But I'm just needing a bit of time out. I'm feeling quite stressed out.
So. Today's post will be brief, for now.
8.22 am: Well Mum has had an excellent night, and has woken up a box of birds!
Eating, talking, wanting to go shopping... she's BACK!
ABOVE: Meanwhile, I go into the laundry to get some washing on, and open a cupboard to THAT!
OMG I nearly died on the spot. But, ever the good blogger, I grabbed me camera and took a photo before getting Ron to kill it! 😂😆😅
NOW Brylee, THAT is a big spider.
But not a Huntsman. They are even bigger.
4 pm: I've spent the entire day with Mum, chatting, helping her do a few things, going through fabric etc.
I finally got out for a walk up to the letterbox just before.
It's only about .8 kms to the letterbox, but what a road! Metal and very up and down the whole way.
There is one stretch on the way back that is called 'Murder Hill'. I totally get why!
Anyway... The only mail today was for me.
ABOVE: I also scored myself a spoon and a crescent spanner from off the road. lol
Wonder what I might find next time?😏😊😂
7.34 pm: OMG I'm so tired! Sitting most of the day (again) being with Mum ... sure gets to you.
I am glad I did get a little (steep!) walk in this afternoon though. It did help perk me up enough to turn around and cook dinner.
Tomorrow night we are having takeaways!
Dang, I was going to take a photo of our dinner then forgot. We had Honey Mustard Chicken, with Mushrooms, red onions and some left over potato from last night's dinner. It was a 10/10 as far as I was concerned. The olds seemed to enjoy it... they ate everything on their plates. 😊
And the tray that goes over it, magic! It's so jolly handy.
ABOVE: See that? She's happy as larry, sitting up like jacky jacky, yakking on the computer with Stew! I'm just so happy she's doing well right now, and can talk to family.
I'm hoping now that caring for her, repositioning her etc is easier, my back ache will ease up. Right now it's being a right shit!
Very glad I did go to the Doctors when I did, that's for sure.
Right, time to try and get a little bit more sleep before starting the day.
Catch ya later.
ONWARD...
12.49 pm: I'm sorry there has not been an update so far today.
Everything is just fine. The OLD MOO is doing well today, but it was a slow start.
She's a bit more alert now, she's had some lunch and is chatting a bit.
It is extremely tiring just checking on her constantly, being with her all day long. You have to be very attentive and on alert all the time.
So... we are heading into the best part of the day, when she is awake more and talkative.
I've told her I'm itching to go shopping at the Plaza, to try and incentivize her to keep getting stronger, so we can go shopping together. I hope it works.
ABOVE: After a dramatic decline last week... look at her now! She insisted on getting out of bed and into the lounge to watch the bloody TV late this afternoon!
And she did it, with a lot of help, she did it.
She's now answering answers from some quizz programme on the telly. What a hoot.
This is a HUGE turnaround. So excited to see how much more improvement we get.
ABOVE: And here we have a 10/10 dinner!
A mixed leaf salad, with beetroot, carrot, feta and tasty cheese, egg, salami, beetroot and walnuts.
Then meat balls with a caramelised onion relish, potato and onion rings.
And Mum and Ron are loving it I think.
Well it's the end of another day here in Coffs Harbour.
I'm ready for bed and it's like... 7.17 pm! Feeling very tired and mega crabby.
So, I will sign off for the day, catch ya tomorrow.
Yesterday afternoon Mum went through a few of her personal possessions, getting me to put 'names' on them for various family members.
It's part of her 'bucket list'.
We came to one very fine, delicate crystal necklace. It has history, which Mum told me about.
My Paternal Grandmother worked in a shop in Mangakino many decades ago. Back in the day it was not the done thing to pay women with cash, so my grandmother was given the necklace as payment instead.
That necklace was eventually passed down to my Mum, and in turn, she has given it to me.
ABOVE: I will treasure it until it's my turn to pass it on.
