Saturday 18 August 2012

Happy Birthday to Me!

This post is just to let you know that I am still around, but as I have not been too well recently, it will not be the normal weekly post!

Some time ago, I bit my  cheek, but the consequent swelling did not subside. Things have suddenly gone from bad to worse and my tongue, inner jaw and ear are all very painful.  To cut a long story short, I have been diagnosed with shingles in my mouth.  Not very nice and I am feeling rather down!

The pain killers and the oral gel prescribed for me do appear to be helping, so I hope to be much better soon!

It is my birthday on Sunday, but we have decided that celebrations and a meal out will have to wait, as eating is painful, especially if there are any herbs and/or spices involved.    Meanwhile if I have not visited some your blogs for a while, I am sure you will understand why.


The farmers here are very busy with the harvest at the moment and temperatures are expected to soar to 39C  (102.2F) today!! No rain in sight!  


The garden is drooping, but despite the droops, with a little watering it is still producing masses of beans, courgettes and tomatoes.  What energy I have at the moment has  been going into bottling.
Courgette pickle
Courgette and ginger jam
Curried beans and Pickled beans (recipe for this to follow at some stage!)


I will be back soon when I feel a little better.

Life Before the Charente will be taking a short break as well

150 comments:

  1. Wow, despite feeling ill you are doing a terrific job ov canning. I hope you will get better soon.Do take care and "Happy Birthday to you"!!

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    1. Thanks Joyful, the high temperatures and the overflow of vegetables is starting to get to me down a bit while feeling under the weather as well. Hopefully it will soon come to an end and I will feel more like me again :-) Diane

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  2. I hope you will get better real soon! Best wishes and a very happy birthday, Barbara

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    1. Barbara thanks for the good wishes, I really feel like I need them at the moment, I am obviously just going through one of those spells!! Diane

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  3. Happy Birthday Diane, although I am so sorry to hear that you are not well. Celebrations will be something to look forward to when you are better which I hope will be very soon. I had noticed your absence and was going to email today if no post over the weekend. Take Care. xx

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    1. Linda looking forward to the meal out is keeping me going at the moment. I bounce in and out of the computer but my concentration dwindles very quickly!! Diane

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  4. Hi Diane, HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU AND WISH YOU MANY HAPPY RETURNS. MAY YOU STAY YOUNG AT HEART ALWAYS.
    MANY BEST WISHES TO YOU AND ENJOY YOUR BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION.

    Sorry to hear you're not well, please take care and wish you speedy recovery. With lots of love and big hugs to you.
    Amelia

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    1. Amelia thanks for the kind wishes, I always feel young, it is just the body that that has other ideas:-) I am feeling better all the time at the moment so I hope I will soon be back to normal blogging - what ever that is! Diane

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    2. Hi Diane, how you doin'? Drop by to wish you have a great week ahead, hope to see you soon. With hugs and love to you.

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    3. Amelia one day I think I am on the road to recovery and the next I go backwards so I am really not sure. I hope that it will soon just go away :-) Thanks so much for asking. Diane

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  5. Hello Diane - I'm saddened to read about your illness and wish you a speedy recovery.

    I've been laid low with flu so I understand why you have no enthusiasm for blogging.

    Here's wishing you a Happy Birthday tomorrow ... even if you can't celebrate in style.

    fond regards

    Graham

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    1. Graham I really appreciate this comment especially if you are not feeling well yourself. Just seeing 'OneStonedCrow' really cheered me up. Thanks for the birthday wishes. Take care of yourself. Diane

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  6. Hi Diane. Glad to hear you are on the mend, but was awful thing to have. Hope you have a great birthday tomorrow. Have you been robbing the neighbours for all those jam jars :)

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    1. Kerry I had a good supply of jars that I brought from the UK, Nigel's Dad goes through marmalade like no one else I know! I still have a couple of boxes thank goodness as they are very expensive to buy! Thanks for the birthday wishes. Diane

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  7. Oh Diane, I am so sorry to hear that you are feeling so unwell, I can only imagine how painful shingles in the mouth must be. Hopefully all your meds will make you feel a lot better realy soon. You take care of yourself!!!
    Wow, look at all of that bottling you have done - you have been a busy wee bee. Happy Birthday when it comes - I hope you have a lovely day despite your painful mouth.
    Take care!!!!

