An update on Daisy

The weekend has arrived finally and I've jetted off to Malta with my mum for sun, sand and lots of rosé wine!

For those of you who read my last blog post on my beautiful dog Daisy, I have a few photos to cheer your Saturday afternoon up. She has improved dramatically and is becoming more like herself again. 

Despite her condition, and her inability to ever get better because of her heart condition, these are the photos that were sent to me earlier this afternoon.

And this one is my favourite:

DOESN'T SHE LOOK CUTE!

Happy Saturday bloggers!

From the sunny island of Malta,

Kirsty

xx

Baby Daisy

Happy Wednesday!

I hope your week has been pleasant thus far, despite the weather being poor (where has the heatwave that was predicted for June gone!?) it's not looking too dreary out. My plans over the last two days have been cancelled because of my poorly pooch, Daisy. :(

Yesterday morning I awoke to her, quietly sitting in the corner breathing heavily. I rang the vets and they told me to bring her down.

Daisy when she looks her lovely fine self, with her most favourite treat, Bonios!

When I brought her into the vets, a nurse took Daisy instantly from me and she was rushed into a consultant room, taking her temperature, which was at a mere 32 degrees. The normal temperature for a dog should have been 37.5 degrees. She was at the state of Hyperthermia, the doctor said. Furthermore, Daisy was also struggling to breathe, so they placed her on Oxygen Therapy too, whilst placing her under a bear hugger to bring her core temperature back up to a healthy level.

Both my parents were at work, and it was only my dad I could get ahold of. After trying for an hour, he finally picked up and came to the vets as soon as he could.

Daisy in the cage at the vets :( 

After being told Daisy would need an X-Ray of her abdomen and chest, she would also need a blood test further, to establish the problem with Daisy. With that, we decided to leave the vets and come back later that evening to see the test results and the outcome of Daisy's situation. 

On return, Daisy looked extremely worse. She was rather dazed and she seemed to be breathing more heavily. She was collapsing to try and sleep but needed oxygen and so she was having a constant internal battle between sleep and oxygen. This meant oxygen was always winning, but as a result, she was becoming more exhausted. 

Poor baby Daisy with her leg attached to a drip.

The surgeons at the vets were so knowledgable and Matt, the night doctor, told us all about what would be happening to Daisy over the evening. We left, feeling that Daisy was in capable hands, and would know what to do if Daisy took a turn for the worse.

Daisy this morning, after arriving at the vets.

This morning, we all returned, not knowing really what to expect. This is the first we saw of her through the window and she looked so adorable. We went in and Daisy came out of the cage to greet us with her tail wagging. She looked so much better and what a change over night and improvement that had been made. Our doctor that was dealing with Daisy made it clear we weren't at the finish line yet. 

We were told from the scans that Daisy had an enlarged heart (isn't it ironic, a small dog who loves us all so much, her heart has enlarged) and as a result, has caused her left lung to collapse. I couldn't help but look at her and think the pain she must be going through. To complicate things further, Daisy can easily become dehydrated because of the tablets she is taking. There is fluid in her lungs which is not a good thing. Whilst these tablets make her more dehydrated, she is constantly wanting to drink more. 

However, upon asking whether or not she could feel anything, Ellie replied, "no." Although, somewhat comforting, we also knew that she was now to be put on more medication. Despite this, it meant we were able to bring Daisy home and she is now resting here with us. My sister and I are taking lots of photos with Daisy and praising her for every milestone she makes, such as drinking, eating and going outside. 

Wrapped in a throw and cushioned so she doesn't get cold and so she can breathe.

I will keep you all updated with the situation of Daisy, but for now, she sits cosily in the armchair, watching the family walk by in our living room, and wagging her tail when we speak to her.

Have you got any pets in your family? 

Kirsty 

xxx

A seaside view...

I thought I just had to share this beautiful view I was sitting by, when I had my lunch, yesterday at work.

When I'm home from univeristy, I work as a box office clerk at the Cliffs Pavilion, in Westcliff. We have all sorts of acts and performances come to the theatre. With a range of comedians, psychics and musicals! 

It's definitely a view to admire. 

