Christmas Prep

It's Christmas next week.  It seems it has just crept up on us and like an alarm the beeping is getting louder; it's almost here!

I have many pre-Christmas memories.  Some years I was caught wrapping presents until the wee hours of Christmas morning.  Yes but not anymore.  All our presents are wrapped days in advance if not weeks!

I have previously been the one seen wandering the aisles of department stores unable to decide between the ladies pamper pack and the manicure set as they close the doors on Christmas Eve.  In haste I pick up both and scoop up numerous other gifts while bolting for the check out!

Like the wrapping that has also been sorted.  Yes all the presents have been bought, sorted and wrapped and placed under the tree.

The small tree complete with optic fibre branches which sparkle and change colour, keeps our attention.  The paper chains have been strategically arranged.  An interesting array of singing and talking Christmas animals and Santa adorn the buffet where the Christmas cards fall off at the whisper of a breeze through the window.

It promises to be a hot Christmas.  The weather bureau suggests it will be 35 degrees.  Stinking hot, I am not impressed.

I have a problem with everything almost done my mind is in overdrive and today after attending my second Christmas party in two days I am washing windows.  Not just the inside but also the outside.  My reason?  They are dirty, dusty and other descriptive words.

I washed all the windows and doors at the back of the house.  Tomorrow I will do the front of the house. It is only one storey, thank goodness!

Tomorrow it will be 40 degrees (Celsius), I am not looking forward to it.  You can't have dirty front windows and clean back windows.  Can you?

Then I figured the dead ants which I sprayed two years ago with fly spray are still stuck on the cornice above the exhaust fan and should be finally laid to rest.  (If you visit pretend you can't see them, no one else have mentioned them).  It means a ladder job and balancing all of me on the gas hob.  Not looking forward to that either.  Clean windows, clean cornices. 

I refuse to think about cleaning the pantry.  It will have to wait hopefully until next Christmas!

After the cleaning comes the cooking.  Shortbread star cookies, more cakes to try and lots of yummy Christmas food!

      

Wine Tasting Diet

My poor health resulted in no exercise and a more than healthy appetite.   My scales snickered at me, it wasn't good! With Christmas parties and get togethers looming there was nothing to do but admit defeat and begin dieting.

I began the day yesterday by taking Merv to the local shops which had advertised a full-on market in the car park.  My first stop was wine tasting.  Not a good start to the diet.  During the rest of the day I munched through salad veggies, delighted in lean protein and finished the day with a chocolate biscuit.  I lost 600 grams, I was stoked.

I began to think about the whole dieting thing.  When did it begin for me?  I remember the kids were only toddlers when I bought my first fad diet book, 'New Beverley Hills Diet.'  It was crazy.  I can't remember if I got results.  I can only remember buying fruit from the farmers market.  The owner offered me some fruit to taste and I refused it because it wasn't an allowable fruit that day.  He questioned my diet and shook his head.  If only I had done the same.

In 2012 I began a committed relationship with protein shakes, mainly the OPTIFAST ones.  I didn't like the taste but I did lose 5kgs.  I plateaued and Dustin suggested, 'Body Trim.'  He had recently lost 5kgs on it.  I dug in my heels and also lost 5kgs but I became bored with eating so much protein. 

Mel was also on a weight loss regime and had joined Weight Watchers.  It was a god-send for her.  She has lost over 18kgs since February 2013.  I also put into practice the pro-points program and lost further weight.  Before 2012 I would lose 5kgs or more but after whatever reason I lost it for I soon stacked it back on.  I needed a better plan and stopped making the goal an upcoming event but a life long commitment.

I lost 12kgs in total and though I have put on a kilo or two over the last couple of years it is not difficult to become inspired and lose it and get back to my goal weight.  The hard work was losing the 12kgs and committing to keep it off.
I wrote a list of the crazy diets I have tried in the last thirty years, fifteen altogether.
The Cabbage Soup Diet was a community craze.  There wasn't a cabbage to be bought anywhere and while we gobbled down our soup we craved for food we could chew instead of slurp.  The craze was short lived.

