it’s time for an update
So, mt GP wanted to send me to see a cardiologist. When I called a week ago, the 1st available appointment was February 2025! But I actually got a call on Wednesday as they had a cancellation the same day! Of course I took the appointment! I had to have a cardiac echo and stress test. Everything came back normal which is reassuring.
The naturopath has given me some supplements to help with my liver, vitamin D and iron levels, and general wellbeing. Also, try to get some walking in as well.
I have to have a bone density scan as my vitamin D levels are really low! I am going to try the keto diet to help with my glucose and insulin levels. If anyone has any recipe or suggestions on what they eat let me know!
I only have another 12 working days before I go on holidays! My last day at work is October 30th, and I don’t go back until November 18th! I am going away for a few night, but also catching up omn some medical appointments!
going back to the naturopath
With everything that’s going on with my blood tests, I decided to go back and see my naturopath.
She now has some membership options for 12 months. With the membership you get
2x Standard Naturopathic Consults every 12 months (45mins)
2x Short Naturopathic Consults every 12 months (15-20mins)
10% off all natural medicines
Additional bonuses, including:
Monthly "Ask the Naturopath" info for all members to benefit
Special offers from local businesses
PLUS Invoice for Private Health rebates
I thought I would go for the membership because it will force me to have follow up with her (because I have already paid), and I feel there is a fair bit going on with my health it will be worth the money. I am still going to follow GP recommendations, but thought seeing the naturopath would be a good addition!
I have my first consult on Thursday after work. She wants all my recent blood tests, and a 4 day food diary. I will also have to update her on all my recent medical history!
I will let you know how it all goes!
medical update & other news
So, things have just got interesting.
I had a follow up with my GP to get my blood results. My iron levels are REALLY low, which would explain me being breathless. My Vitamin D levels are also REALLY low. So it looks like iron deficiency anemia. It was recommended supplements for both-an iron supplement and vitamin D supplement.
As my iron levels were really low (4umol/L, normal 10-30), serum ferritin low (20ug/L, normal 30-165), and transferrin saturation 4% (normal 13-45) I have started taking iron and vitamin D supplements. It seems to have helped as I am not as breathless.
She wants to send me for a few more tests, so will wait and see how everything pans out.
I need to follow up with a cardiologist-my ECG showed some minor changes. I also need to have a bone density scan, and a liver ultrasound.
I will keep you updated
weekly update
What a week! I have just done 7 days in a row at work! And I am tired.
We had a really busy week, seeing lots of clients! So today (Monday) I have been resting! I did get an eyebrow wax this morning in preparation for a photo shoot on Wednesday, but more about that in another blog.
Nala turned 8 this week, so according to my research she is anywhere between 48 and 51 in human years.
I am in the process of setting up my new GoPro…. am waiting for it to charge. There are heaps of YouTube videos to watch which is great.
Am off to the doctor tomorrow to get my blood test results! I will keep you updated!
so i needed a new gopro
I have had my GoPro Hero 9 for a few years. It was great and worked really well. I bought it in June 2022.
It has served me well so far. But I was charging the battery on my computer for a few days. The battery expanded and when I tried to remove it started smoking. So now it is dead! I learnt my lesson! I did call the Fire Brigade who advised what to do…I really didn’t want to start a fire!
I went online and found a GoPro Hero 10 from BigW. JB Hi-Fi did a price match so I saved $30. I did a click and collect so I could get the price matched.
I haven’t set it up yet as I am watching videos to check out the right settings. And I want to do it on a day off from work to spend some time! I will get onto this on Monday as I am working the weekend!
I’m lucky all the accessories I have bought are compatible with the new GoPro.
I know it is not the latest model (I think they are up to Hero 13), but I am not bothered. I mainly use it to take photos and video for my YouTube Channel.
I am planning to use it for some videos next week for my channel, so stay tuned.
pink afternoon tea
Last weekend, a good friend of mine hosted a Pink Party to raise money for Breast Cancer Network and The Milton Hospital, a little Hospital on the South Coast of NSW Australia.
She has had breast cancer and wanted to give back in support of 2 places that have supported her.
She had heaps of donations for prizes which was great. And there were heaps of people there which was a great testament to how lovely Ingrid is. And there was heaps of food and pink champagne. Of course on theme with pink.
