Cate's Diary

Hi Lisa, That is a beautiful photo! I wish!! LOL. No, mine is more an Australian bush garden. A stream would be nice but there's a spring about 100 metres or more under the surface, underneath a small mountain of rock. It can stay there :) Thanks for being a regular visitor & being so supportive. I know you are having a tough time of it & I really appreciate it, xoxo Cate

Hi Val, The toe is getting gradually better & I have only kicked it once. LOL. I'm fairly clumsy too but am getting better all the time by doing Tai Chi. It's great for your balance & co-ordination. I wish that my garden looked a little like that photo but it would require too much watering and we rely on our tank water. It's pretty though. Thanks for being a regular active visitor to my diary. I love it! xoxo Cate
 
Excellent

I went through your article and I was so impressed that I could not notice the time flying. I learnt few things I wasn't aware.
Thank you.
 
Hi Val, Kokore & anyone else reading my diary :)
Yesterday-
I decided to go around to our OS's place & do some gardening as our OGS only had shorts & thongs(flip-flops) so we couldn't do any serious gardening up here. Too many ants & possibly snakes out in the paddock. I had planned on moving some rocks, which he was keen to do. Mmm.
We got to his house & he promptly disappeared inside & onto his computer.
I was going to attack the jungle, that once was their vegie garden, but instead decided to move a long row of embedded rocks, that a previous owner had thought was a good idea. It took me over 5 hours, with a little help(;)) from the smaller grand-kids & some help from my DIL. We stopped for lunch & then I got back into it, after reading a story to my YGS & putting him down for a nap, promising that I would still be there when he woke up. I told my DIL that I was fine on my own as I knew she had housework to do & she is tired from new medication.
I moved all of the rocks, including about 6 that I couldn't lift(I rolled them backwards- roll, roll, step back, step back, roll roll etc if you can imagine that until I got them to the wall & then propped them up, leaning backward) & built a small wall along-side their shed, where our son parks his car. First of all I had moved their unregistered trailer out of the way. "Gee Nan, you're very strong!" My 4 year old grand-daughter was really helpful actually & kept me company for hours, carting her little rocks & placing them in between the big ones. "Gee Nan, how did you get that one up there?"
I tell you now there is nothing much better than a grand-child fan club :D

Older son-
I had completed the removal of the stone border & started on another 'garden' bed, making it smaller & less of a car hazard & then decided to quit for the day. I was buggered, but really happy with my handiwork. I sat at the table inside & had my 3rd water bottle for the day. My OS arrived home & was gob-smacked! He went back outside to check my handiwork properly & I suggested us moving the trampoline into a corner near the decking, which we both then did. He hadn't thought to move it there & he was tickled pink at how well it worked. The kids can now get from the decking straight onto the trampoline & it is in semi-shade for half the day. Nice!
They now have this really big area where the kids can ride their bikes unimpeded by rocks & the trampoline & can get to their swing set etc without having to side-step rocks all the time. Also cars can manoeuvre much more easily to park.
He loves the rock wall so much he has decided to leave it there. I put it there so he could get rid of the rocks easily on his Ute as one of his work-mates is building a rock wall.
I think I have inspired him to get rid of the rock 'garden' near his shed as well. I might volunteer to go help him tidy up his vegie garden. I had taken one look & thought it was too much to tackle on my own & I can see why he has left it. Many hands make light work & I'm happy to help him any time though. It would take us a whole day together I reckon. I think he has now thanked me 6 times for the work I did yesterday :D

Today-
I have decided to have a lazy day & might start on a book. First I'll do the dishes & hang out some washing. I'm cut & scratched from yesterday. My arms look 57 years old! Which....they are!
I'm feeling absolutely fantastic after my day's hard work. I love being so physical!
Love to you all, xoxo Cate.
P.S. Feeling strong physically makes me feel mentally strong :)
P.P.S. Eating healthily makes me feel mentally healthy :D
 
