We seem to be down to just one ground hog-this fellow. After the dogs gave him a little chase in the back yard one day, I now see him more regularly out front and on the side lawn. There's about 9 more acres he could explore so I'm not sorry he's not in the fenced back yard.
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Inside the house has been cleared out a little. I put away all the knitted throws and quilted blankets and the inside flowers/plants are all moved to outside pots. That last bit took all Saturday morning. I also moved a lot of firewood closer to the house with older grandson's help. It's all been stacked neatly by the back door in close reach for next winter's fires.That night I was tired and my finger ached so I made the decision to have a very quick and easy supper. Cheesy wiener hot dogs with a side of potato chips. No one complained.
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And something I've been eyeing...Nicola at Cake Stand Quilts has this beautiful summery sampler pattern for sale called Primrose Hill. Her site is lovely with such pretty projects. Talented Nicola is a designer for Moda Bakeshop.
Help!
I've been busy with the various yard chores, taking care of us and tending to family duties. I've felt a little exhausted at times. Handling my own stress levels continues to be a goal of mine and I am loath to resort to a drug therapy (but if I have to, I will, sigh). If you have any ideas of things/exercises/ health items, natural remedies, etc. that work for you in this regard, please let me know. Your kind and encouraging comments always mean the world to me. Thanking you in advance...
18 comments :
Your groundhog is a rather handsome fellow, provided he doesn't do damage to your gardens.
Re your help question - perhaps you could try a combination of 5HTP and Vit D. I struggle with depression and low-level anxiety off and on and have found that taking those two seems to help. The other thing I find helpful, particularly in the winter, is to use one of those 'happy lights' for an hour every day.
We've got a groundhog in our backyard. Thankfully he mostly stays towards the back of the yard, thanks in part to Gracie I bet. Have you tried thoughtful breathing or yoga? I hear that can work wonders for stress. Have a peaceful day.
Hi Jocelyn, I'm sorry to read that your life seems stressful at the moment. Sorry I dont have any tips for you regarding your stress levels. Just to take some time for yourself, keep doing what you love, and be sure to ask for a helping hand, as needed. Do hope that things get back on an even keel for you very soon.
You have a Fred Groundhog, too!
Good work on the quilts. I so admire them.
Weeding I've put off, as the smoke is so bad outside. I find gardening such good therapy.
I'm on Marijuana Oil for anxiety, as well as anti-depressants! I've tried meditation (didn't work for me), I exercise 5 days a week, and go for walks.
You do what is best for you!
Lavender helps relieve stress, I use the oil for my headaches. This year I am making my own (well going to try at any rate),
Love the plus quilt. You are really very talented at getting quilts that are so beautiful. Me, well I am lucky if I can do a 9 patch or a disappearing 9 patch.
God bless.
That looks like a boss groundhog! Those flowers are beautiful and of course your quilts always are beatuiful too.
if you hear of anything to increase energy status let me know - I tire easily at times - sometimes more than other times the heat does me in and it came so fast this year. I don't feel like doing much.
Are you being affected by the smoke and fires? your photos do not look like it - we have a light layer of haze all the way down here in Arkansas from it and my sister in Virginia said the sky was yellow haze today there.
the Cake Stand quilt looks interesting.
Well, for stress I walk the first thing in the morning. I pushed myself into the hospital for 3 days last month. All over the 29 quilts and a quilt show that did me no good. The best thing is deep breathing and when you feel that stress coming on, head for the front porch with a cup of Java! It works. Watch Perry Mason, do not watch the News. That is the biggest stressor.
Find a quilting buddy if you can. Someone to socialize with. Tomorrow I am going to TRY out a knitting group in town at the new Coffee Shop. If I am comfortable with the Ladies they meet every Thursday. Keeping you in my thoughts. Hugs.
I withdrew from the SA Show in September. I am on a No Stress Here time in my life!
Always nice to see crocus pictures - they are so fleeting. Your crosses look lovely - are you planning a plain border?