There were lucky door prizes, raffles and a guessing competition. There was also a lucky dip! We were told to bring all our loose coins. Everybody was super generous which was great, over $1000 in coins alone!
We all had a great afternoon. I actually brought my Mum as she really likes Ingrid! It was such a lovely afternoon. I was able to catch up with a few people I used to work with. I reckon it has been at least 16 years since we have seen each other. But it was like no time had passed!
Please make sure you all do your regular breast checks as women!
nala is 8
Nala’s birthday is September 16. This year she turns 8.
I rescued Nala when she was 3 or 4 months old. It was the week before Christmas, and she was so tiny! I was finally working regular hours and not shift work. I always wanted a pet, and a cat seemed a safe option as I work full-time and live in a unit.
Nala’s mother had an owner who was elderly. The mother got pregnant and had 2 kittens, Nala and Willis. The owner couldn’t care for them all, so they were surrendered. Nala’s Mum got desexed. So, the 2 kittens were up for adoption. I had always wanted a black cat, but it had to be a female. Although her brother was black, I didn’t want a boy. So, Nala it was. I occasionally chat with the owners of her brother.
Nala as a kitten
I had never owned a pet before on my own, and Pat had given me all the questions I needed to ask before I took her home.
If you want to read, I posted a blog as part of my blog challenge about Nala.
https://www.rediscoverloz.online/my-blog/pets-of-my-life
I could not imagine life without her! She is not a cuddly cat but will enjoy a pat. And she lets me know when she is done! And she hates having her flea/worming treatment. She always gives the EVIL EYE after she has it. She is mad at me for a good half day!
I bought her a present. It’s a box I ordered from Etsy. I will open it with her probably tomorrow! Usually contains some treats, some toys plus maybe 1 or 2 other things.
Nala's 7th Birthday
i have some holidays!
In November I have 2 weeks off from work! I am so excited!
I wasn’t quite sure what I wanted to do, so did some research. My original plan was to got to the Narrawallee Pool House where I had stayed before. They unfortunately are not taking bookings for the Pool House.
So I went on Airbnb, and found a new place… It’s also in Narrawallee. I have added the link of the property. They have a pool, so hopefully it will be warm enough to swim!
https://www.airbnb.com.au/rooms/16859262?source_impression_id=p3_1726127169_P3CxrEKDiwe23DfH
I have a few plans. I want to go to Cupitt’s Winery on Sunday. There is a band playing-THE STAYERS. They are a contemporary Blues band. I am waiting to hear back from the winery as I want to do a wine tasting beforehand.
I also want to go to the Bogey Hole. It’s a tidal rock pool at Mollymook, not far from where I am staying. There are no waves, which suits me fine. Hopefully the water is not too cold!
Nala will be going to the Caringbah Cat Hotel while I am away.
But otherwise I will be relaxing. I am just excited to have some time off from work to relax and recuperate.
happy strike day!
TODAY WE STRIKE.
TOGETHER WE FIGHT.
So today as Nurses and Midwives in N.S.W. Australia had a 12 hour strike.
We are striking for better pay-a 15% increase over 12 months. This will keep us in line with other states in Australia. And better conditions, better nurse to patient ratios. Plus a lot of other things. We were promised things in the last State election…….
There were many sites across the state that had a rally. My local rally was outside the Premier’s office in Kogarah, who conveniently was not in his office today! We were able to catch a bus from work organised by the Union. There were some many people there… lots of signs, chanting and dancing! I am actually surprised I still have a voice!
Everyone was so enthusiastic for the cause!
I actually caught a bus to work this morning. There is a bus across the road from me that drops me at the hospital!
an update
I have been offline for about a week.
My laptop decided to die! I broke the screen a few months back, and ended up just getting a TV screen and attaching via a HDMI cable.
Last week I dropped some wine on my laptop… and it died! So I got in contact with my computer guy. He advised what I should get…. an ASUS Vivobook. I bought it, and then he took both the old and new laptop.
He was able to setup my new laptop for me with my anti-virus, Microsoft Office and was even able to salvage most of the files from my old laptop! Lucky I also had backed up all my files to an external hard drive!
