Living on next to nought - is that the key?

Upsidedown_Bear

beanielou wrote: »

My DS has been staying at home this term with his GF.
Interesting times!!!!

Got a wheelchair delivered yesterday.
For slightly longer distances.
Not sure how I really feel about that!!!!

If it makes life easier for you then it's good

in_need_of_direction

Beanie, life's too short not to make use of things that make it easier.

Upsidedown_Bear

Smilie of the day.

Greying_Pilgrim

Good Morning :hello:

Beanie - So was your son at home just for this term? or will it be for the year? How cryptic.... interesting times.... :D:D

Mmmmm, I hear what you are saying about the chair. I think that I would have very muddled feelings if it were me in that position. I would hope I could see the actual chair as a 'tool' though, a tool to assist me, and then I would try to work out everything else as I went along. Hopefully it is going to enable you to do more, and get out and about. I'm with Upsidedown Bear and INOD - if it enhances your quality of life, then go for it. In the meantime, thank you so much for continuing to come on here to cheer me on - you know I greatly appreciate it - right?

Upsidedown Bear - are we allowed to wish on that star too? And ooh, zen calm is just the thing for the 3rd Sunday in advent, where the theme is 'Joy'. Did you see that item in the press the other day that claimed that if you could do that specific yoga move - going to the floor into the seated position and then rising back up again, without using your arms for leverage - it would determine how long you would live? I think that yoga pose may be called 'the lotus', or something - but I don't think that I could do it now - I used to be able to do it, when I was about 7 or something

Can't claim a NSD for yesterday, had to spend money Still, we were no where near the high street, so for that I remain grateful, as we heard, anecdotally that the shops were heaving.... And co-incidentally, someone on MSE who works in a shop, reported similar in whichever town/city they live in.

I spent most of yesterday morning on my little Christmas craft project. I'm quite annoyed in a way, as the part that I was working on hasn't quite turned out how it was supposed to do #perfectionisttendancies but I needed to try it out (was making it up as I went along in my head, rather than following a pattern) in order to find out where it went wrong/how I could improve it. I think that I can do better #tenaciousperfectionist, but that will involve spending another several hours of my life on one tiny little thing that won't feed, clothe or warm us...... *ponders* :think:

Dinner last night was a nod to the cuisine of spice. By the time we got back, all I wanted to do was sit in front of the fire, but I'm glad that I pushed myself to make us a nice meal, as I was fine once I got going We has Reza Mohammed's Spicy Vegetables with soft polenta a dish that you can use any veg in - so a great 'use up' dish. And I had forgotten just how much I like polenta in autumn/winter - great stuff! Picture here;



You'll have to forgive the poor presentation, I was rushing to plate up whilst the polenta was still soft and creamy - it sets quite quickly and the texture changes, still nice, but different IYSWIM. Actually, DP's plate was a little more stylish, I should have taken a pic of that.......

So, here we are at week 3 of advent with a theme of 'Joy'. I was having a ponder about how many times I have experienced real, unbridled 'Joy' this year. There aren't many occasions But I think that the common denominator is without doubt occasions when I have been out and about in nature, or watching birds/animals and mostly with DP Certainly Joy cannot be manufactured. I wonder how many people in overcrowded and overheated shops, with festive muzak blaring all around feel 'Joyful' that they are shopping........ You will know from my siggie that I am seeking to experience joy in my life, not just grasping for happiness. Joy seems more deep rooted and internal, whereas happiness can be all too fleeting - made, or indeed taken away by others. Today, we have a mix of jobs to attend to, and we're hopefully going to fit in a walk together later - the anticipation of which makes me joyful (providing we stay away from the high street :eek:). I think I'll have another go at my Christmas decoration - trying to overcome perfectionist tendencies with a 'but it'll look ok as it is when it's hung up' attitude........ :rotfl:

I hope you find the Joy in today too

Thanks everso for popping in to see me. I am so grateful for your continued support.

See y'all later.

Greying

maddiemay

Good morning Greying, wishing you and all your "pilgrims" the gift of joy too.

