Thursday, April 14, 2011

April already? Really?

Well... how about that? I realised how far along the year already was seeing as Bill is talking about ANZAC day already and where he has to be.
ANZAC day is in remembrance of Australian and New Zealand troops, at Galipoli, and a big deal over here.
Bill will be going to a country town and inspecting all the veterans, which he's never had to do before.
He thinks it's rather weird...LOL. He will do it tho.

As far as we can tell, it's going to be another year here. Ho hum! It's alright tho, I like the work. It's not too hard.
It will kill me going back to Qld after this.
Scotty the dog has been neutered and is doing well. He licked at it too much ( I didnt realise he was licking as much as he was, as he had the cone on some of the time, but would wait til I wasnt licking when it was off)
he gave himself an infection, so now has 10 days of antibiotics to finish, and has just finished 5 days of oral steriods, which has worked well.
Im going to wait a fair while before I take him back for the stitches out so he's well and truly healed.
I worked in a place that has oldies and palliative care in it for two shifts at the start of the week.
Two of the guys died, one each day, and it ended up making me cry about Dad.
Which wasnt a bad thing, coz I needed to. I had been putting it off for ages.
I miss the old bugger, I really do. Not how he was when he was sick, the real him.
I need to call his wife, see how she is. I called on the one year and she was busy.. but that was 2 months ago!
It's nearly his birthday, so Ill call soon.
alright... now for TMI stations... if you want to scroll down to comments nows the time....



ok, dont say you werent warned.

Im a week over my period due date. It can happen on occasion, but my body isnt even acting like it's thinking Im going to have one.
Ive been hungry. and my temperature guage is whacky. I feel warmer than it has been.
I told Bill Im either pregnant or perimenopausal. I dont know which would bother me more...LOL.
At 38 I didnt really want another child.. but I dont want to be on the edge of freaking menopause either!
He's has a vasectomy, and a good one.. they took 9cm out. That's nearly half of it. I guess it could have re formed...
he would be proud of himself if it had...LOL. Preliminary tests are negative but then again they were when I had Harley, too.

We will see.

anyway.. with that there's not a lot more to say!
ciao!

Monday, April 4, 2011

lasts

Ive been having a hard time getting back on track with my computer sites and groups. I have a savinbgs website I havent even really looked at since I got home. Some of the regular people I talk to will probably think Ive died, LMFAO!
Scotty the crazy Golden Retriever is finally booked to get castrated in the hope the removal of his testosterone producing nuggets will calm him somewhat.

We nearly had us a fairly bad incident the other day when some old guy's dog ran up to us because it was unleashed.
I stood between them and got a little nip for my trouble.
The plan is to give him a week afterwards then start taking him to where there are a lot of dogs, all the time and get him assimilated.
I now have a money plan. I needed one so desperately, Im starting to blow off work coz I dont have to go, and Ive been spending money like it's water.

Not good.

My plan will NEED me to work the full 8 shifts/fortnight most of the time.

I also have plans to get solar hot water and panels for the house. Im just hoping that i havent left it so late that I wont be able to get in before the government rebates finish.

It means about a 10k difference and will be the difference between being able to do it or not.
Once the new laws are through, tho, there will be no more installation of non solar hot water. None, nada. So once our old HWS packs it in.. no cheap solar either.

The govt is planning on having us by the short and curlies.
I think it's unfair to remove the rebates if it's so damn important to have it in that you cant have any other. for shame, aussie govt. for shame.

Going back to Townsville will be an expensive exercise! we want to do some renovations to make the house more livable. Ive put up with it the way it is for a long time.
It needs to be made beautiful. it needs air conditioning throughout. it needs an ensuite! it needs a carport. it needs a shed.
Big dollars!

Also, Bill and I have decided to buy a second house. In case I die before he does, he needs somewhere to live. Or sell to buy somewhere to live.
My house will go to Harley, but then Bill has nothing.

I told him Harley would have to let him live there but hes not for that at all.
So.. we decided that the second house would be the go.
What he doesnt know is Im going to open an extra savings account and siphon money from our account into it, and Im going to open another one for holidays.
I dont even think he will notice the money going ;)

When the time comes he will have a savings history and a hefty balance. Ill put his name on it when needed, after he knows. Having a holiday account will be great too.
No debt after a big holiday? Hell yeah!

I want to be saving about 500/fn myself, so I need to work. Having a reason really helps.

