Tuesday rambling

One is on his macbook and Tom would like me to open mine so he can check his email and skype his buddies.  (What a bloody mess my house is.)

I am still battling this godawful cough.  Every time I have a coughing fit I spin out.  In fact any form of exertion caused me to spin out.  I went to the gym tonight and we took it very slowly but I kept spinning out.  I think if this continues I'll have to go to the doctor.  *groan*

Work had its moments.  Lots of laughs with a colleague but lots of stress from the manager.

Next week is Melbourne Cup so I only have to work one day.  WHOOT!!!!

I have booked in with Matt (PT) for three times a week for a while.  Unfortunately he is booked up for MonWedFri or TueThurSat so I'm doing Tues, Fri and Sat.  I guess that will keep me honest on Friday night when we usually go out for dinner.

We are having steak for dinner.  Himself is bbqing as I write.  The sun is setting and the sky is a riot of glorious pinks and oranges.

Thomas accidentally got out last night when I was talking to someone selling homedelivery to the Age (I took it up .... 7 days for $6 for 12 weeks.  I LIKE sitting down to a real newspaper rather than reading on line cos you don't get everything on line.  Himself disagrees but I bet my bottom dollar he will read MY newspaper!).  He (the cat not the Age person) didn't get far - he seems to be obsessed with the house next door and the pot plant on their front porch - but every time he escapes he spends the next few nights demanding to be let out again.  Damn cat.

Tattoo stage 2

Himself and One went back to the tattoo parlour yesterday for another couple of hours and this is the result.  He has another session to go to put the colour in but I think it's coming along quite nicely.  The Mermaid was NOT impressed (she cried when her son got his first tattoo) and the in-laws were also Not Happy.  MIL stated that the two things she hates the most about the 20th and 21st centuries are graffiti and tattoos.  As Three pointed out, tattoos have been around since time immemorial.  Only he didn't tell his grandmother - wise kid.

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Sheba is constantly tormented by pigeons that either sit on the balcony railing or on the window ledge.  The other day there was an almighty thud as she attempted to jump on the this window sill and missed. Fortunately she also missed the telly!  But that little cat is nothing if not determined so after several attempts she made it.  And the pigeons flew away!  Not that she can get through the glass to the birds but she lives in hope.

I have made a lasagne and a huge fruit salad for dinner tonight and have my breakfast and lunch ready for work tomorrow.  One, Two and Himself are out playing golf and I shall sit on the couch and read.

My view

I love it.  It's never the same.  There are people fishing, using the walking track, boats go up and down, the light is always different.

I nearly went back to WW today.  Then I spoke to Himself who reminded me how it does my head in.  When SS and Pam were down at the weekend they were talking about how they had both lost a considerable amount of weight.  They spent 3 weeks on Tony Ferguson shakes and now eat lowish carbs.  I thought about trying that.  Then I remembered how much I hated it when I tried it.  And it's not cheap.

I know what I have to do.  It's not about joining groups and being told what to do.  It's not about replacing wholesome nourishing food for flavoured skim milk powder!  It's about being answerable to myself and doing what I know works.  And it's about NOT buying the shit food and wine.

Most of all it's about realising that there is only one person that can do it.  Me.  Not a WW leader.  Not Fireman Sam.  Not Matt (my PT).  Not Himself.   Me.  And I have the choice.  I can do this.  Or not.  If I choose to continue to consume obscene amounts of wine and crap food then I can't complain when I feel like shit and look even worse.

So.

Here we go.

Again.

Blogger let me load

I love this one.  The three girlfriends (SS' partner, GGF and Ebs) and in the background the boyz including Fireman Sam.  Not sure where Three is, I think behind Himself.

This is the birthday cake.  It's a strawberry sponge from The Cheesecake Shop.  I got Three to pick it up as it wasn't going to be easy for me to do with Himself in tow.  I love the way it's leaning.  Three assured me he didn't throw his car around the corners on his way home but apparently the box was on a slant hence the interesting presentation of the cake.  It tasted good so that's all that mattered!

It's been a good day.

• I got to talk with Chris and we have a lot in common.  If I ever get to New Zealand I will visit her.  Whether she likes it or not!  I feel the same way about Mary.  New Zealand is more likely than the States, though.  Maybe I could plan for a trip in a couple of years.  
• I vacuumed and dusted and cleaned our bathroom and the place looks and feels good
• I went to the supermarket
• I fiddlefarted around in the garden
• I job hunted on seek.com.au and found a job that I could apply for if I want to AND I found out that my boss has applied for another job (a colleague told me - not seek.com!).
• I have spoken with all three boys either in the flesh, on the phone or via email.  
• I love where we live

Home made pizza for dinner.

