Take 5 Blogs

These are 5 blogs I am crushing on right now.

Better After 
This is a round up of the best before and after DIYs on the internet, I could spend hours here. I've been inspired more often than not, and there is always something to laugh at.

Penelope Trunk
I love her no bullshit approach to career and life advice, and I love that she flies the flag for Aspergers with such attitude. There is always something to learn from her.

The Nester
I think this is quite possibly my new favourite decor blog. I love that she has 3 children, a dog and doesn't like to spend money; and still has a beautiful house. I feel I have much to learn.

Phoodie
Recently named one of Mamamia's most clickable women, and I can see why. This blog is beautiful, delicious and arty. I love it.

Slapdash Mama
Slappy's brand of mental is hysterical yet somehow makes me feel we might be related. She cracks me up! Also she has the best name ever. Slappy.

xx

Dealing with my diabetic lot in life.

Today (day 16) the blog every day in May challenge is to discuss 'something difficult about your lot in life and how you're working to overcome it'.

Truth be told, I don't like talking about my problems, any of my close friends will tell you that. There are issues that I have taken the power out of by talking about them, but this is not the place for that, for they are not my stories to tell outside the confines of some trusted friends and family. Something I have shared here is how I am dealing with having diabetes type 2, you can read a rant here and also the rant where I fired my doctor here.

Health is a bit of a boring subject so I will update 'the diabetes situation' in bullet form, for your viewing pleasure. I'm always thinking of you guys! First few points are recaps. Pay attention.

• Diabetes type 1 and 2 are both prevalent in my family tree. I am lucky not to have type 1.
• My family tree has Irish roots so my body type resembles a potato. I am not too tall and yes, I am overweight but not massively so; and in any case I have not spent years sitting on the couch eating pizza. (the occasional night, sure). It is what it is.
• I don't think I or anyone else deserve to have diabetes, but you have to deal with the cards you've got. I can't ignore it on the premise that I think I shouldn't have it. It is what it is.

End of recap! 

This is how I am dealing with my diabetic lot in life.

• I advocate for my own health. Obviously I have a doctor, but I make it my business to research the drugs I need to take, the foods I should and shouldn't eat, I ask questions and seek out extra professionals when I think I need them. I take responsibility for my own health and do not passively accept everything I am told.
• I take the medication I am supposed to take, when I am supposed to take it. Insulin is not vitamins (although I take them too) you cannot just forget to take it. There will be consequences. I also do blood tests when I am supposed to (finger pricks 6 times a day and the big fasting blood test every 3 or so months). I'm getting better about not complaining. 
• I am trying to eat less dense carbs, such as bread, pasta, rice, corn, potatoes and sweet potato. Not eating them really keeps my blood sugar down. I really like the Paleo diet (which does not exclude potatoes and sweet potato) but when I ate this way I was very tired all the time, which is not great for me at all, I am a busy mum and need energy! I cannot find a dietitian that has even heard of Paleo that is also able to guide me through it from a diabetic point of view, so I am reading up on the internet and experimenting myself. I use a lot of Paleo recipes, and mostly say no to refined sugars or things like fruit juice.
• I exercise for weight loss and also to maintain fitness and good circulation. I'm waiting on a hernia operation and until then I can't do any bending, stretching, twisting or upper body strength. I find this particularly frustrating because A, I want to do martial art/yoga/zumba/cross fit/Tough Mudder Marathons and B, I need to lose weight to lessen the impact of diabetes, and if I cannot exercise properly I cannot lose weight. I can walk, however, so I walk about 90 minutes most days. 
• I have cut way down on alcohol. It's tragic, I know >sad face<. I have found that one of the tablets I take works a lot better if I have a small glass of wine every day, and this also has the added benefits of antioxidants so that was pretty exciting news! I still have the occasional gin and tonic or cocktail, but that is it. No super big nights out for me any more. 

So that is how I deal with the reality of having diabetes type 2. It's just about taking responsibility for yourself, and getting on with it!

xx

A day in my life

Lots of work to do today

Procrastination beading! Pretty..

Giddy up. 

Caterpillars, prepare to meet your doom.

Geeze, Louise these Gooseberrys are taking forever to ripen.

These are being donated to charity, there is no way I will make that much jam. Put them in the car  immediately.

No, you are fine in the doorway Kora, really. Don't move darling.

Quickly before school finishes..

School pick up time!

Soup for dinner

Beans are not ready. Hmm, Rosemary..

Cheesy Damper and Olive Damper. 

So soothing.

