Weekend Coffee-date Warrior

I decided that I would ‘come bearing gifts’ to my coffee date.

The gifts being takeaway coffees and GF profiteroles from the local bakery.

It was incredibly windy along the river path. It was blowing the spray from the white caps onto the riverbank, so I could actually feel the cold droplets as I rode along! That’s never happened before.

I was going to phone my coffee date to ask if she wanted coffee but I accidentally left my phone at home, so I bought the coffee anyway, only to discover that she had just finished a coffee before I got there … which was strange in itself because she had invited me around for a coffee date!

Anyway, she did enjoy the profiteroles.

We spent two hours together, interrupted by a visit from a builder who she gave instructions for some basic work to be done tomorrow (Sunday), but she was concerned his unreliability meant that he might not turn up.

It was a great visit and one that we had put off too many times. I hope that we can catch up more often.

Tomorrow afternoon, I have another catch up with The Motivator. She has a very busy October, so we are squeezing this quickie in between her diary blocks.

I was home by12.30pm and made myself an avocado/tuna dip to eat my crackers for lunch.

Adoring Husband was planted in front of the TV watching the Bathurst car racing, so I moved to my bedroom to eat my food, watch the live golf from Japan, do some journaling, catch up on my “Traitors” TV and do my daily Facebook browse.

Harley took turns spending time between AH and me.

I took him out to play and then made myself a chicken and prawn miso soup for ‘fend for yourself’ dinner.

There was a frozen mango smoothie in the freezer from last week, so I snavelled that and enjoyed the icy yumminess from my bed.

It’s now 11pm and I’m ready to sleep.

Nite all.

A Long One

It was a long day in The Bay today, but we almost didn’t make it there!

BGWLBH is having trouble with her keyless key and the car just didn’t want to start this morning. It was making lots of bells and whistles noises, but completely silent in the engine.

Eventually, just as BGWLBH had dialled ‘roadside assist’, Adoring Husband performed his magic and the car revved into action.

Whew!

We drove into town and directly to Nissan, where BGWLBH stood in line listening to long winded and pointless stories by the customers in front of her, until she finally got to the counter to make an appointment. The next available appointment was a whole month away!

Thankfully, the car started every single time while we were in town, and with any luck, it will remain that way and she can cancel the appointment in a month.

While I was in town, I investigated some food places for take away possibilities.

The Jam Jar cafe has a crispy chicken and chips meal, but unfortunately, their kitchen closes at 2pm.

There is a new Mexican joint at Pialba that opened last week, but their gluten free options are very limited and the quality would be reduced considerably on the 30 minute trip home. Even their ribs and chicken wings are not gluten free. Bummer.

The Sushi Train in Pialba has an amazing menu, but their gluten free options are even more limited. Cucumber sushi and avocado sushi and salmon sushi are pretty boring options, so I doubt we’ll be trying that one.

The only other place that does have good gluten free options is Mum’s Charcoal and Grill, but their chicken is dry and a bit tough, their roast pork has a nasty aftertaste, the potato bake doesn’t have a nice flavour, their sauces and dressings are a bit yuk and the salads LOOK great but are not fresh and crisp. We were disappointed the last three times.

Three strikes and you’re out.

There are not a lot of gluten free takeaway options available.

At least our juices were tasty and we enjoyed them on the drive home.

It was a long day and after I gave AH some prawns to add to his hot and spicy noodles soup, I got changed and climbed onto my bed.

I have a coffee date in the morning and another on Sunday afternoon, so my social calendar is filling up. 

Right now, I’m going to fall asleep listening to golf commentary.

Nite all.

Looking Grim

Morning tea with some of the art girls this morning - only three of us - because unforeseen circumstances prevented some attendances.

It was a venting morning with all sorts of nasty happenings around town causing problems for my friends.

Our quiet little fishing village is not so quiet anymore and all the originals are angry and feeling unsafe.

We hope it’s just a passing phase but we fear it’s the beginning of much worse to come.

Anyway, after two hours of venting, I said my goodbyes, hopped on my trike and rode to the shops for some junk food - GF cookies and Reece’s Pieces - and headed home to enjoy some solitude. 

BGWLBH was in the Bay and Adoring Husband was at golf.

Unfortunately I only had 40 minutes of solitude.

I watched Jet Lag the game and spent a couple of hours dozing on my bed.

Dinner was oven baked barramundi, chips and salad.

I got a call from Number One son, which I missed (third call in a row that I’ve missed!) so I was able to call back straight away and we chatted for about 45 minutes. He’s doing well. This is a photo of his and his friend’s puppies …

Cutie pitooties!

I’m off to the Bay again tomorrow, so it’s time to sleep for me.

Nite all.

A Bit Hippy

Today, I purchased a hippy-ish kind of denim vest for myself.

I think it’s an acquired taste.

I love it.

BGWLBH had an appointment to do her taxes this morning, so I accompanied her into the Bay.

We landed at the Jam Jar Cafe for morning coffee before the appointment.

I was doing a favour for Old Speckled Hen, by seeking out 3kgs chicken necks for her dog Rusty. The Hen has an infection in her knee, so she’s not allowed to do anything while she finishes her high dose antibiotics, so I offered to help.

