Jade, it’s lovely to hear from you even in your drug induced sentimental mode! 😉💞 We love you too! Independence is great but allowing others to help when you need it is also a sign of strength. Let your friends rally round….you know you would do the same for them. Wishing you a speedy recovery. 💪👍
CG, it will be wonderful to get your home back to rights again but all that cleaning etc will take time and please don’t go moving heavy furniture around by yourself!
The weather has been lovely here since we got back. I can’t believe it. It’s like an extension to my holiday, a real added bonus 😃☀️

Well ladies, about the only good thing about Lyrica and pain in my world was the side effect of suicidal thoughts killing my appetite, I’ve eaten very little this week – I was not suicidal but so down, all I did yesterday was be weepy, and of course the pain didn’t help. OH was wonderful, I’ll give him credit for not taking me up on the idea of divorce. I’m telling you, it was awful. Finally at the end of the day I realized it made no sense and had to be the medication, GG thank you tons for calling, and not giving up, I just could not talk. I seriously would have simply cried for $25 of phone time. Lol. Your texts made me cry with happiness. Hell I’m STILL crying, what a mess…I guess it just has to get out of my system. My wonderful OH just hugged me and said what say we toss the Lyrica in the bin and just get you back on Percocet and Valium, hmm?

So that was my day in my own personal psych ward. CG it’s so weird that a drug can be so helpful for you can be so not helpful for me. I guess it did help the pain a little, lol, but not at the price of turning into a loony bird. I’m taking nothing today, as I’m going for some epidural or something, I don’t even know. I guess my brain has been scrambled a bit lately. If I’ve said anything here out of character or offensive, please forgive me. I am a mess, I admit it.

CG, I certainly know what you mean when hauling out things tucked away in cabinets. I need to do a bit of that, so many things I don’t use. My friend here who sold everything and is moving out of the country (another weepy episode when she stopped by yesterday) said it was unbelievable how many kitchen tools she had and never used, had to give most of them away. I probably will too, garage sales are too much work for me, God love you PH for the stamina to do yours. Still very excited for your new life in Woolgoolga💜

Fit, I’ve heard from my friend who’s from Sligo who says the weather in Ireland is better in Nov than it it is in NY where she now lives. Of course I know what that’s like and it’s awful. But Whatever it’s like there, I’m raring to go. She and her husband are bulding a home there to retire to. They won’t be there in Nov, but spent a month there this summer. She took a few of my MIL’s things – little table, some dishes – and sent photos of them in her home. Of course THAT made me weepy. She was one of my MIL’s lovely team of carers, they were with her for years and truly loved her. Such a grand crew, we are going to NY in a few weeks to get together. Gee I miss her. Oh dear here I go again, pass the tissues, please. Yikes it hurts just to blow my nose! I guess some days are like this, just sentimental – means we’ve had a lot of love in our lives, right? I’ll look on the sunny side of it. I count you all in that circle♥️♥️Xx ps Gyps, I read the new chapters somehow despite the Valium and loved them. The elf has his work cut out for him, eh? My money is still on Touie. Ha, even the characters get nicknamee😘

Jade how dreadful! I feel for you.
I was once prescribed a drug for anxiety that produced a rare side effect of making it much worse and I was nearly hospitalised. It was described as the Rolls Royce of medication but for me, a good old regular car works better.

Have to run. Cheers

Forgot to say, have a good fast day all. About to have my first sip of the day, a much needed coffee. xx

Good grief SJ, no 7 sounds drastic.
Yes, so far 2 tbs of cottage cheese but starting to get hungry now.

SJ gosh hope your pain gets sorted, sounds like aftereffects of your fall, take care! And thanks for that link but Up I’m with you #7 is a step too far for me. Yuck? I’m sure a lot would squawk at the one about sugar too, but I know I’ll never give it up completely. So why make myself feel like a loser for enjoying dessert once in a while. Ha ha we lawyers are famous for using vague phrases like “once In a while”😉 It’s why it costs $10,000 to have a decent contract written up.

Yes today is the day for, I guess, the epidural. Sure enjoyed the last one during childbirth, so what the hey. Woke in wicked pain, something’s gotta give. Still a bit despondent as I’m the strong one, th never-that-sick one, not willing to relinquish my crown just yet👑 However, it’s good to let others wear it for a bit, can’t be too selfish. Guess they call it enabling now.

