Update

We returned from the “city” a few hours ago and I’m tired. I’m tired having travelled a good part of the way there and back with my fingers gripping the armrest and my right foot braced against the floor. My eyes and brain are tired from trying to see the signposts before we flashed past the turnoffs and the crick in my neck is from trying to burrow into the back of my seat LOL Oh and I have a headache!

I’m not saying Brian is a bad driver, it’s other drivers that create the problems. If they are ahead of us he wants to catch them up and travel as close to their bumper as possible then in exasperation pass them as if it’s their fault he is too close.
On the other hand if they are behind us he wants to be as far away as possible from them. Unfortunately the only way to achieve both is keeping his foot flat to the floor. It’s not that he speeds. He usually keeps within the limit, it’s his habit of driving too close to other cars that terrifies me.
This morning I swear I could actually see the eye colour of the driver in front of us.
“Do you want to climb into his boot” I asked quietly…he slowed down slightly.

Luckily there are many places where we can be the only car on the road for miles and in these places he dawdles along quite reasonably and I can relax.

Anyway the reason for our visit to a city hospital was for Brian’s heart tests and the outcome is although he needs heart valve replacement he doesn’t need a bypass.
We stayed 2 nights for free in what they call a “Medi-Hotel” (it’s actually the old nurses home) on the hospital campus, in fact I have to say our room looked as if the nurse had just vacated it LOL.
I forgot how small they were. There was just enough room for 2 single beds and 2 chairs which were squeezed in at the bottom of each bed but at least we had a large window from which we could see the dual carriageway. I KNOW!!! that's just toooo exciting but wait, there's more, not too far way was the helipad - we couldn't see it but we could hear it...ALL...NIGHT!!!

At least we had the TV lounge to ourselves apart from the occassional trainee doctor wandering in to look at us but unfortunately no Channel or SKYTV. Just as well I set our TV to record our favourite TV program while we were away.

The TV presentation of “Jewel in the palace” is nearing its end with all the “baddies” getting their just deserts.
In my opinion the Head Lady got off lightly, she should have been strung up or worse but I won‘t say too much in case I let the cat out of the bag not that I imagine anyone else is watching it.

Who’d have thought Brian and I would be caught up in the trials and tribulations of a 6th century Korean girl. If you want to know what I'm on about you can see it on youtube.

Clocks go back this weekend. Time to put the caravan to bed.

I’m told we need rain. Just who is this we?

Catchya when I get back from the camp.

Some of you might have seen this rose before, it's beautiful isn't it - unfortunately the time has come for us to part…I didn’t want to do it knowing it would be a painful experience.
It’s a bloody (excuse language) vicious thing however wanting to remain friendly with new neighbours last season - they thought it would be lovely having a rose rambling down their side of the fence - we didn’t prune consequently it has grown into such a almighty tangle that even sparrows can’t find a way through…I only found one abandoned nest.

Why don’t men accept that woman is all knowing and just DO as they are told first time
“Put your gumboots on Brian you know how vicious that rose is,” I called sweetly at his disappearing back but no he waits until he feels the pain and first blood is drawn before limping saddly off for the first-aid kit dripping blood every where only then stopping to put on his gumboots…I wouldn't mind but he passes them everytime he leaves the house!
His legs look like they have been stung by a dozen bees lol, well you have to laugh.
I had the overseers job up the ladder (again!) so kept relatively safe…one or two angry looking scratches across my wrists which actually look worse than they in fact are and one across my cheek, very becoming I don't think

Brian went for his gallstone removal on Tuesday. All went well, he went into the operating room at 8am and was released at 3.30pm - It was a very tiring day for all but not wasted…in one of the numerous magazines I perused was a cool recipe for fried zucchini/courgette which was quite fortuitous as one of my old ladies gave me 3 large ones on Monday - Personally I think they are tasteless slimy things only good for “bulking” out a soup but shhhhh don't tell her :o)

A very strange thing happened Tuesday…I lost my blue comb…actually I only have one comb so the colour is immaterial still it’s nice to have the whole picture, right? And isn't it a huge picture - I don't know how that happened, N-E-way
My last memory of it (the comb) was when we were getting ready to leave the house on Tuesday…I remember picking it up thinking I'll take this with me today and that’s it...Yesterday I searched high and -

OH MY GOD!!! I think I was just rude to Brian’s surgeon.

