I have been missing in action for awhile sadly, I have been nursing a case of self pity. I gave into a dose of it over the new year celebrations or lack of them and it has taken me awhile to get my head out of the doldrums. Normal services will resume now that I am back to been thankful for everything that I have and do recognise that we are luckier than most of the UK as living on this beautiful Island makes us tier 3 whilst mainland Scotland is in enhanced tier 4 along with England, which means yet again lockdown for most. Whilst I am thankful for the technology that keeps us all together, particularly family it is not quite the same as seeing them and giving those amazing grandchildren of ours a huge hug. I am clinging to the HOPE that the vaccine will help bring the day nearer that we will see them.
Anyway onwards and upwards, another chapter begins...
I have been asked by our Grandson to help him with his school project which he is doing on Scotland and living life on an Island. We are both excited about it and have been making plans of little videos he wants me to make. He has such faith in my capabilities with technology, I can but try.
I have had fun helping with the Church calendar.
I have made a start on a crochet project, a baby blanket. The plan is to crochet 2 squares a day and so far I have stuck to this and I have enjoyed the process.
It is also my intention to give the craft room a good sort out and finish any projects left unfinished. I suspect there might be one or two, but in fairness I do not recall anything in particular. I want to have a sort out so that I know what craft materials that I have. It is my intention to use everything out of the stock cupboard before I purchase more.
I have already made a start with the art stock. It was a joy to open a few additions on Christmas morning. Water colour pencils have been added to try in my journals. Along with craft books which are always a pleasure.
I was so blessed at Christmas it would be impossible to make a list of everything, but I was truly thankful for each and everyone who sent me cards, gifts and messages both by email and post. I feel humbled by this amazing blogging community and the generosity of its members.
To finish I would like to share the beautiful sky that we had yesterday morning. It was a bleak, dreary what locals would call a dreich day but when I pulled back the curtains I was met with this:
The last picture a bit of a blur, but blogger won't let me take it off.
I was met with such beauty, so in the grand scheme of things what have I got to be downhearted about? I need to stay focused on what I have and what I can do not wallow in what I can't. Hope all is well with everyone and that you are coping with the lockdown or whatever the restrictions are in your part of the World. Take care and stay safe.
See you soon.
I do understand your doldrums. I'm OK at present but I was in the doldrums all summer, mainly the reason I didn't produce any blog posts
ReplyDeleteLike you I am missing giving my grandchildren a hug.
ReplyDeleteI think we are all missing giving our children and grandchildren hugs.We have been in tier 4 lockdown since December 20th here in North Wales.The depressing news is that our health authority is way behind the rest of Wales with vaccinations and Wales is behind the rest of the UK.So we have no idea when our appointment will happen.
ReplyDeleteI was very down at the weekend .Weekdays are better for me.
My dearest friend,
ReplyDeleteI am sad to hear of your doldrums. Yet I am thankful to you for sharing them here. I too felt a profound sense of sadness over the holidays and I was taken off guard. I should not have been, really.THe move, the virus, our election here, decisions for my dear mother, my children growing and things changing, missing Christmas' past...all these things came together at once. Boy, I sound cheerful don't I?!Sorry about that. What I am trying to say is thank you for being so honest here, and letting me now I am never alone. Thank you for your kind comment on my post as well. Hugs from afar!
You are not alone and it does take a while, for a good a kick up our own backsides to have an effect. We are only human after all.
ReplyDeleteI fully empathize with your doldrums. Christmas Day was a real low for me as we were just the two of us. I didn't expect to feel as sad as I did. Now that January is here, it seems there is little to look forward to, yet I know that if I focus on the small pleasures and delights of my life, I will be fine. I've started a new project and I have my retirement from teaching to look forward to at the end of the month.
ReplyDeleteIt's good to share our lows as well as our highs. This pandemic is hard in so many different ways. Hugs from another island on the west coast of Canada
I think the way you have been feeling is completely normal and to be expected - just glad to hear that you are managing to come out of it now.
ReplyDeleteWhat a fun thing to do with your grandson!
As always all of your crafting projects are lovely - you are one of the most creative people I know of online.
Stay well.
I completely understand your feelings about seeing and hugging grandchildren. It’s been so long since I was able to do this that I have started a daily habit of sitting , thinking about them and then imagining hugging them. Goodness it is such a challenge, this time we re living in, but we will get there, there will be better times ahead and won’t we all be so happy to spend time with those we love when it is again possible. Take care. Fiona
ReplyDeleteYou aren't the only one who has been down recently. Glad to hear that you are feeling more positive. And who wouldn't be with skies like that.
ReplyDeleteGood morning Lorraine, or evening for you! :-) That verse in Numbers for your calendar made my heart leap. Literally. The verse is what our pastor said at the end of each service when I was a child. When I saw it here I was reminded that in this great big world we live in, we are ALL connected by the wonderful Living God who watches over and cares for us all. Thank you for that. Because even if I can't see my family right now, God sees them and knows my heart.
ReplyDeleteYour baby blanket squares are so pretty and in my favorite color. That will be a happy baby to snuggle under it.
Did you know my word for the year, which I have never done before, is HOPE? It is also in your post today. I think we are kindred spirits my dear friend.
I have to close as I have promised to sew some masks today for a friend. I could go on and on visiting with you. Take care and our love to Gerard too.
