Hi girls! X FABULOUS time of year isnt it..!
* Blue Blue sky all day long..
* LOADS of lovely bluebells,daisies and dandelions ( but where are the buttercups)
* Local garden centre delivered 10 kg bird seed to me,so the birdies will be well fed for a while. Bit of a workout carrying two 5 kg bags up the stairs,(no lift at the moment,new one only half installed). Good for the heart!
Lovely one and a half min vid of a funny doggy clip!xx
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nGeKSiCQkPw

The wild flowers are a joy aren’t they, Yowser. I so enjoyed the bluebells in the woods yesterday.
Positives from my little corner of the world today …..
1 Got out in the garden this morning, doing some repotting, deadheading and a bit of pruning.
2 Neighbour’s cat kept me company in the garden – he’s very affectionate and ‘helpful’.
3 Lots of buds forming on the rose bushes 😀 can hardly wait for them to start blooming.
4 Whole day of sunshine and blue skies again.
5 Chatted with parents, glad to say they remain well.
6 Helped a friend find a positive, in some news they had only viewed as negative.
What was your positive from today?

Lovely positives as always! Bryla – bras are definitely essential purchases… I need new but want to hand off a bit see if i can actually change my body shape first!!
My positives – trying to think outside the box as the glorious sunshine and spring seems to be so stable…..
– my nervous young horse is doing great, making slow progress bbut in a very relaxed way which is awesome. Light at the end of the tunnel!
– Ive managed to persuade my husband to at least trim his beard – we are in disagreement about how good a look it is at the moment.
– ive become good friends with a colleague through all this – lovely to discover we are on the same wave length away from work as well. we have had some real giggles!
– there is something therapeutic about all the days kinda being the same at the moment – didnt think i was a creature of habit but I’m starting to relax a bit i think.

Good morning!
I know it might be a bit early for positives but I have just one …….
I’m back!
This morning I got up, got weighed and got shocked!
I’m above my personal ceiling, only just, but I know that I have to get back on track now before it’s too late.
April is always a difficult month for me with my sepsis anniversary and now with lockdown, as well as no holidays to look forward to, I’ve just let myself wallow in self pity…… well that’s over!
Sorry for this self indulgent post but I just needed to get this off my chest and I can think of no better place to come to!
Thank you.
Have a good day ……..

Regardless of the reason, we are always very happy to have you with us, Verano. Very pleased you are on your bounce back and look forward to reading more posts from you in the days to come.

I’m confident you will soon be putting those additional pounds in their place! There might not be actual booked holidays to look forward to yet, but there’s no harm in planning what you want to book when it’s once again possible. We are certainly scheming!

Have a great day and keep us posted, V.

Hiiiii gang!
V !! So glad youre feeling better. You can quickly nip that weight rise in the bud and no harm done xx
On the positive side,it wasnt much,so pat on the back for not escalating wildly,as many people are eating thru boredom and piling the pounds on just now.im really struggling..good days and worse days carbwise!
Sepsis is sthing i fear because people on my lymphodema forum sometimes get it,following a cut on leg or foot.
We cant shave our legs in case we get a nick. Fortunately I am not at all hirsute,so its not difficult for me,but I do miss walking barefoot on grass and sand like I used to.
SUNNY I loved hearing about your feline visitor! My Beau sends me pix of the several cat visitors coming into his garden on these sunny days,including two kittens who come in to play fight together. They belong to the lady next door,and are an adventurous little pair,have found the gap in the fence.
BRYLA Pleased to hear how the horse is progressing..keep us posted on hubbys beard too!
We really need our hairdressers and barbers back as soon as poss..i look like an Old English Sheepdog at the moment!
* Saw a new little fox last night,small and skinny. Hope she comes by regularly for some food to build her up a bit. I think she’s a girl and Ive called her Fenella Fox.
* A friend emailed this morning to say how much she valued my friendship. The feeling is mutual! We met in work back in 1970.
* Looks like being another lovely lovely day! Enjoy it everyone!
************** 💖 💖💖💖 Wake every morning with the awe of just being alive 💖💖💖💖 *************

Another great quote, Yowser. By the way, that friendly neighbourhood cat came walking through the garden, with a slow worm dangling from his mouth this afternoon. So grateful he didn’t try to present it to me!
Julz, I agree about the sense there is of ‘leveling out’, created by all the days seeming the same. It is quite liberating.
Positives for today …..
1 Trip to friend’s farm to collect some nettles. Lovely to be out in the sunshine for an hour.
2 While we were there, some lambs got out of their enclosure, so OH and I had to do some impromptu lamb wrangling. Very physical and entertaining!
3 Used the nettles to make soup, crisps and also roasted some with cauli, butter and spices to go with the pork curry I made for this evening.
4 Velcro plant ties arrived today, so I’ve been able to get some control of my winter flowering clematis … I hope.
5 Ordered some summery trousers online … the pending arrival of which, gives a little something to look forward to.
6 Grateful to be well, with a safe home and plenty of nutritious food in stock.
Hope you’ll be posting a positive too.

