Carpal Tunnel of Love

I've decided to be very clinical about life this month.

So. I have to get my hand chopped open. There will be blood and veins and nerves and sinew and skin and all sorts of yukky things. It is all going to be so disgusting that I have to start thinking like this now as part of the psyching up process. I have an image of the operation as my screen saver.

And if I accidentally come to during the procedure I don't want any surprises.
I want to know exactly what to expect.
When the day finally comes I will be mentally prepared.

My friend who also requires something chopped open suggested we try for a 'two for one' offer. 
I told her that would be very nice as long as we don't have to share the anaesthetic. 
Bugger that.

I have started practicing doing everything with my left hand. 
I need to practice a little harder I think.
And I am very worried about the abrupt halt it will bring to my great swimming comeback. 
I have tried to kick up the lane with a kick board -  with one arm in the air wrapped in glad wrap.
Well that was embarrassing. 
I need to practice a little harder I think. 

The hair thing has gotten me completely rattled.
I'm good with the throw your head down and blow with enthusiam.
But it's the coming up that's abit messy.
I think it's all going to be abit of a one sided affair. 

My colleagues offered to take good care of me - as long as it only involved food hampers. Stew. 
But even that was quickly rescinded when it was discovered it could well be holiday time. 
My lovely neighbour, my partner in surveillance crime offered to look after me, cook for me.
Until he suddenly remembered he 'had to go to Thailand' sometime around then. I told him I was dumping him.
This conversation raised a few eyebrows in the lift.
My boss offered to take me in. She's a mother. She'd take good care of me.
If she wasn't going to be in Hong Kong. She has limited availability.

And of course my Mum, who is already worrying about this little of life's adventure is desperate to book her flight yesterday. I don't even have a date yet. Or still?
I did have a date but he literally disappeared into thin air. FIFO?
Mum feels since she made the initial diagnosis of Carpal Tunnel she needs to be there to see the process through.

My Doctor sent me to a Neurologist to do the nerve testing. I paid him $400 and he told me I had severe Carpal Tunnel. 
I said I know - my Mum told me that and made me tea and a quilt gratis.
The day I opened the door between the hallway and reception and got the most excruciating electric shock up my arm kind of confirmed it also.
That caused a small frisson of interest to the potential parents waiting in reception.
The Principal's Assistant is a screamer.



The one thing I AM really looking forward to is discussing with the Surgeon (not while he's chopping me open mind you - he needs to concentrate) is whether he can do a little freshening up of my Love Line. If he can find it.
I'm worried that with the loss of circulation and all those electrical interferences that all those beautiful heartfelt feelings I use to have for all sorts of things have faded away.

Happy Valentine's Day. 
With or without love. 
I can't wait to be able to feel again.
In the end only kindness matters.





I love this song.

Hands

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_R552UFoXaA

On reflection .. "for best"

1st February 2015

I do think that one week after your birthday is always a good time for a little reflection.

Last Sunday was my birthday. 
I leapt out of bed with my usual enthusiasm. Lies don't count in the week following your birthday. (I just made that up.)
Let's be honest. I just lay there for a while trying to conjure up a warm crusty buttery croissant - and a steaming hot coffee. God if I could find a bloke who would bring me a warm buttery croissant and a steaming hot coffee every Sunday morning he would be a very very very happy bloke. Very.

But I am a dreamer. 
Always have been, always will be.






Speaking of blokes, if you whiled away a few bored moments reading my Christmas blog you will recall my reflections on the whole ghastly RSVP business. It wasn't for me. But encouraged by my lovely cousin and his lovely lady and several other friends of high integrity I decided to give it one last shot.
To my immense surprise I found a very nice man. A Pilot. A Captain. He seemed to have a lovely outlook on life. He seemed fun and he seemed clever and he seemed decent. And he seemed quite taken with me. We spoke of when we could meet - and our stars were aligned. He sent me pictures of himself from here and from there, around Australia and the globe and I believed he was genuine. 
I truly did. And I guess I still do.
I was nervously excited. And I don't think I was imagining that he was keen.
So I waited for him to confirm the time and place.
And nothing.
Waited a little longer.
Still a big fat nothing.
Still waiting.
And still a great big fat bloody nothing.

