BLACK DOG 8

Hi all x

Late joining you , been rather busy ! I have a wheelchair, a manual one, it was given to me, so have been giving myself
driving ! lessons in the living room. Hope to try the front path
soon so will need my purple hat.

I will not be able to go for walks but come early Spring I will
buy an electric wheelchair

Evening all x Annie great news with the wheelchair! Something positive at last, definitely get an electric one soon, it gave my MiL a new lease of life.
Scaredy like you we have always walked and wonder how long these ‘fair weather walkers’ will last after the pandemic. I guess they would be busy doing something else then. I know what you mean about having wasted time worrying needlessly because of health anxiety. The many times I should have enjoyed the children and holidays!
Chrissy glad you find the Black Dog gang helpful, I’ve always found kindness and understanding on here.
Wishing you all a pleasant evening and a good night x

Nonnie nice to be invited to walk with the young mum and her baby. I’m sure there are people who’d love to go for walks with you. I go with my neighbour sometimes. We chat all the ways so time passes quickly ?
Chrissy that’s the nice thing about this thread, you can always say how you are feeling without being judged. We all have our reasons for being anxious or worried.
Hope you have a more relaxed day today.
Scaredycat yes we are walkers too. DH found it very difficult the first lockdown when he stayed in for 14 weeks without setting foot outside the front door. At least this time we are allowed out.
Glad your DHs scan was ok and the meds working for him.

Annie how exciting. Is it difficult for you to manage. Do you sit in it or just use it to steady yourself while walking?
Bluesky it’s annoying isn’t it when you look back at all the things we worried about that didn’t happen and how many sleepless nights we had because of it, hard to change though.
lavender hope you are ok.
Sleep well all x

Evening everyone
Scaredycat Glad to hear that your DH’s problem was sorted out and all is well. I think everyone is waiting with baited breath for a vaccine, I know I am. I’m glad that you’ve been happy with all the things you’ve bought online.
Annie I’m so glad that you’ve now got a wheelchair, brilliant news
BlueSky I often think of how much life I’ve wasted worrying about things that never actually happened
Doodle My DH never left home in the first lockdown either and is happy that he’s able to get out this time.
Sleep well everyone x

Chrissy thanks for the thanks, you have reminded me that I don't say that to the BDG often enough. Thank you all.

Annie that is the best news. I think we will all be cheered to read it. Hope you have someone to move all the furniture which will leap out and get in your way

I've been trying to stay positive for some days now but have reached the stage where I can't fool myself anymore. Early this morning had a video call with 3 year old showing me what he had done in the kitchen to help DS with the dinner then bouncing around Tiggerlike and laughing as only a little one can. Made me happy but hasn't overcome the sadness and emotional feeling. Now tipping out my button jars and plan to sort them properly, hope to find enough matching ones for the latest knitting.

Afternoon everyone
Nonnie How lovely that you had a video call with your GS this morning. I’m sorry to hear that you’re feeling sad. This virus is making all our emotions ten times worse I think. It is hard to stay positive some days, I think the fact that we don’t know how long restrictions will last is the worst part. Hope sorting out your buttons took your mind off things for a while. x
Hope everyone has a good afternoon x

Hi all x

I am grappling with acceptance yet again.

1. Can’t have physiotherapy at the hospital but can privately
with a physiotherapist locally.

2. She lives in my part of town so could get to her surgery in
an electric wheelchair.

3. If I buy an electric wheelchair I can’t afford the physiotherapists fees.

4. This virus will be a threat to normal life for some time.

Acceptance - stay put, it’s sure to snow, stitch a set of four samplers , each is 14” x 20” , surely by the time I finish these
there will be some normality .

And as tv is rather boring and a limited number of crosswords to do, I have found I have the complete set of DVD’s I bought
years ago for my grandson. - ‘Lost’. ! ! ! !

Afternoon all.
Annie- great news to hear you have a wheelchair at last- so,pleased for you. It will be an exciting day for you when you make it out on to the front path-I know you can do it. Hope MT continues to improve.
It’s good that you have a project with the samplers - do they go in frames when they are done?
Doodle - have you walked today? It was very frosty here first thing but got nicer later. We gave it a miss today as it was a day of deliveries so worked in the garden and then practised my slobbing techniques!!
Nonnie-I am so sorry You are feeling sad -it is overwhelming at times I know. Your little grandson sounds delightful with his bouncy personality. Hope you enjoyed sorting out your buttons. I remember playing with my Nans button box when I was little- can you imagine the techno savvy kids of today enjoying that!!
Chrissy- you are right the virus is really playing with our minds and emotions. I just wish there were clear cut rules and everyone stuck to them. I read today that if 95% of people would wear their face masks we wouldn,t,need a lockdown. Fat chance of that!!
Lavender ,Joce, Bluesky and all have a nice evening. Take carexx

Evening all x Another one here feeling low, DH’s op is looming, he hasn’t got a date yet but as he had his pre op assessment, it shouldn’t be too long. Feeling apprehensive, apart from the op itself there’s still Covid to worry about. Wish my DS were near or at least nearer.
Hope you’ll all have a peaceful evening x

BlueSky you are going to be apprehensive, no point in saying‘don’t worry’ you will, but try to hang to positive thoughts,

After the op your husband will be free of pain, hospitals are
taking great care .

