You'll love this one...!! A book club & more discussion
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Watcha' Doing - 2023
I'm all over the place with metric. I know how far a kilmeter is, and how it feels to drive 100 kph. But, 500 meters is not in my wheelhouse. I buy fabric in meters, but measure it in inches when cutting for a quilt. I'd be hooped if I had to cut it in centimeters, and can't even make the conversion. I'm totally converted to Celcius. All I know is that Fahrenheit freezes water at 32, and that C & F meet at -40. As far as baking and weight - I still wallow around in Imperial measurements.
Not my favorite season, but we have more holidays coming up and we slowly start to have more daylight every day in stead of less now. :)
Winter is my favorite season, but it seems that winter forgot about the world. It's to warm and wet. I'm longing for the cold, bright winter skies.
Saar The Book owl wrote: "Winter is my favorite season, but it seems that winter forgot about the world. It's to warm and wet. I'm longing for the cold, bright winter skies."same here. Almost all the snow I had has melted.
Yep. I think the first cold day here was last Tuesday. No snow yet but some flurries.According to my black walnut, we will not have snow this winter, even less than last winter. But it just forecasts for central PA, so I'm not sure if works for the rest of you. Lol.
We've only had one day of snow so far this season. We woke up to a white dusting on all the grassy areas and trees, but none on the roads or paved areas. It was perfect. Just enough to be beautiful, but not enough to inhibit any travel. It melted later that same day. If it snowed that way all the time I'd love it.
Lol, Sandra! I'll be interested to find out how accurate your black walnut is this year.
No snow here, but it was very cold for our area in the Deep South this week. Lows in the 20s and that is cold for us. I had a breast biopsy Monday which was scary, but tentatively, they think it will be all ok. I was supposed to get results at doctor’s office today, but believe it or not, my husband was diagnosed with Covid so it has been rescheduled for the 4th of January. Honestly, I feel like I must have ticked off someone this year. That being said, I know there are others in worse shape, for sure! I got up early this morning and was at grocery when it opened. If we have to quarantine over Christmas, we have what we need. So, I am about to settle down and read away the afternoon. Stay safe and well and I am sending all my wishes for a healthy and happy new year!
Kristie wrote: "Lol, Sandra! I'll be interested to find out how accurate your black walnut is this year."It haven't failed in 12 winters, so I really trust it. Lol. I'll let you know.
Sharon wrote: "No snow here, but it was very cold for our area in the Deep South this week. Lows in the 20s and that is cold for us. I had a breast biopsy Monday which was scary, but tentatively, they think it wi..."You've definitely had a hard year, Sharon. I hope the results are good, and that 2024 is a way better year for you!
I hope your year of 2024 will be much better, Sharon, and that your results are good.
Storm Pia is hitting England and the Netherlands this night or tomorrow. Belgium has it too: very strong winds and rain, lots of...I'm at work and my socks and shoes are still a bit wet. Finishing off in an hour. Hopefully I won't fly away.
I'm in it right now. I think we have it mostly today (afternoon and evening), it should lessen during the night. I did not enjoy cycling home today.. I didn't even have headwind but some strong gusts from the side that made me wobble.
It started here by midday and is still going on. I can believe it that cycling wasn't enjoyable!
At least it didn't rain at that time. Hopefully you'll be lucky too!
I'm hoping for good results for you Sharon!
It is windy here but not too bad yet, maybe it will hit us harder soon. That said, j have seen reports of planes struggling to take off and land.Anyone else been watching the Iceland volcano footage? It really is spectacular.
I'm.not keen on winter. I've struggled this week with it being so dark. Waking up in the dark and when finishing work at 2pm on Monday and Tuesday, it felt like it was already starting to get dark. Shortest day tomorrow so I know it gets better from here.
I had my.board game group Christmas Dinner at the weekend which was a lot of fun. My parents visited today to do some family pre-chridtmas visits with extended family in Bristol. So that was nice.
I've been reading again. For an hour at a time. And so I've got into my book at last. That is serious progress. I am very happy. I might actually finish my book this year!
I love that you're still getting together with your board game group, Sarah, and that you've started reading again. Sounds like things are going well for you. My daughters & grandson are coming to visit for Christmas this year. Well, technically they're coming the day after Christmas and staying through New Year's so I suppose it's really a New Year's visit, but we're calling it our Christmas visit. :) We are so excited to see them. We usually go up north to visit every Christmas, but had a lot of issues last year and decided to take a year off for the first time. I'm really happy that they are able to come down to see us this time.
Sounds lovely Kristie!@Sarah: I struggle with the dark months too. I feel much more down, less energy, hard time getting out of bed, not feeling like doing anything, when it gets dark again all I want to do is stay on the couch.
