Feeling crap, what makes you feel better

I'm glad you're managing to keep busy Luckygirl
All your projects sound interesting and very worthwhile.

Meanwhile, I must learn a new skill. I taught myself to do simple crocheting but there's a limit to the number of blankets I can give away.

Although I should make more face masks. I find them fiddly and annoying to sew.

to all those feeling in need of cheering up at the moment.

I am struggling with sudden waves of grief and having to find ways of fending them off. I am doing Chi-Gong every morning - outside when the weather is good - and I find that focuses the mind and helps a bit - although sometimes I do it whilst sobbing!

And I am helped by the embroidery that I am doing at present - I am contributing to a sort of "Bayeux Tapestry" that is being created for the walls of the new community centre. It chronicles the history of the village, and I am currently engaged on cows which roam free on the village green. I am also making a rug - but progress on that is slow as I can only do two rows a day without my wrists etc. starting to give me pain.

Music is a mixed blessing - it is central to my life though. But it sometimes evokes memories or emotions that I find hard to deal with.

Keeping busy seems to help - school governor meeting yesterday has left me with a number of tasks to deal with and that is good; and I am also organising a book of memories for someone who is leaving the village. Oh.....and in between I am doing battle with a conveyancing solicitor .........grrrrr.

Sending positive thoughts to all in distress at the moment.

Re grandchildren.
I know, it's awful.
I haven't seen my Nan since January.
She's 96 and in hospital at the moment, bless her.

Betty, thank you so much for that brilliant suggestion.
I really enjoy (and I'm very good at) drawing, so that looks right up my street.
I'm going to have to resist buying one of the many books about it, I'm a right one for buying too many books.
Thanks again.

For Fanny Cornforth.
Try slow stitch or some call it Kantha. Google it. Very basic running stitch skill can lead you into some lovely work. Also you can do it while watching the telly!
Good luck.
I think we are all suffering now. I hadnt realised quite how much until i read how others are feeling about seeing their grandchildren. I must have been bottling it up because I have just burst into tears thinking about when my 4 grandchildren will be in hugging distance again.
?

I don’t like musicals ( shock, horror!) but I very much like music, and listen to either cds or the radio when in the house or driving to somewhere.Always cheers me up.
I think we all listen to too much rolling news, repetitive gloom doesn’t help anyone, so we started switching off, and only watch the news once, in the evening.
A phone call to a friend, or an email is cheering, as is a large G&T and a good book to lose yourself in.

Janeainsworth, so nice to hear you enjoyed your visit to beautiful Lake Huron, I live close by Lake Huron and now that we have bought a little boat we have spent a lot of the summer toodling around the lake, sure is a great way to forget about Covid for just a little while.

Thank you NotTooOld x

So sorry to hear of all the sadness people are experiencing at this time. I am very fearful of this second wave and particularly anxious for family members, some of whom I have not see since January and miss very much. I am one of the lucky ones as my DH and I are happy together and are supporting each other through these hard times. For those of you who are less lucky and perhaps having to cope on your own do take heart from Chris Whitty's remark this morning that a vaccine could be available by the end of the year or early next year. Previously he has said 'the middle of next year' so I am taking heart from his latest message. Salvation could be nearer than we think!

Davida, I'll give it another go!

Oh my word MadeinYorkshire
You do have a lot on your plate.
I'm tearing up reading your post.
Please don't lose heart.
I think that that this second wave is going to need more than clapping and rainbows.
I hope that we can support each other, even in the smallest way, but I think that acceptance of the difficulties is the first step.
Shall we have a really good think tonight and think of our best advice how to help each other?
I'm aware that this might sound trite, but I'm at a loss to think of any other way.
I hope that we all have a peaceful evening and a good night's sleep x

I love Schitt'$ Creek! Unfortunate title, but it really is (IMO) an "uplifting" show! Worth watching a few episodes, to get into it. About a rich family, who lose all their money and have to start again, in a town called Schitt's Creek. No swearing and no explicit sex or violence. Recommended.

I am really struggling, there is so much uncertainty in my life recently (well for over 2 decades really in total) and myself and my family are the most unlucky people I know ... some people fall and come up covered smelling of roses, but we perpetually come up smelling of s**t!

