Banana bread, anyone?

I got it into my head to make banana-bread tonight. I had these overripe bananas, quite inedible, actually, and then I remembered that they’re good for baking into bread. So I phoned my mom, got her recipe, went and bought the ingredients, and made the bread. This is the first time I’ve baked anything in about five years, and it felt good.
Amazingly, it came out looking nice. Quite yummy. No-one has eaten of it yet, as it only finished baking at a quarter to ten. So I’ll have to wait for the verdict tomorrow.

While it was in the oven, I watched ‘Eternal sunshine of the spotless mind’ with Jim Carey and Kate Winslet. It was quite beautiful, in a very weird, confusing way. I liked it.

Modays aren't so scary

I had such a stunning weekend.

The visit with Taryn went brilliantly. Her and I spent most of the time beading, although we did watch most of Titanic in the background. She found my missing earring butterfly in about ten minutes, lol. I was so pleased. Definitely worth R5 for her services.
I was seriously looking forward to the pizza, but was determined that we would eat something healthy, too. So I outfoxed her by saying she had to eat her veggies (broccoli and marrows) and her salad (tomato and cucumber) before we even opened the pizza box. Which she did. Me too. I wanted to be quite full before I even started with the pizza, so that I didn’t gobble up the whole box like I normally do. I actually only had four slices before I was full. Ta and I made short work of the cinnamon and chocolare Scoot-o’s which were delicious.
We stopped off for ice-creams (a KFC avalanche) when we took her home. I had a taste of Michael’s, which was nice. All in all, a very nice day.

Then I went to visit my mom and dad, and slept over Sat. night. Had such a nice time there. They looked so pleased to see my walking around the place. It couldn’t have been easy for them when I was so sick.
It’s actually a nice compromise. I get to spend quality time with my parents, and Michael gets to play all the golf he wants without feeling guilty about me sitting at home. I love our life.

Yesterday, after M came to fetch me, I decided I wanted something sweet to round off my naughty weekend. So I popped into the café (by myself, without the walker, while M waited in the car!) Nearly bought a slab, with the idea being to eat one or two blocks a day. Then I thought, YEAH RIGHT. Whatever. So I bought a tiny little Bar-One (45g) In my previous existence I didn’t even know they made them that small. But it turned out to be just right. I only wanted that chocolatey taste and a bit of a nibble.Since I’ve started this whole thing of not ‘denying’ myself anything, I’m just making way smarter choices. I think my problem, previously, was that I made such an issue about my healthy diet, and felt like a bit of a martyr. I finally seem to have struck a happy balance.

Quick update

This is just a quick update. There is bad lightning, and I want to disconnect our modem. I'll do a proper update tomorrow.

Firstly, Taryn and I had a brilliant day yesterday. I don't know who enjoyed the beading more, her or I. I'm hooked. These are pics of my very first creation. Unfortunately, I don't have a pic of hers, which was prettier.

Then I just had to put on some more pics of BlogDog for Annie, who I suspect is feeling more dogsickk than homesick :-) Hope the pics cheer you up, Wannazula.

Huh?

Don't know what just happened, but when I published my entry, all my paragraph spaces were removed. So if it reads a bit weird, it's not my fault.
Man, I really have to make a plan about learning some html!

The weekend, she is here1

Ten Things Life Is:

Beauty, admire it

A dream, realize it

An adventure, dare it

Luck, make it

A struggle, accept it

A game, play it

A challenge, meet it

A duty, complete it

A promise, fulfill it

Life is life, fight for it

Source: Sunday Times Magazine

I thought that was nice, thought-provoking, etc. Tore it out of the magazine, but didn’t really know what to do with it, lol, till I got the idea to put it on my blog.

I hate cell-phone disturbance on the computer while I’m working on it. It really gets my goat. (I’m trying to clean up my language a bit, otherwise I’d say it p*sses me off) Don’t know why this irritates me so much but it really does.

I had another quantum leap with my walking today. I actually left home without my walker, and managed fine without it. I still haven’t lost the feeling of being blessed every second of the day. I hope I never do.

Today the traveling pain is in my knees. I wonder what are the chances that it’ll give me a break tomorrow. I can only hope.

Tomorrow, Taryn is coming to visit me. I can’t wait. Her and I are going to (in no particular order): Watch Titanic, order (and consume) pizza, make something with beads, and make Ta a CD with the song ‘Find Me Somebody to Love’ by Queen on it, which she loves. I’m also going to offer her R5 if she can find my earring’s butterfly that I lost in our bedroom. Might as well make use of those sharp little eyes.

I’ve decided I’m going to have some pizza tomorrow. I promised myself that I was through denying myself anything. And so far, I haven’t felt like anything junky, but I really feel like having some pizza tomorrow with Taryn. I’m looking forward to it a lot. We’re ordering from Scooters pizza, and they have these delectable-looking ‘Scoot-o’s’, which according to the ad are fluffy little doughballs ‘baked to golden perfection’ with a choice of either cheese with a garlic dip, or cinnamon with a chocolate dip. I think I’ll stick myself for some of those too, lol. Weekend, here I come. (I will try to operate in moderation, of course!)

Rainy days and Thursdays...

