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