Got it

Sometimes it only takes one thing, a thought, a moment in time, a retort, a question or an answer.  Today that I s what happened.  It was a thought while I was sitting expectantly in the Reading cinema in Mandurah.  We bought our movie tickets early, 3 hours before it started just in case there was a line.  We visited the information centre afterwards, enjoyed seafood and fish and chips (no chips for Mel and me) at Cicerellos on the foreshore.  A stroll down the foreshore to Pinjarra Road and a visit to the unknown Mandurah Museum.  I loved the old telephone on the wall, the type you see on Greenacres.  There was a huge pair of bellows and 3 prison cells, most confronting.
A quiet stroll down past the shops on Mandurah Terrace with a stop over at the souvenir shop.  Mel bought a tea towel for Louise and Eric and a warm hat for Emily.  We bought coasters for our table and are using them in our holiday unit.  A takeaway coffee and off to  see Leonardo strut his stuff.  That was when it happened.  The ideas I was entertaining about my future novel dashed out of the door without any warning.  Poof, all gone.  Replaced by wild and whimsical ideas of dizzy heights, but possibilities which could rear themselves from under the carpet and work their magic.  We will wait and see.

Out of the comfort zone

Here we are in Mandurah, a get together with the HD group this morning was a great way to kick start our break.  Ten pin bowling in Warwick with 20 people most with HD symptoms.  We all had a good time and Merv being a regular bowler did well at 88 and Mel came in at 95.  Me, well that's another story.  Had a healthy sandwich for lunch and more coffee before heading out on the freeway.  Beautiful winter weather, blue skies so warm no cardi needed.  Just perfect.  An hour later we roll up at the Mandurah Ocean Marina Chalets and unpack the car and settle into our disability unit.  At 3pm we stroll over to Dophin Quay and had a quick look at the shops and find ourselves in a bag, jacket and jewellery shop.  It is tiny with every inch used and the colours spill out and envelope us in its magic.  I didn't want to leave without sharing some cash and bought some fabulous long green and pewter dangly earrings.  Mel bought earrings and a black and silver chunky bangle.  Looks great.  After a walk around the quay we found Café Delight and ordered afternoon tea and soaked up the late afternoon sun.
But this isn't home,  the bathroom is accessible but not with the home comforts we are used to.  The bedroom floor is cold, there is no carpet and Merv's lift recliner chair is lonely at home.  But saying all of that we are looking forward to the movies, to the zoo, to being explorers and having fun that doesn't always happen at home.  So off we go, different is good to.

In my dreams

When I was eight I was young and naïve, just a child with little experience of life.  Inside of me burned the desire to write, the magic of words and language, a desire so much greater than an eight year old can understand.
What happened?  Hmm, I wrote poetry and short stories, nothing published but each word and line I created from my inner being.  Weaving magical webs to delight both my spirit and others.
This weeks I began 2 different Creative Writing courses, the first 10 weeks long at Tuart College and the 2nd only 4 weeks run by Helen a WA author and teacher with the Women Writers Club of WA.  She was amazing, so much information in only 2 hours.
I don't suppose I am the first but I felt so inadequate.  I have no written or finished novel, my language is no longer as magical or inspirational as I would like. 
I am so grateful these 2 courses are going to be my punching bag, my inspiration, my journey to my destination.  Let's wait and see.