Funny thing that happened last night: I watched a bit of the news (which I never do), about the Palestinian parliamentary elections. The newsreader meant to say the Fighter Party, but that’s not quite how it came out. Ha ha. More like Farty Pighter. I’m still laughing about that. Credit where it’s due, though, she did keep a straight face.

I had a really nice day. I was able to do some washing. Well, the machine did the actual washing, but I was able to load it, and hang the washing up afterwards. And then bring it in again when it started to rain, and hang it on the clothes horse inside. This was nothing more than a pipe-dream a couple of months ago. Never thought I’d enjoy the banal things in life so very much. Only thing is that my back is pretty bloody sore after all the activity. I wonder if I should perhaps go for a (expensive1) sonar, just to see how the land lies. Might be worthwhile.

I read some book in bed with a lovely breeze blowing in. I actually had to snuggle into my duvet it was so fresh. We had lovely rain today. Some pretty heavy lightning, too. I’m quite scared of lightning. I was nipping while bringing in the washing, I can tell you.

I discovered that there is a lovely little bead shop just down the road from where we stay. My niece, Taryn is crazy about beading and I promised her I’d try and get some. Well, I got some lovely ones, and also found out that they give classes on a Saturday morning, so hopefully her and I can toddle off soon to attend one. I’m actually getting quite keen on the whole bead scene myself. It looks like fun.

Had a really nice conversation with my granny. We spoke for ages. I’ve really missed her. Her hip is healing nicely, but it seems like it’s a long process. She told me that the old iliac joint will just pop back in one good day, and I should just be patient.

I saw an excellent talk show about diet yesterday that confirmed my whole little epiphany that I’ve had regarding same. The dietician said not to deny yourself anything, because what you focus on, you’ll eat. So if you tell yourself, “I’m denying myself chocolate, I’m denying myself chocolate…” eventually you’ll say, “I’ll kill for a chocolate,” and end up eating a 200g slab. She said rather focus on healthier options.
Even if you want to go for fast-food, have a carrot or some other raw, fresh item on the way there. That way, you get the benefit of the carrot and you fill up your stomach a bit so that you’ll eat less junk. They also said that whatever you’re eating, moderation is the key. This has always been my Achilles heel, but it does seem to be getting better these days. Case in point, there were actually some of the ginger biscuits left over for today, ha ha.

I plucked my eyebrows, which was long overdue. Not majorly, I mean I still keep the natural shape and everything, but they were looking pretty unkempt. Now they’re looking quite gamine, if I do say so myself.

Oh yes, and the gripe that I forgot about yesterday was that the cortisone buggers up my skin every time. But I must say, it is starting to look all right again, so I’ll officially retract that complaint. After all, I’ve had so many benefits from the meds, that I can really put up with a rash that is anyway on its way out.
Toodle-oo now, and good night!

Hope I'm not responsible for starting this tradition...

May I introduce the Ingratitude Journal, because there it nothing as therapeutic as a bit of bitch. Ha ha.

Ingratitude Journal:

*This cold/flu has a grip on me. Didn’t sleep well last night, and spent the whole morning in bed. Still, at least I am in a position where I can spend the whole morning in bed. Also, I was just ripe for a cold (which is mother nature’s way of detoxing the body, btw) due to all the junk food I’ve been burdening my body with these past four months. So onward from here.
*The pain vacillates from my right hip to my left one. It’s like a freaking traveling circus. Very uncomfortable today. I guess I should be glad that it’s not in both hips at the same time.
*I’m losing weight, which I’m not keen on. Don’t like being skinny. It’s just as unsexy as being chubby, which people don’t seem to understand.
*There was something else I wanted to gripe about, but for the life of me, I can’t remember.
*Two days ago, I went to buy my expensive monthly vitamins. They really are pricey, but definitely worth it. Anyway, I get an sms now from the company that the very two products I always buy are on special till end of the month. 50% off the one. About R45. Talk about your timing!

And now for the more traditional Gratitude Journal.

Gratitude Journal:

*My sis-in-law Jannette is expecting another little girl. I am so, so happy for her! I’m also happy that her and I are such good friends.
*I can walk! I’m just doing better every day.
*My mom came to visit, and she was overjoyed at how my walking has improved. We had a lovely visit, and she brought me my vit.C that I left at her house. That should help matters.
*I’m feeling better now than I did this morning.
*I’m going to have my Ginger Crunchie biscuits that I bought at the health shop for tea this afternoon. Now that I don’t exacerbate from heat anymore, I can finally have a nice cup of Rooibos tea, which I have sorely missed all these years.
*The Weakest Link is showing tonight, lol.
*The suspicious-looking new mole on my arm that I thought I’d have to have removed turned out to be nothing more than a bit of glue from the plaster they had on over the drip at the hospital. Phew, relief! Although I do feel a bit blonde about it, lol.

Annie won’t be coming to visit this weekend after all. She has a gala at the school to attend. How cool is that. I can just see her sitting on the pavilion with the other teachers. She says she’ll try and make it next weekend though.

I just had my tea and biscuits, while reading a book, and I can’t tell you how much I enjoyed it. It’s been literally years!

I also had a couple of slices of my ‘health’ bread with some tomato and black pepper on. It was so nice. Commercial bread has become very bland-tasting, and this bread has a pleasant full-bodied flavour. Very yum. It had better be after what I paid for it. Let’s just say that I wouldn’t be able to afford it more than one a month, lol.

