I found a stick which I used as a walking stick to help me up. With Lindsay pushing and Jamie-Lee pulling at times I made it up. I was so pleased. A lovely day and I would do it all again I really enjoyed it, We were out for over three hours. Coming back through the park, we saw a friend who had not seen in ages so an extra bonus. 

29th

A warm windy day got two lots of washing dried be for the rain spoilt the day. I got a letter with the appointment for my heart test on the 19th of November quite quick I think. Knitting another Kermit for a present, but not going too well I think my brain is scrambled. Messed it up so had to start again. 

30th

Bit more of Kermit going a bit better today. Indian take away for tea/super. I do not always have it, as can upset my stomach. I did tonight worth risking it as was so good. 

31st

 Awake early 6AMwith stomach and back pains, was it the Indian? Got up soon after 6.30AM or old-time 7.30 as the clocks went back an hour last night. Everything settled down later so I think it was the takeaway.

I have now finished Kermit the frog. 

Looks good I think now another one to make for a present also.

Well, another month has gone- very nearly Christmas and the end of 2021. A mixed month not a lot going on either apart from the afternoon with Lindsay and Jamie-Lee. Hope everything is good with you all.  Love Gill.

September

1st September.

Not as cold today, a long walk on the common with Summer very nice. Later Lindsay, Jamie-Lee and Suey came round. Suey was excited to see Summer and me. Lindsay said she started doing little noises and tried to get here sooner once she knew where she was going. Good to see, her as bean a while. they all stayed for tea Suey enjoyed hers. 

3rd

Into town today to see what I can get Tommy-Lee and Jamie-Lee for their Birthdays. Tommy-Lee now has money plus a few little things. Jamie still gets presents. Managed to get Jamie-Lee two sets, one to make a bag and decorate it, and the other one a unicorn set, to make and decorate. Also a hoodie plus a weaving set I already had. Harry Potter pin badges, plus a book that she can write or draw in. That plus a few sweets and she was done. Tommy-Lee, money, shower gel deodorant and sweets. Both done, just a few other bits of shopping then home. 

Bean having a lot of pain the past few days. The work at the back of us, for the river flood defences, are ongoing and they have brought in some big machines to do the work. Digger, cranes, and the steam roller. All these make a lot of vibrations. My pain levels have bean very high. The boss man said even bigger equipment will be brought in soon. I have a nerve rash which is very sore and at times itchy. It's hard not to touch it, as know this will make it worse. Hopefully, it will soon die down. Also dizzy as well on standing. After my bath, I felt very bad and had to sit on the floor for a while. I don't think my body is coping well. Heat changes are not helping one day cold, then hot. 

4th

Paul was supposed to have his operation today on his shoulder, but it did not go ahead as his blood sugar levels were too high. (He has diabetes) This has happened to be for when he was supposed to have back surgery. He can alter this himself if he wants to, by diet. So it was all down to him. Now he will have to wait for another slot for his operation.   

5th

Sewing up the teddy I have bean making, this has bean quite easy as all garter stitch (plain knitting) looks ok but the face looks more I think like a mouse. More choice for whoever ends up with it.

Mr Ted.

7th

Another hot day, got to 30C in the afternoon very humid though, Suffering from the pressure of the humidity. I feel very tired, more so than usual, dizzy at times and a monster of a headache. Feels like I am being squeezed by a strong man or something. Given over taking extra tablets as they don't work for this type of pain and pressure MORPHINE instead. I have taken quite a lot already today but no more. My body will have to do the rest.  

In the evening started knitting a Noddy toy. This is about eight inches high (20cm). 

8th

Happy Birthday, Tommy-Lee and Jamie-Lee, 15 and 9 today. Hope you have a good day. We will see them tomorrow as they are out today for tea. 

The work on the river bank is going well. Talking to the workman, and they said soon they will be starting the real work. All that they have done so far is the preparation work. The bigger crane came as well.  Andrew said not as big as the SpaceX ones. When the crane swung over our house it was a bit scary as it looked like it would crash into the roof. The man operating it was in full control.

Big crane towering above the trees.

Lifting up the side steel supports, these will line the river banks for more stability and strength.

More like a building site than an old garage that it was.

