Chapter 27

Hello, hope you are well. Another year is near the end. 2007 was a ok year. I feel as though I am making progress. I have made a few more friends this last year. I have learnt myself to cook a bit. The staff at Magmh have helped me to learn computer skills, thankyou. I have built my confidence up. My faith is strong. I have kept my weight-training going. I have kept well. The sunshine image you see is significant to me. Throughout the years of my mental ill health I have often felt low. What I always try to see is the light at the end of the tunnel. Most people enjoy sunshine and how it makes you feel. I hope you all enjoy whats left of 2007 and have a good year in 2008.

Chapter26

Hello, hope you are well. I am doing much the same. I am finding that I am getting more in tune with life now. I am more steady than I used to be. I felt a bit under pressure before to do things. I still try to stick to times and a routine. I dont let people down either. But now I feel more relaxed. I am coping with life better now. I am happy to be well. I have got some good friends, a good family and good support. I stick to my routine, I keep my faith in life, I try to be positive. Over the years I have felt let down quite a few times. But now I feel I am making progress. I am learning how to get by. I am coping with situations a lot better now. I am like the lyrics in a Duran Duran song learning to survive in the Ordinary world. Till next time, take care.

Chapter 25

Hello again, hope you are well. Do you like the picture. I used to have a very

keen interest in Martial arts. I did a bit of Karate, Kung fu, Judo, Jujitsu and Tai Chi. All together I did about two and a half years training. It really did me good. It built my confidence and has saved me a few times. You also learn to walk away and avoid conflict if you can. It is a good form of exercise. There are quiet a few clubs around the city, the people that go are usually ok. The striking styles are good for starting, you also learn blocks. I found Karate very much suited me. Anyway I am going to make a few comments now, till next time take care.

Chapter 24

Hello there, hope you are well. I went to the museum yesterday. I went to see there storerooms, it was very interesting . We looked at old photos , radios, pottery,
bikes, books, paintings and a wide variety of other artefact's. I went for a meal last week. It was nice. I have treated myself this last week. I keep on the lookout for a bargain. I visited a cousin that I have not seen for a while at the weekend. The picture you see on my blog is to show that all kinds of people go to the gym. Someone I know has gone from 17 stone down to 12stone. Other people go to build up. Others go to tone up. Myself I go and treat it as therapy. I really enjoy it. You have not got to be to serious. I also go because it means I can then treat myself to some nice food. Then I work it off. Till next time, take care.

Chapter 23

Hi there, hope you are well. I have had a good week since last week. I have been doing much the same. I keep myself occupied. I also make sure I relax and take it easy. I seem to be happier now. I have worked out what is important to me. I spent years searching for inner peace. I have lost a lot of people who were important to me. It took me a while to get over but I did. What I have learnt is you make friends along the way. You have to be content to be on your own a lot though. In the end you have to be your own best friend and take care of yourself. Life is not easy especially when you have illness to deal with so you have to enjoy the positive things in your life and deal with problems. Hope you like the pictures. Anyway till next time, take care.

Chapter 22

Just a quick blog today. Hope you are well. Do you like the pictures. Bon Jovi are one of my favourite bands. I have been doing my usual. I have been lifting heavier weights at the gym. It made my muscles stiff at first but now I am ok. Ive had a few beers this week and I went for a meal last week with friends. I went to the Bennet centre and bumped into some nurses who I have known for years. They were very nice to me and I could tell they were genuinely pleased to see me and happy that I am well. Anyway take care and look after yourself.

Chapter 21

Hello again, hope you are well. I am doing my usual. I went to visit my family at the weekend. My aunt and uncle made me very welcome on Saturday. I had some cheese rolls cake yoghurt and tea. I then went to see my friend. On Sunday i visited my cousin and his family, they gave me a lovely roast lamb dinner and ice cream. Yum yum. I then visited my sister, my nephew is growing. Every time I see him he looks bigger. My sister said I dont need to go shopping to much. I also go to cafes regular, meals sometimes and the chip shop regular. You will be amazed that with all this food I managed to get into trousers I have not worn for 18 months. The gym must be working. I have made my mind up to enjoy life as much as I can. I really enjoy going to the gym and I am determined to do as much as i can. I am enjoying my reading too and seeing friends and family. I love watching mtv and listening to music. Anyway take care.