Kirsty 

xxx

My weekend in Oxford

Hey bloggers,

I have been so busy recently, I finally have the time to sit down and write about the weekend. I have just spent in Oxford with my friend Jack. Because I've finished uni so early at Glasgow, compared to the English universities, I decided to make the most of it and catch the train from Leigh-on-Sea to Oxford.

I didn't know what to expect in Oxford, but en route, it really was a nightmare to get there. Upon arrival at Paddington, I was told on the train that it was cancelled as a man had jumped in front of a train at Twyford. Despite this horrid news, I had to get off and was really annoyed as Jack had planned to attend a 'formal' at the Trinity College, one of the colleges amongst the others at the University of Oxford. He wanted me to experience of the more posh side to Oxford and its traditions!

Luckily, I arrived JUST in time, with only minutes to get changed and then made our way to dinner.

Jack and I at dinner.

After this, we made our way to drinks that were being held by the Cherwell News. The newspaper that Jack writes for, before making our way back to the room to sleep before the activities next day! The next day we went to walk around the different colleges. Here's me at Trinity College in the day:

And then we booked a punt with Christchurch as Jack attends there (YES! The university where Harry Potter was filmed in the Great Hall!!) 

Punting down Cherwell River.

Jack and I.

Jack punting at the back of the boat.

I had such a great time, as we played music down the river and relaxed in the afternoon sun. 

Afterwards, we made our way to the Great Hall for dinner with Matt, another school friend who attends Balliol. 

Outside the Great Hall where Harry Potter was filmed.

I was definitely thinking of returning, as I made my home on Sunday. Oxford itself is such a small city and we were able to walk all around it. It was surrounded by tourists as they walked around the city looking at the picturesque scenery of the ancient buildings standing that are now owned the university.

Did you do anything nice this Bank Holiday weekend?

Kirsty

xxx

The Chelsea Flower Show

Christmas was becoming more imminent when I finally decided to purchase two tickets to the Chelsea Flower Show for my mum for Christmas. I knew she had always wanted to go so I saved up and planned to go on one of her days she had off work, during the week it was being held.

I booked the 3.30-8pm slot as I thought we could take a slow ride up to London and have some lunch. We had to go to the Royal Hospital, Chelsea and had to queue as we arrived early.

A definite tip for anyone thinking of going next year is to definitely arrive early and queue so you're one of the first people into the Show.

My mum and I standing by the most beautiful flowers that were named after ice cream flavours!

We went round the gardens after looking at the main map at the start of the park.

The map telling you the layout of the event.

These are some of the photos I took of the day...

Prince Harry's garden, inspired by an african theme.

The tree coming into the photo on the top left is over 150 years old.

Dead and alive plants hanging from the ceiling.

Outside the Royal Hospital, Chelsea.

Inside the large marquee, where plants from over the world were shown here.

After spending the day here, I definitely felt like I had more of an idea which plants can be grown in 'acid soil' and which gardens I wanted! Unfortunately, my favourite, Roses weren't to be seen! I would love to go next year, so will keep an eye out for tickets when they go on sale. 

Kirsty

xxx

Women on the Verge on a Nervous Breakdown

I had planned to see this gem of a show playing at the Playhouse Theatre at the Embankment in June, after seeing the excitement surrounded by it at the Oliviers earlier this year. 

However, plans quickly changed when I received an email telling me that this show was closing on Saturday 23rd May! Despite much upset, I managed to get a lovely little bargain to see the performance with my mother on Wednesday afternoon.

Outside the Playhouse Theatre.

Knowing nothing other than the vague plot line that was given on their website, this musical took place in Madrid in the 1970s about a lady named Peppa, who was magnificently well portrayed by Tamsin Grieg. Admittedly, I had not seen her in anything else but she surprised me in her acting and made me laugh with tears at her unfortunate circumstances that materialised throughout the show. 

We first meet Peppa as she awakes and realises she is late for work. She has taken a strong dose of sleeping pills. Catching a taxi to work, we learn that she is an actress for the TV and an image in the public eye. Grieg's frantic nature shapes this character rather well, resulting in the audience being able to make a judgement on the sort of person Peppa is.

Waiting for the performance to begin.

