Another small milestone

Other Brother came around this afternoon. He and Mrs Other are down from Canberra and go home tomorrow. Obviously Mrs Other wasn't kidding when she was talking about being inspired to do something about her fitness as Other Brother was commissioned to investigate exercise bikes and cross trainers! He prefers X trainers but Mrs Other prefers bikes. Problem solved. I have given Mrs Other my exercise bike and Other Brother can buy himself a X trainer if he so desires and I know that Mrs Other will progress from the bike to the trainer as she loses weight and gains fitness.

I felt a bit sad seeing the bike being loaded into Other Brother's car but I know it has gone to a good home and if it helps Mrs Other then that will be fantastic.

I haven't used it for some months, now and neither has anyone else. I guess while it was there I could always think that if I really slipped backwards I could start back on it. But I'm not going to. I hopped on the X trainer again this morning for 50 minutes and it felt great. Fireman Sam rang this afternoon and we had a chat about fitness and training next year. I am doing this on my own but I know he's there for me if I need him and we will get the chance to train together now and again.

Two and GGF are here. He wants a lesson in making kebaby things ... cut chicken, stick on skewers with capsicum and onion and marinate til required (tomorrow night). So will go and show him. I am impressed. This is the kid that struggled to make toast not that long ago!! And I have bought the ingredients as well as some wine for them to take as I think finances might be a tad tight for them at the moment.

Catchya!

The aftermath

Two and GGF brought their Christmas tree over to show us. Sheba thought she'd keep an eye on it. Whilst guarding Two's laptop with her very life. Two and GGF aren't very big people and their apartment reflects this ... it's tiny. So I guess the tree is about right for them.

So. Here we are. Saturday the 29th December.

It's a year to the day since Two got to see the inside of a divisional van whilst being transported from his place of employment to the local cop shop. He has matured enormously in these past 12 months and whilst I would never want him or us to have to go through what we all went through I think it was a blessing as it brought him up short and made him take a long hard look at himself. And made him make some substantial, and sometimes very difficult, changes in his life.

On Christmas Eve his two immediate bosses from that time popped in. He was very nervous about seeing them again but it went well. They both have a lot of time for him and were so pleased when everything turned out the way it did. They also have some feeling of responsibility (one in particular) for not doing something sooner about another employee who was the start of all the bother. Not that Two was an innocent by any means, but had something been done when he alerted the manager to what this bloke was doing then Two might not have followed suit.

Anyway. That's done and dusted and it's time to move on.

Christmas Day was lovely. Very quiet compared to Christmas Eve but that was just great.

I was very spoiled. My fellas (and that includes Fireman Sam) bought me a Polar watch/heart monitor/running thingy. You put the running thingy on your shoe and ... run! And then another gadget comes into play and makes the watch, which has stored all the running stuff and times and heart rates, talk to your computer and you can keep track of your training. When Fireman Sam and I were at a sports shop early in the piece we were looking at these and he told me I'd be using one by Christmas. This was when I could barely walk around the block so I was somewhat sceptical. I guess he was right.

I also received a book which I had been hankering for "Six Sacred Stones", a Borders' voucher (you can never have too many books!) and Himself gave me a new iPod shuffle - with covers!

We didn't have the traditional Christmas lunch this year. Instead we barbecued a beef tenderloin and some pork. It was much nicer and involved much less stress. After lunch Two and GGF went to her parents' place and Himself, One, Three and I sat in the sun. And drank too much red wine and got rather burnt. But, again, a lovely way to spend Christmas afternoon.

On Boxing Day we went to Dr. Teacher's place. (Both my brothers and their families had come over on Christmas Eve which was fantastic as we haven't done that before). We ate more, drank more and opened more presents. My slimmer self was much commented on and both my sisters-in-law wanted to know my secret! Mrs Teacher said she didn't do the E word. And came up with all the excuses as to why. All of which I have used myself in the past! Mrs Other said I had inspired her to restart her morning walks when they get back to Canberra. I hope she does.

On Thursday I did 50 minutes on the X trainer which just about killed me! I then went for a fairly long bike ride (about 40k). It was a glorious afternoon. Bright blue skies, sunshine and a gentle breeze. Only the gentle breeze wasn't quite so gentle when I had to ride back into it on the way home! I was sorely tempted to ring someone to come and rescue me but stuck to it and rode all the way home. I was very stiff and rather burnt on the arms. (Yes, I have heard about sunscreen!)

Yesterday I did 10k on the X trainer at a fair pace. 10k is twice what I run around the park and I like to do it in less time than it takes me to actually run the 5k. Which I did. And THAT nearly killed me!

I then went to a friend's place for lunch. We met on the internet many years ago and have caught up in the flesh several times. She is the one who originally piqued my interest in golf. She and her partner live in a glorious townhouse overlooking their golf course. I am hoping to take Himself down there today to have a look and to see if he thinks it's feasible to sell up here and move down there. It's not that far (about half an hour's drive from here) and is on the train line. It would take longer to get to work, obviously, but not too long. I don't want to get too excited as he may decide it's not an option. We have talked in the past about eventually moving to the country when we've both retired but I really don't want to live too far away from Melbourne and the boys. I know that they will move around ... Two in particular will probably end up living and working overseas but at the moment One and Three seem quite happy to stay in Melbourne. One is planning on moving out with Fireman Sam in the next few months but Three will probably (hopefully!) be around for a while longer. I mentioned the possible move to him and he thought it a great idea. We'll just have to see.

One thing is really distressing me at the moment and that is the ease with which I have slipped back into overconsumption of wine. To the point that I am waking feeling like shit and have lost the sparkle and zest for life I had. And I can see the weight slowly creeping back. I got a bit panicky and wanted to talk to Fireman Sam and get him to fix things for me but then I realised that only I can do this. He is going away again very soon for another couple of weeks so I won't get to train with him again until February. I can't just stop and wait for his schedule to coincide with mine so I must take some responsibility and make the changes I know I need to make.

And maybe work out WHY I'm engaging in these self-destructive behaviours again. A lot of it has to do with Himself not being in a very good place which is very stressful. And it's bloody hot at the moment which I don't cope well with and the place needs a really good clean but that's not going to happen until we get a cool change.

I am fine during the day and exercise and eat well but as soon as the evening comes along I go into "HOLIDAY MODE!!!!" which means crack open a bottle of wine and eat rubbish. I need "HOLIDAY MODE!!!!" to be something else.

On that note I will go and make another cup of coffee and wait for Himself to get his rear end out of bed.

Christmas Eve

It was ... different.

But above all it was a lot of fun.

And whilst there were some sore heads the next day we all had a fabulous Christmas.

One of the best.





I hope you all had a good time, too.

Party time

Thank god for lists. If I didn't have lists then nothing would get done.

And there is nothing more calming than being able to tick things off a list.

Today I have

• dusted
• vacuumed
  
• tidied
• sorted socks
• thrown out socks
• and thrown out more socks
• washed (but not socks)
• baked brownies
• made truffles
• baked quiches
• baked shortbread
• argued with Himself (see socks ... )
• tidied the laundry (see arguing with Himself and those bloody socks)
• started a manicure
• smudged said manicure (don't paint nails and then decide to update blog while waiting for nails to dry)

Tomorrow I will

• thread meat onto skewers
• put drinks on ice
  
• arrange the house for visitors
• pump up a bed for Two and GGF (in the gym ... his old room!)
• create fancy platters
• wrap final present
• redo manicure
  
• go for a quick run or a good long walk
• look at my wardrobe and choose what to wear based on what I feel like wearing rather than what fits
  
• set out tables
• greet much loved friends and family
  
• party
• party
• party

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE.

