Little cash but a lot of Lupus awareness

[Spotty-ewe]

Yesterday was our village’s first coffee morning in 20 months, and I was allowed to put my crafts and a few other items on a table to raise funds for Lupus UK. I decided to raise/reinforce awareness at the same time. I was very disappointed at the poor response to the table as everybody was so much enjoying catching up with each other so I had to go around the tables and actually invite the folk to come and look at my table.

I sold 1 teddy, the knitted doll, 2 sheep and a set of Christmas coasters which together with a £3 donation made a total of £13! I’m just glad I didn’t have to pay for the table!

But what I lacked in raising funds I more than made up for in raising awareness. I spoke to a few village folk who hadn’t been at a previous event I had at the hall, when I did my sponsored walk around Derwentwater in aid of Lupus UK a few years ago, and a lady from Plymouth who was visiting a friend in the village was a true inspiration. She had lost her 51 year old daughter earlier this year to cancer and her 47 year old son 3 years ago to a heart attack, yet she was so interested in knowing more about Lupus and asked if she could take leaflets away with her. She was tickled by my story of the lady at Bannatynes who thought Lupus was my dog which was what started me off on wanting to raise awareness of Lupus. Despite her recent tragedies she said she treasures the years she had with her children and feels for those who have lost babies and have been denied the joy of all the years like she had. I wondered if anybody had told her of my own background of losing my babies at 20 weeks and 21 weeks respectively but they hadn’t. What a big-hearted lady and although my heart went out to her she said her heart went out to me. I;ve never met anybody like her before. Anyway, she said she was going to raise awareness of Lupus in her home area and she’s made it her mission to spread awareness of lesser known conditions like Lupus. I felt so humbled by her.

I was pleased to see the posters I had left with my friend who is on our hall committee were still up in the tiny library of the hall for all to see. So although I only have £13 to send off to Lupus UK, I feel it was a very worthwhile morning.

Hoping you are all keeping safe and as well as can be.

Love and hugs,

Spotty 💕🤗😘

[Kevin53]

You are a little Seren. What a wonderful morning. Many thanks. Best wishes Kevin

[Spotty-ewe in reply to Kevin53]

Aww that’s very kind Kevin. I had to Google Seren and am touched by your kind words. Thanks Kevin, and very best wishes.

[Hidden in reply to Spotty-ewe]

I goggled it but nothing?

[Spotty-ewe in reply to Hidden]

I just googled it again and it came up as a Welsh word meaning ‘star’ and is now also commonly used as a name for baby girls in Wales.

[baba]

Well done ewe.

[Spotty-ewe in reply to baba]

Thanks baba. 👍🏻 It was something to bleat about! 🤣🤣

[misty14]

Its a wonderful thought spotty that , that amazing lady could be in the Devon and Cornwall lupus group which is my local one if shes a member or she could be soon. Thank you for taking the time and trouble to raise money and awareness of lupus. Its such a shame so few people attended. I do hope its better next time but yesterday proved its never wasted. Keep well and safe spotty. Xx❤🤞❤🤞❤🤞

[Spotty-ewe in reply to misty14]

Although she doesn’t have Lupus she said she was going to contact her local group so perhaps you’ll hear from her. I only know her name was Sue so it would be lovely if she does contact your group.🤞 It is a privilege and a pleasure to raise money and awareness for Lupus UK. People are so interested and I enjoy talking to them. Being our first coffee morning in 20 months they limited the numbers by asking people to book a table in advance so that social distancing etc was easily achieved. But as you so kindly said Misty even with so few people it wasn’t wasted. Take care lovely Misty. 🤗xx

[misty14 in reply to Spotty-ewe]

I won't know spotty if she does as I don't run the Devon and Cornwall lupus group so don't see names etc.. It was just a lovely thought. I wonder if her children died of lupus complications unknown which is why she wanted info and to raise awareness?.

She will be such an asset if she does join.

