an update
I have been offline for about a week.
My laptop decided to die! I broke the screen a few months back, and ended up just getting a TV screen and attaching via a HDMI cable.
Last week I dropped some wine on my laptop… and it died! So I got in contact with my computer guy. He advised what I should get…. an ASUS Vivobook. I bought it, and then he took both the old and new laptop.
He was able to setup my new laptop for me with my anti-virus, Microsoft Office and was even able to salvage most of the files from my old laptop! Lucky I also had backed up all my files to an external hard drive!
I have been busy updating the new laptop and working out where everything is! But it is a great new laptop…. fast and reliable!
my 40th birthday
For my 40th birthday, I stayed in a tiny house. It was 2021, and we were in COVID lockdown. I can’t remember the numbers, but I couldn’t have a big party! So, I went to a tiny house! It was in Moss Vale in the Southern Highlands of NSW.
I knew I wanted to try something different for my 40th, and this was it! An experience!
My birthday is in January, so it was hot -it’s summer in Australia. The tiny house is set on an 80-hectare farm. The property is called “Kates Paddock”.
My parents and partner came down for a day to see the house. We had a wine tasting at a local winery-Southern Highlands Winery. We had lunch at Bundanoon Pub. It was a good day.
The bedroom was a loft. So up a ladder, and the bed was a mattress on the floor. It was a comfy bed. The only annoying thing was if I needed to use the bathroom at night!
I remember the weekend being HOT. And the tiny home had no air conditioning or tree cover for shade! I left a day earlier than I had planned.
But I did enjoy myself and made some good memories. I enjoyed the bottle of wine the girls at work gave me!
I have linked the booking site, but it looks like the owners of the house have changed the layout since I visited.
I am not sure if I would stay in a Tiny House again, but I know I will remember my 40th Birthday forever!
end of the 30 day blog challenge
So, we have come to the end of my 30-day blog challenge! I hope you have enjoyed it! I have really enjoyed sharing a bit about me and my life with you!
I hope you have enjoyed reading my blog, and I hope you continue to read my blog.
I have some blogs in the planning stages.
Please like and comment on my posts.
And contact me if you want me to write about a specific topic.
hopes for my blog
I really like to write. And I like to share my life.
The hope for my blog is to share my life and experiences. I want to share my weight loss journey. And I want to be proud of myself!
I want to inspire people, and in the process get inspired by the people who (hopefully) read my blog!
And I want to share my dreams and inspirations with everyone. If I can make one person happy, I have achieved my goals.
I have a good life and I want to share it with all of you!
Please continue to read my blogs, and I hope you enjoy them! And please get in touch if there is anything you would like me to write about!
my favourite place to walk
There are a few places I like to walk.
I love walking at the cemetery. It is so peaceful and relaxing! And it can be flat with not may hills.
I also like looking at the old graves-there is so much history! I even have purchased my “plot”. It is in the rose garden. I plan to be cremated. A few years ago, my parents were organising their place in the rose garden at Woronora Cemetery. There was a spot next to them for me, so I purchased it. It is a beautiful spot! And it’s close to my maternal grandparents.
my “view”
I also like walking down at Cronulla by the beach! I really enjoy the fresh air and the sound of the waves! It’s crazy because I actually don’t like swimming in the ocean!
Me and a friend used to walk at Cronulla all the time, and get coffee after!
I need to get back into walking to get fit.
the time i was most scared
There is one time I can remember when I was most scared. Although there are many times I have been scared, this one is the most significant.
It was about 6 years ago when my niece was about 8 months old. She was just starting to pull herself up on furniture. We were at my parents' place for a family get-together. I think it was Easter.
She was pulling herself up on a dining room chair. Not sure which happened first, seizure or fall, but she fell on the wooden floorboards and had a seizure after hitting her head HARD. She lost consciousness and stopped breathing. She turned blue as well. According to my Mum, I went into nurse mode and started doing CPR with my brother-in-law (her dad) helping.
