66 and beyond!

Friday - and another good sleep, but David is definitely there (or back).

I really enjoyed my return to the library yesterday - and did an hour of sorting and shredding. I went to the public library too and returned one book & collected another. In the evening I had a Buddhist study meeting which was inspiring. And I didn't do any other exercise yesterday, and went to bed quite early. I did a lot of sewing, and listening to an audio book I'm enjoying.

A friend recommended that I sign up for a weekly activity at the Newlyn Art Gallery called Tea, Cake and Art! At the moment it's on zoom - but I'm joining the next one, which is Tuesday afternoon, next week.

Today I have a book study with my Buddhist buddy, LT on zoom. And this evening I am tuning into a study session with the WEA which is "A gentle stroll through the origins, myths and history of apples" (from Eden onwards)



This afternoon I'm planning to go out and 'do' the Town Trail. Something I've done before, but want to re-visit. It looks like it might rain - I'll wait and see.

I have been craving something chewy to eat - and this morning was inspired to try to create something healthy to meet the need. So I took a couple of Medjool dates and stuffed them with some chopped dried apricots, a bit of shredded coconut, a dab of sunflower butter, a sprinkle of cacao and a pinch of salt. I've wrapped them up and put them in the freezer to firm up. I'm hoping they will be like a chewy toffee!

Later: I did 25 mins of the town trail until I became too stressed out by the crowds! There are groups of people and although a few people are wearing masks - most are behaving like there's no reason to be careful at all. Our current 'risk' is very low here - almost 1 in 2,000 - but we have holiday visitors coming now, so it has to be a bit higher than that, and everyone has just ditched the 2m rule. Even my Buddhist friend told me that she had a friend down to stay (in her holiday house) and that they'd spent 2 days together - indoors as well (which isn't allowed yet) - I didn't say anything, but was really surprised that she either didn't know, or decided the rule didn't apply to her and her friend. Sigh.

Even later: I haven't done any exercise apart from walking for TWO WHOLE DAYS - what's happened to me? My bed seems far more appealing - and that's where I'm heading now - maybe I just need a 'rest' for a couple of days.

Edited by: SWEETENUFGILL at: 4/16/2021 (14:16)

Thursday - and another blissful sleep (I'm wondering whether David upstairs is away?)

I went out for a 30 min walk around the block this morning at a7am before things got busy - it was nice out. It's sunny, but looks a bit unsettled although it's forecast to last all day.

I could do with getting some washing done - perhaps I'll make that effort NOW!



I did the laundry. And did an hour at the library.



Edited by: SWEETENUFGILL at: 4/16/2021 (14:15)

Wednesday

and I slept really well (I've had about three good nights, which is wonderful!). The sun is shining, and today I'm going to Trewidden with Justin. It shouldn't be crowded, and we'll walk across the footpaths to get there, so nice and quiet there too.

I've sent an email excusing myself from this evening's Cornish lesson - I have a Buddhist meeting this evening too, and although I could manage the two in succession time-wise, I can't manage it emotionally or brain-wise! I feel better for having relieved myself of the pressure!

Later: the sun held up all day - and we ended up carrying our jackets and jumpers! It was a lovely outing - we ambled around for about 4 hours - lost our path in the woods and enjoyed the back-tracking - it was lovely to have someone to amble with - I went much more slowly, and observed more, than I would have done on my own. I was really tired when I got home and put my feet in a bowl of hot water with lavender and geranium oils. I could totally go to sleep now, but have a Buddhist meeting to attend at 19.30, so must stay awake! There were no people on the walk there or back (on the footpaths), and the Garden was fairly quiet too. It was so relaxing - unlike St Ives yesterday!



Edited by: SWEETENUFGILL at: 4/14/2021 (12:39)

Separate post as I thought this was important and exciting research - I always knew that if I ate sugar, or bread (or pizza or pasta or pastry), I'd feel really hungry a couple of hours later - it really throws my appetite off. This research finally shows that some people are 'big dippers' and some are 'small dippers' which explains why it affects some people more than others.

newsdirect.com/news/latest-study-led-by-zo
e-reveals-why-some-of-us-are-hungry-al
l-the-time-129731511

summary video from Prof Tim Spector
youtu.be/TWK8ZKtCNJo

In depth discussion with lead scientists on the research
youtu.be/0HklGIIykqo

Edited by: SWEETENUFGILL at: 4/13/2021 (13:03)

Tuesday - and I feel brighter today! Monday brought lots of positive things - I had a chat on the phone with my friend CB in St Ives, and have decided to go over there on the bus this morning, and meet her for a coffee - just to get used to being a bit farther from home again.

I had several things 'arrive' yesterday too - a box of 7 lateral flow tests (made in China), a new pair of trainers, a BLURT box of self-care goodies for April, and I collected a new kettle from the store (as mine had broken). I met someone I know at the store and had a nice chat (he suffers with depression so we understand each other). The sun shone too. I did a workout, and did bedtime yoga. Also Justin and I have arranged to walk to Trewidden together tomorrow (instead of running). So I have things to look forward to.

Town was completely transformed yesterday - the first day non-essential shops were open, pubs and cafes serving outdoors, hairdressers/barbers etc. The town was buzzing with people and there was a nice vibe. The queues of men standing outside the barbers shop was amazing! The car park was full and people were walking around with carrier bags - like Xmas! I had my mask on/off as I felt I needed it. The risk is currently very low, but I still look at people and think that they might just be the 1 in 10,000 who is infected!!!

This morning I did my first lateral flow test and it was negative. I'll do one every 4 days now, as long as they're available. I feel more reassured knowing I'm not currently infected, more reassured than being vaccinated actually!

So - today I'm off on the bus to St Ives.

Later: It was busy in St Ives, but I wore my mask and was brave. I waited in this quiet place by the war memorial whilst my friend went into the book shop


We had a nice coffee at the beach - we were able to sit at a table in the fresh air right on the beach.

This is the photo from where I was waiting for the bus home


So, in all, I had 4 hours of exposure to more people than I've been in contact with for the past year! But it was good to get out, and to also meet up with people I know in St Ives and have a short conversation.

Edited by: SWEETENUFGILL at: 4/13/2021 (12:54)

It’s sad to hear you are feeling down. These continue to be hard times for many people across the world. That some people, because they are vaccinated or won’t be bothered are going out without precautions isn’t helping. It pushes the vulnerable further into isolation. I felt a need to come to grips with passing a masked stranger on the sidewalk was okay. Inevitable in the city, or town. I read an article by a woman taking the science that passing 6 feet away from an unmasked person outside there is very remote chance of transmission. She also writes about the psychology of how hard that is for her and her neighbors in a well masking part of Brooklyn. Seeing a light at the end of a tunnel gives hope and anticipation. Both can be hard emotionally.

I didn't speak to another human being over the weekend. Messages, yes, but actually speaking - not a soul.

It's up to me to pick up the phone I guess - though I'm not sure what I have to say!

Monday - and I slept well. It's a nice, crisp sunny morning here. The rest of my family all report snow again today - a light sprinkling, but laying because it's cold enough for it not to melt.

I look forward to my Monday book study with LT on zoom. And later I am walking over to the Argos outlet (in Sainsbury's) to pick up a new electric kettle as mine stopped working last week. A new kettle will give me a bit of a lift I think - small as it is - it's kind of an expression of safety and self-care.

My weight is stable at a good number. I've gradually reduced it over the past 6 months and I'm happy with the way that's going.

I'm still not up to running. I did some rebounding yesterday and only managed 10 mins before my calves started feeling stressed - so that's another indicator of an area that needs regular strengthening. I've started trying to skip - which gets me breathless very quickly. I did a jump that was a bit heavy and my knee let me know immediately!

I'm still feeling a bit undecided about various things - but I think that my mental confusion is in-line with the upheaval in society generally - today sees the 'opening up' of self-catering accommodation - so this morning the local radio is already reporting the evidence of people arriving overnight in Cornwall (from the Midlands and London) and stopping at Cornwall Services for haircuts (as the barbers and hairdressers are open again today)! Sybil has her beach chalet ready with flowers and goodies for her visitors to arrive. It's going to be quite a jolt to suddenly have holidaying people here at the same time as the local community starts going out and about as well. Perhaps it's just as well to get it all over at once.

In the UK we now have access to two lateral flow tests a week (free) - so I've ordered my first box of 7. We're supposed to test ourselves every 3-4 days. I'm not sure if, once we receive them, we have to use them - or whether we can keep them for occasions when we might need to know our status.

With my emotional state being a little more fragile I've found myself gravitating back towards YWA - and today I've got bedtime yoga on my list of 'things to do'

Sunday - and I slept well, but woke feeling quite low in mood - even though the sun is shining.

I find it quite unsettling to see/hear my neighbour moving out. She has a team of grandchildren helping her. Looks like she's off today. It feels like a loss even though I don't know her really well. We talk in passing, and text each other about our walks etc.

