Coffee, Bills and a holiday

It's early Sunday morning but I am already onto my second cup of coffee, paid and filed our bills, checked my Facebook for updates and have also gone through copious amounts of emails. Yep, great start to my day. The weather is predictably very hot and although I remain indoors in air conditioned comfort, by mid afternoon it is getting uncomfortable inside.

                                                     Rossiter Bay, Esperance W.A

In recent news the bloke and I had a small trip to the coast. We left on a Friday after lunch and arrived early evening in time for a takeaway dinner from the local Chinese restaurant. Now, we have eaten from this place numerous times over the years we have been visiting Esperance, but the food this time was terrible. It really put a dampener on our first evening. Then to bed thank goodness I thought, well no. For some reason the bed was really high and I was unable to sit back far enough on the bed to lift my legs onto it. So picture this if you wish-Me perched precariously on the very edge of said bed. The bloke half crouching over me, ready to lift my legs as I swing up and onto it. He also has  two of the beds wheels chocked up with his thongs to prevent it taking off through the wall. He then expertly hooks my legs up and onto the bed and I'm in for the night. Unfortuantley in the early hours of the morning I needed to use the toilet so after that there was no way I was going through all that again, so I sat on his single bed and he climbed into my bed. 

The following day we drove around to the shops and out to the beaches which were stunning, and the weather was very nice for us. Deciding that we would do chicken and salad for dinner that night we had bought the ingredients for the salad and the bloke would go to the local chicken franchise to buy some chook. Of he went and about twenty minutes later he calls to tell me that the chicken shop has run out of chicken so it was fish and chips and salad. Seriously how does a chicken shop run out of chicken? 

On the Sunday we drove out to the beautiful Cape Le Grand National Park, about a 1/2 hour to forty minute drive out of Esperance. Spectacular coastline and the water was such a gorgeous shade of deep blue. However there were people everywhere and I didn't feel comfortable getting out in front of them and sitting in my wheelchair so we drove further along a mostly dirt, bone rattling track to Rossiter Bay, a more quieter location to eat our picnic lunch. We had the place to ourselves and even though it was very windy we didn't mind as it was such a change from where we live in the dry, dusty Goldfields.
Funnily enough mid way through lunch along came another car, and would you believe given that the whole area was vacant except us they parked just one car width away from us! Now I am no snob, but heck why do people do this? It also happens in car parks. You can be the only car parked but come out and someone has parked so close to your car that you need a can opener to get in.

On this trip away we did something we have never done before. Now before you get too alarmed it was ordering room service. Yep, in all of our 31 years together we have never indulged in this 'treat'. Of course it was more expensive than we would normally spend on a meal, but we never go out for a meal and it is one more  thing ticked off our bucket list. Studying the menu was exciting, and the thought of the delicious foods made our mouths water. In the end the bloke chose surf n turf  and beer battered chips and I had a rump steak with Diane sauce, beer battered chips and salad. It was delivered within half an hour of us ordering. Verdict was that is was great and a must do thing again. 

On the Monday we packed up the van and headed for home. I love coming home again. sigh...

Does anyone have any memorable stories of a trip away?

Keep well, 

A sunny Sunday

 

 

 It’s early on a Sunday morning and the house is still quiet, a lovely part of the day.  The bloke has already gone to work at 5am and the girls are still asleep. I often wish I could just stay asleep that extra couple of hours or so, as it makes for a long day otherwise. I rarely go back to bed during the day and so by nightfall I can barely string two words together, such is my tiredness. 

But I do enjoy the early morning solitude, being able to unscramble my befuddled brain and to look out of my windows and see the green lush plants on the patio or through the kitchen window the huge shrub the bloke planted years ago, that now resembles a small tree. We even have little birds that sit in the trees out in the yard who sing out the most beautiful song, it makes me feel that I am live amongst the most beautiful country in the world. Until the heat and humidity starts up again and then I am not so keen.

