Tuesday 31 December 2013

Day 299

New Years Eve, dear Reader. It would always be between Christmas and the New Year that growing up we would go visit my grandparents. We would always travel to Scarborough where my grandparents lived by train. I would always have my walkman with me for the journey. In fact back then I permanently had my walkman on anytime anyplace, anyway. The journey would take us about a hour and half from where we lived on the train to get to Scarborough station. Now when ever I listen to Nik Kersahw's album The Riddle I am transported back to those train journeys, as for a while it was the only cassette I had to play on my walkman.

My grandparents loved Christmas and always made it special. All the family would meet at their house. Spare chairs would be taken out of the shed and put around the dining table so we could all squeeze in. There was always plenty to eat. I have to say that it was not only my grandparents that made a big thing about Christmas but my parents did too. My dad would always trim the house with bright trimmings hung from the ceiling and mum would buy a lot of presents at Christmas. We got loads and loads of presents when we were children at Christmas time. People thought we were spoilt. Not through the year just at Christmas we were!

When we would arrive at my grandparents house as soon as the door opened the dogs would run to greet you, making a real fuss of you. There was a lot of love from my grandparents and it always felt a safe environment to be in and was filled with a lot of love. Back then in the 1980's I thought these Christmas get togethers would last forever, not knowing how fast the clock was ticking, and that for me then the time spent with my grandparents was precious and to treasure every moment. All the extended family filled that house and we had the best of times.

For today those days are over. Those family times now gone, but happy memories remain. Ironically for two people who simple adored spending time with family at Christmas, and who both really loved Christmas, both my grandparents passed away at this time of  year. But I do not choose to make it make me feel sad at this time of the year, knowing this would never be what my grandparents would want, instead I choose to continue their tradition and make a big thing of Christmas. and to make it as special for my family as they did for me.

When I got older I moved away from my family and due to bad weather it was impossible to drive to North Yorkshire at this time of year. So we had to miss out on a visits. We often did try hard to drive but North Yorkshire snow is a difficult task to get through. I feel at this time sometimes my family may have been disappointed with me and felt that I had let them down. But with two small children back then it was simply too dangerous to risk driving over the motorway and when we did risk it for me and the husband it was a really scary driving experience at times.

So I do wish I could have lived nearer. I do wish we had not ended up so far away, but I also know I did my best to get there when I could. I also know if people have not experienced the drive for themselves how they would not understand just how dangerous it gets. Living where we do now you have to cross the motorway over the Pennines and that is the worst part of the journey.

But when we did make it we would have such a good time and my grandma always bought presents that she knew you would like and she put a lot of thought into those gifts. I miss those times so much now and if I am ever lucky to be a grandma I hope that I will be just like mine.

Evening all x x x

Friday 27 December 2013

Day 295

Happy Christmas! Dear Reader, sorry I have not been around for a while. I have been busy starting my new treatment to have my Immune System switched off. So things health wise should improve a lot for me, with the only downside is how long can I fly solo without an Immune System? I have bought plenty of soup and even invested in a woolly hat! All to help when out in the cold weather, so I don't get a cold, which to me now would be a big thing and could make me really ill. I have to have my bloods and blood pressure done once a week too. Blood pressure and a high heart rate are side effects of the tablets. So it is important I avoid stress too.

Now back to Christmas. Did you have a good one dear Reader? We did. A nice quiet Christmas at home after last year shenanigans! Never again! Was no need for that at all. But I guess lots of people experience that sort of thing at Christmas. So a lovely quiet Christmas, with some nice presents exchanged and time spent with my own little family.

Did you watch the Queen's Speech, Dear Reader? I thought what she said made a lot of sense, alot of her speech matched my year too, when she talked about the man stuck in in plaster and not able to go out. I too have been stuck in ill most of the year too. In fact I think today it is a year since I started to feel really ill. And she is right, our Queen! It does make you reflect on life and it makes you think about life a lot. I think it changes you for the better. It is like a learning curve and you learn what is important and to give priority to and what should be left and is not worth worrying about. I am also grateful to do the job I do and that it is reading as without my books I do not know what and how I would have filled my time.

So now with all this thinking and reading, dear Reader, I am hoping that I am now more wiser and intelligent! 

Evening all x x x

Saturday 21 December 2013

Day 289

Well it is almost here, dear Reader, CHRISTMAS! So my much a waited appointment with the specialist is now only days away. I have been putting quite a gallery of pictures together on my gadget thingy of my skin at its worse, so the specialist can zoom in and have a good look. So hopefully he will not need to examine me then. Quite handy these gadget things are they not?

I wonder if Santa will bring me another gadget thingy for Christmas this year? I would be happy with some Wonder Woman slippers actually! I cannot work anything with a touch screen anyway, much to the entertainment of my teens, who find it highly amusing and entertaining watching me struggle with such a device and the mayhem I cause like deleting loads of my friends of my social media accounts by accident.

I only use my Kindle to  read books... I know it can do a lot more wonderful and fascinating things but I do not know how. I will have to be adventurous and have a play to see just what else it can do. But with loads of books to read and review it is finding the time and if I a honest I just do not dare risk loosing all the books I have on there, as I know this would be the most likeliest thing I would do.

So all the presents are wrapped. The turkey is in the freezer and... I know I have forgot something... But what? I have got the crackers and champagne... But I cannot think what it is I have forgot? I even tried that storing reminders to myself in my gadgets but I never set them right to go off and remind me.

What were we talking about dear Reader?

Evening all x x x


Tuesday 17 December 2013

Day 285

It's the most wonderful time of the year dear Reader, Christmas time! I love it! The run up to Christmas; the putting the tree up; the Christmas decorations; the Christmas shopping and everything! 

I love watching Christmas films too and I have discovered this great channel on Sky for Christmas films called Christmas/24.

And now with only days away to my appointment with the specialist. I am on my way to getting the best Christmas present ever... my health back! Although I am about to have my immune system switched off to improve my health. I am really looking forward to been much healthier next year and to actually be able to do simple things like going out more and getting back into life.

