Nice to see you!

Three major events occurred for me last year (2010), all in the space of about 2 weeks. I turned 50. The following day I got married. Two weeks later, my oldest daughter became pregnant with her first child and my first grandchild.

Most middle-aged people will tell you that in their minds, they still feel 20 something. It's the same for me.

Wasn't it only yesterday that I was planning a night out with guys from the surf club? That gorgeous new perm. Flaired, cuffed denims and the red t-shirt with the off-the-shoulder frill. Corked platform wedgies. **sigh**

Suddenly I'm looking in the mirror and wondering how 30 years can flash by so damned quickly!

So here I am in cyberspace, sharing my genuine shock and horror with anyone who'll listen and maybe I'll even meet some other over 50s who find themselves in the same predicament!

Welcome to my dilemna!!

Saturday, September 6, 2014

Under the Weather

So I was a little under the weather last night, hence, no blog post.

I just discovered this on youtube and thought I'd share it. It's an oldie but a goodie!



YouTube can be so much fun sometimes! I get lots of study information in YouTube too .. you name it, YouTube has it!

Speaking of study, I squeezed in a few hours of study today, but I'm still feeling a little panicked over the exam on Tuesday. I hate exams! Don't we all?

So, obviously, while I'm studying so voraciously, not much else is happening to share with you.

Nite all.

Friday, September 5, 2014

Counting Down

Five more days of study left til the exam.  Feeling pressured.  Brain won't retain the information long enough!  So much to remember!  Ugh!

I wish there was a way to change my brain from being a reflective surface bouncing all the information back to where it came from .. to a sponge soaking up and retaining everything that I need to know.

Ageing brains are not our friends.  Well, not mine anyway.

I actually did some cooking today too. A chicken and vegetable stew, a roast chicken and some honey and lemon chicken wings.  I planned on making an apple tart this evening too, but then a very long phone call with 'best cousin in the world' put an end to that idea.

Adoring Husband had some SES training tonight, so I had a few hours at home alone, but a very unproductive few hours!

Once again, it's after midnight.

Sleep is my friend.

Nite all.


Wednesday, September 3, 2014

Sleep and Food

It was a late and slow start to the day.

I had a very late night last night, because sometimes life gets in the way.

Eventually, after coffee and a trike ride, by late morning, I started to study.

I stopped briefly for lunch when Adoring Husband was good enough to bring some delicious fresh sand crab home. I devoured it over the kitchen sink, making a fabulous splashy juicy mess everywhere!

Facebook provided me with this great recipe that I modified (as I do) and had with dinner tonight.



Ingredients:

4 zucchinis quartered lengthways
1/2 cup of grated parmesan
1/2 teaspoon dried Thyme
1/2 teaspoon dried Oregano
1/2 teaspoon dried Basil (or 5 fresh leaves finely chopped)
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder (or 2 fresh cloves minced)
salt and pepper to taste
2 T coconut oil
2 T fresh chopped parsley

Method:

Preheat oven to 180C.
Line a flat pan with baking paper.
Combine everything except the zucchini, parsley and oil, in a bowl.
Place the zucchini on the prepared pan, drizzle with oil and sprinkle the parmesan mixture over the top.
Bake in the oven for 15 minutes.
Put under the grill for 2-3 minutes until golden brown (be careful the paper doesn't catch alight).
Serve immediately, sprinkled with parsley.

I really loved the flavour of this, except I accidentally mixed the parsley with the mixture and it got a little burnt under the grill .. so I'll leave that out and sprinkle it last next time, like the recipe states!

We had it with crispy skinned salmon, sweet potato chips, snow peas and broccoli.

Dessert was chocolate zucchini cupcake with blueberries, strawberries and cream.

I'm soooooo full!

Nite all.

Tuesday, September 2, 2014

Study Mode

Yep, study mode again. I was actually quite productive with my study today, so I'm feeling happy with today's achievements.

Morning tea with the girls was a great start to the day and Adoring Husband spent a lot of time at the SES shed, which gave me the quiet time that I needed, to get focused.

We didn't go for our walk along the beach this afternoon because we had gale force winds attempting to blow the town away. If the weather improves tomorrow, we'll try again.

I love these cups ...


... and here are my favourite quotes from Facebook this week ...




Psychotic dogs are a bit restless tonight, so I think I'll get them to bed early.

Nite all.


Monday, September 1, 2014

After my Heart

So ... I've known this woman in town for about 18 months. We have never had a long conversation, but have lunched in a group situation a couple of times and always say hello when we pass in the street or the supermarket. We probably wouldn't even qualify as acquaintances.

Yesterday, I stopped at her house to buy something that she had for sale and we began to chat.

Almost immediately, we discovered that we have a similar dislike for, and mistrust of, doctors, and the conversation became much more animated about our health and the various methods of healing that we use.

Well ... you all know how passionate I am about nutrition and how I find it difficult to control my, for want of a better word, 'enthusiasm' for my recent lifestyle change. I discovered that she too, was equally enthusiastic and showed me a book that she had recently acquired called "Take Control of Your Health and Escape the Sickness Industry" by Elaine Hollingsworth.

I guess she sensed my keen interest, because she hesitantly offered to loan it to me for 'a couple of days'. I accepted her offer and spent yesterday afternoon devouring as much information from the book as I could and took copious notes.

This afternoon, I went to return the book and told her how excited I was to read it and that I would definitely order one for myself from the website. She then offered for me to keep the book for another week! I almost snatched it back from her! So now I am taking my time with long leisurely reads (between my studying sessions of course).

There is so much interesting information in the book. Some of the advice, I have been putting into practice for almost a year already, but there is more information that I wasn't aware of, but which makes so much sense to me. Some of it I will share here during the week.

If you're interested in the book or the website from where I will be ordering it, go here.

Meanwhile, I finally got to take Adoring Husband to the beach for our bare foot walk on the sand this afternoon. We walked for about 50 minutes and it was really nice to have the time together in the fresh air, with time to talk and no distractions like TV or phones or dogs and to feel the sand between our toes and slosh through the puddles and shallow channels.

We've decided to make it a habit.

It's been difficult to get into my studies this week. There are two houses being built behind us and they are at the 'nail gun' stage. The wind is blowing from that direction, straight into our back door, so the sound seems amplified and pierces my tranquility. Every time I feel focussed, there is a sudden series of loud bangs as the builders get on a role.

I'm not sure how I'm going to combat this problem, but I'll work on it.

Once again, it's almost midnight, so I'm outta here!

Nite all.

Perfect Sunday

Today was THE MOST PERFECTLY BEAUTIFUL DAY! I took this photo with my phone.


I spent an hour walking along the beach and another hour sitting on the bank of the river, just enjoying the fresh air, the clear water and the blue skies.

I had to come home eventually and do some studying.

Adoring Husband arrived home safe n sound from Marburg after successfully completing his SES training. He's a happy chappy and now in bed snoring his happy little head off!

I am following his lead.

Nite all.