KB's Place

Arya The Rescue Dog's YouTube

2023-05-26T16:34:00.000+12:00

Hi all,

All is good here. Arya's YouTube channel is up and running nicely now so I'm back here for a catch-up.

I had another mole removed recently and thankfully there is no evidence of melanoma this time. Phew!

It's cold here in New Zealand at the moment and we've had stormy weather and lots of rain.

That's all from me for today. Here's a pic to make you smile.

Here's Arya's latest video

This post has been shared with Saturday Critters

Have a great weekend.

Love KB

Arya The Rescue

2023-04-28T15:46:00.004+12:00

Hi everyone,

Recently, I've been working on having Arya's YouTube channel up and going. A few projects are taking up most of my time so if you want to check in with me, you can find me on YouTube until I return.

Stay safe and I'll see you soon.

Love KB

XXX

Arya The Rescue Dog Prepares For Winter

2023-04-01T16:12:00.002+13:00

After a not-so-great summer, it's starting to turn colder here in New Zealand. Whitesnake takes Arya for a walk each morning but she really needs a coat when it's cold and wet. I mentioned this to my lovely neighbour and she gave me a couple of coats that her dog has grown out of. They're a little too big but will definitely do the job while we find something more suitable.

Arya's YouTube Channel has been active for a week and she's already received over 100 views. Obviously, we're not the only people who think she's a cutie. Check her out below if you are interested.

This post has been shared with Saturday's Critters.

Have a great weekend,

Love KB

xxx

Arya The Rescue Settles In

2023-03-25T16:22:00.001+13:00

Arya has been living with us for six months now. The dog pound wasn't sure how old she was at the time and she's grown more than we expected. She's an absolute joy and makes me laugh and smile every day.

Whitesnake and I decided to start a YouTube channel for her. Click on the video below if you're interested.

Arya's YouTube Channel

This post has been shared with Saturday's Critters.

Have a great weekend,

Love KB

xxx

Arya the Rescue

2023-02-04T13:34:00.003+13:00

I was diagnosed with Melanoma in May 2022. After surgery, thankfully my status is now NEC (no evidence of cancer). Being told you have cancer is quite the wake-up call and makes you assess your life. I promised myself that if I survived, Whitesnake and I would rescue a dog, (something we'd been putting off since our dog, Coco passed away) and take better care of myself physically, spiritually and mentally.

So, here's our rescue, Arya. She's such a good girl and a joy to have around.

Have a great weekend.

Love KB

xxx

This post has been shared with Saturday's Critters.

Freaking Out or Waiting

2022-07-02T15:26:00.012+12:00

I feel like the last couple of months have been spent freaking out or waiting. It's been almost a month since I last posted and still I wait for my 'urgent' surgery.

Whitesnake and I spent an hour or so at Rotorua hospital on the 13th June having my pre op checks. My blood pressure was rather high but that's usual for me when I am anxious and stressed. Apart from that, all went well.

Now I wait for a lymph node test to see if the melanoma has spread and a wide incision surgery. I called the hospital last Friday and I was told they would call me back with a date by Monday or Tuesday but still I wait.

I feel like I am going through the stages of grief...shock, denial, anger, bargaining, depression and acceptance. I am mainly flipping between anger and acceptance at the moment. Thank goodness for the support of my hubby.

Anyway, I'll let you know when I have any news. Let the waiting continue.

Melanoma Sucks

2022-06-12T14:24:00.001+12:00

Five years ago, I noticed my 'big mole', as I called her, looked different. I'd had her as long as I could remember so I made a note to mention this to my Dr. Next time I saw my Dr, she took a look at my mole, photographed it and ensured me it was nothing to worry about but we would could keep an eye on it. I took her advice and checked it every once in a while.

A few years later, I moved to a different town and therefore starting seeing a new Dr. By this time, the brown area of the mole had a small red lump in the middle of it. I mentioned this to my new Dr and he took a look and told me not to worry, it was a (I have no idea what he called it) and that it was not cancerous.

As you know, I recently moved again and at my check up with Dr number 3, she took a look at my mole (which was now a much bigger, red lump) and ensured me it was fine.

