Looking After Yourself Giveaway

As the UK enters it's 2nd lock down I decided to have a go at the NHS app from Couch to 5K, a running app designed to get you up off the sofa and running. Usually I visit the gym at least 3 times a week exercise being an excellent way to keep my body and mind healthy.

Before I left the house I mentally ticked off what I needed:

inhaler, water bottle, phone and earplugs, keys, running shoes, pockets for all this stuff.

It soon became apparent I had forgotten one of the most important items of clothing... my sport's bra. Luckily I am not blessed with a generous bust or I may have knocked myself out. However, I am gifted with enough to feel uncomfortable. and give a few a laugh. 

The app eases you into exercise by starting  with a 5 min walk to warm you up then a jog for 60 seconds followed by a brisk walk for 90 seconds. this is repeated 7 times and finished with a 5 minute walk to cool you down. Firstly OMG I thought I was relatively fit secondly; I only actually ran for 8 minutes and I felt exhausted and thirdly running is so unforgiving on the knees as well as being totally different from exercising in the gym.

But my did I feel good, sweating and breathing heavily I returned home on a cloud of calm euphoria. Far too tired and relaxed to feel the general level of anxiety that, usually plagues my every waking hour away from playing with clay. So yes after my one day of rest I will be running again abate with a new pair of running shoes.

As a little treat I have decided to launch a giveaway for one of my:

One of a kind Polymer Clay Embroidery Style Pendants finished with polished wax. The pendant includes a 10mm black velvet ribbon or 2mm black waxed cord with a silver plated lobster clasp and chain extender. You can choose the length of velvet ribbon you would like. The Pendant measures 35mm by 25mm (1″ 3/8 by 1”) and the length with bail 40mm. The mount is silver in colour and is made of zinc and copper.

For a chance to win this dainty little piece please:

1. Subscribe to my monthly newsletter by sending me your email address via the contact link at the side of my blog. I will then add your email to my mail chimp list of Newsletter subscribers. I will not share this information with any third parties.

2. Visit my shop and add an item to your wish list (make your wish list Public so I can check)

3. Like my Facebook page Skylark and Bluebell Creations

On December 1st I will randomly pick an email from the list of subscribers to my newsletter and providing they have fulfilled the other criteria. I will notify them of their win.

What’s Your Covid-19 Story?

Please click here to read my Covid story. It will take you to my sister blog where I originally published it back in April.

How are you coping with the uncertainty created  by Covid-19?

Crafting! No seriously, of course crafting helps to focus the mind and relax you. However, if I am ultra stressed I cannot even attempt to sit still let alone craft.

My mantra during these unprecedented times is “Be kind (especially to yourself), go for a walk and exercise."

Being kind to myself allowed me to put a few pounds on and deal with my ever changing reflection without the normal visits to the hairdressers and beauticians. Trips to the beauticians were solely for hair removal. Being a lady of a certain age the odd chinnie chin hair and slight "tache" are never far from the door.

For me being outside in the open is paramount for my well being. A little green space helps to clear my troubled mind and calms my anxiety. Unfortunately, I live in a space hungry, tangled urban jungle of a city. So my local park and canal path had to suffice. Walking by the water watching the cygnets slowly transform into swans has been just one of the simple pleasures I have allowed myself throughout the pandemic.

Finally Thank Goodness the gyms are open again. Exercise is the one thing that keeps the ugly shadow of depression from my door. Yes I did try: the odd on-line gym class; going for a run and cycling but, those adventures will keep for another time.

So to recap if I had to sum up my coping mechanism during Covid-19 in just three words. They would be Kindness, Outdoors and Exercise!

What would yours be?

Meanwhile this week I have been working on Autumn Candles. I put together little displays of Autumnal leaves, conkers from the Horse Chestnut tree, red berries and pine cones to produce a festive background for the candles.    

                                                                         

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The leaves are a mixture of either paper or polymer clay. There are Oak, Holly and Sycamore leaves which have been painted or dusted with gold to give the effect of changing colour. The cones are real tiny cones collected during my many walks. The conkers are made from clay and the berries are glass beads.

 

The displays would look great in a Fall, Thanksgiving, Halloween or Autumn scene.

Dementia Stole my Mother

My wonderful mother

My son and I went to visit my lovely mum at the care home today. She was so pleased to see us well, I say us but, to be honest it was Ollie she was pleased to see. I was just happy mum was having a good day.  Sadly during some visits mum’s dementia is foremost leaving her once beautiful, animated eyes devoid of any life and her mumbling go away!

Dignity

Smelling of shite, my nappy needs changing.

Breath like a sewer, a cap lost from my tooth.

Plaque and food detritus ruining my smile.

Hair greasy and frowsy, I don’t want to shower.

Slouched, nodding off in my chair.

Mouth agape dribbling and catching flies.

Large purple and yellowing bruise to my forehead.

I fell again or so they say.

My feet like overstuffed sausages 

protruding from my sandals. My shoes have been lost.

My handbag caked in remnants of yesterday’s meals.

My mind, what mind, who’s mind?

You call it living, I call it abuse.

Where is the dignity

Then I had an epiphany moment mum is not suffering, she is as happy as can be in whatever world she now occupies. It is only those that knew her before this, awful plague on humanity stole her wits and left behind a shuffling shell, that suffer.

Childhood Revisited

I am warm, I feel safe, I can hear music.