The Cybergarden - Late Summer Edition

[madmouse]

Sorry been unfaithful, lots going on. But making myself useful - here's your new thread x

Sorry to hear it's one of the bad days, upward, and guessing you're not doing any cooking after trip to market, so won't nag you about delicious dishes.
When I used to have bad days, I'd get out my Bad Day List, which I'd written when in a more positive mood, and was full of make-one-feel-better things. Since being widowed, I've operated using a To-Do List, as there is now only one person to remember absolutely everything, until one day it occurred to me to have some fun/relaxing/day-off items as well as endless Must-Do's. Hobs right about theatre or cinema, if you can go out at night, and I usually phone a friend about having a coffee/shop/something daytime or have a look at my Crafts List - just an idea for the down days.
I'm OK really hob, thanks for your kind thoughts, but unfortunately it's DB who can't imagine life could get better, despite professional help, and I've run out of ideas now.

Hi everyone - busy few work days and weekend so just relaxing this evening.

upward I agree with shodatin re. maybe having a list of nice things to do on 'standby'. Or even a mix of this and easy practical things to do to get you through the day.

On v difficult days in the past I even found it helpful to split the day into 15 min segments and then almost timetable it. At least that takes away the whole issue of 'what am i going to do to get through the rest of this day'.

Hope that makes sense and hope you have an easier week x

Sorry you've had more bad days, Upwards. I do hope Monday and the day centre will help again - you said before that things do seem worse at the weekend, without the distraction. Did you get shodatin's beautiful sunshine - or the tropical torrents we had down here?

I'm always blown away by so much wisdom on this thread. shodatin, hob and kizzie, you all have such good ideas. I forget about the little, relaxing things, and am now well enough to actually make small plans. So. Lists may start appearing here too. And not just ones headed "LEAKS..."

hob how FABULOUS that you managed such a great day celebrating with people you love. You're completely let off for the rest of the week, mind. Hope virus passes quickly and mildly.

shodatin, so sorry you went to bed unhappy - and you still sound so low. Depression - and caring about someone who has it - is such a pig, isn't it? It's such a very long, stony road, and meanders painfully up and down the sides of the canyon for a while. Fingers crossed DB's path will start to turn upwards again soon. And that you manage to conserve enough energy for yourself, as hob says.

kizzie hope your relaxing evening has been lovely.

Sleep well, everyone. Hope we all wake rested and ready to face the new day - if necessary in very small slices indeed!

Thanks Tianc, for being so kind and understanding and for putting out the which I forget so often. Hope you're now fully recovered from being over-energetic earlier in the week while feeling well.
Have only now realised hob has some nasty virus, and not just the lack of energy
we all experience from time to time, like Tianc above. I do hope it's not the nasty-flu-like-infection I had last month, as I've been told there are some horrors going around this summer.

Am joining with Tianc in wishing goodnight, and off to bed now.

Another lovely sunny morning, although a bit breezy, and I'm glad I'm not at sea. Hope everyone's having a good day so far. Am so pleased that the chaos someone caused me recently has now been sorted out (for the umpteenth time) by some other people being kind and helpful. I'd no idea what would happen when I set out this morning, but said the usual little prayer and "handed over" the problem, which now appears to have been sorted on this occasion. Am feeling relieved and grateful (and just wanted to mention it!)

So , so pleased lovely people & the - ahem - positive powers of the universe as I think of them , have come to your assistance , shodatin . Sorry the problem had been causing you concern . It's a coincidence you mention this prayer - type strategy , as I was going to suggest to upward that the "vibrations" of concentrataed positive thoughts / prayers can bring bout healing changes .
I really don't want to offend anyone , or cause extra discomfort to upward who must be wanting her surroundings to feel totally solid and not cerebral or otherwordly .. I 've read of research suggesting healing thoughts physically reach people & act at a molecular level < Bad Science Award for hob >

Hope you've felt supported at day hospital today upward, if you were able to go , & we're all thinking of you loads .
A gree withTianc that those are excellent , excellent suggestions kizzie & shodatin , as it must be so impossibly hard when life is all effort & exhaustion & v little frivolity . Hope you don't feel offended by that , upward - you sound like a very zestful person ( can't stop saying that word now , Tianc !) whose v bright mind dneeds lots of stimulation .

Tianc , thank you so much for tucking me in , mopping my brow & for the delicious tisane - how I snoozed . So exciting to hear you able to contemplate making lists - I always feel I'm accomplishing something when I'm able to attempt writing one .

Thank you shodatin for reassuring us as to your stress levels re : your db's difficulties and I'm sure you have had many insights & gentle suggestions for him over the time of his distress , & that your inspiration will return in time .

Thank you so much for undeserved concern about virus , but it's absolutely nothing compzared to your vicious flu , shodatin ... much improved & just very sleepy

< Her Felinity nuzzles ankles of all thread friends then curls up beside upward >

A list of 'nice things' is a really good idea...thanks all. Just need to think of things now to add to theatre, cinema, coffee, phone a friend, crafts, daytime shop [audiobook, shower, ...]

