Positive Thoughts Thread Anyone?

We have not checked the qualifications of anyone posting here. If you are have any health related symptoms or concerns, you should contact your doctor who will be able to give you advice specific to your situation.

  • posted by Californiagirl
    on
    permalink

    Kazz, enjoy your time away from the forums — I am sorry you are feeling exhausted! I will look for your posts returning when you are able! Take care!
    Wooduckie, I see you are still up there on Cloud 9 (don’t know where that expression comes from) and Wendleg, 65 hours of fasting — give us a description of how you managed — as I have only made it 24 hours I would really love to get to 36 but even that seems “big”. I had to train myself to get to 24 hours but how do I go longer?
    Verano, it’s normal to feel a bit sad that your trip didn’t happen — it’s a testament to your interest in the world that you are missing the experience. Keep up the good healing and you will be back at it soon!
    Hi to SunnyB and Jennie!
    Allie, wow, really? I would be honored to have you use my haiku — please feel free to use it — it’s never been published, only in my garden journal!

  • posted by SunnyB
    on
    permalink

    Kazz – sorry to hear you are exhausted and will be away for awhile, but take care of yourself and come back to us when you are feeling re-invigorated and full of vim again. You’ll be missed, but it’s good to take sometime for yourself from time to time, so we’ll be patient … wishing you good things too.

  • posted by wendleg
    on
    permalink

    I am sure Kazz will not be away for long as she is such an important and highly respected member of this forum. It’s perfectly understandable to need time out to prioritise . We will be looking out for you Kazz xx

    Julia , I don’t want to set myself up as any sort of fasting expert but this is what I do.
    I have to insist once more that I am out of the house from 6.30am every day until late afternoon. I cannot face breakfast so early and I have got used to working through my lunch hour in a classroom totally devoid of any food stuffs although I do have access to green tea, black espresso coffee and water. So very early on in my BSD I was doing regular 24 h fasts and just eating one evening meal.My research revealed that doing OMAD too often is not advisable as the body interprets this as calorie restriction and metabolism slows. So I started mixing things up and adding in the occasional 36 hour fast.So I would eat my evening meal say on Monday evening and then fast all day Tuesday, eating again at lunch time on Wednesday.

    I don’t know if I am ‘unusual’ but I have no adverse effects when I fast. I don’t battle with thoughts of food and temptations because my mind is set and there is no food to be had. Any sensations of hunger are very manageable in a 24 h fast probably because I am so used to going without breakfast and lunch.

    When I did the 65h fast this Week I had my last meal on Sunday evening.The hunger pangs were more acute on Monday evening ( fine during the day) and by Tuesday they had disappeared. I ate again on Wednesday lunchtime . It is interesting that I can go to bed not having eaten and admittedly hungry but this sensation has disappeared by the time I get up the next morning. I did have some Himalayan salt in a glass of water a couple of times but just continued drinking my green tea.

    I broke the 65h fast on Wednesday with avocado and green salad with some almonds and seeds, followed by Greek yoghurt and chia seeds.

    I have mentioned before that it is a revelation to me to recognise true hunger as for years I would just eat with no awareness of whether I was hungry or not. It was quite diffcult to achieve any satiety as I was grazing all day. I have that awareness now and I treat food with respect. It is a lovely feeling to anticipate delicious food after a fast .

    I don’t know if this is helpful to anyone. I don’t ever do any fasting at the weekend and eat brunch and evening meal. I don’t see fasting as a form of damage limitation as I have adjusted to low carb and I don’t have cravings. I can’t say exactly how much weight discard is achieved with fasting . I can go a week with a very small discard but the second week usually sees a greater drop on the scales.

    JGwen also includes fasting in her Week and it would be interesting to hear of her expériences too.

    Shout if you need any more info, Julia.

  • posted by Verano
    on
    permalink

    Kazz enjoy your ‘holiday’ away from the boards. I think we all benefit from some ‘down time’. Hope you feel back up to speed soon. Take care of yourself.

  • posted by Californiagirl
    on
    permalink

    Thank you for the fasting detail Wendleg — it was very helpful!

  • posted by SunnyB
    on
    permalink

    Time to identify some positives for the day and once again, as it’s been an uneventful day, finding those little positives is going to take a bit of pondering, but here goes …..
    1) Made a good start on beginning to map out the next edition of the village newsletter.
    2) Have ordered a smart new fountain pen, as I’ve decided it’s time to tidy up my handwriting – typing so much has meant it’s got ridiculously scruffy recently.
    3) Planning on a quiet and relaxing w/e and hopefully some gardening.