The first butcher I asked had none. Coles only had 1kg. The second butcher had none. The third butcher, in Woollies, had none. Much later, Coles suddenly had a whole shelf loaded with chicken necks, so I was able to complete my mission.

I took a long walk to put lotto on.

I browsed the lady’s boutique and found my vest.

I did a decent grocery shop at Coles, grabbed a couple of things from my regular butcher, bought some juice, did fruit and veg at Farm Gate and finally fish and prawns from the seafood place.

We arrived home a bit after 2pm. I jumped on my trike to deliver the chicken necks and rushed home before the storms hit.

We’ve had a bit of rain this afternoon and evening - perhaps 5 or 6 mm. Enough to wet the ground nicely.

Dinner was GF pies with mash, snow peas, green beans and carrot. I crumbed myself some whiting fillets, fried them up and then drenched them in fresh lemon juice. Very nice. Afterwards I made myself a chocolate thick shake with coconut ice cream and lactose free milk. Also very nice.

I have morning tea with the art girls tomorrow morning, so it’s time to sleep now.

Nite all.

Zoomifying Day

After ordering a coffee and using the ATM, I arrived at meditation with 5 minutes to spare. Very unusual.

There were 3 extra people in the room including one with a medical condition that caused him to make unusual and unexpected sounds (not Tourette’s), so it was a good test for us to be able to filter that out and still meditate well.

It was a great class. It always is.

No catch up afterwards because The Gypsy had another appointment with her car doctor.

I sat by the river for 20 minutes before riding home and about an hour after that I had a zoom meeting with The Gypsy.

It was a good catch up that lasted three hours - so not a productive day in the house.

I forgot to plan dinner, so I decided to do a creamy, cheesy penne pasta which had bacon, mushrooms, onion, zucchini, baby spinach, green capsicum, 3 cheeses, lemon zest, pine nuts and chives. I served it with garlic focaccia bread and a garden salad.

It was very nice.

I had apple strudel with custard for dinner … because I can 😝

In bed by 7.30am.

Ready for sleep now.

Nite all.

Vibrantly Energised

After a good nights sleep, I took Harley out for almost an hour of play and I could hear my trusty trike calling my name, so I made myself presentable and off I pedalled.

All up, I did about 10kms.

I started at FWs for coffee which I took to one of my favourite viewing points along the river …

I sat for about 30 minutes.

There were a LOT of young adults around today. They were hanging in groups, mostly up to their waists in the water, which was weird. Not fishing. Not swimming. Just standing in the water talking amongst themselves.

There were four different groups spaced out along the river. No hats, no sunscreen, no drinks, no bags, no shirts, nothing.

Today was a public holiday, so the boaties were out in force. At the boat ramp, there were three quite large yachts waiting in line to be set free to set sail!

The weather was so beautiful, with the sun shining brightly, scattered clouds, a cool breeze, clear air, vibrant colours and a palpable positive energy.

I couldn’t get enough of it and I pedalled along pathways that encircled bushland, along streets that I haven’t seen for a few years, around the block a few times, down to the lagoon and back and then the long way home.

It was great.

At home, I poured myself a lemon, lime and bitters with ice, decided on hamburgers for dinner, so I took the last packet of lamb mince out of the freezer. I’m sure I made something to eat, but I can’t remember.

I watched a load of YouTube videos on the smart TV. Manifestation, Jet Lag, Nats What I Reckon and a Tarot Card reader for Taurus. 

Harley got an afternoon play before I prepared dinner. Home made hamburgers.

Meditation tomorrow morning so it’s time to sleep.

Nite all.

Easy Sunday

How to train your subconscious to heal your body. (More mind blowing information)

A very lazy Sunday.

I woke up at 7.20am but dozed off and the next time I opened my eyes it was 8.45am!

I invited Harley to join me on the bed for 10 minutes of morning cuddles - my favourite way to start the day - and when I walked into the kitchen, there was a fresh hot cup of shop bought coffee waiting for me! Well done Adoring Husband! Excellent timing!

Harley and I spent about an hour playing in the pool area.

For brunch, I decided to cook myself Canadian pancakes - with bacon, banana and maple syrup. It was bloody delicious but my eyes were too big for my belly and I couldn’t finish all that I cooked.

After watching some pre-grand final rubbish on TV, AH began to annoy me so I retreated to my bedroom for some peace. I opened my blinds and windows to let in some light and fresh air and watched some YouTube videos on health, including a good one on urine therapy. Very interesting.

I didn’t have any Spaghetti Bolognese sauce in the freezer, so I had no choice but to haul my butt into the kitchen to make some up. It was a quick version, but still all made from scratch - no jar crap - and it was quite yummy.

We made ourselves comfortable for the NRL Grand Final between Roosters and Knights.

In my heart, I wanted Newcastle Knights to win, BUT I tipped Roosters. I was one game away from tying with my sister to jointly win the footy tipping comp and I knew she would tip Knights, so my only chance was to tip Roosters and hope they could pull it off. 

Roosters won 19-18! Hehehe.

It was a very good grand final.

Now it’s almost 10pm and I’m watching the final round of Alfred Dunhill Links Championship (golf) from my bed. Doubt I’ll see it to the end. I feel that sleep is my friend tonight.

Nite all.