Ive started to ebay stuff i dont need anymore. I dont expect to be making big dollars, but getting rid of stuff to people who want it is good.
The cats are a lot more settled than they were. Ive been using the feliway diffuser, its a synthesised cat pheremone thats meant to make them chilled out.

Good for stressful situations, which in our case is too many cats.

They are playing much more nicely already, and all three cats ate in the kitchen tonight. amazing.
anyway.. on to the survey!


LASTS
Last thing you said: "That was a nice thing of him to do"

Last thing someone said to you: "Yeah, its good"

Last person you saw: Bill

Last movie you watched: Some weird ass German psyco thriller.. cant remember the name

Last show you watched: Actually watched? The biggest loser. Undercover Boss, American is on right now. (we have an Aussie one here too)

Last book you read: Actually read all of?? LOL not sure. I start a lot of books I dont finish. Last one I started was "the four hour working week."

Last thing you ate: soup and toast

Last thing you drank: Water

Last time you brushed your hair: 1pm this arvo. its 1940 now.

Last time you changed your clothes: When I finally had a shower and got dressed, about 1pm

Last time you were hurt: I dont really remember, the last time I remember really hurting myself (apart from the bloody ongoing mouth ulcers I have from chewing nicotine gum, and the incessant joint pain I have)
I stubbed my toe on Gina's coffee table. That made me  wordless. You can tell it really hurts when I cant speak, LOL

Last time you were scared: two nights ago when I thought a patient was going to arrest on me

Last time you laughed: not certain, but I laugh at something at least daily.

Last time you slept: I got up at 10am

Last call you made: I called the vet this afternoon to arrange Scotty's surgery

Last call you received: Bill checking we didnt need anything from the shop

Last email you sent: One to Bill about the honorary Mess member's dinner. (the mess has retired military that are honorary members)

Last email you received: An ebay email.

Last time you went outside: I came back from walking the dog about 510pm

Last time you looked in the mirror: last time I went to the loo. The ensuite mirror is huge, LOL, theres no escape

Last time you did laundry: Last week. Bill usually does it. I only do it if he's away or theres something I want specially washed

Last time you wrote something down on paper: Today, I wrote the buyer's addresses and what they bought to go to the post office and send my ebay sales away

Last time you saw your siblings: a few months ago, but not all of them. The last time we were in the same place together was Dad's funeral.
The last time we were ALL together was 17 years ago. A couple of us went interstate, since then the other one that went interstate has died.

Last time you stayed up late: I dont often go to bed before midnight.

Last time you used chapstick: dont remember

Last time you printed something out: Before I went to Brisbane I printed off my flight itineraries.

Last thing you wrote online, not counting this survey: a message to Megan on facebook

Last thing you thought about before bed last night: that I should really start going to bed earlier than I have been, that it would mean that I want to go to work more!

Last person you missed: My Dad. I was thinking about him a bit today. I keep forgetting he's died.

Last song you listened to: "hello hello" by the Cat Empire was on my MP3 in the car when I pulled up outside this arvo. (arvo= afternoon for the non aussie)

Last time you cried: I dont know. its been a little while

Last sporting event you watched: The Aussie Rules Grand Final last year. My team was in it, they havent won a final in my lifetime.. and it was a hotly contested DRAW!!! they lost in the rematch that I didnt watch a week later

Last time you had fast food: when I was away. I dont eat much fast food. I even had meat! oops. LOL

Last song you sang to: Polyester girl.

Last dream you had:Something weird and disjointed. It may have even had Dad in it.

Last medication you took: Pain killers for said joint pain.

Last time you exercised: today I walked the dog

Last thing you bought:  A garden cart so I can do more weeding without having to lug the pulled weeds and garden clippings by hand

CURRENTS

Sounds: TV is on, cat just chirruped at me, laundry just finished.

Drink: nothing right now

Food: Nothing, thinking about making dinner. not sure what!

Clothes: Jeans, black floaty cardigan, sheer paisley top and long sleeved t under.

Mood: Happy, mellow

Wonder: If Ill be able to get the solar hot water and power sorted on the house ok

Wallpaper: On my phone? Flames. On my computer? Dad and Harley pulling matching faces in an unposed pic.

Windows open: bloop, ebay, facebook, blogger, OD,online bank x2, cascom (rostering for work), hotmail.

Annoyance:sore hands, wondering how much longer this will take..LOL. computer is slow, need to restart it soon.

What time is it? 2015

WHAT WERE YOU DOING THIS TIME...

1 hour ago: cruising ebay

2 hours ago: calling about dog's appointment

12 hours ago: sleeping

yesterday: eating dinner

Last week: probably wasting time on the computer!

and thats a wrap!

