All Caught Up: Day 79 #100daysofwriting

I'm playing with words with this title - seeing as it is the last of the posts that I needed to catch up on.

The theme of my life lately seems to be stress. I'm not unhappy or screaming. I'm just tired and my tummy hurts. We have a lot going on at work. My dreams are very vivid. I'm working on my myself in relation to my approach to people. Writing everyday is not always a welcomed escape and feels like a chore sometimes. I can't really just vent the same stuff everyday online, I should be a little upbeat, right?

My friends seem to be in the same state, family too. So we all play schedule Tetris to try and shoe horn some social time. Often, even on weekends, I leave the flat in the morning laden with supplies to last me till 10pm - trailing lunchboxes, jackets, sneakers, books, beauty products... the works. I find myself sitting in traffic munching a chicken breast between engagements, or applying mascara and catching up on emails. All very amazing multitasking woman, but I'm drained.

This morning I woke up stressed, so I got into Shavasana (the corpse pose in yoga) and did some deep breathing. I felt it was necessary to pull my duvet over my head. Arizona got very concerned and sat on my chest trying to save me from hyperventilation under the covers. I suppose I tried.

But really, I'm ok. Told a colleague today that I'm too busy to worry about any mistakes I'm making or things I've forgotten - tell me and I will sort it out. I can't stop moving long enough to slip into self pity. I just need a holiday!!!

Come on Summer... the sun always helps!

Golden : Day 73 #100daysofwriting

Gold is the summer
Slowly oozing back.
Gold
Fine hairs on my arms
Standing to attention
When gold is hidden by cloud.
Gold rings glint
On searching fingers
Neither promising
Nor committing
Symbol of stolen hedonism.
Gold
The glaze of bread
The drink that froths
Forbidden fruits
On golden afternoons.
And you
My elusive golden boy.

Sunny Skin : Day 52 #100daysofwriting

Skin
Scented with sun
And honey
Radiating
A second hand warmth
Stolen
While watching cloud
On a winter afternoon
Laughing bellies
Pressed to the earth
As we lazily sipped tea
Flip flopping
On to our backs
To scan the sky
Dragons lurk in vaporous cloud
Alligators snapping
Morphing
As the storm rolls in
Night falls
With bone crunching cold
Sunlight scent still on our skin

Speechless: Day 34 #100daysofwriting

Pink toenails keep Summer close
Even with a sore throat
Frozen shut
Struck dumb
Words fall short
And bounce up again
Borrowed coats hide the chill
Summer hides in a scent
Twisted together
Buried in cloth
You smell like memories
Half forgotten
Warm memories
Wrapped in cold secrets
How long ago you ask
I can't even answer
Frozen shut.

Sneeze Louise! Day 12 #100daysofwriting

I really tend to be warm blooded but this winter is really messing with me. I swing from warm enough to frozen within minutes. When I arrived at work today I was quite warm enough in a sleeveless shirt. Everyone screamed at me and I let them feel my warm hands. Maybe they cursed me because within 20 minutes I was frozen, even with the addition of a cardigan and jacket.

I really pride myself in not getting cold as fast as everyone else. I get quite arrogant. I tell them to breathe deeply and to visualise heat radiating from their stomachs. I claim to be a Viking - we have Swedish ancestry, I have long incisors, I don't get cold.

Now I'm sneezing. My nose feels all tickled and sore. I'm tucked up in bed and ignoring all I'd said I'd do tonight. It is a cold Monday night after all!

I really hope my nose gets its act together, I refuse to be conquered!!!

The Louise bit? Well it rhymes... And it's my second name. Fancy that?

Good night! Keep healthy!

Low Low Low : Day 8 #100daysofwriting

I've been on a mission to wake up earlier and last two mornings have been a success. I have also managed to get to sleep more easily. As a result my body clock has reset.
 

Maybe because winter is the season of snuggly vibes? That said, all I can think about is how much I'd like to just go to sleep right now. Again - rare - I have a nasty habit of staying awake extremely late, struggling to settle, and just not falling asleep.
 

I'm the queen if the Sunday afternoon nap, even on a sunny afternoon, yet even the hint of a street light drives me to night time insomnia. It really makes no sense.
 

I try to avoid taking medicine unnecessarily since I've cleaned up my lifestyle with regards to addictive substances. A glass of wine really did help me sleep in the old days, and I don't want to depend on something chemical now. I know there are natural options, but I'd rather do it totally naturally.
 