I'm under no illusions that there was a much shinier star than I out there in his galaxy but the anonymity of RSVP does not mean that feelings don't figure into the equation.
It was all very confusing and so very hurtful.

But maybe I just wanted him to be someone he's not.
On reflection maybe God has no immediate plans for me.

(Two days later after writing this blog - all is forgiven.
Said Captain seems to have re-aligned his co-ordinates and who knows where this flight plan may take us. I am ever so cautiously excited.

One week later .. There was no flight plan, and on reflection there most likely was never going to be one. I'm almost as numb as my carpal tunnel hand and fingers. Silly silly me.)

To be honest I was actually wide awake the night the calendar slipped over to January 25. (seriously pondering whether I should get up and make a cup of tea - oh God I have become my Nanna) 
I was actually woken up by my family calling from the home land to wish me a Happy Birthday. 


Which was very nice. Had it happened an hour later. 
So up I got, popped on the kettle and read for a little while. I completed all the important 'admin'  for the day like reading junk emails, replying to text messages, checking Facebook for new Nutribullet recipes and making a few winning moves on Words with Friends. 

To be honest again, my heart's a little lost to playing Words since they told me at Christmas 'Santa' was not a word.

I decided to take myself down to Church Street for a birthday coffee and a very small birthday flutter.
And that was when it all began. Like not there one minute and there the next.
I thought I felt a twinge but I wasn't quite sure?
It started getting stiffer and stiffer and stiffer and stiffer.
It wasn't the first time this had happened to me but it has been quite a while.
If you have ever experienced it you will know what I mean.
I was starting to feel a little shaky.
Having lived this scenario before I sensed what was about to come.
Back into bed I very gingerly hopped.
And come it did.



Then I started to panic.
Because my lovely colleagues had rallied for my birthday and we were due to rendezvous in 6 hours for a rowdy night of Paella and Mojitos in Bay Street.
And to add insult to injury I had the cutest new frock, a new heart necklace, new lipstick and most thrillingly - new eyelashes!
It wasn't great.
My poor tender back - it began to sieze up.
And sieze up it did.

Since January 1st I have been back in the pool.
Almost every day, I have swum swum swum.
I have been so committed.
And it's been superb.
The school pool. After hours. 
The only perk in having the master key trust me.
It's luxury. 8 lanes to choose from. 
A little oasis of white lined heaven.
The only condition is that for O H & S you are not allowed to swim alone.
So I conned and cajoled my little pal Patsy to swim with me.
On the 1st of January Patsy did not enjoy swimming. Not at all. 


Unlike me she is not at home in the wet. 
The first day she did 5 laps to my 20.
And she didn't have that euphoric glow!
However - as of two days ago she is now doing 23 laps to my 35.
Words cannot even begin to explain how proud I am of her and her new found love of the water. 
On reflection we are both glowing.

When I was a little girl my Grandad taught swimming. 
He was a powerful swimmer. Both in the surf and the pool.
I actually don't remember learning to swim. 
I think I just woke up one day and breathing bi-laterally off I went.
He used to teach swimming in many places, all advertised in the local 'rag' as it was known in those days.
'Mr Daley's Swimming Classes'.
Mooloolaba River on such and such a day.
Buderim Pool on such and such a day.
Tuckers Creek on such and such a day.

My Nanna (the one I am fast becoming) used to sit on the beach chair with the ice cream container collecting the fees. I think it was like 20 cents per hour, maybe less for two children. I can't remember exactly, clearly it was more for the love of swimming than to pay the bills.
As a small aside - my Grandad bought my Nanna a cup of tea in bed every single morning of their lives where possible. They were married for 62 years.
My brother does the same for his wife. Some lessons are easily learnt.
Even the smallest gesture of kindness is a reflection of love.

Of all the places Grandad taught swimming Tuckers Creek was my favourite. Tuckers Creek is a tributary of the Mooloolaba River. 
In the 60's and 70's it was just that. A creek. 
Now it is a 'canal' with luxury homes on both sides.
It was wide enough to swim from one side to the other but not as wide as the river, where little arms could get 'puffed' half way across! 
Grandad was unconventional in his teaching methods.
Prior to retirement he was an auto electrician for General Motors Holden. 
He had access to the inner tubes of old car tyres.
Kind of like having the master key I guess.
When these are semi inflated they are the perfect size to fit around the middle of little bellies, unencumbered, enabling the dog paddling arms and the kicking - or as Grandad would always say "to get that outboard motor working".

