BLACK DOG 9

Doodle not so bad waiting for the hearing aids as I already have old ones. It is just that nothing seems to be straightforward any more! Not sure about all this coming back into the real world, becoming a hermit is sounding attractive!!!!

yes Annie help is not always there but when it is offered it can come from surprising places. Some of mine could not have been predicted and the people who helped have become good friends. DH has given up on his phone physio, even that doesn't come now. Think they have given up.

Sorry about the iPad, I feel the same when the internet goes down, helpless.

My desk is a mess, lots of 'work in progress' otherwise known as procrastination. Looks like a day for hanging out the washing so will count that as a positive.

Annie sorry about your iPad, I hope it’s not stopping you playing your games. How is your DGD getting on with her puppy?
Nonnie I don’t have a desk but out lounge floor is covered with my bits of sewing, boxes of thread and pieces of material. Coming back into the normal world will mean I have to tidy up ?. Been for our walk today. It looked sunny but there was a really chilly wind. Sitting for a few minutes then ironing will have to be done. Our walk takes a lot out of me even though we go slowly.
Hope all the rest of the gang are ok. ?
Almost forgot. I saw our first ducklings yesterday. Mum and dad and four tiny ones. They grow quite quickly so I think these must have been quite young as they were so small. They can move like lightening though ?

Doodle - so glad you slept well it must have done you both good. Your Sunday sounded nice especially the hot cross buns. I like them cold with butter.
Nonnie - I,m finding myself thinking about a bit of a mooch again- maybe a little one on my own so I can bail out if my courage fails me.
I think it’s wonde4ful how you have overcome such trauma and become the strong positive and brave lady you are now. I agree about taking up offered help. At the worst of times I was the recipient of help from total strangers but accepted it even when I just wanted to hide away .
How anyone could benefit from phone physio is beyond me- about as useful as a phone massage!!!
Annie- hope your iPad gets better soon - we don’t realise how important these things are until they don,t behave!! I hope you can see MT soon - when her exams are over ?
Love to allx

Evening all. Hope everyone had a good day.
I’ve been out for a walk in the sunshine only to discover it was such a cold wind.
Booked my first hair appointment but couldn’t get in till May ?. It will be so long by then.
Scaredycat I too like hot cross buns cold with butter. These were from Sainsbugs extra fruity. They were delicious.
Noticed lots of people sitting outside in pub gardens today. Despite the cold they were obviously just happy to be out. We won’t be doing anything like that till after we’ve had our second jabs.
Annie are you still having your morning carer coming in?
Second night of good sleep for DH. Hoping it continues.
Sleep well all. x

Doodle how lovely to see the ducks, must go somewhere with water soon so I can too.

Do you have to tidy up? Your friends won't care, they will just be so happy to see you!

A good sleep makes all the difference.

Scardycat go for it! I think just taking that first plunge is all that is needed, once you start you may be surprised. I'm going to a garden centre to meet a friend today. That gives me a purpose and will mean I don't chicken out.

Interesting that you use the word 'strong' My consultant wrote a book - Depression the Curse of the Strong. It was his belief that the weak simply give up rather than pushing themselves to the point where they become ill.

Just done my first Covid test at home. Another 15 minutes for the result. Feels weird. Planning to do one before I go out to meet others.

Hi all.
Doodle - yes that wind is freezing isn’t it but it didn’t deter all the people enjoying their longed for pub visits though!!
My hair appt is May too - I can’t wait now as it looks such a mess. I should have left it alone!
So pleased your DH had another good sleep- I hope you did too.
Nonnie - We went for it!!! Visited a Garden Centre like you and sat outside in the sun with a coffee. It felt so good to be doing something ‘normal’ and also surprisingly relaxing. It wasn’t too busy and those that were there adhered to the rules. I hope you too enjoyed your time with your friend.
Annie- I hope you are ok today and that you have had someone to help you this morning. X
Tomorrow my Art class day we are doing our work then having a Zoom meeting. I,ve never done that before - it will be so good to see them after over a year. Oh dear I,ll have to tidy myself up for that ! ?

Nonnie if I were to invite friends in they wouldn’t have anywhere to sit. I have my sewing strewn everywhere. ?
Materials, threads, backings. I will tidy when I have finished but for now it’s easier to leave it out.
We are very lucky. We live overlooking the river so get to see the ducks and geese most days plus the occasional swan.
Hope you had a good time at the garden centre with your friend. Hope your results are ok. I have never done a COVID test so have no idea what they are like.
Scaredycat been out again today and amazed at the number of people who want to sit outside in this weather. The park was full of families picnicking and playing games. Nice to see people getting together again.
I am going to put up with my hair until it is cut professionally now. I won’t trim any in case it affects the proper cut.
I’m so pleased you went out and had a good time.
Hope your art class and zoom meeting go well.
Annie how have you been today? Any news on when your mini wheelchair will be coming,?
Take care all x

Hi all x

Had second jab yesterday so slept for quite a while.