I walk slowly, but I never walk backwards. ~Abraham Lincoln

I can't remember where I found that saying but I love it. It is so relevant to so many things.

In my case I am using it to keep my head in the right place with the whole exercise thing over the next few days.

This last week has been very messy. Lots to do at work before I take the next week and a bit off. Still trying to remember to do things for Christmas (like arrange FOOD!!). Need to wrap the kids' presents. And as a result I haven't been out for the last two mornings and have had far more wine of an evening! This is good as I realise how much I miss the running. I'm just not missing getting up at sparrow's fart.

And so I am walking slowly, not backwards.

Must dash. I want to get into work early.

I will endeavour to pop back here before Christmas.

I hope everything is going well for you all and you are all up to date and organised. And if you're not I hope you're not too stressed about it.

I hope Two's happy where he is .....

This is what happens when you leave home. Your parents turn your room into a gym.

And Two is VERY happy. He misses us but is enjoying being independent and living with GGF.

Is it just me or is there a distinct lack of festiveness around at the moment. The hospital is edgy. Drivers are cranky and aggressive. Everyone seems more tired than usual at this time of year and you wouldn't know that Christmas is less than a week away.

I have renewed admiration for my mother in law for hosting a huge gathering every Christmas Eve for many, many years. It looks as if we have taken the baton in this and I am more than happy to oblige but lordy, it's hard work. Mental work as I have to work out what to buy, cook, serve etc. Make sure I have little gifts (sorted today from a stall at work). Nag, nag, nag the males to ensure that I get some practical help to clean and straighten the house before Monday. And a hangover is NOT an excuse. And still plan something for Christmas Day. And remember that I am expected to bring somethings edible on Boxing Day. At least I'm not hosting THAT this year.

I really need to go and wrap some presents but I'm tiiiiirrrrred. And wrapping presents is very draining, you know. Oh, yes, you probably do!!!

OK. Off to see what I can rustle up for dinner ... or phone an order through!

Hope everything is falling into place for your festive gatherings.

My boys

A rare shot of all of my blokes together.

This morning I rummaged through the bags of toss outs and tried on a pair of jeans and a top from my fat days. They swam on me. Especially the top. Woohoo!! I thought about keeping them but decided against it. I'm looking on this a bit like I did smoking when I quit 6 years ago. I am a non-smoker, not an ex-smoker. And I am a fit person, not a former fatty. I don't need reminders of where I've come from as I am no longer that person.

I'm going to bake some shortbread and chocolate cheesecake brownies to take into work tomorrow. And then I might wrap some more presents and do some washing and maybe even sit down and read a book. If the sun comes out I might try and get a bit of colour in my lily white legs.

I am feeling very content at the moment.

Just a quickie

I'm a bit late for work already!

Fireman Sam is back from playing soldiers (until January when he goes away again for another couple of weeks. Not sure how he'll go as he misses Gina terribly when he's away from her).

The two of them and Two and GGF came around for dinner last night. Steak on the new bbq! Very nice it was too. It was good to catch up and we talked about the Big Walk we are planning for 2009. One even showed some interest.

This morning Fireman Sam and I met at the park. We ran one lap of the park and we did it in about 5 minutes 30. It just about killed me. We then did another lap stopping off at the exercise stations along the way. I will be sore tomorrow. I had forgotten how hard he pushes me and how much I had missed it. 5 laps tomorrow on my own and then more of today on Friday. OUCH!

The good thing is that with this and the long walk I did on Saturday I have got away from the whole scales and weight and 'diet' food thing. Phew. I was a bit worried and very uncomfortable.

Today I am wearing a skirt with the shirt tucked in. The first time I have tucked a shirt in in years. I had to as the shirt is now a bit big and flaps around a bit. It's a tailored skirt so looks OK.

And on that note I must dash.

stand off

How's YOUR weekend going?

Amy left some interesting thoughts in yesterday's comments. Like anyone who has had a weight problem and has played on the lose/gain merry-go-round I can so relate to what she has to say. And I can also relate to that feeling of pain and disappointment in oneself. That is why I am so determined to get away from the thinking that I'm experiencing at the moment.

I went for a lovely long walk before and once Himself has finished assembling the new barbecue we bought today we will be having steak and salad for dinner. A delicious clean meal that my body is hankering for.

Christmas shopping is coming along slowly. I'll need to do some more tomorrow. At least Himself and I are sorted as the barbecue is our present to each other. The assembly of it could, however, result in divorce.

Slip sliding away

Love these swans and their chicks.

Now. Down to the topic of this entry.

Today I slipped back. Waaaaay back. Almost back to the place I was when I started this exercise jig. Well, maybe not that far back but far enough to create some antsy moments.

I have become complacent. I have received so many wonderful comments (and not just from here) that I have forgotten that initial pain. Which, in itself, is not a bad thing because that was a horrible feeling, but it did get me committed to a pattern of behaviour that resulted in some amazing transformations. Christmas is coming. I love my new job. I'm working full time. My kids are .... still my kids! Whatever the reason/excuse I want to use, I have lost the oomph. And I have been eating less well (and more of the less well). I have started to have a gin and tonic or a glass of wine every evening (see above excuses). I only ran twice this week (and I have reasons/excuses for that, too). I am still wearing the new clothes I have bought (and still receiving compliments) but I am starting to feel fat and flabby. I know this is partly the old diet mentality coming back (I've been hopping on the scales a bit too often) but it's also losing that buzz I felt when I was exercising so religiously and eating so well (and by well I mean the chocolate, cheese, cream, etc ... not just the so-called healthy stuff). Fireman Sam rang last night. He's still out there somewhere playing soldiers but is missing us. I told him that I was thinking about focussing on maintaining my weight until after Christmas and then revving things up. He thought that he might rev things up next week.

I thought about this and realised that that is exactly what I need. If I keep doing what I'm doing right now then I will probably weigh a lot more after Christmas.

Christmas is ONE DAY. But we use it as an excuse to overindulge for almost 2 months.

Fireman Sam may or may not be able to get back out training on Monday morning and I can't use that as an excuse as I know full well what I have to do. It's just easier and more pleasant (when we stop) to have him there pushing me. So I have decided that as of tomorrow I am going back to where I was about 4 months ago. I am going back to basics.

Tonight, though, I am having pizza and wine for dinner, icecream for dessert and am going to wake up feeling like shit! This is good.

I realise that this may be very disjointed (and not because of the wine ... I've just started!) but I always tend to just write what my brain thinks when I'm talking about this part of my life and it can be very jumbled (and you can be kind and refrain from pointing out that that is how I am most of the time!)

Tomorrow. No golf. Too disorganised. I am planning to hit the shops and endeavour to get the major Christmas shopping done so I can really enjoy things. A long walk. And I might get Himself to get the tree down out of the roof and consider decorating it on Sunday.

Whatever happens, I will be back into the exercising and clean eating from here on in. I can't afford to lose what I have gained (or gained what I have lost, depending on the way you look at things).

Avagoodweekend.

Christmas is coming ....

... like a frigging freight train and I am so disorganised. And yet, in a weird way I'm not overly stressed. Yet.

