It's Over

I broke up with The Pill just over a month ago.  Before anyone informs my MIL and she starts making booties, let me just clarify that it is not for the reason you usually come off.  At least not yet.  As I have mentioned before I have PCOS, and The Pill is great for it, it hides everything and makes you believe that even if you have PCOS you don't really have it because The Pill fixes everything.  

Some of the symptoms of PCOS are: no periods, facial hair, acne, thinning of the hair and weight gain.  Being on The Pill the only symptoms I have are weight gain, insulin resistance and cysts.  I don't know if I suffer from anything else and therefore I feel I really don't know how bad the condition is.  And to be really honest, it does cause issues with fertility and as much as Hubby and I joke about not having children, the reality is we do want them and we would like to start seriously thinking about it in a year or so.  

So in the last month I felt it was time to 'get real' as Dr Phil would say.  I decided the best thing I could do was to get off The Pill and find out exactly what is going on with my body and just how badly I have this thing known as PCOS.  Then once I know what I am dealing with I can go about treating it and getting my body in much better shape so that some time in the not too distant future Hubby and I can start to plan an addition to our family.

For the last few weeks things have been good, I have had a lot of headaches which apparently is quite normal otherwise it has been a smooth transititon.  Interestingly I do feel that I have more mental clarity like a fog has been lifted.  I have read a lot about The Pill and I am starting to wonder if it may have been the main factor in having PCOS and insulin resistance in the first place.  I have been on it since an early teenager when I had a bad acne problem and The Dr put me on it to fix it.  It did fix it and the few times I came off it my acne blew up again so naturally I went running straight back onto The Pill.  But those days are over, it is time to fix things for good and get in shape for whatever the future may hold. 

Sugar

I was a child of the 80's and that meant one thing, Sugar.  It was back in the day when sugar was everywhere, and it was only the dentist that seemed to have an issue with it.  The 'tuck shop' at school (now called a canteen) was full of the stuff, there were no healthy meals, lunch was a mini pizza if that is what you so desired.  Then of course there was the old milk bar/general store that you would ride your bike to with your mates or brother/sister, fill up on lollies and head back home for a sugar frenzy.  And of course there were the parties.  Ah yes, parties where no one had any allergies or food sensitives and it was all sugar and white flour in all their glorious forms.  We were all addicted, we got onto the stuff early and it stuck, there were no boundaries, it was sugar freedom.

Then in the 90's when we all became moody teenagers (from too much sugar as a child perhaps?) sugar hung around to give us our high, we didn't do coffee, we did sugar.  Then after school I worked in retail for three years, in confectionery.  Which everyone tells me is their dream job but I can assure you the fantasy is NOT the reality.  I gained 10kg and I can never eat a Lindt ball again.  But I digress.

A few years ago as I was enjoying a delicious meal of Crispy Shredded Steak I suddenly found part of my tooth in my mouth.  Naturally having had a perfect dental history I freaked out.  The next day the dentist gave me a filling.  I was not prepared for it and as such was scared for life.  A few months before the wedding I went in for a check up and FIVE points where located for needing a filling.  I had three done as the other two could wait until later.

Yesterday I saw the dentist as I had a very painful tooth and had stage one of root canal.  If you have never had this done let me suggest that you do whatever you have to do to ensure you never have this treatment.  I already don't like dentists and now they are on The List.  I am sure there are lots of contributing factors but I believe it all comes back to the sugar.  All those years it slowly worked it's way through my mouth and now at the tender age of 30 I am having root canal.  It is time to take it out of my life, time to break up.  Sugar, you are on The List.

Grateful

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On Thursday morning I learned of the passing of Zig Ziglar, never have I been more upset about the loss of someone I have never met.