I really do need to do something about my weight and lack of fitness.  tomorrow :)

2/4 ain't bad

I tried to load 4 photos and blogger only loaded 2.  Stupid blogger (the site, not me!)  And it took too bloody long for me to go and fiddlefart around with them again so you'll have to wait for another day.

These two are all there is today ....

My goodies arrived from Chris (the cat is mine!)   I am a very lucky duck.  And she is as nice to talk to as she is to read.

The Tatt!  It gets coloured in this weekend.  Or at least started.  I'll post a progress shot (blogger permitting!)

And that, folks, is it for now as I have spent far too long here already and I need to do some housework.

ENOUGH IS ENOUGH - D'YA HEAR ME?

I cannot believe that I am sick AGAIN!  This must be karma payback for all the times I've sighed and rolled my eyes when Himself gets sick.

Saturday went really well.  I managed to keep him out of the house until midday when the family had assembled.  Two rang asking me to get them extra time so I even went to Shannon's (car place .... bloke heaven) and feigned interest to the point of keeping himself there to buy that time.  When I couldn't keep him there any longer and we still had 20 minutes or so to kill I rang Two and asked if he wanted us to get some bread.....

Me: Do you want us to get you some bread?

Two: Why would I want you to get bread?

Me:  OK would a stick and some rolls do?

Two: What????  I asked you to buy us time not bread ............. oh.

Me: A stick and rolls it is then!  Himself, can we stop off at the bakers' for bread?

We arrived home and as the garage door lifted I saw a range of feet.  Himself was faffing around looking at something on the ground and then he looked up and his face was priceless.  It was a great surprise.  We had a lovely day with all the boys.  Fireman Sam popped in for a little while.  He was on nights so it was lovely that he managed to come down and see his surrogate Dad.  But best of all was seeing Stepson and knowing that the two have reestablished contact and will hopefully maintain that.

Photos have been taken (including tatt stage 1) and I will be back.  But now I'm going to veg on the couch.

Damn cold.

Friday - where did it go?

I got up this morning with intention of going to gym then picking Two up and taking him to show me the watch he and the boys were thinking of getting Himself for his 60th.

I finally got out of the house (left my water on the bench ... back upstairs and down to the car: left my mobile phone upstairs so back up and down and then found something in the back that Three had asked me to leave for him so back to the front door again) only to get a phone call from Himself to say that the railway gates were stuck down and we couldn't get across.  The only downside of where we live is the need to cross the railway line at least once and usually twice.  So I went to take the loooooong way to the gym, rang my PT and told him what was happening and we decided to can today's session.  I ring Two and arranged to meet him on this side of the river (where he lives you need to cross the railway twice) and nipped home for a quick shower.  I collected Two as planned and off we went.  The traffic was horrendous.  Himself rang whilst we were in the car and I was able to say that Two had rung me for a lift as the trains weren't working.  We went to Southland and he showed me the watches they were thinking of.  And he ended up getting a different one that was even more expensive.  He will be out of pocket as the others can't put in as much but Two really wants his Dad to have a classy watch with a "WOW" factor.  The one he's chosen is a Longine classic in stainless steel and it looks fabulous.

Then I drove Two to work and came back this way to the butcher.  Then went and bought a stainless steel chain and cufflinks for Himself but still want to get him something else.  He has no idea what he would like so I'm stumped.  I'll go and get some cologne on Sunday and suggest that we book a weekend away somewhere soon.  Hopefully seeing all his boys together tomorrow will be the big thing for his birthday.

It's now late afternoon.  Three is home and I feel I've accomplished sweet FA.

So I'm going to sit on the couch and continue the theme!

Bits and bobs

Two convinced me to sign up for Skype.  It was hysterical talking to him so I'll be doing that again.  Just what I need - something else to spend time on!

Two and GGF have got me re-hooked on my Nintendo DS.  I currently have two games going.  See above comment about time!  The last two nights it's been pushing midnight before I went to bed because of those stupid games (or rather the stupid person playing them).

There will be photos of the tattoo and the process.  I just need to find the wire that connects my phone to my computer as I cannot, for the life of me, work out how to get the bluetooth connection to work.

