Tsk, tsk, Madam President, we are talking classic bourbon here! No honey, but the spirits brewing base is molasses and raw cane crushings, pretty smooth. I’ll take it under advisement and see if any locals have a beehive!

Wow! Gyps! Paradise indeed! How wonderful it would be to wake up to that view…and then spend the day with you guys; heaven!
Well, gang, my PC day didn’t go too well because I got complacent again and I also have days when I just can’t seem to stop snacking and this was one of them. How am I going to get out of this habit? I thought I’d be busy with grocery shopping, cooking, painting etc – I had plenty to occupy myself, but it made no difference. Very annoyed with myself 🙁

Gypsy, I have never been that far north. Looks great!
Also, I quite fancy myself with a hip flask, what a lark!

Not much to report. Concentrating on making normal days, normal! Fasting isn’t the hard part for me lately. I think if I became a hermit I could quite quickly be a slender one. I had a couple of drinks last night while out listening to two bands. One mississippi stomper style and one gypsy jazz. If there had been a dance floor I could have worked some of it off but alas!

Welcome Change. I think the secret to success will be never going off this, just doing 6/1. I agree with CG, whatever works for you but yes I think 2 to 7 for eating is good and I often eat that way although not deliberately. I try to delay eating so it doesn’t awaken the hungry giant!

Parley, good stuff!

Looks like you southerners may have been hotter than us Qld’ers over the last few days. Down to 30 here today. I was a bit worried when I found myself with air con on in early October!

Cheers to all!

Hello team. Welcome Change. CG sorry that you’r a tad poorly today. Do take care and not overdo things.
Re your query. I’m 5.4 in the old measurements. I started at 78 kilos almost 10 months ago. I got down to 67 a while back but then came down with the flu. I’m back to 72 again. It’s scary how quickly one gains weight. Of course I’ve been eating lots of no no’s. Homemade bread with too much butter for starters. My portions are also too large. All that is about to change.
I’ve had a most productive morning so far. I’ve planted out some pansies in my hanging baskets. Repotted some other plants so having the first bit of exercise for many weeks. I’ve come inside now and will take it easy for the rest of the day.
Hallelujah it’s much cooler here today. It’s hard to that some of those fires in Victoria were caused by “controlled” burn offs. On a day of 35 degrees! Not very clever.
Enjoy your day all.

Enjoy the day team

Oh gyps. Looked up the “paradise”. Certainly lives up to its name.. ??????

Hi All!
Where are you all? I thought we were going to make sure to post on Wednesdays to help each other over the slump!!!
PC – well done on your consistency; you will be reaping lots of health benefits; keep up the good work.
CG – glad your shower restored your spirits. I love watching a film while doing the ironing; it’s a great way to make the job less of a pain. Mind your back though xxx
Doggy – we have no real experience of bush or forest fires in Ireland, it must be so scary. It’s incredible to hear that those who should know better seem to be contributing to the problem! Great to hear that you are well enough to enjoy the garden 🙂
Up – so relieved to report that my constant snacking didn’t derail me too much and I have lost half a kg! So, better PC day planned for today….getting hair done, French class, then ballroom dancing this evening!! Hope you staying on track too. ‘Normal’ is good!!
PH – great to hear from you and love all the emoticons!!!
Gotta dash for hair apt. Family history later xxxxx

Here! Madam President! Phew! Just made the roll call, been on the marathon of grocery shopping day (trek to the town, 50 k round trip, unloading, yatta yatta..) Sorry you had a bad start to your day, glad it got better, have looked into adding honey. No sweat can do. Will enjoy experimenting… hic…
Yay! Fit! You would love the Oz experience with this mob. We will fine tune it to give experience and budget value . Only just getting started on possibilities. We’ll see how Sydney pans out and go from there. You busted, huh? Well I wouldn’t dream of going food shopping on a fast day,but it just drives me to drink!
UP, that’s the spirit! So What’s your poison? I think it’s weird that you Southerners are getting OUR heat and it is quite mild here. Sheesh! Do you suppose the poles are reversing?!!! Envy you the music scene.
PH, you betcha, you CAN do it! Lovely that you have true blue rellies. (sorry,) couldn’t resist it! Do hope your SIL is ok.
Dawg, glad you are responding to candle power. And don’t fret, as long as you keep trying for better health you are ahead of the game. I do so love pansies, May they bloom for you.
Parley, well done on being loose in the pants…. um…. not sure that came out right… sigh… Carry on!
So… Wonderful Wednesday. Family history day. Well, I dug up this little ditty that encapsulates my known history. I mean, I was born, obviously, but where…..?
The answer is, in a tent, somewhere in the wilds….

