MAZZA'S MONTHLY REFLECTIONS PART1

Well here we are halfway into the second month of 2015 already and this year I thought I would write a blog where I look back and reflect on the previous month, somewhat like a monthly diary.

January started in bed sound asleep, the first year in many that we have not dined and danced into the New Year with the Congo line keeping in beat to "Running Bear." The main reason was that my husband was recovering from a Hernia operation and we had all the family home so it was nice to spend time with them.

I live in the beautiful little seaside town of Brunswick Heads which takes on a more vibrant atmosphere during January. Just before Christmas the "Housie Tent" is erected and is run nightly as a fundraiser for the Brunswick Valley Rescue Club  until around the 20th of January. Next to that we have the Carnival with all the fun rides for the kids and the young at heart. Then mid January we have a massive fireworks which heralds the start of the Fish'n'chip festival and the Woodchops.

I love to partake in a few rounds of Housie and  to attend the Woodchops, especially the State of Origin on the Sat night where QLD and NSW fight it out in a marathon effort with alot of encouragement from the crowd. All the events are organised by a bunch of dedicated volunteers who give their time generously.

Late January, my sister and her eldest daughter visited from Grafton, which was a lovely.

I ventured into the river on one occasion where I met up with two acquaintances and spent some time catching up on what was happening in our busy lives etc.

Also celebrated my Husband's birthday on the 10th and after dining out in Mullumbimby, headed to Brunswick for some Housie and Fireworks, which this year was spectacular.

My little grandson successfully started prep, which was a big milestone for him and his family.

So January was all about family, recreation and enjoying the festival atmosphere in my little home town of Brunswick Heads.

Photo of the Brunswick Heads foot bridge.

Fruit Cake

It has recently come to my notice that the humble fruit cake has lost it's popularity with the younger generation.

For some time the composition of the wedding cake has changed from the traditional fruit cake to the mud cake, the white mud cake, carrot cake and various other alternatives.

We sell the 'Lions Christmas cakes' at work and the comments from my younger colleages was 'who eats fruit cake' as if it was a crime to do so.

In keeping with this new trend, it was difficult to find a Christmas cake in the stores this last year. I remember my mother making up to 9, 2 pound cakes as well as the traditional fruit pudding in the cloth bag every Christmas. She gave some away but we all enjoyed our fruit cake for afternoon tea.

As I ponder the reason why our humble fruit cake is losing it's popularity through the generations, I wonder will it ever make a comeback or be lost forever?

The Hose

As we grow older, we can't necessarily do things the way we used to do or find that task a little bit more difficult, so finding a product to make life easier is the way to go.

The humble garden hose had become a non friendly item with having to pull it back to the wall bracket and carefully wind it around in a somewhat tidy fashion, not to mention the dreaded kinks along the way. 

Browsing through my local Mitre 10 catalogue, my eyes focused on a retractable hose, which was reduced by $40 and was wall mountable. I couldn't wait to purchase it and after my husband installed the bracket on the wall, we were ready for action.

I now enjoy hosing the garden as I pull the hose out without any tangles and with a tug away it recoils into the wall unit, not only quick and easy but with little effort on my part.

I also 'killed two birds with the one stone" as it was also an early Christmas present for my husband!

What new product have you purchased to make life easier?

Photo credit: Caroline

Driving Miss Mazzy Part 5

OK I have written about this subject before but felt I had to share this story.

Recently while driving on the highway, travelling at the designated speed of 110, we witnessed an L plate driver overtaking a P plate driver and after we had overtaken him, the L plater sped up and passed us. He didn't just stay in front, got quite a way ahead, so estimation of speed was well over 110.

Yes, the young fellow was at the wheel and probably Dad in the passenger seat, what was he thinking, surely he realised that they were going way too fast and the fact is he was breaking the law. He may have had confidence in his driving but unless they learn the rules, it makes for future fines and reckless driving.

This is a true indication that maybe some parents should not be teaching their children to drive and pass on bad habits.


Photo credit: Marti Perarnau

MAGAZINES

It is true that our eyesight fades with age and most of us end up wearing glasses.

I still find it very hard to read some print in magazines that have opted for bold, colourful backgrounds. Yes, it does make for a colourful page and separates stories but that is surely not as important as the buyer of the magazine being able to read all the print.

As I flick through my current magazine, there are three backgrounds on one page, two of them are easily read but the third one has white lettering on a light orange type background and is very hard to read.  This is even made worse if you try to read in bed, where the light may not be quite as good.

In case you are thinking, 'maybe she needs to update her glasses', that is not the case as I have recently been for my annual optometrist appointment and had my eyes checked.

I would love your feedback on this trivial but important subject!

Coping with Technology Part 2

In recent weeks, technology has tested me to the limit.

Firstly my phone became really noisy and became unbearable to use and then no dial tone at all, so it was definitely time to phone Telstra, who came the next day. The technician tried a couple of different things before declaring that a new line was required but he didn't think he could do that, he did not have the right equipment. However, he did give it a go and presto we were back in business.

Next thing - I had no internet, I had to go and buy a new wireless modem/router. After a couple of phone calls to D-Link support, it was up and running.

Alas, just when I thought life was back to normal - the printer wasn't printing from the computer. After ringing Canon support and being on the phone for nearly one hour without making any headway at all, I cancelled the call. I was really worried as he wanted to get inside my computer and asked if I did banking on it!

I knew I had to put the new modem password in the printer settings but I couldn't quite navigate the settings so another phone call to Canon and he wanted to fiddle with my  modem. I said NO to this and said I had started the process but couldn't quite complete it, so then he was able to help and I was back printing.

