The world is spinning way too fast!

Well here I am awake earlier than expected and sitting at the computer as I am too worried to go back to sleep incase I sleep through my alarm making me late for work. Seems to be a habit I am forming lately! I am going to be shattered again this afternoon.

In the quietness of the rest of the house sleeping I have been sitting here thinking about how fast January has disappeared already and besides working there are only a few days where something special has happened. Does this mean that the rest of the year is going to fly by this quickly? I hope not!

My dieting is eratic and in my heart realise that I need to go back to Weight Watchers just for the extra encouragement. It is a battle trying to stay on track by myself at home! Stayed the same weight wise this week so I will see what the scales say by Thursday. Need to pull my finger out and exercise. Vicky and I have agreed to start walking again as soon as the kids are settled back at school and the routines are in place!! Oh the dream of having a life without a routine!!

Speaking of Vicki - a big shout out to her for officially becoming an Aussie on Thursday - well done chickadee!!

As mentioned I am off to work shortly (half day today thankfully) - Noel is taking the kids and his parents bush to do a little bush bashing - or as the kids put it "to scare Nana and Grandad in the 4wd!!" needless to say the stories at lunch time should be interesting.

Chat soon - ~*JO*~

What - the temp is going to be 43 today???

Wow well we are up and it is already starting to feel hot. The curtains are all closed over and the fan is oscalating around the loungeroon with the air con blasting out cool air in the kitchen/family room. I am over it already!! Let's give a huge cheer for spasmotic Melbourne weather!!

Yesterday was hot also and I think it might have actually reached 40 degs also. We all went out for dinner as a family last night to the Waltzing Matilda. As a family we agreed that the airconditioning there was absolutely crap and the meals weren't that better either. Will be writing them a letter as management should be made aware not just the staff on the night who were spoken to!

Mam goes home on Tuesday which is sad but I think after being here since mid December she needs to go back for the rest and relaxation. Having five grandchildren is quite hectic for her but she enjoys being with them every minute.

Off now to find something to do in this heat! Might go and sit in the freezer aisle of the supermarket!!!

~*JO*~

Why am I awake?

Hi all,

Well what can I say - I have woken early this morning - way to early!! I couldn't get back to sleep for the fear of oversleeping and being late for work. I have been off work for the last two days - annual leave. Just been spending time with my mam and my sister. In an hour or so I might do some exercises and there is washing to hang on the line but sleep is off the agenda now. Damn body clock!!

Monday was spent at the foreshore park in the morning with the kids having a ball on the equipment. We all sat down to a huge fruit platter (very healthy) and then it was off to the beach. The kids went in for a swim although us adults weren't as game but paddled our feet in the water. The water was quite freezing but it was great to see the kids having fun. I, however, got sunburnt and went to bed feeling quite like a heatbead!

I went 10 pin bowling with my sister and my mam yesterday. We also had Alexandria with us and my nephew Stuart. Both kids bowled really well so Claire and I decided to sign them up in the Anklebiters league with their big brothers. So now we have two teams in that league. Claire and I have also tossed around the idea of joining the Wednesday night league - so that should be something different for the two of us. Claire and I have decided that we need to spend more time together as last year we seemed to distance ourselves not for any particular reason - it just happened.

Not sure how I will go this week - food wise I have been okay not perfect. I know that I have to be more determined but am being a little relaxed while my mam is here. She leaves next Tuesday so then I will really get down to business and track my points religiously not to mention exercise. I suppose the most important thing is that I get back to attending meetings - very slack on that topic.

The calendar is starting to get filled in with family, friends, children's activities - I actually pencilled in a date in April yesterday and that scares me! I do believe that this year is going to fly past faster than 2005.

Chat soon,

~*JO*~

4 days into 2006

Wow so far the first four days have gone past soooo fast. With working at Lysterfield and starting at 6am I have already started to feel tired and worn out.

I will be turning 35 in 4 days time.... another birthday. I suppose 1 day a year isn't too bad to have all focussed on me!! We have planned to go to the Balnarring Picnic Races for the day. Should be a different day and it beats sitting at home or in some pub somewhere. So we shall all take a plate of food to make an interesting picnic of sorts and some wine. Who knows we may even have a win on the nags!

