To ask what you’re doing awake post-midnight?

[5YearsLeft]

I had a day that just really banged me about, physically, emotionally, just all the ways, and now, I’m laying here awake and staring at the ceiling.

So why are you awake? Crying baby? Can’t stop thinking? Worried about something tomorrow? Pain somewhere in your body being an arsehole?

Welcome?

@5YearsLeft Thanks to my insomnia, I've read all this thread and your other one tonight. It's had me in tears a few times, I feel so humbled by your spirit and your generosity in spite of all your difficulties.Also enjoyed listening to some of your playlists, you have great taste!

I wanted to recommend this book to you, it's written by a lovely woman who was a personal development trainer, after she was diagnosed with terminal cancer. She used to run workshops for others with cancer and to help them think about it in a different way, I think it may help you, and it's only £2.99 on kindle! Have a look at the reviews. Hugs to you x

www.amazon.co.uk/Cancer-Whisperer-Finding-direction-unlikely/dp/1473637961/ref=sr_1_4?s=books&crid=3UI9MZAAB6H4&keywords=sophie+sabbage&sprefix=Sophie+sabb%2Cstripbooks%2C327&tag=mumsnetforu03-21&qid=1642839535&sr=1-4

@5YearsLeft - I live in France so it's more likely to be Lidl's cheapest - smell tested by the kids. Normal machine and I have farm clothes which repel hay & straw (but not shit & blood). I generally take them off on my way into the house after a birth and stick them straight in the machine.

If you are looking for some distraction I watch an amazing Canadian lady on YouTube called Sandi Brock. Inspiring lady sheep farmer. It's good for the soul seeing all the lambs doing zoomies.

@Appalonia Thank you so much for the recommendation! I’m looking it up now. I promise you there’s nothing special about me; in my place, a million other people would do the same thing (generally try not to be an arsehole before death and share good music, har har). And I’m so glad that you think I have good taste! That’s definitely me well chuffed for today.

@Wallywobbles Ah, I’m next door in Switzerland! We can practically babysit the lambs for you! Har har. (Being as I don’t even know if you use Lidl’s finest to wash your lambing dungarees, probably don’t let me babysit). And Sandi Brock sounds like one of those genuinely interesting “so cool to watch because it’s so far from my life” things so I’ll definitely check it out today! Especially with the promise of lamb zoomies. Thank you!

@Wallywobbles Isn’t that the way of it? You give birth and 5 hours later, they’re standing on your back in a manger while you think to yourself, “The Virgin Mary never had to put up with this shite.”

@5YearsLeft

We have bi-annual functions and I haven't had a 'leaving do' yet due to Covid restrictions. My belated 'do' will be this summer. I may network for a bit of private contract stuff. I could be a 1woman A-Team/international middle-aged mum of mystery.

@GaryLurcher19 That sounds like a great idea! I would think they’re always profiling single blokes with military style haircuts or shaved heads, looking either “vaguely tactical” or like they’re just about to hike a mountain, at airports or border crossings but a one-woman A-Team middle-aged mum carrying one of those big handbags full of everything and “acting” a bit flustered (even if she actually is tactical and could hike a mountain) could go far.

@5YearsLeft

Since music is very important to you, I'd like to share some beautiful, calming pieces of music that I hope you enjoy. The first 2 are by 2 Sanyassin musicians Deva Premal and Miten , and the first is a Sanscrit mantra set to music, they also have many lovely songs on Youtube

m.youtube.com/watch?v=Q4Wg0UtcZHc

m.youtube.com/watch?v=pYfvTgWDYkY

This is also very lovely, I had it played at my dad's funeral a few years ago. I do hope they help soothe you.

m.youtube.com/watch?v=Z_EZBfClFsg

@Appalonia Ah, see this is why I try not to put too many arsehole vibes in the world, because sometimes timing rewards me like this. I’m absolutely destroyed tonight. Spent all day preparing to go to the opening of the light festival; it’s only 30 minutes or less outside, I just had to get there, I took it easy all day, and still… my headache moved down into my neck like it does when this medication I took Wednesday causes some swelling in my brain and the pain is…. Not for people who are amateurs at pain. So no outside for me.

So these will be great since I’m stuck in bed with a neck ice pack. Thank you so much; couldn’t be more perfect timing. And thank you for sharing something from your father’s funeral. I’m sure it’s very personal, and I appreciate it.

