the fifo wife

So I had a dilemma last Friday and its one I have encountered before so perhaps you lovelies can help. Because I never ever know how to handle it..even after thirteen years.

B2 had his yearly check up and to check a lump that has been growing on his chest. He has had it awhile by a while I mean four weeks but its never bothered him and he is due for his yearly next week so I never rushed him to the doctors until last week where I realised it had got bigger. We went to the doctor he looked at it. Then he called another doctor into look at it. There was muttering. Then there was a rush to the pathologist and x-ray. Then it was back to the doctors to wait for the rushed pathologist and x ray.

Its funny but its always B2 that’s bumping and scraping himself. Only two swings ago he fell resulting in a four hour stay at the hospital and this is my dilemma when he fell I waited until the doctor said we are okay but had too wait the mandatory four hours. I then rang my husbands work just to have them call him to let him know what had happened, where we were and that we were okay. Heaven forbid he might here it from the baby sitter at home. By the time he called we where leaving the hospital. FIFO husband was upset but my theory was what could you do all the way over there. Its not like he can jump on a bus and be here in 40 minutes it takes a chopper and a 8 hour flight with two stops to get home. I’m also a kind of on a need to know basis. Whats the point of worrying until you need to worry..huh? But that’s me and I guess its easy for me to say.

So this time around I didn’t know what to do. It seemed well scarily scary. I was nervous and sick. I didn’t know what to do. It seemed so serious. There was lots of pushing and prodding at B2 chest. They kept asking me could he have broken his rib? Umm no I don’t think  so I would have known about that. It doesn’t hurt? Hmm no it doesn’t. B2 was more worried about weather or not he was getting a lolly at the end of all this.

So as the appointment and wait drew on and on. And the possible seriousness of the situation grew I didn’t know what to do. DO I call now? or go with what I know and just wait until we know exactly whats going on? We were heading into the weekend and the possibility of FIFO husband being able to get off the rig was getting slimmer and slimmer with each passing hour. Finally the report got back.

Nothing to worry about.

He has one rib. ONE. RIB. That’s having a growth spurt. Its not broken Its just grown so much that its come away from the plate and has curved, hence the lump. And whilst my doctors have never heard of it they are putting their faith in the x ray doctor and pathologist who read these test and images on a daily basis. It will settle down eventually. Phew.

SO whilst I never called I was about to but my lovelies but when do you call? When your child is hurt hurt or sick sick? Straight away or do you follow the wait and see and just hope that it all ends well? They are after entitled to know but when do you tell? When do you when they are so far away..knowing that they would feel more anxious and helpless  than you do standing right there in the moment?

So we are all good but what do you lovelies do?

xx Deb

I came across this via bestrecipes.com.au a while ago and its been a stayer ever since. Great Freezer recipe and slower cooker meal. Cheap as chips. Yum.

Lamp Chop Casserole

 What you will need:

1 kg of lamb forequarter chops with the fat removed

1 x 45g pack of french onion soup

1x 425 g tin of tomatoes

3 tablespoons of mixed herbs

2 cloves of garlic.

*** the original recipe doesn’t call for it but I add two stick of celery and a couple of carrots**

How to:

Put all the ingredients into the slow cooker on low for 8 hours or 3-4 hours on high until meat is falling off the bone.

See simple.

Serve with mashed potatoe and steamed vegetables.

xx Deb

I know that I have been through being orgainised with meals but I thought I would start to share my weekly menu plan and give you couple of tips I swear by. I am organised at least on the food front. I just cant justify take out (that and its a forty minute round trip) too often and I feel so bad shovelling crap into my kids mouths every night of the week, its my version of neglect. Harsh I know but there are one to many large kids and we live in the country so its nothing but convenience food.

I write my menu planner on a Sunday night along with my other planner . My other tips are:

I actually try to cook two meals at once if I have the time so its just a matter of putting one in the microwave or oven,

I always make extra servings to put in the freezer

and if I have a quite afternoon I will do a whole bunch of freezer meals.

Its time and cost effective. Just knowing where you are at in the kitchen means you cant get half or all done the night before or start the morning of. Easy.

Grocery shopping becomes a breeze also.

So menu plans I know not terribly exciting but you know I share you share…yum!

Monday : chili con carne and rice.

Tuesday: pork chops and three veg with apple gravey

Wednesday: Lamb chop braise with mash

Thursday: Take out for the kids toast for me (Vegemite slices of butter on toast yum yum yum)

Friday: Chicken satay with coconut rice

Saturday: Freezer meal.

Sunday: Roast beef and vegetables.

So whats on your menu for the week?

Have a great Monday lovelies,

xx Deb

So did I mention that the husband is home today..yeah ha baby. Cant wait. Jitter bugs butterflies have dually set in, house is clean, yard is tidy and out fit has been sorted. Always try and look noice when he gets home. I’m channelling Nina Proudman this pick up..lets hope I get the same reception she had with Dr Patrick at the gate..hmm public space kids in tow will have to keep myself and our reception contained. Always do though we usually have that akward boy girl thing going on until we get to the car and then its hello baby. Im not one for displays of public affection..its gentic..

Realising that Im not going to loose that extra 2 kilos in three days I have done the next best thing made do with what I got. So Im trimmed, buffed and oiled to an inch of my life. Even managed to get a hair cut with my new ‘hairdresser’ oh la la. I now have a hairdresser. Sounded so glamerous as I found someone to sit the kids and I went to the ‘salon’ to get my hair ‘styled’ sounds much better than can you look after the kids so I can cut my hair in the bathroom with the poultry shears. I kid you not..you know how many hairdressing scissors that I have lost to little fingers..lucky they have never lost little fingers. Jeezsh…jeezsh?..Im obviously channelling a jewish Nina Proudman.

The outfit sorted. I have been dying to wear the vintage silk bolero I found a couple of swings ago at my favourite op shop. Although did hear of one ladies suggestion to rock up in a trench coat and heels and little else. Yes well hmmm several problems with that scenario don’t own a trench coat, heels haven’t walked in them since my grown up job days I may come off looking more like the drunken Deb of her youth (although I thought I was walking okay but didn’t we all) and that thing called confidence…ahhh have not enough of that to do that…although who would know huh..but you wearing a cheeky smile..Instead I’ll rock the new jeans I picked up last week (husband loves me in jeans..so I aim to please) with the boots he says I never wear.

So these butterflies love it. This excitement of seeing him..thirteen years on. I hope it never leaves.

But tell me lovelie do you suffer from PDA? or have you ever rocked up in a trench coat?

Love pick ups..love them.

xx Deb