When this post publishes, it will only be a few days to go until we leave for New Zealand. I do hope I’m feeling more organised by then and I’m ready to go!
There’s that saying that “it never rains but pours” and that would be true for me of late. It’s been a bit full on around here and I’ve had little time to focus on our trip or get prepared for it.
There’s been Mum’s fall which meant a longer stay over with her that week, Telehealth calls with her doctor and taking her for an Xray. Thankfully she’s ok – just a soft tissue injury that will heal with time.
There’s been lots of time on phone calls and responding to emails with regards to aged care. I’ve organised an extra 2 hr Home Care Package (HCP) shift to help reduce the time Mum is alone during the weeks. It’s temporary for now but we’re hoping it will become permanent down the track. We’re still waiting for an ACAT reassessment where we hope for approval at a higher level HCP with more hours. Apparently there’s a 4 month wait!
There was an extended family lunch get together at my uncle’s country home just over 2 hours from here.
There was my Aunt and Uncle visiting with Mum for a week.
There was the morning tea with hubby’s side of the family to mark the occasion of what would’ve been his father’s 100th birthday.
There’s been both my Mum and my daughter’s birthdays on 3 May. Mum turned 82 and my daughter turned 28. Isn’t that kinda special – reverse ages!!
I managed to burn both my thumbs when I dropped my hair straightener while using it and then catching it. One was worse than the other with a huge burn blister. All healing ok now though.
Then shortly after those burns, I burnt my arm on an oven rack when getting a roast out of the oven on the night we had my daughter and her boyfriend over for dinner to celebrate her birthday. What are these things trying to tell me?
Then while staying with Mum last week my tooth started aching so a dental appointment was made last Thursday which I raced home for. I was told I’d need root canal work (I had guessed that would be the case). I was sent home with antibiotics and painkillers (codeine) to settle things down a bit first. The following Monday (just gone) I had phase 1 of the root canal work done where they go in, clear out the pulp and clean it all up, deaden the nerve, inject antibiotics and put in a temporary filling. I was very nervous but thankfully it all went well. He gave me three injections of local anaesthetic, as he knows it takes a lot to numb me up, and that worked well. He put in two layers of temporary fillings for me since I’ll be going overseas and it’ll be 4 weeks till I’m back for phase 2. So glad that is done. Phase 2 will take place on the Monday after I return from NZ. Then there will be Phase 3 two weeks later and at some point after that I will need a CROWN (the Queen that I am haha).
There’s been the family lunch to celebrate Mum’s birthday and Mother’s Day and my daughter’s birthday (but she couldn’t go as she had to work)!
There’s been several of my own medical appointments, a hair appointment, and the need to get my nails done before I jet off.
We have managed to book in for some tours/cruises/helicopter ride over glaciers (gulp) and fun things while away!
Let’s hope I manage to pack appropriately and leave the house in a reasonable state.
I can’t remember when I’ve ever been away from home for this long. We will be away for 3 weeks! There’s lots of instructions to leave my sons about the care of the pets, and the house!
I won’t be publishing any posts or reading or commenting on any blog posts while I’m away.
I will probably be sharing some photos on Instagram, which will feed through to my Facebook page and Twitter.
I hope to do some sketches/paintings in my travel sketchbook while away. I will probably mostly take a photo and do those of an evening as I don’t think hubby would like it if I made him wait around for hours each day while I sat and sketched and painted. We will be on the move a lot anyway. Lots to see and do! I may share some glimpses of those in my Instagram stories but probably won’t share them properly until I am home.
I think I will finally relax and be excited when I’m seated on the plane.
I’m so glad I found time to write this very quick final post before I go. I also published a spontaneous Art Chat post yesterday to wrap up my final few pre-New Zealand sketches so please do go check that out! I’m also glad my tooth decided to misbehave before we left and not while we were away. I hope it behaves whilst away now!
Ciao mo tenei wa / Ciao for now,
Linking up with Denyse Whelan’s ‘Wednesday’s Words and Pics‘
10 Comments
Wow Min! It is all happening in your world isn’t it? Root canal is not what you needed just before your holiday. We’ve been through the Aged Care process with Mike’s Mum and there is so much to organise isn’t there? You will well and truly need your holiday so have a wonderful time. Try to switch off and enjoy yourself. You deserve it. Take care xx
Hi Sue, yes it’s been a bit full-on! I feel like I’ve been rushing about like a mad woman for months. I think I will collapse onto the plane on Friday and finally sigh a breath of relief and it’s then I will be excited about the trip and start to feel relaxed. Aged Care is a lot of work and very frustrating at times. I’ve spent many, many hours in queues on the phone! I do need this holiday very much. I’ll try my best to switch off and enjoy myself. You enjoy your holiday too – I think you’re off somewhere soon too? Have a good time and stay safe! xo
So much going on for you Min, I know the feeling as that sounded like me before our trip last year. This time (we’re also leaving in a few day’s time) it’s all been pretty smooth and I’m waiting patiently to get on the plane and relax! Enjoy New Zealand it’s a beautiful country and you deserve a rest!
Hi Debbie, yes it’s been a bit full on! I hope you have a wonderful time over in the UK with your daughter and granddaughter! I’m glad it’s been smooth and relaxing getting prepared. I look forward to seeing the photos and hearing all about it. Safe and happy travels! xo
Hi Min – all that stress shows it’s definitely time to take a break and enjoy some well deserved R&R. I hope the trip is absolutely fabulous and you come back feeling rejuvenated and ready for all that will be waiting for you. Well done on the root canal – it’s something I dread needing one day – such long and fiddly visits – and SO expensive. Glad you got it under control before you were in a strange country trying to find a dentist! Have a great trip. x
Hi Leanne, thank you! I don’t do so great when I have long term full on busy’ness. The cracks begin to show and I become not the most pleasant person to be around. I’m the kind of person who likes activities spaced out and lots of quiet time alone to potter and do my own thing. When I don’t get that – I start to burn out. I really do need this holiday. Hopefully it does the trick and I return feeling refreshed, relaxed, and a bit more my usual self! You’re right about the root canal. OMG – it’s my first time and I am shocked at how much is involved. A lot of time in the dentist chair and lots and lots of $$’s. Thank goodness we have private health insurance which is very helpful! xo
Have afabulous trip.That’s so stressful about your mom. It’s a hard age we’re in. (And the whole tooth thing. what a nightmare!). Looking forward to some pics on you’re return….enjoy!!
Thanks Lydia! The whole tooth thing is NOT what I needed right now! So glad though that it didn’t happen when I was over there. Glad I’ve got it sorted (partially) before I go!
The travel prep for 3 weeks is big enough anyway let alone all else that has happened. I am “glad” the tooth is sorted for now as that would be the last thing you would need.
Please allow yourself to relax into this trip…once you are that plane, breathe out.
All can be sorted by others in your absence.
ENJOY! And I too understand sharing pics and no more. Immerse yourself…and let the good wash over you.
It is always a pleasure to see you share a post from your blog on Wednesday’s Words and Pics Link Up. I hope you continue to do so! Take care, Denyse.
Hello Min – you have such a lot on at the moment without having to deal with toothache and fit in an appointment for the root canal. I’m glad you have sorted out extra care for your mum while you are away as I am sue it will give you peace of mind. That’s a lot of burns – they can be very painful so I hope they have all healed. Have a lovely holiday and I look forward to reading all about it and seeing the photos and your art when you return.