Fit, do keep up your positive focus, you can’t change your sis but you can sure enjoy your own life anyway. CG has the right idea, let’s all be best friends to ourselves. In my email chat with CG I mentioned a friend living here in my little town who’s moving overseas, and I promised to visit – so in future, God willing, it won’t seem at all unusual to have WTFs all over the planet. What a lovely idea.

PH, many thanks for sending my brain back, and thank you all for your concern, I do feel myself again. No more Lyrica though might try one a day like CG. Such a delicate balance to sanity and health…. Hope you can rest a bit from all the to-to in selling your old place. So very excited for your future and that OH is happy about it too.

No fasting here, I was doubled over upon waking and gobbled a Percocet then a banana, knowing what those things can do on an empty stomach. Have not had much appetite lately, but do not recommend the drug-induced-suicidal-tendencies diet. Would rather star in an episode of “my 600 pound life” which, if you’ve never seen it, is rather fascinating. It is good to understand life from the other person’s perspective, and so easy not to bother. Sometimes I want so badly to say to the obese person in the grocery with horrible food choices in the cart “please let me help you,” but then my lawyer side takes over and says “what say we don’t get arrested today, hmm?”and I move on.

As I’d better do now. Happy fasting to those riding the horse today, stay strong but most of all stay happy🔆!🏇🏋💜💛💚jadexxxx

Hi all, another nice day In paradise. Beautiful weather we are having. 🌞🌞🌷🌻. Had a great meeting with the Real Estate lady and signed a contract for sale. She loved the place and suggested a price well above what we expected so very happy. it is really happening! Just need the valuations from the Credit Union done now and every box ticked. That should happen today hopefully. Exciting times. Troops coming over today to start on painting the house. oH feeling stressed still but a bit better now the house is actually listed and he knows the value. It is so hard for him all of this change. Can’t believe how much success I’m having on Facebook selling all my bits and pieces of furniture I’m not taking with me. I’ve joined two closed buy trade sell groups, things are selling on the day I put them up. 💰💰

Fit…so proud of you and your sister for your decision to just accept what is happening and let whatever happens happen..time for you both to get on with your own life…I, sure your parents would be proud of you both for everything you have done so far, and agreeing you’ve made the right decision💕💕💕

Jade hope you are feeling better by the day💐💐💐💕💕

Big hi to everyone else . Must get up and get going ready for the troups then going to Grafton to sign contracts for the Villa this afternoon. 💜💜💜

Hi all!
I’m glad to report that my choccy binge didn’t do as much damage as I feared. Unfortunately, we always have to have biscuits in the cupboard because there’s always someone popping in. Today the guy is coming to tune and clean out the piano, yesterday it was the plumber. The uncle I mentioned yesterday will visit every couple of days because he stays with my other sister who lives near me (I’ve told you my sister is a saint ❤️) and he has less and less people to visit every time he comes home because all his friends are dying off! Usually I can ignore the biccies but yesterday I just hadn’t the will power.
Better run and get my housework done before the piano guy arrives…..especially get rid of the dust bunnies under the piano!
Well done to all on the great fasting, clear outs and house selling etc. Will comment properly later 💕💞💚

Up you DO get to do some interesting stuff with kids! 🙂

Hello loves, no epidural, no MRI – ins pays only for steroid injection at this point….so that, combined with lingering effects of Lyrica, have lunatized me for the time being….. ha, and I thought ‘roid rage had something to do with hemorrhoids😂 Had a very sympathetic doc though, she said be patient I will order enough X-rays that you will get your MRI next time. Golly why is everything so hard. My mood is just awful, even knowing why, I am so weepy I have had to refuse requests for calls with people I work with, I just can’t. That chemical effect is strong ladies. Thank you all for the good thoughts, I’ll be fine eventually, I just want to feel normal again, even if just mentally. Have already been told will be limited physically. Gee how encouraging, thanks for the upper!
Ah well, ya gotta laugh or you’ll cry, right? My mom always said that, still does on occasion – so true. Not meaning to throw a pity party, truly just checking in to lt you know I’m here and OK, not exactly fasting 🙄 but hey perfection is not on the agenda this week.😘xxxxxx

Thanks sweet friend – I’m distracting myself with Facebook. No talk of fasting there, another bonus😉 The chemicals are leaving, I can feel them going. In the meantime, sweet hugs 💚💚