 Been stuck in watching my Christmas films, I have noticed a pattern to plots to these Christmas films, they always have a hidden meaning and you can count on a Christmas films to make you feel good! Most of the plots involve things like people who hold a grudge, even when they themselves have not behaved in an appropriate way and have expected people to forget their mistakes they cannot do the same themselves for other people. Or business type people finding out what the more important things in life are. And it all turns out for the better at the end!!! I love them!

Evening all x x x






Evening all x x x


Sunday 8 December 2013

Day 276



Well it was the invasion of Primark bags in our town centre yesterday. We now have our very own Primark store. Newly opened this week. All you could see in the crowds of Christmas shoppers was Primark bags. Nearly everyone had one, two or even ten of these brown paper bags. Town was heaving already with Christmas shoppers and the grand new opening of Primark I think made town even busier. It was packed!

We usually walk into town but we had decided to take the car. Now parking was difficult, there was no parking spaces anywhere and now on the local retail park you can only park there if you are only shopping at the retail park or you risk being fined one hundred pounds! Why they do not just have a parking charge like ASDA I don't know. 

Almost giving up on the parking and by now been prepared to head back home with the car and to walk back into town luckily at the last moment we found a space. But next time I am walking, dear Reader. It was like going on a mountain expedition! Pushing through the crowds and tackling the queues! I did not even make it into the famous store as the image of sardines packed in a tin came to mind!

Evening all x x x

Sunday 1 December 2013

Day 269

Growing up in the 1980's there was some amazing films to come out like the Star Wars film Return of the Jedi and Rocky and ET. Now ET was one of the most popular films and the town I lived in had plenty of pirate videos. Which is how I first came to see ET.

We all packed into my Aunts house and we were all excited to be seeing ET. So the film was put on and it was very dark--so dark in fact you could hardly see what was happening. It was so dark that when the TV metre ran out and needed another fifty pence it took us all ages to realise!!!!

Evening all x x x

Saturday 23 November 2013

Day 261

I am getting caught up in all this Doctor Who 50th anniversary hype dear Reader. I would not even really call myself a Doctor Who fan either!

Tom Baker was my childhood Doctor Who--and Peter Davidson. I remember being really scared when Tom Baker regenerated into Peter Davidson. More frightening than the Darleks or Cybermen to me.

Then I watched the new series with my children when they brought it back. But I did not get into it until the great David Tennant took over the role. Then to me it became good old fashion family entertainment. He was a hard act to follow and I could not get into Matt Smith when he became the Doctor--even though he did do a fantastic job I just liked David better.

And tonight he is back! Mr David Tennant is in a special episode of Doctorr Who along with Matt Smith. Two Doctors, it is going to be interesting. And Billie Piper back as Rose who now since marrying into the Fox acting dynasty has taken to talking rather posh! Golly!

Evening all x x x

Thursday 21 November 2013

Day 259

At last! A big day today, dear Reader, well for Miss C anyway as she has had her braces removed! 

Aged eleven when we first went to visit the orthodontist I was under the impression that it would be an eighteen month process for Miss C to have her teeth fixed and now almost three years later and worringly into her GCSE we were still having appointments and brace adjustments. Miss C started off with a retainer then was fitted with the metal train track braces we all know.

But today at last the orthodontist cut them off and we thought we were free of the appointments and me springing Miss C from school not that I think for one second that Miss C minded being sprung! So the braces were gone. So Miss C showed us her new beautiful smile and I have to say that her orthodontist has done a really good job. Her teeth look great!

So we were all excited thinking that Christmas had come early for Miss C and no more long waits in the busy waiting room. This private practise is always busy. When the orthodontist said that he was going to take moulds of Miss C teeth so she could come back and have another retainer fitted! 

Why I do not know. How long...I do not know! 

Evening all x x x

Wednesday 20 November 2013

Day 258

One of the questions I am asked a lot, dear Reader, is do you prefer books or a Kindle? As a book reviewer I do have a Kindle and I still get sent a lot of hard copies of books too. I don't really mind to be honest dear Reader. I think there are good and bad points for both. I do always carry a paperback in my handba, as I am always worried I will spill something on my Kindle in there or lose it. I also like my collection of signed hard copies given to me by authors. They are something I will always treasure.

I like what Stephen Fry did by making the point about stairs and escalators when he was talking about Kindles. I love how you can go on Amazon and download books for free. I have many books in my 'To Read and Review' pile but I can not resist adding a few on my Kindle that are free!

Evening all x x x

Friday 15 November 2013

Day 253

Today the hubby joined the 39 club, dear Reader, yes he is younger than me! I was thinking that maybe next year we might have a joint 40th Birthday party in our hometown. A Start Trek meets Grease party. Where the guests can dress up as either... 'beam me up Scottie' or... a wella wella hoop! 

Sounds like fun to me it is easier to have it over there as most of our families and friends are still living in our hometown. We will have a party where we live now too and then on my actually 40th I am taking my family out for a meal and on a special day trip out. Not sure what the hubby wants to do on his Big 40th--twelve months from today. I know he would like to go watch the Formula One, so I hope it is some location hot near his birthday and it will make a change from the cold November here in England. I of course would need all new clothes, shoes and handbags for such an event!

Our son Mr L, also turns eighteen the same year we hit the BIG 4-0 so maybe we will make it a triple party! Oh how he would love that a party with his parents!

Evening all x x x

Thursday 14 November 2013

Day 252

Shaun Ryder on UFOs, dear Reader, that is a bit random isn't it? What next Professor Brian Cox on flower arranging? What an unusual pairing that is. Shaun most famous for his ahem... Happy Monday days claims to have seen a strange bright light while at a bus stop in his home town of Salford.

As a paranormal investigator I am always interested in alien stories, and this I found just fascinating to watch. It is as good as the recent one I watched on telly were a woman claimed to be abducted every time she ate Kentucky Fried Chicken! 

Evening all x x x

Day 251

My water is cloudy today, dear Reader, No! not 'MY' water--I mean my TAP water. We did get a card through from our water company telling us they were working on putting new pipes in all through the night and if we experienced any cloudiness to simply run the tap until it runs clear.

