Sharon's Fight Against Fibro: Another crazy few weeks!

Well after writing my last blog after a very long break, I have found myself once again in a mad flat spin! I went to Spain for the week with Sheila, had a fabulous time, ate, drank, swam, rested, repeat!!! We met two lovely Irish ladies, Caroline and Elaine, who helped us out with lifts in their lovely car, and showed us around the many nearby local treasures - the post office, tabacconists (although we won't need one we have friends that will!), butchers, a brilliant market and a great tapas bar! They also showed us where the post office was, which until we are given post office boxes will be our only way of collecting our post! Much fun was had by us all, and the weather was outstanding!

Me and Sheila!

At the Indian Restaurant!

Caroline and Elaine!

Sheila and I!

Caroline and Elaine!

The photos of us with the Irish coffees were taken on our balcony on the last night, the ladies came to us and we cooked a joint meal for us all! It was a great way to finish a brilliant holiday!

Since returning on 20th July, I have spent a couple of days in Leeds helping my son Aaron to move house! He is a Maths teacher up there and has moved from a large house he was renting with a friend, into a smaller house! Because his fuel bills keep going up, and with rent and all the other bills he had to pay, he was finding it difficult so decided to downsize!! Between the government cutting his pay, and the bills rising, he is finding it difficult to make ends meet! Contrary to what people think, teachers do not earn £35 grand a year and get 6 months holiday a year, they actually start off on £21 grand and get 3 months holiday a year! Yes it is a lot, but that is not their choice, and to be honest with you, I wouldn't do the job for any amount of money!!

I couldn't do any of the lifting or lugging obviously, but I did help him to pack his clothes, bedding, etc., did his washing and cleaned, and cleaned, and cleaned!!!!!! At least he can come back from his holiday - he is currently in Zante with 4 women - and he will hopefully be settled! As for the holiday - don't ask, I am not sure how he manged to get invited on a girls holiday - and before you think it he is not gay, not that I would find that a problem, but when I told a friend's friend about his holiday she asked me if he was gay!! Not sure what the connection is, but that was what she asked me!!

Aaron and I at Frankie & Benny's in Leeds!

We have also had a celebration in the family, Luke's lovely girlfriend Abby graduated from Cardiff University with a 2.1 Masters degree in Pharmacy. We went out for a lovely meal with her and her family and then Luke went to her Graduation on 22nd July! We are so proud of her, she has been with Luke for 5 years, so she is one of the family, and we have been there with her as she has gone through her 4 years at University!

At our meal to celebrate Abby's graduation!

Luke and Abby at her Graduation Ceremony!

Following on from all these celebrations and outings, we went to Abby's parents house for a wonderful barbecue just this last Saturday. We had a wonderful time, their garden is very tranquil and serene, and the weather was glorious! We have had some wonderful weather these last few weeks, not sure how long it will last but it has helped me enormously with my aches and pains! I still have pain, but it is more of a dull ache! I am having real problems with my right knee, but I am terrified of going to the doctors, because it has gone exactly the same way as my left knee did and I had to have a replacement in that one - and that is something I really do not want to repeat! It was the most painful experience and I am still, after nearly five years, unable to bend it properly and it gives me a lot of discomfort! I also have the added problem that when I fly anywhere I ALWAYS set off the alarms when I go through security - oh joy! I now automatically go through and raise my arms ready to be frisked!! I now know what the bionic woman felt like!!!! Still, could be worse, could be a metal plate in my head!! Anyway I am finishing off now by saying that our plans are well underway for our trip to Spain in late September, we are going and taking my lovely Jess with us! I am really looking forward to going back to our lovely apartment!!