Black Dog 11

Hi all x

Couldn’t resist this -

“Before you diagnose yourself with depression or low self-esteem, first make sure that you are not, in fact, just surrounded by assholes.” — Sigmund Freud”

Seeetpeasue I do the same so blame my iPad x

Ali it’s good you went out for lunch when you were so stressed x

Nonnie yes, nature v nurture is so interesting x

Doodle I am with Amazon Prime, can do all my own shopping, I have Amazon audiobooks, pay monthly and have a
credit, if I want more I buy. Also have audiobooks on line from the local library .
David has been spruced up so many times, if he could walk he would have a really bad limp x

How is everyone?

Ellie Anne So lovely that you have seen him yourself and are happy he is well.

The wedding is something to look forward to, always good to have that.

Doodle sounds like you live somewhere like us, stopping and talking to complete strangers. I love it, especially the ones who appear to be lonely because you can tell what it means to them.

I manage 2 'books', one as I'm going to sleep and one on my Kindle for the middle of the night so I don't wake DH. I would prefer one but that would mean giving up real books and I don't want to do that. Don't get reading time during the day.

When I do something different my muscles tell me the next day but it makes me feel like I have done my body good. Not sure DH knows the difference between muscle ache and skeletal ache, which doesn't help him.

Seatpeasue I've done that too.

Ali23 I think there are often (usually?) tensions around sorting out things after a death. Please don't let it cause any rift. I was able to leave it to others when my mother died, they wanted to do it but now, many years later a niece has contacted me and asked me to sort out some paperwork!

Happy Sunday all.

Hi everyone,
Just popping in to catch up on reading posts and say hello.
David sounds fascinating Annie. Will you send a photo when he’s open and showing himself off? I’d love to see it.
It’s been a tricky few days this end, with lots of tension around the sale of my late mum’s flat. To be honest, I don’t know now if the tension was coming more from my sister’s messages about it, or more from me being too sensitive, and looking for angst.

I took myself and the dog out for lunch yesterday, to a local cafe where the staff are really friendly and the food simple but delicious. Felt better afterwards... like I had been looked after by friends.

Just typed out a message and it's all got lost, I pressed wrong key on my phone. I must try and see if I can manage better on another device.
Wishing you all a peaceful night. X

Evening all. Went for a long walk today and stopped a few times to chat to various people that we meet on our walks. A couple of friendly dogs came to say hello.
Annie I hope David has spruced himself up ready to support you during the rugby season.
Do you have a limit in how many audio books you can have at any one time or do you keep several on the go.
I have found these days I can only read one book at a time as I find it so hard to remember the plot. I keep having to go back and read the beginning again. I love a good story, one I can get lost in. I’m not much into non fiction.
Nonnie your poor DH. Whether he uses his knee or not it hurts. I’m a bit like that with exercise, If I do something different I ache so much the following day it limits my walking but then if I don’t exercise that limits my walking too. Not easy getting old is it.
Ellie Anne lovely news of your little grandson. Hope he’s fine now. Your son’s wedding sounds a nice low key event. Probably a good idea with all this Covid stuff still around. I bet your little grandson will look very cute in his mini kilt.
Have a good night.
Sleep well all x

Nonnie the dentist was ok though I’m not convinced one of the fillings is right.
Saw my little grandson today. He is back to normal. We had a chat about his mum and dad s wedding in July. It’s going to be small. The room only takes 17 guests. Nikki is not having a traditional wedding dress but just wants to feel comfortable and my son and the wee one will wear kilts. I’m glad it’s a small wedding. I don’t enjoy big functions. It’s been a busy week. I’m looking forward to bedtime. Hope you are all well and not affected by the storm.

Ellie Anne so glad GS is OK. How was the dentist?

Annie interesting about nature v nurture isn't it? DS has studied it.

Sweatpeasue DH has trouble with the other knee now he has had the first one done. Its better at the moment as it has been injected, no idea when the operation will be. If he doesn't use it he gets pain and if he does he gets pain but it is easier next time. I try to get him out as often as I can.

Good that you have been feeling will.

Lizzy how lovely. I will be happy if DH doesn't look at his phone on our anniversary

Hi all x

Joyce keep plodding my love , better to plod than come to a
halt, sending a cwtch x

Lizziedrip candlelit dinner, so romantic x

Sweetpeasue great that you have had a few good days, half hour poetry reading,bliss, and sharing with a group, I miss that but have audiobooks of poetry, Richard Burton, Dylan Thomas, and I love ‘ The Poetry Pharmacy ‘, have posted some poems from it on this thread x

Doodle My tummy always get the strain, hence the ulcers,
butterfly tummy, churning tummy, fluttering tummy, even
lurching tummy, horrible.

To lovely new friends, I have a four foot daffodil David, he is rather old and is my companion during The Six Nations, unlike
the rugby club lot he doesn’t groan when I start singing ‘Myfanwy’ and ‘Cwm Rhondda ‘ .

How is everyone ?