Great work spotty and thank you. Have a good rest of the week and enjoy Strictly. Time 4 you now. Xx

[Spotty-ewe in reply to misty14]

Oh I’m sorry for misunderstanding Misty. But yes it is a lovely thought. 😘 Her daughter died of cancer in a hospice where they brought in another bed for Sue so she could cuddle her daughter in her last days which is what the daughter asked for. Her son died suddenly aged only 47 from a heart attack. So tragic. But she is so empathetic to others and doesn’t pity herself at all. An amazing lady. Yes, I intend relaxing for the rest of the week. You’ll be looking forward to that steroid injection and I’m praying it will slowly put everything right. Enjoy Strictly too. I’ll be thinking of you. 😘🤗xx

[misty14 in reply to Spotty-ewe]

Its heartbreaking isnt it Spotty but i guess she felt at peace because she'd had her daughter's dying wish!!. We must cherish every moment with our loved ones!!.

Ive just done my bloods ready for tomorrow and starting to feel nervous about seeing the registrar. At least the steroid injection afterwards is straightforward and im so looking forward to the relief.

Thank you for your lovely wishes and i hope your resting up now after a big week.

Enjoy Strictly and i think you'll like this week's pic. Ive changed it.

Ill think of you too. Take care. Xx❤💃❤🤞🐿❤💃❤🐿🤞❤🐿❤🤞

[Spotty-ewe in reply to misty14]

We must indeed cherish our loved ones every day as none of us know what is around the corner. I’m sure all will be fine with the registrar. 🙏🏻 If you ask anything he can’t answer just ask if he could find out for you and get back to you. But I’m sure you’ll be fine and the carrot at the end of it will be that much needed injection.🥰 The relief it will bring isn’t far away now Misty! I’m sure you’ll enjoy your weekend all the more for it. I’ll be thinking of you when we watch Strictly knowing you’ll be enjoying it too.😁

Love and hugs. 😘🤗xx

[misty14 in reply to Spotty-ewe]

Just popping in Spotty to say im home from hospital and foot nerve has stopped thanks to the injections. Just bliss!.

I had one of the best rheumy appts ive had in years for thoroughness. Hurrah for registrars!!. He's tweaking my treatment so hopefully ill feel a lot better. Its all sinking in at the mo so ill email you next week when ive recovered. Now to rest as i need this relief to last. He said how angry the nerve was!!. He can repeat them thank goodness as he thinks thats what will be needed.

I hope your resting too and recovering and 🤞for pete's results next week. Enjoy Strictly and thanks so much for all your support. Xx💃❤💃

[Spotty-ewe in reply to misty14]

That is the BEST news I’ve had in a while Misty!👏🏻👏🏻 I’m so pleased the injection has brought immediate relief and long may it last! 🙏🏻When he said the nerve was very angry, it just shows how badly in need of the injection you were! Yes, you’ll need to take it easy over the weekend to let the steroid spread to everywhere it is needed and I hope you’ll feel on top of the world by next week! 😁I’m just pottering Misty, doing a little here and there where needed and still feeding hubby big meals. 😆 Thanks for your support too which we both appreciate. 👍🏻 We’ll be thinking of you whilst watching Strictly. 💃🕺🏻💟🤗😘x

[misty14 in reply to Spotty-ewe]

Thanks so much spotty. That makes me feel good.

Id had the worst week with the foot and very disturbed nights so im looking forward to catching up on sleep. I will feel like a new woman hopefully and get my brain back reducing painkillers. Its win win.

So glad your pottering about too. Sometimes we just need to 'be'.

ENJOY and 🤞for next week. Xx

[Spotty-ewe in reply to misty14]

👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻🤞😴😴💜💃🕺🏻xxxx

[misty14 in reply to Spotty-ewe]

💃🏿❤️💃🏿😍🎈👍❤️💃🏿❤️Xx

[CecilyParsley]

Well done you. Xxx

[Spotty-ewe in reply to CecilyParsley]

👍🏻🤗😘💕xxx

[thestorm]

Sweet Spotty, Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound, you are the grace dear Spotty, in a Lupus world unknown.... You are touching more hearts, and minds, then you may ever know. Going above, what many of us cannot do, thank you for your care, and abilities to enlighten others about Lupus. Ha, Ha, if Lupus were a dog, what kind do you all think it would be? peace, and love, The stormy sunshine Xxxxxx

