More sadness

 How much can one family take.

A week after cousin Ron was layed to rest his big brother Ray was killed very tragically. His family, his siblings and us his extended family are struggling big time. 

Ray and I were close. We grew up together in forestry settlements, his Dad and mine both working in the Forest Department. He was older, a bit older than my brother but he and I were still close but more so when we were older. He lived with me and hubby when we lived up North. Hubby was a mechanic for the Shire and Ray was the grader driver. Lots of memories of fishing and camping trips, sitting on the patio watching dust and lightning storms, bickering, arguing and laughing over the silliest things. He was the one that was there during moments where we needed someone to lean on. I’m going to miss those unexpected visits where he walked in and said “well missus you got the kettle on” and those long winded telephone calls….no wonder we called you “Windy”.

I’m not looking forward to that final goodbye.

I went down south on the weekend and spent time with my sister. A huge weekend of speedway was on so we were able to take our mind off the loss of Ray.

We had a good time, lots of sister talks, and wanders down memory lanes plus a few drinks consumed.

Did well….no over indulging so the scales said yesterday.

A stay the same which I’m happy with.

I’m trying to get more exercise in so walked this morning before work.  Yes…I’m retired and receive a pension but I’m still doing 11 hours a fortnight paid work which the government encourages. Helps with the pension, plus I get to interact with others and as hubby and I don’t go anywhere in the summer I’m hoping to have a little extra spending money when we do travel. 

A great week

 Another week has flown by. 

After my 600g gain last week…I made sure there was very little bread and I watched the snacking. No Cookie Monster 👹 this week. Weigh in this morning was 1.2 down, I’ve finally got back to my pre Christmas weigh in. Now to keep the momentum happening. 

My g/f Deb and I have been walking 2 or 3 times a week.

Rest day tomorrow, Deb has a thigh that is giving her grief if she walks too much so rest day for her tomorrow. I have work tomorrow so will get lots of steps in BUT if I wake up early I going to do a small walk.

Been so hot these past few days, we’ve nearly melted. We start our walk at 6.30am and by the end of it we are a sweaty mess. Next few days are meant to be cooler, let’s hope so. 

Not much happening here. 

Been doing some preserving. Hubby put in a vegetable garden and as he usually does he planted way too much. So we’ve made pickles, chutneys, relishes and sauces out of the tomatoes and cucumbers …plus frozen heaps of the other vegetables. Had peas, beans, turnips and silverbeet galore. Had to buy another freezer and I’m now looking for a pantry cupboard to store all these preserving. 

How true is this……

I’ve been dealing with a few opinionated people of late. 

I’ve just said if that’s the way you think, so be it. I just can’t be bothered with petty shit anymore. 

It’s dinner time….time to eat.

Mmmmmm…..a gain..

 And all because of……

I had a binge on the darn things 2 days before weigh in didn’t I? Had a sweet attack and just couldn’t get rid of it. 

The next day I went over points too so just knew I was in for a gain. And I was, up 600g. Anyways onwards we go…..

Menu is all planned out for the next few days.

I’ve got this, I want this weight off !!  Wish it would come off as fast as I put it on 😚

I’ve got back into my walking again, only 2, sometimes 3 days a week. Deb and I walk 3k’s and I’m enjoying it. So far my knee is holding up. Not as fast as we used to be, my knee just don’t allow that….but at least we out there. 

Yesterday

Yesterday was a very emotional day.

Yesterday I attended the funeral of my cousin Ron. Ron’s family and mine spent a lot of time together as kids. His Dad and my Mum were brother and sister, his mum and my mum were also very good friends as well as sister in laws. And his Dad and my Dad also worked in the forestry department. We grew apart as we got older, plus him being 6 years older he moved on and left the district before I did. Mum always kept me informed as to where they all were….as did my brother as he and Ron kept the family tradition of working in the forestry department. 

Once I moved down south again (after living in the north west of the state for many years) I caught up with Ron and all his siblings and even though we didn’t see each other often we stayed in touch. 

Ron coached junior football and coached Simons 2 sons, and then Simon and him played football together in the “old farts” team. 

8 years ago Ron was diagnosed with early stages of Alzheimers. It was very slow moving for the first 5 years but the last 3 years it was a rapid decline and it was so sad and depressing to see such a vibrant man fade away. I stopped visiting as I couldn’t watch his body and mind fail him. 

Anyway at the funeral I coped till the time of reflection of Ron’s life. Photos and songs were put up on the screens and a gorgeous pic of him and mum together just set me off in a sea of tears. Those 2 had the same wicked sense of humour and got on so well. 

At the funeral was Simons ex wife and his eldest daughter paying their respects too. But more tears flowed as Jessica walked straight past me twice and didn’t acknowledge me. Her mother has a lot to answer too. I have lost the love of Jess and her sister thanks to her and her nasty vicious lies. It not only breaks my heart but her Dads as well. Thankfully the two boys acknowledge their Dad and me and hubby. Once upon a time we all used to be so close.  

It being a family funeral I was able to catch up with all Ron’s siblings and a few of the other cousins. Being a Thursday a lot couldn’t make could make the trip, plus a lot couldn’t because a lot of bushfires had closed roads in some directions. Still a lot made it. 

Was beautiful to see a of forestry personnel make a guard of honour as he was bought into the crematorium. 

Rest easy Ron xx 

Here we go go again…

 Happy New Year to anyone that still following me….

It’s been hot most of this week, so daughter has been taking these kidlets to the water park for a couple of hours in the morning before it gets too hot. I went in with them the other day…what a blast they have there,  they are real water babies.

My girlfriend and I have started walking in the mornings again….loving that we can continue our jabberwalking….we’ve both missed it. At the moment we are walking 3k and doing that 3 times a week. Feel so much better for it too. My knee is tolerating it too, long may that last!! And it can only help with the weight loss too surely 🤷‍♀️

I’m doing ok on ww, had a gain over the Christmas break, but I restarted on Boxing Day and going ok so far, the scales are moving down. Tracking is my key.

Did have a falter the other day, got the sad news that a cousin I was close to had passed away. Been expecting it as he was diagnosed with dementia in his mid 60’s, but the other day at just 73 he slipped away. His devoted wife of 48 years rang to let me know and I just slipped into shock….I had to hand the phone to hubby and get her to repeat it all to him. I sat and had a drink and nibbled on a treat while I let my siblings know the sad news. Have the funeral next week to get through now. 

Ongoing war between Daughter and the kids Dad. He still hasn’t seen them, think October was the last time he spent any time with them. Didn’t FaceTime them for Christmas or Williams 9th birthday 2 days after. Work obviously is more important than them 🙄  So daughter spent all last week while she was off work doing a lot of fun things with them. Kids loved it. They missed a few FaceTimes with him because of it which he complained about. So K asked him to have them overnight next weekend so they could spend some time with him. Omg he agreed, but could only have them 3pm Saturday to 4pm Sunday 😲 It’s only been 9 months since he’s had them at his place 💁‍♀️ Then she asked him to have them for 4 days while she had some down time….the response was “sorry I am working, I can’t ” 🙇‍♀️

Daddy of the year…..NOT!!

Just a few pics…..

A New Year