Whatcha Doin' - 2022 Showing 601-650 of 1,312

[Lilisa]

Congrats Shirley - that’s awesome!

[Sarah]

Hope you enjoyed your sound bath Margo! I went to one at the end of last year after a recommendation. I did enjoy it. I struggled to relax though but that was because my stomach was gurgling and it reminded me of a South Park episode where they kept trying to recreate the brown noise which effectively makes you crap your pants. And I couldn't help but wonder if the sound was real and whether that would happen to me during it hahaha. I was all good thankfully.

That must have been scary Janice. I too have heard of this kind of thing happening as well Rusalka, so yeah, I think it's more common than we realise.

Congrats Shirley!

[Sarah]

Just completed my last day of training today for the new job. I'm looking forward to starting properly on Monday, I already have patients booked in :-) It's going to be a crazy week next week what with starting work properly and getting the keys to my new place. So far I'm not stressed which is surprising, just excited. That might change when everything gets going lol. My parents are up tomorrow to go collect some FB marketplace furniture and the obligatory visit to IKEA as I have no furniture that's really suitable to take with me.

I went to Madrid at the weekend and had an amazing time. I potentially crammed a little bit too much into the first day but eased off a bit for the rest. I enjoyed my solo experience. There were a few moments I felt a bit teary but I think they were times when I had downtime, nothing planned or waiting for something I had planned to commence. But all in all, a great experience. It's a wonderful city.

[Kristie, Moderator]

I'm so happy for you, Sarah! What an exciting time. :)

[Esther]

Shirley wrote: "Drum roll please... 🥳

My little book about the literary history of the Darling Downs has been published. Yay!
Have a look -
https://www.facebook.com/WordFestToow...
https://www.wordfesttoowoomba..."

nice! congrats!!!

[Christine]

CONGRATULATIONS SHIRLEY!

[Christine]

I’m sorry I haven’t talked to everyone and the reason why is because I’ve been so busy being a social butterfly

[Janice, Moderator]

Christine wrote: "I’m sorry I haven’t talked to everyone and the reason why is because I’ve been so busy being a social butterfly"

That's awesome that you've been busy! I hope you're enjoying yourself.

[Saar The Book owl]

Congratulations, Shirley, that's huge news!
I'm happy for you, Sarah, that your trip went well.

[Christine]

Yeah I know Janice and I’m really enjoying myself Janice

[Kristie, Moderator]

I think I may have mentioned a while ago that Craig and I were taking Pickleball lessons? We just finished our 6 weeks last weekend and there is a tournament in June. Our instructor wants me to join at the 'advanced beginner' level. I am certainly not feeling ready for a tourney, but if she thinks I'm ready maybe I'll try it? It might be fun. I'm just always uncomfortable being the center of attention and there would be an audience... so I'm being a bit of a chicken. lol

[Janice, Moderator]

Sounds like fun, Kristie!

[Saar The Book owl]

I needed to look up what pickleball is and it seems to be very new in Belgium, like padel was last year. You can always try it, Kirstie, just for fun and experience.

[Christine]

HAPPY MEMORIAL DAY!

[Christine]

Sounds like fun, Kristie!

[Christine]

HAPPY JUNE EVERYONE!

[Kristie, Moderator]

I had a fun day today. I played in the Pickleball tournament. There weren't enough players at the advanced beginner level, so we had to play up a half level. We came in fourth out of the four teams in our division. lol We had a good time though. I also took my dogs for a short hike and swim in the evening. :) Definitely got my steps in today! Lots of sunshine and physical activity makes for one tired lady here! I may have to go to bed early.

What has everyone else been up to? This thread has been awfully quiet.

[Shirley]

Well done for doing all that exercise Kristie. We’ve had a cold snap here for the last few weeks and we’ve just been for a weekend away in our caravan to a pretty little town called Esk. Thankfully we were very snug with lots of layers and a heater.

[Kristie, Moderator]

Nice, Shirley. I could use a weekend away. We have a long weekend planned with our grandson in August. He is coming in two more weeks! Can't wait to see him. :)

[Odette]

It has been very cold here for the past week, 6-7 degrees celsius (44 F) during the day with strong winds. The pickleball sounds good, Kristie, though not familiar with the game. Too cold to go outside for a walk. I developed a head cold, thankfully not another dose of Covid! and am hibernating at home.

