The Balancing Kiwi

I have solved the photo issue and have subscribed to google so that I can upload the photos that I want to.  Not bad going really given that I have been blogging since 2007 and it is only now that I have run out of free allocated space.

I am going to take a blogging break for a while, well I had basically already been doing that.  Not a lot is happening for me to blog about...just carrying on day to day, very slowly with no motivation, although it is good to have the sun out and shining.  I am hoping to work on getting things into some semblance of order, both myself and the house...yes this has been said before, but I really do need to try and focus as I think if I do I will start to feel better about things.  

The medication I think is really numbing me down mentally and I feel very laid back and slow about things.  Hopefully this will improve.

We have finally got some good weather and have had nearly a week of it now.  It is wonderful, although of course we are now all moaning that it is too hot!  There is no pleasing us!

I have got some gooseberries that I need to make some jam with that I am hoping to get on with a bit later when it has cooled down a bit.  Well there is always hope that it will be slightly cooler in the evening.

Anyway I hope everyone has a good summer and I hope to catch up with you all come September.

My roses remind me of the beauty that surrounds us despite the lack of summer and terrible weather we are having.

I never tire of admiring them, and smelling them.

My older son has offered to help try and get the house cleaned, tidied up and de-cluttered.  We started on the kitchen today.  I found it really hard work due to lack of sleep last night.    The dosage of medication is wrecking havoc with me at the moment.  Was hoping to change it today, but the doctor didn't get back to me.  I hope tonight isn't  a repeat of last night.  My mind kept wandering, but he kept me on track and I got all the backlog of ironing done.  Hope my arm doesn't pay for it though.

It is so nice to have someone to help motivate you though.

Don't the rain drops look pretty on the flowers?

I managed three out of seven things on my To Do List, so not too bad for a start.

Oh and I remembered to buy a birthday card for my lovely Mum.  Very late, but I did phone her on her birthday.  One day I might get it right!

Tomorrow I'd like to post my donation for the Children in Need Project to the US

Post Mum's birthday card

Post a gift to a lady in France

Gather some materials for the hexagon flowers.

Fortunately all seems to have calmed down again.

DS2 was lucky enough to be able to sit the exam the following day.  They (and us) put it down to him being out of routine...on study leave...not the best for a child with Autism.  Plus with the added anxiety of the dogs health and added stress it was just too much.  He seems much happier now school is back to 'normal' although is a bit put out that the lessons aren't being taken seriously with so many children away on a Geography trip as the teachers seem to be in ultra relaxed mode.  

Our lovely sheltie is home and we are trying to convince him that his new Renal diet is yummy...he is not convinced!  He has to go back in a couple of weeks to see whether his counts have improved or not.

My pain saga is continuing with the pain reaching up the side of my face and ear now with it affecting the eye the other day.  My doctor is writing to the Pain Specialist as he wants a few other things investigated...not sure what, will find out when I collect the letter next week.  In the meantime...keep taking the pills!

My motivation is sadly lacking at the moment, due to the weather? medication? or whatever?  Probably a combination, hence the severe lack of posts and enthusiasm.  Come on sunshine WHERE ARE YOU?  Makes me laugh, we are still on a hosepipe ban!  

DS1 has just turned 21 on Tuesday - how can that be?

We are so proud of him and all he has achieved.

We all went out for dinner on Tuesday which was lovely.  Here he is opening a present he got from his Nan. A lovely fountain pen, which he is delighted with as it will be used for his studying that he starts in September having been accepted for an Officer Cadetship with Princess Cruises.

I've been given a bike from a dear friend and am hoping to get a chance to go out for a daily ride.  It is more of a 'sit up and beg' position which I am hoping won't bother my shoulder and arm so much.

I hoping to get a basket for the front :-)    I've been for one ride on it so far, only fell off once, into our rose bushes as I was trying to cycle out of our garden...ouch!

I am sadly very far behind on my hexagon flower swaps - I need to check - but I think I am at least three months behind if not four.  I just can't seem to get the get up and go to get up and do them.  Hoping to get them started this weekend.  Otherwise I think I am going to have to pull out of it until I can catch up.  Seems silly as they are only little, but being hand sewing only, I just can't seem to focus and concentrate on them enough.  I haven't even been to many quilting group sessions for one reason or another, usually pain, or just not generally feeling up to it.

Think I need to go back to healthy eating and my raw foods diet to see if that gives me more oompf!  Says she, as she is scoffing a sugared ring dougnut!

Have a lovely weekend.

I feel very lucky to have been given a wonderful 'sit up and beg' bike by a dear friend.  We brought it home Thursday and today my lovely son moved the seat down, pumped up the tyres and greased the chain.  I tried it out and went for a little ride up and down the road.  I plan on going on a bike ride each day if I can...starting slowly at first.  I would like to get a basket for the front and a rack for the back, so will need to keep an eye out at carboots etc...  The wheel trims need a brush down with a wire brush and treatment as they have unfortunately gone a bit rusty, but I shouldn't think that will be too much of a problem to fix.  It is a Raleigh Cameo in a burgundy colour.

Isn't she a beauty?  

I am hoping that the position being upright will suit me better and not bother my arm and shoulder too much, but only time will tell.

On to the roses for today...

And finally a carnation.