tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-70497135088656589902024-03-13T21:02:37.555-07:00Path to Petitemy path to a healthy weightNataliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05104693042948517678noreply@blogger.comBlogger1883125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7049713508865658990.post-91451425717765778192024-03-08T15:37:00.000-08:002024-03-08T15:37:58.305-08:00Update for 2024<p> March</p><p>Greetings, fellow bloggers. Is blogging still a thing?</p><p>Since I last posted I have become permanent at my favourite workplace, I am in my second-last term of my Masters degree, my weight is much the same, my health isn't great at the moment, lovely husband is still lovely, my daughter is in her 3rd year of Occupational Therapy at Uni, dramas at acrogym, son is in final year of high school, father-in-law very unwell, and I need a new kitchen. </p><p>In more detail:</p><p>About 18 months ago the organisation I work for went through a "transformation". I jokingly always put the quotation marks in, just a reshuffle with a fancy name, right?, but actually it probably was pretty major. Anyway, it included several rounds of job interviews for nearly everyone (very stressful for some who had been there a long time but had to re-interview, and quite a few people left). Firstly, permanent staff either got slotted in to new positions or had to interview if there were too many people at that level. Then casual staff like me had the chance to go for what was left. I stuffed up my interview really badly. It was online, which I had never done before, and I had to share my screen and do a demonstration. I practiced a lot and thought it went smoothly on the day despite my nerves. Then I found out I had demonstrated the thing I had been practicing and not the slightly different thing they actually asked for on the day. D'oh! I was actually rated unsuitable (apparently the panel were not all in agreement about that). I told myself I didn't care too much, I stayed casual at my favourite location instead of permanent part-time somewhere else. Then there was another round of interviews, open to external applicants, to make an 'order of merit' for future openings. I did well in that one, and was told I was top of that list. Indeed, I was offered a job quite quickly but in another city so I turned it down, but stayed top of the list. And didn't hear from them again for a long time. </p><p>Meanwhile everyone in my library retired and new people started, except for the person I was filling in for. Stacey was there 2 days a week and me the other 3. So on my days I, as a casual and also the lowest ranking person, was suddenly the expert old-timer! Weird. Then Stacey went on long term leave. Because I was working on my Masters, my new boss let me go on 4 days per week instead of 5 (Fridays are very quiet anyway), and also put me on a long term temp contract so I could use sick leave and flex which casuals don't get. Finally at the end of last year Stacey quit. I hadn't seen her for a long time, as she was never there when I was, and she was a private person anyway, so I don't know why she had gone part time and then left at her non-retirement age. My boss hinted it wasn't good, but of course didn't share any details. Anyway, the boss called me into her office and said they would be hiring someone new, unfortunately as I wasn't on the list it wouldn't be me but she could offer me a couple of days somewhere else. Ah, what? No, I'm top of the list! After a couple of weeks sorting that out (I wasn't on the list from the failed interview, but was on the other one) I was given the job. So yay. And even better, she let me stay on 4 days and has got someone in to do the other one day (I haven't met her, but her emails are nice.) </p><p>So I am now happily permanent. And I am nearly finished my Masters so then I will be able to go for higher ranking jobs. If I want to. I've enjoyed some of my studies but it is a lot of work so I'll be glad when I have some free time again. I've been doing well though, all Distinctions and Credits. </p><p>That's a long enough essay for today!</p>Nataliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05104693042948517678noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7049713508865658990.post-23116180875882202442022-08-22T17:04:00.002-07:002022-08-22T17:04:26.402-07:00Work and study<p> Hello hello, all is well here. I've neglected my blog, maybe because I got involved in a chat forum elsewhere and wasn't inspired to write about my life twice. </p><p>My weight is the same, or worse. I haven't really been making any consistent effort. But the long cold rainy winter is nearly over, weather is warming up, and I'm hoping Spring in a couple of weeks will help. Also, I'm going to have my Mirena IUD removed. It may or may not have had any effect on my weight, more likely other circumstances like Covid lockdowns were more important, but is it coincidence that when I tried a slow-release contraceptive implant (Depo-Provera) 20 years ago I put on 10 kg, and when I tried this Mirena slow-release I also regained a lot of weight? I don't know. Worth a try. </p><p>My casual work has been up and down, lots for the first three months of the year then nothing the second three months, but things are getting interesting. My favourite library asked me to start soon 3 days a week for 10 months, which is awesome. At the same time some permanent jobs became available, that I have applied for but haven't heard yet about. Only problem was, the one I'm most likely to get/want is only one day a week - and on the same day as my upcoming casual work. I've been torturing myself in advance - what if I have to choose between my favourite location 3 days a week (perfect!) but no job security, or one day a week further away but permanent and a foot in the door for increasing later? It's government (local) so once you have a permanent job you're pretty much set for life if you want. Then yesterday my casual boss called to say they'll only need me 2 days a week after all, which would be a bad thing except the one day they are dropping is the one day at the permanent job... so hopefully the universe is coming together and I'll get that job and do both. Fingers crossed.</p><p>I'm filling the other days with working on my Master of Information Studies (Librarianship) at Uni, online. It's three years part time. I'd thought about doing it for a while and have 'calendar regret' for not starting during Covid lockdowns when I wasn't working, having the degree would have made me eligible for an even better job going at the moment, but oh well there will be more opportunities in the future. I've done quite a lot of study in the past, but the level required for Masters did overwhelm me a little at first. My first essay I barely got a Pass, which was a shock! But my second got a Distinction so I'm on track now. </p><p>Jasmine has her P plates now so drives herself to gymnastics 4 times a week plus dance group. Driving her around every day had become part of my routine and a felt a bit lost the first week without it. Do my kids even need me any more? But seems like a good thing now. But she needs her own car! </p>Nataliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05104693042948517678noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7049713508865658990.post-90242496035797270762022-01-18T18:39:00.001-08:002022-01-18T18:39:57.643-08:00All clear<p>I'm feeling fully recovered now apart from slight wheeziness, like I don't have full lung capacity back. Otherwise good. </p><p>I had a mammogram last year that showed a dubious shadowy area, today I had the follow up with an ultrasound and it was just overlapping breast tissue so I got the all-clear which is awesome. I wasn't super worried but I was a little bit, after all my mother did die of breast cancer - considerably older than I am now. I'm still waiting to have my colonoscopy scheduled, it's been a couple of months since I put in the forms but obviously hospitals are a bit busy at the moment. </p><p>I celebrated my all-clear with KFC