[Spotty-ewe in reply to thestorm]

You are too kind Stormy. But regarding what kind of dog Lupus would be he’d have to be a wolf 🐺 wouldn’t he?🤣🤣 Keep safe dear Stormy. Love and hugs 🤗😘xxx

[Villagelife in reply to Spotty-ewe]

Definitely a wolf 🐺

[Spotty-ewe in reply to Villagelife]

👍🏻👍🏻 🤗😘x

[Villagelife in reply to Spotty-ewe]

😘😘

[Lily77]

Congratulations on doing such a wonderful job! I think you may be underpricing your beautiful pieces.

[Spotty-ewe in reply to Lily77]

Thank you so much Lily for your very kind words. We live in a low economy area so it is very difficult to price things fairly and yet encourage people to buy. But I know what you mean. I enjoy making them anyway and a lot of my wool is from charity shops. Also Spanielmadlady very kindly sent me a large bag of wool for an experimental project I was working on so it has been helpful and much appreciated too. I hope you are keeping as well as can be. Take care. 🤗😘xx

[Hidden]

Great story and so glad the day the was a success, happy for you 🤗

[Spotty-ewe in reply to Hidden]

Aww, thank you so much Stills. How are you keeping now? I hope you are enjoying some pleasant weather in your neck of the woods. We are having our 3rd day of sunshine in a row! Yippee! Before that we had only a few days with sunshine during the previous month! Take care. 🤗😘x

[Hidden in reply to Spotty-ewe]

Cold and windy, typical bonfire weekend weather 🚀

[Spotty-ewe in reply to Hidden]

I’m sorry to hear that. Yes, a rotten forecast for Saturday onwards. 🥴

[bookish]

What a great thing to do. And your sheep are wonderful. Might have fallen for the snail as well, had I been there. Best wishes

[Spotty-ewe in reply to bookish]

Thank you so much Bookish for your kind words about my sheep and snail. Perhaps I should start a mail order for them. 🤣🤣 Take care and enjoy the sunshine while it lasts (if it is in your area🤞) 🤗

[bookish in reply to Spotty-ewe]

Mail order sounds good! Yes day three of sun and blue in our bit of Lancashire, wonderful and washing is out (freeze-drying!) x

[Spotty-ewe in reply to bookish]

That’s a thought. 🤔 Haha, the freeze-drying will do it good. Defrost when needed. 🤣 Take care . 🤗 x

[bookish in reply to Spotty-ewe]

You too! I think I need defrosting, as well as the washing x

[Spotty-ewe in reply to bookish]

🤣🤣 xxx

[ExtremeDuvetDaze]

How lovely to have done that and raised some much needed money for Lupus UK, well done 👏. It must’ve been so nice to have met others but how sad for the lady who took an interest, life can be cruel and I’m so sad for your loss too, it’s strange isn’t it how you can find yourself chatting to a complete stranger and find that they have been, or are or they know of someone who experiences the same/similar loss or illness as yourself, I had an ectopic pregnancy when I was 34 and my daughter who has APS lost two babies 4 years ago, she now has 2 beautiful little girls and after chatting to one of the volunteers recently at the vaccine centre she told me that she has fibromyalgia and runs the local fibro/ME support group, I mentioned I had MCTD but had also been diagnosed with fibromyalgia years ago, she promptly went off to write down all the details of the group for me!

Btw I absolutely love your little sheep, if I’d been there I’d have bought them all for my four little granddaughters , did you Knit them yourself?