I, on the other hand, remember being totally freaked out, with my sister screaming at me to not let her baby die, and I was screaming at my Mum to get the ambulance here NOW (she was on the phone to them already). Although it felt like an hour or more, the ambulance arrived within a few minutes. She had started breathing again by the time they arrived. I can’t remember if she had opened her eyes by that stage or not, but she was breathing.
She went to the hospital with my sister and my mum with no significant injury or damage.
I am so glad I had done a course in CPR for children, so I knew what I was doing. My niece is doing well now.
Poppy is now 7 years old, and doing well.
I am crying while writing this post. Every time I talk about it, it evokes so many memories, and I get emotional.
essential oils
You may or may not know, but I like essential oils. My sister introduced me to them many years ago. I love Essential Oils. I use dōTERRA oils.
The main way I use my oils is to diffuse them. I do have some 10ml roller bottles where I mix the essential oil with fractionated coconut oil to easily rub on my skin either as a perfume or for a more specific reason.
Specifically, I have a roller bottle for my sore ankle, which I broke a few years ago. It still gives me grief. The blend I use is ICE BLUE. For me, it helps with pain and swelling. It is applied topically to provide a soothing and cooling sensation that is perfect for a comforting massage. I have found that it has really helped with my ankle and has slightly reduced my pain levels and has relaxed the muscles in my ankle.
https://www.doterra.com/US/en/blog/spotlight-deep-blue-soothing-blend
I also really like LAVENDER. It helps me relax after a stressful day. I tend to rub on my temples and the back of my neck, and even sometimes a few drops on my pillow.
Essential oils have also helped my cat Nala. She is a fussy girl, and within the first year I had her, she had a couple of urine infections. I did go to the vet for treatment with antibiotics and fluids. I have a contact on Facebook who is a vet with an interest in essential oils. It was suggested to diffuse a blend of frankincense, lavender and juniper berry and balance. Although I don’t diffuse all the time, I do regularly diffuse and have never had an issue since!
At the moment, I really like the smell of Tea Tree oil. I find it really refreshing. I have made myself a spray bottle to use at work, when I come across some FUNKY smells! I just love the fresh smell of tea tree oil!
my favourite music
I was born in the 1981. I grew up with some cool music. But I mainly remember music from the 1990’s. Think Backstreet Boys, Hanson, and Green Day.
My favourite artist is John Farnham. I loved his music for basically my whole life! The first concert I ever went to was John Farnham. I went with a good friend, and we had a great time! I have most of his albums. I have even sung a few of his songs at karaoke!
John Farnham Concert circa 2008 (sorry they are a bit blurry)
My other favourite band is The Dixie Chicks. Although I believe they are called The Chicks now. One of my all-time favourite songs is WIDE OPEN SPACES. It brings back memories of when I was at Uni. I was friends with a girl who lived up the street from campus. We were friends. I remember calling her in the holidays, and her husband told me she had taken her life. I was devastated. This was the song I was listening to when I found out. So, every time I hear it, I remember my friend and her family.
I even enjoy listening to Cary Lewincamp. He is a Solo 7 String Guitarist/Composer from Tasmania Australia. I discovered his music when I went to Tasmania and bought one of his CD’s from the Salamanca Markets. His music is beautiful and very relaxing! I think I have all of his albums.
I do listen to a variety of music, but I tend to listen more of the 1990’s and early 2000’s!
my favourite musicals
Another thing you may not know about me is that I love musical theatre.
I had my first musical experience when I was in High School; we had a few trips to some shows while I was in the school band. We saw Pirates of Penzance and Phantom of the Opera. Although I loved them both, Phantom quickly became a favourite.
Growing older I have been to see many musicals. Here is a list (in no particular order) of the musicals I have seen
Hairspray
The Sound of Music
Phantom of the Opera
Wicked (Melbourne and Sydney)
Jesus Christ Superstar
Miss Saigon
Cats
Jersey Boys
Pirates of Penzance
I have loved all these musicals for different reasons. I am going to explain my top 2 favourites.
1. THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA
Phantom is one of my favourite musicals. I love the music in the show, the costumes, and the theatrics, especially when the chandelier drops. I can’t put into words how much I love this show. Phantom has a dear place in my heart. It was the first musical I ever saw. It was also the first musical I saw with my Dad. Crazy story, but I was due to go to see it with my ex-fiancé. When we split, I got the tickets. I knew my Dad loved Phantom, so we went together. We had a wonderful time together and loved the show. Phantom was played by Anthony Warlow, an Australian actor/singer. In my opinion, he is the best Phantom!
I saw Phantom again in 2021 with my parents. It was at the Sydney Opera House. It was a fantastic performance, and we had dinner at the Opera House before the show. And drinks at the Opera Bar.
me at the opera bar
2. WICKED
This is my favourite musical by far. I’m not sure why but maybe because I understand what it is like to be an outcast like Elphaba.
Wicked is the untold story of the witches of Oz. It’s the story of what happens before we meet Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz movie. The costumes are beautiful, the music is fantastic. I grew up watching The Wizard of Oz, and I love that now I know the back story of how the characters in the movie came to be.
I enjoy everything, from the costumes, the variety in the music, and the fact that Elphaba (Wicked Witch of the West) gets to fly, and Glinda (the Good Witch) arrives on the stage in a bubble. And the singing is phenomenal! The range and depth of the actors are amazing, they work so hard.
I first saw Wicked in Melbourne many years ago. I didn’t know much about the show then, but it soon became a favourite! I think it was about 2008. Wicked came to Sydney in 2009. I went with my parents and younger sister.
It was a few years before I was able to see it again. In 2021, Engadine Musical Society did Wicked. They did a great job, and I was about 3 rows from the front!
In 2023, Wicked came back to Sydney! I saw it twice. The first time I went with my Mum, as Dad wasn’t too keen to go! We all have lunch before the show.
Dad wanted to go once he found out how good the show was! This time, I bought tickets 3 rows from the front. It was amazing! We could see the orchestra from our seats. And it was great to be close enough to see the actors' facial expressions!
I have even bought a Wicked Advent Calendar from Amazon! It is due to arrive in October!
pets of my life
In my life, I’ve had 2 animals. Plus the odd fish or 2, which never seemed to last too long!
Millie
The first one was our dog, Millie. She was a beagle.
I remember I was 7 or 8 years old and in Year 2 at school. Mum and Dad had gone to pick her up while we were at school. I was getting picked up from school with my middle sister (who was in kindergarten). My youngest sister had not yet started school.
She was such a sweet and beautiful dog, but for some reason was scared of men she didn’t know. It may have had something to do with the fact that when she was small, she was attacked by the dog next door, and the make owner of this dog yelled at her. Millie was always OK with my male relatives, as she knew them, but strangers she did not like.
Being a beagle, she had a good nose on her. Anytime she got out, the only thing that would bring her back from up the street would be a Vegemite sandwich! Yes, she was crazy.
My greatest memory of her was when we were on holiday at my grandparents’ house in Bermagui. They backed onto a golf course. We would often take Millie for a walk after hours, as it was summer, so the sun didn’t set until about 8 pm. She was never a fan of water. We were walking out the back of the course, and there was a sewage pond, that was covered with a green moss, making it look like grass. Millie went running and jumped in the water. I will never forget the freaked-out look on her face once she realised it was water! She soon came speeding out of the water.
Nala
And then there is Nala!
She is my beautiful almost 8-year-old oriental cross domestic short hair. I have had her since she was a kitten, but she was a rescue.
I got her when I had more regular hours for work and wasn’t doing shift work anymore. I found her as a rescue and took her home when she was about 4 months old. She is frightened of people she doesn't know and will always hide from them.
But she and I are always chatting. She has a different meow for everything! I also have occasional contact with her brother's owner, and they have similar personalities. Although Nala is not quite as cuddly as Willis!
She even has her own Instagram page!
https://www.instagram.com/nalafarmer/
I cannot imagine my life without her!
