I learned today that, for the past three years, I should have been getting an extra payment at work for having a degree. It sounds like I WON'T be able to get this in back pay. I feel ripped off. I hope that people are wrong and my lab co-ordinator can get it sorted for me tomorrow. To make myself feel better, I know I was in the wrong mindset the last three years, and I would have just spent it anyway, but still ... *sigh* I am still a bit gutted by the whole thing. At least I will get the payment for my last 11 weeks at work, and that's something.
TJL and I went in and had our blood tests today. I don't know how long it will take for the results to come in. I hope, and pray that all will be fine. I won't completely relax until I get the results. Once this is done, hopefully we can get onto the IVF waiting list. Please, oh please, oh please let it all run as smoothly as possible!!
The weather is still awful. I ended up driving at around 60kph on a 100kph road today, I just could not see through the rain on the windscreen, I couldn't even see enough to pull over safely, so I just drove super slowly along the road. Everyone else must have been struggling too, as no one ended up on my back bumper, so that took a bit of pressure off of me.
Two more days of work, one day off, three days of work then FIVE DAYS OFF!! I CAN'T WAIT!!
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
IVF journey begins, perhaps
Had my mid-cycle scan with Dr Fufu this afternoon. Lucky I made it there in one piece as the weather was atrocious! Wind and hardcore rain, twas a slow journey.
So I have two follicles that are a bit on the small side. Might mature by Friday but Dr Fufu didn't sound very hopeful. If I am not preggers this month, then she will refer us for IVF. She has to refer us now as I am fast approaching 40, and we need to get onto the list before then, or we can't get our first cycle free.
Today, for the first time, she said my lining was not uniformly 'thick'. Usually I am told that my lining is great. She thought it was a bit 'bumpy' today, which could mean polyps which will have to be removed before IVF. Apparently these can prevent the implantation into the wall.
Another 'before we can get on the list' we have to have an HIV test each. Now this makes me nervous, simply because, in my past life, I wasn't exactly well behaved, and while I really don't think I will test positive, I do still worry, because there is a remote chance I picked up something nasty way, way, way back in my early 20's.
I also have to have a BMI of less than 32. She said that mine was currently 31, so just in. I think I might be a bit heavier now so I actually think I am 33. That said, the diet starts NOW. Surely this will inspire me to lose weight. If this doesn't nothing will. I only have to lose, bah ha ha ONLY, yeah right, I have to lose around 5kg to get under the threshold, but I am SURE if I lose the weight, and more, it can only help our pregnancy chances.
If we do manage to get onto the waiting list it could be 12-18 MONTHS! Really!! Not impressed!!! However, should this be the case we can go private, which will cost $11,000.00, so that might end up being our best option ... TJL didn't say a heck of a lot when I mentioned it, but he takes a bit of time and 'thinks about it' whereas I give my initial reaction straight away.
So a bit of a disappointing appointment today, but onward and upward we go. The only one who has any influence on our situation is the good Lord above, and I have to trust that He know's what He's doing and that it will be the right thing for us. Patience, MJJ, Patience!
So I have two follicles that are a bit on the small side. Might mature by Friday but Dr Fufu didn't sound very hopeful. If I am not preggers this month, then she will refer us for IVF. She has to refer us now as I am fast approaching 40, and we need to get onto the list before then, or we can't get our first cycle free.
Today, for the first time, she said my lining was not uniformly 'thick'. Usually I am told that my lining is great. She thought it was a bit 'bumpy' today, which could mean polyps which will have to be removed before IVF. Apparently these can prevent the implantation into the wall.
Another 'before we can get on the list' we have to have an HIV test each. Now this makes me nervous, simply because, in my past life, I wasn't exactly well behaved, and while I really don't think I will test positive, I do still worry, because there is a remote chance I picked up something nasty way, way, way back in my early 20's.
I also have to have a BMI of less than 32. She said that mine was currently 31, so just in. I think I might be a bit heavier now so I actually think I am 33. That said, the diet starts NOW. Surely this will inspire me to lose weight. If this doesn't nothing will. I only have to lose, bah ha ha ONLY, yeah right, I have to lose around 5kg to get under the threshold, but I am SURE if I lose the weight, and more, it can only help our pregnancy chances.
If we do manage to get onto the waiting list it could be 12-18 MONTHS! Really!! Not impressed!!! However, should this be the case we can go private, which will cost $11,000.00, so that might end up being our best option ... TJL didn't say a heck of a lot when I mentioned it, but he takes a bit of time and 'thinks about it' whereas I give my initial reaction straight away.
So a bit of a disappointing appointment today, but onward and upward we go. The only one who has any influence on our situation is the good Lord above, and I have to trust that He know's what He's doing and that it will be the right thing for us. Patience, MJJ, Patience!
Monday, July 11, 2011
Work place gossip
What is it about humans that we love to gossip, in fact I think some people even crave it. It drives me nuts at work, the amount of gossip there is. What drives me nuts further is that I can't control myself and willingly participate.
So why do I do it? I actually think that it stems from a wanting to 'belong', because even though I say I 'don't care' that I don't fit in, and I 'don't care' what others think of me, and I actually don't envision myself being 'friends' with the vast majority of them, I still want to be accepted as one of them. What is it about the human condition that means we crave acceptance, even from those we don't particularly like? I do manage to go for periods of time where I don't participate in these conversations, but it really just means that I work mostly in silence, and even then it doesn't stop people approaching and engaging me in gossip conversations. I guess I just have to work harder in driving conversations in other directions. What I need is a list of topics to achieve this .... oh it might just be easier to stay quiet.
All the gossip also means that the work environment is split into cliques, which is what happens at High School, not a workplace full of women from their 20's to their 60's, and to be perfectly honest it tends to be the older ones who gossip the most. Not to mention the 'nastiness' that they direct towards others in the company - people who they deem to eat too much 'that guy always has a HUGE breakfast, look at how many eggs he has', people who have conditions such as turrets, it's just total juvenile behaviour and it makes me really uncomfortable.
