Memory Journal

 So I decided to start a memory journal this year inspired by the amazing Heidi Swapp.  She is so talented, I just love her style.  I'm loving it and I've almost made it to half way through the year which is an accomplishment for me.  I've been loving looking back through my year.  My book is getting a bit fat though so I might have to re-bind it somehow.

After only paper crafting in dribs and drabs for the last few years it's really nice to have a little, non-overwhelming project to keep me inspired.

And I've done a couple of pages too...

Using my down time

Every four weeks I have three RDO's in a row.  It's really nice to have that extra break.  On Friday night I started to get a sore throat, Saturday morning I woke up feeling crappy, coughing etc but went to work anyway .  We only have three staff and one was already on holidays so it would have been tough going leaving one by themselves on a Saturday.  I got worse, as you tend to do when you get the flue and by Tuesday I knew I shouldn't go to work Wednesday especially with the whole COVID 19 thing.  I had a phone consultation with my doctor and he gave me three days off so I've been off for six whole days!!  I've felt crappy the whole time but still made use of my time napping and scrapping lol.  Definitely been taking it easy.  I've had no energy.  I'm starting to feel better but am sick of coughing I'll tell you now.  Anyway back to work tomorrow.
Here's what I've done

Our week...

Our beautiful fur baby Coco is getting a bit of age to her.  She's got arthritis and she had surgery a couple of years ago for bulging discs in her spine and she's just not the most agile of dogs so I bought her a pram.  It's so cute although I do feel a little bit eccentric when we use it lol.  I took her and Peppa to the vets in it the other day and walking across the busy intersection I could feel the eyes on me.  She loves it though and it's good because now we can all go for family walks and when Coco gets to tired/sore to walk she can sit up in the pram.  Peppa loves it too.

I dropped some painted rocks the other day on the way to the vets including one on the edge of the vets driveway.  While I was sitting outside waiting for them to bring Coco back out a father and his daughter walked past on the way home from school.  The little girls spotted the rock and picked it up but her father told her to leave it there.

I've also been scrapbooking lately.  It had been ages since I had done anything because my desk was hidden behind a mountain of junk!  We had a big clear out while we were on holidays the other week and sold a heap of stuff so now my desk is all clear.  There's still a few things that need to find new homes so I can get to the filing drawer where all my rub-ons and things are but there is access to enough stuff to have a good play.  It feels good to be back to doing something crafty.

I've also been doing a lot more cooking lately.  Before the whole COVID 19 thing we used to get takeaway at least three nights a week with life being so busy.  I don't know how I'm going to cope with going back to that!  Anyway with no basketball or gym etc. there is plenty of time to cook at home.  I made lemonade scones...

Swedish Meatballs...

 And last night we had slow cooked bbq porterhouse roast.  It's really tasty and easy.  You just coat the roast in McCormicks Grill Mates Smokin Texas BBQ rub and stick it in the slow cooker for 8 or so hours on low.  Drain off the juices and reduce over a low heat while you make you side dish.
I also donated plasma this week.  They have a new machine which is pretty cool but the flow back is strong.  I ended up with a whopper of a bruise that is still fading.  I think it was just because of the fast flow.  They turned it down after the first return.  If you have ever thought of donating now would be a great time to start because of COVID 19 there are alot of people who are unable to donate at the moment.  Blood donation doesn't even take very long to do, plasma takes a bit longer but just think of it as doing a random act of kindness for a stranger. It's just a little stick and then it doesn't hurt.  They have some great snacks for after donation too ;)  Here's a link if you want more info.

We also had this happen this week...

Our neighbor from across the road came over to see Owen the other afternoon to let him know he had seen a cat taking her kittens over our fence during the day.  We found her hiding in behind some tools and things near our shed.  Owen named her Heidi lol.  The kittens were adorable as all kittens are.  Very very new, eyes not even open.  I contacted Capricorn Animal Aid who suggested we try to befriend the Mumma cat and catch her if possible so I put out food for a couple of days but on Sunday she moved them to the storm drain down the end of our street.  I had been hanging washing on the line all day and must have spooked her.  Poor little babies.  It was cold for a couple of nights there.  Apparently she's moved them a couple of times already so Owen has set up a nice warm out of the way spot in case she decides to come back and we'll leave out food for a few days.
I'm sick at the moment, sore throat, cough, runny nose etc.  I called to make an appointment for the doctor today as I think I'll need a few days off work and because I have flue like symptoms I have to do a phone consultation not go to the doctors surgery!?  I understand that they are wanting to protect everyone but with no cases of COVID 19 in Central Queensland it seems like a bit of overkill.  Anyway it will be interesting to see how an over the phone consult goes.  Once a month I have three days off in a row which is now and I've been sick the whole time :(