These are the moments I will cherish forever. Hearing all the stories, sharing this special time with Mum.
This morning Ron has an appointment in town, so it will be just me and Mum for a little while.
Then, once Ron gets home I might pop out to the supermarket and.... maybe even Spotlight!
Firm plans are almost impossible right now though, so let's just wait and see how the day pans out.
The hospital bed is due to arrive sometime today. I will stay home until that is delivered for sure, so we can get it installed and placed where we need it to be. Ron and I are really looking forward to it's arrival.
ONWARD...
I got a special text from Stew this morning.
It is the Anniversary of our FIRST EVER MEETING today. I can still remember that moment clearly. Another special memory. 35 years ago today we met each other and our lives have been lovingly entwined ever since. LOVE YOU DARLING.
ABOVE: Brylee let the girls into my car again just now. They seem to enjoy it. Awwww. Bless.
35 Years of loving you. I am so thankful for your love.
10.20 am here, and all is well. Ron is still out. No bed arrival yet. The day is warming up, after a cool start.
11.55 am: And Ron is home again. Mum is much more alert now, which is neat.
The day is being very fickle... it has cooled down again. I'm wearing a jacket even.
At least we don't have snow like in some parts of New Zealand right now!
3.23 pm: And the hospital bed finally arrived.
ABOVE: Getting it set up... and waiting for the air mattress to inflate. Then we can make it with fresh linen and get Mum into it.
Success! Mum is in the new bed and it's just wonderful. She is very comfortable, with an air mattress to stop us running into problems with pressure spots.
She's been able to sit up and eat her dinner and yak on the computer too!
I've got a photo of that ... will put it on tomorrow.
I got some more groceries in late this afternoon, so we should be set for a good week at least.
Time to sit down and relax for the remainder of the evening. I'm a bit tired.
It's too early to know how today will pan out. I have no plans as such. I might get a walk in first thing before breakfast. The temperature is just perfect, added to the fact that all the trees keep the sun off me. It's just lovely.
We are expecting a visit from the Palliative Care Nurse at some point today. They have been just FANTASTIC! I cannot get over how caring and helpful they are.
They will come out and help us at the drop of a hat! Nothing is too much bother. And they don't just 'care' for Mum, they are watching out for us too.
I was incredibly grateful that they could come out and help us yesterday, when we got ourselves into a bit of bother.
I'm really looking forward to Monday, when we get a hospital bed delivered. Gosh that is going to make life so much easier. One more day of managing with Mum in a double bed. The bending over, trying to re-position Mum is a bit of a strain on an already sore back.
ABOVE: You are gunna get sick to death of seeing photos of friggin trees/flowers/foliage and the like ..... BUT TOUGH TITS. It's all I have for now.
Once I can get out and about a bit more (once Mum is more stable), I might add ocean views into the mix! HOW EXCITED ARE YOU for that prospect eh! 😂😆😏
But for now... right now, I think I will roll over and TRY to get just a little bit more sleep. Even if I just doze on and off.
ONWARD...
Mum had a very restless night, mostly just delirious and confused... but she comes right over the course of the day. We are not too concerned about that, as long as we keep her pain free.
Because of her condition this morning, I've not had a walk. I might get one later on or even this evening when it cools down again.
I'm happy to say I am feeling much better with pain killers on board, and with my diet under control again; my blood sugar levels have evened out and I'm not feeling so ill now.
Top of the world in fact.
I might even try to get to the shops today if there's a window of opportunity. I keep adding to the list of things I need... like hair remover! lol
I'm wearing shorts all day now, and hairy legs ain't a good look!
It has been a surreal morning ... I'm sitting in the most gorgeous bush setting, overlooking Coffs Harbour and the Tasman Sea. And I can sit and eat my breakfast while watching whales frolicking in the sea!
ABOVE: I don't know if you can see it well... but on the left side of the photo, in the water is a white dash. That's a whale breaching!
I'm sitting here with binoculars watching them. It so neat!