Early November I read about light therapy glasses and I bought AyoLite. Not cheap, but you can try it for 2 months and get your money back. I was skeptical, but the difference it has made is insane! All the things I struggled with were gone after a few days. I'm still surprised about it... but my mood is like spring or summer, the dark and grey hasn't affected me anymore. And I jump out of bed in the morning feeling rested and have much more energy and into doing stuff.
*end of this commercial break*
I'm really pleased yo hear that Peggy. What a difference for you. Actually, at the hypnosis convention there was a stall holder who had a pair. He wore them to help boost his energy having to be in a hotel for 5 days with no natural light. I had no idea it might help with SAD. I was contemplating a SAD lamp but I will have a look at the glasses in more detail. How long do you wear them for each day? Thank you for the recommendation!Thanks Kristie, yes, I think, things are finally going well, and I'm in a good place, after a long roller coaster ride of a few years.
Oh yes, I can imagine it would work for that too, being without natural light for a long time. I knew about the lamps and that they are effective, but having difficulty getting up in the morning and then having to get up EVEN EARLIER to sit in front of a lamp never appealed to me. I wear the glasses 20 minutes every morning, while making lunch and eating breakfast (and if I'm really fast with those things, also partly while brushing my teeth). I keep them in the kitchen so I put them on when I get downstairs. You can do all your usual things (except taking a shower) without them interfering or having to get up earlier.
I was actually using an app since September to track my mood and energy levels a couple of times per day, and it's really interesting to see in that app what happened since I got the glasses. I check 'tired' way less often and 'energetic' much more, as well as 'rested in the morning'. And my average mood is higher too, even though it's the dark months!
It's supposed to help with sleep too, but I never had any sleep issues so can't say anything about that.
I'm not sure if I should be saying it's good or bad news your winter's are so mild!? Sounds all pretty wintery to me.Hope all the results go well Sharon, and that the covid passes quickly. What a year indeed.
Hope the storms pass uneventfully for you all.
Glad you're feeling back in your groove Sarah. And the board game met up sounds like a great way to start the holidays.
Lovely your family is making the trip down to you guys this year, Kristie. I remember your kerfuffle last year! Wouldn't call it a disaster, but you know, you skated close!
Really interested in those glasses, Peggy. SAD isn't a thing here as the sun is trying to kill you all the time, but they sound really interesting. Do they think the blue light stimulates your receptors to start producing the cortisol you need?
I've been really sick this week. Not covid apparently according to 6 tests. But still a nasty flu if not. It has taken me out of work for the last couple of days, out of the office all week. I don't know what I have forgotten to do before the end of financial year and academic year, but sure it will be fine... right? So much brain fog I went out yesterday for a walk to get some sun and to just move, I forgot to put sunscreen on and put on a moisturiser that had oil in it! Then came home and napped for 90 mins before realising. I am now a lobster. My brother said to me on the phone today "you're not supposed to baste yourself at Christmas!" (we are both very pale, freckly, rangas). And sickness is now impacting Christmas plans. We are waiting for Lexx to catch it right on Christmas :(
My step father has also come back from East Timor and ended up straight in hospital with a massive infection. He went for a walk in Darwin before getting on the plane to Timor, tripped and skinned his knee. The hospital did first aid on him (yay), he went to the chemist and bought antiseptic in a small tube for the plane, but the airline confiscated it. So he went around Timor (tropical island) for a week with no antiseptic as he couldn't get any there.
Got home, the knee blew up (swelled and got angry, not exploded) while flying. He went to get it looked at and cleaned at a walk in nurse clinic. Mum said while they were in the reception he went from normal, to cold, to physically shivering and chattering and going grey within an hour. They sent him to Emergency, and he's now been on IV antibiotics for 5 days, and will be until Christmas Day. I haven't been able to visit as I've been so sick and no way I'm bringing that into hospital. But feel like a terrible child.
Christmas is now scheduled later in the week to make sure we are both well (although my flu isn't as dire). We'll see if we can make Lexx's family on Christmas Day, they won't reschedule with over 40 of them. We won't even be noticed lol
Sarah wrote: "Anyone else been watching the Iceland volcano footage? It really is spectacular."I have! I find volcanoes fascinating, and this one is beautiful!
Jeez Rus, you've got a lot going on! I hope your step father gets well soon and that Lexx doesn't catch your bug. I got sick last Sarurday. Doesn't happen often, but I stayed home till Wednesday. Did get some work done from home, thankfully.
I think the glasses optimize your circadian rhythm bu suppressing melatonine.
