The Cautionary Tale of the Woman Who Turned Forty-one.

Oh it’s all fun and games until someone gets high blood pressure.

I had an image in my head of people with high blood pressure. They were red faced and angry, often with spittle dried in the corner of their down turned mouthes. They didn’t exercise, the were breathless and were old.

Cue me at the GP’s last week. I was there for my hurty knees, which had morphed into hurty knees, back, neck, hips and fingers. While I was there, sorting out anti-inflammaroty and pain medications, my doctor thought he’d just take my blood pressure, seeing as I’m of that age now. We had a bit of a joke about it. He is the same general age. We muttered about teenage children and he put the arm band on. I was far from worried, I’ve never had high blood pressure before. I chatted away while the machine did its work.

It was at this point the GP turned the machine around to let me see the numbers. Now, I don’t know about you, but I have no idea what reasonable blood pressure should look like. But apparently the numbers I was being shown were not good. The words very high were said.

Oh. No big deal, it could be because of the pain I was in. Nevertheless I was sent for a few blood tests, and told to return in a few days for a follow up. Turns out at the follow up my blood pressure was no longer in the very high. No, I’m an over achiever and now it was extremely high. Excellent. Or, you know not.

So, now I am spending some large parts of my days doing not much while this latest health issue gets sorted.

I have been compiling a list. This year there has been a foot injury that took months not weeks to heal. There was the whole breast lump and my need for brave boots. There have been a few arthritis flair ups and now, high blood pressure. It appears I am in fact getting older. Who knew that would actually happen? I mean really WHO KNEW?

I know I am lucky. I have (don’t laugh) relatively good health, I try to keep some semblance of fitness. I eat well. There are beans, legumes, whole grains and lean protein in my diet. There are fresh veggies, fruit and nuts. I enjoy a few glasses of the good stuff, but I figure it’s all about balance.

But, as life would have it, I am ageing. The fact I only feel like I’m about twenty-one (as long as I don’t see my reflection anywhere) appears not to matter. Life has other ideas. It likes to remind me people born when I was at university are now employed and have drivers licences, and they can drink alcohol legally. It likes to remind me I am grey of hair and my eyebrows get these weird extra long ones every now and then. (What is with that by the way?) And as for facial hair. Men and movember have nothing on me.

So, while I am in rest mode, and getting to the bottom of the blood pressure thing, I’ve been catching up with some favourite movies. There is nothing a good period costume drama can’t fix. Ever. Today movies on the couch,  tomorrow Morning Melodies and the pokies.

Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have a date with the couch, some tweezers, a magnifying mirror and Mr. Rochester.

Tags: Blog-vember, rheumatoid arthritis, wellbeing

Hump Day Happiness

So, here we are again, like clockwork the days have gone by and once again Wednesday is here.  Hump day.  The middle of the working week.  Monday-itis has come and gone, Tuesday, with it’s nothing to see here-ness and finally, Wednesday with it’s hump arrives.  Not a moment too soon.

This is the day I like to look back over the past seven days and think of three positive things.  Something that has made me smile, laugh, be happy.  It doesn’t have to be a big thing.  Often it is far from that.  But it is my way of reminding myself that there is always something good.  The bad stuff is easy to dwell on… let’s think of the good for a while.

The smile on the face of a mother when we finally communicated via a bilingual worker.  I wrote about it here.  It really was wonderful.

Homemade pizza and a well loved Harry Potter movie, snuggled on the couch with the kids.

Blue sky and the last day of Autumn.

So, there you go.  A little bit of happy. What gave you a lift, a smile, made you laugh this week? Happy hump day!

image credit

Hump Day Happiness

For the first time in a long time the week has gone by fairly quickly, and here we are at hump day already!

This is the time of the week I look back over the past seven days and remember the happy. Big moments, small ones, in between. It’s my way of reminding myself that there is always something positive, it’s just that some days we have to dig a little deeper to find it.

So then, here are the things that made me happy this week.

I blogged about this on Sunday, but it deserves another run – the sunset that evening.  It was magnificent.  Sometimes knowing you’re a small speck in a huge universe is beyond amazing.

A new apron, made by the gorgeous and clever Sew Thea.  Red, white polka dots, with red and white striped trim. I love it.  I spent a whole day in it baking and cooking soup.  I was blissfully, sickeningly content in it.  I planned on taking a photo of it.  But I was busy cooking and now it’s in the wash! I love a handmade item, and this now goes with the gorgeous red beanie Thea made for me last year.

