Monday:
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.
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.
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.
Showing posts with label school. Show all posts
Showing posts with label school. Show all posts
Sunday, April 26, 2020
Sunday, March 22, 2020
Changing fast
Monday:
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).
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.
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.
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.
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.
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).
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.
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.
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.
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.
Monday, January 27, 2020
Too young to be old
Tuesday:
I hadn't really expected to hear from my workplace until the start of school term (it's a library at a TAFE, adult learners, so they only have a few permanent staff during the quiet holiday period), but I was getting a bit worried regardless that I wouldn't get much work (I'm a casual) and I'd have to start applying for jobs again -- further away from home, new systems, less congenial. But they contacted me to offer a couple of weeks, then today updated that to 8 weeks of this 10 week term... so I can relax knowing I will still be getting plenty of work, they still like me, I still seem to be top of their list.
Jasmine returns to school tomorrow (Year 11!) and Aiden the day after (Year 8). Jasmine turns 16 on Thursday!! I can't believe I have a nearly-adult daughter. I'm too young to be this old. She claims to be taller than me too, but I always deny it. She could learn to drive now! She's not that keen though. I think she'll wait until a convenient holiday break and we'll get her professional lessons. Tim would love to teach her but I think she'd be more nervous with daddy watching.
We didn't do much these holidays. We have at least got a bit more use out of the pool with a few hot days when the air wasn't full of bushfire smoke. Today is warm enough, but the sky is a nasty brownish orange.
I hadn't really expected to hear from my workplace until the start of school term (it's a library at a TAFE, adult learners, so they only have a few permanent staff during the quiet holiday period), but I was getting a bit worried regardless that I wouldn't get much work (I'm a casual) and I'd have to start applying for jobs again -- further away from home, new systems, less congenial. But they contacted me to offer a couple of weeks, then today updated that to 8 weeks of this 10 week term... so I can relax knowing I will still be getting plenty of work, they still like me, I still seem to be top of their list.
Jasmine returns to school tomorrow (Year 11!) and Aiden the day after (Year 8). Jasmine turns 16 on Thursday!! I can't believe I have a nearly-adult daughter. I'm too young to be this old. She claims to be taller than me too, but I always deny it. She could learn to drive now! She's not that keen though. I think she'll wait until a convenient holiday break and we'll get her professional lessons. Tim would love to teach her but I think she'd be more nervous with daddy watching.
We didn't do much these holidays. We have at least got a bit more use out of the pool with a few hot days when the air wasn't full of bushfire smoke. Today is warm enough, but the sky is a nasty brownish orange.
Saturday, December 16, 2017
End of the school year
Friday:
It was the kids’ last day of school today. Jasmine played games like UNO all day and Aiden’s school had some kind of talent quest. They now have six weeks summer holiday then start Year 9 and Year 6 respectively. I didn’t do anything exciting on my last child-free day for a while, grocery shopping then a nap. I’ll enjoy having the kids home - at least for the first few weeks!
My diet (I mean that in the broader ‘way of eating’ sense as well as the more narrow ‘restrictive way of eating’ sense) has been gradually slipping for the past couple of weeks (or months). With Christmas so close, I am officially taking two weeks off worrying about my weight. I will be spending a relaxed week with the kids that may/will include treats, then Christmas festivities and another week to eat leftovers and gift chocolates. I will start focus on weight loss again on January 1st - new year, new month, even a new Monday! Don’t worry, my unrestricted eating isn’t so very terrible, I’ve never eaten a whole box of doughnuts or McDonalds three times in one day. A ‘bad’ day might be 2200 calories. I won’t be tracking. Today I made nachos for lunch followed by a Magnum ice cream, and had a little lemon tart in the afternoon. But I’ve also eaten lovely fruit and I’m having salmon and salad for dinner. I’m trying not to put too much focus on food either way, neither ‘must eat healthy’ nor ‘must eat everything before I back on a diet’. Food is a pleasurable part of life, to be enjoyed, but not the only good part!
Saturday:
I knew it would happen one day. We have a rock feature at one end of the pool -- a waterfall when we turn it on but usually we direct the water to the spa jets -- that is perfect for little boys to jump into the deep end of the pool from. The tradesmen who made it joked about how Aiden would love it, it easily supports his weight and Tim jumps from there too. But I knew that eventually someone would fall the wrong way, into the garden rather than the water, and it is quite high. I specifically planted soft non-spiky plants there, though they are not very big yet. And soft-ish mulch. And today Aiden fell off. He scraped his leg a bit on the rock on the way down so is covered in bandaids but he is fine.
Here is the back view of the waterfall, that bird bath is not as close to the wall as it looks. But I might still move it further away! I haven't yet been out to check the plants and see if they are squashed. (Photo not taken today.)
And the fun jumping side. Note the easy steps up.
I'll just continue to make sure it's all grass and soft plants at the back for an easy fall!
It was the kids’ last day of school today. Jasmine played games like UNO all day and Aiden’s school had some kind of talent quest. They now have six weeks summer holiday then start Year 9 and Year 6 respectively. I didn’t do anything exciting on my last child-free day for a while, grocery shopping then a nap. I’ll enjoy having the kids home - at least for the first few weeks!
My diet (I mean that in the broader ‘way of eating’ sense as well as the more narrow ‘restrictive way of eating’ sense) has been gradually slipping for the past couple of weeks (or months). With Christmas so close, I am officially taking two weeks off worrying about my weight. I will be spending a relaxed week with the kids that may/will include treats, then Christmas festivities and another week to eat leftovers and gift chocolates. I will start focus on weight loss again on January 1st - new year, new month, even a new Monday! Don’t worry, my unrestricted eating isn’t so very terrible, I’ve never eaten a whole box of doughnuts or McDonalds three times in one day. A ‘bad’ day might be 2200 calories. I won’t be tracking. Today I made nachos for lunch followed by a Magnum ice cream, and had a little lemon tart in the afternoon. But I’ve also eaten lovely fruit and I’m having salmon and salad for dinner. I’m trying not to put too much focus on food either way, neither ‘must eat healthy’ nor ‘must eat everything before I back on a diet’. Food is a pleasurable part of life, to be enjoyed, but not the only good part!
Saturday:
I knew it would happen one day. We have a rock feature at one end of the pool -- a waterfall when we turn it on but usually we direct the water to the spa jets -- that is perfect for little boys to jump into the deep end of the pool from. The tradesmen who made it joked about how Aiden would love it, it easily supports his weight and Tim jumps from there too. But I knew that eventually someone would fall the wrong way, into the garden rather than the water, and it is quite high. I specifically planted soft non-spiky plants there, though they are not very big yet. And soft-ish mulch. And today Aiden fell off. He scraped his leg a bit on the rock on the way down so is covered in bandaids but he is fine.
Here is the back view of the waterfall, that bird bath is not as close to the wall as it looks. But I might still move it further away! I haven't yet been out to check the plants and see if they are squashed. (Photo not taken today.)
Monday, July 17, 2017
Staff development day
Monday:
The kids were supposedly back at school today (and Tim back at work) but after I sent Aiden off on his bike I got a call from his school to say it was staff development day (pupil-free) and was there someone home for them to send Aiden home to? Of course I said yes and he rode back. Freezing cold, we snuggled back in bed together for a while. I knew Jasmine has a day off next week but no idea about Aiden's. Despite frequent attempts I can't seem to get his school newsletter automatically emailed to me and I often forget to check their website so I miss things.
