Thursday, 26 April 2012
Sleeeeeeeeeeeeeeeppppppppp
A friend posted this on Facebook. It was so apt after yesterday's post that I just had to share it.
Wednesday, 25 April 2012
In the mood...
My moods have been all over the place this last week or two, changing from day to day and from hour to hour. At present on a scale of 1 to 10, where 10 is very happy and 1 is downright miserable, I'd put myself at a 4; so bear that in mind as you read this post! There are many possible causes for the lows - my completely changed circumstances since last November when hubby died, the constant rain we've had over the last 3 weeks, tiredness etc.
Doctor is investigating the tiredness; we suspect sleep apnoea, probably caused by sinus problems. She's also told me to lose weight. I bought some new bathroom scales the other day but they're obviously defective as they say I'm a whopping 13 stone 13 pounds!!! That's the heaviest I've ever been and, at a height of 5 feet 1 inch, I certainly don't want to be any heavier. I've made an effort to increase my exercise regime, and have been going to classes two to three times a week and, to my surprise, I'm really enjoying it. I'm also getting my bike repaired and I like to walk when I can. BUT I really, really don't want to change my eating habits. I know where I'm going wrong - snacking in the evening. When I stop to ask myself why I'm doing it I realise it's comfort eating because low moods usually hit me after sunset, and because I'm tired. How silly to compensate for tiredness by eating chocolate or biscuits! Surely the way to help with tiredness is to have a nap?!
Anyway, to try to help myself keep track of what's going on I've devised this sheet:
Hope you can see it alright...
Perhaps after a week or so I'll be able to see some trends to help me set achievable goals.
And maybe, after I've had a nice hot bath, my mood level will go up to an 7 - or even more if the sun comes out!
Doctor is investigating the tiredness; we suspect sleep apnoea, probably caused by sinus problems. She's also told me to lose weight. I bought some new bathroom scales the other day but they're obviously defective as they say I'm a whopping 13 stone 13 pounds!!! That's the heaviest I've ever been and, at a height of 5 feet 1 inch, I certainly don't want to be any heavier. I've made an effort to increase my exercise regime, and have been going to classes two to three times a week and, to my surprise, I'm really enjoying it. I'm also getting my bike repaired and I like to walk when I can. BUT I really, really don't want to change my eating habits. I know where I'm going wrong - snacking in the evening. When I stop to ask myself why I'm doing it I realise it's comfort eating because low moods usually hit me after sunset, and because I'm tired. How silly to compensate for tiredness by eating chocolate or biscuits! Surely the way to help with tiredness is to have a nap?!
Anyway, to try to help myself keep track of what's going on I've devised this sheet:
Perhaps after a week or so I'll be able to see some trends to help me set achievable goals.
And maybe, after I've had a nice hot bath, my mood level will go up to an 7 - or even more if the sun comes out!
Tuesday, 6 March 2012
Roots and Rhizomes!
Roots and rhizomes? Sounds like something Trumpkin would say, in 'Prince Caspian'!
A week or so ago, when the weather here turned quite Spring-like, I decided that not only would I dig over my usual veggie-patch but would also extend it. This meant moving a lot of logs (left over from when our silver birch tree suddenly died), lifting some broken concrete slabs which marked the border of the current veggie patch, and digging up a LOT of roots and rhizomes from the white dead-nettles, stinging nettles, lemon balm, ivy and brambles that had been growing in happy abundance there. I moved the lemon balm to another part of the garden, but the rest went in the brown wheelie bin to be taken away to be composted.
A week or so ago, when the weather here turned quite Spring-like, I decided that not only would I dig over my usual veggie-patch but would also extend it. This meant moving a lot of logs (left over from when our silver birch tree suddenly died), lifting some broken concrete slabs which marked the border of the current veggie patch, and digging up a LOT of roots and rhizomes from the white dead-nettles, stinging nettles, lemon balm, ivy and brambles that had been growing in happy abundance there. I moved the lemon balm to another part of the garden, but the rest went in the brown wheelie bin to be taken away to be composted.
