Weenie Little WOW

This is quite a little wombat, less than two inches (five cm) long - he may be small, but he is perfectly formed. Some of the wombats are well modelled and really do look like wombats despite their size, and some aren't quite so realistic. You wouldn't think it would be all that difficult to get a particular animal shape right, but perhaps it is.

Over the past couple of days I have been struck down by the annual lurgy, the one that makes me feel rather crappy and is probably related to an allergy. Think sinus issues/croaky voice/coughing and you won't be far wrong. If I say more than a few words I start coughing and can't stop, so choir practice tonight is pretty much out of the question. Never mind - this too shall pass. But the timing is not great as there is a lot of packing to be done. The latest on the house sale and purchase is that settlement dates have been moved forward again so we will be moving a day earlier still. At this rate we will be in the new house before we leave this one.......not that we mind, because we are looking forward to being in our new house. When we are living in it and it is really ours I will put a few pics here for the world to see.

Over the past few days I have done some more work on my cardigan that I am re-making, which was interrupted when I broke my arm. The collar is the last piece and is coming along nicely, although having 117 stitches to a row is quite a lot. But when that is done it can all be sewn together (with a sigh of relief) and it will be just the thing for the cooler days ahead. And I have sewn a few stitches on my hand-pieced flower basket blocks. These days I feel slightly guilty if I sit down to read or sew or knit......the thought going through my mind is "I should be sorting or packing instead of doing this". But I have started sorting, so I can have a break sometimes can't I?

Speaking of the broken arm, it seems to be coming along OK. The shoulder problems aren't as bad as they were before the cortisone injection took hold, although I don't swing my arm above my head and behind my back for pleasure I can assure you. One thing that has been happening lately seems odd to me, suddenly out of nowhere my hand starts to ache fiercely, usually on the back or behind my thumb. When I mentioned it to the orthopedic specialist last Friday he said that is normal after an injury like mine, it is caused by nerves sending out impulses very quickly, and while it is incredibly painful it will pass in time. I will be glad when it does, as it's not much fun. And there is still swelling even after six months, to the extent that I can't yet wear my wedding ring - but apparently swelling after a break can take up to 18 months to fully settle down. That seems like a long time, doesn't it? I suppose it's nature's way of protecting the healing bits.

I have just re-read this post and I sound like a dreadful whinger don't I! To the folk out there who have more health issues to contend with than I do, I apologise. I try to be a fairly 'up' person and most of the time I think I am.

After we move we will start walking again. The specialist asked me on Friday about my exercise regime and I said "what exercise regime?" Swimming? he asked. I don't do water, I replied. (because the world's not ready for me to appear in a swimsuit) I used to walk around this area but came to feel quite uncomfortable when I did so, because I wore shorts for coolness and comfort and had to walk past houses where men sat in groups eyeing off anyone who passed - men whose women are much more covered up that is usual in Australia. So I stopped walking. But walking will be a good way to get to know our new area, and hopefully some of our new neighbours. The new house is on a street which curves up and down a hill so walking it will be good exercise.

"Be sympathetic and animated.
Do not go into society unless you make up your mind to be sympathetic, unselfish, animating, as well as animated. Society does not require mirth, but it does demand cheerfulness and unselfishness, and you must help to make and sustain cheerful conversation. The manner of conversation is as important as the matter."

So you all have a lovely week!

Jennifer