Five OS Pleasures in your day today

bellaquidsin

Simple pleasures for me today:-

1. A walk to the library with DH to hear a free talk with a free coffee and biscuits.

2. Home to a lunch of homegrown salad leaves with the addition of homegrown beetroot, grated raw. It was our first dug beetroot and the first time I've served it raw. It was good.

3. A bit of a rest but I couldn't drop off because my head was full of:-

4. Cardmaking.

5. A lovely meal tonight from yesterday's leftover beef with the LO yorkshire pudding batter cooked in the Remoska. Wow did it rise. Still two more day's worth of beef to go, it was an investment, but a good one.

There it is, as I said simple, but the simple ones are the best.

Bella.

ceridwen

Reverbe wrote: »

Thanks. Just busy and not really many pleasures to report. Feeling a bit down - nothing changes, life still the same - no mates, aint seen my OH now for well over a year, still out of work with no prospects. Also had a lot on my mind- flatmate lost his job ages ago and set up in business with his friend. They got done over on a job where they weren't paid and it has crippled flatmate with his mortgage and debts.His friend is a qualified quantity surveyor and can manage to find good paid work here and there but my flatmate is not. He is talking lately about being bankrupt and bailiffs etc. I am losing sleep over it as I will become homeless with nowhere to go and even worried now that bailiffs will take my things as I have no way of proving my cds, digital camera, dvds, portable cd player etc for example are mine and not his.

Also not been out and about much to discover pleasures. Have been spending all day every day last week sorting my stuff and moving it back and forth from our flat to a friends and back etc.Plus it really tires me.

But I am still relatively healthy ( tho have ibs from stress and have a chest infection I think that wont go) and still here. Sweet of you to think of me tho. Thanks.

Hi Reverbe

I digress a bit from the theme of this thread here (apologies) - but is there anywhere you could store your personal possessions until flatmates situation is resolved (if all else fails - then some sorta commercial storage facilities or something?).?

thriftyscotslass

Good evening all - lots of positive vibes and ((((hugs)))) winging their way to all who need them.

My pleasures today:

1. Ampersand's message to Reverbe - I'm not ashamed to say it made me cry.

2. Hanging my washing out to dry and just as quickly, bringing it back in the house as the heavens opened - not too much damage done :rolleyes:

3. A Mars ice-cream bar

4. Getting my hair cut and it costing a fifth of what I would have paid this time last year :money:

5. Cleaning two more rooms in the house that are covered with white dust from my mega door sanding exploits last week - only two more rooms to clean and the house will be more or less dust free :T

I thought I'd share a couple of things that help me during times when I struggle with depression:
- ten years ago, a very good counsellor once told me to find the anger and laughter inside - they are there and once you touch them, however briefly, you step into survivor not victim mode
- go for a walk, look at things and describe out loud what you see - a green tree blowing in the wind, a red car with two people inside. It helps to still that negative voice in your head - be warned, you do get funny looks from passers-by and that usually brings on a fit of the giggles :rotfl:
- make yourself a cup of tea, come on this thread, pick an old page and sit down and read

Thrifty xxxx

shopndrop

Welcome back Ollie.
Reverbe - Just remember there are lots of virtual friends on here, all thinking of you and sending hugs.
Ampersand & SunnyGirl - I too think of others on this thread throughout the day and look forward to coming on here to catch up with what is going on.
Thriftyscotlass - thanks for sharing what helps you when suffering from depression. I am sure a lot of people might find this useful.
Welcome to all the newcomers on here recently. It is good to have so many new people around.

1. A friend has gone away on holiday and asked me to "keep a discreet eye on her teenage son" so I was really pleased when he came up for a meal over the weekend and I could text her to say he was fine and certainly wasn't starving.
2. Picking enough spinach from the garden yesterday for lunch for 6 of us.
3. Having a lovely day out on Saturday with OH, DS and his GF who were staying with us for the weekend.
4. Made up a picnic to take with us with lots of HM goodies and some bargain crisps and sweets from Home Bargains too (and the weather was kind).
5. A phone call this afternoon from a friend (who lives 200 miles away) asking if we can meet up at the weekend as she is having a bargain weekend break away and will be staying near us.
6. All washing done, but as it has rained here most of the afternoon, I am drying it indoors without using tumble drier.
7. A lovely roast meal yesterday with family. My parents came over to see DS & GF so there were 6 of us for lunch and we all enjoyed sitting round for ages just chatting and enjoying the company of each other.
8. Feeling a bit down tonight as DS & GF have gone home today, house is so quiet again, but DH cooking tea and giving me lots of hugs.
9. An early bath and bed for me tonight.

Night all.

[Deleted User]

Hi everyone

Thoughts to all those who are feeling a bit down and need a down under hug.

1. The compassion, friendship and what Ampersand and I would know as "aroha" that is so evident on this thread. When I was going through major health issues with OH, the support on here was so positive and helpful.