Hello Joce nice to hear from you again. Good you’re still plodding. Hope your family are ok. Hugs from me too.
Nonnie we try to go out most days but when it’s really cold I’m not sure it’s a good idea. Neither of us can walk very fast so we can’t keep warm that way. We wrap up well though.
I’m sure you’ll see some snowdrops soon. Not long after will come the daffodils (hello David ? ) and their lovely sunny faces will cheer us all up.
Sounds as though you have a good consultant. I will look up his book too.
Scaredycat my stomach always lets me know when I’m anxious about something. I tell myself to keep calm but somehow can’t control it.
How lovely to see all those snowdrops. You should send a photo to Nonnie ?. Yes I think of Annie whenever I see them too.
Annie don’t let your David hear you say you like snowdrops and Bluebells best ?. I know what you mean though. A woodland full of bluebells is a wonderful sight.
That wasn’t a particularly helpful phone call from the Gp. Are you feeling any better yet?
Ellie Anne that’s such good news about your little grandson. I hope you get to see him soon.
You were probably on edge today after the worry with your DGS. Hope the dental treatment went ok and you managed to cope. Your flowers sound nice. I love crocuses too.
rafichagran hope you’re doing well.
Annie it is so sad your husband didn’t get to see his family grow and for you to be without your companion for such a long time. What you had written on his gravestone is a lovely tribute. I hope MT gets a job she’s happy in soon.
I’m sure things are passed on from generation to generation. I can see certain traits of DH in my sons and grandson. My mothers love of cooking is something she shared with my DGD. There are physical things that have been passed on too like double jointed toes and fingers.
Lizziedrip what a lovely way to celebrate your anniversary, a candlelit dinner. Hope you both enjoyed it.
Sweetpeasue good you’re feeling a bit better. No need to try and catch up just tell us how you are. ?
Wow that book club is obviously a great success to have been going for such a long time. Nice to have something to do with others in a social way. Hope your DHs consultant can reassure him about his knee and it improves soon.
I think if David flowers on St David’s day, Annie will be very surprised ?.
Have a good weekend all x

Hi Everyone, I've been well last couple of days. Thankyou for all of your kind words. So many posts so apologies if can't remember all.
Scaredycat My book group started at Adult learning college 22 yrs ago.
Teacher left but group continued with funding from U3A in a church room. We have read many classic novels and also have half hr of poetry. I enjoy reading of many kinds at home.
Nonnie Your consultant's book on Depression sounds interesting. I think I shall give it a try, thankyou.
Not sure if it was yourself or Doodle who encouraged the walking for my husband. Yes, he does try. He had right hip done 6 weeks before my procedure in 2020 and it was successful but has had trouble with this left one since he came home. He sees consultant again in 3 weeks.
I have a solitary lonesome snowdrop in my garden. What has happened to the others, I just don't know. They're such a brave and modest little flower.
How lovely that they were bought from the doorstep Annie I hope you're a little better after your tummy troubles.
What a beautiful inscription on your DHs stone. '.. I shall not look upon his like again' Not only very moving and poignant but meant so much to all of you too. I hope you have some snowdrops coming up Annie but especially that David flowers for St David's Day.
Have a restful night in body but also mind everyone.

Oh Annie, how lovely. Your husband must have been a very special man and it sounds like his genes live on in your grand daughter. You must be so proud.

Thank you all for your anniversary wishes - what kind, good-hearted people you are. Me and DH went out for a lovely meal at a local restaurant. We had a quiet, candle-lit table for two - quite romantic.

Nonnie- Yes it looked like he had written quite a few books- he sounds like a very clever and caring man .
Oh I would love to see a whole field of snowdrops - hope you get a pic.
EllieAnne- Glad your little grandson is back to normal - great news. Well done with the dentist it isn’t something we do for fun is it? I used to have to take a pill before going but don’t anymore.
Rafichagran- hope you are ok
Joce- thank you for the hug sending one back. Hope you are coping well with all the goings on - take time out to rest if you can
Annie- it’s wonderful how MT takes so much after her Grandad. He would be very proud of her.
The inscription you chose says everything you wanted to say- a special man.
Bluebells are lovely too. We are lucky here as we have quite a few places we can walk amongst them - always careful not to stand on them though!!
Hope you are feeling better today Anniex

rafichagran it was so long ago, I feel so sad for him, he didn’t
see his much loved daughters grow up and never saw his grandchildren,his grandson is nearly the age he was when he died.
I do wonder if my Mini Tornado has her grandfather’s genes,
he was a detective sgt and the youngest in the force to be
crime investigating officer, took photographs of corpses etc,
before the police he went to art college,his favourite artists were Turner and Van Gough.

Mini Tornado wants to work as a research officer in the force
and her favourite artists are ? yep, and she had no idea of her
grandfather’s love of art and she loves photography.

I thought hard about what to put on his gravestone, decided it
had to mean something to our daughters and me so chose
Hamlet’s famous line when speaking of his dead father

‘I shall not look upon his like again’.

Evening all I’m still hear plodding on..
Annie you made me smile with David... thinking of you?
Doodle scaredycat sending you hugs
Welcome to all our new friends I am trying to catch up with everyone’s news...
So much going on for me at the moment.
???