Better fly as I am absolutely shattered today. I have already fallen asleep on the couch and would probably still be there if the phone hadn't rang!!

Good night

~*JO*~

Today is the day - a new life for us both.

Today Noel and I have promised each other that we will make the lifestyle change required to make this home a happy and healthy one.

We have both weighed and although astonished with the figures that the scales displayed we are very much determined to give this a go. I will still be attending Weight Watchers but finally I have support at home.

My mam is still with us and I actually think that she is proud of our decision!!

Better fly - lots to do today but will be back later.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!

Hoping that many champagne corks were popped last night - there was several in this household that is for sure.

Wishing everyone a fantastic and successful 2006!!

It was good to spend the evening with all parents with Noel's mam and dad staying the night. The kids thought that was fantastic. As for the members of the house of Murray we are all up and about - no hangovers!

Mam woke us up this morning earlier than expected yelling about a mungus (Alex's new word) spider in the bedroom. It was just what Noel needed.

Anyways about to have our first and last big breakfast for 2006. Noel and I are going on a diet together tomorrow - the biggest loser challenge is about to hit our house!!

Have a great day!!!

~*JO*~

The Silly Season is definately here.....

Well firstly I must say Merry Christmas (although I am a few days late).

I cannot believe that it has been so long since I last posted and wow! so much has happened.

The fat man in the red suit with the jolly laugh definately came to visit us and as usual the children (including the big kids) were spoiled rotten. Alex hasn't stopped dancing to her cd player and Oliver is enjoying his skateboard but is taking it cautiously.

Both Noel and my families came over to celebrate lunch which was just over the top food wise. At least I can say that we don't under cater but I am so over left overs now. I am on the verge of throwing it all in the bin and munching out on a huge salad!! I don't want to see turkey for a while that is for sure!! LOL!!!

Today is my brother in law's birthday. For a change Jamie has decided to do something - we were all shocked. Normally we end up just popping in to their house to deliver the birthday wishes or they have a family bbq but this year we are going to the local pub for lunch. It should be good as the Riveria has a good meal and a play ground for the kids. Woohoo...

New Years is fast approaching also but at this stage no major plans have been set in concrete. We have been invited to Mat and Annie's caravan up at the Basin (near Shepperton)and we also have discussed having a quiet one and staying at home. It is just too hard as you get older!!

Partying isn't the same or am I just becoming a boring old hag??

My mam is here... yippee

Well once again I am spasmoticly posting to my blog. Sooo much is happening and I fear it is only going to get worse.

Last night we spent the evening at my sisters house as my mam has arrived from Brisbane. She is staying here until the 24th January. What a hoot. I love being with my mam - she makes me feel special and the kids just adore their grandma. I was so excited at work all day yesterday about her arrival that most of the drivers asked if I had won the lotto!!

As you can see by the time of this post it is really early but couldn't sleep. Plus I have something in my eye that I can't remove even with saline wash.

Must keep pottering.......

PS Claire cooked a really and I mean really yummy roast pork dinner and I must say I wasn't that good points wise but geez it was good. Need to do exercise this morning for sure.

The girls from Sydney

Well I must say that I have had a wonderful weekend.

I have just cemented my friendship with two wonderful women that I have known for months now but only on email and posts to the Weight Watchers Forums. Kerry and Stacy are two beautiful, intelligent and fun women and I have just had the pleasure of them staying in my house overnight. Yes they flew down from Sydney and stayed the night. It has been a truly fantastic 36 hours.

Kerry is a very knowledgeable lady who can carry an interesting conversation and even had Noel enthralled as he too found her to be very intriguing. Her background is a little different to that of mine and Stacy's as she is not married and has no children (not that that is a bad thing). She has a beautiful nature and was the instigator for this whole trip.