I am just clinging onto the fact that I only have 12 weeks to go! Hooray! I just have to keep my mouth shut, and my brain active until then (well beyond then too!) Starting with tomorrow, I shall not gossip! I shall not speak ill of anyone (including other drivers on the road)! And I shall change my train of thought each time I get judgemental about people engaging in activities that I do not agree with, and each time I get jealous of other people, I shall direct my train of thought towards my many blessings.
Image from Google Images
So why do I do it? I actually think that it stems from a wanting to 'belong', because even though I say I 'don't care' that I don't fit in, and I 'don't care' what others think of me, and I actually don't envision myself being 'friends' with the vast majority of them, I still want to be accepted as one of them. What is it about the human condition that means we crave acceptance, even from those we don't particularly like? I do manage to go for periods of time where I don't participate in these conversations, but it really just means that I work mostly in silence, and even then it doesn't stop people approaching and engaging me in gossip conversations. I guess I just have to work harder in driving conversations in other directions. What I need is a list of topics to achieve this .... oh it might just be easier to stay quiet.
All the gossip also means that the work environment is split into cliques, which is what happens at High School, not a workplace full of women from their 20's to their 60's, and to be perfectly honest it tends to be the older ones who gossip the most. Not to mention the 'nastiness' that they direct towards others in the company - people who they deem to eat too much 'that guy always has a HUGE breakfast, look at how many eggs he has', people who have conditions such as turrets, it's just total juvenile behaviour and it makes me really uncomfortable.
I am just clinging onto the fact that I only have 12 weeks to go! Hooray! I just have to keep my mouth shut, and my brain active until then (well beyond then too!) Starting with tomorrow, I shall not gossip! I shall not speak ill of anyone (including other drivers on the road)! And I shall change my train of thought each time I get judgemental about people engaging in activities that I do not agree with, and each time I get jealous of other people, I shall direct my train of thought towards my many blessings.
Saturday, July 09, 2011
Whirlwind trip to see the Fam.
This is our 4 year old niece T. A cheeky, yet sensitive soul. Please excuse the quality of photos, for some reason my on camera flash won't work, very frustrating!
We did a quick, one night trip, to see my family in Waipukurau, this weekend. It had to be this weekend as I work 5 days this week, and only have one day off before resuming my roster with 3 days on. TJL will be on calving duty by the 20th July, so it was this weekend, or no go until May (for TJL) to get over.
This is our 2 (in three weeks time) year old nephew C. He is very much a mumma's boy, who uses a pitiful 'hep me, hep me' when he wants to be picked up, from anywhere, definitely gets what he wants most of the time.
We also caught up with my parents, they cooked us a delicious roast lamb dinner with kumera, and spud, etc. Was scrummy!
This is our 7 year old niece G. Poor thing had been horribly sick, but was perking up a bit before we left.
The weather was terrible, so lucky the company was great! Not to mention we slept in until 10.00 this morning! Feel soooo guilty, but it felt sooooo good!
Tuesday, July 05, 2011
Rainy days and free plants
Today it has been raining. A lot. Real heavy rain. It's not unusual for Taranaki. Especially now we are right in the middle of Winter! A lot of rain means mud. Driving the tractor means tractor mud tracks. Proof that TJL has been busy.
It also means that the cows pug the paddocks. When this happens, once the grass has 'taken off' a bit, one needs to 'roll' the paddocks (one being TJL) to reduce the pug marks, as once they set in Summer it is quite easy to roll your ankle in one as they end up like concrete.
Fortunately it did stop raining long enough to walk Stella the Wonder Dog. She's a classic! She makes me laugh every day, especially with her love of her toys. So CUTE!
Work wanted to get rid of a spider plant today. Me being the 'Ohhhh I'll take it' kind of person that I am said 'Ohhhh I'll take it!'. This is what it looked like, all one sided with lots of babies hanging off of it. The pot beside the plant contains the remains of a plant I have killed earlier.
After a bit of 'separating' I now have two pots of spider plants. Time will tell if they take or die, as I was quite brutal with their root systems. All the baby plants I have stuck back in the original pot and put under the eves of the house. If they survive, they survive - hopefully being under the eves the frosts won't get them. I just don't have the space available inside, at present, to house them all without them overpowering and crowding the place.
And last but not least, Cluck Cluck (well I think it's Cluck Cluck, it might be Maggie) one of our three delightful chickens. They are such characters, and currently very involved in consuming the remaining beetroot plants in the vege garden. I LOVE my chickens! Not that keen on their calling cards or their destruction of our garden, but the eggs! Wonderful!
Plus I have booked an Acupuncture appointment, for October! Yes she is booked up until then. I figure that means she is a great practicioner (oh the spelling on that one may be WAY off!) Hopefully it might help with our fertility woes, AND my weight problems. I know what I am doing wrong but I need the motivation to STOP consuming harmful things, like sugar and fats, and start being more kind to my body.
Hopefully when I finish work in October I will feel far more motivated to get moving, a lot faster than I do for the dog walks, and the weight will come off.
And now I patiently await the return of TJL with tea .... YUM!
Sunday, July 03, 2011
Cook my little leftovers, cook
TJL was out rolling paddocks when I got home today, Stella the dog and I discovered him when we went for our walk. So, being the housewife in training, I decided that I would cook tonights dinner.
Super easy!
We had leftover potato, carrot, broccoli and cauliflower so I have whacked that all into a dish, with a bit of onion and covered it with cheese sauce and put it into the oven. I made the cheese sauce a little thick, but never mind. I could have thinned it with a bit more milk I guess - oh well too late now! I use Edam Cheese, which is a low fat cheese that I like BUT thinking about it today I do use A LOT in dishes to get a bit more flavour in. I think I might get a small block of tasty or similar next time I am shopping, that way I can mix the two so we get a bit more flavour, as well as a decent consistency.
