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How to get through the dark dreary days??

mousie

Hi
Its me I'm back, decorating over for a while!! but with an idea for a new thread.... well have got through the last six months...still here....still trying to be positive and look forward and not back.....but....that was hard enough through days of long evenings and sunshine ....but now...its getting darker...colder...days are longer....so ideas of things to do please to keep our spirits up and get through till next spring????
Have already done jumping in muddy puddles and hot chocolate with marshmallows in front of fire (which needs sweeping or will soon set house alight) watching a movie....but can't do it everynight!!
I made a list of things I wanted to do like yoga, learn italian properly, a photography course, salsa dancing etc. but they all seem to cost money and require a babysitter :( so please HELP me stay sane this winter :?
love and hugs to everyone
mouse xx

Posted on: October 14, 2009 - 10:59am
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Louise
Parenting specialist DoppleMe

Hello mousie

Well done on the decorating!

I know what you mean, the dark nights are drawing in..... ;) Some people like this, some don't. I know some of the other members on here use music a lot for cheering-up purposes, sparkling lime dances and sings and Pansy has karaoke sessions.

As for yoga, you could do that at home, with a DVD (and a friend round in the daytime and take it in turns to provide lunch?) Do you fancy something artistic, such as painting pictures or creative writing? Do you like brain games like Suduko or one of the Internet Games? I like Pathwords and Anna likes Text twist. Do you like making things? Even if you are not very "crafty", there are some simple things.....a friend of mine knits squares for her local Oxfam shop to be made into blankets for the Third World but you could probably find something more stimulating.

What about something new to study such as aromatherapy? books will be in the library. There may be some daytime workshops and courses where you don't need a babysitter, that will bring down the cost.

You could think about doing some ad hoc voluntary work through your local CVS (find it at http://webdb.navca.org.uk/home.aspx). That would help you meet new people and also they often provide really interesting training things like assertiveness and confidence building

I am sure everyone else will have more ideas! :D

Posted on: October 14, 2009 - 11:10am
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sparklinglime
DoppleMe

I'm doing an OU course. Lots of reading and writing - and avoidance...

I'm sure your house looks lovely after decorating.

Posted on: October 15, 2009 - 11:03am
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Bubblegum
DoppleMe

Blow things up in computer games.

:D

Well that and housework, cooking and bloody cleaning and washing the mountains of discarded clothes scattered around the house, return toys to the bedroom, pick up pieces of paper, pens crayons, LEGGO!*

*I used to wonder where all my leggo went as a child and now I know, it's like this, bend down and pick it up... or just suck it up.. hmmm?

Posted on: October 15, 2009 - 2:43pm
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lindsaygii

I'm also doing an OU course. Turns out I have tutorials to go to, but only one a month, and it's not obligatory...

Also, watching a lot of telly!! :(

Posted on: October 25, 2009 - 11:05pm
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Louise
Parenting specialist DoppleMe

Hi lindsaygii

Sounds like you're not too keen on the telly-watching. I know you are casting a professional eye, so what type of programmes do you like?

Posted on: October 26, 2009 - 7:43am
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sparklinglime
DoppleMe

My 13 year old (sorry, I know saying 'my' like that is not right really...) finds the dreary nights difficult. He's been putting fairy lights up to brighten the house. Then his sister complained so he's pulled them all down in a temper - and broken some of them :shock: pulling wires out of led lights :o

So, he's now putting up the halloween stuff that lights up instead. He reckons she can't moan about that.

I quite like the fairy lights. They seem to brighten up things - and, well, they're not really Chrismassy, are they... just pretty.

