Everything's Coming up Rosey

If only it wasn't my cheeks! I've suffered from Rosacea for the best part of 10 years. Probably, coincidentally, as long as I've been married and a parent. The "plague" of the 30+ woman apparently.

I've tried Metrogel and other anti-biotics but have always been disinclined by theses treatments because of the "long-term" nature of the treatment.

It's blatantly obvious to me and everyone I know, quite a few of them too, it turns out suffer in silence. I was in a restaurant with my husband when two women took it upon themselves to interrupt our meal to enquire "do you realise your face gets redder the more you drink?" Well, gobsmacked, I couldn't think of a quick enough reply. Perhaps, they wouldn't like to hear "oh excuse me, do you know your not a natural blond and your roots need doing?". I was at work in my wee gift shop one day and another woman came in and said "I wouldn't be doing my job if I didn't mention the state of your complexion?" Where do these people come from? They should go back and think about their communication skills. The latter was trying to sell her Aloe Vera products. Incidentally, they didn't work either :-)

I've tried products from all over the place and only recently, having gone to another GP have I found something that works for me. "Rozex Cream". Apply liberally and frequently and within a month or two the chin that resembled the surface of the moon, has cleared up. The rudiness in my cheeks hasn't completely gone but I have always blushed easily so it's good to see it somewhat reduced. Occassional flare ups occur but I know that that is partly hormonal, wine induced or eating badly.

Another thing, I've cleansed, toned and moisturised every day since my teens and part of me thinks I should have stuck to a splash of cold water. I've stopped moisturising and toning and only use water on my face. Part of me thinks the chemicals in these products (even the organic ones) aren't doing anything for my skin. Mind you, I might look 70 by the time I'm 50 :-) I've tried all kinds of moisturisers etc from both ends of the price spectrum, organic and non-scented, at the moment I've yet to be swayed back into that particular routine if the redness is controlled.

If you suffer and haven't tried Rozex Cream, give it a try. Let me know how you get on.

Some more information can be found here: http://www.netdoctor.co.uk/medicines/100000746.html

A wee joke

What did the bra say to the hat before they went out?
"You go on a-head, and I'll give these two a lift"

The Miltary Wives Choir

I might be a bit behind the curve with this post but what an amazing group of women sang their hearts out on the BBC programme shown over the last 3 weeks. If you've missed it, catch it on the BBC iPlayer http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b0175nh5/The_Choir_Military_Wives_Episode_1/

I've started watching it late. Episode 3 was my first watch and I was reaching for the hankies in no time and by the time they sang at the Royal Albert Hall, well, I was sobbing. So, I thought, right, start with episode 1. I wasn't much better. Tears by the end of that too!

The cherubic faced Gareth Malone turned around a group of women who on the face of it, stoically get on with raising their children, puting life on hold while their partners are away fighting in terrible circumstances, but trying not to worry. Waiting for whatever, little contact they can have with their other halves. I remember, as an ex-forces girlfriend, waiting for updates on Teletext about unfolding events during the first Gulf War and Kosovo conflict - before mobile phones and t'internet. The worry is constant.

These women are a force to be reckoned with yet lack an inner confidence to do what they so obviously do so well by the end of the process, sing, sing, sing as Travis would say. The song itself mentions that we hope the men (and women) don't lose their courage. These "wives" have to have the courage of their convictions. That their partners will return. That they won't be injured or fatally wounded. Courage that the MoD will provide the forces with the tools to do their job.

My ex-forces husband now works away from home too but not in war torn regions and to a certain extent life is on hold (a little bit in comparison) at times but we know he'll return. We can talk to him and Skype pretty much any time we like.

While the military halves are away, the women get on with their lot. Possibly feeling trapped at times; keeping the stiff upper lip that is so often just the way to get through the day. Day after day. Counting the days down til their partners return. These long spells can now be filled with a new found camaraderie and the confidence that being part of the choir has brought to that part of their community. All for one and one for all.

Chris Evans has been raving about the show too and I so hope they bring it out as a single. Make it Christmas #1. The Choir deserve it so much more than any fame hungry pop star wannabe...

I suspect I'll need more hankies for episode 2...