Category: Diary

This is what I published on the 3rd of January 2021

Big Loss

Our Dream Home, is this it?

https://auntyuta.com/2011/11/

All the Sundays after Peter died

Today is the4thSunday after Peter died/On th 8th of November, that is just a few weeks ago, when Peter was still alive and able to visit the local doctor (with Olivia’s help that is), yes on the 8th of November I republished one of the posts from November 2011.

Now, I assume that most of my readers would not like to go to the trouble of looking up all these posts. However, for me it was most interesting to read through all of them again. It helps to give some kind of substance to what I do remember about the past nine years or so. These posts show me, that already nine years ago I could not help myself thinking about what would happen when Peter and I would come into our eighties. Well, Peter made it to 85 without any significant changes in our surroundings. I am 86 already. I must admit I am not at all used to organising some trades people to do any necessary repairs. Peter always did this. He always pointed out to me: “You can do it if you like!” But did he really want me to do it? I don’t think so. Whenever he was supposed to show me something, he soon got impatient and took over, doing whatever needed to be done rather himself. I must admit, I am a rather slow learner and always got scared I would not learn fast enough or forget soon again, how to do certain things. This also went very much so with work on the computer too. Whenever something went wrong on the computer he would take over totally, yes, maybe showing me a few things but without making sure that I had understood it properly. And it was very hard for me to ask for repeat instructions. He would just say: “But I showed you already!” and leave it at that.

In a lot of ways I am now totally dependent on the help of my children. I am extremely lucky to have three capable and loving children. But it is difficult for me to accept that I may have to disrupt their lives too much. I would like to have a certain type of independence where I feel that I am still capable of making my own decisions in every way and where I have not to told by anyone how to live my life!

One of my concerns at the moment is the ever increasing need for an overhaul of my backyard. When I look at that post from 22nd of August 2016 about the loss of three of our big trees, I am astounded how this backyard has changed again over the last four years or so!

What I wrote on that Sunday – the 30th of August 2020

Often, I like to go back in time by looking at old blogs. The other day, I saw a Diary Post of mine, that I published on the 31st of August 2020. This post says a lot about my odd sleeping patterns!

It is interesting for me, to read about this, and to compare it with what my present waking and sleeping hours are like!

I must say, I still have similar odd sleep habits now. I wonder, what does it mean?

I actually feel rather bad about it, since I do know, that Peter did not like it, when I could not keep myself awake, while we were watching something on television.

Here now is a copy of this afore mentioned post:

“At the start of this writing it is still Sunday, 30th of August 2020, but close to midnight already!

Peter and I, we still enjoy good food and fresh air and sunshine! For lunch I cooked a very likable Vegetarian meal today. (I think, Peter liked it too!) It was lots of different vegies with a cheese sauce. As a desert we had sour cherries (that came in a glass from Poland!) as well as some fresh cream and custard. We also had some chilled Muscat Wine.

And yes, we had a most beautiful sunny day today. So, I spent a lot of time outside. Meaning, for hours, I was just sitting or lying down in the sun! Sometimes, I went to sleep for a bit. In the afternoon Peter joined me in the sun for a while. We each had a glass of chilled ginger beer. This was so good!

Later on we watched a German movie on television. I soon went to sleep. I also went to sleep watching the evening news. Later on I was awake for a while watching ‘Vera’. Before ‘Vera’ was finished, I went to sleep again, probably for hours.

When I woke up around ten o’clock, Peter was still awake. We soon reminded ourselves, that tomorrow is Monday, and we have doctors’ appointments. By 8 o’clock we have to be in the Medical Centre here in Dapto. That means, in order to be getting ready on time, we ought to be up by 6 o’clock!

Reluctantly, we both made an attempt to get ready for bed. I think it was about 11 o’clock when finally we were both lying in bed. Peter was very tired. He soon went to sleep, after having helped me with taking my blood pressure! Taking my blood pressure is always an immense struggle! Just to establish a reading on the monitor, I do find very difficult indeed!

When I realized, that Peter had gone to sleep already, and that I was not quite ready for sleep, I actually decided, it was better for me to get up for a bit of whisky!

Well, I did have this bit of whisky, and now I am glad that I ended up having a bit of time at the computer. In the meantime, it is already a bit past midnight. Time for me to go to bed again! I am sure, I am going to have a wonderful sleep now.”