10 Things that make me Happy

Ticking things off my To Do list
I love a good list and normally have several on the go, sometimes they even refer to each other. It really floats my boat to be able to tick a project off, and put a line through it as well for good measure. Yes, I might be a bit crazy - I sometimes write things on the list just so I can tick them off. Ta-Da/To-Do? Which do you prefer? Or are you like me and like ALL of the lists ALL of the time?

The Ocean
Specifically, I love it on a hot day, when the water is deliciously icy, when I am in a wide, rip free beach with a sandy bottom and a rolling swell, when I swim far out the back beyond the breakers and let the water carry me to the top of the wave and down again. This is what I crave every summer. Such conditions only exist in two beaches that I know of - Freshwater in Sydney and Kings Beach at Caloundra in the Sunshine Coast. To be honest, I love the ocean anytime - it's a spiritual thing. I love it when it's sunshiny and sparkly, or when the surf thunders all night long and you can hear it from your bed blocks away, or when it is moody and gray, or when the water is so clear you can see the wondrous world beneath.

A Happy Household
I am happiest when my smiling children are enthusiastic, engaged, relaxed, and cooperating with each other; and I specifically love it when there is zero fighting and absolutely no whinging. A happy husband makes me very happy, because a grumpy, moody husband is just a shit. A happy household is clean, mostly tidy, not flooding, and fun to be in. It doesn't need to be calm or peaceful, but it does need to be cheerful.

Having Enough Time
Time feels like a luxury these days and I guess that's because it is! There is always somewhere to rush off to or something to do. Happiness is settling in for a few hours to read a great book, or take my time at the farmer's market, or spend the entire day trawling Op Shops, or even just having enough time to watch a movie on TV. It's having enough sleep without having to get up, or spending as much time as you want at the beach or the park or with friends. It's not feeling rushed.

A Well Stocked Kitchen
Having a pantry and fridge that are bursting with fresh delicious ingredients really is my happy place. It gives me freedom to create whatever dish I feel like, and allows me to feed my family some love and nourishment. Having an empty fridge and pantry (especially the week before payday) makes me panicky and throws me straight into a WINTER IS COMING!!! mentality. Even if it is Summer. Ugh.

Sanity Sushi
One of my favourite self indulgent/mental health necessities is to take myself out for some decent sushi and a diet coke, bury my head in a brand new glossy shelter magazine, and not look up for at least an hour. I'm very picky about the sushi (fresh salmon and avocado, I carry spare Wasabi in my bag) a bit flexible about the magazine (Vogue Living, or Belle from Australia, American InStyle, Martha Stewart Living or Elle Decor) I am not at all militant about Pepsi vs Coke, as long as it is diet.

Dinner Date with Mr BC
This does not happen enough, but now that the boys are older and Teenage Daughter is happy to babysit  it might happen more often. Fingers crossed! I really enjoy going out to try things I wouldn't normally eat at home, and although I love cooking I certainly enjoy the occasions when I don't. I try not to drink wine in front of the kids, so it is a pleasure to have a glass with dinner for a change. Get me out of the washing up and I am yours.

Scoring a Bargain.
I would rather go without something than compromise on quality or spend full price so buying a much needed item on sale is a very happy experience for me! I am an absolute bargain shopper, I hate paying full price for anything. I cannot shop retail unless I am getting a big discount or mark off, and will always check the seconds or marked down areas in any store. Some might call me a tight arse and they would be right, but the truth of the matter is I have to be; I'm just not financial enough to not worry about money. Also, it's kind of a game, I like the hunt.  I love op shopping or even better, curb shopping; and if I do have to go to a store, my favourite boutique is K Mart.

Gardening
It makes me very happy to be able to grow food and serve it to my family, knowing that it is healthy, fresh and free from pesticides. Watching the kids eat corn that they themselves have helped to grow is extremely fulfilling, in a pat-yourself-on-the-back-great-job-parenting kind of way. It's not just growing food that makes me happy, growing anything is very rewarding. Watching the Magnolia finally flower after coddling it along, finding some tiny lemons growing on the lemon tree, planting some bean seeds and watching them rush up out of the ground; all of this is very gratifying.

Finding my Tribe
Finally - blogging makes me very happy. When I started blogging 3 years ago I had no idea I would become so passionate about it! I love writing, and this is a continually growing love affair. I hope I'm getting better at it! I love the community that weaves through the blogosphere, I love sharing things with my readers and I am continually delighted and surprised that I even have any. I love that I am learning new things every day, through other blogs and forums; and also trial and error, especially the technical side. Who ever thought I would be able to format photos or code html? (Well I only can a little bit, but lots of generous bloggers have written tutorials. Shut up! It's all part of the sharing nature of blogging!) I love being inspired everyday by the smart, intelligent, funny, talented people who live on the internet. It's my tribe, and I am happy to be a part of it.

