A thread for calm - peace, happy thoughts, support.

[Ninkanink]

This is a place where those of you who might need to talk to someone can post for gentle support, a listening ear and someone to keep you company when needed. Anyone who is finding it difficult to manage fears, anxieties or just the stress of virus/isolation in general and needs a few minutes away from your thoughts, come and get comfy here and we’ll chat about anything and everything. Anyone welcome as long as everyone keeps it positive, supportive and light. No arguing, no bunfights, no politics/controversy/dragging one another down.

It’s also a thread for support.

Yes it’s not ideal to have them on screens, and it doesn’t have to be all day every day. But in the morning if you’re trying to power through work I think it’s absolutely fine - you can balance it out in late afternoon/evening with other activities.

Oh! Could he ‘earn’ screentime with chores/tasks/school work?

(Sorry...I have a terrible memory so I don’t know age/circumstances and whether or not that is feasible)

@TheOrigBrave many years ago I tried to have a conference call via Skype in my pyjamas with a baby in my lap, toddler on the floor and a new puppy running around and when I tried to shut him in his crate I caught his tail in the door ! The noise was incredible and luckily the person I was Skyping also had childcare issues ( the nanny I shared was off sick). It's tough but most people are very understanding.

I dint feel very well today and am feeling a bit whingey. But I managed to get a whole load of washing fry outside ( which I love) and my kitten went outside through the cat flap for the first time. Exciting. Plus DH got bread and cakes.

Hello all!
Today I plan to look after my house plants. My DD’s cat loves my cheese plant, so it got a bit mangled when I accidentally allowed him in my bedroom. I need to repot some.
Sunny but bitterly cold out there when I took the cat out.
Enjoy your day :)

I didn’t take the cat out, it was the dog 😂😂😂

@Buddha haha I've just had a rant about the houseplants my eldest DD keeps getting me for presents ( because I 'never have any'). I never remember to water them ( I care 24/7 for a very sick younger DD and have 5 animals and a reasonably useless DH) and if they are where I see them the cats eat them or the dogs tails knock them off. Consequently they always die. Love fresh cut flowers though. My final ones from my flower lady are almost dead sadly

Hey everyone 👋

Been feeling just a bit low/antsy/aimless today - a bit of cabin fever, I think (we’re not leaving the house at all for the time being). Might go out for a morning walk tomorrow, feel like I really need it.

Hope you each have a peaceful night!

Today has been a bit mixed, DH is struggling with the restrictions a bit and we had words earlier but he and I have now done the crossword together ( well, started it), he and I had lunch together ( we never do this except on holiday but today I said we must) and we have had a Sunday roast delivered by our favourite cafe which is now able to deliver takeaways. So that's dinner sorted, we have a bottle of semi decent wine, and a few episodes of a very strange polish series on Netflix for tonight! Ooh and I've ordered my birthday present ( it's this week) from DH who wanted me to choose something extra nice. So today should be a good day

Hoping everyone is well

Ohhhh happy birthday week (I figure circumstances at the moment require celebrations to be done a little differently: I propose a week leading up to - special day of extra specialness - week leading away from; or at least that’s what I’m envisaging for my birthday in May! )! 🎈🎀💐

Have you seen Mad Men? If not it’s definitely worth getting stuck into...

Oh we finally had a walk this morning and it was amazing to feel the sun on my face and to be breathing properly fresh air (I hope! ). We do always have our windows open at home but it’s not the same as actually being out in it...We’ve had to wait a while until most people have got the message about DISTANCING, but everyone we met today kept well within the guidelines so that was good. Makes me feel better about going out more often.

I got my delivery of two pairs of pyjama trousers from The White Company. They’ve been sitting in the parcel for 24hrs+ in the hallway (after the outside of the box was wiped down with alcohol when it arrived) so it’s been a bit like waiting excitedly for birthday/Christmas. They are so comfy and lovely and I will very much enjoy wearing them as loungewear (just in the wash now so I can wear them tomorrow, yay!). And they were half price, with an extra 20% off! 👍👍

What did you decide on for extra special birthday present?

Good morning,

It's a new week. My household are all still (mostly!) talking to each other and there have been no murders. I'm calling that a win.

I've done nearly 2hrs work already today (that's enough, right?).

Bike ride on Saturday, lovely walk on Sunday with my youngest.

Bike ride today. I'm a runner really, but I've sprained my ankle so not run for nearly 2 weeks. But DSs prefer to cycle anyway so since I need to go out with DS2 for daily exercise it's OK.

My running club are doing fun challenges which is keeping our sense of community together.

Saw my FIL yesterday (well, ex-FIL but we're very close). He has Parkinson's so is vulnerable. Left his groceries at the door and had a social distanced chat. I so wish DS2 could spend time with him.

Tell us your news then!

