A long overdue update

I haven't done a post in over 8 years, crikey!

A lot has happened since then... I've lost very close family, including my darling Mam and sister Karen this year and my stepdad Mac three years ago as well. My Aunty Jean died 2 years ago as well. 

The grief, and trying to cope with it all with the deaths of my mum and sister hasn't been made any easier due to the coronavirus epidemic that has spread throughout the world (and also which caused the death of my Mam too). Their deaths occurred whilst the United Kingdom was in 'lockdown'... The UK government putting restrictions on our movements so as we couldn't leave our homes, unless it was to go to the shop or take a half hour walk within a mile of your home. Even now, we are still practicing social distancing and we have to wear masks in public arenas, such as shops, libraries and other public buildings.

Only so many people were allowed to attend the funerals of first my sister Karen, who died in March 2020 - we held her service at the graveside where she has been buried, and my Mam's at the crematorium chapel. When we buried her ashes with her husband Mac (my stepdad) more family members were allowed to attend because it was in the open.

So in eight years, a hell of a lot can happen - oh yes, in 2012, I was diagnosed with Alzheimer's Disease too... So I have the same fate awaiting me as what my darling Mam had to endure for many years - lovely!

Only a few years later

Update...

Since creating this blog in 2010 a lot of events have happened - mainly not for the good - but then that is life for everyone!

In June 2011, I was diagnosed with the early stages of Alzheimer's disease... I was put straight onto medication, and although things are slowly getting a little more complicated, I have a support worker six hours a week and have moved into a specially adapted bungalow for my longer term needs.

A year later, in November 2012, I was diagnosed with the first stages of Parkinson's disease... I have hospital appointments for this every six months and medication to help me cope with it.

My Mam and stepdad Mac are now in a care home, as my mother is now in the latter stages of Alzheimer's, and my stepfather had been diagnosed with it, along with his other physical ailments too.

Updated Blog

Well it has been well over a year since I last made a post to my blog here on Blogger - my apologies.

My wonderful Mam xx

It has been an interesting year throughout. My mother's dementia is progressively getting worse, and i have got to see someone as I am also suffering from memory problems. There have been a big change to all the medications I am on as well and this has caused me some very restless and sleepless moments too.

My niece Susan and her
husband Chris

My niece Susan got married to her long-term partner Chris. they have been together for 20 years and this year they decided to 'tie the knot'! I was very honoured, as my niece Susan asked me to give her away at the ceremony, and it was lovely to officially welcome Chris as my nephew and into the family - not that he wasn't before!

My nephew Roy

My nephew Roy came to live with me early last year, because of the difficulties that I am experiencing with my health. He likes to think that he is taking over, so i let him have that impression - but I'm in charge!



My great nephew Ricky


Also at the beginning of this year, 2011, my great nephew Ricky came to live with me as well because he was homeless and I cannot see any of my family on the streets - he needs to get his act together though and I take no nonsense from him, even though he is 18 years old.





So that is about it for what is another enthralling episode in the life of Daryl and his kin... tune in next week!

Haiti Earthquake - up to 100,000 feared dead

What a terrible disaster to hit one of the poorest countries on Earth... the magnitude 7.0 earthquake that hit the island of Haiti, has, according to reports killed at least 50,000 people, with the Haitian government stating that upto 100,000 may be feared dead, and over 3 million relying on aid from other governments throughout the world.

The people of the United Kingdom, have, as always been one of the first people of the world to donate and DEC (Disaster Emergency Centre) has stated that within the first 24 hours of the appeal being aired, over £10 million has been donated from just the people of the UK alone. The Queen, Elizabeth II and the Prime Minister Gordon Brown have both donated privately, and we have relief teams out in Haiti now tending to the sick and injured and making sure that aid will get through to the poor people that have suffered.

My thoughts and prayers are with all Haitians at this time.

Loving Memory: Lilian Frances Greasley - Grandma - 13 years today

It is 13 years ago today that my beloved Grandma Greasley passed away at the age of 87 years old.



Born Lilian Frances Morris, her father was killed in World War One, just short of the Armistice signed on 11 November 1918.


She married my Grandad Greasley, Frank, in 1931, and the following year my mother's sister, Jean was born. My Mam was born to them the year after in March 1933, and they had a son in November 1937. Sadly, he was killed in February 1941, after being run over, and my Grandma never fully recovered from this and held the hurt all throughout her life.


My 'Mamma' died following a short illness on 5 January 1997.

Birthday: Aunty Jean - 78-years-old

Today is the 78th birthday of my Mam's only sister, my Aunty Jean - she is 78-years-old.

She has been married to her husband David for 59 years and they have three daughters, all of whom have been married and have children of their own.

My Mam and Aunty Jean were the daughters of my Grandma and Grandad Greasley. They also had a son, also named Frank, but he was killed in a road traffic accident in February 1941, aged just 3 1/2-years-old.

I hope that my Aunty Jean has a lovely birthday! xxx

The Year 2010

So - we have entered a new year and a new decade.

New Year began, as it usually does, with most of my family, my mother and stepfather included, bringing in the new year at our local club. We then went to my sister's house for a couple of drinks and a game of cards before going to bed around 2am-ish.

For New Year's Day 2010, I held an 'open house' at my flat and about 35 members of my family and friends came and had drinks and a buffet that my Mam, stepdad Mac and I put on for them - and I stayed sober all the way through! I had just one drink of alcohol all day.

I hope that 2010 will bring financial stability to most people who have suffered badly over the past year or two - we ALL seem to have gone through the wringer just lately and I hope this new year will bring more prosperity and happiness to all my family and friends.

Happy New Year 2010 everyone!