I have been busy updating the new laptop and working out where everything is! But it is a great new laptop…. fast and reliable!
my 40th birthday
For my 40th birthday, I stayed in a tiny house. It was 2021, and we were in COVID lockdown. I can’t remember the numbers, but I couldn’t have a big party! So, I went to a tiny house! It was in Moss Vale in the Southern Highlands of NSW.
I knew I wanted to try something different for my 40th, and this was it! An experience!
My birthday is in January, so it was hot -it’s summer in Australia. The tiny house is set on an 80-hectare farm. The property is called “Kates Paddock”.
My parents and partner came down for a day to see the house. We had a wine tasting at a local winery-Southern Highlands Winery. We had lunch at Bundanoon Pub. It was a good day.
The bedroom was a loft. So up a ladder, and the bed was a mattress on the floor. It was a comfy bed. The only annoying thing was if I needed to use the bathroom at night!
I remember the weekend being HOT. And the tiny home had no air conditioning or tree cover for shade! I left a day earlier than I had planned.
But I did enjoy myself and made some good memories. I enjoyed the bottle of wine the girls at work gave me!
I have linked the booking site, but it looks like the owners of the house have changed the layout since I visited.
I am not sure if I would stay in a Tiny House again, but I know I will remember my 40th Birthday forever!
end of the 30 day blog challenge
So, we have come to the end of my 30-day blog challenge! I hope you have enjoyed it! I have really enjoyed sharing a bit about me and my life with you!
I hope you have enjoyed reading my blog, and I hope you continue to read my blog.
I have some blogs in the planning stages.
Please like and comment on my posts.
And contact me if you want me to write about a specific topic.
hopes for my blog
I really like to write. And I like to share my life.
The hope for my blog is to share my life and experiences. I want to share my weight loss journey. And I want to be proud of myself!
I want to inspire people, and in the process get inspired by the people who (hopefully) read my blog!
And I want to share my dreams and inspirations with everyone. If I can make one person happy, I have achieved my goals.
I have a good life and I want to share it with all of you!
Please continue to read my blogs, and I hope you enjoy them! And please get in touch if there is anything you would like me to write about!
my favourite place to walk
There are a few places I like to walk.
I love walking at the cemetery. It is so peaceful and relaxing! And it can be flat with not may hills.
I also like looking at the old graves-there is so much history! I even have purchased my “plot”. It is in the rose garden. I plan to be cremated. A few years ago, my parents were organising their place in the rose garden at Woronora Cemetery. There was a spot next to them for me, so I purchased it. It is a beautiful spot! And it’s close to my maternal grandparents.
my “view”
I also like walking down at Cronulla by the beach! I really enjoy the fresh air and the sound of the waves! It’s crazy because I actually don’t like swimming in the ocean!
Me and a friend used to walk at Cronulla all the time, and get coffee after!
I need to get back into walking to get fit.
the time i was most scared
There is one time I can remember when I was most scared. Although there are many times I have been scared, this one is the most significant.
It was about 6 years ago when my niece was about 8 months old. She was just starting to pull herself up on furniture. We were at my parents' place for a family get-together. I think it was Easter.
She was pulling herself up on a dining room chair. Not sure which happened first, seizure or fall, but she fell on the wooden floorboards and had a seizure after hitting her head HARD. She lost consciousness and stopped breathing. She turned blue as well. According to my Mum, I went into nurse mode and started doing CPR with my brother-in-law (her dad) helping.
I, on the other hand, remember being totally freaked out, with my sister screaming at me to not let her baby die, and I was screaming at my Mum to get the ambulance here NOW (she was on the phone to them already). Although it felt like an hour or more, the ambulance arrived within a few minutes. She had started breathing again by the time they arrived. I can’t remember if she had opened her eyes by that stage or not, but she was breathing.
She went to the hospital with my sister and my mum with no significant injury or damage.
I am so glad I had done a course in CPR for children, so I knew what I was doing. My niece is doing well now.
Poppy is now 7 years old, and doing well.
I am crying while writing this post. Every time I talk about it, it evokes so many memories, and I get emotional.
essential oils
You may or may not know, but I like essential oils. My sister introduced me to them many years ago. I love Essential Oils. I use dōTERRA oils.
