Cigs. Day 11 or day 3?

Not sure after having those two cigs on Saturday, whether I should be on day 3.

But I am giving myself a tick for today as I haven't had one. If I can be forgiven for my lapse on Saturday which really, only upsets me, it could be day 11. Chin up lass, keep trying. Friends are backing me up on this, bless their cotton socks. Shame I never asked at work for donations for Children in Need.

Yes, it's that time of the year again.

I must remember to buy a poppy too.

Chickenpox and Measles.

Measles.

Now not as common thanks to the MMR vaccination.

Symptoms.

Temperature high or mild. Tiredness, poor appetite, runny nose and sneezes, irritable and dry cough, red eyes, (photophobia.) Sensitive to light. Tiny spots, white, in the mouth and throat.
The blotchy red rash starting usually, behind the ears and spreading to the face and to the rest of the body.

Takes about 10 to 12 days to start and make person feel ill. Infection spread through contact with a sufferer. Physical contact, sneezing and contamination from mucus helps spread infection.

Chickenpox.

Seven to twenty one days after being exposed to chickenpox, children could catch it. Sometimes there aren't any symptoms until the rash appears.

The symptoms.

Mild fever, tummy ache and feeling a bit run down. This can happen before the rash shows. Maybe a day or two before.
The rash can begin on the face, back, scalp and I suppose anywhere. Only the palms of your hands and soles of feet that rarely get the rash. I started on my tummy if I remember rightly.
Very itchy and tiny blisters soon follow, new red spots next to the blisters that crust over. Most children are chickenpox free after a fortnight. (We used to get 3 weeks off school.)

Causes.

This virus can spread quickly, especially with children. Coughing, sneezing, direct contact with open blisters. eg wearing someone elses jumper!

The itching spots should not be scratched, easier said than done. Could leave scarring, I was covered with Calamine lotion! It is said that a few tablespoons of bicarbonate of soda added to bathwater helps too. In tiny children, cotton gloves or socks could help to stop scratching.

Day ten or day two? Cigs.

Seeing I had two cigs on Saturday, is this day two or can I get away with calling it day 10? Would that be cheating?

Well, I still want a smoke. nearly had one before, very nearly.
It's when I think of them. I know that sounds daft, but when I remember and it happens a lot, that I am trying to stop, I then want one.

Some may say it's early days. is it? Should I still feel like this?
Not far off bedtime now so I might make it. I really hope so.
I do want to stop.
Funny isn't it, how you can talk yourself into the "one won't hurt" mode?
I know it WILL hurt.

Bedtime.

It's 23:01, nearly time for bed. Not had a cig today. Just had the odd feeling I needed one, but it wasn't that bad I suppose. I know I haven't beaten the craving yet, tomorrow might be another bad day. I have decided not to beat myself up for having those two. My supportive friends have told me not to do that.
I keep reminding myself that those two yesterday weren't as good as I thought they would be! Also, didn't put the higher dose patch on in the end.
So, I have decided that this is day nine and I am going to scratch off another bit of my support card thingy.
Good night and if you are trying to stop smoking, good luck, we need it don't we?

Day one?

After my lapse of two cigs yesterday, if I don't lapse today and I hope I don't, do I go back to day one? Not at all happy at lapsing. Oh well, didn't really enjoy them either. So why? Why? Why?
Luv from Unhappy. x

Whoops!

I am upset. Just HAD to have a cig. Really wish I hadn't now. It didn't taste that good either. I blame boredom, I blame everything but myself!
Will have to start again. I am really fed up. I wish it had made me sick, I wish it had made me so ill, that I would never have had another. I wish I hadn't smoked it. If wishes were horses..................

Soggy Saturday and stuff.

I hope soggy Saturday is followed by sunny Sunday. Maybe not much warmer but could be more cheerful looking. Oh, roll on summer. Then I will be able to moan about how hot it is.

Nothing of interest has happened here. I did go to work three times this week. It broke my resolve not to do more than two.

As for the cigarette thing, well, it's hard. I rather fancy one, last night I could have killed for a cig. I did resist though.

The thing is, I still have some in the house. Now some people say I should have got rid of them, I think I could be worse if I did that. If there wasn't any about, would it make it harder for me? I know himdownstairs wouldn't take me to a 24 hour store for some cigs.

Just to know there is some seems to help me, but if I wanted one that badly, I could just have one! Am I in a no win situation?

