Getting the balance right

For the past week, I’ve been walking around with a crashing headache and have taken ’seriously crabby bitch’ to the next level.

Not that I’m taking it out on anyone (of course I wouldn’t, she lies). But I’ve been finding it hard to think straight or even speak with any lucidity. Some people think I’m tipsy. Most don’t notice (hmmm, that’s not a good thing, is it?).

No, it’s not early onset of dementia. It’s getting healthy – which involves the D-word (detoxing, I’ve discovered, is no fun at all).

I went to see a very lovely nutritionist/naturopath – and now I’m on a quest to improve the function of my adrenal glands, balance my hormones, and possibly even reveal my six-pack (which has been in the cooler-pack for way too long).

Apart from taking as many pills and potions as my 80-something mother does, I’m on a super healthy eating plan – which doesn’t involve chocolate, wine, coffee, or rice, pasta, bread, crackers, potatoes or yummy anything.

If it wasn’t for the damn headache (which drugs don’t budge) and having to be conscious of what I eat, I’d be feeling fine. I just really hate having to focus on food ALL the time – because that’s what happens when you’ve got to plan every meal and snack (like I have the time – or the inclination to hang around in health food stores).

So yesterday the voice of reason kicked in (aka: non-compliance, failure, whatev…) and I had a coffee and a slice of bread with vegemite (slap! slap!).

Almost instantly, the headache disappeared – and so did the bad mood.

Now, I’m not saying this whole detox, eat healthy, live forever stuff isn’t great – and I’m not giving up on ‘the plan’. I’ve just decided moderation is much more my style…

Besides, at my age I need all the preservatives I can get.

x Elle

 

We’re still here – and writing (just)

It’s been too long since Sash and I ventured into blog-land. Both of us are trying to complete manuscripts… Sash for a creative writing masters, me because I’m going to drown in my own neurosis if I don’t (can you do that?).

So we’re both busy writing – or thinking about writing as we taxi the kids around and keep up with work commitments. And the rest.

So I’m laying it on the line here. I’m up to 29,400 words (up from 20,000 two weeks ago) and keeping at it. I’ve been a bit menopausal lately, so I’m channelling the rage and writing all those fabulous confrontational scenes (gotta love women’s issues hey?).

So how about you Sash? What’s happening in your world of Young Adult Fiction??

x Elle

Hold on, you’re moving too fast…

Today I turn 40-something – way too close to F-for-fifty. But before you run screaming from the room (I did!) let me tell you, it’s not all bad.

…even if birthday cakes are beginning to look more like weapons of mass distress than anything resembling a celebratory food item.

But a crazy-lady blog wouldn’t be complete without mentioning the M-word. If you hate PMT, just wait for menopause, dahling. Joy!

Whoever came up with the whole ‘power surges’ thing was a victim of too much positive thinking. Imagine sticking a fork in a power point (usually in the middle of a meeting) and making THAT fun.

But let’s look on the bright side – and with all those surges, we’ve sure got enough power for illumination.

There are good things about menopause. Like giving your daughters every last sanitary product you have left over, and NEVER having a tampon fall out of your handbag at a stranger’s feet again.

Thinking… thinking… okay, I’ll get back to you later on all the other fabulous things about menopause.

Right now I’m being whisked off to a secret location for my birthday celebration. Which this year doesn’t involve dangling from hangliders or jumping out of a plane, I hope.

Elle (still crazy after all these years)