Wow my last blog was December!!! A lot has been happening in the last few months.

THE GARDENS

DS and I are gradually making headway with them. There is actually only a small portion of garden but a lot of overgrown trees and shrubs around. Some are being cut out and others trimmed. A lot of Dahlias have popped up in one garden and you only see them if you go and feed the chooks. I am going to replant them up on the bank behind the houses so they can be enjoyed when you walk out of the back doors which are used as the main entrance on both houses.

I have started a vege garden but the soil still needs a lot of improving. . I have cabbage, cauliflower, carrots and silvetbeet growing. There are two raised gardens and one had a big clump of fennel in it. DS has dug it out and hopefully he has got it all but I won't do anything with it until spring. In the other half of that garden I have planted a mustard crop to dig in soon to help improve the soil.

THE ANIMALS

DD gave away the Alpacas last year but over the summer the grass grew long and became a fire hazard. DS mowed it and I purchased some sheep and they are doing well as mowers. I don't have to get them shorn as they are a breed that drop their wool.

The duck and hens are doing well and we get one or two eggs a day. I gave away a dozen on Friday in exchange for getting the chimney cleaned.

THE HOUSE

When we moved in the hot water system was gas and we could not get the shower temperature right. We were lucky that we didn't get burnt. We were showering at DDs until late March when the Plumber finally came and replaced it with an electric system. Apparently the gas system we had was not suitable for using with a pump. Now it is getting colder it is so nice not to have to go out in the cold to have a shower.

Tuesday the electrician is coming to put in a light above my kitchen sink and double plugs in the dining area and by my armchair in the lounge.

I am still resorting stuff and have more for the oppie. It's am ongoing thing.

SUPERANNUATION

I have had about $70 paid of the last $300 - $400 and no interest. The company went into liquidation last December and I only found out in March. I can only be thankful that I did get the large portion of my super paid and left when I did. My instincts told me that things were not "right" about 4 months after they took over.

I feel sorry for the previous owners who had the company for 30 years and to see it closed in less than 18 months of the new owners buying it.

Happy thoughts for today - I am going to feed the chooks and duck then count the sheep. It is cold and gray so I will light the fire, have a shower and wash my hair. Sort out another container and craft until it is time to feed the chooks again.

J A N U A R Y

Had my annual bloods done after our New Year road trip filled with almond chai, Fruchocs, icypoles and easy travel stop carb food - oh hi there Maccas/ Hungry Jacks/ country bakeries. 🤤🤤

Blood sugar reading of 6 at fasting and Dr wants me on metformin.

Yikes.

I suppose this the blood wake up call I needed. I'd like to avoid pricking fingers and taking meds and I KNOW I can do it. I managed to keep my gestational diabetes under control by NOT listening to the endocrinologist and going low carb.

I have toddlers. Stay at home parent. I can do this. The kids need carbs. I don't. They need fit and healthy parents.

I received the news on Tuesday last week and took measurements on Wednesday.

I booked in for lymphatic drainage massage to help shift blocked and painful fluid around my arms and legs. Feeling like a new human ready to tackle the world.

Starting weight 91.55 kg

I realized I hadn't posted this yet. 🤦‍♀️ I know I'll be more accountable if I post here!

I've dropped 1.45 kg in the past week. Probably mostly water weight as I'm feeling much better walking around without too much pain. There's a few more hot days to end January with and I have to postpone my follow up MLD massage so fingers crossed for no flares. 🤞

JANUARY 2024:
4y 1m variable
20y 10m fixed
around $60.02 per day (combined) in interest.

HAPPY NEW YEAR 2024!

Things to quote and do this year, because we didn't get to do all the things on last year's list. 😆😆

Things to quote and do:
• Backyard landscaping after concrete is done- decking front porch and back porch.
• Levelling/ soft fall for monkey bar set 🐒
• wicking beds, outdoor bench seats to sit and supervise 👨‍🌾

Things to purchase:

• New letterbox /parcel locker- this almost went flying in high winds recently 🤣🤣 the old girl is still hanging on! It's getting a bit embarrassing now. 🤦‍♀️🤣
• Security cameras- ring camera? 📹

+ Bed frames for the girls

+ Better wardrobe storage? Or just declutter the old clothes as required.

+TV? Hubby desperately wants a new one 🤣 it got damaged pretty badly after last January's storm but it works fine for streaming which is all we do anyway.

Things went pear shaped in 2023 after repeated rate rises, we held it together and kept plowing ahead with as much gusto as we could manage. There's prediction of at least 1 more in February before any cuts happen before end of 2024.

I'm not going back to work until 2025 now so I'll need to figure out a side hustle of sorts to get some extra moolah coming in to keep smashing it. Open to lots of ideas. Part of the money going to daycare has been added to our fortnightly repayment amount.