It addition to our vege bake I am going to make Chinese 5 Spice Chicken. Super easy, chop up some chicken (I use skinless boneless thighs, cheaper and more succulent than breast), and chuck it in a bag of flour mixed with Chinese 5 Spice, and then I fry. Hmmmmm, I might try doing them in the oven for a low fat version. Since I have the oven on 'n' all. Hopefully TJL won't complain TOO much ... lol. He did say he wanted fried, but it can't hurt to try it just the once.
And so, thus, I must go and prepare the chicken .....
Super easy!
We had leftover potato, carrot, broccoli and cauliflower so I have whacked that all into a dish, with a bit of onion and covered it with cheese sauce and put it into the oven. I made the cheese sauce a little thick, but never mind. I could have thinned it with a bit more milk I guess - oh well too late now! I use Edam Cheese, which is a low fat cheese that I like BUT thinking about it today I do use A LOT in dishes to get a bit more flavour in. I think I might get a small block of tasty or similar next time I am shopping, that way I can mix the two so we get a bit more flavour, as well as a decent consistency.
It addition to our vege bake I am going to make Chinese 5 Spice Chicken. Super easy, chop up some chicken (I use skinless boneless thighs, cheaper and more succulent than breast), and chuck it in a bag of flour mixed with Chinese 5 Spice, and then I fry. Hmmmmm, I might try doing them in the oven for a low fat version. Since I have the oven on 'n' all. Hopefully TJL won't complain TOO much ... lol. He did say he wanted fried, but it can't hurt to try it just the once.
And so, thus, I must go and prepare the chicken .....
Saturday, July 02, 2011
Taxes are done! Yes!
I finally got off my chuff and got my taxes all done and ready to post off tomorrow, and since they don't have to be there until the 7th I am actually ahead of time this year. Last year I did them online the night before - talk about making ones life more stressful than it needs to be.
As per usual I have told myself that THIS year I will keep on top of it throughout the year, so they will be all good to go early, time will tell if I manage to achieve this, or not. No doubt my transition from 'lab technician' to 'farmers housewife' will enable this. I just can't wait for this to happen. Time and energy to really get our home clean and decorated, to get our vege garden productive and flower gardens overflowing, to cook nice, healthy meals for TJL and I every day, and to have time to exercise and get fit. Have I said that I CAN'T WAIT!!?? Not to mention time to actually plan my blog posts, rather than my incoherrent ramblings.
I have also finally got everything 'packed away' from our holiday. Not quite perfect, I mean my clothes are in a tidy pile on my dressing table and not in the drawers, but this is mostly due to the fact nothing else will fit in my drawers. I really do need to do a full on throw out, again. Plus it is a gorgeous winters day today, so my washing is out in the hopes that it will mostly dry, and I will just need to use the dryer as a finish off.
And my work desk is kinda tidy too! Tidy enough to be able to fit my computer onto it, so I MUST use that area as my office, instead of dragging everything out to the living room and making a gigantic mess in there. I must stop putting everything that I plan to 'file away later' on my desk, and file it at the time. It took me HOURS yesterday to get it sorted, surely 1 minute filing at the time is SO MUCH EASIER! Perhaps I need to write myself a sign to put over my desk that tells me that.
Today we are off to a basketball game (2nd to last of the season), and since the game is early, at 4.00pm, then we plan to head out to dinner afterwards - JOY! Speaking of which I must head off and get myself showered and ready to go, I'm so excited! I love going out for dinner.
As per usual I have told myself that THIS year I will keep on top of it throughout the year, so they will be all good to go early, time will tell if I manage to achieve this, or not. No doubt my transition from 'lab technician' to 'farmers housewife' will enable this. I just can't wait for this to happen. Time and energy to really get our home clean and decorated, to get our vege garden productive and flower gardens overflowing, to cook nice, healthy meals for TJL and I every day, and to have time to exercise and get fit. Have I said that I CAN'T WAIT!!?? Not to mention time to actually plan my blog posts, rather than my incoherrent ramblings.
I have also finally got everything 'packed away' from our holiday. Not quite perfect, I mean my clothes are in a tidy pile on my dressing table and not in the drawers, but this is mostly due to the fact nothing else will fit in my drawers. I really do need to do a full on throw out, again. Plus it is a gorgeous winters day today, so my washing is out in the hopes that it will mostly dry, and I will just need to use the dryer as a finish off.
And my work desk is kinda tidy too! Tidy enough to be able to fit my computer onto it, so I MUST use that area as my office, instead of dragging everything out to the living room and making a gigantic mess in there. I must stop putting everything that I plan to 'file away later' on my desk, and file it at the time. It took me HOURS yesterday to get it sorted, surely 1 minute filing at the time is SO MUCH EASIER! Perhaps I need to write myself a sign to put over my desk that tells me that.
Today we are off to a basketball game (2nd to last of the season), and since the game is early, at 4.00pm, then we plan to head out to dinner afterwards - JOY! Speaking of which I must head off and get myself showered and ready to go, I'm so excited! I love going out for dinner.
Wednesday, June 29, 2011
Sausages for dinner
I don't like sausages, even the pure, home raised pork sausages, that we have. They just don't inspire me, don't make my mouth water, I just don't like 'em and never have.
TJL wanted sausages so that is what he had defrosted, and what I got to cook. And I still don't like them. All I did was fry them, and I have to admit that I was super impressed with the fact that NO fat came out of them, the pan basically stayed dry. TJL liked them, he said dinner was De.Lici.Ous. It wasn't, but I will go with it.
The Cauliflower on the other hand was YUM! The broccoli not so much, but the cauli was sweet and perfect. Again, I don't like broccoli. I blame my ex as, when his mother was diagnosed with cancer (which she fought and won - HOORAY!) he read that broccoli was a cancer fighter so, we had it EVERY NIGHT for MONTHS, and now, ack, I just don't like it. I eat it because it is good for me, but I don't like it.
Other veges tonight was mashed potato and kumera (sweet potato). And since I had a delicious serving of that last week up in Aucks, my version was not anywhere near as good. I seriously wonder what the chef put in theirs. Ahhhhhhhh, droooooooling just thinking about it.
