Mini Lotto Win

Life is full of little surprises and ones that aren't quite so little.  Yesterday another bill landed in my mailbox.  It was expected, my car registration renewal.  It used to be only 6 months or 12 monthly.  Now you can pay 3 monthly but only online.  I sighed, more money going out, but the car has to be registered.  I had a few spare minutes so I read both sides of the bill including the concession information.  What was this I was reading?  I think I am eligible for a concession.  Ten minutes later online and WOW I can receive a 100% discount if I present to the licensing centre a letter from Centrelink stating I receive the full carer's pension plus my concession card.  A saving of around $500 per year!  As good as a mini lotto win!
This morning I put in a call to Centrelink and the helpful young lady told me my letter will be in the post very soon and should be sitting in my letterbox by Friday.  Three cheers for Centrelink!  Now I am thinking what I can do with the money I am saving.  Decisions, decisions should I spend or save?  Or maybe a bit of both....

App Magic

The weather is so much better, a hint of Spring lingered in the air as we strolled along the Swan River.  The sun was warm with a slight breeze and the promise of warmer weather to come.
The morning was busy with Merv's speech pathologist arriving early at our door.  A confident, friendly lady who showed us how the communication app, Proloquo2Go can work for Merv on our ipad.  When asked what type of drink Merv would like, he answered; a beer!  A sentence was added to the program; 'Get me a beer please Pamela,'  and a picture of a tankard of beer was added!  A tap of a finger tip on the picture of the beer tankard and the sentence is spoken aloud.  A perfect question for beer swilling Merv.  Needless to say Merv would have less than 6 beers in any one year!
We hope to have the communication app on our ipad in a couple of weeks after funding is approved.  Only three years ago we couldn't, no matter how hard we tried, stop Merv from talking. He talked non-stop to anyone who would listen.  His conversation these days consists of a few words and rarely whole sentences.  Thank goodness for the ipad and apps! 

Respite Completed!

Merv was happy to come home today and fortunately he had a great time in the respite cottage.  He was one of three short-term residents and he thoroughly enjoyed the attention of the carers and other residents.  He was looking well and was settled when I picked him up.  Mel and I had a walk before we picked him up and afterwards we treated ourselves to the Dome café.  Merv tucked into his regular order of warm apple pie with a large swirl of cream!

I had a wonderful weekend away.  We were treated to exquisite meals including an amazing goat and pasta dish and the next day, succulent salmon and asparagus. On Saturday we toured the Swan Valley in a local shuttle bus; no worries about wine tasting!    Our tour included; divine coffee, wineries with tastings, lunch choices, chocolate shop and nougat store.  After a variety of wine tasting I bought two bottles of sweet white wine and an array of chocolate treats from the chocolate shop.  Back to the good eating lifestyle tomorrow but today I am continuing my eat whatever I like day.  Breakfast at the retreat this morning was a spread of buffet delights, most of which I tasted; all of which I approved!

The retreat was a time to catch up with fellow carers and share stories and laughs, all good medicine for our overtired selves.  We walked the golf course, but had no plans to play.  We spied a couple of male kangaroos having a boxing match over a couple of females. 

We talked, we ate, we had fun.  I can't wait for the next retreat!

 

Pre-Party Dilemma

Merv looks really cool with his new glasses.  Designer glasses at a basement bargain price!  I've been rushing all day to get ready for respite this afternoon.  Poor Merv hasn't even had a chance to beat me at dominoes, UNO or tri-ominos.  Mel rang and said she had spent her weekend money on food that she didn't need.  I am pleased I have put the bank app on my iphone, I'll transfer money to her later.  I have looked after her money since she started receiving a disability pension in 1999.  She has a 'secret' bank account with no debit/credit card attached and currently has enough money for a return trip to Italy, only the flights.  Mel uses the money to buy clothes at the change of seasons, accessories and other big items.  It works very well.   I transfer $50 per week into her secret account and it grows because she can't access it!  It works so well I opened my own account and I made a pact with myself not to access it, unless needed for emergencies and it has grown steadily.  It is mainly for, 'a rainy day' scenario.
Merv is using his ipad and we are ready to go.  The next blog complete with photos will be on Sunday 18 August.  Have a good weekend.