Ah well, back to my book. I keep nipping down to read my latest book. If I can lose myself in that, I forget what I am missing.

Well..........................Day 7.

Well, I just don't know. Am I winning or not? It's day seven, day six wasn't too bad, I was at work so fully occupied. Still fancied a cig though.

Been out shopping today, so not lounged around house doing nothing.
I am at the stage where I think that one or two, maybe in the evening won't harm. But it will won't it?? ? I know it will. So why am I asking any poor soul who may read this??

One day, I will forget to moan about cigs and will get out of bed thinking how how I have to struggle through another day. My blog will be cigaretteless.

Have tried before to stop, but I must say, this has been the easiest yet, whatever I say. Just feeling sorry for myself as I want a cig!!! The only person that I will let down if I have one, will be me!!!!

No Cigarettes. Day 6.

I gave you a day off yesterday. lol I am now starting day 6. I still would like a smoke. It's not that easy. I think I have been even tempered up to now. Himdownstairs stills lives!
I can smell the old cigs, must be "deep seated" in the carpets. Will go over them with carpet shampoo. I wonder if it will wear off in time. Most of it is in this room, that's where I mainly smoked.
Worked yesterday and am going again today. That is my working week over!
I know I am a boring person, more so than usual. But thanx for putting up with me. I need to let off steam while I am doing this stop smoking thing.
Mind you, I am a bore any other time too. (Please don't answer that!)

Tuesday, Day four.

Well here I am on day four. 16:06
Really would like a cig.
Just been reading on the help-line, about a gent who was on about 50 - 60 a day. He had been cigaretteless for a month. Maybe more by now.
The good news, from last night, my carbon dioxide levels are the same as a non smoker.
I find I wake up with a slight headache. Whether that has anything to do with the price of fish, I don't know. Will have to look it up! The headache goes as soon as I get up.
It's ok if I can forget that I am trying not to smoke, it's when I remember it's the hardest. lol Sounds daft I know.
Above there is pic to cheer me up! Nothing to do with smoking but wot the heck? I like it.

Dog, cute + Day 3..

This was sent to me by an e-mail friend. I am not at all sure that I am allowed to put it on my blog or not. But he is so cute!
Day 3 went ok but near the end of it, I must admit that I did feel like a smoke. Didn't though. It's now 21:35.

All sorts of things.

Jamie O'Hara.

Anyone heard of this singer? He is really good. My favourite song is "50,000 Names Upon the Wall."
I looked this up on the Internet and yes, there is such a thing. It's in Washington.
All the Service people who were killed in the Vietnam War. Their names are there.
The songs says, that every year, families go, look for their loved ones names and leave presents, flowers, photos cigarettes and things.
The site I am looking at now says there's 59,000 names.
Such a waste. Some, well a lot, where only kids.
I really hate war.

Fave Films!

After entitling this bit of blog with Fave Films, I don't think I have an all time favourite one.
But I could watch Forrest Gump a few times as I love it, also Grease and ET. I always cry at the same point when watching ET. Goodness me, I am 62 and should know better!

The first one we took our boys to see, was, Bedknobs and Broomsticks. They loved it. Bless 'em.

I think the first one I saw had Frank Sinatra in it. That's all I remember.

The Stinking Rose.

Has anyone been to the Stinking Rose? It's in San Francisco.
If you like garlic, it's the place to go! Garlic, garlic and even more garlic. Can even get garlic ice cream. I wasn't brave enough.
I did have a garlic boiled sweet. lemon I think it was. Nice!
In my bag, there is a strawberry garlic sweet.
Memories of June.
If I ever got to go there again,(pigs might fly,) I would revisit.
Mr Dracula certainly won't be dining there I can tell you that.

Not bad weather lately, well, until the night anyway. Then I feel cold. But in the sun it is quite pleasant.
Our electric and gas bills have doubled.

There's all this talk of ladies wearing veils etc, well.............
I, personally, don't like talking to people who wear those sunglasses where you can't see their eyes. I just don't know why! I know it's different but I always find it a bit unnerving.

Day 2.... 15:05

Still not had a smoke. It seems easy that it's dangerous.
Keep thinking that maybe, one won't hurt. But deep inside, I know it will.
Not killed himdownstairs yet, and he hasn't noticed that I haven't had one yet. lol Suppose it's the patches that keep me calm, usually we would have "had words" by now. Then I would think, "knickers" or words to that effect and gone and opened my still wrapped cigs. Yea, folks, unwrapped!
Some say I should have got rid of them all. I dunno, the thought of not having any in the house might just get to me.
Yes Bobbie, curtains in this room, washed!!! Got to iron them now. You know how much we love that job!!!!
Later that day...........
Curtains dry, ironed and back in place minus the yellow tinge!!!