Last Christmas was so full on with Stepson and his family staying, the huge Christmas Eve bash, a big family Christmas Day, Three getting gastro (boy, did he get gastro) on Christmas Night, recovering from gastro on Boxing Day and then having my side of the family on the 27th (which should have been Boxing Day but ... gastro). And then Two getting arrested on the 29th at which point all things Christmas were removed from the house. I needed to do something physical.

This year has been really mixed up with super good and awful bad. I'm ready for 2008. Also the boys are well and truly grown up now so I think it's time we changed things around a bit and made the whole thing more adult and laid back.

I'm just not sure how!!

And on that note I shall get ready for work.

Oh, I went to the oncology department's Christmas bash at the medical director's house (an annual event ... and that's a bloody stupid statement, I've just realised!). It was OK. I'm glad I went cos I got to catch up with my old mates. Yet more comments on my weight loss. Including my ex boss telling the most senior administrative person there (she's dizzyingly high on the exec ... and a bit of a tyrant) how much weight I'd lost. Which I didn't feel comfortable with at all. Two was unable to drive me in the end cos he had to work til 1.00am on some crisis so I went back to a friend's place which meant that I didn't get changed but if I'd come home I would have stayed here.

And now I really am going to work.

Catch ya.

RIP iPod

You know how it was raining yesterday morning? And I got really wet? Well, so did my iPod shuffle which I wear clipped to the front neckline of my tshirt. Just as I was about to start the 5th lap it stalled, so to speak. And died. And all attempts at resuscitation failed.

Apparently iPod shuffles don't like getting very, very wet.

I was going to ask Three to get me a new one but One decided I could have his as he doesn't use it much. Only Two gave it to him for his birthday and I don't like taking something that someone else has given someone. If you get my drift. I was told to get over it. So I have put MY music on One's shuffle and will run in the morning. I will also get Three to buy me a silicon cover which will make it as near waterproof as dammit. But I still plan to replace MY iPod.

I'd better do it soon, though, as Three has scored a job at a jeans shop. It's casual to start with but that's OK. At least it's a job selling stuff he likes and looks good in. And what a shame he has to wear their stock!

I'm going to put my feet up. It was very busy at work. We had issues with plumbing that resulted in some fairly major headaches for a few people.

Monday morning

And it's pouring with rain but I did my 5 laps. Well, I figured that once I was soaked I wasn't going to get any wetter so I kept running.

I ended up going to Bentleigh and getting 4 new tshirts. Well Target had 20% off so I had to.

I forgot to mention that One wasn't successful in his interview for the fire brigade. He doesn't seem too upset about it. If anything, he is relieved that he knows one way or the other and says that the pressure is off. We think his age went against him. He was the youngest in his interview by a long shot. He will probably apply again (you get three chances and then that's it) but not for a few years. In the mean time he has a job he loves and his boss is very happy with him.

I was very flattered and touched with Miz S's entry about me over the weekend. As I've said before, I have met some fantastic people over the internet and she would be one of them. She does make me sound rather impressive but I can assure you, I was just your average run of the mill fat mother who didn't like herself. And who was fortunate to have someone who was able to take charge and get me started on this thing.

OK. I think I'm dry enough to go and have my shower.

Have a good day everyone.

The journey in pictures

These two were taken at Two's 21st. It was the night of the meltdown and a week before I started this amazing journey. I was wearing size 16 stretch pants and the shirts were 18 and 20. And tight. I was miserable.





These two were taken last night. In the top I'm dancing with Three. I still have a long way to go but the dress is a medium (size 14). And I am happy.


Yesterday we went shopping. I bought the above dress as well as a couple of skirts and three tops. The skirts are 14 and the tops are medium. I am wearing one of the skirts today. It feels so good to be wearing a skirt again. Especially as it's actually a little loose! The highlight of the day was trying on some size 12 shorts. And I could get them up and do them up! They were a little tight so I tried on a stretch pair which were fine but the zip was sewn in badly and they didn't have another pair in a size 12. I'm not fussed as I know that by the end of Summer I will be smaller again. I have enough clothes now to see me through and I may need to get some of them taken in in a couple of months.

We had a great time last night. The birthday girl was the Mermaid's daughter and I've known her all her life. It was so good to be out with the three boys and Himself. The boys had fun dancing and chatting up sundry females but were still happy to stand around and laugh and chat with their aging parents.

Today is hot and windy. I was going to go back to the shopping centre to try and get a start on the Christmas shopping for the boys but it will be packed so I'll go next week or even after work one evening. It would help if they would give me their Christmas lists!

One has had to go into work and I'll go and pick him up when he's finished. He didn't drive his car as he had a few beers last night and never drives if there is the slightest chance of him being over the limit. I'm sure he would be fine but I'm happy he has the sense to not risk driving when he's not sure.

Himself has gone to Bunnings to get a cord for the lawnmower. Three has just gone out with a mate to look at cars (for the mate, not Three ... Three has an old Subaru Liberty which we swapped with Two and GGF for One's old Mitsubishi Verada and will be getting fixed up for him. He's currently driving the old Benz which Himself wants him to sell when the Liberty is driveable ... confused? You should try being here).

I thought about a bike ride or a walk but it really is unpleasant out there. So I think I might pop down to Bentleigh and have a look at the shops and maybe grab a coffee. Or I could put my feet up and read a book. Or I could do both!

There is a Target Country in Bentleigh and I think I'll see if they have some tshirts. The ones I bought a few weeks ago are all 16 and are getting a bit loose. They are OK to run in but I want something a bit more fitted for wearing with jeans and my new skirt.

Jeeez, life's good at the moment.

6 Months

Six months ago today I weighed 93 kg. My body fat percentage would have been over 50%

Today I weigh 75.6 kg and my body fat percentage is 38%.

I have lost 17.4 kgs (over 38 lbs) and more than 12% body fat.

I have gone from wearing size 18-20 to size 14-16 (more 14 than 16!!)

I have lost many centimetres.

I can run 6 kilometres ... and still be able to breathe at the end.

I have confidence I had forgotten existed (if it ever did).

I shop for clothes in 'normal' shops and enjoy the process.

I haven't dieted ... I eat what my body wants and it often wants chocolate or cheese. I don't eat low fat food unless it tastes bloody good - which is rarely.

I have fitness goals. I want to do a challenging bush walk and will start training for that in the new year.

I still have a long way to go. I want to lose another 12 kilos and 13% body fat but I know it will happen if I keep focused on my fitness and not the scales.

Six months ago today Fireman Sam came over and started the regime that has resulted in this incredible internal and external transformation.

And I feel fantastic.

A Day OFF!!!

Blogger won't let me upload a photo :(

I have been in my new role for 6 weeks. And because I am full time I get an accrued day off every four weeks. Tomorrow is my first. I have never been so excited about a day off! My boss is good and let me leave an hour early to make up for extra time I've put in.

I went to Camberwell to pick up One and went for a wander down Burke Road. I ended up in a shop and bought a new skirt and three new tops. Well, I bet you would have too if you were able to buy MEDIUM sized clothes instead of XL. Now I need some new summer work shoes.