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    1. Ellie thanks for the good wishes, with the temperatures still soaring I may just spend my birthday sitting under a cold shower!! The shingles is on the mend (I think), so I just have to hope it does not take too long. Diane

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  8. Hello Diane:
    We are so very sorry so read this and, having experienced 'shingles' ourselves, we do have some idea as to how painful it can be. Certainly we can readily understand why it is getting you down, if not making you thoroughly miserable, and do very much hope that it will start to clear up before too long.

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    1. Jane and Lance, I am quite surprised how many people have actually experienced shingles, but I have yet to find anyone else who has had it in the mouth. When the Dr first diagnosed it I was surprised, but he was not sure enough without a specialist confirming it. Thankfully diagnosis was quick once I went to the Dr and treatment was under way very quickly. I just hope it clears quickly. Diane

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  9. Diane, I am so sorry to hear that you aren't well. I had shingles many years ago and it was one of the most painful things that has ever happened to me. I can't imagine your pain. I'm sending big hugs your way and lots of happy birthday wishes. It's nice to know you are a Leo as well. You can celebrate with a big dinner later. There's always time for food. We're here for you. For now put all of your energies in getting well.

    We downloaded your book from Amazon and my husband and I both have thoroughly enjoyed reading the story of your life. Take care and I'll be thinking of you.
    Sam

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    1. Sam I am so glad that you enjoyed The Great 1953 Trek. I am not an author, but I hoped that it would at least cover some of my my Mum's hopes to eventually write a book.

      As for the shingles, I hope it goes quickly now diagnosed, I have been struggling on for a couple of months with what I though was just caused from a bite of the cheek!

      I gather from what you say you are also a Leo so Happy Birthday to you also when ever. Take care DFiane

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  10. sorry to hear that, I hope you will feel better soon and I admire that you have still strenght to prepare all this jars!

    Blog about life and travelling
    Blog about cooking

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    1. Ola I also hope I will feel better soon. I just cannot wast all the vegetables from the garden, we need them for winter so..... Thanks for the comment Diane

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  11. Sorry to hear about you feeling poorly. I'm glad you are on the mend though and that you will be able to celebrate your birthday with all the trimmings soon. I'm sure Nigel will see to that!In the meantime, I'm wishing you many, many happy and healthy returns of the day! Take care. Bisous, Martine

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    1. Martine we will celebrate ASAP :-) We have an anniversary coming up so we can make it a double celebration. Just hope that my mouth will have improved by then! Thanks for the good wishes, I will soon be feeling like blogging again I am sure. Diane

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  12. Many Happy Returns for tomorrow! Any problem with the mouth and it is painful and uncomfortable. I hope that you will soon be fully recovered.

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    1. Cheshire wife, thanks for the good wishes, I am sure I will soon be back to normal now we have identified the problem, I left it too long! Diane

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  13. Hello Diane .. Happy Birthday , I do hope that you are feeling much better with your antibiotics .. and then you can have a proper celebrations. Take care, love Anne xx

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    1. Thanks Anne but no antibiotics for shingles. Just pain killers and cream. We will double celebrate with our anniversary I hope on 28 Aug, I sincerely hope that I will more like eating by then! Take care Diane

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  14. Happy birthday my dear! I hope you get to feeling better. When I was a kid I bit my lip after going to the dentist... it took forever to heal. Here's hoping your's goes away quickly and you are back to feeling super.

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    1. lostpastremembered That is just the problem, I thought it was taking forever to heal and I left it so long. Only when my tongue and ear also started up did I eventually go to the Dr, it was shingles right from the start. I have never heard of it in the mouth before, apparently it is not that common. Treatment is starting to work, but with that and the heat here at the moment I just have no energy!! Keep well Diane

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  15. Happy Birthday. I hope you feel better soon.

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    1. Thanks Meredith, I hope so to as I am feeling pretty depressed at the moment. Diane

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  16. I am sorry to hear you are not feeling well but I hope you will be on the mend soon. Glad to hear your garden is still giving you veggies despite the lack of rain. Happy Birthday. I hope its a wonderful day.