[Roz]

I'm channeling your cool weather. We've been having a prolonged period of hot weather here in Lakeway Texas. Today was 106. Several days over 100 and at least a week more. My poor garden. Walks take place by 8 am or I go to the gym where it's cooler. After that, I'm indoors. There are a lot of people here who play pickleball. I'm not one of them. Good for you Kristie.

[Shirley]

I looked up pickleball in our area and there's a few places that have clubs. My sister plays croquet which she loves.

[Kristie, Moderator]

We are supposed to have hot weather here this week too. I believe in the 90s (33-34*C) all week.

[Kristie, Moderator]

My grandson asked if I could try to find him a ping pong (table tennis) tournament to play in while he is visiting us. :) It is proving to be a challenge so far.

[Odette]

Kristie wrote: "We are supposed to have hot weather here this week too. I believe in the 90s (33-34*C) all week."

One extreme or the other! Not sure which I prefer. The cold is getting to me as it is a bit unusual so early. The upside is if it continues will be able to read plenty of books for the toppler!

[Saar The Book owl]

Glad that the pickleball was fun! You've enjoyed yourself :)

There supposed to be hot weather at the end of the week, around 30°C. We'll see. It doesn't need to be that warm. The last couple of weeks it has been cold, rain...And I've got a bad season of hay fever. Never had it so seriously.

I have my last exams planned on Thursday (yay, on my birthday...) and Friday. Besides that I work, but then I've got 3 weeks off in the summer and need to plan my re - exams.

[Peggy]

Sounds like you had fun Kristie!

We're also getting 30+ C weather by the end of the week. We're having airconditioning installed in our bedroom today (we sleep in the top of the house, so quickly gets very warm), so yay! I'm less worried about the weather now.

The only thing is that during the warmest days we're away for the weekend, sleeping in a cabin without aircon..

[Kristie, Moderator]

Odette wrote: "Kristie wrote: "We are supposed to have hot weather here this week too. I believe in the 90s (33-34*C) all week."

One extreme or the other! Not sure which I prefer. The cold is getting to me as it..."

Yes, I feel like we had cold weather for the longest time this spring. I kept saying, "Why is it still so cold? This is ridiculous!" Then, poof, it's hot.

[Kristie, Moderator]

Happy almost birthday, Saar! At least exams will be out of the way just in time for the toppler. lol

[Kristie, Moderator]

You're going to enjoy that air conditioning, Peggy! You might miss it on your weekend away, but you'll be having some time away, so it'll still be good. :)

[Christine]

I’m getting so excited because my aunt is coming to New Jersey next week and I’m going on vacation with my family this summer

[Kristie, Moderator]

That's excellent, Christine! Do you know where you are going on vacation this summer yet?

[Christine]

Yeah I know Kristie and I’m going to Ocean City, NJ on my vacation with my family this summer Kristie

[Kristie, Moderator]

Oh, that sounds like a wonderful vacation, Christine! I hope you have a great time. I'm sure you will. :)

[Saar The Book owl]

Kristie wrote: "Happy almost birthday, Saar! At least exams will be out of the way just in time for the toppler. lol"

Thank you, Kirstie! Yes, indeed, I can take the dust of my books now, haha!

[Christine]

Yeah I know Kristie and thanks Kristie and I always have a great time on my summer vacation with my family Kristie

[Christine]

IT'S FLAG DAY!

[Peggy]

I have never heard of flag day. Ah, apparently it's something from the US.


In March Taylor Hawkins, drummer of the Foo Fighters, unexpectedly passed away. This week Foo Fighters announced two tribute concerts, one in London, the other in LA. AND WE GOT TICKETS FOR THE LONDON ONE!

LA would have been cool too, but a bit less practical ;-) Rob is a huge fan and it's still unknown whether FF will continue as a band, so this might be the final time to see them live. There will also be tons of guest artists.

In 2015 I got surprise tickets for a FF show in Wembley because Rob always said it was on his bucket list to go to a rock show there. Then Dave broke his leg and it was cancelled. So I'm glad he finally gets his chance now :)

Finding a place to sleep near Wembley is harder than I expected though..

[Jenn]

That sounds amazing Peggy! So exciting!!!

[Rusalka, Moderator]

I just went down a wormhole of London hotels, and realised how much I miss travelling. Any way, for my sanity I am stopping. That said, we stayed at The Z Hotels in London last time we were there. They have a few locations, not sure if any suit Wembley or the tube (I know the stadium for rugby but never been out that way).