Peggy wrote: "Sounds lovely Kristie!@Sarah: I struggle with the dark months too. I feel much more down, less energy, hard time getting out of bed, not feeling like doing anything, when it gets dark again all I..."
oh glasses. I did not realise this existed. I used to have a lamp. There were the first ones. really big. I am struggling a bit without it and was thinking of buying another one. But glasses are way more convenient. I will look into it.
Rusalka wrote: "I've been really sick this week. Not covid apparently according to 6 tests. But still a nasty flu if not. It has taken me out of work for the last couple of days, out of the office all week. I don'..."yikes. It is always all or nothing, isn't it? i hope your step father gets better soon. Hopefully you will be back to your 100% soon and maybe you did not share your bug.
Goodness, y’all. I hope everybody gets well soon. Thank you for the good wishes!
Goodness, Rusalka, you're dealing with a lot. I hope Christmas is the turning point for you.
I got home yesterday from visiting with my dad. My niece and I decorated his hospital room to make it somewhat festive.He's fed up with being in the hospital. Three months will do that to a person. He can't hear clearly, so he gets frustrated trying to make sense of what people are saying.
I was glad to see Dad for Christmas, but it was a bitter sweet visit. He turned his nose up at the Christmas baking people brought him, but he ate the chocolates I brought him. Yeah!!
I bought the glasses Peggy! They arrive today. I'll keep you posted how I get on.I'm sorry to hear you're ill Rusalla, there are no many bugs about here at the moment. Is flu normal at this time of year there for you? I had a bad cold about 5 weeks ago and I'm still having to clear my throat regularly. It has lingered. And I'm so sorry to hear about your step father. How frustrating the airline confiscated the antiseptic. Normally they are pretty good about medications. Rescheduling Christmas sounds like the best option.
Yeah I can't imagine Janice,spending that amount of time in hospital. I'd be so bored!
That's great to hear Sarah! I hope they work for you!
And I feel for your father Janice, it must be tough for him.
Thanks everyone. Been a week! I'm feeling so much better today, although woke up to the good start of a migraine - because why not tick all the boxes! Managed to fight it off, and the rest of the sickness is beginning to lift. Didn't have to have a nap today or randomly fall asleep on my desk, so win! Lexx still seems okay.My family Christmas is now on Friday. Mum is stressing as it's my niece's first Christmas, but we have all pointed out there is no way she is going to know or remember whether we did Christmas on the 24th (spoiler Mum, also not "Real" Christmas) or the 29th. I think Mum needs something completely not life threatening or important to channel her stress into, which makes it more annoying for the rest of us as it is not even an issue!
Ah families.
I have no idea why they confiscated the antiseptic, Sarah, as he bought one specifically under the mL-age to travel. He'd checked in his bags the night before, so had to put it in hand luggage. But shouldn't have been a problem... Australian airlines at the moment though...
Flus and colds do actually spike here in Aus in Nov/Dec as everyone goes out socialising. The weather gets amazing, there are a lot of birthdays, festivals, events, Christmas parties, concerts, etc that all start up at the end of Oct and continue. So people mingle more, and share drinks or food or other things, and spread bugs. We've had a covid spike every year in Dec (in the middle of one now) for exactly this reason. Also, everyone is so exhausted and done. So no one has any will power or immune system left. Think how you guys feel in May/June, and then throw in the Christmas panic on top of that - welcome to the Southern Hemisphere. I'm exhausted just telling you about it lol
Welcome back Janice. I'm glad the trip went well. Three months is a long time to be cooped up anywhere, I am not surprised your Dad is not overjoyed still being there. But I'm sure you guys being there, the decorations, the chocolates (and maybe the bakes as an afterthought) will all help. I look forward to hearing about these glasses! Sleep always has fascinated me in the psych space (I had night terrors and then slept walked as a kid) so definitely has my interest, and particularly when tied to SAD. I'm super interested.
Hope you're feeling better from last week, Peggy!
Glad you're feeling better, Rus! Yeah, the baby will have no idea what day it is. haha Ah, mums... I was just talking with a friend about my own mom recently and I was saying I wonder when my daughters will start talking about me like this. lol I think we all come to it in some manner eventually.I hope your dad enjoys the decorations, Janice. As everyone else said, 3 months is a long time to stuck in one space. I'm sure he's bored and frustrated at being there. Hopefully, that little cheery change will help to uplift his mood just a bit.
Three days until my daughters and grandson come for a visit! I can't wait to see them. We are going away for a long weekend trip together for New Years. It will be so nice to get away.
Saar The Book owl wrote: "It started here by midday and is still going on. I can believe it that cycling wasn't enjoyable!"I hope things calmed down, Saar!