I too, gain joy from the outdoors and nature, apart from a short spell (3 years) living in a city I have been so privileged to live in wonderful locations, for which I regularly give thanks:D

Today I have been chuffed to bits that my new bird table, bought yesterday, (Christmas gift to ourselves) has been visited by two of the numerous (and squabbling) blackbirds that have returned to the garden, and over the moon to see a Jenny Wren feeding on the Rosemary bush AND :j:j:j:j:j I have just seen the first Goldfinch of the season stuffing himself silly with sunflower hearts. Amusingly, but less welcome are the already fat resident Pigeons stuffing their faces with bird seed and the glossy and cheeky Jackdaw who then brought 3 family members to tussle over the fat balls, thank goodness no squirrels here (yet), but need some Pig-proof feeders, they are so greedy and insist on using the feeding trays as a loo:eek:

Have a lovely Sunday everyone:)

ETA
Just realised I had typed Pig-proof feeders and not Pidge!!!, not really got any flying pigs around here. LOL

beanielou

Nothing too cryptic meant Grayling.
Just that it has been a steep learning curve for me having DS & GF here.
More work & I have told I can be sour. Not a word i care for. I have explained about tiredness/fatigue & pain levels.
To be fair things are setting down now.
I will keep plodding!!!!
I think they will be here a while :eek: :rotfl:

Happy Sunday all.

Upsidedown_Bear

Greying_Pilgrim wrote: »

Upsidedown Bear - are we allowed to wish on that star too? And ooh, zen calm is just the thing for the 3rd Sunday in advent, where the theme is 'Joy'. Did you see that item in the press the other day that claimed that if you could do that specific yoga move - going to the floor into the seated position and then rising back up again, without using your arms for leverage - it would determine how long you would live? I think that yoga pose may be called 'the lotus', or something - but I don't think that I could do it now - I used to be able to do it, when I was about 7 or something

Of course - I think we should all wish on that star :)
Strangely enough Smilie today is doing the lotus although I'm fairly sure I couldn't

mothernerd

Another ex-lotuser here but pretty sure I could still do it in my late teens and possibly early twenties. Mum watched Richard Hittleman on the telly and started going to yoga classes when I was eight (her two friends both ended up teaching yoga) so I learned all the moves, too from practising with her.

Could still do the sitting cross legged with legs flat to the ground and bottoms of feet facing upwards till about 10 years ago, although getting down took several stages. Was watching a film with DS1 and the only place to sit was his (very low) bed (that how I know when it was, he bought the bed himself and he's only 30 next birthday). Sat feeling very smug but when it was time to get up I couldn't move and had to get hold of each leg in turn to pull them apart.

And look at me now - I used to be the fastest person on the pavement :rotfl:.

Beanie I agree with the others, the wheelchair is a tool, it's not a reflection on you or a part of who you are (and make a point of showing anyone else who makes that mistake the error of their ways). Just don't become one of those 'magic motorbike' (what my children used to call mobility scooters) riders who creeps up silently behind people and then gets impatient and tries to run them down when you don't know they are there.

I've also been watching the birds today. I am slowly chopping back ivy which has overgrown (lots of dead wood in the middle and large dark green leaves instead of the small variegated ones). I am pushing ahead now because there isn't anything else to go in that bin and if I wait till Spring and some birds build a nest I will have to wait until the babies fly the nest.

There are two defunct nests in the ivy/ pyracantha jumble so I am keeping watch at other times to check that particular birds are just perching there (all the berries have gone) rather than moving in.

Greying_Pilgrim

Good Evening :hello:

maddiemay - did wonder 'bout them there 'pig-proof' feeders an' all... But figured y'all live in the country, and you're accommodating of your neighbours an' all........ :rotfl: What a good idea of a Christmas gift to yourselves - bravo! Was thinking about you today, was looking at some pics of Burton Bradstock beach - on the eve of the summer solstice this year...... was thinking about Christmas by the sea...........*sigh*

Beanie - t'ain't a word I'd care for either! You'd better keep plodding - and urging us to do the same - we need y'all

Upsidedown Bear - wish made - refer to response made to maddiemay ^ :rotfl:

mothernerd wrote: »

