Cate's Diary

Hi Cate, I know what you mean about butter and spread. If it was just two of us, I wouldn't need it. I like my DD eating homemade stuff, because at least it comes with a few less chemicals etc. It would be awesome to have home made butter. I'm not a freak about preservatives and stuff, but just when and where I can.
It makes me feel relaxed just reading about your cruisy day. Pretty much the opposite of mine today. But the weather is to die for.
 
Hi Sue-
My son hasn't told me much about Sth Africa at all for some reason. I think it was a very mixed trip. He flew into Jo'burg but ended up doing a tour of Zimbabwe & Botswana mainly I think. I'll let you know when I hear more. I didn't travel either when I was young but I think it's a great idea. I should have fought my fears & gone! Lotto- it would be look out world if we won! xo Cate
Hi L-Jay-
I think it's a good idea to try to steer your family away from preservatives & artificial colours etc but it's very hard these days. It's also very easy for our kids to get confused with all the messages regarding food. Our 3 yr old GD is very fussy about food & I wonder if it's because of her parents' well-intentioned, but near obsession, with avoiding chemicals. It's a minefield. Balance is the key I think. That elusive balance. Kids should not be afraid of food. We should enjoy what we eat & try to go back to eating more naturally. I'm glad I relaxed you with my cruisy day. xo Cate
Today-
I'm pooped today after a very late night & then insomnia brought about by drinking a coffee at about 9.30pm. I usually only have 1 coffee in the morning, an extra coffee Wed lunch & herbal tea for the rest of the day & evening but last night at 8-ball it was dragging on & I saw someone having a coffee (cappuccino) & she said it was delicious & that the young barman makes a great coffee & I succumbed to temptation (& logic!) & had one. Consequently I lay awake for well over an hour when we eventually got home. I would have got to sleep about 1.30 or so I guess. It was so frustrating. Another lesson learned. I am also going to stay at home most 8-ball nights from now on. The standard of our local comp is so poor compared to the Winter comp that my LH plays in & it is boring to watch & so slow! Pubs drive me crazy now. I have no idea how we managed to be in a pub for 18 years, working 7 days a week. Drunks drive me nuts now! There was a group of NSW bowlers staying there & they were as drunk as skunks & flirting..zzz
A very lazy day coming up. I'll probably do my weights after lunch I think. I can see a "nanna nap" happening in my day somewhere. Our GS stays Thu nights & I always seem to be tired that night. I had better go ring the kennels now & see if they can have our dogs while we're away. Our OS usually comes up & feeds them but with 4 nights away they would be better off in kennels I think with company.
Cheers tired Cate
 
OK- I'm changing what I eat.
I'm going to cut my fruit down to 2 or 3 a day as I think I am eating too much of it.
I am going to eat more.
I am going to eat more protein & more vegetables.
I am going to try some new things.
I have a tuna, vegie & Berlotti bean soup on the go right now.
I'm usually hungry so am going to experiment a little. I think sometimes you have to confuse your body a little. I want to confuse it out of hanging on to my remaining 5kgs. I don't feel obsessed. I feel really good. I'm doing too much exercise to go back to plan 100%. I'm not giving up my exercise.
I'll report on my soup later. It smells delicious! Tuna, celery, zucchini, onion, coriander, curry powder, garlic, ginger, lemon pepper & fresh herbs & spinach sitting in my bowl about to have the soup poured over them. You could skip the beans & it would be Cohen's.Cheers Cate.
 
Fish soup- was absolutely delicious. I had it for lunch & then a small bowl each for our GS & the 2 of us, followed by an entree-sized meal of West African chicken & vegies. It was a big winner! Yum. I have a small bowl left for my lunch today.
I am going to try to increase fibre in my diet as per the latest recommendation for people with asthma.
If anyone has heard about the cancer scare re water bottles left in cars it's just another Internet hoax.
Today- is cold & overcast & wintry again. Ugh!
I rode my bike for 30 mins yesterday & that was it so had better do my weights today & bike. I ate less fruit yesterday but feel that the Berlotti beans have bloated me a little. I'll weigh tomorrow. That increase in fibre may be very short-lived if I have gained!
I have a wretched Starling nesting right near where I am & I am trying to harrass it. So far the bird is winning!
Nothing much to say today so will go do something to warm me up.
Hope everyone is having a good day, xo Cate.
 
The day improved & so did my attitude toward it. I polished off another Donna Leon book & then I went for a walk in between showers, did 2 sets of weights & a little bike.
I have been chatting with my YS on Facebook for the last hour & it has been lovely.
We have had a good chance to discuss some things, have half sorted out his house, including the rental of it(when the lease runs out), & when his friends are moving in etc & I have just loved it. Oh boy do I miss him. We are driving him back to Hobart after Christmas & I am planting some herbs & vegies in his garden which he is thrilled about. It is his best friend's birthday the day we take him home & there will be a big party at his house. OMG. His friend has missed him as much as I have I think. He has been teasing our son that we have cut his photo out of the family photos & put his in instead. Funny! I'm going to try to find a photo & actually do it & post it on Facebook. That will crack him up.
OK. I had better go. I have been on here for ages.
Cheers, happy Cate/Mum
 
It sounds like you have one of those households like mine. The kids friends sort of become part of the scenery in the house, come breezing on in like they belong there?