Kristie wrote: "My daughters & grandson are coming t..."Since we moved to the US we always are at home for the holidays, and it is great. We have visitors from time to time, which is great for me, but I like to be home to be honest.
Rusalka wrote: "I've been really sick this week. Not covid apparently according to 6 tests. But still a nasty flu if not. It has taken me out of work for the last couple of days, out of the office all week. I don'..."Oh my, Rusalka. That is a lot. I hope you feel better soon and that Lexx is spared. It seems your stepfather had a hard time but it is getting better soon. Hopefully you will have a great Christmas gathering, even if it is in January!
Janice wrote: "I got home yesterday from visiting with my dad. My niece and I decorated his hospital room to make it somewhat festive."Three months is a long time... I can see how hard it can get to keep the spirits high. I hope he can leave the hospital soon and find himself in a place where he feels more at home.
Sandra wrote: "Kristie wrote: "My daughters & grandson are coming t..."Since we moved to the US we always are at home for the holidays, and it is great. We have visitors from time to time, which is great for me..."
Since we moved here 8 years ago, we have gone north to visit for Christmas every year because we have a lot of family and friends still in that area. We usually drive so we can bring gifts with us, but it is a 14 hour drive each way and we are headed north where it is colder and there is a higher chance of snow. It is usually worth it because we love to see everyone.
However, last year it was just a fiasco. We always choose to stay in a hotel, but there was a storm when we arrived and the hotel lost electricity (no heat, water, lights, etc). When it finally came back on (after 24+ hours) the pipes had frozen and they burst flooding the lobby. Add to that a friend who called me right after we arrived to inform me that I may have been exposed to Covid, so we had to skip on family gatherings and my mother actually having Covid. It was just chaos and we decided to stay put this year.
We are usually home for Thanksgiving and see everyone for Christmas. This year my mom came down for a week at Thanksgiving and the "kids" will be here the day after Christmas through New Years. So, it is definitely different for us, but good.
I can't imagine having to drive somewhere for 14 hours. I'm driving to my cousin's tomorrow as I'm staying with her tomorrow night and that's a 2 hour drive and I thought that was long. My boyfriend has driven down to Cornwall which was 4 hours, not a fun trip. I just can't comprehend 14hr car journey lol
I remember all that happened to you last Christmas, Kristie! I understand you need a break this year. You can make it a tradition to visit at other time of the year. We have friends in Ohio and without planning it it became a tradition to spend the 4th of July together. Sometimes they come, and other times we go. We've been doing it for the last 4 or 5 years. Maybe something like that might be easier and less risky.
Sarah wrote: "I can't imagine having to drive somewhere for 14 hours. I'm driving to my cousin's tomorrow as I'm staying with her tomorrow night and that's a 2 hour drive and I thought that was long. My boyfrien..."I observed that long distance does not have the same meaning on our side of the pond. I am going to brunch close to Montreal on the 25th. I'll drive back home right after. So it is about a 5-6 hours round trip to go to a Christmas brunch.
Kristie wrote: "haha Ah, mums... I was just talking with a friend about my own mom recently and I was saying I wonder when my daughters will start talking about me like this. lol I think we all come to it in some manner eventually."They probably started when they were about 10 lol
And that's it, ladies and gents. Lexx is down, so we are out for Christmas.This is exactly why you don't go to work when you are sick.
I am pretty sure I caught it off my colleague who was unwell two days in the office the previous week.
That was bound to happen, wasn't it Rusalka. That's too bad. I hope Lexx feels better soon. Maybe pour some hot rum toddies down his throat.
Esther wrote: "I observed that long distance does not have the same meaning on our side of the pond. I am going to brunch close to Montreal on the 25th. I'll drive back home right after. So it is about a 5-6 hours round trip to go to a Christmas brunch.."Lol I was thinking this, Esther. We did a 7 hour return day trip in October to buy two chicks and two banh mi.
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You'll love this one...!! A book club & more
Books mentioned in this topic
De theorie van de 1 of 2 (other topics)The Journey: Big Panda and Tiny Dragon (other topics)
The Goodbye Cat: Seven Cat Stories (other topics)
Murtagh (other topics)
The Strays of Paris (other topics)
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I suppose language also could be changed in settings, or would be difficult when driving through Europe.
Recently, I encountered 2 right hand turns within 200 metres of each other, and still managed to take the wrong one, after being informed to turn right in 500 metres! So, my estimation was not good, despite being used to speed and distances in the metric system.
In Australia measurement of distances turned metric round 1988. However, still visualise in inches rather than cms when it comes to much smaller measurements, in craft, decorating etc.