Thanks CG, as usual you are a rock of common sense. I know you’re right, it’s just hard to switch off a lifetime’s habit. Your dinner sounds yummy 😋 I made fish pie for the first time yesterday and was quite pleased with the result. I’ve made enough for today too so no cooking later, two days off for OH in the kitchen…..he’s chuffed! I’m fasting today because I’m going out tomorrow for coffee with a friend whose grownup son has got himself into trouble…..no matter what age they are, our kids are still our babies. My daughter had an interview for a psychology job yesterday, the first sniff at a job since she qualified. Fingers crossed!
Ok, gotta get my chores done before getting the shopping for my sister and collecting her from hospital. The next few days should be interesting! 😱🤔😜

Hi all, late post from me too. Well I’ve done it…back to the pool this morning and a fast day!!! 😇😇😇Only one I’ll be able to do this week but it is a start. Had to cancel bridge again tomorrow as too much happening again. I need to get to town early to get more supplies for the troops. New steps on the verandah completed today and the undercoat on the eves completed. We have decided to really make the house smick! Replacing old shower heads with new ones, replacing old plastic toilet cisterns etc so it is off to Bummings and Masters for me to get these. Electrician coming tomorrow to replace some lights that are not quite working properly and the fellow who put the driveway in is coming to top it up and make it look better on Friday. Assessor a from the credit union not coming till Friday morning and so it is all go go go.

Jade, how did the injection go was it cortisone? Did it help any? Your medical system seems hard to negotiate..not sure ours is much better if you don’t have private health insurance. Hang in there 💐💐💐
I am booked in for my next one on Monday as my referred pain increasing…wonder why? Must be doing too much..have been hitting the Endone all week so though it was time to bite the bullet and get the next injection. As CG said you need to take your mind off things, I know it is hard but some company works wonders especially if it is from a close friend who makes you noting of you . Sending 💕💕💕

Fit..good news about the interview for D, hope it goes well for her. interesting times ahead indeed with your sister…stay strong in your resolve and don’t let that conscience sway you….well off to sleep for me as it has been a big day. A big hi to everyone else💜💜💜💜

So great to have your old self back Jade. Now go plan for that road trip and have some FUN🎉🎉🎉🍸🍾🍺🍹🎉🎉🎉

Hi all!
Back to dreary rain here again…oh well, we had it good for a while at least. Hopefully that’s not the end of our summer!
I’m going to try for a semi fast today since I fell off the horse spectacularly yesterday. 🐎😱 Can’t do a full fast because I’m going out for coffee. I went back to dance class last night and had such fun, it’s a great way to de-stress. It’s my younger girl’s birthday today (she’s in the uk), so I’m hoping to Skype with her later.
UP, I hope all goes well for you with the surgeon. Definitely a good excuse for wine! Psychology positions, at least paid ones, are very rare here, so I’m not holding my breath. But even doing an interview is good experience for my d. It would be so wonderful if she got the job because she has worked so hard to get to where she is.
CG, tell Gyps I’ll be joining FB soon and meanwhile I’m reading her book again to catch up on the latest adventures with Tanouie and gang! Don’t go killing yourself to get the place finished before Leah comes, just let her help out, I’m sure she’d love to do a little project with you. It will make her feel good to be of practical use to you. Enjoy your lovely ‘new’ house!

Up, hope all went well with surg, good vibes sent to you for quick healing {{{}}}Love the pre-surg anesthesia i.e. 🍷🍷- my kinda girl.

CG how great to have your “new” house looking so inviting and lovely. And the family coming, what could be better? Enjoy, sweet one♥️and btw your “blown” fast doesn’t sound too bad, you just had a normal dinner. Still many health benefits and probably under tdee as well? Go you🏋 Is the new bod still feeling good?

PH do be careful you don’t create the dream house just as you’re leaving! We did that once, fixed the place up and then decided to stay.🤔 Of course, didn’t have a bid on a new place then lol. If OH had his way, I think we’d have about 10 houses, one to fit every mood. And now we have an IM thing going on? That was hilarious, caught me just as I had lain down for the day, but couldn’t resist chatting for a bit. Noticed you opened it up then vanished, very sneaky😎Like a purple hat trick😉 Gyps nice to see you there and on FB, nice hunky man on the bike too. Love to you and the leprechaun💕

Fit, great to hear you’re dancing! But God I feel for your sis, docs just throw drugs at people these days. But hooray for the carer to deal with all that. Just you dance away.💃 Enjoy skyping with your dear d, happiest of days to her🎂🍾🍷🎉 Mine is far from even interviewing I guess – she said lots of red tape before she can do that. Meanwhile SFB has shall we say moved on and she has not and I wish….well we’ll just leave that to the imagination but it isn’t for a a bouquet of roses.😆💐🚫🦃 But she’s set to go visit a friend near the beach for a week, so that’ll be good medicine💊🔆💛.