We always wanted to be the parents that had the extra kids around because then we knew a lot more about how our own kids were and what they were doing. Stayed involved in their lives by opening up the home to the whole crew. Made good memories in the process too.
 
and still making them I bet! Hi Cabbie. I love the fact that we get on so well with our son's friends. I don't want to be young, like them and don't try to pretend that I am. I really think it's sad when people do that. They take us as we are & vice versa. I love people & really enjoy my life. It really was so nice to catch up with him properly.
Weird confession-
At about 6.30 last night I got my diary out to write something in & saw that it was our wedding anniversary. WHOOPS! We both forgot! We have been married 34 years, together 38 & we forgot it on the day. I rang our OS & had a laugh with him. He did seem shocked though.
Today-
I should really think about what I'm taking tomorrow & think about actually packing a bag. I made sure I had everything clean & ironed yesterday at least. I have been emptying out the fridge in preparation & we have tonight's meal & my lunch plated up.
We're dropping our dogs off at the kennels on the way to the airport.
I'll pop back in later.
Cheers for now, Cate
 
Congratulations on you anniversary. :party:(our virtual celebration). We have a starling nest in our front yard, it's been getting into our strawberries, but we think we have it covered now.
Hope you have a great break. It was still hot here yesterday until around 3.00pm when the change came through. Back to winter today. Where is spring? 30 one day 16 the next.
Cheers for adding to my rep. I stumbled across it while trying to sort out my siggy. Rep is something I need to contribute to more. Bye now.
 
Yup Cate, that's us too. We are parents, through and through. Our first job always. But we can be ourselves and have fun too. Sure they make fun of us with the whole generational differences sometimes, but everyone laughs so its no problem.
 
Happy Anniversary from me too Cate....fancy forgetting!!!...Lol. It shows what busy lives you are living atm.

Well I hope you both make time to celebrate it somewhere else.

Have a wonderful day now - Sam:)
 
Thanks L-Jay, cabbie & Sam for your visits. We are really happy together after all this time so I guess our lives are a constant celebration. We had a bottle of Henkell Trocken tonight & toasted one another. I'm very lucky.
Today-
For some reason I have felt really fat. It's funny isn't it. I do know I'm not but I feel bloated. I walked for 75 mins this afternoon. I averaged over 80 mins per day the last week. I had a couple stop their car & introduce themselves today. They are young(ish) & have bought a house up our way. It was nice that they stopped. They have their first baby due just after Christmas. It was very warm today & I really enjoyed it. I drank 2 water bottles walking. I came home, topped up & headed off again.
I still haven't packed so had better not hang around too long.
Cheers for now, Cate
 
Hi Cate

Where are you off too???

Anyway where ever it is I hope you have a safe journey and enjoy it.

Take care and look forward to your return.

Sam:)
 
Hi folks! I'm back home again but exhausted & ever-so-slightly overwhelmed by the number of emails, FB msgs etc. I can't quite believe it really. I'll come back tomorrow & catch up, xo Cate
 
Welcome back Cate.....it's been quiet without you....

Have a good rest and look forward to hearing about your trip when you are up to it.

Night now-Sam:)
 
and still making them I bet! Hi Cabbie. I love the fact that we get on so well with our son's friends. I don't want to be young, like them and don't try to pretend that I am. I really think it's sad when people do that. They take us as we are & vice versa. I love people & really enjoy my life. It really was so nice to catch up with him properly.
Weird confession-
At about 6.30 last night I got my diary out to write something in & saw that it was our wedding anniversary. WHOOPS! We both forgot! We have been married 34 years, together 38 & we forgot it on the day. I rang our OS & had a laugh with him. He did seem shocked though.
Today-
I should really think about what I'm taking tomorrow & think about actually packing a bag. I made sure I had everything clean & ironed yesterday at least. I have been emptying out the fridge in preparation & we have tonight's meal & my lunch plated up.
We're dropping our dogs off at the kennels on the way to the airport.
I'll pop back in later.
Cheers for now, Cate
How funny that you forgot your anniversary! :D!...Love is just endless...it's amazing!!...It gives me great hope to see that two people can be together and love each other more and more everyday. I feel that right now too..and like you say..it gets better and better by the day! :D! ...Happy Anniversary Cate!! :grouphug:!!

