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Hello small potatoes,

Hope everyone is well.

I have a few videos coming down the pipeline this week. Like I said, I usually take the first 7 - 10 days off a month to do life stuff. And this first week of the month, I was doing *brain* things haha.

People have been asking a lot about how my hearing loss/neurological issues are going. And so, as a mini update - still deaf (lol), but, I have gotten an official diagnosis of vestibular migraines from my neurologist.

And, I had an MRI just the other day that officially ruled out any structural issues. Which, I'm happy and unhappy about. It's not that I hoped I had a tumour or anything insane like that, but, in a completely effed up way, if I had a growth or something, I could at least point to it and say, "yes, this is why I have vertigo."

But, without that, it means we're back to the drawing board to try to find a long-term solution to this issue. Obviously, having a tumour would be terrible and I'm glad I don't have one. But, I feel pretty conflicted about it all. I'm not sure if that makes sense.

I don't generally want to always be talking about these weird health problems, but I do know a lot of you are also suffering from similar issues, so I like to weigh in every so often to 1. validate you all.

2. offer what has worked for me (I haven't found that out yet, but I will let you know when I do!)

I think the stress around all of this has been stuffing up my sleep, too. Which makes everything feel a lot harder. So, unironically, I'm really glad that Beam sponsors my channel, because I've got a nice stock pile of their sleep hot chocolate, and their pills. And I've been smashing the hot chocolates most nights so I can actually GET to sleep. So, massive shout out to them. (https://shopbeam.com/sydneyw for those of you want to try it, they've got a crazy sale on right now, including my discount)

Anyway. That's the brain update. Mr Neurologist man has given me another referral to a fancy ear doctor to try to figure out my deafness (woo). If I end up with a hearing aid, none of you are allowed to bully me :')

ALSO - due to the trillion emails about when we are bringing back my Winter tea flavours - I've decided to make them a permanent fixture to my line-up. So, they're officially back on the site <3
Apple Cider, Bourbon Barrel Chai and Peppermint White Choc are back for keeps.
https://lyonsteaexchange.com/ if you wanna suss them out.

That's enough from me. I will see you all in tomorrow's video, my darling babies. I bought myself some funny mugs to drink in videos from here, I hope you all notice and tell me you think they're funny too lmao.

In the meantime, here is a nice summer-y dress photo. (this dress is honestly one of the most beautiful I own, but I never have anywhere to wear it!)

Hi love bugs,

Hope everyone is doing well!

Just wanted to say - videos coming this weekend and beyond!

I usually spend the first 10 days of the month doing *life* stuff and *tea* stuff. (getting caught up on orders, doing inventory, doctor appointments, you get the idea)

But, I DO have to share with you all how INSANE my experience with the medical system here has been. Ya girl is totally astounded.

So, obviously, you nerds know my dumb ovary decided to be dumb recently and I ended up in hospital.

I'm going to give you a moment to guess how much my hospital bill was from that experience (remember, I was in for 3 - 5 hours, I had a CT scan and a sonogram). 

Ready?

Are you READY?

$13,500.

For 3 - 5 hours, my ducklings.

Now, because mama Syd is not being charged as an insured person, they gave me a 5,400ish discount for BEING UNINSURED - which brought the total down to $8,100 and some change.

I phoned and asked them to do a review of this because, lmaoooo???? They dropped it by $20. Then, in the mail, I get ANOTHER bill for $985 for the doctor's time.

This doctor spoke to me for MAYBE 30 seconds. MAYBE. I wish I could charge people $985 for 30 seconds!

So, we're over $10k a this stage for my hospital visit (some other miscellaneous bills have come through, apparently everyone bills independently of each other).

Going through these bills really made me very irate because the charges were absolutely insane - $400 for a pregnancy test, $900 for iodine, $7,500 for a CT scan. And then, I couldn't help but think, god, what would this have been had I actually needed surgery?

Anyway, totally eye-opening experience. And you know, it makes me so sad for anyone who has to have anything to do with the medical system, because not only do they nickel and dime you for everything, but they know they've got you in a vice no matter what.

Uninsured? Slightly better rate, still insane. No way out.

Insured? Ridiculous premiums and out of pocket expenses. Insurance can decide *not* to cover you, if they so desire.

I freely admit I'm a commie on this issue, but medicine shouldn't cost this much, insurance shouldn't cost this much, and medical bills shouldn't BANKRUPT you.  Not to mention, this is so much harder when you're self-employed. 

A friend of mine also told me he gets a shot ever 8 weeks for a medical condition, and each shot is $25,000, thus, he is terrified of losing his job and the insurance associated with it. I couldn't believe it. Perhaps I'm one naive turnip, but, good GRIEF.