3.13 pm: I've been having some special moments with Mum this afternoon.
She's been totally switched on and awake, so we got some things ticked off her list. It was lovely to listen to stories about where things came from, who gave them to her and Dad and so on.
She's now asleep again, and I can sit outside with Ron in the fresh air and sunshine for a while.
7.10 pm: well... after a sound nap this afternoon, Mum woke to have a good dinner, a quick chat and now she's off to sleep for the night.
I will stay up for a couple more hours, then head off to bed myself. It's been a very good day.
I am struggling to understand why this is so hard?
I'm so tired by the end of the day (read about 7 pm), yet I've not really done much physical activity!
Yes I know that the emotional toll will be making a difference, but I still just don't know how I can be getting so damn tired.
I usually go to bed between 11 pm and 1 am... yet the past few nights I've been falling asleep by 8.30!
Meanwhile, The OLD MOO is doing quite well. We now have the medications balanced so that she can sleep all night without pain outbreaks.
Such a relief. It does mean she's a bit dopey during the day, but hey! Being pain free is the MOST important thing.
ABOVE: Mum showing off her current tapestry. Not much left to do now. I hope she gets to finish it. It is very pretty.
I am looking forward to going to the Doctor's this afternoon. Getting something to ease my damn backache will be a godsend. I even wonder if the pain is contributing to my tiredness? Maybe.
It will be awesome to be able to get out of bed without doing LOTS of swearing! 😂😅😏
So, let's see how today goes, in another hour or two... when I finally do get up.
ONWARD...
7.41 am: and I just saw whales breaching out to sea! They seemed to be quite close to shore.
I woke at 3.35 am this morning. Dozed on and off till 6. Then up and at'em.
Just having some toast with hummus and cheese, trying to start the day properly. Taking care of myself so I don't end up in a heap on the floor, and being no good for anyone.
DOGSTARS: I usually wake around 6 am at home. So because my body clock has not adjusted AND I'm going to be much earlier than normal, I'm waking that much earlier. Maybe in time I will adjust and wake at the 'normal' time for here in Aussy. I hope so anyway.
9.54 am: And yaaa! My back is feeling so much better now. I've been for a short walk, hung out the washing, washed all the kitchen cupboard fronts and all the window sills... and being active has worked.
While there is still some pain, it's SO MUCH BETTER! I will still go to the Dr as there is a high chance it will flare up overnight again... and getting some sleep aide might be a good idea too.
ANON: I cannot take Nurofen as it is not advised for someone taking Metformin, which I am doing.
My phone makes a 'Meep Meep' noise when I get an email come in. When The OLD MOO is awake and hears it, she gets crabby and says 'WHAT IS THAT NOISE?'.
So I have to mute my phone. ALL. THE. TIME. 😖
12.19 pm: Just had a nice visit from Ron's daughter Di. She brought up fresh diet coke, magazines and cake.
lol.... I was only interested in the diet coke!
It is a stunningly beautiful day today... not a cloud in the sky and a gentle breeze.
ABOVE: Thank goodness for this seat! It's situated half way up the driveway. And I had to sit on it this morning to take a break.
The driveway is long and STEEP. Such a good workout for me glutes.
Everywhere I walk around this home is beautiful. The spiders? Not so much.
Though I'm yet to run into a Huntsman. I'm rather thankful about that.
3.28 pm: And it's been a difficult afternoon. Not going into details, but we had to get 2 nurses out to give us a hand with Mum for a while. All is settled again now, and Mum is safely back in bed.
I can't wait for the hospital bed to arrive, it will make such a difference to how we manage Mum.
I'm just waiting for Di to arrive now... then we will go to the Dr.
It is now 7.25 pm and I've been to the Doctor, got some pain medication and all is good.
I took a pill immediately, and while it's not killed the pain, it has stopped it getting any worse tonight.
THE OLD MOO has rallied and is much, much improved from how she was a couple of days ago. Such a relief.