And run that tap I did dear Reader! All day long. But it is still cloudy. Leaving me without water all day. No cappuccino; no green tea; no water and I was so thirsty. No joy from the water company either. So had no chose but to hit the bottle. Go on to bottle water. Which I pooed out to the supermarket especially for only to get distracted by the apple-pie and custard and I completely forgot to buy bottled spring water!

Evening all x x x

Tuesday 12 November 2013

Day 250

                                                       The Mystery of the Missing Marigold

It begun as any other day, the nightmare of getting two teens up and out of bed and ready and off to school in time. When this task was done, I then turned my attention to doing the big pile of clumsy washing up--left in the sink. So I reach out for my marigolds. Much needed at the moment due to my sore hands from my skin condition.

I only see one marigold so I look on the units; and in the sink; on the draining board and still no luck. So I look behind the kettle and microwave and even then still no luck! So I look in the microwave; in cupboards. Nothing. How can I wash up with just the one rubber glove? So I check the washer, dryer; Spook's box--I even look in the fridge. NOTHING.

The thing is, dear Reader, they are easy to spot too with their bright yellow colour. So where could it have gone. I have now wasted almost a hour on such a simple task that under normal circles would not be even worth mentioning. After all once done washing up is soon forgot about.

So in the dish washer everything goes. Now I am obsessed with finding my missing marigold so I lose another hour searching the rest of the house.... I am determined that I will find it... but NOTHING!

A move on to doing much more interesting things throughout the day and soon my little glove friend is soon forgotten about... until it grows dark and the hubby decides to close curtains and pull down blinds. I hear him call my name, so I rush into the kitchen. Look what had got rolled up and tangled in the blind when it must have been opened this morning... he says.... a marigold!

Monday 11 November 2013

Day 249

Hello, dear Reader, Spook here--you know the star of this blog! This blog has a lot about me and I know you have noticed that my human owner has not wrote a post for a while,because she simply cannot use the laptop due to her hands being swollen and in bandages so after I had a little 'Paws for thought' I thought I would share with you my recent alien abduction story.

So here goes...                     SPOOK IN SPACE

It had started off as just another day, there I was minding my own business when suddenly out of no where I was suddenly ambushed and handled into a mini space craft. The vessel then took off and elevated at a gentle speed into the air and I was transported into the mother-ship. 

They must have known what a tough cat I am. Because they kept me in my tiny craft, and we then set off on a very bumpy and rough journey. I felt like I was on a boat out at sea. In very rough waters. Only I know what was happening to me as I am now thirteen years old and wise, very wise.

I had been abducted again by aliens. This happens to me every year, oddly at around the same time every year. I have learnt just to stay calm and just give a couple of growls now and then just to let these little spacemen know who is the boss.

On the journey they try to tempt me, pushing biscuits through the small air holes in my craft. But I am not having any. I have heard stories from the other cats, such tales as that they were turned into dogs and started to chase their own tails! Well this is NOT going to happen to me!

The mothership is stopping now and out I fly in my little craft and land at my destination. The planet I have come to known as... VETS. Here I am in a small space with other kidnapped animals some are physically shaking with fear.

Then my little craft takes off and lands on a table and a big bright light is shone over my craft as the alien opens my craft. The alien has one big shining light of an eye on its forehead and he wears a blue space suit. He tries to call me out. But I am not having it, so he removes my lid and begins his experiments on me. I try to remain as still as I can. But if I can I will get a quick bite in on his rubber tasting hand like I did last year.

I look around the room and I see he has also kidnapped my humans--well only three of them. One of them is ill so they must not have been good enough to be experimented on and left behind. Then it happens out of nowhere I am injected. What with who knows? I am then poked and prodded about with and even my poor little mouth is looked in. 

Before long it is all over and I am placed back in the craft. And transported back to the mothership and off we go again on a journey and I remarkably find myself back home.

So I jump back up at my window and fall into a very deep sleep.


Monday 4 November 2013

Day 242

Nothing seems to last anymore, does it dear Reader? Take school shoes for instance, I bought Miss C brand new school shoes to start the new school term off--from a well known high street store and I paid a good price for them too. So you would expect them to last wouldn't you, dear Reader? 

Well the shoes only made it the the first half-term, so we are talking they lasted weeks. The heels had completely worn away leaving holes--they were in a real state, dear Reader. So off I have been today to buy new school shoes. Could I find any...? Not a chance. All round town I went. In and out of shops. The shoes that were on display did not look like they would last either. 

Finally I found some called Sketchers, which look a good strong school shoe that will last. But for how long only time will tell.

It was the same with board games. I wanted my children to have the fun of playing board games when they were children, like we did as children. So we bought them all--all the well known ones. Back in our child hood days they use to last didn't they dear Reader? But now and maybe it is to do with the reduction in sales of these types of things with the increase of gadgets such as game consoles and all the other gadgets available now, that the board game companies had to cut costs and use cheaper materials--because they no longer last.

My teens have now bought the computer game versions of many of these board games for their consoles. And we all do still enjoy playing these versions together as a family. It is also good fun to play these when you have visitors too. But it  for me is not the same as the actually board game. The counters, the dice. The spending hours setting up mouse trap only for the game to be over in no time!

Evening all x x x

Sunday 3 November 2013

Day 241

I am absolutely thrilled to have won an award for my book reviews, dear Reader. It is always nice to have positive praise about your work and an award... well it is just fabulous to get. I love my work in the booky world. I meet many interesting people and get to read many wonderful books.

I like to read any books from all genres. I work with the thought that you can learn something new from every book that we read. Also the old saying never judge a book by its cover is so true too. I just love reading and escaping in a book. I have my dream job and I love it.

The other special thing about my work is that I have made some really good friends through it--all with the same love of reading and writing as I have. I get a behind the scene look at books. I am so lucky to do something that I really enjoy.

So to have this wonderful award for my work with authors is just fantastic and big thank you to the Love A Happy Ending team and to Famous Five Plus.  I am also so happy for all my other colleagues and friends who are up for nominations at this years Festival of Romance. Good luck everybody!