There is also Tessa. She was my sister's dog, a Maltese x poodle. She was such a beautiful dog. I miss her a lot as well.
something i struggle with
I struggle with my weight. I always have. I have my maternal family genes. My Granny and Aunt (both on my Mum’s side) have always struggled with their weight.
I have always had weight issues. When I was a kid, as long as I did some exercise, I was OK, but I always seemed to be bigger than the other kids.
When I got my first job out of home, I didn’t take care of myself and put on a little weight. When I returned home, I started dating my ex-fiancé (who was also on the bigger side.) I didn’t do much exercise, and we ate out a lot. I gained a lot of weight. When we broke up, I immersed myself in working out and loved it. I got down to about 75-80kgs.
I felt great. I stayed at that weight for a few years, but the weight started to creep back on. I still exercised but wasn’t making great food choices. For the last few years, I haven’t done much exercise at all. My excuse is that I need to take care of Nala.
Then I broke my ankle, and then had issues with my stomach, meaning more surgery, and not doing much with exercise.
But this is a chance to get back on the wagon. I am setting up some weights at home, reducing my alcohol and trying to eat healthy! I am also doing some pool walking and am looking at aqua aerobics. Please support me as I go on this journey.
where i have travelled
I have been blessed to have travelled a lot around Australia. And twice I have been overseas. I’ve been to most states in Australia except for the Northern Territory. I’m unsure if I can pick a favourite state, they are all so different.
I have included some of my favourite places I have been to. There have been many more, and I will blog about some of them later.
TASMANIA
A favourite destination would have to be Tasmania. I loved the scenery, the beautiful mountains, and the cool weather. The trip was in Autumn, so it was cold! We went all over the state as we hired a car. We spent time hiking in Cradle Mountain and Hobart and going to the Salamanca Markets. Lots of walking and checking out the places off the beaten track!
BUNDANOON, NSW
If I had to choose my favourite Australian destination it would be Solar Springs in Bundanoon. This is in the Southern Highlands of NSW, about 2 hours’ drive south of Sydney. It is a Health Retreat, and I loved going there. I mainly went alone and always met others there to chat with. They provide 3 healthy meals a day. Lots of activities are included: bush walks in the Morton National Park, yoga, aqua, weights classes, and meditation. They also offer PT sessions, fitness assessments, a full day spa plus loads more. It was all so relaxing. The gardens are beautiful, and you can participate in as much or as little as you would like. It is a beautiful old guest house.
I started going there in 2004. I pretty much went every year to rest and rejuvenate. It was so relaxing! The last time I went to Solar Springs was in 2018. New owners had taken over, and it does not have the same friendly environment.
CHINA
My biggest overseas trip was to China in 2011. I went with my parents, as I had never been overseas before (I was 30yrs old). We spent a month there and travelled all over. Highlights include Tiananmen Square, the Terracotta Army, a trip down the Yangtze River on a cruise and a visit to the pandas in Cheng Du. Also, The Great Wall was a highlight!
There were many other great experiences. The main disappointment we had was that we didn’t get to stop at Ikea! We drove right past, but the bus didn’t stop! Every place I’ve visited has so many memories, too many to share here! I made some lifelong friends on this trip and some great memories.
FIJI
This was my last overseas trip in May 2024. I had a great time. I went with my parents and stayed 5 nights at the Hilton Denarau.
We had the best time… swimming, reading books and relaxing by the pool! The Fijian people are so friendly. It was such a relaxing holiday, I can’t wait to go back again
I even had a facial and a massage. It was just nice to relax in a beautiful environment.
the adult's only pool
I have linked my YouTube video of our holiday for you to watch!
someone i miss
I think the person I miss the most is my maternal Grandmother. We called her Granny. I miss her every day.
I have the most fantastic memories growing up going to Granny and Grandad’s. We would go there at least once a week, usually on a weekend for a baked dinner lunch, or chicken and chips. Usually, my cousins would come as well, and there was lots of playing in the backyard. There were lots of large rocks, and many nooks to hide and play games.