Diane 🐑🐑🌸xx

[Spotty-ewe in reply to ExtremeDuvetDaze]

Thank you so much EDD for your kind understanding and for sharing your own problems and those of your daughter. I’m so pleased your daughter went on to have 2 lovely little girls after her 2 tragic losses. Sadly I couldn’t conceive after my ordeals and our attempt at IVF when I was in my late 30s failed as I no longer had enough eggs. Never mind, I enjoyed my career as a primary school teacher in remote places where I got to know the children SO well and still keep in touch with a few of them. But I really would have loved at least one of my own. I applied for early retirement when I was 49 due to ill health not realising Lupus was behind most of my problems at the time. Yes I knitted/crocheted the cushion, the sheep, the teddies, the snail and the snowman. The 2 grey sheep are left but I’m going to knit more because they seem so popular. The greys were knitted with pure Herdwick wool which I also have in purple and green. So I might try a couple of funky sheep! 🤣 I could have done with you at the coffee morning EDD and I’m sure we’d have enjoyed a good blether too. Take care. 😘🤗x

[ExtremeDuvetDaze in reply to Spotty-ewe]

Aww that’s lovely, I feel we would’ve had a good old natter😃 That must’ve been a very difficult time in your life, my sister in law also had many failed attempts at IVF all the while I was having my babies which was hard for her but she doted on ours, she used to work in the special baby care unit too and then later went on to be a teaching assistant. Lovely that your working life was with children too. We never know what life is going to throw at us do we, I became poorly at 49 and had a year off work, went back for 2 years in a clerical role from being a trained nurse but couldn’t even hack that slow pace so two years later had to give that up😢

I can tell you I would’ve been all over your stall! I love your sheep so much I’ve just bought a pattern off Etsy to download, I’m not really a knitter, have made a few cardigans and jumpers in the distant past so painful hands permitting I’ll give it a go, so thank you for the idea 👍 hope it’s not too difficult 😬 🧶

Take care too 🐑🌸🍁xx

[Spotty-ewe in reply to ExtremeDuvetDaze]

That is lovely that your sister in law doted on your children and was able to take pleasure from that when she couldn’t have her own. Have fun knitting the sheep from the pattern you bought. I hope your hands aren’t too painful doing it.🙏🏻 Yes, we’d have had a good old natter/blether if you’d been able to come to my stall. Let me know how it goes with your sheep. Have fun. 🧶

Hugs 🤗😘🐑🐏 💕xx

[ExtremeDuvetDaze in reply to Spotty-ewe]

Thanks I shall 🙏, I’m having a hysterectomy and prolapse surgery 20th November😬 with lots of resting afterwards so it’ll give me something to do… hope they look as lovely as yours 🤞🐑Hugs 🤗 🐑🐑🍁🌸🍂

[Spotty-ewe in reply to ExtremeDuvetDaze]

Oh my goodness EDD that is a big op you are having soon. I’ve noted the date and will be praying that all goes well for you and I’ll be thinking of you on the day. 🙏🏻 The knitting will be a great way to convalesce afterwards. 👍🏻👍🏻 Thank you for you kind words about my wee sheep. I’m sure yours will look wonderful. With love and hugs 💕🤗xx🐑🐏💜💟🐏🐑💐

[ExtremeDuvetDaze in reply to Spotty-ewe]

Aww bless you and thank you so much for your good wishes and prayers for my op day 🙏 I really do appreciate it. It might take me a while but I’ll definitely let you know about the little sheep’s when they’re done 🐑 Sending you love and hugs too 🥰💕💐🍁🌹🐑🐑🐑😘xxx

[Spotty-ewe in reply to ExtremeDuvetDaze]

Thank you EDD. 🥰 I’ll look forward to seeing your sheep whenever you manage to finish them. 🤗😘xxx🐑💜🐑💜🐑💜🐑💜

[Hidden]

Ps. Live your sheep 🐑

[Spotty-ewe in reply to Hidden]

Thank you Stills. 👍🏻xx

[svfarmer]

Spotty you should be so proud of yourself , bless you from every member of Lupus Uk for spreading the awareness of Lupus and what a wonderful lady you met, a true inspiration and I’m so very sorry to hear that you lost your babies late in pregnancy , I can only imagine how very devastating that must have been for you - life is so very unfair sometimes ❤️

[Spotty-ewe in reply to svfarmer]