Social Distancing :(

So COVID 19 or Coronavirus...what a bitch!!  Just in case someone in the future comes across this post and is at all interested in what Covid 19 is, it is a disease which causes respiratory illness (like the flu) with symptoms such as a cough, fever, and in more severe cases, difficulty breathing..  "Apparently" it started in a wet market in Wuhan in China.  There are so many dodgy and scary theories around about whether or not it did organically originate there that it doesn't even bode thinking about.  A wet market sounds like a hideous place to start with anyway.  Google Wuhan wet market but I warn you it is not very nice.

So currently in Australia we are practicing social distancing.   The current restrictions are:

• Indoor and outdoor meetings have been limited to a maximum of 2 people with a few exceptions such as a family going out to walk the dog together  
• Only 10 people are allowed at a funeral
• Only 5 people at a wedding which includes the bride and groom!  Crazy!
• People are urged to stay home unless they need essentials such as food and medications, medical needs, compassionate care duties
• You can exercise outdoors but not in a group and you have to keep a safe distance from others, deemed to be 1.5 metres
• You are working or studying which is unable to be done at home.
• If you are over 70, are over 60 with health issues or Indigenous aged over 50 it if highly recommended that you stay home.

This is why...

Scary numbers hey

Where we end up as a world civilization at the end of all this is anyone's guess.  Economically it's a nightmare!  There are shops closing left right and center.  There is no in restaurant dining allowed, take away's only.  Most of the clothing shops have closed for at least a month.  Those that are able are working from home.  I work in retail and we are still currently open.  Even with all these restrictions we still have people who when approached say they are "just looking".  It's crazy!!  And so many of them are in the high risk age groups.  There is massive uncertainty around every aspect of life at the moment.

It feels like the bizarre start of some movie that is just taking a really long time to get to the plot twist.

Sunday night was probably our last Grandparent dinner for who knows how long.  Every Sunday we have my Mum and Grandad and Owen's Dad over for a family dinner.  We've been doing it for years.  Owen's Dad hasn't been well lately so has missed a few dinners and his nursing home is now on lock down so he isn't able to leave there anyway.  I felt very sad at the end of the night and shed a few tears at bedtime thinking of not having that interaction every week, particularly with Grandad as he is 96.  He is feeling a bit down as his lawn bowls have been called off.  He really misses it when he isn't able to attend.  I just would hate for us to pass anything along to any of them considering Owen and I both work in retail and are both still working and interacting with various people who we have no idea about their travel backgrounds.  It's shit.

All gyms are closed which is sort of ironic as I had only started going about a month ago after Owen wanting me to join for ever!  We had been going Monday, Wednesday and Friday nights and it was a nice family outing believe it or not.  I was enjoying it and feeling good from it.  Since we've stopped going my dodgy knee that I whacked on my desk at work months ago keeps getting all seized up.

Owen and I are both due to start holidays this coming Saturday.  We were meant to be going away to Jack's Under 16 Basketball State Championships but of course that was called off weeks ago as has all sport at the moment.  I do really miss basketball.  I feel so sorry for the team.  They have worked so hard all season and were achieving great results.  It had been postponed until June but today there was an email to arrange refunds of fees so I am pretty sure this season will be a wash out but we'll keep our fingers crossed.  It's interesting to watch the team.  The boys play for different clubs so during club games there is often a bit of animosity between the different players when they are against each other but they come together so well when they play in the same team.  I even miss watching them train.

Since we won't be going away we'll be doing a bit of a tidy up and some painting and stuff.  I had already painted the bathroom and toilet...

The trims in the rest of the house look disgusting now in comparison.  I am planning on painting the entire house inside and we have some outside painting to do too although I am only off for a weeks so might focus more on sorting cupboards etc. rather than starting a massive paint job.  Owen is off for 2 weeks so we'll see what he can accomplish.