A few months back, my mole started to bleed. I presumed I had caught it on my clothing as it's located on my shoulder and does rub on my clothing. It healed up on its own and I remebered that the Dr said it was fine and didn't think much more about it. About two months ago, I woke up to find blood on my pillow, my mole was the source and when I took a look at it, it looked like it had changed colour too. I decided to go back to my doctor because I was really worried.

Drs appointments are difficult to book due to the Covid situation so I was seeing a different Dr again. She took a look and said it's probably just caught on your clothing and started bleeding. She said her husband has the same thing so it's probably nothing to worry about. She said she'd book me in for an appointment to remove it because it looked sore and send it away for testing just in case.

A week later, my mole was finally removed. 10 days later, the Dr who removed it phoned me and asked me if I was free for a chat. That was the moment I knew something was seriously wrong. He informed me I had melanoma, the most dangerous kind of skin cancer and I would need a wide incision surgery to remove more skin to remove the rest of the melanoma and probably a scan to see if it has spread. I don't remember much of the conversation after that. I was shocked, I have fair skin and burn easily so I always apply sunscreen, stay in the shade when possible and wear a hat if I am out and about in the summer. How could this have happened to me?

A couple of days ago, after 3 weeks of waiting because of cancellations due to staff being ill at the hospital, I met my surgeon. She is lovely and answered all my questions without sugar coating anything, which was great. She examined my lymph nodes in my neck and arm pits and checked my back. She took a biopsy of some skin I was concerned about too. I have a pre op check tomorrow to remove more skin around the area where my mole was to ensure all the melanoma has been removed.

That's my journey so far. I have experience a roller coaster of emotions, the first night, I was so scared I wrote a bucket list. I'm thankful for my husband who is wonderfully supportive and looking after me as he always does. A couple of friends have come forward with their melanoma stories which has been really helpful. I'm optimistic because now we have a plan, the waiting was doing my head in.

I'll keep you up to date

Love KB

xxx

Real Estate Highs and Lows

2022-02-24T16:05:00.020+13:00

As I mentioned in my previous post, Whitesnake and I decided to sell our home last year. Our real estate agent organised what is know in New Zealand as a caravan, to come through our home for a visit. Basically, this means all the agents from his company come through the house at the same time for a viewing of the property, before it goes to the market for sale.

Later on the same day, our agent informed us that one of the agents would like to make an offer on the house before it went on the market and if we accepted his offer, we would not be charged marketing costs. He made us a great offer and we were happy to save a little money on costs so we accepted it. We signed an agreement and were thrilled that we sold our home without the hassle of open homes, etc. A little while later, our agent phoned us to let us know he had been fired. We were shocked and extremely concerned. Apparently, he had been warned several times not to sell a house, without showing it to the market first. His manager called to apologise and set up a meeting to explain.

A couple of days later, the manager met with us and again was very apologetic. He explained that if the house had gone to the market, we would have received a lot more money than we had sold it for. So the agent that bought the house got a bargain but we had lost a significant amount of money. Thankfully, he didn't charge us the rather large seller's fee so in the end, we actually saved about the same amount we were short on the sale. We were happy with the result.

I must say I learned a lot from the experience. My gut feeling at the time had been that something wasn't quite right but Whitesnake and I had been offered a deal we thought at the time, we would be crazy to refuse. I now rely much more on my gut feeling and am not as naïve to believe everybody is as trustworthy as I am.

More about our journey soon.

Love KB

xxx

Time for a big change

2022-02-20T15:40:00.001+13:00

Hi all,

Just over a year ago, Whitesnake and I decided to sell our house and move from Auckland to The Bay of Plenty.

It wasn't a decision we took lightly. Whitesnake's side of the family live in Australia and my parents live about a three hour drive away in The Bay of Plenty. My parents are retired now and Whitesnake and his family suffered the devastating loss of a brother. Unfortunately, due to covid, we were unable to travel to Australia to attend Whitesnake's brother's funeral or visit my parents in their retirement village. As you can image, this took quite a toll on us.