Dear GG caught me by phone as I was at the grocery yesterday afternoon, what a love. And how like a scientist to want proof I could engage in a real convo without sobbing. Couldn’t do it without cursing, but at least I’m mad in a healthier way lol!😘♥️ CG btw I was taking 3/day Lyrica for I don’t know how many days, but GG was shocked at the large dose. And can you believe I’m getting spam emails now about depression? WTF nothing is sacred. Eff you Big Pharma.

Well, one “side effect” of Lyrica, despite its threat of weight gain, was weight loss. Rather hard to eat when you’re unconscious, weeping, or visiting the ER, yay I win the trifecta! 🏇🏇🏇Maybe I’ll write a diet book about how much fun that all was. Holy **** am I glad to be better. But I think I’m just gonna try some maintenance for a while, of both my sanity and weight. OH is watching me like a hawk now anyway, wants me to eat, feel better, won’t let me do a thing around the house, now there’s a delusion come true, hope I’m not hallucinating. I am so lucky…oh mother Mary here come the tears again. LYRICA BREAK😜.
….OK I’m back. Think I’ll grab some coffee and make myself useful, maybe prepare some school work. They say pretending you give a **** sometimes makes it actually come true. I’ll give it a try. Have a great day lovely sisters💟xxxxjadexxxx

Hi Folks Jade hope you’re feeling much more comfortable now & much more yourself. Fit yes back to KISS is a good rule always LOL I use it often! And good that you’re already looking ahead & planning your FD’s.
CG I slept in till 8am pretty good for me though it was a reasonable late night too. I found a series on SBS ON Demand called Trapped (nordic/icelandic crime series) & it was very good and just kept watching the next episode…then the next! Have the last one to view tonight. Had to go up to town to have a CT scan of my neck & let’s hope that brings me some joy. Latest thinking from both my dr & physio is that it’s quite likely to have been from my fall darnit – sort of like a whiplash effect when my cheekbone hit the stairs. And I thought I’d got off lightly seeing my knee healed up so well! Physio did help this morning as she tried a few different things. Now I have to see if I can get this included in my travel insurance claim. I had already ticked the box saying I didn’t expect any more claims to come through so we’ll see. They’ll wiggle out of everything I wouldn’t be surprised!!
Only ended up doing one fast this week still so not as good as I expected. Had a day out yesterday at 2 wineries (so forget that one!) and today had lunch in the bigger town near us & 2 coffees & a pastry. Well next week is August & several of you have said you’ll be starting back so maybe that will get me motivated – sure hope so 🙂
Oh Jade make the absolute most of your OH’s attention while you can dear. It won’t be long till it’s your turn again to being the bright caring one so lap it up. You may feel a lot better but you don’t have to inform him of that fact right now!
Up hope the surgery went well & that the wine was very medicinal & worked well 🙂

Have a lovely weekend all & do something you enjoy…indoors…outdoors….family stuff….peoplpe stuff….along stuff – whatever makes you HAPPY WITH A CAPITAL H!!!
suejen XXXX

SJ, that’s a bummer about your neck. I hope you get some relief soon and that the holiday insurance covers your costs but you’re right too about them evading paying out if they can at all. Well done on getting at least one fd done this week, but those winery visits were just medicinal, surely?! 😉😃
CG, yes, the aches and pains just hang around for longer don’t they? I’m still having trouble with pain in my hand after the fall I had last month. I think it has probably caused arthritis to flare up there, so annoying. 😡

Hello lovelies💛💛CG my whole problem came from sleeping funny, gosh nothing is safe anymore is it😑. But we shall persevere, because we are ADers💪and let’s face it, the other options are not appealing! I’m so glad the Lyrica is helping you, though sorry to hear you struggled as well🙁💙 My doc has prescribed something new that I’ll pick up today, I feel rather like a lab experiment.

So…I don’t recommend my diet but I’m a few kgs down. No worries, I’ll find them.🤔 don’t want to be a scrawny old hobbit. My legendary appetite has suffered, though I thoroughly enjoyed a margarita last night🍸🍸first actual drink in ages due to narcotics. But it was uncomfy to sit in the restaurant. Guess I should’ve ordered a pitcher 😉 what was I thinking…..

