I am about to start the process re surgery

The waiting is almost over along with the non-diet foods. Yeah I k now, I have gone on about this for ages. My purpose in sharing this stuff is about getting people to focus on their health before it is too late, particularly males. How many ‘men’ do you know who actually go to the doctor for regular health checks.

I have done all that and embarked on numerous diets, only to put the weight back on and then some, so it’s the ‘knife’ for me. Actually it’s more like three small holes and an implement or two entering me while I am asleep and I wake up with a much reduced capacity to indulge my wildest gastric cravings. If I do the price will be swift and embarrassing. This process has meant a mind-shift about my future of gigantic proportions, except that the end result will be less about gigantic and more about a ‘new me.’

I am ready! My first date is with a psychologist next week. That will be an interesting experience for me, considering that’s the line of work I am employed in. Then it’s onto the Dietician who will walk me through the ‘restrictions’ and fluid diet that I must maintain for a month before surgery. If I don’t achieve the goals associated with that, all bets are off. Naturally I am determined to make that part work.

One more appointment after that--- with the surgeon and then I will take a month off to get with the new programme and recover from the surgery. That all should coincide with the school holidays so there is less need to eat into my sick leave.  Now it’s onwards and upwards to a better and healthier future.

Schools put 'tablets'on their 'to buy' list!

The gap between the ‘rich and poor’ cannot do anything but grow if the trend by some schools to put tablets on their stationary requirement list continues. Even in so-called middle decile schools, the burden on parents will be that one step too far. How then are those schools where simply getting the kids to have a breakfast in the morning going to cope?

We are going to have huge gaps between the schools in our nation. There is going to be a significantly large cohort missing out. There are no signs that the Government is going to step in and make a difference by providing free tablets and I am not even suggesting that it does.

I am questioning the need for tablets to be a compulsory part of a young person’s ‘tools for learning.’ There will be much debate but the bottom line is that we need our kids to be able to read and have good numeracy skills before we totally embrace other forms of ‘techno learning.’ Until we achieve that, all of the techno paraphernalia will be just that—an expensive add on. If our education system is changing so much that it requires these ‘tools’ then there needs to be a level playing field; one that gives all students equal access to those tools that are considered necessary for learning. The debate has a long way to go, but we cannot ignore it.

 I am just saying that---let’s work towards narrowing the gap.

I see a massive spike in the number of hits from the USA!

For quite some time the USA has been the country that hits my bloggs the most; this in spite of the fact that I writem in New Zealand, a country of little matter to the USA. Don't get me worng; I am most pleased to see those numbers. It's a pity that Google banned me from the ADsense site because 'friends' thought they were helping me out by clicking on the adveerts. I may have inadvertently encouraged this and with all things, there are 'consequences.' Oh well-- such is life.
Another factor re my blogs is that I don't always go along with 'mainstream' thinking, especially in regard to many of the issues in the USA. Perhaps I am being read by those with alternate views about how things should be. Take the 'gun laws;' that is something I have been going on about for quite a few blogs becuase for the life of me, I can not et my head around why Americans love thiier guns so much. In the end I have decided that there are some issues that NZ and the USA take very different stands. Of course some would say that it is the USA's issue to handle and that the rest of the world should butt out. Well, it's not laike that folks. IF A NATION SETS ITSELF UP TO BE THE 'POLICEMAN OF THE WORLD, AND ONE THAT HAS PROFOUND INFLUENCE IN EVERY ASPECT OF LIFE IN SO MANY COUNTRIES, THEN THAT COUNTRY MUST EXPECT A 'REACTION' TO THAT WHICH GOES ON THE WITHIN IT'S BORDERS. Much  has been copied and envied about the USA and as such it's influence has held sway for a good deal of the last 100 years.
So---carry on reading my blogs, but I would love more feedback.
 Go well USA!

Those nasty paperwasps! Yeah I know---they're all God's creatures, but!

Every time I look out my kitchen window, I observe a paper wasp nest as it gradually increases in size. It is in a position that makes it difficult to attack during the darker hours. In the past I have easily disposed of the nests by spraying them with fly spray and running like hell; not a sensible move, I am informed.