Yet another great day, what's going on, lol.

Today has been great so far.

I did develop a head cold, but it is very mild and I’m not feeling that bad. If I can get off so lightly with this bug then I’ll be glad.

Also my hips/ back are definitely doing better than they were. Look, they’re still uncomfortable and sore, but the trend seems to be that it is getting better. Yay!

We went to a couple of shops during lunch. I was actually able to go in by myself (although I still use the walker for confidence) and Michael could stay in the car and listen to the cricket on the radio. I can’t tell you how good it felt. I went to the little health shop that we have here (which is my favourite shop, I think) and bought some ginger biscuits, which I have been craving for ages and a nice Essene bread, which I have always wanted to try. My walker was more of a liability than anything else, lol. I was carrying it, and an armful of purchases. But I still like having it around.

Then we went to my in-laws. Quintus (5) commented on how good my walking is looking, I thanked him and said that soon I’d be throwing my walker away. He looked horrified, and said, “No! Don’t do that. Just now when you grow old you fall and break your leg like your granny did, and then you’ll need your walker.”
I was amazed. He must have heard about my gran in the conversation. He is such a perceptive little boy.
Also, he loved opening and closing my walker for me, and helping me out with it. A real little gentleman.

I just have to look sharp or my running nose will drip on my keyboard, lol. Not sure if Mike will like that.

My mom babysat for her littlest granddaughter this morning, and is so taken with her, and what a good girl she was. And how beautiful she is. She has these amazing blue eyes that are almost almond shaped. My mom thinks she will be a dancer, because she loves music and is always pointing her toes. I can’t wait to see Aiden again, myself. I’ve missed so much of her first year through being ill, I’ll have to make up for lost time.

Prison Break is starting on tv tonight. Think I may give that a try, after all the hype there’s been about it.

********************************************************************************
I spent about half an hour cleaning our keyboard, which was looking very grubby. It looks so nice now, I feel such a sense of achievement, ha ha.

Unfortunately, I’m feeling a bit worse for wear as far as the head cold is concerned. Not that lekker, actually. I only hope this is its swan song.
*********************************************************************************
Ooh, my back is so sore now, and I can’t lie down because then the post-nasal drip makes me feel awful. This cold is overstaying its welcome. I’m still happy though, lol.

Great day!

What another great day! I don't think I've ever had such an enjoyable week in my life, honestly.

Hips/ back are still sore. They were bloody sore when I woke up, and I had a tension headache, too, which passed after I popped two panados. (They actually worked, Mel, lol)
They bothered me today because of the discomfort, but I'm not letting it slow me down. I've waited too long to feel like this.
My granny apparently also had trouble with her illiac joint some years ago. She says it was sore, and took long to come right, but the point is that it did come right and onit's own, too. So I'll just bide my time.

We went shopping at Woolworths again today!! It was so much fun. I got some more blueberries, too. And some dates, my favourite. I'm eating like a King.

This afternoon, I went visiting Melany and her boys. That was so nice. I swear we didn't stopchatting from when I got there till I left. I also gave her son Quintus a quick piano lesson. He definitely has a feel for it, even though he's only 5. I think he'll be playing quite soon, if I can just manage to give him a regular lesson.

Michael is feeling much better. He's back at work, and nearly over it. Only I hope that I am not getting it now. My throat has a definite twinge. I guess I'll know soon enough. Really hope not, though.

Can't wait for tomorrow. Who knows what fun it will bring with it.

Midnight

I've gotta go to bed, it's late and my back is sore. But I've had such a productive couple of hoours in front of the computer. Did so many things I've been meaning to do for ages.
I ordered my parcel of books. Yay! They'll be here in 15 working days. Can't wait. I do love books.

I did not order the Gary Larson Box Set. Maybe I will later if I come into some money (you never know, lol), but for now it's on my wishlist. The thing is, I'm going to buy myself a water-distiller. I've wanted one for absolute ages. I did a couple of searches and found out that they are much more in my price range than I thought. I'm so excited. I just have to make up my mind between the regular one and the non-electric one, which you just put on a stove-top. It costs a little more than my 'birthday money' especially seeing as how I spent some of it on books, but I should be able to get it in a month or so's time. I'm really thrilled about this.

We have so many ripe bananas in the house. More than we can eat. If I don't give some away tomorrow, they'll go off. I need Mel's Jason to come and visit. The little tyke always asks me for a banana when he comes to visit. It's so cute. We've been buying the boys chocolate eggs when we go and visit. So now Jason, who's 3, asks if we brought him an egg when he sees us. It's so cute (and totally our fault), but I think when we go and visit again, I'll take him a banana and when he asks about the egg (which he will) I'll hand over the banana. His reaction should be interesting, lol.

Let me say goodbye to another wonderful day, and go to sleep.

Grrr grrr grrr!

This Blogdoggie is for Annie, if she drops by.

Where are my bullets??

Now I'm annoyed. I spent about half an hour writing that post - with bullets - and when I published it they disappeared. Damn, I hope I can get them back.

I've been nipping a bit that I'll catch the flu from Michael. Especially with my immune system being low from the cortisone. But so far so good. Anyway, I've missed him so much that I'd rather take my chances with the flu and spend time with him.