..Cabbie is right...your house sounds so warm and loving ...and open!! Definitely a reason for which your family is so involved with you! :)
 
Thanks L-Jay, cabbie & Sam for your visits. We are really happy together after all this time so I guess our lives are a constant celebration. We had a bottle of Henkell Trocken tonight & toasted one another. I'm very lucky.
Today-
For some reason I have felt really fat. It's funny isn't it. I do know I'm not but I feel bloated. I walked for 75 mins this afternoon. I averaged over 80 mins per day the last week. I had a couple stop their car & introduce themselves today. They are young(ish) & have bought a house up our way. It was nice that they stopped. They have their first baby due just after Christmas. It was very warm today & I really enjoyed it. I drank 2 water bottles walking. I came home, topped up & headed off again.
I still haven't packed so had better not hang around too long.
Cheers for now, Cate
WoW...that is nice that the new neighbors stopped. :) It's always a friendly thing, at least over here in California because people rarely make the effort to talk to one another if it doesn't have any particular interst or gain on their behalf it seems. :(..I like to talk to them all,...but have seen that my neighbors I don't except for a few. So strange....Guess that's just how we have all made ourselves out here. Very inpersonal.

....And I hope that you aren't feeling "fat" anymore, because .YOU ARE NOT CATE!...you are super healthy, and are walking your butt off! Great for yoU!!..I'm so happy for you!!......Keep up the great attitude!! Glad you are back!!! :D~
 
Hi folks! I'm back home again but exhausted & ever-so-slightly overwhelmed by the number of emails, FB msgs etc. I can't quite believe it really. I'll come back tomorrow & catch up, xo Cate
...No worries...:toetap05:...lol...;)...We are patiently waiting..hahah!
 
Sam, Sue & Alta-:grouphug: Thank you my friends. I needed that!

I am not sure where to start really. I feel really fragile today after my trip.
My mum's party went well & she & everyone else seemed to enjoy it which was great.
I got on really well with my brother & SIL which was also excellent as we had all had a falling out many years ago over my dad's will. It had been very stressful for all of us I'm sure but it is good to feel that it's all in the past.

I think my mum has dementia. She has gone downhill really fast. It seems like she is telling stories over & over & over trying to keep a grip on her mind but does not know that she only told that same story 5 minutes before. Some things she repeated 3 times in 30 minutes. She also mentioned many times that she thinks her fall of a few months ago has changed things for her & she knows something is wrong.
I can't explain how sad I feel about it all. I have not had a cry yet but I am not far off. It feels so incredibly sad. She seems so fragile & frail & her sharp mind is going. My mum is very intelligent & had shown no signs until now that her brain was deteriorating.
Her mother went senile & had to go into "care" (which wasn't!)when she was in her early 70's. My mum has entrusted my brother with deciding when she needs to go into a nursing home so I'm glad that she organised that years ago. They have also chosen which one.
My brother & I had a good talk about mum before her party & we discussed how she is at the moment & how fast everything has changed. My SIL said that at least she is so active & lively as she can't keep up with my mum & I told her that is no longer the case. They had only been away for a bit over a week.
I asked my brother to let me know if he needs me to go up any time for anything & I will & to keep me up to date with anything & everything that happens.
I won't keep talking about my mum as I have to change my focus for the next 2 weeks at least until after my LH's 60th. I'm starting to freak out about that now. I hadn't even thought of a cake until mum's party!

My SIL went on at me at the party trying to get me to eat everything in sight. She is very nice but fusses over you so much. I am so allergic to fuss. We had eaten lunch before- chicken & salad. The party was a tea party. I skipped all of the sandwiches & ate some cakes, slice etc but moderately in comparison, I guess, to most. I still did eat sweets. She went on about me not losing any more weight or I'll end up scrawny & old looking etc & I did end up eating a cupcake that I didn't enjoy. She wanted me to try it because they were meant to be so delicious & I gave in just to shut her up! Silly me! You should just ignore it & smile. I drank champagne & ate a little bit of this & a little bit of that so it's not like I was being really strict or anything. Cupcakes, shmuckcakes. I don't even like them! It got her off my back & she let up on me then. I didn't suffer any ill effects at all thank goodness & didn't feel stuffed to the gills either. It's the key in maintenance. Moderation.

I came home weighing exactly the same as when I left. We walked every day for between 1-2 hours & for about 3 hours yesterday around Melbourne, including the Botanical Gardens. I haven't done any weights though since I left home last Sunday.
I'll head for now as my LH's bread is ready & the computer wants to shut down to install updates & I don't want to lose this post.
I apologise for not typing in diaries. I have read them quickly & will catch up soon I promise.
I'm really glad to be back & was really thrilled to be welcomed back & missed.
Sending you all lots of love, xoxo Cate

 
Hi Cate

I just lost what I wrote!!!....

So here is the condensed version.....okay here goes.

I mentioned that it was great to have you back with us:).
And I was glad to hear that your Mum's party went well even though you had your SIL shoving cupcakes down your throat:banghead:.

Sad to hear about your Mum....my Mum is going through the same thing, very hard to see this deteroration occur. But what a clever lady your mum is though to have had the forsight to plan for herself for any future care.
My Mum is refusing any professional care which is wearing us and Dad especially out!!!!

And that is great news that you didn' gain weight while away....must have been all that walking.

Now what else did I write.....oh what have you got planned for your DH 60th????


I think that was it Cate.....and something about not worrying about catching up with our diaries because we'll still be here tomorrow and the next and it looks like you have a few family commitments to attent to atm.

Alrighty then....Hope you have a nice weekend back in your home and bed.

Sam:)
 
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