I am going to wrap up the day here... it's been another very up and down day. That is probably how they will be from now on.
Seems to be my body does not intend to adjust to Aussy Time. Most frustrating really.
So far Mum has slept all night.
With any luck she will wake up this morning and be 'with us', unlike yesterday.
I am enjoying walking around the gardens here. And I spied something in the garden that really made me smile.
ABOVE: A pot I gave to Mum, many, many years ago when I was a 'potter'.
So nice to see it here. I actually miss potting sometimes. Maybe at some point I will do a bit more, like I did when we lived in Auckland.
Right, I might just attempt to catch some more sleep before the birds start squawking!
ONWARD...
9.29 am: And it's a much better day today ... Mum has woken, eaten, had a drink and her medications and is now napping again.
Our aim is to keep her here at home as long as possible... and we are winning for now.
It has been quite cool this morning, so I went for a walk down to the letterbox.
It's not at the end of the driveway! It's down the road a bit... and the road is quite hilly to say the least.
But I did it, with much huffing and puffing.
ABOVE: That bird was pulling the bark off the tree to find and eat grubs.
It was a lovely walk, even with the hills!
ABOVE: Some photos from my morning walk. Sunrise. Mum and Ron's house. A gate to nowhere.
Being with and helping care for someone who is terminally ill is EXHAUSTING.
I don't know how Ron has managed for so long on his own.
Add to that ... my lower back is so bad I'm having to see a doctor. Looks like the earliest I can get in is next week... if even then!
It's so bad I can hardly move in the mornings, and getting dressed! Fook. Shame I can't walk around naked from the waist down.
PROBABLY not a good look though! 😂😆😓
I thought going for a walk this morning would help... and it kinda did for about an hour or so. Now? Can hardly move without pain. Worst timing EVER to have this happen.
4 pm: And I have a doctor's appointment for tomorrow afternoon. Thank goodness. Today has been rough.
ANNE IN PALMY: The public hospital have a wonderful Palliative Care Team who are coming here most days to overview Mum's care and helping us in every way possible. It's wonderful!
Another day done and dusted. So tired! Ready for bed and it's only.... 6.05 pm! WTF?
While there is plenty of food here, I want to make lots of dinners that are tasty and filling for all of us.
Mum seems to have a very good appetite, and certainly perks up when she gets her dinner.
This is great.
ABOVE: Yesterday, flying out of Sydney and can you believe it? We flew right over where I'd been staying in Quarantine! I could see the hotel and the big building being constructed, and the ferris wheel. Made me smile.
Can you see them?
ABOVE: Mum and Ron's home is built on the side of a big ridge, which Rob has terraced, it has many levels. This is the front lawn! It's like a golf course green... immaculate.
ABOVE: The night view ... sadly not the best photo. It's very pretty too. The lights twinkle. I really love it.
I don't have much else to report right now... so I'll catch ya later.
ONWARD...
9 am: And Mum has slept all night long, which is wonderful.
She's still snoozing in fact... but slowly rousing.
Once she's more awake and 'with it' I shall leave her and Ron for a little while, and go do some grocery shopping.
12.16 pm: And Mum has decided to spend today sleeping. She's comfortable, and that is all the matters.
Grocery shopping can wait... staying with Mum is more important right now.
12.50 pm: And just like that, she's awake and being herself again.
ABOVE: Can you see the Kookaburra in the tree? There's so many different birds here. They are lovely to watch.
3.22 pm: And I have driven for the first time ever in Australia! And I didn't get lost.
I got some groceries in and now Mum is enjoying some lovely fresh fruit, caramel mousse and a muffin!
Dinner tonight was some macaroni cheese with onions and bacon. I don't really have much of an appetite. Mum has managed a few mouthfuls.
I made far too much, as per usual. But bonus! I can freeze three extra meals of Mac cheese now. 😉😋
I am exhausted ... it's been a long, trying day. I will call it a night here and see ya tomorrow.
Oh and just a word of warning.