    Have a wonderful BSD w/e, full of splendid positives one and all.

  • posted by caronl
    on
    permalink

    Hi all. Enjoy your break Kazz, and look forward to your refreshed return!
    1) Another gorgeous blue sky. Went for a walk on the beach and loved it. I have to persuade myself now that we are dog-less. But it was well worth it.
    2) Put down (twice) the bag of mini Easter eggs that I wanted to buy “for the family”. It was difficult to deny that Easter is still a long way off. And I knew who would eat them in any case!
    3) Enjoying getting to grips with a whole new repertoire of music with the choir. I am enjoying the challenge.
    Have a lovely weekend one and all.

  • posted by Patricia1066
    on
    permalink

    I am enjoying the challenge of finding ways to stay below 50g carbs 800 calories, and have delicious food. I prefer salty treats to chocolate, but my homemade chocolate mousse is my new favourite.
    My taste buds seem to be renewed by 2 weeks on the WOE, so I hope I will never dull my palate with high carb again.
    All the other benefits, my weight is dropping, my joints are looser in the morning, I love this community where we trust that we will be listened to, and comforted, in our moments of weakness. And our moments of hilarity and victory are cherished.

  • posted by wendleg
    on
    permalink

    H everyone on this gloriously sunny day.
    We put the washing out today for the first time for months and it is drying wonderfully in the breeze. I think I must be becoming more sensitive to SAD because the sun and light here really make a difference and lift my spirits.
    That’s a major positive ! The bright light shamed me into cleaning my windows .The cats love to paw them to get in !

    My extended fast did not make a major difference on the scales but I was sorting my wardrobe for work this week and I have dreses which fit very nicely now. For the Brits who know TKMax I cannot resist the bargains in there and bought some lovely dresses a while back when we were in England . They were unfortunately far too small but look fine now . Happy wendleg !!

    I hope everyone is having a positive weekend !

  • posted by SunnyB
    on
    permalink

    Seems everyone is busy having a weekend full of positives and don’t have time to post them here, but think I’ll note down a few as my last post for the w/e ….
    1) Nice lazy weekend, with nothing more pressing to do, than potter around the house to get things ready for youngest granddaughter’s visit for the coming half term week.
    2) The sun put in an appearance this morning.
    3) Currently have 11 orchids in bloom and three others with buds. I think they make a very pleasing addition to any room.

    Hope to be reading other people’s positives later too ….

  • posted by SunnyB
    on
    permalink

    wendleg, just saw your post and WooHoo! Discovering your new dresses fit must feel wonderful – really pleased for you. You certainly deserve a great result after such an effort.

  • posted by Verano
    on
    permalink

    Good morning. Sorry I’ve not contributed much lately. Anyway, the sun is shining this morning so time to dig deep and find three positives…….
    My daffodils are still in bud but just don’t seem ready to burst forth into flower but it’s lovely to look at them each day anyway.
    Have finally ditched my bed completely during the day and am taking minimal numbers of painkillers so life is far more normal.
    Thank goodness for hair colour in a spray it’s certainly saving my ‘roots’ at the moment otherwise I might be forced to wear a hat!
    Today I will make appointments for nails and fair so another positive.
    Have a good day/week everyone.

  • posted by wendleg
    on
    permalink

    I hope you are having a lovely time with your grandaughter SunnyB and you are able to catch up with your village /community commitments.

    That’s wonderful that you are dramatically reducing the painkillers V and you are getting back to normal.

    I am a bit weary and looking forward to our upcoming half term break . Still quite fresh in the mornings but the temperature got up to 18° this afternoon and hubby is enjoying pottering about in the garden, digging over the veggie patch . I should have joined him but opted for a snooze instead and I slept for 2 hours !

    Massive positive on our weekly thread. Amz is no longer Gangrene Heart and is now Amz the Beautiful. That made my day !!
    Naples on Sunday !!