Wow Cate I am very impressed!!!!!!!!! You have so much energy and I'm sure that your family must be greatful that they have you. When you live with something a certain way for so long you often don't think about changing it and it's great when somebody like you can come in with ideas to improve it and even better when they do it for you :D
You can come and reorganize my house anytime you like :)
 
Thanks Val. That is something I really love doing!! It was so rewarding & I felt fantastic after doing it. I would love to come visit & do any reorganising you like but, unfortunately, I'm just too far away!! I'm busting to get back there & do some more. It's somehow more fun at someone else's place, especially when it's appreciated so much :D Thanks for your encouragement. I hold myself back usually but am getting better at offering more of myself. BTW an ex-forum friend of mine(Kannadew) recommended the RunKeeper app for my phone & I have downloaded it & will start adding my exercise soon. It looks really good. I love my iPhone :D Thanks once again for your visit Val xoxo Cate
Today-
I had another great day. My LH & I cut up & carted wood & I did some more rock gathering & moving while he split wood. We both want to be fit & active & will keep doing as much as we can. I love being this active.
Weight-
Has stabilised at 4kgs below what I was a few weeks ago & I am going back on Cohen's tomorrow for 4 days until my Mum arrives on Friday. My mum is coming for possibly 10 days & I'm sure I'll eat out quite a bit with her here- especially lunches so am going to try to drop a little bit beforehand. I knew she was coming sometime but she rang to say she's coming next Friday as "She wants to get it over & done with as she's nervous about it." My mum is going senile & gets very anxious about everything these days. She wants to come over to see the great-grand-kids & this will probably be her last visit over. We'll visit her from now on. She wanted to do it so I didn't try to stop her. It will be very full on for 10 days & I will try to do something each day to help pass the days, unless she'd prefer to stay home mostly. I'll make sure I have lots of books as we both LOVE to read.
I have volunteered to have the 3 GK's tomorrow night for the night to give their parents another night off. It's going to be hot the next couple of days. I'm not sure if I'll get much of a chance to post tomorrow.
Love to all, xoxo Cate
 
It's actually been raining & is pleasantly cool & fresh. I did some food shopping & stocked up, mainly on fresh fruit & some healthy treats for the kids. I'm going to go sit in my chair with a pot of tea in a sec & have a read, while I can. Visited a friend today & got paid a lovely compliment. She told me that she had been discussing how I have managed to keep my weight off & told me that I should be very proud of myself. That was nice :)
Feeling good, but not particularly chatty today so will send my love & skedaddle, xoxo Cate
 
Had a full-on time with the grand-kids & overall it was fun. In there our 3 yr old GS swallowed a marble & I have kicked my toe AGAIN & our OGS stuffed up my computer & I still haven't got it right. All the settings changed somehow. I blame a game he downloaded (which he didn't ask me about 1st) but he swears black & blue it couldn't possibly be. It could have been anything but only happens when he's downloaded things.
Hopefully the marble will come through on it's own or it will be a trip for an x-ray.
I'm starting to stress about Mum coming I must admit. You can tell yourself all the things under the sun but still the things that stress you can still stress you. I'll try to make the most of it. My foot REALLY hurts again & impacts on everything I go to do. Tai Chi was a struggle as you shift your weight from one foot to another & one of our exercises involves standing on your right foot with your left resting near your knee. OUCH!
Enough sooking. I feel very tired & flat but I'll get over it. I'll go out with my LH to 8-ball tonight as I probably won't next week with my mum here.
Love to all, xo Cate
 
OK- all I'll say is yesterday is best forgotten. I ate too much, I drank too much, I was fairly grumpy & it's over.
Today my LH is home & we will do some gardening & maybe wood cutting. I should vacuum before my Mum's visit too but outside beckons. I hope I can get my boots on!
I'm gradually getting my settings back to normal. I know what to do next time my computer cracks a hissy fit- go back to a previous date & restore the system to that. Next time I will not change my settings!- AArrrrrrghhhh!!!!
Also- the marble has been passed- phew!!
Bye for now, not quite so grumpy, Cate
 