What a Wonderful World

Tell me if I'm becoming annoyingly upbeat, lol. I just can't seem to help it. Nothing can rain on my parade, not even the pain in my hips (which btw is much better today).

• *Michael is still feeling really sick. I feel so bad for him, it is so awful to have the flu. His chest is feeling constricted, which worries me. He is probably going to take tomorrow off work, which is maybe the second tkme he has done so since I met him.
• *My sister, Sonja, and her husband came to visit us this afternoon which was lovely. We visit so nicely with them, and she had a nice growth spurt in her pregnant tummy. She is glowing, it's so nice to see her like that.
• *Annie (baby sis) might come visit next weekend. I hope so. I told her she just has to see me in action. Last time she saw me, I couldn't walk on my own. She's gonna be really surprised at the improvement I've made.
• *On Friday, M and I watched the most brilliant movie: The Wedding Crashers. I laughed so much, and I do love to laugh. It was really something different, with a really intelligent script and good dialogue.
• *Today we watched 22 minutes of the movie: Pauly Shore is Dead. It was beyond awful, maybe the worst movie I've ever seen. Pointless bad lamguage, constantly. We couldn't figure it out at all! Thankfully, we cut our losses andmoved on.
• *My hips are feeling much better today. Much better than yesterday, that is, but still uncomfortable. As I sit here, my back has a dull ache. I can cope with it, though, especially as it at least seems to be improving now. I so hope it is better tomorrow, then I will know that this session at the chiro's finally did the trick. I have been battling (and I do mean battling) with it since middle December.
• *Since I came home to our flat on Thurs night, Michael and I have hardly been out of each others site. We're making up for all the time we had to spend apart. He's watching some cricket now, while I work on the pc. We're only online over weekends, so I have alot of stuff to do.
• *Diet still going brill. Something happened to me in that hospital. Emotionally, I mean. I'm just in such a good place right now, I feel like I somehow dumped a whole lot of issues that were bugging me. And along with it, I seem to have lost the terrible obssession (that looks spelled wrong) with food. I used to have such an emotional dependency on food it wasn't even funny. It seems to be gone. I just wish I knew how, seeing as a lot of people deal with this issue all over the world. Wouldn't it be nice if there was a magic cure?
• *My stomach is finally getting back into shape, too. (And you all know how this was bothering me). I think it is a combination of eating better, and being able to maintain good posture again. As well as being able to walk around. I'm quite delighted. The bruises from the injections are nearly gone, too.
• *I've made the decision to stop the injections for a while. I just feel so much better and I don't think they were helping me much. But I'll be aware of the situation and if I feel I need to go back on them, I won't hesitate.
• *I have to go see my neurologist soon, for the renewal of my disability pension (although at this rate, I won't need it for much longer, YAY!) I have until April to go see him, but I better get it over with. We'll try and kill a few birds, though, and get some other stuff done in Jo'burg, too.
• *I hope I don't lose weight now that I have changed my diet so drastically again. I tend to do that, especially after a session on the cortisone. I hate being skinny. Like really. My body is exactly like I've always wanted it, and how often can one say that? I'm trying to make sure I get plenty carbs in, anyway.
• *I shaved my legs! This may sound insignificant, but do you know how frustrating it has been not to be able to do it? It was so easy, only took me about 3 mins. Like it's supposed to!
• *So yeah, still feeling great, and improving every day. I'm getting used to it really fast. And by that I don't mean taking it for granted. I don't think that will ever happen. But I wake up with the expectation of being able to stand up out of bed and WALK. But it still feels like a miracle when it happens.
• *On Friday, I had this fantastic day. It was like a dream. I went on the golf-course with Michael (riding on the cart) which is something I've been wanting to do for so long. And afterwards we went shopping, so I could buy some pretty things (undies) for myself. Believe me, when you can't even walk, the state of your underwear is pretty low on your priority list. You jusy couldn't care, as long as it's basically functional. So that was such a treat for me. I got a lovely surprise at Woolworths, too. They had lovely fresh blueberries in stock. Now, blueberries are supposed to be brilliant for ms, because the high bio-flavinoid content helps the nerves to heal over. Usually, I take the dried capsules, but fresh is of course best. Only, we don't really get them much in SA. I nearly let out a whoop of joy when I saw them. Definitely on the inside. And as a bonus, they were totally delish!
• *But in spite of the brilliant day, I felt a bit edgy and spaced out. I don't know if it was the expected cortisone crash, or just the fact that I'm improving in such great strides, after so long of being ill, that my mind was battling to take it all on board. I mean, it's a massive thing. We went visiting Mel, though, and after chatting to her, I felt a lot better. I feel like I normalled out.
• *I feel worried about her now though. She thinks she may be getting a bit of the baby blues or something. I hope it passes quickly.

I guess that's about it for now. I'm going to order a parcel of books now which is probably one of my favourite things to do.

Keep well, everyone, and may the sun shine brightly on your life.

Updated to add: Put stars in instead of the bullets. I think the bullets don't show up on this template, for some reason. And I do like bullets.

Happy days are here again...

