Fixin Me Up....Part 2

I managed to get an appointment for the ultrasound today.

The radiologist had trouble finding the lump by ultrasound due to it's location (right on my hip just about).
She called the doctor in and he had a look - he noticed a few small 'breaks' which apparently means hernias but these are further across from the lump - so it's possible I have both a hernia and a lipoma - just to be difficult.
The doctor wanted to review my film and will send a report to my GP.
So I'll call my GP tomorrow and see what he reckons.

It's been my experience that ultrasounds are as bit useless to be quite honest.
I've had many in the past and the only time they were of any use were when I was pregnant.
One I had for ruptured ovarian cysts that of course didn't show up on the ultrasound, but showed up on a CT scan with contrast.

So that's some of this section of events done.

I'll go for my blood test Friday maybe.

Someone is turning 37 on Saturday!
And PB is having a New Years/Birthday party at his house Saturday night.

37 - I feel like I'm 87 at the moment.
All this poking and prodding has left the lump site quite aggravated,
and I'm so darn exhausted (and have been for a while).
Still a lot to do though and it won't do itself.......

Ho Hum.

G
xx

Fixin Me Up....Part 1

Went for my doctors appointment today,
it came around pretty quickly!

I had three things to get sorted:
the pill
the lump on my hip
the food allergies

My doctor was great - he has given me four months of a new pill to try - he agreed I must have too much oestrogen, too much testosterone.
If it doesn't help after a few months we'll review it.

He found the lump on my hip without any problem.
He seems to feel it's either a Lipoma (benign 'fatty' tumour) or an unusual hernia (hernia are usually in a different area/muscle group).
So I'm off for an ultrasound to get it checked.
Either way he said it is pretty likely it will need fixing (removal or repair).
Thank goodness for private health insurance.

He has ordered some tests for allergies - he said it's best for me to eat normally up until the test - so no avoiding bread/wheat or anything else - except almonds of course!

So I may just get myself sorted out for the New Year.

Hope so!

In other news Z17 purchased a new car today - well not new but new for him.
He's thrilled with it.
He got himself a '93 Honda Civic - silver - alloys - air con - rear spoiler - cd player - all that jazz.
The guy we bought it from spent $1500 at a local Honda specialist rebuilding the engine about 2 years ago - and the car has hardly been driven since! He had all of the receipts as proof ~ a good purchase methinks!

So we released the savings account we have had for him (he was due to get it when he turned 18) and he paid the rest himself.
I'm so proud of him - not many 17 year olds have $3,000 saved on their own to go towards a car.

I'm pleased, I can teach him to drive in his own car now!

So tonight we are going down to the car wash to give it a wash and polish - it was clean when we bought it but you know how it is - ha ha!

So that's enough from me for one day,
I have to admit I'm stuffed now :)

G
xx

Lights Out....

We - he - he -ll !

Our three day party is over for another year - pppphhheeew!!

Nah, seriously it was all good, all fun!

Christmas Eve:
Day - was spent getting up at 6am to take Z17 to work by 7.15am.
Deciding to go into 'town' (the city) to Target to buy some clothes for Small Man (as one does Xmas Eve).
Feeling decidedly pleased with oneself for arriving 30 minutes before the store opened and getting a parking space 100 metres from the door (my knid of parking!).
Buying 3 x pairs of shorts, a belt and t-shirt. At 30% off - even better!
Driving out to the 'burbs to get essential supermarket items for Xmas day.
Arrive home at 9.30am to unload groceries, scull a quick milo then be out the door again at 10am.
Be chauffer driven (by the Big A) to the city again to test drive a Celica for Z17 - we had been past and had a look at it and it looked o.k. - under his price range so enough $$ left to tidy up a few dents etc
Come to the conclusion that Celica should be painted yellow as it was THE BIGGEST LEMON I'VE EVER BEEN IN!!
Canned the whole thing.
Went to the seafood shop and purchased prawns and scallops for Xmas day lunch.
Went to fruit and veg shop
Went to another supermarket to purchase items sold out at previous supermarket (choc ripple biscuits etc)
Went to bakery
Came home and unloaded again
Stewed apples for apple crumble
Made ripple cake (yes, another one...grrr!)
Collected Z17 from work

