Ninth Week #SelfIsolation

Lockdown has been adjusted slightly, though none of it relates really to myself. Though we eagerly await being allowed to empty campus rooms.

Now the exercise can be more than once a day, and for as long as you like,and even drive to it, in my wildest dreams I can’t personally walk more than once a day, but it does help fitter and healthier people.

Driving to exercise definitely helps me, means I can walk more local remote areas, without being done in hipwise before I’ve left the street.

Mentally I feel a weight has been lifted, anxiety has dampened down, now it’s just the sadness of missing my daughter’s birthdays, wedding anniversaries, grandchildren’s birthdays and it looks like father’s day is off the cards like mother’s day was too.

Being able to walk the waterways has given us some great opportunities to watch the sun go down, and reconnect with energies that help us feel grounded.

Easing off finally pain wise from that dreadful flare up, still taking my CBD oil on top of Paracetamol and Etoricoxib. And it’s going well, I’ve resisted to taking tramadol which I’m pleased about. The CBD oil I would say eased anxious thoughts, helped me relax around my pain, which in turn eases the flare. But I’m unsure if time itself would of also done this. So I’m continuing, and seeing of the cycle of huge flare around menstruation time pops up again and if it helps.

I’ve taking a backseat with my fitness programme as I had too, now it’s more walking based and some joint stability exercises. Rather than exercise to lose weight (Though I know I’ve gained weight sadly) I’m also still learning my languages, as I was before the lockdown. I do these for my own sanity and not from enforced lock down.

The Divide by Stewart Giles #BlogBookTour

#ADGIFTED I’ve been gifted a book for reading to review, while all opinions and thoughts are my own.

I have read a few Stewart Giles now,and it’s fair to say I’m a big fan,and reading these books are like putting on your favourite slippers. Warm and familiar, and easy to slip into.

From #1 best-selling author: Stewart Giles comes a bone-chilling horror story that will keep you up at night.

THE DIVIDE – Some things are best left buried.

Five teenagers head into Dartmoor’s bleak National Park for a final adventure together before they all go their separate ways after the summer.
These lifelong friends have no idea what terrible secrets this place holds.
One by one they start to realise something is not quite right about this moor. Something is lurking there – some malevolent and ominously primeval force is buried deep beneath this ground waiting to emerge.
The locals know the truth about what lies beneath this land but the five friends are met with a sinister silence everywhere they turn.
Then the Divide is split in two.
What is unleashed is hell itself and the friends know they need to find a way out before it’s too late. Lured into an ancient forest that appears on no maps, the friends’ fight for survival begins.
But who is the little girl in the white dress? With her hideously disfigured face and transfixing voice, why has she suddenly taken a keen interest in these teenagers?
The Divide is the chilling tale of five friends’ fight for survival against forces none of them could have imagined.

BOOKS BY STEWART GILES

DS JASON SMITH SERIES
Book 0.5-Phobia
Book 1-Smith
Book 2-Boomerang
Book 3-Ladybird
Book 4-Occam’s Razor
Book 5-Harlequin
Book 6-Selene
Book 7-Horsemen
Book 8-Unworthy
Book 9 – Venom
Book 10 – Severed
Book 11 – Demons
Book 12 – Deadeye

DC HARRIET TAYLOR SERIES
Book 1-The Beekeeper
Book 2-The Perfect Murder
Book 3-The Backpacker

DS JASON SMITH & DC HARRIET TAYLOR SERIES
Book 1 – The Enigma
Book 2 – Dropzone
Book 3 – The Raven Girl (coming soon)

