I prefer using the terms allergy, side effect, and adverse reaction because the term "sensitvity" is often confused. http://www.worldallergy.org/professional/allergic_diseases_center/ige/ “The immune response in allergy begins with sensitization. When, for example, house dust mite or pollen allergens are inhaled, antigen presenting cells in the epithelium lining of the airways of the lungs and nose, internalise, process and then express these allergens on their cell surface. The allergens are then presented to other cells involved in the immune response, particularly T-lymphocytes. Through a series of specific cell interactions B-lymphocytes are transformed into antibody secretory cells - plasma cells. In the allergic response, the plasma cell produces IgE-antibodies, which, like antibodies of other immunoglobulin isotypes, are capable of binding a specific allergen via its Fab portion. Different allergens stimulate the production of corresponding allergen-specific IgE antibodies. Once formed and released into the circulation, IgE binds, through its Fc portion, to high affinity receptors on mast cells, leaving its allergen specific receptor site available for future interaction with allergen. Other cells known to express high-affinity receptors for IgE include basophils, Langerhans cells and activated monocytes. Production of allergen specific IgE-antibodies completes the immune response known as sensitization."

Thank you. :) You're probably right eld. I overthink things sometimes. I always have to remind myself to just stop planning and do at some point. I bought a colourful coverup yesterday and will look for a high necked sleeveless swim top to go under my tankini. Hopefully I won't have your problem daisychain, with riding up, as mine isn't tightly fitted. We have confronted BIL at various times and the usual remorse and empty promises occur. Hopeless cause I'm afraid. It would be nice if no alcohol were in the summer mix, but that isn't fair to all those who can handle it. I will try the deadpan stare and walk away though, thanks for that suggestion! He might not see it through his alcohol haze and probably will still think he's hilarious. He's pretty thickheaded. People used to laugh with him, which I found astonishing, but not so much anymore.

Thanks for thinking of me, Maire-cate! I love sling backs-- and especially love the lines of those. I have just accepted that I don't care for ballet flats. I have a pair of Tory Burch in my shopping cart and a pair of Cole Haan that just arrived. They fit-- I just don't care for the look. Surprisingly, I have found a few low heels that I can wear-- I can't really explain why these work and sooooo many others (even lower heels) do not. I really think it is about the sole and my being able to "feel" the ground (my issues are with depth perception and vision issues. I feel off balance and unsteady on my feet in a LOT of shoes.) Luckily, these are all very affordable and just this weekend, I ordered multiple pairs of each. Nine West Raissa - I ordered this slide in both a denim pattern and black leather. The pink is very sparkly so I'll get limited use from it but it is very pretty :) Fit Flop Kys - have this one and ordered another in bronze with a cork base. I *really* like how these feel and they don't make my feet look huge-- but warning: they run very wide. Crocs Leigh-Ann - while this one gave me two terrible cuts under my big toe (the boniest part of my foot). I ordered another pair because I could wore them to work ALL day without any balance or vertigo kinds of issues. I'll try moleskin under the vamp to avoid future cuts. (thankfully I just had a pedicure-- as I won't get another with any broken skin on my foot). Ive tried so many other shoes-- across a range of styles and price points and these are the ones that work. I am glad to have some options!

It may not be obvious at first glance but.... BES have teeny tiny little needle things all along their stems. If you get one stuck in your skin, it's really hard to get out, because they are so tiny (though I HAVE had success using a photographer's loop - to see the needle - plus some tweezers). That said, it's far better to simply ALWAYS wear long gloves, or else short gloves plus a long-sleeved shirt, whenever you are working among BES plants, or cutting a few stems to add to an arrangement.