Rosie's Adventure: My First Trip Outside In Almost 4 Years...

Hi Honeys, 

How are you today? All well I hope?  This morning I was in the kitchen, watching two adorable collared doves at the feeders on our little apple tree when it dawned on me how many leaves there are all over the garden.  It was pretty windy, and rainy, during last night so, it's officially autumn then I suppose.🍂

Poor Hubby.  Every year he spends hours in our back garden, cleaning up all of the leaves only to go back inside and in no time at all, you'd swear the trees wait until he closes the back door and give themselves a good shake, because it's just as "leafy" all over again.🍂😊 

I'm so sorry I've been missing for so long.  Things have been happening.  Not world ending things, but they've certainly made life challenging.  Yes.  Challenging is a good word for it.  

I have no idea how long this post will be, but I get the feeling that this is probably a post to get comfy for honeys.  It might be a good idea to go grab a cuppa (and maybe a cookie or two... no, bring the pack🍪😊) and I'll meet you here after the break?  See you in a few minutes...

Meal Prepping To Save Money And Energy...

Hi Honeys, 

How are you today?  Well and happy I hope and looking forward to the weekend ahead.🤗  Hubby & I, as we do every weekend, started writing our shopping list earlier tonight and it dawned on me how much we meal prep these days.  Far, more than we used to.  The reason we're doing it, among other reasons (which we'll get to) is because it saves on our utility bills, therefore saving us money.  

Watching where the pennies go is getting to be, not just important, but downright essential right now honeys.  Here in the UK, everyone's utility bills have just shot up to alarming levels.  Ours has almost doubled to £217 per month.  When this is added to the prices of grocery items going up on an almost weekly basis, and the fact that we only have one salary now, well it's getting scary dear ones.  

Meal prepping and filling our freezer though, really have been helping make our grocery budget stretch a little further.  "How is it helping, Rosie?"  I hear you ask.  Well, it helps like this honeys...

Scenario one:  I decide to make one of Hubby's favourites as a treat for his dinner.  Lasagne.💖  Into the kitchen we go and rustle up a lovely, tasty lasagne. (Hubby always helps, thank you sweetheart x)  Dinner is eaten, happy Hubby, dishes done and put away.  

Or...

Scenario two:  Instead of cooking enough beef mince to make one lasagne, we cook two huge packs of beef mince, adding all of Hubby's favourites, including his fave pasta sauce.  From this enormous pot of beef mince in gorgeous sauce (yum😋) we then create one large lasagne for dinner.  So, Happy Hubby again, 

but in addition...

  

The same huge pot of beef mince also allowed us to create (as you can see in the photo above): 

* Three more large lasagnes 

*four dishes of yummiest, make-ahead mince (square dishes on the right hand side) which can be frozen, to later be removed from the freezer and then have a layer of fluffy mashed potatoes added on top to make cottage pie, or maybe little potato slices to make hot pot.😋 

*Four dishes of this delicious minced beef with pasta (I used macaroni or elbow pasta) mixed through and a little grated cheese on top. 

*A large dish of spaghetti bolognaise - where our beef in pasta sauce is used as a base for cooked spaghetti.  The spaghetti and pasta sauce is all mixed through and is soooooo yummy when re-heated.😋  

So, how does this help save money and energy Rosie?

Well, instead of making one dinner, I've created so many more but I've used the same energy honeys.  It's the same ring on the stove top to cook the mince, and if I'm going to cook a yummy lasagne in the oven, why not cook four of them?  The oven is still turned on for the same amount of time, burning the same amount of electricity.  

The other dishes were made using the cooked beef mince in it's yummy sauce and by adding cooked pastas.  All of these extra dinners then went into one drawer of the freezer.  

Putting the "prep" into "meal prep"

Hubby said it best when he said it was like "banking future dinners."  He also made the point that it's a bit like having lots of "ready meals" but so much healthier, because there are no additives or preservatives being added.  All of those worrying E numbers etc.  

He's right, of course.  We know exactly what's in each meal because we put it there.  We know it's healthy and good for us.  Having all of these "banked" dinners is also helping in other ways too.  

These batch cooked dinners are so, so great to have in reserve on days when my arthritis or spine pain is making life difficult, because even if I'm not strong enough to cope, I know my sweet Hubby has a lovely dinner in the freezer.  

Planning our meals...  

Every Friday, before Hubby does our weekly shop next day on the Saturday (love you sweetheart x) we plan out our dinners for the week ahead, using a board that hangs in our hall.  This shows us what we need to buy that weekend, it also means I know what we're having for dinner each day and acts as a great reminder of what needs to be take out of the freezer each day too.  

If we're having one of our "banked" dinners from the freezer, then it will be taken out of the freezer the night before and place it into the fridge to allow it to defrost.  It's then placed into either the air fryer or into the microwave.  The meals are all already cooked, so they just need heating.   

Over to you then honeys.  Do you meal prep?  Have you tried batch cooking to save on utilities and cooking time in the kitchen?  Do you have any tips to share?  Why not leave them in the comments section below?  Are you taking part in Blogtober?  Why not leave a link to your blog or youtube channel in the comments, I'd love to visit and I promise I'll say hello when I do.🤗  

Till tomorrow then dear ones, thank you for visiting and keeping me company, have a fabulous weekend, hugs always x

Healthy Snacking Made Easy...