We're still in the wars a bit, but I still have a song in my heart every second of the day. Poor Michael is as sick as a dog with the flu. It's been brewing for at least a week, of him feeling tired and stressy at work. I had an appointment at my chiropractor today (more about that later), so we had to drive to another town, which takes at least 35 minutes. Poor M felt really sick on the way home. Hopefully it has reached its peak now and he can start getting better. We pretty much vegged out in front of the tv for the rest of the afternoon, although we did make ourselves some decent food. He had to do the dishes though, as I'm feeling too sore.

I'm in quite a bit of pain, which is usual after a visit to the chiro with this hip. It has been permanently sore for the last week so I had to make a plan. Fortunately, I'm walking so much easier now that the chances are good that it will heal up . I hope so, because this nagging pain wears a person down. The Dr was pretty impressed by my walking. He has read up on spinal manipulation for ms since I was last there, and I got the full-body workout, lol. He did my neck (which I wasn't so keen on, but anyway), my spine, both shoulder blades and both hips. It is a strange sensation. Not painful, but a bit creepy. Anyway, the SI joint seemed to click in nicely, so hopefully that's it. It's pretty sore right now though. I'll be so happy when it's healed. It's the only thing that's stopping me from doing a lot of cool stuff that I've been waiting about eight months to do, that I now (wonderfully) can do again.
Unfortunately, because of all this, I couldn't go visit Mel as I had planned. Still, she'll have to beat me off with a stick once my hip's right. I'm so infatuated with gorgeous baba Zander.

And that calls for an update: Melany's little boy, Zander, was born exactly a week ago. Isn't it so precious to still be counting your age in days? He is tiny, but just perfect, and the calmest, sweetest little one I've ever seen. He's got these amazing eyes that look like he knows exactly what's going on around him. They are such a nice family.

Interesting bit of trivia: I am exactly as old as my favourite cartoon strip, The Farside. It debuted in January 1980. How about that! Michael gave me some money for my birthday to spend on something that I really want. I've been having such fun making a list of the things I want to buy. But now I've seen the complete, collected works of Gary Larson's The Far Side. It comes in a box set, consisting of two hardcover books, comprising every cartoon every syndicated up till 2003. It's very expensive, but I am so tempted. But if I buy that, then I won't have all that much (any!)money left for the other things I want, so I have to choose between. But I'm so tempted... But can I really spend R700 on two books? That's insane. Though it will provide hours of entertainment... Help!

Things are going great with my diet. Prior to my little hospital stay, UI went about as far off it as it was possible to go. And on the way home I actually had a pack of Macdonald's fries (cringe) and an awful muffin from the supermarket. It wasn't nice at all, but I just kept going. And it was JUMBO. It repeated on me for the rest of the day. Yuck. But since then, something amazing has happened. It just slotted back into place by itself, no effort on my part required. (I think it was The Muffin From Hell that drove me there. But then I told myself that all my previous restrictions are gone. If I wanted to eat something (anything at all), I could, only not in massive portions. The choice was totally mine, whether I wanted to put junk in my mouth, or good nutricious food that would help me heal. And since the temptation of forbidden fruit has been removed, I am actually choosing the latter. It's weird, but then we all love to do what we're not allowed to do, that's half the fun. Now that it's available, I couldn't be less interested. Yay. Reverse psychology on my own self
Then I watched the movie Supersize me, anc I swear, I don't think I could eat Macdonald's now if I tried. Scary stuff.

I've gone off my beta injections. It was originally because I couldn't cope with their side-effects in hospital on top of everything else, so I took a break. But I'm feeling so much better that I'm reluctant to go back on them. The bruises on my stomach from them are finally fading, and I just don't feel like going back on them. I'll have to decide soon though.

I feel so great. I've decided that I'm not going to waste any time worrying about the future. I'm just going to enjoy every precious second.

What a dish!

Oh, before I go to sleep, I just have to share this...

Tonight, I was able to cook for the first time in ages. And wash the dishes! And I just cannot tell you how much I enjoyed it. I never thought washing dishes could feel so great! I don't think I will ever mind washing dishes again in my life, because it felt so great to be able to do them.

This is why I think I'm cured. I feel like I have learnt the lessons that ms had to teach me, and now I can move on.

New Start.

Sooo much has happened since my last post, I hardly know where to begin.

I was in a bit (okay, a lot) of a downward spiral. I was in constant pain with my hip that's out, and the ms was starting to flare up noticably. And I felt morbidly aware of my own mortality. Basically, I was battling my ass off. I had an appointment scheduled with the chiro, and then things started unravelling when I couldn't even manage to bath before going. I just could not lift my legs to get in the bath, even with help. So I decided to skip the appointment and book into hospital instead for a five day course of IV cortisone. Difficult decision, as usual, as it has only been four months since the last time, and one is supposed to wait at least six months. But I was determined that things would not go as backwards as last time.
It was the best decision I could possibly have made!
I went to a hospital that I haven't gone to before, and man! was it wonderful. I had a private room, with tv, air-con, basin, and a door leading out to the courtyard. The nurses were so friendly and efficient, and the food was great! I came out of there feeling so relaxed, unlike with previous hospital visits that had me a state of nerves. I got plenty of visitors and even met up with an old school friend, who is now a nurse there.

