Being Positive

It would be easy right now to disappear into a fit of woe me...however I am grateful for the improvements the last week has given me. I can now cut up my own food, and don't need to use a china cup as I can manage to hold a mug. I do sometimes like to use a china cup, but when it became a need it wasn't such fun.

Yesterday I worked a light shift at the care home...was absolutely knackered by the end of it, but it was good to get out for a bit. Also managed to check in on the Auntie I've been helping on Monday morning. No long hospital shifts yet, but soon hopefully. 

So I've lit the woodturner...I can do that again now, which was a no no a couple of weeks ago. The rash has gone, it's just the joint stiffness that's causing a few issues now. It will pass. Just in its own good time.

Have found a couple of pork chops in the freezer so they will be for our tea, a few roast potatoes and some veg I have in the freezer. A part jar of homemade apple sauce is sitting in the fridge needing to be used, and lashings of gravy on the top should see two satisfied tummies. Sorry hubby, but as yet there will be no afters, even if you do look at me hopefully when you ask the question!

Hoping to Wassail our apple trees later with son in law. Not sure if the little ones will join in. I couldn't have even entertained it on twelfth night so it's rather convenient that there's old twelfth night too!

Currently drinking glassfuls of pineapple juice which I don't normally have. Just read that it's good as an anti-inflammatory so maybe it's a case of the body craving what it needs.

The cats are playing games of please may I...come in...go out...crazy cats!

This time of year I usually make plans...well that hasn't happened at all up to now.

We do have a trip away planned soon, but I'll tell you all about that when it's actually happened.

Have been spending some money from the fireside...darn that internet shopping...some wool underwear...and washing liquid to look after said underwear...My skin has become more sensitive to acrylic fabrics so I'm trying some natural alternatives.

Also have purchased a new hair brush...a wooden one. My plastic ones have developed a horrible tackiness which is truly yuck.

Have even purchased a Fussy deodorant which is more natural and refillable. Really pleased with it so far. May even go as far as trying to convert hubby to one from his spray.

Finally a totally random photo of the crackers I made for Christmas...they were rather large!

Blessings, J. x

Tentatively Getting Back in the Saddle of Life

So this afternoon I sit at our kitchen table...listening to some relaxing Don Williams on Spotify, and a small jigsaw just completed. A leg of lamb is sizzling in the Aga...mint sauce has been prepared. Stuffing and root vegetables are roasting. And what is really amazing about this...I have done the lions share of the preparing. Only a few days ago this would have been unthinkable. Our bodies really are wonderful. I still feel stiff in my joints, and am likely to on and off for the next few weeks, still such an improvement. The only sign of the awful rash is some mottling in certain areas. Hallelujah indeed!

The images are from our visit to RHS Rosemoor's Glow event just after Christmas...it was the best I'd seen it.

And so here's to onwards and upwards.

Blessings, J. x

A Journey Of Sorts

Just a quick pop in...apologies for my absence and lack of response to your comments on my last post. I've been in my pit of sickness well and truly.

New Years Eve we spent the evening with good friends. I noticed my neck itching slightly however was wearing a fluffy jumper. New Years Day scratching continued...was it a flea, or bed bugs...

Tuesday morning I was worse...the rash was in my groin, under chest, arm areas and back of head. As I'd recently taken antibiotics I was encouraged to see a nurse, and then a doctor, who decided I had a drug induced yeast infection. Lots of creams, shampoo, and on Wednesday the first of a weeks worth of tablets. The rash which was very itchy had meanwhile spread and I was beginning to feel pretty awful. Within a couple of hours of having taken the tablet my lower lip had swollen. A bit of reading and we were on our way to A & E. Preventative medication given, and a stay to make sure all would be well. We arrived home in the early hours of Thursday morning. Me feeling by now dreadful. Oh and by now they had decided it was not a yeast infection.

Thursday still feeling awful, my eyes and top lip swelled in a most delightful fashion. Aches and shivers stayed with me all the while. Through Friday, Saturday, and Sunday the rash did it's best to drive me to distraction, fading to purple bruise like formations, then the next wave of angry red would appear.

