Beck, You made me laugh about the exercise equipment. No wonder we all got fat! I so want to get into an exercise/ good eating routine. I'll be so disappointed with myself if I buy a bike & then don't use it. I'm still in 2 minds for that reason. I feel so fat after my trip to Melbourne but will feel better in a few days.(Once again thank you Cohen's.) I did not think it would be so hard eating healthily in Melb. I did get some really nice comments. My sister was really impressed as she is usually very thin. She looks better because she has put on a little weight & it suits her. Funny isn't it? I'm very tired tonight after traipsing around the city for 2 days. I don't know how I lived in Melb for 15 years. Talk again soon, xo Cate
Vicky- I have only taken the Blackmores sustained release multi vitamins, never the clinic ones. I also take a 1000mg Omega 3 & a Calcium Magnesium. Sweetie- 1.2kgs a week is great & you should not be disappointed with that. I know it's a long way to go but nothing else would give you a loss like that. Take heart & keep up the good work! I'm fairly tired so will catch up again soon, xo Cate
Melb- The aboriginal bark painting is a different one to the one I thought I was getting. It is fantastic! My nephew's wife packed it in the middle of her bag & it survived the trip intact. It's beautiful. I carried it back on the plane & they stored it up the back for me.
All I bought in Melb was a small travel bag that I am going to use as my every day handbag. It's a beauty. I had looked at squillions & actually bought it at the airport on my way home! I can't remember the brand but it's Swedish I think (Danish?)
I'm doing a buddy shift tomorrow so have to get up early....zzzzz
The Geelong footballers were all out at the airport & I had a coffee at the table next to some of them, including Gary Ablett. I didn't talk to any of them or take a photo or anything. They must get so sick of all that!
I'm so tired I'm mis-spelling everything so will go, cheers, Cate.

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Lost 36kgs 2007(Cohen's),now maintaining.
"Nothing tastes as good as slim feels".Mmm?No!Not even French Champagne!!

If I thought I was tired last night then I can't describe how tired I am tonight. I'm absolutely knackered. This 7&1/2 hour shift is so different to anything I have ever done before & I will earn my money but I think I did quite well. It was non-stop though. I decided to wear track pants & the new Nikes I bought when Kannadew was here & I'm so glad I did because I never stopped all day. I have walked endless kilometres, run, jumped, danced, shot baskets, skipped rocks, pushed a swing (many different swings!) in many parks & tracks.
Oh my giddy aunt! The woman I did the buddy shift with was delightful & very helpful. She has given me absolutely invaluable guidance! I know where all the public toilets are near all the swings in the district.
I was so dehydrated though afterwards. I think I have drunk 3 litres of water/herbal tea since I got home. It's very hard to drink without the client also drinking too much & needing a toilet every 10 minutes. I might have to use my drink bottle/bum bag thingy when I'm with her & drink more often. It's a hard one. I'll also have to wear shorts in Summer so I can go into the water with her at the beach.
While the day was utterly exhausting I think we connected well & I like her. I will need to be very organised & prepared like the main support worker is. It's a little like spending the day with the grandkids but even more challenging. We succeeded in returning her home exhausted & that is a very popular thing. I feel it all went well.
Weight- this morning was up 2kgs for the 2 days in Melb. I'm not worried and it will soon be gone. I'm too tired to even correct my spelling mistakes tonight so will say good-night. Good-night folks, xo Cate

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Lost 36kgs 2007(Cohen's),now maintaining.
"Nothing tastes as good as slim feels".Mmm?No!Not even French Champagne!!