2. Another bright clear day, there is a deep frost on the ground, the wood burner is throwing out some fierce heat, and I am happily on the laptop in front of it with my rationed once a day cup of percolated coffee, bliss.( I need to ration the coffee otherwise I will just make it all day)

3. Yesterday was spent in the greenhouse, first hydroponic system has been cleared and planted with lettuces and pak choi, the second now has strawberries ( i find that all the neighbourhood birds congregate and attack my strawberry crop before the fruit has a chance to ripen. I guess its my fault for feeding them over the winter, but this year I am determined to beat them!)

4. The pot of dwarf sweet peas I have on the kitchen windowsill has started to show signs of growth.

5. Definitely noticing the days are getting longer.

Blessings be
Jennie

Louba

Reading everyone's posts reminds me that there are still plenty of good and kind people in the world and it's quite heartening!
For today:
1 meeting a friend for dinner and catching up on gossip
2 my friend gave me some lovely hand wash and hand lotion as a house warming gift- can't wait to use it!
3 this is a recurring one......but finishing sorting all four cabinets in my office. All are now organised, itemised and clean! It feels like minor victory.
4 Looking at the sky out my window, the edges are just touched with red.
5 My friend sent through a link to her photos from our night out on Saturday night, a nice reminder of a great night.

Good night everyone
Lx

Caterina

Hi all

Catching up slowly after a few days in the Isle of Wight with the twins.

Reverbe, I hope you can make the meet on Saturday, you will meet friends there!

Ollie, glad that you are well!

Sparrer, it is still really good in Ventnor, I hope to retire there one day!

Ampersand, I have only skimmed the poem (am still catching up) but it looks really good and I shall revisit it when I have a bit more time. Thank you for posting it.

Here are a few pleasures from my IoW stay:

1 - Being with my dear children

2 - Being in such a beautiful place

3 - Seeing DD and DS interact with each other and laugh with each other

4 - That even with the wet weather we found a way of relaxing and chilling out, and even a few short walks

5 - That we all ate well and nobody complained about any of the food.

6 - Coming home was also very nice and sleeping in my own bed

7 - Meeting DH again and going out to dinner together to celebrate being back home.

Today:

1 - Waking up in my own comfy bed

2 - A good workout at the Over 50s keep fit class

3 - Cup of tea with a friend after the keep fit (she used to be my GP but since she retired we made friends and go to workout together).

4 - The self-same woman gave me 2 courgette plants that are now thriving and producing amazingly, when she dropped me back home she could not believe how well they are doing!

5 - Free facial at Selfridges, REN counter - I love the stuff even if it is quite expensive, but it is so natural and free of chemicals - I might treat myself to a nice face cream one of these days.

6 - Sitting under the 4th plinth in Trafalgar Square between 6 and 7 pm this evening, together with a load of other knitters (I was crocheting actually!) while a woman sat on top of the plinth knitting. We gathered there from all parts of London in support of a fellow knitter, it was really a lovely impromptu meeting.

7 - Being sensible and not going out to have dinner with my two knitting friends, coming back home instead to save a bit of money (having had dinner out yesterday)

8 - The soup that DH had made for dinner was absolutely delicious and full of our own courgettes - it really made it worth coming back home for dinner!

Good night everybody xxx

ampersand

Just feel the overwhelming need to say Goodnight to everyone who's visited today. Was late in from Charity tonight and came straight here. It's felt a bit more special than usual, as if many of us have had little nods of recognition and a warmth of common greeting as we gathered quietly, companionable and together.
I think there are several among us that just now really need whatever can be drawn from our concentrated thoughts.
Bless you all this night and wake safe in a new day.
################
Yes kiwiblue - aroha.

Claire_Bear

My five for today are mostly emotional things, having a very thought provoking day-

1. Been skint and eating badly the past few days, just scraped a dessert together out of little flour and water batter rounds fried in a little oil with sauce made from some frozen mango I had, water and sugar cooked and then pureed using my hand blender. Even though it was so basic it felt like a nice treat, and it was delicious.

2. Managed to get hold of some more cardboard boxes today, seems insignificant but it was a victory for me as they're like gold dust around here what with all the local students moving house at the same time. It's become like a cardboard box obsession for me.

3. Being excited about moving, this year has been terrible and stressful, with our flatmate basically moving out, leaving a string of debts which resulted in us being half a day away from being taken to court, among other things. It feels like a fresh start which is great. We're also moving back to where most of our friends live, so will be able to spend a lot more time with them

4. Also excited for moving as it means I'll be closer to my mam, dad and brother, and will be able to pop round to see them a lot more often. It's strange because when I first started uni, I wanted to move away from the family (not too far though) and gain independence, but because of this I've grown a lot closer to my mam, and I can't wait to get back. Our relationship has changed a lot over the past few years, definately for the better, so it will be great to be able to just pop round whenever I feel like it

5. Like others have said, seeing how everyone on here helps and offers their friendships to others. It really is a lovely community, where people are so unselfish and caring, and I think it's really brilliant idea to take time to appreciate the simple pleasures in one's day.