I continue to gain weight. 84.1 kg this morning. Since I am very short, that is a horrible number. I've gained more than 2 kg in the past three weeks, which is very fast for me. Usually I gain slowly and lose slowly. It's depressing. I'm not sleeping well, it's cold, I'm a bit bored, all things that encourage me to eat more. I've found that exercise triggers me to eat a lot more too. I need to get this under control. It's not a weird unexplained weight gain, it is very easily explained.
I see the exercise physio tomorrow then the dietician on Wednesday. Not sure what I am going to say to her.
We've had bad news in the family. My father-in-law's partner, together at least five years maybe more (he is a widower), has just been diagnosed with lung cancer. Jo doesn't smoke, I don't know if she used to. They are still doing more tests and biopsies but they may have to remove the lung, or part of it. She is 70 and morbidly obese, I don't think surgery would have a good outcome. Her sister died recently of cancer. Very scary for her. If she does come through an operation she is going to have a hard time getting around with only one lung, she already has lots of hip and knee problems and not being able to breathe fully would be horrible. We're hoping for good news from the tests that they don't need to operate.
The kids were supposedly back at school today (and Tim back at work) but after I sent Aiden off on his bike I got a call from his school to say it was staff development day (pupil-free) and was there someone home for them to send Aiden home to? Of course I said yes and he rode back. Freezing cold, we snuggled back in bed together for a while. I knew Jasmine has a day off next week but no idea about Aiden's. Despite frequent attempts I can't seem to get his school newsletter automatically emailed to me and I often forget to check their website so I miss things.
I continue to gain weight. 84.1 kg this morning. Since I am very short, that is a horrible number. I've gained more than 2 kg in the past three weeks, which is very fast for me. Usually I gain slowly and lose slowly. It's depressing. I'm not sleeping well, it's cold, I'm a bit bored, all things that encourage me to eat more. I've found that exercise triggers me to eat a lot more too. I need to get this under control. It's not a weird unexplained weight gain, it is very easily explained.
I see the exercise physio tomorrow then the dietician on Wednesday. Not sure what I am going to say to her.
We've had bad news in the family. My father-in-law's partner, together at least five years maybe more (he is a widower), has just been diagnosed with lung cancer. Jo doesn't smoke, I don't know if she used to. They are still doing more tests and biopsies but they may have to remove the lung, or part of it. She is 70 and morbidly obese, I don't think surgery would have a good outcome. Her sister died recently of cancer. Very scary for her. If she does come through an operation she is going to have a hard time getting around with only one lung, she already has lots of hip and knee problems and not being able to breathe fully would be horrible. We're hoping for good news from the tests that they don't need to operate.
Wednesday, February 1, 2017
Organising
Wednesday:
I've two days child-free (within school hours anyway) and I've got so much done! Or maybe it's because I'm feeling better. It's not like the kids need constant care and attention when they are here. But I've done heaps of stuff, organising mainly, we have a few things coming up, plus of course the pool.
The pool has hardly changed in months. A concrete hole in the ground.
I'm back on my blood sugar diet and feeling well. A bit hungry, but I know that will pass as I get used to reduced calories.
I've two days child-free (within school hours anyway) and I've got so much done! Or maybe it's because I'm feeling better. It's not like the kids need constant care and attention when they are here. But I've done heaps of stuff, organising mainly, we have a few things coming up, plus of course the pool.
The pool has hardly changed in months. A concrete hole in the ground.
At least this week we've had tiles put down on top edge (under the plastic) and some plumbing done.
My TAFE course is all organised. I'm itching to get started. When I saw the head teacher last week I asked if there was anything I could read to prepare, she told me just to relax and enjoy my child-free week before starting full-time study. Has she never met an eager mature-aged student before? But it turns out I have been using the time well on other things. I even tidied my desk - although my in-tray is still overflowing. Well, I've got two more days.
I'm back on my blood sugar diet and feeling well. A bit hungry, but I know that will pass as I get used to reduced calories.
Sunday, January 29, 2017
Stomach flu
Monday:
My upset tummy got worse rather than better over the weekend. Random stabbing pains. Fatigue. Sore throat. Mild nausea but also abdominal discomfort. Some... unpleasantness.
My Chinese sister-in-law hosted a Chinese New Year dinner on Sunday night but I didn't go. I really was not feeling well. And with three babies (and plenty of adults!) in the family I didn't want to pass this on.
My cricket team lost the final on Saturday night. By a big margin. 😢
Today Tim was back at work and Aiden back at school, Jasmine starts tomorrow so I had the day with her. It was her actual birthday, she'd already had her party. She wanted to see the movie Passengers but we couldn't because the only session time would have meant we weren't home when Aiden got home from school. Instead we did a bit of shopping for school stuff then went to the Lindt chocolate café for a treat. I was still recovering from my stomach flu which is now more like normal flu (runny nose etc) so wasn't up to doing any more than that. We'll watch the final Twilight movie at home tonight - even though my favourite TV show is starting! (My Kitchen Rules - reality cooking show.) I'll catch up on that tomorrow.
Jasmine requested lasagne for dinner (we use zucchini instead of pasta for the girls' half, Jas is now gluten-free and I'm trying to reduce carbs), I wasn't really feeling up to cooking something that complex tonight but I managed it with only one major mistake and one dropped/smashed bowl from our new set.😢 again. It's in the oven now - I hope it turns out ok!
Tomorrow it will be just me at home, a bit of a change after six weeks of holidays! I've got the rest of the week to get some stuff organised before my course starts next Monday, like finding some publishers to send my book off to. I've done nothing with that over the summer holidays. Actually I have a long list of things to do - don't we all! But I'll be taking it easy if I still don't feel well (and watch my TV show!).
My upset tummy got worse rather than better over the weekend. Random stabbing pains. Fatigue. Sore throat. Mild nausea but also abdominal discomfort. Some... unpleasantness.
My Chinese sister-in-law hosted a Chinese New Year dinner on Sunday night but I didn't go. I really was not feeling well. And with three babies (and plenty of adults!) in the family I didn't want to pass this on.
My cricket team lost the final on Saturday night. By a big margin. 😢
Today Tim was back at work and Aiden back at school, Jasmine starts tomorrow so I had the day with her. It was her actual birthday, she'd already had her party. She wanted to see the movie Passengers but we couldn't because the only session time would have meant we weren't home when Aiden got home from school. Instead we did a bit of shopping for school stuff then went to the Lindt chocolate café for a treat. I was still recovering from my stomach flu which is now more like normal flu (runny nose etc) so wasn't up to doing any more than that. We'll watch the final Twilight movie at home tonight - even though my favourite TV show is starting! (My Kitchen Rules - reality cooking show.) I'll catch up on that tomorrow.
Jasmine requested lasagne for dinner (we use zucchini instead of pasta for the girls' half, Jas is now gluten-free and I'm trying to reduce carbs), I wasn't really feeling up to cooking something that complex tonight but I managed it with only one major mistake and one dropped/smashed bowl from our new set.😢 again. It's in the oven now - I hope it turns out ok!
Tomorrow it will be just me at home, a bit of a change after six weeks of holidays! I've got the rest of the week to get some stuff organised before my course starts next Monday, like finding some publishers to send my book off to. I've done nothing with that over the summer holidays. Actually I have a long list of things to do - don't we all! But I'll be taking it easy if I still don't feel well (and watch my TV show!).