SJ so sorry to hear about more pain, hope it eases. No worries about the box ticked, I’d say – it’s not a release, and you’re not a doctor, so don’t let anyone push you around about it.👊 They may try, doesn’t mean they’re right, oh don’t get the lawyer started.😤 That Nordic series sounds interesting! I’ll look for it, sounds like right up OH’s alley too. And ha ha he is letting me scoop the catbox, I’m taking it slow and easy but if left to his devices the house could burn down without his noticing. I want a villa!! PH you have really set my mind on fire with downsizing fantasies. About the only fantasies I’ve had lately😏but they’re really good just the same.

Ah dear Fit, you’re a social whirlwind, dear girl, and a bit of social worker too – as CG said don’t be hard on yourself. When I read what all you’re up to, it’s amazing you haven’t gained a ton.🐘 And you’re gorgeous already♥️ Indeed, KISS works wonders. My sympathies re the arthritis, we seem to all have a bit o’ that lucky charm don’t we. I’m determined to go on OH’s travel-America road trip to prove I can travel, because AS GOD IS MY WITNESS (channeling Scarlett) I will get on that plane in November. Not only must I hug you (let’s try not to dislocate anything) but I can’t bear to call Aer Lingus and listen to their Muzak ever again. And actually the seats in OH’s truck are quite comfy. So bring it on! I will be sure to take my AD attire.

Must go stimulate my brain into creating some assignments for school. So much more fun hanging out here. Love to all, Up hope you’re recuping well, hugs💕xxxjadexxx

Hi all, wow I have been MIA for a while , or you have all been so good with posting. 🤗🤗🤗🤗I usually post first thing in the morning while I take the three stages of my medication but for the past two days have had to get up straight away as I had overslept. The troops are not coming today to give OH and I a much needed rest. Bliss…just lying in and will get up when I really feel like it. Have overdone it, knew I would as I can’t just sit back and let others do things without getting stuck in myself. The driveway was re-surfaced yesterday and boy did little Joel enjoy the experience of the bobcat and excavator right here in our yard… we hired a wacker packer to bed it all down and his job was to wet the gravel in front of it while his dad controlled the machine. Three sides of the house now painted so troops,all coming over on Sunday to hopefully knock off all the large jobs. Then it is just a few days next week doing the tweeking and we can stop and just have fun for the last 10 days the kids are here.🎉🍾🚣🎣🏊🏻🎣🎣🚣🚣🤗🤗🤗
Valuer from the bank also came yesterday so hopefully can exchange on the Woolgoolga place early next week and…and.have found an amazing young man who comes to the house to fix computers and set up,all the software you are having trouble with. He was here for an hour yesterday, fixed my printer to print wirelessly again, I had installed the wrong driver😟😟 and taught me how to scan photos on my printer and organise them properly (mine are all jumbled,and really need reorganising) Then did a lot of stuff to make my iPad, iPhone and computer share lots share photos, appointments, etc which was working mostly but not quite 100%. Anyway all of that just cost me $80. Stoked. Action packed day!! And so looking forward to my couch day today…🤗🤗🤗

Fit…can’t believe the hospital could get so much wrong!! What a stuff up.. Hang in there and remember your resolve💕💕💕 know the feeling about all or nothing. You will get back to it when the time is right as we all tend to do. I did not fast on Thursday as too much going on and so did not,weigh in yesterday..(not game to ) planning on fasting today so might get the courage to get on those pesky scales tomorrow morning? Think I am being a,tad,too,optimistic to think I can get back on the straight and narrow with all this going on so have decided to wait another two weeks, will have the odd fast day when I can, like today, but have to be realistic and enjoy whatever time I have left with the Canadians before their time in Aus is over.

Jade, glad thing are on the improve for you..I too just love your posts…such a great way with words you nave combined with a great sense of humour….as for the group chat I started..had no idea how it worked so just thought I’d try it. Should,come in handy when we are,doing the final arrangements for the WTF 2017. ..those pesky , keep getting into my typing…have a mind of their own today😄😄😄
CG. You will no doubt be enjoying your family by now. Isn’t it a great feeling to have everything done…and family visit too. Enjoy🎉🎉🎉

SJ. Another hurdle to jump over..at least you will now know what is exactly wrong with your neck…and can get the right treatment…how is the leg? That fall certainly did some damage, and our bodies just do not bounce anymore like they used to…enjoy the weekend.

UP hope you are recovering well from your surgery…and being pampered!!

Gyps ..will,have something to,read with the next chapter posted…looking forward to it.😊😊😊

And GG so pleased you are having a great life and the changes you made are,working out so well…keep on enjoying 💐💐💐🎉🎉🎉🍾

Bye for now 💜💜💜💜💜