On reflection hundreds and hundreds of very lucky Queensland children and indeed the interstate holiday makers were taught to swim by Mr Daley in the river and the creek - no O H & S Act required.
On further reflection of the more painful kind, I wonder if over the past month I have burnt out my own outboard motor? 

Last Friday I took myself off to the Day Spa. 
Thank you to my family for stumping up for that!
I had never been to the Day Spa before 
(although vanity prevails and my own

bathroom virtually IS a day spa and I don't care what anyone says!).
I was scrubbed and polished and exfoliated and waxed and oiled and clipped and painted and Lord knows what else, it was so delicious I was in a blissful state of semi-unconsciousness.
The young lady kept asking me if I was alright. 
I just kept replying "lovely."
To which she responded, "Awesome". 
I wonder when the word 'awesome' will be done with.
I'm growing a little weary of it.
She was a sweet girl but lamented her oily olive skin.
Thirty five years ago I too lamented my oily olive skin.
I shared with her the words of wisdom given to me back then  - In many years to come you will be forever thankful for your oily olive skin.
On reflection indeed I am.

She had very strong hands. She applied quite a lot of pressure to my lower back which when she asked if I was alright I replied "lovely", to which she replied "awesome".
On reflection it might not have been so "awesome".

So with a heavy heart I sent a text message to the gang to cancel the Paella Party. They offered to bring the party to me. 
But I was not even up for that. I was very sad and there were many tears. 
Even sadder was of the two cards I had received at that time, one had a princess kissing a frog on the front and the other one was best wishes from my Chiropractor. I spent the rest of the day in bed wishing either were with me.
On reflection it was kinda funny!

Hello Monday morning and mobility was slightly restored.
Happy Australia Day us!
We all rallied once more.
The most exquisite of yesterday's cake and icey cold bubbles on the balcony of the Pineapple Shack.
The new frock, the new heart necklace, the new lipstick and the new eyelashes all came out to play. Albeit very tenderly.

My entire life I have been blessed with wonderful friends.
And I am indeed blessed that my latest gang have a penchant for French Champagne! How lucky am I?
And let me tell you - a couple of glasses of Billecart-Salmon and sorry what back pain?
Speaking of lucky - my lovely boss the Principessa gave me a lovely handbag and in it for good luck she tossed an old Halfpenny she had found among her personal treasures. And no lie (even though it still is the week after my birthday when lies don't count) IT WAS A 1962 coin! Entirely unplanned! How auspicious! 


For my 21st birthday I was given a beautiful dinner set along with all sorts of eclectic coloured glasses that just seem to make everything taste just that little bit more indulgent! That dinner set has travelled with me the entire length of the east coast of Australia and the majority of time it was kept "for best".
Last year it came out and though a little faded with a few chips "for best" is now every single day. In the 32 years I have had that dinner set I have only ever lost two of the precious pieces.



On reflection I think that could also be true of my life.


I had a wonderful birthday.
Because birthday's are not just for the day. They are for the day after and they are for a lifetime. To look back and to bravely look forward with grace and hope.
And sometimes even though it is very challenging and certainly grinds you down, to remember that every day is to bring out the "for best". 

I have found this hillbilly version of 'Forever Young' and I love it and I hope you do too.

I hope YOU bring out your "for best" birthday this year.
On reflection, with love.






https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AaPEe4EwTEU

Reddy to go !

I'm heading up to the homeland soon for my Mum's 80th birthday.
She was born on the 11th of the 11th lest any of us ever truly forget!
She's quite excited about this birthday - more so than I can remember her being excited about any of her previous 'milestone' birthdays. The invitations went out weeks - maybe even months ago such is the anticipation!
I remember my Mother turning 40 and remember her turning 70 but I can't seem to recall 50 and 60. Maybe that's the reason for the excitement surrounding this birthday.

Everywhere I go lately I see quotes about life's journey being more important than the destination. On posters, engraved on jewellery, in books, all over the place. I don't like that the implication is that the destination is the final end.
I've had countless destinations in my life and it WAS all about reaching them. There is no doubt that the unexpected twists and turns of the journey are worthy of abiding respect but don't deny the destination doesn't warrant a mention also.
In my humble opinion.
I am fond of this passage though.