We came home and I started cleaning up the house. It really needed a good going over. Himself has done bits and pieces but it's never had all the floors done, the surfaces dusted and the bathrooms cleaned. I have tidied the main living areas and our bedroom, dusted all surfaces (coff coff) and swept the tiled floors (most of the house). My back started to really hurt so tomorrow I will vacuum the carpets, clean our bathroom, change our sheets and wash the floors. I had hoped to have it all done tonight but I want to run tomorrow and don't want to risk knackering my back. Hopefully from here on in I can keep on top of it all.

Speaking of running, I did the 5 laps (6k) in one go yesterday. It took me 50 minutes but that's OK. The new regime is running MWF and weights and ab work T and Th. And probably one day on the weekend. And I plan to do something at the weekends, either a good long walk or a bike ride.

It's 9.00pm and Three has just arrived home with pizza so I'm off to watch some telly, enjoy a glass of wine and eat pizza. And then hit the sack so I can get up and run tomorrow.

I am stoked!

I have just got back from the early morning training session. I ran 3 laps of the park which = 3.6k. I then had a break as One sprinted shorts laps in training for his fireys fitness test. I then decided that I had another lap in me so set off and as I was coming round the final bend Fireman Sam was there telling me to keep going. He ran with me and I did a 5th lap!! So in less than 6 months I have gone from not being able to run 20 metres to running 6k. That is now my benchmark. From now on I run 5 laps.

GO ME!!

Sunday afternoon

The weekend has snuck away from me again.

Yesterday I played golf with my usual partners. It's a small course and the fairways aren't very long but even so, I was gobsmacked when I shot a hole in one!!!!!!!!! Thank goodness the girls were with me and we were all watching my ball. Very exciting that was.

The boys have been out and about all weekend. Himself has been fitting blinds to the windows at the back of the house to keep those rooms cooler. It's getting hot early this year. Forecast for 37 degrees C tomorrow.

I had great plans for a long bike ride or at least a good long walk this weekend but haven't achieved either. It's now nearly 4pm so neither are going to happen but I'll go for a walk around the block and park shortly.

Fireman Sam and I had the morning to ourselves on Wednesday as Gina and One couldn't get themselves out of bed. We were talking about other goals and he mentioned a mammoth bushwalk in southern Tasmania. It is only for experienced bushwalkers and the conditions are very rugged. I have always wanted to bushwalk (hiking for those non-australians out there!) but have never found anyone to walk with and it's not a good idea to go bush on your own. I could join a bushwalking club but that's not really my scene as I prefer to do things with people I know well, like family. Anyway. My ultimate goal is to do the South Coast Walk one day. So I need to start with small walks. With Christmas fast approaching (and I've done NOTHING!) I doubt I'll get out until next year but Fireman Sam says he'll put together some walks and we'll see where we go from there.

Work is really good. I am enjoying it and getting really good feedback from my immediate boss and the manager of the department for the network.

On Friday I popped into my old department to see if a particular patient was there (he was and I was pleased to see he is doing as well as can be expected). Another patient was having treatment. This bloke doesn't have cancer but requires treatment every 6 weeks or so for a blood disorder and has been coming for years. He commented on not seeing me for a while and I explained that I had changed jobs. He asked if I had lost weight to which I replied 'yes'. He then said "You look good. You look REALLY good!" I'll take compliments wherever I can find them!!!

On that note I'm going for a walk. I still need to lose another 10 kilos to get into the healthy BMI range. It's very easy to become complacent when receiving positive comments and having more choices with clothes shopping but I don't want to stay where I am. I want to get super fit and the weight loss will be a pleasant by-product.

I'll try and update more regularly now that I'm not so knackered after work! Have a great week everybody.

Where did the weekend go?

On Friday night Himself and I went to a different place for dinner. It was OK. We fluttered on the pokies and won enough to pay for one meal so that was good. We will go back to this place and probably become members.

Yesterday I played golf with Jenny. More good holes than bad but I'm still a crappy player and really need to get some lessons. Time is the problem.

In the afternoon I went for a walk down along the beach at Brighton - and took my trusty camera. The above are all from that walk.

Two came over for dinner. It was good to have him around. One went out with some friends. Three rang to say he had fallen at a shopping centre and split his chin. It had been raining and was very slippery underfoot. Tina took him to hospital and he has stitches. I guess he was lucky he didn't do more damage.

Today Three and I went shopping for shoes. The ones he was wearing last evening had no grip left on the sole! I tried to find some casual summer shoes for me. I have been looking for the past few weeks and have found them but the shops either don't have them in my size or are so understaffed I get irritated and leave without being served. Today was the latter. Again.

The house needs a good clean but it's been raining and people keep traipsing muddy footprints all over the place so I might give it a go on Tuesday which is a holiday - Melbourne Cup.

I will be training on my own this week. One, Fireman Sam, Gina and Steff are going away for a few days leaving tomorrow afternoon but none of them want to get up in the morning!

And on that note, I'm going to bed.

Have a good week, all.

Wednesday ... Yay!!!

I am officially knackered!! This is my third week in the infection control role and I am exhausted.

I have been getting up at 5.00 to exercise and daylight saving started this week so my body/brain thinks it's 4.00 am! But I am enjoying it. I was getting slack and wasn't happy with the way I was going. I don't know if I will ever get back the intensity I had when I first started this but that's OK as long as I keep doing something, the weight keeps coming off and I feel better.

I am missing Two more than I thought I could. We caught up briefly yesterday at the specialists to discuss his ongoing throat issues. He rang me today to say that further investigations have resulted in him starting on a drug which will suppress his immune system which will help reduce the swelling in his epiglottis but could also make him susceptible to other infections and reactivation of the varicella virus resulting in shingles. I would be happier if he were still at home but that is not to be so I just hope he can manage everything.

Golf was great fun. It turned out that Steff couldn't come so Himself, One and Fireman Sam played together and Gina and I played a hole behind them until we joined forces on the 6th. It was a quiet day for golfers and we let those that wanted play through. We started the day with breakfast for all who played and ended up having barbecued chicken and salad for dinner with Fireman Sam, Gina, Three, Tina, One, Himself and me. A lovely family day.

I have tried 3 times to upload a photo but blogger isn't cooperating so you'll have to go without.

I have had a large gin and tonic, a chicken burrito and have the first mango of the season sitting on the bench. Not sure whether to have it for dessert or take it to work tomorrow. Decisions, decisions!

It's also Halloween. This is very much an American festival which they have embraced and celebrated for years. It wasn't that many years ago that it was totally unobserved here but now we get kids trick or treating. At least some of them have made the effort to dress up and I have a bowl of chocolate bars which Three will polish off once the door bell stops ringing.

Tom has another abscess in his ear. He stinks. Oh, boy, does he stink. And he is spending most of his days huddled on our wardrobe floor which is where he goes when bad weather approaches. He is obviously not feeling very well. But he was able to go out in the early hours and kill a medium sized rodent and bring it in to Himself as a present when One and I were up at the park. But Himself didn't show appropriate gratitude and shut the bedroom door and pulled the covers over his head. To which Tom yowled, scratched at the door and put his paws underneath to rattle the door. And then disappeared leaving the beheaded rodent on the floor for me to discover when we got home. I knew there was a reason I have tiles at all the outside doors!

Two more days til the weekend. Hooray!!

Two weeks down and it's starting to make sense!

This was one of the views from the bush track down near Lakes' Entrance. It was beautiful.

