Cate's Diary

Please excuse me folks but I have spent all week-end in Launceston at the State 8-ball try-outs & I have felt progressively worse as it went on.I'm not sure if I am sickening for something like flu but I have felt under attack. I have had swelling in various parts of my body, headache on & off, blocked sinuses, hot one minute & cold the next, fuzzy brain, unable to concentrate & generally feeling stuffed. I could have gone to sleep at any time & I feel like I need a whole day in bed to recover.
I have a feeling this may be what my sister experiences on a regular basis. It may be because of my allergies. There were many encounters with Lynx & various other hideous deodorants & perfumes! I went to a really good health food store & am going to start taking some extra supplements & try to stop taking anti-histamines as, apparently they deplete your body of it's Vitamin C. I am going to up my Vit C & take Garlic & Echinacea every day & just carry an anti-hist. in my bag just in case. I feel like I have been physically assaulted. It's not good. I'm not up to reading any diaries sorry. Hopefully a good night's sleep will follow tonight & tomorrow I will be feeling better.
Bye for now, Cate
 
Sleep tight Cate! I have to confess my total ignorance in not even knowing what 8-ball is! (Do I have a life?????? No, obviously.....)

Anyway, hope you get over whatever it is really soon.
 
Hi Niyah- 8-ball is pool (similar to snooker/billiards but on a 7' x 3'6' table.) I did have a good sleep thanks & feel human again. I think it was a full-on allergy attack.My sister can't go out without a mask & I'm really hoping that is not my fate,xo Cate.
Today-
I got a really good night's sleep & made sure yesterday that I ate extra-healthy. It was so good to get home but I really did feel shocking.
Today my nose has cleared a bit. I used some nasal spray & put anti-histamine eye drops I b/f I went to bed. They are still sore & I still feel a bit wheezy but nothing like yesterday. I don't want to let anyone down & not go to the op-shop so will see how I go. I am to be there in an hour. I just popped in for a quick look b/f my shower & my YS is in FB. He just had to duck out to buy a train tkt & said he'd be backin a sec. He's there now so I'll say bye for now. Cheers, cate
 
Back to feeling exhausted again- Sore eyes, aching all over & just so tired. early to bed tonight & not going anywhere tomorrow. Plus I will keep taking my anti-histamines. I obviously really need them. Worked 5 hours in the op-shop but was a zombie by the end. I enjoyed it still. I like the social aspect but also helping to get it really well organised. I'm too tired to make any sense so I'll say bye for now. cheers, cate
 
I now think it's a head cold as today my head is totallly stuffed up. I have a head-ache, blocked nose, blocked sinuses & asthma & feel quite 'chesty.' Not up to much today folks I'm sorry. I'm going to throw on some warm clothes & sit in my recliner in front of the fire with a book. I haven't read a book for a couple of weeks & I picked a Kerry Greenwood one up yesterday. Bye for now, Cate
 
Hiya Cate,
Get well soon.... sounds like you need plenty of warmth, rest and liquids. Must feel terrible coming down with the flu, especially if it triggers asthma. I know how it is as I too suffer from asthma once in a while. Of all bugs, I hate the flu the most :)
Take good care,
sarah
 
I don't think it's flu as I'm starting to feel a bit better already. I think I really did have a bad reaction to the excessive perfumes in the deodorants & aftershaves that young men seem to over-use these days. Lynx in particular literally takes my breath away & that's not in the way it's meant to! See I'm feeling a little better- a weak attempt at humour. Back to my chair....more herbal tea, my 2 dogs as an added blanket.
I'm meant to see the nutritionist in the morning, then Tai Chi & then a doctors appointment in the afternoon re my new blood test for cholesterol. It means most of the day in my local town. I would much rather stay at home. Mmm. I have been waiting ages to see the nutritionist,my Tai Chi teacher cancelled her new class today due to lack of sufficient numbers & my doctor is so busy you usually have to wait a week to see her & I probably should re my allergies. I'll decide when I see how I feel in the morning. My head is clearing & I no longer ache all over.
Anyhow,'night folks, xo Cate
 
Just as well you don't work in a school! The boys swing from the BO club in upper primary who won't bath, to the early-mid-teens who have noticed girls and are drowning themselves in deodorants and hair gel, and leaving wafting scents all through the office. Either way, it's generally overpowering in one direction or the other!

Hope you're feeling better today.
 