School finished a week early, well sort of.  Since we are both still working we would have been able to still send Jack to school.  Apparently selling stuff makes you an essential service...who knew?  We have kept him home though for both safety and because it would be pretty crappy at school at the moment with all your mates being at home.  So he is home schooling this week since it is technically still a school week.  We're being pretty lenient about the quantity though.  This whole thing is so stressful as it is without having to argue with a disgruntled teenager who just wants to play Playstation with his mates.  There was an email from school yesterday however to say they will update in the coming days regarding preparation for home schooling next term so that will be a big upheaval for the students, particularly the seniors.  The thought of home schooling for months is pretty daunting.  My Year 10 Math skills suck!!

So normally on my day off I would hit the Op Shops but since I'm a responsible citizen I am staying home.  I've been out in the garden this morning.  I planted out some rocket in our veggie patch and then grabbed my camera to snap some photos of all the insects around the place.  There are so many butterflies around at the moment but they are pretty hard to get a good photo of.

And my garden companion Peppa

Stay safe everyone 💗

Just what every kid asks for for Christmas...

The first thing on Jack's Christmas wish list was a DNA test.  Not that kind of test.  He knows we're his parents but a hereditary DNA test.  I'm really interested to see what it comes back with.  It felt a bit wierd to be swabbing inside my child's cheek.

Now we have to post the results off to the USA and await the results.

Long time no type...

I'm back!!

Very very long time, no post lol.  I haven't blogged in years but I thought what the hey.  I used to love looking back over the years so here goes...

Happy New Year!!!  So last night Jack and I headed down to the beach house.

Owen stayed home since he had to work today which sucks but Jack and I went down and spent New Year's ever with my Granddad, Aunt Fay, cousin Julie and her family.  Some of us made it to midnight.

Jack and I had a big sleep in until 10 which was a real surprise since we were away from home and we both normally sleep in soft beds and air conditioning.  The beach house has fans and hard beds.  It's an interesting mix of hand me downs and odds and bods down there but it's much more about location and the people.  I mean it would be great if the beach house was all pretty and Hampton's style decorated but it's just not.  I've tried and I have a whole Pinterest board of ideas but time and money are a bit of a hindrance.

So today we had our annual New Year's Day lunch.  The weather has been amazing lately.  Top temperature of very early 30's.  The breeze out on the veranda today was super pleasant.  We had a smaller group than normal for lunch, just 10 kids and 12 adults.  It was just lovely.

In the afternoon we headed down to the beach for the kids to have a swim.  The water temperature was lovely and the waves were a great size for the kids to boogie board.  It's so funny watching all the adults doing head counts over and over watching the kids in the water.  My Jack is such a great kid.  I could see him watching his cousin Emmy who was heading too far out so he called her back in to stay with the group.  He can be such a responsible and switched on kid.  Hopefully I got some great photos today with my new camera but I left it down at the beach house, doh!  I did get a couple of snaps on my photo though.

Cooee Bay is such a beautiful beach.  Being at the beach is incredibly grounding and peaceful.  It feels so nice to walk along the water's edge with the waves lapping you feet, the sand between you toes, the fresh breeze and the warm sun on your skin.  If I wasn't so attached to my home I would seriously love to live at the beach.

I love Jack spending time with his second cousins.  I think as an only child he likes to feel part of that family group although I could see a bit of seperation due to his age today.  I know he's looking forward to the arrival of his other second cousins this weekend.

So New Year's resolutions...I'm in two minds about.  I find them hard to stick to.  You know I always want the same things, a happier, healthier more prioritised life but it seems so hard to do.  I'm ever hopeful though.  I made bad food choices today (double pavlova servings at lunch, whoops) but am keen to get back into Keto from tomorrow.  I've had great results already losing over 25kg so I'm hoping to make goal by the end of this year.  It's completely do-able.  I'm definitely trying to stay in a better mind set this year.  When I see all the tragic sad things that happen to people particularly on a global scale I tell myself how very lucky I am to be in the situation or country or life in general that I'm in.  Sometimes that's hard to hold on to but I'm going to try really hard.  I just want to love my boys and spend more time with them.  I want to enjoy more time doing more 'things'.  I want to craft.  I want to enjoy earth more,-more sun, more nature, more water.  I just want to feel more peaceful, maybe I'll take up yoga:)

Ciao