He's growing!

Angus continues to delight us.  He is just about house trained.  Nipping is still a bit of a problem but he's learning.  "Sit" and "down" (as in drop) are pretty well mastered.  He is still soft and fluffy and sooo cuddly - so easy to waste  spend time with him.  He has met a couple of the neighbours' dogs.  Mozart, the 8 month old Newfoundland that lives next door, is massive and it was so funny to see them together. Harry, an older poodle x was not enamoured of puppy exuberance and Angus was firmly put in his place.  The cats are getting much better.  Sheba will hiss and, if necessary, give him a bop on the nose with claws sheathed but Tom growls and flattens his ears - not a good sign in a cat so we are still supervising their interactions.

I am so glad we have him.  Himself is besotted!  I knew he would be.  Three can't wait to be able to take him for proper walks but he needs all his jabs first and to be a bit better on the lead (the dog, not Three!).  We will be taking him to obedience school in the new year but in the meantime he is doing well at puppy pre school!

The parents are doing well.  They adore Angus.  He brings them so much pleasure and it's lovely to see Dad laugh at his antics.  I can see Dad slowly going downhill which is very depressing.  Still, he's 92 and if we can have him for Christmas and Mum's birthday in January we will be grateful.

Mental health is OK.  Good weeks and not so good weeks.  Supplements from the naturopath are helping, I think, but I can't stomach the herb mixture.  It tastes gross.  I tried for a week but gave in.  I am meant to take an incredible amount of pills and forget at least one dose a day.  We'll see what he says at my follow up visit on thursday.

Check the little video out on the entry for 29th November on this blog.  I showed Himself and "that was me farting" has already become a catchphrase!!  

A Poem

Tis the month before christmas
and all through the land
Mothers are wailing
and wringing their hands

The stockings from last year
cannot be found;
The tree lights are tightly
knotted and bound

Children of all ages are
writing their lists;
The older they get
the dearer the gifts!

How many people
did we invite this year?
THAT many  (oh shit)
What? Nothing, my dear.

Where is the sherry,
the medicinal grog?
What is that smell?
Oh hell, it's the dog.

Who left the pudding mix
out on the bench?
Please somebody else
find the source of the stench.

Take a deep breath, Self,
All is not lost
We will fill those stockings
Regardless of cost.

Food will be adequate
Wine will flow free
Gifts will be plentiful
under our Tree.

Money's not everything,
It's not worth getting stressed
When we're surrounded by loved ones
we truly are blessed.

SO ....

Tis the month before Christmas
and all through the land
Mothers are chilling
with a drink their hands.

Gifts will be purchased,
Food will be bought
All this will happen
Without too much thought.

So let's all be merry
Let's share in the fun.
And a safe Happy Christmas
To EVERYONE!!!

Meet Angus

He's an 8 week old german shepherd pup.  We picked him up on Sunday from a breeder on the other side (way on the other side) of town.  The cats are not impressed but they aren't frightened of him which I suppose is good.  Blood hasn't been shed yet but I feel it's only a matter of time!

We are learning all about house training and 'no biting' training and 'oh shit he got in through the cat door' training.

I have taken him to see mum and dad twice this week and they love him.  I think it gives them something else to focus on.

Dad is a bit better this week but is definitely slowly deteriorating.

I had my group therapy, psych appt and first consult with the naturopath this week.  I also got a phone call from the GP clinic asking to see me soon ... I'm guessing my bloods I had done last week aren't the best!  Seeing as my psych duplicated most of the tests except cholesterol I'm guessing it's that.  Interestingly I am still peri-menopausal (thank god I had the hysterectomy when I did) and we are waiting for the results from the stress markers.  The naturopath was very interesting and he is prescribing me some herbs and supplements.  I remain open minded.

And on that note I shall end this brief update.  Angus wakes early and I am sleep deprived!!

Fast Friday

Busy week.

Walked on Wednesday with a couple of friends followed by lunch.  Such a great way to past time, catch up and be with people you care about.

Parents yesterday.  Dad had another TIA.  Not good.  Too many which suggests he might be building up for another stroke.  Discussed it with Mum and the feeling is that if he has to have another one let it be fatal.  *sigh*

Therapy on Tuesday.  Loving it.

WW today.  So excited about the new programme about to start.  The biggest change since they brought points in umpteen years ago (and I remember WW pre points - scary!).  Then shopping with a WW buddy. New shoes for both of us - mine sort of planned, hers not so and I had nothing to do with her other purchases!

Out to dinner with Himself and a flutter on the pokies.  broke even.  Would have made a bit if stoopid here had stopped when she was ahead.  Didn't go out with the usual suspects as Himself is having some tummy issues and we take it as we find it so to speak.