Blessings and hugs,
Betsy
Dear MM, I always look forward to a new blog post come up on my Reader List and get a comment on my blog from you for which I thank you. It's understandable for us to feel up and down in mood at this time. We miss family especially those hugs from grandchildren don't we. Our interests motivate us to keep going and I'm glad you have several projects on the go. How nice to be able to work on one with your grandson sharing more about life on your island. The short videos sound like a good idea and you'll both enjoy exchanges about this. Helping with the church calendar was a lovely activity. All the best to you and your husband in the days ahead.
ReplyDeleteOh, your crocheting is beautiful! Yes, there will always be challenges in life. One problem is solved, and then another situation occurs. You sound like you are handling it well.
ReplyDeleteI understand what you went through mindwise. No fun! I am glad you got pkg from me. Not got your's yet. I was actually able to track pkg I sent you. I like your crochet project. I need to keep clearing out my house. I have a trash bin by my desk that's full. Need to get most of it into recyle bin. Our restaurants are open for take out and some have tents that can be sat in to eat. But it's cold outdoors, and there is heat in one at Denny's but not good on winter days when it rainy and cold and windy....hope all goes better here and where you live on Isle of Lewis!! Cherrio my friend!! X------X
ReplyDeleteI do like your scripture verses you wrote out.
DeleteI completely understand your doldrums, MM, but HOPE is a good word to focus on and the one I'm clinging to just now. Helping with the school project will be fulfilling I'm sure. Enjoy it!
ReplyDeleteI love the crochet project, it will be a beautiful blanket. Stay well x
ooh I'd love to have me a little craft room. Mine is in tubs, I'm not sure what I have down there. Keeping organized will save you money, you know what you have on hand, no doubles, saving money. The sky is beautiful.
ReplyDeleteYou're doing so well on that beautiful island but we're living in challenging times. The last photo made me laugh, I've had my Blogger misdemeanours also...as they say, don't get me going on that one! Toodles, Marky.
ReplyDeleteLoraine, who in their right mind wouldn't have the feelings you have been having? Yes, we are all blessed, but this past year has been awful! I too have had issues with all the disappointments. To try and cover them up is not good for our emotional well being. Here's to brighter days!
ReplyDeleteYes the doldrums hit us all at times then like you we pull ourselves out and focus on the good. Your skies are beautiful.
ReplyDeleteI get a case of the doldrums sometimes too. I just have a chill day and watch a movie. It usually works. But missing the face to face contact is hard. I just think that I am not the only one, everyone is affected by this virus and we have to do what we have to do to keep them and ourselves safe. Difficult I know.
ReplyDeleteSorry that you had a time of being down over the holidays. It's good to hear you are feeling a bit better now. My thoughts keep going to Spring when I can be outside in my garden again.
ReplyDeleteCovid has changed so much over the last year, being in the doldrums is normal. I think we all go through this at one point.
ReplyDeleteThat baby blanket is going to be beautiful. I do wish when I see these gorgeous crocheted items that I knew how to crochet.
God bless.
Glad that you are back and your doldrums have subsided.I am in a funk, but you know what they say...this too shall pass!
ReplyDeleteA project with your Grandson is just the tonic you need to beat the covid blues. It's a good job we're heading for lighter days and the daffodils too.
ReplyDeleteI think most of us are feeling the same way but it does pass, especially when, as you say, we recognise that we have much to be thankful for. You've got some wonderful things on the go, and how lovely that you're able to help your grandson with his school project.
ReplyDeleteI would love to do more "tech" things, but I don't know how. You give good advice about finding happy in good rather than wish for what could. Part of the new year I love most, is my feeling and burst of energy to organize. I hope it can stick around longer this year..wink, wink.
ReplyDeleteI try to get two rows done on a cardigan every day. It keeps me focused. I tackled some cleaning and purging yesterday and it felt great. I don't have a craft room, but my closet where I store everything needs a good cleaning too.
ReplyDeletebig big hugs to you! these are trying times for sure. Glad you are back to your normal self and may it always continue.
ReplyDeleteYou know you are not the only one in this mood ! I think that all countries concerned are loosing strength, energy and are less optimistic. I hope we can do like Australia, return to normal life like we had before. I don't believe in the vaccination, why no politician has given the example ??
ReplyDeleteDreich is such a great word, it was certainly dreich with us here in Reading today. Your baby blanket is going to be lovely, I love the little flowers.
ReplyDeleteHave a great weekend,
Jillxx
Thank you for the uplifting photos xx
ReplyDeleteLovely photos. I know what you mean about the family thing. I keep hoping and then hopes dashed. I too am trying to be positive and focus on happy things, but I think we're entitled to a few days of feeling sorry for ourselves.
ReplyDeleteI am glad you came out of your doldrums. It can happen to any one of us especially not being able to have family members near us and hearing depressing news on the Covid-19. It is a good reminder that no matter what, we are much more fortunate than many others. The baby blanket is going to turn out beautifully.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you're feeling better.. I think each one of us has been battling to stay positive. You are not alone. And blogging will help keep you busy! ((hugs)), Teresa :-)
ReplyDeleteThis pandemic is not easy for any of us, and I think it's good to share thoughts and feelings.
ReplyDeleteThose sky photographs are just wonderful.
Take care, my good wishes.
All the best Jan