So, out of curiosity, Whitesnake organised a house appraisal from out local real estate agent and to our surprise, the value of our house had more than doubled since we purchased it about eight years ago. That was all the encouragement we needed to put our house on the market.

More about our journey soon.

Love KB

xxx

It's only been two years

2022-02-01T17:46:00.002+13:00

Hi all,

Wow, I haven't posted for over two years!

There's been a lot happening. Obviously, Covid hit and changed the way we function in this world. Also, Whitesnake and I decided to sell our house and move to a different province. Now we're settled, I thought it was time to return to blogging on a regular basis. I have lots to blog about and heaps of photos to share.

See you again soon,

Love KB

xxx

Spooky sky

2020-01-20T16:00:00.000+13:00

The terrible Australian bush fires recently affected our sky in New Zealand. I took this photo at 2pm, no filter.

Photo source: KB

Sharing with Our World Tuesday

I tawt I taw a puddy tat... and a bunny?

2019-11-09T10:30:00.000+13:00

I thought I saw a pussy cat and a bunny on my neighbours' steps and I was right. How strange. At first, I believed they were unusual friends but it turns out the bunny was on the run and never to be seen again. Safe travels little bunny!

Photo source: KB

In other news, my Dad and I have both been in the wars this week. My Dad is a keen cyclist but crashed with another cyclist a couple of days ago. He's broken his collarbone so he'll need to take it easy for a while. Easier said than done for an active man in his seventies.

I was exhausted yesterday and spent the majority of the day in bed. Could be hormones (or lack of them), or maybe too much sun. Feeling less tired today but lacking energy. Luckily for me, my wonderful husband has been looking after me and we don't have any plans for this weekend.

I'm sharing this post with Saturday's Critters

Have a wonderful weekend.

Love KB
x

A beautiful morning in Weymouth

2019-10-29T10:47:00.003+13:00

Whitesnake and I have decided to spend some time exploring our neighbourhood. We've lived in South Auckland for years but haven't visited as many local places as we would like. It's spring time here in New Zealand and quite wet recently so as soon as there was a sunny day, we hoped in the car and drove a short 10 minutes to Weymouth. A beach, some benches and a walkway awaited. Definitely will be visiting again.

Photo sources: KB

Sharing with Our World Tuesday.

Love KB

Poetry: Good Times

2019-10-20T02:30:00.000+13:00

Photo source: Pixabay

Remember the good times

They'll serve you well

When life is hard

As tough as hell

Hot summer nights

Lying in bed

His strong shoulders

Resting my head

Laughing and loving

Wasting our days

Entombed in our room

Set in our ways

You doing your thing

Me doing mine

Coming together

For beer and wine

Life carries on

Memories remain

Don't let bad times

Leave their stain

Post bumped up to share with Poetry Pantry originally posted 11/5/2011

Love KB
xxx

Keeping up with KB

2019-08-24T13:41:00.001+12:00

I can't believe I haven't blogged since May. Not for any particular reason I can think of really. So here's a post to catch you up with KB.

One stormy night, Whitesnake (hubby), cut his hand while trying to close a jammed window. He needed stitches at the time but it all healed up now. Scary stuff.

Photo source: KB

Recently we had family visiting from Australia, a lovely time was had by all. During their stay we visited a local restaurant for lunch. Whitesnake and I had heard great things about the restaurant from a friend. Unfortunately, Whitesnake had to send his meal back twice so we were extremely disappointed.

Whitesnake's brother and sister-in-law

After sending an email regarding our experience to the restaurant, we were happy to receive a phone call, an apology and a voucher for a free meal. Earlier this week we went back to the restaurant and enjoyed a delicious meal.

Photo sources: KB

That's all from me today.

Have a great weekend.

Love KB
x

A Fun Break

2019-05-02T15:24:00.002+12:00

Hi all,

Whitesnake and I enjoyed a quiet Easter break, followed by my birthday. I spent my birthday reading the third instalment of The Game of Thrones books, opening presents, eating lovely meals that my hubby prepared for me and drinking wine. Loved it!

Here's my photo for Skywatch...

Photo source: KB

Have a great weekend,

Love KB
x

Happy Easter

2019-04-21T11:23:00.001+12:00

YUM!!!!!

