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Showing posts with label lovin life. Show all posts
Showing posts with label lovin life. Show all posts

Jun 8, 2017

Day 2793 - The Lovin Life Linky - Antibiotics Edition

Three cheers for Alexander Fleming


It's been a bit of a rough couple of weeks in the land of the Deep Fried which started with the big grown up (step) daughter's sarcoma surgery and then progressed to complications and an emergency dash to the hospital over the weekend.



An infection in the surgery site led to septicemia and septic shock.

Septicemia is an infection of the blood, also known as blood poisoning.  It occurs when a bacterial infection in the body enters the blood stream.  In her case it entered via an infection of the drainage tube.

This resulted in septic shock which can be very dangerous and potentially life-threatening.  She was certainly in a bad way, that's for sure. "Death's door" is a term that comes to mind.

But thanks to the wonders of antibiotics and another urgent surgery to clean out the surgery site, she's managed to pull through and is now at home being nursed by her mum.

So today I thought I'd give a shout out to Sir Alexander Fleming, the Scottish dude who discovered Penicillin which has lead to the development of other life saving antibiotics. It's pretty safe to say that mass doses of intravenous antibiotics saved her life.

I know there's a lot of controversy surrounding antibiotics and their over-use in everyday treatment, as well as their use in food producing animals.  But if ol' Alex hadn't stumbled across penicillin in September 1928, then sepsis would still be claiming far too many lives.

When was the last time you had antibiotics?

Ever had a run-in with septicemia? 

Has there been a discovery or invention that has saved your life? 



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Without further ado, it's time for the Lovin' Life Linky.

The Lovin' Life Linky is brought to you by Team Lovin' Life: Deep Fried Fruit, Seize the Day Project, Write of the Middle, And Anyways, 50 Shades of Age and Lifestyle Fifty #teamlovinlife







Jun 1, 2017

Day 2786 - The Lovin Life Linky - The positive aspects of Instagram edition

What are you lovin' about life this week?

My Instagram feed from the last 7 days
They say that Instagram can give a false sense of reality with photos that are often staged and showing an unachievable sense of perfection.

I prefer to think of it as an exercise in focus, positivity and perspective.


Instagram for me is a haven in which I can look at the world through rose coloured square shaped glasses.  It's where I park the ridiculously real challenges at the door and instead look at the lovely things that are right in front of me.


My Instagram is a window showing my "lovin' life" view at that moment.

The view I've been enjoying this week includes:

  • A quick peek at Vivid from the southern pylon of the Harbour Bridge 
  • An outing with my daughter as her "plus one"
  • Flicking through travel magazines as I marvel at all that Australia has to offer
  • An overnight stay at a new hotel
  • A lovely lunch with a bloggy pal
  • A wander through Sydney University as I do what my FitBit tells me
  • Savouring the velvety taste of macarons
  • Finding more pockets of watery perfection in the greater Sydney area
  • Always having a warm bed "B&B style" at my parents house
What my Instagram doesn't show is that the model daughter fainted at a photo shoot, or that our boy is having challenges at school, or that the big grown up girl had the surgery that removed yet another sarcoma and is now hobbling about with a blood and gunk filled drainage bag.  

Instagram allows me to remember that despite the challenges there's still a lot to be happy about.  

What's your view been like this week?

Are you wearing your rose coloured square shaped glasses?

What does Instagram mean to you?


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Without further ado, it's time for the Lovin' Life Linky.

The Lovin' Life Linky is brought to you by Team Lovin' Life: Deep Fried Fruit, Seize the Day Project, Write of the Middle, And Anyways, 50 Shades of Age and Lifestyle Fifty #teamlovinlife




May 25, 2017

Day 2779 - The Lovin Life Linky - the theme song edition

Do you have a theme song?



The other night the hubster and I were sitting in the hot tub listening to some tunes when "The Whole of the Moon" came on by The Waterboys.  You know the one?


I pictured a rainbow
You held it in your hands

I had flashes

But you saw the plan

I wandered out in the world for years
While you just stayed in your room
I saw the crescent
You saw the whole of the moon
The whole of the moon


It's a nice little ditty but I can't say I've ever really sat and analysed the words.

My husband said "this song always reminds me of you".

It does?

Apparently before we met he only ever saw the smaller stuff and never aimed very high. He only ever saw the crescent. I helped him reach higher and opened his mind to the possibilities. I saw the whole of the moon. Or something. Isn't that sweet?  He's a keeper.




