January 29, 2009

Orientation day at Tafe

Thursday 29th January 2009

Orientation day at Tafe had to fall on the hottest day of the year, it reached 45.5c. I arrived at 8.45 am just in case I got lost but I was able to find the auditorium without any trouble. I took a seat in the second row, and waited, the minutes ticked by slowly, the room was already stifling.
Finally 9 am arrived and the introduction began, we were handed our timetable which is full on, starting at 9 am, 1 hour for lunch then 1 till 4pm 5 days a week, we have Tuesday mornings off but we work through to 8pm.
We were split up into 2 groups of 13 & 15, 9 of us are mature aged, 10 are international students and 1 male the rest are young girls.
We were taken on a tour of the class rooms, & Lab, we were shown our uniform which consists of navy blue trousers & either a pale blue polo shirt or shirt. We then proceeded to the library for a talk on the computers & books etc, then the bookshop to purchase our text books. There are 7 in all totalling $541, and weigh a ton.
I carried the bags of books back to the car just as the news came on it was already 41c.
I picked Bec & Paige up from her house & came home to find the aircon not working properly, by now it was 43c. We watched some more ER then checked the weather it had reached 45.5c...Hottest day on record!
We sweltered....
Dave came home at 6.30 all hot & bothered the aircon in his truck had broken down & he was driving in Melbourne. We turned off the aircon to give it a break & clean the filters..what we found is that it had iced up.
So we are sitting here waiting for it to thaw it shouldn't take too long.



January 25, 2009

Dear Diary

Friday 23rd January

Feeling fairly sore, the swelling in my stomach has gone down considerably and the bruising is starting to come out. Had a yoghurt & coffee for breakfast, got dressed and went and picked Bec & Paige up and went to Corio shops. I had a hair appointment at 2pm. We started looking at long pants for me to wear to Tafe, I was after long black trousers. We went into Autograph, I found a lovely pair of pants so I instinctivly grabbed a 24, went into the change room & tried them on, they fell off, so I asked Bec to grab me a 22, they were loose, so I tried on a 20 they were comfortable, even with my swollen stomach. So I grabbed a 22 & 20 just for the comfort side of things. They were on sale reduced from $59.95 to $24.95. We went to Millers next I found a pair of black/grey denim jeans for $30.
We had a look through Kmart but they had nothing interesting, it was time for my haircut.
I went in and gave Sam free range, I wanted a new look, something easy to look after. Chocoate colour with copper highlights.
Sam cut off all my perm and gave me a bob type of style, at first I didn't like it but once she blow waved it I was over the moon.
When Dave arrived home he was carrying flowers, which he gave to me with a big smirk on his face, he just shook his head and said "Gday Geraldine". He walked off laughing, I went up to him and asked if there was something onmy face or was my bum sticking out or something. He just said "No, you look like the Vicar of Dibley" and proceeded to crack up again. I threatened him with me cutting it all off with the clippers but he called my bluff knowing I wouldnt do that just before Tafe stated. So now his pet nickname for me is Geraldine...

Saturday 24th January

Bec, Paige & I went to the Beckley market to buy my 3/4 sleeve shirts, they had them there for $12 so I bought 3, I got a discount & only paid $32 for them. I got 2 x 22 & 1 x 20. Blue, white & white/stripe.
Visited Daryl, Fe &the kids
Spent a quiet afternoon at home.

Sunday 25th January

Bec, Paige & myself went to the showgrounds market in Geelong just to get out & do some walking. We got some cheap fruit, bananas $2 kg as was the grapes & nectarines. I bought a nursing book for $2 and Bec got some shoes for $35.
Came home & rested.

Monday 26th January

Went to the Corio shops, found some comfortable black enclosed shoes for Tafe & will be suitable for nursing as well, theyre from Homyped $129 so have ordered them as they had none in my size was a surprise Im a 10 1/2. Will hopefully arrive next week.

Tuesday 27th January

Drove to Bendigo in the Nissan as we needed the aircon as the temp up there was over 40c. Got there at 1pm, had lunch at the hospital & went & waited for my breast ultrasound. At 2.20 pm I was taken in & screened. Everything appeared ok.
Wandered around the shops waiting for the traffic to go and for it to cool down a bit, we left at 5.30 arriving just about 7.40pm.

Wednesday 28 th January

Spent the day at home watching season 1 of ER had the aircon on full as the temp was 43c, Paige slept on the couch till 8.30 pm then stayed up until 12pm little sod...

