I want a dog.

One rang me this evening.

I have had a pretty good day today.  Healthy breakfast.  For lunch I chose a weightwatchers soup over the pseudo healthy one!  Decided on cold meat and salads for dinner (and dropped some off to Two and GGF cos she's feeling crook and he's doing freelance when he gets home from work so time is a bit precious).

Then *insert evil music* I saw that Himself was eating chippies so I had some and finished off the box of shapes I opened yesterday (yes, I'm blaming the old bloke - even though I bought the damn things!).  I opened the bottle of McWilliams low alcohol wine and had consumed a glass and a half when ...

One rang me.

To invite me to join him and Ebs on a walk.  I dithered for a minute or two (see above consumption) and then thought "stuff it" and walked over to their place.  Before I left I clipped on the sadly neglected WW pedometer.  We went for a lovely walk with Chloe, Ebs' mother's small white fluffy dog (no idea the breed but you see them everywhere) and Lola, Ebs and One's Pugalier.  Yup, a cross between a pug and a cavalier king charles.  I am not a fan of small dogs but these two were so funny to watch.  Lola is only a few months old and is still at the awkward puppy stage.  We walked from their place down to the beach, along the beach to the river path and then back up the path to our place where we parted.  It took about an hour including pick up time and crossing at lights and stuff and trusty pedo said we walked just over 5 kms.

We have agreed to do this again on a regular basis.

Tomorrow I am walking with a WW buddy.  Well, she was a WW buddy but is now a friend.  We got to know each other better in Adelaide.

So I didn't have as much to drink as I would normally.  Dinner was good and I have no desire to raid the freezer for icecream.

Tomorrow I see the psych again.  Lots to talk about and I'm looking forward to conquering this depression.

In the afternoon I have my first ever mammogram.  Once that comes back clear I can stop worrying about the lump I found a couple of months ago which the ultrasonographer couldn't find.

I really want a dog.  I wonder how I can convince Himself this is a good thing.

And the cats.

never knock back a loving hand

Life has been a bit challenging of late.

I am still supporting mum and dad.  I can't get over the change in the relationship between my mother and me.  I guess good things can come from bad.

Diet and exercise are still on the back burner and health is starting to show the inevitable results.  Combined with some stress and the old back and neck and other bits aren't doing too well.

whinge whinge whinge!

Life isn't that bad.  :)

I see my new psychiatrist again on Wednesday and I'm sure things will be better after that.

I have made some contacts with people from my past.  Some not that long ago and a couple from waaaaayy back.  Gotta love facebook - lol!  It's good to renew friendships.

And on that note I'm off to cook dinner.

More pictures

Canola, as far as the eye can see.

Cape Jervis (I think)

The smudge on the horizon is Kangaroo Island.  One day I'll get there.

Let's explore the rugged coastline of Victoria.  Let's walk on unmade tracks that are full of muddy puddles.  OH!  And let's wear high heeled boots and a short skirt and make our boyfriend/husband carry our handbag for the entire trip!  This was not an isolated couple.

WIND FARM!!!  For some reason I find them really scary.  Sort of like something out a bad sci-fi book.   Even looking at the photos makes me shudder.  OK ... just call me pathetic!

Today I had my pampering day thanks to the money Mum and Dad gave me for my birthday.  A bit of waxing (not really pampering but sets the scene), a mani, a pedi with paraffin - bliss, a gorgeous facial and then a full body scrub followed by a hot stone massage.  Heaven On A Stick!

The down side was that I found some muscle issues that weren't addressed by the massage so off to the physio tonight for some therapy and dry needling.  I didn't realise how tense I've been of late.

 

Now, however, I feel pretty bloody good!  And Three cooked an awesome meal - penne, chicken, broccolini, garlic, chilli, olive oil and parmesan.  Deeeeeelish!

Froggy, thanks for dropping by.  Adelaide is a lovely place to live and visit.  We'll definitely be back.

random thoughts

As promised, here are some photos of the trip.  More may follow but it takes forever to upload them.

This is the view from where we had lunch in the Clare Valley on Monday.  The Clare Valley, as were most wine regions is SA, such a surprise.  So much beautiful wine comes from these regions but they are so small.  Good things from small packages, I guess.

