Tag Archives: On my mind

On my mind

All things, ,

What I have ‘on my mind’ this week is not a real problem
but one I’ve been thinking about for a while  

I have an old wing back armchair out on the back deck

Someone once said it wasn’t what she expected of me

 – what ever that might mean – 

and yes, maybe it does look a bit odd having it there….

….but its really comfortable and also warm to sit in when we are outside on warmish winter’s days and cool summer days as well 

On any day in fact 😊

The thing is I would like to bring it back indoors

Its getting on in years now, the fabric is quite frayed, tattered and torn in places courtesy of a large family and all the cats and kittens we have had in the house so would need lots of loving attention from an upholsterer 

Now as I’m not a big person I’ve always found it hard to get furniture to fit and this was one suite that fitted me perfectly – when we agreed to refurnish I let someone have the deciding vote. unfortunately what we now is – in my mind – enormous and not very comfortable (for me)

What you get for letting men have a choice I suppose 🙁

A friend in need and willing to do a ‘quick cover job’ to suit her means took part of the suite and as I didn’t want to get rid of the other chair out the back it went, covered by a throw over cover that blended in with the outdoor furniture

not the best fit but as they say better than nothing

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This will tell you how long we’ve had it

Top L + bottom R were taken in 2011. Lots of you will remember Kiera (my brown shadow)…..this was a favoured comfy spot. You’d almost have to fight her for it

(R) Elder daughter the day she was married the first time in 1983 (I think)

Don’t ask – there have been a couple of marriages and I never remember when they were

Thankfully she is much more settled now

‘Older and wiser’ I think the saying is

(L) Younger daughter on her wedding day over 30 years ago

Same chairs – same look to the house as well

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I know that if I went to the expense of having it recovered/reupholstered (and brought inside) its size would make it look a bit odd

We’d have to refurnish again so it would blend in  ……..which would take some explaining on my behalf lol

Realistically I suppose in the whole scheme of things this is nothing
perhaps all it needs is for me to find another chair cover and enjoy it (outside) for what it was and the memories that go with it.
What do you think?

#keeplifesimple

On my mind…

All things family, , , ,

(This is one of my long ‘thinking out loud’ posts – you’re welcome to leave now )

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Something that’s been On my Mind these past few days has been how I reacted when I realised the use (or non use) of one thing led to the need and use of another which led to the need for and use of something much more necessary . And after seeing how quickly it struck, the realisation that even fully vaccinated (2 original doses plus 2 boosters) without the last item he would well and truly have been up sh*t creek.
And yes, the full cost of that antiviral medication was $1101.39 AUD!
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Being annoyed because someone decided…in an auditorium filled with about 1000 other people…( in an environment where now – rightly or wrongly – “…It is no longer a legal requirement for people diagnosed with COVID-19 to isolate…” source)… with case numbers rising again and me sitting beside him wearing one…NOT to mask up… was nothing to how I felt when someone told me a couple of days later ‘he felt a bit off’ but he’d taken a couple of Panadol so should be right.
He seemed to be in denial even though his RAT test was +ve almost instantly (plus the 2nd one because ‘maybe the 1st wasn’t correct’)

A couple of hours later his temp was sky high and he was feeling ‘more than a bit off’
(And yes I know there’s no guarantee when masks are worn but at least you’re making an effort to protect yourself and others……including those you ‘love!)

That first day there was much anger…Angela rightly called it resentment…name calling, some involving words The Golfer didn’t realise I knew….because deep down I was worried. Both for him and also selfishly me.
Everything seemed to take time – I seemed to be constantly on the go. Phone scripts are great if the link works, waiting for ones sent direct to the pharmacy took more time. Needing to start that medication plus use the prescribed inhaler asap seemed to make it go slower.

Then there was daily laundering – clothing and bed linen because of high raised temp/fever 38/39°, vomiting, spilled drinks, you name it, – unexpected incontinence even…yes maybe TMI but an unusual symptom – trying to get him to drink and possibly eat a little something (sore throat, don’t want it!) – dippy eggs with soldiers plus hot water, honey & lemon to the rescue! (Also grated cheese on toast done under the grill so it was soft then cut in quarters so he could nibble from the middle and leave the crusts. Nursery food!).
Health dept. suggestion of keeping everything he used separate and sterilised was interesting but manageable.

Nature was kind so he was able to sit outside most days, which was a help – fresh air and sunshine were good for him – meant I could keep him company at a distance – all the doors and windows inside could be open – also because trying to get him to keep a mask on indoors (near me) was a trial – lots of wars of words – I was ready to clobber him one if I heard the words ‘yes mum’ again.

For me sleeping in the other bedroom (another ‘highly recommended- if possible’ health dept suggestion) was necessary but not fun. Almost had one ear/one eye open most nights… this was my strong confident man shuffling along needing to be guided to the toilet because he couldn’t locate the door, waking me to ask if I put the bins out (not on bin night tho’), heard rustling around in the linen cupboard, no idea where he was, looking for the hot water bottle ( my feet are cold – put some socks on – don’t want to)
Oh dear illness does strange things to people.