Chapter 20

Hello again, Hope you are well. Myself I am doing my usual, going the gym, watching mtv seeing friends and family etc. I have also got a new interest, I am finding reading books very interesting. It started when i joined the library. At first I would read 2 or 3 pages but now I can read 20 or so at a time. I realised it was like exercise, you build yourself up slowly. I am also doing a bit of cooking, pasta and potato meals I like. They are heathy and quite easy to do. I am feeling positive now and I am going to do my best to keep on going forward. Anyway take care and thanks to all at Magmh past and present for your help and friendship.

Chapter 19

Hello again, hope you are well. I have just learnt that Natalie is leaving. I am sure we will all miss her and her cheerful personality. I am very glad to have met such a nice positive friend. Myself I am doing ok. I went to the museum yesterday with Mind. We had a cup of tea and a look around. It was ok. I watched the football and rugby on Saturday. I enjoyed it, especially as we won both. I saw my sister on Saturday too. It was nice to catch up. My nephew is doing well. He was ill when he was a baby and spent his first 6 months in Birmingham childrens hospital. I am really pleased that he is doing well at school and he has got friends and a girlfriend. My sisters partner is a really nice fella and looks after my sister. My sister has got her own business. They are a nice family. My aunt and cousin have got the flu bug so I have not seen them for a week. I have kept in touch with my friends. I seem to keep on bumping into old friends when out and about. I am still enjoying the gym. I went 3 times last week. I am going tomorrow. Anyway I am going to make some comments now. Take care.

Chapter 18

Hello there, hope you are well. I am at the library now. Thanks to the help from Magmh I can now use the computer a bit. I have just got myself a dvd from here. You get to hire them for a week for 2£. I have been to the gym again today. I just did a bit. My friend is coming around later. We will watch a bit of telly and have a few cups of tea. I might go to the gym again tomorrow. I got a big shop in on Monday so I wont have to go till next week.I might just need some milk and bread. Anyway bye for now. I am going to do some comments now. Take care.

Chapter 17

Hello again, hope you are well. Myself I have had a good week since my last blog. I did some heavier weights yesterday, my back is 99% better now. I went to see the film 3_10 Yuma last week. It was a western drama starring Russel Crowe and Christian Bale. I can recommend it. I cooked myself a nice dinner yesterday. I have asked my friend to come around tomorrow. I am going to cook him a dinner. This may not seem much but usually I live on microwave meals at home. I felt a real sense of achievement as I had not cooked for a long time. I went to see my aunt and uncle on Saturday and my cousin and his family on Sunday. I had some nice food with them and watched a bit of telly. I had a few drinks last week watching telly. I am finally learning to relax. It feels good. Emmas leaving party went well last week. I am sure we all wish her well in her new job and hope she has a great future. Till next time. Take care.

Chapter 16

Hi there, hope you are well. I have been doing my usual. I have had a bad back but I have not let it get the better of me. I have still gone to the gym but I have lowered the weights and changed the exercises. It seems to have worked I feel a lot better now. I went to watch the film 1408 the other week. It is a bit of a thriller. It was ok. I also went for a Chinese meal last week, it was nice. I have been seeing my Friends and family. My cousin is a lot better, he had a bypass a couple of months ago. He has been a good Friend over the years. Myself my mental health has improved these last few months. The power of prayer, positive thinking, good friendships and having a structure to my life have all helped. Being able to express myself through magmh has been very beneficial. Till next time. Take care.

Chapter 15

Hello, hope you are well. I have just heard the news that Emma is leaving. I will really miss her. In this life people are always moving on and the world is always changing. You have to be strong and cope with situations. I am sure Emma will miss all at Magmh. We wish her the best. Myself I am still doing much the same. The gym work is going ok. I am getting fitter as I get older. I enjoyed watching the football on Saturday. I am still eating well and having a drink. Just a pint or a couple of glasses of wine. It does me good. I went to the subway cafe in Newcastle a couple of times last week. I really enjoyed it. I went the Odeon last week and saw the film Run Fatboy Run. I can recommend it. I am still watching a lot of music tv. The weather is ok at the moment, lets make the most of it. Till next time. Take care.