A MINING MAN WAS HE

For Mum & Dad (Ruby & Doug Bach)
From my family fables collection

It looks alright here, Rube, I think we’ve found the spot
‘Tis here I’ll build your humpy and I’ll fix the babe a cot
Just one more night we’ll rough it and tomorrow we’ll be right
Just look at all those Stars, Rube, don’t they make a pretty sight?

‘Tis a shame to put a roof up and hide them from our view
But your time has come I know, old girl, and I must think of you
I’m not blind to your discomfort, though it’s hid behind your smiles
I can see how you’ve grown weary of the long and dusty miles

‘Tis time you had some comfort just the same as city folk
I may be rough and ready, but I’m not a heartless bloke
Gawd, Rube! Don’t cry, old love! Being settled’s not a crime!
You wimmen sure are queer when you’re gettin’ near your time!

Just you take it nice and easy, no need to break your back
You sit right there on that old log while I wander down the track
I’ll fill the billy and cook tonight – the damper will be fresh
We’ll take a wash down by the creek and you can change your dress

Ah, you look a proper picture sittin’ there all fresh and scrubbed
I felt the young‘un kickin ‘ in your belly as I rubbed
It sets a man to thinkin’ what a wondrous thing is life
A man is mighty lucky when he finds a proper wife

I never had much schoolin’, don’t hold with fancy words
But you know I won’t go foolin’ like I’ve seen those city birds
I’ll see you right tomorrow with an axe and my bare hands
I’ll build a humpy for my girl that’s good as any mans!

The bush will yield the timber, I’ll scrounge the dumps for iron
You will have a proper kettle and a fancy pan for fryin’
The tin bags from the truck will make a curtain for the door
And with my old sledge hammer I’ll crush them ant beds for the floor

I’ll set your eyes to shinin’ when I find an old bath tub
I’ll dig a proper dunny, nice and private in the scrub
Our kids will never starve while Kangaroos have tails
They will learn all I can teach them of the bush and all its trails

We may not stay here forever, but leave you I will never
I’m a man who’s born to wander, I can’t stay put forever
‘Tis a mining man you’ve married and a miner has to seek
But for now just rest your bones, love, this is home and there is tin there in the creek.
MCB

of interest, Mother was transported to a hospital after my birth, She had septicaemia and remained il in hospital for months. Apparently my aunts(on both sides) decided she was too frail to raise me and drew straws on who was going to adopt me(a quite common inter-family practice those days, half the nation was orphaned by war- I was born in 1946 when the world was in tatters). However, my dad was orphaned himself at the age of ten and it appears there wasn’t a hope in hell of anyone splitting up his family (I had a brother only 18 months older at the time) He travelled to the hospital, collected me and as he had to work to support us all, went timber cutting . and carried me in a sugar bag, like a joey, over one shoulder and my brother on the other shoulder. His sisters, my aunts often told me the story. Mum was never strong but they had 3 more sons and he looked after her and us. They were married for 55 years. Nice to share that thanks for listening xxx Gyps

Ah, I predict you will soon be changing shape, well done, change!

Yummy! our posts crossed (Or I was looking somewhat crooked) So sorry you have the sorrow of palliative care illness in your family. It’s hard to pursue personal goals and thrive under that cloud. Do what you can, but remember your own life is also precious. And we are here for whatever you want to unload. Pot plants are good. I found that keeping a pot plant alive restored me when all else failed. Luck, mate. xx gyps