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    1. Michel it is hard work keeping the garden alive in the temperatures we are having at the moment but I am glad I have Nigel here to help. Thanks for the good wishes, Diane

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  17. Happy birthday....how wise you are to let the shingles subside and the heatwave go over before trying to celebrate.
    Mother had shingles and she said it wasn't just the pain but the depression that seemed to go with it...so fingers crossed that it's on the mend.

    And just tell me...whatever deity was it that made sure bottling, jam making and hot weather would always go together....

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    1. Fly you are right about the hot cooking and the hot weather going together, not a good combination!! I have the fan in the kitchen and it is the coolest room in the house. Thanks goodness for thick stone walls they all help.

      I am glad that your Mum also said she felt depressed with shingles, I thought that it was just me. It is feeling better, but I think there is some way to go yet :-(

      Thanks for the good wishes. Keep well Diane

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  18. A very happy birthday to you! So sorry to hear about your mouth. I had no idea about shingles in the mouth!
    From the way you are bottling up summer produce, I can see a very happy winter feasting down the road. Do share those recipes, please.

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    1. Rosaria I have never heard of anyone having shingles in the mouth before but that is apparently what it is. Diagnosed by the Dr and confirmed by the specialist.
      Yes no problem with food for winter :-) Thanks for the birthday wishes. Diane

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  19. So sorry to hear you are under the weather, Diane. Biting your cheek is horrid and shingles is awful.
    I do hope you enjoy your birthday anyway, as much as you can. Just get Nigel to go into pampering mode !!

    Happy birthday for tomorrow and I hope you feel much better very soon.

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    1. Jean I think I only bit my cheek because it was swollen with the start of shingles. I have just left it too long thinking it would heal!! With the heat we have said it will be a quiet day with salads tomorrow. Thanks for the good wishes. Diane x

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  20. Good grief, Diane!
    Shingles has to be treated within 3 weeks or you will be left with side effects...
    We have been a few in the family to have suffered from it, I was the lucky one!
    My grand-mother never got free from the burning pain.
    I hope you are in good hands and that will be over soon so you can celebrate your birthday free minded!
    Best wishes and happy birthday then!
    Much love, XXXXX

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    1. Noushka thanks so much for cheering me up!!! This has been going on for a couple of months before I decided that it was never going to heal and I went to the DR!!!! It is though improving slightly so I will live in hopes that I don't have the burning for life :-(
      We will have a quiet day tomorrow keeping out of the heat. Salads all round. Thanks for the good wishes Diane xx

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  21. I've never heard of a bit cheek progressing so. Sure hope you feeling better soon. Not a very way to celebrate a birthday. Happy Birthday to you!

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    1. Gaelyn I don't think the bite in the cheek caused it, I suspect I bit my cheek because it was swollen from the start of the shingles!! Whatever I don't wish it on anyone else!
      No, not a good way to celebrate a birthday but I will make up for it later. Diane

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  22. Happy birthday. I hope you get better soon.

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    1. Words Of Deliciousness thanks for the good wishes, I also hope that I will be well soon. Diane

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  23. oh how awful! i never heard of getting shingles in your mouth. i hope you are well soon and happy birthday!!!

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    1. Jaz it seems that very few people have ever heard of shingles in the mouth, just my luck! Thanks for the birthday wishes. Diane

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  24. So sorry to hear you are not too good at the moment, I do hope you feel better soon, sounds awful.Take care and get well soon. x

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    1. Thanks Karen, I am doing my best to take care and get well quickly. I hate not enjoying my food!! Diane

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  25. SO sorry about your troubles. Shingles can be extremely painful, but have never heard of getting them in the mouth. I cannot imagine the pain and discomfort. Happy Birthday and may there be better birthdays ahead. Susan

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    1. Susan my Dr asked me what planet did I come from, I never get anything normal!! We have had a very quiet day, but in temperatures of 40 degrees C there is little energy left anyway. Hope you are well, Diane

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  26. Wow, lots of well wishers. You take care of yourself, and I hope you feel better soon. Have a great Birthday.

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    1. Thanks Horst and I am doing my best to take care of myself. Nigel is doing lots for me so it helps. Diane

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  27. so sorry to hear about your mouth thats rough get well soon Diane

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    1. Rebecca it is pretty dismal and depressing but I hope that now I have treatment it will not last for too long. Diane

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  28. Happy birthday. I'm really sorry to hear you're not feeling well - that's a lousy thing to happen around your birthday. Get well soon and plan for a really good meal out when you're better.