Friday, December 16, 2016
Last day of school
Friday:
Well I've almost finished my Christmas shopping. I drove out in the rain today to the big shopping centre, then round and round for about half an hour to get a parking spot. It was worth it, I got the last things for Tim and Aiden and also a couple of pretty shirts/blouses/tops (what is the right word for a fancy T-shirt?) for myself. I don't buy clothes very often but it's my tradition to have new tops to wear Christmas and Boxing Day - with shorts, it is summer here remember. I now just need to get a couple of little gifts for peripheral people.
I had to go outside the centre to a shop a block away, I got rather wet but on the way back while waiting for the traffic lights a nice young man held his umbrella over me.
I came home hoping to be in time for today's parcel delivery, for the past three days they've arrived after 2pm (of course they couldn't all come on the same day, had to be one per day!) but today was the day they came earlier so I missed them. I still have plenty of time before Christmas to pick it up, luckily it was one that went to the post office after a failed delivery.
It was the kids' last day of school, they are now on holidays for six weeks over summer. Next year Jasmine goes into Yr 8 and Aiden into Yr 5. They are growing up very fast. Jasmine has changed a lot this year, she is doing excellently at school and she suddenly likes "cool" clothes instead of little girl pink and frilly. I suppose it was bound to happen, she is nearly 13. Aiden is still my baby, lots of cuddles.
Well I've almost finished my Christmas shopping. I drove out in the rain today to the big shopping centre, then round and round for about half an hour to get a parking spot. It was worth it, I got the last things for Tim and Aiden and also a couple of pretty shirts/blouses/tops (what is the right word for a fancy T-shirt?) for myself. I don't buy clothes very often but it's my tradition to have new tops to wear Christmas and Boxing Day - with shorts, it is summer here remember. I now just need to get a couple of little gifts for peripheral people.
I had to go outside the centre to a shop a block away, I got rather wet but on the way back while waiting for the traffic lights a nice young man held his umbrella over me.
I came home hoping to be in time for today's parcel delivery, for the past three days they've arrived after 2pm (of course they couldn't all come on the same day, had to be one per day!) but today was the day they came earlier so I missed them. I still have plenty of time before Christmas to pick it up, luckily it was one that went to the post office after a failed delivery.
It was the kids' last day of school, they are now on holidays for six weeks over summer. Next year Jasmine goes into Yr 8 and Aiden into Yr 5. They are growing up very fast. Jasmine has changed a lot this year, she is doing excellently at school and she suddenly likes "cool" clothes instead of little girl pink and frilly. I suppose it was bound to happen, she is nearly 13. Aiden is still my baby, lots of cuddles.
Monday, October 10, 2016
Carb flu
Monday:
My weight this morning was 83.8 kg, again it was higher earlier in the week but went down a bit over the weekend - seems like the wrong way round doesn't it! But I was tired and in some pain all weekend and less inclined to overeat. It was a pretty indulgent school holidays.
Back on the BSD (Blood Sugar Diet) today, which means counting calories and low carbs. I could have waited until after my operation on Friday, but surely it's better if I'm as healthy as possible for it. I'm going to give my body only healthy food this week. I should be over any "carb flu" by Friday. I already had a headache by the end of the day so hopefully I'll get the bad bit over with quickly!
The kids are back at school and I have so much to do! I got a few things done today. Not everything I wanted, but some. Shopping, editing, a few phone calls. Healthy food, lots of water. I feel like I did well.
My weight this morning was 83.8 kg, again it was higher earlier in the week but went down a bit over the weekend - seems like the wrong way round doesn't it! But I was tired and in some pain all weekend and less inclined to overeat. It was a pretty indulgent school holidays.
Back on the BSD (Blood Sugar Diet) today, which means counting calories and low carbs. I could have waited until after my operation on Friday, but surely it's better if I'm as healthy as possible for it. I'm going to give my body only healthy food this week. I should be over any "carb flu" by Friday. I already had a headache by the end of the day so hopefully I'll get the bad bit over with quickly!
The kids are back at school and I have so much to do! I got a few things done today. Not everything I wanted, but some. Shopping, editing, a few phone calls. Healthy food, lots of water. I feel like I did well.
Friday, September 23, 2016
End of term
Friday:
Today was the last day of school term for the kids (three out of four terms), we head into two weeks holiday. Tim doesn't have any time off so it will be the three of us finding things to do. If we get some nice spring weather we'll definitely head over to the beach a few times.
I completed my goal of finishing this round of editing by the end of term, scribbling on the hard copy print out which Tim had also made suggestions on, and I'm part way through typing up the changes. I can finish that with the kids home, no problem. The thinking part is done. I hesitate to say my novel is completely finished because I keep thinking of new things. This is version nine of the manuscript and there have been some pretty big changes since the first draft!
It's so nice to have Tim back home. And now it's the weekend!
Today was the last day of school term for the kids (three out of four terms), we head into two weeks holiday. Tim doesn't have any time off so it will be the three of us finding things to do. If we get some nice spring weather we'll definitely head over to the beach a few times.
I completed my goal of finishing this round of editing by the end of term, scribbling on the hard copy print out which Tim had also made suggestions on, and I'm part way through typing up the changes. I can finish that with the kids home, no problem. The thinking part is done. I hesitate to say my novel is completely finished because I keep thinking of new things. This is version nine of the manuscript and there have been some pretty big changes since the first draft!
It's so nice to have Tim back home. And now it's the weekend!
Thursday, August 4, 2016
Family resemblance
Thursday:
Aiden's school had an open day today. I didn't go to the assembly, which he wasn't involved in, or stay for the afternoon tea (it was pouring rain so I assume it was no longer a picnic on the grass, the cupcakes looked tempting which is a bad thing!) but I did go to visit Aiden's classroom. I hadn't met his teacher before (naughty me, considering we are halfway through the school year, but my children are such angels I never have anything to talk to their teachers about) and she came up to me at the door to ask who my child was then before I could answer said "Oh, Aiden, I can see the resemblance when you smile!" Which I though was lovely. She may have been helped by having only a short list of parents she hadn't met yet, but still. I like to hear there is a family resemblance.
I sat with Aiden and looked through his books, saw various artworks etc on the walls, made an origami crane, and learned to write some Chinese numbers. Then I left when they went off to the hall to watch the school band.
I made a very bad food decision this morning. I hadn't had breakfast yet, I dropped Aiden at school because of the rain then ran a couple of errands then suddenly realised I was very hungry and no wonder. And got McDonalds drive through. I don't even like McDonalds! But it was cold and wet outside and I had been up for a couple of hours without food and a bag full of fat and salt suddenly seemed irresistible. So I ate it. But I've made a rule that a bad meal, or a bad day, or even a bad week, is no reason to give up and say I'll start again on Monday/next month/when the planets align. I just keep going. I wanted fast food again at lunchtime on the way home from the school but I came home and made lunch instead. Good choices are still good even if you sometimes make bad choices.
Aiden's school had an open day today. I didn't go to the assembly, which he wasn't involved in, or stay for the afternoon tea (it was pouring rain so I assume it was no longer a picnic on the grass, the cupcakes looked tempting which is a bad thing!) but I did go to visit Aiden's classroom. I hadn't met his teacher before (naughty me, considering we are halfway through the school year, but my children are such angels I never have anything to talk to their teachers about) and she came up to me at the door to ask who my child was then before I could answer said "Oh, Aiden, I can see the resemblance when you smile!" Which I though was lovely. She may have been helped by having only a short list of parents she hadn't met yet, but still. I like to hear there is a family resemblance.