Sunday, March 27, 2011

this n that

Ive been a busy little monkey. Just spent the week in Brisvegas, (Brisbane for those not in the know)
Bill's stepmother remarried, at Calounra. We wanted to show her support as we were very happy for her.
Its a big thing to remarry and have the stepkids support her.
The new husband is a lovely guy, and they are like 2 little love birds, pecking at each other all the time.
It was delightful.

In a TMI moment, we were shagging like newlyweds at the hotel. No idea what that was all about, but it was great. Some really good sex, too.
Would actually like to get a decent sex life going, its good fun ;)

After that we made our way to Brissy, we caught up with friends of ours, then on to Gene's place to Bill could catch everyone before he went back.
I stayed with Genes and family the week, and she was a ripper host. She seems to instinctively know the balance between chattiness and quiet, and its nice and comfortable, like Ive been friends with her for years, which I have, but it feels even longer.
I always feel so spoilt there..haha I even had my own bathroom ;)
It was really lovely having the time with the kids too.
Zavian is nearly enough to make me clucky. Only nearly.
He's so warm and sweet and snuggly, it was a joy to cuddle him.
Lex was so cute, too, and I think we made good friends in the week.
Ty is always such a gentleman to me, he's considerate towards me and we can always freely chat easily. Its a good place to be.

I caught up with an old Townsy friend, Marie.. who wanted to talk about herself all night, LOL!

I also caught up with Donna, which I always love. Donna and I had a really relaxed day wandering in the shops, and she took me to the eco shop near her house.
I bought soap nuts, and have used them on my clothes and report a good result. I also picked up a few other bits and bobs, including going back the next day for a citrus bathsalts that Donna had bought that smelled divine!
Donna is one of those people I dont catch nearly enough online, but when we do catch up its great, and I loved seeing her.

I decided to have the weekend home with Bill. He slept like shit all week, I think he missed me.
He's certainly slept since I got home.

The posting orders are still a 50/50. IF we go back to Townsville, the house is in for a massive change.
We will install an ensuite and walk in robe, we will a/c it, we will reno the bathroom, we will tile the floors in the whole house, we will reno the kitchen.put in wardrobes. put in a carport and entertainment area, and we will build a room for the outside laundry.
we've spent all day kicking ideas around, and Ive been getting his opinion on a few things, like what bath he wants.
He takes regular baths so it matters to him more.

I expect all this will cost around 50-60 k. value add to house? 200k. value add to our lives? priceless
If Bill goes overseas we will pay it all off, no problems.
even if he doesnt, we may well knuckle down and kick through it pretty quickly.

Bill, if anything, is more excited regarding living back there than I am, and I just find that hilarious. its the funniest thing ever.
hes so sweet.
his idea re the laundry is just gold, between that and gyprocking in the next area we will gain a fair bit of space and functionality. exciting stuff.
anyway, its dreams right now.

apart from that, back to work tomorrow. I wont get a great deal of moneys this fortnight, I worked a whole day, but I loved taking it off.

Ive been arguing with my nephew on facebook regarding hospitals. hes crapping on about stuff he doesnt understand but he thinks he does. hes really just a dopey dude with an even dopier wife who makes him feel smart.
lucky I love him anyway ;)

Mood. Ive come to realise, even more, how much my mood has affected how I think, how I feel, how I interact.
Im so glad that Im getting better and better. Its nice to finally feel human again.
To all depressed people, take hope. Dont discount drugs. they can work really well.. but honestly? I needed nearly 2 years of it till I felt really good.

in other matters.. we bought a baby gate. so I could have the dog upstairs without holding him on a lead, the cats can get out of the lounge and he can hang out with us, which he hardly gets to do inside.
The cats will be pissed, but that's life ;)
Im persisting with giving up smoking. It was good when I was away. Out of routine, its easier not to smoke.
Now Im home? Id love a cig, but Im resisting.
Bill loves that I no longer smell of cigs. Im missing it, and seriously considering ecigs. Not the nicotine ones, but just to do it.
then, i dont even want to revisit the whole process of inhaling and exhaling something.
Im a little worried it will make me want real ones.
so.. with that, thats a wrap ;) I have other things to waffle about, but really, its getting a bit long, LOL. catch u all on the flip side