and cake. Not really ideal. I'm really struggling to get back into a weight-loss mindset. At least I walked half an hour today (in the rain!) because I refuse to pay the ridiculous hospital parking fees and unrestricted street parking was quite a long way away. </p><p><br /></p>Nataliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05104693042948517678noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7049713508865658990.post-70781775512654877332022-01-13T21:57:00.001-08:002022-01-13T21:57:29.391-08:00Real face<p> After a slight relapse I am now feeling recovered from Covid - so I was sick for 12 days. I still have a occasional wheezy cough but feel fine. My sore feet are also much better, perhaps due to a combination of stretches and then complete rest while I was sick, so yesterday my podiatrist gave me the all-clear to exercise again (gently). Is that good or bad news?? It was funny, I hadn't ever seen him without a mask but yesterday we were chatting about his strong Scottish accent (which isn't a problem for me as my best friend in primary school had a Scottish father and I got used to it, new people couldn't understand a word he was saying!) and he said older deafer people sometimes struggled and he had to take his mask off so they could see his lips move, he pulled it down for a second and he didn't look at all as I'd thought! I hadn't realised I had imagined a face for him, but apparently I had because his actual face was a surprise. </p><p>Jasmine gets her HSC results in a week so that is exciting and stressful. All her friends are going to Wollongong University but it doesn't teach Occupational Therapy so she's applied to Sydney, and it needs quite a high mark. If she doesn't get that she's already been accepted into easier courses in several Unis but hasn't decided what she will actually do if she doesn't get her first choice. </p><p>It has rained so much here, all spring and summer. It's the middle of summer, in Australia, and we've used the swimming pool twice. Warm but rarely hot, and so humid. </p><p>Sorry, not much to talk about in these days of pandemicness. </p>Nataliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05104693042948517678noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7049713508865658990.post-54551626454044469982022-01-07T14:23:00.002-08:002022-01-07T14:23:42.701-08:00Shortages<p>Tim and the kids seem completely recovered from Covid-19, and I am finally feeling on the mend. My last few days have been mainly runny nose and headache from my clogged sinuses. Pain under my eyebrows! And general tiredness. But a lot better today. One of the weirder symptoms linked to Omicron was bad night sweats. I've been having night sweats on and off for years due to peri-menopause, but these were really bad. Every single night of 2022 I've woken once or twice drenched in sweat and have to change my pjs (washing every day to keep up) and still feel yuck until I could shower without waking everyone else. Last night I still woke but only a light sweat, I didn't even bother to change! </p><p>I gave up on ever getting a PCR test, the queues were so long they turned us away each time, and can't get hold of an RA test online either. I was supposed to get a pack delivered today but I've just been informed they are out, although they were in stock when I ordered days ago. We made plans a while ago for the whole family to go to Queensland soon for a holiday (not MY plans, I thought they were crazy even though Delta was easing at the time and Omicron hadn't arrived yet) and we need at least a negative RA test get on a plane to cross the state border. I'm doing my best to find some, but I refuse to invest myself emotionally in the holiday plans as I think it's likely we won't be able to go. Queensland has a history of closing it's borders, although to be fair they haven't yet despite very high case numbers. I'm not wet-blanketing it but I'm just internally shrugging and not getting my hopes up. Of course it would be lovely if we can go, and stay at SeaWorld for a week and go to the beach and restaurants and everything. How long since I've left the house?</p><p>I've had to order groceries online as we're in isolation, but there is very little on the shelves. So many people are either sick or in isolation that the shops have supply chain issues. Either the item is "out of stock" when you browse the virtual shelf, or at checkout you're informed what you thought you snaffled you actually can't have, or else on delivery day they have run out. Last time delivery was next day, this week delivery in three days. They are really struggling to keep up. Last week the only fresh meat I could get was a chicken. This morning I got the updated delivery list and the only thing I seem to have ended up with today is half a leg of lamb. Starting to envy doomsday preppers with freezers full of food! Fruit and vegetables are very scarce too, I don't know if they have anyone to pick them. (There was whole watermelon for sale. $34 each. I didn't get one.) Have ordered juice for the vitamins, though even that was tricky to find a brand not rejected at checkout. We won't starve, we can always order pizza or something and we've got plenty of pantry staples like pasta and rice, but it's not the same as real fresh food. I'm really hoping that by Monday I'll at least be able to go and rummage through the shops myself. My sister-in-law dropped off a meal and friends sent us a food gift basket which was lovely. </p><p>Aside from just feeling ill, I haven't done much. It's been warm but rainy, very humid, so I haven't even been going out into the backyard. I felt well enough for a family board game yesterday, hopefully we'll be able to do more of that. It's been a couple of weeks of us all in separate rooms playing computer games, watching TV, or napping. </p>Nataliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05104693042948517678noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7049713508865658990.post-63674678488971103402022-01-03T14:08:00.000-08:002022-01-03T14:08:57.811-08:00Tasteless<p>The first two days of Covid19 for me were sore throat, head and body aches and exhaustion. Yesterday it moved into a new phase of coughing up the lining of my throat (or that is what it feels like), runny nose, and loss of taste and smell. Strong foods still have some taste - vegemite, pepperoni - but other things I've tried so far I haven't been able to eat they were just so unappetising. And I can't drink my beloved tea, tasteless yet cloyingly milky (I have the tiniest splash of milk). It makes me sad and grumpy, food is usually my friend, but on the other hand I'm already losing weight so there is that.</p><p>I haven't actually been tested, I've dragged the kids out of bed twice to go to a drive through clinic but were turned away each time as they were too busy already. Rapid antigen tests are sold out everywhere online. I have all the symptoms tho and am living with a confirmed positive so I'm just going to assume. </p><p>Tim has been sleeping on the daybed in the loungeroom to isolate, but since we became 99.9% certain I have it there didn't seem any point to that so he came back to our bed last night. Didn't last long, with me coughing up a lung every few minutes. He snuck away back to the loungeroom. </p><p>Tim is starting to feel better so I can look forward to that, I am a few days behind him. Aiden seems to be in an earlier phase, and we're not sure about Jasmine. She has a runny nose but nothing else, and she's been trying really hard to isolate from us. She desperately wants to be able to go back to acrogym next week. Half the family members who were here at Christmas are also sick and have now tested positive, although they tested negative when Tim first got sick. </p><p>I've ordered groceries online to arrive today, the only other time I tried that was just before Christmas and it was a bit of a disaster, arriving 5 hours late and with meat due to expire the next day. But I don't have a lot of choices. The virtual shelves were half-empty and then when I got to checkout there were