I did go to the hospital today, not sure that I should have I am trying to talk about some of the current issues, but it was uncomfortable being there.

Zonked here and heading to bed, I'm afraid. Night night all.

< Her Felinity purrrrrrrrs contentedly >
< falls asleep at upward's feet and begins to snore delicately >

Thank you upward for ambrosial miso soup - just what I needed.

So good to see you managing to post here after horrible weekend difficulties ... am very , very impressed you went to day hospital . Absolutely awed that you found the strength to try to talk about current issues & sorry was so hard .

Love the sound of your list .... do you have any community centres nearby ,with tea dances you can hear all through the building & hobby clubs , fetes & classes ? The nearest one hosts one or two MIND support groups too . Our favourite afternoon / evening out in this house is a history talk or just a visit for a look at the secondhand books for sale & a hot chocolate in the bar

I think you once wrote something that gave the impression you weren't yet feeling up to meeting old aquaintances , so maybe your usual library / museum / gallery is a stressful prospect , & of course transport & costs are vital considerations . Hope there's a local hall near you with good value films , or even an arthouse cinema within reach .

Oh yes , glad you're allowing yourself a spot of shopping ... shodatin will know about your crafty stuff but if I was able to I'd conjure up a lovely market for you , or an accessible car boot sale , or charity shops as good as when I were a lass ...

Peaceful & restorative sleep to you Tianc after an exhausting day today .

Very relieved you haven't reported severe gale damage , shodatin - fingers crossed .
Sleep well madmouse , kizzie and lovely thread people

Good night Tianc, hope you sleep well and awake refreshed tomorrow.

Glad you got to the hospital, upward, but seems it was not one of the best days and can only hope you have a more positive experience next time. One really needs a good day to write a helpful list too, remembering that on the difficult days it's almost impossible to think of feel-good occupations.

Have heard of similar research suggesting prayers improve health hob, but today's experiences were just of positive, helpful people cancelling the negativity caused by another, and I was so pleased they were on my side
when I needed help. Sorry I can't be more specific at present, but it doesn't feel other-wordly (and I don't often think about the universe any way).

Will wish everyone a good night and try to get to bed earlier today.

What's happened to Yorkshire's lovely sunny mornings? Local climate change was pretty good, until today, when it's trying to rain again after last night's storm. I found some bits of concrete on the drive today, probably from roof area, so hope everyone else's property is OK (and that mine's not leaking).
Thanks for your good wishes hob, which seem to have been effective.

Time for a I think, so will make espressos and leave kettle handy for more healthful drinks.

Oh dear , really hope the bits of concrete don't indicate anything serious , shodatin . Hope your eventually got some of that lovely September sun .

We're all hoping today was less stressful for you upward , after you efforts yesterday .

shodatin is so right to note it's no use trying to write the fun list when feeling well below par , but I remembered another suggestion to annoy pester you with- archaeology sites ... I understand very little of the subject but love looking at the sites

Maybe the most refreshing thing I can think of on the pc is using GoogleMaps to tour an area or go for a "drive" ... I find it really good for when you feel the need to be outside . Suggest also Youtube etc footage of concerts for this purpose , or people's home films of tourist sites / stately homes . pe these suggestions aren't too irritating.

Sorry for silence but am still a bit done in after virus & weekend exertions

I 'm sorry you were absolutely exhasted last night Tianc and hope you 're relatively OK today < tries not to mither Tianc >

shodatin's rooibos with mint

Hello hob, hope you've managed to have some rest and relaxation today - GP warned me of over-doing it post-virus, and it's very easy as one just has not got the energy, although feeling improved after the bed-ridden bit. Am really interested in your archaeology sites. Do you look in Maps or is there another system, am taken by "people's home films of tourist sites" but am very new to using computers and would really appreciate some ideas (when you've time).

Hope Tianc and Upward have managed enough rest despite noisy gales and have managed to enjoy today. I'm about one third through the filing here, not exciting but home looks so much better without heaps of A4 here & there.

at lumps of concrete, shodatin! Please god it's nothing serious. Will you be able to get someone up there to look for damp patches in the loft, especially after all this rain? Btw, that's such a lovely thing,you were saying yesterday, about having nice helpful people cancel out the stress caused by negative ones. One's faith in human nature definitely benefits from a bit of shoring up occasionally, doesn't it?

Upward, how has your place fared in this blustery weather? Hope the storm wasn't too disturbing in the night, if you got it. Strengthening vibes for dealing with the stuff you're trying to articulate at the moment.

Real rainbow weather here for the last week: brilliant sunshine alternating with the heavens opening.

And neither mithered nor mothered, here, hob! Thank you! Definitely caught up on sleep last night, and was quite well for delightful unexpected guests. Hope you've managed to curl up most of today, Her Felinity in attendance, and that you have a restful day planned tomorrow as well.

shodatin your words about A4 speak to the heart! I can't match you file-for-file, but since the study was finished on Thurs I've rounded up 1 filing cabinet, 6 box files, 5 paper folders, 2 opened reams of printer paper and 3 extension leads - and vacuumed them (did I mention the builders?). Next task, actually opening aforementioned files. I feel like I'm peering round the doorframe of the Augean stables...