Great to learn of your hair appointments, visits to garden centre and shops x

I am still waiting to hear about support to be able to get back to
my bedroom, wheelchair not being delivered until next Monday, it may not be the right size , if not they will order another one. Yes I am so fed up now,

Hi everyone
So glad to hear of your forthcoming hair appointments, going to garden centres, out for walks etc if is very cheery to read the positive threads
Not long now annie till hopefully your wheelchair arrives. With better weather forecast you can get out in the garden
Have a good day people

Scardycat glad you enjoyed it too. We did just the same and my friend put lots of plants in my trolley as she is the expert. Today I will be planting them up.

Enjoy the art class. You can add a background to your Zoom or simply place yourself in front of a bookcase

Doodle never done a home test of anything but I WhatsApped it to the family and one said I was either clear of Covid or pregnant

Annie it was all so positive recently, so sorry it has gone a bit backwards. Pray it will soon be an improvement. Good you have had the second, I feel safer now but worry I could carry it to other people.

My diary is filling up! Have some theatre bookings in and arranged to meet DS & DiL outside and also a few friends.

Annie so pleased you’ve had your second jab, can’t wait for ours,
I hope this time your new chair is the right one and you can get to bed again. Sorry you’re feeling a bit fed up. Everything seems to be taking such a long time to get you the help you need. I hope someone comes and gets you our on Alfie again soon.
Hi polomint how have you been today? We went for a long walk. Half was chilly the other half hot. I kept undoing my coat and doing it up again. Exhausted when we got home but had to set to and clean the bathroom. I have become so lazy since lockdown.
Nonnie hope you had a good day in the garden planting your purchases. Your comments on the test made me laugh. ?
Do you like going to the theatre, is there one near where you live?
Scaredycat hope the art class went well and the zoom meeting. Are you drawing or painting?

Yes Doodle we love the theatre, have a small local one, an even smaller local one and can get the train into the city for a couple of bigger ones. We are very well served here.

Gardening went well, think I could get into it more now that I have an expert to advise me. I have some bigger pots which I will ask DS to move for me and then get plants for them. A good thing we have 2 water butts.

Long video call from DS this morning and we concluded that getting back to normal might be quite a shock to the system. Perhaps when we all start going out more we will realise how badly the last year has affected us.

Today's outing is for sight tests and shoe repairs. Such excitement

Hello all
Doodle - Yes it is nice to see people out I just wish they would bear in mind more that we still need to keep a safe distance etc.
Art was fun as usual - it is a Life Drawing class but in these times we have to work from photographs. Zoom went off ok and it was much easier than I thought it would be. So lovely to see my friends again. I think we,ll do it next week too.
It must be lovely to be able to watch all the comings and going’s on the river from your home - We would love that.
Annie - glad you,ve had your 2 nd jab now - it’s funny how it makes you tired afterwards isn’t it. Do hope when it arrives your wheelchair is the right size for you. Then at last you can get some proper rest in your own bed.
Polomint - yes it is good that we are able to do a bit more now - hope you are too.
Nonnie - we could have done with your friend to help us as we are not the best of Gardners! We talked to a lady working at the Centre and she said to wait a couple more weeks because of the frost.
Oh your diary with things in it!!! Theatre sounds wonderful.
It spurred me on to make a list of stuff we can do in the coming Weeks. Hope it gets a bit warmer soon.
Today we bumped into my GD and family out walking. So good to see her children whizzing about in the sun enjoying the school holidays - such a lovely surprise.
I do hope all in BDG are ok.X

Nonnie. Not that you’ll be doing it any time soon, I assume but, if you do have a NHS hearing aid you qualify for a free senior railcard, I believe. I declined one a few years ago as I was a bit borderline but wish I’d accepted now. Not that I’m planning to travel by train for a long time!

Hello all how’s everyone doing, I’ve not read much of the posts will will try catch up soon. Thought I would let you know had my hypnosis 4 sessions.. I am feeling a lot less anxious, not saying it’s 100% but I really think it has helped me I have been sleeping better, and more better days than bad so fingers crossed..

Don’t Quit
When things go wrong, as they sometimes will,
When the road you’re trudging seems all up hill,
When funds are low and debts are high,
And you want to smile but you have to sigh,
When all is pressing you don a bit,
Rest if you must, but don’t you quit
Success is a failure turned inside out,
The silver tint on the clouds of doubt,
And you can never tell how close you are,
It may be near when it seems far,
So stick to the fight when you’re hardest hit
It’s when things go wrong that you must not quit.

Hope everyone has had a good day. ?

