2020 Fashion on the Ration Challenge

Laura_Elsewhere

What with my knees, spine, shins, etc., ay kind of running, no matter how slow is out of the question (I'm not actually supposed to be able to walk at all without sticks, cf the surgeon who did my knees in the 1990s), but if anyone else out there isn't the running sort, don't forget the Much Mending Ramblers! We're always happy to have people come along for one of our nice walks, often ending in a pleasant country inn that does nice hot food... 

And I really really really want to do the three-legged race now. Maybe OTHABO (Once This Has All Blown Over) we can meet up somewhere, a few of us, and actually have our Much Mending Village Fete! 

Laura_Elsewhere

I've been finding things a bit difficult lately. A good counsellor is a wonderful thing, but it does of course have a tendency to make things more difficult sometimes, temporarily. I'm also nearly 52 and my hormones seem to have decided to join in, so I currently have the joy of waking up and bursting into tears and apologising to poor old My Intended that he has to put up with such an awful specimen as me... I know, I know, I'm *not* an awful specimen and I *do* have every right to exist and to be loved and to have friends and nice things, but I am fighting 45 years of vicious grooming by my late sister that I have no right to be here, so... 

I'll get there, with the help of M.I., and lovely places like this. 

But oh, how I wish I were there already - this is tiresome. I try just to sob "it's all just chemicals!", and M.I. is very very good at reassuring, but I want this to be done with asap...! 

Meanwhile, I just sort of crawl through the days... some good, some bad... 

And I think of my grandmothers during the war, and I think maybe I should get my old WW2 'Mass Observation" archive books out again, the diaries and journals of ordinary people, nearly all women, coping on the Home Front, and that usually helps... 

Keep On Keeping On! 

PipneyJane

@Cherryfudge - you aren't a Linda Snell, bossy type.  We have Margot Leadbetter to do all that for us.  (Who needs a bossy woman when you can have Penelope Keith playing Margot?)

I'm with you, @Laura_Elsewhere.  Let's all meet up somewhere central, once this has all blown over.  We can have a picnic and hug each other, talk 19-to-the-dozen and just be the friends in person that we are on this board.

Laura_Elsewhere said:

I've been finding things a bit difficult lately. A good counsellor is a wonderful thing, but it does of course have a tendency to make things more difficult sometimes, temporarily. I'm also nearly 52 and my hormones seem to have decided to join in, so I currently have the joy of waking up and bursting into tears and apologising to poor old My Intended that he has to put up with such an awful specimen as me... I know, I know, I'm *not* an awful specimen and I *do* have every right to exist and to be loved and to have friends and nice things, but I am fighting 45 years of vicious grooming by my late sister that I have no right to be here, so... 

I'll get there, with the help of M.I., and lovely places like this. 

But oh, how I wish I were there already - this is tiresome. I try just to sob "it's all just chemicals!", and M.I. is very very good at reassuring, but I want this to be done with asap...! 

Meanwhile, I just sort of crawl through the days... some good, some bad... 

And I think of my grandmothers during the war, and I think maybe I should get my old WW2 'Mass Observation" archive books out again, the diaries and journals of ordinary people, nearly all women, coping on the Home Front, and that usually helps... 

Keep On Keeping On! 

Oh, Honey!  You are a lovely person and someone I am proud to call "my friend, Laura".

Hugs

-Pip

thriftwizard

{{{Hugs}}} from me too, Laura. Several members of my family struggle with similar issues; I've never really known how to help them but I do so wish I could! And I'm with you on the rambling front, and must take up my dancing again; space issues have made it difficult for me to join in with Zoom classes, but are nearly resolved now so I'll be back twizzling & glittering in the New Year!

PollyWollyDoodle

Oh Laura - we all have days like this, but it’s when they all roll up together that it’s hard. You have had a lot to deal with this year, your Intended’s operation, all the health issues his son has had - and then all of the stuff that 2020 has thrown at us. And I know what you mean, in the long run counselling is beneficial but there can be some tough parts as you go through it. And all the stress of Christmas (or not) isn’t helping.

