Life in Middle Girth

Mood: A tad grumpy
Listening to: Grrr Nickelodeon

Saturday, 9.10 am

 

I don't usually blog in the morning but remembered some stuff as I woke up - but don't hold your breath, its not steamy erotic dreams or anything exciting!  Could be extremely negative, long and rambly - feel free to skip this chapter.

 

1. Alcohol.

A while back, the husband insinuated that my intake was unreasonably high and I was heading towards "a drinking problem" if not there already. I was having a couple wines most nights starting as I prepared tea after work, and having  more on some social occasions. Admittedly, a couple sometimes turned into a few or even a few too many, but I took umbrage at that; however a little voice inside me was wondering the same thing, and after suffering miserably after a "session" (long story, but the guts of it is that it was out at Dave's after the boys had been fishing, we all got blotto, then Julie and Carla - bless them - came out drove us and our vehicles home, we bonked under the influence {cringe but I do remember thinking hurry up I want to go to sleep and I don't feel well} and apparently I rang D & J in the middle of it just to say for once its us and not you guys {double cringe, and I don't remember doing that} then I sank into the dark depths and Brent drove back to collect the insulin he'd left behind) I decided that enough was enough and I would have some time off the grape.

Well.

That was January 20th, this is February 11. If I was an alcoholic, would I have lasted that long? Had half a glass out at the beach last week but didn't finish it as it tasted unpleasant. Went to a work drinkies at the pub and happily drank tomato juice. I will admit that there were a couple of times that I felt as if I wanted a wine - habit is a strong motivator because it was while doing the veg, and I substituted tomato juice or lemon squash (with ice!) and water and was quite satisfied with both. However, last night I did have a couple - had done the groceries on Thursday and got a bottle in case Jo came round - and apart from the glow after first mouthful, I can honestly say I don't like the effects it had. Tasted fine, but think on this: I ate all my fish'n'chips, then polished off the remains of the rest of the family's chinese takeaways, then ate 6 biscuits, a plum and a banana; my cheeks went instantly red and stayed that way till bedtime; I couldn't concentrate on typing or crafting; couldn't be bothered clearing away the pickle jars or washing the dishes - is this all coincidence? Slept ok, don't have a headache this morning or anything but maybe  I just don't need it. I heard that wine is fattening because of empty calories but don't seem to have lost any weight - that would have been a positive spin off. Maybe its because I drink dry white not sweet stuff.

 

2. Husband.

I'm mildly tetchy with him. Last night there was a bit of family disruption over the big boys being lazy and inactive and not doing anything towards finding jobs etc etc - which I agree with, don't get me wrong there, but what riled me was that no amount of nagging and arguing is going to make any difference, it will make both of them go in the opposite direction. He couldn't (wouldn't?) see that by going on and on and on all he was doing was switching them off and upsetting me. He just wouldn't (couldn't?) SHUT UP. Grr.

He moans about them not doing anything but then this morning buggered off fishing with Alan. Unbeknownst to me he'd had a callout around 6 am which is when they were to have gone, then when he came back from that just before 8 he woke me and Duncs (who was snuggled in with me) to tell us he was going. I mean! Did he have to wake me up??? So I got up and wandered downstairs and said "Did you ask the boys if THEY wanted to go fishing?"

Oh believe it or not he's JUST rung and said the sea is as flat as a board and if I wanted to take the boys down he'd put a line off the shore for us. Make me feel like a whingey wife why don't ya!

 

3. Fat

Lack of exercise too. I hate the way that, good or bad, I don't see any results in my weight for about 3 months. That means the good work I did last year at the gym and walking only started having an effect just before Christmas, and  the Christmas excesses will be arriving on the scales shortly.

I've already had my moan about the absence of wine not equalling a weight loss, and I'm gloomy that I haven't kept up my just-set goal of walkng at least 20 km a week - so far this week I've only done 11.

On the bright side, I'll walk miles on the beach today, and hauling the long-line in is a good workout. Better get going and make some sandwiches - healthy low calorie ones of course!!

Cheers,

Jaybee

Mood: Tired
Listening to: The wind

Sunday, 11.16 pm

 

Should be in my bed (should have been there hours ago - quote from Aunty Em, bless her).