So far these conditions and changes are helping: warm bed, a little incense, an eye mask, drastically reduced coffee intake and all before noon, and a really cool app that cuts the blue light from my phone after sundown.
 

I apologise if my writing structure is off - just focus on the info.

Good night!

Winter Lover : Day 4 #100daysofwriting

Hi all
 

My earlier attempt at a post was awful and it deleted rather easily... So here are some of my late night musings.
 

Winter time is good. I think of layered clothing that narrows the gap between hipster chic and hobo. We all end up looking like little hobos in Winter. You disagree? Look at yourself in your over sized beanie, are those fingerless gloves and a long trailing scarf? In cold desperation did you ignore all concept of matching? Your only option is to stick to neutrals - grey, black, brown, cream, navy and a pop of burgundy. Really, now we all match - uniform hobos.
 

The next aspect is romance. I'm even guilty of sniffing out affection in the cold months. Romance is built next to fires, with layers hiding your hot cross bun rolls - am I the only one who feels that Easter marks the end of carb restrictions? In the Southern Hemisphere at least, I would imagine that Thanksgiving rings in the end of diets in the North?
 

The prospect of romance may even encourage you to brave the rain to hit a yoga class. You may even feel compelled to tame your leg hair in their undercover months and therefore making the Springtime grooming less of a lawn mower affair.
 

Is this post about to romance? Goodness me. Old flames and discarded Summer Loving Prospects are popping out of the woodwork at a rate directly proportional to the dipping mercury. What to do? I've pledged allegiance to rusks for the last two months and I'm starting to look like a traditional Ouma Buttermilk rusk - pale and chunky. Mmmm, I actually sound like the perfect thing to curl up on the couch with; blankie and cuppa as my back up singers. Could I, with my rusk-like physique be the perfect winter companion?
 

(I need to break into a grin here)
 

I will keep you updated on my search for the perfect winter companion - don't be surprised it just turns out to be Arizona.

xxx

I'm not a nudist... But. #100creativedays Day 99

That title got your attention? Good. I'm getting tired of having to wear winter PJs. I'm tired of winter clothes all together - in fact I'm not sure when winter clothes have ever been my first option. I get strangely over heated and claustrophobic when it comes to coats... Or long sleeves.

Let's look at my family. The Squire tolerates sleeves and coats, but shuns long trousers whenever he can. He cuts a dashing figure, mid winter, in a tailored Melton coat and cargo shorts. Father insists on shoes and socks on the beach. He is a wearer of vests. *shakes head*

Mother! Oh mummy dearest... The June bride with her sleeves pushed up in 90% of her wedding photos... I think we have our genetic link. Rumor has it, and I grab this claim with both paws, that some Nordic blood has trickled into our blood line from our mom's side. I swear that my incisors are longer than average and attribute this to my Viking ancestry. Yup, claiming it.

Summer turns me into a sweaty blob. I've started coming out in hives if I'm in the sun too long (still exploring whether is rather the sunscreen). I'm not sure that summer suits me either. Give me a temperate temperature with a breeze (or plain ventilation in the office) and I'm a content little girl.

xxx

Sloth #100creativedays Day 95

Winter... A time of closed rooms, heaters and disease. I've managed to avoid snotty flu all year. I deal better with stomach pain or dizziness than a sore throat, cough and snot.

Patient Zero... Strut around the office and as our colleagues dropped one by one, I swore my immunity... Alas... As much as I believe that cold weather can't make you sick, the odds of a sore throat are higher when you eat dinner on a balcony in the rain... Damn my sense of adventure.

Looks like my long weekend will not be as productive as planned...

Snuggle Weather #100creativedays Day 85

After a string of bad nights, I'm totally in the snug sleepy zone.

Is it the slight shift towards warmer temperatures?
The happy consequence of dealing with my monsters?
Better support after flipping my mattress?
Muscles unwound by the superior skills of my physio?

I like feeling happy, loved and content. Maybe letting go does work...

 

Winter Gosh #100creativedays Day 58

I will waffle tonight. Its bloody cold so I'm cocooned in blankets, typing with my thumb, Arizona is sitting heavily on my arm... Wait, she must be reading over my shoulder because she gave a reluctant "meuw" and climbed down to my feet.

OK, where are we? 37 weeks sober tomorrow. (OK I feel like I'm in a Disney movie, predictive text preempted the three words following 37)

Am I so cold because I'm dead already? No, the afterlife doesn't have upstairs neighbours with high heel wearing toddlers.

