Wednesday 14 July 2021
Like, sure that will work!
Saturday 5 June 2021
Enjoying some morning sunshine
Thursday 6 May 2021
Just keeping my head above water
No doubt this was caused by Chris's diagnosis of heart failure, my daughter's impending leukaemia specialist test results, my grandson going to prison and the pain this has caused to us as a family.
I am feeling extremely unwell and was hesitant to take the Prednisolone my doctor ordered, but after a phone consult with him today, we discussed the risks v advantages and decided the risk was worth it.
Although I am feeling exhausted, the Prednisolone has given me a high that precludes going to bed for a nana nap. I have just sat up in the loungeroom watching and feeding the birds.
I have a sink full of dishes to do but no energy to do them. The only reason I am blogging now is that I am sitting and it takes very little of my limited spoons.
Recently, adapting to our new normal, our dryer was placed on top of our front loader washer and this has helped me so much with not having to stoop too much with my sore back and hips.
If I was well, I would have hung the washing out to dry as the last few days have been lovely warm autumn days here in Australia. But I have to use the dryer as I can no longer peg the clothes out or stretch my arms above my head.
When I finish talking with you, I am going back to my couch aka "the beach". I will be doing steak, chips, eggs tomatoes and baked beans for dinner.
Spiritually I am doing fine, it's just the physical that pulls me down- and I am exhausted just keeping my head above water!
Thursday 22 April 2021
Our home is so nurturing
Today I must do a load of washingGo to the chemistCook a stew for dinner tonight.
Wednesday 24 March 2021
Our back garden's like an airport
So today as I was resting on the couch with a fibromyalgia flare, I saw that a whole lot of birds had come to dine on the new round of birdseed and strips of steak leftover from dinner last night.
We had galahs, parrots, minor birds, pigeons and even a duck. They were flying in and taking off so much that our back yard looked like an airport.
Chris took a video but because he couldn't get too close to the back door without frightening them, the video isn't as clear as we would have liked. However, you get the idea.
With it being a cold rainy day today, it was the perfect day for a lie on the couch and as always, the picture window/door provided a wonderful view of the birdlife.
It's pretty cosy here though with the fire going and dinner bubbling in the slow cooker. Once again I am grateful for this house which nurtures us so much, especially during times of lockdown or recovery from fibro flares.
The view from our couch always changes like a screensaver, even if it's just a couple of butterflies flying past, a duck waddling in the yard or our back garden looking like an airport.
Wednesday 30 December 2020
Flying with the birds
We came home on Boxing Day from spending Christmas Eve and Day with Chris's daughter. Xena was especially glad to see us- almost as glad as she was seeing the birds coming into the back garden to feast on the remains of the nibblies platter I ordered. (I took a photo for you!) See the kooka on the door mat that the wind blew over?
We had a lovely Christmas with family and it was very relaxing. So much so, that my fibromyalgia flare is lessening. I actually woke feeling refreshed and my muscles weren't feeling like they were tearing like they usually do.
It's been so long since I have had a respite from fibromyalgia flares that it felt strange. Good, but strange. Isn't it sad that one lives on the edge of agony so much that when the pain even abates just a little, you find the sensation agreeable but foreign? Such is fibromyalgia!
I received some nice presents for Christmas, but my favourite gift by far is some spoons or energy! I feel like I have won the lottery! Now if my broken tail bone would hurry up and heal, I would be rapt!
You know too how I said we have a lot of kookaburras around? Well, yesterday I was washing some dishes and I saw a kookaburra on the fence in front of me. I grabbed some offcuts of beef that were on the chopping board from the stew I was preparing and quietly opened the back door. I pitched the meat towards it and it came down to eat it, but its mother, who was quicker flew down and carried it off, much to her baby's consternation.
She flew off with the beef dangling from her beak and her baby followed squawking in protest. I am sure she would have been a good mother and shared it with him. It made my day. I have found God often treats me with little scenes that delight me like that. I call them Love Glances. Just between Him and I...but I digress..
Having a few spoons has brightened my spirits. I have washed clothes, done dishes, made our bed, cooked lunch and prepared dinner.
I must hold back and pace myself though or I will crash and burn and be of no use tomorrow. It's a trap that I have fallen into before. But meanwhile, I will pace and plan cautiously even though I feel like flying with the birds!
Sunday 13 December 2020
While the lights were off
Thursday 10 December 2020
A welcome break
Monday 30 November 2020
A restful reward
Wednesday 18 November 2020
Smelling the roses!