21:54. Day One, part two.

Pleased to bore you by announcing that day one is nearly over and I haven't had a ciggie yet! I really hope I don't either. I know I won't have one today, not worth it now.
But it seemed rather easy. Presumably helped by going to work.
I am ok unless I think about it. Even then, I don't actually, yearn for one. Must be the nicotine patches.
This morning I did wonder whether to start tomorrow. lol But tomorrow never comes does it???
I had to pick a day at some time. Whichever day I picked, it would still feel strange.
I have a dummy cigarette, I am trying NOT to stuff my face with food.

Day one. No cigs!

It's only 11:38 am. Not had a ciggie yet. Not feeling bad either. Patch is in situ!
I know it's early but usually would have had at least two by now.
Going to work this afternoon. That will help. We are allowed to creep off for a smoke but I just won't bother. Hope no one notices. I don't want people to know.
I have washed my hair and hopefully, it won't smell of old cigs.
Of course, himdownstairs won't notice until just before I go to work and have my pre work coffee. lol The ones I usually would have had, well, they would be smoked secretly.
Not that I am nagged by himdownstairs. He is a non smoker but has put up with me for 41 years. But one time, I had a really bad chest infection/asthma attack, it frightened me and also him. He did ask me to cut down and I did quite well until I retired. Only smoking 3 a day I was.
Before that I used to be over twenty a day sometimes.
Do you know, I cam smell stale smoke in this room? I think I will have to take the curtains down and have a clean up in here.
Sorry to bore you! Hee hee.

Giving up cigarettes!

Today, I bought some nicotine patches.
Tomorrow is the day I have picked to stop!
I am only telling you, no one else, not for a day or three anyway!
If I crack the habit, I then will try and stop grinding my teeth. That's a habit I have got into lately.

Anyway, anyone out there who would like to join me in this battle? I promise to be honest with you and will tell you if I have a crafty one behind the bike shed. lol

In a funny way, I am looking forward to doing this. Yet I also dread it. I will see what happens.
I bought the patches from the chemist, I could have got them free from the doctor, I am at the age I can get free prescriptions. Wondered if it would help me knowing I had paid out money!

Finding Friends.

I have done another blog! (Oh no, not again!)
Yes, sorry.
This one is a bit like a message board for the world! Well, some of it maybe.
I just can't get a message board for every where. I know they are out there but I cannot find them.

I really hope to be able to get in touch with long gone friends in far away places.

My old address, no longer working, was mrsdanne@btinternet.com Now I don't expect people to remember that after so many years.

My name is Anne, I live in Lancaster, England. Now 62, but would be in my late fifties when I used to write to..............................................................

Karen, Mary Jo, Sue, Doreen, Wally and a good few more!

Thursday afternoon.

It's Thursday, it's wet, it's cool. Done my ironing. Read a bit too. Charged mobile phone up. I am now shattered. lol Got tea to plan on top of all that!
I worked yesterday. Got the "call" around dinner time, dashed round local supermarket, home coffee, changed and off to work I went. Finished at 9pm. Go again on Saturday.

My sister and brother-in-law should be home today. Dare not ring them in case they arrived home at some silly hour in the morning and are in bed!
Younger son seems to have a chest infection yet again. I am just hoping that he doesn't get pneumonia again. Three times is enough for anyone.

I am getting a bit fed up with stupid fireworks. This time of the year they start. Possibly kids setting them off in the street. Just hope they don't get hurt. These things, in my opinion, should not be sold until 3rd November at the earliest.
Yes, I am getting a moaning old divil and I don't care. My friend's dog goes mad hearing the bangs. Ours did too. Not fair on cats and dogs, maybe other animals too. And also, they set the stupid things off very late at night. I presume that they wake not only babies and little kids but also us older people too. (Am I allowed to say older?)
OK. Just in case, could wake up fully grown people too!!!!

Return To Jarrow.

I read this book, you may have noticed. I received a lovely note from the lady who wrote it. Janet MacLeod Trotter. Bless her, she must have forgiven me for getting her name wrong!
Apparently, it was one of a trilogy and me, being me, read the wrong one first.