Anyhow, that's the ovary update. I appreciate how many folks care about the lil ovary, but, I'm doing alright. I'm definitely PISSED about the hospital bill, but c'est la vie!

I'm so empathetic to anyone currently going through anything medical and being stressed tf out by the bills. I relate so hard, and I feel for you so much. I'm serious when I say, hang in there! 

That's my big complain haha. Thank you for listening to my rant.

I'm editing at the moment, so, I'll see you chickens this weekend.

In the meantime, here is a photo where I'm sure I edited my hair (full disclosure, you guys know I am a frizz queen). But, I like it, and now you shall see it!

Hi kids,

Hope you're all doing well!

I was going to post a video for TODAY, but you see, my night last night got a bit derailed with an ER visit. :')

This is probably TMI, but I'ma tell you noodleheads anyway:

I was going about my business, randomly got hit with excruciating abdominal pain. I'm talking 10/10 possibly the worst pain I've experienced (and I had an appendicitis some years back, which was also completely horrific, this pain was on par with that)

Anyway, I couldn't sit, stand, lay down. After throwing up, shaking etc I basically said, I need to go to the ER. I admit, I was extremely scared and definitely crying at this point.

Get to the ER, explain my symptoms. Nurse gave me some drugs so I could calm down a bit. Doctor thought it was either my ovary twisting, which would require immediate surgery, or, I had an ovarian cyst rupture. 

It was the latter (thankfully?). So, a large ovarian cyst exploded (woohoo), and I apparently had more blood in my abdomen than they're used to seeing, so they sent me for a CT just in case something else weird was going on. Doctor told me the blood in the area is also why I'm experiencing so much ongoing pain because it is "irritating my intestines".

I ended up feeling a bit silly for insisting we go to the ER after finding out what was happening. But, I'd never experienced anything like this. It was so sudden, and so horrendously painful that I thought I was going to die. Bit of a traumatizing experience, honestly.

And now, I'm mostly angry that 1. by the time I was discharged, it was too late to pick up the pain medication they'd prescribed. So, I'm still hurting a lot today haha.

And, 2. I can't wait for my 4 billion dollar medical bill lmao

So, my take away here is I feel so, so bad for women who experience PCOS. I can't imagine going through this regularly. This also apparently just *happens* to women, and can happen to any of us. So, be mindful about that, ladies.

And, lads - if your woman (or a woman in your life) ever comes to you and says, "this pain is super fking serious, take me to the ER NOW", do it. Do not argue with her. Just go. This pain is no joke, even now.

Anyway! That's my fun new story haha!! 0/10 experience. I don't recommend.

(I had a pretty funny experience in the ER that I'll tell you guys about at another time. You'll get a kick out of it.)

Please enjoy my hospital photo. This was after they'd given me some pain medication, so I was feeling a bit better.

Hi pork chops,

Happy new year! Hope you're all being well behaved bwaha.

I am starting to build out my tea plans for 2026, and I could really use some input on the direction I'm going to take. It's hard making all the decisions all the time, so I value everyone's input.

I've popped together a Google form with some questions about which tea flavours you like, what you like to drink, if you want loose leaf, and some blends I'm working on right now with my blender and if any of them sound good etc.

One of my friends, who has kindly started helping me with this business, suggested we do a S'More flavour - which my blender seemed excited about. I was also kinda thinking maybe a blood orange vibe? I don't know. I'm open to ideas!

Anyway - the form is here: https://forms.gle/CF24BzRNrTWwt39K9

Just answer the questions as best you can.

After receiving 900 million emails about it, I promise I'm working on loose leaf - I've started trying to source some tins for it (to avoid plastic, which I know is everyone's concern!)

I'm also working on getting our Raspberry back in stock - everything just moves at a glacial pace this time of year haha.

Thanks so much in advance!! I sincerely appreciate all the love, support, patience and kind words about the tea so far. I know YouTubers lie all the time about being the people actually behind their brands, but it really is just me doing all the packing and shipping and sourcing and blah blah blah lmao. So, when you send me nice emails, it makes my heart happy.

I'll be back on the video grind next week too. I just needed to take a moment to myself because December kinda destroyed me :P

in the meantime, here is a photo where I'm making the exact same face I've made in the last two photos because apparently I don't have another facial expression.

Hi babies,

Happy post-Turkey day, and happy almost weekend/weekend to everyone outside of America!

A few of the videos I have coming are... really something baha. 

I'm sorry for posting so close together. Basically, I write these videos, then don't do anything with them because I get busy, then I miss the "news" window. But now I'm just making them and posting them instead so my efforts don't go to waste haha!

I'd love some new ideas - I'm a bit bored with hard news, and "cultural" news is somewhat repetitive. So, any topics you see that are cool, let a sister know. I am updating my little list.