Work. I am starting to find my groove and we are starting to catch up on the incredible backlog. A lot of the work is clerical. Data collection for government departments on infection rates and the like. But I quite enjoy it and so far I'm not missing the patient contact. I am still in two minds about the full time side of things, especially as we had some lovely days this week and could have played golf with Fireman Sam or gone for a bike ride.

Last night Himself and I went out to dinner. We thought we'd try the pub we used to frequent. After two appalling meals we remembered why we stopped going there. It was beyond mediocre. It was bloody terrible. Himself had the butter fish. It was $20.90 and the piece of fish was tiny and all but inedible. Literally. I had the greek salad and paid an extra $4.90 for bbq prawns. Which were 4 ALREADY COOKED almost shrimp sized things stuck on a skewer and 2 of them had tiny spots where they might have been waved over the grill. The Greek salad was uninspiring to say the least. Too much dressing over tired lettuce with not very nice fetta.

We threw some money at the pokies and left.

Today I bought a skirt. I had to get a size larger than the pants I bought 3 weeks ago (from the same store) but I'm cool with that as I am an odd shape when it comes to skirts and things. I bought two shirts in a size smaller than what I'm currently wearing so that sort of made up for it!! I also bought a pair of shoes, two new bras and a pair of knickers which claim to slim the tummy. It's the waist that's the problem but I'll see how these go. I know there are tummy shapers but they feel like you're wearing amour. I like to be able to breathe.

I also bought a lot of books. And a couple for Christmas pressies.

Then we went to the Apple shop and bought Two some softwear so he can edit in a professional role as he has a couple of things lined up. He can't use student softwear if he is going to make money with it. And he can't be seen to be anything other than squeaky clean. We also bought Himself a new computer. A huge step as he is going from PC to Mac. And we bought One a new laptop for which he was going to pay us back but we decided that as it's to help him freelance we would subsidise like Two's softwear as we have always said we would help any way we could to set the boys up in their chosen careers. Even though One is applying for the fire brigade he will always do some sort of design work. We are turning Two's old room into a home gym so I also bought a docking thingy for the ipods so we can all listen to our own music when training without tangling ourselves up in headphone wires (from personal experience).

And then we went and bought a piece of gym equipment that does lots of things. Lat pulldowns, pec decks, rows, and stuff. With pin weights. The X trainer has been moved in as has the weight bench and the weights. The Piece of Equipment will be ready to pick up early in the week.

A good day!! Expensive but good.

On Thursday night we had a big family dinner as Two and GGF came over. We also had Fireman Sam and Gina over and it was a great evening. Lots of laughs. I guilted Gina into coming training with us on Friday and we had a ball. We are both a little sore today but she is ready to go again on Monday. Tomorrow we are playing golf. Himself, me, One, Fireman Sam, Gina and Steff (a friend of theirs who is also a friend of One). Three was meant to play but has been called in to work for stocktake. We are starting off with breakfast here and then will go and play 9 holes. One, Gina and Steff have never played before so it could be a funny day. Regardless, it will be fun, Himself will be out and moving which can only be good and, hopefully, it will be the start of something semi regular.

Himself took himself off to the doctor and has had a barrage of tests. Blood work, ECG, abdominal ultrasound. He is going back to the GP on Monday for the results. I think he will be told to lose weight, stop drinking and to exercise. I don't know how he will take that advice but I think he is finally scared enough to listen a little bit. He has a referral to a hospital that specialises in drug and alcohol problems and I hope he follows that through. I thought I would never be able to drink again as I was (as you all know) a very heavy drinker. Getting fit and exercising has changed all that for me and I can still have a drink or several just not every bloody night! During a normal week I only drink on Friday and Saturday nights. If Himself can do that as well it will be fantastic. It used to be that we all drank far to much far too often and now it's usually only Himself who drinks midweek. Keep your fingers crossed!

OK. Dinner's ready and there's good stuff on telly.

I'll take some photos soon of early morning training and the new gym room and stuff.

Have a great week.

I love my new job!!

Different, challenging, exciting, exhausting!! Good feedback. Less gastro. Not that I can lay claim to the latter!!

Two moved out today.

This brought back many memories that I had squashed well deep about the time that I left home at the ripe old age of 17. And the reasons there for. I left home because I couldn't envisage living there any longer. Issues with my mother and other shit. Not the best way to embark on independent living.

Two assures me that he's moved out because he chose to, not because he feels he has to. It's something that he needs to do as part of the growing up process, not because he can't live here with Himself and me.

The logical part of me knows this is true and is glad that Two has grown into such a young man. The illogical part of me grieves for the immature, unprepared adolescent who left home all those years ago feeling that she had no other choice.

Needless to say, many tears have been shed. Two is probably the child I identify with the closest. He is certainly the one that knows how to press my buttons! I love the other two. They also bring me to tears. But there is something about Two that just tugs at my very being. And has done since the day he was born. I think other mothers will probably be able to identify with these emotions. When Mum says she loves all her children equally and the same? Crap!! She loves them all differently and specially.

Physio was OK. Need to look at ongoing pilates to retain my core strength in my back.

Golf was good.

Two and GGF live in a lovely flat ... lots of greenery even though the flat is tiny. But they aren't big people!!

Tomorrow I plan to shop a bit (shoes for work, shirts for work ... can't have too many!, and replace the cycling glove I lost last weekend which means a new pair - and hopefully a pair of proper cycling pants. With padding ... if you get my drift.

Then hopefully a bike ride although it's supposed to be very warm tomorrow.

And then back to work on Monday.

Life is good. Challenging, but good.

new job

Just a quick visit to thank everyone for their good wishes and to let you know how things are going.

We are at the tail end of a gastro outbreak (no pun intended!) so it has been a bit of a baptism by fire but not as bad as if it had been last week. A very steep learning curve but I'm loving it. There is so much to do every day.

I have managed to get up at 5.00 to work out. Yesterday on the cross trainer and this morning in the park with Fireman Sam and One. Early nights are essential!

I am enjoying wearing 'normal' clothes although I'm aware the novelty may wear off. And I have received some lovely compliments on how much weight I've lost. Still a long way to go and I musn't get complacent but a boost to the old ego, all the same.

I'm off the check the web and then put my feet up and watch some telly. Himself is cooking dinner which is such a help.

Talk soon ...

Observations from a bicycle

This view is not from a bicycle. It's from a walking track at Lakes' Entrance. Upon which I ran for a bit.

This afternoon I went for a bike ride. It was a glorious day and, therefore, many Melbournians and their families chose to take advantage of such a lovely Spring afternoon.

We are very fortunate in Melbourne to have many paths designated for walking and/or cycling. They are well marked both from a direction point of view and also with reminders of etiquette and acceptable behaviours.

Unfortunately, many people are either illiterate or ignorant. Or maybe both. But I tend to think the latter.

When a sign says "dogs must be kept on a leash" this means you. Just because you have a canine companion that is not much bigger than a large rat doesn't mean that it is any less annoying when it gets in the way of a bike. Or that its shit is any less offensive than any other dog's. That's why there are signs that say "please clean up after your dog". Which should be obvious but some people seem to need reminding.

When you are walking on a shared bike/pedestrian path and a cyclist rings her bell, that is an indication that said cyclist is approaching and would like you and yours to move to one side. It doesn't mean that you all stop walking, straddled out across both lanes, and turn to look in amazement that a bike might be approaching. Nor does it mean that your cute youngster keep riding along in the wrong lane ringing his bell in reply (although I did smile at that one!).