Beanie I agree with the others, the wheelchair is a tool, it's not a reflection on you or a part of who you are (and make a point of showing anyone else who makes that mistake the error of their ways).

mothernerd - I couldn't agree more. That Richard bloke - was he on the BBC? And I have every faith that you will be the 'fastest person on the pavement' once again. You're healing and doing what is asked of you - between routine garden maintenance :whistle: You'll be grand. Lovely to *see* you - thanks for popping in

Well, bliss and joy, bliss and joy . The second attempt at the craft project yielded something that was far from perfect - [STRIKE]I still have wrinkles [/STRIKE] it still has wrinkles, but it is good enough so my artisanal research and development of yesterday did yield something, as today's version is far better and will take its place in the finished article :j Because I was [STRIKE]fiddling about [/STRIKE] involved in artisanal endeavours for so long, we had a late lunch (egg mayo sangers on HM rye/white bread baps - in case you're interested )and then went out for a walk. We dropped off a book at the library, and DP made a new selection. Then we went on a YS hunt in mrW and m&$. Nowt doing today, but then we went to H0me bargins and I picked up some tinned chickpeas, as I had to change the option fer us dinner, due to so much *time wasting* on me 'project'. We then went for a wander around the perimeter of the town, but it was getting pretty dark at this point. We did however, get to look at the Christmas lights, good to see that our tax dollars are getting good use...... our Christmas tree is a travesty - Eb Skrooge could not have done a meaner job - I mean, 1 - just one string of lights - set 2/3rds up the tree??? Yes, I know, folks full of xmas *spirit* cannae keep their paws off such things - but 1 set of lights????? T'was raining by the time we got back - not heavy, but enough to make us appreciate getting out of the cold. T'was lovely just to spend time with DP really

Talking of the theme of *joy*, Paul's show on R2 was quite good tonight - some nice 'toons'. I especially thought that THIS one fitted the category of *Joy* and just to keep in the seasonal spirit - even though this wasn't part of the all-star triple, I think THIS one is pretty joyful too And I was pogo-ing around the kitchen to Ms Tina's 'Nutbush City Limits' Whoop! Shoulda gone for a bike ride to get rid of all this energy today

Dinner this evening was a 'new' to me recipe. I think that it is a keeper, although I did not use soy milk in my version - and I have to say...... I'm not entirely sure what it would add....... However, I did use the stick blender to make it a little thicker/different texture - it didn't need it, but I did it anyway. Anyway, if you would like to have a bash, the recipe was Chickpea and Turnip Stew with Ethiopian Spices. For accuracy, it should be noted that I used 'Swedish' turnip and that I have watched part of an ABBA documentary tonight :rotfl: Served with boiled rice and the remains of the frozen broccoli and green beans. Picture here;



The recipe is cheap and cheerful - I used a 29p tin of chickpeas from H0me bargins, but would have used dried, soaked and cooked chickpeas had I been more organised It's a keeper and it'll go in my recipe index

Today has actually been filled with joy - mostly expressed as great contentment. DP worked very hard, ensuring we have wood for the fire. I fiddled about with my craft project, but it came good .... enough We had nice food, and a lovely walk, content in each others company. We did spend money, but not a fortune, and completely on items that were needed. I don't know whether the high street had been heaving earlier - we were late to the 'party', but whilst we were in various shops, there was no sign of 'stressed out' shoppers - thank goodness We have returned to a warm fire, nice food, a good film (Meryl Streep and Tommy Lee-Jones, on location in Maine - what's not to like?) And now I get to bore y'all to death with me witterings :rotfl:

Today I am grateful for;

perseverance - only my strong suit if we rename it stubbornness...

For DP's suggestion of a walk - just the thing after time sat at the sewing machine

For Joy when I looked for it, and Joy when I didn't

Thank you so very much for popping in, reading and commenting. Know that I appreciate it. Greatly.

See y'all later.

Greying

Ellidee

GP there is a fab thread over in the 'Oldstyle' forum that I'm sure will be just up your street. It's called NOT BUYING IT ! 2015- A consumer holiday. It was started by 'Slowdown' . Worth a read
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