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, October 8, 2016

How Many?

Some days there just doesn't seem to be enough hours in the day.

Admittedly, I didn't get out of bed til 9am. I washed and blow dried my hair, pedalled to the shops for my coffee and to pick up some meat that I'd ordered. I visited The Motivator and she did indeed, motivate me. I left there at noon and came home to put my duck broth into containers to freeze.

I did a load of washing and then Adoring Husband arrived home from his visit to the SES shed. While he began to peel a giant bucket load of onions, I put chicken wings in the oven for lunch. I spent forty minutes in my workspace doing 'my new thing' and while I was waiting for the chicken to finish cooking, I assisted AH peel those pesky onions.

AH used the food processor to slice the onions and we bagged them so that he could take them back to the SES shed ready to use at the markets tomorrow.

While he tidied the kitchen, I made a fruit salad with papaya, blueberries, apple, watermelon, banana and lemon juice.

We ate lunch (chicken wings followed by fruit salad) - by this time it was about 2pm I think.

I got ninety minutes in my workspace to do some more of 'my new thing' until it was time to get ready for the club!

It was very busy at the club tonight, which made it really LOUD. Noises always make me uncomfortable. Sensory overload. I'm looking forward to the club's renovations, which will include a raised roof and hopefully the acoustics will be much more conducive to friendly conversations.

We almost didn't need to catch the bus home tonight, because there were actually enough giant mosquitoes to lift each of us separately and fly us home to our respective addresses. The bus driver had locked the bus, so we had to stand outside waiting for him and it was a most uncomfortable experience with those nasty scotch greys.

Sadly, football season is over, so there was no game to look forward to tonight and we had to search long and hard to find something on our hundreds of TV channels to watch. We settled for a movie, an oldie but a goodie "The Untouchables" with Kevin Costner, Robert De Niro and Sean Connery. Can you believe that movie is 29 years old?!? It's still a good movie today.

Here we are, once again, well after midnight so I'm off to bed. Tomorrow will hopefully be more productive in my workspace and I also hope to nab some delicious fresh crabs from The Motivator.

Nite all.

Thursday, October 6, 2016

A Focus Day

Sleep came to me much easier last night.

Adoring Husband woke me at about 5am as he leaned over the bed to kiss me goodbye. He had an appointment in Brisbane with his specialist today, so he was catching the early train.

I was wide awake at 7.00am but stayed in bed for an hour making notes and checking my emails.

It was a glorious day outside, so the ride to the shops for coffee and checking the mail was very pleasant. I didn't know at the time, but the box that I collected from the Post Office contained Adoring Husband's Mum!! I'm sure that she enjoyed her ride home in the trike.

On the way home I dropped in to see The Motivator who was on her way out. This was probably a good thing, because it meant that I didn't waste any creative hours.

I came straight home and decided to make bone broth with the carcass of the duck that I cooked yesterday. I also made a big batch of Hainan Chicken which was easily reheated for AH when he arrived home late this evening from his day in Brisvegas.

I spent a few fabulous hours in my workspace learning a lot and being creative.

Then I remembered that the FROG box needed to be collected, so I sent a text to The Blonde Bombshell and asked if she would be kind enough to drive me to the pick up spot which is half way between here and The Bay. Thankfully, she agreed to do this big favour for me, so she and Molly arrived at 2pm and we enjoyed a leisurely drive and a friendly chat.

Molly sat on my lap and caused a hell of a ruckus with the farm dogs when we arrived - the farm dogs are normally so calm and disinterested!

So a big thankyou to The Blonde Bombshell and Molly.

It was good to have Adoring Husband arrive home safe n sound at 9.30pm and he is now tucked up in bed sound asleep. Which is where I am headed right now. The psychotic dogs are telling me it's time!

Nite all.  

Over Active Brain

I think I over-used my brain on Tuesday.

It took forever for the thoughts in my head to wind down and it was after 2am when I finally fell asleep. I slept restlessly and I was wide awake at 7.15am. It didn't feel like enough sleep.

Luckily, my first commitment for the day was to meet the girls for morning coffee. They always forgive me when my brain doesn't function at full speed. Thanks girls.

