Week 14 of 2026

~ joannerambling ~ Leave a comment

Good morning all it is a cool Sunday morning with the current temp being 13c or 15.5f, my BGL was 6.0. I was up at 4.15am again as I woke feeling stuffed up in the head, so I got up.

When I came out to the lounge room something was different took me a moment to realise that the portable air conditioner was missing, Tim has dismantled it and stored in the spare room.

It has been a cool day, and I feel like I have done very little, but I know that’s not the case I have done stuff.

Sue is very sick with gastro.

Steps: 4,895 = 2.4k’s or 1.4miles

It is Monday morning currently 5.55am the temp is 15c or  59f, I had only 5.5hrs of sleep, the dyskinesia was bad when I first went to bed so I got up put my Parkinson’s band on  to charge when it was done I put it on and back to bed, I settled ok after that. Although it was one of those up and down to the loo nights, annoying.

I have had a good day did the usual housework.

Spoke to Sue she is feeling better today.

My new walker/wheelchair has arrived Tim will put it together later.

Steps: 7,239 = 3.6k’s or 2.1miles

Had a good night getting 10hrs sleep, it is currently 6.30am and 15c or 59f.

I have had a good morning received another parcel for Jess it had a few items in it for me as well.

It has been a warm day.

This afternoon the band on my BeechBand broke, Jess was able to jerry rig it with an elastic band, so I can wear it. Tim received another parcel and it turned out to be another Beechband for me.

Steps: 4,511

DAWSON’S BIRTHDAY (NEPHEW) 27 TODAY

Here we are at what some people call hump day, not me but some other people. I have been up since 4.45am it is currently 5.45am and 16c or 61f we are headed for another warm day with a top temp of around 28c, but we will see.

Yes, it has warmed up nicely, I was woken from my nap by Sandy it was lovely seeing her.

Both Tasha and Tim say the magnetic watch band I ordered will not be good enough, so I have ordered another normal watch band.

Steps: 5,313 = 2.6k’s or 1.6 miles

I was up at 4.40am with a stuffed-up nose and needing to pee so after a visit to the bathroom I decided to stay up.

Tim had a bad night and looks exhausted this morning. He will be on the road all day and won’t get home till around 8pm.

I had an appointment to have my hearing aids checked; she increased the volume other than that all is good with them. I casually mentioned that hour two months after buying my hearing aids I went on a pension and the receptionist said she would be able to do something so I could get my batteries and maintenance checks for free and in five years I will be able to get replace hearing aids for free.

After leaving the appointment there was a lot of trouble getting Sue’s car to start, there is always trouble getting it to start but it is getting worse and of course Sue doesn’t have the money to fix it.

Steps: 6,543 = 3.3k’s or 1.9miles

I had a good night with around 7.5hrs of sleep the temp this morning is 16c or 61f. Tim is off work for a week, and I think he needs to have some time of as he is so exhausted.

Sandy rang and wanted to know if we could watch Skylar for a while Tim said yes, I was going for a walk up and down the driveway, this I want to do 2 or 3 times a day.

When Sandy arrived, she had Landon with her as well, he has grown so much and his voice is breaking, anyway Sandy’s plans had changed so her and the kids stayed for a visit being here for an hour or so.

This arvo Tim did some more walk on his trailer; he is adding a frame for what reason I do not know.

Steps: 9,428 = 4.3k’s or 2.9 miles

I slept for 8hrs was up at 4.20am, it is currently 5.30am and the temp is now 19c or 66f.

I went for a walk up the driveway and back, thankfully before it started to rain.

Tim woke up feeling sick with a headache, he went with Tasha to the Good Guy’s so she could buy a new dryer.

After an hour or so of being home Tasha came down and told Tim that the dryer isn’t working it has a large dint in it and is wobbling when turned on so they had to take it back to the store.

I had a nap and when I woke up Tim wasn’t here but arrived home in a foul mood shortly after.

It has rained on and off all day.

Steps: 7,073 = 3.5k’s or 2.1 miles

Glaucoma

~ joannerambling ~ 4 Comments

Today I am writing about glaucoma, I always thought it to be a single disease concerning the eye; however, my research says it is a group of eye diseases that damage the optic nerve, usually because of increased pressure inside the eye.

It’s one of the leading causes of irreversible blindness worldwide but with early detection and treatment, most people keep their vision.

The optic nerve is like a high‑speed cable carrying visual information from your eye to your brain. When pressure inside the eye rises (or when the nerve is unusually fragile), those nerve fibres slowly die. Once they’re gone, they cannot be repaired.

Your eyes are filled with fluid that constantly flows in and out of your eyes, bringing nutrients to your eyes.