Chapter 14

Hello again, hope you are well. It is lovely today. I have been doing a bit of walking just lately. I have enjoyed getting in the fresh air. I went for breakfast at Sainsburys yesterday. It is always nice and they make you feel welcome at the Hanley branch. My mates have been to see me, my Aunt and uncle came to see me on Sunday. They brought me around a lovely roast beef dinner. Yum yum. They have been very good to me since my parents passed away. They consider me as a second son. I have been watching a lot of football on tv. I went for a nice Chinese buffet with a good friend last Thursday. I am eating well arent I. Great stuff. I am still keeping myself fit. My back seems to be ok. Till next time. Take care.

Chapter 13

Hello, hope you enjoyed the bank holiday. The weather was ok. I caught up with some old friends and family. It was nice. I watched a bit of telly as usual. I went to the gym. I have found a exercise that helps with my lower back. It has been a bit sore for a while. So far its ok. Im still drinking loads of tea. I love it. My sister has just come back from Barcelona. She had a nice time. I would like to travel more. It is something I would enjoy. I sometimes go on the train to Manchester and Birmingham. I went Llanddudno twice last year. It was nice. I went Angllsey with Mind this year. It was great. Im not doing bad. A couple of weeks in the sun with a nice women would be nice. Weh heh. A few drinks and plenty of food. I can dream. Anyway till next time. Im going to do some comments now. Take care.

Chapter 12

Hello again, hope you are well. Me, I am a bit tense today.I will get over it though. I have been a lot worse. I just think I need to do a bit of weight training, that always works. I think about the past a lot. I remember my childhood and growing up. I am lucky, my mum and dad really looked after me and my sister. We lived close to countryside and myself and friends would go off for a whole day in the holidays. We used to love playing football too. I was captain of my middle school team. I then went to high school, I did ok. I tried but I think I had the beginnings of my illness even then. I then started work and I did quite well for a while. Me and my friends would go out and I continued to play football. I suddenly became very Ill. I was taken into hospital. My life was different after that. I got by, my family were very supportive. I had some good friends too, they looked after me. I met a lovely girl too. My friend said she was the nicest in the area. We used to go to the cinema every Sunday and go for meals sometimes. She met someone else at work. I was not bitter, it was time to move on. After this I focused on my training, I used to cycle, martial arts, squash and go to the gym. I also took my dog out, he loved going out. I still see my friends . I am doing ok now, thanks for reminiscing with me. I feel less tense now, being at magmh amongst friends has helped. Thanks.

Chapter 11

Hi there, hope you are ok. Weather is a bit dour again. My cousins operation went ok. I went to see him yesterday. I am hopeful of the future now. I have lost a few loved ones over the years. With my faith though I hope to see them again. I value my friends and family and take every oppurtunity to keep in touch. I am lucky that I have got such good people in my life. Life is not always easy, your friends and family help you get through the bad times. Sometimes you are all alone though and you have to get through rough patches. You have to have an inner strength and resilience to get better. You have to try your best. I find people with mental health issues try their best. They want to be well. Take care.

Chapter 10

Its being a nice few days recently.I am doing much the same.I overdid it at the gym last Thursday.I went again though the following Sunday and Monday.I really enjoyed it.I vary what I do each time I go.I went to Tesco yesterday and got myself some bargains. I am enjoying Mindbloggling. It is part of my routine now. I see my friends regularly, we enjoy watching music tv and lots of tea. We also enjoy a few beers sometimes when we watch football. I have seen some relatives at the weekend. I have been very lucky. My family have all been good to me.My cousin has got to have a heart bypass soon. He should be ok but it is still a worry.Lets hope the nice weather continues.Take care.