Got a great night's sleep in my bed after sleeping in my chair for ages. Woke up feeling good but I'm aching after walking around Melbourne for 2 days, then yesterday's walking which was probably even more in one day because I was hardly still at all. Phew! What a tiring day. I am going to have to think of things to do that won't upset my allergies & that I can cope with easily. Blowing bubbles is way too messy for me & finger-painting etc which is what the other support worker does with this client. I hate doing things that are really messy & sticky. I will buy some crayons, pens, colouring in book etc, have bought a ball already. You have to watch out for things that can become weapons easily and only get cheap things as they can easily get thrown in a river or the sea. Also I have to make sure I don't have anything in the car that can get thrown out as we're driving along. I wish I could lock the car doors so that they cannot be opened. This car you can't. I'll have to be very strict on that. I might get her into the habit of waiting for me to come around & open her door. Sounds good in theory. I'm not worried about any of this though. I'll work it out.
Tomorrow I start with the client with the brain tumour. I'm quite looking forward to that.
I'm having a lazy day today & am still in my pj's. I had better go have a shower now though as I feel like seeing the grand-kids today. Cheers, Cate

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Lost 36kgs 2007(Cohen's),now maintaining.
"Nothing tastes as good as slim feels".Mmm?No!Not even French Champagne!!

Hi Cate,
Sounds exhausting, but you really sound like you enjoyed yourself and I'm sure taking her home tired would have gone down very well. A couple of things I find is good with my Sunday school kids that are not too messy but fun is to give them a small bucket of water and a big paint brush (like the ones you paint a house with) and you let them paint whatever they want. Fences, play equipment concrete etc. Also the big fat chalk sticks are great for letting them draw all over the concrete with. It just washes away in the next rain.
Put your feet up and have a rest. You deserve it.
I hope all goes well with your other new client too.
Take care
Beck

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Hi Beck! It's funny you should say that about the paint-brush/bucket of water as my DIL's mother suggested the same thing when I saw her today. I stocked up on a few things but will get some of the chalk next time I'm shopping. I bought wipes, cordial (not red!) and quite a few other things so that I will be reasonably prepared. The day was utterly exhausting but I think I'll be ok with it & it is only once a month. Her grand-mother does a wonderful job looking after her.
The new client was very nice. I was quite nervous before going there & she didn't know what to expect either. I think we'll be fine & will work out things as we go. She is very sweet actually. Once again you just don't know how lucky you are to have good health.
Exercise bike- I called in to our local sports shop & bought the exercise bike I had checked out last week. The owner is such a lovely young woman. I love calling in just to say hello. She gave me a substantial discount which was very naughty of her but she insisted. I had inspired her to do Cohen's which is nice. I really do think she is so sweet. I will buy some more track pants when the summer stuff comes in & some bathers. I'm going to need them as the new, young client(J) loves to get into the sea & I have to stick with her at all times.
Our OS is going to pick the bike up for me tomorrow. It's a York & it's very comfortable & I must make sure I use it!! I caught up with the younger 2 grand-kids at the supermarket after spotting the car.
I didn't see them yesterday as one of my SIL's visited us for lunch. We had just been deciding we would ring her again to see how she's going but we were waiting until lunch-time to ring as she works until late at night. It was good that she rang as we had been worrying a little about her. Long story.
There is so much activity in the forum compared to the usual. Some of it's great, some not so great. SMS is doing a fantastic job. God love the man!
I've lost the 2kgs I put on in Melbourne as I thought I would by just eating as per maintenance guidelines. It really isn't necessary to go back on plan 100%, as with weighing everything & only eating the original foods but I find I do stick to the original food mainly when i'm not away. It's so much better for me & makes me feel so much better as well. Oh I'm tired again & have just realised I'm rambling so will go, cheers, cate

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Lost 36kgs 2007(Cohen's),now maintaining.
"Nothing tastes as good as slim feels".Mmm?No!Not even French Champagne!!

Just for fun I looked up the dictionary definition of a few words. I know- I'm weird!
Thin- having little fat or flesh; slender, lacking body; of relatively little depth from one surface to the other.
Skinny- emaciated; thin.
Slim- small in girth in proportion to height or length; slight.
Give me slim, thank you!
I'll be back later. I just looked that up as I was sending my time sheets by fax, cheers, Cate.

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Lost 36kgs 2007(Cohen's),now maintaining.
"Nothing tastes as good as slim feels".Mmm?No!Not even French Champagne!!

