Updates and A Challenge for May

Hello Friends!

I haven't been doing so good lately, I have been sleeping a lot, about 18+ hours a day; my medical treatment, support, and medication all seem to be in limbo after there was such a promising shift in December.  I am now in between care teams, and it's not helped by the Parkinson's Nurses team now back to one part time nurse for the next two months.  Enough!

Okay, down to business before I start chatting away.  I am begging for money!  Well, donations, for Parkinson's UK.  May is their Walk For Parkinson's 100 Mile Challenge and, although I will not be able to even think about the 100 miles over 31 days in my current condition, I have done what others in my situation are doing, which is adjusting the challenge to something achievable.  In my case, I originally said I would aim for 100 laps of my driveway, but I'm now thinking to up the ante on that. Anyway, I've signed up and will be doing this every day throughout May . . . and I am hoping some of you will support me with a donation to Parkinson's UK by way of my funding page which is 

HERE

If you can, please give whatever you can.  Every penny is so important.  Thank you.

I am actually sitting here sobbing at the generosity I have already been shown by several of my Facebook friends.  I have in just over an hour raised over half my original target!  Of course, don't forget to sign Gift Aid if you are able, because that gives an extra 25% to Parkinson's UK and not to the Taxman!!

Now on to other news.

I have started selling my effects, possessions, clothing, knicknacks, bits 'n' bobs, and more, on Vinted. I was surprised at how easy it was to set up the account, and how easy it is to manage.  All I have to do is take photos, write a bit of a blurb {as much or as little as I want} hit "post" and sit back and wait, and hope someone likes something and buys it.  The buyer pays postage, sends me a label for the carrier, and off it goes.  Within 10 days of accepting an offer I have the money in my account!  Easy peasy, lemon squeezy!  The mad thing is, I was going to give most of it away either to the charidee shops, or on the "Donate It, Don't Dump It" local Facebook page, and now I've already sold over £150 worth of donatable items.  So, money for my chosen charities and for me!!!

I also have treated myself to a short, online introductory, taster course in making herbal medicine, the Wild Welsh Herbal Medicine Challenge.  It was only three x 1hour Zoom sessions, a taster, for £29.00 and I would dearly love to take up the year long course that follows on, and is intensive but it is £1400.00 and that is a lot of money just for something I am interested in and does not result in a qualification at the end of it.  However, I have one friend who is coming to the end of her first year and is so happy she is going to sign up for the second year; I have another friend who is signed up to the "in person" option whereby the group for that option meets up four times a year in Caerfyrddin, and 12 times a year on Zoom.  It is a big decision, because with Parkinson's you never know what is coming, when it is coming, or how bad it will be, so a long term, considered purchase might not be a good idea.  On the other hand, it is something I have always had an interest in.  My mother always called me her little witch.  Other mothers had princesses, mine had the witch!  LOL

Here are some videos I made of me making the first stages of my first Wild Welsh Herbal Medicine.  It is Rhosmari {Rosemary}macerated in Organic, Raw, Unpasteurised Apple Cider Vinegar with Mother.

and here are a few photos of the same, and other things

There be DRAGONS!  And, let them lie, for you are crunchy and taste good with ketchup . . . 

Well, my friends, it is now the next day and I still haven't eaten since breakfast yesterday morning, so I'm off now for a little midnight snack!  

I am utterly overwhelmed at the generosity of people! It is not yet four hours since I signed up for the challenge, and I am already just £7.00 short of my original target!  I am humbled, and I still have my neighbours and family who are not on Facebook or Instagram to "hit" too!  I do hope I can do well. I will be posting regular updates.

Until next time

Debbie xx

EDITING to say I'm over the moon to have just found out that my favourite garden designer, Arit Andersen, is designing a garden for Parkinson's UK at RHS Chelsea Flower Show in May!!!