(Photos will enlarge with a tap/click or using two finger spread).
******
I’m not sure what makes me smile more……
Coming across fields of cane stretching along the road at Proserpine and knowing there’s less than an hour to go….
Or catching our first glimpse of The Dandenongs in the valley at Yarra Glen and knowing we’ll be home in much less than an hour…..
Yes, we’re home, home to changes….and being grown up enough having to accept them. Wishing it was the end of a journey and I could smile about it.
Another CT scan after getting home (thank you sympathetic GP ….and Medicare) showed all my aches and pains in Bowen weren’t totally due to ‘the bed’. This report noted far more changes than the most recent one – moving to severe in more levels than before plus pinched nerves (remember the numb foot).
Spinal Stenosis is a pain….. one I certainly didn’t sign up for – diagnosed well over 10yrs ago so you’d think I’d have accepted it by now!
I’ve become increasingly unsteady on my feet lately which had me thinking about my responsibility to those I volunteer for.
Assisting them to and from the hair salon plus on and off the mini bus as well as out and about on outings days, making sure they don’t come into harms way so (sadly) I decided to discuss other less active roles I could take on.
Wednesday sees the start of a new one ….overseeing a quiz activity……possibly including a stylised form of Bingo……..there are some very knowledgeable residents in this particular ‘household’ (same concept but with a different organisation) so I’m hoping they all know the answers 😊.
*******
And on to something else. . . . .well a couple of things……
things that definitely haven’t finished their journey
At last, the Guernsey has a finished front, back & two sleeves – now to rustle up the energy to pick up the neck stitches and work those rows…..remembering I used 2×2 not single rib for the waist and sleeve bands – a mistake made on a previous knit🙁.
Nothing worse than seeing that after everything’s been made up – there’d definitely be no smile then
As for the book I’m trying to finish – even the author said it wasn’t her best work.
…….in her online diary, she told her younger self “Focus on what you’re good at. A BIRD IN THE HAND is a flawed first novel, ….source.
the problem (for me) is the amount of words she uses plus the amount of characters that keep on appearing so I’m thinking of flicking through from p1 and noting names and relationships as a reminder of who’s who – case of the ol’ grey cells are slowing down in many ways.
*****.
The weather has been decidedly Melbourne since we got home – not sure where Spring has got to – we’re past the equinox now (temps and daylight will be going up🙂) and even though spring flowers have appeared Winter is still hanging around… much rain, many cool days and cold nights with the odd sunny day here and there
Definitely C&A time still! …….My mothers play on ‘coats and ‘ats’ –
(C&A were a High Street clothing chain back in the day)
However there were many smiles when I saw that once again my two little clumps of Bluebells had made it to the end of their yearly journey 😊
Hows your life been recently- would you like to share some of your smiles?
(To comment please click on post title and scroll down)
I’ll be sharing this post on Kat’s Wednesday feature – Unraveled Wednesday……where the talk is all about craft, books and life in general. There might be more ‘life in general’ than books and craft in this post but you can find out what others are up to HERE
Linking also to Min’s weekly feature – Wednesday Words and Whimsy – there’s an interesting world of wonder and joy out there, you’ll find the link HERE at the end of all Min’s posts
Still Waters 
I am sorry about the aches and pains, but how sensible of you to assess your activities and act accordingly.
Lovely to see bluebells!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes the bluebells are a childhood memory. Never saw them again in the wild after we moved in 1959. They just pop up in the garden out of nowhere each year…..going away means I miss most of the display though.
Do I love them enough to stay home during the winter…..not sure I have an answer to that😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
They take me back to when we livef in France when the slopes were covered in them.
LikeLike
I have had mild affliction from spinal stenosis, in my neck region. I started doing a series of exercises when it was diagnosed and that has alleviated the pain and stopped some of the degeneration from what my recent bone scans showed. Hope you can find some comfort.
LikeLiked by 1 person
You have done well following a conservative treatment method for your condition. After all the exercises/ing I do in various forms this sudden deterioration has made me cross but as I was told years ago….it can be managed in so many ways but unfortunately isn’t curable. Reports on ‘pain relieving injections’ varied so much I never gave them a thought
LikeLike
Welcome home. I thought you may have been glad of some cooler weather and at the moment, less wind.
Sorry about your worsening condition. I’ve forgotten but have you thought about pain management clinics?
It sounds like you know it is time to step back from to a less active role now.
LikeLiked by 1 person
lol you’ll keep Andrew…..cooler weather indeed!.
Yes that was a necessary decision but one I’m glad I made willingly rather than be ‘forced to’.
LikeLike
I am ever so sorry about your back issues… that is no fun and not an easy fix either! I hope that you can get some relief and soon! I am happy your trip back home was fairly uneventful… and I hope your weather settles in a gorgeous spring! How fun it is for us to be opposites… you entering spring… me entering autumn! I am happy to share the light with you!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’ll take all the light you want to share Kat. I dislike short winter days and long for the drawn out evenings.
Wish I knew where all the warm weather is though….I’ve read reports of it ‘leaving’ the northern hemisphere and can testify on it ‘not arriving’ down here yet….so.it’s got to be somewhere. Probably lurking around the equator where it’s hot (and humid) the whole year round.