Too Tired to Party

My body aches, my eyes are drooping, I long for sleep.  A long deep slumber to rejuvenate my soul and my; oh so tired body. Tomorrow I join a group of carers on a fun filled weekend retreat and Merv is booked into weekend respite on the outskirts of the city in a historical cottage.  It should be wonderful but I have spent most of the week checking his Webster Pack has been ordered and his clothes are clean and labelled.  I feel like a headless chook running here and running there, checking my list to ensure I have not forgotten anything of importance.  I pack for Merv and I pack for me and at the end of it, I unpack for Merv and I unpack for me.  Then there is the sorting and the washing which comes at the end.  This is the moment you can't remember actually attending the retreat because all of those pleasant fun memories are quashed with the washing, cleaning and ironing!
I close my eyes and I am  secretly whisked away, imagining I drop Merv off at his respite address and return home to an empty house.  There is nothing to do, but sleep, eat and lounge around.  I put on my favourite movie and enjoy a microwave dinner while stretching on my recliner engrossed in another favourite movie.   My mind continues to whirl and I wake the next day at 10am, make pancakes for breakfast and enjoy them in bed while catching up on a long winded novel.  I take myself to the movies and meet friends for lunch before boarding a boat for a sunset dinner cruise with friends. 
My head bobs forward and I awake with a jolt.  Just a dream and I begin to pack the suitcases.  Merv will be well looked after and I will have fun and unwind for the weekend.  I smile and make a mental note to one day book a respite day just for myself and book myself a few surprises.

Birthday Boy

Happy Birthday Merv, 59 today!  Merv beamed.  He likes birthdays!  Today was full of celebrations.  Merv loved his three pairs of pyjamas but he couldn't quite figure out how each item, still in it's original packaging had a tag with  his name on it!
Merv began his celebrations at his social group this morning with a birthday cake and best wishes from his friends.  The afternoon for him was rather sedentary but come 4pm the celebrations were in full swing.  Mel and I rocked on home and put together a riggy-dig afternoon tea of mammoth proportions.  This morning I had slaved over a hot stove baking scones and cooking a mouth watering chocolate birthday cake.  We served up sweet strawberries and ripe papaya plus adding
my sister's tempting home-made cookies.  Merv enjoyed his Milo while I settled for strong coffee!  Mel shared her news and the evening was just beginning as we headed off to Zizzi's restaurant for a celebration dinner.
Merv insisted his birthday would be celebrated in style with Ham and Pineapple Pizza (very Australian!) and a beer, which is exactly what he did.  The rest of us chose more mundane foods vowing we were all watching our weight but we are likely to succumb to apple pie and custard much later.  Merv enjoyed his man-sized pizza and washed it down with his stubby of amber fluid.  After thanking the staff for a memorable night we went home to enjoy the apple pie and Merv blew out his candles and three lone sparklers!  Merv retired to bed a very happy man!

Endorphin Estacy

I scrubbed, washed, cleaned and tidied the house today.  I am not expecting royalty to visit but tomorrow a new support worker is providing a service for Merv.  Maybe he is tall; I cleaned the top of the fridge, maybe he will need to use the mop and bucket if Merv spills something; I cleaned and tidied the laundry.  I tidy and clean the house every week but I was trying a little too hard this week.  I have previously been offered a basic house cleaning service from Merv's agency but I always decline.  I like to do my own cleaning; it makes me responsible and I also know any physical activity gets those endorphins jumping around inside me making me feel less stressed.  House work = less stress.  Not everyone would agree with me, but it works for me.  An hour or two working in the garden gives me the same peace and calm.  My house is clean and tidy.  I smile, I am ready for the new support worker and Merv's 59th birthday tomorrow.