Do you get call centres phoning you at all times of the day and night? I think our call centres are based in India or China as we get people who can’t speak English properly and as they phone at inconvenient times I can’t be bothered with them so usually say “sorry can’t talk byee,”…well the phone just rang and an Indian voice asked to speak to Brian…there is nothing gets me so riled up as being side stepped for the male of the household…I take it as a personal insult and sexist toboot LOL - I know it’s probably not meant that way but I can’t help it having experienced being talked over as if invisible once.
We had gone in to make wills but you'd think Brian had gone on his own. All questions were addressed to him even though I answered them grrrrrr.

Anyway I said abruptly, “NO he isn’t here can I help you?” and it was only as I was saying the words I realised it was…Dr Palipane. He is such a nice man, very soft spoken and sweet, anway we chatted for a few minutes so I hope he forgave my Big Bad Bear attitude.

As I was going to say - I searched high and low for my comb on Wednesday, in my bag, AGAIN, in the fridge, under the bed, in the pot cupboard (I have been known to put things there) I even looked where the dog’s biscuits are kept then I asked Brian to check my bag, all the same places plus some I might not have thought of - result - a big fat ZERO.

It was my work “DO” last night . I only went because I was bullied; hard to believe huh but I had no real excuse as all the obstacles I put forward were removed; a friend who is also a collegue was also going so I needn’t take the car (she doesn’t drink) and so we spent a pleasant couple of hours; had eats and drinks and were home by 8pm just when I was beginning to enjoy myself too.

Today I was telling one of my ladies about my comb. I decided to go into town to buy a new one because as everyone knows as soon as you buy a replacement for something you have lost you find the old one.
And so it was. As I walked out of the shop to the carpark I opened my bag to put away my new comb and yes you guessed it, there as bright and as blue as can be was my old comb.
I think I said something like “Well blow me down,” or maybe it was, “well, I’ll go to our house,” (Brian would say the latter being a Yorkshire man,) but what I actually said was...no asorry can't repeat it, makes me blush LOL...have a nice Christmas all ye who enter here and don't forget to SMILE:O)

Not a Weekly Ramble

I’m just going to go with the flow see what comes out so be prepared and if you see this post twice it's because I can't fathom the "also post to," feature on Multiply lol.

If you were my friend - oh yeah that’s right YOU ARE! but then so is Mary L in England. Actually, she probably thinks we are not any more as it is almost 6 months since I put pen to paper for her.
There is a 2 page letter sitting in my “letters” file just waiting for a “well this is it for now catchya later and don‘t forget to write soon, love Bev” ending but I can’t be bothered to even open it. Sorry Mary but I will get to it promise. Yes I’m so bad but I do feel guilty about it truly I do.
Mary, is the only person I know without a computer.

My son wrote me at Facebook a few weeks ago; his opening sentence was to ask if there is any mental illness in our family! I thought, isn’t there in every family? It set me to thinking about my mother who suffered post natal depression of and on for years.
She had 8 pregnancies but only 7 live births. That’s enough to send anyone “round the bend” I reckon.
In those days it wasn’t diagnosed as such and she was put through the most barbaric treatments. I’m sorry I didn’t know what the matter with her was, we were too young and mental illness was spoken of in whispers and behind closed doors; we just thought she was nuts…no not really

Anyway I’m worried about my boy in England. If you were to read his statements on Facebook you’d think he was having a fine life and coping with the stresses of his job etc but now I wonder if maybe he’s just putting on a brave face but I’m here and he is there, what can I do!