Disclaimer:  I'm not being pad to recommend any products or stores, just sharing our little healthy snacking hacks.💖

Hi Honeys 

Welcome back🤗 Day two of Blogtober and today I thought I'd share how we're trying to make our snacking habits a little healthier🍉🍊🍋 

As with everything in life, a little planning can go a long way and when it comes to healthier snacking, planning is everything.  Imagine, you're at home and start to feel a wee bit peckish.  Into the kitchen we go in search of nibbles.  

Now, I know when I'm hungry and go looking for something to eat, whatever is to hand is what will be munched on.😋  Off to the fridge I go and open the door, and this is where that planning I mentioned is just everything...

Prepare, prepare, prepare...

It takes no time at all to wash and slice up some carrots to make yummy, crunchy carrot batons.  The same can be done with cucumber too.  Why not make celery sticks and keep a jar of your favourite (healthy) dip in the fridge too?    

Why not peel and slice your favourite fruits?   What about berries?  Having watermelon slices to snack on is not only healthy, but a great way to work towards staying hydrated too.  Any and all of these can then be stored in containers in your fridge, all ready for when anyone is feeling peckish or to be taken to work to ward off the attraction of those vending machines.😊

The best thing is that all of this preparation could take maybe an hour or so and you can fill your fridge up with enough healthy snacks to last you all week.  

Imagine making up a huge healthy, crunchy salad on a Sunday and filling up sealable containers, and then knowing that each day you can just reach into the fridge and there's a healthy lunch waiting to be enjoyed?

 

This can save you money too honeys.  Why eat takeaway food for lunch when it's so easy to plan ahead and you get to choose what you love too?  

Perfect portions always waiting...

Back to healthy snacking then.🍎 How awesome would it be to wander into the kitchen and find perfect little portions of yummy treats all waiting?  

Small containers and jars can be collected and used to help prepare your snacks.  Among our favourites snacks, usually prepared on a Sunday for the week ahead, are frozen fruit or berries in the bottom of a glass jar, this jar is then topped up with natural (unflavoured and unsweetened) yogurt. Another popular choice with both Hubby and I are little containers of raisins or dry roasted peanuts.   

Containers for those snacks...

In Pound/dollar stores you'll usually find sets of tiny containers for around £1/$1.  We bought these little glass jars (intended to be used for homemade jams or preserves) in a set of 3 for £1 a while ago.  The plastic tubs I think came from small mouses of some kind but the containers were such great quality I kept them.  

   

It's really not necessary though to buy these things.  If you take a closer look at your usual weekly grocery shop you might find that you have little jars of sauces etc.  When these are empty, wash them out and keep for snack preparation.  For nuts, crisps/potato chips or fruit, why not use small zip lock bags?  These can last quite a while if carefully washed, dried and re-used.

So, there we have it honeys.  Our tiny attempt at healthy snacking.  Some of these things we've been doing for quite some time and some are recent additions, like the little jars of carrot batons, also joined right now in our fridge by jars of cucumber batons and jars of tiny cherry tomatoes.😋

What are your favourite snacks?  Do you meal/or snack prep?  Do you have suggestions for different snack combinations?  If so, why not share them in the comments section below?  

Till next time dear ones, thank you for keeping me company, hugs always, xx  

How To Start Over When You Can't See A Way Forward...

Disclaimer:  This post is not intended to be medical (or any other kind of) advice!  Please honeys, if you find yourself feeling as I have these past months, please seek help from your Doctor or other medical health practitioner, call a friend, family member or there are volunteer agencies such as The Samaritans, your local Church, so many others who can help.  You're never alone honeys, please reach out to someone x  

Hello Honeys 
I'm so sorry I've been missing for so long.  I really didn't mean to fall off the internet but that's essentially what's happened these past few months.  I've been feeling very low.  

Five words. "I've been feeling very low."  They don't come close to describing how I've been feeling dear ones.  For months now, everything, every little thing, has been such a tremendous effort and it's left me feeling beyond exhausted.  All the time.  A great, cosmic straw has drained all of the energy I've ever had, it feels like.   

Maybe whatever we've all been dealing with in the last 18 months or so, since the pandemic appeared, has been somehow magnified by being locked away in our homes?  We've all been kept away from our regular routines, from seeing family members and friends and for many, even from our workplaces (so many, including Hubby, are still working from home.)  

It has to affect us all somehow, all of this taking away of our familiar, our everyday, our coping mechanisms.  I know that it has done with me. 

I've a feeling this might be a longer post honeys, so why not go grab a cuppa (and maybe a cookie or two 🍪) and we can have a chat?  See you back here after the page break, ok? 

Thoughts On My First Trip Out Into The World in 8 Months...