I empathise with Catherine Cookson. She was born to an unmarried mother. More complications than me though. I always knew my mum was my mum!
But, she had an idea who her father was, she had a name. Not that she ever met him.
I am like that.

I know my biological father is dead. I have his name too. Unlike Catherine, I have spoken to my half brother. Only the once and since then, nothing. Seems they don't want to know.
Like Catherine who spent most of her lifetime, wondering and wishing, I feel the same.
It just feels, sometimes, that half of you is "missing."
All I needed from my half brother was some idea of what my father was like. His health, his life etc. It would have been lovely to meet half brother too. I did try. Went to San Francisco and that was an hour away from where he lived. Sent a postcard saying we were there. Nothing!
I suppose sister and I could have gone to his house, we did think of it.
To give him the benefit of doubt, he may have moved. Not got my postcard.
I sometimes regret not going now. But wouldn't want to turn up uninvited.
I did ring half brother's step sister, her husband answered the phone and said she didn't want to speak to me. WHY???? What do they think I want? She wrote to me once and told me to get a life. Yes, but they hold the key to some of it.
I would like my boys to know their full background and it would be nice if my granddaughter knew some of it too.

On my mother's side, I have been given family records back to 1788. I think that is wonderful. All this was thanks to my second cousin, twice removed. Thank you G. She did all the hard work.

Poor me.

Never managed to get the reel to reel tape recorder. Got outbid. Huh.
My fault, so scared of it not working, I don't dare bid high enough. Tight person aren't I???? Oh well, maybe one day eh?

A pic from a couple of years ago. I love this one. Shows the end of a walk we did, featuring my sister, my granddaughter and my great nephew. I was lagging behind.
But I think this is a great photo. Bet I slept well that night!

Forty one years!

Today, we have been married for 41 years. It's a lifetime. Get less for murder! lol
No romantic plans but that ain't new. We aren't the hearts and flower type. A quick, "Happy Anniversary" suffices!
Got an e-mail type greeting from my friend in the USA. Thanks Bobbie.
She tells me her brain cells are failing but I disagree, she must have a couple working to remember.

My Photos.

Himdownstairs came upstairs today. lol He put my pictures on the wall! At last.
I think they look quite nice. But wot a palaver getting them straight. Wondered at one time whether it was worth the bother.
Now I think it was.
Seems hard to believe though, I took the pics and harder to believe, I was there!

Amazing!

Amazing, was woken up by thunder this morning. I don't remember it thundering at all this summer, not at this end of the country. (N.W.) Mind you, memory not as good as it was.
It's good in some ways I suppose, not having a good memory!
I am reading a book I have read before, read a few chapters before I realised! Cannot remember how the story goes and certainly have forgotten how it ended.
I am not alone in this..................
Thank goodness.

I want..................

Them that want, never get. That's the saying isn't it?
I want a good working reel to reel tape recorder. One of those big things that had their heyday before cassettes and CDs.
I got one for my 21st birthday. Didn't celebrate 18th birthdays then.
A few tape recorders later, have a few tapes but the tape recorder has withered with age.
I am trying to bid for one on Ebay but alas, I think it will too much for my budget. Can live in hope I suppose. lol
On the other hand, I don't think so in this case.

Boring!

Goodness gracious, today I have been quite bored.
I never have got round to joining sewing classes, and by gum, I need them.
Doesn't seem to be any at the College of Knowledge. Still, there is time yet.
Elder son arriving for a visit on Thursday and younger son and family are back, either tomorrow or maybe Wednesday. Hope you had a really wonderful time S,N & M and Y & M.
Amazing, postcard got here before you came back.
You are going to find it a bit chilly when you return.

My new phone!

Nokia Mobile. o2 Pay as you go.

I have purchased a new mobile phone. It's the Nokia 6230i. I am on pay as you go with O2.
It's a little smasher. It takes pics, has radio with a really good reception. Has a bigger memory than me. lol Also does video.
Now, as you may know, I am not good with gadgets. So, I am finding it impossible to send pics to another phone. I can do it ok with Bluetooth. Got that sussed. But I want to send granddaughter pics and some music.
I HAVE looked at the destruction book. Makes no sense to me though. I find these books only make sense when I know what I am doing.
I was getting on quite well and then granddaughter went home....................
Any plain talking, idiot type instructions welcome. Granddaughter has the same phone as me. Well, you have to spoil them now and then don't you?

Thank you o2 for your help in setting up my mobile phone.

Meatloaf.

Music, Meatloaf.