Ow I almost felt your pain when you said that you had stubbed the bad toe again. It was bound to happen. I can't tell you how many times I do that when my toe is already bad. The pain goes right through you. I'm glad the marble passed without problems.
Well I'm off to start cooking for the party. I will spend 2 days in the kitchen now but one of my sisters is coming to help and my daughter will be there so it will be fun and less stressfull. We are doing a buffet meal for about 70 - 80 people!!!!
Talk to you in a couple of days. Have a great weekend.
 
ecky said:
Ow I almost felt your pain when you said that you had stubbed the bad toe again. It was bound to happen. I can't tell you how many times I do that when my toe is already bad. The pain goes right through you.
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It did! I didn't kick it as hard thank goodness & I don't think it will take as long to heal.
ecky said:
I'm glad the marble passed without problems.
Well I'm off to start cooking for the party. I will spend 2 days in the kitchen now but one of my sisters is coming to help and my daughter will be there so it will be fun and less stressfull. We are doing a buffet meal for about 70 - 80 people!!!!
Talk to you in a couple of days. Have a great weekend.
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Me too! WOW! You will be busy. Hope you have a ball!! You seem like a great Mum Val and I'm sure your daughter will appreciate your effort- especially the costumes! Enjoy xo Cate

Aurora Australis (or the Southern lights)
Got into bed lateish, last night & the light flashing through the high window didn't seem like lightning. I snuck out of bed & went out onto our decking on the other side of the house. It was the Aurora Australis. I was treated to one of Mother Nature's spectaculars- the Southern Lights!! It was magnificent. I crept back into bed after about 10 minutes & when my LH rolled over I whispered to him that there was an Aurora & he then hopped out of bed & we went out onto the decking for a while & watched it together. It was wonderful!! You wouldn't see that in a city!

Today-
I'm taking Mum to the library & then the local market & then the 2 of us are having lunch with my MIL at the new lovely Italian restaurant in our local town. I hope the 2 mothers don't try to compete too much.

Mum-
Doesn't seem to have changed much in the last year so that's good. I'll report back later.
xoxo for now, Cate
 
Hi Cate,
Thanks for your words of encouragement about listening to others. Hope the rain doesn't come down to Tassie. It's been scary over the last 24 hours and the roads are a mess. Have a good week.
Eloise.
 
Hi Eloise, You're welcome. I don't think we're going to get any wild weather thank goodness, although it is quite cool! I hope it gets better for you soon. Whatever happened to Summer? Next Summer will be much better for you as you will have a slim & healthy figure to show off in Summer clothes. Nice. xoxo Cate.

Yesterday-
Went ok. Lunch was a bit stressful. I don't feel quite up to explaining how my mum is but will sometime. Simple tasks are difficult & she seems at a loss often. It feels sad to me. My MIL was bossy & trying to assert herself. She showed off a fair bit. I think they vie for my attention which is uncomfortable. Mum was mostly just quiet. My MIL can be a bully at times and has been much worse over the years. When it's just her & I I don't have any problems with her. At least it's done now. She can't be nagging me every day to do stuff with her, while my Mum is here as I already have.
Our OS, DIL & the 3 GK's came up & ate tea with us & Mum enjoyed that. My LH was gone all day(9.30am-7.15pm) at Golf (& a meeting.) He arrived home to a house full. I fed everyone & ate at 8.30pm with my LH. We watched a Coehn Bros movie until 12.15am. Don't ask me why. They were my late BIL's favourite producers. It was pretty scary. I slept well though.
Today-
Not sure what we're doing now. We'll go for a drive somewhere. 3 grannies off for a Sunday drive! LOL