Upon my neurologist's recommendation, I only took half the dosage of meds that I normally receive. (As I am on the beta injections). Well, I was afraid it might not be as effective, but it worked like a bomb! The drip was also a big success. It lasted for five days, with no swelling or pain. It was really in the vein nicely.

But the real news is how amazingly I have been recovering. I feel like I am experiencing a mracle! For the first time in about six months, I can walk on my own! It is the best gift I have received in my entire life. I feel like I have sprouted wings.

I am just so grateful.

And kmore than that, I just feel as though a switch has been flicked inside me to restore me to my full health. I can't explain it.

I'm a bit bushed now, after a full and unbelievably wonderful day, so I'll say goodnight, but expect to hear plenty more from me tomorrow.

Oh yes, and I just read the wonderful comments that were made on my last post, and I was so touched. Thank you! I would be bawling my eyes out, but for some mysterious reason, I'm not emotional at all like I've been for the past couple of months. I don't think I could squeeze a tear out if I tried!
I just feel so happy and blessed.

Post birthday...

Back home!!

I’ve been at my folks’ house this week because: a) my sister was visiting, b) my knee/ hip/ back is still mercilessly sore.
Had quite a good week in spite of the latter, except for last night, during which I had a bit of a meltdown and threw a hissy fit about the state of my back/ knee/ hip/s/ bladder… It wasn’t pretty. My poor mom and sister! Despite new year’s resolutions and feeling totally full, I had tea and biscuits (assorted choice) because they were there, and I needed comforting. I rudely pronounced them disgusting and too sweet (huh?) and then promptly stuffed another of the wrapped chocolate one’s in my mouth. Felt a bit naar (nauseous) after eating half the box, but whatever.

Thank for my nice birthday wishes! I loved that. Only read them tonight. I had a marvelous birthday. I have a policy of really capitalizing on my b-day. On Tuesday I went to the chiro’s again (stupidly) and because the day after is always hellishly painful, I was feeling quite sore on THE day. It didn’t stop me from going to eat out, though. It was my in-laws’ treat, which I think was fantastic of them. The food was great, and the company even better. Shame, they have this tradition where the birthday person’s place-setting is encircled by flowers. My little godson, Quintus (5) noticed that I had n flowers, so he promptly went and picked flowers in the garden where we were eating our meal (including a white rose) and put them on the table in front of me. He is just the sweetest child and very special to everyone who knows him.

My back is aching as I sit here. I phoned the chiro and asked him why this should be. He said that because of my hip being out for a while, my whole body was kinda twisted to one side, so the muscles are exhausted. He suggested muscle relaxants and anti-inflammatory pills, and if that doesn’t help to contact him again. So here’s to hoping. I took my first dose tonight.

I had such a fantastic afternoon/ evening with my hubby. He made his famous chicken rounders for us to eat. For dessert, we had custard flavoured yoghurt (yum). Then we had a Sudoku competition (Score: Maggie:1 Michael: 0) Yeah, baby! Then we listened to a whole bunch of ‘our’ songs, while chowing Provita crackers spread with Spring Onion and Chive flavoured (low-fat) cream-cheese. It was just so fantastic.
Like I said to him, I sometimes feel guilty that because of me there are a whole bunch of stuff that we can’t do together. Like hikinh, for instance. But then I think that some people can do those things together, and they still don’t have as much fun as we did tonight. Or, they can do those things, but they still just veg out in front of the tv and get on each other’s nerves. So I won’t waste time thinking stupid things like that again.

I figured out something important this week. Now, according to my NY’s resolutions, I should be writing down/ saying my positive affirmations three times a day. For example: ‘I enjoy perfect health’. Simple and to the point. I repeat fifteen times. The idea is to get the message across to your sub-conscious brain and ‘re-program’ it, so it starts believing it, and tries to manifest this. But I got to thinking – it doesn’t help affirming poitive ly three times a day for five minutes, and then spending the rest of the day thinking negative thoughts, such as ‘I’m never going to get better’. This is more than canceling out the good work and rendering the whole project pointless. So now I’m going to try and rev up the affirmations, and do a complete mind-switch if and when I think of any kind of negativity. So we learn.

Had a little cry when my sis left today. I’ve become such an emotional wimp, lol. We gave each other a hug and said goodbye, and she turned back and gave me this really sweet look, and I said, “Just go, before I start to cry.” She said, “Me too.”
I do love that girl so.
She’s starting her new job on Monday. I’m so excited for her.

I discovered a new piece this week. Well, two, actually. The one is a Tchaikovsky piece, the waltz from Swan Lake. I’ve always known it, it is instantly recognizable to millions, one of his most famous works. But I’ve never really listened to the whole thing through. There’s this bit at the end that is so beautiful that it makes me gasp for breath and tear up. I’m still in the honeymoon-period with it. Can’t get enough of it.
The other piece is Chopin’s Raindrop prelude. The first time I heard it, I thought it was a little plain, but now I am absolutely nuts about it. It sounds for all the world like a tin pail catching a leak in the roof during a good summer rain. Stunning. Man, but the Classics Rock!
I’m so glad that I’ve been exposed to them in my life, they have brought me so much joy. I felt a bit sad that I took piano lessons for so long, and now I can’t really play, but then I realized that if it wasn’t for that I wouldn’t have the love for that type of music that I do now, and what a loss that would have been for me in my life

I have quite a bit to write still, but my back is protesting, so I’ll have to pick up tomorrow where I’ve left off.
Sleep toit, now.(Which you’ll understand if you’ve seen Austin Powers: Goldmember).