January 22, 2009

Surgery

Tuesday the 20th of January came along with a heat wave, I was up at 6.30 am so I could have my last optislim & coffee before fasting. I played on the computer for a couple of hours, packed my bag, had a shower, got dressed & checked the train timetable again just in case there was any changes due to the heat.
I walked over to the bus stop at 11.27am and caught the 11.30am bus to the train station, I had thought about walking but it was already hot & humid. It only cost $1 and I got a timestable for the start of the school year. Bought my train ticket to Footscray $3.30 and waited outside as it was cooler. The train arrived at 11.46am and was packed at least I managed a seat. The train arrived in Footscray at 12.24am, I started to walk to the hospital as it was only 4km, I got about 10 minutes down the road before I could feel I was getting dehydrated due to no water, I saw a cab waiting at the lights & yelled out to him "Are you free?" "Yes " he replied so I ran across the raod and jumped in, he was wearing a jumper, he was from Africa and didnt feel the heat. On the temperature monitor in the car the outside temp was 42c. He dropped me off at the Western Hospital, my first thought was my god and this is private it was a dump. I went to information to find out where admissions were, I went upstairs and introduced myself, the clerk said " your not on my list, take a seat & I'll find out what is happening" I sat down and thought about where I was, I went up & asked if there was another admissions area. she said "Are you private or public?" I said "private" She replied "you need to go across the road to the Western Private Hospital". So I followed her instructions on how to get there and got lost, by this time it was 12.55pm & I had to be at admissions by 1pm. I was hot & bothered my pulse was racing & my blood pressure was up, my face was red & sweaty. I finally found an exit where I went down a ramp out onto a street & across the road was a lovely new hospital. I went in and sat down waiting to see the admissions clerk.
I was taken upstairs to the ward where I had a room with another patient with a ensuite, our own tv.
I was put into my gown, had an ECG done & finger blood test to check my glucose level which was 4.9. My pulse was fast & blood pressure was high but soon came down. I laid down and watched tv waiting, I was the last on the list which made me feel uncomfortable.
Finally at 7.22pm they came and took me to theatre, I was given a nebuliser & antibiotics before being operated on around 8.15pm. Jason came in before hand and saw me and calmed me down.
I woke up back in the ward around 10.30pm and was up out of bed by 11.30pm then every hour I got up and went walking to help move the gas in my chest. At 4.30am I asked for some pain relief the nurse brought in 2 Panadol which did nothing, another nusre came in afterwards and could see I was still in pain and brought me back an Endone. I managed to sleep for an hour which was good. Breakfast came at 8.45am I was given a glass of apple juice & black tea, I left it on the tray, Jason came in to check on me and asked if i was hungry I said
"yeah starving", he asked why I didnt have what's on the tray, I told him I cant drink apple juice it makes me vomit & I need a little skim milk in my tea, and when I asked the kitchen staff for some milk she snapped at me saying your on clear liquids. He turned to the nurse and asked her to get me a glasss of orange juice & some milk. He was happy with my fluid intake as I had already drunk 2 litres and kept it down and as I was walking around the ward I could go home. I had a shower after breakfast & was ready & waiting by 9.45am, I was escorted downstairs at 9.55am and John was waiting for me in the foyer, he had brought the Nissan to make it easier for me to get in & out of.
We arrived home at 10.45 am, I changed into a nightie and made myself a cup of tea, took an Endone, rang Bec to let her know I was okay then spoke to Dave, went to bed for a couple of hours then sat up & watched some tv. Dave rang wanting to know if I needed anything from the shop, so I asked for some custard, Codalgin & a pill cutter.
He came home around 6.30pm, I had 1 cup of warm runny custard for tea, it was lovely.
Watched tv in bed till Dave came in wanting to sleep so I watched ER out in the lounge, then played on the coputer till 2.30am, went to bed and slept till 6.45am, got up took some pills ,had a drink and went back to bed till 8.30.I got up and got dressed, I'm feeling worse today, all the bruising is comming out and the gas is still trapped under my ribs & between the breat bone feels like really bad heartburn. Sometimes it hurts to breathe.
For breakfast I had a Sanitarium Up & Go breakfast drink which took half an hour to get down, I then had an Optislim for lunch. At 3.30pm I went over to Bec's for a cup of tea & to get out of the house. I stayed for 1 hour then came home. Poor Paige wanted to get onto my lap for a cuddle and she couldnt, she was so upset which upset me in turn.
Tonight I'm having 1 cup of chicken soup for tea & I'm looking forward to it.
I have to stay on this liquid diet for the next 2 weeks.