Of course, a certain lop-eared Bunny couldn't resist getting in on the act. He enjoyed munching the roots and helping to dig.
Just then, my beautiful, beautiful Daughter arrived home from school and, to my joy, decided to don her wellies and join in!
This was also a momentous day for our two rescue cats, Bramble and Luna, as it was their first day outside. True to form Luna (the female) very quickly felt at ease and disappeared over the fence to explore further, whereas Bramble (her brother) was much more cautious. Here he is, shinning up a fence....
.... and perching, rather uncomfortably, on top.
By the way, since these piccies were taken Bramble has not dared to venture this far again, preferring instead to hunt for such dangerous prey as dead twigs, which he likes to bring in through the catflap and chew to bits in the dining room.
Some signs of Spring on the way:
rhubarb appearing...
... and daffodils (or maybe narcissi) waiting to burst forth.
Since these piccies were taken the weather has not been so kind. Rain (which, admittedly, we badly need in this part of England if we are to avoid a drought later in the year) and cold temperatures have prevented further progress. Having all the windows and front door replaced with double-glazed versions, washing curtains, replacing old net curtains and worn out curtain rails, and searching for new curtains for awkward sized windows have kept me pretty busy too!
Monday, 20 February 2012
Old Fashioned Laundry
Felt the urge for one of my 'living history re-enactments' today. Decided to boil wash my dish cloths and tea towels the old fashioned way, instead of in the washing machine. (Although, technically, it only goes up to 95 degrees.)
First I got myself a bucketful of rain water (which has been collecting in my tin bath outside) and put it on my cooker to heat up. This took a looooooooooongggg time! Eventually I realised it would be quicker with a cover, so I used the lid of the bread bin.
I used my late mother-in-law's oven glove to lift the lid to add grated soap (Fairy household bar soap).
After boiling for a while I used a pair of wooden tongs to get the tea towel out - just like I remember my Mum and Nan using.
Squeezing out the excess water.
Look at the condensation on the window! The kitchen was full of the distinctive smell of a boil wash, bringing back memories of being off primary school, unwell, watching Mum use the twin tub to wash and hearing Jimmy Young on the radio - "What's the recipe today, Jim?"
After wringing out the water (by hand, since these were small things) I hung them on the line - using wooden dolly pegs of course!
Do you like my 1940s wrapover apron?
Thoroughly enjoyed myself today - but I wouldn't want to do that all the time!
First I got myself a bucketful of rain water (which has been collecting in my tin bath outside) and put it on my cooker to heat up. This took a looooooooooongggg time! Eventually I realised it would be quicker with a cover, so I used the lid of the bread bin.
I used my late mother-in-law's oven glove to lift the lid to add grated soap (Fairy household bar soap).
After boiling for a while I used a pair of wooden tongs to get the tea towel out - just like I remember my Mum and Nan using.
Squeezing out the excess water.
Rinsing the soap out in a sinkful of cool water. I like the reflection from the window in this picture.
Look at the condensation on the window! The kitchen was full of the distinctive smell of a boil wash, bringing back memories of being off primary school, unwell, watching Mum use the twin tub to wash and hearing Jimmy Young on the radio - "What's the recipe today, Jim?"
After wringing out the water (by hand, since these were small things) I hung them on the line - using wooden dolly pegs of course!
Do you like my 1940s wrapover apron?
Thoroughly enjoyed myself today - but I wouldn't want to do that all the time!
Monday, 16 January 2012
True forgiveness
Most of us, even if we are not Christians, are aware of Jesus' words in Matthew 5:43-44
'You have heard that it was said, 'Love your neighbour and hate your enemy.'
But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,'
but we are seldom in a situation of real emnity to put this into practise. Yes, of course, we have our petty situations, such as work colleagues 'backstabbing' their way to promotion but, praise God, most of us in the West are not being actually persecuted.
