Adding the Dollars

It wasn't so long ago I could buy things I couldn't afford.  I saw it, I wanted it and I bought it.  I just waved my credit card in front of the cashier and bingo it was mine.  It really belonged to the bank, but it went home with me.  How I miss those days!
When I see something I have no money for,  I can close my eyes and  take a mental snapshot.  It works rather too well.  By the time I have saved the money I am already on a new quest and have decided I can live without what I had longed for. 
It's a game of decisions.  With less money the decisions are harder, the spending can only be considered thrifty and its a balance between what we think we  need and those things which we can live without.
So far, so good.  I should be a professional juggler as I am doing a good job of juggling so far.
We have a lot to be thankful for and the reality is we want for nothing.  Only the other day I said to Merv there are so many people who struggle to have one decent meal a day.  They aren't choosy about what they wear and have no money for movies and shows. 
The thought keeps me grounded and reminds me to keep donating to our favourite charities.

Avon Descent

Every year the Avon Descent is held on the first weekend of August.  It is the longest white water event in the world and competitors from all over the world endeavour the long arduous journey to be first at the finishing line.  The event is over 2 days:
Day 1 is a 57 kilometre stretch beginning from Northam, 100 kilometres east of Perth.  The event started 2 hours late due to low fog.  The half-way point and overnight stop is the Boral Campsite located at Cobbler Pool 20 kilometres west of Toodyay.
Day 2 is 76 kilometres long and sees competitors tackle the valley containing the major white water obstacles and challenges of the event including Supershoot, Emu Falls, Championship Rapids and Bells Rapids. The rush of the valley leaves competitors with the marathon 30 kilometre, flat water stretch to Bayswater.
It is a beautiful weekend in Perth, yesterday we went to Monga Lake for lunch and a walk, today we took a ten minute drive to Sandy Beach (not really a beach, it is an area of the Swan River) in Bassendean.  We spied an empty park bench and watched the speed boats and kayaks on the last leg of their cruelling race.  A group of not so young girls were perched on the small jetty, clapping and edging each participant to keep going to the end.  The finishing line along the river in Bayswater, the next suburb, but I don't know how long it would take by kayak.  Maybe twenty minutes.  The young and not so young men were eager to keep going and were cheered by many spectators clapping and cheering them on.  We heard many of them remark they were tired and the race had been a difficult one.
Helicopters flew overhead filming and reporting on the race below, a lone kookaburra, out of view laughed cheekily and children played near by. 
Unexpectedly a small group of people quickly walked onto the jetty in front of us with a kayak oar and swapped it with a competitor as he slowed just a fraction to do the swap.  I don't know why the swap happened but the people seemed pleased it happened smoothly and encouraged him forward. The wind cooled the air and we returned home knowing we had once again been part of this annual event which inspires many. 

New Skills

We have acquired an ipad 2 and like all new things it has quickly become our new toy.  I know there are numerous apps which are or will be helpful for Merv.  I had in mind to buy the ipad for sometime, but I was not so eager to part with our savings.  Dustin bought a new laptop with his tax return and mentioned he will be selling his ipad.  A done deal and we are now the owners. 
I searched for new apps and fiddled around before Merv had his first attempt this morning.  We read a Bible devotion before attempting  a word search puzzle together.  We followed with an exploration of the WWF app and a free drawing app.  He used his finger to write my name and add a love heart! 
This afternoon I added a keyboard app and a jigsaw puzzle app which we will have a go with tomorrow.
Merv has never been a 'techno' type person, he had a mobile phone early in the new millennium for a couple of months but later he just left it at home.  The ipad is just a new way to explore the world and have some fun.  Looking for suitable apps is a quest in itself.

