Here we can all be heard for a little while

jobbingmusician

Occasionally I have found that literally a couple of glasses of wine make me feel very refreshed the next morning. (I don't drink very often, but am happy to increase my G & T intake for the quinine )

Never tried magnesium! I didn't even know I had it until DH told me!

SDW - could you try the 5:2 and do what I do - overeat 5 days a week and fast for the others?

seven-day-weekend

jobbingmusician wrote: »

Occasionally I have found that literally a couple of glasses of wine make me feel very refreshed the next morning. (I don't drink very often, but am happy to increase my G & T intake for the quinine )

Never tried magnesium! I didn't even know I had it until DH told me!

SDW - could you try the 5:2 and do what I do - overeat 5 days a week and fast for the others?

In a word -no. I could not do the fasting days.

Georgiegirl256

Pyxis wrote: »

Georgie, a pet for your mum sounds like a fantastic idea!
If she's never had a pet before, go slowly, as it's a huge commitment. Help her research the idea......I bet there's loads of info on an RSPA site you could dig out, about caring for a pet.
Plus you could accompany her to RSPCA Rescue places on a visit, just to see what's out there, and to get an idea of what's involved, (not to come away with an animal!). Make sure she knows what costs are involved, regular ones like annual inoculations, worming, microchipping, spaying/neutering etc., and unexpected ones like accident or illness. You could dig out some info on pet insurance, for instance. Kennelling/cattery costs, if she's likely to go away. Also, for a dog, things like grooming, bathing, walking/exercise, and poo clearing up!

Let her mull it all over for a while. Even if she discounts the idea now, citing any of the above reasons, it's worth drip-feeding the idea to her over time. Sometimes these new things take a while to sink in!
Also, knowing you could help out if she gets into difficulties would be reassuring.

In the long term, though, it would be excellent!
Here's a link to the Blue Cross advice page about cats......

http://www.bluecross.org.uk/advice/cat

.......and one about dogs......

http://www.bluecross.org.uk/advice/dog

Just a thought, but there are lots of old/older animals, which are only in homes because their owners have died or gone into a care home. They are often in greater need of a home than than the young animals, and just want a peaceful life! Very often, they would already be well-trained, too.
(The downside to that is that, being older, they may need vet care sooner than a younger animal, and probably won't live as long. However, their only 'crime' is that their owner is no longer there, so they would respond well to being taken in.)

Thank you so much for that Pyxis, that's so helpful! I'm happy that someone else thinks it's a good idea too! I would love her to go for it, as I really do think it would help her. Of course it's not the same as having a human there, but they're great company, help to take away the loneliness and is something to look after.

I will admit, she's never been much of an animal fan, purely because she's always been wary of them. Even though my uncle (her brother) had a farm. But after being with ours, and her friends dog, she's actually beginning to see them for the amazing creatures that they are.

I thought about a dog as she's always out and about (can't stay in the house ) but I'm unsure that she could take on that level of commitment and indeed would be confident enough to handle one. A cat on the other hand is a lot easier to handle and care for.

I've found a local animal refuge that has quite a few cats in atm, and it also has other animals you can visit (horses etc, as part of a day out), a charity shop, and the best bit....a tea shop! If there's one thing my Mam is a fan of, that's a tea shop! So I'll suggest it and see what she says.

The cat that stood out to me was a 3 year old called Ben. I'll post a link if I can.

Interesting about where the name pyxis came from! You learn something new every day! I just always assumed that it was something to do with computers, as in pyxils or something! Edit: oh, that pixels isn't it, duh! I love little trinket boxes too, although I don't collect them as such. Although I am a big fan of those mini apothecary drawers for holding trinkets and have one in my kitchen, living room and bathroom! They're very handy!

Georgiegirl256

My Dad had RLS and was always drinking tonic water and sometimes taking magnesium sulfate. I think I perhaps get it although very midly, but I do get the urge to kick out sometime and twitchy muscles. Some nights I have to get up and walk about and my legs feel really heavy and restless. But that's only every now and again. I wonder if it's hereditary?