Cool change with mega rain came through while we were at the pub so hoping for a comfortable night sleep tonight.

And on that note ...

zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

Happy days are here again ....

Well at least for today and we take these one day at a time.

Three is home with a nasty tonsillitis - poor kid.  At least it's stopped him smoking and I'm keeping my fingers crossed it will last.

On Wednesday I went for a lovely long walk with a good friend and then lunch.  This is becoming a weekly thing that I really look forward to.  Good walks, good company, good food - what more can a girl ask for.  Next week we might have another join us.  Yay.

Yesterday I went and saw the parents.  Dad had a fall on Wednesday but seemed none the worse for wear -  I will get the doctor to check him out.  I rang the village manager yesterday and asked him to send the doc around yesterday afternoon but he forgot!  Not Happy.

After I had seen the folks I took One to lunch (he paid) and then we went to Bunnings and bought a whole heap of plants for his garden.  That's two sons who have discovered gardening.  We bought roses and carnations and other bits and pieces and he was stoked.  Today I went around and helped him plant them and the bed looks awesome.  He is thrilled.

WW this morning.  The new programme is rolled out in just over a week and I can't wait.  Mrs Other was down for the birth of her great nephew and came to the meeting.  Afterwards we all went for coffee and met up with another couple of WWers.  It's great to chat with like minded people about all sorts of things.

Tonight we went to the club with the usual suspects and few more.  It was a good meal with good company.  Then home for some good Brit crime shows.

The happy pills and the therapy are working.  The therapy particularly.  It's so refreshing and reassuring to have the skills to deal with the negative mind play.

Himself is doing well on WW.  4 kilos down and still going.  He has basically stopped drinking (a huge thing for him) and is eating really well.  I just wish he could also find a happy place in his head but work issues make it hard.

Chris has made me some great bags which I plan to give for Christmas presents.  I'm trying to keep costs down this year and if I can purchase from a mate and help fill their coffers then that's even better.  Plus Chris is one talented tart who makes some amazing things.

And on that note I shall try and forget that Christmas really is just around the corner!

*I apologise for lack of photos.  I'll rectify this soon*

Where does the time go?

I could have sworn I just posted but obviously not.

Last week was a bit of a scattered week.  Had my therapy on Tuesday and saw the psych on Wednesday and it all sort of went downhill from there!  One thing the psych did tell me to do was to have a nap in the afternoon if I needed it and I have found it does make a big difference.  The Acceptance Commitment Therapy is also making a big impact.  Not always easy to do but when I manage it I can see the difference.

Baby steps, I guess.

We popped into to see the parents today (Melbourne Cup Day so public holiday) and Two and I saw them on Saturday.  Dad is really struggling with his speech and Mum is frustrated but they are plodding along.  I keep putting a lot of things off (like looking at residential care) hoping that it won't be needed but I am going to have to bite the bullet and do it or we will be caught with our pants down so to speak.  I think I'm avoiding it cos it's not something I want to admit is happening.  Oh well.

It's Dad's 92nd birthday on Sunday and we'll all be together at Dr Teacher's place.  We're all looking forward to that as it will the first time we've all been together since last Christmas and, obviously, since the stroke (or The Event as Dad refers to it).

We went to a 60th birthday party today (Himself's ex boss) and it was lovely.  I was very reluctant (mental illness will do that to you) but I'm so glad I went.

Hopefully will get a good long walk in with my walking WW buddy tomorrow and I'm really excited about the new WW program which will be rolled out in the next few weeks.

Himself has lost 4.2 kgs in two weeks on WW.  I am so proud of him.  I can see the difference.  With any luck this will mean he can avoid a CPAP machine for his sleep apnoea.

And thus ends Tuesday 2nd November, 2010!!!!!

Sunday night dinner again!

I have cheated with the photo.  We are in the middle of getting ready for THIS Sunday but I haven't taken any photos so you'll have to make do with one from a few weeks ago.

So.

What an interesting week this past one has been.

Starting off on a high in Brisbane with SS and his family and then a funeral for Himself's aunt on Thursday.  It was a good ceremony.  It celebrated her life and although there were tears it was probably the most uplifting, positive funeral I've ever been to.  It was a bit of a challenge being open casket.  I've seen many dead people in my work but not in a coffin.  She looked very peaceful.

Himself saw the sleep specialist and as a result is now following the WW plan (under my guidance) and is doing really well.

I started my group therapy (ACT) and so far so good.

I'm still walking almost every day and feel better for it.

And now the whole family has turned up so I shall go and be Mum.