January 18, 2009

An update on my weight loss

Its been almost 2 weeks of nothing but Optislim & vegetables, somedays have been harder than others, easpecially when I have to go down to the shops for some fresh vegetables, all I can smell is the fresh baked bread & cooked chickens..I walk along practically drooling over the glass counter where the chickens are kept. Everything smells so good, even the fish...
I am getting very nervous about the proceedure as its a permanent thing, not something I can change my mind when I want to eat a big piece of steak, its life changing. I know health wise its the best thing to do but Im still scared. All my other surgeries have been neccessary this one is totally elective. Although Ive already started planning my surgery for when Ive lost all my weight, I want to have a tummy tuck & breast lift, apparently they can do the proceedure in one go to lessen any problems
The pain doesnt worry me its the vomiting afterwards with the band in.
I will have a weigh-in in the morning & see if Ive lost anything since I started.

Today is Monday the 19th January Ive lost 2.1 kg I now weigh 114.3 kg...one day to go

January 06, 2009

My weight loss journey

This is the first day of the rest of my life.....

My weight loss journey started many years ago with fad diets then other weight loss plans, such as Atkins, CSIRO, Pritkins then in 2000 I went on Jenny Craig. In 8 months I lost over 43kg, I used to walk 8km every morning then do 1 hour of low impact aerobics, I kept the weight off for 6 months then became ill & the weight came back on and then some. I ended up over the 120kg, I ignored it as much as possible. Then my knees gave out, developed high cholesterol but still I kept my head in the sand, not looking at mirrors just buying even larger clothing, tents I should say. My belly ended bigger than my boobs, even trying to cut my toenails was an effort. Towards the end of 2007 I attended a seminar in Melbourne regarding lap band surgery, I decided that was for me, but I had to wait till my private health cover kicked in as the proceedure was over $12,000 if not insured.
In January 2008 I weighed myself and was absolutly horrified I weighed 136.6kg but still did nothing about it. Mid 2008 I attended another seminar this time in Werribee,
afterwards I met the surgeon Mr Jason Winnett and felt comfortable with him so the following week I saw my GP and got a referral.
In October I saw Mr Winnett, was weighed (by now I was 125.3kg), measured and we discussed the proceedure, was then referred to a dietician & respiratory physician. A follow up appointment was made with Mr Winnett to book my surgery, which is set for the 20th January.
Meanwhile I saw my GP for blood test results which indicated that I had developed Type 2 Diabetes, I was in shock for days invisioning daily injections. I stopped using sugar replacing it with splenda and cutting my meal portions down, I also cut my coffee intake.
I weighed myself again on the 2nd January and was 118.1kg even over xmas I managed to lose weight, so in 1 year I had managed to lose 18.5kg, with no exercise or real diet plan.

On Tuesday the 6th January I started on Optislim replacing all 3 meals, I have to do this for 14 days before surgery to help shrink and reduce some of the fatty deposits around the stomach & liver. On the box it says great taste yeah right might be for someone who has no taste buds, I gag trying to drink it. So I weighed myself & my start weight prior to surgery is 116.4kg. I also have to have 2 cups a day of either broccoli, spinach, beans or brussel sprouts, to help with fibre intake.
Have paid the surgeon $3200 & $1200 for the anaethatist. So that leaves $500 for the hospital which is the excess. So I'm counting down the days......

December 26, 2008

Getting to know me...Christmas Edition

Getting to know me....Christmas Edition

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? Wrapping paper, two 7m rolls that compliment each other

2. Real tree or Artificial? Fake tree as its cheaper

3. When do you put up the tree? the very last moment everyone allows me or until I get sick of being nagged.

4. When do you take the tree down? The 27th December

5. Do you like egg nog? never had it

6. Favourite gift received as a child? books

7. Do you have a nativity scene? No but is always on my to get list and I never end up getting one...next year

8. Hardest person to buy for? Melissa

9. Easiest person to buy for? Paige

10. Mail or email Christmas cards? I wrote out my cards on Christmas Eve and am yet to post them

11. Worst Christmas gift you ever received? potatoes

12. Favourite Christmas movie(s)? National Lampoon Family Christmas Vacation

13. When do you start shopping for Christmas? I normally start during the year and put things away, but this year due to the lack of money and interest I was still buying on Christmas Eve.

14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? No

15. Favourite thing to eat at Christmas? Glazed ham, hot rolls, xmas pudding

16. Clear or coloured Christmas lights? clear on the tree.

17. Favourite Christmas song(s)? Silent night

18. Travel at Christmas or stay home? We stay at home for lunch then go to Bendigo for tea

19. Can you name all of Santa’s reindeer? No.

20. Angel on the tree top or a star? A star.

21. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning? Christmas morning.

22. Most annoying thing about this time of year? Christmas stuff & carols in the shops in October, rude selfish people, crowds do I go on.....