A formal apology to my former flatmate

Day 13 Blog every day in May - Issue a public apology

25 years ago, I loved being your best friend. I loved working at the same company with you by day, waitressing at the same restaurant with you by night, dancing in gay bars with you until 3AM, then crawling home to the same house as you. I don't think two people could have been closer, and I was devastated when you moved away. As the years went on there was a sadness in my heart that I couldn't find you, living as you did on the other side of the country with a different surname. I am forever grateful to face book for bringing us together again.

I was so happy to have you in my life once more, that I didn't even mind that my face book feed was now full of soft porn fantasy artwork of faeries, pictures of motorbikes carved from wood, or articles on how turmeric will cure cancer. Each to his own, I say, and perhaps turmeric will indeed cure cancer, who am I to argue.

I really enjoyed the few phone conversations we had, and even though we had both changed and grown in different directions, I felt that the old friendship prevailed and that somehow, we where as close as we ever where, despite the tyranny of distance and the demands of family. Even though I found most of the humorous emails you sent me a bit offensive, I held my tongue because honestly, I was so happy to be in touch with you again, and as I said - each to his own.

The last email you sent however, was a bit too much even for me and I am surprised that you claim to have not read the email before passing it on. But that is OK, I forgive you because I know how busy you are. You are right, we have grown in different directions. I'm sorry that you feel we haven't truly reconnected but I guess you are right.

As I tried to explain, I am not a bigot, and I try to be  open minded. I would just prefer it if I never received such hate filled propaganda again. The truth is, I have many Muslim friends who I both like and respect, and I do not think that emails such as the ones you have been sending me are an accurate or fair reflection of them. I tried to be as calm and friendly as I could in my email requesting that you send no more emails like this, but my position is firm -  this is my non racist bed and I must lie in it. I'm sorry that your response was so vitriolic, and I'm sorry that you felt the need to block me on face book.

So I apologize that we have grown apart, I apologize that I am not a bigot who shares your hate filled views, I apologize for assuming that you have read and understood the emails you send, and you are correct - I did not send you a Christmas card, and I apologize for that too.

xx

Sydney's Surf

Day 12 Blog Every Day in May Challenge - What do I miss?

Collaroy Beach, Sydney via

We moved to Brisbane 7 years ago, and although I love living here and have embraced it as my home, there are some things that I really, really, really miss about Sydney. Namely, a proper surf beach.

Mona Vale Beach, Sydney via

As much as Brisbane is a subtropical, ocean side paradise with gorgeous, world famous beaches an hour to the north and south, nothing will beat the beaches of my hometown.

Queenscliffe Beach, Sydney via

Because Brisbane is sheltered by a string of islands, we have ocean but no surf. In fact, there are hardly any actual beaches in Brisbane, just lots of rocks and mangroves. It has other charms, but I miss a proper surf on my doorstep. I might even be happy with a rock pool.

Freshwater Beach Sydney via

The beaches I grew up with were mostly a 2 minute drive (or a 15 minute walk) from my home. You could duck down for an early morning swim or surf, and cool down at the end of the day after you got home from work, and still have plenty of time for dinner.

Narrabeen Beach Sydney via

The year before The Gentleman was born, the weather was exceptionally mild and I swam in the ocean every single day. Sometimes the surf was too rough, and we swam in the rock pool instead. Often we would get an ice cream on the way home, and despite rinsing our feet would still leave sand in the car.

Narrabeen Rockpool via

I think most beaches in Sydney have a tidal rock pool. This pool is the very same pool that my school held swimming carnivals in. I miss seeing my sister a few times a week, especially now that she has children. I would love our children to grow up with the close relationship of cousins. Even though we might see each other a few times per year, it isn't the same. If we lived in Sydney still, Monkey boy might even be in the same class as his cousin. Also, I miss my friends. The miracle of face book does have the charm of connection, but nothing will beat a catch up over a coffee or glass of wine. Or a Japanese lunch box or 3 AM kebab.

Manly Beach Sydney via

What do you miss?

xx

Only TEN words?

Day 11 Blog Every Day in May Challenge - Sell yourself in 10 words or less.

1. Genuine to a fault
2. Loyal unless you cross me
3. Thoughtful it's a blessing and a curse
4. Pragmatic function over form
5. Quick witted, not a runner
6. Intolerant only of bullshit
7. Friendly to dogs and most people
8. Worker hands on baby!
9. Reliable mostly
10. Resourceful I can make it happen

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