LikeLike
Hi Cathy, I know that road and the cane fields coming into Proserpine. My brother-in-law’s wife’s family owned property there and so we visited on occasion. Glad to hear you’re home safe but very sorry to hear of your pain and back problems. I think you’re fabulous to volunteer but yes, a less active role sounds a good idea. Those bluebells are gorgeous! Thanks for linking up with #WWWhimsy – take care of yourself and I hope the weather improves for you! xo
LikeLiked by 1 person
Small world eh Min. Such a different way of life up there but I’m comfortable now we’re home.
Not much I can do about the ‘back issue’, it’s been with me for years but become far more noticeable recently – just have to get on and work round it
LikeLike
Winter is hanging around here too Cathy. We have the odd warmish day and then a string of cold ones. Sorry to hear about your pain and hope you can get it under control. Ageing is no fun that’s for sure. I often have to write a list of characters when I’m reading a book with lots of people in it. Good to hear that someone else does that too.
LikeLiked by 1 person
lol on the character list…..it really does help make sense of some novels. Like you I used to think I was just me that did it until it became a topic at book club. We all agreed it wasn’t us not remembering who was who but a tool that enabled us to understand the plot
LikeLike
I loved the bittersweetness of the two images and their reasons…I know you are ‘home’ and ‘back to…’ all you mentioned.
In 1999 my husband had a dx of spinal stenosis in his neck. He had already endured other surgeries to help stabilise part of his neck….was medically retired from teaching because of this..in 1980. Whilst not joining in the doom and gloom because he makes the most of what he can in life, as I see you do, what he had done then was to see him last without the spine collapsing in causing potential paralysis for 20+ years. He has kyphosis (neck bent over)..and manages life as best he can. Keeping distracted and busy but yes to making many adjustments for his comfort long term.
Not meant to be a’comparison’ story either but shared because it’s a nasty condition and I feel for you. Not about the bed…ha. I think you did pretty darned well.
I do hope your plans to continue to help others, but looking after you first go well.
The life thing…and getting OLDer is “a tough gig” but we are glad to be here for it.
Take care …really take care!!
Denyse #TeamWWWhimsy
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks for reading this post and your comment Denyse….
It’s funny but even though I might be less nimble on my feet (a bit understated there) in pain at times as well as having the number eight at the front of my age I never think of myself as being old. Don’t ask me why….I’m just me.
Mind you I had a reminder the other day that years have passed when our third child turned 60! .
As you mentioned, in a similar fashion to B I’ve had to adjust my activities, accepting (but not without a fight) not resenting (there have been moments though) trying to not to complain because nobody likes a whinger (they can’t feel the ‘pain’ so don’t comprehend what you’re on about)……and…..not making light of all that, there’s always someone worse off than me
The new volunteer opportunity has been put back a week, I popped in to say hello to the residents and am raring to go again.
LikeLike
Sorry to hear of your aches and pains Cathy, you were sensible to consult the GP and get it checked out. You’ve made a tough decision to step back from an active role but I’m glad you’re still able to offer your services as I’m sure it’s good for you just as much as those you help.
Take care x
Deb #TeamWWWhimsy
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s true I’ll miss those two volunteer roles Deb (as I have every other one I’ve had) but as there is so much to do in the way of helping in an aged care facility I had no problem choosing a different one for the level of ‘fitness’ I’m experiencing at the moment. Like many organisations they are crying out for volunteers to assist Lifestyle staff (not to do their job)
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh yes home is best, however good a time one has had. I am truly sorry for your long term health issues, and the changes you are going to make. I had a vey annoying work colleague whose stock phrase to me was Something was always an Opportunity! I quite liked things better staying the same. Hopefully for you, you will enjoy what you do next.
LikeLiked by 1 person
lol an opportunity to whinge (for a little while).
Thanks for your good thoughts Cathy, ….I wouldn’t have minded staying at the same level of discomfort as was before – unfortunately I don’t always get what I want 😊
LikeLike
Hi Cathy being in pain is not fun is it? My husband has pinched his sciatic nerve and it isn’t pleasant. Great to see you arrived home safely and there is no place like our own bed is there? Take care of yourself. Sue, #TeamWWWhimsy
LikeLike
I definitely agree on the own bed thought Sue, there was a big sigh when I got into bed the first night home. A ‘bad back’ definitely needs to rest on a ‘firm/ish mattress’. Physio is helping as well
LikeLiked by 1 person
As much as I love to see new places, arriving home is always exciting. I remember one trip to Malaysia with little kids and the trip was good but I must have been slightly holding my breath the whole time because I cried when I got through arrivals and home was just a car ride away.
Progressive disease is something we never get used to, it’s a long process of loss and grief and then the next progression. You’re allowed to have worse days
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s always good to arrive home after a long journey. The photos are lovely. I enjoy seeing your part of the world. I’m sorry about the back pain. It can be more than a big pain but you are smart to adjust your activities. The jumper pieces look lovely. I’m sure you will get to those neck stitches one of these days.
LikeLiked by 1 person