As I have mentioned, Himself turns 60 on Monday.  His eldest son (my step son) and his partner are coming down from Brisbane as a surprise.  They will catch up with the boys and their partners on Friday and then will come here on Saturday.  My problem is that Saturdays are all about Himself wanting to get up and get going.  Where or doing what doesn't matter, he just like to be up and off.
The boys and I had worked out that we would all go to Two and GGF's for a bbq lunch but that's not really feasible for a few reasons.  I want SS to see this place (they haven't been down for a few years) and GGF is frantically studying for final exams so may want to spend some time in peace and quiet.  They also have a cat who isn't used to people - Two and GGF used to live in a shoe box and never had anyone round so Moosh freaks a bit when people come to her house.  She's getting better but noone in this family would want to upset a cat!!  So the latest is that we will pretend to be going to Two's but One will say that he has someone interested in buying his car (which is in OUR garage!) and wants his Dad there to help negotiate.  He will then rock up with SS.  Sounds so simple but I can see it falling in a heap somewhere down the line.  I have to buy enough food and drink for a bbq here without Himself realising.  And a cake would be good.

Today, though, I'll clean the house.  It's been a while (I've been sick!) and I'd like it looking nice and sparkly for the weekend.

And that, I guess, is my cue to get off the stool, close down my laptop and get stuck in.

I'm a winner!!!

The lovely Chris conducted a 10 day giveaway to celebrate her 3 years of blogging.  It was no hardship to enter as I read her blog many times a day (I know, get a life!!) and love her writing style and outlook on life.  I love her honesty as she battles with the crap that life throws and her resilience in the face of said crap.  She also can take the credit (or blame - lol) for my quilting obsession. She is one talented, inspirational chick.

I had been thinking a fair bit about this competition (see above re: life, the getting of!) and would say to myself "Don't be silly, someone else will win".  Then I remembered when Two was about 5 and he entered a competition on the telly for a Super Nintendo (yes, it was a looooooong time ago!).  I didn't know about this (I can't remember how he entered but think his big brother might have helped) and one Saturday morning they were watching telly and he yelled "Mum I've won a Super Nintendo" ... "yes darling I'm sure you have" ... "No Mum, he really has!".  The little shite HAD won (when you have a very unusual surname you can be pretty sure that the kid's name on the screen is yours) and he went on to win a few other things from kids' shows.  Whenever he entered he was convinced that he would win.  He has taken this attitude into adult life to the point that he used to get upset if we would try to preempt any disappointment because we were interfering with his positive thoughts.  I know that many books have been written about the power of positive thinking but it's ingrained in most of us not to be too hopeful for fear of disappointment.

Every prize Chris listed sang to me so you can imagine my delight when I logged on this morning before work specifically to see who had won and IT WAS MEEEEEEE!!

Thank you Chris.

I am so glad I found your blog because of the pleasure it brings me every day, the other blogs I have found as a result and your generous give away.

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And in other news ...

Himself had his tattoo started on Saturday.  When I saw it roughed in I just KNEW it was going to hurt like hell (hee hee) and it did.  Poor boy.  It looks really good, though, and I can't wait to see it coloured and shaded.  The funniest part?  Driving home my darling husband was fretting about what his mother would say.  He turns 60 next Monday!!!!!

One popped in to the tattoo shop and we have all agreed that we are hanging out for more!  I saw a design I really liked that could be adapted to work with what I already have so I need to save my pennies and book a time with the artist to discuss my options.

Himself, One, Two and I played golf yesterday and it was a lovely 'hit and a giggle' sort of afternoon.  We had a full house for dinner which is always fun and then Two wanted to talk.  And talk.  And talk.  Everyone else had left or gone to bed but he was in one of those rare moods where the conversation got quite deep and meaningful.  So it was well after midnight when I got to bed but I wouldn't have missed a minute of those precious hours as we discussed his relationship with GGF, his relationship with us as his parents, the boys' recollections of their childhood .... oh, heaps of things.

Work today was pretty good. As a flow on from the positive thinking vibes gained from Chris' contest I made a concerted effort to think positively about work instead of bitching and moaning.  Now that's not to say that I won't be bitching and moaning tomorrow but today was good!

Dinner's about ready, it's been pouring with rain and the river is looking beautiful in the evening light so I'll bid you adieu and go and count my blessings.

Later....  I have a follower!!   WELCOME SOL!  

