2011 another year bites the dust

What happened to 2011? Other than flying by, not a lot. Now I will probably write loads so get a coffee and get comfortable before you read any further!

2011 started with my beloved Honey hopping around with her right front leg in a huge metal frame with the leg all pinned together. She made good steady progress as the year wore on and had the frame removed when the surgeons were happy it was healing well and the bones had fused.

However it was not quite fused enough and a second arthrodhesion (sp?) was carried out with insertion of an internal plate and pins. So it was back to square one with no exercise for 2 weeks then gentle lead walks for another 6 weeks. After 9 weeks she declared fit and well and so we increased the walking using an extending lead for a few more weeks. Then it was off the lead time. Cautious at first, Honey soon found she could run again, although it was short runs and only half speed. She steadily built up the runs until now she is back to almost full speed and running the laps she used to do. It is lovely to see her romp and play with her friends.

My health has been on a bit of a roller coaster too. My knees both have osteo arthritis but the right one is the most painful. I had a steroid injection in it in the summer which did not last long, and a final injection in the autumn, which seems to have worked well. It is wearing off now but slowly so I am still getting some relief. I have tried to not use my walking stick and it has helped strengthen my core muscles and balance is better. The big shock of the year was being diagnosed as type 2 diabetic. I knew I was at risk of it as I have been obese for many years. The initial education given to us at the diabetic unit at the hospital was superb. We had very enlightening sessions with a brilliant dietician and her advice and guidance notes given us has enabled me to lose over a stone in weight.

I am on medication for the diabetes and controlling my diet to keep my sugar levels under control. But I have ended the year on a bad note with some lax eating over Christmas. No Christmas pud, and only eaten 3 bought mince pies over 3 weeks is not too bad, but sadly I have lapsed a little after Jenny made some delicious mince pies and brought some home for me. I have rationed them out but they are rather nice. We had chicken for Christmas dinner and I had a load of left overs. So on 27th I made a huge curry. Loads of veg, chicken, tinned tomatoes and a heap of delicious curry spices. I love curry flavours but don't like too much chilli so although spicy and tasty my curry is not hot. I kept adding a bit of this and that until I had a wok full! It has done me 4 generous servings, two I have had and two in the freezer for another day.

Folk wise the club has had a modest year, the big highlight being hosts to fairport Convention in May. What an amazing night that was. We have booked them again in 2012 - with fingers crossed for ticket sales.

I had some time away at festivals, with Fairport's Cropredy Convention in mid-August, and Shrewsbury Festival over the August Bank Holiday weekend. Both festivals were brilliant and thoroughly enjoyable.

I made good use of my new tent, really a 4 man tent but very spacious for one! I lurve my double thickness, extra wide single air bed. It is very comfortable to sleep on and raised up high enough to make it easier to get in and out of. Shrewsbury was cold at night as usual. But not as bad as the year before.

We also managed a day away in Suffolk for the Bounty Hounds' OXJAM day festival. It was a superb day out and were very comfortable staying the night with our good friends the Bosleys. I left Honey at home, being cared for by my offspring while I was away.
Christmas 2011 was a quiet one as usual. We altered our 'normal' routine and moved the main meal to evening dinner so Jenny could spend Christmas morning with Helen and the horses, then come home for dinner with me and James, and stayed home to spend Boxing day with Craig and his family. Things have been very strained between Craig and James since August and James did not come over on Boxing day. My grandsons were on top form and we had some fun playing games after a scrumptious turkey dinner.
Tonight looks like being a quiet one on my own. However you see the new year in, may it be peaceful and happy. Drink a toast to loved ones no longer with us, and friends and family who mean so much to us.

May you all have a wonderful 2012. HAPPY NEW YEAR!

December already?? Christmas looms large!

OMG 2 weeks to Christmas and still have a pile of pressies to get, I have done a load but it's never ending. Keep adding people to the list :(
On top of Xmas presents I have my lovely sister's birthday next week. Need to get something in the post Monday or there is no way it will arrive by Friday. Don't panic!!
I am sorry I have not posted in here for some time. Just didn't feel in the mood for more than terse comments.
So what's been happening? I've passed the stone off barrier and currently weigh less than my daughter!! But need a serious blitz now to get the next half stone off. Not a good time of year to try and do it but I am learning to not buy fattening things then I can't eat them.

Honey is doing really well and racing around pretty much as before. Her muscles are building up well.

Win came and went without too many ripples on the home pond.
John has had his new knee fitted and is doing well, but needs to pace himself a bit better as it still swells up regularly when he over does things.
I had a steroid injection in my knee and it worked for about 2 months YAYY I've not been using my walking stick and walked the dog without it too. It has helped strengthen my core muscles which are  nowhere near as good as they used to be. I wobble and lose balance more easily - so I need exercises to build the muscles.
It feels as though the injection is starting to wear off now. I've had a few occasional twinges the last few days.
I had hoped it would last over Christmas.
Got the Xmas tree up now - thanks to Jen and a load of half price decorations I bought last January.

We've been struggling a bit at the pub quiz as we had a few weeks of just Jen and me and coming 3rd or 4th. Not won any chocolates in ages as we did well but not good enough in the pictures, and it was rare to make double figures on the music. Last week we all met up for our Christmas dinner at the pub and even James joined us :). He had a good night, winning £40 on the bingo, and choccies in the picture quiz. We finished 3rd in the quiz so not too bad. I hope James will start coming to the quiz again occasionally. We had an 'exchange of words' in August and he's been distant since then. But now warming relations again. At least we're talking!


The folk club is still going and we had a great night last Friday with a duo, Huw Williams and Maart Allcock.
Maart has played for years in bands like Fairport Convention and Jethro Tull and Huw used to be half of 'Huw & Tony Williams' until they finally retired in 2001. Huw has not sung his songs like that since then, but has been writing some new ones and writing for other artists to cover. Maart has dragged him back to performing and they are booking a tour in the spring. We hosted them as a 'try-out' gig and recorded all the songs to hopefully form the base for a CD to be issued in the spring. It was a brilliant evening and both Huw and Maart are full of humourous stories. A great night!

Off to see Phil Beer at a local club tonight so another good night in prospect :)

My blind friend Linda managed to tip a saucepan of boiling water down her leg a couple of weeks ago and has been unable to walk much. She had really bad blisters, especially her foot, and I've been ferrying her up and down to A&E for treatment, but now she has the district nurse calling. It's not looking good though. It might be infected :(.
I have another friend with cancer currently undergoing drastic chemotherapy which is wearing her out. I took her dogs for a walk Friday with Honey and they all got on well. Honey likes Scooby a lot so they were fine. I kept Teddy on the lead as he is not good at coming back when called and I could not risk him running off when I've got Honey and Scooby to control as well.  Jill was grateful I got them out as her husband would not have been home until well after dark and teddy is scared of the dark.

John & Roz had a bad time when their young dog, Rex got run over after running off. His death was an  horrendous thing to have to cope with. John made enquiries with the breeder where they got Rex with a view to reserving a puppy for next year. The breeder had 2 puppies left from her last litter and offered them the little girl now. Polly has settled in well and is doing really well in her new home. She is Rex's niece and a darling. She is more placid and laid back than Rex and gets on well with the cats. She is now sleeping on the same bed at night as the cats :) They are happy now as they can have the run of the house in safety without being chased by Rex.
I had Polly for the day the other weekend and she was brilliant with Honey. So it all looks good for the future.

Time to go wrap some presents I think :( maybe it will bring more Christmas spirit - hmmm maybe it's Baileys time too!! That will help the task along :)
Bye for now xx