Disclaimer: I haven't been paid to recommend any products, just wanted to share my first trip outside since lock down x 

 Hi Honeys, 

Well, yesterday was an adventure! I was only out of the house for a little under an hour but it raised both my blood pressure (ended up with the worst headache) and anxiety levels, left me feeling completely drained and, to put it mildly, it knocked the stuffing out of me honeys 😨  

If you've ever read this blog before, you'll know I don't do "pity parties."  Nothing good has ever been achieved by sitting in a corner feeling sorry for yourself. I know, because in the past (until I learned better) I did it and determined to never, ever do it again.   

Now, sitting in front of a beautiful canvas and meditating (even when you're completely unaware, until a lovely person tells you, that's what you've been doing) can be life changing.  You can find out what I mean here, honeys x

So, what happened yesterday then, Rosie, and what have you found out? I hear you ask 😊  This is quite a long post, so it might be worth while fetching a cuppa (and maybe a cookie or two🍪) I'll meet you back here after the page break, see you in a mo...

Blogtober Day 24: About those healthy eating plates...

 Disclaimer: I haven't been paid to promote any products or stores, just wanted to share x  

Hi Honeys, 

Welcome to day twenty four of Blogtober. Can you believe we're about to move into the last week of Blogtober for 2020, and of course the last week of October.  Where has time gone?   As if that's not enough, the clocks change over tonight too! An extra hour to fill honeys, how are you going to fill it?

Hubby's going to help me declutter the master bedroom tomorrow, then we're (that's Hubby really, because pain in my spine won't let me stand for too long right now, thank you sweetheart x) going to shampoo the carpet.  Of course our furbaby Jade and I will help, we'll both be sitting on the bed offering encouragement, like "Honey, you missed a bit..." 😊

On to today's post then.  Have you heard about those healthy eating plates?  They've been all over the internet for some time now and, having diabetes, I was curious about them.  

When I first became aware of them I went looking online and they were expensive dear ones.  I just couldn't bring myself to pay around £18 for a plate.  Not in this lifetime.  There are so many other places for our money to go, to go splurge on a (albeit cleverly designed) dinner plate. 

Then a while ago, I spotted one of these healthy eating plates among a shopping haul video on YouTube (I'm sorry, I can't remember whose video it was, I'm so sorry, I would link back if I knew, it was quite a while ago) 

Well, they never appeared in our branch of Poundland (lots of items from hauls don't actually, it's not a great branch, mostly I think because it's a small store and shares the space with Pep & Co) but then Hubby was doing our grocery shop (thank you sweetheart x) and spotted this plate and (knowing I'd been looking for one) brought one home for me ...   

It really is lovely, isn't it honeys?  I like the design, it's so bright and would be a marvellous reminder to eat a healthy, balanced diet.  It's perfect for anyone trying to be mindful of their diet except for one thing.  It's huge. Honestly, it's bigger than our largest dinner plate, from a beautiful dinner service we were given as a wedding gift. 

I actually measured it, and from side to side across, it measures 10 ½ inches (or 27cm) and would hold more food than I could ever eat, I'm sure.  So, lovely though it is, my search continues for an equally gorgeous plate honeys. 

I do think it's lovely, but would just prefer it to be smaller is all.  In case you'd like to try one of these healthy eating plates, Hubby found it in B&M and it cost £2.  It's great quality actually, being ceramic and very heavy.       

Over to you dear ones, have you tried these healthy eating plates?  If so, what are your thoughts on them?  Till next time, stay warm and safe everyone, hugs always xx

Where To Download Face Mask Exemption Cards And A Free Printable Exemption Card

Disclaimer:  I haven't been paid to promote any sites or products. At the time of writing (and where I live) we are now all required to wear face coverings in public places and on public transport but not everyone is able to do this, due to health issues among other reasons, and by wearing an exemption card (possibly on a lanyard) others will understand why you don't have a mask on.  Just hoping this post can help fellow Spoonies who are (like me) unable to wear a face mask.

Hi Honeys, 

How are you today?  All well I hope, and staying warm.  The temperatures have dropped too quickly here from lovely Summer days to "where's my cardigan" this past week or so.  I'm starting to think we've skipped autumn and gone straight to winter.  

We may only be nearing the end of September but there are Christmas movies starting to appear on TV, with a whole channel (Sony Classic Movies) showing nothing else all day long and you tube haul videos are showing Christmas items.  The central heating is on and Jade's snuggling under her blanket next to me on the sofa for her nap💖 

Can you believe we're at the end of September honeys? Tomorrow sees the start of October, which of course means it's almost time for Blogtober.  Thirty one posts to write in thirty one days!  I adore blogging challenges honeys 😊  They can be exhausting, a lot of work and, yes, a challenge, but they're also a great way to discover some fabulous bloggers and their blogs and to make new blogging friends. 

Back to today's post though, and on to the subject of face masks. 

This year has of course been dominated by a terrible virus, a world wide pandemic.  We're all trying to stay safe and for Spoonies, with already present health issues, this can be really frightening.  

Wearing face masks has become the new normal and in fact, wearing them has become mandatory in certain areas such as in shops and on public transport.  Not everyone can wear a mask though. I personally can't.  I find it very difficult to breathe in a mask.  