Night: Went to mums for Xmas Eve bbq tea.
Had a lovely night with Mum and SF (he's fine if you ignore him - ha ha!), my brother and his little girl, SF's sister, husband and 26 year old son who is home from Korea for a while (he's been over there teaching English and all sorts).
Ate lots of salad and some nice marinated chicken.
I skipped dessert (trifle - ha ha! I've seen enough trifle for a while too)
No presents involved, except for the kids who received their from Mum and SF
Finally made it home close to midnight
Boys went to bed while Big A & I wrapped all of the presents a few last minute things (I wrapped while he wrote on cards)
Finally in bed at around 1.30am

Christmas Day:
8.30am Small Man wakes us up :)
He opens his card and the few little things I had wrapped for him (they each received money from us this year) - no point waiting for Z17 to get up he'd be waiting a while
We go back to sleep for an hour or so
Get up again and start preparing for the day
Z17 finally surfaces, opens his stuff, watches me open my present, then goes back to bed
Big A zooms around with the dyson for 15 minutes while I tidy up
Big A puts together our scallop and prawn kebabs ready for the bbq - they were awesome!
I headed out to collect my brother and niece in the afternoon while Big A went to collect PB and his kids

We sat out the back for a while and had a few drinks (actually they had a LOT of drinks, I had one - ha ha!) preparing dinner in between
6.30pm and dinner is finally ready, except for - now wait for it - I F*#KED THE SPUDS - how on earth do you bugger up roast spuds?
I always pre-cook them in boiling water for just under 10 minutes then add them to the pan with the meat - I did this (as I have done for years and years) and I'll be stuffed if they weren't all mushy - so half of them were ruined - OMG!!! On Xmas Day!!!!!
So anyway we all survived that, the ones that weren't mushy cooked up fine and went down well
The turkey buffe and rump roast were magnificent
We had home grown broad beans and sweet corn etc etc

Mum had a whole pavlova left over from Xmas Eve, so I thought stuff making apple crumble, we'll have pav and ripple cake
Mum had trouble with the eggs when making the pav - now this is the woman that's made hundreds of perfect pavlovas - it wasn't whipping up properly so she added extra sugar - it was a bit too sugary in the end - so we had a disaster each.....

The night was lots of fun with Big A and PB having rather a lot to drink, and then trying to ski jump on wii fit - hmmm!
No presents involved except for the kids - we decided a few years ago to only buy for the kids - it's takes sooooo much stress out of the day for all of us - it's great!

We eventually finished up at 2am or something ridiculous!

Boxing Day:
We are woken at 6.30am by Small Man who had a frog in his bedroom (courtesy of George I'm sure)
We went back to sleep and were woken again at 9.30am by SF's brother in law to say we should go to their house for lunch today rather than to the river for a bbq
Boys decide they aren't coming with us (Small Man had reached his limit, Z17 stayed at home to keep him company)
We had a nice lunch with them, some beautiful salmon on the bbq and lots of salad for me
I had to pass on dessert because it was a: Christmas Pudding (full of almonds) b:........wait for it.....Chocolate Ripple Cake - ha ha ha!!!
I got to catch up with my brothers ex (my nieces Mum) who I still get on with really well - she was there to collect the little one from Mum (she stayed with Mum Christmas night because my brother had to work today)
We had to leave at 2.30pm to be home in time to get Z17 to work from 4pm til midnight (which is why I'm still up now!)
Big A also is working night shift tonight - so needed to get ready.

What a few days!
It's all been lovely, but tiring.
Next year I'll pace myself a lot better.
It didn't help that I was still buggered from the week before (started walking into door frames and stuff I was so worn out)......but I did enjoy myself.
Christmas isn't quite the same now that the boys have grown up,
but it was nice to spend those few days with family/extended family/ring in's/friends!!!