PSYCHOLOGICAL THRILLERS
Miranda
Mistress

The Author

After reading English at 3 Universities and graduating from none of them, I set off travelling around the world with my wife, Ann, finally settling in South Africa, where we still live.
In 2014 Ann dropped a rather large speaker on my head and I came up with the idea for a detective series. DS Jason Smith was born. Smith, the first in the series was finished a few months later.
3 years and 8 DS Smith books later, Joffe Books wondered if I would be interested in working with them. As a self-published author, I agreed. However, we decided on a new series – the DC Harriet Taylor: Cornwall series.
The Beekeeper was published and soon hit the number one spot in Australia. The second in the series, The Perfect Murder did just as well.
I continued to self-publish the Smith series and Unworthy hit the shelves in 2018 with amazing results. I therefore made the decision to self-publish The Backpacker which is book 3 in the Detective Harriet Taylor series which was published in July 2018.
After The Backpacker I had an idea for a totally new start to a series – a collaboration between the Smith and Harriet thrillers and The Enigma was born. It brings together the broody, enigmatic Jason Smith and the more level-headed Harriet Taylor.
Miranda is something totally different. A stand-alone psychological thriller, it is a real departure from anything else I’ve written before. This was followed by the sequel Mistress in 2019.
The Detective Jason Smith series continues to grow and there are now 13 books including the introduction: Phobia. Book 12: Deadeye will be published in February 2020.
Website: www.stewartgiles.com
Twitter: @stewartgiles
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/stewart.giles.33

My Review

I must say I like the Stewart Giles writing style,at this point i would say I’m a firm fan now I’ve read so many of his books. They keep me gripped and entertained and hooked from the being to end.

I’m not normally a horror fan, nor have I bought many horror books in my life. But I enjoyed this for a different kind of read, to my usual detective murder mystery style books.

I am interested in the plot and it carries me all the way through,which for most horror films I do struggle with.

As a book worm I felt it was a good solid read, but I do still prefer my who dunnit books overall, Though this made a nice change of pace and scenery.

May #LookFantastic Beauty Box

This is the 1 I was waiting for, and I’m chuffed to bits with it.

Get lost in the wilderness and embrace the power of plants this month with our May ‘Botanical’ Edition Beauty Box…

Specially curated with a focus on natural, sustainable products that are free from toxins, this Beauty Box is filled with 6 fantastic beauty treats suitable for even the most sensitive of skin types. Plus, this month’s box is worth over an incredible £142! Get yours today from just £13…

It is my own personal subscription box, that I pay for.

I knew this product was coming, as it was the sneak peek last month.

#Avant Ultimate Hyaluronic Acid Resurfacing Duo Moisturiser 50ml rrp £100

One of my FAVOURITES, super pleased to see this in again. Get a bright and smooth complexion with this richly packed anti aging moisturiser. My skin will be thanking this!!

#Korres Hydra-Biome Probiotic Superdose Face Mask 20ml rrp £9.40

Suitable for all skin types, but especially great for sensitive skin (I will be eager to test this, as most I can’t use due to MCAS) hydrates and cools for the ultimate pampering and nourishing feel.

#BalanceMe Hyaluronic Plumping Mist 10ml rrp £10

An award winning skin quenching, brightening and incredibly hydrating facial mist. Designed to replace the toner, or fix make up in place and refresh your face throughout the day.

I can see this being a handbag favourite, for when we get our lives back to normal.

#DrLipp 100% Natural Moisturizing Colour Lip Tint in Sweet Potato 3ml rrp £3

A subtle pop of colour with ultra hydration lip tint, totally natural with only 4 ingredients, cruelty free too.

#Eyeko Mini Eyebrow Gel rrp £10

Always a needed everyday product, a decent eyebrow gel to tame the beasts, gives a long lasting hold without flakiness or the nasty stiffness you often find.

#Magn!ToneLondon Wipe Our Eco Friendly Microfiber Cleansing Cloth rrp £10

I confess, I use cloths and sponge type products now for all my cleansing. So I was really pleased to see this included. It feels so soft and lovely. I can’t wait to try it out.

And finally here is June’s Sneak Peek, it’s #MoltonBrown Coastal Cypress & Sea Fennel Bath and Shower Gel rrp £10

Can’t wait!!