On Saturday I managed to do some indoor walking (about 20 mins), Kyle Kranz's strength workout (15 mins) and a 10 min Spark video upper body workout with resistance bands. My new resistance bands (I had to replace mine as they'd rotted and had broken) - are too strong - even the 'light' one! Either that or I've become very weak.

Then, because I hadn't spoken to anyone all day - I logged onto zoom to join the music session on the Cornish Language Weekend programme. I've bottled out of the actual language classes, but it was fun to join in with the singing and it did make me feel better, more connected. That, in turn, made me think of the other factors involved with the Cornish language learning and the volunteering at the cafe/gallery - both of these things help me to stay connected to different sections of the local community - and this is important. So - getting my priorities sorted out - I will continue with the evening classes and the disorganised community hub volunteering - and view them as my connecting things. Connecting is important to me.

I started today with coffee and reading. Then did YWA for neck and shoulders, which was lovely.

Today the tide is low at midday - and I'm going to take a coffee down there and sit a-while before lunch.

I feel sad today - and a bit lonely. But I'll be OK - I might do a guided meditation later. I might look up a YWA for loneliness (I'm sure there is one).

A wake up call ... intriguing.

Saturday - I had a sudden wake-up call in the night, which I perceived as being three raps on the window or door. I half-woke, and heard nothing.......... so not sure if I dreamt it or not. This might sound a bit kooky, but I went through a phase of being woken by knocks or bells a few years' ago which a healer told me were wake-up calls - I was advised to ask "what do you want?" but last night, I just went back to sleep wondering! I do have a lot of indecisions going on in my head right now.

One of my neighbours told me she's moving to London to live near her daughter. Another couple of flats have recently become empty due to people dying - and I don't know many people who live here really! The position of my flat is such that I don't see the people who live 'upstairs' very often.

I was awake about 6am, made coffee and read for an hour - then I went out for a half-hour walk before breakfast. My knees are still not 100%, but a lot better.

Today - hmm - not sure beyond sewing and reading. I have, however, lined up some little adventures for myself. From Monday, 12th April, all the non-essential shops are allowed to open, and cafes can serve people outdoors. That's going to make a difference.

Onward.

Later: I've had a nice day. Done a lot of stitching and enjoyed listening to an audio book. It's been busy outside - there's a neighbour moving out. There was an ambulance parked outside for about 2 hours attending to someone in a house over the road, and of course, they keep their motors running for all their equipment. I thought it might be helpful for me to write a list of pros and cons of living in this flat - I'm pretty sure the pros outweigh the cons, but sometimes it doesn't feel like it!


Edited by: SWEETENUFGILL at: 4/10/2021 (11:16)

Friday - and I had an undisturbed sleep - waking around 7am! Great!

The sun is shining too!

Today I have book study on zoom with LT, then some grocery shopping for the weekend, and collecting my 'Yellow Stew' from the restaurant.

Today's exercise is a bit of Groovy Yoga (DVD I have), and have another go at the 10 min ab routine (see if I've made any progress). The strength is definitely something I need to make a priority - since doing the 'rehab' type routines for my knee pain I've discovered I can only do a max of 10 secs doing a wall-sit! I was shocked at how weak my quads were! But with Kyle Kranz, and another running physio on YouTube called James Dunne, I've got some regular routines going.

I need to dust and mop my floors - I get on top of the house-cleaning routines, then find I've let them slip again!

Later: Everything went to plan today - food shopping, nice lunch, exercise etc.

You (Brian and Harry in particular) might appreciate this - my friend, LT (she and her husband are both overweight and struggle with food) told me that her Dad (who lives with them and is diabetic) had bought her a bag of sweets (which she said was a nice thing for him to do); and that when she'd been out she'd bought her Dad a pasty and her husband a bar of chocolate. Of course, I didn't say anything about this - but inside I was screaming !!!!

My yellow stew was lovely - the yellow courgettes still had just the right amount of 'bite' in them, the sauce was creamy and delicious. I added half a cup of rice, and a big helping of fresh coriander, and a small handful of cashews (otherwise it was just courgette and coconut with a few peas in it).



Edited by: SWEETENUFGILL at: 4/9/2021 (15:59)

Thursday - and I slept quite well, but woke several times in the night. I had my earplugs in, but I think the strange dreams and the waking was caused by me hearing noises upstairs whilst I was asleep. I'm glad I don't have to get up and go to work any more - otherwise I'd be concerned about the broken sleep. As it is, I can cope.

I was up at 5am, sat in my bedroom for coffee with the window open so I could hear the day begin, and wrapped in a blanket, read for an hour.

Today I have a Mind & Body session at 10.30 on-line. That's my only deadline today.

I want to make a good inroad into the next cross-stitch piece - I've completed 33% of the project so far. It's grey and cold out today - so nice to be able to stay home and keep warm and cosy.

The library where I volunteer is able to open again (by appointment only - still all Covid-secure systems in place) on 12th April, so I'll be back doing the banking once a fortnight, and the librarian has said I can go in and do archive work as I'm on my own in the room. So, I've said I'll do every Thursday morning.

I'm also re-considering the other volunteer job I started at the community cafe/hub/gallery place. I think, if I'm honest, it's too chaotic for me. I think I'm going to withdraw from that and look for something else - perhaps something that brings me into contact with younger people, or something to do with encouraging people to exercise, like a walk-leader or buddy of some kind. I'll keep my eyes and ears open for opportunities.

Later: I sent an email to the wildlife sanctuary (Paradise Park) in Hayle to ask about volunteering opportunities there.

I ordered a vegan meal to collect tomorrow - it's a 'Yellow Stew' made with yellow courgettes, peas, coconut milk etc - Thai style. I'll cook a bit of rice to go with it. I also ordered a box of their homemade sauerkraut to try. I've not got on well with it in the past, but thought the homemade, fresh, might be better than the stuff in the jars!




Edited by: SWEETENUFGILL at: 4/8/2021 (13:50)

As well as the Kyle Kranz routine yesterday, I followed his 15 min foam roller video, and then I joined a live class on YouTube with Standing Pilates for Seniors (The Girl with the Pilates Mat) - which was really good. I'm so glad I discovered her - she makes it so very do-able and enjoyable. I always steered away from Pilates because my early experiences were of stick-thin women being fanatically strict about it. It's much more accessible now.

Yesterday evening and night I had David upstairs groaning/moaning (I'm assuming pain - but it sounds like the kind of noise you'd get in the emergency room if someone is in acute pain, waiting to be seen!) As I've said before, there's nothing I can do (except chant for him). I'm getting used to his life-noises now, so I feel OK about putting on music, and doing my chanting. In bed, I drifted off to sleep and woke at 00.30 thinking it was morning, then put ear-plugs in and went back to sleep. I was up at least once in the night and went to the loo, and re-arranged my ear-plugs - then I didn't see the day until 08.45!!! So I got dressed before making coffee today!

I have my blood donation at 14.50. I have a live 'stretch & flex' class as 12.30. The scale was down another 2.5lbs this morning. So, as soon as I take the pastry type carbs, and the sugar, out of my diet, my body lets go. I got interested in the microbes a long time ago, but it's becoming quite mainstream now, and I find myself almost talking to them, because the cause-and-effect really makes sense to me now: I have a day when I eat bread, pastry and/or sugar - and the next day I find I'm looking for more of the same. My dear little microbes have had a party and the 'baddies' have the upper-hand for a while. I have to starve them out! I did this really successfully yesterday because I KNOW that a good lentil dahl with greens is a meal my body LOVES. It works (for me!).

I don't listen any more to any of the dietary advice about calories in v calories out - it's nutrition in v energy out.

I have to go and check my exercise plan on the N.E.W team to see what I'm doing today - I see it's an 'ab workout' day too. There's a 10 min ab workout on the Healthy Cornwall website, which I still can't do all the way through - it kills me! So I'm determined to keep doing it!

youtu.be/m_LAey4rGzU

The weather has gone a bit crazy here with my sister (in Staffordshire), my brother (in Kent) and my daughter-in-law (in North Somerset) all posted videos of snow falling, and 10 mins later blue skies again! We've had cold air here, but no snow or rain yet. At least now here in town, by the sea.

My knees are getting better - I am sure it's muscle strain. Justin is banging on about me having more supportive shoes, but I just say "good suggestion" whilst knowing that I'm in the other camp. I'm not into the 'orthotic' insoles group with super-supportive shoes - I've been in the minimalist/barefoot camp for a long time and my gait check at the running store (was it 2018/2019?) told me I had really minimal pronation and a really straight, strong, well-supported foot when I run. So, I think it's a matter of staying strong - not propping muscles up with support. I'm very much in the minimalist camp on this one - so a discussion with him wouldn't be productive! I will, however, see if I can get a pair of the 'good' running shoes that the running shop recommended - which are a Saucony zero-drop minimalist shoe.