Make sure you take time for yourself - sewing is such a brilliant de stresser. And maybe there are some family duties that could be passed on to someone else - I have no idea what your circumstances are but all too often I hear of older friends being taken for granted (child/pet/house minding) which outsiders can see but those involved cant or just feel it is their duty. Love my weekly session of pilates too. xx
I'm not sure about exercises that help with exhaustion but after I've worked really hard, I'm not too proud to put on some gentle music and take a nap. It's surprising how well I feel afterwards. It sounds like your plate is very full right now and perhaps that isn't possible. For my sore hands, I sometimes use a tens unit on my hand and that helps. It also forces me to sit down and relax a little bit while it is on. You can get them at amazon. Nothing worse than trying to push through things when you are feeling drained. I'm sending you hugs and hugs, Jocelyn.
Your little ground hog is cute. I like the red star block and the pattern you are looking at is really pretty. I wish I could help with your stress, but I am a stress eater, so I turn to my crafts to try to deal with whatever is bothering me. It usually eases my mind and avoids a weight gain.
Yum I'll join you any day for cheesy wiener dogs and chips! I really love your plus quilt - looking forward to seeing what you choose for borders.
Gosh I'll have to come back and see if anyone posts any remedies for stress! I'm not much help. My husband says I'm a ball of nerves and have to find something to worry about - lol! I often have the feeling my heart is pounding in my chest. The doctor says I'm healthy but still . . .
That groundhog is a handsome fella, but glad he is keeping his distance, thanks to the dogs. You have some lovely projects in the works. I don't know that I'll be a lot of help, but for me, making sure I get good sleep (naps help) and taking time to just sit and rest. I tend to feel like I need to care for everyone, so sometimes I need to sit and think about what I really need to be concerned about, and what to let go. It's difficult, but helpful.
Jocelyn, I’ve been tempted by that quilt from Nicola. It is charming. But I must finish up the fall quilt I started last September. I’m only half way through the blocks and my enthusiasm for quilting has waned sharply since I rediscovered crossstitch. We’ve had hot dogs twice this month. They seem like summertime food to me. We are much farther into summer than you Canadians with temperatures in the 100s predicted for next week. We’ve had a blessed reprieve with spells of showers that have kept our temps in the 80s….unusual for central Texas. I have no advice for energy. I’m older than you are and I’ve just accepted that I cannot do as much as I want to do. I’ll watch your commenters to see what they can come up with! It sounds like you have been doing quite a lot! I so enjoy your blog…..please keep us posted.
Hi Jocelyn, my answer is to put my feet up, literally on the bed, for what my Dad called " A spell" each day after lunch. Read for a while, do a cryptic crossword, or scroll through some blogs. In the morning, rinse the breakfast dishes and wash or stack in the dishwasher, having a tidy bench seems to help.This week I reorganised my fabric bins, and we are taking a heap of "stuff" to older daughter, some spare furniture, a spare single bed and all the bedding etc, and lots more. and by the time we had loaded the trailer, both of us were exhausted.There isn't any quick fix for the tiredness or mental exhaustion, maybe just try not to take on any more responsibilities than is absolutely necessary.Learning to say NO is not easy.And each day, do ONE thing that you totally enjoy.
We are having cooler mornings and some red skies , but no frost so far.
XXX
Breathe! When getting stressed I breathe in for a count of five, hold for a count of five and exhale for a count of five. It is very helpful.
We haven't seen any of our chucks this year. Dogwood blossoms never last as long as I'd like! You Plus Quilt looks lovely over the railing. Just wait until it has borders!
We moved to Ohio so hubby could continue his medical training from being n RN to Physician's Assistant. Taking our 10 pound poodle, but giving to a friend our 2 cats because hubby told me we would have a difficult time getting an apartment with so many pets. It broke my heart. Well, our poodle decided to make friends with the local ground squirrel who lived under the edge of the freeway in the back yard of the 4-plex we had moved into. Don't know if it worked for her, but she would often be found over there trying to make friends. I had made a stuffed elephant and to help fill the nearly empty apartment I would display her on the floor. I often found the elephant lying on its side, as if the poodle had tried to make it play with her. Guess she missed her sisters, the kitties. I missed them too.
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