It seems to take longer to ride out than it does to ride back.

Some people shouldn't wear lycra.

And a certain man shouldn't walk along the boardwalk by the river in a pair of grungy undies and not much else. I know it was warm but please, have some sensitivities.

It was, though, a divine ride and I find that each time I go out my fitness is just that much more. I can ride up hills in higher gears (I think that's right) and today managed to ride up the huge overpass at the end of the ride that took me back to my car. Next time I think I'll ride from home and not worry about driving ... as long as it's not raining and there aren't too many nuff nuffs on the road.

Tomorrow I start my new job. Up at 5.00am (that will be a challenge). Now I'm off to the supermarket to get the ingredients for dinner (quiche and salad) and other bits and pieces.

I feel fantastic.

Have a good week, all.

we played a little golf

And there will be many more pictures but blogger is taking forever to upload and I am going to bed. I'll fiddle some more tomorrow.

It's good to be home.

Ch... Ch... Ch... Changes

But first .... Swans. Baby swans. And their parents. Aren't they just the cutest things?

I have many more photos but will share them judiciously. That way I will have something when my camera runs out of batteries or I haven't taken anything or MizS nags me for more photos. But she will have to wait for photos of me cos none were taken this trip and I'm not prepared to share the befores without afters.

It was a very pleasant few days away. I walked lots and ran a bit. We went on a couple of fairly serious bush walks. We had some good food and some mediocre food. I drank more than I should have and I think I have gained a bit of weight.

So. The changes. And, just to remind you, I do not cope well with change.

Two and GGF have found a place to live and will be moving the weekend of the 20th. That's next weekend. I knew they were looking but wasn't too stressed as a) they were looking around here and b) rental properties are like hens' teeth and I thought it would take them a fair while. I didn't count on a) them looking in a suburb a fair way away from here (but just around the corner from her parents' place and quite an expensive suburb) and b) her mother going to the real estate agent and brow beating them into giving them the place (well, that might be a slight exaggeration but she did go and speak with them). This is good for Two and I am really happy for him. After last week's result and now this and the positive influence of the psychologist he's started seeing ... how could I not be happy for him.

One is seeing a lot more of LGF. I am not happy about this but, it's his life. When I told him that Two and GGF had found a place and told him that he wasn't allowed to move out just yet (one kid at a time, please) he informed me that he is planning on moving out with Fireman Sam in the new year. This is good because I think Fireman Sam and he will have a ball and because LGF doesn't want him to (shaddup ... this is my son and I will be judgmental if I so choose). I just can't deal with the thought of both of them leaving on the same day. Not that they will be leaving on the same day cos Two will already have left but it's the thinking about it on the same day ... oh, you know what I mean.

Himself can barely hide his glee at the kids finally moving out. But that doesn't stop him being all mother hen and worrying about things and trying to tell Two how he should be doing things. Which, I suspect but Two denies, may be one of the catalysts for the move. I am still struggling with having Himself home all the time and find his controlling personality difficult to deal with. To be fair, that's my problem, not his.

All this plus starting my new job, working full time, losing my trainer, gaining weight, issues with my parents and a myriad of other things all conspire to create some very unpleasant emotions.

I do NOT cope well with changes.

hiatus

Himself and I are off tomorrow for a few days in Lakes' Entrance.

I plan to do a lot of exercise whilst we are away (read into that what you will!)

Keep an eye on the place for me, won't you.

Hopefully I will be able to repay you with lots of photos.

The cats' food is on the bottom shelf and and their dry food is next to the stove. Could you make sure the bins go out tomorrow night? There is plenty of loo paper and there should be enough soft drink to see you through. There is money under the bowl of lemons which should be enough to feed you all but let me know if you run out and we can work out a repayment plan. Be nice to each other and try not to annoy the neighbours.

See you on Thursday ... or Friday.

Done and dusted (almost)

Two had his day in court. He and Himself had met the solicitor. I hadn't. She is delightful and well worth engaging.

It was a very stressful day. We got there at 8.30 and had a coffee. Then Two got a phone call from the solicitor who was photocopying stuff and said she'd meet us in the diversion office. We went there, Two reported in and filled in a form. Solicitor arrived and we sat and waited. And waited. And waited. Two was called into another room and emerged shortly thereafter with instructions to return in half an hour.

More coffee.

We returned. And waited. And waited. As did the other 3 people there for the diversion program. Two and two others were told their application had been accepted and to go to court 8 and wait for the magistrate. A young woman was not so lucky. Her application had been rejected.

We went to the court, took seats and waited. And waited. And waited. It was interesting to hear the other cases being presented. Mainly traffic offences. A charge of arson (a bloke set fire to some hay bales ... he was drunk at the time). The solicitor went to the loo and was approached by the mother of the young woman. Advice was given. The diversion applications were formally heard. Two expressed extreme remorse and said he had learned his lesson. The diversion order was granted. He has to repay moneys to the company he used to work for, donate money to charity and write letters of apology to those who were his managers at the time of his misadventure (read blatant adolescent stupidity). But no conviction entered. So he still has a clean record. This was the outcome we hoped for. It is the best under the circumstances and all involved are very happy (including said managers ... we popped in and saw them after we got home).

And the young woman? She was able to plead her case in front of the magistrate and explain her tragic circumstances (fled to Australia from an abusive marriage, suffered a miscarriage when she got here, became suicidal and didn't know how she was going to cope; stole a huge amount of money from her employer; has since apologised to said employer and has started repaying the money; her mother came over for the hearing and is very supportive - father doesn't know and probably won't, he's a Baptist minister and won't be very understanding). She spoke really well and was obviously trying to turn her life around. Was very contrite and the magistrate allowed her the diversion program. Everyone was so happy. Tears were shed.

I feel such a release of stress and I cannot begin to imagine how Two feels but I can see him more relaxed already.

Thanks for everyone's words of support and understanding over the past 9 months.

Between jobs

Well, today I finished up in the oncology department. My colleagues gave me big hugs and wished me well. I intend to stay in touch as they are good people and I enjoy their company. We are having a dinner in a couple of weeks as a farewell to me. Seems strange leaving but still being employed by the same organisation.

Tomorrow we go to court with Two. Needless to say the stress levels chez Merlot are very high. He and I went for a walk earlier and we touched on things a little bit. He has had this hanging over him for so long that he hasn't thought past tomorrow. Hopefully it will all be resolved and he can get on with planning his life.

I am having a fat day today. I haven't had one for ages but I feel really blobby. Probably not helped with the chocolate peanut butter brownies I baked for work and the truffles a mate made. Not that I had that much but it was enough to give me the sugar yucks. I felt so bad that I had to jump on the scale when I got home to prove to myself that I hadn't regained all the weight I've lost (I haven't).

Doesn't help that the whole personal training things is becoming less frequent and, therefore, less intense. I still do something every day but the toning stuff has taken a back seat.

On Sunday I went for a bike ride. It was very windy which was challenging but invigorating. I rode into the city (along Gardener's Creek for those that know Melbourne). I had a lovely time and sat by the river and ate my box of sultanas before heading back (MizS, I took photos on my phone but haven't worked out how to get them off the phone and into my computer!). On the way back I started to notice scenery that I had missed on the way in. And then I noticed some rather large buildings that I definitely didn't see on the way in. And then I heard bellbirds that you don't hear on Gardener's creek. And then I found a map that showed that I was miles away from where I should have been!!! So I turned around and headed back. I was glad I had my new phone with GPS just in case but I found the turn off I had missed. Next time I will plan for the detour cos I'd like to ride further up the Yarra.