Olliebeak

Hello all :hello: - Thanks for all the lovely welcome back messages:A:A:A

Reverbe - sorry to hear you're having some 'down' periods - not surprising given your housing situation. I do hope something more positive comes along for you soon :grouphug: (that one always looks so rude ). Hope you can make it to the meet-up with Caterina and co.
Nitha - good luck with the bread baking - I had a go (with a bread mix) a few weeks ago and it turned out quite well :j.
JaySL - well done on clearing the fridge before going away - have a good holiday :dance:.
Rhysdad - well done to you and Rhysmum :T on your bread/jam making :drool:.
SunnyGirl - my latest lettuce seedlings were exactly the same - up in 3 days :j - great isn't it . Well done on your 'quiet morning time' alone - often very rare moments in family homes.
Hi Kitchenbunny :wave: - welcome to the team . Well done on the meal stretching :T.
Hi Shelley - rescued house bunnies - how lovely - well done on you and your family . Hope your little boy's arm recovers quickly - at that age, they usually heal very well.
Primrose - sounds like an idyllic weekend in your village .
Thriftyscotslass - well done on the lovely walk in good company - great way to spend the weekend. Some good advice there, too, on how to try to give yourself a 'lift' when depression sets in.
Bella - mmmmm rhubarb pie - no wonder your visitors enjoyed it :drool:.
Elf06 - those 'special morning moments' watching children sleep are so magical aren't they . Not that they ever happened when my own were small - but it DOES happen with my grandkids (just occasionally) .
Rainbow - awwwww at your No.4 - still missing our Tiggy-tiger here
Patchwork - good to see you enjoying your allotment . Hope your daughter is enjoying her trip - my dgd1 (11yrs) goes on a school trip next weekend and I know that her mother and myself will both be worrying ourselves silly while she's gone (rock climbing, caving, canoeing etc :eek:)
Louba - that's a very useful link for Reverbe -thanks for posting it :T.
Kittikins - what a wonderful 'mother and daughter day' you both had - I have to 'borrow' a dgd for one of those nowadays . Got one planned on Thursday after school with my Dannii-lou before her school trip.
Mineallmine - I'm another who doesn't always bother with a 'real sunday dinner' especially in the summer months. I find they tie you to the house/kitchen when there's so much more that I may want to do instead :rolleyes:.
Ampersand - another cricket fan - what a lucky escape :rolleyes:! Enjoy your trip and bon voyage .
Wednesday - congratulations on the allotment and produce and :T on your rubber chicken .
Newlywed - good that you found some blessings after all ; and 16 meals for 12 days is brill :j - you've made it!
Pooky - what a busy weekend - washing/windows/cooking&freezing wow! You lucky lady, a fox hanging around your garden .
shopndrop - what a wonderful family weekend you've had . lol at 'discreet eye' on teenager! I once got 'farmed out' to mum's best friend when I refused to go on a family holiday (aged 18) - AND the key was taken off me as well.
Kiwi - your No.2 seems so strange - there's you in the depths of winter and here we are still hoping for a summer , lol. What a beautiful word 'aroha' - just had to google it . Hope you, and your strawbs, manage to outwit the local feathered friends :rolleyes:.
Caterina - hope you all enjoy your meet up . What a wonderful knitting experience at the plinth in Trafalgar Square :j.
Claire - Sorry to hear you had a bad experience with a flat-sharer! Hope you managed to sort it all out and made sure that she faced her responsibilities. Very often it's our first experience of life away from the family home that helps us to understand, and appreciate, our families more.

Here's my pleasures for the past two days:

1. The Garlic Chicken was delicious with salad, onion rings and garlic bread (phwoar - garlic overload lol).
2. A quiet weekend as DD went to stay with a friend and took dgk's with her - first child-free weekend for me for absolutely ages - I felt like a spare-part!
3. Embarassing I know BUT - I'm enjoying Big Brother.
4. Next lot of salad leaves are coming along a treat - should manage to keep us going with these right into autumn.
5. Managed to add some music to the new comp - hate sitting here with no music playing. Now I can boogie along to Runrig - cry along to Leonard Cohen -or day-dream along with Clannad - depending on my mood .
6. Freecycled a Bastketball Hoop and Stand for DD - it's been cluttering up her back garden for ages. Her ex-OH re-directed her Take That tickets to his new address and sold them, so she's got rid of his last birthday present!
7. Used some more of the Garlic Chicken with Savoury Rice for evening meal tonight (a bit like a chicken risotto!) - still another breast left for sandwiches for lunch tomorrow. The carcasse is already in the freezer for the next stock-making session .
8. Loved reading the poems on here - thank you ladies .

I'm going to get offski as my bed is calling out to me and I need some zzzz's.

Nitey nite all - pleasant dreams and see again tomorrow morning

love Ollie xxx