So much for feeling like a new woman. Last night I was too exhausted to even have a look in the forum! OMG! My LH wanted me to type something up on the computer & I could hardly do it. I was then just too stuffed. Tonight I'm not much better.
I spent most of today moving furniture & cleaning. I'm going to get ticked off for it I bet! I did make sure that my client & her mum did their fair share but I still did way too much. I had said a couple of weeks ago that I would help them & I don't like going back on my word.
I have had words with MC(my client's) mum that I am not going to be running errands & have explained why. It is my employer's policy that the family should not become dependent on staff. She understood the logic & accepted it well. I still did do too much. I am too tired again tonight but have 4 glorious days off!!
Hope all are well, cheers, Cate

Hi Cate

you enjoy those 4 days off it sounds like you deserve it.
I notice it's a bit quiet here again.

Sam

Hi Cate

Thanks for you words of encouragement in the other thread.

I hope that you get to relax and recover with your 4 days off and are feeling better when you return to work.

What a day! I have just bawled my eyes out. Our YS is determined to have a tattoo & I have tried not to influence him either way but I think he will regret it down the track. They are so permanent. I got really upset with him because he said that he couldn't give a s...t about what people think & I think that also includes me. He is often saying stuff like that but he seems to value my opinion only when it echoes his. I think I might just have to start saying "whatever!"
I am really tired & maybe a bit depressed today. Maybe I've bitten off more than I can chew at the moment. I'm sorry but I am tearing up again. I might come back later, Cate

Hi Cate

Sorry to hear you are so down. I cant fully appreciate your position from a parents point of view because I'm not one, but I can appreciate your position and the way you feel. I can understand your sons position though and no matter where I stand on that the way he spoke to you was a but harsh. Unfortunately as children, especially in this day and age, we dont always speak to our parents the way we intend to. There are time where I have taken things out on my parents, but particularily mum (Dad's are harder), or spoken to her in a way that was totally bang out of order and afterwards I have felt terrible. At the time it would have appeared that I didn't respect my parents but that couldn't be further from the truth. It's because I respect them so much and haven't liked the situation i.e. your situation where you are being honest with your son about your feelings and may be struggling to support him with his decision etc. Maybe you need to let him know that just because you have a different opinion or feeling on the matter it doesn't mean its wrong, it's just yours and his is his.

As for him getting a tattoo and whether he will regret it or not will depend on why he is getting it. If he is getting it just to get one and it has no meaning behind it then it is possible that he will regret it. But if there is purpose behind why he wants to use that medium to express himself, for himself to remind, remember or rejoice a time in his life then it can be quite the opposite and they can have great healing and / or growth sense about them.

Anyway, I hope you are feeling better today. I hope your son calls you and speaks to you kindly. If he asked your opinion he needs to accept it regardless of what it is. I must admit when you said about the 'whatever' you reminded me very much of my mum...

I look forward to meeting you in a few weeks - are preparation is coming along but not as much as I would have hoped. I'm starting to think 'what the heck have we gotten ourselves into!' ha ha

Have a nice day Cate.

Lauren

OMG all right !!

Hope you are enjoying your days off - you deserve them!

You and Lauren are going to have such a nice time, wish I was escaping to Tassie for a while..would be so nice right about now and I know you would keep me on track with cohens foods ( i have been naughty again) doh!

chin up Cate, hope you are feeling better than yesterday

Annie Lusion

Lauren, I feel quite a bit better today. I had to post something to my son today that he is going to incorporate into his tattoo. It is a chinese long life symbol. We bought one each for us & our 2 sons while we were in Vietnam. His has been broken & he wanted ours, rather than a photo of it, as he wants to have it look 3 dimensional. I had decided to send him a text message saying that if that's want he wants then it's fine by me but he sent me one first. It was fairly conciliatory & hoping that I wasn't still upset & that he loves me. I sent one back saying that whatever he does is fine with me & that I am probably a bit fragile at the moment due to many things, but mainly my new job. I said I hoped that the tattoo will be how he wants it to be. I don't usually say whatever. I'm not like that. If asked an opinion by most people I will usually only give it if I think it's a genuine request but I think most people really only want confirmation of what they are going to do anyway. I don't see the point in asking.
Enough of that discussion about sons & tattoos. I do hope it's a good tatto & that he loves it & does not regret it. For some crazy reason he got it into his head that I thought it was a reactionary thing (against parents) That had never entered my head. He was saying I obviously didn't know him & I felt so hurt. Stop Cate!!
I actually had a pleasant day. I didn't go bush-walking as I felt like hibernating. I wasn't miserable. I just pottered about for most of the day, ducked into my local town & did a little shopping for the essentials, especially fruit & yoghurt.
1 year anniversary!! Exactly one year ago today I started Cohen's & I can happily say that I am maintaining my goal weight 1 whole year down the track. 72 kgs this morning. My goal weight was 69-72kgs. Ideally I would have liked to have been 69kg but that will be my goal for the next few months.
I'm going to make a pot of herbal tea. Will come back soon, Cate