I was perusing the Norwich cathedral website, with a view to taking a visit this week, when I came across this page showing the Chapel of Holy Innocents. Here, it says, 'prayers are said for victims of cruelty, persecution, and intolerance.' But just look at the prayer found at Ravensbruck concentration camp during the second world war:
O Lord, remember not only the men and women of good will but also those of ill will. But do not remember all the suffering they have inflicted upon us; remember the fruits we have bought, thanks to this suffering, our comradeship, our loyalty, our humility, the courage, the generosity, the greatness of heart which has grown out of this; and when they come to judgement, let all the fruits that we have borne be their forgiveness. Amen.’
Wow! Now that's what I call forgiveness!!! What a saint! But it made me think....I've been through some awful times these last few years due to my husband's descent into alcoholism (though not even on the same scale as the suffering of concentration camp detainees, of course) and I can certainly see positive things, 'fruits', in myself that have come from it, such as greater self-confidence and the boldness and daring to do things instead of shrinking from them. I don't know that I'm quite ready yet to say 'do not remember all the suffering they inflicted upon us', I still need to deal with the remnants of anger and resentment, but I can certainly thank God for the good that has come from it, and for the wonderful people in Al-Anon that He has used to bring this about. Forgiveness will come...
'You have heard that it was said, 'Love your neighbour and hate your enemy.'
But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,'
but we are seldom in a situation of real emnity to put this into practise. Yes, of course, we have our petty situations, such as work colleagues 'backstabbing' their way to promotion but, praise God, most of us in the West are not being actually persecuted.
I was perusing the Norwich cathedral website, with a view to taking a visit this week, when I came across this page showing the Chapel of Holy Innocents. Here, it says, 'prayers are said for victims of cruelty, persecution, and intolerance.' But just look at the prayer found at Ravensbruck concentration camp during the second world war:
O Lord, remember not only the men and women of good will but also those of ill will. But do not remember all the suffering they have inflicted upon us; remember the fruits we have bought, thanks to this suffering, our comradeship, our loyalty, our humility, the courage, the generosity, the greatness of heart which has grown out of this; and when they come to judgement, let all the fruits that we have borne be their forgiveness. Amen.’
Wow! Now that's what I call forgiveness!!! What a saint! But it made me think....I've been through some awful times these last few years due to my husband's descent into alcoholism (though not even on the same scale as the suffering of concentration camp detainees, of course) and I can certainly see positive things, 'fruits', in myself that have come from it, such as greater self-confidence and the boldness and daring to do things instead of shrinking from them. I don't know that I'm quite ready yet to say 'do not remember all the suffering they inflicted upon us', I still need to deal with the remnants of anger and resentment, but I can certainly thank God for the good that has come from it, and for the wonderful people in Al-Anon that He has used to bring this about. Forgiveness will come...
Wednesday, 11 January 2012
Second blog!!
I've always found writing to be a good way to explore and let out my thoughts and feelings, and have done just that for many years. Thought I'd set up a second blog to share some of these!
To find it you could click on the title of this post, go to my profile, or click the link below - hope you enjoy it.
http://patchworkmusings.blogspot.com/2012/01/welcome.html
To find it you could click on the title of this post, go to my profile, or click the link below - hope you enjoy it.
http://patchworkmusings.blogspot.com/2012/01/welcome.html
Thursday, 5 January 2012
More Thursford Wood photos
My daughter is a much better photographer than me, so I feel privileged to share these piccies from our recent visit to Thursford Wood, Norfolk. She has such an artist's eye for lighting and subject and other things that are a mystery to me! I have not put in pictures similar to the ones I posted earlier, but have picked out the ones showing details she spots - enjoy!
Ladybirds clustered together to hibernate.
The lichen on this fallen stick looks like seaweed.
Ladybirds clustered together to hibernate.
Beautiful detail of gills.
The lichen on this fallen stick looks like seaweed.
Shiny holly.
Winter pond at the end of the walk, before turning back.
A time for reflection.... ;-)
If you look hard you can find little clusters of fungi in all sorts of nooks and crannies.
These were tiny.
Very spooky faces!!! Glad it wasn't dark!
Some mad lady enjoying her day out......
A bit of tree love......
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