Good morning!
Sunny sounds like a great day yesterday.
I’m starting to realise that ‘sameness’ can be good, and as the days are starting to meld into one, it is becoming quite liberating.
Yowzer sorry to hear about your lymphodema but believe me walking barefoot, as wonderful as it might feel, is just not worth the risk!
So, I have a positive …… apart from the fact that the sun is shining again…..
Yesterday I resisted chocolate, Ryvita, oat biscuits and had just one ‘normal’ size portion of nuts. No boredom or mindless eating!
Goal for today ….. same as yesterday …. shouldn’t be too difficult!
Hope Friday is a good day for everyone.

Howdy Folks!
VERANO..I can believe its not worth it,after hearing some awful sepsis stories from lympho friends 🙁🙁 xx
Well done on resisting goodies!..one day at a time is a good philosophy particularly just now.

Some small happy-making things ..🌼🦊🌼🦊🌼🦊🌼🦊

Morning sunshine streaming thru the window…
That first sip of coffee or tea
A hot shower
Singing along to the radio
Time spent with pets
Messages from friends
Starting a book that turns out to be good!
A fluffy fresh smelling blanket just out of the dryer
Listening to your favourite music
“ Music is the only religion that delivers the goods.” (Frank Zappa )
( my online name comes from a FZ song where he shouts Yowzer yowzer yowzer! in the middle 😄)

Good work on all the resisting Verano – lots of virtual ‘good work’ stickers issued to you!
Positives for today
– agree with Yowser – time with pets, enjoying music on the radio and the first coffee of the morning.
– managed to plan my afternoon of shopping requirements – animal feed collection paid for an set aside, brief pop into super market and pick up some lovely beef and veggies from the local butcher. Having it planned makes me less anxious!
– about to head off for a pre-lunch walk. Did 2 good walks yesterday – walking in preference to running to control my hunger / perceived hunger – when i run i want to eat so I’ll just do a good bit of brisk walking in the sunshine.
– productive morning getting some stuff ticked off my work list which has been sitting for a while.
– determined to keep my motivation and calorie control in place over the weekend!! 3 days totally on plan is a real positive…here’s to the next 3….and the 3 after that!!

Yeah well done Verano! I often think of your technique for listing the temptations successfully resisted. Yowzer I love your list. Hope you enjoy your walks Windy. Your nettle concoctions sound lovely Sunny. I did eye some nettles this morning, but too much canine traffic to be tempted!
1) Back to the woods this morning for my dog walk. Just sat and concentrated on the birdsong, filtering out any traffic noise. I really should remember to breathe more deeply. It is good for the soul.
2) Enjoyed a lovely lunch of scrambled egg, spinach and smoked salmon. Really one of my favourites. Makes me feel as if I am at a 5 star hotel. It doesn’t take much imagination (….) to think of this time as a long spa staycation!
3) Fought off the glums this morning to decide to take back control. If, as some say, the lock-down will relax in mid June, then I have around the magic 8 weeks to get comfortably below my healthy top weight. So I am following Clarinet Cathy with a relaunch. W1D1….

Have a lovely sunny day everyone, and stay well. xx

Well done, V … that’s a really positive start to getting back on track.
Brilliant list there Yowser …. it is the little pluses we need to recognise at the moment.
Hope your w/e plan works well, Julz. You certainly sound very determined.
That lunch sounds delish Caronl. Great that you are taking control and will make the next 8wks count.
My positives for today ……
1 Spent time giving a large shrub a serious pruning this morning. Looks much better now.
2 One of my fav roses is almost in bloom …. fully open tomorrow hopefully.
3 Amazingly there is a 2nd flush of flowers on my rescue camelia.
4 Tonight’s special dinner is all prepped, starter ready, main in the oven and dessert half done and in the fridge.
5 OH finished the last of the house painting … Looks much better now.
6 Video chat with Turkish friend. Aren’t we lucky to have such technology!
Hope your weekend is off to a good start and will bring lots of positives your way. Please remember to come and tell us about them 😀

You guys are all so industrious you make me ashamed! X
And SUNNY is it a week already since last week special dinner? Time goes by so fast..but Im so glad we’re not clockwatching and twiddling our thumbs! Must be awful if time is dragging…
HAPPY weekend everybody.Big hugs all round xxx🦊🐶🐱🐻🐭🐹🐨🐰🐯🐷🐮🦁🐵🐤🐦🐧🐔

Good morning!
Lovely positives from everyone.
Caron I do envy your resolve to start a new round of 8 weeks. I just don’t have that sort of motivation anymore, it has to be just one day at a time for me. I guess because I never reached my weight goal I don’t have the same urgency not to regain. I did manage to control my blood sugar over 3 years ago so I don’t over indulge in carbs now. Anyway best of luck with the next 8 weeks.
Fresh paint, nothing quite like that smell, enjoy it Sunny.
So the end of another week. I must admit Julz I no longer think of ‘weekends’ . One day soon maybe ………..
Anyway to my positives from yesterday …….
No ryvita or oat biscuits but a portion of both nuts and 90%, but eaten by choice and mindfully.
Lovely salad lunch in the garden. We only had a very small portion of salad as I had very little left. I’m amazing myself at how little waste we have now. Even a small portion of leftovers are used!
Anyway we have a delivery due today so really looking forward to fresh vegetables and salad.
Have a good Saturday.