If the fluid doesn’t leave your eye as easily as it enters, pressure can build up inside the eye.

The increase in eye pressure can damage your optic nerve. Your optic nerve links the back of your eye to your brain and allows you to see. Damage to your optic nerve results in damage to your vision.

Glaucoma can sometimes occur even when the fluid pressure in your eye is normal.

Most glaucoma develops silently over years, which is why it’s often called the “silent thief of sight.”

There are 2 main types of glaucoma.

Open-angle — where fluid pressure builds up in the front part of your eye, even when the fluid drainage pathways are open.

Closed-angle (or angle-closure) — where the eye’s fluid drainage pathways are narrowed or closed, so fluid pressure builds up quickly. This may cause pain in the eye and sudden loss of vision.

It can also be categorised as either, primary glaucoma, with an unknown cause or secondary glaucoma, caused by an eye condition, such as surgery, trauma, drugs or eye disease

Primary open-angle glaucoma is the most common form of glaucoma in Australia.

Usually, the deterioration in vision is very gradual and not noticeable. From the age of 40 regular eye examinations.

Once found, glaucoma can be treated to prevent or delay further vision loss.

You are at higher risk of developing glaucoma if you:

have a close relative with glaucoma

have high eye pressure

are aged over 50 years

are either short or long sighted

use (or have used) cortisone (steroid) medicines for long periods

have diabetes or either high or low blood pressure

get migraine headaches

have had an eye operation or eye injury

If you have chronic angle-closure glaucoma you sometimes get vision problems. This may be halo-like images around lights or you may have no symptoms.

If you have acute angle-closure glaucoma you may get:

sudden, severe eye pain

nausea and vomiting

headache

watery eyes

blurred vision

halos around bright lights

Since acute angle-closure glaucoma is an emergency, you should seek treatment straight away so you don’t lose vision. You need urgent treatment if:

one or both of your eyes quickly becomes painful and red

your vision gets blurred

you notice halos (rings) around lights

Treatment for chronic angle-closure glaucoma is designed to prevent or slow further damage, mainly by reducing the pressure in the eye. This may involve, eye drops, oral medicine or laser surgery or other surgery to open or create a new drainage channel. The surgery is usually an outpatient or day-surgery procedure.

Nerve cells damaged by glaucoma can’t be repaired.

Countries with the best chocolate

~ joannerambling ~ 9 Comments

Today I thought I would write a bit about what countries are considered to have the best chocolate.

Switzerland is the country most widely associated with the world’s best chocolate, thanks to its long tradition of ultra‑creamy milk chocolate and its reputation for exceptional quality. Many chocolate lovers point to the richness of Alpine milk and the refinement of Swiss techniques as the reason their chocolate stands out.

However, “best” depends on what you like personally most of us have a favourite brand or flavour. Different countries excel in different ways, and the global chocolate scene is far more diverse than most people realise.

Other then Switzerland other countries with what is considered top notch chocolate are Belgian, France and Ecuador.

Switzerland is known for their brands like Lindt which I really like and Toblerone. It is often ranked at the top by chocolate enthusiasts. However, Toblerone is owned by a U S company.

Belgium is famous for pralines, truffles, and artisanal techniques. Belgian chocolatiers are known for precision and high‑quality cocoa blends. It frequently appears in global “best chocolate” rankings.

French chocolatiers focus on purity, cacao origin, and elegant flavour profiles, with Paris often considered a global centre for luxury chocolate.

Ecuador has some of the world’s finest cacao and produces highly prized Arriba Nacional cacao. It is increasingly recognised for “tree‑to‑bar” craft chocolate.

What might come as a surprise is that the United States is a leader in modern craft chocolate, with it ranking number 1 in some craft‑chocolate lists due to its huge number of small‑batch makers, known for innovation and experimental flavours.

Then there is Peru, which is a rising star with sustainable, high‑quality cacao and renowned for fine‑flavour cacao and ethical production. Growing global recognition in premium chocolate competitions.

Week 13 of 2026

~ joannerambling ~ Leave a comment

Good morning, I hope all are well I have been up since 4.20am as I woke up and felt awake, it is currently 5.15am the temp is 19c or 66f, I had a good 8hrs of sleep.

It is now 7am, I not long ago took rubbish out to the bin and put the bird seed out and now it is raining.

It stopped raining by lunch time, and I had a nap between 11 and 12.

We got pizza for lunch that’s what Tim preferred.

Blain came down to talk to Papa about motorbikes he is thinking about getting his bike licence.

Steps: 5,196 = 2.6k’s or 1.6miles

I had 8hrs of sleep and feel good this morning as I do most mornings, it is currently 5.15am and 20c or 61f. I am going shopping at Kmart with Sue; Kmart is a discount variety store and a very popular one at that.

