Cate's Diary

I hope everyone is having a good week-end. I'm in a bit of a hurry but just wanted to say hi, xoxo Cate
 
I had a good Mothers' Day. Had lunch at my BIL & SIL's(+her mother) with the MIL & another SIL, ate prawns, oysters, followed by a Lebanese lunch & a Lemon Delicious. My husband's brother's wife & her mother are Lebanese. I love Lebanese food. My MIL was painful for a lot of it but we managed to enjoy the lunch anyway. I don't know why she does it but when she gets in a mood she is not nice. She is very jealous & attention-seeking. I hope it didn't ruin the day for the others but I didn't let it spoil mine.
We took her home & then went to the horse races where the horse my husband is in syndicate with won it's race. We didn't have a bet on it as we have lost somany times & it paid $20.90 the win (for a $1 bet). Oh well! It's good that it won. My LH is not going in any more horse syndicates after this one. It's a hobby but he gets more enjoyment out of his 8-ball & golf.
I'm not very well at the moment. My throat is very sore and I cough most of the night. I hope these anti-biotics kick in very soon as it's very tiring. I'm taking it easy today. I haven't had breakfast yet so had better go do so. I had to wait half an hour after taking my anti-biotic. Bye for now, Cate.
 
It's great you made the effort, even in MIL is a pain. Old age is not very attractive in some people, is it? I only hope I age gracefully and don't take my issues out on the next generation.

Sorry you aren't feeling too well. Plenty of bugs going around here too. I'm feeling just a bit lousy, and hoping I don't come down with it too. Both grand children sick the last few days. Husband had a very mild dose last week. I'm popping Vitamin C to try and ward it off.
 
Hi Niyah and anyone else who reads my diary! The old green-eyed monster only makes the jealous person look bad and the one they are jealous of looks even better in comparison.
I was awake for a lot of last night coughing, incl. from 4.30-6.00am when I got up as I didn't want to wake my LH & OGS. I feel a little better during the day & won't go out to 8-ball tonight as the night air makes me much worse.
I saw our neighbour who put the new steel plate in the top of our wood heater & he was going to come up this morning to have a look at it. He said they went away for 2 nights and birds got in & built a nest which blocked their chimney. When my LH got home from work I told him & he got up on the roof, cleaned the chimney & hey presto it's working well. It probably happened while we were in Hobart seeing ourson off.
I haven't weighed for a few days so will tomorrow. I'm relaxing a bit about my weight now & don't feel so obsessed. Food doesn't taste so good at the moment so I am just eating Cohen's 100% during the day & then having a smallish healthy meal at night(incl. a few carb vegies), followed by fruit & yoghurt usually.
If anyone sees one of those apple peeler/corer/slinky making things that schools have in their canteens at the moment (& you can sometimes buy one from school)I would recommend buying one. They are fantastic and are $30 or so. I got one for Mother's Day from my DIL & it's great. I have stewed a huge basket of apples & frozen them into small margarine tubs for the Winter. Yoghurt & stewed apple is still my preferred breakfast.
I'm off for a short but steep walk to the letter box. Be back later, cheers, cate
 
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Well it's a bit boring in here at the moment. Everyone must be busy, unlike me!
I'm still sick & didn't go to Tai Chi this morning. They were having the class early & in a beautiful old home that is a B&B so I didn't want to spoil it for them & I didn't feel up to it. I had enough trouble trying to work out what to wear & gave up & rang. I instantly felt mentally better once I had made the decision not to go. My throat is sore again today, probably from all the coughing. These anti-biotics don't seem to be working very well.
I will weigh tomorrow. I had drunk 3 big glasses of water & had not been to the toilet so decided to weigh tomorrow. I feel really fat & horrible.
Our son- Is loving Peru & has just had a home stay with a village family. He dressed in traditional Peruvian clothes & was "adopted" for a night. He sounded quite overwhelmed by it. (In a good way!)
My LH's 60th birthday- We will be having a party because he doesn't want to go away for it. I thought I should "test the water" & drop hints by telling him about some very cheap fares. Lucky I did. I'll start planning it now because that's the way I am. I think we'll have it at our place & will cater for it ourselves but will have mostly cold food, pre-cooked, with perhaps some hot savoury nibblies. I'll organise it so that there is nothing that needs cooking on the day. At least I have some money put aside already. That will help for the grog especially.
Budget- I can't believe that the pension age has gone up! I'll never get it the way things are going. It's like the stick that the carrot is hanging from gets longer & longer. I was hoping they would lower it to free up jobs for younger people. Ha!
Today- I'm going to only eat Cohen's original food as I feel so fat & bloated. I'll come back later when hopefully someone is about. xo Cate
 
Hi Cate - yes I have been trying to get some work done. The bank statement is sitting there once again staring at me. I had a go for a while yesterday but it is mind-numbing work.

