storm front photos

I love my pharmaceuticals!

So.

I was up at sparrow's fart (well when my sparrow farts, at least) and headed off the see the psychiatrist.  I do like this woman.  She says "fuck".

She asked me some questions that resulted in some answers that resulted in her making some quite interesting comments.

And she's upped my meds.

Then I came home and went for the planned walk with WW buddy.  We stopped for lunch and it started to rain.  We had no option but to continue to walk back to my place and on the whole it wasn't too bad.  Until it started to hail.  We were drenched.  And happy.  So all is good.

I then went to have my First Ever Mammogram (yes, bad me, ex chemo nurse and all that) and got drenched again trying to find the place.  They gave me a towel I was so wet.  Squeezing bits done and I am confident I will get an all clear.

Then filled the new script from this morning's consult and off to buy wool for Mum.  Not sure if I've mentioned this here before but Mum has taken up knitting as something she can do with her failing eyesight.  Needless to say she produces some interesting scarves but they will be cherished by all who receive them.

A quick visit to the supermarket and then home.  And the weather has been pretty amazing.  I took some good (I hope) photos of the cold front coming across - quite spectacular.  It's now piddling down again, Tom is buried in the wardrobe, a bit of thunder and Himself is cooking dinner.

All is right in my world.

I do love my pharmaceuticals  :)

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.