I am back from a fabulous break, albeit I was man-down with a spider bite for nearly 2 weeks. My fellow arachnophobic John will appreciate how I feel about this! To cut a long story short, I got bitten in the ear which blew up like a rugby players ear who has been in one too many scrums; then my glands all flared up which made the right side of my face look fat and my jaw went incredibly tight, which was not conducive to enjoying a meal. FINALLY, I decided to head to the doc, who prescribed an antibiotic and a talking to for leaving it for 4 (or was it 5) days before seeing him. The antibiotic made me nauseous which was followed by intense headaches and finally a migraine. I popped more pills in those 2 weeks than what I usually take over a period of 5 years! All in all a positively unpleasant experience.
Moving swiftly along to much more exciting news; my Secret Santa parcel. Unlike last year, I have no idea who sent me my gift this year which truly makes this year a Secret Santa.
Many thanks to Tandy whose fun initiative this was again this year. I look forward to participating again next year. 🙂
In my package I received the most wonderful goodies:-
- An exquisite dish towel which I may use as a tray cloth;
- A beautiful set of bone handled and silver cutlery – I love bone handled cutlery; and
- A garlic peeler which I have yet to use – I believe they work really well.
Thank you again to Tandy for the fun and a great big thank you my Secret Santa for my super awesome pressie. 🙂 xo
The Complete Book 
What a great collection! It sounds as if the spider that bit you had infected jaws – so sorry for you as it is awful. Thanks for the link love 🙂
Hope I never have to experience anything like it again Tandy! Have a super afternoon. 🙂 xo
That’s a very thoughtful gift, Mandy. I would love to say it was me who was your SS but it wasn’t! I love bone-handled cutlery too and would love to start collecting it. I’m sorry to hear of all your dramas. How awful! I hope you are all better now and back to living a drug free life. xx
It is a lovely gift Charlie. Never a dull moment around here but I can say that I do not wish to re-visit a spider bite again. All drug free again – straight wine for me from now on… Have a beautiful week ahead. 🙂 xo
So sorry to hear about your ear!
From another fellow arachnophobic , this sounds terrifying and I am glad you are better!
Such a wonderful secret santa gift 🙂 Those silver cutlery are so indeed beautiful
Thanks very much Sawsan. The gift is a very thoughtful one. Have a lovely week. 🙂
I hope I got those when I had my secret Santa 🙂
Pity we can’t play secret santa across the ocean Raymund. Have a lovely day. 🙂
Oh Mandy! I’m so sorry to hear about your terrible spider bite! We’ve got some nasty spider’s here in the PNW as well. That could’ve been worse as I’m sure you know. So glad you’re feeling better and not so swollen. Take care and Happy 2013!
Thanks Karista. Oh yes, I am very glad that the bite wasn’t more severe – I have heard some real horror stories! Have a beautiful week ahead. 🙂 xo
Oh, Mandy! I am so very sorry to hear of your brush with the evil monster. I sincerely hope you’re feeling much better now and back to your pleasant-natured self. Would there was another, less harrowing, way to prove the anti-arachnophobes wrong.
And what a nice, thoughtful gift to receive! Happy New Year to your and your DH!
That’s exactly what I should have called it John, an evil monster! I am looking forward to catching up with everybody over the next few days. Here is to 2013 being a evil monster free one! 🙂 xo
Your experience with a spider heightens my fear my friend, I hope you are feeling much better now! Also I’m hoping that your gorgeous secret Santa made you feel better 🙂
Cheers
Choc Chip Uru
Oh no, so sorry CCU, I never meant to scare you! I am 100% better thank you. 😉 Have a lovely day. 🙂 xo
Welcome back, Mandy. A spider bite? o my..that sounds horrible. I am glad that you are better.
Thanks Angie, I am looking forward to catching up with you and your lovely posts. 🙂 xo
Glad you recovered from your spider bite (your doctor “talking to” was well deserved).
Thanks very much Norma. Hope you have been keeping well and I am sure harvesting lovely fresh produce from your gorgeous garden. 🙂
Glad you are recovering from the spider bite – Ouch! I have been bitten twice by spiders and a painful experience. Love your secret santa gifts:) Happy Tuesday!
Thanks Renee, this is the second time I have been bitten too! I sincerely hope it will be the last. Have a lovely day. 🙂
Oh my word, I would have sent chicken soup if I had known. How horrible, do hope you are over it 😦 And what a fantastic present – I have been buying bone handled things over here in England to go with a canteen of cutlery I have that was a family heirloom. Such lovely pieces you have there!