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    1. Phil I have decided that it is a lousy thing to happen any time, but when it means I cannot go out for a meal on my birthday...... Never mind we will celebrate ASAP :-) Diane

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  29. So sorry to hear that you are not well - I have never heard of shingles in the mouth before either, but have had friends with various other forms and I know how painful and depressing it can be. I really hope you will be feeling better soon.

    On a brighter note, Happy Birthday for tomorrow, and I hope you have a double celebration on the 28th for you and Nigel's anniversary. I will think of you on the day because that is my birthday!!

    Oh, and I am really impressed by your 'store cupboard'!! xx

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    1. Jacky I have yet to find anyone who has had shingles in their mouth - it is not nice, but I am slowly on the mend, I think.
      Thanks for the birthday greetings and I am sure I will be well enough to have that double celebration :-)
      You are not far if you you want to sample some of the store cupboard :-))) Diane x

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  30. Happy birthday, whatever it takes! Shingles will go soon leaving funny memories. For example, I had "lucky" years of celebrating my birthday on trains or busses all around Europe. Job related coincidence - these trips always at the wrong time did drive me crazy! But now I look back and smile so you will do! Get well soon!

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    1. Ann X thanks for the good wishes and the encouragement, I hope I will look back and smile about this birthday :-) Take care and you hang in there. Diane

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  31. Diane - thought I had posted a comment yesterday but I must had made an error somehow.
    Anyway we suggested that you have a few glasses of bubbly for your birthday and that might even make you feel better. We'll do the same and raise a toast to your birthday as well - well until the morning. Hope all will improve very soon.

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    1. Cheers Leon and Sue and thanks for the good wishes. I am lucky wine does not seem to worry me, I just need to keep away from spices and acid foods. Tomatoes burn like hell!! The talking is improving, shame poor Nigel. Hope all well over there Diane xx

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  32. Hi Diane! Hope you get better soon! Have a lovely birthday tomorrow:)
    ~Anne xx

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    1. Anne thanks for the good wishes, I am sure that I am on the road to recovery but it is just taking time. Diane

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  33. Oh Diane! If it's not one thing, it's another! You seem to have been beset by illness this past year and a bit. Being ill isn't nice; having shingles is not at all nice but having shingles in the mouth on your birthday is downright unfair! Here's to a speedy recovery and a lovely birthday, despite everything. Happy Birthday, Diane! x

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    1. Colin and Elizabeth, yes you are right bad timing but little I can do. It has not been a good year health wise and when I next see the specialist for my cough it will be just on 12 months. There is some improvement there as well but I want it fixed! Next year WILL be better :-) Diane

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  34. Diane, so sorry to hear you have not been well of late. I hope you are feeling better as soon as possible and that you are able to have an enjoyable birthday with your family and friends. Fifi x

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    1. Fifi B, Nigel and I have had a very quiet day at home with Nigel making salads to keep us going. At 40 degrees C it is just too hot to celebrate anyway. I will make up for it when it is cooler and I feel a little better :-) Thanks for the good wishes Diane

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  35. I'm so sorry to hear about you having the singles. My husband's doctor just told us that we should get the shingles vaccine. I really hope you are better soon and that you get to have a wonderful belated celebration for your birthday.

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    1. backroadjournal I did not know that you could get a vaccine but I guess it is now a bit late! Thanks for the good wishes. Diane

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  36. I am visiting via Vagabonde's blog. She and I are friends and any friend of hers must e worth exploring.

    I am sorry that I turned up here at such an inopportune moment, I wish you all the best for a speedy recovery, although I know that shingles take their time.
    Happy Birthday, I hope you will enjoy the day in spite of your troubles.

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    1. Friko thanks so much for your visit and kind comments. Hopefully I will soon be back up and running at full speed again. Take care Diane

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  37. Dear Diane Im so sorry heard you dont feeling well you you really feel better soon!!
    Take care:))

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    1. Thanks Gloria I am doing my best to get better very quickly :-) Diane

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  38. Bonjour Diane,

    Sorry to read that you aren't well. We hope you will soon be feeling much better as the medication 'kicks in' and starts to do its job.

