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Exo's Exposé

Exo's Exposé

Looking for somewhere to hide in the Forum, no offense to anyone, I'm just kinda used to my own space - it feels safer to me. I often feel like I'm 'butting in' on other threads, I want to say something but it isn't 'in-line' with the current flow of conversation.

It rained here yesterday, dogs & cats weren't falling from the sky, but the grounds wet, there's puddles in my driveway & it's soooooooo sooooooo much cooler 😄 Guru Google even promises more!! After this weird wet stuff stopped dropping from above, I took the dogs for their walk, I do this almost every afternoon, but after a storm with close lightning strikes, my main purpose is to check the fence is still upright everywhere. I'm happy to announce it was all in tip-top shape 🙂 I noticed new puddle spots all the way around, I was sad that some trees had to be pushed over for the fence line, but the dip of their absence looks quite beautiful with a drop of moisture shimmering within. When I had completed the usual circuit I by-passed returning into the house-yard & wandered through to the dam. I think I may have been a little rain-drunk, I was hoping to see water in it, there wasn't any. I even went & stood in the very center of it's base, I think I was expecting to sink in mud - I didn't; but the cracks are gone . . . & they were huge. So if the Guru comes through with it's promise, there may yet be a puddle for my Staffy to play in 😉

I've decided to leave my camping trip to the beach for another week, rain wouldn't stop me - it rarely rains 24 hrs a day, but storms have - they often have devastingly strong winds that can break off & pick up reasonably heavy objects, that become dangerous ammunition. I've been emailing with the owners of this place, I'll still be in the off-peak season if I leave it another week - though I worry being so close to the Easter holiday, there's a more likely chance of more people. I keep telling myself I've just got to 'get over' that, that that would be all part of the experience - but I know I'm lying to myself. I picked this spot mainly because of the dog-friendly off-lead beach, but also because on the satelite view of Google maps I could see that there's no towns around it. It's one of the most isolated camping parks I've seen {that's within 5 hours of home, well - maybe just a little more}. It also admits it has old amenities, I saw negitive feedback about the place for those reasons - I think if you want to go to a resort . . . that's where you go - not to a place that describes itself as a rustic, old fashioned bush camping park 😉

Missing you Mazy Loads of love & support @Mazarita

1141 replies

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In response to: Exo's Exposé

Re: Exo's Exposé

Hi @Exoplanet

Hope you are going okay and the dogs are enjoying their canine lives with you.

Tried to give up smoking this week but caved and bought a pouch yesterday. It started with a hypnosis session last Tuesday, followed by three full days without a smoke. Really I did surprisingly well to get that far. Previous attempt at cold turkey lasted less than 24 hours and was so enraging I had to close myself in my bedroom the whole time, to protect the other person in the house.

Since starting again last night, I've been keeping a tally of how many smokes I'm having. This was a technique I learned years ago that also worked to some extent - got me down from 15-20 to about 5 a day. But again ramped up when I wasn't fully focused on it.

Had a telehealth appointment with my GP today and talked about it with her. She prescribed me the usual med to help me keep cutting down. Unfortunately it turns out there's a nationwide shortage of that med, not expected to be over before December!

Sent an email to her about it later asking if the alternative med that's used might be possible for me instead. It's a bit complicated because of my psych meds. Would be good if it turns out okay with that one, but not holding my breath.

To make a short story long (hehe), even though I have caved on cold turkey, I haven't given up the intention. Getting on to 6pm today I've only smoke three full rollies and two half ones, without feeling deprived. There's hope for me yet!

That's the main news for now, my friend. Love and hugs across the wires.

In response to: Re: Exo's Exposé

Re: Exo's Exposé

Hey @Exoplanet

Be kind to you within your limits. You have been very inspiring and cheered me up no end with stories about your trips.

@Mazarita Pleasure Therapies are a wonderful idea and really make the difference. A little like me learning how to laugh again, started with a small inner smile and grew. When the whole personality seems to have lost that ability and it feels strange to reconnect with those feelings again but knowing it is possible, is a huge plus to motivation.

In response to: Re: Exo's Exposé

Re: Exo's Exposé

Good morning, @Exoplanet, @Appleblossom and all, love and good moments to you throughout today.

In response to: Re: Exo's Exposé

Re: Exo's Exposé

Gidday Mazy @Mazarita ,

The puppies & I are doing well 🙂 The Staffy's been having a couple of dips
in the dam, though I don't think it's swimming dept now days, I think he's a
bit keen considering we're having a little cold snap here at the moment
{it's gone into the negatives through the night, but the days are beautiful};
he does the whole shivering, moaning, pathetic thing when he gets back &
I have to dry him with a towel & cover him up in blankets!!

Good on you for trying to quit smoking! My head won't even go there,
though the cost is crippling. I've thought about hypnosis, I've seen shows
where they have people clucking & pecking the ground like chickens - if
they can do that could they not make me happy, confident, brave . . . & a
non-smoker!?! I guess it's not that easy or everyone would be hypnotized
into being blissfully content brain surgeons or lawyers 😉 I keep count of
what I smoke by having just 1 an hour, mightn't seem like much as it ends
up being 15-20, but I have to confess I often struggle to keep it at that - so,
you go girl! 5 a day is impossible for me!! I'm not sure what the usual med
for cutting down is these days, years ago I used one that started with Z, it
worked with the cravings but I didn't sleep much & when I did I had the most
vivid dreams! I wonder whether the alternative one starts with C, I've never
used that one, no Doctor would prescribe it for me. I had a Sister that used
that one a few times because whilst she took it she didn't get any craving
to smoke but, well lets just say, I went to visit her during one of those times
& she had aluminium foil up on all of the window panes?!?