Aah, you are too kind, thank you Tanya! Oh, how incredible that you have a canteen of bone handled cutlery – needless to say, I am a wee bit jealous. 😉 Have a super day. 🙂 xo
What a fun gift! Who is your Santa?
Welcome back, dear Mandy.
So sorry about the spider bite. Do you know what kind of spider would cause this horrible reaction?
Xxxxx
I haven’t a clue who my Santa was Kim, I am sure I could do a little digging to find out but wonder if the mystery of it all is more fun…
We have so many weird and wonderful spiders here that I couldn’t even try and guess type it was.
Thank you again for my magnificent card Kim, I will treasure it always! 🙂 xoxoxxo
So very sorry to hear about your bite and illness. That sounds terrible! Your surprise gift was certainly really beautiful and thoughtful. That silver is absolutely gorgeous. What a nice secret Santa. I certainly hope the beginning of 2013 goes better for you than the ending of 2012. Happy New Year!
Thanks very much Geni. The gift certainly lifted my weary spider bitten spirits. 2013 is going to be a fabulous year for us all. 🙂 xo
Oh man, you don’t know what my stomach did when I read about the spider bite! I HATE spiders and although I’m told there’s only 1 poisonous type where we live, I don’t trust any of them.
Welcome back & that is a terrific Secret Santa gift – love the cutlery, it’s so unique.
You and me both Diane – they give me the screaming willies! I don’t care if a spider is poisonous or not, I just don’t do spiders! Looking forward to catching up with you. Have a super day. 🙂 xo
So sorry to read about the spider bite. My human is allergic to spider bites and needless to say, she doesn’t like spiders so she sympathize
Purrs
Texas, thank you! Oh no, how horrible that your human is allergic, that must be very scary! My fur babies eat spiders – yuck! Do you? Have a lovely furry day. 🙂
Nope, there’s nothing much to eat in there…
Have a great day too!
Purrs
🙂
Aw poor you – you have been in the wars!
Loving the cutlery too 🙂
Must say, has been somewhat horrible! Have an awesome day Claire. 🙂 xo
I am sorry to read that you have been so sick, very glad that you have recovered. I love your SS present, someone has good taste!
Thanks Sue! 🙂 xo
Ouch! All from a spider, yikes! Brown recluse spider? I hope you are on recovery now. Take care, BAM
Bam, I wish I knew what spider it was so I could look out for them in the future! We have so many different spiders here that I wouldn’t even know how to narrow it down! I am 100% better now, thanks! have a super day. 🙂 xo
What a horrible experience to have gone through. I know your lovely gift had to have lifted your sprites. I would be spraying the inside and outside of my house. Spiders are terrible.
I was told peppermint oil does the trick for spiders – I can not confirm it DOES NOT! I always like trying natural ways of deterring unwanted creepy crawlies but seems I may have to use something stronger.
So pretty! And well deserved.
Thank you! It is always lovely receiving a surprise gift. 🙂 xo
Oh my goodness that is horrible Mandy!!!! In your ear! Eeek. I am terrified of spiders. The thought of one in an ear just really freaks me out beyond belief. I’m so glad you’re better. I can’t imagine how awful you felt and through the holidays of all times! I’m going to have to scan my walls before turning out the light tonight. 😉
I am equally terrified of spiders Kristy – at least I was asleep at the time when it bit me otherwise I think I would still be running around the house screaming! Must say, it was the worst time to have been feeling so ill. Have a super week. 🙂 xo
What a horrible experience! I didn’t know other spiders bit, I only think about our iconic red back or funnel web biting :0
I hope you are feeling better now. Secret Santa sounds like a lovely idea, how do you go about participating? I would love to be involved next year.
Hi Julie, welcome and thanks for stopping by. I wish I knew what the spider looked like that bit me so I can steer clear in the future. You can make contact with Tandy http://tandysinclair.com/ who organises the Secret Santa. She will be thrilled to hear from you. Have a super day. 🙂
By the way, my sweet, I hope you are FULLY recovered from your spider Close Encounter!!! Be well, be safe, be happy!
xoxo
Dear sweet Kathryn, thank you so much! You have made my day a very happy one with your love and concern. I am 100% better and very grateful to have the horrible saga behind me. Have a beautiful day. 🙂 xoxoxo