Black Dog 10

Annie is it a particular memory time for you or just the dark evenings drawing in do you think? Whatever, we are here if you want to chat. I’m amazed how you get through most days with all your trials and tribulations. I’m sending you a cwtch and hope this feeling passes soon. x
Bluesky forgive me if you’ve mentioned about your sons being in Australia before (I’m sure you have). I have a dreadful memory. That must be really sad when you don’t get to see them much. Are they happy living there? That would make a difference.
Nonnie perhaps we both need a magic mirror to hide the signs of ageing.
Hope you have a good week. Don’t get too worn out.
Joce how are all your bumps and cuts today? Hope you are feeling ok.

Hi all x

How is everyone?

I am having a down time, it will pass

BlueSky is it good that not a lot is going on at the moment? Sometimes that is a relief but at others can give too much time to think.

So sad that your family are so far away. We loved our trip to Australia but can understand why you doubt you will go again. We are fortunate that all our family are on the same continent although we do have some sort of in-laws who are as far away as Oz.

Doodle I will do a oneupmanship on you, I have wrinkles on my wrinkles

Start of another very busy week so may not come on here for a while. Will try on Monday as that is the less busy day.

Hope you all have a good weekend, in our case very wet.

No Doodle no family reunion for us as my two sons and families live in Australia, so it’s still very uncertain how and when this will happen. I used to visit on a fairly regular basis, but sadly can’t see myself going again.
Good night all x

Joce ? whatever are you up to. I hope you are ok and not badly hurt. Hope things are settling down for you now and you are a bit more relaxed,
Nonnie you are quite right and I will go and see the GP if it doesn’t improve soon. I think it’s like muscle fatigue but it actually seems to improve the more I walk and is worse when I start walking than later.
I think by the time we reach a certain age I think we are all creatures of habit, I know I am.
Please be careful as you say Covid is still around. Funny enough I have one of those awful mirrors too ?. Not only does mine give me bags under my eyes, it gives me wrinkles too.
Bluesky good to hear from you and that things are ok.
Will you be seeing family at Christmas? Yes holidays are nice but I like being at home too.
Annie Ellie Anne hope you are both ok too.
Sleep well all. x

Yes Nonnie we were shocked to catch Covid in August, after being double vaccinated, still taking precautions and leading a quiet life. Let’s say at least we didn’t experienced a serious bout of the illness and it kept us out of hospital. Now of course there are more cases than ever.

Morning all x Just saying hello, not much to report here, but as they say, no news is good news. We are more or less carrying on as we’ve have done for the past 18 months plus, with family far away there are no reunions for the foreseeable future.
Joce sorry you have a lot on your plate at the moment, and you cut your head too, it’s so easily done.
Scaredy glad you had a satisfying meeting with your doctor, that makes all the difference. Nothing worse than being seen and then feeling you’ve wasted your time.
Doodle glad you enjoyed your break, as they say nice going away and nice coming home.
Ellie as I said before I’ve been in a similar situation to yours with my first husband, I did make my own life till we eventually divorced, sad but what’s the option?
Nonnie hope you are feeling less tired now having gone back to your usual way of life.
Annie keep on battling!
Hope you’ll all have a good day x

Doodle perhaps if the tiredness doesn't improve you might think about talking to your GP. I do firmly believe that as we get older we need to keep at everything on the 'use it or lose it' theme

Yes, SScardycat video calls are our lifeline.

I think the Cayenne pepper worked for the badgers that used to make a trail across our lawn. Something stopped them and the lawn regrew.

So good that you are happy with your GP, we used to have a good one before we moved but heard that he moved soon after as well.

Ellie Anne your DH doesn't sound a very happy man, I wonder if he is ill? My DH is also a 'creature of habit' and a bit lazy socially but does like company.

Doodle your suggestion about lights sounds good and uplifting.

Joce I suspect many are accident prone when there is a lot going on. Please take care of yourself.

I am just about to go out for the first time this week. Only for a postponed routine blood test but it is 'out'! Mirror was unkind this morning, big black pouches under the eyes. Then doing the last batch of washing from the family visit.

Upsetting to hear that a friend and her husband now have Covid, also a neighbour of DS, all double vaccinated. Not going to enjoy being around people next week.

Hello all keep looking to see how you all are, I have so much going on at the moment.
Plus stood on a marble that hurt ? then hit my head on sink with my glasses on my head cut it made a mess every where.
Hay ho got to keep plodding on.
Thinking of you all sending hugs love and prayers to you all stay safe...
? x