Now tonight my computer has abruptly closed 6 times within a short period, with a different error message each time - I am going to bed - technology is working against me!!

NEW PRODUCTS

I am sure we all agree that the number of new 'beauty' products on the market is astounding, varying from quite cheap to expensive. It is all up to the individual, whether you think the more expensive product actually delivers as stated on the label, or the cheaper product achieves the same outcome at alot less cost.

Recently I read in a magazine about this 'new product' - MICELLAR CLEANSING WATER, for removing make-up as well as cleansing and soothing with no rinsing needed for face, eyes and lips, and also perfume free. Plus the added feature "for all skin types".The article listed a couple of brands, but having bought Garnier products before and being the cheapest, I was keen to try it.

It truly is a wonderful product and with the added bonus of not having to use a separate cleanser to remove eye make-up is a real plus. It is quick and easy with no rinsing required.

What is your new 'favourite make-up product?'

RESPECT

The word RESPECT conjures up a lot of different descriptions and situations in life. There's the saying "you should respect one's elders" which I feel seems to have lost it's meaning over the generations. Then used as a point of detail or characteristic "differs in some RESPECTS." Polite or kind regard for a fellow being "RESPECT for people's feelings."

This week something reminded me of the word RESPECT. We attended the funeral of my husband's father and a lot of people showed up to pay their RESPECT to their beloved family member, relative or friend.

On the other hand, as the funeral cortege travelled through the streets from the church to the cemetery, we had to stop for two people on the pedestrian crossing (one younger, one older) whom it seems have forgotten or have never learnt that you stop for a funeral procession as a sign of RESPECT.  All the vehicles normally have their headlights on to make them more visible.

I feel the world would be a better place if we all showed more RESPECT for one another.

If Tomorrow Never Comes

I love Ronan Keating and one of my favourite songs is "If Tomorrow Never Comes".  Well this is not really about that song but the words nearly ran true two weeks ago when I became very ill and woke up in ICU, not even remembering leaving my own house the previous night, carted off by two wonderful ambos to the local hospital and then onto emergency at Tweed.

I was born an acute asthmatic and in later years developed 'Allergic Bronchopulmonary Aspergillosis or ABPA' which is a fungal lung disease. However, I have been able to live a fairly normal life, still working and doing my own housework etc. I know the symptoms when I am getting worse and regulate my medication accordingly - increase prednisone plus anti-biotics when needed etc., under the direction of my local Dr and  specialist.

However, two weeks ago on the Tues morning my husband started vomiting and then I started plus diarrhea. Luckily my husband didn't go to work and I ended up going to sleep and later in the night around 8 o'clock I became unresponsive and 000 was called.

My husband was told to ring the family in the early hours of Wed morning as things weren't looking too good. My two wonderful daughters drove down from Brisbane and I awoke to find myself in ICU, ALIVE and my family filling me in on where I had been! One lovely young nurse in ICU told me I was Septus and she had expected the rescuscitation tube to be inserted, (just missed that one).

Anyway, after 4 days in ICU and 4 days in the ward I came home. My family and friends have been wonderful and I can only imagine the fear I put my family through, especially my husband who hates answering the telephone at anytime without having to ring 000.

My local Dr knows my condition but she wasn't there and I couldn't talk so Lesson One: I now carry a letter explaining my condition: which apart from the above is what happened - when a normal person gets sick their adrenal gland kicks in to fight the infection, mine is compromised so there is nothing there and I must be treated with a high dose of cortisone.

Lesson Two: Don't be alone when very sick, my husband didn't go to work that day because he was sick but normally I would have been by myself and if I had deteriorated earlier in the day, I may not have made it to hospital.

Lesson Three:  Put more thought into today, it's great to plan ahead but make sure each day counts because you just never know what can happen.

So tell that Someone that you love
Just what you are thinking of
If tomorrow never comes.

BUDGET

This topic has been in my mind for some time and today with all the TALK about THE BUDGET handed down last night, it seemed today was the right time!

It is about "Living within your Means" and I have lived with that motto all of my life and even now I just don't buy something because I can afford it.

There are many ways you can save money and if you cannot afford it - don't buy it. I was brought up in an era when you saved for anything you wanted, there was no such thing as rushing out and ticking it up on a credit card and think about paying for it later. When I started working I wanted to buy a car for my 17th birthday. I sat down and worked out the maximum amount I could save over 12 months and I stuck to it, I did not withdraw any money over that period, if I wanted something I couldn't afford I went without.

The following are ways that can save money:
Take your lunch from home, buying takeaway food and drink five times a week can add up to a minimum of $60 a week. Buy your drinks from the supermarket and chill it yourself, another big saving. Cut back on takeaway coffee.

Petrol/Diesel: Do not make unnecessary trips eg. to buy the milk etc. Plan ahead and do your grocery shopping once a week.

Groceries:  Shop for specials and buy ahead on all necessities like toilet paper, toothpaste, paper towels, washing powder, dishwasher powder/tablets, tissues etc. You should not pay everyday prices for these items. What you save you can spend on fresh food.

Save for a holiday and only choose a holiday you can afford, don't charge it to the credit card or add it to the home loan.

Use your credit card wisely, it is very handy but only spend what you can pay back in full each month. Too many people cannot control their spending and accumulate huge debts on their credit cards.

Clothing is so cheap these days - look for the reduced racks in the stores. Children's clothing can be purchased very cheaply at the end of each season, buy the next size up, $25 items can be reduced down to $7. The retail stores all have regular sales during the year, capitalise on these.

We all like to enjoy life to the fullest, we can still do this by planning, budgeting and saving a little for unexpected expenses and don't try to "keep up with the Jones's". Be prepared to make sacrifices,
you can't always afford what you want.