Oh honey I'm so sorry you didn't get to go to the light festival, I know how much you were looking forward to it. I'm sending you a huge virtual hug through the internet! X

Well it’s not late and I’m not lying awake but I’ve just stumbled on this thread and skimmed through. How lovely to read such kindness. @5yearsleft you are quite clearly a kind and lovely soul. So sorry to hear you’re in such awful pain today, sending you every good wish

@5YearsLeft
Hope you're feeling a little more comfortable by now, and you have a restful night x

@Appalonia @ScarlettDarling @jowly You’re all so incredibly kind. Thank you. It’s a little better with the ice pack and steroids (though steroids really are the very devil) and I even managed to use my new tripod for about three minutes to capture the moon out my window so I feel a bit less sad, and also extremely lucky that I caught the moon. Even in bad days, beautiful moments. Anyway, I don’t want to derail this thread, so enough about my illness. We’ll be starting up in an hour or so, like usual, after midnight

And Appalonia, that music was lovely. I especially loved the third song. Is he really playing a saxophone?? I can’t believe it makes that sort of sound fo that kind of song.

Glad you liked them. This is the Spotify link for the album the last song came from

open.spotify.com/album/6EZ4ZARjmbOF8M9yRzxMxE?si=10nBInvHQbimdpfDCB4l_Q&utm_source=copy-link

This is another song I really like, its quite sad tho, but she has such a beautiful voice. I listen to BBC6Music quite a lot, which is where I find a lot of great music these days, do you have it where you are?

m.youtube.com/watch?v=scqCD8ZrYdA

No moon here, sadly, but the sky is clear enough for me to be looking across the city again, wondering what everyone is up to (recent name change giving me away here ).

I'm so tired, but not at all sleepy, which I think will resonate with many of you. I'd happily swap this with the young mums with restless babies and take their sleepiness. We'd all be happier.

Actually I'd take their fractious babies and let them sleep. Wouldn't that be lovely..

@Appalonia Thank you for the link! Ah, nothing wrong with a bit of sad music. I know people think some of mine is a bit too slow or down, especially the relaxing things. I’m actually not sure if I can get BBC6 here or any of the BBCs. It’s been a while since I tried (I feel like I used to? Why did I stop?)

@jowly Across a city is also a lovely view. And I understand just not being able to sleep, period. That’s such a lovely idea; it’d be nice if we had an exchange service where those of us who can’t sleep could help out those who desperately need a bit of help and sleep for a while. If only it were that easy. It would be really nice though.

Hey all - it’s the after midnight thread. Why are you up after midnight? COVID? Fussy baby? Bad day? Busy kind? Saturday nights are usually a bit slower but we’ve left the light on for anyone who needs to be here.

Been to a party! I never get to go out. I’m 49 and have teens and suddenly I’m going out out celebrating a friend’s birthday. I haven’t laughed so much in ages

@pinkstripeycat Ah, that’s lovely! What a great reason to be awake! I hope that you manage to have many more nights with such an amount of laughter!

Coughing and puking 5 year old. The joy 😭😭😭

Am in A&E with my boy. What a week. He's ok, sleeping soundly next to me as I wait for some test results for him. He is likely to be discharged soon. Poor love, he has had a tough night.

So sorry Monica, hope he feels better soon and you get some sleep.

It’s gone 2am and I’m about start switching the lights off… got back from work just after midnight, then had to order dinner and watched some rubbish TV to switch off. I need to be back in by 10am tomorrow 😭 I’ve no idea if I’ll fall asleep or not because my mind is running in all directions right now.

@MonicaGellerBing Oh no! That’s always a horrible one. It’s tough on you, it’s tough on poor, wee him… it’s tough on the washing I hope he feels better soon.

@Sandysaurus Oh, what a brave thing he is. I hate hospitals and had a BIG cry last time I was in A&E, and I’m in my late bloody 30s! So glad he’s sleeping safely and you’re looking forward to discharge but I’m sure it’s been exhausting for the both of you. Hope you can have a restful day at home tomorrow to recover from it all. And also that the test results are all fine! Fingers crossed!

@EileenGC That’s a tough schedule! But I understand how you can’t just come home and fall in bed - you need food and to unwind a bit, and even then, your brain may not have gotten the message. I hope it gets the message soon so you can get enough sleep before 10!

Five, so sorry you didn't get to go out today. That sucks. I hope tomorrow will be better. And I hope you are actually sleeping now because your pain is better...

As for me, I'm sick with worry about my daughter's lack of weight gain and that's what is keeping me up. The baby in his cot next to me has just woken up. I'm hiding under the duvet so he doesn't get ideas of feeding . He's yawning and gurgling and making all kinds of cute little sounds. Funnily enough if DD woke up and asked to eat a steak right now I'd happily go and hunt down a cow or pig or whatever steak is made of.