I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas!

G
xx

Procrastination......

Well....

This is not quite what I should be doing....

The should being....
Having a shower - being in my dressing gown at midday just isn't going to work today!

going to the post office to do a million jobs,

getting bread (somehow a whole loaf was eaten between 5.30pm last night and 5.30am this morning....),

picking up last minute stuff (wrapping paper, a few extra little gifts),

getting work clothes ready for the Hungry Jacks star,

stripping my bed,

cleaning the house so it's all shiny for Christmas Day,

continuing on in my quest to see the bottom of the dirty washing basket,

delivering presents to my ladies that were extra super organised and paid me in advance ~ trying to give me a week off,

marinating massive rump roast for Christmas Day,

taking Z17 to the Paediatrician today at 2pm (just for a check up/prescription repeat).

So I guess I'd better get cracking!

In a minute.......

Soon......

Bah!!

Just as soon as I've re-arranged the above list into highest priority - and what can be done tomorrow and Wednesday......then I might check my email, poke Lou on Facebook, make a milo.......ha ha ha!

Have a good day all,

Love,

G
xxx

It was PERFECT!!!

The weather - could not have been better.

The food - exactly the right amount. With a bit left over.

The company - I couldn't have asked for better - it was awesome.

I received an award and trophy for top District in the Tassie and South Victoria region for sales for the year!!! - WOO HOO!!! Go team awesome!!!

I was presented with a bouquet of flowers and a BIG tin of choccies - I'll have to hide them!!
This was a thank you from CM for putting on the party - seriously it was my pleasure.

I also received a beautiful gift from two of my ladies with a card saying that they appreciate everything I've done for them - a gorgeous liitle mirrored jewellery box with butterflies on and some nice smelling soap and loofah - I was gobsmacked, didn't expect that!

One of the other managers I have recently gotten to now gave me a mystery gift (I haven't opened it yet!) - how lovely, all beacause I put a few orders through for her.

I was amazed that a few of the partners came - one is very shy, rarely socialises, the other never comes to these things - and they were both there!!

Small Man took charge of the bbq and did a fantastic job, along with one of the other guys from PB's team.

After we had finished CM and her husband, Small Man and I went back to PB's house for coffee and a chat - I didn't get home until 10.30pm!

I thoroughly enjoyed the whole afternoon - mind you I did get a tiny bit stressed this afternoon just with getting everything packed up etc but everyone pitched in and helped - Big A bought a load of stuff down, Z17 helped me this morning to pick things up (bread etc), so in all it was a team effort.

I would love to go to bed, but need to pick Z17 up from work at a thus far unknown time - he's going to ring and give me 15 minutes notice....

Ah......now I can relax! Til Christmas day of course then it'll be back on!!!! Cooking, cooking, cooking!!!! Can't complain - I love feeding people!


G
xxx

Almost there.....

Just hoping and hoping hard for good weather tomorrow....

.....I mean today!!!

Gotta get some sleep!

G
xx

Quickly....

Just a quick post as I'm all schedule-ified to the max this week!

Big A turned 38 yesterday - we had a quiet one this year with a few visitors last night.

Received Z17's 'TQA' statement today (his results for the year)

- he passed everything (phew x 100000)
- passed his VET Cert II in IT (vocational course in computing)

AND received an Outstanding Achievement for English Writing - Yay!

I don't know if he'll still get an actual report - I assume so.

I was worried.......why?!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Lolly bags x 41 have been made for the party.

I now have......84 people expected on Friday........!

JJ has jumped on board and is ringing around re: the meat today to get us a good deal.
***Update he just rang as I was writing this - 100 burgers, 100 sausages $140 from a really good butcher - looks like I will do it on my tight budget - so there Big A!!! Never tell me I can't or won't be able to do something!***

He has Thursday and Friday off work (his other job) and so is able to help with getting cordial cold and transporting 10 million desserts etc.

It's going to be AWESOME - I can't wait!!!
Getting quite excited now!

