Popping Ears How Sweet It Is...

NOT!!!!

I seem to be getting hit left and right with annoying (thankfully not serious) maladies. Today's development was rather severe popping in my ears. This is something that I've struggled with the last 2 years or so. After about three trips to ENT specialists I was recommended to see an allergist. It turns out my allergies affect my inner ear canal. The problem has been under control since I started taking aerius (antihistamine, 5 mg desloratadine) and twice daily Nasonex, but for some reason my ears are acting up this season despite my regimen. I was really really frustrated earlier so took an extra allergy pill and an extra squirt of Nasonex. I do think my heart sped up temporarily, but it was short lived. My ears seem to be better, but not perfect. I really hope I will not be spending much more time writing about medical issues save for updates regarding healing. 

I'm ALL EARS should you have any recommendations! :)

ARGHHHH!

Friends,

I need help! I've never so badly wanted to scratch my skin off. ARGHHHHH! HMMMMPHHHHH! I started with eczema in January and most recently was diagnosed with pityriasis rosea (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0001874/). I had never heard of pityriasis rosea until about a week ago when I went to the dermatologist. The "mother" or "herald" patch - a round oval looking like a scab on my abdomen - was the telling sign along with radiating red spots all over my trunk and onto my arms and top of my legs. According to my dermatologist, it is either a viral or bacterial infection.

I was told it's not supposed to be that itchy, but I have to say it's ITCHY. I have no idea why, but night time is the worst and tonight is by far the worst it has been. I'm thinking I might try an oatmeal bath tomorrow. I'm using an anti-fungal cream at night and a steroid cream in the morning, but I don't know what good it's doing me. I'm really trying to put mind over matter in not allowing my hands to move towards my skin where they might be too tempted to scratch, but it's taking every ounce of will power. Man, good, I'm typing a blog post! Next distraction: flossing my teeth. Hopefully by the time I finish the desire to itch will be less. If you have any grand ideas - actually, don't worry about them being "grand" - I just want ideas for relief and hastened healing! Supposedly this can last from 2-6 or 8 weeks but I really hope it's much sooner.

ARGHHHHHH!!!! HMMPPPPPPPHHHHH!

Can you feel my pain?

Boleslawiec: Polish Pottery Mecca

Boleslawiec, Poland, located in the southwest corner of Poland not so far from the German and Czech borders, is THE PLACE to go for POTTERY. It's a bit of heaven on earth. REALLY! At least that's the opinion of many an American military wife stationed in Germany and other Americans in the know. From Prague by car it takes close to three hours one way. But the six hours in the car are so worth it!

The drive north through Liberec and to the Czech-Polish border is rather pretty although the roads get a little sketchy at the border and into Poland. However, the Poles have built a spanking new highway or "autostrada" as I learned when asking directions at the gas station - the A4 - which takes you from near Zgorzelec to Boleslawiec (exit on to 297), depositing you right by the Ceramika Artystyczna (ul. Kościuszki 23), which is our regular first stop since it closes at 2 pm on Saturdays and usually has some of the best prices. http://www.ceramika-artystyczna.pl/index.php?l=en After Ceramika Artystyczna, we walk across the street to the row of stores. The two on the left I would recommend (their names escape me). If you continue down the lane through the gate to the parking lot there's also a good store there which is worth checking out. Don't be afraid of the kind of rough surroundings. There's pearls to be found amidst the dust and grind!

Rounding out our shopping in Boleslawiec we head to Henry's (Ul. Masarka 1, to the right of Carrefour) which has the greatest concentration of "unikat". http://www.buzzoffbase.com/index.php?option=com_mtree&task=searchby&cf_id=5&value=Boleslawiec It is pricey though - beware! We often head back to Ceramika Artystyczna for one last look and shop before 2 pm.

Somewhere in the midst of mesmerization, we eat a sandwich and other snacks packed for the trip. After pottery hysteria wears off, we grab some pierogi or other fine Polish cuisine at Opalkowa Chata on Cieszkwskiego 17 http://www.opalkowachata.pl/ Yesterday I had blueberry-filled pierogi with a bit of cream. They were absolutely delicious. I also recommend the ruskie or cheese and potato. They are heavier on the cheese than potato which is much to my preference :) Can you tell I had a fabulous Saturday?!