    I hope everyone is well and happy xx

  • posted by alliecat
    on
    permalink

    Hello, friends! I’ve been limping along with only one device useable for posting, so it feels like I’ve been bound
    and gagged for awhile…O/H have been trying to “share”, but it feels like I’m getting the short end of that stick 🙂
    At least I can keep up with all the news on an old laptop that is useless for everything but basic internet reading…
    Positive #1 is a window of opportunity tomorrow to have my laptop diagnosed at last! Anything is better than this
    state of limbo…
    Sunny, my imagination is working overtime, imagining 11 phaleonopsis in bloom at one time! It must look like a swarm
    of orchid pink and white butterflies fluttering at the windowsill…Beautiful! I would love to finally make arrangements
    for some skype time, and Kazz has once again kindly offered us the use of her dedicated BSD email address on which
    to exchange addresses. If you use it to forward your email address, she will forward it to me, and then I will
    happily contact you, and we will finally be ready to meet! That sounds like positive #2 for me 🙂

    Spring won’t be making its presence known here until April, but I’ve amused myself today looking through garden
    catalogs, making lists of perrenials that I plan to use in my balcony planters this year. With the exception of
    an hour and a half of full sun between 2:30 and 4:00, the remainder of the time there is shade, so I’m focusing
    on contrasting textures and leaf shapes, with a few spots of brightly colored shade annuals tucked in. Far less
    dramatic than vibrant geraniums and petunias, but Mother Nature is ultimately in charge, and best to work with
    her than fight her 🙂 Are any of you familiar with the large aubergine leaves of the Oxalis plant? I like the idea of
    pairing it with the lime green stems of Asparagus fern. In terms of fresh herbs, I may have to satisfy myself
    with a single pot of mint!

    Wishing you all a mild, sunny weekend 🙂

    Oh yes, Kazzi’s address: kazzlchf@yahoo.com

  • posted by sixturkeys
    on
    permalink

    Allie, re plants/shade, have you looked at Heucheras? I love the zingy green foliage colour available in some examplars and these deliver in tidy shade loving plants.

  • posted by caronl
    on
    permalink

    Hi Allie. I did wonder if you had gone a bit quiet – glad it was just IT issues!
    Some positives:
    1) I have had a good day foodwise, and am heading for bed before resolve weakens. For unknown reasons, I really went off the rails this week. So have given myself a good talking to and have got back on the wagon.
    2) Have assembled pots, compost etc ready to start a garden on our top balcony. All this talk of declining insect populations has led me to make the most of the sunny spots!
    3) Had a good natter with a close friend today, who kindly brought some wild garlic with her. That has gone straight in the garden. I love a few leaves in salads for a bit of a kick!

    Have a good weekend one and all. And Wendy have a lovely time in Naples. Bella Italia! Good Luck JGwen with the weights. I am in awe.

  • posted by sixturkeys
    on
    permalink

    caronl – the wild garlic will spread like wild fire!

  • posted by WoodDuckie
    on
    permalink

    Good Saturday afternoon from downunder everyone.
    My positives! hmmm well . . . maybe a bit mundane . . BUT finally found the headspace from renewed mojo – (which after the heady elation of the successful endo visit – took a a pendalum swing and is now evening out again – THANKFULLY!!!)
    1. Found some ailing potted plants at a local nursery yesterday and have rehoused them in my (soon to be Autumn) garden . . . two should be ongoing for a while . . . (hardy happy gazanias!) – and the other two were rescued as they drew a nostalgic trip back to my nan’s garden . . . purple salvia – and tiny flowers like velvet. As children we girls used to strip the flowers from the stem and lovingly share a handful of “fairy flowers of deep purple velvet” – leaving the bush stems bare!! much to the disdain of nan! By the looks of the pictures, they could well finish up as low shrubs which would be a lovely compliment to my lavender bushes.
    2. FINALLY got around to tidying my car’s interior . . . (simply because I look like having a passenger for an outing!) As I normally live/drive/socialise alone, a collection of “stuff” usually accompanies me on that seat for convenience. Looks kinda bare now!
    3. Rearranged the freezer contents . . . have like things on the same shelf now rather than higgeldy piggeldy is a great move forward 🙂
    4. Sewing, mending, ironing, all done . . . bathroom cleaned, laundry dry and away, plants watered and its only mid afternoon Saturday . . . so commencing with a nice creamy coffee – I think – a nice relaxing (rest of the weekend) can begin!!! And I wish the same to you all 🙂 Quack Quack!!!

  • posted by caronl
    on
    permalink

    Hi five/six turkeys. Thanks for the warning. I tried the wild garlic in a pot last year and it failed miserably. So I’m taking the risk……. I have quite a small garden by UK standards, so the damage should be limited. Watch this space!! Actually as I write this, I suppose I should also think of the neighbours…….! Maybe a rethink….