Later: The Stretch & Flex was really great - felt very beneficial, gentle enough, but also building up strength. I was pleased that the blood donation went well - I only had to have one finger-prick today and my finger is fine (the nurse didn't squeeze my finger hard like the nurse did last time - I read that you shouldn't squeeze the finger when doing a finger-prick). She asked me how much I weighed, to make sure I'm not under the minimum weight - that was kind of flattering I suppose. We had a little discussion about exercise and she said she hadn't been doing anything - she works, and has a 5yr old etc, and not being able to exercise with others in real time for the past year or so. I told her about Keep Fit with Rick on YouTube - maybe she'll check it out.

I was also really pleased that I wasn't even remotely interested in the Kit-Kat or Orange Club that was offered afterwards - but I had to have one of their snacks to replace carbs/sugar quickly I suppose - so I chose plain crisps and a drink of water. I felt so pleased that I didn't use the blood donation as a reason to say "yes" to chocolate biscuits!



Edited by: SWEETENUFGILL at: 4/7/2021 (14:54)

Your Easter super look delicious. Like there are lots of different flavors going on. Getting more then one meal stretches the cost of buying ready made. Glad you enjoyed it. Sorry to hear your knee is still hurting you. You are doing all the right things, rest and gentle strengtheners.

It sounds like you and CB found the right beach to visit for the conditions. Glad you could enjoy some sunshine and friend time.

Tuesday - and the scale is back down 2.25lbs - phew! I worked hard to stay 'on-track' yesterday.

I did a core workout late evening, which was OK on the knees, and slept really well. I woke at 5.45am and made coffee and listened to the birds from the kitchen window as it was cold out. Then I took coffee back to my bedroom and read for a while.

Today I have a Pilates live on You Tube at 16.30 (for seniors) - and I'm going to do a Kyle Kranz workout - the one with the donkey kicks, fire hydrants, clams etc.

Apart from that - there's some veggies to buy, some ironing still to do, sewing, reading - and that's about it. Blood donation tomorrow (hopefully).

Edited by: SWEETENUFGILL at: 4/6/2021 (03:13)

Monday

and I was really quite forlorn to see the number on the scale this morning 118.75 - up 2.75lbs just from having that Easter dinner. Still, it does go to prove that I'm not imagining that things like sugar, pastry, potato DO cause me to gain weight.

I know it's only temporary on this occasion - and I've woken up with a ravenous hunger - again, proving that those foods cause a blood-sugar leptin/ghrelin disruption! So - with great determination I will sit with my hunger today until it gets back to my 'normal' place.

I think the most damaging things I had yesterday were actually the hot chocolate I had in the evening (it was a hot-chocolate kit as a 'treat' - with a lump of vegan chocolate on a stick that you melt in the milk, and a few vegan mini-marshmallows) - it was very sweet, and, frankly, I didn't need it! I also drank a bottle of 'root beer' which is something I don't usually drink - which contained sweeteners and some sugar.

My bruised knee is still feeling like that, so I'm not running. I am, however, going to get a good walk done, as I'm going to meet CB at a cafe at Marazion, which is a good 30 min walk each way for me each way.

I'm going to do my sewing project - I'm enjoying this so much.

I woke at 5.15am today, took coffee to the doorstep and listened to the seagulls. Two local cats discovered me today and stopped, with a shocked expression on their faces, and just looked at me before moving on with their morning patrol! I sat there for about half an hour, until the blackbirds began their song about 20 mins before dawn. It's good to be doing this again, although my head was busy this morning - probably because of the scale.

Later: there was a really cold north-westerly wind today, but CB and I got a coffee and went down onto the beach (sandy at Marazion, not pebbles like Penzance) and it was south-facing and sheltered enough for us to take our coats off and get warmed by the sun!

I'm going to take the rest of the week off from running and see if my knees recover from whatever I did to them.

Edited by: SWEETENUFGILL at: 4/5/2021 (13:13)

My 'before' pictures are more beautiful than the 'after' pics - I couldn't manage it all for lunch, so had the potatoes and left-over carrots and peas in a 'salad' for tea.
before:



after cooking/serving:


I went out for a sunny walk round town before lunch, and did YWA before tea. All is well.

Edited by: SWEETENUFGILL at: 4/4/2021 (13:52)

Have a restful Easter Sunday.

Easter Sunday - and I woke at 5am, got up, made coffee, sat at the doorstep with my blanket - and was delighted to hear the start of the dawn chorus.

It's turned grey and cold - not very enticing out there today. Never mind. Justin messaged me to say he was up for running today, so I messaged back to say "sorry, but my knees are a bit cranky, so I'm not going running today" I wonder if he'll run on his own - I hope so.

So - what's happening today? Well, there are pancakes for breakfast for sure. There is some chanting to do - the first Sunday of each month all the members around the world chant for world peace based on respect for life.

Then, of course, there will be my lovely Easter dinner. I bought a bottle of root beer to have with it - a very unusual thing for me to buy!

Apart from that - I guess I'll get out for a walk at some point, maybe. And get on with the sewing project.

My kettle stopped working yesterday - so having to boil water in the saucepan. Thanks to the power of the internet, I've already ordered a new one to collect tomorrow from Argos at Sainsbury's, Eastern Green!

Edited by: SWEETENUFGILL at: 4/4/2021 (02:26)

Thanks for the tip. I've got a nice Pilates workout for knees which involves hips and glutes (and core). This is, I think, more of a kind of DOMS after using my muscles more than usual. Another thing, I suspect, is that the 10k training I'm doing requires me to use a much slower cadence than I am used to - which is better in terms of stamina and breath, but harder on the knees. I might modify that and see if it helps. I've just revisited Kyle Kranz (thanks for the reminder).

I'll take a photo of my dinner (of course!) - there was a nice box of salad too, half of which I had with my salad at lunch-time. I haven't uncovered the dinner yet - it's got to go in the oven for a maximum of 10 mins at 180c, with a few spoons of water to moisten it. The dessert is a chocolate mouse with fresh fruit and nuts and looks beautiful!

Edited by: SWEETENUFGILL at: 4/4/2021 (02:11)

Well thought self care on the knee pain. I’ll still remind you runner’s knee pain is usually weakness in the hips and glutes. Might want to add some strengtheners into your routine. Sitting by the door sounds nice. I miss my back porch.

Hope you enjoy your Easter dinner tomorrow.

Saturday - and I found myself awake at 1.30am last night. I woke again before morning, but didn't check the clock (guess it could well have been 3am!) Perhaps I'm excited about today and collecting my Easter dinner from the restaurant?! I looked up how to say 'thank you' in Polish and wrote it on a post-it note to give to the chef.

My right knee (not the joints fortunately, but the muscles around the knee) were causing me some grief in bed, so at 1.30am I got up and found my Arnica cream and put some on my knee. It's a lot better this morning - just stiffens up if I spend too much time in one position with my knee bent (ie sitting or kneeling). I think it's just due to the running every other day, and the workouts I've been doing too which involve lunges and squats etc. I'm going to do floor-based exercise today and I don't think I'll run on Sunday.

I was awake before 6am, so I made a coffee, set my stool up just inside my front door, got a blanket, and set my timer for 10 mins - just listening to the birds etc. I ended up sitting there for half-an-hour. It's just amazing how much difference it makes to be in the open, and not just by an open window. The birdsong was lovely.

I got dressed, had breakfast, did my morning chanting practice and then went off to the shops the long way - along the sea-front, and then back up through town - which, in effect was walking two sides of the triangle to get from A to B. It was so good to do that whilst it was quiet out.

Shopping done. I have to go out a midday to collect my food order. I may go down to the beach at low-tide again this afternoon - it's a good time, around 15.45h - and take my Saturday ice-cream with me. A vegan Magnum has been on my Saturday menu for the past three weeks now. It's a nice treat.

So - back to the stitching - it's coming on well. I'll post another photo later.

Later: the sun disappeared this afternoon, but I still took a thermal cup of tea down to the beach and sat there for 20 mins or so, and it was nice. A bit later, there was some Cornish traditional music in the park - all socially distanced, and I listened to that for a while. Someone I know was there with her husband, who has dementia - so sad.

Here's my latest photo - the colours don't show up very well on the photo.



PS I tried to say 'thank you' in Polish - and the chef said I had a good accent! Well, he was undoubtedly being kind, as it seems like a very difficult language to pronounce, to me anyway. Dziekuje Bardzo it was a nice interaction to have though - I was glad I made the effort.





Edited by: SWEETENUFGILL at: 4/3/2021 (15:07)

Good Friday

I've been waking around 3am lately, then having a sip of water and putting my head back down for a couple of hours. Same last night.

I had a really nice run this morning - it was week 5 of the 10k program, and still quite tough for me due to the length of it - I feel it in my knees. But in a good way. It was especially nice today because the coast path that goes from Penzance eastwards towards Marazion has been 'released' from it's renovation work for the Easter holidays. Half of it has been re-surfaced and is very nice. But to be allowed along it again was a real treat - running beside the sea is lovely. Not many people out, but I wore a mask because there were people walking dogs, or walking slowly with sticks etc, who I needed to pass - it seems respectful to me, to wear a mask. I was out for an hour, and did just 7.8k.