23. Favourite ornament theme or colour? Blue & silver but would like a change to red & green

24. Favourite dinner for Christmas? would be to go to the pub

25. What do you want for Christmas this year? peace & harmony

26. Do you bake lots of goodies during the holidays? Not any more now thats theres only Dave & myself

27. Do you decorate different rooms of your home? no just the tree in the family room.

28. What decorations do you put outside? lights usually but not this year

29. How do you spend Christmas Eve? cooking the chickens, wrapping gifts, playing on the computer

30. Is Christmas your favourite holiday? yeah parts of it is, I love the magic & seeing the kids faces but the rest is crap

I tag whoever wants to participate! You can leave me a comment to let me know that you have answered the questions on your blog then I can read yours and get to know you!

Merry Christmas

Another Christmas over

Well thats another Christmas over and done with. It started off well witha cup of tea brought into me by Dave, whilst Bec played with Paige, I slept in until 8.10, got dressed. Chilled out for an hour then started getting everything ready. While Bec peeled the potaotes for the potato salad & made the green salad, I glazed the ham & got everything else ready for lunch. Dave then got dressed as Santa & surprised Paige by comming down the hall calling out Merry Xmas & Ho Ho HO it was rather amusing infact I was laughing that much that I couldn't hold the camera still enough to take a photo, we all sat around and Santa handed out all the presents which were mainly all for Paige what a surprise. There's too much to list but a few of them are a sandpit with bucket, spade, toys, cars, balls, care bears, outdoor table & chairs with umbrella, books, animals, flute, bells, crayons & scrap book, dvd's clothes etc... Dave got an engine lifter & crane, polo shirts, chocolate, coffee machine & coffee, Bec received chocolates, incence sticks, deoderant, socks, biscuits & books. I got a block of chocolate, box of ferrer roche, coffee machine, coffee, oil burner & dvd's. John (redeye) Dave's mate turned up around 11.30 with a present of a stuffed dog for Paige & bearing a lions fruit cake, frozen apple pie & beer for the rest of us. So the 'men' got the esky set up and sat on the lounge & watched telly. I had all the food on the table right on 12pm, it was a very simple lunch consisting of baked ham, chicken pieces, green & potato salad, beetroot, asparagras, pineapple, creamed corn & hot dinner rolls. We all enjoyed the laid back quiet lunch & enjoyed the food. After lunch John watched tv, Dave had a nana nap on the couch, Paige played with her toys, Bec played on facebook and I cleaned the kitchen vowing not to do it again....I plonked myself in front of the computer after kicking Bec off I suggesting she read her new book Twilight by Stephanie Meyer that was her Christmas gift from Missy & Al, I had an alterior motive, as I wanted to read it myself especially after seeing the movie with Miss & Al whilst in Perth. The peace and quiet was broken when Dave was woken by Paige stuffing a toy up his nose, he got up and cut the ham, found containers for the prawns & organised the drinks for the evening, cleaned out the Patrol so the esky, pram & Bec's overnight bag could fit into the back and moved the car seat so John could fit in. It was time to get changed and drive to Bendigo. We went via the ring road even though its a bit longer the road is smoother and the speed limit is 110kmh compared to the rough goat track through the hills around Bachhas Marsh & Gisborne. We arrived in Bendigo around 7pm at the same time as Matt, Nicki, Jorja & Wade. Dallas led us through the house we stopped at the kitchen to say hello to Brooke. We were led out the backyard, seated at the tables was Helen, Kate, Lauren, Ron & Chris. The place soon filled up when Ted, Di & Adrian arrived as well as Jamie & his girlfriend Simone who happens to come from Lara and Ashlea & her boyfriend who lives & works in Echuca. Stacey & 4 month old Liam arrived later. It was all going as usual with all of 'them' at one end of the table and rest of 'us' being John, Bec, Paige & myself at the other with Dave fliting in between. We had dinner which was no differnt to lunch just mossies to keep us busy. Paige was cruising around chatting away to people when she spilt a few drops of her juice onto or near Chris's white jeans, Chris jumped out of her chair exclaiming that she doesnt appreciate having juice spilt over her. I just ignored it and thought to myself stupid her for wearing white pants to a party where there are children...for gods sake! Whilst Dave got ready as Santa, Bec asked Ron for a hold of the baby this is after he had been handed around to everyone...Ron reply was astounding. "I'll have to ask Stacey first". Stacey obviously gicing the okay Ron handed Liam over, Bec sat down and played with him, Paige being inqisitive came up and grabbed his dummy that was attatched by a cord and stuck it in her mouth as soon as I realised which was nanoseconds later I plucked out the dummy, in the time it took to do that Chris rushed over grabbed the dummy and ran inside and washed it, a minute or two later Bec stood up holding Liam under the arms , when all of a sudden Ron rushed over grabbed the baby and said to Bec sternly "thats not how you hold a baby", Bec was shocked she repkied " I think I know how to hold a baby, I do have one". At this time Chris was over at Ron's side also haranging Bec over her inability to hold a child. Bec was getting angry which I dont blame her as was I, but I had to keep the bloody peace so I just kept on saying to Bec to drop it, and that it wasnt worth worrying over it. I took them inside as Dave was ready to hand out the presents, I went & sat down with Paige however I couldnt stay as Ron & Chris came and sat behind me, so that I wouldnt loose it in front of everyone I took Paige into the hallway and stood behind Dave until Bec came and took over. I went outside to chill out, John came out and joined me, we both sat there and whinged about Ron & Chris's behaviour. We had about half an hour of peace before everyone came out. As soon as Dave came and sat down I informed him of what had happened, he went very quiet, I could tell he was angry. We stayed for seddert then left immediatly after, I dropped Bec off in Long Gully at Bob's, (her ex's Dads place) she was staying overnight there then spending the day with her friend Nae in California Gully returning on the train on Saturday. The drive back to Geelong was amusing as Chris had also upset Redeye over his eating dessert. Di had told him to have another piece so he used his old plate, but got a new spoon and dished up some of Chris's cake and left the spoon on the cake tray, Chris immediatly rushed over grabbed the spoon and went and washed it. (It was a plastic spoon!) As soon as we got home John went home and dave went to bed, I stayed up and played on Facebook then watched tv for 2 hours going to bed at 2.30am. Had a sleep in this morning not getting up until 9.30, layed in bed talking with Dave about what happened last night with his family and how I wont ever go back for Christmas Dinners with the 'family'. He then said if the economic climate allows then in 5 years we can move back over to WA. That gives me a year for my course then 4 years of saving money from working. At least now he's agreeing to move back over there, last nights treatment of Bec & Paige just confirmed what a bunch of prats they can be. So in all an eventful one, I enjoyed the morning and lunch but dinner was horrendous and Im never doing it again! Seeing Paige play with her presents makes up for all the crap of the day:)

