Post 404 Stresses, fears and challenges

This week began with the monthly meeting of the World Embroidery Study Group and a presentation on Opus Anglicanum by Margaret, who had worked some lovely examples, which, focused on the running of the meeting, I failed to photograph.  It was fortuitous that Tanya Bentham's book has finally been published and we had a copy to peruse.

It's an active group, with lots of interaction, ideas and queries. Junette had brought along a scarf with maritime motifs she was hoping members could help her make sense of. Maria is hoping that next year we can help her learn more about Lagatera embroidery through a bedspread she has inherited. I am still following up on things members asked me after the formal part of the meeting.

On Thursday I had my follow-up meeting with the nephrologist. He is pleased - and I suspect, surprised, with my weight loss progress.  Unlike my GP, he will be satisfied when I have lost another 8kg. Statistics apparently indicate that as the high risk point for kidney donors.  I plan to have reached at least this when I next see him in April. He also advised that I am at high risk should I contract Covid, and need to have a Moderna booster shot as soon as I am eligible - which is early January.

My creatinine level, which alarms my GP, is, according to the nephrologist, below the alarm level for a kidney donor.  Diabetes is the big enemy and his focus.  If I continue to make progress and reach his weight goal in April, he will see me every 12 months.  

It is jacaranda time in Adelaide and the streets transforming.  By this time next year (Deo volente) I plan to be pretty close to my recommended BMI weight level - a lot more than 8kg lighter.

The nephrologist appointment was followed by Pilates, and capped off by dinner with friends at Louca's seafood restaurant.  I allowed myself a small glass of wine - the first since 27 June and a one-off.

Adelaide is not the only city with jacarandas in bloom. This one (left) is near my brother's place in Sydney, taken on Saturday evening from the roof of their apartment. He and my sister-in-law held a dinner to launch Conversations with Baby Boomer Teachers with some of their friends whose stories are in the book. 

They began the evening with drinks on the roof. At 8.30 I called in from the family dinner at Katherine and Anthony's place, and had a chat with them. They were having a good time.

I'm really grateful to their participation, their willingness to celebrate and to my brother and sister-in-law for their commitment to making it an occasion and the book a success. 

Back in Adelaide, on Sunday I did a little Christmas shopping and bought some more plants at Bunnings to replace the potted colour that had passed its best on my balcony.  I bought a punnet of six portulaca seedlings which I've spread in various places, a dark pink geranium and a sunflower to brighten up the back balcony. The sunflower is not yet in bloom, but will be soon.

There are two small but bushy poinsettias for the front and a lily for the living area. 

I also sorted through my box of Christmas decorations. I decided the 60cm  tree that lights up and flashes when plugged in was not working well and past its use-by date. I deposited it, and another plug-in decoration, at Bunnings' e-recycling.

I've been embroidering and knitting for Christmas. The one I can share is the completed Babushka fridge magnet. It has taken me a long time. I've found it hard going on the plastic canvas. Even adapting it to fit in a hoop it has taken a lot of effort to stitch through the canvas. 

The result, however, is very pleasing. So much so, I have decided to make another one. I think the gift requires two.  

I am not, however, happy with the magnets included in the kit. This (left) glue-on magnet is designed to be cut  in 4, and used for four designs in the kit.  This is not my idea of an effective fridge magnet, so this afternoon I took a trip to Officeworks  to see if I can do better. 

I now have a 3 metre roll of self-adhesive magnetic strip, and a packet of smaller strips -  enough for around 90 fridge magnets - just in case.  The strip on the right is now firmly attached. 

The adhesive strip seems to work and the magnet sat easily and firmly on the fridge when I tried it out.  I wouldn't don't want to give a Christmas fridge magnet that doesn't work, however attractive!

Monday was lamb shanks for dinner, with roast potatoes, broccolini and beans. Worked well. I've found a new brand of passata which I think works better than my old (more expensive) brand. I had left-overs for tonight's dinner.

I've also received and examined the plans for the two pieces of furniture I ordered. The bookshelves are too close together. I've measured and thought and discussed with K & A over dinner. I think I will need to settle for two shelves instead of three. A pity, and disappointing, but I don't think the alternative - raising the height of the unit - will work. I will visit Nordic Furniture tomorrow to finalise. 

Unfortunately, and much more disappointing, the new controller for my roller shutter, that I was charging when I posted last week, did not fix the problem. I requested service but hadn't had a response by this morning, so  chased them up by email today. This evening I had an apologetic call, and a time for a technician to visit next Monday. It seems likely the problem may be the motor - which requires a scaffold to access. The parts are covered by guarantee, but not labour, so, as I suspected, the cost of the scaffold will be mine. No point in crossing that bridge until I come to it. My stress is significantly relieved by having a time for it to be assessed.

As if to acknowledge my relief, the new poinsettias on the front balcony looked lovely in the afternoon light.

The second magnet is progressing. I've chosen one with more colours than the first one and this time I worked the outline first. It's been a little easier so far. 

One way or another I found this a week of stresses and challenges. At the end of it I am more at peace than at the beginning - and more confident. I've also clocked up the 15th kg weight loss.