I sat with Aiden and looked through his books, saw various artworks etc on the walls, made an origami crane, and learned to write some Chinese numbers. Then I left when they went off to the hall to watch the school band.
I made a very bad food decision this morning. I hadn't had breakfast yet, I dropped Aiden at school because of the rain then ran a couple of errands then suddenly realised I was very hungry and no wonder. And got McDonalds drive through. I don't even like McDonalds! But it was cold and wet outside and I had been up for a couple of hours without food and a bag full of fat and salt suddenly seemed irresistible. So I ate it. But I've made a rule that a bad meal, or a bad day, or even a bad week, is no reason to give up and say I'll start again on Monday/next month/when the planets align. I just keep going. I wanted fast food again at lunchtime on the way home from the school but I came home and made lunch instead. Good choices are still good even if you sometimes make bad choices.
Monday, July 18, 2016
Deal with it
Monday:
Tim is back at work and Aiden at school today, Jasmine goes back tomorrow.
This morning I weighed 82.0 kg. Tiny bit up.
I've realised I just have to learn to deal with things as they are now. I have night sweats (often with bad dreams) regularly but I can generally just go back to sleep after they wake me. The herbal tablets don't always work, or I forget to take them. Wearing summer pyjamas, so I am too cold, does seem to help. It's one more thing disrupting my sleep, but I can cope (most days).
The pelvic pain, extended heavy periods, emotional roller coaster, well I'm seeing the gyno next week about the fibroids but if this is my life now well I can't keep turning to chocolate to save me. It doesn't work.
My foot: last night I decided to give up. I've spent months using every treatment available even super strong stuff I had to travel to get from a specialist chemist, the doctor has frozen it four times, nothing has worked. Several times the acid paint has made a chunk of dead skin with part of the wart peel off, but within about 24 hours it was back. It is twice the size it was three months ago. I'll just have to wait for my body to reject the virus, which typically takes a couple of years or more.
So what does that mean? It means I don't want to keep my life on hold waiting to be able to walk comfortably again. But just thinking that doesn't stop it hurting, so I'm not really sure what to do. One thing is that generally it hurts a lot more in the morning and less in the afternoon, so I can work around that. I can remind myself that I am not doing myself any damage - it's not like an injury that needs to be rested.
I put my plans into practise with a short walk in the afternoon with Jasmine. 20 minutes around the block included her trying to catch some Pokémon which slowed us down, the rest of the time she was zooming ahead barely within shouting range. I went slow. When we started I hardly hurt at all, by the time we got back I was very uncomfortable. The pain went again once I was home so it didn't set me up for hours of agony or anything. I will try to remind myself that it will only hurt in the moment then it will be over.
We also did the grocery shopping with no junk bought, only strawberries and cherries for an afternoon tea treat. Good day.
Tim is back at work and Aiden at school today, Jasmine goes back tomorrow.
This morning I weighed 82.0 kg. Tiny bit up.
I've realised I just have to learn to deal with things as they are now. I have night sweats (often with bad dreams) regularly but I can generally just go back to sleep after they wake me. The herbal tablets don't always work, or I forget to take them. Wearing summer pyjamas, so I am too cold, does seem to help. It's one more thing disrupting my sleep, but I can cope (most days).
The pelvic pain, extended heavy periods, emotional roller coaster, well I'm seeing the gyno next week about the fibroids but if this is my life now well I can't keep turning to chocolate to save me. It doesn't work.
My foot: last night I decided to give up. I've spent months using every treatment available even super strong stuff I had to travel to get from a specialist chemist, the doctor has frozen it four times, nothing has worked. Several times the acid paint has made a chunk of dead skin with part of the wart peel off, but within about 24 hours it was back. It is twice the size it was three months ago. I'll just have to wait for my body to reject the virus, which typically takes a couple of years or more.
So what does that mean? It means I don't want to keep my life on hold waiting to be able to walk comfortably again. But just thinking that doesn't stop it hurting, so I'm not really sure what to do. One thing is that generally it hurts a lot more in the morning and less in the afternoon, so I can work around that. I can remind myself that I am not doing myself any damage - it's not like an injury that needs to be rested.
I put my plans into practise with a short walk in the afternoon with Jasmine. 20 minutes around the block included her trying to catch some Pokémon which slowed us down, the rest of the time she was zooming ahead barely within shouting range. I went slow. When we started I hardly hurt at all, by the time we got back I was very uncomfortable. The pain went again once I was home so it didn't set me up for hours of agony or anything. I will try to remind myself that it will only hurt in the moment then it will be over.
We also did the grocery shopping with no junk bought, only strawberries and cherries for an afternoon tea treat. Good day.
Tuesday, April 5, 2016
Eight: better
Tuesday:
When I woke this morning I felt like I was going to be sick forever and it was hardly worth getting out of bed. But by lunchtime I was feeling almost normal. Yay!
Daylight Saving ended here on the weekend, I'm still getting used to the changes in sleep and eating patterns. But did well today.
What I ate:
B: yoghurt with passionfruit, tea.
L: taco salad, tea.
S: tomato soup, apple, cheese and crackers.
D: roast beef, potato, broccoli, cucumber.
Water: 12 cups.
Afternoon is a tricky time. I tend to get a bit hungry, and when the kids get home they are allowed to have treats from their Easter Basket/Showbag. It's hard to watch and resist. I generally leave the room. Today I had to go and eat an apple. Then a bit later both children were eating cheese and crackers and I had some. It eroded my calorie budget for dinner a bit, but turned out ok.
Jasmine got her first term interim report card from school, the equivalent of an A in everything except Geography where she got a B. Excellent report! She also had a Chinese oral test today which she did well on after practicing with her Aunty Ping. Apparently the main negative in the test was that she doesn't speak loudly or clearly enough. She is very shy and this has always been a problem when she has to speak publicly. She is very diligent with her homework. I'm glad she's settled into high school so well.
When I woke this morning I felt like I was going to be sick forever and it was hardly worth getting out of bed. But by lunchtime I was feeling almost normal. Yay!
Daylight Saving ended here on the weekend, I'm still getting used to the changes in sleep and eating patterns. But did well today.
What I ate:
B: yoghurt with passionfruit, tea.
L: taco salad, tea.
S: tomato soup, apple, cheese and crackers.
D: roast beef, potato, broccoli, cucumber.
Water: 12 cups.
Afternoon is a tricky time. I tend to get a bit hungry, and when the kids get home they are allowed to have treats from their Easter Basket/Showbag. It's hard to watch and resist. I generally leave the room. Today I had to go and eat an apple. Then a bit later both children were eating cheese and crackers and I had some. It eroded my calorie budget for dinner a bit, but turned out ok.
Jasmine got her first term interim report card from school, the equivalent of an A in everything except Geography where she got a B. Excellent report! She also had a Chinese oral test today which she did well on after practicing with her Aunty Ping. Apparently the main negative in the test was that she doesn't speak loudly or clearly enough. She is very shy and this has always been a problem when she has to speak publicly. She is very diligent with her homework. I'm glad she's settled into high school so well.
Thursday, January 28, 2016
Back at school
Thursday:
My little girl's first day of High School!