If plans go ahead it will become an old people home and flats for them. Nothing has bean passed yet. A lot of the street are against it because of extra traffic, noise and less parking. We are at the far end of the street so traffic noise will not affect us. The height of the buildings will but the plans have bean apposed, by us, and a few more objections by others. We will just have to wait and see what happens. An old peoples home would be better than shops or younger person flats/houses.   

9th

Took a lot of leaves off the tomatoes and cucumbers to allow the air to get to them, and hopefully ripen the tomatoes. The cucumbers are still doing well and we have had a few off them, very tasty they are too Lindsay and the children came round and had their present from us. All were received very well, told Tommy-Lee to let us know what he got with his money. Andrew made them a laser print picture each as now he has a laser printer. He did Jamie-Lee Harry Potter, and Tommy-Lee his name. Both liked them very much. We had chips from the chippie as that's what both the children wanted. Good, they were too I had curry and chips. Birthday treat from Paul.

Rung up the Doctor to arrange my B12 injection and blood test, blood tests are not being done as shortage of tubes I was told. I said I need the test to see if I need the B12 injection are to go back to how they were at eight weeks or stay at twelve weeks as they are now. I think they need to go back to how they were as I feel more tired, have mouth sores, and dizziness and pale at times. (Maybe not all to do with the lack of B12) All symptoms of B12 shortage. The same reason I was put on them in the first place. The nurse did not know why they had bean changed either. My B12 is high but it will be, I was told it would be. I have slow-release injections to sort the lack of B12. Surely the Doctor knows this. The one who said the B12 should be twelve weeks instead of eight, was a new Doctor, someone I have never seen. The receptionist is going to talk to the nurse to see what they can do. about the injection and blood test.

10th

Cloudy day, a man on the common got attacked by a swarm of hornets. He and his dog had a lot on them. I think the dog was alright but the man got stung a few times. He told us not to go that way as it was not safe. The same thing happened to me on a running weekend away. Most years, we raise money for Charity, I was with a runner called Brian, we got well lost, and both had cut legs from what we called razor blade grass. Sunburn as well. Asked a farmers wife the way and were back on track. Brian then disturbed a hornet's nest as he was leading, I got the full swarm of them. Stinging me in most places getting inside my shorts and vest top. Brian ran ahead, he said it was to stop us both getting stung, and if I needed help he would be there, still not sure about that move. He got one sting, I got around thirty the chemist we went to for cream, said any more, and I would have gone into shock. I even ran again that afternoon along the beach in front of Holy land island Lindersfarm.  So I knew how this man would have felt. 

11h

Sewing up Noddy very fiddly it is, lots of little bits to put together. 

Watched a rocket with a Dragon capsule, take off from  Florida, this is the Endurance rocket that is carrying four non-astronauts, Jared, Chis, Sain, and Hayley. that will orbit the earth for three days, doing experiments and another thing that have never bean done in space be for. They will go higher than the space station. The take-off went very well just as it should, with no problems.  

The launch was a big fundraising event for St Jude Children's Hospital, they raised over 200 million dollars. Partly by selling a space pup teddy which they also took to space with them.  

Pups in Space!

Chinse for tea Andrew and I shared a vegetable kung po with rice and chips. Very good it was too, not had much to eat all day so was hungry.  

Later started knitting another toy this one is bigger at 17 inches around 43cms high. This for me is better as not as many small bits. I will let you know how it goes and tell you when it is when finished, as it's a present for someone. Still need to do a bit of sewing up for Noddy.

12th

Nice walk on the common with Summer, saw my friend Mary and her dog, Rory.  Summer was pleased to see her, as she gives Summer little treats. Summer is a bit sore on her back leg but has bean running around more this last week and playing with her ball as well. Hopefully, that's all it is, she does not seem to be in pain. Maybe up her salmon oil a bit. 

13th

Finished off the Noddy toy I have bean making. Quite small so did not take long to knit. Sewing up was difficult as a lot of the pieces were very tiny. I think I have made quite a good job of him. What am I going to do with these things I have made, I am not sure as yet. They will find a home somewhere I am sure.

Noddy looks good I think.

16th

Knitting a Padding Bear for a Birthday present. I thought he was going to be around eight inches high but it was going to be seventeen. So a lot more stuffing is needed. He has on his usual blue duffel coat and red hat, all knitted. So far going quite well, with it being bigger it helps me as not as fiddley to knit as Noddy was.