Thank you so much for your very kind words SV in regards to both the Lupus awareness and the loss of my 2 boys so far on in pregnancy which transpires is common in people with Lupus, especially with sticky blood, which nobody knew I had in those days. But I’ve always believed that there is always somebody worse off than myself and I feel blessed to have at least enjoyed being a primary school teacher especially my 10 years in a 1-teacher school. When I was 48 I was too ill to teach and applied for early retirement when I was 49. But I LOVED those 10 years and all the fun we had at Christmas, Burns Supper, Easter, Halloween, Guy Fawkes and St Andrews Day. Those festivals are no longer enjoyable to me with no children but I have very happy memories and intend recording them in a book if I can. Thanks again for your kindness SV especially when you’ve gone through so much yourself. Love and hugs. 🤗😘xx

[svfarmer in reply to Spotty-ewe]

How lovely to have had a career that you loved and you have special memories - I too had to give up work when I was 48, I only cleaned peoples houses in the town that I lived as being a single mum for 20 years I wasnt qualified to do much else but I had some lovely people that I cleaned for, mostly elderly and they were so appreciative of me and I really enjoyed it . Hope you have a lovely weekend ❤️

[Spotty-ewe in reply to svfarmer]

That must have been very difficult being a single Mum for 20 years SV. You should be proud of yourself that you managed to bring up and support your children all that time on your own. How strange we were the same age when we had to give up work. Cleaning can be a very satisfying job when you can see what a difference you can make to the space you are cleaning. Building up a relationship with the people you cleaned for and feeling very appreciated by them must have been very rewarding. I worked as a chambermaid for a year in a 4 star hotel when I was in my early 20s and then for MOD when I was in my mid 20s before I did my teacher’s training. They were great jobs and I met a lot of very interesting people, got great tips from a film crew who were making a film in Aviemore at the time, and I even got a run in a helicopter from a pilot whose room I was cleaning. I felt very appreciated by Naval personnel in the MOD establishment where I cleaned until my GP ordered me to give it up when I was pregnant for the 2nd time. I suppose these jobs and experiences are what shape the people we are now. I hope you have a great weekend too SV. Give the lovely Mira a cuddle from me. 🤗😘xx

[svfarmer in reply to Spotty-ewe]

🙏🙏🤗💕😘

[StriatedCaracara in reply to Spotty-ewe]

I taught too (but secondary) and have no children of my own. I've been going through my folders recently with my lesson material in, and looking at the activities we did in the lab and doing fieldwork brings it all back - also thinking back to Christmas parties with my Yr 7 forms. I gave up teaching in my late 30s though.

[Spotty-ewe in reply to StriatedCaracara]

Lovely memories SC. Do you keep in touch with any of your students? I’m sorry you had to give up teaching so young. But enjoy those memories and think about putting pen to paper about them to share with others. 👍🏻 That is what I’m planning to do. I am 66 now but keep in touch with an old History teacher who has no children of her own either. She keeps in touch with several old students, male and female, and as she never remarried after she was widowed, before I even met her 50 years ago, I think we are like her extended family. I don’t know what age she is but she must be at least in her 80s. Lovely to reminisce SC. I hope I haven’t rambled for too long. But get yours down onto paper. I think they’ll be fascinating. Take care. 🤗x

[StriatedCaracara in reply to Spotty-ewe]

I'm 61, and taught biology and a bit of chemistry and PE. I'm in touch with some of my students who went through being ambulance paramedics, to doing Masters, and now working alongside GPs (doing the same role in a way) in local surgeries. Another became a head of science and taught in the same school, in the same room, as I did years after I left..Always nice when bump into past students and have a natter. I'm writing about various things too. I'm doing a free online course in Non - Fiction creative writing next summer through local college. Hoping to put some chapters together on various things - will include teaching - thanks for prompting👍 .

Always nice to have a chat here, how are your bird visitors🦉? A fox 🦊jumped out the bush in front of me when I was watering my mum's pots a few weeks back - it was a beauty. Surprised as only a small garden - I've been leaving cut up apples out since and they go completely. Take care. 🤗x

[Spotty-ewe in reply to StriatedCaracara]

That is wonderful SC and what a huge coincidence that one of your students is teaching in the same school and room as you did.😃 The free on-line course sounds as though it would be very helpful. 👍🏻Pleased to hear you’ve made a start on writing too and even more pleased to hear you’ll include your teaching.👍🏻👍🏻 Let me know how it goes. We can compare notes. 😉Our resident native birds come daily for their breakfast and to use the hanging feeders of nuts, seeds and fat balls, but the visitors like the flycatchers have long gone. we’ll see them again next year.🤞 How lovely to see the fox in your Mum’s garden. I wonder who got the biggest fright?🦊 Lovely to chat. Take care. 🤗xx

[StriatedCaracara]

Very inspiring Spotty. It is the interactions that matter.