I have relieved the boredom this morning by booking a trip away for husband and me for this weekend - one of the very few weekends in a good while when we don't HAVE to do anything, and he doesn't have any school commitments. Found the cutest place down at Boyanup on a country estate, so hope it's a nice as it looks on the website! I love the south-west, even when it's cold and rainy! Plenty of interesting places to explore.

Last weekend was a cooking weekend for me - I had a go at two new curries, and was pleased with both of them, but especially the first one. The second took me about two hours to get cooking - assembling and grinding spices from scratch is hard work, but I had a lot of fun. I think it's time I extended the repertoire. Doing the dishes afterwards was very unexciting, but at least I now have a new sink and my dishwasher is once again working - was out of action for a month after being moved, as husband didn't have time to reconnect the plumbing etc.

Great your son is having such a special time. It's a humbling experience being part of another culture. My most humbling experiences involved very poor people giving up their bed for me, a fat Westerner, to enjoy whilst they slept on a hard floor or hard wooden bench. Would not HEAR of me not taking the bed - "this is our custom - it is the way it must be done". Even if you are giving them money to look after you, it's still an experience you don't forget easily!

I need a giant kick to get going on losing the rest of this weight. Trouble is, I'm very comfortable exactly where I am. Are you dispensing kicks today, Cate? I'm finding the diet is very easy to do some of the time, but we seem to have constant interruptions and unexpected events occurring. Never mind, the path is ever downward - only the speed of the slope that is the problem.
 
:Angel_anim:Niyah:Angel_anim:
Thank heavens for you!!
I'm going up the wall from sheer, unadulterated boredom today!
I'm sorry but I'm not in butt-kicking mode today. I need someone to kick mine!
I have spent about 2 hours reviewing books I've read on Goodreads on FB. That could take me a lifetime but I got sick of it.
Tomorrow I must get out of the house & do some exercise.I've forgotten what it feels like!
We are away this week-end too and are off to Melbourne. Thanks for reminding me. I got 1/2 price fares 6 months ago for this week-end. We go Sat & I have booked us into a show put on by a youth group on Sat night, we will go see St Kilda play Essendon on Sunday afternoon & come back on Monday afternoon when it's my 56th birthday. We'll maybe go to a yum cha on Monday. I want to eat at a really nice Italian restaurant in Southbank somewhere in that week-end!
I love WA & must go back there again one day. I would love to visit Kannadew & maybe also go back down to the SW. It is beautiful & I'm sure you will enjoy your week-end. It sounds nice!
Thank you Niyah. Just like that(Cate, snaps her fingers!) I got excited & am looking forward to my week-end!
Now I can kick your butt. I'll kick yours if you kick mine! LOL!
Get that a... into gear Niyah & get to the weight that you feel is absolutely right for you, not just maybe good enough & I'll do the same, after weighing myself tomorrow & get some more exercise & stop complaining because I'm bored! Deal?
Cheers Cate.
 
OK - deal!!!

I've had a good day today, but I just need to STRING THEM TOGETHER!!!!!!!

The curry-genie is now loose in my head and needs bolting in a secure place for another 3 months!!!!! :drool5: Sigh!!! The Chicken Methi is calling....

I think I will be an expert on maintenance whenever I get there - I know EXACTLY how to eat sensibly and not put on weight, but at this point of the diet, that's not the aim!!!!

I think I'll just go easy on myself till after this weekend - I do actually want to enjoy this gorgeous place with hubby without stressing. Kingsize four poster bed etc - can't wait!!!! It wasn't even particularly expensive at this time of year. South-west is cheap in autumn and winter - a great place to go!

Hope you really enjoy Melbourne this weekend. I love Melbourne for a visit, though I'd hate to live there. Driving with the trams is not a feature I enjoy, and the "hook" turns in the city centre really do my head in! I love the really ethnic areas, though, and my SIL grew up in Melbourne, so hanging out in Richmond is a must, and eating at a Vietnamese place. Last time I got him to take me straight from the plane to Ha Long eatery... (no wonder I was 94.5kg!!!!)
 