Posted on: October 26, 2009 - 12:49pm
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Claire-Louise

Hi Mousie
Yes it is hard once the dark and colder nights draw in but it sounds like you have quite a lot of ideas of what you would like to do which is half the difficulty - knowing what you want to do and wanting to keep active as we can tend to get a bit slack and hibernaty! Now it is finding a way of being able to do those things without spending lots of money.
I would suggest looking on you tube as you can find clips of pretty much anything there. I found one on yoga:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LoaH7u0fKCE
and here is one on salsa
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PfDVnX4j3-w
I do think it would be more fun if you can invite someone round to practice these with - especially the salsa.
This is another sight that might be of interest to you in terms of relaxing:
http://www.contemplatethis.org/
It has podcasts of yoga nidra which is quite a meditative technique - see what you think.
Otherwise I can suggest arrangin sleepovers with other parents to enable you to go out and try a class or something which would cut down on the babysitter costs. Do you have anyone you could do swaps with in terms of childcare or sleepovers?
Let us know how you get on and keep warm.
Cheers C-L

Posted on: October 26, 2009 - 9:04pm
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lindsaygii

My telly watching is very low... lots of police dramas and Star Trek!

I get through loads of politics too, but it's all on a bit late for me these days, poor old babymother that I am... :(

Posted on: October 26, 2009 - 11:05pm
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sparklinglime
DoppleMe

I love the politics!

Posted on: October 26, 2009 - 11:13pm
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lindsaygii

I love the politics too. Question Time and This Week is my idea of a good night in! :)

Posted on: October 26, 2009 - 11:22pm
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sparklinglime
DoppleMe

My eldest is getting into Question Time now too! (He's 18 in December)

Posted on: October 26, 2009 - 11:45pm
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Louise
Parenting specialist DoppleMe

Hey lindsaygii, you're a Trekkie! I love detective things and even sometimes ( :oops: ) stuff like "Flog it".

I think it is a shame that political programmes are on so late at night. Has anyone ever seen that programme on a Sunday morning where they discuss ethical issues? "The Big Question" I think it is called.

Posted on: October 27, 2009 - 9:35am
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Claire-Louise

Wow what a range of ideas coming through here! Can't say I am into the politics or the Trekkie side of things but music, yoga, good old emotional films, hot water bottles and fires do the trick for me! I also love all the colours of the autumn leaves and countryside so celebrating the bright sunny days we do have.
I have also just got a shared workshop space where I do some upholstery work which I am really loving at the moment - real me time and space.
Lets hear some more ideas though - I am always up for trying something new too!
Cheers C-L

Posted on: October 27, 2009 - 12:51pm
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lindsaygii

I am a TOTAL trekkie. Mostly the first series and Voyager, although I'll watch any of them. Janeway and Chakotay are my little friends....

ha hahahaa

I think the Sunday morning one is the Andrew Marr show, but I've never watched it. I used to work on the Scotland bit of the Politics Show but that was ages ago...

Posted on: October 27, 2009 - 7:57pm
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Louise
Parenting specialist DoppleMe

Beam me up, lindsaygii ! I think it is great to find something you really like. I love all the old creaky dramas like Upstairs Downstairs

Posted on: October 28, 2009 - 10:46am
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Claire-Louise

Hi there
Although I am not a trekkie, I did go to a space themed 40th recently and managed to borrow a trekkie minidress costume and I did love it! I could almost wear it out normally although not sure what other people would think?!
It is really great to have something to be interested in and follow and it is a good way of meeting others who are into the same thing. maybe you could start a Trekkie subject topic on this site lindsaygii?!
Cheers C-L

Posted on: October 28, 2009 - 7:38pm
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lindsaygii

Claire-Louise wrote:
maybe you could start a Trekkie subject topic on this site lindsaygii?!
Cheers C-L

Er, no thanks. But feel free if you want to...

Posted on: October 29, 2009 - 1:44pm
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Claire-Louise

Oh no sorry lindsaygii,
I know nothing when it comes to star trek I am afriad but I know a lot of people who are really into it and it can be good and fun to share these passions with others.
I used to watch Star Trek when I was a child ad loved it then - with all the old characters like Dr Spock but I have lost touch with it since then - I am the same with Star Wars as well I am afraid. Not really big on sci fi stuff.
C-L

Posted on: October 30, 2009 - 11:15am
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