I love the picture. The snail🐌 is cool, and the sheep🐏 and people.

[Spotty-ewe in reply to StriatedCaracara]

Aww, thank you so much SC. Yes, the interactions are very special. 🥰 Keep safe. 🤗xx

[MrsMarigold]

Hello Spotty -ewe. I love your village and your beautiful creations. I’d buy a sheepIf it can be mailed? Plz send me a message

I’d pay post as well. I LOVE it! You are talented best, Titters

[MrsMarigold]

Spotty. I sound like such an American. BuyBuy buy. Well I am one🤣 We are a mixed

Mutt.

But wanted you to know you are not alone.

I lost my third pregnancy at 5 months. So

Long ago but we never really forget. I’m

Comforted that he is in a much more heavenly place🙏🏻☺️

[Spotty-ewe in reply to MrsMarigold]

I’m a mixed bag myself with Scots, English, Irish, and Greek blood.🤣 Thanks for offering to buy one of my sheep but I think the postage will make it very expensive. I’ll PM you to see what you think. I’m so sorry to hear about your pregnancy as far as 5 months. 🙏🏻 Yes, I know I’m not alone as this seems to be quite common among Lupies. But I would have loved to have gone full term with at least one baby. But things happen for a reason as they say, so perhaps I wouldn’t have become a teacher and had the wonderful experiences I did on the islands and met the lovely children who have grown into great adults if my life had gone in another direction. I also think of my 2 boys in a heavenly place and that they’ll be waiting for me when my turn comes. 👼👼🙏🏻 🤗😘xx

[Minnie2000]

Fabulous job Spotty - I am still amazed to this day that so people have no idea what lupus is so raising awareness is vital. My mum usually does a joint fundraising events for lupus and bloodwise each year but sadly hasn't been able to do this through covid. Like you I'm pleased to see that due to her last event the lupus poster remains on the village hall notice board. Even close friends of mine can never remember the name of what I've got. So much so that when I went in holiday one year my friend started referring to me having ' langos'. I was rather confused until I realised she'd got muddled up with the bread she'd eaten the day before. 🤣🤣. Keep up the fundraising and spreading the word. 👏👏

[Spotty-ewe in reply to Minnie2000]

Thanks for your kind and encouraging words Minnie. Sorry to hear your Mum hasn’t been able to do her annual event. I’m lucky our hall committee decided to restrict numbers to our first coffee morning in 20 months and made it booking only. Also in Scotland it is still mandatory to wear masks in shops or any indoor situations, so we all felt quite safe. I love your friend referring to your Lupus as langos! 🤣🤣 So funny. Enjoy your weekend Minnie. 🤗😘x

[Horsewhisper]

What a wonderful read Spotty! And what a lovely lady to share her heartbreaking story with you and then to go on a mission to raise awareness about Lupus. A random act of kindness reflecting your kindness in supporting Lupus at your coffee morning. I love the flamingo Christmas jumper! Hope you are ok and thanks for sharing 🦩 💕🦩💕😘

[Spotty-ewe in reply to Horsewhisper]

Hi HW, How are you feeling now? I hope you have fully recovered from the dreaded Covid.🙏🏻 Thank you so much for your lovely words. I felt so privileged to have that amazing lady share her tragic story with me and yet have so much empathy for others. 🥰 I look forward to seeing her again when she returns to the village to visit her pal Maggie. Hoping your family are all ok. 🙏🏻 Enjoy the rest of the weekend. 💜🤗💜😘xx

[jopo280886]

Well done! ♥️♥️

[Spotty-ewe in reply to jopo280886]

Thank you Jopo. 👍🏻 I hope you are keeping okay. 🙏🏻