Mrs Bucket is in town. It's been 9 months since she was last here, so she is catching up with all her old mates, including us this morning.

There was kind of a tag team operation going on. We started with two, which increased to three when I arrived, then a fourth turned up, then one had to go, then another turned up, one more left, then two more arrived.

It was 11am by the time I returned home.

I had taken a whole duck out of the freezer for dinner and I've never cooked a duck before. Pinterest is my site of choice to find all manner of recipes, so I found my iPad and began my search. I quickly found the perfect recipe.

Who knew, that it takes four hours to cook a whole duck????

There is piercing and scoring and salting and turning and basting involved.

I was very happy with the outcome. Crispy skin and tender meat and a bowl full of duck fat to use in my future cooking.

While the duck was cooking in the oven, I watched the final of the seven episodes of healing autoimmune disease, which was fantastic. I began a short online course which I hope to complete tomorrow.

I remembered that I had committed to a trivia night with Tweedle Dee and The Blonde Bombshell, so it was time to prepare Adoring Husband's dinner and get myself ready for the evening.

AH and I picked up The Blonde Bombshell from her home and he dropped us at the club just after 6.30pm. I knew quite a few people there, which surprised me, so I got to chat with a couple of old friends whom I haven't seen for quite a while.

The trivia started a little late and our team 'The Fab Five' began with a flourish! We were in the lead for every round until the final one when we were pipped a the post! Bugger.

It was a good night. We had some good belly laughs, even without alcohol, and we all contributed in a positive way to the answers. We were home by 9pm.

Unfortunately, due to some major renovations about to commence at the Bowls Club, trivia nights have been suspended for five months, so it will be March before we have the chance to play again.

It's now well after midnight .. I've been catching up on the TV shows that AH recorded for me tonight. You'd think, after only five hours sleep last night, that I'd have been ready for bed well before now!

Really gotta get some sleep!

Nite all.

Wednesday, October 5, 2016

New Routine

Today was the first day of my new routine.

Well, it's not actually new. It was my old routine that I've let slip over the past year or so, but I've decided that I need to get back into it.

Getting out of bed earlier. Riding my trike in the sunshine. Fetching my own coffee. Starting the day with lemon water and broth. Putting some small semblance of structure into my days and getting more hours of 'stuff' into my day.

Every so often, I will still remain in bed until lunch time ... because I can.

This morning, I got my coffee, dropped the repaired and printed photos to a customer and then visited The Blonde Bombshell before coming home and preparing a big pot of curried beef which Adoring Husband and I had for lunch.

I spent a few hours in my workspace being creative and learning and writing and planning, which was incredibly satisfying and uplifting.

This afternoon was our monthly barbecue near the water. It was our final gathering at Traviston Park because the Lion's Park barbecue area will be reopened this month and so we will return to our old stomping ground.

Even though we were almost carried away by swarms of extra, extra, large scotch grey mosquitoes, it was a very pleasant evening and it was nice to catch up with good friends. Adoring Husband got to boast about his winning football team and everyone got to congratulate him. I think he loved that part the best.

I didn't drink any alcohol tonight and instead, took some ginger kombucha to drink out of my wine glass. I also didn't feel like eating after my big curried beef lunch, so the only food we took was the leftovers of said curry for AH to enjoy.

That's the long and short of my day.

It's almost midnight, and you know what that means.

But before I go, I wanted to share a few fond memories ...

1927 - If I Could

The Beach Boys - Kokomo

Jimmy Soul - If you Want to be Happy

Bette Midler, Goldie Hawn, Diane Keaton - You Don't Own Me

My Best Friend's Wedding - I Say a Little Prayer

Nite all.

Monday, October 3, 2016

You Little Beauty!

How amazing!

Sharks won their first ever premiership last night!

It was a nail biting finish and Adoring Husband and I were standing beside each other in the lounge room, just feet away from the TV screen, hands clasped tightly and arms linked, screaming at the Sharks to TACKLE!!! Willing the final 20 seconds to pass without incident!