Having a beautiful nature is also a very noticeable aspect of Stacy, who has the ability to draw people towards her and had my kids eating out of the palm of her hand most of the weekend. I found her to be so calm natured - a trait that I am definately jealous of. Stacy, who is a firefighter and like myself spends her working hours surrounded by men so she understands my work woes and she too is very knowledgeable and easy to talk to. One amazing thing about Stacy is the fact she is so motivated when it comes to exercise - it blew me away. She got up this morning after a non WW menu evening that saw points blown out the window by food and copious amounts of alcohol to walk what we calculated to be 2kms.

Both women are absolutely wonderful people and I feel so privileged to meet both of them. This was such a undescribable experience and I will treasure the memories for a long time to come. Now I will have to plan my flight to Sydney for another weekend.

In the meantime we have made a pact - a pact to keep on the straight and narrow from here on in. We are going to relay our point intake, food and exercise completed to each other - Stacy has organized to follow an exercise plan and I believe that we are all going to do our best - I know that I am.

Tomorrow is my visit to the specialist regarding my gallbladder so will sign off now and chat to you all after my appointment. Crossing fingers on good news.

5kgs gone!!

Well I made myself quite happy today. I wasn't going to go to my Weight Watchers meeting tonight - in fact I wasn't going to go again until the New Year but I thought to myself I must go as if I don't I will probably go right of the rails.

I am glad that I went. Tonight I lost 0.7kgs making my total weight loss since starting at Frankston 5kgs!! Woohoo and I am excited about that achievement.

Now all I need to do is sort out my gallbladder problem and all should be sweet!!

Better fly lots and lots to do with my two friends, Kerry and Stacy, flying in on Saturday from Sydney. They are staying at our house which should be a scream as we have never met!!

Chat soon!!

Talk about rain!!

Wow where did all that rain come from? Isn't it meant to be summer?? I suppose we shouldn't complain as we actually need it.

Work was dead boring - rain also means no trucks and no trucks means nothing to do. I even had a few games of solitaire on the computer and I find that outright boring. Oh well I did manage to get a few more things done towards Christmas and the New Year.

Definately need to pull my finger out though and get out for a walk with Vicky - did you hear that girly? Read your comment and totally agree with you - WE NEED TO IT!!

Nothing much else to report tonight - just pleased that I have managed to post two nights in a row!! WOOHOO!!

Oh by the way I have been informed by Oliver that there is only 19 more sleeps until Christmas!!

The start of a new week!

Well another weekend has come and gone. As per usual I have managed to avoid getting anywhere near my blog.

Noel's parents came over for lunch yesterday and it all went well. We had the usual Sunday roast and it was enjoyed by one and all. We had a great afternoon together. Noel's mam and dad have been using the internet to book a holiday for them and the kids in the first week of the school holidays next March. We also spent a great deal of the day planning food, etc for Christmas Day.

Work today was boring - it was a union RDO so therefore there was not as many trucks coming in and out of the quarry. I managed to organise a few things for Christmas and for January. We have so many things happening in the next few weeks it seems we are already booked out until March.

Spoke to my mam today. She is really looking forward to arriving next Tuesday. I avoided the topic of my sickness and completely forgot to mention my appointment with the specialist on Monday. She has lots on her mind and I have no need to worry her at the moment. Not so sure however how her plans for spending Christmas day at our house is going to effect Claire and Jamie. Oh well I suppose only time will tell.

Health wise today I have felt okay. Not wonderful but on the other hand not yucky. I have decided to concentrate on changing my diet - you know the whole lifestyle change thing and tonight I have even managed to have an alcohol free evening. Quite an achievment for me as most nights I pour myself a glass of wine when I walk in the door for work and picking up the kids! I am actually proud of myself.

Anyways will stop waffling on now.

~*JO*~

Missing two front teeth!

Wow what a day yesterday turned out to be.

Oliver came home from school missing his other front tooth! Now both are missing and everyone is singing "All I want for Christmas is my two front teeth" to him.

Kerry rang and we chatted regarding the upcoming trip down to Melbourne to meet each other. I am getting a little excited about meeting both Stace and her so cross fingers that will all go well.

Had a really good phone conversation with my sister, Claire, regarding Christmas and Mam coming down to Melbourne. Sadly we have managed to organise her whole trip with babysitting requirements, Christmas functions, etc. But she will enjoy spending the time with the grandkids and go with the flow.