You might remember that recently, before it became easier to find and buy masks online, I made a few masks for Hubby.  You can see the mask DIY post here honeys.  He's been working from home but still has to go into the office each week and I hadn't been able to find any for him. 

A few weeks after making Hubby his masks, while doing an online grocery shop, I discovered washable/re-usable masks being sold and ordered a few for Hubby and one for myself.  I have been home since the lock down in March but I decided to buy myself a mask in case I had to go out (such as to the Drs surgery) and as I said, I discovered I simply can't breathe while wearing it.  

What do we do then, dear ones, if we simply can't wear a mask?  Some stores, and other places, are even refusing to admit those not wearing a mask and, while mask wearing is mandatory, they do understand that not everyone can wear them.  

There are downloadable exemption cards available to wear, maybe on a lanyard, in order to let others know that you simply cannot wear masks.  These cards don't give any rights, they're only intended to inform others that there is a reason masks are not being worn. 

I've been trying to find some links to downloadable and printable exemption cards for you (more on those in a minute) and have also made you an exemption card too...  

Please feel free to use this card if you'd like to honeys you can download it here.   

Just download, print it onto card stock or why not laminate it, then slip into the card holding section of a lanyard? Alternatively, you could place it inside a clear travel wallet and again attach to a lanyard. 

The hidden disability sunflower lanyards are still available, you can find my post on them here.  It has lots of links and useful information .  

Back to those links then honeys, I've managed to find you some downloadable exemption cards, which you can find here:  

Links To Downloadable Mask Exemption cards:

Disability Equality Scotland: Disability Equality Scotland have a great information page, with 2 downloadable posters, 3 downloadable exemption cards and also some additional links too.  You can find their page here honeys. 

Thistle Assistance: Thistle Assistance have an awesome app (and card) offering help to anyone travelling across Scotland by train, bus, plane or ferry.   You can request a card be sent to you here and you can download their very useful app here.   

UK Government: There is an information page here on face coverings at the UK Government's web site, and on this page there are two downloadable documents, as well as a downloadable and printable exemption card and a badge.  

First Group:  First Group have an information page here and also has two downloadable/printable cards available here.

Asthma UK:  Asthma UK has an information page here and you can find their free downloadable exemption card here.   

I hope these links are useful honeys 💗

Wherever has this year gone?  Seriously though, how did we manage to find ourselves in autumn already?  I saw a little graphic on Pinterest that said "2020 - that was a waste of a calendar.." it's very difficult to argue that really isn't it honeys? I had so many plans for this year and, well, not many items ticked off my list unfortunately.  Maybe next year 😊 

Till tomorrow dear ones, the first day of Blogtober 2020, stay warm and well, hugs always xx

Covid-19: A Spoonie's Thoughts On The Corona Virus And Being At Home...

Disclaimer:  This is not health advice.  If you have any issues or questions, concerning the corona virus or anything else relating to your health, please talk to your doctor or health care professional honeys.

Hi Honeys
How are you today?  I dearly hope you're all well and staying safe.  We find ourselves living in very scary times right now dear ones.  The world is facing a pandemic. A worldwide virus that we don't have a cure for yet.

This will change. It has to honeys, and I'm praying there will be a breakthrough very soon.  There are so many doctors, scientists and all kinds of really smart people I'm sure, working on finding a way to stop the spread of this virus and to find a vaccine that can protect all of us against it.

For now though, all we can do is to follow the guidelines issued by our Governments, by the NHS and by health authorities, and do everything we can to keep ourselves and our families safe.

This will probably be quite a post honeys, it might be good to go grab a cuppa and maybe a cookie (or two) I'll meet you back here after the page break...

Tiny Steps Towards A Better Year...

Disclaimer:  I haven't been paid to recommend any products and I'm not recommending any exercises or diets.  If you have any health concerns please consult your health care professional for advice.  I'm just making my plans for the year ahead and thought we could share x

Hi Honeys
How are you today?  I'm sorry I've been missing, I haven't been coping all that well for the past couple of weeks.  The cold and damp is encouraging every joint in my body to rebel (or it feels like that anyway) and I'm ashamed to say the pain and exhaustion tag team has been winning the battle.  This just simply cannot be allowed to continue though honeys, it just can't.

I'm determined that this year will be better than last year, dear ones.  I know that I can't control everything (like the pesky arthritis for instance) but there are things I can control (hopefully) and I'm going to give it my very best try. 

Why not grab a cuppa (and maybe a cookie or two) honeys and I'll share what I'm hoping to achieve this coming year and maybe you can share what your goals are too? Maybe we could be each others cheerleaders?  OK, let's go make a cuppa and I'll see you back here in a few minutes dear ones 💖

Sunflower Lanyard Scheme For Hidden Disabilities...

Disclaimer:  I'm not being paid to highlight this wonderful scheme, I just recently discovered it and having health issues myself I just wanted to help raise awareness of this amazing resource. 

I know how frightening it can be to try to navigate the world outside our front door when also trying to cope with a disability.  Wishing you more spoons than you can ever use today and everyday dear ones, hugs always x

Hi Honeys,
How are you today?  All well I hope?  Our furbaby Jade & I are doing laundry today and, while waiting for the washing machine to finish it's first cycle of the day, I thought I'd take the opportunity to share a little information about a wonderful new resource I recently discovered that I thought fellow spoonies (those who, like me, live with a chronic or long term illness) might like to know about too...