December 19, 2008

Places Missy & Al have been to

Places Missy & Al have been to

Brunei
Dubai
London
Amsterdam
Germany
Switzerland
Grindelwald. Nächste Halt, Deutschland
will keep this updated :)

2008 A Year in review

1. What did you do in 2008 that you’d never done before?
Completed 2 online Medical Terminology Courses
2. Did you keep your new year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
I kept my pomises to myself & I plan to make some nore plans for next year
3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
My nephew Joel was born
4. Did anyone close to you die?
Yes, my Mother in Law & my ex's father
5. What countries did you visit?
I havn't been overseas
6. What would you like to have in 2009 that you lacked in 2008?
confidence
7. What dates from 2008 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
Thursday 11th November I surprised Melissa & Al at the airport
8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Passed both medical terminolgy classes & level 2 first aid
9. What was your biggest failure?
Not celebrating Mothers Day properly with Rebecca
10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
An episode that put me in hospital for 1 month
11. What was the best thing you bought?
A nurses dictionary
13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
human nature I guess, people can do some horrible things to each other
14. Where did most of your money go?
the cost of living.....
15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
Seeing Melissa & Al after 1 year
16. What song will always remind you of 2008?
Sweet about me
17. Compared to this time last year, are you:
a) happier or sadder? Happier
b) thinner or fatter? I have lost over 16 kg since the begining of the year
18. What do you wish you’d done more of?
organised myself
19. What do you wish you’d done less of?
wasting precious time
20. How will you be spending Christmas?
very quietly...just Dave, Bec, Paige & John then dinner in Bendigo
21. Did you fall in love in 2008?
With life
22. How many one-night stands?
NONE, Never
23. What was your favorite TV program?
Shameless, Criminal minds, Law &Order, CSI, ER
24. Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year?
such a waste of an emotion
25. What was the best book you read?
A boy called 'it' by David Pelzer
26. What was your greatest musical discovery?
Music DVDs
27. What did you want and get?
A dart board although theres nowehere to play it
28. What did you want and not get?
dart board stand
29. What was your favorite film of this year?
twilight.
30. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
I turned 43 went out to tea
31. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
the business remaining a sucess
32. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2008?
EKKKK horrible....what concept?
33. What kept you sane?
coffee....lots of coffee
34. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
Captain Jack Sparrow
35. What political issue stirred you the most?
The US election.....
36. Who did you miss?
My family
37. Who was the best new person you met?
Mary my case manager
38. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2008.
Let it go
39. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year.
"theres nothing sweet about me"

November 11, 2008

I Have Been Tagged

I Have Been Tagged

Thanks to Elisa who has tagged me...

