Slack

Yep - that's me just downright slack - I just can't seem to be bothered this week - I've been reading but not commenting and now almost forcing myself to do a post since there will be some of you who are wondering where the hell I am (I hope so anyway!) So what's been happening? Well I did the fun run - actually more walking than running but imagine my surprise when my name was called and I was presented with this......

2nd Masters Female

Now before you all faint in awe and amazement I think there were only three of us in this category! But you don't have to tell everyone that. Other news - it look like my boss has a promotion and while I'm delighted for him I'm not very happy for me. I've been asked to act in his role meantime - there's a bit of rationalisation happening with the other two Rio sites in our area and until they have the structure for that decided they won't put someone permanent in the role. I've been asked by a few people if I'm going to put in for it - it did cross my mind - but it's a big job covering all the onsite training, apprentices, graduates, a pilot programme for national competencies, all the technical training, traineeships, trade training etc etc - and if this all isn't enough - it has 19 direct reports. I discussed it with Bloss the other night and no I don't need that much stress and hassle in my life - I like my work but if I had all that lot to contend with then I probably wouldn't and of course they may not consider me the right person anyway. So I'll help out in the meantime till we see what happens. Been feeling a bit ordinary this week - Bloss's sore throat and cold has been stalking me - so far I've managed to keep it at bay but because of that haven't been to the gym since Monday and because I've been feeling a bit sorry for myself my eating hasn't been as good as it should have been - not dreadful but marking time stuff rather than losing stuff! And that's really it peoples - not that much to talk about this week. Zanna's ear is coming along OK - still quite swollen but we head back to the vet on Wednesday to get her stitches out so we'll see what he has to say then. All right sweet ones - have a great week. Love Z xx

Sick Puppy!!

Yes I really do have a sick puppy. But she's going to be fine. I came home from work last night and Bloss (who also has been sick and has been at home) said "the dog's crook - somethings wrong with her ear" Poor Zanna had one ear hugely swollen and her whole head was lopsided. So I phoned the vet (who I've known for the last 15years - he's been with me through dogs and horses) who said just bring her in. She had a haematoma on her ear. She suffers from an auto immune problem which causes her to scratch a lot and can result in rashes etc all over her. We've managed to find a spray which has improved her heaps but at this time of year all her extremities itch terribly so she scratches at her paws, her head and ears and sometimes the tip of her tail. Anyway she'd had a good old scratch and burst a blood vessel in her ear which had filled up her whole ear flap. So surgery was in order. They can't just aspirate as it would just fill up again. So she's home tonight still pretty dopey from the anaesthetic with a multitude of stitches in her ear and an opening left to drain over the next couple of weeks.

And Bloss - well he's had a throat infection and a dreadful cough and has been off work all week - an almost unheard of occurrence in his 25 years with the company. He's coming good now but will probably still have tomorrow off to make sure he's fully fit. Me - well I'm doing just fine - making some very sensible eating choices - back to making up my big bowl of salads to last me a few days - I'll list below the ingredients in this particular batch - absolutely awesome. Have also been going to the gym three mornings a week and just loving it and minimising the wines of an evening too. I lost 700g last week so pretty happy with that. Mixed lettuce and herbs (the bagged mix) Red, green and yellow capsicum Lebanese cucumber Celery Grape tomatoes Sugar snap peas Cabbage Green grapes Black Grapes Orange Avocado Basil Mint Mung beans Snow pea sprouts Alfalfa then just had some "Praise" low fat Balsamic dressing and the protein of your choice - tuna, prawns, salmon, ww ham and you have just the yummiest lunch imaginable. Great weekend ahead - No 2 son back from Melbourne again tonight and No 1 grandson coming to stay on Friday night. Sunday we have the Turtle Way Challenge (this is the name of a local walkway which in fact runs between our house and the river). All the local big companies submit teams who have to run/walk 4kms. We've managed to scrounge up 4 HR teams and I'm a member of the 'The Bullied' - we were all coerced into participating! Anyway I'm not up to running 4kms but will walk/run my way round and hopefully have lots and fun and laughter along the way. If I get any good pics I'll post them next time. Till next week possums - have a good one Love Z xx