I managed the first lockdown, just, as a fair bit of it I was in hospital, but seeing my DGC again lifted me up somewhat. My daughter's wedding had to be postponed last weekend, so that was miserable, I have kidney cancer so am due in hospital again shortly to probably lose a kidney; I think I am going to have to sell my house but don't have enough to buy a bungalow in the area I need to be in so am waiting for the Bank to allow me to port my mortgage despite my income being so poor; my daughter is suffering from severe MH issues and is suicidal, my best friend is being abused by her son but is finding it difficult to send him on his way; my Mum is 84 and 190 miles away (came down for the 'wedding' which didn't happen) and having not seen her for a year, I really miss her now she has gone back to her home; I have 2 dogs who are my companions and part of my family and am really struggling to afford to keep them as their insurance is so so expensive, but it is the only company that my vet will claim direct, so that I do not have to pay and claim it back.

I am dreading not being able to see my daughter and DGC again, I need to be with them, they are my small support network and am very concerned that I won't be able to go and see them at all. She doesn't drive so after my op when I cannot drive, I am going to be stuck on my own, again ....

I really do not know what to do, and I really can't find much, other than my garden, (which is better than it has ever been and there is very little to do in it) that will even vaguely lift me out of this deep depression

So sorry to be so desolate, even when I try to do my 'arty farty' bits, I generally only get half way through and end up in a pickle which I then can't be bothered to clear up. Sometimes I wish I would just not wake up one morning.

MawB
for you and Hattie.

I'm not really religious by any stretch.
I don't know where blasphemy and prayers came from!

Planning each day with one thing in it that makes me happy.

It could be a phone call (or two) to loved ones,
making a donation to a charity,
watching a film that makes me feel happy,
listening to music that lifts my spirits (Barbra Streisand is a favourite).

MawB please keep positive about your Hattie. The vet told us in a March that our 12 year old Ruby cat had the onset of Chronic Kidney Disease. She has been unwell, and a scan confirmed that. Well she had intense medication for a month.
A further scan has been done 5 months later - and the CKD has been halted. It is no worse.
And she has got her mojo back and is enjoying her little cat life again.

I hope the Vet can do the same for Hattie. ? Very best wishes to you both.

Sorry, I posted too soon
I hope that everyone is coping okay today.
It's a very difficult time.
Love and prayers to you all x

Hello everyone.
I'm struggling to keep up with everyone.
But to anyone who is grieving the loss of a pet - I demand that you you get a new companion.
I know to a lot of people it will sound almost blasphemous, but the grief of losing my first dog was only second to the loss of my mother.
I am actually convinced that my mom sent me that dog to help me recover.

I feel sad that my daughter is currently restricted as she lives in Glasgow. I live alone just outside London and haven't seen her since Christmas.
I have however seen my son and DiL a couple of times but their baby is due this week and a further lockdown might mean I can't visit my new grandchild when he or she arrives. Daughter's planned visit in October may not be able to happen too.

What makes me feel better is knowing they are all safe and well and that compared to some folk we've had it easy. I still have a job and am retiring in just over a month. My plans for retirement may have to go on hold for a while but it is what it is. We need to be thankful for what is still good in our lives and look forward to being together again eventually!

When I'm feeling crap it's a glass of Single Malt headphones on crank up the volume and lose myself in the music for an hour or two.

Music, flowers, wine, cheese.

One piece of good news today. Chris Whitty says a vaccine is hopefully available by Christmas or the new year. If this is successful, things could start to get back to normal....stay positive

Meditation - better even than shoes! Here is a ten minute introduction to meditation - you might find it a surprise - many people find it makes a big difference. There are silences in this short talk - don't think its ended, the silences are meant to be there, and it fades at the end - its just a taster. You can find out lots more if you want to on line.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=8HYLyuJZKno
I hope this is helpful to someone. With love

Music and a home made pina colada for me.

I am just feeling a bit sorry for myself today as my car needs almost £1000 of work done on it. After that little shock my phone stopped working too.
I know I will be fine in a little while as there are much worse things. A cup of tea and a chat with my son sorted me out.
I am not usually down for long.
Sending good wishes to those who have real problems.