Talk here as often as you wish / want / need x

Wishing you all a peaceful evening and a good nights sleep. Will try to catch up with the posts tomorrow. Love to all xx

Thanks Annie you always have time for others despite your own problems and sorrows. x
Good night all x

Good evening all.
Chrissy the news on the vaccine is looking more hopeful .
It would be lovely to be able to go out like we used to. At least, as you say, we are allowed out this time.
Nonnie what a lovely video call. Nothing like seeing the little ones having fun is there. Hope you are feeling a bit better this evening,
Annie things are never easy are they. How are you getting on with the wheelchair, are you still using it indoors?
The samplers sound lovely. This time of year is not the best for going out with the rain, snow and leaves on the ground. Is it possible to get someone to give you a lift to the physio or a taxi? Sometimes if you see them once they can give you exercises to do at home.
That box set of DVDs was certainly Lost Annie
Scaredycat not been out today. I cut DHs hair and my own and then washed and dried mine (takes a while, there is a lot of it). Then did some online Christmas shopping and some sewing.
I spent ages searching for a small part for my sewing machine that holds the thread on. I had it in my hand one minute then the next minute I couldn’t find it. I searched the floor, everywhere. In the end I eventually found it inside the reel of cotton ?
Glad you got out in the garden for a bit. I bet it was cold though.
Bluesky not surprising you are anxious. With regard to COVID, my DH has been in hospital twice recently and I think they are much more up to speed now with PPE and generally checking everything thoroughly. No point in saying try not to worry but you know we are here to talk to and hand hold. All of us together supporting each other. We are one big security blanket ?
lavender hope you had a good day.
Sleep well all x

Evening everyone
Annie No wonder you’re grappling with acceptance when you consider the situation. If a private physiotherapist can see you then you’d think that the physiotherapist at the hospital would do the same. I imagine that an electric wheelchair will make such a difference for you. I had to look up what samplers are, I thought it was cross stitch or embroidery but the only things coming up are musical instruments and I’m pretty sure that’s not what you mean.
Scaredycat How’s your slobbing technique coming along? I also played with my nan’s button tins, she was a dressmaker. I know someone that still collects buttons. I know what you mean about people not following the rules. We can follow them to the letter but if other people don’t the whole thing is pretty pointless.
BlueSky I’m sorry you’re feeling low. It’s only natural that you’re worried about your DH. I’m sure that they will be following strict regulations and it will go fine.
Hope everyone else is ok. Sleep well all x

Doodle You nipped in and posted while I was writing my post . Yes the situation with the vaccines looking promising. I do the same quite often, I look everywhere for my glasses when they’re on my head. I cut my DH’s hair with clippers but wouldn’t even attempt mine although out of desperation I have cut my fringe a few times. I really like the big security blanket analogy x

Annie Sorry you are feeling 'lost'. Could the private physio come to you? DH is still only getting telephone physio too.

BluSky it is very hard when a loved one is waiting for an operation, you probably worry about him more than he does. I got into a terrible state when DH had his last one. No point telling you not to, you can't help it. Hopefully all over and done with before Christmas.

Oh Doodle that resonates with me. I keep blaming the borrowers and then ask DH to look for me, usually in my study so it must be me who has misplaces whatever, and he sees it in a flash. Having said that I have been looking for a particular file for months.

I cut DHs hair but not brave enough to cut my own.

It took a very long time to sort the buttons, they are now in little bags of like colours or sizes. Nowhere near as much fun to play with as before when they were a jumble. It has been a habit to save the buttons from anything I was throwing away and has now proved useful as I can't go shopping. I have 4 choices for the thing I am making at the moment.

Sorry everyone, I've snapped. I feel as if the piece of string which was keeping me together has got thinner and thinner and finally snapped. I am very emotional, good things make me feel bad, looked at a wall thingy a DS bought me a few years ago 'Our family may grow in different directions but our roots remain as one'. It should make me happy but it just makes me upset. Walked round the lake with DS and DiL yesterday, should have cheered me but didn't. I really do try to stay positive but have failed.

Hi all x

nonnie you say you have snapped, grief ?

I didn’t think of asking the physiotherapist if she would do a
home visit, will contact her on Monday x

Chrissy samplers are not musical instruments , cross stitching, i am working on Moira Blackburn’s set of 4 seasons. x

lavender please take care x

Doodle I don’t want to use a taxi, I would need physical
support to get from the bungalow to the taxi. The wheelchair on carpet is difficult x

BlueSky I so understand you feeling apprehensive, think we
all do when it concerns our loved ones, I class worry for a
loved one as - the price we pay for love x

Scaredcat yes the set of samplers I am stitching will be framed. One I did for myself was fun, I have three sisters who
surely were born clutching feather dusters, I am so unlike them, we don’t share one interest. Housework comes first for them so I stitched , framed and hung in the hall -

‘A Tidy House Is A Sign Of A Wasted Life’ ? x

Anyone had problems with taking Paracetamol ?

