Darn Doggy Bag...

My Mum has dementia. She lives in the twilight with a perplexed look on her face, like she has forgotten something but is not quite sure what. (Maybe it starts when you walk in a room and forget what you are looking for. I do that. Oh oh)

She is not transitioning easily into this world. No no no. She is feisty.

Darn feisty at times.

It has seen her in good stead during her life though, this feistiness, she was told she had breast cancer and to go home and "get her affairs in order". Hmmm, that was, let me see, about 20 YEARS AGO! She has outlived the surgeon.

But, is a bit of a p-a-I-n now, at times

My Dad is ever so patient. He is the epitome of patience.

Most of the time...

My Mum is very fond of doggy bags (taking home the food from a restaurant that you don't quite finish for those unfamiliar)

My Dad is very UN-fond on them

Sound like a bit of a dilemma? Yep.

My Mum likes to order a meal when out but rarely finishes it and then tries to cajole everyone into eating it. She gets quite stroppy that no one will and usually tells us we will one day be hungry and wish we had eaten the food when we had the chance. Sigh... Every outing is the same.

When the waiter comes they usually offer my Mum a doggy bag oblivious to the frown coming from my Dad. His fridge is usually full of doggy bags that don't get eaten but are not allowed to be thrown out.

So on this day I went to lunch with them, declined the kind offers of food from the other side of the table and imagined the day when I wish I would have eaten it. When it was time to go I put my napkin over Mum's container of leftovers. I whispered to Dad what I had done and he gave a little cheer! Mum did turn back and look at the table for such a long time but we both breathed a sigh of relief when she turned back, without the doggy bag.

So off to the car we went, chatting all the way, deciding what we would do next... Seat belts on, car started.

When...

In the distance we could see a waiter, running towards us, with the forgotten doggy bag! Oh how my Dad and I laughed as my Mum profusely thanked the waiter.

We didn't thank him though

Must come up with a better plan for next time......





Ciao for now...

just Martha xxxx

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Weekend...

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 I l-o-v-e the weekend. I love a bit of a sleep in. I even love doing the washing, tidying etc.

I had my meeting at work. I was a star. Baffled them with logic. It's not over yet as some people like to go down fighting. But. Hey. There would be no challenge if they did. So it continues but if this was a rope contest, the middle would be closer to my side. My adversary is trying to be personal. Not me. I am sticking to the rules and so far smell like a flower. The saga continues....

I am at week 4 of my 6 Week Blitz. I know, I am addicted. After the session today a few of us meet for breakfast. I look forward to that a-l-l week. Bacon, poached eggs and wholemeal toast. Yum!! I ran 2.4km in 12.55mins. Good time for me.

The Silver Fox has a new project at work. Some.......... 2 minutes from home. For the next year at least. Yay! How darn exciting!! Life has been very good to us. I think it is a reward for going away last year and not whinging. Thank you very much I say.

Now it is nearly 2 years since I began blogging. Gosh that time went quickly. What shall we do to celebrate? Maybe a giveaway? What do you think?

What are you doing this weekend?





 Ciao for now...



 

WD 40 Excitement...

The Silver Fox's Aunty sent this to me and I found the handy tips v-e-r-y exciting. I know it is a bit unusual but I dare you to read this and NOT be excited to try some of them out!!!

 WD-40 uses:

1. Protects silver from tarnishing.

2. Removes road tar and grime from cars.

3. Cleans and lubricates guitar strings.

4. Gives floors that 'just-waxed' sheen without making them slippery.

5.. Keeps flies off cows.

6. Restores and cleans chalkboards.

7. Removes lipstick stains.

8. Loosens stubborn zippers.

9. Untangles jewelry chains.

10. Removes stains from stainless steel sinks.

11. Removes dirt and grime from the barbecue grill.

12. Keeps ceramic/terra cotta garden pots from oxidizing.

13. Removes tomato stains from clothing.

14. Keeps glass shower doors free of water spots.

15. Camouflages scratches in ceramic and marble floors.

16. Keeps scissors working smoothly..

17. Lubricates noisy door hinges on vehicles and doors in homes.

18. It removes black scuff marks from the kitchen floor! Use WD-40 for those nasty tar and scuff marks on flooring. It doesn't seem to harm the finish and you won't have to scrub nearly as hard to get them off. Just remember to open some windows if you have a lot of marks.

19. Bug guts will eat away the finish on your car if not removed quickly! Use WD-40!

20. Gives a children's playground gym slide a shine for a super-fast slide.

21. Lubricates gear shift and mower deck lever for ease of handling on riding mowers...

22.. Rids kids rocking chairs and swings of squeaky noises.