1. YOUR ROCK STAR NAME: (first pet & current car), Prince Nissan

2.YOUR GANGSTA NAME: (fave ice cream flavor, favorite cookie), Coffee Quatro

3. YOUR “FLY Guy/Girl” NAME: (first initial of first name, first three letters of your last name), J Tar

4. YOUR DETECTIVE NAME: (favorite color, favorite animal), Blue Dog

5. YOUR SOAP OPERA NAME: (middle name, city where you were born), Anne Swan Hill

6. YOUR STAR WARS NAME: (the first 3 letters of your last name, first 3 letters of your first), Tarjen

7. SUPERHERO NAME: (”The” + 2nd favorite color, favorite drink), The Black Coffee

8. NASCAR NAME: (the first names of your grandfathers), Francis Eric

9. STRIPPER NAME: ( the name of your favorite perfume/cologne/scent, favorite candy), Ysatis Turkish Delight

10.WITNESS PROTECTION NAME: (mother’s & father’s middle names ), Bernadette Stanley

11. TV WEATHER ANCHOR NAME: (Your 5th grade teacher’s last name, a major city/town that starts with the same letter), Wilson Walpole

12. SPY NAME: (your favorite season/holiday, flower). Winter Daisy

13. CARTOON NAME: (favorite fruit, article of clothing you’re wearing right now + “ie” or “y”) Nectarine Shirty

14. HIPPY NAME: (What you ate for breakfast, your favorite tree), Banana Japanese Maple

15. YOUR ROCKSTAR TOUR NAME: (”The” + Your fave hobby/craft, fave weather element + “Tour”), The Scrapbooking Rain Tour

July 27, 2008

13 things I do each day

13 things I do each day


1. Take my pills
2. Have breakfast
3. Have coffee outside
4. Do dishes
5. Play on facebook
6. Check my emails
7. Sweep floor
8. Pat & play with each dog
9. Talk to Bec
10. Read the paper
11. Watch the weather channel
12. Listen to music max during the day
13. Check the letterbox

Top 13 TV shows

Top 13 TV Shows


1. Law & Order SVU
2. Law & Order Criminal Intent
3. Criminal Minds
4. CSI
5. CSI Miami
6. CSI NY
7. Shameless
8. Ramseys kitchen nightmares
9. OZ
10. Malcolm in the middle
11. My name is Earl
12. Keeping up appearances
13. Without a trace

Top 13 songs

My top 13 songs


1. Better man - Robbie Williams
2. Bright Lights - Matchbox Twenty
3. Have I told you lately - Van Morrison
4. Bat out of hell - Meatloaf
5. Hotel California - Eagles
6. Hot August Night - Neil Diamond
7. Annie's song -John Denver
8. Where's the ocean- Toni Childs
9. You learn - Alanis Morisette
10. I'm not crazy - Matchbox Twenty
11. Let me entertain you - Robbie Williams
12. Fast car - Tracey Chapman
13. Bohemian Rhapsody - Queen

July 25, 2008

My top thirteen books

My top thirteen books

1. The Stand - Stephen King
2. Thomas Covenant chronicles - Stephen Donaldson
3. East of Eden chronicles
4. Cell -Stephen King
5. Swansong - Richard MaCammon
6. Lord of the rings - Tolkein
7. Harry Potter series- JK Rowling
8. Misery - Stephen King
9. Mine - Richard MacCammon
10. Needful things -Stephen King
11. Vampire chronicles - Anne Rice
12. Anita Blake vampire chronicles - Laurell K Hamilton
13. Mayfield chronicles - Anne Rice

My top twenty movies

My top twenty movies
1. The colour purple
2. Forrest Gump
3. Fried green tomatoes
4. The matrix
5. Pirates of the Caribbean
6. Pricilla queen of the desert
7. Cool hand Luke
8. Paint your wagon
9. One flew over the cuckoos nest
10. Edward scissorhands
11. I am legend
12. The life of Brian
13. Driving Miss Daisy
14. Face Off
15. Grease
16. The hunt for red october
17. The rock
18. The Rocky Horror Picture Show
19. Ghostbusters
20. Gremlins