Here High School is years 7-12. She hopped on the bus all excited. The High School is on the same grounds as the Primary she went to at the end of last year, and they've had lots of visits over to the big school, so she was confident. Apparently they spent most of the first day working out their timetables and getting lectures on what is expected of them.
I walked Aiden up to his first day of Yr 4 at his school, not that he needed me either, which meant he had to ride his bike very slowly! But I wanted to be there on the first day just in case. And I got in my walk for the day.
Then it was off shopping at the big Miranda centre. I had to get a few more school things, and presents for Jasmine, replace a Christmas present I got for Ping that wasn't the right one, and also do the grocery shopping. I did over 10,000 steps and was exhausted by the end! Miranda is a bit tricky to get around because it has been enlarged several times and not all the elevators and escalators go to all floors - you have to go up in one elevator, get out and walk a while, then up again, then back to where you actually wanted to be. And the lifts are so slow! I often walk out into the carpark and up the ramp, but that is also only good for one level. It's big and sprawling and I still don't know where everything is. I got most of what I wanted but was too tired to do a proper grocery shop, I just grabbed some steaks and salad ingredients and came home. I had half an hour before the kids got home so I lay on the bed but my next door neighbour was mowing his lawn not far from my window! I drifted off to sleep anyway, somehow.
For breakfast today I had leftover roast beef, onion, mixed vegetables, and a cucumber.
Ping couldn't make lunch after all, but I needed to get something while I was out. I stayed away from the food court and went to the restaurant area. I did a lap, looking at the menus they post at the door, but couldn't really find anything suitable. You don't realise how much everything is based on carbs and fat until you are trying to minimise them! I ended up in a rather pricey Asian restaurant, chicken and cashews. Unfortunately it had no vegetables except a couple of pieces of shallot. I bit into one thing, thinking it was a bamboo shoot, but it turned out to be a huge square of ginger! Yuck. Had to spit it out. I quite like it as a flavouring, but not a mouthful. I ate about 2/3 of this plate. I have no idea how many calories this would be. To track it, I copied a frozen chicken and cashews meal, and added sugar and fat.
Reviving cup of tea and an apple at home. Still no sugar in my tea, fourth day in a row which must be something of a record.
Steak and salad for dinner. The plate is so messy because I shared a steak with Jasmine, and cut it on my plate.
I don't really know how I did for calories today with the unknown lunch, but certainly the rest of the day was on point. A lot of meat though! I've been drinking more lately but not today, didn't want to run to the bathroom every 20 minutes (and find one first!) while out shopping.
My little girl's first day of High School!
I walked Aiden up to his first day of Yr 4 at his school, not that he needed me either, which meant he had to ride his bike very slowly! But I wanted to be there on the first day just in case. And I got in my walk for the day.
Then it was off shopping at the big Miranda centre. I had to get a few more school things, and presents for Jasmine, replace a Christmas present I got for Ping that wasn't the right one, and also do the grocery shopping. I did over 10,000 steps and was exhausted by the end! Miranda is a bit tricky to get around because it has been enlarged several times and not all the elevators and escalators go to all floors - you have to go up in one elevator, get out and walk a while, then up again, then back to where you actually wanted to be. And the lifts are so slow! I often walk out into the carpark and up the ramp, but that is also only good for one level. It's big and sprawling and I still don't know where everything is. I got most of what I wanted but was too tired to do a proper grocery shop, I just grabbed some steaks and salad ingredients and came home. I had half an hour before the kids got home so I lay on the bed but my next door neighbour was mowing his lawn not far from my window! I drifted off to sleep anyway, somehow.
For breakfast today I had leftover roast beef, onion, mixed vegetables, and a cucumber.
Ping couldn't make lunch after all, but I needed to get something while I was out. I stayed away from the food court and went to the restaurant area. I did a lap, looking at the menus they post at the door, but couldn't really find anything suitable. You don't realise how much everything is based on carbs and fat until you are trying to minimise them! I ended up in a rather pricey Asian restaurant, chicken and cashews. Unfortunately it had no vegetables except a couple of pieces of shallot. I bit into one thing, thinking it was a bamboo shoot, but it turned out to be a huge square of ginger! Yuck. Had to spit it out. I quite like it as a flavouring, but not a mouthful. I ate about 2/3 of this plate. I have no idea how many calories this would be. To track it, I copied a frozen chicken and cashews meal, and added sugar and fat.
Reviving cup of tea and an apple at home. Still no sugar in my tea, fourth day in a row which must be something of a record.
Steak and salad for dinner. The plate is so messy because I shared a steak with Jasmine, and cut it on my plate.
I don't really know how I did for calories today with the unknown lunch, but certainly the rest of the day was on point. A lot of meat though! I've been drinking more lately but not today, didn't want to run to the bathroom every 20 minutes (and find one first!) while out shopping.
Wednesday, January 27, 2016
Dietbet win!
Wednesday:
My dietbet weigh-out was either today or tomorrow, I needed to be 81.1 kg. I jumped on the scales this morning - 81.2 kg - only 100 grams over! So close! So I waited around a while until, ahem, I used the bathroom, then weighed again. 81.3 kg. What the? How is it possible that I gained weight? I waited for another hour without eating or drinking and weighed again, 81.1 kg! Yay I win! Weigh-out submitted and approved. So I've lost 3.4 kg in just over 4 weeks.
The only problem with dietbet is that it's easy to think, "I won - the dieting is over!" Of course it isn't. I still have lots left to lose. I am going to join another dietbet, I love the chat and encouragement on the activity boards. Harder now that I've already lost the water weight, but I'm going to try.
By the time of my second (too heavy) attempt at a weigh in, Tim was about to leave for work so I couldn't go for a walk (I don't leave the kids alone, although they are probably old enough, and they weren't ready to go out), decided to do something later. We had quite a busy day planned getting school stuff finalised for tomorrow. I don't usually leave things last minute like this. We were out getting tap shoes and pencil cases and extra school shirts and all sorts of things. Still quite a few things we haven't got yet - like apparently Jasmine is supposed to have her own laptop or iPad! This is at a regular government school, they say they need to keep up with technology.
In the afternoon we walked up to the library, so that was my exercise done.
I had some store loyalty points to spend and I ordered a stick blender and an egg cooker, and they arrived the other day. I tried the egg cooker this morning. I made two "soft boiled" (actually they were steamed) eggs and they came out perfectly. I usually struggle to get the timing right so it was really good to have a machine to do it for me. I wasn't sure what to do with them without toast, so I just ate them by themselves, with some vegetables on the side. And a cup of tea.
Aren't they pretty!
Any suggestions on what to have with eggs when I can't have toast? I don't like smoked salmon or avocado which seem to be in a lot of breakfast recipes. The same machine will do "poached" eggs, you crack them into a little tray which sits above the water like the "boiling" method, so they are actually steamed too. Or would you call that coddled eggs? I'll try that another morning, it would be nice not to burn my fingers peeling hot eggs. Of course you can also hard boil.
Lunch was some rotisserie chicken and salad. You may have noticed I say salad when I actually mean a couple of raw vegetables cut up and served apart, not mixed up in a "salad". Same difference.
In the afternoon I had an orange and a cup of tea (maybe I'm getting used to no sugar, a bit?), then dinner was a lamb chop, zucchini, broccoli in cheese sauce, and a bit of tomato for colour. About 60 calories over today. But cheesy broccoli is so delicious! Dairy is good for me, right?
