Giving Blood – Bucket List TICK

Last Monday I was sitting in front of computer and up pops an email asking for colleagues to pop over to the HR building as the Red Cross were there giving free blood type testing.   Sirens start to go off in my head and a big internal booming voice says to my conscious ‘NOW or NEVER ’.  You see, I have been gradually feeling more and more guilt that I have perfectly fine blood flowing through me and I just haven’t been brave enough to walk in the door to donate it.  It’s always been on my list of things to do and I promised myself that 2015 would be the actual year so I had to do it.

So I bravely got my colleague to walk over with me.  I should note that she was purely there for moral support as she goes pale just talking about needles let alone her actually lining up with me.  So now with an audience in tow, I have to do this.  They did the finger prick test and tell me I am blood type A, well there you go, learn something new every day hey!

I turn around and ask the nurse if I can book in for a blood donation and her eyes light up with a yes.  She looks way too excited…should I be worried!    Saturday at 9am is locked in.

Saturday comes around and as per the email that I received the day before I had a good breakfast and drank heaps of water.  As I arrived at the Red Cross building, the panic set in as about 5 years ago while gardening I tried to saw a branch off and my left pointer finger got in the way and so there was a bit of the runny red stuff flowing from me.  Upon seeing blood dripping from my hand I tried to faint but didn’t do a very good job of it and just went rather pale and got woozy and sat on a chair with my head between my legs and my hand in the air.    So I was a bit unsure how I would go with it all, but decided I needed to give it a go.  I can be a bit stubborn like that – if someone says you can’t do that, I tend to dig my toes in and do my best to achieve whatever it is.

So I did it, I walked in the door, filled out the form, answered some basic questions from nurse Raeleigh, got my blood pressure taken, another little finger prick to check my haemoglobin levels (I was 127 so all good)  and I was all set to go.  I got a little sticker to let everyone know I was a first timer so if they saw me starting to pass out they knew why.    Tracey was my nurse and was great, she was a real pro and doing the needle thing and I only felt a little nasty sting to start with an then all good.  Apparently I am a quick bleeder…oh joy!  It was all over within 8 minutes, which was too quick (had planned to use the free wifi to update a few apps).

Next thing I know I am looking over at a bag of blood next to me.  Ohhhh BAD decision, my stomach immediately does a complete cartwheel and I instantly feel queasy.  Tracey noticed the little beads of sweat appear on my forehead and asks if I am ok.  I say I was great until looking at my donation!  She smiles and tells me to rest for a minute and to watch the telly for a bit.  After a minute or so I was back on deck and wandered out to the tea area with a bandage on my arm.  I plonked down on a comfy couch in the recovery area slightly chuffed at myself for ticking ‘Give Blood’ off my bucket list.

As I leave the receptionist rebooks me in for another donation in 12 weeks’ time.  Thanks Red Cross you do an amazing job and I am so thankful I can give blood to assist.

If you have never given blood and not sure if you are able to, then jump over to the Red Cross website to read all about it   www.donateblood.com.au

If I can do it, then I know you can too!

Cocktails in a museum

I have always enjoyed the magic of science so when I happened upon a facebook ad inviting me to head the Cobb+Co Museum for Science Weeks – Chemistry of Cocktails evening for just $20, I was hooked! What could be better, a bit of cocktail knowledge development while sipping cocktails (the ad said this evening included two, yes TWO, cocktails all for the price of just $20!), bargain!

So I diligently told my Toowoomba wolf pack and they too jumped on board! Plans for our Saturday night were locked in!

I walked in the door to the Cobb+Co Museum and got handed this…

Angostura Trinadad and Tobago Rum, Soda, Ice and an APRICOT!

Cocktail in hand, I spotted one third of my wolf pack and nearly slipped on a banana laying under the seats as I climbed over the herd of fellow cocktail enthusiasts – the night was going to be interesting!

After a few sips of apricot/rum concoction I decided that my usual gin and tonic might have a bit of competition this spring/summer! Yummo.

Did you know…. The Nowegian definition of a hangover is…uneasiness following debauchery! The Greek definition is ‘pain’.  Both seem quite apt! (see there was some learning in amongst all that taste testing!

We got to move around the room and try different types of vodkas and rums…some of the pours were a little large so sipping was required. I quickly decided that I am not much of a vodka drinker anymore and that the spices of the rums were more my thing (and less sinus clearing inhalant fumes involved).

Tiny samples sometimes got a little bigger than ‘tiny’

So finally we wobbled back over the banana, still dangerously peering out from under seats with our last cocktail a dill and cracked pepper martini.