I think when I finish I'll take slim too, or maybe slight. The others don't sound very good.
Take care
Beck

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I have been busy around the house today, preparing vegies, tidying up etc. I have never had a job that included cleaning some-one else's house & am not sure I'm really the right person for the job. I thought it would be more personal care. The client said her mother was too old to help her & she's only 5 years older than me! Her house is much cleaner & tidier than mine. I thought the government would be paying for the service but the client thinks she is. I wouldn't pay me to clean. I have arranged to work 2 hours next Monday & 2 hours on Friday as I'm going to Melb again Wed. of next week. I would prefer to do this each week but will have to play it by ear for the moment. It's hard to get much done in an hour. Yesterday I vacuumed the house, hung out a load of washing, peeled spuds, did some wiping etc but I was actually there for almost 1.5 hours & I don't want to get into the habit of doing that.
I don't feel so tired today. I think it was also the stress of starting out with the 2 new clients. The unknown is almost always worse than the reality for me. I like to have clear, free days though. That I do know and housework is not what I'm good at.
Unfortunately our days off clash this week. I'm working tomorrow, but it's only 3 hours pay(V for 1 hour + taking E to the doctor-2hrs) taking up most of my day & my LH has the day off. Thursday he works, I have the day off. Friday I work 2 hours, he has the day off.
I don't feel very positive about the job today I'm afraid. I'm afraid I don't or won't live up to her expectations & also it's not enough pay to have 3 days tied up.
It is an awful day here today. It's gusty & squally. The day started off quite warm & sunny & has gone downhill fast. We have to go out to 8-ball tonight & it's a final. One season's almost over & then the local season starts.
I can hear a car coming up the hill & by the sound of it it's my OS with the exercise bike so I'll scoot. Cheers, Cate
Wrong- it must have been our neighbours' truck. I was thinking that our son would decide not to pick up the bike because the weather is so horrible but I'm still hoping he will.

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Lost 36kgs 2007(Cohen's),now maintaining.
"Nothing tastes as good as slim feels".Mmm?No!Not even French Champagne!!

I just read my yesterday's post & a lot has changed in a day!
My OS dropped off the bike about an hour later.
We went out to 8-ball & our team won, after losing the first 3 games. It was a fun night. I really enjoyed it.
I didn't get much sleep though & kept waking up stressing about the job.
Went to work this morning leaving my LH at home. I did not enjoy the hour at all. I was flat out, including being up a high bunk ladder making up a bed. I felt that I should have been 30 years younger.
I then left & went to my MIL's, did some cleaning there & then to my elderly client, who didn't realise her ap't was today. I spent 2 hours taking her to the doctor etc, then went to the doctor myself. I told her how I was feeling & how much pain I am in, but mainly how I was feeling about the job. I told her that I have been a bit dizzy & thought my blood pressure may be low. She took my bp & has given me a new script for a lower bp medication, minus the diuretic.
I drove home knowing what I want to do about the job & talked to my LH about it.
I have decided to quit altogether!
I have realised this job is not for me. I rang my main boss but she was out.I left a message for her to ring me. Meanwhile my other boss rang to see how I went with the 13 year old girl & I told her that I thought I did quite well but that I have decided to quit altogether & explained my reasons why. She said she would not say anything to the main boss until I get a chance to talk to her tomorrow.
I don't enjoy the job. It doesn't feel right at all. I thought it sounded good in theory but the actual reality is far different. I feel bad about letting anyone down but I don't think this has done me any good at all & I feel emotionally & physically exhausted & drained & want to pull the pin.
I think the only way to do it is to quit outright so that they are not asking me about taking on anyone new as I have trouble saying no.
I can't wait to be unemployed!
I'm too tired to talk about food/weight etc. I ache all over. My shoulder,neck, arms, legs.....are so sore. I will have to book in for another massage. My doctor says it seems muscular & that's the way to go.
Tonight I feel fairly teary & exhausted. Hopefully I'll feel better when it's history.
Night all, Cate

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Lost 36kgs 2007(Cohen's),now maintaining.
"Nothing tastes as good as slim feels".Mmm?No!Not even French Champagne!!

