January.

January 1st

Well another new Year- What will this one have to offer me?

3rd

In town today to get Kira, my grandson Tommy-Lee, Girlfriend, something for her Birthday tomorrow 18. Got a few different things I think she will like.

4th

Walked down to the Charity shop to get two puzzles I saw yesterday. The intention was to get them on the way back from town, but they were closed. I took Luna with me as well, everyone thought she was very cute. She got a bone biscuit which she enjoyed very much. The lady asked if she could have another one but I said no, as it can fill her up too much and she does not eat her tea. Walked back with Luna jumping and almost skipping along very happy as usual.

5th

Snow today, did not settle  but very sloshy and slippery on the paths. Good walk if not a bit colder than I thought it would be. I think Luna is in a very funny mood today as she came back from her walk with as much energy as be for she went. She shot up the stairs a few times then rolled around on the carpet. After her bone biscuit and breakfast of her mixer biscuits, she did settle a bit and went to sleep. Time for me to have a cup of tea and sit down.

6th

Two years today since my little girl Summer passed away. I miss her so much rest in peace little girl.

7th

I was going to knit myself a jumper but the pattern had no instructions for the sleeves I am not good enough to do them without a pattern. The back bit I had already done so I pulled it down. The wool was 4ply so very slow going so not too bothered. I will knit some gloves or baby things instead. 

A bit of snow fell, but soon went as it rained. Not as cold as yesterday but still ice on the common in places, The river is very high, gone over in a few places. A lot of rain has fallen over the last few weeks plus the snow we had in November last year. On the common there are a lot of underground springs too.

8th

Very cold today -3-4C overnight with a cold wind too. Andy from across the street said it was going to be -20C in Scotland tonight. Pleased I am not there

Cleaning upstairs to day, got most done, just computer room to do. So tired today as well, a lot of short nights just lately. Quite a bit of pain and spasms too.The cold does not help much either. You would think I should sleep well with all the powerful drugs I take, but no, very short nights. Around four to five hours in bed. I know the tablets do help the pain quite a bit, but it not pain free for me. At least the pain is not like it used to be.

9th

Started knitting a blanket for my Sister in-law Pam, for her Birthday in August so plenty of time to do it. This one is different pastel colours mostly baby wool. Going to look very bright and pretty when finished. Picture when all done.

Finished off cleaning the bed rooms. Luna had another walk on the common with Andrew and I. Very cold wind, Luna enjoyed it as usual running around and chasing every thing that moved.  

10th

Very frosty on the common just looked like snow so cold as well. New crossing lights are being put in as they use less power than these ones. This confused Luna quite a bit as the temporary crossing was further down the road.

B12 injection all went well but hurt for the rest of night. Coming back from the Doctors I saw my granddaughter Jamie-Lee who was coming back from school. She comes here after school as its  just down the road from here. She will then get picked up  by her Dad or family friend Tracy. 

11th

Very cold and frosty again -3-4C, the sun did come out later and it felt quite warm.  

The River 

Play park near the common.

Same again.

Close up of the frost.

Luna going for her morning walk on the common.

The play park again.

Luna has found something to chase, full speed ahead.

A little spring on the common - last 3 pictures.

Horses through the fog.

Luna looking for something to chase after.

13th

Paul has bought a new freezer (Saturday) for the shed as other one not working right, seal has gone all hard. This one is a bit bigger at the top so does not fit. Paul said he will adjust the cupboard to make it fit. At the moment it is in the front room.

14th

Cleaning up  took most of the day. So I am so tired, and I hurt. Mary with Rory gave me a toy for Luna an elephant which Andrew and I have called Nellie. She likes it very much. She has a thing for labels chew them off, so this one did not last long. 

Nellie.

15th

Sorting out a few things like the medical chest and my sewing box plus the wool chests as well. 

Later I put the crystals back in the display cabinet. My hands were quite calm today, so I thought go for it. Some had got broke, well bits came off. The elephant's trunk and the ducks beak, plus the spinning wheels wool, only three so not too bad. They are so delicate, but it's an easy fix to repair them. Andrew has some special adhesive I can use. 

16th

Pilates for me today- did not go last week as so foggy. This week Paul took me in the car. A very good session nice and gentle or I thought so. I might ache tomorrow though. 

SpaceX launched its Starship rocket, Mars Mission- most went well. The booster was caught by the Chopstick arms, as planned. The rocket part did not do so well, it blew up after catching fire. Still a good outcome, they will learn from this, but it would have bean Great, if all had gone well. Next time it will.  

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17th

Stuck the crystals all good, went well. Hands behaved quite well. I did get the shakes and pain but got them done despite this. Tomorrow I will put them back in the cabinet with the others.

