Tags
acupuncture, bullfinch, Dunston Hall, family life, frost, full moon, Southwold, Suffolk, weather
Before I resume my Highlights posts from last year I thought I’d better write something about this new year.
There have been lots of frosts this month; probably more frosty mornings than non-frosty which makes a pleasant change. The last two winters have been quite mild with frost being a rarity. We have had some rain, even a day of snow (it didn’t hang around for long) and a fair amount of fog. The best days have been the sunny ones; a sparkly start to the day and then blue sky until sunset. Freezing nights with countless stars and a moon latticed by the bare branches of trees. Today the temperature stayed at -2 centigrade and a very cold wind and thick cloud made it unpleasant to be outside.
My life has carried on as usual – driving Elinor to college in Norwich, taking Mum shopping, to her hospital appointments and to church once a fortnight and when I am at home, basic household chores. I have been very tired this month so haven’t done more than necessary! I went to see my Rheumatoid Arthritis clinician at the hospital for a routine appointment and she seems to be pleased with how I am coping and doesn’t think I need any change in my drug regime. Richard is feeling much better, though still has some problems with his leg and back. He is driving again and we have resumed our sharing of the driving and shopping duties.
I mentioned at the end of last year that Elinor had decided to try acupuncture to see if it helped to reduce her anxiety and its symptoms. She had three appointments before Christmas and has had three more this month. She would have gone this week but it was cancelled as the practitioner has ‘flu. Elinor is continuing with it, despite it being quite uncomfortable at times, because it has made a difference. The first session caused her to feel calm for the first time in her life and the effects lasted for nearly 24 hours! Not all her sessions have been as effective but since Christmas we have all noticed that she has been able to make decisions more easily and has had the courage to do a few things that for some time have been beyond her capabilities.
The venue for her treatment is Dunston Hall, just south of Norwich, which is a mock Elizabethan building constructed between 1859 and 1878 but is now a hotel with spa, beauty and therapy treatment rooms, a gym, a pool and outside, a golf course, driving range and football pitch. The acupuncture reception area and treatment rooms are ‘below stairs’ and I have become used to sitting on a sofa listening to ‘ambient’ music, attempting to read a book and trying to keep awake while waiting for Elinor.
She had her 20th birthday on Saturday and we went out for a meal together that evening. She felt a little unhappy to think that her whole teenage years were given up to anxiety and, because she has no friends, she had to celebrate her birthday with her Mum and Dad. Richard and I felt so sorry for her and wished there was something else we could do to help her.
The following day was quite eventful because she announced that she had decided that the college course she has been studying since September was not one she was happy with and was considering giving it up! We spent the day discussing this statement and even though it does sound like a negative step I am amazed that she has been able to come to this conclusion. She has been studying Graphic Art because she is interested in illustration work and had been told this course was the best one for her. She has struggled with it and has not been able to attend many of the classes. I have suspected for some time that she found it unsatisfactory but until this weekend she has said she thought it fine and was going to continue with it. She has been told of a one-year-long Art and Design course at the college for students who are 19 years old and older and this is what she intends to apply for. This week she has been talking to her tutors and support staff and has explained the situation to them. Her final day is tomorrow when she will try to apply for the new course and discover if there are any short courses she can attend in the meantime.
We had a beautiful day here on Monday and wanted to go to the coast for a walk to enjoy the cold but still and clear day and also to recover from our surprise the day before. Because of other duties we had, we didn’t set out until 3.30 pm and it was nearly sunset when we got there.
My choice of music today is ‘Don’t Get Me Wrong’ by The Pretenders.
Thanks for visiting!
avian101 said:
I like your pictures very much Clare. I hope you get warmer weather soon. – – HJ 🙂
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clarepooley33 said:
Thank-you HJ! It is a bit warmer today I am pleased to say. 🙂
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womanseyeview said:
Wow – those moon shots were pretty impressive! Nice bullfinch too. So good to hear that Elinor is getting on well with the acupuncture – I admit to having a soft spot for her since that’s the name go my youngest (10 months) granddaughter.