Friday, March 4, 2011

its been a while, baby

well, its been a while. what can I tell you?
Ive decided to give up smoking.. finally. Im using patches and Im currently cutting down the cigs, Im on 18/day.
tomorrow is down to 15.
weather.. weather sucks, really. summer never did rear its head, with only a handful of days over 25c.. I really like summer weather so thats a shame
Ive got big plans for travel this year, Im heading to Brisbane in 2 weeks,
 Ill head to Townsville a couple of times, Perth once, Melbourne a few times, and we hope to do the great ocean road.
we were waiting for a spell of warm weather ;)
Brisbane is officially for Bill's stepmother's wedding, we will also catch Donna and Col, and of course Gina, Ty, Lexi and Zavian.
Perth will see me catching up with my neice and nephew.
one of the Townsvile visits will be to see the wedding of 2 of my lesbian friends. they are having a ceremony and singing a bunch of legal documents that give them the same legal bonds as any straight married couple.
most of my family and old friends are in Melbourne, its good to see them but it can be a trial getting around to everyone.
I wish more of them would come to mee!
works been good, Im enjoying being casual, and Im getting enough work.
so far the only weekend work I get is saturdays, maybe when Im home Ill put myself down for every saturday.
I love having extra days off, but I dont DO anything much with them.
thats a bit of a lie, last sunday we went to the shops, to the Fird museum, which was interesting, and to a market of vintage items.
I picked up some lovely cut glass and crystal items.
Cats are still awesome. Gypsy lends an air of mischeviousness to the house, shes still boinging around being silly.
shame she doesnt get along with the black cat, tiny.

Gypsy and big cat sneak kisses at times, if biggus and tiny werent so close, and tiny wasnt so close to me, I would send her up to Harley.
fluffy cat and tiny get along pretty well.
I think you did the right thing, tho Genes, she is crazy and would be jumping all over your 2 kids.
nursing wise, there is a real crackdown on continued learning, so there is a lot of workshops now available. we require 20 hours learning/year, called 20 CPD points.
I will be able to access plenty of online learning, and theres a few worshops Id love to go to, but too bad they are in the city, a good hour . and they cost $140 each.
Ive got Forrest Gump on the TV at the moment. its a sweet movie, tho its only on because there's nothing else, I am getting sucked back into it again.
what else? Im still steadily losing weight. Im back into a size 12 pant.. which is an American 10. I havemt worn anything smaller in some years, so we will see.
I have gotten back into my levi 501s that Bill brought me back from the US, which I didnt think I was going to be able to wear again, ever.
theyre barely worn- I got too fat for them quickly.
heres hoping I get to wear them a lot!
too bad I now have all these nice clothes that are now too big... haha
and with that, Im a goner!! see yas!

Tuesday, February 1, 2011

cyclones and travel

thought it was about time I updated.
Ive finally finished work, had myself available for only 2 shifts this week, but removed myself from both the day before, as I hadnt been offered any work.
my heart just wasnt in going in right now.
of course this means I wont be being paid, either...

this is something I cant afford to do all the time, but its my first week back casual, so.. I said fudge it!

Im heading to Mt Isa to see Harley on friday, which will be good as I havent seen him since last october! I know! such a long time.
hes more than over the whole thing, and I think my arrival will break up the last weeks of his placement nicely.
hes also been back to townsville for pleasure since the funeral and his GF's 21st.

after Mt Isa, I head into Townsville. Im eternally grateful my timing is what it is; right now there is a MONSTER cyclone (hurricane) headed for the north qld coast, heading in for just south of Cairns.
its big enough to make Hurricane Katrina and Cyclone Tracey look like babies.
the area had a bad one just a few years ago, which is unpleasant.

this one was originally thought to be heading to Townsville, and I have to say Im grateful it isnt. no one wants one, no one deserves one.. but Im glad its staying away from where I have loved ones..
that being said, it will be still hairy in Towny, due to the sheer size of this one, its some ridiculous size and there is due to be destructive winds for a couple of hundred kilometres... and it will send gale force winds out for a few hundred more.

my ex and good friend, Keith, has secured the house and has taken the cat to his place.
 Tenille has left the house now, and the cat, which she has been feeding but I dont think she had any plans to take her anywhere.
he also took the ashes from Cat and Dax with him, so they would be ok.