We completed the living room redecorations this week. The rooms look good too all that’s left is a bit of “fine tuning,“ and the main curtains.
I’m stumped for a colour but never being one to rush into anything it can wait. Hey Karen was I always so patient? No, no photos until I have the drapes okay
The first day of summer this week dawned grey and miserable and today I’m back in winter wear…at the moment there is a shawl over my shoulders and I remind myself of Nanny who used to carry babies on her back cradled in a blanket; you will have seen pictures of womenfrom many countries doing the same thing…what a woman, she’d be out there in the kumara patch or digging potatoes with one or other of my siblings asleep on her back.
I don’t remember being carried like this and I wonder, how did she managed when there were 2 and then 3 of us for her to look after?

I have had a poem sitting here for months. Actually it’s in 2 parts so maybe it’s two poems? that is the problem i.e. is it one or is it two poems.
As one poem it maybe too long and as two poems I can't seem to make them meld. Every time I look at it I wonder, one or two? shall I add another verse perhaps and then oh hell I close it down to think about another day when I might be struck by, oh i don't know, a solution would be good!
Yes, I’m in a quandary but what does it really matter and who but me cares anyhow!

My garden is going great guns…oh that’s right, NO, it’s not, how quickly one forgets.
I was out there admiring the cucumbers the other day which up til then had been going “great guns” when I discovered one had been decapitated at ground level…then the next day another one was wilting also having been cut off at ground level! So okay what caused it? Some grub no doubt.
I wonder if it’s too late to plant more. I love growing them and Brian eats them until the “wind” doth blow and it gets abit malodorous around here LOL

I tried to reverse into a tight spot the other day…(it‘s amazing what my little Rav can do) I’m sure I could have managed it with no trouble at all but have to admit I probably wouldn’t have been able to open the doors (roars with laughter) Brian stopped me. He’s such a spoil sport.
There’s a wee scrape on the car door but nothing that can’t be removed with a bit of wet and dry. It’s MY car after all.

Weekly Ramble - 18/10/09

17th October
Well would you believe Brian woke up from the anaesthetic yesterday to be told the gallstone was still inside him. The surgeon said it was too dangerous to continue so will try again in 6/8 weeks. In the meantime they inserted a tube to drain the bile away. One good thing to come of it - after 48 hours Brian can return to a normal diet - he‘s pleased about that.

Younger than me sister has decided it will be a good thing to make her own cracker cheese. She brought round samples for morning tea this morning.
I hope she gets better at it by Xmas
My other sister is trying to find a butter churn. She hopes to be totally self sufficient in a couple of years when she retires. She and her hubby already have pigs (makes THE most delicious hams) and a milk cow. She wants to make her own butter, cheese and yoghurt.
Youngest sister and her hubby are off to England for 12 months next year. They will work and see Europe, I’m envious.
I don’t think I could become self sufficient, I’m too lazy but I would like to visit England again.

I can’t believe I haven’t a book to read! Whatever happened to the week! I had plenty of time on Saturday morning or so I thought. I don’t think I could read Pillars of the earth again so soon. I’ve read it so often I almost believe I lived then lol.

The partner of my deceased brother Leonard has a new love. He moved in with her last weekend. I don’t know how I feel about that but it’s not my business any more.

I love Spring. The world is so colourful and the temperatures are very much to my liking. Autumn is good too for the same reasons.

If I have any regrets in life it’s that I never enquired if there were other choices. I trained to be a nurse because there was a training hospital here, but what might I have been.
It’s easy to say I would have been good at this or that. I’ve always been interested in how things work and am always curious enough to read about why things are the way they are like how do the layers of different colours appear in rocks. How did they get there, when and what are they made of…anyway whatever might have happened didn’t which is just as well I guess - I mean imagine not having met beloved Brian. Don’t worry I don’t lose sleep thinking about it but it strikes me every now and then when I see a female electrician, fire engine driver, builder, mechanic etc, etc, etc.