Chapter 9

Hello again, hope you are well. The weather is better today. I have being doing much the same. Im happy with what i do. I had some wine on Sunday. It felt great. I can recommend it. Not too much, just enough to put a smile on your face. I love watching music tv. The first thing I do when I get home sometimes is put it on. Changing the subject, haven't some places had it bad with this deluge of rain. It is going to cost billions to put it right. We are so lucky to not be affected in Stoke. My heart goes out to thousands who have suffered.People worry about global warming. I put my faith in God and a firm belief that he will sort things out.God has certainly been there for me and a constant source of comfort. If you want to find peace and contentment please leave a comment on my blog.

Chapter 8

Since my last post I have been doing much the same thing. I have seen some relatives that i have not seen for a while. Ive also had a nice Chinese meal with my friend and his family. He has got dogs and the bitch has just had six pups. One had to be put down but the others are fine. Ive been doing well at the gym. I have increased my cardiovascular work. I could not do it for a while as I hurt my knee. Over the years my training has been a lifesaver. It has kept me busy and has always been there. A friend once said to me why do you keep doing it. I said it is because it is always there. It is definately good therapy in combatting mental health issues. Even a simple thing as a walk or tidying around the house can be therapeutic. If you have not got the time or inclination to do sports you can get dvds to follow at home. You can also buy simple equipment to assist you such as dumbells and mini steppers. It will do you good if you stick at it. It is hard at first, you may ache but it is worth it. Give it a try. Take care.

Chapter 7

Nice weather today.Hope you are well.Since I last blogged i have kept myself busy. I have been going to the gym, I have been seeing friends and family. I enjoyed Emma^s leaving party.I have enjoyed playing pool at mind. I went to watch Die Hard at the Odeon. I recommend it. I have been doing my shopping as usual. I go for the bargains and 2 for 1 offers. I enjoy staying in as well. I like to watch Coronation Street and Music tv. I also drink lots of tea when at home. Anyway take care.

Chapter 6

Today is a lovely day. We have had some terrible wet weather recently. I got soaked yesterday. I got dried off and stayed in. I was aching from the wet. I really appreciated getting in the warm. I had a pint in the pub. I like a drink sometimes. I did^nt used to be able to have a drink, it used to mix me up. Thankfully I can enjoy myself now. Its great. Just being well is great. Im happy now. I have been through such a lot. Believe me there is light at the end of the tunnel. Whether it is help from friends, family, voluntary or professionals . Take care.

Chapter 5

It is a lovely day today.I have been doing a bit of reading this morning. Ive been feeling a bit down in the mornings the last few days. I have tried to distract myself and do something positive. Ill soon be right, experience has shown me these things pass. Ive seen a few old freinds and family just lately. Its been nice. I am getting back back into my old routine now. Hopefully I will be going to sanity fair on Saturday. Im going to try and help Magmh. I appreciate the help and freindships I have made. It has done me good having anew interest

.This is my first picture and first time I have changed my font. Hope you like it.

Chapter 4

I am coming to terms now with the loss of my friend.You remember the good times and cherish them.I think that this sad loss has made me value the people in my life both past and present.I am going to make sure that I do my best to stay in touch with as many people as I can. Also I am going to make friends as I go through life and be happy and make the most of life. My friend would want me to do that.
29 May 2007 13:47

Chapter 3

I am trying to be positive today.I lost a good friend last week.He was only 42.I am coping with this by telling myself i will see him again one day. Im keeping myself busy. Im getting together with my old friends. Ive seen some of my relatives as well.Im making sure I take care of my health as well .Anyway take care.

CHAPTER 2

Today is another fine day.Hope you are well. I have tried to be as positive as i can since my last blog. Believe me it works. I still have problems and feel rough some days. What i have found is you have to appreciate the simple things in life. Simple pleasures such as your first cup of tea in the morning, watching tv, getting out in the fresh air, listening to music. Have a good day.

My first day.

Today is my first day at mind blogging. I woke early today, had a cup of tea and fell back to sleep. I then got up had breakfast listened to the radio and got ready. I walked into town had a look around and then came to magmh . Its lovely weather today.Nice to be out in. Hope you have a good day.Bye.