So I may be a litle scarce over the next few days - I still have an order coming to be packed this week and my people to see, banking etc so...I better run!

G
xx

Lists, lists, lists....

So I am doing a bbq for the party.

Hamburgers and sausages, chicken burgers and chicken wings.

I am allowing 2 hamburgers per adult, one per child.
Same with the sausages I think.

So around 100 of each.

Not cheap shitty ones either - am getting these from the butcher.

I think that should be o.k.!

The chicken burgers are an extra - and the wings I'll have cooking when people arrive as a bit of an entree.

I'll do potato salad and coleslaw, and a lettuce salad with tomato/cheese/and stuff.
Undecided on beetroot etc as well.....

I'm getting ten loaves of bread.
Which works out to be approx 160 - 170 slices - more than two slices per person.

For dessert I'm doing chocolate ripple cake and trifle.

I have decided to make these up in individual tubs (like the small round tubs you get at the deli with salad in).
That way I can make sure the portions are even, it's easier to transport/refrigerate and more hygienic (think snotty nosed kids shoving their fingers in it).

If I get enough tubs within my budget I may even do the coleslaw and potato salad in these too - would save trying to cart big bowls of stuff to the venue.....

That's the only bit I'm stuck on.

Do I go 50/50 with trifle/ripple cake, or is one more poular than the other...hmmm!

With any leftover jelly/custard I'll do some jelly/custard tubs or cups for the little un's.

I am doing some lolly bags for the kids to take home as well.

So hopefully it will be all enough food, and all o.k.

And everyone will have fun and feel some Christmas spirit :)}

G
xx

No Way?!!

O.K.

I have counted up the RSVP's for our Christmas Party Friday.....which I am organising.

72 people!

38 Adults

34 Children

Oh my!

I still have some RSVP'S coming tomorrow.....

Talk about some 'records' lately,

this will be a record turnout for a Christmas Celebration.

It's amazing what happens when you organise an event at a location people actually want to go to, at a time that suits most - and with one certain 'element' that won't be present this year!

Woo Hoo!

It's going to be massive.....

And certainly the biggest crowd I have ever catered for.....

A steady supply of Rock Star energy drinks may be in order this week - ha ha!

G
xx

Part Two

Thanks everyone for your kind thoughts on last nights post.

I was feeling pretty ill when I wrote it.

Slightly better today but the tiredness is creeping in big time at the moment - so I'm writing this to stay awake and focused - I have an order to deliver at 7pm - so please excuse the rambling!

I booked in to my GP today - the only catch is that he's away until the 29th December.
If I don't feel any better/feel worse before then I'll go with plan B.

Big A has noticed.

We talked about it today - he helped me pack my order :)
He saved me at least an hours work!
I told him what was going on and how I have been feeling etc - and about the hip thing being worse.
He doesn't want me to wait til the 29th.
So I'll think about it.

For a fresh opinion a different GP would be good - but then one of the worse experiences we had with Small Man was with a different GP.
This fill in guy who had never met us before in his life thought he was Gregory House I'm sure! (guess what mate you don't have the charisma to go with the attitude so just stop right there!)

He was quite rude about Small Mans weight (I felt so sad for my baby), and told me there was no reason he shouldn't be at school - in front of Big A who had trouble accepting the chronic fatigue thing (cos you can't see it).
Long story short Big A was furious with me and believed that Small Man was 'pulling the wool over my eyes' - which led to a massive argument I was so upset and angry I lost it.
Small Man and I were in tears, it was horrible.
These are the sorts of things that have put me right off going to the doctor.

So there is method to my madness.

Toni's GP sounds lovely, and I will definitely keep her in mind.

And I agree with what Nat said in my last posts comments about feeling rushed or 'like a loony' - that's exactly how I feel.

And I will definitely read up on the yeast factor Dell - I have though of that in the past as a reason for my fatigue.
This time the fatigue is different - before it was more a muscular fatigue, this time it's 'I must sleep NOW' like I don't have a choice.
Plus a myriad of other bizarre little things.
I just never know which ones to tell the doctor!