warnings about even more things being unavailable so I'll see what turns up. I think a chicken was the only meat I ended up with. I guess ordering on a public holiday during a pandemic isn't an ideal time. I'll try again in a couple of days. Case numbers are bad, and that doesn't even include all the people turned away from the testing clinics, so a lot of people are sick or in isolation and can't work. Food isn't really a problem, we can always order take-away but none of us are hungry anyway. </p><p>I binged a great show called Smash, about making musical theatre. Like Glee with grownups. Great music and dance numbers, personal dramas. Just finished season one, luckily there is a season two. As a family we've started watching Witcher season one whenever we're all up to being out of bed, I like it but if I didn't have Aiden to explain the completely unexplained timelines decades apart I would be hopelessly confused. And I watch cricket, mainly to nap to as it helps me go to sleep. </p><p>Reading an awesome fantasy series I got for Christmas by Naomi Novik starting with A Deadly Education. It's set in a school for magic but it's nothing like Harry Potter (which I also loved of course). Very inventive. </p>Nataliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05104693042948517678noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7049713508865658990.post-35043421638557498582022-01-01T12:55:00.002-08:002022-01-01T12:55:23.904-08:00Covid New Year<p> Or Happy Covid Year? Or Happy New Covid?</p><p>I woke up sick yesterday. Pretty sure it's Covid-19 since my husband has tested positive, I'm getting tested today. It feels similar to the flu - but don't forget how awful the flu can make you feel! Sore throat and headache and exhausted and generally yuck. Last night was horrible, all those hours of tossing and turning and sweating. </p><p>Oh and yesterday evening Aiden said he was starting to feel unwell. I haven't seen him yet this morning but I'll take him to be tested with me. </p><p>So now instead of Tim isolating himself from the rest of the family, it will be Jasmine keeping away from us. Although actually it might be better if she caught it now rather than later. Uni doesn't start until February, Acrogym is on an extended break due to Covid (Jasmine's state competition at the end of February, she's just gone up a level and got a new partner, they already didn't have enough time to prepare and now it's a disaster, there haven't been any competitions for the past two years but we were really hoping for this one.)</p><p>Tim's cousin Matt who was here at Christmas has tested positive too. It has begun. Tim's dad and stepmother, who both have cancer and are therefore vulnerable, were with her family this Christmas. Looks like they dodged a bullet. And Tim's aunt Vanessa was kept away by her husband, which she resented at the time thinking he was paranoid but turns out not a bad decision. Also, she isn't vaccinated. She plans to get it eventually? When they bring out the vaccine in a flavour she likes or something. </p><p>Looking on the bright side, hopefully this will get it out of the way at the start of year then we won't catch it again. Ever. Right?</p>Nataliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05104693042948517678noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7049713508865658990.post-54688485054156950262021-12-29T19:38:00.000-08:002021-12-29T19:38:35.957-08:00Covid<p>So, my husband has Covid-19. He's been feeling sick for a couple of days, flu-like symptoms. And extremely violent sneezing. The wait for drive-through PCR tests is hours long at the moment but I managed to get the last couple of boxes of rapid antigen tests this morning at only the second place I asked - score! He came up positive, the rest of us negative. They are not as accurate as the PCR tests and he will go and queue for one of those tomorrow, but given the circumstances there is no reason to believe it is a false positive. We are all isolating for seven days, trying to keep Tim separate from the rest of us, then will test again. I think he has to quarantine for 10 days? He started feeling sick on Boxing Day so of course everyone we saw on Christmas Day was here during his infectious period. I'm amazed that the kids and I haven't got it. </p><p>We don't know where Tim got it, he hasn't been out much in the past couple of weeks. There was a case at Aiden's school so we had him tested a few days before Christmas, never got any result, but he has tested negative today at home and no symptoms. </p><p>Tim is actually the first person I know to have Covid. Back in the mists of time when we thought Delta was bad, Sydney got up to around 2,000 cases a day. With Omicron it's 12,000 a day! At least it's supposed to be less deadly. Tim has asthma so we'll be keeping a close eye on him. From a distance, of course. </p>Nataliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05104693042948517678noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7049713508865658990.post-86492082993575902382021-12-13T14:08:00.002-08:002021-12-13T14:08:18.844-08:00Nearly Christmas<p>I've been super busy since I went back to work, as I expected one week got extended and extended and I had to ask for a day off to get some things done, so that was great. I'm finished now for the year and probably won't be needed again until February when term starts again, the library opens before that but they don't need many staff. The big news at work is that there is a state-wide restructure - no sorry, a "transformation" which could turn out good for me as there will be more permanent positions at my level (less management positions) and they will place casuals like myself before opening recruitment to the rest of the world. They are going through the consultation process now but it should all be finalised in the first half of next year. So many meetings and information sessions! The staff at my library should all be fine, just slotted into the new positions, but they are a bit stressed anyway. Being casual suits me as I don't have to work in school holidays, but I found during Covid that a bit of job security would be very nice! And my kids are old enough now that they are fine without me. Maybe I can get part time, that would be perfect, and I know someone in my library would like to go part time but she doesn't want to apply until she has secured her new position in the new structure. </p><p>Jasmine finished her HSC exams, she is pretty confident she did well but the uni course she wants to do requires very high marks so we'll see. The backup plan is to start a BA (which she has already been accepted to with early entry based on her school work) and then transfer across to the Occupational Therapy degree later. I've decided to start my Masters of Librarianship next year, 3 years part time. It will be a big workload while working as well so we'll se how I cope with that. </p><p>Jasmine and I have both come down with a bit of a cold (I think), we'll have to go for a Covid test this morning. Would definitely be an inconvenience if it was Covid and we have to isolate at this time of year! I haven't even finished my Christmas shopping, let alone all the events planned over the next two weeks, like Jasmine's graduation tomorrow and formal next week. And Christmas. But I won't borrow trouble, it's probably just a cold. </p><p>Speaking of cold, it's been such a weird spring/summer. So much rain and so many cold days. It's the middle of December and we haven't used our pool yet. Today should be lovely at about 25 degrees, but that is hardly swimming weather. I'm not complaining really, 25 degrees is just about perfect in my eyes. </p><p>I lost a couple of kilos after getting back to work and moving around all day instead of just sitting at home, but then I stalled because my diet is still pretty bad. Two weeks before Christmas doesn't seem the best time to try to restrict the treats so it's something I'll be tackling afterwards. And some ongoing health issues have impeded my exercise. But I know I have to do something. I feel very unhealthy, and I hate that hardly any of my clothes fit me. I had to buy a couple of pairs of trousers for work but I haven't had the time or inclination to get a whole new wardrobe in a bigger size. </p><p>There was a fascinating book at work that I wish I had borrowed (but I had already borrowed about 20 books for the holidays when I saw it and couldn't carry any more!) which had details of about 50 popular diets, just a double page on each on with their basic concepts and a sample day. Paleo and plant-based and various brand-name diets. It looked really interesting. I don't actually need it though, after 10 years of research and dieting I know what I believe is healthy for me - I just have to follow it! As Michael Pollen says: "eat food (i.e. real food, not processed junk), not too much, mainly plants". My guidelines are something like: unlimited vegetables; medium amounts of meat, fat and fruit; medium-low carbs (including starchy vegetables like potato); very low amounts of processed food and sugar. Now to actually do it...