SO NERVE WRACKING!!

When the siren finally sounded, Adoring Husband and I turned to face each other, threw our arms above us and screamed in celebration! We wrapped our arms around each other, jumped up and down on the spot, gasping for breath, with tears of pure joy and happiness flowing freely.

Then came the emotional phone calls with fellow Sharkie fans and family. AH could barely get the words out. He played the Sharks theme song and his friends sang it loud and proud as he answered his calls.

We watched the emotional scenes of celebration at the ground and then we watched the replay on Foxtel - much less stressful the second time round!

I'm so happy for AH. He has been a proud Sharks supporter his whole life - even when they gave him little to be proud of! He has worked at Shark park and attended many many games over the years.

I will always remember that feeling last night - seeing the joy on his face and expressing that raw emotion. His reward, at last, for being a loyal and dedicated fan.

I'm glad that he changed his plans (he was going to attend the game until a few weeks ago when he decided to cancel his flight and accommodation) and I got to share this moment with him at home.

What a moment!

What a feeling!

What a rush!

Up! Up! Cronulla!

I've spent the afternoon editing the final photos from Rebel Mardi's family shoot. I thought I might share a couple more here ...








The Rebel Mardi family have been very understanding and very patient, waiting almost 2 months for their photos! Thank you my lovelies xo

Tomorrow, I only have one very small task to complete and then I get to embark on my new venture! I'm excited!

Nite all.

Sunday, October 2, 2016

The Big Day

It's Grand Final day!

Adoring Husband's beloved Cronulla Sharks are about to play, so I need to focus on giving them some positive vibes.

We've been sitting here watching all the preliminary rubbish ... drives me to distraction ... JUST GET ON WITH THE GAME!!!

I've spent the afternoon editing photos for the lovely Rebel Mardi and her wonderful family. Here are just a couple...




Now, the Sharks need my support.

Nite all

Today is the Day!

Today, I made a decision.

It's a new beginning.

You will be the first to know when I'm ready to share more information, but I've spent three weeks researching, brain storming, soul searching and finally, actually making the decision. This is what I wrote earlier today ...

I sit here at my desk eating my home-made liver pate with some disgusting GF crackers (that were left over from a recent dinner party) looking at the email that contains the link that will transport me to my exciting and creative, yet unknown future.

At the same time, I'm looking down at the 'to do' list on my desk which I made last night, that contains eight items.

Dilemma.

I know that if I click on that link, the eight items on my 'to do' list will be buzzing around my head like annoying flies and that will be detrimental to my focus on the new venture.

IF I don't click on that link right now, does that mean that I am procrastinating? Does it mean that my doubts and fears are already sabotaging my exciting new plans?

Alternatively, if I complete the 'to do' list, it will give me a fresh, clear head to focus completely on the job at hand AND it will be good practise for my future 'to do' lists, which I expect will be numerous!

...

So I decided to complete my 'to do' list.

But in the middle of all of that, I received an email which led me to a live stream seminar regarding my new venture. Ugh! The seminar lasted for three hours! Ugh!

It was very interesting and I learned a lot.

Upon it's completion, I returned immediately to my 'to do' list and eventually ticked off six of the eight items. This means that I only have two items remaining and I'm certain that I can knock them off before lunch tomorrow.

After that, the fun begins!

Two years ago, Adoring Husband planted the top of pineapple in a pot. We knew that a pineapple takes between 18 months and 2 years to bear fruit and for this guy, the two years was just about up. I had given up all hope and was preparing to throw the plant away, when suddenly, out of nowhere and without warning, this appeared!!


I'm not sure how long it will be until it's ready to pick and eat, but I'm so excited!!

At the end of our lady's lunch on Wednesday, I took this photo of The Designer and her close friend Organika ...


They are both lovely ladies. Quite beautiful inside and out. Organika is new to the group and expects to be attending more of our luncheons in the future.

It's time for me to sleep. I have a big day planned for tomorrow AND the NRL Grand Final is being played tomorrow evening. GO SHARKIES!! I need to find my very old, very large Sharks shirt to wear for the occasion.

Nite all.