I'm back (ish)

[carrot-cruncher]

Greetings to all fellow lottie lovers.   It's been a while since a perused the board but that's what severe depression tends to do to people.   

It's not been the best of years for me & right now if it wasn't for the tablets I'm not even sure I would still be in the land of the living.

The lottie went right down the pan.   If it hadn't been for a very understanding lady at the council I might have lost my plot since the council tightened up on the terms and conditions.   Mine's currently one of the few that looks like a jungle.   

However, as I'm feeling slightly better today I'm off to it later to do a little tidying up as the council are going to plough and rotovate it for me to give me a clean plot to work with again.   To be honest whilst I've been ill the lottie has been one of the few things that's kept me relatively sane.   

Last week I went horse riding for the first time this year. Luckily I know the stables very well & they gave me an extended ride for a normal price. 

I can't express enough the thanks to my friends who've supported me over the last six or seven months whilst I fell apart.   But just to say, even when we feel all alone & at our lowest there is always somebody looking out for us.   

Cheers for now

CC

[carrot-cruncher]

[Doris_Pinks]

CC glad to see you back, was wondering where you had gone...............glad you are feeling better, not to worry about your plot, you can start with a clean slate! ;D  DP

[Wicker]

Coming back to the "board" is a big step on the way, CC, good for you!  Close allotment friend has been going through it too this year so my fingers are crossed for both of you to find a steady way back .....

[flowerofshona]

I know how you feel i have fought depression for 15 odd years and gardening is the one thing i do that lightens my mood (that and the prozac) up the lottie i feel free from lifes cares ect and its soooooo peaceful up there you can lose yourself for a few hours ((((((((hug)))))))))

[Derekthefox]

Sorry to hear of your troubles CC, I understand your problems, for I too suffer with the 'black dog'. The gardening is a good way to pick yourself back up, and you have my warmest wishes,

Derekthefox :)

[GREENWIZARD]

 Â  glad you're back   :)

[lorna]

Glad to hear you are feeling a little better. I hope each day is a bonus and the "feeling better"  keeps  improving. Best wishes Lorna.

[terrace max]

Welcome back.  :)

Don't forget: if you know the world is mad, complete sanity would be an inappropriate response.

[Hot_Potato]

hi there CC - so sorry to read you've been so 'poorly' this year - have 'been there' myself in the past so understand.....but sincerely hope that you are now well and truly 'on the way up' - the lottie (or any garden) is a wonderful place to be when spirits are low - twas kind of the lady at the council to offer help - wish I could send you a lovely huggie pic but don't know how to 'send pics.....so here's a.....

                   BIG     HUUUUGGGGGGG

H.P.

[wardy]

Welcome back CC.  So sorry to hear of your problems but hope you'll feel renewed once your lotty is in ship shape shape  :)

[carrot-cruncher]

Well, I managed approx 3 hours up the lottie today. Two hours of work & 1 hour of chat from other plot holders who were asking where I'd been.   

What crops I managed to get planted before I went off had come along fairly well without my interferance.   I've harvested 16 sweetcorn off 9 plants, 3 x medium pumpkins & 7 spaghetti squash.   Unfortunately there was neither hide nor hair of the butternut squash.  Cabbage & sprout have gone to seed.

If the weather holds I may attend tomorrow just to finish tidying up ready for the ploughman

CC

ps. Does anybody know how to cook/prepare spaghetti squash?????

[Doris_Pinks]

CC this may be of help!

http://www.fabulousfoods.com/features/featuring/spagsquash.html
Glad you had some produce to harvest,

Enjoy! ;D  DP

[tim]

For all of us who don't suffer - thank God!

[rosebud]

Dear CC, so glad you are feeling a little better, i have also been there in that bottomless well of dread but you know what they say  THE ONLY WAY IS UP.
I hope you continue to feel better each day, all the best to you ,and know, we are all here if you need to talk.

[busy_lizzie]

It is nice to see you back CC.  I am sorry you have had such a rough time. Depression is an awful thing. It makes you feel so isolated. But you aren't  ever alone and just working with the soil and being in the open air can really put you back together again.  Love and hugs,  :) busy_lizzie

[Lily]

Congratulations, carrot, on beginning to climb out of what sounds like a very deep black hole.
My lottie friend and I never talk about work on the plot, we regard it as a stress free zone. We have a laugh, we sometimes don't talk, we just get on with the planting or whatever needs doing.

Let your allotment be your depression free zone, leave all your problems at the gate.  As time goes by, your problems will not be waiting for you at the gate when you come back out again.  Do a little bit at a time, life can be very good.  I hope I'm not patronising, just trying to be positive.  I think most of us have been in 'small black holes' that are easy to get out of.  And therefore, don't begin to understand how it's been for you.

Come back to your friends on A4A and we'll pick you up, if your feel a bit down.

Keep smiling, keep gardening, keep the plants growing and you too will grow better.   :)  :)

lily

[Robert_Brenchley]

My plot's been a jungle all summer too, as I was too unwell to do much apart from watching the weeds grow. I'm starting to get on top of it now, but you should have seen it. Just do what you can, and it'll soon get sorted.

[spacehopper]

Hello CC,

Sorry to hear you have been unwell. I was diagnosed as having post natal depression six months ago. I'm certain that it was in fact not post natal, and that I had been going downhill for a long time before that. The recognition and acceptance that all was not well, along with anti depressants (prozac) helped me turn the corner. It was around the same time that we got our allotment, and I'm sure that has helped.

Anyways, enough of me rambling on, I hope you continue getting better, and speak to you again soon.  :-*

Caz

[CotswoldLass]

Dear CC,

Three years ago I was where you are. It DOES get better. Gardening was my salvation, it gives so much back to you and little bits of joy and achievement all help.

So do horses....

Good luck and keep battling, there IS light at the end of the tunnel.

Love CLx

[Marianne]

So very glad to have you back with us CC.  Lots of hugs  :-* :-* :-* xxx