Mental Illness Awareness and Support Thread

[bluecat*dancing]

Let;s see how we go.

[lloydslights]

Hi Youcan and others reading this thread,

I've just come in from that beautiful autumn sunshine.  I've had my toolie cap on trying to construct some sort of water feature out of 5 old brass taps saved from my old grandfather's home that was  being demolished 40 years ago.  ( I knew they and a lump of wood would come in handy one day!).

A little frustrating, but I'm getting there with my limited skills.  And I just know the fish ponds will look good in the new native, Australiana, rustic-type of environment.  It's an ongoing  conversion of the garden.  I'm eventually not going to have lawns to mow on this suburban block.

Hope others are doing okay with their challenges.

DEB

[youcandoityoucandoityoucandoit]

bump 

morning all who visit- hope things are improving for you..

lloyd, that water feature sounds really great! I was trying to imagine what it looks like?

Good on you for perservering with your skills, Im sure the fish will be grateful.There is something so peaceful, spending time in your own garden..I only have a deck, but it always feels good gardening and seeing new things growing. I have a bonsai that is at least 30 years old, and I have left the shaping of it this past year, its the most beautiful bronze colour. Gives me a lot of joy. 

Hope today is a good day- sending hugs and gentle pats to those who could use them 

[bluecat*dancing]

Can you post a pic, Deb? I hope to have a fishpond one day. My garden is a work in progress.....

After three weeks, Mr Bluecat is finally home! I am having a pajama day today  and, apart from emergencies, will not be going anywhere. Feeling tired and not looking forward to when everything catches up with me. Perhaps it won't but I doubt it because it always does. Relaxing to know that I can stay at home and put my feet up and do absolutely nothing.

I hope that everyone is doing okay. I've only just starting reading what the budget has in store and I am disgusted by the level of callousness.

Off to catch up on the rest of the board then I'llbe back.

[lloydslights]

My garden diversion tactics didn't  work yesterday.  Lounging attire and a spritz of White Diamonds sort of day.

 2 anniversaries of extreme sadness for me and it was also my estranged son's birthday that has an "0" in it. 

He was my firstborn and the most beautiful blond haired, blue eyed baby anyone had ever seen!!!  (In his mother's eyes anyway):smileyhappy:   He's now about 6'6'' tall and a "couple of axe handles" broad across the shoulders.  I don't have any contact details for him.  And he's the only one who has given me 2 grandchildren.  I learnt recently that he has separated from his family but has extreme hope of getting back to his fold.

I won't divulge the other areas of sadness at this time.

..................................

Bluecat ....I don't have a camera, or the nous to "drive one".  That's on the list for DD to teach me.  Then the Photography Thread competitors better watch out

I'm thinking about starting a gardening type thread.  Others on here may not be into the nitty-gritty, dirt-under-the-nails, bogan-attire that are essentials in my challenging world of playing in Nature.   Will see how it goes, anyway.  

Please don't hold your collective breaths, though.  It takes me awhile to get the words I write, sorted out.  (Wonder how long it took for Leo Tolstoy to write War and Peace.):smileylol:

Youcan...I find any touch with nature be it animal or plant, to tend and care is beneficial to one's wellbeing.  I'm more into plants than animals due to previous experiences.

Anyway, that's it for now....this is a good place to pull up a chair and chat.  

Hope everyone's day is as comfortable as possible.

Keeping the awareness.

DEB

[bluecat*dancing]

Gardening is therapuetic. I always feel calmer after I have pottered around in the garden. I wish that I was able to do so more often but I tend to find it very difficult to leave the house. Feeling so tired. Too tired. Too much has been happening and I am finding it challenging. I had a routine of sorts over the past few weeks but  now that has changed and I'm not sure if I like that change.

Deb, it must be sad to be estranged from your son. Hopefully, that will change some day and you get to spend time not only with your son but also with your grandchildren. Gentle hugs for today.

I had to google and apparently it took Tolstoy 7 years to write "War and Peace". I used to dabble in writing and the length of time it took me to write a short piece was unbelievable. The writing and rewriting to get it perfect!  lol

This budget has me worried, though,for the young people on DSP. It will cause so much unneccesary stress on those who are already doing their best to get through each day.

[lane-ends]

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@bluecat*dancing wrote:

This budget has me worried, though,for the young people on DSP. It will cause so much unneccesary stress on those who are already doing their best to get through each day.

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Hope it does not lead to an increased rate of chronic depression and suicide.

The are so many young people applying for jobs, to be thrown of a DSP, mentally impared, and having to compete will just about make life not seem worth it for so many.

It doesn't help that this Budget kind of labels people who need support as "bludgers" who are living off "battlers". This creates a divisive attitude. My partners mum is delighted with this budget as she is a 78 year old obsessive worker. Her work status defines who she is, and her postion of supierority over those who retire. Nevermind her daughter who has life long mental illness and is going through breast cancer is being burdened with all these extra cost and medical expenses. To my partner and myself this is a nightmare

[lloydslights]

Ohhhhh Bluecat.   Just a little push from me.  Get some of Nature's vitamin D into you.  It can be a nuisance  when the routine goes haywire. A list of things you think you should do, can be overwhelming.  Back to basics.  Eat , sleep, sunshine and companionship. And some solitude when possible.  Try not to think about situations too deeply. It's not the time.  

Throw open those windows, have a refreshing shower or a long soaking bath (throw in some bicarb).  Can I hear "in your dreams, Deb"?  Okay, dream with me Bluecat, for just a little while.  

How about an interim visit to your Case worker (if I'm remembering correctly, this is an extended break from his/her consultation)?

Try not to dwell on things that might or might not occur in the future.  I want to believe that genuine DSP cases will be handled sympathetically and justly. 

Pre- and post- Budget reporting has been a real "downer" with all the "gloom and doom".  Contagious really.  If only there'd  been a vaccination for it.

And on this occasion, I will relent my anti-hug mantra, and  give you a "big, squidgy, comforting, supporting, hug". With a stroking of the arms thrown in.

DEB

[bluecat*dancing]

Thanks, Deb. I have to take a hefty dose of Vitamin D daily because my levels are quite low - same with iron. I have to have regular blood tests due to the mood stabiliser that I take so the iron and vit D testing gets added by my GP. I see my shrink on June 3rd. I think that I'll be okay after I've had a few days rest. Its a busy time for me at the moment and will remain so for a little while. I'm in demand and feel as though that there is not enough of me to go around. Its all necessary but is exhausting.

A pajama day for me today and perhaps a nanna nap later on.

[lloydslights]

Good for you Bluecat, I'd forgotten about your individual medications and their implications.  oops.  Just me madly rushing in, again.  But I truly care.

Bit of a lounging day for me too.  (See new thread - I hope it will be a distraction from the mundane and worries, for some.)

Hello to others on this beautiful autumn day.  

DEB 

[bluecat*dancing]

Its hard to keep track of everyone's details.