Day 119: Aching All Over

 

I woke up this morning with the start of a migraine and aching all over. It actually feels like when I have a bout of Ross River Fever. It couldn't have come at a worse time. For some strange reason I ended up with Monsoon. I still can't work out how that happened. I'll also have Monsoon and Hurricane this arvo while Graceful is at dance practice... I think I'll cook them pasta to take home for their dinner as their mum and Graceful won't get back until around 6ish pm.

I'm not going to get much done while I have Monsoon. I think I'll just bag up the stuff, ready for the op-shop run. I don't want to be carting all of that to the next place.

Day 118: Started Packing

 

I actually started the process of packing. I want to be able to move as much stuff on my own as possible. make it easier for the actual move day. I'm already starting to figure out how to set out each room. Well, all the rooms I'll be responsible for anyway. It makes it seem more real now as I watch the picture come off the wall and the empty storage tubs get filled.

Also had to take mum for a dental check up in the arvo. A very productive day even if I do say so myself.

Day 117: School Parade

 

Today, Hurricane is getting a certificate on parade for beautiful handwriting.

Aunty Yace dropped off Monsoon to me at mid-morning, because she didn't want to go grocery shopping (because it's boring).

I also started a major declutter of this house before the move = not taking anything that we don't need. I'll have to do the same once there. because we won't need double ups of everything.

Day 116: Sleep Over Night

 

I have Hurricane sleeping over tonight. Graceful is away for a dance eisteddfod tomorrow. Monsoon is staying with Her bestie (Aunty Yace). I hope she's good because I woke up tired as hell today (no sleep).

I feel like pasta today, So, I'll make some spaghetti bolognaise sauce. I need it to simmer for a good 3 to four hours to make sure it tastes right. For me, there is no quick fix for pasta sauce. they all need to simmer so the flavours can have a chance to evolve. If I'm energetic by then, I might even make some garlic bread.

I'll have to make sure all of Hurricane's school stuff is packed in her bag so it's an easy drop off in the morning.

Day 115: Little Bits

 

Today I did a heap of little things like:

1. Fill in the bond forms for the new place and send back to the real estate.

2. Caught up on some more washing; (stuff I found in daughter's garage).

3. Had Graceful and Hurricane while Monsoon at her swimming lesson.

4. Cooked a baked dinner for lunch.

5. did a general tidy up of our house once the girls went home.

I also went through some story notes looking for something that I've lost. No clue where it is and only a general idea of what it's about. It's a right royal pain in the arse when I do something like this; especially when it's something important I need for a current WIP.

Day 114: Cleaning (Yuck!)

 

Now that the move is confirmed. We decided to start cleaning at my daughter's place. I swear to the be all and end all that once we are living together there will be no mess like I had to wade through today. I knew it was going to be hard, but it looks like I'm going to have to teach a few people how to clean house.

After spending the morning cleaning. I came home and did 2 loads of washing just to feel like I actually accomplished something. I think after moving all of those plants around to the back of her house, it's going to come back and bite me on the arse at some future date.

I'm determined to get that house into tip-top shape. I hate living surrounded by mess. So everyone else just has to learn to pick up after themselves.

Day 113: Rest Day

 

Today while I had no kids, I decided to have a day off, A day just for myself where I could do whatever I wanted. It mainly consisted of picking up the scripts I forgot yesterday. writing up a list of all the stuff I would need to get done for the move as there is only 57 days until my lease is up and I need to have everything done by then. I know if I have a list I will stick to it (mostly). 

Other than that, I also took time out to watch a bit of tv and to read... just because I could. I'm supposed to do some washing today, but I think I will put it off for another day.

Day 112: Decided To Move

 

Decided to move and here are my arguments for and against.

PROS:

1. Rents are all going up again.

2. Easier to look after everyone if in same house.

3. No steps for mum to have to get up and down; (this is a big one for me).

4. Better yard to maintain.

5. Still have our own loungeroom.

6. Easier to put the bins out; (driveway isn't mega long like here).

CONS:

1. A lot of cleaning and decluttering to get done... (when I say a lot I mean it's going to take weeks to get through it all - I'll have to write up a schedule just to get it done).