OK - deal!!!
I think I'll just go easy on myself till after this weekend - I do actually want to enjoy this gorgeous place with hubby without stressing. Kingsize four poster bed etc - can't wait!!!!
Mmmm Nudge, nudge, ;);) say no more!
I love the really ethnic areas, though, and my SIL grew up in Melbourne, so hanging out in Richmond is a must, and eating at a Vietnamese place. Last time I got him to take me straight from the plane to Ha Long eatery... )
Quick Google- Ha Long Bay, 82 Victoria St, Richmond? Sounds like a plan. We're staying right in the heart of Melb in Ltle Bourke St, which is what was leaning me towards Chinese & will be tramming it about. I learned to drive in Melb but gave it away as a joke many years ago. We get such cheap fares it's not worth taking the car but probably will later in the year when I go up to see my Mum up on the Murray river for her 85th birthday.
Cheers for now, Cate.
PS I have had a 100% day so far- incl. lots of water. Now the weather is much cooler I am forgetting to drink enough water. Not good!xo C
 
Ha Long is not a place you'd probably choose for an evening meal, but it's good for a lunch. Heaps of food - last I was there it was $6 for a big plate, but that was quite a while back. But yes, I love that whole area - Victoria St & Bridge St. Love the Chinese tailors and BBQ places with everything hanging in the windows etc. Sort of grungy but very cute.
 
PPS - Yes, I'm certainly hoping that four poster bed comes in very useful this weekend! :smilielol5: It'll mostly just be a privilege to actually share a bed for a WHOLE night, instead of a couple of hours!
 
Hi Niyah and anyone else reading my diary.
Going away for a weekend or however long is a tonic. I find we are more relaxed & almost instantly in good moods when we get away. Home is lovely but going away provides a spark. Going overseas is bliss!
Weight-Snuck up a bit but not at the top of the range so will cut down the carbs.
Mood- Excellent.
Health- Getting there slowly. I had a night without coughing which was good. An uninterrupted night's sleep. Sigh.
Today in Tassie- Windy & cold. I don't think I'll be going for a walk. I might have to dust off the exercise bike. Maybe.....
I'll be back later after reading the diaries. Cheers for now, Cate
 
Glad to hear the bugs are moving on now. Maybe by the time you get to Melbourne you'll be well and truly raring to go!

I've been fighting the bugs away all week. Both grandies were sick last weekend, husband had mild dose last week. This week I've had a bit of a temp, slight runny nose, but not a lot else. A few coughs yesterday. I'm swallowing horseradish and garlic, Vitamin C and hoping the bugs go away so I can enjoy the weekend!

I'm minding grandson at school whilst daughter is covering books in library. He's shouting away in his cot - about to cut another tooth and not too happy about it. I won't call her unless I think he's terribly serious - he'll just be cranky for her too today.
 
Solar power- totally off the topic!
I overheard a conversation in the supermarket yesterday re the Federal gov't subsidy for solar panels running out end of June & asked the woman who she is using to install hers. I rang the guy pm yesterday & have got an emailed quote for installng a solar energy photovoltaic system which would generate our own electricity & then sell any excess back to the power grid. I've been quoted $2,200 after the subsidy of $8,000. Does anyone know much about it? I have to decide in the next week.
Weight- Middle of GW range & no longer constipated. Phew!
Mood- Full of energy today & have not coughed for 2 days. Antibiotics finish tomorrow morning when we leave for Melbourne. How's that for timing?
Energy put to good use-
I have done quite a bit of housework, washed out my deep freezer & washed my car.
I'm excited about the weekend now that I feel well again. It is however blowing a gale, literally here in Tasmania, which does not auger well for flying tomorrow morning. Too bad. I don't get scared anymore flying though. I used to freak out when it got bumpy but my first trip to the US cured me of that.
I might pop back later. I still haven't packed anything. I only take a carry on bag so don't have to pack much. LOL.
Cheers for now, Cate
 
Hopefully it will only be bumpy for the first 10 minutes - after that you are usually well above it.

My husband is very keen on the solar stuff, only we haven't had time to chase it up. He's had someone come out and give a quote etc, but we just haven't gone on from there. Will also have to get on with making a decision.

I don't know a lot in detail, only it seems a really good option, and my husband who is a science teacher and right into all that seems convinced about it being a great idea. My son is also an electrical engineer and his firm is doing a lot of work in this area. They have a "green design commitment" and he's had special training. I don't ask anything technical as I am DEFINITELY not sciency, but if they say something is good, I go along with it!

I guess it depends on whether you want to make a commitment to the environment anyway, and hope it saves money, or whether you need to look at the figures in detail and work out how long it takes to get your capital back.
 