Best thing tonight will be Raspberry Pie from TJL's boss' wife. We had half the other night, and it was Fab.U.Lous! Basically like raspberry jam in a pie, with ice-cream. Super sweet though!
I CAN'T WAIT TO BE A HOUSEWIFE TO BE ABLE TO MAKE DELICIOUS AND NUTRITIOUS DINNERS EVERY NIGHT FOR MY MAN!!
Tuesday, June 28, 2011
Not pregnant this month either
So good ol' Aunty Flo has just arrived, late this afternoon. Thanks. Thanks for making us have to try for yet ANOTHER month to get pregnant. *sigh* Oh well, onward we go, maybe THIS month (well next month) we will be successful. Yada, yada, yada.
Lucky I rang the doc's office yesterday to get my prescription faxed through to the chemist! I knew the ol' bat was coming. DOH! Just remembered I should have rung the doc back today to book my mid-cycle scan. Never mind, will just have to do it tomorrow.
Work is spectacularly slow at the moment. Well it IS winter, so the factory is not taking in any milk at the moment, so the only product we have to test is CHEESE. MMmmmmmmmm, cheese. So, anyway, today I read a magazine (not allowed, but it was a Dairy Exporter so kinda work related) and took notes for how we can progress in the Dairy Industry to attain farm ownership. So it was actually kind of productive. Just so you don't think that I entirely wasted the companies time, I also cleaned one of the fume cupboards, and did all the dishes (there are quite a few, certainly not as many as in Spring and Summer, but still a few).
I got a heap of photos printed off today, so I am all set to get started on a scrapbook of our holiday. Hopefully it doesn't end up in my 'what I want to achieve when I get time' pile, it's already way out of control!
Lucky I rang the doc's office yesterday to get my prescription faxed through to the chemist! I knew the ol' bat was coming. DOH! Just remembered I should have rung the doc back today to book my mid-cycle scan. Never mind, will just have to do it tomorrow.
Work is spectacularly slow at the moment. Well it IS winter, so the factory is not taking in any milk at the moment, so the only product we have to test is CHEESE. MMmmmmmmmm, cheese. So, anyway, today I read a magazine (not allowed, but it was a Dairy Exporter so kinda work related) and took notes for how we can progress in the Dairy Industry to attain farm ownership. So it was actually kind of productive. Just so you don't think that I entirely wasted the companies time, I also cleaned one of the fume cupboards, and did all the dishes (there are quite a few, certainly not as many as in Spring and Summer, but still a few).
I got a heap of photos printed off today, so I am all set to get started on a scrapbook of our holiday. Hopefully it doesn't end up in my 'what I want to achieve when I get time' pile, it's already way out of control!
Monday, June 27, 2011
Back to life, back to reality
So this is where we were last week. *sigh* Funny how it now seems so long ago, and we have only been home 1 day! What a great, sunfilled, fairly relaxing trip. Such a shame it is all over.
This is part of the Cairns Botanic Gardens. The gardens were HUGE, with fantastic walking trails. I didn't see a crocodile in this water but I think that the odd one has been seen. I figured that crocs would be everywhere, so was super cautious ... hahaha
The scenic railway to Kuranda was a must do. Especially if you love trains, as I do! We came back on the Sky Rail, which was not so great as I don't like heights very much at all. Well worth doing, but I won't do it again, much rather come back on the train. Of course, if we go back to Cairns on holiday, chances are I will have forgotten how scared I was on the Sky Rail, and travel on it again, only to be reminded why I didn't like it the first time - very similar to my Dr Pepper experiences.
Scary, grip the seat kinda stuff - well for me anyway. TJL had to take gondola photos, I was hanging onto the seat and breathing.
We did a wee boat trip on a lake, that contained this wonderful, chubby, eel. I quite like eels. There also were terapins (turtles that swim dog paddle rather than breaststroke, I think thats what the guide said). I love turtles.
One of the many wonderful waterfalls we were taken to. If we had known we would have taken our togs for a swim, even though our guide said it was FREEZING cold. Freezing cold in North Australia is not THAT cold, definitely swum in cooler waters in snow fed New Zealand rivers.
Our final visit was to a Spanish Castle. Such a tragic story, and a lot of it has 'fallen' down due to cyclones and floods. A Spanish man moved to Australia to make his fortune, 11 years later he made his fortune and returned to Spain to marry the woman he promised he would. He hadn't written so she had married another 3 years earlier, so he married her sister. Moved back to Australia and built her this castle, which was just amazing considering he did most of it himself in a very short time span. And there is more, but you can read that here - Paronella Park.
Then today it was back to work. Yeah. I do believe that TJL is 'happy' for me to resign in three months time and I can become the housewife extrordinaire that I have always wanted to be. I CAN'T WAIT!
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
Cairns day 4
We had a 'rest' day today. Got up at 6amish, mucked around until about 8.30am, when we headed off to the Botanic Gardens. They were pretty cool, and HUGE. Took a ton of photos, but can't download/upload as I forgot the cable for that camera ... doh. Part of the walk was SUPPOSED to be around the Gondwana Garden. Unfortunately half way round I decided that the way to go was to follow 'everyone else'. Big mistake, BIG. Following everyone else meant we were on the 'Red Track', which thankfully only went for 1.2km, 600M of which was UP! UP I tell you. Now Im a bit of a porker, but had been feeling pretty good about myself having walked the 45 minutes into town and back over the previous 3 days. That was NOTHING! Nothing I tell you! But I am glad we did it, hopefully it will knock a bit of fat off of me.
We then walked into a small village and finally managed to find the 'Flying Doctor Service', where I had to take a photo, solely because of the 1980's programme. TJL had moaned up a storm getting there, and it wasn't that far, seriously!
We then had lunch at the Botanic Gardens Cafe. Chicken, mushroom, spinach filo. DELICIOUS!! Best food we have had so far.
And that was it. Spent the rest of the day at the resort. Walked to the shops for an icecream, and then back again to get Pizza for tea (nice Pizza too).