  • posted by wendleg
    on
    permalink

    Morning from France everyone. I am on holiday !!!! Oh bliss !!! This stretch at school has been challenging but it always gets easier as Spring arrives. We are off to Naples tomorrow for a Week but I will be checking the forum on my phone and posting when I can.

    I am now officially 80 kilos and a bit which is nice !! I don’t intend to eat any Napolitan pizza ( O/h definitely will !) so I will check out the fish/sea food options and maintain hopefully. So looking forward to discovering a new place and having a break from school reports !
    Lots of gardening positives. That is hubby’s domain here . I just reap the benefits of his veggie garden 😉

    Duckie you have been very active and productive as usual ! Sun gets me motivated to spring clean. Need to get organised for tomorrow so we can come back to a tidy house ! I can leave my work dresses behind and pack comfy shoes and trousers.
    Have a great weekend everyone

  • posted by SunnyB
    on
    permalink

    I’m emerging from a week dominated by grandchildren, which has meant that although I have scanned posts, I haven’t added any of my own for a good few days.
    Allie, hope that you have your tech sorted out now – my laptop is in a sorry state too, but managing to keep it functioning at present. Please could you let me have the details of Kazz’s BSD email address, so I can make contact? Finally making a skype connection with you at last Allie, would certainly be a positive.
    Duckie – you’ve certainly been very industrious! Both my freezers need defrosting, but I’ve been dragging my heels on that chore. Will have to tackle it soon though, as a couple of the draws are getting difficult to shift.

    Okay, well I have some positives to post, so here goes ….
    1) Lovely week with youngest granddaughter – she is a delight to have around and the house feels rather empty now she has gone home.
    2) Was good to see youngest son when he came to collect said granddaughter. He’s taking up running again and switching to low carb.
    3) Friday was a day out with three of our grandchildren and then a birthday celebration for oldest granddaughter.
    4) Visiting an old friend this coming w/e so something to look forward to at the end of the week.

  • posted by alliecat
    on
    permalink

    Sunny, what a demanding but joyful week for you! Three grandchildren together is a “high challenge” indeed.
    I’m betting that it was far less exhausting though, than when you had the extra weight on board 🙂 ? I see that our
    weekly thread is going to be very busy once again, and I always breathe a sigh of relief when I find you there….
    saying exactly what I would have said…it is such a huge help!!! I’m excited about the prospect of skyping with
    you, too! Our dear friend Kazz has set up an extra email address to relay email addresses. This generous “service”
    allow us to exchange contact info without having to leave our long established addresses out on a public forum
    where they may be prey to hackers…If you use Kazz’s email, set up for this purpose, she will forward your
    remarks and address on to me, and then I will pounce on it and reply.! We will then make our own plans to
    “see and hear” each other 🙂 It’s great fun, Sunny, and past due for us and all that we’ve shared this past year.
    Here it is, my friend… Hope to be seeing you very soon! 🙂 🙂 🙂

    kazzlchf@yahoo.com

  • posted by SunnyB
    on
    permalink

    You are right Allie, it is easier to keep up with the grandchildren now, although I confess I was so tired one night, I was in bed and asleep by 9.45pm! Not a day goes past that I don’t appreciate the benefit of this way of eating though and how much I have benefited from it.
    I’m looking forward to hopefully communicating with you in addition to our exchanges on the forum, Allie.

    Few positives from yesterday …
    1) Very enjoyable social evening yesterday, with the Friends of the village newsletter, for which I am one of the editors.
    2) Lovely phone chat with friend we are visiting this coming w/e.
    3) The sun is shining and there are lots of spring flowers bringing spring colour and joy to garden.

  • posted by Californiagirl
    on
    permalink

    Hi to everyone! I’m having the worst time keeping up with all the activity on the various threads — it’s wonderful to see so many people posting!
    I thought I would just post some positives for today, and try to catch up later —
    1.) we have a huge flock of big fat red-breasted robins here today stripping the berries off the Parney Cotoneaster bushes — I figure that those berries must be the Brussels sprouts of the bird world because they turn red in September but the birds don’t eat them until spring and so they must be food of last resort! But it’s so fun to watch them by the dozens fly into and out of the hedges — the air is filled with their activity.
    2.) it’s STILL raining and snowing!! I usually think of that as positive so I’m keeping it on that side of the ledger BUT it’s getting to be too much of a good thing! Lake Tahoe and the Sierras have had 296 inches of snow in February alone! That’s a RECORD for one month snowfall in California. We’ve run out of room to put the snow and houses are buried, and it just keeps coming down.
    3.) daffodils are in full bloom in the coastal areas — grass is SO green — it’s going to be a beautiful spring
    Take care all!