Nonnie nice to have a theatre trip. We have 2, not exactly local but not too far away. We haven’t been for ages but would be nice to do that again sometime soon. Good you enjoyed the gardening. Outdoor activities are good for the mind.
Scaredycat I envy you your art class. I can’t draw at all. Is there many in your group? Glad your zoom went well nice to meet up with friends even if it’s only virtually.
Yes we do love living by the river. Being two floors up we don’t pull our curtains so can watch people going past all day and into the evening.
What a lovely surprise to see your DGD out with her children, enjoying the sunshine. I bet that brought a smile to you today.
Joce so pleased to hear your hypnosis has helped you. Will you continue? Sleeping better helps too.
Thanks for the poem. A good one.
Annie how have you been feeling today?
I’ve been busy trying on all my trousers and disposing of those (quite a lot ?) that I don’t think I will ever get into again. Took loads to a Salvation Army drop off point so hope they find a good new home somewhere.
Pollen is high again any my eyes are sore. Good news for DH, he is sleeping better with his new meds. Not perfect but much improved. Don’t know if the GP will give him more but we will have to wait and see.
Take care all x

My new pills came today. I’ve looked on google and it looks like the only medication you can’t take them with is anti depressants. I’m not on them so I’ll give it a try

Doodle I won’t have any more unless I need to, he is very good and understanding, he did say I could contact him any time...
He has sent me some relaxing hypnosis to listen to. If I’m feeling anxious or can’t sleep..
Where you live by the river sounds so peaceful ..
been a long walk today with my daughters and our little man he’s growing so fast, he a really happy baby such a pleasure.

Annie do hope you are getting the help you need should be able to go to bed it’s been a long time for you sleeping on the settee.

Hope everyone else are coping.
Night all sleep well ?

Thanks MayBe I didn't know that.

Joce so glad the hypnosis is helping. Like the poem, could be just what someone needs when they feel they can't go on.

Your little man sounds enough to cheer any of us.

Doodle clear outs are very satisfying.

Went to the optician yesterday and asked about what was the cause of the 'allergy' which is giving me black eyes. No, not an allergy, an idiot for not telling them years ago that my eyes kept watering. He explained all about the body's process as the eyes dry out when we get older. Simple solution, eye drops and a heated eye pad. Why do I always assume that whatever it is will go away or that it is just something I have to put up with? Grrrr.

Going round to work on DS and DiL's garden now.

EllieAnne hope the new pills help, remember some can take weeks to kick in.

Hi all x

Sorry not been here, so much to deal with and decisions to be made , hugs to all x

joce sounds like you had a lovely day. Good to hear you have got some tapes to listen to. Hope it works for you. Must be a delight to spend time with your little grandson.
EllieAnne I hope your tablets work for you. As Nonnie said, sometimes they take a while to work. Hope you are feeling a bit better.
Nonnie I have always thought that health issues are better dealt with than left, I hope your eyes feel better soon.
Annie I hope you are ok and nothing is wrong. Please take care. Cwtch for you x

Hi all x

How is everyone ?

Lovely sunny day, easing of lockdown, are you walking, sitting in garden, shopping ? Are you feeling more positive?

Hi Annie it is a beautiful day. Just been having a lazy breakfast and reading the paper. So sad to read that Damien Lewis’s wife had died. Plan to watch the service for Prince Philip this afternoon. Walk later. Sewing if I don’t fall asleep ?
I’m a bit jittery but only my usual worries nothing new. Will watch the morning service from Canterbury cathedral over lunch. On Saturdays we usually get to see the Dean’s new piglets. 9 of them. They always make me laugh. Little tails wagging they are like puppies all falling over one another.
Hope you have a good day and the rest of the BDG.

Afternoon all.
Joce- so glad the hypnosis has helped you and improved your sleep too. Its a good idea to have the recordings to listen to as well. Seeing your girls and the baby must give you great joy- so pleased for you.
Doodle - I can’t sew to save my life but have always been able to draw. When I went to Adult Ed. Our class was about 14 but our lockdown group is 7. They are great company and their work has
improved so much in lockdown.
I had to laugh at you trying on your trousers- my DH did the same thing this week and his jeans seem to have shrunk!!!
Sorry your eyes are sore again - it must be such a nuisance every year. Do you wear wrap round sunglasses I seem to remember reading somewhere they helped.
Nonnie - great that you have got your eyes sorted - better late than never! Funny how it is called dry eyes when in fact they are far from that!
Annie - Hi to you too!! Hope you are having a more relaxing day today. Glad the sun is shining in Wales .
We,ve just had our walk- it’s still a cold wind but the sun is out and the sky the brightest of blues. We could hear the village church bell tolling - I guess for Prince Phillip. We won’t see his like again I believe. Not so many people out today I guess now the shops,sports and pubs etc are open they are doing other things.
Have you seen anyone today? Xx
Wishing you all an enjoyable weekendxx

Hello all. Annie sun is shining hear lovely been in the garden all day.. do hope you are doing alright.
Scared it’s good if only to get a good nights sleep, yes it’s really lifted my heart seeing my kids and grandkids, if only in the garden...
Doodle Nonnie hope you are both enjoying the sunshine..
Going to have a long warm bath now..
Have a good weekend everyone ?