You haven't caved because you haven't given up giving up, so long as you
have that somewhere in your thought & emotional process, you've got a
good chance. Nic is a powerfully addictive drug, personally I think if
you can get down to 5 or less a day, the health & financial benefits will be
extreme . . . & your doing that already!!!

Love, inspiration & strength to you, my magical friend.

I'm not sure if this got taken off or if I just didn't press the right button, but I'll try again, I've shortened one of the words in case it was a no go.

Love to you Mazy @Mazarita

In response to: Re: Exo's Exposé

Re: Exo's Exposé

Hi @Exoplanet, remembered something today about a cousin who was recently out in north-west NSW at Wilcannia. My grandfather on my Dad's side (who neither I nor my cousin met) went there in the 1940s under mysterious circumstances. My family history research and communications with a few people in the area have given us a little info about him. Was looking into the history of Wilcannia today and of course know that there is a crisis with covid there at the moment. It made me think of you because I reckon you are somewhere in that wide region.

Did I tell you I only managed three days cold turkey on the smokes after the hypnosis? Trying a different approach with my psych/hypnotherapist on Tuesday. For now I'm just tallying each smoke I have in a day, to at least keep noticing how much or little I'm indulging.

Well wishes to you and the canine kids.

In response to: Re: Exo's Exposé

Re: Exo's Exposé

Hi @Exoplanet only just now saw the post you made before my last one. As you said, I think it was delayed until after I wrote mine.

I enjoy the image of the staffy later regretting getting wet and being towelled and tucked in to the blankets by mum.

Still tallying my smokes. Spoke to doc and neither medication is going to work, interactions etc. Psych and I have decided to delay further hypnosis on it because I am feeling shaky in resolve for now. I think your once an hour is a good limitation. I have limitation things happening too.

Hahaha to the people acting like chickens. Yep, clearly not magic. As you say, if there was a magic pill, it'd probably be obvious and widely adopted.

Still, the daily recordings of some of the hypnosis sessions continue to help in calming my nervous system. The sessions that are more about healing, relaxing, accepting, loving, breathing, softening - these are the ones I am finding most helpful for peace of mind.

Been dealing with pain crisis in my neck and was vomiting last night, maybe from the strong pain medications or just from being unwell from the pain. A lot of nerve pain affecting upper left quadrant of my body, arm and hands. Haven't been able to lie down to sleep for a few nights.

Still very sore but haven't needed the soft neck collar or should brace today. Fingers crossed I may be on the mend. I want to be back into activities next week.

Hugs to you, Exo!

In response to: Re: Exo's Exposé

Re: Exo's Exposé

Hello @Exoplanet

I hope that you are enjoying some times on the virtual writing thread..

There have been some serious moments..

Fun had come full circle again thankfully..

Your staffy in the dam....brrrrrrrr...what was the other one up to?

Do they behave when you walk them on a leash?

I know that you live in country so would be walking areas...

I hope that your health has improved and allowing you to do more.

I need to jump into the shower soon...

off to husband's son and wife's house for fathers day..other son and wife possibly popping in..

I have very little in common with them so struggle having to listen to the chatter..

I used to attempt starting conversations but one of them is an interrupter which I find extremely rude..

No apology or attempt to respond back so I try to smile .......yes...no....

Ask husband the time....hanging out to go home..

I think that many families are like this...

I always miss my dad ....22 years have gone by now...

Life is a test and lessons are learnt...or so they say...

enjoy whatever you plan to do today

hope to read something from you on the virtual thread when you feel up to it..

your friend

Sophia 💛

In response to: Re: Exo's Exposé

Re: Exo's Exposé

@Exoplanet @Mazarita

In response to: Re: Exo's Exposé

Re: Exo's Exposé

Hello @Exoplanet

I have come looking for you..

Hoping that your work around your property is showing all of your hard efforts..

How are your two fur family?

Not sure who is in lockdown on the forums these days...

Hoping that whatever you are able to do..that you find some reward and achievement..

I am not going too far from garden and also certain threads..

I love my time in my garden....very grounding for me....a place where I can truly be me in this confusing world..

My puddy tat is becoming bolder and naughtier...pushing the limits..

He has been told off several times lately..

He is so spoilt and will intentionally not lay near my husband or I during these occasions..

He will lay on a different chair with his back facing us..

A definite statement of being sent to coventry...

Always nearby as in 3 hours before dinner...Then back to coventry..

Take care

Sophia

Hello @Mazarita @outlander @Zoe7 @Appleblossom

In response to: Re: Exo's Exposé

Re: Exo's Exposé

Hey @Sophia1 Your puddy tat does seem to be the master of the house lol I am on holidays now so will be able to do some more of Cat's corner over the next couplke of weeks (weather dependant). I have sprayed some weeds but need to wait a bit longer for them to die completely then I can pull them out. Once that is done I can get some dirt to fill the space and begin the landscaping further.

Hey @Exoplanet

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