Annie 46 years, it seems a long time but I bet it does not to you.
Thankyou for all the help and support you have given me and others, this is a thread where everyone is very caring. Have the best day you can.

My snowdrops are out and some crocuses too.
I ve not seen my little grandson but his mum assures me he is back to normal.
Was very anxious going to dentist for filling today which is strange because I’m usually fine. I could feel my heart rate going up and was very shaky.

Scardycat I think he has written one since then too. I found it so helpful as it showed me that is wasn't all my fault, a tendency I still have, thinking if only I had ..........

lizziedrip happy anniversary.

Annie is the change of diet helping?

Yesterday I read that one of our local NTs has a field of snowdrops so will try to find time to go next week.

Hi all x

LizzieDrip thank you, hope you had a celebration of your
wedding anniversary x

Scaredycat I have such love for snowdrops , I think they are
such brave little blooms , rain, snow, gales, there they are. Are
there any blooms more beautiful than snowdrops and Bluebells ? Not for me x

Ellie Anne worrying over grandchildren is what grandparents
do, hope your little chap is now recovered x

Nonnie your not alone, I haven’t seen snowdrops yet , I googled for them though, how I wish they were still sold in bunches at the door. x

Doodle I think people are divided into head and tummy stressers, I am in the tummy group. x

Doctor called yesterday , none the wiser, he couldn’t discuss anything other than was on his notes !

How is everyone?

EllieAnne- hope your little grandson has recovered well from his op- no wonder you were worried about him he,s only tiny.I seem to remember reading somewhere that our gut is thought of as our second brain so guess that is why your tummy was upset too.
Annie- what a special day for you full of happy and sad memories.
I like that song by Charles Aznavour but when I hear his name it always reminds me of my Mum who used to call him Charles Aznovoice!! She could be so funny sometimes.
We saw a lovely drift of snowdrops by our little local fishing lake this afternoon. I think of them now as Annie’s flowers.
Nonnie- I googled the book written by your consultant. It said that it was one of the most powerful and helpful books ever written about depression . What a wonderful person to have as your consultant.

Doodle didn't make it to the park, DH said it was too cold but we did it yesterday as it was such a beautiful day.

Annie good luck with the rice cakes, I find them addictive but I don't think you will put on any weight!

I think future generations might be very interested in those old photos.

Sweetpeasue I don't agree with Scardycat's name, I think she is very brave.

If your DH can keep walking it will help his hip, I know its hard, had the same with DH's knee.

Wise words here for you Doodle Tue 25-Jan-22 21:00:00. She has a way with words.

I wonder if you eating a little every hour might help but I don't know anything about your problem so could be suggesting the wrong thing.

Ali23 sorry about your mum and I think I understand the mixed feelings. You will get lots of support on here.

HVDY sometimes being forced to go out does us good. Finding motivation can be hard. Hope you had a good time.

Violetsky a good reminder although I think being busy can be good, it can also make things boil up in the background which eventually comes out and brings us down.

Ellie Anne I think worrying about the GC is worse than having your own operation. Hope all is well. Good to help out the family.

You are not alone in mixing us up! Someone no longer on GN made notes about all of us!

All you snowdrop people, why haven't I seen any?

I know I've mentioned it before but my consultant wrote a booked - Depression the Curse of the Strong, just think about that title and know it refers to you.

Annie what a lovely song for your husband to have given you.
The lyrics are beautiful. Don’t forget the last bit …the meaning of my life is she. It’s a real love song.
46 years is a long time to be without him but it’s obvious in all your posts how much you care.
Hope the GP can help you.
Nice post LizzieDrip ?

Aw Annie - today is also my wedding anniversary. 49 years! Happy anniversary to you. I don’t often post on here but I do read, and I know what a great support you are to others. I think you would be a wonderful best friend. Let’s remember our wedding days together today. Luckily I still have my husband.

Hi all x

Snowdrops , I love those beautiful gifts of nature.

A G.P. is calling today, and my carer on her way.

May I share ? Today is my wedding anniversary, have been a widow for 46 years . Just before he died he bought me a record of Charles Aznavour’s ‘She’, I played it on uTube today, still wonder why
‘she may be the beauty or the beast, the famine or the feast, can turn each day into a heaven or a hell’ ?

Be back later. How is everyone?

Ellie Ann it’s easy to get muddled over a period of time. Remembering what has happened. Oh your poor little DGS no wonder you were upset. I hope he’s ok.
I always get an upset stomach if I’m worried or anxious about something. I think the body and mind react to stress.
Is having busier days helping? Hope you’re plodding on ok.

Hi. I’ve just been catching up on posts. Sometimes I find it hard to remember who is who and have to go back. Sorry if I get people mixed up. My gs 18 mths had a small op on Monday and I was very stressed about it.had a very upset tum on Monday which I’m blaming on stress. I was at my other sons today doing housework and ironing.
Not managing many long walks just now. My days have got busier.
Oh Annie I’m sorry you are having more problems. Must admit I don’t like rice cakes much. I’ve just had a glass of wine and a sandwich. Don’t often eat proper meals. I’m hoping dh will go to bed soon and I will have another one ?. Good night everyone.