FRRIIIIDDDAAAAAYYYYYY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The conference was ... OK.  Some of it was absolutely fascinating (I thought we'd heard enough about H1N1 flu but today's presenters were riveting) and some not so.  It's always a shame when a potentially interesting presentation is ruined by a poor speaker.  And refreshing when a potentially ho-hum presentation ends up being amusing and entertaining (even if the content is still ho-hum!).

I was still crook yesterday (I had to walk out of one of the opening presentations due to a coughing fit ... how embarrassing) but today I got through most of the day without feeling yucky.  In fact, for the first time in well over a week I think I feel almost human again.

I contacted the seller of my dodgy nintendo ds game and he was most obliging.  He offered to send me an australian version but Three had already bought me one (bless him and for less than I originally paid so, yes, Three I WILL be speaking to you first in future - dumb mum) so I had the amount credited back almost immediately.  A very positive outcome but I won't be indulging in my ebay habit much any more as I am determined to get our debts paid off so I can at least consider giving up paid work.  I say paid work because I don't believe that those who stay at home work any less than those who have a paid job and I will also look at some sort of volunteer work.  I think part of my dissatisfaction with my current job is that I don't feel that I'm making a difference any more and that's why I went into nursing (certainly not for the money!) but having said that I don't want to go back to shift work.  Yeah, spoiled brat, I know.

Himself turns 60 Monday week and tomorrow he's getting his first tattoo!!!  That means that Two will be the only one in the family who hasn't been inked.  I will go with Himself tomorrow for moral support and to suss out where and what I will get next.

We're catching up with the usual suspects for dinner at the club so I'd better get a wriggle on and touch up the makeup and mosey down there.

Have a great weekend.

Am I naive?

I bought a game for my Nintendo DS from ebay.  It's a newly released game and I bought it from an Australian seller.  It arrived today and is FOR AMERICAN USE ONLY!!  It doesn't work in my console.

I have sent a couple of emails to the seller and will be returning it for refund tomorrow.

There was nothing on the description to indicate that this would not work in Australian consoles and the seller's feedback was good.

So ... was I dumb to do this?  Asks she hoping like crazy the OTHER game she bought before this one arrived will not be the same thing!

Needless to say, Three, who works for a company that sells these things, thinks his mother is almost beyond redemption in the idiot stakes!

I'm still snotty and short of breath but well and truly on the mend.  Off to a conference for the next two days.

I have been trying to pretend that I don't work and am quite enjoying myself.  Himself says that once we get rid of our credit card debt I can retire.  What a brilliant incentive.

Dinner's in the oven (meatloaf) and life is looking a bit more positive.

stitches out!

I haven't been able to get a really good look at the schnozz as the doctor liberally dabbed it with betadine but it feels OK.  A bit raw, maybe.  The histology came back benign so THAT's good news, too.  I may have a little scar but there were two red lumps there before and I didn't have it done for cosmetic reasons ... and makeup is a wonderful thing.

I rang the boss and told her I wouldn't be in tomorrow.  I am much better but still needing a nap two or three times a day and am still full of phlegm (sorry TMI!).  Every so often I have a massive coughing attack and it doesn't sound good.  I'm also still getting short of breath and dizzy.  Do I sound as if I'm trying to justify myself?  Funny that.  I'm very good at insisting others take time off when they're sick but not very good at taking my own advice!

I finished "the thoughtful dresser".  I was interesting although I wasn't sure if it was trying to be a biography of Catherine Hill who sounds like a fascinating woman and I will google her for more information.  I am about to start the new Dan Brown book and am looking forward to that.  And it just happens that the next few days are going to be pretty grim from a weather point of view.  That and my cold = curled up on the couch.  Bliss.  And no guilt.

I will know I'm 100% better when I'm back down in the sewing room for more than 10 minutes at a time.

And now it's time to get dinner on the go even though it's still broad daylight!!  Curried mince and rice ... real comfort food.

I can breathe again!

And swallow. Still coughing and sneezing but at least I'm getting an almost unbroken night's sleep. And that makes for a better day.

Yesterday we pottered about. Himself is planning on getting his first tattoo (a week before he turns 60!!) and we went out to pick up the drawing only the bloke wasn't there so he's going back today. Then, seeing as we were out that way, we popped into check out the new Doncaster. OK, it's been open a while but I haven't been there. It's awesome. The old shoppingtown was very tired and reminiscent of the 70s but this one is all sparkly and shiny and new with some very nice shops.

