My Get Up and Go, Has Got Up and Went!

This is how I feel!

I want to do soooo many things at the moment, but I have no energy, no enthusiasm, no willpower, no... nothing! I feel frustrated and useless, once again!

This line always springs to mind when I feel like this is 'My Get Up and Go Has Got Up and Went'

My grandparents had this poem on the wall in the toilet room of their house. I used to read it over and over, trying to decide which stage I was at! 

If you have no idea what I'm talking about, here's the poem:

How do I know my youth has been spent 

Well my get up and go has got up and went.

But in spite of it all I’m able to grin,

When I think of the places my get up has been.

Old age is golden, so I’ve heard it said

But sometimes I wonder, as I get into bed.

With my ears in a drawer, and my teeth in a cup

And my eyes on the table until I get up.

Ere sleep dims my eyes, I say to my self

“Is there any thing else I should lay on the shelf”?

But I am happy to say as I close my door,

My friends are the same, only more even more.

When I was young, my slippers were red

I could kick up my heels over my head

When I grew older my slippers were blue

But still I could dance, the whole night thru.

Now I am old, my slippers are black

I walk to the store, and puff my way back.

The reason I know my youth is all spent

My get up and go has got up and went.

But I really don’t mind, as I reminisce

My get up and go gave me such wonderful bliss.

Since I am retired from life’s competition.

I busy myself with complete repetition.

I get up in the morning, dust off my wits

Pick up my paper, and read the obits.

If my name is missing I know I’m not dead

So I eat a good breakfast and go back to bed.

(this is a copy I found via Google, that is as close to the version I remember so well!)

I think a lot of the time, I've always felt that my slippers were black, but I would love them to be blue!! ;-)

I think just finding this poem and reading it all again has already made me start to feel a little better! It always did make me smile!

Hopefully this 'fug' will pass and I'll be back on my way again!

Listpgraphy: Top 5 Photos of 2013

Another listography from the lovely Kate at Kate Takes 5, my top 5 photos from 2013.
I love taking photos of everything that goes on in my life! Sometimes I think I take a few too many, but that's another story ;-)

1) Ok, so technically I didn't take this one, but in January my life was completed by the arrival of my Little Miss! This is my favourite family photo we ever had taken! So sad to think that we won't be having anymore like this :-(

2) I am soooo lucky to live near some beautiful lakes at out Nature Discovery Centre. I love taking the kids there to play in the adventure parks, have a lovely walk and feed the ducks and swans. This is one of my 'trying to be arty' photos - I just love it! Swans are just so graceful and the picture acts as a reminder of fun times at the lakes - jumping in the puddles, teaching Little Man how to play 'Pooh Sticks' and just enjoying a beautiful place :-)

3) My yummy kids! This has to be the best photo I've ever managed to take of my kids! It was not planned, just in the spur of the moment, as the kids messed around on the play mat!

 

4) It may be a little fuzzy, but catching my Little Miss actually smiling is a rare treat!

5) I just love the expression of Little Man here - makes me chuckle every time I look at it :-)

So, what was your 2013 like?

Blog Your Heart Out meme

The lovely Jennifer over at Jennifer's Little World has shared a little meme, Blog Your Heart Out, a way to share information about yourself and your bog, so I thought I would join in the fun!

Who/What encouraged you to start blogging?
I don't have the best of memories, but I think I got into blogging from reading lots of blogs on Netmums Parent Bloggers Network. I have been a member of Netmums for ages and this was something that caught my eye one day. I had been looking for a way to help my depression, which was really bad at the time, someone had suggested writing my thoughts down, or blogging, but I had been to nervous to start, as I thought it would be really difficult! (I'm not the most tech savvy person!) Having read loads posts and getting lots of support I took the leap and gave it a go! I think Kate Takes 5 was the first blog I ever followed.

How did you choose what topics to blog about?
Whatever I feel like at the time. I chose the name of my blog so that it could write about anything and everything in my crazy little world! I also included 'mental' as a reference to my depression, but also to give people an understanding that I'm a total fruit loop and proud to be ;-)
I started writing to get the thoughts that continually whizzed around my head , out and 'on paper' (a tip I learnt from my therapists was to write things down) I have never been good at keeping a 'paper' journal, so blogging seemed a much better idea, a new way to clear my thoughts and keep a record of things that have been going on in my life. I know I'm not that great at it (and can neglect my poor little blog for months!) but I do this for me, not to gain anything like recognition or followers (though if you're reading this, and are one of my few followers - thank you for sticking with me!!!) I also made a conscious decision not to share my blog with any friends or family - not so that I could write horrible things behind their backs, but so I could be totally honest about tough things like my depression, without making them upset.
I now blog mostly about my kids, my day zero project, and a few memes I join in for fun (listography at Kate Takes 5 mainly is my favourite!)