  • posted by wendleg
    on
    permalink

    Hi lovely positive people !
    I am checking in from our cozy B and B right by the Bay of Naples run by a very friendly and helpful couple. We have been exploring Naples and Sorrento ..Positano and today Capri. Stunning views and we are lucky to have bright sunshine which was bouncing off the whitewashed houses. I am not tempted by the 3 Ps…pizza. .pasta and pastries which turn up every time you order a coffee but loving the fish and sea food.
    Feeling relaxed …getting away really makes the difference ….but I MUST learn Italian !That will keep my brain active in retirement !

  • posted by Californiagirl
    on
    permalink

    Oh Wendleg that sounds wonderful!

  • posted by sunshine-girl
    on
    permalink

    Enjoy your holiday Wendleg. We sound very much alike. We both live in France, like to travel and obviously (we speak French and English) like to learn languages. When I went to Lake Guarda on holiday I learnt a bit of Italian, just enough to book a table, be polite, etc. Then Spain, I did the same with Spanish and then the same in Portugal. When we went into a restaurant in Cascai in Portugal and i asked for a table in Portuguese my daughter said ‘oh mother they probably speak English’. Along comes a young man to take our order and not a word of English. I managed to translate the whole menu for the family. Then came the ice cream desserts and i knew every fruit in Portuguese – much to my daughters disgust. When we go on holiday in April we have Argentinian house sitters coming and i cant remember a word of Spanish now. Bonne vacances et bonne continuation.

  • posted by SunnyB
    on
    permalink

    Allie – I responded to the message Kazz sent to me/us, copied to you, but I think the copy to you might have dropped into your spam folder. Not sure if you have connectivity at the moment though, as I know you were having tech problems earlier in the week. Anyway, hoping to hear from you soon.
    CG – we get one or two robins visiting our garden, but never a flock, it must have been magical to see them en-mass.
    Positives for today ……
    1) Looking forward to a long weekend away, visiting with a long time friend (I don’t like to say ‘oldest’, as actually she younger than me!).
    2) Have been enjoying using my new fountain pens. Trying to spend a little time writing with them everyday – amazing how much my handwriting has improved already.
    3) Pleasant morning mooching around the local town.
    Hope everyone is having a wonderfully positive time. wendleg, I know you will be, as you are having such a wonderful break in Italy – sounds fab.

  • posted by JGwen
    on
    permalink

    One important positive for me. – I have a new collie shaped shadow. A 7 month old dog who was proving too much for an elderly couple so they decided to rehome him.

  • posted by sixturkeys
    on
    permalink

    JGwen, I have two mini dachshunds who are demanding as is, you have rehomed what has been shown to be the cleverest, most easily bored, active dog! Hope you can keep up! Loyalty will I am sure be repaid a hundred-fold

  • posted by JGwen
    on
    permalink

    Hi Sixturkeys, I have had collies and collie crosses all my adult life. I love the breed and its practical. Most of my sheep are bucket trained, but there is always a few who are stubborn. As I plan to increase the size of my flock in time he is going to help earn his keep.

  • posted by sixturkeys
    on
    permalink

    Hi JGwen – i wasn’t sure where you are, but sounds like collie heaven, to be a working dog. I see them in London, and (as with many other breeds) makes me sad that the environment is so ill-suited to what the dogs are bred to be. And then the dogs get blamed…

  • posted by JGwen
    on
    permalink

    Hi Sixturkeys, even in rural areas you come across animals that are having an unhappy time. – All of the dogs I have had in the past 20 years are rescues. (I usually have two dogs at a time). This is the second collie which by 6/7 months old was out of control because they were trying to keep him in a situation where he didn’t have the chance to burn off energy. Collies need to have a job, and if you don’t give them a job they invent one for themselves. He (and his sister) had decided that their jobs were wacky races around their lounge or if let outside both their own garden and that of the neighbours.
    Others have come to me because of how badly they have been mistreated. I had one who had been so badly beaten repeatedly that he emptied his digestive system in both directions and couldn’t keep food down for 24 hours if a man entered a room he was in. Thank heaven for slate floors. He never did accept a strange man approaching him, or a familiar man carrying a ladder or length of wood on his shoulder.
    All of my horses were also either bought for less than meat money, or given to me.
    Its amazing how much you learn about how animals communicate when you take the time to focus on their behaviour so you can understand their needs.