Evening all x x x

Saturday 2 November 2013

Day 240

The 40th Birthday invites are really coming in now dear Reader. I am lucky to have friends still that I was friends with at primary school and others from when I was a child too and many more I have collected along the way! I have already missed out on a few events that I have had to turn down due to my ill heath. A few weeks ago one was on a party bus around Bradford! exciting eh? I love it!

Still not sure what to do about mine. I would have liked to have a party back in my home town with all my Yorkshire family and friends but I can't see that happening now. Next week we have the family christening and I am really looking forward to going to that. Still not decided on what I am going to wear but it will be something new. 

I am really enjoying shopping for babies again too. There is so much cute and there is wonderful things to choose from. But do you stick with a traditional christening present? Give money or buy a gift or gift voucher? I think I am going to go traditional. So as the weather is really windy and rainy outside today I am shopping online--which usually means I will end up on eBay buying things I really do not need! But the things you can find on eBay!

I think it is with approaching forty that I have started to collect things from my childhood like Wombles-- things and Strawberry Shortcake and Little Miss and Mr Men--oh and Pacman too. All bought from eBay! It is amazing just how many hours you can lose on eBay buying pointless things. But it is really good fun-- especially bidding at the last moment.

eBay has become an indoor hobby!


Evening all x x x






Friday 1 November 2013

Day 239

My  skin specialist called me at home today, dear Reader. So things are getting moving now with my treatments. I am lucky to be in good hands and I also have many people who care about me and have given me good support about my condition. Like I said before you learn a lot about people when you become seriously ill.

Also today I booked Spook the Cat in for her yearly booster injections at the vets. It was spooky of Spook as I was chatting on the phone and booking her in, she suddenly sat up in her box all alert and really listening to me on that phone! She must know dear Reader as she even went out in the pouring rain!

Last time we took her to the vets it involved a lot of growling at other cats, so she now as to go to the doggy side of the vets with all the dogs. She also growled at the vet and then when the vet said she was done she straight away jumped down and got herself in her cat box--ready for the journey home. Amazing as it had taken me flipping ages to get her in her cat box in the first place to take her to the vets!

Evening all x x x


Thursday 31 October 2013

Day 238

Halloween! And I really do not miss taking the children out trick or treating! Walking out in the cold end of October air. Oh, but with me always been hot come to think of it it would not have been too bad this year! Typical!

Halloween parties seem to be popular now too. I would rather have let my children have a party than going out in the cold. So wish I had thought of that back then. It as amazed me how many young children have been to my door without an adult. I always went with my children. I always helped them eat their sweets too when we got back home!!

Evening all x x x

Wednesday 30 October 2013

Day 237

Well... my washer finally got fixed today! So it was like a laundrette in here today. Piles and mountains of washing everywhere and Spook the strange cat climbing up the highest pile and going to sleep on it! 

Spook as always loved washing. She loves it when I hang it on the line. When the washer is finished and I am emptying it, there she will be waiting for me to unload it, and then out into the garden walking with me as I hang it out, putting her head in the basket now and again, she just loves it. I swear if she had opposable thumbs she would be hanging that washing out for me! 

But it is too cold for the washing to be hung out now, so Spook, she took her little pleasure of hanging out with the dirty washing. Hanging out on the upstairs landing amongst all the piles I had sorted out by colour. Really enjoying herself. She even enjoys sitting watching the washer sometimes. Why? I have no idea, but it sure made a boring day of washing much more fun!

It is a simple life to be a cat!

Evening all x x x

Day 236

Well I have made it back to the gym dear Reader! I have not been for seven weeks so it feels good! I also managed a nice walk too in the past couple of days I have been feeling much better. Great to be back out and about in the big world again. Also fitted in a trip to the hairdressers, dry cleaners and much more. So things are looking up! My normal life is beginning again!

Managed to get a lot of my books read in my to read and review pile with been stuck in for so long and now all the lovely Christmas books are coming in. I love it! Makes me feel all warm and cosy insidea nd not much help needed for extra warmth as well as my red hot feeling I cannot shake! 

People keep saying well if you are hot you can make yourself cooler and I am like NO--not for me. My body temperature stays at this hot temperature no matter what I do so there is nothing I can do! I am used to it now which is how I think I manged the gym and then it was only slow walking on the treadmill and pedalling cocoon style on a bike! 

Evening all x x x


Monday 28 October 2013

Day 235

Well life spent under the duvet certainly gets your mind wondering dear Reader. Wondering about things that you would normally not think about at all. Take today for example I found Dale Winton popping into my mind. Dale Winton? Totally random I know! Why Dale Winton popped into my head I have no idea. I just thought I have not seen Dale Winton on the television in ages. Do you remember Dale Winton dear Reader?  At one time he was always on the box, presenting everything. So where as he gone? What as happened to him?

And do you know dear Reader with me thinking this "What am I doing?" thought do you know dear Reader I have spotted Mr Winton on the telly a couple of times since!

Evening all x x x

Sunday 27 October 2013

Day 234

We have a family event coming up really soon and it is one I am really looking forward to dear Reader. This year we were lucky to have two lovely babies born into the family. So in the next couple of weeks we have a christening to attend. I really do hope I am well enough to make this. I know it is going to be a really nice day and I really enjoy spending time with my family.

I intend to buy myself a brand new outfit for this and some nice accessories. At the moment I have good days and bad days as you know with my health dear Reader and I have no control over what and how I will feel more nearer the day. So hopefully I will make it. I have had to turn down so many things this year so I am really hoping I will make this. I am also getting tired of having to say I am not well!

I love babies and I have managed a few visits this year to see them. Babies grow so fast don't they? I would have liked to have visited them even more but things are looking much better now I have my diagnosis so hopefully next year I will be able to spend more time with them and have a much better year health wise.

I really do enjoy spending time with my extended family and as I live away from them it does not happen all that often especially in the winter months when it is bad weather and that M62 is so terrible to cross the Pennines in the bad weather. But we have made it over the years at Christmas even breaking down on the highest point of the motorway one year when I was eight months pregnant with Miss C! Having to wait in the freezing cold for the recovery truck to come out and not only collect our car but give us all a ride home too. I expect family who kindly visited us over Christmas may have experienced similar things weather wise too.

