Just testing to see if this blog still works 

Wow, wondering if this blog still works. If so, I will resurrect it and put my words out into the universe. 

I am now 60 years of age. Just returned from the Cook Islands which is beautiful. Yes, I broke my right big toe (and no I wasn't drunk 😁) and Brad came down with a terrible cold/virus but we still had fun. Going to publish now and see what happens.

First Day of Lock-down - August 13, 2021

 Well hello,

Today was our first day of lock-down here in Canberra. Apparently Canberra will be in lock-down for seven days however I think it will be for a bit longer as today there were six cases (it is only the first day). Tomorrow will be interesting for the number of cases. I hope everyone is OK. I don't think it will bother me if we are in lock-down as I don't currently work and stay at home most days. Hubby is working from home and it is nice to have him in the house (even though we don't speak much during the day). I am also happy to stay at home to be safe for myself, my family and for other people. My youngest child is very anxious as he just started at university again doing face to face which he loves and have accepted the fact that he can not do his course on-line. He may need to defer his studies until next year which has him very upset. Hopefully after the lock-down he will a job.

I know there are some people who disagree with this lock-downs but it is for the whole of community's safety. These people either don't think that Covid 19 is real (it is just the flu) and don't accept that it is a pandemic therefore will not follow instructions about the lock-down (such as staying at home and only go out for essential shopping and wearing a mask when out shopping). Let's hope these people don't get sick and pass it on to others in the community.

In these times, some people do find it hard. I always look for things I am grateful for and try and find positive 'vibes' from my life. Some things I am grateful are:

· I have a home which has warmth, love and laughter with plenty of food for at least two weeks. I will only need to go to the shops either on Wednesday or Thursday for milk and a few vegetables.

· I'm lucky that I don't have to work, my wonderful husband works very hard for us. 

· I really enjoy cooking, I made home-made bread to go with our pumpkin soup for dinner tonight.

Hopefully, everyone stays well. 

Hello Dear World,
 I'm back. Not sure how many times a week I will blog but I'm hoping to write on here at least three times a week.
What a crazy time this is. Isolating at home can be difficult and worrying for many people. I'm one of the lucky ones, I still travel into work most days and get to interact with other people in the office. My lovely hubby is working from home and is finding it a little bit difficult as he realises that he does need to be around some other people than just me and the youngest child (if you can count this child at home as he sleeps until about 2:00 pm, oh the joys of university). This has has surprised both him and me as he is a bit of a loner. We both of thought (in the past) that he could live as a hermit but this has proven not so. The only time he goes out is to go shopping (with me) on a Saturday morning and if I go for a walk (which is usually only on the weekend). We all need to do our little bit. People apparently however, have started hoarding toilet paper again. Not sure why, but I read it somewhere. Below is a picture my husband of the empty shelf where the toilet paper usually are. This photo is a few weeks old. Yesterday there were some toilet paper on the shelf (not a lot though) which was lucky for us as we really needed some toilet paper as we were down to our last two rolls. I hope everyone is doing OK and remember we can do this.

Every morning I look out of my front window and think of three things I'm grateful for. Usually this is after I have gone to the fridge to get some cold water. This morning the following three things are:

this amazing sun rise, it is so peaceful and quiet:

having this amazing cat in our lives (love this photo I took this morning and it appears that Kiki is meditating: 

and finally, Crumpets, not too sure how long they have been there. I didn't buy any yesterday or last weekend but I am thinking I will need to wait for my husband to get out of bed and check with him about when they were bought. Hopefully they are still good to eat (I hate wasting food).

The bonus of isolation for my husband and myself is that we are not spending a great deal of money. I always thought we did really well (before isolation) and really saved a lot but we have been saving at least 50% of my wage and all of my husband. Is it because we don't go to the shops as often. We are so lucky that we both of jobs for now but husband's contract finishes at the end of May and mine at the end of June. So only time will tell what will happen after these two months but we are good if we don't have jobs after June as we have plenty of money saved. Obviously we are not going out to restaurants and I am cooking a lot more at home. We both are eating so much more being at home. I am cooking dinner from scratch and a lots of things other things such as cakes and biscuits. Negative side of these is that I am putting on lots of weight (which I really can't afford). 

Well that is enough today. Take care and be kind to yourself.

Love

Pauline

xxx

3 and 4 June - new beginnings

This morning sky was much better than yesterday (see below). Clear around 3 degrees and windy. Many areas around received snow overnight. Winter is truly here.

Yesterday, (3 June, 6:45am), the morning began very foggy about 2 degrees and then rain came in. It was very icy and cold. Glad I stayed indoors for most of the day. Only went out for my last physio appointment for my back. All good now.

I'm currently have decided to take a few months off work. I probably try and get another contract mid August to begin in September and work until December but we wait and see. I'm going to try and get the house into some sort of order. Wish me luck.

Happy 2019 year

Happy New Year - 2019

Well, 2019 is here and I hope everyone had a good Christmas and New Year. Here is Kiki lying within the Christmas tree. I put the Christmas tree away as she enjoys climbing it.

Here at home, I had a very quiet Christmas and even a quieter New Year. No one even had a drink yesterday. 

So what has 2019 planned for me:

• I will begin to learn how to speak French with Brad. It is only a 10 week course but hopefully we both will enjoy it.
• Planning to get fitter, lose weight (I will try, I promise :) ).
• Work for at least for nine months and hopefully save enough money to have three months off towards the end of this year.
• Paint the kitchen and family room.
• Get new garage doors.
• Declutter as much as possible.
• Spend more time with people who care about me (not the ones who only ring when they want something).
• Look at my finances (yikes) and save for our trip overseas.
• Go to see the Great Barrier Reef (before it is too late plus this will be our holiday for the year).
• Get the garden in order and put in the decking that I want.
• Try to mediate more this year.
• Be kinder to myself.
• Stick to the weekly meal plan (at least 80% of the time)

Wow, the list is really long, hopefully I will achieve most off the list. 

I hope everyone has a good year and it will be filled with laughter, hugs and love.

Love

Pauline

This week's meals

Hello again,

I am going to try and get this blog going again. At this moment in my life, I am working full-time whereas hubby isn't working but is hopeful to start again in December. Hubby had five months off as he has continually has worked from the age of 20. Although he hadn't completed any of the tasks he wanted to complete but hey, he did have a nice break which is good.

I am trying really hard to stay on a budget but it isn't working too well at the moment. All our bills come in at this time of the year and the three cars needed services as well as having rego due. So are savings has taken a bit of a beating.

Hubby has been do the cooking and he has been doing a good job however he doesn't plan the meals so often it is adhoc and he needs to go to the shops on a daily basis which isn't good for the budget.

So I have done a plan for our next seven meals

Tonight and tomorrow night - baked meatballs with cheesy tomato sauce, green salad and garlic bread

Monday and Tuesday - Chicken, Cashew and coconut indian dish with rice

Wednesday - steak and pumpkin and sweet potato salad

Thursday and Friday - chicken enchiladas and mexican rice

Hopefully, we can stay on track with this week's meals which should help with the budget.

For snacks we will have cheese (hubby loves his cheese), fruit, nuts (cashews and peanuts) and I plan to make scones tomorrow with a new recipes. Hopefully I will post a photo with the recipe and they turn out nice.

Wishing you a great week.

xxx

Hello again

Hello, I am thinking of starting this blog up again.