Thank you Niyah, my friend.I have spent the entire day in my local town. Did the lot! I will be back in the morning & will tell you all about. A very productive, very positive day! It was exhausting but at the end of it I am so glad I made the effort.
Reminders for Cate-
Footy tkts P1
Nutritionist- allergies & maintenance, exercise phys
Tai Chi
Coffee & lunch with Tai Chi friends-nice
Doctor-belly dancing,nice chat incl sex,ref'l-
Ref'l to exercise physiologist
Tai Chi call at Dr's re video
Tai Chi video
Call from a friend re my FB status note this am re GS Footy tkts pt 2
Dinner- no perhaps I shouldn't he he
Phew- Now I have reminders set, bye for tonight,xoxo Cate
 
My mental fog has cleared!!! Eyes no longer stinging, nose clearing, breathing better. Excellent!
Footy tkts Pt 1, 2 & 3.I tried getting tkts online for the tassie Saints vs Hawks match for the 2 of us & our OGS,but couldn't so rang the Saints membership section. They are going to send us 2 free tkts & we will be amongst Saints members, but, alas I couldn't even purchase one for our GS. I posted this as my status on FB & last night got a call from a friend in Hobart who is ringing the club today & thinks he may be able to swing something for us. I have no idea how but will cross my fingers. Either way don't you just love friends! Apparently many people have missed out altogether incl some of my friends & some travelling from interstate who have flights booked but no tkts!!
Nutritionist- Was so very helpful that I don't really know where to start. We went over my 'diet' & health problems & she has given me many tips & ideas about tweaking what I eat & when. She is also a Uni lecturer.We share many allergies & she is suffering as well atm. I found it very interesting & enjoyed the experience immensely. We talked about exercise & when I told her I think I have lost muscle & would like to build it up but have no idea about strength training she told me that there is an exercise physio that I can see under the same program that I am seeing her. It was lots of little things that I learned like what to eat before I go for a walk (apple or yoghurt for eg). She is a firm believer in eating low GI so I am going to get a book of my own. I was thinking that was the way to go,combined with Cohen's maintenance guidelines. She has recommended that I replace some of my meat protein with nuts and/or beans & that I eat extra low-fat yoghurt to get my Calcium. I had told her that I wanted to reduce my supplements.
I'll keep adding things as I think of them. I think I will ask her to give me a written assessment next time I see her & get as much written info as I can. She also wants to see my cholesterol readings. I told her that I had a doc's ap't later in the day to find out what they had got to with medication & she asked me to bring it along next time. I also said I would ask for the ref'l to the exrcise physio. I have another ap't with her in 3 wks.
I am also going to give Bergen bread another try but only 1/2 a slice at a time as I eat very little grain(understatement). I might wait until after the w/e though. She recommended I have more oil by eating avocado, walnuts & natural almonds rather than snacking on cheese or meat as my protein. I do this before having a glass of red wine, every few days.
Late, late, late-everyone was late yesterday!
The dietician was running late & so I got to Tai Chi late and my Tai Chi instructor was running late so that was ok. Later in the day the doc was running very late also.I didn't get home until 4.30pm after leaving home at 9.30am.You know, I don't think I really want a job any more!
Tai Chi- was delightful once again. My instructor was surprised to see me as she knew how bad I was the 2 days beforehand. I told her that it was allergies, not flu.
Lunch- We went for coffee afterwards & a few of us had lunch. Would you believe a nice long black coffee or cappuccino plus a spinach & fetta quiche(very little pastry) cost $7 for the 2 & are delicious. Later on I ate my yoghurt & stewed apple which I had taken with me & that helped me get through the day.
Visited the op-shop & returned a sweater I had taken home on "appro" & had a chat to the mgr, did a little fruit & vegie shopping, chatted to various people incl a lady I have not seen for a few years. She was very open & friendly & it was nice.
Dr- Read a little of my book while waiting, standing up in the hallway to avoid horrible smells in the hot waiting room. Had a delightful chat with my doctor & got a great report re my cholesterol so I don't need to increase the dosage of my medication. She told me that she is going to be doing belly dancing with me & had seen my name on the list. I told her that i was enjoying working in the op-shop & that her harsh words I had taken in the right spirit & taken on board. I told her about the dietician & she organised my ref'l for the exercise physio. I said I hoped that i didn't drive her crazy 7 she laughed & said she would let me know if I ever did! LOL! We talked about quite a few things including sex. She's great! I told my LH later & he looked at me very stangely but then agreed you can talk to her about anything.
Tai Chi DVD- While I was waiting at the Doc's my Tai Chi Instructor rang to tell me that the local discount store had $4.99 Tai Chi DVDs & she had bought one & taken it homje & watched it & it was good. she knew I wanted one so that I could do it at home but needed something visual. I told her she is a darling & I would go buy one which I did. They also had a meditation one which I bought. I ahven't watched either yet.
Dinner- was an absolute delight but I suffered during the night from what I think was gallstone pain (1 lamb shank?)& was very thirsty.I think this happened the last time I ate lamb. I had a very poor night's sleep but did get up early with my LH this morning & have done a lot already today as well as spending way too much time online, both here & in FB.
A book- One of my fellow Tai Chi-ers has lent me a book called " Feel the fear and do it anyway. How to turn your fear and indecision into confidence and action." by Susan Jeffers, after a conversation we had last week about doing things that we are afraid of. I am going to lend her the Beck Diet Solution as she is going to be a facilitator for a weight-loss program. We have fascinating conversations after Tai Chi. I am really being quite open about myself with them. I am forming really good friendships & loving it! I have never really opened up to people. I was going to say that I did not know why not but I do.I was afraid if people really got to know me that they wouldn't like me at all. Truth. I now know that I am worth knowing. I am a good person. Most people are. I'm liking the new Cate more & more.
Brrrr. My fingers are freezing & I am hungry. I might take out a vegie soup from the freezer. I was going to have a tuna salad but it's too cold so I had better go get it now. I won't edit this as I know it will take me too long. Sorry, te he. Hope I haven't made your eyes sore, xo Cate