It’s all over bar the shouting (and the lingering cough) now, daily health dept ‘check up’ contact calls have morphed into calls alternating with phone questionnaires,…. Wednesday he’s going to venture onto the golf course, attempting just half a round – 9 holes. I’m feeling a little guilty about how I felt and words that were spoken by ME – the one who has spent all her life living, working, then volunteering in a ‘caring environment’.

This time 3 years ago December 2019, we’d have wondered what all the fuss was about.
Now we know better – but – if there was this much stress, frustration and disappointment (How could you – I don’t need this) in a household of just two people, how on earth did households with several covid cases cope?

If you got this far thank you for reading- I just needed to get it off my chest.
Now it’s time for another cup of tea and wonder what this week will bring😊

Life gets a bit messy sometimes, don’t it

#loveispatient

On my mind….

All things,

On my mind this week is how cunning they are becoming – are they real or imaginary?

(I’ll just mention that occasionally when I’m looking online / asking Mr G for information about products I’ll sometimes use the words ’near me’ meaning locally)

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Over the years I’ve had various ’problems’ on the blog with the ghastly stuff they call spam, spammers and strange followers, that thankfully sorted itself out after a while

Anyway recently some comments appearing in the spam folder have been looking almost real… ….actually, real ones have been ending up in there, because over the past few weeks WordPress (like Blogger) has decided true comments aren’t what they are and they’ve been sent to the sin bin…..first comments have a special ’need approval’ folder and they’ve been treated as spam as well.

So because (like oodles of other bloggers) I’ve been keeping an eye on this folder the ‘are they real or not’ ones have become noticeable.
Clear?….yes, as mud I hear you say😊

Well look at these two – both ’arrived’ the same day, both posted to my About page – not a really old post as is often the way……and written in fairly good english not gobbledygook like some are……Both in the spam folder.

  • “I’m impressed, I must say. Rarely do I come across a blog that is both educative and amusing, and let me tell you, you have hit the nail on the head. The problem is something too few men and women are speaking intelligently about. Now i’m very happy that I stumbled across this in my search for something regarding this”

  • “Next time I read a blog, I hope that it doesn’t disappoint me as much as this one. I mean, I know it was my choice to read, nonetheless I really believed you would probably have something useful to say. All I hear is a bunch of complaining about something that you could fix if you weren’t too busy seeking attention”

They do look real. The first one might make you smile – the second definitely not.

WordPress decided (rightly) these were spam…as an aside if you copy/paste those words in search engines you’ll find them cropping up as comments by various ’people/companies all over the place …..on my site the supposed authors, the names of the people/companies you might click on to see who made you feel good or who ’had the cheek to write that’ – the ones who want your clicks to make them look good in ratings – don’t laugh but they were called ‘Shutter Shop Near Me ’
Coincidence or Big Brother watching??

It’s early Monday morning, and as is usual I’m sitting here enjoying my first cuppa….. just pondering about life in general.  

How’s yours going?  

Corinne is the host of  Monday Musings – come see what she is talking about this week

On my mind….

All things, ,

What’s on my mind this week is that recently I’ve been having a little trouble getting the sleep cycle to stay ‘asleep’. It tends to think 2hr blocks are the norm rather than sleeping through the night all in one go. Not content with that it then goes about teasing me with time awake wondering why I can’t go back to sleep again!

When we were children, Bobby my next sister was one who dropped off as soon as ’lights out’ and was always running late in the mornings, wanting to stay abed rather than get ready for school. I sent her an email the other day…..mid morning our time/ night time hers …..not expecting a reply until late afternoon, and was surprised when one arrived not too long after.

Here’s part of her reply plus part of my follow up

  • B – So it’s 1:30 am I have odd sleeping habits these days – 9pm can’t keep my eyes open. 
    10:30 turn in – midnight wide awake and mentally solving word problems  – 2am thinking have a quick look at phone check emails look at weather and newspapers hope to go to sleep soon I got to be up and at it at 7am.   Then 7am dead to the world  – 8 am oh no is that the time already I’m late again 😂😂😂 – 9 am sod it. Can wait I’ll do it when I’m ready .
  • Me – I’ve been there done that with sleeping patterns- isn’t it a lovely surprise on the odd occasion to wake and realise you’ve slept through the night.  
    Often sleep in 2hr blocks so tried telling myself ’try for 4x2hrs’ before I settled down…..didn’t work. 
    Turned the clock/radio the other way – took it out of the bedroom- didn’t make much difference- I’d see the time on my way to the loo and realise how long I’d slept/ not slept.  
    Won’t get back the time I’ve lay there thinking do I need to pee again or can I will myself to go back to sleep….get up go drop off almost instantly…not going to happen
    Yes I hear your pain xxx