Day 111: School Restarts

 

The kids start back at school today - Good... because I need the break.

Today my daughter and I started filling up the first skip bin at her house... honestly, I think we are going to need a second one. Also rearranging some stuff in her house so that when the time comes, we'll be able to start moving our stuff straight in. Now let's hope that between now and then my daughter keeps up with the sorting out of her stuff (I'm not holding my breath on that one).

But at least we have made a start on everything, and I can now picture in my mind the new layout.

Day 110: Pushing Through

 

Even though I still feel like crap I decided to do the washing. At least there was only three loads, and I could hang them all inside.

I decided to cook myself some homemade chicken noodle soup in the hopes that it will make me feel better. 

I took a bit of time to work on some handwritten notes. just so I have them and don't lose/forget about them.

Monsoon slept over last night. and boy was I glad when she went home today... I needed the freaking rest.

Day 109: Easter

Okay, I'm still not feeling the best but today I'm cooking mum a baked dinner for Easter lunch today. She will enjoy it. I'll make sure there is enough for her to have a second meal tomorrow.

Today I started making some lists for when we move house:

1. What I need help moving.

2. What I can move myself (which is about 75% of it).

3. What chores I need to get done for exiting this house.

4. What chores I need to get done before setting up in the new place (seeing as we will be moving in with my daughter and granddaughters).

5. what to keep &/or get rid of at each house.

Day 108: Still Not Well

 

Still feeling crook, but I have shit that needs doing. So today I dragged myself out of bed and got things done.

I didn't get any writing done, but I did putter around the house and tidy up with everything I had let slide after the last few days. I hate the house being messy.

I also had Hurricane while her mum took her friend to the hospital because she had a sore throat... I'm nearly dying, and I get to look after the kids while her friend needs the hospital. Doesn't matter that I was too tired to watch the kids. (Yes, I know I'm griping, I'm sick and I'm allowed). Don't get me wrong. I love my granddaughters... just not when I'm sick and worn out.

Day 107: Good Friday

 

Today is a day for eating fish. I might not follow a great many of the catholic teachings, but I do not eat read meat or any other meat except fish on Good Friday.

Though today I'm really sick, so I'll be spending the day in bed trying to recover some energy. I might work some more on my handwritten notes if I feel up to it.

Day 106: Sick & Busy

 

I'm still sneezing, coughing, and wheezing. And as much as I want to have a restful day, I have a mega ton of stuff I need to get done.

1. De-cobweb the whole house.

2. Downtown to pick up a few things for mum.

3. Looked after granddaughters while their mum helped one of her friends.

4. I also worked on writing up some notes on a new story idea.

I think I will try and have an early night tonight, and now I have said that... I'll probably end up with insomnia.

Day 105: Happy Birthday Caleb

Happy Birthday, Caleb! I don't remember how old you are because I stopped counting a long time ago. None the less I hope you have a freaking awesome day.

Today: I'm feeling a tad better, though I'm still wheezing and coughing. I'll have to get my daughter to get the kids easter baskets out of the top of the linen cupboard. At least we won't have to go out and buy new one. I'll have to get my daughter to go and pick me up some water today.

Hopefully, by the time the weekend gets here, I'll be much better. I had to ring up and book Mum into the dentist, with all the upcoming public holidays. She can't get in until April 28th.

Today my big job is to fold up the laundry, because I'm going to have to try and wash the bedding again soon. After being sick they start to smell dank and in need of refreshing.

 

Day 104: Butter wouldn't melt in his mouth

 

Looking at the sweetheart you would think he was an adorable angel. Well, I'm here to tell you right now that this little sh*thead had another case of the annoying zoomies last night. While the rest of us just wanted to sleep he ran laps of the house. Then once we're all awake, he decides to curl up in ball on the end of my bed sleep the day away.

