Schmoodle, they call my rash "Pityriasis Rosea." Here's some info about it:

"The skin rash follows a very distinctive pattern. In 3/4 of the cases, a single, isolated oval scaly patch (the "herald patch") appears on the body, particularly on the trunk, upper arms, neck, or thighs. Often, the herald patch is mistaken for ringworm (tinea corporis) or eczema. Within a week or two more pink patches will occur on the body and on the arms and legs. These patches often form a pattern over the back resembling the outline of an evergreen tree with dropping branches. Patches may also appear on the neck and, rarely, on the face. These spots usually are smaller than the "herald" patch. The rash begins to heal after 2-4 weeks and is usually gone by 6-14."

At first I didn't notice the "herald" patch until it had already started spreading. I guess it's not really caused by anything and goes away on its own, and they only treat you if you want a steroid for the itching. Mine itches, but not badly enough for me to go on a steroid. Hydrocortisone cream is good enough for me.

My entire trunk is covered now, front and back, from armpits to pelvis, and it's started on the underside of my left arm now. When I first noticed it, I had one little dry, light pink spot on my stomach. Most people probably wouldn't even notice it, but I'm so fair-skinned that everything shows up on a white backdrop.

I hope yours is just a heat rash or something that goes away relatively quickly. Maybe you should get it checked out? Hopefully it's not a poison <insert-plant-here> type thing. Good luck!

And don't scratch.....

Almost noon already, the day is flying by! We rushed through breakfast so we could go pick up an over-the-range microwave at Home Depot that was on clearance, and they didn't have the one I wanted. I even had them check other stores in the area. Bummer. At least my old one still works, but since we're remodeling the kitchen, I want to give Caitlyn the countertop model for her dorm.

My niece's party was fun yesterday, but it was so hot, so some of the kids came here to swim. We didn't mind, but it did make for a very late night. It's kind of sad to see all the kids growing up and going off to college. I just hope they will continue to keep in touch and visit often.

How was your vacation, Schmoodle? What beach did you go to?

Indigal, congratulations on the loss! 17.2 in a month is really awesome. I really envy you, that you live in a country with elephants... I mean, yeah, I've seen a few at the barnum and bailey circus that comes around, but I would love to open my back door and see like, an elephant back there. I really love animals. I read some book by this vet who wrote all of these true to life animal stories, based on his experiences, and there was supposedly one elephant who was documented talking? I find this really hard to believe.... have you heard anything about that? Also just read in a magazine about how some elephants like to paint. Some pictures were of abstract sort of stuff, and then there was one of an elephant who actually painted a tree and plants and stuff.. I was very amazed. Elephants are fascinating. I may sound geeky but they really are!

Barb, when you mentioned forming bonds on the net, I know exactly what you mean and what the rest of you guys mean when you talk about people you've met and people you are friends with from online. When I was 15, nearly 16, I joined my first forum, and met this woman who was about 20 who lives in Canada. At the time, I was embarrassed that I was actually talking to what I referred to as "net people"... (sort of like BF does now), as it wasn't the 'cool' thing to do at the time. But we became really close, she was like a big sister... we sent eachother stuff through the mail all the time. Now I've lost contact with her, all my fault, when I moved out of my grandparents home back to NC and didn't have net access for a long time, and lost my address book... She had emailed my grandparents worried, wondering what had happened to me and I attempted to contact her but never really had the means of doing so.. I seriously regret that! Actually, now I'm thinking that I need to search online for some canadian directories and seek her out.

Ruthxxx... I have always wondered if what we in the states call "canadian bacon" was what Canada actually called bacon... but then I saw you also said Canadian bacon... so do you have the other kind of bacon, that stuff that we just call plain bacon? Why is Canadian bacon called Canadian bacon? Always wondered about that.

CyndiM, that leather stuff sounds like a yummy naturally sweet snack. I may get a dehydrator one day and see what I can do with it.

Femmecreole... your age says 52, you on the other hand, if that's your pic, barely even look 30. You look amazing and I am super jealous.

Zeffryn, what happened with your FIL and etc after the incident that occurred last week? I don't blame you for not wanting to be around them.

Cottagebythesea, do you know why it is called Canadian bacon? (or possibly, a way to seek out Canadians? Had a friend I lost contact with... maybe you know what I should do. (You are from Canada, right? Sorry if I'm wrong, I coulda sworn your location says so.)




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BF took his older friend (with the roofing/repair/etc whatever it is business) to Lowes and Walmart this morning, they came back 3 hours later so BF can help his friend activate his new tracphone. I am suspicious as to why it took so long... his friend is a pervert (he freely makes raunchy comments about me, and has the hots for me, and while it's somewhat of a compliment, he still takes it too far). .. so I wonder if he would make the same raunchy comments about girls he sees in Walmart (because believe me, young hootchie mamas flock to Walmart) and try to get my BF in on the action. BF claims he is not interested in looking at other girls and whatnot in a relationship, that it's disrespectful etc etc, and expects me to behave accordingly in regards to other men, but I've always been told that when men say such stuff, it's a lie... that to look is instinctual because they're always on the prowl, even if they are faithful. But I would really like to believe he is sincere and 100% committed and doesn't engage in such... behavior...

Yes, yes I'm insecure. I know some women laugh it off when their men do such things and take it as male nature, but I just can't!

Anyway, I can't prove anything so, *shrug*

So now they've went to go hook up that dude's lights... the rich bail bondsmen who wants to get my BF started up... and then they're gonna talk business. Hopefully BF will come back with some really good news.

