Thanks Cat! I don't think my blog is in the league of blogs that make me stop and think, but I hope that I can demonstrate that a domestically-challenged, former professional woman who paid other people to do stuff for her, can stop wasting precious resources and learn new skills :-)
In other news, look, LOOK! Blue sky!! It rained again this morning, but wonder of wonders, it has cleared this afternoon, and I can actually see blue for the first time in weeks. It's lovely and steamy (about 80% humidity) though of course; I guess you can't have everything.
The pic is of the new almost-finished addition to our pergola for my grapes. It needs more slats, the ends of the slats trimmed off and the addition of some cabling to train the grapes on, but as you can see, one of the vines was getting bigger than the post, so it's great that there is now at least something horizontal to train it across.
I also failed in my simple living challenge of not buying any brand new books this year. I had a half used e-voucher, the seller was having a 20% off sale, and all of a sudden I seemed to have ordered two new books :-( In Your Money or Your Life, Dominguez talks about everybody having a favourite "gazingus pin"; the one item they always seem to gravitate to when shopping, and my "gazingus pin" is so definitely books and magazines! Even now, I go into a newsagent to buy the newspaper or a card, and seem to come out with a copy of Earth Garden or Grassroots mysteriously tucked under my arm. Sigh.
Anyway, my order arrived today; Peak Everything. Waking Up to the Century of Declines by Richard Heinberg, and A Year of Slow Food by Aussie Southern Highlanders, David and Gerda Foster.
They should both make for some interesting reading, and I hope the simple joys of the latter offset the pessimism of the former? We shall see.Lastly, please forgive me in advance if my posting becomes even more sporadic than usual. As some of you may already know, I have Graves Disease, an autoimmune disease where my immune system is attacking my thyroid gland. My endocrinologist increased my medication again last week, as he is at a loss as to why I am not responding to such a high dosage, but unfortunately the side effects of such a high dose have included nausea, headaches and muscle fatigue. So generally-speaking I am feeling pretty crappy.
The only medical alternative at this point, since I am so resistent to medication, is radio-iodine therapy, whereby a patient is given an oral pill containing radioactive iodine, which filters slowly into the thyroid gland and "kills" it off over a period of a month or so. Unfortunately, it means afterwards that the patient is literally "radioactive" for a week or so! A low enough dose is given as to not affect adults, but I would have to be separated from my kids for that time :-(
As you can imagine, there's a lot of logistics involved in that little exercise (where would they go or where would I go?). But, I can either feel sick to my stomach 24/7 for the next few months while hoping that the medication does it's work and I can start to be weaned off it again, or I can lower the dose rate and feel crappy, tired and anxious all the time again. What a choice.
Am I a Bad Mother to be quietly excited at the prospect of maybe having a whole week to myself with no obligations and looking-after-children responsibilities? Drinking my tea whilst still hot. Uninterrupted reading time. Really spicy food. But no bedtime cuddles :-( What a choice!
8 comments:
Once you've had the radiation treatment you'll feel like a new person :)
I've also tagged you for a blog award over on Our Great Southern Land lol.
Julie, your blog always makes me think! You are doing a great job, stop putting yourself down. Just remember that you need to do what is ultimately best for YOU so that you can be a great MUM! :)
-hugs-
Lis
Hi Julie,
Even though I don't know you personally I'm sending cyber hugs for your current Grave's disease battles. I hope the medication starts working.
And I don't think you're a bad mother at all for looking forward to some free time. Sometimes i think it's important to have time away to recharge your batteries, stop both sides taking the other for granted and to get to the point where you really miss your kids and/or partner and really remember why you love them so much- it can reinvigorate families and relationships. Perfectly normal and healthy desire!
Zie
You definately make me think - your blog is one of my most favourite! All the best for the treatment - and I dream about a week to myself! (Or even a day would be good lol!)
Best Wishes and Good luck with your treatment whatever it ends up being.
Not taking care of your health in such a way that gives you the best chance of supporting your kids when they need you most would be selling them short. Taking a week off to do what needs to be done to be as healthy as you can be into the future is the greatest gift you can give them.
Anticipate the break as much as you want... I figure but the end of day one your gonna be wishing you could tuck them into bed.
Kind Regards
Belinda
Hi ladies, thank you so much for your kind words :-) It's always so nice to pop in here and read such lovely messages of support!
Cheers, Julie
I enjoy reading your blog - it makes me think about my actions differently and I appreciate the effort you put into it.
That said, I'm sorry to hear about your ilness and these most recent compications. I do hope you're feeling better soon.
While it must be tough being away from teh kids, take the opportunity to enjoy your "me" time.
I had tagged you for a "six random things" meme before I read this post. Please don't feel obligated if you're not feeling up to it!
Hi Late Bloomer, thank you for the kind words :-) And for the meme tag! It's my second tag for it, so I really must get around to it, LOL. Cheers, Julie
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