Hello all.
Scaredycat I hate that stomach churning feeling. My friend does some sunny jigsaws in winter to cheer her up. Bright ones or ones with colourful flowers.
I didn’t know foxes ate daffodils. If you hear lots of sneezing in your garden it will be the foxes sniffing your paprika.?
If Christmas lights make things better for you why not have them on throughout winter. These days coloured lights aren’t just for Christmas. We have some string LED lights in our lounge we have on as soon as the evenings start to draw in. The lights don’t have to be on a tree. Our son has some behind his TV and I know others who do that. On top of bookcases, anywhere you like. I find it makes a difference to have a warm glow in the room. It is cheering.
Oh I’m so pleased you had a good consultation and your mind has been put at rest. Hope you can sleep easier tonight.
Annie I find remote controls quite vexing, particularly the TV one which never seems to do what I want. Are your blinds still working ok?
Ellie Anne I feel so sad that your marriage has come to this. It sounds as though (apart from your children) you have nothing in common to talk about. Is there a free room in the house you could really make your own and have in there things you like, lights, paintings, comfy chair. I wish life had more quality for you.
Hope all the gang are keeping safe and well x

Nonnie we don’t spend much time in the same room. There is a tv upstairs so he watches it if I am watching soaps etc.
I cook him an evening meal but rarely eat with him. We eat different things and at different times.
He gets his own breakfast and lunch.
Always exactly the same. Porridge and toast for breakfast.
Ham and cheese roll apple yogurt and crisps for lunch.
Very boring but he is very much a creature of habit. Same tv progs at same time every day!

Hi all x

Scaredycat. It’s great to learn your visit to your GP was positive. Remote controls ! they are lined up on my coffee table, when I find the new heater i will have 6 .x

Nonnie yes I listen to Church services but I so want to attend
Mass for Catherine. Hope you energy is restored x

Doodle my Mini Tornado is waiting for them to complete the vetting . Keep walking , I have severe muscle wastage, this is
why I keep saying‘keep walking’ and it is important for our mental health too.

How is everyone?

Hello all.
Annie- you are going to have quite a collection of remotes- they,d need ID stickers if they were mine!!
You described just how I feel at the thought of Winter- that tummy churning feeling is a regular visitor.
Glad you liked the flower idea- maybe you could post a pic when you have done it.
Ellie Anne- hope you are ok today.
Nonnie- I expect you enjoy Face Time with your family abroad. I found it so hard when I couldn’t see the faces I love.
Hope you are able to get some restorative sleep this week especially as you have another busy week coming up.
Doodle- you should sleep well after your nice long walk.It does help when you,ve had some fresh air and exercise doesn’t it.
I,m hoping my daffs will be the really little ones . Last eveningI read that foxes don’t like the smell of cayenne pepper so I found some at the back,of the cupboard and sprinkled all the containers- so far so good.
Yes we like to light up the rooms with lamps in the evening but my favourite winter lighting is the Xmas tree- I,d put it up now if I could. You should have seen DH face when I suggested it.

Well I had my face to face GP appointment this afternoon. There have been several things causing me to feel very anxious and he was able to help me with all of them. Before the pandemic I was able to go and have a chat with my old GP which used to help keep a lid on the HA so I am so grateful for the kindness shown today.
Sending love to allx

Evening all.
Went for our long walk today so I am tired tonight. I definitely need to do more walking as I’m sure my fatigue is muscle related. Prior to lockdown I never felt like this.
Scaredycat you need to take things gently. I know when you feel the energy some days you just can keep going. Other days it’s more difficult to make the effort.
Your daffs sound lovely. I do love daffs. They will make a lovely sunny display when they come up.
I wonder how miniature, miniature is? We have a large garden area of daffs in our local park. So many different sizes. From what I would call standard down to little things about 3 inches high. All lovely in their own right.
Many people don’t like winter and the dark nights. Do you have some warm glow lights to brighten your rooms?
Annie hope you’ve found your charger by now. Any news of MT? Hope she gets on well.
I would hope your heating would be fixed but a remote control one might be useful to save you getting up all the time. It’s amazing how many things are only available as remote control now.
Your pink lilies cross stitch sounds lovely. Do you have all you need to start it? Yes it was a good idea from Scaredycat . Flowers are heartwarming whether real or painted or stitched.
Nonnie I do online church too. Not my old church but Canterbury Cathedral. The Dean does morning service every day and I love how he works through the bible and explains things. He also has a lovely garden full of trees, plants and birds and animals. I find it a delight to watch.
Having family who live far away must be so difficult. I can understand you wanting to be there for them .
Take it easy while you feel so tired and don’t try and force yourself. Sometimes the body is trying to let us know it needs rest.
Sleep well all. Sweet dreams I hope for you all x

Annie have you tried online church? We started at the beginning of Covid with a totally new one and it suits us at the moment.

Scardycat I also have family living abroad and it is so hard when things are not going well for them. I so want to go and help, especially my cousin who has no one else.

Doodle glad you are happy to be home.

Ellie Anne it sounds to me as if you are banging your head against a brick wall. He simply doesn't want to acknowledge there is a problem.

I think it sounds a good idea to separate yourselves but I suppose you would still have to share kitchen and bathroom. Do you cook for each other?

We are still very tired, I haven't left the house this week and DH only to take his car in for service and collect the next day. starting on Saturday we are going to be very busy again for a week

Hi all x

Lost the charger cable thingy for my iPad yesterday, had to save the percentage charged incase Mini Tornado heard about her new job.

