Simplifying Life - Mark II

2cats1kid

I love thunderstorms from the safety of indoors!

Trouble with Scottish islands is you don't just get the nice rain that refreshes you and washes away your worries (I think you'll get that, ceridwen, although it looks a bit strange written down), you get that awful damp that works its way under your waterproofs and through your clothes and soaks into the lining of your wellies and just leaves you cold and miserable! I have to say though, that on a nice day with the sun on the heather and a salmon straight out of the loch in the oven, and the bog myrtle scenting the air, you can't beat it.

Trying to muster the enthusiasm to go and do some more gardening. I had a lovely toasty bed last night with a fleece blanket under the sheet and the first outing of the thicker duvet, and I'm just enjoying being warm and cosy at the moment.

mary43

not a great fan of thunderstorms.............in fact I hate them. Always find them a bit on the scary side - maybe that's from childhood -who knows.

2cats - you've just reminded me how much my family history stuff needs a bit of a tidy up.................I picked up a Memory Book from one of the charity shops and am filling it in for my eldest son but its so complicated when there's been more than one marriage -not enough space to write the details of why this was etc. Think I've managed to get most of it in anyway and he'll enjoy reading it (I hope) -- there's a bit more to it than names and dates - tried to do my family history like that so each section on a relative has something about them -if I know it.

Really pleased this morning - had text from big brother (why he can't actually phone I'll never know) to say that Mum has actually been out of bed and sitting in her lounge in the armchair for a couple of hours !! First time in over a year............mind you, mustn't get too excited about it............it could all change. Still did lift me up on what is a very cold grim day.

ceridwen

As we were recently discussing silence - thought I would give a link to an article in today's newspapers:

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/you/article-1081198/Quiet-Author-Sara-Maitlands-search-silence.html

I couldnt live in such an isolated setting as Sara does - if only because I was thinking of the practicalities of life - like getting my shopping in/library visits/etc and I would want more company than she does. But its an interesting article to read nonetheless.

mary43

Thanks ceridwen - I'll read that later.

My friend lives in a cottage quite isolated (though I can take a bus ride to the nearest village) and its quite a sanctuary for me to go to when life gets too hectic. But she does have problems if she can't get out to the nearest town for essentials...................thats what I like about where I live - everything I really need is on my doorstep.............we don't have big stores like M & S and Poundland and other places like that but the essentials are here - choice may be limited but its the price we pay for a small quiet town.
We can sit in the gardedn in the summer and the silence is beautiful -we could be anywhere but a row of terraced houses............that is until the kids come home from school...................lol

ceridwen

As you say Mary - the practicalities of living in such an isolated place as Sara would be problematic....impossible in my case - as I dont have a car - or any wish for one.

But - I shall borrow that book from the library anyways - as I think I'll probably pick up some useful hints for introducing what "peace and quiet" I can to my urban lifestyle.

Must be nice to be able to sit out in "peace and quiet" in your garden.....in mine....well.....an urban backyard....and the constant hum of traffic in the background .....I do have to go out into the countryside to sit and have a peaceful "contemplate" proper...

mary43

ceridwen- think I spoke to soon about the peace and quiet - if it were summertime I'd be out there now away from the WW3 that appeared to have broken out here between our two lads !!:eek: Throwing stuff at each other.......generally a right carry on................they've now been told in no uncertain terms that it's just not on !! They didn't excactly stand to attention but for the time being they're quiet.............oh the bliss of tomorrow when hopefully our youngest will be at school for a full day !!!
He was due home at 6pm tonight but his mum decided to send him home at lunchtime as she was 'busy' ???? No one rang and asked if we'd be here, was it ok..............nothing, oh no. Needless to say I was not a happy bunny!!
But no.............I must not get stressed out..........no, no, no.................keep calm...........if I shout the only person that will get worn out by it will be me....................:o
Times like this I want to catch the bus to my friends house.......................lol sort of runaway and hide.................:o
Oh well, such is life..............well ours anyway.
I must look further into 'methods of staying calm no matter what'...........

ceridwen

Hi Mary

Yep - I've picked up that the two lads you have at present are taking rather more "energy" to sort out than you've had to deal with for a while....so fingers crossed that things will settle down a bit for you in that respect. Guess these things are going to happen at intervals in your "line of trade". So - hope you get a decent number of chances to have a little "sit" in that bit of garden created for you by a previous guy you had in with you - and to get out to that "refuge" of yours in your friends house.

Take care.

ceridwen
x

PS: found a couple of links with thoughts on staying calm:

http://www.youmeworks.com/thistoo.html

http://www.lifeoptimizer.org/2007/08/10/26-tips-to-stay-calm-when-situation-goes-bad/

frugalswan

Afternoon, everyone. I've just been reading this great thread and feel welcome reading it. I had a tremendously busy life up to about 6-8 months ago, and now I've managed to turn it around. I stopped doing a lot of work that wasn't helping me in the slightest and was quite negative towards my life and health, and have slowed down. I now focus on simpler things, and honestly feel proud of myself for doing so. I just need to go that step further now.

Reading your comments and articles has given me a lot of food for thought and indeed made me consider things I hadn't before. The nature of needing quiet, for example, is a good one. My day starts with the bus commute to the train station at 6:35am, but at least when I get to my destination (much running later!!) I can usually have a walk across the meadows and gather my thoughts. Looking out from the bridge in the direction of where I work is really soothing and it does help to set me up for the day. I don't listen to music, I just think as I'm walking now and I feel so much the better for it. I switched to a simpler job about 18 months ago now because the last one (in finance) had impossible hours, stress and deadlines, and was ruining my health. I feel so much better now.

It isn't just that. I read a little bit about 'inexplicable things' happening to some- I can relate. So, a need for a stress-free and simpler life is very appealing. I don't usually post, but I really wanted to show my appreciation, and hope you don't mind if I drop by again.

mary43

ceridwen - thanks for the links...........I'll read them when I get the chance.
Thankfully I just had a phone call from another ex foster girl............she was always a breath of fresh air - still is and somehow manages to put things in perspective for me. Really brightened up a dull and wet afternoon - plus offer of free hairdo now she's at hairdressing college.......makes me realise why I put up with so much sometimes.

ceridwen

FrugalSwan - you're very welcome....drop by any time.....the "kettle is permanently on".

Mary - well....I was trying to remind you of why you do this.....with my comment about the guy who made that little garden area for you......so I'm glad of that phonecall from an ex foster girl.....the phrase "There is no such thing as coincidence" is coming to mind here.....good timing that phonecall was......