And now a copy of 6 thoughts on “Diary”

  1. oldandblessed
  2. A simple, poignant and great story. Enjoyed it very much. Thanks.
    1. auntyuta
    2. Dear Old and Blessed, thanks very much for commenting. I am glad my rambling gave you some kind of enjoyment!
  3. doesitevenmatter3
  4. Hope you both got a good restful night’s sleep.
    Peter is home now?
    Hope he is doing well.
    (((HUGS))) 
  5. auntyuta
  6. Yes, Carolyn, Peter is home now! This was so lucky that last week he did not have to stay in hospital any longer. Last Thursday, another procedure was attempted, and that went very well.  So he was allowed to go home the following day. They really did take excellent care of him in the hospital. 
    We both get easily tired and rest a lot. There are frequent medical appointments. We are always glad when we are back home again after a few hours out of the house. Peter is doing as well as can be expected. All his sicknesses make him slow down a lot. But part of it, for me too, is of course Old Age! 
    HUGS from both of us!
    1. doesitevenmatter3
    2. Oh, I’m so glad he is home now with you!!! And I’m so glad things went while he was there at the hospital! Yes, aging does have that effect on our bodies. I wish you both THE very best and do take rests when you need them!
      HUGS!!!
      1. auntyuta
      2.  Good advice, Carolyn! Yes, we do rest a lot!
        Hugs!

Monday Afternoon/14/03/2022

It was such a nice sunny day, today! 🙂

I enjoyed this easy to breathe air without any moisture in it! 🙂

A bit before 2 PM a walked over to the Club. I spent there about 

an hour sitting in nice surroundings. It was a quiet day at the Club. 

Not many people go to the Club on Monday or Tuesday, for these are the days when the Bistro stays closed: So, no food is available on these days.

I liked to sit there for two hours in the afternoon with only a couple of drinks: First I had some cappuccino, and after about one hour I had a glass of chilled Riesling. 🙂

As a member of the Club, I paid only 4 Dollars for each drink! 🙂

While sitting there, I looked into one of my books from the Dapto Library:

A cute little book about Paris with beautiful photos on every page! 🙂

This booklet is called “Quiet Paris” and has 142 pages. 🙂

So that you may get an idea, what these pages are about, I copy, what it says about the content:

(Introduction, with no pictures, starts on page 6)

Museums starts on page 10

Libraries starts on page 22

Parks and Gardens starts on page 32

Places to relax 52

Places of Worship 62

Shops 72

Restaurants 88

Cafes 100

Bookshops 110

Galleries 122

Cultural Centres 130

Places to stay 136

Paris is such a beautiful city! 🙂

I have been there for a week in 1954 as a 19-year-old, and

absolutely loved then my time in Paris! 🤩

I loved it again 36 years later in 1990, when I was there with

Peter and 11 year old daughter Caroline! 🙂

I may sing now this German song about travelling:

“Wenn ich ein Vöglein wär

Und auch zwei Flügel hätt

Flög ich dort hin!

Weils aber nicht kann sein,

Weils aber nicht kann sein,

Bleib ich all hier! “

Ja, ich bleibe hier . . . .

Still, I do enjoy very, very much

looking at all these great photos 

about Paris! 😍

This afternoon, soon after 4 PM, 

I walked home with my rollator in

glorious sunshine!

Friday, 25/02/2022

I must say, I very much long
for seeing a bit of sun again!
Nothing outside dries out any more.

So, I find, it is best, to lock myself up
in the house! 🙂

What can I do all day in the house for
enjoyment?

Actually, quite a lot!

For instance, I can look up a few very
enjoyable things on the computer!

Such as some beautiful music
to listen to! 🙂

I have some very nice, healthy food
in the house. So, I can spend hours to
cook some great vegetarian meals! 🙂

Also, I can make myself some
great tasting teas throughout
the day as often as I like! 🙂

And best of all, whenever a little tiredness
overcomes me, I can take a restorative little nap! 🙂

My Diary, still February, 2022

It was raining cats and dogs today!

I stayed home for most of the day.

And so I had plenty of time for doing a lot of cooking and tidying up in the kitchen!

I reckon being able to spend a lot of time

in the kitchen is good therapy for me.

I enjoy very much to do all these cooking

preparations. I had heaps of vegies left in the

fridge from last week, and they needed a lot of pealing and cutting!

And finally I found the time to shred and cook this beautiful piece

of red cabbage! Further on I used another pot to cook potatoes, carrots and sweet potatoes in. All this well cooked stuff I intend to use over the next few days for some vegetarian meals. Instead of meat, I accompany the vegies with for instance some softly cooked, very well hotly spiced chick peas!

The red cabbage needs a lot of apple cider

vinegar and olive oil as well as a bit of sugar and

white pepper. I had no onions or apples left.

I might buy some tomorrow to cook and still add

to the cabbage! I already added a few

fresh garlic cloves. I am sure, the red cabbage

is going to taste very nice! 🙂

Uta’s Diary for the afternoon of Monday, the 21st of February, 2022!

Towards midday Summah gives me a lift to the

Dapto Medical Centre, where I inquire about

the repeat prescriptions by GP, Dr. Salman AHMAD.

