My birthday

What’s the most money you’ve ever spent on a meal? Was it worth it?

The most expensive meal I have had was a few weeks ago when I had steak at my favourite Italian restaurant Itahlia for my birthday, before that the most expensive was at the Hard Rock Cafe.  I normally don’t believe in spending a lot on meals, but I did enjoy the fine dining that was included in the package of the cruise I went on.  I dream of being very well off so I could experience Vue De Monde here in Melbourne,  but realistically that is a pipe dream.

Disability is not ugly, or fragile or a broken part of life.

I’ve just been watching Kurt Furnley on the ABC.   He is an Australian paralympian.  He is outstanding and listening to him has got me thinking.

I have a mental illness,  schizophrenia but I refuse to see myself as disabled and I would not change my life or my journey in any way.  I refuse to see myself as damaged or inferior in any way.  My reality at times may be different to the mainstream,  the so-called normal or average population,  but really who wants to be just average, just so-called normal when you can be considered interesting and resilient and strong, by being different.  I am an individual and although I may be considered not normal I like who I am because I am unique and by being unique I challenge the stereotype of what a so-called mentally ill person is and what I can achieve.  ✍️ Writing a blog has been empowering for me in ways I would not have dreamed possible 4 years ago.  I feel valued and resilient and my voice matters.. I don’t consider myself disabled anymore. I have a voice.

Spending time with Lily

Describe one habit that brings you joy.

The habit that brings me the most joy is to spend quality time with Lily every day. From when she first rises to when she goes to bed I try to spend a lot of time giving her attention. She rewards me by giving me love by the truckloads.  She is my favourite thing in the world 🌎.  I love taking photos 📸 of her when she lets me.

What Am I Curious About

What are you curious about?

There are a few things I am curious about.  The first is spirituality and faith in general. More specifically i am interested in the existence of angels.  I believe angels do exist and I believe God sends some angels down to earth 🌎 in human form to walk amongst us and teach us spiritual lessons. I believe my passed over friend 🧡 Susanna was one such angel. Learning about the hierarchy of angels interests me and I do believe that archangels exist to help the universe and that as Gods messengers they are omnipresent 

I like to believe that heaven exists and that one day we will see all our loved 😍 ones and loved pets again.  Because of my love for my little dog Lily and all of my past family dogs 🐕 I believe that one day I will see them all in heaven. I believe our pets are angels 😇 too, and that God loves them immensely.

How would you describe yourself to someone who can’t see you

How would you describe yourself to someone who can’t see you?

I would describe myself as a petite middle-aged woman with blonde bobbed hair, blue eyes and glasses. I love the colours green 💚 pink 💗 and purple 💜.  I tend to wear the colours I like and normally dress for comfort rather than fashion. I love reading 📚,  writing ✍️ and walking 🚶‍♂️ with my dog 🐕 Lily.   I am an optimistic person.

Family Traditions I have not kept

What traditions have you not kept that your parents had?

Probably the main family tradition I have not kept is that of the family roast for Sunday Lunch.  Living on my own, with no children I haven’t kept that tradition and my brothers are busy with their own families now.

I do still celebrate family birthdays and try to remember all my nephews and nieces birthdays.  My brother Peter makes sure every year that I am included in his family’s Christmas 🎄 🍾 celebrations.   I have made my own tradition of celebrating with Lily  both her birthday and Christmas day.

I guess I have made new traditions for myself instead of keeping my parents’ traditions.