What is something most people don't know about you?
Hmmm... not sure about this one either, as I am quite open and honest about myself, especially on here! Oh, how about, I have really cool eyes that change colour quite dramatically :-) Apparently everyones eyes change colour, but most of the time you don't really notice it. My eyes change from bright blue, to bluey-green, to bluey-grey depending on my mood and what I'm wearing! Most of the time I have bluey-green eyes, when I'm extremely happy I have bright blue eyes and if I'm grumpy they are blue-grey! Thankfully, my eyes are rarely blue-grey! Also they can coordinate with what I'm wearing!! This always made those lessons at school when you do surveys on eye colour a little tricky - I used to have to ask a friend what colour they were at the time, heehee! I do love being different :-)

What three words describe your style?
Ummm... I have no idea! Probably rambling, random and real-life?? (ooh three 'r's - small things, heehee!)

What do you love to do when you're not blogging?
Ooooh sooo many things! I love watching films (mostly Disney with my kids!), going to feed the ducks at the local lakes, spending time with family and friends, reading other blogs, pinning things on Pinterest (to get around to doing, someday!) following inspiration and small businesses on Facebook, knitting (my new hobby) reading on my own and to my kids, making jewellery and cards (though I haven't done this for a while!) trying to help with environmental issues (new passion of mine!) organising the mess of a house we all live in! I could go on and on (see, told you I ramble, heehee!)

I have no idea how to tag people to join in, but if you feel like having a go, consider yourself tagged!

Paying it forward - random gifts!

Ooooh! Just read a lovely post over at Emmys Mummy about kindness and 'Paying it Forward' and it is such a nice idea, that I'm going to join in the fun!
I've been following the idea of 'paying it forward' and 'random acts of kindness' for a while now.
The lovely surprise an unexpected gesture can give someone, anyone, is just such a simple, joyful concept! Now, I'm not the best at doing this, or thinking about it all the time, but I love the idea of doing what I can, when I can. I love giving my car parking ticket to complete strangers, if I no longer need it and it has a few hours left on it - the look of surprise and happiness on their faces, makes it sooo worthwhile, for such a simple thing!
I would love to do some of the bigger gestures, like pay for someones dinner or groceries, or give a sac of goodies to a homeless person, but funds are very tight still!

Now, this idea that I read over at Emmys Mummy, is that I will buy a small gift for the first 5 people who comment 'I'm in' on this post. (This will be sometime in 2014 and you won't know when, until it arrives!) Then to pay it forward, they have to do the same!
There are 2 ways to do this; either by posting a blog (like I'm doing) or adding it as as a Facebook status.

If you want to join in the fun of spreading a little joy, then please leave me a way to contact you (e-mail, snail mail, Facebook, etc)

Image from Google search

Listography - My Life in Books

Another brilliant list from the lovely Kate at Kate takes 5, this week focusing on books you've read and loved throughout your life - so I just had to join in ;-)

1. One, Two, Three and Away series.
Featuring; Roger Red Hat, Billy Blue Hat and Johnny and Jennifer Yellow Hat and Percy Green - these were the first books I ever remember reading! The Village with Three Corners - oh soo many memories! (I'll admit, I had to google the name of the series, as all I could remember were the character names, though I forgot Percy Green, heehee!)


2.The Hero of Hamblett
This was by far my favourite book for my dad to read at bedtime! My brother and I would either curl up on his bed, or mine, with my dad in the middle and I can remember finding this sooo funny!
What's even better, is that I found that copy not long ago, so Little Man will be able to enjoy it at bedtime too!


3. Roald Dahl
He was the author of my Primary School years! I adored reading all of his books! He painted amazing worlds were children could stand up for themselves and achieve fantastic feats! He showed how the 'under-dog' could outsmart even the evillest of villains in the end! He really sparked my imagination and love of reading!