The story unravels, revealing her husband Ivan has disappeared and has not been seen for two days. He has left her for another women, we soon learn. Peppa later meets Ivan's ex-wife (Lucia), a lady Peppa did not even know about, whilst she was married to Ivan. This character is played manipulatively well. She is in the background for the majority of the Act One. In Act Two, Lucia comes to life as we see someone who is also as mental as Peppa. She tells the audience of the past 20 years she has had to deal with Ivan not being in her life. Lucia outlines that she will be going to court over the ordeal of Ivan. Peppa also meets his son, and Fiancé. 

As the plot thickens, the audience simultaneously meets Peppa's best friend, Candela who has a love affair with an Arab, and learns from the television that he is a terrorist.

Comical and light hearted, Women on the Verge was an abstract performance, embodied with Spanish tunes and dancing. A daring new show in the West End that has unfortunately not taken off. I really would have loved to have seen Hadyn Gywnne as I worked with her in Billy Elliot, alas she was not performing on the day. 

I would tell anyone to catch the show whilst it is still on in its final two days. It also reassures yourself that there are situations out there more complex than you're own!

The finale.

On our way out, I literally bumped into Jo Brand, as my Mum and I were heading to the Savoy to book tickets for Gypsy with Imelda Staunton and to have some lunch! I politely asked for a photo and she said yes. She was such a lovely lady.

Jo Brand and I along the Embankment.

Have you seen the show, or ever bumped into anyone famous whilst you were out?

Kirsty

xxx

S Club 7!

Never had a dream come true...

Until yesterday, when the day finally arrived for me to see my favourite childhood band. Brandon had bought me tickets for Christmas and I was so excited to see them, ever since the last show I saw at Docklands! But before I tell you all about the gig, I'll let you know what I did before the performance in London.

Brandon and I travelled into Liverpool Street earlier in the day to have a walk around as the weather was so lovely. From the station we walked to my ever favourite cake shop: Hummingbird Bakery to pick up two cupcakes, one for me and one for my mother. I got a #RHSChelsea themed cupcake as I am taking her to the Chelsea Flower show on Wednesday, which I bought for her as a Christmas present! 

We then walked towards Spitalfields Market and, once inside, we were asked whether we wanted to make a Mojito. Of course we said yes and got in line to make our mouth-watering Mojito. We had to do everything ourselves and even got to keep the cup!

Brandon's tasted better than mine... unfortunately :(

We then walked further towards Brick Lane. I found some AMAZING bargains in a pop up shop with the brand called Oh My Love London. The prices were slashed and I purchased some beautiful clothes for summer. On the way back to the station, Brandon wanted to try coffee from this place called Department of Coffee and Social Affairs. I had a Latte and it was truly amazing. Brandon ordered a Flat White and we sipped these on the overground as we made our way to the O2.

The two cute cups of coffee!

Once arriving at the O2, we had a bite to eat and then went to Sky Backstage to get a drink before heading into the arena!

We felt as though we were on the red carpet.

The performance was phenomenal, S Club performed all the songs I expected them too and each of the artists in the band were given 5-10 minutes to show the audience their worth within the band. I found that Jo O'Meara was the lead singer and held the band together throughout the show. I was disappointed at first to hear that Paul Cattermole would be singing the acoustic version of 'Reach', until rest assured, the gang sang the 'true' song at the end of their gig, along with 'Never Had a Dream Come True' and 'Don't Stop Movin'. The seats were brilliant and I was able to take some brilliant photos and videos!

The band popping up at the start of the gig.

Rachel Stevens even performed her solo songs which was very exciting and brought back lots of memories! Unfortunately, Tina Barrett didn't do it for me, and I believe that she performed very poorly. Despite this, it did not drag down the quality of the show, as they quickly pushed back into the hits they shared in the 2000's!

Dance, Dance, Dance.

Here's a video I took of one of my most favourite songs:

Overall, I had a lovely day and an even better evening. I'm so sorry to Brandon who was sitting next to me to hear the ordeal of me singing along to every song. 

However, I would definitely recommend this to anyone who was and is a fan to go and see them, they sing so well and entertained me the whole hour and forty five they were on stage! As ever with all trips to the O2, it was a very easy train ride home, which makes the gig a lot more accessible to get to!

Kirsty

xxx