My leg is feeling kinda better. Still don’t know if I’ll get away without seeing the chiro again, but at least I’m not in agony if I try and put weight on it.

I’ve finally run out of resolutionary steam, ha ha. And no sign yet of actually keeping the one’s I’ve made, but the year’s young, I’ll cut myself some slack. I don’t really feel as though the year has actually started until my birthday is past, anyway. My own personal new year. I was convinced that it was on Thursday, but it’s actually on Wednesday. Yay! M is going to take the day off and we’re going to paint the town red as far as my sore leg will allow. We’ll definitely go eating out, which because of my four year long diet still serves as major entertainment in my book.
I always try and get value for money where my birthday is concerned. I’m still trying to think of some other stuff that I can get away with because it’s my birthday. I think that will be my project for today. ;-)
I just heard that the new season of Weakest Link will start on my B-day. I love the WL. I’ve been watching all the re-runs that they’ve been showing on weekdays. It’s the best people watching that you can do. I think in a stressful situation like that, one’s true colours tend to come out. I think you hit your name with a plank if you go on that show, even if you win. Which is why it’s so entertaining to watch.

My back is burning like I’ve run a marathon. Which I haven’t, I can assure you, lol. Hi Ho, Hi Ho, it’s off to Chiro I go…

I’ve just completed my first medium difficulty Sudoku puzzle. There was stiff competition between Mike and I over you’d be able to finish the first medium level one. So that feels quite nice. See, nice year, I told you. For those of you who don’t know about the Sudoku craze, visit www.sudokushack.com

My sis has arrived at my parents house. She is staying till Saturday. Tomorrow, our domestic worker is coming to clean our hovel, and I’m hoping to get an appointment at the chiro’s for twelve, but after that I hope to visit with my sussie. Also, my favourite goddaughter will be visiting there too, and I’ve just been missing her like crazy and can’t wait to see her. My poor dad. He forever has a house full of females to contend with, and precious little male companionship. No wonder he’s always so happy to see Michael.

Had a lovely visit with Melany today. We’re getting tired of being golf widows on our own. So when the two men decided (in the rain) to go play golf, I hitched a ride over, and we had the loveliest visit. I don’t think we stopped talking once for 5 hours. She is very cool to talk to. The men had an excellent round of golf (despite the rain), which is always good, because if Papa Bear is happy, then everyone’s happy!

Loving the new year, I must say!

More resolutions. Man, but I love this time of year!

Update on knee:
Better than yesterday, although it is starting to rev up again. I think I may have hurt it again when I bathed. I'm thinking that I will have to go to the chiropractor again on Tuesday. It's not nice.

Michael is snoozing on the bed next to the computer, which is in our spare bedroom. I think he needs to catch up on some sleep, so I'm not disturbing him, especially as he plans on waking up at 1am to watch the Aussie/SA cricket. My sports-mad hubby! I like to see him catching up on some R&R because he leads a pretty fast-paced life. If he's not at work, he's on the golf-course or out cycling. And at home, he's take over most of the domestic chores, includng the shopping. So it's good to see him catching some Zzzzzzz's.

I want to cut my hair this week. Just can't decide how short I want to go. Short bob, or total boy-style crop? Because it's a brand new year, I'm tempted to do the latter. But it takes so long to grow back. On the other hand, though, it's deliciously easy to wash.

My sister, Annie, is coming to visit for a week before her new job as a music teacher starts. It is going to be so great catching up with her. Can't wait.

More resolutions:
*I want to go on a juice fast. This is much less of a big deal than a total water fast, during which one actually feels quite awful and hardly sleeps at night. The juice approach is much more gentle. There are fancy clinics in Europe, such as the Gerson clinic, where one can book in and do a juice fast. My budget doesn't quite stretch to that, so I'll do a DIY version. Basically, you make yourself fresh fruit and veggie (such as carrot) juices about 5 or 6 times a day. That is all you consume, no solids. This has cured such biggies as cancer, so I'd like to give it a shot for my little problem, ha ha. I did it once for 9 days, and I felt a sight better, let me tell you. But this time round, I'd like to do it for longer. I'll just wait till my birthday's past, because there's no way I'm doing a fast of any kind on my birthday. Well, maybe a choclate and pizza fast. That'll do me. (And no, that does not mean I abstain from them, lol)
*I must tint my lashes and brows so that I look a bit more presentable. But I think I'll wait until my leg isn't thrbbing with pain before I do that. Maybe I'll try and synchronise it with my drastic hair-cut. M won't know whats happened. I must be feeling better than I thought to be caring what I look like again, lol. Funny old world.
*Maybe I'll give learning Tswana another bash this year. That was one of my resolutions for last year, but somehow I never got around to it. Mmmmm.

I feel like another of those Choc-caramel ice-creams. Maybe I should start my diet after my birthday, which is on Thursday. But no, here I go again. Some things never change!
But that McFlurry tastes like Cadbury's milktray over ice-cream. It's virtually irresistable...

