Hi,
Well this is a late edition for a Friday. Given the choice between gassing on and having a nap, well, the forty winks won lids down. There was a little too much week at the end of the brainpower, so an emergency power save function was called.
We’re still keeping the heating off, although as Child 2.0 has one of the coldest rooms, he’s got his storage heater on, bless him. For the rest of the house, we’re in comfy plus sized hoodies, blankets, and heat pads if it gets nippy. Our dogs have coats as well, but as they don’t have thick fur, it would feel mean otherwise.
While it’s fairly easy to layer up for your body, legs can be trickier. It’s that balance of keeping warm, but not being hot, if that makes sense. Thermal leggings can be a bit much, so I’m currently switching between my Lynn leggings or footless tights. I seem to have found some fabulous colour pop ones in a blue jade and another in dark berry. Still, a nice change from black opaques.
Some nice news
The amazing Mermaids charity have had a rough ride of it of late. What with abuse and vilification in the press, bless them. They’ve launched a Crowdfunding campaign and if you can spare a few quid, that would be awesome. You might also want to read the comments, as they are heartfelt, supportive, and beautiful. In a world that often seems to sell on fear and hatred, when people come together and rise against that, well, it warms my heart.
As an aside, you might also be interested in The Good Law Project’s upcoming challenge to the ‘charity status’ awarded to a group who campaign against trans rights. That and said Project’s investigation into the source of money around the alleged infiltration of The National Trust by ‘anti woke’ people.
Some good news
I had my last counselling appointment this week. It wasn’t the end of the run, as it where, but I felt that the specialist, our conversations, and the advice offered, had slowly lifted me out from the mess I was in.
Am I magically cured? No, because that’s not how it works. I guess it’s a bit like not being unwell. It’s a steady thing that builds with occasional false summits and hidden drops, but in time, you realise you’re further along than you’d hoped.
Like staying healthy, I think it’s going to be a case of keeping an eye on things. Not letting the ‘busy box’ in my head get too full and to actively ensure there’s enough of an air gap at the top. I’ve heard it’s not great to run an engine at near full revs all of the time, so while a person is absolutely not a machine, maybe it’s important to remember that some days, you just need to do less. Maybe something can wait while I take the time to have a cup of tea, watch the birds in the garden, or let my toenail polish dry.
I don’t think it’s about slacking off, but knowing I cannot run a full throttle, five days a week, every week.
So, here’s easing into the weekend and wishing you a good one, whatever you get up to.
L x
Just remember that any sword has two blades, i.e. the news can be good or bad.
Like everybody else, I prefer more of the good stuff !
But I am still waiting to see the likes Trump and others get their comeuppance
Yes, one person’s good news might be at the expense of another. But I think we need to be wary of harsh, or even reductionist, binaries, where complex situations are boiled down to yes/no. IMO, life is rarely that simple.
Would recommend visiting positive.news for a break from the doomscrolling.
As to certain figures getting their comeuppance, I couldn’t possibly comment 😉 For anyone involved in punching down, removing another person’s rights, being corrupt, etc; I remain hopeful the truth will out and the facts will catch up with such offenders.
Glad to hear the counselling has given positive results ❤️
I do find that doing my nails is very relaxing, I sometimes find myself doing them just because I like to , even though I have no intention of dressing that day.
Maybe concentrate on doing that boots out some other worries I would be having at the time.
Yes, me too 😁 If I think back to the support/coaching stuff I do – and I’ll stress here I’m not a counselor – my experience is people need someone who’ll listen to them. That and the process of that shared reflection and another’s questioning, helps a person find what they need.
Going through the above helped me not just express what I was going through, but hear about how other people cope, what experts think on the matter, and see how that fitted with what was going on in my life, family life, and work.
Maybe there’s an element of hearing about other people’s stories, that helped me feel… well, both not alone and also silence the goblin of “FFS, just get your sh** together and stop bleating on”.
Shall we talk about nails instead? 💅 Now you’ve said about focusing on that task and doing them because you like to, that seems very familiar. Funny, I spend time doing them for Thursday, but I could probably do them at home. I suppose the key risk would be having them spotted during online meetings, but not every day has those. Plus, maybe nude colours? Thanks, Izzy, that’s given me a few ideas!
I have used a water based peel off beige/sand coloured one a few times. Been to the shop with it on, don’t think anyone would notice.
Abitzon is the brand, but they mainly seem to do packages rather than one off colours, got it from Amazon
Thanks. I’ll have a look.
Your brilliant opening paragraph deserves an award ! (No, not like Father Jack; a real one!)
Hope you can keep warm this winter in the Jones household. You have the right idea about keeping legs warm; I also like a long-sleeved vest top for my chilly arms and M&S does some decent ones. My black M&S one with gold sparkly flecks is a particular favourite as it looks chic, can be used as a top or an undergarment and is very warm. Recommended.
I’m disgusted to hear about what has happened to Mermaids in the UK. Thank you for the link to their crowdfunding. They already have a legacy in my will and I just wish they’d been around when I was a kid.
Look after yourself and do look for support among friends. My friends have given me better support over the years than any paid professional.
Sue xx
Careful now! 😉 That very episode was on last night and it’s such a good cast.
We’re keeping warm enough, I think. Layering seems to be the trick as you can add/remove as required. I’d forgotten about the sparkly M&S thermal top. They are very pretty with the flecks. I think I bought one for Mrs J in a festive red. I think that’s the same a a regular red, but it’s only for the run up to Xmas 😉
There’s a certain unpleasantness that’s been festering in the UK on a hunt for someone to blame (or to distract the public with) and it’s the turn of trans people. Mermaids do an amazing job and i do not exaggerate when I say their work saves lives. I say that as both a trans person and the parent of a trans teen. The idea of leaving them a donation in your will, I think that’s fabulous. Also, should any of your family be about, you can enjoy a good cackle as you’re playing on your harp 😁
Hurray for nice news and good news. Good to read that the counselling has helped lift you out of the mess you were in.
Stay healthy Lynn.
Best Wishes
Lotte x
PS
Sorry for the late reply to your post
No need to apologise. Life fills the time I guess.
To go back to your earlier comment, it’s helped steady the ship. There’s still days were I feel wound up, but I’m hoping they are the minority.