There may be some days where I hardly blog at all. Please know I would love to do more, but circumstances dictate where I spend my time.
I've not seen Mum since February last year. Such a long time.
And Ron... I've not seen him for even longer.
It's going to so wonderful to see them both again.
It just utterly sucks that I'm here in these circumstances. I wish it was different.
But to look for the positives, at least I COULD GET HERE! I would go through Quarantine again and again if it meant I could see Mum again and again.
But anyway.... first up this morning... up and either walk or catch a taxi to the Domestic Terminal.
And catch my flight to Coffs Harbour! It's not flying out till 11.15 am, so I do have plenty of time to get myself up and sorted for the day.
To keep you entertained till later... I have a tiny video of my ferry ride yesterday, well actually, I've got two:
And that is all I have for now. I'm off to get ready for my day.
ONWARD...
Last night was just a bit horrible!
I woke up every hour! Tossed and turned all night long.
And it was noisy in this motel. People slamming doors mostly. Grrrr.
ABOVE: this is how close I am to the airport!
Thank goodness there are bugger all flights at this time... cos it had the potential to be VERY NOISY! 😆😂
I'm up, showered, dressed, packed and just about to put the face on before heading downstairs in search of breakfast and a Diet Coke... or Coke No Sugar, or Pepsi Max! Right now any of them will do.
ABOVE: And THAT is how cooked spinach should look!
ABOVE: A lovely breakfast! That should keep me going
all day.
Soon I will catch a taxi to the terminal, then wait a couple of hours for my flight.
It's now 8.30 am and I'm at the airport... all checked in. My bag was 1.4 kilos overweight and there was a fee of $50, but the lovely lady said NO... I'm letting that go. It's no charge!
How kind was that?
ABOVE: I'm all set for the next 2 hours. Next time I update I will be with my Mum and Ron in Coffs Harbour!
ABOVE: Well... I'm here!
Finally. On an utterly beautiful day.
Mum was in hospital overnight, but managed to get home in time for my arrival. How awesome was that.
My flight was perfect, a little bit bumpy in places, but OK. I really don't like flying at all.
I'm in constant dread we will crash!
But... plenty of time to relax now, before I have to face flying again.
ABOVE: Let the settling in begin! Ron just made room in the fridge for Diet Coke. Yes, I'm sorted.
ABOVE: Well I've set up my computer on a little writing desk in the lounge. And that's the view! Beautiful.
6.12 pm: And it's been a long day. I've just had a lovely fish 'n' chips dinner with Mum and Ron.
I'm all packed, and it's only like... 4.33 am! (6.33 am NZ time).
There is bugger all left for me to do now... I'm literally just sitting here waiting, waiting until I can go.
I do have fairly good plans for my day ... first up, I will be walking to a cafe for something really yummy for breakfast.
Then I have a little mission. Call it an adventure even.
I'm not telling you what it is either. You will just have to wait until I post photos!
And that won't happen for a few hours I'm picking.
It LOOKS like it could be a warm day out there, I wouldn't really know! But, in anticipation of a warm day, I'm dressing like it's summer. A light weight top and 3/4 tights probably.
AND me face is going on. It's totally a 'face on' sorta day.
ABOVE: Goodbye ParkRoyal, Darling Harbour.
Much as I'd like to say it's been a lovely experience... IT HASN'T. It's been goddam horrible!
ONWARD...
6.22 am: And DAMMIT! I cannot store my luggage here in the hotel while I go out on my little adventure. So, I will be lugging it all around with me until I can offload it at the Airport Motel this afternoon.
That might change my plans a little. We will see.
I'm all packed.... ready to go!
EUREKA! Thanks so much Paula and you other girls for suggesting a Storage Locker. I've talked to, and booked a locker in the CBD... and a taxi to take me there. Then I am free to wander and enjoy the fresh air all day!
1.5 hours to go.... till FREEDOM.
ABOVE: And... the final breakfast arrived.