Speaking of bad weather on the news it says we are in for some really extreme weather this week. I am okay it is another duvet week for me this week, as I rest, all I can to try and do all I can to keep myself well so I can attend the christening. But at the end of the day it is my body that is in control and I have no idea at the moment which way it will go. I will go out later today and buy my new outfit and I have updated and told family about what is happening to me, but fingers crossed, dear Reader that I am able to go and enjoy a good family do.

Evening all x x x
 





Saturday 26 October 2013

Day 233

One of the things the doctors warned me about during the next twelve weeks until I go on my new meds is that I would be most likely to get high fevers a lot and at times I will be really poorly. I do feel hot all the time dear Reader. I had ended up in hospital last week because my temperature was so high.

Imagine feeling too hot all of the time and there is nothing you can do to cool down--that is me at the moment, dear Reader, and I have been like this for months. In fact it is almost twelve months now since I first got ill. I am handling it in general really well,and plus I am been pumped with steroids and many other drugs. I am proud of myself because I am coping and getting on with it. With only I think two incidents when I have snapped but in both cases I was pushed and people had been warned that my body could not cope and that it was making me hotter!

So back to the fever--I had one last night and all through the night. My temperature must have got so high that not only was a speaking more gibberish but I was halleucinating. I could see strange creatures floating around the bedroom and shadows moving in the walls. Luckily with a few tips from doctors and the care of my wonderful husband I managed to get my temperature down before I had to go to hospital.

It is a very scary thing when we get ill and have no control over what our body is doing. In my thirty-nine years this is the worst thing medically that as ever happened to me. Well that and when I have a really bad allergic reaction--but this is even worse than that.

I wonder why when we get such high temperatures we see such thing. I have done some research (well I Googled) and it is quite common for people like me with very high temperatures to see the same things I did. Weird isn't it dear Reader?

Evening all x x x

Friday 25 October 2013

Day 232

Boy am I glad that I went to the Post Office this morning, dear Reader! It is thundering and lightening now and pouring it down like jungle rain. I did walk there in my wellingtons but luckily I have missed getting caught in this down pour. 

I went to our local Post Office and only thinking on my walk how I had not been to it for years and it may have closed down and be a Tesco's Extra or something now, but luckily it was still there. With the lady behind the counter showing me a pictured sign asking if in my parcel  was any of the following diagrams. The drawings were that bad I have not got a clue what half of them were. So I just did the sensible thing and told her what was actually in the parcel and then still had twenty questions asked. Who would have thought that posting a simple parcel could have got so complicated?

Anyway parcel safely posted I then bumped in to an old friend I have not seen for a couple of years. Nice to have a catch up and I was able to help her out with something too. Not got to use my halo for a while and it felt good.  Then a nice browse in the shops and ended up buying a new jacket. Then the nice walk home. Without getting wet once.

My luck must be changing!

Evening all x x x


Thursday 24 October 2013

Day 231

Now since coming out of hospital, dear Reader, my washer machine as sounded like a rocket launching when it is its last spin cycle. Making the loudest most awful noise. I have mentioned on here before that my hubby is very clever and as an engineer he can strip a washer down and probably repair it...but as for loading washing and putting the washer on to wash this is a difficult task for him to master.

So I phoned the washer company as we have insurance cover and you know that annoying thing? That you are always correcting your name or your address and every time you call it is never updated? Well they have me down as a Mrs Skywalker! No idea why. They never change it so I just go along with it now. Not been able to resist a "MAY THE FORCE BE WITH YOU" as I end the call.

Well the washer repair man came out and we need a new drum so it is a whole week without a washer in this house. How will we cop?. No ironing is the plus but the washer is one of the most used appliances in this house so it will be missed. 

Evening all x x x


Wednesday 23 October 2013

Day 230

Up early and cappuccino in hand for an early appointment with my GP this morning dear Reader--so slowly now I am learning what's what about my condition. So here it is... for my condition I will most likely be put on some powerful drugs that will shut down my immune system as it does no longer work properly. This will then stop it constantly attacking my body and should give me control back over my body and enable me to also bring my skin under control. On top of this I will also have my allergies to deal with and keep under control.

However these powerful drugs do not give me full cover and immunity--by this I mean if I was to catch something or get another illness that could be my number up as I have no immune system to fight anything off. So that for now would be one danger. Oh but I intend to not let this happen and am prepared to fight! The other danger is stress. I know now last Friday my body shut down due to stress. It just simply cannot cope with it on top of my condition.

So how do you deal with such a thing dear Reader? Well I will tell you how exactly I am going to deal with it dear Reader by putting it to the back of my mind that is how. I intend just to get on with life and live it the best I can. I am determined to beat this. I attend to get myself well enough so that I can start and go back to the gym. I know there will be times over the next twelve weeks that I most likely will have to go into hospital but when that happens it happens. But the rest of the time I will be living my life.

I am opening my door on all the people who have shown their support and kindness to me during this difficult time and shutting my door on people who have caused nothing but unnecessary trouble and I am moving on. This experience has changed me and I am going to be putting my energy now into being the best wife and mother that I can possibly be!

Evening all x x x

Tuesday 22 October 2013

Day 229

Much better day today, dear Reader. I think that resting all day yesterday really helped. I even managed to take my teens out for a few hours this afternoon as it is their half-term and they did not have any plans so it was a shame for them to be stuck in.

I am still feeling red hot inside so got a few strange looks as it must have been cold out today and I am working around in just a t-shirt and cotton trousers and I noticed everyone else had thick winter coats on. I cannot feel the cold at all. I just feel permanently hot. Sometimes I get too hot--far too hot. This must be to do with my body feeling it is constantly under attack from what it thinks is poisons and toxic things but what are actually harmless silly things.