We then walked into a small village and finally managed to find the 'Flying Doctor Service', where I had to take a photo, solely because of the 1980's programme. TJL had moaned up a storm getting there, and it wasn't that far, seriously!
We then had lunch at the Botanic Gardens Cafe. Chicken, mushroom, spinach filo. DELICIOUS!! Best food we have had so far.
And that was it. Spent the rest of the day at the resort. Walked to the shops for an icecream, and then back again to get Pizza for tea (nice Pizza too).
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
Cairns Day 3
Got up at about 5.45am this morning, just the time I woke up naturally. We were all ready to head off on our tour by 6.40am, so we decided to walk rather than Taxi into town to get to the Marina, which we had to be at by 8.00am. We got there by 7.30am, which was excellent, and we now know how long it takes to get to town!
To begin with we thought it was going to be a fairly 'light' trip as far as people were concerned. We were wrong. A bus load, or four, of American Students rocked on up and boarded, and proceeded to talk, and talk, and talk ... lol. Actually they were all pretty great. All seemed to get along fine, and were excited, and friendly, and the majority were fine looking females so TJL had plenty of bikini clad attractive girls to look at. We departed the Marina at around 9am, and got out to Great Barrier Reef at about 11am, to Michaelmas Cay.
We got on the second boat to Michaelmas Cay and snorkeled straight out to the reef. It was AWESOME. Hopefully we got some photos on the disposable camera, as it was just a point and hope you got the shot situation. Will find out when we get back home and get it developed as to whether we have anything or not. Fingers crossed!! I snorkeled for a long time, quite a bit longer than TJL, but even though I wanted to keep going I thought I should go and see if he wanted to go back to the boat for lunch, he did, so we did, and since I was now dry I couldn't be bothered heading back out to Michaelmas Cay for more snorkeling, which I kinda regret, but too late now! Considering it was something I wasn't fussed about doing, MAN it was FUN!
We got on the second boat to Michaelmas Cay and snorkeled straight out to the reef. It was AWESOME. Hopefully we got some photos on the disposable camera, as it was just a point and hope you got the shot situation. Will find out when we get back home and get it developed as to whether we have anything or not. Fingers crossed!! I snorkeled for a long time, quite a bit longer than TJL, but even though I wanted to keep going I thought I should go and see if he wanted to go back to the boat for lunch, he did, so we did, and since I was now dry I couldn't be bothered heading back out to Michaelmas Cay for more snorkeling, which I kinda regret, but too late now! Considering it was something I wasn't fussed about doing, MAN it was FUN!
Monday, June 20, 2011
Cairns Day 2
Can't remember where I got up to yesterday, how typical is that??!! Anyhow we walked into the city yesterday. Took us about an hour or so and we walked along an 'internal' road, so found an IGA Supermarket, and a cool looking bike shop, amongst other things. And it was jolly hot! So we stopped for a bottle of water, and TJL got a sorbet. We found the 'beach', which was tidal mudflat with sand dumped in certain places. Tide was out, way, way, way out. And we also discovered an AWESOME walkway right along the waterfront, which essentially took us right back to within a block of our resort.
We then proceeded to fall asleep, and failed to wake up until after 9pm, when the restaurant was closed, luckily I wasn't hungry so just went back to sleep. Not too sure about TJL, he didn't go and get himself anything so I figure he wasn't that hungry either.
Woke up this morning pretty early, and went over to the restaurant for breakfast. It was ok, not really worth the $9, so we bought our own breakfast stuff today to save us a bit of money.
We walked back into town today (via the coast as it was far nicer than the street walk), and booked activities for the rest of the week. Tomorrow is Great Barrier Reef, Thursday we are going out to Kuranda to do the railway and skyrail thingee, and Friday we are heading out to the tablelands, to see waterfalls and some giant castle thing. We also did a wee bit of shopping, involving Jandals, Beach Towels, a hat, underwater disposable camera, and then some foodstuffs from the IGA. Spent far too much money, but hey, thats what holidays are for.
Had a really nice pizza lunch at a waterfront restaurant, and went to the local art gallery - loved Alex Platt's work. Tonight we had dinner at the resort restaurant. Was pretty disappointed really. Certainly wasn't brilliant. Wasn't bad, just plain.
So it will be an early night tonight as we have a bit of an early start in the morning (not too early though).
We then proceeded to fall asleep, and failed to wake up until after 9pm, when the restaurant was closed, luckily I wasn't hungry so just went back to sleep. Not too sure about TJL, he didn't go and get himself anything so I figure he wasn't that hungry either.
Woke up this morning pretty early, and went over to the restaurant for breakfast. It was ok, not really worth the $9, so we bought our own breakfast stuff today to save us a bit of money.
We walked back into town today (via the coast as it was far nicer than the street walk), and booked activities for the rest of the week. Tomorrow is Great Barrier Reef, Thursday we are going out to Kuranda to do the railway and skyrail thingee, and Friday we are heading out to the tablelands, to see waterfalls and some giant castle thing. We also did a wee bit of shopping, involving Jandals, Beach Towels, a hat, underwater disposable camera, and then some foodstuffs from the IGA. Spent far too much money, but hey, thats what holidays are for.
Had a really nice pizza lunch at a waterfront restaurant, and went to the local art gallery - loved Alex Platt's work. Tonight we had dinner at the resort restaurant. Was pretty disappointed really. Certainly wasn't brilliant. Wasn't bad, just plain.
So it will be an early night tonight as we have a bit of an early start in the morning (not too early though).
Saturday, June 18, 2011
Hello Sunny Cairns
We finally made it to Cairns for our 7 night get-away. Now, that makes it sound like an arduous trip, and it wasn't, but it was still a bit of a haul.