I met a friend/ex-colleague for a cuppa this afternoon - which we took down to the beach and had a good catch-up which was nice. It's been sunny all day, so I got a couple of wool sweaters washed - got them almost dry on the line.

That is great. You keep taking care of you. Enjoy your run.

I'm feeling a lot better. I went out for a second walk this afternoon - and as the tide was low enough, I sat in the sunshine on the beach for 10 mins 'mindfully' watching the sea. I miss those mindful starts to the day when I used to sit on my doorstep with a blanket over my PJs!

The park, when I walked through, was busy this afternoon - it was warm and sunny, and there were lots of people sitting on the grass, and the people who have substance addiction challenges are now out and take over the benches in the middle of the park. It changes the atmosphere. However, there are other places to go.

Justin has just messaged me to say he won't manage to run on Friday (tomorrow) or Sunday - maybe Tuesday. Whilst I am bit concerned about him, it has taken me back to where I was a couple of days ago where I said I won't change my plans for him. I'm going to keep going with my every-other-day runs.

Thinking of ways to improve on a recipe can be a fun addition to the treat itself. Robin is 4 ... wow.

I hope you get your mood swing the right way. I have a lot of time on my hands to feel the pendulum swing of mood through a day. We will keep positive.

The Easter Eggs could be improved I think. If I made them again, I think I'd use ground almonds with orange zest mixed into it, so that there was a nice moist, orange flavour right through. Or use vanilla and coconut for the 'white' and ground almonds and orange zest for the 'yolk'.



So - Thursday - and I kind of turned a corner this morning, deciding I need to be more pro-active in picking myself up moodwise. So, several good things happened today.

I got the laundry done while the sun was shining.
I picked up the April book club book from the library, and renewed my library card and got given a cute new card from the children's collection with an illustration of a Cornish Chough reading a book on it - it makes me smile.
I got a take-away coffee and took it to a sunny, elevated bench in the local churchyard, where I could sit and soak up some sun and look at the sea.
I also signed up to collect finish tokens at parkrun when it re-starts on 5th June

I have bought a ticket for Glastonbury livestream in May, and a ticket to go to Paradise Park (wildlife/bird sanctuary in Hayle) later this month after the schools go back after Easter. That's three nice things to look forward to.

Well, guess what - I had a message at 6.30am to say Justin didn't feel up to running today. I went out anyway - and perhaps it taught me something. I did a run/walk interval thing from couch25k w4d3 which was just right actually - I enjoyed it.

My grandson was 4yrs old yesterday - and I actually FORGOT on the day because I'd sent his card and present a couple of weeks' ago! But my son sent me a sweet video of him opening the present I sent. He was at nursery during the day, so at least had a kind of party he couldn't have had at home. I can share this one as they've put it on facebook.



[I'm particularly touched to see him wearing a t-shirt I gave him when he was 3, which now fits him - it says "I am Robin" on the front (like Robin from Batman).]

Today I am going to get myself a take-out salad box from the organic store - I'm making this a Wednesday thing (my retirement timetable is slowly developing). And I had an email from Dr Rupy this morning with just the right messages for me - first a great recipe for making a stuffed date kind of 'easter egg' treat with medjool dates stuffed with coconut and orange zest, then dipped in melted vegan 85% chocolate. Ideal! And a link to a podcast about sugar and it's negative effects.

- Types of sugar and their various forms
- Why Artificial sweeteners could be just as problematic
- Why children are uniquely vulnerable to sugar
- How problems with sugar can be independent of weight
- Why sugar IS addictive
- Refined carbohydrates and how they can have similar effects
- Sugar, Inflammation and the brain
- The mechanisms of how sugar impacts the liver, behaviour and mood
- Policies to protect ourselves in the future
- Tips to lessen our sugar burden

play.acast.com/s/the-doctors-kitchen-podca
st/-95weightseries-part2of2-.thesugare
pisodewithprofessormichaelgoran-dremil
yventura

I'm guessing that you (Brian and Harry in particular!) may have already come across Dr Emily Ventura?

What else today? Stitching and ebooks!! It's become my current Main Thing!

Later: I made the orange Easter cream eggs - bought an organic orange, a box of Medjool dates, and some 100% cacao chocolate (no dairy or sugar in it) - they look very special and smell divine due to the orange zest.

Edited by: SWEETENUFGILL at: 3/31/2021 (13:07)

Yes, mutual support is invaluable - practical and emotional.

Good progress on the project. It looks good. Fun to add some artistic interpretation to what is first started by your brother through the table he gave you. I’m finding it all very cool and connected.

Changing the clock is a pain. It causes really issues in our bodies. Every time change the debate rekindles to get rid of the time change. But like all debates these days breaks down in nobody is willing to change or agree.

You can change though. Had I been on top of things, I would ed have tapped out a lengthy support of sticking to your running plan. But, it’s good to be flexible to support and be supported by Justin.

Tuesday - and the run has been done today - nice morning. We did 30 mins on a mixed elevation route - and tomorrow we'll do a walk/run for 30 mins on the flat of the promenade/sea front.

I feel tired again - in a sleepy way. I went straight up to the shop after my run, so won't be going out again today.

Sewing, ironing, reading - the high life. I might crack a jigsaw out.

Monday - and the time-change caught up with me today! I ended up not eating lunch until 3pm new time!

Our rules have changed slightly today - 6 people can meet outdoors (or two households that might make more than 6), and outdoor sports can re-start (golf, tennis, basketball etc). Personally, I'm not going out unless I have to. I'm on Day 8 post-vaccination, and they say 21 days before protection kicks in.

The sun is shining - it's a nice day. But I'm not going out today. Schools will break for Easter on Thursday 1st April - until 19th April - though not sure how many schools are staggering attendance etc. But I'm sure life on the street will be a lot busier from Saturday, 2nd April. (I just heard a flock of seven school children come past - two went into one of the houses opposite, guess they're a kind of school bubble. They all sounded very cheerful - that's nice - now they're all standing together in the street again - perhaps they just popped in to dump their bags or something).

My next run days will be Tuesday (with Justin), then Thursday and Saturday. Justin is working Thurs and Sat, but I said we can just do our own thing on days when we can't run together. I felt reluctant to really change my running days because his work might change at the last minute. It was quite a big thing for me NOT to adjust my running days to fit him - to shake off a feeling of being responsible for supporting him to run by meeting up with him. My own habit is important to me. I've just started on Days 61-70 in the 100 MORE DWL book which is about identifying emotions - and thinking about my needs. I don't need to be a facilitator and enabler ALL the time.

It's dead quiet here today. I've done a book study zoom with LT - always good. And made an oven-cooked curried cauliflower dish for my lunch, which was worth waiting for. I added a few chickpeas and green peas for protein. Basically passata with curry powder in a dish, mini-cauliflower on top, basted with oil and curry powder. Surprisingly good.

More sewing now - it's coming on, and I'm running out of thread! It's keeping my hands busy though - and off the idea of food. I've been enjoying audio-books as I sew. Other things are getting a bit neglected - but who cares, really?!

Later: workout done. and rushed to eat my third meal before it got too late - I've really lost track of the clock today!

Guess what - I changed my mind about the running arrangements and suggested to Justin we could do 30 mins Tuesday morning, and Wednesday morning, then run again on Friday. He was really pleased!


Edited by: SWEETENUFGILL at: 3/29/2021 (15:24)

Sunday and I woke in the night, and again early morning - I think it's because our clocks went forward an hour last night (British Summer Time) and I was anxious about getting up at the right time for my run with Justin! So, I was up with coffee at 5am (which was really 4am etc etc). Anyway, we had a good run of an hour, with a 5 min walk break in the middle - and covered almost 10k. It's very windy out. I've taken advantage and hand-washed all my running gear and pegged it out very firmly on the line

I've made a little rhubarb crumble for lunch, and will make some custard to go with it - a bit of home-baked treat.

I had a zoom meeting this morning.
I bothered to make myself a nice chickpea tagine for lunch.
I did a 1hr 10k step walking video workout!

there's some live-stream music on facebook this evening after which I reckon I'm going to watch a film as it's Saturday night.

Thanks for your support - I'm feeling a lot brighter after the workout.

Progress after 5 days


and the table it's based on


Edited by: SWEETENUFGILL at: 3/27/2021 (15:15)

You get a lift from the sunshine no matter how short it stays. Take care today.

Saturday - I slept well, and woke feeling a bit better mood-wise. The sun is shining - but I don't think it's set to stay. I went out early to get shopping - and now I'm home I think I'm going to stay here. I still feel a bit sleepy - my eyes feel 'tired' - but I'll work steadily through my list of things-to-do today and look after myself.

I felt a lot better after doing a 30 min workout this evening!

I saw this today, and totally relate to this!