A new mug.  I picked it up in the store and it did not leave my hand until I had purchased it, along with a brand new copy of the book itself.  I read this book every year, so a new copy was in order.  (Just don’t let my original, dog eared, highlighted, pencil in the margin copy hear.)

So, there’s my happy for the week.  I’d love to know what gave you a smile, a lift, made you laugh this week.

Happy Hump Day

Tags: Hump day happiness, Wuthering Heights love runneth deep

Hump Day Happiness

Phew! Here we are in the middle of the week. The climb to the v-e-r-y top of the working week hill. The weekend is on it’s way.

This is the time of the week I look back over the past seven days and remember the happy.  Big moments, small ones,  in between. It’s my way of reminding myself that there is always something positive, it’s just that some days we have to dig a little deeper to find it.

So then, here is my happy, then it’s over to you.

Mother’s Day. It seems dragging my family out of bed in the cold and dark, driving into the CBD and participating in the Mother’s Day Classic fun run was a great idea!  The Blue Eyed Boy may even give his Mum a run for her money if his run was anything to go by!

Pottering around the house. After a long day and night at work, a day to potter around, dust, arrange, cut flowers, do washing is utter domestic happiness.

Cooking.  It soothes my soul.

So, that’s my happy for the week.

Now over to you.

What has made you happy this week?  What made you smile?

Happy Hump Day!

Hump Day Happiness

Hello again.  Here we are in the middle of the working week, hump day.  The top of the hill, the downward slide to the weekend. Bring it.

This is the time of the week I like to look back over the past seven days and remember the happy.  Big moments, small ones, and in between. It’s my way of remembering that there is always something positive, it’s just that some days we have to dig a little deeper to find it.

So then, here is my happy, then it’s over to you.

The view from my kitchen windows.  From here I can see the world go by… clouds roll in, darkness fall in the evening.  Almost meditative…

The smile on The Blue Eyed Boy’s face as he went about preparing for his mates to arrive for a sleep over birthday party.

Just being home again.  With Hubby and kids.  Getting back into the swing of the school week routine.

So, that’s my happy for the week.

Now over to you.

What has made you happy this week?  What made you smile?

Happy Hump Day!

Tags: Hump day happiness

Hump Day Happiness

Hello Wednesday, I can not tell you how welcome you are.  It’s hump day.  The middle of the working week, the top of the hill, the slide to the weekend is on. To say I am tired is an understatement.  When a Mum from work wraps her arm around you and tells you to take care, you know you look t.i.r.e.d. Especially when she has a very brand new baby herself. But onwards we go… wearily, but onwards.

On hump day I like to think back over the past week and reflect on things that have made me happy.  Made me smile. Moments that have reminded me that there is good and happy and positive to be found, always.  So then here are mine, then it’s over to you.

Amidst the havoc that is packing to move there is excitement.  I love moving, I love a new house, a new start, a new challenge to make a home. Three more sleeps and it will all be happening. Yes I’m tired, but it’s still exciting.

A tweet up. On the weekend, along with the Green Eyed Girl, I ventured into the city to catch up with some of my tweeps, and meet some new ones.  It was a lovely morning.

Red eggs. Today a Mum came in to make traditional Greek Easter Eggs.  Fresh eggs, red dye, a huge pot… excited children and staff! At the end of the day the Mum handed each child a still warm, dyed red egg. We stuck an Easter sticker on, and then showed the class how to say Happy Easter and hit the eggs together.  A simple moment of sharing a family and cultural tradition with children from a range of culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds. ÂThe joy, the excitement, the sharing… happiness in a warm, smooth, red egg.

So, that’s my happy for the week.

Now over to you.

What has made you happy this week? What made you smile?

Happy Hump Day!

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Tags: Hump day happiness

Hump Day Happiness – the Anniversary edition

Hello Wednesday, you have been long and a little lacking in your attitude today, but at least you are here. At last.  Welcome to Hump Day, the top of the hill, the downward slide to the weekend. The time of the working week when the mantra fast becomes two more days, just two more days as we wait for Friday knock off time.

Hump Day is the time of the week I like to look back over the past seven days and think about what made me smile, or laugh, or happy. It’s time to reflect on the happy amidst the busy and stressful lives we all lead.  The bad stuff? That’s easy to dwell on, so on Hump Day I think about the good stuff and remind myself that the happy has been there all along.

This week, it has to be said, has been a big week, with lots of family focus.  So then here are my three then it’s over to you.

Today is our wedding anniversary.  We’ve been married fifteen years today.  In our usual style, we forgot.  The went about celebrating by Hubby heading to work in the home office at 8am and me heading to work with an unwell Blue Eyed Boy tagging along. Just as it should be.

