POSITIVITY

POSITIVITY. That's me motto for today.

I'm gunna focus on being POSITIVE.

Seeing the Doctor this afternoon is going to be a positive.

Making sure I have a good day, keep myself busy, productive and happy.

It was WONDERFUL spending time with the girls yesterday.  Really showed me that being around people is good for the soul.

So, I need to find more ways to spend time with other people. 

Time to really pull my finger out and find some more groups HERE in Hamilton to join.  Maybe not Rebus though!

AND yep, not gunna play other people's stupid games.

We are over that sort of immature shit. 🐥🐤

Yaaa, I don't have to cook tonight.  We are having left over pea and bacon soup.  It is always just as good a couple of days later.

I just have to keep Lacy away, she had two bowls full yesterday!  The tart.

Let's start the day!

I was up at 11.11 pm last night, waiting to see the Blood Moon.  It was disappointing.  The moon was so small in the sky you couldn't really see that much.  Yes, it did go red.  I tried to take a photo, but without the super expensive, whizz bang equipment, wasn't happening.

There's plenty of photos online of it.  If you want to see it that is.

It's damn cold this morning.  It's taken me ages to get out of bed and get moving.  I really don't like cold mornings that much.

MARLEY has taken to eating my socks!  I went to get dressed, only one sock.

So I go looking around... just knew she would have it.  And she did.  Little bugger.

No more leaving me socks in the bathroom.

Reminds me of our cat Wanda.  She stole our neighbour's socks all the time.  So sad she's not with us any more.  She was lovely.

Every now and then I think I'd like another cat.

Then I see all the 'Lost Cat' notices on Facebook, and see dead cats on the road... and NAH.  Not going there again.

OMG I can't sit here any longer, I'm freezing!  Need to MOVE.

ABOVE:  I caved in.  Doors closed. Heat pump on.

GETTING WARMER.  26 degrees C should do it right?

Got hot real quick.

Had to open all the doors and turn the  heat pump off.

3.42 pm: I just had my first blood test in 6 months.   And AGAIN, It damn well hurt like f#*k.

But... best thing about today?

I really, really liked the new doctor I saw today.

He's young, Irish and cute.

AND he listened to me.  And he addressed my issues.  He didn't fob me off.

He didn't rush me through, and in fact my appointment went way over time.

I am seeing him again in two weeks for a follow up appointment (this time a double appointment), so we can go over strategies to get me on the right track in all aspects of my health.

I feel like he really cared, and yep, I'm bloody happy with him.

ABOVE: I didn't go to the Chemist Warehouse for my prescription either.  And that's the first time I've been given literature on each medication I'm taking!

I think I'll probably stay with the Chemist at Rototuna from now on.

ABOVE:  If I'm very lucky, that won't bruise.  But it's damn sore, with a horrible dragging ache up me arm. 

I HATE needles/blood tests so much.

Brylee is coming over for dinner, she can't resist Pea and Ham soup!  I just bought some nice fresh bread to go with it.

And dinner is done, it was rather yum.  Brylee has gone home and it's cooling down again.

Another frost tonight I reckon.

Catch ya tomorrow.

LUNCH ANYONE?

So, in case it hasn't been obvious, I've been in a bit of a funk lately.

But... I'm moving on.  Doing my best to be positive and to make the most of every day.

So... today I am going to get myself out and about, even if it's only for a walk.

I might even try to convince some of me girls to meet up for morning tea, or lunch?  Amanda?  Lacy?  Bex? 

I have a doctor's appointment tomorrow, which will be a new start.  A positive move for sure.  Shame the Doctor I saw a couple of months ago didn't work out, or even help.  Grrrr.  I'm still staying with the new health clinic, but seeing a different doctor.  Fingers crossed this one works out.

You really do need to jel with your doctor, and feel confident they will look after you.  It's been a good 2-3 years since I've felt like I was with the right doctor!

My boobs are bloody sore!  The mammogram I had the other day has done a right job on them.  I have never felt sore afterwards before.  This time... yeah like someone has smashed me in the chest.  I'm taking panadol to keep comfortable.  I wonder why this time they are so sore?  Anyone else had the same thing happen?

Strange how as time goes on... grief does not get less.  In fact, sometimes I think it's worse.  I miss my Mum so much.  She was my utter 'go to' person.  I miss being able to talk to her, and have her support.

That's not saying I don't have Stew and the rest of my family, and I know I can count on them 100%.  But ya Mum is special eh?

I'm looking forward to getting into my sewing room sometime today.  I'm about half way through quilting a small cot quilt, once that's done, I can work on putting on the additions.  That bit is the fun part.

ABOVE:  More photos are popping up from our Sunday Pink Ribbon event.  Our table was pretty much all pastel pinks!  They were a lovely bunch of ladies, half of which were Fat Bottom Girls.  (my walking group)

ABOVE:  I wonder who comes up with these games?  lol

I didn't get a titty in the hole 😂😆😅.

ABOVE:  My absolute favourite area of our house.  The sun room.  And today, the sun is streaming in. Glorious day.

Making it even better, all three of my girls are joining me for lunch today, AND my friend Sue T from Cambridge too.

yes INDEED!

