Crafty in the Med

I am here to enjoy meeting other bloggers and to share my love of craft ,mostly crochet, my thoughts and my daily happenings here in Alicante,Spain, my adopted country. I belong to a local choir because singing and music makes me happy. Flea markets and book shops are two of my favourite places to be. I read lots......sci´fi/fantasy,buried treasure, and off world adventures. I have a passion for history! I walk and walk and walk for about 10 months per year during the hot months I swim.

Monday 24 September 2012

Getting rid of the blues!!!

Personal strategy for getting the blues under control!!!

1. Saturday morning: Loaded with backpack containing flask of tea,banana,bottle of water,lesson plan drafts,coursebook,pen,glasses,mobile,tissues and sunglasses. Walk! Energetic pace, plugged into an ipod. Over the pedestrian bridge over the busy motorway down into the San Gabriel suburbs,up the hill to the Palmeral Estate ,pausing for a sip of water and to wipe sweat perspiration from my brow, a wriggle and discrete pull here and there to get certain item of intimate clothing back into place! 
Cursing not remembering my hat! 
Pop into bakery buy churros for snack. Pick up pace again down past the Palmeral football club and around El Palmeral housing estate:
Palmeral Housing Estate




Feet dragging! 
Enter El Palmeral park ....look for shady secluded corner to sit and work.
choose secluded picnic table hidden behind some trees in the cool shade. Set up work area and chill out munching churros and cuppa tea for two hours. Sr P pickup at 13:30; blues totally dispersed for the day!

2. Weekend crochet marathon.
Determined focus on completion of Poncho project (previous details here)
Friday evening pickup hook ....Sunday morning completion = better state of mind and 1 poncho for daughter Nº 1 using 1 50 gram ball of  Gedifra Balsini Colori by Coats and a bit more from my own stash; Coats SMC Bravo in purple,orange,brown,green,yellow and bronze Gedifra Balidini Coats and a size Nº 9 crochet hook. Basic pattern from Plymouth Yarn Company/Lainie Hering free patterns generously tweaked by yours truly and renamed Crinkle Poncho.
As usual no model available making do with large hanger













The neckline
Loopy and stretchy as daughter Nº 1 requested, so garments underneath can be seen!


3. Sunday morning excursion to Elche street market...minimal shade...crowds of people.....over 100 stalls.


Replenished trims and buttons stash .



 results = hot sun burns blues and everything else away ...crawl to the car and refreshments sort on sea front ----seafood paella at El Gamba restaurant.

El Gamba Restaurant Urbanova Beach












CONCLUSION:
Anger and hurt not gone but eliminated one track mind mode and able to think, analyse and decide the best option. Hurt won't go for a long time but its manageable.

**********************************************************************************
My heartfelt thanks to everyone who commented on my last post and for your good wishes and advice....incredibly supportive.

"I can no other answer make, but, thanks, and thanks."
Will Shakespeare 


 

27 comments:

  1. Great poncho and what a super place for lunch! It has rained here on and off all day - it's feeling mighty chilly too.
    Hope feeling better soon.
    June

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  2. Glad you had a positive weekend. Love the neckline on the poncho!

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  3. Fresh air, exercise and sunshine - a wonderful combination for dispelling the blues! Poncho is lovely.
    Liz @ Shortbread & Ginger

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  4. Somehow I missed your previous post - so sorry that you're going through a tough time and hope that all is well in your world again soon.
    Walking and fresh air and crafting is always good for the soul - and your poncho is absolutely gorgeous. Daughter no.1 is a lucky girl indeed!
    Hang in there and take care of you.
    hugs
    xoxo

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  5. I am happy to hear you were able to beat off the blues, getting out and enjoying nature always seems to do the trick for myself (cups of tea never hurt either!).
    I really like the poncho..love the touches of colour :)
    Magie x