Nights were fitful to say the least. On Monday youngest came over and it felt heaven like to have my hair brushed and put up out of the way of my itchy neck. I began to feel slightly better. I even sat up. We had decided I must show some pictures of my rash in its various stages to the doctor. They phoned and said not an antibiotic allergy, but a virus gone wild due to a compromised immune system, which could in part have been due to the antibiotics. However I am also pointing a finger at the varnish stripping gel I had used before Christmas. Anyway...spoke to the doctor at lunchtime, and then to aid my itchy skin I had an oatmeal bath which worked wonders, however my joints started to hurt. I couldn't use my fingers, elbows, wrists or shoulders. Since then it has worked through my knees feet, lower back and even jaw.

For want of better words it has been a blooming nightmare.

Slowly but slowly things seem to be improving. Still haven't come to terms the new year has begun, I fear January may well pass me by in less than favourable terms. 

Hope to look in on your blogs soon, but for now I hope you all have had a better start to 2024 than I have!

Blessings, J. x

Never Been Touched

So tomorrow begins a New Year...never been touched and full of hopes and dreams. I hope each and every one of you gets treated well by 2024.

2023 I have had a few issues with, but amongst all the pain and sadness we welcomed a granddaughter and saw our youngest get married.

The weather really is frightful, but our fire is so delightful so I have enjoyed an afternoon cup of tea with a slice of rather good if I do say so myself Christmas Cake.

Feeling rather thirsty I made my tea in a breakfast cup!

This evening we are gathering with some very dear friends and I am very much looking forward to it...along with a cheeky Chinese takeaway.

Happy New Year Everyone,

Blessings, J. x

Merry Christmas One And All

 What it says on the tin really...wishing all the dear souls who read my ramblings a Very Merry Christmas, and Happy New Year. Things are predictably rather hectic here today and I can't see that changing for a day or two...just how I like it to be though!!

I would say I'll be thinking of you whilst enjoying a glass of baileys or sherry, however I'm currently on a second course of antibiotics so it may have to wait for a few more days yet. There is a lot of January to get through though!

And so... From Our House To Yours

Good Health!

Blessings, J. x

Finally

So pleased to finish these earlier this afternoon.

One each for the boys. A note in the magic tin revealed not an edible treat, but the place to find them. 

A photo shoot followed. My goodness...the end of the school day...nativity this morning, excitement and well two little boys were quite difficult to capture...well capturing them was easy, but getting a photo you would want on your wall was rather elusive!

My plans for December have changed somewhat. A poorly relative has been in need of much help, so help I have been doing, which has left me with much less time to prepare for the upcoming festivities. I'm not overly worried by this though. What really needs doing will get done, the rest can be forgotten. Needs must at the moment.

So once again a big apology for not commenting on your blogs. Hopefully I will be a little more back in the game again now. I have made 2lb of sweet pastry this evening so that after my care duties in the morning I can crack on and make a load of mince pies. On Saturday we are hosting an outdoor carol service for the village and whoever they wish to invite. I am making mince pies and sausage rolls for the occasion. Some people are also coming in afterwards to play bingo. We know how to party in North Devon! I guess this means I need to have a good clean and tidy too!!

We have had all kinds of weather since I was last writing in this space. Rain, wind, sun, snow, mainly rain though. Here's hoping it dries up for Saturday evening.

Much to do, so for now...

Blessings, J. x

In Case You Were Wondering

Life has thrown a few yucky bits at us in the past few weeks. Hubby's Auntie passed away at the care home I work at, followed a few weeks later by her husband, also a resident at the home. This afternoon is his funeral. I am feeling so sad. Not having them there has altered the dynamics totally for both the staff and other residents. To top it all another of hubby's Aunties has been taken to hospital with sepsis at the weekend and transferred to a more specialist unit. It feels as though the whole generation is falling away from us.

My body has succumbed to the stresses and I currently have swollen glands and ache like there is no tomorrow. The little people were the same at the weekend...felling absolutely rotten on Saturday, but there is hope as by Sunday they were back to their usual bouncy selves. As mine started three parts of the way through a hospital shift yesterday with a dry feeling in my throat and quickly progressed I am hoping that for me too the ailment is short lived. 

Some good news to impart though...all being well our two blue little ones next door shall either become three blue ones or a mixed bunch early next May! Daughter had been feeling very yucky, but seems to be improving as the pregnancy progresses.

At home I have been redecorating the dining hall. The walls are done, but I've also been stripping the oak furniture...what a time consuming mucky job that is. Certainly a true labour of love. We are going to raise up up the top part of the dresser...that has in itself been a story! No photos just yet...I want to wait until it is all done.

Anyway, time to rest.

Blessings, J. x