Recharging My Batteries

A beautiful winter's day in Perth.  I had a pre-booked appointment with my accountant at 10am.  It is my last tax return until further notice.  I am now a full-time carer and we have no other income accept Centrelink.  I sought out my accountant over twelve years ago when I commenced my own shopping service in the local metropolitan area.  I stayed with him after I closed the business and through the many different jobs I was privileged to have. Today he gave me the good news of a sizable refund cheque, but it was overshadowed by the thought I may not see him again.  Over our twelve years together we have chatted about; a shared friend and his family,  our families and our quests, life in general and my financial situation which fortunately has improved vastly in the last few years.  I wish him and his family well.
After a very busy week with Merv and Mel I had until 3pm to myself and took the opportunity to visit Hillarys on the beach to enjoy some window shopping and a coffee at the Dome.  I celebrated with an extra large cuppa and a warm sticky date pudding smothered with warm runny custard.  Yum!  I have to have a naughty moment of indulgence sometime and this was it!
I enjoyed a brisk walk before visiting the local handyman store and returning home to relax before Merv arrived home from his day centre.  It was a nice way to end the week and enjoy some, 'me time.'

A Weighty Mindset

My idea of losing weight is to book a once in a lifetime overseas trip and lose a whole stack of weight allowing me to enjoy every cocktail, glass of wine and buffet while holidaying.  It usually works a treat; it gives me a goal and I usually have five or six kilos to lose.  Last year I was a hefty twelve kilos overweight and I had booked a cruelling 33km bush walking holiday in April 2013. 
I set myself a goal and worked out a weight loss plan.  In four months I had lost five kilos and felt really good about my loss.  Dustin had lost ten kilos in four months and I put his weight loss program to the test.  I was thrilled when I lost five more kilos over five months.  Christmas and Easter bringing my weight loss yo-yoing from smiles to frowns.  I had lost a whopping ten kilos at the time of the bush walk.  I was fitter, lighter and felt a million dollars.
Mel started Weight Watchers in March this year and I joined her to be her mentor and encourage her in her journey.  Since then I have lost a few more kilos; a total of thirteen kilos to date. I am now lighter than any other time in the last thirteen years.
This made me put on my thinking cap, I do have a, 'once in a lifetime overseas trip', coming up in October, but this is where the plot thickens.  After a little soul searching I realised my weight loss is my life insurance.  Keeping myself healthy is my assurance I will be able to care for Merv and Mel for many years to come.  By helping myself,  I am helping my family.  It is a good feeling.

Harry Underfoot

It rained all night and cleared up during the morning.  I was pleased as I am driving all the way to Mt Claremont and I expect we will do the return journey in peak hour traffic.  I will turn on the radio and keep my weary eyes glued to the road, there are always impatient and reckless drivers to be wary of.
Mel never did get her driver's license, she tried a couple of times but her medication was always her downfall.  Merv stopped driving in 2010 when he suddenly became ill.  I've been driving since I was twenty-one, it took me five times to bribe (maybe terrify) the instructor, but finally I was granted my license to brag about and flash around.
I am now the nominated driver for everything, no matter how long or short the journey.  I am a good driver but I jump at the chance of being chauffeured somewhere.  If someone offers I always agree!
Today I took Mel to Neurosciences and had her 'shaking' assessed.  The specialist was thorough and Mel reported he was very nice and considerate.  Just when we thought big bad Harry might wake from his slumber, we were relieved to know he is just underfoot.  We were both delighted to know her shaking isn't HD related, possibly a side effect of her ongoing medication.   It was a time to celebrate and we decorated our plates with huge sweet strawberries and enjoyed!

Open House

More than three years ago I would rush off to work and promise to pick up and clean up when I got home.  It didn't matter that the dishes weren't stacked in the dishwasher, the clean washing not folded and put away and the bed unmade.  It was never a problem because there was no one except us to see the mess.  Three years ago all of that changed!
When Merv became too ill to stay at home by himself I changed my hours from full time to three days a week and we arranged for support workers to share his day with him.
Overnight the beds were made, the dishes stacked,  the clean washing sorted and the ironing put away.  The kitchen was immaculate and Merv's lunch and snacks already for him in the fridge.  I was exhausted, but my house was presentable.
Every Wednesday, Thursday and Friday and the occasional Tuesday it's always the same; planning ahead, rushing around and getting the clean up done.  It is nice to have a representable house which keeps me on my toes, but our house is no longer our own.  It is open house to support workers, community care assessors, speech pathologists, occupational therapists and a variety of other professions who assist Merv in his HD journey.  I am glad there are professionals and helpers in our journey but I would love to be just my own 'not so tidy'  self whenever I want.