Have you tried magnesium flakes for your bath?

Pyxis

Be careful of taking tonic water just for the quinine. The amount of quinine in most tonics is far below any therapeutic effect, and a lot of tonics contain aspartame, which has been discussed earlier re. its detrimental effects on health.


Re. Pets.....dogs can be a lot more companionable than cats, and as you say, mean that you have to go out. However, when at home, they make wonderful companions, greeting you when you come in etc. And they're a good excuse for talking to yourself!

Errata

seven-day-weekend wrote: »

In a word -no. I could not do the fasting days.

Me neither It's a lot easier and requires no will power to eat sensibly every day.

seven-day-weekend

Georgiegirl256 wrote: »

My Dad had RLS and was always drinking tonic water and sometimes taking magnesium sulfate. I think I perhaps get it although very midly, but I do get the urge to kick out sometime and twitchy muscles. Some nights I have to get up and walk about and my legs feel really heavy and restless. But that's only every now and again. I wonder if it's hereditary?

Have you tried magnesium flakes for your bath?

It often is hereditary

We don't have a bath in either of the houses we have at the moment (one of them will be for sale in the near future ).

calleyw

Errata wrote: »

Me neither It's a lot easier and requires no will power to eat sensibly every day.

I am not doing any diet as such. trying to eat healthy. Lots of chicken and salmon and veggies and a small amount of fruit.

But some days I don't feel hungry and eat because I think I should.

But I can mindless eat. Which means eating rubbish and to be truthful I don't really get any enjoyment out of it. So no idea why I buy and eat it. Big waste of money!!!

I have been waking approx 3 miles a day for the last couple of weeks. I walk rather than using the car, helps save on fuel. its amazing how all the little journeys mount up in fuel. Not sure when I last filled up. It does take about 30mins to get in to town. But I am normally in no rush.

Today will be more miles. As I do my walk first thing in the morning. And off out to see husband later so will walk there and back. So another couple of miles.

Yours

Calley

Georgiegirl256

Pyxis wrote: »

Be careful of taking tonic water just for the quinine. The amount of quinine in most tonics is far below any therapeutic effect, and a lot of tonics contain aspartame, which has been discussed earlier re. its detrimental effects on health.

Re. Pets.....dogs can be a lot more companionable than cats, and as you say, mean that you have to go out. However, when at home, they make wonderful companions, greeting you when you come in etc. And they're a good excuse for talking to yourself!

Definetly something to think about. Dogs are an unknown to all of us, it's an animal we've never had. I'm not sure she could cope with the bathing? How often does that have to be done? I remember sticking our first cat in the bath after he'd rolled in some poo. He was the gentlest cat ever and it was still a nightmare! I've never attempted it with this one, as I quite like having ten fingers thank you very much! :rotfl:

I always remember when I was little, my uncle had a sheepdog named Cylde (his sister was called Bonnie of course!) which to be frank, was useless as a sheep dog! I begged and begged, Mam and Dad for us to adopt it, but no such luck! :rotfl:

I never drink tonic water, can't stand the stuff! Interesting to hear that the level is far below any therapeutic effects though. It's very educational on here today!

Pyxis

Errata wrote: »

Me neither It's a lot easier and requires no will power to eat sensibly every day.

:rotfl::rotfl: :rotfl:

If only that were true!




Re. bathing dogs......it depends on the dog. A lot of dogs don't need regular bathing as such, but believe, me on the odd occasion they roll in fox poo, you will get them in the bath in double-quick time!
Brushing is more important, especially for dogs who don't have very short hair, but that can be therapeutic for both parties. I used to stand mine on the garden table to brush them, so that I didn't have to bend down!

Also, when you're on your own, they are very reassuring. A long time ago, when the children were tiny, I used to wake up every night, scared. But when
I got my dog, if I saw she was sleeping peacefully, it was reassurance that there were no burglars about!