Christmas was also spent with Granny and Grandad. Again, there was lots of playing, swimming and running around as kids.
We would celebrate any special occasion: birthdays, Christmas, Easter, Mother's and Father’s Day as a family
As I grew older, and I was the oldest grandchild; we held a special bond. We would chat often, and she was so proud when I got into university to become a nurse.
I will always miss her. I still have some guilt that I wasn’t there when she passed away. I was so upset when I found out but was a 10-hour drive from home. My mum didn’t want me driving home in utter distress but was with friends to support me.
my favourite food
My favourite food is Spaghetti Bolognese. It has been a favourite since I was young.
As a kid, Saturday night was always spaghetti night. And this was the first meal I was taught to make.
It was the first meal my parents taught me to make.
I have adapted the recipe over time. But the recipe is still basically the same.
Spaghetti has always been my favourite meal!
I do it in my slow cooker. I have posted the recipe.
https://potato-armadillo-xmam.squarespace.com/config/pages/6677d824b13962713e9ea509/content
I also love a baked dinner. I go to my parent's place on a Sunday occasionally for lunch. I always like that I get leftovers!
my favourite toy
So, my favourite toy! That would have to be my raccoon.
I got her for my 1st birthday from my uncle and aunt. So, this year she turned 42 years old. She is very well-loved!
Raccoon has been everywhere I have been in life. She came with me when I got my tonsils out when I was 8. And she has been to every home I have lived in. She has been a friend when I have been sleeping as well.
A few years ago (before COVID), I did have to get her restuffed. Her stitching was coming loose, and she had lost a lot of stuffing. One of her ears had also come off (maybe 6 years prior). I found a shop locally, the “Sutherland Shire Toy Restoration Centre”.
She has been a constant in my life; even Nala loves her. I have had many toys and animals in my life, but my raccoon is special!
earliest childhood memory
My earliest childhood memory is of my great-grandmother's birthday. I am not sure how old she was, but she lived in a Nursing Home.
I think I was about 2 years old, and I remember going to a park In Nowra (2 hours south of Sydney where I live).
I remember playing in the park and having cake.
Granny's house with my cousins
But of all my childhood memories one of my favourite memories was going to my maternal grandparent’s house. We were there at least once a week, and often with my cousins. There are 5 girl cousins. There are 8 years between the oldest (myself), and the youngest. So, we all pretty much grew up together.
We were always over there, playing in the backyard, which had a lot of rocks, and hiding holes. It was great for playing. Many great games were played there.
Also, we had lunch over there weekly on a Sunday. It was always Chicken and Chips, which we all loved! It was great, especially reflecting as an adult, that now we are all still close.
Taronga Zoo
But I think my definite favourite memory was going to Taronga Zoo to see the Giant Pandas in 1988. My family went with my Aunty Lynda (my mum’s older sister), and I remember it being a great day. I know we had to line up for the pandas for a while, but as a 7-year-old, it was just FUN! My Aunty Lynda is my favourite Aunt. This is because we are both the oldest sister of 3 girls!
https://www.zoochat.com/community/media/old-taronga-zoo-photo-august-1988-giant-pandas.142973/
My Aunty Lynda has always looked out for me, and I hope to be the same for my nieces and nephews.
my worst date
So, after my engagement broke up, I decided to try internet dating! I have many stories!
I always ensured I had a friend I could quickly text if I needed an escape. I only used that once! The guy rocked up in a van with no windows, I had potential end-of-my-life vibes. My friend called me, and I was out in a flash!
There was one guy who really liked trains. OK, each to their own! But proceeded to tell me on our coffee date that he once took a girl to Kiama train station, and they ate lunch at the train station. He had never been there before. We also had to go for a walk after our date and see the local train station! Nice enough guy but it was a NO from me!
Then I went on a dinner date with another guy. We went to a local Thai restaurant. The whole meal cost about $20 total for both of us. I had brought a bottle of wine. Keep in mind that he had planned the date and asked me out.