A Meme with a Difference

Well I was cruising around Blogland following links from blog to blog and I found this at The Lavender Loft. She kindly offered it up to anyone who was interested and I can never resist. Challenge to my 'blends' - go on give it a go! Finish the sentence - keep the bit in bold and add on your ending. 1. My uncle once bought me a very expensive doll when I was 5 – I’d admired her in the shop and he was young and single and spoiled me. Her name was Carol and up until a few years ago she was still in Mum’s loft. 2. Never in my life have I taken strong drugs – dabbled with marijuana twice and that’s it. Smoking and drinking - well now that's another story! 3. When I was five my parents were the centre of my universe 4. High school was a means to an end – I enjoyed it but wanted to get out and get on with my life 5. I will never forget to be grateful for the gift of life – it’s wonderful 6. Once I used to have a pet rooster who came when I called him and would submit to being wrapped in a blanket and trundled round in a dolls pram. His name was Tarty! 7. There’s this boy I know who is a little scallywag with a heap of attitude – he’s my younger grandson and there’s this other boy I know – my other grandson who’s a ton of fun and one very smart cookie. 8. Once, at a bar, I drank mojitos where Ernest Hemingway used to drink. 9. By noon tomorrow I hope I’ll be having lunch with my friend 10. Last night I spent quite a while on Facebook – love the word games and play, sometimes in real time, with my cousin in Scotland 11. If only I had been born with a lean metabolism . 12. Next time I go to church it will probably be for a wedding or a funeral! 13. What worries me most is – not much – I try not to but I guess you never stop worrying on behalf of your children.. 14. When I turn my head left I see Bloss with his laptop on his knee. 15. When I turn my head right I see the light flashing on the answering machine 16. You know I’m lying when you look at my face – I always have a guilty look. 17. What I miss most about the Eighties – not much I believe in always looking forward and life just keeps getting better – but hey the music was good. 18. If I were a character in Little Women I’d probably be Jo. 19. By this time next month I plan to have my next two assignments finished 20. A better name for me would be Mrs Organised – I really value a sense of order 21. I have a hard time allowing other people to be disorganized! 22. If I ever go back to school it will be to study something in the field of human resources or psychology. 23. You know I like you if I stay and chat – I’m not good at pretending so if I don’t like you I’ll smile, murmur and move on. 24. If I ever won an award, the first person I would thank would be my Mum – she and Dad gave us such a good set of values and grounding in life and a great sense of self belief. 25. Take my advice; if you believe you can do it – you’re right – you can!!

Short Story this week

Well when I reread last weeks post it was really a bit of a waffle - sorry about that folks must have got a bit carried away. Much quieter week this week. Weight stayed the same and don't know how this week will go as I didn't manage to get to the gym last week. I developed some severe cramps last Sunday afternoon and ended up having to go to the doctors and being off work for two days. Still don't know exactly what the problem was. Didn't get to see my own doctor who was away so saw the new lady doctor - very nice but a bit wishy washy - she reckoned it was either TOM going to turn up after another long absence and making its presence well and truly felt or a low grade bowel infection. Either way it finally came good around Wednesday afternoon but I was going around bent in the middle for a couple of days. Had a three day workshop for my next two units in Dip Bus this week so enjoyed that. Last night was the awards dinner for work - we get to go every year now since Bloss is a member of the 25+ years club. So the photo below shows us just ready to leave. I'm wearing a top I bought in Malaysia a couple of years ago and had never had the opportunity to wear - it got quite a few compliments since it was just that bit different. I also decided to sport a few curls for a change - so got the old heated rollers out and tizzied it up a bit - it's a bloody mess today mind you - had too much product in it! This photo is of two of my greatest achievements - my two wonderful sons both of whom I am immensely proud of and love dearly. This was taken last week when they were at their step brothers wedding in Melbourne. So that's it for me - short and sweet this week for a change. Hope everyone's having a great week. Take care Love Z xx