I’ve been trying to write a poem for Halloween…I think it’s done now and I’ve promised not to look at it again because if I do it will never be finished. I can’t help changing a word here, removing a portion there…it’s so frustrating. How do you know when to end it!

Beautiful Spring day today. I started a new client. She’s lovely and was one of my mother’s dearest friends. I didn’t know this when I went today but we got on really well when she realised who I was. Small towns do have their uses.

Aquilegia , what a pretty name for a pretty flower. I have 4 blooming at the moment; 3 yellow and one tri-coloured. One was SUPPOSED to be purple!

Weekly Ramble - 03/10/09

Brian went for his MRI on Monday but off course the results aren’t back yet. We hope to hear something early next week.
The drive to Tauranga took 2 hours - the weather being atrocious. I hate travelling in bad weather. It’s not so much a lack of faith in Brian’s abilities more that of other idiots on the road; not that he is an idiot oh you know what I mean .

It seemed ages since I visited the cemetery to say hello to the family so I went on Thursday. Man! if the family of the guy next to mum digs up any more soil around his stone they will end up in our space; mum is probably turning in her grave.
They have planted flowers; it looks good even though it’s not really allowed. Why do I feel it would be so infradig to complain to the authorities!

My ex used “Infradig” A lot. So much so I knew when it was coming. It would drive me mad; Just one of the things about him that made me go grrrrrrrrrr!

Meaning and origins straight from “The Phrase finder.”
Infradig - unbecoming of one's position - beneath one's dignity.

This term derives from the Latin infra dignitatem, literally - 'beneath (one's) dignity' and was first recorded by William Hazlitt in Table talk; or, original essays on men and manners, 1822.
The first person to put the shortened infra dig. version into print was Sir Walter Scott. He uses it in his 1825 novel Redgauntlet:
"It would be infra dig. in the Provost of this most flourishing and loyal town to associate with Redgauntlet."
It is now more commonly written without the full stop. Even most of those who realize it is an abbreviation now consider it to be well-enough established not to require it, as amp - short for ampere - is now accepted without a full stop.
What is beneath one's dignity is obviously a matter of judgment. The group most often associated with the term are the British upper classes, although they might now consider it infra dig ever to use it

The earthquakes and resulting Tsunami across the pacific have caused untold suffering to a wonderful people. Many Samoans and Tongans live in New Zealand and planeloads have been returning to help and be with what’s left of their families and homes. It’s saddening to watch TV reports of the devastation but I can’t help feeling like an interloper; I mean, is it necessary for TV cameras be right in the face of a mother as she discovers her dead children and then stay focused on her face capturing every grief stricken emotion?
By all means report but let them keep their dignity. Let them grieve in peace for goodness sake.

I must have missed the warning siren on the morning of the tsunami. The night before was a most magnificent electrical storm. It was said later over 150 lightening strikes hit the area of the Bay of Plenty. Poor Max is terrified of thunder and lightening. We let him in and he couldn't get close enough to me without climbing on the bed which is a big NO NO! as far as I'm concerned so he sat up all night with his snout as close to my pillow as he could get, letting out little whimpers and sighing alot.
I didn't know dogs could sigh! needless to say neither of us got much sleep whereas Brian slept through the whole thing, typical!.


The first I heard of the possibility of a tsunami hitting our coastline was actually AFTER the radio reported a huge water spout off the beach near here; the tsunami warning came after that would you believe and it was just an alert and nothing to worry about so off course I didn’t.
Some 200 people took shelter in the hills but I went to work as usual and the whole thing passed with hardly a ripple.

Click on the picture to get the full impact...WOW

It could have been worse but I doubt the people who are supposed to keep us safe would have reacted any differently.

Weekly Ramble - 21/09/09

Brian hates painting but bless him he agreed to do the high bits. I’m not going to say what high bits because I still don’t know what to call it. Is it a porch, a veranda, or even a pavilion.