@Ninkanink my present is so frivolous I feel very guilty. It's a pair of air and grace trainers which I've wanted for ages ( totally influenced by seeing them on other people) and they have 20% off until Tuesday so I do not need trainers. I have many trainers. But they are all I wear since DD became sick and I now stay at home with her 98% of the time. DH said I should get them as even though we don't do much for our birthdays these days we obviously can't go out for dinner this year ( so basically he's saving money as these would be less than a 3 course meal with wine!).

We have also seen a painting by an artist we both love ( Bee Thomas) which is expensive but which we may buy after all this is over as I think that unlike many other people ( and I feel guilty) we will have spent less money than normal as DH can do his work entirely from home and he isn't away in hotels ( not reimbursed) 3 nights a week,. I want to use any money we are lucky enough to save on making purchases for our home from independent people rather than global chains. We have set up a direct debit to the trussell trust and I am making one off donations to Crisis and the like as so many people are struggling.

I also sent a food parcel via a local company to DD in the North as she can't get easily to shops and her NHS key worker fiancé is working his guts out doing testing. She is WFH thank goodness for the charity she works for.

This time is strange and much as we all hate the restrictions I do hope we learn from it about what is important ie family, health, love

Young chap loving the oldest cat. They get on fine so long as he watches his manners.

Oh my goodness I’m sorry for not checking in to the thread for such a long time!

🌷 to all! Hope you’re keeping well and feeling calm.

@Sooverthemill some of the best things in life are frivolous! You mustn’t feel guilty and you really mustn’t feel as if you have to justify having those things that make you feel good and happy.

I’ll never apologise for spending my money on things that make me happy - how many men feel the need to apologise for having expensive hobbies or spending loads on cars/motorcycles/whatnot? It’s always women who are made to feel guilty for doing anything at all for themselves and especially for spending on their own enjoyment.

Rant over... 😉

Things are ticking along. I’m doing a deep clean of the flat, little by little, and have done lots of organising/life admin. We dropped off a box of food to my daughters today...five minutes away and yet, so far...❤️

I miss my cookbooks (they’re stored in our house that we don’t live in atm); I’d love to be able to sit and read through them all right now. I’ve got a couple here, thank goodness, and might order a couple more from amazon.

But life is good. My philosophy in all this is that until such a time as I have to be worried, I am going to squeeze every drop of joy out of every breath of life that I’m privileged to have.

Best wishes to you all. Hope you’re keeping safe.

My little bit of happiness today is my new pair of fluffy slippers - they go perfectly with my new pyjama trousers!

The sun is shining and I can hear birdsong outside. 😊

Oh, forgot photo!

You've got all the fluff!

Today the Easter Bunny (school PTA) left an Easter Egg at our door. It's so lovely the school are still doing these things for the children.

The head teacher has phoned each week. Goodness, the one this week I blathered on and on cos I hadn't talked to a sensible adult for ages (my 21 yo son doesn't count!). It's OK, I have a good relationship with her and we had a giggle.

Heh yes I’m on some kind of fluff obsession atm! it is very cosy...

Awww that’s nice that your DC got an Easter egg! I’m thinking I might make some little Easter decorations for our twig that sits on the window sill.

🎈💐🍰Happy Birthday @Sooverthemill 🧁🍾🎉 (Sorry it’s late!)

It’s beautifully sunny here. I’m wearing my cherry blossom dressing gown, which is so lovely and soft and very cheerful.

Must confess I desperately want to shop right now, but really shouldn’t.

I think I’ll make a carrot and orange cake today!

Hi everyone

Can I join please?!

I need some positive words at the moment ,
I suffer from health anxiety, but on the whole I'm a very positive happy person,

Hope everyone stay safe, gorgeous weekend ahead xx

Hello @Riv12345 and welcome. We aren't super good at checking in every day but I'm hoping that's because none of us are doing too bad.

@nink thank you! I really had a good birthday and as DH was here ( he should have been keynote speaker at an NHS conference which was cancelled) I actually had adult company for once! We had a nice relaxed day around DHs work, cake and a curry for dinner ( delivered by our local cafe). I had presents and a couple of cards and flowers. All very nice. My main worry is that's this Tuesday is the last of my regular Tesco deliveries and although our local shops deliver it's going to be hard getting the foods that DD needs for her hypersensitivities ( she has an illness). And calpol 6+ strawberry is the only pain meds she can have at home now her central line has been removed and I can't get that anywhere.

Oh well it will all be okay I keep chanting! A friend has organised an online music festival this weekend here which sounds brilliant . You pay £10 for general admission ( for whole household) but extra if you want any master classes or Q&A sessions. Sounds fab, mix of classical and contemporary music.

Keep safe everyone ( @nink great slippers)

DH took this on his Early morning dog walk with Percy

🍰 and ☕️ and 🌷 to all! Welcome @Riv12345.

@Sooverthemill glad you had a lovely birthday celebration.

Have you tried amazon for the calpol your daughter needs? We ordered quite a few things from there and got them all within a few days.