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clarepooley33 said:
Thank-you Carol! And congratulations for having another granddaughter especially as she has such a special name.
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Cynthia Reyes said:
Clare, those shots of the moon are terrific.
You and Richard are wise and caring parents. Some parents would get worked up when their child decides to switch course like this, but you are able to join the dots and see that this decision reflects growth. Such an important thing to discern. From one parent to another, I send you a gentle and warm hug.
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clarepooley33 said:
Thank-you so much for understanding and for the hug Cynthia. It was one of those times where keeping calm and listening were so much more important than anything else. This is the first time that Elinor has made a considered decision on her own, without input from anyone else, and that wasn’t a frightened reaction to something. Growth indeed.
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Liz said:
Clare, so pleased to read about the various progress you, Richard and Elinor are making. It sounds very positive that Elinor is feeling confident enough to consider her own needs re her studying – it would be all too easy just to carry on with the status quo, so good for her. And, as Cynthia has said, well done also to you and Richard for remaining so supportive and non-judgemental. X 💜
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clarepooley33 said:
Thank-you very much Liz. I am very proud of Elinor for making this decision. She has also had meetings with all her tutors and other staff involved with her college course and has filled in an application form to be considered for a different course in the autumn! Though it will involve us in some added expense that fact is immaterial when considering the positive change in Elinor!
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susanpoozan said:
Good luck to Elinor as she goes in a new direction. Wonderful pictures of the moon.
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clarepooley33 said:
Thank-you Susan!
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margaret21 said:
Elinor sounds to have been making some positive, if difficult decisions. You all seem to have been involved in this process in a positive way. I hope the story unfolds well. Great winter photos. Elinor must get her artistic eye from you!
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clarepooley33 said:
Thank-you Margaret. We are hoping it all ends happily too!
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Jill Weatherholt said:
I love to spend time with my parents…it’s always special. You and Richard are wonderful parents…Elinor is very blessed to have you. Happy belated birthday to her. ❤ I'm so happy to hear she's doing better. As always, your photos are so beautiful,…that moon…wow! Enjoy your weekend! ❤
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clarepooley33 said:
Thank-you very much Jill ❤ We are blessed to have Elinor as our daughter as she is kind and clever and very funny. Her anxiety has been such a disability and any improvement in her mental health is very pleasing to us all. I hope your weekend is a happy one. xo ❤
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KerryCan said:
Your photos are so lovely and serene . . . and belie the emotional roller coaster you must be experiencing! Although, lately it sounds like the roller coaster is heading up, up, up, and that things are going quite well! Elinor is lucky to have such sensible, supportive parents–I’m glad she seems to be finding her own way more, too.
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clarepooley33 said:
Thank-you so much Kerry. Yes, things have been a little exciting of late so this weekend we are trying to relax and come to terms with the changes that Elinor has put in motion.
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colorpencil2014 said:
Lovely post as always…but oh, those pictures of the moon!!! Xo Johanna
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clarepooley33 said:
Thank-you very much Johanna! I hope you are having a good weekend xo
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jmcheney said:
I love the photo of the frosty path through the tangled thickets by still waters, pointing the way forward. Judith in North Carolina
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clarepooley33 said:
Thank-you very much for taking the time to make such a kind comment, Judith 🙂
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Lavinia Ross said:
Beautiful photos, Clare, and I love your music selection. Wishing Elinor a Happy Birthday, and I am glad the acupuncture treatments are working! She has wonderful parents who love and care for her. 🙂
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clarepooley33 said:
Thank-you very much Lavinia. I will pass on your birthday wishes to Elinor 🙂
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tootlepedal said:
I hope that Elinor can find a course that suits her. I can appreciate your worries. The bullfinch was very colourful.
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clarepooley33 said:
Thank-you Tom. We are a little apprehensive as you can appreciate but it is her decision and as she has never been able to make a decision like this before we are just going along with it.
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tootlepedal said:
It sounds like step in the right direction.
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dobetteralways said:
What positive news to read ☺ I’m glad to hear of the improvements. Loving the photos too.