June 29, 2008

50 before I'm 50

My 50 to do list before I'm 50

1. Go on a boat cruise
2. Eat sushi
3. Visit America
4. Make my own pasta
5. Lose 40 kg
6. Write my autobiography
7. Learn Italian
8. Go to Italy
9. Have my photo taken with a beefeater
10. Take Dave to the Kimberleys
11. Fly in a hot air balloon
12. Attend an Anzac day service
13. Swim with dolphins
14. Stay for 2 nights in a 5 star motel and pamper myself
15. See a film in the gold pass section of the cinema
16. Finish knitting my black jacket
17. Throw out all the superfluous stuff in my life
18. Grow own vegetable garden
19. Eat something I've caught
20. Teach someone to read
21. Watch a lunar eclipse
22. Have my portrait painted
23. Watch team win premiership
24. Stand under a waterfall
25. Spend a night in a haunted house
26. Talk to a stranger on the bus
27. Collect something pointless
28. See a whale in the wild
29. Drive along route 66
30. Visit America
31. Have a short story or poem published
32. See all of Johnny Depp films
33. Memorise a poem
34. Be able to take compliments
35. Plant a tree
36. Go to the ballet
37. Read a book in one sitting
38. Visit Gallipoli
39. Grow my hair long
40. Have a white Christmas
41. Attend a scrapbooking convention in America
42. Go white water rafting
43. Love my body
44. Ride a motorbike on the open road
45. Own a tailor made suit
46. Learn to tango
47. Do something I fear
48. Pay It Forward
49. Be an extra in a film
50. Ride a horse

April 24, 2008

Life goes on

For Dave's birthday I had bought tickets to Matchbox Twenty but due to his Mum's passing he didn't want to go so I took Bec along with me (It was her first concert) I was hobbling on crutches and my knees were in absolute agony but that didn't deter me. I drove the ute as its an automatic so no gear changing which made it easier. We had great seats and had a fantastic time, Thirsty Merc was the lead in band. Matchbox Twenty came out and sang for a whole 2 hours.
The following week was spent at Dr's getting an X-ray of my right knee, and its also full of arthritis and has 3 spurs on the end of the bones, so I'm to have a CT (Arthogram) scan on Monday 28th, it takes around 40 minutes and dye is injected into the knee, so I will be in some discomfort from that so I've saved 1 endone for Monday.
On the 17 th I had my last cigarette, I've been feeling sick smoking them and my asthma was getting bad so I just stopped, it helped not going anywhere and not being around people who smoke, so Its been a week and the cravings have now passed. I'm really proud of myself as I've tried to quit that many times in the past couple of years. This time is forever as I don't want to end up like Peg dying from Lung Cancer. (Not that she smoked)
Dave's working today and is heading up to the farm tomorrow for the weekend to clean out some more of the sheds, we have had prospective clients(Dingee Historical Society) go through the house and we are now waiting to see what they offer. The society's house they are currently in is being demolished by the school to make way for a car park, so they need somewhere in the area to store all their stuff and to have the place used as a gathering house for any clubs that require space. So fingers crossed. Something has got to start going the right way for us, since moving over to Victoria we've had nothing but one disaster after another.

April 14, 2008

A death, a funeral & a hospital visit



All I can say what a crappy day Wednesday was. Dave had left early to go to Bendigo to help finalise some of the arrangements for the funeral that day. I came outside to put all my stuff in the car ready to pick up Bec to take her, Paige and myself to Bendigo. I noticed 2 cars stopped in the middle of the road and I saw a black cat lying in the middle, sure enough as I walked over I realised it was Molly, she had been hit by a car and left for dead, by the time I got to her she took her last breath, I burst into tears as I didn't have time to bury her as I had to get to Bendigo, so I picked her up and took her home and placed her near the gate to the back of the house. I cried all the way to Bec's. I'm not a cat lover but I had grown fond of her. We arrived in Bendigo at 12pm and went to Helen's place to get ready. We arrived at Napier Park funeral parlour at 12.45pm and the place was absolutely packed, standing room at the back. The family were all sitting at the front, it was a lovely service led by the hospital chaplain, candles were lit by Dianne, Helen, Ronald & Daryl. Then family tributes were spoken by Lauren, Brooke, Stacey, Ashlea & Caitlin. The Eulogy was done by Peg's niece Julie Sait & Dave (eldest boy). The music chosen for the reflection was "Beyond the rainbow's end". Caitlin read the reflection then the Lords prayer was said.
To end the service a lovely poem was read called

"The Road Home"

When I come to the end of the road
And the sun has set for me,
I want no rites in a gloom-filled room;
Why cry for a soul set free!
Miss me a little--but lot too long
And not with your head bowed low;
Remember the love that we once share
Miss me--but let me go!

For this is a journey we all must take
and each must go alone;
It's all a part of the Master's plan
A step on the road to home.
When you are lonely and sick of heart
Go to the friends we know
And bury your sorrows in doing good deeds,
Miss me but let me go...