2005 versus 2006

Woke up at about 9am. Start as you mean to go on, lol.

Time for a bit of introspection into 2005, I guess.
At the time, some of it felt really rough, especially August. But I made it through that, and for that, I am rather proud of myself. It may not be what I aspired to in my life, but I think I can say that I coped with it all in my own, uniquely Maggie way, lol. But damn! I'm glad it's over.

Some of the positive things of 2005:

*I made some great new friends, and kept up with existing friends.
*I read a lot of Gary Larson, and had my fair share of belly laughs in 2005.
*I started on Betaferon injections, which I think are starting to help me.
*I tried a lot of different therapies for my MS, and even though some of them didn't work, I feel it was time well spent, even the traumatic dental work, lol.
*M and I had a great year, as far as 'us' were concerned.
*I had a great outpouring of love from all my friends and family this year when I was so ill, and it was almost worth being sick for, I felt so loved and cosseted.
*I read some great books.
*I spent time with my godchildren (although not enough!) but that was great. Children are so special.
*I went spectacularly off my diet, lol.
*I recovered my faculty for walking (mostly, anyway) after losing it in August. This was truly wonderful, and I feel really grateful for it.
*Oh, and I started blogging, which has been a really fun new hobby.

New Year's resolutions for 2006:
(Well, the more mundane ones, anyway. I'm not quite liberated enough to put the more personal stuff on my blog yet).

*Have plenty of laughs the whole year through. This shouldn't be too hard, as I live with Michael, lol.
*Keep up trying to get to the bottom of the ms. I feel that this is the year in which I will make a breakthrough.
*Improve my diet, but not to ridiculously strict proportions. I'd like to cut out dairy, as far as possible, and sugar, especially refined. Also gluten, as far as possible and 'bad' saturated fats. And nasty, commercially baked stuff. And eat plenty of raw, natural foods.
*Make a breakthrough with this whole 'healing power of the mind' thing. I think therein lies the key to my health. I'm starting today with my affirmations. Positive one's, that is. Can't hurt.
*I want to spend plenty of time with family and friends this year. In fact, plenty of time doing all the things I love!
*Oh yes, and I want to get my stomach flat again. I don't want to lose weight, just to tone up what I have. I'll figure out a way to do this, even if I have to buy one of those belts that shock your stomach muscles, lol. Only joking, I've had to much to say about that in the past, I'll have to do it the good, old-fashioned way ;-)

I'm sure I'll come up with some more resolutions before the day is out, so watch this space, lol.

Love 2006 already.

This is a photo taken of Michael and I on Christmas day. (Thanks Mel). It is the first pic taken of us in at least six months, probably more. Our camera is still on the blink. Mike looks absolutely gorgeous, I think, and I look pretty relaxed for someone who's leg felt like it was about to drop off, at the time.

We had a really nice, relaxing Christmas day. Melany and Tommie spoiled me rotten with the most gorgeous selection of fruit from Woolworths. It was great spending X-mas at their house.

Thanks for my lovely, lovely comments on my last post. That was so lovely to read. No wonder blogging is so popular. There is just a connection that happens between bloggers that doesn’t happen as readily, or as speedily, in real life.

I received very sad news just before Christmas. One of my best friends, and a very special person to me, passed away. She also had MS, although they think it was complications with her heart that caused her death. I was completely shocked by this news. Her husband sent a very touching e-mail to me, with a collage of photos of her that he scanned onto the computer. I just wish that I had sent her the merry Christmas e-mail that I meant to. Now I will never get to send her anything ever again. She was just such a lovely, brave person that will be very sorely missed. We were comrades in arms against this thing called MS, and I shall miss her more than I can say.

My mom’s shoulder is very sore. The tendon is torn, and she may have to have an op on it. She has had a pretty grim Christmas too, because of it. I hope it gets better soon.

And then, to top it all off, my granny fell and broke her hip and had to have hip-replacement surgery on Christmas day. I was so worried about her. She is still battling, but seems to be on the path to recovery. She's home again, and even walking about.

My leg went haywire on Christmas eve. It got very sore and my foot was swollen. I became scared so M and I went to casualties at the hospital. The on-call doctor examined it and had blood tests done. Gave me some antibiotics, as well, which don’t seem to be helping. Basically, they didn’t have a clue what is wrong with it, which is made me very nervous. Because of the fact that the pain travels from my hip to my knee and back for fun.

On Thurs, I went to see a chiropractor. He knew exactly what was wrong with it. Apparently something in my lower back is a bit out (nothing to do with the knee, actually). He worked me over good and proper. After that, it was worse than before. Next day, it was better. Today it was bloody sore again, and the pain has spread up to my back and opposite hip. (Which is crap). I may need to go for a follow-up session at the chiro's. Hope it gets better soon, this is starting to get really boring.

M and I shared the most stunning choc&caramel McFlurry from McDonald's today. Yum. Of course, the ol' diet will get revised tomorrow as part of NY-resolutions, so it's just as well we went out with a bang, lol. (Where have I heard that before?)

Want to watch E-lollipop on tv tomorrow. I haven't seen it and it looks so good. I nearly cried for the trailer, lol.

I feel majorly excited about 2006, so best that I go and get some sleep so that I can make some decent resolutions.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!