Now it has gone past allergies and my body is just staying in this alert state all the time. The damage must have been done to my immune system due to so many bad allergic reactions. The thing is too with your skin and allergies that many people do not realise just what it takes out of your body after an bad reaction. I had a really bad reaction back in January 2012 and that is what started this off again after a seventeen year gap. I managed to fully recover but inside my body had weakened and when I had some pointless upset and stress I really felt my body break inside. And this year I was to go on and have several bad reactions and this is bound to take its toll on the body. It must and in my case I believe it to have.
 
 All I know now is that my body is damaged and that I know stress makes my condition worse. For example I feel generally unwell all the time but can cope but my body, in its heightened hot alert stage, is hard enough to manage--but give me stress on top of this and my body cannot cope simple as that. The thing is also the stress I have been given is such silly things that I really do not need to be bothered with and things that really do not matter at the end of the day.  My illness is far more important.

I have a medical condition. I am handling it. According to my doctors I am handling it well. I am getting on with my life the best I can. I am handling it in a positive and active way to get this under control as fast as I can. I have no control over my symptoms the condition is there and there is nothing I can do to stop it. Stress will only worsen my state and my condition. In order to beat this I need a clear mind and I have that. I do not need to bother with such trivial things that do not matter. Life is precious and can be simple there is no need to make it far more complicated than what it can be. I learned long ago to let things go and to move on. And for now this is the main focus of my time and energy and I have no time or thoughts for things that simply do do not matter and are just a waste of my time and energy.

Evening all x x x

Monday 21 October 2013

Day 228

I am so lucky, dear Reader, it has been like Christmas here over the past few days. I have had lots of wonderful things arriving in the post to wish me well. I have lots of get well soon cards --you are spoiling me dear Reader! Thank you. Nice to know you are thought of especially when you are so ill. 

Well my illness is really putting up a fight but I am still fighting back. It is really attacking my body now and I am in a lot of pain and feel very poorly but I am back to the hospital in a couple of days (if I don't end up  in before) and I know they will look after me well. My skin is sore and I am like a big red tomato! I can't move and build up quite a sweat doing something as small as putting my shoes on!

But I know I will beat it dear Reader. My wonderful hubby has had to take time from work to look after me and the teens are on half-term so they have been helping me out too. I suppose this is my condition's one last big stand-off before I boot it up the bottom and send it packing! But I will win dear Reader and the day of me getting this under control is going to be soon.

Evening all x x x 




Sunday 20 October 2013

Day 225, 226 and 227

Another stay in hospital for me this weekend dear Reader. I was admitted with a very high temperature. My temperature was so high I have hardly any memory of me getting to hospital. Apparently the hubby had said I was also talking gibberish! Which as I am always waffling on good on him for being able to tell this was not my normal gibberish! Miss C is the one who apparently found me in a state of serious unwell. So proud of her for getting me help fast and for all that she did.

So it would seem my condition is getting worse. Just when I thought I had turned a corner and was getting better. I suppose dear Reader that since I have been ill now for almost a year it is to be expected. The body must only be able to take so much. But I do see a light at the end of the tunnel as when they did more tests in hospital they found from blood tests that there is a problem with my white blood cells. Which may mean it is what is suspected and that I have an auto-immune disease. 

So I have no choice now all my time and energy has to go in me finding out just what is the problem--finding the right medicines to control it and getting things back to normal. I would love this to happen for Christmas as all this started at that time last year so it would be nice to come full circle and for me to be able to look forward to next year been a lot better.

While staying in hospital I met a remarkable woman who was ninety years old dear Reader. She was wonderful--like a beaming bright light of lively energy. Although very ill herself, she was alert and lively and had such a huge charisma and personality. She is an inspiration. I think if you live your life positively and without bitterness and are not mean to others you can face most things more clearly and with a fresh energy that enables you to cope. And cope I will I know I can beat this and I know I have a lot of people willing me on to do so.  I see myself sitting in a deck chair on some fancy big cruise ship having a nice relaxing holiday with my family. My skin is clear and without pain. I know dear Reader that day will come!

Evening all x x x

Thursday 17 October 2013

Day 224

Hello, dear Reader, well what a day it has been--or should I say night. What with everything going on last week and my repeat returns to hospital we only realised that tonight was only Mr L's GCSE presentation night at our local theatre. So after much a do about nothing it was a quick change for us all, and once suited and booted and heeled and dressed faster than a Superman change it was off we went.

And for a unexpected evening out it was a good one! Live music was there too so it was really good. Very proud of Mr L as he went on the stage to collect his certificates. We were not allowed to take any pictures instead you had to buy official ones and Mr L's is a good one and he looks so much like his uncle J on it.

Just so glad I made it too and managed to stay the whole way through. Must be getting things better and under control now for me to do that. Brilliant! It was not too far away from home either to go. So lucky all worked out in the end and for Mr L I am so glad!

Evening all x x x

Wednesday 16 October 2013

Day 223

Oh there is nothing like a nice cappuccino to wake you up on a morning dear Reader! Why did it take me so long to discover such a delicious beverage, that not only tastes good, but helps make my brain work on full?

Enabling me to keep going all day on my one little cup of cappuccino. Lots of work getting done. For the first time in ages, dear Reader, I feel good! I hope it is not just my little wonder of a new discovered drink-- but that I have turned a corner and that I am finally getting better!

Who knows maybe really soon I can return to the gym! Go out where I want! And have my normal life back! One thing is for sure after months of being ill--I will look and appreciate life and things much, much better. I will never worry or get stressed over simple pointless things. I will take my family on a nice cruise and travel to some fun new places. I will buy myself a nice red bike with a wicker basket.  I will wear wellingtons and splash in puddles. I will eat ice-cream even when it is cold. I will no longer care when the hubby leaves his towel on the bathroom floor. I will go supermarket shopping without a shopping list. I will go see Strictly Come Dancing live and go to the live tour. I will learn a brand new dance. I will roller skate around the park everyday. I will buy OK magazine and read it. I will read the rest of the Adrian Mole series of books by Sue Townsend. I will sit through all the Lord of the Rings films and pay full attention. I will sit and watch the whole of Star Trek The Next Generation hubbies box set. (With hubby) I will take more photographs. I will never complain about the weather. I will play Pac-Man more. I will go to more Art exhibitions. I will have two doughnuts every Friday evening. I will buy a sheepdog and walk her everyday. I will always smile. . I will think with my heart and not my head. I will do all I can to be the best person that I can be and make my little world and for the people who share it with me to be a wonderful place to be!