Then I stumbled accidentally on the Blood Type Diet.  It said lamb was good for me.  Lamb and I are close friends; roast lamb, lamb chops whatever comes my way.  The diet didn't make sense to me so I gave this one away as well.

The Low GI diet seemed a sensible diet which wouldn't change my habits to the extreme.  It, like many of the others was short lived.  I returned to munching on chocolate and sipping numerous glasses of wine.

I have thrown out all my ‘big’ clothes and promised myself not to return to my former 2012 weight.  So far so good.  As for all those crazy diets, they provided me with a laugh, crazy memories and the authors; a better bank account!

 

No Crime Please

As we waited for my X rays to develop we share our family news.  My dentist George is now in his 70's, except for his weathered appearance you wouldn't know.  We chatted about a range of topics and somehow we strayed to house burglaries and local news.
We bemoaned the attack of an elderly man in his own house by a trio of young thugs.  They beat him, ransacked his house and stole a paltry $15.  The elderly gentleman is too scared to return to his house.  We agreed such things happen far too often in our otherwise friendly city.  It was a senseless act of violence and thuggery. We shared our personal burglary stories.  I recounted the much told story of how both my wedding and engagement rings were stolen when we went out for dinner one night many years ago.  Not long after we had a security alarm installed.  Fortunately we have not had a break in since.  George had similar tales to tell.
The X rays developed and George diligently inspects the results.  He tells me my infection is still licking my gums and more penicillin will need to be prescribed.  My tooth is cracked and is in need of repair but today I am saved from the dreaded drill.  I sigh with relief but I know it will be short lived.  I have an appointment for next month!

We discuss other things after losing our line of thought of the victimised old man.  We do not bother to offer solutions for our aimless youth.  We have both heard it all before and know there are answers but we neither have them or know how to implement them. 

We both know many young people who live good lives, work and study hard and are a joy to their families. 
I leave the surgery and George carries on with his work. 
I take Mel to an appointment an hour later and crime once again is discussed.  It just happens, I can't remember what initiated it. I know we should look out for each other and be concerned about the issues before us but is there nothing good or inspiring to talk about?   Too much crime chat in one day.  I am looking for something good to say. I just want to live happily and safely in a caring and supportive community.

The Door Rattle

The sun had long ago cast it final shadow.  The night had no moon to show the way.  I had given up on anyone at my door.  I was comfortable in my recliner lounge chair when abruptly the security door began to rattle and voices boomed out.
   I knew what to expect but I had hoped it would not be so late.  With confidence I opened my front door expecting older children, even teenagers.  There stood before me were two little mites shouting out, 'Trick or Treat.'  They didn't appear to be any older than three or four.  I turned on the porch light and noted their Dad standing a few feet away.  Usually I just give away the lolly pops which I have ready at the door before wishing them well and closing the door.  Tonight I directed a question at the adult standing in the darkness.  I mentioned they were so young to be out so late at night. I suggested a torch. I noted they made a lot of noise and could scare the elderly ladies living alone further down the road.
   I could hear their Mum further away thanking me for the lollies.  I did not reply.  In previous years the little mites will come knocking on the door hours before darkness with their parents standing on the road to ensure they are safe.  Some parents come to the door.  I am happy to pop lollies in their bags and smile nicely at them.

   My kids were too big by the time Halloween became fashionable in Australia.  I never had to worry about Halloween outfits, lolly bags and door knocking.  I like to think we wouldn't have participated, but I am not entirely sure.  Australia appears to have embraced the Halloween celebrations.  Older Australians find it questionable and often scary.  Even Merv was subjected to Halloween celebrations at the HD club on Wednesday.  The staff dressed in scary outfits, complete with make-up.  He came home with a plastic spider on a cotton wool web on his shoulder.  He was not impressed and the spider went in the bin.
    I continued to think about the little kids rattling on my door.  What if a total stranger invited them into their house, no matter how innocent it maybe?  How would the parents hiding behind the hedge or standing in the road react?  Would the children be marched back home with an ongoing fear of what had started out as an innocent outing?

