Posted By: mellers on

Wednesday, September 24th, 2008, 9:26 am

..and Autumn it seems is in full swing.

Last week (Wed & Thurs) heralded a decided nip in the air of an evening and I was glad to have my 13-tog witer duvet on my bed. This week, I have seen the leaves falling from the trees and the local council performing their thankless and never ending task of trying to clear the roads of them. The "summer" border in my back garden - usually at it's best from June to August - is starting to look shabby and withered (and in need of a good Autumn clear-out - but that's another story) and most telling of all, I had to get my gloves out and wear them while cycling to my therapy appointment and later to go shopping too.

Summer has finally left us behind it seems but it's a shock because less than 2 weeks ago I was sitting in 35 degree temps in the South of France. How quickly the seasons change these days, maybe I'm getting old or maybe it's just wishful thinking that Summer should be longer or warmer than it actually is.

I'm finding myself thinking of gardening quite a bit at the moment which in a way seems a positive thing. It's one of the things I have found I have to stop doing completely at times when my depression is at it's worst. The fear and panic of such an awsome and gigantic task paralyses me in to inaction in the most counter-productive way possible. The last 2 therapy sesions I have attended houwver seem to indicate that I am making progress and even though Angela went off on one again this morning as something I said, it seems clear to me on this occasion that the insecurity is with her and not in what I said. It still upsets me though.

I'm wondering if I should have a "gardening" year next year instead of having any holidays at all. This year, I abandoned the garden through fear and panic but also becasue not having vegetables growing, meant no ties and commitments. Having seen what a disaster trying to vacation with the guy I share a house with WAS for my mental health, I can't help wondering if I would be better off staying at home next year and devoting my time, energy (and of course the money I would save) to the house and garden rather than wasting it spending 4 weeks with someone I can bear to be with. It's a tempting prospect but I need to make sure I don't feel like I am missing out.

Tags: holidays, gardening, seasons

Posted By: BFitforLife on

Friday, September 12th, 2008, 1:39 pm

I joined the challenge to catapolt my way to the finish line!.  I am going to have to work hard to reach my goal.  I don't have a lot to lose - I have already removed 100 lbs of weight - just about 20 lbs and about 10% body fat and I don't want to bring the team down so I am going to have to work hard and be very diligent over the holidays!  I can't wait for the show to start.  I love it! 

Tags: holidays, goal, removed, body fat

Posted By: cl-raecheybaby on

Saturday, January 12th, 2008, 8:58 pm

It's not been long since I last wrote a blog entry here, but I'm in the mood to write something down so here we are!

I'm feeling pretty good for the time of year; frequently about now I'm really feeling low and like I can't get going again, but this year I have already put plans in place for two of my holidays this year, going back to the same Cornish campsite I was at last year, and probably the same Isle of Wight campsite. I will go to IOW by coach again, it's not such a huge distance, although I may well go to a different ferry terminal this time, I haven't made my mind up about that yet.

I will most definitely go straight to Penzance without stopping anywhere on the way this year. Definitely I'll visit my family while I'm there, or get them to join me for a day, but I won't attempt to break up the journey as I did last year. It actually made the journey harder to deal with, just for another hour or so on the train. There will absolutely be an unbreakable flask for fresh milk; drinking dried milk for the whole week, particularly made up by guess work was tough on the tummy and cut the camping short - huge pity as the site waws really nice, the weather co-operated and I was really enjoying the break!

I'm working nightshift for two weeks, I'm right in the middle of the two weeks as we speak actually, so if you think you might be my neighbour, please don't do any banging around for at least another week, my sleep patterns are crazy. I'm coping very well with them, much more so than the stint in did back in November, at any rate.Working with E is always pleasant, and it's made time go even quicker than usual. While on the subject of work it was my birthday this week, and E came and found me at midnight as my birthday arrived and sang to me. Totally made my day that did!

My diet has improved already, having made resolutions to lose some weight, I'm attempting to eat more than starvation rations and there is much more in the way of fruit and veg in my diet as well. the coffee drinking has escalated, by need, but I suspect that will drop off some when I'm back to my more usual day shift.

I so wish that Connect wasn't so much of a ghost town now. It was nice to write a blog and know there was a chance of it being read and commented on, but no one sseems to even look at my pictures any more, and that's a real pity, as the other Rival Sites are busier, but not so safe.

At any rate, I hope everyone is having a good start to their new year

Tags: birthday, connect, holidays, travel, diet

Posted By: larosaroja59 on

Monday, December 31st, 2007, 8:52 pm

Well, it's 7:30 pm the night before New Year's Day 2008!!! 

It's been a rough December 2007 for me.  Not only did I get to turn another year older, but my father and I have to say Good-Bye to my mother who died on the 17th. 

I don't know that this month will ever be a happy one for me anymore.  I know that my mother was in a great amount of pain before she passed away and at least I know now that she is free of that.  Plus now she is with my older brother and I know that both of them watch down on my father and I.

But it is difficult to be happy at this time anyway and even more. 

The only thing that keeps me going is my grandbabies.  And now I think because my mother so loved Christmas and the holidays I will try to make the holidays even more festive in her memory and that of my only brother (deceased).  As they both so loved this time of the year.

Tags: family, memory, holidays, festive

Posted By: sandybryant on

Wednesday, December 26th, 2007, 9:57 am

Christmas is very stressful for me. It often involves travel, though thankfully this year it did not. It always is a lot of work at the dance studio (performances in November, big dance at beginning of December, getting students prepared for exams in February) and my day job is especially busy to the point where my boss prefers I take no time off during this season (renewals) and would prefer I wait 'til spring to take vacation time.

But it is also great because this time of year we work hard to get in touch with people we haven't seen all year. For some folk in my life who have meant a great deal to me, it is the excuse to reconnect and make sure they're doing well.

We had my mother in law over this year for two weeks. I always love having her over--she's so positive and she and I share so many interests. We also invited friends over for dinner Xmas eve. This was my very first attempt at something like a formal dinner. Despite the yams turning out a bit chewy (but enough bourbon and sugar will make anything tasty dontchaknow) and the potatoes in my New Orleans green beans recipe not getting crunchy like they were supposed to, the meal was a hit! The best part of course was getting to share the meal with friends and family.

I look forward to cooking again in two years, since next year will be spent with my family.

I'd offer to cook for my parents, but I don't know if they would like my cooking. I'm a bit experimental for their tastes, and mom already declared my description of the dinner I made as being not her cup of tea. *sigh*

Anyways, I hope that all y'all had/will have a great holiday season!

Tags: food, friends, family, holidays