Pavilion:- building outdoor structure: a summer house or other often ornamental building in a park, fair, or garden used for shelter and entertainment. Perhaps not quite but close.

I was in two minds the other day; should I stay and watch Brian paint or go off and leave him to get on with it in peace?
In the end I decided to stay and give him a hand.

Before even taking the lid off a tin of paint I cover as much of my body as is possible even though it makes no difference; paint will always make contact with some part of me however hard I try and avoid it.
No doubt paint and I are mutually attracted to each other, always have been always will be, I totally accept the fact now.

So there I am up a ladder paint brush in one hand and a small pot of paint in the other when from out of no-where I hear a frantic buzzing and zapp! I am struck in the neck by a very angry hornet, (black and yellow striped with a long abdomen.) I guess he decided he had to go from A to B and I was too slow to avoid the collision.

He was caught at my neck, angry as hell and entangled as well.
I tell you I was off that ladder quicker than Harry (who ever he is) and still holding the paint tin and brush…there are some things you just do without thinking, it's amazing.
I didn’t think but dashed straight inside and slapped on an icepack. Luckily I’m not allergic.

I have heard that even if you don’t normally get a reaction from stings it does not mean you will get a non reaction the next time so I was a bit on edge for an hour or so but not enough to not finish the paint job.

Oh and yes I ended up with paint on the back of my hair which I did not discover until after I had been to town later that afternoon and paint on my spectacles frames and left ear - not bad really.

For months the tray of my DVD player has been jammed shut. I’ve Googled, read mountains of information and stuck paper clips aplenty in the little hole at the front all to no avail. Today I’d finally decided I must get a brand new DVD but just to make sure thought, ‘I’ll give Google one more go.’
15 minutes later I came across what I thought must be a joke. One of the replies to “my DVD tray is jammed,” said, “while powering up your computer keep your finger on the eject button and the tray should open.” I did this thinking yeah right! and blow me down it worked and continues to work!

If you dare say, “I already know this,” you are dead ~ and I want to know why you didn’t say so when I was struggling!

We went “over” the hill today to collect Brian’s xrays to take with us when he goes for his MRI scan on the 28th. He also qualifies for travel vouchers and even gets a parking voucher for the hospital car park - wow!

He’s okay, hasn’t had any more pains though that’s probably because he has been eating almost fat free for weeks apart from today when he had pigged out on fish and chips for lunch.

What! Am I his mother!!!

Weekly Ramble - 15/09/09

Shew! I’m cream crackered! A few hours in the garden is ok but I really shouldn’t try it all in one hit. Smaller doses is the key in future…will I never learn.
My broad beans got a bit of a battering that last storm we had so goodness know if we’ll get any veggies from them. We might have to rely on Uncle Jim again cheers Uncle Jim.

One good thing to come of it (the garden) I’ve discovered the compost heap has gotten along quite well all winter with the minimum of input from me. It’s a kinda magic

Yesterday my computer went haywire but it seems to be ok now. How would I know if it’s been infected

More news from the specialist/surgeon…he wants Brian to have a MRI scan asap. What exactly does asap mean when we are still awaiting an appointment date. More waiting. More worry.

Brian was bad week last week with back ache and a really bad nose cold. Thank goodness he’s alot better now. Well enough to play a snooker tournament this afternoon.
I had a whole paragraph here but on rereading it sounded a complete jumble of unrelated thoughts - oh hang on that's what a ramble is huh LOL anyway
rambling is okay so long as people can understand you otherwise it just becomes sad and worrying. Am I sad and worrying anyone yet? No? Well give me time LOL.

We bathed the dog this afternoon; he needed it. Poor guy took off round the house soon as he saw the bucket of water. He likes his bath well enough once he’s in the tub; at least he doesn’t struggle while Brian holds his head and I‘m shampooing him, (the dog). He is so snugly clean now. They both are

Brian’s ex has added me as a friend on Facebook! The last word we had from her was threatening and now she wants to be friends? Oh well she always was a bit strange. I was going to snub her but hey life’s too short and she is the mother of his only child even if they don’t communicate. No they haven’t fallen out as such. More like years of mutual neglect I guess.

