Summer Solstice Sensation

lessonlearned

Hi Everyone

Not much to report today - popped into local shops after visiting the library, so keeping to my mission of not using the bigger supermarkets every five minutes.

Some friends popped in to see OH this afternoon so had a nice lazy time chatting and catching up. Had a quick tidy up before they came but didn't get round to the planned house cleaning blitz. Another day.

Just a few stretches today. No particular treatments today - just the normal routine. Still doing the oil cleansing and still happy with it.

Sleep well.

maman

Equally horrible weather here: grey, windy and damp. Mooched around for most of the day just reading the papers and generally resting. Went to the pub (very unusual for us) at teatime to watch our team on television. We could have eaten there but decided to come home and have SW curry from freezer instead. My leg is a bit better but wound still feels tight and a bit swollen, limping well:)

lessonlearned

Taking Stock

Ok it's now been 8 weeks and how am I doing. Lost a couple of pounds and several inches.

Weight loss is a bit disappointing - and not keeping to my target of 1lb per week weight loss. I need to try much harder here.

I'm generally pleased with the inch loss - so far so good. I feel and look more toned and up until a few days ago more supple and flexible.

Over the last couple of weeks my exercise regime has definitely slipped though and I need to address this.

As you know a few problems with OH & SS, stress and a general lack of energy. However, I'm starting to get on top of those issues now so no more excuses - back to the plan.

(Already done 2kms bike - knee still a bit dodgy so will nurse it along gently - forget to take glucosomine for several days and it really makes a difference).

Back and neck not so good - again I think due to lack of exercise but off to physio tomorrow so should help me get back on track.

Appearance wise - skin and hair looking better and have definitely smartened up a bit. Have stopped wearing the really tatty joggies etc (put them away to use when painting and decorating). Got rid of all the unflattering tops, jumpers that did nothing for me and only wear things that look nice.

Starting wearing a pinny for jobs round the house, cooking etc so I can wear something reasonable and not worry about clothes getting badly stained. I bought a few new items for wearing around the house that are comfortable and easy to wash, saving my "better" things for going out.

So all in all, not too bad - progress not as fast as I would have liked, but not a total disaster. Just have to remember the elephant and keep going.

Hope you are all well and enjoying your weekend.

Maman - Glad to hear that the leg isn't too bad. Treat yourself gently and take care.

Carmen - Same for you - hope your back is easier.

Carmen

Hello ladies,

At last, my back problem has eased considerably :j I spoilt myself today, manicure, eye brow tidy, body scrub and a good slathering with lotion. I feel so much better
I managed to get through a mountain of ironing,at last!

No weight lose this week, stayed the same:) which surprised me as I had no exercise and snacked rather a lot over the last five days:(


LL, It has been a testing time for you and O/H, it is these ups and downs in life that effect what we do, how we look after ourselves. I tend to eat badly when I feel down and then regret it when I feel better in myself, gawd, it ain't easy :rotfl::rotfl:
You are still doing well, you have not put on weight and still losing inches, so well done for that.
I hope your knee is better today, does the warmer weather help it?

Maman, how is your leg, getting better I hope?
My MiL had problems with ulcers that would not heal, one time the hospital put maggots in the wound _pale_ to help clean away the dead flesh, it seemed to work, not sure if this method is used these days?
Well done on your weight lose so far :j

Upwards and onwards
Carmen xx

lessonlearned

Good morning everyone

Didn't get round to posting yesterday - was just too busy and by evening I was just too tired.

Physio was helpful, another meeting with SS and builders round to give quotes for some odd jobs that need doing. House has been neglected of late so it's time to get some essential maintenance done and then hopefully slap some paint on and freshen everywhere up.

House looks like an old people's home with so much equipment everywhere, also it's getting knocked about with wheelchairs etc so a bit of hole filling and a paint job should help as a temporary measure.

Glad your back is easing now Carmen - your pampering session sounds wonderful. I'm badly in need of one but doubt it will be today. Thank you for such positive comments about my slow progress. It's so nice to get everyone's support - it really helps when I'm feeling a bit low.

I must do a clean up today (in fact already doing it - just having a little break:o) Lovely day here so hoping to get in the garden later - start a bit of tidying up and pruning.

Anyway back to the housework:D

PS Maman - hope the leg is ok, "speak" to you soon.

maman

:wave: Hello LL, hello Carmen, hello all lurkers

Thanks for good wishes. My leg is feeling much more normal but I'm beng very careful at least for the week I was advised and a bit longer until the stitches come out. I'd hate to split the wound. Almost all aching stopped and I'm much more mobile.

Needless to say I've done absolutely nothing around the house. All I've done this week is cooking (DH even prepped for me at weekend) and a bit of washing and a lot of sitting around! DH can cook but because of SW I wanted to stay in control.

We, too, have a plan to do some decorating. Bathroom's first. I was tempted to have it all ripped out and replaced but DH persuaded me that new taps, flooring, bath panel, mirror and paint was enough! Plumber came and replaced taps today. DH painted ceiling. Tomorrow I'm going to choose some flooring and look at a bath panel (was meant to do it on way back from hospital appt last week but that didn't happen). Then we must do spare bedroom. Bathroom's easy as I'm going for all white but I've no idea what to do with bedroom. Mostly DGD1 sleeps there, sometimes younger one but when couples come I don't want it too girly. It's north facing so something warmish....I'm rambling.