Before we get started honeys, this post might well be a good, maybe 10 minute read, I would go fetch a coffee, and maybe a cookie? and I'll meet you back here in a few minutes.... just click on the read more button below to read the rest of the post...

How A Little Kitchen Trolley Became An Island And Helps Me Meal Prep With Ease...

Disclaimer:  I haven't been paid to promote any products or shops/stores honeys, just wanted to share our latest kitchen smiles and how it's making meal prep achievable for me x

Hi Honeys,
How are you today?  Can you believe we're headed into autumn again?  Hubby and I have been decluttering, emptying cupboards and re-organising.  The contents of the kitchen cupboards have been moved around to make everything a little more accessible and to make the kitchen a little easier to work in.

As you'll know if you've visited before honeys, I have mobility issues and the osteoarthritis in my lower spine has been making life not so fun for quite a while.  I have two choices dear ones, I can give up or I can try to set up systems around our home that will allow me to keep doing the things I love to do, like meal prepping, cleaning and even my beloved laundry.... what? You mean not everyone loves doing laundry?  OK, I know, I'm weird 😄

Some of these new systems really are already making my life so much easier though and I'm so grateful for that.

Today I thought I'd share one of the changes that's made the most difference (so far) We have a trolley situation going on in our kitchen dear ones and I love it (or them...)

I know what you're thinking honeys.  They look exactly like Ikea's RÅSKOG trolleys don't they?  Oddly enough, they're not from my happy place, Ikea, at all.

Why not go grab a cuppa and meet me back here in a few minutes and I'll share all...

Slow And Steady Wins The Race. How a chronic illness teaches us patience and how not to be too angry about it

Disclaimer:  This is NOT medical advice, if you have any health enquiries or problems please discuss them with your Doctor or health professional dear ones.

Hi Honeys
How are you today?  All well I hope?  I'm sorry I've been missing recently.  I'm learning to accept what is honeys, even if I'm not so happy about it.

For the past few weeks now I've been battling the extreme fatigue that's so well known to anyone living with a chronic (long term) health condition. Alongside this hideous feeling of complete exhaustion has been near constant pain, including frequent visits by the muscle spasms generally referred to by Doctors as "restless leg."

"Restless leg" has to be the worst, the most useless identifying name given to any health condition ever and has clearly been given by someone who has never suffered from the painful, uncontrollable jerking of limbs (since it affects more than legs, I have them in my arms too at times) which feel as if electric shocks are racing through the affected body part. 

Luckily my wonderful Doctor, now retired unfortunately and I miss him terribly, found a medication which helps to control this painful torment so I take my medication and wait for the spasms to pass.

Much like my arthritis dear ones, there is no beating it, no cure for it, there is only acceptance and doing my best to get through each day.

In fact, I'd say that accepting the limitations placed on us is the first, and definitely the harshest, lesson those living with a long term medical condition are faced with on our journey down the alternate route we've been forced to take in our lives.

No one, when young, healthy and able bodied, ever thinks to themselves "I'd better make the most of this, some day I'll have difficulty walking any distance at all."

It sounds depressing doesn't it dear ones?  If I'm honest some days it does feel like too much to bear and I don't cope at all well.  The thing is though, it really needn't be.  Why not grab a cuppa, and maybe a cookie, and meet me back here in a few minutes and I'll tell you why...

How I'm Adding A Touch Of Glamour To Every Day...

Disclaimer: I haven't been paid to write this post nor was I given any products.  This is an honest review of my recent purchase of two bras from the wonderful Ms Pomelo Company.

Hi Honeys,
It's Wednesday, it's raining but you know what? I really don't mind at all 😊  We've just had two amazing days in a row where the sun shone, there was a lovely breeze and I got to peg out laundry! Yaaaay!! If you've read this blog at all in the past you'll be fed up hearing how much I adore doing laundry, love it 😊

I was standing in the kitchen earlier watching the rain trickle down the windows and I felt the calmest, and happiest, I've felt in a long time. Summer is coming dear ones and I'm so happy I could burst!

I don't cope at all well during the winter months.  The cold and damp always combine to make my joints ache terribly and I lose all of my energy.  Every year I say I want to hibernate and I so mean it 😊

On to the subject of today's post then honeys.  I wanted to share a recent purchase from the lovely Ms Pomelo Company.  You might remember my singing the praises of this wonderful company last summer after attending an online webinar, which you can read about here. 

Well, dear ones, in the spirit of my self care project I'm trying to work on, I recently treated myself to two of the gorgeous Pola Negri bras from Ms Pomelo after receiving an email with an offer code in it and I'm so, so, so happy that I did! 

There is no doubt about it honeys, happiness is a comfortable bra and if that (very) comfortable bra makes you feel completely fabulous too then that happiness is beyond measure 😊  Let's take a look shall we?