VERANO 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻 For yr delivery..enjoyXX
SUNNY hope the dindins was a big success! XX
A long spa staycation is a great way to look at all this CARONL..and I do envy ( only in a nice way) your time in the woods.

* Just been out for my allowed exercise,first time in days and days ive been out in the big world..such a warm and lovely world awaited me too.
* Met a lovely little dog,like a little fox,wearing a jaunty bandana. Of course I could only admire him from a distance. 🦊
* Then had an at a distance chat with two neighbours
So thats my excitement for today! Happy Saturday Everyone! 🦋🌷🦋🌷🦋🌷

Big pat on the back re the avoidance of ryvita and oat cakes.
Yowser, it’s good to catch up with neighbours even at a distance. Dinner went pretty well last night thanks😀
My positives for the day are ….
1 Made an instant raspberry semi-frado last evening….. handful of frozen raspberries and a couple of good dollop of Greek yog, blitzed with a stick blender. Yum!
2 One of my fav roses has started to bloom today.
3 Couple of hours gardening in the sunshine this morning.
4 Three plant containers spruced up and a couple of plants planted in to ground too.
5 Potted up a couple of plants to pass to a friend, when socialising is once again permitted.
6 Heard that our longest standing friend in Turkey has got engaged and will marry as soon as their government offices are fully functioning again.
So, my weekend is off to a good start …. hope yours is too. Please do come and tell us about the positives you’ve discovered.

Good afternoon!
Hope everyone is well and coping.
Another lovely day today although I don’t think it’s set to last.
Well I’ve been tackling another jigsaw and yesterday was left with around 30 of the 1000 pieces, but my goodness …… navy blue sky with tiny snowflakes.! I almost gave up today but managed to complete it after an hour or so of frustration ……
So first positive finished my 3rd, or maybe 4th, lockdown jigsaw. Losing track as you can see.
Had a lovely salad for lunch with lettuce spun in my new salad spinner. It certainly makes the lettuce much drier and far crisper than when I squash it in kitchen paper!
Walked around my garden today and saw all the weeds and dead plants that I can’t see from a distance. Time for an overhaul I think. Positive is that at least I’ve seen them before they overtake the whole garden.
On a positive note we have some bluebells for the first time …. should I enjoy them or think of them as weeds?
Anyway tomorrow is Monday, the start of a new week and another one over ….. let’s hope lockdown is eased sooner rather than later! Maybe wishful thinking!

Hi V..ooh salad spinner!i think i might get one,havent used one for years,but deffo the best and fun-est way of drying lettuce leaves!👍🏻👍🏻
Well done on completing that jigsaw,it does sound extremely difficult,navy sky and snowflakes ..must look pretty tho now its finished.
Bluebells,just gorgeous!!!!! Enjoy them x
* Finished a really good book today..All in her Head by Nikki Smith..kept me guessing from start to finish
* 3 robins in DDs garden,watching her while she worked
* Beau had to go to A n E this morning..part of hearing aid got stuck down his ear..took 3 staff to remove it. Good old NHS.
Weird tho how empty …remember the old 3-4 hour wait? He said he was there and back in an hour ( and its a 40 min round trip) Please if you need help after an accident or injury,don’t delay..they’ ll make sure youre kept safe while you are seen to.

******** 💜 Spread joy not germs 💜 ***********

Oh V, bluebells are FAR too beautiful to be weeds!! Everything about them is glorious …. colour, shape and perfume. Can you tell I’m a big fan!
Yowser, glad your beau was able to safely get hospital help. I too had a robin’s watchful eye on me whilst gardening this morning. I like the ‘spread joy not germs’ quote as well.

Positives from my little corner are ….
1 Another enjoyable gardening session. I find it very grounding and peaceful.
2 The shady corner at the bottom of the garden is gradually being successfully populated.
3 Two more pairs of house martin’s have returned, but there are definitely fewer around than usual.
4 The orchid I put in recovery a few days ago, is reviving nicely.
5 Found I was nicely in ketosis this morning.
6 Made spatchcock chicken for dinner ….. very tasty!
It’s been a good w/e, full of positives. Hope It’s been that way for you too and that if you haven’t yet told us about your positives, you will soon.

Good morning, time for some Monday positive reflecting on the weekend and looking forward to the week…..
– we had some much needed rain and more is on the way! Not often we say that up here but everything is so dry. Bizarre for April. Couple of years ago we had snow at this time!
– walking is proving therapeutic – i walk on my own a lot which is great time for thinking and reflecting. Then i walk with my hubby too and that is great time to talk, be open and share things. Its time where really we can just focus on each other with limited distractions.
– it all seems to be coming together – things i see and think when I’m walking are joining up with reflections from meditation and what I’m learning about myself, anxiety, food, habits, strengths and weaknesses. Lock down seems to have provided a break from what is normally a very chaotic life (still busy but not out at competitions, training, social events etc) and Ive had a chance to reflect and prioritise. Hopefully I can be a better and happier person once all this is done.
– another nice “family meal” on saturday night with dad and hubby. I may have had a glass of wine or two too many, but i kept away from the carbs and enjoyed making and eating some local roast beef with broccoli, roast curried cauliflower, roast carrots and parsnips. Boys had cake, I had some cheese. Was nice time spent together. We are lucky to have dad in the house so we can do bits of time and eat together sometimes.

