New Car, Politics, Arthritis, and The Weather!

Once again, as I continue to recover from an arthritis flare up, this week's catch-up will be mainly in video form. I suppose as time moves on, I will be video blogging more and more. That's a little disappointing for me, since my real, true love, is writing. But I am a diarist first and foremost, so whatever medium I choose, the real satisfaction for me, is in the process of recording events, no matter how mundane they are.

I finally found out what is going on with my left hand this week, after delaying the inevitable for too long. After seeing a hand specialist, I have a definitive answer, I actually have osteoarthritis. After the weather took a dramatic change for the worst this week, and the rain set in, I was subjected to severe pain. Really, I should have put two and two together, but once again, I just thought the worst. In many respects I was relived at the diagnosis, it could have been far worse. My anxiety told me it was Rheumatoid Arthritis, thankfully it was the lesser of two evils.

Darrell also picked up his new car on Wednesday. After driving our old, but highly reliable car around, for a little over a year, we took the plunge and bought a brand-new MG; taking everything into consideration, buying new was the best thing to do. The new car has a seven-year warranty and cost us less than we thought. By paying outright for it, we have also saved a fortune in interest. Darrell seems very happy with it, though for me, it's just a car — The next thing on the list is a new kitchen, far more important in my book.

Over the last few weeks we have been able to spend some quality time with Mum and took her out for Sunday lunch on Mother's Day. My Mother in Law doesn't get out much these days, but she seemed to enjoy the short time we were out. Not venturing too far, we took her to a local pub in Midland, called 7th Avenue, which was actually surprisingly nice. I personally wouldn't choose to eat in my local city, but I may, just may, go there again.

Of course, the day was tinged with sadness, after the loss of my own Mother in 2019. Mother's Day in Australia does fall at a different time of year than the UK, so it did feel a little strange celebrating in May. The reality is, I am just glad I still have a Mother, albeit my husband's Mum, to enjoy the day with.

Reflecting on the last few weeks, I have had quite a productive time. My new job continues to go well, and I am enjoying my new role immensely. It does feel good to be finally established in our new home —  just me, Darrell and the cats, and now the new car. For once in our life, everything seems to be going our way. Being the realist I am, I am just waiting for the first thing to go wrong. Nevertheless, I have been told to just relax and enjoy my new life. Australia has given both of us another chance to succeed, and so far, we ain't doing too badly.

On Sunday I was able to enjoy a few hours with ex-colleagues, now friends, from my previous job. This certainly isn't a regular occurrence, especially if one considers when I started working here in Australia. At the end of 2022, COVID restrictions had become more or less a thing of the past, but as a hangover from this time, many businesses were still conducting meetings and interviews via Zoom and other similar apps. The truth is, going forward, I believe this is how most businesses will conduct themselves indefinitely. Technology continues to move along at a frantic pace, and communicating with friends, colleagues and family, via video conferencing platforms, will almost certainly become the main way, all of us stay in contact in the future.

Except for one occasion, I haven't met my colleagues in any social capacity, so haven't had the opportunity to forge bonds and friendships. Sunday was about spending time with those I have worked with for nearly a year and a half and interacting on an entirely different level — not on a Zoom call, telephone, or behind an LED screen.

Despite nursing a sore head today, I had a thoroughly enjoyable evening. I haven't done an awful lot of socialising since I arrived in Western Australia, but I hope this will be the start of a regular get-together. Great conversation, good company, copious amounts of alcohol and food — the ideal recipe for the perfect evening out.

With winter well and truly here, I have certainly started to feel the arthritis. With a diagnosis, I can now plan my life accordingly. There are plenty of other people out there who suffer from aches and pains, and I am not anything special, but as someone who suffers with health anxiety, I understand just how much these things play on my mind.

I never look forward to this time of year, whatever country I am living in. The older I get, the more I crave the heat and the hope is, given time, Darrell and I will eventually move somewhere hot, all year round. That's a long way in the future for now, in the meantime, like everyone else, I just have to get on with life, whatever the weather. This winging Pom isn't going to change anytime soon, so expect a lot more of the same!

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