I WILL DRINK MORE CAPPUCCINO!

Evening all x x x

Tuesday 15 October 2013

Day 222

During my ill health, dear Reader, autoimmune disease as been mentioned many times. Firstly by my own GP. I am not sure how I could have got an autoimmune disease, but I can only guess it is perhaps damage to my immune system caused by having many bad allergic reactions this year. I will know more once I see my specialist again.

If I do have this, and I have yet to have this confirmed by the specialist, it looks like most likely this is the reason my allergies can not be brought under control. Like with an allergic reaction my body thinks it is under attack, but with this condition it feels it is under attack all the time. My white blood cells are are destroying normal healthy body tissue, thinking they are harmful allergens. This is a very similar hydro-sensitive reaction very similar to an allergic reaction.

So like I now have to live with my allergies, I would also have this to live with too. This too can be controlled with drugs called immunosuppressives. There are over eighty autoimmune diseases so it could take sometime before I find out which one I do have.

I have been told to avoid stress, as you can imagine, dear Reader. My body inside must already be rushing around like a stormy sea and stress would make this even worse. And I have felt this first hand. I am lucky though I personally do not have any stress but unfortunately I have some people who cause me it! I can just about manage on a normal day to day basis but stress makes me feel so ill and this is usually the times I have to seek help at the hospital and my condition gets seriously out of control for me.

When you do get ill it does become a learning curve and you do learn a lot about people. So I have been advised to surround myself with friends and family who will be supportive and in it with me for the long run. I have so many wonderful people who are in my life at the moment and that is what I am going to concentrate on...the positives. If you keep positive and have the right people in your life, you are half way to winning the battle.

For more information on autoimmune disease click this link

Evening all x x x

Monday 14 October 2013

Day 221

One of the things I really enjoy is when myself and my daughter Miss C spend a day shopping in town together. My Gran used to love shopping and I really enjoyed spending the day with her in town and I am happy now to be doing this with my daughter and hope this will give her some fun and happy memories like I am left with doing the same shopping with my Gran.

On our latest shopping trip, I seemed to do much better at spending than Miss C. My favourite clothes shop had a sale on. So I happily left the shop with a couple of bags of lovely clothes to cheer me up. Then they had some great books in the book store Like I need to buy anymore books--I must have sixty now in my to read pile.. but I bought them anyway!) 

But for poor Miss C, having had several ideas in her mind, of what she wanted to buy she could not find anything! We spent a while in WH Smiths too, but nothing dear Reader and usually Miss C can buy this shop out! 

It was good to get out of the house after my recent ill health and although we had to make a much needed lunch stop for me to rest. That is part of our day where we had a nice lunch. My son meanwhile was having a nice day with his dad looking around a university he wants to attend--so a nice father and son day was going on too.

I love our family days out together and I love my mum and daughter days. Next it will be mum and son day-- which I also love and dad and daughter day... somehow I don't think it will be either of us going shopping on those days!

Evening all x x x

Sunday 13 October 2013

Day 220

I can't believe that the time has come to the time all ready that our son Mr L is looking at which university to attend. Luckily we live near two brilliant ones which will mean Mr L can keep living at home while he studies not adding to the fee which we now have to pay in order to send our children on to further education.

The first worry comes when they leave primary and start high school--thinking about them going further out and out of the bubble. This does not change does it dear Reader as they get older? When they go even further away from the bubble. I would hate to think of him leaving home as we are a close family, so I am lucky as for him it is just a short train journey away.

So my boy is all grown up now. A young adult and we are really proud of the young man he has become.

Evening all x x x


Saturday 12 October 2013

Day 219

I am BACK!!!!!! Thank you, dear Reader for your kind concern as I have been AWOL these past few days. I was deeply touch to be missed and after a lot of talking and some very kind words and encouragement. I have decided to pick up my pen and put it to paper again.

So where have I been? Well it's my flipping allergy again dear Reader. My body temperature is caput and I have no control over my body temperature. So I cannot feel if I am hot or cold. Even worse I overheat or I shiver with cold. I shiver with cold when I am actually hot to the touch. The only way can tell if I am over heating is when I get a sweat rash on my neck an chest. Which earlier this week was mistaken for an allergic reaction, but we now know it is down to my body temp. 

So I am back and forth to hospital--needing fluids pumped into me. The problem seems to have been caused by the bad reaction I had and the losing of lots of lots of skin. This makes me more ill than the bad allergic reactions, it makes me really poorly and the hospital told me it is just as serious as a bad reaction. But as always I am determined to get myself better. I had beat it before and I will again.

They have now also done some more tests in hospital and like a broken down central heating system that I now am they are trying to come up with something to fix me.

So thank you so much for missing me, dear Reader. I missed you too, this gives me a focus and it really helps keeping my mind busy to keep winning the battle. It is good to be back !!!

Evening all x x x

Tuesday 8 October 2013

Day 215

I am pleased to announce, dear Reader, that as a paranormal investigator I have found the truth into what causes crop circles and the most amazing thing was I did not even leave the house to find my discovery!

You see, dear Reader, my garden grass as become quite long due to the changed in the weather and the fact the hubby is no gardener (I can't do it again allergies) so anyway were was I dear Reader? Oh yes, so I am washing up looking out my window and I see on my grass what look to be crop circles. Perfectly round circles of neat flat patterned grass all around my garden.

Amazing I thought... brilliant. Evidence on my own doorstep. Smaller circles than you would find in the big farmers fields, but then again my garden is a lot smaller. So smaller garden could equal smaller crop circles. 

So off I go to get my camera, only on my return to spot Spook the cat in the garden. Making circular movements in the garden, like all cats do when they are settling down to sleep. Then up she gets and does it again on the other side of the grass where some sunshine is.

When she had moved,she left a perfectly formed crop circle!!!  With an amazing pattern! Therefore that is what causes crop circles! Case closed!