Take 'Red Cadeaux' for example.
Runner up in the Melbourne Cup for the past 2 years. And 3 times a contender.

Surely his journey has been about the destination? 
Standing up in a plane for 24 hours. Hello?
After the big race last year they interviewed the trainer.
He was very morose.
He said "no-one ever remembers the horse that came second".
I wanted to write him a letter assuring him that I do, I do, I really really do! 
How could we not - such a spectacularly close hold your breath finish!

My Mum phoned me this morning. 
Among the general chit chat she asked me if I had any tips for the Cup.
I said "Mum - it's a little early yet - however I am going to put a dollar or so on Red Cadeaux." She said "hold on I'll just write it down." And then she came back on to the phone and said "ok - Ready to Go - and which other horses?"
And I burst out laughing and said "Mum - not Ready to Go - Red Cadeaux!"
I've been laughing about it all day. It's a sign I'm sure.
My Mum has gone a little deaf along her journey to the destination!
My final selections come Cup Morning. 
Check back then!

It's a magnificent blue sky day in Melbourne today. 
One more sleep and we get 4 days off. I can't wait.
And on Tuesday I am off to the Cup! 
Expected temperature 29' with a small chance of an afternoon shower.
I am super duper excited!
I am almost embarrassed to say it but say it I will - I have never been to the Melbourne Cup before. 18 years living in Melbourne and not once!
Cup day has been a part of my journey since I was a child. My Nanna ..
( Ready to Go's mother ) LOVED Cup Day. And she always had a party. And I was always allowed to take the day off school. No questions asked. Emotional Cup Day betting, laughter and trifle. Her legacy to me. 
And I will love each of these things until my own journey's end. 


I almost have everything prepared.
New Dress - check
New French Lace Jacket to cater for all temperatures - check
Stylish but sensible shoes - check
Bag small enough for online check in but big enough for money, Myki, hairbrush, lipstick, perfume, phone, small fold up umbrella to cater for small chance of rain - which can be draped across body to allow for hands free - champagne in one and bet slip in other - check check check check ..

and check!
Hair 9:30 am Saturday - check
Nails - 2:30 pm Sunday - it's each way on pink or red - check
But the most exciting part is my new fascinator. It is  
A D O R A B L E !
I want to wear it 
E V E R Y  S I N G L E 
D A Y such is the adorableness!
Look! Even the back is adorable!
I defy you to say this is not adorable!


I am off to the races with my lifelong pal and his wife.
I think they are taking me along with them out of sympathy and also because they have an ulterior motive! 
The ulterior motive would be my phenomenal emotional tipping success rate!
In September it was Steve's birthday. 
So I found a horse racing that day called Captain Red. 
It was running in some two bit backwater race course, so insignificant I can't even remember where now. 



Steve's a Qantas Captain. 
So I thought it was a sign. 
An extremely emotional long shot sign.
It wasn't even a favourite - it was like $25 for a win and $3 for a place - or something close. 
I didn't want to appear to stingey so I put $2 each way on it.
For Steve.
Did I put $2 each way for me? 
No. I did not. 
Am I a fool? 
Yes. I am.






Steve appears in the onboard safety videos on Qantas flights.
The first time I saw it was when I was flying home to Qld last Christmas. A Jetstar pilot just flown in from Bali and on his way home to Cairns plonked himself down beside me as the doors closed.

I saw Steve's face on the screen and I started to giggle. I was given a rather chastising look from my seat mate. Did I have the audacity to laugh at the safety demonstration? And then there he was again. I could hardly say 'I know him' - how naff would that sound? I couldn't turn on my phone and say look - here he is with his wife and I in Church Street! Even more naff. So I just stifled my amusement and my seat mate proceeded to nod off to sleep. 
That's how interesting I am.

But when that damn nag came in that day at $28 for a win, I can assure you that my safety was not Steve's priority -  I did not sit back, relax and enjoy the flight! I did not enjoy the journey and the destination was even worse! Not that I was not happy for Steve .. but I wanted to be happy for me too! I could have used that little bit of fun money. Cup day glamour does not come cheap!




I have since discovered a Captain Orange out there racing as well. And from a distance I'll quietly and respectfully follow his journey. Roger that.