Hope everyone is doing well & are happy. Love to you all, xoxo Cate
 
Yesterday-
We went for a drive out to the Meander dam as neither of us had seen it. Mum sat in the car. We drove around following the mountains. Mum loved it. We grabbed a bite and brought it home. During the afternoon we sat & read & wandered around a bit. We did some small chores around the place. Mum doesn't seem to be able to concentrate on anything for any length of time but isn't stressed at all.
She's a bit lost I think. She watches what I do a lot but I'm trying to get used to that. I have to tell her when I'm going to the toilet. LOL. I've decided that i'll take her out somewhere every day & that will help pass the time. My LH is at work today so we may visit a friend up the coast. I didn't want to give her any notice as I don't want her going to any trouble but I had better go call her in a sec & say we're calling in briefly. She & Mum always got on very well. We may meet in a local town up her way.
I had better get moving as mum is wandering around, getting a bit restless. I love her to death.
Our OS has been calling in a fair bit to see her & they are all coming up for dinner tomorrow night & again next Saturday. Mum really enjoyed catching up with the great grand-kids. They behaved very well!
Weight-
This morning was back down to 4kg below my weight of the past year. I am 3.5kg over my GW. :D Quite happy about that. I ate Italian on Saturday & had a main course, not entree so was a bit nervous, getting on the scales. YES! Will still go back on Cohen's 100% in a couple of weeks after Mum's visit & a dinner. Prob end of Feb. In the meanwhile I am being careful & eating healthily.
Lots and lots of love to you all, xoxo Cate
 
Hi Cate. Pleased you are still posting and inspiring everyone as ever.

I keep up with your diary, even though I've not posted in a long time.

Love
Niyah
 
Hi Niyah, Thanks for telling me that. I had a feeling that you did still read my diary & it's nice to know that you do. Hope you are well Niyah, xoxo Cate
 
Hi Cate,

Just dropping in to say hello - it has been a long 9 months and my little bundle of joy arrived on January 11th :). Needless to say, the pounds really shot up during my pregnancy and I will have to wait until I stop breastfeeding before I embark on round 2 of my Cohen journey!

I hope you are keeping well...now that I have time to myself (I've decided to take a year off from work) I can get reacquainted with everyone on the forum.

take care and keep up with your lively posts:D

xxx
sarah
 
Congratulations Sarah!! Boy or girl? Cohen's is great for fertility although I am very happy that I am past that stage of my life. Being a grandma is bliss though :D Thanks for popping back for a visit. If you eat very healthily while you are breast-feeding(lots of lean meat, fresh fruit & vegies) you may lose a little anyway & then once you go back on Cohen's the weight will disappear. Enjoy your bundle of joy, xo Cate

Yesterday-
Mum & I went into our local town & did some shopping, had lunch & came home & I prepared for dinner with our OS, DIL & the 3 GKs. We had a lovely evening with them :D. I think I'm doing well weight-wise & will weigh next Monday. I could go on Cohen's for 4 days then(a dinner to go to on the Friday night) but may wait until the week after. Time to move the weight down again before Winter. Not far from GW & it's tantalisingly close.
Love to all, xoxo Cate
 
Cate, you are a sweetheart! I love how you take care of your mum, even if she does want to know when you go to the toilet even! haha! That made me laugh. :)

I'm sure it gets tough, but you are a sweetheart about it all. And I love how you and your husband are with each other! :beating:! There's hope in this world, I say! There's hope~!

...it might be in Austalia, though.... ? LOL! :D!
 
Alta818 said:
Cate, you are a sweetheart! I love how you take care of your mum, even if she does want to know when you go to the toilet even! haha! That made me laugh. :)

I'm sure it gets tough, but you are a sweetheart about it all. And I love how you and your husband are with each other! :beating:! There's hope in this world, I say! There's hope~!

...it might be in Austalia, though.... ? LOL! :D!
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Thanks sweetie. I'm so happy with my life & so grateful that we still love one another so much. We're lucky we met when we did- pure chance! We have been together 40 years this year. We met when we worked together in Melbourne when I first left home & he moved over there from Tassie, with a friend. Chance!
I think we'll take mum for another drive as she seems happiest when I'm taking her on a cruise around the country-side. She has been here 6 days now & leaves on Monday. It looks like rain but that's ok. Summer seems to have disappeared! Please....come back!!!!
Lots of love to you Alta & to all, xoxo Cate
 
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