ANZAC Day 2019

Today is ANZAC day.  This is when Australians and New Zealanders commemorate the landing of our soldiers on the beaches of Gallipoli (Turkey) on 25 April, 1915.  Many Aussie's will find themselves at a March today.  Whether they are marching with an organisation, wearing medals earned by their grandfather's or waving a flag at the side, it's all important.  It's an important part of our culture because we remember a significant day in our Nation's history.  Many will also find themselves at the pub today, especially those who have been to war.  You see, today they go to the pub with mates who went with them.  They drink to peace and have another one for their fallen brothers.  Then, they have another.  

I don't know what it's like to face an enemy, watch a friend die beside you, endure torture, come home to a different world and start life again.  I don't know anything about it.  I just know that I'm very grateful for those soldiers who went to war on my behalf. I have tremendous respect for the men and women who serve their country as part of our defence forces today.  I am in awe of them.  

Today, I won't be marching.  I won't be waving a flag.  Today, I will be praying for peace.  

Below, the poem written in 2013 and edited in 2016 is republished, so it's about time we revisit it. Take a moment to "remember them" today.   

Image Source

Thank you for the ANZAC 

(ANZAC DAY 2013)

Thank you for the ANZAC

Thank you for the boys

Who bravely disembarked the ships-

Ambushed on Turkey's shores.

Thank you for the soldiers 

Thank you for those kids

They volunteered, to us defend

Our freedom-never stripped.

Thank you for their courage

Thank you for those men

Fighting for freedom and for peace

Their stories ended then.

Thank you for Survivors

Thank you for their safe return

They tell us of their hell on earth

From this, we hope to learn

We are very lucky

We never will forget

The sacrifice of millions

For Peace - we don't have yet!

Lest We Forget

Travelling with Chronic Pain: Tips for Road Trips

Last week, I took a road trip with my mother.  Driving 6 hours to visit family was quite a challenge, but it wasn't impossible.  Over the past decade or so, I haven't travelled more than an hour or so in a car or bus.  I did hop a train to Sydney and I did fly a few times.  However, road trips were something I just wasn't prepared to do. There was a time, when more than an hour in the car was simply impossible.  Don't get me wrong, a 6 hour drive was not exactly easy, but I managed.  In fact, I managed quite well.

Here is how I did it.

1. Be Prepared:

I would give everyone this advice regardless of their health status because it's good advice.  As a person who lives with chronic pain, I am always prepared for the worst.  I carry pain medication with me all the time (most of the time) and I don't go anywhere overnight without an icepack.  If you are going to survive a long drive; you need to be prepared and plan ahead.

2. Plan Rest Stops

Know that you will need to rest regularly.  If you can only cope with an hour in the car, then you need to plan rest stops hourly.  I could manage an hour and a half to two hours. So, we planned accordingly. We also identified extra places we could stop, just in case.

3. Stretch

Make sure that "rest" includes stretching as well as a toilet break and a cup of tea.  Focus on your problem areas and repeat those stretches as often as you can.  It is so worth it.

4. Pillows are your Friend

Make sure you maintain good posture.  Use pillows and lumbar supports if you need to and use them well.  This is probably the most important thing you can do.  All the stops and stretches in the world won't do you any good if your posture is poor.  We all know poor posture is a contributing factor to neck and back pain.  While we have pain for other reasons, we don't need to make things worse with poor posture.  The best advice my physio gave me was so simple - use the head rest.  Make sure your head is in contact with it and tuck your chin in.  It kept me in check.  I also used pillows to support my elbows and a lumbar support behind my back.  This made such a difference!

5. Communicate!

We all know that the best thing about road trips is sharing the experience with someone.  My mum had to do all the driving and she was anxious to get to where we were going.  It was important for me to let her know when I needed a break.  It was also important for me to tell her if I wasn't ready to get back into the car. There were a few times when a short stretch and a sandwich wasn't enough of a break.  I needed to go for a walk up the street and back.

It was a great trip and I got through it. There was some pain the day after we arrived and I needed to organise some time for resting (more resting), but it was manageable because I was smart.  I didn't push through and ignore my body.