ABOVE: These two arrived early....  

ABOVE: And then once Bex and Sue arrived we took off to The Base.

And had a very nice lunch, and a hilarious walk around the mall.

ABOVE:  When we got home these two twats decided it was 'selfie with Mum' time.  So, just plonk ya butts down on my lap why don't cha? 

WHY?  At least my hair was looking amazing!  lol

7.19 pm:  Dinner tonight was steak and salad, onion rings and home cooked chips.

The lettuce salad was from a packaged bag from Countdown that I bought on Monday.

It was OFF... even though it wasn't expired.

We ate a little bit then ... nah.

Gross.

Has left a horrible taste in our mouths.

Might have to have something really tasty to get the lingering ikk out of my mouth.

Hmmmm... but what?

Sorted.  We had some ice cream and chocolate sauce!  Rather rich, but it did the trick.

Now... quietly watching some tv.

Catch ya tomorrow.

SO BLOODY YUM!

 Last night's dessert was so amazing, I just have to share.

ABOVE:  THIS.  This is amazing!  So rich.  A tiny hint of ALCOHOL !  And way, way too small a serving.

What surprised me the most though?  The two servings were in LITTLE GLASS TUMBLERS.

So surprised, totally expected the usual plastic tubs.

Made in Italy of all places.  Imported into New Zealand via Australia.  I don't even know how much they were.... but next time I buy some I will find out.

Probably quite expensive.  But so nice.

Now... what are my plans for today?

I've got a big basket of washing to fold and put away.  Another load of linen to hang out.

Vacuming.  And that's about it. 🐥🐤🐣

It's card night this evening, I'll need to get dinner sorted out for Stew.  I'm thinking maybe a crock pot of pea and bacon soup.  I got some bacon out of the freezer yesterday, so will use that.

So that's sussed.  

BUT at the moment I'm not sure if I will go to Cards.  I didn't enjoy it last time.  

I've tried putting it down here why I didn't enjoy cards last time, but no matter how I word it, it doesn't come out right.  

And if I do put it on here, I'm bound to get shot down in flames by dozens of people!

Let's just say my feelings and opinion on a 'hot topic' didn't go down well.   I respect others choices, so you really should respect mine too.

First time I've felt discord in our lovely card group.

Last thing for me to remember for today... A doctor's appointment.  I need to get a new prescription, and also something to help me feel less.... up 'n' down?  My mood is too erratic for my liking right now.

It is only because there's a lot on my plate right now... juggling lots of issues that play out in my mind too much.

I overthink far too much!

Are you like that too?  Tell me I'm not alone in this?

I suppose back in the day I would be called a 'worrier'.  Stew calls me that.  He's right though.  

If I don't hear from a kid for a while I worry something is wrong. Or if Stew's late home from Rotorua, same thing.  I imagine all the 'terrible' scenarios, like they've had an accident is the most common one.

I'm sure that's because both my brothers and Dad died in accidents.  It's a horrible feeling worrying all the time.

I need a chill pill!  😂😅😊

So, once it's 9 am, I'm gunna ring and make an appointment, and get me sorted.  It helps just knowing I'm gunna do something positive about it.

OMG I can't believe I forgot to tell you guys this too....

GRIFFIN got a job!

He moved back to Hamilton recently, and got a job fairly quickly.  He did a 'trial' day on Friday last week, then started proper yesterday.

We are so very proud of him, he's finally working.  And he's grown and matured and is a really lovely young man, just as we always knew he was.

He just went through a rough patch for a while, as some teenagers do.  

11 am:  And all is going well with the morning.  The sun is out, so is the washing.  Free drying today 😊.

The crock pot has been on since 8.30 with our dinner and is already smelling delicious.

I've got some garlic buttered bread rolls to go with it.

I've not put away the washing yet... one of my pet peeves.  Mum used to let it pile up in the spare bedroom for weeks I reckon!  I'm not quite that slow at doing it.

Vacuuming?  Might get around to that later.

Right now, I'm just enjoying sitting in a sunny spot, listening to my music.

I could stay here a while.

Well... I've had a wonderful afternoon.  I took the dogs for a walk, which they loved. Then I did some of my jig saw, slowly making progress.

Dinner is ready, I just have to cook the bread rolls in the oven for 5 minutes.

Stew should be home in about an hour.

Then we can have dinner, and enjoy a quiet night in front of the telly.

I'm not going to cards tonight.  I'm just not in the right frame of mind for it.  No point going and being a grump.

ABOVE: And here I am... just chilling out.

Is anyone else like me, can't 'just' watch the TV?

I have to be doing a puzzle, or Sudoku or a card game while watching the telly?

I do it almost every single night.

Now though, I'm gunna sign off for the day.

Catch ya tomorrow.

SQUISH... OR NOT?

 Today I'm supposed to have my regular mammogramme.

But, as our region's District Health Board got hacked a week ago, and is still down; I am wondering if my appointment stands?

I was thinking all would be back to normal today, but according to the News it will be another week before all is back up and running properly.

So... I'll wait until 9 am, and then ring the clinic to see if they are still running to schedule or not.