Hope you are all staying positive. Love reading all your positive thoughts.

I shall not enter the bluebell controversy….nor give an opinion on visiting cats: sadness over the blackbird’s feathers all over the path in our garden is a clue to which way I lean! I loved your post Windy, you sound in a good place. x

Anyway happy Monday! I like your slogan of spreading joy not disease, Yowzer. I shall do my best today.
1) Another beautiful blue sky – perhaps the skies are more intense than usual, now that the air is clearer.
2) It’s Kings Day here in the Netherlands – so nice to see flags fluttering, even if all the usual orange-decked markets can’t happen.
3) My reboot is still pressing on. W1D4. Had a bit of a wobble on day 2 (!! not very impressive, Verano!!), but pressing on.

Hi everyone. This is such a weird time.I am trying to keep the online teaching going with a tentative eye on a possible return to school on the 18th May . It doesn’t feel quite right yet …I think I need to wait and see what proposals are made re the health and safety measures .
I love reading this thread and it always makes me smile. Time for me to post a few positives.
1) I agree WindyJulz. This very much feels like a time to reassess and sort out priorities. It’s good to look forward, always.
2) I am busy with school work but I have found time to develop some new , interesting hobbies !
3) I decided to experiment with fermentation. Sauerkraut to start with as it is classic and easy. Amazingly the pots did not explode.I tasted one and it’ s pretty good ! I have left the other pot to ferment for longer.
4) I had a go at fermenting carrot today and I will keep you posted !
5) I found very some informative blogs and videos which inspired me to have a go and I am thankful to people who generously share their knowledge.
6) I am still eating weeds ! They are part of my weekly repertoire now !
7) Hubby has planted lots of herbs for me and seeds…kale and chard and amaranth which apparently tastes like spinach .
8) The tomato plants have been collected from the local nursery and are developing happily in their pots, waiting for the right planting moment. We have lots of interesting varieties
9) Our local farm sells a variety of long thin aubergines which are delicious called aubergine baguette .Hubby is going to try to grow a couple of the plants too.
10) I am definitely getting more interested in gardening.It just shows how our priorities change when things slow down . School /work has always taken up so much of my time.
11) I can anticipate retirement and the prospect of engaging activities, not always involving my brain !! It’s so nice to not to have to think too hard !
12) I am getting very interested in producing more eco friendly household products . In the past I would probably have used the excuse that I just didn’t have time so going for the easy option.
13) I want to source some lovely essential oils .
14) The French are very fond of ‘savon noir ‘ and savon de Marseille , both of which are very easily available and very natural. I love looking for tips from our ‘elders’.
15) My boys’ French grandmother used to salt all her summer veg ready for the winter . Lots of sterilising of Le Parfait preserving jars too. She would be pleased to see me venturing into fermentation !
16) I am thinking too about consuming less generally. My income will be significantly reduced in September but I tell myself we have everything we need. We don’t need many luxuries and we will make do.I certainly have enough earrings !
17) We may not be going away fro some time, not even to the Uk but we are in touch with everyone.
18) There will be other opportunities to travel.
19) We had rain and thunder today but hubby’s plants and seedlings are intact and got a good watering.
20) The garden is looking lush and green and it’s a joy to sit out there and hear the birds singing their hearts out
21) Talking of birds, my son has been adding to his bird photography website and his photos are truly lovely.
22) My elder son has been creating some beautiful furniture with wood and resin . I am so glad he has been able to continue his chosen career in carpentry.
23) So my boys are well and happy !!!
24) My family are all coping . We have regular group chats and exchange photos and silliness
25) We are not suffering any shortages . We have everything we need and we don’t waste anything.
26) I found a recipe for homemade stock powder which is very good
27) I have discovered a real taste for nutritional yeast which I sprinkle on salads, omelettes, soups , as well as my nettle crisps of course.
28) This may sound gross but I only wash my hair once every 2 weeks . It s an attempt to keep the colour from fading and having to resort to a box colour.
29 ) I have some powder I can use on my roots when I get desperate and risk being seen in public .It’s like eye shadow for hair 😉
30) It’s is so uplifting to see people continuing to share and support each other on here . We really are so much more than a forum for food issues !!

Lots of love everyone xx

Think we are all looking for therapies at the moment, Julz, mine are gardening, meditation and qigong.
Caronl, glad the reboot continues to go well …. one step at a time.
Wendy, glad all your people are well and that your boys are able to do things they enjoy. I’m sure you’ll fill your retirement with all kinds of interesting things.

