January 25th 2025

I started writing this blog post on 25th January.  

Warning:  Not the most cheerful of posts. 

Well not such good news with my latest blood tests...my thyroid levels have gone up again.  This is really disappointing as I was making good progress, hopefully it is just a 'blip'.  But looking at the positives, my liver levels have continued to reduce which is good news. 

Another bad news front is I had a Dexa scan and I was shocked to get the results that showed I had severe osteoporosis.  This feels like a real kick in the teeth.  I walk 3 - 5 miles everyday and have done for years, and the last five years has been mixed terrain through the woods, up and down hills hiking etc...  I also garden (although admittedly haven't done much in a year due to hurting myself last year) and it is not easy gardening either as we have a steep property.  It involves much of what I thought was weight bearing type exercise.  So I will have to work on trying to get my bones to strengthen up again. 

After doing some research it seems all the different drugs I was given for the chronic neuropathic pain from 2009 - 2013 when I stopped them can damage the bones.  I was never told that they can cause osteoporosis.  

We are addressing this with collagen, calcium, the Vitamin D3 and K2 that I have been taking for years, special exercises and I now walk with a weighted vest.

As a bit of 'retail therapy', not something I am usually into doing, we went out yesterday and I came back with some lovely books, two novels, two art sketch books and a journal.  I also got some lovely boots (dress boots, not walking boots).  I needed the distraction after getting bad news.

Two really beautiful books.  My Dad and Mum took my sister and I to see Tess of the D'urbervilles in 1979, so when I saw this book I just had to get it.

Sometimes though I just feel like giving up.  I try so hard to be positive but at times it is very difficult to remain so. I can't sleep yet are constantly tired. I hurt all the time while I walk.  I have no energy.  Peter still pulls constantly and it seems that no amount of training him not to pull and walk to heel works.  He is also still extremely reactive at other dogs.  Today I came home and he had pulled my sleeveless jacket off the chair and chew holes in the pocket.  My fault I guess, I shouldn't have left it in the kitchen.  

Yesterday I went walking with my old walking group I used to belong to which was lovely.  It was nice to catch up with them all.  I try to meet up every time we have to go up to the mainland for tests etc... Back in November and December I was strong enough to walk with them, so this is an achievement and progress. 

As you can see the weather wasn't the best and it was very muddy, but still fun.

A lovely sun day at my son's place.

And lastly a lovely sunrise on 16th January

Happy New Year

Well okay I am five days late but I did take a 1st of the month garden photo, which I am hoping to continue to do all year at the beginning of each month.

So this is the New Year's Day photo, it was overcast and very windy - winds of about 39 mph, although the direction the wind was blowing, meant it didn't feel quite so bad.

The blustery sea.

The following morning it was completely different so I just had to take a photo.

The sun was really bright, so at the angle I am taking the photos, it wasn't easy to get a brilliant photo.  You can just see the grass is quite frosty.  Too long too!  It has grown a lot, but too wet to mow.

Friday was just so beautiful we went for a walk down to the beach. 

Yesterday morning (4th) there was an amazing sunrise.  The first photo taken with my camera, the second, below with my phone.

The beautiful morning turned into a cold, blustery and wet day.  The wind had changed direction and was windy at around 29 mph but felt worse than on New Year's Day

Today isn't a lot better and has been grey, very wet, windy and foggy

I'm a lot slower at reading nowadays, or so it seems, but I am halfway through the book I got given for Christmas.

I am really enjoying it.

Well that is all for this week.

January 30th

A stunning sunrise on the morning of Monday 30th January

However the sky changed dramatically in the space of less than an hour

Fortunately despite the ominous looking clouds we didn't get any rain.

Monday mornings is when I take the groceries to our younger son and clean and tidy his flat (he has ASD so needs help)

Afterwards I went for a lovely walk along Sandown beach after visiting a couple of charity shops where I managed to get some bargain dog leads and a harness.  It is always hard to get nice small size leads and harnesses, especially the ones we use with the pups.

Sandown Pier

I went home for lunch.

After lunch I took Simon into Ventnor - I have to take one at a time at the moment as Peter still has some rather irritating behavioural issues - he is the epitome of a small yappy dog every time he sees another dog!  I've been taking them to the local Tea Room alternate days for months as she is very dog friendly there and it is a good place to socialize them.  Peter now doesn't take any notice of her dogs...but still has a lot to learn!  It is really frustrating as he is just so lovely in every other aspect.  Simon on the other hand is a delight to take out and loves all dogs and people.

The day finished quietly, with a lovely sunset...we don't get to see them here, they are just around the corner, but you can still see the glow across the sea.

Special Moments

 The special moments in a day...

Absolutely stunning early morning sunrise

The naughty Heron eyeing up my fish in the pond...that is if there are any left!

Flying off into the sunrise.

A Very Lovely Christmas Day

What a stunning morning to wake up to for Christmas Day

The sunrise just got better and better!

The day was just perfect weather wise.

I laid the table the night before.

Just as we were about to eat.

A smaller gathering than usual with just three of us, but feeling blessed that we could still celebrate together as with the advantages of technology we were able to connect with my older son, his wife and my mother in law and her partner.

Delicious food.

My 'traditional' desserts. 

Fresh fruit salad

and pavlova of course - the first time I have ever made one in an AGA!

A late afternoon walk round the village to see the lights and decorations,  the sky greeted us with a beautiful sunset, the beauty of which I didn't manage to fully capture as I just had my pocket camera with me.

The conclusion was our house was the most colourful that we saw.

Hubby had worked hard putting up the lights, and I re-potted the 'Christmas' tree that I had dug up at the top of the garden in preparation for where the new summer house is going to be built next year.

A deluxe version of JRR Tolkein's 'Letters from Father Christmas'.   I have to admit to being a bit disappointed with the size of this, but it is still lovely.

My favourite Christmas gift from my husband, a Robin Rive (Made in NZ) Panda.  

My wedding anniversary gift (from 21st December), a pretty pendant.

I hope everyone else had a lovely Christmas.