Walk to nearby Dapto Centre Town Pharmacy.

Two repeat prescriptions by Dr. Salman AHMAD

for ELEOPHRAT CREAM were found by pharmacist! 🙂

Crossing street at traffic lights.

Having a huge Vegetarian Burger at HELLO HARRY, The Burger Joint,

being served outside at a table together with some sparkling water.

Very friendly service!

Agreeing to have my photo published on Burger Joint’s Website! 🙂

Crossing street at traffic lights.

Buying special chocolates at Flower Shop for neighbours from number 3, Stan and Jenny, for their February birthdays!

Visiting toilet at nearby Dapto Shopping Centre.

Sitting down at The Shed cafe in Shopping Centre for some

cuppuccino and a glass of water. 🙂

Withdrawal of some cash from ATM, leaving at nearby Entrance of Shopping Centre.

Crossing road at traffic lights to catch taxi home.

Arriving home by 4 PM, feeling rather tired.

Making a cup of tea.

Wanting to sit down for some rest with my cup of tea!

Talking to Pip for about 20 minutes when Pip rings before

I can sit down.

Uta’s December 2021 Diary continued

In the meantime there has been the 4th Sunday of Advent, also the anniversary of Peter’s and mine 65th wedding in 1956! It was a very small wedding, only the two witnesses as guests! 🙂

During the last few years there have been many weddings in our family here in Australia! 🙂 I am very proud of our family. I am already blessed with six great-grandchildren! 🙂 Also a seventh one born only some six months ago. This beautiful little great-grandson is daughter Caroline’s step grandson, that is Matthew, her husband, has a daughter, Alex, from his first marriage, who has a lovely baby boy son now! We have been to the wedding of Alex and Josh among many other weddings within our family. Two weddings took place only after the couple had lived together already for a number of years.

To be continued

FUROSEMIDE

https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/furosemide-oral-tablet#about

On the 25 of June this year I was prescibed some furosemide tablets for there was a built up of fluid in my feet and legs.

“Furosemide works by helping your body get rid of excess salt and water. It does this by increasing the amount of urine your body makes. This helps lower your blood pressure as well as reduce swelling.” So it is a diuretic!

It is interesting to know that such drugs are available. I better remember it! 🙂

3rd Sunday of Advent on the 12th of December 2021

Dear Peter died on Saturday, the 12th of December 2020.

This year his anniversary is coming up on the 3rd Sunday of Advent!

Peter’s and my daughters were born on the following dates:

Monika, 5th of December 1958 in Düsseldorf, Germany

Caroline, 9th of December 1978 in Wollongong Hospital, NSW, Australia

We often celebrate Monika’s and Caroline’s birthdays together, choosing a date close to both birthdays. This year we have chosen to come together at my place on Sunday, the 12th of December! So several family members are going to come to my place for afternoon tea/coffee and some birthday cake next Sunday! 🙂 I am very much looking forward to this!

Christmas Eve with the Family in 2021

It is our tradition, to celebrate Christmas with all the family on Christmas Eve! So, all my family want to come this year to my place again! 🙂 We are usually more than 16 people for this kind of get-togethers! This is including four of my great-grandchildren aged 2, 5, 7 and 9! 🙂 I have two more great-grandchildren in Victoria. Unfortunately I have not seen these for quite a while. – – – Sadly, it is going to be the second Christmas without Peter. – – –

Secret Santa will be coming again this year. So, everyone gets only one present! However, I am sure there is going to be some very special nice food provided once more due to the combined effort of several women. I am probably going to make some potato salad again. A lot of people do like my salad! 🙂 And of course people bring along beer, wine and maybe some liquor as well as a variety of soft drinks. 🙂 (Mark is in the habit of drinking only Coca Cola when he knows, that he has to be driving home again.)

Our other custom at Christmas time is to make ‘Bunte Teller’ with Pfefferkuchen (gingerbread), nuts, special fruit and some sweets like for instance marzipan sweets and chocolates. 🙂

I hope the weather is going to be fine, so that we can stay outside a lot and make good use of the new deck and to be outside in the open a lot of the time. 🙂

Maybe some people are going to stay overnight again, that would mean, we could be able to cheer with plenty of nice drinks! 🙂

All the outside area on the three different sections of the house have been made usable recently. So there is plenty of room for people to spread out a bit. There are even two ramps for my rollator! Colourful electric lights have been installed, and there are also about half a dozen solar lights spread out over the ground as well as some new electric flash lights! 🙂

I hope, my son Martin will be able to come from Victoria, and that this time the borders are going to stay open. Martin told me, that he can stay only for a couple of nights, but that I am welcome to go back with him and his dog Millie to his place in Benalla. 🙂

I am looking forward to spend some great holidays in Benalla! 🙂