The casket was carried out by sons David, Ronald, Daryl, son-in-law Ted, nephews Matt & Jamie and was led by Peg's brother Roy. The procession went to Eaglehawk Cemetery, prayers were said as the coffin was lowered, flowers were offered to anyone who wished to place them onto the coffin. Norm & Peg are together again.
We all went to the Botanical Gardens Hotel for the wake, there were so many people from all over, such as Hobart, Deneliquin, Geelong & Bendigo. As the trays of food were brought out I decided to help distribute the food, going from table to table. It was very dark inside and as I was called over to serve some people I fell over the stage, the tray went flying & so did I. I twisted both knees, jarred my back and hit my head, I was unable to move so an ambulance was called & I was taken to hospital, I puffed on the green stick all the way I knew nothing was broken but knew I had torn my ligaments in both knees. I was seen almost straight away, was given Panadine Forte and had x-rays taken of my left leg as that was the one that hurt the most & my back. When the doctor returned the pain was still the same so I was given Endone, all the x-rays showed was that I have arthritis in my left knee & lower spine (which I already knew), I was given a script and sent home. Dave had already left as he had to take Roy to the airport so I spent the night at Helens. Dave took the train the following morning to pick me up and take the ute home. When I got up Thursday morning I ached in places I never knew I had...bruises were already coming out on my arms, hands, chest & the bridge of my nose(where the tray hit) and my knees, when I went to stand up my right knee went from under me and that when I realised I had hurt both knees. I rang Fiona up to see if I could borrow her crutches until I could see my GP.
So hopefully nothing else will happen for awhile as they say things come in three's.

April 06, 2008

The passing of life

In my last post April 1st, I said Peg (Dave's mum) had 2 weeks to live well she never made it, she lasted 5 days. Dave drove up to Bendigo on Thursday afternoon, I remained at home as I was supposed to babysit Paige on Saturday night for Bec. On Friday afternoon I rang Dave and he said they had removed all of the drainage tubes and that she would pass away within 24 -48 hours so I jumped on the next train to Bendigo then caught a cab to the hospital. All the family were there so we sat with her until 1.30 am whilst waiting for a cab to take us to Helens I had a full blown panic attack with vomiting, dizziness and chest pain. We went back to Helen's place (Dave's sister) and went to bed. Got up at 8.30 am Saturday and went straight up the hospital. Pegs breathing had become more laboured and she was retaining fluid. Within 2 hours she had been given 4 doses of Morphine to help with the pain. Around 12.30 pm I went out to stretch my legs, Dave decided to go down to the lake and have a coffee and a bit of a break from the hospital. We returned to the hospital and got up to the room just as Peg took her last 2 breaths. It was an extremely emotional time. We all took turns to say our goodbyes then went to Helens place to have a cuppa and so the family could start organising the funeral, which is to take place on Wednesday. Dave & I returned home late Saturday evening, I slept most of the way home as I had taken an anxiety pill that afternoon as I was starting to develop another full blown panic attack. So I'm not looking forward to Wednesday but at least Peg is no longer suffering and at least she went quickly. I will always remember her favourite saying of "I'll say".

April 01, 2008

Dave's Birthday

Happy Birthday Dave, unfortunately he has to work tonight so no going out to dinner maybe on the weekend depending on what's happening with Peg (Dave's mum).
A couple of weeks ago she had been complaining of a consistent cough, the Doctor just said she had the flu but it was constant, anyway the finally x-rayed her and saw a shadow on her lung meanwhile she was also having gallbladder pains. They ending up admitting her and drained around 450 mls fluid from her lung, they put her on morphine for the pain, she was booked in for surgery (biopsy) to see what the shadow was, the Doctors even thought she may have inhaled a foreign body. Dave went up on the weekend and visited her and came home saying she's sitting up really chirpy looks good apart from the fact she's lost some weight. Then on the Thursday at 7.20 pm we got a call from Helen to come to Bendigo as they weren't sure if Peg was going to make it through the night, so we were in Bendigo by 9pm. I nearly died when I saw her she was yellow and grey at the same time, she had lost lots of weight, not the same person I saw a couple of months ago for her 80th birthday. They had taken her down for an x-ray earlier on and her lung collapsed, they drained another 850mls out and gave her more morphine, so she was in and out whilst we were there, I drove Fe home and Dave & Daryl came back together. So we've been waiting for the results and they finally came today she has end stage lung cancer its also in her chest plate, she has 1-2 weeks to live. So she's been moved to a hospice where her pain will be managed and that's as much as I know at this time.