Heavenly Beverley : Reflections @ Home...

This post really can't be called a Mid Year Review. For a start, September could never be called the middle of the year. However, I really didn't have the time for a Mid Year Review in June anyway. And as so much has happened since June, I probably didn't have quite enough material to pontificate in an extended tome. Finally, most people know that I am often unpunctual, not for the want of trying, but there you are. So a Mid Year Review in September suddenly can make perfect sense.

A final word on Wegovy. In my humble opinion, any agents containing Semaglutide, particularly to assist weight loss, should be approached with extreme caution. The side effects of nausea are often explained, but they sneak up as the doses get higher. I had to ask specific questions on Google to obtain the specific answers I was seeking. In my case, the nausea rose to a crescendo of misery. The constipation was unrelenting over the last four weeks. Insomnia, sleep disturbances and nightmares were the constants of every night. The fatigue was bone sapping. And what I was definitely not warned of, or monitored for, were the extreme mental health side effects. The reputable literature I have since discovered explained those with pre-existing mental health conditions prescribed Wegovy are prone to depressive episodes and heightened anxiety. I reached a point of unexplained despair, terrible anxiety, and non-existent self worth, exacerbated if Michael so much as looked the 'wrong way' at me. Given my history, those I've consulted believe that I never should have been prescribed Wegovy in the first place. Or ever.

The reality is that I still do need to lose some weight. With the help of my cocktail of drugs, my breathlessness has dissipated and my exercise tolerance improving. Finally, I have reunited with Barry, my beloved exercise bike. Barry and I really are becoming best buddies, even though my thighs are all a-quiver after a session with him. I have dug out my bike shorts (with additional padding), donned my sports bra and mounted his saddle on an almost daily basis for the last week. Yesterday morning, I was thrilled when I was able to push my speed to 35 kilometres an hour. Next week, I intend to add a bit of resistance as well and see how I go...

Plus, I am back to watching carbs. As I intend to continue enjoying a glass or two of vino, I am seriously cutting back on other sources during the day. Today, I did actually have two weetbix for breakfast with some stewed fruit and yoghurt (bugger the ongoing constipation) but just had soup for lunch. Nothing now until evening drinkies.

The Wegovy induced reappearance of the Black Dog is slowly receding. I am still feeling rather fragile, so Sue has magnificently taken over the Front-of-House role in the East End Gallery. I am starting to find enjoyment in Station House again and have embarked on a Spring Clean of our living space. I have spent time amongst my jungle of pots. I am able to have a conversation with Michael and not burst into tears. This week, I have had to deal with banal requests from ANZ, take Alex and myself to appointments, and chase the status of Alex's NDIA funding, an exquisite exercise in frustration. These are not tasks I could have performed last week. I feel like, for the first time in months, that I am becoming me again.

The caravan is unpacked, the fossicked artifacts have been unloaded and Michael's artistic mind is once more exploding with a myriad of potential projects. The range of historic metal pieces we collected have to be seen to be believed. This morning, in a brainstorming session, he and I joined forces to explore a specific new sculpture that we believe could have appeal for a very wide audience. He is excited, I was thrilled to be able to contribute and my Mojo is returning. Hence, I was able to sit down at the table and allow this post to really write itself.

Our Sundowner is definitely ON for Saturday 27 September. We have decided to discontinue the Sausage Sizzle due to the cost and the onus on Michael to BBQ them. We rarely make any money from our Sundowners, so the time had come to reign in an expense we can ill afford. We have also altered the starting time and added a cessation time to the evening.

We are asking everybody to bring a plate of food to share (finger food if possible) and a bottle. We will supply water and limited soft drinks.

We hope as many of our East End Musos will also be able to attend. All the musicians who have been coming, some up to ten years (!), have added a marvellous atmosphere to these events. And we are particularity thrilled when all our musos 'take turns' so they all have opportunities to play their favourite songs.

So without further ado, here are the details for our Famous Sundowner -

When - Saturday 27 Saturday 6.30pm - 10.30pm

Where - 116 Vincent Street Beverley

With - Kate and Michael Sofoulis and Sue Martin

For - ALL WELCOME (including well behaved dogs, as long as they can vouch for their parents...)

Spring is actually starting. The canola is intoxicatingly beautiful, the wildflowers are blossoming in every colour imaginable, the forest is green and the days are lengthening. Now is the perfect time to visit Heavenly Beverley.

As for me, I am so looking forward to a sunny burst beginning on Saturday with warmer temperatures and an opportunity to throw open the house and defrost the Gallery after a very long and cold winter. And continue to heal my soul.