My positives for today are ….
1 Got some laundry done.
2 Repotted the orchids that have been in critical care.
3 All orchids watered and checked over.
4 There is a promise of rain later… good for the garden and will top up the water butt too.
5 Friend in Turkey called to let me know he’s checked our apartment is okay …. all is fine.
6 Looking forward to roasted broccoli and cauli this evening.
If you’ve found a positive or two in your life, please do share them with us☺🤗

Hiiii gang! Hope you will all have a good week ahead!🌷🌷🌷🌷
SUNNY I admire how you have such green fingers,the way you nurture yr plants and flowers!x
WENDY I too love essential oils..I use thyme at the moment coz its a great anti viral. I make it up into a spray with warm water and use lavishly,tho don’t use on wooden surfaces….using loads of lavender and teatree as well
Thank you for all yr uplifting positives ! X
CARONL ..Happy Kings Day XX
* Just ordered my prescription,seven items,which will be delivered to me. So grateful for those items,and thankful for all the staff processing,dispensing and delivering to people who need their meds
* As i type,DD and SIL en route home from supermarket with my order. None of us needed shopping lastThurs,their usual shopping day,so we put it back til today. Very grateful that we have enough to eat.
* Just taken my rubbish down to the binroom and my younger fitter neighbour told me to leave rubbish by my front door and he will take it in future. Grateful for thoughtfulness of others at this time,and extremely grateful to our binmen who have continued working every Tuesday as normal in these abnormal times.
* Just washed and dried my hair ..I dont make a great job of blowdrying..i feel i look a bit like Boris!very flyaway!and had a go at cutting my fringe..(not looking good! )
But cant help laughing ..it really doesnt matter in the big scheme of things does it.
I saw a good poster,sadly unable tocopy,paste it here..but basically saying
We are all in the same boat but not in the same storm. For some its like a shower of rain,for some its a storm,for some its a hurricane..and if we are only experiencing a shower,be there for those in a storm and reach out to those in a hurricane.

Ps
A very short blog,just a minute and a half long, for people who like me who find it hard to get going in the morning..
simple but helpful xx
https://blog.myfitnesspal.com/watch/morning-mindset-routine-with-dr-michael-gervais/?utm_source=mfp&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=MFP_DAILY3_20200427_TEST_INTL&utm_content=hero

That was an interesting blog, Yowser, thanks for flagging it. Certainly worth giving it a go …. not like it takes a lot of time or effort.

Thank you all once again for making me smile, especially you Wendy, with 30 positives!!!
Yowzer I always love a recommendation for a good book. Had a look on amazon and it has a vague feel of ‘The Girl on the Train’ but maybe I’m way off the mark. I’m finding it difficult to concentrate on reading at the moment though. Jigsaws are easier to pick up and put down!
Okay the bluebells can stay!
So to my positives……
1. I have had a large cut on my shin for four weeks and it’s finally starting to clear up. I had never realised how bad injuries to the shin can be.
2. Looks like rain but hasn’t arrived yet but hopefully it will later.
3. I’m managing to get shopping slots far more easily now. I would never have believed how ‘out of control’ I feel not being able to shop as and when.
Well, hope everyone has rain, is keeping well and is definitely feeling positive.

Good to see you posting positives, V. Glad your leh is healibg …. have you tried dressing the wound with honey? It’s amazingly healing stuff and one if my go to’s for stubborn wounds.

Positives from my little patch of SW UK ….
1 Steady rain all day, which the garden will appreciate.
2 The rain meant no queues at the supermarket this morning 😁, seems people don’t want to get wet.
3 Everything needed was in stock and I stocked up on fresh veggies, Greek yogurt and goats butter.
4 Dropped in a few groceries to my daughter.. was lovely to actually see her and talk face to face, even at a safe distance.
5 Daughter has discovered cooking from scratch can be enjoyable
6 G/son is doing fine in lockdown.
7 My new trousers arrived, fit beautifully and make me look thin …. bonus!
8 Made some deliciously spiced fried aubergine as part of dinner this evening.

Whatever your positive was today, we hope to be reading about them later.

Sunny thank you! Never gave honey a thought but you are so right. Thank you!!!
Will post tomorrow.

Good luck with the honey V 👍🏻
Oooh SUNNY looking thin! Wowzer yowzer well done you! X 🎉🎉🎉🎉
Thankful today..
* My friends in NZ coming out of lockdown now..only 19 deaths. Its a small country,small population, but even so,their govt have been very efficient so far in dealing with Covid. Hope all goes well for them now
* An order arrived today..things for DDs 40 th..not til Nov but using the time to find things i want to buy for her 🎁🎁🎁🎁🎁
* Last night and today binge watched 12 episodes of Normal People,did puzzles,spoke to friends,did minimum of housework…If it wasnt for all the sad news life wd be one long holiday right now xx

Good morning lovely people. Verano – yes if you can get medical grade manuka honey it is great stuff.

Positives from me on a Wednesday morning…
– I’m feeling quite contented which is odd given the current situation, but the new way of living and working suits me
– I’m managing to make time for ‘me’ every day and its probably the first time ever where I’ve done that but its not been lazy, wallowing me time.
– I’m averaging 14000 steps a day and that according to my phone counter which isnt that accurate and doesnt come with me to the stables in the morning so is definitely missing some
– Bank account is recovering from christmas and a hefty vet bill in January, spending is down, car is hardly doing any miles.
– Weightloss looks like its actually going to happen for me….and Im at peace with the process
– Our road has had new telegraph pols and wires installed this week – we might actually get fibre broadband some time this year – this is massive – we are the last house on a single track road and its felt like it would never come!
– I’m still enjoying the black coffee so the coffee with cream is a real treat later in the day.
– work is still working and out plant / yard is still operational which is amazing and a real credit to our management team. Means income and job is more secure than some.
– close family fit and healthy. Wider family has an active group chat on WhatsApp which is nice – my dad is one of 6 and they are spread throughout the world – Scotland, England, Germany, France, Oz – so its nice to have them all represented on the chat, especially as the Oz contingent havent been too well.
– sun is shining, birds are singing, cats are pouncing, mice numbers must be going down…..