  • posted by caronl
    on
    permalink

    Hi JGwen. I’m glad that the dogs ended up in a good place with you. But can’t help being sad to hear again how cruel some people can be. Best wishes for your new addition, and hope s/he settles in quickly. We have signed up for a new dog from July (another trainee assistance/guide dog), so I shall be following developments with interest!

    It is early for positives but have had a lovely week catching up on art exhibitions , sitting on sun-drenched terraces and enjoying lovely salads. Ridiculous in February, but there you are! The garden has come to life – sarcocca flowering, snowdrops giving way to crocuses, and now daffodils making their appearance. A lovely time of year.

    Have a good day everyone.

  • posted by alliecat
    on
    permalink

    Hello, everyone! I’ve now joined the club of disappearing posts…Yesterday I was urging you all to look out into
    your gardens, to witness a crazy woman cartwheeling across your lawns…I was overjoyed to have my
    computer returned to me at long last, repaired and intact, after 28 days of being semi muzzled. I feel as
    though I have been released from a long period of incarceration! I never realized how much I like to talk 🙂
    The sights and sounds here, fat robins putting in an early appearance, and JGwen’s dedication to caring
    for and providing a wonderful home for animals is inspiring. I’m so happy to be fully back in the fold!

    Sunny, I did respond to the yahoo address you provided, but for some frustrating reason my service
    provider, Comcast, won’t recognize yahoo as anything other than spam. We’ve had this issue before,
    but frustratingly, messages don’t end up in my spam folder either. Never one to admit defeat, I’ll
    check with Kazz to see if she has a brilliant work around. She often does! You are just out of reach,
    and it is driving me bonkers! Is it possible for you to use a different email address? We may have to
    proceed directly to Skype. Whatever it takes, my friend! we will figure this out 🙂

  • posted by JGwen
    on
    permalink

    Sunny, gmail does allow you to create a free email address and Allie you may be interested to know that setting up a gmail account has the advantage of providing you with free online storage so you can back up any files from your computer to the cloud. Dropbox also allows you to have a free cloud storage account. – So you don’t risk loosing files each time your computer encounters fluid 🙂

  • posted by wendleg
    on
    permalink

    Hello everyone. Have some time to catch up on the thread ! Since my last post we have been to Pompei which was fascinating and moving. It was another glorious day and thankfully the site was very quiet at this time of year. Just a short train ride from Naples. We have been wandering all over this city which is crazily chaotic but charming ! We followed up Pompei with a visit to the National Archaeological Museum in Naples which has some stunning collections . Incredible to see the items salvaged from the ruins .
    So happy to hear of animals having a joyous and full life with JGwen .
    I am staying on BSD track here. It is refreshing to have a plate of food ( fish for me) which is not loaded up with potatoes or chips ! I need to ask for a mixed salad to get some more veggies though..
    Must check on the weekly thread now but I love hearing all the positives. Have a great weekend Sunny B. Enjoy the sunshine caronl. Xx

  • posted by alliecat
    on
    permalink

    Thank you JGwen! Really helpful post. I must add that I enjoy the gentle teasing, too! We both know that
    I’m a walking disaster area when it comes to my beverage encounters with my laptop 🙂

