I have not been sleeping well. I think it's a drug I've been taking. I've cancelled all morning appointments as I'm waking up at 3 -5 am still very tired and falling asleep at 7.30 to 8 mostly and waking again at 10.30 ish. I have booked a conversation with my GP. I also have had "dreams" regularly for the first time ever.
It's just making me feel very weary
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NfkDumpling. I've been thinking about your feet 
I can onlt tell you what worked for me.
I can't see my feet either but both plantar warts (verruca) and corns respond to this treatment in time, with plain old salicylic acid, the same stuff sold for all skin blemishes: pimples etc.
Corn plasters seem relatively cheap but also contain salicylic but when you think you may have to apply one every day for a month or more, buying the plain old salicylic in a jar is much cheaper. I got a big tub from my doctor for $5 but it's otc stuff anyway.
Now for the practical application:
Lay a bandange, or length of narrow cloth on the floor by your foot. Using lint, clean tissue or a square of fabric, put a dollop of salicylic on it, smooth it out, lay it on the strip and gently bring up both ends to secure the pad to your foot over the corn/wart.
Salicylic doesn't harm the skin around the blemish and will soften and eventually get rid of the nasty bit.
I actually used a metre long crepe bandage to secure the pad more firmly to the affected part, wrapping it round my ankle a couple of times.
You can do this every day, after your shower maybe, persevere until you can feel the invader has gone. No need to do horrible things with razors or files as this is much kinder and gets to the root.
This method is for a nasty under your foot but is easily adapted for the side or toes.
Salicylic acid is the hero in the story 
ixion I think it would break my heart to see the dolls every day and impossible (at the moment) to have one by me.
I have decided though that I won't give them away.
I believe my son has to come back at some time to help his partner pack and he will certainly bring my wee darling to visit. I'll let him decide.
Two really good things today at the elders group.
No. 1 There was an info stall with health pamphlets and our Practice Nurse (another Karen ) . I told her I'd lost confidence in Zarah and why and she said, 'Why not see Francesca on Thursday? She listens.'
So I am seeing a new doctor, same practice, at 11am Thursday. I've met her, she seemed calm
No. 2 Ceramics. There were several bisque fired items to choose from: dished of all shapes, coaster, jandals plates and jugs.
I chose a star dish.
Paints were given in all colours and I was able to mark out the dish centre and paint it.
Johny, our lovely girl who runs the group, neatened it up where I'd missed bits and then did the really fine work of outlining the colours.
The ceramics lady has taken them to glaze and fire and although we were only supposed to put our names on the base, she was kind and allowed, 'From Grandma for Mila'.
I can't begin to tell you what pleasure it gave me to do even this simple arty thing, even with help.
There is, I believe, a certain area of the brain which activats a feeling more than happiness, when you get your heart's delight.
It's like contentment, achievement and pleasure all rolled into one, warm glow.
Add to that the effusive welcome from the elders....spicy chicken and fritatta (g/f) on the table laden with delicious wheat rolls and cakes - and I was so happy I could have floated home.
Someone brought a karaoke machine (very popular) and each person could if they wished, pipe up.
I knew none of the songs although a few of the tunes were familiar, so I sang one I knew off by heart: You are my sunshine and was heartily applauded even though I must have sounded very wobbly in places.
The machine visits us again next week so I shall practice.
Moreover.....
Yes, you are right, there ae alternatives to flying and should it ever come to it, I'm happy to cruise .
Some time ago, I looked into freighter travel as they too offer a limited number of berths but not only do you need agility to climb the many steps between decks but owners of shipping lines have, in many cases, withdrawn this facility.
Prices are calculated on a daily basis, between 36 and 57 days from NZ to UK at approximately $US130 per day.
Ā£ 100.
A cruise is approx Ā£157 daily but when you consider it is 57 days holiday in luxury, not that bad.
However all this is academic because I'd need $10,00 minimum what ever way I travel and I'm afraid NZ Pensions (who have just reduced mine by $50 you'll remember) don't run to fantastic amount like that.
I'm stashing away all I can afford each week just to pay for a couple of fillings.
Nor does my son's good wage. He is trying to finance two households and must also pay for self and family air fares, possiblt two for himself as he will need to come over to help his partner with final arrangements before accompanying them all back to UK.
Hard reality and lovely dreams very rarely meet, whatever your mottos.
Karen was back today after 2 weeks bereavement leave - we were pleased to see one another .
She's a keen gardener so took the two big pots I'd bought for Mila's sunflowers (which she never saw but I took photos) and will gradually take the plumbago, Black-eyed Susan, rose and the little tea tree which self-seeded.
We'll wait until the cooler weather (24 degrees today) as at least two will need to be pruned right back before they are moved. My freesia bulbs can be moved in their pots.
After this, the decks will be swept clean of leaves, spilled soil (the Blackbird fossicks in the pots for food) and all will be pristine back and fron of house.
She's designated next Monday as "Gardening Day"
Nfk you hit the nail on the head about this wretched skin disease and the hospital's attitude too.
In ancient times, people with pustular psoriasis were forced into leper colonies so I suppose I should be grateful.
Although it is still painful to wear clothing I'm going to brace up, find my stalwart Yorkshire spirit and go to the elders group tomorrow - they are doing ceramics.
I used to be a keen potter but it won't be anything as 'complicated' as a coil pot.
All with be revealed later
Doodle I buy my wool from the $2 shop, the wool is $2.50 for a ball large enought to make a pair of slippers with a bit to spare. This bit sits around until I have enough to make a nice, long multi-coloured scarf
There is a huge selection of colours in these shops but I usually go for the deeper red, blue, purple, green or multi because I can no longer see the pastels on the kneedle.
I don't charge for slippers or scarves but occasionally someone will give me a donation.
Mepa has just taken several pairs and a scarf for her family plus the new baby bootees she asked for. Her son's girlfriend will have a boy in June.
Mepa refused to accept them as my gift for all she does for me and was most generous with her donation.
They were originally Marae Slippers because everyone must take off their shoes, winter and summer when entering the Wharenui (main community meeting house) and so often the elders sit there in bare or stockinged feet for hours.
Not all Marae have adequate heating and the main door is always open during a meeting as a sign everyone is welcome at all times.
These slippers will slip into a pocket or bag and can be pulled on once inside.
As many Marae have polished, wooden floors, I always sew an anti-slip strip to the sole to prevent accidents.
I'm not sure how long I'll be able to continue knitting now my good eye is getting worse. 99% of it I can do by just touch but casting off or when I drop a stich, which I do more often these days, needs some siight.
I have just received the usual form letter from the hospital (it has taken 17 days to get to me, a distance of 12 km) saying I've been referred to Dermatology but the irwaiting list is so long.....te mea te mea te mea.
(Maori version of blah blah blah )
I didn't expect anything else.
My son, though parted from his family, says he is grateful to have a job in the UK as his ex-colleagues here say the situation is dire.
We videod the other day and he talked about his plans to get us all back to the UK. His partner and children in January and me to follow as soon as they are settled and can offer me accommodation.
What he doesn't realise (and how can I possibly tell him?) is that according to information from the airlines, there's no way I'd be allowed to fly with my cardio conditions.
There's a sad little box of brightly wrapped Christmas gifts in the garage; presents meant for Gubbins to play with when she visited. I haven't seen her since November and it's now clear I won't because my son's partner will not bring her.
She is very busy but because she has no feelings for me, she won't even try.
So I shall offer these dollies, cradle, pram and other things to a charity.
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