This is from Granite Island off Victor Harbour.  Amazing rock formations.  It really is a lovely place but becoming a bit touristy/retirement focussed.  Folks need to make a quid, I suppose.

These are some of the remaining 8 of the 12 apostles.  This blew me away.  We had driven from Warrnambool up the coast and saw the Bay of Martyrs, the Bay of Islands, Loch Ard Gorge and other stupendous natural phenomena.  This coastline is breathtaking.  I can't begin to describe it.  You drive down the road, see a sign pointing you to a relatively small car park and (bearing in mind it's off season) are lucky to find maybe 3 or 4 other vehicles, if that.  Walks varying from a few minutes to half an hour and you see the most amazing scenery.

We came across the car park for the 12 apostles and, at the risk of sounding anti tourism and racist, I was gobsmacked.  The massive car park was full of coaches and mini buses and cars and the whole area was swarming with Asian tourists.  Helicopters were taking off every few minutes (minimum of $95 per person).  It was almost impossible to see the rock formations let alone take photos of them.  It was late in the day and off season which obviously worked in our favour as did the fact that I chose to take photos from the less picturesque spots.

Don't get me wrong.  We depend a lot on tourism but it amazed me that people drive from Melbourne to see this coastline and then drive back without exploring the more amazing sights further along.

Typical, I didn't take photos at the Bay of Martyrs or The Bay of Islands but this is The Grotto.  A beautiful rock pool with the vision of the ocean beyond.

Himself is on his way to Sydney.  I'm not coping terribly well.  I know we've done this in the past but in the past I had kids living with me.  Tonight I'm on my own and could well be for the rest of the week.  Or, if I'm not, I'll have Three and his girlfriend.  Love Three, not so much the girlfriend.

Time to call it a night.

I'm back

It was a great week.  I met some fabulous women in the flesh (have been chatting on line for a year).  Visited wineries, bought wine.  Went to cheeseries and bought cheese.  Checked out chocolate factories and bought chocolate.

Saw a whale.

Lots of photos but life is busy busy busy so will come back with a proper entry soon.

And if the black dog decamps I will be delighted.

HOLIDAY!!

Well, a mini holiday, but a break away all the same.

I'm almost packed and am about to head off to bed.

Today was another chaotic day which included a "HELP" call from GGF who was sick again.  Took her to the doctor and then for bloods and a CT of her brain.  They found a brain and nothing nasty.

I called into Mum and Dad and they're fine.  A bit apprehensive about the new care provisions but we'll get there.

An awesome take away pizza for dinner.

Three days of fun with 24 wonderful women I've met online (and 4 in person) and then 5 days with Himself as we explore the country between Adelaide and home.

Feeling a bit more positive about the health/weight issues (and will be even more after this weekend).

So ... time to look forward to the future with a positive outlook.

Have a great week.

I'll be back with photos.

Crash and burn

Today GGF had an interview.  Himself and I had offered to drive her.

I woke up this morning and couldn't get out of bed.  Just couldn't face dealing with another human being regardless of how much I love them.

Himself took GGF to the interview and we are anxiously awaiting the outcome.

I have been really struggling of late with a lot of things and was seriously considering booking myself into a psych hospital as my thinking and behaviour has been rather odd.

This morning I realised that I have had a huge amount on my plate.  Not only has Dad had his stroke which was bad enough in itself but I've dealt with hospitals, therapists, aged care assessment people (fantastic), doctors, pharmacies, done shopping, negotiated changing care providers AND I have looked after others on and off (Chippy had facial surgery, GGF needed to be taken to the doctor last week for morphine for a migraine, the kids have had issues, the Mermaid is studying and wanted a hand with her assignment .... and so it goes).

I know I could say no but that's not me and I'm not complaining about providing help for those I love.  But I should have realised that just maybe this could all have had a negative impact on me.

I was going to pull out of my weekend in Adelaide but Himself talks sense and I'm going.

This will probably be the last post until we get home the weekend after this.

Life will return to normal - whatever normal is!!

And now back to writing a letter asking for my parents' case manager to be changed.  Not easy.