    Finally, HAPPY BIRTHDAY! The celebrations can wait until you are well enough to enjoy them.

    Take care
    Gaynor and Tim x

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    1. Bonjour you two and thanks for the greetings, as you say the celebrations can wait, they will not get forgotten. Next time you are here we must make a plan, perhaps you would like to see the Charente. We have builders in at the moment so we should have more space soon so you could stay over. Take care Diane

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  39. wow that is alot of bottling! happy birthday and all the best xox

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    1. Muppy if only you could see how much still needs to be done!!! Thanks for the good wishes Diane

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  40. Je suis désolée d'apprendre vos ennuis de santé! Je vous souhaite d'aller bien vite mieux! Bon anniversaire cependant! Prenez bien soin de vous!

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    1. Merci Lucie pour les bons voeux. J'espère être mieux très bientôt. Bonne journée. Diane

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  41. Happy Birthday Diane. Hope you're having a great day xx

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    1. Thanks Kerry, very quiet, very lazy and very hot (40C phew). Diane xx

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  42. Happy birthday to you, Diane! sorry to hear that you're not too well, i know it must been very difficult to you, hope you will recover asap and you take care.

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    1. Lena thanks so much for the kind thoughts and good wishes. I also hope that I will recover very soon :-)) Diane

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  43. Joyeaux anniversaire, ma chère! I hope that you are feeling some relief from the shingles - how terrible! You have such a bright outlook on life and always seem cheerful and busy. May you feel better soon and know that you have many friends thinking about you.

    Bises,
    Genie

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    1. Merci Genie. First thing in the morning is the worst I seem to improve during the day. Usually I am bright and cheery early but not at the moment! I am sure that I will be fine very soon though. Diane

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  44. That is awful, you poor thing. I hope you get better soon. You have done a great job bottling considering how you feel. How wonderful to have all that food ready for winter. I have no idea how to bottle and sadly I don't have much enthusiasm for it. We have just planted a little plot with beans, snow peas, parsley, potatoes, lettuce and tomatoes. I hope we are more successful than in the past.

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    1. diane b I also hope that I feel better soon, I am feeling pretty down today, just one of those days. As for the bottling it is not really a problem normally, but with temperatures around 40C it is a chore! Good luck with your little plot I am sure you will reap plenty from it. Diane

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  45. Joyeux Anniversaire! I hope that your mouth heals quickly so you can go and celebrate real soon! :)

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    1. Merci beaucoup Sara Louise. I also hope that my mouth heals quickly, the plan is to celebrate next week but...... Diane

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  46. Happy belated Birthday! So sorry to hear that you are poorly. I hope you're on the mend soon. Take care!

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    1. Merci Niall and Antoinette for the good wishes. I keep thinking that it is improving, then I have a bad day like today but I hope it will not be long :-) Diane

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  47. Hope you feel better soon Diane. Will send some healing thoughts over to you. xx

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    1. Vera the message came through twice so thanks for making sure you got through. I hope the the healing thoughts work very soon, much appreciated :-) Diane

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  48. Happy belated birthday Diane and I hope you feel better soon. xxx

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    1. Froggy thanks for the good wishes. I wake up feeling rotten with a very swollen mouth but it does seem to ease during the day. I just have to be very careful what I eat :-( Diane

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  49. So sorry to read this..will be praying for a fast recovery.Shingles are terrible and they hit people in the oddest places. I remember when my mom had them on her leg..terrible. How about the cough? I do hope that has left you. It finally left George/CaraRose..what a drag that was.
    I have been going crazy with this weather (humid/hot)and trying to get myself prepared for winter. Wow, you have a lot done with the canning. I have so much left to do.
    Happy Birthday to you and may you be blessed with healing. Our number 3 daughter is born on the 18th.same day...Sending good thoughts to you..xoCarolyn.