18th

Walked around the common with my friend Debbie and one of her dogs Bella. This one likes a lot of attention and kisses from me. When she spots me, she almost pulls Debbie over. Debbie spotted a snake,  I had my camera on me so was able to get this picture. We think it's a grass snake about six to seven inches long. All the years I have bean going on the common, about forty-three. I have never seen a snake on the common, saw a skin once but no snake and now I have.

20th

Up about eight, bean awake a lot during the night, in bed less than four hours. The last few days I have had a lot of pain everywhere and spasms, not nice at all.

More pictures of the river work.

This is the machine that pushes the steel supports in place. 

This is the section where the Lego type bricks go.

21st

Picked the first of my tomatoes, they are more like beef one than standard ones.

Very pleased with these, all down I think to the horse muck.

Some more pictures of the river work this time from the river bridge. Most of the others were from my garden.

Steel supports in place.

The machine run on the steel supports that have bean put in.

22nd

Run out of wool for Paddington's coat the pattern I think should have said two 100grms but said two 50grms. Paul going to get me some. The wool is a different shade, help what do I do? Need to think this one out. Pulled down part of the hood but that will not be enough. Rethink I am going to make some of the sew-on bits like the arm and maybe pockets the contrast colour.  The shade is not a lot different so should be ok.

23rd 

In town myself, today to meet Joy my friend, not a long meet up as we both had things to do in town. Still very nice to see her. Few bits of shopping got a Birthday present for a friend, a Star wars canvas bargain at eight pounds from a shop near me.

Stormtrooper (much bigger than it looks, around 3 foot tall)

 Just hopes he still likes Star wars. Few other bits then home. 

Very tired and still a lot more pain than I would like. I think with not having my B12 on time does not help either. I think my blood levels have gone down, I have had PERNICIOUS ANEMIA for years started around my late teens. So I know when things are not right. Hopefully, by the end of the month, I will get my B12 plus a blood test. Things with the test tubes hopefully will be resolved by then.

More pictures from the cobbled bridge that Summer and I go on every day.

Some more of the steel supports in.

These look like giant Lego blocks,

not sure what these do as they are there one day then gone the next then back again

I think they could be weights to keep the machine stable. When I see the river people I will ask them. They have bean very busy so no time to talk.

This is the big crane from the road towering above the trees and houses.

25th

Today we have had Summer for eleven years, she is still as cute as ever.  I don't really know what I would have done without her over the past few years. she has always bean there for me. Cuddles and love that's Summer.

This is when we brought her home, sat on Andrew's knee kissing him.

So tiny.

The grandsons, Jay-Jay and Tommy-Lee put her in the Action man tent. 

All grown up now.

Summer as she is now, still so cute.

Snowy, her cat best friend.

Stuffing Paddington, going to take a long time as he is a lot bigger than the toys I usually make. I have to do his features as well something I am not the best at. 

26th

Happy Birthday Paul. We went out to "YoYo in Beijing" for tea. Andrew, Jamie-Lee and Lindsay came too. This I think is the first time I have bean out for a meal for ages. The food was very good, Andrew had plenty to chose from as well. ( he is a veggie).  

28th

A very windy day gale force, rain pouring down. We found out we had a leak in the roof as well, not good with all the rain still coming down.

Gave Summer a bath she looks nice and fresh now and a lot cleaner too. She gets very mucky on the common. Lindsay came round later with Jamie-Lee. Supposed to be having chips for tea but the fryer did not work. Paul cleaned it out and I think he got water in the electric parts.  Used the oven for some things, and Paul got chips from the chippie, they were good too.   

30th

Finished off Paddington looks good better than I thought it would. I am pleased with it. Going to Arlo, for his first Birthday present. His Dad and I used to run together. happier days then.

Mr Paddington.

Going to knit Big Ears to go with the Noddy I made, then he will have his friend with him.

Knee gave way twice on the common, Summer looked very concerned, her face was what's the matter, Mum.  

Another mixed month, still too much pain but that's life now. Still mostly able to knit, so that's good, this takes my mind off the pain. Hope things are going well, with you all. 

All the best love Gill.