I was first introduced to the work of Zig Ziglar when I dabbled in Network Marketing over 10 years ago and was given a set of cassette tapes of his to listen to.  The network marketing didn't last but Zig Ziglar's message did.  There was something about that Southern accent and "You can have everything in life you want if you will just help enough other people get what they want" that stuck to me.  I started where I always start when I embark on something new and that was with 'Success for Dummies', written of course by Zig Ziglar.  I devoured every page of that book, it was as if a light had been turned on and I knew from that point that I would have the life I had dreamt about.  Over time I started to listen to his recordings which by now were downloads on my ipod.  Not long after starting my "automobile university" I met Hubby, and reflecting now, I wonder if things would have been different had I not started the process of becoming a happier and more positive person. 

Around 6 months ago after the wedding was over and we were settled into our house I found myself once again drawn to Zig's message, I bought a few more downloads, ordered a couple of books and introduced Hubby to Zig as well.  A few months ago I started on the self talk card which I can say with total confidence has been the one thing in my life that has lead to so much change lately.  Hubby and I started talking about what we were hearing and began applying the principals Zig taught.  Things started to change for us and we knew that the life we wanted was possible.  

Although we are really only at the start of the journey I am so grateful that I was introduced to the work of Zig Ziglar so many years ago.  And even though he has passed he has left a lasting legacy, he has left an amazing body of work not to mention a family that lives his message each and every day and are teaching a new generation the message of their father.  And that itself makes me think, I know what I want my life to look like, but what legacy do I want to leave?

Liebster Award

It has been a tad busy here lately, and this post is long overdue, but better late than never.

A few weeks ago two of my favourite bloggers, Jacana and Kirsa both nominated me for the Liebster Award (thank you!) so here are a few interesting facts about me.

The word “Liebster” apparently has German origins and is reported to mean sweetest, kindest, nicest, dearest, beloved, lovely, kind, pleasant, valued, cute, endearing, and welcome. 

So what is a Liebster Award? The award is given to support and recognise up and coming bloggers who have less than 200 followers (on their blog). 

The rules for the Liebster Award are as follows:

1. Each person must post 11 facts about themselves.

2. Answer 11 questions the tagger has given you and give 11 questions for the person you tag.

3. Choose 11 people and link them to your post (they must have 200 followers or less)

4. Tell them you have tagged them.

5. Remember, no tag backs.

 

11 random facts about me:

1)  I have only ever had one driving offense and that was when I was 16 and had been a learner for only 6 weeks (I was caught doing 70km/h in a 50km/h zone but Dad took the wrap for that as he was in the car teaching me and really he should have told me to slow down!).

2)  I have written a memoir.

3)  All dogs I have owned have been named after alcohol (although only the last two were deliberately named so).

4)  I have been known to eat an entire jar of olives in one sitting.

5)  I cannot do things by 3's, it has to be 2's or 4's, so if I have a third biscuit then I have to have another one.

6)  My middle name is the same middle name as both my grandmothers.

7)  Hubby and I both have the same defective toe, we both had an ingrown on both sides of our big toe, left foot (long before we met).  

8)  I am still trying to find the answer to the 'what do I want to do when I grow up' question.

9)  I get bored very easily, I always have to be learning something new.

10)  Even though I am a born and bred city girl I have always felt for as long as I could remember that I belonged in the country.

11)  When my asthma was first discovered my parents contemplated moving to the country for the better air quality.  Tragically they didn't. 

Jacana wants to know.....

Explain a family tradition you have?

We go out to a restaurant for Christmas lunch each year, that way no one has to worry about cooking and no one has to clean up!

What is the best gift you have ever received?

A dozen roses my Hubby gave to me when he picked me up for our first date.  We both just knew.

Do you have a hobby?

I have a lot of hobbies but never time for all of them.  At the moment I am really into reading, gardening, walking and wine tasting.

Name 3 items in your handbag or glove box?

Handbag always has my favourite pink Oroton wallet, my mobile phone and my ventolin.

Can you keep secrets?

Yes.  But when something is no longer a secret I always feel so relived.