On the weekend my parents were over from Tassie.  They brought with them my niece.  We inducted her to football at Etihad and spent time in China Town and did some shopping.  I loved watching my kids and their cousin together, they are so close.  I loved spending time with Mum and Dad and seeing my two talk and spend time with their grandparents.  Nothing special or out of the ordinary, just time, chatting, laughing, being.

A hand written note from The Green Eyed Girl to me saying Get Well Soon. Have a lovely Day xxx.   I am, and I did.

So, that’s my happy for the week.

Now over to you.

What has made you happy this week?  What made you smile?

Happy Hump Day!

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Tags: happy anniversary, Hump day happiness

Hump Day Happiness – the post blog conference one.

Oh Wednesday, you have been a long time coming this week. A. Long. Time. I am so, so looking forward to the weekend, please may it come soon and swiftly.

Hump Day is the middle of the working week, the top of the hill, the downward slide to the weekend. Oh weekend, how I love you and your sleeping in ways… your coffee and your nothing much to do.

Each Hump Day I like to look back at the week that was and think about three things that made me smile, made me happy.  A little bit of positive in a busy and stressful life, and this week it’s all about the Aussie Bloggers Conference.  I’m not sure thought that I can contain it to three things, but lets see…

Waiting for my bags at the Sydney airport and being greeted by gorgeous Lucy and Annie… cue big squishy hugs!

Meeting so, so many bloggers, and being told by one that she had told her Hubby she was going to meet me and we were going to be friends. Which we did, and which we are.  Bonding over gin, apple mojitos and laughter did the trick.

Finding my tribe.  It’s not every day you do…

Image courtesy of Naked Promotions Sydney. Humidity curtesy of Sydney weather and the misleading direction from a taxi driver.

And winning a big box of stuff simply for choosing red wine over orange juice… ’twas not that hard a choice really.

Seriously, could I not have a decent photo taken of me? Image courtesy of Naked Communications Sydney

So, that’s my happy for the week.

Now over to you.

What has made you happy this week?  What made you smile?

Happy Hump Day!

Tags: Aussie Bloggers Conference 2011, Finding my tribe, my big box of stuff

Hump Day Happiness – the pre-conference one.

In two sleeps I will be in Sydney at the Australian Blog Conference. I have been planning, fretting, thinking for what seems like months and now it is happening.

While I am in an excited preparation bubble the world has been once again rocked. Once again I am, like all of us are, lost for words at how to come to grips with the devastation that is Japan.  And all I have to do is watch on television and answer questions from the Blue Eyed Boy and the Green Eyed Girl from the comfort of the couch.  So, while the World does keep spinning, and my world is a safe, happy and excited one, not all the world is.  While this weekly post is about finding the happy and the good, I can’t post without acknowledging what has and still is going on in Japan.  In all honesty, I don’t think this is a time to talk climate change or debate nuclear power. ÂIt’s a time to think about human lives and losses.  It is a time to hold the light for those who can’t do it themselves.

So, now, on with Hump Day Happiness, and light of above this week it’s the small and the simple.

Bounty.  This week I have made tomato chutney from red, over ripe tomatoes.

Garden.  Rainbow chard is growing, garlic is sprouting, beetroot is pushing through the soil.

Family.   Safe, secure, happy, here.

So, that’s my happy for the week.

Now over to you.

What has made you happy this week?  What made you smile?

Happy Hump Day!

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Tags: hump

Hump Day Happiness

Hump day is the middle of the working week. It signals the top of the hill, the downward slide to the weekend. This is the time of the week when I look back over the past seven days and think about what made me happy. It’s a little bit of positive in the busy and somewhat stressful world we all live in.

The bad stuff is easy to dwell on. On hump day I like to think about the good stuff and remember that sometimes the happy has been there all along. I try to think of three things from the past seven days that have brought a smile or a little sunshine into the week. The past week was jam packed.  Full of big moments, so apologies for the following over indulgent blog!
So then here is my happy…

Wearing a favourite dress for a night out with friends in the city, food, bubbly, Paul Kelly… lovely, lovely night.

The Blue Eyed Girl’s birthday… my baby is 10!  How did that happen?

A weekend filled with family, including Hubby’s Mum, friends, and the city, capped off with a meal in a Chinese restaurant.  Yum.

So, that’s my happy for the week.

Now over to you.

What has made you happy this week?  What made you smile?

Happy Hump Day!

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Tags: night out