Beginning My Self Care Journey: Why Hydration Is Vital For Health

Please Note:  This post does not in any way act as medical advice.  I'm beginning a new self care project and wanted to share what I've found out about how important hydration can be for our health.  If you suffer from any health conditions or would like to find out more about how hydration impacts on your health please speak to your doctor or health care professional for advice.


Hi Honeys
How are you today?  Autumn is very quickly turning into winter here. The nights are increasingly dark, chilly and unwelcoming.  So much rain honeys and so, so chilly in the winds.

I know I say it every year but I'll say it again anyway 😊  I firmly believe that it should be a legitimate choice at this time of year to hibernate.  As the weather turns cold, rainy and miserable I'd happily wander off upstairs to bed with a hot water bottle and our furbaby Jade to hug and just stay there!

Around early to mid March, depending on the weather of course, my dear Hubby could come wake me up with a lovely cuppa, a smile and a "it's sunny outside honey, I've put your first load of wash on and you have a new washing line up outside." Such joy!

I would (as near as my poor wee arthritis knotted body would let me) bound out of bed and happily throw myself into doing laundry and pegging it all outside 😊  I so love doing laundry honeys.  I adore it.  During the long, long (toooooo long) months when I can't peg my laundry outside I have the blessing of our "pulley" and I don't know what I'd do without it.

Lack of outside laundry pegging opportunities, lack of sunshine and a general feeling of "it's not summer anymore" blues are weighing heavily on me.  Added to this I still have that dreadful cough I've had for approaching four months now which the Doctor at the hospital told me has become bronchitis and my skin feels like it's never seen a drop of moisture in, well, ever really.

I mean, there are fallen leaves outside that are less dried out than my face feels honeys.  This is just yet another problem I'm going to have to address at a time when I'm feeling less able to cope with anything than I have in the longest time ever.  So, dear ones, I've made a decision.

My new project has to be me.  I'm going to have to focus on feeling better, because right now I'm so run down I'm just not coping with anything.  I've been ill most of this year and I've allowed a combination of low mood, zero energy and battling constant chest infections, headaches and body pain to beat me into submission.  So much so that I've given up any semblance of self care.  This has to change dear ones. Just has to.  My dear GP has tried to help by giving me antibiotics to try to shift this horrid chest infection which has now turned into bronchitis but I have to concentrate on helping myself too.

I'm going to make a serious effort to begin a self care routine.  First problem on my list to find a solution to, although there are others of course, is my turning leathery (eeewww!) skin.

I should quantify that statement by saying its not all of my skin.  It seems to be reserved to the skin above my eyebrows and on my forehead.  I can't understand it.  I've tried so many moisturisers, day cream, night cream but the dry, "flakey" patches re-appear.  Just ick!

OK, so first area to focus on in my little self care project then honeys is my skin.  There are, of course, other parts to my latest, and probably most important (after all what's more important than our health?) project though.  Other areas will include:

What To Expect When Having A CT Scan

Disclaimer:  This post is not intended to be medical advice.  Any concerns should be discussed with your doctor or health care professionals honeys, I just wanted to share my experiences in the hopes it might help others avoid being anxious about having a scan. 

Hi Honeys
These past few weeks have been eventful to say the least.  Do you remember the never ending chest infection I've been battling?  Well it's been over 3 months now and my wonderful GP, and he really is, sent me for a chest x ray.  The x ray had something on it that the radiographer at the hopital didn't like and my GP somehow managed to get me an appointment at the (incredibly busy) Respiratory Clinic and also requested a CT scan too, which I was told by the hospital bookings clerk when she called me, might take at least 5-6 weeks to arrange.

Next thing I knew I had a letter telling me I had a 9 am appointment on Tuesday of this week and later I had a phone call telling me I had an appointment for a CT scan at 1.30 pm that same day!

It genuinely is wonderful, especially in these days of way over-stretched resources, to be registered at the Practice we are, and to be cared for by such fabulous Doctors.  Our Practice has two Doctors, one Practice Nurse and the sweetest admin staff all of whom seem able to move mountains to help patients.

Over the last twenty years or so they've been our family GPs, they've always gone the extra mile to help, always listened,  never been too busy to return a phone call and have always referred me for tests if they've had even a little doubt over what ails me.  The Practice really is a treasure and being a patient there means the world to me.

So dear ones I thought I'd share what happened during my visit to the hospital in the hopes it might help alleviate any of the anxiety that I had for anyone who has to have the same tests.  Before we begin, take a few minutes to go fetch a cuppa🍵 and maybe a cookie too.  This is going to be a long post.  I'll wait, see you back here in a few minutes....

Apologies & A Little Rosie Update

Hi Honeys
I have to begin with a huge apology.  I've been neglecting this blog for too long, I'm so sorry for my lack of regular posts and thank you so much for being here anyway 💗  This hasn't been the best year dear ones.

This year started with a chest infection in January.  Antibiotics and a course of steroids saw that on it's way but the run down "someone's drained all my energy reserves" feeling has never left.

Absolutely everything has been such an effort this year and I haven't been able to do a fraction of the things I had planned.  I only work two days a week and even that has been too much for me for a while now.  Where I used to lose a day or so to complete exhaustion after my shifts I'm now losing two or more.  My energy reserves are so low now that everything is, as I said, an almighty effort.