As a child what did you want to be when you grew up?

Where do I start?  I wanted to be so many different things but the two that stick out the most are marine biologist and fashion designer (which go so well together to).

How far did you go in the education system?

I completed a Bachelor degree and began post graduate studies but they are on hold at the moment.

Have you ever won anything?

I did win an award at Speech Night in my final year at school, and that was a goal I set at the start of the year.  Still waiting to win some money however.

If you could go anywhere in the world, where would you choose?

In all honestly I really want to go to America, always have and I will get there one day.  I want to see the America you do not see in the movies or on TV and a little part of me wants to be a Southern Belle for just a night.

EBook or paper book?

Paper all the way, convenient and I don't get sore eyes from reading.  However I will buy ebooks that are short, easy reads that I can flip through on the train, and they must have lots of colour otherwise my eyes hurt.

Which famous person (living or dead) would you like to sit next to at a dinner party?

Zig Ziglar it would be the most educational and inspiring evening of my life.

Kirsa wants to know.....  

What is your favorite season?

No contest, Autumn.  When Hubby and I became engaged all we knew about the wedding was that it had to be in Autumn and that became the theme of our wedding.  I love the crispness of the air and the way nature shifts inwards.  I love snuggling up and putting on wool jumpers.  I could harp on about it all day.

 

What animal would you most like to be? 

I'm torn between the air and the sea.  Dolphin to be able to move through the water the way they do and an eagle to experience flying.

What is your favorite sandwich 

Ham and cheese with lots of real butter. 

How far back is your first memory

Visiting mum at the hospital about a few months after my brother was born, I was about 2 and a half. 

Did you ever think you loved a rock star/movie star and who was it? 

Again where do I start?  In the name of good humour I will say that I had a really big thing for Brandon from Beverley Hills 90210 (the original) I think he was only 10 years older than me so in my pre-teen mind we could get married.

Describe your ideal holiday 

5 star accommodation in an upmarket country town with lots of wineries and fine dining restaurants to visit.  And then maybe spending a few days on a tropical island to grab a tan and a few cocktails before coming back to reality.  

Do you chop the heads off a boiled egg, or crack and peel off the shell? 

Neither, I have never had a boiled egg, I have them poached or scrambled.

What kind of car do you drive and if its not your dream car, what is? 

I drive an old Mitsubishi Lancer, and it is definitely not my dream car.  My dream car is the one that Kate Middleton had to her wedding, I am not good on cars but I know it was a black Jaguar, now that is style.

Who is your favorite Author? 

Honestly I do not think I have a favourite.  I like many different types and styles of writing and I find it hard to part with good books, I could be here all night!

What made you start blogging? 

I felt I had a lot to say and instead of thinking things and losing them I wanted to record them.

Would you jump out of a plane?  

No.  In fact I would say Never with a 0.1% margin of error.

I am nominating whoever is reading this and wants to play along (yes slightly breaking the rules).

Goodbye Holiday, Hello Work

Feel so good.  Today snippets of work have popped into my head but I am not giving them any time. I have a few hours of my holiday left to enjoy and I am making the most of it by chilling in the rumpus with Hubby and The Boys, watching DVDs.

Hubby and I popped down to the Southern Highlands for a couple of nights as a bit of a mini break.  I have not been down there for many years and all the times I did go was on a day trip so it was nice to stay a while.  We thoroughly enjoyed ourselves with the food and wine and lots of R and R.  The place we stayed was amazing and the hosts were the nicest people, running a brand new B'n'B.  Each evening before we went out to dinner they invited us to share a glass of wine and cheese with them before we left.  It was greatly appreciated and we enjoyed the conversation.

On the way down we popped into the info centre to find out what to do.  The lady there provided many suggestions and one of them was an open garden.  It was only open for two days and it was the last time it would be open.  I suddenly remembered reading about a similar garden in Country Style and sure enough it was the same one.