18th

Started knitting a baby cardigan from some wool that Paul's friend gave me. Very soft wool and knitting up well. So far going good. I am still knitting the blanket for Pam this also is going well not got to the decreasing part yet. Its a corner to corner like the few I have already done. You start with two stitches then increase till the side is long enough, then decrease down to two again, finish -hours later, in fact weeks

All crystals back in and safe.

19th

Not doing too much today as quite tired. Pain here today and spasms too. I did get a bit more of the baby cardigan done.

23rd

Changed bedding as a good drying day. A storm brewing, and so windy, I had a job getting things to stay on the line. Only out around a hour and sheets were dry enough for ironing. I know who irons sheets now days? I like them crease free so they get ironed along with quilt cover. Dried and ironed in the same day almost unheard of in the winter time.

24th

Went to Pilates today Paul took me. A good session I enjoyed it a lot. Jo's Daughter has had a baby girl called Lilly. Her daughter was told the baby would be small and could be ill as the placenta was not working right. She was fine over seven pounds and both went home the next day very healthy baby. All the best to you both. Jo showed us some pictures of Lilly very chubby face and so cute.

25th

A sunny start with frost quite cold as well. The Virgin guy is here sorting out the internet as we have had a few problems just lately. Now it has bean upgraded so a lot faster. 

26th

I gave Luna a bath today and she fluffed up about twice the size, so fluffy and soft. Also washed her bedtime toy Sheppie. Who now looks white again.

27th

Luna's walk on the common was a long one today as walked around with a few others. The work men are dredging the lakes. My friend Phil said we ought to start a rumor that they are looking for a body.

Cleaning upstairs today. I also made a stew in the slow cooker, for tea to have with dumplings. 

Another walk with Andrew later. luna was very tired later, but after a sleep she raring to go again. 

28th

My neck today is very bad, tight shooting pain and spasms. I am having a scan on my neck and base of skull. That is when my appointment comes through. This has bean diagnosed as FACIAL NEURALGIA, but my neurologist think it could be a bit more than that. So just wait and see. I go next week 4th February to see about results of my wrist which was MRI scanned in August 31st 2024. The appointment in November was cancelled

Cleaning two of the bedrooms today, Paul needs to tidy his stuff up first so that will be tomorrow or next day. 

30th

Pilates, Paul took me again as too cold to go on my bike. A good session, we did a lot with balls pressed up against the wall and working up and down our back and hips. Seemed very gentle but made me ache. 

I made Jo's Daughter a baby cardigan set for Lilly.

Jo liked it very much. I told her if she would like some more I can easily do some.

This is the other one I made from the baby wool I was given

Two walks for Luna today, one with Andrew in the afternoon. It was sunny and quite warmish around 5C cold wind though.

31st 

Finished off the bedroom today and vacuumed down stairs. Tired now but still tea to do later. Sit down and knit a bit for now.

Well not too bad a month still more pain than I would like but not keen on uping tablets. The cold weather does not help. I have had it worse so I can cope with this. All the very best to you all Love Gill.

                                             

December

 December 1st

Mostly knitting today, I have finished the other blanket not sure who will be getting it yet, as Pam (Sister in Law) has asked for something else. She did not know I was making it for her.

I feel very tired today and a lot of pain too. My FACIAL NEURALGIA is playing up. I even took extra TEGRETOL but that did little to help. I do not usually take more than I am prescribed, as it makes me feel very far away. The pain will go, then come back, part of my life unfortunately. 

4th

 Cleaning up down stairs today. I feel quite a bit better, still headache, like the sort where you have bumped your head quite hard and feel a lump there. 

6th

Going shopping to get some presents for Christmas as not really got much yet. Did good I think, got quite a few different things. We bought Luna a double raised dish set. I have bean looking for one for a long time. The first time Luna used it, she just stood there looking at it then ate her tea as usual.  

Smart new dish.

I am getting one for Rory as Mary wanted one too. Mary and me have decided not to buy each other Christmas presents this year. She did not say Luna could not buy Rory one though. 

7th

Would have bean my Dad's Birthday today- 102 years old. He passed away 2005 after a stroke brought on I think, by ill treatment in hospital after a broken hip. My Brother actually took him home out of hospital because of his treatment by the Nurses and other staff. My Mum only passed away less than eight weeks ago and he was grieving.  

     

8th

Got a few more Christmas presents, doing quite well. 

I went to the IA dinner, I do not usually go as very noisy but this time with it being Christmas I went. The last time I attended was last Christmas. The meal went good but the noise was quite loud and my head was pounding, and I was shaking at times. I did enjoy it though, RSD is not a social animal so I am very limited to things like this. Head pain returned with vengeance later.