</p>Nataliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05104693042948517678noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7049713508865658990.post-48919201675466208042021-10-09T15:29:00.000-07:002021-10-09T15:29:12.014-07:00End of Lockdown<p> Morning everyone!</p><p>Lockdown in Sydney lifts tomorrow, with another few weeks of gradually increasing freedoms but basically as a vaccinated person I can do stuff from tomorrow. Shops are opening. We can see other people. The media call it Freedom Day (which they did in the UK as well, and maybe elsewhere) but I don't really like the term and some military veterans find it offensive. </p><p>I've been in lockdown for about four months I think, leaving the house only to do the grocery shopping. And I have put on weight. Up to 88.1kg this morning, my heaviest ever, which is rather horrifying and terrible for my body. My feet hurt all the time, and my right knee when I go down stairs. I don't sleep well. I just haven't been able to find any motivation to do anything about it. Food is my friend, and I have zero interest in exercise. Hopefully that is all about to change as life gets back on track.</p><p>My boss contacted me a couple of days ago to come back to work next week! Yay! Only booked in for a week so far but I'm sure that will lead to more now that everything is opening up. I am a library technician, I had just newly retrained as one a few years ago and gave up a more secure position for one that was better for me in every way - much better location close to where I live, higher pay, lovely people - except that it was casual not permanent. That was fine for the first six months, I worked almost full time and who minds a week off here and there! Perfect! Then the pandemic arrived. Suddenly being casual wasn't so good. Permanent staff worked even when the libraries were closed, they did a lot online, but they didn't need me. A year with no work, then employed for six weeks, then Delta hit and I had another (much stricter) four months at home. Really hoping now that the majority of Sydney is vaccinated that the lockdowns can end. </p><p>Ironically of course there is all the other things I need to be doing now that lockdown is ending, and can't because I'll be at work all day. My son desperately needs a haircut and shoes and clothes that fit. My daughter is about to start her final exams and I won't be able to drive her back and forth, she'll have to catch buses which might not go at convenient times (she only has to be at school for exams, no regular school day). Her gymnastics will also start up again face to face instead of zoom classes so I'll be juggling getting her to that. I have a few medical issues to follow up: mammogram, colonoscopy, probably should see someone about my feet. Oh well, I can cross fingers that I get the perfect balance of regular work but not every single day between now and Christmas!</p><p>None of my work clothes fit. Not a single skirt or pair of pants. Not even black jeans pretending to be trousers. And no way to shop before Monday (my boss only called Thursday, so too late to find something online). So I'll be wearing a work-appropriate top with dark blue jeans every day. It's not terrible, for a library, but not what I would prefer to wear. No-one dresses business-formal (except the boss librarian, who always looks very professional) but no-one wears jeans either. Oh well, I'm sure the students (it's an adult education library) won't notice or care. </p><p>My husband has been working half days all this time, his workplace had morning and afternoon shifts (and cleaned the office in between) so that if one group got sick they would still have half the staff to carry on. He is back to full time tomorrow and not looking forward to getting up early in the morning! My teenage son has two more weeks of Zoom before school restarts face to face. </p><p>We've had some lovely spring weather and I have been getting out in the garden a bit more. But the forecast is for a week of cold rain so I won't mind being in the library all day. And it's going to be awesome seeing people other than my (lovely and beloved) family and doing some useful work. </p><p>Have a great day. </p>Nataliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05104693042948517678noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7049713508865658990.post-26758126498076192162021-08-15T19:54:00.004-07:002021-08-15T19:54:28.991-07:00Almost spring<p> It's two weeks until spring here and the weather has started warming up. We have a garden that needs soooo much work that I find it overwhelming unless I just focus on one little corner at a time. I find it hard to motivate myself to do anything. But when I do, it is lovely to get out in the sunlight, and move my body. And it's nice to see one little area, however tiny, all tidied up with weeds gone, overgrown plants clipped and intruding grass pulled out of garden beds. I usually hate sunbathing (hot and boring) but one warm afternoon I lay by the pool for a long time, I think my body was craving sunlight and vitamin D!</p><p>Covid numbers are getting worse here in Sydney, nearly every day is a new record for most cases since the pandemic began, 478 new cases today and deaths every day. Lockdown is predicted until November. I'm still not working, Tim works half days (can't work from home), the kids do school online. Jasmine is starting exams online tomorrow, HSC Trials (exams set by the school, they contribute a significant part of the 50% from the school half and the actual HSC exams set by the state count as the other 50% of the final mark.) She is coping very well, considering. </p><p>Aiden and I both had a cold (tested Covid negative) a month ago, I got better but he still has a horrible cough. The doctor won't even see him without another more recent negative test but we've done a couple of phone consults and she says it's normal and not to worry unless he feels feverish or coughs up rusty or green phlegm. I hate to hear him though. If it goes on another two weeks we're to get a chest x-ray. </p><p>I've started doing cross-stitch bookmarks as a lockdown hobby.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kWPlpdtcBqI/YRnS8wkRYkI/AAAAAAAADCg/H6iMltPOHp8YIhfqj_dGoRygByhmRYIuwCLcBGAsYHQ/s4032/IMG_5608.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kWPlpdtcBqI/YRnS8wkRYkI/AAAAAAAADCg/H6iMltPOHp8YIhfqj_dGoRygByhmRYIuwCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_5608.