Black Dog 12

How is everyone today? It's grey and dull here but quite muggy. The GDs are here but getting ready to go out with Son1 to town - there's a "beach", paddling pool and funfair, as well as various food & drink stalls. Nice for them. I'm doing my exciting things - washing, shopping and tidying .

Hope all on BD is ok x

Scaredycat Thank you for that . I have lost a lot of confidence. I try to cover that but it doesn't always work.

Sorry about your friend's husband. We never know what the future has in store for us. xx

Doodle- I hope you are feeling better today- that must have been very painful. Hope too the tinnitus is calming down it is so tiring isn’t it. Are you home now ?
EllieAnne- your cake was a success after all- sompleased for you. Glad you had a good day- we put ourselves through so much worrying about what might happen . The dreaded Whatifferies.
SweetPeaSue- hopefully you have been able to speak with your GP today . I,m sorry you feel so distressed as you were doing so well. Sending a hug
HVDY- hosting visitors is always stressful even the loveliest
ones. I expect your stroke took some of your confidence away- so understandable. You seem like such a nice,capable person who is great company.
Annie- Ah I can understand how you felt watching Neighbours - it played a big part in our lives when life was less complicated. It is a nice memory you and your daughters enjoying times together.
I still take on daily Whatifferies but you made me feel good with your encouraging words - thank you.

I feel sad today . We went to see our lovely friend who lost her husband a few weeks ago as she was down to see her son. She looked so frail and vulnerable it brought back many of the feelings I try to hide. Sometimes the frailty of life overwhelms me.
Take care lovely friendsxxx

Anniebach So sorry you're feeling low. No, we cannot change the past, but can try to remember happier times x

My positives today (and there are a few, I'm very lucky):
Did aqua aerobics and felt better
Chatted to an old friend (knew her at senior school) on the 'phone.
Had dinner at the pub with DH, Son1 and his girls.

Hope everyone has a restful evening and night x

GrannyGravy thank you, I confess there are tears pricking, it’s part of a happy time in my life , thank you so much,
much love x

Anniebach I don’t post on this thread however, I thought of you when they announced Neighbours was ending, as I know you watch it.

Sending you a (((hug))) ❤️

Hi all x

I need to explain when I spoke of the N.H.S, I was including it
because of it’s overload due to Covid not condemning it.

HVDY you reminded me of a discussion on Black Dog sometime ago, ‘whatiferies’, we spoke of ‘what if’s’and we gave
positives. x

Ellie Anne well done you cutting back on alcohol, it seems
to ease down times but in fact increases them. You are strong,
you feared the wedding but didn’t back out, you chose your
lovely posh frock yourself, for you ?x

Sweetpeasue I do hope you saw your GP x

Scaredycat you certainly have taken on your whatiferies and
won ? x

Doodle hope the pulled muscles are not to painful x

I am so low this week, I will not allow myself to dwell on the
past, tell myself ‘don’t go there, you can’t change it’. I watch the tv series Neighbours, started watching it with my daughters, they married but I continued to watch it, this week is the end of
the series and as I watch the past swamps me, seeing actors who were in it at the beginning making appearances this week,
I hear Catherine saying ‘oooh he’s stunning’ or ‘I want my hair
like hers’.

How is everyone?

EllieAnne. I'm glad things went alright. I get anxious about anyone coming here (nothing at all to do with Covid etc), often for weeks in advance. I get stressed about going out as well - I worry about stupid things like what if I fall over/burn the food/wet myself/say something stupid/can't make any conversation. It's been much worse since my stroke, but it really bothers me. I don't know why I do it, because the things I worry about never happen. I started having alcohol-free lagers last year. They're alright.

Thank you for asking hvdy.
They were very kind about the cake and it tasted ok.
I find it stressful having people in the house even family but it went ok. The wee one wasn’t very interested in opening his presents but he did in the end. He’d had a busy day the day before with dil s family so was probably tired. Anyway it’s over now.
After the wedding I managed to cut down my alcohol. Hardly had any for a week. It’s creeping up again but I am being careful. I’ve got some alcohol free beer in fridge so am drinking those some nights.

SweetpeaSue Did you see your son and grandson ok? Did you get a GP appointment or at least get to speak to someone?

Doodle I hope you're feeling better this morning. Tinnitus is horrible, isn't it?

Anniebach How are you? Lottie ok?

EllieAnne How did your grandson's birthday go? And the cake?