And I actually ate the bun and piece of cheese.
The rest.... in the bin. That banana was pretty much rotten, cos I only like them almost green.
I rate this meal a 3/10.
And it's now 1 hr 10 minutes to go.
9.58 am... and I'm FREE.
MY LUGGAGE IS IN STORAGE until later on today.
I'm now wandering around Darling Harbour.
ABOVE: I have walked under the motorways that I watched for two weeks.
I've seen the new building from the other side.
I've found a friggin Lighthouse!
And seen the harbour.
It's a stunning day and I'm roasting!
ABOVE: I might just be about to get on a ferry!
1.53 pm: just quickly... I'm having a really good day. I will update fully once I'm at my airport motel later.
But for now... next adventure!
MUCH.... LATER.... IN... THE.... DAY:
After dropping my luggage at the storage place, I walked over to Darling Harbour and had a quick look around. Everything was closed, it was too early.
So I got a taxi and went down to Circular Quay and caught a ferry to.... Taronga Zoo.
It was very hot, so I didn't actually spend much time there.
I got a bite to eat:
ABOVE: After two weeks in Quarantine, and I ended up getting a sausage roll and tomato sauce! And for company I had a pesky peacock!
Anyway... as I said, it was like 28 degree C, so I was melting.
I hopped back on the ferry and went back to the CBD.
ABOVE: But not before checking out the giraffes. They were gorgeous.
Sadly ... there are no Rhinos at this zoo.
ABOVE: Getting out on the water was the VERY BEST WAY to blow out the cobwebs after being cooped up for two weeks!
I was just fantastic.
Once back at the CBD, I caught another taxi and went back to Darling Harbour... as there was one thing I was determined to do today.
ABOVE: I was the only person on it! So they gave me a doubly long ride! I was on it for about 25 mintues!
By then I was good and ready to get off. 😂😆😅
But it was AWESOME.
And by the end of that it was about 4 pm and I was ready to jump in yet another taxi, and come out to the airport motel.
Which is where I am right now.
It's nowhere near as large a room as ParkRoyal, but it's just fine for one night.
I've even made myself a COFFEE! I was bloody thirsty.
I'm going out soon in search of diet coke, and dinner.
What a day!
And to make me even happier, I have spoken to The OLD MOO today (twice) and she is doing so well. I am so proud of how she's handling things! And I get to see her TOMORROW!
Right, let's wrap up this awesome day with a nice dinner shall we?
ABOVE: I went to the Mantra which is next door to the motel I'm staying in.
They had a fairly limited menu, but OMGosh! They had sausages, mashed potatoes and PEAS! PEAS.... my favourite vege ever. And gravy.
I had prawn dumplings for an entree too.
SO GOOD! HOT. Tasty. Food coma again tonight.
I also ordered Sticky Date Pudding.
What was I thinking? I'm full as a bull again.
So I've got it in a doggy bag. Might have it at 2 am. Or for breakfast.
😂😋😇
I am now going to lie on the bed and RELAX.
And sign off for the day. It's been the best day in 2 weeks.
Parents to several adult kids, and 14 Grandkids (aged New born (2024), to 23 yrs old). FYI: We have a large 'family', but due to many and various reasons, we only see a few now. It is what it is. Attitudes. Personalities. Narcissism. Grudges. Perceived slights/favouritism. Backstabbing. etc. DAYS. OF. OUR. LIVES. SHIT. So, you get to see those who we choose to see, and those who do still see us as FAMILY, and who love us unconditionally. The rest can live their lives and just leave us alone. Thanks.
WHERE I LIVE:
New Zealand, it's in the South Pacific... and it's NOT a part of Australia! We are home of the All Blacks rugby team, the Kiwi (bird, but can't fly) and lots of bloody neat people!
WHO AM I? Here's where to find out.
Tuesday, February 15, 2022
RECAP... WHO AM I?
This post is going to be a WHO AM I, and my family run down... it is for people who have not been here from the start.
