The heart of the matter

I have been having heart palpitations. For over a year. The other day I had such a severe pain across my chest that I thought I may be having a heart attack. Naturally, it frightened me. I truly don't want to be dramatic and alarmist, but a) heart disease in women is often difficult to diagnose as the symptoms vary so greatly and b) the biggest killer of women is heart disease (probably in part due to a) and c) I have a history of heart disease in my family. I took myself off to the Doc who was fairly confident that I do not have a heart attack imminent (he advised me to de-stress which is so totally easy peasy, why didn't I think of that?), but sent me off for a variety of tests anyway. One of which was a thyroid blood test, another was a holter monitor that I wore for twenty-four hours which recorded my heart beats and any abnormalities. I had eight electrodes stuck to me with a battery pack and the monitor itself - I felt as though I looked so suspicious when the wires kept popping out of my top during my grocery shop - though it made the checkout person work a bit faster and talk a bit less, so all in all a positive experience.

During those twenty-four hours, not ONE palpitation. I'm hoping it's my thyroid and when I address it I'll lose 10 kgs in a month - the 'skinny minny' with a working thyroid gland. I like the sound of that. I'll keep you posted with results...

Majestical creatures

I LOVE seahorses. Some of their appeal lies in the fact that it is the male who gets pregnant (dang those females have got it good), but also that they are amusing fish, so unusual in their appearance and entertaining to watch. For a while now I've been thinking about setting up a seahorse tank. I've had numerous goldfish throughout my life and while I found peace and beauty in observing my black moors and red cap orandas, I think it's time for something new and slightly different. I also have to say, goldfish can be pretty sensitive and mine never ate the pea that is supposed to cure the side-float-at-the-top-of-the-tank woes. (I got the pea advice on a goldfish forum - and was abused for cruelty to my goldfish because apparently the tank was too small. Who knew? The guy at the pet shop said they'd be dandy).

Setting up a seahorse environment is expensive, the ph balance and temperature has to be just so, which requires lots of faffing around (the official term) with testing kits. But the cost is totally worth it when you get a glimpse of these gorgeous, sociable, quirky things. And they are stronger and healthier than goldfish so we are less likely to have funerals.

These are the 2 types I have narrowed it down to:
The Southern Champion -
and the Asian Emperor -
Aren't they lovely? I like them both for different reasons, but both as much as the other. The Asian Emperors are commonly brown but can change colour depending on their mood (they have moods!). And the Southern Champs are smaller with fatter pouches and longer tails. Cute as.