YAY!!!!!!!!! CONGRATS CATE!

Your journey has been such an amazing one and you deserve such great things.

You are amazing, you are inspirational, you are a fantastic example for all.

I wish you great things!

Lauren

Good on you Cate. I so look forward to getting to your position and I hope to be as strong willed as you, with being able to maintain your goal. You are an inspiration.

Also I would like to say that your before and after photo's are just amazing, you look like a different person and so much younger.

CONGRATULATIONS!!!

Cate

What an inspiration. You must be proud of yourself........following your journey from the beginning to end has been very motivating and educational. I am so glad you have stuck around for us oldies and the newbies.

I am sorry I couldn't give any advice about your sons tatoo.......children definitely challenge you in different ways and I know my turn will be coming in 10 or so years.
I am glad you have sorted it out to some degree. What's worrying you about work Cate?
If it's personel I will understand.

Look after yourself.

Sam

Lauren, Sal & Sam, Thank you very much for your congratulations & for your support. It's very important to me. I feel much better today, after having a few days off. I went to Launceston yesterday & had my first vein treatment. Ouch. It felt like being attacked by bees! I am an absolute picture today with my husband's very daggy little black shorts, t-shirt & sandals. Doesn't sound too weird I know until you picture me with a compression stocking on my left leg, right up to my groin almost, with lumpy, wadding down my leg! I got it wet in the shower, even though I tried covering it with a garbage bag, taped to my leg(ouch again). The other leg is not a pretty sight as it hasn't been treated yet. It wasn't as bad as the left but I have lumpy little varicose veins, dotted over it. Get the picture? Not puuurty!
I had a lot of trouble getting to sleep last night . I have to leave this compression stocking on for 6 whole days & nights & then I can roll it back & take out the wadding. Then for a further 6 days(not nights) I have to leave it on all day.
I went out with my LH to 8-ball as I felt like I have been neglecting him somewhat. I enjoyed the evening even though I was very uncomfortable with the compression stocking & still in a little pain. I just got up & down a lot!
I very nearly delayed the treatment yesterday. I dropped enough hints, but luckily they ignored them. It will be nice to have it done & dusted! Even though I do look a total dag today in short shorts with lumpy legs I am really enjoying the feeling of freedom with bare(ish) legs. My legs haven't seen or experienced air much in over 27 years(the age of my older son).
Sam- My job is ok, mainly good, but because I am in someone's private home I must respect their privacy & not talk about it. I don't think it would help anyway, I'm afraid. Let me just say that the way my client's family lives their lives is almost the opposite to mine & is quite alien. That doesn't mean to say I can't see why they do or how or why their lives are so different to mine but it does make it hard not to judge. I am trying very hard & don't have trouble fitting in with them or getting on with them. I do hope I won't be judged as thinking the same by those who see me with the family.
I know that a lot of people are looking at me strangely wondering what the connection is when I'm out & about with my client. As I said I do like her which is great. I do hope she uses her second chance at life a little wiser than in her youth. I can only hope so.
I got a call from work yesterday to work an extra shift this Sunday & took the opportunity to press my case for a balance. I said we had been planning a family day for Sunday as we haven't had a day off together for weeks (true).I pointed out how many whole week-ends I have been rostered & mentioned that when I first started I had said I was happy to work Saturdays but only occasional Sundays, also that my LH works Mon-Friday & has week-ends off. I did say that I would work this Sunday if he was absolutely stuck. I haven't heard back-good sign!
I got his email address & am going to email the dates I want off for the next 2 rosters. I also am not changing my ap'ts to Tuesday but may be able to drop some of the review ap'ts. It's a 45 minute each way(120km return) trip just for them to have a quick look at my veins. They will let me know next trip. That would mean 3 less ap'ts- 3 full days pay!
I don't want to give up my Tuesday Wacky Walks. I have missed a couple already because my days have been too busy so I am making a New Years Resolution-
Find a balance between work & relaxation, leave work at work, enjoy life.
I'll tweak that when I give it more thought. Last year saw major change, this year is one for consolidation. Enjoyment is the key word I think.
I'm feeling good weight-wise. I think I'll concentrate on slowly dropping a few kilos, mainly by exercise & eating a few less carb's. I had a delicious omelette for lunch, after yoghurt for breakfast. I also made a huge fruit salad & had some of that after lunch with a little yoghurt. (Liar-quite a bit of yoghurt!) I must admit to loving the Vaalia Lemon Creme yoghurt. I wish it was in a re-cyclable container. I might go email them right now.
Cheers for now, Cate.