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><p></p>Nataliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05104693042948517678noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7049713508865658990.post-4597212841127157372021-07-27T04:51:00.001-07:002021-07-27T04:51:48.798-07:00Lockdown<p> Hello again! Checked in on the blog to find my post comments clogged with ads that I find offensive, I’ve deleted lots then gave up… please know they are nothing to do with me! Thanks to my real readers and commenters, love you all. </p><p>While lots of other countries are coming out of lockdown, here in Sydney we’ve gone back in. The delta variant is hitting (relatively) hard - over 100 new cases a day and a few (5 maybe?) deaths in a month. I had my first vaccination in June but have to wait 12 weeks for the second. I had Astra-Zeneca which is the most readily available here but has had some fears about blood clots. I felt very ill for nearly a week and my arm was sore with a huge lump for about three weeks, I couldn’t sleep on my usual side so next time I’ll get the other arm done. Has to be done. </p><p>I got to go back to my job for about 6 weeks before this lockdown, after more than a year at home, and now I’m sitting at home again. And the little bit of weight I lost bustling around work and feeling busy is back. Looks like we’re going to be in lockdown another month at least. </p><p>Tim is still going to work, but reduced hours and driving instead of public transport - they cover his parking in the city but he’s paying $70 a day in tolls! Aiden is coping ok doing Yr 9 online via Zoom. But poor Jasmine is having her life turned upside down the most. She is in Yr 12 with her final exams coming up, and needs a high ATAR to get into the University course she wants. She is very diligent but it’s stressful. I know everyone is in the same position. If this lockdown continues much longer she’ll never actually return to school, no farewell, no formal dance or graduation ceremony, never seeing all her year in one place. Then also she is an acrobatic gymnast and trains 9 hours a week with coach and partners, plus stretches etc at home, but now that’s on Zoom too which isn’t ideal especially as she can’t do any partner work! She and another “base” throw a smaller girl around, as well as tumbling and dance moves, similar to cheerleading. There were no competitions last year, this year’s Nationals have been cancelled and the State competition has been delayed, we’ll see. And finally she’s on her L plates learning to drive but isn’t even allowed to do that at the moment.</p><p>So, that is my grumbling over. Apart from worrying for Jas, I’m fine. We’re safe and comfortable and financially ok. I have a garden to get out into if I want to leave the house. Watching the Olympics. Birthday in lockdown, but I got to spend it with my three favourite people. And you can get books delivered right to your door! What more could I want.</p>Nataliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05104693042948517678noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7049713508865658990.post-12306693309185904332021-01-11T00:29:00.000-08:002021-01-11T00:29:07.821-08:00Hello 2021<p> Monday,</p><p>I’m wondering if it’s time to retire this blog, it’s been 10 years and I rarely post now. But I suppose there’s no harm in it being here if I want it.</p><p>Australia continues to be relatively lightly touched by COVID, any time there are a few cases all the state borders close. Masks have finally just been made compulsory in Sydney. I am still out of work, still hoping I can go back to my dream job otherwise I’ll have to start applying elsewhere. Some places are hiring again. At Christmas we were allowed ten guests plus children, which worked out exactly for us.</p><p>We just went ‘away’ for a week, less than two hours up the coast for a beach holiday. It was mostly warm but not swimming weather with a fair bit of cloud and rain - probably lucky for us as on our last day it was finally beach weather and we all got sunburned (except Tim who spends more time outdoors so has more protective tan). It doesn’t matter how careful we are with 50+ sunscreen, hats, Tshirts etc; two hours in the sun is too much. The other days we went for walks, ate, and played board games.</p><p>We’d been trying for about 18 months to get our dismal front yard landscaped, finally found someone who actually followed up their visit with a quote and the work is now nearly done. Retaining walls, new plants and turf, and most importantly steps up to the front door instead of just the steep slippery driveway. Oh, and a decent mailbox!</p><p>I went to a specialist about my foot pain and numbness, they now think nerve damage, possibly from years of pre-diabetes but a third of cases are of unknown cause. The specialist told me to lose ten kilograms (the amount I’ve gained during COVID semi-isolation) before I see her next in three months. That depressed me so much I went and ate junk. Two of the three months have passed and I now weigh more than I did then. I am on and off the CSIRO diet which is mainly large portions of vegetables with moderate amounts of everything else. Obviously not sticking to it at all.</p><p>This morning, just back from our holiday, I was 86.8kg which I believe is my highest no -pregnant weight ever. Not great.</p>Nataliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05104693042948517678noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7049713508865658990.post-5371325263998968782020-11-19T15:30:00.001-08:002020-11-19T15:30:24.867-08:00November<p> Friday:</p><p>After a cool rainy spring, summer seems to be here with 30+ C days and cicadas screaming outside. One is clinging to the fly screen of the kitchen window, I can mostly see its belly but I think it is a 'Black Prince', much prized when I was at school due to their relative rarity. 'Greengrocer' is the one you see most often. Cicadas are a huge fat insect, size of a mouse without a tail and rather threatening beady eyes, but completely harmless. Except the for the ear-drum shattering calls. </p><p>Jasmine finally got her L plates and is learning to drive (she passed the knowledge test first time, but we had delayed due to Covid). I do not enjoy teaching, I get nervous with even an experienced driver let alone a complete beginner! I hate not being in control of the car. She is actually quite careful and hasn't done anything bad, but every time she goes a bit close to a parked car or her speed creeps up to the limit instead of super slow I nearly have a heart attack. I'm going to have a stomach ulcer after this. My husband has done most of the teaching so far, but he isn't around after school. We just go round very quiet streets so far.</p><p>The pain in my foot got worse, I had an ultrasound and a blood test and the doctor thinks it was gout - I didn't even know that was still a thing but apparently it is quite common. I had a course of steroids - Prednisolone - to reduce the inflammation and that helped a lot with the pain in my heel/ankle but I still have pain and numbness along the outside of my foot. I need to go back and see the doctor but I've been confined with a bad cold (which I got from my family, I didn't get a Covid test this time but they did and were negative) which I don't want to spread to the doctor's office. I'll go next week. </p><p>I'm back on the CSIRO total wellbeing diet, focus on whole foods and lots of vegetables, you count units (3 carbs, 3 dairy, 2 fruits per day etc) not calories and can have one indulgence per day. I lost weight in week 1, put it back on in week 2 with sickness comfort food plus Aiden's 14th birthday, back on track with week 3.</p><p>Speaking of Aiden, several days after he'd seemingly recovered from his cold he came home from school exhausted and napped all afternoon. Then the next morning he woke with bad chest pain and a racing heart rate. Our doctor sent us to the ER where we spent a lot of the day - in the children's area they were playing Despicable Me on a loop and didn't bother to change it, we were watching it for the third time when we got to leave - an ECG was normal and he was feeling a lot better by the afternoon. Probably a virus but we don't really know. So that was a worrying day. </p><p>My uncle who had a stroke is almost back to normal he says except for a bit of dizziness, and he won a tennis tournament last weekend so that is great. My poppa is ok at home with regular care visits I think but haven't heard just lately. I want to visit but not with sickness running around the family. Even if not Covid, I don't want to pass it on!