Annie I can understand you are battling with acceptance, you are amazing, I think I would be very angry in your position, but I know it is just negative to be like that.
Chrissie I have not popped in lately, so do not know your posts as well as the others, but I do look forward to reading your posts,hope you are doing well.
Nonnie glad you heard from your from your Grandaughter.
Good wishes to everyone, and have a good day.

Afternoon everyone
Nonnie I’m so sorry to hear that you’ve snapped. I think that when we are struggling mentally, we can only cope with so much before something pushes us over the edge. Please be kind to yourself.
Annie I hope that the physiotherapist can do house calls. I’ve never had problems with paracetamol, I take them for headaches etc. I can’t take anything which contains aspirin.
Thank you rafichagran I look forward to getting to know you.
Have a good afternoon everyone x

Hello all some good new we have a new beautiful Grandson.
Born today 7lb 5oz ...
Hope every one’s as good as can be, staying positive safe and well.
hopefully our news will lift me some what now...
have a good weekend all xx

Hi all.
Doodle- I,ve had a go at my hair too- just the fringe and a few stray bits. Unfortunately my hair isn,t thick so it’s not easy to hide mistakes. Last time I asked DH what it looked like he said
“Like YOU cut it”!! I do his too but clippers are quite easy aren,t they. I,ve lost the courage to go back to the hairdressers since I went in August.
First day today walking the woolly hatwent on!
Chrissy- some days slobbing is easier than others.I,m not very good at just sitting so must try harder!! I too love the security blanket thought- Doodle you got it just right it is so comforting being able to talk and listen to you all.
Bluesky- sorry you are feeling low but it’s no wonder with your DH Op coming up. But they will be very careful and take good care of him. Think how wonderful it will be for him to be pain free. Hope it’s done soon so you can both enjoy life more.
Annie- hope you get somewhere with the physio on Monday.
I definitely wasn,t born with a feather duster in my hand but my DD must have been!! Although I didn,t notice at the time !
I don’t take paracetamol any more as it gives me a rash although it didn,t years ago.
Nonnie- I,m so sorry you feel as if you,ve snapped . You haven,t failed it’s just sometimes the inner sadness makes you feel helpless- you are such a strong lady but you need to be kind to yourself for a while.
Glad you can see your DS and DiL for walking- it does them good to see you too.
Take care Nonnie x
Hope you all have a nice evening.

Evening all x First of all Joce congratulations! How lovely a new grandson! Some good news for a change.
Yes Annie ‘A TidyHouse Is A Sign Of A Wasted Life’ I would definitely have one of those framed samplers if I could stitch! And of course you are so right, worry for our loved ones is the price we pay for love.
Nonnie I often feel like you said, looking at some gifts from my DC and DGC can make me very emotional.
Thanks for all your good wishes for my DH, I’m certainly more worried about it than he is, he wants to get it sorted as he’s the one with the pain and limitations.
Hope you’ll all have a pleasant Saturday evening x

rafichagran hello and hugs x how are you ?

scaredycat my 3 sisters, mother and my two daughters all
feather duster addicts, my Mum once said ‘why can’t you enjoy cleaning like your sister ?’, my reply - because I am left
handed ‘ ! x

Joyce so happy for you, all is well, do give yourself time to
let the stress and tension go x

BlueSky yes it is the price we pay, but the love is so worth it x
Chrissy yes we are all struggling mentally, do post about
any fears you have about your appointment, i am sure by
the conversation you had with your GP she wants to reassure you x

Evening all.
Chrissy hope you are coping better today. The news of a vaccine should lift spirits. Nice memory, you playing with the buttons in your Nan’s tin ?
My DH has a pair of men’s hair clippers which I used to cut his hair and then to take some off mine too. It’s far from perfect but as I don’t have straight hair I doubt anyone will notice (I wear a hat when I’m out ?)
Nonnie something has obviously triggered some bad thought that is in your mind and bringing you down. I think this time of year can be a melancholy one. Hope you feel brighter tomorrow.
Annie of course I wasn’t thinking. Yes the idea of having the physio come to you is a much better idea. I hope she will if you explain the circumstances.
I will look up your samplers. They sound interesting.
I take paracetamol sometimes for neck pain or headache, not had any problems with it so far.
Rafichagran hope you are getting on ok.
Oh Joce that is good news. You must be so pleased. Hope they are all doing well.
scaredycat my hair is thick so mistakes with the clippers don’t show much. I did however take a big chunk out of DHs hair at the back but he can’t see it
Bluesky it’s an emotional time of year. And a very strange year it is too.
You are right Annie love is worth it.
lavender hope things are ok with you.
Sleep well all. x