Life the hodgepodge way

 

What are your current priorities in this season of life? Elaborate as much or as little as you like.             

To stay as fit and active as possible, to enjoy being able to do stuff for myself and not letting Parkinson’s get the better of me

 What's one thing you wish you had more of? 

Independence, it the way of being able to go out by myself shopping, since I lost my licence and can no longer drive myself anywhere, whoever drives me feel they have to stay with me.

Do you celebrate Halloween? If so, what are your Halloween traditions? Any special plans for Halloween this year? 

No, I don’t here in Australia when I was growing up it wasn’t heard off, it is only in the last 25yrs that we have Halloween stuff in the stores, so to me it is just a money grab by retailers.

Last thing you ate that contained chocolate? Last thing you made that called for chocolate? 

A lamington it had chocolate cream and icing

Do you prefer laid back weekends or do you like to have a lot of plans? Thinking back to this past weekend... which was it? 

Laid pack, although last Saturday there was a family lunch for my sister’s birthday.

Insert your own random thought here.                       

People shouldn’t need a lot of friends to feel complete or happy, I have never had a lot of friends around me and neither did my parents, they did have friends but only a couple and they were happy. As I am happy with my life, like my mum I enjoy my own company, my sisters are the same but not sure about my brother. \

Happy Birthday Sue

 

On this day back in 1969 my amazing sister Sue was born, I have said for many years that she is the strongest person I know; she is a survivor, and I am so lucky that this year we have become so close.

Yes, she has made some bad decisions in her life, but she also made some good ones that is normal, life hasn’t always been easier for her, but she has learnt and grown with all the ups and downs of her life.

She is estranged from some of her children, their decision not hers and this is upsetting for her but there is nothing she can do. If they choose to not have this amazing and strong woman in their lives, then it is them who are losing out.  She may not have always been the best mother in their eyes, but she did the best she knew how to do at that time in her life.

I love you Sue and I am proud of how strong and resilient you are; I hope you never forget that.

Happy Birthday

Having an apple the hodgepodge way

 

Monday was National Apple Day...did you eat an apple or enjoy something made with apples on Monday? Do you like apples? Do you prefer your apples raw, baked, or in cider? Do you have a favourite variety of apple? 

I do like apples not all apples, but I don’t like cider

Do you think there's any truth to the saying 'an apple a day keeps the doctor away'. Of the following healthy habits which do you find easiest to incorporate into your life and which is the most difficult for you to adopt-

adequate sleep, a balanced diet, plenty of water, eat breakfast, don't smoke, exercise, limit alcohol, include fruits and vegetables in your diet, manage stress, limit screen time

Nope no truth in the saying, most nights I get a decent night’s sleep, do I have a balanced diet nope I don’t, exercise I do daily and rarely drink alcohol.

Who taught you how to drive? Do you enjoy driving? Would you rather be the driver or the passenger?  Do you have a favourite scenic drive near you? 

Both Tim and a professional driving school, I use to enjoy driving but I no longer have a licence to drive so have become use to being a passenger.

What small habit has had a big impact on your life? 

I would have to say blogging and researching stuff for blog post

Tell us about something nice that happened to you recently.

Something nice????

I can’t think of a damn thing

Insert your own random thought here. 

We often take our daily life for granted, with pretty much the same thing happening day in and day out, I am lucky to be able to say that I am content with my life. I have a good family who I am close to and know many can’t say the same.

Remember the purpose of life is happiness

Week 42 of 2024

 

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I had a pretty good night, slept pretty much all night, although I had to use the powerfit before going to bed due to how restless I felt.

I felt cold and had to turn the heater on for a little bit.

The temp this morning is 13 degrees and my BGL was 4.9

The day has warmed up, Tim did more work in the back yard.

Steps: 5,196

SANDY’S BIRTHDAY SHE IS 47 TODAY

I had a really good night slept straight through only waking when the alarm went off.

It is a cold morning with a temp of 12 degrees, my BGL is 5.0

It has turned out being a warm day with a temp of 22 degrees.

I was waiting for Sam this afternoon and she didn’t turn up; I rang Jess who rang Sam, and it turned out someone told the driver she had already gone home. Thankfully a friend’s mother drove her home.