</p>Nataliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05104693042948517678noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7049713508865658990.post-33749714204548631792020-10-21T17:37:00.000-07:002020-10-21T17:37:43.438-07:00A walk<p> Thursday:</p><p>Well my employer was unable to hire me after all due to rules from higher up the chain - not for the rest of the year at least. They are not allowed to "back-fill" (fill places vacant from people going on temporary leave etc) at all. I could look for other work, but of course there is not much going. And that was pretty much my dream job. So that is depressing. Bored and lonely and sad at home. And still putting on weight. I think my sleep apnoea is back, and my pre-diabetes, and now I even might have an uncomfortable varicose vein in my foot. Very unpleasant. Most of my clothes don't fit. </p><p>But, trying to find some good. Both my grandfather and my uncle are doing well and are at home. Poppa has a carer coming in every day so he doesn't have to go into a nursing home at this dangerous time. Uncle Greg is recovering from his stroke and even playing tennis again. I haven't seen either of them. </p><p>I went for a walk yesterday in the spring sunshine. And saw:</p><p>*Four water dragons on the way out; the first one was on the footpath right outside our house. We often see him/her/them sunning in our backyard and leaping into our pool to hide if startled. I also saw one on the way home, not sure if it was one of the four or a new one as it was in a different spot to the others. </p><p>*A man sitting reading a magazine at the edge of his open garage, but facing away from the street. Seemed odd. </p><p>*A front yard completely covered in rich bare soil. A child-size blue spade sticking up showed someone was getting fun out of the dirt (or "helping") before turf covers it. </p><p>*A man cradling a very tiny baby in a sling. All I could see was a little pink flowery hat. </p>Nataliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05104693042948517678noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7049713508865658990.post-40880795494491140382020-09-14T16:36:00.000-07:002020-09-14T16:36:10.228-07:00In briefTuesday:<br />
<br />
I never seem to get around to posting, these days. Maybe because I don't have a lot to say?<br />
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Bad news is, my weight keeps going up and up... Covid kilos. From sitting at home all day. And eating. Bored and lonely. I'm up to 83.6kg, getting very close to my highest weight that I fought so hard to lose (with the help of Duromine). Spring has just started here, I'm trying to get out for a walk on the nice days. And doing a bit of gardening. Cold and grey today though.<br />
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Good news is, after many months of silence my workplace finally contacted me to come in for some casual work. It's only for two weeks (so far)... and not until November! But it made me happy because it shows I am still their preferred fill-in employee, and I can expect more work as people start taking time off again. Everyone must have a lot of holiday hours saved up, since we can't go anywhere and no one has been taking leave. It will be lovely to get back into the library, seeing my colleagues and helping students. Giving my life a purpose other than collecting every battle pet in World of Warcraft - I now have 1157 pets and have the 9th biggest collection on my server and about 2800th in the world out of about 8 million players (collecting battle pets is only a sideline for most WoW players, it is not the main focus of the game). I have around 60 more to collect that are still available - until the new expansion comes out in about 6 weeks with probably lots of new ones to collect.<br />
<br />
So that is what I do all day.Nataliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05104693042948517678noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7049713508865658990.post-166605122715645552020-08-17T05:15:00.000-07:002020-08-17T05:15:36.945-07:00Bad newsMonday:<br />
<br />
Family health news has been horrible this week. I found out that my Uncle Greg had a stroke, not sure how long ago, without my mum to pass on news I don’t hear a lot from her family and only see them weddings, funerals and Christmas. But as a child we had family dinners at my grandparents every Sunday. He’s being looked after full time by his wife at home right now. He’s 67, I think. My mum, who was overweight and unhealthy all her life with asthma and allergies, died at 73 of cancer. Her sister, thin and fit and healthy all her life, died at 66 of cancer. Now Greg, also very fit and slender, who was still playing competitive tennis, has had a stroke. It’s rather depressing. I guess you can only mitigate risks, you can’t guarantee a long life.<br />
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I learned about Uncle Greg from a cousin, who actually contacted me about our Poppa who at 102 looks like he’s going to outlive all his children. He’s still living (alone for 20 years) in his own home, looking after himself, but has had a couple of falls recently and has trouble getting up from the floor, and is in bed since the most recent fall. My Uncle Greg, his youngest son, lives just across the road, but obviously right now he is in no condition to keep an eye on him. Various grandkids are helping, but it’s tricky. So the family, including Poppa himself, feel it might be time for him to go into a nursing home. But.... Covid. Nursing homes are terrible places to be right now. Lots of deaths. It’s hard to know what to do.<br />
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Then today, my father-in-law had some chest pains. They are keeping him in hospital overnight to monitor. We’re not allowed to visit. He’s very overweight, and has prostate cancer. Very worrying. I feel quite helpless.Nataliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05104693042948517678noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7049713508865658990.post-70674029331679975262020-07-15T21:10:00.000-07:002020-07-15T21:10:01.927-07:0050 and All ClearThursday:<br />
<br />
I turned 50 a couple of weeks ago. Chronological age doesn't really bother me, I like to think of it as an achievement, going up levels. +2 Wisdom, -2 Dexterity. Tim and the kids took the day off and we went to a lovely "High Tea" in North Sydney with gorgeous views of the harbour. It was lunch for us, rather than afternoon tea, with plenty of food; they gave us (each) eleven different dainty foods - a tiny quiche, macaron, cheesecake, arancini ball, little sandwiches, scones with jam and cream etc. And pots of tea, of course. We chose the kids' version for Jasmine and Aiden even though they are teenagers - more sugar, less 'fancy'. None of us got through everything!<br />
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Afterwards we went for a short walk down (then back up) a very steep path, not far because the day before I had slipped on our steep mossy driveway, hurting my hip and jarring my hand and shoulder, and I was still a bit sore; also the view was heavily obscured by thick foliage and everything was a bit damp. That night I felt a sudden stinging burning pain in my neck, and investigation revealed a tick! I've never had one before. I assume it got into my hair on the walk. Tim got it out with no lasting ill effects, but I still have a small lump there two weeks later. Maybe the universe didn't want me to get past 49.<br />
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Obviously no big party, we just had some family over on Sunday for dinner and board games.<br />
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Yesterday I had my colonoscopy. I'd noticed some bleeding months ago, but Covid-19 delayed hospital stuff for non-urgent cases until now. Luckily I got the all-clear straight away, no cancer, although they want to check again in a year. It wasn't the most fun I've ever had - I was unconscious for the actual procedure but you have to fast for a couple of days beforehand; liquids only for 24 hours then nothing for about 6 hours, and you have to drink a weird liquid that prompts your body to eliminate everything in a hurry. It made me feel both nauseated and bloated so I certainly didn't feel any of the magical purity some people get with fasting. And I was headachy because I don't like tea without milk and had some caffeine withdrawal. Oh well, it was an important test to have and well worth doing.<br />
