The Lighter Side: New Year's Greetings from 'Uncle' MB ;-)

[markbenjamin57]

Greetings to Poly(ma)lingerers and Partners in Pred

First, on a rare but serious note! I've adjusted my mischievous but unintentional past descriptions of You Lot as a Bunch of 'PolyMalingerers' after one of you very diplomatically (and rightly) suggested that the term 'Malingerer' is suggestive of faking a (our?) health condition so as to avoid 'work'. Linguistic / comedic 'tap on shoulder' accepted, and appreciated - thank you

Just to say: as we Turn the Page and move forwards (hopefully not sideways or backwards!) into a New Year, sincere thanks to all here for your friendship, kindness and support on this terrific forum during the past one - and, of course, the wealth of trusted expertise and experience so generously provided by The Aunties too.

And also, thanks to the five-and-a-half of my dedicated (if slightly Bonkers) 'Followers' here who have been daft enough to buy 'Write Me Funny..' - a little book of Silly Ramblings on my own PMR Journey. Without your encouragement, it would never have reached the Printer's press.

As for me..? The Santa outfit and false white beard are neatly packed away after finishing my 'Christmas Job'. I'm nursing my sore PMR-ravaged knees after bouncing 276 'Little-urns' on them, and losing my voice after issuing 500 Jolly 'YO HO HO! s in just 72 hours. Being a Professional Santa can be tough work...

And, of course, I'm plotting and planning for a positive and healthier Year ahead, as I hope you are too.

As always, try to keep smiling on the Journey. As many of You Lot say, laughter and smiles can sometimes be the best Medicine of all.

Very best wishes and thoughts for 2018. On, and Forwards...!

'Uncle' MB

[yogabonnie]

Don't forget to let us know when the book is available electronically!!! and is there a PHOTO of the Santa goodness!!! ??

[markbenjamin57 in reply to yogabonnie]

Thanks yogabonnie! I just have to research how to supply it effectively in e.form, but I have a list of people who want to buy it that way. I'm on the case...

As for my Santa photo... I have a plan for that too - watch this space

MB

[granny-b]

I may be ill with the double but as well as being in excellent care all my 'disasters' have come to happy endings.

So all I ask of 2018 is for maybe less of the ill and carry on with the happy endings as I don't expect I will get away without my disasters.

For everyone else I wish you to be surrounded by kind people.

And as uncle mb says, smiles all round they are infectious.

[Retailmonkey]

Mark, as always your jottings amuse, entertain and encourage me whilst reminding me that we still have lives to lead and, for a great many reasons, we need to keep the most positive attitude to that as possible. I look forward to reading your book

To all of our community, thank you for all your encouragement, friendship and advice ( even when you didn't realise you were doing it!) in 2017 and may 2018 bring you all you could reasonably wish for

[markbenjamin57 in reply to Retailmonkey]

Many thanks RM (sorry, I forgot your 'real' name). Hope all's well with you on the PMR Journey?

Yes, let's look forward to a positive 2018 health-wise and all that comes with it! The book is available via PMRGCAuk with details about how to order and buy it.

Best wishes and thanks

MB

[Jackoh]

Trying to visualise that half person of the five and a half that bought the book!!!

[Rugger in reply to Jackoh]

Jackoh

Maybe the half person is my husband, who's read my copy! Just before Christmas, I ran out of 'spoons' when making mince pies and husband said "Read Mark's book"! (He's also read Kate Gilbert's book!)

Happy New Year to everyone.

[markbenjamin57 in reply to Jackoh]

Probably someone who's only half following me..?

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to markbenjamin57]

Or half asleep...

[Mourneriver]

As one of your 'whole ' bonkers readers , I wish you and everyone a healthier path this year. I look forward to Book 2 to keep me happy next Boxing Day !

Here's to us All 🍾🍷🍸🍹

[markbenjamin57 in reply to Mourneriver]

Thanks Mourneriver

[jinasc]

themalingerers.co.uk/

I just thought, one of them was you and you had chosen a pen name markbenjamin57.

Does this mean you are for real!!!!!!!!!!!!!

You who have 'pollywhotsit...............................from me who had giant thingy...................

😄

[markbenjamin57 in reply to jinasc]

Ha, never heard of them jinasc!

[bunnymom]

I do think I move sideways all the time! I guess that's better than backwards. Happy New Year ❄❄❄

[Marie1479]

Happy New Year MB!

[SheffieldJane]

I enjoyed being called a Polymalingerer because we are so clearly not but can be thought of as such by the stone hearted.

Best wishes for 2018 to you too Mark!

[markbenjamin57 in reply to SheffieldJane]

Ahh, thanks Jane Actually, when I first came up with the term 'Polymalingerer' it was just intended as humorous mangling of 'Polymyalgia' and 'Lingerer' - with nothing more implied other than Polymyalgia 'hanging around' in / with us. But after one of our kind friends here mentioned the possible association with laziness, it reminded me that some people (including a few medics?) might see PMR as All in the Mind, and not take it seriously!

So, I think I'll modify it to 'Polymylingerer' just to avoid any misinterpretation!