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    1. Carolyn, I have yet to find anyone else who has had it in the mouth..... No the cough continues and I see the specialist again for that in early October. (1 year now) Many scans and x-rays have confirmed the specialists diagnosis of chronic bronchi problems due to two lots of pneumonia, but despite treatment, which is supposed to be improving the situation, I am still coughing!
      The past week has been ridiculously hot here and I have been bottling with the fan on in the kitchen trying to keep cool. With not feeling brilliant it is all a bit much at the moment.
      My birthday is actually the 19th so one day separated me from your daughter. Thanks for the good thoughts and wishes. Diane

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  50. Hi Diane .. I sure hope the shingles is being held at bay - it's a particularly nasty 'thing' .. virus isn't it - my thoughts are with you - my mother had 25 years ago or so .. and it was very unpleasant.

    The pickles, jams and chutneys look excellent - I guess doing things keeps your mind away from hurt ...

    Happy Birthday ahoy ... sometime when you're feeling distinctly better .. and it's been very hot here too - I was thinking of you .. cheers Hilary

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    1. Hilary I also hope that I get better soon, this is not much fun. New cream today which I hope will be better than the last lot! The pickles and jams certainly distract me, but I could without them in temperatures of 40C!!!
      Thanks for the birthday wishes. Diane

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  51. Dear Diane, I do hope you are feeling better soon. I have not fully recovered from the root canal I had back in May, so I truly understand how bad mouth pain is. Happy Birthday, no matter when you finally get to celebrate!

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    1. Marjie the worst I have had was the removal of two wisdom teeth and a cracked jaw in the process. My face looked like a bullfrog for weeks. This though I just do not know when to expect the end, the Dr says it could be months!
      Thanks for the birthday wishes, think we will celebrate regardless, I now have an anaesthetic cream :-) Diane

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  52. Happy birthday Diane! I am sorry you are feeling so terrible... I hope you are on the mend soon.

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    1. Thanks for the good wishes Pam, I also hope that I will soon be on the mend !! Diane

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  53. Shingles is a nasty thing, sorry you are having to go through that! I hope you start feeling better soon and happy belated birthday, mine was on the 18th.

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    1. Bo only a day apart but many years me thinks! Hope that you had a good day, I will make up for it as soon as I can :-) Diane

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    1. This is Belgium, Thanks for the comment - all 3 came through :-) Diane

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  55. SO sorry for you!!! Shingles in no respecter of persons....my friend got it in her inner ear and lost her hearing!
    I'll be praying for you...hope it is over quickly.

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    1. Auntie Bliss my ear has been worrying me but not nearly as much as my inner cheek and tongue. To date my hearing has not been affected. I also hope it goes over quickly! Thanks for the comment Diane

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  56. Oh my.....I'm so sorry to hear of your illness....I have been told shingles can be very, very painful......take care of yourself....and get well...please.....this is actually a serious condition. In fact...both my husband and myself got a shingles shot this year because of our age.

    Hugs being sent your way.

    Jo

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    1. Jo thanks for passing by and leaving a comment. I had never heard of a shingles vaccine until it was too late! I wish. I really feel quite down but I hope to be back blogging as normal quite soon. Diane

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  57. I am so sorry to hear that you are having problems with shingles. My mother had them and I know how much pain she had. I hope you are on the mend and will soon be back in full stride. Hugs and blessings...Mary

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    1. Mary thanks so much for the kind wishes. I am sure I will soon pick up soon but I just do not feel like blogging at the moment and I feel under the weather. Talking about the latter, it is so very hot and there is so much bottling to do, not a good combination!! Take care Diane

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  58. Happy Birthday Diane. I hope you feel better soon.

    Zambia from Greece.

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    1. Thanks Zambia, I think I am slowly on the mend but it is slow!! Keep well Diane

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  59. Hello Diane,
    At first still congratulations to your birthday.
    Sorry to hear that you are not well. I hope everything will be better soon and you can enjoy the tasty food again.
    Get well soon!!

    Greetings and a big kiss,
    Marco

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    1. Marco thanks for the greetings. I keep thinking that I am getting better then suddenly I go backwards again so not sure how long this is going to go on for. Fingers crossed it will not linger! Diane x

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  60. Happy birthdaynto you. I hope you are feeling better and still will have your birthday dinner. Have a nice weekend.

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    1. Thanks Riet, I sincerely hope that I will soon feel better but at the moment I have good days and bad days!! Diane

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  61. Happy belated birthday Diane! Shingles are a big deal. I worked with an older person who had shingles. She was in so much pain.
    I know that when the age comes, I will have to have the vaccine as I had chicken pox when I was a little girl. Take good care
    Diane!