I had to go to the hospital on Friday to receive another iron infusion, standard procedure usually. This time there were terrible delays whilst I had to wait for staff to attend me, when they finally got to me they discovered that my doctor had not written up the iron infusion. Off they went to find someone to write up the orders. With that done the head nurse came to insert cannula.  It went smoothly, what a relief. Unfortunately the relief was short lived as it seems she had only just got it into the vein and an hour after she thought it was running she checked to see that it wasn’t. So remove that try another spot on my hand. Ouch! Nope that missed the mark and my hand swelled. Try another spot on other hand. Nope that one also failed. Then the nurse asked her colleague to have a try, on the underside of my right wrist. No the nurse said I am not happy about putting it in there. I was warned that it was a more sensitive area, okay I thought. Well what an understatement it hurt like hell. I actually let rip with a few choice swear words and even cried it hurt me that bad. I was shuddering and shaking by this stage, my teeth clattering together. I told her no more, I was going home. The nurse said she would call the physician to come and put it in. Two of them arrived and soon located an area on my upper right forearm. My god this also stung a lot, and worse the first attempt failed so he tried again, with success. Whew, I was so relieved to finally be getting this iron. It meant that I was not leaving the place until 12.30pm. I was so happy when the bloke came to take me home, if I could have run to the car I would have. Once home I did feel a bit odd and nauseous, but put it down to the drama of the day. In a months’ time I will have blood tests to see if the iron infusion has worked.

In other news when my doctor saw me last week she told me that I needed to choose to take an appetite suppressant or go onto optifast in order to start some weight loss. I am not happy about this. I have tried both without success. Of course this is because I am weak and don’t try hard enough [sarcasm intended] and I know the people in my life who are concerned about my health want me to take action and stop the gain and shed the excess and become healthy and…

However I have no faith in my ability to succeed. I have no proof that I can stick to such a strict regime. My whole being is tied up with the consumption of food and drink and to just stop takes more strength than I have. I know that there are people reading who are puzzled at my inability to just stop over eating. It’s more complicated than they will ever know. I am sick of trying to justify my choices, as bad as they may seem. I don’t want sympathy, I am not a victim. I am just one person who is trying to live a life unique to me. I never set out to have this type of life, but circumstances have led me down this path. So I try to be happy and content most of the time. I’m not sure if I am making sense here, but I know what I mean.

In order to get this published promptly I will finish here and leave something for another post.

I hope everyone is enjoying the summer holidays, if your having any. School is back soon, not that it affects me, but I am sure there will be a few relieved parents out there.

Till bext time x

Jan

A cuppa and a chat

Hello folks. Well if you are lucky enough to live in our great country-Australia you might be melting in the most disgustingly hot and today humid weather. Of course as most Aussies know bush fires frequently occur during these hotter months of the year due to Australia's mostly hot, dry climate. Large areas of land are ravaged every year by bush fires, which also cause property damage and loss of life. The images on the television bring the horror into our homes and I aways thank god that we have been blessed not to be caught up in it.
I live close to the desert so we do get extremes of temperature, no guess for what I prefer.
On the hottest of days I sit with my feet in a bucket of cool water, wet flannels draped over heated arms and legs and a small spray bottle of water that showers me with a delightful cooling mist. I also have the air con and a fan on.
However despite all those heat related whinges I have also been organising our paper work and the new budget for this year. We have some big goals this year and although we have no prior proof that we can even stick to a budget, we will give it our best shot. I suppose in all we don't do too badly and we do still have two adult kids living with us.
Well after a break I'm back writing and hoping to finish so I can get it posted. The weather has not changed, more humidity and quite a spell of it to come.

In other non weather related news, late last year I enrolled in an online course through a university in Edinburgh. It is a free course, and while it wont be anything I could add to my resume I see it as a way in which I can rattle some brain cells. I have become dormant in the noggin and there are days when I feel that I am like an obsolete computer, sitting in the corner, and bit by bit shutting down until all that's left is a slightly glowing screen.
So the course starts next week and I am raring to go, I think.
In other news to and this Friday I am going into hospital to have another iron infusion. It seems that I now have iron deficiency anaemia. I only had one in early December so this is a bit annoying because I hate the cannula insertion-bit ouch.
While I am there I am to see the gynaecologist for my first consultation, something that fills me with dread. But as my GP said my issue has been going on far too long and I need an expert opinion on what can be done. I am speaking about the horrendous bleeding that I suffer from. It can last months and I become so weak and ill I can barely function. Due to my size I have been told over the years that there is not much they can do. I have tried all types of medications and they seem to work for a little while and then stop. So we shall see what can be done.
Well I guess that is enough chitter chatterfor now.
I want to said a cheerio out to two girls who read my blog regularly-Hi Nicole Hi Amy. :)