I just love garage sales and last weekend there were 6, all on one day
I want a huge house where I can display all the lovely things I find. Fortunately we have a very small house so I have to sell most of it.
Last weekend I found a pair of 1971 West German vases. Aren't they lovely.
I have to keep them, at least for a little while. I also I came across the garishly coloured ashtray above signed by Georges Briard and the set of 1976 Hornsea cups and saucers. All in all a successful day.

Weekly Ramble - 04/09/09

If you are going to email me please don’t put “Hi Sweetie” or anything similar in the subject box. The sender of that one was a Sharon. If it was you Sharon, the one I know, OOPS sorry mate but I sent you to spam.
Your unworthy but persistent bedfellows are Rodriquez, Camilla, Dwain and droves of other like minded individuals including Elvira Yang who advertises cheap Viagra. She is almost a regular and if she didn't advertise would probably end up in my In Box for no other reason than she has a cute name

I think most of the names in spam are made up but once in a while they almost get it right that’s when care needs to be exercised and the perfect watch-word?
Vigilance my friends

I peruse my spam folder every now and then because strangely enough, email from one friend in England often ends up there, her name is Rachel, go figure huh!

We have recently had 2 beautiful days of warm sunny weather and I was motivated to get out into the garden, unfortunately I probably over-did it the first day. Serves me right for being such a slug over winter.

Brian had his scan last Friday but would you know it the results weren’t back in time for his appointment with the specialist/surgeon Thursday just gone. Needless to say no decision has been made as to the next stage of treatment.

We were told by the radiologist that she could see gall stones but not how many and where they were in relation to his gall bladder etc. So….we wait.

Last night I finished reading Billy Straight by Jonathan Kellerman.
Billy is a 12 year old runaway who witnesses a brutal murder. Needless to say he is running scared. Police discover he is out there but can’t find him so the victim’s parents put a bounty on Billie’s head and suddenly he is a prize worth killing for.
Who will find him first; his brutish “stepfather,” the safe arms of the law or the murderer who until he sees Billie’s picture in the paper was unaware his crime had been witnessed.
It was a “cracking good read,” as my father would say.

I want cake! Be it rich chocolate or, Victoria sponge with jam and or whipped cream filling, I don‘t care but tomorrow I am going to bake a cake sorry but I haven’t even used the new mixer I bought before Brian was put on a fat free diet.
I made Brian a fat-free fruit cake the other week...it lasts for months!
It should be ok right? no fat, no eggs, no sugar.

Damn UK/NZ exchange rate gets worse and worse…

Weekly Ramble - 15/08/09

First of all I'd like to say farewell Lilyiris. One of my friends from Yahoo has either blocked me or canceled her account here. She has had personal problems for some time. If anyone has her personal contact details please tell her I wish her all the luck in the world.

Moving smartly on:-
"A mans close encounter with a right whale off the Kapiti Coast north of Wellington on Friday may cost him dearly. Not only did he get ticketed for illegal parking and having an expired car registration, he may be fined for getting too close to the whale.
He said he got so close that at one stage he stood on the whale’s back as it swam under him.
Under the Marine Mammal Protection Act, people cannot be closer than 50 metres from whales, and fines for such breaches can amount to $30,000."
Personally, I hope they make an example of him. Off with his head

"Police say three Chinese tourists who were robbed in the Far North at knife point by men they had stopped to help yesterday are "stunned and shocked" at the incident."
This type of incident is happening way too often in this country. Sometimes I’m ashamed to be a Kiwi.
It seems to me some people think they can do what they like because they imagine they “own” this land. No, don’t go there because I’m not getting into THAT! Argument.