The main way I use my oils is to diffuse them. I do have some 10ml roller bottles where I mix the essential oil with fractionated coconut oil to easily rub on my skin either as a perfume or for a more specific reason.
Specifically, I have a roller bottle for my sore ankle, which I broke a few years ago. It still gives me grief. The blend I use is ICE BLUE. For me, it helps with pain and swelling. It is applied topically to provide a soothing and cooling sensation that is perfect for a comforting massage. I have found that it has really helped with my ankle and has slightly reduced my pain levels and has relaxed the muscles in my ankle.
https://www.doterra.com/US/en/blog/spotlight-deep-blue-soothing-blend
I also really like LAVENDER. It helps me relax after a stressful day. I tend to rub on my temples and the back of my neck, and even sometimes a few drops on my pillow.
Essential oils have also helped my cat Nala. She is a fussy girl, and within the first year I had her, she had a couple of urine infections. I did go to the vet for treatment with antibiotics and fluids. I have a contact on Facebook who is a vet with an interest in essential oils. It was suggested to diffuse a blend of frankincense, lavender and juniper berry and balance. Although I don’t diffuse all the time, I do regularly diffuse and have never had an issue since!
At the moment, I really like the smell of Tea Tree oil. I find it really refreshing. I have made myself a spray bottle to use at work, when I come across some FUNKY smells! I just love the fresh smell of tea tree oil!
my favourite music
I was born in the 1981. I grew up with some cool music. But I mainly remember music from the 1990’s. Think Backstreet Boys, Hanson, and Green Day.
My favourite artist is John Farnham. I loved his music for basically my whole life! The first concert I ever went to was John Farnham. I went with a good friend, and we had a great time! I have most of his albums. I have even sung a few of his songs at karaoke!
John Farnham Concert circa 2008 (sorry they are a bit blurry)
My other favourite band is The Dixie Chicks. Although I believe they are called The Chicks now. One of my all-time favourite songs is WIDE OPEN SPACES. It brings back memories of when I was at Uni. I was friends with a girl who lived up the street from campus. We were friends. I remember calling her in the holidays, and her husband told me she had taken her life. I was devastated. This was the song I was listening to when I found out. So, every time I hear it, I remember my friend and her family.
I even enjoy listening to Cary Lewincamp. He is a Solo 7 String Guitarist/Composer from Tasmania Australia. I discovered his music when I went to Tasmania and bought one of his CD’s from the Salamanca Markets. His music is beautiful and very relaxing! I think I have all of his albums.
I do listen to a variety of music, but I tend to listen more of the 1990’s and early 2000’s!
my favourite musicals
Another thing you may not know about me is that I love musical theatre.
I had my first musical experience when I was in High School; we had a few trips to some shows while I was in the school band. We saw Pirates of Penzance and Phantom of the Opera. Although I loved them both, Phantom quickly became a favourite.
Growing older I have been to see many musicals. Here is a list (in no particular order) of the musicals I have seen
Hairspray
The Sound of Music
Phantom of the Opera
Wicked (Melbourne and Sydney)
Jesus Christ Superstar
Miss Saigon
Cats
Jersey Boys
Pirates of Penzance
I have loved all these musicals for different reasons. I am going to explain my top 2 favourites.
1. THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA
Phantom is one of my favourite musicals. I love the music in the show, the costumes, and the theatrics, especially when the chandelier drops. I can’t put into words how much I love this show. Phantom has a dear place in my heart. It was the first musical I ever saw. It was also the first musical I saw with my Dad. Crazy story, but I was due to go to see it with my ex-fiancé. When we split, I got the tickets. I knew my Dad loved Phantom, so we went together. We had a wonderful time together and loved the show. Phantom was played by Anthony Warlow, an Australian actor/singer. In my opinion, he is the best Phantom!
I saw Phantom again in 2021 with my parents. It was at the Sydney Opera House. It was a fantastic performance, and we had dinner at the Opera House before the show. And drinks at the Opera Bar.
me at the opera bar
2. WICKED
This is my favourite musical by far. I’m not sure why but maybe because I understand what it is like to be an outcast like Elphaba.
Wicked is the untold story of the witches of Oz. It’s the story of what happens before we meet Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz movie. The costumes are beautiful, the music is fantastic. I grew up watching The Wizard of Oz, and I love that now I know the back story of how the characters in the movie came to be.