OK. I'm going to make some dinner and try and chill out for the rest of the evening. I would love a glass of wine or 3 to take the edge off the anxiety but realise that that isn't the answer and look forward to a clear head in the morning. Old habits and all that but I'm not giving in. I plan on going to the park in the morning and having a bit of a run. It should clear my head and set me up for the day.

I'll let you know how things go.

Sunday

My back is a bit iffy at the moment. I went to the physio yesterday and she did some deep muscle stuff and applied heat. It was a bit better. There is a tendency to become over observant after an injury and worry over every tweak and twinge. I see this in my patients who often become so tuned into their bodies that they start to fret over things they wouldn't even have been aware of before their diagnosis.

You may remember that my training regime involved 90 minutes on the exercise bike at the weekend. I have fallen out of love with my exercise bike and Fireman Sam gave me the green light to ride my pushbike as long as I ride for 3 hours or more. Yesterday we returned the gadget that didn't work and were given one that did and I can now see how far and how fast I go on my bike. And the weather has gone to shit! If it doesn't show signs of improving by midday I shall have to suck it up and get on the exercise bike. I don't mind a bit of rain but the wind is not pleasant.

I'm having a bit of a down day, today. Interestingly Fireman Sam asked me why I was stressed when we were driving to the golf course on Friday and yesterday Three bought me a single long stemmed pink rose because I was stressed! I think I might be a bit stressed! I must admit, with everything going on at the moment I do feel a bit overwhelmed. I even feel very fat today. Like none of the weight has gone.

Yesterday Himself and I bought a new dishwasher. It will be delivered on Thursday. This time we bought a decent one (an Asko). Our current one is about 6 years old (an LG) but we have had no end of trouble with it and NOW people tell me never to buy LG. So, if you're in the market for whitegoods, avoid LG.

OK. It's 10.30. I've had my breakfast. One is icing his foot. Himself is fiddlefarting around. Two is housesitting with GGF and Three is at work. Tina is still asleep but I need to make sure she's up by midday as she has to work. I think I'll go and have a shower and see what the day offers.

Two more shifts and then I am no longer an oncology nurse (for 11 months, anyway).

Madness

Fireman Sam has often commented on a desire to play golf but was reluctant to go out and make a fool of himself. I suppose after I ran head first into a netball post on Wednesday when we (I) were doing sprints sort of made him feel safe with me in the making an idiot of yourself stakes.

So today we went to the local 9 hole course. The weather forecast was for hail and gale force winds. But we went anyway. There were a few other mad people around and we let several of them play through.

Fireman Sam had a less than auspicious start but finally managed to launch his ball .... straight into the creek. But at least it was launched. I thought he was going to give up and go home when he struggled to even get it off the tee.

After that there was no holding him. He had a wonderful time. Even when the gale force winds hit (and blew a tree down right in front of us) and the rain was like slivers of ice we kept playing. He hit that ball all over the course. Sometimes he even hit it onto the fairway of the hole we were actually playing!

I think he might come out with me again. I just hope I don't have to run into another netball post before he does. That hurt.

Himself came home just after lunch. We went to the shopping centre because I really needed some new bras. And I bought two everyday ones and a sports bra. TWO SIZES SMALLER THAN WHAT I'VE BEEN WEARING! How chuffed am I? No wonder things were a tad unrestrained. The jeans I'm wearing which are stretch size 14 are falling off me. Literally. I am wearing a jumper that I haven't worn for over two years. I need to get some new clothes but keep hanging on. Maybe next week. I should probably get a decent outfit to wear to court with Two on Wednesday, though. I might just get a pair of slacks over the weekend.

In the mean time I'm looking to book a few days away at Lakes Entrance. Because I don't have the time off that I originally planned for we have decided to go back there as it's only about a 3-4 hour drive away and we know that there are good restaurants and several scenic walks. I just hope it turns out to be more pleasant than the last time we were there. If Himself pulls the sulky stunts again I'm out of here.

Off to the supermarket.

Catchya!

And where did you spend YOUR sunday morning?

I spent mine in the emergency department of my hospital. With One. Who went out with some mates after his exam last evening and badly twisted his ankle. And he wasn't even drunk!! He wasn't going to do anything with it but it looked really swollen this morning so we rocked up (I refuse to go the closer public hospital) and they x-rayed it and it's not broken although the doctor was convinced it would be. She thinks he's damaged a ligament or two and he has his foot in a plaster backslab and is on crutches. Pink ones! He is very worried that this will impact on his ability to join the fire brigade. The injury, not the pink crutches!

He will seek advice from a sports physician and a physio and in the mean time will keep the foot elevated and take pain killers.

I was going to go for a bike ride this afternoon but Himself can't get the new trip computer we bought yesterday to work and it's getting late and I need to go and buy One some pain meds.

Have a good week.

Sheba loves her boy.

One is currently, as we speak, right at this very minute on his way to sit his exam as the first step to getting into the fire brigade. He went out last night but didn't get totally shit faced as is usual when he goes for 'a couple of beers' after work on a Friday. In fact, Himself went to pick him up and the three of us went to the pub for dinner and had a really pleasant evening. Today he went to Chadstone and spent rather a lot of money on things he really needed. Two pairs of shoes, a new belt buckle and some socks. And Three's birthday present. After the exam he is going into town to catch up with Three and some others. I'm sure a few more drinks will be consumed.

Two is filming a music DVD all day and half the night. His throat has become worse. He's having difficulty swallowing again. I will have to ring the specialist on Monday and see what's taking so long. He should be on methotrexate by now. Hopefully once things have been sorted out on 3rd October he will be able to settle down and his stress levels will drop considerably.

Three and Tina are a couple again. Young love!!!! I wouldn't go back there if you paid me!

I did a lot of running around today. I needed to get to Medicare to claim a whole lot of doctors' bills. I still have many more but prefer to get cash and you can only claim up to $500 before they send you a cheque. I went to Borders and bought some recipe books. Like I need more of them! Then Himself and I went to the butcher for a couple of pieces of eye fillet - it's only the two of us for dinner. Then we went to Rebel sport and I bought a new bike helmet (blue to match my bike, my iPod shuffle and my shoes!), some bike gloves and a gadget that tells me how fast I'm going and how far I've gone. Today would have been a beautiful day to ride. Hopefully tomorrow will be the same as I've almost talked Himself into coming with me. If not, I'll have to go on my lonesome.

While I was at Chadstone I had a look at clothes. It won't be long before I'll be able to just walk into a shop and pick something because I like it and it looks good rather than just because it fits. I am going to get the style consultant I used earlier in the year to come on a shopping trip with me to help me choose some classical tailored clothes because

I GOT THE JOB!!!!!

The interview was fun. I decided that I wouldn't over stress about it. I had a job that I would be happy to continue with and so relaxed and chatted away to the two interviewers. Embarrassing moment no. 1 was when I had a total mental blank as to the name of one of them who happens to head the entire Infection Control department for the whole health network. Whoops. I was praying I wouldn't be put in a position where I had to use his name. And I wasn't. I was asked the usual questions ... why do you want to work in this area, give us an example of when you have changed your practice and why, and what would you do if you were on an infection control ward round and a nurse came to you with reports that two of her patients were showing symptoms of gastro. I was fine until the last question. I couldn't for the life of me work out what I would do. So I said that I would call Infection Control!!! Apparently that was the right answer. I gave them the names of my referees and went back to work to cover them for lunch. Then Himself and I went and had lunch and one of my referees rang to say that she had been contacted. About 3.30 I got the phone call asking me if I would like the job. My references were 'glowing' and I interviewed well. I start on 15th October.