I know I'm probably only complaining because I still feel like crap... But, for the love of Mike, he's seven years old. He should have grown out of this crap by now; shouldn't he have? (Is that even written right?)

On a good note, I didn't have to sleep sitting up for the whole night. I managed to spend half the night laying down like a normal person. Okay, well I'm out of here for today, because I need to go and take my medicine and painkillers. Because I did wake up sneezing up a storm again.

Day 103: Still Sick

 

I'm not going to spend my time whinging about being sick. Because let's face it, there is a lot of people worse off than I am.  I'm at the point now where I'm more wheezing and coughing than anything else. Though I did lose 1.1kg (2.43lbs) this week.

I don't have the energy to or wherewithal to concentrate on anything for long periods of time. So, I have been attempting to watch a bit of TV and getting up and checking on my mum (93). On a good note, I haven't had to look after Cyclone, Hurricane, and Monsoon.

I have done some looking for new recipes. I have saved them and over the next few weeks/months; mum and I will give them a go. Then I made a list of all the ingredients that I don't currently have; or seeing which ones are most recurring in each of the saved recipes.

I need to buy some more containers to be able to freeze the meals. I can tell you it was a good feeling while I was sick just to be able to pull out a frozen meal each day for Mum to have a hot meal, and for me not to have to stand at the stove cooking. Once I'm well again, I am going to have to restock the meals.

Day 102: Sick Again

 

I didn't get as much done yesterday as I hoped, because as the day progressed, I got sicker and sicker. Today I feel like I'm coughing up a lung, and I can hardly swallow or talk. My head is pounding. my eyes don't want to stay open... To quote a line from one of my favourite miniseries, "Those summer colds are the worst." Now if I start to see an abundance of crows I'm going to start to panic.

Though in all seriousness I really feel like crap so I'm probably going to rest today and only make sure my mum is fed, and she has what she needs for the day. I'm too tired to do anything else. I know I should suck it up and power on... but sometimes, your body just needs rest, and today mine does.

So, this is short and sweet, and I'll catch you all tomorrow.

Day 101: Back in the Yard

 

Today I have to get back out and do some more mowing. First, I have to do a stick pick in the section I want to mow today. I don't want another accident when a bit of branch shot out and hit me in the leg. Luckily, Monsoon came around and doctored me up. Meaning, she got one of her nappy wipes and wiped the crap out of my leg.

My driveway is still too wet to even attempt to mow. I hope it dries out soon, because I hate it being messy.

I also have to fold up all the dry laundry and put it away. Though once the girls go home, (after Monsoon goes swimming), I'm going to pull all the tubs out from under my bed and clean them all out. I'm looking for some story notes and I don't know where I put them.

I also want to get at least one of the venetian blinds cleaned in the house. It's too big of a job if I have to try and do them all in one day.

Day 100: Sleepover Night... Yay, What Fun

 

I only have Cyclone and Hurricane. Monsoon is going to be staying at their dad's house. Apparently, he can't have them all at once. So, I have to have the other two. I hate looking after them when they aren't feeling well because they are so bitchy to one another, and then I get mad... I don't like getting mad.

I'm just putting it out there right now that there will be no Captain Underpants... Because I am so over that show.

Cooking my sloppy peas to freeze today. Let's hope this is a good batch. Sometimes that they stay a little crunchy. Still edible, but a few crunchy ones among the rest of the deliciousness.

I have to duck downtown and grab a frozen pizza, because I know that's exactly what Cyclone will want for dinner. Hurricane may want the same, but then again, she may want pasta, or nuggets, or sausage and mashed potatoes.

Day 99: Meal Plans

 

Today I have been looking for different recipes to try. I'm not very adventurous when it comes to cooking/ eating. Mum and I have decided we are going to try at least one new meal a week/fortnight. All depends what ingredients I need. I might have to buy some.