Meatloaf, the singer, not the food.
He is one of my favourite persons.
In Concert, he is wonderful. He puts all he has into his performance. Well worth seeing. His lady singer is excellent, they put on a good act when they sing together.
Pure Meatloaf, no "Guest" singers or acts.
I have seen him 3 times. Twice with niece and once with himdownstairs.

Health sites!

Good Health Sites on the Web.

www.Good health sites. Just a few Websites to try now and then. NOT INSTEAD of your GP of course!

www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk

www.besttreatments.org Common health probs.

www.netdoctor.co.uk General Health.

www.food.gov.uk Food.

www.cancerhelp.org.uk

www.quackwatch.org Worth a peek.

www.mht.org.uk Mental Health.

www.bhf.org.uk Heart Issues.

www.strokeassociation.org.uk CVA, Stroke.

Joined Slimmers Anon!

Have joined a slimming club and had good results. lol

Three Beautiful things.

Top Blog. "Three Beautiful Things." It's good. I bet I never got into the top 100, never mind the top one.
http://threeeautifulthings.blogspot.com
100 things to make you happy. Could I think of so many?
I think not. My needs are small, lol
1/ Health.
2/ Happiness. (Maybe the other way round.)
3/ Family.
4/ Enough cash to keep heads above water.
5/ Enough food, warmth and a roof over our heads.
6/ Friends.
7/ Books, computer, hobbies.
8/ Planning my next holiday. (Even if it doesn't happen!)
9/ Waiting for another grandchild.
10/ Being told that we are having another grandchild.

I think 9/ and 10/ should be higher ! Yes, a good bit higher. lol It would make my day!

Well!

Sunday, the weather is lovely today. Funny how it changes from day to day. That's England for you.
The lawnmowers are out in full force, bangings of nails etc have started again. lol
Not warm enough to sit outside and read though. I am in the middle of a book by Janet Mcleod Packer. It's loosely or maybe not, based on Catherine Cookson's life, but in fiction form. I think I have spelt the name wrong! Just gone to look but memory not as it was! lol
Updating this.
It is Janet MacLeod Trotter. (How wrong could I be?)
The book, "Return to Jarrow."
Sorry Janet!

Bored!

It's still wet and coldish. I am a bit bored.
Just a bit bored, no work, done my ironing and stuff. Tried to bid for quite nice reel to reel tape recorder. Got outbid though. Shame, it was one like the one I have, but the one on Ebay, worked. Mine gave up the ghost yonks ago. Himdownstairs has tried to get it working for me with only moderate results.
Shame really as I have some tapes and they have
my babies on it and my mum and dad and my mother-in-law. My babies are going on 40 years old now and the latter three are no more.
Just to show you how boredom gets to me, I will show you a pic that I drew on Paint! lol I really think I went in the wrong profession, I mean, good or what?
Ok, what!?

We went out!

Me and himdownstairs went out today. Ordered a new phone table and then went on to this!
Do it every Wednesday unless I am working. Call me sad, I don't care but I had to take this photo. lol

How strange!

Popped to Morecambe today. (What again??) Yes, again.
Took some photos on the promenade. (What again?) Yes again. lol
So here are two I took, why did one turn out like it did??? Later photos were back to normal! Strange.

LOST!

Where is Diesel?????

Work Experience!

Granddaughter has done her first day of work experience! All those times she laughed at me because I had to go to work! My turn now.
Bless her, I just can't believe she is at the age I was when I first started work. I wonder if she will get a job when she leaves school? I do hope so. She fancies being an Occupational Therapist.
Different from being in a Girl Band. Not as much money though if she made the "BIG TIME." lol But a good steady job.
We all have our dreams, I just hope all goes well for her.
Best of British my love.

October 2nd.

It's the second day of October. Raining, not very warm either. Must be the damp. I think the good warm weather has finally left. It can only get worse I suppose.
Himdownstairs and I will have been married forty one years in 14 days time. You would get less for murder as we both say!

'Flu jabs are in the news once more. Shortages again. I hope to have mine on the 9th November. I suppose they could have run out by then!
Do have yours if possible, over 60's, diabetes, heart complaints, asthma and anything else that could make you vunerable. It makes sense.

Cheap Stuff.

Cheap ink, cheap photo paper and cheap frames.
San Francisco, on the way to Monterray, a view from restaurant window of Alcatraz and a pic of Ullswater in the Lake District.
I quite like these I have done in the last few days. Hope you do too.