I am trying to find a heater for my living room because central
heating playing up, what a complicated world is electric heaters
and I have to buy a remote control one, grrrrrrrrr.

Scaredycat I hate the winter months, when it was said clock
go back my tummy churned ?

Doodle I have found a lovely pattern for Lilies, my elder
granddaughter’s favourite flower and was Catherine’s favourite flower so am going to stitch pink Lilies,

Thank you Scaredycat for suggesting flowers.

Ellie Anne I am thinking the same as Doodle, can you turn
a bedroom into your own sitting room ? You can watch tv or read or do craft work, surely less stressful than sitting together
all evening. x

Evening all
Doodle- good to hear you have started walking again after your hols. Ah your poor friend must have been pleased to see you- losing your Mum is such a hard time.
I started the winter garden tidy up- I have to be careful not to overdo it but when I feel ok I tend to throw caution to the wind!! Planted some miniature daffs in pots just hope the foxes don’t decide to dig them up. It’s surprising how much there is to do in a very tiny garden.
Not looking forward to the clocks going back as I find the dark days of Winter harder to deal with.
Take care all xx

Hello all. What has everyone been doing today?
We have been for a short walk and to visit a friend who sadly has lost her mum recently.

EllieAnn it must be difficult. I chat to DH a lot but even when we are quiet it’s a companionable quiet.
It’s obviously a situation that causes you stress and unhappiness. If you don’t want to leave due to the cost of splitting up, would you be able to separate your living accommodation so that you don’t see so much of each other and you can have your own space to yourself. I am so sorry things are as they are for you. Take care x

Doodle it’s not so much inconsiderate. It’s hard to explain. We just have no relationship and nothing to talk about. Having him about the house all day every day has had such a bad effect on me but he seems oblivious. And on the few occasions I’ve tried to say something about it he ignores me or gets angry.

Nonnie so pleased you had a lovely family visit. Exhaust8ng but fun. Take things slowly. The washing will wait, it always does ?
Annie it seems you are thwarted at every turn. I hope your doors get done soon. Did they give you any dates?
I would love to see you out in the garden tending your plants. I just wish it would happen soon.
Scaredycat that’s a lovely idea for Annie’s cross stitch.
How wonderful to have a visit from your granddaughter and family. Little ones cheer us up so much don’t they.
Joce hope you are getting on ok and you too Bluesky
Ellie Anne I keep thinking of you and wishing your husband was more considerate and caring towards you. He seems to only think of himself. I also hope things improve for your son and his family.
Take care all x

Afternoon all.
Nonnie- what a lovely busy time you have had with your family- they are obviously very good natured and fun.
Annie- Oh what a frustrating to do list!, great though to hear that you are feeling like doing things outside again. Do wish they,d get a move on with your doors. Maybe you could do a cross stitch of the flowers you would have potted up.
Doodle- glad you,re home safely and that you had a lovely time. My DiL is home now but it will be weeks before she will be walking again. I can’t go to help them as they don’t live in this country?
In the middle of writing this I just had a visit from Grandaughter ,husband and 2 GGC- it was such a lovely surprise. The children had Halloween face paint on and brought me a pumpkin they had picked today. Special times.
Felt a bit down so it really cheered us up.
BlueSky,Joce,Ellie Anne and all the gang hope you are having as good a day as possiblexxx

Hello all. Back home again. It’s amazing how tired you can be just going away. We enjoyed ourselves though.
Annie with our balance issues, DH and I would certainly have topped overboard if we had tried the Titanic pose. ?
Scaredycat sounds like you had a good time and all that walking would have done you good. Glad you enjoyed yourselves. Sorry to hear about your DIL. Hope she’s ok and getting better.

Hi all x

Nonnie it must have been wonderful to see your family , tiring but fun x

My list of what I want to do in my wheelchair is shrinking, not because I have done them but because I keep getting blocked.

Join a local group of ‘versus arthritis’ when it started up again,
they have started but changed the venue, now it’s being held other end of town, over the bridge.

Work at my potting table in the garden, new doors still not been fitted.

Attend Mass in church which is quite near, letter on Saturday,
Church has serious electrical faults , will be closed for a long time because of lack of money.

Think I will cross stitch one of my sayings- ‘what can’t be cured
must be endured ‘.

But it isn’t raining in Wales today so that’s a positive,

How is everyone?

Annie you are certainly clocking up the victories - go girl!

BlueSky good news about your BP and the way it has helped.

Joce I think your good news has probably given us all a boost. So good to read. Just take your time 'coming down'

Ellie Anne

Scardycat so happy that you had a good break but are happy to be home.

Doodle I hope that when you get home you feel refreshed and ready to deal with being busy again.

I am exhausted! Family went home early yesterday and then got stuck for 9 hours because of transport delays. They arrived home about 0300 this morning. Seemed to have maintained good spirits throughout.

We did something big nearly every day and it was very tiring as the GC are very energetic. Have cleared up downstairs and done 3 loads of washing, everything else will get done when it gets done. Back to full time volunteering tomorrow.