Steps:5,765

I had a really good night slept straight through only waking when the alarm went off.

It is a pleasant 15 degrees and my BGL is 6.8, a bit high for some reason.

It was starting to rain when I was going up the front with Sam and had to come back and swap from my scooter to the walker. The temp is still only 16 degrees.

Tim home at 9.30am to have something to eat before going to have his scans done. Then he will be going back to work.

Steps: 6,157

DAD’S BIRTHDAY HE WOULD BE 82

I had another good night slept straight through waking at 4.20am to pee then straight back to sleep till the alarm went off.

It is a cold 13 degrees my BGL was 5.0

I am having a lot of trouble walking this morning my right knee doesn’t feel stable and I am worried about falling.

Tim arrived home at 11am he has phone appointment at 2pm.

The day warmed up a bit.

The clothes I ordered from Millers arrived and both lot of pants fit well but the skirt is a bit too big. I have emailed to see if it can be exchanged for a smaller size, but I don’t it can be as I think it was off the clearance rack.

Steps:8,204

Went to bed at 9pm last night as per usual around 11.15pm I woke feeling restless, so I got up and used the powerfit no issue there, however, when I bent over to unplug it, I lost my balance and fell banging my head hard against the lounge and yes it hurt I sat for about 20 minutes before going back to bed. For the next few hours, I dozed on and off before settling down at around 2pm. I got up at 5am a usual.

It is only 7 degrees my BGL was 3.6

It has warmed up to 21 degrees.

Both Sandy and Sue said I shouldn’t use the powerfit during the night.

I rang the Eastern Tiger and booked a table for 4 on the 26 then Jeannie said she would come, then Dawson said he would come so I rang back and changed the booking to 6. I then realised I hadn’t asked Dave, so I have texted him about coming and hope to hear back sometime tomorrow.

Steps:5,410

Went to bed at 9pm last night as per usual around 11.15pm I woke feeling restless, so I got up and used the powerfit went back to bed and straight off to sleep.

It is 15 degrees and my BGL is 3.4

Took Sam up the front and managed to just get home before it started raining heavy.

I have had another productive morning vacuuming and changing the sheets, washing the sheets and tossing them in the dryer to dry.

Steps: 10,445

Had a good night although when the alarm went off, I didn’t want to get up, but I did and after a shower I felt ok. It is 19 degrees and my BGL is 5.2, we are supposed to be in for a nice day.

I have felt fidgety as mum would put it this morning.

Tim and I went over to Lake Fair so he could cash in bottles while I went to see if I could exchange my skirt, but they didn’t have anything in my size.

Tasha bought me another matching top and pants set.

Steps: 9,410

 

 

 

 

              

 

 

Nuts Hodgepodge

 

How did you meet your significant other? If you don't have a significant other, tell us how you met your best friend. 

We met through an introduction agency

 It's Department Store Day (October 16)...do you still shop in department stores? If not do you miss that kind of shopping experience? Do you have a favourite department store? Any fun memories of department store shopping when you were a child? 

I like going to Kmart or Big W both department stores here, I just don’t get to go very often. As a child we would often shop at David Jones department store but no memories as such about those days.

Something you're currently nuts about.

Being able to do stuff for myself, and being able to dance around the house and play fight with Sam of a morning  

 What's your favourite nut and is there a favourite recipe where this nut is used? 

Almonds but don’t have a recipe which contains it

On Wednesday we officially reach the '70 days until Christmas' mark. Have you purchased any gifts? If you don't celebrate Christmas, then how about Hanukkah presents? 

Yes, I have started my Christmas shopping but still have a long way to go

Insert your own random thought here.

With moments filled with joy and pleasure and golden days of love and cheer, memories are made to cherish and treasure, memories that hopefully will stay with one till they are very old and hopefully to the grave.  As memories help make life more enjoyable.

 

The name David

 

Other than my sister I also have a brother David, so this week we will look at the meaning of that name. The name is often shortened to Dave or Davy.

The name David has taken the world by storm and heard in several languages, like Dutch, Spanish, Portuguese, and Croatian. With countless famous historical figures and celebrities named David, baby will have many honourable footsteps to follow throughout life.