23. Lubricates tracks in sticking home windows and makes them easier to open..

24. Spraying an umbrella stem makes it easier to open and close.

25. Restores and cleans padded leather dashboards in vehicles, as well as vinyl bumpers.

26. Restores and cleans roof racks on vehicles.

27. Lubricates and stops squeaks in electric fans

28. Lubricates wheel sprockets on tricycles, wagons, and bicycles for easy handling.

29. Lubricates fan belts on washers and dryers and keeps them running smoothly.

30. Keeps rust from forming on saws and saw blades, and other tools.

31. Removes splattered grease on stove.

32. Keeps bathroom mirror from fogging.

33. Lubricates prosthetic limbs.

34. Keeps pigeons off the balcony (they hate the smell).

35. Removes all traces of duct tape.

36. Folks even spray it on their arms, hands, and knees to relieve arthritis pain.

37. Florida's favourite use is: 'cleans and removes love bugs from grills and bumpers.'

38. The favourite use in the state of New York , WD-40 protects the Statue of Liberty from the elements.

39. WD-40 attracts fish. Spray a little on live bait or lures and you will be catching the big one in no time. Also, it's a lot cheaper than the chemical attractants that are made for just that purpose. Keep in mind though, using some chemical laced baits or lures for fishing are not allowed in some states.

40. Use it for fire ant bites.. It takes the sting away immediately and stops the itch.

41. WD-40 is great for removing crayon from walls. Spray on the mark and wipe with a clean rag.

42. Also, if you've discovered that your teenage daughter has washed and dried a tube of lipstick with a load of laundry, saturate the lipstick spots with WD-40 and rewash. Presto! The lipstick is gone!

43. If you sprayed WD-40 on the distributor cap, it would displace the moisture and allow the car to start.

P.S. The basic ingredient is  FISH OIL. 



 Ciao for now...






 

Hello Sunshine...

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Ahhh, the sun is shining here today. So heavenly after all the rain, wind, cold....

Welcome dear sunshine

I have been up pounding it out at the beach, carrying sand bags from here to there and back again. Doing a team challenge, building sandcastles, rolling in the sand. As you do... Then i went to breakfast with some of my team mates. I do that every Saturday. My reward after a busy week: chilling in the sunshine with a nice bircher museli and a skinny latte. Ahhh!

My boys were supposed to do a deep-sea fishing trip with my Dad and brother but the Silver Fox has been doing nights and isn't up to functioning as a..... human really. So, it is put off for now.

So, easy weekend for us. Miss T is going to a movie/sleepover and then tomorrow we are going to Dreamworld as the Silver Fox's work has organised a family day. Very nice.

A bright sunny day makes me excited. Do you get like that? I feel quite happy.

On the work front, I have scheduled a meeting on Tuesday with the top top boss and my 2 managers. And me. I have already written down my argument. I am determined to dazzle them with logic and break tradition. I will be calmly assertive.  They won't know what hit them. Wish me luck.



Ciao for now...



 

Ask For What You Want...

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I'm pretty bust these days at work, home and play.  My usual routine is a little off centre but I am okay with that. I am not dwelling but am trying to be more organised.

Work is taking up a lot of time and my dreams of working less seem to be getting farther and farther away. My superior has resigned and her getting a replacement seems to be a wish at present. Workload still the same though, if not more.

So

 I am squaring my shoulders and planting my feet firmly.

Bracing myself to do battle.

Getting ready to ask for what I want. Being brave enough to state my case.

I will never know if I don't try will I?

But

I am preparing to break tradition. And we all know how tricky that will be...

Wish me luck. Send me kind thoughts of patience, logic and calmness

All that is in my mind is Master T pretending to be the Hulk and saying in a loud voice... "Hulk, smash". Not a good idea me thinks

Deep breath and go for it. I am waking in the night with my brain ticking over as I watch the clock. A sure sign work is creating disharmony in my very being

But

I am determined to ask for what I want. I'll never know if I don't try will I?



On a less cryptic note, Master T has got into his high school so phew.... His sister goes there but hey, take nothing for granted I say. The Silver Fox has had......... the man flu but has been ever so stoic with it. I am back doing a "6 Week Blitz" at the gym and can n-e-a-r-l-y sit on the toilet without grimacing at my uncooperative muscles..Miss T has turned into a soccer machine playing for the local and school team, training 5 days per week. Go her. Life is good really




 Ciao for now...



 

Love Is In The Air...

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Master T has a twinkle in his eye. So do a lot of his class according to his teacher.

 Love...

"How was your day" I say when he comes home from school

"Good. I think some girls like me. They think I am funny and laugh at my jokes". Apparently he has a choice of 3 or 4.

Hmmmm.