But back to Tuesday.
The Cup is the hardest race to pick. Too many newbies on the track.
And historically - the favourite does not always win.
And more often than not there's a story. I love a good story.
Of course there's the jockey to take into consideration - always out to prove something. And the weather. And the barrier. And the track. And the strategy. Remember - try not to attack too early!


See - it's so much easier to follow your heart. Trust your heart. Your open heart.

Keeping in mind all of our journey's take unexpected detours - here is my narrowed down field.

Admire Rakti
Lucia Valentina
Cavalryman
Brambles 
Who shot the Barman
Silent Achiever
Fawkner
Junoob
Red Cadeaux

Expected to narrow even further by Tuesday.

But my 3 emotional tips are:

Silent Achiever - The trainer is R James - that's my bro! The only problem is he's not a Roger - but that's good too!

Junoob - my Nanna would have chosen this one - no need to share all the family secrets!

And Red Cadeaux. He's flown into our lives three times now. Fourth time lucky? Ready to go?

Romeo and Juliet

I went to watch the movie called 'The Lunchbox' a few weeks back. In fact I went to watch it twice. I had been desperately wanting to see it but time had raced on. 
Until I heard the run was about to finish.
I hadn't ventured to the Bay Street Palace as yet, even though it is only a short hop, skip and a jump away from the girl cave. I felt I was being unfaithful to the Yarraville Sun. I felt out of my comfort zone. But the want overcame the fear. There was a Sunday morning session at 10:15 so I decided this was it, I'd go. And then I decided not to, and then I decided to, and then I decided not to. 

'"The dice was loaded from the start".

I upped my courage and headed on in, arriving right on 10:15 as the lights dimmed. At 10:50 the projector was still not working and so I left. There's only so long you can sit alone in a dark room full of strangers. 



So the following Saturday morning armed with my 'Admit One Free' - back I went.
It is a beautiful story which resonated with me in so many ways.
The story is set in Mumbai. For many years I have longed to travel to India. For many reasons both holistic and colourful. I think watching 'Bride and Prejudice' settled my desire conclusively.

'The Lunch Box' is the story of a lonely widower and a neglected young housewife. Their lives become intertwined, initially not through their own making but through the hand of fate. An accident. Which leads to their growing affection entirely through the written word. The ending is hard to explain. You walk away with only the feeling that the story is not yet over, although there is no more to see. Only hope unspoken remains.

"When are you going to realise it was just that the time was wrong".





I love watching Criminal Minds. In fact I have become slightly addicted. I adore Penelope Garcia. I want to be her. She has the best. job. ever. She does important, stimulating and highly regarded research. She wears outrageously chaotic couture and is all about hair - and flowers adorning. And no-one sees anything inappropriate about her shamelessly flirting with a tall dark and handsome dude who calls her baby girl because they love each other. Just sweet simple simmering love. 


And all the gravelly old ballads are featured as background music.

And every episode starts and end with a quote. I do so love a quote. Not any old quote.
One you really need to think about.

And the Criminal Minds lot - they have their very own jet.

So does someone else it appears!

I am no longer the only one doing the fly in fly out up the runway to the Pineapple Shack. This must be the very pink of A380's because it clearly was too wide to taxi into the hangar. Cuteness yes? 

I hope it doesn't go missing ..

Last week Dire Straits 'Romeo and Juliet' was featured in a episode. I'd forgotten how much I had loved this song. I particularly love the unpredictable beat that plays beneath the predictable beat. 
It's a little like Penelope.



"All I do is miss you and the way we used to be,
All I do is keep the beat and bad company
All I do is kiss you through the bars of a rhyme
Julie babe I'd do the stars with you any time"



A couple of weeks back someone I care for thanked me for being funny. 
The funniest ..

I guess it's nice to be considered funny but it left me feeling a little empty. 
I'm more than that.
All my life I've been told I'm funny. 
Ever since my 1st report card in fact.
"Susan shows great promise. She is alert and vivacious."
And when I bought that report card home from school all I can remember is that every adult who read it burst out laughing. 

Of course I didn't know what the word vivacious meant at 5 years old. I just know it invoked laughter and I know it made me feel slightly embarrassed in that childish way when you are not really sure what embarrassment is - it just feels kind of not right.