I shall take myself off to bed to prepare for more on the morrow.

Hope everyone sleeps well, or at least gets some decent rest.

You deserve a prize for getting the new study ready Tianc, and I can hardly imagine the effort required to get it workable. Life will be much easier with a place for everything, and the office will be running itself very soon I'm sure.

Thanks for the brilliant idea of getting someone to check for missing bits of concrete/damp patches, and luckily I know just the man to call in.

Goodnight, and thank you for preparing nightcaps.
Hope everyone has a peaceful sleep and wakes calm and refreshed at getting-up-time.

Thank you for leaving on the stove ,Tianc , and for putting up so graciouslywith my fussing . You are indeed resting sensibly to be able to enjoy your surprise visitors properly , excellent . Am absolutely agog at the filing you're both doing atm - dh was quite worried when he noticed me looking at the screen in amazement at all that effort & achievement

Impressed that you know what those bits of concrete might indicate ( if they came from shodatin's own roof of course) & shodatin knowing a good person to check the loft / roof area .

Am delighted you like the sound of archaeology sites etc shodatin , and please forgive me if I don't manage to find links till tonight as I don't want to send you on a tiring journey round the general public's days out , though you sound as though you might be amused by that aspect

Ooooh Tianc I love rainbow weather & hope we all get some this week .
Am so chuffed this week to have been able to pick my first - ever brocolli grown from seed , & late runner beans which escaped the Slugs of Doom .

Thank you shodatin & Tianc so much for encouragement to rest after virus & I 'm enjoying sleeping lots Wish I could be more restful today but feel I can't postpone an outing this morning .

< Her Felinity rises from waking hob to walk round thread friends saying good morning and receiving adoration >

btw I too love the sense of nice people cancelling someone else's less pleasant contribution & find it exhilarating &

Wishing you friendly supportive people today , upward , & that you'll feel up to receiving any such support offered .

Best wishes to madmouse , kizzie and lovely thread friends

Morning all, and big thanks to hob for providing the s - hope you can enjoy this morning's outing (and rest after....) Congratulations on your harvest, and particularly on victory over Slugs of Doom! Hope you'll have many more to pick and enjoy (and possibly freeze?) Please don't hurry yourself finding the sites for me, there's no urgency and would hate to make you feel rushed when supposedly convalescent after the virus.
Replying hello to Her Felinity and hoping she has a good day, as well as usual people on the thread. Not heard from the mouse family recently, but hoping mouseling is still enjoying his walking experience, and that all enjoyed yesterday's day-off.

Hi everyone - sorry im a little pre-occupied at the moment and not very visible. DH is facing redundancy with the slight added inconvenience that he wont actually get any redundancy payment. We are being very pragmatic about it all and finding solutions - but its taking up a lot of time. Anyway - didnt want you to think I was ignoring you all.
Hope you all have a good day x

Oh kizzie, how grim! Pragmatic and positive is great - but also draining. There's always on the go in the garden if you need a rant or a bit of escape.

Hello again kizzie, I remembered you this morning, but could not remember whether you were still away with work, so thanks for posting at such a busy time. I do hope you find some good solutions, and so sorry it looks like redundancy without compensation for your DH - that really is not fair, and I agree with Tianc that it must be draining and that we're all here for you if we can help in any way.
Remembering that no-one knows what's around the corner, I hope there's something good waiting for you and your DH.

I hope you get as good an outcome as you can, kizzie

I hope everyone's rested, shodatin , TIANC , madmouse and hob

No discharge date for me yet :(

Is this the discharge from the day centre, Upward, or have I misunderstood? I'm sorry, the uncertainty must be very disconcerting. Hope you're still getting something positive out of the day sessions, tho, even when they're distinctly hard work.

Any more thoughts about your windowsill cultivation, btw? I quite like shodatin's idea (I think it was) of cut-and-come-again herb and salad stuff, and will try that more dedicatedly next year.

hob I am agog at your harvest of broccoli and beans, as well as shodatin's of pak choi! Hope today's outing went OK, and you managed to rest afterwards.

shodatin, hope your day has been a good one too. Any more news on the storm damage? I do hope the garden survived unscathed.

I've been mostly resting, tho still doing a bit too much. But all last week's heavy lifting was done by others, you understand - I'm Management! I wave hands and give contradictory orders!

Not a good day here, I'm afraid, and uncertain what to do about a problem.
Thanks for kind enquiry about garden damage tianc; I managed to get to the "garden shelf" arrangement while it still had two supports in place, but a good sneeze would have put my slug-free pots on the ground, so been lucky.

Am pleased you've managed to spend time resting before absolutely having to give up, and hope everyone has a good day tomorrow.
I was uncertain about upward's discharge too, and thought the day-centre was a good thing originally. Is there any other discharge due soon?

Oh no, shodatin. Anything we can help you think through? (Although I don't want to be intrusive.)

Thanks Tianc, and I'll doubtless come back to the subject later, but it's too late for me today and DB's due here tomorrow, which is always lovely but tiring.

Hope everyone has a good night, and that upward is managing to sleep right through these days.