The name David has deep Biblical roots and means "beloved." It is derived from the Hebrew name Dawid, which evolved from the Hebrew word dod which means beloved.

David is a name that has been associated with strength, leadership, and artistic talent. People with the name David are often seen as natural leaders, not because they seek out leadership roles, but because they possess an innate ability to guide others with wisdom and empathy.

David's remarkable feat was marked by four qualities, ones which we desperately need today: He was competent, he was courageous, he was committed, and he was confrontational. Focus on those four qualities.

                                            MY BROTHER DAVID AND  HIS WIFE LEIGH

The Name Sandra & My Babygirl

 

I have another sister named Sandra, so this week we are looking at the meaning of the name Sandra. 

Sandra is a feminine name of Greek origin, both formidable and valiant. A variation of Alexandra, Sandra means "protector of humanity." Both versions derive from Alexandros, the by-name of the revered Goddess Hera, who was indeed a great defender of many ancient Greek heroes and warriors. It is also the short form of the name Cassandra.

Those with first name of Sandra are usually very kind, thoughtful, and sociable person. Because of their friendly and diplomatic qualities, they make friends easily. They also shine as a hostess as you instinctively know how to make everyone feel relaxed and friendly.

Between 1930 and 2022 saw in Australia 25 boys and 19,433 given the name Sandra, as you can see in AAustralia the name is generally a female one.

I refer to our Sandra as my “babygirl” she will be 47 on Monday but in my head and heart she will forever be my babygirl.

She is often called Sandy she is the mother of two daughters and foster mother to two others, and she often has a fifth child at her place her eldest daughter’s boyfriend.

I think she is amazing, and our parents would be so proud of her for taking in Landon and Skylar who are our nephew Dawson’s half brother & sister.

 

A Walk In The Park, What Hodgpodge

 

Thursday is National Walk To A Park Day. I know these celebratory days are mostly made up, but some are fun to think about. Do you live close enough to a park to walk to one on Thursday? Will you? The most famous park in the world is Central Park located in NYC. Have you ever been to Central Park? What did you think? If you haven't been is this a place you'd like to see? 

I could walk to a park, well I used to be able to walk to a park, now days it is hard enough to walk to the top of the driveway. Nope I haven’t been to Central Park I am in a different country so not so easy. Do I want to see it nope.

Something you've done recently that turned out to be a 'walk in the park'? 

I have given this a bit of thought, and I can’t think of anything, everything is pretty much a struggle every day.

Can you parallel park? Do you have to do this often where you live? 

Yes, I could parallel park but didn’t do it very often

The colours of fall...red, brown, russet, golden bronze, golden yellow, purplish red, light tan, crimson, orange red, and scarlet. Are these colours you like to wear? Is this your season in terms of colour? What about your home? Would we see these tones in your home decorating? 

Well, I like shades of red and purple as well as shades of blue both to wear and wouldn’t mind such colours in my home.

What part of history do you find most interesting? Elaborate. 

I like all history but if I had to pick one part it would be World War two, why I don’t really know I am just interested in that time.

Insert your own random thought here.

Remember living is a privilege granted to us from God along with the privilege of the world being full of many beautiful things. We have a mind to learn, a voice to speak and a heart to love others with.  

 

A poetic hodgepodge or not

 

Hey, it's October...what's one fun thing on your October calendar? 

This year my husband and I are taking my sister Sue out for lunch so that.

Thursday is National Poetry Day (first Thursday in October) ...do you like to read poetry? If so, what's a favourite poem or whose poetry do you especially enjoy? 

Never been interested in poetry but there have been some I liked, can’t say what they were though.

Tell us about something you've seen recently that could be described as 'poetry in motion'. 

Sorry, nothing comes to mind

What's one song on your autumn playlist? Do you have an autumn playlist? If not, pretend you do. If yes, then feel free to share more than one. 

A couple of songs popped into my head when I read this, they are June as cold as December by the Everly Bros and Cold day in July by the Dixie Chicks.

Share a quote that inspires you this time of year especially. 

I can’t think of anything

Insert your own random thought here.  

My life is an open book, a wonderful book filled with memories of a pretty damn good life and each day something new happens that is stored in the book of my life.