4. Jane Austen
When I hit my late teens, with the help of the oh so yummy Mr Darcy (played by Colin Firth) showing each week, plus my dad's enthusiasm, my love of Jane Austen was born! I have read and re-read them over and over and over again! They have a special place in my heart and live on the shelf of my bedside locker, so are always at hand when I need them! I tend to read them when life gets tough, or problematic - I can loose myself in her words, like greeting an old friend, instantly transporting me to my comfort zone ;-)
Although my love began with Pride and Prejudice, it is Persuasion that is my firm favourite now! Weird how things change as you grow older, huh!


5. Labyrinth by Kate Mosse
Thanks to the hype of The Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown, my love of mysteries based in history and religion began. Labyrinth was one of the gems I found at this time and instantly, I loved it! The way the 2 stories of Alais and Alice wove in and out, the twists, the imagery... I could go on for ages, so better stop ;-)


(All images taken from Google image search)

So there you have it, these are the books that make up my life, so far! Many, many more could have made the list though ;-)
Off to have a look at some other book lists now, then I might be inspired and find new authors and genres to read next :-)

#nomakeupselfie for Cancer Research

I am proud to say that I took part in the latest campaign on facebook, by taking a selfie wearing no makeup!
Well, I never usually wear makeup, so to make it different for me, I wore my hair down, which I NEVER do! So that was a little scary for me!
It also felt good to make my £3 donation by texting 'BEAT' to 70099!

What has surprised me though is some of the negative comments I have been reading!
I've read lots of comments from people who've said things like;
 'Ok, you've taken a selfie without makeup, how's that going to help?' or
'There are other charities out there that are just as important as cancer research, where's the picture to help raise awareness for them?'
However, the most surprising comment was made by an actual cancer sufferer, who posted a picture of her box of cancer medication, and commented 'I know cancer exists, I am reminded every day that it exists' with a 'grumpy face' to show how she felt.

Please let me start by saying that I am all for people saying how they feel, and am in no way saying I don't understand this last comment - I have no clue what it must be like for people to go through cancer, and my heart goes out to anyone who is suffering! However, I don't think I know anyone, who can honestly say that they don't know of someone in their life, who hasn't been touched by cancer in some way or another. I watched my Grannie slowly die of lukemia when I was 16. I have seen how scared my mum was when she got skin cancer removed from her hand at the beginning of the year, even though she never showed it. There are numerous people in my life who have lost loved ones and friends - it is a truly devastating disease!
Secondly, I also know that there are thousands of worthy causes that could do with more attention and awareness, but never seem to get it. Thousands of illnesses, like MS (my dad has) and mental illness (I have) plus ones that protect animals, children...the list could go on forever!

The reason I'm so surprised, and I guess a little saddened by these negative comments, is that they seem to be missing the bigger picture. The 'bear all' selfie for Cancer awareness was started to help others! Thousands of people made this simple gesture, not to belittle cancer sufferers, or cause offence, but to show love and support! To allow people to join in a little challenge and donate to a worthy cause at the same time! I have loved seeing women sharing their purest-selves, without all the 'warpaint' to hide behind, for all the world to see! Each and every one unique and beautiful! I also find it refreshing to be able to donate to a charity, by doing something simple and different, that doesn't involve 'begging or guilt-tripping' tactics for a change!

I think the point to make really, is that all the hype - both negative and supportive, has actually done the intended job! Thousands of people are either posting selfies or talking about them! This has enabled thousands of people, including me, to donate money to Cancer Awareness UK!
How many of us would have suddenly been inspired to donate to Cancer Research UK over the past few weeks, if it weren't for the selfies?
 I can honestly say, that if it weren't for campaigns like this, I would never have donated my money! Not because I don't feel that it's important, but because I wouldn't have thought to - 'out of sight, out of mind' - and all that.
It has also prompted people to share things, like posters on how to check your breasts, with signs of cancer to look out for and get checked out. Things that could help save lives!

Ok, sorry for ranting and moaning!
Here's my selfie, and one of Little Miss who wanted to join in too ;-)

Did you join in?

Flowers for a Friend

These beautiful flowers are off to help cheer up my good friend Becky! (thanks to Interflora flowers!)
Another challenge from my Day Zero project, sending flowers to a friend in need, poor Becky has had no luck with health lately. Come to that, neither have I! We have been trying to organise a girlie get-together since before Christmas and are foiled every time due to one or both of us being ill!
These pretty pink flowers should arrive tomorrow and hopefully she'll know that she's always in my thoughts and prayers. It feels amazing to do such a small thing to show a friend that I hope she feels better soon! I only wish I had done similar things before!
I can't believe that in just a few short months, thanks to this wonderful Day Zero Challenge, my life is already so much better than before!