Also having a fun Black Friday sale for Lyons Tea Exchange. Up to 50% off site-wide. :)

Link is here: https://lyonsteaexchange.com/

Wanted to thank everyone for their orders over the last few months. You all helped move so much "expiring" product, which has been super cool. Thank you to all the churches, shelters etc who have taken tea donations too. Hopefully everyone enjoys!

Have a fab weekend kids. I'll see you in tomorrow's video.

Few people liked my Stars jumper from a recent video, so, in the meantime, here is a photo of said jumper hah :).

Hello, lovebugs.

Hope you're all doing fantastically well.

Sorry I uploaded a bunch of videos in a row and then disappeared into the void. When I do that these days, I'm either sick, or, in this case - I was packing all your tea orders!!

I loved all the little notes people left me and I hope everyone who does that enjoys the notes I write back :)

But, now, I am aggressively editing a video that I will hopefully post tonight! But, have a bunch of others coming down the pipeline.

So, big sorry for disappearing for 2 weeks hehe.

I was slightly worried you'd all hate me uploading a day or two apart, but nobody seemed to care? So, I'm actually keen to punch out more videos when I have something to say. I have always tried to space them to not drown you all in my dumb face haha.

Anyway - sale on Earl Grey, New York Breakfast and Emerald Green is still on over at https://lyonsteaexchange.com/! You all blessed me with a tonne of orders, we've moved soo much tea. I'm hoping y'all will bless me with some more orders, so I can make sure I move all of this hopefully before the end of the month!

For 50% off use WEDONTWASTE!

Link here: https://lyonsteaexchange.com/

(to the Churches and cafes that reached out, offering to take some tea, thank you!! I haven't forgotten you all. I'm just working through shipments right now, and I will be sending out emails when yours is all ready to go!)

My WINTER FLAVOURS are also back!! Bourbon Barrel Chai, Peppermint White Choc and Apple Cider! They're on the site, ready to go <3

I'd love some video ideas right now if y'all have any - I'm trying not to repeat myself too much by doing the same content over and over. I'd love to branch out, so let me know.

Love you all bigly. See you all tonight in the newest vid (or tomorrow, if I'm not done in time!)

In the meantime, here is a make-up-less photo. :D

Hi chicken noodles,

Hope you're all doing well and had a terrific weekend!

I wanted to address the tour cancellation (I wasn't sure if I should make a full video about it, but thought I could post here in the interim).

I wanted to wait a couple days to make sure everyone was refunded, and if you haven't been, you should see it in 1 - 3 days.

Of course, I am so sorry for having to cancel in the first place, but also to anyone who feels somewhat blindsided.

There are a few reasons for the cancellation, but the biggest for me revolves around (you guessed it) the vertigo I've been experiencing and other motion issues.

I took a flight very recently for the first time in two years (for a family trip, hadn't seen Papa Watson in two years!) and I had motion problems for the first time in the air. I've had them a tonne before in cars/buses/etc, but never before on a plane. So, that was pretty upsetting.

With this fun, new symptom, knowing I had 9 flights coming up wasn't great. 

Beyond that, part of the reason I told everyone about my vertigo/hearing loss was actually because I WANTED to do a tour, and I wanted to make sure nobody thought I was being a freak if I asked them to repeat themselves 100 times or lost balance or something in person. So, giving everyone a heads up about these issues felt necessary.

I should have instead actually fixed the issue, fully figured it out, THEN did a tour. So, that's on me for not navigating that better. Vertigo sucks so bad. Since I initially told you all about it, it's gotten more frequent. My episodes aren't very long thankfully, but they do make me feel immediately nauseous and usually take me out for the rest of the day.

I've got a lot of fear around the whole thing now, and I won't lie, I don't really want that playing out in front of anyone in person. 

Anyway, communicating this is weird because I don't want to be a crybaby about it, but the truth is also... a bit that way haha.

I just wanted to let you all know, if you bought tickets, I am so sorry. I do hope it makes a bit of sense why we cancelled. And I wanted to do that as soon as possible so nobody is put out at all.

Not sure how to finish this little note off other than to say again I am sorry. I'm disappointed as hell. I take responsibility for this 100%, because I should have had some foresight here navigating a medical issue.

But, I'll be here to mumma bird you with videos, and hopefully in the future, when I figure some of this out, we can do some fun meet ups!

Love you bigly, little chickens. I'm so sorry again.

In the interim, enjoy an edited thirst trap, and swipe if you'd like to see me being Lord of the Sunburn. (I cooked myself day one of this trip, and I have not recovered haha)

Hello flower children,

I hope you're all doing well!