I had a text telling me I had to evacuate my home, which is a bit scary.
there is a concern that the cyclone will bring a large storm surge with it, and my home is at risk of this.
Myself, I think it will stay dry- its ever so slightly higher than a lot of the land around it, tho it is on the start of the slope.
my back yard would definately be dry, LOL!!
maybe the house should have been set further back, its right at the front ;)

in other news- my vegetarianism has been a bit hit and miss at times. its something I feel I need to improve on, and in time I will bite the bullet and become vegan.
egg and dairy farming also has some questionable practices, and happy eggs are a bit better, but not really happy.
theres no mythical farm where old chooks and dairy cows go to live out their lives... and it nags at my conscience all the time
ill definately miss cream, yoghurt, milk and choc!
but ill feel better in myself.

what else? nothing exciting apart from a killer cold sore on the INSIDE of my lip... and i have a couple of mouth ulcers, from sharp teeth. my mouth is so sore and the ulcer gels sting like no bodies buisness.. as does some foods.
vegemite toast is a no go! owww!
and I woke up sorta screaming from a nightmare.
i woke Bill up, who woke me out of it by patting my arm and talking to me. I think i scared him.
i guess Im a little stressed by this freaking cyclone :P
and Im not even in the bloody thing.. sheeesh.

heres a link for those that are interested
http://www.bom.gov.au/products/IDQ65002.shtml
and Ill leave you with that ;)

Wednesday, January 12, 2011

a real post/crossposted from diary

i dont have a lot of time, so it will be short. the lovely Blue Bella demands my attention so I will throw a little entry in ;)

my life is still a work/rest spin cycle, as Im still tired and even had a bit of a meltdown last week.
just had a big cry, but I was premenstrual and tired, what can I say really?

Bill says overall my depression has been a lot better the last few weeks- and I feel better in myself, a combination of a few things.
Im getting closer to going casual, which Im loving the idea of.  Im currently full time and will love the choice of when I want to work.

Im involved in a thread on a website that is beautifully positive, and I really feel it with me in so much as it encourages me to think of things in a positive light.

i guess its true you need to seek these things out.

I also joined a beauty thread, and started reading some beauty/fashion blogs.

between the last three things, I realised something I missed desperately was being girly in my appearance.
it was something I was quite into as a kid, and over time let it go.

partly having a tomboy bestie as a teen, partly self consciousness- Im actually not bad looking and get a bit of attention when I take care of myself.

Partly I couldnt justify the cost when I had to take care of other things, partly that I wear a uniform to work.
so with all these things Id let it all go and I actually missed it.

SO, Ive dropped a bundle on cheaper than new/shop new pretty clothes on ebay, and shoes- OMG have I bought some shoes.
and cosmetics.

Ive probably spent too much too quick, but I will refine my personal style a bit more with time, and collect more clothes etc at a much slower rate, and look at ebaying what doesnt work for me.
or maybe donating.

and, I have to admit it leaves me with a spring in my step.

I had same bestie over for a few days this week, and it was really good.

I also finally had time alone with my goddaughter for the first time in my life!
shes grown up a bit in the last year and I find her much more adult (at 17) and I really enjoyed her company.

we bonded over general chit chat and girl things... as her mother isnt girly at all its amazing she is.

but we cursed my friend when she was pregnant. she wanted a son just like mine, and was always going on about it

we said we hoped she had the girliest girl ever- and she did.

and she wouldnt have it any other way!

we had plans for bike riding, surfing and a trip to a water theme park, all of which became not possible as it was cold and wet. so much for summer.

another big thing over here has been the massive flash and regular flooding.

flash flooding is scary- its a lot of water and quick. have it in a regional city and you have loss of life, which happened.
regular flooding usually only kills if you get caught short and cant get out, or if you do something silly.

at the moment the worst is interstate from me, but its also been very wet here and looking like we will get our own floods, so Ill be keeping an eye on that, you better beleive it!

my town isnt in danger at the moment, but ill be watching.

what else can I tell you? Im on night duty tonight and the next three nights after that, hence the lack of time.
I will have to go and get ready for work soon.
Ill be in an ED or ER to some, so theres no down time overnight either! im hoping they keep all the regular staff unlike the wards who go to half staff.
Im sure they will.

and with all that, I really hope everyone stays safe, whether its snow, rain or floods youre battling.

First post!

Hello there my lovlies! I thought id best create an actual blog, seeing as there are a few people I know with blogs Id like to follow.
This is my first blog, Ive had a diary for some years and this is quite different.
Im not a blogger at heart, so it will be slow going at times, Im sure... but bear with me ;)


My name is Mandy, Im a RN- registered nurse, and have been so for 15 years, having started my degree 20 years ago now.
Im married, am a young empty nester with an adult son that lives interstate who is the light of my life, and a step son and step daughter who are also adult.
As an army wife, I move about the country on a pretty regular basis!

All else will unfold here, you will see ;)

edited with the help of the lovely Bungle :)