I’m another one who is proud to consider you a virtual “friend”, and I have nothing but admiration for your skills, determination and energy. It’s okay not to feel okay.

maddiemay

Laura_Elsewhere sending you virtual hugs from L--low, sorry that you are going through grim times, counselling can be very hard even without the hormonal stuff. I am sure that a lot of us would be friends if we knew each other IRL.
No running for me either, duff knees and ankles (RA) and lower back that makes it's painful presence known from time to time, rambling sounds interesting though, before this never ending wet spell I had built up to 3 mile walks on smooth surfaces, ankles not ready for walking on pasture or in mud yet.  Sad because OH and I used to spend all our holidays and weekends walking in Lake District, Derbshire, Yorkshire and bit of the SW coastal path, the memories are great though.
Take care lovely people, I love being part of this little community.x

Shropshirelass

Lurker here, I love following this thread, and I'm in great awe of the detailed rationing challenge which is far beyond my limited comprehension. But I do love all the things you get up to.
This year for I think the first time in my life I'm getting pre-Christmas blues. DH usually has it bad, his improves on 21st December, and gets gradually better as we go through January , as the days lengthen. This year he's only pale blue, probably because he enjoys lockdown, and keeps himself busy with his hobbies as usual. Considering things, we should be expecting to be seriously dark blue, (in an emotional not political sense.) 
 Laura, I fully understand you thinking of the Mass Observation histories. I have found myself reading Helen Forrester's Liverpool autobiographies, and feeling strangely cheered up by them.

TwibbleDee

Cherryfudge said:

TwibbleDee said:

If we're going to be competitive, perhaps we need to start talking about movement more?  I didn't walk today because of the wind - if the sky is brown, it tends to cause breathing problems.  However, there is a lovely park a few miles from the office that I regularly drive to and walk.  I should probably download something like the Couch to 5K app or something and work on moving faster!

I wonder if the American base will put in their own team? If not, then we'd love to have you on ours!

A brown sky is something we just don't get in England, I've never seen it. Mum told me about the green sunsets they had in London before the Clean Air Act (of Parliament), but I never saw those, either.

You may have guessed by now that I recommend C25K to all and sundry, but I do add that it helps to go at a pace you can sustain, however slow that needs to be. If you overdo the pace it's much harder to do the distance. That said, it might just be a matter of time before you're running to your walk in the park.

Well, unless we have another contestant from the base, it'd be an interesting 3-legged race with just me on the team, so I'd have to join in with y'all!

The funny thing is, brown skies are so normal, there's not even a note of it in the news that I can link to!  At least it wasn't a haboob - literally a wall of dirt that rolls through due to storms every once in a while.  

I do wish there was a way for me to take a shower before going back into work after walking/running during lunch.  

Cherryfudge

PollyWollyDoodle said:

Thanks again @Cherryfudge. When I first started Couch to 5K back in April I signed up to the online forum, and I noticed that it’s one of the most often repeated bits of advice – don’t go too fast. Today my friend and I have just run - really, REALLY slowly - for 25 minutes without stopping. I have to keep repeating this to myself because I can’t believe it’s true! Another three weeks and we will have graduated, and yes we are talking of a Boxing Day run. Those are words which I never thought would leave my lips!

That's a fantastic achievement Polly, well done to both of you! Isn't a great feeling?! And isn't it lovely when you realise you can call yourselves 'runners' now?
There is a C210K app... I felt it didn't 'work' for me as the runs are still divided between running and walking and I got to a stage where psychologically I 'had' to run the whole way, but it's there... just sayin'...  

Cherryfudge

@Laura_Elsewhere, I'm so sorry to hear about the mixture of hormones and other issues. A couple of my colleagues are going through similar and it's so hard. 

I really love your idea about an actual meet-up and our really, truly Village Fete, OTHBO (I put WATHBO before I checked and I think we have the makings of an acronym). I am sure we will celebrate with fairy cakes, scones, ginger beer and some of Pip's luscious cut and come again creations... Then we will go for a gentle saunter (no running on a full stomach and I'm sure that's what mine will be) to wear a little of it off. Somewhere in the Midlands, perhaps (if we can find our way between 1939's vanished signposts and 2021's train timetable) so as many as possible can get there.

I am absolutely up for a ramble, and not just a verbal one. Is there a waiting list and if so please could I be considered?

I was on this forum years ago and somewhat involved in a project that ended up as a meet-up and I rather regret not going, though I was literally sent 'The Tee Shirt' signed by the others... (would someone like to design a tee shirt for The Ladies of Much Mending? )