Philip (Phil) England

Here we go, the last month of 2025, and what a year it's been. Going on holiday for my birthday followed by meeting someone special and Dad's health taking him from us. Sure has been a rollercoaster if emotions. I hope December can turn rhe year around. 1st : Started the month off with a lay in bed, weather atrocious anyway. Finally up at just after 11am, with my right arm feeling like a dead weight, strange as I sleep on my left side, lower back hurts and eight hip too. Managed to put the tree and other decs up too. 2nd : One of those mornings when all you wanted to do was have another half hour sleep, and it turns into two, must get up and out of bed, need to get my prescription and do a few things. Very achy, but I need to get on, so must push through. 2pm - Pushed through, kind of wish I didn't, my left shoulder giving me great pain, along with my left knee, going up stairs I almost fell backwards, thought I may have cracked the eggs in the bag when I dropp...

  1st : 1:45am - My stomach feels like its on a spin cycle, my head is running a marathon and I can't seem to sleep 😩 Later - managed to get to Dad's house, its getting harder to go there, need to go back to do last few bits, but a break is needed. 2nd : Feel like I've been running after my mind all night, exhausted, and woke up crying. My back and neck killing me. I feel like shit this morning. 😭 Edit -  I need to get out of bed for my meds, and just discovered my right hip hurts too 😩 Finally.out of bed at around 11am, achy and my mind elsewhere. Been asked to decide on insurance cover for my father's house for the period going forward, how on earth can I even think about that in my mind state? I feel like going back to bed 😥 feel like 🤯 3rd : Day of Dad's funeral - Not too sure how I will get through today. Got a thumping headache and I feel sick again, neck and shoulders in agony and left hip too.  My sister worked wonders for after the funer...

2nd April : Trying to juggle fibromyalgia and life isn't easy. I have some wonderful friends who have been a massive help along the way, then there's Carl, who was a star and a massive help as he got the kitchen cupboards on the wall.  I also have friends who listen to my outpourings. Thank you to those, Neil and Carl.... big time.  I try to push on through the Fibro and pain, but am very aware of my limits and know I do push through them, then wonder why I am rendered useless the next day. I get very frustrated when I can't do what I want to do, in fact that is the general rule in my entire life. I'm so fed up of having to watch what I can do .  I do need to take some me time, but know this won't be possible for a while. I'm going away for a week in May, setting off late on the 5th May and returning at some point on the 11th May.  7th April : Finally picked up new TV for Dad from Currys, not the correct one as ordered, 40" seemed to illude the ...

 Tasty Chicken Mince Here is a rather nice way to cook chicken mince, and it's got numerous herbs and spices in. The ones I used in this I had in my kitchen, you can adapt according to what you have to hand. In a big pan put your chosen herbs and spices, then gently fry them for 5 minuites  Fennel Seeds Cumin Seeds Garlic Granules Salt Pepper Chives Parsley TIP:  grind your fennel along with the cumin, garlic and salt Then add a glug of water and soy sauce, bring to boil and place lid on the pan. Dice up the  vegetables and add to the pan, then bring back up to the boil then simmer. 2 Peppers 1 large onion Tin Chopped Tomatos After about 10 mins simmering, add your chicken mince and brown. Once the chicken is brown add a tin of chopped tomatoes. Bring to the boil again and turn off the heat, keep the lid on.  As with all one pot meals I make, I leave it for 6 to 24 hours for the flavours to combine and enhance the food. Serve it with either rice, pasta or m...