If my appointment stands, it's not till this afternoon, which means I don't have to jump out of bed too early.

And that's neat, cos I am not in the least inclined to get up early today.

If I go for a walk, it won't be until much later on this morning. 

And that's me for now, I'm gunna roll over and read the news in bed.  I might even get myself a Caramel Latte to drink in bed.

12 noon:  And my morning went slightly different to what I had planned.

I had just stepped out of the shower and my phone rang.

It was the Breast Screening Clinic, asking if I could come in this morning?

They had canceled all their morning appointments due to the Cyber Attack on the hospital, so wanted to get all the mammogram appointments done this morning instead.

So, I threw me clothes on and off I went.

ABOVE:  I was very surprised to find the car parking building wasn't charging to park in there!  Maybe that's something to do with all the computer systems being down?

Either way, it was neat, even though I had to go right to the top to find a car park.

ABOVE: This little, innocuous looking building... bound to make any woman wince just thinking about going in there!  I certainly did.

But, it wasn't too bad.

The lady who did my screening was very careful and considerate.  I was in and out again in less than half an hour.

On my way home I stopped and had a walk along the river bank:

ABOVE:  It was just me and the ducks.  And they were all curled up trying to keep warm.

ABOVE:  Not many leaves left on the trees... full on winter soon.

ABOVE: The river is still fairly low, but it won't be long before it's fuller. It's just so pretty down along the river bank with all the autumn colours still.

ABOVE:  Lunchtime.  Left overs turned into a toasted sandwich.  Nice and warm on a cool day.

5.45 pm:  I've spent my afternoon doing some housework, grocery shopping, and some sewing.

Might get to me jig saw tomorrow.

I've got beef meatballs simmering in a Sweet & Tangy sauce, and they will be over Udon Noodles.

Followed by a small pottle of Salted Caramel Chocolate Mousse.  Cos that's what I feel like!

No point denying a craving, you just make it worse.

Dinner was very yum.  Dessert was too.  I'll share that tomorrow... cos it's worth sharing it!

Time to wrap up the day, I'm slowly getting colder and colder, so going to bed soon.

BODGE IT

 

ABOVE:  It's BALANCED.... right?  

While I was out yesterday, I looked for a new, better tripod for my phone.

The blue one I had used prior was not able to be set on a bench or table, it was more for wrapping around 'things'.

I wanted one more suited to taking videos while NOT holding the (phone) camera ... kinda like this:

ABOVE: Sadly, there were none like that, that would fit my phone.... unless you bought additional attachments.  Which were over a hundred dollars, ON TOP of the price of the tripod.

But... it got me thinking.

I had a proper 'camera' tripod at home... and if I dicked around with a few other bits I had... I might be able to Bodge my own set up?

So I went home to see what I could do.

ABOVE: And YES!

I took part 'A' from my old blue tripod, which holds my phone perfectly, screwed it onto the fixative part 'B' from the bottom of my Canon Camera, and then slotted it onto the camera tripod 'C'.

BOOM...  I now have a proper tripod for my phone, for when I'm doing a video.

Rather chuffed with myself.  No money spent, which was neat.

AND that tripod is a damn good one, I can tilt it up and down, move it around and around easily, and have it tall or short.  I've had it for over 10 years and only ever used it with my Canon camera.

,I'm heading out for a quick walk this morning,  just to set myself up for the day ahead.

Not that I've been too good with my food intake lately!  I'm back to comfort eating.

But... as ya know, I will forever be an up and down, good/bad sort of person when it comes to eating/exercise/health.

I am ... how I am!  Probably will never change.

Ya either like me as I am, or ya need to bugger off!

And on that note, I might just get outta bed and start the day.

3 pm:  This morning I headed over to Cambridge for our Annual Pink Ribbon Breakfast.

I had almost decided not to go, cos I was really not in the mood.

But... so glad I went.

It was lovely to catch up with so many girlfriends.

And the event turned out to be fun, with little competitions, games and raffles.

ABOVE:  I wore this lovely pink dress, that I got in Coffs Harbour last year.

ABOVE:  Just some of our group... there were over 170 ladies there!

ABOVE:  One of the ladies decorated this circular window, it looks fabulous.

ABOVE:  I entered all the raffles, never expecting to win of course.  I neve win anything.

ABOVE:  GUESS WHAT?

I won one of the 'Luxury' Prizes!

Fluteless wine glasses, a gift basket of goodies and a $100 voucher from a nice restaurant in Cambridge.

I was GOBSMACKED to be honest... never expected to win a thing.

ABOVE: While I was out, Lacy baked muffins.  Shame she forgot our oven is A HOT ONE!  lol

ABOVE: Some happy snaps from this weekend.

We have had a rotating door this weekend.  I think anyone and everyone has been here!  Just lovely, and thanks to everyone who called in.

Much appreciated.

5.10 pm:  And finally... it's back to just the two of us.  And the dogs.

We are having left overs for dinner... we have heaps of them!

It has been a wonderful weekend.

Christy:  Stemless... 

ABOVE:  Yes. 😊  Like a champagne glass, without the stem.  They are gorgeous.

Time to sign off for the day, I'm friggin tired.  It's been a busy day.