Um, so this one was different. Um, probably not quite what my little tastebuds are keen on. (I will never make a Bond Girl will I)

Oh, before I forget, the point of leaving bananas everywhere on the floor and popping an apricot in my glass apparently was very important as during the PowerPoint earlier in the night we discovered that they are both packed with potassium and this is awesome for when you are drinking alcoh-pops (hic).

Sending out a big yay to the team at Cobb+Co Museum for bringing Andrew Cameron (molecular biologist and award winning cocktail mixologist) and Dan from Angostura to down town Toowoomba!  Was a great night and hope we can do it all again next year during Science Week!

Red tape and Sticky Date Pudding

Sorry I don’t have a photo of the puddings (you have to put up with these yucky tarts I ‘tested’ in Luxembourg back in May).  The poor sticky date puddings were in hot demand and were gone before I had time to capture the moment. The salted caramel sauce drizzled over the puddings were probably better than the puddings to be honest. My mouth is watering while I type this, once a foodie, always a foodie!  And let’s not waste too much time on the dollop of icecream that we put on the side that melted a little into the sauce, oh dear lord!  Insert groans of tastebud goodness right there!

Red tape on the other hand, well, it’s everywhere in my life this week as I have applications filling up my computer screen. The memories of sticky date goodness from Sunday night’s dinner have got me through the last couple of days of application and plan writing.

I have promised to bring cream puffs and pavlova to work for a farewell morning tea on Friday. Fingers crossed they get made and I don’t eat them all before I get up the office steps!

Stay warms this week lovely readers! Apparently the weather gurus think it is going to get chilly in Toowoomba town this weekend, so preparing to hibernate!

Colouring In

Colouring in books for adults…I bet you have heard of this craze that is sweeping the world as a great stress reliever to many.

Well guess what, I am now the owner of such a book and it is actually pretty cool. I was a bit of a sceptic when I first heard about them and didn’t really think it would ‘de-stress’ me but I have to admit, it is pretty calming.

The patterns are very cool, some of which, I kind of like in black and white so my colouring in might have to be left to the not so favourite pages. I think a couple would look great framed on my wall so there might have to be a little cut and paste job happening down the track.

But you know what; I think this book could quickly become my new tool of choice for procrastination!   I looked at the pile of ironing on the weekend and instead opened my new little book and started to colour in. So there are lots wrinkles and crinkles in clothing going on this week!

Psst…if you have a person in your life that you think is really hard to buy a present for…I recommend Colouring in Books for Adults, will keep them occupied for hours!

Making a dream a reality

The Orchid Shed. Love this aged wooden look!

I visited Wayval Views garden in Queensland’s Lockyer Valley on the weekend and am awe of all the hard work owners Wayne and Val have put into their masterpiece!

They have built the garden from scratch and it is just terrific. I thought the front garden was great, until I wandered over to the side and saw a whole other garden room (it was massive) nestled perfectly to capture the view out over the hills. I got distracted and followed a path and ended up out the pack to find the most amazing Orchid shed and it’s even cuter Fern shed close by! Does this couple ever sleep?

I really admire people that have a dream, work really hard, be patient (for the trees to grow) and make it all a reality! Thanks Wayne and Val, you inspire me! So much so that I purchased 3 new roses on the way home Saturday afternoon and got them all planted out yesterday. Now I just need to remember to water, fertilise and love them! Maybe I should put a reminder in my phone to be on the safe side…

What a view!

 

 

Friend Highs

I have been sitting here all day trying to think of a cool and jazzy Monday Motivation…the fact that it has taken me all day is a clear sign I am in desperate need of some motivation! I think I am getting a delayed holiday hangover and my ‘everyday life’ is a little too bland for my head to comprehend. I am literally still dreaming of French croissants and London lagers, at some point this must stop right??

So this afternoon, I pick up my phone and see a missed call from one of my favourite galpals from School…um but, she only rings me when she is in town….yay!!!! Instant motivation hit! (Now, don’t judge us, I only call her when I need a bed too, but we love each other anyway and never miss a beat when our lives cross paths, old friends are the best!)

Thankfully the spare bed is clear of junk and is actually made up too (a miracle in itself!) and I even have food in the fridge after a long weekend of grazing.

Today is looking up, I am now on a Friend High! I love hearing someone’s voice and it just brings you happiness.

I think I hear our wine bottle calling us, sorry if you hear snorting and laughter, it will just be us.

If you need a hit of motivation, call an old friend, I highly recommend it…sometimes they are just what the motivation doctor order!

Showing off…my weekend!

I had a massive trip down memory lane on the weekend when I got to attend my hometown Pastoral and Agricultural Show. I grew up in a family that was quite involved with the local ‘Show’ and we exhibited and represented regionally and at a state level. I guess you could call me a Country Show groupie really.