It was obvious that Himself was in go, go, go mood and I was very much in a sitonmyarseanddojackshit mood. So I mentioned that I wanted some sort of inserts in the walk in wardrobe thinking that would give him something to think about and research. What I didn't expect was for him to go to Bunnings and come home with a couple of shoe shelves which were meant to solve all my problems. And then he proceeded to toss all my clothes out of the wardrobe, fold them and put them back in neat, sorted piles. Now, I know this sounds all helpful and thoughtful but it DID MY HEAD IN!! The majority of those clothes don't fit. Many still have price tags on and I have been plucking the courage to do a clean out/try on and get things looking more reasonable. But, as most women will understand, you have to be in the right head space for something like that. I don't need a pile of 15 or so pairs of pants/jeans of which maybe 2 or 3 fit. Ditto every other type of clothing. Except shoes!!

Daylight saving started today. I don't like losing an hour's sleep and I don't like the fact the government in its wisdom has decided that we will have 6 months on and 6 months off. I was quite happy with daylight saving starting at the end of October and ending in March. I know the days have started to get longer but the Spring equinox was only a couple of weeks ago. another month and it would start to feel like summer is round the corner. On the positive side, Himself and I have no excuse to not get out and walk when we get home from work! Yes, I can be contrary.

And now I will go and make another cup of tea and sit. Cos I can.

Musings from the sick bed!

This isn't my bed! It's the bed in the hotel we stayed at in Townsville but wouldn't it be nice if when we were sick we were able to have freshly laundered sheets on our bed all the time?

Today has been rather unpleasant. I eventually went back to bed this afternoon which I never do but I was just so miserable and couldn't get comfortable anywhere. And I haven't done any exercise today but will put this down as a free day and hopefully will be well enough by the weekend to make up for it. If not, well, so be it. I love the feeling I get when I exercise (memories resurfacing from a couple of years ago and Fireman Sam) but being able to breathe is quite important, too!

I started reading a new book ("the thoughtful dresser" by Linda Grant - I need a break from Pratchett as I have read nothing but him for 12 months, now) and it got me thinking about blogs and how what we read evolves. When I first dipped my toe in the world of the internet and all it had to offer I was on the merry go round of weight loss and spent most (OK, ALL of my time) on weight loss forums and reading weight loss blogs. Through this I have met some wonderful people in real life and in cyberspace and I continue to read a handful of those bloggers but have found that the focus of their writing is no longer weight loss.

As a result of a consultation I had with Imogen Lamport a couple of years ago I have become a regular avid reader of her blog and through her have found many others. These blogs are all about style and finding one's own style and finally, after 53 years, I feel entitled to take a positive, healthy interest in my appearance and image. Yes I want to get healthier and lose some weight but I am learning to give myself permission to look my best regardless of what the scales or tape measure might say.

Through one of Imogen's posts I found this and it has made a huge difference to how my bras fit and, more importantly, my self esteem. I have also developed an interest in the sociological aspects of appearance (hence the book!) and for some reason I find it so liberating to search for books on style rather than continuously pick up yet another book on weight loss hoping THAT will solve my problems. A panelist on the Gruen Transfer made a comment along the lines of marketers/advertisers develop a product and then create a need in us. The weight loss industry is a prime example of this. We are constantly told that we are not good enough as we are and need product/company XYZ to rectify the situation. This results in appallingly low levels of self esteem in women who should be proud and confident.

The other area of blogging I am delving into is related to quilting. As a very new, self taught quilter I need all the help I can get. I have bought some books from ebay which have inspired me to go further but the myriad of blogs out there always have an answer to my immediate problems.

And speaking of quilting, Three has said he would like me to make him one to throw over the couch in his sitting room (the Green Room!) with a musical theme. So I have just purchased some fabric from ebay with guitars and will have a play with ideas to make something blokey. And I came across some Beatles fabric so Two will be getting a quilt as well. Now I just need to work out what One would like (other than the pyjamas I have been promising him for months!) and I might have a couple of Christmas pressies solved. Time permitting.

I'm feeling a bit better now. 2 paracetamol and a glass of sauv blanc seems to have numbed the pain or at least made me not give a toss about it.

Three is at work. Himself is in Sydney so I shall go and veg on the couch before making a pizza for dinner. I defrosted a chicken fillet but really cannot be bothered cooking it and frozen pizza base, cheese and mushroom sounds much more appealing. With chocolate to follow :)