I have gained some weight, and my shorts are a bit tight, I will need to fix that.

Shopping went well found a few things on the clearance racks.

Steps: 4,984 = 2.5k’s or 1.5miles

I had a good 9hrs of sleep woke up just before the alarm feeling great, it is currently 5.15am and 19c or 66f.

It is now 6.15 and I have cleaned the kitchen swept out the kitchen, hallway, lounge-room and the ramp out the front.

Dr Babu’s rooms called to let me know the problem with my burry vision isn’t connected to Parkinson’s.

Steps: 8,621 = 4.3k’s or 2.6miles

Slept ok not great but not too shabby either had around 7.5hours. Been up since 4am, it is currently 5.45am the temp is 19c or 66f.

I have already started the washing and unpacked the dishwasher as well as the usual wash and dressed and moisturise my upper body. I have also checked my emails and have tabs opened ready to read.

Turned out to be a warm day but I only need the fans going and the doors open.

Steps:6,108 = 3k’s or 1.7 miles

Had a good night got 9.5hrs of sleep woke feeling great, I have already cleaned the kitchen mess left by Tim last night.

It is currently 5.30am and 19c or 66f we are heading for a top temp of 31c or 87f.

By early afternoon I had to turn the air con on as I started sweating.

By 5.30pm I started to feel very tired and just want to go to bed.

Tim will be home late at 8pm he usually gets home around 5.30pm but he has a charter after his school run.

Steps: 8,101 = 4k’s or 2.2miles

Had a good night, but was up at 4.10 as I was awake and couldn’t see the point just laying there. It is currently 5am and 18c or 64f, it is supposed to only reach 21c today.

It has been a cold day I went to have a nap but only managed 50minutes before there was someone at the door, it was the postie with a package for Tim.

By 2pm I started to feel unwell, however it didn’t last long so that was good.

Tim rang to let me know he would be late home around 7.15pm he thought.

It is now 7.10pm and I am off to bed I am so tired, Tim isn’t home, but he should be soon.

Steps: 6,100 = 3k’s or 1.7miles

Up early again at 4.10am as I was awake, it is currently 4.30am and its 16c or 64f and my BGL was 6.2.

Jess came over when she got home from work to drop off her shirt and while we were talking Tim came out worried he was late for work, I told him it’s Saturday and he is fine to go back to bread.

Tim caught a bus up to Charlestown to do some shopping, I was going to go with him but changed my mind.

I had a nap after Tim got back from shopping; I am having a good day.

Steps: 5,151 = 2.5k’s or 1.5 miles

Caturday with Luca

~ joannerambling ~ 4 Comments

Hello everyone, this is Luca and this week I am allowing you to see some photos of me wrapped up in a favourite blanket. Don’t I look every so cute. 

Can you see the Caturday picture thing it has my name on it, I like that.

Cataracts

~ joannerambling ~ 5 Comments

Hello everyone today we are looking at cataracts how many of us know what that is.

Cataracts are a clouding of the eye’s natural lens, which normally sits just behind the iris and focuses light. As the lens becomes cloudy, vision gradually becomes blurry, hazy, or dim, much like looking through a fogged‑up window. Cataracts are extremely common with age and are one of the leading cases of vision impairment worldwide.

How does having cataracts feel, well from what I could find out this, blurred or foggy vision, glare or halos around lights usually at night. There is a sensitivity to bright lights and the need for brighter light when doing stuff and reading. There can be Double vision in one eye.

These symptoms usually develop slowly, and early cataracts may cause no noticeable problems.

Why do cataracts happen well over time, the proteins that make up the lens break down and clump together, forming cloudy patches. The most common causes are ageing, UV exposure from sunlight, family history of cataracts, diabetes, long‑term steroid use, smoking or previous eye injury or surgery

In rare cases, babies can be born with cataracts (congenital cataracts).

Often an optometrist will diagnose cataracts during a comprehensive eye exam. This is why regular eye exams are recommended from age 40 onward, even without symptoms.

There is no medication, diet, or eye drop that can reverse cataracts. Treatment depends on how much they affect daily life.

In the early stage’s things like stronger lighting, updated glasses, and anti‑glare sunglasses may help.

However, when vision is significantly affected cataract surgery is the only effective treatment. This involves removing the cloudy lens and replacing it with a clear artificial lens (an intraocular lens, or IOL)

The procedure is quick (about 30 minutes), usually done under local anaesthetic, and has a very high success rate. Most people notice clearer vision within days.

You can’t completely prevent them, but you can reduce risk or slow progression by wear UV‑blocking sunglasses and a hat outdoors, quit smoking, make sure your diabetes is under control and have regular eye exams.