We left lil' ol' Eltham yesterday at 10am, and headed to Wazza's so he could drop us off at New Plymouth Airport, for our flight to Auck's. At this stage I just kept on sniffling with the odd sneeze, and I started to worry that I was getting 'sick'. The flight to Auck's was pretty good, just over half an hour, but we could NOT find a 'free' phone to ring the hotel, so I just used my cell-phone, and we were picked up pretty promptly and taken to Jet Park for the night. At Jet Park my nose really went to town, and I was not feeling to sh*t hot! I ended up falling asleep and then TJL had to wake me up at 6.25pm as our dinner reservation was for 6.30pm. Dinner was not great in the sense my nose continued to run and I continued to sneeze. I really could not enjoy myself, which was disappointing as the food was DIVINE! I had pork with kumara mash, I have no idea what they did to those Kumara's but YUMMY!
We had to have an early night as we had to back at the airport at 4.50am, which involved a 4am getup! I am so glad we are dairy farmers and used to being up at that time (the 4.50am at least). Best news was that my nose was much better today, although I felt pretty sick first thing, by the time we boarded our flight at 6.15am I was feeling right as rain. The flight (just under 6 hours) was totally uneventful. Watched a couple of movies, played a bit of 'Who wants to be a Millionaire' and 'Black Jack', and then we landed in Sunny Cairns!
The airport terminal was quite a bit smaller than Aucklands, which surprised me a bit. We found the shuttle guy easily, and are now ensconced in our unit. Which is pretty nice. Did have potato chips, a chocolate bar, and lemonade for lunch though ... whoops. But the resort restaurant doesn't open for lunch so we were kind of limited in our choices.
And now we are blobbing until tea time, and then tomorrow, when we will head off on an explore.
We left lil' ol' Eltham yesterday at 10am, and headed to Wazza's so he could drop us off at New Plymouth Airport, for our flight to Auck's. At this stage I just kept on sniffling with the odd sneeze, and I started to worry that I was getting 'sick'. The flight to Auck's was pretty good, just over half an hour, but we could NOT find a 'free' phone to ring the hotel, so I just used my cell-phone, and we were picked up pretty promptly and taken to Jet Park for the night. At Jet Park my nose really went to town, and I was not feeling to sh*t hot! I ended up falling asleep and then TJL had to wake me up at 6.25pm as our dinner reservation was for 6.30pm. Dinner was not great in the sense my nose continued to run and I continued to sneeze. I really could not enjoy myself, which was disappointing as the food was DIVINE! I had pork with kumara mash, I have no idea what they did to those Kumara's but YUMMY!
We had to have an early night as we had to back at the airport at 4.50am, which involved a 4am getup! I am so glad we are dairy farmers and used to being up at that time (the 4.50am at least). Best news was that my nose was much better today, although I felt pretty sick first thing, by the time we boarded our flight at 6.15am I was feeling right as rain. The flight (just under 6 hours) was totally uneventful. Watched a couple of movies, played a bit of 'Who wants to be a Millionaire' and 'Black Jack', and then we landed in Sunny Cairns!
The airport terminal was quite a bit smaller than Aucklands, which surprised me a bit. We found the shuttle guy easily, and are now ensconced in our unit. Which is pretty nice. Did have potato chips, a chocolate bar, and lemonade for lunch though ... whoops. But the resort restaurant doesn't open for lunch so we were kind of limited in our choices.
And now we are blobbing until tea time, and then tomorrow, when we will head off on an explore.
Saturday, June 04, 2011
To much junk food, not enough fresh air
The last two days I have sat inside and eaten FAR TOO MUCH junk food. Chocolate, candies, soft drink, chips, the list goes on!
And I haven't managed to finish sorting out my BMX photos. It is REALLY time consuming. But I only have 800 or so to go, so hopefully by the end of this week ... lol
And other than that, absolutely NOTHING is happening in my life. We had our third, and final? seminar last Thursday. It was good. I quite enjoyed it. TJL on the other hand, would have rather been anywhere else. They sure do make it sound SO hard. And I know that it will be/would be, but still, a few good points in regards to fostering and adoption would have been nice to hear.
Back to work tomorrow. Hopefully TJL will stick to his word and I only have 3 months and 3 weeks to go before I become a housewife. Please, oh please, oh please. And I am more than happy to take a part time job, provided it does not interfere with my weekends, so I can get stuck into my photography.
Not asking for much am I? LOL!
And I haven't managed to finish sorting out my BMX photos. It is REALLY time consuming. But I only have 800 or so to go, so hopefully by the end of this week ... lol
And other than that, absolutely NOTHING is happening in my life. We had our third, and final? seminar last Thursday. It was good. I quite enjoyed it. TJL on the other hand, would have rather been anywhere else. They sure do make it sound SO hard. And I know that it will be/would be, but still, a few good points in regards to fostering and adoption would have been nice to hear.
Back to work tomorrow. Hopefully TJL will stick to his word and I only have 3 months and 3 weeks to go before I become a housewife. Please, oh please, oh please. And I am more than happy to take a part time job, provided it does not interfere with my weekends, so I can get stuck into my photography.
Not asking for much am I? LOL!
Saturday, May 28, 2011
BMX
Spent two half days photographing at the BMX Indoor at Hawera this weekend. Man they are fast! I ended up taking over 2000 photos, which is pretty much A LOT so surely I have some good ones in there. So far I have only sorted through, and uploaded, 400 of them. Hopefully I get them all done this week.
Of course, whenever I am at an event I do the 'Oh I WISH we had kids!!!!!' internal whine. I know we are getting closer, even if it is through 'Home for Life' foster care, where we will have to 'share' them with the birth parents. But kids are kids, hey, and if we have them for the majority of the time then all is sweet. Home for Life is where kids are taken out of their birth parents home as it is unsafe, and has been deemed unsafe 'for life', thus a permanent home is found, but they are not able to be adopted so guardianship is joint between birth and foster carers. The social workers we are dealing with put it a great way though. Treat it like a marriage breakup, and you end up sharing joint custody with your ex. Not ideal, but better than nothing.
One more training session with the social workers on Thursday, and an assessment, then hopefully it is all on!
