Contemplation

Every so often, I feel the need to go somewhere different and 'meditate', or just mull over events. When this happens I usually drive down to our local park, which I happen to think is quite lovely. No matter how bad a problem seems to be, or if I just have a day when I feel quite blue, just sitting in the park always has me feeling better when I leave. I find that as our town becomes overcrowded and housing estates multiply with the associated downsides, I appreciate the quiet and beauty of this green space more and more. I wish I could afford to move out on to substantial land, with no neighbours for kilometres each side, but I guess the population would just keep following. I wish the council would stop the housing spread - we are losing the lifestyle of our once little town. I feel councils and estate agents have a lot to anwer for, as change is not always for the better. We need farms and open spaces, parks and gardens, not more housing estates full of more of the same.

Tea Fancy

Peter and I were looking for a coffee fix and found this great little deli in Trafalgar. After having a delicious coffee, I spotted some wild looking tea cosies and enquired about them. Turns out the proprietor's elderly mother knits them and one thing led to another and voila, I am the proud owner of a chook tea cosie. My sons just roll their eyes and worry about early onset dementia, but I don't care. I love the "whimsy"of it all. Not every second of one's life has to be serious.  I hope this elderly woman keeps knitting for years to come and providing enjoyment and smiles all round.

File Security

Want the best in file security and protection? Look no further than Ladybug security systems. Always on the job and doesn't mind you paying wages in food credits. Don't be fooled ladies and gentlemen by the laidback style of this security system, it's lethal and accurate.

Hope

Well its been a tough week. For those who suffer from Rheumatoid arthritis, you know what I mean. Its the kind of disease that always shadows you, no matter how "well" you feel. It hides around corners, ready to pounce and let you know that no matter what treatment you are on, its going to get you and it has infinite patience.

The drug treatments batter your body-frail skin, nausea, tiredness, aching and suppressed immune system etc etc.I often ask myself-why me? What have I done? Well the answers are-why not? and nothing. I park in the disabled car parking spots as I can no longer walk long distances or carry loads such as groceries. You see the judgemental looks from people because I don't look completely decrepit. It used to bother me, especially the snide remarks from these medical experts who don't see the pain and suffering.

 One day I realised that what these people think does not matter. The snide remarks make them feel better and I feel pity for people who need to feel good by putting others down. These types of people don't want to know the facts as then they would have to face up to themselves as to what kind of people they really are - not very nice. The truth is I love and am loved by those who matter. My family gives me the strength to fight this disease day in and day out. I go next week to see my rheumatologist. Wish me luck.

Computer Literate

Hmm, where's my Facebook page?

I had been playing around with my computer and left the room. No.1 son took a photo of Baxter. Could not resist showing you all.

Pre-Winter Blues.

Only 3 weeks left till its officially winter. I always start to feel low when it starts to get dark early in the evenings. I don't perk up till I see the blossoms on the trees. I tried living in Queensland for a little while, but got bored as I missed the changing seasons-go figure! Anyway, no.1 son has told me that he is cooking dinner for Mothers Day. Wooohoooo. He is also going to get me a BIG bag of black jelly beans--my absolute favourite, though I can be bribed with the promise of aniseed rings. God, I am so cheap.

Peek-a-Boo

A long process

I shook off my laziness and started to work on the window in the study. This project is going to take sooo long as I can only work for about 5 mins at a time paint stripping. The window is about 50 years old and gets wet due to the condensation. As a result we have mould problems, even though we have used paint with mould inhibiter in it. Most people would hire a painter, but being a homemaker, I don't have that luxury, plus with the rates they charge I could probably go on an overseas holiday instead.

Lazy Saturday.

You surely don't expect ME to move as well?

Ok, its a rainy, cold, miserable day. So I decided to take a nap in the afternoon. Once the pillow on the couch appeared and I settled down, Baxter just had to have a nap too, right next to me. I could not sleep --Baxter snores! So I gave up and decided to move. Baxter had other ideas.

Soap and Chocolate

Today I decided to make another batch of soap. Again it seems that it is going to take ages to ''cure''. Oh well, its good that I have infinite patience- ok, most of the time. I was passing the back glass doors and spotted a beautiful black cat. Whats so interesting about that I hear you ask. Well, he was sitting on top of the vegie patch enclosure, which about 51/2 ft  above the ground, surveying  the chooks and the rest of the backyard as if he owned it. Being jet black, his green eyes stood out, he was georgeous. I get all sorts of visitors through my backyard, cats, lizards, falcons and once, two of the most beautiful large green parrots. The parrots hung around for a few weeks. Perhaps it was because of the seed bells I hung from the cubby house.

More Soap

Peppermint home made toothpaste.

After that bit of excitement,(you can tell I live a fast life), I decided to make some chocolates. Not so good for the hips but darn good for the soul. I decided that now would be a good time to try and make my own toothpaste. Having fragile skin,( a side effect of the drugs I take), I am finding that I need to be very careful with what I put on or near my skin. So when I came across a recipe for homemade toothpaste, I thought why not. There is a great recipe in the magazine Grass Roots No.210, April/May 2012. Peter uses straight bi-carb, but thats a bit to plain for me.