Edited by: SWEETENUFGILL at: 3/26/2021 (15:54)

I can relate to feeling tired and joyless. I hope you feel better soon.

I was so sleepy on Thursday afternoon - I had a bath about 7pm and went to bed to read - and fell asleep over the book. Slept 10 hrs. My tiredness was not imaginary. I wonder what it's about.

Friday - and I've been for a 30 min run with Justin. It was a bit colder, and very windy, but not actually raining. He hadn't run since he last ran with me (which I think was 14th!) so he was OK with doing 'just' 30 mins. I've done a load of laundry - glad to be able to cross that off my list!

Now - some more craft-work, then there's a Buddhist meeting on zoom at 3pm, and a 'boot camp' workout with Our Parks at 7pm - on zoom.

I still feel tired - and rather low in mood I have to say. This usually happens when I'm dealing with a virus - whether this is a post-vaccine thing, or another kind of cold virus I don't know. I feel tired and joyless.

Yes, I'm very happy that I've got running back into my regular exercise routine - I was quite lost without it!

I was more 'moderate' with the time I spent stitching yesterday. And today (Thursday) I'm quite frustrated that I won't have much time (daylight time anyway). But I'll get some done for sure.

Today I'm going up to Trengwainton for my walk and green-therapy. The weather is kind of 'iffy' today - the sun is shining, but there are grey rain-clouds around. Guess I'll pack my cagoul.

This afternoon there is book study with LT. We've got two sessions a week now - two different books: one on Mondays, one on Fridays (we moved it to Thursday this week as we have an afternoon meeting tomorrow).

I did the Pilates for Knees yesterday evening - and my knees are feeling better for it.

Reckon I'm going to treat myself to this ready-cooked vegan Easter meal from local Polish cafe:



and I did! It was such a great phone call too - he asked my name and I said "Gill - G - I - L-L" and started to give my second name, and he said "no, that's enough!" then he said I could pay when I collect "I trust you" and I asked "card, cash?" he said "card, cash, or gold teeth" with his Polish accent too, it made me laugh! It was lovely. I think all the chefs are so grateful to be able to make meals for people while the cafes are closed. It's the first time I've ever bought a ready-cooked meal to take away from a cafe/restaurant - I'm guessing I can re-heat it in the oven.

Trengwainton was nice, as ever, but I didn't stay so long today - I've started feeling a bit anxious again as the weather is nice and more people are about - and they're not behaving in an orderly way - they seem to be strewn about all over the place. Our guidelines change on 29th March to allow up to 6 people to meet outdoors - and I think that is going to mean there will be groups of people out together - they should still be distancing 2 metres, or 1 metre with a mask - but they don't/won't. I think I've got post-lockdown anxiety now - damn it. I was trying to do calming breathing exercises as I was walking - and this evening I feel exhausted.

It's suddenly got colder and windier again - rain forecast for tomorrow and Justin and I have arranged to meet up for a run in the morning.

Edited by: SWEETENUFGILL at: 3/25/2021 (13:53)

It's a cool project. Glad you are getting into it. Nice run again. You are doing great so early in the spring.

I couldn't stop stitching! I did 6 hours of it and my head is filled with ideas for the other sections. I have no idea how he will use the pieces together - looks like the top and the four legs could be kind of suspended like a mobile. I have a question about how to work with the 'open' shapes - so I'm going to assume they're empty spaces, and just work within the lines. If I achieve all that, I'll ask him what he would like about the border lines and 'open' shapes.

I went to bed without doing any exercises, and I could really feel the tightness in my upper back where I'd been stitching for 6 hours!

Anyway, Wednesday, and I woke at 7am, and got ready to run. I did week 5 of the 10k program which was tangibly harder - I feel tired this morning. It might be the concentration of the needlework - a bit like a 'hang-over' without the headache!

I'm going to go and buy a salad-box lunch from the organic shop - they make all the stuff themselves, so it'll be good stuff. I can't cope with my weekly meal plan today, so I'll just do one day at a time until I work up steam again!

There's Cornish tonight and, once again, I'm ill-prepared!

Anyway - I need to use the daylight...................... I'm thinking of combining threads...............



PS the scale was down this morning!



Edited by: SWEETENUFGILL at: 3/24/2021 (07:34)

I’m glad you are having fun with this art project. I see the patterns. Is there indication how the legs will join with the table top? I noticed some of the artists work is three dimensional. Can’t wait for pictures.

Love it! I have spent a good 5 hours on it so far - can't stop! And I didn't go with doing outlines first! I'll post a photo when I've done my first section.

The artist is Klaas Rommelaere, a Belgian textile artist. Born the same year as my son - I checked out his work on-line, and read up about him. He's also willing to keep in touch/answer questions etc via WhatsApp. It has similarities to Grayson Perry's tapestries in appearance. But Rommelaere's pieces are all hand-made. Grayson's were woven on a machine from a design he did on computer.

I met my friend mid-morning, and we had to walk right around town and back to where we started to find somewhere that was open to buy a coffee from. Then we sat on the steps of the library to drink it, in the sunshine.

Edited by: SWEETENUFGILL at: 3/23/2021 (15:24)

Art has no limits.

Tuesday - and awake at 5.30am, which is OK. Coffee and back to bed for a while.

I've been out to get a few groceries. I'm meeting CB for coffee later.

I've received in the post a cross-stitch project as part of an art installation - it's quite large, so I've got some work to do! The artist has taken shapes from the table photo I sent in, and separated them. And I'm going to be limited by the amount of thread I have been given. I'll make a start on the outlines, and see what creative urges arise in me! I'm sure they will!

Oh yes, it was definitely a reaction to the vaccine - no doubt about that.

Here's a lovely photo I just had from my son - my grandson with a little prism with a small LED light that plugs into a little battery pack. Amazing fun, eh?



Edited by: SWEETENUFGILL at: 3/23/2021 (06:40)

I’m glad you are feeling better. Good enough to run, that’s great. Probably just the effects of the vaccine. They say it’s a good sign that your body reacted.

I'm OK!

My temperature dropped back to normal by 8pm on Sunday, and the headache didn't return. I was so relieved! I slept well, and I DID go for a run this morning - but made sure it was a gentle-paced 30 min. After my run I coughed quite a bit. That's stopped now too. It feels very good to feel OK again.

I've had my Monday Buddhist book study session on zoom with LT. I've done my Fly Lady house-care jobs for Monday too, which feels good. I did some colouring! I'm going to play my recorder for a short while, then maybe tackle the ironing. Nice not to be overly busy. It's already 17.30 - how did that happen?!

See how you sleep. Hope you feel better.

I've got worse as the day has worn on - running a fever, chills, headache etc. I had a nap for a couple of hours under a gravity blanket, and woke up feeling cold, even though I was hot! In the end I took a couple of paracetamol to get some relief from the headache. I'm still running a temperature. I might have a bath and go to bed.

I'm glad I got the walk in first thing, and the laundry done. Hopefully I'll feel better tomorrow - but perhaps a run isn't a good idea.

Edited by: SWEETENUFGILL at: 3/21/2021 (14:08)

Well done! I suggest you use this time to kick back for some gentle self care and blame it on the vaccine.

As I understand it, the vaccine delivers to our bodies a genetic code that it uses to make the antibody to fight a virus it has never seen. The largest component of the vaccine would be preservatives and fillers surrounding that genetic code. I would guess that includes an agent meant to poke the body into making the antibody without the virus present. It's meant to stimulate a reaction from your immune system. For some that will cause symptoms of a reaction, other's no.

Take good care

Edited by: BDTHOM at: 3/21/2021 (09:56)

I did! I did the stretch & flex session which was 30 mins, then I did puzzles on-line. I developed enough of a headache to wake me twice in the night - I got up and drank a big glass of water each time. It's still there this morning, but not bad enough to take medication.

I got out for an early walk around deserted residential streets - got about 8,000 steps done in an hour. It was good to be out in the fresh air.

I feel kind of weary now. Don't know if it's the vaccination, or just me!

I have also, finally, made it to the laundry room - and have a load in the drier now.



Today will be Pilates for knees, and Groovy Yoga. Tomorrow will be a 30 min run if I feel up to it.

I hope you followed through and did nothing for the rest of the day.

The soup is basically like a kind of very veggie chowder made with chickpeas, isn't it - and it's the creamy ingredient that makes it rich I guess.

The bus journey was OK. The vaccination centre wasn't as spacious as I'd anticipated - the woman sitting next to me said it was like North Korea (which I know is a huge exaggeration, but it was the herding that was so unfamiliar to us). My jab hurt - I had been watching (and also trying not to watch) other people have theirs to see if it hurt, and it didn't seem to - so it surprised me when mine did. I'm such a sensitive little flower! As I left the building another woman spoke to me and said hers had hurt as well - we've got the same second-jab date, so she said she'd look out for me.