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    1. Nadege good to hear from you. The only infectious disease that I have had is chicken pox - just my luck!! I had never heard about a vaccination until it was too late. In the mouth and ear is really not much fun :-( Keep well Diane

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  62. Happy belated Birthday, Diane! I am so sorry to hear this. My father suffered with it and was in so much pain, and I hope it's not as bad for you. Here's wishing you a speedy recovery so that you can enjoy that birthday dinner!!!! Get well soon! Hugs to you.

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    1. Pam thanks so much for the good wishes, good to have you back again. So sorry you have not had it easy just recently. We have planned on a meal next Tuesday but my mouth is very up and down! I have an anaesthetic cream if the worse come to the worse which I will have to use to enjoy the meal:-) Look after yourself Pam, Diane

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  63. Diane mon amie, tout d'abord bon anniversaire. Un zona dans la bouche : c'est très douloureux. Soigne-toi bien et reviens quand tu peux.
    A bientôt.
    P.S : je passe lire de temps et temps ta"Life before Charente". J'ai beaucoup aimé les photos de l'Algérie des années 50. La Casbah a beaucoup changé.

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    1. Merci Nadji. Ma bouche est toujours très douloureux :-( Je suis heureux que vous aimez les photos de la casbah. Bon week-end Diane

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  64. Happy Belated Birthday Diane! sorry for my late wishes..I hope you are feeling better at this moment, looking forward to see your new post.

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    1. Sonia late wishes are always welcome :-) Thanks. I seem to have good days and bad days but I think the good days are getting to be more. Diane

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  65. So so sorry to hear that you are feeling under the weather - it actually sounds dreadful! But I trust that you are much better now! I am posting about that St. Nicholas Church you told me about in Tavant today! Maybe that will lift your spirits a bit!!
    And a very happy belated birthday to you too! Get well and stay well - all year long!!

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    1. Ann thanks for the good wishes, I will pop over and take a look at the church now. Take care Diane

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  66. Happy belated birthday and I hope you are doing better by now!

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    1. Thanks Tina for the birthday wishes, think I am very slowly on the mend! Diane

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  67. Belated congratulations, Diane! Sorry about what happened, hope you're feeling much better now.

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    1. Thanks JM for the good wishes. Am slowly on the mend - I think :-) Diane

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  68. Oh my, apology for my late greetings. Belated happy birthday Diane may God bless with good health and lots of happiness!

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    1. chubskulit thank you for the greetings and particularly thanks for the good health :-) Diane

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  69. MY DEAR DIANE, I AM SO SORRY TO HEAR YOU'RE NOT DOING WELL, I HOPE THIS NIGHTMARE WIL BE OVER VERY SOON, PLEASE TAKE CARE. BIG HUGS

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    1. Pamela thanks for the visit, I also hope that it will soon be over, it is not a lot of fun. Hugs Diane

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  70. So sorry that I missed your birthday. Even more sorry that you are not well. I hope you feel better soon and can celebrate your birthday at a later date.

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    1. backroadjournal, I sort of missed my own birthday this year as well so don't worry:-) We sort of celebrated with friends a week later but I still do not feel right! Take care Diane

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  71. Sorry to read that you have not been well, I hope that you are better now, and belated birthday greetings.

    XX
    Alessandra

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    1. Alessandra, thanks for the well wishes and greetings. I think I am on the mend but it is slow!! Take care Diane

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  72. Dear Diane, as you know I took a blogging break for August and am only now catching up with favourite bloggers like you. I am so sorry that I missed your birthday my dear, but belated birthday wishes anyway. I hope by now the medication has been helping and your are feeling much better. X

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    1. Thanks Dolly for the belated good wishes, at least I now feel a bit more like appreciating them. Thanks for the comment and for catching up :-) Diane xx

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  73. Diane, hope you're getting well soon. Take care & have a good rest, dear.
    Blessings
    Kristy

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    1. Thanks Kristy, I am on the mend but the internal ear is still worrying me! Diane

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  74. Other than that, wishing you a very belated Birthday Diane!
    May many happy returns, dear.
    Best wishes
    Kristy

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    1. Thanks for the birthday wishes Kristy, I am only just feeling like celebrating!! Keep well Diane

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