 
Dear Cate,

I was going to say that I did not know why not but I do.I was afraid if people really got to know me that they wouldn't like me at all. Truth. I now know that I am worth knowing. I am a good person. Most people are. I'm liking the new Cate more & more.​


Your comment brought tears to my eyes and I needed those few words.. from someone else's mouth.. I feel like that.. many times and a few weeks back I lost a friend, she said that I 'should refrain from contacting her because our friendship has run its course'.........YA-- that was EXTEREMELY hurtful to me and I find myself still thinking about it.. I doubt whether Im a good person, yet I know In my heart that I never did anything to this friend besides encourage and support.. Im not prefect but I at least have the heart to except people for who they are and allow people to be who they want to be... well, I erased the contacts--I dont need people like that Im my life--but it still makes me sad.. I keep therefore,more to myself in gereral.. I suffer greatly under others judgement :(

Im today a bit emotional and I miss my family.. I did spent the weekend with them but my heart still longs for them... even my sister who is battling Auto Immune, its so frighting for me to see someone I love so much, suffer.. and there is nothing we as a family can do than support and be there for :( I tell her, you are the strongest person I know....she is :)

Cate, I dont think that the journey of self discovery ever stops! I learned something from a book : 'Things are not suppose to be perferct, we are supposed to experience challenges, WE are suppose to undergo difficulty.. WE ARE HERE TO LEARN...... '
That helps me put things into some prespective sometimes! Not that I think you need it lol! :smilielol5:

Im thankful that I found Cohens and through that process, I found the forum and you guys.. you and many other have given me so much support and encouragement!

It the moment in fighthing the hunger of pre-re-feed-- eeeeek BUT its s good sign!

Sending you huggs! I hope my post wasnt to random... I needed your comment more that you'll even know :)

Greets
**:seeya:
 
*Starfish* said:
.. I doubt whether Im a good person, yet I know In my heart that I never did anything to this friend besides encourage and support.. Im not prefect but I at least have the heart to except people for who they are and allow people to be who they want to be... well, I erased the contacts--I dont need people like that Im my life--but it still makes me sad.. I keep therefore,more to myself in gereral.. I suffer greatly under others judgement :(
Click to expand...

Oh girl...hear this from someone else's mouth then:
You are a stunning person. Your bubbly personality, honesty, optimism and good heart will draw any person like a moth to a flame.
You ARE worthy of great friends! And she was NOT a good friend at all..
You're right -- you do not need people like that in your life. God made friends to support and encourage one another!

Never suffer under another's judgement ever again! You really, really don't deserve that!!!! EVER!!

*massive hugs* :grouphug:

 
cate said:

...It was lots of little things that I learned like what to eat before I go for a walk (apple or yoghurt for eg). She is a firm believer in eating low GI so I am going to get a book of my own. I was thinking that was the way to go,combined with Cohen's maintenance guidelines. She has recommended that I replace some of my meat protein with nuts and/or beans & that I eat extra low-fat yoghurt to get my Calcium.
Click to expand...