So, I have been trying to work out meal plans for the week/fortnight. One where I can mix the days around, depending on what my mum wants to eat. She's 93 and trust me at her age she gets what she wants. She usually doesn't ask for much. I do have to cook a couple of things that I personally don't eat, (prawns, lamb, pork), but that's okay as long as she's happy.

I really have to do a thorough stock take of my pantry and freezer. though to be honest my freezer is mainly filled with meals that I have made. So, I know exactly what's in each and every dish. Today I made red Rice to freeze and put on the split peas to soak so I can cook them tomorrow to freeze, (so much easier to pull out and reheat) when I'm having a baked dinner, or silver side then having to stand there cooking the sloppy peas every time.

On another note: Cyclone, Hurricane, and Monsoon are all sick. Thank God, it is school holidays, and they can rest, and not be missing actual school days.

Day 98: Grocery Shopping

Today it's a game of how much is going to be on the shelves and what I'm going to have to pay for it to be able to eat this fortnight. I can't believe how much food has goon up since we've had all this rain. I can understand it, because of crop damage etc, but I don't have to like it. Especially when I'm a pensioner. But we have to do what we have to do to survive. It just means I get creative with meals... meaning, I make meals where I'm able to freeze a portion to have at a later date.

I also freeze left over pasta (un-sauced) and rice into portion sized packets to pull out and put into stews and soups... no wastage. Rice is always good to have already cooked in the freezer if I decide on the spur to make tuna patties.

This time I'm going through pantry, fridge and freezer so I don't buy stuff I already have. I know I've said it before, and I'll probably say it again. We all have to start shopping smarter. My daughter and I have taken to buying the big bags of carrots, and capsicums and just halving them because it's cheaper.

If I have extra gravy (homemade) left over, I freeze it and if my daughter asks hey mum do you have any gravy. I just point at the freezer. I usually just mark it with whatever it is. L, B, or C. As they say, sharing is caring. In this day and age every little bit helps.

So, wish me luck with my shopping and let's hope It doesn't cost me an arm and a leg, as well as my left kidney. Oh, to make matters worse; it's school holidays (Easter). We're going to have Cyclone, Hurricane, and Monsoon with us as well as having to contend with any other child shopping with their parents...oh what fun...not!

 

Day 97: Organization

 

I am one of those people who like to work from lists. whether it has to do with my writing, or it is the household chores, or even just the plain old shopping list. Yes, I has a notebook I keep in my bag just for that very thing (the shopping list that is).

I like to do at least three chores off the list per day. I have a big yard, and a small battery-operated push mower. So, I allot myself one battery life (Approx 20 minutes) of mowing each day and two other chores. With all the rain we've had the mowing has fallen by the wayside, but I'll be heading out there shortly to try and play catch up. So, today's chore list would be:

1. Mow 1 battery
2. wipe out the pantry shelves and put oldest stock to the front
3. Change mum's bedding for cooler weather (Add extra doona, her under blanket and flannel sheets)

In my writing I'm just hoping to get at least 2-3 K written, but that will have to come after I have done the other chores. It's coming up cloudy again, so I better go and at least get the mowing in before then.

Day 96: Weird Weather

 

The weather has been so weird lately. One minute it's hot. The next it's cold. Then it alternates between raining and sunny days. It's like jumping from 15° to 35°.

Worked on Hayden Falls 1: Christmas Wishes Comes With Kisses. If my damn cat tries to eat my computer again, I don't know what to do he's seven. He should have grown out of this crap by now.

I have to clean out my fridge today. I noticed there are crumbs all through it again, so I want to wash it all out, and I have to refill the ice cube trays. I also noticed from all the rain there is some mold starting on the bathroom wall near the window. So, I'll have to get that done today

Today mum has decided on steak sandwiches with chips (fries). So, it will be an easy one today.

Day 95: Damn Cat

 

Robson (my cat) had another fricken night of running all over the house. So, I've now had two nights on minimal sleep... Yay, what fun... Not.