Take care. Sleep well.

lessonlearned

Still on Day 59 (just)

Had a nice positive, productive day - did some serious cleaning - I always feel better when my "nest" is clean and tidy. I hate living in mess and chaos - it makes me feel tetchy and on edge. I even cook better - had a lovely healthy mediterranean type dinner - chicken, couscous and lots of vegetables.

A lovely sunny day so spent a good couple of hours in the garden, pruning, weeding, tidying up and talking to my "babies" (my plants). It was lovely to be outside in the fresh air - it seems like it's been such a long winter. Looking forward to spring/summer so much - hope its nice and warm this year.

I've always liked gardening but since OH has been so poorly my garden has become my little sanctuary. I really can practise "mindfulness" when working with my hands, sewing, decorating etc but especially when gardening.

Managed to pop round to a neighbours for a cup of tea and a chat. We are very lucky here many of our neighbours are more than mere neighbours - they are good friends and they've been very good to us - especially since OH has been so poorly.

No special beauty treatments - but my skin has a nice healthy glow after my stint outside.:)
Exercise - some new exercises prescribed by physio & normal yoga stretches. Elbows are very painful at the moment - due to supporting OH when handling. Caring for someone who is severely disabled is very physical and demanding - imagine manouevering a 6ft toddler and you get the picture.

Anyway off to bed, sleep well everyone.

lessonlearned

Best Foot Forward

Today I've been to the chiropodist - now feel like I'm walking on air.

Reminded me about what Carmen said about getting feet ready for summer - now is the time to start ladies, so get those foot files and pumice stones out and slather on lots of heavy duty moisturisers.

It always amazes me that so many people lavish time and money on hair, make-up, clothes etc and then forget all about their poor little tootsies. As my chiropodist points out, if your teeth rot you can get new ones, if your hair falls out you can get a wig, you can replace hips, heart valves, kidneys and all sorts, but you only get one pair of feet and they have to last a lifetime.

My chiropodist always comments that I have pretty feet. I have my parent's to thank for that - no matter how tight money was they always insisted on buying me and my sister good shoes. When I became a fashion conscious teenager I used to hate wearing my "sensible" Clarks shoes for school and wanted fashion shoes. My parents allowed me to wear my fashion shoes for going out but not for everyday wear. How right they were.

Funnily enough I recently had a lecture from a podiarist (I have plantar fascitis(sp) - better known as a heel spur - very painful at times). He told me off for wearing flat shoes too often. Apparently wearing flat shoes too much tightens the hamstrings, and of course we all know the damage that wearing high heels can do.

According to my podiarist, we should swap around with shoe styles, sometimes flattish but not dead flat like ballet pumps, a 1" or 2" heel for everyday and save the killer heels for occasional/evening use only. Apparently, if he had his way, flip-flops would be consigned to the fires of hell. So now we know.:p

Anyway, such advice is a perfect excuse to have a nice full shoe wardrobe.:D

Off to do my bike and stretch routines.

lessonlearned

Very, very tired today - not much sleep. OH hallucinating (his meds do this sometimes), also I'm trying to wean myself off HRT and the night sweats are back. (I am a lurker on the menopause thread). Have started taking menosan (sage drops) to see if it helps.

Despite all my good intentions I've not achieved much today - had a nice nap on the sofa this afternoon;)

The library rang to say they'd got the book I ordered so whilst there I picked up a couple of glossy magazines - get to feed my magazine habit for free:D

At the same time popped in the local co-op, avoiding a trip to Mr S. Not done my sums yet but I'm sure I'm saving money this way (diesel and time too).

Exercise 2kms bike and some stretches so far - off to do some more in a minute.
Beauty treatment - Facelift Facepack done - manicure later

Dinner - Baked salmon. Oily fish is not only good for the heart - our skin likes it too.

Hope you are all keeping up the good work. Hope the backs and legs are bearing up.:rotfl:

lessonlearned

Busy day today. OH to physio and then our stint at Scope.

Got some fabulous bargains today, some really nice designer men's shirts. They will be shared out between my sons, BIL or Dad (after I've tried some on). They were all destined for the ragman so I had to rescue them:rotfl:

I sometimes wear a man's shirt instead of ladies shirts and blouses because they fit me better. Blouses often gape open because of my er over-generous bosom.

One was a lovely grey and white striped heavy linen - almost a light jacket weight - which I will wear over a tee or vest, then belted a la Gok Wan.:D

If I'm feeling creative I sometimes take off the collars, cut off the cuffs and elasticate the end of the sleeves, add some lace to the neckline and sleeves et voila a pretty nightshirt. I love canabalising one garment to make into another. When shirts are old and tatty I just wear them over my jeans like an artists smock for when I'm painting and decorating.

Also got some really pretty bits of jewellery and a brand new white teapot (broke mine yesterday). They were all rejects about to be thrown away!!! Just missed a huge mirror which would have been great in my hall - one of the other volunteers bought it first. Never mind, I'm sure there'll be another one someday.;)

Lovely sunshine here today - lots of crocus and primroses in flower - felt like Spring.

Just yoga today.

Hope you are all well - is your leg ok Maman.