Photo source: KB

Elevation by Stephen King

2019-04-15T15:07:00.000+12:00

Shared with Teaser Tuesday and First Chapter First Paragraph Tuesday Intros. Please feel free to play along.

Here's my teaser:

The steady rate of the weight-loss since then was worrisome, yes, but only a little. It was the clothes thing that had changed worry into fright.

Photo source: Google

First paragraph:

Scott Carey knocked on the door of the Ellis condo unit, and Bob Ellis (everyone in Highland Acres still called him Doctor Bob, although he was five years retired) let him in. ''Well, Scott, here you are. Ten on the dot. Now what can I do for you?"

Love KB

A Mixed Bag

2019-04-12T13:31:00.001+12:00

Our Weather has been a mixed bag this week...Sharing with Skywatch

Photo source: Pixabay

This week we met out new GP and she's gong to be a good fit for us. Whitesnake and I had our blood tested and all is looking good. That's always great news.

Nothing else to report for this week but looking forward to Easter and my birthday over the next couple of weeks.

Have a great weekend!

Love KB
x

Poetry: Consequences

2019-04-06T14:22:00.000+13:00

Post bumped up to share with with Tuesday Platform Originally posted 4/5/2011

Photo Source: Pixabay

Twisting turmoil

emotions run amok

feelings laid out

like an open book

Nowhere to run

nowhere to hide

some secrets should

remain inside

The prison consumes

time to break free

nobody to lean on

I must depend on me

The heart is willing

the time is now

a little faith

takes care of the how

Have a great weekend

Love KB

xxx

Catching Up With KB

2019-04-03T15:47:00.002+13:00

There's been a lot happening since the last time I blogged...

Let's begin with a beautiful sky to share with Skywatch

Photo sources: KB

Whitesnake and I celebrated our sixth wedding anniversary with delicious home made burgers. Whitesnake made the bread too! He's such a wonderful husband.

Haircut for me

My parents came for a visit and stayed overnight. A good time was had by all.

I think that's everything. Have a great week.

Love KB

Poetry: Four Seasons

2019-03-24T15:00:00.000+13:00

Post bumped up to share with with Poetry Pantry Originally posted 16/9/2008

Autumn leaves changing

Photo source: Pixabay

The past falls away
Preparing for the winter
The darkening of the days

Winter now consumes me
I take myself to bed
Hide under the blankets
Shake the monster from my head

Spring is now upon us
A change is in the air
Basking in the sunshine
I hardly have a care

Summer rain cooling
Reminds of change to come
Darkness will fade away
The battle has been won

Life Goes On

2019-03-21T14:26:00.000+13:00

A week after the devastating terror attacks, I've been trying to stay busy.

A year after my detached retina surgery and all went well at the optometrist. Eye is still looking healthy, no cataract as yet and I'm getting new glasses in a couple of weeks.

My eye a year ago

Earlier in the week, I was featured on Poets United website.

I'll leave you with an evening SkyWatch.

Photo source: KB

Remember to tell the people you love how much they mean to you as often as possible. You never know when the last time you see them will be.

See you next week

Love KB
x

An Interview with KB

2019-03-19T13:53:00.000+13:00

I'm excited to share that I have been featured on the site Poets United. Poets United is a blog community of wonderful people sharing poetry. Love it!

Follow the link to see photos, poetry and learn more about me : Life of a Poet - KB

Love KB
x

This post has been shared with Our World Tuesday

One of New Zealand's Darkest Days

2019-03-17T20:16:00.000+13:00

My heart goes out to the victims and families of this vicious attack. Whitesnake and I are safe but still in shock as nothing like this has ever happened here before. One of the great things I always loved about NZ was that I believed it was a safe place to live, I guess things won't be the same now.

An update from our Prime Minister

New Zealand's darkest day

Yet I have nothing to say

Anger trapped inside

Emotions I try to hide

Numerous countries I have roamed

But New Zealand, she's my home

Her freedom and her safety

You will never take from me!

My poem has been shared with Poetry Pantry

Thank you all for the love and support you have sent New Zealand during this devastating time.

Love KB
x