Ehlers Danlos Syndrome Issues

EDS Strike’s back!! This last couple of weeks have been honestly quite hellish. Pain is all consuming and it feels like there’s no end in sight.

This is a dark dark place to find yourself in, felt trapped and lonely and deeply depressed. It’s not often I’m this low, and I usually hide it away from others, except family as they physically see it.

But as it’s May it’s #EhlersDanlosAwareness month I thought I’d share my woes.

I have EDS Hypermobility type, formerly known as EDS type 3.

Hypermobile EDS

People with hEDS may have:

• joint hypermobility
• loose, unstable joints that dislocate easily
• joint pain and clicking joints
• extreme tiredness (fatigue)
• skin that bruises easily
• digestive problems, such as heartburn and constipation
• dizziness and an increased heart rate after standing up
• problems with internal organs, such as mitral valve prolapse or organ prolapse
• problems with bladder control (stress incontinence)

Currently, there are no tests to confirm whether someone has hEDS.

The diagnosis is made based on a person’s medical history and a physical examination.

On top of this I have MCAS too Last Cell Activation Syndrome,in which I can be allergic to the air, a scent, a food, a colouring at any time! Thankfully though mine seems to be more flushing and heating. So it’s manageable.

For my EDS my hips, ankles and shoulders are the most affected. And recently it’s been my shoulders, Ive wanted to amputate them so many times this month already.

To combat the pain and instability, as they are subluxing while dressing or brushing my hair, Ive been going back to basics, to pull the ligaments and tendons back into line to hopefully make the shoulder more stable.

Lying in bed with it just hanging down is literal heaven right now. The arms weight naturally pulls it right in the joint, so it sits comfortable.

With the ball I rotate it in circles going clockwise, then anti clockwise, and gently roll up and down. Though SMALL movements to ensure it stays in joint and not extending too much.

There are some amazing YouTube videos by #JeannieDiBon https://youtu.be/jQjKzp-QxWg

And you can find her on Twitter too, for a wealth of advice and guidance.

@jdibon Twitter.

Smart women’s guide to Murder by Victoria Dowd #BlogBookTour

#ADGIFTED once again I’m reading for the blog tour, murder, mayhem and thrills, I love it all. All opinions and thoughts are my own.

A SMART WOMAN’S GUIDE TO MURDER

A GOLDEN AGE COUNTRY HOUSE MURDER MYSTERY BROUGHT BANG UP TO DATE
A faded country house in the middle of nowhere.
The guests are snowed in.
The murders begin.
Ursula Smart (not her real name) gate-crashes her mother’s book club at an isolated country house for a long weekend retreat. Joining them are Mother’s best friend, Mirabelle, Aunts Charlotte and Less, and Bridget with her dog Mr Bojangles. It doesn’t matter that they’ve read Gone Girl three times this year already. But someone has other ideas.
A body is found in the grounds.
Is a lone killer hunting them? Or has one of their own group embarked on a killing spree?
What they need is a guide to survive.
Perfect for fans of Agatha Christie, Anthony Horowitz, Liane Moriarty, Faith Martin, Frances Lloyd and Stuart Turton.

About the Author
After graduating from Cambridge, Victoria was a criminal law barrister on the London circuit for many years, where many of her cases were much stranger than fiction.
Victoria is now an award winning writer, having won the Go Gothic Short Story Award for 2019. She has had short fiction published in places such as Aesthetica: A Review of Contemporary Artists and was chosen as the runner up in The New Writer’s writer of the year award. Her work was Highly Commended by The Writers’ Forum and long-listed for The Willesden Herald International Short Story Competition. She has had short stories published in the BTS Literary and Arts Annual, Dream Catcher arts journal and Gold Dust Literary Magazine.
Victoria lives with her husband and two children. She writes full time, splitting her time between London and Devon, where she can indulge her passion for all things Agatha Christie.
BOOKS BY VICTORIA DOWD
ONE TO WATCH: NEW 2020 AUTHOR – BOOK RELEASE COMING SOON!
FIND VICTORIA ON
Author Website: https://victoriadowd.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/VictoriaDowdAuthor/
Twitter: @victoria_dowd https://twitter.com/victoria_dowd?lang=en
Instagram: @dowdvictoria https://www.instagram.com/dowdvictoria/

My Review

I have been howling at this, not often is a good murder mystery quite so comedic as well. It’s been an eye opener for me, and one rabbit hole I will have to fall down.