Solar- The $2,200 cost after the gov't subsidy will only provide a 1kW system which would provide<1/4 of our energy needs. $9,000 would double that(can't afford that anyway) & still only provide half so I don't think we'll be going with it yet. Hopefully the price of a fully stand- alone system will go down in price as the technology gets better. It's a bit disappointing but at least I understand it all a lot more after spending hours studying it today. We have 2 hot water services & that's a problem. We could only get a subsidy for one solar HWS. I'll give it more thought after the w/e.
I don't think much is more important than what we're doing to the environment & changing our ways but I think it really needs to be wholly supported by our government. These things should not only be for those who can afford them. Just like health & education. Hopefully the world recession will make the world a less wasteful place.
Eurovision-
Turkey were fantastic & so were Armenia.There is so much boring stuff though & the commentary is absolute drivel & fluff. I'm usually wishing my LH wouldn't watch somuch sport but I'm almost at the stage of suggesting he put the football on. Te he. I won't say it yet.
A weekend in Melbourne- Yay!! Better go pack something!!! Wee Hoo!!!!!
Love & hugs to all, xo Cate
 
Hi Kate,
hope you had a great weekend away ?
Do you mind me asking why do you have 2 hot water systems ?
We have just had a solar heat pump put in it only cost us $600 after the rebates we couldn't get a solar on our roof as it faces the wrong way the guy told us in winter we would be using heaps of power :waving:
 
Hi reb There is a couple of reasons for the 2 HWS- one being the shape of it & the other being that we built it in 2 stages. Our house is a C shape with bedrooms up one end(& 2 bathrooms incl. our ensuite). We built this first about 20 years ago & used it as a shack to get away from our 7 day a week business which we lived above. We had our b/r as a living room & our ensuite as a temp.kitchen with a rough old trough as the kitchen sink. So the 1st HWS serviced this area.
Many years later we added the rest of the house with it's central open plan living room/ dining area/kitchen & as you go around the C shape...laundry/toilet/rumpus room/garage so the 2nd HWS services the kitchen, laundry & toilet. We only moved into the house 5&1/2 yrs ago when we sold our business. The solar technology was not really out there (well- def. not affordable or very practical) when we had our house planned but it is "solar passive" with double glazing, is totally insulated(walls & ceiling) & has been designed to catch as much sun as possible with high windows etc, eaves to block out summer sun & let in winter sun etc. It is very light & I rarely need lights on. It's just a pity about the 2 HWS.
If we were building again our whole house would be much smaller, have solar power, composting toilets(2 only) We love our home though & would hate to move. It will only be when we cannot manage it any more & hopefully that's a long way off.
Weekend!
Our weekend in Melb was wonderful. We made no bad food choices whatsoever & ate Japanese,Thai, Vietnamese, Italian & then Thai again. No rubbish & all delicious!
We took trams around the city, our football team the Saints won their 8th match in a row, we bumped into about 10-15 people we knew from Tasmania and our shopping was perfect. We bought an oil sprayer that you fill with olive oil yourself, instead of using aerosol cans & a salt/pepper grinder combo thingy that you can use with one hand while you cook. I have wanted one since seeing it on tv on a cooking show. I bought a wonderfully comfortable pair of Timberland shoes. They were my birthday present. My feet had been killing me & I really needed a new pair of shoes. My older sister used to wear Timberland boots & swore by them.They are usually very expensive but these were half price. I did well.
We walked around often holding hands or linking arms & it just was really good. I like to tell you these things because I think it's important to know that you can be really happy with someone & enjoy their company even when you get to our age. We have been together for well over 37 years & I have never been happier.
I really must share a funny story though. When we were going through security at the airport my LH made the beeper go off loudly & the security guy asked him if he had anything metal on him. My LH said no. He then said "Have you had a hip replacement?"
I nearly died laughing! It was his glasses case which, apparently, are full of metal.
On the way back from the airport, we stopped for petrol & my LH fell over a concrete barrier on the way out of the servo but luckily didn't hurt himself. He complained about them being in the way but that is what they are for so cars don't run into the building. I didn't laugh though as it was quite a hard fall & I thought he may have hurt himself. When we got home he realised he had lost his glasses. I have since rung & they have them. I don't dare tell our OS as he has already posted the security story on FB. My husband has a good sense of humour thank goodness & is also very fit so that when he fell his quick reflexes saved him hitting his head.
This week-
I am going to get a lot more exercise. I have walked & walked around Melbourne & now that I am no longer feeling sick I am going to get back into the habit of walking every day. Tai Chi tomorrow. Yes!
Time to do some housework. Our OS fed our dogs while we were away & came up & got the fire going for us before we got home which was very thoughtful of him. It got down to zero degrees Celsius last night. Brrr! It's a beautiful, sunny day today as it often is after a frost so good for a walk.
Cheers for now, Cate
 
Glad you had a great weekend, Cate!

My biggest weekend memory will be being asked by a tubby young man at the beach if I was pregnant!!!!! Sort of deflated my ego considerably! I guess he couldn't have known that I'd just lost 20kg - here I was feeling like a model, but realising I still have a bit to go. My husband assured me my stomach bump doesn't AT ALL look like a pregnancy, but it was a bit disconcerting anyway!!!!
 
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