Colouring, Coping & Catching Up...

Disclaimer:  I haven't been paid to promote any products or business. I'm just sharing my latest smiles.

Hi Honeys
I'm sorry I haven't been posting much lately.  I'm still battling this awful chest infection. I'd started feeling a little optimistic during the start of this week because there is now a (slightly) longer wait between coughing fits. Unless I walk from room to room.

Changes in temperature appear to set the coughing off instantly, even going to the back door to let our furbaby Jade out into the garden. It's been over four weeks now honeys and I'm so, so fed up with feeling ill now especially since earlier this week I started to feel a little better only to slide backwards again.  I've said in the past I don't do pity parties, and I so don't, but I've had it.  I'm willing to admit that it's almost beat me now.

Pain I can live with, all Spoonies do, so the sore lungs and the painful muscles supporting them can be put up with.  Arthritic pain is far worse, but not being able to breathe is frightening.  Waking up coughing and not knowing if I'll end up with my head hanging out the bedroom window desperately gasping for air, well honeys, that I can do without.

I was born with a form of bronchitis which damaged my lungs.  So the breathless thing has been with me for as long as I can remember.  As an adult I know winter usually brings a chest infection and I pretty much know how to cope with it till it gets better but usually it will last no more that a few weeks, generally around three.  This time though, zooming towards my fifth week, I've just had it.  This is the second chest infection this year, the last being in January and I'm praying it'll leave soon.

Enough of my moans dear ones 😊  So, how have I been passing the time then honeys?  I'm tired all the time because I can't sleep (I'm propped up with so many pillows because if I try to lay down, my breathing is apt to just (literally) stop and during the day I'm propped up on the sofa with cushions, a snuggly throw and our furbaby who won't leave my side, bless her.  So, not a whole lot of anything being done around here.

Do you remember I recently blogged about having discovered adult colouring books and how calming they are honeys?

Well, I'm not exaggerating when I say that colouring has been keeping me (as close as it's possible to  be right now) happy, especially when it hurts to even breathe these past weeks.

Even though I'm not at all good at it, that doesn't matter.  I find it so calming honeys.  I can sit happily colouring during the night by the light of my bedside lamp without bothering my dear Hubby.  It's a far better distraction from the coughing than the looped info-mercials that seem to dominate night-time TV after a certain hour.

5 Ways To Feel Better When You're Sick...

Disclaimer:  This is not medical advice.  If, like me, you've been feeling poorly, please consult your health care professional for advice and feel better soon dear ones x

Hi Honeys
I'm sorry I've been missing.  I'm currently battling a chest infection.  It's had me in it's merciless, can't breathe, can't sleep, all-sore-from-the-constant-hacking-cough grip now for... well yesterday was the start of it's third week!

Yikes! Not to worry though, I think (hopefully) I might be on the mend. I'm still coughing, at times sounding like some kind of demented seal, I still can't sleep, everything still hurts (especially the muscles around or supporting my lungs, all of the coughing has obviously done bad things to those poor muscles) but there's a slightly longer gap between coughing fits so I'm hoping there's light at the end of the tunnel.

So, how have I managed to put up with being stuck on the sofa for the past fortnight dear ones? Especially since the first week was actually vacation time I'd waited patiently for and had planned some major decluttering projects! Well, simply put dear ones, I've been able to put up with it because I haven't had a choice 😊

It helped of course that the first week was spent hiding under a huge blanket on the sofa and that I had my dear Hubby to look after me (thank you sweetheart x)  Even having Hubby here though (it was his week off work too, as I said we'd planned on getting some work done around our home) didn't stop me hating my lungs. I have to be the worst patient ever! I can't bear being ill, no patience for it. We had stuff to do after all!

So, other than going from the extremes of not being able to breathe to trying very hard to not cough up both lungs (yuk!) mostly I just desperately wanted all the noise to quieten down.  I've always had a problem with noise honeys, can't bear it, and when I'm ill it just becomes unbearable.  Thank the heavens we live in a (usually) very quiet little cul-de-sac but I swear on bad days I can hear the air move around me.. ick!

It can be a very difficult thing to cope with.  Being stuck at home, knowing there are things needing done but knowing you're not well enough to do them yet.  Anyone recognising this?

OK, imagine, we're past the very worst of what ails us but still marooned on a sofa on sick leave because...

• Dashing back to work too early will knock our recovery backwards and we'll end up having to repeat the fight towards being well all over again and 
• We don't want to go back to work while still contagious and then infect all of our workmates. Be kind and keep those cough and sneeze borne germs to yourself dear ones.  

5 Ways To Help Yourself Feel Better When You're Sick 

1. Get enough rest. I know, it sounds so obvious but how many of us keep going till we just can't anymore?  In order to get well our bodies do need to rest, so rest! Seriously honeys, rest is a medicine all of it's own.  You can help time pass by doing something fun, maybe something you've been meaning to do for a while but haven't had the time? Why not read a book or two? Watch a dvd box set or catch up on crafts? Time will pass and you'll be smiling 😊

2. Stay hydrated. When battling an illness it's so important to drink enough fluids.  Keep water nearby and sip often.  Warm water with a little lemon and honey will help soothe a sore throat as will warm broths or lovely calming herbal teas.