At the end of the meal, he asked me for $10 for my part of the bill! Don’t get me wrong, I don’t mind paying my way! But when a guy instigated the date, I bought the wine and the meal was cheap, I believe he should have paid. Was I wrong?
I went on another date to Jamberoo Recreation Park. It’s a water park with lots of waterslides and anything water! I remember having a fun day. It was all good, we had a fun day. But we didn’t connect which was OK. I got a text from this guy maybe 5 years later. Apparently, he could not stop thinking about me! I then told him to GO AWAY, as I was with someone else then!
There have been some other men I had been talking to, but the stories are way too saucy! Also, many profiles I have come across and they are weird-there is even a story for another time about nappies!
my current relationship
So, I am single. I live on my own in a unit with my cat Nala.
I have had some relationships in my life, but I like living on my own.
My last relationship was great. He was 18ish years older than me. We got on super well.
I remember the day we “got together”. I had gone into the city with a friend to see HAIRSPRAY the musical. I was a matinee, and I was going to catch up with him for dinner, but myself and my friend wanted to have some more drinks. He came in to meet us, and the rest is history. We were together for many years.
We made lots of great memories-going on holidays, running events and hanging out. We still chat after the breakup, and we are still friends!
Tasmania holiday
I enjoy being single and living on my own! I have my own space; things are always where I left them. I like my own company. And my parents live close by, and I see them regularly. I also have fantastic neighbours who are always looking out for me!
And I enjoy spending time with Nala!
crazy cat
a difficult time in my life
About 18 years ago, I met a man. I worked with him he was a doctor where I worked. We dated and got engaged. Looking back, there were issues, but I was in love then and didn’t notice. He was 10 years older than me and an only child. I don’t remember the specifics, but I remember there being problems with his family. I don’t believe they ever really liked me. Although I do remember them saying I wasn’t good enough for their son, as I wasn’t a doctor or lawyer. And I think the apron strings were never cut between him and his mother. He was 35 when we met, and still lived at home until about 6 months before the wedding.
We were due to be married in 2015. He had bought a home and I had started moving my stuff in. It was a month before the wedding and for some reason, I was at his house, with his Aunt yelling and abusing me, saying that we were never getting married, and the family had known this for a month previous. I found my stuff packed up in the lounge room. I had NO IDEA! He also demanded the engagement ring back. I did give it back as I didn’t want any issues.
I was devastated and went to a really dark place in my life. It was like I curled up into a ball that I couldn’t get out of for a while. I was just glad to have a supportive family and friends at the time. Although I was devastated, they were there to pick me up when I was down, and just be there for me with whatever was happening.
My parents had a “party” (for want of a better word) on the wedding day! I was grateful to have the support and love, and something to take my mind off everything.
piercings and tattoos
I have 2 tattoos, and 1 not so conventional ear piercing!
PIERCINGS
I have a Daith piercing in my right ear. The reason I got this was because I suffer migraines, and the Daith piercing is a pressure point to help prevent migraines. I knew it may or may not help with migraines. If it didn’t help, it was a cool piercing. I’m not sure whether it’s helped, but I have not had many migraines since I had the piercing.
TATTOOS
I have 2 tattoos. The first tattoo I got was on my right wrist. It is a semi-colon tattoo, which is from the project semicolon group.
“A semicolon is used when an author could’ve chosen to end their sentence, but chose not to. The author is you, and the sentence is your life”
I suffer from anxiety and depression. I go through many stages in my life, and have been in many dark places. Although I have never contemplated ending my life, my tattoo reminds me to keep going and to never give up. I am on medication for my depression and am seeing a psychologist, all of which has helped a lot. I am working on strategies to get me through the rough times. And this tattoo reminds me to keep going!
My second tattoo is a butterfly on my left ankle. I have always wanted a butterfly tattoo, but I was always worried about what my parents would think. So, after the semi-colon tattoo, I decided to do it. My tattoo artist designed it for me from a variety of designs I sent him. He then coloured it in on the day with my favourite colours! I love it. I got it on my ankle to be out of site for work.
The jury is still out if I will get any more tattoos or piercings, but time will tell.