9th

I phoned my Daughter today and she told me Tommy-Lee my Grandson, (who had an accident on his electric bike when a car side swiped him knocking him off) is improving day by day. He got away with a broken collar bone, and bruising to ribs and ankles. Could have bean a lot worse, the car driver admitted it was all his fault and not Tommy-Lee's. I have lent him my wheelchair, and I think that  helps a bit. He is very sore and stiff, and in quite a bit of pain too. Get better soon Tommy-Lee. 

11th

Cleaning upstairs today, I started yesterday but only got so much done so finishing off today.

Head pain seems a little better than it was, but I spoke too soon as it returned later. I think the cold air makes it worse. Pilates tomorrow that if I go, I would like too but it depends how I feel, as it's a ten mile round trip. My wrist hurts quite a bit today as well. I think its using the vacuum cleaner or, knitting more than usual, to try to get the presents done. 

12th

I did not go to Pilates as thick fog. Later in the day went into town and got quite a few presents. Lucky I did not go to Pilates as my friend Ness a ex neighbour came round. Good to see her as bean a long time. A cup of tea and chat, catch up on the street talk. The Family moved to help her Mother out. I used to look after Emmie and Ben a lot of the time, that family. They all miss the street a lot, as there has bean trouble with the snotty neighbours next door she said. Her garden here, was enclosed so it did not matter what they all did or did not do. No one complained, not like where she is now. Ness said it like the close where they live belongs to the neighbour and she controls it.  

13th

Trying to get my year old Great-grandsons hoodie done, there has bean a lot of parcels and things for other people so I have bean up and down all the time. Later on night time I did finish it, so now on to Andrews one which will take a lot longer of course.

My friend gave a homeless man some money and a hot pie. She hardly has enough money for her self, let alone giving it away. I was quite touched, well done. The man has now moved on. 

14th

Walk on the common with Mary and Rory Luna did enjoy seeing him and Mary of course. 

In town to get a few bits I saw last time and had to think about as presents. Did well again and got quite a lot of things. The queues were very long and it was packed every where. That's what you get by going on a Saturday. 

15th

Walk with Debbie and her dog Kipling today. A lot warmer too 11C at ten thirty 4C yesterday. I still put on Luna's jacket as it keeps her dry as well as warm. The common is quite wet at the moment and if she goes off the tracks with Rory she can get very mucky and wet.

16th

At last a bright sunny day as its bean dull and mostly raining. Washing out as well which is always nice I think. A lot of people do not put washing out at all using a tumble dryer instead. I use one but only for finishing off things when nearly dry

I feel exhausted at the moment drained and so tired.  I have done a lot more shopping trips and shopping with Paul too. Going today to hopefully finish off the Christmas shopping.  Yep I think that's it for me all done. Washing dried quite well. A sit down now and rest a bit before starting the tea.

19th

Up a bit earlier so I can go to Pilates. On the common soon after eight. This gives me time after the walk  to spend time with Luna I go around ten fifteen. Every thing going well Luna does not like being on her own so  I give her lots of love and kisses never enough for her. 

I set off for Pilates- I push my bike to the crossing then after crossing the road, ride it. When I got on it the chain was off, OH NO. Tried to put it back on but would not go with the chain guard on. Got my tools and took it off I managed to do it getting oil all over gloves, I kept them on as I thought it would not get as much on my handle grips. Very cold and bitter wind I was freezing. I hoped I could get a hot drink when I got there as there is a kitchen in the hall. I was so cold I felt sick and shaky. Parked up my bike near the door and peered through should have bean a class in there-- no one, they must have packed up last week. Nothing for it to ride back I thought it was cold going, even colder going back. Head strong wind. I got home hardly able to open the door. Luna stood there going mad to see me. Pulled my bike in and got a towel for my hands (I have RAINARDS) and sat with Luna on my knee. Got a hot drink and slowly thawed out. 

I later rung Jo, Pilates teacher and she apologised  to me saying they closed last week. She did not think I would  be coming as not there for the last two weeks. I said it was ok I should have checked. Never mind all good now and I am warm now but still a bit shaky. 

Later in the afternoon Paul and I went to see my friend Angela as its her Birthday tomorrow. She is doing quite well after a fall at her Brothers house in the Summer. Stayed a while and went dropping off presents at relations. We had chips and curry for tea from the chippie. Very nice too, ages since I have had some.

20th

Happy Birthday Angela hope you have a good day. Her Brother is there with his dog so a bit different for her. 

A bit of a rest day today, just sorting out a few things. The cake I made for Angela's Brother he loved very much,and he sent me a card and a thank you.

Luna put on the little Santa suit that Summer used to wear, Luna did wear it last year as well. She loved it today and growled when I tried to take it off. She did look very sweet in it. 

So cute.