I went to the shop to get veggie pasty, and there were none left, but she had some baking and said they'd be half-an-hour. So I walked around for half-an-hour, and then picked up the pasty. I have to admit I chose to have a cheese and onion one (it's cheese, onion and potato) - and I had 15 mins before my bus left - so the timing was perfect, and the pasty couldn't have been more perfect really - it was fresh, hot, tasty - just the thing!

I now feel like just doing nothing. But I will put my soft jogging pants on and do some gentle exercise - Groovy Yoga and probably a 'stretch and flex' for old people!

I might watch a film, or do a puzzle. I will probably go to bed early. I feel OK. I just feel a bit emotionally exhausted. I thought I might feel relieved or elated, but I don't feel either.

Laundry can be an easy win when motivation is low and tasks piling up. The soup looks good. I might have try it as well. I might have to size it for for my little Instant Pot if I make it here. I would use it like a slow cooker.

Lovely garden pictures. I'm glad you are able to get away and enjoy yourself. Meeting up with a friend makes it all the better. Well done forgiving yourself for feeling tired. You always deserve self compassion. You will be alright on your trip to get your covid jab. It will get you closer to putting a year of fear behind you. It's going to take some time for all of us to let go of all the fear we have felt this year. It's really no wonder him upstairs is having a psychotic episode.

I ended up doing a couple of small jigsaw puzzles last night, to keep me busy for a bit longer before going to bed!

Saturday - and I feel quite nervous about going for my vaccination and travelling on the bus etc - I haven't been out of town for quite a while now. It will be good for me to do the journey and be in a different place for a short while.

I've been out for my run - I did my 10k training programme, which went well. Justin is doing 5 night-shifts in a row, so I told him to leave it (our joint running) and run at a time that suits him best.

I have an ebook on my phone I can listen to on the bus if I want to.

The laundry that I've not done is reaching a critical point - as in no more will fit in the basket! I'm still not sure I'll manage it today.............. what's the matter with me? I only have to walk down to the community room and put it in the machine! Well, maybe I WILL do a load this afternoon. It'll make me feel a lot better to know it's done!

Last night I had a zoom Buddhist study meeting, and could hardly keep my eyes open. I could still hear my upstairs neighbour being a bit 'psychotic' (I'm going to call it that, because it definitely has all the characteristics - delusional, accusatory, sweary, continuous monologue). So, I decided to move my bedding to the sofa, and slept in the living room. Fortunately I have a big Chesterfield, and it makes a very good bed! I slept well.

Friday - and I started with a workout, which is unusual for me. I don't mind running at dawn, but I don't usually want to do 'workouts' in the morning. I did, and I feel good!

Today I MUST get some groceries. I have a book study zoom with LT at 11am which is good.

Later: both of those jobs done - and apart from that - nothing else except reading today! I think knowing that I have my vaccination tomorrow has been on my mind somewhat - I already have a vegan Magnum in the ice-box ready for tomorrow afternoon! Yes - a good 'reward' and sugar, but I choose to have it.

Edited by: SWEETENUFGILL at: 3/19/2021 (12:44)

Well, I did stay up later - I did 10 mins Bhangra (tricky to coordinate my arms and legs!) then 30 mins Groovy Yoga (what Adriene would call 'yummy') - then read a while - slept well until I was woken (read on!)

I want to make this soup:-



domesticgothess.com/blog/2021/03/16/creamy
-vegetable-chickpea-soup-vegan/

Today - well, it began too early; I was woken around 3am by him upstairs. It sounds like he has psychotic episodes - he was swearing and talking to an imaginary person for three hours until he went out at 6am to photograph the sunrise. I dozed a little, but basically I was up before 5am and made coffee, then sat in bed reading, with my 'A Soft Murmur' app playing to drown him out a bit! I saw him when I was out running, and just said "hi!" and ran on - I didn't trust myself to stop and talk (not even sure if he was really 'at home' if you know what I mean). I've worked with people who have psychotic events and it certainly sounded like one - lots of swear words and recriminations.

I had a lovely run - it was a calm and sunny morning, nice temperature. I did week 4 of a 10k programme which has me doing slow cadence run intervals with power-walking rests every 6 mins. I enjoyed being out there today. I feel tired now - and am going to walk to Trewidden to meet up with CB. Maybe this afternoon I'll crash and nap!

Later: lovely walk (8k in total), and lovely to walk around the gardens with CB. I was hungry afterwards, and bought myself a veggie sausage bap (fairly inadequate as a meal really, and bread again!) which I ate sitting on a secluded sunny bench overlooking the fields and the sea. It was like a Summer's day in the sunshine.



When I got home I made a cup of tea and read for a while, then felt really floppy - so had a bath, then remembered about my disturbed night's sleep and forgave myself for feeling tired.



Edited by: SWEETENUFGILL at: 3/18/2021 (13:01)

Our language learning is not imperative to our daily lives. Other stuff takes precedence, or we can convince ourselves that it does. There is a lot of competition for your time and attention.

The soup does look very tasty.

Why is it so hard to get a new study habit into the daily routine? Is it that we don't really want to do it, do you think? I get kind of frustrated with myself. Maybe it's that the progression is so slow, and the rewards hard to identify.....

Trengwainton was exceptionally green today - it really struck me as the main thing. All the tender-leaved ground-cover plants have really sprouted and spread. The water plants are looking lush too. The fast-growing large things like ferns are now overtaking the pathways.





It was like a Summer's day around midday - coats and sweaters were all being carried. I got 14,000 steps done, which was good.

I felt so summery, that I decided to buy a take-out lunch from a cafe just near where I live - a sweet potato, coconut and red chilli soup - but with some ciabatta bread, and a slice of a rhubarb and orange polenta cake.



The soup was nice, the bread was nice, the cake was something I could have left really (not special enough to warrant eating cake) - it wasn't very sweet, but also not very tasty - and I think it had egg in it. It sounded so nice. I might make myself something homemade with rhubarb and orange at the weekend (perhaps a kind of crumble). Also, I felt uncomfortably sort of hungry again after about two hours - which was the effect of the bread and cake I guess. I quelled it with a nice cup of tea and waited for tea-time!

So now I have an hour to prepare for my Cornish evening class!

Later: it was fun, as usual! and I was sitting here thinking I felt hungry, and remembered that I haven't eaten my tea - there's a fruit salad with yoghurt and nuts waiting in the fridge and it's almost 8pm................. I have to eat. Maybe I'll need to stay up later to allow it to be digested.


Edited by: SWEETENUFGILL at: 3/17/2021 (15:47)

I resemble your comment about Cornish study. While I dutifully do a lesson or two a day, I stopped making progress into new material. I'm stuck on a part of grammar and learning all the little pronouns that go with it. I keep saying I will put in some concentrated effort to clear this hurdle. I don't. I just review another old lesson.

Enjoy your garden therapy. Spring is a great time in any garden as they tend to change almost daily. I love looking at all the shades of green plants great spring with. By summer most plants settle into the standard GREEN. But in spring some trees leaf out in lime green and others chartreuse. Some start out red.

Wednesday and I woke later - in fact I had to dash to put some clothes on to open the door to the postal worker this morning! I've got a new tea-infuser gadget.

It's a nice sunny morning, and I'm going to fill my flask and walk up to Trengwainton for my green therapy session! I really need to get a load of laundry done - perhaps I can do that this afternoon.

Tuesday, and I woke up ready-to-run. Justin wasn't there.......... I figured maybe he'd got caught up with work (he's started a new job and has irregular work shifts). So, I ran back and forth along the promenade at a nice comfortable pace for half-an-hour. That was just perfect for me today. We've got a run together on Saturday (unless his work interrupts our plan). So - that leaves me Thursday to do my own thing, and I will go for Week 4 of the 10k plan - which is a longer, slower run.

I'm in a cosy frame of mind today and have a cosy hoodie on. I ordered a royal blue hoodie with a pocket in the front - I received a grey and navy blue baseball style hoodie with no pockets. It's OK - it's a cosy top to wear.

The sun is shining and I have some sports gear out on the washing lines. Hopefully they'll dry nicely today.

A major task today is revising my Cornish homework stuff so I'm ready for the class on Wednesday evening. I think I might wander out to the post office and post the parcel to my friend, and perhaps I'll post Robin's birthday parcel at the same time - get it on it's way early - won't do any harm.

Yup - I think I'll go for a short walk down town to the post office. Will I get distracted in there? Probably! What will I allow myself to buy? Nothing - I don't need anything. Decided.



Later: I did go down to the post-office, and made a walk out of it by going up and down and around side-streets to get there and back. It's been a good day exercise-wise - with a 30 min run this morning, then 30 mins Pilates for Knees, and ending with 30 mins 'stretch and breathe' - and I stuck to my menu-plan (and planned next week's menus)

I didn't do any Cornish study (again!). I'm off to bed now as my eyelids are getting heavy - it's only 20.30 but I'll try to read for a while. Tomorrow will be a trip up to Trengwainton again. Thursday I'm meeting CB at Trewidden for coffee and a walk. Saturday I have my Covid jab.