On Thursday we visited Whitley.  We have never attended an open garden before but I will say I really enjoyed it.  We were definitely the youngest people there but that didn't matter.  Actually it seems to be a bit of a recurring theme for us.  The gardens were spectacular and I really appreciated all the work that went into them, however part of me couldn't help but think that with all that space maybe they could have a few cows, sheep, and chickens.  If I had all that land I would be running the largest hobby farm I could imagine.

The sun is now setting and work awaits me tomorrow, but I feel good.  I have the energy to get through work until the next holiday and I also have an overflow of inspiration to allow me to daydream a little each day.  And isn't that what a holiday is all about?  Energy, inspiration and creating memories with those you love, at least that is what it is all about for me.

Holidays

On Sunday in our attempts to get out of the house, we ended up doing the most Central Coast thing possible.  We somehow found ourselves with fish and chip sitting by the water.  No points for originality but it was a good time all the same.  I needed to soak up the sun and breathe in some fresh air.  It was relaxing and it was nice for Hubby and I to talk about a few things outside the house.

Yesterday my family came up.  I somehow thought it would be a great idea for us to all make pizzas for dinner.  From scratch.  I have only ever done this once before and that was years ago.  The kitchen that was so perfectly clean for their arrival now looks like a flour bomb has gone off.  It was all worth it as the pizzas were amazing and I have decided that freshly made dough is the only way to eat a pizza.  Mum and I covered ours with pepperoni, olives, anchovies and garlic.  Oh my mouth is still watering just thinking about it.  Hubby was disgusted at our creation and stuck with his ham and pineapple, but I reminded him that I have never been one to go with the crowd.  Afterwards myself, Hubby and my Bro chilled out in the rumpus with home made cocktails.  Bliss.

Today is of course Melbourne Cup, I have the dress, the shoes and the fascinator.  But first I need to take Raz off to the vets for his shots.  My family and I are heading out for a 3 course lunch in front of a big screen TV, right on the beach.  Should be another great day.  We popped down to the local newsagent/post office/TAB with token bottle shop next door (there is also a hairdresser and that completes the shopping 'village') and for only the second time this year I bought a lotto ticket.  So did mum, and we agreed to halve all winnings ($50 million please) we also each paid for a Carnival Combo Mystery Bet (one of them had Americain so here's hoping).  That is the only way I know how to put money on a horse.  Although last year we did Melbourne Cup with the girls at work and one of the girls ended up winning just over $2,000 on her Carnival Combo, hopefully drinks are on me tonight.

Do you have anything planned for today?

Hip Hip Hooray

As of 3:30pm tomorrow I am officially on holidays and I could not be happier (well maybe if I win the $100 mil I probably would be).  Hubby and I have not had a break since our honeymoon which ended over 6 months ago.  This break is quite overdue.  

We have nothing planned.  We may or may not go away, but The Boys are booked into the kennels pet resort for a few nights just in case.  I have made it clear that we are to spend no more than 2 days in the house, we need to get out and do stuff.  It has been just over 2 years since we left Sydney and we really don't know the Central Coast all that well.  We just live here.  Yet there is always a mass exodus from Sydney every school holidays when they flood in here and take over visit, so there must be something going on around here that I do not know about.  It is time we explored 'The Coast', after all we need to face the fact that we are now "Coasties" (much to certain Sydney people's horror).

Not too sure where to start, Hubby and I are big food and wine people.  The food here is, well, I am from Sydney so let's just leave it at that, as for the wine, there is a fruit winery, and I have been there so that covers that.  But there are beaches of course and lakes, and lots of things for the kids to do.  I have an Entertainment Book so we are going to go through that, rip out a voucher and go exploring.

At the end of the day it doesn't matter so much what we do, but that we do it together.  We need to spend time having fun and away from the drama of work and the stress of the house.  We need to rest, relax and get ourselves ready for a hectic November and December.  After all we need to work to live not live to work.