I slept better & rang my boss who was out again but rang me back within the hour. I explained to her why I am quitting & she accepted it. She asked me just to work tomorrow for the 2 hours & I said I would. They have interviewed someone else who they had considered for the local client & she should be ok to start next week. Phew!
2 more hours & then I'm free again.
I have been very active today & have done a major spring clean of our home, listening to old LP's. I have had a ride of the exercise bike & it is really good.
The guy is here ramming fence posts in which is great. Next week we should be able to leave our gate open & the sheep will not be able to get out. That will be good.
I really like the guy who is doing the fencing. He's a real dag but was always one of our best customers in the pub & could be relied upon to help out with odd jobs/repairs around the place & is an interesting person. He loves to read & knows so much about so many things. He used to keep me company (ie baby-sit me) when I was alone in the pub & would wait for me to be safe(ie locked up or my LH home) before he would leave. He is a bit of a billy-goat gruff type but is a softy underneath. One of those salt of the earth people. I told him I quit my job today & he said I should be able to get something else if I want.
I haven't weighed myself the last few days as I'm trying to get out of the obsessing stage. I will weigh Sunday I think if I can wait that long. I feel good weight-wise & my clothes are loose.
The house really looks good. I will have to concentrate on being a good house-wife now that I am unemployed again. I actually feel like singing & have been. What a relief! I'm so glad I quit!!!!
I'm not going to do the Aged Care course either.
I'm not looking forward to working the 2 hours tomorrow. I hope the woman isn't annoyed or offended. I am to help her prepare for friends coming for dinner & staying the night tomorrow night. I would have felt bad not going & leaving her in the lurch but still am not looking forward to it.
Cheers, cate

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Lost 36kgs 2007(Cohen's),now maintaining.
"Nothing tastes as good as slim feels".Mmm?No!Not even French Champagne!!

Is it just me or is anyone else finding the Olympics boring? I'm looking forward to the closing ceremony. I won't watch it but I'm looking forward to it being on.

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Lost 36kgs 2007(Cohen's),now maintaining.
"Nothing tastes as good as slim feels".Mmm?No!Not even French Champagne!!

Hi Cate,
Its so good to "hear" you sounding so happy. You sound like your decision is the right one for you and that a big weight has been lifted off your shoulders. You always know when you have made the right decision, don't you?
I love it when my house is all clean (not very often though). It gets you all motivated to move.
Sometimes the roughest looking characters are the nicest people. The problem is that not enough people take the time to look beneath the surface.
Anyway, its really good to see your spirits are up.
Take care
Beck

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Beck, Once again you say the right words at the right time. I do know it's the best decision for me. I feel very much relieved.
The woman I went to today was really sweet & gave me a card thanking me for my help this week & saying to enjoy my grand-kids while they're young as they grow up so fast. I didn't read it until later. How sweet. I had asked her if she minded me dropping in from time to time just to say hello & she said she would love that. I will enjoy doing that without being paid & can just chat to for her a while & be in the house while she has a shower so that she feels safe. She's having a major operation next week and is very nervous about it.
My LH dropped me off & then went to playgroup as it's book-week & our little GD was dressed up. He came back & picked me up so that I could go for an hour. It was lovely.
We are home again & have to go back in later for my LH to have a haircut. A friend does it & we pay her a bottle of wine & drink another one while we're there. I find dry bubbly suits me. I'll have some protein before I go, as per maintenance guidelines.
Weighed myself this morning- GW+4kgs which I feel really comfortable at. I still will lose 3-4kgs before summer. I need to buy those bathers so that I can take the grand-kids to the beach, instead of having to have them for the young client. Phew!
I have some ideas for something to do but am not stressing about having to earn much money. It will be more for an interest.
Have to go. Husband wants to look at his football tipping game, cheers, cate

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Lost 36kgs 2007(Cohen's),now maintaining.
"Nothing tastes as good as slim feels".Mmm?No!Not even French Champagne!!