Seriously is a small hole in the wall, but neat, clean, and seeing you spend 95% of your time in London out and about, exactly what you need. We stayed in Soho last time as it completely and utterly shocked my mother and was between Aussie cafes and West End Theatres.

[Peggy]

Thanks Rus, I'll check those out!

I'm honestly a bit shocked because of prices (I knew it would be expensive but not THAT expensive) and everything near Wembley is sold out. I wonder if maybe many people booked it beforehand just in case and will cancel if they don't get tickets? If not, I don't understand why everything is full already, even within 30 minutes after ticket sale started.. if you just want to visit London there are more convenient places to stay.

[Janice, Moderator]

Have a great time Peggy!

[Janice, Moderator]

I had a driver's evaluation yesterday because my rehab doc filed paperwork to have my driver's license suspended after my stroke. We won't go into my feelings about that. In order to get it reinstated, I have to jump through hoops. I had to be assessed on cognitive abilities, strength, physicality, coordination, and driving abilities. I aced everything but the road test. I got my driver's license when I was 16, and a lot of years have gone between to enforce some bad habits. Of course, the test was in an unfamiliar car . I found brake action and acceleration were very different. Comments were that I was overall a good driver, but there were some bad habits (like hard breaking and driving too fast around corners - both I attribute to the unfamiliarity of the car.) But he recommended that I take "brush up lessons" for an hour. And once those were completed, he recommended by driver's license be reinstated. This is so costly! I can't believe the amount of money it's costing me. But, it's worth it to be able to drive again.

[Cherie]

Wow, Janice. I never thought about what the recovery steps would involve after having a stroke. Did the rehab doctor tell you that he was going to file the paperwork to the DMV? It seems unfair to make you take a driving test in a car that was unfamiliar. It is always an adjustment to start driving a new or unfamiliar care before you can have a chance to get out on the road. I always drive a rental car around the parking lot a couple of times to get used to the brake and famaliarize myself with the mirrors, etc before I drive out onto the road. Seems like they could have let you do that, at least.

[Janice, Moderator]

Cherie wrote: "Wow, Janice. I never thought about what the recovery steps would involve after having a stroke. Did the rehab doctor tell you that he was going to file the paperwork to the DMV? It seems unfair to ..."

That's all the rehab doctor was interested in, was filing the paperwork with the department of vehicles. I know there's a legal requirement, but the onus is on me. It's my legal responsibility to inform them if changes in my medical condition affect my driving.

Once they suspend your driver's license it's a pain to get it back. You need a drivers evaluation and your medical doctor's evaluation. Plus, you may have to take an official drivers' road test. Plus anything else they decide. The road test I did yesterday was assessment not considered the same thing as an official road test. I'm quite distressed, and I know I did very well. I read the report. But because I had issues with "bad habits" that were more explained by the response of the brakes in an unfamiliar car, I'm stressing this. I can't take comfort from his report that said, "Overall Ms. Budd is a good driver." I suspect my brain injury is part of the overreaction. The OT said that if the government requires me to take a road test, at least I'll take it in my own car. Small mercies I guess.

[Peggy]

How annoying Janice! I think that besides it being an unfamiliar car, they should also take into account 'bad habits' that aren't dangerous, but more like driving style.

[Peggy]

Rusalka wrote: "I just went down a wormhole of London hotels, and realised how much I miss travelling. Any way, for my sanity I am stopping. That said, we stayed at The Z Hotels in London last time we were there. ..."

So after spending way too much time on this, I ended up with one of the Z hotels ;-)

[Kristie, Moderator]

Oh, that does sound like a hassle Janice. How frustrating. I'm sorry you need to deal with all that.

[Janice, Moderator]

I'm feeling better about it now. I reviewed all the plusses from the day - and have a lot to be grateful for and I need to focus on the good things instead of getting stuck on a couple minor mistakes. It really demonstrated the amount of healing I've done. I have a lot more to do, but I am making headway.

I'm scheduled for "brush up" driving lessons for Jul 13, and have other arrangements in place. The instructor I drove with yesterday isn't taking new students, but she made an exception for me, so she must be confident that I'm doing well and invested in getting me through the hurdles.

I'm sorry for being so mopey, but thanks for being supportive.

[Kristie, Moderator]

You're not mopey, Janice. It's good that you're able to focus on the positives, but we can all understand how frustrating it must be for you too. On the bright side, you will be an even better driver when you are done and you will be able to feel secure in the knowledge that you are definitely ready when you get your license back.