Now for the result of my "second opinion". I came out of the doctors with a better understanding of my situation and must admit feel quite relieved. But I do not have gallstones (thanks for the first diagnosis, Doc!) I actually have an inflamed gallbladder. The doctor I saw yesterday, one that I like, said that the surgeon will discuss all options with me and I would not necessarily end up in hospital by the time of the appointment. Which funny enough was one of my fears. He also said that there may be a good chance of conservative healing but this would only happen if I was prepared to diet, exercise and reduce my alcohol intake. Something I am trying to do to lose weight anyway!! So I am now prepared to go to the appointment with the surgeon - open minded - on the 12th December.

Better fly as I need to get off to work and get the kids to school.

At least I am smiling a little this morning!! :)

Getting a second opinion?

Well as you can all probably tell I have had other things on my mind and have been missing my blogs quite regularly. Sorry.

I visited the doctor the other day as posted and found out I have gallstones. Well now that this great news great news has sunk in and mentally I am learning to live with the idea that an operation may be the only way to fix it - I can't help thinking that there might be another form of treatment rather than surgery to remove my gallbladder. Both Noel and I have heard that there are other options but the doctor seemed very adament that the surgeon would remove my gallbladder!

Needless to say I am having an RDO today and I am off to get a second opinion before my appointment with the surgeon on 12th December.

Yes the 12th December - what a wonderful Christmas present!!

Will post again later and let you know the outcome!

Gallstones!

Well I have found out what is causing me pain, nausea and sadness - Gallstones!

I went off to the doctor this morning convinced that I would find out I had some sort of terminal disease and I would need to work out how to tell the kids I was dying. Noel knows how worried I have been for the last few days since having the ultrasound on my abdomen done and took the day off work also to accompany me to get my results. Needless to say I am relieved!

But what does having gallstones mean? It means a visit to the specialist to discuss my options regarding removal of the gallstones. The most common result according to my doctor is to have my gallbladder removed. Surgery!! That is something I am not jumping over the moon about but I suppose the bottom line is that I need to do whatever it takes to make me healthy and well again, right?

My appointment with the specialist is 12 December - great early Christmas present and then depending on his opinion I suppose I will be taking a trip into hospital to have an operation. I am guessing by my doctor's very strong feeling about what would happen that surgery is going to be the only option. Even Noel seemed to think that he was very sure I would be having my gallbladder removed.

At least now I know what the problem is and it is just a case of wait and see now. Unfortunately I still don't feel much better!

Emergency Department and still feeling ill....

Well all has not been well in the Murray household. The worst patient in the house is not well. Mam Murray (me) has been suffering major pains and nausea in my belly since Friday evening which I thought it may have been that time of the month related! But instead the yucky feeling have continue and led me to head straight for Frankston Hospital Emergency department after work Monday evening as my doctors was fully booked.

Thankfully I managed to get and seen to quite quickly. Was inside the walls of emergency and preped for a bed faster than usual much to my relief. The doctor gave me some fluids and some pain medication. I must admit I felt wonderful and by 9.00 o'clock was given the all clear to leave. Great I thought - but what is wrong with me?

Bloods were taken and tested and they all came back good with no abnormalties. An ECG was done and the results was good also. It was put down to Gastro and that I should be alright. I was given some pills for nausea and some for pain.

But here I am sitting at home after finishing work early today due to feeling exactly the same as I did yesterday. I have managed to have a sleep but the stomach is telling me it is still not well. I have made an appointment with my doctor for Wednesday morning and will see what he has to say. Obviously something is not right!!

Everyone else in the house is fine - noone displaying the same symptoms - thankfully. Will let you know how I go. I hate being sick and worst of all I get angry as I feel guilty being sick and asking Noel to do more than he already does. I love him to bits!!

Bye!

Another week gone.

It's funny how the week is officially Sunday through to Saturday by most peoples calendars but in the world of Weight Watchers it from scale night to scale night so in my case it's Thursday today so another week has past. Once again it has passed by rather fast, leaving me wondering where does all the time go but I have had a successful week weight loss wise with a loss of 0.8kgs. I am really happy with that and I have nearly lost all of the 1kgs that I gained after the camping trip.