Edited by: SWEETENUFGILL at: 3/16/2021 (16:35)

Your eating plan sounds pretty ideal. It’s no wonder your body took to it fairly fast. I think we overlook some of these feelings like too full at night as just part of life. Our schedules are what they are. I really don’t want to take my main meal to work and eat it at my desk.

I know the feeling of tossing out food. We work to keep costs in check and then ... it does feel like a waste.

You did good today. You got through your plan, workout, walk and letter. Well done.

Monday

I ate too late in the evening yesterday - it was about 7.30pm (late for me) - and I paid for it by being awake at 1 o'clock in the morning still feeing like I had a stomach full of undigested food - sorry body! It's amazing how the body gets used to the routines - I used to eat my main meal at that kind of time in the evening, but have been eating my main meal at lunch-time for quite a while now, and just a snack for the third meal, and usually between 5-6pm.

I woke up feeling quite optimistic today - it's kind of worn off as the day has gone on. I had a book-study session with LT on zoom, which is always good. But I haven't been out anywhere today, and don't want to. I have finished reading a book which I'm going to send to a friend who now lives up country (she would like to read it) - and I want to write a letter to go with it - but it's sitting on my table waiting for me to get inspired!

Now would probably be a good time for me to do my workout today - then have tea, then write that letter.

You'll see from my ticker that my weight was up a bit after a snacky weekend. That'll go back down again over the next couple of days.

I was a bit surprised and ashamed that I threw away quite a bit of food this weekend - the shop-bought guacamole wasn't very nice, so I threw the remainder of the tub out; I found a container with half a tin of vegan 'tunah' in that I'd forgotten about - and threw that out; I chucked out half a tin of lentil soup that I didn't like too. I suppose that's not a lot of things - but I hate to waste stuff. I won't be buying the lentil soup or the guacamole again! I'm usually good at planning so that I don't waste things, but I've been a bit less well-organised in the past few days.

I signed up for a Birthday Bootcamp with Our Parks UK on 26th March (free) and ordered my free goody-bag with £30 worth of stuff in (probably a t-shirt, drink bottle, face-mask). I'm liking Our Parks at the moment - they have a Couch to Bhangra 4-week course too which looks like fun (for beginners).

OK - come on Gill, get your workout gear on! Let's do this!



Latee: I did the workout, and went for a 50 min walk after tea. I also managed to write a letter to my friend and parcel the book up ready to post.

Edited by: SWEETENUFGILL at: 3/15/2021 (17:32)

Medjool dates are a great gift. Like giving healthy candy. This local organization, Ground Up, makes a nice walnut-cashew butter, There are a lot more companies like it to be found on the internet.

Thanks for your supportive comments - I'd never thought of sending anyone nut butter, but they are pretty expensive (except peanut butter!) and a real treat! Medjool dates were a nice gift I had one time - they're a treat!

I just saw this recipe on facebook - I don't usually like tomato soup, but I might like this version with the garlic and coconut milk............. I'll try it. Nice storecupboard recipe too. Handy.

You have control over you cravings and self understanding of why you choose to control your sugar intake. That’s great. You should stick to it. It’s okay to ask the family not to send you chocolates. There really are so many alternatives these days. I gave my sister a couple lovely nut butters from an organization that provides shelter and job training to women. There are lots of interesting stuff available online. Nuts are a natural for gifting though they would most likely be roasted and salted. Or, they can settle into sending Lego.

Lovely garden pictures. The pink camelia looks like the one in my back yard. I’m sure it has bloomed since I’ve been away. The plumb trees in front of the hotel have bloomed since we moved in.

I woke at around 3am again, but went back to sleep - I wonder what's causing that to occur?

Justin and I had a really perfect day for our run - it was calm, sunny, really quiet - nice. We had a mostly flat run and got about 36 mins done before I said I needed to stop for a walk break. I took 2 mins walk, then started off again, but we both decided to stop after about 5 mins. It was a good run.

We have a tall ship in the harbour permanently now - it's going to operate from Penzance. Hard to get a good picture as it's moored amongst a lot of other boats, but nice to see it there.



My Mother's Day present was a lovely activity book for introverts, and a pack of Green & Black's mini-bars of chocolate. I had one of them (about 10g max) of dark chocolate with raisins and almonds - then I put the rest of the packed out on my windowsill with a note inviting anyone to help themselves to it - "unwanted gift - help yourself!" I'll see if it goes - I expect it will. Usually the sight of chocolate sets up an agonizing craving - but this time it didn't - I didn't want it at all - no desire for it!

I also had the courage (?) to tell my d-i-l that I loved her card and present (the introverts activity book), but was passing the chocolate on as I've pretty much given up sugar and chocolate - passing the love on. She was OK about that. I think I can now feel OK about telling the rest of my family that I don't want sugar or chocolate as gifts for birthday/xmas etc. I've always just thanked them and said nothing - not wanting to hurt any feelings - but I feel differently now.

I hope the weather holds for a walk up to Trengwainton. I kind of waivered about buying something from the shop as an edible treat, but decided to just pack a nice cocoa-infused Nak'd Bar and a juicy pear as my edible treat. There's an issue I have around feeling like I'm being 'boring' when I chose not to eat cake etc, or that I'm being a 'pain' or being 'ridiculous'. At the cafe the other morning, there was a man there waiting to buy something, and there was a discussion about 'oh, don't those cakes look lovely' and my friend saying "are you sure you don't want anything" - and I said, no thanks - it's not Saturday (which is a joke that CB understands - relating to my No S habit!). And the man said something about the "only temptation is temptation" and about needing will-power......... I said, I have plenty of that. People don't understand that some people (like me!) cannot eat a 'little bit' of something like cake (sugar, flour) and not experience a biological backlack of an energy crash, a craving for more, and gaining weight instantly!

However, I have now got robust information about how my body is affected, so I'm happy to stick to my own self-imposed boundaries. I know that I can eat dates, figs, nuts and fruit without any problem. I also know that roasted, salted nuts ARE a problem. Anything with the hyperpalatable ingredients like toasted fats, salts and sugars are a problem for me - a problem in that it's a real struggle to control my eating of them.

Anyway - time to go to Trengwainton!

Later: lovely walk around Trengwainton. The magnolias as magnificent at the moment.

And this camelia reminded me of a party dress I had when I was small - all pink taffeta and bows, with little pink rosebuds on it!




Edited by: SWEETENUFGILL at: 3/14/2021 (14:05)

Pretty jumper. Joanne and I started a puzzle today. It is a good mind activity when staying in. I never had a system for organizing Lego. Just picked it out at the time into little piles. Like finding all the outside pieces of a puzzle, which we did. As a dad, my son was more into abstract architecture and we seldom cared what color went where.

If the weather cooperates, you have a nice Mothering Sunday set up. The run will be good in most any conditions.

Yesterday evening I did a 30 min pilates for knees workout, then I DID end up working on my Lego - and listening to an amusing audio-book. One I got started, it was actually hard to stop - very absorbing. I also learned that maybe I need some way of sorting the bricks out better - or even adopting my very-organised neice's technique of dismantling the models in reverse order and re-bagging them! (not sure I'll ever have the patience for that!). But the Lego, like a jigsaw puzzle, is a very good mindful kind of activity - time passes unnoticed and it's absorbing.



The muffins are quite filling - I had one for breakfast (there are two on the plate, but I could only manage one)



This morning I am going to walk out to Sainsbury's to collect an order I made on line for underwear. It's been raining heavily and hailing at times - it's like the sky keeps going dark - I have to have the lights on in here.

I have a desire to buy a new jumper - pink - I want pink! Today is also a workout day (not a running day) - which I'll do later.

Right - guess I'll put my waterproofs on and head out!



Later: well, I didn't need the waterproofs - I was lucky. There were a few drops of rain, but it didn't really 'rain' on me whilst I was out. I got my pink jumper!



I finished my Lego model which I enjoyed doing. I have the option not to exercise (as in doing a workout) today - but I think I probably will........

I've managed to book my covid vaccination for 20th March - a new venue has opened up with is 12 miles away - but a direct journey by bus (45 mins) or train (20 mins) so I can manage that. Next weekend.

I do find myself having to think of things to do at the moment - right now, perhaps I'll read a bit more, then do my exercise routine, then have my tea (UK meaning third meal of the day - but only a light meal, not a 'dinner') today it will be guacamole, which I have to admit I bought ready-made (which was kind of a substitute for eating out) and g-free pitta bread (any kind of bread is a treat for me)

I've got a nice parcel here, from my daughter-in-law, ready to open tomorrow - our Mothering Sunday here in the UK. I also have a ticket to walk around Trengwainton Gardens - if it's not rainy and windy, I might take a flask of coffee and a snack with me - just to make it a bit more of an occasion.