This particular nest and others close by are going to be a lot more difficult to eradicate. I rang Rentokil but their prices were quite high ($175) so I have decided to tackle the nests myself, despite the difficult terrain. Perhaps I can spray them a strong weed killer as I will be once again attempting to get rid of a plant that keeps invading that section of my garden. I have done this before and it worked. I just have to make sure that I shut the kitchen window real fast.

If I don’t post a blog in the next few days, then you know what happened; the wasps got me before I got them! I am not a killer of insects normally, but these critters are not a native species to NZ and of there are kids and pets around, one should make an attempt to free the area of them. There--- that’s my rationale---my method--- well that leads something to be desired! MMM--- I may yet bite the bullet and pay the $175.

My sister's big clean out---don't ya love it!

I am not big on decluttering my house and storage shed, but after my sister’s recent experience in doing just that, perhaps I should change my mind. Over the years she has ‘collected’ quite a bit of ‘this and that,’ leading to quite an interesting look. Books and bric-a- brac were in abundance and Perdy just loved visiting her house of treasures.

Perhaps my dear sister just decided that getting rid of a few things would be a good move. Once she had started it was all on. You wouldn’t believe the things she found and how much local hospices and church shops have benefited. Yeah, we tried to sell a few things on ‘Trade me’ but everyone wants something for virtually nothing and the ‘effort’ is not worth the gain, so the ‘give away’ mode ended up as being the most suitable for her decluttering exercise.

Something quite wonderful is happening. I’m not talking about the lovely old oak tea trolley she gave me, but I am indeed thankful for it as it fits with other ‘real wood’ items in my humble abode. My sister made a discovery that will give us pleasure until the last drop.

She discovered some wine (10 bottles) she had ‘stored’ some time ago. On making this fabulous find, she decided that we would open one each time she visited for one of our famous dinners (while I still can—pre bariatric surgery). The first offering was a vintage (1997) Charles Heidsieck Brut Reserve Champagne. Now I know that for some of you that’s probably ho-hum and nothing to call home about, but we are not snobs and we really appreciate something just that bit ‘up there.’

We opened the wine, wondering if it would just give a little puff, rather than a full blown pop of the real thing. We were not disappointed and although we love our NZ bubblies, we were most satisfied with this French offering. Next on the list is a great NZ red from the Colerain (Te Mata ) wineries. We can’t wait to see if it has weathered the years.

Can Labour and the Greens (maybe with NZ First) rise to the top?

John Key must be looking over his shoulders and be wondering just what he can do to head off the rising fortunes of the opposition parties. Those parties associated with his Government are in crisis and risk being lost off the political field altogether. His own ministers are also shooting themselves in the foot too. This is often the fate of second term Governments, no matter what the colour of their flags, so it is not surprising that he is looking around for new initiatives; ones that the opposition parties have been proposing for ages.

Take ‘housing and apprenticeship schemes for example; have not the two main opposition parties been putting out sensible polices; ones that the electorate seems quite happy to support? Key can only say, ‘us too,’ but in a much watered down form. He even seems to have moved away from strictly austerity type’ policies in an attempt to turn the polls.

Next year (if he lasts that long) will be interesting. In a sense it is ’be careful time’ for Labour and the Greens. It is easy to shove out policy, but that act must be matched by a ‘balancing’ so that we are not clutching at political chaff. How often have we heard opposition policies announced and then have them shoot way above what is possible and make promises that are nothing short of lies? Labour may think that they will benefit from the possible demise of the Maori Party, but they should not discount the flow on that Hone and Mana may have amongst former Maori Party supporters.

Mr Shearer needs good advice over the next 18 months and learns from past mistakes. We do not want a Labour green coalition that is bereft of real answers to the problems facing us as a nation. The ebbs and flows of political fortunes are something that needs to take into account the reality of the world New Zealand now lives in. Anyone can make brash promises, but not everyone can follow through. Think before you offer please, Mr Shearer and your newly found friend, Mr Cunliffe.

Just because you are bigger than me, don't go getting ideas eh!

So you're are a big bitch--so what---You forget my breeding--I'm a Jack Russell! No one---yes, no one bullies me. I can get you from all directions, all at once, so there. I get you when you least expect it, in areas you didn't know existed; parts of your body that you havn't even sniffed. As for your size---what a laugh. That just means there's more for me to bite. Of course there's the other issue that I am quite shy about admitting---my Jack Russell brains.