Joce345 and everyone on BD - I hope you're all getting on alright. x

Annie good news about Lottie. She sounds a lovely dog.
Yes DH is waiting for a couple of procedures/ appointments too.
HVDY you are always on the go. Where do you get the energy? Hope your DGD enjoyed her leavers assembly.
Sweetpeasue such a shame you sounded much more comfortable a few days ago. Hope you get to speak to GP.
Scaredycat hope ,you are still getting out and walking.
Ellie Anne has your DGS had his birthday yet, hope it went ok.
Joce hope you are ok too.
Sorry just a quick post from me today. I am not feeling at all well. I pulled a muscle in my neck and stomach whilst getting the suitcase out from under the bed and now my tinnitus is on full volume. It’s a bit like having a freight train whizzing past your ears every 20 seconds and is making me feel quite sick.
Paracetamol and a lie down is in order I think.
Take care all x

How is everyone today? It's still muggy here, although it's only 20 degrees. I haven't gone to the day centre - somehow, I didn't feel up to being sociable. Putting on a front and trying to be "normal" is too much effort some days, isn't it? x

I wanted to contribute to what you said about NHS crisisAnnie but was just too upset. I'm not in a good place right now so I'm sorry if I don't seem present. Will be trying to get appt with GP tomorrow but don't think she'll be able to help.

Anniebach The Mental Health services are stretched to the limit, so many people need help. I'm on a list for CBT. I've been waiting since about March. I'm lucky in that I'm not alone or desperate. I'm glad Lottie is ok. It rained here for about 5 minutes but has been (and still is now) muggy all day.

ScaredyCat I went with my son to eldest girl's assembly - the mother and her parents, plus her 14 year old daughter (not any relation to us) were there. GD's mother never even acknowledges me (it's fine, I despise her anyway). The assembly was lovely, the whole school sat in the hall, the kids who are moving to senior school (only 8 of them, including my GD) sang and read statements about their favourite memory of the school. Headmaster showed a lot of slides from their various trips etc. It was all very nice.

I hope everyone on BD has a restful night x

HVDY- what a nice friend you have. I love a new handbag and the clearout when you swap,over.
Once again you have been a busy bee this morning- you are so full of energy it’s wonderful.
Will you be able to go to,the assembley too?
Annie- glad Lottie is now on the mend it must have been very worrying for you. She sounds like a dear little dog no wonder the vets love her.
I m very grateful that personally I have not been affected by the NHS current problems but I feel so,sorry for those that are in pain both mental and physical and are having to deal with so much worry. Sorry too that you have been so badly affected.
The pandemic however has made me more anxious and fearful although I do my best to try not to show it.
I don’t suppose there are many people who it hasn’t touched in some way.
SweetPeaSue,Doodle,Joce,EllieAnne and all I hope your day isas good as it can be xxx

Hi all x

Lottie is on medication and hopefully on the mend, she is very
friendly , at the vets the receptionist leaves her desk to greet her, the vet said she is the only dog they treat who loves getting
on the examination table.

Back to the thread, listened yesterday about the increase in
alcoholism since the lockdowns, I knew mental health charities
have had a large increase in people needed help, we know the
NHS is struggling to clear a long waiting list for treatment.

It has affected me, anyone else ?

I must say ‘it rained in Mid Wales yesterday’ for about 10 minutes, I missed it, was having my afternoon power nap !

How is everyone ?

Hope Lottie is OK now Annie. You must have been so worried. She sounds so friendly and loving. Hugs for you and Lottie. X

How is everyone this morning? I've been up since 6.30, done 2 lots of washing and pegged it out. Vacuumed and polished downstairs rooms. I'm going to the library soon, then picking up Son1 earlier than usual for Wednesday - GD1 has got a "leavers' assembly" (whatever that is) at 2. It's warm but pleasant out x

Annie hugs for you and strokes for Lottie. Hope you are both ok xx

Aww Annie poor Lottie hope your both ok. X

Oh, Anniebach, that's a real shame. I imagine is is upsetting for you x. What was wrong with Lottie? It's good that she actually likes seeing the vet. She sounds adorable. x

Hi all x

HVDY I don’t want to look in my wardrobe, can’t wear what’s in there, all summer skirts and dresses ankle length, jeans,
trousers for mountain walking, be too upsetting x

Had panic today, Lottie rushed to vet, she should be ok, the vet
finds her amusing, she greets him with excitement and loves being placed on the examination table, insists on licking the vet, nurse and receptionist, daft dog .

How is everyone?

I'd intended ringing my friend, but then at 11, she turned up at my house. Lovely to see her (and she's tanned). She bought me a present - a large handbag. I hadn't expected anything at all. Now, I'll need to transfer all my crapessential items into it . How has everyone been today? The sun is out and it's a pleasant day x

SweetpeaSue I hope you manage to see, or at least, speak to a GP. Have a lovely day with your son and his wife today.

Anniebach Does your carer get clothes out for you? Would she have the time to get a few things out of your wardrobe?

Well, it's a lot cooler here (14 degrees at the moment) and I'm just going to do the ironing - I couldn't be bothered yesterday. Aqua aerobics this afternoon, but before that, I'll ring my friend, who is back from a holiday in Turkey. It was 45 degrees there ! Hope everyone on BD manages to have a decent day x

Thank you all for my birthday wishes had a lovely weekend..
Scaredycat HA is horrible has are all anxiety’s. Yes very hard to deal with every day.
Hope everyone has a peaceful night
Thinking of you all