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The practice of Positive Thinking - Retraining the brain one smile at a time |
Good afternoon fair travellers of the Blog Highway. How goes your weekend? I apologise for the late posting of RYWF. To be perfectly honest I wasn't sure I would at all. I'm in a pretty crappy place right now and add to that the hideous goings on around the globe at the moment - it almost seemed just wrong. But then, on reflection that's the point isn't it? To look back and smile, shine a light so bright you burn away the sadness or the hate or the fear.
So here I am and this is where I am glad I take photos throughout the week and add them to a RYWF folder, because when you think it's been crappy you see the smiles that would have been overshadowed. That way lies madness, that's when you open the door a crack to let the darkness in. Believe me - that door is staying locked and bolted with padlocks and chains and all that shebang.
So my first grateful this week is Virginia for ever starting RYWF in the first place. I've said it before and I'll most definitely say it again. She's rewired my brain and I see the beauty all around me. I don't care if we are getting into happy clappy territory now. It's also the truth.
The Crochet Jumper. On a Woman
While I remember - just for you Helen. The jumper I mentioned last week - Helen commented that she would like to see it on me. Hey, I thought you'd prefer the beardy fella with no vest but whatever floats your boat!
Hotdog, Hotdog, Hotdiggetydog
Last Saturday I went to see Dunkirk at the cinema with my best friend, beforehand we went to Wetherspoons and I was swayed into trying their new hotdog range. I had the State dog which was covered in peppery cheese sauce, gherkins and crispy onions with chips and onion rings on the side. Cor, it was so nice I had it again the next day when I was in Maidstone. (I've lost 2lbs this week! The hotdog diet!)
When we got to the cinema an elderly couple were coming down the stairs from the previous showing. They started trying to speed up when they saw us holding back and I said not to rush, we were really early. That's when the gentleman started talking to us - he said he'd actually been at Dunkirk and that the film was very true to his experience. His wife said she hadn't wanted to go and see it. Can you imagine what that must be like? To have been there and then go and sit through that film? I was so grateful to have met him but wobbly before I even went in.
The film itself was exceptional. I can't really say enough about how good it was - enjoy seems a wrong word because I was in tears throughout. But the whole thing was so well done, the music was used in such a good way, unlike any way I've seen used before. Having chatted with another friend about it - I agree it should be required viewing in schools. It really should. I am so glad I saw it on the big screen though - I think it was a special experience. Our cinema is so small that the sounds were coming up through my feet - it was a real visceral feeling. One I don't think could be replicated with a DVD.
With Julie Kirk
Many of you who read this blog will also know Julie. If not, she is a small business owner and author. Her shop, consists of papery goodness. She puts together collage packs with love and attention. I asked her to put one together for me, to help me with my uni summer project. I wanted the theme to be corvids and anatomy. Julie has a wonderful knack of 'getting' people and she put together an amazing pack for me. So much so that one page even mentions a white crow - you guessed it, the theme of my project is Silver Crow.
With Julie Kirk
Many of you who read this blog will also know Julie. If not, she is a small business owner and author. Her shop, consists of papery goodness. She puts together collage packs with love and attention. I asked her to put one together for me, to help me with my uni summer project. I wanted the theme to be corvids and anatomy. Julie has a wonderful knack of 'getting' people and she put together an amazing pack for me. So much so that one page even mentions a white crow - you guessed it, the theme of my project is Silver Crow.
Play Park Fun
Today Phe and I took the Bear to a localish park, at his request. We were really pleased to see that in the time since our last visit they had added some new play equipment. Namely a musical corner featuring a drum pad, a piano pad, a rainmaker and a wooden xylophone. No prizes for guessing which two big kids instantly formed their own band and rocked out - much to the disapproval of the nearly 5 year old going on 80.
The other great addition was the new slide. Wide enough to fit all 3 of us going down it at the same time. Plus it was SUPER slippery. After watching Phe trying to run up, belly flopping and nearly knocking herself out, I decided that looked way to much fun and a new game was born. My first attempt saw me run up, laughing madly, assuming I'd done it, lunged for the bar, feet dissapear from under me, bounce off my boobs, then the belly and then slide most undignified back down again.
By this point we were gathering a crowd of children - not mine - who decided to show us how it should be done. Imagine the Gladiators travelator, not moving, and the Gladiators being the kids. Phe and I decided after about the hundredth attempt of sliding back down with bruised knees, belly and boobies that the kids must have way grippier shoes than we did. Oh it was fun though. And you know you've done alright as you walk away and other peoples kids are calling after to you to come back. (The parents? On their phones on the benches. Them that's missing out.)
We were also really surprised to see so many plum trees around the park, we've been going here for years and never noticed them so not only did we exercise Gladiator style, we came away with a healthy foraged haul too.
Here Come the Bullet Point Smiles:
- The support and cheerleading I'm getting via messages and instagram for my Summer Project. I am being so critical over everything I do. I so want to present a good initial first impression with this uni project and so am picking holes in everything. The support is - well, it's unexpected but it's also so, so appreciated.
- Getting the workshop straight so I can work out there. I'll take some pictures fo r next week. The aviary is down giving me loads of room and all the walls are now painted fresh and white. It feels like a proper workshop/studio.
I went to B&M to buy a roller to do the walls. I couldn't resist these cast iron keys too - they make me feel like a jailer. I was even more pleased when they all went through the till for a total of £3.49! Bargain!
- Getting given a surprise cinnamon bun. Mmmm, I do love anything cinnamon, especially in cake form. (Did I mention I lost 2lbs this week? Cake & hotdog diet.)
- My bath to have long soaks when needed.
- Being told I'm the best Mum in the World even though I know I have been a grumpy moo.
- The local library - guess who has put in more purchase requests that have been accepted. We may have broken the 20 barrier now.
I'm going to leave you with what I have been playing non-stop this week. I got this Disturbed CD (Immortalized) for my birthday in February (thanks Virginia) and I adore it. Like, proper love it. If I linked to all my favourite tracks on it I would link to them all so I'll link to two. The one that is on repeat (the first one) and the one that led me to discover the CD in the first place. Enjoy.
And to all my friends who are going travelling over the next few weeks - please, please be careful, stay alert and have lots of fun x
Thanks for stopping by today - how was your week?