 

Had a very pleasant stay at the beach. Got there Friday 6ish, having collected fish and chips on the way. After tea we walked down to the beach then along it as far as the iconic piano  - which still works in spite of just being plonked atop a sandhill exposed to the elements. Wonderful view from there too. I'd love to know the who and what and how and why of it all!

 

Saturday saw us sunning, chatting, reading and generally blobbing till our third person arrived, then we tuttied off to Wanganui but alas only had about half an hour before the shops shut (except for the Wurry Furry of course) so only did mild damage to the bank accounts. Next stop was the pictures - went to see River Queen. I can see why foreigners rave over our films for the scenery alone. There was a bit much fighting and too many natives for my liking, and my sceptical self wondered how the heroine could be bonked against a mossy tree whilst wearing an ivory satin gown complete with bustle, and come away with nary a mark on it - and hasn't Tem Morrison put on the beef? (Fancy seeing both Temuera Morrison's and Keifer Sutherland's bums in the same movie!!)

Jabies Doner Kebabs taken back to the house for dinner - very filling and tasty, more natter, goss and catch-ups over a couple of bevvies, bed at 1 am.

Came the dawn, well, 8 o'clock really, and I'm happy to report that it wasn't me snoring. We had a leisurely brekkie before getting the 4 wheeler out and taking Sheryl down to the piano in style - couldn't expect her to walk with her arthritis; it's got really bad lately and I was quite shocked at the whats the word deformation? of her hands and feet. We made her paddle though - can't go to the beach and not paddle, it's like going to Taupo without feeding the ducks.

Home by 1pm, just in time to hop into the ute and help shift the daughter into her new flat in Palmerston North. She did a double take on seeing me but was only mildly rude to me. Huge old house, 6 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 3 loos. They have about 6 sofas in the lounge and there's still room to spare!!

Once home, stuck the kettle on and it had barely had time to boil before Tania, John and the kids arrived with Mum's old lounge suite and dining table with two chairs. I could have cried at the table, its quite scratched and looked like it had been stored in the woolshed. Wonder if Tony could re-polish it? It's a lovely drop side table with two drawers, brass claw feet, central column - quite elegant. There are only two chairs left and they too are filthy and need the seats re-covering. The lounge suite has seen better days but I don't want to chuck it yet. Mumble grumble from Father Bear who was hoping the car could go in the garage AT LAST!!! Fancy having a new car and not being able to put it away!

 

This next bit is a bit cheesy, you might want to fast forward. When Di and I were walking on the beach on Friday night, there were several simple things that I took great pleasure in. They were patterns on the sand as the water washed out; the thrill of walking on unblemished beach; sun on the water; a scallop shell; some stones; sunrays from the clouds (fingers of God). It was neat.

Started filing paperwork away but got bogged down fairly fast. I will make it though, I will.

 

I have a bit of a problem to solve - the lady who looked after Duncs after school last year cannot do it again this year so I'm stuck. At least Michael can help out at the moment, but I will have to find somebody else fairly quick smart. Christine will help out but I don't want to ask her to do it full time as she has Tracy and Andy's boys. She's a good emergency person though. Debra suggested Lily's mum but Duncs ain't keen. Sigh.  I will try to find somebody on Tuesday at assembly. Debra said she couldn't because she had been sick but I dunno, I've had vibes that she might have been put out; I know I should have got her flowers at Christmas and I feel bad about not doing that, but at least I paid her - ten bucks a day for 3-5.30 isn't unreasonable is it?? Oh dear, I dreaded this happening.

 

Mike still hasn't got off his backside and started his CV, or filled out the application form for PEC. He wouldn't have even collected a form if I hadn't taken him down - absolutely no motivation at all. He could walk into a job at Spiers but won't; Dave has said there's work for him on the farm but Mike won't ring; he isn't interested in going round town looking for work, I don't know what to do with him. If his father doesn't get on his case, he will help me out with some chores but its an uphill battle.

Greg is down at Waitarere with the Lewises so peace reigneth, well, it's better than usual. Pip, although having moved out, is back tonight as she works tomorrow. She has arranged to work every Monday and Wednesday night as it fits in with her lectures, and will stay here those nights and go to T Coll in the morning.

Did you know that it is possible to fall asleep whilst typing? I just did! I think I'd better go to bed.

Sweet dreams,

Jaybee