I love that he has nice songs that remind him of me.

There are a bunch of songs that remind me of him too of course. One of the first songs he ever introduced me to was "Downstream" by Supertramp.  As far as I'm concerned that is our song.

Once when we were in Melbourne at a hotel we asked the piano player if he could play it . He did. We were actually a bit surprised that he knew it.

A year later we walked into the same hotel and the piano player was still there.  We saw the recognition in his eyes and he gave us a small wave. Without a word between us he just started playing it.  It was magic.

Took a boat Sunday, down by the sea
It just felt so nice, you and me
We didn't have a problem or a care
And all around was silence, everywhere




Today as our eldest daughter heads into surgery to have her fourth sarcoma removed, I think the theme song for today might be "Fight Song" by Rachel Platten.

It was always a cool song but it became even cooler for me when teenager Caly sang it on Ellen and in America's Got Talent because it was the song that helped her fight cancer.  She gave the song extra power for me and every time I hear it now I get tingles of emotion and an overall feeling of "let's do this!" runs through my veins.

This is my fight song
Take back my life song
Prove I'm alright song
My power's turned on
Starting right now I'll be strong
I'll play my fight song
And I don't really care if nobody else believes
'Cause I've still got a lot of fight left in me



That's what I'm lovin' about life this week.  The fact that music can help us express our feelings and it can also help lift us when we're down.

Do you have a theme song?

What song reminds you of a loved one?

What are you lovin' about life this week? 

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The Lovin' Life Linky is brought to you by Team Lovin' Life: Deep Fried Fruit, Seize the Day Project, Write of the Middle, And Anyways, 50 Shades of Age and Lifestyle Fifty #teamlovinlife





May 18, 2017

Day 2772 - The Lovin' Life Linky - The Board Games Edition

What's your favourite board game?


Today I thought I'd get back to basics and give you board and card games.  At least once a week we've been having family tournaments with Uno, Connect 4 and Trouble.


There's a lot of screaming as we race around the Trouble board; there's head in the hand disbelief during Connect 4; and many bad attempts at a poker face during Uno.

It's what I'm lovin' about life this week.


Do you play board games?

Any other Trouble, Connect 4 or Uno fans out there?

What's your all time favourite board or card game?


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Without further ado, it's time for the Lovin' Life Linky.

The Lovin' Life Linky is brought to you by Team Lovin' Life: Deep Fried Fruit, Seize the Day Project, Write of the Middle, And Anyways, 50 Shades of Age and Lifestyle Fifty #teamlovinlife



May 11, 2017

Day 2765 - The Lovin Life Linky - The Big Heart Edition

Today I invite you to give your 5 cents worth.


There are winners in this world and there are whiners.

The whiners use their energy to complain about the problems in life where as the winners step up and bloody well do something about it.


Last night I attended the Big Heart Project in Canberra.  It's part of Connie Johnson's last fund raising hurrah for cancer as she bows out of the public eye to live her final days in peace with her family.

To date Connie and her Gold Logie winning brother Samuel, have already raised over $4 million for cancer research.  There ultimate aim is $10 million.

The aim of the Big Heart Project yesterday was to fill a heart 100 metres in circumference with 5 cent pieces to the total of $1 million to add to their fundraising efforts.  If they do this it won't just raise much needed cash to kick cancer's arse, but will also be a world record.

Well, they smashed it.  By the time I'd left the Lyneham Netball Centre at 6.30pm last night the Big Heart was already worth $1.6 million.

This is what $50 worth of 5 cent pieces looks like

Pouring more love into an already full heart

Shining bright this is the tip end of the very Big Heart

The moment I walked into the event I could feel the love.  Surrounded by hundreds of people I couldn't help but tear up as I exchanged my money for 5 cent pieces to add to the pile.

No doubt the Johnson family is feeling a mix of love, happiness, pride and a huge amount of sadness right now.  After years of battling the disease Connie stopped all treatment earlier this year after she received the bad news that the cancer was too advanced to continue the fight.

But Connie is not a whiner.  While the cancer may be cutting her life short she hasn't let it win.  As she says in the "thank you" note we received on leaving last night:

"As I look at this heart growing I realise that we are well on the way, and that this fight will continue long after I'm gone.  One day, maybe next generation, maybe the the one after, our families won't have to live and die with cancer in their lives.  You have given me the peace to relax, step back and enjoy the rest of my days with my family, knowing that this amazing village will continue to fight." 