I enjoy everything, from the costumes, the variety in the music, and the fact that Elphaba (Wicked Witch of the West) gets to fly, and Glinda (the Good Witch) arrives on the stage in a bubble. And the singing is phenomenal! The range and depth of the actors are amazing, they work so hard.
I first saw Wicked in Melbourne many years ago. I didn’t know much about the show then, but it soon became a favourite! I think it was about 2008. Wicked came to Sydney in 2009. I went with my parents and younger sister.
It was a few years before I was able to see it again. In 2021, Engadine Musical Society did Wicked. They did a great job, and I was about 3 rows from the front!
In 2023, Wicked came back to Sydney! I saw it twice. The first time I went with my Mum, as Dad wasn’t too keen to go! We all have lunch before the show.
Dad wanted to go once he found out how good the show was! This time, I bought tickets 3 rows from the front. It was amazing! We could see the orchestra from our seats. And it was great to be close enough to see the actors' facial expressions!
I have even bought a Wicked Advent Calendar from Amazon! It is due to arrive in October!
pets of my life
In my life, I’ve had 2 animals. Plus the odd fish or 2, which never seemed to last too long!
Millie
The first one was our dog, Millie. She was a beagle.
I remember I was 7 or 8 years old and in Year 2 at school. Mum and Dad had gone to pick her up while we were at school. I was getting picked up from school with my middle sister (who was in kindergarten). My youngest sister had not yet started school.
She was such a sweet and beautiful dog, but for some reason was scared of men she didn’t know. It may have had something to do with the fact that when she was small, she was attacked by the dog next door, and the make owner of this dog yelled at her. Millie was always OK with my male relatives, as she knew them, but strangers she did not like.
Being a beagle, she had a good nose on her. Anytime she got out, the only thing that would bring her back from up the street would be a Vegemite sandwich! Yes, she was crazy.
My greatest memory of her was when we were on holiday at my grandparents’ house in Bermagui. They backed onto a golf course. We would often take Millie for a walk after hours, as it was summer, so the sun didn’t set until about 8 pm. She was never a fan of water. We were walking out the back of the course, and there was a sewage pond, that was covered with a green moss, making it look like grass. Millie went running and jumped in the water. I will never forget the freaked-out look on her face once she realised it was water! She soon came speeding out of the water.
Nala
And then there is Nala!
She is my beautiful almost 8-year-old oriental cross domestic short hair. I have had her since she was a kitten, but she was a rescue.
I got her when I had more regular hours for work and wasn’t doing shift work anymore. I found her as a rescue and took her home when she was about 4 months old. She is frightened of people she doesn't know and will always hide from them.
But she and I are always chatting. She has a different meow for everything! I also have occasional contact with her brother's owner, and they have similar personalities. Although Nala is not quite as cuddly as Willis!
She even has her own Instagram page!
https://www.instagram.com/nalafarmer/
I cannot imagine my life without her!
There is also Tessa. She was my sister's dog, a Maltese x poodle. She was such a beautiful dog. I miss her a lot as well.
something i struggle with
I struggle with my weight. I always have. I have my maternal family genes. My Granny and Aunt (both on my Mum’s side) have always struggled with their weight.
I have always had weight issues. When I was a kid, as long as I did some exercise, I was OK, but I always seemed to be bigger than the other kids.
When I got my first job out of home, I didn’t take care of myself and put on a little weight. When I returned home, I started dating my ex-fiancé (who was also on the bigger side.) I didn’t do much exercise, and we ate out a lot. I gained a lot of weight. When we broke up, I immersed myself in working out and loved it. I got down to about 75-80kgs.
I felt great. I stayed at that weight for a few years, but the weight started to creep back on. I still exercised but wasn’t making great food choices. For the last few years, I haven’t done much exercise at all. My excuse is that I need to take care of Nala.
Then I broke my ankle, and then had issues with my stomach, meaning more surgery, and not doing much with exercise.
But this is a chance to get back on the wagon. I am setting up some weights at home, reducing my alcohol and trying to eat healthy! I am also doing some pool walking and am looking at aqua aerobics. Please support me as I go on this journey.