Have a good day

Good morning, Team Positive!

I really liked that short video, Yowzer. I am usually an early bird who bounces out of bed in the morning (and runs out of steam by 7pm), but am finding it really hard to get going these days. A simple, short focusing routine was just what I needed to fight back.

While I adore the sun and struggle a bit when it disappears, I am embracing the rain as a bit of variety and a much needed boost for our gardens and crops. Queueing at the supermarket with an umbrella wasn’t all that bad!

I’ve completed some training via webcast. It was great! Interesting, stimulating and a great distraction from the dominant theme of CV. It gave me some ideas for work goals when work gets going again and helped me recapture some motivation and enthusiasm for the job I love.

My vacuum cleaner died, which wasn’t a positive in itself, but meant that I found a great bargain for a sparkly new one and can’t wait for it to be delivered! I confess I’m always delighted by new household appliances, but this is particularly exciting with not much else going on. We are so fortunate that we can still get such things delivered. Hopefully it will arrive before we disappear completely under drifts of dog fur.

I’m really enjoying all the lovely asparagus at the moment. Can’t get enough of it! I appreciate and enjoy all my food so much more thanks to our WOE.

Family and friends are all staying safe. I couldn’t talk to my parents by the window when I delivered their supplies yesterday thanks to heavy rain, but sat in the car on the drive and phoned them, so we could still see each other at a distance while we had a chat. They don’t/won’t use any video call technology, so that was fab!

Lots of love to everyone. I hope your day brings lots of positives.

Hiii folks!
BRYLA Glad that little vid helps – me too – I really like short,simple,helpful! I could just imagine you sitting outside yr parents and talking on the phone! I bet it meant the world to them xx
WINDY 14000 + steps is v v impressive! 👍🏻
My happys for today…
* DD left some flowers at my front door..purple tulips and pink and lilac freesia ( my favourite flower)Already arranged in vase for me 💜
* Dear friend has today posted some masks for me that a lady in her area is making and sending out all over the world.
DD may be back at work v soon,so theyre coming at a very good time.
* Another day has flown by with so many small nice things…a short walk before it rained,puzzles,radio,one or two good things on tv tonight. I feel blessed and contented,as long as I dont think too deeply about how hard this is for many people.
For me,for now,all is ok in my little world.
Keep safe everybody and stay well xxxx

Julz – It’s so important to find time for yourself, especially at the moment. Brilliant steps average … puts me to shame for sure!
Bryla – can empathise with the glooms when there is a lack of sun. Like you, I’ve been yelling myself the plants need the rain right now, to make the grey bearable.
Yowser – How lovely to get surprise flowers. It is amazing how we can fill the days isn’t it? Feels like they are slipping by at an amazing rate.

What positives can I dig up for today …..
1 Lovely chat with Mum and pleased to say she and Dad remain well.
2 Made my version of a Turkish dish for dinner and it worked very well.
3 OH has finished a couple little DIY jobs … only one more to go to completely finish the bedroom. (Yes I know – it was started in Feb!!!)
4 The garden is benefiting from another day of rain.
5 Finished compiling the village news sheet and emailed it to those who like to receive it that way.
6 Got the recycling in the proper bins and out early this evening, so that we don’t forget this week.
7 Wore my new trousers today … fit beautifully and very comfy. Definitely a good purchase.
That’s me for now. Hope your day has brought plenty of positives your way…. we’d love to here about them.

Good evening. I’m sorry not to answer everyone individually but I appreciate your posts so much….. I really do ….. thank you all.
Well, today I had a call from the ‘Lockdown Police’! “Are you staying at home?” ….. do I have a choice!! ….. especially after a second letter from the NHS yesterday! Sorry !
Anyway the positive is that my surgery is concerned about my leg injury and wants to make sure it’s progressing well and also to let me know I can ring my surgery if I have any health problems apart from C19. Really good I guess.
So my second positive ….. just give my a few moments ……. Ahh yes I have some food delivery slots for the next two weeks. I must admit the slots are easier to come by now and I have found them at all sorts of odd times of the day. Also 99% of my order actually arrives!
Not so positive is that I seem to be totally focused on FOOD! I seem to be so consumed with not running out of anything that it’s almost becoming an obsession …. the positive is that I haven’t run out of anything vital yet!!!
Okay, so now I’m struggling to find another positive but hope you are all still keeping well …… as sunshine-girl would say ….. we all just have to keep on keeping on …………

Hi V,snap!
* I got a call from my Gp today,checking if i was ok,and also saying to ring “ even if you just need to talk”… which i thought was very kind
* the Fire Brigade are delivering my prescription this time…looking forward to seeing a hunky guy at my door 🎉🎉🎉
* Had a really nice at a distance chat with three neighbours today..one of them really making us laugh with a funny story….we needed it..another neighbour died last night RIP. Not long back from a long hospital stay. Not sure if it was covid yet. And it was his bday today…he will be partying with the angels,bless him.
Keep well folks and remember ..
its not who you think you are that holds you back,its who you think you are NOT!
Keep going onwards and upwards xxxxxxx

Good to see you posting positives, Verano. Try not to let the food situation stress you too much …. easier said than done I guess, if you’re concerned about running out of vital stock. Hopefully your deliveries contain all the important stuff. Fingers crossed, your leg wound will heal soon. Good that your surgery are being proactive and taking an interest.