I just love the fireworks, the stud cattle judging, the pavilion full of home cooking and craft, the perfect vegetables, the hayfever hazardous grain displays, the fluffy chooks clucking away all day long and the giggle I got from seeing the poor old rams that are locked in pens on the other side of the shed to the Elle Macpherson want-a-be ewes shaking their fleece and flashing their long eye lashes at them constantly.

The country Show is in my blood and I just love the atmosphere and especially the community spirit that flows out of it each year. No matter what is happening with the weather, season or economy, everyone still pulls together to showcase the community and the dynamic things that make is special.

Do you know what I loved most about heading back ‘home’ for show? This might sound a bit silly, but everyone knew my name and welcomed me with a big old country hug! It was so lovely. There is nothing better than seeing the delight and surprise in someone’s eyes who recognises you and is genuinely thrilled to see you again. You don’t get that very often in the big smoke!

Getting to spend time (even if briefly) with some very special people in my life was a complete treat too. We don’t get to see each other very often but I love them all completely and wished I lived closer so I could spend more time sharing a cuppa or helping to play with showbag contents (we had an instant hairdressing salon appear in the lounge room all while being shot down by an arsenal of plastic toy guns every 30 seconds, combat was heavy but thankfully causalities were low).

I have to also admit that getting called Aunty Tate by a very cute little Mr 4 was pretty darn adorable too and melted my heart every time he said it.

Heading back down memory lane can sometimes be really good for the soul. Fills you up with warm fuzzy moments that gives you an extra pep in your step…my step has a lot of pep in it now.

THANK YOU to the Springsure Pastoral and Agricultural Show Society committee, your hard work and dedication to your community has not gone unnoticed! Three cheers to you all and best wishes for the next 150 years!!!

Oh, yes, that is a real live steer jumping up onto the Gooseneck in the photo! Dont you just love all the unexpected things you see at the show!

 

 

Interview in my PJ’s

Your Girl Friday has scored herself a contract to give a hand to the Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers team. Now I am a bit of a Carnival junkie and just love the 10 days of festivities that engulf Toowoomba and turns this regional centre into a blooming wonderment on every corner. But in true form, I didn’t exactly go about getting this role in the traditional manner.

Picture this…my alarm goes off at 4:40am, I crawled out of bed and stumble to find the light. I am in a hotel room in Rome, yep Rome Italy and in a very red wallpapered hotel room with gaudy gold features. I quickly brush my hair, grab a scarf and wipe on some lippy. I grab my phone and prop it up against the side of my shoe on the bench and drag a chair over near the bench. Right, think I am all set! And yes…I was still wearing my pj pants!

I must admit that I was excited to chat about this opportunity but I knew the preparation method wasn’t great. But when in Rome…you just make do (always wanted to say that and actually mean it).

So a week later I checked my emails at a hotel in the Rhine Valley of Germany (as you do) and discover that I have been offered the contract – you little beauty!

So now I find myself today sitting in the Carnival office!  Working on the Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers is a great opportunity and privilege, plus will give me heaps of exposure and experience in the events world which I really enjoy. So for the next few months I will be desk bound during the week, but still doing my other Girl Friday gigs around this work to keep it all interesting!

I would love to see you all at the Carnival of Flowers so lock in a trip to Toowoomba from Friday 18 to Sunday 27 Sept 2015!

Look a bit closer

What do you see in this photo?

Look close, what can you see?

A couple of  hippos in a waterhole with heaps of rocks around them, right?

Look closer….

There are a whole lot of hippos hiding in the waters!  Safe to say I stayed in the vehicle at this waterhole and felt no need to venture outside of my metal security blanket on wheels!

Sometimes I look at a situation and determine my actions without actually taking just a second longer to look at it more and see all the stuff I was missing.  Growing up in the country you get use to looking out into paddocks to see calves under trees, crows flying along ridges and a thin shaft of smoke from a new bushfire lit by summer storms.  But put me in Africa and I completely missed the massive herd of hippos right in front of me.  So while I was outside and looking into the landscape for movement, something I was comfortable and well adapt at doing, I completely missed the finer details!  This skill is something that I need to motivate myself to do more often than not- look at the detail and open my mind to the things I am not seeing.

Need a little pep in your step today – here is a little motivation music to kick start our Monday!

 

 

 

Music motivation

Sometime we all just need to turn up the volume and boogie around the place to get the Monday blues banished!  This is one of my favourites, an oldie but a goodie, enjoy!

What are some of your favourite musical mood motivators?  Leave me a comment to let me know what music you love to listen to.