Connie and Samuel soaking up the love
We all have challenges to fight. Some are bigger than others. We've had an absolute shit year so far if the truth be known.  It's been riddled with challenges and it's almost brought me unstuck. But we can choose to be whiners and complain about it, or we can be winners and turn the challenges into an opportunity for growth. We can make a decision to kick some butt.

Today I'm lovin' that Connie and Samuel are achieving their fundraising goals.

I'm lovin' that so many people stepped up yesterday and attended their event.

I'm lovin' that I got to share in just a little snippet of their journey.

But most of all, I'm lovin' that they're doing what they're doing to help kick cancer's butt.


What are you lovin' about life this week?

Have you been following Connie's journey?

Are you ready to kick some butt?


If you would like to contribute to the Big Heart project you can do so here.

To join the Love Your Sister Village click here.

To follow Connie's blog click here.

To buy Connie and Samuel's book "Love Your Sister" click here. Every sale contributes to cancer research.

Don't forget to check your breasts regularly to get know your breasts.  If you notice any changes see your doctor ASAP.

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Without further ado, it's time for the Lovin' Life Linky.

The Lovin' Life Linky is brought to you by Team Lovin' Life: Deep Fried Fruit, Seize the Day Project, Write of the Middle, And Anyways, 50 Shades of Age and Lifestyle Fifty #teamlovinlife






May 4, 2017

Day 2758 - The Lovin Life Linky - The stop, revive, survive edition

Forget slowing down, I've come to a stand-still.


If you follow me daily you'll know that I had an iddy biddy break down.  A bit of a crash really.  Let's call it a "multi car pile up".  It was more than a rear-ender, but less than a head-on. 

I'm OK.  I must stress that up front.  I'm totally fine.  My career as a crash test dummy was short lived.  

I got through the other side simply by following the advice of this big sign on the road.



During my few days of "reviving" I discovered some great things that I love about life.

  • I love that my parents live less than an hour away so I can visit easily
  • I love that my model daughter can drive me there when I'm not feeling up to it
  • I love that I have a cousin and a bestie who both drop everything to call me when I scream "help"
  • I love that Messenger means I can contact them via video or phone for free.
  • I love that I have people in my life who walk straight up and hug me if I'm looking a bit "frazzled".  
  • I love that my husband gives mammoth bear hugs full of love and safety.
  • I love that my kids make family time their priority
  • I love that I have an amazing client/colleague/friend who sent me a house cleaner when she discovered I was struggling
  • I love that I have a granddaughter who turned 4 this week and adds big rays of light to our world
  • I love that we have extended family that pulls together.
  • I love that you guys visit me each Thursday to join the Lovin Life Linky
  • I love that my melt downs are not permanent and that I have the tools in which to survive the bumps in the road and the resulting bingles.
How has your week been?

Any other crash test dummies out there?

What are you lovin' about life? 


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The Lovin' Life Linky is brought to you by Team Lovin' Life: Deep Fried Fruit, Seize the Day Project, Write of the Middle, And Anyways, 50 Shades of Age and Lifestyle Fifty #teamlovinlife





Apr 27, 2017

Day 2751 - The Lovin Life Linky - Autumn Leaves edition

Forget the red carpet, ours is yellow.


Autumn well and truly hit us in Canberra this week with wet weather, falling leaves and zero degrees at dawn today.  My backyard looks like the trees thew up in it.

Given it's so wet we can't rake, sweep or blow, so for now I just have to stare out the window and look at the yellow carpet nature has given us.





There's a very large part of me that feels like swearing - particularly when the kids and dogs bring the wet leaves into the house on their feet.

But really,  what's the point in getting annoyed when it's a sign of nature at its finest.

So as the trees shed and the weather turns cool, I'll be looking at it in wonder and awe rather than in annoyance and self pity.

For as long as I can anyway.  Then I'll probably start swearing again.




Has autumn hit your part of the world?

Anyone else got a yard full of leaves?

What are you lovin' about life this week?

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The Lovin' Life Linky is brought to you by Team Lovin' Life: Deep Fried Fruit, Seize the Day Project, Write of the Middle, And Anyways, 50 Shades of Age and Lifestyle Fifty #teamlovinlife





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