Good to hear from everyone who posted after my first log-in this morning.
CG – shelling peas also brings me back to my childhood, and sneakily eating the peas in the garden while my dad wasn’t looking! My dad was the local school principal, when the school was very small and had just two teachers. Because he had married a local girl and built his own house, we didn’t live in the teacher’s house next door to the school. He drove us and our nearest neighbours to school every day, which was a rarity because most families didn’t have a car and children walked to school. Sometimes there were eight or nine of us in the car, no seatbelts…different times! He was a very tall man, over 6ft 4in or 1m 93cm and loved to dress well. People always remarked that he looked like a film star with beautifully co-ordinated shirts, ties and suits. He was also a lovely singer and I have a great interest in music thanks to him, especially classical and opera. But he also sang popular songs of his era and so, we had many musical parties in our house when I was growing up. A very poignant moment before he died was when he could no longer speak, he tried to hum the old and very beautiful Irish air called “The last rose of summer”. He retired in 1979 and I was very proud to become principal of the same school in 2000. I made a lovely school garden with lots of trees, a pond, flower and vegetable beds, bird and insect houses and willow sculpture. He came to visit it and spoke to the children about his time in the school and how things had changed; it was a very special day. I planted a mountain ash tree in the garden in his memory because he also loved to go hill and mountain walking. When I retired, the staff planted another mountain ash for me…I was so touched.
YY – delighted you are getting such pleasure from your garden. I’m so sorry to hear about your brother; I hope he is as comfortable and peaceful as possible. Hugs to you ((( )))
Ah, Gyps – another wonderful and evocative poem….loved reading it and imagining your parents getting ready to bring you into the world…what a brilliant picture you paint. Xxxxx
Change – you are doing so well, avoiding temptation and dropping 900g – woohoo!!
SJ – sounds like you’re having a terrific time…enjoy every minute of it! 🙂 🙂

Morning all…….. Did not feel myself yesterday to post. I still am having some difficult times with Dad’s passing…… I want to really sob the whole blooding grief out ..but… I just can’t. CG is right I accepted the outcome and was prepared, however still I find myself in this surreal void. Bugger fasting and PC at the moment its SAV and chocolate…..
Yum Yum- pls take very good care of yourself during this difficult time. My thoughts are there with you.
GL- hold your head up high……If the person or persons concerned don’t mean anything to you write their names on paper and put them in the freezer. It will really chill them out. IT works.
CHANGE- you are going really well….. You will soon see change and shape.
SJ-enjoy your pretend fire lol……its still warm on the east.
Have a great day everyone YOU CAN DO THIS ( I need to remind myself of this!)FIDDLE DE DE…..BRING IT ON….Tomorrow is another day!……LOVE…..GO GAL xxxxx

Hi all, I had internet troubles again yesterday! So wonderful when it works and so frustrating when it doesn’t. I know we have all been there!

Fit, we aren’t fasting today after all here. Trust me to say I’ll race you and then immediately fall off the wagon! Just a tricky week and am determined to be back with a vengeance next week, so watch out then! 😉

I need PH and Doggie to tell me how to do the emoticon thing on here. Instructions please!

CG, the pea thing was interesting. I only have vague memories of peas being shelled and not by me but I have seen old photos of people sitting on the doorstep shelling peas. A few years ago when I was teaching literally next to a farm, I brought home fresh peas. The children (teenage and older) didn’t go for them! Funny how you prefer what you know sometimes. I thought they were great. Just a couple of weeks ago I walked into the fruit shop my daughter works in and there she was shelling peas!! The circle of life!!
She handed her thesis in yesterday which partly accounts for no fasting this week.

Yum, take care. Life is hard sometimes. 🙁

Gypsy, with spirits, I tend to drink gin. I drink red wine frequently and beer when it is hot. Perfectly happy to drink bourbon though!

SJ, honey chicken is my weakness. I rarely buy food from a food court but if I do, I am often tempted by that!

Have a good fast all. Although I am not fasting, I will try and be sensible!

CG, you do deserve it! How close is that fire away from you? Scary stuff. Don’t forget to tell me if you partake of honey bourbon as a liqueur (on ice or just straight) or with a mix (zero, coke, soda). Liqueurs are typically lower in alcohol percentage (or one would get awfully drunk very quickly drinking a straight, syrupy spirit). Tho in the movies one always see’s the yanks swigging on straight scotch, without even ice (Do they in reality?). So, as a base for a mix, most spirits come in around 37/40 percent. Adding honey to a base mix and then coke would be yummy alright, but yeek! on the calorie front. But WTF, it’s holiday nectar and we all deserve that! JUst thinking I may have to book it on through freight! (anybody know the ruling for carrying booze through airport security?).