  • posted by WoodDuckie
    on
    permalink

    Hi allie! SO good to have you back in communicae! Grateful the keyboard/laptop/desktop could be restored 🙂 even though you had to be patient for a month! Doesnt bear thinking about the possibility it couldnt and a new device needing to be sourced . . . taking even longer! I cannot and will not contemplate such a horror as this impatient woman would react pretty much like a child . . . demanding things “now”! And with no back up . . .? Excommunication takes on a whole new dimension!
    My positives for today?
    *Autumn has arrived right on cue – colour changes, cooler temps . . . bulbs thrusting their leaves through the soil with promise of another beautiful mixed display of shapes and colours when they fully emerge.
    *Overcast skies give hope of some much needed rain . . .
    *African Violets which reside on the (inside) of kitchen window have given forth with clusters of BEAUTIFUL mauve/blue flowers resembling miniature roses – though each bloom barely 1/2″ -1cm across . . . how does that happen . . .?
    *Thank you to the anonymous person, who a few weeks ago, donated a bag of yarn to me through a sports venue Id attended with my grand-daughter. Such saw the unexpected arrival of some “knitted teddy shapes” just needing stitching and stuffing to complete – and at the time – presented as YET ANOTHER handcraft/project to add to the LONG waiting list. For the time being they were stored in the “craft cupboard” so – imagine my surprise when last weekend, I received a shout out from the local hospital NICU – (for which I already knit beanies and jackets) – for the very same thing!!!!! With just three to finish now . . .and minimal effort . . . early next week, Ill be able to oblige NICU by delivering around 1 dozen trauma comfort teddies of various shapes, colours and sizes. How good it feels to be so useful, offer reassurance and comfort, by finding homes for these GORGEOUS little beings so quickly. Thats not just simply coincidence is it. . . .? . . . and finally . . .
    *The new batch of mini quiches made in a muffin tin are almost ready to be removed from the oven . . . and smell DIVINE! Atop a bed of baby spinach, with a serve of avocado, some nuts, two sundried tomato pieces, a drizzle of macadamia oil, a wave of cracked black pepper, + a mug of my special decadent Duckie coffee . . . . such will be my brunch when Im done here 🙂
    Find some positives and others arrive like magnets . . . Life is SO GOOD!!!
    Signing off with . . .”Enjoy the weekend everyone! ” Quack! Quack!

  • posted by Padegoke
    on
    permalink

    Hi Everyone
    I’m currently conducting a study on how 5:2 diets and Very low calorie diets (less than 800kcals a day) make people feel about their lives as part of my University dissertation. If you are on one of these diets I would be extremely grateful if you could fill in the below survey – it’s really quick! Thank you
    https://loughboroughssehs.eu.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_0JNDYtn1q0Zi2Pz

  • posted by sixturkeys
    on
    permalink

    This is a belated reply to JGwen, whose reply above I only just saw. You are amazing. I am appalled that despite the new breeding/puppy sales regs, you still see obv puppy farms adverts. My two wld prob like longer walks, and that makes me feel guilty enough.

  • posted by Custardcrumble
    on
    permalink

    Hi All,
    A couple of weeks since I posted here but back to normal now and a glorious (if windy) morning, so here are 3 positives for the day
    1) Celebrated my in-laws 57th wedding anniversary yesterday – headed out for a carvery and managed to avoid starter, dessert and root veg! Felt enormously full but calorie-wise was only about 450.
    2) Cleared the garage! We moved in 18 months ago and have not sorted the garage once – just kept adding to the carnage in there. It’s now clear and organised and the boys want to set up a pool table in there! Do need to do a bunch of tip runs now though!
    3) Discard has been continuous (even after the carvery!) Friday saw me pass the one stone mark and Sunday saw me enter a different stone bracket! Another day or 2 should see me reach 10% discard of my initial weight. Feeling so much slimmer, healthier and better (though still tired – does that ever go away?!)
    Wishing you all a sunny and cheery week!
    CC

  • posted by Verano
    on
    permalink

    Good morning!
    Another Tuesday so another new week and another clean sheet to start again. Yes I know this isn’t the weekly thread but it’s still a Tuesday!
    So to my positives for the last week…..
    My daffodils are finally in full blossom and are looking really spring like despite the sudden cold snap.
    My legs really are the same length again after almost 8 years and that feels slightly weird but wonderful. I know I have been through a rather traumatic experience to become ‘balanced’ again but hey I’m a firm believer that something good comes out of everything!
    Visit with my surgeon last week shows that everything is in the right place and healing nicely. I can even fly again so I’m a happy bunny.
    Sorry I’ve not been contributing much to the threads but I need to have a little ‘down’ time at the moment. I hope everyone is keeping positive. Have a good week.

  • posted by wendleg
    on
    permalink

    Good to hear from you V and to know that your recovery is proceeding well. To have the all clear on flying is brilliant news ! Your surgeon certainly knew what he was doing and yes, maybe your fall did turn out to be a major positive !

    We are back from Naples and after a grey Monday, today is more Spring like and the washing is drying outdoors !
    Our daffodils and crocuses are out too and we have lots of little wild violets everywhere. I love this season !

