4/365 ...Diet Changes

I think it was 3 weeks ago, I decided to try and improve my diet in an effort to reduce the amount of pain I experience each day.

I took a deep breath and announced on Twitter that I'd go gluten free (I am coeliac, but could be more of a stickler at keeping to the diet!) .. chocolate free and caffeine free.

Three weeks in.. mostly I'm gluten free.  Some chocolate has been eaten, but not nearly as much.  And as for caffeine, well, I've reduced it a lot.

I found that the day after I had chocolate, I suffered from the worst headache EVER. 

I know now that I really enjoy some herbal teas.

I also know for sure that I HATE gluten free bread, although the crispbreads I prefer to Ryvita even!  :)

And I've learned, to my delight, that making these few (rather small really) changes have helped me to lose half a stone.  

I can't tell you that my pain levels have been any less, but I can say that I'm sleeping more soundly.

It's an ongoing experiment.

:)

I've been noticing other things too..which leads me on to todays' photos.

Our staff room!  Nurses, care assistants, physios, you name it..aren't we meant to be really health conscious?  Promoting healthy eating and all that jazz?

But, what do we have here in our staff room?  A machine with my nemesis within it.  I am able to resist thankfully, but here we have maltesers, mars bars, snickers, doritos...and other calorie loaded goodies.

The other side of the room is where the drinks machine is located.  As you can see, there are bottles of fizzy, cans of caffeine, a few bottles of juice.  But what really concerns me is on the bottom shelf.

All that Red Bull.

And you wouldn't believe how much of it sells.  

Are the health care professionals in this country running purely on chocolate and Red Bull?  

I'm fortunate that I have never been in need of such a caffeine fix that I've drunk any of it.  And I'm not slamming anyone who does.

But it does seem to be so very unhealthy somehow. 

 :) x

3/365 - charity shop treasure!

Today's photos are of the spoils from a successful shopping trip.  I went into town with my Mum today...she's not just my mother, she's my friend.  She's my advisor.  She's my support system.  Maybe that sounds really stupid and soppy, but it's how I feel.  Had she not pulled through her recent illness, I would be completely lost.

Anyway, the both of us love charity shops.  Usually one or the other of us can find a "treasure".  Sometimes we don't.  It's just the luck of the draw..but we ALWAYS look!  

Today, after having checked out the Pound Shop (it is really sad or really savvy that that place was so packed and busy??) and then the fabric and yarn shop...it was time to hit the Phyllis Tuckwell.

And what did I see hanging among the bags?  The minute I stepped through the shop door?

This.

Love at first sight.  Good price.  Good condition.  And then I went to check the inside of the bag, only to find this label...

You've already guessed that the bag has come home with me, haven't you.  I'm really happy with her..   

:)x

2/365 (Handmade Monday)

 This evening, I went along to our Stitch 'n Bitch meeting.  New members are coming out of the woodwork, as word gets out about our group.  And it's wonderful to make new friends and see all the creativity going on.

Knitting bags came along in all shapes and sizes...as seen on the left here...  :)  Dining room cushions were stitched... and patterns were studied intensely!

 On the other side of the table we had a lady learning to knit..and a baby jumper was on the go!  I know, you don't have the evidence of that in this picture, but I promise you, it was happening.

Meanwhile, back on the farm, the pattern was found in the bag!  I thought my ears had played a trick on me when I heard our friend say what she was making..but no, they hadn't.

Yes.. hand knitted kidneys, folks.

Honestly, you can knit ANYTHING!

Me?  Yes..I made some progress on my sock tonight.... but that picture can wait for another day!

:) x

1/365 - Lovely sunset

:)  Yeah, I know.. I can hear all of you saying.. "Huh?  What does that mean?  What has that woman been smoking?"  :)

Let me explain..

It's a challenge I've set myself..an attempt to maybe be more present on this blog..and it is this:  I will try and take a picture a day.

For a year.

So, here we are. 1/365.  Now, if I start slacking off, I have all of you to be accountable to!  **laughing**

Anyway, this was the view from my lounge window this evening..the picture really doesn't do the sky justice at all..it was quite stunning.  And there was also a definite nip in the air tonight as well.

Hope you are all well and have enjoyed your weekend

Challenged by an elderly lady!

Back, during the A-Z challenge, I mentioned that I work in a nursing home.

Some of the ladies there have a little knitting group on the go.  They meet up in the lounge twice a week, making up strips of brightly coloured garter stitch, which are then sewn together by an outside party into blankets.  I believe the charity they are supporting is called something like "Fish and Chip Babies".

Anyway, one of their number gave me this bag of oddments of yarn on Friday.

The question she asked me was .. "Do you think you could make a blanket with all of this?"

Well, I'm sure I can do something.....what intrepid knitter wouldn't accept that challenge?

At first, I thought I would make crocheted granny squares..but instead I have opted to follow their lead, using garter stitch.

15 stitches each colour..continuing in garter stitch until I have to cast off.

This was what I had accomplished by early yesterday morning..and there is a bit more to add to the pile now.

It'll be fun fitting all the different sized pieces together, making a colourful puzzle blanket for some little one, somewhere in the world.

Well on the way to completing this challenge, huh?

:) x

Silent Sunday

Grappling back up the hill to normal day to day living.

Since I last posted anything on the blog, my family and I have suffered a major loss.

My lovely Dad passed away on 27th May.

His final illness was short but how he struggled to live.  A Silent Sunday photo I had shared was of my hand holding his, during that time.

He did come home again, albeit only for 9 days, before he was rushed back to the hospital.

I miss him dearly.

I will always love him.

His funeral was yesterday... I was grateful, as were all of my family, to be surrounded by so many caring friends and relatives..I hope he would have approved of his service.  

One of his favourite songs was played during the service..

Here are the lyrics..


I come to the garden alone
While the dew is still on the roses
And the voice I hear falling on my ear
The Son of God discloses.
Refrain

And He walks with me, and He talks with me,
And He tells me I am His own;
And the joy we share as we tarry there,
None other has ever known.

He speaks, and the sound of His voice,
Is so sweet the birds hush their singing,
And the melody that He gave to me
Within my heart is ringing.

Refrain

I’d stay in the garden with Him
Though the night around me be falling,
But He bids me go; through the voice of woe
His voice to me is calling.

Refrain


Words: Charles Austin Miles (1912)


My Dad's song on youtube


I think it will take me some time to be able to listen to this song again without shedding tears...  

x