 

22nd

More present, taking the the countryside ones out today. Happy Birthday to my sister in law Bev, she got the other knitted blanket which she was amazed by, and said how long did it take you? I said ages also I knitted another one as well. My Brother did not believe I had made it to start with. No picture of blanket as got wrapped up be I had chance to take one. Very much the same as the last one, bit different colour that's all.Very tired when we got back. At least now it's all done, just the cakes to do and a few bits. Oh also Paul's presents and Luna's to wrap that will probably be the early hours  of Christmas day.

23rd

Looking after Andy's cats for the week, he only really has one but a stray comes in for food. He has a cat flap so he comes and goes as he wants. I do not usually see him and I go in twice a day. 

Made all the little cake and mince pies, cornflakes ones tomorrow.

 Went to see Molly and Cory my Great grandson who is so like his Dad Jay-Jay.  No pictures this time.

24th

Cleaning up, and corn flake cakes done. I gave Mary the dish I got for Rory, same as Luna's.She liked it very much and tried to pay me for it. I said NO it's a present for him from Luna.  We had a visit from Mary's Grandson, who usually lives in South Africa. He is staying at Mary's, coming from London where he now works. Him and Andrew had a good chat and he played a bit with Luna, who he had not seen be for. 

I wrapped up Paul's Presents and Luna's after Paul had gone to bed.

25th

Merry Christmas to everyone. Christmas dinner for the three of us is going to be night time seven to eight o clock, or so I thought. At the start of cooking the food the oven would not light. So I took the tray of meat out so I could see the flames. All good now, went and sat down to try and finish the hoodie jumper I am knitting. Around an hour or more later Andrew came in and said, are you not putting the meat in then. I said it's in- no I had left it on the top of the oven. Oh dear Christmas dinner will be very late as it was seven then. We ate around eight forty five, it was good though. Paul moaned a bit but at least the oven worked. 

Undid presents thought out the day. Luna did hers as well eating three chews, I wrapped them so it was  easy for her to open Left alone she would have had them all. She still ate her tea though.

 

Undoing  her chew.

This is Sheepie her bedtime toy.

Sheepie- I think he is so cute.

Luna's new toy.

A new toy she got from David and Bev, Brother and Sister in law. She loves this and spent a long time playing with it. She laid on her back but as soon as I tried to take a picture she moved.

26th

Today Lindsay and her family, plus Tracy (friend of Lindsay and us) who is really family as well, are here for tea. Not sure if Jay-Jay will be here or not. We exchanged presents and just had a bit of fun. Lovely blanket/throw from Tommy-Lee and Kira, beautiful. All the other present were lovely as well. A really good day.

27th

Today Wayne and Kayleigh are here for a few days to celebrate Christmas with us. So that will be good, not seen them since July.  They arrived mid afternoon, Paul picked them up from Newark train station. They are staying in a hotel quite close by. We exchanged presents, Lindsay and Jamie-Lee were coming, but Lindsay did not feel to good. So hopefully here tomorrow. Wayne and Kayleigh do not go back till Monday.

So very tired now- please leave me alone.

28th

Jay-jay (Grandson) and Cory-James gave us a surprise visit. Molly (Cory-James's Mum) arrived a bit later with Lindsay and Jamie-Lee.  Cory-James will be two on May 6th.

Cory James with his Dad Jay-Jay.

Cory- James with Dad again plus Wayne in the background.

With Mum Molly.

Same again.

With Lindsay this time.

Luna. 

She played with Cory quite a bit but still is a bit scared of him.

29th

Wayne and Kayleigh went with Paul to see his parents. 

Gave Luna her ball that Rory gave her as a Christmas present. She was unsure to start but soon realised there were treats hidden in it. She did at one point give it a good shake and a few fell out.This kept her amuse and happy for quite a while. 

Her new ball.

Having a good time. 

Lindsay and Jamie-Lee did turn up later. A good afternoon with us all together. 

Paul took some family pictures. 

Wayne, (oldest son) Kayleigh, (Wayne's Girlfriend) (Lindsay Daughter) Paul (husband) Luna, Me And Andrew. (youngest Son) All squashed up. Six and half of us on a three seater.

Lindsay.

Wayne, Lindsay and Andrew.

Wayne, Lindsay, Jamie-Lee (My Grandaughter) with Luna, Me  and Andrew. 

Paul with Andrew behind.

Lindsay and Paul.

Lindsay, Wayne and Kayleigh.

Kayleigh and Wayne. 

After he took Wayne and Kayleigh to the hotel, and Lindsay and Jamie-Lee home.

30th

Wayne and Kayleigh home today, Paul took them back to Halifax. Paul said there was a lot of traffic. He got back around seven. He had tea with Wayne and Kayleigh a Smashed Burger.

Well thats my Blog for December and all for this year. I am looking forward to 2025. Hopefully I will get out more and have some good days. All the best to everyone and I will see you next year Love Gill and Luna.

Hope you all have a lovely Christmas lots of love from Me and Luna.