Of course, whenever I am at an event I do the 'Oh I WISH we had kids!!!!!' internal whine. I know we are getting closer, even if it is through 'Home for Life' foster care, where we will have to 'share' them with the birth parents. But kids are kids, hey, and if we have them for the majority of the time then all is sweet. Home for Life is where kids are taken out of their birth parents home as it is unsafe, and has been deemed unsafe 'for life', thus a permanent home is found, but they are not able to be adopted so guardianship is joint between birth and foster carers. The social workers we are dealing with put it a great way though. Treat it like a marriage breakup, and you end up sharing joint custody with your ex. Not ideal, but better than nothing.
One more training session with the social workers on Thursday, and an assessment, then hopefully it is all on!
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
Second seminar re Adoption or Foster Care
We had our second seminar for adoption and/or foster care today. It started the same way as the introduction one, and day one ... badly. For the induction day, the power went off with one row of cows left to milk, and took AGES to come back on, so I got stressed, we were a bit late. Induction day one, we had a relief milker who stayed the night so we thought he might help TJL out in the morning ... um NUP. So I went down and hosed out, and bada bing bada bang, the flaming heifers got out, so I got stressed, and we were a little bit late. Today, day 2, no cows to milk, no stress, but TJL got up late, felt unwell, dawdled, I got stressed, and we were a tiny bit late, but not too bad.
Today was much better than day 1, not quite so clinical and dry. Even TJL survived it a lot better, which is fortunate, as to be a foster care provider we have one more seminar day to go. Originally we didn't have to attend it as we had only planned to adopt, but since we are looking at the foster care route we have to, and fortunately TJL is on board for this one (he dislikes sitting, inside, learning stuff).
Today they had a panel of 3 people who are currently in the system. One guy has been involved in looking after teenage boys for 9 years (he had been a youth worker), one lady has two kids for lifetime placement, and has just had another two placed with her and is going through the system to get them placed with her for lifetime. The third lady has an adopted daughter (aged 5) and has just had a boy placed with her for lifetime (currently going through the system).
So it was good.
And now we might be looking at local adoption rather than inter-country, or 'care for life', which is a placement for life, where we are legal guardians but not 'parents' for life. No rush to make a choice as yet, time will tell us what direction we need to be heading in.
Today was much better than day 1, not quite so clinical and dry. Even TJL survived it a lot better, which is fortunate, as to be a foster care provider we have one more seminar day to go. Originally we didn't have to attend it as we had only planned to adopt, but since we are looking at the foster care route we have to, and fortunately TJL is on board for this one (he dislikes sitting, inside, learning stuff).
Today they had a panel of 3 people who are currently in the system. One guy has been involved in looking after teenage boys for 9 years (he had been a youth worker), one lady has two kids for lifetime placement, and has just had another two placed with her and is going through the system to get them placed with her for lifetime. The third lady has an adopted daughter (aged 5) and has just had a boy placed with her for lifetime (currently going through the system).
So it was good.
And now we might be looking at local adoption rather than inter-country, or 'care for life', which is a placement for life, where we are legal guardians but not 'parents' for life. No rush to make a choice as yet, time will tell us what direction we need to be heading in.
Tuesday, May 24, 2011
Losing weight, AGAIN
So I am once again on the weighloss trail. *sigh* How many times do I beat on this drum?
Anyway, I have begun a new blog, Losing it with MJ as the programme I am attempting to follow is Losing it with April, a celeb and TV presenter here in NZ, who currently weighs in at around 100kg. That was HER wake-up call, mine is the 90kg mark. Damn disgusting!
What I like about the programme
1. Its FREE to follow along!
2. The food is NORMAL!
3. The exercises can all be done at HOME!
Nothing fancy, nothing schmancy.
I have had a couple of other wakeup calls, not just the figure on the scale.
1. I wasn't in the mood to play with my friends young children, I was shy, reserved, and self conscious about my appearance.
2. Despite what I 'see' in the mirror (akin to being the opposite of an anorexic, ie I see 'NORMAL') photos actually show me that I am 'HUGE'. People, who I see and think that they are big, I AM BIGGER THAN THEM! C'MON!)
3. My appearance is terrible. In photos I look like the people who I have judged all my life as being fat, ugly, lazy, and stupid. The kind of people you think, 'How could you let yourself get like that? Get a haircut. Get some decent clothes. Lose some weight. Get some dang pride!'
Thats me at the moment, and I HATE this. I have zero confidence, and when I am feeling ok, I see a photo of myself and hate myself all over again. I think I need to keep the photo image of myself in my head, as that sure as heck puts me off eating TOO much rubbish.
I really hope and pray that I can make it work this time.
Anyway, I have begun a new blog, Losing it with MJ as the programme I am attempting to follow is Losing it with April, a celeb and TV presenter here in NZ, who currently weighs in at around 100kg. That was HER wake-up call, mine is the 90kg mark. Damn disgusting!
What I like about the programme
1. Its FREE to follow along!
2. The food is NORMAL!
3. The exercises can all be done at HOME!
Nothing fancy, nothing schmancy.
I have had a couple of other wakeup calls, not just the figure on the scale.
1. I wasn't in the mood to play with my friends young children, I was shy, reserved, and self conscious about my appearance.
2. Despite what I 'see' in the mirror (akin to being the opposite of an anorexic, ie I see 'NORMAL') photos actually show me that I am 'HUGE'. People, who I see and think that they are big, I AM BIGGER THAN THEM! C'MON!)
3. My appearance is terrible. In photos I look like the people who I have judged all my life as being fat, ugly, lazy, and stupid. The kind of people you think, 'How could you let yourself get like that? Get a haircut. Get some decent clothes. Lose some weight. Get some dang pride!'
Thats me at the moment, and I HATE this. I have zero confidence, and when I am feeling ok, I see a photo of myself and hate myself all over again. I think I need to keep the photo image of myself in my head, as that sure as heck puts me off eating TOO much rubbish.
I really hope and pray that I can make it work this time.