The start date means that my holiday plans will have to change. I will take the week before off which means I have 5 more shifts in my current position. And my boss comes back from leave on Tuesday and doesn't know anything about this! Himself and I were going to go to Tasmania but don't really have enough time so will look at going somewhere closer to home. Maybe Lakes Entrance again.

I will be working full time and will be earning a lot more money than I am at the moment. It's a 12 month contract and I could be jobless at the end of it but it's worth it for the experience. I'm not sure what the legalities are regarding keeping my existing position open for me. I'll suss all that out next week.

Things will have to change around here. The boys will have to keep things a lot tidier as I will be employing a cleaner. My training will continue. 5.00am every weekday. Hopefully there will be the opportunity to do some fun things at the weekends. Fireman Sam wants to get his hands on Himself. Starting this Monday. At 5.00am. In the park. Himself is rather nervous but I think he'll come along. I really hope that Himself discovers how great it feels to be healthy so that the two of us can share things like bike riding and bush walking and trail running.

You're all up to date, now.

Belinda .... thanks for your comment. I can't get into your blog and the email address you have is old and I can't seem to get into that either!! Not sure what to do. Any suggestions? Anyone?

Oh ... when we went out to dinner last night I wore the jeans that I wore when we went out for my birthday (the ones that I couldn't even get ON not that long ago) and I was looking for a top. I decided to try some jumpers that I haven't been able to fit into for several years but didn't have the heart to throw out. AND THEY FIT!! I wore the same outfit again today. And after Himself and I had been to lunch yesterday we went back to his office to get his stuff and as I was walking towards the glass doors at the entrance to his building I thought they were really badly distorted and kept moving every which way trying to get an accurate image of myself ... only to realise that the much thinner person walking towards them was a) real and b) ME!

I wish I could bottle this feeling and give it away.

One has a new tattoo

It looks better in real life and when you can see the whole person! I was very dubious but it has turned out really well. And he loves it.

Today is 16 weeks since I began the get fitter and slimmer project. I have lost 13.5 kilos (about 30 pounds for those of you who think in those terms!) and about 10% body fat (body fat, not body weight ... that is well over the 10% mark). I am nearly at the half way mark. I was ready to toss everything in at the weekend. It was all too haaaaaaaaaaarrrrrrd. And I didn't want to doooo iiiiiit anymooooooore. I whinged to One and got short shrift! I didn't do any exercise over the weekend and I think it did me good. I hate to say it but I think I just might, maybe, have overdone it just a little tiny bit. Perhaps. Anyway I started back on Monday with a vengeance. I have managed a couple of little runs as part of my evening walks and enjoyed them. I emailed Fireman Sam my results and he rang and we had a chat and maybe he will be back training me next week. And maybe not, depending on his back and workcover and stuff. I'm sure we will train together again at some point but in the mean time I will keep plodding along on my own and try to add some bits and pieces in as I feel I can cope with them. I miss his company and his encouragement and I certainly work better when he's around but I have proven to myself that I can do this.

We had a lovely Sunday with Jane and Mary. My mother was a complete cow. I realised that she was jealous that Jane had been in touch with me and not her. She told Dr. Teacher that she couldn't manage lunch at his place (5 minutes away, remember?) but could I take Jane and Mary over to her place on the way. Which Himself and I did. And were totally ignored!!! It was quite funny in a bizarre way. Jane and Mary commented on my patience with my parents. Dad is really very frail and Dr. Teacher and I are very worried about him but mother informed Dr Teacher and Dad yesterday that Dad has to keep well because he has to look after HER. Dad shouldn't be driving and we thought that he would be resistant to that decision when it had to be made but Dr Teacher thinks that Dad is aware of this imminent possibility and it's Mum that's insisting he continues to drive so he can take her to restaurants for lunch and stuff. We discussed all this today over 9 holes of golf and Dr Teacher has decided that he will have to sit down with Mum and point out that Dad is getting very frail and is not there just for her convenience. I would go with him to have the conversation but I am so far in her bad books at the moment that it would only inflame the situation. Dad is complaining of a sore back which is unheard of. Dad never complains which means the pain is bad and Dad is worried. Mum dismissed it by saying the doctor thinks it's just (JUST!!) osteoporosis. Which means that Dad could have a crush fracture of a vertebrae. I envisage things getting very messy in that department and I don't envy Dr Teacher at all.

I have an interview for the new position tomorrow. I fluctuate between confidence and despair!!

My physiotherapist recommended I try pilates for my back and I had the first session this afternoon. It is a helluva lot harder than it looks!! I have another 3 sessions booked and I'll see how I go.

One has his entrance exam for the fire brigade on Saturday evening. He is very nervous.

Three and Tina have broken up but will meet over the weekend to discuss things (her decision on both accounts) and I wouldn't be surprised if they get back together. He was upset at the time but isn't really fussed either way at the moment.

Two has a lot going on at the moment. Some good and some bad. I shall elaborate after 3rd October when, hopefully, the bad will all be resolved.

Now I must go and start getting dinner ready. I had a day off tomorrow but am going in for the morning and to cover lunch breaks as they only had 3 staff members on. Wish me luck for the interview at 11.15.

Windy!

When I was a kid there was a nursery rhyme that went "March winds and April showers bring forth May flowers". Apparently March is windy in the UK! I have never quite worked out how to translate that to the Southern hemisphere but it has been very windy over the past couple of days. We had rain today, too, which is lovely to see. I don't know if it will be enough to get our dams over 40% capacity, though. We are in for a grim summer. My front garden is so bare but I'm not prepared to put anything in until I know if we are going onto stage 4 restrictions which will mean no outside watering at all. As it is we lost a lot of plants last summer when we went onto stage 3 restrictions.

I had lunch with the Mermaid today. It was lovely to catch up with her. We always feel better after we've been able to have a long chat.

Fireman Sam rang. It looks like it will be another 2 weeks before he is able to come around to train me. And who knows how long before he can really work out. I guess I'm on my own. As I said yesterday, I knew this would happen but I was hoping it wouldn't be quite yet. The Mermaid noticed a big change in me (I hadn't seen her for 5 weeks) and a top I went to wear today is definitely too big. I really must go through my wardrobe.

The plans I had for Sunday are all over the place because my mother has a cold. She has had the cold for over a week but waited until it turned into bronchitis before going to the doctor. I know I sound unsympathetic but this happens every time she gets a cold. Why she doesn't go to the doctor at the first sign I don't know. The really uncharitable part of me feels that she is using this to control the weekend as it was something that was arranged without her and she doesn't like that. Yes, I still have issues with her and they are not getting better as we both get older. And if my bloody sister-in-law tells me to be flexible once more I'll flex her!!

It's just Three and me home tonight. He's gone to get fish and chips for dinner. Not a healthy eating day for me at all but at least I've ordered a piece of grilled flake and will have some salad with it.

I'm going to go and pop into my pyjamas and snuggle up in front of the telly.

Have a good weekend.