Wow, easily distracted.

So I'm crazy sober and cold. Game of Thrones Season 4 is done and another year stretches out before us... I was disappointed by the season finale. No one else thought so... Was I over tired or expecting too much? The end of episode 8 was so hectic that nothing compares.

Online dating seems pointless... I don't need insecure strangers pointing out that I don't have a gym addiction. No Darling, gym is not one of the many addictions I battle with daily. And I thank my lucky stars, at least my arms lie flush against my body... And are soft to lie on.

And the little boy who asked me over to his house... I doubt dinner was on offer. So I told him I'm not Mr Delivery... Nor am I stupid enough to risk my life... He had to agree that if he was a girl he wouldn't go to strange boys' houses... Then why pray tell expect me to?

What else to tell? I recognised my pattern of getting boyfriends in winter and discarding them in January... Not necessarily the proceeding January, but it seems significant. OK maybe its happened twice. The other pattern of two is my Nov till Feb pattern - it covers my birthday, Christmas, New Years and the ends before Valentine's Day.

Anyone care to psychoanalyse?

Enough drivel, I need to do the horrible winter bathroom dash...

A Post About Kissing #100creativedays Day 47

True love’s kiss.
Interesting concept.

Disney is turning the concept on its head and shoving Prince Charming aside. Maybe I should actually listen?

If I actually met my Prince Charming, what would I do? Ask him for a shoulder rub and a huge hug? Because I think that’s what I miss now in my singleness. Snuggles on the couch, while the wind and rain pound against the windows. The warm familiarity of arms that know how to hold you. Hands clasped around a cup of tea make just the way you like it by someone who knows you. Someone who knows to take the extra cushion because you can’t stand too many throw cushions, and pulls the coffee table closer because of your short legs. Sweet kisses on your cheeks and forehead because everything is warm and happy. Someone who knows to offer you carbs when you get grumpy. Someone who can get away with calling you a “silly goose” because of how their eyes sparkle when they say it. Finger wagging in your face and a reminder that “you’re mine”.

Deep conversations ranging from serious to ridiculous. Someone who kisses you to shut you up when you get too silly. Or kisses you because you said something wonderful. And that blurred line where you talk and kiss for no reason. *sigh*

 Winter is getting the better of me! I better grab Arizona for a cuddle.

Sleepy catch up #100creativedays Day 44

I didn't write a post last night and feel so weird, almost guilty. The truth is, I have a fancy new phone with a touchscreen keypad and I can't type as quickly or easily on it! My creative process is slowed down while I teach my fat thumbs how to fly across this hyper sensitive keyboard.

How fun is it that I can write such drivel?

I also just needed sleep urgently. Winter in Cape Town pretty much pounces on us - it doesn't gradually get colder, the temperatures plummet and I for one never seem prepared. I spent yesterday freezing my butt off in training, the aircon spreads germs apparently, strange because the cold made my nose run and I feel meh this morning!

I really need to launch myself out of bed now... The day awaits.

xxx

The Winter Wait #100creativedays Day 16

"Fingers bent like hooks
Rigid against damp fabric
Frozen with cold
Twisted with resentment

Eyes stare like blades
Half shut against rain
Moist with self-pity
Hard with anger

Legs clamped like vices
Shivering against icy wind
Postured in defiance
Stiff with entitlement"

Sharon Paine 08.05.2014

Yes, this is absolutely about me having to wait twenty minutes for The Squire to fetch me from the station this evening! My car is very dead and I, princess of all things, has had to resort to public transport! The horror!

Winter Weightloss Woes

Day 18 is complete and I must admit that I’ve lost a little bit of momentum over the last few days. Partly because I did too much exercise on Thursday and felt rather lame in the leg area. And then hugely in part because we cheated on Saturday. My weight was been a bit sticky over the last few days. Nevertheless, we did repent of Saturday by having two protein days in a row, so I’m hoping to see the results of that too now that I’ve had a veggie day. And I’ve been guzzling water. I did my “barre” workout tonight and am sure that the scale will report back nicely in the morning. Fingers crossed.

Would it be silly to say that I’m feeling rather bored of being on diet and thinking about my weight all the time? Maybe because it’s cold and the world seems full of rich food and hot chocolate?

I am consoling myself with plans to hunt down Nomu’s Skinny Hot Chocolate – it’s tipping the scales at a half a percentage too much fat for a Dukan “dairy” product… but I figure that being sugar free, it can’t be the naughtiest thing around!