Thursday, April 21, 2011
Dr Fufu appointment
I had a mid-cycle scan today. My regular Fufu doc was not in so I had an ultrasound lady. Not good news for us. I don't appear to have any folicles to size this month. It could be because the days for taking the tablets changed from 3 to 7, to 2 to 6. I forgot to mention that to replacement lady. Not that anything can be done. So no pressure this month, which of course won't stop me from hoping, but that's how it goes.
I have had a bit of a nasty cold. Ended up taking half the day off of work yesterday, and fortunately I had today off, so I should be good to go again tomorrow - yes I get to work Easter Friday AND Easter Monday. I have to tell myself - time and a half AND a day in lieu. And if I can save enough money, I shall be a housewife in 6 months time, and I can definitely deal with that. Each time TJL says 'when are you going to do such and such?' I say 'In six months time' ... lol
Some people have said that they could not be a housewife, they'd get bored! Not me! I am so glad I have my photography, that I can develop further. Plus I will be helping TJL out on the farm, getting some more experience under my belt before we finally manage to purchase our own farm.
We almost have all the adoption paperwork done. Will get it sent off straight after Easter. Nervous as heck, into the wide unknown! Plus we have to have our medicals. Very exciting though! Me more than TJL, but that's probably a good thing, although I wish I didn't have to push him quite so hard.
Basketball tomorrow night - Taranaki Mountainairs v Bay Hawks. So excited! I love basketball, plus I do the 'media' for Taranaki, which just involves the facebook page at the moment. Managed to find the team a song today, I hope the rest of the committee like it.
And off to Waverley on Sunday, to photograph a Pony Club end of season cup day. Wooop!
I have had a bit of a nasty cold. Ended up taking half the day off of work yesterday, and fortunately I had today off, so I should be good to go again tomorrow - yes I get to work Easter Friday AND Easter Monday. I have to tell myself - time and a half AND a day in lieu. And if I can save enough money, I shall be a housewife in 6 months time, and I can definitely deal with that. Each time TJL says 'when are you going to do such and such?' I say 'In six months time' ... lol
Some people have said that they could not be a housewife, they'd get bored! Not me! I am so glad I have my photography, that I can develop further. Plus I will be helping TJL out on the farm, getting some more experience under my belt before we finally manage to purchase our own farm.
We almost have all the adoption paperwork done. Will get it sent off straight after Easter. Nervous as heck, into the wide unknown! Plus we have to have our medicals. Very exciting though! Me more than TJL, but that's probably a good thing, although I wish I didn't have to push him quite so hard.
Basketball tomorrow night - Taranaki Mountainairs v Bay Hawks. So excited! I love basketball, plus I do the 'media' for Taranaki, which just involves the facebook page at the moment. Managed to find the team a song today, I hope the rest of the committee like it.
And off to Waverley on Sunday, to photograph a Pony Club end of season cup day. Wooop!
Sunday, April 17, 2011
Almost 2 months between posts
I can't believe I haven't posted in so long. Guess I needed to take a break. So whats the happenings? Still not pregnant. Pretty much expected I guess, after how long of trying ... I can't even remember, 2 and a bit years I think. Last cycle I had 3 folicles to size, but all on the right. Dr Fufu would prefer to see them in both uteri. Will get scanned on Thursday to see how we are doing this month. I'm actually kind of over the whole thing, just being in limbo sucks for me. I like to 'plan' but its really hard when you keep thinking, it'd be cool to do this, but maybe I will be pregnant then' ... I know we should just do it anyway, but, bah, I am kinda tired of being childless.
We have been to a 2 hour adoption/fostering seminar. Didn't really tell me anything I didn't already know, I have researched the topic to death! Lol. We need to get onto our paperwork, and have our medicals done so we can begin the next step of 2 full day seminars. TJL is not so keen on these, not exactly a 'sit down and learn stuff' kinda guy, but he will get through it. I do have to stop speaking for him though! The man is not an idiot!
We had TJL's nieces 5th birthday a week ago. It was okay. Too many children and too much noise. If one or more of the children were mine it wouldn't have been a problem, but I just wasn't in the mood to be very social ... I hate being the only one without kids (thats in my family, not my entire life ... lol).
Also spent a couple of days back home, watched a bit of basketball with a couple of friends, and hung out with my sisters kids. Nearly broke my neck trying to rolypoly off of the footstool in a competition with my 7 year old niece (she does a bridge and flicks her legs over backwards, working towards being able to do it off the floor so she can go up a grade in gymnastics). Me, as I said, could barely rolypoly off the dang thing. When was it I got old? But this is why the kids love me, I'm not afraid to look like an incompetent idiot in front of them.
And back to work tomorrow. But thats only for 6 months, as if I can save 10k TJL said I can quit and be a 'farmers wife' .... YES! Wish me luck!
We have been to a 2 hour adoption/fostering seminar. Didn't really tell me anything I didn't already know, I have researched the topic to death! Lol. We need to get onto our paperwork, and have our medicals done so we can begin the next step of 2 full day seminars. TJL is not so keen on these, not exactly a 'sit down and learn stuff' kinda guy, but he will get through it. I do have to stop speaking for him though! The man is not an idiot!
We had TJL's nieces 5th birthday a week ago. It was okay. Too many children and too much noise. If one or more of the children were mine it wouldn't have been a problem, but I just wasn't in the mood to be very social ... I hate being the only one without kids (thats in my family, not my entire life ... lol).
Also spent a couple of days back home, watched a bit of basketball with a couple of friends, and hung out with my sisters kids. Nearly broke my neck trying to rolypoly off of the footstool in a competition with my 7 year old niece (she does a bridge and flicks her legs over backwards, working towards being able to do it off the floor so she can go up a grade in gymnastics). Me, as I said, could barely rolypoly off the dang thing. When was it I got old? But this is why the kids love me, I'm not afraid to look like an incompetent idiot in front of them.
And back to work tomorrow. But thats only for 6 months, as if I can save 10k TJL said I can quit and be a 'farmers wife' .... YES! Wish me luck!
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