The writing is absolutely genius!! The characters are despicable but so glorious at the same time. A modern day murder mystery but so dark and twisty. It’s macabre but delicious too.

Never have I enjoyed a book so thoroughly and laughed so heartedly, especially when you shouldn’t!!

I’m sure how ever lovely the estate was and is, I would never want these people as my friends to be snowed in with.

Definitely looking forward to more of this style and from this author.

19 Weeks #Etoricoxib

I’ve had to finally ring the GPs as I’ve been struggling a lot pain wise, out of sheer desperation I rang before putting in my repeat. I can honestly say I’m having the biggest flare I’ve personally ever had. Wonder if it’s lockdown related?

After a lengthy intro on covid and how to ring 111, I finally got to a human to book a telephone appointment, and it was literally in 5 mins, so that was fast.

We talked through the pros and cons on all other meds I’ve tried in the past, like pregablin (made me slur and fall over, not good when you already have mobility issues) amitriptyline (groggy forgetful and felt like death) naproxen (heart racing and no sleep for days)

We’ve sadly concluded that while steroid injections are NOT allowed here, I have to go and use the pain killer ladder,which is my splints gel paracetamol, etoricoxib and tramadol (reluctant to use as I hate the side effects) I had no choice but to agree.

They sent me a new gel to try, Ive only had over the counter ibuprofen gel before. Now I have this

Still testing my #SimplyCBD and it’s been just over 2 weeks, I will say no change yet in pain levels, but as ever some things take time. Perhaps while in a huge flare it’s unfair to judge, so I’m going to continue and try and get on top of this flare up, and see how it all goes. I’d rather this work than me taking tramadol again!! It took a lot of pain sweat and tears to come off that.

Walking Unaided Week 69 Post #HipReplacement

I’m FINALLY doing it, not always especially well. And often with a bigger pay back than I’d like. But it’s a foundation to work upon.

My desire to ease the pain and disfigurement to my walking stick hand has drove me to walk unaided, regardless of trendelenburg gait. I’m experiencing the biggest arthritis flare I’ve ever had, could this be lockdown related?

The walks are usually pretty flat and even ground, as I’m not looking to run before I can master a real walk.

Sadly the walks we’ve had have featured some nasty fires lately, probably due to the lovely weather we’ve had, making everything so dry.

Air was heavy with the scent of smoke and burnt trees. Sad to see it damaged. But from this we’ve seen new life sprout up already in a week.

My biggest issue with walking unaided is obviously the fatigue afterwards,it’s all too consuming. And secondly is the pain which spikes up. Then thirdly is the swelling the leg always has afterwards. Measuring on average 2 inches fatter than opposite hip.

For now I’m enjoying the accomplishment of walking unaided, even if it does cost me a few days to recover from.

Beltane Blessings

Well the weather just HAD to go rainy for Beltane. So sadly no fire outside and celebrations for us.

Instead it’s movies, and absinthe and feel good times with the family here. What witch doesn’t enjoy #PracticalMagic

I’ve also started a Maceration process on the pelvis bones we found on a walk, that was my most witchy way to celebrate Beltane.

We should be celebrating my Grandson’s 4th Birthday and my eldest daughters Wedding Anniversary, but alas the lock down continues so we can’t.

But I will be watching lots of Star Wars films on Disney+ today as its #May4th to celebrate their wedding anniversary like they will.

Looking forward to watching Rise of Skywalker.