UP, I am experimenting with your Blacberry Gin recipe. We’ll see what turns out. I too am stumped by how Dawg and PH do the emoticon thing. Educate us , girls! Good to hear you sounding positive Dawg.

Ah GG, I am scrolling up through the posts and find you there, so sad, out on a limb. How can I help you? Have been wondering were you were and a little worried I may have given you the wrong vibe re my phone phobia. But now I SEE you.

I know so well what you are struggling with. The lost,awful feeling of finally not being able to serve the person most dear in this world to you. The pain of loss so deep you daren’t let it surface for the certainty you’ll never survive the full impact, the finality, the failure and every other fear that threatens your very foundations. So, I’m guessing you are presently ploughing into every other avenue of anything that helps to keep your grief at bey? And it is not just any matter of being over reactive to the loss of a parent at the end course of a long and productive life. Or the cruelty of a protracted illness which ended it. Fit Knows it, too. It’s the quality of a love that was yours, in the flesh, for the whole of that lifetime. One hell of a lot to lose. You loved your dad more than some, because you were no doubt of his soul, not just his DNA (we all have a single soul imprint on us – it gives us the our dominant personality characteristics – even if our physical resemblance throws to the other parent ). Losing a parent or child is not the same for everyone. But it was for me. Both ways. It took me five years to really cry for my dad and after seven years, I am still hiding out somewhat on the other count. Take your time and do what you need to, to manage. Sure there are ‘documented levels of grief’ you are expected to travel on some bloody spectrum of human behavioural scale. Screw that! You will get to a better place, but take your own roads and seek whatever pit stops give you peace in patches. What ever works. And you certainly know the drill! Just practice what you preach, lovey, and let others care for you for a change. You’ll be needing double rum for the reunion then? I’m on it.

And in case you wonder how I know….

My dear, On hearing your voice, you were so recognizable as a power person, fuelled on deep emotional energy, profoundly on call for the ailing or any underdog. You really don’t give a s**t about conventional ‘pathways’ or red tape. You are used to just ploughing in and DOING SOMETHING ABOUT IT! And while there is any possibility to make a difference, you’ll Goooo! Gal.
So…I see in my crystal ball (yes, I really do have one – it was granny’s)

….Your power revs to match any degree of difficulty involved. There’s really no draining that heart. It is so full it must give out or bust. If it has a down side it would be its overwhelming aspect; Like the wings of an eagle, hovering in vigilance over its chicks. And we are all your chicks once under the wing – Awesome sort of friend to have. But it cuts both ways, The higher they fly the greater the fall. You travel on highs and swoops. And don’t forget prideful independance! When life wings an Eagle with pot shots, they are insulted to the depths! But mainly, they are hurt when their loyalty is questioned or their best made plans for men and mice are misunderstood for bossiness! Perish the thought! I’ll be lighting another candle. Weep when you want, laugh when you can, kid. You are among friends. xx gyps

Hi GG. Sending you hugs full of love {{{???}}} you will get through this and having a good cry is what it is all about. I still have good crys for my mum who passed away last Easter.
And YY. Understand how you feel as have just helped nurse my BIL through the palliative stages. Very draining but good that you can do it for him.

Gyps. What wonderful posts. Always such an interesting read.

UP. Regarding the emoticons yes they are a feature of the iPad and very easy. Have no idea how to do them on the computer. You just need to scroll across when you tap on the smiley face and there are heaps to choose from. ?????

GL. Nice to have to Buy new dress. ??well done…great feeling…nice choice of food too…..

FIT . Your story about your dad and you being principal at the same school was really touching. brought bAck memories as I started school at a one teacher school and the teacher used to pick us up and take us to school because we used to stop and play in the creek for too long on the way to school otherwise. Wonderful memories.

Doggy sounds like you are really well and truely on the mend. Nice to hear.???

SJ sounds like you are having a nice time with OH. ????wild flowers are lovely. Enjoy the moment there is always tomorrow for fast day.

Change. You Sound like you are doing so well. Congratulations on your loss. ??