Oliver lost another tooth tonight - that's two teeth this last few days. He lost one on Saturday night whilst staying at Sean and Vicky's. Tonight he pulled his tooth out just minutes before his swimming lesson. Needless to say with all the playing he did with the empty tooth hole it didn't stop bleeding and he was told to get out of the pool. So he did not finish his lesson!! Alex did really well in her lesson and as she has done the last few weeks headed straight for the deep pool as soon as she had finished with the instructor!! I think she is just about over the class she is in.

The computer age

My aunty has hit the email world... yep she now has a computer and I must say she is quite excited about it. And I think it is wonderful She is 66 and I am sure she will have no problems with email and the internet. It was actually quite weird to recieve mail from her. Now all I need is to organise a computer for my mam and all will be up to speed. I actually have a hard drive here (sitting under the desk d0ing nothing) so all I would need to organise is the screen, keyboard and mouse. Then she would be set - I have no problems in transporting it to Brisbane.

Will ponder these thoughts somemore.

Kinda trivia night

What a fun night we had last night.

Seaford Kindergarten's annual trivia and auction night saw us have quite a few laughs not to mention purchase a few good items at great prices. Mat and Anne Marie picked us up and after a quick drink with them we we on our way to the kinda. (The kid's are staying the night at Sean and Vicky's and not returning until 4pm today).

Unfortunately Claire, my sister, and her husband Jamie didn't attend last night as it was Jamie's fathers birthday dinner. They were off to Via Mare in Frankston.... geez a little bit of jealousy snuck in there as I loooovvvveeee that restaurant.

As per usual Ms Smiths table won but this year we came 4th - probably the best we have done and there were only the 6 of us compared to the 12 of them. As usual there was the Treasure Hunt or the Handbag raid which we did really well on and the other mystery round was a list of 20 song lyrics to which we had to name the artist and the title. We did okay on this and came out the winners. Some of the general knowledge questions were not so general and the sports, Australiana and Tv of the 90's questions blew some of us away. The music round was all classical and drew quite a lot of boo's from us and fellow tables!! Oh well.

I am now the proud owner of a Kenwood Steam Mop, 2 children's passes to Sovereign Hill (which I paid $1 for) and a beauty voucher to the value of $ 25.00. Not to mention I am going to get a full set of permanent french nails done (valued at $50) and I bid $15 for them. There was nothing that took Noel's interest greatly and the few things that did he was outbidded on.

Roll on the Trivia Night at Kananook next year as I have managed to round up a table full - Mat and Anne Marie and Yvette are keen. I also know that Anne Marie wants to come to the Kinda night again as she has vowed that she will keep playing trivia until she beats the Smiths!!

Mat ended up staying the night at our place - Annie went out after the trivia night with her girlfriend. Mat is the foreman at my work and I am glad that I get along with him well. He is only the second person I have ever worked with that I have allowed into our personal life and the times have been good! Noel and I get along with him and his wife, Anne Marie, really well - which is amazing considering I spend five and half days each week with Mat at work.

Better fly and organise breakkie for the boys..... fill you in on the rest of the day later.

7 Thursdays until Christmas

Right the party is over - there is only 7 Thursdays until Christmas so that is 7 more weigh in's and I have decided to make the most of them!!

My camping trip brought on a gain of 1kgs which I actually thought was fantastic considering what I have eaten not to mention what was drank!! LOL!!

So what does 7 weeks actually mean? I can feel a challenge coming on..... okay here it is. I am going to challenge myself to lose 5kgs in 7 weeks.

Doesn't sound too hard but here we go with the excuses... christmas parties and functions!! Yes unfortunately before the fat man in the red suit comes to visit we all tend to celebrate quite a bit not to mention all the celebrating we do afterwards.

But I am sure if I focus on this I will do just fine.

Now on the home front spent the day washing and still putting things away from camping. Yuk but someone has to do it I suppose. The kids stayed home also today as they both had an awful nights sleep. So it is back to normality tomorrow (what ever normality is?)

Bye for now.

PS Great work again this week Vicki - another 0.5kgs down.... Well Done!!