I feel like that was another good day. Very happy with the dietbet win. Tomorrow might be a bit more of a challenge, I'm probably having lunch with my sister-in-law near her work as I'm going shopping there for birthday presents for Jasmine. I'll have to make very careful choices. I can't believe Jasmine will be 12 in a few days, and in High School tomorrow!
My dietbet weigh-out was either today or tomorrow, I needed to be 81.1 kg. I jumped on the scales this morning - 81.2 kg - only 100 grams over! So close! So I waited around a while until, ahem, I used the bathroom, then weighed again. 81.3 kg. What the? How is it possible that I gained weight? I waited for another hour without eating or drinking and weighed again, 81.1 kg! Yay I win! Weigh-out submitted and approved. So I've lost 3.4 kg in just over 4 weeks.
The only problem with dietbet is that it's easy to think, "I won - the dieting is over!" Of course it isn't. I still have lots left to lose. I am going to join another dietbet, I love the chat and encouragement on the activity boards. Harder now that I've already lost the water weight, but I'm going to try.
By the time of my second (too heavy) attempt at a weigh in, Tim was about to leave for work so I couldn't go for a walk (I don't leave the kids alone, although they are probably old enough, and they weren't ready to go out), decided to do something later. We had quite a busy day planned getting school stuff finalised for tomorrow. I don't usually leave things last minute like this. We were out getting tap shoes and pencil cases and extra school shirts and all sorts of things. Still quite a few things we haven't got yet - like apparently Jasmine is supposed to have her own laptop or iPad! This is at a regular government school, they say they need to keep up with technology.
In the afternoon we walked up to the library, so that was my exercise done.
I had some store loyalty points to spend and I ordered a stick blender and an egg cooker, and they arrived the other day. I tried the egg cooker this morning. I made two "soft boiled" (actually they were steamed) eggs and they came out perfectly. I usually struggle to get the timing right so it was really good to have a machine to do it for me. I wasn't sure what to do with them without toast, so I just ate them by themselves, with some vegetables on the side. And a cup of tea.
Aren't they pretty!
Any suggestions on what to have with eggs when I can't have toast? I don't like smoked salmon or avocado which seem to be in a lot of breakfast recipes. The same machine will do "poached" eggs, you crack them into a little tray which sits above the water like the "boiling" method, so they are actually steamed too. Or would you call that coddled eggs? I'll try that another morning, it would be nice not to burn my fingers peeling hot eggs. Of course you can also hard boil.
Lunch was some rotisserie chicken and salad. You may have noticed I say salad when I actually mean a couple of raw vegetables cut up and served apart, not mixed up in a "salad". Same difference.
In the afternoon I had an orange and a cup of tea (maybe I'm getting used to no sugar, a bit?), then dinner was a lamb chop, zucchini, broccoli in cheese sauce, and a bit of tomato for colour. About 60 calories over today. But cheesy broccoli is so delicious! Dairy is good for me, right?
I feel like that was another good day. Very happy with the dietbet win. Tomorrow might be a bit more of a challenge, I'm probably having lunch with my sister-in-law near her work as I'm going shopping there for birthday presents for Jasmine. I'll have to make very careful choices. I can't believe Jasmine will be 12 in a few days, and in High School tomorrow!
Tuesday, November 17, 2015
Doughnut
Tuesday evening:
My "diet" plan is a bit different to my usual all-or-nothing technique, I don't know whether that is a good thing or not. This morning I weighed exactly the same as last Wednesday. I'm just trying to make good decisions on a moment-by-moment basis. Quite a few times, I have resisted eating something after questioning myself and deciding I didn't really want it. But sometimes I found I DID really want it! This morning I made the very bad decision of going shopping just before lunchtime after eating nothing since breakfast (generally I have a snack at morning tea time, I aim for fruit). I was planning to buy something to make for lunch at home. But when I got there my stomach was growling and I was genuinely hungry, and it would be an hour before I was home again (I had a few shops to go to). And I walked past a doughnut shop. When I say walked past....
On the up side, a large chocolate doughnut did hold off my hunger until I was home again, so I didn't fill my trolley with junk as I probably would have done if I'd grocery shopped while hungry. On the down side, it wasn't exactly the best nutritional choice. I could have walked a little further to the fruit shop. Or got a Subway sandwich or something instead of delaying lunch.
On the other up side, the doughnut was delicious and I really enjoyed it!
I went for a short walk this morning before the kids got up, about 15 minutes. Sydney was supposed to have better weather than Canberra but it's been crazy. Cold and rainy, hot and humid, steamy then storms. Today was very nice, but the temperature is set to climb to 38C (100.4F) by Friday, then drop to 22C (71.6F) on the weekend. I'm alternating between summer pyjamas and winter fleece! If I want to exercise outside for the rest of this week it will have to be first thing in the morning. My plan is to gradually explore the neighbourhood.
The other day I walked past the local Catholic school and got into a conversation with the crossing guard/lollypop lady. I told her I'd just moved here and was looking around, she seemed to take that to mean I was looking for a good school and really put the hard sell on about the Catholic school - although she looked a bit dubious when I said I wasn't Catholic. She was telling me how good it was compared to all the other schools around, and was horrified when I said we'd considered the rival Anglican school. It was quite hard to extricate myself.
My "diet" plan is a bit different to my usual all-or-nothing technique, I don't know whether that is a good thing or not. This morning I weighed exactly the same as last Wednesday. I'm just trying to make good decisions on a moment-by-moment basis. Quite a few times, I have resisted eating something after questioning myself and deciding I didn't really want it. But sometimes I found I DID really want it! This morning I made the very bad decision of going shopping just before lunchtime after eating nothing since breakfast (generally I have a snack at morning tea time, I aim for fruit). I was planning to buy something to make for lunch at home. But when I got there my stomach was growling and I was genuinely hungry, and it would be an hour before I was home again (I had a few shops to go to). And I walked past a doughnut shop. When I say walked past....
On the up side, a large chocolate doughnut did hold off my hunger until I was home again, so I didn't fill my trolley with junk as I probably would have done if I'd grocery shopped while hungry. On the down side, it wasn't exactly the best nutritional choice. I could have walked a little further to the fruit shop. Or got a Subway sandwich or something instead of delaying lunch.
On the other up side, the doughnut was delicious and I really enjoyed it!
I went for a short walk this morning before the kids got up, about 15 minutes. Sydney was supposed to have better weather than Canberra but it's been crazy. Cold and rainy, hot and humid, steamy then storms. Today was very nice, but the temperature is set to climb to 38C (100.4F) by Friday, then drop to 22C (71.6F) on the weekend. I'm alternating between summer pyjamas and winter fleece! If I want to exercise outside for the rest of this week it will have to be first thing in the morning. My plan is to gradually explore the neighbourhood.
The other day I walked past the local Catholic school and got into a conversation with the crossing guard/lollypop lady. I told her I'd just moved here and was looking around, she seemed to take that to mean I was looking for a good school and really put the hard sell on about the Catholic school - although she looked a bit dubious when I said I wasn't Catholic. She was telling me how good it was compared to all the other schools around, and was horrified when I said we'd considered the rival Anglican school. It was quite hard to extricate myself.
Wednesday, November 4, 2015
Last day
Wednesday:
Today was completely exhausting. I woke at around 2am with my arms really sore, I assume from all the lifting and carrying heavy things up to the skip bin yesterday. I did get some more sleep before dawn, but also did a lot of tossing and turning in that time. My right forearm in particular was quite painful. I got up as soon as it was light.