I probably didn't put the reasons I find the job difficult at times very clearly. It's more complex than that. It really sounded very disapproving & judgemental & I don't want it to be. It's very hard to explain though so I'll give up trying. I think it would be hard to spend a lot of time in someone else's home-anyone else's home & remain detached.
I can see quite a bit of change for the good happening within the home & I like to think I am encouraging it. I think so. It is becoming easier to spend time in the home anyway.
The compression stocking is really uncomfortable & hot. I can't wait until I can take it off, at least at night-Tuesday! I'll have to wrap my leg up in the morning with clingwrap as the garbage bag does not work. Perhaps I'll need both.
We had an unwanted visit tonight from a serial pest. He goes bush-walking & has been hinting that he might visit some time. I saw him today while I was with my client & I tried to put him off without being absolutely rude, but obviously he did not take the hint. I told my LH that I was worried about him visiting & sure enough he did. I hid in the kitchen for the same reasons I told you yesterday- husband's short shorts, lumpy bandages etc & told my LH not to let him in the door. He tried!! The old fart didn't take the hint & pushed past him straight over to where I was hiding. I have been warned by the other bush-walkers that he is like this & am going to have to be blunt with him & honest. He wants to know everything about your business/life & I don't like it. If you don't go walking he asks why not & doesn't give up. He is just too intrusive. I'll deal with him soon.
Tennis- I am not a big tennis fan but I thought the Tsonga/Nadal was the best match I have ever seen! Fantastic! Federer is not looking good tonight. I hope he wins. I like him.
I had better scoot as I feel uncomfortable sitting here. Time to move about. Cheers, Cate

i remember when i first got my tattoo... my mum cried for 3 days.. then a day later she went with me and got the same matching tattoo

tuened out well in the end

Sorry, Im only just catching up....CONGRATULATIONS on your new grandson and your 1 year anniversary!!

Princess- I'm over it! I do hope he doesn't regret it though. If I do like his tattoo- I'll get a copy too- Ha ha! It'll be on paper & I'll hang it on the wall! Tastes change right throughout your life. They evolve. Tattoos are so permanent unfortunately but, hopefully he will love it forever! Thanks for visiting my diary! I love it when people do. What is your tattoo by the way? Cheers, Cate.
Alibi- Thanks for your congrat's & for the visit. It's great to see newbies in the forum. Everyone must get sick of reading about the same people. You bring some refreshment & vitality. I love being a grandma & love especially being a slim grandma! Cheers, Cate.
My day- I worked today & had a fairly positive, productive day. We spent most of today discussing how well she is progressing towards independence. We really get along well. It was very positive. I am feeling physically very healthy & robust. I know that's a funny word but it's what sprung to mind. I am going to look at my job in the positive way I think I should. I am going to relax into it a bit & not obsess about it. I Think I will do better by taking it slowly. I think it's a step towards balance.
I will weigh myself on Monday. I have decided that Mondays are going to continue as weigh-in day for me. No more. That way if I am over 72kg I will restrict carbs even more. I feel good. No bloated stomach, active, sleeping well, not constipated.
Ten Canoes the movie is on tonight so will watch it. It got really good reviews. No RocKwiz-that's criminal! It's my favourite show-sob, sob.
OK- I'll be back tomorrow & check out everyone's diaries. I left it a bit late tonight, cheers, Cate