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clarepooley33 said:
Thank-you so much! We are holding our breath and hoping for a good resolution to this decision of Elinor’s!
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New Hampshire Garden Solutions said:
I love your shots of the afternoon at the beach. The sky was beautiful.
I’m glad the acupuncture is working for Elinor but I’m sorry that she doesn’t have any friends. I’m familiar with what she’s going through and I know that it’s possible to have both friends and anxiety, so I hope she finds a few in her new class.
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clarepooley33 said:
Thank-you Allen. I really appreciate your kind and thoughtful comments. She used to have a lovely set of friends when she was still at school but they have lost touch over the years since then. I am hoping she can find friends too.
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quietsolopursuits said:
It couldn’t have been easy for Elinor to decide to change directions, but she’ll have to find her own direction in life rather than being told what’s best for her by the school administrators.
Loved the photos in this post, especially the bright full moon and the series from the beach.
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clarepooley33 said:
Thank-you Jerry. You’re right, the decision was a difficult one for her but she is standing by it and the college have been very helpful and understanding. She has left the course now but is keeping in touch with a couple of members of staff who will be helping her to apply for support staff when and if she gets into the course in the autumn.
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quercuscommunity said:
That’s a great Bullfinch photo – I’d happily swap bullfinches for a few flowers.
Hope everything goes well with health and course changes.
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clarepooley33 said:
Thank-you Simon. I was surprised to see them so close to the house.
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quercuscommunity said:
We had some close to the centre at the end of last year – I got an indifferent shot of the female and missed the male.
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Julie said:
Hi Clare, I really feel for you all, that was brave of Elinor to voice her decision and take action. I hope the other course is fulfilling or a pathway to other options and inspirations. Recently my daughter suggested a yoga course on you tube for me to try. Yoga with Adrienne – the 30 day course.
I have found it very relaxing, I wonder if its something Elinor would like to try.
Take care, Julie x
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clarepooley33 said:
Thank-you so much Julie! A number of people have suggested yoga to Elinor but so far she hasn’t tried it. I am sure it would be beneficial. I have been considering it for myself though I wouldn’t be able to do all of it because of my arthritis. I will have a look at the link you suggested with pleasure.
With love, Clare x
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Lisa G. said:
What an amazing difference because of the acupuncture! A few treatments and the dear girl is able to feel more calmly about things – it’s wonderful, even though nerve-wracking, I’m sure. Still, she’s on her way to knowing herself better and hopefully will keep going forward. A Happy Birthday to her, too.
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clarepooley33 said:
Thank-you Lisa! I will pass on your birthday wishes to Elinor. We are very pleased she decided to have acupuncture treatment. It has made such a difference to her already. I hope she is able to continue to improve and one day is able to live independently.
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Kate R said:
Hello Clare! Some beautiful photos in this post – that moon! I didn’t realize that you suffer from RA. You are always so upbeat and active that I think you have done incredibly well. I’m sure you must have been very concerned about Elinor wishing to change courses but it’s actually wonderful that she made this determination for herself. That is something for her to feel very confident about. My daughter changed majors completely, half way through college and it was the best thing that she ever did as the course she was on just made her miserable and was such a struggle. I am a big believer in acupuncture and go regularly for back pain issues and allergies. It would be wonderful if this could be answer. I’m glad it seems to be going well so far. You are such a wonderful mum and so supportive. Big hugs to you and Elinor! xxx
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clarepooley33 said:
Thank-you so much, Kate. We are hoping Elinor will be happier with a different course. At present though, she is feeling very insecure because she hasn’t heard if she has an interview yet The acupuncture has made her a little braver and she is able to make decisions quicker She would like another course of CBT in the near future to help her learn to use the phone/answer the door/use public transport
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Kate R said:
I’m sure she must be nervous. Hopefully it will all work out in her favour xx
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clarepooley33 said:
Thank-you Kate; we hope so too.
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eliza rudolf said:
Nice post…☺🙂
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clarepooley33 said:
Thank-you very much, Eliza!
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