Until next time,

Jan

It's Over

                                                               Baby's first Christmas

Well its all over for another year. Had a pretty quiet day as expected. Some nice food, that I had a big hand in making this year. A highlight was watching as Jacob tried to rip the paper off his presents. He is far too young to know what it was all about but he did have an excited look on his face as his aunties assisted him with the ripping. He did receive some lovely gifts. As adults we get to play with the toys too.
One thing we wont do next year is make a fruit cake. Hardly anyone has eaten it and it sits forlorn in its tin. So no more next year. Other things to ditch is the gift giving angst. Happens every year. I am not buying for adults just children. My gift to my kids will be nice food, and a home they can always come home too.
The bloke had to work on Boxing day so things are back to normal quite quickly around here.
Our second daughter is holidaying in Darwin with her partner and she reports to be having a ball. Best Christmas she's had in years she says. Gee I wouldn't mind half of her joy.
The weather was predicted to be stinking hot here, but luckily Christmas day was quite mild and even though it was hot yesterday, today it is mild again. No complaints from me, I sit inside with the air con all the time, but humid weather really causes me grief.
Well have you been to any post Xmas sales? I gave them up years ago. Even is I could walk around I wouldn't. I mean truly do we need more stuff? Half the time the prices are not that cheap, but the spruikers make out like we better but this thing now whilst it's so cheap. Gah. I can't even raise enthusiasm to shop online. I have had a $0 balance on my credit card for some time. Even the kids are questioning my spending abilities. :)
I just don't have it in me to spend. Additionally the girls were wondering if they were seeing right when they saw one of my older girls with some of my 'home' magazines in her place. Did mum give you those they asked, incredulous at my ability to part with something that I have stockpiled for years, and I mean years.
Yep, I have been giving away stuff here and there. Books,magazines-(far too expensive to be only read by one person), bits of costume jewellery, other stuff.
We live in a large home and it is full of 'stuff', not just mine either. My kids have inherited the collecting bug and the bloke holds onto stuff.
I sometimes wonder if we might need an intervention, not dissimilar to what you see on the telly.
The frustrating thing is since I am practically immobile I am not able to act on my random urges of cleansing, I have to wait until some like minded person, usually the bloke, is kind enough to carry out the cleansing under my instructions.
As 2013 fast approaches many people make new year resolutions, and I certainly have over the years. But this year I don't have any expectations, nor the energy to carry them out. I guess I could make an effort but then it's difficult to come up with plans that someone else must assist you to accomplish.
However as I think more, I might be able to set some personal goals, just small ones that only I can do for me. I will have to give that idea more thought and get back to you.
Do any readers, if there are any, and I am not talking to  myself, set goals for the new year? If so can you share with me?

I will end it here wishing everyone a great new year.

Jan


 

A Quiet Christmas

Thursday 20th December, just five days before the big day. I say it every year, but I'm always amazed when I realise that the festive season is upon us again. As I am nearly always at home I get to observe what the neighbours do in preparation for the event of the year. It usually starts in November when those with motivation and a heart filled with cheer decorate their homes and gardens with sparkly lights. The house across the road has seizure inducing strobe like lights and I am careful to shade my eyes from the glare. However the droves of people who drive from house to house gawking at the Christmas lights seem to love it. Voices ring out as strangers shout out festive greetings to each other through their car windows. Annoyingly it is sometimes hard to get out of your own driveway as you wait for the long lines of traffic to pass. Rest assured we don't add to the suburbs congestion, we never put up lights. Yeah, bit sad, but I figure there are plenty of others doing it on our behalf.
A funny thing happened a few weeks back. The man from next door who we never really talk to; we do keep to ourselves, knocked on the door to ask if it was okay if he decorated our large Christmas tree shaped conifer in our front garden. My daughter who answered the door told him to go for it. We laughed about it later, wondering of he was feeling pity for us, or just loved our large conifer.

This year like many before we wont have a full contingent of family here with us and I do admit to feeling a little sad. In Christmas's past that was the best thing about the season for me. The yearly shenanigans, the feasting on beautiful, delicious food. The jokes, laughter the joy felt at being together and having fun. Now our numbers have dwindled, due to loss and unhealthy family dynamics. So this year it will be the bloke, me, and three of our girls, one SIL, and of course our beautiful little boy Jacob. A quiet day, lovely food, maybe a movie or two, a nap and a good book I am hoping. The bloke has to go back to work boxing day so there wont be an extended festive season for him. Just another day we say.
I hope you all can find some joy in the season, no matter what that looks like.

I leave you with one of my favourite photos of this year.