grrrrr

Last week I was able to upload a picture and now I can't.  Not that I had anything new to show you other than another cute kitten pic but that's not the point!

Himself is still not working.  This is playing havoc with his mental state.  He fluctuates between being grumpy as hell and apologising for being a failure.

Last Sunday was our 35th wedding anniversary.  We didn't do anything special.  I think the fact that he's been out of work for over 6 months as we're still married is pretty special!!!

Dad is walking less and less.  As much out of choice than lack of ability, I think.  It has been getting very difficult and dangerous to take him out with just his walker as he likes to sit on it and be pushed and that's not what it's designed for.  Mum spoke to the physio and they chose a foldable, light wheelchair for him which should be delivered tomorrow.  Dad, of course, wanted the electric one with a V8 and chrome trim!!  I can understand that at 93+, post stroke and a bit on the lazy side that it would be very tempting for him not to have to walk anywhere but as long as he can put one foot in front of the other for any distance then he will be made to do so!

I am slowly getting the place sorted so I can start sewing again.  I am aware that I need to do lots of things around the place, like tidying the wardrobe, cleaning out the fridge, paperwork for us AND the parents *shudder* ... but I must allow myself to do something I enjoy without having the house perfect.  I have dug out a cross-stitch that I started a few years ago with the plan to make it into a bag for a close friend for Christmas.  It is so satisfying to be stitching again, especially with a kitten or two on my lap.  BUT ... kitten/s, moving needle + thread = chaos!

Speaking of getting the place sorted, we dug out a mirror from our previous homes that was buried in the cupboard under the stairs.  It is now hanging above the sideboard (YES ... I will take a photo but can't guarantee the damn thing will upload) and OMG the drama to get it up there!!!!  It weighs about 20 kgs.  I always put things on walls or in garden beds or on benches by using my EYES!  If it looks right it IS right.  Himself, however, relies on spirit levels, tape measures, bad language and a patient wife.  Nuff said ... but the mirror does look great.

Nothing like a tidy living area to make every seem calm and attainable.

Rather a parent based post ... sorry!

Oh my, things have changed a bit over here in blogspot land.

Not sure what I'm doing but I'm sure it will all work itself out!

Let's see if I can post a photo ...

I can!

Sorry if you've seen it before.

It's been a quiet week.  Himself and I went to see the parents and clean out the fish tank.  Mum does tend to reinvent history.  Especially the last 18 months or so.  Anyone would think she lived an idyllic life, cooked gourmet meals and socialised with all and sundry.  The truth is she wasn't eating, drank heaps, didn't get dressed unless she had a medical appointment and saw a neighbour once a week when said neighbour would drop in. 

Today she said that if she moved back to low care she would have a menu from which to choose meals.  I told her that she wouldn't cos she wouldn't eat anything from the menus.  She said that she would have fish if it was on the menu and I had to tell her that that is what she gets.  And if the menu doesn't have a vego option the kitchen creates a meal just for her.  Then she said that DAD would like to choose.  Dad will eat anything.  Loves his tucker and doesn't really care.

I fully understand how hard it must be for her and how she must feel that she no longer has control but she forgets (or never admitted in the first place) that the way they were living was downright dangerous.  If she chose to starve/drink herself to death then that was her choice but Dad didn't have a say in it and he was also being starved, poor bugger.

It occurred to me this week that the majority of my friendships have been formed directly from, or as a spinoff from, the internet.  At the end of that thought conversation (what, don't you have thought conversations .... sounds better than "talking to myself") I looked at how much change my father has seen, experienced and embraced since his birth in 1918.  If it wasn't for that damned stroke he would still be learning and thinking and working out how to make things better.

Think I need to go and hug a kitten.



Just another day

This is Bonnie the day we picked her up so she was about 7 weeks old.  Shame they have to grow up!!

It has turned chilly.  We have probably seen the last of the hot weather but it is Melbourne and anything can happen.  I love this time of year.  Crisp mornings but still some warmth in the sun.

Himself is really, really down about the lack of work.  Not helped with a dose of my "man flu"!!


Mum has been saying how she wants to go home.  I get attacked by the guilts (as does Other Brother which makes me feel a bit less alone!).  Then I come across this photo which reminds why they are where they are ... they were unsafe on their own ...

EUREKA!!

After much faffing about I have managed to get photos from phone to computer to here!!  Now I just need to fine tune a few things.



 Above are Angus and Bonnie. They are bigger now but you get the idea.

 A blurry photo of the three boys and two girlfriends.

 The third girlfriend with the Ninja (this one is the future daughter in law, One's girlfriend)

The Stig and The Ninja.  Not a good one of either but it's a start!!

And when Mary comes back from her jaunt to Portugal she will get a surprise.  It's only taken .... um, years!!



Happy Easter

I am not a religious person.  I repsect those who are, and in some ways envy them that blind faith.  I've been down that path a few times in my life but question too much, methinks!   The Aunt is very churchy.  She prays every day and reads her bible and goes to church every Sunday.  Good on her BUT ... don't tell me when something goes right for me that it's because she's praying for me!!!  It just might have been down to me!  And don't get started on God making it possible for me to do it in the first place COS I DON'T BELIEVE YOU!

Hmmm.  Where did that little rant come from?

Himself is very down in the dumps with the lack of employment.  So hard to see.

One and Ebs are coming for dinner tonight.  That will buck him up a bit.

The internet is a wonderful machine.  An old friend posted on facebook that she was looking to buy a treadmill.  A few messages back and forth and lo and behold, she has bought mine. (Himself has been very good not to mention that he knew it would never get used when we bought it.  I would have used it if I could get into the damned garage!).  So Lisa has a tready and I get to see her again after way too many years.

Himself and I went to the gym yesterday (hence no longer needing the tready) and I jogged for over half an hour.  I was stoked.  Especially as I still have the lurgy which is making breathing a bit of a challenge.

Time for a quick squiz around the blogosphere and then off to continue spot cleaning the carpet - a strangely satisfying task.

If one gets a yummy ginger cake recipe from a fellow blogger is it calorie free?

Still coughing!

Another glorious autumn day, here.  Himself has gone to the gym but I cancelled my PT session.  I didn't want to be sneezing all over the place.  Just as well cos I woke up this morning with a very nasty productive cough.  Ick.

I really hope that Himself gets a job soon.  It's doing his head in and I hate seeing him so distressed.

Plus it will mean that we both have some structure back in our lives. Each day is a wait and see sort of day.  If a phone call or email gets answered he's a bit happier but if no contact is made he's miserable. 

Today I plan to destain the stairs.  SOMEONE isn't careful when they take stuff down to the rubbish bin and there are drip marks all down them.

And I hope to get out in the lovely sunshine at some point, too.

I have Man flu!

Anyone who lives with a male knows that they never get a cold and suffer in silence.  Well, I woke up yesterday morning with a cold and am NOT suffering in silence.  I am a disgrace to the female gender but sure as eggs is eggs Himself will get this so I am getting my whingeing in first.

I hope he doesn't get it before Thursday as he has a job interview.  Fingers crossed.

The Stig is making it impossible to type so I'm off to sit on the balcony and read a book in the late autumn sunshine.