It gets worse.
Not only have I been unfaithful to the Yarraville Sun - I have been unfaithful to another of my true loves. 

Flowerbomb

"You said I love you like the stars above I'll love you till I die"

But I was overpowered. I was helpless. I was a goner. It was Carnal.
Do not look up the price. Please. Because like 'Bride and Prejudice' - that will be further conclusive evidence that I have completely lost my mind. 
Yesterday I went into the Organic Coffee shop. 
The very delicious thing making the very

delicious coffee asked me what it was that smelt so lovely. I was so taken back I did not revert to Penelope Garcia mode. Maybe it was because I wasn't feeling so engaging after having a little sun damaged removed (ouch but no I will not stop going out in the sun) that no flirting was to be forthcoming. I told him outright. Very seriously. "Carnal Flower" I said. He said "Carnal?" I said "Yes, Carnal." Eye contact was maintained.
"And it's very expensive. It costs a LOT of money to smell this good."  
 And he said, " Well I can assure you it was money well spent. It was a good investment. You smell beautiful."
I kind of melted. No funniness required. I'm getting the hang of this.

Co-incidentally last week via the six degrees of facebook separation an old friend of my cousin, someone I have not seen for a very long time posted this.
And I kind of melted again. I needed this.
And again - no funniness required.
I am going to pack away my hunour for a little while now.
Just like Penelope, there's more to me than that.






I think I may have been watching 'Criminal Minds' a little too much because I have been having quite terrible nightmares of late. Last night I woke up heart thumping and the first thing I did was slightly panic. There is someone in here I thought. I can smell something. But as I fought to come out of the haze of anxiety and sleepiness I realised it was lovely. It was beautiful. 
It was Carnal Flower.
Only the tiniest hint late late at night - it was just so soothing. I needed this too. Hmmm.

Just before I stow my funny .. 

"You and me babe .. how bout it?"
( I do show great promise you know .. )


Romeo and Juliet - Dire Straits

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sH3a_M_4NHk

Om Namah Shivaya

During the mid year break we had a powerdown at school. 
While outwardly I was worrying about the back log of work, inwardly I was doing a little happy dance. Cha Cha Cha. Four days of sleep in. Luxury.

While my mental spark is still there - my physical spark has gone into hybernation.
I don't think the iron tablets are working. I have really felt the cold this Melbourne winter.


After the great 'red nail polish smashed and went every bloody where' incident I decided to walk to the Dry Cleaner to pick up my lovely jumper.
For exercise. I needed exercise. 
I didn't figure the words 'an expensive' to precede it though.
But 5 minutes away from home the nail bar was looking forlornly empty. Hell. Why not.
And then next door - gee a new eyelash bar. Hell. Why not. 

I could look like Michelle Bridges for $20!
But all I got was threaded not shredded ..
Ooh the Chinese Massage man. My chronically aching shoulder was crying out for attention. Hell. Why not.
And by the time I arrived at the Dry Cleaner to be met with the sad news that my lovely new jumper was irrecoverable - I needed a coffee and a sympathy baguette.
I love exercise. I felt fabulous.

A few weeks ago I won my first ever Big 6. Mega exciting.
To the uninitiated that means you need to pick the winner of six races in a row.
What could be easier?
There was a little study of the form with a couple of emotional girlie choices thrown in.


And slowly as the afternoon progressed - tick,tick,tick,tick,tick. Number 3 tick was particularly satisfying. None of the tipsters went for the winner. But I did. Because life is never predictable. But this boy always makes a comeback when least expected.

The final race of the day was agonising. I couldn't listen to it. But in the end I couldn't help it. 



I was in a wine bar and the punters next door in the beer garden were yelling Go Nautical go Nautical. 

And of course Nautical was my final emotional bet for the day!
And then cries of excitement.
OMG. I rushed around to hear that Nautical had won. 

But then there was a protest!
So for what seemed like forever we waited. And waited. And waited.
It was worse than Dunaden and Red Cadeaux.
Until the protest was dismissed and Nautical was declared the winner!
$39000 for the Big 6.
But me being a very small punter only came out with $1931! ONLY !!
Interior decorating here I come!