I've been making an attempt to upload every Sundee, but I have a giant head cold right now and sound like a prepubescent teenage boy. As such, new video tomorrow!

I've taken a lot of medication in an effort to sound like a human being, but don't bully me if I still sound insanely congested haha.

To quote basically everyone around me right now, "wow, you sound terrible" 😂

Being sick also means I'm probably gonna post a few videos that I've been working on in quick succession, so, enjoy a Sydney-filled week. :')

To my tea babies:
Biggest thank you for all your patience on the new blends. I know pre-sales are a pain because of the open-ended waiting time. In truth, I've had a handful of issues pop up with this batch that had to be fixed, and that added more time to the manufacturing process. I promise, from here, I won't do any more pre-sales. I'll just pop everything straight on the site once I get it.

So, that's some good news! The three winter flavours I ran last year - Bourbon Barrel Chai, Peppermint White Choc and Apple Cider - will be back in a few months and they'll be immediately available to buy.

I spoke to my tea man this morning, and we're basically on track now. I'm trying to nail down when he's shipping to me, so I can start shipping to all of you - it looks like about 10 days. I'm going to bully him a bit to see if I can shorten that (sorry tea man!). I am so sorry for how long this has taken. I always think things will be fine, and then something stupid happens and pushes everything out. As is the way of manufacturing!

Also - I beg of you to check your spam folders when you email me at LTE!! I do not ignore you lot, I email back as soon as I can! If it seems like I didn't email back, please check spam/promo folders. :)

Nothing else to report, kids. Once again, I'm SO SORRY for the delay in these tea orders. No more pre-sales from here. Lesson learned. :P

In the meantime, here is a photo where I definitely didn't feel as gross and sick as I do right now lmao.

Hi wonderful people,

Hope everyone's feeling happier now that the election is over (I know most of you probably feel like I do about it, the fallout has been VERY weird to watch over the last few days).

Anyway, I'm sorry to keep harping on about this, but I wanted to remind you all that today and tomorrow (Nov 10th) will be the "Christmas cut off" dates for my ugly knitted Christmas sweaters. If you'd like one to traumatise everyone around you this holiday season, best to get your orders in today and tomorrow. :-)

They will still be available on my site, of course, you can still get them AFTER Nov 10th, but I can't guarantee delivery before Christmas. You can still get all the Hell Gondola items + the ugly Christmas sweater SCREEN PRINTS on my site. The shipping cut-off for those is late Nov!

Knitted sweaters here: https://www.sydneywatson.com/merch

Lastly - to my tea babies - ALL THE WINTER TEA IS IN STOCK FINALLY! I spent yesterday unloading pallets and even got a few orders out the door too. My entire packing room smells so good right now. So, to all my pre-order children: I'm so sorry that this wait has gotten so long. All the original "delivery" dates I was given went out the window with the hurricanes.

However, I'm packing orders this weekend. And will be dropping them to the post office on Tuesday (Monday is Veteran's Day). As much as I love the smell of tea, I would really like my house back, so consider buying a box, or gifting someone one of my Keepsake Gift boxes for Christmas. Help a sister out aha.

Tea and gift boxes: https://lyonsteaexchange.com/

Aussies/Canadians/Brits/to my other international dwelling creatures: I've finally nailed down some personalized shipping rates through FedEx. I'm actually curious what kind of shipping rates you all expect to your countries? Give me a vibe of what's normal. For example, Aussies, is $25 - 35 normal to you? Canadians, is $16 - $20?

Pls weigh in for me. I promise there's a good reason I ask.

Okay, I'm shutting up now. In the meantime, here's a photo I took the other night at dinner. Because we don't smile in the thirst traps, ever.

Hello all,

Hope everyone is doing well, especially all my Americans who are probably nervously waiting to vote in the election on Tuesday!

I wanted to drop a little note here (I'll probably say so again next week) that if you're looking to get one of my knitted Christmas sweaters, the Christmas delivery cutoff is November 10th - which I know is SO CLOSE and SO EARLY.

You're welcome to continue purchasing them after the 10th, but we just can't say for absolute certainty that they'll arrive before Christmas if so. (so, regular Christmas uncertainty :P)

The normal screenprints and embroidered items will be available throughout November - the cutoff for those is a lot later.

I just wanted to say something here to make sure nobody who wants one misses out. :')

Get your knitted sweaters here: https://www.sydneywatson.com/merch

New video coming tomorrow. I'm suffering from allergies right now and my eyeballs look like I'm in the final stages of transforming into an actual vampire. (anyone else get insanely itchy eyes around this time of year?!)

In the meantime, here is yet another photo of the "Drink Eggnog, Fight Commies" knitted jumper because I haven't yet taken any photos in the other two.