Now I Know Why ........

Hi dear bloggy friends.  Yesterday, number 2 daughter asked me if I would pop into town to change something for her.  Obviously, it is easier for me to just go in on my own, rather than her coping with the two little ones, especially at this time of the year!

Anyway, the traffic on the way in was pretty horrendous (and I was in there by 9.30 a.m.) and I spent ages looking for a parking space in the Mall.  By the time I was in the queue for the tills, I suddenly thought to myself "Now I know why I buy most of my present on-line".  It really is much more civilized.

I always try to keep my posts fairly upbeat, because I think there is enough doom and gloom out there in the world at the moment, and I also know that several of my Followers are coping with illnesses that they have to live with every single day.  However, I have to confess  that I'm  feeling just a little 'down' at the moment.  Most of my 'older' Followers will know that I have problems with my skin, and that I am anaphylactic.  You will also know that, following a visit to a Kinsiologist two months ago, I completely changed my eating regime, in the real hope that this would make a difference.

Sad to say, it hasn't altered things one iota, and there has been no improvement at all.  I went to see my G.P. yesterday, and she said that, really, my problem is so deep rooted that changing the diet isn't really going to do anything for me.  It is the irritation that I am finding most difficult to cope with.  Apart from the itching, I feel as if I am on fire all the time and it hurts even when I wear the softest of fabrics.

Two weeks ago, I was given a course of tablets and I had to take four every morning.  To my absolute delight, the irritation went away, and I really felt on top form again.  BUT, two days after I stopped taking them, it all came back again :(  So the Doctor has now given me another course, but informed me that they were Steroid Tablets (I thought they were anti-biotics) and, as we all know, with anything steroid, you get other problems.  As with my extremely thin skin, from using steroid creams for 40 years or more.  Apparently, these will thin my bones! Although, to be honest, I don't really care about my bones at the moment, as long as I can get some relief!

To top it all, last evening I had another anaphylactic attack and had to use my Epi-Pen.  These seem to be occuring more and more these days.  Just to give you an idea of what happens with these attacks, I am showing you a photo, which is just part of my arm.  These marks are all over my arms - attractive - NOT!!  It's not too bad at the moment, because I can cover up, but it's really not funny in the summer months.

You can probably understand why this is starting to get to me at the moment!  Anyway, I really don't want to leave you on a downer, so here is a little Christmas poem for you.  Onwards and upwards peeps!!  I know that a lot of my Followers absolutely love their pooches and, of course, we will have little Alfred with us for Christmas, so hopefully this will make you smile a little amongst all the rush.

A Puppy's Christmas.

It's the day before Christmas, and all through the house

the puppies are squeaking an old rubber mouse.

The wreath which had merrily hung on the door,

is scattered in pieces, all over the floor.

The stockings that hung in a neat little row,

now boast a hole in each one of the toes.

The tree was subjected to bright-eyed whims,

and now, although splendid, it's missing some limbs.

I catch them and hold them,

"Be good" I insist,

They lick me, then run off

to see what they've missed.

And now as I watch them, the thought comes to me,

that theirs is the spirit that Christmas SHOULD be.

Should children and puppies yet show us the way,

and teach us the joy that should come this day?

Could they bring the message that's written above,

and tell that, most of all, Christmas is LOVE.