After 9 years, my first-ever website is getting an update!

A lot has happened in the time that elapsed, so I will work through it in stages to bring you all up-to-date...

Firstly, there have been some close deaths in my family. In August 2017, by wonderful stepfather, Mac, died of pneumonia aged 74 years old. He had been ill for many years with a heart condition, but was only ill for a few days before succumbing to pneumonia. He is much missed!

In March 2020, just after the first Covid outbreak, by beloved sister, Karen died after a long illness with mental and physical conditions, she was 64 years old. Her funeral, at Kingsway Cemetery was a limited ceremony, as lockdown measures had just started to come into place... I miss her dreadfully and spoke an eulogy at her graveside.

Then, six weeks later, my darling mum, Jill, died aged 87 years old from the wretched plague Covid. She died in her care home, but I was allowed to see her the day before she died, as she was already unconscious and I decided that she should be allowed to have morphine, to help her into her journey of rest and peace. Her funeral too was a very limited ceremony at Mansfield crematorium chapel -  only 8 of us were allowed to attend and I read an eulogy for her as well, it was the least I could do for her... I was, and always will be, heartbroken! In a ceremony six weeks later, we buried her ashes at Kingsway Cemetery with her beloved Mac, and they are together forever again now.

Now for less morbid news: I have moved home twice since my last web update!

In 2013, I moved to a bungalow in Sutton, after leaving the flat I succeeded from my Dad when he died in 2001. I affectionately named it 'BungalHome' and it was in Sutton-in-Ashfield. I lived there for four lovely years, getting help from my support worker Jayne, but after a while, the distance from living near my family and also having to walk nearly half a mile for the bus stop, made me determine that I had to move once again, and in July 2017, I moved back to Kirkby-in-Ashfield - and a ground-floor flat... on Sycamore Avenue! You couldn't make it up - it is across the road from my old flat and just one number difference.

For much happier news... In February 2016, I was blessed by the birth of my great-kid Ryan - the son of my darling nephew Roy and his partner Katie. All their kids have brought me much happiness in my later years and especially after the deaths of my mother and sister - they are keeping me going, bless them, and I love them all very dearly indeed!