Positives for me today ….
1 My new rose bush arrived today. It’s having a good drink at the moment and I’ll get it planted out soon.
2 Menu for tomorrow night’s ‘date night’ finalised and partly prepped.
3 OH has decided to repaint all the doors upstairs …. three bedroom doors and one each for bathroom and toilet. A job long over due so glad it’s getting done.
That’s me for today, for day specific positives. Can you tell us about your positives from today?

Just found this in my inbox..!

Lockdown lingo – are you fully conversant with the new terminology?

*Coronacoaster*
The ups and downs of your mood during the pandemic. You’re loving lockdown one minute but suddenly weepy with anxiety the next. It truly is “an emotional coronacoaster”.
*Quarantinis*
Experimental cocktails mixed from whatever random ingredients you have left in the house. The boozy equivalent of a store cupboard supper. Southern Comfort and Ribena quarantini with a glacé cherry garnish, anyone? These are sipped at “locktail hour”, ie. wine o’clock during lockdown, which seems to be creeping earlier with each passing week.
*Le Creuset wrist*
It’s the new “avocado hand” – an aching arm after taking one’s best saucepan outside to bang during the weekly ‘Clap For Carers.’ It might be heavy but you’re keen to impress the neighbours with your high-quality kitchenware.
*Coronials*
As opposed to millennials, this refers to the future generation of babies conceived or born during coronavirus quarantine. They might also become known as “Generation C” or, more spookily, “Children of the Quarn”.
*Furlough Merlot*
Wine consumed in an attempt to relieve the frustration of not working. Also known as “bored-eaux” or “cabernet tedium”.
*Coronadose*
An overdose of bad news from consuming too much media during a time of crisis. Can result in a panicdemic.
*The elephant in the Zoom*
The glaring issue during a videoconferencing call that nobody feels able to mention. E.g. one participant has dramatically put on weight, suddenly sprouted terrible facial hair or has a worryingly messy house visible in the background.
*Quentin Quarantino*
An attention-seeker using their time in lockdown to make amateur films which they’re convinced are funnier and cleverer than they actually are.
*Covidiot*
One who ignores public health advice or behaves with reckless disregard for the safety of others can be said to display “covidiocy” or be “covidiotic”.
*Goutbreak*
The sudden fear that you’ve consumed so much wine, cheese, home-made cake and Easter chocolate in lockdown that your ankles are swelling up like a medieval king’s.
*Antisocial distancing*
Using health precautions as an excuse for snubbing neighbours and generally ignoring people you find irritating.
*Coughin’ dodger*
Someone so alarmed by an innocuous splutter or throat-clear that they back away in terror.
*Mask-ara*
Extra make-up applied to “make one’s eyes pop” before venturing out in public wearing a face mask.
*Covid-10*
The 10lbs in weight that we’re all gaining from comfort-eating and comfort-drinking. Also known as “fattening the curve.

Yowser that’s made my night.
I’ll pop in in the morning with some positives. Right now I’m positive gin was required and I should go to bed before there’s a snaxident!!

Friday morning positives……
– its friday and i dont have to work all day! Whoop
– I had 2 gins last night and it did not result in snacking! I will make that my one drink of the week and refrain on Saturday.
– Gin was had whilst on a Zoom call to a friend at the other end of the country who has had a rough week. Was lovely to see her, we very rarely see each other in person anyway so it felt like a real treat.
– I’m excited about dinner tonight – mixing it up – instead of the usual salad I’m going to make a wee stirfry with loads of veggies, cajun spices and a touch of chorizo.
– despite feeling peckish in the evenings and feeling like lunch the next day is forever away, by the time morning comes I’m quite happy with my black coffee and find that lunchtime comes round quick enough. This helps with stressing about being hungry in the evenings.
– more small but significant steps forward with my young horse. Massive sense of achievement in that. I will be able to ride him this year…..!
– work is still busy, company making money and although there may be changes afoot, I feel lucky to be relatively secure….
– bit more rain here but without it being horrid. Thats got to help the grass and the plants and all the wildlife.
– I have definitely saved money through lockdown – bank balance is grateful.

Have a good day people, look forward to reading some more positives!!

Thank you Yowzer!
There is a similar page in the Mail today and it’s so good to be able to smile at our ‘new’ lives. GP call for me was a little bitter/sweet but I’ll follow you with it being a act of kindness!
Sunny do you use national or local garden centres to order plants? I have some planters that I bought last year that now need filling.
So to my positives for today …….
1. My grocery order arrived with 98% of the order but with a bonus of two bottles of unordered gin! The store told me to put them down the sink if we don’t drink gin or just enjoy them if we do …… WE DO! Maybe thats 2 positives….
3. Weather has been lovely today.
4. Leg was dressed again today, and improving so we now have a full week before next visit. Pleased because after ‘shielding’ for so long I’m not that happy to have strangers, even district nurses, in the house unless vital.
So that’s four which is my fill for today.
Hope Friday has been positive for everyone and even if it has that Saturday will be even better! Keep well.