It was a long day of packing and packing. Every time I thought we were nearly done, we found there was some more things. I think we've got about 140 boxes now. The only break we took was to walk up to the school to our children's last school assembly here in Canberra. Jasmine was playing the trumpet in the school band and Aiden's class was hosting the assembly and he got to speak several times to introduce the next segment. So it was a great ending to their schooling here. And I got to sit down for an hour!
We are mostly done now but there will still be a bit of running around while the removalists are here in the morning. My arms feel ok right now but my legs and feet are so tired and aching. I'm going to have a hot bath before bed to try to ward off some of the pain. I don't know if I'll be able to walk tomorrow, and I need to! Packing doesn't seem like hard work, but I must have done the equivalent of several hundred squats today as I put things into boxes.
See you in Sydney.
Today was completely exhausting. I woke at around 2am with my arms really sore, I assume from all the lifting and carrying heavy things up to the skip bin yesterday. I did get some more sleep before dawn, but also did a lot of tossing and turning in that time. My right forearm in particular was quite painful. I got up as soon as it was light.
It was a long day of packing and packing. Every time I thought we were nearly done, we found there was some more things. I think we've got about 140 boxes now. The only break we took was to walk up to the school to our children's last school assembly here in Canberra. Jasmine was playing the trumpet in the school band and Aiden's class was hosting the assembly and he got to speak several times to introduce the next segment. So it was a great ending to their schooling here. And I got to sit down for an hour!
We are mostly done now but there will still be a bit of running around while the removalists are here in the morning. My arms feel ok right now but my legs and feet are so tired and aching. I'm going to have a hot bath before bed to try to ward off some of the pain. I don't know if I'll be able to walk tomorrow, and I need to! Packing doesn't seem like hard work, but I must have done the equivalent of several hundred squats today as I put things into boxes.
See you in Sydney.
Monday, October 12, 2015
Term time again
Monday:
Yesterday we went to brunch at a friend's house and that was a lovely end to the school holidays. Today the kids are back at school for the last four weeks before we move. I was busy with various stuff, but I found half an hour for a nap on my bed. Lovely.
I continue to work on increasing my CPAP hours and reducing my carbs. I've found it matters a great deal which carbs - obviously sugary junk food is bad but also any rice products (rice, rice crackers, rice noodles) are terrible for my blood glucose levels, yet a couple of slices of low-GI bread is fine, a moderate quantity of potato is fine. Even ice cream is fine (probably because all the fat slows down the absorption of the sugar). So I don't have to give up carbs entirely! I'm still testing things as I go.
I continue to watch The Biggest Loser and I found last night's episode really sad. After four weeks there is still one family of three sisters (their father was voted out in week one) who fight constantly and haven't settled into any kind of healthy mindset. They are horrible to each other. The twins will yell at each other then suddenly turn on their big sister and gang up on her. And fight with the trainer, and everyone else in the house. And wonder why no one likes them. Their relationships with each other are so dysfunctional. But the extra sad bit was that Jodie - who argues with her trainer all the time and seems to sit out of half of each session because she hates the treadmill, she hates getting dirty, she hates boxing, he doesn't understand her, no one listens - didn't lose much weight and she immediately started blaming everyone else. It was her trainer's fault (???) that she hadn't exercised as much as she should have. She stood up there on the giant scale and said that it was her sister's fault she was fat because the sister moved in with her and "made her" get fat. She is an adult, and just doesn't get it. She is so sad and lonely and angry and unhealthy and she'll never change until she realises that it's her responsibility to change. Did she think going on the show and being physically present in the Biggest Loser house would be enough? No one can magically make her be thin and happy.
It's one thing to find dieting hard, or to realise that there are some external influences on your health, it's quite another to completely deny all personal responsibility. No wonder she feels powerless.
Yesterday we went to brunch at a friend's house and that was a lovely end to the school holidays. Today the kids are back at school for the last four weeks before we move. I was busy with various stuff, but I found half an hour for a nap on my bed. Lovely.
I continue to work on increasing my CPAP hours and reducing my carbs. I've found it matters a great deal which carbs - obviously sugary junk food is bad but also any rice products (rice, rice crackers, rice noodles) are terrible for my blood glucose levels, yet a couple of slices of low-GI bread is fine, a moderate quantity of potato is fine. Even ice cream is fine (probably because all the fat slows down the absorption of the sugar). So I don't have to give up carbs entirely! I'm still testing things as I go.
I continue to watch The Biggest Loser and I found last night's episode really sad. After four weeks there is still one family of three sisters (their father was voted out in week one) who fight constantly and haven't settled into any kind of healthy mindset. They are horrible to each other. The twins will yell at each other then suddenly turn on their big sister and gang up on her. And fight with the trainer, and everyone else in the house. And wonder why no one likes them. Their relationships with each other are so dysfunctional. But the extra sad bit was that Jodie - who argues with her trainer all the time and seems to sit out of half of each session because she hates the treadmill, she hates getting dirty, she hates boxing, he doesn't understand her, no one listens - didn't lose much weight and she immediately started blaming everyone else. It was her trainer's fault (???) that she hadn't exercised as much as she should have. She stood up there on the giant scale and said that it was her sister's fault she was fat because the sister moved in with her and "made her" get fat. She is an adult, and just doesn't get it. She is so sad and lonely and angry and unhealthy and she'll never change until she realises that it's her responsibility to change. Did she think going on the show and being physically present in the Biggest Loser house would be enough? No one can magically make her be thin and happy.
It's one thing to find dieting hard, or to realise that there are some external influences on your health, it's quite another to completely deny all personal responsibility. No wonder she feels powerless.
Wednesday, July 1, 2015
Last day at 44
Wednesday:
I couldn't use my CPAP last night due to nasal congestion, but I feel much better today. Hopefully I've washed away those germs with all the water I drank yesterday.
My daughter had a little expo at school this morning, her class was showing off a recent project they did on animal biomes. Jasmine and her friend Jedda did a diorama and poster about the polar bear.
The black pellets are apparently representing polar bear poo. I didn't ask whether the polar bears were supposed to have built the snowman themselves, and if so where did they get the scarf and hat?
Tim and the kids rode their bikes up to the school and I walked. It was so cold, and very foggy. This is the school oval with the school in the background but you can't see it at all.
Tears seemed to freeze on my cheeks which was very painful, and my glasses fogged up. I could have driven there, but it is less than a kilometre away and I'm trying to get more activity in. And the kids do it every day, and Tim rides to work in every weather. I am just not used to it, safe in my warm cocoon of a home.
Back home, I spent several hours cooking. A healthy lunch, and soup, and casserole for tonight. I was really clumsy today, spilling things badly several times and also nearly tripping over myself. I'm sure it's the result of this flu or whatever messing with my inner ear. Probably not a good day to take up tightrope walking over Niagara Falls.
I did a meditation in the afternoon which of course segued into another brief nap. The program wakes me up at the end (when I count to five you will wake up -- it works); I really should turn that option off! That way I might get more than 20 minutes sleep.
With just two days of healthy eating plus drinking lots and lots of water, I have lost 1.5 kg, nearly all the extra weight I gained in the past few weeks. The problem will be keeping it off -- it's my birthday tomorrow! Tim and I are going out to lunch and I will have dessert, but I will try not to go overboard. 45 years on this earth, that is something to think about.
