swilkinson

Wish I had your hoop house set up, the seedlings look strong and ready to plant out. Your riding style should improve as you do more riding. You are doing well in your recovery which is what matters. Good for you!!!

Janelle, no words, just (((hugs))). 

Jay, you will have to make your own fun. I have been home alone for a week and the days pass. I am rotating through my usual hobbies. Like you I really miss socializing but there is the phone and the computer and every day I ring someone or someone rings me. Weeks I can take, months I am not sure of. Nice to see you back blogging. 

Nancy you are very brave. That is a big move. I hope it works out for you. I always wanted Ray to come home but knew from the first that it was not possible. Our nursing homes are allowing visitors still but with limits, no more than two a day per person and only in the resident's room. My Shirley is now Chaplain in a Aged Care Facility and there residents are restricted from going out except for a walk on the beach, a special treat as it is directly in front of the facility. She has offered to help the staff in any way she can while the crisis is on. I'm hoping you can hold out for whatever time that takes. (((hugs))).

I was glad I went on the cruise when I did, four people tested positive to COVID-19 on the next one on the Ruby Princess. That was a lucky escape for me and my travelling companions.

Janelle (((hug))) so sorry this is happening. Beloved pets are like family, so hard to see them in pain. I hope she returns to her former bouncy self. 

Kev, design your own routines. I do "Just Dance" on the Wii and know the value of movement. You may not dance but movement to music will take off weight if you do enough of it. And it will warm you up too. Thanks for your weekly update. I live a very different life to you so your blog gives me a little insight into a different world.

Another good blog Asha. We can learn from all experiences and all ages, people with insight whoever they are can pass on that wisdom to us. Thank you for sharing how this has benefited you.

Sarah, I am glad you have plenty to do, keeping busy was my solution to being lonely and missing Ray. Hope you find some good, fun things to do too, you do need some laughs. There are a lot of people thinking of you my friend, it will just take a while for them to  get back in touch.

Heather, thank you for that explanation, it makes things plainer to me. In Centrelink we had a saying: "We have time to discuss  a situation or to fix it." So we would rush into a new situation with very little discussion, very little training and of course get it so wrong! So your alternative of looking at the variables first before accepting changes makes a lot more sense. If only I knew then what I know now....lol.

Asha, I can see you're learning to share your husband's enthusiasms and that is good. Being a good companion is about those guestures that say: "You matter to me." As a widow I spend most of my time alone and really miss the things Ray and I shared, especially when I am surrounded by people doing couple activities together.

Wow! Asha sometimes you knock me off my feet with your ideas. To walk through life not judging events as good or bad would!d be a great thing to do. I can see the advantages in that. I will write a blog in a few days about my experiences today so you will see what I mean.

From my point of view as a Christian it is God within us that is my answer. What I do, what I say, how I live my life is related to that.Whatever religion we follow we have that in common. So glad you didn't take your own life and so not be here to influence mine. As I have said before: You are the guru. You are the person who taught me to go with the flow. Thank you Asha.

I went to a counsellor in February -April 2013, four months after Ray died. I found it really helped me to sort out what I was actually worrying about. She also helped me free myself from a lot of hurt, resentment etc that I had carried with me for a long time. I have thought of having more counselling because of my many medical problems and the emotional problems that accompany them.  I may do that in the future. I hope it helps you come to terms with whatever is bothering you.

Janelle, I don't know. Will probably depend on if the operation takes longer than expected. It will be at least two weeks before I am allowed to drive so that will slow me down. I will stock up on reading materials before I go into hospital so I have something to do.

Went to the Melanoma Clinic today for my annual check up. All is well except the thyroid nodule is growing, good thing I have the operation coming up in March. Next check up in a year's time. On Tuesday I went to the. Pre-admission clinic for the operation In March. All booked in, only an overnight stay this time and then home and afterwards no driving for two weeks. Here we go again.

Sarah, hope you are over the bronchitis soon, that's my bugbear in winter. The dogs will give you comfort with their attention. Just give them a hug now and again. You take care my friend.

My daughter Shirley puts on morning teas as fund raisers. She has a lot of lovely tea sets and utensils so provides all that and her ladies make the cakes etc. at least that was when she was in church ministry. Now at the nursing home it will be for smaller groups. There is something special about a High Tea isn't there?

My dear friend, wish I could be with you at this time,  You are a champion. Your Gary had the best of care from you. His needs were always met. Your love for him was never ending. So glad his death was a simple and easy one. Take life easy now. All my love. Sue.

No it is not selfish to take time fir yourself. We all go through periods when everyone demand we do this or that for them but at any time it is your right to say : "No" and take some time for yourself. You are a person too. And we love to hear from you.

Kelli, it is great that you got all the attention you needed and then some. The description you gave reminded me of some of the things Ray went through. We are fortunate if we live in a place with great hospitals and doctors. Hope you find the solution to the vertigo soon.

Why is it at Strokenet whatever we start the conversation with it always seems to finish with food? Great blog Kevin. The way you put so much into your life you are bound to get a lot more out of living.

Kelli, I have Muslim friends as I do have friends who have views on all forms of religion and those who have no views on religion at all. I have always mixed with all kinds of people, without any thought of race or culture, I was brought up in a neighbourhood where we all came from different backgrounds. All I was saying that by avoiding the discussion of our differences and emphasising our commonality our

friendships have blossomed. 

Kelli, I am a Christian but often meet up with people of other faiths too. Within reason we get along well by avoiding those things that are awkward for our particular version of faith. I don't post a lot of "Christian stuff" on Facebook, instead I post wise sayings that apply to us all. Love your attitude to life Kelli.  Big hugs.

Kev in every plan there has to be a plan for things going wrong. I think you have already realised that. Look after your body and take extra care when you are sick. Plenty of liquids, nourishing food and plenty of rest and you will be well again soon.