As a small aside - last year my tip for the Cup was Voleuse de Coeurs. 
(Refer: Nov 3 2013 'The thief who stole my heart')
It was a long shot emotional stab that didn't come in. But this year I think it will be up there. I do. You heard it here first. Red Caeaux or Voleuse de Coeurs. Get in now at 51:1.

Apart from low iron I seem to be undergoing another metamorphosis.
I have become incredibly attracted to the colour turquoise. 
Turquoise with pink.
A beautiful marriage.
Maybe it reminds me of a beautiful swimsuit lolling around in the ocean.

The color turquoise helps opening lines of communication between the heart and the spoken word. It is a friendly and happy color that is enjoying life. In color psychology, it controls and heals the emotions, creating emotional balance and stability. In this process, it can feel like an emotional rollercoaster that goes up and down, until it balances itself.The color pink

represents caring, compassion and love. The pink color stands for unconditional love and understanding, and is associated with giving and receiving care. Since pink is a combination of red and white, both colors add a little to its characteristics. It gets the lust for action from the red color, and the white color gives it an opportunity to achieve success and insight. The deeper the pink color, the more passion and energy it radiates. Pink is romantic and intimate, feminine, loving, caring and extremely considerate. It tones down the physical passion from the red color and replaces it with a gentle and loving energy. The color pink is insightful and intuitive and it shows tenderness and kindness from its empathetic and sensitive nature. In color psychology, pink is a sign of hope. It is a positive color that inspires warm and comforting feelings. The color pink gives the feeling that everything will go well or be okay.

I thought I was coming to the end of decorating the little Pineapple Shack. But this recent win has fanned the flames once more. I desperately needed a lamp shade for my vintage pineapple lamp. But I was holding off. It had to be just perfect so I decided to wait and let it come to me. I thought that would be the best shot. And it did!





Speaking of shots ..

A Nutri Bullet. I need one of those things. For my iron.

Last Sunday's paper was a health wealth of knowledge. I felt energised just reading it.

But there is no doubt that I need a Bullet. (be nice) 

I have a little bullet but it doesn't fit a banana. 

And I need to fit a banana in my bullet, along with the spinach and the chia and the apple cider vinegar and the ginger and the berries and a pear.  Maybe an apple and some flaxseed. And oats. And ice. Made from Spring Water. And almond milk.

Oops I forgot the turmeric and the coconut oil. 
And the kale.

I have always been a great fan of coconut oil. 
Slathered it all over myself for years. 

Oil and exfoliation, oil and exfoliation, oil and exfoliation! 

My mantra to baby smooth skin. Why didn't someone mention earlier that I should have been eating it all these years?

Speaking of mantras.

The sound of Om Namah Shivaya was a constant energy in my old life. 

But those days have gone. 

Occasionally the mantra appears in my consciousness - maybe unbeknownst to me when I need it most.

Which brings me to the next page of the weekend paper.

Have you read that 'earthing' is the new thing.

Prancing around on the grass in your bare feet. 

Cures just about everything.

I am a pilot now.

On a very cold and windy day the Air Force bought their flight simulator to school. 

And after faffing around with the coffee tea or me business I strapped myself in. Which was no mean feat in heels. My jet was called Colt. I thought that was a little bit exciting. A sign! The other one was Sabre. We flew from Brighton to the RAAF Base Tindal in the NT. There was quite abit of rogering that going on and a few affirmative, negative and eject ejects happening.

It was terrifically exciting but I did feel very queasy at one stage. A couple of stages to be honest. I was a little over exuberant about the thrust. And I didn't keep my nose up.I'm not good with turbulence. So I was pretty happy to get back to earth.

Earthing. 

Get out your winter feet and try it.

Om Namah Shivaya.

In the past week there has been so much grief in the world, such raw pain and and unthinkable sorrow. The faces of those 3 beautiful little children will be indelibly stamped in my consciousness. I read a statement yesterday that "pain does not make a story". However I disagree. I also disagree that pain makes us stronger. 
It doesn't. Not to me anyway.

It just makes our story different.
More interesting than we may have expected it to be.

But within the differences are oft times borne the problems.
Pink and Turquoise - both at different sides of the colour spectrum and yet so lovely together?
And when you don't know what else to say:

Om Namah Shivaya

I love this song of devotion.
'I will follow you into the dark'.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LfNVfiqKBeM