I am having a great FD. Just had my first food. My two hard boiled eggs and it is almost 4pm.(I am in Queensland at the moment) SIL doing well today. Not nearly as blue, looks like I am going to lose my little smurf…?????
Probably on,y get one FD in this week as we are taking SIL to a unit at the Gold Coast for a couple of days after we get the results from the doctor tomorrow afternoon. Catching up with two of her sons and their families. The one with incurable cancer is getting home from a cancer retreat in Victoria where he has just been with his wife for the past 10 days. So going to hear all about it and the meditation, mindfullness he has been practicing. He has also given up alcohol and is following a diet with only fresh, organic foods. ??????????????
Hoping to prolong his life for a couple of years. Very inspiring young couple. Love them to bits.

STAYING STRONG on my fast day should be a breeze con pared with what they are doing. I CAN DO THIS. Just as most of you have already been doing for a long time..such inspiration…….???

Again !,I am totally in your debt. What an incredible lot you all are. When one of us is low and share our feelings you all rally to support and care. Words can hardly express what has been given to me by you. The loving caring hugs that were sent and the truthful understanding words revealing how you feel because you do not want to be weak and fall into a heap. 2 months to the day….. I sobbed out loud.
A Crystal ball lets one see so much……of another. THANK YOU…… GO GALxxxxxx

Thanks CG. Glad you’re not in the fire’s path. But what a variation on weather you have! Keep up the good work with your water aerobics. I can’t swim very well , but wish there was a pool available to try it. xx

Hi All!
Very inspirational posts, everyone – such love, empathy and support pouring out from you all to lift anyone feeling down – it’s wonderful to be part of this amazing group. Xxxxxxxx
GG – I really feel what you’re going through; you are only two months after your loss and emotions are all over the place. Some days you might feel like you are coping and then, wham!, you’re right back where you started and floored by the grief again. It’s a sign of the great love you shared and continue to share….that doesn’t stop or go away. I wish I could give you a big Irish hug in person, but am sending you lots of cyber ones over the airwaves (((((( ))))). Hold on to your precious memories and the great privilege you had in sharing your dad’s last journey with him….these thoughts will sustain you as time goes on. In the meantime, you go ahead and do whatever gets you by…..sav by the bucketload, if necessary! Xxxxxxx
CG – woke up to a chilly morning here too and have two light layers of knitwear on until things warm up later, I hope!! I’m refusing to put on the full heating yet, so will make do with the pellet stove later on in the evening. So, better get on with chores and painting to keep warm, active and away from the snacks. FD for me today, so trying hard to stay motivated and focussed. Thank you for the kind words about my family history; I’m glad I wasn’t boring the pants off everybody!
GL – so glad you enjoyed your new dress and ladies’ lunch; that’s the best answer to other people’s negativity! Best of luck with your new trees, good on ya for persevering in spite of nature’s destructive forces!
Hey, Doggy! Back walking and fasting again, albeit slowly….woohoo!! Gently does it! My OH away too, but finding plenty to keep me busy and having sole control of the tv remote not such a bad thing either!! 😉
UP – the race is on!!! Did my usual of putting back on the half kg I lost on FD by overdoing it on non FD!!! I’m such a moron….it’s not rocket science but I just can’t seem to help myself undoing all my good work by treating myself after a good FD with various goodies….usually chocolate! 🙁 So, going to find other ways to treat myself if I can! BRING IT ON!!!!
YY – what a wonderful sister and SIL you are…difficult times for all and you are really helping to share the burden. I hope I wasn’t a school marm such as you had, but I could be very strict when I had to….so you better behave whenever we meet up!!!!! 😉
Oh Gyps – you sure know how to tug at the heart strings! I had to read your posts several times to take in all the wisdom and beauty of your words…you are truly gifted and inspirational. Thank you so much for taking the time to write and share such beautiful thoughts with us. You are a gem! Xxxxx
PH – sounds like you had a pretty idyllic childhood and school days. Well done on how you are tackling this wol and continued success to you 🙂
Ok, gang – off to do chores, painting and buying a new bra for the wedding outfit!!!! Take care everyone and do something that makes you happy.

Thanks, Fittoretire 🙂 I’m based in Queensland. I’m having my first fast day tomorrow, having thought about starting for a week or so. I’ve got two goals: to lose 23kgs, and to lose 20cms off my waist.