Brian has an appointment for an ultrasound Friday to see if he has gall stones or not.
I hope that’s all it is because I don’t want to think of the alternatives. Also an appointment has come through for him to see a specialist on the 3rd even though we don’t know if he’ll need it. He still has a bit of pain but seems to be managing reasonably well even tho he's not a grin and bare it silently type of fellow
Addendum: Brian arrived home from snooker a while ago in severe pain and went straight to bed. He doesn't want me to call the doctor who did say at the last appointment Brian would have to either bear the pain or if it gets unbearable he should call an ambulance and go to the hospital. I'll let you know tomorrow.

By the way sorry if some of you didn't like my last poem. It was done in rather a hurry and maybe needs more thought by yours truly, or maybe not



At the weekend we collected from my friend Karen a load of stuff for Brian to sell at market. Amongst the stuff were around 60 miniature oil lamps like these: aren't they so cute I'm keeping these 6 clear glass ones a while Karen:)


It’s been beautiful gardening weather lately even though most evenings we've had rain. Spring is here that's for sure.
Talking about weeds, oh weren’t we Anyhow I was weeding the other day when I thought ‘hey! you look edible, maybe we could eat you’ but then I thought, 'don‘t be silly' It wasn’t so long ago I had to ask my sister if it was normal for pistachios to be a greenish colour. I was going to throw them away. Yes I did like them actually.
On my walk with Max I pass mounds of a weed called “Dock” I don’t know what it’s called in other countries but I seem to remember it being used in poultices when I was a kid and cut my foot and I’m sure I’ve heard of Dock soup.
It’s a pity everyone who would know is dead. Yes it really is a pity because I could also find out what happened to the lamb I had as a pet when I was 7. Truthfully? it was more a humongous ram by that time LOL and used to follow me all over including into the house One day it just wasn’t there when I returned home from school…did mum serve it up for Sunday dinner?
I think she did but it would be nice to know for sure.
Also, I‘d like to know if mum ever did find that pillow case.

The story is, I had just finished making the beds (I was around 9) but when I turned around the pillow case, which I swear I put on the bed was gone.
I never saw it again and she blamed me for losing it.
It’s a pity one can’t remember to ask these important questions while people are still alive.

If you could ask what would your question be and who would you ask.

Weekly Ramble 15/08/09

Brian chose last weekend to be ill. On a day when there were no doctors on duty he developed excruciating abdominal pain.
He was in such pain I thought we might have to call an ambulance but after a 4 hour sleep he was a bit better though pretty weak.

On Monday we visited the doctor who thinks gall stones or fatty deposits are blocking the liver duct. Brian has an ultrasound in about 3 weeks time and until then is on a fat free diet.

I didn’t realise how few foods are fat free. Processed foods are out as are white flour products but he can have skimmed milk.
I know he can have vegetables and fruit but what else? If anyone has any ideas let me know please!

Oh and just 2 weeks ago we bought this cute little kitchen helper for making cakes etc - I haven’t even used it yet lol.

Brian brought in the mail on Friday saying, “I don’t like the look of this there’s a black envelope and it's addressed to us.”
It turned out to be an invitation to my niece’s wedding in February…unusual say the least! or is it just me - oh and the actual invitation was printed on black card so what do you think?

I spent this afternoon re-reading some of my old blogs - the ones I’d transferred over to Yahoo profiles from 360 and it’s put me in a melancholy mood because I don't recognize the person who wrote them. That person had a sense of humour, she saw the ridiculous in every day life and wrote about it. She even made me smile once or twice.
I believe my humorous bone has disappeared and I’m going to have to sit down and do an inventory to see what else might be missing.

As usual we went to the garage sales this morning. At one place the chap was asking $10.00 each for 5 small hardback books written by Barry Crump. “They are collectors items.” He said.
Well, my jaw dropped as I hurriedly replaced the books…Did I miss something? When did Barry Crump become so sort after?
I gave the guy one of my famous looks and moved on.