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I haven't heard from work yet about term 3. We had almost got back to normal here but are starting to have a second wave of Covid so everything is still uncertain. It is the second week of the winter school holidays now, kids back to school next week. Tim took a week off but we didn't go anywhere or do anything much. Weather is cold and mostly bleak.Nataliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05104693042948517678noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7049713508865658990.post-56949991166533857762020-06-25T22:08:00.000-07:002020-06-25T22:08:53.388-07:00JuneFriday:<br />
<br />
New South Wales has been reducing restrictions which makes it feel like we're out the other side of Covid-19, but a neighbouring state has had an increase in cases (20 new ones, I think, Australia has been touched lightly in comparison to many places) and of course in some parts of the world the pandemic is at its peak or even just getting started.<br />
<br />
I still haven't been offered any work. The current school term only has a week left, I had expected to get work next term but who knows? I may have to look for work elsewhere, which is sad. I really liked where I was working.<br />
<br />
Tim, on the other hand, is swamped. He often comes home very late (one night 1.30am) or goes in very early, he has a long commute as well which makes it worse. His department had been offered Voluntary Redundancies at the start of the year, he's been there many years so it was a good deal for him with a chunk of money that would give plenty of time to look for a new job. But then Covid happened so after filling in all the paperwork and getting approval from HR we decided not to take it. He could always take his Long Service Leave for a break. Someone else in his section applied and was then told by their boss that she couldn't spare anyone! Bit late to mention it, after months of agonising and all the paperwork on both sides! But anyway, it means Tim doesn't have to regret the decision not to take it, it was never really a possibility after all. But then a new big boss took over and has fired half the management, including Tim's boss. Someone else left to get a promotion elsewhere. And now Tim is the only lawyer. He's supposed to work a nine day fortnight, but he's missed three of his last four rostered days off as there is no one to cover the work. I hope this doesn't go on very long, and they hire more people. It's crazy.<br />
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I have to do 30 hours a year of study to keep up my Professional Development, the financial year ends 30 June so I've spend quite a bit of time these past couple of weeks catching up on that. Only two hours to go.Nataliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05104693042948517678noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7049713508865658990.post-19732634778006706382020-05-27T04:04:00.000-07:002020-05-27T04:04:10.603-07:00Home aloneWednesday....I think:<br />
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Lockdown restrictions are being lifted in stages, the kids are back at school full-time this week and Tim’s work returned to normal hours last week. We’ve had relatively few Covid19 cases in Australia and less than 100 deaths. My library is open, with social distancing rules, but I don’t expect to get any work this term as no one is taking leave. Why do they call it social distancing? We’re supposed to stay socially connected. It should be called physical distancing. Anyway I’m home alone for the first time since this started.<br />
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I’m down with a cold, no idea how I caught it as I rarely go anywhere or see anyone now! We did have a few family over on Sunday but I got sick Monday which Tim says is too soon to have caught it from them - although I was unable to dodge a hug from my father-in-law. Honestly, he is the most at risk (over 70 and with cancer) and the least careful. I’m sure it is only a cold as it’s a runny nose with no Covid symptoms, but if anything changes of course I will get tested.<br />
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I’ll be turning 50 in a few weeks. Haven’t been able to make any party plans. Not sure what I would have done anyway. I quite like the idea of a fancy High Tea somewhere with a view. Elegant. But we’ll see how things are going closer to the date.Nataliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05104693042948517678noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7049713508865658990.post-49681893609356582162020-04-26T16:59:00.001-07:002020-04-26T16:59:18.328-07:00VR or not VRMonday:<br />
<br />
Earlier this year my husband was offered a Voluntary Redundancy at work. The government can't just fire you for no reason, so if they want to cut staff they have to offer money as an incentive to leave, and the amount increases the longer you've been employed. He's been there more than 10 years so it seemed like a good deal, with his Long Service Leave payout as well he'd have a while to look for another job. He likes his job but it is a long commute, and with no prospect of further advancement. We'd practically decided to take it, but then Covid-19 happened. Now we're not sure how long it would take him to find another job, and I'm also out of work. So I guess he's staying where he is. He's lucky to have a secure job in these uncertain times.<br />
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Term 2 of school starts tomorrow, still at home but they are talking about phasing back into classrooms, one day a week so they can have less students there at a time. Lockdowns probably easing soon. Australia still has only 60 deaths total. Jasmine has been working really hard but I think it will be a relief for her to get back into a proper routine with teachers on hand. Aiden sleeps until nearly noon and it's a struggle to make him do his school work so it will be a relief for me to get him back into proper school! He is very smart but not the most conscientious so I would worry about the long term effect on his grades if the school-from-home went on much longer.<br />
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I've been eating too much, doing a bit of gardening, learning the piano, but mostly playing computer games (World of Warcraft). Not great for my health.Nataliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05104693042948517678noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7049713508865658990.post-21008733850915779772020-04-16T04:59:00.000-07:002020-04-16T04:59:09.535-07:00DelayThursday:<br />
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As I expected, my colonoscopy has been delayed indefinitely due to Covid-19. The hospital said I’m still on the waiting list, but they don’t know when it will be.<br />
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We had a quiet Easter at home, of course. Lots of chocolate.<br />
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We’ve offered to do the grocery shopping for my father-in-law, but he goes out more than we do. Haircut, hardware store, he doesn’t hesitate to leave the house. We can’t force him to stay home. Ah well. Infection rates in Australia remain low. There is talk that kids may be back in schools in four weeks. We’ll see.<br />
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Stay well.Nataliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05104693042948517678noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7049713508865658990.post-10070013265154034592020-04-07T03:43:00.001-07:002020-04-07T03:43:36.592-07:00HomeTuesday:<br />