Worked on Hayden Falls1: Christmas Wishes Comes With Kisses. Only doing little bits as my head is pounding today.

I did the washing today: 3 loads at least I could hang it all on the inside lines.

Today's doco watch was on the disappearance of sister Cathy and abuse in the catholic church. And one on the Son of Sam. And one on the Cecil hotel, but I'll have to finish that one tomorrow.

Today mum wanted fish (barramundi) and salad for lunch today another awesome meal. We also had a microwave potato. 

I hope I get a better night's sleep tonight.

Day 94: Tired As Hell

 

Tired because my shithead of a cat Robson (the youngest one) decided to run around the house like a freaking nutter. From the moment the lights went out until the time I let them out in the morning me had the zoomies and jumpies. Drove me nuts all night long.

Just because I could I cooked my mum a baked dinner today. It was bloody delicious. Chicken, roast veg (pumpkin, potato, onion, carrot, and sloppy peas), and homemade gravy.

Monsoon rang me up just to ask me if she could have a chee-hoo

I have been watching some serial killer and murder documentaries. It was so interesting how clever they think they are and how they finally get caught out. Makes me wonder what the hell goes through their minds.

Worked on Hayden Falls 1: Christmas Wishes Comes With Kisses. But I've had a bad headache and a sore back today.

Day 93: Update Day

 

This is what it feels like most days in my house. Would you believe my oldest cat decided he wanted my seat and wouldn't stop annoying me until I got up and moved seats. Then the youngest cat decided he wanted me to sit in the bedroom while he lay on the bed, so he did the same whole annoying thing until I moved to the bedroom.

I blame it on the freaking wet weather... yes, you guessed it, it's raining.

I forgot to tell you. The night Monsoon slept over she ended up sleeping for 14 hours straight. And then spent the next day with me while her mum was at work. At least the flooding went down some and Hurricane and Cyclone could get to school.

Today I'm back to working on Hayden Falls 1: Christmas Wishes Comes with Kisses and watching NYC murder cases.

Today is also Hurricane and Cyclone's last day of school before the Easter holidays. At least their mum will be home to look after them.

Day 92: Happy Birthday Sis.

 

Happy Birthday, Brenny.

May you have a better day tomorrow. 

Because I know today is going to suck.

Day 91: Unexpected Sleepover

 

Today I had Hurricane and Monsoon after school, because Aunty Yace was flooded in. Lucky for me both girls fell asleep. Hurricane work up, when her mum and Cyclone pulled up after dance practice. Monsoon didn't. So, guess who's getting a sleep over.

They were a bit miffed that it was still raining so they were still stuck inside. Yes, while Hurricane watched her videos on my phone. I was stuck watching Twirly Woos with Monsoon. Also, about three hours of her laying on me, sticking her face in mine and asking, "Can I get a Chee Hoo." Over and over while laughing her head off. All I can say is thank God I'm having trouble with Disney+, or I'd be stuck watching Moana 2 over and over.

I worked on Hayden Falls 1: Christmas Wishes Comes with Kisses... in longhand.

Also watching murders in LA and NYC and how they caught them... very interesting. Some I even remember being on TV. Or I recognise the people in the episodes.

Day 90: April Already

 Today I started the day off by taking mum to her podiatry appointment. The technician was 20 minutes late; then on the way home I realized why, because mum and I got caught in roadworks for 30 minutes... a freaking pain in the ass.

Finally got home and had Monsoon waiting for me, because she didn't want to be at home while her mother tried to mow before the rain comes back this arvo. She ended up staying with me from 11am, to just after 5:30 pm when Hurricane and Cyclone finished swimming lessons... Do you understand how many times I had to watch The Minions and Twirly Woos.

Though after she left, I watched a doco on the white hats... a group of people who rescue others in the war. That one was both interesting and very sad. I would hate to live through anything like that.

I didn't get writing done today because I also had to spend most of the time reading Where's Santa's Elf while Monsoon searched for everything that needed to be found... longest 6 hours of my life.