Master T is a bit of a cutie. And, having an older sister, he quite easily chats to girls. No awkwardness, the conversation flows. Miss T has very nice friends and they include him in when hanging out. Sometimes much to Miss T's disgust.

Master T has had girlfriends. More than I know apparently. He can be a little...how shall we say?, ruthless at times. In my eyes. Maybe I am out of touch but it seems "you're dropped" can't be easy no matter what age you are. So, we had a talk. About why he wanted a girlfriend. Again. You see I banned him last year after an ongoing off/on/off/on.... Situation. His girlfriend at the time would ring every evening. He was quite incensed that she wanted to talk to him. He told her it was "plain creepy". So, I banned him. I'm not sure if I was 11 I could cope with being told I was creepy.

"Why do you want a girlfriend? Why can't you just have friends you go to the movies with?"

"Because I like girls and you can't stop me"

"Oh yes, I think I can. What do you think it means to have a girlfriend?"

"It means you can kiss and hold hands and stuff"

"What does 'stuff' mean?" (well, you need to ask these things. The conversations I have with his sister makes me suspicious of potential things grouped together under one word)

"Well, you know, talk and laugh" phew!

"How are you going to afford to take a girlfriend to the movies?"

"Oh I won't be paying for her, she will pay for herself" oh really, chivalry IS dead apparently.

"When you went out with this girl before, you were pretty mean to her. What makes you think that won't happen again and that it is no way to treat girls, telling their friends to tell her she is dropped"

"Oh Mum, that won't happen. I was young then. And silly. We were young and silly"

"That was only last year"

 So, apparently he did ask her out and she said yes and he is very happy. When are they going out? No plans as yet but they are a couple apparently.

Perhaps it is all I can cope with at this stage: a girlfriend you don't talk to, pay for or go out with.

Hmmm, sounds definitely like love...




Ciao for now...

 

just An Update...

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We have been a very busy household of late. I feel like this little owl. Very wide-eyed and a little dreamy. We are finally illness free after 3 weeks or so. I ended up taking Master T to the hospital when I couldn't get a GP appointment within 7 days. He thought he might have whooping cough 'starts with a runny nose Mum'. I was beginning to think it was pneumonia with night sweats and a cough that seems to consume your very being. He was declared on the post- viral slope to wellness. Hooray!

The sausage sizzle went fantastically! A-n-d I had a great time. Even when I bought 50 loaves of bread from the supermarket and my trolly was FULL. I received some very strange look though. So some 55kg sausages later.... job done.

So, I am feeling full of energy and vitality. Life is always better with good health isn't it?

We are very lucky to enjoy it most of the time...





 Ciao for now...





 

Happy Anniversary...

Flowers for moi!

They lasted about 1 1/2 weeks!

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In May it was my 22nd wedding anniversary. I met the Silver Fox at a nightclub y-e-a-r-s ago. At the iconic Underground to be exact. My brother knew his brother and, well, that was it really.

I can't believe how quickly the years have gone. We have had wonderful times with a smattering of okay times mingled in but can say that we are better than ever - even after the 9 months of mostly being apart last year.

I am so very proud of the Silver Fox. He has continued to grow as a person, develop new skills and take chances. We have had many a career with the Silver Fox and I admire his bravery at starting something new and making it a success. He works very hard but gives 100%: to his family, his work and his friends.

He is different since he came back from Townsville. He is a lot calmer and about 500% family focused. He is more "present" than he has ever been. I guess being home, surrounded by his family is something he is more focused on, having been on the other side. I am independent but even though I could survive with him away, I couldn't live.

I love him more each day. We are not a cutesy couple. These are the first flowers I have received for many years. But we are a couple, confident in our togetherness. I can look over at him in a crowded room and give a little smile. He smiles too and we are connected. It has always been like that.

I love that he is connected to our son and they do BMXing together. I love that they have a hobby for themselves and can talk for hours about wheels and handlebars and gyros. I have no interest except to love their passion and wave them off on their adventures. He is connected to Miss T too. They joke and laugh and tease.

The Silver Fox is l-o-u-d and doesn't have a volume button. I've looked but it doesn't matter. He wouldn't be the same if he was quiet. Can't imagine it really. goodness knows what the neighbour's hear when he is being Mrs Doubtfire for the day. Or Elvis. Uh, huh huh...

I feel proud telling people I have been married for so long. Especially these days. People get surprised when I tell them but when I say it aloud, I get amazed too. It is a long time.

I wonder what we will do for our 25th? Jeepers! That is not too far away. I think a trip to Italy for the 2 of us would be nice.

So happy anniversary to us and cheers to making a great decision all those years ago...






 Ciao for now...



 

There, Their, They're...

Source unknown - sorry

This cracks me up.


Every time


I can see the Grammar Nazi's lips purse with annoyance...


 Ciao for now...