<br />
Has it only been two weeks home with the kids? Feels like longer! Jasmine acts as though she’s at school, dividing her day into subjects, chatting online with friends who are in those classes, and taking breaks at regular school times. With homework, she is working 9-5 or longer (she’s in Year 11). She is a little worried about how it will affect her final High School results next year, but overall seems fine.<br />
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Aiden, by contrast, sleeps for half the morning and plays computer games the rest of the time. He only does school work when I stand over him with a whip. Maybe an hour a day. I don’t think he’s being given as much work as Jas is, but he’s not devoting much time to what he does have! We go into school holidays next week, which will be easier, but we probably have months of school-at-home to come.<br />
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Tim is still working, his office has gone to two shifts and they are completely segregated so if one group gets sick the other won’t catch it. He works afternoons, and is home about the same time in the evening he was anyway, so he is quite enjoying having mornings free. He drives into the city to avoid public transport, now that the roads are less clogged.<br />
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I am spending way too much time playing World of Warcraft instead of being productive, but I have started learning piano. My birthday present to Tim was a fancy new keyboard to replace the one he had since he was about 14, and I’ve started using Yousician to learn how to play it. I go grocery shopping twice a week, most things are back on the shelves except toilet paper and pasta, but otherwise I stay in the house.<br />
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Australia is still overall pretty safe and healthy, I think we’ve had only 38 deaths compared to hundreds or thousands elsewhere. A big proportion of our cases have come from one mind-boggling incident (now under criminal investigation) where people were allowed to walk off a cruise ship without testing or isolation even though many were showing symptoms.<br />
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I hope you are all safe and well.<br />
<br />
<br />Nataliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05104693042948517678noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7049713508865658990.post-62358420686610786622020-03-22T19:36:00.001-07:002020-03-22T19:36:26.557-07:00Changing fastMonday:<br />
<br />
Things are changing fast here in Australia. The federal government has closed all non-essential places that people might get together and break the social distancing guidelines; like restaurants and gyms. Our Prime Minister was very cranky that people were still going to the beach on the weekend, and closed Bondi. And although he still says that he wants schools to stay open so that parents in essential jobs (like health) can work, the state Premiers both here and in a couple of other states have decided to partially defy that. Schools are still open for children who need supervision, but we have been asked to keep children home from tomorrow if possible. They will be doing their learning online - even the ones sitting in classrooms (as far apart as possible).<br />
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I have not yet heard whether my TAFE (adult education) will also close but I am guessing it will now or soon. Some subjects had already changed to online. I only had two weeks left anyway, and I doubt they'll need me in the library again until this is all over so I'll stay home with the kids. There are suggestions that it will be for 6 months but no one really knows. I'm home sick today with sore throat and headache although overall I feel better than on the weekend. No way I'd go to work with flu-like symptoms! My husband is a government lawyer and might be considered essential - he can't work from home due to the potentially sensitive information he handles. At least the trains are getting less crowded as other people stay home.<br />
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My concern in regard to my own health is not for Covid-19, but that I was supposed to have a colonoscopy soon to check for bowel cancer. I am still seeing blood. I don't know if the test will be postponed due to resources being needed elsewhere. And even if I do get tested, if I have cancer this would be a terrible time to have an impaired immune system.<br />
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The supermarkets all suspended their home delivery services because the shortages made it too difficult, but they are going to have to ramp it up a lot if we are all supposed to stay inside. Apparently freezers are sold out everywhere as people stock up. I have two fridge/freezers, one mainly used at Christmas, but neither are very large. We probably have food for two weeks if we get inventive. We'll run out of fresh fruit and vegetables in a few days though, so hopefully it won't come to complete isolation.<br />
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At least we are well provisioned in the computer/TV/games/books areas. And we have a backyard we can get fresh air in without being near anyone else.Nataliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05104693042948517678noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7049713508865658990.post-81048935243273777382020-03-21T22:56:00.000-07:002020-03-21T22:56:00.150-07:00Tim’s birthdaySunday:<br />
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I’ve been having problems with this blog for months, where I can’t respond to people’s comments. So if it looks like I don’t read them or don’t care, not true! It a bit frustrating, i really do appreciate comments.<br />
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I guess we’re a bit isolated in Australia, and also “social distancing” is pretty much the norm here - we like a lot of personal space and don’t generally stand close. So Corvid19 hasn’t really taken hold (yet). But i do see that the news from the rest of the world is worrying.<br />
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Shopping here has gone in a few weeks from it being difficult to get toilet paper/tissues/paper towels, then add rice and pasta to that list, then I went shopping yesterday and most of the shelves were empty or nearly so. Still plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables - I suppose because they are perishable none hoards them - but meat and lots of other things were gone. I was able to get food for the week, but not necessarily things I would usually buy, and not the things Tim had requested for his birthday dinner. Supermarkets have now restricted purchases to one or two of each thing, which hopefully will stop people being so selfish when stocks do come in.<br />
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We didn’t have a family get-together this weekend despite two birthdays. Tim and I are both a bit unwell, most likely not Corvid19 but we don’t want to pass any type of illness on! But the person we want most to protect, Tim’s father who is over 70 and has prostate cancer, wanted to come over and is still going out to restaurants and stuff so he’s certainly not self-isolating. We wouldn’t let anyone come over, and I probably won’t go to work tomorrow.<br />
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I gave Tim a really elaborate board game called Gloomhaven, it weighs about 10 kg was over $200. We’ve started that and it seems pretty good. Each session is supposed to take about 2 hours (we’ve taken 5 and haven’t finished, but we’re still working out all the rules) but there is a big storyline and all future sessions will link together so it could take years! Good one for if we’re all in isolation.<br />
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Hope your all staying well.Nataliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05104693042948517678noreply@blogger.com0