So anyway, all will be fine.

I had a nice day with Small Man today for his Distance Ed Presentation Day.
He has been sound asleep for the last hour and a half recovering (the 'day' only went from 10.30am til 2.30pm).

G
xxx

Running on empty

*Major Whinge Alert*

I'm not sure who I think I'm trying to kid,
seriously.

I've been really, really struggling for the last few weeks,
I mean barely getting through the day type struggling,
going to bed freezing and waking up sweating.

For the last few weeks I have fallen asleep on the couch for an hour almost every day, I start out o.k. but wear down rapidly in the afternoon.

It may sound easy - go to the doctor.
But it's just not that simple.

I'm trying to hide it from everyone and failing.

Even hiding it here, which is not what it's supposed to be about - my blog is a journal of my life, my children.....and everything else in between.

Don't worry, I get just as bored writing about it as you would having to read it.

Last year some time I found I had a lump a few inches above my hip - my GP had a look at it and felt it was muscular, but if it was still there in a few months he'd get it scanned - I forgot about it and felt it there again a week or so ago.
It's still there, and actually worse.
Harder to feel because my gut is so huge at the moment - I can't stand the sight of myself.
I have put on more weight but I'm barely eating.

There is no way they can try and say this is stress or depression because I have very little stress in my life at the moment,
Small Man is doing well at Distance Ed,
Big A is back on shift work so I don't have to do absolutely everything around here day in and day out,
Z17 is on holidays and has a plan for next year,
and not to mention the biggest stress factor EVER (the Almighty) moving away - and my work is going brilliantly as a result.

Yes, it's a simple matter of making an appointment - but if I get blown off it means I just have to keep suffering and trying even harder to hide it.
It's the mental hurdle I'm having trouble with.

But I do know I can't physically continue like this.
I have too much to do.

*sigh*

G
xx

p.s. We cracked $60,000 in sales for week 49 - looks like we'll be getting that party

What are you going to do?

With your 'Rudd Money'?

My overseas friends may be scratching their heads at this point wondering just what the hell I'm on about!

Basically - the government here is giving out $8.7 billion to pensioners, carers, lower income earners (which I think the cut off for FTB 'A' is $150,000 combined annual income, so most people I know should be eligible) in a once off bonus payment - approx $1000 per dependant child, $1400 for pensioners etc to try and boost the economy.
The full details are here

We are being encouraged to spend the money.

I have read some 'interesting' points of view from 'experts' on how the money will be spent - some say pokies and alcohol will be a big winner - ummm not in this house!
Personally I think they're just jealous they're not getting it!

Given the fact that we have really struggled for the last four years while Big A was undertaking his apprenticeship I won't be rushing out to buy anything straight up.

Also I work for commission and my January pay is next to nothing.
February not much better.
So essentially I get paid 10 months of the year - and work 12.

So - what do you have planned for yours?

You don't have to tell me - just curious!

G
xx

Better late than never ?!

MeMe - better late than never!


1. 5 names you go by.

*Mum

*Pook (Big A)

*Mrs K

*Boss

*Darling (Mum)


2.Three Things you are wearing right now

*Camo Pants

*White cheescloth shirt

*Pair of Big A's work socks


3.Two things you want very badly at the moment

*Small Man to get better

*Some time off


4. 3 people that will probably fill this out

*No Idea - I'm a bit late getting on this!

*

*


5. 2 Things you did last night

*Hmmm...very little actually -

shopped online,
that's about it nothing interesting.
Should have posted this yesterday, more to write!




6. 2 Things you ate today

*Chicken Burrito

*Licorice


7.Two people you last talked to on the phone

*Shirley Mac (one of my ladies)

*Mum


8.Two things you are going to do tomorrow

*Work

*Get Z17's interview outfit ready for an interview Tuesday


9.Two of the longest car drives you have had

*Driving to the hospital after getting the call that my Dad had died

*Taking George to the vet with a paralysis tick bite - first and last time he ever scratched me


10.Two of your favorite beverages

*Milo

*Coke


11.Two sports you watch on TV

*Sports?? Ha ha ha!