That is SO cool, Cate! That must've been so refreshing and insightful! :hurray:
You are such an inspiration for fellow Cohenites, since we can SEE that the maintenance rules actually work. And I think that the way you're handling it is marvelous! :biggrinjester:
Thank you for sharing all of your wisdom with us :)

xxxxxx
 
Starfish-
It seems you & I both are getting a little teary reading one another's posts. You know we are all so similar. It doesn't matter where you live or what you do. Please don't ever under-estimate the value of your positive & loving comments. I have written in your diary already today, before looking here. Starfish you carry your family with you in your heart at all times. You have their love within your soul. It's a beautiful soul and you are a very worthy friend, sister & daughter. Your sister will know how much you love her & that will also give her extra strength. I would love to meet you & your family one day.
Your friend must not really have been a true friend. It cannot be that you are not worthy of her friendship. Let it just go gently & think kindly of her because she must have some sort of problem & it's not you. Take care my friend & whatever you do, do not change.The real Starfish is the one you are learning to love, xoxo Cate
Luvbug-
Thank you for your sweet comments to me & especially for your support to your new friend Starfish. I think it's wonderful that you 2 have met & are friends. I just love seeing others helping one another. I don't think we can put too high a price on that support. My husband didn't think I needed to see a Nutritionist but I did gain a lot out of it & am glad I went. You don't just do Cohen's & become an expert on nutrition but it sure helps. LOL! I still laugh at myself & have doubts when I hear something like my wisdom mentioned but try to take it onboard. Thank you for giving me that little extra boost to my self-esteem. Affirmations are interesting. Can I say "I am wise & an inspiration to others?" I'll try it! You are a very sweet & kind person Luvbug, xo Cate
Today-
I woke up all over the show for some reason(tired?)- clumsy & grumpy, came in here & "Voila!"- Smiling!
I'll always be learning but I am going to get rid of the books in my shelf that are quackery & keep following Cohen's maintenance guidelines combined with Low GI from now on, combined with exercise & hopefully soon some gentle strength training, Tai Chi, belly dancing & whatever else is fun! You must enjoy life. It's compulsory! Our choice. Be happy and positive no matter what comes along or be negative & grumpy. Not much choice really. I choose happiness!
Absent, but with leave!
Here today but away Sat, Sun & most of Mon.
I'll be back later today my friends.I have lots to do- dishes, ironing, bringing in wood, a walk....pack for the w/e....???
Cheers, cate



 
My day-has been pretty good really. I'm excited about going to Melbourne with good friends & catching up with 4 of our best friends at the footy as well as 2 of our neighbours that I got tkts for. We're all going out for dinner afterwards. I don't know if the neighbours will go out with us but maybe they will. I did lots of housework including ironing everything & getting the house looking good(for our dogs?)went for a 40 minute brisk & steep aerobic walk. Our son will be looking after the dogs, rather than us having to take them to kennels.
I have actually forgotten to weigh this week. I can't quite believe that but it's true. I will in the morning even though we are going away. I think I will weigh Mondays & Fridays from now on & no more or less than that. I don't want w/e's to be an excuse to over-eat anytime. This w/e I will still try to eat healthily although it may be a challenge. That's ok though as I'm starting to enjoy a challenge again.
I might go check FB & see if my YS is about. I haven't caught up with him this week. He's at the World 8-ball championships in Blackpool & probably tied up with a gorgeous girl. I think I can pick who! She's a lovely lady. He's "couch surfing," in theory anyway. LOL.
I'll check back here in about an hour I reckon, xo Cate
 
Wow!

Hi Cate,
You are doing soooo well! I can't believe how far you have come since starting Cohen's. I really see why you agree that food can be used to bury emotions.
You have really started owning up to who you are and at some points it may have been painful but you've shown that we can all do it, and it eventually gets easier and life becomes more enjoyable and fulfilling.
I'm just so impressed with your progress! It's now way beyond the scale and that's the part that I think we all struggle with the most.
Have a wonderful week!
28+1 x
 