For the time being Mr Insomnia – the evil one who stops you dropping off to sleep in the beginning – has left the building but his little friend – the one who who wont let you go back to sleep – the one I have discovered goes by the name of Middle of the Night Insomnia – has been having fun in the bedroom recently. I certainly didn’t invite him and there’s no apparent reason why he’s come visiting

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Middle-of-the-night_insomnia

https://www.medicinenet.com/why_do_i_wake_up_every_two_hours_at_night/article.htm

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So if you are familiar with those times when your mind wants to carry on at full pelt instead of closing down –  look carefully at the fun going on below – it is possible the answer to my and maybe your problem lies there 😊

I have absolutely no idea whereabouts on the internet I found this – Entitled ‘A Womens Brain’ or ‘Why Women find it hard to go to Sleep’ –  (which is a bit sexist) but I can totally relate to all the stuff going on. 
It’s a hoot – Keep your eye on those little blue balls and follow them down the line

Linking to Denyse’s ~ Life’s Stories. Pop over and see what she’s up to this week

Corinne is back with Monday Musings – this week wondering why we do specific things

On my mind……

All things

Oh dear, its a very personal thing on my mind this week – my bathing costume is starting to sag – and I’m beginning to wonder ’does my bum look big in that’

This one is a few years old (minus 2 for non covid use) and cost me what I thought was a small fortune at the time. Chlorine played havoc with previous ones – body shape means many dept store ones don’t fit well – this one came from what I call ’a specialist shop’ – so as I paid well over $100 then; goodness knows what I’d be up for now.

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I can remember years ago deciding to add water to my exercise plan ( I did have one in those days) putting my cossy on at home, being a bit concerned with what I saw in the mirror. Then rocking up to the local indoor pool and seeing it full of like minded oldies all doing their laps with exercise classes in the shallow end – needless to say nobody was too fussed about exposing their body and all its rolly polly bits to other people who all looked the same 😊

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By the time I got down yesterday all the early birds had been and gone – just a couple of energetic young men doing laps and lots of babes and toddlers having lessons in the ’tiny pool’ – so I had all the exercise area to myself. No worries about showing off my saggy baggy rear end!

Schools will be back next week…..and that’s something else. The noise 35 active children make is unbelievable but its great to see them in their groups learning water safety while laughing and having fun. One bus load arrives as the other is drying off – planning and dedicated swimming teachers plus parents and staff willing to allow/encourage youngsters the chance to become competent swimmers. A necessity here in Australia – as well as elsewhere in the world.

https://www.education.vic.gov.au/school/teachers/classrooms/Pages/stories_Swimming-in-Schools-in-2022.aspx

On my mind….

All things

are bread tags – the new all singing all dancing cardboard ones – and the fact that more and more bread and bakery manufacturers are moving away from the plastic ones, using these on their products instead.


When these two came out of the freezer the other day – attached to bags of fruit loaf and hot cross buns – I noticed that as well as the use by date there were other pieces of information on them.

What I thought were flowers on one turned out to be the recycling logo…(bit thick aren’t I😊…plus the words ’place in used envelope’ on the other
That one baffled me.

Going off on a tangent here…..a few years ago I heard of a charity that collected all shapes and sizes of the plastic tags

Simple plastic one

to raise money to buy wheelchairs for children – Aussie Bread Tags for Wheelchairs –
and I wondered what effect the use of the wizz bang carboard ones was having on their fundraising. Couldn’t find an answer to that but did find this on their website. 👇

Not realising there was a problem putting them loose in the yellow recycling bin it seems that from now on the few we get will have to go in the green waste bin – finding an intact used envelope is rare in our house….mine usually get cut up to use for ‘notes and lists’!

Another thing on my mind is….the new tags are not multi coloured. Without checking each tag how will I know how fresh the products are? 😊

#

On my mind…

All things

Is the fact that last week I whinged about seasonal changes and then the ’season’ did a u-turn and became all summery again.
Very warm days – warm nights – certainly not autumnal at all.

And with petrol prices soaring far higher than I’ve ever known It’s become an almost daily mind game wondering how far can we stray from home ‘just for a cup of coffee’

Our treat this week was coffee with friends at the one place I never complain about ~ the shady spots in the gardens of ~ ‘ this lovely little chocolate shop’ ~

~ which at Montrose ~ is really really close to home 😊

Also on my mind ~ is the prediction that ~

those lovely cups of coffee could rise in price to about $7 by the end of the year ☹️

On my mind…

All things home

Well, at the rate our nights are cooling off I’m wondering how long it’ll be before I have to bring the woollen blankets out of summer storage. And then how long before the Doona joins them for those ’OMG it’s bl**dy cold’ nights

(it’s surprising what you can unknowingly ’capture’ when you’re lying in bed playing with your iPad on a cold Winter’s morning in 2021 😊)