*


12.Three people you have on Speed Dial

*No-one - can remember everyones number



13.Five items in your wardrobe you never wear

*Maybe this could be the five things I DO actually wear.....I don't wear 80% of what's in there


14. The last 3 books you read

*House of Horrors

*The Dictionary of Bullshit (didn't read it all)

*can't remember the third one!


15. Three weird OCD tendencies you have

*Sorting my washing - I'm ridiculous with it

*Making sure my car is locked when we're out - it's never locked at home though

*Deodorant - you can never have too much - nor can teenage boys


16. Five presents you got from Santa as a kid

*A doll with a dummy that cried when you took the dummy out (I still have it!)

*Barbie Campervan

*Cassette player

*Clothes

*Jewellery


17. Three most visited bookmarks

*Blogs

*Work

*Facebook


18. Two items on your wishlist for Christmas

*See question 3 - answer 1.

*Wii fit


19. Five Things you can see right now

*Christmas tree

*Stack of orders I keyed in earlier

*TV

*Dishes on the kitchen sink that need putting in the dishwasher

*Box full of stock that needs to go in the shed


20. 5 things on your fridge

*Photos of my nieces

*Letter about Z17's interview Tuesday

*Invitation to Small Man's presentation day Wednesday

*Newspaper page with 'Pet of the week' - with a photo of George in it

*many magnets and menus


21. Two items you own more than 10 of

*Pairs of shoes - and yet I wear the same pair nearly every day.....
*Angels - I have over 20 in pictures etc my bedroom!

Hmm...!

G
xx

Christmas Shopping?

www.tfoonline.com.au

This site has some beautiful, affordable, quality products.

I have ordered some gorgeous gift packs for my 7 ladies.

Postage is a flat rate of $4.95 Australia wide.

Thought I'd share it with you!

G
xx

Finally....

I have finally been able to scan these!
I have scanned a few photos recently and just might go through some of my favourites, scan them and burn to disc - you never know.

Small Man aged 13 weeks, age 1 (photo taken on his 1st Birthday/Christening - although he was looking a little solemn!) and then again at age 4.
I had planned to post them on his birthday recently...but stuff happened!

I can't believe my baby is 14 - but then he looks like he's 17 so.........
We had a fun night for his birthday, with friends over to stay the night, pizza and plenty of guitar hero rock band.
Our friends have been great friends for 15 years, they also have two boys the same age as our fellows - actually their younger son turned 15 the day after Small Man turned 14 - uncanny!
So they shared their birthdays!

The hubbys had a few beers, us girls had a few cokes, and a few coffees/milos and one glass of wine (actually half a glass for me...) - and Big A and I both ended up getting a reading done by my very talented psychic/artistic/reiki abled Mary.
Actually, we sat up and talked until 3am!

No internet for almost three days hasn't been fun!
We have changed back to Telstra a few weeks ago and have had 'issues' this week, way too boring to mention!
I had to do an emergency run to PB's house yesterday to pay my work account....ooops!
Big A had to sit through my 'shows' on Austar the other night - Americas Next Top Model just to name one - ha ha! He was so bored without his online gaming bizzo.

He has almost recovered from the flu - almost.
His work Christmas bash is on tomorrow night - but we're not going.
For a variety of reasons.
The dinner is going to be in the town where he works - he really doesn't feel like driving down there again this week - it's about 50 minutes away.
Hardly anyone that I know will be there (not that I really care mind you but he does).
Z17 is working tomorrow night, so Small Man would be home on his own for quite a while, he'd be fine of course but I often feel that he spends enough time alone.
Reviews from friends that have been to the restaurant (?) where the dinner is being held have been very negative with regard to the food.
Big A is doing a job for someone Saturday morning so needs to be up early....
So, it's a no go!


G
xxx