I on the other hand, am here with baby Liam, all alone once again, bored, and just, blah. I have some clean laundry to fold and still a bit more to do, and I should probably attempt to tackle our bedroom since it's a bit messy (mainly due to BF's clothes everywhere!) I wanna get to bf's dd's room today, clear it out and actually make a path and get rid of some of that CLUTTER that BF just can't bear to part with, but I will need a man's help and I don't know when he is supposed to be home. I know he's due to fix someone elses computer today as well... SIGH. I feel like a damn Desperate Housewife! Only I'm not in my 40's and don't have their ridiculously hot bodies, or else I wouldn't be on this site.

Melanie, Canadian bacon is cut from a pork loin, and regular bacon mostly comes from pork bellies. That's all I know about it, though. I'm not Canadian and not even from Canada. I live in the Philadelphia, PA suburbs.

Lol... Oops! Sorry, Cottagebythesea. For some reason, I thought you were Canadian and I don't know why. I know Ruthxxx is Canadian, or at least lives there because her location thing says so, and I think there is someone else also from Canada and for some reason I confused them with you. Not sure why. I see now where it says Philly 'burbs... sorry about that! I guess I'm having a blonde moment.

Weezle, my mom (retired RN) took a look at my rash earlier. She seemed to think chiggers. Or possibly shingles. I'm not so sure. I've had chigger bites before and they itch like crazy. These itch but not so badly. Also, the only time I sat in grass was at the park last Sunday, but I got the bites on my side, not on my legs. I was clothed and didn't lie down. Also they are spreading - do chiggers spread? As for shingles, it doesn't exactly follow the pattern and doesn't hurt, which I've heard shingles do. I'm going to take an oatmeal bath and see how it goes. I guess I may need to go the doctor tomorrow if it's not better. I don't think it's poison anything, I've never had poison ivy or oak although I've been exposed many times, so don't think I'm allergic. Skin stuff is so weird! Hope yours disappears quickly.

cottage, we were at the Maryland shore, Ocean City to be exact. We have a timeshare there, so we go for two weeks almost every summer. The kids had a great time, I didn't really shift into vacation mode until almost the end of the week. I wish I could shut off my brain sometimes. It was fun to see the differences from last year - for example, one day we went to the water park. Last year I watched them on the slides (didn't want to try to wedge myself into a tube), but this year I slid with them. One nice thing I noticed this year is that they are doing more low or no cost, family-oriented things, so we hit those pretty heavily. Bonfires and storytelling on the beach, movies on the beach, concerts in the park, etc. Thanks for asking!

Mel - You've been to Wal-Mart, right? You've seen the lines at the checkouts? There is your answer on why it took them three hours.

Loooolll... I sound like such a paranoid insecure psycho, don't I? Hehehehe. I realized this when I saw things from another's perspective.

Because you are right. Oh, and plus I forgot to mention that since we live in this hick county, we have to drive to the next county to actually ACCESS a Walmart... and it takes 30-40 minutes there, 30-40 minutes back. So there's one hour or so in itself that is accounted for... plus they went to Lowes and Walmart and probably got breakfast.

........ ........ If only I would stop to think things out rationally sometimes.

honey, we are women......rationality is optional

btw, what is the link to your myspace? Let's add eachother! (I feel like a complete moron when I say that....but I never get new friends anymore!)

Married people with children are not well received on MyS.

I just fixed something sooooo yummy that I had to share.

I got one of those machines that turns zuchinni into "spaghetti" and it was the first time I made spaghetti sauce to go on it. Wow. just great and filling and great for all phases.

I used the machine and made a pile of zuchinni spaghetti..I used about 5 zuchs. Then I sauted that in a little olive oil , onion and creole seasoning.

For the sauce, I sauteed cubed turkey cutlets, onions, bell pepper, celery and garlic in some olive oil, then added 2 cans of tomato paste, some wine, oregano, basil, salt, pepper and mushrooms and a pinch of splenda to cut the acid and cooked that down for a while.

Served in a bowl with parm. cheese on top. Everyone loved it.

ooh...Cat, that looks delish.

Cat, that does look scrumptious! I've grown up eating it that way, and it works well with green beans and spaghetti squash, too. It's also good baked. Just dump it all into a baking dish, beat an egg or two with a tiny amount of milk and pour it over the mixture, add a good sprinkle of cheese, and bake about 30 minutes or so. Yum!

Schmoodle, we used to go to OC, MD, every summer when I was a kid! I haven't been there for years, though. I hope your rash is just something simple and clears up quickly.

schmoodle - I've never known chiggers to spread. Usually there are well defined bites and then I coat them with nail polish to smother the chigger. It does sound like it could be poison ivy (oak). You can react to it when you haven't before. I react worse every time I am exposed to it. I'm hoping it clears up for you soon.

Cat - That does look and sound good. Brian doesn't care much for zucchini but he might eat it that way.

I'm going to make the Baja Fish tacos tonight. It's 101 (or it might be higher by now) and I'd rather grill fish that head up the house. But I might just go take a dip in the pool first.

The only new friends I have got recently was some weirdo ex who tracked me down (I declined his invite or add or whatever it's called). Urgh, myspace is annoying me... Myspace has been giving me problems recently, like not letting me message, and then not letting me upload pics of the baby and us for my family, who lives in NY, to see. Only like half went through. I've been highly agitated with it recently. I never got a myspace until this year, when my younger bro persuaded me to. Since half of my friends & fam are on myspace, it was a really good idea. Okay, my mom (she found me on myspace a few weeks ago, unfortunately) is like harassing me on myspace.. because she wants BF to fix her stupid computer, again (maybe if my bro would stop looking up porn and getting viruses)... That's the bad part about myspace. She can track me down. I just now found out how to have my own individual link. Cool.

http://www.myspace.com/liamsmommy2008