I'd never visited Australia's capital city, Canberra, so when an opportunity arrived for a girl's weekend there, I was very excited. I arrived there with two of my daughters and my daughter-in-law for the hottest weekend on record. The temperature was 39 degrees, so we were very pleased to enter the air-conditioned National Gallery. It was a great way to spend a morning (as … [Read more...]
Frivolous Friday – Cockney Rhyming Slang for blood
My mother has always told me that my brother is a Cockney as he was born at Westminster Maternity Hospital which was then within the "sound of Bow Bells" - in earshot of the bells of St Mary-le-Bow in London's East End. As an aside, these same bells are claimed by some to be the bells that caused Dick Whittington to "Turn again Whittington, Lord Mayor of London" Cockneys … [Read more...]
In case of emergency – Open Fridge!
You may remember us saying that Angela's parents (aged 85 and 86) emigrated from UK to New Zealand in September last year. They have settled very well into a retirement village and follow all the recommendations put to the residents. I thought one of these recommendations was such a good idea that I'd share it with you all and that is to keep health details readily available in … [Read more...]
Frivolous Friday – “bloody-minded”
Maybe Friday is a good day to cover the meaning of "bloody-minded" Who hasn't known work colleagues who are "deliberately uncooperative" by the week's end? Or may be felt that way themselves? We're looking at some common figures of speech that include the word 'blood'. Last week's was"My blood froze" Apparently "bloody minded" is a British colloquialism which doesn't always … [Read more...]
Getting travel insurance after a pulmonary embolism
In May last year, I posted about our problems getting travel insurance as Paul has had multiple pulmonary emboli. This time it proved even harder as we were going to America, to take Noah to Disneyland as a special holiday to celebrate him turning 18 this year. I tried the companies that had been helpful before, but although they would insure us for travel to Europe, they … [Read more...]
Frivolous Friday – “my blood froze”
I thought it might be interesting to look at some common figures of speech that include the word 'blood'. "My blood froze" is a good start as we've just returned from a holiday to Disneyland where our children Noah and Lily met the characters from the movie 'Frozen'. Lily enthusiastically went forward to meet them but Noah became totally overawed and lagged behind until Ana … [Read more...]
Weekend Reflection – “Live the healthiest life that you can enjoy”
A few days into the new year and your more outrageous resolutions may be broken by now. That's when the following more moderate resolution, taken from Dr Yoni Freedhoff's website Weighty Matters come into play, "Live the healthiest life that you can enjoy" Dr Freedhoff is a Canadian weight management physician who has written a wonderfully realistic book about weight … [Read more...]
Christmas clot look-a-likes
New Zealand enters into a special time of year from now till February, when it is basically SHUT! In the Northern hemisphere, journalists have what they call the 'silly season' where there is little news through the summer: But in New Zealand we have summer and Christmas rolled into one, so for January almost everything is very quiet and people go on holiday. We will be … [Read more...]
Coagulation Carols – WARNING – you can’t unsee them!
Paul and I have had fun all year thinking up contributions to this post. But be warned - once you've read them you can't unsee them! So, if you're brave enough here are Coagulation Conversation versions of some famous carols To the tune of O little town of Bethlehem O little vial of heparin How much you make me cry When jabbed into my tender flesh I wish that I could … [Read more...]
Weekend Reflection – “This too shall pass”
You may have guessed by now that I love Christmas! We decorate the house, have family visit, have special foods, Christmas pyjamas and even a Christmas crockery set. But, it's important for me to stop and remember there are people for whom Christmas is not a time of rejoicing. As foster parents, we became aware of this when we saw children grieving for what could not be. And … [Read more...]