All stressed out

Hmmm it's Saturday night and once again I'm at home instead of hitting the town or painting it red, green or grey.  My head is full of what needs to go into the suitcase which will go into the car.  How much luggage can we fit into the little Hyundai Accent?  It's a small car with a small boot and leg room designed for a 6 year old.   Yes the Chinese are small, they were in 2008 when we visited and probably still are.  Small cars, small people, large country, millions of small people, all of them get hungry.  Hmmm a lot of food for all those hungry small people.  Maybe I will buy a Holden or the last Ford on the conveyor belt in 2016.
Back to packing.  I have decanted liquids, creams and lotions from large and XLarge bottles to tiny pre loved vitamin containers, counted coffee and tea bags.  Seriously thought whether I should pack the coffee pod maker or the glass scales.  The scales won, Mel is on Weight Watchers.  I will settle for strong coffee bags.  I will be able to squeeze in the winter clothes, pj's, slippers, shoes, joggers and an extra large bag for our meds, flu tablets, Strepsils, gastro-aid,  Oh and the fridge bag, not sure where I can fit it, but I cooked 3 Shepherd Pie meals for Monday night, in they will go along with the milk and fruit and whatever I can find to add to it.
Oh goodness, I will need a holiday to get over the holiday.

Winter warmth and a happy daughter

Perth is the most amazing place on earth.  It is winter and the day started off cold and chilly but by 10am I had already discarded my cardie and felt warm and comfortable in my old black T shirt and jeans.  Mel had her hair trimmed early and looks fantastic.  Being a person of habit I headed off to Barilli for my morning caffeine fix and then off to the bookshop.  Next stop was the final assault on Mel's room.  We allocated our jobs according to our particular gifting.   Mine is to remove everything, throw away the rubbish, clean and replace suitable items.  Mel's is mainly to decide what is missing and dig through the forbidden rubbish bag and retrieve her cherished treasures.  I have learnt how to throw out her forbidden fruits when she is busy with the occasional clean up action.  Sneaky and extra sneaky are the qualifications I could proudly display on my cleaning CV.
Mel's bedroom and kitchen cupboards have taken 7 weeks to complete and look similar to the display pages in Vogue.  Well done I announced and off we went for a 30 minute walk in the glorious sunshine to celebrate.  Not really Mel's idea of celebration, but all thoughts of food were kept only for a short Subway lunch.  Weight Watchers is beginning to be an inspiration to us both.
Healthy food, glorious sunshine and a happy daughter, what else is there?

On your marks, set, go....

I love going on holidays but I hate packing (and unpacking, especially the washing nightmare).  We have booked 4 nights at the cost of 3 in Mandurah next week,  accommodation all sorted and we are eager to go, come rain or shine.  But, and there is always a but.... I am writing a list, and getting it right to ensure nothing of note is left behind.  I have already started the list, not one but many and they will eventually be compiled as one, but not yet, I just jot as I think about things, mainly as I use things today which I know we will need.
I have already pointed out to Mel she can not take up every nook and cranny in the car with her stuff.  Stuff is what Mel has plenty of.  When she comes to spend the night she brings 4 bags, her laptop and cosmetic bag.  Too many times we have discussed the necessity of 1 bag with essentials clothing and footwear but it continues to fall on deaf ears.  Alas there is no point in fighting and the 4 bags plus continues. Next week it will be different, Merv and I have to get some stuff in our small car also.  This will include basic groceries and dinner for Monday evening, refuse to go to the supermarket in Mandurah until Tuesday.  We are already booked into bowling before we head down.  The AHDWA is holding a free ten pin bowling morning with buy your own lunch.  Merv being an avid bowler, yes we said we will attend with car already packed and then head down to Mandurah to start what hopefully will be a relaxing holiday.  We will wait and see.

Winter Blues

It was 18c in Perth today, the sun shone and the wind was from the Artic.  So very cold,  hardly felt warm all day.  I turned on the heater, I turned off the heater when I finally got too hot, on, off, on, off.  Mel and I walked twice today.  I am trying to get her Weight Watchers motivated.  In 9 weeks she has lost 3 kgs, most of the time she loses a kilo, she adds it again, loses it again and its a yo-yo journey.  Mel is staying with me since she found out her HD news yesterday and she has been OK. Yesterday there were plenty of tears and heart wrenching pleas for understanding of her results.  Today she is calm and cooperative.  I am taking her journey with her one day at a time.  Would have been better if the weather wasn't quite so chilly, a little warm would have been comforting.  More news tomorrow.