28+1- Cate, smiles and thinks "How nice." You are right. I really have come a long way. Next time I'm negative about myself(?!) I must go back & read how I used to be & remember to give myself credit for what I have done. I know that I still have lots of work to do on myself but I'm a work in progress! LOL!! Thank you 28+1, xoxo Cate
My week-end away in Melb-
Was stupendous, fantastic, wonderful, exciting, delightful.
I would have trouble (if I wanted to) finding fault with it. But hey, I don't want to!
Saints- St Kilda Football Club-Have only won 1 premiership in 113 years & that was in 1966. Have won 14 games straight now & have 8 to go before the finals. Both teams went into Sunday's match undefeated this season with 13 wins each. It was billed as an absolute block-buster match & it did not disappoint!!
Our beloved Saints team beat the Cats in a tough, very skillful, fantastic, exciting, close match. It was one of the best Aussie Rules football matches I have ever seen. If we had lost it I would still have said the same. We were with our friends from Tassie for the 2 days. I was "Team Leader" & had organised it all. I think I was thanked by them about 10 times in 2 days. It did wonders for my self-esteem I can tell you. Our Victorian friends were absolutely thrilled with our seats & still couldn't quite believe that I had managed to get them & couldn't work out how it was possible.
We were the only Saints supporters in our group of 10.
We had such a ball with them & went out for a drink & a meal afterwards & then they headed off for their respective homes. They are coming over to Tassie for my LH's 60th & staying with us. I told them they have no 1 priority. I love them dearly!
My mate Lizzie saved my sanity many years ago when we had a very rough patch. Long story that one- happened when our kids were only 2 & 4yrs old- lovely home, part-owner in a restaurant which my LH worked in as head waiter- we lost everything that we owned basically, including much of our furniture & moved into a house 5 doors down from my best friend, who organised a house to rent for us. I can't possibly say how much her support meant to me.
A year later we moved to Tasmania a year later & started from scratch, working 7 days a week in an Hotel & we did so for 18 years. My friends told me last trip over how much respect I gained, from them, because of how I dealt with it all. History now but these things are part of you and you learn by them. I must always remember the strength I found for the 2 of us, when I really needed to.
Our Victorian friends all commented that I looked great & how impressed they are with me for maintaining my weight-loss. They all thought I had lost more. Perhaps I have because I saw them in November last year & I think I was about 7-8kgs more then.
When I am in Melb. I don't feel I look my best I think because I suffer so badly from all the perfumes & general city fumes. I often feel under the weather there. I feel so at home with them. They will always be our very special friends. We were a part of a large group of friends who partied hard & often, got married, had kids, have been through a hell of a lot, including some marriage break-ups, (not us though), deaths etc & each of us maintains friendships with all of them, including their ex's. How good is that!
My poor LH has been sneezing & sniffling as well & has been taking my anti-histamines. He may have a little more sympathy now perhaps. te he..

Today- I had a msg from the Exercise Physio while I was away & rang her to make an ap't.I am seeing her tomorrow after Tai Chi. Wow. How efficient was that!
I'm doing some catching up today- in here, washing etc.
Compromised email address-
I will have to spend ages changing email addresses for various things I use as one of my disposable emails that i use for lots of things has been compromised & I am getting a lot of Spam which I detest. It is going straight in to my Spam folder but it annoys me. Methodically(because that's the way I am!) I am going to work my way through everything I use it for & change them & then I'll get rid of it altogether. Don't click on any ads in FB suggesting how you can make money on eBay!!
I had better go change the important ones I use like eBay & paypal etc. I'll make up another one & use it for dodgy sites. I'll name it dodgy hey?
Cheers for now, very positive, very happy to be home, Cate.
PS- forgot to mention. It was -2oC this morning. OMG!! Brrrrr!!! Fresh air though! I love it. Cities are fun but the air is filthy!!
 
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Glad you had a great weekend away Cate. Unfortunately I was on the losing side of that contest between Cats and Saints, but I pretty much expected that from the last few weeks of only just good enough effort. And I'm glad your team has managed to reform Michael Gardiner! My kids went to school with him - used to be such a nice kid, so sad seeing him lose his way for a few years.
 
Ah Niyah, But I think the Cats may have set the bar. You would have really enjoyed the match. Our cats friends all said that we deserved to win when we said we would have been happy with a draw. Re Gardiner- I think he has made the most of his second chance. Good on him. Perhaps he had lost his way.
I spent hours today changing email addresses in so many sites that I visit. I created quite a few new disposable addresses & changed what folders they go into, rather than straight into my inbox. It took a long time but now that I have disposed of that one I have not received any more spam. Yes!! Another lesson learned.
I got quite a bit done today including bringing a ute load of wood in. Tomorrow is going to be very cold again & I will be gone for most of the day & my LH is working.
I have started reading "Feel the fear & do it anyway" & can tell it will be good for me. I'm a sponge at the moment I think for information on tips to build self-esteem.
I'm using my son's laptop now that it has been cleaned of viruses & it takes some getting used to. I can use it away from a power point, unlike mine which has a faulty battery. This one is technically mine as I paid him for it but will let him buy it back for the same price when he returns from OS.
Nothing much to say tonight. Have Tai Chi & an ap't with an exercise physiologist tomorrow so will be back afterwards to report.
Cheers for now, Cate
 
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