3. Be Mindful of hygiene.  Have a litter bin nearby to quickly dispose of paper tissues.  Keep a bottle of hand gel nearby too and use it if you cough into a hand.  If your poor body is battling bacteria or a virus already it's too easy to keep re-infecting ourselves by touching our face, especially eyes and nose, with germ filled hands.  I also change my pillowcase every morning.  If I've been coughing all through the night honeys, I don't want to be putting my face on that germy pillowcase next night.... ick!

4. Stay Warm.  When stuck on the sofa, why not be cosy with a warm fluffy throw to snuggle under? Wear your softest, fluffiest socks to keep your feet warm too.  So many of us have wooden or laminate floors now instead of carpets and cold feet don't help an ill body heal.  Even if you prefer bare feet indoors, I so do, it really won't help and bare feet let your body's heat escape as well as invite chills in. Why not wrap your shoulders and neck in a really pretty shawl? It'll keep you toasty warm and make you feel better, and maybe smile, too.  I always feel quite glamourous in a shawl, even if I'm wearing a nightie 😊

5. Do as you're told!  By your doctor anyway 😊  If you've been given medication, especially antibiotics, check with your doctor before stopping them.  He'll be able to tell you whether the original problem has been addressed and it's safe to discontinue them.  Many people start to feel better and quit taking medication only to find themselves feeling poorly again within a day or two. Doctor knows best honeys.

All very obvious, don't you think?  It really is! So why do we all find it so difficult to practice even a little self care when we'll gladly and happily run our body batteries completely drained looking after everyone else?  Self care is so important, and not just when we're ill.

About that self care...

Perhaps we should consider tiny acts of self care, such as having a manicure, a lunch with friends or even just some alone time, as deposits into a vital savings account.  This savings account might not pay for a holiday or help with the bills, but it does something arguably just as important. It helps us to function better, it makes us stronger and this in turn helps us to care for our loved ones.

When was the last time you made a deposit into the bank of you dear ones? When did you last do something, even a little thing, just for you?

I hope you've had a fabulous weekend dear ones and that you're looking forward to a wonderful week.  Till next time, smile lots and hug even more, huggles always xx

ps:  Just in case anyone is suffering as I am with an early autumn chest infection there is a wonderful information page from the NHS here: NHS chest infection information page feel better soon honeys x

Do You Need Solitude?

Hi Honeys
Do you need solitude?  Are you happy with your own company?  I am.  I need quiet, peaceful alone time. More than that, dear ones, I crave it.

The world outside our happy little home moves too fast for me, it's too noisy, too busy, too much. Inside the walls of our home I feel safe. I feel at peace. I can rest.

If I'm having a bad day or the arthritis pain is too much I go upstairs, sit on the bed in our master bedroom and stare at my canvas.  That wonderful image does more for me than all of the medication in the world ever could.

I can just sit, concentrate on my breathing, and mentally step inside this canvas, put my hand on the rail and walk down the steps. When I reach the beach, I can take off my shoes and (almost) imagine the sea air on my face, the sound of the waves and the sand between my toes.  

If I could, I'd happily live inside this beautiful canvas... with Hubby & our furbaby too of course.💖

I adore my job, I really do.  It's my connection to the outside world and for those couple of days a week I can chat, socialise and cope with the busy, noisy world but I only cope because I know that when I finish up my last shift of the week I can come home to our little oasis of calm.

When I step through our front door my shoulders relax, and I feel a profound sense of calm settle over me. Our home wraps itself around me and eases the stresses of the day away.  It's my sanctuary from the storm of noise generated by the world.

Where is your sanctuary honeys?  What do you do to escape from the world when you need to?  Is your sanctuary to be found in your home?  in music?  In the pages of a wonderful book? In the company of loved ones?

I wish for you your own little oasis of calm, your own precious retreat to calm your senses and feed your soul. Till next time dear ones, sending mountains of gentle hugs your way always xx  

 

Ms Pomelo Bras - How To Choose The Right Size Bra Every Time!

Disclaimer:  I was lucky enough to be awarded a fabulous Ms Pomelo bra recently at a webinar but I have not been paid to write this post, the opinions expressed in this post are my own.  I just want to let everyone know about my terrific experience with this terrific company.

Hi Honeys
Would it be OK if we chatted about something a little personal?  Do you know your bra size?  Are you sure?

I thought I knew my bra size but it turns out I didn't at all.  Now,  I'm a mature lady who has spent years buying my own undies and probably almost as long complaining and wishing I had much (really much) smaller breasts because of the near constant pain in my shoulders and in my spine.

Who knew that the design of your bra could have such an impact on your health? I certainly didn't honeys..... This really is a life skill we should all have, but I'm getting ahead of myself.

OK, this is going to be a long blog post, I'll wait, go fetch yourself a coffee and maybe a cookie, and we'll settle down and talk lady bumps....