    Memories of my Brownie Days (Girls Guides) brought back the dangers of door knocking.  It was called 'Bob-a-Job,' 10cents (a shilling in those days) for each job which helped the home owner. Innocently I was knocking on doors in my local area.  Selling my services as a; car washer, sweeper, dishwasher or whatever the home owner had in mind.  This was the years long before selling Girl Guide cookies became popular. I was fortunate I was given jobs suitable to my small size and strength.  My only bad experience was being bitten by a dog keeping guard at his front door.  There was no one home at the time.  I was always proud when we handed in our little envelopes stuffed with shillings at our weekly meetings. 

    No longer can we safely subject our children to this style of fundraising.  It has long ago been replaced with selling confectionery, raffle tickets and sporting events.  I am happy to donate
    There is ongoing discussion on how today’s children are wrapped in cotton wool and not allowed to go out and explore their world.  I know when my children were primary school age I always had to know where they were.  It was a long time before mobile phones.  I did allow them to walk to their friend’s house but never in the dark.  Today many children are driven everywhere or a parent or older sibling will walk with them. 
    How far is too far? We are often confused.  We want our children to grow up to be independent and able to think for themselves. Unfortunately we hear continuously on the news about predators enticing children and teenagers into their cars, parks or homes.  There is no easy answer.

 

Never Get Lost

I laughed, had this man forgotten about social media?  His throwback question was not so relevant for today’s world.
Sean asked; 'What if we were marooned here with a broken boat with only each other and little else?  The last apple and cinnamon muffin had been consumed by hungry tourists. Lunch seemed a long way off but we thought about his not so relevant question.
I shouted out; "I had Optus coverage a few minutes ago, I would just ring emergency services!"  The man behind me confirmed my outburst, stating he had received all of his messages before morning tea.  Sean rolled his eyes and soldiered on with his question time.
"What way would you walk out of here?" he persisted after a few more leading questions.  Answers came from all directions and it was agreed we would head west towards Augusta the nearest town where rescuers would be found.

My fear of being lost stems from a school excursion in my early primary school years.  We had gone to the beach for a school excursion and somehow I had wandered from the group and found myself alone. I began to cry and two old ladies (everyone is old when you are young) pointed out my school group heading for the bus. I scampered up the beach as fast as I could go and was at the end of the line before I was even missed.  I had visions of living on the beach for years to come with no one to help me.  It is a story never shared until this day. The deep dark secret of inattentive childhood!

Needless to say getting lost anywhere, anytime is my number 1 'no, no!'

People who suggest it being a possibility soon lose their favour with me.  My new, 'Map My Walk,' app gives me much mis-guided confidence. It works by GPS and gives me a little map of where I have already walked.  My Google Maps app shows me where I'm going and even how long it will take me to arrive!  Miss Google Maps has a sadistic habit of taking me half way around the country to reach my destination, adding hours upon my otherwise short journey. I gather she does this in revenge. I am sure her job is on the line and she no longer cares.

Back to Sean on his sinking boat. No one else has mentioned the life- saving benefits of a EPIRB; compulsory equipment on boats.  They have successfully guided emergency services to many a boat in distress.   Sean rolls his eyes again.

Next time I book a cruise I will ask about their safety equipment and make sure my mobile has coverage.

Getting lost and the ramifications will never be an option for me!

on the sandbank with the ocean in front of us

The ocean to the left and the boat is on the sandbank of the Donnelly River mid-picture

Inside the Donnelly River Cruise Boat
 



Respite without Joy

I have spent weeks, maybe even months getting ready for today. 

A day to get everything ready, to check everything, to pack everything and make sure Merv has everything because today he goes into respite for two weeks which allows me to have a little 'me time.'

This has been happening twice a year for four years.  I used to take it for granted.  I travelled or just sat somewhere.  Just being what I said to my counsellor:  normal.  Normal people don't wash their spouses, clean their teeth and never have the choice to ask for their help.  Or maybe I am wrong.