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  6. Always does the trick for me too Amanda!
    Getting out there in nature and just 'being rather than doing'...
    just caught up with you and your last post and hope all is well soon!
    LoVe that poncho, really do!
    wishing you a peaceful week if possible.
    Please take care of you!
    love maria x

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  7. Sorry I didn't see your last post, glad you're not being too overwhelmed and dealing with sad, angry feelings. The poncho looks amazing, I love the colours you've put together. Hope you feel better soon (((hugs))) xx

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  8. Nothing like getting out in the fresh air for banishing the blues. Loving your poncho too!
    Victoria xx

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  9. Gorgeous poncho. I hope that whatever is making you angry or hurt can be sorted out soon. Sending lots of love. xx

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  10. Hi Amanda,I always find a walk works wonders :) The poncho is beautiful,never any models available here too :) Paella always a winner in my book. Take care of yourself lovely,hugs,xxxx

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  11. That sounds like a great plan! Take care, Ada :) x

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  12. Hang in there, you've got the right attitude! xx

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  13. I like your anti-blues methods! And I like your new buttons! :-)
    Take care!
    Hugs,
    Carly
    x

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  14. You keep on hooking that hurt away and I am sure the retail therapy and beautiful surroundings are helping too. (((hugs)))

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  15. That sounds like punishment to me - except for the churros. Sweet buttons!!

    Judy

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  16. Love the poncho Amanda it has turned out great, I'm sure your daughter will love it. Your blue's dispersal method sounds good to me I'm glad it helped. Remember what goes around comes around hang on in there ((hugs)) xxx

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  17. Beautiful Park, Beautiful Poncho, Beautiful Buttons, Beautiful Beach, beautiful you.

    Hugs Arwedd xx

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  18. Good for you Amanda, you have taken such a big positive step for yourself. And how do the bits of clothing get into such places I wonder!!!! Love the poncho, your daughter must be very happy with it and I love the buttons and lace, oh and the little tour of where you live.
    Onwards and upwards lovely.
    xoxo Sandi

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  19. You've just found the right way : react and be positive!!!!
    xxx Alessandra

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  20. Sounds like a great plan for beating the blues. Glad you got out in the fresh air and spent some quality time with nature. Your comment about the bits of clothing made me smile.

    The poncho is great and love the buttons. I'm starting to want to find buttons and have a collection. I remember as a child playing in my Grandmother's button box. I loved it. Maybe the grandmother in me wants a button box for my grandchildren.

    I hope your week continues to improve and life gets better for you.

    Hugs,
    Sharon

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  21. You've sought out the best "medicine" being amongst the beauty of nature. Your poncho is so spectacular and I'm glad you did a close up of the neckline. I turned to crocheting also and I'm making a Bruges lace scarf for my daughter; busy hands does keep the blues away.
    I'm so happy you had some wonderful moments and they will turn into hours, then, days and weeks. It's all a process to healing, XOXO

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  22. Walk, walk and walk some more, that and crochet calm me down every single day.

    Oh and get yourself some comfy knickers...that'll make your walks a much more comfortable affair ;o)

    Lots of love and glad you are feeling better xx

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  23. Glad to hear you found a way to get back on track. Your poncho looks really pretty. I find crochet very theraputic. Take of you.
    Ali x

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  24. A good walk and a lot of crochet often do the trick. Sorry you are feeling so angry, we are here if you want to vent.
    Hugs,
    MEredith

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  25. Glad to hear that crochet, quality time and walking have helped you along a bit. Having had the day from hell today (don't get me going about Headteachers...)I couldn't wait to catch up on bloggy friends, cook then crack on with some crafting. All the best, Jx

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  26. I fight through the day to find time to sit down and crochet.....I don't always win though!!!

    A xx

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  27. Just catching up here Amanda. Sorry to read that things haven't been so rosy, but it looks to me like you have found fantastic ways to deal with how you feel. Fresh air and doing something creative ... nothing better. And I am loving those buttons!!

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Thank you for your comments. I do read them and try to reply to all as well.Please keep them coming. Amanda :-)