The last few weeks have been full of drama and it has seen my body collapsing with the mother of all fibromyalgia flares and a (non Covid) viral infection. Most things have been resolved and I have my peace back again.
I have taken back control of my house in which I had fallen down during my illness, and I have had help from a cleaner from my aged care package.
A lot of our Corona limits have been lifted and I have been able to see my family. That has helped. More things will be lifted next Sunday and it looks hopeful that we will be able to see family at Christmas.
Chris is recovering well from his surgery and no longer needs special dressing of his wound. In fact, a bandaid suffices now. I am so cheered that he is well. I hate it when he is unwell.
The days are getting hotter with tomorrow set to be 33deg C but I am not concerned since we aren't going outside and we have air conditioners now.
We saw the doctor today for routine blood results and my blood pressure check as it was high last week. With giving my situation to the LORD and regaining my peace, it was 134/80 and the doctor was very pleased.
We have found a couple of Christian networks to watch wholesome movies and they have been very uplifting. One is New Faith Network for which I pay about $8AUD a month and the other is free for 14 days then $8AUD a month- ACCTV.net from Australia.
Chris and I sit of an evening and watch TV together and it all helps to bring stress levels down as well as blood pressure.
We are enjoying our back garden with a return of the prolific bird life that is so colourful. They have returned from their migration north to beat the winter and they are a joy to watch as they come down for the seed and food we leave for them.
Life can be so difficult, but can also be so wonderful: a great deal of the wonder of it all is to take time in smelling the roses!
Sunday 26 July 2020
Nothing like a nana nap!
Nana nap
One who is not a grandparent but is prone to taking naps during the afternoon for 1-2 hours. Urban dictionary..."I had a nana nap this afternoon and now I am ready to party again!!"
I do find when having a nana nap, that if I oversleep I can wake up feeling sore all over and brain fogged, so I try to limit it to no more than an hour. More than that and I feel like I am starting the whole morning stiffness and pain cycle all over again.
I used to take a nana nap during my lunch break when I was working in an office. I just went to my car and laid down in the back seat for a while. Siri would wake me on my phone in time to collect my thoughts and freshen up before going back to work. If it was too hot, I tried to nap in the ladies room where they had armchairs and couches.
It isn't necessary to actually go to bed to take a nana nap; I find my couch aka "the Beach" works for me, or any comfy chair will do. Provided that I don't oversleep, a nana nap often kicks me on to cook tea these days.
Today I have just made our bed and cooked dinner. Chris and I just got ourselves something quick to eat for lunch. I just took advantage of our beautiful view from the couch and watched the clouds and the birds. I dozed a bit and felt well enough to cook tonight and to actually wash the evening dishes.
Often I run out of spoons for cleaning my kitchen, but my dozing paid off and so I reiterate that there truly is nothing like a nana nap!
Monday 13 July 2020
Beauty is all around us
Wednesday 1 July 2020
My heart is here
Thursday 11 June 2020
From the comfort of my couch
When I woke from my resultant slumber, Chris had closed the door as it was getting cold again. My muscles felt more relaxed and I had a few spoons to cook some fish and mashed potato with peas for dinner. I even did an apple pie sweetened with Hermasetas and cinnamon.
I was so comforted by just getting to rest and sleep and I intend to go to the "beach" again tomorrow- all from the comfort of my couch!
Wednesday 29 April 2020
Flat out like a lizard drinking
On my to list today is to do the tea dishes- (yes I left them last night) and to do some rissoles with mashed potato and veggies for tea.
Apart from that you will find me on the couch taking in the sunshine, flat out like a lizard drinking!
Saturday 25 April 2020
Surprise!
Sweep my kitchen floor.Cook chicken chow mein for dinner. I will use the slow cooker for this.Nap as often as I can
Wednesday 8 April 2020
Horace wants more!
Change our sheetsMake the scones that Chris lovesCook sausages, eggs, baked beans and mashed potatoes for dinner
Friday 3 April 2020
Entertaining the young'uns
Making some mini quiches to freeze- Making cookie dough also to freeze
Saturday 28 March 2020
You have to do your bit
Spot vacuum- Quick mop the vinyl areas
Cook a lasagna with salad for dinner
Friday 28 February 2020
Be fruitful and multiply!
Cook a chow mein for dinnerClean the kitchenSort our pills for the chemist run tomorrow