Report card:
Diet: Excellent.
Breakfast: High fibre oats with linseed and Nutella, only half an "instant" serve as I was in a hurry. Cup of tea an hour later after I got back from the school.
Morning snack: Cheese and crackers. Apple.
Lunch: Quinoa "fried rice" with chicken and vegetables. One piece of chocolate.
Afternoon snack: Two bowls of homemade spicy roast tomato soup. Cashews. Tea.
Dinner: Chicken and olive casserole.
Exercise: Ok. Only did the walk to the school and back.
Water: Excellent. Ten glasses.
Sleep: Ok. No CPAP.
Mental health: Ok.
I couldn't use my CPAP last night due to nasal congestion, but I feel much better today. Hopefully I've washed away those germs with all the water I drank yesterday.
My daughter had a little expo at school this morning, her class was showing off a recent project they did on animal biomes. Jasmine and her friend Jedda did a diorama and poster about the polar bear.
Tim and the kids rode their bikes up to the school and I walked. It was so cold, and very foggy. This is the school oval with the school in the background but you can't see it at all.
Tears seemed to freeze on my cheeks which was very painful, and my glasses fogged up. I could have driven there, but it is less than a kilometre away and I'm trying to get more activity in. And the kids do it every day, and Tim rides to work in every weather. I am just not used to it, safe in my warm cocoon of a home.
Back home, I spent several hours cooking. A healthy lunch, and soup, and casserole for tonight. I was really clumsy today, spilling things badly several times and also nearly tripping over myself. I'm sure it's the result of this flu or whatever messing with my inner ear. Probably not a good day to take up tightrope walking over Niagara Falls.
I did a meditation in the afternoon which of course segued into another brief nap. The program wakes me up at the end (when I count to five you will wake up -- it works); I really should turn that option off! That way I might get more than 20 minutes sleep.
With just two days of healthy eating plus drinking lots and lots of water, I have lost 1.5 kg, nearly all the extra weight I gained in the past few weeks. The problem will be keeping it off -- it's my birthday tomorrow! Tim and I are going out to lunch and I will have dessert, but I will try not to go overboard. 45 years on this earth, that is something to think about.
Report card:
Diet: Excellent.
Breakfast: High fibre oats with linseed and Nutella, only half an "instant" serve as I was in a hurry. Cup of tea an hour later after I got back from the school.
Morning snack: Cheese and crackers. Apple.
Lunch: Quinoa "fried rice" with chicken and vegetables. One piece of chocolate.
Afternoon snack: Two bowls of homemade spicy roast tomato soup. Cashews. Tea.
Dinner: Chicken and olive casserole.
Exercise: Ok. Only did the walk to the school and back.
Water: Excellent. Ten glasses.
Sleep: Ok. No CPAP.
Mental health: Ok.
Wednesday, May 13, 2015
Crit group
Wednesday:
Dad called this morning early, before I was out of bed (although Tim was up and answered the phone) which is so unusual for him. Generally he keeps "gentlemen's hours" as he calls them. You don't bother people before 11:00am! But he asked what day it was so he probably didn't know the time either. It scared me right away that he was doing something so out of character.
He was obviously weak and tired and a bit confused. He couldn't remember if it was his kidneys or his liver that were the main problem, but probably "everything". He said something about his head blowing up, meaning he couldn't think straight but I wasn't sure what he was talking about at first.
I spoke to the nurse a bit later on, she thought there was no immediate urgency to rush down before the weekend. We discussed the confusion which seemed to be a new symptom and she will mention it to his doctor. She said the reason they kept him in hospital yesterday was because of his uncontrolled blood sugar levels - he has become a diabetic in recent years. Maybe that is affecting his thinking? Anyway, overall she was quite reassuring that he was settled there and doing as well as can be expected. No new test results.
During dinner I talked to Wendy again. I think she is worried we aren't coming down earlier. It's all very stressful.
I got out for a walk in the chilly sunshine this morning. I didn't have a lot of time. My children were both receiving merit awards in today's school assembly and Jasmine was also playing in the band so I picked up Tim from work, we watched the assembly, then I drove Tim back to work. On the way home I went to the library. Near the library I heard this great conversation (I assume they were teenagers but I didn't turn around):
Her: You have to tell her how you feel.
Him: Well I did, but it's not that easy.
Her: You're not going to be great at sex straight away, it takes practice.
Him: I know, I'm still learning.
Her: Oh! I meant her, not you.
Him: The only reason I got my tongue pierced is for her, but she doesn't like it.
Her: Really? Maybe she finds it uncomfortable.
Ah, the kids of today.
I had a very late lunch, and then Jasmine's dance lesson I had a very short time for dinner, which was also interrupted by my conversation with dad's partner. Then I rushed out the door for this month's critique group. So cold outside! But the meeting went well. I was really nervous, I don't like criticising someone's book to their face! So much easier via email. But I had a few pertinent things to say and I got them out, then was able to sit back and listen to other people's input. Honestly, for a shy person like me it was easier to hear other people criticise my book than to point out flaws in someone else's!
Came home to a lovely warm house, a bit more dinner reheated, and some favourite TV the family taped for me. Luxury.
Dad called this morning early, before I was out of bed (although Tim was up and answered the phone) which is so unusual for him. Generally he keeps "gentlemen's hours" as he calls them. You don't bother people before 11:00am! But he asked what day it was so he probably didn't know the time either. It scared me right away that he was doing something so out of character.
He was obviously weak and tired and a bit confused. He couldn't remember if it was his kidneys or his liver that were the main problem, but probably "everything". He said something about his head blowing up, meaning he couldn't think straight but I wasn't sure what he was talking about at first.
I spoke to the nurse a bit later on, she thought there was no immediate urgency to rush down before the weekend. We discussed the confusion which seemed to be a new symptom and she will mention it to his doctor. She said the reason they kept him in hospital yesterday was because of his uncontrolled blood sugar levels - he has become a diabetic in recent years. Maybe that is affecting his thinking? Anyway, overall she was quite reassuring that he was settled there and doing as well as can be expected. No new test results.
During dinner I talked to Wendy again. I think she is worried we aren't coming down earlier. It's all very stressful.
I got out for a walk in the chilly sunshine this morning. I didn't have a lot of time. My children were both receiving merit awards in today's school assembly and Jasmine was also playing in the band so I picked up Tim from work, we watched the assembly, then I drove Tim back to work. On the way home I went to the library. Near the library I heard this great conversation (I assume they were teenagers but I didn't turn around):
Her: You have to tell her how you feel.
Him: Well I did, but it's not that easy.
Her: You're not going to be great at sex straight away, it takes practice.
Him: I know, I'm still learning.
Her: Oh! I meant her, not you.
Him: The only reason I got my tongue pierced is for her, but she doesn't like it.
Her: Really? Maybe she finds it uncomfortable.
Ah, the kids of today.
I had a very late lunch, and then Jasmine's dance lesson I had a very short time for dinner, which was also interrupted by my conversation with dad's partner. Then I rushed out the door for this month's critique group. So cold outside! But the meeting went well. I was really nervous, I don't like criticising someone's book to their face! So much easier via email. But I had a few pertinent things to say and I got them out, then was able to sit back and listen to other people's input. Honestly, for a shy person like me it was easier to hear other people criticise my book than to point out flaws in someone else's!
Came home to a lovely warm house, a bit more dinner reheated, and some favourite TV the family taped for me. Luxury.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)