ITS OK TO HAVE CERTAIN EXPECTATIONS

I'm home! After two weeks in Perth I am home and it feels so good to be in my own house and to sleep in my own bed.

Just an update on how Ashton is going- in a word FANTASTICALLY. She looks great and sounds great and is busily studying for a university exam next Tuesday. My daughter is amazing. She has just had a seven hour embolisation procedure and she has bounced back into study and an exam.Still one procedure to go but still waiting for a time to be given to us.

My other daughter Ciara is pretty fantastic too! She works her butt off and this week on top of her part time jobs will be back on stage in a production called # A Little Rain must fall. I am so excited to see her back on stage and Mark and I will be going back to Perth to see her next Saturday. So that gives me five whole days at home!

Love, love, love my children.

Which leads me to the whole topic of Valentines Day and expectations. I try every year not to have expectations but just once I would love to open the door to a dozen red roses being delivered to me. I'm 48  and we've been married almost 24 years, so how long do I have to wait? Probably for ever!

Being on a budget this year I made my hubby a batch of Nutella brownies and bought a cute card for him. My husband is the best at choosing cards so I have learned to lift my game in this area. I waited for him to arrive from Geraldton and he walked in and said " Happy Valentines day" (good) , gave me a big hug and kiss (better) and immediately said " I got you nothing" (bad...very, very bad). Not even a card!

Now maybe its the gruff method of delivery but I got so, so upset. I have no idea why I got so upset but as my face dropped, he noticed pretty quickly. See, I believe that no matter how busy you are, you always find time to do certain things - ring people for birthdays, smile at people, attend special gatherings AND buy at least a card for Valentines day. OR, pinch a flower from someones garden for them OR walk in and say " I haven't had time to buy you anything but you know how much I love you".

It's all about the delivery! Never walk in and in under a minute say " I got you nothing". Its terrible!

Anyway, the reason I love my husband is because he hates to see me upset and does everything in his power to remedy his foot in mouth disease. Later while I had a nap he went off to the supermarket and returned with roses and a card. The card made me laugh out loud. The front said something about us clicking, but his comment is what got me laughing - "one click and I got you flowers!" See that's all it takes, a corny card or a verbal card. The supermarket roses - too late buttercup! Thanks for trying to remedy the situation but too late.

We agreed to go out for dinner, but of course everywhere was booked.As a last resort, I suggested we get takeaway and eat at home and he agreed. By the time the food was ready to pick up he was fast asleep. No problem! He had driven a long way, so I went to get the curry. I came back and he was still asleep, but I woke him up for our Valentines day dinner in the courtyard.


I set the table with my supermarket roses and we ate our curry and rice together under the stars. It was lovely and our daughter even went out and bought some red wine for us!

So, the moral of the story is - you don't have to spend lots of money on someone for Valentine's Day. Its nice if you can, but its not important. What is important is showing people how much they mean to you. Words chosen well and simple actions mean so much more - well to me anyway!

And by the way the Nutella brownies were yummy for dessert!

Till next time...xxx

PS If you enjoy my blog, the biggest compliment you can give me is to share it.


BY POPULAR DEMAND:

2-ingredient Nutella brownies by diethood.com.
Ingredients
1 cup of nutella
4 large eggs
1. Preheat oven to 175.
2. Line an 20cmx20cm brownie pan with baking paper; set aside.
3. Place the eggs in your mixer’s bowl and beat for 5 to 7 minutes, or until the eggs have tripled in size. This may take up to 10 minutes with a handheld mixer on high.
4. Heat the Nutella in the microwave for 60 seconds (in a microwave proof bowl).
5. Remove and stir.
6. Slowly pour a stream of the warm Nutella over the eggs, beating until mixture is thoroughly combined.
7. Pour batter into prepared pan and bake for 30 to 35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out with very few crumbs.
8. Remove and let completely cool before cutting.
9. Dust with icing sugar. (Optional)
10. Cut into bars and serve.

Read more at http://www.mamamia.com.au/lifestyle/2-ingredient-nutella-brownies/#TBk1oh9W2lJyjkDh.99

HOW TO DRIVE CUSTOMERS AWAY

I needed to get some prescriptions refilled as having been in Perth so long I had run out. So, I made an appointment for the surgery where the girls go. Now I've written about this doctors surgery before and it wasn't good , but I decided to give them another go.
( You may wish to revisit an old post-
http://lumpyone.blogspot.com.au/2014/08/desperately-seeking-heather.html )

Appointment was for 9.20am because I stupidly assumed he would run to time that early in the morning. Mistake number one. They opened at 7.30am. Receptionist staff were friendly and accomodating. They gave me a survey to fill out as they are doing their accreditation. Not a problem. I like  that sort of stuff.

The waiting room was stuffy and airless and the dark brown, dated face brick did it no favours whatsoever. The chairs were uncomfortable but as I didn't plan on being here long, who cares! The clientele waiting included three well dressed old ladies, one bikie and his girlfriend, one woman and her Down's syndrome child and me. It was peaceful.

Enter the family from hell. - Mum, her sister and three kids. The eldest about eight was clutching a pillow and sucking his thumb. He was in school uniform so not sure where the pillow was going after the appointment, but he didn't look like he'd let go of it in a hurry. The two youngest, boy and girl

about 3 and 4 definitely ate their weetbix for breakfast because they had boundless energy and started running round in circles in the tiny waiting room.

Master 3 was sucking on a dummy as if his life depended on it. It looked really odd however because only one side of his mouth sucked on it. I suppose that's so he could yell and scream with the other side. Mum went to reception to get them a colouring in to do. All three sat quietly for a full five seconds and then Miss 4 stole Master 3's green crayon and all hell broke loose.

She then got out of her seat and decided she would finish her drawing on the lap of one of the old ladies. This woman was wearing white pants and didn't look too pleased but she kept up a line of chatter with the kid.

What are you drawing?
It's Dora.
Oh, Dora the explorer.
Yes silly. And I've written my name.

(Old lady desparately trying to decipher four year old scribble.)
Your name is Olivia
No ( loud voice)
It's Lina
NO ( even louder voice). (I swear I saw bikie man clench his fist at this point).
It's Lily silly.

Mum meanwhile had been chasing Master 3 around. She plonked herself down in her chair just as Lily called the old lady silly. I expected an explosion but all that came out of her mouth was " I have three more at home".

By this time my appointment was 40 minutes late.

Master 3 seeing that his sister was getting some attention from the lovely old lady tried to befriend the bikie. Bad move. The kid got the glare from hell which resulted in some super duper dummy action and him taking off to his Mummy's bosom.

At this stage Dr Pleasure pants called my name and in I went. No pleasantries, no sorry to keep you waiting, no sorry you've been scarred by feral kids. Nothing.

What can I do for you?
I need some prescriptions refilled.
Tap, tap, tap on computer and done and goodbye in about three minutes.

Now maybe I've been spoiled by Dr Heather. In fact I know I have. But, the least I expected is a few questions about why I'm on the meds. Nothing. Patient in. Patient out. It couldn't have been more impersonal if he tried.

I completed the survey given to me when I arrived . I could have gone to town but I was quite restrained, till the last question.

How can we improve our service to you?
My answer - it would be nice if the doctor smiled and was friendly.

That's not too much to ask is it? Never again - driven away.

Till next time...xxx