“How much for this?” I asked and held up a metal candle stick with attached snuff. “That’s a real antique,” he says…“I want $50.00.”
“You’re kidding right! it’s not antique, it’s a reproduction, look it‘s never even been used. It‘s too new looking!” and put it back also.

These antiques too?” I ask. I had picked up a couple of genuine papyrus sheets of Egyptian (tourist type) origin, definitely NOT antique but very prettily hand painted and in good condition.
No he says, I can have them for a couple of dollars. Okay I say and hand over the cash.

Serves you right for being so greedy I think as I wonder if I can get $10.00 each for them on Trademe because oddly enough these papyrus sheets with painted ancient Egyptian scenes are very popular for some reason.

When we were leaving I realised why he was so familiar - he used to have the antiques shop in town a couple years back.

10 thought Tuesday or Weekly Ramble

1. Incredibly, because this is the absolute first time it's happened to me, I closed a document without first saving just because I added a page break to my document and forgot I had my 10 Thought Tuesday on page one, so when asked whether or not to save the second document which was some crap I said NO and both pages disappeared into oblivion.
To say I feel like spitting tacks is an understatement

2. Let’s see how much I can remember.
Max needs a bath, he pongs so bad even Brian can’t stand to be near him but there’s an icy wind coming in off the hills and daytime temps don’t rise much above 15C.
We wouldn’t like the little fellow to catch a chill. Anyway he doesn’t seem to mind. Probably thinks he’s the sweetest smelling pooch around.

3. It’s not the same trying to write what’s already been writ. I had got to 10 thoughts too, now I can’t remember what they were.
One of the old ladies I look after informed me she had a fall last week. She is in her 80’s and STILL climbs onto chairs or step ladders to reach things. Fortunately she is ok and her fall had nothing to do with heights.
Seems like she tripped over her dog which by the way is a right pain in the butt. I have visions of arriving one Wednesday (cause that’s the day I go to her) and finding her unconscious or worse!
Some people just don’t realize the affect their actions might have on others.

4. How come when HE wants something, for example, a garage, or porch or deck or, or even a new truck I always end up giving in to his persistence but when it’s me I get “don't you think that’s rather expensive and or extravagant?” All I want is the unused fireplace and hot water cylinder removed from the kitchen/dining room and a gas hot water system installed. There has to be an ulterior motive? Who says okay yes there is - With the area cleared I would be able to take my large china display cabinate out of my bedroom and put it against the freed-up wall.
What better use for a few thousand dollars huh Actually the first quote was $5,000. That took my breath away but I don't want to back down too early LOL

5. Damn my trousers are getting tight, I feel cut in two every time I sit down lol. Too much info? Well sorry this IS 10 thoughts These trousers I’m wearing at the moment are at least 20 years old. They are my gauge. They tell me when I need to cut down and start thinking slim, sigh!

6. Those minced bacon and beef sausage meat burgers I made last night were delicious. We had them with cauliflower cheese which was okay though I would have preferred chips. Unfortunately Brian thought they (burgers) were a tad salty but hey tough titty I will be making them again and soon too.
I guess I’m lucky Brian will eat most things so when I make something he is not keen on (because I do the cooking) he will quite happily have something out of a tin.

7. A woman I know has been giving away items from her house. When I ask her why she says she doesn’t need them any more or she needs the space in her cupboards. I told her she could earn a bit a cash by allowing me to sell them on her behalf but she says no.
“It’s nice not to need the extra cash,” I said to her one day but she just shrugged.
I guess some people get a buzz out of giving or maybe it’s a Christian thing but I feel charity begins at home, preferably mine
She’s started on her jewelery now.

8. I’m reading Lee Child - Without Fail. I do like his stories. Every word is necessary. I hate authors who use words just to “fill out” a story. They seem to describe every tiny detail right down to the colour and pattern of the stitching on the curtains

9. Yikes! I had a number 9

10. Anyway the sun is shining and all’s well with the world. Though maybe it’s not going so well for the members of parliament who have been ripping us tax payers off with their inflated expenses but I’m not going there because…