Evening all x x x

Monday 7 October 2013

Day 214

My poor cat Spook, since finding out that I an not allergic to cats but house dust mites that also live on our furry friends like Spook, she has not been allowed to go on the furniture. So we bought her a number of different beds in various sizes and shapes. We ended up buying different ones, dear Reader, because she would not sleep in any of them. Preferring (or purrferring) to sleep outside on the shed roof.

Knowing it is now October and the weather is getting colder and that for an old cat like Spook she needs to get her rest and sleep. I was running out of ideas. She does like to sleep on the living room window sill but can't get that comfy on there for a nice relaxing snooze. The windowsill is where she goes in what I call stand-by mode. I am sure cats go on stand-by like our TV sets. Able to shut themselves off without actually going to sleep.

Then an Eureka moment hit me! Why not just try her with a simple cardboard box? It would not cost anything and nothing to lose. So I sent the hubby into the garage (due to my allergy of course) to find a suitable box. Then I placed an old towel in it and waited for Spook to come back in.

When she came in she was curious, sniffing all around the box and having a good nosey and then it happened she got in she got settled and she has hardly left it since!

Proving cats really enjoy living the simple life!

Evening all x x x


Sunday 6 October 2013

Day 213

The hubby had me up at silly o clock this mornin, dear Reader! The reason? Formula One was on early this morning. Yes, early on a Sunday morning! So today it has been a really long day. It feels like it is bedtime now and it is only 5.40p.m.

Still I can't complain I managed to get a lot of those jobs done that you always put off, because they are so boring. Like swapping my summer coats for more warmer jackets in the downstairs cloakroom. Doing mountains of washing and giving my handbag a tidy and sort out. Oh yes, dear Reader it is amazing how much you can get done while little race cars run around their little track!

Evening all x x x

Saturday 5 October 2013

Day 212

It is Strictly Saturday dear Reader! Almost time for Strictly Come Dancing which is the best television show on your telly! I love it. The dancing, the costumes, the glam--I am a huge fan of the show. Good old fashioned Saturday night family entertainment...

She says... well I have not exactly got my two teens into it--but I live in hope! I just love dancing and it is nice in this series to see Anton actually dancing and Dave's entertaining performance already shows that this series is going to be a good one!

I already have my favourites. Do you dear Reader? It is a superb cast this year and some cracking charisma shining out of their personalities. New dancers have been thrown into the mix and the lovely Tess and her fabulous dressers and love or hate him Brucie all make my Saturday night now for the next twelve weeks, as the winter nights draw in.

Saturday sparkles and sequins, can't wait!

Evening all x x x

Friday 4 October 2013

Day 211

When you are allergic to something like shampoo, dear Reader, checking the ingredients is a long, complicated and time consuming task. All the ingredients have long boring names and there are usually lots of them to check. I am allergic to around forty different ingredients found in toiletries such as shampoo. 

Often what will happen is that I will think I have found a shampoo, only for me to react a few washers later.  Baby shampoo has fragrance in it. Simple products are not as 'Simple' ingredients as you may think. Same with medicated shampoos too.

My nickel and house dust mite allergies are much more easier to control, even with house dust mites being everywhere. But with fragrances it is so hard to find the right products. Why do they have to give the ingredients such long, boring names that take forever to check? Surly they could make them easier. My eyes cross over and I get really fed up and I switch off and lose interest fast. Something I should not do for something so important that could cause serious harm to my health.

I think there is a huge gap in the market for an easy shampoo to buy if you have this allergy. Basically all shampoos have the same ingredients. So unfortunately for me the only thing my head is getting is a headache trying to find the right product!

Evening all x x x

Thursday 3 October 2013

Day 208, 209 and 210

Well it was the hubby and I, 20th anniversary since we met and it was not off to a good start, I woke up feeling really, really ill, dear Reader. I manage to make it for our meal out, but knew I was in real trouble. I just felt hat at any moment I would just pass out. So when we got home I just tried to rest on the sofa, but it just got worse and worse. I began to feel really cold and could not stop shivering.

Knowing this time it was not an allergic reaction that was making me ill, I decided to call my doctors for advice, telling the receptionist my symptoms. Luckily they were willing to let the duty doctor take a look at me straight away. I had no energy at all, but managed to make it to the doctors and was called straight away in to see the doctor.

When I saw which doctor I was seeing my heart dropped. I had chose not to see this particular doctor ten years ago because I felt he did not listen and he was supposed to follow something up for me and he never did which meant it could not get dealt with properly.

So in I go to see him shivering really bad now and feeling even more poorly. All he was going to do was prescribe me steroids, even when I explained to him over three times that they did not do any good and that I would just be straight back when they had finished as they did not work. Also I explained that we had worked so hard for me to come off them. I also explained that I thought this was a different problem as I had not had these symptoms before. He now was actually typing the prescription up for steroids. Not really listening or thinking he knew best.

He then unbelievable said you need these now as if you don't your body temperature can be affected and you will not be able to control your body temperature and you will have to go in hospital! So I again told him that I thought that was perhaps the problem as I was shivering feeling really cold, but was hot to the touch.

I think then he actually took notice and he did then phone the hospital and I was admitted, because that was the problem, dear Reader, so I have been back in hospital to get fluids through a drain as the problem was caused by me losing so much skin it as affected my body temperature and I no longer could control it. They were going to keep me in while Friday but luckily after one night with the fluids been pumped into my vein I felt much better so twenty four hours later they allowed me home.

On the down side they have put me back on steroids but are keeping me on them all the time now as the problems for me start once I come off them, and how ill I become when I come off them far out way the side effects that steroids can cause when you are on them. They also gave me some more meds to protect me from those side effects. With the hope that once I am much better the dermatologist, will try me on the new immune system drugs. I am just so glad that I spoke up in the doctors or I would not have got the right help at all.

On the plus side, the hospital staff were wonderful, I had lovely meals, regular cups of tea and was well looked after. I also made new friends on the ward who I will stay in touch with.

I am now feeling much better now and our 20th anniversary will be one we will remember, me spending the night alone in a single hospital bed!!!

Evening all x x x