So, listen to your body.  Take the time to take care of yourself.  PAUSE (see what I did there?) it's not a race. Relax.  Enjoy the ride.

Until Next Time,

Postcards from... Biloela

Good Morning Friends, 

You are probably wondering, 'Where on Earth is Biloela?"  You're not alone.  In fact, I didn't know (nor did I care that much), where it was.  I had no desire whatsoever to visit this little Mining Town, south west of Rockhampton.  That was, until my sister and her husband packed up their bus, kids and two dogs to move here.  Now, I'm happy to take a 6 hour drive through country Queensland, just to see them for a few days.  My sister is a lucky lady.  I wouldn't drive that far for just anyone's 40th birthday.  Her present is My PRESENCE! 

Let's check it out on the map.... 

It's a beautiful place and the people I have met so far are kind and have a great sense of humour.  You have to have a good sense of humour to have a conversation with me.  He he he.  Check out this website for more info about this country town.  

Here I sit, at the small table in the ensuite 'villa' (read: converted container where sitting at the kitchen table is also sitting on the bed), tapping away on the keyboard and listening to a gameshow re-run on the TV (which is perched atop the fridge).  We went for a walk this morning and had breakfast at one of the two bakeries in town.  Now, I'm ready for a nap.  

Callide Dam

We have a big weekend planned.  Today, we are babysitting.  We're hoping to check out the famous dam and take the kids to the art gallery.  At some point, my brother-in-law will take me out for 'coffee', I hope.  Tomorrow we have a birthday party for my niece who is turning 5 in May.  Yes, I know we are very early, but the birthday girl wants me at her party so she has to have it when I'm in town.  I will tell you all about the party over the coming weeks.  Stay Tuned for that. 

On Sunday we are having lunch with my sister for her 40th Birthday.  :) On Monday, we are heading home!  Then we will need a real holiday!

Next week, I will have some "Road Trip" tips for people with Chronic Pain and their carers.

Do you want to know what craft supplies I packed for this epic 5 day hiatus from my craft room? If you were going away for a few days or a week, what would you take with you? Would you take anything? More on that later.  

Happy Weekend! 

A Great GIft I didn't want OR Tips for Journalling

Last year, I was given a thoughtful gift.  This sensible, practical and beautiful gift was given to me by a dear friend.  It was one of those, "thank you" gifts that was such a kind gesture and so kind, it just isn't working so well for me.  You see, it was the most beautiful journal.  It's a blush pink colour with a silver embossed peacock on it.  It's stunning.  It's almost too nice to write in.  

Anyone who knows me, would think this was the perfect gift. It's true that I LOVE stationery.  I especially love pretty stationery.  I love buying these things and having them on my shelves.  Unfortunately, I'm not so good at using pretty stationery.  It's too pretty to use.  Okay, I've gotten over that hurdle.  The purpose of this journal was to write down blessings, and prayers, and answers to prayer, and things I have learned by living God's word. Only, I'm not good at journaling in a book.  

I like to share my experiences with strangers on the internet.  I can write to a schedule because I think people will be reading it.  When I have to pull out a pretty journal to write in, I feel the need to write neatly! I'm too tired to write neatly, ever.  I also feel like I need to write something profound.  I forget to write in the journal.  When I do remember to write in the journal, I realise it's been a few weeks since I wrote in the journal and then I feel bad that I haven't written in my journal.  

So, thanks for the guilt trip, my dear friend!! 

If you want to keep a journal I recommend: 

1. Write in it whenever you can, but don't beat yourself up if it's not everyday. 
2. Journals don't have to be made of paper. A private blog or journaling app are just as good. 
3. When you don't know what to write, use journaling prompts. 
4. Write anything- your journal can be a mish mash of lists, poetry, quotes, stories, captions, ideas, memories and dreams. 
5. Break the rules because your journal is yours and that means there are no rules.  You can write whatever you want, whenever and however you want too. 

If you are going to have a journal, make it work for you.  It's a good idea to make a regular time each day (or week) to write in it, but if you can't manage that, just do it when you can.  Don't let anything scare you or stop you.  Your journal is for you, so just do it.

Happy Journaling, my friends!