I've noticed that I really don't want chocolate bars, or cookies, or potato chips now - I do still want snacks on the weekend - today I bought some plain, roasted, salted cashews, and some sesame sticks, and a packet of two raw peanut butter cups (a bit like raw Reece's) which are lovely. They have cacao in, and coconut oil, and coconut sugar. I think it's interesting that I don't WANT the cookies, crisps or regular chocolate bars - I hope it lasts! I'm a sucker for things like crispbreads with sesame seeds on them - and I do lust after the rich fattiness of butter - but don't indulge in it.

Later still. I did the work out. Justin messaged to say he was "totally up for running tomorrow" which sounds like a need to run after a few days at his new job !

Edited by: SWEETENUFGILL at: 3/13/2021 (16:51)

It was lovely meeting up with my friend yesterday morning - the weather did rain a bit, but not all the time, and we walked around the two small parks in town. Someone told us that the cafe at the bottom of the road was open for take-away coffee - so we went on down and got coffees! It was their first day of opening - and the women running it now are the same ones who used to run the cafe up at Trengwainton Gardens - very nice stuff. At the moment, they don't have anything on the menu that's vegan - but they are up-to-speed with the non-dairy milks. I think they'd probably make me something without the cheese if I asked.

Well, I did my workout yesterday evening - and that was OK.

I woke before 5am this morning (upstairs neighbour was groaning in pain and it must have penetrated my consciousness and woke me up). I made coffee and stayed in bed reading, and put my 'soft murmur' app on playing 'cafe' + 'bird' + 'thunder' at different volumes = cafe being the loudest, bird a bit quieter, and thunder very quiet. It helps my brain block out the other sounds.

I find I'm using sound a lot recently to focus my mind - I use a 'chill' kind of ambient sound in the background when I'm on the computer, and the soundtracks I'm using for running are just brilliant for me.

Today I knew Justin wouldn't be running as he's working, so I was able to go out just after 6am when dawn was breaking. There was a strong wind again, so I used two round-the-block type circuits through town and along the sea-front with the wind at my back. I was surprised to find I'd hit some bench-marks!



Today I have to nip out and get some pine nuts and kale. Then there's a zoom book club with LT, then................ whatever I choose to fill my time with. I've got Cornish study always on hand, a great book I'm reading, sewing projects, a letter to reply to. I'll be fine.

Later: I was tired after lunch, read for a bit, then lay on the sofa and had a nap - not sure how long - longer than a nap really; possibly 90 mins.

I decided to make some unusual muffins to use up some hummus I'd made a days ago - I knew I'd seen a recipe for them - red pepper and hummus muffins. I made all the component parts of the recipe, mixed it up, and put it in the muffin cases, then wondered why I didn't seem to have enough mixture - turned around and saw that I'd forgotten to mix in the red pepper (and courgette I added)! So I scooped it all back out, and mixed it up again - they're in the oven now!

I had a sweet treat today too - not a 'bad' one though - a slice of raw bakewell tart - a lovely layer of almond-flavoured mixture, with crushed raspberries on the top - it was lovely, and not very sweet at all, just lovely. The local organic store usually stocks some nice ready-to-go foods, and just a few of these really luxurious raw cakes. I also picked up a roasted veg pasty - which I'll have tomorrow.

It's currently hailing. I've downloaded a humorous audio-book, and am intending to play with my Lego, but it's not so easy to see the colours in the artificial light - so I might leave that and just watch a film.

Looking good!


Edited by: SWEETENUFGILL at: 3/12/2021 (13:01)

Yes! Even now, the 30 min runs feel almost like a 'cheat'! hahaha!

Thursday - and last night's evening class was good fun; I always dread it, and I always enjoy it! Doh!

Today is mad weather - hail, rain, sun, wind, hail, sun, rain, wind, SO unpredictable!

I might be meeting CB for a walk in the park later - she's going to message me. I have a Buddhist meeting this afternoon that I'm 'moderating' so I need to be well-prepared for that. I have a few bits of shopping to do - and a couple of things to post. It's not a run day, so I guess it's a workout day on Couch to Fitness Week 2, Day 2!

When I ran parkrun and I actively worked on my 5k times, it was the long slow runs that gave me the courage to run faster. I would tell myself i only have to keep it up for 25 minutes. That seems easy whenever your body is used to running 60 to 90 minutes.

You are so right. I've never been this disciplined about following the training programme before, learning to run more slowly has been a real revelation, and I'm learning to feel the difference when I'm running - I can tell now if I need to slow my pace down a bit to keep myself breathing easily. The coach who gives some tips is an American called Jenny Hadfield she calls it finding your 'happy pace' - if it starts to become a slog, and you're not enjoying it, you're going too fast and hard. 'Practise patience'

Progress on the 10k program sounds good. Running comfortably is a big part of going those longer times. Running further is a matter of going one foot after the other for longer time.

Hi, Cheryl, thanks for stopping by.

Wednesday - and my running buddy bailed today, so I was able to do my 10k program and did Week 3, which was great. I'm finding it more comfortable doing the slower cadence now, and the training plan certainly does seem to work well - my breathing is easy and I'm completing the run comfortably.

It's a very grey, wet, day. The wind is hitting us here on the south coast, whereas on the north coast they have a calm sea and mist today. Amazing, isn't it?

I will just work through the list today. I have Cornish evening class tonight, and the same reluctance I have every week. I'm not sure if this is just fear that tries to stop me, or whether it is a sign that I don't really want to do it. I usually enjoy the class once I do it, so it's probably fear. I'd feel better if I did more studying and felt better prepared for the class. Why can't I do the studying regularly?

Age is just a number

Tuesday

and first up, my PCR test came back under 24 hrs, negative (which I expected, but couldn't be sure - nothing is sure with this virus!)

I feel upbeat and optimistic today - no idea why I feel different today. Yesterday, I was SO tired by 7.30pm again, but absolutely refused to go to bed earlier than 9.30pm - so I did some things (can't remember what now!)

I've been out shopping before 8am. There's a book being delivered today. I'm going to make myself go out for a walk this morning. The children are in school, so really it should be pretty quiet during the middle of the day. It's chilly, but sunny.

My brother and sister have both had their first doses of the vaccine - they are both younger than me, but live in Kent and Staffordshire respectively.

We have a couple of gale-force wind days coming up again........... so I would do well to make the most of today.

What a lovely, sunny picture of you. You look healthy and happy. Enjoy.

It's frustrating how a small thing, like a toe joint, can cause so much discomfort. It gives me a little insight into how people with widespread arthritis must suffer. My toe was OK last night - so, yes, I overdid it on those longer runs. I have noticed that the flexibility of the big toe joints has improved - evidently not 'healed' but improved. So, as you say, paying attention to it is worthwhile.

I managed to stave off the nap on Sunday afternoon, and made myself stay out up until 9.30pm - and I slept well.

Monday - apparently it's International Women's Day - which doesn't mean much to me - but Google and the internet world are telling me about it!

Justin and I are meeting up for a short run today - 30 mins. He says he went for a run yesterday, so he's happy to take it easy today.

It's colder again - around freezing - so I'm dressing accordingly (hat, thermal gloves, plastic bags in my shoes!). All the schools and colleges are going back today - it's our 'step 1' in the 'path out of lockdown'. It'll be quite strange to see all the young people out and about this morning.

I'm getting less good at keeping myself amused all day - tired of the lockdown restrictions. But my lists still do the job - a bit of this, a bit of that!

Later: It was quite emotional seeing all the young people setting off for school this morning! We had a good 30 min run - and afterwards, I sat in the direct sun on the sea wall for a while before going home.



Edited by: SWEETENUFGILL at: 3/8/2021 (10:23)

Lovely pictures from a beautiful day. We have been having sun with the threat of rain this weekend. We have had rain and wind as well. My arthritic toe is bothering me on and off. I don't do the good foot care I did when I was running.

I was coughing a bit on Saturday afternoon - seems to have gone again now. But I was just 'tired' so I had a bath and was in bed by 7.30pm. I watched a show, and turned my light out and snuggled down by 8.30pm!!! And I slept until about 11.30pm when I got up and had some water. Then back to sleep until 7am!

My big toe joint was offering up a sharp jab every few minutes, which disturbed me for a while - but either it stopped, or I just fell asleep anyway. I think it must have been the longer run I did on Saturday. We ran for an hour - and quite fast on the home stretch. That's two longer runs in 3 days. Tomorrow's run (Monday) will be a shorter one.

Sunday - and it was a beautiful day, and I walked out to another local garden called Trewidden. I walked one way out, and a different way back. About 4km each way. It was a lovely walk, and a lovely garden - different to Trengwainton. Less manicured, more like a lovely park really - with lots of nice spaces to sit (when we're allowed) and some VERY old trees from all over the world. I was also able to get a nice coffee with oatmilk to drink on my way around the garden. There was some ice/frost in the shady valley places on my walk.

On the walk out, I spotted this 'den' in the woods


On the walk back, I crossed the little river at this very rough & ready crossing!


I was out for over 3 hours in the sunshine - which felt really good. I feel nicely tired now - but am trying hard NOT to have a nap which will mess up my night-time sleep.