    You have been very productive, CC, well done you !
    Hope everyone is happy and well .Looking forward to catching up with you all

  • posted by sunshine-girl
    on
    permalink

    There you are V, so glad your recovery is going well. Keep on keeping on…

  • posted by SunnyB
    on
    permalink

    V – so pleased to read all is going well with your recovery. I’m assuming this means your trip away next month is secure and you can now really look forward to going on holiday.
    C/crumble – well done on discarding almost 10% of your starting body weight – that’s a huge achievement in the time you’ve been with us. What with that AND getting the garage sorted, you must been feeling really chuffed!
    Duckie – how wonderful that you have been able to supply some lovely teddies for the NICU so quickly.
    Allie – finally being in email contact with you, certainly constitutes a big positive for me, but I have a few others to post too … although you are aware of at least one of these already Allie.
    1) A long w/e with one of my longest standing friends was blissful. She is someone it always does me good to be around, so our friendship is much treasured by me.
    2) Really enjoying seeing the changes in the garden – dwarf iris giving way to dwarf tulips for instance. Lots of primula are providing splashes of colour as well and I’ve bought a new rose bush to put in, which should supply more colour and fragrance come the summer.
    3) The rash I have been tolerating since last November, is finally on it’s way out – now there’s a realistic possibility of being normal again before we go away next month. Fingers crossed.
    Hope everyone is able to find the positives in this week and look forward to reading all about them.

  • posted by Verano
    on
    permalink

    Good evening and yes I’m still around! I’m just posting on this thread at the moment because I need some positives and I don’t really have a great deal to offer to others at this moment.
    Today has been one of those days when you just wish tomorrow would come so that you can start all over again but there have been positives……
    A great deal of frustration with travel plans resulting in many phone calls has taken my appetite away which can’t be bad!
    Further to appetite, we ate out last night for the first time this year but my goodness my taste buds have changed yet again. I found everything I ordered was very very sweet. So looks like I need to reassess my diet yet again. This woe is definitely is still very much a part of an ongoing learning curve for me.
    Finally, I have a copy of the report from my visit with my surgeon so now when I feel a bit low or down I can cheer myself up by reading about my progress so far!
    Hope Wednesday was a positive one for everyone but if it wasn’t no worries Thursday is almost upon us and that will be better!

  • posted by alliecat
    on
    permalink

    It’s always 9reat to hear from you, V.! Thank you for brin9in9 this thread to the top a9ain. The weekly thread
    has so much activity on it that I sometimes 9et overwhelmed! A busy inbox full of BSD friends keeps me
    hoppin9, too. Even if this is a period where you can only read alon9, don’t leave us, V. We need you! I hope
    your travel plans will soon fall into place. There is incompetence everywhere! Readin9 that you have been
    approved for air travel is a wonderful thin9! I think that your sur9eon is so accomplis9hed, and I look forward
    to hearin9 that your mobility will be 9reatly improved as you proceed in your recovery. XOXO

  • posted by SunnyB
    on
    permalink

    Hi V – doesn’t matter where you pop up, as long as you do from time to time! So pleased progress is being made with your recovery. Interesting that you again need to adjust your menus, due to another change in palate. Strange how these changes come upon us.

    We have had a couple of very blowy days with plenty of intermittent showers, so my plans to get out in the garden have not yet come to fruition – hoping for something better at the w/e. There are still some positives to post though, so here goes:
    1) Lovely evening with OH yesterday – cooked us something a bit special, a couple of glasses of wine, good music and good conversation.
    2) Last evening we got the final bit of our travel for Turkey booked.
    3) The other day at the beauty salon, I treated myself to some rose scented hair finishing oil on offer, which is divine … definitely want to get some more. Might need to make a special trip to grab some before it sells out.

    Hope everyone is having a really positive week and am looking forward to reading about some of them soon.

  • posted by wendleg
    on
    permalink

    Hi everyone !
    I hope travel plans come to fruition for everyone, especially V. Our next trip will be to the Uk at Easter when I get to meet Kazeee !! That’s a big positive !

    My half term holiday is galloping away this second week. We packed so much into our first week in Naples.I have to get motivated to think about reports…not yet, not yet !

    I love the sound of your rose scented hair oil SunnyB.These days I have to tame my very thick hair with mousse like whipped cream or a serum to manage curls.

    One positive this Week is that I found a very nice dress in LIDL …a simple navy shift type dress in a smooth, comfy , slightly stretchy fabric.I would never have dared risk trying anything from there before but I recently bought some casual sporty trousers ( Crivit range)which are great and fit really well.I am in the L size but on the label that represents Uk 14/16 so I’ll take that !! I am really pleased with the dress and I will be wearing it for work on Monday.

    No fasting this Week.It works best for me when I am back into school routine.
    Hope everyone is having a good week xx

Please log in or register to post a reply.