I read magazines with amazing stories of people overcoming their disabilities and the joy they bring.  I find it difficult to find joy. 

Merv has Huntington's Disease, a challenging degenerative disease.  His health has declined steeply in the last six months.  His mobility is declining.  I wonder what the person in the street thinks as Merv stumbles by.  Only the other day he got up from his recliner and lost his balance bringing the side table crushing to the floor.  Fortunately he was better off than the table, which has been demoted to the bin after a crack the width of the table disabled it completely. 

Merv looked at my sheepishly as I helped him off the floor.  I suggested he used the lift chair for what it is!  The lifting part will help him stabilise his balance. I smile to myself. It is a good sign he can think and fight and not give in.

We were twenty minutes late in arriving for his respite.  I had packed his suitcase, wrapped a seatbelt around his shower chair (yes, we are asked to bring our own), dissected his wheelchair into little bits only to put it all together once we arrive.  I collected a pile of books and magazines for him to look at, none of them library books which would never be found again.  Our local library sells non fiction books a couple of times a year.  Merv has varied interests of not only sports and footy but Australia and places around the world we have visited together.  Books on these places are eagerly sought.

I almost forgot the tray of iced chocolate cupcakes I had cooked and frozen on Saturday.  A last moment memory.  I had no room in the car so I rested the tray on the upside down shower chair in the back seat.

When we arrived at respite I spoke with the staff and went through Merv's updated care plan and how to use the new Safe Straws to prevent the scary choking incidents of the last few months.

I emptied his suitcase, hanging his clothes in the wardrobe and finding a home for everything else.  I took him by the hand and showed him where to find his clothes and his beloved treasures.

I kiss him goodbye and hope for the best.  I pass the baton and move away.

I drive to Mel's house.  We are off on the bus to Pemberton tomorrow for a few days.  We have planned a wildflower tour and a boat cruise on the Donnelly River. 

It's going to take me a few days to relax and enjoy, but I know this time around it's a bit more difficult.

It Happened to Me

I was like a noisy mouse scuttling from one room to another.  Shuffling through papers, looking behind the dressing table, checking the same places over and over again.  Where did I put it?

It's not the first time I've been in such turmoil.  I have a four drawer filing cabinet but I still spectacularly lose things of great importance.

The house deeds are in the safe, I am sure of that, along with our passports and even my Singapore pearls (which I forgot to wear to my nephew's wedding).  I have made a mental note to wear them to Dustin's wedding next year, at least I hope!

Last night I was looking for Merv's blood test form.  There are two forms, one in my sweaty agitated hand while the other successfully evaded my hunting instincts.  With every fibre of my being I was going to find that elusive form, there would be no sleep until it lay together on the kitchen table with its other page!

The strange thing is when you are looking for something specific you find other items that you didn't even realise were missing!

During my hunt I found the wedding cupcake and buttercream recipes.  I put them on yet another pile ready for filing, possibly never to be seen again!

I stood, I thought, I retraced my steps, well the thousand steps I have taken since the GP scribbled out the blood test form and like Hercule Poirot I narrowed my search down.  I picked up my jewellery box and spied a plastic A4 envelope hiding underneath.  It looked promising.  Not only was the wayward blood test form folded within, it shared the space with maps of England and other non-related bits and bobs.  I have no idea why. What possessed me?  I will probably never know.

I rejoiced in my victory and sighed as I checked the time.  It was long after my bedtime and a busy day beckoned me tomorrow.

I make a mental note to file (in my four drawer filing cabinet) important papers from now on.  I then pick up a pile of papers and shove them in the bottom of my stationery cupboard.  I sigh and get ready for bed.

I could do with my own filing clerk, possibly a secretary?  Ridiculous, I know, but my mind wanders and thinks about an app to help people like me!  I already have a name for it and a marketing strategy; I just don't know how to create my, 'De-Clutter app.'