V that is a red letter day! Two free bottles gin 🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉 hope you have mixers! Enjoy x
So glad yr leg is getting better
SUNNY wooohooooo! date night has rolled round again! 💜💖xx
I’m going offline for a little while..ipad playing up,maybe Universes way of saying,take a break!
But I’ll be back,like Arnie! Stay safe n well,see y’all again XXXX

Take care Yowzer, stay with us and see you soon!

Oh V, TWO bottles of free gin …. lucky girl!!😉
Yowser, hope you won’t be away from us too long, as your positives are always so uplifting and inspiring …. and often maje me laugh. Take care and come back to us when you are able.

Positives from me for today…..
1 Another lovely ‘date night’ with OH last evening, including a little dance around the living room.
2 Cooked belly pork strips in the style of osso bucco milannaise and it was very good indeed ☺
3 Sunny day today allowed for some gardening.
4 New rose planted in …. fingers crossed it will do well.
5 Treated all rose bushes with neem. Hoping this will keep pest infestations under control.
6 Was concerned about a failing pieris plant, so have moved it from it’s container to the ground in a sheltered a spot, so hoping it will pick up.
7 Repotted my little fir tree to a much bigger container, where I hope it will thrive and not need moving again for a few years.
8 Long chats with a couple of friends, one in the UK and one in Turkey. Everyone well and doing okay
9 A lovely steak with stilton butter for dinner this evening.
10 A particularly effective meditation session today.

All in all the day has been a good one. Hope you too have had a pleasant day and might find time to tell us about the highlights.

Feeling melancholy today – so all the more reason to come to this thread! I’m with you Sunny in enjoying all the changes in the garden:
1) All my transplanted plants seem to be thriving – I have been trying to re-create clumps of alchemilla, geraniums, heuchera and cornflowers. They all seem to migrate and leave an empty middle. So pleased that the transplants are taking.
2) A recalcitrant hydrangea is finally producing flowers after 5 years of uninteresting foliage and nothing else. We were about to give up on it, so a bonus to see the buds appearing.
3) Cosmos seedlings have germinated. It’s a simple pleasure to see how much they grow each day.
4) Woods are full of wild garlic – fantastic brilliant white firework flowers to enjoy. (Olive belated thanks for the soup recipe, will be making courgette and wild garlic soup based on it.)
5) Managed to arrange the shopping for my parents in the UK. The system now seems to be settling down – touch wood. Real relief.
Good to see nature continuing undimmed. Keep healthy one and all. And V, I am jealous of your free gin. Don’t drink it all at once! xx

Caronl, hope you are feeling brighter today. It seems like me, you find the wonders of your plants inspiring and calming.

Positives from me ……
1 Chat with a neighbour at acceptable distance.
2 Veg fermentation book arrived today …. exciting! Itching to get a couple of jars set up.

It’s been a quiet day with not a lot happening, so it’s just two for today, but that’s good enough. What was your positive today?

Quick little focus on the positives for me…..
– getting a good amount of walking in, and even ran 4k on saturday. Prefer the walking though!
– manged to do some things to help my neighbour over the weekend, she’s having a rough time so nice to be able to actually help in a small way
– work is still ticking along which is good.
– still sharing a home office with hubby and we are still friends
– saw a tawny owl last night when out walking
– making it into week 3 for the first time ever without feeling ready to give in….

Putting me to shame with all that walking, Julz and congrats to getting into week 3!!!

Positives from me today …..
1 OH feeling better today, but glad he decided to take a day out to relax and didn’t rush to return to work.
2 Completely hooked on cauli, broccoli and asparagus roasted with butter and various spices. Was part of dinner again this evening.
3 Messaging with G in India …. he’s well I’m pleased to say.
4 Friend in Turkey out of intensive care and beginning physio to help him rebuild muscle after his weeks in a coma.

Whatever your positive/s has been, do come and tell us about it.

Thanks SunnyB, and glad your OH is feeling better. How long do you roast the asparagus for? I’ve just taken delivery of a 1kg direct from a farm, so ideas very welcome!

1) Another beautiful sunny day. Have just enjoyed a lovely walk in the woods – lots of dappled sunshine and shade, fresh greenery and birdsong. Good for the soul!
2) Cut my fringe today and it doesn’t look silly. And realised that I am not nearly as grey as I thought I was. No roots showing, so a definite plus!
3) Into a new kilo in the right direction. KOKO

Have a good day everyone.

Yay for the kg and the fringe caronl! Go you!!

Glad your OH is feeling better Sunny. In fact, glad of all of your post!

Little Wednesday positives from me:
– was able to get the vet to look at horse with a sore eye, she’s a wee ulcer we can treat, looks ok apart from that. This is good. Can hopefully avoid another visit!
– little horse (sorry – i have 5, its confusing and almost always something positive to find with them, this is number 4 of 5) got his first full set of shoes on yesterday and felt much happier riding on the road.
– weather is still rather lovely. Helps with keeping the walking up.
– I think i’ve just fought off a hungry and feeling sorry for myself with no harm other than a small full fat yogurt with cinnamon. Roll on dinner time!
– work is going well from a selfish career progressing, business learning point of view.
– household still fit and well.